Fortunate to have three bathrooms, we are currently remodeling two. The primary bedroom has a three-quarter bath, while the daylight basement has a full one. The only lavatory not taken down to the studs is the full guest bath upstairs. For now, one of our adult sons lives in the downstairs but, so proud toContinue reading “A New Loo!”
Tag Archives: life
Parent is Also a Verb 6/30/22
Dedicated to my late dad on his birthday. My sons were both encouraged to sign up for sports and other interests they thought might be interesting. The older one preferred to achieve his personal best in track and cross-country, while the younger enjoyed competing on a team, including basketball and baseball. In the early years,Continue reading “Parent is Also a Verb 6/30/22”
Parent is Also a Verb 6/19/22
Happy Father’s Day! When my babies were very young and we lived in a cozy starter house, my husband parked his work van in the alley behind our yard at the end of his work day. More than once, I stood watching out the kitchen window, calling my husband on his cell phone when heContinue reading “Parent is Also a Verb 6/19/22”
Warriors
During the seven years I was living in the Mojave desert, the northern most reaches of Los Angeles County, the round trip back home each summer had become routine. In my early 20’s, I drove on I-5, the major north-south freeway on the west coast, avoiding two-lane highways that may cut drive time but wouldContinue reading “Warriors”
Slow Thinking
I’ve taken to sharing with people that I have cognitive difficulties when I have trouble in the midst of a conversation, usually about scheduling an appointment. A friend and fellow blogger, Ashley https://mentalhealthathome.org, used the phrase ‘slow thinking’ in her writing and I think I like it. This week, I’ve been seriously slow thinking. I’veContinue reading “Slow Thinking”
Rambling On
Hello, there! Here’s one of those posts where I share some random thoughts and ideas that do not warrant posts of their own. The process of moving my mother-in-law into our home continues. My husband is headed to her place for ten days, completing final preparations before it goes on the market. Yes, that’s right.Continue reading “Rambling On”
Pooped
Woke up worn out My get up & go got up and went. Exhausted Fatigue is one of the most difficult fibromyalgia symptoms to deal with for me personally. It affects every fiber of my being when it makes itself at home, whether that’s around lunchtime or even first thing in the morning. Today, IContinue reading “Pooped”
Lil’ Old Ladies
You’ve seen a senior woman and thought, “Did she look in the mirror when she put on that makeup? Does she know what she looks like? Can’t she see the clumpy mascara, messy bright blue eyeshadow, and too thick eyeliner? Why is her lipstick covering more face than her lips?” I am here to explainContinue reading “Lil’ Old Ladies”
Color Me Pleasant
Having received a brief litany of my current state of fibromyalgia (frustratingly reluctant to improve), my husband grew quiet and then began, “It’s so weird. It seemed like when you had a broken leg…” his voice fading. “What? When I had a broken leg, what?” “I don’t know how to describe it. When it wasContinue reading “Color Me Pleasant”
Hook, Line, & Sinker
A little neighborhood in the Mojave desert called Lake L.A. had no lake and was a two hour drive north from Los Angeles. It, nevertheless, saw an explosion in population mid 80’s as people were priced out of the Greater L.A. market, and that drew an interesting mix of people recruited to serve the rapidlyContinue reading “Hook, Line, & Sinker”
Overdone
Do you overdo it sometimes? What do you overdo? Drinking alcohol, weed, or food? Time in your own imagined life, away from the daily grind? Running, biking, or tennis? Makeup, shopping, or handbags with their own bags? Writing? Gaming? My physical therapist fears I’ll overdo activities on my newly surgically-repaired ankle. It’s healed but IContinue reading “Overdone”
Parent is Also a Verb
My 14-year-old son was in for a difficult conversation. I brought him into my room, shut the door, and we sat on the bed. Me: Unfortunately, I’m going to have to share with you something I was hoping I’d never have to say. Son: My younger brother (name withheld) really is retarded? M: No. He’sContinue reading “Parent is Also a Verb”
With Everything, Turn, Turn, Turn
I sense change coming. From this side of nearly six decades, a most profound lesson I’ve internalized is that we will always face new challenges. Sometimes the current season feels like trouble that’s here to stay. When you have a two or three-year-old throwing a fit as they work out exactly what they can controlContinue reading “With Everything, Turn, Turn, Turn”
Goodbye Maybe
Why write? I’ve accidentally become woven into a writer’s community on twitter and I feel illegitimate. As they discuss WIP (work in progress), MC (main character), plot lines, unplanned turns of events, perspctives, querying, getting agents, publishing the latest book, etc., I’m thinking blog, blogger, topics, followers, and likes or comments. These two worlds doContinue reading “Goodbye Maybe”
In My Lifetime
It’s been a long time since I’ve gotten a sudden urge to write, to communicate about something unfolding. right now. It’s been a long time coming. I had a pit in my stomach during confirmation hearings for justices appointed by the last holder of the Oval Office. They said under oath, though, they would upholdContinue reading “In My Lifetime”
Here, Birdie Birdie
A new hobby is bringing me joy! Earlier this spring, I ordered a small birdbath and a birdfeeder for my backyard. Birdsong seems louder and brighter this year, which says more about me than the population of birds in this area. I’ve long enjoyed watching all manner of hawks circling above my neighborhood, riding thermalsContinue reading “Here, Birdie Birdie”
1982
Travel with me, if you will, to 1982. Those were days of big hair, bright clothes, and the Sony Walkman. 40 years ago June, I graduated from high school. I attended the 10, 20, and 30 year reunions but I’m sitting out the 40th, if it even happens. Ronald Reagan was president and announced theContinue reading “1982”
Parent is Also a Verb 4/23/22
In the beginning, if you have any sense, you’re nervous about bringing that tiny, completely dependent, bundle of snuggles home. Now, you’re a parent. Some folks continue living life as they did before and add this new member as an aside. Others adopt the new role of mom or dad studiously, committed to doing everythingContinue reading “Parent is Also a Verb 4/23/22”
Rambling Rows
Yes, I know they’re tulips. Following are some more of the stand alone thoughts that are in my head, not one worthy of a full post on its own. Good news! I am walking. It’s going pretty well. Of course, I want it to happen quickly, but I can feel that I overdid things yesterday.Continue reading “Rambling Rows”
WALK
After nearly three months off my feet, actually one foot, the surgeon who inserted a rod and a bunch of staples into my left ankle gave me the go-ahead to begin bearing weight on that side! This is very exciting! I’ve banished the knee scooter and, in its place, now there are a cane, aContinue reading “WALK”
SurvivingSara 