I am Thankful

I often need gentle reminders that I really do have it good and that I do have a lot more than most. I don't always remember that when I'm lying in bed in the morning, grumbling to myself because I have to get up to go to work that 1) I have a job to go to; 2) I'm healthy enough to get out of bed to go to work. So here is my list of "thankful for" not in any particular order:

I'm thankful for my friends: who accept me for who I am and don't try to make me into someone I can't or don't want to be. Who have open arms for me even when I'm holding you at arms length trying to make you stay away and you won't let me.

I'm thankful for my job: while it may be taxing trying to figure out what we're supposed to be doing for who and how, I still have a desk, a computer, a phone and a paycheck.

I'm thankful for my cats: who remind me daily what unconditional love is all about. And that unconditional love makes all the other decisions in my life very, very simple.

I'm thankful for the change in health insurance: that is leading me down the path to better health in ways I'd only dreamt about in the past.

This is a day of miracles and resolution. First, I actually got up this morning, finally starting to get used to the new meds. Second, my OT dispute has been resolved and a check is forthcoming. Third, we've discovered the surging issue with the truck is related to the AC/heater unit. For now, the truck runs well as long as I'm not sitting at a stop light for long with the defroster on. Fourth, I finally got the rollover on my 401(k) completed, no thanks to Charles Schwab (the account administrator). I always forget that dealing with all of those finance folks about moving money and who needs to do what first is like being the ball in a tennis match as the players get more and more angry with each stroke (insert: question) that's lobbed into their court. By the time I finally got done, not only had I given up, but I'd give in and sworn I'd never revert back to a finance personality even though that was my calling. So, things are calming down (read: Candy is cooling off) and "projects" are getting completed. It is really nice to cross a bunch of things off my list this week, even though it meant I was beyond crazy busy.

Suz came down last Friday and we worked in the last corner of the back yard that needed landscaping - she visited as well. We got the gazebo/arbor thingy built and all of the roses (except a couple that go other places) planted. We ran into a couple re-design moments - one was not putting a bush 8 inches from one of the drip controllers so that I didn't get all scratched up adjusting the sprinklers. Bummer, I need to buy a tree rose for that spot. There's a chore. (big grin) The only thing we didn't get done was move mom's fountain. That can wait until Spring or a nice weekend in the new year. Pictures to follow on what we did get accomplished. I can't wait until Spring when the climbers start to cover the gazebo/arbor and are in full bloom. I have this amazing picture in my mind and will be so happy if it even comes remotely close in reality. We'll see.

Old & new woobies

I never cease being amazed how things always come about how and when they should, regardless of how I want it to happen. With the new company, I'm having to leave my favorite old woobie Kaiser HMO behind. Change is frightening enough when you have your woobie, but even worse without. So I went back to the doctor I've seen off and on through the years when I haven't been able to have Kaiser. When she walked into the exam room on Wednesday, there was a huge smile on her face. She was REALLY happy to see me! She went on to tell me that she had thought of mom a couple weeks back (she was mom's doctor as well) and was wondering how I was doing...and there I was. So, she asked how I was doing and I immediately burst into tears. She calmly handed me a tissue box and said, "I understand." She's known me for so long that she knew my emotional response isn't a normal thing for me. We went over the list of things I had and put together a game plan. She was very pleased with my weight loss efforts and supported what I am doing. She also is helping by re-evaluating my meds and moving me to things that will better help where I am right now. Wow! A doctor that listens and helps! And I was worried about losing my woobie. Maybe I did, but I think I have a much better woobie now. Instead of telling me all the things I can't/shouldn't do, she's talking about all the things WE can/will do together to move my health plans forward. And all I can say is "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

Rainy Days

The landscape project has been put on hold one more week due to weather. While the roses wouldn't have minded being planted in the rain, it would have been a soggy, muddy mess. That and Suz had something come up and couldn't come down for the weekend. So, next weekend is scheduled for completion of the project. The nice part about all this rain over the weekend is that the ground shouldn't be so hard for digging and planting the roses. I believe we have a dozen bushes to plant and that will probably take us most of the day.

So, instead of being out in the rain, I enjoyed my first rainy weekend day in my favorite chair, a couple of cats and a pot of tea. A couple of good movies and knitting rounded it out. I finally finished the Bias Scarf that I started on Sea Socks and have gotten quite a bit done on my Aran Cabled Shrug. The main part (sleeve end to sleeve end) is over halfway completed. It would be nice to get some more done on it this week. I also got some done on the Cat's Paw scarf out of Qiviut. Wonderful stuff, soft as a cloud. Can't wait to get this scarf done to wear it. I think it will be one of my favorites.