Wednesday, March 8, 2023

Wednesday, March 8, 2023

Tonight's picture was taken in March of 2009. Mattie was home from the hospital and as you can see, our living room floor was completely transformed. We had toys, Legos, and trains everywhere. In fact, one of my mentors gave me a box of Lionel train accessories before he died. He wanted Mattie to have them, and Mattie of course loved each and every piece. When I tell you that our home looked like a warehouse when Mattie was sick, I am not kidding. It remained like that for many years after Mattie died because I just did not have the energy and strength to manage the clean up. Nor could I emotionally handle what the clean up represented. 

Quote of the day: And it is still true, no matter how old you are, when you go out into the world it is best to hold hands and stick together. ~ Robert Fulgham

This morning was an early start for Peter, as he was in an Uber at 6:30am. He is now in Seattle, pursuing a job opportunity. Thankfully the opportunity would allow him to work virtually, because no offense to Seattle, but the weather is a nightmare. 

Though Peter left early, he was his usual thoughtful self, and set up breakfast dishes and things for me, so that when I got downstairs, I literally could hit the ground running. Which was very much appreciated. 

This is also a Peter tradition! When he goes away, he leaves me loving post-it notes. He has done this throughout our marriage. The notes are all over the kitchen. Given my daily routine, these messages really perked up my day. 

The notes even made it to the refrigerator!

Also in the pantry!

I did my usual morning routine. Got my dad to his memory care center, then came home and managed my mom. She is slowly improving, but still not well. I have no idea how she would have gotten any better without antibiotics. She is now on her second round of antibiotics and I am hoping within a few days she will be stronger. This illness has left her depleted. 

Meanwhile, I got on the phone with the pulmonologist office today because I want my dad to be a patient of this doctor too. This doctor has been a lifesaver for my mom, unlike her internist. Of course nothing is simple, I waited on the phone awhile and then once I got an appointment I had to work with the staff on getting my dad signed up under my patient portal. I manage all my parent's doctor appointments and communications. 

This afternoon, I am taking my parents out for a late lunch/early dinner. I am very tired from cooking, serving, and cleaning up three meals a day, for almost two weeks straight. That is of course on top of all the other caregiving tasks I do. But here's the kicker.... our oven is NOT working. I am glad it happened now, when I can work around it (as thankfully the range still is operational), but there is never a dull moment in this house.