Here’s what I saw at the end of the challenge:

The challenge had started on January 4 on DietBet. On January 5, I got sick and for several days, I didn’t have an appetite. My stomach wasn’t upset. I just didn’t want to eat.

My exercise suffered, too. There was a solid week that I didn’t even put on my pedometer. That is highly unusual. It’s one of the first things I attach to my clothes in the morning.

Gradually, I got back into exercising and was doing well up until Tuesday of this week. That’s when my foot started hurting. Or maybe it was my hip. It went from one to the other and my sister suggested it might be sciatica. But it wasn’t. That runs up the back of a person’s leg and this was at the side. The pain was so bad I stopped at 2k of my afternoon stint and unearthed an elastic bandage, wrapped my foot, and finished my walking.

Trying to think what might have caused the problem, I went over everything I’ve been doing that’s different. I finally came up with—I’ve been working on my notebook computer on my lap. That wouldn’t be such a big deal, but it’s on a cooling platform on top of the cozy. Hmmmmmmmm. I mentioned that on Facebook and one of my friends who is a nurse figures that was probably the problem.

Well, I had to do something about this so I clicked through on Amazon and found just what I needed. The Table-Mate II. These days, I have to think long and hard before I plunk down money but this looked like something that would definitely solve my problem. I ordered it on Tuesday night and it was here Thursday afternoon. I expected something not nearly as sturdy as it is. It went together without a hitch using no tools and it’s perfect for my computer. Add that to the fact that my neighbor got my lamp cleaned up and I’m in business for sure, for sure.

After my neighbor brought the lamp over, I’d posted another project the next day on her web site. I don’t know if she’s noticed it yet. She isn’t much of a computer person. There’s one project that’s going to take days to do. It’s a whole house makeover and I need to get started on it tomorrow.

Yesterday, I walked around the edges of my little postage stamp of property and took a couple of pictures. The first one is the daffodil that I’d featured last week. The next is a veritable flock of them. I’d thought about waiting until today but it’s a good thing I didn’t—our days and days of sunshine (and basking) were over. It has rained. And rained. And rained.

I’d made a Super Duper Gut Bomb casserole yesterday. Making patties is so time-consuming, I decided I’d just chuck the mixture into a pan and bake it that way. Then, last night, one of my Facebook friends who was supposed to help with the guest meal today said she wouldn’t be able to. I thought, well, why not pitch in? I made a couple of phone calls and talked to the other family involved and obligated myself to be the Other Family. The general Fellowship Meal takes place twice a month—on the second and fourth Sabbaths. Other Sabbaths, food is provided for guests.

Last night, I set the alarm. This morning, I woke ‘way before time for it to go off. The opening song was one I’d never played that I can remember. I know, once, I was working my way through the hymnal and I may have played it then but that was more than 25 years ago. I wanted to get to the church early to practice.

The pianist and I went over the song several times until we figured we could cripple through it. Between Sabbath School and class time, I flagged the elder down who had picked the songs. He was shocked at what was in the bulletin. He had picked a different song! He incriminated himself, though. He’d written down the wrong number. We got that straightened out and we were all relieved.

And, speaking of being relieved, I was glad to see the signal light was back! I wouldn’t have to watch the door out of the corner of my eye. HA! After I’d played for what seemed like forever, the elder opened the door and, in a stage whisper, announced the light wasn’t working! So much for that!

My playing went downhill from there. I was so rattled…

I lived and did well. The lunch was pleasant with just one table full of sociable people. It was the one family and me providing the food and two other people stayed to share in it with us.

Coming home, I drove through pea-soup fog and had a quiet rest of the afternoon. And I just discovered that, some way, part of my blog post disappeared. I’ll attempt to reconstruct but you may be lucky and not have to wade through so much.

The phone rang when I was back home and in the process of changing my clothes. It was DD. We had our weekly visit then an important appointment took her away. I finished unloading the car and got busy fixing something to eat.

Monday was a red-letter day because it was merm’s first day at the new job. From all reports, everything went well. I have faith that it will continue to be that way.

This week has had a pretty good balance of sunshine and rain. It’s made for a nice change. I was able to get out and sit in the sun several days, including today. We’ve had our share of downpours, though, with thunder, lightning and the threat of tornadoes. People get understandably nervous when weather like that moves through.

I’ve had visits with DS1 and my younger granddaughter. The reason for the latter was the need for a donation for the Fun Run at her school. I gave a paltry amount and put it in the mail the next day. Then there’s the wedding shower tomorrow…YIKES!

I’d gone out to my neighbor’s pump house the other day to get a potato to bake as a reward for being down by eight lubs when I noticed the lamp I’d referred to last week as being discarded. There it was, sitting in the pump house across from the basket of potatoes. I emailed my neighbor and told her I’d seen it and asked what I could use to clean it up. She said it was funny, that she had mentioned to her husband that she was going to do just that and set it on the deck to see if I’d notice it! She said she’d get it done this weekend. How about that! Two minds…

Yesterday, after I got through sunning, I walked to the mailbox and, on my way back, a splotch of yellow caught my eye. I dashed to the house to get my camera.

My mother would call them “daffy down dillies”. There was lots of greenery with buds but this was the only one that I saw that was brave enough to bloom.

I’ve finally gotten back into the swing of walking. Most days, I’ve managed around 11 to 12k steps. Of course, the music isn’t what I listen to on Sabbath so I take the seventh day off. It will be back to it tomorrow, though. I believe it’s helping with the calorie burn, too. Yesterday, I was down by eight lubs in the challenge but it was seven today. Of course, I weighed about an hour and a half earlier than usual, too. That can make a big difference. DID YOU KNOW THAT??!

Speaking of this morning, I made it to the church a little early and found the pianist talking to one of the ladies in the back of the sanctuary. There was a chorale rehearsing on the platform. I didn’t have a clue what was going on. When I asked, the pianist didn’t have much of an idea, herself. She went up front to talk to the accompanist and came back to report that the group would be having Sabbath School and I would play for church as usual. Things turned out better than I expected them to, I’m thankful to say. It would be nice to be notified beforehand, though.

