Electrosmog

I got up at 7:45, had a drink of water and went back to bed until 8. I read e-mail for awhile, then put on an audio to exercise, drybrush and rebound. I juiced and made breakfast. I packed a lunch (cheese and seaweed and a nectarine).  I ate a sweet potato sprout.  I picked out a fat quarter and cut another one for a gift basket at quilting. I packed up and headed into the garage to open the door and realized that it was raining hard. So I went back upstairs to get an umbrella. I put out some tubs to collect water. I moved my sewing stuff to the car and shut the garage door. When I got to the church, the rain was over. I took my stuff inside and set up at a back table. It was nice to see a few ladies that I hadn't seen in a while. First I worked on Barbara's quilt, stitching by hand even after the eye of the needle went through my thumb nail. Roberta joined me for half an hour. Then I took a break to eat my lunch. Dinah wanted to take the quilt home and work on it this week, so I helped her fold it up. Then I worked on the cross project, which I have decided is not turning out well enough for the cross wall at church. So I will make another one, but using applique this time. About 4, I packed up and came home. Chris wasn't home yet. I brought in the mail. I finished breakfast and ate the last piece of fish. I picked up two apples and was slicing into one, when Jennifer called. She had a bad experience in Atlanta and I tapped for her. Chris came home during her call. After she hung up, I folded two baskets of laundry and put mine away. I ate supper and went outside. I set up tomato cages by the tomato plants in the compost and the ones in the flower bed. I dug up weeds growing in the driveway. I raked the debris away. I had to dust myself off and come in. Chris was almost ready to watch TV. The movie Gravity had come from Netflix. I had heard it was a good movie, but I did not really like it. The dialogue did not sound natural and parts of it were really slow or too low to hear. It wasn't even 10 yet when the movie ended. I read more e-mail and then wrote my blog post. I finished listening to the interview with Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt on Lyme disease. He said he tells his patients that they must get rid of electrosmog and mold in their homes before any treatment will work. He says electrosmog helps mold grow faster.  Most Lyme patients have mycotoxins.  Then I published my blog post and went to bed.

*  This is a scrap quilt that Alice made.  Isn't it lovely?  *

Avatar

My phone alarm went off at 8, but we did not get up until his phone alarm went off at 9. I made breakfast and checked e-mail, and listened to part of an audio. Then I paused it while I took a shower and got dressed for church. We left about 10:25. I talked to Dawn and Cecelia before the service. They both offered their condolences. I thought I was past crying in public, but somehow their concern brought it back up. Joanie, our intern, conducted the service by herself since our pastor was out of town. She spoke about Peter and Paul since today is the day set aside to honor Peter and Paul. After the service, I talked to Jennifer who is getting her American citizenship tomorrow. Also, Mary wants me to play something patriotic on my trombone next Sunday. On the way home, we stopped at Barnes and Noble for Chris to buy some movies with a birthday gift card from Faye. After changing clothes at home, we went to the grocery store. It was raining when we went in, but had stopped by the time we got out. It was just enough rain to keep me from mowing the lawn. I picked up two new apples under the tree. There were lots more, but each one had been bitten into by a rabbit or a bird. After unpacking the groceries, we went downstairs to watch one episode of X-Files and the movie Avatar, the uncut version with 16 extra minutes of footage. My dad called early on and we spoke about putting an obituary in his local paper. After watching tv, we went for a walk. I was surprised how hard it was. Of course it was uphill, but still. When we got back, we went to our respective laptops. I finished my audio from this morning and listened to another one, looking at images from Pinterest. I made a loaf of bread in the bread machine. I watched a few tapping videos on Youtube and I lasered my finger joint. The bread in the machine smelled like it was burning so I wondered if it was making toast. There was no visual evidence of burning. When the bread was finished, Chris took it out of the machine and put it in the refrigerator to cool until morning.

*  I didn't take any pics today, so here is one from Paducah  *

Puzzles

I don't know when we got up because my phone alarm did not ring. I forgot that it has to be set on Friday night for Saturday and ditto for Sunday. It was a usual morning after that, with e-mail, exercises, and a video. The video was a presentation about a man who went on a high-fat, low carb diet for 30 days. He checked in with a doctor every week. He reduced his blood pressure, and BMI, and lost weight. He felt better. His doctor was amazed. When the video was over, I went outside to lay in the sun. The sun went behind a cloud. I juiced sprouts, celery, and cucumbers. I drank it and went outside to lay in the sun. The sun went behind a cloud. I ran the pulp through the handcrank juicer and drank that. I cleaned up the two juicers, then went outside to … well you can guess what happened. I made breakfast and ate most of it. It is so convenient to save some for later and add fiber and coconut oil to it. I mowed the lawn in the front by the pine trees. The grass is so thick there that I could only mow half a row at a time. Then I mowed less dense vegetation in the back yard. I plugged in the mower and came in. I worked a pencil puzzle. I researched Lyme disease treatments. I sprinkled diatomaceous earth on the patch of ground where I sunbathe in hopes of discouraging ants. I pulled some weeds. I came in again and thinly sliced the green apples to get all the rotten spots out. I fed some to Chris as he gamed with the voices. At 7:30 I went back out to mow. I finished the hard-to-mow patch and recharged the mower. Then I pulled weeds growing in the cracks of the sidewalk and driveway. It was dark when I came in. I worked some more puzzles while Chris games, and then we skyped Michele until after 11. Now I can think of going to sleep. Chris washed the sheets and made the bed.

Video tributes are a nice touch

I got up at 8 when the alarm woke me up. I wanted to go back to bed. I checked e-mail, listened to an audio, worked two puzzles of a kind called Kuromasu. Not as easy as Bridges. I turned off the AC and opened the windows for fresh air. I put on a HGH audio from Youtube while I exercised, and then juiced. I meditated on what I was thankful for while I drank the juice. Then I put the pulp through the other juicer, drank it, and was cleaning up when I was struck by the thought that Burkey and Driscoll Funeral Home might take down my mother's portion of the condolence book today. But I checked, and it will be up through the 10^th of July. There was also one associated with the Reading Eagle newspaper, and it was still up. I hope my dad reads it. In the search, I came across the obituary for my U

ncle Rufus. It had a video presentation and I watched it. It was very touching and included pictures I had not seen before. So I had to look up Aunt Barbara and watch hers. I cried and I tapped as I watched. I thought the videos were a nice touch and wondered about doing one for my mother. Dad probably wouldn't want it online. I finished cleaning up the juicers. I had planned to lay out in the sun, but the sky was clouded and darkening when I finished cleaning. I cleared more e-mail, and watched part of a quilt show. I picked up two apples after the rain ended. They were on the larger side, but probably still not completely ripe. I called Dad to share a few ideas with him. I did not mention that it was their anniversary and he did not mention it either. I was listening to a short audio when Chris came home at 3. He left again to go to the grocery store and came back with a roast. I was just going out to pick some greens for a snack. Chris asked me to wash sweet potatoes for him to bake. I don't remember when I bought them and there were a lot of soft spots to cut out. Then I put my shoes on to dig up poke weed. It was quite a patch. I used the big shovel and still had trouble digging deep enough. When I came in, the roast was nearly ready. He cut me a slab of the rarest part. After I ate, I researched formulations of cat's claw for treating Lyme disease. There are a lot of favorable reviews on Amazon for one called Samento. Kurt and I skyped for awhile. I wanted to shine my healing laser on his scar, but it did not translate well through the computer etc. So we just talked. Then I hung up with him to watch TV with Chris. We saw three episodes of X-Files before he went to bed.

