I've thought about writing a blog post for weeks now, but always found an excuse not to. Today I figured I would at least end the year with one. I've not touched my blog since August, I've not read other blogs since September or so. I fell into a rut of the "I dunnos and I don't cares" I guess.
This year I turned 45. By Christmas I was feeling pretty damn sorry for myself. I'm still trying to pull myself out of that pity party. You see, Thanksgiving time it was 8 years since my Granny passed away. Christmas Eve marked 20 years since my Daddy died. I got word from my girls that their dad's eldest brother passed away. Then I learned that a man that I worked with many, many years ago and who had a bigger impact on my life than I ever realized, was the first person to ever think I had potential, had died after battling cancer back in September. I got no cards or gifts from my daughters for my birthday or for Christmas. Hell this year I didn't really even get a Merry Christmas Momma. I feel like they chose "him" over me. So all this loss and sadness, these feelings of being forgotten about just really got to me and I had a melt down a couple of days ago and cried my eyes out. While the tears helped a little, it really doesn't change anything other than a release of emotions I've been holding in.
Looking back over this year, looking back to my word(s) for 2014. I actually had to look it up because once again I forgot what I even chose. I don't think I came anywhere near "emerging as my authentic self" as I had intended. Sometimes I think I went back down the path of familiarity and stayed more the person other people want me to be. I didn't come out of my shell more like I wanted to. I didn't do a lot of things. I didn't write, I didn't make art, I didn't stay consistent on my quest to be healthier. So looking at all that I didn't do, combined with all the sadness of loss my pity party of melt down was inevitable.
Add into this mix, Sister #1, her man, and her 3 year old boy and 11 year girl who have been living with us since Thanksgiving. It's not been easy. Their parenting style leaves much to be desired, also leaves me thinking that one or both kids will need therapy when they grow up. Her comments and innuendos toward me are trying my patience and as I told my Beloved's parents it is out of respect of them and the gift of a roof over my head, food in my belly that they offer me that I hold my tongue. I've also told my Beloved's mom it is getting harder and harder to do. Living with Sister #1 in many ways reminds of living with the Ogre and his wretch of a sister. IMO Sister #1 is narcissistic. She has many of the signs I've seen in my own mother and in the Ogre and in the Ogre's sister. They're being here is taking it's toll on the three of us. We keep hoping they find a place soon, but their efforts to find something have been minimal. They are EXHAUSTING!! to say the least.
In the midst of all this, I started thinking about what I want my word for 2015 to be. I do not want a word that will be easily forgotten to the point that this time next year I need to look it up. I was reading a post by a Facebook friend about her year and her word, when a word popped into my head. I thought, nah that can't be it and kinda put it on the back burner. Then over the next few days other little posts would pop up here and there all pointing to something similar and that damn word kept coming to mind. Then the more I thought about the word, the more it made sense.
I've let so many things and so many people dictate my life and my being that I've lost my way over and over, many times. I've lost myself, my dreams, my desires, my goals. If I'm going to be honest, I'm tired of that shit. I'm tired of being told who I should be and what I should want by society, by others. I think I'm ready to say FUCK THAT SHIT!
So with that I present to you my word for 2015.........RECLAIM!
I Reclaim who I am
I Reclaim my dreams
I Reclaim my desires
I Reclaim my destiny
I Reclaim my life
I Reclaim my blog space too. I hope to post more often rather months between posts. I hope to get back to regularly reading your posts and commenting here and there to let you know that you are seen and heard.
I wish you all well, I wish you love, good health, prosperity, happiness, peace today and always. Have a Happy and Safe New Year!!!!
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Monday, August 4, 2014
Goddess Fest 2014
Last weekend I went to my first ever Pagan festival in Boise called Goddess Fest. This was their 20th year. It wasn't very big, but big enough. Lots of booths selling things like books, gem stones, jewelry, clothing. A handful of tarot readers.
I walked a labyrinth for the first time in my life. It was very peaceful, soothing, and meditative. For completing it, I was giving a small stone with the labyrinth carved into it.
They had several tents set up with altars. One to Lilith, one to Gaia, Kuan Yin, Hekate, and many more. There were to different altars to Rhiannon. Never did I feel more peaceful and called to a Goddess than when I stood or knelt before these. Each altar had a little token from the Goddess to take as a reminder. The largest tent had a great sculpture of Mother Earth and the Green Man (at least I think that's who it was). In there was a box and note paper to jot down any prayers or blessings you might want to ask or need. At the end of the festival they would be offered up to the Lord and Lady.
One tent I stopped by that was filled with all sorts of gems and stones. I wanted so many it was hard to pick so in the end I didn't get any. But just touching or running my hands through them I could feel the energies off them. That's something I never experienced before. It was kind of cool!
I really enjoyed it and hoped to go back again next year.
I walked a labyrinth for the first time in my life. It was very peaceful, soothing, and meditative. For completing it, I was giving a small stone with the labyrinth carved into it.
They had several tents set up with altars. One to Lilith, one to Gaia, Kuan Yin, Hekate, and many more. There were to different altars to Rhiannon. Never did I feel more peaceful and called to a Goddess than when I stood or knelt before these. Each altar had a little token from the Goddess to take as a reminder. The largest tent had a great sculpture of Mother Earth and the Green Man (at least I think that's who it was). In there was a box and note paper to jot down any prayers or blessings you might want to ask or need. At the end of the festival they would be offered up to the Lord and Lady.
One tent I stopped by that was filled with all sorts of gems and stones. I wanted so many it was hard to pick so in the end I didn't get any. But just touching or running my hands through them I could feel the energies off them. That's something I never experienced before. It was kind of cool!
I really enjoyed it and hoped to go back again next year.
My Thoughts On The Dream
No comments on the previous post, wow. I'm a bit surprised. Such is life I suppose.
Anyway, my thoughts on the dream are that my grandma kept looking forward this to me is saying that I shouldn't look back. Keep looking ahead, the past can't be changed. Seems legit and sound to me. Especially since I keep thinking about the things I left behind, will I ever get them back. Do I just need to let these things go and if I do get them great, if I don't well I need to be okay with that.
The ocelot, I'm not totally sure what it is trying to tell me. It seems they have a lot to do with spirituality. They are connected to tree and water wisdom. They are strong and sure spirit guides, have the ability to exist in two planes at once (physical and spiritual world).
Part of this dream felt like I was being held back in someway by "him". That in "his" own way "he" (I'm referring to the Ogre here, the not soon enough to be ex) is not letting me move on with my life. Even though we haven't spoken since I left, or been in contact since a few months after that. At one point several months, maybe last year even my young one said "he" wanted a divorce and would file for it. That has yet to happen. I would file myself if I had the money to do so, even though it scares me what he would do to my stuff still left at the house out of retaliation. Heck, he might have already done something with it all. I don't know, I only know what I'm told by my girls.
The river says I need to take a more decisive role in my life. Maybe it's telling me that if I want total control of my life, I need to find a way to file myself and what ever happens happens.
The waterfall is an indicator of letting go. To release pent up, negative emotions and feelings. The dam means repressed emotions and feelings that need to be released. I see a pattern here, do you?
Sounds like I need to release things...emotions, feelings, material stuff. I need to take my own actions to move on, to take control back. Just leaving isn't enough, I need to make it official. So that I can really get down to the business of rebuilding my life and creating the life I want. Now I just need to look into how I can self file, find out how much it would cost, and then figure out how to come up with said money.
I had hopes of being able to claim the $255 death benefit from my mother. I had hopes of using that for filing. But I found out that they changed the rules years ago and a surviving adult child cannot claim it. Kind of sucks. So I'll just have to find another way to get money for it.
Anyway, my thoughts on the dream are that my grandma kept looking forward this to me is saying that I shouldn't look back. Keep looking ahead, the past can't be changed. Seems legit and sound to me. Especially since I keep thinking about the things I left behind, will I ever get them back. Do I just need to let these things go and if I do get them great, if I don't well I need to be okay with that.
The ocelot, I'm not totally sure what it is trying to tell me. It seems they have a lot to do with spirituality. They are connected to tree and water wisdom. They are strong and sure spirit guides, have the ability to exist in two planes at once (physical and spiritual world).
Part of this dream felt like I was being held back in someway by "him". That in "his" own way "he" (I'm referring to the Ogre here, the not soon enough to be ex) is not letting me move on with my life. Even though we haven't spoken since I left, or been in contact since a few months after that. At one point several months, maybe last year even my young one said "he" wanted a divorce and would file for it. That has yet to happen. I would file myself if I had the money to do so, even though it scares me what he would do to my stuff still left at the house out of retaliation. Heck, he might have already done something with it all. I don't know, I only know what I'm told by my girls.
The river says I need to take a more decisive role in my life. Maybe it's telling me that if I want total control of my life, I need to find a way to file myself and what ever happens happens.
The waterfall is an indicator of letting go. To release pent up, negative emotions and feelings. The dam means repressed emotions and feelings that need to be released. I see a pattern here, do you?
Sounds like I need to release things...emotions, feelings, material stuff. I need to take my own actions to move on, to take control back. Just leaving isn't enough, I need to make it official. So that I can really get down to the business of rebuilding my life and creating the life I want. Now I just need to look into how I can self file, find out how much it would cost, and then figure out how to come up with said money.