My signal light was nowhere to be seen. I talked to yet another of the men only to be told he doesn’t have a key to the church. Maybe next week…

The program was very good today. The chorale did a beautiful job on the two numbers they did and the song services were rousing. It was nice to be able to have a break from playing. If the accompanist had been familiar with our order of service, I would have prevailed upon her to play for church. She played beautifully.

Of course, the order of service is subject to change, too. The elder in charge today called for the offering before the prayer requests and praises so I had to quickly flip to the offertory. Then, when he got up to do the requests and praises, he laughed and said he wanted to see if we were paying attention. Well, YES! I don’t take anything for granted.

The pastor preached an excellent sermon. He has come a long way in the years since he first came to our church.

I’ve had a quiet afternoon. I ate a bit too much but my goal in the challenge is five pounds so I have a little cushion—in more ways than one. As I was leaving, an old friend asked if I wouldn’t be staying for lunch. I said no, that I didn’t want to sabotage myself in the weight loss area. He made my day. “Weight loss? You don’t need to lose weight! You are perfect just the way you are.” It’s nice that he thinks so. I told him I didn’t want to lose my $25. “You have to pay to lose weight??” I quickly explained that there are nine of us involved and the ones who reach goal get to split the pot.

About that, I feel kind of bad because I got sick right at the beginning and had to force myself to eat. The first few lubs I lost were because of that. I kind of got a head start and not in the right way, either. I have stuck with it, but I still feel sorta like I’ve cheated. It will be over on Wednesday and we’ll see what happens. I’m the only person who weighs in every day so, for all I know, EVERYONE may reach goal. It’s only the first weigh in and the last that really mean anything, anyway.

Amazon has notified me of price changes on some of my subscribe and save items. The only one that went down in price is one that I’m skipping this time. Coconut oil went up a dollar so I’ll skip it, too. At least they make it easy.

As my sister would say, “Life on the edge.”

I’d been out to the garage on Friday to get some things out of the freezer. My supply of cooked fava beans would be zilch after breakfast on Sabbath. Saturday night, I almost forgot to put them to soak but I remembered just in time. Sunday morning, when I took the lid off the pan, I was greeted with the usual giant beans staring up at me. People have a hard time understanding just how big the beans are so I thoroughly washed a quarter and took some pictures so I can answer the question once and for all.

As usual, you can click on the picture to see a larger size.

I’m still spending a lot of time in Mother’s chair though I was able to start exercising again on Wednesday. I managed almost 8,000 steps that day and 11,000 both Thursday and Friday. I’ve been walking to the mailbox, too. My periods of exertion are getting longer and longer. I actually even made a batch of Super Duper Gut Bombettes on Thursday and took a couple over to my neighbor. The Bombettes are a bit smaller than the Bombs because I’m trying not to sabotage myself. There’s still the weight loss challenge, you know.

This morning, I had the alarm set for 6 a.m. I “snoozed” it until almost 6:30. There was a rip-roarin’ storm going on and it was nice to just lie there and listen to the rain.

I managed to make it to church a tad early but my trip to the bathroom delayed my arrival at the organ. Today convinced me that it takes some effort to play the organ for both Sabbath School and church with two song services. By the time it was over, I was tired. The signal light has never been put back on the organ so someone has to open the door beside me to let me know the people are ready to go out on the platform. Today, I was so absorbed in my playing, I didn’t notice the elder trying to get my attention. The pastor’s wife came up and let me know. After church was over, I told said elder that I’m going on strike if something isn’t done. It’s distracting, to say the least, and embarrassing at the worst.

I hadn’t coughed at all while I was in the building but when I got outside and started breathing the cold damp air, I started in hacking like I was a few days ago. As soon as I could get in the car and go, I went. There was a fellowship meal today–I don’t know why because the regular ones are on the second and fourth Sabbaths of the month. It isn’t unusual not to be notified of such but I wouldn’t have stayed, anyway. I let a couple of people know that I won’t be going to prayer meeting until the weather improves and the days get longer. Guess I’m getting Up There.

Tomorrow, there is some kind of food party at the home of one of the members. I’d thought about going but I don’t think I will. There’s lots to do here at home to get caught up to where I was (which was behind) so I believe it would be better to spend my energy that way.

I’ve been looking at floor lamps so I can see to read while I’m sitting in Mother’s chair. I have yet to find one that I’d want that’s affordable. The one I had was brass and it got wet and grew awful green stuff so I put it out to be discarded. Maybe Goodwill?

The weather this week has been dismal, mostly. There was one day I could sit in the sun. That’s not enough. When I drove home today, it was through a think pea-soup fog. Tuesday is the first day we are supposed to get an appreciable amount of sun. At least I have that to look forward to.

Sunday, I got up after little sleep and almost passed out when I was doing my weigh-in. My appetite was practically non-existent. I forced myself to squeeze some oranges (thank God for my citrus juicer) and I heated up my fava beans. Other than that, I ate a couple of Clementines and drank lots of water. I didn’t attempt to give myself my B-12 shot. The serum (is that what it is?) was so low in the vial it was hard to draw up in the best of times and these were far from the best.

My weight was plummeting which was understandable since I was taking in very little in the way of nourishment. I spent a lot of the day in bed.

That night was like so many of the previous ones had been–cough cough cough for hours on end. I’d look at the clock whenever I’d get up to go to the bathroom. The hours crawled by.

Monday, I was getting down to my lowest ebb. Once again, lights started flashing and then going dark when I was weighing myself. After I managed to drink a quart of water and took my thyroid meds, I went back to bed. I was lying there, crying, in the depths of a pity party. I was wondering, if I died, how long it would take for someone to find my body. After I’d sobbed my feelings out to God, the phone rang and it was one of the ladies from church. She hadn’t known I was so sick and assured me she would come see me if she had time–but she didn’t have time. I was glad because I wasn’t up to entertaining company or having a protracted conversation but it was nice to know she cared. Before we hung up, she had prayer for me.