The long-awaited laser

I got up a little after 7, thinking it was later. I checked e-mail, then sat down to look at some quilting magazines that were up for renewal. They all looked good. I finalized and submitted an Amazon order and the Swanson's order. I exercised and took my pre-breakfast supplements. I collated and took out the recyclables. I sprinkled mineral water on the garden. I juiced cucumbers, carrots, a pepper and some sprouts. I drank it slowly, meditating. I ran the pulp through again and then through the handcrank juicer. It did get more juice out, but the pulp at the end doesn't get squeezed. I cleaned up all the juicer parts. I made breakfast and ate most of it. I washed up, changed clothes and loaded my sewing stuff in the car. It was raining a little so I went back for an umbrella. When I got to the church, the rain had stopped. I went in and chose a place to set up. For several hours I was engaged in conversation so setting up was delayed until most of the other ladies were leaving. Marjorie advised me to suggest to Dad that he put his estate in a living trust so it won't have to go through probate. After she left, I got my machine set up and running. I put borders on my flag quilt, and ran out of bobbin thread. I was surprised how much 50 wt thread went on the bobbin. After I finished the borders, Pat and I put everything away and went home. On my way home, I stopped by the fish market for wild salmon. I ate a piece when I got home. I picked up more apples. I checked e-mail again and listened to an audio.  I called Dad, but he was at the fitness center.   I was listening to another audio when Chris came home. Chris brought in the mail. The e-laser arrived. It was just a laser pointer. Still, I decided to give it a shot. I lasered my finger joint, but it did not seem to make it less sore. We looked up the film Hugo and found it to be fairly historical. Then Chris gave me a massage with oil. He went back to e-mail, and I worked a new kind of puzzle called Bridges. It was so easy I flew through about 6 of them before slowing down. We went down to watch episodes of X-Files. During the watching, I finished the current puzzle and started a new one. At 11 we came upstairs. Chris went to bed and I stayed up to write this post.

Something new and juicy

I got up at 8, woken out of a dream by the phone alarm. I thought I was already awake but what I remember doing before the alarm went off was not consistent with this reality. I wish I could remember it now. I drank some water, then jumped on the rebounder. I read up on coffee detox and then put it into practice. It was not as bad as I feared. After sweeping the diatomaceous earth off of the threshold yesterday, I found two ants today. I listened to an audio, and did my exercises. I juiced like normal, but instead of running the pulp through the juicer again, I used a supplement juicer that came in the mail. I washed the pieces and put it together, clamping it to the countertop. When I put the pulp in and turned the handle, juice came out both ends. So I needed an extra bowl. I collected a fair amount of juice, and the pulp was really dry afterwards, but it was after 1pm  by the time I cleaned up. Until I made breakfast and ate it, after 2. I mowed in the back yard, and pulled up a surprise crop of poke weeds. I put on my bathing suit and sat in car sweating. I was still there when Chris came home, early. I took a shower, then trimmed up the hair on the back of his neck. I called Bank of America to get my name on the mortgage with Chris' permission. They seemed to accept his word for it so we should not have to submit another form. I watered plants outside and fed them minerals. I picked 3 pea pods (probably the last three), and picked up apples. I sorted them and threw the bad ones in the compost. I sliced up the best ones and gave some to Chris. I made a list of supplements to restock. Chris and I sat down to make flight arrangements for beach week. I mowed the side yard and across the front. Then we watched HUGO, a movie from Netflix. It started out slow, but got better. Still, I could not remember why I picked it. Actually I do not recall picking it. We looked up some of the actors. I posted to my blog and went to bed. 

*  This pic is of the juicer box.  I forgot to photograph the juicer before I disassembled it to wash it.  *

Niacin detox

I got up at 8 when the phone alarm sounded. I ran my rainwater through the coffee maker with some dandelion tea. I read e-mail. I called my dad and told him to expect his charger today. I called about delivery on the e-laser and was told they would ship it immediately along with extras for the long wait. I exercised while listening to an audio. I juiced, and meditated. Joanie called to see if I needed to talk. By then it was too late to go to quilting, so I vacillated on whether to go get kimbap or not. There was no need to pick up mail on post. Finally I decided that vacillation was taking more time than doing it, so I took a shower, and went to the Asian store for kimbap and sprouts. I took some niacin and read e-mail for 20 minutes. Then I mowed the back lawn for 20 minutes, sporting a niacin flush that would rival any sunburn. I then sat in my hot car parked in the sun with a water bottle. The idea was to sweat it out for an hour. But the sun went behind clouds so it was not so hot. But I did sweat some, then after 50 minutes, came in and washed off in cold water. I drank more water, read e-mail, and did some tapping, I ate the kimbap with kimchi, and the rest of my breakfast. I brought in the mail and opened or recycled everything. I looked up how to check the voicemail on my phone: I have to hold down the 1 key. I watered the garden plants with mineral water. I listened to a John Gray audio. Chris arrived home from work. He fixed himself supper. I went outside to see if it was dry enough to mow, but it wasn't. I pulled some weeds from the flowerbed and discovered that my beet plants hadn't died, but were small and wispy. Since it hadn't rained much, I watered them well. When I came in, Chris said he was ready to watch TV, so we watched more episodes of x-Files before going to bed.

*  These are my stirfry greens.  They taste like horseradish.  Not what I had in mind.  *

Growing like weeds

I got up at 8:30, wondering why the phone alarm did not ring at 8. I called Dad to see if he had gotten another charger. He had, but it was a usb phone charger, and was not making the right connection to charge the battery. I got an e-mail that my credit card was on hold for suspicious activity. I got dressed and went to the post office to mail the plug-in charger as fast as possible.  I was glad I had a second credit card to pay the postage.   On the way home, I stopped at the optometrist to get my glasses straightened out. I exercised and juiced, listening to an audio. I fixed and ate most of breakfast. It was after 12 when I went to the quilt group. I handquilted on Barbara's quilt. I got advice from my friends. I went home at 4, and finished breakfast. Chris was already home and had gotten the mail.  I mowed in side yard, then watered my plants with mineral water. They are growing really well. I picked some peas and apples. I opened a stack of condolence cards.  I was touched by how many people reached out to me/us.  I ate supper, and checked e-mail.  I looked for sources of chemical-free wool pillows, but decided to buy the chemical-free wool batting instead and make my own pillow. Then I mowed in back yard, and picked up more apples. I made up a week's worth of supplements, and then we went downstairs to watch Avatar. We couldn't find it so we watched four episodes of X-Files instead.

*  These are cucumbers I think.  *

pf

Back in Huntsville

We got up at 9. I did some self-hypnosis while Chris was in the shower. Then we got dressed. I ate breakfast while checking e-mail. We packed and got on the road. We listened to a book on CD, and stopped to eat at Subway. I saved the avocado from my salad for eating more vegetables from the bag from yesterday. We got home about 3, emptied car, and watered plants. The greens in the tray were very dry, but everything else looked pretty good. My tomato plants had green tomatoes on them. There were peas, too. I found two edible apples on the ground. One wasn't quite ripe, but still good. Chris turned on the AC. We went grocery shopping, and put the food away. I mowed part of the front lawn. I did some unpacking. I checked the front porch and found a home saliva test kit. I tried to figure out how to use it. Seems like I missed the window of opportunity by one day. I drank some rain water. Chris asked me to make him a loaf of bread and I had trouble remembering how it was done. I packed up pictures in the basement. Chris made sweet potatoes and chicken for supper. I read e-mail, and listened to an audio about air-borne toxins. (I think I need an organic pillow) I paused it to mow more of the lawn. I finished the audio and then we watched a Johnny Cash movie from Netflix. Chris put the freshly baked bread in the fridge so he can slice it in the morning. We checked e-mail one last time and went to bed.

