Happy New Year!

So 2010’s arrived and it sounds so Sci-Fi to me, like I’m not living it but reading about it in a book. I can’t believe it’s 2010 and I’m living it. It’s surreal.

So after last night’s celebration and preparing to celebrate with family today, I started thinking about the good old New Year Resolutions. Admittedly I try not to make any because, like most people, I don’t keep them.

I’ve managed to successfully keep one resolution which is to read the Bible daily. I’ve actually done this several years in a row and then in 2009 I took a break to see how knowledge of the Bible’s teachings influenced my life. Had I retained anything? Or, was I simply performing the task of rote reading without learning anything?

I discovered I’d retained many lessons from the Bible and realized that I missed reading it daily. I felt empty.  Disconnected.  Lonely. I can’t explain why I felt this way only that I did and I found myself wanting to read the Bible mid-summer.

So I surprised myself when I easily came up with five resolutions:

1. Lose weight
2. Read the Bible daily
3. Spend more time with my mother. Maybe start a new tradition of Sunday dinner.
4. Take a photo a day
5. Learn to play Mahjong (I own two sets and have not learned how to play!)

Let’s see how I fair!

The Magic Kingdom

We’re annual passholders and use our passes the most during autumn and winter because I simply love the lights and decorations of Disneyland. We went twice this holiday season enjoying each visit as if it were our first.

It was surprisingly crowded especially since temps hovered around 40 degrees. People merrily walked about bundled like Eskimos and patiently waited up to three hours for the best view of the glorious fireworks display and snow.

Newport Beach Boat Parade

Our boat arrived from Long Beach where Dave, the owner sub-leases a slip. He was gracious in inviting several folks from Boo’s job to join him for a spectacular evening.

The water was very calm, temperature a comfortable 62 degrees, wind non-existent and clear as far as the eye could see – no fog. We were a party of thirteen and the lights and decorations were spectacular!

Last Minute Christmas Shopping

In previous years I’ve been so prepared and productive that I had finished my Christmas shopping by Thanksgiving weekend. I normally have a great sense of what to buy for each recipient and I can honestly say that they’re never disappointed with their gifts.

This year I knew I’d be off work for two weeks during the holiday so I purposely did not shop early opting to shop at the last minute. Of course, I was hoping for fantastic discounts, which sadly have not materialized. I am hopeful though that they will during the weekend of the 19th.

There’s an excitement in the air that permeates everyone as they frantically search for great buys on gifts. Even in all the stress and harriedness folks seem willing to share where to get a good buy and who has the best coupon deals / exchange policy, etc.

The recession is naturally affecting sales and buying patterns but the folks I’ve encountered have been jovial and friendly, which speaks volumes about the optimism many Americans feel. As long as hope springs eternal all is good.

Holiday Weekend

This holiday was off to a grand start when work let us out at 1:00 p.m. Boo and I went to Cha for Tea for lunch and played Rummikub. Sadly we also discovered that our local Hollywood Video has changed from a rental store to an outlet store.

I had noticed that their inventory of new DVDs had dwindled and the general feel of the place was cheesy, the displays were unkempt and new releases were no longer announced instead were row upon row of previously viewed DVDs for sale. Another casualty of the recession.

Thanksgiving dinner with the family was truly delicious and lots of fun. We also visited Boo’s aunt who would normally celebrate Thanksgiving with her recently deceased sister. As always we had way too much food and dessert and a whole lot of chatter!

We unexpectedly shopped on Black Friday which wasn’t bad at all. Like last year we started around 10:00 a.m. and still found buys but without the hassle of finding parking. No one stole our parking space or cut in line either! Parking and checking out were relatively uneventful and merchants were well stocked.

Today we were rudely awakened by a large flock of loud wild parrots there must have been 100  of them. They squawked and encircled my block, which has many palm trees, for about 10 minutes before flying off. Many of the neighbors came outside to see what all the ruckus was about – I was one of them which is regrettable.

As we were “up early” we decided to hit a few stores, which resulted in great savings at empty stores. We also had a surge of energy and decided to decorate outdoors leaving our house the only decorated house for miles – just call us the Griswolds.

How’s your holiday weekend?

Poor Organization

I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life from the most insignificant to huge bumblings! I was never good at organization so finding things has always been a process of hit and miss. MIL was so organized she had a place for everything and everything clearly labeled. The caregiver quipped that MIL could have given lessons to the professional organizers on the HGTV  or FLN networks.

