Odds and Ends

 Thanks again for all the support, comments and thoughts and prayers. I really appreciate them. It makes my heart feel good that there are such nice and supportive people out there. This really can be a good community!

Just a few random bits today - phone photos that I've taken of my days. Still plodding away.

Some lovely painted stones I saw on my walk the other day. How appropriate they are! They really made me smile and brightened my day. 

A cross stitch I've started. The light is getting better in the daytime - there has actually been several days of sunshine this week. Great for stitching. I showed this to Mum the other day and I need to do more so I can show her progress the next time we manage to video chat! Great motivation :)

An Ice Cairn. First time I've seen one of these! Husband's work doesn't want him to work overtime and he worked longer this week so ended up taking a few hours holiday and had the day off today. We went out for the day. It was lovely and bright and fairly warm (at least for Michigan lol). 

Hopefully this video will show up lol. I took - no tried, to take some video at the lighthouse. 

Ups and Downs

 Ups and downs again. I am just trying to go with the flow, appreciate the good days and try not to worry too much about the bad days. I Skyped with Mum today - it's been a while since we've done that as we've been Facetiming. Yesterday when I communicated with sister she said Mum had been asking to talk to me, so that's what we did today. I don't know how to describe how she is...just to say changed. I see glimpses of her but she's struggling with basic things, remembering things and putting them into words. Sometimes her humour shines through or something I would recognise as something Mum would say. She did cry in the beginning when we started to talk. Made me want to cry, but I didn't. I know it would only upset her if she saw me upset. She's supposed to have more blood taken tomorrow (if they can manage to take any) and see how her infection is doing. 

I'm wandering through days still not getting as much done as I would like but more than I have been. I really appreciate all the support and messages. They help. 

The weather here in Michigan has been changing. There have actually been a few days of sunshine this week and - gasp - temperatures above freezing! It certainly does make me feel a little brighter to see the sunshine. Warmer temperatures means that the snow begins to melt and then freezes again at night causing icy spots on pavements and my daily walk. My walking friend and I really had to watch where we were putting our feet today as the ice was quite bumpy. 

I have been doing a little creating - taking lots of photos as photography seems to be my go-to stress reliever - but I have been trying to get up in the craft room. I have made a couple more cards to send to Mum. 

And lastly a phone photo husband took of me when we went out to see the ice on the beach at a local State Park. We were way back from the edge of the ice - yes, that much ice had really built up - and it was extremely frozen. We made sure to stay away from anything unstable or anything close to the water. 

 I can't believe another week is done. It's been another week of ups and downs. Yup, still struggling. I hate saying that but it's why I haven't been around much. 

Yesterday was a really bad day. I dreamt about Mum on Thursday night. It wasn't a bad dream. We were on holiday together. Usually when I go visit we go on a coach holiday for a week. If you've ever been on one of these coach holidays you'll probably understand what I'm saying. Usually one coach (feeder coach) takes you from your home town to a pick-up point where you join another coach for your destination. It's a really long way to travel and not usually by direct route. Anyway Mum usually complains/comments that the journey is too long. Last time when we went away there was someone on our feeder coach that was going to Great Yarmouth which is only about 1 1/2 hours from Ipswich (hometown) but using the feeder coach system ends up taking most of the day. In my dream that was where we were going. It was sunny out though. 

When I woke up I cried. I missed last year's getaway due to Covid and now... I don't know. Most of the day I had crying fits. I guess it was one of those days for Mum too as my sister got hold of me and asked if I was home to video chat with Mum. I managed not to cry when I was on with mum, but she's not doing too well. Before Covid she was self sufficient and loved to chat. She's lost a lot in the few weeks since her diagnosis. It's just hard to let go of how she was. I know she's still here. I'd love to be able to give her a hug or just wave at her through a window. 

I seem to worry all the time. About Mum. About my sister who is taking care of her. I can't imagine how hard it must be for her. She has her husband and, luckily good friends who ring and talk to her for support, but I can't be there to help and it makes me feel helpless. 

Mum still has an infection - which is probably hindering her recovery. Apparently her infection markers are worse than they were when she was in the hospital. She has started on another antibiotic. Please keep her in your thoughts/prayers. I know she can use them.

I'm taking a leaf out of Bless and Eileen blogs and posting Things to be Grateful For

- my sister. I am so grateful for her. I just can't put it into words. 

