This weekend was pretty crazy. With Joe unable to do any lifting (nothing more than 5 pounds), many tasks that he usually does were left up to me. So - I brought in wood, hauled 3 loads of laundry up from the basement, drug in bags and bags of groceries. Let me say my back is killing me!
On a different and less whiney note, I did manage to collect 4 bags of stuff to pitch. I emptied out cabinets in my kitchen that I rarely go in to. I'm ashamed to say I even found a stash of sippy cups - hopefully from Ty and Leah, and not from my kids - the youngest will be 26 on March 29! I found a thermos and water bottles my boys used in sports - so they were ancient - and now GONE! The cabinet over my fridge is totally empty.
My total number of bags is now 7. I'm way behind.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Joe's Angiogram Update
Here's the latest news. Joe's angiogram was good. His heart is strong, and his arteries are flowing well. Having said that - the chest pains (angina) he's having is probably caused by clogged capillaries, which they can only treat with medicine. They have given him a new medicine, used for adults with chronic angina. He is doing well this morning, getting ready to take Rocky to the vet right now. Still having some chest pain, but taking things slowly.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Joe - Heart troubles again
Tomorrow we are heading back to the hospital for another angiogram for Joe. He has been experiencing cheat pains for most of this month, and has been holding out for an office visit that was supposed to be happening today. The chest pain seems to be worse than in the past. Last Thursday he had a stress test done at the cardiologist. Over the weekend, he was really doing poorly, so I encouraged him to call the doctor Monday morning. He found out the result of his stress test was OK, so that was good - but did not explain his pain. So the doctor cancelled his appointment and scheduled him for the angiogram. I know Joe feels they will certainly be putting in a new stent. I guess Friday will tell.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
40 Bags Update
Since I posted on Ash Wednesday, I have completed a total of 1 bag. I have come down with a sore throat and earache, and have been feeling sick for the last 2 days. Today I am sonewhat better, so far. My goal is 6 bags by the end of day Sunday.
Dad's Memorial Weekend - The End
I was going to go through the weekend - day by day. But I am so far behind that I'm just doing a short post.
Thursday morning and most of the afternoon I sorted through pictures that we found under Mom and Dad's bed. I found many treasured memories, cruises, baptisms, First Communions, Weddings, Christmases. I sorted them by family, into 5 piles, and a separate pile for friends. While I was doing that, Carolyn and Bill ordered the food, and did more party prep. Bob arrived. He brought the frozen drinks fixings, so I put them together and got them in the freezer. Late afternoon I joined Carolyn at the pool for a little vitamin D therapy :-) . Carolyn, Bob and I had dinner at the Shrimp Shack, out by the airport. Bill worked at the clubhouse.
On Friday the energy kicked into gear as Susan and Elaine arrived. I went with Bob to pick them up at the airport. On the way home we stopped at Sam's to buy more party supplies. Elaine tried to work, and Bill worked for a short time at the clubhouse. There was a whirlwind of party prep. We all went to dinner on Friday night at one of Mom and Dad's favorite places - the Stone(something). We had a great time, and excellent food. I had grouper - the only thing I wanted to be sure I had on this trip.
Saturday morning I was very sad. I couldn't get past - this is the end. Maybe the last time I go to Ft. Myers. Certainly the last time it will be Mom and Dad's place. My plan was to sit around Carol and Steven's place and mope, until we had to do the final party prep. Carolyn ran a few errands, and called to see if I wanted to make a quick swing by the beach. I decided to go - moping was a bad plan - so Bill, Carolyn and I went to Ft. Myers Beach. Susan and Elaine went to get Elaine's hair cut, and buy plants for the table decorations. We all met back at the house. The UPS guy delivered Dad's forgotten Holy Cards ($90 to ship overnight) that Andy had sent on Friday. Work in the kitchen began, cleaning the serving dishes, prepping the salads. I found myself in the way in the kitchen, so I spent an hour trying to check in for my return flight - very frustrating. I went over the picture boards, reattaching the pictures that fell off, preparing them for the party. Meanwhile everyone else was at the clubhouse setting up the room. Around 2:00 I finished, went back to Carol and Steven's to prepare for mass.
The memorial party started with 4:00 Mass at Blessed Pope John XXIII church. Father Ronnie said the Mass - dad's favorite priest. Elaine, Susan, and I shed a few tears as the song Hear I Am Lord was sung. Father Ronnie sang the final blessing. Dad loved when he did that.
