Where Did the Year Go?

 I see the last time I posted here was the end of January!  In the 13 years since I have been writing my blog I have never been so slack on updates. Better get back on track for next year.

I went over a year without painting  but finally managed to paint a few wood slices and a couple paintings just for fun.  It's been a long road back out of depression and anxiety but the last few months have been more back to normal. 

The best news of the year is that Kristie and Greg moved down here to their new home in Beaver Harbour!   Kristie has wanted to move down for quite awhile and I was so happy to see that dream come true for her (and me lol). October was a very busy but exciting time and now things have settled into place and life is great! 

We were able to enjoy a few days at the cottage in Windsor this summer and then Billy, Brit and I took off for a week in Ontario for Thanksgiving and my birthday. My friend Cindy came with us and we had a great time.   My new favorite place to stop is the Big Apple Factory just off the 401. Such delicious treats there!

Brit was able to come off one of her meds that was giving her hand tremors. She was doing so well, was happier, more alert and lost some weight. Then out of the blue the two clients that had been living with Brooke moved out within a week of each other. This devastated Britni and sent her into a tailspin. She had to go back on the medication to get herself back under control  and after a couple rough weeks at the beginning of the month she is now feeling better and is back to her writing.  When she was going through her rough time,  Kristie was here every day to support us which was a godsend. Kristie is now her full time support and respite worker and Brit loves it.

Billy is done work for the winter but keeps busy shoveling snow when we get it, and is enjoying the Roku in the living room. Maybe Santa will bring him one for his room...wink, wink!

Everything is almost ready for Christmas.  We are having brunch and gift opening at my house Christmas morning, then our Christmas dinner at Kristies on boxing day.  Brit and Billy are both hoping to spend some time with their families over the holidays which I'm sure will happen. I still have a bit of baking to do for the tins we like to hand out but other than that I'm ready. Since I started shopping and wrapping so early this year,  I'm excited for Christmas morning to see what I bought everyone, can't remember what's in half the packages...ha ha ha!

Guess that's it for tonight. Merry Christmas everyone! 

2021 A Rough Start

 Well 2020 is behind us but so far 2021 isn't looking much better.

Early in December I was diagnosed with C Diff and since then my health took a bit of a nose dive. Major panic attacks plagued me for weeks sending me to emergency more times than I care to count. Each time I was given nothing but more.meds to take, some which were so strong I slept for 24 hours and had to have friends come in to help out. I don't know what I would have done without Brooke and Joe being close by. Joe taking me to emergency and waiting for  8 hours in the van refusing to go home until he knew I was ok and not going to be admitted. Elsie coming to look after Billy and Brit while I stumbled around the house like a drunken sailor and Carrie supplying suppers two nights, as well as my neighbor Sandy taking me to Dr appointments because I couldn't drive. Some of that time I don't even remember and one thing this ordeal has proven is that I could never be a drug addict. It was terrifying not to be in control of my body and my thoughts. There has still been no reason given for the sudden onset of panic or anxiety attacks but the meds I finally got calmed them down thank goodness. 

I think the saddest part of this whole experience for me, was the day at emergency when the doctor said there is nothing we can do for you, you will just have to go home and learn to deal with the anxiety. I was devastated because there was no light at the end of the tunnel for me at that point and I realized this must be the reason so many people with mental health issues commit suicide.

I spoke with a lady from mental health a week later, once I was feeling better, and voiced my concern about how this Dr. sent me away feeling like that. She said the doctor should have had a mental health worker come in to see me before sending me home. It was scary being sent home with yet another prescription for meds that I had no idea how they would affect me. 

My neighbor suggested I call the pharmacy which I did. The pharmacist I spoke with was awesome. He was very compassionate and concerned for the state I was in. He made calls to diabetic specialists, colonoscopy specialist, mental health and before I knew it I had phone calls from all of them. He also told me some of the meds I had been given were too strong and to cut them in half. He was a real life saver in my opinion.

So, now that the worst seems to be behind me at this point I am finally starting to feel like my old self. 

Brit has started connecting with a pen pal from Cayuga, Ontario.  His name is Jesse and she looks forward to his letters. This month she helped make him a pillow to send him for Valentine's day. 

Billy was happy to wake up to a bit of snow this morning and spent most of the day out shoveling around town for people and businesses. 

Every other weekend we have someone take all four of our guys (Billy, Brit, Mel and Nicki) to Brooke's house for the weekend and then Brooke and Joe come hang out here with me. We had a great time even though I was still a bit under the weather, playing games, watching movies and playing video games. Can't wait to do it again next weekend!

As for Covid, our area has still been blessed with no cases that I know of. The cities such as Fredericton,  Saint John,  Moncton and Edmundston seem to be taking the brunt of it.  My life hasn't really changed due to Covid. We still get out for our drives and are not house bound, friends have still been able to visit 90% of the time and my job was not affected.  We have been very lucky compared to other parts of the country. 

Thats it for the update. Hopefully with the vaccines being distributed 2021 will be better by the summer.