2015 - a really bad year

January:  Margaret's Bobby hospitalized with Stage 4 heart and liver disease. 

February: Bobby sent home with Hospice care. John diagnosed with lung cancer. 

March: John started chemo and radiation. 

April:  Stated getting work done on house - rebuild part of deck, painting, etc. Cancelled our trip to Ireland. 

May: Nothing special on the calendar, except doctors' appointments. 

June:  John got to row a couple of times. Beach week started at the end of the month. 

July:  Beach week.  Bobby fell and broke his hip. John was told his lung cancer in remission. A lone shooter kills five service men in Chattanooga at a recruiting center and Naval/Marine Center. Jean found out she was going to be laid off the end of September. 

August: We traveled to spend two weeks in the Canadian Rockies with Ann and Al.  John's lungs basically shut down.  My dear one died 30 August, with me, Ann, Al, and Sue with him. 

September: Alison came home with me.  She and Margaret got me started on the new journey of my life. 

October: I moved to The Terrace, an independent-living apartment. The girls and grandchildren continued to move things out of the house. 

November:  Bobby continued to worsen and died on 6 November.  Thanksgiving wasn't much fun this year. 

December:  I somehow wound up with a broken bone in my foot.  Fortunately I only had to wear a boot for about three weeks.  The house was listed for sale, and we are actually working on contract negotiations with a potential buyer.  Margaret took me to Sue and Randy's for Christmas and then to Jesse's for a few days.

2015 was characterized by awful health issues and deaths.  The weather was terrible all year long, all over the country.  Disturbed people with guns destroyed lives - their own and many others - all over the world.  Too many crazy people ran for the Republican nomination for President. 

But there were spectacularly good things - mostly the love and caring of our family and friends.  None of us could have made it through without them.  Sue, Margaret, Kate, and Jean are my rocks, and they continue to keep me going. 

We managed to get through this damnable year.  And we can only hope for better things in 2016.

There's no place like home...

We left Elizabeth City about 6:30 this morning and got to my apartment about 6:30 this evening.  Margaret drove the whole way, mostly in the rain.  We finally saw the sun as we turned onto I-75 west of Knoxville. It was a good week - a good time for both of us to be away from home, with family, doing other things.  We got to see Sue and Randy and four of the six grandchildren and their spouse/fiancee/significant others - always special.  We had unseasonably warm weather most of the time, but the temperatures were falling as we headed home.  It's good to be home.

Last day in NC

The temps here in NC today were in the mid70s.  We sat out on the back patio this afternoon, just to enjoy the lovely weather.  It's supposed to cool off again tomorrow.  But Margaret and I are heading home first thing in the morning.  It'll be a long day of driving - and we just hope for uneventful. 

From Elizabeth City

We're still at Jesse's.  The plan is to head for home on Wednesday.  It's a 10-hour drive, so we may not make it in one day.  We shall see.  The temperatures here have been crazy - mid70s yesterday, mid50s today, and predicted to be near 80 tomorrow.  At least we haven't had the awful floods/tornadoes/blizzards as the rest of the country.  I hope all are safe.

Sunday Stealing

The 2015 Year End Meme
From the archives!


1. What did you do in 2015 that you’d never done before?
See my husband and son-in-law die.
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't make new year's resolutions.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
We just had deaths this year.
4. Tell us a valuable lesson you learned in 2015?
Check and recheck to be sure all your affairs are in dying order.
5. What was your favorite new TV program?
I didn't see any of the new TV programs this year.
6. What would you like to have in 2016 that you lacked in 2015?
Weddings, births, and other happy events instead of deaths.
7. What dates from 2015 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
30 August, the date John died; 6 November, the date Bobby died.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Surviving
9. What was your biggest failure?
Losing loved ones.
10. What was the best thing you bought?
Time at the beach
11. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Our wonderful daughters, sons-in-laws, and grandchildren, John's sister and brother-in-law
12. Whose behavior made you appalled and disgusted?
Candidates for the Republication presidential nomination.
13. What song will always remind you of 2015?
I can't think of one.
14. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Told everyone how much I loved and appreciated them.
15. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Dealt with death
16. What was the best book you read?
Not much reading happened this year.
17. What one thing would have made your year measurably more satisfying?
Obviously, not to have lost John and Bobby.
18.  Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
I can't think of a lyric, either.

