Right Now:
At this moment, I am waiting for my coffee to brew and taking a quiet moment to write this post. The sun is streaming through the window and I can tell that it’s going to be lovely out. I type this with a heavy heart, though.
I mentioned the living situation of my mother and sister before, but the situation has not changed and I’ve come to the conclusion that there is nothing that I can do. The building is in foreclosure and I cannot reason with them and I feel as if the entire situation is hopeless. I pray. I pray for answers. I pray for patience but dealing with mental illness in its advanced stages is quite frankly, a very difficult situation. It’s not something that I can easily wrap my brain around. I like logic and realistic thinking and planning but I am unable to function this way when it comes to them and it’s killing me.
I apologize for such a downer of a post today, but I’ve always been “me” on here and today’s “me” is struggling a little. I’m about to head to church and I am hoping that I find some clarity for their situation while there.
This Week:
I got through this past week. It was busy, but not nearly as crazy as I anticipated. This week is more of the same. I have a holiday party to attend this Friday. The Girl has Peter Pan rehearsal on Monday and her Winter concert this Wednesday. This is her first choir concert so we are all excited. The Teen has two more performances of The Cat’s Meow, which I thought went very well this past weekend. It’s a fun show with GREAT flapper like costumes. Everyone looked so great.
Since it’s been a few days since the cast list was posted, I think it’s okay to share that The Teen was cast as Seymour for Little Shop of Horrors this Spring! His girlfriend got the lead of Audrey so this is going to be a very special show.
With the flurry of activity I’ve been dealing with lately, I pulled out my new, 2016 planner and got to work on putting in appointments for 2016. This ALWAYS puts me mind to ease. Knowing what’s coming, putting it down and getting it out of my head is a great comfort. This year, I got a daily planner from Simplified Planner. I usually use a monthly planner so this is a bit of a change for me, but isn’t it pretty?
Reading:
It’s embarrassing but I am still reading the same two books I’ve been reading for the past month. I just cannot get them read! Too much going on, me not feeling well, etc. Blah blah. Excuses. I need to get them read and reviewed before the month ends.
I am starting a new book today, Tender is the Night, which I am reading with another blogger. I’ve always wanted to read it. It may be my last book for this year at the rate I am going.
Watching:
I watched Captain America: The Winter Soldier last night. My kids saw it while we were on vacation one year, but I offered to stay with the pup so I never got to see it. It was good, once I got past what I thought was a very slow beginning.
I am loving Fixer Upper. It’s a home improvement show with a big reveal at the end but Chip and Joanna Gaines are a lot of fun.
Other than that, I’ve been watching I Love Lucy and Seinfeld. My go-to comfort shows.
Making:
I baked some banana bread to sell at one of the shows. I made a chicken stir-fry last night but I haven’t a clue what to make tonight. I’ve got a Christmas “wrap” party to attend for the middle-school ministry later so maybe we will just go out!
Grateful for:
Friends, and their ability to make me laugh no matter what is going on.
What’s going on with you this week? Anything you are really looking forward to?
Book Chatter 
There’s nothing wrong with being you. You have to write about where you’re at…and what you’re dealing with. That said, I’ll keep you and your mother and sister in prayer…Those aren’t excuses…about reading, although again and I already know what you’re going to say 🙂 but I have to say it, you know you don’t have to read something you’re not into :). Congratulations to The Teen and hope The Girl is feeling better now. Since, unless I missed it, how’s The Hub?…as for my week, busy, busy, busy, nothing to look forward to this week except the end of it. But enjoying Crocodile Dundee today and some other silly movies.
The Hub is good. He and I will be the only ones going to church today because The Girl is not feeling all that great and The Teen has to study for Trig.
I have to book some time for the two of us to go Christmas shopping but it’s not his fave thing (or mine, really)/so we’ll see if it happens!
I splurged on a beautiful planner for 2016. it is sitting on the coffee table unused because it’s so pretty, I don’t want to write in it and mar it. I’m waiting for a “good handwriting” day. I figure I have one coming up sometime soon, I hope.
