First week in 2011

I am writing this blog from "the woodshed", Abbey's name for the basement in the house next door to them where we are house sitting for three months.  She was busy exploring the house on her first visit and named the basement as soon as she saw the walls all lined with wood.  It's a cosy "shed" with the computer set up close to the basement stairs.  I still plan to bring my Mac from home but this will do for now and allows me to keep in touch.

We had our meeting with Dr. Suberu, a nurse and a social worker this morning.  It went well and Todd was even able to "join " us via a speaker phone.  Howard was present too, dozed off once in awhile but also had a comment or two along the way.  The Dr. feels that Howard is soon ready to be discharged and the social worker gave us helpful information on services available to assist in that move.  There is a "day hospital" program where a person can spend a day taking part in activities, coffee breaks and noon lunch before returning home for the night.  That would be very helpful for me to have a "day off" to do my own thing, run errands, shop for groceries, etc.  There is also respite care available to give a caregiver a break.  Living right next door to Clare's will help too.  Last night Jodi phoned as she was going to the store and wondered if I needed anything.  That saved me a special trip to get what I needed for noon lunch today.  I won't be able to leave Howard on his own so those little things will mean a lot.  Laurel's are less than an hour away, Kirk's about an hour and Todd is faithful at phoning so we are so thankful for the help and support of our family.

After our meeting this morning, the kids, along with Jamie, Ashley and Howard came over here for dinner.  It was a good time to try the dishwasher as I've been washing up my few dishes by hand.  After lunch Kirk and Jamie headed back to Lampman as Jamie had her dance lesson at three and Kirk had a meeting in Arcola.  Laurel took Howard downtown to get his hair shampooed and cut.  They even made a stop at Walmart!  Ashley stayed with Grandma and fingerpainted, played piano "duets" and worked on an ABC floor puzzle.  We had a fun time.  Howard stayed for supper and Clare took him back shortly after seven.  Soon I got a phone call from Howard thanking me for my hospitality.  How sweet!  He did well on his first visit to this house since I moved in on Monday.  He will try an overnight stay next.  The bed is quite high with a thick mattress but he showed that he could get up there by himself!  Finding the bathroom was no problem either despite the many doors in this lovely old house.  It was encouraging to see how well he handled the visit.  He needs a change as he was on the verge of getting depressed after a month at the mental health centre.  We will take it a day at a time and ask for help when needed.  As long as the nights are good, I think I can handle it.

This house feels like home!  It has the same TV as we have at home - Expressvu.  There's a Bose radio like we are used to, computer hookup, Sask Tel bundle like we have and even a piano in the den!  And I mustn't forget - south facing windows in that den.  We are so blessed to have the use of it for three months.

Yesterday was Epiphany and I usually take down my Christmas decorations then.  Since I don't have access to my pictures the nativity scene will remain at the top of my blog for a few days yet.  I am still planning to get a yearly letter sent sometime in the new year, unless it turns out to be a Valentine letter! 

Stormy weather is headed to SK from Alberta so it's hard to make weekend plans.  Carter has a home tournament tomorrow in Lampman so Clare's are planning to go.  I think we'll stay put here. 

I took a quilt home last Monday so got it all tied today.  I'd like to get down to Torquay next Monday for quilting but will have to see how the weather and roads are by then.  I'm so glad I'm here and hope Howard  can spend more time at the house with me next week.  We'll keep in touch.