And then - the party started. Half of us went to the clubhouse, the other half back the the condo's to get stuff. We began to set out food - with the help of early arriving guests who were also at church. After all the stuff arrived, and the food and drinks table arranged, the meet and greet was completed, we began. Bill gave a great introductory speech - with notes from Carolyn on what to say :-). Elaine also spoke about Mom and Dad, about how they loved living in Florida, how they loved bridge, parties, and traveling. She spoke about Dad's ability to fix anything, and to help anyone who asked for his assistance. Many of his friends spoke to us about how they would be missed. I think the five of us spent most of the party circulating and visiting. Many times I was thanked for having this party. It seems that it doesn't happen very often after a person passes on, the Florida friends don't get an opportunity to come together to celebrate the life of their friend. We had laid out pictures of Mom and Dad with friends near the picture boards, and invited everyone to take what they wanted from the loose pictures. There were also stacks of bridge tallies. The last bridge person to leave got what was left of the tallies on the table. I can't list all who attended - we think about 80 people, but I can mention my cousin Bobbie Bravard and his wife Anne and their son Kelly (I think), Dan Cavanaugh and his wife Irene, Horst and Lily, Austin and Marilyn, Barb Blocker, and Peggy.
All too soon the party was over. We ran out of the frozen drinks, went through the wine and beer, had lots of left over water. How funny! We left some food for the superbowl party the next day, cleaned up the place, and went home. Funny how I can't remember anything after bringing in all the stuff.
Sunday Carolyn and I left early - around 5:00 AM for our flight at 7:00. We were back to the land of snow. Seven inches had fallen on Friday night in Ohio.
Thursday morning and most of the afternoon I sorted through pictures that we found under Mom and Dad's bed. I found many treasured memories, cruises, baptisms, First Communions, Weddings, Christmases. I sorted them by family, into 5 piles, and a separate pile for friends. While I was doing that, Carolyn and Bill ordered the food, and did more party prep. Bob arrived. He brought the frozen drinks fixings, so I put them together and got them in the freezer. Late afternoon I joined Carolyn at the pool for a little vitamin D therapy :-) . Carolyn, Bob and I had dinner at the Shrimp Shack, out by the airport. Bill worked at the clubhouse.
On Friday the energy kicked into gear as Susan and Elaine arrived. I went with Bob to pick them up at the airport. On the way home we stopped at Sam's to buy more party supplies. Elaine tried to work, and Bill worked for a short time at the clubhouse. There was a whirlwind of party prep. We all went to dinner on Friday night at one of Mom and Dad's favorite places - the Stone(something). We had a great time, and excellent food. I had grouper - the only thing I wanted to be sure I had on this trip.
Saturday morning I was very sad. I couldn't get past - this is the end. Maybe the last time I go to Ft. Myers. Certainly the last time it will be Mom and Dad's place. My plan was to sit around Carol and Steven's place and mope, until we had to do the final party prep. Carolyn ran a few errands, and called to see if I wanted to make a quick swing by the beach. I decided to go - moping was a bad plan - so Bill, Carolyn and I went to Ft. Myers Beach. Susan and Elaine went to get Elaine's hair cut, and buy plants for the table decorations. We all met back at the house. The UPS guy delivered Dad's forgotten Holy Cards ($90 to ship overnight) that Andy had sent on Friday. Work in the kitchen began, cleaning the serving dishes, prepping the salads. I found myself in the way in the kitchen, so I spent an hour trying to check in for my return flight - very frustrating. I went over the picture boards, reattaching the pictures that fell off, preparing them for the party. Meanwhile everyone else was at the clubhouse setting up the room. Around 2:00 I finished, went back to Carol and Steven's to prepare for mass.
The memorial party started with 4:00 Mass at Blessed Pope John XXIII church. Father Ronnie said the Mass - dad's favorite priest. Elaine, Susan, and I shed a few tears as the song Hear I Am Lord was sung. Father Ronnie sang the final blessing. Dad loved when he did that.
