Is it Spring yet?

It's been a while since I've posted, and a couple of friends have sent email to see if I still live and breathe.  I do.  Last post involved the caregiver we were trying to integrate.  Well, the one who was in the accident is still recovering.  We met a new woman, Linda, and it's been quite a trial getting her on board with mom.  Linda is kind and considerate and I think once she gets her feet under her she'll be really capable.  It turns out that Senior Helpers doesn't really do any "training" for their employees.  They learn as they go.  So, anyway, Tom and I have been persistent, and Linda is now coming 3 days a week for 2 hours in the afternoons.  This leaves me and Tom each a day off during the week, maybe two for Tom, since he also works and has a family.  Even the promise of one full day mom-free is a wonderful thing for me though, and I treasure those days.

I had the opportunity to leave town for 5 days at the end of January, and went to Orlando to hang out with Nina.  We had a great condo with a pool and game room and hot tub.  We drove to Daytona one day, went to Animal Kingdom one day, got a bit of color.  I kicked her butt in Wii bowling and she KO'd me in boxing several times.  We ate an entire gallon of chocolate ice cream in those five days, and devoured at least one pizza and a whole fried chicken among other things.  The day I got back, I came down with bronchitis, so was sick for a week and trying to deal with that and with mom was sort of a trial for me.  But we're through the worst now.

Mike, the wayward brother is due back in a couple of weeks.  Talk about keeping our expectations low.  I almost wish he'd just stay gone.  But, once he shows up, we're all going to sit down and make a decision.  That means that I want to place the mom in a facility so that we know she is cared for and safe 24/7.  There aren't going to be any ifs, ands, or buts.  It has to be for the peace of mind of all of us.

Let me leave you with a picture of Nina and me sitting with Walt Disney.  Bless you friends.  I hold you all in the light.