I crept around and fixed OJ and fava beans that afternoon. Thankfully, the last time I had cooked fava beans, there had been more than usual and there was a good supply in the freezer compartment of the fridge.

A lot of my day was spent in bed but when I checked my email or Facebook from time to time, both of my NC sisters indicated their willingness to come take care of me while I was sick. Several Facebook friends were either leaving encouraging messages or praying for me or both. My neighbor let me know, once again, that she was right next door. I wasn’t alone after all.

Monday night was more of the same–coughing coughing coughing. And more coughing. At least when I got up and did my weigh-in on Tuesday, I didn’t almost pass out. In the challenge, I’m supposed to lose five lubs. I was already down by four. People were impressed. I wasn’t. I was sick. I’d trade feeling good any day for losing weight.

Tuesday morning, I drank a 16 ozzie glass of water, went back to bed and slept for a full hour without coughing. I’d found the answer! That night, I drank 16 ozzies of water and went to bed. I wasn’t going to cough. I grabbed a couple of Ricola out of the closet in the bathroom and smiled. I wouldn’t be using them. There were already three on my bedside table. I was sure the five would be there when I got up in the morning.

That was the worst night I can ever remember having in all my life. I coughed. And coughed. And coughed some more. I ate Ricola. I coughed so hard once in the night, I pulled a muscle in my groin. Once, when I was able to go to sleep, I woke myself coughing. I was wrapped up in the cover and was wet with sweat. I vowed I would shed my attitude of being too good to take medicine and I would contact my PCP if I made it through the night.

When I did contact him, he asked if I wanted to be seen that morning. There was no way on God’s (green?) earth I could drive to the office and I wouldn’t ask my worst enemy to expose him/herself to whatever I had to take me. I wasn’t sick enough to go in an ambulance so no. If he could call something in, I could have my neighbor pick it up. He called in some Robitussin AC, Zithromax and a vial of B-12. I called the pharmacy and let them know I would NOT be taking the Zithromax. My neighbor picked up the other two.

My tremor was so bad, I slopped the medicine all over the place trying to pour it with my left hand and hold the spoon with my right. What I needed was a medicine cup.

That night was the first night I slept in over a week. I mean really slept. Up until then, it had been a few hours here, a few minutes there and most of that fitfully. I told one of my sisters on Sunday, “I cannot sleep! I haven’t had a good night’s sleep since I don’t know when. I KNOW I didn’t sleep well Wednesday through last night. Last night, I may have slept for an hour. I never took myself for an insomniac. I’m praying about it. I don’t want to go completely loony because of a lack of rest.” I’d been so desperate, I remember praying that, rather than be crazy from lack of sleep, God would allow me to die. Here I am, so that wasn’t part of His plan.

I searched for a medicine cup but didn’t find one anywhere. Once again, my neighbor came to my rescue. As soon as I asked, she was at my front door with one. Medicine-taking since then has been a breeze.

With all the coughing and lying around, my back was suffering. I got the heating pad merm gave me for Christmas and put it in one of the chairs I’d bought from my Mother’s estate. EVERY TIME I’d get up for something, I’d come back and Twinkle would have taken my place. Once, she didn’t move when I started to sit down and she yelped when I sat on her. One of my Facebook friends had mentioned her husband and her dog had had their own heating pads so I got out my old one, wrapped it in a towel and put it in a chair for Twinkle.

Only once since then has she offered to sit in my chair for me. I have everything I need right here. My notebook computer is on the My Place Cozy I got several Christmases ago. In the picture, that must be the smallest computer ever because I have no room whatsoever for a mouse. My MagicJack is hooked up to my netbook in the kitchen and I have one of the phones right beside me. Not a bad setup. Now, if I had a wireless print server…

The cough medicine left me in a bit of a fog on Thursday and again yesterday. Night before last, I had to get up and take some more about 1 a.m. and, while it’s supposed to be taken every 4-6 hours, it made me kind of loopy. I’d called my neighbor yesterday, demanding to know if she had gotten my order by mistake. Well, no. Well, I had ordered sunshine and it was yet to arrive. She figured I was feeling no pain.

This morning, SUNSHINE!! My neighbor posted on my Facebook wall, “looks like your order came in” and it had! It was up to 32 degrees and little to no wind so I bundled up and basked for 15 minutes. Lovely!

I’ve eaten more today so tomorrow’s weigh-in will probably bear that out. With the temperature up to 42 this afternoon, I walked to the mailbox for the first time in a week, went to the garage to get some things out of the freezer and Pooky didn’t even bark at me. I’m getting stronger. I may feel up to washing dishes tomorrow. We’ll have to wait and see how I feel about exercising. My pedometer is on the counter in the bathroom and has been there for days.

Good things have happened this week, too. I got word that merm got a job as research manager at a major company. We are all excited over that. Now, no one in our family is jobless. I went “back to work” yesterday and put up another project on the construction web site. Things are looking up.

Since many offspring born close to Christmas get presents wrapped in Christmas wrapping, I always tried not to have that happen with DS2. This year, I did it one better. I’d ordered his present from Amazon, flagged it as a gift with no wrapping paper. Now, you might think that’s cold and heartless but why pay $5 for something that will be garbage, anyway? I called to sing happy birthday and he seemed just as thrilled as he would have with the trimmings.

I never did get to town to get any black-eyed peas. Fava beans had to suffice. My “greens” were an artichoke. If I go completely broke this year, you’ll know why. If wealth depends on the amount of peas I ate on NYD, I’m in bad trouble.

My neighbor/cousin/doctor/friend got sick and was nowhere to be seen for several days. That’s not the norm at all. I didn’t have charcoal to give her (she probably has a good supply herself) so I made a pot of lentil soup and shared. She actually liked it!! I noticed her van was gone today so she must be feeling a lot better.

