Sunday, January 1, 2012

And another year begins...

  Had a lovely, sane New Year's Eve here at Honeysuckle Hill...we even stayed up til almost 1:30, lol...toasting in the New Year with sparkling grape juice and a cheese and cracker plate and watching NCIS reruns (marathon) most of the evening. Got up  this morning and made cinnamon rolls and eggs for breakfast and the Irishman is off to his usual Sunday Morning Meeting and I am here...doing some laundry, taking down the few Xmas decorations we have out and cleaning up. Decided I would take a minute to come in here and say good morning and start the year off right with a little blogging.

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  Yesterday was a long and emotionally draining day for me, until I got home and sat in my sweetie's arms for a while.  My aunt is dying, and my sister and I took the almost 3 hour trip up to see her. She's my dad's sister and I wanted to make sure to get up there at least once more before she departs this earth.  On the way there, my brother called to tell me that our nephew was in a terrible motorcycle accident at 1 AM  and was in critical condition in Florida. He was at a party and drinking and jumped on his friend's motorcycle and took it for a spin...no helmet, probably no license, and apparently the road curved and he didn't.  He has massive injuries, ruptured spleen damaged pancreas, broken ribs, one of which punctured a lung. A small skull fracture. Broken collar bone.  He bled out almost the entire body volume of blood...they were concerned about kidney damage, but now they think they are okay. They airlifted him to a big hospital where they pumped him full of new  blood, did emergency surgery to remove the spleen and part of the pancreas. He is on a ventilator.  It's a miracle that he is alive. It's a miracle there was no brain or spinal cord damage.   They will do more surgery on Monday, my sister said when I talked to her last night, but the prognosis is good. He will have a long road to recovery, but he will make it.  

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  It was really hard to see this always vivacious, full of "piss and vinegar" aunt lying in that bed almost unresponsive. We stayed for quite a while, talking to her and we actually managed to get her to drink a little and I put her glasses on her and she smiled. She did try to talk to us some, but it was really hard to understand her and hard for her to do.  She has developed Parkinsons and early Altzheimers (though I don't know how they can diagnose that at this stage).  She is dehydrated and we kept pushing the water and a bottle of chocolate Boost nutritional drink on her and she took a bit. When her son got there, he was amazed--said this is not the woman who was in this bed yesterday. She actually waved at him when he came in the door...a little fluttery hand wave. My cousin is having a really hard time with this...as he lost his dad and sister in the same year about 2 years ago.  And he was always a bit of a momma's boy, so that makes it even worse.  I promised to come back up next Thursday (if she's still here) on my day off.  He hugged me and cried and said thank you thank you so many times until I wanted to cry too.  I know how hard this is..I went through it too. And I will do whatever I can to help him and support him and be there for my aunt. 

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  So...all in all, a sad and scary start to a new year, but also one that holds promise and hope.  Getting some black eyed peas and hamhocks and greens and cornbread going for dinner..our traditional New Years Day fare.  I started thinking about some "goals" (thank you, Leigh! lol)  for 2012 and one of them is going to be looking towards a cleaner, meat-free diet.  We have a freezer full of stuff and we'll use that all up first.  (There'll be no wasting of food on HH). Then we'll decide just what direction we want to go. Probably not vegan, but surely a more vegetable and grain based diet. We'll keep our layers.  We'll still use butter, probably. But a change is in the air, I can feel it.  We don't really eat a LOT of meat, and almost no red meat, so this won't be difficult to institute, just a matter of changing some habits once again and going the extra mile to plan meals.  
  We also spent some time yesterday evening talking about things we want to do around here...some things that NEED doing and some things we WANT to do.  We need to put them to paper so that they don't get forgotten or ignored in the shuffle.

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  I hear the washing machine finishing the spin cycle and need to run the vacuum and clean this mess up before the Irishman gets back and we have to dine and then I'm off to MissB's.

  I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year and send blessings of peace and prosperity to each and every one.


   Namaste.

7 comments:

Judy T said...

I hope that you have a much more peaceful year than it has started. Hugs to you. Have a blessed 2012.
Judy

Beth said...

Annie, I am so sorry to read the distressing news about your aunt and nephew. Prayers for them and for all of you!
It is windy and getting colder here in central Illinois. Bet it is the same in southern Illinois.
I have made a silent vow to try and eat healthier this year. Maybe not so many TV dinners. lol

Hugs, Stay strong Annie!

DJan said...

I am so sad to hear about your nephew and aunt. It's always hard, but especially hard at this time of the year. The days are short and the nights are long.

I was here in the Pacific Northwest watching those NCIS reruns, too, until my eyes just wouldn't stay awake any longer. I am a real NCIS fan and have seen every episode at least once. Tuesday we get to see a new one.

You are a great friend to so many, Annie. I ate some black eyed peas and kale, but I'm out of cornbread. Going to the movies in an hour to see something at the independent theater here in town. Then home to my honey, dinner, and to bed.

I am thinking of you and your family, wishing everyone whatever is right for them. My heart goes out to you.

Judi said...

Healing thoughts for your nephew and aunt.
I ate a late lunch of those New Year's Day goodies and they were delicious.
Wishing you happiness and health for 2012.

Rita said...

Prayers to your aunt and nephew and all the people who love them both. I hope this coming year will be good to you and yours. :)

Rubye Jack said...

Annie, I'm so sorry to hear about your aunt, and then your nephew's accident. It sounds like he may be okay though. I hope so. I wish you strength within your relationship with your aunt. I have two left who I love greatly and do not want to let go.

I have not eaten meat in a few years now but occasionally slip and have a hamburger and then always regret it. Yelp, I just lied. You come to see how rough meat is on your body when you don't eat it for awhile. Oh, but I still love good prime rib. What can I say?

LindaM said...

Annie
Very sad to hear about both your relatives. Thinking of all of you and sending along some good thoughts and prayers for you all.