Hearing the contractors ripping away the walls and wiring and carpet and closet shelves and everything else that stands in the way of a more accessible home, I am saddened by the perfectly good things (for us) that will be in the landfill. The carpet was old, but in good shape. The walls were painted a lovely sage in the bedroom and a mixed brown (it really looked good!) in the office. All that is now in the dumpster.
If ALS weren't already a pain in the neck, this is adding insult to injury. Sorry, Earth.
Monday, February 24, 2014
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Remodeling Commences Tomorrow Morning...
We are remodeling our bedroom and adding an accessible bathroom starting tomorrow. We hope to make it as accessible as possible without making this home feel like a hospital ward. We may have to hurry on the deck/ramp, though, as I am having increasing difficulty with stairs. Even walking any distance is pretty difficult.
As we binge-watched House of Cards today, I stared at my toes, and tried to wiggle them. Whereas my right has been problematic for a while, tonight my left started to be unresponsive. How weird, for my mind to be thinking "wiggle," and my toes to be just not doing it. Something new every day.
Moving things to the kids' rooms (the sleeping arrangements will leave a lot to be desired on everyone's part), the den, and other locations in order to have nothing in the soon-to-be remodeled area really challenges me to assess for what exactly I am saving so very much STUFF.
I have letters from the 1970's 'til now, photographs beyond my desire to count, and framed art we don't have wall space to hang. I can take none of it with me, and may (will) come to the point I can't even hold it in my hands, so shouldn't I go through it all now when I can touch it, read it, view it, etc., and then discard or burn it?
Well, we will see how well I do. In the meantime, please enjoy the beautiful arrangement Paul gave me for Valentine's Day. He's so romantic: they were in the hotel room at the Grand Union in Ft. Benton awaiting our arrival. The room overlooked the Missouri River, so that's the picture I took. The Missouri is frozen in this photo, but it was pretty enough the next day to take a walk on the river without jackets. I love Paul, and I love Montana!
As we binge-watched House of Cards today, I stared at my toes, and tried to wiggle them. Whereas my right has been problematic for a while, tonight my left started to be unresponsive. How weird, for my mind to be thinking "wiggle," and my toes to be just not doing it. Something new every day.
Moving things to the kids' rooms (the sleeping arrangements will leave a lot to be desired on everyone's part), the den, and other locations in order to have nothing in the soon-to-be remodeled area really challenges me to assess for what exactly I am saving so very much STUFF.
I have letters from the 1970's 'til now, photographs beyond my desire to count, and framed art we don't have wall space to hang. I can take none of it with me, and may (will) come to the point I can't even hold it in my hands, so shouldn't I go through it all now when I can touch it, read it, view it, etc., and then discard or burn it?
Well, we will see how well I do. In the meantime, please enjoy the beautiful arrangement Paul gave me for Valentine's Day. He's so romantic: they were in the hotel room at the Grand Union in Ft. Benton awaiting our arrival. The room overlooked the Missouri River, so that's the picture I took. The Missouri is frozen in this photo, but it was pretty enough the next day to take a walk on the river without jackets. I love Paul, and I love Montana!
Monday, February 3, 2014
Winter in the Blood and in the air...
We were fortunate to see a Montana-made movie, Winter in the Blood, yesterday, and meet the directors and one cast member (Moses! well done!) at a reception. Thank you to the hosts!
Winter in the Blood is a tough movie to see. The pain the main character deals with is far beyond anything I can imagine living with, even with a difficult diagnosis. The fortunate life I have had the luck to live is so far removed from First Raised's life.
Anyone who has the opportunity to see Andrew and Alex Smith's movie should do so. We may be able to disavow the legacy of disgrace that our country left us in their treatment of our native peoples, but we cannot turn our backs on the pain that so many live with today. This movie brings that pain into sharp focus.
What a luxury to be able to look beyond my own condition to the situation others are or have been dealing with, and feel better as a result. Perspective, perspective, perspective.
Winter in the Blood is a tough movie to see. The pain the main character deals with is far beyond anything I can imagine living with, even with a difficult diagnosis. The fortunate life I have had the luck to live is so far removed from First Raised's life.
Anyone who has the opportunity to see Andrew and Alex Smith's movie should do so. We may be able to disavow the legacy of disgrace that our country left us in their treatment of our native peoples, but we cannot turn our backs on the pain that so many live with today. This movie brings that pain into sharp focus.
What a luxury to be able to look beyond my own condition to the situation others are or have been dealing with, and feel better as a result. Perspective, perspective, perspective.
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