Hello everyone! I hope that you all have had a good week.
I wanted to do a catch up post this week but I know I won’t have time tomorrow morning. So two posts in one day from me!
Let me start with an update about my mom. Her vitals are pretty good, she is eating and drinking, but most of this week she has been very confused about time and place when she is awake. It is heartbreaking to me but I try to keep her calm and help her as best as I can. I gave her my stepdad’s robe (he passed a few years ago) to hold onto when she gets scared as a comfort item. It does seem to give her comfort. I hate when she gets scared. That is so hard to watch and I feel like such a jerk just saying “Don’t be scared” because if she could just stop being scared I am sure she would. But I feel at a loss.
I have had good visits with her as well, and even when she seems like she is asleep, if I tell her that I love her she will say it back. It’s these moments I try to focus on.
This is a picture of me and her at the 1976 fourth of July parade. I am digging my mom’s yellow sunglasses! My mom is beautiful now and she was then as well.
This fourth of July we ended up not going to my cousin’s as we had planned. Billy slept funny and his back was bothering him, and his back was really an important part of the day with Wyatt in the pool. He wanted to go anyway but I told him I wanted him to rest and heal, because we need him to be able-bodied, and not hurt himself more. And it was ok. It was a very quiet day but we were fine.
On Sunday, Billy was feeling all better and we went to the Detroit Institute of Arts. We had such a great time! We wandered around the American and the Native American art areas, armed with little foam stars. The DIA gave out stars to the visitors to award to their favorite art pieces, which was a really cool way to have people interact more with the art, and connect. Billy, Wyatt, and I ended up choosing paintings all in the same room!
Wyatt chose the painting titled Apple Orchard, by George Inness.
My star went to Morning in the Andes by Louis Remy Mignot. I just loved the softness and just how misty and hazy it looks. I love it.
Then Billy fell in love with this painting, Cotopaxi by Frederick Edwin Church. I can see why.
Wyatt and I both almost gave our stars to works in the Native American section. I loved this amazing bowl, and love how the shadow is the design. Then Wyatt really liked a pumpkin effigy that went into a tomb, which was unusual but we all like what we like. I think he appreciated that it looked like a pumpkin.
I also snapped this picture of a chocolate jar and sent it to Lisa at Boondock Ramblings. We agreed that chocolate is definitely that important that we need it in the afterlife.
It was my week for art I guess! The other week The Tin Nose Shop in Norfolk, England dropped a batch of their wishing toads and shucks (like wolf dog things) and it coincided with a time I was feeling kind of low about my mom. So…. I hurried up and ordered a few things before they ran out, which was of course lightning fast. My friend Kelly was in Canada at a soccer match and she wanted a wishing toad as well, and I managed to snag two wishing toads, and a shuck for Wyatt. Well, they came this week!
Each are individually sculpted and “No two are the same but all contain a heart; a little chip of Norfolk flint or stone, so you can take a little piece of Norfolk with you where ever you go.” A shuck is based on the legend of the demon dog from East Anglia, and this little guy is considered a protector or guardian, and his talisman is strength. The wishing toad I bought for myself, and his design is called Cloud. I love his little face. There is a little hollow on the bottom where you write your wish on a bit of a scroll and set it in the windowsill for the moonlight to shine on. They are just fun. (Wyatt’s shuck is the Iceni design)
Finally, this week it was also the art fair in my hometown. It is one of the largest in Michigan, and I have gone pretty much my whole life. I always go with Wyatt once, usually the first day first thing in the morning to beat the heat and crowds, and then in the evening once with Billy for a date night. Well, I went Wednesday morning with Wyatt, and it was so hot and humid that we didn’t really enjoy walking around. Both of us are affected by heat, so we only did one loop of the fair. I did get Wyatt a sticker at a booth called Spooky Things by Jenny Hearns.
On the way out though, we passed a church that was having a rummage and used book sale. So of course Wyatt and I had to go. And of course we left with a stack of books!
I was very excited about this copy of Heidi Grows Up!
Billy and I went back last night, and while it was cooler, it was still sticky hot. Swampy. We had a good time though together, and this time I picked up an art print at the same booth where I got Wyatt’s sticker.
I was bummed that the artist I usually buy from, Anthony Brass, was not there this year but it worked out because I love this fox drinking tea. Now to find him a home here somewhere!
And that is it from me this evening! I am about to order pizza for our pizza Friday. Yay for not having to figure out dinner!!
Peace and love to you all.
