Remembering Indiana 8/21/12

[Emptynester]

A year ago today we lost a good friend. Indiana left us and we are still missing her.

To those who have joined us in the last year, Indiana and her husband, Hugh, were the couple who gave this forum a home. Years ago, we posted on a site set us by Pam and Peggy. When they closed the board, we joined with CEO on her board and then decided to get our own. Indiana and Hugh volunteered to set it up and manage it for us.

Hugh died of bladder cancer and Indiana carried on the board. After a year she sold her house and moved into a retirement community. Her health continued to decline and she went to join Hugh on August 21, 2012.

We miss her and her great outlook on life. Even when she was the sickest, she seemed upbeat. Her old signature lines say it all.

Live, Love, Laugh, Learn

Quit hanging on to the handrails . . . Let go. Surrender. Go for the ride of your life. Do it every day.

[Lilac]

I am up early to get dh off for a 1 day business trip. I came to the board to post exactly what Emptynester did and I was going to use the the same title.

I do want to add that I am sure Indiana would be proud of the way the administrators and moderators have carried on what her and Hugh started for us. Kathryn, DeeClutter, Emptynester, BookSaver and Harriet have done a wonderful job. If I have forgotten anyone please let me add them.

Indiana, you are missed and loved every day. I feel blessed to be a part of this village. I am so glad that we can go back and reread your posts.

[Lilac]

Today is my dms birthday. DIndiana passed away the evening of the 21st last year. I remember how very sad I was the next day to hear the news. Even though in my heart I knew it was coming, I was still stunned. I knew then that I would always remember on dms birthday, that we had lost someone special that day.

[OKay]

Thank you MT!

I miss Indiana. Several times during this past year, the longing to hear from her prompted me to go read some of her posts again. She was an incredible woman.

Thank you to the Administrators and Moderators for continuing to do the work that Hugh and Sherry started.

[OKay]

Yesterday the repairr fella came and did repairs to our water softener system. Now the RO water works 10000% better.

That was the 3rd repair we had done in a week (other 2 were hot water heater replaced and ISP wiring & equipment replaced). I'm thrilled each of these were a quick fix - only taking a couple hours each.

This morning I will take LO to school for 1.5 hours then go get him for counseling appt. Last week I told LO the judge said he was going to stay with us for a long time. His anxiety has almost vanished. However, we will continue to follow counselor recommendation how often LO sees her.

Next up - get out the door for my morning walk.....*POOF*

[DeeClutter]

Thank you, MT, for starting this memorial thread. I often find myself watching for one of Indiana's uplifting posts. She is surely missed and I'm so glad for this village that Hugh & Indiana started all those years ago.

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

Thank you, MT, for a wonderful, memorial, start to the day.

Sigh.....

I'm up, dressed, have laundry on, have turned on the a/c, have had my tea and chocolate and emptied the dish drainer. So I guess I'm off to a good start. We leave in an hour or so for my last appointment with my liver specialist. After a year, the hepatitis will be declared over (the last of the effects probably ended some time in April or May but I was in the hospital the week of my scheduled 'discharge' appointment.)

We'll run a couple of errands and then get home before the high heat of the day. I need to do more exegesis for my sermons (I can't see any way of avoiding having to write two this week since anything I come up with for the long sermon isn't appropriate for the retirement home.) I was listening to a 'working preacher' podcast while getting for bed and dh came in. He didn't realize the extent of the work (reading/listening/thinking) that I do before I begin to write. He thought it was all in my mind, plus one book. In fact, I listen to a 30 minute podcast, sometimes listen to another 40 minute podcast, read 20 pages of my bible commentary book, and surf numerous websites, reading blogs and resources specifically for preachers, all discussing this week's readings. He was impressed with the podcast which was three theologians discussing the four readings and what sparks they had. They look at the readings and connections among them, whereas my commentary book writes only about each reading, not the connections between them. Sometimes there are no connections but other times I end up preaching on two or more of the readings because there is a progression or connection.

My laundry just buzzed so it is time to go hang things out.

[helia]

I miss Indiana too. She always had such wonderful practical advice.

I got up at 6:30 to finish the application. I had 3 short answers to write out. I'm done with 2 of them. Have also taken care of some other things. . . Dd17 is off at school registration.

Yesterday in Detroit was fun! We visited the Motown Museum and learned a lot about Motown. Very fascinating. A lot of big stars went through. We visited the river walk but didn't walk too far. We drove by the Guardian Building but didn't get out to see it. It looks very interesting from the outside. I'd like to go in it some day. I believe it is an office building. We were happy to be tourists in Detroit and support that city. . . Sad for its financial woes, though I do believe there was corruption and mismanagement that went into that. Still, it is the people of the city that will bear the brunt of all that.

http://www.guardianbuilding.com/

Then, we went to Dearborn and ate at a recommended middle eastern restaurant and then went to a middle eastern bakery for dessert. Oh, my!! SO much yummy food!! The bakery was selling what seemed to me sizeable servings of middle eastern and French pastries and cakes and mousses for just $1.50. We were all somewhat floored! Dearborn has a very high Muslim population.

Our staycation day 3 starts around 10 a.m. today. Dd15 and I have the first part of today. The plan is to go canoeing/kayaking on the river that runs through our city, then out for lunch at the cafe where I sit during dd15's oboe lessons. Then, we'll either visit a fun old-fashioned store nearby or go to the humane society, which is one of S's favorite places to go. This evening, ds and R have some mystery evening planned for us. I think we have reservations at a favorite downtown restaurant and then are going to a play -- but I don't know for sure. They've been very secretive.

Dd17 is back. I'd better get moving.

[Lilac]

helia, I am enjoying your staycation from the sidelines.

Called dm to wish her Happy Birthday. I was her first caller. While talking dyoungestb called her.

The fence guys haven't made an appearance yet. I have to catch them and give them a message.

[Twins' Mom]

Thank you, MT for the opening today and remembering Indiana. I think of her and Hugh often and miss her wisdom and insight. I often wonder how her very busy niece is doing.

I got in exhausted last night around 10:30 - a very very long day. DD's infraction was reduced to going 84 in a 70 zone, and she paid fine of 262.50 and we were on our way, but it took all morning so was past noon when we got back on the road home. Home around 4:30 (wouldn't have been able to put her on M egabus anyway) Will post more thoughts in response to Kathryn's suggestions later...

Today is getting ready for temple board meeting tonight at six p.m. I need to do some financial statement work and a book summary for the book we're reading as a board. Some other stuff gathering my thoughts and the agenda for the night. I have nothing written in stone the rest of the week except for the list I have going, and a massage on Friday (last round of stress reduction for now.)

Phone call from dmom yesterday wanting me to call her back as she had question on meds - when I called she said she had two "white pills" that looked alike and wanted to know what they were. I asked dbro (who lives there - why didn't she ask him to look at the bottles to start with?) to step in and help identify the two bottles, and reminded her that there were two meds on the list that she should be stopping. So I told her I'd be by tomorrow a.m. to "check" behind her on the meds container.

Somehow, I still haven't read the paper so this is first round of work....
-read paper quickly
-change and walk ddogs
-kitchen counters and breakfast bar
-clear kitchen table
-straighten great room