That's not your job

Looking back at the souls who are no longer in my life causes me to ask myself what do they all have in common? With the exception of those who have died (I didn't do it, honest) they pretty much do have something in common. They all tried to tell me how to live my life. I have one thing to say to them all and that is- that's not your job!

Wow the universe has gone to extreme means to teach me that lesson. I remember seeing an illustration of a guardian angel covering her/his eyes at the thought of how stubborn their assigned soul was. That angel could have been mine, with the added caption, will she never learn?!

There is a very big difference between supporting and offering advice and someone who insists they know exactly how I should act and react to any given experience. It only took 78 years to understand that simple fact.

A new word came into my life today and it is paradigm, a way of thinking. It is something I need to update. For years I have listened to a silent negative voice that keeps me from moving ahead. My one goal for 2017 is to knock that voice on its ass and continue to live my life as if it didn't exist. I know it isn't going to happen overnight, but I am going to practice until I succeed.

Happy 2017!!

I wish I had that

I found this wonderful illustration as a tribute to Debbie Reynolds and her daughter Carrie Fisher who both moved on to a better place this week. Debbie's last words were, "I want to be with Carrie".  She was 84 and her daughter 60.

I grew up with musical stars like Debbie Reynolds, Gene Kelley, Fred Astaire, Mitzi Gaynor and Jane Powell and loved every minute of it. It is my idea of music and great entertainment.

I also grew up and still live in a family that is not close and probably never will be. Our family is very much like someone took a box of puzzle pieces and scattered them. I have never known the closeness that souls like Debbie and Carrie shared. I wish I had that if only for a moment.

I wonder what it would feel like to have family members that really love each other. Apparently, as close as I can come in this life time is a rewarding relationship with friends.

Counting down

Only three more days left in 2016. Wow what a ride this has been!

Many souls didn't make it to this point. Apparently that was their destiny and they finished their earthly assignment this time around. I have no desire to join them as I feel there is still plenty that I am supposed to do before that day comes. Of course, I could be wrong. We never know for sure when that day will be.

I am reminded of an acquaintance who decided that she knew the exact day her human life would end. She even celebrated by having a party with her friends and gave many of her prized possessions away to them. Her  selected day came and nothing happened. I went to visit her and reminded her that she couldn't tell God when she was going to leave earth. She laughed and replied meekly, "I know".

Even though there are many of us who see doom and gloom in the days and possibly years ahead, perhaps our creator thinks we are strong enough to deal with whatever happens. I look at the state of America and shake my head thinking- how in the world could this happen? Was everyone given a sleeping pill right before the election? Perhaps the Queen is right, maybe she should take back America.

Oh well I'm just along for the ride. I'm sure there is a humorous side, but I'm still looking. It will be interesting to have such a one of a kind being filling the shoes of some great and not so great men. Just remember this too shall pass!

Personally I feel a weight lifting as I get ready to enter 2017. Even though I was recently diagnosed with some physical problems I don't see them interring with my ability to take on some new challenges. I have a friend who pretty much thumbs her nose at physical problems and does exactly what makes her happy. I am following her because she is a great leader and a loyal friend.

I know I need something new in my life, but at the moment am not sure what that will be. I'm sure it will involve writing because that's what makes me happy. I'll let you all know when the time comes.

In the meantime enjoy the remaining three days of 2016 and celebrate the fact that you are still here. Happy New Year everyone!
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At least we tried

December 23 found me teaming up with my young grandson to make a birthday cake for his uncle, whose birthday is Christmas day. I made the cake and he frosted and decorated his masterpiece. Below is his crowning achievement.

Colin's mother, my daughter, had ceased communicating with me in 2010, but has allowed my grandson to spend Christmas Eve with me. I have not been invited to share in any family holiday celebration since she decided I don't exist. While decorating his uncle's cake he shared with me that his mother's attitude hurts him and he doesn't understand why she can't just get over her problem. He said he just wants his family back.

I have tried everything including apologizing for being a  control freak in the past. She doesn't care to listen and can't see how much she is hurting her son. Colin decided he was going to ask if she and his stepfather could just stop by tonight and share a piece of birthday cake with us.

Her answer was no!

I really had hopes that it would be yes, but I guess she enjoys the negative path she is on. At least we tried and the cake was yummy and very festive! Thanks Colin you did good!

Just give it a name please

The first couple of weeks of December I was experiencing lower back pain on my left side. Odd I thought. I've never had problems on that side before. What in the world is going on? I finally made an appointment and ended up seeing someone new to me. She was the only person in my medical group who had an open appointment.

As it turned out her specialty is orthopedics. She also has had personal experience with back pain, having suffered  a broken neck as the result of a car accident. She is back to work and doing fine. It has always been my good fortune, with few exceptions, to accidentally find the most qualified people for whatever medical problem I have had. As an example my surgeons have been the very best in their field. I didn't seek them, they found me, or someone did.

