Thursday, September 29, 2016

Sincere Thanks

Thank you so much for the lovely comments on my previous post. And thanks also to friends and family who have been a great comfort in person. I am truly blessed.

I came home on Tuesday, Sept 27. I have been very tired and am trying to take it easy. I have a million things to do at home; I'll get them done as I can. I have been going to bed early at night, something that is unusual for me.

I'll write more later; for now I just wanted to check in and say thanks. Your kindnesses mean a lot.

family members at my mom's memorial service, wearing red (her favorite color) in her honor -- the quilts behind us are some of the many that my mom made; all are hand quilted.

our newest family member with me, and with Mom - her youngest great-grandchild (four days before Mom died)

Mom with her 4 children.. she was starting to fade and the picture of Mom isn't the best, but it's our last of the 4 of us with her. We came from MN, NY, and KY. Being together through all of this was great.

Some of us at Sunshine are making heart blocks in memory of my mom. I am truly blessed with wonderful friends.

Friday, September 23, 2016

My Dear Mother

I have been away, helping take care of my elderly mother. After several weeks of illness and pain, she passed away peacefully on September 21, 2016, surrounded by her three daughters and her oldest grandchild. She was 95. What a life of accomplishment she lived! She was intelligent, strong, and kind. I am going to miss her a lot.

Memorial Service will be next Monday. We are all emotionally spent and exhausted. I'm still a little bit in shock.


Friday, September 09, 2016

Friday Books: Craig Ferguson

American On Purpose: The Improbable Adventures of an Unlikely Patriot by Craig Ferguson.
Craig Ferguson’s autobiography is an interesting look at his early life in Scotland, how he ended up living in USA, and most of all his journey through alcoholism and drug use. At times it was hard to read about his destructive and difficult years as an alcoholic. That kind of life is just not a pretty picture. He finally gets himself cleaned up and lives a sober, happy, successful life as an American citizen. I miss seeing him on late night TV.

Wednesday, September 07, 2016

Daily Life

Our son spent two years teaching in Korea. He's back home (for now), and has had fun cooking for us now and then. Tonight he prepared a typical Korea restaurant meal. It's cooked at the table; as parts are finished, people take them right out of the pan, with chopsticks, of course. (I used a spoon. I should probably attempt to master those pesky chopsticks.)


He said we were missing some key ingredients, but hubby and I couldn't tell, and we thought it was delicious. Sometimes one puts some of all the parts (rice from a separate bowl, and from the pot one takes vegies and meat as desired), rolls it up inside a lettuce leaf, and eats it all in one bite. He said he had never seen anyone eat it in bites like I did.

At the end, when most of the pot ingredients are eaten up, the rest of the rice is put in there, an egg is added, and "fried rice" is created. Yum! What a fun, end-of-meal delight!


In other family news: my mother is out of the hospital and out of rehab and back in her own apartment. She's much happier there. She's doing pretty well - as well as can be expected when one is 95 and has various ailments from which to try to recover.

Today I sewed along with my new, regular group which meets every Wednesday. It's a long drive from home, but fun to have a group with whom to sew every week.

I finished assembling this quilt, made of a hodge podge of donated and orphan blocks.

I also finished the binding on this baby quilt which is for my newest great-niece.

Sunday, September 04, 2016

Mom Was Hospitalized

I have been away for a few days. My mother was very ill and hospitalized with a c-diff infection. It was scary for a while, but she recovered quickly. She is not back to 100% health, so after leaving the hospital she had to go to a rehab wing in a nursing home. She is not happy about this and is eager to go back home to her apartment.

She's in a nice place, it's just not what she wants, and it doesn't feel right to her. Hopefully it will be a short stay.

Thanks to all my friends and acquaintances who have prayed for my mother and sent good, healing thoughts. We really appreciate your kindnesses and are happy that Mom is almost back to full health.

My cute mom is 95 years old!