As for me and myself, I’m puny. On Wednesday, I went down the mountain to visit the various stores selling groceries. It was also the day that merm had selected to start a diet challenge to recycle fat. I got home, unloaded, and mostly put things away. I hadn’t eaten since breakfast so I had supper and set out to visit Genese and go to prayer meeting. A hot topic was the Bug that’s going around. Well, I don’t know where it found me but it found me.

One of the requirements of the challenge is that merm will post our beginning and ending weight from pictures that we (there are nine of us participating) send. I’m weighing with the Wii Fit so I emailed a picture of the screen. On Thursday, I was down by more than I charted but I figured it was from dehydration. Here’s where I am currently (no weight numbers are posted for me).

I started out in first place, then got bumped to second and am back to first. I have no idea what the “activities” are that I’m supposed to get extra points for participation. Neither do I know what the extra points would do. When I click on the activities link, it doesn’t go anywhere.

I called my neighbor to check on her and get some info so I could post a project on her web site. She was feeling better. That was good because as soon as I hung up and started to work getting the pictures uploaded, I felt like I’d been hit by a ton of bricks. I felt awful. I managed to get through the day but barely and I have yet to do that project.

And talk about lazy! Wednesday night, it was 12:15 a.m. before I got up to put more cover on the bed so I was cold for about three hours. That didn’t help the way I felt. Thursday night, I coughed so much I couldn’t sleep. I’d taken some ACF that night but my mistake was not taking it sooner. I’ve been taking it since then, too. Maybe it will work soon. Something I’ve noticed—I have a hard time pouring it without spilling. I have to pour with my left hand (the one with the tremor) and a lot slops around that doesn’t get taken. Guess I should pour over a saucer.

Last night was the annual Agape Feast and I’d planned to go. There was no way. Midday, I called the pianist to let her know I wouldn’t be there for that or for church today. She wished me well but ominously said that this Bug hangs on a long time.

Last night, I dug up an ancient bottle of cough medicine, prayed it wouldn’t kill me and took a spoonful. I was desperate for sleep.

In spite of the cough medicine, I still coughed. As soon as I would start drifting off to sleep, something would wake me up. Not anything specific. I might think of something and go off on a tangent. I woke this morning feeling like something Twinkle drug in. I think it messed up my stomach, too, because I’ve had little appetite today. Guess that’s good for the challenge.

I’ve been using the heating pad merm sent me for Christmas on my back. So much sitting and lying around doesn’t do it (my back) any good.

My attempt at keeping some herbs alive this winter has about bitten the dust. The cilantro is struggling but the dill gave up completely. The dill outside still has some usable growth. It’s survived several nights where the temperature got down to the mid-teens. How much longer it will make it is anyone’s guess. My neighbors got me a mini-greenhouse for Christmas but it’s still empty. I should get some things started for it. It’s pretty heavy but the winds have been, too, and it’s out there, blown over.

Late this afternoon, I heard something hit the house. I went outside and looked but didn’t see anything. At least a tree didn’t fall on it. (Update: The cutting board fell on the floor. Nothing hit the house.)

My evening meal was about an hour later than I like it to be. I finally felt up to stomaching something. My belief that it’s about as important WHEN you eat as WHAT you eat. I’ve been training my system to eat earlier and earlier and 4 o’clock is the latest I try for. I don’t always make it but when I do, I feel triumphant.

I’m fighting sleep. I know if I go to bed too early, I’ll wake in the wee hours but I may give in, anyway. We’ll see.

Let’s see…Back in January, we were having some really rough weather. First, there was freezing rain with snow on top of that. I hadn’t known one Sabbath that services had been canceled so I ventured out to go to church and that’s when I saw a car sliding down the mountain road sideways. Next, it snowed more and kept me from going to work.

The weather turned bitterly cold and the water pipe coming to the house froze. I carried snow in and thawed it on the stove so I could at least wash my hands. That was on a Thursday. I hadn’t been to work all that week but I had to gear up and go in on Friday so I could take a shower. By mid-afternoon the next day the water thawed. My cousin/neighbor was in Florida working on a renovation and she took me to task for not going to her house to shower, get water, etc. I didn’t want to disturb her husband but I promised I’d swallow my pride and go if it happened again.

February saw two people, both younger than me, retiring from the hospital. It was a low blow—especially since one was from my department. That meant I would have to start interviewing for a replacement. I talked it over with the rest of the staff and they preferred getting someone to fill in rather than a person to actually take her place. That meant they would get their 37.5 hours vs 32. I played “Let’s Make a Deal” with those above me and the plan was approved. I would still have to interview candidates and that was something I dearly despised to do.

March came along and I finally found someone qualified who was willing to take the PRN position. It was also in March that I had to revamp my routine so I could wake up, have my devotions, eat breakfast, exercise with the Wii, shower and dress before I went to work. That required my getting up at 4:30 every morning.

“They” say you can make some of the people happy all the time and all of the people happy some of the time but, in my case, neither one was true. Try as I might, I couldn’t make anyone happy any time it seemed. I started praying in earnest that I would be able to retire. I couldn’t believe it was possible and expressed that during Sabbath School class one week. One of the ladies declared my not going ahead and doing it showed a lack of faith on my part. I thought, “She doesn’t have a clue what it would take” but her statement stuck with me.

I’d hired someone in March but, with all the red tape of getting a new person oriented and tested, it was April before she could actually start in the office. Even though she was more or less “eased” into the position, it was overwhelming and many a day, she was fighting the tears when she’d go home. She often wondered if she would have the courage to come back. She lost sleep and I had to spend a lot of time assuring her she was doing a good job. The last person I’d hired before her lasted for a whole three days.

Stress was taking its toll on everyone. I was still having severe headaches and when I’d close my eyes, I would often feel like I was going to fall forward. No one in the office was happy to have me as a boss and I wasn’t happy being one. My job was a mystery to them and they felt I should do my work and theirs, too. That went on all summer and my dissatisfaction with my job grew proportionately. There were a couple of people in the office that I felt were “on my side” but when twice that many aren’t, digs are hard to ignore.