How I wish I had her knack and discipline for organization at this very moment. You see, MIL never ever enjoyed having her picture taken, a photo request was tantamount to a full blown argument, she just didn’t see the purpose for it.

So now we’re preparing for her service which will be closed casket and the only photos found are circa 1970. Now I know I have a couple of photos from the mid-nineties but I have to find them among countless back up CDs, CF cards and three hard drives. I’m going nuts.

I have a deadline as I need to get the photos to Costco for printing and resizing and then get them framed and to the funeral home for the service. I recently bought my first 1.5 TB external drive and am considering the best way to set it up. Should I create partitions? If so, what size and how many? Will partitions compromise drive performance as each section is searched?

Help!

She’s at peace

MIL passed yesterday afternoon with Boo at her side in a very peaceful surrounding with music softly playing in the background. I prayed that she had found acceptance and peace about what was troubling her so that her transition was free from anxiety and fear.

I truly believe  that no one, regardless the severity of their transgressions on earth, should transition from living to dying in fear. What a horrible way to leave this earth and began the next journey. If we’ve truly made amends and repented than we should depart joyous, calm and peaceful.

It’s done and I am relieved that she is no longer suffering. Services will not occur until the first week in December. Boo’s aunt is now hospitalized and unable to attend services this week. Since I believe there is a synchronicity in the Universe and there are no coincidences MIL’s service was meant to occur two weeks from now.

Making Lemonade out of Lemons

Throughout my life I’ve read and been told that my perspective on something, attitude towards a situation, ability to handle stressful circumstances has everything to do with the quality, or lack of, in my life. I’ve never doubted this to be the truth.

MIL’s been blessed with a compassionate and loving caregiver, who herself has suffered the recent loss of her husband of 40 years and within the past 12 months the passing of her mother. She and I spent a lot time talking and sharing and dare I say, laughing.

As cruel as this may sound laughter is the best medicine one person can give to another. The endorphins released help accelerate the healing process, as well as replenish white blood cells. In most challenging circumstances levity is needed so those involved can catch their breath and regain perspective.

The caregiver in her sixties is full of life even as she battles her own challenges and bouts with depression. I was very thankful that God sent her to care for my MIL enabling me to partake of her wisdom and learn. I know I will walk this bridge again someday – hopefully not soon – as my mom steadily ages.

In any sad or tragic circumstance try and find lemons and then make lemonade for your loved ones, as well as yourself!

 

Mother-in-Law Update

I’m sitting in my mother-in-law’s home as Boo sits beside her in silence. Today’s been a bad day and she is now feeling pain. The on-duty nurse is providing liquid morphine as necessary and MIL is accepting responsibility for some of the things she’s said and done. She knows the end is near and wants to set things right. My hope is that she does this for herself so that she can go in peace – this is all that I want.

She’s never been a peaceful person. Those that know her have always described her as “high spirited”, “feisty”, “demanding”, “hysterical”, “impatient”, “angry” – I would like her to leave this world in peace. There is no rhyme or reason for her leaving this world like a fireball. She needs to ask the Lord’s forgiveness and blessing and then transition to the next phase.

I believe that Boo has found some closure. MIL and Boo were never very close as Boo was the stepchild. It’s good that MIL never had children of her own because she isn’t a very compassionate, loving or caring person. I don’t believe that she would have been a better person or mother to a child of her own blood. Not all women have the maternal instinct despite what experts think.

End of Suffering

We received terrible news this morning that Boo’s step-mother is terminally ill with colon cancer that has spread to her brain. My mother-in-law has always had strained relationships with her blood relatives, Boo and me so it was both shocking and dismaying thinking about navigating the mine field that is their relationship.

When Boo last visited during summer MIL was still onerous and irritated by everything and everyone. I deeply want for Boo to reach some closure with her so that Boo can begin to heal. The prognosis is three to six months and I’ve been praying that my MIL, realizing that she’s reaching her end, will make an effort to release any anger and resentment in hopes of finding peace and love.

It’s terrible that she’s alone because she’s driven everyone away. Her own sister won’t visit and her nephew who lives less than three miles from her doesn’t visit. She should be surrounded by supportive family members during this time.

She’s hospitalized now but will likely be discharged and sent home with 24 hour care either Sunday or Monday. The doctor has recommended hospice care but she prefers to be in her own home.

I pray that this will be a time for healing; for releasing animosity and forgiving. A time to appreciate how precious life is and that God has given everyone an opportunity to make amends and dispense of petty grievances.