*  Faye and Cecily after the memorial service  *

Memorial service

I got up after 8 wondering why my phone alarm did not sound. I started the day with swishing, and vitamin C and juicing carrots and celery for Dad and myself. I made two breakfasts, one for today and one for tomorrow. I ate one in front of the TV. The cheeriness reminded me that there is happiness somewhere in the world, but part of my doesn't understand how that can be when my mother is dead. I took a bath and got dressed. I lined a box with the plastic from the flowers yesterday and packed my food into it. I don't know how anything spilled on the way up, but the old box got wet, so I lined this new one. I found a vase to hold flowers at the memorial service. I think the ones in floral foam need to come out, but the foam is the best way to transport them to the church without spilling water. Somehow the greenery has dried out and I don't know why,. Usually that stuff lasts the longest. I called Faye and she is bringing a vase also, and a knife to cut the stems. Kurt arrived while I was talking to her. Dad practiced his speech. I packed up my stuff. When I unplugged my laptop, there was a phone charger too and I grabbed it. Chris carried my stuff out to the car. Kurt packed the photos and other memorial stuff into the station wagon, then went to pick up Patrick. Dad helped to load the flowers into our car. Then we followed him to the church. Faye and Kevin were soon there. We set up photos on a table and Faye got out another one. The flowers were not so nice. I pulled out a bunch from one bouquet and stuck them in one of Mom's vases. The other large bouquet went into the sanctuary along with two large photos of Mom. My inlaws came to offer support. William and Karen came. Lots of people came and the sanctuary was full. Our family followed the pastor in. We sat in the first two pews. It was basically the same service as the funeral. In addition to the family that spoke, several church members did too, including Gabriella, Barbara B, and Barbara M. I think there was a fourth person, but I cannot remember who. Everyone did a good job. After the service, we went into the fellowship hall where the ladies of the church had rolls, veggies, and fruit. I talked to Eric whom I haven't seen in a long time. And to Alford, Dad's neighbor. Ginny H. told me how happy it made my mother every time I came to visit. I put some veggies on a plate and sat down because I felt lightheaded. Soon I was surrounded by people offering support. When the room cleared out, Faye told me she was going to leave the picture display up until tomorrow after church. I took my photos down and changed my clothes for traveling. The church ladies packed the leftovers into ziplock bags for the family. We took one. It was close to 5 when we left the church. We drove straight to Bristol with only one stop for stretching. We ate leftover vegetables on the way. When we got to the hotel, I called Dad to see how he was doing. He see

med fine, but his phone battery was low. After the call, I asked Chris to plug in my phone to recharge, but the charger did not fit. I grabbed Dad's charger by mistake! (headslap) I felt just terrible. I called him back. He looked for his charger and found a different one but it did not fit his phone. So he said he would buy another one tomorrow, but I wonder if he can find what he needs. I will have to send his in the mail on Monday.
*  This is the choir singing for the service.  *

Going to court

I shut off my alarm at 8 and got up at 8:45. I talked to my dad who was already up. I juiced for Dad and myself. I ate breakfast and checked e-mail. Chris drove me to Fresh Market to get some flowers to freshen the funeral bouquets. But their flowers weren't much fresher than the ones I had. So we went to the nearby florist. I got some zinnias, black-eyed susans and something tall and purple. Together they looked nice together, but spread out over 2 bouquets kind of disappeared. The susans wilted. The purple things were barely tall enough to replace the fading snapdragons. And the bunch was as expensive as a small bouquet. I arranged the flowers into the existing bouquets, cutting stems as necessary and pulling out the wilting ones. Then I rewrote the page of notes on financial accounts for the probate appointment. We got to the courthouse early so I called Faye and she said she'd be there soon. We left our phones and cameras in the car. Walking in we saw the sign listing all the things that could not be brought in the building. I handed my scissors and tiny screwdriver to Chris who ran them back to his car. I set my purse on the conveyor belt at security and walked through the scanner. Dad did not see the sign about emptying pockets before he walked through. So they wanded him over and over as he emptied his pockets one at a time on the other side. Finally he finished and the people behind him could go through. We waited in the lobby for Faye and then all walked into the circuit court part together. While we were waiting, Dad fell asleep. I kept looking over to make sure he was still breathing. When we got called back, the deputy clerk was very nice and patient. She explained to Dad and me as best she could what had to be done. Gee, there is a fee for everything. And more to come. Dad now has homework in that he has four months to get all her affairs together and report to some office I can't remember the name of. When we left, Faye discovered that she had locked her keys in her car by her effort to bring in as little as possible. We drove her home to get her spare key, but Kevin had it and she thought he was at Food Lion so we went there. Then Dad gave Faye Kevin's cell phone number so she called him and he came over from wherever he was. They handled it from there and we went home. I went through some of Mom's stacks of papers. Most were exercise and diet related. One talked about how Lyme disease gets misdiagnosed as one of a number of chronic diseases such as Parkinsons. I got some frozen blueberries and strawberries from the stand up freezer. They were a little dehydrated, but Dad and I shared them. I also made some seaweed soup. Then I looked up some phone numbers for the banks Dad has to call, and a doctor he wants to see.  We went for a walk around the neighborhood.  He and I sat down to read the sympathy cards and make a list.  It was very touching.  

I heard Michele and Chris skyping, so I went into the living room to talk to her. My dad came in as well, but then had to get ready for tomorrow. I talked a little longer and left to write to my blog.
*  this is the 'after' picture of one of the bouquets.  There are no black-eyed susans because they wilted.  At $4 a stem, I am rather disappointed.  *

Committing three neatnesses

Dad's alarm went off at 7 but he was in the den and did not hear it so I turned it off and went back to bed. My alarm sounded at 8. Same response. I got up at 9. I swished with coconut oil and did some of my exercises which prompted Dad to do his. I took a bath and ate breakfast. I took dead plants outside from the bedroom. I tried to commit a neatness in the window sill area of the den but kept getting interrupted. Faye came by after her dr, appt to tell us the diagnosis was lyme's disease. The doctor thought 3 weeks of antibiotics would take care of it. I was tempted to post the picture of her tick bite, but some of my reader's may be squeamish. She stayed to talk for awhile then went to pick up her prescription and went home to rest. I finished cleaning up dead plant material in the den and turned my attention to the master bedroom. That window sill was higher so the dead leaves, etc. went further. I think I got it all and made a bunch of spiders very mad. I had to throw out a wool blanket that was riddled with moth holes. I know some people collect old wool for craft projects, but nobody wants moth eggs in their craft. I rearranged some things so Dad could walk all around the bed. He told me I could have any of Mom's clothes as long as I cleared it with Faye first. I took a break to read e-mail before continuing my cleaning in the livingroom. Chris did several loads of laundry, including Dad's sheets. I ran a fan in the bathroom window to air it out, but it was not completely effective. I moved it to the bedroom window and it was not completely effective there either, so there must be an item that needs cleaning or removing that I was unable to locate. Dad finished his list and went grocery shopping. I checked e-mail, ate supper and listened to an audio. I watched some TV while going though a bag of financial papers and a box. We made up the bed with clean sheets.  I watched several tapping videos.  When Dad came back from shopping, I helped him put groceries away. We talked about account numbers that did not match. He decided to eat something and sleep on it. Chris made up our bed (sleeper sofa) and we retired.

