Grace Home and Mila pics

We transferred Mother to Grace Home yesterday, a warm and comfortable place with only 16 rooms, and a much better ratio of care with two RNs and plenty of aids, techs, assistants. Operated by Christus Schumpert, the hospital is right across the street. She will be kept comfortable, but will no longer have all of the tedious, interruptive, and often painful procedures that have been going on daily in the hospital.

I'm taking a little extra time before going up this morning, to do a few things that need to be done around the house. Erin and her family are coming a little early; they had planned to come next week for an early Christmas with us before going to France to see Eric's parents, who have not seen Mila since she was about 4 months old. Circumstances have moved that time table up a little, and they are coming today. Below are some pics of Miss Mila last Christmas. This year's Christmas will be in with her other grandparents and her cousin, Ella.
She has changed so much since last Christmas - talking, talking, talking.
I can't wait to see the pictures of Mila and Ella on Christmas morning and make the comparisons!


My creative side has shut down for awhile. Have not had the time or energy to get anything started - except for Maggie's self-portrait - and I do miss it. The blog ring, however, has been my substitute this last 6 weeks or so. Whenever, I'm home, I try to catch up with as many blogs as possible and live vicariously through the creations of others. It is surprisingly therapeutic to read and comment on the progress or thoughts of others. Don't have to go anywhere; can sit in my pajamas and surf around in the virtual world before I leave in the morning and when I get home. I can stay cocooned and still keep up with the work and discussions many of you are involved in.

I see why Mother looked forward to my blog entries when she was able to get to her computer. It was a way of getting out without exerting the energy. She would check on your blogs, too, sometimes - although she never left comments, even here. Sometimes the computer can eat up your time and can be a good excuse for not doing something you should, but it also provides a window on world that can be comforting, entertaining, and enlightening without requiring any kind of response. That is pretty cool, I think.