I love my life though there have been a few emotionally harrowing moments lately.

I leave tomorrow for a short jaunt to visit a friend. My visit will be ever so brief but a welcomed respite from the extraordinary of my ordinary days.

I could do this post with bullets and be over with it, but that would be too easy and nothing this week has been too easy.

Edit: Monday was one of those very rare perfect days. Perfect!


Monday's Perfect Day

1. The day started with a mid-morning brunch gathering of my book club - a group of women I adore. It's a mishmash of personalities that blends for the perfect recipe of friendship. The discussion was Rules of Civility by Amor Towles. It was my selection, which made me a bit nervous because the group has never liked any of my choices... and they liked it! Rules is a hybrid of sorts... a beautifully written beach read would be my brief overview. It's very Gatsby-like.

Everything was delicious regarding my abbreviated time with this group - the women, the food, the discussion.

I had to dash off early because I had an appointment with my optometrist.

Sidebar: These days I usually only plan one event each day. I tire easily. I don't blame IPF. I just tire. Navigating the world isn't as easy as it used to be.

2. Nearly two years ago I was diagnosed with a terminal illness with no treatment or cure. It was suggested that I had two years and should consider immediate employment of a caregiver. So, last year when I received notice that it was time to make an appointment for an eye exam, I thought, "Pfffft, why waste the money!"

Since my diagnosis, I've aimed my days at proving my doctors wrong, and have thus far succeeded. The problem though... my world was becoming too blurry. *smiling*

So, I figured if I'm gonna be around for a while, I want to be able to see with clarity. The exam went well. Ends up my vision hasn't slipped as much as I thought. I just spend too much time in front of a computer, I guess. My new prescription required minor adjusts for reading only. (I wear progressive trifocals.) I splurged on new snazzy frames - a darkish-red tortoise shell. I've worn nothing but wire rims forever. I was overdue for a change.

3. I had an appointment with my new tax preparer. I was in her office for about 1 1/2 hours. By the time I left, the IRS had my documents via email and the money I owed was transferred from my account. Easy-peasy. Done.

Prior to this meeting I was anxious about a tax related document I hadn't yet received from NY. We were able to download it, print it, and incorporate it into my filing. My annual income is modest, but I still owed the government... but not nearly as much as I thought I would. Yay!

4. On the way home I stopped at the grocery store and purchased ingredients to make bran muffins. I make them bite-size. Yummy and cute. I'm taking them with me on my road trip.

5. I stopped at one of my favorite local stores on the mountain and purchased a few gifts to take with me.

By the time I arrived home, I'd accomplished 5 tasks all in one day!

It was one of those rare perfect days. Perfect.

Now this is the important part... an essential ingredient in the mix of perfection. The whole time I was gadding about, I was happy. I exuded gratitude. I laughed a lot. I prefer to drink from a glass half full rather than half empty. The effort to live like this isn't all that hard. I don't even think about it anymore. I just let each footfall take me a step closer to fuller gratitude. It's who I am. And this is what made my day even more perfect. As I whirled alone through my over-scheduled day something magical happened. Not to me, but to others. And how do I know this? They told me. Unbeknownst to me, as I hobble through life carrying my oxygen and occasionally adjusting my gait because of two hip replacements... I smile a lot and laugh a lot and people join in my chorus of gratitude.

In a way, I find this puzzling because nothing about me has changed - except a diagnosis I'm killing with gratitude.

It's ever so nice when one is validated for choices made.

*****

Yesterday I was up to my eyeballs with work - more than I really wanted to deal with or anticipated, but stuff that needed to get done. My boss is good to me and gives me lots of flexibility and allows me to work from home. It's a splendid arrangement. But this week was overwhelming with spreadsheets and stuff and more stuff.


*****


I observed that in my absence, if burglars should enter my home, they'll think someone beat them to the goods. My house looks like a home invasion has already taken place. Midst all the chaos of my life, I'm preparing to have new carpet installed in a few rooms. The preparation is daunting because of all the stuff I have.

*****


Time to bake those muffins and pack and anticipate another perfect day.


Below are some new paintings I've recently acquired.






Muse II by Don Watson






Red Dress by Don Watson






Womanly by Don Watson







Abstract Portrait by Ruth Arenz






Good Day Sunshine by Ruth Arenz