Diva in Dartmouth
@dartmouthnsdiva.bsky.social
Emergency manager, writer, and erstwhile pastor. Lover of cats, crafts, music, social justice, and food.
In far happier news, my “she shed”
four season sunroom is complete. Started moving stuff in. Going to work for a beach feel eventually. Each piece of furniture is connected to someone I love. (Except the blue Walmart recliner). Naming her “Blue Bayou”. Super excited!
four season sunroom is complete. Started moving stuff in. Going to work for a beach feel eventually. Each piece of furniture is connected to someone I love. (Except the blue Walmart recliner). Naming her “Blue Bayou”. Super excited!
December 16, 2025 at 8:53 PM
In far happier news, my “she shed”
four season sunroom is complete. Started moving stuff in. Going to work for a beach feel eventually. Each piece of furniture is connected to someone I love. (Except the blue Walmart recliner). Naming her “Blue Bayou”. Super excited!
four season sunroom is complete. Started moving stuff in. Going to work for a beach feel eventually. Each piece of furniture is connected to someone I love. (Except the blue Walmart recliner). Naming her “Blue Bayou”. Super excited!
Reposted by Diva in Dartmouth
Volunteered at a funeral today at the church. Love it that the lady’s 97-year-old twin brother spoke. He was in great shape, and delivered a very warm and funny eulogy. Music was all that and then some as well. So glad I went. Decent visit with Mom afterward.
November 22, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Volunteered at a funeral today at the church. Love it that the lady’s 97-year-old twin brother spoke. He was in great shape, and delivered a very warm and funny eulogy. Music was all that and then some as well. So glad I went. Decent visit with Mom afterward.
Nursing home visits when loved ones is like the Facts of Life theme. You take the good, you take the bad… Today was the bad. Eating wings for supper and mentally screaming into the void.
a sheep is standing on its hind legs with its mouth open
ALT: a sheep is standing on its hind legs with its mouth open
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November 21, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Nursing home visits when loved ones is like the Facts of Life theme. You take the good, you take the bad… Today was the bad. Eating wings for supper and mentally screaming into the void.
Can’t get over the difference with Mom. Over six weeks in, and she has her buddies and a routine. Misses living at home, but contented. Grateful beyond words. #Caregiving #NursingHome
November 19, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Can’t get over the difference with Mom. Over six weeks in, and she has her buddies and a routine. Misses living at home, but contented. Grateful beyond words. #Caregiving #NursingHome
Mom has finally turned a corner in adjusting to the nursing home. We had a really good week with few tears, loads of laughs, and like her old self in many ways. A gift. Got the house organized quite a bit, and things feel less chaotic for the first time in years.
November 16, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Mom has finally turned a corner in adjusting to the nursing home. We had a really good week with few tears, loads of laughs, and like her old self in many ways. A gift. Got the house organized quite a bit, and things feel less chaotic for the first time in years.
My book bag has some cranky thoughts this morning.
November 8, 2025 at 2:06 PM
My book bag has some cranky thoughts this morning.
Treated myself to a pedicure today after visiting Mom at the nursing home. My feet no longer have that “Howard Hughes meets Neanderthal Man” vibe about them!😜🤣
November 7, 2025 at 11:06 PM
Treated myself to a pedicure today after visiting Mom at the nursing home. My feet no longer have that “Howard Hughes meets Neanderthal Man” vibe about them!😜🤣
I withdrew from Acadia today. I will never go back to the Baptist church and my timeline to retirement and ministry is much different now with the new job. There is far more value in just existing and taking care of myself and Mama right now. ❤️🩹
November 4, 2025 at 12:34 AM
I withdrew from Acadia today. I will never go back to the Baptist church and my timeline to retirement and ministry is much different now with the new job. There is far more value in just existing and taking care of myself and Mama right now. ❤️🩹
Box or bus shelter for cats? Could go either way!
October 23, 2025 at 10:58 PM
Box or bus shelter for cats? Could go either way!
Made it through my first holiday without Mom at home. Dad died Oct. 14 and Grammie the next day in 2001, so Thanksgiving is tough on a good day. We both did okay. A few tears Friday, but long visits and turkey sammich + pumpkin pue picnic were well-received!
October 13, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Made it through my first holiday without Mom at home. Dad died Oct. 14 and Grammie the next day in 2001, so Thanksgiving is tough on a good day. We both did okay. A few tears Friday, but long visits and turkey sammich + pumpkin pue picnic were well-received!
Just had TaskRabbit assemble three items and hang a blind. They do such a great job, and I was behind on cleaning and maintenance stuff. I cleaned, they assembled, reasonable price! Win-win!!
a cartoon of snoopy dancing in front of a boombox that says " i love winning "
ALT: a cartoon of snoopy dancing in front of a boombox that says " i love winning "
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October 4, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Just had TaskRabbit assemble three items and hang a blind. They do such a great job, and I was behind on cleaning and maintenance stuff. I cleaned, they assembled, reasonable price! Win-win!!
