Success

Because I can, I am going to drop a few flower shots on here first.  My morning glories are starting to bloom. The flowers are so brilliant this one was partially open in the downpour we got on Wednesday. Thank goodness for long lenses.

I've planted morning glories in about 4 or 5 places and am enjoying their colors. 

The next two are Love in the Mist.

I really adore the odd shapes of these delicate flowers. The delicate fern like leaves

are just so beautiful.

Meanwhile the moss roses are doing so well. This is my first success at growing them. I spread the seeds in a very large container and waited.  They have not disappointed me at all this year.

Here is a young katydid, I think that was hiding in the moss roses! I almost didn't detect it as it was so well camouflaged.

Well, with the plumber coming any time on Friday, I stayed home for my 'Respite' time. It actually worked out well. When Tammy came [early!], we sat down at our table and we got to know each other for a bit. I told her about the hot water issue.

I decided to do a project that I couldn't do when she wasn't around, like cleaning in the basement. The shop vac makes a lot of noise and I couldn't hear if hubby needed help.

When hubby woke up, she took over and I headed to the basement to purge and clean. Tammy cared for Rich and made Snickerdoodle cookies. 

I helped her familiarize herself with where things were in my kitchen and any other questions she had about cleaning, the commode, laundry, etc. She changed the hospital bed for me and then I showed her how to operate our washing machine.

I lugged 'stuff' out of the basement and dumped it on the porch. More purging. I took out old beat up hunting boots that would never get worn again, cheap snow pants that hubby used ages ago with holes in them.

 
I finally got rid of the chunks of wood that hubby had been saving for 'something' too along with some odd cut small pieces of particle board and plywood. I tossed old hunting sweatshirts that had seen much better days.

 Things that were hanging on pegs in the basement that he'd never use again were purged. None of it was in any condition to be passed on.

I slayed cobwebs with the ShopVac and made sure the area around the questionable water heater was clean and accessible. It was quite the job. I had no interruptions and was able to get the work done efficiently with many trips up and down the stairs and to the back of my Subaru so I could take boxes of stuff to the dump.

Tammy made cookies and did all the things that I normally have to do. Get drinks of water, get a snack, help with this or that. It was like we were working as a team. She had the 'patient' and I had no interruptions.

Her snickerdoodles were amazing. She cleaned up as she went and even changed hubby's bed and made him lunch.  

I finally got to do some of the all the important things that I couldn't get done while caring for hubby.

After lunch, she helped Rich to bed and then asked what else she could do. It was almost her quitting time.

I asked if she could have a seat so we could visit and get to know each other. I had this feeling that she could have a lot of helpful things to share.

She and I are of the same generation. We both grew up in similar ways. We don't let things go to waste. 

She is a grandma that legally adopted her grandkids. She cared for her 'kids' and her husband while he was in Hospice. She had been certified as a Caregiver and has worked in different areas as well as a local Senior Assisted Living place not far from her home. 

We talked a lot about Hospice and our shared experience, also of what she had gone through. We ended up feeling more like kindred spirits. What a relief to know that my feelings, my experiences, my doubts, angst, frustrations, and emotional ups and downs are very normal. We found a sister like bond in our lives.

We had a very interesting conversation that I'll write about later. 

As she was leaving and the Plumber was arriving, I said to her that the most important part of our Respite time together was her support, her experiences and our talk. I didn't feel alone in this journey any more.

It is one thing to read about or share experiences virtually, but to sit down face to face with someone else who has been there and has gone through it is much more valuable.

Paul the Plumber came and tested the heater. He measured the water temp still in the heater at 140 F! That after it being turned off for 24 hours.
He changed the thermostats on the elements and emptied out the scalding water so we could make sure that the water heated to the right temperature.

Charlie adores Paul and sits in the basement to watch Paul work. 

By 2pm, my day was done and I was ready to sit down and read a book. The yard mowing could wait another day.

I considered yesterday as a good day.