Journaling June & July

Wow, 2 months have gone by very fast!  It’s August already.  As I went outside with the dog this morning, the air felt different, probably just my mind thinking ‘August’. 

Suddenly I remembered the feelings of going back to school.  The cool, crisp mornings walking to school with your new clothes and books.  I have one very distinct memory of going to school and that is when we moved to Linden and I entered grade 8.  Ugh, how terrible to go to a new school in this grade!   The house mom and dad bought wasn’t ready for us yet and so we were offered a house just a few miles out of town to live in until then.  The fall sun was so bright in the mornings as it streamed into the living room, which was furnished and strange to me, and cast an orange glow on everything.  As mom prepared breakfast and our lunches,  I’d sit in the kitchen booth (I thought it was so cool) and wished I could stay home and play on the big yard and be with mom.  It looked like it would be a beautiful day.  Anyways, no such luck, my sister and I drove to school every day, down a gravel road then onto a secondary road that took us into town.  I had been to my new school only once to be enrolled and it seemed so large that I was unsure where my class was.  For those of you who know Linden school or any small town school, there was one hallway with maybe one turn left or right.  My sister and I drove to school every day and every day the sun shone in our eyes.  Seems like there were never any cloudy days.  It’s strange what our minds do with memories. 

So a little off track, but hey, that’s a bit about me you didn’t know.

So here’s what’s happening in news regarding Greg’s kidney transplant.  He is done taking Prednisone as of the end of June.  He may have to go back on it if he develops any of the old symptoms.  I was a little terrified to hear this.  All the memories crept back to those days when he could hardly move because of the muscle pain and vomiting, etc.  So far he’s been good except for the continued tiredness throughout the day.  I can’t take him to the mall anymore, it just tires him out too much.  He’s quite sad about that, NOT!

He still has supper ready for me each day and he’s a very good cook.  I hate the weekends because then it’s my turn to cook and well, let’s say, I’m getting the better part of that deal. 

So, this is the 2^nd testing for Greg where he’s fallen below the 15% kidney function.  One more testing and he’ll be ready for his transplant.  He actually received the official call that he was now on ‘the list’ for a transplant but has a donor.  The next month I have to continue to be careful what I eat and make sure to walk each day.  Hopefully when I do my blood pressure test this time, they will be happy with the results.  I CANNOT halt this transplant – not now.  

Here's a little glimpse into Greg's hospital room back in October 2014.  I've never posted photos till now.  This is a first.  There might be more to come one day, when I do a post just on his hospital stay.

My mom is now living without dad.  That’s the reality.  But whether she knows this or not, we know for sure she does not.  Dad finds it difficult still to start and end each day without her at his side in the Lodge.  When my sister told dad the news that mom was being placed ‘tomorrow’, he said, “it feels like the preacher just gave the funeral message”.  I get that.  You still have your loved one here on earth but they aren’t with you by your side everyday, like it used to be.  Mom doesn’t remember us visiting her or how long we visited.  She sometimes waits for dad before eating but I’m not sure she really knows she’s doing that either. 

Mom’s first placement was in Innisfail and we drove to see her about every other day.  Three weeks later we received the call that she could move into the Linden Nursing Home!  She would now be closer for dad to visit her anytime he wanted.  We were very lucky.  

My work schedule has changed and each week if different.  This each I have 3 days off, work 1 day, then have the weekend off.  I just finished working the August long weekend.  I feel sorry for Greg as he’s off weekends but has to entertain himself.  Then when I’m off and home the house is busy and loud as I house clean and do errands.  It’s not so bad when a Nascar race is on or hockey, but hockey is done.  I just hope things improve soon at work and I can get some hours back and be on a regular work week.  For those of you who say, ‘it’s no big deal’, it actually is for those of us who are older and have grown used to a Monday to Friday lifestyle.  This too shall pass.

We haven’t done as much camping this summer as we anticipated, just because of my schedule.  But we did get in a few great weekends.  

Saw this guy.  

He crossed the road in front of us and he was 

about 10 miles from our campsite.

