Hi Gals, I'm back home in NSW. I got back home on Friday the 27th and stayed at Mum's home to look after Lily, (she was in kennels whilst we visited South Australia).
I had my Trabuelectomy (eye surgery) on Tuesday and stayed at Mum's place till Jewls, Mum and Jewl's cat arrived on Thursday. I am not allowed to drive till tomorrow (Tuesday).
Jewls, Mum, the cat and Mum's dog are leaving this morning to go down to Holbrook, near the NSW/Victoria border as Jewls has a property down there she needs to do some repairs to.
Poor Mum is getting more and more forgetful and it now takes us a long time to get her showered, dressed and made up. She is contstantly cold and of course having conversations with her is very difficult to follow. The family are all aware and we just let her repeat everything. It's just so hard when she is trying to remember names of people and shows that she watches.
I went to a Nursing Home with Jewls on Friday just gone, just to find out what steps need to be done, there are lots of things that need to be done, so that will be my life for the next few months. I've not done any sewing and am having withdrawal symptoms!!!!!
Anyway, we had a great time away and of course it's winter here and very chilly, but I must admit I love it!
I wanted to tell you the story of the Lipsom Hall, that's all my Great Grandparent's and their family standing in front of it. My Nanna is the little girl on the far right in the white dress, sitting on the ground.
Jewls and I took a photo of the hall when we were there and Mum has that photo on her wall in her front entrance. How amazing is that? That picture was taken in the late 1890 early 1900's!!!
Hope everyone is well and keeping cool for your summer. Love Chris
1. Me, Jewls and Mum
2. Me in front of a glass mosaic mirror in Cummins
3. Mum's dog, Miss Lily
4. My Great Grandparent's grave at Lipsom graveyard
5. Lipsom Hall
6. Great Grandparents and their family in front of the Lipsom Hall.
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Good to have you back. Getting older is horrible. I also have a hard time remembering names. So pleased that your eye surgery has gone well. It really is amazing what can be done these days.
1 comment
by pennifold
07 Jul 2022
Thanks so much Sarah, yes, the surgeons are amazing. It's still a bit blurry but he did say it will take from 6-8 weeks, so I'm just taking it easy. Love Chris
255054Thanks for the updates on your life Chris. The positive is that you and your sister are working together for your mum. Love the photo of your family and it reminds me of the ones I have from my maternal grandmothers family but taken in the UK not Australia. Hope the eye surgery is successful and I'm presuming its to release pressure? Take care
1 comment
by pennifold
07 Jun 2022
Hi Caroline, yes the photos are gorgeous and I know that around that era dresses were similar in the UK as they were in Australia.
Yes, I have Glaucoma and this was called a Trabuelectomy, another way of having a shunt put in for pressure. I've already got Stents in both eyes. Amazing, hey? Love Chris
115775May the Lord heal your eyes. Thanks for the photos, so intersting,
Prayers and Hugs!
1 comment
7630Wonderful pictures!! Must have been an interesting trip with a cat and a dog! Sorry, that your Mum's illness is progressing so quickly - you and your sister have some decisions to make so it is good you are investigating now. I will send good thoughts to you and prayers as this isn't an easy thing to do. Loads of hugs, Laura
1 comment
by pennifold
07 Jun 2022
Thanks Laura, yes, it's hard, as we are over a thousand kilometres apart but at least we can talk on the phone frequently. At least Jewls is seeing how Mum is, especially living with her since 29th May. So she will be with her for on month by the time we get down to her. Thanks for your words too. Love Chris
96283I'm glad to hear you have had successful surgery and are healing well. What a wonderful trip to visit the place where your ancestors were from and to have such treasured pictures and now memories of the area. I know it has to be so hard to have to make future plans for your Mum's care, but I'm so glad you are doing it now rather than struggling to get it done and be desperately trying to finish it as quickly as possible.
1 comment
by pennifold
07 Jun 2022
Hi Karen, yes it was great to see. It was surreal! It is hard trying to get things done for Mum, but I will keep trying as long as we can to keep her in her own home, I just don't know when that will cease. Thanks for your lovely words too. Love Chri
169064Loved the mosaic mirror that hat is a real work of art, just amazing. Sorry to hear your Mum is getting worse, it is a very cruel disease, not just for your Mum but for all the family.
It is getting colder every day over here in the West, I prefer the cold to the heat, seem to have more energy
. Thanks for all the lovely pictures.
1 comment
by pennifold
07 Jun 2022
I'm with you. I love the cold, at least you can layer up, but summer you can't cool down even if you strip off, especially here in Australian summers. Love Chris
1900Love all the pictures! Would especially love to be able to see the little girls heirloom dress details, as that’s the kind of sewing techniques I like to do.
It’s hard trying to do what’s best for mum because it can be so sad and stressful for you. Sending you lots of love and compassion. Toogie
1 comment
by pennifold
07 Jun 2022
Thanks Toogie, yes, the picture doesn't really give good detail on those dresses. The sewing was lovely in those days.
I hear you re Mum, yes, it's very stressful. Thanks for your kind words too. Love Chris
109781Nice pictures Chris, including the fluffy beautiful little dog!
Glad you had a good time.
Hugs Roberta
1 comment
by pennifold
07 Jun 2022
Thanks Roberta, I had a lovely time and now I've got 3 weeks of being here just with my husband. Love Chris
9009I love pics with a bit of history to them, and love this big group in front of the Hall. I hope you got your picture taken in front of it, too, to put beside the other one! All sounds like quite an adventure. Glad you and Jewls are thinking ahead and planning for your Mum. I'm sure it feels quite burdensome at times, but know that you do all out of love and respect for her.
1 comment
by pennifold
07 Jun 2022
Hi Betsey, no we didn't get a picture! Didn't even think of that, but hey, I might get to do it another time. Thanks for your kind words. Love Chris
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