So things have seemed a little topsy-turvey lately and it hit me today...this is our new normal. A lot has happened in the past few weeks and new paths are being forged. There has been the loss of my Mom and moving into a new Store to contend to. I don't think I fully absorbed the first before doing the second, if that makes any sense. I guess a person moves through the grieving process at their own pace and I am discovering mine. I have passed the denial/numb stage and moving right along to the sad stage. But because I like to really give myself a challenge, I threw in a visit to the hospital. I guess I also like to challenge my family and co-workers as well. It seems every two years or so, my body likes to remind me that I have had mini-strokes or TIA's before. Strange little episodes that scare the doctors and me, but warrant no real explanation. This year's episode involved an "out of nowhere" pain in the left side of my head that made me think that an explosion was being detonated and a little right arm spasming/weakness. So off I went to the hospital, truly thinking an aneurysm was bursting in my noggin. Four days, two hospitals and two scans later--again no real explanation. It could be another transient event, or a severe migraine. I have been a little (okay a lot) delinquent on the daily aspirin I am to take, so who knows. I will admit it is frustrating to have some of the city's best medical professionals not be able to explain my carotids to me. One thing I can say, familiarize yourself with the signs of Stroke because you truly never know when that information will be needed.
Moving down the road to our new living arrangements. Well, my Dad's impending, new living arrangements. We are lucky enough to have the space for my Dad to come and live with us. Our basement is a blank canvas and a place we had always intended on finishing. Thankfully it is an above ground basement and is very light and quite "un-basement" like. With my Mom gone, I cannot imagine my Dad doing well alone. This way, he can have his privacy and less privacy when he wants it. I am not going to lie, I want to make sure the guy is eating too. As a new bachelor, eating right seems to get forgotten at times. In the back of my mind, I also question what the future holds health wise. We know he has terminal cancer and his future is uncertain. I am looking forward to having him here and I hope he can put up with us--maybe sound proof ceilings would be a good idea. The kids are pretty excited and keep asking when Grandpa is going to start sleeping here.
I should also mention how fabulous my Husband is and how amazingly supportive he is. My Dad moving in was actually Scott's idea. I have put this man through a lot and he has never wavered and is always there. He may not cook, but he knows how to be there when it counts. He loves us with all his heart and we can feel that. So I must say I am pretty lucky.
It is so funny how the little things really excite me. In our Kitchen, I use J-cloths and always just hang them over the middle of the sink. So I found a cross between these two beauties (see below) at Walmart. I am so excited, I can hang my cloth and hold my scrubby neatly! Yes, I am a geek and maybe missed these before, but I am happy. Really folks, it doesn't take much.
School is coming up and in two days there will be a Grade "One-ner" in the house. There will also be a senior preschool girl in the house as well! So hard to believe and I better remember the tranquilizers for that first day. I simply cannot fathom Evan being there all day. As the year progresses, I know I will be grateful for the longer hours, but right now I am feeling a little verklempt. Taylor is going to be in preschool for three days a week and is so excited.
Well I hear my bed calling out my name and I am not going to argue. I hope you are enjoying those last few days of summer. We are going to try and venture out to the PNE tomorrow. Not my fave way to spend the day, but the kids like it. If they are excited, I can be too.