The Joel, Monica, Simeon and Abram Visit!

Joel, Chris, Monica
Abram, Simeon, and Grandma Anna Jean.


Joel and Monica and their boys came to visit us on the 16th of July. We really enjoyed their visit as did mom at the nursing home. They are a very special family and we were so happy to be able to spend this gift of time with them.

Core work and gardens?

Mom has been a real trooper and has been making great strides in her physical therapy. Her core muscles have strengthened as well as her left leg. She is supposed to keep her right leg straight when she gets up and pivots for transfers from wheelchair to bed, or chair, or bathroom. She is very motivated to get home and it looks like she might achieve this in the next week or two. Matt is coming for a visit on the 11th for two weeks and we hope to see my sister Lynn around the 14th.

So meanwhile Bob and I are working around the house. Bob has planted and is cultivating a beautiful garden that is flourishing. We have eaten radishes, various kinds of lettuces and some green onions so far. The tomato plants will be ripe soon and we will need to be ready for massive canning operations!

Bob and I also have enjoyed a time of respite thanks to Chris who has been attending to mom at the nursing home. I have been there but Chris is doing the majority of the visiting right now. We will be getting the house in order in preparation for her return.

I love this small community of people who help each other out and are involved in each others lives.

In limbo

Mom is in a nursing home here in the UP. She fell on June 20th and is trying to rehab in the hopes of returning home. Our dilema is that she is weak and now cannot walk (as per instructions from her doctor.) We have found it increasingly difficult to manage her physically. We are looking into what kind of support we can get (or pay for) in order to continue to care for her at home. Right now we are on private pay due to her not qualifying for medicare help in the initial hospital visit and subsequent skilled nursing stay. So...I have been researching and trying to explore options. Meanwhile Bob and I have had a much needed rest/respite and Chris has had the major time commitment of visiting and supporting mom in her nursing home stay.