Life Changes

It's summer and time for ice cream !! at least that's what Princess Claire thinks and I agree !

It's almost the end of May and my plans for my summer have changed dramatically :( :( :(.
The original plan was to sell the condo in March, have my cataract surgery in April, go apartment hunting in May, and in June pack up all my worldly possessions then move in July. Sounds like a reasonable plan - right?
Well, we all know what happens with Best laid plans ... something always goes awry!  For me it started with another case of Influenza (I think I know who shared - grrrrr). It put me back in the hospital, this time for 8 days :( :(. Once I was well enough to leave the hospital it was decided I should go into respite care as I was too weak to go home alone, so off I went to Oakcrossing a new Retirement home in town.

It has now been decided that I will stay here on one of their "Independent living" floors. The benefits of staying are:

• no stairs
• not having to go outside to collect my mail or take out the garbage
• not having to pay someone to clean up after me
• not having to clean off the car in the winter (they will do it for me)
• I can come and go as I please
• no grocery shopping
• no cooking
• should I need it again, assisted living (respite care) is "in house"
• it's real close to my sister, friends, Doctor, bank, etc.

The disadvantages of moving into Retirement Living

• having to downsize more dramatically than I planned as I now have to squeeze into 2 rooms  - YIKES
• much more expensive than living on my own in an apartment
• I'm the youngest one here (besides staff) - YIKES I'm surrounded by old fogies

So, with much trepidation I am now in the process of figuring how to divest myself of unwanted (antique) furniture, 3 sets of china, and 2 cats!! The two cats are a real problem. Simone, She who can not be touched  is proving to be very wily. My sister and her DH have set a "live trap" in the laundry room (where she hides) for 3 weeks now and still Simone has not been caught!

Iris is hiding under the bed but I am confident she will come out once I'm there and the place is quiet.

I am heartbroken that I can not take care of my fur babies any longer and can't find anyone to adopt them. I don't blame people for not wanting to take on She who can not be touched, but poor Iris is such a sweetie. What can you do. So right now they are both at home, alone (except for each other). My sister is going over each day and feeding them  (what a chore!) as well as dropping by Oakcrossing with this and that for me. 

Some of my quilting friends are dropping by on Wednesday to start the packing process  - this time I am hopeful we can pack up what's left of my sewing room, and maybe, just maybe even get the Limoges and the Aynsley packed!  I am so blessed to have a willing and helpful sister and such great friends!!!
So that's my life in a nut shell right now. I'm being pampered @ Oakcrossing, 3 meals a day, snacks brought to my door twice per day, housekeeping and free WiFi and internet. I'm walking the halls with my walker 2-3 times per day trying to gain strength and missing my home and my garden :(. I'm also missing all the great quilt shows this Spring and trying hard not to get too sad about that. On the bright side I'm still working away joining up rows for my Lucy Boston. Who knows I may finish that project yet!
TTFN