Peace

I hope your holiday time has been safe and happy.

There's been a lot of rain here, but nothing like back home in Chattanooga.  One road has been completely washed out - about 6 feet of roadway gone, and many others flooded.  I'm glad my house and the apartment are on hills.

Our Christmas has been a quiet but lovely day with Margaret, Sue & Randy, Alison & Joe, and Sarah & Carson (plus the three noisy dogs).  Our Christmas "dinner" was a Margaret-cooked breakfast/brunch complete with biscuits and gravy.  Lots of love in the building.

On to Jesse's in the morning.

To continue with the metaphor...

We're off to see the Wizard.

Well, maybe not the Wizard, but Margaret and I are going to see Matt & Claire, Sue and her family, and Jesse & Caroline.  The plan is for Margaret to pick me up early in the morning, and we'll head off on The Yellow Brick Road (or maybe just I-75).  Stay tuned.

To paraphrase...

Ding, dong!  The boot is gone!

The clunky boot is gone!

The break is healing,

New bone growing.

Ding, dong! The nasty boot is gone!

Monday strikes again

We've had the warm temperatures here (going to be in the 70s by Xmas Day), but lots of rain along with it.  As usual, today was my busy day, but I got a lot done.Including a much-needed haircut. I took keys by the realtor's office, then cashed a Medicare reimbursement check.  So-so cards at bridge - I had one or two fairly good hands, but lots more yucky ones. It was good to get home, get some supper, and get into soft clothes.

 I'll be glad to see the orthopedist tomorrow - and hope to get rid of this boot. Think good orthopedic thoughts!

Slow

A Saturday spent at home.  Computer time and knitting and NCIS filled most of the day.  But I actually accomplished a little something else - getting some of the piles of paper on the desk organized.  I'm hoping for another exciting day tomorrow, too.

Five things Friday

1. It got cold overnight.  I had to scrape my windshield this morning - haven't done that in 30 years.  I didn't even have a scraper, but found a CD case in the car to use.
2. We had a wonderful brunch with our wonderful swimmers at Betty's wonderfully decorated house.
3.  I made a trip to Walmart (and forgot to get an ice scraper).
4.  It was a nice quiet afternoon at home.
5.  I had a special Chinese dinner with Missy, John, Renna, Judy S. - always a treat!

Quiet Thursday

The big excitement today was doing my laundry, for the first time using the laundry facilities here.  I must have found good time and day.

I was sent some wonderful flowers, fruit, and candy - thanks, dear friends.

All in all, a nice uneventful day.

I'm amazed

Jean picked up the washer and dryer today.  And the glass company people came and replaced the stained glass window. Plus, two more people looked at the house today.

However, this morning the realtor had an offer on the house.  This afternoon, the realtor made a counter-offer, and by 10 this evening, the counter-offer had been accepted.  Then she said that we had gotten "through the first of three loops" and we'd see what came next.

Stay tuned.

A better day

Today was much better.  At least I think I was a bit smarter.  The only thing scheduled "out" was my manicure/pedicure.  Nothing like some pampering! 

The house is official listed on MLS, and there has already been somebody looking at it.  Plus there's another appointment for tomorrow.  Jean is coming in tomorrow to get the stained glass window out of the house, and pick up the washer and dryer. 

And, for the first time in a week, I spent all night in the bed, with no intervals in the recliner.  Maybe this cold IS finally on the way out.

Monday overdone

I really overdid it today.  It was basically my first day back in the "real world", and I tried to do what I would usually do (except for going swimming).  Not the smartest move I've ever made.  I went to coffee, to Walmart, got some lunch, and then went to play bridge.  I had awful cards, and mis-bid the few biddable hands I had.  I was able to leave a little early.  We had one too many again, and when I started to crash, I left at a break.

