Sunday

 (I wish I could just type with this font and size automatically every time I write, instead of having to set this info each time. You'd think there'd be a way.)

Anyway, my friend G is arriving at noon to help me with the fence mess-- he first came over Thursday afternoon  and stayed for about 90 minutes. He walked the length of the fence, checking out areas which need repair, and then got to the real mess, where Missy was able to get out until I stacked cement blocks and bricks to cover the hole. 

Then he walked along the length of the back fence (which, I don't know if it's mine or the apartment compex's behind me), and the east side of the fence. He's a big plant/tree person and knew what almost everything is called, their kind of flower, their growing patterns, everything. I don't know if I will remember all this info, but it was sure interesting.

Monday was a quiet day, too cold to go outside. A new friend from AlAnon called and was in a panic, almost hysterical with fear for her son, also named Nicholas. I talked with her for a half hour or so.

Tuesday was busier: my friend Sponsee called and said she was arriving that night, after she and her husband had driven from Chicago to spend a week or so here. We made plans on when to meet, Friday for lunch.

I picked up my grocery order at WM, and picked up Missy's meds, and then stopped at Discount Tire for an air check. My car has started lighting up the little icon indicating low tire pressure. Sure enough, all the pressures were in the upper 20s, instead of the low 30s as they were supposed to be. This was all fixed, for free. What a great service; I didn't even have to get out of the car.

At home I worked on the east side of the house, pruning the rose bush and the hibiscus, and weeding those, and then tackled the whatever-it-is in the giant stone vase which I cannot move but would like to. It's a type of really poke-y cactus. 

I was going to cut all the branches off and stuff it all in the debris cart, but noticed some of the branches arms? had flowers on them, and I just couldn't bring myself to kill the whole thing. So it's just cut back, and pruned severely, and the flowers are still there. I had no more room in the debris cart so I left the cut stuff on the ground next to the vase and went inside.

Five minutes later I noticed my neighbor had started mowing the area between our houses; he did that wide strip and then stopped and went inside. In my probably-crazy mind I wondered if I had upset him somehow, but I thought I had left that area "neat enough". He has a bit of OCD regarding the severity of the box-like area of his house, totally the opposite of how Louise liked it. 

Anyway, I went on with my day, stripped the bed to do laundry, and occasionally looked out my side windows to see if it somehow looked unkempt from his view, and maybe he was "cleaning" it. And an hour later he was out there, mowing the entire area. In other words, I was crazy-- he was just politely waiting for me to leave before he did the routine mowing. Sigh.

MissS came over later and helped me with a problem I'd been having integrating the TV with the laptop, and described her interview that morning. She didn't stay for dinner, due to her depression.

Wednesday I discovered I could see my biopsy results: to me it looked negative, as there was no mention of malignancy or tumor or anything bad. I called my doc's office and told the staff that I could see the results and asked for a call back. 

Later that day I got a phone call from one of the nurses who briskly said it looked negative to her, but she would pass the message along to the doc. I haven't heard a thing since from that office. 

The next morning I could see the actual path report and it too was negative, spelled out in so many words. That to me made it official. I felt my shoulders dropping about 6 inches. Sheer relief. This whole thing has been going on since early December... it's been a long damn process. But I guess it's worth it to confirm "no cancer recurrence".

That was also the afternoon G was here to check out the fence. It feels so strange to be offered help with this; not only is he older than me, but he is dealing with Parkinson's, and I hate to feel I am imposing. He refused money to look at this, and when he was done inspecting, he said, "Yeah, we could do this if you want to?"  I said "Of course!"

He said he'd talk to me Saturday about when to start, and after he was gone I again felt such relief. He had asked the right questions about what he was seeing and what had happened, and he appeared to understand J's state of mind after the hurricane that had caused all the damage almost 10 years ago. 

He seems confident "we" can repair this enough to prevent Missy from trying to get out. Since it's in a back corner (if we end up cutting down the ginger which he said will grow back quickly) it's not really visible anyway, but there's no need to spend a lot of money either. He said the two giant growing things which provide so much shade are called "schefflera".  I'm glad to know this, and the other names.

