All is good!!! when you see no entries. It means I am too busy to enter any information so no worries. This summer has been quite full !! I have had company on and off all summer with my sister and nieces being here last week for a fabulous visit. Douglas and I enjoyed their stay so very much. We miss our family from down south immensely. It is hard to live so spread out with me being unable to travel with few exceptions. I was amazed at how grown up my girls are and how they have grown into smart,beautiful,talented,engaging and wise girls. It has been two years since they last visited. So this was a treat. They went to the annual Butterfly Walk for lupus research at UM as did cousins Polly and Sarah, my dad's wife Mary and one of his best friends Robby. Thank you all for coming and it was a treat to see you all. I am on the planning committee and have been able to attend last four years with the exception of four years ago when I arrived with a van load of water bottles and was rushed to the hospital in a truly horrendous flare and AVN episode. My bones were dying systemically and I was blacking out with pain. My Dr. told Doug to take me to the emergency room where we spent a few hours then into a room for almost a week. That was the start of a bad run of flares, treatments and surgeries which are almost over. I have the next right hip revision Monday October 19. Then the knees? I am getting around quite well with a few gimps here and there. I have had a minor flare for a few days which is common for lupus patients to get at the end of an active sunny summer. The lupus clinic is busiest now and during the holidays or early January. Proof that sun and stress are to be avoided at all costs. I am co planning a fall lupus education-support program at the university which will help patients find ways to deal with stress and other tools for a best daily life !!! I am very excited about this. It is a dream come true. This is the one element missing form UM and now I am happy to say I have driven my Dr. crazy enough to allow us to do this with the stamp of UM's approval.
It has been wild kingdom in our yard and also at the lake. The animals include: Bunnies nesting in our carrot patch, now gone, two snakes at the lake, a doe and other deer in the back yard, many chipmuncks, little tazmanian squirrels in attic),moles, geese, ground hogs, a ton of birds(including one in the fireplace) and all the other natural life in the woods. We also observed the meteorite shower which was fabulous! So I have had my nature buzz lately. Sadly some nut job killed the two swans that live in the pond down the street.There is a $5,000 reward fire information.
Douglas is working on a project on which I am assisting in a creative capacity from a far. Old clients who wanted a jewelry-accessory store renovated at The Old Mill in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. where we renovated a kitchen-food store. We will also be doing another renovation for their "Potters Shed" and store in January. I am hoping I can be there for the entirety. Winter time is easier for me to head south. Right now the garden is about a month behind and is exploding which keeps me very happily busy. My friend is coming to stay for a night on her way back to NC from visiting family in Holland, Michigan. I may have to load her up with food in exchange for harvesting help. I froze green beans with sister Martha while my niece made pesto and then I made pickled green beans, carrots and cukes which have all been tasty. I like the simple recipes. If anyone has a Kim Chi recipe please send it to me. I love me some kim Chi.
Tomorrow is my Popa's memorial with honor Guard in Holly, Michigan. It has taken a month to get a date and all the paperwork done. I do not think my grandparents thought they would ever pass away and so did not plan until the last minute. I went to my friend father's memorial Saturday. I will be ready for a break from people passing. If you think I have been morbid lately it is just that so many people have died this past two months. Doug's cousin just passed last week at a young age of cancer. Doug was planning a visit this weekend. So sad. So that is why. When someone dies just about every week for a period it makes you ponder the end and very natural part of life. They are in a better place I know.
I hope this finds you all well and happy enjoying the last vestiges of summer. Hugs.........
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