There were a couple of meltdowns that resulted in conferences with the Powers That Be. I hated every minute of it. The job I used to enjoy had become a burden. It was a way to keep a roof over Twinkle’s and my heads and food on the table. Nothing more. Drudgery from the time I got there until the time I left. The only times I enjoyed were the times I would be called out of the office to work on someone’s computer. That I could do and it made people happy.

Summer came and I half-heartedly planted a few things. I wasn’t inspired to do much of anything. My days were divided up into two sections—not wanting to be at work and not wanting to go to work. Even the weekends were spent dreading Mondays. There were a few bright spots but they were always overshadowed by the specter of the hospital. One of the girls told me later she could tell I was being beaten down by the almost constant conflict. I couldn’t resolve it and I couldn’t avoid it.

In June, DD came to visit. She was here for a whole glorious week. I’d taken off time before and time after and it was as if I were a bird out of a cage. It was over much too soon and I had to Go Back.

July, plans were being made to go see my friend I’d learned back in May was, in fact, not dead but in federal prison. It wasn’t until August they materialized. I believe it was also in July that an inservice was first mentioned at work that would involve all the employees. I remember thinking, “Ain’t gonna do it.”

Years ago, merm had set up a budget spreadsheet for me. I searched and searched until I found it in my gmail (LOVE gmail!). I started fiddling with it and tweaking it. When I’d get home from work, I would pull it up and play with the numbers. At first, it looked as if there were no way I could retire but I kept at it. I “prayed without ceasing.”

I requested my pension amount from Human Resources and it didn’t come. Time after time, I emailed and finally, my message was forwarded to someone else to handle. Seems the floodgates had been opened and many people were retiring from the system.

My headaches were getting worse. The nurse practitioner I had seen in November 2009 had hazarded a guess that I could have a brain tumor. I had to know. I’d had a new PCP since June and he didn’t hesitate when I asked him for an order to have a CT scan. The “new” scanner was great—when I was positioned on the table, it zoomed up and down and the test was over in almost no time. I went out to where the tech and the trainer were both examining my films. They pointed out my eyes (two of them) and the absence of anything other than my brain and “it isn’t guaranteed to work.”

So…if I didn’t have a brain tumor, it had to be stress causing my headaches and balance problems. My stress was coming from work. I had to retire.

Several days later, an envelope came from Human Resources. It was marked “Personal and Confidential”. It was the calculation for my pension. The number stated on it was close to what I’d prayed it would be. Praise the Lord, I could retire.

I waited until September 2 to turn in my notice. I had to give four weeks and the 30th would be my last day. My replacement was hired in a few days (many people felt it had been in the works for a while and maybe it was) and I was down to marking time. I cleaned out the desk and organized it while she did a semblance of what was supposed to be done. I wasn’t concerned. It would be her baby when I was gone and I was all but gone then.

After my retirement party and sendoff, I was gone like a bat out of you-know-where. I haven’t been back. I’ve been to the nursing home to see Genese and I’m Facebook friends with a few of the employees but I’m still reluctant to set foot in the hospital. I’m sure I will someday but that time hasn’t come yet. I’ve heard from a couple of people but it’s like “out of sight, out of mind”.

The rest of the year has been spent recuperating. Years of stress have taken their toll and I feel like I’ve aged far more than my 67 years. My energy level is better some days than others but I guess that’s true of anyone. One thing is sure, I’m so thankful not to have to look forward to zooming down the mountain on Monday. Or Tuesday. Or Wednesday (except for prayer meeting).

Now, I only have to zoom around the house and post online. The site I’ve set up for G&D Construction is an ongoing project. Check it out and leave your comments! I would have thought I’d have more things squared away before this so maybe I should make that New Year’s resolution after all…

And now, on to 2012!!

DD had forgotten about my imminent employment and called for a conversation. I was in the middle of loading the car so we only talked for about 15 minutes. That took care of the most important elements. Since then, we have been in touch via email.

It felt like I should be about two inches taller when I got to my destination. I’d been stretching to keep behind the visor in the car so the sun wouldn’t blind me. DS2 informed me that I looked more like I’d shrunk. That may well be. After all, I’m old enough to be his mother.

My granddaughter was thrilled to see me and gave me a picture frame that she and her mother had made me. When I got home, I printed off our last picture together and put it in the frame.

I slept in her bed that night and the next and she slept with her mother.

The first day went well. We had a Project to do. There was a gingerbread house kit to put together and she appointed me the applier of the icing and herself the decorator. That took a good chunk of time.

I told her about some gingerbread house competitions that were on Food Network in the past and she called her mother at work to find out if they had the channel. Mom said to search for it so she did and found a Guy Fieri program. He was making ice cream sandwiches from cookies and slices of ice cream. She got all inspired so we hunted up six cookies and she got out their favorite flavors of ice cream. She was concerned that there were only enough cookies for three sandwiches but I assured her I wouldn’t eat them, anyway.

Thoroughly licking her fingers, she made the sandwiches and we wrapped them in foil. Marking them with an “M”, a “D” and a “K”, they were duly stowed in the freezer. She talked to her mother a few more times and would admonish her not to look in the freezer when she got home.

She’d been junking it up all morning in spite of my trying to get her to eat decent food so I was surprised when she agreed to a salad for lunch. She had two helpings.

We watched a couple of Christmas-y competitions (one giant gingerbread house one and one of decorating windows with edible components) on Hulu and she predicted the winner both times.

In the afternoon, we went out in the sunshine so she could jump on the trampoline while I watched her doing death-defying stunts (at least, they would have been for me).

When Mom got home, she was again warned not to look in the freezer. The gingerbread house was admired (even though it was obvious it wasn’t structurally sound) and left on a table in the middle of the floor for Dad to see.

Then Dad got home and he admired the house, too, but admitted that he saw it was leaning toward the front. I think all the decorations had weighed it down. He was given the same warning Mom had been given numerous times.

