NOW....what? Shingles?

Thursday, October 22, 2009

OK. Not me, but my hubby....This sure has been a weird past few months...Only the two of us can really understand what it has been like. He was complaining earlier of left abdominal pain, and I just thought it was something he ate. I could hear his tummy rumbling...But just a while ago, he pulled up his shirt and there it was....yup....shingles. Classic. So I am sleeping in the guest room, and he is seeing the doctor in the a.m.

I had an awesome time with my dad here. So good to have him travel again. He has really missed it. And we have missed him!

Now, I haven't been spending much time on Sparks of late. Reading, but not taking time to respond to all of the amazing comments from my friends. It means SO much to me to have had this support while we have gone throug this seried of trials. Someone sent me an email today with the words, it is not so important how many friends you have, but rather to how many YOU are a friend. I feel like I haven't offered much support to those of you who have been so faithful to me. I do need to tell you all how much it means to me....and one of these days, I will get back to you!

Life goes on...and it is still good. A sense of humor. What would I do without it. ...

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I wouldn't change a thing...

Wednesday, October 07, 2009

Do you ever feel so blessed, so incredibly in love with life, so very thankful you are who you are? That's how I have been feeling these past few weeks. Oh yes, my life. I wouldn't trade it for anyone else's.

Still fat. Still sassy. But loving every moment that I spend on this planet earth.

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Thank you party last night

Monday, September 21, 2009

Yesterday morning, I called the neighbors, and advised them we were having an appliance moving party. I was making a taco bar, and they were all invited....so at 6:00, we had four couples and a bunch of teenagers filling our house with laughter and stories. The men moved in and hooked up the fridge, washer and dryer...and we ate and drank and laughed some more.

I've lived in neighborhoods before, where there is interaction...but usually limited to one friend down the street, and lots of acquaintances that wave from the yard or stop to briefly chat from time to time. But this neighborhood....it truly IS like a family. They have all lived here for years...and have held those now young adults or teenagers as infants. And what a sincere, generous group. They are all close to our age, some maybe a little younger, but close enough to have similar upbringings, stories, etc. How comforting is that, as we are nearing retirement....to develop new friendships, to feel included and a part of a community. Again, although it was a long and difficult road to get here, I feel like we are truly "home".

I had leftover corn and bean salad for breakfast. So healthy. So low in cals...and now that the fridge is out of the garage, I don't have to play Rachel Ray and carry everything in all at once...so it will be SO much easier to prepare fresh foods.

I have a job interview today back at my old position. The "wicked witch" is gone and they are rebuilding the unit. I am not sure if I will or will not make a change, but I do miss the people I worked with tremendously. I like what I do now better, but I miss the travel, and there is no one in my current office to walk with, share lunch with or even take a break with. There was a certain comradery at the old job that I really enjoyed, plus at times the job itself was very exciting...I'm just going to feel it out, talk to hubby about it, pray and go with my gut. I am not a job hopper. Would never have left the old job had there not been the change in supervisory staff...so ??? We'll just see.

Off to the notary to sign closing papers on our old house!

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Has it really been two weeks? Whew!

Sunday, September 20, 2009

I cannot believe it has been two weeks since I blogged. But with all that has been going on? No wonder!

NO one...NO one but my husband and I can truly understand how hellacious this move has been. If I wrote a book, or a screenplay, people would laugh at my imagination and creativity. And I must say that without laughter, without seeing the humor in all, I would be ready for lock up.

Last weekend, we had to go to the coast (4 hour drive) to pick up our appliances that the new buyers don't want as part of the sale of the home. We also decided to bring back the light fixtures that we so carefully chose when we had the house built. Our new place has fixtures that are very dated and don't go well with our taste. So we purchased some inexpensive, yet tasteful ones as replacements...plan was to get drive up Friday night after work, have breakfast with friends, get the UHAUL, swap out the lights, load the appliances and head back home. Simple. Quick trip. I had to be back on Sunday to finish up a project since I was facilitating an entire week of training, and needed to be at a hotel 30 miles from my home at 6:00 a.m. on Monday....ok. Scenario set.

Two hours into the trip, after driving through farm and lake country, our windshield was covered with bugs, so we pulled into a gas station to clean it and make a quick pit stop. Well...the journey began. Car was DEAD. totally. No lights, no radio, no ability to roll up the windows, nothing. We knew no one would be able to work on the car, even if they had the parts (which they probably didn't) until Monday...so we opted to add a trailer to the UHAUL to tow the car back to the Sacramento area. So AAA came (after a "reasonable" wait) and towed us the 90 miles over a mountain road to get to the coastal house. It was after midnight when we got there.

