Hmmm...

Wow! I know only a handful of visitors stopped by here in November when this blog's description read, "NaBloPoMo, NaNoWriMo, NaShoStoWriMo... What? More like, MoFoNo." Ha! I had zero motivation to write, and even less content - at least, that I can recall. Now, look were we find ourselves today... MID-DECEMBER!

What? How did that happen? Where was I?  Funny, I've had loads to write about in the last few weeks, but no time... oh life, how you toy with me.

Well, better late than never, right?  I'm here now, so let's see where things go.  At the moment, it's going to have to be back to housecleaning. Were expecting an overnight guest - with the best giggles ever, and... wait for it... Winter Break is here! Which means, College Girl is on her way home... as I type! Can't wait for that first hug, and a family night out to celebrate our girl's successful second year Fall semester  .

Gotta go, sinkful of dishes with my name on it awaits. Have a great Saturday.

The Long A*s*s Day

So tired.  Man, it was a long ass day.  Too tired to write.  Another MoFoNo  NaNoWriMo / NaBloPoMo / NaShoStoWriMo opportunity missed.  Good night.

* sigh *

Movember... That's a Thing, Right?

At this rate, there's a better chance of me growing a pretty sweet looking mustache this month than produce any semblance of a novel, short story, or otherwise

Oh, November

Oh November, already you start with the unexpected.  It appears first week in will be a busy one, but when asked if I could help out a family member; the reason for this request had only one answer:  Of course, I can help.  I'll do whatever I can.

It’s National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo, which is running concurrent with NaBloPoMo, where you post a daily blog - like I'm doing here. There's no way I have it in me to attempt to write a novel in a month, but I have come within days of writing a daily post in a year's time. So here I go again... but only for a month.  I can do this.  I also thought I could modify NaNoWriMo to something I might be able to accomplish.  I'm calling it  NaShoStoWriMo, or National Short Story Writing Month, lessening November writing challenge from 1667 words a day, to 167 words a day. Here's yesterday's sampling:

November 2, 2013

There were no words to say, time was quickly running out. How was Lee going to let him know what the plan was now that things had changed? She was just going to have to sit there and hear him out until he had said all he needed to say...

Happy November!

Here's what I'm up to:



It’s National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo. People who are crazy ambitious enough to accept the challenge aim to write 50,000 words in November, which is about 1,667 words every day. This is what my effort is looking like... 200+ words my first day. Here's a sampling:

November 1, 2013

“Still dark out.” She thought to herself as she awoke to the sound of puppy whimpers. Not really “pup,” just puppy-like, was her - middle-age in dog years - tri-colored beagle. Hard to believe it’s been seven years since Shadow dog joined the family....

It's October, Right?

Thoughts From Thursday: October 3

Six minutes in I'm thinking about all I have to do later today.  But first, and most importantly, I think I need to go to bed.  However, that will be taking a back seat to me spending time watching some of my favorite YouTube channels.  So, a half hour or so of that, then sleep 'til 6:00 am, and then we'll go from there, shall we.

Seven Days 'til October

Oh, September... are the days of sitting in pool of my own sweat nearly over yet for 2013?  I hope so.

Last two mornings felt so good stepping out into the cool morning air.  Makes me wish we had proper windows to open in this house. Alas, we do not.  So, no fresh nighttime air for us. That would be bliss. Oh, well.

Seems our time in Southern California is taking a more permanent turn.  The Hubs has a temporary CA driver's license.  We now have California issued auto insurance.  And, today, Bookstore Boy reclaimed the nickname I gave him when he started at his very first job Summer of 2011 in Colorado . He's been on job search for nearly a year.  Nice to know he'll be in familiar surroundings.  Hoping it's as great an experience here in the desert as it was at the Lone Tree store.  Good luck, son!

Other Things Said At Our House ~ September 12, 2013

The Girl ~ making a rare appearance as she takes a break from homework; coming out of her room for a cool drink.

Me ~ happy to see my darling girl.

Me: Happy goodnight, love. x

The Girl:  Happy goodnight, Mom. x

Things I Can't Believe Are Said In This House ~ September 12, 2013

First, let me paint the picture:

The Hubs ~  just showered and in bed after doing a quick, mad house cleaning before we have sleepover guests tomorrow night.

