Thursday, November 30, 2006
Busy day
Today not much to say, just catching up on stuff that did not get done yesterday.
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Off Day
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Proactive vs. Reactive
During my reading for my self-constructed class, Diabetes 101, I came across an interesting concept. It suggested an experiment on that testing be done first thing in the morning, then one hour and two hours after a meal. Testing results and what was consumed should be recorded. This way it could be noted how my body reacts to different foods.
This makes sense to me. Instead of just winging it, it appears to be a more consise way to determine what I should eat and what should be avoided. Testing after exercising would also be helpful and help me construct a better dietary management plan. Testing has become easier, so I do not mind checking my levels so often for a while.
There also appears to be some scams out there. It it suprising that there are people who think nothing of offering false hope and stealing money. Sorting fact from fiction is difficult for many. With so many hoaxes out there and political profiteers I am skeptical about many claims and standards of practice.
When people freely offer what has worked for them, I am much more likely to give it a go.
Monday, November 27, 2006
'Tis the Season.
It gets busy for many this time of year. For me, I am still focusing on health and exercising. In addition to my health, I am also concerned with my family's health. Learning what to buy, trying new things, it is an exciting and challenging time. In additon I am trying to get things done for Christmas and my son's graduation.
There may be a posting break, in December, when we go up for the Graduation Recognition. If I can get access I will post. I am not as adept as others are with finding internet access.
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Szopka Festival
Yet another trip into Hartford, this time for pierogi. I cannot make them if my life depended on it. My dough comes out crappy. Potato/farmers cheese and cabbage pierogies were available. Cabbage is not my favorite, so I ended up with 3 dozen potato and cheese. Prune pączki was tempting, but I resisted.
The Szopka Festival features Polish crafts, foods, entertainment and a contest where children and adults create beautiful Cracovian mangers (Szopki). It is interesting to see the displays and vendors st the festival.
Some ladies and men were in Polish folk dress. Święty Mikołaj(Saint Nicholas) was there to see the children before his visit to their homes on December 6th.
We needed Oplatek(Christmas Wafer) for Wigilia (Christmas Eve Dinner.) Going to the festival and listening to kolędy (Polish Christmas carols) has started to get me into the spirit of the season.
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Hartford
Rarely do I venture into the city, but today the streets are empty. It appears that everyone has gone to the malls. That makes my stop to a little store much easier. It has been a while since I have been downtown. Gone are the stores we used to go visit as children. There is little reason to venture into the city.
The bright blue skies and warmer temperatures are keeping me from getting into the spirit.
Friday, November 24, 2006
Black Friday
Today was my day to cook a turkey. It was a small bird by yesterday’s standard. My small oven cannot accommodate a large turkey.
Yesterday’s sale flyers did not tempt me to venture out into Consumer Wonderland. Seeing the throngs of people out trying to save a few dollars, reminded me to be grateful that I was not out among them.
Today was a day for planning. Though completion of the planning fell short, I do have a general feel for what needs to be done for the rest of this year.
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Thanksgiving
Many are thinking of what they are thankful for. This year I have much. My eldest has a job in his field. I have wonderful supportive friends and family. My doctor wants to reduce my diabetic medication. My sister hosted Thanksgiving Dinner.
The carver and the cook.
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
They’re back, but not for long
My eldest and his cat arrived. My youngest and I departed for the pool. Nice of me, eh? But they needed to settle in and we needed the workout. It is good to have him back home, even if this will soon no longer be his home. He has accepted a job offer in New York State, about 4.5 hours from here. Thankfully it is just about all highway driving. (No more going through the Adirondacks.) He currently looking for a place to live that accepts cats. It seems strange, that next year, he will not be calling Connecticut his home anymore.
Sunday, he will return to finish school. Seph, the cat will be staying with us until the move to the new apartment in January.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Exciting day
Frost on the grass, brings a chill to my bones. What happened to my internal furnace? Last night's workout in the pool made some turn blue. Hopefully tonight the water will be warmer.
Today I am filled with anticipation as my eldest returns home for Thanksgiving. Will he bring home his cat, Seph? When will he arrive? I have many little things to attend to, so at least I will not be sitting and waiting.
Today I am filled with anticipation as my eldest returns home for Thanksgiving. Will he bring home his cat, Seph? When will he arrive? I have many little things to attend to, so at least I will not be sitting and waiting.
