I asked Joanne what I should blog about. She is trying to take a nap so asking her that question, at this time, probably won't get the best response. How about an, "I don't know." Fair enough. But I feel like catching you all up on the Heim's.
I was almost out the door to work today when Gran came over and told me that I-25 was closed due to an accident. I called Ryan and he told me not to worry about fighting the traffic to get down to the Springs. I am working on a very cool book project for him so getting more time to write in my favorite space was a good thing--I love sitting at the kitchen table and having at it. I find that I do most of my writing there. I cranked out about 3000 words, which for me is pretty good at a sitting. Now I will spend time buffing up the work I have done and try to give it a little polish.
I am a strong believer in the cruddy-first-draft camp: get it on the page and fix it later. It feels so good to be writing again! I am a little surprised. I have been blogging but that feels different somehow than working on a manuscript or a proposal. I think it's like jumping into a cold pool on a hot summer day. it feels bad for about 10 seconds and then it feels so good! Tackling a book project feels much the same for me. Getting those first words down is TOUGH, but after that it's a pretty good rush!
I did something that I haven't done for a LONG time. I actually started with an outline. This is like writing 101 but I actually write one down and then followed it up with chapter summaries. Crazy how the basics still apply even when you have a few books under your belt.
But enough about me. I know you come to the blog to hear about Joanne so here you go:
Joanne got a GREAT haircut this past weekend. She hadn't had it cut in months and months so we made her an appointment with Jlynn (our favorite) and she got a great looking (and easy to style) new haircut. Here is the deal--some haircuts require a thing called a "flat-iron." I call it a burned off ear lobe waiting to happen. So I pleaded with Joanne and Jlynn, "nothing that will involve me flat-ironing Joanne's hair!" Well they heard my pleas and I don't have to pick up that instrument of potential torture. Joanne looks like a million bucks and can pretty much do her hair herself with one hand. Of course Audrey and I both have opinions on how it should be done so one or the other of us is always up in Joanne's business while she is styling, but such is life.
Life has been pretty quiet since Beth Moore a couple of weeks ago. Sister Kristen was nice enough to bring dinner the other night. We have make-it-yourself pizzas. She made the dough up fresh, cooked it on the griddle then we each got to "decorate" our own pizza and pop it in the oven. Oh my gosh it was good! I think the best part was the fresh mozzerella.
Joanne is sad lately. I think she is has been hit again with the notion of all that she has lost. Not sure what has brought this on, but the loss of identity and ability to do the things she used to love is definitely in play. I can't imagine what it must be like to have lost the use of a limb! If her arm and hand still worked, she would be typing this blog, but one-handed typing is hard for her and she doesn't like it so there that goes out the window. If her arm and hand still worked she would still be crafting, cooking, and doing all sorts of other things that she enjoys. But as she says, "My left hand isn't on the team!"
What about her leg and foot? If they still worked she would be running--something she misses more than almost anything. She would be able to get around the house easier. She could get in and out of the car, walk around the grocery store or the mall without a struggle.
But she has lost both, and that is bugging her a lot lately. Why didn't the stroke just take one and leave the other? How nice that would be! Well, that's not how strokes work I guess. You loose the left side or the right side, but your definitely loosing a whole side! I have on-going conversations with her massive team of doctors, shooting off emails about this and that and looking for guidance and encouragement. I guess I am looking for the magic bullet--the one thing she can do that'll fix it! But none of them posses such knowledge...nor do I really expect them to have it. But I am compelled to ask and they are nice enough to respond. But the news is mostly sad.
So we fill Joanne's days in simple ways. She always looks forward to a good breakfast, which Emma always makes for her. One waffle, properly crispy, with butter and syrup topped with two eggs over medium. She has had this every days for months except on donut days which happen on either Saturday or Sunday.
If it is nice out and not too hot Joanne enjoys sitting on the deck. We ahve a little pond (which she dug a couple of years ago) and it makes a nice, relaxing sound. She spend a good amount of time each morning reading her Kindle. I am never sure what book she is into but she loves spy novels. Then there is second breakfast. Some would call it an early lunch but to Joanne it is second breakfast. Maybe a little more time reading then she is often upstairs for a rest. She especially enjoys it when her cat Joey joins her (which he has today).
And that's about it. Sometimes there are errands to run or trips to make her and there to picj up or drop off this or that. But mostly she is here, in the house. She is rarely alone though. Emma tends to stick close and I am never far away. Audrey is in "Audrey world." She is almost 14 and I suppose that is to be expected. So that's about it.
Emma is over cooking with Gran today. They are making all kinds of yummy things, some of which will make their way into our home to be gobbled up.
Audrey is off to Walgreen's. This probably doesn't sound like a big deal but she does have to cross a pretty good sized road to get there. I want to protect her and tell her "no way are you going across that road!" but the kid is almost 14. So off she goes, finding her freedom. I am OK with that. Oh my gosh, when I was 14 I had the run of the neighborhood. Joanne too. We used to go MILES from home with instructions to "be home by dinner." And I think that started when I was about 10! Audrey is 14 and if she wants to go to Walgreen's, I need to let her give it a go. I sent her out the door with instruction not to get run-over. Plus I said a little prayer to the same effect.
So, it's not thrilling but it is an update none the less. I have been deeply encouraged by a number of comments and emails that have come to Joanne's facebook account or through the blog comments. It means so much to both of us to hear from everyone and to know that people are praying. Speaking of which:
Prayer requests:
1. Please pray for Joanne's spirits as she is down lately. She needs encouragement.
2. Please pray that those of us closest to Joanne will have wisdom, compassion, encouragement, and patience.
3. Please pray that Audrey doesn't get run over, literally or figuratively, as she finds her freedom.
Toben