Thursday, March 7, 2024

Is This the End? Maybe.

A long time ago (it's been more than 20 years!) a young-ish wife and mother discovered the world of blogging. Blogging was in its infancy back then. It was exciting and new. It opened a whole new world of possibilities and friendships to that young woman. Blogging gave her a voice and a creative outlet and she loved it from the moment she first sat looking at that flashing cursor and wondered what to write.

The years that have followed have been filled with ups and downs. Friendships have formed. People have come and gone from the blogging world and from her life. Some people moved into the realm of Facebook friends or even "real life" friends. Her heart has celebrated great moments in the lives of her blogging friends, prayed and cried through their tragedies, and smiled through the everyday moments. At the same time, she has benefitted from the support, love, wisdom, and prayers of those same friends.

Something has changed. It's been brewing for a while now, but the thing that once gave her such joy, that she couldn't wait to get to each day...it stopped doing that. It became just one more thing on her to-do list and thus felt more like a chore. It became a burden. The blank page that once excited her with its possibilities began to depress her as she struggled to think of anything she felt like putting down in words. In other words, her blogging mojo packed its bags and left.

That's where I find myself tonight. The thought of leaving blogging for good leaves me feeling anxious after all these years so I am not saying a hard goodbye. I am taking a break and saying goodbye "for now." Will I be back? I can't say. The blog will stay up so I can find all of you and visit from time to time and many of you are Facebook friends so we won't lose touch.

Thank you for all the years of visits, support, laughs, advice, insight, and friendship and love. 
 

Monday, March 4, 2024

Currently

I am...

Reading... I Used to Be Fun by Melanie Summers.

Watching... Stupid Pet Tricks. I don't like Sarah Silverman, but, hey, cute animals.

Feeling... a lot of pain. The knee (actually the whole leg) is not doing well.

Thinking... about my upcoming appointment with the orthopedic doctor (March 25), hoping the leg doesn't get any worse before then and that they find what's wrong and it's a (relatively) easy fix. Like, no surgery or anything like that!

Grateful... I finally got everything completed to do some companion work with one of my regular consumers. It's only 5 hours per week so not too bad.

Celebrating... "St. Peaster Day" or something like that. Work has decided (after we decorated the whole multi-purpose room for St. Patrick's Day) that we are only going to have ONE party for St. Patrick's Day and Easter this year and it will be held on March 21. At home we'll be enjoying the traditional corned beef dinner on St. Patrick's Day.

Enjoying... unseasonably beautiful weather. The kiddos have been playing outside as much as possible and at work we ate lunch on the deck today and plan to again tomorrow.

Looking forward to... another auction with my mom this Saturday and a huge basket bash on Sunday.

Giggling at...













 









Monday, February 26, 2024

Currently

Reading... The Murderous Type by Sue Minix. It's the second book in the Bookstore Mystery series.

Watching... nothing worth mentioning.

Thinking... about staying off the laptop except for one day a week (maybe two). It's such a time waster. I get absorbed and next thing I know way too much time has passed. There are so many better ways to use my time.

Feeling... annoyed. We heard from our tax preparer tonight. Between me working full-time and the raises we've both gotten over the past year, our income jumped significantly and that threw us into a new tax bracket. We thought that with what we have taken out in taxes and what we put in our retirement funds we'd be okay. Nope. We owe. Thankfully, it isn't a huge amount, but in order to avoid paying next year Tim will have to put a lot more into his 401K. Makes you wonder when enough is enough.

Celebrating... nothing really, so I guess I'll go with our grandson getting his first real dirt bike this weekend.


Grateful... a trip to the tire center was quick, easy, and inexpensive. The left front tire on my vehicle has had a slow leak since last week. Tim never got around to dealing with it over the weekend so I had to spend my break today calling around to find a place that had time to take care of it after I got off work. The one I finally chose took my vehicle in as soon as I arrived, discovered a screw in the tire, removed it and patched the tire. I was done and back on the road in 30 minutes and it only cost $31!

Enjoying... Seagram's new "fruit splash" ginger ale. It's cherry flavored and so yummy.

Looking forward... to going to an auction this coming Saturday with my mom and Tim.

Giggling at...


Our granddaughter wearing one 
of the Maine Coons as a scarf.

