I Went To My Parents Today
By CatsandDogs
@CatsandDogs (13963)
United States
November 18, 2009 12:29am CST
and had such a good time! I'm so glad mom has come around, once again, and is treating me with so much love! Believe me, I'm eating it up too!! lol
I gave mom a Christmas shirt that I had bought for the two of us, matching shirts and she loved it and it fits her perfectly! So now she has something to wear on Christmas day and we'll match! It's really pretty! It's from collectionsetc.com It's blue with santa and his reindeer flying in the sky and a Christmas tree on the ground. Sequins everywhere! It's so pretty and she loved hers!
Since mom still can't write since she had a stroke last year, she hasn't been able to send out cards which she loves to do.... so do I, especially at Christmas time but mom does all year long. So I bought her three boxes of personalized Christmas Cards with her and dad's name signed on them and the envelopes with their address already printed on them. She really loves her cards and is so happy to have them to send out this year. I told her that I'm going to print up all the addresses from hers and dad's 50th wedding anniversary party and I'll cut them out and we could tape them on the envelopes. She lit up like a Christmas tree and said, "Wow! That's a great idea!" So that's what I've been doing, going through the list and updating it as much as I can with updating addresses and deleting the deceased and so on.
Anyway, I brought my rug shampooer because mom's wasn't sucking up the water off her carpet and dad had taken it apart trying to fix it and couldn't figure it out. I looked at it and took some things apart and cleaned it really good and put it all back together and still it wouldn't suck up the water so I kept playing with it and "PRESTO!" I got it to work again!
Then mom and dad had some cut out cardboard on the floor and come to find out, mom had bought this shoe holder about two years ago and never put it together so dad was trying to put it together and got frustrated with it and gave up. I put it together in about 10 minutes. lol Dad came in and saw it and just shook his head and said "Kiss my azz" and laughed. lol We all laughed a good one then!
I stayed for dinner and we had a good conversation. Thursday, mom and I are going to meet with her priest to discuss their funeral arrangements. As much as I hate that idea but I know it has to be done and the sooner we do it, the better so I'll know what to do when that awful time comes. I've never planned a funeral before in my life so I know I'll be a scatterbrain when it happens so having it all detailed out, I'll know what to do. Believe me, I'm taking lots and lots of notes!! lol I do know they both wants the cheapest casket and mom wants "Amazing Grace" and "How Great Thou Art" sung at her funeral. I knew I'd forget those two songs so I found them both in cross stitch patterns so I made them both for her to enjoy but also to help me to remember what she wanted. lol She really loves them.
That's how my day went today, how was yours?
6 people like this
11 responses
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
18 Nov 09
I gather there is something Im missing here, an issue with your parents? As you know I have been away from My Lot for over one year.
It is very important to have good times with your parents when they arte elderly.
Just the little things really help them.
My parents are in their 70s and have lots of problems. My father has the big A.
They are moving into a retuirement villiage early next year. It is near where I live.
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
18 Nov 09
This is a very difficult situation for you.With brothers who dont help much & finances that are tight for your parents, I dont know what other advice I can give you.
I know some elderly people can be very difficult when it comes to moving to retirement villages, or even nursing homes. But you cant keep doing everything fior them.
I know my parents will be moving soon into their retirement village. This will help my mother a lot. But when my father starts to wonder, he will need to go into a nursing home.
At least my brother is helpful so I cant complain in that regard.
1 person likes this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
18 Nov 09
That's just it, I NOW don't know if my brothers have helped or not because I found out through dad that my middle brother had given them $500. last month. Mom is into this secrecy crap which isn't right because we're family. Family is suppose to help one another in their time of need. She's afraid it could turn into a competition thing. How ridiculous is that? I know we can't all give the same amount all the time. It's ok if hubby and I give say, $200. and my brothers give $100. this month and something different the next. We can give what we can give and that's that. It's not a competition, it's help for our parents. Now all of us owed them some money however, my oldest brother and I have paid them off but my middle brother hasn't but has been giving them $200. a month since April of last year which is payments of the amount he owes. Hubby and I have given thousands that we don't owe. Plus both brothers have been on trips and cruises where my hubby and I haven't because we can't leave my parents in the shape that they're in and so much has been given to them. It's not right nor is it fair but I don't know what to do.