We love Fixer Upper!!! It’s certainly started out gangbusters this season. Yippee.
I’m sorry to here you’re going through so much right now. I am hoping the new year is a better one for everyone.
Ti, sorry to gear the situation with your mom and sister is affecting you so deeply (sending positive vibes your way). Congrats on your son’s new role and with the girlfriend’s role as well. Love the new planner – I use to look forward to that when working, but no need for one anymore –no complaints LOL
Thank you!
So sorry to hear about your mom and sister. I can tell they’re weighing heavy on your heart but you can’t help someone who doesn’t want to be helped. I know that’s easy for me to say because I’m not living it, but it’s true.
I know it’s true. I know lots of people probably think moving in with me is an option but it’s not. Too unstable. Would not be good for my kids.
Oh my heart breaks to hear your mom and sister’s situation.
I do love planning and it totally makes me feel better too. The planner you got is so pretty. I almost got that one too but it didn’t have enough notes pages for all my random thoughts. I got a plum planner for 2016 and I’m scared to write in it still. It’s so pretty but cost the same of my EC now but think it has everything I could need. I hope this week goes well for you with all the rehearsals and busyness.
Aw, thanks for reading and taking the time to comment. I feel better just getting it off my chest.
I like the Plum planner too. I really liked the layout of the Day Designer but I wanted something a tad smaller. Now I am thinking mine is too small for all my scribble but time will tell.
Day Designer is nice too, I love them all truth be told. I’m happy with a planner in my hands, too forgetful otherwise. Have a great day Ti!
That is a very lovely planner! I kind of love daily planners but I also love the bigger sized ones that open flat? I love writing what I do in those…it reminds me of lesson planning! I love writing neatly in boxes…heeheehee!
But…about your mom and sister…if they can’t stay there…and they don’t want help…what will happen to them?
Even if I find a place they can afford and force them to live there, they will get kicked out because they are not capable of getting along with anyone. Paranoid delusional. Lots of mental health issues. They will be homeless. I can’t have them here because of all this.
I’ve been seeing all the photos of pretty planners lately… wish I’d gone that route instead of my boring calendar. Next time! So sorry the situation with your mother and sister is causing you so much worry. Sending prayers and positive vibes your way. Hope this is a good week for you.
Thank you! I gladly accept the prayers and positive vibes. It means a lot to me.
I’m glad you’re honest here, and I appreciate knowing the blogger behind the blog. Sending you many prayers and good wishes for peace and clarity.
Thank you. Really.
I’m so sorry to hear about what’s been happening with your mother and your sister, Ti. It’s such a hard thing to accept that there isn’t anything you can do; I’ve been there myself and I can remember the day I finally accepted it. I’m afraid it doesn’t get any easier, but that acceptance does help a bit. There are just some things that are totally beyond one’s control.
Congratulations to the Teen! And it looks like you’ve got a very full, busy week ahead of you. I have yet to start a planner for 2016. I am going full-scale DIY this year, printing out different pages from different sets of printable planners, hoping to cobble together something that will work for me.
Thank you. I feel better just sharing this with others. I feel like I can’t deal with it at times. Sometimes, frankly, I just feel like a terrible person because I don’t have the answers.
I tend to be a very logical person too, Ti. I can’t even imagine what you are having to deal with right now. I can only offer words of support and hugs. I know that doesn’t amount to much though. Know that I am thinking of you.
I hope everything goes well for your daughter this week! I think our Supervisor’s Christmas lunch is this week, but I can’t remember. I’m just hoping the work load won’t be too bad. It’s been crazy busy as of late and I think we all could use a slow down.
I enjoy Fixer Upper too. 🙂 I don’t watch it regularly, but when I do catch it, I enjoy it. I’ve really gotten into Haven which I discovered on Netflix. Have you seen it? It’s a spin-off (sort of) of Stephen King’s The Colorado Kid. I’m halfway through the second season and really enjoying it.
We’re about to put on The Santa Clause (one of my favorites). I hope you have a good week, Ti. I’m sending positive vibes your way.
I’ve not seen Haven, nor have I even heard of it so thanks or the heads-up.
