2015

May the New Year 2015 bring you peace, health, happiness and prosperity! As far as New Year resolutions, mine last about 1 minute, but right at the top is compassion, understanding and closeness to my 70 year old husband, listening better and eating cleanly beginning Jan 2nd.

A Journey of Changes and Challenges

Today at church, the presider told a story of a couple married 28 years who are dealing with memory loss. Brain tumors have caused the memory loss similar to stage 2 Alzheimer's. The couple has decided that their goal is to stay together. My husband and I have been married almost 40 years (in April). He is 7 years older than me. He deals with heart disease, arthritis, aches, pains, shortness of breath, hearing impairment, tiredness and memory loss. I was speaking with someone and he immediately recognized that my husband's lack of hearing and the misunderstandings caused by it and other issues make me angry. And once my situation was recognized, I was and am at peace. It is difficult to adjust to the changes that advancing years bring on. So today at church I heard, "that marriage is a journey of changes and challenges. I am trying to be understanding, helpful, supportive, anticipatory and loving as I continue on this marriage journey of changes and challenges.

Getting the hang of trotting

Last Tuesday, clouds low in the sky, I drove to the stable. I brought homemade sugar cookies and a candy cane for my riding instructor, and carrots, apple and a candy cane for Tamarra, my mare (well, not my mare, but the horse I ride.) I rode around the arena a few times, making sure to keep the horse's nose to the wall when another horse trotted past. I practiced trotting at the end of a lunge rope, and I balanced pretty well, and had a fun and productive lesson. Ha! I had to stop at the store for butter and flowers and other items. It was the Tuesday before Christmas, so the lines were long, but I managed to get out in record time. My husband, two of the three daughters, and one of three sons attended the Christmas Eve service. On Christmas morning the entire family of eight was together to open gifts and share a big breakfast. We then went to my parents to spend a few hours and share a meal. No Christmas is perfect. The cat had an accident on the boxes containing my son's gifts. Fortunately nothing was ruined. And after celebrating Christmas and enjoying some wine, my son and daughter thought it would be a good idea to change their Dad's TV program which sent him stomping down the stairs in fury. Today I am tired, but took down the Christmas ornaments and decorations at the store and packed them away. Had to deal with an irritating customer. She came in to pick up an order and when I went to get it, she said "What's that? What's the name on it?" For her wedding enjoyment, I hope she mellows out before the ceremony, otherwise she is not going to have a good time. Trying to begin eating healthy again--hope to have a glucose check the first part of February.

Scooter 2, a wild cat

For the past few weeks, I have been feeding a stray cat that is wandering the neighborhood. Every morning, Scooter 2 waits in a little lump on the other side of the fence. Normally, I feed the cat 9 Lives, but one day I was out of cat food, so came with a can of tuna. Once I opened the can, the cat danced around, tentatively came near, and couldn't wait to dip into the fish. She still frightens easily if I change positions. Last year, my husband brought home Scooter 1 (all our wild cats are Scooters). Scooter wintered with us and then took off once the weather became warm. So, I hope Scooter 2 will trust me and let me pet her, learn that humans can be good cat people. It will take a lot of patience and hard work.

Difficult customer

At work, I went into the back to wash my hands and headed into the office to heat the clam chowder in the microwave. I came out of the office with the chowder a couple minutes later to discover a customer standing at the counter! She told me that "you walked right by me! and I wondered if you can hear." I honestly didn't see or hear her or I wouldn't have walked by her. She wanted to look at funeral arrangements, so I brought our website up. Of course twice she told me that I was scrolling too fast. I forgot the scripts on the order and had to reprint the receipts. She complained about the difficulty getting into the flower shop. I turned down the radio and am staying up front so I can see if a customer comes in. However it is necessary to go into the office periodically and there is always the chance someone could come in.

Enjoying the Christmas Season!

My daughter flew in for one night to attend her best friend's wedding. They have been friends since they were six years old. She is in charge of decorations so tomorrow around 3pm, she will pick up 10 small and 6 poinsettias from the flower shop. So far this Christmas season, I have had lunch with my hair stylist and my friend who lives in the group home. I have attended various church services. I sent out Christmas cards, shopped online, wrapped some gifts. I put up the outside Christmas lights and set up and decorated the Christmas tree. I also decorated the living room. After spending an hour setting up my winter village, enjoyed it for three seconds, then have the entire village in disarray due to a feline, I decided on an alternative plan. I set up various mementos from the various countries my family has visited--France, England, Spain, Germany, Italy, Costa Rica, Korea, Japan and Peru, and placed them about the room with a note "Merry Christmas" in the language. I placed a small vase in the flower shop with the handmade bookmarks made by my friend. I sold two of them today. The money will be used for her trip to Frankenmuth with the club.

Guests went home

All our company has left. My daughter headed up to university this morning. She is not feeling well--temperature and cough so was considering visiting the clinic. A short reprieve from guests as the semester will be over in a week or so. My son and his friend visited both sides of the family and had a work reunion from back in the day. He saw 50 relatives and 20 friends. I am tired today as I fell asleep early last night, then woke about 11:30 pm. I didn't fall asleep until 2 or so. Morning came early. It will be good to get back on track--walking the dogs and counting carbs. I have been eating cookies and candy canes.