Writing by jennifer on Saturday, 5 of July , 2008 at 7:27 pm
I cannot tell you all how thankful I am that I was able to spend the Independence Day holiday with my family. (Sami is spending the time with her boyfriend’s family, but I got to be with my brother and parents- which makes me very happy!).
Even though we could not afford to make our annual trek to Seattle for the holiday, I enjoyed my time off on Friday. I worked (puttered) around the apartment for most of the day. (I did get one of the hall closets organized.) Then, I journeyed across town to my parent’s house and indulged in BBQ London Broil (done just right), corn on the cob, potato salad, green beans,and (as if to make up for the sins of the day) a Weight Watchers fudge bar. My father, mother, and brother Kris and I dined on the back deck, which made the event even more special. This was the first time that I had spent leisure time with the family since my mother started her dialysis treatments. It was so nice to know that she was actually present and that she was enjoying the time as much as we were. She even helped prepare and cleanup dinner!
The family-July 4, 2008
Afterward, I headed back home to do more housework and to catch the fireworks display. Sure, the local Corvallis fireworks show couldn’t hold a candle (let alone a large mortar) to the big show up in Lake Union, but the display was quite colorful and festive. Being able to dodge traffic and watch from the third floor of my apartment building was an added bonus! I snapped a few shots, but as I’d left my tripod downstairs and was too lazy to run down and get it, only two or three turned out to be presentable. I’m actually not terribly distraught over it. Sitting with the neighbors and enjoying the show was the perfect low key ending to a perfect low-key day.
Corvallis under fire- the view from the balcony. July 4, 2008
This AM, I slept in and then dragged myself out of bed to go to the library (my new favorite hangout) and then off to the Saturday Farmers Market. I left the camera at home. I think that may have been a good move because if I’d been weighed down with gear, I might not have been able to bring home market fresh, local red cabbage, snow peas, sugar snap peas, french red fingerling potatoes, fan-freaking-tabulous red-leaf lettuce, sunflower sprouts (great on salads and in stir-frys!), and succulent berries! Nothing tastes as good as fresh veggies…. NOTHING!
When I got home, I discovered that my IRS stimulus check had arrived. Ahhh, gas money. Tahoe here I come!
Tags: Uncategorized
Writing by jennifer on Tuesday, 1 of July , 2008 at 1:10 am
Up: Mom’s doing much better. No one told us that dialysis would help her become taller. Really, she is! It’s really because she’s standing up straight, instead of that ‘little old woman’ hunch thing she had going on. She’s feeling stronger, too.
Down: Busy weekend with a garage sale. Total net: 63 bucks. Total time and energy used? Well, let’s just say that the incoming cash didn’t make it worth it. But I got some things cleared out of my house, my storage, and most importantly- my parent’s garage. Now, I’m making daily runs to the Goodwill to get rid of the leftovers.
Up: I lost two more pounds this week, bringing my loss to a total of 34 pounds in just two months (14 of that was water weight that was lost when I resumed my BP meds, but 20.8 pounds were lost the old fashioned way– and I feel soooo much better!
Down: Work is insane. There is way too much to do and never enough time to do it in. I know… I could be describing anyone’s job, but for now- this is my life. So, I’m sneaking in early to get a bit extra done before I’m officially ‘in the office’.
Up: Scott is coming to visit this weekend! I should be picking him up from the airport on Sunday, although I have yet to obtain his itinerary. The house is still in ‘post garage sale’ mayhem, but it’ll be ready by the time he gets here.
Up: Mom has passed on to phase two of the transplant qualification process. She is scheduled for a doctor’s visit in the next month or so up at Legacy in Portland. This is not the end of the road, but it’s wonderful news that she’s still in the running after the initial interview.
Up: 30 days until FRED (friendship and fun in my beloved Lake Tahoe). I am so excited about this, I can hardly stand it!
Down: I have to be in the office in just about five hours. I’d better finish putting produce away in the fridge and go to bed.
Hope your week has more ups than downs. 