The YAM* ~ finally stopped arguing with me about not liking to put stuff on his face after shower and before bed because he doesn't like to get junk on his pillows, as I insist he borrow his dad's zit cream to dab on a few spots on his face and telling him to, "Just do it."  He has a job interview at the bookstore tomorrow afternoon... need him looking sharp.

 Me ~ I burned my hand this morning, so I'm pretty much useless tonight.

Niiice. The bathroom got a much needed overall scrubbing this evening. You know, all the parts I can't reach because I'm so damn short, or get thoroughly cleaned when I do it because my hands are so weak. Now, with my burned hand and all, I'm relieved that The Hubs and YAM are making sure accommodations will be adequate for when our nieces and nephew come to spend the night on Friday.

The Hubs was super-great to clean and sort out the bathroom clutter... not that there was much to start with: hair goo, shaving gel can, baby powder, liquid hand soap dispenser and Old Spice men's deodorant/antiperspirant. Of those items, only the baby powder was mine. We're in a rental that I call The Place, and - this is gonna sound weird - the woman we are renting from never really "moved out."  Weird! Right? Anyway, there are still owner's belongings in most cabinets, shelves, linen closet** and on walls (like, a picture of her friggin' kid!), so The Hubs returned his toiletries back to our bedroom and set the baby powder on my end of row of cubbies that serve as our dresser/closet.... also, the hand soap.

So imagine our disgust when YAM goes into the bathroom to wash his hands after applying the zit cream and discovers the hand soap was gone. The Hubs had removed it to clean the sink and didn't put it back... where the heck was it?

So, to his dad in bed, YAM says, "Whaddya do with the soap?"

Dad: "What soap."

Me and YAM:  (Looking at each other mortified.)

YAM: "The hand soap dispenser we keep at the sink... you know, to wash our hands with when we're done in the bathroom!"

Dad: ......

YAM:  "YOU DON'T USE SOAP AFTER YOU USE THE BATHROOM!?!  WHO DOES THAT?!?  ARE YOU FOUR???

Me: (Fuming mad... I refill that dispenser every week!)

Dad: (Infuriating, stupid giggles) I thought that was lotion. (More stupid giggling.... what a girl.)

YAM:  You. Don't. Wash. Your. Hands? (Then coming to his dad's defense)  It does look like a lotion bottle.

Dad:  Hee, hee, hee... I wash my hands!

Me: *sigh*



*Young Adult Male
**EWWWWW

So Long, August 2013

I love the month of September.  *September is good.  Always has been; hopefully, always will be.

August was kind, bittersweet, momentous, reassuring, stressful, busy, revealing, uncomfortable, eventful, unpredictable and hot!

I lost 10 lbs without even trying.

Officially became mom of a full-fledged adult male in August... I officially grew up a kid. I love that we can talk for hours about similar interests... movies, books, television, current events, but especially laugh together watching our favorite comedians.

I learned that it doesn't take long at all to discover how much love you can have for relatives you hardly knew, especially the little ones who probably hadn't a clue about you.  A short visit with nieces and nephews leaves me with cheeks sore from smiling.

I proved I am capable of helping make life better for someone.  In this case, my mom.  Her health issues seem to have improved overall and illnesses kept in check, partly due to my ability to monitor her diet and medication.

This was the first August in over 10 years that I was present for one of my sister's birthday celebrations... we have recently reconciled after many, many years of disconnect.  My voice becomes hoarse from the hours we spend catching up and just chatting during visits with mom.

This month I showed up and fulfilled the "in sickness and in health" marriage promise to my husband.  He's been there for me time and time again in our 20+ years of marriage.  He's been in a great deal of pain and discomfort recently... and I did my best to provide comfort and support.

After so many years married, this was the first time ever that I was in the driver's seat... literally.  Due to pain and physical limitations, not to mention very strong prescription drugs, I did most of the driving, including dropping off and picking up my husband at his job.  I really do love to drive. So it was a welcome change to have the man hand over the car keys and let me take the wheel while he took my spot in the front passenger's seat.

I discovered that I still have the ability to learn new things.  It's difficult and exhausting, but my brain isn't the rubbish I thought it had become.

I saw my determined, independent middle child prepare to leave, after a long Summer at home with her family, to return to college clear across the country.  Hearing her voice everyday is my happiness.

In one word: postmenopause... Best. Thing. Ever. Wait is that two words?

