Saturday, November 20, 2021

Saturday, November 20, 2021 

Tonight's picture was taken on November 19, 2008. Just five days after Mattie major limb salvaging surgery. You have to love his spirit. He was hooked up to all sorts of things from head to toe. His right leg and left arm were in casts and could hardly move. Not to mention he was dealing with pain. But yet look at that smile? Amazing!

Quote of the day: Today's coronavirus update from Johns Hopkins. 

• Number of people diagnosed with the virus: 47,701,868
• Number of people who died from the virus: 771,013

For some reason I thought it was Friday. But of course not, it's Saturday. This is the state I am in! The only reason I realized it was Saturday, was because I got a calendar reminder to pick up a turkey at the supermarket. I pre-ordered it and scheduled it for pick up today. So I got myself in the car while my dad's caregiver was at the house, and went to one of our favorite grocery stores, Gelson's. It is a supermarket like no other. Given that it is Saturday before Thanksgiving, I was prepared for battle. I figured the parking lot and the store was going to be a zoo. To my surprise, it was so so pleasant. The store wasn't packed and it made me wonder.... where are the shoppers? Aren't they cooking Thanksgiving dinner? I have no answers, but was stunned. The beauty of Gelson's is the customer is always right. Everyone is super helpful, professional, and they really go out of their way to make it a unique shopping experience. In addition, their produce and meat departments are stunning! So visually appealing, you want to buy everything. 

While driving to Gelson's I have to pass my high school in North Hollywood. Some how seeing the school made me sad. Not that I loved my high school or my school experience, because I didn't, but what this reminded me was I won't be seeing California again for a long time. I will have no excuse to come here now that my parent's are moving East. So in essence I feel once again that a portion of my life is coming to an end. What defines me are the places I lived and my experiences, and though I will have the memories, I won't have the physical reminders anymore. Seems to be a CONSTANT issue with my life, which I believe is defined by one loss after the other. 

Before I left for California, I bought Peter a turkey. I wanted to make sure he would have one to serve his family, and given the shortages I kept seeing in our supermarket, I was proactive. Tonight, I decided to google information about the shortage, and came across the article below in the Boston Globe. The article's title is,

"What I’m thankful for: The turkey shortage." The title caught my attention because I can NOT relate to it at all. I LOVE turkey and Peter knows one of my favorite meals is turkey with all the fixings. I could eat it year round! If you are a turkey fan, then I recommend reading this article. It will give you a chuckle. I feel for the author, and actually want to invite him to my Thanksgiving table, because he clearly has never experienced the wonders of turkey, cranberry sauce, gravy, and all the wonderful sides. I am saddened for him! But really, where on earth is his traditional holiday spirit? He is the turkey scrooge. 

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/11/19/opinion/what-im-thankful-turkey-shortage/

Friday, November 19, 2021

Friday, November 19, 2021 

Tonight's picture was taken on November 14, 2008. The day of Mattie's second major surgery. This second surgery was over 12 hours long. Mattie had bones removed and prosthetic ones replaced in his left arm and wrist, and right leg. By that surgery, his pain management was more effectively provided because we made it clear that we did not want a repeat performance of the first surgery. Basically the hospital team did not listen to Mattie's surgeon or us and held back the necessary amount of pain meds needed. I remember that first surgery, being up at 3am fighting with the team because Mattie was in horrendous pain. 

Quote of the day: Today's coronavirus update from Johns Hopkins. 

• Number of people diagnosed with the virus: 47,660,375
• Number of people who died from the virus: 770,691

It is November, and I finally sent out an e-announcement about our move! The only reason I got it going is because I am receiving messages from people asking for our new address. Being holiday card season, I certainly don't want cards to be sent to our old address and friends wasting postage on us. 

To say I feel scattered is an understatement! It was a busy day here. I did more chores and I am not sure where I will get the energy and strength to go through closets and things to either donate or pack. I am not sure if this would have been any easier if I hadn't just gone through this for Peter and me this summer. What I do know is I feel like I have been dealing with large tasks one after the other. How I packed our DC home after 27 years there still floors me, but if I could do that, I most certainly can handle this in California. Or at least this is my mantra for today!

Thursday, November 18, 2021

Thursday, November 18, 2021 

Tonight's picture was taken in November of 2008. Mattie was in treatment for four months by that point. Long enough for his therapists to know that he LOVED roaches! A total riot, since Mattie never saw a live roach. What intrigued him was my reaction to bugs, so naturally it inspired him to egg me on! Of course anything that made Mattie laugh, smile, and break through his feelings of anxiety and sadness made me happy. 

Quote of the day: Today's coronavirus update from Johns Hopkins. 