We got the sandwiches out and my granddaughter excitedly gave them to the parents. They all devoured them and expressed amazement that she’d made them herself.

Time for supper came and she wanted a baked potato and a salad “like Granny Sue made”. All it was, was romaine, Peru sweet onion, black salt and lemon juice. Her mom told her we could put in tomato, broccoli and cucumber but I guess she takes after her Granny Sue. She wanted it like what she had at lunch. I’m not fond of the “everything but the kitchen sink” kind of salads, either.

Since I wouldn’t be there the next night, we went ahead and had our gift exchange. I’d asked for money so the check I got was very welcome. I gave my granddaughter a couple of books she wanted plus a promise of another that hasn’t been published yet. She was delighted!

The next morning, she showed me how far she’d gotten in one of the books the night before and it wasn’t long before she finished it.

She called her mother complaining of a headache (no wonder) and it went downhill from there.

I had no success at all getting her to eat some good food. She had potato chips for breakfast along with a couple of root beer freeze pops. She drooped around all day and ate still more junk. When her mother got home, I tattled on her. It wasn’t long before she appeared with an apple in her hand.

The car was pretty well loaded so I continued on to DS1′s house where I would spend that night. It’s the first time I ever saw their house not decorated. My daughter-in-law usually decorates everything but she said working two jobs had worn her out and she was too tired to do it. I can imagine.

They gave me a half lub of Teavana Youthberry & Wild Orange Blossom tea and the Perfectea maker to go with it. That’s a handsome gift. I opened the gifts that had come to the house and found a hot water bottle and a heating pad from merm plus the 2012 women’s devotional book, Renew from my sister. She always has at least one day’s contribution and sometimes more. My other North Carolina sister will have one next year.

The big news at DS2′s household is that they have Internet access again. He had a good time (we both did) surfing with Roku. It’s neat but not something I feel I really have to have.

Bedtime was pretty early since DS2 had to get up at 3 the next morning. I woke while he was getting ready and we visited a little. After he left, I was able to get back to sleep and slept for maybe three more hours.

I wanted to add something to my already extensive list and couldn’t find it anywhere (I still can’t). I set about recreating it.

My DIL left for work. My granddaughter told me good morning and went back to bed. I ate breakfast, loaded up and left.

I went to the university supermarket and stopped by Wally World on the way home. There were quite a few things that I failed to get because of my missing list. I have lived and done well since.

DS2 had cut some hangers for me to use for anchors for the arrangement I got for Mother’s grave. It had been raining but it stopped long enough for me to fasten it to the ground and get some pictures.

It was prayer meeting night but by the time I got home, unloaded and put the essentials away plus ate, I was too tired to even go next door to get a package that had come for me.

I’ve spent a lot of the rest of the week recovering. I didn’t feel like exercising until Friday and then I only had one session and not two. At church, I messed up on practically every Christmas carol.

Last night, I went to a gathering my neighbor/cousin has every Christmas Eve for family. There were probably 25 or so people there. It was nice but I was glad to get home at 11 o’clock.

This morning, we exchanged gifts (they gave me a large mini greenhouse that stands taller than me) and I opened yet another gift from DD and merm. It’s a set of towels. I’ve already washed and dried them so they are ready to use. There’s still more to come. I don’t know when I’ve been so gifted!

A big surprise this afternoon was a phone call from the granddaughter of my sister in the Great Northwest. She was with my sister and she would write what I told her on the white board and then tell me what my sister said. A nice bit of news is that the computer is set up so the caregivers can print off emails to give her.

Not long after we hung up, DD called and we talked just over an hour.

It’s been a pleasant, quiet Christmas. Twinkle has been using all sorts of energy chasing the toy I got her for Christmas. She took at least a three hour nap this afternoon. I still have to strain my water kefir and get the raisins into it for the next stage. After that, I’m going to bed, folks.

The next weekly post will be on New Years Eve, God willing and the creeks don’t rise. It’s strange to think of 2012 but 2011 was, too, and now we’re used to it.

Sunday, DD and I visited via phone later than usual. They’d had somewhere to go so I agreed to have our call when they got home. I did some of my shopping while we were talking. Guess you could say I was a multi-tasker.

The days went by uneventfully except for packages appearing on my deck. I even got a couple from the new warehouse in Chattanooga. When it was planned, merm said I’d have to pay tax on my purchases, but one of the incentives was that purchases would be tax exempt. I don’t know how long that will last but I didn’t even have to pay tax on what was being sent to merm and DD this time and I always have before.

On Tuesday, my neighbor asked me to come over when I could. All excited, I just knew she had a new computer. She’s needed one for a long time. Hers is about 150 in computer years and it has a very slow processor, a tiny hard drive and limited RAM. I have to do something to it every now and then to keep it limping along. Well. When I got inside, she wanted to show me her new elf hat. She gets a different one every year and this one has a bell on the point (I think) and is battery powered so it flops back and forth, lights flash around the edge and it plays music. It’s cute but I was disappointed, let down and dejected. She admitted that it is a pain to wear but it’s tradition so she’ll do it.

By Wednesday, all the packages were in—even a gift for me! I found out later that another was coming that wasn’t gift wrapped so when one appeared in my box addressed the way I don’t have them sent, I didn’t open it. I got a Christmas card and picture from my friend in prison. It made me feel so sad. He’s standing in front of what is plainly a backdrop of a Christmas tree, fireplace and fire. It’s definitely fake and I know how he must long for it to be real.

Wednesday night, I got ready and went to see Genese before prayer meeting. I managed to slip by my “boyfriend” both to and from her room so I got to the church almost on time. When I walked in, one of the ladies was playing for the song service. She would start out with both hands but, as the song went along, she finally got down to one finger. I took pity on her and took over. I didn’t do much better since I’m so out of practice but I made it through.

When the meeting was almost over and I was seated at the piano for the closing song (it’s a theme), they decided to discuss the format. That went on for what seemed much longer than it was. I don’t think a hard and fast decision was reached but I was finally able to play. After visiting with friends, I came on home.

