Had a mortgage too long - it's going, going, gone!

AlexLK

Ali-OK wrote: »

Thanks Alex.

My Dad's LP collection is still intact..all the way to 78s from both their parents . She has changed from liking background noise to complete peace and quiet...I think if she wanted music, it'd probably be Queen :rotfl: We didn't know that until about 10 years ago - closet rock chick! A good idea though, so I will broach that one.

Yep, we've done the fave photos (pinched one from my house at Christmas :rotfl:), but you've given me an idea when you said books from her home village (there are plenty)...which is the scrapbooks and photo albums. Maybe she'd like me to look through them with her..she certainly enjoyed looking at the old photos her cousin found after Great Aunt died last August.

We're over there tomorrow and now I know how it affects me when I get back home, I'm hoping I'll be able to manage myself better and keep busy

You're most welcome.

The LP collection sounds rather impressive, especially with the family connections. If there's nothing by Queen, get a few for her to listen to if she wants or just for the nostalgia.

Does your mother get on with your son well? My parents enjoy talking to my son about the old times and listening to music of the past with him. Mother talks to him about wildlife, dogs, working the land and other things he's interested in and she knows about. I know your son doesn't play an instrument but my parents like listening to my son (and I) play music. Any subjects your son and mother both like?

Definitely look through the old village scrapbooks / photographs together, especially if you're fond of the place too.

Look after yourself.

Debsnewbudget

Have a picnic on a rug in the lounge ?
Can she listen to audio books ?
When my mum was not able to get out of bed my dd got a plastic wallet wallhanger - I think it was for childrens art work, and had about 9 A4 pockets.
We filled that with old and new photos on both sides and hung it in her bedroom
Didnt look fancy but was a good source of conversation for people as we kept getting older photos blown up larger and kept swopping the photos on a regular basis.

in_need_of_direction

Lots of great suggestions there Ali. As usual, I've nothing to contribute bar my best wishes to the whole family. If however your mum likes nice smells, aveda candles may be suitable as they are the only ones that don't trigger mad coughing from my mum. It's something to do with natural ingredients as opposed to manufactured ones.

shangaijimmy

A huge one for my auntie was having a little dog visit. She had more conversations with the dog at times than any human! I'm sure you've got it all covered and just knowing you're there will mean more than anything else.

beanielou

Like inod I have nothing to contribute ideas wise. Apologies.

Ali-OK

Thanks all and lots of good ideas to try too. I think some audio books would go down well - I can pop over her local library for those too.

DS comes with me on most visits and she enjoys his company.

Already £40 lighter this morning, having paid out for doodle's annual vacs at 9.30am!

I'm going to crack on with some work stuff next, then lunch, then head to Mums for the afternoon.

A_Frayed_Knot

Is your mum "arty" at all. My dad used to do oil paintings, but when he could no longer manage that, we bought him a colouring in book, crayons and pencils, and even they "magic" painting books where you just use water and a painting brush and the page comes to life in colour.

And was a great John Wayne fan "The Quite Man" must have seen this hundreds of times. Any old films, or actors ?? An orange peeled and cut up in a container is also nice and refreshing without getting too "messy" and if your mum likes a cool drink - the Capri Suns - keep cool for longer due to their pouch.

SJ has a great idea there re the dog, very good therapy, when I worked with spinal injury patients they allowed a dog in as was seen to be excellent therapy for the patients.

I'm sure you will work out what's best for your mum - chocolate cake, anyone

Ali-OK

Thanks AFK, the Capri-Sun is a great idea - it might encourage her to drink a little more.

Chocolate Cake...mmm...oops, all gone :rotfl:

She loves dogs, they're just not welcome in her house :rotfl:

You know when you're ill and don't feel well enough to do anything except exist? She is like that all the time - makes the effort with us, but asks us to leave sometimes or drifts off whilst we're there.

Being there is the important one...so hitting the road shortly in the lovely sunshine

Skinnylatte

\i've nothing to add either, but thinking of you

Ali-OK

Thanks Skinny, was just posting on your thread - glad to hear you are ok after yesterday

Tired tonight, but eaten a good dinner and will aim for an early bedtime. Within 10 minutes of getting home I had another visual migraine, after being free of them for a while.

Mum didn't want anything (for now anyway), but does have a new electric blanket.

Ooh, TT broadband bill was a nice zero this month as with renewed package I ended up with a credit :j

I'd got a list of things to do for DS, but he got on and did a couple of those himself. About time too! I've got a Meerk@t Code ready for the cinema tomorrow as he wants to go and see Deadpool. Friday we're taking one of his friends to see Dad's Army.

Just polished off some Chocolate Brazils from Christmas...which only leaves 3 varieties of mint chocs to go