Harold's idea of Feng Shui

I've mentioned before the maximization of empty space.  It's not for esthetic value.  It's not for traditional Feng Shui, it's simply a necessity with Parkinsons.

However Jon's chair.  OMG the CHAIR. It's big.  It's bulky.  It doesn't really fit anywhere.  If our cable hookups were on an interior wall it would work and work beautifully.  However as Harold gently reminded me, it's not about me.

So I lost the coffee table.  Just no flow-through with it.  The chair is the perfect place to Jon to get into and out of and meander about.  It works well where it is even if it's a bit, well, out in the living space.  We still have spaces for him to safely move from one area to the other.

Feng-ing the Shui - our way I guess.

of course that also meant we needed to rethink the tv stand.  one is on order with amazon - i believe i need power tools and of course a TON of patience.

I cannot take credit for the photo.  It came from www.decoist.com  A nifty site about balance and beauty.

Downsizing - it ain't for the faint at heart

No I cannot take credit for the graphic but I am finding the wisdom within it.

Going from a townhouse to an apartment has been interesting.  I'm very glad I didn't try to bring my dining room furniture because there is no way it would have fit.  We just brought the table and chairs.

Of course that means that I now have no place for my china or glassware.  Every piece of furniture from showcases to china hutches were all just way too big.  We're trying to minimize the used space and maximize the empty space.  Not easy in an apartment but necessary for Jon.

Enter Amazon and the curio cabinet.  I found two that would fit in the small corners of the dining area.  While I absolutely loathe putting together furniture, there really isn't a furniture place here that sells small minimalist stuff.  Welcome to the heartland eh?

While surfing on amazon I also found two night stands and a headboard that Jon liked so I guess I will be putting together furniture for a while.

Should've brought my power tools I guess.

We also ended up needing to purchase a new washer and dryer.  Jon and I cruised the Lowes store here in Lexington and he picked an energy efficient set.  While I was dubious, I must admit that while they use less water and electric, they do an absolutely awesome job.

Our only real issue has been the kitchen trash.  We tried the under-the-cabinet route and hated it.  So I have a trashcan in the dining room now.  Less than perfect but we will work on that one as time goes.

Now to try and find an entertainment unit that can do double duty and house most of our books.  A challenge to be certain.

What do you want to bet I end up on Amazon and having to put it together as well?

because apparently less is more doesn't apply to the best of the best books that we couldn't leave --- which equal 9 stacks about 5 foot high in the guest bedroom.  Who knew I had 3 copies of In Cold Blood?  Who knew how hard it would be to choose which of the 3 copies I would take?

A goodbye to our old home

I flew back Thursday night to pick up the Jeep, drop off the keys, and drive the jeep back to Lexington.  Harold wouldn't let me say goodbye without one final photo - yes that's my Harold.

It was an awesome house for the time.  As Jon's Parkinson's progressed, the very things we loved:  the huge windows in the stairway, the stepdown living room, etc proved problematic.  It was time.  It was time to say goodbye and hope my lovely realtor can shortsell the home for us.  I hope another family finds it as lovely warm and opening space as we did.

Speaking of said realtor - she was able to make a great trip to Paris so I didn't get to see her.  I was a wee bit jealous then I remembered just how much I hate traveling.  The trip to get the jeep cemented that.

I worked all day Thursday then drove to the airport (a scant 15 minute drive).  I had to fly to SC to get to DC - sadly you cannot fly out of Lexington to BWI - my airport of choice.

By the second flight I just wanted to be back somewhere where I could lay down.  That was before the cab ride out of DC - a very pricey ride but well worth it for one who refuses to drive in that maze of messed up roads and confused drivers.

We finally got to Laurel to Em's house to pick up the jeep (where she had graciously been keeping it for me).  She also graciously offered to let me stay at her house as she is out of town on a cruise.  I opened the door and immediately her BatCat came running thinking I was Mama.  Then every noise I made here he'd come wanting her.  He was so upset that I left the key, locked the door, and drove to find a motel room.  Poor kitty.

Then the next morning came the 9 hour drive.  Well it was supposed to be 9 hours.  However I had storm fronts near the entire way which not only slowed me down but blew my gas mileage completely out the window.  Then on I68 in WV there was an accident that shut down both sides of the interstate.  I started to grumble then heard up the line that lifewatch had been called in.  Here I was in a reasonably comfy vehicle, ac, enough money to get a hotel room if I was running too late and thinking of myself instead of the poor people who were in the accident.  Harold slapped my hand but good over that one.

After about an hour we were back on the road only to run into thunderstorms most of the rest of the way.

Did I mention I really hate traveling?

By the time I got home I was so sore and so tired all I could think of was pizza and bed.  But that would have been rude to the happy welcoming committee that all wanted me to reassure them I wouldn't leave again.  From cats to bird to Jon they hovered and followed ... I think they miss me.

Home is definitely where the heart is.  My heart is here with my loving husband and affectionate creatures.  While I often long to explore, I believe I'll leave my exploring to short trips and via the internets.

I took the photo above on Thursday.  Somehow - to me - the place looks sad without us.  however my heart is truly in Lexington now.

I haz a kitty porch

One of the things I was concerned about with the new apartment was the lack of fenced backyard space for the cats to lay in the sun, watch the birds, and generally play.  While it's a concrete porch, the cats certainly enjoy the sunshine - as you can see from Sebastian.