Friday morning the bug guy came at 8:30 for 15 minutes and attacked the Pharoah ant nest outside, and sprayed inside. At 12:30 I drove over to the SanDiego Grill and as I was walking toward the door, there was Sponsee and her husband! I called her name and they both turned, and seemed startled to see me for some reason. She then told me I looked great, and loved my hair; I think she was caught off guard that I didn't look "sickly". 

Lunch was awesome, and we talked, the three of us, the whole time, catching up on both sides. In Chicago they see ICE activity, and we talked about politics, etc. We were there talking until almost 3. Back at home I worked on paperwork and then embroidery.

Saturday I arrived at the meeting place, and once again, caught Sponsee walking toward the door too, so we walked in together; B and C were absolutely delighted to see her, and while they were catching up, I got to talk with R, who had missed the meeting last week.

There was one seat next to me available, and just before the meeting my new friend arrived and quickly sat down there. Coincidentally she had sent a text asking me to save her a seat-- I hadn't seen it yet, but it all worked out. After the meeting  during which she'd started crying silently, I asked her what was going on.

She is so emotionally needy at this point. After a very long description of what was happening, I was trying to gently extricate myself because I was feeling uncomfortable. And then she asked if I'd be her Sponsor. 

 Now I was the one caught off guard. She quickly added that I could think about it and get back to her, if I needed to. I said I definitely would have to think about it due to my health stuff/energy level. 

I am just not sure what to do. There's an unspoken...thing... in AlAnon that if someone asks you to do something, you are strongly encouraged to say yes, because theoretically this indicates you are ready for that responsibility.

But there is also a theory that you have a choice whether to accept or not, and there is no judgement at all if you choose to decline. 

I feel a bond with her for a number of reasons, but I don't know if I have the emotional bandwidth to take this on. She's got a lot going on, and it would be a big commitment. This thing with her son: he's bipolar, depressed, alcoholic, medically fragile, definitely not in recovery. She's a single parent with an abusive ex-partner, who is the father of the son, she's in recovery herself and has a Sponsor in the other program, and lives 40 minutes away. 

Part of me would struggle with guilt if I decline. Part of me might regret accepting. I can set boundaries, of course, and would certainly have to. I'm leaning toward declining.  But I have decided to talk with G and maybe B also, to see what they think. 

Next week I have an appt to meet the doc I have been "assigned" to. He's got good reviews, so I'm hopeful.  I spent some time yesterday on the phone with the insurance company getting my PCP corrected, and asked for paper copies of the contracted dental and vision providers.  I'm overdue for a vision exam, and I have an appt with the dentist also coming up.

I don't know how long this fence issue will take, so I'm glad I don't have anything else going on.  I talked with Chris one morning, I think it was Thursday, and he offered some of his wood planks he'd saved, if I need it for the fence. I think he might have offered some help too, but he also has house guests and I don't want to intrude. His mom Audrey has been there since the 20th of December, and she was scheduled to leave the same afternoon as the other guests were arriving, so he and Melissa have a lot going on too. 

Well, G will be here soon.Gotta get ready.

TYG

Sunday

 Today is the 18th already. Between my own issues and the political scene and damn chaos it feels like it should be May or June by now. 

I am so grateful for the late night talk show hosts' views and commentary. They not only make sense of certain things, but give this world and country some perspective and most amazingly, humor. Jimmy Kimmel is the best, with a close second of Colbert. Oh how I wish his show wasn't going to be canceled, and oh how I wish I'd found him earlier. J would have loved these guys.

Well, things happen as they should, and in the right time. Every day I play the previous night's shows and these are the only things I laugh at anymore. Except the cats' antics, or Missy's expressions.

So last Monday was a bittersweet day: it was the 19th anniversary of the day J and I met in that Barnes and Noble for coffee, after corresponding via email for 6 weeks or so. I remember it all so vividly. 

To keep myself busy I went outside and continued work on the western side of the back yard, digging bricks out, filling in the ruts and then re-setting the bricks. I pulled a lot of roots and weeds (some plant which fortunately pulls out easily-- it adds a lot of greenery to fill in bare spaces but it also chokes out a lot of growth of other things). 

I did this every morning all week except Thursday and Friday. Pruning, digging, dragging stuff to the curb. All the bending over and standing up again takes a toll on my breathing, so after about 90 minutes or once even 2 whole hours I had to stop and make myself quit for the day. 

