Saturday, March 4, 2017

Saying goodbye...


It has been a difficult two weeks...


Mom was diagnosed with lung cancer 
which had metastasized into her lymphatic system.
She went down hill pretty fast.

 My sister and I took care of her in her home 
until we could no longer provide the comfort that she required 
We had her moved into Hospice where she got excellent care 
from a staff that specialize in end of life treatment.


It has been a very emotionally charged time for all of our family.


I had to dig very deep to find strength and energy...


On the wall in mom's room at Hospice
an inspiring reminder...


Yesterday, 
on my 62nd birthday
 Mom slipped away...


She died with dignity
and is now free from pain and suffering.

She leaves a huge hole in our lives and will be missed...

Saturday, February 25, 2017

French themed goodies starting with My Stylish French Box...

Paris and the quaint villages of southern France have a powerful hold on me...
I have so many fabulous memories from my trip.

When life gets rocky I try to be proactive and balance the stress with some self care "tools" that I have practised over the years...
one of which is to reflect on better days,
focusing on the sweet snippets and highlights from happier days.

My travel photos instantly transport me back to those idyllic weeks in France.
Blogs also help to keep me connected...

Sharon Santoni's lovely blog French Country Home  has been one of my favourites for many years. When Sharon announced that she was writing a book I ordered mine before it had been printed...
Recently I learned that she was offering a box of carefully curated French items and I ordered my subscription as soon as I heard that she would deliver to Canada.

My Stylish French Box arrived this week and it was the highlight of my day.
The packaging is exquisite and each item is carefully wrapped...


I carefully and slowly unwrapped each item...and kept saying to my husband how excited I felt...
everything is so beautiful.


satin ribbon bow
tissue


hand printed tags


I love the extra touches that Sharon has put into the presentation of the box.


Fragonard soaps
(I went to the Fragonard museum when I was in Paris.)


a lovely hand made porcelain cup
which Mr. HB suggested that I could use for my morning espresso


Cire Trudon candle

There were other delightful treasures...
a journal, book, pencils, antique glasses and a small soap

These treats could not have come at a better time.

 I have been very busy
 helping Mother navigate her journey with terminal cancer.
Her diagnosis was recent and came as a shock to us all.
Mom had breast cancer 10 years ago in the same area where this lung cancer has presented itself and it has spread to her lymph system and she has pain.

I have cancelled all my commitments for the time being as I want to spend my time with her...

My sister and I received a bit of respite this weekend for the overnights which is a blessing as listening for her call and waking her for her pain meds every 4 hours does not make for a restful night.

Its such an emotional experience 
my heart goes out to those of you who have traveled this path before...
I have a whole new respect for caregivers

I will try and post again in a few days as I do love writing this blog.


Hellebore in a hand picked garden grown bouquet that my BFF brought to Mom.
Friends and Family have been super supportive 
I am so grateful...

THANK YOU ALL!


~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Thoughts on Mom and a peek inside the closet...

I started writing this post before I found out that Mother had cancer and I am immersed in her care giving with little time for anything else...

 a little window of opportunity and escape presented itself this morning 
so I took the opportunity to edit and share it with you today.

My days are filled with ups and downs
oodles of tears
interspersed with laughter
as
Mother is telling me stories of her childhood 

her life as a nursing student at the Catholic Hospital
snippets of trips that she took with my Father
she is sharing a side of herself that she has never before revealed
it is quite a gift
and I am so grateful for this opportunity
to be at her side.

Despite her pain we find ourselves laughing
and there is a lot of hand holding
as we sip
many cups of tea throughout the day

I knit to keep my hands busy while she sleeps...
there in the silence
 memories and thoughts bubble up
there is a huge lump in my throat
and the realization that Mom is on her way...
she is calling the shots and is very much in control of her demise...

Mom has 4 closets full of beautiful clothes...
she loves fashion and has always been a stylish dresser.


Here is our
Teeny tiny closet
workout wear is interspersed with everyday basics.

After posting about Tees,
 I received several emails from readers who wanted to see more posts on clothes and my wardrobe.

I pine for a better, more organized closet and fortunately it is in the plans.
Just when it will happen
I am not sure,
when we redecorate our bedroom 
the closet will be completely redesigned.

Basic Winter Everyday Wardrobe
(does not include evening or special occasion attire)


Two shirts
crisp white shirt by Northern Reflections 
blue Tencel Nine West


2 skirts
black M.I.K.O knit 
grey Kenar boiled wool 

I wear skirts a lot more after I bought the new thicker Hue tights.


Part Two simple black wool sweater 


Bamboo dress Blue Sky 
which can also be worn with footless tights


3 tops
black and white patterns and stripes
Bianca Nygard V neck asymmetrical pattern 
Lands End tunic top 
Betty Barclay stripe 


black Style and Co. top 


these pants look dreadful 
hanging here 
 they look much better on

grey knit pants 
black knit pants 


vintage leather vest 
black cut velvet Nygard pants 

You can see that the basics are covered
black and grey items make up the bulk of my Fall and Winter wardrobe.
Most garments are separates and are worn with many other pieces.

I don't "need" more clothing...

I replace garments when they are worn out, which is usually very few years.
When one has fewer items in rotation the clothes actually do wear out.

Washing garments inside out on the gentle cycle, 
then carefully hanging them to dry does prolong their life.

What colours do you like to wear?

Is your wardrobe big or small?

I will not have time to respond to all your comments 
but I will read each and every one.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.


~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Friday, February 17, 2017

Mid February and it's Friday...

Life has been a bit of a roller coaster this week 
and there's more on the way so I am going to fasten my seat belt and try to navigate the days ahead with grace.


Carnations for Mom who has recently been diagnosed with cancer.


Our views have been rather sterile...


I am grateful for family and friends...
Whose love and support sustain us during tough times. 


Looking for the beauty in my daily round has never been more important.
It helps me put things in perspective...


The guest room and a wee antique Herend vessel.


Chester is up to his usual tricks.


Oak tree bark in Oak Bay


Acorn sculpture in the Oak Bay municipal yard.


The view from here...
Humble Bungalow dining room.


Roycroft hand hammered arts and crafts candlesticks
melted beeswax candles.
I love the scent of beeswax candles when they are burning.


I'll be posting snippets when I have the time 
 my time and energy 
right now is focused on Mom.

I may not have the time to respond to comments but be assured that I will read them all.
Thank you again for you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Valentines Hearts...

Good morning from The Humble Bungalow.
It is Valentine's Day today so I am sharing a few hearts with you today...
and a message of love.


Chocolate hearts 
Paris

"All you need is love.
But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt."

~  Charles M. Schulz ~



"The most important thing in the world is family and love."

~ John Wooden ~




"Love is friendship that has caught fire. It is quiet understanding, mutual confidence, sharing and forgiving. It is loyalty through good and bad times. It settles for less than perfection and makes allowances for human weaknesses." 

~Ann Landers ~


I am sniffling today with a head cold so I plan on drinking loads of fluids.


Happy Valentines Day to my husband...

"in sickness and in health"
I remember our pledge on that wedding day back in 1974.

We've come a long way since that day and I love you more now than I did back then.



Happy Valentines Day

"The best thing to hold onto in life is each other."

~ Audrey Hepburn ~

I'll be taking a few days off while I am sick
will be back soon.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~