• Number of people diagnosed with the virus: 47,530,897
• Number of people who died from the virus: 768,684

It was a very early morning for Peter and me. I got up at 3:45am, in order to get to the airport on time for my 7:30am flight. Not my hour at all. On top of which I had a flight attendant I wanted to throttle. Of course she was wearing a mask that said, "be kind." She shouldn't dish out advice, she herself can't follow.  

While I was at the airport, Peter sent me this photo. This big buck was in our neighbor's backyard. Of course Sunny was thrilled. To me this fellow looks like a statue. 

My view was on the runway in Washington, DC. It was a glorious weather day, which is so special in November. 

Meanwhile this is what it looked like in Los Angeles this morning. Smog/fog, just awful. However, as the morning went on the sun burnt through the clouds. Typical for out here. The Los Angeles airport was a TOTAL zoo. It isn't a user friendly airport on a good day, but now all their parking garages are CLOSED for construction. Not sure what genius thought up that plan, but the congestion and confusion at the airport are worse than ever. 

I arrived here just in time. My mom looks debilitated, worn out, very frail, and bordering on sickly. I think managing my dad's care alone (since I haven't been here since April) has weighed heavily on her. I got here to find my dad's hair long and his nails like talons. Mind you he has caregivers that come in daily and bath and groom him, but I was disgusted by what I saw. I literally unpacked and then gave him a hair cut and cut his nails. I then took everyone out to lunch, as a change of scenery is needed. I am also disappointed by the state of the house they are renting. Things are falling apart and though they have a cleaning service, I am not pleased with the disarray of the house. Clearly my presence did matter here, and not being here for months sent people into complacency. But the sheriff is back in town and I went on a cleaning spree tonight, threw lots of garbage out, emptied the refrigerator and went grocery shopping. 

Wednesday, November 17, 2021

Wednesday, November 17, 2021

Tonight's picture was taken in November of 2005. Mattie was three years old and that day we took him to Great Falls. If you look closely, you can see the falls behind them. Mattie loved being outside and having an adventure. Whenever we take Sunny to the park now, I think of these Mattie moments in time. Mattie would have loved Sunny and something tells me they would have been great pals.  

Quote of the day: Today's coronavirus update from Johns Hopkins. 

• Number of people diagnosed with the virus: 47,355,836
• Number of people who died from the virus: 766,646

This morning our floor company came back to install new vent covers. The old vent covers do not match the new floor stain. This is the old vent. It has a very yellow maple color. 

Here is what the new vent covers look like. They have the same stain color on it as the floors! In addition, the former owner had some wood vent covers and some metal vent covers. Of course no consistency! The metal really stood out. As of today, the metal has been removed and everything now matches. 

When our flooring company sanded and re-stained our staircase, I noticed that the shoe molding (the wooden piece around the base of the last step, along the tile floor) was going in different directions. My eye caught it and I couldn't move passed this. So I brought it to the company's attention.

The new shoe molding was installed today. It is one piece of molding, properly aligned and color matched perfectly. 

I was all over the place today! Including Alexandria, VA, to bring our mass mailing for the Foundation to our post office. That post office house's our Mattie Miracle mailbox. It is a thirty minute drive each way for me to get there, but it is worth it. The people who work there look after the Foundation's mail and I wouldn't dream of leaving them. When they saw me come in carrying 500 envelopes today, they all ran to help me. Including customers. When they picked up what I was carrying they said.... how did you carry this alone? Then they told me that I still have it! Meaning incredible strength, which made me laugh!

It was one of those glorious fall weather days and I felt we all needed to have lunch outside in the sun. We weren't there long, but I believe it is important to capture these special moments. 

I am headed to Los Angeles tomorrow morning. So the next time you hear from me, I will hopefully be writing from there.

Tuesday, November 16, 2021

Tuesday, November 16, 2021 -- Mattie died 633 weeks ago today. 

Tonight's picture was taken in November of 2005. This was quintessential Mattie! Painting with his feet in the middle of our living room. Though this was a messy process, Mattie understood that he had to stay where the paper was, otherwise, I would be dealing with a painting nightmare all over the house. Mattie loved creating cards and art work with his feet. Go figure. Once Mattie was done creating, he literally would throw his arms up in the air, which meant it was time for me to pick him up and carry him to the kitchen sink to get cleaned up. 

Quote of the day: Today's coronavirus update from Johns Hopkins. 

• Number of people diagnosed with the virus: 47,289,464
• Number of people who died from the virus: 765,389

It was another early morning. Sunny had an 8:30am check in with his surgeon, and then physical therapy at 10am. His surgery visit went well and the x-rays show his bones are healing and fusing with the metal implants. But it was another morning of driving all over the place.

