Friday, September 9, 2022

I’m still here!

First of all I would like to express my condolences to all of my friends overseas and in Canada with the passing of  Queen Elizabeth II. She was a lovely and gracious woman who was deeply admired by most of the world. Our London family has been reaching out to us and sending us articles and photos since before she passed yesterday. I hope and pray that King Charles III is as compassionate a leader as his mother was. Rest in peace Dear qQueen Elizabeth. You have earned it.

Thank you all so much for checking on me. I know it’s been a while since I posted. We have been incredibly busy here. But first let me show you what I made while we were on our trip to Spokane. I can’t believe I haven’t even shown you those things yet.

First off are three crocheted baby blankets in the “Every Which-Way” pattern. They were very easy to work on as we drove across the western US and stayed in various campgrounds. No pattern to have to follow as this is so easily memorized.

I also made three chemo caps in different sizes for the hospital.

As to where I have been for the past few weeks, we have been busy packing up mom’s house. Four bedrooms, three bathrooms, living room, family room, dining room and kitchen. And this is without mentioning the myriad of closets and storage places this house has. Each closet was completely filled to the brim. 47 years of memories had to be cleaned out of the house in just a little over a week. A lot of tears were shed by several of us as we remembered various items throughout the house in closets and hidden nooks. Mom is completely thrilled in her apartment though. It’s like a huge albatross has been lifted off of her with moving out of this house. Dennis and I did most of the closet work and sifting through all of the papers and photos. I emptied the kitchen cabinets and refrigerator. We moved much of the furniture ourselves, but had a lot of help in cleaning over last weekend. Several of the granddaughters and grandsons were there to help clean out the garage and do the actual cleaning of cupboards, floors and bathrooms. Oh, how we appreciated that! ( That’s our house, the white one on the right in the photo.)

I took the photo below of mom standing outside the door the last time she walked out of the house. Right after this, I drove her to her new apartment where Mandy and I had unpacked everything. We tried to put it the furniture and mementos in as close to the same spots as they were in at the house. We wanted it to be as familiar as possible for her. As I said before, she absolutely loves it there.

The house went on the market Wednesday and we had four offers presented to us at 3:00 today. An offer has been accepted and signed and will hopefully close in two weeks time. When they say the market is still hot, they are not kidding. There must have been 25 or 30 different groups of people go through the house. There were many more offers made, but our realtor picked out the best four to present to us. We still have a few things to get out of the house that are going to the grandkids. It had been planned to be done tomorrow, but there’s a 95% chance of rain all day tomorrow. Of course. It’s the first rain since the night I came home from Texas! 

Now, Dennis and I have a big decision to make. We had never intended to live in this neighborhood if we moved back to Omaha, but we needed to be close to mom. We may be listing our house soon or we may stay for another year or more. It depends on what we can find in the next week or so. The thought of moving again fills me with dread. Especially after just finishing up with mom’s house. We shall see. We could definitely use your prayers for wisdom in this decision. We are actually seriously thinking of moving into a manufactured home just a few blocks from where mom is. It’s also much closer to Mandy and Brad. It’s in a park setting with many other manufactured homes. It would mean considerable downsizing, so we’ll have to see what we decide. Living in tornado alley is also a concern. We would  like to buy a condo or something similar that we could just turn the key and walk away if we wanted to take a trip somewhere. If we stay in this house or buy another house will have yard care and snow removal to worry about which is also a concern as we get older. We are trying to make a wise move and have it be our last one. But unfortunately, the market is “slim pickens,” right now. Most of the condos either have a lot of stairs, which I don’t want, or they are way out of our price range or not in the part of town we want to live in.🤷‍♀️