And then - the party started. Half of us went to the clubhouse, the other half back the the condo's to get stuff. We began to set out food - with the help of early arriving guests who were also at church. After all the stuff arrived, and the food and drinks table arranged, the meet and greet was completed, we began. Bill gave a great introductory speech - with notes from Carolyn on what to say :-). Elaine also spoke about Mom and Dad, about how they loved living in Florida, how they loved bridge, parties, and traveling. She spoke about Dad's ability to fix anything, and to help anyone who asked for his assistance. Many of his friends spoke to us about how they would be missed. I think the five of us spent most of the party circulating and visiting. Many times I was thanked for having this party. It seems that it doesn't happen very often after a person passes on, the Florida friends don't get an opportunity to come together to celebrate the life of their friend. We had laid out pictures of Mom and Dad with friends near the picture boards, and invited everyone to take what they wanted from the loose pictures. There were also stacks of bridge tallies. The last bridge person to leave got what was left of the tallies on the table. I can't list all who attended - we think about 80 people, but I can mention my cousin Bobbie Bravard and his wife Anne and their son Kelly (I think), Dan Cavanaugh and his wife Irene, Horst and Lily, Austin and Marilyn, Barb Blocker, and Peggy.
All too soon the party was over. We ran out of the frozen drinks, went through the wine and beer, had lots of left over water. How funny! We left some food for the superbowl party the next day, cleaned up the place, and went home. Funny how I can't remember anything after bringing in all the stuff.
Sunday Carolyn and I left early - around 5:00 AM for our flight at 7:00. We were back to the land of snow. Seven inches had fallen on Friday night in Ohio.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
40 Bags for 40 Days
Today is the first day of Lent. This year I have taken up the 40 bags for 40 days challenge. I am committing myself to ridding my home of 40 bags of stuff during the 40 days of Lent. They can be small or large bags, but 40 bags it will be. I have also challenged Joe, JR and Les to meet or beat me on this challenge. The idea is to commit to 40 days of possibly uncomfortable “letting go.” I'll be keeping track of my (everyone's) progress on a paper attached to the fridge - so I have the commitment in front of me every day.
Today's bag location - my bedroom closet.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Wednesday in Ft. Myers
Early last Wednesday morning at 5:50AM Carolyn and I left from the Dayton airport. We landed in Ft. Myers around 10:30, rented a car, and headed for Mom and Dad's place. We met Bill at the club house - he had arrived on Tuesday. From there we headed to Mom and Dad's place. As we walked through the empty home, I was overwhelmed with sadness. This is really the end. Their home would never be the same again. Carolyn and I stayed at Carol and Steven's place - Mom and Dad's friends from England. At first, I wished we were staying at Mom and Dad's place, but as I thought about it, I realized it would have been hard for me to be surrounded by them all the time.
After we settled in, Carolyn and I went to Publix and got some catering information, and did a little shopping for breakfast foods. We bought fresh strawberries, pineapple, orange juice, English muffins and butter. I bought an umbrella - it was supposed to rain on Friday, and the last time I bought an umbrella I was in Ft. Myers for Mom's funeral.
That evening Bill, Carolyn, and I went to an Italian place called Starz, and shared a pizza. Later, back at the condo, we rummaged through Mom's Beanie Baby collection, and searched for family photos. I slept soundly after a long day.
After we settled in, Carolyn and I went to Publix and got some catering information, and did a little shopping for breakfast foods. We bought fresh strawberries, pineapple, orange juice, English muffins and butter. I bought an umbrella - it was supposed to rain on Friday, and the last time I bought an umbrella I was in Ft. Myers for Mom's funeral.
That evening Bill, Carolyn, and I went to an Italian place called Starz, and shared a pizza. Later, back at the condo, we rummaged through Mom's Beanie Baby collection, and searched for family photos. I slept soundly after a long day.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
A Trip to FLorida
I'm leaving early tomorrow morning for a trip to Ft. Myers. We are having Dad's memorial on Saturday, so I'll be there until early Sunday morning. I'm am so looking forward to the warmer weather, and hoping for some sunshine. I started packing last weekend, in between work troubles since I was on call. Now I need to repack because I took about 30 tops for 4 days - possible overkill. I don't think 4 pairs of shoes is overkill, though. :-)
New Glasses
This year I visited the eye doctor and ordered new glasses. I'm also trying new contact that have to be specially made because my eyes are so bad. By the time I was finished with the exam, contacts and glasses I'd spen $1000. Wow. Here are my new glasses. My contacts are ready yet.
Joe's Birthday
Joe's birthday was yesterday. We celebrated it with dinner at Logan's steakhouse on Sunday and a Dunkin Hines butter yellow cake with chocolate frosting - Joe's favorite.
