4th of July

I don’t have any big plans for the holiday, and that suits me just fine. (The weather isn’t being very accommodating, anyway.) The only thing on my agenda for today is to go shopping for a birthday present for my grandmother. She is going to be 97 on Sunday. That’s NINETY-SEVEN.

My first week off from work was very nice. I didn’t have as many doctor appointments as I thought I did. I went to the chiropractor on Wednesday, and to the dentist yesterday to have some silver (mercury) fillings replaced with white composite fillings.

I was supposed to go for trigger point injections on Monday, but had to reschedule because I’m in the process of switching insurance companies. The person who handles insurance for the school district called a couple of days ago to let me know that, even though our contract states that we only have to pay a certain percentage of our insurance, MVP subscribers will now have to pay an additional $1500 for the family plan.

I was under pressure to make a quick decision about whether or not I wanted to switch to another insurance company. The fifteen hundred dollars made it relatively easy for me to opt to switch. I went to the district office yesterday and signed all the necessary documents. All medical appointments have to be postponed until I receive new insurance cards. What a PIA.

I’m scheduled to see Dr. Spine Specialist on Wednesday. Fortunately, that appointment doesn’t have to be canceled because it’s covered by Worker’s Comp. Other than that, and another trip to Albany with My Friend on Monday, next week is looking pretty leisurely, too.

One thing I want to do is try my hand at “a new layering system for bountiful gardens. No Digging, No Tilling, No Weeding, No Kidding!” A while back, “Typewriter” left a comment suggesting “before you rototill, check out a book called Lasagna Gardening. Much easier!”

I didn’t have to buy the book because there’s lots of information about this style of gardening all over the Internet. Yesterday, I went to our local composting facility, which provides free compost to city residents. I loaded up on the stuff (and was a grimy, sweaty mess by time I had shoveled compost into four large garbage bags and a big plastic bin.) Next I headed to a garden center for peat moss, topsoil and plants. Step one will be to spread layers of wet newspaper over the areas marked with a black line in the photo below. (The white line indicates the spot where I tried to dig and was unable to break the ground, which is why I’m giving lasagna gardening a try.)

There is an area on the side of the house where I am able to do more traditional gardening. Last fall, I planted Asian lily bulbs. They should pop open any time now.  I’m so excited!

Happy holiday weekend!

Song of the Day: Independence Day by Bruce Springstreen

A Jolly Holiday

First things first. I’m thrilled to report that I got the ink stain out of my jeans! The rubbing alcohol got rid of most of it, and hairspray took out the rest. Thanks for the great suggestions!

In other news, I’ve been having a really good Memorial Day weekend. It started on Friday with a trip to a thrift store with my cousin, Kathy. I got two pairs of paints, an L.L. Bean denim-colored linen jacket, an Eddie Bauer top, a hardcover book and the game, Pictionary (in like-new condition) all for the grand total of $11.50. Kathy and I topped the day off with a meal at a Middle Eastern restaurant.

The next evening, Daniel and I were invited to a lasagna dinner at my aunt’s house. (My mother cooked the lasagna, but her place is too small to host a gathering.) Somehow, the conversation turned to the Little Rascals, and then to Eddie Murphy’s SNL impersonation of Buckwheat. Too funny.

Yesterday, Kathy and I went to Rhinebeck to see the movie, Alexandra. We had lunch at our favorite Indian restaurant. Everything on the buffet is a gastronomical delight.

Today, we’re having a barbecue. Only a few people have been invited, and the food offerings will be simple – hamburgers, hot dogs, and my renowned potato salad. Tomorrow (I’ll be off work again, thanks to a give-back snow day), I’m hoping to relax. I’m also looking forward to a break from the itching, but it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen any time soon, even though the prednisone prescription runs out tomorrow.

Oh, I wanted to show you my new glasses. (They’re pretty similar to my old ones except that the new frames are black instead of brown.) This pic was taken on Friday, and I got my hair chopped off on Saturday (same style, but shorter in the back and on the sides), but I haven’t had a chance to take another photo, so this one will have to do for now.

I’d better get a move on. There’s a pile of mulch in my driveway that needs to be spread.

Song of the Day: Jolly Holiday from Mary Poppins

Will It Go Round In Circles

I went back to the Orthopedic Surgeon today to review the results of the EMG and Nerve Conduction Studies. As it turns out, I do have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, but it’s a relatively mild case, so, of course, there is - let’s all say it together - no treatment. Just more pain to bear without any relief in sight.

