It is a nice coincidence that my latest Everything Book started on Jan 1st 2018, and today I came to the last page of it on the last day of 2018. All of 2018 neatly contained in one journal book. I titled it my “healing book” at the time cause I wanted to heal in the new year from the health problems that came up in 2017 (breast cancer and a-fib) and I feel like I have healed a lot in the last year. I barely think about either of those health problems anymore.
Happenings of 2018 that I gleaned from reading over my paper journal just now:
January. Sold a property that had been in the family for many years. Sad feelings about that but also hopeful cause it gave us much needed income.
Jan’s sister in law Jane died.
Got my Cloud Walker exercise machine - which I still have in the living room and really like.
Made a decision to get the trike bike and got Sunshine in February. It was hard to commit to something like that that seemed extravagant.
Cleared a space to work on Chloe’s mosaic in the basement but didn’t quite get started on it. Did a lot of drawings for it and built a frame with Dave’s help. That mosaic is on my to-do list for 2019.
February. I visited Kathy in Florida - we saw a flock of cedar waxwings like a cloud in a tree in her backyard. We also traveled up to Floral City and I got to ride a trike - that sealed my decision to get one. Kathy and I talked a lot about full spectrum cameras.
Made something I called “companion necklaces” - strung interesting beads into adjustable necklaces.
Bees filled the chicken coop for a day in February. Dave and I cleaned it out totally and the next day the bees did not return.
March - in the hospital with a-fib because of low potassium. Started to take a potassium supplement.
Brush fire in Jules’ backyard. A windy day and burning papers got loose into the brush. Dave, Sebby, Rossy and I put it out. Quite exciting.
April. Colonoscopy. They found a large precancerous polyp and they needed a second try to get it out. Had to go to Pittsburgh. Found out I have a torturous bowel and severe diverticulitis. Yes, I admit it now - I need to eat more fiber and take care of myself!
May. Johnny and Alison graduate from Clarion University and move to Reading.
I find out about Rainy and that she can be mine someday, after her puppies are weaned.
Got a new backyard tent and it is my favorite tent ever - 2 rooms and I even put a “bathroom” in it with a camp-a-potty.
We go to Dave’s niece Jessy’s wedding.
June. Trip to Florida with Johnny and Dave - rented a car and bought a car for Johnny while there. Actually Pete bought the car and we paid him back. Dave and Johnny were very pleased with it. We met Alison there - she was staying with her grandma. Got to spend time with Kathy. We drove Johnny’s car back. Nice road trip, both ways. Hazel watched the animals while we were gone and Andy got sprayed by a skunk. Still smelled of it when we got back.
Got a Polaroid style Mint twin lens reflex camera.
July. Mike and Chloe got a new dog - Swazy.
Finally able to pick up Rainy from the dog shelter - I am so much in love with her. Dave builds us a dog fence opening out from the back porch.
Dave goes to Canada for a fishing holiday and I enjoy the back porch and dog fence with the 2 dogs - it is so great!
Started a crocheted blanket for Jules.
Candy gets Lyme disease.
Yoshi dies.
August. I get something wrong with my right foot - heel spur or plantar fasciitis. Can hardly walk.
September. Rainy gets spayed.
Sebby and I biked Rail 66 trail.
I get a ukulele. Learning to play it feels doable.
October. I find Dot the Chicken infested with maggots. I clean her up, bring her in the house and start to build her back up.
Chloe and Mike get a second dog named Dixie and they find out she is pregnant after they get her. She has 8 puppies.
I get a new car (the old Kia can’t be fixed). I get a Toyota RAV4 and I absolutely love it. The car’s name is Brownie.
November. Dave and I drive over to Reading and stay the weekend visiting Johnny, Alison and Michael.
Hazel moves in with us and starts work in Meadville.
I start the multicolored hexagon blanket.
December. Thinking about tattoos for my left hand. Hazel gets one of a kitty on her right arm.
Candy’s father in law dies.
We move the piano upstairs on Christmas Day. Merry Christmas to me!
Wings is killed by a hawk.
In amongst the above happenings Dave and I go to get his eye poked every month. I write also that I have hiked with Candy, Jan and Berdella and had lunch with Nancy nearly every week. Those things are reoccurring themes that thread through my journal.
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We knew rain was coming around 11 this morning but Candy and I hoped to get out there and get back from our hike before it got too wet and we succeeded. We went on a new (to us) trail at 2 Mile Run and then afterwards stopped for a fish sandwich and coffee at McD’s. Perfect morning.