When we went to look at apartments and did the tour, Jon chose the one that was available earliest.  It was a good choice.  We're closer to the mailboxes, closer to the pool, and being in the back part of the community means fewer school age kids.  They prefer to be closer to the front part for the bus stop.

Bonus?  ours has a double entranceway.  The first door doesn't lock for obvious reasons (you can reach over the railing and open it) but it opens onto this little patio walkway that is perfect for the cats.

Now I just need to get them some greenery and such and make it a comfy - safe - place for them to play.

Essie likes it too - just doesn't like her photo snapped obviously - or maybe she just wants the camera?

No she's not angry - just being her goofy self but look at them paws eh?

So the kitties are happy, the bird is being the bird, and Jon is happy.  I'd call this choice a win-win.

Lexington? how did we get here?

Off to a new journey - that of a re-transplanted flatlander.

As you know I've lived in Virginia, Oklahoma, Kansas, Louisiana, Washington State, and now Kentucky.  The work path, Parkinson's path, and other forces converged to where Jon and I (and of course Harold) relocated for work....to Lexington KY.

A state in which I've never lived and only rode through when I was very young when Mom decided to leave Virginia for Kansas.

We also went from being homeowners to apartment dwellers - yet another change.  The Parkinsons has gotten to the point that stairs became problematic for Jon.  So now the only sort of 'step' we have is the curb.  This is a good thing.

We also live within minutes - less than 5 mostly - from most things we need.  This gets him out and about more.  He is loving the Krogers that is literally about 2 minutes from the apartment.

How did this all come about?  Well during Harold's silence (Citalopram - forgot the brand name - tends to stifle the muse so he was in hiding), I took a job in Rockville.  That company was purchased by the company where I now work.  My new supervisor wanted me in Lexington, Jon and I spoke about it, and decided it was Thundercats GO.  No we didn't consult the cats.  Or the bird.  Actually she's very lucky I didn't rehome her - I almost did.  However things converged and the community where we had the most interest allows birds not counted as a pet.  Therefore we could keep both cats and the bird.

Harold however is itching for the camera.  Everything here is so green.  Everything here is so ... pastorale for lack of a better spelled word.  Actually he has been fascinated with the changing light on the trees out on our front porch - the photo above.

Just wait til I take him on the walking trails.  I'm hoping Jon can join us - with Parkinsons it's not one day at a time but literally one hour at a time -- as we found out at Target on Saturday when his body rebelled without warning or reason.

One day at a time.  One hour at a time.  One minute at a time.  Tough for a consummate planner such as myself.

However, as Harold often reminds me - I adapt.  I may kick and scream but I will adapt.

...and yes so will my muse.  He's already eyeing the canine traffic out the back patio .......

The photo above was taken from my front porch a few days ago.  It really is beautiful and quiet here.

I have been being lax.  Such delightful places, such interesting photos, and no I've not posted them.

Ooooooops.

So the newest places I've taken Harold in the last year is the Crime and Punishment Museum with a good friend Em, who turned me on to Free Museum Day.

We also did the NewSeum but for those who know Harold, it was Ted Bundy's car he wanted to see - ok to photograph.  *I* wanted to see it.

The photo doesn't do it justice.  You can nearly feel the evil radiating from the car.  It was amazing - and scary - and something you have to experience to fully understand.  

We went a while - heck a few years in fact - without going many new places.  I had to get used to life as it had become.  I had to internalize it as it were.  Harold was always right there with me reminding me that life is always to be celebrated.  For a while I ignored him - much easier to wallow in my own self pity.  Then I started seeing the beauty again.

This year - for the first time in what?  3 years?  - I will be doing the Cherry Blossoms.  For those who have followed my photos here and there you know the Cherry Blossoms were - and are - something very special to me.  It will be nice to be back.  Thanks again to the delightful Em who refuses to let me be a hermit - even when I work really hard at it.

Photos coming  :)  for now, let me see if I can still do a slide show of the Museum of Crime and Punishment in DC.  While not free, it is DEFINITELY worth the price.  America's Most Wanted is filmed in the basement and there is an electric chair that I would have bribed someone just to touch.

Caveat - not handicap accessible.  :(  But on the ground floor is Ted Bundy's infamous VW Beetle.  A sight to see just for itself.

Til later my friends.

DC Crime and Punishment Museum - slideshow

2013 - a new year - a new beginning

ok I was kidding about the new beginning except I miss taking photos.  I've bemoaned the last couple of years that Harold hasn't had his camera in hand but a rare few times --- and sadly those have been photos of other people and while fabulous (IMHO) I respect their privacy.

In fact I have one of the best photos of a very good friend that I've EVER taken.

The scales of time - they tend to balance when we're not looking.  For the longest time, Jon was the driving force in our marriage here in Maryland.  He had the great job, the confidence, the power if you will.  Now he is disabled.  While a great many men would bemoan the circumstance and quite probably take it out on their partner, he doesn't.  He throws his skills, his experiences, his drive, behind ME.

IKR?

brb - Parkinsons' ugly head - he's standing on his pants and in a bit of a quandry.

ok I'm back.  Crisis averted.

I found this year for the first time being off Christmas Eve AND Christmas Day and New Years Eve AND New Years Day. While yes I did work part of those days from home - WOW - I didn't have to go to work.

....and that leads to the photo above from the Snowpocalypse.  Not only would I not have to work if that situation arose again, I would not be punished for NOT working.

Jon kept saying if I paid my dues, paid it forward as it were, then good things would happen.

As usual, I think he's right.

though I wouldn't let him know that ;)