New Orleans is back on

George and I had planned a trip to New Orleans for early March and canceled when my mother became ill. It was a few weeks before I could even think about going again, but yesterday I decided to look at Travelocity and see what they had to offer. Clicking through the weekends that looked good, I came across one where the fares and the hotels were really cheap! We made a reservation for May 7 through 11th, with reservations at the really nice Marriott near the French Quarter, and the cost of the flight AND hotel was $550. For both of us! Then they added the tax, tip and trade-in (as we say) and the total was $661. Still a big bargain.

So, we are going back to New Orleans in May. It is after the Jazz Fest, and nothing seemed to be going on that weekend. I thought maybe that was why the fares were so cheap....and then George realized....it's Mothers Day! Who goes to New Orleans on Mother's Day? We might be the only tourists there. Sounds like a plan!

Have a great day.

First Day of Spring in Boston!

New Hampshire Bed and Breakfast

When mother became ill on Feb. 28th and I rushed down to Oklahoma to be with her, George and I were planning a five day trip to New Orleans that weekend to hear some Cajun music in Breaux Bridge and to spend some time in our favorite 'wild and crazy' city. Instead of that trip, I was in Oklahoma planning the funeral of my beloved mother. In the past ten years, I have often had to rush to my mother when she had a health crisis and was admitted to various hospitals for various reasons. I always got insurance on any planned vacations, and I've always been mentally ready to drop my plans and run to her side. This time, the New Orleans trip got canceled and I hardly even thought about it. It is in the past....as if I went...and don't remember it.

Things don't make sense to me yet, and it will be a long time before I can imagine life without my mother. She was always ready to talk on the phone, and we shared books, recipes and magazine articles. She was funny and smart and wise. She saw right through me. I never bothered to tell her a lie, because she would know right away. She was my best friend, and we were joined at the heart, if not the hip. I have had her in my life a lot longer than most daughters have their mothers. I am grateful for that, and always have been.

I am not in the mood to go to New Orleans. But yesterday I planned another trip, this time to a small country bed and breakfast in Campton, New Hampshire, in April. It is near the beautiful Kangamangus Highway, and although there will be no dancing or Cajun music, it seems that a nice tranquil spot, and a drive through the country in early spring, will be just right for me right now.

My mother used to laugh with me at something my older brother said long ago, "Other families have their problems, but in our family, it's one crisis after another." That really isn't true, but now I realize that I have had my last crisis with my mother. Now, it's time to figure out how to live without her, and maybe time for a little tranquility.

Have a great day.

scalloped border on the shawl

Moving on by the minute

I have been writing my blog about what is going on in my life for years now, so now I will write about my mom, and her funeral, and the thoughts that are going through my mind all the time. I seem to be living minute by minute, hour by hour. I don't have the energy to make big plans.

When I was in Oklahoma staying with her at the hospital, and then going through the process of planning her funeral, I also was trying very hard not to get sick. I didn't want to fall apart and have my health suffer. There is so much going on emotionally, that is easy to have the physical part fall apart. So, this weekend, I am home and have decided to take it easy and get as much rest as I can.

These beautiful flowers arrived today from a good friend at work. I am thrilled with them, and am amazed at the outpouring of sympathy I have received through cards, emails and flowers. A group at work brought me the most beautiful white orchid I have ever seen and it is on my desk. It towers up over my cube, and looks breathtaking. It is so nice to have such nice people around me. It really helps to know that I have such good support.

Tonight George and I are going to the Kennedy Library for a company dinner and a night out. I thought of not going, but then decided that to mope around at home wouldn't be a good idea. We will go, enjoy the lovely food and music, and leave for home when we are ready. I am looking forward to seeing Jacqueline Kennedy's clothes...of all things. (I haven't changed much.)

I decided to buy some beautiful pink alpaca yarn (very soft) and make myself a shawl, which I can wrap around myself like a hug from mom. It is a good thing to remember her as I knit, and also a good thing just to sit and knit, and not to expect too much from myself right now. She would like it.

Have a great day.

My mom

I wanted to let everyone know that my mother, Frances Caroline Lucia Krause Bremseth(1909 - 2009), died on March 3, 2009 at the age of 99. She lived in her own home and was still enjoying life. She was independent, loving, and kind and doing what she loved to do. She had played bridge the previous Monday at the Senior Center...and she won! She had a stroke that was debilitating, and I was at her bedside and she knew I was there. The funeral was Monday, March 9th, with lots of relatives and friends and beautiful flowers which she would have loved. I will be writing a lot more later.

God Bless my mom.