In reference to the god-awful pain in my right shoulder blade, Dr. Bones wants me to have an MRI. (This will be my 12th, I think.) He also mentioned pain management. We’ll re-open that discussion after the MRI.

Dr. Bones remarked that it’s a shame that there isn’t one doctor overseeing “the whole picture.” My primary care physician should be doing that, but:

1. He’s worthless.
2. He doesn’t get involved with Worker’s Comp cases, which means that my lower back problems are a taboo subject.

Anyway, Dr, Bones went on to speculate that, if one doctor was seeing me for all of my medical issues, more effective pain meds might be prescribed. Instead, I am seeing a variety of specialists, each one concentrating on a single area (without doing anything to actually treat any of the problems, I might add).

Not knowing what else to say, he advised me to listen to my body and limit my activities accordingly. He told me to avoid doing things that will exacerbate my pain, and try to get as much rest as possible.

That’s pretty much what I have been doing. Today, however, I followed the doctor’s advice by popping a Vicodin when I got home, and spending the next couple of hours in the kitchen cooking. I prepared three meals – a big pot of tomato sauce, Spanish chicken & rice, and kielbasa and cabbage. (I’ve given up on corned beef.)

Oh well, at least I won’t have to cook when I get home from work for a few days… I’m not going to cook on Easter, either. One holiday a year is more than enough for me.

We’re going to a restaurant, just like we did last year. (By the way, the student referenced in the latter part of that linked entry was sentenced today to 20 years to life in prison.)

I have a feeling this new tradition will continue in future years unless someone else offers to take over the hosting duties. I’m in too much pain to care one way or the other, as long as I don’t have to do it.

Song of the Day: Will It Go Round In Circles by Billy Preston

And it Poured Sweet and Clear

I saw this end of the year meme over at Jeanette’s place, and decided to swipe it.

1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before? Hung out with soap stars.

2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I don’t make New Year’s resolutions because I don’t have any desire to beat myself up over failing to stick to them.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? In August, my niece gave birth to a beautiful baby boy named Brody Mark.

4. Did anyone close to you die? No, but I continue to mourn the loss of my brother, Mark, who died in October 2006.

5. What countries did you visit? The only countries I visited in 2007 were in books and magazines.

6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007? Money.

7. What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? December 1st because that’s when I hung out with the aforementioned soap stars.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Making friends with soap stars.

9. What was your biggest failure? Not winning the lottery.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? I continue to struggle with pain related to a herniated disc in the lumbar spine and related sciatica. The injury occurred on December 13, 2006.

11. What was the best thing you bought? Monavie! Since I started drinking the juice, I’ve noticed a renewed vitality, and my mental clarity has improved, as well. I no longer wake up at night because of acute arthritic pain in my left knee, or the excruciating leg and foot cramps that plagued me for so long.  It is also very exciting for me to have found something that relieves my Fibromyalgia symptoms after suffering for so many years. Yippee!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? My daughters. Leigh has really stepped up, and her performance in college this year has been admirable. She is currently looking into transferring to another school for veterinary science. Rebecca has also excelled scholastically, and will be studying abroad in Australia next semester.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? George W. Bush.

14. Where did most of your money go? Mortgage payments and college tuition.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Hanging out with soap stars! (Are you seeing a pattern here?)

16. What song will always remind you of 2007? Landslide by Stevie Nicks:

Can the child within my heart rise above
Can I sail through the changing ocean tides
Can I handle the seasons of my life
Mmm mmm I don’t know

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? Happier
b) thinner or fatter? About the same, give or take a few pounds.
c) richer or poorer? Poorer. I lost a fair amount of income due to being out on a work-related injury.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Reading. I blame my obsession with knitting for that.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Cleaning up Penny’s messes. She refuses to be house trained.

20. How did you spend Christmas? Like this.

21. Did you fall in love in 2007? Does my crush on Hugh Laurie count?

22. What was your favorite TV program? It’s a tie between General Hospital and House, the only shows I watch regularly.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? No, but I’m still mad at Brad Pitt.

24. What was the best book you read? See #18. I have  read some  books, but can’t think of any worth mentioning… Oh, wait! I know! Joan Didion’s The Year of Magical Thinking.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery? Raising Sand by Robert Plant and Allison Krauss

26. What did you want and get? A gift certificate for 3 one-hour massages!

27. What did you want and not get? Money.

28. What was your favorite film of this year? I haven’t seen many movies – in fact, the only one I can remember seeing at the theater is Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I didn’t do anything except turn 53 years old.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? MONEY! (Another pattern?)

