I don't have much of a blog voice at the moment. Things continue to be quite fraught surrounding Mum's health and I don't really have the time or energy to dedicate to this space. Mum is my priority and her well-being is of paramount importance. Her happiness is where I focus my efforts now. Any little thing I can do to help her day-to-day be a bit brighter is a blessing to me.
However, I do love this place and will continue to bob in and out when I can. I don't really want to lose the connection I've built up with all of you, so I do hope you still say hello from time to time??!!
I thought I'd take some snap shots of what keeps me in a happy place when I take 5 minutes out to be kind to myself. I've learnt this is so essential when dealing with the daily stresses of caring for a loved one who has deteriorating health.
Home is my happy place and I like to surround myself with what I consider happy things. Colourful accents that punctuate the muted tones in my living space help me feel warm and cosy. Hygge you might say. Crochet is of course my ultimate escape. When I feel like I need to relax and recharge I just grab my hook and yarn and snuggle up on the sofa.
I'm hugely addicted to Galaxy Instant Hot Chocolate right now. It's a daily ritual in fact. I love my dose of hot choccy with a frothy head of cream and marshmallows. So yummy.
Those Raine & Humble Kitchen textiles you see pictured up there were a recent purchase. My parents always find it difficult to buy for me at Christmas time so I usually get some vouchers. That way I can treat myself to things I really want, and I really wanted those gorgeous tea towels and oven gloves. You can't beat a bit of retail therapy......
I joined a choir late last year and have found such joy and comfort from being involved. It's been nice to dust off the old vocal chords, and be embraced by a lovely bunch of like minded souls.
If any of you lovely readers are in a similar boat caring for someone with chronic health problems, I'd love to know what you do to create your happy place...xxxx
Sharron, I used to be "Mindful". So I would concentrate on something that was lovely, like your crochet, a hot chocolate, a beautiful view or piece of music, and lose myself in that thing. Blocking out all other things. It relaxes the mind and stops you from digging a dark hole to wallow in. I do hope things improve for you soon. Bev
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking a few minutes to say Hi - I love your blog and check back pretty regular. I'm sorry for your mothers ill health but am glad for the blessings you receive from giving of yourself. My mom died many years ago before I graduated high school so I can only imagine the "bittersweetness" of caring for an elderly family member - but I sympathize nonetheless.
ReplyDeleteI love the hanging colorful balls of something in one of your first pictures - and all the bright colors on your blog. They brighten my day.
Jackie
I'm sorry your mum's health has been a roller coaster for you both. What a lovely daughter you are to devotedly care for her. I'm happy for you have this lovely crochet as a catharsis. What wonderful images in this post. They made me smile.
ReplyDeleteRight now my space is in our dining area. The table in back of me, in back of our acacia wood dining table, has all of my WIP's on it like storage. I'm usually settled in on a chair on the lap top at the table. I hope to have my own craft room one day but need to wait til a daughter goes off to college. Five more years, LOL!
Like Jacky I lost my Mam when I was young and have missed her so much. No matter how long you have them it will still be hard going when they are ill. You are right to find your happy place somewhere you can have time to recharge your batteries. You need it and you deserve it.
ReplyDeleteMy granddaughter loves Galaxy hot chocolate, I make it for her every afternoon when she comes in from school. That's my special time with her & I've just discovered Malteser chocolate, she loves that too. Take care!
I am so sorry to hear of your mum's failing health. I have lost both of my parents and it is a very heart-wrenching thing to watch them go downhill in their health. Many prayers are being said for your mum to recover.
ReplyDeleteI hope by now you're getting lots of lovely emails, saying the same thing I'm going to say ...
ReplyDeletePlease don't worry about us here on your blog. You have your priorities where they belong, and most, if not all, of us, will still be here when you have the time and energy to give to us. I know you're probably feeling a bit over whelmed right now, but as someone who lost both parents several years apart but very quickly, it's good that you have this time with your mum. I really wished I'd had that with her and my wonderful daddy.
This past year my own health deteriorated, and it's a scare for my kids. I didn't know how badly at the time, I only knew my 3 kids were all acting weird. It turns out that a fall I had resulted in traumatic brain injury, and I'm still feeling the effects, some of which are permanent and scare me to bits. I know I'm blessed to have such good kids, and that I recognize my darlings now, but it's still so frustrating.
It's good that you happy place where you can enjoy your mum and your hot chocolate (it sounds beyond yummy..lol), and joining the choir can be a wonderful outlet that still lets you dip into your creativity.
May God bless both you and your mum. Family always has to come first for those of us who are caretakers.
Hi Sharron, Thank you for letting us know what's going on in your life right now. I am a full time care taker for my 90 year old dad. My precious mother passed away 5 years ago. I do many of the same things you do, along with a lot of reading! I would have to say my faith is what sustains me most. I will keep you and your mother in my prayers. Hugs from Florida.
ReplyDeleteYour Blog is always a blessing for me so I pray you will be blessed by the knowledge that others are feeling your pain and keeping you and your mother in prayer.
ReplyDeleteYou are very wise to care for yourself as well during this period. Taking care of yourself will enable you to care for your mother. What a privilege and honour it is to be able to care for a loved one.
Thank you for prompting me to examine my own life to recognise that my garden swing is truly my happy place. I love to watch the birds and listen to their cheerful, happy tweeting.
God's Blessings
Hi stopping by to tell you that you all are in my prayers. Sorry to hear about your mum am praying for her. Enjoy your blog and am new to it. Will keep checking back. Take care of your mom and yourself
ReplyDeleteSharron - I sympathise and empathise. I cared for my mother till she died. My dad died when I was a baby and she never married again. My brother was mentally handicapped so was no help. Apart from the drinking chocolate my escapes where as yours - crochet, knitting sewing and reading.
ReplyDeleteIncluding, of course, snuggling up somewhere. I have the same spotty upholstery as your chair and I love it! Your cushion goes splendidly with it!
Take care of yourself too. That's just as important.
Wishing you the best with your Mum and her care. It is a hard road to travel so be easy on yourself.
ReplyDeleteI hope that all will be as well as it can be with your Mum, whatever that turns out to be. Hugs to you.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing such personal things. I too, enjoy all of the things on your blog and have missed you being here more often but fully understand. I care for my disabled husband and work part time too, so crochet, reading, cooking and blog hopping all keep me sane. love the colours in the pictures you posted this time. keep strong, sending hugs and healing thoughts to you and your mum. x
ReplyDeleteI know how hard it is when your Mum is not doing so well....and my best wishes are with you and your Mum. I lost my Mum a number of years ago - and still miss talking with her. I can still feel her with me - esp. at those times I feel like I need her with me, though. Give your Mum lots of love! and do take a bit of time now and then to relax just a bit - because if you don't take care of yourself, you won't be able to take care of her!
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