I think it was Imohr who created a special place in her home to retreat to when she was in the trenches of caregiving. I couldn't find the thread. Could someone help me? I thought it was a great idea but didn't particularly need it at the time. I need it now
There are days when all I would need is a card table with a sheet over it so I could "hide" under it. My dh follows me everywhere except the bathroom. I am sure that will be next.
I know how you feel, Dazed. We are always fighting with ourselves to stay the course and not run for our lives.
Dazed my special place to retreat was to the Master bedroom where I had a TV, computer, ipad, telephone and bathroom. Also a monitor to view things going on. It is still my "place to retreat to". I even eat in there part of the time. dh had a guest room. Good luck...
Imohr, you've got a real retreat place! I can't do that because we both still sleep in the master bedroom and that's the bathroom I encourage him to use. I like to keep the main bathroom clean. I never know what kind of shape the bathroom will be in after he uses it. I do have cable TV and phone in one of the guest bedrooms and we have wireless internet so I could take my laptop in there. I would like to have it beautifully decorated with pretty new curtains, lush live plants, new comforter & pillows and the bookshelves loaded with interesting books I want to read. No 36 Hour Day books in there! Don't want anything related to AD in there! Maybe I could do that. Not that I would have a chance to use it often since he has to be watched 24/7 but a little time before he gets up in the morning or after he goes to bed at night, plus a few little minutes when he's interested in a TV show or ha, maybe while he's in the bathroom! This will have to be my respite place.
You can do it Dazed. Just minor redecorating to make it a special retreat. Plants are great and there are some neat ideas for window treatments for any size budget. Buy a new bedspread and lots of bright pillows just for YOU. I enjoy propping myself up in bed and eating a snack - all by myself. Everyone needs a "special place". It doesn't have to be a whole room - it can just be a "special chair". Baby Monitor with TV is invaluable.
That is what I did Dazed, I have just a very small crafting room that I moved a single bed in, my computer and desk that used to be right next to his bed, and cozied it up with my Hawaiian artifacts . I signed up for Netflix as my new computer has a good sized screen, and HOW I LOVE MY NEW SPACE!!
It took me a whole day of moving rewiring painting etc. but it is really great. Good luck to you, go for it on your spare room.
How great all these "special places" sound and I really envy all of you. If I go out of the room for for then 10 min. and my dh is awake he is calling my name and looking for me. During the day, my special place seems to be the entire house except for the master bedroom because my dh is sleeping most of the day. I am alone to do what I want...but, the few times I have gone into my sewing room he hears me I guess and up he gets...then I have to stop and fix him something to eat.
I have taken a new interest in the flowers in my yard. Doing lots of gardening when it is cool early in the morning. I got several new plants for Mother's day from the guest that came here for our feast and I have been potting them as I have time and strength.