Books by the old Leather Chair

  • Snow In The Summer
  • My Bible
  • The Power of Silence
  • What Comes Next and to Like It
  • Encore Provence
  • A Year in Provence

Monday, January 1, 2018

A New Year

I write these words as a New Year will begin in minutes.

Something I said I would never do has been done  12 days ago with help, much was packed and I am in a beautiful place near my Jamie and Beth,   Would not have done this except my room has a large window, big tree outside where a bird feeder will be hung, a red one from the country.

Organizing to leave I had another fall, once again nothing broken just skinned arm badly and bruised left side  Difficult for me to believe I did this and just erased my beautiful country cottage from my mind, hopefully for a short time.  A very cold winter arriving and my Callie is with my Jamie and I wonder does she miss me.

They call this temporary home Senior Solutions, I am considered independent, but most here
are not and I am ashamed for complaining .  Everyone so nice and I reach out to all, pat shoulders, they all have wonderful backgrounds
and on my own began sitting with a 105 year old retired teacher, hard of hearing but I talk louder
because she was sitting alone,

The words I wrote in my journal after arriving.

"So I have arrived at Brookdale
very weary, exhausted
recovering from my third fall this year.
It is a lovely place, people friendly, beautiful room furnished with some of my favorite pieces.
But my heart is in the woods.
So there comes a time when you want what is best for you
not what you desire"

Guess that says it all and hoping when my Jimmy arrives from Thailand in a number of weeks
that I can return to my cottage in the woods.   In my heart I know this is best at this time.
I was on a downward cycle, not eating, not resting and always busy, seems I could not sit still.
Balance probem is progressing and will continue to do so with Sjogrens, arthritis and aging,
I was truly doing all I knew to do but not resting and eating.

My Jimmy tells me to treat Brookdale like the vacations I never took for 40 years as I never
wanted to leave my home.  So it is a thought, but if I get to return to the woods
I will kiss the ground and never leave again.....

Here I can rest, 3 nourishing meals a day, help that I need at this time and taking one day at a time.
Downside it seems that muc I reach for and need to use is in the country and to think I am an excellent
organizer and packer :)

as you enter this beautiful place and dining room with lovely tables

My orchids seem to like it here
and are blooming
my room in progress
I will add
if it was not this lovely
would not have come and the plus my Jamie 5 minutes away visits daily.

Enough shared at this time with more to come,  thanks to the many emailing me and it was
time for me to share

Happy New Year

15 comments:

Tabor said...

It is a new adventure. Take advantage to meet interesting people with rich past lives. You are so fortunate you still have your cottage and can visit. You may return to this place now and again. Be happy that you have taken a burden of worry from your children's shoulders. They can rest. You are at your best when you face challenges. Start watching movies and reading books about the woods and you can be there virtually. Keep us posted.

Sallysmom said...

So glad to hear you are safe. I am not a member of your family but feel I know you through your blog. I know that this is not what you wanted but being safe is the most important thing. Take care & write again soon.

Pienosole said...

I echo the wise words and kind thoughts of your other blog friends. I love the way you make your home beautiful, wherever it is. Wishing you peace of mind, restoration of strength and continued blessings. Look forward to keeping in touch. :-)

Carolyn Marie said...

I am so happy to hear that you are in a safe place and being well cared for. Though we have never met and I don't comment often, you are very dear to me Ernestine.

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Dearest Ernestine ~ I am so glad to see this post from you and that you are where you need to be at this time. Like your son said, see it as a vacation, plus you are close to family.

Love, hugs & prayers ~ FlowerLady

Judy said...

Great idea--to think of your stay as a vacation.
Of course Callie misses you and I know, both of you will be happy to get back to your cottage in the spring.

Judi said...

Good to receive a post from you. I am glad you are well. Change is hard and yet we need to be open to it in our lives. I felt your sadness about leaving the home in the woods for the winter. I have lived in a very rural area and I know I would miss it when I have to have a change but the memories of this place can never be taken from me. I have had to give up alot of people, places and things in my life (some with scratch marks on the walls I fought so hard to keep) but the next door opened up to another gift to me. This has been grace in my life. Now I just trust and surrender to the process of living and know I am cared for by all. Peace and serenity to you. loving

MsGraysea said...

Dear Ernestine,
I am so very relieved to read about your progress, and to know that you are safe and surrounded by beauty and your lovely things. This is a very harsh winter, so far....we have been in extremely cold weather here on Cape Cod, and I know the freeze extends far in to the south. Knowing you are warm, well nourished and near Jamie is so re-assuring.
Of course you miss your country cottage, it has been a place of peace and comfort for so long.

Having many around you right now and you re-build strength, is a challenge you are so good at taking on. So nice to learn about the lives of others....they can take you on lovely journeys.
Please know you are in my thoughts, and may you be blessed with beautiful birds outside those windows.
With love to you,
Marcia

Bluebird49 said...

I am glad to read you are in a safe place near your daughter, and I hope you will be able to go back home when it warms up! I have thought of you and wondered how you were!
I know you always read your Bible. Your writing here reminded me of a very tender verse in John:21:18,19 where Jesus is speaking to Peter. You may remember it.
God bless you, Ernestine!

Sky said...

So happy you are in a lovely, nurturing and safe environment, and that you are not only taking good care of yourself reaching this decision but that you are also considering the lives of your children and being unselfish in cooperating in this new plan. Hope your progress in healing from the last fall is prompt and without much discomfort. You are in the exact kind of setting my aunt is living in now, and it is such a relief to her and to me to know she is safe and cared for in such a beautiful place. She enjoys the staff and the neighbors who share the facility and has come to be very glad she is there. Her health made the move necessary and while she has always been independent, she likes having someone down the hall she can reach easily when she is ill or has pain or balance issues. She has taken a few residents under her wing which has been very good for those she is assisting and for herself as she finds a new way to contribute which makes everyone feel good. I am so very happy imagining you in a place where daily visits with family are possible and where assistance is available as needed. You have so much to share with others, and your presence there will be invaluable. Blessings and love.

Rebecca said...

Your son is WISE ("vacation")....
Your positive attitude is so refreshing. I'm sure you are a great encourager to your fellow "vacationers" and those who serve you. You are blessed to be in such a caring place.
It all sounds "right" to me. And I am inspired by your determination to make it work. I shouldn't think out loud, but I can't help but wonder if you won't enjoy having all these services. And company when you want/need it; privacy when you don't....
Gather your strength and share it with those weaker than yourself.
♥ Much love and admiration from me!

Marcie said...

Your room looks very homey and comfortable, a beautiful place to rest and restore. Have been thinking of you often. So glad Jamie is close at hand.

Wisewebwoman said...

So happy, I had hoped this was what was happening, that you were in a safe place and being taken care of. I was worried.

As you know I haven't looked back from here at all. Granted I have my own kitchen, living room storage room, etc. And communal meals are taken here about 4 times per year.

I learn from the elders here. Aging with ease and safety and comfort.

Big hugs.

XO
WWW
PS the place looks wonderful.

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