It doesn't matter how many times I clear off the clutter from the refrigerator, it all just piles right back on. Let's see, I still have the book page envelope from Aunt Ess being held on by the butterflies John gave me, an empty grocery list, the little thing I tossed together using an old day calendar, Brenda's recipe for Cowboy Cookies juxtaposed nicely with a diet my doctor gave me. And that little windmill? I used to think it was tacky, tacky, tacky hanging on my grandmother's refrigerator. Now I think that it's just about the dearest thing ever.
Diet? Oh that. Well I'm not doing so great with it. I'm using food to medicate. Weight is a lot like the clutter on my refrigerator.
Anyway, my sister is not here and there is much to be done, which means I'm it. There are extra concerns when a memorial service and a committal service must be separated because of winter weather. Though I try not to borrow any trouble from tomorrow (weeks from now), I'm already imagining the griefs that will be revisited after we've all hobbled along so very well since January. And I'm thinking about all those who could not make the memorial service who wished to come instead to the committal service so there's a bit of planning to be done and I do not excel at such things. That was always Mother's department.
My sister has a brand new job where she doesn't want to make waves. She's already put in for a weekend to come home for the graveside service and now we learn that she chose the one weekend of the summer with a wedding planned so both of my mother's pastors are unavailable. We'll just have to move directly on to Plan B. You know what they say about "plan b" don't you? If Plan B were any good, we'd have called it Plan A. At least it's teaching me all over again to never assume.
It's the little things like this that I find so unsettling. I don't know why. Life happens. Flexibility is important or as a friend used to say, "Blessed are the flexible for they shall not be broken."
Anyway, it's a gloriously sunny day so even if the temps are chilly, it'll be good to be out doing my errands. I'll try to look at it that way. My doctor asked with raised eyebrow, "Do you have trouble getting out of the house?" My response was that I don't like it, but I can do it when I must. Today I must.
You have a lovely Friday and a blessed Palm Sunday weekend.
I don't envy you all of the emotional upheaval that these kinds of things bring...but they are good for us in the long run. We hold too much in.
ReplyDeleteMom made a book about my Dad and insisted on bringing it over a couple of weeks ago to share. I dreaded it because these things always make me cry...which of course I resist at first causing extreme pain in the throat...but once I remembered that Mom expected me to cry and would have been disappointed if I hadn't I just let it out. Ahhh...relief!
Thinking of you...and so glad that you are flexible. Don't want you broken!
Today sounds like a "one minute at a time" kind of day, look no further than that.
ReplyDeleteThe windmill is dear. The diet, well, not so much...
Have a peace filled day, Vee.
hugs
Niki
Oh Vee yes life is so full of the ups and downs. Wishing you good health - physical and mental.
ReplyDeleteGentle hugs and prayers are coming you way.
Leann
BTW - It's kinda hard for me to read the lighter greenish type in your title post and highlighted copy.
It looks as though the baton has been passed on to you, dear friend.And you had a great teacher, and that you were a prized student. I have learned that God knows who He can trust to get the job done.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts and prayers are with you, as you make these preparations. I believe that you like me have a great helpmate, in John, and there is always strength in numbers.
May you have a blessed Palm Sunday too!
Hugs,
Sue
Vee,
ReplyDeleteYou've got a lot on your plate, but you've got what it takes to succeed! Thoughts and prayers your way...and yes, the windmill is darling.
Our fridge is only magnetic on the sides, and only one side is exposed. So I TAPE stuff to the front of it. Yours looks a lot better!
Ahhhhhhhhhh, a lovely new Spring-like Header here!
ReplyDeleteMe too. I don't like getting out of the house but will do it, when necessary. That includes for errands, buying things, and yes.... Walking.
Walking actually got nice, with nicer weather. Then *Weird Thursday* hit. Two steps forward and one step back.
Oh but I do LUV to go out in the yard and prune!!! I suppose that's what I need to do... Set up a for-free-business. I'll come prune your area!!! Free!!! If you don't scream at me, for my choice of pruning. -giggles-
Winter deaths are more sad, because of what comes along, in the Spring. Wondering if you really have to make such a JOB, out of all the planning? Don't *scream* at me for saying that. But...
Yes, it will be hard on some people. But not harder on any of them, than on you. So why beat yourself up, over them?
See? I am consistent. My first/only concern is YOU. End of story! Hey, come on? Isn't it nice to have someone like me, kinda'-in your life? Someone who always "has your back"? No matter what!!!!! :-)
And when you find the *Magic Secret to Flexibility* please pass it on to me!!!!!!!!!!!! I am in DIRE NEED of it. I-want-to-know-ahead-of-time!!! I-want-set-plans!!!
-sigh-
Gentle hugs,
.♥.
And I agree with Leann, the PALE Blue you use for high-lighting... Needs to be a wee bit less PALE, please. Deeper, darker, something...
ReplyDelete:-)
Interesting... Leann sees it as greenish. I see it as very pale blue.
ReplyDeleteWonder if Leann sees your Background as greenish, too? I see it as very pale blue.
Ahhhhh the joys of not knowing how anything looks, on everyone else's computer screen!
-sigh-
Thank you for your input, ladies. I am not changing it again. It's a huge pain in the keister. It was originally a sagey green. Now it's a medium blue. I don't like a deeper blue. I don't like all the black, but I do try to accomodate as much as possible. Now I'm done. ☺
ReplyDeleteor not done as the case may be...hope this is better because now I'm definitely NOT doing it again...see how flexible I am?