It also took a toll on my back, so every day I would come in and shower and change into clean clothes and then sit with my heating pad. Fortunately the weather has been cool. Then I watch stuff and work on the embroidery. 

I also had chores: for once the hype lived up to its name, with the Shark vacuum. I swear I vacuumed a few days ago but using the Shark the first day filled up the little canister so quickly I was amazed. I love this thing! I did the whole house...it's so easy to manage.

 On Tuesday I worked in the front yard, trimming down the hibiscus bushes and the area under the giant things outside the bedroom. I can see straight outside now from the living room. While I know the hibiscus will grow up tall again, it feels like my protective shield in front is gone, and people can stare in. 

In the afternoon I dug out the paperwork for my end-of-life plans, and transferred a lot of this info to the new insurance's EOL section online. It also automatically sends this info to my health care agents so they have access to everything.

And that afternoon I also called Publix to request my rx's be transferred there. Somehow they already have my new insurance info.  Saves  me some time. 

Wednesday I captured the boy cats and popped them into their carriers. At the groomer's they were just perfect little angels. Paul had asked me the first time I brought them in if they were "spicy or sweet"; I had said they were generally sweet and scared. But this time despite being difficult for me to track down, they were no problem for him. He's such a sweetheart. 

Back at home I caught up with a friend who has recently been diagnosed with a thyroid issue, and then I dragged 3 wheelbarrows full of yard debris and the black debris cart out to the curb. I had a huge pile out there. I then worked on continuing the brick re-setting and clean-up.

Thursday morning I made a meatloaf and baked it, and then froze it. (The next day after Sis brought me home and settled me in for the afternoon, I gave it to her so she could take it home for Dad.)

I had decided not to work outside that day after being outside for a bit and realizing how windy it was, which made the cool weather worse to work in. So I was just inside watching my late-night shows.

And in the late afternoon Bro and SIL picked me up for dinner with Dad at the clubhouse. It had started getting cold, so I was wearing my windbreaker rain jacket which helped, but even in the restaurant I was so cold.  Dinner was great, as it always is there. 

Friday morning I'd set the alarm for 5am, so I could take a shower before Sis picked me up at 6am. I even gave Missy some gabapentin so she'd be calm while I was gone. I couldn't eat or drink anything, but I was allowed certain meds with small sips of water. 

We were there at the hospital by 6:30 in the bitter cold. It's a great hospital to use.  Everyone is so nice.   I checked into the Interventional Radiology Dept, was sent to the lab for blood work, waited a bit more with Sis, and then the RN, Patty, came to get me.

She did my H&P, and I changed into a gown, she got an IV going in my left arm since my right had been used for the labs. It was uncomfortable but she assured me it was working just fine, so I just tried not to move it. She was a very patient and calm and confident person; I felt so anxious but at the same time I knew I was in the best hands. 

That was when I learned I would be getting the giant needle in my back!  The left lower lobe is closest to the back while the left upper lobe is closer to the chest. So lucky me, the nodes/masses are in the left lower lobe. 

The good news is I didn't have to see it happening, because eventually I was brought to the CT room and asked to lie face down on the table  which slides into the machine. I had some trouble with this as I am most definitely not a stomach sleeper, plus the IV was in my left arm.

But I was propped up with various pillows, and while I couldn't lay my head on the pillow while lying with my head to the left or right, I stuffed the pillow further down under my chest so I could lie with my head pretty much straight ahead. My arms were bent up toward the head of the table. Not too uncomfortable.  It was bearable.

At that point it had all been explained a few times what was to happen: I would feel a 10second sting, a pop, and then a burning. My eyes must have gotten pretty big because he, the doc, quickly added, But after that you won't feel a thing, and it'll all be over within 10 minutes.  You'll be getting major pain relief in a couple of minutes and then we'll start.

He was right: the nurse gave me Benedryl, Versed, and Fentanyl through the IV, and with a few minutes I was in a dream world. I could tell he was scrubbing my left back,  and that was about all. I definitely remember the sting--  and the pop--- and the burning. But just as he said, the pain meds did their thing and it was like I didn't care at all. A very strange feeling: Conscious Sedation.

