Learning.....

I’ve learned:
that I have to enjoy each day for what it gives us.
that sometimes I have to search the day for something happy.
that sometimes I have to sit on the side of the bed and pretend to laugh because I haven’t laughed all day and my body needs laughter (and bodies can’t tell the difference between real and pretend laughter—true!).
I’ve got to listen to some music every day.
that I need some sort of exercise everyday even if it’s only a few minutes.
patience as Richard tries to tell me a story when the words are inside his head but won’t come out of his mouth. (need more work on this one)
that it all comes down to me in the end so I should quit bitching and just get on with whatever has to be done.
that I can ask for help.
that I can get help if I just keep asking.
that some people help even when I resist it. I don’t always know/accept what we need.
that churches may be houses of God but they are filled with people who don’t know what to do or how to help (and seem to resist efforts to get assistance) and that it’s not their fault) (this one is hard).
that even though he now doesn’t know that he doesn’t know and isn’t in so much pain, that I know and am in more pain than before.
that sometimes I feel paralyzed inside but I can keep moving forward even during those times and that feeling will pass.
that I can’t let people/friends (even though they are concerned) drag me down with their sympathy.
to say “we’re doing the best we can” and try to change the subject.
To tell myself it is what it is and go on
That I’m waiting to learn not to be angry and/or resentful which closes me up to everything.
that I’ve still got a lot to learn.
that I still don’t believe God gave this to Richard
that I wish I could quit learning
that I hope each day I am still alive in spirit and body
that I have strength to give to others even when I feel empty.
that I love my husband even more than I knew I did.
That my life isn’t over even though it feels that way
That God doesn’t call the qualified; He qualifies the called—I say this many times a day for strength.

Catchin' Up

Well, hey y'all! How is everyone? I don't know about you but I've been waaaaay too busy. September always seems to be a busy month even when you no longer have kids in school. I thought I'd try to get caught up since I haven't posted in a while. This seems to be one of those "I don't know what I've been doing but I've been really busy doing it" times though.



Well first of all, Richard's cast came off about a week ago. He drove me crazy asking how long till it was removed (short term memory issues) but finally the magic day arrived. He's still wearing a splint from time to time. I was really worried he'd go out in the garage and find a saw (in spite of all our best efforts to hide or get rid of all sharp objects) and remove it himself, but fortunately he didn't do that. He says it still hurts a little and it keeps swelling up, I'm a little worried.




I finished my Summer Shawlette, it's really cute, I'll get a picture up soon. I've started a Heartbeat Sweater of Berroco Love It Colors. It has long color sequences and is striping up nicely. Also, this time it seems much easier--I haven't frogged the other one yet so after I finish this one I may try to re-group and finish it. It's really a cute pattern from Just One More Row. I've also started a multidirectional scarf of Noro Silk Garden Sock that will be so pretty. I'm working on an entralac shrug from I think the Vogue Knitting Just Wraps book. I happened to be at my favorite yarn shop a while back when a

shipment of Silk Garden Sock arrrived and I went into sort of a frenzy and bought several skeins -none of which I needed. But then, where yarn is concerned--what's need got to do with it?





Last weekend I attended a 2 night 3 day Literacy Conference and left DH with care-givers, one of who was going to be my son and his wife. However she got sick-they thought she had a stroke! and was put in the hospital for the same 3 days I was gone, so I had to make rather sudden and different arrangements. I called my two daughters to re-arrange their part of the week-end and our good friend George to take Rich out a bit on Saturday which thank heavens he was able and willing to do. Never underestimate the power of a good friend. Fortunately Teresa is fine, it wasn't a stroke but connected to migraine headaches and they are treating her for that.
and finally on Thursday I remembered to send her some flowers!

I enjoyed the conference a lot. It was work but I was away from home on a break from Alzheimer's in a hotel room all my own by myself! If I hadn't tripped and fallen (again) it would have been perfect. RB, Joni and I had been carrying supplies into the conference center and using one of those two-wheeler cards that can fold down into a flat cart with 4 wheels. RB and I were walking back outside to get another load and she was pulling the cart and to the left of me. I decided to walk around her and look at a sign posted on the building. Well when I stopped she did too and instead of walking around her, I tripped over the cart. I went down in a series of what felt like bounces off several things but it was all cart. I hit the side of my leg which left a black and blue bruise the size of my fist and still hurts, (I'll spare you the pictures) and the front of my leg and hurt my hand trying to catch myself (had to wear an ice pack and an elastic bandage all weekend). I felt rather like a beached whale! probably looked like one too! But the worst part was that I couldn't get up! Part of me was hanging off one side of the cart, another part off the other side, and the middle of me was just sort of ...well I'm not sure but in the middle of the cart. Finally I managed to roll off and sit on the sidewalk at which point friend Joni started laughing and didn't quit for the whole weekend! I'm certainly glad to have provided her with so much entertainment....or not. Anyhow, it wasn't my best fall...my most spectacular fall was falling backwards out of the library van (see Monday, Jan. 28, 2008).




I knew there was a good reason I have a magnetic ball of yarn and needles on the back of my car--besides helping me find it in the parking lot, there are a lot of white cars! While parking the other day, a car drove by me and braked rather suddenly, then drove on and parked a couple spaces away from me. A young woman came rushing towards me and ask do you knit? me-yes her-for fun? me-yes her-me too! So we chatted a bit, compared favorite yarn shops--she didn't have one so I suggested she try mine, we exchanged names and parted ways.



I thought I'd leave you with a pic of Carter and Grandpa playing chase in the backyard.

Toodles till next time and remember to laugh every day! Anita

Wow

I just finished watching a press conference about the temporary center for evacuees from New Orleans and the surrounding area during Hurrican Gustav here in OKC. I am so proud of our City. The police department, United Way, Red Cross, religious communities, mental health, animal control, and more were prepared to help. We were able, willing and ready to take these people in. Everyone who arrived was registered and put in an internet location so family can locate them, they're running warrant reports on everyone and 3 people have been taken to jail, people with unsavory "history" are being housed other places. Pets are here and owners can visit. There are cots, food, and supplies for all. I tell ya, everything has been thought of. 400 people were expected, 1800 arrived, they are prepared for 2000, but 4000 could be housed if necessary. All who are in charge are calm, organized and prepared. Wow

OTN A Fiesta Ballet scarf, a Summer Lace Shawlette of Fiesta Boomerang, a Noro Silk Garden scarf, a Fixation sock, a Christmas stocking of Encore from last year, a multi-directional scarf of Miss Priss----can anybody say UFO? Oh and I forgot the vest of Plymouth Baby Alpaca! Oh well, I guess they'll all get finished sooner or later---or not! I'm also frogging a Heartbeat sweater of Schaffer Laurel--love the yarn didn't love the pattern. I seem to need more concrete instructions rather than follow pattern till it fits. Maybe I'll try again later when my life is calmer. When one never knows what to expect it's easier to have directions that I can just follow!


I went to GY yesterday to take Nina a birthday card and visit a bit and Kay and Margie were there, Carol, Ellen and Polly all came in, and Nina and Pat after their lunch. Then DH and I went to the Arts Festival at OCCC with friends and looked at art, ate, and listened to music. It was a good day. And I think, I'll close on that note. Happy Labor Day--or in my case No-Labor Day!!! : ) toodles......Anita

The picture is my mother, a grandchild and her son-in-law aka as Richard, my DH.