 





And that's it this week. I'm tired and going to call it a night. Have a blessed week, friends!




Friday, February 23, 2024

Saturday 9: Shambala

Yay! This is my favorite Three Dog Night song, but I have to say I actually like Toby Keith's cover of it better. Either way, a great song. Feel free to join in the fun here.

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) This week's song refers to the mythical kingdom of Shambala. Can you think of another song that mentions to faraway, mythical land?  Xanadu is the only one I can think of.

2) "Shambala" is performed by Three Dog Night. The name is derived from an Aboriginal Australian legend. In the outback, hunters would sleep with a dog beside them. If it was very cold, they would sleep between two dogs. If it was freezing -- you guessed it -- it was a three dog night. Was it cold last night where you are?  Cold is sort of relative. For us it was not that cold, only in the low 40's. For some of you down south or out on the west coast that is probably cold.

3) The lead singer is the late Cory Wells. Early in his career he was a member of the house band at the famous Sunset Strip nightclub Whiskey-A-Go-Go. Cory was a bit of an anomaly at "The Whiskey" because of his sober lifestyle. When did you most recently enjoy an adult beverage?  Uh-mmm....New Year's Eve, I think.

4) Bandmate Danny Hutton auditioned to be a member of The Monkees TV show. He didn't get the part. While he was a talented singer-songwriter, NBC was looking for musicians who could also act. Have you ever fantasized about a career as a performer?  Maybe as a kid, but never seriously. I really don't enjoy getting up in front of people.

5) Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys was an early supporter of Three Dog Night's. What's your favorite Beach Boys song?  



6) In 1973, when this song was popular, one of the best-selling toys Curious George plush doll packaged with a Curious George book. Can you recall a favorite book from your childhood?  I was a voracious reader even as a kid, but a few standouts are Dr. Goat, The Big Tidy Up, We Were Tired of Living in a House, Anna Karina and the Box...and later I couldn't get enough of Margeurite Henry's horse books, The Black Stallion series, and all of the mystery series like Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, and Trixie Beldon.

7) The Exorcist was in theaters, terrifying audiences. It's still ranked among the scariest movies of all time. Have you seen it? Did it scare you?  Nope, haven't seen and never intend to see it.

8) Roller skates were a big seller in 1973. While most rinks had skates available for rent, committed skaters had their own pair. Are you better on roller skates or ice skates?  I stink at both, but slightly less so on roller skates.

9) Random question -- Here's $100. What will you spend it on?  Probably books or something for the grandchildren.

Thursday, February 22, 2024

Thankful Thursday: There Is Always Something to Be Thankful About

It's been a rough week at work.

If you remember, I shared in my previous post about "Artimus," one of my clients. He collapsed in the hallway on Monday and quickly became unresponsive. CPR was begun and it continued for close to half an hour and was still being given when the EMT's loaded him up and took him to the hospital. He had shown no response at that point. We learned via a text from our boss that night that he was in ICU on a respirator.

I am thankful we have trained people on staff who were able to help "Artimus" almost right away.

I am thankful for the EMT's and firemen who responded to the 911 call.

Yesterday we learned that "Artimus" had had to be resuscitated again Tuesday evening. We also learned that a brain scan showed no activity. "Artimus's" only relative, a sister living in Texas, put a Do Not Resuscitate order in place after that.

Today we learned that "Artimus" passed away last night. He was an organ donor and they kept him on the respirator until his sister arrived to say goodbye and to remove the viable organs.

I am thankful the sister did not prolong his life.

I am thankful that "Artimus," who loved to give to others was able to keep giving even in his death.

I am thankful that by this morning his liver had already been transplanted into someone in Ohio.

We also found that those of us who were with "Artimus" in the moments leading up to Monday's collapse and in the moments following would have to speak to an investigator today. Nerves were frayed and it didn't help that one of the bosses was basically telling us what to say...which was a lie. Caseworkers continue to flood the place during lunch to observe. (From what I can gather, it's unclear whether "Artimus" aspirated and that caused a heart attack or if he had a heart attack and then aspirated.) 

I am thankful the investigator was very nice and told us up front he was not investigating us, but rather the company and employees who ran the group home "Artimus" lived in.

I am thankful I was able to tell the truth and still protect my employer and my coworker who was "Artimus's" staff that day.

