Kate it is so good to hear from you. I was just thinking of you yesterday and was going to email you. I am sad that you will not be at retreat this year. You make me laugh so much! Jim will cherish his time with his dad. My dad and I did not really get along while I was growing up, but the last 5 years of his life, I stepped in to help him do things that his hands would not let him do and help my mom when he was terminally ill. It was a blessing, because I grew to really appreciate what he had done for us our whole lives.

I am glad your renovations are complete and you can enjoy your new kitchen! Hopefully you will get that quilt done and start on another one. I have mine done but have yet to quilt it. :) We will miss you at retreat, but totally understand. Take care and keep on checking in with us.

Jackie

Thanks Jackie! Yes, the laughter at Retreat is the best mental therapy possible!

Have been Missing all your posts to the site and now understand.

Good thoughts and wishes going your way.

Theresa

Indeed...we DO miss your Quilty Self!! ;)

Bless you Kate. My mother-in-law lived with us for 9 years, it is a full time commitment. I have no advice for preventing wheel chair damage, we just live with it. Jim may be able to get benefits for being a full time care giver. Check with the Social Security office.

beverly

Hi, Kate - I have been thinking of you too! Glad to hear life may be settling down for you now. Make sure Jim gets respite from his caregiver duties. It can be a 24/7 job and he needs to take care of himself, too. There is an organization here called Share the Care that is basically adult day care - check it out. I'm pretty sure it's no cost, or very low cost.

Donna

Kate...bless you for caring for your Mom and now your DH's father. You and DH are so generous of heart. I hope things settle down soon and you can do more sewing.

It's great to 'see' you back on the board.

~Geraldine

Hi Kate, I have missed you, too, and can understand why you've been MIA from the forum. I've always considered family needs are to be attended to before quilting. But, those needs include time for you and Jim to have your own space and regular date nights, for your own sanity and health. Take care.......

Thanks Sharon. I agree! I think I've just been so overwhelmed by all that's happened since January I didn't even have time to think. Now that it's feeling a bit more settled, I'm ready to take control of my life and my time a little bit. I don't need a lot; just a little. I'll start with the quilting and graduate to date nights!

Kate, it is so good to hear from you again. I wondered if you were traveling with your job or just overwhelmed - now I understand! What a generous thing for you and DH to do to care for his father. I can imagine the challenges. Take care of yourself and check in from time to time!

Sue

Wow! When life throws you lemons, you really step up. Hope life continues to smooth out for you. I too had elders live with me for many years. While it's a gift, it can also be a heavy responsibility some days. Take time, even if it means an expensive caregiver, to escape with your husband periodically. You can't get back the years with him later.

Wow, your life has certainly been busy. Glad the renovations are completed... mostly. I bet they look nice. It takes special, unselfish people to be caregivers. Hope you and hubby get a bread every once in a while and that you can enjoy your sewing projects every now and then.