- my daughter. We usually chat and text frequently, but she's been checking in with me every day as she knows how tough this has been for me. 

Photo for today : - My daughter sent me this lovely photo of a smiling Shasta to cheer me up. I could really use her cuddles right now!

New Week - really icy!

 It's the start of another week. Another week of winter weather. We've had cold weather here in Michigan and another snow storm. The snow was quite deep this morning. Husband had dug out some paths to the birdfeeders - got to make sure the birds are fed lol - but the driveway wasn't done. I have a four wheel drive car but I was afraid I wouldn't get out and the street wasn't done so I stayed inside until husband came home. He took me to the park for a walk while he did the driveway and the raked the snow off the roof (yes, that is a thing - it helps cut down on the build-up of icicles). I was glad to get out but it took me a long while to walk such a short distance! 

Not a lot of update on Mum. I think there is just such a long road ahead. More than any of us thought.  I feel for my sister and wish I could give her a break. It sounds like she has a really good friend that she can talk to - though they can't visit at all due to the lockdown. 

I've been trying this week. I have been up in my craftroom. I am finding it a little hard to create when I'm in a funk, but I'm just trying to go with the flow. 

At the weekend husband and I managed to get out on Sunday. We went up to the lighthouse to see some ice. It was lovely. I don't like cold or snow, but seeing the ice it is just something fantastical. It's amazing what Mother Nature can do. 

Photo day - two phone photos from the weekend. I am still sorting through camera photos. 

Another Week Passed

 Not a lot to report on Mum's health. As I said before, I think there will be good days and bad days. I did talk to her on Thursday. She struggled to speak, but she did remember things. She was crying. I think because (as always) she was thinking of me and how worried I've been. It was nice to chat to her and I tried my hardest not to cry as I didn't want to upset her. She sounded really glad to be able to talk to me even if it was for only a short time. 

This upcoming week I am going to jump back into things and try to get back on track. That means writing lists and planning menus. I feel stuck in a sort of limbo but there isn't a lot I can do right now. I'm hoping that as time progresses Mum's health will improve and maybe I'll get to be able to visit (even with a quarantine) and give my sister a break. I can only hope.  I find Wednesdays and Saturdays really difficult as those were the days I 'visited' with Mum. I just try to keep extra busy on those days.

Winter has really set in here though it sounds like we're not the only ones getting the snow. My sister says they have had some snow and it stayed for a while - which it usually doesn't. Ours will be around for quite a while to come I think. We're going through a cold snap and temperatures will be quite low this week. 

I hope everyone is well. I have some blogs to catch up on!

Todays photo - a collage of a few ice photos.  

 What a great online community this is! I really appreciate all your words of support, thoughts and prayers for mum. 

There isn't much of an update. She's doing okay. The chest infection is still an issue. The nurse came to take more blood on Monday but couldn't manage to get any so is coming back on Thursday to try again.  She is having a physiotherapist coming tomorrow. Mum seems settled in at sisters. She has been eating sometimes. I have prepared myself for up and down days. Hopefully the up days will be better than the down ones. My sister is happier to be home and have support. I will update as things progress. 

They have had some snow in Ipswich! Usually it doesn't stick around for long, but the temperatures have been low enough that it has stuck around. We've had more snow here too. The temperatures have been low enough that - in just a week - Lake Michigan has already started freezing over. We took a trip on Sunday to see a lighthouse further up the lakeshore. It was so cold and blowy husband sat in the car most of the time!

It was too icy to walk along the pier. We had on our ice thingys but I wouldn't chance it. I was happy enough to get photos from afar. Getting out cleared my head for a little while. 

I did make another card for Mum. Just something little. I'm trying to send one each week that will hopefully cheer her up a little. I did send some flowers to Mum and sister. A group I'm in on Facebook recommended a local flower shop and I'm glad I went with them. I had ordered the flowers to be delivered to Mum's house before sister made the decision to take Mum back to her house. I immediately contacted the flower shop who promptly replied and delivered the flowers to my sister's house. I shall definitely order from them again! The flowers helped cheer both sister and Mum up a little. 

This is the latest card I'm sending. 

