Be - Deep freeze

So, we are now in the deep freeze - always know what to expect by listening to the Manitoba weather - sure enough 2 to 3 days later it will hit us.
I wanted to see last night the full moon and Mars as the moon was close to earth and Mars as well and both could have been seen with naked eye. But when I took the dog out for her last go at it, it was too cold to spend any time staring into space. I saw the moon earlier this morning in the southern sky but could not catch a glimpse of Mars. I keep thinking of your place Cathy and how beautifully dark it is to gaze up into the skies. I remember the night we lay on our backs behind the house - but that wasn't the trip in May where we were snowed in for three days haha
Today is Hockey Day in Canada and since it will be broadcast on CBC from noon on, I guess that is what I will be watching. I try to find something productive to do while I sit there. Last week I knit a scarf - I didn't need another scarf but I had found two balls of soft wool so thought it would put in time to knit it up. I have also being going through paperwork and memorabilia saved religiously over the last few decades which I am now shredding for the compost pile, or just chucking. All of my precious personal Nursing stuff is now going. I also got the reply from the College this week confirming my resignation - it was so "final" seeing it in writing on official letterhead. Oh well...
I am anxious to hear how your kids are doing - is Loren making some progress in his recovery? The other night Harry was grazing on the computer and went into Facebook and started to converse with Kris, Cathy - I didn't contribute as I don't much like all that stuff and try to avoid participation. I shy away from personal interactions on the internet knowing it is all seeing and all knowing from anyone looking. I am always so afraid just to check my bank accounts but need to do this on a regualr basis and have sort of resigned myself to doing it online trusting it is confidential and secure but knowing anything on the computer can be in jeopardy.
So take care all, and hope everyone is managing to get through this cold January weather. Let us know how your teaching sessions go Patty.

Home Truths

yesterday brought home to me how old I'm getting and how out of shape I really am. We got Loren home and then set out to get the equipment he's going to need. We left him about 1:30 and headed for St. Vital Centre for the book store, London Drugs and WalMart. (Silly us thinking that London Drugs might be the place to buy home care equipment!) A lot of fuss and bother in WalMart only to discover that they didn't really have the bath seat we needed, although there was one on the shelf ( bolted down-not for sale). Now, the three stores are on opposite ends of the mall, and we made several trips. I was exhausted and had to sit down in McDonald's and rest--and eat french fries--they were so-o-o good. Then it was off to Kildonan Place, where after quite awhile one was found in the back store room. I came home and went to bed.
Now, I need to figure out what I can do about not having the energy for an afternoon's shopping. I didn't do as much biking I should have this summer, and I haven't been going to aquacizes this winter because of the cost . However, come March I'll be eligible for Senior's rates, although I'll probably also need a bathing suit!
So, this afternoon David may head over to Loren's to be in the house while he has a bath--a good safety measure. Hopefully, I can stay at home as the next couple of days will be busy. I get a temporary bridge tomorrow, and won't have this hole in the front of my face. And the "Housework Fairy" hasn't been able to get here with the bad weather!

Eyes etc

I wonder if you are just my future, Beth. I also have to put drops in my eyes every day because of dryness. I also have a "deformed eye" It must be checked every year to see if it is worse (of course Blue Cross only covers one eye exam a year) Oh Well... there is nothing I can change. I have been very careful walking around town the last couple of days. The "penguin walk". You never know when it will strike. I got really "pissed off" at work today. I take late lunch, and the two people that take early lunch spent the whole late lunch talking. I was waiting on their work to do my job and they did nothing.... not only that, but the plan that I had started and put at the front of Patty's work, she put to the back. Once I call a plan number it is so much easier if it is registered the same day, and she knows that!! I ended up pulling my plan and registering it myself, but I also ended up taking a pile of her work so that I would have something to do. It frustrates me when they know that other people are waiting on them in order to do their work. I guess I have a w0rk ethic that no longer exists. This is my first night without rehearsal so I am at loose ends. I willl perservere. Time for supper

