Mom Update

My mom is doing much better since getting out of the hospital over 4 weeks ago. She is energetic, happy and doing most of the things she usually does. We went to the mall on sunday and had a good walk around, and both enjoyed sipping our mochas by the fountain before heading home. She has an appointment with the kidney doctor on friday and I will go with her.

My mom is always a reminder to me that taking good care of yourself, and staying active, is really important.

Sideways Down the Road

I am contemplating lots of things lately; my job, my time, my attitude. Change is good but scary sometimes. The world is mucked up and heading sideways down the road. New horizons are in view, and we hope they are not just mirages.

I could get layed off from the college. And if so we'll have to re examine our expenses and figure out what we can do without. Like cable, or high speed internet, or an extra car...

Fear Holds You Back

I have been thinking about my job a lot lately, probably too much, which is not a good thing unless you are a doctor or a governor or someone even more important. It comes down to having to pay the bills, and being responsible, but I think I should prepare for whatever changes may lie ahead.

And that gets me to thinking, also, about what I do with my time, and how much control do I really have over it (not much at this point in my life) but what more could I do? I seem to be surrounded by some things I really am fond of, without really involving myself in them completely. It's like they are all floating around me, and I am simply pointing at them, rather than grabbing at them a giving them a tug, at least.

I think its fear, and fear holds you back.

It's a New Day

Well it's a new day and a new month and we have a new president who seems to be intelligent, inspirational, and insightful. With all the many trials and tribulations of late, this breath of fresh air, this reassurance, this hope has enveloped many of us in a most comforting way.

I think we are hanging on so much hope, that I am almost waiting for the eventual let down, however small it may be. But the unknown is not that scarey at this point.

I think many Americans are hoping for the best, hoping that Obama can really be the president he proposes to be. If we can have a true leader, who inspires and works hard, we can only grow from that as a people.

What does it mean?

I have been thinking about why I am feeling emotionally drained, and how that affects my mood. Mom came home from the hospital on Friday afternoon. She is doing better, but will still have to have tests to check how her kidneys are doing, and whether or not she will have to have weekly dialysis appointments.

On a weirder note, I was driving down the highway, when I looked at my odometer and noticed that it read 122333. I thought this was fascinating, so while at a stoplight I took a photo of it with my phone. Isn't technology wonderful?

So what could be the significance of a number sequence like 122333? Does anyone have any clue?

Mom Update

The photo is from Oct 17th at Mom's 88 birthday dinner, modeling her new gloves the kids gave her.

Mom is still in the hospital, and today was her second day of dialysis. She seemed a little bit spacey today compared to yesterday. She had some visitors today, and calls from family in California, which cheered her up.

The kidneys are still not back to functioning, and now there is concern about her liver. One test came back positive for Hepititas A, but the doctor thought that was strange so he is retesting.

Dad is having to cope on his own, and so far so good, though he eats way too many TV dinners. I will go over tomorrow and see how it's going with him. He is reluctant to let me help much, though he can ask for help when he really needs it. He is on oxygen, and sometimes goes off it for too long, and gets really tired. We're working on getting him a better walker with a basket and a small, portable tank.

Halloween Costumes

Today we journeyed forth as a family to search out the perfect parts for our Halloween costumes. Since Halloween is on a Friday this year, we have gotten invited to a couple of Halloween parties. So we were looking for a brain mold, white sheets, a gold head dress, a white short sleeved shirt, wings, gold sandals, and a snake, among other things. Can you guess what we each might be?

It's funny to see people out shopping for costumes, trying on wigs, and picking out costumes. The kids get so excited, but sometimes they get scared. I saw one small boy at a thrift store which had a large supply of Halloween costumes and masks crying and yelling to his mom, "I'm scared!" All the mom kept saying was, "Come and look at the masks!" Strange...

Sometimes I see people and wonder if it's already Halloween.