What disappointing weather for Good Friday, it started off fine and I planned to go into the garden, but my plans had to change with the weather and I caught up with some ironing instead whilst watching YouTube.
DH made the tomato soup and stewed the plums, I had emails to answer, things that couldn’t wait and a couple of discounted items I wanted to buy online using the Easter offers that had dropped into my inbox.
I was also disappointed that I didn’t find the time to make any Easter cards this year. I had in mind to do another lino cut like at Christmas, but I couldn’t really carve out enough time.
After our family get together last weekend it has been unusually quiet here, a funny kind of Easter and in fact, I haven’t done many of the things I would normally have done this year at all – so much time has been taken up with the car and my mum, both are getting old and cranky now and each day I brace myself wondering what the issue will be today.
Mum seems to be sliding down hill at the moment, not so much in her health but in refusing to co-operate fully with the carers. Last night she decided she wouldn’t change into her pyjama top and went to bed in her jumper.  I think she may have just been too tired. She is also reluctant to change her clothes too often or have the bed linen changed (partly because her cataracts don’t allow her to see all the stains that we can see and partly that she doesn’t want to generate more washing for my sister). Some days she is eating very little other than the chip sandwich on a Wednesday and Friday from the deli cafe across the road, even worse she is not drinking very much so that she doesn’t have to walk down the hallway to the bathroom. I am not sure what can be done. If we say anything she becomes even more stubborn…it is frustrating. I think she just gets too tired to be bothered much now. When she isn’t on the phone calling me, she is sleeping a lot in the day but not through the night. I expect anyone would get drowsy from the boredom of sitting in the same room day after day with nothing to do. My heart goes out to all the elderly people who are at a similar stage in their lives as my mum. We all try to do what we can to help but we cannot make her well and young again.
By the time you read this, we will be on our way to visit mum and I am hoping the weather is fine enough this afternoon to take her to the park; she lives to go out now. I have no plans for the rest of Easter, I find it too busy now to contemplate going anywhere and I would welcome a nice relaxing day in the garden, but that will be weather dependant.
At last the car is working again…just in time for the petrol shortage. Sainsbury’s had closed their petrol station completely on Tuesday – I was shocked to see the cones across the entry and the shutters down on the little shop where you pay. It seemed at odds with the government’s message that there are no shortages! Luckily, we will have enough to do the 180 mile round trip to see my mum.
We haven’t unpacked the garden furniture yet, we need to keep it dry so that we can sand and paint the wooden bench with a fresh coat, and spray the metal furniture, after giving it a good brush down to remove any rust patches. I managed to order a can of spray paint online from Dunelm, taking advantage of their special offer and using the free click and collect service. We can pick it up next time we pass through town. It is yet another job that is waiting for a run of good weather.
Thursday was a lovely dry and sunny day and we went for a longer walk than usual – I needed the fresh air and time to reset myself and being in nature does that so well. We took in a few steep hills for a good cardio workout!!
The pretty celandines along the roadside….
….and everywhere the trees have little buds about to burst open.
The hidden resevoir down the track was like a mirror…..
….with the ducks gliding across to see if we had food.
In the garden the primroses are still covered in flowers creeping over my broken pot. The white camelia is about to flower and everything is starting to grow in the borders. We just need some sunshine and warmth.
Have a lovely day today, whatever you are doing.
Back soon x
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where the journey takes me 2 
We are sat quietly for now, soon I will hide eggs in the garden, it’s dry and bright here, the children will arrive, play outside, have lunch then munch on loads of Easter treats, yes we are spoiling them again this year, hopefully making those wonderful memories.
I hope you have a good journey and can pop your mum into the park, watching loved ones fade is heart-breaking, but you are very mindful of her needs, she is very lucky not all children are so kind and loving.
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We had the storm go over last night, branches everywhere on the road and raining heavily. Hopefully it will be better as we go further north. Motorway not too busy at the moment,just going to stop for a while. Saw the boys briefly this morning to give them their eggs, they are doing an indoor hunt. Will see the two girls after we leave mum’s tonight. Have a lovely day with the children.
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Dearest Vivien, you never cease to amaze me with your lovely posts. Life is busy and still the joy you receive and take in from it, is so very important. Thanks for sharing once again, always a delight to read with my morning coffee in hand. Cheers and Happy Easter to you and DH.
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You say the nicest things Debs, I do hope you had a lovely Easter too. x
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Having worked in elderly care (many years ago), I know how stubborn our older people can get, not wanting to wash, change clothes/bedding or even go out as everything is an effort. Unfortunately we are getting older ourselves and are the sandwich generation caring for parents and grandchildren.
Having a quiet day today, but managed some gardening yesterday and tomorrow going to help daughter sort her garden out (time is her issue). I will take our Easter presents for Iris and Baby C. We’re getting a Roast Dinner out of it. Take care. Gill Xx
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I never know what the ‘issue’ for the day is going to be now, but there always is one. She thinks I can sort everything out for her but it is her moods and anxiety that create the issues!
Managed a few hours in the garden – really it needs a few days. Hope you had a lovely Easter. xx
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I hope you’ve had a safe drive to visit your mother and a good visit, too. I’m so sorry to hear about her health issues. Lovely photos. Bless
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All went well with our visit and mum enjoyed it and just wanted to sleep when we got back, so we could get away quickly and go and spend some time with my younger daughter who lives about 30 miles away from my mum and luckily on the way home.
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We had a quiet Easter in London this year. I hope you had a safe journey up to see your Mum this Easter and that she enjoyed getting out if the weather was good enough. (johnny jumps up)
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I keep checking in to your blog to see how many more miles of the fabric strips you have made! I think you will be able to start manufacturing them on a larger scale soon. I would certainly buy one. Yes all went well at Easter, though we were tired next day from the journey and our arms ached from pushing her about in the wheelchair – she is no lightweight.
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What beautiful photos, so crystal clear and Spring-like. I hope you managed to get out with your Mum for a while, do enjoy these times while you can. Sadly, my Mum hasn’t been able to leave her bed for over a year now, she can’t eat solid food anymore and either refuses drinks or glugs them down so quickly she chokes. How things change. 😟
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There was a lady similar to your mum in the care home where my MIL was a few years ago. She had been in bed for a few years and couldn’t speak or do anything. One lady used to visit, who she had worked with, but otherwise she had no family. The carers used to put the TV on for her for company. She was in her 90’s and kept having to go into hospital for minor infections, but always came out again. My MIL died before her and I often wonder if the lady is still there. The human body is so amazing at keeping itself going against all the odds! I am always surprised that my mum doesn’t have sepsis – the rodent ulcer on her leg is just yucky and smells terrible.
We did manage to take her out and had a lovely day and only got pelted with hailstones for a matter of minutes!
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