I haven't dropped by in a while, busy busy stuff as usual.

My Gran died three months ago now, wow it doesn't seem that long ago and yet it feels like forever.

I did the usual stuff, donated her clothes to the local charity. Gave her new/newer clothes to a friend who is sort of housebound due to cancer.

A friend sorted out many of ther personal items, but there is still more to do. I can't quite face that yet.

I painted her room and my son has now moved back into his old room. The dog loves to sleep by the bed.

The carpets upstairs are being replaced next week, it had to be done cos my gran had a few little accidents. In a fit of utter madness, I have decided to do all four bedrooms, the stairs in carpet and the living room, dining room and study in hardwood (family room has been done already - I can't even think about the kitchen etc at the moment!). Our house will be in a total uproar the next two weeks. I bought our youngest son new bedroom furniture, so that it will be 'his'. He was a bit upset about moving back into 'grandma audrey's' room.

We went on a cruise a few weeks back, just the two of us. My sister and my Dad looked after the boys for us. We really needed some alone time. I boys enjoyed their auntie and Grandpa (no relation to my Grandma Audrey BTW) looking after them for a week.

We got through christmas in a bit of a muddle, but all went well. The kids had fun. I had hoped my Gran would have been here to enjoy christmas with us.

The dog doesn't mope anymore, we kept her really busy. She doesn't like this cold weather though!! My gran's cat is as nutty as always, he hangs around me most of the day. Our old cat hasn't adapted as well, I think he still misses my gran's lap to sit in all day.

I have wanted to drop by to say thanks again to everyone who was so helpful and supportive.

Sorry it took so long to get back, with all the house torn apart I have been off line for more than two weeks! talk about withdrawl!

My youngest son is 9, so far he seems to be settling back in his old room - only with the night light on though.

I can understand what you went through with your hubby, my Gran also had vascular dementia (not officially diagnosed, but the docs where pretty sure, and she did die of a massive stroke). Her favourite thing was to gripe about polictians, politics and how stupid everyone is now-a-days - for hours and hours. We were lucky though, she stayed in bed through the night. During the day it was list writing of all the things she was 'missing' and tearing paper. Oh well, all in the past now. It is much calmer around here. I am calmer.

Well, off to do some more rearranging!

Sunbunny,
Please accept my condolences for the death of your grandmother. Those first ninety days are the most difficult to get through because there is the absence of the loved one; and because there is so much to do to re-orient one's life to care for the self and family. It does sound like you are doing just right.

Re-arranging the house and changing its appearance is a wonderful way to move forward. I moved my sewing room into my husband's room; and turned the empty room into a guest room, which I have never had. Just in case you are wondering why my husband had his own room, he had vascular dementia (and a lot more) and he was up and down all night; lights on, lights off, looking for stuff, insisting on discussing politics at all hours, etc. I was getting no sleep at all, so five years ago, I changed the sewing room into his space.

How old is your youngest child? Does he have a vivid imagination and might conjure up a ghost of grandma in the middle of the night?