Wednesday, October 29, 2025

Wednesday, October 29, 2025

Tonight's picture was taken on Halloween of 2008. This was Mattie's last Halloween with us. Mattie picked out this costume in the oncology clinic. I will never forget the day he picked out this costume. His art therapists invited him to the clinic and into the costume room, without any other children present. They did this because they knew Mattie was very anxious about his right arm that was bandaged from his limb salvaging surgery. If Mattie was in a room with other kids, who were running around and picking out costumes, I think he would have been very fearful and most likely would have left the room. But being in the costume room without the fear of getting bumped into or falling, enabled him to evaluate all the costumes. As soon as he saw this mummy costume, he knew it was the one for him. The costume covered his bald head and you really couldn't see that Mattie's arm was casted! He made the cutest mummy around and had a good time trick or treating at both the hospital and with his preschool friend in the evening!

Quote of the day: The heaviest archives we carry are not in libraries, but in our hearts—unwritten, unspoken, unforgettable. ~ Shahbaz Shaikh

This was day 2 of contractors. Truthful they are lovely men. They are respectful of what I am balancing, they make sure everything is cleaned up and not in my parent's way, and most importantly they do not get under foot! I am grateful for this, because I have enough going on inside my home. I suppose it is my mindset now, as I know I can't continue to live with a big hole in my dining room ceiling and a torn up bathroom. So I WANT IT DONE!

When we moved into the house in 2021, this was what the bathroom looked like. We did several things to modernize it before my mom used it, such as we replaced the vanity, the toilet, and repainted the bathroom an ivory color. My point to telling you this is that this bathroom, as been through the ringer. 

In July of 2025, my mom flooded this bathroom. The vanity, floor, and part of the wall had to be totally removed and remediated. 

In August of 2025, we had fans going for three days to dry up the water. 

This is what the space looks like currently. I had that big mirror removed, the ugly light fixture is now gone, and a new subfloor was laid and walls are being dry walled. It is wonderful to see the work taking place in stages! 

When the bathroom was flooded, it went right through the dining room ceiling. I have been living with a hole in the ceiling since July. 

Here is what the dining room looks like today. We are making progress!

While this is going on, I also have the Foundation's item drive in full force. I am so thankful for my four season room, as it acts as my staging area for all the generous donations we are receiving! These donations are crucial for our hospital carts, and personally they are vital because they keep Mattie's legacy alive. Which, as his mom, is my ultimate goal!