It’s the first day of a new year. I am making no new year resolutions, but I will continue striving to be better. To live in every moment, to find the joy in what I have. Finding that joy is sometimes a challenge, but it’s always worth it. It always overshadows the crud, and the abilities I lost. Last year brought some really great changes in our lives, and maybe I’ve been remiss to share them all here on the blog. The dilemma with writing about all the good things that are going on is that you are too busy embracing those good things to write about them. I believe that is a fantastic dilemma to have. And while I’m tempted to go back and recap everything, I would rather just move forward. Because MOVING FORWARD – well, I am forever grateful to be able to do that. In everything. I’m not stuck in a state of fear or confusion or even waiting for answers. I’m moving ahead. The people around me are moving too and this time I feel like I’m with them. Oh to feel whole again. So here’s to 2016! A year of new life and wholeness. Peace, my friends, shalom.
Hot booties n stuff
And just like that, a week went by with no writing. I was super fatigued last week, but I received my Tysabri infusion for MS on Friday and I’m already feeling better. I have big plans to catch up and regroup starting tomorrow. And bonus! Since the kids are on winter break they can help keep me on my toes, so to speak.
Speaking of my toes, this cold weather seems especially troublesome for them this year. When my feet get even a smidge chilly, it causes severe nerve pain that radiates from my toes to my upper calves. Makes walking frustrating, but not impossible. I rest a lot. Wear many pairs of socks. Sometimes wear the microwavable Hot Booties my mom sent me last year. I’m getting a lot of crocheting done as an unexpected upside! 🙂
Share this funny moment with me
I was letting the dog out. Or in, I can’t remember which. But I had apparently been standing too close to the door, the one which tends to close on its own, and when I turned around to step away, I found myself stuck to the door. It had quite literally reached out and grabbed a hold of my belt loop.
Thankfully I had a friend there to capture the moment 😉
Conversations in my head
Me #1: “Crap. I forgot the salt and pepper.”
Me #2: “That’s ok, you’ve got red onion. And cheeeeese.”
Me #1: “It’s good, but that does not make it ok. I’ll just have to try again tomorrow.”
Me #2: Whatever. This omelet is delicious!”
I’m on a little omelet kick lately. I wonder how long it will last?
Notes under the door
When I have my cochlear implants on I can hear and understand a good majority of things, but when they are off I hear nothing. It’s true I had lost the majority of my hearing before I was implanted, but the surgeries removed what small level of hearing I had left. It’s just one of the very slight downsides to getting cochlear implants, no sweat. But what that means is that I am 100% deaf when I’m not wearing the earpieces, which is mainly when I’m sleeping and showering.
My kids understand this new reality and have adapted. If they wake in the middle of the night and need their mom, they use sign language. If that’s not sufficient, they get an earpiece and battery from my charger on the nightstand and hand it to me to put on.
And as you can see from the photo, when I’m in the shower and they want to tell me they are going outside to play with a neighbor, they leave a note under the bathroom door!
Kids who live with a deaf parent learn to be creative. My kids are so smart and resilient and I couldn’t be prouder!
I Cooked.
So, last night I watched a cooking how-to video on the Internet and then I watched an episode of Top Chef. Then today I made this omelet with green and red pepper, red onion, salami, and cheese. And guess what? It was really delicious!
Coincidence? I think not.
One day at a time doesn’t always work
You’ve heard people say it, “just take it one day at a time”. It’s a way to give reassurance when life overwhelms you. And generally, I would say it helps, to break big things into smaller things.
But not always. I hate to admit it, but MS fatigue really kicks my butt sometimes. This past week or so has been yet another of those times. I struggle. Not only with keeping up with my routines caring for the house and feeding the family, but also with the most basic of self-care tasks like making a sandwich or taking a shower. It’s just utterly draining.
So here is what I decided to do with today: rather than one enormous day at a time, I took it 15 itty bitty minutes at a time. I just set a timer and when time was up, I examined how I was feeling. Some times I felt good enough to go another 15, and other times I determined I needed to rest – but only for the allotted 15 minutes.
You know what? It worked well! It helped keep me from retreating into a slump or getting distracted and losing track of time. And best of all, I stayed to feel useful again, in spite of the fatigue.
Whodunnits
I am reading this book – “Sharp Objects: A Novel” by Gillian Flynn. It’s so hard to put down! I just have to know whodunnit. I think it must have been Adora but don’t tell me. I’m only two thirds of the way through.
I’ve always loved a good mystery. I am my mother’s daughter 🙂
Lazy dog days
When the sun shines through the windows on clear days like today, you will always find Piper basking in it’s rays. Even if her people are elsewhere. But today the kids are home for Thanksgiving break so she had some company!
We did some cleaning today, Luke made chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast, and I have coffee. Tomorrow we eat turkey with family. Today my heart is full with blessings.
Puppy Foot Warmer
This is a good way to warm up your slippers! At least she’s not chewing on them, right?
Little M.S. Runner 