The Annual Trip Back

Welcome back C! 

So glad you're back!

You really took advantage of the local sites and shopping Hope you are getting over the jetlag ok.

write when you are wanting to get together

Thanks everyone -- it's nice to be missed.

Welcome back Carolyn..sounds like you did us proud on the shopping front!!, and had a great time.....

Yes I had fun shopping!  Been trying to "down-size" my wardrobe a bit (smaller size down) and not much luck finding things I like in the UK.  I got several pair of trousers for whenever I go back to work here, 2 pair new jeans, underwear & socks, a summer dress (let's hope it gets warm enough to wear it!), a couple cute tops just for the heck of it.  We both bought new trainers.  Also brought back a few foodie items and some office supplies I've not been able to find over here.

MeShell, your trip sounds like a lot of fun!  We'll expect a full report when you return!

  You really took advantage of the local sites and shopping

It sounds like you planned your trip really well! I'm glad you had a good time. How did DH like it all? How was your mom?

Yes, in planning I try to remember that while I would be quite happy just to visit friends/family, eat & be a couch potato, etc -- for DH, he is spending holiday time to go.  If we'd gone to Baltimore this time (around where my other brother lives), we were going to do a side trip to NYC.  So failing that (real) excitement, I tried to find something of interest for us to see/do - even in Kansas...lol.  DH gets too fidgety if he's just sitting around, so we made a point to get out & about.

DH enjoyed himself -- we started an interesting conversation though about whether and in what ways the US seems 'foreign' to him...but I think I'll post a new thread about that.

Mom was a little better than I expected -- she stayed awake longer & our visits were a little bit longer than I thought they would be.  You have to understand that my mom is completely wheelchair-bound, no longer moves on her own, completely incontinent, a lot of mental faculties gone, etc.  She didn't remember anything from one day to the next, or even from a few minutes to the next.  The fact that my grandmother (her mother) has died (last year) has never registered so she still talks about grandma as though she is alive.  She can't find the words for things she wants to say, so she makes up her own words for things -- calling her blanket a carpet once, a 'clutchfoot' another time.  But she did remember who I was & who Steve was and she was able to visit with us and wasn't cranky at all this time.  Considering where she's at with things, that was quite a lot!

  write when you are wanting to get together 

Will do -- I'm going to send you a PM soon.

ETA:  My sleeping is all messed up & I just feel blech!   I guess it'll take a few days.

But she did remember who I was & who Steve was and she was able to visit with us and wasn't cranky at all this time.  Considering where she's at with things, that was quite a lot!

That's great! It must have felt good to have some quality time with her. And it must have been tough to leave.

That's great! It must have felt good to have some quality time with her. And it must have been tough to leave.

It was.  The visit we had before this one (last year's visit) didn't go so well -- she was cranky & felt unwell part of the time, was getting me confused with other people & such.  I always struggle with how much time to spend there, and this time I wished I'd planned more time in Kansas.  And of course, I always feel tremendous guilt over that I'm not there more often etc etc etc.  I just have to tell myself that I'm out in the world doing & experiencing things that I know she would have loved to do herself, if she'd had the opportunity.  (Mom loved traveling.)

It's great to see your posts again, Carolyn B!

I 2nd that....glad you had a nice trip and glad to see you back posting!