Florentine Lily

My Grandma

Life has been a bit busy. After my grandfather passed away in 2012, I have had the pleasure of taking care of my grandma two days a week. For those that have a loved one with dementia you can agree that your entire life changes when they are in your care. Many things in my life have had to be simplified & unfortunately removed at times. My blog was one of those casualties. My grandmother is 91 so time with her to make memories is short. So, I thought I might share her with you.

Somerset Life Gets ME!

I picked up a copy of Sumerset Life at Michael's tonight and was thrown at the editor, Christen Olivarez's, letter! In the first paragraph she basically sums up what I have been feeling!

A "creative rut"!

She talks about how difficult that can be on someone who is a creative soul. Someone who looks at being a creative person as her identity. I am that person - I am a creative soul that right now is stuck in the day to day responsibilities of life.

Let me get this straight - I am not complaining at all!

I have an amazing life!

I just haven't been able to "be" creative for a long time and I am feeling a bit lost.

A little over a year ago I had surgery to repair a torn bicep. Prior to the surgery, I couldn't do much. I would hurt for days if I used my arm too long crafting. I would modified my behavior & did less - which is very difficult for me - Soon, I was modifying everything & unable to do much of anything. The last straw was that I hurt for three days after I used the rotary cutter to cut fabric for a quilt I was making - It was then I realized it was time for surgery.

I had the best surgeon EVER! Not only did he do an amazing job at repairing my bicep, he placed the incision at my arm pit. This way, my scar is hidden & I can wear just about anything without it showing. No crazy scar across my upper arm! Thanks doc!!

I went to physical therapy for 4 months and just did what I had done before - modified my behavior to not use my arm too much. A year later and I think I am ready for more. A LOT MORE!

I have my cross stitch & embroidery - but I miss my scrapbooking and sewing. I miss doing home projects. Painting, gardening, adding molding & doing small improvements ;)

One of the best things about building our new home is that I will be able to do projects again. Add to that - I will have a dedicated area for my crafts. It will be so wonderful to have a space that has natural light that I can create in. 

I am getting ready to box up all my craft/sewing/painting supplies in preparation for our move - but once they are un-boxed in our new space - it's on!

I promise to take it slow - but I'm ready to get back to being me. 

 

 

 

Windows & Doors

Last weekend we had a nice surprise...

Windows and doors on the house!

I love watching the journey of our house being built. Although the people that work on our house everyday look at this as a job site - to me they are building our home. A place where we can create memories together - make new friends - build a community.

Looking out of these windows, my husband and I have dreamt of many memories yet to come - my daughter getting married, my son graduating from high school, bucktown bocce in our backyard, greeting grandchildren, but most of all, growing old(er) together.

I am looking forward to what progress we will see next weekend!

 

Our New House

We prayed...

Then waited...

Prayed a little more...

And waited...

Then our prayer was answered.

We were on a list for a VERY popular floor plan - the chances were that we wouldn't get one. We were #3 with only 2 houses left available. Then someone dropped out & the builder decided to add a couple more of this plan.....and we became #2! On the day of the release we went down to the builder office & picked our location - the site of the new Jefferson home.

Needless to say, we are all very excited!!

We go by every weekend to see how much progress they have made during the week. Last week they had poured the concrete slab!

I am sure things will move quickly. I am told the house should be done by the end of July. I have been picking options and making plans for my furniture. Deciding what to keep and what to gift to others. This house has less wall space - that has been the catalyst to decide what pieces I really love & what pieces can go to a new home.

We decided to do only the options that we couldn't do later - like the electrical & French door.

I know - you are saying I could do a French door later - the thing is, I always wanted one in our old house, but never did it & probably never would have. So, my husband said for me to do it now & not wait. (wonderful husband that he is!) 

Then, once we move in we will take care of the rest - some now & some over time.

The first thing we are doing is to add a granite counter top to the island & possibly soapstone to the rest of the counter tops. I can't wait to see how everything comes together!

Paper Overload

I have a problem with paper.

It is EVERYWHERE!

I never know how to organize things so that I don't end up a mess - for when it comes to paper - I am always a mess!

Does this sound like another resolution in the making? I don't know...It may be too much to ask of myself. I may be setting myself up for failure here. (wink) I guess I will have to have a date with the shredder! My new mantra is going to be "purge & shred!"

