Getting on track

I spent my days off, Tuesday and Wednesday, home waiting for repair techs. On Tuesday, the oven tech came and ordered the part a board that controls the timer and oven. On Wednesday, the furnace tech came and replaced the transformer in the furnace. He said, that since the furnace is 20 years old, that we need to get a carbon monoxide detector in case it malfunctions. The garage door tech came and replaced the circuit board in the garage door opener. I was aggravated that I had to stay home, but realized that repair techs only work Monday thru Friday, and since I have weekdays off, it is my job to stay home and wait for them. My husband, daughter and I drove to the department store and bought a carbon monoxide, smoke alarm combo, Halloween candy, chips and a Halloween costume for our daughter. Every year, we drive to a nearby city for my husband's family reunion on Thanksgiving. This year his brother and all the family are heading to another state to visit with my nephew, his wife and their new baby. His other brother and wife are staying home and his two cousins already have plans. My daughter wants to bring her new puppy, so it looks like it will be immediate family this year. Very different, but then perhaps it will disguise "the open chair." We won't miss my Mother as much. On All Saints, a holy day, Dad and I are going to our church for Mass and a special remembrance service. After the homily, immediate family will light a candle in memory of their loved one. I did not walk the dogs yesterday because it was bone chilling cold and wet. I did manage to walk 10,000 steps today. Trying to get back on track after the last few months. I aim to be in shape by Jan 11, the day of my annual doctor appointment. AJ in a box.

Halloween Decorations

Warm, sunny day yesterday, so I worked outside decorating for Halloween. I stuffed Henry, the pumpkin man's sweatshirt and pants and assembled him on his chair. He is drinking Pepsi. He has a few friends....Count Dracula, Green Witch and her friendly Green Cat, and Skeleton Rapper. Everyone is friendly and should not scare the children when they come to Trick or Treat. I sent my uncle a Halloween Card. On the outside, "How do you fix a broken jack-o-lantern? and on the inside "With a pumpkin patch!" Hope it makes him smile! I am not riding the next two Tuesdays...tomorrow the oven repair tech is coming and the following Tuesday I work for the branch manager who is going on vacation. I am getting shorter and slower, so even as I attempt to improve in martial arts, my body is saying no. So I have decided to quit martial arts. I have been around positive, affirming people and that keeps my spirit steady.

Electrical fire

Ali cat could not eat and was nauseated, a vicious cycle, so my daughter and I decided it was time for her to go across the rainbow bridge. I took her to the clinic and cuddled her while the doctor gave her the medicine to help her into a forever sleep. She was very peaceful. This morning at 4am, I was awakened by the hum of a transformer and two loud pops. Not usual house noises. I was wide awake, listening, realized the power had gone out. When my husband reset the circuit breakers, the power surge caused a power strip to flame and burn, melting the plastic shelves it was sitting on. I ran downstairs to tell him to turn off the power while my daughter unplugged the power strip. Very scary. We called an electrician, but the problem was not with the house, but with the power company. The power company had to replace two cables from the pole to our house and to our next door neighbor's home. Before they could replace the cables, they had to trim or take down a tree. It was an all day job, finally finished at 6:30pm. I am so grateful for the line workers. I don't know what would have caused the problem with the two lines. We reset the circuit breakers and so far all appears well except for the oven and furnace which will not work and were damaged by the power surge.

