Week in the Life - Thursday, April 28, 2023

 Thursday was one of my favorite days!

It was a lovely. Warmer than the other days.

I actually made a post on Instagram with my words and photos:

Here they are:

1. I've been starting my days with the Hallow podcast. Trying to expand my knowledge and spiritual journey.
2. A beautiful flower on my office desk. (Ever since Phil was diagnosed with Cancer, I have flowers delivered every other week). 
3. Workout stash at my office. Teaching a morning stretch class at 630am.
4 Traveled 1.5 hours to a  dermatologist doc appointment. I had a mole removed from the bridge of my nose the week prior. 
5. Shopped for toilet seats. Geeze. Did not measure beforehand. Will need a do-over. This is for the 'Baker House' we are fixing up as a rental. 

6. First car wash of the season! Fancy place in Ontario with attendants!

7. Kittens, 10 days old
8. Created a few fun stenciled card panels - a new favorite dish cloth was used as inspiration.
9. In the garden! Asparagus peaking it's head!
10. Evening walk with Tommie.

Not captured:
1. I made a garlic butter shrimp pasta dinner so Phil had something to eat when he got home, late, from golfing.
2. Fields got ditched!
3. Bought lots of blue and white flowers for the back deck. Looking forward to yard time!
4. Started a documentary about Judy Blume. Wow! I only read her 'Are you there God...' book. I'm adding Key West to my bucket, for several reasons. She is my new hero.

Week in the Life - Tuesday... April 25th, 2023

So, of all the days this past week (I started writing this later, on Friday), Tuesday was my 'strange' day.

It was strange in that I was having very odd muscle or vein spasms. They were 'throbbing'. I could 'feel' them, and see the pulsing in my arm. They started in my knee the week before, then moved to my left arm on Sunday, and then to left side of my neck, on Tuesday. That's when I panicked.  

I felt like something was wrong. And it was worse in the morning. I wasn't thinking clearly, and my head was tingling... similar stuff happens when I get a migraine. I did have a pain behind my left eye. 

I visited our office MA's, and they said it sounded like my circulation system was 'odd', like a pinched nerve somewhere. I wasn't having chest pains, so not a heart issue. 

So, I went to the Doctor, to get checked out. He couldn't find anything obvious. No pain, no bad headache, all my reflexes were good, etc. etc. etc. He ordered a Cat Scan, which still has not been scheduled by the hospital... Gotta love Rural Health Care. 

So far, no answers. And I now, am 'back' to me. 

It's as if I had some sort of episode. and, it was all on the left side of my body too. 

Makes me, well, freaked out. 

******

OK, so on to Tuesday.

Other highlights (as if the above wasn't enough):

• It was Phil's Chemo Day... this happens 1.5 hours away. Again, rural living. 
• Phil burned the borrow ditches along the highway when he got home.
• Well, the fire caught a wooden fence post - a railroad tie actually. And he did a few trips taking gallons of water to it. I wanted to help! So I loaded up two buckets in the back of my car. And yes, they did slosh around. Whatever 
• A neighbor called later, after we we cozy on the couch and watching a show, about the 'fire'. He had go out again... 
• Today was Johnnie's first birthday. Katie's 2nd child. Phil forgot to call her. Even though he was reminded a couple of times. Chemo brain. Or just plain 'I'm doing other things' brain. 

We are both having memory issues right now!

photos from the day.... 

Tuesday's Dinner was burritos. I cooked.
Love the message at the bottom of the Tillamook cheese bag!
To see these photos larger, just click on them

Drive home? Led Zeppelin 
(I just noticed my photos are in reverse!)

I love that the weather is finally warmer! Wearing no sleeves and my fun shoes.
At work I wear a sweater over my shirt. 

Doctor's Office

During lunch on Monday I got a great salad from a favorite coffee shop!
I didn't get a photo of the salad. 
This is from their IG account. 

My daily grind. This is my work calendar for the week.  
I leave home at 6am, and get back about 4:30 pm.
Typically. Depends on meetings, etc. 

