Clarity

I've been traveling!

I've already written a post about the first bit of my journey. I'm just not certain I am ready to put it up yet.

This second stretch in my journey has brought me back to my Dad and Dede's home in Oregon. I may have mentioned in the past how much I love visiting here. The weather is mild (compared to that humid area I'm currently residing in), everything is green and there are hills and (REAL) mountains to view. I love the river we visited and the trail we hiked down (although Miriam wasn't up for going all the way to the little falls). I love Saturday market and the beautiful fresh food. I love little local shops and eateries. I love hanging out it Dede's yard. She's picked an awesome array of plants and I like sitting or walking around looking at the landscaping.

I find myself looking for a little more clarity while I am here. I wouldn't say that I have found it at all. In fact, I may have more turmoil in some ways. But I always find a desire to be less wasteful when I am here. Better to the earth, work harder in my garden, find the important things to do with my family.

Maybe it's because of all the new age and gardening books I am browsing.

Any secrets to finding clarity in your life?

Every moment counts

(I've been on my trip for 5 weeks now - but when I started this post it had been 3)

What to post, what to post? I've been on my trip for almost 3 weeks. It's been enjoyable, crazy, and sometimes a little sad.

My mother in law has (had?) bone cancer. Found almost 2 years ago. For the last year and one half she's been undergoing treatments. That is to say, mostly major surgery. Her tumors have been in the pelvis, which is a tricky place for bone cancer. They've removed three tumors, she's had cadaver bone, then medical cement, then nothing taking the place of a chunk of her pelvis. She's battled a chronic infection. This spring they tried out chemotherapy. One round in the chronic infection flamed up, chemo was stopped and a surgery was performed that removed the last tumor, infected tissue AND the medical cement in her hip area.

When we first arrived in the Tri-Cities for our vacation she was having some issues. The short of the long is that she was assigned hospice care. I'm not sure what I think about it. I keep wondering if it was really necessary (it's not like they came in and said - the cancer is everywhere! There is nothing we can do). BUT I know our family there needs help and her pain needs to be under control.

My father-in-law is, so far, a bit of a rock. Very peaceful about the whole ordeal.

Bill arrived for his week off just after Miriam and I. We dealt with the ER and hospital stay for his mom (which resulted in above mentioned care). We took family pictures and had an anniversary dinner (7 years!), went to an art show and took a long walk with Grandpa Bill. We send Bill back to the desert.

After that we took a trip to Oregon, where I enjoyed my Dad and his wife, the great outdoors of Oregon and the Saturday market. I brought raspberries back to the Tri-Cities and made a great cobbler (though I say so myself). And I found out before I left that my sister in law is expecting another baby! Surprise!

This first part of the trip was very jam packed. In case you have been wondering where I have been.

Getting Ready

Lately, I've been getting ready for a trip. I've been finishing up work for the week, battling headaches, cleaning house (and somehow not getting very far), taking Miriam to the pool, planning Sharing Time, packing a little here, doing laundry there. You know how you try to get ready in advance, but end up doing a million things last minute anyway? That will probably be me.

Yard work was paramount over the last few days. I do enjoy looking at the flowers in our yard though...
This was my last big project before giving up on the yard. I've trimmed back bushes and watered plants and pulled weeds and weeds and weed. I should have had a before picture of this area - because it was all big green weeds. But I am very happy with it now.

So off I go to devise a packing list, and figure out what else I need to deal with before it comes time to walk out the door.