It’s worth a lot, Mary. Thank you. I’m sorry you’re going through a bit of turmoil yourself! My prayers for your family member’s health to improve.

Dad is comfortable. Complaining, but that’s boredom talking. It’s so hard seeing him down like this, so I understand how he feels. He used to putter constantly — fix things, make things, enjoy his retirement. Not much joy left right now.

Great advice, Cathy. I really do get locked in, and it’s a good reminder that I am able to adjust. 🙂

Yes, my mom broke her knee. Long, strange story that ends with her getting her leg wrapped around a raspberry bramble and her hitting the ground, knee first. She’s in a walking brace and healing.

Thanks for letting us know we’re not alone.

For what it’s worth, I’ve been praying for you and your family since learning your dad is ill. <3

I’m in a similar situation, but thankfully not in a caretaker position. Yesterday one family member landed in the hospital (he said he feels fine, but since he’s going through chemo the docs wanted to err on the safe side, thank goodness) and another family member is having major back issues. I spent yesterday making sure I didn’t take for granted that I was the only sibling who COULD vacuum and do yard work and do all the things I complain about having to do.

I also broke my keyboard last week, which put me a couple days on transcribing and writing. I had deadlines Monday and Tuesday, but thankfully my editors understood and gave me more time. I turned Monday’s piece in Wednesday and plan to finish the other today. Tuesday was spend getting started on another project, which is busy work at the start because I have to ask several dozen people for information before I can start writing. I also have another article due a week from today.

Oh, and my dog somehow got fleas despite being on a flea preventative, so add in at least one hour a day of extra cleaning time—and a dog bath today—because the vet said I can’t change her to a different preventative until I would have applied her next dose of the ineffective one (which will be October 11).

Somehow, knock on wood, I’m keeping up with things. Soon I’ll be caught up enough to focus on next week’s article.

If nothing else, Lori, times when family issues and work issues collide like this really force us to prioritize and learn to focus amidst chaos. (Not counting toddlers and babies. But maybe playing with them would be a nice break for you – kind of like doggie walks are for me.)

Hope your dad is comfortable and that your mom heals quickly! (Remember, my sister broke her knee really badly last year, so if your mom needs any coping tips my sister is bound to have some to share.)

For organized people like us, Lori, it is difficult to move past our plans for getting work done. But, I always say the best thing about plans is you can change them. Once I got away from being so locked into my plans (like when I do what), the rest became much more manageable.

I do the bulk of my work in the early morning when Mom is still sleeping. I don’t ever schedule a call on Thursday mornings when Mom has an ongoing weekly appointment. I adjust my walking time to the weather and Mom’s needs. And then I change it all up when I have to.

I view it as no big deal (which, trust me, was not always the case). It’s called life and, yes, it’s hard, but I think we make it harder on ourselves than we need to. I am so glad you are finding what works for you. Lori, and I hope you embrace your time off. Hugs, my friend.