East Central Illinois sunrise
September 2016
I was out of touch last week as my daughter-in-law and I worked to pack up and empty my mother’s assisted living apartment in east central Illinois and then drive her to Northern Colorado to live much closer to me. It was an exhausting experience for all of us, but we had a lot of fun too. Mom is settling in to her new digs just fine. I’m getting caught up on my naps. And Katie Cat has finally forgiven me for being gone so long.
Most of the funny stories I have to tell are inappropriate for a family-friendly blog. Three women on a road trip can get pretty rowdy, especially when one is 97, one 74, and one 53. No boundaries, no off-limit subjects, and absolutely no restraint. I guess that explains why we laughed so much.
And then there was the evening spent with my aunt and cousins when one of the main topics of conversation was dryer balls.
Yes, that’s “dryer” — they can be made in the dryer with wool yarn and nylon stockings and they not only soften the load but reduce the drying time. I haven’t had a chance to make some yet to try out, but eventually I’ll get around to it.
You can imagine how a conversation about dryer balls progressed from the serious to the downright silly.
Stay tuned for more blog posts (probably two of my own and a guest post per week), mini-reports on Mom and her experiences with the furry critters, and maybe even some progress reports on my writing projects. Gotta get ready for NaNoWriMo.
Hi Patricia, glad that you had a good road trip and that your mother is settling down well close to you. Three generations of ladies on a road trip sounds fun!
Hi Rachna! I think my mom had the most fun because of all the extra TLC, snacks, and just getting out of the old stay-in-her-room rut.
Glad you had a good trip. It sounds like so much fun. Makes me miss my mom.
Hi Susan! I know…that’s why it was so important to me to finally get Mom moved to Colorado so I could see her at least twice a week instead of twice a year.
Oh, that road trip sounds like a great premise for a women’s fiction novel! 🙂
Glad everyone is settled and home and happy.
Yes, there were moments worthy of women’s fiction, Madeline. I don’t know whether I’d dare write about them as long as my mom might hear about it. 😀
Pat, it sounds like the trip was an experience that was filled with wonderful memories. So glad all went well. Now you have me curious about dryer balls made out of yarn and nylon stockings. Looking forward to your coming posts.
Thoughts in Progress
and MC Book Tours
I’m going to try to squeeze the stocking and yarn experiment in this week, Mason. I have a great coupon for 50% off at a fabric shop and wool yarn is pricey so the time is right!
So glad your trip went well, Pat! And it’s good to know your mother is doing well. It sounds like you had some real fun, even if it was exhausting, and I look forward to more posts about it. IN the meantime, I know Katie and Sassy are glad to have you back.
Thanks, Margot. It appears both furry critters have totally forgiven me for being gone so long. And the cat has gotten over her annoyance with Sassy and is back to the occasional friendly nose-to-nose touches. Sassy is so happy at getting her long walks again that she dances all over the house if she sees me getting my house keys out of my purse.
Mom was really tired early in the week, but I think she’s going to agree to an excursion today — coming over to my house for lunch and to make phone calls to grandkids. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.
Glad the trip was a success and you are home safely.
I’m not going to even ask about the ensuing dryer balls conversation…
That’s because you’re a very wise man, Alex.