I had hopes of being able to claim the $255 death benefit from my mother. I had hopes of using that for filing. But I found out that they changed the rules years ago and a surviving adult child cannot claim it. Kind of sucks. So I'll just have to find another way to get money for it.
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Vivid Dreams
Had quite the dream last night, this morning...whenever it was. I wish I could recall more of it now than I do but I failed to write it down like I meant right after I woke up. I did manage to journal what I did remember of it this afternoon and then started looking up meanings and trying to identify the animal from the dream.
The first part of the dream that I remember was being inside a house of sort standing and looking out a large plate window. This window could not open and was just one solid piece of glass. I think my Beloved was standing behind me on the left. As I was looking out the window, my late Grandmother was sitting outside the window on something. I knew it was her by her dress and hair, but she never spoke nor turned around. I don't think she even moved the whole time. From the right, a wild cat of some sort started to prowl and approach her. I got scared and was trying to yell to her not to move, and hoped that the animal would just pass her by.
The wild cat, larger than a house cat by A LOT, but smaller than a tiger. It had the coloring of a tiger but had elongated spots. After much Googling and with help from a friend we narrowed it to most like being an Ocelot. Or an Ocelot mixed with another breed. But for the sake of simplicity, I went with the Ocelot.
In the dream the Ocelot came up to my late grandmother and opened its mouth around her entire face from scalp to chin. It stayed like that briefly, then moved away from her face and came around to her left side where it licked her cheek. All through this my grandmother never moved or spoke.
The next thing I remember is that I/we (my Beloved and I) were on a river bank. It was quite wide but the river was very low. So low I could see the rock bed and walk across it. Which I seemed to do as I also watched myself from the river bank. Part of me felt like I was trying to go on a trip to visit my aunt in Massachusetts, but I didn't know why since she has advanced dementia and doesn't recognize most of the family. It also felt like I was trying to get my girls to either come with me or come to me. The weirdest part though was feeling like the Ogre was some how hindering me or hindering things or both. I don't think he was actually in the dream, it was more like just his presence. I also don't recall if I actually saw my girls or it was just the thought of them.
From the river bank, I also recall seeing a dam with a waterfall.
I spent a better part of the early afternoon looking up the meanings of these key things the Ocelot, the River, the Dam, and the Waterfall. I also spent that time trying to shake off the feeling that the Ogre is trying to keep me from moving forward with my life and hindering me.
I've not had any contact with him in almost three years. The last I heard from my wee one many months ago was that he wanted nothing to do with me and told her that he wanted to divorce me. But to this day, I've heard nothing more and can find no court filings under our names.
I have some thoughts about what some of the dream might have meant and ideas that my friend and I concluded. I'll post those thoughts later this week after maybe some of you may have offered some insights.
I would welcome your thoughts on this.
The first part of the dream that I remember was being inside a house of sort standing and looking out a large plate window. This window could not open and was just one solid piece of glass. I think my Beloved was standing behind me on the left. As I was looking out the window, my late Grandmother was sitting outside the window on something. I knew it was her by her dress and hair, but she never spoke nor turned around. I don't think she even moved the whole time. From the right, a wild cat of some sort started to prowl and approach her. I got scared and was trying to yell to her not to move, and hoped that the animal would just pass her by.
The wild cat, larger than a house cat by A LOT, but smaller than a tiger. It had the coloring of a tiger but had elongated spots. After much Googling and with help from a friend we narrowed it to most like being an Ocelot. Or an Ocelot mixed with another breed. But for the sake of simplicity, I went with the Ocelot.
In the dream the Ocelot came up to my late grandmother and opened its mouth around her entire face from scalp to chin. It stayed like that briefly, then moved away from her face and came around to her left side where it licked her cheek. All through this my grandmother never moved or spoke.
The next thing I remember is that I/we (my Beloved and I) were on a river bank. It was quite wide but the river was very low. So low I could see the rock bed and walk across it. Which I seemed to do as I also watched myself from the river bank. Part of me felt like I was trying to go on a trip to visit my aunt in Massachusetts, but I didn't know why since she has advanced dementia and doesn't recognize most of the family. It also felt like I was trying to get my girls to either come with me or come to me. The weirdest part though was feeling like the Ogre was some how hindering me or hindering things or both. I don't think he was actually in the dream, it was more like just his presence. I also don't recall if I actually saw my girls or it was just the thought of them.
From the river bank, I also recall seeing a dam with a waterfall.
I spent a better part of the early afternoon looking up the meanings of these key things the Ocelot, the River, the Dam, and the Waterfall. I also spent that time trying to shake off the feeling that the Ogre is trying to keep me from moving forward with my life and hindering me.
I've not had any contact with him in almost three years. The last I heard from my wee one many months ago was that he wanted nothing to do with me and told her that he wanted to divorce me. But to this day, I've heard nothing more and can find no court filings under our names.
I have some thoughts about what some of the dream might have meant and ideas that my friend and I concluded. I'll post those thoughts later this week after maybe some of you may have offered some insights.
I would welcome your thoughts on this.
Sunday, June 1, 2014
Well, It' June Already And I've Nothing To Show For It
Boy time sure flies when you're busy doing nothing. Half a year is
almost gone and what's to show for it? Not a whole hell of a lot,
that's for shit sure.
I had planned to blog here a bit more often and well that hasn't happened since March. As my Beloved keeps saying...I seem to be in a rut. Which he says is making me pissy and quite bitchy. I haven't felt like I am but that doesn't me I'm not either.
My plans to paint the year away haven't lived up. Same with writing. I totally flopped and failed for April's Camp NaNoWriMo. I don't even know what my biggest struggle is. I can't seem to find the motivation. I can't get into a daily practice. I really struggle with it. I don't know why I'm having such a hard time with developing a daily practice of art and writing. I want to do them, but I feel held back. Maybe it's those voices that tell me whatever I create will be shitty. I dunno. But it's annoying and it's getting old.
So today, being the first day of a new month am deciding more or less enough is enough. But be warned I've said this before and feel right back quite easily into the non-creative rut. As I was saying, I decided to take on a challenge called 100 Happy Days. There is a website by that name if you want to sign up and take the challenge. Which in itself is rather simple in its concept. Take one photograph of something that makes you happy and post it online with the hashtag of 100 happy days. Simple right? Sounds easy enough. But the challenge is going to be A) remembering to take said photo, B) remembering to post said photo. The thing I dread is what if I don't have or find something to photograph. I did take my first picture though and it's already posted. Because well...Llamas!
I also signed up for a free challenge at The Sketchbook Project. (Oh did I mention the above mentioned challenge is free too? Well, it is!) For this, I have one week, well until June 6th to find and photograph a face in an unusual place. I tend to over think things...A LOT! So I am finding this a real challenge. If you want to participate, there are still spots available...you can sign up here: http://www.sketchbookproject.com/projects/challenge
And finally there is another Camp NaNoWriMo starting July 1st. I've already signed up with a goal of 10,000 words. That's approximately 323 words a day. So we'll see where I get with this one.
To say that I have nothing to show for half a year isn't entirely true. I have made a few journal pages. And I've worked some on a big painting I have hang up, it's not done yet. The face is giving me a grief. I have a hard time with faces, and I'm trying to figure out what works for me.
Another thing, I want to delve into is to study Druidry. I've found a couple of places where I can do so online for free. I just don't know I'll start that. I wish I had some of the books about Druidry so I didn't have to be at the computer to study. But I can't afford to buy them and I can't afford to buy a library card, besides I don't think they have said books anyway.
So there it is. I'm struggling, I've fallen into a rut, and I'm tired of it. I just don't know how to get off this merry-go-round that isn't so merry.
I had planned to blog here a bit more often and well that hasn't happened since March. As my Beloved keeps saying...I seem to be in a rut. Which he says is making me pissy and quite bitchy. I haven't felt like I am but that doesn't me I'm not either.
My plans to paint the year away haven't lived up. Same with writing. I totally flopped and failed for April's Camp NaNoWriMo. I don't even know what my biggest struggle is. I can't seem to find the motivation. I can't get into a daily practice. I really struggle with it. I don't know why I'm having such a hard time with developing a daily practice of art and writing. I want to do them, but I feel held back. Maybe it's those voices that tell me whatever I create will be shitty. I dunno. But it's annoying and it's getting old.
So today, being the first day of a new month am deciding more or less enough is enough. But be warned I've said this before and feel right back quite easily into the non-creative rut. As I was saying, I decided to take on a challenge called 100 Happy Days. There is a website by that name if you want to sign up and take the challenge. Which in itself is rather simple in its concept. Take one photograph of something that makes you happy and post it online with the hashtag of 100 happy days. Simple right? Sounds easy enough. But the challenge is going to be A) remembering to take said photo, B) remembering to post said photo. The thing I dread is what if I don't have or find something to photograph. I did take my first picture though and it's already posted. Because well...Llamas!
I also signed up for a free challenge at The Sketchbook Project. (Oh did I mention the above mentioned challenge is free too? Well, it is!) For this, I have one week, well until June 6th to find and photograph a face in an unusual place. I tend to over think things...A LOT! So I am finding this a real challenge. If you want to participate, there are still spots available...you can sign up here: http://www.sketchbookproject.com/projects/challenge
And finally there is another Camp NaNoWriMo starting July 1st. I've already signed up with a goal of 10,000 words. That's approximately 323 words a day. So we'll see where I get with this one.
