What a difference a day makes

As I have been driving around I have been looking at all the cabbage trees which are in flower. According to Maori when the cabbage trees flower early we are in for a long hot summer. I was looking and thinking about a wonderful summer ahead.

I just love these trees and we have several of them on our property. Unfortunately they are a pain to have as they shed their dried leaves and these need to be picked up and put into the rubbish otherwise they get caught in you mower and wreck havoc with them. The leaves can't be composted.

On Sunday a reasonably tranquil day, George loves seeing me each day and some of our friends also called in to see him.

At midnight that night

a 7.5 earthquake struck

I was in bed and was woken up. This earthquake was different from the others we experienced over the last six years. There was no noise and it just rolled back and forth for what seemed and eternity. I was on the first floor. The house

was creaking - due to the earlier damage. I lay thinking "should I stay here or should I go outside". I thought that if I went outside and the house came down I would be underneath it while if I stayed where I was and it came down I would be on top of the rubble. Totally irrational thoughts I know.

We were evacuated until after 8 the next day. I was dressed in a onesie and on my own in the car, not pleasant.

The main damage was in Kaikoura which has been cut off due to road damage. We are all thinking of them and trying to provide the appropriate help for them.

I went straight to George yesterday morning and watched the news about the earthquake with him. He had felt the earthquake but was not worried which was a relief.

I am off to see him soon and then attending a meeting with other carers and the home personnel.

There are certainly a lot of times when it is difficult to be dealing with everything by yourself.

I am hopeful that one day life will continue gently and without incident.

Busy, busy, busy

It has been a very busy time just organising things that need doing as well as ensuring that I meet friends for the odd coffee.

We had a very hot month throughout February when George needed more help than usual as he had more times when he was very confused. In addition he encounted more toilet issues which meant that I have been washing up to three loads a day as well as changing the bed very frequently. Also took all the bedding off in his room to wash and air everything. With his incontinence and the catheter the smell of urine can permeate the place! Think I am winning at the moment.

Went to a caregivers group yesterday. A woman I had never seen before was there. Unfortunately this poor woman obviously has mental problems. Her mother has just been put in a home. She feels that her siblings and that staff from the home are all against her. So sad.

There is a lot of literature about siblings not  all being on the same page in these circumstances especially when some do not live in the same place. Often it is the primary caregiver who other siblings criticise. It is important to remember that it is the parent who is the important one and the most important issue is to provide the best quality of life possible. Support that primary caregiver as they really need that support and they also need to know that their efforts are appreciated. I think many of us forget that.

Poor George caught his finger in the car door one day resulting in a black finger nail. He gets very upset, like a child, if he hurts himself. Keep plasters and some TLC handy.