Good Monday morning...Hello vacation!!!

Today is day 1 of vacation #3.  Now that it's a little cooler outside, I don't have to use the treadmill. My plans are to walk, and walk, and walk.  Trying to increase my distance and speed.

With all the extra time I'll have, I'll be able to try out some new recipes; looking for that ultimate winner for another contest at work. Came in 3rd for my 3-bean Turkey Chili last time, but unfortunately, there were only 2 winners; 1 for originality, and the other for heat. If anyone has any ideas, all contributions will be gratefully accepted.

TTFN,
H

Hi Harvey, PA Friends. . .

Happy Vacation day, yes the weather has been absolutely wonderful and I find myself walking more and longer. . .  good for me, good for Roxie. . . 

What kind of recipe would you want?  I have lots of healthy eating recipes I can share, but are you specifically looking for Chili recipes, cause the wording seems like everyone made the same thing and it was a Chili cookoff?  We have a baking contest here at work every year and last year I won in my office with my pumpkin cheesecake recipe, made without real sugar and l/f cream cheese.  I'm still trying to figure out what this year's entry will be. . .

I had a wonderful weekend, celebrated the youngest grandson's b-day on Friday, Saturday, took Roxie on an hour long walk around the neighborhood, ran errands, cooked a wonderful dinner for me and several friends, then yesterday morning got up, took Roxie for our walk, along with her friend and friend's doggy Mom, then cooked omelets for me and my roommate and visitor g/f, then took my visitor home to her halfway house in DE, from there drove to Strathmere (Jersey Shore) and hung out with my friend Owen and his wife, we had a nice afternoon sitting on the deck overlooking the beach, he made delicious steaks and roasted veggies, along with the corn I picked up at a farm stand.  Afterwards, we walked about 2.5 miles on the beach with their 2 poodles, then went back and had some melon, after which I said my goodbyes and drove home, totally exhausted from the busy ness of my weekend. . .  I was in bed by 8:45 and sound asleep in short order, I awoke at 2:24 a.m., went back to sleep and woke up at 6:34 (bad me). . .  I had to get out of the house in a hurry, but managed to get to work on time, where I have just spent the past several hours transcribing tapes. . . fun, fun, fun. . .  relatively speaking this will be a calm week, only have plans 2 nights this week. 

Anyway, hope everyone is well and for any facing serious life challenges, I wish you all that you need to get through!

Hugs, Laureen

Good Morning Harvey, Laureen and PA!

It is Monday and I am back at work. After spending a good part of the weekend with my mom, I just had to go back to work! Get my mind on doing what I love. I just cannot sit there and watch her fade away.

I have no set plans, since my life is on hold until you know when....I hate this!! It is so difficult!!! I really didn't think my mom would make it until today. Personally I think she is being stubborn! If you knew her in her younger years she was STUBBORN!!!!

Oh well, Maybe when I get home I will take a walk...

Have a great day!

Beth

Beth. . .  it can take up to 2 weeks. . . I know because I went through this 6 years ago with my cousin. . .  sending you lots of . . .

 OY!  

Beth

Not being on Facebook anymore, nor checking here too often I did not realize your mother was at this stage.   Thinking about you.

arlene

 Thanks Arlene!!

 My continued thoughts are with you and your mom, Beth.  I'm not sure if anyone has suggested this to you, but what about giving her permission to let go?   I know it's not an easy thing to do, but it may be just what she is waiting for.  If she has seen everyone she wants to see, then that may be all she needs.  My mom was quite stubborn, too.  I made sure that everyone important to her had been in to see her and then I sat with her and let her know that she had fought long enough and it was ok to let go.  I told her that she had taught me well and that I would do ok without her. 

Has Dee been in to see her?  I know it may be hard for her, but it might be just what they both need. If it is Dee that she's waiting for, I'm sure that she wouldn't let go while Dee is there.  It's weird how things like that work.  She may also have been waiting for everyone to go so she could let go.  She may want to be alone with your dad.  My dad did that.  It was just he and my step-mom, even though his cousin had been in the room for about an hour prior to his passing.  He waited until my cousin left the room and then passed quietly while Carol was holding his hand.

I pray for peace for all of you.. 

 Lisa,

She has seen everyone close to her including Deanna. I just saw her and my nephew was there reading to her. My niece went to see her yesterday.  I never thought of giving her permission to let go. I was thinking that she was waiting for Sukkot to be over. My brother and I were trying to figure out logistics of mourning time and the holiday. It has definitely been a challenge! 

Thank u for your continued thoughts, prayers and love! 

Love, Beth

 It's hard, but sometimes that's what they need.  She needs reassurance that you are able to take care of yourself, your dad, and Steven and Dee.  Tell her that you are ok.  Have your brother do the same thing.  She's a mom.  She worries.. 

My dad passed between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.. we couldn't even bury him until Yom Kippur was over.  It was so hard to sit through services on Yom Kippur that year, especially Yizkor.  I was saying the prayers for my mom, but not for him, since he hadn't been buried yet.

Please let me know if there's ANYTHING I can do.  I may be at Barix on Saturday because Siehara has a Bat Mitzvah in Langhorne.  I'm thinking of going to the service, but maybe we can meet up for lunch depending, of course, on the situation with your mom.