To say that I have nothing to show for half a year isn't entirely true. I have made a few journal pages. And I've worked some on a big painting I have hang up, it's not done yet. The face is giving me a grief. I have a hard time with faces, and I'm trying to figure out what works for me.
Another thing, I want to delve into is to study Druidry. I've found a couple of places where I can do so online for free. I just don't know I'll start that. I wish I had some of the books about Druidry so I didn't have to be at the computer to study. But I can't afford to buy them and I can't afford to buy a library card, besides I don't think they have said books anyway.
So there it is. I'm struggling, I've fallen into a rut, and I'm tired of it. I just don't know how to get off this merry-go-round that isn't so merry.
Monday, March 31, 2014
Life, Loss, And Other Things
Time sure does fly! Last week, on the 25th, my baby girl turned 18. Just like that, in the blink of an eye, I was now the mom of two young women. Not babies anymore, 18 and 21. Where did the time go?
On Friday, Sister #3's boyfriend's brother was killed in a single car accident. He fell asleep at the wheel and wasn't wearing a seat belt. This poor family has endured so much in the last year. They have suffered so many losses. First last March the eldest brother died, earlier this year the 11 year nephew of the boyfriend lost his battle with cancer, and now this. 1 year and 20 days between the 2 brothers dying, and 27 days since the young boy was buried. Please keep E and his family (mom, dad, and sister) in your thoughts as they all struggle to deal with so much tragedy.
It seems the Universe thinks and wants me to really focus on my art. I won a spot in this years 21 Secrets Live a few months back. It has been a really fun learning experience which continues through June. Then I won a spot in a 10 month program called Spectrum. Yesterday I found out I won a spot in the Spring installment of 21 Secrets! I am really excited about all of them.
In about 6 hours or so, Camp NaNoWriMo starts. I wasn't sure if I was going to do it. But since I can set my own word count goal, I decided to go ahead and participate. I set my goal at only 10,000 words or 333 words a day for the month of April. It's small and doable. It's something I can work in between other things.
I just need to figure out my time. I am being given these amazing classes by the Universe to participate in. Story ideas still pop into my head. And yet I let myself become so easily distracted by nonsense. In the midst of all this, I've decided to try and shed a few pounds. I'd like to weave a walk into all this to help with my plan. So far, I haven't done it. Maybe I should make April all about me month. Focus on art, writing, eating healthier, and start walking. Easy to say, harder to do. Let's see what happens in the next 30 days.
On Friday, Sister #3's boyfriend's brother was killed in a single car accident. He fell asleep at the wheel and wasn't wearing a seat belt. This poor family has endured so much in the last year. They have suffered so many losses. First last March the eldest brother died, earlier this year the 11 year nephew of the boyfriend lost his battle with cancer, and now this. 1 year and 20 days between the 2 brothers dying, and 27 days since the young boy was buried. Please keep E and his family (mom, dad, and sister) in your thoughts as they all struggle to deal with so much tragedy.
It seems the Universe thinks and wants me to really focus on my art. I won a spot in this years 21 Secrets Live a few months back. It has been a really fun learning experience which continues through June. Then I won a spot in a 10 month program called Spectrum. Yesterday I found out I won a spot in the Spring installment of 21 Secrets! I am really excited about all of them.
In about 6 hours or so, Camp NaNoWriMo starts. I wasn't sure if I was going to do it. But since I can set my own word count goal, I decided to go ahead and participate. I set my goal at only 10,000 words or 333 words a day for the month of April. It's small and doable. It's something I can work in between other things.
I just need to figure out my time. I am being given these amazing classes by the Universe to participate in. Story ideas still pop into my head. And yet I let myself become so easily distracted by nonsense. In the midst of all this, I've decided to try and shed a few pounds. I'd like to weave a walk into all this to help with my plan. So far, I haven't done it. Maybe I should make April all about me month. Focus on art, writing, eating healthier, and start walking. Easy to say, harder to do. Let's see what happens in the next 30 days.
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Feelings, Anger Not Grief
Yesterday marked two weeks and I've yet to really shed a tear. I can't! I've tried...they just won't come. It makes me feel like a terrible person, guilty even. I just can't grieve for her. The logical part of me says she lost that right to my grief when she chose to cut us out of her life. What gets me is that no one knows why. The truth of it is too, even if I had had the opportunity to ask I doubt I would have gotten the truth.
I'll tell you thought what I really am. I AM PISSED! I am so fucking angry at her. Her and fucking gambling addiction. Anything of value, she sold it. Gone! Lost forever!
She had her mother's (who would have been 108 yesterday) mink stole. It's gone! She sold it. She had a charm from her mother's charm bracelet. It's gone too! She sold it! Thank the gods my aunt had the good sense to send me the other two when their older sister decided to divvy up the charms back to who gifted them. Otherwise, she'd have sold those too.
Back in my teens, I/we spent a lot of time at Shea Stadium. In 1986, I got to go to a lot of the Mets home games. I was there the night they clinched the pennant race. OMG it was amazing and crazy. Earlier in the season I got one of their foul balls and then started having the players sign it. If memory serves me right, I had the entire team on that ball. If you know baseball, you know then that was the year the Mets won the World Series. For some reason after I got married and moved out, I left the ball behind and in her possession. I don't know if I forgot or just never got to go back and get it. Well, she must have sold it too because it's now where to be found.
She chose gambling over family, over friends. In the end, she had burned so many bridges and hurt so many people that no one except her youngest sister spoke to her.
I did my grieving years ago when she decided I wasn't worth having in her life anymore. I was of no value to her. Sometimes I often wonder if she tried to get rid of me the way family members say she "lost" what would have been my younger sibling. Or if she would have given me away like she did my older half sister. Too many people would have stepped in I think to stop her from doing that though, or at least my father's mother would have.
She never let me forget growing up how I was an accident, that I wasn't supposed to be here. That she and my dad weren't even sleeping in the same bed. Which sometimes made me wonder if he was my biological father. She would never let me forget how I "owed" her for raising me, feeding me, clothing me. When I started working and making a decent income but still lived at home, even though I was about 17 she told me one day...You owe me now for all those years I put clothes on your back and food in you stomach. I took care of you now you HAVE TO take care me. Simply put that meant support her gambling habit.
I don't know if I will ever shed a tear over her death. In someways, it feels more like I lost my mother years ago instead of two weeks ago. Or perhaps one day I will grieve for the mother I didn't have. But if I think about that, I've probably done that too years ago.
But this anger that I feel...I have to find away to let it go. It's building and it's starting to affect me. It's messing with my stomach and I don't like that. I just don't know how to let it go.
I'll tell you thought what I really am. I AM PISSED! I am so fucking angry at her. Her and fucking gambling addiction. Anything of value, she sold it. Gone! Lost forever!
She had her mother's (who would have been 108 yesterday) mink stole. It's gone! She sold it. She had a charm from her mother's charm bracelet. It's gone too! She sold it! Thank the gods my aunt had the good sense to send me the other two when their older sister decided to divvy up the charms back to who gifted them. Otherwise, she'd have sold those too.
Back in my teens, I/we spent a lot of time at Shea Stadium. In 1986, I got to go to a lot of the Mets home games. I was there the night they clinched the pennant race. OMG it was amazing and crazy. Earlier in the season I got one of their foul balls and then started having the players sign it. If memory serves me right, I had the entire team on that ball. If you know baseball, you know then that was the year the Mets won the World Series. For some reason after I got married and moved out, I left the ball behind and in her possession. I don't know if I forgot or just never got to go back and get it. Well, she must have sold it too because it's now where to be found.
She chose gambling over family, over friends. In the end, she had burned so many bridges and hurt so many people that no one except her youngest sister spoke to her.
I did my grieving years ago when she decided I wasn't worth having in her life anymore. I was of no value to her. Sometimes I often wonder if she tried to get rid of me the way family members say she "lost" what would have been my younger sibling. Or if she would have given me away like she did my older half sister. Too many people would have stepped in I think to stop her from doing that though, or at least my father's mother would have.
She never let me forget growing up how I was an accident, that I wasn't supposed to be here. That she and my dad weren't even sleeping in the same bed. Which sometimes made me wonder if he was my biological father. She would never let me forget how I "owed" her for raising me, feeding me, clothing me. When I started working and making a decent income but still lived at home, even though I was about 17 she told me one day...You owe me now for all those years I put clothes on your back and food in you stomach. I took care of you now you HAVE TO take care me. Simply put that meant support her gambling habit.
I don't know if I will ever shed a tear over her death. In someways, it feels more like I lost my mother years ago instead of two weeks ago. Or perhaps one day I will grieve for the mother I didn't have. But if I think about that, I've probably done that too years ago.
But this anger that I feel...I have to find away to let it go. It's building and it's starting to affect me. It's messing with my stomach and I don't like that. I just don't know how to let it go.
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Just Like That, She Is Gone
At around 10AM (EST), I received another call from the hospital. It was a nurse practitioner that was seeing my mother for the first time. She was not responding to treatment. Her white count was dropping, her BP was still falling despite the fluids. Now she had sepsis. The NP wanted me to consider them taking her off the BIPAP mask/machine. Then lo and behold she found a health proxy in my mom's chart where she had named my aunt the proxy. At that point, anything I wanted or thought no longer mattered. The NP said she would take my wishes into consideration but it was now up to my aunt. She then hung up and proceeded to call my aunt.
