Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Back in the 'Grove...

...and now to get back in the groove of work!

It feels so good to be home. My one week trip was extended to two. My siblings and I decided it would be a good idea for my parents to have some extra help for one more week. I am still a little nervous about them being alone but they have a nurse coming everyday to change the dressing on my mother's leg, and my sister is going to visit them mid-week to cook dinner and see how things are going.

The view from the balcony of my parents apartment
Living among the senior population for two weeks was quite an experience. It was interesting to get to know the cast of characters that live in their building. I have two aunts and an uncle that also live there, thus giving me ample opportunity to hear all the gossip. They refer to other residents with nicknames like "The Reader", "The Black Man", "The Egyptian" and, "The Chinamen". They evidently don't care about being politically correct! There also was Marie who thinks she is boss of her floor, and the group that hangs out in the lobby for half of the day, waiting for the mail. If you choose to have lunch in the dining room, beware that it's very territorial. Sitting in someone else's seat could get you the evil eye. I told my brother that the next TV reality show should be "The Real Seniors of Dover".

It wasn't always easy to be there. My parents can be difficult and extremely particular. There were times when I had to step out on the balcony and take a deep breath. Despite the stress, I am happy to have spent this extended amount of time with them. The highlight of the day was pouring my Dad and me a glass of wine each evening. He was never a drinker aside from a whiskey and ginger ale on holidays, or an occasional beer in the summer, so it surprised me when he said he would like to have a glass of wine each night. I am sure he needed it as much or more than I did.

The BEST part of being in New Hampshire was seeing Danielle. She came up one weekend and we celebrated her birthday. My sister came with her grand daughter and we had a great time together. Birthdays are much more fun when you have little ones around!


Now it's time to shift gears and get back to work. Jeff is teaching pottery at a private school in Greensboro this week, so I will have the studio to myself and there are lots of pots that need glazing.
I am slowly getting caught up with my blogging buddies. I haven't had much time to comment, but do know that I will get around to reading your posts.


9 comments:

  1. so glad you got to visit with your patents, daughter and sister, that view from your parent's apartment look very cold.

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  2. So good that you took the time out of your busy life to travel and visit your parents. It will be a memory that all of you will cherish.

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  3. Good to hear from you, I was actually thinking about you last night with this newest snow storm and wondering how you were up there. Ahhh, parents,we don't pick them do we, just get what we get..... Hope you get rested and settled back in your groove soon!

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  4. Good Job.You should have enough good Karma to last quite a while.

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  5. Nice to have you back again! The "little things", like enjoying an evening glass of wine with your father, can be the most treasured and meaningful. It is so good that you were able to be there with your parents. I was amused by what you wrote about the "Real Seniors of Dover" and the territorial nature of the dining room! Kind Thoughts to you and Jeff, Px

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  6. got yer dose of winter, too, hmmmmm? Bet jeff wasn't missing THAT!

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  7. It must feel good to be back home and into the clay again.

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  8. I'm glad your parents were doing well enough that you could come back home. Enjoy your solitude in the studio.

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  9. Two weeks is a long time to be away...... 10 days for us and am so happy to be home. Wish all our relatives had been in one place to catch up but we seemed to be scattered to the four winds.....
    always wondered how we survived childhood... :)

    lots to mull over in the studio and glad to be reading your posts again......

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