Allison Knight's Blog, page 18
December 10, 2013
The Journey
One kid is here. Yahoo! The other bunch is on the way. Tomorrow should be wonderful. Mother love coming out all over the place. I think I'm ready. Well almost. I do want to bake the pie, frozen, just put it in the oven and bake kind. I can't do pies anymore. The house is as clean as it can get at least with the help of my wonderful cleaning lady. She could use some extra prayers or good vibes going her way. One of her sons is sick, in the hospital sick, and she came to clean my house because my kids were coming. I told you she was wonderful.
Menus planned, my office is almost clean. (That has got to be the biggest fib I've ever told). I have stuff everywhere. I probably should close the door and pretend my office doesn't exist while people are here. If anything gets moved, I'll never find it again. At least the oldest said he'd help with the filing early tomorrow. It's too much to do tonight. I haven't put anything away in the files for at least four months and I make copies of everything that could possibly be saved since late August, early September - maybe. I said I have stuff everywhere.
Unfortunately, my elastic band is back. My hospice nurse and I discussed what it might be, listing food eaten, when, how much, breathing, talking (she did say she didn't think my talking had anything to do with the band - Thank the good Lord. (Me not being able to talk is like tying an Italian's hands behind his/her back when in a discussion.) Don't get my wrong, I love Italians. Probably one of the few countries from which I have no ancestors. I just like to talk. (grinning) Must be the teacher in me.
Now back to the edits. Oh, I said I wasn't going to mention the book again.
Allison
Menus planned, my office is almost clean. (That has got to be the biggest fib I've ever told). I have stuff everywhere. I probably should close the door and pretend my office doesn't exist while people are here. If anything gets moved, I'll never find it again. At least the oldest said he'd help with the filing early tomorrow. It's too much to do tonight. I haven't put anything away in the files for at least four months and I make copies of everything that could possibly be saved since late August, early September - maybe. I said I have stuff everywhere.
Unfortunately, my elastic band is back. My hospice nurse and I discussed what it might be, listing food eaten, when, how much, breathing, talking (she did say she didn't think my talking had anything to do with the band - Thank the good Lord. (Me not being able to talk is like tying an Italian's hands behind his/her back when in a discussion.) Don't get my wrong, I love Italians. Probably one of the few countries from which I have no ancestors. I just like to talk. (grinning) Must be the teacher in me.
Now back to the edits. Oh, I said I wasn't going to mention the book again.
Allison
December 9, 2013
The Journey
Oh, boy, late today. I was working on edits, and trying to finish things up for tomorrow. And, I'm looking at the next four days, and thinking, I may not have time to get to the computer. It will depend on the time the kids spend here. They do have plans, so they won't be here all the time, but if I can spare a few minutes, I'll blog. Not promising though.
My cleaning lady arrives early tomorrow, thank goodness. And by mid afternoon, the mob starts to come. Keeping my fingers crossed I don't get too tired to enjoy them. Yesterday was a shocker. The visit with our neighbors (who I enjoy so much) was a real strain. The elastic band around my middle was back - big time. Could that mean I have to stop talking so much? Oh, good heavens, NO! say it isn't so.
Today was a good day. And I am really looking forward to the next several days. A few quick prayers I don't get too tired to enjoy, if you have the time. The more the better (grinning).
We'll see how it goes.
I would say, expect for a few twinges, I'm maintaining my status. That has got to be good. My hospice nurse is thrilled with the BP and O2 levels. But I have to remember to ask about the tiredness. Reminder to self. Ask about tiredness. (grinning) Well, I forget things.
Allison
My cleaning lady arrives early tomorrow, thank goodness. And by mid afternoon, the mob starts to come. Keeping my fingers crossed I don't get too tired to enjoy them. Yesterday was a shocker. The visit with our neighbors (who I enjoy so much) was a real strain. The elastic band around my middle was back - big time. Could that mean I have to stop talking so much? Oh, good heavens, NO! say it isn't so.