At just after 1PM (EST) my aunt called. "She's gone," my aunt said. I was stunned. "Already, now?" I asked. She said yes. She got to the hospital, touched her hands and legs they were ice cold she said. Told me she leaned in and told my mother she was there. The BIPAP machine then beeped once, twice, then stayed a steady beep. A nurse came in and check for vitals. But she was dead.
It was fast. Faster than I even thought. The NP actually confirmed she was end stage. And pretty much everything was going to start failing. I knew it was probably going to happen quickly, I just didn't think it was going to be a couple of hours. It is probably better. She did not suffer at the end. She never had to endure the chemo that would have only prolonged the inevitable.
I don't know exactly how I feel. I am sad. Sad for all that she missed out on with my girls. Sad that she was so selfish and toxic. In the end, she had really no friends left. No one but my aunt visited her at the hospital, except a couple from the senior center. They only visited once and never went back.
I'm not angry. I haven't been angry at her or about her for a long time. My heart aches for what she missed out on. She died not even knowing that she also had to grandsons and two great grandsons from my sister. I knew, but because she chose to cut me out of her life I never got to tell her.
I really can't find the words to express how I feel right now. Relief and sadness mostly. I just hope that she now finds the peace and rest she could not find in this life.
At just after 1PM (EST) my aunt called. "She's gone," my aunt said. I was stunned. "Already, now?" I asked. She said yes. She got to the hospital, touched her hands and legs they were ice cold she said. Told me she leaned in and told my mother she was there. The BIPAP machine then beeped once, twice, then stayed a steady beep. A nurse came in and check for vitals. But she was dead.
It was fast. Faster than I even thought. The NP actually confirmed she was end stage. And pretty much everything was going to start failing. I knew it was probably going to happen quickly, I just didn't think it was going to be a couple of hours. It is probably better. She did not suffer at the end. She never had to endure the chemo that would have only prolonged the inevitable.
I don't know exactly how I feel. I am sad. Sad for all that she missed out on with my girls. Sad that she was so selfish and toxic. In the end, she had really no friends left. No one but my aunt visited her at the hospital, except a couple from the senior center. They only visited once and never went back.
I'm not angry. I haven't been angry at her or about her for a long time. My heart aches for what she missed out on. She died not even knowing that she also had to grandsons and two great grandsons from my sister. I knew, but because she chose to cut me out of her life I never got to tell her.
I really can't find the words to express how I feel right now. Relief and sadness mostly. I just hope that she now finds the peace and rest she could not find in this life.
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
I Should Have To Do This!
First off, Happy birthday to my Beloved. My life just wouldn't the same without you in it. You make everything better, you make me a better person. I'm so glad you found me. I love you babe!
Thank you Mary for your comments on my previous post. You always have wise, sage advice and words to offer. I know finding myself won't be instant, or happen in a year. But I hope that I can at least begin to find the path amidst the weeds that will lead me in the right direction to finding my authentic self and being well...me.
And now for my rant: UGH! God damn this woman! God damn the first hospital she was in, even the home. There is no health proxy on my mom. No directive. No living will. NOTHING! She's been in rehab for recovery from her stroke last year for the last 2 weeks. Yesterday I get a call at 5AM local time from the ER that she was brought to the hospital in respiratory distress/labored breathing, a low BP and fever. They said she is weak and tired so they felt unable to get any info from her. They called my aunt first, but she couldn't/wouldn't make any decision. So she gave them our number when they asked if she had any other family.
The ER doc was very nice and empathetic. He was telling me how he felt my mom was too weak to handle/survive being inter bated. And if they did manage to, and she pulled through she might not hand being taken off it. So then the questions of what are her wishes in this kinda situation. HELL IF I FUCKING KNOW!!!!! I told him that but much more nicely, I promise. I explained to him we haven't spoken in over 15 years and even before that she never said anything about such things. I told him I would call my aunt and ask if she know or at least find out what was on record from the other hospital. That's when he said he spoke to her and she said she didn't know and didn't want to make a decision. WELL FUCK!
He said he was going to back and finish working my mother up and while I called my aunt to try and figure shit out. Came to find out that the other hospital, neither time she was there ever offered or had her sign a health proxy or living will. Apparently the home hadn't either. My aunt didn't find out until a meeting at the home last week that my mother even had the pancreatic cancer and that it metastasized to the liver.
The doc said I needed to decide on a DNR/DNI/Full Code. WELL FUCK FUCKITY FUCK FUCK FUCK!!!!! Well initially I needed to decided if I wanted them to place her on a mask or not. But he kept advising against the inter-bation . I consented to the mask it was the logical thing to do, she was in distress. I then called my aunt and that's when I found out there's no proxy, no directive, nothing! SHIT! This was more of a fact finding call then anything else. After that call, I received a call from the admitting doctor. She's a fast talker with heavy accent. Well now she wants to know what if anything was decided and of course is asking for more details as to why my mom was in the home and why she was at the other hospital. So things I knew others I didn't. Now she's wanting my decision on the whole if my mom stops breathing or goes into cardiac arrest.
I am truly at a loss. She too is advising against them inter bating my mom. Her body won't handle it they say. Xrays were inconclusive for pneumonia but they are treating her with antibiotics because there is an infection somewhere. Again she asks about the DNR/DNI, again she advises against inter bating. So I agree to the DNI, it's the logical choice right? She can't handle being put on it or taken off it. That alone could kill her. Then she is asking me if I want them to do compressions if her heart stops. I ask more questions and how long would they try that. She answers them, I more or less understand what she says but her accent makes it difficult. She then advises against compressions because of her fragile state and it could cause broken ribs, punctured lung, and a variety of other things. Initially I tell her to go with compressions.
Then...THEN...she says what about the DNR? Wait, what? I just said do the DNI! Now she's saying the go together or some shit. Now I'm confused. I don't understand how that's possible if I had to pick one or the other. AND if you're not going to inter bate, and you're only going to try compressions for 20 minutes...then that should be the end of it if she doesn't come around. But NOOOOOO! She persists about the DNR. I tell her I need to speak with my aunt. She asks if my aunt has proxy.
I tell this lady doc look I haven't talked to my mother in over 15 years by her choice. She cut me out of her life. She never spoke of these things not before that, not now. Ever to any one. I don't know what she wants. And no my aunt doesn't have proxy because it was never offered/mentioned at the other hospital. I'm getting frustrated. She keeps pushing for a decision. Tells me she will let me call my aunt but needs to know ASAP. She's critical she's says. *SIGH!*
At this point I feel like I am being backed into a corner and basically guilted into make a decision that is not mine to make. Thank the gods for my Beloved and his calmness, his level headedness, his familiarity and experience having worked as a care giver. With his logic and explanations, he helped me through this part. Called my aunt back and told her what was up. We both agreed that my mom has placed us in quite the pickle! I told her about my discussion with my Beloved and we all agreed that going with the DNR considering the cancer would be the choice to make.
When I last spoke with the admitting doc yesterday, she was on a bipap machine for the oxygen, being treated with antibiotics, and getting floods for the dehydration and low BP. We also changed it to DNR.
I am so grateful to my Beloved for being who he is and helping me navigate through all of this shit. I have had several people say I need to go up there and see her or at least call and talk to her before it's too late. To try and make amends. First of all...you don't know this woman and how she is. Second of all, she hasn't asked to see or talk to me. I have nothing to make amends for. I came to terms with her cutting us out of her life a long time ago. She made her choices. That might sound cold but she did. Would I like to know why, yes. Would it change anything, no. Would seeing her or talking to her change anything, no. What's done is done, she did what she did. She made her choices.
Thank you Mary for your comments on my previous post. You always have wise, sage advice and words to offer. I know finding myself won't be instant, or happen in a year. But I hope that I can at least begin to find the path amidst the weeds that will lead me in the right direction to finding my authentic self and being well...me.
And now for my rant: UGH! God damn this woman! God damn the first hospital she was in, even the home. There is no health proxy on my mom. No directive. No living will. NOTHING! She's been in rehab for recovery from her stroke last year for the last 2 weeks. Yesterday I get a call at 5AM local time from the ER that she was brought to the hospital in respiratory distress/labored breathing, a low BP and fever. They said she is weak and tired so they felt unable to get any info from her. They called my aunt first, but she couldn't/wouldn't make any decision. So she gave them our number when they asked if she had any other family.
The ER doc was very nice and empathetic. He was telling me how he felt my mom was too weak to handle/survive being inter bated. And if they did manage to, and she pulled through she might not hand being taken off it. So then the questions of what are her wishes in this kinda situation. HELL IF I FUCKING KNOW!!!!! I told him that but much more nicely, I promise. I explained to him we haven't spoken in over 15 years and even before that she never said anything about such things. I told him I would call my aunt and ask if she know or at least find out what was on record from the other hospital. That's when he said he spoke to her and she said she didn't know and didn't want to make a decision. WELL FUCK!
He said he was going to back and finish working my mother up and while I called my aunt to try and figure shit out. Came to find out that the other hospital, neither time she was there ever offered or had her sign a health proxy or living will. Apparently the home hadn't either. My aunt didn't find out until a meeting at the home last week that my mother even had the pancreatic cancer and that it metastasized to the liver.
