I traveled back to Virginia yesterday. It was quite a stormy rainy day up north and the airport was quite chilly. The plane was only 30 minutes behind which I did not think was too bad. I'm not a big fan of wind when I fly. It was bumpy enough that the airline would not serve hot beverages - that's the first time that I have seen this happen. It's a short flight any way which is why I am amazed that the attendants can serve everyone drinks and snacks so quickly. I always sit at the window and high above the clouds it was sunny and I saw a pretty sunset. Hopefully, the picture I am putting below you will be able to see.
Thank you Diane for picking me up. Also, for inviting me to my favorite restaurant (Plaza Azteca) to celebrate Meghan's birthday. It was the perfect way to come home and enjoy fun company.
I just pulled the a/c out of the window in my home office - I guess that means the warm weather is over as far as I'm concerned. We are looking at ways to close off the fireplace as we do not use and it is quite drafty. We are putting our creative juices together to come up with a few ideas. I'm sure we will come up with something and make it look nice at the same time. Not sure if Michael's or Home Depot is on the agenda for this project. Are you creative? I can be at times, but I am never quite happy with the finished product so we'll see what we can do. I'm sure it will be an exercise in patience.
It was a bit of an emotional week for me in trying to finalize paperwork paperwork paperwork for my mom's care. I heard from a friend about some health issues that just made me sad. Between trying to finish paperwork and my torn emotions about about leaving my family and returning to Virginia - I had some low energy days. I did manage to grab a massage mid week which was absolutely wonderful. I know I will go back to this therapist again as I have already scheduled an appointment for December. We chatted a bit - I like to get to know who will be working on my body and then I just relaxed. I felt great when it was done and ready to conquer the rest of the week.
A couple of times I found myself mindlessly eating. I knew I was getting stressed when I started stuffing food in my mouth every few minutes. My body was telling me enough is enough, but as many of you know, when you start sometimes you just keep going. I did work out most days to get my mornings going and it really helps with stress.
I did not get as much reading done this past week although I am almost finished with one book and started another. I'll write about them next week. I was reading lots of local newspapers and magazines.
Funny story for the week. My mom has always as far back as I can remember gotten her hair done at the hairdresser every week. We grew up and my sisters kids grew up learning not to touch her hair as it stays in all week. You would never know my mom slept every night as her hair would look the same in the morning - so not like me. In order to give her some consistency and peace of mind, we have her going to the inhouse hairdresser weekly as it really seems to make her feel good. She always gets compliments and such and you can see a big smile on her face. Any way, she was a bit cranky the other day and said, I don't know why they touch my hair. I said what do you mean? She says the people around here they can see I get my hair done, but they have to touch it. I said the nurses? She said, NO the other people. I said, OH haven't you taught them yet not to touch your hair? I said, I'll remind the staff to keep an eye out. I could see it really bothered her, but I was almost laughing (could not let her see that). I provided a picture below of her after the hairdresser.
I have been meaning to say Thank You for the positive feedback both over the website and the new picture. I am grateful you take the time to read the blog and for the responses I get.
The following poem was written by a woman I met at the nursing home. I used the computer the other day in another section of the hospital/nursing home and she came in the room. She started asking me questions about whom I was visiting when she realized I did not work there. I told her the unit I was visiting and whom, she sometimes sees my mom at music events and such. Any way, she said to me I wrote a poem would you like to read it? I said sure and after I read it, I said do you mind if I show it to a few friends? She said, please do as long as my name is on it, I said I always give credit appropriately. This poem touched me and as I just read it again I felt something again. I hope you enjoy.
LIFE BY LISA DENICOLA
ALONG LIFE ROAD, WE ALL MUST TREAD,
THERE'S UPS AND DOWNS IT HAS BEEN SAID.
IT'S ALL MIXED UP, YOU MUST ADMIT,
JUST LIKE A PUZZLE THAT DOESN'T FIT.
AND YOU MY DEAR YOU'VE GOT TO LEARN,
WITH EACH STRAIGHT ROAD THERE'S ALWAYS A TURN.
THERE'S ALWAYS A RIGHT AND ALWAYS A WRONG,
BUT OUR LIFE ON THIS EARTH IS NOT ALL THAT LONG.
TRY NOT TO WORRY THERE'S ALWAYS A WAY,
WE'RE ALL JUST ACTORS TOGETHER CREATING A PART OF GOD'S PLAY.
AND WHEN IT'S OVER WE'LL ALL TAKE OUR BOWS,
AND WALK THIS ROAD RIGHT INTO THE CLOUDS.