I love being impressed by my children; kid #3 managed to achieve high marks in school and exams.  She has registered for junior year in high school.  I'm impressed by her strength, and perseverance... but, it is her artistic talents that fascinate.  She's my beautiful social butterfly finding her way around new, unfamiliar surroundings and peers. Hopeful coming academic year is good to her.

Big dog and little dog seem to still be trying to figure out what's happening here.  They sit by the doors with an expression that says, "Are we done here. I'm ready to go home now."  Me too, doggies... me too.

Nearly every day of this month, temperatures have reached 100 degrees or higher.  I do not like this dry, warm climate. I really should have been in a much worse mood past several weeks. Nothing I could do about it I guess. No choice where to live at the moment.  Grateful we were all together under one roof, and that air conditioner provided some relief from heat.

My sleeping habits have been atrocious of late.  I plan to change that starting... NOW.  Or actually tomorrow night.  Eleven o'clock bedtime for me from now on.  Wish me luck.

Relieved to find I have, in fact, not lost my cooking skills... I'm back, baby.

Come on, September!

This was my August in a nutshell.  How was yours?

* And, no, I have not forgotten Sept. 11, 2001. I will never forget. That day was not good. What happened that day changed everything... how I see the world, how we all see the world. We weren't ready for that tragic event. That it happened first week back at school for my kids, I was in "feel good" mode. Back-to-School week in a tight-knit neighborhood on 9/11 provided a comfort and re-assurance of what was good. I'm ready for back-to-school again. I have always loved back-to-school season. It's one of my favorite times of year. That has not changed for me. This is good.

Once Upon A Time...

Once upon a time there was a blog post* filling my thoughts, but that's how far it got.  *Every day past three weeks.

I'm tired. Also, helping sort out parent's health and diet care, supporting a spouse through his health issues and approaching c-spine surgery, while trying to manage day-to-day family doings, is doing ME in.

So, so tired.

"Yay, go for it"

I got that reply last night from a Twitter pal after I tweeted, "Maybe I'll try to give writing another go starting tomorrow.  Be nice to me August 2013... please."  So, here I go.

July 2013 was a tough one. Lots of catching up. Lots of discoveries. Lots of caring for others suffering illness and pain. A whole lot of figuring out how to manage my 85 year old mom's type 2 diabetes in order to restore her life as close to what it had been before she started to neglect self-care. On top of that, my husband developed problem with cervical spine which required a trip to the Emergency Room in hopes of finding cause of pain radiating down his arm to his hand causing numbness and tingling similar to what one feels when their foot or arm falls asleep.  He's been in quite a bit of discomfort as we wait for authorization from insurance for examination and treatment by neurosurgeon.  It's taken three weeks to finally reach the point of being able to schedule an appointment with specialist.

So managing my mom's meal plans and administering her medication as her doctor prescribed, as well as making sure my husband is kept as comfortable as possible has been priority. Oh, and to keep things interesting, mom decided to move from the apartment she'd been living in for the past fifteen years to an updated unit in same senior housing complex... haven't perspired that much in my life. Temps around this time of year are in the 100's.  And then there's the normal demands of managing a family and household. Of course, I'm exhausted. Oh, and there's this itchy skin issue I've had since moving into this rental... it's pretty much driving nuts, or nuttier, right?

I'm doing the best I can, putting lots of miles on my car, and relying on my kids to pick up the slack of things I just haven't had the time to give my full attention. We even had a little house guest last night, she's a little pip and kept my daughters and son on their toes. Love having the opportunity to get to know family that we've been away from for so long.

So here we are, August 1, and my list for tomorrow goes off the page.  I'm missing my Twitter pals and favorite t.v. shows, but I have seen results of my contribution  for welfare of my family.  Keep fingers crossed I can keep this up as long as they need me.

Hope all is well with you, my reader. And, thanks Deb for the encouragement and for being a friend.

Still July, Huh?

Wow... anybody else need a nap or two today.  I sure do - had a short one after "lunch" but I still need many more zzzzz's, after all, It's only 6:15PM. Bedtime is still hours away, and I still may be called on to drive over to my mom's for one thing or another.