The doc said I needed to decide on a DNR/DNI/Full Code. WELL FUCK FUCKITY FUCK FUCK FUCK!!!!! Well initially I needed to decided if I wanted them to place her on a mask or not. But he kept advising against the inter-bation . I consented to the mask it was the logical thing to do, she was in distress. I then called my aunt and that's when I found out there's no proxy, no directive, nothing! SHIT! This was more of a fact finding call then anything else. After that call, I received a call from the admitting doctor. She's a fast talker with heavy accent. Well now she wants to know what if anything was decided and of course is asking for more details as to why my mom was in the home and why she was at the other hospital. So things I knew others I didn't. Now she's wanting my decision on the whole if my mom stops breathing or goes into cardiac arrest.
I am truly at a loss. She too is advising against them inter bating my mom. Her body won't handle it they say. Xrays were inconclusive for pneumonia but they are treating her with antibiotics because there is an infection somewhere. Again she asks about the DNR/DNI, again she advises against inter bating. So I agree to the DNI, it's the logical choice right? She can't handle being put on it or taken off it. That alone could kill her. Then she is asking me if I want them to do compressions if her heart stops. I ask more questions and how long would they try that. She answers them, I more or less understand what she says but her accent makes it difficult. She then advises against compressions because of her fragile state and it could cause broken ribs, punctured lung, and a variety of other things. Initially I tell her to go with compressions.
Then...THEN...she says what about the DNR? Wait, what? I just said do the DNI! Now she's saying the go together or some shit. Now I'm confused. I don't understand how that's possible if I had to pick one or the other. AND if you're not going to inter bate, and you're only going to try compressions for 20 minutes...then that should be the end of it if she doesn't come around. But NOOOOOO! She persists about the DNR. I tell her I need to speak with my aunt. She asks if my aunt has proxy.
I tell this lady doc look I haven't talked to my mother in over 15 years by her choice. She cut me out of her life. She never spoke of these things not before that, not now. Ever to any one. I don't know what she wants. And no my aunt doesn't have proxy because it was never offered/mentioned at the other hospital. I'm getting frustrated. She keeps pushing for a decision. Tells me she will let me call my aunt but needs to know ASAP. She's critical she's says. *SIGH!*
At this point I feel like I am being backed into a corner and basically guilted into make a decision that is not mine to make. Thank the gods for my Beloved and his calmness, his level headedness, his familiarity and experience having worked as a care giver. With his logic and explanations, he helped me through this part. Called my aunt back and told her what was up. We both agreed that my mom has placed us in quite the pickle! I told her about my discussion with my Beloved and we all agreed that going with the DNR considering the cancer would be the choice to make.
When I last spoke with the admitting doc yesterday, she was on a bipap machine for the oxygen, being treated with antibiotics, and getting floods for the dehydration and low BP. We also changed it to DNR.
I am so grateful to my Beloved for being who he is and helping me navigate through all of this shit. I have had several people say I need to go up there and see her or at least call and talk to her before it's too late. To try and make amends. First of all...you don't know this woman and how she is. Second of all, she hasn't asked to see or talk to me. I have nothing to make amends for. I came to terms with her cutting us out of her life a long time ago. She made her choices. That might sound cold but she did. Would I like to know why, yes. Would it change anything, no. Would seeing her or talking to her change anything, no. What's done is done, she did what she did. She made her choices.
Friday, February 14, 2014
How Do I Find My Authentic Self?
So, if you've been reading along this year you know that for this year I chose the words "Emerge" and "Authentic Self". Essentially I want to emerge as my authentic self this year. Truth be told, I haven't done much in the way of doing anything about it. Well, all week, I mean seriously no joke! all week the Universe has been throwing these words at me everyday. If it wasn't one it was the other. First it was in oracle card posts on Facebook, then it was a blog post by Dominee. Next was by Julie the teacher this week in 21 Secrets Live. Then yesterday MORE oracle card posts on Facebook, today too! Then a blog post by an artist.
I mean seriously? The Universe is REALLY trying to get my attention here! Don't you think? I get it! I hear you! BUT................
How? How do I find my authentic self? How can I emerge, if I don't know where to start? HELL...I don't even know who my authentic self is.
I'm too shy, too afraid, too everything. I see people I love being hurt (emotionally) by themselves or some one who is supposed to love them and I sit back quietly and say nothing. Oh I run a whole dialogue in my head of what I would say if I had the balls, but I don't. I am afraid of saying anything to anyone on any subject because I am afraid of offending them. I second guess that it isn't my place to speak up.
I think maybe, part of that stems from all growing up I was told "children should be seen and not heard". When ever I tried to speak up, about ANYTHING I was either told that phrase or not acknowledged. As I grew older, still trying to find my voice I found people would talk over me or cut me off and start talking as if I weren't even there. Or yet still...ignore me. When I married, the Ogre and his family pretty much did the same thing to me. By then, I was also made to feel I was too dumb or stupid to have an opinion or know what I was talking about. All my life, even now I have felt invisible.
Also all growing up and even after I was married I was told "You can't" As I child, I went through the phases of "I want to be a nurse" or "I want to be a teacher". In return I got "You can't be a nurse you hate needles and the sight of blood." "You can't be a teacher because you hate school." (In my defense, Catholic school was no picnic! Those nuns...some of them are down right MEAN!) When I wanted to go to college and was looking at NYU, I got "why do you want to do that, it's a waste of time. you don't need that piece of paper." In the end, I attended LaGuardia Community College. I started out with business management. I was doing well with all my classes until it came time for algebra. UGH...I suck at it, I just can't do it. The Ogre claimed to be a wiz at it and would gladly help me when the time came. And guess what...when that time came, he put me down and wouldn't help. He said I was stupid for not knowing how to do algebra. I decided to change majors at that point. He didn't like that either. I wanted my degree to be in business management so I could supposedly help run his business at the time. I guess I was too stupid otherwise. He eventually made some bad decisions against my advice and the business failed.
I could go on and on about such things...but that isn't the point. The question remains How do I find and emerge as my authentic self, if I don't know who that is. I am too fearful to act or speak. I am always worried about everyone else and how they will feel or what they will think. I am afraid of offending people. I am afraid of voicing my opinions or acting on my ideas. I hate it when I do start to use my voice and I get the "oh there she goes, getting on her soap box." So I keep my mouth shut. I have NO FUCKING CLUE who my authentic self is!
So tell me oh great wondrous Universe, if I picked such great words that you feel the need to throw them at me everyday how the hell am I supposed to do this? How do I find my authentic self? and then How do I emerge as such?
I mean seriously? The Universe is REALLY trying to get my attention here! Don't you think? I get it! I hear you! BUT................
How? How do I find my authentic self? How can I emerge, if I don't know where to start? HELL...I don't even know who my authentic self is.
I'm too shy, too afraid, too everything. I see people I love being hurt (emotionally) by themselves or some one who is supposed to love them and I sit back quietly and say nothing. Oh I run a whole dialogue in my head of what I would say if I had the balls, but I don't. I am afraid of saying anything to anyone on any subject because I am afraid of offending them. I second guess that it isn't my place to speak up.
I think maybe, part of that stems from all growing up I was told "children should be seen and not heard". When ever I tried to speak up, about ANYTHING I was either told that phrase or not acknowledged. As I grew older, still trying to find my voice I found people would talk over me or cut me off and start talking as if I weren't even there. Or yet still...ignore me. When I married, the Ogre and his family pretty much did the same thing to me. By then, I was also made to feel I was too dumb or stupid to have an opinion or know what I was talking about. All my life, even now I have felt invisible.
Also all growing up and even after I was married I was told "You can't" As I child, I went through the phases of "I want to be a nurse" or "I want to be a teacher". In return I got "You can't be a nurse you hate needles and the sight of blood." "You can't be a teacher because you hate school." (In my defense, Catholic school was no picnic! Those nuns...some of them are down right MEAN!) When I wanted to go to college and was looking at NYU, I got "why do you want to do that, it's a waste of time. you don't need that piece of paper." In the end, I attended LaGuardia Community College. I started out with business management. I was doing well with all my classes until it came time for algebra. UGH...I suck at it, I just can't do it. The Ogre claimed to be a wiz at it and would gladly help me when the time came. And guess what...when that time came, he put me down and wouldn't help. He said I was stupid for not knowing how to do algebra. I decided to change majors at that point. He didn't like that either. I wanted my degree to be in business management so I could supposedly help run his business at the time. I guess I was too stupid otherwise. He eventually made some bad decisions against my advice and the business failed.
I could go on and on about such things...but that isn't the point. The question remains How do I find and emerge as my authentic self, if I don't know who that is. I am too fearful to act or speak. I am always worried about everyone else and how they will feel or what they will think. I am afraid of offending people. I am afraid of voicing my opinions or acting on my ideas. I hate it when I do start to use my voice and I get the "oh there she goes, getting on her soap box." So I keep my mouth shut. I have NO FUCKING CLUE who my authentic self is!
So tell me oh great wondrous Universe, if I picked such great words that you feel the need to throw them at me everyday how the hell am I supposed to do this? How do I find my authentic self? and then How do I emerge as such?
Thursday, February 13, 2014
A Day Full Of Emotions
Today has been a roller coaster of emotions. It was supposed to be a really good day, but instead it was a day mixed with joy and sadness.