Tags: Uncategorized
Writing by jennifer on Tuesday, 1 of July , 2008 at 1:00 am
I hate knowing that you are feeling so much pain right now. If there is ANYTHING that I can do, please let me know.
Love, Jen
Tags: Uncategorized
Writing by jennifer on Monday, 23 of June , 2008 at 11:03 pm
My mother underwent a procedure today were a venous catheter was surgically inserted under her skin, tapping into a vein in her chest. Tomorrow, she starts dialysis.
She’s battled with kidney disease for years and her health has rapidly deteriorated to the point where the doctor did not feel that she could wait for the ’set up time’ required for in-home peritoneal dialysis. I desperately hope that this brings her relief and will help her return to better health.
It’s hard watching bad things happen to people you love.
Tags: Uncategorized
Writing by jennifer on Monday, 23 of June , 2008 at 9:22 am
My mother is heading into the hospital this afternoon to have a catheter ‘installed’ in her chest so that she can begin dialysis tomorrow. They couldn’t wait to do the ‘at home’ version, so this is the quick fix version.
I shouldn’t be nervous, but I am.
Tags: Uncategorized
Writing by jennifer on Sunday, 22 of June , 2008 at 12:01 am
I’ve recently rediscovered the convenience and dare I say- JOY of our public library. This evening, I spent a bit of time perusing the online catalog. Imagine my surprise when I found this blast from the past.
Of course, I like, totally, put a hold on it.
Tags: Uncategorized
Writing by jennifer on Tuesday, 17 of June , 2008 at 1:20 am
I have a total fan-girl crush on Lucas Black. I feel like a dirty old woman, but I cannot help myself. I mean, I watched him grow up! How can I possibly watch him now and get all trembly? So wrong and yet soooo right. (Yes, the Fast and the Furious- Tokyo Drift has been playing on HBO and I’ve been glued to the TV set. :-) )
The weather has been glorious here these past few days, although the local meteorologists say that it’s still averaging five degrees below the normal temps for this time of year. I hope that the cold nights (in the 30’s) do not have a negative impact on the local agriculture. I cannot imagine that it’s a good thing for local farmers and gardeners. I’m even a bit worried about my flowers and herbs- and they’re sitting on the porch where they’re sheltered. But the days are warm, but comfortable. The breeze and sunshine combo we had today was divine. I’ve got my fingers crossed that this holds up.
Lastly, Mom and Dad drove up to Portland today so that Mom could undergo evaluation to see if she’s a candidate for a kidney transplant. There are a lot of things stacked up against her right now, but I’m not losing hope. I would gladly donate if I were a match and if she is deemed qualified for the procedure. Of course, there are other options, too. I just hate to think of her waiting very long. There are other considerations, too. They’d need to rent an apartment or something up there as she’d need to visit the hospital three days a week for some time. Additionally, she learned that if I did give her one of my kidneys, I’d have to be out of work for six weeks or so. (I knew that, but it seems awful when I hear someone say it.) If that’s the case, I’ll go bankrupt if I must. But we love her and need her and I will do anything necessary to help. I think she’s just relieved that it’s all over. Trips like this (and speaking with other people) make her very nervous. I’m relieved, too. They should know if she’s eligible in the next few days as they’ll meet with a committee to discuss this. I sure hope they saw how precious she is. (we do!)
OK, so none of this was in order, but what the heck… I haven’t written in so long due to a hectic work schedule and an overall lack of ‘joy’. I’m not in a funk, per se. But being broke, working crazy hours and lots of beeper time, and dealing with the *bathroom repairs have left me drained. It’s going to be a rough week, but hopefully it’ll get better.
(*still no bathroom floor— now they have to have the tub removed as we have a leak underneath! ugh!).
I need to finish loading the dishwasher and get to bed. Morning will be here too soon and I’m planning an early walk and then hopefully an early arrival at the office.
Ciao!
Tags: Uncategorized
Writing by jennifer on Tuesday, 10 of June , 2008 at 1:13 pm
I didn’t think it was possible, but when I came home for lunch I found the house in even worse condition than when I left this AM.
It looks like a bomb went off in here…. seriously!
Tags: Uncategorized