I’m sorry to hear about your mom. But it is nice that you are able to spend so much time with her. I’m so used to having so much time by myself, but since my stepdad passed two years ago, a lot of that extra time is taken up by doing things with my mom. I remind myself when I miss some of my alone time that some day I won’t have the choice and that it is important to spend the time with my mom while I have it. I love that wishing toad! I kind of want one too! And I also love how the museum has people put stars on their favorite paintings/works of art. What a great idea! Thanks for sharing your week with us!
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🙁 As someone who values alone time (and gets like none lolololol) I understand; but yes, it is important to enjoy this time now. One day you will look back on all of your moments together and be so happy that you spent all that time with her. 🙂 So many good memories.
And isn’t it so cool!!! If you follow them on IG or sign up for the newsletter you will know when the next drop is! They also have book bats!! I think those are in the next drop.
Sorry to hear about your mom, it sounds like you are bringing her some comfort, though. I just love the shuck! I might need to check out their website😁
Thank you Tammy. I am trying.
They are so cool! The next drop they are having has a book bat!
Erin, you and your mom (and the rest of your family) have been in my thoughts and prayers and in my heart. I think you are doing the very best things…being with her, comforting her (the idea about the robe was so good)…and telling her you love her. Trust me, those things will be what you will hold on to the most.
I think I need one of those wishing frogs. I also need an attitude adjustment, and something like that (I’m sure I could convert something I already have) would be just the same. I keep telling Mike he could have it way worse (my nephew has been a quadriplegic for over 25 years due to a motorcycle accident). But, then I do the exact same thing he’s doing. I need to focus on all the blessings surrounding me. And, I count you as one of them. I promise you…I will make it up to Greenfield Village for a meet up sometime!!
I love the print you got. Brownsburg used to have an art fair in August, but Covid happened, and they haven’t had one since. I love rusted yard art and want some more. I just might try to find somebody who will cut some rebar for me and create my own!
Have a fabulous week!!
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Thank you Marsha. I appreciate it.
That would be awesome if you made it here for a meet up! Caregiving, and changes in your life like you are adjusting to, even for a limited time, are really hard! And it is ok to miss the way things were. But, yes, keep finding joy in everyday where you can.
They had the cutest goats made of metal at the street fair!! I wanted one but didn’t want to lug it around. LOL. And thank you. I love my little fox guy. He needs a name though. Hmm.
You’ve done some fun things this week. I love the DIA star project. I have a postcard of Billy’s favorites and it’s one of mine too. And that fox print is the best.
I’m so sorry your mom is having trouble. Have you heard of “hospital psychosis among the elderly”? It’s a real thing. It happens in the hospital and is a state of confusion, sometimes mood swings, fear. My uncle dealt with that. I don’t know much about it but I’ve heard it is temporary. Not sure if that’s what she is dealing with but it’s worth a look. Bringing that robe was a brilliant idea. And I know your visits are the best medicine. This has to be a tough time, Erin. Hang in there.
That one is so beautiful, the one you and Billy like. I like to buy postcards of my favorites too!
That sounds horrible. Your poor uncle!
My mother is in hospice nearing end of life. She has dementia and has had two strokes. 🙁 She is now bedbound as well. It is a very tough time. 🙁 Thank you Jeanie.
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I love the idea of an art week <3 And that fox is so dapper!
Thank you Rebecca! I had no idea until I started writing this post how artsy our week was. Lol.
I love all your new art and books! We had a takeaway last night, neither of us had anything that was pressing to eat and we were both tired and we got Japanese – I had a vegan selection that was really nice. Thinking of you taking your mum through her journey so beautifully and I love that picture of the two of you.
I love sushi and I don’t get it enough. And thank you! My brother was over last night and was complimenting my decor, and I was like it’s just because I have art on the walls. They have never hung any art and it does make a room feel different!
And thank you Liz.
Erin, I am so sorry to hear about your mom. It is so hard watching them struggle. I didn’t realize you were older than me! I always assumed since Wyatt is younger than my kids you were younger than me! I really thought you were in your 30s.
Let’s pretend that I am in my 30s! LOL. Wyatt was a bit of a surprise there. We didn’t think we could have kids, then boop, there was Wyatt. Lol.
My mom. It is so hard. I know that you recently went through this as well; it is truly hard on my heart.
Erin, aw, what a blessing! Yes, it is very difficult and there are days I will struggle (my birthday last weekend, and today for whatever reason). Grief is hard. You currently have anticipatory grief, which is just as hard as the grief once they pass. They are hard days.