After his doctor visit, I drove him to Leesburg for his final physical therapy appointing with Kirsty. Kirsty is the therapist on the right. She is a peach, has a British accent, and I swear she reminds me of Mary Poppins. She loves Sunny and calls him the professor. The professor graduated from his PT program today and though he is still on confined movement for another month, he is progressing in the right direction. 

I am leaving for Los Angeles on Thursday, and I was determined to help Peter so that I wasn't leaving him with a ton of major chores. So I am proud to say that the Candy and Snack Drive is over, and everything was delivered. No small feat! That last night, Peter and I put together our Foundation's mass mailing for the holidays. I will go to mail all 500 letters tomorrow. Another huge undertaking and there are many parts to this mailer, but I whipped it into gear to get all of them completed. I am also glad that Peter and I were able to paint the bathroom together, as painting is labor intensive and of course Peter has a full time job. 

I am trying to get things off my check list, and slowly but surely am doing it. Though I admit whenever I stop moving (which isn't often), I fall asleep. I spent a good portion of the afternoon cleaning the house, as Peter will be here and is celebrating Thanksgiving at the house with his parents and family friends. When people ask me what is my exercise routine, I honestly say.... taking care of this house. It is like a full workout routine and then some. 

Monday, November 15, 2021

Monday, November 15, 2021

Tonight's picture was taken in November of 2007. On Peter's birthday to be specific. That day, Mattie and I baked a lemon cake with vanilla frosting for Peter. Mattie was like Peter, they both aren't big dessert fans. Nonetheless, Mattie felt Peter needed a cake, so over time, we learned what Peter's favorite was!

Quote of the day: Today's coronavirus update from Johns Hopkins.

• Number of people diagnosed with the virus: 47,191,671
• Number of people who died from the virus: 764,066

The beauty of fall on the Farm! Seems like Mattie Miracle colors to me. 

I was in the car five hours today. The first thing I did today was drive to Baltimore, to make a snack and candy donation to Children's Hospital at Sinai. This was my third and final donation. I am happy to say our 2021 November drive is now officially over. 

Pictured with me is Geannie. Geannie is our philanthropy contact at the Hospital, and we are honored to be connected to such a professional and compassionate person. As you can see Geannie and I had a lot to unload from my car.

Driving to Baltimore takes me 90 minutes each way. The beauty of traffic in our region. From Baltimore, I then drove to Alexandria, VA to pick up our Foundation's holiday letter that was professionally printed. From there, I drove back home to run more chores locally. Since I leave on Thursday, I am trying to get things wrapped up here, like the candy drive, the Foundation's holiday letter, and projects around the house!

Check out who was hanging out in our neighbor's backyard! Sunny is so stimulated here, he loves it. Sunny goes for his final surgery visit tomorrow. I am hoping the x-ray shows that Sunny is healed. 

Peter titles this photo, "consultation in the living room!" Sunny and Indie do check in with each other periodically, as this photo illustrates. 

Sunday, November 14, 2021

Sunday, November 14, 2021

Tonight's picture was taken in December of 2007. We went to Florida for Christmas with my parents. Mattie was five years old and by that point liked the beach. Well not so much the water or the sun, but he loved building and creating in the sand. I remember Peter and Mattie would build elaborate sand castles and structures together. It was so entertaining that other kids on the beach would come and join in. After the building was done, which could take a while, Mattie would then come to me and we would beach comb for found objects, shells, and rocks. Not to keep but to decorate the sand structures. 

Quote of the day: Today's coronavirus update from Johns Hopkins. 

• Number of people diagnosed with the virus: 47,068,355
• Number of people who died from the virus: 763,064

Last night we went out to Mattie's favorite restaurant to celebrate Peter's birthday! We had a pumpkin cheesecake for dessert, though I have to say the birthday boy did not want dessert (Mattie was just like Peter in this respect), I benefitted from the birthday celebration. 

You can take the boy out of Boston, but you can't take Boston out of the boy!

Today was another exhausting day. This is the bathroom my mom will be using. It is the ONLY room in the house we did not paint. We did not paint it because my intention was to renovate it. It never happened given timing and the fact that we had SO many unexpected expenses to make the house structurally safe. In any case, this color (which was also in the garage) bothers me intensely. It is bad enough that it is on the walls, but they also had it on the ceiling. It isn't a large space, so using such a bold and dark color, made it depressing. We spent six hours today painting this bathroom.

Originally I was going to have Peter paint it while I was in Los Angeles, but then I rethought this, as painting is time consuming and hard work. Therefore, I decided we had to tackle it today together. 

Honestly this was the color from hell. It was hard to get rid of it and required THREE coats of paint. We painted the walls the same color that is throughout the house, Medici Ivory. Needless to say this bathroom now looks less depressing and I know it is sound, given the plumber helped us change the sink and we replaced all the hardware in the shower.