Celebrating with family

Not really With My family as they are not around. Yet I have memories of family around me.

My Grandfather on Mom’s side carried creative genes (and might have passed some along). He put together this Christmas tree with parts and pieces of stuff and things.

Grandma would probably recognize her broken jewelry. The bottle caps may have been from jugs of Thunderbird wine, their favorite.

Mom hung this tree in her living room, all year long, and plugged it in every night.

Then there’s my fake 18 inch tree…

…decorated with Mom’s rhinestone earrings.

Also a copy of A Christmas Carol given to my Grandmother in 1917, and I can’t find a copy write date in the book.

And my Aunt Helen carved this whistle.

 All these people have passed on so I feel very fortunate to have an adopted family.

 

Patty and Darrel raised Mike and his four brothers with love and respect. I’ll spend Christmas with this caring family. Darrel is sick right now, although we all pray he’s made it through the worse. Chemo seems to have killed the stomach tumor yet he is scheduled for two more sessions. Then physical therapy to regain his strength. He’s known as “The Giant”, a Big man with a Big heart.

Christmas is All About Love

MWT - Going to Texas

It’s that time of year for me to visit my Mom in South Texas. I’m tired of the cold 5,000 foot northern Arizona winter weather. Instead I’ll be warm and sticky from all the humidity. Hey, why not complain about something like the weather that you can’t do a damn thing about?

Taking the truck and slide-in camper, although I’d love to have the Big comforts of the 5th-wheel I don’t need to spend any more on fuel.

Mom is asking for help.  Dusting, shopping, things that she could get assistance with, if she’d just let people in her house. But she is afraid of the unknown, untrustful. I’m really not trying to complain, just to better understand June, this woman I call my mother. I’ve been trying to learn herstory. I want to help her. Guess I’ll have to learn how.

And it’s only Mom now as my Dad passed just over a year ago. I feel so fortunate to have seen him during last years visit.

Yes, I now have a smart phone droidx and hopefully will be able to stay in touch, if I’m not in the middle of nowhere. Which I hope to be many times on this journey.

Seminole Canyon, TX

But I don’t find it easy to type much on the qwerty key board and reading blog posts on a 3x5” screen could cause blindness. I have to watch my usage on the mobile hotspot which I hope to use for posting to keep you all up to date. So I’m apologizing ahead of time if you don’t see my comments. Maybe this is when FB becomes easier.

To tour more of the world, or guide us through some of your own, go to My World Tuesday by clicking here.

Trials and Tribulations in Texas

Gulf coast
I’m rather at a loss. What can I say about my most recent trip to Texas to see my parents. I really don’t want to spill my guts about a lousy childhood, nor I’m sure do you all want to read about it. Suffice it to say that my Mom and I have never really gotten along.

Mom

My toe nails haven't been painted in 30 years
I don’t want you to think there was no fun. Mom and I had a great time getting a pedicure, a first for both of us.

Dad
We visited my Dad in the nursing home several times. He’s had several strokes and can only communicate a little.

Aunt Kay
I reached a breaking point and walked out of Mom’s house on Sunday, rented a car and went to stay with my Aunt for two nights. She is truly a sweetheart, a retired RN, and probably the only person that knows and understands my Mom. We had a wonderful visit.

Stormy sky over Texas
Now I’m back home with much to do. Part of that is coming to grips with what to do about Mom. I believe that she’s bi-polar, possibly delusional, and a danger to herself and others when she drives. I’m not asking for sympathy, but am open to suggestions. I have a lot of research to do and will likely blog more about this.

Going to Texas

Monday in the wee hours of the morning before I should even be awake I’ll be flying out of Phoenix to south Texas via Houston to visit my parents. I’ll be gone until next Tuesday hopefully basking in some warmer weather. Although I take my computer, mostly as my photo album to share, I may not be online more than once if I’m lucky. My parents are not computer savvy at all so they can’t understand my withdrawals. Will miss you all immensely and try to catch up when I return. Have a great week.

Always learning from Mom & Dad

Every time I visit my parents I learn life lessons. Usually not by the “do as they do” method, just the opposite. Like:

Don’t talk too much, allow others to speak and enjoy conversation, no monologues
Be a better listener, quiet the mind, save the comments
Take care of health issues, do research until understanding comes and healing follows
Stay active in mind and body
Keep learning and growing

Be myself with all honesty
Keep up with current events and technology
Don’t let fear hold me back

Choose to have no regrets
Be open to new ideas
Have friends older and younger
Don’t sweat the small things
Go for the gusto
Follow my heart and passions
Be nice to others and myself
Learn from the past, but don’t dwell on it

Live in the now

I don’t really have much else to say about the visit. Mom lives in the past and Dad lives in his head.

I took these pics of pics that hang in Mom’s bedroom.

Mom, her Mother, & her sister 1935

Me and Denver 1974

Change the things that can be changed, accept those that cannot, and have the wisdom to know the difference.