Crazy Days

Well it's been a while since I have been able to blog and I think I am losing it....

My brother has been here for 3 weeks now and it has been quite an experience. One I will have to keep learning to deal with.

The first week was wonderful. Full of visiting, getting to know each other, and all the fun stuff that goes with it.
The Second week was frightful...not that he was the problem...but I learned a lot that week. We had to go deal with Social Security, Dr.'s, psychiatrists, community support people, pharmacies and every thing else that goes with mental illness that I had no idea of....and for the record...MEDICARE sucks. The very people you have to contact know nothing more than I did.
The third week was hectic, all the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping, cooking, wrapping, you know what I mean...HAHA I made cookies and my brother was eating them faster than I could get them out of the oven! I made him stop by putting them in the freezer and telling him they were for Christmas! He acted like a punished pup! When I got all the candy and cookies done I set them out and told him it was open season now....yup, he got sick from over eating....But this boy is 27 yrs old, 6'1" and 210 lbs!

And now I am having problems because the last 3 mornings I get up, pour coffee and come in to sit in my usual spot on the couch for my morning wake up peace and quiet and go figure..there he sits! DAILY! Drinking MY coffee and leaving only one cup in the pot, so I have to pour my one cup and make more! At night he stays up until I am ready for bed and its a race to the bathroom to see who can get ready first!

Mind you these are petty things that I will get used to, but I LIKE my down time when no one is around but me...that is my sanity...my personal time. I guess I will have to learn how to give it up.

Ever have a kid sit next to you or read over your shoulder when you are reading or blogging, or just sitting at the computer working? So not what I am used to, but apparently so what I will have to become accustom to.

I did learn that there are a lot of resources in this little podunk town that I was unaware of, and that is a good thing. Right now Little Bro has no desire to use any of those resources, but when the time is right I think I will gently push him toward some of them and let him know that he needs to use them.

Today thankfully I sent out a text for help to my son Chaos, and he came running to my rescue and came and got Little Bro and took him out to run around town. Bless that boy!

So today, the day AFTER Christmas I am thinking of my blessings and being thankful!! Yes, I am thankful to have Little Bro in my life for the first time ever ( maybe we will both benefit), and I am thankful for my Children who come running to my rescue when I need it most!

I hope you all had a wonderful Holiday and wish all of you a Joyous and Prosperous New Year!!

Christmas Shopping

Now is the time to get started on Christmas shopping if you are a procrastinator like myself!

Some of you know that I have a web store, and I am offering a 30% discount on all items in the store. To get the discount simply use the promo code GRATA. To be sure that orders arrive by Christmas it is best to get them in by December 14th!! This site is sure to have something for everyone and I am adding new things daily.

I am hoping to get my brother picked up tomorrow and get the rest of the Christmas decorating here done on Sunday! Am I the only one who feels rushed during the holidays? It seems every year seems to come faster and faster....maybe it's just me getting old! I have learned however that the day will come and go no matter if I am ready or not, so I really don't sweat the small stuff anymore. If it doesn't get done , well maybe next year...

I have picked up a few new planning tips from Pro Homemaker's site. A big Thanks to her!!!

And I must tell you that my hubby has been a great help in helping get the house ready! And that is a major accomplishment, as he hates the holidays....but as a father and a papa, he does participate with a smile! As he is aging I continue to remind him of the memories he is now making for his grandchildren and he just melts like sugar in water.

And now work is calling, so you all have a great Holiday and a MERRY CHRISTMAS !

More ...

Well, I have been so busy getting things ready for the new addition to the house... getting things about there.

I have managed to move the office upstairs, go through all the STUFF I had stored up there for the last few years and throw out a bunch and box up a bunch and hopefully in the spring I will be able to put together a huge rummage sale. I have the office made into a bedroom complete with everything except a BED! Go figure, a bedroom with no bed...I am still looking for something in the "affordable" range for me. I have 3 days left until my brother arrives, I have faith that something will work out.

I got to talk to his Doctors and have a learned alot about his illness. He is NOT paranoid schizophrenic as I had been told....he has been diagnosed as Schizo-Affective Bi-polar Type. Now I have more research to so to understand that better. This is all so new to me. I am worried that I won't know what to do to help him or whats best for him. I guess the phrase "learn something new everyday" still applies. So I am a little apprehensive and yet excited at the same time.

We are also making plans for 2 of the grandkids birthdays this week. One will be turning 9 and the other will be celebrating her 1st birthday! I hope to have pictures to post after the parties!!