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Friday, November 19, 2010

Time to catch up


This photo of my MIL and myself was taken on November 12 it was to celebrate her
90th Birthday ! Is that special or what !!
90 years old that my friends is a full well lived life !
This little lady was married for 60 years before her husband passed away and has 4 children of which I was fortunate enough to have been in love and married to her second son for 40 years
She always has a smile and is the most agreeable person I know.
She was not afraid of work and did a lot of charity and volunteering too in her spare time.
She was quite the little bridge player too in her day.
She also has alzheimers and has lived with me for 10 years.
She wants to go to a nursing home to live to be more social and meet friends on a day to day basis.She is looking forward to the second half of her life as she calls it.

We had 2 family parties for her one at home here and one at my brother in law's home, we had family members come from far to attend, it was of course very special and we took lots of family photos.
I made her an album of her very own, in it I put everyone's photo of her special day and I added everyone's name in huge block letters as she cannot remember anyone's name anymore.
She was so happy with her album she carries it everywhere to show it off.When I gave it to her she was so happy just to see her smile was worth making it for her.
This is my MIL Cecile on her 90th Birthday!

A bit of this and that.............


I have been busy with yard work, doing leaves the never ending leaves 29 extra large bags of leaves, we live on a corner lot and I have a huge big old elm tree in my back yard , I love that tree in the summer its branches act like a canopy over the yard but come fall I sure pay the price for all that shade.
My hubby use to do it all, I never truly appreciated how tired he must have been after doing those leaves.I did 6 bags myself and had to stop my back is killing me, I asked a friend if his grandsons wanted to make some money (they did) and they finished the yard for me.
I was happy to see the end of the leaves in the bags and what satisfaction to see it finished .

Next year I will be a little smarter and buy a lawn mower with a leaf mulcher and bag !
Why didnt we think of that before ??

I have a new leather couch now and I am looking for new curtains for the living room.I need a new look.... know what I mean... I am sure you do !

These days find me busy as my daughter is moving and she brought me her 2 cats to catsit.
Freda and Deuce are the most lovable and funny little creatures.
They keep me laughing and busy ,they need lots of attention because their Mommy is not with them until the end of the month.
I play with string and with feathers and balls and give out little treat snacks.
On any given night I will have one or the other in bed with me seeking love and attention by sitting on my chest and purring.
They want their food bowls filled promptly at 8ish every morning thank you very much......
They keep me smiling and busy and right now that's what I need !

I haven't crafted much but I am working on a needlepoint piece of a hydrangea that I started way back when,I make a good cuppa and go sit on my brand new couch and work on it, I find that soothing it relaxes me.

I had the car fixed last week it needed a new exhaust system and the gas tank leaked, don't ask me what I spent to have it done...... holy cow batman....... !!!

Tomorrow morning I am going to buy a new snow blower its a 30 inch monster with a huge motor,(did I ever mention we got a lot of snow up here?) its on sale thank goodness... its very expensive even on sale.....we will take our trailer to the store to pick it up ,it will be a huge thing that wont fit in the car....LOL!!!

Pretty much that's what's been happening in my life.... I keep busy,if I stop for too long I get sad and want to cry, I am still not over John's death by a long shot I don't think I ever will be over his passing I miss him more each day.They say God only gives you what you can handle.... well I must be super woman I guess (its what everyone tells me)........never thought of myself like that but if the shoe fits......


16 comments:

Lois Evensen said...

Another happy birthday to your mother in law. What a sweet lady. My father also suffered from dementia and lived with us. I understand the many challenges you have lived with for the past ten years.

Your update on your life sounds wonderful. :)

Hugs,
Lois

Needled Mom said...

It was so good to see your post, Diane. It does sound as though you have your hands full with all of the extra work there.

Happy birthday to your MIL. I am glad to read that she enjoyed her book. Those pictures must mean everything to her. That was such a wonderful idea! She is a beautiful woman.

I'll bet you are enjoying the cat sitting. They are such interesting characters, aren't they?

Hang in there. I am sure that you must amaze yourself at all that you are able to handle.

Lib said...