Monday, November 20, 2006
One project down
Finally, a completed project. Somehow it is just not the same as completing paperwork. Being able to visually see an object is much more satisfying. The object was to take this....
... and give it my son's school colors.
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Wishful Thinking
Thinking ahead my middle son viewed the Sunday flyers and pointed out his desires and said, “Christmas.” The phone rang, he ran to answer and uttered, “Merry Christmas.” Later he looked out the window and saw the clouds and said, “Clouds. Snow”. I freaked a bit then realized that yes, they did look like snow clouds, but thankfully our temps were in the 40’s. I informed him that it was not cold enough for snow, yet.
To see his childlike joy and anticipation brings joy to my life. But this will continue until Christmas and I will get a bit weary of explaining when Christmas is. Now if he could only understand the calendar, it would help in letting him know how far off Christmas really is. I reminded him of Thanksgiving and we are going to have turkey at Aunt Sue’s. He then said, “Taco Bell.”
I replied, “Yes your, brother is coming home for Thanksgiving and will take you to Taco Bell.”
It is good to think to the future and have things to look forward to and to work toward. Wishes can become reality.
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Yard work
After the drenching rain and picking up the debris, it was finally dry enough to work on finishing getting the yard and garden set for winter. The sunshine and fresh air were enjoyable as I worked.
Some sore muscles were soothed by a nice long hot shower and a mug full of hot cider with some rum. Feet were soothed by some coconut foot creme and after this post my hand will get some hand therapy.
Friday, November 17, 2006
It was a dark and stormy night….
The storm ripped through causing power outages. Last night’s wind disturbed the swimmers in the pool as the roof rattled. At 9 p.m., the temperature was a balmy 68°. Warm humid air from the south has kept November heating costs down and the windows open.
All the signs of winter coming are here in nature, bare branches and berries on the bushes. The cold will be here soon.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Day tripping
Getting errands out of the way before the heavy rain comes. This little river seems full already flowing fast. The sound of the water is soothing.
Ready to handle the rain.
Temperatures rose into the 70’s. Fog coming off the Connecticut River masks the hills of New Hampshire. When I come back to Brattleboro, the copper on the building will not be shiny and new.
Theater anyone?
Meals at the Co-Op are wholesome fare. They have some things you will not find elsewhere, like maple syrup on tap for refilling your container. It is sold for $3.99 a pound. I also found some stevia to try. Hubby was getting antsy, so it was time to leave.
Speaking of leaving, it seems that propery taxes have risen so much in Vermont that many people are selling and moving out of state. More room for cows I guess.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Hugs
If you saw someone holding a sign saying “Free Hugs” would you hug them?
On Ocean I saw a picture of a nice young man holding a sign, surely I would have given him a hug. It seems that this guy may have been his inspiration.
My middle son likes to hug everyone.Hugging is discouraged in school, personal space is more important. I think the world would be much nicer if we all gave and received more hugs.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Life in the ER
There are better ways to spend your morning that going to the ER. The good news is that we have options. The hospitals in Hartford, you can easily spend 4 hours sitting there waiting before you even get in to be seen. In Manchester, we were done in less than two hours.
Apparently exercising is hazardous to your health. In the last few months my brother has injured himself twice. This trip was due to a forty pound weight falling on his foot. Thankfully nothing was broken. So ice, rest and elevate is the cure.
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Dilemma
Understanding death and losing loved ones is difficult for most of us. But when you are at the level of a four year old and cannot verbalize your questions or concerns, it is even more difficult to help with consolation and understanding. My middle son has had moments of crying since Dziadui’s (grandfather) funeral.
After calling several places, grief counseling for children is usually done in a group situation. I do not think that will help him. He was not that close to Dziadui, so I think his crying is related to not understanding about death and dying. Or maybe he does understand and is concerned about others dying or his dying.
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Testing One, Two, Three
Getting stuck by a needle is not one of my favorite things. When it came time to learn how to test my blood sugar, I was a wimp. The good news was the diabetic instructor selected me to go first. At least I did not have to spend the time anxiously waiting for my turn. The moment came for the dreaded finger prick. I cringed and placed the pen like torture device against the side of my middle finger on my left hand and pressed. I was quite surprised that it did not really hurt, it was just a light stick. The result of my test was good.
