Sunday, October 26, 2008

Where in the World is Suzann?


This has been a hectic time. My client work is interesting and fulfilling yet very time consuming. My friend V arrived from Seattle late Thursday night and we are having a nice time just hanging out - talking, laughing, cooking, watching movies - yesterday, Deb came and we had massages - a nice relaxing time.

My mother had surgery last Tuesday night and was released from the hospital yesterday. She ripped the tendon loose from her knee cap = ouch! It was reattached and she has a cast from her hip to mid-calf. She is getting around with a wheel chair and a walker. Our family friend R is there caring for her right now. Blessings abound! She will have a home health care aid beginning next week. The cast will be on from 6 to 8 weeks and "then we will see." At her age, one does not heal as rapidly - we are all hoping and praying that it heals and she is walking again in a couple of months. We just don't know.

I was scheduled to depart for Colorado on November 9th for another week-long grief seminar at the Center for Loss and Life Transition last night I changed my reservation (Wow, was that expensive!) and am leaving for California on November 8th - I am needed at home. I have no other time on my calendar that I can be away without compromising client work.

I am disappointed about my training - I was so anticipating this next intensive course in the series entitled "Counseling Skills Fundamentals." I was also looking forward to seeing my teacher and being in the community of learners. No biggie, this particular training topic will be given next year - my mother needs me now.

The time has arrived to have the conversation no one wants to have with their parent - we need to make plans for her to sell the house and find a smaller, one level place to live. Of course, the current real estate market makes for a less than optimal time to sell but it needs to be done. I don't think we have to put the house on the market the week I am there - she needs time to heal and to adjust to the idea. There is no more denial - it is a matter of identifying the time frame and getting the real estate agent working on it. I will look at different types of housing options while I am there this time.

This is the thing I most feared, some type of incident that would force the issue. I watched and played a major caregiving role with my dear MIL - she stayed and stayed in her house, refusing to consider a move and when she finally was forced (by dementia) to move out, she could not adjust to the assisted living facility. The end came quickly.

In my mother's case, I think it is prudent to see how she heals, that will inform the type of housing she next needs to find. I have worked very hard at trying to understand - my mother is not incompetent although she has been in denial - she is walking a path that I have yet to traverse (if I live that long). I treat her with dignity and respect, she is not a child. I keep in mind how I want my own children to treat me as the years progress. Oh how difficult it is when you see some things very clearly - I have said for a very long time, "Mom is one accident away from bigger changes that she knows." I am truly sorry to have that come to pass.

The Autumn continues to be spectacular in the north country. This morning we are going to church and then out for brunch and a quick stop at the Farmers Market for the last corn of the season and a big ol' pumpkin for a Jack O'Lantern. Have a wonderful Sunday. One terrific thing is - there is wireless internet at mother's house - I will be able to post some great fall wine country photos.

More to come..........

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Friday, October 17, 2008

Friday Night

This is a very busy time for me. I have been working on a new client project for the past month - I finished the internal interviews and the organizational assessment and delivered the Report to their board via overnight mail today. It is always a relief to finish this part of a transition client. The board is having their retreat on Monday night - many tough decisions to be made and then on to the future.

My time in San Antonio was stressful and successful!! We have been able to get my son the treatment he needs right now for serious emotional issues. His very life hung in the balance. Thank you so much for all your thoughts and prayers that flew across the miles.

Today my mother fell and hurt her knee - ratz! She was in the hospital for x-rays and now is home. A friend of the family is coming up from the Bay Area to stay for a few days until we find out the extent of the injury. She is in a "walking cast" and has crutches. However, she is immobile without assistance. This may be the beginning of the end of mother in the two story house.

Tomorrow morning is my workout with Suzy, my dear, tough personal trainer and then Farmer's Market. Lots of things to do this weekend including some down time and some blog time.

The leaves are in full glory - peak color - I will have lots of photos to post soon. I hope you have a terrific weekend planned. More to come..................

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Friday, October 10, 2008

Change


Last Saturday morning I drove down this street to my personal trainer's house/studio and all the trees were green. On Tuesday, I drove the same route to her studio and presto! The trees are beautiful. Change we really can believe in..............mother nature's amazing cycle of growth, death, renewal and growth.

I am on my way to San Antonio tomorrow. I am going on family business again. Please do keep my youngest son JAE in your thoughts and prayers - I cannot "talk about it" yet - just keep us close in your thoughts.

My best friend and JAE's Aunt J is meeting me in San Antonio and so I will have a lovely weekend with my oldest friend. We will talk until we have no breath left in our bodies. I return to Minnesota on Tuesday. I will try to post at least once while I am in the lovely City of San Antonio. More to come................

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

The Bounty of the Harvest





Here are the weekend photos from the Farmer's Market - the next to last photo is of the veggies I brought home. I cooked a huge pot of Ratatouille, roasted a piece of fresh lamb and made a nice yogurt sauce. Very yummy - harvest time - such a delight.

Monday, October 06, 2008

Late Summer Weekend

Autumn is definitely on its way. Our trees are barely tipped with gold yet the socks and sweaters are out of their summer storage drawers. This weekend I wore socks with my moccasins and a gorgeous knitted scarf - so warm and cozy. I love living a four season climate. Happy to see my sandals each spring and ready to wrap up in my big wool shawl as winter approaches.

I have a set of late summer photos to post - the bounty of harvest at the Farmer's Market, the changing sky and others but blogger is being touchy this morning and will not allow upload at this time.

I am working in my home office today and will try to share them later in the day. Happy Monday.