I have discovered the value of baby steps. When I take big steps I need a whole day to recover. When I take baby steps I gain ground. So lately I work for shorter periods of time and then rest. It seems to be helping. In a few days it will be a year since I got sick with what was thought initially to be H1N1.
Looking back over the last year I find that I have learned some things.
1. The body heals as fast as it wants to heal.
2. When the body is really sick, the brain shuts down to slow.
3. People really, really care about me. Thanks folks:D
4. When one doesn't use muscle it converts to fat.
5. When muscle converts to fat, one becomes very weak.
6. Baby steps are very useful.
7. I like to wear pajamas all day long if I'm not going out.
8. Bob likes to be dressed even if he isn't going out and doesn't feel good.
9. Knowing where your comfort zone lies is very important.
10. Staying thankful keeps one's attitude in the right place.
I've learned a lot more, but those are the things that come to mind on this particular day of my life. I'm so happy to be better even if it isn't all the way well. Better means I can go to church, I can drive myself to a doctor's appointment, I can go on short shopping trips, and I can have short work sessions in the yard. I'm still working up to going on walks and daily exercise, but the yard work counts as exercise, so I have begun some exercise.
The final thing I want to share that I have learned is that I am the one in charge of my life and that what I do ultimately reflects in who I am. Becoming stronger is a big goal for me because I want my life to last for a long time. Being strong and eating healthy are two important things that I get to choose. To choose something, one has to take action, and I'm taking action.
Thanks to everyone for all of the love and care over this past year. All of you are why I try hard to do my best, but especially for Bob and Aimee and John and Sam. I love you all.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Sunday, August 22, 2010
TO MY FANS
It has been a long time since I've posted. I've spent much of it sleeping and not understanding why my body hadn't healed. The last visit to my doctor indicated that I had 10 times more inflammation going on in my body than the highest normal level. I guess that takes energy to heal which is why I needed so much sleep. Time will get me back to creativity.
We have planted a few new items in the yard, the most pleasant of which is a hardy gardenia. As we walk by the path to the front door or get out of the car near the garage the fragrance is overwhelmingly lovely. It seems to like its new home and is busy making new blossoms. It is evergreen which will be a nice change in the spot in which it is located.
I love you all - you already knew that- and especially to my niece Jennie I express condolences on losing her lovely pink hair because of a woman that doesn't understand the beautiful individual that she stands in authority over. May you shine pink inside Jennie.
We have planted a few new items in the yard, the most pleasant of which is a hardy gardenia. As we walk by the path to the front door or get out of the car near the garage the fragrance is overwhelmingly lovely. It seems to like its new home and is busy making new blossoms. It is evergreen which will be a nice change in the spot in which it is located.
I love you all - you already knew that- and especially to my niece Jennie I express condolences on losing her lovely pink hair because of a woman that doesn't understand the beautiful individual that she stands in authority over. May you shine pink inside Jennie.
Monday, August 02, 2010
YARD WORK
Whew! Yesterday was planting day. I know, August 1 is the WRONG time of year to plant, but this body couldn't do it before this. I began by digging up some Hostas and replanting a hardy Gardenia in a sunny spot. The Hostas on that side of the garage got too much sun and burned every year. Then I had Bob dig up more Hostas for planting three large Hydrangea bushes. They will be semi shade and should be a beautiful color for this time of the year for years to come. Then we headed to the back yard and replanted all of the Hostas into the shade around our back patio. We already had some there and wanted to fill in a lot of open space that was always invitation to weeds.
We have hundreds of Hostas in our yard and all of them need dividing. Fall is a much better time for that project. I also rescue baby Sword Ferns from the drainage ditch at the top of our driveway every year and transplant them to useful areas. With the right conditions they can grow into large shrubs.
Little by little we make progress in our yard. Cut back lilacs and rhododendrons. Cut down dying fruit trees, plant more trees that can survive the conditions, plant day lilys (hundreds of them free from Craigslist), divide Lily of the Valley, transplant ferns, cut back Camellias, sweep off the deck, sweep off the deck, sweep off the deck, rest a little, sweep off the deck again.
Today I'm going to paint some medallions on our front door that is plain Jane dark brown. I'll use some metallics to give it some punch and I'm pretty sure BLUE will be involved. For those who don't know, all of my planting pots are blue. I'm a blue freak. I always thought my favorite color was purple, but it is becoming evident that my favorite is blue.
This morning - sore muscles, but I'm getting stronger all the time. Thanks to all who have prayed for my recovery from a long illness.
We have hundreds of Hostas in our yard and all of them need dividing. Fall is a much better time for that project. I also rescue baby Sword Ferns from the drainage ditch at the top of our driveway every year and transplant them to useful areas. With the right conditions they can grow into large shrubs.
Little by little we make progress in our yard. Cut back lilacs and rhododendrons. Cut down dying fruit trees, plant more trees that can survive the conditions, plant day lilys (hundreds of them free from Craigslist), divide Lily of the Valley, transplant ferns, cut back Camellias, sweep off the deck, sweep off the deck, sweep off the deck, rest a little, sweep off the deck again.