Love ya

Be - Good to hear that Loren is on his way home

I am following your messages, and it gives me a chill to hear of those things that happen when we least expect them ie the less than routine surgery and recovery period for Loren (not to mention the actual fall that necessitated all of the subsequent interventions)
Still thinking about him, and of course, how you and Dave are hanging in there??? When I mentioned "roles" I really thought of my life "in general" as opposed to anything new, but then every days seems to bring its own challenges. When compounded, it all becomes a bit overwhelming.
Today, I saw the Eye Physician & Surgeon as his door plate so announced his title. I was pleasantly surprised - he reminded me of a little elf, but a good little elf. Funny how we get an impression in our minds of what someone may look like, and then are blown totally when we actually see them! Very precise and explicit in his explanations to me but very reassuring in his Dx and Tx. Apparently I am just taking longer to recover - some take only up to a year, and some may take 2 to 3 years. My eyes are in good health, however, I still have "tension" on the retina and the vitreous gel still has liquid flowing through it which is causing my flashing light symptoms. It is possible that my right eye may also tear at some point but I won't think about that now. My major complaint of blurring is a combination of long standing cataracts that are getting worse, and extreme dry eye syndrome. So I must pour the drops in and perhaps it will relieve the constant pain. Lets hope....
We had a heat wave yesterday and today, bringing with it rain and melting - I worry about water coming in which it has done on previous occasions ( we need a new roof) but all seems OK now and the temps have dropped and we are getting snow. I believe we are in for a touch of your snow storms but not as much as I hear reported from your location.
Anyway, no reading for me tonight although my pupils are now beginning to decrease in size from the dilation process - do you ever look weird eh? or on drugs or something? Tomorrow its up to North Bay for violin again - I don't know why I go lately as I never have time to practice.
Take care

"The Game's afoot"

Loren just called to say he's been discharged and is waiting for us. Unfortunately, David has to clear the driveway before we can get the car out. Then we have to get Loren groceries, a bath seat and a shower head--three different stores--and in the middle of a blizzard. However, he's going home. A big relief, although I know that it's just the beginning of our support role.

Waiting game

Loren is still not great, but doing much better. He's still in hospital ( originally had expected to get out last Friday) We were up for a couple of minutes yesterday, but he was feeling nauseous, and generally not wanting to "entertain" us, so it was a short visit. He's off the oxygen, and no more catheter, so I have to guess he's able to walk as far as the bathroom, although there was a w/c near his bed. He's now in a 4-bed ward where they have better technological capacity to monitor respiratory problems. We'll try to get in again today, unless he calls to let us know he's getting out.

Which new role are you assuming, Beth, or did you just mean in your life in general, with retirement? Had missed you here over the last little while, and I wondered what was happening, or if maybe you were just a little under the weather.

The family didn't come for dinner yesterday, and we were a little grateful with the lousy weather we've been having--another 15cm of snow predicted for today. But this meant that I was watching tv in the evening and stumbled on Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew. This is the third series they've done, and I think they've really hit the bottom of the barrel in terms of the people they're finding--but that didn't stop me from watching. Addictions are terrible things, be they drugs and alcohol --or-- reality tv.

My class on Saturday was "interesting". Only three students showed up- and David had to go and pick oneof those up- because of the weather, and two of them were really off and running pretty fast. The third one had never done anything like this before, and was -hopefully--more like the students I'll have in Regina. The Museum, that sponsored the event, sent the student they've hired, to act as class assistant for the day. I didn't need much assistance with just three students, and she ended up painting too. Day two is next Saturday, and I think we'll be having fun. The Museum has been struggling with their programming for as long as I've been involved. This year they received a grant to fund exploration of other ways of organising workshops etc., and hiring this student is part of the grant. She is young and enthusiastic, and I believe that this work is part of her studies--but don't ask me how that works.

Be - Updates and all....

Sorry that I have not signed in for about a week - not even to read messages. And this morning I ventured in only to read all about your events and sorry again for what is happening. I am thinking of Loren and wish him well with surgery but more important with recovery and rehabilitation at home. I know how you and Dave have quickly assumed a new role Patty - this seems to be my fortune as well. I also know how much the Play played a role in your life Cathy, but maybe a bit of time off will be good for you?
And in all of this I thought I was having a bad week and feeling sorry for myself. Just goes to show you that life is very fickle indeed. I will be following the blog closer now in hopes of hearing updates from you both, and attenpt to add a few of my own thoughts again. Take care