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?

Viking helmets are in.

32. What kept you sane? Getting to be insane at work.


33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? See # 21.

34. What political issue stirred you the most? The assassination of Benazir Bhutto.

35. Who did you miss? My brother, Mark.

36. Who was the best new person you met? I’ll bet you thought I was going to say soap star Bradford Anderson, didn’t you? While I am  delighted to have met him, the best new person I met in 2007 was LA. I’m also very glad to have been able to meet Mary and Joe, and my Bradford buddy, Allison. It was a very  good year for making friends.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007. I learned that it is very important to make sure there is more life in my life.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

But now the days grow short,
I’m in the autumn of the year
And now I think of my life
as vintage wine from fine old kegs
From the brim to the dregs,
and it poured sweet and clear
It was a very good year.

I wish all of you many blessings that pour sweet and clear in the New Year, and always.

Happy 2008!

Song of the Day: It Was a Very Good Year  by Frank Sinatra

Picture Perfect

It’s time for the Christmas 2007 recap. The day started with the gift-opening extravaganza. Ellie couldn’t to wait to see what was in her stocking.

Penny was more reserved, and had to sniff things out before she showed any enthusiasm.

Here’s a shot of Rebecca with a gag gift. (She loves pigs and soccer, so I couldn’t resist getting her this t-shirt from Piggly Wiggly.)

Although she doesn’t look too thrilled, these Ugg boots were on Leigh’s wish list. (In her defense, she was tired from having to get up early to go walk the dogs that were being boarded at the veterinary clinic where she works.)

The girls were well taken care of in the gift department. Daniel and I didn’t do so bad, either. One of the presents Daniel received was an electronic keyboard package similar to this one. Since he moved here, he hasn’t been able to play the piano, and he was really itching to tickle the ivories.

I got what I asked for – a gift certificate for three massages. Yay! Among other things, I was also given The Police 2CD anthology. The accompanying card from Daniel said, “I’ll be wrapped around your finger.” I thought that was so cute.

After the presents were opened, I cooked the traditional french toast breakfast. Then we got ready to go my sister’s house. When we arrived, I stood in awe before the mounds of festively wrapped boxes, bags, and baskets. It was truly a sight to behold.

It reminded me of the family gatherings we used to have at my parents’ house. Bear in mind that my parents had six children, and most of us have spouses and/or children of our own. That makes for a pretty large gathering.

I had such a nice day. It was a very Merry Christmas, indeed. I’ll let the pictures tell the story.

Here’s a shot of me with my niece, Kristen.

After that photo was taken, Kristen took over my camera. Here are some of the results.

It’s too bad this photo of Leigh came out so dark. She looked really pretty.

This one of Rebecca came out better.

The two Stephanies. How cool that we were wearing red and green! (The other Stephanie, by the way, is my brother, Frank’s, wife, and Kristen the photographer’s mother.)

Kristen captured this cute moment between her sister, Rachel, and grandpa.

Uncle Mike is chillin’.

After that, the photos got kind of silly.

That last one is representative of how we all felt by the end of the day – stuffed to the gills. There was way  too much food. But we enjoyed every bite, and, more importantly, we enjoyed being together. And that’s what matters most.

So there you have it – my photo review of Christmas 2007. FYI: I’ve already started shopping for Christmas 2008. There are some good sales out there, people! Take advantage of them!

I have a busy day ahead of me, so I’d better go get showered and dressed. This evening, Rebecca and I are supposed to go to the Bronx Zoo’s Holiday Lights Unfortunately, the weather forecast calls for showers and then steady rain. I guess we’ll have to play it by ear.

Song of the Day: Photograph by Nickelback

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas

Santa Claus was here!

As on most mornings, I’m the first one up.  Also, as on most mornings, one of the first things I did was to sit with a cup of coffee and Sarah Ban Breathnach’s book, Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy.  Today, when I glanced at the title of the book, the lyrics “O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, O tidings of comfort and joy” ran through my head.

In today’s essay, Breathnach quotes Dickens: “Oh, would that Christmas lasted the whole year, as it ought. Would that the spirit of Christmas could live within our hearts every day of the year.”

