Tam, Jade and Franky's European Adventure

Feltwell said:
One point to consider Tam, in conjunction with family, is if it's appropriate to do some simple modifications to the house whilst she's in hospital that could help her when she gets out.

My mother-in-law is in the classic old person situation - still in the family home but now by herself, lived there since 1970, the house is immaculate but very little has changed in the last 40 years, it needs modernising and it's too big, it's not really suitable for her needs now but there's no way on earth that she'll move.

Whilst she was in hospital after Christmas, with full family agreement, I went in there and did some simple modifications - easily grippable handrails on both sides of the stairs, a handrail next to the loo and the bath, that kind of thing. We thought that in her case it would be easier to ask for forgiveness than permission, and it was. She was a bit put out at first but rapidly accepted them and thanked us, and actually it's got her to think about some larger changes, such as replacing the bath with a shower.

Your mum sounds very houseproud and maybe a discussion is better, but if you can sell it to her it may get her thinking more about coming home - half the battle to getting well is mental - and it may make you feel better as well.
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Yes been doing that already.
I wouldn't dare do anything without asking her first but she does now appreciate we will have to do a few things different.
Will have to see how her mobility improves or not.
Fortunately I did manage to get her to update the bathroom last year so the shower etc is a lot easier as we had a seat etc fitted and a larger walk In cubicle.

Depending how she improves we may have to get a stairlift or second handrail installed
 
Second handrail made a hell of a difference to Mary's (my mother-in-law) confidence when using the stairs. I actually put a "mopstick" handrail on the wall and on the side of the original banister, spaced away on brackets - the mopstick is easier to grip right round with her hands than the original banister, and it makes the gap between the two handrails either side of the stairs narrower and more manageable. Cheap and easy enough to do, and easily reversible if you do go down the stairlift route later.

Great that your Mum is already thinking about and accepting changes to help her. With Mary's condition we have a bit of a battle, change isn't a comfortable concept for her, hence why we sometimes "just do it" - once it's there she tends to accept it. She also has the classic old person thing of not wanting to spend any money on herself, despite having it available.
 
On another point I got a couple of jobs sorted on toby today. Cleaned up the chassis legs and rear floor today and gave it a good coat of paint.
I say cleaned up but it wasn't bad just prefferred to do preventative maintenance than repair it in the future.
It should last a while now.

I also managed to get the cobra alarm working as only the imobiliser was working before so now the alarm works too and it protects every door and locker hatch :)

Replaced all the connections for the solar wiring and fitted a few storage boxes in the garage area.
New stereo should arrive tomorrow for Bluetooth hands-free.

It would seem that the batteries are knackered after all so I'm ordering a pair of replacements.
2 x hankook 115ah with 4 years warranty delivered for £150
I realise they won't be the best but I don't want to spend a fortune on new ones right now.

Also ordered a 2000watt inverter and a new reverse camera kit which again aren't expensive models but they will do what I need them for.
I don't run much of inverter usually jist chargers for things and occasionally my electric drill or hairdryer for jade.
I have rear view through back window and mirrors so just a cheap camera and monitor for reversing only.
 
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Feltwell said:
What is it with women always needing access to a hairdryer? ;)

(there endeth my 1970's misogynist posting for the day.:p)
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Lol it's mostly for my benefit there's nothing worse than a damp wet dog in a motorhome so on the occasions a towel dry isn't good enough the hairdryer comes out.
But it's rare ...mostly I use inverter to charge Hoover, phones , tablet, torches etc

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Yes it's us @Northernraider I can measure it for you at some point if you want and send you some photos it's in Bradford.

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Tam,lots of good advice on here from others who have looked after aged parents. For my four penny worth......don’t beat yourself up over it,fact is you may have to take a few months out,maybe longer,to help look after Mum. But you only get one Mum. You are still young and have decades of travelling time ahead of you.. Obviously she needs to take those painkillers,but she’s old school,so will need a lecture from a senior doctor/nurse whom she trusts.
Just do your best,time and fate will take their course.
 
Northernraider said:
Lol it's mostly for my benefit there's nothing worse than a damp wet dog in a motorhome so on the occasions a towel dry isn't good enough the hairdryer comes out.
But it's rare ...mostly I use inverter to charge Hoover, phones , tablet, torches etc
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We've got a dog bag which we use for Poppy, she has the two layer coat and its hard to get her decently dry with just a towel - pop her into the bag and she's dry very quickly with the bonus being that all the sand and dirt comes out at the same time and stays in the bag.

Tried it on Harry but in spite of it being reasonably tight round the neck he still managed to get a front leg out which made it far too tight and then he had the most miserable expression ever!
 
Mark and Mindy said:
We've got a dog bag which we use for Poppy, she has the two layer coat and its hard to get her decently dry with just a towel - pop her into the bag and she's dry very quickly with the bonus being that all the sand and dirt comes out at the same time and stays in the bag.

Tried it on Harry but in spite of it being reasonably tight round the neck he still managed to get a front leg out which made it far too tight and then he had the most miserable expression ever!
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I thought a doggy bag was taking your leftovers home from the restaraunts lol

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Grianan said:
Seconded ... our labradoodle has tight curls and it dries him off really quickly.
He can’t move around in it though so needs supervising .... as wicked cat worked out instantaneously and beat him up before I could stop her!
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That’s not fair ‘wicked cat’!
Had to laugh tho!
 
Cold this morning there was ice on roof of Toby brrr but suns out and warming up
Sadly jades internal clock didn't go back so she woke me at 7 this morning instead of 8

Been out for a good walk and now I have a home made Apple crumble in the oven mmmm
Hopefully mum will like a bit ...jades been munching the cores lol

Still no word from dvla and Toby still not taxed yet hope they get it sorted soon I want to go away next weekend and I've the bonfire party next Sunday night
 
Mmmmm yummy
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Someone told me apple pips can be poisonous to dogs, no idea if it's true but maybe worth checking or limiting her consumption
 
Figaro said:
Someone told me apple pips can be poisonous to dogs, no idea if it's true but maybe worth checking or limiting her consumption
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You’re correct .. and to humans. They contain a cyanide compound like stones of cherries, apricots, almonds and peaches.
Saying that my dog eats apples regularly ...
 
I have a document with a list of common plants and fruits toxic to dogs if anyone would like a copy, drop me a pm

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intokenny said:
Love a apple crumble, sooooooooo wish you lived closer Tam,i'd be there to share.:rolleyes::rolleyes:
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Yes you couldn't get much farther away lol

Its rather good too I've had some already

Sent some in to mum with my sister ....who also buggerred off with a large portion
 
TheBig1 said:
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Noticed Avocado on there. When we lived in Zambia our Alsatian/Labrador cross used to jump up and gather the lower growing fruit direct from the tree. He was very partial to them.

J

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