The Joyful:
My Beloved's Dad FINALLY got the thumbs up, the green light, the all systems go to get back to work. He got the call this morning that his truck had arrived and would be available this afternoon. I've never seen a person so excited to back to work. He truly does love his job though, so I think that has a lot to do with it. He got all his stuff loaded up to take over and "move in" to his rig. We didn't expect him on the road until morning. Just found out he is already on the road!
This month will still be sucking financially until he gets his miles going and a steady check coming in. As of this moment, we don't know how bills or rent will be paid. There just isn't any money to pay any of them.
The Numbing:
Officially got a diagnosis on my mom. She has pancreatic cancer that has metastasized to the liver. My aunt said that she was told her paper work does not indicate a stage. How the hell do you omit that information?? She will be receiving chemo treatment. She is also receiving physical therapy. The PT is that the hope is she will go home in a couple of months so long as she is making progress. IF she does go home though, she will have to have 8 hours of care daily.
I did some quick Google searching and the cancer sites I've looked at indicate that she is already in Stage IV. I honestly don't know if she will get to go back home. Maybe they will let her for a short term to get her affairs in order. So far as we know too, my mom doesn't seem to know she has cancer. After meeting with the coordinator, the dietitian, and the social worker yesterday, my aunt said she told them to make sure the doctor tells my mom she has cancer. My aunt cannot handle breaking the news to her if she does in fact not know. I understand how hard this must be for her. She just lost her husband to prostate cancer last April.
If my mother wants me to know anything, I have no idea. It would seem my aunt is acting proxy on her behalf. (is that the way to say it?) My thoughts and options on what should or shouldn't be done are not asked. My guess is that as far as my mom is concerned, I don't exist. I really feel like my hands are tied in this situation. My mom wants nothing to do with me. I can't afford to go to New York even if I wanted to help out some how. Besides what's the point if I'm not wanted?!
The Sad:
Heartbreaking truly. The Heavens got a new little angel today. Sister #3's fiance's nephew. A sweet 11 year old boy, lost his battle with brain cancer. He stopped breathing last night, then it was determined there was no more brain activity. At 11:30 AM local time he was removed from life support. He fought a good hard fight for almost 4 years. I only had the opportunity to meet him once, but he was too shy and embarrassed by how he looked. This was back when the tumors were just starting to disfigure him.
He won the hearts of many, including a local biker group. Several of them came to say good bye to him last night. The 'leader' a big burly biker dude cried when he said good bye to him.
Spread your wings and fly with the angels! For now you no longer feel pain. And you can eat all the Oreos you want!!
RIP GD
The Joyful:
My Beloved's Dad FINALLY got the thumbs up, the green light, the all systems go to get back to work. He got the call this morning that his truck had arrived and would be available this afternoon. I've never seen a person so excited to back to work. He truly does love his job though, so I think that has a lot to do with it. He got all his stuff loaded up to take over and "move in" to his rig. We didn't expect him on the road until morning. Just found out he is already on the road!
This month will still be sucking financially until he gets his miles going and a steady check coming in. As of this moment, we don't know how bills or rent will be paid. There just isn't any money to pay any of them.
The Numbing:
Officially got a diagnosis on my mom. She has pancreatic cancer that has metastasized to the liver. My aunt said that she was told her paper work does not indicate a stage. How the hell do you omit that information?? She will be receiving chemo treatment. She is also receiving physical therapy. The PT is that the hope is she will go home in a couple of months so long as she is making progress. IF she does go home though, she will have to have 8 hours of care daily.
I did some quick Google searching and the cancer sites I've looked at indicate that she is already in Stage IV. I honestly don't know if she will get to go back home. Maybe they will let her for a short term to get her affairs in order. So far as we know too, my mom doesn't seem to know she has cancer. After meeting with the coordinator, the dietitian, and the social worker yesterday, my aunt said she told them to make sure the doctor tells my mom she has cancer. My aunt cannot handle breaking the news to her if she does in fact not know. I understand how hard this must be for her. She just lost her husband to prostate cancer last April.
If my mother wants me to know anything, I have no idea. It would seem my aunt is acting proxy on her behalf. (is that the way to say it?) My thoughts and options on what should or shouldn't be done are not asked. My guess is that as far as my mom is concerned, I don't exist. I really feel like my hands are tied in this situation. My mom wants nothing to do with me. I can't afford to go to New York even if I wanted to help out some how. Besides what's the point if I'm not wanted?!
The Sad:
Heartbreaking truly. The Heavens got a new little angel today. Sister #3's fiance's nephew. A sweet 11 year old boy, lost his battle with brain cancer. He stopped breathing last night, then it was determined there was no more brain activity. At 11:30 AM local time he was removed from life support. He fought a good hard fight for almost 4 years. I only had the opportunity to meet him once, but he was too shy and embarrassed by how he looked. This was back when the tumors were just starting to disfigure him.
He won the hearts of many, including a local biker group. Several of them came to say good bye to him last night. The 'leader' a big burly biker dude cried when he said good bye to him.
Spread your wings and fly with the angels! For now you no longer feel pain. And you can eat all the Oreos you want!!
RIP GD
Friday, February 7, 2014
The Good And The Bad News, Everything In Between
I've held off on posting because I wanted some concrete, something definite one way or the other on my mother. But the exact diagnosis is still elusive to me. As far as I know so far, she had a CAT Scan when she first was in the hospital the early part of January. That was followed by an endoscopy. Which was to be followed by a stent implant operation that may or may not have been done, as well as the second endoscopy that may or may not have been done. I do understand that she had a second CAT Scan and a PET Scan. After her PET Scan, a day or two later, she was transferred to a nursing home/rehab center for at least the next 100 days as of Monday. They are giving her physical therapy to get her back on her feet and I am assuming some better use of her hand since her mild stroke last year. I was told she will also start chemo. The cancer, what ever type it is, is supposed to be located at the top of her pancreas. Type and stage are still unknown at this point. I don't know if the information is truly not known or if it is being withheld from me. Hopefully at the end of her 100 days, she will be able to go home. I hope that they have caught things early and that what ever this is, is treatable. Whatever disaster our relationship has turned into, I wish her no ill or harm.
Last June, my Beloved's Dad got put on medical leave from his job as a truck driver due to a spike in his blood sugar. He is a diabetic. He immediately began filing all the proper paper work and going to all the doctors, getting tests done, etc that were required for him to get back on the road and working. His endocrinologist said he was one of the best patients she'd ever had, following her protocols and getting his blood sugar back under control quickly and better/faster than she even anticipated. With that and all the paperwork filed, we figured he'd be back out on the road in no time. Luckily during this time, he had his retirement benefits coming in. So although things were tight, we managed. But the red tape, the hoops, and government shut down. The so called 'rules' for exemptions were disheartening, to say the least. But he was patient and persistent. Checking on the status of things. Patiently waiting for things to be approved. But the approval wasn't coming. Thanksgiving came and went, so did Christmas. His list was closed and still no word.
Here comes January, he's still waiting. Getting through to some one that could give a straight answer was next to impossible. Then, they get a letter saying that their social security will be cut due to his projected income (Even though he hasn't worked in 7 fucking months!) He can't collect unemployment because he was still considered "On the payroll". Finally towards the end of January, he found out his exemption was granted! YAY! OH...but wait...now you have to wait for the papers to come in the mail. FUCK! More waiting!!! This month of February was looking mighty bleak! No money for bills or rent, and the food we have we'd have to make it stretch as far was we could.
Thank the Goddesses! Thank the Gods! His letter came today! He's already called his manager and they will be working on getting him a truck ASAP! If all goes well, he'll be back to work next week!!! Things are still going to be tight. He has to drive to make miles to make money. Still don't know how bills or rent will get paid yet, but everyone is happy knowing he is going back to work.
We started this week with about 3 inches or so of snow! This after everything just about melted from our Christmas snow. Last night it started snowing again, by this morning we had 4-6 inches depending on where you stood on the property. We have a winter weather advisory for this whole weekend. It started up again today just after 5pm, and in the last 3 hours we have already gotten about an inch and a half. It's still falling! We could see up to 6 inches by morning. The original advisories were calling for 3-9 inches. Yesterday afternoon the news said 9-18 inches. It was revised to 12 inches by Sunday last night. But at this rate, we're looking at more than the 12 inches by Sunday if keeps falling everyday like this in these amounts. It's a winter wonderland out there. It's been so long since I've seen snow like this. It's nothing like what is falling back East in NY and all over the Northeast.
I can hardly believe that on the 3rd, my Beloved and I have been together 5 years! There was a time where I didn't think I deserved him or the happiness I have with him. I would not have come as far as I have if not for him. Here's to the next 5 years and the next 5 after that, and after that, and so on and so on. <3 p="">
On January 25, my big girl turned 21! OMG! Where has the time gone? It seems like it was only yesterday that they placed this new born baby girl in my arms. Her eyes wide with wonder and curiosity. She looked up at me with her big blue eyes in awe. (They've since turned hazel but are still beautiful and just as wonder filled as the day she was born) She did not cry until they took her from me to weigh and examine. My wishes and hopes for her now are the same as then, that she follow her heart and pursues her dreams. To be and become what ever she desires and makes her happy.
Now come March 25, my baby girl will be turning 18! When did time fly so fast that I'm now the mother of two young adult women. Now she...she was a screamer as soon as she was born. She was sure to let everyone know she had arrived. I have the same hopes and wishes for her as I do for her sister.
I hope you all had a wonderful Imbolc. May Brighid shine her blessings upon you and yours.