Today was a good day. And I am really looking forward to the next several days. A few quick prayers I don't get too tired to enjoy, if you have the time. The more the better (grinning).
We'll see how it goes.
I would say, expect for a few twinges, I'm maintaining my status. That has got to be good. My hospice nurse is thrilled with the BP and O2 levels. But I have to remember to ask about the tiredness. Reminder to self. Ask about tiredness. (grinning) Well, I forget things.
Allison
December 8, 2013
The Journey
Late again, but the neighbors came to visit. Great to see people, but I'm now very tired. What's so surprising is how quickly and easily I tire. Must be part of the process. I'm making a note to ask the nurse about that too. (grinning) One of these days she's gonna get tired of my questions.
Also, this was a busy day for me. We went to the grocery this morning. I did say the kids were coming, and I am going to feed them (Of course, they'll have to fix most of it and my way - we'll see how that goes over.)
After the store, my wonderful granddaughter came to help defrost the freezer. It's one of those things you have to do once or twice a year. And I wanted to make certain I had something for everyone to eat. I have picky eaters. It's also a great way to clean out the old stuff. I've been doing well with not wasting much food lately. Wasting food was one of those things my momma told me not to do. If I remember it correctly, it went something like, "You better clean your plate. Think of the starving children." I'll bet you heard something similar from your mother.
I'm not too sure about the starving children around here. They all look very well fed to me, but then I don't get out much. And there was a time when I weighed a great deal more than was healthy. Fortunately, I finally wised up and lost the extra hundred pounds I'd been lugging around for years. It can be done, but it took me almost two years, watching what I put in my mouth and exercising. What a shame I didn't wise up years before. I did learn one thing, and I'll pass it along. You can tell someone they weigh too much, you can suggest, you can plead, tease, whatever. None of that will do a thing, except maybe ruin a good relationship. The person with those extra pounds won't do a thing until they decide it's something they have to do.
Just passing along a few words of advice - for what it's worth. You may get those from time to time as I look back at what I've done or not done, over the years.
Allison
Also, this was a busy day for me. We went to the grocery this morning. I did say the kids were coming, and I am going to feed them (Of course, they'll have to fix most of it and my way - we'll see how that goes over.)
After the store, my wonderful granddaughter came to help defrost the freezer. It's one of those things you have to do once or twice a year. And I wanted to make certain I had something for everyone to eat. I have picky eaters. It's also a great way to clean out the old stuff. I've been doing well with not wasting much food lately. Wasting food was one of those things my momma told me not to do. If I remember it correctly, it went something like, "You better clean your plate. Think of the starving children." I'll bet you heard something similar from your mother.
I'm not too sure about the starving children around here. They all look very well fed to me, but then I don't get out much. And there was a time when I weighed a great deal more than was healthy. Fortunately, I finally wised up and lost the extra hundred pounds I'd been lugging around for years. It can be done, but it took me almost two years, watching what I put in my mouth and exercising. What a shame I didn't wise up years before. I did learn one thing, and I'll pass it along. You can tell someone they weigh too much, you can suggest, you can plead, tease, whatever. None of that will do a thing, except maybe ruin a good relationship. The person with those extra pounds won't do a thing until they decide it's something they have to do.
Just passing along a few words of advice - for what it's worth. You may get those from time to time as I look back at what I've done or not done, over the years.
Allison
December 7, 2013
The Journey
Fed Ex delivered today! The printer is here. Wow, what a big sucker. But then the booklets take a super machine. Here's hoping it's as good as the last one. Anyway DH is happy.
I got lost in the football games today. Okay, it isn't Alabama, but one of them is an Alabama team. We did the grocery bit this AM. The kids are arriving starting Tuesday, so I had to figure out just what I could cook and how I was going to feed the mob. Granddaughter and her great husband promised to help.
And my oldest granddaughter will be here with my youngest granddaughter on Wed. Wow! A house full. It's a good thing my sweetheart of a cleaning lady said she wanted to come early Tuesday morning so the house would be all cleaned up when they came.