Breathnach writes, “But what is the Christmas spirit?…Perhaps the Christmas spirit is our souls’ knowledge that things, no matter how beautiful, are only things; that we were created not only always to do, but sometimes simply to be” (emphasis mine).

Ms. Breathnach ends with a wish for all of us: “that behind the toys, tinsel, carols, cards, and convivial chaos, there will come a moment of quiet reflection and peace.”

That’s why I get up so early.  Before I start my day in earnest, I need these moments of quiet reflection and peace.  I need to simply be, not do.

Today, and always, I wish you moments of quiet reflection and peace.  I wish you comfort and joy. I wish you a very Merry Christmas.

Song of the Day:  Happy Christmas  by John Lennon

Christmas in New York

Rebecca and I had a great time in NYC on Tuesday. After watching the kaleidoscope show at Grand Central Station, we walked up 5th Avenue. We made stops in Sephora, Saks, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

On our way to see the tree at Rockefeller Center, we walked through what I call the “Alley of Angels.”

We had an “awwww” moment when we came upon a father holding his laughing baby high in the air, à la Rafiki with Simba’s son in The Lion King, or Kunte Kinte’s father in Roots.  Everyone around was smiling at this precious moment. It was truly heartwarming.
The tree, as always, is spectacular.

Rebecca wanted to go ice skating, but I haven’t been on ice skates in many years, and I was afraid of what a fall might do to my back. It’s just as well because LA tells me the fee is pretty steep.

Speaking of my back, oddly enough, it didn’t bother me at all, even though I was on my feet for hours. Typically, the longer I’m on my feet, the shorter the length of my stride becomes. I always end up limping, and in a great deal of pain.

However, despite the amount of walking I did on Tuesday, I felt fine. And, to my amazement, I found that I was walking fast.  People usually have to slow down to accommodate me, but, on Tuesday, my 21 year old daughter had to quicken her pace to match mine.

Go me!

Song of the Day: A New York Christmas   by Rob Thomas

I Need to Have My Head Examined

For some reason, our schools are closed again today. All the other districts in the area are on a 2 hour delay, which is odd. We never close when other schools are open. I suppose it’s because we’re a “walking district.” Some of our students have to walk two miles to get to school.

Last week, we had a 2 hour delay due to sleet. I only have to walk a couple of blocks to get to work, but it took me a long time to reach the school because the icy sidewalks were treacherous. I saw kids falling all over the place, and I nearly took a spill, myself. I’m guessing that some students got hurt, and the superintendent doesn’t want to take any more chances.

I’m not happy about the fact that we’ve now used two of our five snow days so early in the season (I don’t want to give up any days attached to our spring break). However, I am glad I don’t have to go to work today because I’m really hurting. The pain is a direct result of me being an idiot.

Yesterday, I was experiencing an unusual burst of energy (thanks a lot, MonaVie), so I cleaned the house from early in the morning until early evening. This “cleaning” did not include dusting, vacuuming, scrubbing, or mopping. It was just picking up and putting things away. I had stuff all over the place, much of it related to Christmas.

I also had to dig through my stockpile of gifts to come up with five presents for the co-worker whose name I picked from the “Secret Santa” box. The way it works is, the recipient gets four inexpensive gifts from an anonymous source Monday through Thursday of next week. On Friday, the last gift will be given, and the source revealed.

Although I don’t really know the woman I’ll be bestowing gifts upon, I’m glad I picked her name because she always gives me a smile and says hello when I pass her in the halls. That’s more than I can say for a lot of my other co-workers. Many of them go out of their way to avoid making eye contact. That building is toxic.

Anyway, I knocked myself out trying to get this place straightened up. The sad thing is that I’m STILL not done. There’s a mess of papers in the kitchen that have yet to be dealt with.

To add insult to injury, I went out around 8:00 pm and shoveled for almost two hours. I should mention that the driveway and sidewalks had already been shoveled three times. Rebecca did it once in the morning. Daniel did it when he got home from work. (He got out early.) Then he did it again a couple of hours later. Finally, I did it. Or, should I say, I tried to do it.

I shoveled the sidewalk and half the driveway, but had to call it quits because I could barely move. The sciatica pain was red hot, and my back felt extremely unstable. What the hell was I thinking?

Just yesterday I was saying that MonaVie won’t cure a herniated disc or sciatica. You’d think I would pay more attention to my own words instead of thinking I can don the Super Woman cape just because I’m suddenly full of vim and vigor. The Energizer Bunny I am not. I have to remember that there is a stiff price to pay for overexertion.

