Sunday, April 23, 2017

What Little I Know - April 23, 2017




Yesterday, my sister Avis sent this photo of our mother, Grace. 

Her room is different than the photo from January.  Definitely more medical looking than home looking.  I sent a message asking how everything was and what was up.

Yes, she has been moved. The last facility, was a residential facility.  Not a medicaid (or did she say medical?) facility. So the 'caregivers' weren't really medical caregivers.  And, something about billing, and Avis had to find another place for our mom that could be paid for with mom's medicaid or medical.  She had told me this earlier this month when I send a message asking how everything was.  So, when I saw the photo, I figured the move had happened and she was now in a medicaid/medical place. What a difference in atmosphere.

However, sometime before the move between point A and point B, Grace had a stroke.  The residential facility did not know she had a stroke.  My sister saw that Grace's left lip was stuck 'up', so she called the hospice nurse, who confirmed a stroke.  This is what I found out today.

I have no concept of when the stroke occurred, or of any side effects.  The photo was dated April 15 so it all happened before then.

I catch myself getting worked up and upset, and feeling out of the loop, but as I said before, there is nothing I can do from where I am.  I can't be at my mothers side. I can for a short time, and have volunteered that.  I did tell Avis earlier this month to let me know when would be a good time for me  to come down.  At the time she said to wait until she got mom settled into the new place.  And now, she said she will most likely being moving mom again, to her own home (Avis's), and taking care of her herself, because this new place isn't feeding her correctly.  When she went to visit they had given her solid food, and she doesn't eat solid food, she eats soup. So Grace isn't eating again.  Mostly, she sleeps.

The next step?  Avis' plan is to take an extended leave of absence to care for our mother.  Thank God for that.

Peace be with you mom, and with you, Avis.





Sunday, April 9, 2017

Another Card! Another Challenge... Anything Goes

April Challenge at A blog Named Hero

Scrap Lift View 1 - Welcome to our Home

Scrap Lift View 2 - With a cute prop on the left
Yes.  I did it again!  I am using this adorable Welcome Home set from Hero Arts, for another challenge.

The challenge over at the 'A Blog Named Hero' site, is anything goes.  I pulled some purple into the card, since it was in the badge above.

I can't take credit for this card design.  I was inspired by Linda W. over on the Hero Arts Flickr Site, by a card she made with this set.  This is a scraplift - when you get inspiration from someone else's work and 'borrow' their design.  I borrowed her layout of the chair, fireplace and bunny, and idea for the wall paper, and flooring.  I added a framed sign over the fireplace, and she had a piece of art on hers.  Thanks Linda!

Supplies:
stamps:
Chair, buny, fireplace and sentiment from the Hero Arts Welcome Home set.
Frame:  Imaginisce (cut down to fit)
Copics
PP from my stash





Saturday, April 8, 2017

Color Thrown Down #437

My Entry

Color Throwdown Challenge #437

I stumbled upon a challenge site while blog surfing on this cold, dreary, icky snow/rain day.
I knew exactly which stamps I wanted to use.  Let's say, they have been waiting to be used and I needed a little motivation. 

So, I made a quick single layer card.  Nothing fancy.  I really just wanted to use this stamp set from Hero Arts, which reminds me so much of the Beatrix Potter illustrations. 

Such a happy reminder.  Over nineteen years ago I spent a few days/months getting ready for my first baby, Sami, and her nursery was decorated the Beatrix Potter theme.  Sigh.

Supplies: 
Stamps:  Chair, bunny and sentiment from the  Hero Arts 'Welcome Home' Set
Die:  Small stitched Oval stackables, Lawn Fawn
Copic Markers
Momento Ink

Thanks for looking!

I'm So Sorry (Paper Smooches 'Showers' Challenge)



My Entry for the Paper Smooches Showers Challenge

It's a rainy/snowy day here in Eastern Oregon so I am getting some therapy 'crafty' time. 

This is my second entry for the Paper Smooches April Challenge, which has a 'showers' theme.

Supplies Used:
 Stamps:
1. I'm Sorry Sentiment, from the Paper Smooches Word Up Set
2. Two stamps (flower head and stem) from the Paper Smooches Friendly Flowers Set
3. Picket Fence and Clouds from the Cornish Heritage Farms KH:5054Fum Summer Trees Set
Inks:
1. Copic markers, StazOn Jet Black

I tried 'fussy cutting' the picket fence - not my best skill with an exacto knife!
Thanks for stopping by!


Sunday, April 2, 2017

When They Drive You Crazy - Mom Confessions






My one and only son, Jake, will be graduating from High School on June 3, 2017.

We had a rough week.

He has a few things to get done for graduation, like ordering his cap and gown, which he has known for months, along with getting all the necessary documents submitted for college applications, and applying for scholarships.  Trust me.  I bug him daily.  I ask him questions.  I send him messages.  I am certain I am his worse nightmare right now.  And he is cranky! And I am cranky!

And, there are deadlines. Fast approaching deadlines.

Jake is not good at deadlines.  He procrastinates,and doesn't prepare ahead of time. For some reason, I think he believes 'what ever happens happens', yet, that isn't the way of the world. He is learning that he has to make things happen. 

So, we/he had a battle getting one of the scholarship applications submitted by April 1st, yesterday.  He almost gave up.  He thought all he needed was his essay - which was done on Thursday, and then he told me Friday night that he needed two letters of recommendation, which were in his locker. the school has been closed all week due to Spring Break.  He had thrown in the towel.

There was no way I was going to let him give up. Especially for what was so close and still within reach.  He had one day to get it all together. A scholarship that would help pay his tuition! 

I made him problem solve and find a solution to what he needed, during spring break, when all the teachers/etc. where also on vacation, and on a Friday night.  He had to make some calls, make an appointment to meet the superintendent on Saturday, ask for a favor, and get his documents loaded up and make that deadline.

He did it.  It was hard and painful and frustrating.  And, I think he was out of his element.

 But he did it.  And it will be easier next time, because he has to do this again, and again, and again. 








Cute Chick Baby Shower Card (Paper Smooches)

Supplies Used Include Paper Smooches Sentiment Sampler

Inside of Card

Outside of Card

Today's big accomplishment ('m having a stay-at-home restful Sunday) was making this card for Molly and Brian who are expecting their first baby in late May.  The baby shower is April 15 in Casper, Wyoming, and since I won't be there in person, their gift and card will be sent via mail.

I am also entering this into the April Paper Smooches Challenge 'shower' theme, which includes baby shower cards. Ta Da! 

Supplies Used:


Stamps: Paper Smooches Sentiment Sampler (inside 'congratulations')
Stamps: Cornish Heritage Farms - KH 5044GUM Sweet Spring (chick on front of card, and 'Cute Chick' sentiment inside) Note:  These stamps are retired and were made by Kim Hughes, who owns and makes all of the Paper Smooches products.
Papers:  Paper Salon blossom, 6x6 swatches - from my old stash.
Button, twine - from my embellishment stash
Ink:  Versamark Black

Thanks for stopping by!


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