[Bnot]

I miss checking on everyone and the babies here.

In late November, I was told Mom finally decided to come back to Mobile and live with me. Mom had been living in Austin Tx since 2002.

I live alone, and knew I had a LOT to do and only a month to prepare for her. I wanted her to have my bedroom, where she had the 1/2 bath.

Hand to shuffle a lot of stuff to the workshop I just got last spring, to empty one bedroom out, so I could paint it and get moved in it. When through with that, I had to paint her bedroom and get it ready for her. Then find someone to drive out there with me, from Mobile AL, who had a vehicle that would pull a U-Haul.

I haven't slowed down since she got here either.

Don't ever let anyone tell you taking care of an elderly parent is a piece of cake! As much as I love Mom, and as close as we are, its very stressful. Mom is 94, I have bipolar disorder, and I'm amost 51.

Since she's been here Dec 29th, she's had a sinus infection, Shingles, and now Bronchitis. I've had more company since she's been here than I've had in the past 7 years living alone. It never seems to slow down here.

Honestly, since 2004 when I had to leave work, its been low stress at my home. I'm not used to dealing with anyone but me, and have always known what to expect from day to day.

Things are so differnent now, and its been one huge adjustment, along with her being sick so much, and folks still wanting to pile in to see her, with her sick! I'm having to learn to be a b*tch, and say "she's not up to company, she's 94, and very sick". Its been stressful not getting the sleep I was so used to, and with bipolar disorder, I know I HAVE to have sleep to be stable.

I miss you all here, but have not had time in a while to come here on a daily basis like I used to.

Mom came with a Rockweiller named Max. He's not her dog, but came to help her adjust. Of course with yorkies, I'm not used to the shedding the Max does. I got to a point last Wed, where I talked to Max's owner and said "Max has to go home when you come in March." He was pretty delighted to hear that. Mom is ok with it cause honestly she's bonded so well with Venus (one of my yorkies), she's not having a problem at all with Max going home. Like she said she knew Max wasn't her dog to begin with.

Max is a good dog, but my home also is very small. No matter where he chooses to lay, he's in the way. I know he thinks his name is now "Move Max", lol. I know he misses his owner, cause he's chewed up every toy he and my dogs own. We've been to the vet with him once, cause he was throwing up toy parts. Vet said that the peices for him, should come out, and not get stuck like yorkies would.

I'm sure my 2 will be quite happy to see Max pack up and go back to Tx too. They not used to sharing with such a large dog. Although Venus and Max play well together, go figure. Adonis isn't that wild at all about Max. My 2, are pretty good with standing their ground with a 125 lb dog!

I keep hoping things will slow down. Everytime I get there, seems Mom gets sick again.

In Tx, Mom lived with my neice and her husband. She did everything for herself. Since she's got here, she's done very little for herself. Said the reason she still did for herself out there, is they both worked, and she had no choice. For 94 years old her mind is good, and she still walks using a 4 legged walker on wheels.

I hope things quieten down where I have more time on my hands like I'm so used to. Its been quite an adjustment here for me, as well as Mom. My dogs are great with Mom. I think Venus is now quite attached to her, and her attached to venus.