My repainting projects have taken such a turn, for the worse, I have to admit.  I really miss painting a good project.  With everything going on around us right now, it’s definitely taken a back seat.  But today is still early and after I finish the house work, maybe I’ll pick a piece and tackle it.  Wait, I thought about painting the main bath (still hospital green) and continue that color down the hallway (still hospital green).  That would take care of ALMOST all the green except for the basement hallway and bath.  Whew! I can’t believe how much the past owners loved green.  This too shall pass.

So even though this post seems short, to me,  I’ve got to continue on and get other things done today.

Till next time,

Bonny

Journaling June

Journaling June . . .  on July 1^st

Happy Canada Day first of all!  No celebrations here today.  The weather is crappy and was the last 4 days. Tomorrow should be nice again because we have to head back to work.  It didn’t matter to us though what the weather was like because we were indoors working like little . . . well crazy people who are getting ready to move in 4 weeks.   

This blog will be unedited tonight.  But then who edits their journal anyways.  It will not contain pictures for your amusement either because all I have would be moving boxes and rooms looking empty and forlorn. 

Chronologically for this month, if I left off last month saying we joined in the community garage sale, 4 days after putting our house on the market we sold it!  Pretty amazing.  We both believe that the fenced yard had a huge part in selling.  We’re just relieved that it’s done and we’re not sitting here in October ready to move and the house is still un-sold.  That however, puts us into another predicament, finding a home for August 1^st – October 31^st.   It’s not a landlords dream to rent for 3 months to people with a pooch.  The first home we looked at was let’s say, old and a little old smelling and a little damp in the basement.  But, they were willing to rent to us and our pooch for 3 months.  Greg wasn’t sold yet and so we kept looking because we had some time and they hadn’t made a decision on renters yet.  As time went by I was getting antsy and looked at 3 others.  One brand new condo but living in the next town L, a mobile that was ok, and another OLD home.  This one I scratched from the list right away.  More waiting. 

On June 9^th, our daughter celebrated her birthday.  I’m so looking forward to next year when I can take her for lunch or to a flea market. She’s getting into the refurbishing and home decorating too and has done a few pieces herself.  Watch out, we could have a store someday.  She’s going to be a mom some day and we can hardly wait to see how that all plays out.  I want to be there for the fun times and the times when she’ll need some encouragement.  I know I called my mom a few times to help with a crying little boy.  Family is so very important to us and that we all get along is so important too. 

June 15^th was Father’s Day.  I know Greg misses his dad on this day so it’s always a little different for him.  My dad called me this time in the morning so my thoughts were right away “something is wrong”.  No he just called to say ‘thanks for the card’ and that he’s waiting for us to move back.  Yes, it’ll be different helping to care for them when I’m back but they’re my parents and you have to.  There’s just no reason for turning your back on your parents and leaving them lonely.  I cannot justify those who do this and never will. 

On the morning of Saturday the 21^st, we got the call that the landlords had accepted our application for the first little old home.  Thank-goodness!  Another thing checked off the list.  Now we could start packing like a crazy person.  Things were happening now and I wouldn’t be homeless. 

As the storm went thru our town this weekend, we worked like mad inside and I’m quite happy how much we got done.  Greg finished putting in the family room ceiling and new carpet is coming tomorrow.  This was part of our house offer.  So as he was busy downstairs I was busy packing upstairs.  Then we fixed, painted and cleaned today.  There’s still the kitchen, garage and our bedroom to do but we still have some time. 

I think I’m prepared to leave this house.  You begin to separate yourself, or what you do in preparation to leave helps you to separate yourself.  I no longer enjoy sitting on the deck and look across the yard and think about the future here.  I’m ready to go.  That doesn’t say I won’t shed a tear, or many, when we actually close the door on this home and drive away.  It holds a lot of memories.  But they are memories I take with me to a new home, closer to family, where more memories will continue to be made.   

Well, I’m ready for my tea-time and maybe a glass of Sherry.  I deserve it.  

Hope you all had a great weekend.