Making progress

The alarm went off at 8, but I turned it off and went back to bed. I could not sleep, so I got up at 9:30. Dad was up and watching TV for the weather. I found more photo albums in the den. Kurt got them down for me to look at. Lots of pictures of my grandparents. Kurt took Dad to the DMV to change the titles on the cars. I stayed behind to do some mending. Kurt had to call me to get the license plate numbers and mileage readings. I ate breakfast, then tried to listen to an audio while checking e-mail. Chris brought the flowers from the dining room table into the kitchen for me. I got out a knife to trim the stems. William insisted that the flowers just needed to be spritzed. So he flicked water on them with his fingers. After he left, I pulled the snapdragons out, trimming their stems before putting them back in the floral foam. I put the flowers in the living room with the matching bouquet which looks a little better. I drank some cruciferous juice, hoping the strong cauliflower taste would have dissipated, but it hadn't. I put the items that William and Kurt collected from her old purses in a box, except for those that needed pitching, or belonged with others of their kind. I kept a pair of sunglass inserts. I trimmed dead stuff from live plants and threw it in the garden. Chris identified a cactus as one that he got from his grandmother, and which my mother had been babysitting since we moved to Korea. We plan to take it home with us. Dad and I made a list of assets from last year's tax form. At 4:30 Dad and I went to the bank to check the lock box for the financial papers to see whose name they were in. We found about half of what we needed. Then we came home to check in other places. Chris went to the store to buy chicken. He cooked it and made rice, too. Chris answered the phone when Faye called. She did not sound good. She had a tick bite that was getting worse and worse. William came over and we all ate. Then William rolled coins into wrappers. I cleaned up the magazines. Dad did something in the kitchen, then got on his computer to determine if today is the day to collate recyclables, and it was, so he started that process. After William left, I was going to vacuum up dust on the magazine table, but I was tired enough that it could wait for tomorrow. Then again, if I am going to be up anyway because Dad is in here sorting recyclables...

*  I would turn this pic if I could   *

Probate and lawyers

I got up about 9. I did not take notes during the day so I am not sure what we did. But I think we got more done today than yesterday. Dad was convinced that the will he got from Faye was not the most recent one. So he spent all morning searching his computer diary for entries about the lawyer. He did not find clues to a new diary so finally called the lawyer and when he got through to them, they did not have her will on file. While waiting for them to call back, we called the county clerk's office to set up an appt. for probation. But we did not get through to them right away either. We went through closets. We finally got an appt with the county clerk's office to file for probate. (It seemed to me she was hinting that maybe we might not want to file.)  Now we need to make a list of any assets that are only in Mom's name BEFORE the appt so they can assess some fee.   We carried dead plants out of the parent's bedroom. Kevin came over to clean and cook. Chris went shopping for a good set of food preparation knives. I taped the photos I found yesterday to the chitboard. I added details to Mom's memorial book. We decided that her book and Grandma's book should have a picture in each one. I watered the funeral bouquets. We got a call back from the forensics unit and Dad got to ask his questions. Kurt, Dad and I took a walk around the neighborhood after dark. Near the end, Patrick spied us walking and scared the dickens out of me when he joined us. He came back to the house where he and Kurt went through a small box of change that my mother collected for some charity the church was involved in. We figured it was Heifer Project, so I went online and made a donation for that amount. If we did more, I don't remember it. Now I am going to bed.

*  Another photo of Mom.  *

The search

We slept in late after staying up 'till one am. I think Dad was already up and Kurt got up soon after. The morning went slowly. Dad had me read to him an article on what to do after a loved one dies. I wrote notes for him in a larger size. Then Dad walked to the funeral home to get his 7 copies of the death certificate. I ate my breakfast and I tried to find ways to consolidate clutter. The next thing he was supposed to do was to get Letters Testamentary from the courthouse. But he could not find her will. He looked all over and then Kurt and I looked all over. He went to the bank to look in his safe deposit box, but it wasn't there either, or the deed to the house. I called the credit card company to get her card transferred to his name, but they would not talk to me. When he got back empty-handed, Kurt and I searched harder and found the deed. I also found more photos of Mom. We got in touch with Faye who had a copy of the will. Chris went shopping and then made supper. After supper, Kurt went to get Patrick and the rest of us went to pick up the will. But then I made Chris take me back to watch the house until Kurt got back since he did not have a key. I arranged the photos on pages. I sewed a patch on Chris' laundry bag, which he got in basic training. When Dad returned, we called the credit card company together and got it straightened out, in that he can use the card until they send him an application to fill out to get approved to keep the card. There was a package for Dad on the front porch. He opened it to find a gift box full of foods – a much healthier selection than the one from Mom's doctor. It was from Kurt's workplace. Patrick went home then. I had almost finished arranging photos when I noticed it was after 11 and time to go to bed.

*  this is Kurt's favorite photo of Mom  *

The day after

We woke up but did not get up, still tired from yesterday. Alfred and Cecily had already gone to church when we took our showers and got dressed. I fixed breakfast and ate it while reading and deleting e-mail. They came home to make brunch. We all sat together and talked while they ate. Chris put laundry in the washer. Then they took Chris to the mall to buy him pants for his birthday. I stayed behind to post to my blog for Saturday, and then sit in the sun working a new kind of puzzle that Cecily gave me. It was called Skyscraper. When they came back, Chris had new underwear, too. Chris folded the laundry and we each put ours in our luggage. I read e-mail in the den and tried out Cecily's laptop cooler. I liked it because it had a cord that plugs into a USB port for power. At 4 we all went to Kroger's to buy lobster and veggies. Chris boiled water and Cecily put the lobsters in. I called my dad to see if he was home yet and tell him we would be coming over later. Cecily put cups of butter and lemon on the table. I used my ghee instead of butter. Then we sat down to eat. Cecily said if she had realized how much I like lobster, she would have it more often. I told her I seldom eat it because I feel bad for the lobster (getting boiled alive). After supper Chris and I packed the car. He put the large flower bouquets in the back seat. We drove over to Dad's house. Dad and Kurt came out to meet us. Between the four of us, all the stuff in the car came in the house. I watered the flower arrangements. The diningroom table was a mess, but it cleaned up rather easily. Kurt and I wanted to clean the kitchen table, but all Dad seemed interested in was eating. He received a gift basket from Mom's doctor. I was surprised that most of the food in it was junk food. Kurt and I looked at Dad's laptop cooler. It needed a cord but we could not find one. Chris and Kurt tried to remove a rogue toolbar from my laptop. Finally it was after midnight EST and we decided to go to bed.

*  The photo display of Mom  *

Laid to rest

The alarm went off at 6:30. We did not get up right away. By 7:30 we were up. He ate my leftovers from last night and I ate one of my prepared breakfasts. We washed up and got dressed in black. I sat on the bed and cried into a washcloth. It was very convenient and I wished I could take it with me. I also thought a beach towel size would be nice. Dad stopped in twice to tell me some things. I understood that he was not planning to spend another night at the motel. About 8:30 we headed for the church, stopping on the way to hand the room key to the attendant who was standing at the end of the sidewalk. We got the the church before 9 and it was still closed, but opened soon to admit the florist. I sat in the car and wept while the others went in the church. At nine, the hearse pulled up and unloaded the casket onto a wheeled contrivance. They parked it inside and got other items out of the van. Chris came out to get me, saying he could not leave the car door open or the battery would run down. So I came inside where my mother's body was. I was worried that she would look relaxed and peaceful and it would seem such a shame that she was dead. But her body looked stiff and not alive. Even after death, her hands and wrists were clenched. It was easier to feel that she was in a better place. Faye set up display boards of her pictures. Some were just of Mom, some were her and Dad, and some were family pictures. The early black and white ones were by the casket. The later ones in color were on tables across the vestibule. Faye had a display of Mom's favorite things: quilted items, sewing basket, prayer cap, bible, Amish books, etc. Aunt Jean brought in another framed pic of Mom sitting with her brothers. My friend Judy whom I met at the quilt group in Korea came with her husband. They live in Maryland now, but it was a big (and wonderful) surprise. Many of my cousins and some of their kids came. It was good to see them too, since I haven't been to many reunions lately. The undertakers men seated people in the church while the pastor said a prayer with the family in front of the casket. Faye and Dad pulled up her covers and then the casket was closed. We were escorted down front. The church was not full by any means, but many of the people who might have come to say goodbye were already in heaven to welcome her. Chris and I sat in the front pew with Donna. She had a very nice interpreter who handsigned the service and hymns. There was singing and the pastor spoke, and then it was time for the family to speak. Dad spoke first, telling the story of how he and Mom met and how he talked her into marrying him. Then Kurt spoke for a short time, and then Chris, and Faye. I could not speak. The pastor spoke at length then about what the Bible has to say concerning the value of a good wife. Then we followed the casket out to the hearse. Some people walked up to the cemetery but the family was encouraged to drive in procession. It wasn't far. One of the undertaker's men took my elbow to help me to one of the seats by the grave. He whispered to me that he was 90 years old. He did not look it. I wondered to myself if with each funeral he works at, he thinks he could be next. The graveside service was short. We walked back to the church for a buffet lunch. It was very nice. They had fruit and a veggie platter and a cheese that I could pick from. I sat and talked with Gwenda, and then with Judy. The family gathered up front so Donna could take a picture. I talked to my other cousins, too.  Patrick told me he found bedbugs at the motel last night. 

