What's Up?

It seems like I haven't really blogged in ages.  I try to keep up with the usual holiday posts and check in from time to time.  But, my every other day ramblings have gone to the way side.  I have a lot to say and I have been through a lot.  But, golly, the last couple months of last year were just so, very BAD, that I just talked about bad stuff all the time.  It gets old thinking about it, living it, talking about it, writing about it, dreaming about it, etc.  

My Mom is still in the fancy rehab place that is about six minutes from my house.  She got cleared to remove the splint on her left arm and she is using it pretty well.  She is still in the back brace and the neck brace, but she goes to the doctor on Tuesday FINALLY for the first time since this all happened.  Hopefully she will get an idea about how much longer she needs to wear the back brace.  They said anywhere from 3-6 months and it has been three months this week, so maybe she is closer to being out of it than not.  

My Mom in her neck brace and back brace.  Looks comfortable, huh?

Her right arm still hurts like crazy all of the time.  If you barely brush your hand across it, the nerves go crazy and it feels like hot coals are being poured over it.  She can lift her arm, but still can't use her fingers for much.  They work her in therapy really hard though, so by the time I see her in the early afternoon, she is worn out and sore from the therapy, so she can't use her arm that much.  All of the Aides and Nurses love her.  I'm not kidding - I mean they love her - she is friends with all of them and she gets special treatment from them.  She is happy enough there, but really more than ready to go home.  I'm nervous to think of her going home and not being right up the street from me in a safe environment all the time with round the clock care.  But, hopefully, she will be much better before she gets to go home.  

My Mom hiding from me in the lobby.  They have this crazy huge furniture that makes no sense.  She rolled over and hid behind the sofa.  I could barely see the top of her head peeking out.  See - we keep our sense of humor around here!

Her first time outside in two months.  

The Breadman's job is okay.  He does have shorter hours than he did before which is still really hard for me to handle.  I know that sounds mean, but gosh, I need the house to myself to get my things done when I can do it.  Plus, he is particularly grumpy since he started working again.  For some reason, he has no patience with me being gone in the afternoon until about 6:30 with my Mom.  He thinks I should have dinner ready at 6:30 even though we have ALWAYS eaten at 7:00 for the past 22 years.  But, whatever.  I don't know if he is jealous of my time with my Mom or what, but for Pete's sake - she needs my help right now.  He understood that when he was unemployed and he helped me keep up with the housework when I was gone night and day back then.  Christopher helps a lot.  And, he's completely capable of cooking and doing things.  But, really should a teenage boy really be required to do those things all the time?  Don't get me wrong - that boy helps all the time and does things without me asking, like finishing up the towels and starting dinner.  I try to think about meals ahead of time and cook things in the morning so all they have to do is reheat it, but it is really hard to cook dinner at nine in the morning!  Having The Breadman grumpy with me is not helping my mood either.  I feel completely stressed to get home and make him happy.  Meanwhile, I would rather give him a raspberry.  Pbthhhh.  I know he's stressed out starting a new job at this stage in his life and I try to be understanding.  But, jeez, my life isn't exactly going where it should be right now either.  :(

Christopher, (I MEAN, THE BEAN!) is doing fine.  He goes with me a lot to see my Mom and he stays home a lot too.  He doesn't have a drivers license yet, so he is sort of stuck one place or the other.  He loves to be home, so that is a good thing.  Our homeschool schedule is pretty much out the window right now, but he keeps up with a lot of it and we do extra things in the evenings and weekends.  Luckily, he old enough that he knows all the basics so it's not like he isn't learning to read and write!  :D  Actually, he is studying for his GED since he is home schooled.  The best thing we did for him was get him an iphone for Christmas.  We are able to text, face time and keep in touch so much better with it.  Not to mention, I got cool points!  He is just the nicest person.  I can't believe I helped make that kid.

So, as if life isn't crazy and busy enough.......I'm going to double the size of my flea market this month.  I literally have a thousand things in my booth now, so doubling it is going to mean taking in a lot more things!  Most of the booths are the type that you walk past and shop while you pass.  But, mine is deep and stocked well, so everyone steps inside to shop.  I like that - it's like I have my own little store.  So, when I do double it, I'm going to put a bookshelf across half the entrance so they have to come in and go over to the other side to see what's in there.  The shelf will only be about three feet tall, so they can see what's in there, but have to actually come it to get it.  I have an old window I am going to hang up and make it like a store window peering into my booth.  A lot of the booths are really getting a certain "look" to them and I want mine to have it's own look.  It will be hard work for a few days and then I will have to stock it up, but I know it will do well.  I hope to double my sales by just increasing my rent by $30.00.  I might even start buying some small pieces of furniture.  I'm also making an entire wall of items that you need to find to make all those crafts on Pinterest.  Chandelier crystals, marquee letters, flash cards, BINGO cards, checkers, dominoes, Scrabble words, PROBE letter words, etc.  I already have  a lot of those things, but I want to represent them specifically for the Pinterest crowd.  I still stand by my "No Cheveron's" and "No Nylon Netting Wreaths" -  I hate that stuff.

So, that's what's up.  Sorry for cutting on The Breadman or being a downer.  I actually stay pretty upbeat on a day to day basis.  I'm just really, really, really, really, really, REALLY tired trying to do it ALL.  But, it is what it is and I'll just keep on plugging along until it gets better.  And, it will get better.  I know that.  :D

Thanks again for all the well wishes, cards, emails and thoughts that everyone has sent me.  I really do appreciate each and every one of YOU!