Meanwhile we are really struggling with getting the homecare people to get mom‘s insulin injection to her at the same time every day. She has a long acting insulin, but it should be given within a half hour window at the same time every day. Today was the first day that we haven’t been there at night for her injection. Some nights the people show up and some nights they don’t, so Dennis or I have to give her the injection. Tonight I had her call me to tell me that they did show up which is great! I have driven out there twice today already and I just wasn’t ready for a third trip unless I had to! You wouldn’t believe how much gas I have used in the last week and a half. They seem to be in the same boat as everyone else is these days. They just can’t find anyone who wants to work. The people who are there are absolutely so nice and sweet, but they are considerably understaffed. She is in a lovely, lovely place. If it wasn’t so expensive I would move in there now too and just stay there for the next 30 years! The food is great and I wouldn’t mind not having to plan meals anymore! More time to play with yarn. 😍

If I’m not around much for the next few weeks you will know where I am. I’ll get back to posting as soon as I can. Not much craftiness being done anyway. I do appreciate those of you who reached out to me to make sure that we were OK. It’s lovely to think I have people who care about me all over the world. I am trying to keep up with commenting on everyone’s blogs I’m just a little late sometimes.

Blessings and love,
Betsy

19 comments:

  1. I've been thinking about you lately and knew you were busy being with your mom. Just praying that you are doing well in life. There's been alot fires in our area. Quite a few late afternoon south bound I-5. Glad it all got put out but more fires in Salem and Oakridge, which is out of Eugene. People being evacuated. 😔 jugs and prayers my friend 🙏 🌻..Becky

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  2. Yup, these pinches of stretching yourselves very thin are a sign of our stage of life. I would say to wait a bit until you are totally in peace about the decision. I'm so glad your mil is happy-that helps so much. Take care--a hug and prayer .

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  3. I knew you were okay because of the nice comment you left for me on my blog! BUT it was good to see your blog on my reader this morning! Prayers for you and Dennis as you make big decisions. I know what you mean about tornado alley I am not sure a manufactured home would be on my list. Have faith and you will be led the right way!!! So wonderful that Mom's house sold so fast! Hi to Dennis!

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  4. QUERIDA BETSY, CUANTO TRABAJO Y QUE DECISION TAN GRANDE LA QUE TIENEN QUE TOMAR, ORO A DIOS PARA QUE TE CONDUZCA EN EL CAMINO CORRECTO Y TE DE LA SABIDURIA PARA HACERLO. ESPERO QUE ENCUENTRES LO QUE BUSCAS. ME ALEGRO SABER QUE ESTAN TODOS BIEN, GRACIAS POR TUS DULCES PALABRAS EN MI BLOG. DIOS TE BENDIGA RICAMENTE Y A TODA TU FAMILIA.

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    1. DEAR BETSY, HOW MUCH WORK AND WHAT A BIG DECISION YOU HAVE TO MAKE, I PRAY TO GOD TO LEAD YOU IN THE RIGHT PATH AND GIVE YOU THE WISDOM TO DO IT. I HOPE YOU FIND WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR. I AM GLAD TO KNOW THAT YOU ARE ALL WELL, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SWEET WORDS ON MY BLOG. GOD RICHLY BLESS YOU AND ALL YOUR FAMILY.

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  5. Those decisions are so hard to make. That's what keeps The Mister and I in limbo. We can't come to any consensus about what we should be doing knowing full well that we shouldn't still be here. It's all too much for us to take care of and the place is going all shabby and not in a good way.
    I also want to say that I am disgusted by the US coverage of Queen Elizabeth's passing. If I have to hear one more time about "colonization" I'll put my foot through the TV. By that thinking we should never mourn any American presidents after our ancestor's treatment of African slaves and Native Americans. There is a time and place for this discussion but it's not now. I'm sticking with BBC for the time being.

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  6. This certainly is a busy time for you with so much to do and many decisions to make. May God give you wisdom ( and strength to deal with everything necessary).

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  7. Keeping mom, you and Dennis, and everyone else in prayer... plus, praying about that insulin being given at the appropriate time! It's sure a bother nowadays that the facilities don't have enough staff to do all the work necessary for residents in those places. Praying about your housing situation, also... I'm bettin' God has something in mind already for you guys, just have to wait and see what it is, of course. It's about the same for me trying to find placement for Jerry... just not working out at the moment. We've had sprinkles today... as in maybe 5 drops of rain from the sky. But the temp today never got above 60! Sooooo pleasant to work on my crafts with the window wide open, not having to babysit, a whole day to myself! Woo-hoo! Sending you big hugs and blessings! (P.S. Check my blog later... we're in limbo for another reason and could use prayer for our family.)

