Cleaning out Mom's closet

Yesterday my sister and I spent a few hours cleaning out my Mom's closet.

Well, at least the clothes that were on hangars. We didn't get through the shelf, the shoes, and the other stuff she had tucked away.

My sister is about the same size as was my Mother, before her strokes, so there were quite a few clothes my sister tried on. I don't know how many she took, but there were a couple of nice outfits which I saw on her, and encouraged her to take.

And she seemed pleased.

Most of the clothes we boxed up for charity, but several which I considered a bit "vintage" we kept back for the estate sale. If they don't sell, we can always send them to charity, but I know some people go to estate sales looking for vintage clothes.

I took all the costume jewelry and handkerchiefs. Not that I really need all that stuff, but it might be fun to enjoy for a while.

I did pull down one box from the shelf. It contained old photos, some things from my Dad's time in the military, the cable announcing the birth of my oldest brother (my Father was in Tinnian at the time), and I don't know what all else.

I thought it would be fun for my brother's and I to sort through that box at Christmas. It will be my brothers, me, and my b/f for dinner. My sister and her family are going to Florida.

And Christmas is fast approaching. We don't do gift exchange, so I don't have that stress. Just cooking dinner.

This will probably be the last time we use Mom's house for a dinner.

I can't decide if I should use her china, or get down the Christmas dishes.

I'll let my brother M decide.

As Mom wasn't able to sit at a table to eat the last couple of years, it won't be too difficult eating without her.

I still haven't made it to the cemetery. Maybe I will go in the next week.

Some help

From another blog SHARE LINKS

You know what my mom really wants? And needs? What anyone in her situation probably wants and needs? A clean house.

She needs the laundry done and furniture dusted and surfaces de-cluttered, but all these tasks pale in comparison to my father’s needs, so they go undone. She practically wept with gratitude when a home health aide came and changed the bedsheets and vacuumed (you know, because she was paid to do that). She wants nothing more than clean kitchen counters and folded towels and anything that makes life seem a little less like it is now, and more like it once was.

That's what I want too. That's what I thought I would get when my sister offered to come over and clean house (for my mom's birthday present).

When she arrived I was busy with my (our) mom and the home health aide, as well as giving instructions to my brother who was also there that day to help, doing yard work.

Then, one of my other brothers phoned. He was finished getting a medical procedure done, and the person who was to pick him up was MIA. So, I offered to pick him up, take him to get his prescription and take him home. At least it was a chance for me to get out of the house.

My sister wanted to know what to do (apparently she couldn't figure out how to clean up my mom's house). I told her the desk needed clearing off, and vacuuming, dusting, etc.

When I returned 2 hours later she was vacuuming, but complained she couldn't get anything done because I wasn't there to tell her what to do.

I looked at the desk, which was still loaded down with stuff. I said "why didn't you clean off the desk"? Her reply, "Oh, I forgot".

She left about 1/2 hour later as she said she needed to get home. I wasn't really sure why. Her husband works out of town and her children are both over 16.

The only thing she managed to get done was vacuum.

Guess I shouldn't complain.

As my mother says, she figures complaining won't do any good.

Wow, mom is right! Again!