ReplyDeleteVee,
ReplyDeleteI love the quotes tucked in between your words. I can imagine I wouldn't want to revisit grief if I didn't have to, so I can fully understand. I can be a bit of a hermit myself, I love being by myself and lost in creating things. I hope that you have a lovely weekend Vee. The sky looks so lovely and I love that Spring chill.
Karen
I'm glad that I'm not the only one with stuff all over my fridge. Of course, I've got "stuff" on top of it too!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it funny how sometimes we think something is SO ugly then, when that person is gone, suddenly we love it! I'm the same way. :)
Sorry that there is such a fuss going on right now. My thoughts and prayers are with you. It's never easy dealing with family"stuff". I know that you're dreading it all but, time will pass and it will all be over. Somehow, you'll make it through. :)
((Hugs))
Laura
my prayers are with you as you navigate these
ReplyDeletedark and unaccomodating waters. it is very
unsettling to have to go with an plan b, but
sometimes it ends up being the best after all.
i pray this will be like that for you.
i'm with you about not liking to get out of the
house.
hosanna,
lea
It does not sound like you are having an easy time at the moment, surely all this makes your blogging problems fade into insignificance. I write all my posts in Windows Live Writer so have not experienced any of the problems you mention and hopefully it will stay this way.
ReplyDeleteI need to get out of the house today too and here I still sit in front of the computer! The little gremlin on my shoulder keeps whispering in my ear to get up and go, but I don't wanna! Here's hoping that your day goes well. And mine, too. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteStaying flexible keeps life interesting.
ReplyDeleteI don't have the cluttered refrigerator - can't - mine is stainless steel! : )
In my experience, stressful times are not times to worry about diets. There will be opportunity for that later.
ReplyDeleteFor today, I pray that God's sun shining on your head will remind you of the warmth of His Son in your heart. And that you will have strength to just "do the next thing."
blessings on you today
I agree with Lorrie, now is not the time to diet....
ReplyDeleteKeeping you in my heart Vee.
Hugs,
Penny
I got a kick out of the cookie recipe next to the diet, but I agree with Lorrie and Penny on the timing of the diet.
ReplyDeleteI can feel for you on the planning of the services, particularly when you say your mother excelled at the planning of such events.
After being my mom's caretaker, I always had it in the back of my mind that when it came time for memorial planning, my sister would take charge and I would be the helper. As you say, that was something she excelled at. Little did I know that she would be unable to speak or walk when t time came. My brother in California and I are still trying to work out a small immediate family memorial. I know nothing would make my mom happier than having all of us together again. It sure is a challenge with all the kids working or in college. I feel guilt at times that it has taken so long, but now I just try to take into account that life has changed dramatically and we will work around it. I suppose you could say it is Plan B.
I hope it all works out well for you and your family. Do take care of yourself through it all.
Blessings to you this Palm Sunday weekend.
Oops, make that "when THE time came"
ReplyDeleteThere is no way to practice for perfecting those kinds of events. All will be well..don't fret as the earthly ceremonies will never diminish the heavenly celebrations anyway.
ReplyDeleteBeware of getting a stainless fridge...magnets don't stick! Yipes!
Great title for your post...though I was maybe hoping it was others who needed to do the flexing. But no...it's you! All the best with all of the decision making. Like Lorrie...I say leave the diet until the 'flexing' time is past.
ReplyDeleteI too have a stainless steel fridge. But I made the side into a 'bulletin board'. There's always a way!
Dear Vee It is indeed a hard time. Thank goodness you are not entirely alone as some folks. We have already mad our own arrangements and everytime I mention it my kids say no don't talk about that. One day they will be glad. When the warm sun comes to stay you will be better too. At least I always do. Blessings to you and John. BTW the day after I answered your survey I had trouble leading my photos. Two days later things are fine again. Who knew?
ReplyDeleteQMM
I know this will be a much different palm sunday and Easter for you this year. Planning a memorial is one thing but having to do it in sessions is so much harder I'm sure. I'll be thinking of you Vee.
ReplyDeleteVee, you can do it! Remember, Easter is a time of renewal and joy!
ReplyDeleteI like your blue gray background and your new header. Your blue font is pretty...It all looks so...together.
ReplyDeleteSee, not all things seem to run amuck, dear heart.
Diets are so hard. Mr. Sweet has fought his weight all his life. Bless his heart. and yours.
I don't know what a committal service is. ?
I am tired and needing sleep...the wind and sand has blown here for a solid week, there's huge grass fires all around us..heavy sigh....
ok, I googled committal service and see that it is like a graveside service.
ReplyDeletenight night
I'm a day or two behind reading blogs of my special friends.... and..... I read your Palm Sunday post....love it! Then I read 'Blessed are the Flexible'.....and for me.... your blog today answered your Friday post....
ReplyDeleteAll things are possible with our sweet Savior.....take deep breaths....He's always there for you.
I love your beautiful header and the peaceful blue color.
Hugs,
Life has been so complicated for you the past few years, Vee, and I know that it makes it hard to concentrate on yourself when you have so many concerns pulling at you. I think your diet will improve when summer arrives with all its choices of fresh veggies and salads and you will be able to get out more with the nice weather. Keep hope! I am trying to do the same.
ReplyDelete