April 29: Progress

Well, another productive week. Bidge got a lot accomplished: W/D in place, microwave hood in place and able to see the counters now, toilet fixed--again, shelves in closet in bedroom. Only absolute is the shower curtain rod going up, and screens in the storm doors. There aren't any in the rear of the house, so need some cross ventilation. Of course that's implying that I can get the windows open, which is hard for me. Affects the back trapezius muscle I'm having problems with. Will hopefully get curtains up next weekend, looking at doing the official move next weekend. Joanne and I got a lot accomplished on Friday, most of kitchen stuff unpacked, but still have more food to get up there. Still can't get the dead fish smell (literally) out of the old frig, so just bought a new one, which I was going to do anyway. Two weeks for delivery, which means switching stuff over. And I got quite a few clothes into shelves, so really reduced the number of boxes and bags in those two rooms. And it will take a while to get everything in it's place.

Still have quite a bit to pack up in Ambler. Will concentrate on items inside furniture that is being moved. Next moving day is Friday, 11th. Also have to get a notebook this week, because the computer desk will absolutely not fit in the study, so really coming down to having to get a new laptop to replace my 5-yr old dinosaur.

Very tired. Probably because I have things to do every day, and that's the case for the next few weeks. Having nights where I just can't get to sleep before 2 am, mostly because my mind doesn't shut off. Planning where things go, what has to be done, etc. Trying to take people up on their offers as much as possible, but so much stuff is so minor that it seems silly to wait, but then I do it and get overly tired, and there's more stuff to do, and...

My apologies to the MANY people I haven't spoken to recently. There just never seems time, and when I rest I just shut down. Yup, I voluntarily don't talk for extended periods of time. Hummm...

Well, need to start relaxing in hopes of getting to sleep earlier tonight. Take care, Laurie

April 22: It's sold!!!

Yes, folks, in a dramatic turn-around from last posting: The house is SOLD!!! Not for the price of my dreams, but still OK, especially taking in several factors. They are OK with a rapid settlement: May 23. They waived everything except the standard inspections, which I have no fear of. I don't have to contribute to settlement (which apparently is becoming more and more common). And I won't have to pay two mortgages for June--a huge benefit which makes up for a lower sale price. I could have said no, stayed on the market, kept dropping the price, and had the aggravation of always keeping things looking perfect and controlling the attack cat. Now, it's over and done with. I don't even have to go to settlement; there is something called a "one transaction power-of-attorney" that means my real estate agents can sign for me and then just come over with the check.

Bidge is doing better than I expected, but still tires easily. So it's not surprising that the P'ville house is still having things done. He also likes to do something in one room, then something in another, then another.... This means that no room is completely done, which means that little can be moved into cabinets, shelves, etc because of dust and everything. Hence, frustration. The toilet is now fine, but no shower rod for a curtain, but the towel bars are up. Microwave and hood still on counter, dust so can't put anything in cabinets, and the W/D needed electrical wiring done this past week, so it's still sitting out. Bedroom closets still without rods and shelves. So, I doubt that I will move in next weekend, either. That keeps Joanne happier, however, because she is allergic to the cats and since they haven't moved in there it isn't a problem for her. Silver lining.

Katie is home with Casey. He has his nights and days turned around, but otherwise great. She is still sore and sleep deprived. Matt's unit is supposed to be called up about May 25.

Managed to get through full hours, but barely. At least it was obvious to me and my bosses that I can't work full hours. Even getting out of bed Thurs and Fri mornings, I still felt exhausted. Back to only M, W & Th this week. And I needed little convincing from Joanne to take today off. (Brenda is in Florida with her grandson.) I do have to leave the house again to go food shopping, but spent a couple lovely hours out back on my swing reading the Sunday paper. There was supposed to be an open house today, which could be cancelled since the agreement was signed yesterday.

Discussing what to do about my fatigue with Brigham, and there will be a visit there next month. I am also going to try and see the thoracic surgeon about the place he went in over the right shoulder blade and around the side. I burst out the sutures about 10 days after (they wouldn't believe me!), and they need to see if anything can be done to repair. Now my right rear shoulder muscles move and suck in with nose blowing, coughing, laughing. It's better than the lung coming out, however. Right arm is very weak.

Stay tuned, and thanks for checking in. Laurie

April 17: Update & Thanks

Haven't been able to get in here, because my computer has been really acting up. Time for a laptop. And a combination of AOL and Comcast can be deadly.

Firstly, thanks to Kevin & Deneen for posts. It is hard to ask for help, and not always easy to schedule. I tire so easily that more than an hour or two requires rest, even when just directing. It's very frustrating. Flexibility and the ability to prioritize are key. While many people have helped in many different ways, the current stand-outs are my long-time closest friend Brenda Port (who posted during my surgeries) and my former EMT partner Joanne Shuttleworth. They have both changed their schedules, taken vacation and worked their tails off doing a lot of the physical things. Other frequent appearances have been made by Kevin Gordon and J.T. Stratchen to assist in many ways. All of them are very strict with me, and I get severely scolded for doing anything but sit when they are around. I'm afraid they may be getting a little carried away; I feel like even brushing my teeth is going to be divided between them soon!

The move didn't go as planned, although I think it is a good thing. With the delay in getting things done with Bidge's heart attack, the house was not ready to be moved into. (You can't have a heart failure patient in an apartment without a working toilet!) Almost all the stuff that I will be living with was moved up, but left an equal amount of stuff at my Ambler house. I decided it was much easier to stay here for another week or two. So there are beds and sofas both places, TVs and cable at both, clothes at both, stuff split between the two. But doing it this way saved me the trauma of moving me, the kitties, food, toilitries, etc on the same day. Since I have two houses, might as well use them. Much more relaxed this way.

House still not sold. Only one offer, $30,000 below asking price. You have GOT to be kidding!

My friend Katie, whose posts come up with her picture, had her first baby on April 10th. She is married to my friend Matt Hulme, who rode with Joanne and me at 122s before being sent over to Iraq. While Casey is doing well, the delivery was very traumatic to Katie as he was a transverse delivery. It was realized too late (???) to convert to a C-section. She is back in the hospital with severe tears (you can guess where) that are infected and abcessed. In addition to the physical pain and sequelae, it depressed what should have been the most special of days. All is made worse as they wait to hear when in the next couple of months Matt will be going back to Iraq. They live in Ohio, so I can't do anything except be supportive. Please include them in your thoughts and prayers.

Info from Boston still being processed. That means, in part, that I am still dealing with it. Stay tuned.

Thanks again for checking in, Laurie