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  8. Hi Betsy! So good to hear from you. I should have guessed what you guys have been busy doing....and you sure have gotten a lot accomplished. You've cleaned out Dennis's Mom's house and even gotten it sold already! Wow. Congratulations. Now I can understand what you and Dennis are pondering. I will pray that the Lord might lead you to just the right place to move to, and if He doesn't, then it probably will mean you're to stay put where you are for awhile because something good will be coming along. I know how "unfun" the chore of moving is, so I understand what you're saying. May all go well for you, whatever way it all works out. Bless your hearts and all the good things you're doing for Dennis's Mom too. (love the blankets and the caps too!)

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  9. As the only sibling to stay in our hometown, actually the only one in this state, we have cared for first my grandmother and great aunt and then our parents. We made several choices to keep in mind our aging and to help our children with the responsibility of "us". We live in a one story ranch. My mother was in a wheel chair so we made all our doorways larger. We are in the process (still) of updating our bathroom for old people. We considered a condo, but when the time comes, we can hire lawn care and snow removal for less than homeowner fees. We made sure to replace furnace, wiring, roof, etc before retirement. We are already close to our children's homes. Prayers that things improve in nursing care and on your own living decisions and all falls into place.

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  10. Beautiful blankets!!!!

    You will be so glad you did all this moving, and cleaning out now. (And that you have people around to help.) It's been a HUGE job for Dave's Mom (we've helped when we can, but being so far away it's not easy). But it's harder when you're grieving and trying to deal with all the paperwork and formalities that come with the passing of a loved one.
    I'm also thrilled that she's happy with her new place. It was talked about for Dave's grandma, but she was dead set against it. Dave's mom moved in with her, but she wasn't equipped to deal with all the care Grandma needed (and that's not a criticism... it's a job most people aren't able to do... much less when you're in your mid-60s and not in peak physical condition yourself).
    I'm keeping you in my thoughts, but I know you'll come to the right decision for you and Dennis. Everything will be alright in the end... and if it's not... it's not the end!

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  11. Well Betsy, I'm not one who reached out but I'm so glad you and Dennis are fine. You are such busy, hard working people. So kind and good to others. I have been so slack about getting on the computer lately. Dan said, you pobably should give just up blogging. :) I always enjoy your posts. Love, Henny

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  12. You have been so busy. I rememer moving my mother up here by us and I did not realize How much stuff she had collected. It is so hard for them to leave their homes. I have been ready to downsize now for years however Mr will not budge. Prayers coming your way for a good decision for you and Dan.

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  13. Whoops Dennis. I knew it started with a D,

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  14. Beautiful verse. Regine
    www.rsrue.blogspot.com

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  15. Nothing surprises God, He has us all in the hollow of His hands, and has it all mapped out so praying with you for a miracle solution for your abode, right direction… especially as travel is wearying and expensive from one side to town to other many times!
    Praying also for His All Sufficient grace to keep you everyday…
    Thanks for Sharing, may God bless and keep you safe, and all those you love, hugs Shaz in Oz.x

    {Wonderful Words of Life - Shaz in Oz}
    {Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}

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  16. I am so glad that Dennis' mom likes her new place. That sure takes a weight off.

    I hope that you find a place that you can love as much.

    Sorry I am late in commenting. I went to a Wordpress blog and when I didn't see anything there ..............well,I didn't realize that you were HERE.

    Have a great weekend.

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  17. Wonderful to hear that your mom is still happy where she is. Going through her home, purging, making decisions of what to do with what, putting the house on the market, etc., is such a big job. How great that you already have serious offers. Praying God will make clear what your own home decision should be Hugs.

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  18. Hope you are well and just busy with life.

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