That's what life's been lately, or at least since end of June, checking in on Mom. As for "lunch," don't think I actually  had one today - this is happening a lot lately.  No, wait... when I went over to fix Mom's lunch, and prepare her next three meals & set aside a few between meal snacks, I think I had a spoonful of rice, about five baby carrots and three sweet potato fries (Man, those were good!). It's all worth it if all this time and effort is keeping Mom healthy and strong. This business of Type 2 Diabetes has been an eye-opener.

As for The Hubs, well, he could be better.  Or have better health insurance, or be fortunate enough to have adequate insurance benefits through work... or even a job that offers paid sick leave. Even better would be a higher paying job doing what he knows.  But, for now, it is what it is.  He'll have to do his receptionist job while in pain and with limited range of motion, and he'll have to hold out hope (without meds) for a speedy referral process so he can get in to see neurosurgeon and -fingers crossed - be placed on a successful treatment plan.

I think I mentioned something about a nap earlier.  So.....

Are We Still In July?

Oh, July...

What are you doing? It's only Wednesday! The third calendar day of the month! And, you've already been a doozy of a week. Hoping tail end of the week ends on a more gentle note.

(That first paragraph should have been a clue.  I spoke wrote too early... 3:00 in the afternoon.)

Evening has arrived and it's still intolerably hot outside. I can't express how happy it makes me to be sitting in a nice, cool air conditioned house, and feeling additional comfort thanks to gentle breeze created by a tower fan. With air conditioner unit out of commission yesterday, and the indoor temperature reaching 92 degrees, I am so grateful problem with unit was easily diagnosed and repaired.  We are now enjoying this evening free from misery that comes from living in this hot desert region, where on top of Summer temps climbing up to 100+ degrees, the rare occurrence of high humidity only served to make Tuesday without a/c a living nightmare.

That being said, I still haven't quite recovered from incident today that happened when I went to pick up my husband from work at 3:30 PM.  (More later.)

Table For Five, Please

We need a dining room table. A table for five. Something nice and spacious with comfortable seating should we ever have company at The Place - a chance to extend a warm, loving invitation to family and friends we'd love to have over for dinner. Yes, we need a table... a functional table for homework, crafting, puzzle making and game playing, but mostly for eating. Nothing fancy, just the perfect size for our family needs.

I'd like a table, one on which to set bunches of wildflowers and potted herbs, bowls full of seasonal fruits and decorative wares.  I miss having a table and look forward to someday - sooner than later - having all five of us gathering to enjoy favorite Summer meals together before College Girl heads back East for Fall semester.

It's been too long since our mealtime routine was disrupted.  I want a table and our family routine re-established to help make things right again. Have a little bit of normal return to our lives.

We need a table... something like this:

Image from one of my favorite catalogs: Napa Style

What are you inviting into your life:

ER: Room for One

Hospitals... Ick.

June 28, 2013 ~ Good Morning Sunshine

This what I have to contend with each morning that I don't keep the car...

the flipping sun beaming through the seams in the bedroom door blinds!

Currently, mornings after getting up to fix my husband lunch and sending him off to work with a kiss and a "Have a good day" I try to catch a few (or loads) more winks before taking on another uneventful day.  I climb back into bed and do everything I can to avoid the glaring sun coming in through the blinds. This unrelenting glare does all in it's power to keep me from falling back to sleep, but has yet to force me to move over to my husband's side of the bed.

This morning I changed up my ritual - falling back to sleep and waking up annoyed that no one wakes me up earlier. Most days that's well past 9:30 am. I know... embarrassing. What I did different this morning was bringing my mini laptop into the room with me to read the news and watch a fun YouTube video series by Hank and John Green from 2007... It's, well, great.

So I did that, and then fell back to sleep around 9:30 only to be jarred awake by an earthquake at about 10:45 and conveniently centered just a few miles up the hill! NewsFlash...I hate earthquakes.  Feeling the ground trembling beneath me is not my idea of a "good morning."  And, in actuality, it's my least preferred kind of morning, mostly because I'm reminded of the time my mom left me alone in bed to go check on my sister during the 1971 Sylmar quake in Los Angeles - also known as "One of my least favorite days ever."

Fingers crossed for a non-shaky wakey Saturday morning.  Uneventful is what I'm aiming for here.

It is now 1:42 am, Saturday, June 29... I have terrible sleep habits.

P.S.

2013 Update :

Mostly trying to figure out where to go from here.

Thank you for visiting A How-To Guide.

Lil