A not-so-happy, happy, happy part of the week came in having to say goodbye to the “group.” Our health insurance will change in January to a high deductible plan, which means that we will pay in full for all medical expenses until we reach a certain deductible amount, then insurance will pay 80%. When we hit another, higher amount, totaling all out of pocket costs, everything will be covered 100%. The monthly premiums are very low. With J’s job situation in current limbo, we had to make some tough decisions about monthly expenditures. That’s called being a grown-up, I guess. No new handbags in the foreseeable future. Glad I already have a shelf full and don't have to sell them.
But, about the “group.” Things leading up to my initial appointment last March with Dr. B., a psychologist, were my daughter’s transplant and the onslaught of ensuing serious medical and care giving issues, my son and autism, loss of employment, an aging parent on the decline and, well, that’s enough, isn’t it? I was becoming a self-admitted stressed-out yell machine. So… I went for individual counseling until the fall. It really helped. With the right dialogue, Dr. B. helped me to relocate and bring my coping skills out of temporary hiding and to confront issues honestly. She imparted tips and tricks on handling stress (and life), and most of all – she reminded me to take time for myself. Then, in September I began to attend group sessions instead, working on stress management, positive solutions, etc. I immediately liked the 3 other women and in a short time got to know them as only such a situation could allow. They are smart, good-hearted women whose lives have by no means been beds of roses, but they courageously, bravely forge ahead. Heroes and warriors, working to enjoy those roses where they find them.
Had to take my mom to the audiologist (her hearing aid crapped out recently) on Friday and to the orthopedic doc and Monday. Resolved: hearing aid powered up again and physical therapy tentatively scheduled to begin this week. A couple of weeks ago Mom lost her balance and fell, opening up the back of her head a bit… needed 3-4 stiches… a bloody mess and hours in the ER.
It took six hours to clean my house on Saturday; I can’t clean the house without my iPod. It is the only thing that makes housework bearable. I started randomly by title at the beginning of the “I”s (I Can't Make You Love Me by Bonnie Raitt), and got only to the “N”s (Nights In White Satin by The Moody Blues). I have a lot of songs on my iPod. They are legally acquired; it once took me a whole weekend to transfer many of them from CDs, but I don’t exactly remember know how all of them got there. Guess I bought a lot from iTunes, too… so reasonable and easy, only $1.00 to $1.29 a song. Just click download. Lots of people have way more music on their iPods than I do, but with 734 favorite songs, I can listen for 2 days, according to the time tag on the bottom of the entire music library, without repeating a song. My house is now spotless for Santa.
So today I plan to do some freebie work – art for the annual fund-raiser for my son’s program, do some unnecessary last minute shopping – just for fun, and maybe take a few more minutes for myself.
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