Thursday was my sister’s birthday (the one in the Great Northwest) and to celebrate, I got another project done for the construction company. I’d started a post on here about galangal several days before so I finished it and posted it under Unusual Ingredients.

I’d been putting off doing some essential paperwork and getting it in the mail. My hair also needed cutting and I’d made an appointment in the middle of the week for Friday. Mother’s grave has been bare for months since the mowers destroyed the last flowers. I’d never found that round tuit to get another arrangement and I felt condemned. So…I went a little early for my appointment and stopped in at the florist shop a few doors down and ordered an arrangement. With my hair cut, I went to the bank and got my papers notarized and witnessed. Then, the post office was next so I could mail the two packets. Swinging back around to pick up the flowers, I headed on home.

When I can get to the cemetery, I’ll put them on Mother’s grave. She won’t know it but it will make me feel better. Oh, and the arrangement is bigger than it looks in the picture.

It had been raining off and on and was a generally nasty day. I was glad to be home. After I ate and washed up the dishes, I did a few other things and went to bed early. Guess that’s why I woke ‘way before time to get up and stayed awake for, probably, an hour.

For the second week, I was the one to open the church. At least it was already warm. The automatic thermostat does make it nice. I made it through all the carol singing and came home. Stopping at the mailbox, I had yet another package. This time, I know what it is. There was to be caroling this afternoon but I didn’t go.

Next Sabbath will be Christmas Eve. Then the next will be New Year’s Eve. It hardly seems possible. 2012. Strange.

Monday was a rainy day. Well, it was more of a weepy one. The actual rain waited until Tuesday. Tuesday was also DH’s 66th birthday. Odd to think of him as being that old. The last time I saw him, he was 39 years old. Quite a difference. If he’s still in the land of the living, I doubt I’d recognize him if he came up and said “Howdy”. There isn’t a whole lot of danger in my finding out, I’d say.

On Tuesday, I called the produce place to see if there might be a small chance of my getting some 100 count navel oranges. The last time I’d tried was almost six months ago and after that, I’d given up. The woman took my name and number and said they would give me a call on Friday if they got them in. Okay. I was resigned to wait until then to make a trip to town. That afternoon, the phone rang and it was a man from the produce place. He could have the oranges in the next morning. I told him I would be there sometime that day to pick them up.

Wednesday, I did what I had to do here at the house, took a shower, got dressed (aren’t you relieved?) and went to town. The sky was still full of low-lying clouds and it had been raining off and on. When I was driving down the road, I was surprised to see splatters of snow along with the raindrops.

I’d promised to mail one of my forum members all of the water kefir grains I could spare. I mailed her three lubs, priority mail. I’d printed off a picture my friend in prison wanted and typed up a one page letter to go with it. I’d already put it in the mail slot when I turned around and there was his “mom”! She had come to the post office to send a money order to his account. I was planning to buy one to mail later since I didn’t have the address to send it to with me. She let me put it in with hers. We had a long visit, both inside the post office and out in the entrance. My neighbor was at the post office, too, to buy stamps. I guess it must be the place to meet.

I went to Wally World first and saw several people I knew. Looking around the produce section, I spied some Fuyu persimmons. Woohoo!! I’d heard from Dario that his trees hadn’t produced this season so I thought I would be persimmon-less. Then I saw the price. $2.50 each. I picked up two and put one back. That would be an expensive treat but I HAD to have at least one persimmon this year. Checking out, it rang up at $1. As soon as I had paid my bill, I took my cart and asked the greeter to let me park it while I ran back to get something. I picked out 12 more and I was persimmon-less no longer!

Snow was peppering down and the wind was whipping when I went to the car. I was glad for the double canopy on my umbrella. The wind would have probably turned it inside out otherwise.

The produce place was next. The lady took me to the back and cut one of the oranges to make sure it was truly a navel and it was. I paid for my oranges and some bananas and headed home in more snow.

Halfway up the mountain, the landscape was starting to get white. By the time I got home, everything was covered and where the wind had been blowing so hard, the snow was sticking to the trees from the ground up. I wanted to get some pictures but I had everything to unload and I hadn’t eaten anything since breakfast.

An old friend who found me on Facebook posted some pictures and she has given me permission to use a couple of them.

Photo by G. Campbell

Photo by G. Campbell

I’d asked one of my friends from church to pick up some things for me at the university supermarket. She was supposed to bring them to me at prayer meeting. She’d left me a couple of messages on my voice mail and when I called her back, she said as much. I said, “Welllllllllll, I don’t know if I’ll be there.” The temperature was supposed to drop and the roads were wet. She said, “If you aren’t going, I’m not either! I was only going to bring you your things!” So, that was that. I found out later that prayer meeting had been canceled, anyway.

Thursday, the snow was still hanging around but the sun was out. At 29 degrees, I went out on the deck and sunned for 10 minutes. Yesterday, I did the same thing but I didn’t take the timer with me. I was out for more than half an hour. Condensation had built up on the underside of the roof and dripped on my blanket a couple of times. I decided I’d come in the house if it hit my face but it never did.

I spent yesterday afternoon making potato salad and hummus. The salad was to take to the fellowship dinner today. First, the potatoes weren’t done. Then, when I was making the cashew mayo, I could NOT get the flavor right. I added this and that but it had no tang. Then I turned around and spied the lemon juice I’d squeezed and not put in. I added that and it was TOO tangy. So…I had to add more cashews. I ended up with almost a quart of the stuff. I’d been wanting enough to freeze but I hadn’t planned to do it right then. With the ice tray filled, too much in the salad, and some to put in the fridge, it was all put away. This morning, I had to add more potatoes and onion to the original mix to keep it from being goopy.

The pastor was late getting to church (he had an earlier service at another of his churches) so the time was filled in with congregational singing. The regular pianist was away so one of my favorite people played. She messed up on some of the songs and I messed up on some. We were about equal but we both lived through it.