Chris changed his clothes and was ready to leave. I walked into the vestibule where Faye was talking to Janet over the pictures. Faye and Chris put the casket bouquets in his car for transport to Va. She and Dad were going to stay another night at the motel. Since she had time then to pack up the photos, Chris and I got on the road, heading for his parent's house. It took maybe 5 hours to get there going around DC, but traffic there was not as bad as I feared. We did stop at one rest area. When we got to their house, Cecily heated up some supper for us. She hugged me a lot and kept telling me that if anyone was going straight to heaven, it was my mother. After much conversation, we all went to bed.  It was an exhausting day.

Sorting photos

I did not sleep well last night.  I woke up early, and did some exercises waiting for Chris to wake up.  I took a shower and ate breakfast while he took his shower and went to the hotel breakfast.  I quickly posted to my blog for yesterday.  We got on the road at 8:45 EST.  We drove straight through with only one stop.  There was some traffic backup, but mostly it was ok driving.  I was glad Chris did the driving.  We arrived at the hotel in PA before 4.  We checked in, then went to see the others (Faye, Dad, William)  Kurt and Patrick had just come in.  Pastor Dave was taking a nap in his room.  I showed Faye the photos I had brought.  At 5 Donna drove up, and we all went to Kaufman's Barbarque Chicken Ranch.  Since they grow their own chickens, I ordered half a chicken.  It came with baked potato and a trip to the salad bar.  My dad paid for everyone's meal.  There were 9 of us and the largest table sat 8, so Chris and I sat at a smaller table.  I ate all the dark meat, and the end of the potato.  Both were rather salty.  Chris got boxes to take the food back to the hotel.  We sat and talked while the large group also chatted on.  Then my dad come over to talk to Chris.  Finally he rounded everyone up to go back to the hotel.  Chris dropped me, Kurt, and Patrick at the motel and went for gas.  I helped Faye get pictures of Mom selected and arranged on a display board.  I had to take a break to cry.  It was after 10 when I went back to our room.  Chris was on his computer, but mine would not connect, so I had to post from his computer.  That means I don't have access to the pics on mine, so I will post a pic on another day.  I am not looking forward to the funeral tomorrow.

The return of Chris

I woke up before 7, drank some water and went back to bed. I got back up at 7:15. I took my pre-breakfast supplements. I listened to an audio. I took out the recyclables. I loaded the route to the airport on my tablet. I started packing my food box as I assembled breakfast. Chris called after 8 to tell me he had arrived at the airport. I put on my shoes, grabbed the tablet and my purse and headed out. I was going to avoid the parkway, but coming down Bob Wallace, it looked pretty clear. However, by the time I came up the on-ramp, it was crowded. I managed to snake my way in, and get to the exit to 565. It was clear sailing to the airport. He was waiting when I drove up. At this point I always let him drive, but today I stayed in the driver's seat and drove us home. We walked around the yard as I pointed out all the things I had planted. Then we … took a nap. My stomach gurgled, so I got up to juice and make breakfast. He was jetlagged, so he slept on. I rescheduled my doctor's apt for July 2^nd. I checked the mail, and there were four more condolence cards. The senders must have put them in the mail as soon as they heard the news. I was touched. I laid out in the sun until a big, dark cloud settled over the house. Denise called to say she'd be right over to pick up the strips. And she did. We were still on the phone when I heard her knock on the door. I gave her the bag of strips for the strip exchange and we talked. After she left, I finished breakfast and wondered how long Chris was going to sleep. I noticed that the ants were gone, and that the splotches of diatomaeous earth by the door and window were getting on my nerves. I sat in the sun to tap. I continued packing the food box. When Chris got up, he took a shower, unpacked and re-packed. We got on the road about 4:15. It rained and then the most wonderful rainbow appeared. At first we were on the left side of it and I could see the beginning of it was in front of the trees. Then we were on the right. It seemed to be dripping color down onto the pavement in front of us. But then it rained again, and this time so hard that I was scared. It did not last long. Once we were through it, it did not rain again, but we ran into lane closings and accidents, so traffic was slow. We found a hotel in Bristol about 10, but it was really crowded and we had to move our stuff up to a room on the third floor. I had a hard time sleeping, both because of my mind working overtime and because the bed was not good for my back.

*  another photo of my mom  *

Ants!

I woke up at 7:15. I brought in the rainwater collected last night. I put on an audio and listened while I filtered the water and put the jars down in the basement where it is cooler and darker. I started my routine. I got an e-mail from Tamme who wanted to see our family Saturday afternoon, so I called Faye, but she did not answer. Then I called William and that conversation went on for awhile as he explained to me how to drive stick shift. I went back to reading e-mail while another audio played. A lady from Jehovah's Witness came by. After she left, I wondered if she had been here Monday and dropped the decongestant. I called Dad to ask him about Saturday afternoon and all next week. I finished my routine and an audio that was difficult to listen to because of the speaker's accent. I noticed that all of a sudden the kitchen floor was full of tiny ants. I put down some Terro, wondering how they showed up so quickly. They found the royal jelly, which is a bee product. I washed the outside of the container really well. I checked e-mail then juiced celery, carrots, pea pods and broccoli stems. By the time I cleaned up and drank it, noon had come and gone. I hadn't heard from Chris so I called him. Then I remembered that being in Honolulu, he was five hours behind me. When we hung up, it was so each of us could get breakfast. After I ate breakfast, I tapped with another video. Then I heated up a frypan to cook some organic ground beef. I could not believe it was raining again. I told it to go west as I put the water bins back out to collect. I brought in the mail. There were four condolence cards. I did a lot of tapping. I always knew I would feel great grief at her passing, but there are so many other emotions I did not expect, and I have to process them all before her funeral so I can be functional. I checked the front porch and found the rest of my Amazon order. I brought one of the small boxes to the counter to open. When I felt a flood of ants crawling up my ankle, I realized that I had stepped on the Terro card. I brushed them off and put out another one in case one was not enough to 'feed' all those ants. Chris called me from the airport, three hours before his flight was due to take off. I laid down while I talked to him. I was tired from the tapping and crying. Eventually I made myself get up. I watered the vegetables with minerals. I processed the newly collected rainwater. I looked up poems and readings for funerals. I selected several and printed them out. I also e-mailed them to Faye to see what she thought of them. I mowed the side yard by the ditch, realizing that I can't possibly mow enough to prevent it from growing tall while we are gone. I watched more grief tapping videos on Youtube. I swept up the ants, which still seemed to be multiplying. I emptied the dustpan into a grocery bag and set it outside. I took a shower. Chris will be home tomorrow and I don't want him to see how bad things are. I tapped for the difficulty of packing. I started packing by cleaning out the suitcase, and assembling my toiletries. For some reason, that is when it hit me that I completely forgot about my doctor's appt today. Aargh! Ok, so it is time to post to my blog even though I think I will stay up to pack some more.

