Welcome!

A place for family and friends to see what I'm up to. Visitors welcome here.

Hail Guest, we ask not what thou art.
If Friend, we greet thee, hand and heart.
If Stranger, such no longer be.
If Foe, our love will conquer thee.
-Old Welsh Door Verse

Friday, January 22, 2010

Busy Week.

Ouch. Ouch. Ouch.

I had my appointment with the orthopod this week. This is him.

He said he thinks I have a slipped (herniated) disc. I had x-rays that showed arthritis in both knees (right is worse but I didn't go in for that). Also have slight scoliosis (probably from carrying my purse on the same shoulder for 40 years) and arthritis developing in my spine. "Nothing is jumping out" at him, though, so I have an MRI scheduled for Wednesday.

DS2 has been renovating the yard. Weeding, repairing. I also did some finishing up in the fairy garden. The retainer is finally done (which is probably what aggravated my back/leg problems). Am excited, though, 'cause it looks good. There's nothing more exciting to a gardener than a clean slate.

It actually looks a little better than this now. I was able to fill in the bed before the rains started. I've planned hollyhocks and sweet peas here (although they may not grow well because there isn't all-day sun). Toward the back yard will be aesclepias for the Monarchs. And as soon as Costco gets in their recycled tire mulch I'll finish the floor.

Ordered some perennials from Annie's Annuals for the front yard. Two geum, a lupine and three apricot poppies. For now, though, they have to wait patiently for warmer temps and a let-up in the rain (can they hang in my window until March?)


Today was Hump Day at school. As of 3:10 this afternoon my school year is half over. Hope the rest of the year goes by as quickly as the first half.

I've lost over 10 pounds.

No decision other than to emotionally remove myself from the difficult situation for now. Felt better once I realized it is OK to not give a rip.

DS1 and DIL due tomorrow for a visit.

Taking Monday off to drive my dad for a biopsy of something growing on a nerve in his back.

Saw Princess and the Frog this week (after my ortho appointment). It may be my new favorite Disney animated movie.

Enjoyed a therapeutic phone conversation with an old friend afterward. Can't say enough for good friends.



Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Dark Times.

This week is not going so well.

Hoping to have some time in the garden this weekend. Or to do some scrapbooking. Maybe taking down the Christmas decorations.

Stitching is out for the time being because the dog is very interested in whatever I do when I sit in that particular chair (ie. slobber all over everything).

Hanging in there is about all I can manage right now.

Saturday, January 09, 2010

Oops.

Apparently yesterday was my blogoversary.

Four years.

I really need to get my times in balance. Some time here. Some time on facebook. They both have value to me but so far I haven't developed good habits with either.

Don't know why I think that should be different than anything else, though. Eighteen years and I still don't have good habits with school chores. We'll have been in this house 36 years in March and I still don't have good habits with housework and yardwork. And I have a ton (literally!) of scrapbooks, papers, stickers and photographs that I really do want to meld together into a history (honest!). Not to mention the collection of stitchery charts and supplies, fabric and patterns and other craft supplies that I want to see develop into something of beauty.

Sigh.

Wednesday, January 06, 2010

Still OK.

Sunset yesterday from our back fence.

School is going OK. With a couple of exceptions, students are behaving OK.

Got my car serviced. I've had the same mechanic for 25 years and trust him completely. I asked him to check the brake rotors because the car rattled whenever I put on the brakes. I needed all new rotors. And a new battery. And new wipers. And new shocks, but those will have to wait until the next servicing. Another major bump on my credit card, but I feel safer. So it's OK.

Still wrestling with some dark, difficult feelings and a difficult decision, but nothing will happen for a couple of years anyway, so it's OK.

Got an appointment with an orthopod to get my achy hips checked out. Came recommended by two people, on of whom said, "He has no bedside manner at all but really knows his stuff." I just want answers, not a boyfriend, so that's OK.

Dodger is almost a year old and has really calmed down. That is very OK.

I'm so grateful to my friends. My school friends, my blog friends, my facebook friends. Thank you for being my friends. You are all so much better than OK.

Monday, January 04, 2010

It was OK.

I'll be happy with that.