Today I'm going to paint some medallions on our front door that is plain Jane dark brown. I'll use some metallics to give it some punch and I'm pretty sure BLUE will be involved. For those who don't know, all of my planting pots are blue. I'm a blue freak. I always thought my favorite color was purple, but it is becoming evident that my favorite is blue.
This morning - sore muscles, but I'm getting stronger all the time. Thanks to all who have prayed for my recovery from a long illness.
Monday, June 28, 2010
CALENDAR
I looked at my calendar tonight and I have (for now) nothing scheduled for the next three weeks. NOTHING! That means I can garden and sew and do art to my heart's content. I could even start cooking again!
CRITTERS
We have lots of little critters roaming and flying and crawling about our property. It's God's property, not ours, but we live here and manage it for him. We always say the cats own the house, they just let us live here. Yahoo can open all of the cupboards and doors in the house, including the doors going outside. The only one she can't manage is the sliding door and she has been working on that one.
Back to the critters. Last week we had our septic tank pumped. I'm sure it doesn't take much imagination to know that it is a smelly and disgusting job, but somebody has to do it. I chose not to observe that process except from indoors. A day later another two guys came to put risers onto the tank so that next time we don't have to dig the space of two coffins. It was cool to watch, but I left when the smelly part got opened. So, we have these darling little centipedes that are black with yellow spots on their sides. I've held them in my hand numerous times and they curl up and then start crawling. It tickles but is not scary. In fact my 18 month old grandson held one. They are literally all over and I'm sure there is something wonderful that they do for the earth. The guy that took the smelly lid off saw them and freaked out. I mean he was moving back away from them and he got all hebe jebe from them. I think they are cute. He was going to step on them and I encouraged him not to. They just live here and don't harm a thing. This was a big tough septic tank guy afraid of a little centipede. He may be in the wrong business because centipedes are everywhere.
So far I haven't seen a snake, but I've seen ants both large and small, gnats and midges of all kinds, slugs and very few snails, butterflies, moths, spiders, bunnies, deer, bobcat, cougar and have heard coyote. We have had brief encounters with neighborhood cats and with raccoons. I've seen no evidence of opossum. There are numerous birds and we even had chickadees nest in our house this year. I'm pretty much a keep it natural girl. I don't like spiders snakes, but I can deal with them. I don't hold the fast moving centipedes because they are in a hurry.
So folks, who is the brave one here? The septic guy or the little grandma? By the way I saw a baby centipede today and when they first hatch they are pale green. Cute little guy.
Back to the critters. Last week we had our septic tank pumped. I'm sure it doesn't take much imagination to know that it is a smelly and disgusting job, but somebody has to do it. I chose not to observe that process except from indoors. A day later another two guys came to put risers onto the tank so that next time we don't have to dig the space of two coffins. It was cool to watch, but I left when the smelly part got opened. So, we have these darling little centipedes that are black with yellow spots on their sides. I've held them in my hand numerous times and they curl up and then start crawling. It tickles but is not scary. In fact my 18 month old grandson held one. They are literally all over and I'm sure there is something wonderful that they do for the earth. The guy that took the smelly lid off saw them and freaked out. I mean he was moving back away from them and he got all hebe jebe from them. I think they are cute. He was going to step on them and I encouraged him not to. They just live here and don't harm a thing. This was a big tough septic tank guy afraid of a little centipede. He may be in the wrong business because centipedes are everywhere.
So far I haven't seen a snake, but I've seen ants both large and small, gnats and midges of all kinds, slugs and very few snails, butterflies, moths, spiders, bunnies, deer, bobcat, cougar and have heard coyote. We have had brief encounters with neighborhood cats and with raccoons. I've seen no evidence of opossum. There are numerous birds and we even had chickadees nest in our house this year. I'm pretty much a keep it natural girl. I don't like spiders snakes, but I can deal with them. I don't hold the fast moving centipedes because they are in a hurry.
So folks, who is the brave one here? The septic guy or the little grandma? By the way I saw a baby centipede today and when they first hatch they are pale green. Cute little guy.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
THINK OF ME AS STEEPING TEA
I've been horribly absent from my website. My heart just hasn't been here. Thursday my cousin LeRoy Kreiger died. His wife has watched her brother die, her mother of cancer, her father of something unknown, her daughter of Hodgkin's disease, and now her husband of colon cancer that metastasised. I've known he was being overcome by the disease but to the end he remained hopeful. He was fine man, husband and father as well as funny, hysterically funny, kind, generous and fund to be around. So is Elaine. What a tremendous loss for her after losing so many of her family.
I have also been playing catch up on medical appointments that I was too sick to make last fall and this spring. There are usually two or three a week and by the time I drive there, wait for the appointment, get through with it and get back home the day is gone and I'm tired.