When I got home, I immediately changed into soft clothes, and didn't even go back up to dinner.  Fortunately Margaret had brought me some soup yesterday, and I just ate some of that.  All I have on for tomorrow is my mani/pedi, and I'll definitely not plan anything else for the rest of the week.

The guy who was cleaning out the house finished up today, so the realtor will be getting it actually on the market.  When there's something put on line, I'll pass along the link.

Sunday Stealing

Why Do You Want To Know That Meme, part two 

Stolen from: Love me some surveys

25. List 3 activities that you can only enjoy by yourself.

Reading, sleeping

26. If you could live in any biome* (and survive) which biome would you live in? (*a large naturally occurring community of flora and fauna occupying a major habitat, e.g., forest or tundra.)

Near water, preferably salt water

27. How do you like being roused in the morning?

Waking up naturally

28. How was your day? What did you do?

Watched Margaret work, putting together a floor lamp and some shelves; then took her to dinner.

29. What did your last text message say?

Two emoticons to Margaret after she told me was home safely

30. Do you respond to texts quickly?

Fairly quickly.

31. Who was the last person you called?

The concierge to order my lunch yesterday.

32. List 5 things that are on your wish list.

Good things for my family, the disappearance of Donald Trump, that people could celebrate "other-ness", the disappearance of terrorists, (dare I say it?) world peace.

33. If you were famous, what do you think you would be famous for?

Would never happen

34. Winter or summer?

Winter

35. What is a quality that all people should have?

I have to list two - tolerance and a sense of humor.

36. If you could have a large collection of one item, what would that item be?

I'm never going to collect anything again.

37. What have you been thinking about lately?

The cold I had last week; selling my house

38. What is the secret to a happy life?

Living within your means; a sense of humor

39. What are some phrases you say often?

"It is what it is!"  "Shit!"

40. Favorite food?

Seafood - crabs and shrimp

41. What is your wish for the world?

Respect and tolerance for "other-ness".

42. What are some of your greatest fears?

That Donald Trump might, by some fluke, become president.

43. What is the last thing you downloaded onto your computer?

A form from my attorney

44. Most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen (in real life)?

I've seen so many beautiful things that I could never pick just one.

45. Spicy food: Like or dislike?

Love it - but not too hot.

46. Scary movies: Like or dislike?

Not my favorite genre

47. Do you like to travel?

Love it!

48. Any regrets?

Regret is a wasted emotion.

49. Do you like rain?

Yes, in moderation.

Almost human

I guess today was the turnaround.  I feel almost human again.  And I even went to the dining room for dinner - first time this week.

Day #5

This morning, I was still feeling lousy and getting very little good sleep.  After five days of this and heading into the weekend, I went to the walk-in clinic at my primary-care doc's office.  It's not gone into my chest, fortunately, but he says is definitely an upper respiratory infection.  He gave me some amoxicillin (along with diflucan for the expected yeast infection) and some cough syrup with codeine to help me get some sleep.  In the meantime, I'll keep hibernating in the apartment. I'd like to think I'd use the time to get some papers sorted out, etc., etc., but that probably won't happen.

In the vein that it's an ill wind that blows nobody good, I've lost ten pounds. 

Day #3

I still feel awful today (3rd day).  I've been staying in the apartment, just having soup for meals in my apartment.  I surely don't want to spread this around this complex. Things are going to move quickly with the house now.  The realtor got in touch with her "guy" who does repairs and cleaning.  I talked with him today, and he's doing to finish cleaning out the house, do the minor repairs that are needed, some yard work, etc., etc.  He says he should be finished by the end of the weekend, and I guess they'll be getting the house on the market soon after that.

Cold

Laryngitis…Yuck!

Haven't had a cold in years.

Sore throat, cough, sneeze, blow.