As for my middle brother, he owes my husband and I a heartfelt apology and until we get it, we'll be barely civil to each other. I don't wish him any harm or any bad luck but good riddance and a happy life because after he talked to me the way he did, he doesn't deserve my respect. He's hurt me so many times since I was 21 and I let it go continuously however, enough is enough and I finally stood up for myself and will continue to for I believe, right is right and wrong is wrong no matter who it is regardless if it's my brother or his darling son. I don't care. Right is right and wrong is wrong. There's no way around that. What my nephew did to my parents house which is trashed it for it was so filthy and leaving them to hold the bag (mortgage) is not right and I will not stand for it so my brother will have to deal with it because I will stand up for right and never for the wrong. So for that reason, my conscience is clear.
@ElicBxn (63638)
• United States
20 Nov 09
I got up, ate breakfast, went to mom's, went to work, ate lunch, worked some more, came home, put some stuff in the car, helped make and then ate dinner, watched Flash Forward, now I'm going to go to bed soon... boring day except for Flash Forward
1 person likes this
@ElicBxn (63638)
• United States
20 Nov 09
yep, now you know why I don't bother blogging, I guess I'm not interested in my day, why would anyone else be...
maybe I just don't think enough during it - except maybe things like "shut up so I can read" or "what is she bathering on about now?"
1 person likes this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
20 Nov 09
LOL Ahhhh Ok. Just another day for you, huh Elic? LOL
1 person likes this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
19 Nov 09
Wow my day was nothing compared to yours. Went to work, had people yell at me most of the day (I guess I'm supposed to pay their electric bill so it doesn't get shut off) came home kids hadn't done a thing all day (niece 20 & son 18), they left so house is quiet for a bit just reading some Associated Content articles, visiting on Twitter and oh yea responding to a few myLot discussions - bed time shortly start all over tomorrow.
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
20 Nov 09
We have all kinds in our world, don't we Faith? Sheesh. I quit trying to figure people out a long time ago. 
The kids seem to need a swift kick in their rears! Something better be done by the time you get home! Oh boy.... Hopefully they'll be better people once they grow up and start accepting responsibility.
The kids seem to need a swift kick in their rears! Something better be done by the time you get home! Oh boy.... Hopefully they'll be better people once they grow up and start accepting responsibility.
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
18 Nov 09
You sound just like my mom. She says the same thing about her dad. He was like a walking dictionary or encyclopedia. He knew a little or a lot about everything. But there again, mom says the pain gets easier with time. It never lets up but it gets easier to deal with with time. Sweetie, know that he loved you with all his heart just as you did with him and that love will continue on to eternity. Trust me on that. May God hold you close and bless you with abundance!
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
20 Nov 09
Yup. You bet.
Now if you want to make any money on here, you need to make your responses a bit longer. This isn't going to cut it.
@xzvzion (133)
• Singapore
19 Nov 09
Believe me, parents love their children the most. And i believe if they do that, their children will love them as much too. Celebrate with them as much as they can because they will not be there forever.
Anywayz, I would like to have my body in a simple casket and buried in the middle of a lonely jungle, to have some peace and quiet. :XX
1 person likes this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
20 Nov 09
I agree, most parents do love their children. I do feel for the ones who don't have loving parents. That has to be really hard. We didn't go today like we were suppose to because her priest wasn't in because he had to go out of state to see his father who is really ill.
I don't care what they do with my body when I die other than to harvest all the organs that they can use to help others live then they can do what ever they want.
@GardenGerty (160879)
• United States
18 Nov 09
Oh, it sounds like you had such a wonderful day. 
I hope things continue this way. I also hope, by writing this, maybe you can have it to remember when or if things go all backward again. In fact, friend, I think, if I were you, I would print a copy and put it in a notebook, and every other GOOD day and thing that happens. Then you will have a book that will bring your spirits up when they are down. I am really happy for you today.
I hope things continue this way. I also hope, by writing this, maybe you can have it to remember when or if things go all backward again. In fact, friend, I think, if I were you, I would print a copy and put it in a notebook, and every other GOOD day and thing that happens. Then you will have a book that will bring your spirits up when they are down. I am really happy for you today.@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
18 Nov 09
Hi GG! I hope it continues too for I'm soaking it up like a sponge! lol I don't mean to be negative but the truth is the truth, I hope it lasts. Knowing how mom is, she can turn on a dime, makes me very leery but at the same time, knowing her good side is back, I'm soaking it up like a sponge!