That is the one thing I really hate. Well, there are a couple of things. I considered myself a fairly good housekeeper. Oh, if you looked hard enough you could find a few cobwebs, but the place is now a mess. The baseboards are dirty, the floors in the bathrooms and the kitchen need a good scrubbing and a waxing, and I can't do it. I just wear out too quickly.
That and the not being able to cook like I used to. By now each year, I would have at least three or four batches of Christmas cookies in the freezer. I'm not doing Christmas cookies at all this year. That does make me kinda sad. And the toffee! I have the greatest toffee recipe, and a terrific fudge recipe. But I just don't have the umph to do it this year. I have my little tree, the wreath for the door, the stuff for the mantle and I will do a short Christmas letter to close friends, but that was to be it. I just can't do what I used to do. However, this year the kids are coming and as I said before, the distance has keep them far away. So I'm really happy about that.
Now, I have to work on THE book. I won't mention it again. (grinning)
Allison
I got lost in the football games today. Okay, it isn't Alabama, but one of them is an Alabama team. We did the grocery bit this AM. The kids are arriving starting Tuesday, so I had to figure out just what I could cook and how I was going to feed the mob. Granddaughter and her great husband promised to help.
And my oldest granddaughter will be here with my youngest granddaughter on Wed. Wow! A house full. It's a good thing my sweetheart of a cleaning lady said she wanted to come early Tuesday morning so the house would be all cleaned up when they came.
That is the one thing I really hate. Well, there are a couple of things. I considered myself a fairly good housekeeper. Oh, if you looked hard enough you could find a few cobwebs, but the place is now a mess. The baseboards are dirty, the floors in the bathrooms and the kitchen need a good scrubbing and a waxing, and I can't do it. I just wear out too quickly.
That and the not being able to cook like I used to. By now each year, I would have at least three or four batches of Christmas cookies in the freezer. I'm not doing Christmas cookies at all this year. That does make me kinda sad. And the toffee! I have the greatest toffee recipe, and a terrific fudge recipe. But I just don't have the umph to do it this year. I have my little tree, the wreath for the door, the stuff for the mantle and I will do a short Christmas letter to close friends, but that was to be it. I just can't do what I used to do. However, this year the kids are coming and as I said before, the distance has keep them far away. So I'm really happy about that.
Now, I have to work on THE book. I won't mention it again. (grinning)
Allison
December 6, 2013
The Journey
At the computer early today! DH had to take the car in for an oil change. It's that time. So I have very little to do. Yahoo!
Well, things are getting accomplished. It's a good feeling as I look at my list. Oh, there are still lots of items on that list, but I do get to cross things off, at least every other day. Now I'm working on edits, and doing the conversion at the same time. So in another week or two, I'll be able to cross that item off my list.
I keep staring at that file cabinet and groaning. I will have to have help with that one. My daughter plans to spend the week of Christmas with us this year. Her sweet husband insists. His parents are in the same condition we are in - old, sick, and getting ready to die. He wants to spend the week with his father, so I guess it's all right. I'm not in favor of husbands and wives spending weeks away from each other at the holidays, but these are different circumstances. I guess it's okay. (Okay, so I'm old fashioned - and a bit of a romantic - or I wouldn't be writing historical romance. (grinning)).
Heavy weather again today, but I've already referenced that. Good thing I have a very simple lunch planned.
So off to do edits - while DH is at the dealership.
Allison
Well, things are getting accomplished. It's a good feeling as I look at my list. Oh, there are still lots of items on that list, but I do get to cross things off, at least every other day. Now I'm working on edits, and doing the conversion at the same time. So in another week or two, I'll be able to cross that item off my list.
I keep staring at that file cabinet and groaning. I will have to have help with that one. My daughter plans to spend the week of Christmas with us this year. Her sweet husband insists. His parents are in the same condition we are in - old, sick, and getting ready to die. He wants to spend the week with his father, so I guess it's all right. I'm not in favor of husbands and wives spending weeks away from each other at the holidays, but these are different circumstances. I guess it's okay. (Okay, so I'm old fashioned - and a bit of a romantic - or I wouldn't be writing historical romance. (grinning)).