And my personal calendar to jot those crazy thoughts
I get throughout the day. I was documenting the health stuff on one side,
Sami's wedding stuff on the other side

My fun shoes! Pink Rothy's
So happy to have exposed skin again, meaning,
not living in Smartwool sox or boots

Phil has been working on our yard
Look how lovely it is!
I cleaned out the flower beds. 
They are on my 'to do' list!

Hello Beautiful Last Day of 2022!

 

Good morning!

It's December 31st in my little world over here in Eastern Oregon. We have a new batch of beautiful snow. It's beautiful because it came down slowly, and straight throughout the evening. No wind. Just gentle, flowing, and peaceful.

I have to share that I have so many blog posts that I wrote that I have never published.  So even though my last published post was in 2021, I have so many words that I never shared.

For 2023 I hope to come back, and write again. And share some of those hidden words. 

My One Little Word is going to be Pause.

I'll share more of that later.

In the meantime, Happy New Year!

I have so many things to get done today to prepare for a Women's Retreat that I am co-hosting on Monday! I'll share that later too!

- Andi

Checking In - Current Thoughts

Summer Dining the Front Yard

  Summer is coming to an end. Sniff. This photo is from our evening September 1st. I love this part of the summer. The fresh foods, enjoying the evenings outside, slowness, when it can be slow.

Here are some quick updates (now that I have my blog back):

1. It's hotter than heck outside and inside.  My AC quit on Wednesday.  Landlord isn't going to deal with it until sometime this week - meaning, he didn't want to hire someone over the holiday weekend and/or ruin his weekend plans.  It's 78 inside right now, and 97 outside.  Even though I love summer, not digging this part.  I'll get over it.  Fans running and windows open once the sun goes down.
2. Sami is back in Hawaii.  She left on August 16 for her 2nd year in college. She transferred from Hawaii Pacific to University of Hawaii.  Starting over again with a new dorm, making new friends, etc.  Not easy. 
3. Jake leaves this month.  His move in date at Eastern Oregon University is September 20th. At least he will be closer! 
4. Empty Nest:  It's NOT what it's cracked up to be - especially if you are a single mom.  
5. My Mother Grace:  I miss her.  It still hurts.  Even though we had years and years of strife between us, toward her end our relationship was better.  My fear?  She was the glue that kept her three daughters together.  We are drifting apart.  I feel it.  
6. Life Around Here:  I have been a cyclops for seven days. Eye infection.  Blech.  Put a damper on all things 'weekendish'.  Did get out yesterday for a hike, but my eye was not happy with me exposing it to the elements - dust, etc.  It is, what it is. 
7. Long Range Plan:  Can't deal with any more changes right now. Death, kids out of the house.  It's all too much.  So, keeping my little home and will deal with winter driving when it gets here. It would be great if we had a nice, mild winter!   Besides, see that view up there in the front yard - the mountains?  I love it. It grounds me.  Makes me sing my happy song.

Thanks for listening.
xo
Andi

On the Topic of Grace

Grace Walsh - April 15, 2016

My birth mother has been in a sub-acute care facility for close to 2 months.  She seems to go back and forth to the Stanford Hospital Emergency Room every 2 weeks to have a blood transfusion and most recently, had 'fluid' drained at a different hospital.  Her health has been on a serious decline since last July, when she was diagnosed with liver cancer. She had tumors treated with radiation, has been on various medications, and, that is all I know.  The 'story' is always hard to get - in terms what she wants us to know, and what is truly happening.  Last  week we were told she has liver cirrhosis and that she knew this last summer and chose not to have a liver transplant.  Seriously?  She could have had a liver transplant and prevented all the crap that has been going on lately? 

However, it was her decision and we have to respect that.  Interestingly, I was recently thinking 'what would I do if I had cancer'?  I watched my dad die a over a three month period from his cancer and some hard core chemo therapy treatments.  I would never do chemo. 

