Hi, friends.
My MIL's visit is over, and she returned home safely. The visit did not go as I had hoped. It went like it normally does - not well. To explain everything, my post would be incredibly long and probably boring. However, I will pass along a few things I learned.
I finally know why my MIL will not move. It is because of her things. What things? Not furniture. She has a manageable amount of furniture. It is because of her collectibles. She has loads of things. Dolls, painted plates, glasses, figurines, etc. She asked that each of her kids bring a truck (a truck!!) to her home and take what they want. The problem is that they want none of it, plus it's a 16 hour drive one way. My MIL believes that this stuff is valuable. She doesn't want to sell, donate, or throw it out. She doesn't want to pay someone to pack it up and move the things. My MIL said that she has lived in her house for more than 40 years, and it is going to take time to figure out what she is going to do with everything. There is very little time left.
Here is what else I have learned. All of the lotions and potions to keep the skin looking good mean nothing if you do not take care of your physical health. My MIL comes from a family that lives a very long time. Her father was almost 100 yo when he died. She has siblings in their 90's who are doing well. The difference is that they have family nearby to keep them active. My MIL's only physical problem is with her mobility. I think this could be improved with physical therapy and social interaction. My DD was so affected by her grandmother's mobility problems that one night when I was trying to fall asleep she came into my room, curled up next to me, and begged me to exercise everyday. Not every other day. Everyday. DD also said that she has never been so motivated to exercise and eat right. I feel the same way. To remain fit, I think it takes more than 30-60 minutes of cardio and strength training. It must be a planned, daily effort to stay strong. I have started doing little things throughout the day. For example, sometimes I will stand in front of the stairs and fall forward, catch myself on a step, then push myself back up. I'll repeat this 20 times. After filling the washer, I do short knee bends on one leg at a time. I am incorporating anything like this into my daily life just to stay strong. After my post, I am going to stretch.
On the ComPacting front, no empties to report. I am getting closer and am about to toss some hair products.
Paws and enjoy life.
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