(Kinda weird analogy from someone whose only attempt at riding a horse resulted in being tossed from the animal!)
First, I wanted to thank everyone for their kind advice and good wishes in getting MIL moved into her new apartment. I really had no hope that she would adjust as well as Theresa’s mom or PJ’s grandmother, but, well, miracles do happen! Her personality has actually changed for the better, and DH and I are so relieved. She has not mentioned, even once, her old apartment and doesn’t even remember most of her stuff that was in it (which is good, because we had to weed out an awful lot since her new place is smaller). For the first couple of weeks I got up way too early several days a week and took her to morning activities, but now she goes by herself. She has made new friends, and has embraced the whole “living in a community” concept—goes to exercise class, movie nights, etc, and whereas I would probably walk into a dining room and sit at a table by myself with a book, she goes up to people she has never met before and asks if she can join them!
Anyway, I am back. For the most part. I am looking around the mess that I used to call a house and wondering where to start. The porch that needs a thorough spring scrubbing, along with the furniture, so that we can enjoy the nice weather? Or do I begin by cleaning out the goldfish pond? Weeding the flower beds? Starting the garden (finally!)? Oy.
I will soon be posting a review of a CAH recipe (Red Curry Soup with Rice Stick Noodles, one of the very few new ones I was able to fit into the schedule during the last month) and I haven’t forgotten that my “delayed birthday” dinner is in June.
Oh, and I also am going to be making the food for MIL’s 90th birthday party in early July and will definitely need your advice. It’s only for 12 people or so, and I kept telling myself “stop it! Don’t offer!” but in the end, I did offer to do it. And the decorations, flowers, etc as well. D@mn this stupid “control streak” I have.