Perhaps I have an over the top guardian angel guiding me in the right direction. I have also often felt like a Guinea pig, experiencing things so I can share what happens with others.I don't mind as long as I can recover in reasonably good shape!

Now back to my latest medical problem and my current find, Tammy my CNP. The back pain pretty much stopped over the weekend. I had gone back to lower back exercises and tried to remember not to sit so much. I had a spinal CT last Friday and was informed of the results this morning. I have what is called canal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal canal, causing pressure on the sciatic nerve. I also have a bulging disk between the L 3 and L 4 vertebra. Sounds impressive huh?

I was told during my appointment last week that sometimes when a person has a hip replacement (mine was on the right side) it can cause the other side of the body to overwork. Possibly that is what has happened in my case.

For now we are going to approach the problem with physical therapy, concentrating on stretching. Tammy also wants me to have a consultation with an orthopedic surgeon in the near future.

Now that I have a name for the pain I was having it somehow makes it more acceptable. At least I know it isn't all in my head!

 

Talk about service!

Yesterday I arranged for a spinal CT scan at Cibola General Hospital in Grants, NM. Every experience I have had with this facility has been positive; well maybe not my surgery in 2011 Not all of it anyway!. We have the best hospital staff anyone could ask for. Perhaps it is because they work in a small town. I have had experiences in a large hospital in Albuquerque and it just wasn't the same.

While arranging for my scan yesterday I witnessed a very nice example of staff going out of their way to help a patient. A lady was struggling to use a walker and needed to check in for a radiology procedure. She asked a technician how long she would have to wait. He told her she had to register, come back and she would be seen as soon as she arrived.

The tech suggested she might do better with a wheel chair. Her response was, "I don't have anyone to push me." Without hesitation he replied, "I will push you."

He then obtained a chair and pushed her to the registration desk down the hall. He waited with her and pushed her back to the radiology lab for her procedure.

I repeat we have a great little hospital and a very caring staff!

Free pizza

Last night I didn't feel like cooking so I called in an order for pizza. When I went to pick it up I began talking to a a friend who was finishing up ordering his own pizza. I jokingly said to the employee behind the counter,  Manny is paying for mine.

A minute later Manny said "Merry Christmas I just paid for your pizza". "No you didn't", I said! "Yes I did", he said! I also got a friendly hug. What a nice man and the pizza was better than usual too!

This morning I am making a batch of fudge for a friend who lost his wife in 2007. I have been making treats for him ever since. His wife was a friend of mine and the way I look at it is- if she could she would, but she can't and I can. I know he appreciates the gesture and truly understands why I do what I do.

As a thank you for the free pizza Manny will also receive  a gift of fudge.

Apparently what goes around comes around is true!

I dare you to prove you are you

I had a rather interesting morning trying to prove to the motor vehicle department that I am me and I live in Grants, NM. It took me over two hours locating documents to satisfy the new federal laws and renew my drivers license.

If I were a man it wouldn't have taken so long, but because the name on my social security card does not match my birth name, due to marriage and divorce, I had to supply official documents to prove that I am the same person. This required a trip to the bank and a visit to my safety deposit box. Twice actually. The first trip was to pick up my original birth certificate. You know the one with the Alaska seal on it. Geez!

Next I had to supply two forms of ID proving where I live. I scooped up the receipt for my property tax bill, which I just paid last week, and the water bill that I just paid. Not good enough! Neither one had my name or address on them. I was told I need the whole bill. First time ever keeping my bills paid was a problem. I was told to stop by the water department and ask them to print out a "whole" bill for me. Which I did. I was also told the second form of address I.D. could be the proof of insurance I carry in my car.

In addition, New Mexico sends out threatening letters that you need a current eye exam if you are over a certain age or they will revoke your license. I had complied yesterday and thought all I had to do was present the signed by my optometrist form and that would be it. Wrong! That's all I had to do last year.

I had no idea that I would have to prove that I am me!

If it isn't broken don't fix it

The birthday gift I received from my oldest son was a new updated Farberware electric grill. We used it this morning for pancakes and I must admit it was nice not to have to spray the grill to keep them from sticking.

The grill I had been using still worked and had an amazing history.

It had belonged to my mother-in-law who died in about 1995. She had used it every Sunday to feed guests who dropped by for breakfast, for more years than I knew her. A guess would be at least 30. So that would make it around 50 years old and still working, as I reminded my son.

I also decided I was not going to throw the old one out just because it was old. On my way to the grocery store this morning I dropped it off at our local thrift shop after including a note saying- it works.

As I set it down I quietly said, "there you go Mom!" I can imagine she was smiling and will probably smile even more if someone takes it home and uses it to feed her guests and family.

This story reminds me of the energizer bunny, it just keeps going and going!