Heavy weather again today, but I've already referenced that. Good thing I have a very simple lunch planned.
So off to do edits - while DH is at the dealership.
Allison
December 5, 2013
The Journey
Heavy weather! As I've said, hard to breathe. This morning was better but now that front is moving in, even down here it's getting tough. I really feel for the people way up north. I remember once in Michigan, the weather dropped to fifty below. Of course they cancelled school, because the kids rode the school buses and had to stand at the bus stops to catch the thing. It was simply too cold for the kids to stand in that weather.
Of course, we never had that much snow with those kinds of temps. It must be brutal. And the heating bills. Whew! That was the Christmas my husband took me to the big island of Hawaii. We came home to frozen pipes, layers of ice in the drive, and all those wonderful memories of warmth and volcanoes.
They are also talking deep freeze in the west, so there goes our fruits and vegies. Wonder if the gulf coast is going to get hit with the cold weather. All they've talked about for us is rain. I just heave a sigh knowing that breathing is going to be tough for a bit.
No answers to my questions from yesterday, not even someone answering without a name to give them away. HMMMMM...... Maybe they don't want to read about someone dying.
Well, lucky for me, I can just sit in my computer chair, the O2 going and work on the edits. And yes, I am working on the edits for Lovesong - finally. I figure one or two chapters a day and I should be finished by the end of next week. Keeping my fingers crossed. Although a bit of sunshine would help.
Allison
Of course, we never had that much snow with those kinds of temps. It must be brutal. And the heating bills. Whew! That was the Christmas my husband took me to the big island of Hawaii. We came home to frozen pipes, layers of ice in the drive, and all those wonderful memories of warmth and volcanoes.
They are also talking deep freeze in the west, so there goes our fruits and vegies. Wonder if the gulf coast is going to get hit with the cold weather. All they've talked about for us is rain. I just heave a sigh knowing that breathing is going to be tough for a bit.
No answers to my questions from yesterday, not even someone answering without a name to give them away. HMMMMM...... Maybe they don't want to read about someone dying.
Well, lucky for me, I can just sit in my computer chair, the O2 going and work on the edits. And yes, I am working on the edits for Lovesong - finally. I figure one or two chapters a day and I should be finished by the end of next week. Keeping my fingers crossed. Although a bit of sunshine would help.
Allison
December 4, 2013
The Journey
Heavy weather - difficult breathing. Late again. But I did get some things done today. I'm not sure whether it's the low pressure center coming at us or the rain, but I have trouble in this kind of weather. (I thought it sounded like a good excuse. (grinning))
I have wrapped up another thing on my list, at least partially, so we are moving ahead. And some good words from my nurse today. The elastic bank around my middle is not an excess of fluid which would have indicated things were going down hill fast. So that is really good news.
However (why is there always a however???) the doctor took another look at the xrays and decided I either have an excess of mucis or something that needs an antibiotic. Whoever heard of a doctor taking a second and then a third look at an xray? Great doctors down here. That's for sure.
My new thought for today. Last night we were talking, DH and I, and he was being negative. I reminded him that each day that passes means we are both closer to complete happiness. Okay, a Christian viewpoint. But, let me ask a question. What do people who have no faith in a hereafter, no idea there is anything beyond this life, what do they think about as they face death and dying? I would really like to know.
Now, on that interesting note, I'll add two more. Today on facebook, one of my friends talked about diagraming sentences in school. The comments were interesting. Another thing not taught today. What I found interesting, was my DH and I were talking about just this thing two nights ago. And I wonder what kids do today if they don't have a calculator or cell phone and they have to multiply something. Do they know how???
As a retired teacher, I fear our educational system has fallen apart. And yeah! I'm showing my age.
