What a difference a few days bring in temperature!  We are in full blown Spring here today.

I went to visit my mom.....I had a little present for her

 

 

she has ALWAYS admired my engagement ring.  The last time I saw her she commented on that sparkle on my finger......I came home and told my husband, that even with dementia, my mom still appreciates diamonds.....It got us thinking.....he remembered we had a good "fake" in his grandmothers stash...so he boxed it in a pretty velvet ring box for her. 

  she admired it ALL DAY LONG.  She showed it to everyone at her house.  They all joked and told her "Your ENGAGED!" and she'd point to me.......I caught her admiring it on her hand...I said "Mom, will you marry me?" she got a chuckle out of that!

 

A new pretty ring means you must have a manicure!

 

My sister and mom on the wrap around porch of her assisted living home.  Mom is getting the full blown spa treatment!  I massaged her hands and my sister did the manicure.

 

Lunch at subway and some goofing around outside on a wonderful Spring day!

 

Even though she doesn't communicate and express herself the way she used to...she's still inside there....with a sense of humor.  She hugged me so tight when I left....and repeated over and over what I said to her when I left....and what I always say..."I'll be back on Saturday!" She doesn't know that means seven long days from now.

When I got home I dragged out my "art box" that I recently put together.  Cami sent me some wonderful supplies to get me started..she really got my creative juices flowing..I had this black suitcase that I'd painted.  I didn't want to just throw everything in there so I made little holders for my pens and suppplies

 

 

 

     The quote on the journal page says:

We make a living by what we get....we make a life by what we give.....-Winston Churchill

 

This is my word for 2009....Content..so far I've been living it.......

Comments

[Hope Griffin]

I love the pictures of your mom...she is beautiful. I think your gift for her was perfect...and she obviously loved it as well...

[Stacey Newton]

What a wonderful & thoughtful gift for your mom... This posting is certainly one of the best I've read in some time. I especially like the picture with her hands- Such a sweet image.

[karen]

Where are you??? I miss your posts!!! dont stop blogging!!!
:)
karen....

[Alice W.]

What precious gifts for you mom ;) Looks like a very special day!

Thank you so much for sweet and encouraging words on my blog! They mean so much!!!

[Kana Conger]

Thanks for sharing your mom with us! I love reading about her and both you and your sister's relationship with her.

[Caitlin]

Hey Robin, I tagged you in my blog with a little something to do... go check it out. Glad to see your mother enjoyed herself so much. :)

-Caitlin

[An Enchanted Cottage]

This post brought tears to my eyes - it's so beautiful. I love the way you talk about your mom, and that was the most perfect gift for her... Content is definitely a good thing... Donna @ An Enchanted Cottage

[Michelle]

What an amazing daughter you are. Your mom is so lucky to have you.

Thank you so much for visiting me! The slats we did were 4 feet long. We hung the top chair rail piece low enough to account for the floor possibly being a bit uneven, and cut the slats from there. I painted the wall behind before they went up but the slats were painted after they were up. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask. It was a fun project! If you decide to do it, I would love to see pictures. :)Hope you are having a great weekend!
~Michelle

[Two Barking Dogs]

Robin, your mom has such a happy smile! Take care, Diane

[Kim]

Hi Robin,
What a sweet and touching post about your mom. What a nice idea you had with giving her the special ring and then also giving her a manicure and sharing lunch with her daughters.

My mom received a similar ring from her husband (who now lives in Calif.) in October as it was their 3rd anniversary. She misses him, but the ring gives her so much joy. She wears it every day and always talks about all the compliments she gets on it.

The pictures of your mom with her new ring on are priceless. Her assisted living looks like a nice place. I have been spending quite a bit of time at my mom's memory care unit and while it is always sad, I am finding myself growing very attached to all of the residents.

Have a nice week.

~Kim

[Rosa]

Your mom looks so happy! What a wonderful idea. I am so glad to see your content book. You should be. You've done "good" and continue to so. Mom and I sat outside in the sun today and got a little vitamin D. We had fun too. xoxo

[Kim]

What a beatiful, amazing act of love. So sweet. Your mom is so beautiful and she is so blessed to have such a special daughter.

[Pearl]

Hi Robin... This is such a heartwarming post about the love shared between daughters and their Mom... What a beautiful blessing y'all had with a Spring day together... Loved seeing the photo of your Mom laughing... I was my Mom's primary care giver during her last year of life, and I wouldn't trade those moments for anything in this world... it was nothing but a pure honor to serve her needs in anyway that was necessary or desired... God has certainly blessed all of you with a close 'n loving family, and I think you're an amazing inspiration to daughters everywhere...
God bless...

~hugs 'n prayers~
Pearl

P.S. I'm lovin' your pretty art box, too ♥

[Cami @ Heart-Shaped Rock Cottage]

Oh Robin, you made me cry. Really, really cry. I look forward to the day we get to hang out. Your Mom is lovely. Like you. Your creativity inspires me.

[Dime Store Thrift]

I enjoy each and every post about your Mom. I just want to give you both the biggest hugs! Sonya

[Hilary Cooper-Kenny]

Your love for your mom is a beautiful thing. My 84 year old mother lives with us, and I know well the ups and downs that go with having an aging parent. But having her here still, well, as you know, that is priceless.
Thanks for that post.

[georgiapeachez]

Isn't this weather fabulous! What a great day to spend on the porch with your mom. xo, suzy

[Gillian]

Your Mum is beautiful....a lovely face, her hands are so dainty, and such a trim figure! You're all lucky to have each other.

[Elizabeth Holcombe]

Your sweet mom is so incredibly lucky to have you and your sis.~~~XXOO, Beth

[Beth Leintz]

You're such a good daughter- your Mom is a lovely lady.

[Di]

Oh gosh... sitting here with tears in my eyes because you mom is just about the most beautiful lady I have seen in a very long time. I love the fact that the ring made her so happy... You are a wonderful daughter indeed... as is your sister for making such a special day for your mom.

Kudos to both of you!
Di
The Blue Ridge Gal

[Dawn Gahan]

And may you have many more days of contentment and twice that many of mom.

Dawn