Happy 2023!

A delish rum cake from a neighbor.

 Well, the holidays are over (Yippee!) and Christmas is packed up and back in the garage. Life might get back to normal if I retained any belief that we even know what normal is anymore! At least, it's quieter! To complete the season, I attended a fun party at the Larson's, my neighbors across the street, and Chris and I shared a late lunch on Christmas eve, both of which were lovely. Maria and Mark invited me over again for brunch on Christmas morning. They are delightful company and Maria is such a great cook, it's always enjoyable - and Rosie likes their boys, so they enjoy socializing, too. All of that was totally pleasant, so I don't know why I felt so grumpy unless it is that from Thanksgiving thru New Year's, it goes on forever (actually starting well before Thanksgiving -- Halloween!). It's just too much! My hope is that you were much more into the holidays than I was and that you enjoyed them all!

This is an example of angiodysplasia, not mine.

TMI: In the midst of all that, I had a colonoscopy on Dec. 20th. I really didn't think it necessary to have one at my age, but when Cologard came back positive, I decided to go ahead with it. If you've ever had one, you know what to expect. To be honest, it really isn't as bad as the thought of it! I did have to drink 2-1/2 of those Gatorades with ALL of the laxatives mixed in. That made for an eventful day before, as well as having to get up at 4AM to drink the last bit before my 10AM procedure. By that time, the hard part was over and I have no recollection of the procedure itself. No polyps were found, but there is angiodysplasia, as shown in the bottom photo. It's fairly common and occurs when the blood vessels become dilated beyond their normal size. It can lead to small holes in the blood vessel wall that can leak blood and lead to anemia. The doctor didn't seem to think it was presenting a problem at this time and just needed to be followed. Here's hoping it doesn't progress further!

I gave up on New Year's resolutions years ago, but I did come across something that makes sense to me. It's Gretchen Rubin's 23 in '23 - 23 things to do in 2023. Twenty-three is too many for me, but I have identified about 15 things to accomplish this year - and I'm pretty good with following lists! So, the first task I tackled was decluttering my filing cabinet and desk. Not a fun task. It took me the better part of a week and a half (of doing it when time allowed), but I got through everything. It generated 2 large bags of paperwork to be shredded, and I found things that I had no idea were there! My mother had kept a large envelop of all of my 4H ribbons, etc. Also, when I was in the 8th grade going into high school, there was a big kerfuffle in our county about a new consolidated high school that was to be opened. Unknown to my parents, I wrote a letter to the editor of our local newspaper and it was printed! I remembered wrtitng the article and, once it was actually printed, how frightened I was that my partents would be angry. What I had not remembered was that I received a very gracious letter from the Board of Education complimenting my letter/article. My mother had kept them both! I think these were things that I had picked up when I cleared my mother's house, popped them in the bottom drawer of the file cabinet, and not really discovered them until this clear out. You can imagine the feelings that and other finds generated. I expected the task to be grueling, but not emotional, too! Anyway, the decluttering will be a year-long project and I've devised a plan - the larger projects needed, as well as small, quicker projects I can do as time permits to keep the task moving forward. My next job will be the bedroom that has a bed covered with items identified for donation or sell. I should be able to start that later this week. Inshallah!

And, another birthday has rolled around. Lynn contacted me early in the week to ask if we might get together for lunch on the day (the 20th).  I thought she meant our pandemic bubble who have not gotten together much since Chris's accident; but, when I arrived at Ruan, the whole gang was there - Tippy and Kieran, Rhonda, Mark and Maria, as well as our bubble. It was a great surprise and lots of fun. Everyone was in good spirits and happy to be together after a long while. Lynn and Tom treated me to lunch and then invited us all over for dessert at their place. It was a very pleasant, chatty time and I certainly enjoyed it all. Throughout the day, I heard from friends far and wide, beginning with UK and other overseas friends first thing in the morning. Stateside friends chimed in through the day via Facebood, texts, cards, ecards, and phone calls. The day was full from beginning to end and I thoroughly enjoyed it! Thanks to everyone who contributed to it. I have to admit that the card that got the biggest laugh was from Bogey, Lynn and Tom's doggie. It's the one with the hound face on the front and on the inside it said, "Do I smell old people?"

I should also note that Chris arrived to all events under her own steam. She drove herself and got to and from the car with a cane only. Over the last couple of weeks, she has made so much progress and, now that she is driving, I think that will continue at an excelerated pace. It's been a long, difficult process and I'm happy for her.

My phone just now made this gif out of the photos that were taken at Ruan! That just amazes me! From time to time it will put together a collage of memories from 5 years ago, etc. or with certain people. It is truly amazing!

I will leave you with this photo of my sweet Rosie that I made for Rhonda T. She has had a few episodes lately when she hasn't felt well - with her tail between her legs and a slight shiver. On one occasion, she just stood in place and didn't want to move. I prepared a treat with CBD oil on it, which she usually loves, and she wouldn't eat it. I took her to the bed and she just lay exactly where I put her. I had to go out for a while and she seemed better when I got back. It has happened often enough for me to be concerned and I'm definitely keeping an eye one her. I don't want anything to happen to my buddy.

In closing, I will send good wishes for peace, happiness, prosperity, and good health in 2023. May the Year of the Rabbit be kinder to us all!🐰🐇  Much love.💕💕