Soon the nurse was saying my name and asking if I was okay, and I opened my eyes, and it was over. Somehow I was transferred to the bed-- I don't remember that at all, but the next thing I remember was being back in Patty's care in Recovery. I dozed/slept for the next 2 hours, being awakened twice, each an hour apart so they could do chest xrays, to verify there was no collapsed lung. Whoa...

As soon as the doc had had a chance to look at the xrays, and okayed me to leave, around that time I was feeling more awake but wobbly. I managed to dress myself, and then a different nurse walked me out to the waiting room, where my Sis was ready for me.

I remember recounting the whole experience to her as we walked out to the car in the deep cold. Fortunately I was wearing my big winter coat which I dearly love to snuggle into. At home she made me some tea, and once I was settled, she left, bringing the meatloaf for Dad. 

I spent the afternoon on the verge of dozing, watching TV, drinking my water, afraid of moving because the big bandage on my back was slightly bothersome and it ached. I made some toast for dinner, and I slept well that night.

Saturday I was supposed to remove the bandage, but I cannot reach it!  I can just barely see it, but I can't actually touch it. So I will ask MissS to remove it today. 

I went to the Meeting, and my dearest friends were all concerned asking how it had gone. I also talked to G, explaining why I hadn't called yet--because I want to finish the bordering project first. I will hopefully be able to call him this week. He totally understood, and was glad for the explanation.

I stopped at Publix on the way home and picked up my rx. I had a trigger moment: when I picked up the bottle, I flashed back to all of J's meds, because he used Publix too. I would set up his daily meds every week, opening and closing bottles as I filled up the med manager.  Well, I didn't actually cry in there at least.

I also picked up some groceries with my new food allowance debit card from my insurance. I can't believe it, but they give me $195 every month on a refillable debit card; I have a list of things this will cover, so I just so happened to need some of those things and was able to get them at Publix. What a blessing! 

I don't have anything on my schedule this week, thankfully-- no appts, no must-do's,  just the things I want to do. And I do have a list of those things!

TYG for my life, my family and friends. Feeling very grateful today.  

Sunday

 Last Monday, I picked up my groceries at WM, and then MissS came over later; we decided to start watching The Hobbit, since she hadn't seen it in many years, not since it originally came out. Neither of us felt like making dinner, so  I just ate some Club crackers. 

Tuesday morning I took Willow and Missy to the groomer for their nail trims. In the  afternoon Sis, BIL, and Dad came over; BIL worked his magic on fixing the reason the pool hose/crawler wasn't working, which was amazing since the pool water was so cold. Meanwhile we three stayed inside and talked, getting caught up on upcoming plans, reading, politics, family news, etc. I had been watching an old Western with Jeffrey Hunter, Sergeant Rutledge, one of the better ones. It was live on TCM, so I just let it play in the background. 

Shortly after they left, MissS arrived, and we settled in to watch part 2 of The Hobbit. We did eat a dinner of sorts although I don't remember what.

Wednesday morning was busy: I called the number I'd been given to check on the scheduling, and sure enough, a woman very casually said, oh yes, we can schedule you for this right now if you like?  

So it's on Friday the 16th; I have to be there by 6:30 am. I've had biopsies before but not in the lung, so I am a bit anxious. And I don't even care, because I'm even more anxious about getting some answers. I'm thinking it will be more evidence of the lung problem---  and I am actually praying that is what it will turn out to be. 

I don't know how it's done, and neither does my friend (who has the same lung findings. They are doing a biopsy on her too, so that helps me, us, feel less alone. She's still waiting for them to get the auth from her insurance).

Then I settled in for the call to Conviva. Their phone tree is annoying to say the least. Eventually I was directed to the correct person, who after much back and forth and clarifying what I needed, suggested I come in the very next day at noon, and I was to bring my paperwork. I was quite surprised, and grateful-- she did seem to completely understand my fears. That whole thing took about a half hour. 

After which I went outside and began work out there, re-setting the bricks in the side yard. Missy came outside with me, and as long as I was out there, she was right by me. Not only was I re-setting bricks (meaning, digging them out of the ground and filling in the trench with more dirt/sand, and then replacing the bricks), but I was forced into doing a lot more pruning and weeding than I expected. I filled up the wheelbarrow, and still have a pile to load into the yard debris can, and will still have plenty leftover to drag to the curb. 

