Strong as a mother....

Holidays are a busy time. I thrive off of the busy, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. Things pile up like dishes and laundry (thank goodness for our bubble of helpers). The list below is an example of what a two week schedule looks like for me. This doesn’t include basic everyday tasks like preparing meals for the kiddos, myself, and Rich, or other caregiving needs I complete every day for all of us; getting everyone dressed, changing diapers, and preparing medications.

Writing out this list gave me strength and power; it is proof of all that I do for my family and for myself. 

Monday 11/16

• Work from home (conference calls with clients and coworkers)
• DEMOLITION DAY
• Contact insulation companies 
• Grocery delivery arrives, disinfect all of our groceries and put away 
• Drive to IV appointment
• Start a DIY gift for my secret Santa
• Virtual Therapy 

Tuesday 11/17

• Work
• Occupational Therapy (OT)
• Coordinate wheelchair evaluation with physical therapist and Assistive Technology professional (ATP)
• Missed a massage appointment I made for myself 
• Talk to Mass Save
• Start battle with insurance company over new medication 
• Continue secret Santa DIY\

Wednesday 11/18

• Work
• Christmas cards arrived! 
• Physical Therapy (PT)
• Start filling out Christmas cards

Thursday 11/19 and the start of my staycation!

• Grocery delivery- disinfect, put away 
• OT
• Spaulding Cambridge for Rich’s shockwave treatment
• Learn about demo set back (asbestos) 
• Hang with my bestie/ cousin Jaime (masks on). She brought us dinner from Pressed, and ate hers on the other side of the room!
• Bedford Family Connection monthly planning/ board meeting 
• More work on Christmas cards

Friday 11/20

• Finalize paint colors for the house 
• Rothfeld Center for IV
• Continue to fight with insurance to get a new medication covered 
• PT
• Coordinate events for the BFC
• Outdoor impromptu play date with a dear friend and her two amazing kiddos!

Saturday 11/21

• Craft fundraiser with Womenade
• Start a craft project gift for my MIL
• Learn how to use a sewing machine (thank you YouTube)

Sunday 11/22

• Grocery delivery- disinfect, put away
• Made curry sauce for Rich’s Birthday dinner and marinate chicken
• Made carrot cake 
• Write a blog post

Monday 11/23 and Rich’s birthday!!

• Meet with painter 
• Pick up prescriptions
• Set up Rich’s new computer monitor 
• Virtual Birthday Game night!

Tuesday 11/24 

• OT
• Put dry brine on Turkey
• Make gravy 
• Build Rich’s birthday present (recumbent exercise bike)

Wednesday 11/25

• In home Wheelchair evaluation with PT and ATP
• Grocery delivery- disinfect, put away
• Make cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, start making stuffing
• IV appointment 
• Finish making stuffing 
• Make dough, proof, shape, proof again and bake 5 dozen homemade rolls
• Finish up craft project for my MIL 
• Start this blog post

Thursday 11/26

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

• Send rolls to Nana’s house!
• Cook turkey
• Cook ham
• Warm up everything else!
• See my MIL outside and grab Maple (our dog) back for the weekend! My in-laws are kindly watching her during our construction. Gave her the craft project I made for her, along with some of the rolls we made!
• Help my sister with Sewbaloo posts for the weekend
• Give Rich his B12 injection
• Continue working on this blog post
• Eat a leftovers sandwich

Friday 11/26-

• Call in the reinforcements and nap!!!
• Drink many, many cups of tea
• Lay on the couch 
• Eat leftovers
• Plan to go get a Christmas tree
• Change of plans because Rich had a fall… (he is ok)

Amongst all this, something I’ve been wanting to talk about is the guilt I feel for taking time for myself. Things like massages, doing my nails, buying myself things… I get this negative feeling when I do it, like the money would be better spent elsewhere, I should be doing the dishes instead, I should be reading to the kids instead, etc… These thoughts are toxic. They are not reality. Looking at all I do each and every day, each and every week, I deserve to treat myself. Sometimes it’s as simple as wanting to sleep in, or maybe taking a nap. People always mention my positive attitude, and I just remind them of my motto of One Day at a Time. Everyday is not easy, but I do my best to find joy in all the moments. I know when I need to slow down and take time for myself, recently you will find me with my cup of tea, which I consider a security blanket. Hot, iced, luke warm, black, sweetened, I love it all. It gives me comfort. 

After a busy yet beautiful Thanksgiving Day, I sat down to open the mail that has been piling up. In it, I found a giftcard from an old coworker, and now-friend who’s husband also has ALS. She very generously sent a gift card, specifically written for me to use for myself, and myself only. Once I finish typing for the night, I plan to go order some of my favorite tea! She literally and figuratively helped to “fill my cup” and for that I am thankful. 

Love to all! Stay safe!

Taking life one day at a time,

Leah