She's doing a lot better physically but she does have her bad days with her dizzy spells. She and dad went to her family reunion the weekend before last and they had a blast! Mom was so happy that she liked to talk my ear off! lol She said she didn't have one dizzy spell the whole weekend! Now talking about being happy and shocked at the same time! lol I was! I just pray that it continues on the up and up.
That's a really good idea about printing this and other good/happy stories for me to keep and read later. I just might do that! lol Thanks GG!
@smileonstar (4007)
• United States
18 Nov 09
Hi,
sound like fun and lovely family here. My parents live far away from me, far like half of the earth around. But they will come to visit me sometime in December, they will spend the time here with us on Christmas and New Year, I can't wait to see them. You know, nothing fun then family reunion.
Well, I wish you all the happiness this new year and Marry christmas to you and your family as well
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
18 Nov 09
That's wonderful smileonstar! I hope you have a wonderful visit with your parents during the holidays! Wow! What a Christmas present!
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
18 Nov 09
It's so nice to have a good day with family, isn't it? I had a good day with my dad on Sunday, it was one of the rare days when his hearing aid was not only working but everything else conspired so that he could actually hear! His hearing is hit and miss even with hearing aids. So we got to talk a good bit, it was wonderful.
I wish you many more happy visits with your parents, visits free of troubles and sprinkled with laughter.
1 person likes this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
18 Nov 09
I hope it continues too for I'm soaking it up like a sponge! lol I don't mean to be negative but the truth is the truth, I hope it lasts. Knowing how mom is, she can turn on a dime, makes me very leery but at the same time, knowing her good side is back, I'm soaking it up like a sponge!
She's doing a lot better physically but she does have her bad days with her dizzy spells. She and dad went to her family reunion the weekend before last and they had a blast! Mom was so happy that she liked to talk my ear off! lol She said she didn't have one dizzy spell the whole weekend! Now talking about being happy and shocked at the same time! lol I was! I just pray that it continues on the up and up.
Now about your dad's hearing aids, I'm legally deaf and wear them too. There is a chance that your dad has the wrong kind. There's so many different kinds out there that one would have to see a hearing specialist to know which is the better one. And with the ones your dad has, if it's not loud enough, take them back to where he got them from and have them turn it up. They can do that. My hearing aids are called bio-cross analog in the ear type (not over the ear) which is two aids connected by a wire. I'm deaf in my left ear so the left aid transfers the sounds to my right ear through the wire. There's another type of bio-cross which you couldn't give to me but because my hearing loss is due to nerve damage and it's called bio-cross digital. It may work for some people but it doesn't for me. What ever you do, do NOT go to miracle ear! They are a joke! They're just a bunch of salesmen in search of a sale and commission! Trust me on that. I hope I've been able to help in some small way for I know how it is. I didn't wear any of my aids from the time I was a child till about 5 years ago and I'm 45 years old. Imagine that! lol They all sounded horrible and I hated them with such a passion but the ones I have now are awesome! lol My dad had the in the ear type once and he loved them but he lost them some how. Mom thinks he accidentally threw them away but dad is adamant that he didn't. (ok dad.... lol) I was able to find help to get him a new pair and this time he got the over the ear kind and he hates them with a passion but wears them when he has to. It's a real shame but he wouldn't listen to me and return them to get another kind so now that he's had them too long, he's stuck with them.... at least for a few years. Hard headed but what could I do? I led him to help and that's where it ended. Like, you can lead the horse to the water but you can't make it drink. Same situation here.
@AndrewFreyne (6281)
• United Kingdom
18 Nov 09
That sounds like a really positive experience and it's really nice to read about the family oriented situation. That is one area that is hugely lacking in my own life. When my mother was alive I used to visit her every weekend and it was a really comfortable period of my life. Now both my parents have gone and I have had to adapt to the new circumstances. Still, it's nice to read about how others get on and so forth. Thanks for sharing your day and I hope that you experience many more wonderful days to come. Andrew
1 person likes this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
18 Nov 09
Bless your heart! I'm so sorry you've lost your mother and father but at least all of you knew you were all loved very dearly and that's what matters most. You will get to see them one day but that day can wait till it's your time. As for my parents, I feel they're on borrowed time, meaning, they don't have much time left so it's all the more reason I want them to be happy in their final days. Thanks for your kind words!
@besthope44 (12123)
• India
16 Aug 10
I visit my parents daily and i think its must, to make them feel happy.