 *  Here is another photo of my mom  *

Finding photos of Mom

I got up at 8 when the alarm sounded. I put on an audio and went through my usual morning routine.  After juicing, I filtered most of the rainwater that collected last night. Then I drove to post to get the mail. After fishing out all the mail I could touch, I stepped back and jumped up to see inside. A man coming in to the post office to check his mail, said 'Nice jump'. Then I drove to the Tuesday quilt group. They were all leaving early because a storm was coming. I let them know that my mother was much better now, and they understood. Denise called, so I stayed late to talk to her. Then I went to the Asian store for kimbap. They had a substitute kimbap maker this week and it was not as good. Still, when I got home, I put kimchi on it and ate it all. Chris skyped me while I ate. We talked about his trip to the US which starts later today. Then I finished filtering water, and read e-mail. I made breakfast and ate most of it. I went out in the rain to replace the tubs. I made up enough supplements to last for the next two weeks. I did tapping videos, and talked to Faye. I went outside to pick up all the branches and twigs that fell from the trees. I finished breakfast. I wrote to Kurt via skype. I think I talked to Faye again. I printed out a pic of Mom from the desktop computer and looked for others that were taken earlier. But they were not there. Then I realized that they were on the OLD computer, the one running Windows 98. I booted it up while doing something else because it is slow. But it behaved well. I found the files I wanted and looked through all the pics. There were no thumbnail pics, so I was grateful they were labeled. But then I had to get the ones I wanted to the desktop with the printer. The old one writes to disks, but the newer one does not. And there is no place for a thumb drive. So I tried to e-mail them, getting nowhere. Finally I realized that that computer doesn't have a wireless connection so I had to plug it into the router. THEN, I e-mailed the pics to the other computer and printed them out. It was good to see Mom as she was before Parkinson's got her. Then I looked through framed pictures in the basement. Frankly, her only chance of being in one was to stand beside Michele, but that did not work either. By then it was almost 10 and I hadn't eaten supper. It seemed too late, but I was going to wait up for Chris to call when he landed in Honolulu, so I made a frozen fruit smoothie with sunflower seeds. I listened to an audio on what goes into tap water and how to get it out.  Waiting up for Chris...

The new fan is cool

I woke up at 5:30 to the sound of hard rain. I checked the basement but it was dry. I went back to bed. I got up at 6:30. I had a tub of water from yesterday and I was going to filter it for drinking. But I spied a roach on the counter and when I went after it, it fell in the water. No amount of filtering was going to get rid of that image, so I dumped the water outside and placed the tub to catch more. I sat down to check e-mail. I came across a tapping video on accepting help. Then I laid down again. I got back up after telling myself that staying in bed is not helping and getting up is not getting any easier. I exercised, etc, and started juicing. Chris skyped me at 11 (4am his time). After talking to him, I finished juicing. Then Leslie called to offer her support. She lost her husband recently so she knows all about grief. While we were talking, my phone beeped to let me know of an incoming call. But hanging up with Leslie did not activate that call. I could not find the recent call list so did not know who called. In case it was Faye, I called her. She called back to say it wasn't, but we talked anyway. Then I ate breakfast, and got dressed. It was almost one and Bob was not here yet, so I called his wife who seems to be in charge. I was afraid he would not come, again. I guess she let him have it because he called me while I was on my way to quilting and left a message to call him back. When I did, he left me have it and hung up. Those ladies were the best therapy. It was nice to talk to them, and get hugs. I showed Joan how to handquilt on Barbara's quilt, and she did a few stitches but gave up. I finished most of the pattern and passed it on to Dinah before she left. I did not get out my machine, but sat and talked to Carolyn, who says I should tell Chris he must have ticked off someone important to get sent to Honduras. She also gave me advice on ordering flowers. When I got home, I found a blister pack of decongestant in the driveway. When I got in the house, there was a beautiful fan with three lights. I called Bob to thank him and ask if he had trouble breathing. He said no, and he had seen the blister pack when he got here, thought it was mine. I got a creepy feeling that someone else was here between the time I left and the time Bob got here. I called Faye to talk about the flowers. I finished my breakfast, and checked e-mail. I mowed the magnolia side yard and part of the back. I was hot and sweaty and it was so nice to have the ceiling fan. I checked e-mail, then went out to sprinkle diatomaceous earth by the door and along the edge of the porch. I watered the garden with minerals. Then I sat in the cool basement to tap. While I was tapping, I got the urge to look for pictures in places I hadn't thought of before. The first ones were no good, but then I found a pile. I picked through it to find the ones of Mom, and then decided to sort them by prominent person so I will be ready next time. I went out to mow again at 7. I used an elastic sole grounder on my left shoe. I made a veggie smoothie with the Bullet. As I ate it, I listened to an audio about astral travel. Then I tapped along with EFT for Grief videos on Youtube. I called Faye to tell her about the pictures and the website Meaningfulfunerals.com. She and Kevin were roasting marshmallows over a fire on their patio. It sounded nice. I wrote my blog and will go to bed soon.

Memories of Mom

I got up at 7:30. I read e-mail, looking for something new about funeral arrangements. I e-mailed back and forth with Kurt trying to pin down a time and airport to fly into. I took a shower and got dressed for church. I got there in time to warm up with the choir. It was easier to sit through the service knowing that nobody knew about Mom. Well, Jennifer knew, but she promised not to tell anyone before the service. After the service I told the other Jennifer because she is starting a praise band on Wednesday night and I probably won't be there. Then I told Pastor and he was very understanding. He asked if there was anything I needed, and I told him I needed help deciding on a flight to either Virginia or Washington. He invited me to come to his house later and he would help me do that. I went home and changed my clothes to go to the grocery store. I did not buy much. Then at home I put the groceries away and checked e-mail. There was a good one from Kurt on info to consider when choosing a flight so I printed it out on the desktop computer. It came out really small. I went outside to water the garden with mineral-infused water, and to plant more sweet potato slips. The mineral water is supposed to help them resist pests and diseases.  Chris skyped me and we talked for a bit until I had to leave for the pastor's house. My phone rang and I considered not answering it, but could not resist. It was one of my quilting friends. She offered to ride up to Va or Pa, wherever I needed to go. I was very touched. I drove to the pastor's house, passing it and turning around when I was sure that had to be it. He gave me his house number but I left it at home. He set up his laptop and we searched for flights on different days, at different times, to different places, etc. Chris' boss called to offer his condolences and any help I might need. Finally the pastor and I settled on a Tuesday flight. I wrote down the info so I could book it at home. But by the time I got home, my mind had said “yes, but...” so many times that I did not follow through. I tried to call Faye, but there was no answer. Kurt and I wrote back and forth about travel issues, and then I skyped him, to save my fingers. After awhile, he got a call he had to take, so I went out to mow the lawn. When I came in, there was no new e-mail. I called Faye and we talked about memories to be shared at the funeral, and maybe the memorial service. Our call kept dropping and I was not sure which phone was to blame. So I took the sim card from the old phone and put it in the new one. I hope it won't start ringing every 10 minutes like earlier today. Somehow I missed supper, but now doesn't seem like the time to eat.