"Bending"

I am trying hard to pull myself together. One loss after another. My uncle, my 90 year old friend who owned the flower shop, my mother, my daughter's friend's grandother, and my very sick cat. Today I was trying to hang a towel on the tub shower rod and as I stepped down, I fell on the wet tile. I bruised the side of my knee and it hurts. Wishing that I could be with extended family and not get upset, because the estrangement causes me to be sad. Hoping that my adult children's hopes and dreams will come to fruition. I need to get back on track and it's difficult. So after several months of not eating well or exercising, I am going to try to eat better (fruits, vegetables, fish and lean meat) and walk 10,000 steps. I will not be continuing in martial arts. I can't do it, and I have to let the instructors know. My dad finally told us what time to be at his house to eat with him on Tuesday. We got to the house and he was making a snack because he thought we weren't coming. I rode my horse yesterday morning. We worked on "bending" where the horse's head and rib cage is tilted to the inside. I have to multi-task, pull the inside rein back, keep the outside rein in the correct position, use the inside leg to press and release against the horse's ribs. I could barely put pressure on with my left leg, but did better with my dominant right leg. Not sure I can learn this well enough for the walk and trot tests next summer. I watch my friend canter and work on making the horse bend, and feel like I'm so far behind. Seems like my coworker is sad because she is missing her "bestest coworkers" and had a bad day at work. She was sick on Monday and I told her it was a "mad moon Monday" and that I missed her.

My sick cat enjoyed the sun

My daughter's best friend's grandmother passed away yesterday. Ruth and her husband attended many school functions when my children were in elementary school. Both always had smiles and offered friendliness. My daughter and her friend have had rough months. My daughter lost her grandmother on Sept 3rd; her friend lost hers on October 16. I sent flowers from our family and will send a memorial contribution to her church. Today I took my sick cat outside in the sun. I sat in a chair and held her and she looked around with interest. Her coat became warm with the sun and she was with her other animal brothers and sister. She isn't eating at all in spite of the appetite enhancer. I don't think she will last much longer. One week tomorrow since we got the awful news. I am doing just okay. I do not get upset because I don't interact with those people that leave me crying and hurt. But when I limit my contacts like this, then I feel lonely. My friend suggested that we do something next week because she knows I use to spend Tuesday with my mother and she is offering an alternate activity. And my other friend is a mess because she contacted some agency about her house manager and hasn't heard back. I am tired of all her drama. Tomorrow I have a riding lesson, might stop at the plant nursery, walk the dogs, husband and I will have dinner with my Dad.I ate with my son in law's brother and his family last evening, and enjoyed the spaghetti and meatballs and chatting. Today my coworker called off and the first few hours of the store were busy with phone calls. I lost two sales, one because the casket spray was too expensive and the other because I assumed the customer wanted a loose wrap and forgot to offer him the roses in a vase.

Cat is very sick

Though we are feeding Ali, she is skin and bones. I will come home someday and she will be gone. This little grey kitty who would pounce on the window to announce that her brothers wanted in. It is so hard. Bad things come in threes or fours or fives. My uncle in July, my mother in September, my grey cat in October and now my daughter's friend's grandma is very ill and in the hospital. Today I worked with the branch manager at the little store. So fun to have someone to talk and work with. She understands why I want to surround myself with affirming, positive friends. Tomorrow we are going to have dinner with my daughter's sister and brother in law and their young son. I made some cookies for dessert. Most came out well, but I managed to burn some too.

Cat has kidney disease

Our cat is very sick. May or may not be cancer, but definitely a heart murmur and kidney disease. Decided to try some non invasive treatments--a sc shot to help with the dehydration but not so much that she would have congestive heart failure, a shot with pain reliever and vitamins, and renal cat foood. Ali is eating a bit and then resting. When she clamors for attention, I hold her and tell her what a beautiful cat she is. There was indication of kidney disease in December, and I believe it worsened since then. We are hoping and praying that she will get better. Losing a cat on top of my mother's death is too heartbreaking. Scary that my daughter said, bad things happen in threes. I contacted my friend and asked if I could bring the walker and her pan to her husband's office. I had to take the dogs for a walk, the office is on the way, so we walked. I enjoyed the walk, the nice day, being outside. I had another dream last night. I was in a hall with all my cousins on my mother's side of the family. I needed a lot of pens and pencils. There were a few on the table. Wonder what this dream means. I had one day of healthy eating, trying not to eat sugar, but with all the stress of a sick cat, gobbled a piece of cake and a good humor bar.