Do You Hear That Cracking Sound...

I think I'm about at my wits end with all this work.  It just seems like the more I get done the more I have left to do.  I wish I had known how much work this all would be when I filed the petition.  I probably would have done it anyway since that's what you do for family.  Still it would have nice to be a bit prepared for all of this.

To back track for you all who don't know me in real life (or Facebook life) my mother was able to be placed on the Gero Psyche ward on Friday afternoon.  It was such a huge relief that she wasn't going to spend the weekend in the ER waiting for placement on Monday.  I spent Friday evening sleeping off the horrible allergy headache I developed and then went to mom's house to paint for 8 hours, alone.  I instructed my husband, who had a rare day off, to take the kids to as many fun things as possible.  They went go-karting, bowling and had pizza for dinner.  I'm glad they were able to get so many fun things done in one day, but a huge part of me really wanted to do it all with them.  It seems really unfair that my family is the one who has to make the sacrifices to get my mom's work done.  But it has to be done.  The sooner the house is on the market the sooner my kids get their mom back.  

I spent today visiting briefly with my mom, taking paperwork to her social worker and taking 3 trips back and forth between the court and the bank in an attempt to get the quitclaim deed signed, notarized and submitted.  I was not successful in my attempts. Tomorrow I have to be at the hospital at 8am for mom's Temporary Detainment Order Hearing (TDO).  The doctor expects her to stay till Friday.  However the social worker said that was because my mother wasn't hearing any voices.  I spent about 15 minutes talking with my mom (okay talking TO my mom) and she mentioned her friend "Will" admitted to her he was trying to hurt her and he wasn't "of God" and practiced witchcraft.  If you remember from previous posts he is her new imaginary friend who advises her on living choices.  She's clearly hearing voices.  And for a good portion of our visit she blankly stared.  I had to shake her arm a few times before she resumed talking.  

There's some things that you just wish you could unsee.  

So tomorrow I will wait for the hearing.  I'll be skipping my doctor's appointment that I desperately need for my worsening asthma so I can be there for her.  I think I've crossed the line between trying to help and sending myself to an early grave.  

Sell, Sell, Sell!!!

Things are starting to move.  I found my mother a new doctor who specializes in Gero Psyche and I'm moving forward with the sale of her house.  The house is a thorn in my side that I would love to remove.  Permanently!

The biggest obstacle has been what to do with a lifetime of possessions that no one seems to want.  My mother was convinced everything in the house was worth a lot.  Anytime she talks about them she says, "they're worth billions, I tell ya. Billions!"  Well maybe in 3012, but in 2012 it seems like they aren't worth a whole lot.

I called an antique shop to have them come out and take a look.  He paid me about $100 and took a handful of items which left me one empty corner.  He suggested talking with another antique shop.  After a 5 minute phone call with the other shop owner I felt my Irish blood boil and I promptly hung up on him.  My good friend, Google, led me to an auction house in Virginia Beach who filled a 15 foot truck with household items and left me with some empty floor space finally. The auction is at the end of this month so we'll see what the items sell for.  There is still a room of furniture that I can't seem to give away. I can't even donate it! Firewood anyone?

It makes me happy and sad all at the same time.  But I have to get rid of these things.  And they are just things.

My mom is more aware these days and has been asking about her house.  It makes it really hard for me to say "I sold or gave away your things."  I know it's hard for her to hear too.  But she can't keep a houseful of things in her tiny room and there's not enough extra money to pay for a storage unit.  It's simply what has to be done.

So on to the repairs.  I've had two conflicting quotes for the repairs to the foundation so I called in a home inspector on a suggestion by auction house guy.  The verdict was better than I expected.  I am getting one last quote on Monday and then I will work on the financing part of the equation.  Because of the bad housing market it has been suggested I fix up the house prior to putting it on the market so I'll get more money for it and hopefully it will sell faster.

And one little side note.  I am working on spacing things out with my mom and reducing the work load of at least one of my volunteer jobs.  I started taking Yoga classes and I feel a whole lot better.  I just need to take time for me.  It's hard to think of that when someone needs you so much, but if I break down from the stress I'm no good to anyone.

If I say that over and over again in my head I'll eventually believe it.