The Mother and Brother report

[susandennis]

Mom is still doing better. She's not well yet, by a long shot and well is pretty relative itself. But, every day she's better. She still has someone in her room with her 24/7 and ordinarily this would make her crazy. But, I guess, even she still thinks she needs the help because she has not even hinted about wanting to get rid of the sitters.

My brother has been my savior many times where Mom's concerned. He and I struck a deal back just after Daddy died. I'd handle the day to day and the financial stuff and whenever I needed on site assistance, he would drop everything and drive the 4 hours to get there. And he always has. Without complaint and it's been great.

And now he's thinking - pretty seriously - about moving to Austin, Texas. He's thinking about buying a computer store/service franchise in Austin. His wife is from there and has family there and he's comfortable there and he's talking to two different outfits about franchises there. And he's tired of Jacksonville and working in the corporate environment.

As he points out - travel time will be about the same just a hint more expensive and he will be working for a guy who will not be so happy about his taking time off. [edit: Ok, so I'm too clever for myownself. He will be working for himself. And while his current boss is very generous letting him go when Mom needs him, when he's owning and running the shop, things will be far more tricky in the free time department. Clearer?]

I'm very torn. I know he's ready for something fun and exciting and challenging and he's ready for a move and while he got kind of a slow start in life and made some choices he'd likely reverse now if he could, he deserves a good thing. And the Mom thing will work itself out.

Comments

[frl.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for your morning updates, Susan. I really do appreciate them, as I am thinking of you and your mom on a daily basis - hoping that everything continues to improve, etc. I'm sure this is also somewhat theraputic for you too in some way.

Take care - have a great day!

[frl.livejournal.com]

BTW - I *love* your LJ layout - very simplistic and clean. Love it!

[susandennis]

Thanks!

[pookfreak.livejournal.com]

Is this sentence correct: "As he points out - travel time will be about the same just a hint more expensive and he will be working for a guy who will not be so happy about his taking time off."

Specifically the "not so happy" - should that read not so unhappy?

Travel time would be about the same regarding flights, yep. Plus Austin is a pretty great place. You might even enjoy visiting ;).

I think you've got the right attitude Susan, and you've got people in place with your mom for the immediate response stuff - Polly etc that can cover until your Brother and Trey (right?) can get there. Sounds like nothing really has to change from your Mom's point of view right?

[frl.livejournal.com]

Heh - I was wondering about that too, but I decided that she really did mean that because I assume he wouldn't really be working for himself, since he'd have to report to whomever the chain/franchise belongs to.

We'll see, as soon as she gets time to look at LJ!

:-)

[susandennis]

I fixed the entry. Basically the real problem is that it will be a lot more difficult for him to get the time away when he's got a shop to run.

'Trey' is right - you have amazing retention! And I appreciate the affirmation. I'm sure it will all be fine. And he deserves this chance and we've got coverage for Mom.

[katbyte.livejournal.com]

Austin is a great town and boy, is it growing. Should be great for your brother. Personally, I would not live in Texas again, I call it the "cartoon state", but if I chose a city, it would be Austin or San Antonio.

[katbyte.livejournal.com]

Does your mother have strong ties where she is? Could she move to Austin?

[susandennis]

Way not an option for a bascillion reasons.

[katbyte.livejournal.com]

I know I have friends who had to move their parents closer to them. They were in better shape than your mom at the time, so I know what you mean. Hubby's mother was the same, no way could we have moved her.