The photo above was taken by my Aunt Alice, today, and was sent with the following message:

A miracle, prayers do get answered.  She's lost 50 lbs of water and looks great, even skinny.   Mentally pretty sharp and well spoken.  She's made friends there too.  Says Dr Marcus at El Camino hospital was the catalyst for her improvement.  Pls fwd this to Paula, I don't have her on this phone.  Had a great, happy, long visit with her.

Keep up the great work, girls, love you Much.

The 'great work' is due to my sister Avis, who has taken the lead as Grace's health advocate.  Not an easy job.  On the physical side, she has a two-hour drive to get to Grace, and has to juggle her own full-time job. Grace did not have any releases of information signed with any of her doctors. She doesn't have a power of attorney.  I doubt she even has a will.  It has been a very frustrating process.  You read about this stuff all this time.  But, for whatever reason, people like to keep their private affairs, private.  Until the day you get a call from another relative that 'it's an emergency'.   On the emotional side, my mother is a handful on her 'best' days.  Our own relationship has been strained for over 20 years.  Seeing her this last January was the best visit we have had in a very long time.

The photo?  I love seeing the smile on my mom's face.  My goodness.  I don't recognize her at all. 

Sunday Musings, September 12, 2015.

Monday's hike to the top of Coyote Peak

Eagle Caps Behind Me - Monday Hike

Waiting Room Find-  During Tuesday's Girly Doc Visit  (still recovering)

Rosie In the Window One Fine Evening

Now We Are Three People With  Three Gas Guzzling 4WD Rigs - Needed in this Country

Flowers From My Guy - With a great 45 Day Countdown love note

Fall Decor

More Fall Decor

And, Yes, More Fall Decor!

Loving This View - September 11th

Feeling Blessed to Have This View - September 11th

Attended A Wedding On Saturday - 9/12

Closer Look At My Flowers.  Love the Larkspur. Love the asters or mums.  Yes, Love it all.

Creepy Guy Hitting the Road. Yes, I feel like the crazy neighbor lady looking between the shades!

Part 1 of Thursday Night's Shenanigans

Thank God it's Sunday.
I am still in my jammies.  And it is close to 2pm.  It was a busy, action filled work week.  Lots of meetings and then two big events Thursday night. After logging an 11 hour work day, I rushed home to change and took off again to get to town to attend a fundraiser event. Oy.  I got home at 11:30 pm and was wired from the combo of iced tea slugged earlier in the evening (which spilled in my tote bag on the way home - don't ask.  I was packing up our booth and stashed it so I could have two hands to carry crap), along with 2 very tasty celebratory beers, and being wired from listening/dancing to great music.  Thank you Channel Cats and Addeson Collard.

Needless to say, I hit the wall Friday - plus I was hurting from a lunch hour PIYO class I took also on Thursday (it was a rough day!), and still hurting from Tuesday's doc visit.

This too shall pass. 

Saturday I took Sami to La Grande to shop for things her Dad just can't buy; like a trip to the beauty section of a store, skirt shopping for an upcoming FFA trip to Lousville, KY and Nashville, TN (yes, you heard that right) and then trips to the Farmers Market, and Starbucks (yes, more sugar). After returning home for a quick nap, I hit the road at 2pm for an outdoor wedding. Which did not start until close to 5pm.  We were sitting out in the 90 degree or more heat.  Alas. Sun went down, DJ fired up the tunes, and after celebrating until what felt like midnight, but was only 9:30 pm, I got home late, again. The wedding was an hour from my home. 

So here I am.  In my jammies.  Which really means I am too lazy to take a shower but still motivated enough to do chores and get things done. 

