Mom has been doing very well and I think she’s looking forward to being at our house. We’re looking forward to having her here too, but the next couple of weeks (well, less than that now) are going to be INSANE here. We have so much to do before she gets here and to be honest, it’s all a bit overwhelming.
I’m glad that we have a vehicle that will allow us to take her wherever we need to (although we are already having an issue with it – won’t bother you with those details). It will be nice on discharge day to load up all of her belongings, wheel her into the van, and just drive home. No more arranging transport or being at the mercy of another driver’s schedule or geographical know-how (our last guy got very lost getting to us). We start some major construction projects on Tuesday. Today and tomorrow will be spent moving of “stuff” so the workers can work. We have a couple of doorways that need to be widened, an upstairs bath will be completely gutted and redone for her, bedroom carpet ripped up and replaced with hardwood, all existing shelving in the bedroom removed (all of Sam’s old stuff), walls patched and painted, and not to mention creating a place for Sam now. She’s not complaining. She’s moving to the basement, but we have work that we need to do there to make it a nice livable space for a teenager. Today she’s helping Chad paint her room. Let’s see how that goes!
Although we already have one storage unit full of mom’s belongings, I told Chad that I’m ready to empty out our house and do more purging. Even if that means getting a storage unit of our own. We really have way too much stuff. We’ll be getting rid of some exercise equipment, furniture, even a telescope! I’m hoping I can sell these things fairly easily. I know we’re going to take a huge loss but right now we need to scale back and start living more simply. Too much clutter is preventing me from being able to think and process, ultimately contributing to anxiety issues. Definitely no bueno.
In the meantime, I really hope that mom doesn’t get too bored at her place. I have explained to her that between work, this remodel, and Sam starting marching band practice, I cannot spend the 8-12 hours a day there like I had in the past. Thankfully her friend, R, comes to see her very regularly and that is a huge help. Her other friend, H, stopped by yesterday to see her before she headed off on her road trip. The next time mom gets to visit with her she will be in our place! Mom is really looking forward to Cyndie and Wade coming down. She hasn’t seen Wade since April and I’m sure he’s going to be stunned when he sees her.
I have all but given up on the members from her church and that makes me very sad. But again, it is what it is. Chad, Sam, and I attended church this morning and it felt good to be back in service. I really think mom will like it. Our pastor is so intelligent, funny, easy to understand, and the worship band is awesome. Hopefully she will enjoy it and will be happy to call Cornerstone her new “home church”. It does upset me to think that mom feels like people have left her. I honestly have expected more from certain people. But she is doing well and I think she’s ready to re-start her life, wherever that may be. She knows who is there for her unconditionally and always, without question or fail.
Mom will be back at it with therapy tomorrow. I am hoping that these last two days off have done her some good. When I head up in a bit to see her I can tell her that she only has 12 more “cot and hots” before she’s HOME. Actually looking forward to what that version of our “new normal” will look like. No matter what happens, I have a feeling it won’t be boring!