Keeping busy

 I am back to dancing....https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1PC9hqVEGr/

Yesterday I got new brakes. What a difference! I don't have to stop with my foot out the door anymore....

Also I ordered new tires which are getting on tomorrow.

Today I had the Senior Expo and the Sigma lunch reunion.

Oh, yesterday I also finished up the garage trash that 

had been parked on the side of the house until I could

get them all out.

I also brought scrap metal to the newly discovered

scrap metal place and some stuff to Goodwill.

AND....I bought replacement pegs for the shelves on

the bookcase that Matthew made (a year ago!) for me and Chuck brought back.

Tomorrow is put the tires on at Costco and Friday is

air conditioner inspection from Martinelli's (having missed the last days of my $425 yearly contract to get in under the wire) and now they are doing things a different way....

Also I am working on flights to Colorado Springs for Daniel's wedding and thinking I like Jennifer's idea of going on to California from there....

Big question: can I get by without checking any bags? This is doubtful....but everybody else manages somehow....

Post Celebration

 I didn't take any photos but Janet sent me some and I await some from Amy.

The event went well and I owe it all to Jennifer, Janet (and flower friend), and Dina.

The celebration included a slide show and my playlist on Spotify playing in the background.

The day before was the ceremony at the Veterans Cemetery where Tom's ashes were committed. They played Taps and presented me with the flag.

Celebrating Tom collection so far

Now my life goes on...

Celebration of Life

 Plans are underway for Tom's Celebration of Life. As disappointing as it was to learn that Prospectors would not be able to accommodate me, I think O'Connors will work out just fine.

I am lucky to have friends that are experienced in setting up events and generously available to help me with all the planning.

Sue and Patrick are coming to stay with me for the weekend and maybe offer some help, too, along with fun and company. :-)

I am still in limbo status, functioning but not really as on top of things as I normally would be. I am adrift unless I am in a specific situation like working at the office, finding it hard to concentrate and get things done.

A Time of Mourning

 Tom died just before noon last Sunday, January 18th.

He was in the hospital in very bad shape. We had just agreed to get him to hospice on the 2nd floor after he said to me, "Whatever you want." and then he took his last breath with me at his side.

Perenchief funeral home cremated him, posted my obituary for Tom, and will be making arrangements at the Veterans Cemetery in Wrightstown for a brief ceremony by the Navy. We'll hold a Celebration of Life in April too.

I have contacted social security, pension, davita, comforcare. 

I have changed my xfinity account (though it may have to be tweaked when I see how it was changed). Still looking to notify more as needed.

So many friends  (facebook and otherwise) have reached out in sympathy and support. I am grateful.

I am also very grateful that Jennifer has been here with me.

December!!??!!

 Time marches on, eh? OMG it is flying by!

So November happened. Mikie Sherrill won for governor and other election positives happened (but our current President is out of control, negatively speaking).

I attended some virtual sessions of the teacher's convention including Malala's portion of the program (very impressive).

Home health aide Florence had back surgery and we had a series of one day stands until now Joseph just started yesterday. He'll be covering two nights and an all day this coming week. 

Mostly the month was just filled with regular stuff, dialysis, dr apointments, changeover from outpatient to home health for pt therapy. Speech is not out I guess and ot is in. Tom hasn't been very receptive to the home visits so far.

John Kugler died suddenly and I am very sad, but have big conflicts with his viewing Thursday (book fair shift) and funeral Friday (BCREA bus trip to Lancaster) which also saddens me.

Yesterday I created and sent for a business card reflecting my current interests and then started an AI driven (free) wix website. It is not going very well!

Tom's condition is not good and I worry he will waste away from not eating.

What happened to October?

 This is how fast October went....I haven't written since September and now it is November. Oy.

So Tom status: Physically he is thin, weak, and malnourished. Mentally still aphasic and confused, with a mind more wandering than ever. He doesn't eat -no appetite and nothing appeals to him. It has been suggested I see a gastro doctor to get a feeding tube (placed outside body) going before he disappears. I am so sad. 

He was in the hospital three times in Oct. Two times admitted, last time ER and out, but maybe should have been kept because he is not better. :-(

I have done some things...Friends of the Burlington County Library board meeting, worked the Boscov's Fund raiser on the day of (but didn't shop this year), BCEA rep council meeting, spoke at the BCEA retirement workshop, set up membership committee phone calls (was the Caffeinated Conversation this month?), BCREA Fall general membership meeting, SHIP update meeting in Audubon, Joan Wright celebration....

See me in the mirror?

with Tina Dare, NJEA Sec/Treas

That's Sue's teacher, Jerry Matcho

Tom was still eating when this was taken

I got to go to things because of Florence, the Comforcare health aide watching Tom while I was away. She just had surgery and now we have Vera. (So far I was late coming back from the retirement workshop Tuesday and left her standing at the door in the rain Thursday...bad first impression :-(  )

We have done no movies or dancing, obviously. I miss it. I miss the old Tom very much.

An occasional chance to dance

 Right behind Debbie on a Sugarfootin' Sunday-you can almost see me learning the new dance here

In other news....Tom got his shot from the pain management doctor and slept the whole next day. He actually ate something last night, for a change of pace...

I am working on my membership recruitment strategies, digging into my TBR book pile, watching Day of the Jackal, and wondering about an upcoming biopsy.

Recent activities included attending the NJREA Fall luncheon, assorted other meetings and events, and appreciating the generosity of caring friends amidst Tom's health issues.

with Sally Robinson

  

with Sue Ronca

with Stacy Morgan

Book club reunion with Louise Campbell

Friends of the BCLibrary at Fandom

BCREA reps at BCEA Rep Council

Eastampton Book Club meeting

Gaetano's feast care of Eastampton Book club friends

Flowers for Tom from Contact book club