I got back home to Utah Monday after being in CA since the day after Mother's Day. My mother now lives with us. What a challenging, humbling, empowering and surreal set of experiences THAT was! It was full of doctors, police, courts, lawyers, old friends as far back as high school, long lost relatives, day workers and Murder Dog and more! I have been exhausted for months, but things are definitely on the better side now. I just made (and unfortunately ate) some olive casserole and I made it so hot my nose is running and my breath actually feels fiery. This does not bode well for a good night's sleep, so, while I am way too tired to write much here I bet I won't get much sleep tonight. Bruce is teasing me because Max, one of my mom's 2 dogs which have been added to the family, is clearly auditioning to be my number one dog.
I just thought I'd see if I could log in here. I only took my phone. I don't think I will ever travel without my computer again!

My mom's car is back. My nephew apparently went to Olive Garden with his mom. He made MY mom, who supports him, mashed potatoes, corn and, she said, some kind of sausage.

I called my mom to wish her Happy Mother's Day and listening to her I was so frustrated with her and the things she needs to get done I said,"Why don't I just come down for a few days? Just to get some of these things you really need  done. Then I will go home. I promise. Wouldn't you like to gt some of this stuff taken care of?  I was surprised when she said, "I think I would. Will you stay at the Denny's? (I usually stay at a Best Western which has an adjacent Dennys) I said I sure could. I got off the phone with her telling her I'd call back and went to put some money in the bank. Looking at the Best Western I learned a 5 night stay would be $595, which I really didn't want to afford so I booked a Quality Inn for $450. Really I will just need to sleep and bathe there. Bruce can't understand why she doesn't want me to stay with her but I can. I called her back and told her I'd see her tomorrow. I asked her to think of all the things she needs done for now. I mentioned the lightbulb that went out in the stairway (I just HATE thinking of her on those stairs) My nephew hadn't changed it for at least 2 weeks so she ws going up and down in the dark. But she says he has replaced it now. So... the list of things I think are urgent are to get her to a doctor for a blood sugar test kit (she doesn't currently have one) get her to an audiologist for a hearing test and to order hearing aids, get her to a Dr for an eye exam and eye drops to control pressure in her eyes. Take her to see if we can't find a magnifying light that will allow her to actually read her mail, take her to get her taxes done (or go myself if she doesn't need to be there) take her car to get and oil change, an inspection and be registered I'm not sure what else she urgently needs but those things are a good start. I went to bed because I've been running very tired an don't have the energy to do anything tonight. In the morning I need to notify the few people scheduled for grooming appointments that I won't be here next week. I'll offer them free replacement appointments. I've already gotten gas. I need to lay in a few supplies for Bruce.I need to pack. Things are charging now. I was trying to get some decent sleep but the phone rang and it was my mom. She told me my nephew took her car. This is without permission. He doesn't even have a driver's license. She says the car has insurance but I don't know what her liability would be. She does allow him to drive it sometimes because she needs things so she does not want to report it stolen. I just wish she would get out of there. What remains of her life should not be like this. Her life should never have been like this. Anyway I am tied up in knots right now. I can only go down and see what I can do. And let her choose to stay or move as she wants.

My mom called this morning as I was grooming the day's first dog. She says she thinks she got a hearing aid (she did not explain why this was not a sure thing, but I am very curious. She says she went to the Dr and was given something for excessive wax in her ears. Really glad it's not an infection and hopefully it will solve her hearing problem. She said the visit was a check up. I am wondering what they said about her cough. I tried to call her after I was done with all the dogs but she is not answering. Hopefully I can get her tomorrow morning. Walking at 7 (Need to do this!) First dog (so far only dog) is not till 10:30

My poor mom! I made the tax appointment for her, she missed the tax appointment, she wouldn't answer the phone yesterday but she called me today.. So did the tax people. They were willing to get her in tomorrow, so I called her back. She says she got an extension and now wants to wait till she gets a hearing aid (she just told me she's having trouble hearing live conversation. She can hear on the phone but not in person) She was going to try Walmart. I told her she might want to go to an audiologist and found a well rated one near her. But she didn't want me to make an appointment. Still says she is not ready for me to go down there.

Wow! got her a tax appointment. She wants to have David's wife drive her rather than a cab. I wish she'd take a cab, but her way. maybe she's afraid she couldn't get a cab home. I am not sure. I'm going to call her an hour before to make sure the ride is arranged. I told her I'd like to finish dogs I have scheduled but I could be there Thursday. I could be there sooner if she needed. She really needs help. At least her voice sounded better today

My mom's tax guy retired. Now on Yelp trying to see if anyone is available to do them on April 15th. No one there is open yet so I guess it's time for a shower