Never forgotten

My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of those who have died in the past year. I pray for Aylan's father and relatives, the little boy, who along with his mother and brother, drowned in the Mediterranean when their boat capsized. I remember the family and friends of one of my students, who at the young age of 20, committed suicide last week. I pray for the family and friends of the little boy with the brain tumor who also passed last Monday. I remember my two coworkers (grandmother and granddauughter) who lost a mother and daughter to cancer last month. So many empty chairs in peoples' homes. I think of those who have lost beloved pets--a horse, dog or cat. Peace and comfort to those who are burdened with the terrible weight of grief. May their loved ones live on in memories, in the whisper of the wind, in the twinkling of the stars.

In charge of my happiness

My 89 year old father likes to reminisce. When I "visit" on Tuesday (actually serve and clean up dinner) he will tell stories of his boyhood or the early years of parenting. He tells of spending the summer in a small cabin on the lake or camping in the north. I never realized that he had been offered a position that would have given him a substantial salary, but that he turned it down, becauuse he figured that less stress and family time were more important than money. He tells me of camping, "It didn't cost much money, but we had a good time." I wouldn't trade the special day last Wednesday with my mother and niece for any amount of money. We went to the nail salon and the flower shop to see the Christmas trees. Spending time with friends and family at my nephew's historical home, chatting, joking, laughing and then playing Phrase Party with my children, niece, great nieces and great nephew (10 of us playing the game) created priceless memories. A few weeks ago, I read that it is not my job to make other people happy. And this idea was reaffirmed yesterday at the Thanksgiving dinner by my sisters-in-law. I am grateful for family and friends, for the many blessings that I have. I am happy when I bundle my dogs into their sweaters and walk a mile on a sunny day or under overcast skies with rain sprinkling on me. I am outside walking past the pizza store and the chicken restaurant. I work in a shop with beautiful storefront windows. I can sip a hot carob drink with a dollop of whipped cream, with my tablet in my hand, in front of the electric fireplace. I ride my horse, Hope, (actually my teacher's horse) and trot around the arena, or trot diagonals or half circles. I learn martial arts and participate in kickfit classes. I listen to pop music on the radio. So I am content and peaceful, and in charge of my happiness.

Thanksgiving and Family Reunion

Today we celebrated Thanksgiving with my husband's family--his two brothers and their spouses and my niece, nephew and their families. My sister in law baked the turkey and I made the side dishes--butternut squash, mashed potatoes, yams, green bean casserole, fresh cranberry sauce, salad, ham rolls. In hindsight, I am glad I didn't have to deal with the turkey, because our refrigerator is not working properly. We need to call the appliance technician. After dessert, we played a rousing game of Phrase Party. Lots of noise and laughter.

Fun on a Rainy Afternoon--A Girls' Day Out!

My niece, 87 year old mother and I went on an adventure yesterday. My mother had an appointment at the nail salon for a manicure and to get her toenails cut. It was rainy--my niece got wet walking from the bus stop to the house. My dad parked his car outside so that I could drive into the garage. We bundled my mother into her coat and her rain bonnet. The wind promptly tore the bonnet off her head and we had to make a quick catch. At the salon, my niece and mother looked at nail colors. My mother chose a luxurious red shade. The nail technician was quick and efficient. My niece and I convinced my mother to get her toenails cut. She was afraid that her feet would get cold, so we asked the technician to take off one shoe and sock at a time, so mother would have only one cold foot! When her nails were dry, the nail artist carefully helped my mother into her coat and buttoned it for her. It seemed to me that this shop honors and respects the elderly. We were close to the flower shop so we stopped by to browse. Mother enjoyed looking at the ornaments on the trees, the plants and flowers in the greenhouse, the flowers in the refrigerator and the cards. All my work colleagues came to greet her and welcome her to the shop. She said, "they are very kind." Once back at the house, we had a snack as we talked about the memories we made on a rainy Wednesday afternoon.

Fears in perspective

A family in the city is celebrating their family Christmas tomorow because their little four year old boy is dying from an inoperable brain tumor. Dear family friends called the flower shop to request delivery of a table arrangement, a red and green balloon bouquet and a plush mouse that sings "Jingle Bells." Their dream is one final Christmas as a little family. Totally puts my fears in perspective. I was talking to my dad and he mentioned that he doesn't want to put my mother in a nursing home. However, to help her adjust once my dad passes, it would be wise for both of them to live in assisting living. She will then be set when my dad moves to the other side. My father said he will think about a plan the first of the year. It makes me sad to consider this conversation. Last times are so painful--the last vacation up north, the last Thanksgiving and Christmas at my parents' home. But I can't be sad because I have been truly blessed. I have had my parents for many, many years unlike this family who are facing losing their son at four years old.

Enjoying university family day

Yesterday, my husband,son and I drove about 50 miles away to spend time with our daughter who is a junior at the university. Originally we had planned to eat lunch at her sorority house, but decided to walk to a nearby restaurant. We sat on stools at a high top table--cheesy macaroni and crack fries for my daughter, a hamburger for my son, cobb salad for my husband, and a quesadilla for me! Yum! We then drove to the bowling alley where a private room was reserved. My low scores were a clear indication that I hadn't bowled in years and years. And my husband, who bowls on a Monday night league, had trouble with his shoes sticking to the floor. Fortunately he didn't catapault himself down the lane. My son and daughter bowled well. We had to check out a new candy shop and buy some caramel apples and chocolate almonds. We returned to my daughter's apartment to watch the football game. My daughter served cheese and crackers, tostitos and salsa, tea and coffee. We had a memorable day together.

Headachey from sugar withdrawal

So I have decided, for the millionth time, to eat clean which of course means giving up sugar. I have to get a handle on this sugar addiction. Yesterday, I had a dull achey head. I felt sure that I had a brain tumor, or sinus infection. Then the light bulb went on. I remember many years ago when I stopped drinking caffeinated coffee and had a headache, like you wouldn't believe. I'm guesing that the pain in my head is a withdrawal symptom from giving up sugar. I'm handling the pain with acetiminophen. My blood pressure has been wacky too, probably from the pain in my head. I downloaded an ebook with some clean recipes. Fine and dandy except that the recipes are loaded with carbs and cholesterol. It is so difficult to balance proper calcium intake, carbs and cholesterol, foods that help with blood pressure. Such a puzzle. My husband is on board too, wants to get his BMI down. To help with my blood pressure, I am going to power walk, breathe deeply for 5 minutes twice a day, eat potassium rich food (sweet potatoes, tomatoes, kidney beans, potatoes), watch sodium intake, drink hibiscus tea, relax with music, and drink soy. Wish us luck!