At 3 I came in, cleaned up, and started prepping the turkey breast, which was still half frozen, and it sat roasting in the oven until around 7. Meanwhile MissS arrived at 4, and we sat back to watch the finale of The Hobbit.  

I cannot count the number of times I've seen this series, maybe 5? 6? But I still cry at certain scenes, and it still hits me so deep. Tauriel's cry of "...Why does it hurt so much?" when Kili dies and Thranduil gently, sadly responding, "Because it was real."  Even just writing this I can plummet back into the despair of grief. 

Well.  MissS didn't stay for dinner, so I indulged in the juicy slices of turkey myself. It's Sunday now and I will have the last slices today. A delicious series of meals.

Thursday morning I was focused on getting ready to drive over to Conviva. I did have time to walk Missy, and we ended up walking around the whole neighborhood. First time in quite a while for her. 

Then I got a text, reminding me of my Telehealth appt at noon. This really confused me. Was it a Telehealth appt on my phone, or was it an in-person appt at the office? 

I had papers to be signed, so  I did both eventually: I logged in for the Telehealth appt, waited 10 minutes and then when no one appeared-- and still logged in, I drove around the corner to the office. I walked into the office and then spent the next hour with the staff. 

I did end up talking to an NP on the Telehealth appt in the office's exam room, who okayed the paperwork for the referral, requested the auth for the biopsy, and signed the VCC paperwork, which qualified me for this insurance. Oh, it was a long hour. 

 But eventually everything got straightened out. The staff was great. They even specifically told me the phone tree was a joke, and that if I had any questions I should just come in person, especially since I live so close. So far, so good.  

I also got scheduled for a "New Patient" appt at the end of January, after the biopsy; the woman I'd wanted to see apparently isn't starting until March, so I'm placed with a male doc. I hope I like him as much as I liked the staff; he has good reviews, so I'm hopeful. 

It's more important for me to see someone, anyone, during this first 30 days, so I honestly don't care as much as I'd thought I would about whether I prefer a man or a woman. Sigh.

I did more yard work after getting home, and stopped after 90 minutes. I feel like I pulled a muscle from working at this awkward angle, so much as I wanted to continue, I figured it was better to take my time and work slower.

Friday morning MissS came and got me at 11, and we headed out to what was advertised as a "big book sale!" up in Palm Coast. We both pictured a gym, or a library, or at least someplace inside. Instead it was in someone's driveway!  The books were placed in boxes in no particular order, upside down, definitely difficult to scan the titles. Two rows of boxes of books on tables, on either side of the driveway. Very frustrating.

Amazingly I did find an autobiography, and then the real gem, 4 books in the series by a particular favorite author of mine, which I had never read. I was very pleased.

MissS didn't find anything she was hunting for, so we decided to make a few more stops at a different used book stores, including the most amazing one in Deland. She did find some books eventually, and I found more by another favorite author. I have definitely run out of book shelf space; I've started lining them up on my bedroom bureau. We had a great day. 

Back at home I went outside but since my back was still hurting, I decided to put it off a day. Instead I watched a few movies.

Saturday I went to my Meeting, and had a great time, as always. My good friend G asked how I was doing, and when I described my yard project, he was quite impressed and proud of me. When he asked if there was anyway for him to help, I mentioned the chain link fence/wooden fence/Missy escaping issue, and he said he'd be happy to come and take a look if I texted him. So I will text him this week. What a sweetheart.

I stopped at WM afterwards to get more wine, and bread, and stocked up on a few things. Did my stretching, house chores etc. Then Bro and SIL came over to bring me the Shark vacuum cleaner! That was exciting, and I hope I remember everything they said. 

They stayed for another hour or so, talking; and before they left, Bro took a look at the missing gutter /downspout section at the corner of the house. I had shown them all the work I was doing and they were impressed too. So this makes me feel good. 

One thing I learned Friday, through various back and forth texts, was that the drawing of the Wizard in the living room (which J had had on his wall when we met, and had very little information on); well, that turns out to have been done by his good friend Caroline. 

She happened to see it on the wall behind me in a photo MissS took  which I'd posted on Facebook.  She asked me for more information on it, and I sent her photos, and asked her if she knew anything about it, because it is beautifully framed-- but there is no artist name, or date, and it's clearly old and repaired. 