Maybe in our next home I can set up a system that I can actually keep up with :-)

Sewing Class

I have been sewing for years - crafts, pillows, curtains, quilts & costumes - but I have no idea on where to begin when wanting to make clothing. I don't have a clue about reading patterns or what size I would be. 

I have been disappointed in the quality of clothing available in stores - things just seem cheaply made - even when paying a high price for the item. So, I want to learn how to make my own clothes - or at least an item or two. 

I signed up for a beginning sewing class. They teach you how to read a pattern & we are making a few simple pieces to get some practice. 

The first item is an apron & so I chose Amy Butler's "Domestic Goddess Apron" - I love the style & of course the name! What girl (aka: Goddess) wouldn't? The second item is to be pajama pants & the third is a purse/bag. 

I am looking forward to learning some new skills & having a few "finished" projects to share.

Projects Unfinished

That should be a a warning label attached to my wrist for all to see. 

PROJECTS UNFINISHED

Don't get me wrong - I do finish "some" of my projects - but lots remain in the "need to finish" pile. 

I am not sure why I have a hard time "finishing" things. I get bored, get busy and don't pick it up again, get stuck or don't like what the item is becoming. The biggest excuse of course if that I find something else I want to try more than finish what I started! I guess I should then the question myself - why do I keep the unfinished item?

(I am horrified at the thought of actually getting rid of them! I wonder, does that make me a hoarder?)

I didn't really make any resolutions at the beginning of the year - so, maybe I should make "finish some of my unfinished projects" my resolution. Then maybe I won't have this "hoarder" title looming over my head ;) and I will have a bunch of handmade gifts for birthdays & Christmas. 

Hmmm. Not a bad goal!

I will need to get organized and pull all of the unfinished projects into one basket - or in my case...one HUGE rubbermaid bin to pull from. 

Do you have projects that are unfinished? Do you want to join me in getting some of those projects done? 

Where does the time go?

I can not believe half of January has come and gone! Time just seems to elude me! 

We have been busy in the Jefferson household - as usual :) I don't think we know any "other" way. We had a fabulous Christmas with family and friends, went to Disneyland & rang the New Year in on the couch - I did wake up enough to get my midnight kiss ;)

The New Year was a little quiet this year - yes, we did get the occasional M-80 "BOOM" from the park - but our neighborhood is pretty boring. We have lived here for 4 years and don't really socialize with our neighbors - not for lack of trying on our part - we just don't have the "cozy" feeling here. Our previous neighborhood was wonderful! We would take turns hosting Monday night football parties, ornament exchanges at Christmas & a block party in the summertime. I miss that community feeling. 

We are in the process of looking for a new home & neighborhood - so, hopefully the people who live close by will be receptive to building a community together - or if we are very lucky, we may find a neighborhood that already has it!

We have our eye on this one - it is a newly built home & we are on the "wait list" - Wish us luck!!

February starts the dance competition season - so, I have been spending a lot of time with a needle and thread. My son has 4 dances this year. 2 group, 1 production & 1 duo. The one dance that has required the most time with thread is a hip-hop number with a black & white circus theme. My son is a ring leader & so I have been applying harlequin applique to a tux jacket - I am almost done (yay!)

Although by the end of the season I am exhausted, I am looking forward to this year's comps. I get to hang out with my family - we are a close family & so the entire "Team Jefferson" goes to watch.  It is great that we can share and create memories together. We all love to watch Nate perform & yes, I do get teary eyed. (I have even seen a tear or two from my husband) We are all very proud of Nate.

 

 

 

 

Goodbyes & Dementia

We have had a death in the family.

My grandfather Charles Francis O'Connor passed away on September 12, 2012.

At the time of his passing he was 94 years old. I can't even begin to tell you how this man impacted the people around him. He was an amazing man. Patient, kind, honorable, and dedicated are only some of the wonderful things said about him. 

We had the memorial service on November 3rd. My grandfather was a Native Son of the Golden West. During his lifetime he was involved with two parlors 66 & 86. His "brothers" came out and did a ceremony that ended with each member present giving my grandfather a farewell salute - watching some of these old friends say goodbye brought me to tears. (I am crying as I type remembering this - it was very heartfelt.)