They also did what is called an A1c test. It checks what your average has been for the past two or three months. That is still a bit high, but it has come down close to where it should be since I was diagnosed.
Hopefully soon it will become easy routine.
Friday, November 10, 2006
Signal
Slowly thing are getting back to normal and sickness is slowly leaving our household. Things were put on hold this past week, like this train waiting for the signal to continue. Everything else keeps moving, but you are stuck, not able to move on.
After almost two weeks of not being in the pool, I returned during free swim and did a reduced workout. It felt good to be back in the pool.
My focus returns to taking care of myself. My last diabetic self-management class is today. I do not know how much has sunk in from the first two classes, my brain was in a fog. Perhaps not, most of what has been taught I already knew from my self constructed class.
It is time to move forward and plan for the future.
Thursday, November 09, 2006
thoughts
The wake was interesting, a buzz with conversation. Seeing people I have not seen in years. My boys dressed in suits, looked so handsome. Thoughts going through my head, ranged from thinking about his life to thinking about mine. All arrangements were made with peace and agreement. The funeral home even surprised us with putting up a Polish flag.
The day of the funeral was damp from the light rain. With lights flashing, a police car lead the procession. My eldest and youngest were pallbearers. My attention was focused on my middle son. The first time he spoke was in church. I recalled the irony of trying to get him to speak only to tell him that he needed to be quiet. Now, he had questions during Mass. It had been years since I had been in that church, not much had changed.
Things do not end with the funeral. The estate needs to be settled. My middle son is crying, trying to understand or is it that he understands?
Monday, November 06, 2006
A quick one
Today is the 47th anniversay of my dad's death. Strange that Tata(my stepfather) died November 4th and my dad on November 6th.
The next few days will be very busy. I may not be posting anything for a few days.
My eldest is coming home tomorrow in time for the wake and will be leaving soon after the funeral on Wednesday. He is in the middle of his senior project, so the timing is really tough for him.
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Details, Perception
Running around, taking care of details it begins to grow dark. Somehow seeing the bright, golden full moon rising seemed fitting. It seems so large when it appears just over the horizon. A twisting of light, an illusion or is it just our perception, that makes the moon seem larger than usual?
Expectations are our norm. Like when things like the moon seeming larger is viewed, it can be unsettling. What is truly strange is seeing an entire area, normally filled with light, cloaked in darkness. It was a bit spooky, no street lights, store parking lots empty and dark, traffic signals are not directing traffic. Apparently a transmission line went down, even the airport lost power.
What is important is how we react to these changes from our norm. At a time like this, our family seems to draw closer together. We seem to be of like minds, trusting each other’s judgment and respecting one another.
My biggest problem is finding a simple pair of black pumps, that won’t kill my feet.
Saturday, November 04, 2006
The call
The call came early this morning. "He's gone." Not that it was unexpected, but still I was surprised. There was not much that I could do until the late afternoon appointment at the funeral home.
As caregivers, brother and sister were getting burnt out. Still short on sleep, now having to make decisions. Thankfully, the church, cemetery and funeral home were requested by Tata.
It is startling how much it costs to die. You do not expect to get sticker shock at a time like this. Before you even get to select a casket, a plot at a cemetery, or a marker for your grave, the cost for funeral services was already over $5000. Obituaries, the newspaper will send you a bill. Everything adds up quickly. No limo or fancy extras, just a simple respectable funeral.
A lesson to be learned is to have things taken care of so your loved ones will not have to come up with five grand before burial. The balance is due in 30 days.
Friday, November 03, 2006
Last Rights
The nurse came to visit and stated that the level of care should be changed to hospice. We are making sure that his final wishes are carried out.
What it is like, to open your eyes, to see a Priest giving you your final blessing. It was surprising that they were not given in Polish.
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Morning Fog
The autumn brilliance of October has been stripped away, by wind and time, to reveal the naked dreariness of November. Sunshine is precious, as each day there is less.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Trick or Treat
The politicians make their way to your door. They speak casually about the issues. Halloween is over, but still tricks are being played out in the campaign ads. The end of this spoof amused me.
What a shame that so much money is spent on spin. It should be mandated that every for campaign dollar spent, a matching dollar would go the National Debt. Some politicians probably would get creative accountants to counter this.
Thankfully the bulk of this ghoulish behavior will end next week with the election.