Happy Birthday to your M-I-L
Oh my Friend so much of your live sounds like mine. We now have my M-I-L 5 days per wk. shes 91 and has Alz. She has a scrapbook she enjoys.
I mowed the yard, we have lots of trees, but close to the house no leaves fields are full at this stage of life we let them compost into the ground.
Hope the Pain gets easier with each passing day.

Blessins',Lib

Anonymous said...

Your MIL looks very young for 90!! Missed your posting, Diane, and it was good to read from you again. I can't imagine how one handles a snowblower if it is as big as you describe. Perhaps you ride it? That would be nice! Enjoy your new sofa, and those little mischievous cats. Hang in there and take one day at a time. Grief comes and goes in waves, give in to it when you need to and move on when you think it is bearable. Hugs to you!

Liz

BetteJo said...

Who does your mother-in-law's hair? She looks fabulous! Sounds like you made a huge effort to make her day(s) wonderful for her. There's a special place in heaven for care-givers I think.

Sounds like you've got a handle on everything else around you, the house, the car, the kitties. As far as the yard goes - it's good if you can do it yourself but you have to know when to say when too. I found a local guy who does my mowing and raking and what-not, and isn't too expensive. He's worth every penny.

I imagine you still find new things to miss about John, oh - John used to do this, John would have said this ... and I think that may go on forever. But hopefully those thoughts will make you smile one day - being wonderful memories as opposed to painful reminders of loss.

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

What lovely birthday remembrances. You sound very busy and I'm glad that helps you. A snow blower should help with all that snow - at least easier than the shovel, and less dangerous.

Linda said...

Diane, what a lovely birthday tribute to your MIL and that is such a pretty picture of you both.
It was good hearing all your news....the kitties sound very sweet and I think it cute they have you on a schedule...teehee. Have fun with your new toy, the snow blower...hugs, Linda

Deb from WhatsInMyAttic said...

So happy to see this post; I've been thinking about you!

Your MIL looks terrific! What an achievement, and such a nice gesture on your part to clearly label the photos for her.

We don't get too much snow as a norm, but we do use a snowblower. It goes years without being used and then last year we used it for five large snowfalls.

Sue from Ky. said...

Diane, you are an inspiration to us all. My neice lost her Dad, a week or so ago, then her husband,this week. I don't know how anyone could deal with that much loss at once. I only hope she has your strength and determination to get her through it.So glad you are healing some, even though I know you will never be completely healed over the loss of your loving spouse.Happy Birthday to your sweet MIL,Cecile.She sounds like a rare jewel.

Brenda Pruitt said...

You look so pretty in the photo with your MIL. I was just thinking about you this morning and wondering what you were up to. I will email you.
Brenda

Dolores said...

What a lovely picture of you and your MIL.....she doesn't look 90. This is such a sweet and loving tribute to your MIL.

I loved reading all that's going on in your life right now. New furniture and kitty's can sure make one happy.

Hope you have a delicious and fun Thanksgiving!

Denise said...

Glad to see you back in the blog.. I so understand having to keep busy.. Your MIL is very attractive for her years.... You are going to miss her when she is gone.. You will really need to keep busy.. I am back up and around myself and decorated the outside of the house yesterday and today.. I said that I was not going to do that but changed my mind....... I am going to get on with life and look forward to the family reunion when we move to the other side.......

Have a blessed Thanksgiving girl....

Julie Harward said...

You are looking so good..glad all is well with you. Your MIL is so cute..mine is 97! Have a great Thanksgiving! ;D

Attic Clutter said...

HI Diane

so good to hear from ya..
LOVE the pic-- you have lost a lot of weight ~~good going..
keep up your wonderful positive attitude you are inspiring to me(:) hugs,Patty

Midlife Mom said...

What a lovely post about your MIL. She is very blessed to have a DIL like you as I can tell by your words that you love her very much! Happy Birthday to her!! What a wonderful gift the photo album is for her to keep and look at whenever she wants.

Oh, I'm a friend of Needled Mom, we have been friends for many years.

Grandma Yellow Hair said...

Honey how lovely you and your MIL are in this picture. That is so sweet of you to do such a nice post about her.
I was happy to read you are babysitting to cats. Aren't they just the best treats to have around. Tinkerbell is a very funny cat and keeps me laughing.
Think of you often wondering how your doing.
Wish you were here for the winter
Love
Maggie