Monday, October 27, 2008

The Next Stage...A New Frontier

Yesterday I found myself losing two of the most important people in my life :o( My heart felt so empty. It was not a good day.

Before the crack of dawn, I drove DH to Moncton so he could catch his bus to Sydney. Even as I write this, he is beginning his new training and I couldn't be more proud of him :o) It was hard seeing him go but I don't think the bulk of it has sunk in yet. When I went to bed last night, I took out one of DH's sweatshirts and wrapped it up with me. A sad picture I know. For once in my life, Christmas cannot come soon enough.

Over the last year, I've slowly been introduced to being by myself but this will really be the test and one I'm not sure I can do but I'm willing to try. I have a lot on my plate but Wonder Woman I am not :oS Cooking? What the hell is that? I do have great plans to explore that realm but so far, two donuts from Tim Horton's doesn't really qualify ;o)

While in Moncton, I took the opportunity to go visit my Gram but it wasn't the kind of visit I was hoping for :o( Gram has severe osteoporosis and over the years, her spine has curled in so that her back is hunched. This has created pressure on her inner organs and a lot of pain as a result.

Last week she called the ambulance because she was in so much pain. For Gram to do this, it had to be extremely severe because this woman is a rock and stubborn to boot. She was in her late fifties when my grandfather died and she's been on her own ever since. I've always looked up to Gram because of the type of woman she is, plus she's always been there for me :o)

Dad told me because of all the pain medication she was on (she was on FOUR kinds), it was best to see her in the morning so I arrived shortly after 10:30 am. My aunt was just getting Gram dressed. I took Brie into the living room to wait. The person that entered the room didn't look anything like my Gram :o( She was so pale and her eyes were almost dead. It looked like the life had been zapped right out of her. She did recognize me and Brie though and was very happy to see us :o)

We carried on a bit of conversation but then she started to fall asleep while she was talking. Her voice was starting to slur and by the time I left, she was hallucinating. Very difficult to watch. I just wanted to hug her and not let go. Mom just called awhile ago to let me know that Gram is now back in the hospital :o( I'm not sure where things are going from here but it sure is lonely dealing with this myself.

My heart was filled with warmth though when two unexpected packages arrived here late last week :o) First off, dear (but VERY bad) Chiloe sent me this Lanarte kit -

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I just about fell off my chair when I opened it! I have been eyeing this kit for awhile now and could not believe my eyes when I had it in my hot little hands. I can't thank you enough my friend and I have no idea what I did to deserve such a RAOK. I will be getting you back ;o)

I had a head's up on the second package but I had no idea of the contents. There was a shriek of joy when I found this -

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Nursy stitched up this gorgeous pumpkin towel and just so you know, her stitching is beautiful! There is no way that towel is being used but it will have a place of honour in my stitching room :o) She also enclosed two Watership Down bookmark kits. I guess someone is reading my Blog. LOL! Thank you so much for thinking of me dear friend.

So I guess you are all waiting and wondering who the winners are :o) I hope everyone had a fun time at the Pumpkin Day festivities. I was a little disappointed in the pumpkin carving contest and as far as I can tell, there were only two entrants (Lori-Ann and Rachael) :o( I thought you guys would be more creative! Because it was based on creativity, the winner is....LORI-ANN! A grab bag will be making its way to you shortly :o) Don't worry Rachael; you have a much deserved thank you coming your way...

There were 31 entrants for the other grab bag and since that outnumbered my brilliant Scrabble lottery technique, I had to use Random.org. For the life of me, I cannot figure out how to get a picture of the screen to show you so you'll just have to take my word for it. Drum roll please......the winner is.......HARMIEN! Congrats!

If there is anyone out there that requested a copy of my free charts and did not receive them, please email me with your contact information. My email address can be found in my profile. Finally, I want to send a HUGE thank you out to everyone who stopped by and I hope you'll come back next year and celebrate with me again :o)

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

lol, thanks for the stitching kudos, alas, I cannot take the praise for the stitching as it was done by another...but when I saw it..it screamed of you!

I don't know if you can get them up there, but here in M'ton, we have a product called "Y R U cooking?" frozen dinners for 3.19 each and they are delish...made locally and many different flavors. Located on St. George, or you can buy at Rinzlers.

Hugs

Suzanne said...

I'm sure you will miss your DH. I'm sorry that you are lonely. I love alone and love it...I would go crazy with someone underfoot all the time! LOL It just means that you have more time to email and we czan keep up with each other better...LOL

I'm really sorry to hear that your grandmother is not doing very well right now. I watched my mother's mind deteriorate as her cancer progressed, and it is so sad to see someone you don't know in a loved one's body.

Suzanne

Rachel S-H said...

Hugs for you in this time.


That kit was a birthday present for me from the cats a year or so ago. I think it is so pretty.

Velda said...

(((((big hugs))))))

Alberta said...

