Summer time fun

When we were girls, I could not have been more then 10, my dad found in our community a Ferris wheel. After a few trips to see the contraption, he decided to make one for us. I am one of five children. I have three sisters, and had one brother. We accompanied dad to the country where he borrowed a shed and welding machine and assembled the cut lengths of pipe, the tractor seats, the chrome handle bars. At the end of the fall we had our own Ferriswheel. And we spent hours riding every year, from the first day that one could use a jacket to climb the wheel, to the hot of summer riding in our bathing suits, to the late fall when one required a jacket. All the kids in the neighborhood came to play. many high school kids came after we had gone to bed. My brother and I were the expert climbers, willing to ride with others two or three times our weight. We knew no fear just hours of enjoyment swinging in the Kansas wind, rain, and sun. I am still a ride junky. I don't think I have found one yet that I wouldn't be willing to give a try.

Getting back into it

Well I have spent the summer and fall traveling for family. We had a great family vacation time in Savannah. Came home and made the road trip to NYC. Learned a lot about how to manage training classes for large groups...and then went west for the annual motorcycle event. Came home exhausted and sick while Ron was called to Florida as his step-father passed away. Medicated, made the trip to Florida, and returned in a sadly leisurely drive with Ron.

We made a trip to see all of Ron's step-siblings, and get introduced to the youngest generation of the families. Then a kindergarten reunion for Ron in NYC. I would highly recommend Carmines, just 1/2 a block off Time Square.

And on return my youngest sister called to say the planned trip for October, with all sisters reporting to Kansas should be jump started. We all made it home the end of August. Worked very hard to get the out buildings cleaned out, the house gone through, and prepped for an auction in October. I think it was the first week in September Susan, our youngest sister, helped move the folks into the assisted living center.

Mom has dementia, and Daddy cannot care for her in the manner that he has. Now meds are taken, not gladly, but likely, and Mom gets coffee delivered first thing in the morning and need not be worried about making meals she is no longer able to prepare. And Dad doesn't need to worry that he can't cook. Patty and I decided that we have the family genetic, that the only setting on the stove is full on...

Sadly and gladly, I am the inheritor of my mother's fabric stash. And my younger sister Patty was willing to take things to her home in Tulsa, Ok and babysit them until I am able to return. Which I hope to do late winter/early spring...

I learned a lot about my self this trip, while I do not consider myself a good organizer, or well organized, Mom believed I could help we girls get the items organized for the auction. We did...working right up to the sale...but we did it...I remembered I have always been a good packer...which held us in good stead all the years we traveled for the circuses. I used to help elderly clients in Florida organize, downsize, and clean their homes. Some of my clients were weekly, others were just one shot deals needing work to be completed before a family member was no longer able to remain at home...when we finished at the "farm" I headed to the assisted living center and helped Mom and Dad tuck those last items away where they wouldn't be tripped over, but could be made available easily...and I made them promise not to buy anymore paper towels and toilet paper for a few months.

They have settled in well overall. Susan lives in the same community and she gets the daily calls...I felt badly that we did not finish off the house, that she will have to hire the Realtor, the company to do the final cleaning, that she will have to help Dad negotiate the sell...but we were well supported in our efforts by our father's sisters who came to help on Auction day and kept mom occupied. I am thankful we accomplished so much..that the sell went well, that working together we were able to help our parents in such a stressful change...that we love each other, and show it by caring and supporting each other.