*  my blighted tomatoes.  I hope it isn't systemic  *

Arrangements have been made

I spent much of the night tapping before I went to bed. I slept until 9. I deleted e-mail, and checked for e-mail from family. I called Dad, and talked to Faye. They were looking through photos for pictures of Mom for the service. They could not get in contact with the pastor of the church where they wanted to hold the funeral. I tried to call some of the ladies from the Monday group, but no one answered. Then I called Judy whom I know from Korea. She offered her condolences. I started juicing, then called Marjorie (who called while I was on the phone with Judy). Then I made juice and drank it. I ran the dishwasher. I opened the front door and found a 10 lb bag of diatomaceous earth. I made breakfast and ate part of it. I pulled up some poison ivy growing under a small tree by the patio, but the roots broke off and so it will grow back. I could not find the poison ivy in the iris patch so did not pull it. I sprinkled diatomaceous earth in front of the back door and on the window sill to discourage ants. Denise came over to help me tap and offer support. While she was here, I received several calls. I promised Faye I would send some e-mails and draft an obituary. I found out that the funeral will be on Saturday at 11 at the Mohrsville church.   Denise and I talked, and tapped. It was good to have someone else think of the words for once. After she left, I sent the e-mails and looked up how to write an obituary. I drafted one and sent it to Kurt for his thoughts before forwarding it to Faye and Dad. Then I collected a load of laundry (including sheets for once). There was only enough for one load. I put it in the washer and I called Dad so he would look for my e-mail. He was out walking with William. I searched for how to consume diatomaceous earth. Mary Ann skyped me and we talked for awhile. After she hung up, I made a broccoli smoothie for supper. Then I looked up flights to Richmond. There is a charge for each suitcase. One-stop flights start at $576. The shortest one goes to DC and then to Richmond. I am uncomfortable scheduling a flight, but somehow I have to do it. Now it is time to retire and I still have to re-sheet the bed.

*  These are beet seedlings  *

June 6th, 2014 - a day that will live in infamy (for our family)

I filtered the collected rainwater before I went to bed, and did some tapping. I had no trouble sleeping. I woke up before 7 and went back to bed to get my mind into a state of gratitude. Like yesterday I was surprised that it was almost 8 when I got up to start the day. I thought seriously about having a computer-free day. Ha, ha. I watered the garden beds with mineral water. I put the Netflix movie in the mail. I deleted a bunch of e-mail, then put on an audio while I went through the routine. I had to have another one while juicing and meditating. Chris skyped me at 11:15. We had a much calmer conversation today. Then I made and ate breakfast. I watched part of a Dvd downstairs, and realized it was raining. I came up to take my supplements. I called Sharon to ask when Bob would come with a new light. I suggested that a ceiling fan would be nice. Bob had said he would mention it to her, but apparently he hadn't. She said she would text him right away in case he was at Home Depot and tell him to get a fan. I brought in the mail, but it was all junk. I read e-mail, did some tapping, ate something, then went down to cut border strips for the flag quilt. The phone rang and it was Bob calling to say he would have been here but one of the other tenants drove through her garage door so he has to fix that today and will be here Monday to install a light with fan. If I want faster service apparently I have to drive through the garage door. Funny, right? But I sat and just burst into tears. Sad because being nice has gotten me nowhere. My needs are so far down the list they don't matter. Perfect. It helped to hear from our NC agent that the tenants have finally paid up. I boiled the last of the duck eggs. There was a chopstick on the stove and it lit, but I got it before it flamed. But, ahh, I just love the aroma of wood smoke. I planted the sweet potato from the planter box into one of the flower beds. One of the slips from the indoor potato took it's place in the planter box. I put cages around the tomatoes which have grown exponentially in the last week and are falling over. I picked and ate two pea pods. When I came in, I brought in rain water, andI washed my hands and checked e-mail. I had e-mailed Jennifer about an Esther Hicks video and invited her over to watch it. Her reply sounded hopeful, so I called her. The moment she said she would come over, I saw my house differently. All of a sudden all the things that were out of place called themselves to my attention and I started cleaning up. I made myself a veggie smoothie and cleaned that up.  I processed the latest rain water. I was starting the video to see how it sounded in the livingroom, when she rang the doorbell. Jennifer commented on how large the yard was, and so we discussed the property. She wanted to see the basement, so I showed her my sewing room. She exclaimed over all the fabric. I showed her all my quilts, too. We talked about stuff in our lives, and then the phone rang.

 I am glad Jennifer was there when I got the news from Kurt. After she left, I called William to get more details. Faye said a few words too. I e-mailed Chris to let him know. I did not know how to tell Michele. I did not know what I should be doing. Being alone did not bother me because I have so much to deal with before I can face anyone. My brother and I skyped for quite some time. I know my mother is in a better place now. That is all I know.

A rainy day

I tapped in bed last night for all my feelings about recent events. It went on and on. When I realized it was 12:30 and that Chris was getting off of work, I decided to put my feelings into an e-mail. Hoping he would respond, I sat in the dark and tapped some more. But he evidently was not reading e-mail at that time, so I went back to bed, and eventually went to sleep. I woke up to the sound of a massive swarm of beetles like in The Mummy, but it was just rain. It was almost 7 and dark out. I put out some tubs to catch water. I checked the basement and garage for leaks. I checked e-mail for Chris' response (he got my message an hour after I sent it), and I went back to bed. Because the day was dark with rain, I did not realize how late it was and got up again at 8. I finished my Amazon order and sent it. I deleted a bunch of e-mail. I put on an audio and did my range of motion, exercise and lymph routine. Then I put on a video and went through the 'take before meals on an empty stomach' supplements, one every 15 minutes. During the wait times, I filled a bucket with water and mopped the kitchen floor. When it was time to start juicing, I toweled the floor dry. I did kale and cucumber. At 11 Chris skyped me. It was 4am his time. We had quite the discussion until noon. He had to get ready for work and I got ready for Stitch-Its. I brought a project to work on, but never got around to sewing. We talked about gardens and about living alone. They were very comforting and gave me their phone numbers. One lady and I stayed talking on the porch for hours. Her husband died so she knows what living alone is like. The sky got dark so I came home. I rescued the rain water collected earlier in the day. My package of sea minerals for the garden arrived. I wanted to use it right away, but nothing needed watering after all the rain. I made myself a veggie smoothie for lunch/supper. Then I watched a Netflix movie called Serendipity. It might have been a good movie if the premise was more believable. After the movie I went outside to check on the plants. I heard the skype sound so I came in. It was Mary Ann and we talked for over an hour. We were still talking when my phone rang. It was Jennifer checking on me. There went another hour. Then it was time to blog and go to bed. 

*  Probably lemon squash seedlings  *

And Bob was here...

I was up not long before 8. I deleted the first round of e-mail, and put a check in the mailbox. I washed out small items. I could not find the plastic chain with small clips, so I used a wire shoe holder as a washline, and the plastic clips that Jennifer gave me. I hung out all the little stuff to dry. I took pics of seedlings. I watched a video, while clearing e-mail. I was looking into healing lasers when the phone rang. Bob said he was in the area and could be right over. When he got here, he inspected the light fixture in the den. He fiddled with it and asked me to turn it on. The lights came on, flickered, sparked and smoked. I turned it off. So much for my new light bulbs, eh? He asked if I wanted brass or brushed nickel for a new fixture. I told him I did not care, but one with a ceiling fan would be nice. Then he looked at the garage door. He knew exactly how to reconnect the door to the opener. But he said the chain needed to be tightened and there was no way to do that in its present condition. He said he could get a special link at a bicycle shop. So off he went and I went back to reading about healing lasers and finding an affordable one. Then I went on to soap nuts, and batteries. I did a search on ways to use blood, which turns out to be good for plants. I laid out in the sun, until it went behind a cloud. I mowed in the front yard. It was very sweaty business. I laid on the couch in the basement to cool off. Then I went upstairs to write a note to Parker. I researched more items on my 'to buy' list. I took a shower. Parker called and we talked about how to deal with tenants that don't pay on time. I looked into food grade diatomaceous earth. When I became aware of the time, it was almost time to leave for choir. Mary Ann skyped me and I almost did not answer. She promised to call back. I grabbed a container of dates and jumped in the car. There were not many people there. Doris asked about Chris so I told her the latest. She couldn't believe it. As a choir we practiced setting 8 in the hymn book, and a piece for Sunday. Since it will be the last Sunday we sing for the summer, we have to sing at both services. After practice, we went to the multipurpose hall to have treats. I abstained, just sitting and listening to others talk. Then I went home. It was very dark because I hadn't activated the outside light and the switch inside the door was for the den light which was hosed. Bob did not come tonight like he said he might and so I won't see him until at least Friday. One more night in the dark. I deleted a bunch of e-mail, and listened to an audio. I made a veggie smoothie with broccoli, sprouts, hummus, fiber and salt. It was ok. When the audio was over, I prepared to go to bed.
*  I planted seeds on Saturday and look how big they are now!  *