Oh well, at least the tree has been trimmed.

Song of the Day: Out of My Mind  by James Blunt

Only Thirteen Shopping Days ‘Til Christmas

In my November 12^th entry, I included a photo of a mountain of presents I had recently finished wrapping. A couple of people expressed surprise (and envy) that I had gotten so much of my shopping (and wrapping) out of the way.

The secret is that I get a really big head start. In fact, I will start shopping for Christmas 2008 right after Christmas 2007 is over. Because I have thirty-four people to buy for, getting started early is the only way to make Christmas shopping manageable (not to mention affordable).

As has so often been the case lately, a recent Simple Abundance essay seemed as if it could have been written just for me. In an entry about the merits of shopping throughout the year and amassing a stockpile of presents, Sarah Ban Breathnach says, “Spacing out the spending means less stress next December, a personal present of peace of mind that won’t go unappreciated.”  I’m here to tell you she’s right.

Moving right along… I received a different kind of “personal present” yesterday. Rebecca’s platelet count is normal, which means bone marrow won’t have to be drawn. And we did rejoice at these glad tidings.

Song of the Day: The Twelve Days of Christmas

Tidings of Comfort and Joy

Yesterday morning, I read this entry over at LA’s place. I found myself nodding in recognition, and left this comment: My today list looks a lot like your yesterday list. I haven’t yet decided whether or not I’m going to push it off until tomorrow… or maybe never. Heh.

Immediately after I left that comment, I picked up my Simple Abundance book and perused the essay for that day. I could not believe my eyes. I read: “This is the week that women’s shoulders begin to droop as their list of holiday ‘to do’s’ becomes as long and heavy as Jacob Marley’s chains. There’s card writing, card mailing, gift buying, gift wrapping, gift sending, tree buying, tree trimming, cookie baking, party giving, turkey roasting. By next week, unless a Power greater than ourselves restores us to sanity, women will be dropping in their tracks… In case anyone hasn’t noticed, women are the ones who ‘do’ Christmas, performing miracles on demand. Women are Spirit’s deus ex machina, making holiday dreams some true behind the scenes.”

A little further on, Sarah Ban Breathnach advises, “So be of good cheer. Be not frazzled, frustrated, nor frantic, for I bring you tidings of comfort and joy…” Breathnach recommends that we take a look at our list of things to do and cross out two “musts.” We should then use the time that would have been devoted to those chores to actually enjoy the things we love about the holiday season, whether it be “gazing out the window at freshly falling snow, delighting in the sounds of bells and joyful music… or basking in the fire crackling on the hearth and re-creating cherished customs that care for your soul as well as the souls of those you love.”

This essay really struck a chord with me. I used to run myself ragged trying to prepare for the holidays. The insane pace I pushed myself to keep was very  stressful, and, as a result, I was always irritable and/or emotionally wrung out. I didn’t take the time to revel in the merrymaking. There was no delight – only drudgery.

Screw that.

This year, I’m not going to knock myself out trying to make things perfect. (It helps that my sister, Michele, will be hosting the family gathering, so I don’t have to worry too much about the state of my house.)

I’ve been going about the Christmas preparations at a far more leisurely pace. Most of the presents are bought and wrapped, so there won’t be any last minute craziness. The cards are addressed, and ready to be mailed.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care.

The tree, however, is immodestly bare.

It’s a real tree, and has been in its stand since last Sunday. Trimming it is one of those things I haven’t gotten around to yet. The old me would never have let that go for so long. I would have considered it indecent to have a naked tree in my living room. The new me knows that the job will get done in due course. In the meantime, I am taking pleasure in the piny fragrance.

That being said, I do have a busy day ahead of me, and really should get a move on. The pot of tomato sauce I started yesterday (I browned the pork neck bones and beef chunks, but still have to make the turkey meatballs) had to be put on hold because my can opener conked out a quarter of the way through a can of crushed tomatoes. I have the worst  luck with electric can openers. Does anyone else have that problem??) Anyway, I really need to get that sauce simmering.

I also have to get back to the package I was preparing for mailing when an unexpected visit from my father brought that activity to a screeching halt. After he left, I didn’t feel like resuming the task. Instead, I sat and worked on the throw I’m knitting for my grandmother.

Anyway, I really do have a lot to do, so I’d better get going while the going is good.

Song of the Day: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen