o0o
Monday
– I flew to the Gold Coast yesterday, then drove all the way to Gympie and did some grocery shopping, then drove another 35mins or so to get to my Brother and Sister-in-Laws Farm.
I have come down because my StepDad is palliating.
I slept poorly overnight, a combination of a strange bed, different night-time noises, and the knowledge that the coming days are going to be incredibly emotionally draining.
I need to put my ‘big girl pants on’!!
I went into town to the Aged Care Home right after I got up and had some soup for breakfast, and spent around 6hrs by the bedside of my StepDad, then headed back to my Brothers place.
In the afternoon I did some writing, washed dishes, and then just spent time with my brother and his wife in the evening.
Tuesday
– another night of not a lot of sleep…
Back in to the Home early for another 11 hours bedside, reading to, talking to, and playing music for Dad.
He is declining quickly and I’m pretty sure that tonight will be the night…
I know he won’t ‘go’ until he’s by himself – so I came back to my brothers just after dark.
It was a slow drive in the dark and rain and took almost an hour.
I showered and had something to eat and changed my clothes ready to go back in once I’d had a rest, but it wasn’t long before the call came that he had died.
I will wait now – and instead go back in the morning – as I will need to clean out his room, as we’ve already had in place arrangements for his body to be collected by the funeral home.
Rest in Peace AP, may you be back in the arms of the woman you have always loved so very much – my Mamma… 🤍🕊️
Wednesday
– went in to Big W early and got some tubs to put Dads stuff in, and also got a dozen large cups of donut-holes for the Staff at the Home; then went to the Home and spent the next couple of hours packing up what is left of all his ‘worldly goods’ from the last five years since he and my Mother went into care.
(My mother died very soon after.)
I then dropped my Mothers ashes (she was cremated 5 yrs ago) and a photo of she and he off to the funeral home, ready for the Service which will be in about three weeks time.
Once back at my brother and sister in laws place, we unpacked my car and then went for a drive around their farm to move some cows and check on fence-lines.
It was good to get out in the fresh air for a bit, and not have to think too much…
Later in the afternoon I went through a lot of photos and cards to give to my sister when she next comes down, when we have the funeral service.
Thursday
– In to town early to do some grocery shopping so that I can cook my brother and sister-in-law dinner tonight.
Its the least I can do as I have been pretty much using their home as a motel for the past few days.
I noticed on the way to town that I am breathing easier and deeper this morning.
The stress of the week is obviously lessening slowly…
I leave early tomorrow morning – around 4:30am – to drive to Brisbane Airport to fly out at 9:50am.
I’m panicking about getting there in time, returning the car, checking in my luggage, not being late for the plane etc
Ugh!
I’m eager to get back to my own bed though, and hopefully settle into some decent sleep.
Friday
It was a very long day travelling…
I woke at 2:30am and couldn’t go back to sleep with the nerves of getting lost, being late or any other of the numerous catastrophes that I was imagining!
I oc course made it with heaps of time, but I was so anxious by it all, that I ended up bursting into tears when I handed by the keys to my hire-car.
The poor guy was very sweet at coping with my tears…
Once through security, I went to sit at a cafe to pass the time, and ended up sitting right next to my Surgeon!
We chatted for a while, then both moved on.
The flight ended up changing gates twice, and due to an issue with our intended plane, we ended up on another plane, and left 90mins late.
To add insult to injury, the flight-staff didn’t end up serving me my preordered food, and I was still a little too fragile-feeling to make a fuss about it, and wasn’t thoroughly convinced I’d actually remembered to order it – so went without.
My Love picked me up from the airport, and it was wonderful to see her, and to get back home to my wonderful pooch, who was so insanely and cutely surprised to see me!
Saturday
– I slept like a proverbial log last night and I needed it badly!
I was at about breaking point with exhaustion…
Spent the day doing the usual: Grocery shopped, post office, Big W, laundry, and also put in for a refund with Jetstar, and a complaint that Staff didn’t at any point actually come and see me at all!
