Saturday, January 2, 2021

Saturday, January 2, 2021

Tonight's picture was taken in December of 2008. Mattie was home for Christmas and was visited by my friend's cousin, aka SANTA. Santa brought presents and great cheer! Which unfortunately was short lived. By that point in time Mattie was dealing with depression, anxiety, and medical trauma. Truly I did not understand how the hospital could release us when Mattie was dealing with profound pain, psychological trauma, and adjusting to his disabilities. Time may have passed but the feelings of hopelessness and chaos immediately come right back just by seeing this photo. 

Quote of the day: Today's coronavirus update from Johns Hopkins.

• Number of people diagnosed with the virus: 20,396,243
• Number of people who died from the virus: 349,933

After my dad's caregiver left today, we got into the car and drove to the notary. I was determined to get estate planning and durable power of attorney paper work in order. After two hours at the notary, YES TWO HOURS!!!!, we got it all done. There were many legal documents that needed to be notarized, and the person working with us, was edgy! I can assure you I AM IN NO MOOD for edgy! I literally snapped this person's head off. He pushed right back and I said, 'we are bringing you business, and I don't appreciate the attitude.' Basically he was giving me a hard time because he thought the documents were unclear. THEY ARE VERY CLEAR, he just did not want to take my guidance on what part of the documents needed to be notarized. We eventually had a meeting of the minds, but what I have noticed is with the day to day pace I am keeping, I have a very short fuse. I also find it particularly interesting that those around me have NO EMPATHY for what I am doing and managing. Also TIP OF THE DAY..... once a document is notarized and stapled, it CAN'T be unstapled in order to make a copy of it. An unstapled notarized document is considered null and void. LOVELY!

On New Year's Day, I cooked a mini-Thanksgiving type dinner for my parents. Instead of a turkey, I cooked a roasting chicken. My dad's favorite is the stuffing. He literally can eat an entire casserole dish all by himself. Needless to say, he is eating very well, which is good to see. 

Each evening, after I clean up dinner plates, and help my dad into his big reclining chair, my mom and I go out for a walk. We really need the fresh air, after a long day of caregiving and chores. I have been enjoying the holiday lights. It perks both of us up. I have tried to get my dad in the car to see the lights, he refuses to go. 

Can you see Santa in the tree? I love the reindeer too. 

This may not look bad in the picture, but in real life, it looks like a landing strip! As the lights flash. 

Simply elegant!

This house got to me! Every part of the house and lawn was lit up! I would love to see the electric bill from this. Nonetheless, there is so much going on, you can't help but be intrigued and smile. 

This is the same house shown above. Except it is the whole property! You can see these lights from blocks away!

Pretty in purple. 

Peter sent me this photo! Indie is the first cat I have owned who insists on getting her water from the bathroom sink!

When Peter opened up his parent's door today, he saw this! Well actually Sunny saw the deer first and was like a kid at Christmas. Very excited and barking up a storm. 

As Peter is visiting his parents, he sent me some photos of Mattie that are in their photo albums. 

I believe this was Christmas 2005, it snowed and we took Mattie sledding in Peter's parents front yard. 

Christmas past in Boston. 

I have no idea where this was, other than a museum! Peter did take Mattie to Boston one or two times with me, and I am sure this was one of those times. 

The beauty of Mattie! I haven't seen these photos in years, so in some ways it is like seeing them for the first time. 

Christmas with Mattie.