These messages and responses occurred over a 3-day period; she is in Bend, OR. I've never met her, but we've become good friends. She lost her husband too, shortly before J died, and also lives alone. We are soul sisters, I believe.

Technically, she is J's third wife, but since they annulled that marriage after a month, is she still an ex-wife? I don't know, I don't care. They had been good friends for several years before they married, and then almost immediately had it annulled; I don't know why. J thought highly of her, and they stayed friends up to the day he died.  He even thought of her son as an extended member of his family.

So imagine my surprise when she got back to me Friday morning, as much in shock as I was. She had done this piece over 45 years ago, in the late 70s/early 80s, and was so flattered that he'd kept it, and that it had meant so much to him.

 I was shocked that he hadn't remembered she'd done it; when I met him, he was pretty vague about it, couldn't remember where he'd "picked it up". I'm quite sure he wasn't lying, as there was no reason to hide the truth. He just had a bad memory.

I offered to return it, but she insisted I keep it, and was honored that it meant so much to me. What a connection. What a coincidence?!

  Me and Sam

Caroline's artwork

Well.

Nothing much happening this week until Thursday evening: dinner with Dad and Bro and SIL.  Then Friday morning,  I arrive at the Advent hospital. Oh, and I will be taking the boy cats to the groomer. I have a nasty scrape on my chin from one of Finian's extra sharp talons nails.

I will have time this week to finish the yard work, and possibly some pruning of the hibiscus and the rose bush. Best time of year to do this. Nice and cool. It's almost noon and still only 72.

Missy is pestering me for a walk, so I'll do that, and give her a bath.

So grateful for my life. 

TYG

Sunday

 Got a later start than usual this morning (after a very odd dream, starring George Clooney, of all people. We were making our way through a kind of outdoor Ren fair, and carrying some  ... animals?  I don't know. Then some disaster struck and the main thing I remember was how kind and comforting he was in trying to help me. He was in the middle of trying to tell me about a family thing "our grandfather" needed us to know, when one of the cats jumped on my back, demanding breakfast. That was the end).

Anyway. Now it's noon, and I've started the laundry and taken Missy for her walk and done the cat boxes and arranged for a return of a shipment from Amazon. I need to order more cat litter, and a few other things. Not sure if I'll order it from WM or Amazon. If WM then I have to struggle with carrying the cat litter, which is pretty hard for me. Sigh. Much easier to order it and have them deliver it.

Yesterday after the Meeting (which I led and found it was incredibly helpful) I talked with a few people before going home to finish chores. I decided to tackle one of the things on my List:  going through the past years' files and shredding what I didn't need. 

Then I'll go through the rest of the files in the cabinet, and do the same things. I don't think I need to bother doing my taxes anymore, but I do have another exemption I qualify for, so that's on my List to finish up too.

It was very satisfying to do this, and have Camelot showing on TCM, and rip up so much paper I don't need to keep. Just before the last song played which always makes me cry I saw MissS' car pulling into the driveway. I immediately shut off the TV, and spent the rest of the afternoon with her. 

She also helped me with some outdoor yard work in the back. Re-setting the bricks every year is somewhat laborious as I get older, so I definitely appreciated the help. It didn't take long, maybe 45 minutes.  Also she was able to jam the pool hose more firmly in place, which explained why the damn thing hadn't moved all day.

She also helped with some confusing billing I was receiving, and figured out why I wasn't seeing my new app Sky Tonight on the phone. What an amazing app that is! I think Dad would love it too. It actually has so much information available that it will take me a while to learn it all.

Eventually she left, after we realized it was about to rain; also Kit's car isn't starting, so she is the driver.  The little gift I'd ordered finally arrived, and she loved it, I think. She's so hard to read sometimes.

Monday had been a quiet day. Tuesday morning I got stuck on the phone trying to figure out the damn scheduling problem for the lung issue. So many inconsistencies: so-and-so does this so I'll transfer you there, no we actually don't do this, but I'll give you the number, leaving messages, waiting for call backs. 

In the middle of this I realized I was late for my meeting with my friend, so I jumped in the car after leaving another damned automated message requesting a call back.

And of course they called when I was driving. I took the call despite my fears because I'm even more fearful of getting lost in the shuffle. I was told again that this place doesn't do the procedure, but this other place does and all the paperwork would have to be sent there first. So aggravating. I wanted to scream. 

