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!

An Evening With My Husband

I called my husband from work and asked him if he might like to go on some errands with me after I came home from work and walked the dogs. Amazingly, he said he would. I came home, harnessed and leashed the dogs, and we (well, the dogs) gamboled and frolicked around the fields. We had a great time, but darkness fell, making me think that today I might carry a flashlight. We hopped in my car and headed to Staples, an office supply store. I want to give my dad a copy of his family tree, but the trouble is that the font is too small on an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper. The copy needs to be enlarged. I am expecting a call today with my options. We then headed to Big Lots to buy some Hongar dipping oil to give to my brother and sister and their spouses for Christmas. The sets are beautful--roasted garlic and tomato and basil dipping oil. On the way home, my husband asked if I would like to go to Steak and Shake. Not one to pass up the opportunity to have someone cook for me, we had a nice cheese steakburger and some fries. A Little Poem about Christmas Gifts that I read: "Something they want, Something they need, Something to Wear, Something to Read!" Yes!

Have tomorrow morning off

I have worked nine days in a row because of the passing of my work colleague's daughter. She desperately needed some time to regroup after the past year and the recent funeral. It is a small thing for me to do--work for her so she can do errands and heal. The president of the company is working for me tomorow morning, giving me time to get chores done at home and rest. One effect of working so many days in a row is that I make errors easily. For instance, I duplicated an order, but forgot to check the product pricing. The prices had been changed, so the store lost that money. I am trying to stay focused. Yesterday, the phones were not working at the main store (lines were down) so I had to calm stressed customers. One was calling about a wedding, another needed a receipt, another wanted to place an order. These customers were stressed when they couldn't get through to the other store. The company president plans to hang Christmas wreaths. It is good too, that he can see that there is a water leak in the restroom and around some flashing in the roof and that the light bulb in the foyer is missing. Next week, because of the time change, it will be dark at 5pm. I will work tomorrow afternoon, all day Sat, a short day Sunday and then have Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday off. Days to rest and relax.

A Small Gift

I spoke to the branch store manager on Sunday. She told me that she would not be working this week, that if the first order was a funeral order, she would lose her composure. She also mentioned that even though she could talk to me, she would cry if she spoke to the company president. I have worked since last Wednesday, working her days and mine. She is so sad and it is a small thing to do, a little gift. Hopefully, she will heal enough to come back to work next Monday. She had to go to the funeral home to pick up the floral gifts, had other errands to run concerning her daughter's affairs. Her sister had shoulder surgery this morning. I am trying to stay focused because after working a string of days in a row, I make mistakes. The president of the company is covering Friday morning and after working Saturday and Sunday, I am off Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Thought I Knew Where the Funeral Home Is...

All of the store employees planned to go to the visitation for our friend, the branch manager's daughter after work. It was a difficult day, anticipating the drive in rush hour traffic and then the consequent greeting of the family. I figured out a route only to discover that the road was closed. Lots of traffic on the alternate routes. I did not look up where the funeral home is because I thought I knew its location. So I drove into the city to the wrong funeral home twice, and even once got out of my car to go in before noticing the sign. I stopped at a church to ask someone but no one was around, except for members of a wedding party rehearsal. Finally I crossed the street and asked the two gentlemen at the party store, told them that I was lost. One of the men knew exactly where it was and gave me perfect directions. So after an hour of driving and walking, I arrived. I spent some time with the family members and work colleagues and then headed home.