The big boss told all the clients today about "Artimus's" passing and told us there will be no funeral because the sister is the only family there is. However, his sister asked if there could be a memorial service for him at work tomorrow, because he loved his job and his friends and staff there.

I am thankful his sister thought to do a memorial service. 

I am thankful those who probably knew "Artimus" best will have the chance to gather to remember and say goodbye.

I am glad tomorrow will be the end of a long, rough week. 








Monday, February 19, 2024

Currently

Sitting here cuddled up with Daisy and enjoying the glow of the electric fireplace once again. Our mild temperatures went away rather quickly and we woke up to 6 inches of snow Saturday morning. Most of it has melted and the mercury is beginning to climb again, at least during the days. Tonight, however, it's going down to 19 degrees. I'm trying not to complain as we are supposed to see highs in the 60's next week.

As for other things I'm currently doing...

Reading...Hidden Beneath: A Maine Clambake Mystery by Barbara Ross.

Watching...American Idol's new season began last night. Lots of amazing talent, but where are the awful auditions? Those were a big part of the fun. I miss them.

Thinking...about "Artimus," one of my regular clients at work. He collapsed in the hallway after lunch today. When we turned him over he was bleeding badly from his nose and was rather blue and/or purple. Initially he responded but quickly went unresponsive and CPR was begun. 911 was called. First responders took over from our staff and worked on him for a good while there in the hallway before loading him up and taking him to the hospital. CPR was never stopped and we all feared the worst. I received a text this evening saying he was in ICU on a respirator so there is still hope.

Feeling...wrung out. It was a tough day. That aside, I feel the most like my old self that I have since before I got sick.

Celebrating...God's goodness, for one thing and the fact that we finally found a new front door to replace the one that's never really fit tightly and that split when they took it off the hinges during the new refrigerator adventure and it fell flat on the porch.

Grateful...Tim's bloodwork was good except for his cholesterol being a little high (but down from the last time). The doctor told his chances of a heart attack in the next 10 years is only about 7%. He also told him that if he'd lose about 100 pounds he'd feel a whole lot better. 

Enjoying...the longer days, but still liking the cozy evenings at home.

Looking forward to...my appointment with the orthopedic doctor on March 25. My feet and hip don't hurt as much as they used to, but there is definitely something wrong with my knee.

Giggling at...

































Thursday, February 15, 2024

Thankful Thursday

This week has gone by very quickly and I find it hard to believe that we are already coming up on Friday. I'm tired and will be heading to bed soon, but first, a few things I am thankful for this week.

** A nice dinner out with Tim to celebrate Valentine's Day. I convinced him not to go to the super popular restaurant at the airport. Instead, we went to a restaurant that is less than a mile from home. We enjoyed a quieter, less crowded atmosphere and the food was delicious. We both ordered a seafood pasta dish that was portioned so generously that we had plenty left over for lunches today.

** The Valentine's Day party at work is behind us. It is a HUGE amount of work for the department I work in, but it was a big success and the consumers loved it and had a great time. Since I am unable to dance with my knee being such a problem these days, I acted as DJ for the afternoon and had a great time taking requests and making dedications.

** Tuesday's big snow storm missed us completely and hit to the east of us on the other side of the mountains.

** Our daughter and her husband scheduled an appointment with a marriage counselor for next week. It's very much needed. Please keep them in prayer.

** My new sneakers (Brooks) do help a lot with my foot pain. My feet really don't hurt unless I'm standing in one place for a long time. It's the knee that's the problem now. One problem solved.

** Tim has been getting home at about the same time I do nearly every day. He hasn't been working Saturday's, either. It's only because the new projects won't start up until March, but I'll take it...and he won't admit it, but I think he's enjoying it.

** Oliver, my shy kitty, is taking more chances. He still doesn't come out when we are all up, but he isn't being as careful about staying out of Daisy's sight when he comes running to greet me in the bathroom. He is so desperate for my love and attention that I have hope that one of these days he will just get over it and come out.

And that's where I'm going to quit tonight. God is good and life is good. I am blessed.



Is This the End? Maybe.

A long time ago (it's been more than 20 years!) a young-ish wife and mother discovered the world of blogging. Blogging was in its infanc...