Allison
I have wrapped up another thing on my list, at least partially, so we are moving ahead. And some good words from my nurse today. The elastic bank around my middle is not an excess of fluid which would have indicated things were going down hill fast. So that is really good news.
However (why is there always a however???) the doctor took another look at the xrays and decided I either have an excess of mucis or something that needs an antibiotic. Whoever heard of a doctor taking a second and then a third look at an xray? Great doctors down here. That's for sure.
My new thought for today. Last night we were talking, DH and I, and he was being negative. I reminded him that each day that passes means we are both closer to complete happiness. Okay, a Christian viewpoint. But, let me ask a question. What do people who have no faith in a hereafter, no idea there is anything beyond this life, what do they think about as they face death and dying? I would really like to know.
Now, on that interesting note, I'll add two more. Today on facebook, one of my friends talked about diagraming sentences in school. The comments were interesting. Another thing not taught today. What I found interesting, was my DH and I were talking about just this thing two nights ago. And I wonder what kids do today if they don't have a calculator or cell phone and they have to multiply something. Do they know how???
As a retired teacher, I fear our educational system has fallen apart. And yeah! I'm showing my age.
Allison
December 3, 2013
The Journey
At the computer early this AM. DH has a doctor's appointment so we were up early, he's on his way and I'm getting things finished. Today is one of those days where the list is long and I want to get a lot of things accomplished. Crossing fingers and toes.
Of course, edits are high on the list. Phone calls also. I have a large stack of papers to file, and I look at my file cabinet and cringe. There is so much stuff in that metal box that I must go through. DH says I don't know how to file. (grinning) Yes I do, he just doesn't know how to find things.
I read today that men and women's brains are wired differently. Or so the experts have discovered.
Don't you love it? We women have known that for years. Women and men don't think alike and any idiot ought to be able to figure that out just by listening to a husband and wife as they converse after they've been married for a couple of years. He doesn't remember saying it, but she can quote word for word what he said.
Same with my filing cabinet. I told him where I was filing it. He just has forgotten. And of course, my guy is an engineer. A place for everything, all diagramed on a piece of paper with labels attached. It did help with the writing, but not with my filing.
Then there's the small file cabinet with research materials in it. Oh, joy. I don't even want to think about that one. Everywhere we went, I collected material for future books. I have used some, but most is still there. And it will have to be disposed of. And it is not going to get done if I don't get started. This getting everything together at the end of your life is gut wrenching in one way. Wish I'd have thought about having to do all of this as I was collecting - 'stuff'!
Allison
Of course, edits are high on the list. Phone calls also. I have a large stack of papers to file, and I look at my file cabinet and cringe. There is so much stuff in that metal box that I must go through. DH says I don't know how to file. (grinning) Yes I do, he just doesn't know how to find things.
I read today that men and women's brains are wired differently. Or so the experts have discovered.
Don't you love it? We women have known that for years. Women and men don't think alike and any idiot ought to be able to figure that out just by listening to a husband and wife as they converse after they've been married for a couple of years. He doesn't remember saying it, but she can quote word for word what he said.
Same with my filing cabinet. I told him where I was filing it. He just has forgotten. And of course, my guy is an engineer. A place for everything, all diagramed on a piece of paper with labels attached. It did help with the writing, but not with my filing.
Then there's the small file cabinet with research materials in it. Oh, joy. I don't even want to think about that one. Everywhere we went, I collected material for future books. I have used some, but most is still there. And it will have to be disposed of. And it is not going to get done if I don't get started. This getting everything together at the end of your life is gut wrenching in one way. Wish I'd have thought about having to do all of this as I was collecting - 'stuff'!
Allison
December 2, 2013
The Journey
Really late today. However.... I had a good reason. I thought I did. Yes, I did. My hospice nurse called this morning. My Oncologist wanted xray's to see if the meds are working. Today. Great!
