Merry Christmas to You

Wishing my readers a bright and Merry Christmas!!!

Winter's Arrival

First snow

Although winter officially begins December 21 on the solstice, the first snowfall of the season heralds this time of year. This past Saturday, we experienced our first flurries, with little more than a dusting of snow accumulating here in our mountains. White puffy flakes softened the stark, gray landscape and a gentle hush fell over the woods surrounding the cabin. The simple beauty of the glistening snow felt magical. It's a reminder to slow down and allow oneself to be awestruck by nature's ways.

At this time, I've purposely limited my activities and simplified the holiday rush as much as possible, conserving the little energy I feel. Winter's cold, gray days assist with this "slowing down process." Rather than try to counter it and exert myself, I am giving in to the natural, slower pace. I feel fortunate that my need to rest more now is in tune with the seasonal ebb and flow of things.

The somber, peaceful days of winter promote reflection and thoughts of the people, ideas, and things we value most. If I had one wish I could grant to all, it would be that everyone feel at peace, feel content and feel loved.

Enjoy the season!

A House Becomes a Home

A couple of months ago, I found an empty shell of a dollhouse at a yard sale for the bargain price of $3.00. Since then, I've had endless pleasure furnishing its four simple rooms, making tiny touches to personalize it and create a miniature, one-of-a kind world.

After scouring local antique shops and craft stores for furnishings, I turned to eBay, where I discovered an endless supply of miniatures at affordable prices - anything you could possibly dream of to furnish a pint-sized abode.

Since starting this new hobby, I've learned that dollhouse furnishings come in various scale sizes. The pieces I collect for this house are 1/12 scale, where one inch is roughly equal to one foot.

The bedroom, study, kitchen, and living room, have come a long way since I started. What began as empty rooms with four bare walls are now turning into colorfully decorated spaces. I've found ways to make this tiny house uniquely our own - two cats that are look-alikes for our Jasper and Pacey sit about in miniature, a tiny cowboy hat, Kevin's trademark, rests on a coat rack in the living room, and miniaturized versions of our wedding photographs sit atop the study shelves. Wall hangings reflect our personal collections. There's an old world map over the fireplace and a butterfly collection over the sofa. Like any home, there's a list of to-do projects - the walls need painting, floors refinishing, and cabinets stained, but, unlike real-life, these projects can comfortably wait for any time I feel like getting to them.

Who could have guessed such a project would be so fun? I can add to, embellish, and rearrange my little rooms at whim. And...if ever we are graced with grandchildren, we already have ways and means to keep them amused for hours :)

That Peaceful Feeling

We all have our own ways of centering ... of feeling at one with ourselves and the world. I find that peaceful feeling comes to me in some of the simplest ways. Sitting outside on the front porch rocker and gently swaying back and forth is a prime example. I am so thankful Kevin created a little haven on the front porch of the cabin to relax and unwind in this way.

Thinking back on a more stressful time in life when I was living alone, getting over pneumonia, and the electricity went out on a bitter cold night, I remember being enveloped with peace by simply lighting some tea candles and putting them in small glass holders of amber, forest green, and burgundy colors. I placed the candles on my bedroom window sill and the gentle glow of the flames and the colors cast on the sill by the holders was mesmerizing. Gazing at them, I forgot about my troubles, at least temporarily, and felt warmed by the gentle glowing lights.

When we experience hard times, I think it's important to slow ourselves down, mentally step back from whatever is bothering us, and do something to put our minds at ease and engage our senses. Baking chocolate chip cookies and savoring the scent as it wafts through your kitchen, going outdoors and gazing upwards at puffy white clouds drifting across a span of blue sky, sitting quietly and petting your cat or dog ... something that shifts the focus away from the problem on to something pleasant or even awe inspiring.

As I get older, and during this period of feeling ill at ease due to kidney failure, I find myself naturally gravitating to these kinds of activities and feeling calm and relaxed. I share these thoughts because I think we all would be better off, if, on a regular basis, we took the time to take little "time outs" from long days and busy schedules to allow ourselves our own unique means of experiencing that peaceful feeling.

Cat Nap

"Oh, it's nice to get up in the mornin'

But it's nicer to lie in bed!"

Amen!!!

HAPPY Halloween!!!

Plugging Along

Last week we received some great news. After her test results came in, it was determined that, so far, my daughter is a perfect match for me as a potential kidney donor. Her blood type and all 6 antigens are identical to mine. She still has some tests to get through to see if all is well for her to be able to donate her kidney...but the first major question was finally answered and the green light results gave us all a boost.

This week has been a practice of patience. Over and over, I've had to call and remind doctors offices to fax medical results to Johns Hopkins Hospital. I even had difficulty getting a necessary doctor's appointment scheduled with my internist, because, in the receptionist's words, "my case was getting too complicated." I finally called my physician's nurse directly, and she scheduled my appointment for today. My doctor, who I've known for years, and I shared a laugh over the fact that if his receptionist told all his patients that they couldn't make appointments with him because their medical issues were "getting too complicated," it kind of defeated his purpose in being there. I'm not so sure his approach with his receptionist, after speaking with me, will be as light hearted and fun.

While at the doctor's office, I got a pneumonia vaccination and was referred on to a cardiologist. I need a variety of cardiac tests to assure that my heart is strong enough to withstand surgery and the receipt of a new kidney. Also scheduled is a CT abdominal scan that will provide closer examination of the cysts on my kidneys to rule out the possibility of malignancies. The surgery can not go forward if the cysts are cancerous.

I have never enjoyed going to the doctor or getting medical tests, I don't know of too many people who do, but after all I've already been through in that regard this year alone, I'm getting used to it and used to waiting lengthy periods for simple tests. I'm finding that I'm taking things in stride better than I thought I would at the beginning of this process on the road to getting a new kidney. The road may be long, but I just keep plugging along. It's stop and go and sometimes bumpy, but encouraging news like we received from my daughter last week helps make the ride a lot easier. We hope the road ahead will offer up a lot more green lights!