Thank you for your kind words in regards to the situation I outlined with my mom and sister. It’s extremely difficult. People keep telling me to find resources for them, but they don’t qualify for much, if anything. Plus, since their meds are not constant, they just aren’t capable of making good choices. It’s so overwhelming to see it and not be able to fix it.
On Sun, Dec 6, 2015 at 6:24 PM, Book Chatter wrote:
>
Ti, you being you is what makes this a fantastic blog. Don’t stop. I’m sorry about the situation with your mom and sister – that has got to be really tough to deal with and I can’t even begin to imagine how it must be stressing/worrying you. I’m sending positive energy your way and my fingers are crossed that an answer presents itself ASAP.
I love your new planner! I just got one, too. I’m looking forward to filling my out as well 🙂
Sounds like The Girl and The Teen are doing great – Congrats on the choir concert and Seymour!!
I’m with you regards to reading. I’m trying to get through Emma, but can’t seem to stick with it. I seem to find myself watching holiday movies or baking instead – LOL! Tis the season! Fixer Upper is an awesome show, so I can dig why you enjoy it. And Seinfeld is my fave and great for re-watching anytime 🙂
I’m actually baking banana bread this week and can’t wait. I love the smell of it – so yummy!
Hope you a terrific week! Take care!!
I thought I responded to this. I may have but I swear, I am losing my mind. Today has been a real crappy day!! I am eager for it to be over. If I didn’t have to take my kid to rehearsal lately I’d go straight home, put on my jammies and go to bed.
I’m sorry things are so bad with your mother and sister. Y’all will be in my prayers too. Hugs.
((Hugs)) Mental illness in family members is draining as f*ck. If you need to talk, just message me! I’m a really good listener. But no matter what, I will pray for your mom & sister and for you. I feel like family stuff is even harder to deal with at this time of year. I love you!!!
Thank you. I love how you summed it up in that one sentence. It is draining.
I hope your sister and mother find a place soon, and can be settled. That planner looks great; I need to find one that isn’t so big though. I like portable ones. 🙂
We had a busy weekend of events — Hubby and I saw Rusted Root at the local theater, then the next day we spent at a tea party with Fancy Nancy and our daughter before the show — a Splendiferous Christmas. After the show, we got our tree, which we’re decorating slowly throughout the week.
The week at work has been busy with projects and the holiday party where I got my 15 yr. recognition award — a Tiffany’s box! 🙂 I’m exhausted today, and so far behind on blogs and reading, but it’s the holidays.
I send you big hugs and a warm cup of tea!
There’s really no place in So Cal that they can afford and I can’t get them to even consider another location. It’s not good.
I have a concert to hit tonight. The Girl’s first concert and I have that party later this week and the show. Geesh. The week is flying by and filled to the max. I have done NO shopping yet. When will it happen??
Well, the situation with your mom and sis sounds pretty awful – I’m sorry, I can only imagine how it must make you feel… Chin up, though. Things are bound to improve (I’m wearing my optimist cap today 🙂 Otherwise, congrats to The Teen for getting the part. As for you, have fun at the party tomorrow! Hugs ❤
My mom’s situation is just so surreal to me. Her mental illness prevents any kind of reasoning. I just cannot get her or my sister to realize that it’s not 1980 and rent is not affordable and that they have to leave the area to find something that is. It’s so frustrating because in the mean time, the building is being foreclosed on and even though noticed have been issued, they don’t get it and I can’t physically pick them up to move them.
It is like we are living the same life here. My mother’s mental illness is undiagnosed, unfortunately, so my way of dealing is to avoid her. I feel like a total bitch for not wanting to be anywhere near my family, selfish and cruel; even Jim does not understand it. Then again, I cannot stand the way my brother and my father enable her delusions and cater to her whims. So, I may be selfish and cruel, but it is how I keep my sanity. I put in my time and have the psychological scars to prove it. If we are truly meant to take care of ourselves first, then sometimes it means cutting out those family members who cause us mental anguish and make us unhappy no matter how hard we try to help them.