roller coaster week
This has been such a roller coaster of a week. Monday was the day where I reminded myself of how many things Steve did for me. I promised to make fudge for the Church Christmas cookie exchange. I had forgotten that by the time I stirred it to completion, I always had to have Steve hold the pot over the pan for me to ladle it out onto the cooling pan. My hands were so weak and cramping that I had to lay the pan on its' side and scrape the fudge onto the cooling sheet. It was a poignant reminder of my limitations as well as how much I miss Steve's help in my life.
We got to the church and had a good time - had 24 different kinds of cookies and about 28 people. We had pizza and salad then part of us decorated the tree and the front of the church for the Cantata which is Sunday evening. While we were doing that some of the others put all the cookies on the table and then we went around the table getting an assortment of cookies. Amy talked about all the cookies I used to make for Steve to take to work and told about how he bragged about all of them. It was a nice thing to hear that he was proud of something I did.
I was awakened by the phone Tuesday morning with Dad saying to the answering machine to call right back - it was an emergency. Mom gave him a good talking to for saying that and calling at 8:30 in the morning. He just wanted to tell me that a good Eastern Star friend had passed away. The viewing was that evening - so my whole day became rearranged. I had to take Dad to his back specialist and then meet Mom to hand over Dad so they could go to school for the election primary. Since the doctor was running nearly 2 hours behind; by the time we left his office, it wasn't really realistic for me to go back home. After a quick dinner with the parents and some errands; I went to the viewing. I had never met this man's family so it was difficult trying to say the right thing when I just wanted to escape that place. I was in and out in record time. Then I cried for a fair portion of the evening. This man had been one I really admired and he had fought back from illness before and was such a good man.
But, on the way home I saw 2 baby deer playing by the side of the road. I stopped the car and just watch them frolic for a minute. They were absolutely amazing. I can close my eyes and still see the total innocence and freedom they displayed.
So, that brings us to today, I slept in a little and did a few chores before getting ready to go with my friend to her cancer appointment. She has been feeling really bad so we were afraid of what her latest scan would show. To make a long story short, her cancer markers in the blood are way up - she will need to go back on Chemo within the next 3 months- how soon will depend on results of blood work done today. Not good news, but pretty much what we were expecting.
Tomorrow, I go back to the neighbors house to sit with her Dad again, while she goes to have a test done. Yes, I will be in Christmas land for the morning.
Then I have to take Mom to make reservation at a restaurant in Ocala for the Island Grove Ladies group for next week. I also have to cut the rest of the fudge and package it. I have a ton of it left. Anyone want some fudge??? It is chocolate walnut.
Somewhere in all this, I need to clean my house and get some planning for a luncheon in April completed as the deadline for printing tickets for it is creeping up like a predator.
However, I am going to try to go to bed and set my alarm for really early to do some stuff before I go to the neighbors. I like to start the washer, dryer and dishwasher before I leave - kinda makes me feel like I am leaving elves or a maid behind doing work.
So anyone want to join my roller coaster ride?? I have some lows, but the highs are really great and do make up for the lows. After all I get to spend the morning in Christmas land.
We got to the church and had a good time - had 24 different kinds of cookies and about 28 people. We had pizza and salad then part of us decorated the tree and the front of the church for the Cantata which is Sunday evening. While we were doing that some of the others put all the cookies on the table and then we went around the table getting an assortment of cookies. Amy talked about all the cookies I used to make for Steve to take to work and told about how he bragged about all of them. It was a nice thing to hear that he was proud of something I did.
I was awakened by the phone Tuesday morning with Dad saying to the answering machine to call right back - it was an emergency. Mom gave him a good talking to for saying that and calling at 8:30 in the morning. He just wanted to tell me that a good Eastern Star friend had passed away. The viewing was that evening - so my whole day became rearranged. I had to take Dad to his back specialist and then meet Mom to hand over Dad so they could go to school for the election primary. Since the doctor was running nearly 2 hours behind; by the time we left his office, it wasn't really realistic for me to go back home. After a quick dinner with the parents and some errands; I went to the viewing. I had never met this man's family so it was difficult trying to say the right thing when I just wanted to escape that place. I was in and out in record time. Then I cried for a fair portion of the evening. This man had been one I really admired and he had fought back from illness before and was such a good man.
But, on the way home I saw 2 baby deer playing by the side of the road. I stopped the car and just watch them frolic for a minute. They were absolutely amazing. I can close my eyes and still see the total innocence and freedom they displayed.
So, that brings us to today, I slept in a little and did a few chores before getting ready to go with my friend to her cancer appointment. She has been feeling really bad so we were afraid of what her latest scan would show. To make a long story short, her cancer markers in the blood are way up - she will need to go back on Chemo within the next 3 months- how soon will depend on results of blood work done today. Not good news, but pretty much what we were expecting.
Tomorrow, I go back to the neighbors house to sit with her Dad again, while she goes to have a test done. Yes, I will be in Christmas land for the morning.
Then I have to take Mom to make reservation at a restaurant in Ocala for the Island Grove Ladies group for next week. I also have to cut the rest of the fudge and package it. I have a ton of it left. Anyone want some fudge??? It is chocolate walnut.
Somewhere in all this, I need to clean my house and get some planning for a luncheon in April completed as the deadline for printing tickets for it is creeping up like a predator.
However, I am going to try to go to bed and set my alarm for really early to do some stuff before I go to the neighbors. I like to start the washer, dryer and dishwasher before I leave - kinda makes me feel like I am leaving elves or a maid behind doing work.
So anyone want to join my roller coaster ride?? I have some lows, but the highs are really great and do make up for the lows. After all I get to spend the morning in Christmas land.