I always try to do my best to spread happiness and kindness throughout my life with the people I meet, but these last few months have taxed my positive attitude.
Our deer was back to eat the columbine seeds, but just one deer. Last time there were two. Mom must have sent the yearling out on her own.
The chickadees from the birdhouse outside our kitchen patio door have fledged, leaving one little dead one behind. I fear he suffocated because there were so many - at least five or six plus two parents. I also found a completely perfect robin's egg the other day. Nature always astounds me. We walk around the yard and find things that put icing on the cake that is our life. We have little black centipedes with yellow spots that are everywhere. They are so sweet and we can pick them up and they crawl on our hands. They seem like little friends.
Our spring has been so late this year because of the temperatures. I am still fearful to put my basil out. I may just keep it in my garden window. It gets plenty of light there. My orchid is putting on a blossom stem and I'm so excited. This has never happened for me before. I was just about to throw it out when I noticed the little bud. How cool is that?
So folks, that's my life in a nutshell for the last several weeks. I hope yours had more happiness and less tragedy.
I have also been playing catch up on medical appointments that I was too sick to make last fall and this spring. There are usually two or three a week and by the time I drive there, wait for the appointment, get through with it and get back home the day is gone and I'm tired.
I always try to do my best to spread happiness and kindness throughout my life with the people I meet, but these last few months have taxed my positive attitude.
Our deer was back to eat the columbine seeds, but just one deer. Last time there were two. Mom must have sent the yearling out on her own.
The chickadees from the birdhouse outside our kitchen patio door have fledged, leaving one little dead one behind. I fear he suffocated because there were so many - at least five or six plus two parents. I also found a completely perfect robin's egg the other day. Nature always astounds me. We walk around the yard and find things that put icing on the cake that is our life. We have little black centipedes with yellow spots that are everywhere. They are so sweet and we can pick them up and they crawl on our hands. They seem like little friends.
Our spring has been so late this year because of the temperatures. I am still fearful to put my basil out. I may just keep it in my garden window. It gets plenty of light there. My orchid is putting on a blossom stem and I'm so excited. This has never happened for me before. I was just about to throw it out when I noticed the little bud. How cool is that?
So folks, that's my life in a nutshell for the last several weeks. I hope yours had more happiness and less tragedy.
Thursday, June 03, 2010
I REMEMBER
Recently I read a friends blog and the words I remember triggered an exercise that I used to do for creative writing. It was writing about our memories.
I remember family reunions, both as a child and as an adult. As a child I was just the cute little tow head that everybody wanted to hold or twirl around. As an adult I began to realize the strong connection of family and how we change from year to year. Aunt Mary many times brought her amazing apple cake, somebody always brought a box of fruit, Dave and Dar were the experts at watermelon, carving ornate baskets from the rind. Over the years their skills have definitely improved. There were many times weddings that substituted for family reunions, and many times there were an enormous amount of people coming from long distances. Sometimes Fred and Ester were able to come all the way from Estonia (a Baltic nation of the former Soviet Union). We have lost two of Mom's brothers and a couple of years ago was the first time that Mom and Dad missed the reunion because Dad had fallen and broken several bones.
Family reunions aren't about all the good food everybody brings. They are about the love and fellowship and caring that goes on and on in a most wonderful family. It is about games and water play and sunshine and lemonade. It is about new babies and the joy of watching them play together and of course we also see wrinkles appear more pronounced on all of us. It is a snapshot of the passage of life. I'm so thankful for this family.
My family lives far away and most of the children live far away, so those family reunions are long between each other, but just as special because we see a toddler become a young man and a young man become a loving a patient father. Pay attention at your next family reunion and see the time pass in a snapshot.
I remember family reunions, both as a child and as an adult. As a child I was just the cute little tow head that everybody wanted to hold or twirl around. As an adult I began to realize the strong connection of family and how we change from year to year. Aunt Mary many times brought her amazing apple cake, somebody always brought a box of fruit, Dave and Dar were the experts at watermelon, carving ornate baskets from the rind. Over the years their skills have definitely improved. There were many times weddings that substituted for family reunions, and many times there were an enormous amount of people coming from long distances. Sometimes Fred and Ester were able to come all the way from Estonia (a Baltic nation of the former Soviet Union). We have lost two of Mom's brothers and a couple of years ago was the first time that Mom and Dad missed the reunion because Dad had fallen and broken several bones.
Family reunions aren't about all the good food everybody brings. They are about the love and fellowship and caring that goes on and on in a most wonderful family. It is about games and water play and sunshine and lemonade. It is about new babies and the joy of watching them play together and of course we also see wrinkles appear more pronounced on all of us. It is a snapshot of the passage of life. I'm so thankful for this family.
My family lives far away and most of the children live far away, so those family reunions are long between each other, but just as special because we see a toddler become a young man and a young man become a loving a patient father. Pay attention at your next family reunion and see the time pass in a snapshot.
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