Terrapin Station: Hospice

February 23, 2017

Life as it is

I haven't written here for a very long time. It's been a busy time of finding my way in retirement.

I left the University on May 26, so it's been nine months. Perhaps I've gotten to a place where I can talk about what I'm birthing (though I'm still not exactly sure.)

I'm working with Ken and Brandon in the striping business, and it is keeping me VERY busy. Much busier than I expected. Part of that is the continuous phone calls, which interrupt any concentration on estimates in progress. I'm a little worried about how much of my time it's taking. I keep thinking I'm getting better at it, and then one of the spinning plates falls...I keep working at it!

I've also been prioritizing my health and wellness since the fall, and this Spring I am doing really well with it. I'm taking Juice Plus and eating a plant-based diet with little to no processed food. I'm also exercising like crazy, Jazzercise every day and yoga once a week, with walks around the edges. I've lost about 10 lbs., but most important, I am MUCH stronger and more fit than I was. I have much less inflammation and joint pain, and I have great energy and sleep really well. My balance is improved and I'm working on flexibility, too.

I've been elected to the Vestry at church and am chairing the Refugee Ministry, in which we welcome a refugee family with a fully furnished apartment. I'm working with a Facebook team on political action...the idea is to encourage one another and feel that we are accomplishing something.

I've also been training to be a Hospice volunteer, something I've wanted to do for many years. So far I've attended a Bereavement training and one on creating Eleventh Hour vigils for patients whose deaths are imminent.

Our new granddaughter Nova will be born in April, and after her mama's maternity leave ends in July, older sister Nash will come to us 2 days a week. I'm crazy excited about that!