It has been a whirlwind week. First, Mom has settled in remarkably well at the nursing home. She still misses me, but is very busy and contented. New job rocks and I love it so far. Office is in Wolfville, which makes me very happy. (I WFH a lot, too). Grateful beyond words.
October 3, 2025 at 8:03 PM
It has been a whirlwind week. First, Mom has settled in remarkably well at the nursing home. She still misses me, but is very busy and contented. New job rocks and I love it so far. Office is in Wolfville, which makes me very happy. (I WFH a lot, too). Grateful beyond words.
Day five and Mom is adjusting to enhanced care better than I thought she would. She still wants to come home, but jokes with the staff and interacts well with the other residents. 🥰 I slept a bit better last night, but it will take time to recover from five years of active caregiving.
September 30, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Day five and Mom is adjusting to enhanced care better than I thought she would. She still wants to come home, but jokes with the staff and interacts well with the other residents. 🥰 I slept a bit better last night, but it will take time to recover from five years of active caregiving.
Moved Mom into the nursing home this morning. By far the toughest thing I have ever had to do, but necessary. She was settling in a bit when I left, and I am going back with her stuff. We will get through it, but I am a zombie. With puffy eyes.
September 26, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Moved Mom into the nursing home this morning. By far the toughest thing I have ever had to do, but necessary. She was settling in a bit when I left, and I am going back with her stuff. We will get through it, but I am a zombie. With puffy eyes.
Because I do nothing by half measures, Mom’s entry day to the nursing home is Friday. Cried doing groceries. Cried washing her clothes. Cried watching her sleep in her own bed. Anyone got a tranquilizer dart gun for Friday afternoon?
September 24, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Because I do nothing by half measures, Mom’s entry day to the nursing home is Friday. Cried doing groceries. Cried washing her clothes. Cried watching her sleep in her own bed. Anyone got a tranquilizer dart gun for Friday afternoon?
Turned in all the things and am officially done at the old job. Looking forward to new adventures starting next week.
September 24, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Turned in all the things and am officially done at the old job. Looking forward to new adventures starting next week.
Just handed in my last document and will turn in all my provincial stuff tomorrow morning. Thus ends a nearly 24-year career with the Province. Leaving far earlier than I imagined, but it is to an amazing new opportunity, and I needed the change.
a cartoon of homer simpson says last day of work
ALT: a cartoon of homer simpson says last day of work
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September 24, 2025 at 12:22 AM
Just handed in my last document and will turn in all my provincial stuff tomorrow morning. Thus ends a nearly 24-year career with the Province. Leaving far earlier than I imagined, but it is to an amazing new opportunity, and I needed the change.
Two big news items in one week! First, I am leaving the Province of Nova Scotia after over 23 years to join the NS Health Authority as Manager of Emergency Preparedness for the Western Region.
Second, we got a nursing home bed for Mom. Both changes set for late September.
Second, we got a nursing home bed for Mom. Both changes set for late September.
September 6, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Two big news items in one week! First, I am leaving the Province of Nova Scotia after over 23 years to join the NS Health Authority as Manager of Emergency Preparedness for the Western Region.
Second, we got a nursing home bed for Mom. Both changes set for late September.
Second, we got a nursing home bed for Mom. Both changes set for late September.
Big changes coming to my life this fall. Just found out Mom has a bed coming in a new nursing home. We have been in active/heavy care for over three years and on this journey for 5+. Should have her settled in by end of September. Mixture of relief and sorrow.
September 5, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Big changes coming to my life this fall. Just found out Mom has a bed coming in a new nursing home. We have been in active/heavy care for over three years and on this journey for 5+. Should have her settled in by end of September. Mixture of relief and sorrow.
Spring is so often considered a time of renewal, but the fall bring change, too. Feeling change in the air as the fall approaches, and looking ahead with excitement!
September 2, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Spring is so often considered a time of renewal, but the fall bring change, too. Feeling change in the air as the fall approaches, and looking ahead with excitement!
Made keto stir fry for my roommate and tried some. It did not suck, if I do say so!
September 1, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Made keto stir fry for my roommate and tried some. It did not suck, if I do say so!
The simple joy of curling up with a cat in bed and listening to steady, wonderful, welcome rain. ❤️
August 25, 2025 at 11:09 PM
The simple joy of curling up with a cat in bed and listening to steady, wonderful, welcome rain. ❤️
Ahhh the sound of rain outside. Wonderful to hear. We need more (but not all at once)!
August 18, 2025 at 3:08 AM
Ahhh the sound of rain outside. Wonderful to hear. We need more (but not all at once)!
Someday I will enjoy a meal without continuous interrogation by a person with advanced dementia. Today was not that day. 😞
August 9, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Someday I will enjoy a meal without continuous interrogation by a person with advanced dementia. Today was not that day. 😞