Recovery Progress: August 2018

Saturday, August 18, 2018

Getting excited!

To go and see everyone! I didn't think it was going to work out this year but since we need to take care of a few things with my dad (he's doing okay) I'm going to head out to Oregon! So thankful that I could get the time off! So I'll get to see my brothers and sister and some friends as well! And the Grandkids!!! I wasn't able to see my family in Southern Oregon before leaving so I'm glad it'll happen this year since I have a feeling it could a while after that.

With some new people reading the blog I thought I'd give a really brief history of my blog. I think I've hinted a few times about my husband but not really said much. This blog started as therapy of sorts for me. It's been close to 8 full years since he never came home from work and we have yet to see/hear from him since then. We're very hopeful that one day soon we'll see him again. We really don't know for sure what happen but I have some pretty good guesses. But it's actually been a pretty good journey since then and it's been amazing the strength that my Father has been able to give. It's been amazing everything that has happened and I really can't say that I'd have it any other because of all the privileges that would probably never happened otherwise. Anything that happens can be used for good and to grow and that continues to be my goal. Both my girls have grown tremendously because of this as well. They are doing wonderful and for that I'm very thankful!

Pretty much worked outside all day and loved it! Lots more digging going on as I try and get the other side of my driveway, next to the road, cleared out of weeds etc. It's amazing how much garbage I'm finding! I know the favorite beer that was drunk by previous owners! Finding Bud Light bottle caps everywhere I dig! It's crazy!

Had my 3 month review at work last week and it went awesome! It's been going really well at work. Hard to believe its been over 3 months now! Harvest should be starting soon at the farm so that will be another experience! Been learning lots of new stuff this last week!! I think we're past the peak of summer weather. Forecast shows in the 80's next week versus the 90's it's been for the last month and a half. Really hoping that I get a decent amount of cucumbers before it gets too cold! And dragonflies! There's quite a few of them around my garden area. The other day I went out and there were 5 of them in the little garden area I have.

Today's digging...

What's left

Other side is done!!

Whew!!

Sunset- The smoke sure does give some gorgeous sunsets!

Dragonfly.

Thunderstorms were back for a couple of days.

At the farm.

A lemon cucumber!

Only way I could get a picture was through a video! :)

Another dragonfly

Pippy kept me company during the Sunday nap.

Purple pole beans- So yummy!!

The garden

Another view of the garden

And another angle. :)

A sunny view at the farm!

This is for those who don't know what a puncture vine is (also called a goat head). They hurt when they poke! And there's multiple thorns on each one of them. They're everywhere here! And I've heard that they can sit dormant for years and years.

Friday, August 3, 2018

How time flies! Updates

Hard to believe it's been about a month since I posted! One side of the driveway is almost completely cleaned out of weeds and then the other side has some work but isn't near as bad since quite a bit was done on it in June. Once that's done it'll be time for gravel!!! I don't need a mud pit this winter/next spring! The garden is doing awesome! Picked the first beans today. I planted purple pole beans so they should give me beans for the rest of the month!! Can see the first cucumber setting so hopefully it grows and i'll get cucumbers as well!!! Tomatoes are doing awesome! Picked a nice amount of sun gold cherry tomatoes (they're the best! really sweet!). Picked the biggest tomato I've ever grown yesterday. That was exciting! 😃 It helps to have sunny warm days all month! Although today was in the low 80's so it was pretty nice! But back to the 90's next week. I think we only had 3 or 4 days below 90 last month. Way different compared to Portland is normally like (although this year has been warmer). Snake River is still running pretty good though from what I can see.

Went to a funeral today for one of our friends here. I didn't get to know her very well since she was gone for a while and then got sick. She touched many lives and it was very evident. It wasn't a small room and it was standing room only. Loved what we heard about the soul. It's a living thing and has feelings too. I've also enjoyed thinking about the heart. What we allow to go into us (what is read, what is done on the computer etc) is what comes out of us. One lesson I've learned over time is that sooner or later what's truly in the heart shows. It's either due to age or a really tough experience that pulls the true feeling out. We can be pretty good about hiding what really there to most people but when dementia sets in the control disappears. It's really kind of sad sometimes what starts coming out. But my Grandma Layman was the most wonderful dementia patient and had a wonderful spirit. But then I've seen/experienced the complete opposite and it was anything but easy. Pretty sure I've mentioned it before but it was real to me again this week.

Work is going awesome still! Gradually working through projects. Have a really big one coming up that will keep me busy though! I'm also learning a ton about potatoes. Who knew that there was so much to learn about them!! :) I believe this next week is my three month review. It's hard to believe that it's already been three months!!! I also may meet with my first client here tomorrow!

Got an amazing bill today! I had what I think was an anxiety attack the last Wednesday of June. No clue why it happened but ended up going to the hospital since it felt exactly like a heart issue. One person did tell me that it's possible my body wasn't sure what to do without the stress/low level anxiety that I'd been dealing with for so many years and decided to create anxiety. She said its unusual but has happened. I have another possible theory but anyway it was not a fun hour while the pain was there! Anyway the chest X-ray was .... $25.00.... Crazy, but awesome!! I was also out of ER in an hour! And back to work in 2 hours. Round trip was 40 minutes. Small towns are awesome and the staff was wonderful. We'll see what the rest of the bills are like but I'm now hopeful they don't drain my savings!

Dave has been heavy on my heart recently so hope that all is okay there. One doesn't forget those that they love regardless of what happens. If you're reading this know that you're in my prayers and thoughts.