Last June, my Beloved's Dad got put on medical leave from his job as a truck driver due to a spike in his blood sugar. He is a diabetic. He immediately began filing all the proper paper work and going to all the doctors, getting tests done, etc that were required for him to get back on the road and working. His endocrinologist said he was one of the best patients she'd ever had, following her protocols and getting his blood sugar back under control quickly and better/faster than she even anticipated. With that and all the paperwork filed, we figured he'd be back out on the road in no time. Luckily during this time, he had his retirement benefits coming in. So although things were tight, we managed. But the red tape, the hoops, and government shut down. The so called 'rules' for exemptions were disheartening, to say the least. But he was patient and persistent. Checking on the status of things. Patiently waiting for things to be approved. But the approval wasn't coming. Thanksgiving came and went, so did Christmas. His list was closed and still no word.
Here comes January, he's still waiting. Getting through to some one that could give a straight answer was next to impossible. Then, they get a letter saying that their social security will be cut due to his projected income (Even though he hasn't worked in 7 fucking months!) He can't collect unemployment because he was still considered "On the payroll". Finally towards the end of January, he found out his exemption was granted! YAY! OH...but wait...now you have to wait for the papers to come in the mail. FUCK! More waiting!!! This month of February was looking mighty bleak! No money for bills or rent, and the food we have we'd have to make it stretch as far was we could.
Thank the Goddesses! Thank the Gods! His letter came today! He's already called his manager and they will be working on getting him a truck ASAP! If all goes well, he'll be back to work next week!!! Things are still going to be tight. He has to drive to make miles to make money. Still don't know how bills or rent will get paid yet, but everyone is happy knowing he is going back to work.
We started this week with about 3 inches or so of snow! This after everything just about melted from our Christmas snow. Last night it started snowing again, by this morning we had 4-6 inches depending on where you stood on the property. We have a winter weather advisory for this whole weekend. It started up again today just after 5pm, and in the last 3 hours we have already gotten about an inch and a half. It's still falling! We could see up to 6 inches by morning. The original advisories were calling for 3-9 inches. Yesterday afternoon the news said 9-18 inches. It was revised to 12 inches by Sunday last night. But at this rate, we're looking at more than the 12 inches by Sunday if keeps falling everyday like this in these amounts. It's a winter wonderland out there. It's been so long since I've seen snow like this. It's nothing like what is falling back East in NY and all over the Northeast.
I can hardly believe that on the 3rd, my Beloved and I have been together 5 years! There was a time where I didn't think I deserved him or the happiness I have with him. I would not have come as far as I have if not for him. Here's to the next 5 years and the next 5 after that, and after that, and so on and so on. <3 p="">
On January 25, my big girl turned 21! OMG! Where has the time gone? It seems like it was only yesterday that they placed this new born baby girl in my arms. Her eyes wide with wonder and curiosity. She looked up at me with her big blue eyes in awe. (They've since turned hazel but are still beautiful and just as wonder filled as the day she was born) She did not cry until they took her from me to weigh and examine. My wishes and hopes for her now are the same as then, that she follow her heart and pursues her dreams. To be and become what ever she desires and makes her happy.
Now come March 25, my baby girl will be turning 18! When did time fly so fast that I'm now the mother of two young adult women. Now she...she was a screamer as soon as she was born. She was sure to let everyone know she had arrived. I have the same hopes and wishes for her as I do for her sister.
I hope you all had a wonderful Imbolc. May Brighid shine her blessings upon you and yours.
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Still Haven't Sorted Out My Feelings Yet
My mother is still in the hospital. It seems for now the jaundice has improved as did her kidney function, they were able to take her off the IV fluids for that. She was supposed to have some procedure done, but her potassium level dropped. The doctor said she wouldn't handle the anesthesia for it. The first endoscopy was inconclusive. She was having a CT scan a couple days ago with contrast, I think they are still waiting for those results. Today she was supposed to undergo another endoscopy with ultrasound. No word on if it was done yet.
The first time she was in the hospital last year with the stroke, she was also diagnosed with diabetes and they had her on insulin there. When she was released, they put her on metformin. Her doctor switched her to Januvia. A drug known to cause pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. From the little I know, I've done a bit of searching and much of what my mother's symptoms are all seem to point to pancreatic cancer. Being on a drug known to cause it...well, I'm at a loss. I am hoping they don't find cancer.
It's like Wendy said in her comment on my previous post of this topic...I feel guilty. My mother has always for as long as I could remember make me feel guilty even if I did nothing wrong. She could be angry about things that had nothing to do with me, but could make me feel like it was all my fault. She's quite skilled that way.
When I first got married and we told her, she ranted and raved like a mad woman. She then didn't speak to me for months! Before that, when the Ogre and I were still just dating...she decided we were getting too close and she wanted to break us up. I don't know how she planned to do it, she never got the chance. It wasn't until I was pregnant with my first child....almost 3 years later, that she finally spoke to me again! We mostly kept in touch by letters after that. She pretty much kept in touch more or less up until my youngest was about 2 1/2 years old. After that, her contact became less and less until she stopped all together. I didn't hear from her for about 5 years when she needed my father's papers. After that, I never heard from her again. I did try to encourage at least something with my girls. I'd coax them to write letters to her and draw pictures. But her replies to them also become few and few until she stopped all together.
If people that knew us saw her, and asked her how I was....she'd say "WHO?" like she didn't know me or like I didn't exist. In the early days of my marriage, she spread rumors about me that I had to get married because I was pregnant even though I wasn't. When I was in contact with her and she told people I had written, my mother would refer to me as "it" "she" "her"...never by my name. I felt like she thought speaking my name would burn her or something. And yet over the years, I was the one who felt guilty. I still do.
I didn't do this. I tried to keep her in my life. I tried to keep her in my girls lives. She chose not to have anything to do with us. It was her choice, her doing. So why the fuck do I feel so fucking guilty about it. I did nothing wrong. Nothing except get married and tried to have a life of my own. Nothing except grow up.
If you've been following me for awhile, you know my marriage is no more. Little did I know then I was marrying a man much like my mother...co-dependent, narcissistic, controlling, emotionally and psychologically abusive. He too had a way of making me feel guilty for things that I didn't do or had nothing to do with me.
So it comes down to asking why do I still feel guilty about what she chose to do? Why do I give a shit about what happens to her? Why do I feel guilty that my aunt is dealing with all this while she is still grieving the loss of my uncle to cancer almost a year ago? I keep trying to sort it all out in my head but none of it makes sense. I talk about it with my beloved's mom but I still find no answers.
Most people that have never been in this type of situation with a parent usually say well you care because it's still your mom. And I keep coming back to in my mind that anyone can give birth, it takes a lot more then giving birth to be a mom. To me she stopped being a mom when she tried to keep me in a physically abusive relationship with I was 16. That's not being a mom when your child is being abused and you would rather see her stay in that relationship. That's really fucked up! And that went on for almost 2 years!
So again...when I go over everything in my head that's happened. When I go over all those choices that SHE MADE! Why the fuck do I feel guilty? Why the fuck do I feel like I should be doing more? It's so fucking frustrating!
The first time she was in the hospital last year with the stroke, she was also diagnosed with diabetes and they had her on insulin there. When she was released, they put her on metformin. Her doctor switched her to Januvia. A drug known to cause pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. From the little I know, I've done a bit of searching and much of what my mother's symptoms are all seem to point to pancreatic cancer. Being on a drug known to cause it...well, I'm at a loss. I am hoping they don't find cancer.
It's like Wendy said in her comment on my previous post of this topic...I feel guilty. My mother has always for as long as I could remember make me feel guilty even if I did nothing wrong. She could be angry about things that had nothing to do with me, but could make me feel like it was all my fault. She's quite skilled that way.
When I first got married and we told her, she ranted and raved like a mad woman. She then didn't speak to me for months! Before that, when the Ogre and I were still just dating...she decided we were getting too close and she wanted to break us up. I don't know how she planned to do it, she never got the chance. It wasn't until I was pregnant with my first child....almost 3 years later, that she finally spoke to me again! We mostly kept in touch by letters after that. She pretty much kept in touch more or less up until my youngest was about 2 1/2 years old. After that, her contact became less and less until she stopped all together. I didn't hear from her for about 5 years when she needed my father's papers. After that, I never heard from her again. I did try to encourage at least something with my girls. I'd coax them to write letters to her and draw pictures. But her replies to them also become few and few until she stopped all together.
If people that knew us saw her, and asked her how I was....she'd say "WHO?" like she didn't know me or like I didn't exist. In the early days of my marriage, she spread rumors about me that I had to get married because I was pregnant even though I wasn't. When I was in contact with her and she told people I had written, my mother would refer to me as "it" "she" "her"...never by my name. I felt like she thought speaking my name would burn her or something. And yet over the years, I was the one who felt guilty. I still do.
I didn't do this. I tried to keep her in my life. I tried to keep her in my girls lives. She chose not to have anything to do with us. It was her choice, her doing. So why the fuck do I feel so fucking guilty about it. I did nothing wrong. Nothing except get married and tried to have a life of my own. Nothing except grow up.
If you've been following me for awhile, you know my marriage is no more. Little did I know then I was marrying a man much like my mother...co-dependent, narcissistic, controlling, emotionally and psychologically abusive. He too had a way of making me feel guilty for things that I didn't do or had nothing to do with me.