Farmer's Market

I woke up at 3:45 in the morning, not sure why. I thought I could hear water running, but was unable to locate any. When I got up again, it was after 7. I read e-mail and tried to follow my normal routine, but it was taking longer than usual. I ended up skipping the Tuesday morning group. It was all too easy to find reasons not to go to the other places on my list, but I did not want to set a bad precedent. I went to post to get the mail, and then to the Asian store for kimbap. I also bought a Korean sweet potato to grow for the edible foliage. Maybe they taste better than the regular ones at the grocery store. When I got home, I e-mailed the bills to Chris. The credit card bill reflected no payment last month and lots of charges for that. I did my meditation. As soon as I finished, Chris skyped me. He was trying to let me know how important I am to him. After he hung up, I took notes for my blog. I laid out in the sun for almost half an hour. I went downstairs to find a border for my flag quilt top. The phone rang and it was Kurt's financial adviser. We talked about refinancing versus selling, but he said he did not know enough and that I needed to talk to an accountant. Then I picked up my foot pedal and drove to the farmer's market at the church near the sewing store. I wasn't sure they were there, but it seemed late enough in the season and I was able to buy greens, and sweet potatoes, and peas. I stopped at the sewing store to get my foot pedal fixed, but the man was out of replacement pedals. I went home to get the first one he replaced for a switchout, but apparently it wasn't the right thing. So he took my name and number and will call when the new ones come in. He tried to sell me a sewing machine with a dual feed system. It was very nice and I could see the advantage, but for $700 I think I will stick with my good old Singer. When I got home, I pulled out the lawn mower and finished up the back yard. My next door neighbor came over to the fence to talk. He said he hadn't seen me out lately and was thinking of checking on me in case I was depressed. I told him about how the living alone would last another year. He said he liked living alone. I told him that when I hear things in the middle of the night I don't feel safe checking it out myself. He asked if I had a gun and offered to teach me to shoot. I don't think having a gun in my hand would make me feel any safer. He showed me his new hives. He is still in the painting process so there are no bees yet. He doesn't think the bees will bother me while I'm mowing even though they will be by the fence. He also told me that he will have his nut tree cut down to allow more sunlight to his garden. I went back to mowing and he did his own yard. I replanted a marigold and trimmed along the driveway. I cut away some brush and carried it off. I washed half of the peas and ate them on the back porch. I read e-mail for awhile, then made a sprout and collard green smoothie to get my fiber in. I realized that I never ate breakfast. I researched a possible purchase on Amazon. Silvia called to see if I needed company. I finished reading reviews, posted, and went to bed (and maybe some tapping).

*  This is my flag quilt top so far.  *

A visitor

I woke up 6am, and went back to bed until 7:30. I read e-mail, watched a cancer cures video and followed my usual routine. I juiced, drank and meditated. I planted another carrot top in the planter. I saw that the seeds sewn Saturday have sprouted already. I pulled up volunteer tomato plants out of compost. I planted three in flower bed, and two in the driveway where the marigolds tried to grow. Rebecca drove up then. She brought some quilt books back, and a card she made of Michele images. We talked. Chris skyped to see if I was ok. Then Rebecca and I went to lunch at Panda. On the way back she stopped by Publix for tea, and took me home. After she left, I laid in the sun, then made breakfast, and tapped. I checked the garden and found peas. My seedlings from this morning seemed bigger already. I ate my first sweet potato leaf. I read e-mail, and ff through a long video to find the parts I really wanted. I made up vitamins for the week. I called the rental agent to check on replacing the nonfunctional light. She sounded like she did not know about it, so perhaps she relies on Bob to check the work orders and fill them. She promised to call him and get back to me. I did not get a call. I ordered minerals for the garden. I thought it might stop the blight on the tomatoes. I looked for a cheaper liposomal vitamin C, but did not find one. I planted slips from the diseased tomatoes in peat pots. Perhaps planted in a different spot, the disease will not develop. I checked e-mail again. I made a smoothie with banana, blueberries and a bunch of the little green apples. I threw in some fiber powder and salt. Then I mowed a good portion of the back yard.  I went into the garage to trim the green Linus quilt on the pingpong table and prepare it for binding. I found a needle and matching thread. But I could not find a large bag to put it in for transportation. I downloaded pics from Rebecca and made a few kaleidoscopes. I sent them to her for her approval. I worked on making pattern pieces for sri yantra border, hoping my math was correct. Then I posted to my blog and went to bed.

*  This is the card Rebecca made.  Isn't it fabulous?  *

Renegades

Last night before I went to bed, I transferred the sim card from the new phone to the old phone and turned on the alarm. It was working perfectly. Later I realized that I could set the alarm on my new phone to ring on Sunday morning if I did it every Saturday night. I slept well, and had no trouble getting up, It was not quite 7 so I had plenty of time to read e-mail and get ready for church. I wore red as a warmup for next week which is 'red' Sunday. I got to church about 9:20. Jennifer brought me some items from Turkey (where she went on her trip): a wooden spoon, an embroidered handtowel, plastic clothespins and a beautiful scarf with a Turkish design. Because both our pastor and intern we absent today, she filled in as lay leader beside the guest pastor. Jennifer sat with me during the sermon. He preached about feeding God's sheep, which fit in with his job in famine and disaster relief. After church I went home to change clothes. I did the shopping and put the groceries away. I read some e-mail while I ate the last of my breakfast. Then I loaded my sewing supplies in the car and drove to the church where Renegades meets. Bertha noticed that I was distracted so I told her my story. They all agreed that Chris' demise would be justifiable homicide. One lady offered to help me plan it, but another said their job was to be my alibi. We made flag quilts out of red, white and blue strips. The tops also needed borders, which some people had time to do (because they did not go to church). I brought mine home to border and to make a backing for. I can return it completed next month. 

I was home before 4:30. I put my sewing supplies in the basement, leaving the green unbound quilt on the pingpong table for trimming later. I folded the laundry while waiting for the Freecycle lady to show up. Then I closed all the windows and turned on the AC. I prefer to have open windows, but my fermented foods are fermenting too fast. I ironed a piece of fabric that was in the laundry. I went outside to check out the garden and the pea plants. I found a few pods to eat. I also collected dandelion, oxalis, kale, and plantain. I was reading e-mail when the doorbell rang. I greeted the Freecycle lady and took her to the carport where the irises were. She held a garbage bag while I loaded it. I also pulled up a garlic stalk for her. She seemed excited, but neither her husband or daughters were interested. After she left, I went back to the computer to listen to another video on cancer, this one on treatments doctors would choose for themselves. I paused it to make a veggie smoothie with the weeds, sprouts, broccoli, fiber, and salt. It was not too bad, but very filling as usual. I finished the video. I got too cold, so I turned off the AC even though the temp was 80. I checked for e-mails from Chris and tapped. He was at work (even though it was the weekend over there) but offered to come home and skype with me. I accepted. We had a good talk and then he went back to work. I posted to my blog and then probably went to bed.


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