November 2022
Looking back over the month of October, there are a few things I’d like to share with you.
First and foremost, is the fact that I was informed that there will be no more physical therapy
treatments. I guess they figure I have “graduated,“ and they have taught me all they can, so
now it’s up to me to continue doing at home all the things I’ve done with them at the clinic.
That’s easy to say, but without their guidance, I tend to fall back into my old ways and find it
tough to be completely on my own now. But I’ll survive, with my Heavenly Father’s help and my
own determination!
I had them teach me how to arise from a folding chair, which is much more difficult
because there are no armrests to use in helping me get up. I continued to practice because I
have wanted to go to church without using my big, heavy wheelchair. But since only folding
chairs are supplied, I was never able to do so, until now!
On Sunday, the 16th of October, I took the challenge, and also to celebrate the 2nd
anniversary of the amputation of my leg (10/15/20), using just the walker, I walked into Church,
sat on a folding chair, and then raised myself, without creating a problem---except for the
surprised look on so many faces! That evening, Linda came over and together we celebrated
both my anniversary...and hers! It was Linda’s 10th anniversary (10/11/12) of her pelvic
reconstruction, which left her with a somewhat shorter leg. True made a celebratory dinner and
served cupcakes, which were appreciated and a joy!
I met a family who are fairly new to the Riviera and newer yet to the Church, the
husband, Richard Jacobs, having been baptized in September, and Linda Jacobs, a long-time
inactive member, was reactivated at that time. They live a few doors down from me, and Linda
J. (as I call her, to help distinguish her from my daughter Linda) was hesitant about being
socially active with people. So, we made a sort of pact together to get out more often to the
activities offered at the Clubhouse and Church. They, being recently retired and owning a nice
motorhome, enjoy traveling. So, they did miss out on the potluck at our Clubhouse, but she did
accompany me to a Sisters Luncheon at the Church and later to my DUP (Daughters of Utah
Pioneers} meeting, where she enjoyed and participated in both groups. We may try a painting
class at the Clubhouse on Wednesdays, after she returns from another short trip. We’ll see----
I had a visit from two of the presidency of our DUP camp who brought me new forms to
use as historian of the camp, and also copies of the songs we’ll be singing each month, as I had
accepted their offer to be the new chorister, as well. Leading the music would probably have to
be from my wheelchair, however, as I don’t see how I could stand with the walker, hold music in
one hand and still lead with the other. I’d have to have three hands, I’m afraid. But, anyway,
they said that leading from my chair would be fine.
While here, the ladies admired the remodeling job that had been done on this mobile to
make it so light and airy, so bright and inviting. True shared with them some of the process she
and Linda and others had gone through to make it this way. But also indicated that it is still a
work in progress. She has spent the last weeks of the month painting and filling in with
caulking, the tiny connecting spaces in the moulding throughout the house, as well as around
the bathtub and other fixtures. She touched up all the scrapes and marks on the cabinets, door-
frames and walls that needed to be done. I’m trying now, to be more careful about where my
wheels go, as I maneuver through the hall and doorways, so as not to put marks and nicks on
the things again. But the wheels on my chair seem to have a mind of their own, because they
often don’t go the way I think they’ll go, but end up going in a completely different direction.
I certainly love the way my girls thought to rearrange the house so that I would not be off
in a dark bedroom, but out in the front part with bright surroundings. My bed was placed where
the dining table used to be, but separated from the living room by the back of the couch placed
a few feet away, and then a beautiful netting was hung from the ceiling and encloses the back
and sides of my adjustable bed. It’s lovely, and makes me feel like the Queen of Sheba!
I really enjoy my bed being by the group of large windows of the dining room where I can
look out to see the trees and birds and clouds in the sky. One morning, as the sun rose in the
east, it filled the clouds in my westerly view with a beautiful bright pink coloring that was quite a
sight to behold. When it happens to hit the hanging crystal, bright, colorful prisms start dancing
on the wall. Beautiful orchids are placed on the window sill, which I enjoy all day long. They are
True’s pride and joy, as she treats them with loving kindness. She also maintains outside a
beautiful garden of roses and lots of other colorful flowers. She often brings in clippings, which
are put into various sized vases, even tiny ones, and placed throughout the house. This gives it
that special touch of love that adds so much to our spotlessly clean interior.
Since True is so desirous of maintaining a beautiful home, putting a small table/desk for
my use in the space between the front door and the coat closet, was nice, but a little cramped.
So, when she asked if I might like to exchange it for the larger “cutting” table that existed in the
2nd bedroom, a room that had been used as a work area/sewing room because it had such
good lighting, but was no longer being used that way, so could be available for my use now. I
agreed that it would give me more space. I could even get my two-drawer filing cabinet out of
the coat closet. And with the addition of a chest with several drawers, it would certainly allow
me more room for all my stuff. So, that same day, became ‘moving day’ for me. I like it!. And, I
think it has turned out to be a much better situation for both of us.
It seems that my daughter Linda has been busy changing things too. I hadn’t been to
her place for quite some time, so was really pleased to see the progress she had made in
continuing to restore her historic little home, all by herself! From the beginning, she had a vision
of what she wanted to do to incorporate “new,” upgraded things and yet keep the old, historic
look too. Part of the front is old brick. What her latest project has been, was to paint the rest of
the front, side and part of the back, in a dark barn-red color, which blends nicely. She has also
laid a walkway of stones in a particular pattern that is very professional looking. I marvel at the
expertise and energy of both of my girls, as they take on these very time-consuming projects.
Something that was very time-consuming for me, was in creating a double-puzzle of
both Halloween and Thanksgiving on just one sheet of paper for inclusion with this month’s
newsletter. Everything in a puzzle has to be perfect or it cannot be properly solved. Knowing
this, I tediously worked with this one, striving to include extras too, only to have mistakes show
up in each new one made from scratch. I became very frustrated, and having no ink eraser, I
finally decided to just mark-over any mistake and let it go. But True came to my rescue with a
bottle of White Out! So, here is the result. I hope you do receive my puzzles , find the
messages, and enjoy the extras, too.
Another big project that has been very time consuming was going through two big boxes
of photos, letters, cards, etc., to decide what to keep and what to throw away. It’s a chance to
add names and dates to photos, if possible, but also time to reminisce, and rather than deplete
the stock, I ended up putting them right back in the box. Luckily, my sister Carol and nieces
Sandy and Diana planned a trip from Utah to come and help. Together, we did finish the entire
project! Although our much needed rain had been predicted for that last full week of October, it
never did arrive. So their visit was not hampered in any way, and all were able to enjoy the
beautiful, sunshiny weather that Grants Pass is so proud of proclaiming.
I hope you, too, are enjoying nice Autumn weather. May you have the blessings of the
Lord to be with you now and always. Take care. And know that I love you.
Marie
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