Pearly Gates

I worked all day on Sunday to clean up…plates first, then flatware.  Dining tables, service tables, a few glasses…and I mean a few…the rest of them are still sitting on the patio, but I am slowly getting through them~

Monday at 8am I got a sheepish call from Chuckie, the powdercoat foreman; he knew he missed the deadline. He called me three times Friday during the time I was with Mom in the hospital getting her ready for discharge and with no cell service.  He did not charge me for delivery, and Genaro the owner brought gates back. Here is the spiffed up kitchen gate~

And here are the “bear gates,” so called because the four California Brown Bear medallions that will go back on the gates.  We were told that these gates belonged to the first president of the University of California; the original front gates to our home were matched to these, but are unfortunately long gone.  I did not sent the bears out for powdercoat because I thought they might get lost, and they are ok with a hand coat of paint.  They will be here and ready for the next party; my parents feel good having the gates back~

To keep rust at bay and preserve antique pieces, especially near the beach, I have discovered the wonders of sandblasting and then “metalizing” and powder coating iron tables, gates, chairs and other furniture.  Here is the redo of the gate section I showed you recently.  This will last about ten years in this condition.  Otherwise, we used to touch up with Rustoleum each year, but that never kills the rust.  Metalizing is the way to go and it is not crazy expensive~

My Mom and I are both real people, who can can touch people at all levels.  When Genaro came to pick up the gates we struck up a conversation about his parents and their illnesses; he totally got it when he came to drop off the gates and saw my Mom in her sling.  And while I was gone for five minutes she had him telling her about the 23 horses he has near Norco.  He told me later that my parents are really good people.  There is good energy with the all the pretty white gates coming back…  

Since the party is over, Mom has been a little down and has made a few suicidal threats; at least it is nor a hip; hang in there Maman….we spent four hours yesterday at the Orthopedist getting her re-splinted and new x-rays.  Her arm is shattered in 7 or 8 pieces.  Nothing to pin, just needs time.   Friday we go back again for a new, clamshell splint.  Tomorrow I take Dad for his staples to be removed.  This morning they both had his and her PT appointments (free with Medicare, in-home) so all of this takes time.    Today Mom was thrilled to read some sweet thank you cards that arrived in the mail from the party….

I am writing this post feeling a little bummed.  I have not washed my hair in days, and I look like a wreck.  I did not go to the Encinitas market today, so lost revenue.  My parents are running me ragged with all of the driving, care, and things I have to do for them, and my sisters are really more trouble than help.  6-8 weeks I tell myself...and one day soon I will escape to Beaune.  Too bad I can not run away permanently… yet.  R wants me to come for the month of November, but I have not decided yet if I can go.  Worried that when I come back the dogs will be gone, parents in assisted living and house sold.    Say a prayer for me….I need it…until I get to the real pearly gates myself!