Tina, if your weather is anything like ours further east, I am not surprised if you have been feeling "off"! It is still trying to snow, but I don't think we got anything like as low an overnight temperture as predicted. It did go below freezing though.

WTS, sounds like you are getting things under control.

Darlene, I remember once seeing advertisements for tops and dresses that are open at the back with velcro to close them, intended for wheelchair occupants. Even if a blouse, for example, has front buttons, it it at the back that it is fastened.

I got my squares sorted and put together ready for joining, after I got back from the dinner. Didn't bother to go to the library, it was pouring with rain in the evening.

JDI:
Dailies
Mass and breakfast out with friends - DONE
Phone DSF - busy (phone probably off the hook) - try tomorrow
e-mails - DONE
Dust the larger wall unit taking out all books - DONE
Dust inside the glass fronted part, which has 105 miniature jugs and a few other ornaments - DONE (phew!)
Go to town and pick up missing receipt for taxes
Book and movies to library
Pick up cardboard box for donations, while in grocery store
Vacuum downstairs when I get back, if I feel up to it.
Taxes

Wow Bushlady! You did great. All that dusting is great!

JDIs for today:

- Take DD to gymnastics
- Work on the document I brought home from the office
- Laundry
- Grocery shop
- Weed
- Water garden, front and back
- Pet supply store for litter, flea meds., a new scratching post
- Install new batteries in clock and smoke detectors
- Clean & tidy family room

I did pretty good on my list yesterday.

Today's JDI's:
-continue chipping away at my email inbox
-laundry (1st load in the dryer, 2nd load in the washer)
-make lasagna for potluck
-school planning
-pay bills

Thanks Bushlady for the suggestion. I've seen those things too. However, Mom says an emphatic "no" to that idea! The challenge we're facing is with underpants and slacks. She's 100% continent and her mind is sharp. She was forced from almost total independence to physical dependence last year when she had the stroke. She does not like to ask the care staff for any more assistance than she absolutely needs.

I might try to make her a simple skirt or two for summer use but we still need to find underpants that she is content with. The last time I was with her was in the evening when she was being a "no-body" - there was something wrong with every suggestion I had. Next time I'll aim to be there early in the morning. She just might be a bit more cooperative when she's not tired!

Update from yesterday -
- clean coffee maker with vinegar
- paint MBR walls
- d/w - continue filling, run if and when full
- sewing - shorten legs on some slacks for Mom and "fix" her undershirts

In addition, (with DS's help) I put the bed and one of the night tables back in the bedroom. I took a pic of my current headboard and posted it for sale on the online garage sale site.

I want something different for a headboard on my bed. If I can figure out how to do it, I would like to see if I can make use of my parents' headboard and footboard. However, my parents' bed frame is a 48" (3/4 bed) and my bed is a queen. If I can do it, it's going to call for a lot of creativity.

For today -
- d/w - continue filling, run if and when full
- fold and put clean laundry away
- sewing - shorten slacks for Mom and fix her undershirts
- transfer DH's clothes into boxes or bags ready for donating to a charity
- go to Mom's place - get some things from there and take pics of the things I want to try to sell
- other tasks?

I think I can understand your mom's reaction, Darlene. She doesn't want to think of herself as someone who needs special clothing for wheelchairs and I can't say I blame her. It must be hard to go from independence to depending on others for help.

By the way, there are special square cushions available that make it easier to sit in a wheelchair or any chair for a long time. I got my DM one when she was alive, and put her name on the tag, but I think it got shuffled around the other chairs in the care home. Well, I guess someone benefitted depending where it was at a given time!

I didn't post earlier. I phoned DSF and was happy to know that a better walker had been delivered to him, with 4 wheels and a fold down seat. He probably should have had this from the start, so he could stop and rest, or sit while waiting for a bus.

Had a Skype session with DH, who seems to be getting on well.

Finished my taxes! Yaaaaaay! Happy dancing!

I've got two peeled potatoes wedged into the back of a pair of shoes that pinch my heel. I did that overnight, and then wore them in the house as they are new and need "breaking in". They are much improved, but I peeled those potatoes again and put them back in just to soften up the leather some more.

Walked round and called on friends and had a delightful visit over a cuppa.

Had a Skype session with DS, DDIL and DGD after supper. They are coming to pick me up tomorrow and take me back for a visit for a few days, so I may not post for a while.

Take care, all of you.

Update from yesterday -
- d/w - continue filling, run if and when full
- fold and put clean laundry away
- sewing - shorten slacks for Mom and fix her undershirts
- transfer DH's clothes into boxes or bags ready for donating to a charity
- go to Mom's place - get some things from there and take pics of the things I want to try to sell

My friend came to see me yesterday so I had a great visit with her. She treated me to a restaurant meal. Thanks Friend

I lost my camera so was unable to take pictures at Mom's place. DS and I did go and get some stuff from there.

I "found" my missing camera this morning - somehow, my friend had absent-mindedly dropped it in her purse yesterday. She phoned this morning to let me know that she had it. Either I'll go get it from her or she'll bring it over here.

Today is Sunday so I'd like to plan for a simpler day. I have
- church this morning
- a noon meeting that involves lunch (pizza)
- d/w - empty and start refilling
- sewing - hem Mom's slacks and fix her undershirts
- fill out Mom's income tax form. Ideally it needs to be mailed by midnight tomorrow (Canada).
- check out a local store to see if that's where DNiece found the comfy boyleg undies (the ones she bought fit me but are far too small for DM)
- rest and relax

Bushlady, do you have more info about that special cushion that you got for your mother? If you do, pm me the info. Sore bottom is one of the challenges that Mom is dealing with. "Bum-itis" makes the binding underwear and slacks that much worse.

Today's JDI's:
-continue chipping away at my email inbox (down to 375)
-laundry (1st load needs to be folded and put away, 2nd load in the dryer)
-school planning (mostly, still got some math planning for later in the week)

Darlene, maybe one of those "doughnut" cushions (they are round with a hole in the middle) might be comfortable for your Mom. When my DM fell and broke her "tail bone", that's what the dr. recommended for her to sit on.

JDIs for today:

- Put away laundry from yesterday (hung up to dry overnight)
- Do another load of laundry
- Put gas to the car
- Take DD to campus to work & back
- Pet supply store for litter, flea meds., a new scratching post
- Buy & install new batteries in clock and smoke detectors
- Clean & tidy family room
- Review 2nd office document

Darlene, my DM was in England, but I thought that something like that might be available here in Canada or even the US. It was about 3 or 4 inches thick, I think, and designed for those who have to sit for hours in a wheelchair. I'm surprised that the occupational therapist that must have dealt with your Mom has not recommended something, but they don't seem to think of it. I had to look for something myself for Mom and found a store with assistive devices over there.

Some drug stores have such things. Or perhaps you can find some information on-line. I see that if you google wheelchair cushions, there is plenty of information including reviews of different types, so perhaps you will find something. Good luck.