The next tear jerker was the U.S. Navy Honor Guard flag presentation. My grandfather enlisted in the Navy and served as an electrician on the USS Sitkoh Bay during WWII. There were 3 Navy men who came to do the ceremony - two for the flag & one to play taps. The bugler who played Taps was amazing - my husband (who played the bugle in his teens) thought it was a recording & was shocked to find out that it was an actual person playing. 

The church was filled with friends and family. It was wonderful to see so many people come to pay their respects to my grandfather. He left behind 8 children (yes, Irish Catholic!), 12 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren - and 1 wife.

The 1 wife is my grandmother and she is 90 years old. She was diagnosed with dementia a few years back & my grandfather was her best friend, decision maker and most of all her caretaker. 

So, what happens when a family is thrown into taking care of a parent with special needs? I don't know about smaller families - as you know mine is VERY large - every sibling has their own ideas on what should happen next & is voicing it loudly.

During the decision making process everyone is trying to grieve. Emotions are high and hurt feelings come too easy. Communication is difficult - we are Irish afterall (wink) - and through the process they are trying to figure out what is best for grandma.  

Elder care is very expensive - $180.00 a day! I am not sure who can actually afford something like this! Honestly, my grandmother was never comfortable with the woman who came to her home. She was a stranger in the house at a time when my grandmother needed to be alone or have her family around in order to grieve.

Anyway - grandma can't be alone, so the family decided that the work load should be divided amongst each other - yet no one volunteers to miss work for her daytime care. My mom gets stuck trying to figure out what to do. She was tasked with being responsible for the calendar - my mom is a widow and needs her full time income - so, it was either paying a stranger to be with my grandmother or missing work. My mom has been the one who has missed work for the past 3 years for doctor appointments & emergency care, so she has no PTO left to take. Missing work isn't an option & paying someone is too expensive for the family.

This is where I come in - I am blessed enough to be a full-time homemaker. To help out, I have re-arranged my schedule & dropped some daytime activities so that my grandmother can spend her days with me. Three days a week (sometimes more) until December 1st when one of her children will move in with her full time, grandma is with me.

For the most part, things have been going good. I am grateful for the time God has given me with her - something I didn't get with my father's parents, for they both had passed before I knew that time with them wasn't eternal. It is not an easy road though - she gets stuck on certain stories and eras and can be quite stubborn - but I do my best to handle each situation with love. I am only human & sometimes my patience isn't where it should be. (realistically that is about 5 o'clock everyday! lol!)

Yesterday was one of the difficult days. My grandmother doesn't understand why she can't be home alone & so this was the theme of the day. She was restless all day. My hope is that today will be a little easier - I am thinking of having her help me bake cookies to distract her ;)

 

 

 

 

 

Getting Ready for A Bridal Shower

I haven't participated in Julia's "What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday" in quite some time. It all comes down to not blogging much & then having a bicep repair surgery! But here I am joining these talented women to showcase what we are working on this week. If you would like to join us, pop on over to Julia's blog and sign up!

My daughter has been asked to be the Maid of Honor for her best friend's wedding in October. Along with the day of the wedding duties, the Maid of Honor hosts a shower for the bride to be. My daughter asked me to help come up with a theme and we decided to do a tea party for the wedding shower. 

The bride and groom are getting married in the fall & they chose coral as their wedding color.  So, to keep with the theme of fall, I decided to use orange and coral for the invitations. 

I used Stampin' Up stamps, ink & punches, Melissa Frances pattern paper, a Tim Holz embossing die, and seam binding tape to make the card.

The best part was that I shopped in my own craft closet! The only thing we purchased was the seam binding tape. I think the total cost for all 24 cards was $3.00!

To make the invitations even more special, my mom wrote a poem for the inside of the card to announce the party. This is what she wrote:

The time has come to shower the bride

With well wishes and words to the wise

Wedding thoughts of traditions and lace

join us at a bridal shower in her honor,

Lisa Case

Share a tear of joy, a laugh and you

At a tea party that starts at two

The date is set for the twenty-third of September

Sending you this invite for you to remember

 

Next on my list of "Mom to do" is the favors. We tried to find something that would be nice & yet inexpensive enough for a college girl's budget ;) So, unfinished frames were purchased and painted - They are just waiting to be decorated.

Once I do, I will be sure to take a picture or two to share.