The big project
 

You may or may not remember, my father passed way last December. My mother insisted that she was just fine living alone, and since she is still relatively healthy in mind and body, my siblings and I were comfortable with her decision. But she fell one time, and more often when I called her, she would get weepy. My wife and I wanted to take her in , but there was no room, and we couldn't afford to add on to our house. My two brothers didn't offer to take her in, and my mother did not want to move to Florida with my sister. We investigated the myriad of old folks living arrangements, but she felt that couldn't afford them. Finally, she offered to pay for an addition to my house, out of the sale of her house, so that she could come live with us.
After my sister threw her tantrum, and we revisited the old folks living arrangements again, we are proceeding with the plan. We are adding space for a larger kitchen, enclosing our breezeway, and converting our garage to a large bedroom with bath and office/sitting area.

Good on you Spex ... those are difficult family matters

Oh, and contractors will love you... jobs, jobs, jobs

Step one: Build a shed to house all the crap in our garage and breezeway (we use the garage strictly for storage)

I was the gofer, helping my friend the professional carpenter. I don't have mad skilz like Jim. :sniff:

Thanks. It's brought out some things in my siblings that I have never seen before from them.

People get stressed and irrational when it comes to family stuff. Try to give them the benefit of the doubt. Good on you for stepping up.

Cool, keep us updated.

Yes, family issues are tricky. I'm so impressed you have agreed to be a carer. Despite received wisdom I think many aging parents are well cared for these days.

Drop your Mum off at your sister's for a couple of weeks, see how she [sis] feels then.
Nah, that's mean of me. I'm sure everyone is trying for the best solution. It sounds like you have it now.

Wow - that went up quick!

I'm kind of mad at my skilz. my deck project is still dragging on an on. I have made a little progress, but between rain and my ridiculous lack of free time,.... bleh. I'm tired just thinking about it

Thanks
I will
I was amazed at how quickly things progressed.
Your skilz rock. The weather and free time bandits are screwing with you.

Both of my parents function perfectly well, for the most part, but...

God I wish I had a brother or sister to drop them off to.

Wow, that's a hell of a project (the whole thing I mean, though the shed's pretty cool too.) Is the carpenter friend going to be the one doing the home addition too?

No, we're using a professional contractor

Spex, you might want to put your level along that nearest edge just one more time ;)
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Good for you spexx. Looks like things are coming along very well.