No electric pump for the air mattress. But didn't matter after we blew it up it leaked anyway. Fortunately hubby brought a back up,

Saturday afternoon. Dead car still in front of the house. UHAUL loaded with washer and dryer, sitting in front of the house. Lights partially swapped out, and hubby up on a ladder doing the final connection on one of them...when I saw him reach, the ladder tilt, and boom, down they went. I saw him land on top of the ladder on a laminate covered cement slab. Not going into details, but he is fine, other than a fractured bone in his hand and several very large ugly bruises. So...after again, not getting to the house until almost midnight....our "quick trip" was delayed again.

Sunday. Thank God for neighbors. Helped us with fridge, getting the car on the trailer. And as wonderful as they were, we were never so glad to be leaving anywhere in our lives...We left ALL the light fixtures, though two were down, one was dangling and broken, and just called our real estate agent and told her.....she is so awesome. It has been the most incredible journey and she has been so wonderful and supportive through this difficult sale.

So seven hours later, and having driven most of it myself, we arrived home....24' truck with trailer and car attached. Rental car in driveway. And then we thought, "Now what?"

Again, how much good neighbors mean. Hubby had doctors appointments all day, and I worked twelve hours. And we had to get the truck back that night...Well, hubby was struggling with the fridge, the dolly, etc, and one of the dog walking gals from around the corner noticed. She rounded up nine people to help. I was inside, and walked out to find a moving party in our yard. They were AWESOME! We were able, with their assistance, to get everything unloaded, the truck returned, and get back to the house BEFORE midnight!

And since we have to take a door off to get the fridge into the kitchen, we are having a party tonight to have them help get it out of the garage...where it is, thankfully, still working!

I worked almost 20 hours over time this past week, but car is repaired, hubby is casted, bruises are subsiding as well as his pain, training is complete and our house is still standing. NOW, we still have to clear out the stuff from the apartment, including shelves, a bed, and a small storage shed. Will it EVER end? We are thinning things like crazy. And will NEVER move again...until my son places us somewhere....Oh the joy and burden of possessions.

Anyway, left yesterday for grandkids' soccer games, and came home to find front yard mowed, and clean...was it the brownies? Or again awesome neighbors....I think I know, but no one is owning up to it. Gosh this was a good move for us. How will we ever express our gratitude to them all....only by reciprocation....

Eating relatively healthy despite all this, but haven't weighed. Somehow, other priorites have interferred. Biggest loser is back on...and motivating. Weather remains hot, so pool time is back on the agenda (not last week after not getting home til almost seven each night....) And life goes on....

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Starting over, once again....

Tuesday, September 08, 2009

I feel like crap. I have gained weight back, feel like a slug. Am depressed and overwhelmed. I don't want to see anyone. I want to go to bed and sleep for a week.

Well, that ain't gonna happen..(.tho I did take a two hour nap today. And felt like I was in a coma.) So what can I do instead.

1. Restock the pantry and fridge....done. LOTS of fresh veggies, fruits and organic goodies.
2. Meal plan at least a day or two ahead of time...done. Have smoothies made for breakfast (watermelon, banana, fresh orange juice and chard) and herb bagels. Lunch will be salad and half sandwich. Dinner ahi tuna, salad, and broccoli planned for dinner tomorrow. I should easily be in my calorie range.
3. Get enough sleep. I am off to bed shortly. I'll be working at home tomorrow so get to sleep in til 7:30
4. Get the exercise in. Took a 4 mile walk yesterday. Felt great...Will start taking after dinner walks with hubby. He needs it too. And by Weds, the weather should have pool warmed up enough again.
5. Get an appointment with my doctor. I have not seen him in a LONG time...at least for labs, etc. I need to make sure things are working internally
6. Pray/meditate more. Although it is an ongoing process, continual throughout each day, I don't make time each day to really set things aside and do it.
7. Oh, yes. TRACK EVERYTHING THAT GOES INTO MY MOUTH....in other words, stop lying to myself, and pretending I don't know better. I see you, self. Quit trying to hide from me....
8. Make my own lunch (and hubby's too) Not only do I then know exactly what goes into my mouth, I save $$$
9 Weigh myself weekly.

That outa do it.

I still want to sleep.

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