Sunday
– We went to Harvey Norman and had a look at toasters but they all so stupidly priced!
Ended up going to BigW and buying a long sunbeam one from there that didn’t break the bank.
The power has been off since around 9am, so a lot of the usual jobs can’t be done while it’s off, and due to the fact that we stream all of our viewing content, we also can’t watch tele or even watch (much) stuff on the laptop – although it’s well charged.
We do have some movies on usb so there is that option if we really feel the need. For now though, writing and reading is sufficient.
If the bloody rain and wind would stop we could do some gardening too, but it’s too wet and cold to be out in it at the moment.
Monday
– Had quite a big day with fuelling up the car, going grocery shopping, collecting a weeks worth of mail and parcels, going to Bunnings to get some potted colour to put along the new fence, and then coming home and cooking chook food and chicken breasts.
Then did dishes, cleaned up the house and just general other duties as well as the laundry and folding.
Well be having Frittata tonight and we have loads of eggs as the chickens are back on the lay.
Will probably cook the cats and dogs some scramblers tomorrow too, to add to their evening meals to top up their protein a bit, as they luuuurve having eggs occasionally!
Tuesday
– It’s a public holiday for Show Day.
Its been raining all day so we won’t be going.
Pretty much a wasted day of getting hot much done at all…
Wednesday
– Got the entire pantry decluttered and wiped out today and feel a lot better for it. It’s a big job that has been niggling at me for a while now.
I try to do it 3monthly, but do tend to procrastinate on it a bit.
Thursday
– Another busy day.
Vacuuming, mopping, moved the freezer and cleaned under it, washed down the sewing machine table, did a run to the dump to take the recycles, then scrubbed the recycle bins in and out.
Repotted one of the house-plants.
Arranged lunch for next week, with my friend LC.
Cleaned the dining room glass doors in and out.
Friday
– An early trip to the grocery store to get mustard seed, as our seems to have disappeared, and I want to process two huge Daikons that I have in the fridge.
Then it was off to the post office and got a nice surprise parcel from our youngest daughter, of an owl graphic.
Once back home, I changed over the laundry and then started to get everything ready to pickle and can the daikon radish.
I was in the midst of that when our garden guy and his wife dropped in for a visit and a wander.
Cooked some mexi-chilli for dinner while I finished off the canning.
Its still bloody raining, and to be honest its really starting to do my head in…
Again / Still!
I need some sunshine dammit!!
Saturday
– Ever since my trip south, my laptop has decided it’s had enough after around 6yrs of faithful service, so I spent the morning researching which one will be my next laptop.
As much as I think I’d like to go the route of moving to an iPad Pro – which would easily cover all my needs and then some – I truely can’t justify the extra added expense at this point, so I’ll stay with the much cheaper MacBook Air.
Otherwise, it’s just been another slow rainy day…
We ended up going to HN late in the afternoon and getting me my new laptop when my Love got in from work, so I spent the evening ogling it’s loveliness, and getting it all set up and working how I like.
She’s speedy that’s for sure!
Sunday
– Took a trip to the next town over to get some sunshine cos I was about ready to lose my shit!
Thank goodness we struck sunshine less than half way there, and got to bask in glorious rays for the next couple of hours.
I can almost feel it topping me up!
Did some grocery shopping for stuff we can’t get in our town, and then went to the Heritage Museum for lunch and I had half a cheese and tomato toastie.
Headed back home and within 15 mins of arriving, it was pouring. [ffs!]
Thankfully we had enough time to unpack the bus and take out the mattress, linen, table and chairs – as I’m taking the bus to the city overnight on Wednesday, to finally get the big fan installed in the roof.
I am now 25.5kg down on my weight-loss / get healthier adventure, and feeling pretty darn good for the most part!
Some days my body decides not to play nice, and while I continue to wait for the Hospital to schedule my hiatal hernia and gallbladder removal surgery, this will be an ongoing problem, but I feel like I am managing the difficulties quite well overall…
