Sundays with Sam is a combination of Sunday Post hosted by Caffeinated Book Reviewer and Stacking the Shelves hosted by Tynga's Reviews.
My Week in Review
Happy Sunday! It's been a week. Last Sunday, I was in Chicago, and I saw my daughter's show. It was great. I personally think the piece she choreographed was the best one, and one of her dances was the second best. Her aunt was there with her husband and child. I haven't seen my daughter's aunt since her high school graduation (over 10 years). That was a nice surprise.
My child knows I love brunch, so we had brunch both Sunday and Monday. We went to Svea and had a nice Swedish style breakfast, and the next day, we went to this place called Honey Bear Cafe. Honey Bear had some amazing dishes. We got a pancake flight and this stuffed sandwich, and we had enough leftover for breakfast the next day.
Tuesday, when I was leaving for home, I found out that my mother fell and broke her heel. She is in a cast up to her knee. I am sort of a nurse's aid now, helping her in and out of the wheel chair. Dad has his third round of chemo on Tuesday, and he doesn't have the strength to do all this. I am trying to get an accommodation to work from home for a few weeks. If my manager says no, I will see about an LOA or burn my vacation. I cannot leave my parents alone while my mother is unable to get around. The wheelchair mom has right now was borrowed from the doctor's office. The breaks don't work and the tires are falling apart. My mother was on the phone every day trying to get the wheelchair and they kept saying the doctor filled out the form wrong. They make it so hard to get stuff.
It's been a bit stressful. My reading if off, I missed two days of posting. At least I have a three day weekend and it stopped raining.
On the Blog
Stacking the Shelves
I was very happy to get approved for Anne of Avenue A. I adore this series, and I cannot wait to read that book. I got my finger hovering over the widget for Relationship Goals. I have a LOT of book for that month, but I had it on my TBR. Decisions, decisions.
Netgalley/Edelweiss
- Anne of Avenue A by Audrey Bellezza, Emily Harding
Invites
- Relationship Goals by Brittany Kelley
- Witch of the Wolves by Kaylee Archer
- One of Us by Dan Chaon
- Ink Ribbon Red by Alex Pavesi
- Christmas People by Iva-Marie Palmer
Read Last Week
I didn't get my whole TBR read, but the books were good. My highest rated was a very emotional book - The Bright Years. It follows this family for like 60 years or something and is about loving an addict. There are bright moments, but it's sad. My heart ached, and I ugly cried at one point.
I also loved Shalvis' The Love Fix. I am a fan of her writing and style. Her books always work for me. This focused on complicated family relationships, but was still packed with Shalvis' warmth and humor.
Find all my reviews on Goodreads
Books
- The Slowest Burn by Sarah Chamberlain - ★★★★
- Passion Project by London Sperry - ★★★★
- The Bright Years by Sarah Damoff - ★★★★★
- The Love Fix by Jill Shalvis - ★★★★ 1/2
Audiobooks
- Sideline Confidential by Brooke Bentley - ★★★★
Currently Reading
- An Irish Summer by Alexandra Paige
- A Greene Family Vacation by Piper Rayne
To Be Read
- One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune
- Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall
- Slow Burn Summer by Josie Silver
- Finding Mr. July by Anna E. Collins
Let us know in the comments!
I'm sorry to hear about your mum, Sam! I hope that she's able to get a better wheelchair (I can't believe the dr filled out the wrong form?!) and that you are able to get that accommodation to work from home so that you're able to help out! I hope the week ahead is less stressful too. Thanks so much for sharing my LTB post!
ReplyDeleteIt's not that he filled out the wrong form, they wanted more of something for Medicare. My mother has been on the phone every day. There are always hoops, but in the meantime, she ordered a light, transport chair which will be here next week.
DeleteI really hope your boss will let you work from home for some weeks Sam! I get that you want to help your parents! Sending good vibes your way!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sophie. They are so weird about the in office requirement. I just drove all over, but at least I found a wheelchair.
DeleteAt least you had a happy reunion with the kid, but what an unfortunate homecoming! Surely your boss will have to accomodate your needs...anyway, your mom necessitates of someone at home who can help her, and your poor dad isn't up to the task in his actual condition, so...I was thinking, at least your mum didn't break her femur. Now that would have been a nightmare.
ReplyDeleteMy manager is on maternity leave. I know she would approve the accommodation, but I do not know the manager I am reporting to right now that well. I have a one-on-one tomorrow, so I guess I will wait and see. My mother was already using mobility aids before the break, but she was able to get herself around, slowly, but she could do it on her own. Now, it's been hard.
DeleteOh goodness! I'm so sorry to hear about your mom, especially as your dad is already dealing with so much himself. I hope your work will see reason and support you through this. Remember to try to find those moments to pause and take care of yourself.
ReplyDeleteI am keeping my fingers crossed because the answer from HR was fairly off putting. They essentially told me to hire help. OK.
DeleteOh dang, I'm sorry to hear all of that. I know it's so hard to get the medical equipment that they need.
ReplyDeleteIt's been terrible. I found a transport chair at Walgreens for $150 and we use the walker she already had to get from the chair to bed/toilet. Insurance makes you jump through hoops for everything.
DeleteI'm glad Chicago was good but I'm so sorry about your mom. Aging parents are tough-I still need a job but I want to help out as much as I can. And no one makes it easy! Hopefully you find a solution!
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteUgh, I'm so sorry about your parents, Sam. It is hard being a caregiver, so I'm glad you got a break to go to Chicago! A pancake flight sounds amazing.
ReplyDeleteChicago with no drama was a high point for me. They had flights of EVERYTHING. If the sandwich hadn't been part french toast, I think we would have done that one.
DeleteI'm so glad you got to see your daughter's performance, I know you were worried you might not be able to do. Talk about the highs and the lows. I'm sorry to hear about your mom's accident. So many things to think about when parents require care. Hoops and paperwork will be the death of us all. I love that insta video, so cute. I hope the week is better now and that you have been given the go ahead to work from home, Sam.
ReplyDeleteIt's been a struggle with mom's mobility issues. Today, we are going to try a shower and getting into the car. She wants to make her canasta game tomorrow.
DeleteSorry you had a tough week. I hope your job will let you work from home! Honestly, I don't understand why people have to go to an office if their job can be done remotely.
ReplyDeleteI got approved through mid-July. I may lose my mind by then. There are benefits to being in office. Some people need that. I am productive anywhere.
DeleteWhat a nice time in Chicago! I also love brunch/breakfast food. I'm sorry to hear your mom broke her heel! Your parents are really going through it right now! I'm happy they have you to help. I hope your work is accommodating. I've been in Montana (just got back yesterday) so I'm trying to catch up with posts.
ReplyDeleteAging is no joke and neither are aging parents. My grandmother lived with us, so I know the drill. I would like to visit MT. Looks beautiful.
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