Thursday, April 1, 2021

Last of March, first of April

 Gregg finally suggested a birthday present for me that I was excited about--a new hammock to replace the one that wore out years ago. We still had the big metal hammock stand to hang it on stored in the garage. I picked out a red quilted one and we brought it home on Sunday. I've been relaxing in it every afternoon since!


It takes up half of the back porch, but I love it. With the screens keeping mosquitoes and bugs out and the ceiling fan to keep a cool breeze circulating, the porch is that much more comfortable and fun. My porch is my happy place.

This hasn't been an altogether happy week so far. A woman who works in our school library got devastating news about her beloved dog over the weekend and they had to have her put to sleep on Monday. The family is heartbroken, and I feel terrible for them. Then I embarrass myself by starting to cry every time I talk to Robin (the coworker) about it. I guess the loss of Ginger is still too fresh for me to interact with others experiencing pet bereavement right now. It seems to have triggered a load of fresh grief for me. It's strange. And hard.

Something else is happening that's bothering me. My 83 year old neighbor has been very, very ill all of a sudden. Her birthday was the Friday before mine, and we noticed lots of her family's cars at her house over the weekend. Since her kids, grandkids, and even some young great-grandchildren all live locally and come over a lot, we didn't think much of it at first....but then this week started and there were still cars there, and one of her daughters was spending the night. I finally sent her a text, just checking in, and found out that she had been in the hospital for 8 days and wasn't released until her birthday! We had no idea. Her daughter is staying there at night for the time being to keep an eye on things. Apparently Miss Luella had pancreatitis first, then a preexisting heart arrhythmia starting acting up, and then she caught pneumonia. Eight days in the hospital! At her age, that's scary stuff. She said that she's very, very weak and is having a hard time eating and drinking enough and can't seem to get any energy back. No wonder! I've been trying to think of something we can do for her, but all I can come up with is maybe fruit and flowers? I don't know what she can or can't eat, but a small basket of fruit seems harmless and some bright flowers might be cheering. If anyone reading has any suggestions I'd love to hear them! Of course I've told her that we're right next door, day or night, and to please call if she needed anything at all. I also offered to run any errands she might have. We've tried to think of other stuff that might help, but her family seems to be taking excellent care of her. Gregg did roll her garbage can back under her carport the other morning. We can't think of much else at the moment. I imagine her recovery is going to be long and hard, and once her family isn't there day and night maybe we can do more for her. But again, any suggestions are welcome.

On a happier note, Marla and Martina are coming over Saturday! And Marla will bring little Carsen over for the first hour or so (her daddy will come pick her up after a little while so the party can continue baby-less)! I haven't hugged that baby in over a year. She's about to turn three, so that's over a third of her life so far.


This was back in January. See? She's a little girl now!

It's going to be a fun time. I'm looking forward to seeing my friends again, and there will be birthday cake, and so my birthday celebration continues. Today is a half day at work, and after that we're on spring break. I'm looking forward to it.


33 comments:

  1. Hammocks can be fun!! And 83 is elderly, things can go south very quickly. I'm hoping she pulls through this.

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    1. We got the hammock from Home Depot! I thought about you when we went there to shop for it!

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  2. Wow! Kids grow so fast, don't they?! I'm sorry to hear about your neighbor. I'm sure anything you offer will be appreciated, and they have the comfort of knowing that you're nearby and available for help. I can absolutely see how your colleague's experience with her dog would awaken your own feelings of loss.

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    1. I still miss Ginger so much. I'm sure some people would find it strange to mourn this much for a dog, but she was more than "just a dog" to us. A lot more.

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  3. To make your happy place even happier with a new hammock was a great idea!

    Sorry to hear about your neighbour having been so ill, but it must be such a relief for you to know that her family are there for her. You are right, there will be more little things for you to do to help when the family mostly go back to their everyday lives. And just knowing that you are nearby will be of comfort to her!
    Flowers are always welcome, aren't they.

    How lovely to have your friends and little Carsen over!

    I can't wait for the Easter weekend to begin - for the first time since the day after New Year, I will be at O.K.'s again!

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    1. You should be at O.K.'s house by now! Have fun, and happy Easter!

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  4. So sorry about your neighbor. How fortunate that she has so many family members that care. I'm glad your birthday celebration continues. I envy you the time with Carsen. She's adorable.

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    1. Isn't she cute? I've missed getting to see her.

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  5. Perhaps you could make soup for your neighbor? Take some as is and freeze a few small containers for her to put in her freezer.
    Just a thought.
    Carson was just a baby ten minutes ago! How can she be such a big girl?
    I almost put my hammock up yesterday. But I didn't. You've inspired me though.

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    1. Your comment about soup portioned out so some of it can be frozen has inspired me! That's what I plan to do!

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  6. Fruit and flowers sound a lovely idea. Or, if you are a baker, what about a batch of freshly baked scones?

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    1. I only hesitate to make her something she had pancreatitis, so now I'm thinking soup that's portioned out into 1 cup containers might be a better idea. She can freeze some for later if she can't eat it right away!

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  7. Just think of the nice long lay ins you can have on that hammock with a nice summer breeze blowing in while napping!!!!

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    1. I know! And there's a ceiling fan out there, too, so it should be nice and comfortable all summer!

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  8. That hammock does look comfy! Glad your neighbor is home and getting help from her family. Your thoughtful gift will comfort her!

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  9. you look comfortable in your new "toy"!

    I would go with flowers for the neighbor; the fruit may spoil before she gets to eat it. or bake cuppycakes or make a casserole or soup.

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    1. I think I'll go with soup sometime next week!

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  10. How very thoughtful of you, dear woman! When I had pneumonia it was the sickest i have ever been, a dark place, The best thing brought over was matzo ball soup in a rich organic chicken broth. Healing!

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    1. I've never had matzo ball soup but it sounds delicious! I was thinking of making her a light chicken noodle soup from scratch one day next week, with organic broth, chicken breast, scallions, garlic, and tiny new carrots and peas. Surely that will be okay for her to eat, and I can portion it out in freezer cups so she can freeze whatever she can't eat right away.

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  11. A hammock is a wonderful gift! We had one when I was a child and I loved it so much. I'm sorry to hear about your neighbor. If she had pancreatitis you might ask if she is on a special diet and then get or make her something she can eat. That can be so difficult, especially at her age. If nothing else I'm sure flowers or a plant would lift her spirits. You are very kind to think of her.

    How fun to start getting together with your friends again! I am happy for you. Have a wonderful time!

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  12. That hammock is a lovely treat, and much more comfortable than the rope hammocks. Much more comfortable than rope hammocks.
    You might see what help your neighbor would like to have when her family is gone. Taking care of her garbage cans is good, and perhaps emptying her wastebaskets to the trash.

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    1. I'll be at home for spring break all next week, so I should be able to come up with some things to do for her.

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  13. What a great gift that you should get a lot of use out of. Sorry to hear about your neighbor.

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    1. I've already been in that hammock every day since we bought it!

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  14. It doesn't seem so long ago that you were telling us about her birth.

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  15. You have offered a genuine hand of friendship to Miss Luella and I think that that is the most you can do right now. You are a good neighbour Jennifer. I hope the catch-up with Marla and Carsen went well.

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  16. Getting over pneumonia at that age suggests she's a tough nut!

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    1. She was in really good health prior to all this. She even had Covid last summer and barely got sick at all. I hope she fully recovers!

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