Thanks Again

 Thanks again for the thoughts and prayers. Mum could still use them. Not a lot of change. There are up and down days. She still has a chest infection. The doctor came out today and prescribed some new antibiotics. The other ones caused Mum to come out in a rash too - so that wasn't good! I've spent too much time crying and not enough time doing other things. I don't know quite how to pull myself out of this sadness that I feel. I did speak to Mum today. She was awake for a little while. I told her that I loved her and I wanted her to get strong so that I could give her a great big hug as I miss our virtual hugs. She did speak to me a little though she didn't sound like her normal self. I hope if she gets on those new antibiotics they can fight the chest infection. It's a complication from Covid and the main worry right now. 

My sister has made the decision to take Mum back to her house. I had known it would be coming soon. It will be a lot easier for sister to be able to take care of her there and she will have the support (mentally and to help physically) of her husband as it looks like Mum will be needing long term care. They are taking her bed and chair. My sister has a dining room additional and will set up Mum's bed there. They have some help from my nephew-in-law and other brother-in-law to help move everything. 

Deep breath. 

It's been a bit of a week. I am keeping up with the regular daily things but not a lot else. I have been out walking when I can and taking photos. I tend to forget about things while I'm out with my camera and find it a solace. Today the snow and cold came. It is looking to be a really cold week. Our highs are (at most) going to 19F/-7C  and the lowest 5F/-15C. Brrr.... I didn't go for a walk today. The snow was blowing and it was icy too. I decided to stay inside. It made the day quite long. There was lots I could have been doing but just couldn't seem to get up the oompf.

Photo today - a little Downy Woodpecker. 

Thanks for all the comments and thoughts, prayers for Mum. DC, when the doctor came the other day he gave my sister a pulse oximetry thingy so sister can keep track of oxygen levels. She is still waiting to hear about blood tests. 

I am not feeling very creative or energetic. If I let myself think about things too much it takes me on a dark spiral. I went up to my craft room to try to make Mum another card and it just didn't seem to come together. I did manage to make one, but I want something a little bit brighter. I shall send this one off tomorrow and try to make another. Mum got the card I sent the other day and sister said it brightened her up.

February and Mum update

Can't believe that it's February already. I was hoping 2021 was going to be better, but it's off to a horrible, bumpy start.

Thanks for all the kind thoughts and prayers for Mum. She did come home from the hospital on Friday but she's not doing so good. She can't get around much and is struggling to eat and drink. My sister has been staying with her and I am so thankful for that but it is really trying on her. On Sunday she was so worried she called the out-of-hours service and a doctor came to check mum out. They said she is suffering from Long Covid. I think that is where the symptoms linger and can cause additional problems. He did give her medication to help with a couple of issues. I won't go into all her medical details, but please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. She is struggling. She's fighting but it's taking a lot out of her. I did manage to talk to her once, but she had trouble talking though once or twice her sense of humour popped through. I wish I could get on a plane and go to her side, not just to help her but help my sister too. I hate this. I hate Covid. I get so angry when I see people denying it exists or go on about how it's not serious. Ag. Deep breath. I can't control that. I just want to be able to chat with Mum again or see her smile. How things can change within just a couple of weeks!

Photo today - when my friend and I were out walking the other day we say a really dedicated photographer. It was probably about -5c/22F early in the morning and he was huddled just inside this blanket, on the ground, in the snow waiting to get a photograph of the beaver!

Another week almost over. It's been a strange one this week. I've been reading more than usual. I think it's a form of escapism. It's nice to pick up a book and be able to not think of real life for a while. I must admit that I haven't been reading any really serious, meaningful books, but they have been enjoyable all the same. I did sign up for another Goodreads challenge this year. 100 books. I managed to do it last year but I think some of that was due to the pandemic. We'll see how well I do this year.

I didn't go for a walk on Tuesday when it was snowy. The hill outside my house didn't look so good so I decided to stay home. It was a good choice. I did get some things done in the craft room. I have a lot to share - projects completed over the past few weeks - but I haven't go around to taking photos of them yet. I could take phone photos, but I got a lightbox for Christmas and would like to try it out and see how the photos turn out. Of course that's something I haven't got around to yet! I did start one of the new cross stitch projects I had picked out. I haven't got a lot done but starting is the hardest part!

I thought this little cartoon was funny.  I have been taken a lot of bird photos lately so it made me laugh.