Be Not Anxious.

I've gone so far beyond anxious this past decade, that when things like the economy keep others up at night, I find it just a gnat that circles my head. Yes I am feeling the loss of a huge portion of my retirement fund. This is not the first time it has dropped to 50% of it's value in less than a month. What keeps me looking ahead instead of over my shoulder is that I have decided to never retire. I, like most people was raised to believe that after 60 or so I had a God given right to rest on my laurels and, well warm a rocker if that was all I wanted in my day. I don't have better health than any one else, but I have seen too many people lose their health simply because they chose to retire. I will always have choices about where I live and what I will focus my investments on. Real estate is named aptly. I intend to stay real. After all my home is my canvas.

Some Things!

Never Change! I spent the better part of yesterday and today looking for my reading glasses. I still have my bifocals for driving , and my computer glasses for the key board. Yesterday I was sewing and needed to bring out the Big Guns. Some how I managed to drop them and I have looked every where I can think to. I even checked the garbage 3 times before throwing it out. That's how thoroughly I searched. That is desperate! The last time, and there have been many, I found them by stepping on them in the garage. I suddenly remembered dropping them in that precise spot days earlier, but didn't clue in at the time. I've grown attached to this particular pair, and have put off my eye check up this year because I can't imagine a better style; that and I'm frugal at heart. Although this will not likely be the last time I lose a pair of eyes, I can't help wondering if they might still turn up in a land fill between the onion skins and the banana peels. I will use the garbage disposal more dilligently from now on.

Second Verse, Same as the First.

Not even close! It has been two years since I kissed my best friend good night for the last time. The second year has been more difficult in many ways than the first. The first year was so hectic with moving, renovating, selling and just recovering from more than four years of intense, hands on, nursing.
My Aunt would call often just to chat and comfort me, but I kissed her good bye on June 27. So this week I am missing her too. Maybe I should stop kissing people. Not seriously! This year has helped my heart to heal. I'm finally getting in touch with my feelings. I miss my best friend, the Father of my children. I know tomorrow will be better, because I know the One who holds tomorrow. He has great plans for me. My kids say I have changed. All I can say is I hope so!

Neti Pot

This may sound quite disgusting, but if you are in pain, you are willing to try anything. Many years ago I was watching a medical show that showed how Doctors in India treated chronic sinus problems. In North America, we take antibiotics, and spray everything from sailine to steroids up our noses. When this fails to bring healing or even a little relief, we resort to decongestants, antihistamines, and nasal sprays which seem to multiply in variety like guppies.
A couple of weeks ago a friend in Victoria mentioned she had used a Neti Pot for years. As I often do I tucked this tidbit of info in the back of my cluttered mind. I had been on antibiotics again for a sinus infection nearly 2 weeks and was doing well. No sinus headaches the whole time.
Two days after the antibiotics were finished, I had another headache, and two days later I was back on decongestants. My day ended and began with headaches. I got up at 5:am the next day with a pain behind my eye, and decided that running back to the clinic was not going to bring any lasting relief, so I googled Neti Pot.
This is available in the US and Canada, and coupons are easy to down load. I didn't even check out White Rock, because we aren't known for variety in anything here beyond geritol. I zipped right over to Rite Aid and bought a Neti Pot. I also discovered that our new WalMart also carries it. This little "tea pot" is easy to use, and after four days of flushing my sinuses, my headaches are gone. The method is the same as used in 3rd world countries where antibiotics are not always available.
Sometimes we are too sophisticated for our own good.

I found a wonderful Proverb that I hadn't read before: 25:11-12 A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man's rebuke to a listening ear.

Beauty Is In The Eye.

It has been 11 years since I first cruised to Alaska. I know most people are amazed by the size of the glaciers, and the dirt and the colour and of course the cold. Somethings change slowly, and that is certainly true of Alaska. There are more tourists than I remember, more ships and a lot more jewelry stores. The scenery is stunning, and I found myself mesmerized by the islands and the ice flows. The sky was stormy so I managed to take dozens of photos. I doubt they will ever make it to the cover of a magazine, but they mean a great deal to me. The breath-taking beauty remains.
This trip was both nostalgic, and healing. I was able to find a good friend who needed a break. Her husband kindly drove us to the ship and smiled as he picked us up after shopping all week. Thanks Chuck, I owe you! We giggled and clapped along with singers, ate the best food on the high seas, and relaxed in the spa with facials, pedicures and the whole shmear. Yep, I even had a massage by a guy, well a kid really. I'm sure he's younger than my kids.
We met some wonderful Christians on this trip. Since Dr David Jeremiah was hosting a group on this tour, there were many others not on the tour like ourselves who were very open about our faith. I can't remember ever feeling so connected on a cruise. Even the staff who are Christian were open about their faith. I only heard one or two snide remarks about the "bible carrying" guests.
Any way I return to reality tomorrow. Legal stuff, realestate, and a new windshield will take up most of this week. On the upside, a lady I met in Mexico City in May has asked to meet for lunch soon. That will be more fun to look forward to.

Getting A Grip On Summer

I finally dug out my summer clothes today. Travelling during Junuary left me wondering if summer was ever going to arrive. I'm just happy that my summer things still fit. Maybe jetlag has an upside. Today I couldn't go to church, or any place for that matter until 11:am. There was a bicycle race right at my door and the road was blocked off. I was told that if I needed to get out that they might be able to find me a window of opportunity in less than 20 minutes. That would make me late for services so I decided to stay put. No I did not watch the race! I did meet a new neighbour though who is a Christian and "single", but alas he is younger than my daughters. We had a very upbeat theological conversation and shared ideas on renovation and gardening. DUH!
The weather couldn't be better, and I truly hope we don't get the nasty heat wave that often hits this time of year. On Tuesday I will head to Victoria to visit my favourite guys, and their parents. My daughters and I will finally sprinkle their Dads ashes at sea on Fri. It seems like only one year has passed instead of nearly two. My suitcase is still not emptied and I need to pack again. Go figure!

Go Granny Go!

After more than a month away from home, it's hard to remember where the bathroom is in the middle of the night. When my Aunts funeral was over, and 13 days into my stay, I rented a car to drive like a crazy lady from Windsor to Barrie for 3 days. On this leg of the journey I discovered XM radio. While sitting on the 401 in Toronto, the time flew by to tunes from the 50's. The visit with my highschool friend was refreshing and fun as always.
Then came a short drive to Gravenhurst to visit my Mom. We had fun shopping and remembering happy days with my Aunt "her only sibling". Three nights on an inflatible bed were the most comfortable in 2 weeks. Three nights in Bracebridge wrapped up my trip north. Did I mention I like to renovate? I painted 2 bedrooms and 2 halls at my Aunts house. I chose soft shades of vanilla and a clean aquamarine for the master bedroom. In Barrie I helped my girlfriend decide on renovations for her 30 something kitchen. Then came rearranging my Mothers livingroom and replacing some furniture. My sister is very gifted in her own design choices so all I could do for her is rearrange the guest room.
The next leg of my journey was a plleasant drive to Kingston under sunny skys. When the Beach Boys started singing Little Old Lady From Passadena I no longer thought the song silly. After all, I am a Grandmother with places to go. This had been a very therapeudic trip for me until I returned to Seattle Thurs evening.