So it comes down to asking why do I still feel guilty about what she chose to do? Why do I give a shit about what happens to her? Why do I feel guilty that my aunt is dealing with all this while she is still grieving the loss of my uncle to cancer almost a year ago? I keep trying to sort it all out in my head but none of it makes sense. I talk about it with my beloved's mom but I still find no answers.
Most people that have never been in this type of situation with a parent usually say well you care because it's still your mom. And I keep coming back to in my mind that anyone can give birth, it takes a lot more then giving birth to be a mom. To me she stopped being a mom when she tried to keep me in a physically abusive relationship with I was 16. That's not being a mom when your child is being abused and you would rather see her stay in that relationship. That's really fucked up! And that went on for almost 2 years!
So again...when I go over everything in my head that's happened. When I go over all those choices that SHE MADE! Why the fuck do I feel guilty? Why the fuck do I feel like I should be doing more? It's so fucking frustrating!
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Full Wolf Moon Blessings
I wish you all blessings on this first full moon of the year, the Full Wolf Moon.
I have, for the last couple of days, been feeling the very strong energy coming off this full moon. To the point, that today, my skin could feel what I can only explain as electric energy in the air. I feel very on edge, jumpy. I don't know what to do with myself when I feel the moon this strongly. I don't know how to channel it.
I decided to pull some tarot cards. I want to try and do that on a regular basis, especially on the full moons. I am hoping to remember to do it on the new moons as well, and even pull one daily. I really want to learn to read them, not just by what the book says they mean but intuitively too.
Anyway, I shuffled my Gilded Tarot deck and focused on the question "What do I need to know?" I then fanned out my cards and closed my eyes, chose three cards. I laid them out in the order I picked them and turned them over.
The cards I drew were:
I felt inclined to then draw a fourth card from the top of the deck. This card was the Six of Pentacles (Successful gains. Sharing. Gift.)
If anyone cares to offer their insights to the cards I drew, feel free to comment. I always do enjoy another's point of view on them.
Bright Blessings!!!
I have, for the last couple of days, been feeling the very strong energy coming off this full moon. To the point, that today, my skin could feel what I can only explain as electric energy in the air. I feel very on edge, jumpy. I don't know what to do with myself when I feel the moon this strongly. I don't know how to channel it.
I decided to pull some tarot cards. I want to try and do that on a regular basis, especially on the full moons. I am hoping to remember to do it on the new moons as well, and even pull one daily. I really want to learn to read them, not just by what the book says they mean but intuitively too.
Anyway, I shuffled my Gilded Tarot deck and focused on the question "What do I need to know?" I then fanned out my cards and closed my eyes, chose three cards. I laid them out in the order I picked them and turned them over.
The cards I drew were:
- Ace of Wands (New adventure or way of life. Pregnancy or birth.)
- The World (Triumph and achievement, success, happiness.)
- Seven of Swords (Diplomacy, not aggression. Situation not going as anticipated.)
I felt inclined to then draw a fourth card from the top of the deck. This card was the Six of Pentacles (Successful gains. Sharing. Gift.)
If anyone cares to offer their insights to the cards I drew, feel free to comment. I always do enjoy another's point of view on them.
Bright Blessings!!!
Saturday, January 11, 2014
RIP Dear Cleo, You Will Be Missed
Today we had to put down Sister #2's old basset hound Cleo. She had been declining slowing for a couple of months. The last couple of days she stopped eating and was always wanting to sleep. Poor ole girl was just so tired. She fought a good fight to the end.
Such a sweet girl, you will be missed. No more Cleo "OOFS" to hear, no more stumbling over your skinny little butt when you stop short in front people. Run happy and free in the Summerlands where your pal Caesar is waiting for you.
Friday, January 10, 2014
I Don't Know How I'm Supposed To Feel
I found out this morning that my mother is back in the hospital. It doesn't sound good. She had a stroke last year and was diagnosed with diabetes. From the sounds of it she hasn't been taking care of herself, not eating right, not going back to the doctor for check ups. So now she's in the hospital with jaundice, in renal failure, and they did a CAT scan which shows a mass on her pancreas. A biopsy was done on it and they are waiting for the results. They are trying to reverse the renal failure with fluids, but the doctor has also said that she wouldn't survive dialysis. I'm not really sure what that part means.
The thing is....knowing all this.....I don't know how I'm supposed to feel. Do I care? Do I not care? You see, we haven't spoken in a little over 15 years. The last written contact I had from her was about 10 years ago. These were her choices. She did not want me to marry not just the girls dad but anyone for that matter. Her plan I think was for me to live my life with her, doing things her way, supporting her gambling habit, running around to bingo and Atlantic City with her, feeding her co-dependency. Her plan failed. She was furious when I got married. Has pretty much blamed me for everything that's gone wrong in life. If it wasn't my fault, it was my late father's fault. Anyone and everyone's fault but hers. She chose not to have a relationship with my girls. So for the last 15 years, she has basically disowned me and acts like I don't even exist. It used hurt and make me angry. Now it just makes me sad because she missed out on so much.
My family feels I should be responsible for her should anything happen to her. They don't understand that I can't. Financially I don't have the means to do anything. Flying alone would cost anywhere from 450-over 700 depending on when. How can I be responsible for someone who doesn't give a shit about me? I can't cover any of her expense should she pass.
I honestly don't know how I feel about any of this. Except a sense of guilt because I don't have the money to do anything.
The thing is....knowing all this.....I don't know how I'm supposed to feel. Do I care? Do I not care? You see, we haven't spoken in a little over 15 years. The last written contact I had from her was about 10 years ago. These were her choices. She did not want me to marry not just the girls dad but anyone for that matter. Her plan I think was for me to live my life with her, doing things her way, supporting her gambling habit, running around to bingo and Atlantic City with her, feeding her co-dependency. Her plan failed. She was furious when I got married. Has pretty much blamed me for everything that's gone wrong in life. If it wasn't my fault, it was my late father's fault. Anyone and everyone's fault but hers. She chose not to have a relationship with my girls. So for the last 15 years, she has basically disowned me and acts like I don't even exist. It used hurt and make me angry. Now it just makes me sad because she missed out on so much.
My family feels I should be responsible for her should anything happen to her. They don't understand that I can't. Financially I don't have the means to do anything. Flying alone would cost anywhere from 450-over 700 depending on when. How can I be responsible for someone who doesn't give a shit about me? I can't cover any of her expense should she pass.
I honestly don't know how I feel about any of this. Except a sense of guilt because I don't have the money to do anything.
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Happy 2014!
First day and first post of the new year!! Woo Hoo! It is my sincerest hope to blog more often. I think I set a record last year ending with 37 posts since I started this blog. There is a lot on my "to do list" for this year besides blogging more often.
Some of those things are:
There are more things on my list, I keep adding to it as I come across things I want to try or things that I want to accomplish this year.
Over the last few days, I've been thinking about what my word(s) for 2014 should be. I started a list of ones that kind of struck a cord with me. And as the new year drew closer, the words "Authentic Self" started to resonate. Then late yesterday and again today, "Emerge" kept popping up. The more I thought about it, the more I realized I wanted to find and "Emerge" as my "Authentic Self". I was so tempted to back to me first word from a couple of years ago "freedom", it was so powerful and life changing. But I didn't want it to be that easy and fall back on something. I am truly trying to find my "Authentic Self" the who I am, where am I going, what is my path and goal in life self. And I realize that I truly wish to "Emerge" as who I am, what ever that may be.
So there they are! My words for 2014: "EMERGE" and "AUTHENTIC SELF" or to better phrase it "Emerge as my Authentic Self"
I hope these words serve me better than "Dare" did last year. Some where along the way, it fell short. Or more likely, I fell short and did not "Dare" as much as I should have.
Here's to finding my "Authentic Self" and "Emerging" as such. Here's to an amazing 2014!!!!!!!!
Some of those things are:
- To read more books! I got a Kindle for my birthday just a standard, non-fancy one. It's been great to discover different authors by downloading free books. But this isn't going to be a hard goal to reach...I love books, I love to read!
- To start a daily habit, if not weekly habit of keeping a journal.
- To take part in "The Documented Life" project.
- To draw a daily Tarot or Oracle card.
- To take part in the 365 Days of Art challenge.
There are more things on my list, I keep adding to it as I come across things I want to try or things that I want to accomplish this year.
Over the last few days, I've been thinking about what my word(s) for 2014 should be. I started a list of ones that kind of struck a cord with me. And as the new year drew closer, the words "Authentic Self" started to resonate. Then late yesterday and again today, "Emerge" kept popping up. The more I thought about it, the more I realized I wanted to find and "Emerge" as my "Authentic Self". I was so tempted to back to me first word from a couple of years ago "freedom", it was so powerful and life changing. But I didn't want it to be that easy and fall back on something. I am truly trying to find my "Authentic Self" the who I am, where am I going, what is my path and goal in life self. And I realize that I truly wish to "Emerge" as who I am, what ever that may be.
So there they are! My words for 2014: "EMERGE" and "AUTHENTIC SELF" or to better phrase it "Emerge as my Authentic Self"
I hope these words serve me better than "Dare" did last year. Some where along the way, it fell short. Or more likely, I fell short and did not "Dare" as much as I should have.
Here's to finding my "Authentic Self" and "Emerging" as such. Here's to an amazing 2014!!!!!!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)