Here's the things done list:

1. Vacuumed four years worth of dust bunnies from under and behind the refrigerator.  GROSS!
2. Currently on my fourth load of laundry.  Had to run Sami's towel through a vinegar wash 2x.  Stanky.
3. Fixed a wonky curtain rod - thank you youtube video for drywall anchor screw stuff! 
4. Speaking of laundry, tried washing her soccer shoes 2x yesterday.  She left them in her gym bag after the rainy soccer game. the smell of her gym back - which also got washed, curled my nose hairs on Wednesday night.  Need to do the vinegar trick on her soccer shoes, too.
5. Cleaned out the vacuum dirt chamber and filter.  Outside.
6. Watering the lawn in various spots - when I noticed a creepy guy walking behind my house.
7. Spot cleaned the kitchen floor
8. Cleaned the dust and crevices off the bathroom cabinet doors
9. Made a pot of chili - and ate chili for breakfast
10. Found lots of fun 'salad in a mason jar' recipes to try this week
11. Got lost in inspiration blog land - hence the mason jar recipes
12. Stalked creepy guy for about an hour or so - also called the landlord and neighborhood watch lady to give them a recap of my surveillance heads up.  He walked across my 'lot' area to the neighbors (young couple who have been suspected of growing pot in their home and have all sorts of strange people hanging with them)  and sat on the bumper of their camper while he just hung out.  Neighbors never came out.  I suspect they aren't home.  Don't know if he knows the neighbors or what.  Obviously a transient.  Backpack and on foot.  But he left.  Hopefully for good.

So, rest of the day?  Hope to cram in some crafty time.  Along with a trip to Phil's to check on sassy cat, and maybe, a bike ride. 

But a nap really sounds good!

Happy Sunday to all of you.

Happy New Year! Welcome to 2015 and my New One Little Word. Be.

Wheel Line - Along Hwy 30, Between Haines and North Powder

 (Jan. 10)

Early Morning Drive - Jan. 10 2015

Today is January 10th, 2015.

Where Am I?

In my little house, in a rural town of 300, in Eastern Oregon, and still in my jammies.  I love Saturdays like this.

However, I have already driven up and down the two lane road, in my jammies, on black ice to take Kid #1 to get to the school to teach a basketball camp for little kids.  Eight miles away.  We were late (teen daughter does not like to move in the mornings).  We left at 7:55ish, and the camp started at 8 am. So I was going 70 mph.

I know it's black ice, because I 'tested' my new studded tires when I braked at a stop sign, and slid, but happily stayed in my lane, and didn't go over the line too far. I'm calling this a 'win'.

And, it's a foggy day, and 28 degrees. January is our inversion month.  Warm and sunny up at Anthony Ski Resort - 17 miles up the road, cold and nasty and icy in the hood. 

Which brings us to Kid #2. He is recuperating from a ski accident from yesterday (first day on his new ski's, he broke one ski brake while coming down Starbottle Run and going too darn fast).  I'm a little miffed because this was Day #1 of 8 days of our local ski program.  Hope he can continue.  His knee is not feeling good. But he isn't screaming in pain, or crying, and he looks fine.  So I am considering this another win.  No broken bones - and he can walk and talk.Well, limp.  He limps.

Thoughts?
 I have chosen my OLW for 2015.  It's Be.

To Be still, Be me, Beleive, look for the Beauty in all things, and to Let it Be.
And yes, I am taking Ali's One Little Word Class.

And Today's Line Up:
Interestingly, I thought today was going to be a nice lazy day. Turns out.. I'll be running!  But, in the spirit of my new word, I am letting it all just Be! 

1. Kid#1 has a 1pm game. Varsity Girls.  She then has to work concessions all day. Followed by movie night with her posse at her boyfriend's casa.
2.  Kid #2:  Finished taking down all the garland and bows off my white picket fence.  Sniff.  So long Christmas.  And he is laying low.  Injuries and computer time.
3. Helping a friend with a display board for her daughter who is on our local rodeo's  court - judging happens on Jan. 31st.  Thank Goodness for A roomful of scrap crap and my Cameo silhouette!
4. Dinner in town tonight with one of my favorite coworkers/friend and his wife - Barley Brown's!  Best place in Baker, in my opinion.

Ta da!
Photos above are from this morning's drive.