That meant a trip to the hospital. It's a small hospital, lousy parking, I always pray that there's a wheel chair available when we get there, because DH can't park the car and go in with me, parking is too far for me to walk and too far for him to try and bring a wheel chair to the car. The radiology lab is at the end of the building, too far for me to walk so I have to wait for someone from radiology to come get me at check in. And DH stays in the car so he can bring it around when I'm finished.
Well, you get the scene. UGLY!
I thought, "this is going to ruin my day."
This wonderful nurse called back - the xray machine was coming to me - in my home! Yahoo!!!
She didn't want me to go to the hospital because there's a lot of flu going around and people are sick with a variety of illnesses right now. Not a good scene for me. But I had no idea they could bring an xray machine into the house and use house current to take the pics. Modern Technology - Great!
It took a bit of doing, but I got my xrays done, the Oncologist has them now and it was simple as cake. No parking hassles, no walking or waiting nightmares. Just a bit of setup and it was done.
On the other hand, DH's super printer quit. Of course they don't make that model anymore. They have a streamed line version now. This is the promo computer, the one he uses to do all my cards and booklets. And guess what - Cyber Monday, the thing was sold out. or so I thought. Eventually, I found it on line and saved a bunch. I like this Cyber Monday. Unfortunately, it must come from a warehouse in the west so it won't be here until Monday next week, but at least I found one.
Now I know what parents looking for a hot toy go through. But perseverance pays off. (grinning)
Allison
That meant a trip to the hospital. It's a small hospital, lousy parking, I always pray that there's a wheel chair available when we get there, because DH can't park the car and go in with me, parking is too far for me to walk and too far for him to try and bring a wheel chair to the car. The radiology lab is at the end of the building, too far for me to walk so I have to wait for someone from radiology to come get me at check in. And DH stays in the car so he can bring it around when I'm finished.
Well, you get the scene. UGLY!
I thought, "this is going to ruin my day."
This wonderful nurse called back - the xray machine was coming to me - in my home! Yahoo!!!
She didn't want me to go to the hospital because there's a lot of flu going around and people are sick with a variety of illnesses right now. Not a good scene for me. But I had no idea they could bring an xray machine into the house and use house current to take the pics. Modern Technology - Great!
It took a bit of doing, but I got my xrays done, the Oncologist has them now and it was simple as cake. No parking hassles, no walking or waiting nightmares. Just a bit of setup and it was done.
On the other hand, DH's super printer quit. Of course they don't make that model anymore. They have a streamed line version now. This is the promo computer, the one he uses to do all my cards and booklets. And guess what - Cyber Monday, the thing was sold out. or so I thought. Eventually, I found it on line and saved a bunch. I like this Cyber Monday. Unfortunately, it must come from a warehouse in the west so it won't be here until Monday next week, but at least I found one.
Now I know what parents looking for a hot toy go through. But perseverance pays off. (grinning)
Allison
December 1, 2013
The Journey
A trip to the grocery. Okay, it is Sunday, but there are few people in the store, much easier on me. I ride around in one of those motorized carts (the one I had today had almost no speed - I wasn't a threat to anyone. - grinning) Unfortunately, half the groceries, at least two bags got left behind. Poor DH has to go back and retrieve them - Yep! we paid for them.
The clerk wasn't too alert. Must have been an Auburn fan and doing too much celebrating last night.
To be fair, Alabama did not deserve to win that game last night. They played terribly. I look for the coach - Nick Sabin - to find another job after that. You could just see the frustration building in him as they blew play after play. Not their best night by far.
Enough football. This is a good day to start the edits. The groceries are put away. A small purchase this time and getting things ready for the kids' visit next week. My wonderful cleaning lady is even going to delay her regular day and make it a week late so the house will be almost clean when they come
The only thing I'm worried about is the cooking. I will have to have a lot of help. Don't know how well my granddaughter follows instructions. It's been a while since we've been together, and back then, she didn't follow anyone. Teen ager!
Got to get busy. I do poop out so easily now. But I will continue to go as long as I can walk. I told you all, I was stubborn. Must come from the German Scot Irish mix - Do you think?
Allison
