When it rains, it pours ...

You are in my thoughts and prayers.

It is said that God only gives us what we can handle - sometimes we wish He didn't trust us so much.

FutureBackMom, I am sooooo sorry. It definitely sounds as if your "parade" is being rained on.

My husband and I have a relative in a similar situation to that of your mom. It is very frustrating and sad to see older folks reap the consequences of their actions -- or lack thereof -- earlier in life. (And just at the time when we really need money for college tuition, we may need to begin supplementing this relative's income. )

I will be keeping you and your family in my prayers. Know that the Lord is with you and His perfect plan will not be thwarted. Please keep us posted on your father-in-law's condition.

FutureBack Mom,

I'm sending prayers of umbrellas and rainbows in your direction!

Hope your family can skate through this rough patch....



P.S. I like the turkey!

So sorry, I am sending prayers, you are really going through a rough time.

Remember: The task ahead of you is never as great as the power of God behind you.

Prayers still flowing from the Bluegrass!

FutureBack.Mom--We feel your pain. We've been in a flood lately, too, with no let-up in sight.

Know that we will continue to keep your family in our prayers.

FutureBack.Mom-

Sorry to hear about how things have been going lately.
Thoughts and prayers headed your way.

Guess what all that rain brings?
a flower for you. A symbol of things getting better soon.

Hey Justbaseball-

Good thing you have that canoe for your recent flood. Hope things get better soon.

Oh, MA, enough is enough! I am so sorry to hear that the monsoon hasn't slowed down any.

This Sandwich Time is rough, taking care of kids and parents at the same time. Our parents took care of us; eventually, the roles reverse.....

Prayers and positive energy coming to you from waaaayyy across the country.

D.

FBM--I feel your pain and heartily agree with your advice. My parents didn't plan either, and my mom had a devastating stroke that required 24 hour care for many years.

The worst part of course is not the finances, or the guilt that we can't do more, the worst part is knowing they are suffering physically and emotionally when they are least able to cope with it.

We have been much more conservative with our spending, as a result of which I do not believe that our kids will ever have the financial concerns for us that my brother and I have had for our parents. But it is very hard on EVERYONE when this kind of thing happens.

Heartfelt thoughts coming your way.

FBMom,....HUGZZZZZZZZZZ,...and lots of them coming your way!!

FBM -
I am so sorry to read about you & your family's health challenges. Sending prayers and best wishes.

FBMom,....just checking in on you.

FBM,

Just wanted you to know I was thinking about you. Prayers sent from the east coast.

Just checking in - Hoping things are a bit more peaceful now.

thinking of you.

FBM, prayers coming your way! My daddy always tells me that God doesn't give us more than we can handle, I'm sure its true but sometimes I wonder... Hope all is well your way.

Thanks all for your well wishes and prayers.

Things are settling down a bit as father-in-law has returned to his assisted living residence ... as of last Friday afternoon. The doctors basically have no definitive diagnosis for the incident but believe now that he had some kind of a seisure. I understand that the one Alzheimers med he takes can cause this, and some have told me that some Alzheimers' patients also experience seizures as a result of the illness (I have not researched it personally ... just word of mouth from mother-in-law.)

My mom is in a board and care facility now ... nice and big (I looked at two very good ones and this one is huge with 4000 sq feet of living space for the 6 ladies and the owner. Mom is definitely the youngest at 82 but she seems to be coping well. She needs to get doing her exercises on a regular basis as well as her walking but she is definitely walking so much better. I have to contact the VNA about a physical therapist who is supposed to come out once or twice to the b & c ... and also have to arrange transportation for some x-rays and a doctor's appt after Thanksgiving. Plus, I understand the owner does not celebrate Thanksgiving with the ladies ... she is Romanian (a lovely lovely gal about 38 years old ... ) ... and altho we want to have dinner here at our house, getting Mom here might pose a problem because she can't yet get into and out of a car. That is our next task ... but at least it has more pleasant overtones.

The owner of the b & c gave me a break on the rate and prorated it as well for the rest of the month. She also is waiving the 30 day notice requirement for when Mom leaves. She is a God-send for me at this time.

Thanks again for checking in .... I know the prayers are working because I am still sane and have not lost my sense of humor. Now if I could only get a good night's sleep without the Lunesta

MA - Glad to hear things are proceeding well. Love that pic!!

Thanks for the update, and I'm relieved it's better news. Keeping up the positive energy in any case.

Hey, girl, sleep is for wimps --- you're doing well!

Will the kids be with you for Thanksgiving?

Orlando ...

Thanksgiving is such a question mark right now ... my mom's board and care doesn't 'celebrate' as everybody goes to a relative's house (and the owner is Romanian). Mom can't get in or out of a car yet so we aren't sure what we are going to do with her and my in-laws ... I am actually going to ask the caregiver if we can 'use' the house for the day and have our small family celebrate ... perhaps bring something in or make a small turkey there etc.

I am ready for a cruise to Tahiti !!!! Do you think anybody will notice my absence?

You bet they will, but the heck with them if they can't take a joke!

I introduced English friends to Thanksgiving....maybe your Portable Thanksgiving could make a change in the life of your Romanian caregiver. It's such a great holiday --- no decorations, cards or gifts required. Just a good meal with people you love, giving thanks for the blessings we have.

Here's to more for you to be thankful for!

FBM-
Yes they will notice...you are the glue that keeps your family together and happy! Anyway, I'm pretty sure they don't have turkey in Tahiti, and you know you want some.

In my area a lot of the grocery stores are offering a fully cooked holiday meal with all of the trimmings for a pretty good price, just call ahead and order. You could always fill in with some homemade stuff.

One year our entire family met in San Diego for my nephew's college basketball tournament during Thanksgiving holiday. We all stayed in the same hotel, and on Thanksgiving Day, we leisurely enjoyed the sports bar with all the games on, the kids were running around outside on a gated basketball court, lots of visiting, we played games in the grand room and best of all, when dinner was served (buffet of everything imaginable) we were all able to sit together at one long table, and best of all when we were done, we just walked awasy, nothing to clean up- just more fun.

My point is, that Thanksgiving was one of our most enjoyable because we were so relaxed. No one was stressing over the food.

I enjoy cooking for my family very much and usually think of it as a labor of love, or my gift to them.
But, I have to tell you that Thanksgiving at the hotel was one of the best, even though is wasn't homemade...just a thought. Hope you have a lovely holiday.

It continues to rain in these parts, too....

For the first time ever, my mother will not be sharing Thanksgiving with her family--she has been in the hospital since Friday, with no release in sight. She is a rock, but appears to be crumbling...

My mother is a woman who loves salt and typically has low blood pressure... She entered the hospital complaining of being "dizzy" and so far they have determined that she has low sodium levels and high blood pressure....anyway, saline isn't helping, and neither are the "salt tablets" that they are giving her...

So I am torn--where to eat dinner? With my mother without my family, or with my family without my mother....She'll tell me to be with the family (all of her children and grandchildren) but she will be lonely.....I hate dilemmas!!!!!



Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

I'm sorry your mom isn't well. Hopefully they will get things worked out soon. Maybe you can take a goodie plate to her after dinner? Sounds like her diet isn't restricted.

Take Care