I gave up as I arrived at my friend's house, and fortunately she could see how upset I was, and was immediately comforting, getting me tea, settling me in a comfy chair with a blanket. So sweet. 

Her mom was visiting too, speaking no English, but I did manage to introduce myself in her language, which astonished her. A very nice woman. 

We had a wonderful visit, and I'm so grateful for this special friend. Back at home, it was cool enough for me to decide to mow the lawn and finish shredding the dry leaves, and I also moved a big pile of stones to line the fence line, filling in holes at the bottom.

My neighbor on that side is prepping to have installed a privacy fence, and I think that will help both of us, despite our neighborliness. Sad as I was to have seen him rip out all of Louise's plantings, and leave the whole yard so bare, this way maybe I won't have to be reminded.

That evening, my neighbor across from me, Darren, fortunately was home. Because as it was getting dark and I was pulling my curtains shut, I noticed a small fire at the base of his brand new fence, attached to his garage. As I watched, waiting for him to come out and fix it, wondering if I should call 911, wondering if I should just march over and yell for him, I finally got over my fear of inserting myself in a stranger's life. As I'd been debating, over the course of probably 5 minutes the fire had spread and was climbing up his fence. 

So I walked over and yelled through his open screen door, Hey! I'm your neighbor across the street--are you home? And he called back, yes I'm here. I said, there's a fire at the base of your fence!   And he cussed, and hurried as fast as he could (being quite overweight), grabbing a plain old water bottle to pour over it, which of course didn't help. Then he grabbed  his shovel and began digging up dirt and tossing it on the fire, refusing my offer to call 911. He didn't say anything more to me, so I left, once I saw Chris and Melissa also standing and watching. By this time it was full dark, so I just went back inside my own house. He has a nice black scar halfway up his fence now.

So that was fun. 

Wednesday morning was New Year's Eve day, and I heard from a lot of friends and family, both that day and the next.

I also drove over to the oncology office that morning to bring them a copy of my new insurance card, explaining that the PCP listed would be corrected by Friday, as I was told by their member services. (The member services dept also said they'd be mailing me a new corrected card, but I didn't want to wait for that since authorization is needed for my biopsy or bronch, what ever is done. What a mess this all is.)

This all involved lots of phone time-- the oncology office, the new insurance, the new office I will be being seen at-- and I still have to call them again on Monday to ask if there's any way I can be seen earlier by this new PCP.

In that afternoon I took down all the Christmas stuff, packed everything away, vacuumed, etc.

I'd bought a packaged dinner from Aldi, thinking I would treat myself. This didn't work out at all! The rice I cooked with it didn't come out right and the beef tips in the light gravy just... didn't taste good. So disappointing. I had a couple of Angell and Phelps' truffles MissS had given me, and at least those tasted good.

On Thursday,  New Year's Day, 2026, it just felt like any other day. I did a major house cleaning, laundry, also cleaned out the fridge, removing shelves, etc. I had the radio on, and although they weren't playing Christmas music anymore, it was still cheerful.

I checked on my bills to make sure everything had gotten paid. I'm doing this weekly now, so I don't miss anything else. 

Friday, another quiet day. I'd ordered a couple of embroidery kits with the gift card I received from BIL's daughter-- so sweet of her! They arrived, and so I have a few more projects. 

I did some weeding, putting off doing the petunia-spraying although I know I have to do this. 

I watched a couple of movies, and tried watching the news-- but it's just so horrendous. My latest issue of The Week was late, but when it arrived, I sat down Friday afternoon and went through it. It's so sickening to read about what is happening.

 I don't know if this is true, but I'd read that the "real" reason for the East Wing being destroyed was not only to build a ballroom for god's sake, but to build a bunker, with the ballroom being its literal cover-up. Supposedly the current occupant is  going to hide out there when the s**t hits the fan.

And then the most recent unbelievable event: the swooping into Venezuela and kidnapping the president to bring him to the US. I just don't have the words. Except, why isn't anyone stopping the mad men??

Okay, I am done writing. I have chores to finish, and will then put my feet up. I can see one pair of my Indigo buntings, and this gives me so much happiness, watching them come and go.

TYG