Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Family Visit

I can hardly believe it but it has been 6 long months since I visited mom. That is simply far too long. I have delayed and delayed my travel due to all the problems I was having with my foot and then my leg and then with a bad cold that lingered. The many highway closures over the long winter season  didn't help. But at last the weather is warming and I will be away for a quick visit  this week.

She really wants her room cleaned "properly" so I am taking my own cleaning supplies and will dust and clean all the surface nooks and crannies. Of course the cleaners sweep and wash her floor daily and take out her garbage, but resident's and their families are responsible for keeping their own things organized.  She also wants her closet and clothes organized so I will do that too. Finally, she wants a few more photos put up in her room.  I already know which photos she wants so I will look for a suitable large frame before I leave. You know that ones that have different cut out frames inside so you can put lots of photos in one frame? That kind.

I meant to pick one up yesterday but got carried away with looking at organizational containers and figuring out which snack foods she could eat or would like to eat. Last week I bought mom a bunch of food items that she can snack on when she hasn't eaten properly.  Things like canned sardines, mini wieners, crackers, cup of soup, cookies, and the V-8 juice which she loves so much.  I've been buying a little of this and that each day.  I thought some Rooibos tea and a thermos to keep hot water in for her tea would be a good idea too. They do have tea time twice a day where she lives.  But this way she can have tea whenever she wants as long as she has remembered to keep her thermos filled. It also means she can make tea for a visitor.  They do feed her where she lives but visitors are not catered for so you need to be organized.  Lately it seems the food quality where mom lives is hit and miss, and for whatever reason, she missed a meal or two. That meant she was very hungry at odd hours and she didn't have anything to eat.   When she told me that I decided to put a care package together and she loved the idea.  My brother took most of it to her over the weekend.  I didn't have quite the right container to keep the food in so I bought this plastic purple tub with handles to keep it accessible and easily movable.  Isn't it cute?

I also bought some more crackers and granola bars. That's what you see peeking out of the container.  I hope to add a few more cans of sardines , some dried fruit, and a few items of fresh fruit before I travel. She will of course have to eat the fresh fruit right away but the other stuff lasts longer.

I sent her new nightgowns by mail over a week ago so I don't have to take any clothes up with me. She does want me to organize her closet so that likely means bringing things back that she doesn't wear or doesn't need. They have such a small closet where she lives and a very tiny dresser also.

Possible organizational containers to keep on a table near her. I think the clear one will work best. I also have purchased two types of standing shelves  that I hope will work on her dresser to keep all the supplies organized that the care aides use every day.  They don't tend to keep things neat and tidy after using things but I can dream!  It causes mom anxiety when things are spread all over the place.

When I was younger my mother used to like to get dressed up and wear make up. As she got older, less mobile and always in pain, she only dressed up for rare occasions when she had to attend a meeting or a function.

Her new cosmetic bag.
I love that this bag has several pockets. Mom can keep all her facial products together. Ordinarily it wouldn't be so full but I don't want her to run out of facial creams or foundation.


Now that she has daily grooming help, I've bought her some make up.  She has been applying it herself and is enjoying the compliments and the pick me up she gets after having her hair done and her make up on.  She basically wears foundation and lipstick and sometimes a little eyebrow pencil and blush.








Of course, I bought some perfume for those occasions when she wants to go out. Just some light scent, Imari, from Avon. Later I will get some Diamonds by Liz Taylor. Mom loves Diamonds. I will probably get it for Mother's Day or her birthday.

Her make up and some lipstick.
I had to buy something for me too.  These beautiful notebooks are for me.  I will keep notes of things I want to remember and also keep a record of my prayer requests. That way I won't forget who to pray for and it will make it easier to keep a record of answered prayers.

Well I can't wait to say hello to mom in person and give her a big hug.
I think she will like her new cosmetic bag with all the goodies in it. What do you think?
I will be visiting her by the time you are reading this so I'll visit your blogs later.
Soon I hope to post more news of Mama Linet and Edwin
Please keep them in your prayers.
Thanks for visiting.

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hope you have a wonderful visit! And such lovely presents for your mum - I bet she is pleased!

Anonymous said...

Praise the LORD Joyful...What a WONDERFUL DAUGHTER you are!!! Your mother is truly blessed to have you!!! Enjoy your visit, and I hope you feel good while visiting! ♥♥♥

OneStonedCrow said...

... I'm surprised to learn that Rooibos tea is 'popular' in Canada ...

Your Mom is blessed to have such a caring daughter and son - so many elderly people are neglected by their families ...

treasure your visit.

Anonymous said...

You are a very sweet daughter! I hope you enjoyed spending time with your mum. I'm sure she loved all your gifts.

Denise said...

You and your mom are truly blessed to have each other. I pray you enjoy the visit, such lovely gifts you bought her.

G.N.SHAW said...

this is the actual love.

Bossy Betty said...

She will love it, but it won't compare to the beautiful sight of YOU.

Linda said...

Oh, Penny, you are such a loving, thoughtful daughter! Have a great time together -- I'm so glad you and your sweet mother can spend this time together!

Linda

P.S. I really like those two new notebooks you bought for yourself. :)

Fred Alton said...

Penny, you are a wonderful, caring, and organized daughter! I'm sure that your Mom is going to love the thoughtfulness you have put into these gifts. Praying for you and for Edwin and his family too.

Diane said...

Enjoy your visit and have a safe trip. Take care Diane

Pat said...

What a good daughter you are, Penny! I know your time together with your mom will be sweet.

Beth Zimmerman said...

Have a wonderful trip! I told hubby the other day that I really need to go visit my parents while I'm unemployed. It could last a while but who knows. I haven't been there since Thanksgiving so I need to go soon. I'm aware that time could run out at any moment and I don't want regrets ... although ultimately I know we would be reunited in Heaven!

momto8 said...

your gifts are very thoughtful! I hope you have an enjoyable visit.

LV said...

Have a great visit with your mom. She will definitely love the cosmetic bags:-) You are so thoughtful and so organized.

Heidrun Khokhar, KleinsteMotte said...

May the time you spend with your Mom be special, full of lots of fun. You both deserve this after such a long spell of being apart. Prays are on there way too.

LindyLouMac said...

I understand from experience how hard it is when you only get to visit your mum maybe two or three times a year. Have a lovely time with her.

Lonicera said...

Reminds me so much of the way I'd prepare for a visit to my parents when they lived in Spain... I remember the year I carried the ceiling fan because they insisted you couldn't get them and they were so hot in the summer when they were in the sitting room. What a palaver, and of course they had them in Spain anyway. I did enjoy thinking up things they way you do, though. I bet it's like Christmas for your Mum when she sees you!
Caroline

JDC said...

Reminds me to arrange to visit my mom some time this month.

Jan said...

It must be so hard to be so far away from your Mum. I am just off to read your next post about your visit but wanted to say how thoughtful you are with all of your practical gifts for her. Love the present for yourself too - those journals are just beautiful. x

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