Back in Texas

 Thought I'd pop in and give ya'll an update. I am touched by your kind emails and comments and notes and prayers - thank you. I was of course talking to my mom on a daily basis, but on the 2nd, one of her friends- neighbors called and said her oxygen levels had dropped and she was running a fever. At the time, I was standing in line outside the grocery store, waiting to get in because our governor had closed 2 of our grocery stores and had decreased the capacity of the store to just 50 people at a time. That translates to 1-2 hours waiting time in 38° and wind just to get in. So anyway, I hung up with the neighbor and called mom's doctor. I had to leave a message, but she did return my call and gave instructions to have mom taken to the hospital emergency room via EMS. Called the neighbor and she called 911. I was on the phone with either the doctor or neighbor or DH while I picked up groceries, knowing I'd probably be away for some time and DH would go hungry before standing in line that long just to get into the grocery store. He told me to just leave it and come on home, but I knew mom was being taken care of and I had already rented a car. 

So, I've been in Texas since the 3rd. Mom had a collapsed lung and they put in a chest tube. She was in the hospital for 6 days and I was there from 8-8 every day until they swept me out the door each night. It's about a 30 minute drive from the hospital to her home if traffic is cooperative and once I got home, I took a long, hot shower, tended to things like bills and mail, savored a mug of hot tea, returned phonecalls, and hit the sack. One day I decompressed by grabbing the blue box of Kraft macaroni and cheese from a shelf at the grocery store and eating some of it directly from the pot while watching part of the Grinch that Stole Christmas on TV.

But yes, I am eating good things too. Mom's friend who has cut her hair for 40 years brought a delicious pasta salad that was so good that I could probably live on it and I did for 3 days. I added some leftover rotisserie chicken for protein.

Before I left home, I was getting ready to drop off my sewing machine for it's annual cleaning so I brought it with me as there is a shop just around the corner from mom's and I had it serviced there. I brought a simple jellyroll project along because I didn't know how long mom would be in the hospital and I set up in a corner in one of the extra bedrooms:

                                 

I've not spent much time here since she came home, but sometimes I sneak in here if I can't sleep in the middle of the night and add a few stitches with the baby monitor next to me:

                       

So, Mom's home now. There's nothing else they can do for her at the hospital so I set up Hospice for her here at home. She and Daddy have a huge bedroom and I was able to push and shove her bed over enough, with the help of a neighbor, that we could easily fit a hospital bed in with room to spare. She loved watching the birds and squirrels scamper around when she would eat at the dining room table so another friend/neighbor/angel/prayer warrior couple (yes, they wear many hats)

 bought a bird feeder and a suet wreath

and we set it up on her deck 

so that she could watch the activity from her bed. 

Her backyard is a busy place

And a quiet place

You would never know a busy interstate is only  1/2 mile away. 

So, we're just spending time together. Her mind is still mostly sharp and she's been a taskmaster when she is awake - keeping me busy, but I'm glad I can be of some help to her. As I've said before, her tribe is large, and her friends have been more like family. I am fielding visits, phone calls, texts and correspondence simultaneously and they are taking care of me as well. I find little care packages at the door with the sweetest notes:

The little bottle of cognac made me chuckle - I had mentioned that I'm not  drinker, but a little splash of whiskey in my hot tea at night has been relaxing. And this little bowl has made multiple trips back and forth from a special couple who are near and dear to my heart:

And I have been touched by sweet words and little surprises from a treasured friend at home - 

I've lost track of the days and time, but know, without a doubt, that God is with us every step of the way. I am spending many of the predawn hours in prayer with good things to read here:

Our girl and her fella came down this weekend and spent a few hours on and off with mom. She's sleeping an awful lot, but I was so blessed by their visit. Our sweet girl brought me a basket full of blessings:

As well as jars of our favorite Christmas Whiskey Praline Pecans for the neighbors and a bag of them for her Daddy: 

DH is planning on coming down for a day or two, and he'd be here in a heartbeat if I asked him to, but honestly, there is nothing he can do. And it is not easy to get away from the ranch when 800 hd of cattle are depending on you to keep them fed and keep water running. As much as we love our lifestyle and what we do, it truly is a 24/7 operation. 

We are hoping our boy can be here in a week or so for a day as well. Mom is getting weaker, and I am feeling very unqualified for this job, but I am learning as I go and doing what I can with the help of hospice, friends/neighbors, and Jesus. Mom wanted to be at home and I am doing what I can to make that happen.

I probably won't be back at the computer until after Christmas, but please know that I am wishing all of you a magical Christmas filled with the joy and wonder of Christ's birth - 

For there is born to you this day, in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord

Luke 2:11