The past year has been hectic, to say the least. I know, everyone has crises and problems and stress. I get that. So I am not singling myself out and saying "oh woe is me." And no, I do not think my problems are any worse than yours, nor do I feel as if I don't deserve all this crap. I am simply trying to process through it all, to put it all down in black and white, and then get over it already. So, without further ado, presenting the past 15 months of the Ritchey household, in no certain order:
- Drove to Nashville 4 times and moved my mom 3 times in as many months
- Learned how to change an ileostomy
- Became a full time caregiver for said mother
- Found out I was going to be a grandma again
- Enjoyed visits from countless out of state friends
- Almost lost my mother in law twice to two heart attacks and colon cancer
- Did lose Alex's father after a 16-year battle with Parkinson's disease
- Joined a wonderful gospel-centered church and made new friends
- Took over as caregiver for my brother for a week while Dad was sick
- Got snowed in while I was incapacitated with a serious stomach bug
- Reconciled with our youngest daughter after 10 years
- Spent precious time with precious grandchildren
- Went to Disney World for five days with three granddaughters
- Put our RV pad up for sale
- Had to replace tires on my car
- Set up a revocable trust account
- Had my car towed to Greenville when the water pump imploded
- Learned how to make a ballerina bun on a 4 and 6 year old
- Orchestrated two birthday parties and two un-birthday parties
- Dressed up as a steampunk pirate wench for a Disney Halloween Party
- Went to a wedding in Savannah, GA
- Went to a funeral in Tampa, FL
- Sadly watched my daughter and her family leave for India (again)
- Hosted a baby shower in Missouri
- Went to San Antonio to help my best friend after the birth of her daughter
- Attended that same little girl's 1st birthday party
- Refinanced our house
- Discovered we had a colony of over 30 flying squirrels living in our attic
- Built a playhouse with a mountain view AND a screen door
- Took care of mom until her doctor placed her in a nursing home
- Got accused by sisters of not having my mom's best interest at heart
- Went to Goettafest in Cincinnati
- Met Sophie when she was 2 weeks old, and spent 10 wonderful days there
- Spent too much time at hospitals and emergency rooms with sick parents
- Fell more deeply in love with my husband
- Called 911 for the first time
- Joined a caregiver support group
- Filed for guardianship
- Withdrew the motion when my sisters finally stepped up to the plate
- Bought a kayak we have yet to use
- Watched my normally able-bodied husband suffer crippling gout attacks
- Volunteered several hours a week at a local SAFE thrift store
- Joined a gym
- Started a blog
- Celebrated my 61st birthday and our 25th wedding anniversary
- Added three new birds to my life list
- Grew closer to Jesus
And, would I do it all again?
Yes. Lord willing
And He does
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