SHEs Organized

My water story: 2DD fell asleep on her rubber float in the gulf and floated way way way out. I'm not sure what happened, if she woke up or somebody went after her or what but eventually she came back in. I was not there at the time, she was a teenager with a bunch of kids at the beach. I had mentioned it to her 2 weeks ago when we were at the beach and her eyes got really big and she told me how she'd fallen asleep... we were very lucky that time.

Yes, yikes on water stories. I too almost drowned when I was about 12 -couldn't swim and I had an air mattress float and went out to far & lost the mattress and was over my head. Think my db really saved me.

Dh is at the scene of a house fire. It was hit by lightening and immediately caught fire. Dh called a while ago to let me know he was ok. It's been storming & continuing to lightening. The house looks like a complete loss. Know when the call came in people were in the process of escaping. Hate to think of anyone out in this kind of storm.

Interesting conversations about drowning...Almost drown in a lake when I was 21 and horsing around on a raft. Was sitting on it horsey style with my husband sitting behind me. We were playing chicken with two other couples and I was pushed under with my husband on top of me. I went under much farther than I thought and swimming up to the top got confused and thought I was swimming to the bottom. Reversed and really did start swimming to the bottom when I remembered to blow bubbles and watch which way they went...reversed again swimming to the top but was out of air. Fortunately my husband saw what had happened, grabbed me and pulled me to the surface. Never would have made it without his help.

My whole 21 years of life did flash before my eyes. I remember that so clearly. After I was able to catch my breath I swam to the boat, really a cabin cruiser, boarded and then walked out to the bow. I knew that if I didn't jump back into the water at that moment, I would never swim again. Glad I did.

Ya'll know about my river adventure. Strange though that the instinct to fight and survive was far greater than anything I've ever experienced. No life flashing before me, no to time to holler to God for help...everything was in slow motion which gave me time to remember what I needed to do.

When my son was less than 6 months old I took him to the baby swim class at the Y. All the mamas would get into the pool with babies in our hands. You bobbed up and down to the count of 3, then blew into your baby's mouth and nose, both of you dunked under the water and then you'd let go....most amazing. There was my son eye's wide open swimming under water like a seal. You would gentle guide your baby to the surface and watch them laugh.

Blowing in a baby's face like that causes an automatic reflex in which they can somehow close their throats...its what happens while they are in your womb and why they don't drown while in there....and is why they can float in the water for a while. I was told that a child loose this natural ability by the time they are two. Once I guided my son to the surface, I cupped the back of his head and turned his body belly up. With very little help he learned how to float on his own.

By the time he was 18 months he would walk out on the diving board and jump into my arms. Then with very little assistance he would swim to the side of the pool. At 2.5 years old he was terrified of the pool and wouldn't hardly stick his toes in the water...that was a very long and hot summer. He turned 4 in April and that summer he was jumping off the diving board and swimming to the ladder by the side of the pool. I was ALWAYS sitting right there. And by the end of the summer he was dog paddling the entire width of the pool.

My mom tells me that I too was swimming by the time I was 4. Must be a reason why I love the ocean so much.

Sadie...so glad to hear about your ds. You both have been on my mind.
Kathryn, how wonderful for you to call your sister when you did. I think having to put a pet down is one of the hardest things to do in this world, but if I need to do it for either of my pups, I'll be right there by their side when it happens no matte how hard it is.

Had a nice supper. It was fun watching the rain approach. Now it is complete fog so there's almost no view at all, just a few lights on the bridge but I can't see all the way across the river.

It is now lightening and a bit of thunder. It is interesting how different lightening feels this high up. We can see more of it, I guess.

We put up a wall hanging that was dfil's and tidied the exercise corner of the office. The pram is currently on the treadmill but aside from that, it is ready for us to start working out. I might start using the bike soon on days when I can't use my street bike. I really need to start exercising properly, not just moving all day long on these hard floors, further wrecking my heel and knee.

Ds called because he can't get insurance for his car because the house address isn't recognized by Canada Post so the insurance company can't confirm it. It isn't recognized because there is no mail delivery to the house. And, of course, this ignores the fact that he had insurance with the same company at our address before he left for Australia. I must remember to change the address on our car insurance. I've forgotten so far and know I owe more money.

Next up, bill payment.

I was saved from an undertow by a cousin who was well known as a strong swimmer - have probably told that story here. Like Cowinkie, the experience of not being sure of up or down, and tumbling.

Ds as a toddler slipped from a flotation device surrounded by people in a pool and was instantly scooped up by a teen neighbor, but still scared.

Dd as a toddler was getting instructions from teacher, who continued talking on down the line of children with back to dd, who slipped right into the pool. I jumped in and scooped her out. Could I have jumped over a fence first and still have done it? Not sure - that was quite a moment, OKay.

I have been overwhelmed with company and meeting friends out today. Pleading and begging from teen girls has resulted in the friend from last night now spending the night here. She's very exuberant, so not a very calm house.