I do hope your Gram is getting some relief from pain while in the hospital. It must have hurt so much to see the woman you love so dearly so changed. Good for you for making the visit.

I hope training goes well for DH. Stay busy and focus on what is to come! The adventure is just beginning.

Jenn M said...

It is hard to adapt to a permanent room-mate going away, but you can do it! It just takes time to find your groove. You will be lonely, but solitude does have it's advantages as you will find out. As for cooking, I recommend the cookbooks by Sandi Richard. They are basically meal plans: super easy, tasty, and the way the recipes are layed out it makes it pretty much foolproof. Make one recipe; freeze half. In no time you won't be cooking at all but reheating! She tells you EXACTLY what to do. Check your local library.
I'm sorry to hear about your Gram; that's rough.
Take care :)
Jenn

Irene said...

Nice kits and the pumpkin towel is really cute. I would'nt want to use it either! I'm sorry to hear your grandma is not doing well. It's very hard to watch a loved one suffer in pain.

Karin said...

I just wanted to add some (((hugs))) for you - I know its a stressful time, but you will get through it.

Anonymous said...

{{{Cathey}}} I'm so sorry about your Gram. It's so hard to lose someone so very special.

I'm also a bachelorette these days. DH left in early Sept. DS and I are flying to see him this weekend, then we'll see him for Thanksgiving and Christmas. We speak regularly, but it's not the same thing as having your better half with you. It's lonely.

But, temporary, right?! And good things will come of the separation, so we must keep our chins up and our outlooks bright. :o)

All the best to you.

Olga said...

Cathey,
It's hard time for you now. I think you need a good hug...
You've got lovely gifts from friends.
Take care.

mumzy said...

Cathey, so glad to see you trying so hard to be brave. I know it will be lonely but we know that both of you will be so much happier when you do get over this training and DH starts his new job.
Gram was a bit better tonight and they have found a room for her. She will get the best of care and hopefully will recover soon.

Your parcels were great and glad to see it brightened your day. Need any cheering up? Just give us a call, we are always here for you. {{{BIG HUGS}}}
Mom

Anonymous said...

Watching a loved one fade away is rough. I hope you can take comfort in the fact that your Gram was so happy to see you.
But on a lighter note... Bashing pumpkins wasn't my only treat?? Woohoo, I won...LOL! Thanks, Cathey!!
Take care!!!!

Lori said...

So sorry to hear your Gram isn't doing well. I'm sure you and Brie were the bright spot in her day.
{{{{hugz}}}}

Glad I won something for that pumpkin... I thought I was a shoe-in the year I made it for the school contest. Turned out someone else made EXACTLY the same one!! To further drive home the odds of THAT happeneing... I had not been using a stencil, but I froze a Scooby cartoon on the TV and drew it on. Some other pumkin won that year.
I too thought there would be alot of competition... but then the weather IS very warm for pumpkins.

I knew about Nursy's pressies... she's very handy at finding the "impossible" items, LOL.

Have fun stitching, and may I suggest washing that sweatshirt after a week... hahaha (poke).

Paisley said...

So much to handle all at once, but I have faith you'll make it through just fine.

Love your prezzies! They came at the perfect time!

Chiloe said...

I missed this post yesterday (bad reader !!! lol)

You did nothing but see, it arrived the perfect time to warm your day so it was mean to be ... and it makes me soooooo happy to make you happy a little bit. We all deserve surprises, we all deserve to know people are thinking about us even though it's from the other side of the ocean ;-) even though we don't know each other in real. I like your blog and think you are a great person who deserve happiness and surprises ;-) I hope you enjoy your kit.

I don't need anything you know. I found that kit, knew it was calling your name and got it. Now you'll know what I feel having the kit of your dream next to you and having to slap a bad hand who wants to open it and start right away !!! lol

I'm sending you a lot of hugs for your gram. If you feel too lonely, email me ;-) we'll chat !!! You're not alone: we are here for you ;)

Sonda said...

Hope Christmas comes soon for you and you can reunite with your DH!! Take care and love on your little Brie!

Anonymous said...

Ah, Cathey .. I'm sorry to read this about your Gram! It's a hard journey for everyone .. you're in my prayers, dear woman.
And DH has begun his training? I wish him all the best - and for you, remember we're all here, giving you support & love.

Leeland said...

Cathey,
I'm so sorry for your Gram. I have two grams and one of them is in a condition that fits the description you gave of yours. It's tough. But she will have ups and downs and the ups will be great. Try to visit her then so you both really enjoy being together.
Having your hubby away is hard. This is something I know well, and it's not the right time. Actually, I don't think there could ever be a right time to be without your soul mate. But when this is over (and time will fly in the end: the first days are worst), you will have the pleasant life you both deserve.
Sorry I didn't take part in this year's Pumpkin Day...
Take care,
Lots of love,
Lili