Yucky Monday

I woke up about 5:30 this morning, and felt awful - laryngitis, general feeling that I had a cold.  I got up, but decided not to go to swimming.  I had too much else scheduled to bag the day completely, but it was tempting.  After a cup of tea and a good shower, I felt well enough to head out for the morning stuff.

I took a load of laundry to the house to get in the machine, met the gals for coffee, picked up my framing at Michael's (looks great), back to the house to transition laundry to the dryer.  Then I had about a 90-minute meeting with the realtor, going over forms and signing things and looking at similar listings in my neighborhood, talking about price, etc., etc.  There's still a bunch to do before she actually gets the house on the market.  When I left there, I went to the financial gal's office to leave the forms I had had to get signed with a medallion notary.  Back in time to go to bridge.  The fates were kind for a change, and we had one too many players show up today.  So I bailed out of bridge, picked up my dry laundry at the house, and headed home.

It surely did feel good to just get my boot on, get a cup of coffee, and sit in my chair with my feet up.  I can feel the cold coming back on, too.  I've got a couple of things to do tomorrow morning, but I hope that nothing else comes up tomorrow.  I really was looking for some "time off".  I ate some udon soup in the room, rather than expose anybody in the dining room to this cold.

Now we'll hope to maybe sleep this off.

Good weekend

If you didn't watch or record "100 - Sinatra"  tonight, I hope you can find it On Demand.  Such wonderful music, and with mostly the original arrangements.  Fabulous!

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Margaret picked me up yesterday morning and we went to spend the weekend with Matt and Claire.  Their new house is lovely and their labradoodles are so sweet.  Claire had basketball games to coach; Matt and Margaret went to Ikea and got lamps and shelves; the dogs and I took naps.

We left early this morning to come back home.  Margaret assembled one of the lamps and then went on to the Lady Vols game (which they lost, unfortunately).  All in all, a very nice weekend.  Thanks to all!

End of a busy week

I met with the realtor this morning and liked her a lot. She seems very practical about the house and what needs to be done.  She has people she uses to do this sort of work, and doesn't seem wound up in spending lots of money redoing things in the house.  She's more about sprucing up what's there than putting the newest fad.  This is a mid1960s house, and there's not reason to be trying to make it into something else.  I'll meet with her again on Monday to sign a contract, get a list of what needs doing, and possibilities of people to do the work.  It'll feel so good to have this chore underway, if not completed yet.

I can't drive with the boot - I tried - so I wore a regular shoe, then changed when I was out moving around.  The foot surely was aching by the time I got back home, and I was glad to get the boot back on and take some pain med.

A busy day in a busy week

I took a check to deposit in the bank.  I asked if they had a "medallion notary" - and to my surprise, they do have one.  I'd never heard of a medallion notary, but it's kind of  super-notary - requires more information that just a notarized signature.  It turns out this happens frequently with DuPont forms.  Who knew!  I didn't have all the necessary paperwork, but at least now I know this can be done at my own bank.

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The orthopedist put me in a boot for the fracture in my foot (it's in the extension of the toe bone of the little toe, back into the foot itself).  I go back on the 22nd, and we'll see what happens after that.  The boot really throws my none-too-steady gait off even more.  So I'll be walking with a cane while wearing it.  I think I'm going to have to take it off in order to drive, but he said that was okay to do.

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The end of an era!  After being in Chattanooga for 60 years, duPont will no longer have a presence in our Scenic City.  John was transferred to the duPont plant here in 1986, and was there until he retired at the end of 1991.  Yet another loss.

Ten things Tuesday

1. We're well on our way to 40 days and 40 nights of rain. 
2. Should I measure for an ark?
3. Saw the rheumatologist this morning; asked about the pain in my foot.
4. X-ray showed a fracture, right 5th metatarsal.
5. SHIT!
6. Appointment with orthopedist on Thursday.
7. Appointment with financial advisor on Wednesday.
8. Appointment with realtor at the house on Friday.
9. Maybe things are moving, finally.
10. Did I mention it was still raining?