People were surprised that I stayed for lunch. I’d taken a couple of bananas to eat first, then had some of the other food. I ate some corn chowder and happened to think later that it probably had some milk in it. So…I guess I may not have been 100% vegan today. I suppose I’ll live through that, too. There was a parsley/jalapeno mix to go with the chowder and it was GOOD. I don’t know if it had salt, but the ingredients were jalapeno, parsley, olive oil and lime juice. It looked like it was put into a food processor to blend it. Oh, and I introduced a couple of people to my black salt. It definitely lays to rest the belief that “salt is salt”.

Two weeks from today is Christmas Eve. That’s hard to believe but it’s true. The carols aren’t as hard to play as they have been in years past. I’m wondering if it’s because I’m not stressed like I was before I retired from the hospital. There’s no way to know but it’s nice not to stumble through them quite so badly.

Tomorrow starts another week. Midnight EST is the deadline to get the entries in for the giveaway. Times a’wastin’! “You have to enter to win it!”

I didn’t want to string a hose through the house just to top off the mattress. For one thing, I can’t get it hooked up in the bathroom. The water has to come from the faucet on the kitchen sink. That isn’t a long, long way from the bedroom but it’s long enough to let the mattress get overfilled. If I’d been filling an empty mattress, that would have been one thing but I only needed to add a few gallons. Not realistic to do it with a hose.

The pitcher I use to fill the distiller holds .5 gallon. It takes two fillings to get the distiller ready to run. I don’t own a larger pitcher so it was the only alternative to stringing that hose. I grabbed it and a large funnel and headed to the bedroom. I didn’t time it, but it seemed I spent the next couple hours (exaggeration here) filling the pitcher at the bathtub and pouring it into the funnel which was inserted into the whatchamacallit in the bed. Trip after trip later, when I’d test it, I would briefly touch bottom. I was ready to burp it.

Now, two people burping a waterbed makes quick work of it but one person…well, let’s say it isn’t easy. I didn’t want Twinkle anywhere near a bare waterbed mattress with her sharp back claws so all of this was taking place behind a closed door. Besides, she wouldn’t have been any help, anyway. I was trying to lie down across the bed and roll down to the opening but the air bubble would just migrate to either the side where my head was or the other by my feet. Then I got the bright idea to get the broom and use it to chase the bubbles. That worked. It wasn’t long until I could close it back up and make the bed.

After all that, I was tempted to lie down and take a nap but I didn’t.

DD and merm had spent the day at IKEA buying whatever one buys there. I’ve never been to one of their stores so I’m still a little in the dark. I know people love it and, after they shop, they spend days putting things together. At any rate, we still haven’t had our Sunday visit. From what she posted on Facebook, one thing she bought was a larger desk since she is again telecommuting.

We’ve had days and days of rain this week and, Tuesday morning, I woke to snow!

The white stuff came down in fits and spurts. It would really be peppering down one minute and the next, it would stop. It was enough of a tease to have me wasting time watching to see what it would do. What was on the ground didn’t last long. It was still so sloppy wet from the rain, there was no way it could freeze. It would have had to be a lot colder than it was.

Wednesday, I’d intended to go to prayer meeting but the time slipped by and I didn’t make it. One person, at least, missed me. I know that because she posted it on Facebook.

Thursday and Friday, the sun finally came back out. I was able to get some sun both days. Thursday, when I came back into the house, I saw that DS1 had called. I called him back and explained I’d been outside sunning. He said, “Oh, you’re doing Old People Things now, huh?” Yes, I am. On Friday, the postman had a package for me. I had gone out wrapped in my coat and snug sack but had to shuck them because it was so warm. I did have on clothes under them, but I was all comfy in my Little Debbie camp chair and leaned back with my eyes closed. He surprised me by saying, “I didn’t know you had a porch back here!” He deposited the package on one of the lounge chairs and said, “It’s a nice day!” I had to agree. I told him I try to get some sun whenever I can. I’m officially an Old Person.

I’ve been watching “Earthlings” off and on. It isn’t something that’s easy to see. It isn’t for the faint of heart (which I am much of the time) or something to watch while I’m eating. I made it through Pets but then when the next section came on, I had to stop. I still haven’t gotten back to it.

I knew a couple of my friends from church were going to participate in the craft show at the nursing home yesterday so I told one of them she should go meet Genese. She took me up on the suggestion and Genese posted thanks on my wall. AND she’s going to introduce my friend to Wordscraper. I thought I had the last game all wrapped up and Genese came along with a word almost at the very last that sunk me completely. I do believe I am winning the current game.

This morning, I was looking at my gas gauge and figured I’d need to get gas soon. Of course, I hadn’t been anywhere for a week so, at that rate, maybe it will be a week or two. Then I was reminded of something that is, in one way, a sadness. In another, it isn’t. The last time I had the tank filled at the neighborhood station, the owner told me they were closing. That was the day before Thanksgiving and their last day was the Friday after. So…it’s the end of an era. I’m sorry to see them go but they are both older than I am and deserve to do something other than work the rest of their lives. I wish them both well.

Song service was made up of Christmas carols. I zipped right through all of them. I usually dread them because I don’t play them enough to be comfortable. I was feeling pretty good about my playing but the Lord knows how to humble me. When I launched into the Doxology that I play every week, I thoroughly messed it up. People either were nice and acted like they didn’t notice or they actually didn’t. I don’t know which it was but I lived through it at any rate.

I just opened what I thought was the electric bill but it wasn’t. It was in a different kind of envelope that I thought was odd. It’s a survey trying to prove that a new tank for our water district can’t be installed without a grant. I’m using my future income rather than my last year’s since that’s what I’ll be living on. This isn’t a flush neighborhood so it probably won’t be hard to prove we can’t afford it. Water is already expensive. The base rate is $19.95 a month, even if I don’t use a drop. I never go over the 2k gallons or the next 1k would be something like $6. $6.83 to be exact. I looked it up.

Well. Tomorrow starts another week. I’ll see how long I can make it before I leave the premises again.