I had a wonderful Christmas where I celebrated with and enjoyed my family. Christmas Day, I was able to help make the meal and eat my good share of it. Hubby and I helped move our son to a city that I believe is going to be where he settles for good. We also said good bye to our daughter as she embarked on a vacation and adventure while making lifetime memories. I continue to think about my adult children daily. Sometimes it is a fleeting thought or memory. Other times, I do worry and wonder about their safety. I guess this is my new role to adult children who have moved on and away.
With all the snow we've had, I have been cooped up in the house. I did take advantage of being home and not tied to going to work daily, and I travelled to another city to visit some old friends. What a great time I had! One day last week, I decided to go for a walk and get out in the cold, fresh air. I needed to clear my head and get some exercise. I probably didn't think it through very well because I shovelled the driveway first and was already tired out. But I went for my walk anyway. I was doing well until I hit a stretch of sidewalk along a major road near my home. Although, the sidewalk plow had been through at some point, the road plow had come along and filled the sidewalk back in with soft, deep, slippery snow. I could feel my heart pounding as I trudged through the deep snow. I wished I had put on my snowshoes. I finally saw a bus stop up ahead that had a bench. I made it to it, although it was only another block back to my house, and I sat down on the snowy bench to rest. I was so tired, it took everything I had to rouse myself and get back on my feet to continue back home. I had done too much! I scared myself. I was so-o-o-o tired! I took it easy for the rest of the day.
Today, the snow is heavy and steady. Watching from the comfort of my living room, there are times that the wind and snow is so strong that you can hardly see across the street. At some moments, the wind is blowing the snow horizontally in the air. So it is a good day to catch up on some reading, write a blog post and generally rest.
For the last few weeks, I have decided to reclaim my children's bedrooms and remodel them into guest rooms. So the twin sized mates beds are up for sale with their mattresses included. One has sold. I then had Hubby help me move our guest double bed up to my son's old room. I rearranged furniture in that room. I wanted a clean slate and some change. As I moved the location of furniture, I wasn't sure I liked the new reconfiguration of the room. I let it sit for several days and then moved things again. I believe I may like how it looks now. The next stage is to find a paint colour to repaint the room. I took the advice of my friend/cousin and picked up some various paint swatches. I taped them to the wall yesterday. Every time I walked past the room in the last 24 hours, I looked in and took down a swatch that didn't catch my eye. This morning, I have picked the colour. The next job is to take down all my son's framed certificates, news articles, artwork, etc. and patch the nail holes. Hubby can tell that I have too much time on my hands and that I'm feeling healthy. After this room is finished, my daughter's room will be the next project.
I am feeling somewhat healthy. I still find myself out of shape. I am a little out of sorts lately. I believe it is because it is winter. The snow is falling. The sidewalks are slippery. It is cold. So I am putting in time and existing until the warmer weather arrives. I have been enjoying visiting with friends and making music with other friends. I do find myself fighting "the doldrums" a little bit.
I'm not looking forward to the end of February when I have another chemo maintenance treatment. I didn't like the side effects from the subcutaneous needle treatment in December. They lasted longer (10-14 days) than when the chemo has been injected intravenously (up to 5 days). I have a check up with my oncologist before the treatment at the end of February and I believe I will discuss with him whether I have a choice between an intravenous or subcutaneous injection.
In the meantime, life is fairly good.