Hoping Mr. DeeClutter finds a simple situation of fire control.

Possible complication is dh but I may just keep him in the dark. He always wants to use someone that he knows, even if it seems they don't much want to do it.

I could echo this in nearly every area of the household for HRH! It's constant for repairmen or home improvement! LOL No, Let's NOT use a guy you know!

Wow... all these near-drownings... I'm probably more afraid of water than any of y'all, and I don't remember ANY near-drowning experience of my own. I was just born afraid, I guess. And it is so odd b/c my ddad was apparently part fish, LOL. Likewise dbro. Both my grandmothers were very afraid of water, though. Probably transferred that fear to me. As a result, I never learned to swim very well or very confidently, and I'm still VERY nervous around water. Part of the reason I don't want my dcousin babysitting for dgs... she has a pool. But maybe in the next year or so, dgs can start taking lessons and then I'll be about him like I always was my dbro -- always felt fine taking him to pool with me b/c I figured HE could save ME if need be.

* whew *
Long day.
DH out of sorts.
Me getting tired and out of sorts.
* whew *

Bills are paid.

Boy, I was far behind on that and even more behind on reconciliations.

My music friend has canceled for tomorrow so I'll have a bit more time to work on bookkeeping in the morning.

I have been very effective on email today. The joy of sticking in one spot (at my desk) with my full software tools. It has been a month of just getting by.

I also need to get back to writing. I miss it. And other things that signify 'normal' for me.

When I was very young, we lived close to a very large out door pool in Toronto. My sister and I both had lessons there. She actually became a life guard. I took the life guard course but never pursued it. Lessons back in those days were very close to free/possibly free. Because I had learned to swim early, I had my dd taking lessons at a very early age (under 5 for sure) and she continued with lessons until she could go no further except life guard. Every once in a while I do the breast stroke just to see if I still can. Or the side stroke, which is easier. I love swimming, but I can't skate on ice to save my life. (Although I can roller skate no problem.)

The only time I ever got scared was when Mike and I were trying to figure out snorkels in shallow water in Cuba. I got a nosebleed and panic set in as I tried to get to shore. I was so scared that the blood would attract a shark into the shoulder deep water.

I had an emotional day. It was my dad's birthday. I choked up a few times. Someone I hadn't seen since early last fall got into my van today and asked how my dad was.

(((CathyS)))

I got my story logged, but during my cover letter, I remembered something I forgot to add to the story, which is important. LOL! But I logged the entire thing, have 14 pages of ms. I'll work on it tomorrow, until it's perfect & fit to sub.

I read my 2 letters, I received today, don't know if I'll answer tonight though or will wait until after I see the Dr. later in the week. I have another 3 stories to hand write their outline forms, from their synopsis-es index cards, then write out by hand. I'd rather work on those, instead of worrying about my Dr. appt., so the pals will need to wait. I'll have more Dr. news by then, too, & can always mail letters out on Monday the 30th.

We have another dgs coming July 5, so with my July 11 deadline looming, the dgs here again (different one this time), I'd love to get these 3 other stories done & in early, if I can possibly do it. Also, if I get them in, I'll be able to work on Nov. stories due Aug. 1. Between July 11 - Aug. 1, there isn't a whole lot of time. So in addition to dgs company Dr. appt.s & possible tests, I'd love to get the Nov. stories done earlier than Aug. 1, too. Also, in Sept. is my physical, the 19th of Sept. is the Dec. deadline, so would like to get them in earlier, too. Why? Because Oct., I do a bone density test, colonoscopy, see the ophthalmologist, & might get another Cerec crown put on my molar to replace an old, old gold crown. So Oct. will be a super *busy* month! And Oct. 24 is the Jan. 2015 deadlines. Also, there are 2 dgs's & DH's b-days in Oct. AND Nov. 3 is another dgs's b-day. On Nov. 14, the Feb. 2015 issues stories are due, so I'd love to get at least 1 done, if possible. But 2 would be super. In Dec., "things" settle down, the March 2015 deadline's 12/12/14, so it'll be earlier in the month.

Then, on top of this, I'm "supposed" to be doing my Christmas crochet????? It's just not happening very fast for me! I used to faithfully always start "Christmas in June" for family/friend crochet! It helps to play Christmas music, too, in case anybody makes gifts or Christmas cards for Christmas. It inspires.

I'll sign off for tonight. Need to get the Dr. list ready for later in the week. DH & dgs get wood tomorrow & then go to Costco, will eat lunch out there, so I'll have the house to myself for awhile. I can write OR crochet.

I am SLOWLY working on re-building my routines. I'm going to concentrate on morning & bedtime before I start building in the afternoon/zone focus parts.

How embarrassing. That was my post from a YEAR ago. How s...l...o...w...l...y... can a person work and still be considered working? I feel I'm getting nowhere fast.

OTOH... Today's TA-DAs vs TO-DOs...
walk -- no go... dgs was VERY uncooperative about riding in his stroller, and ds didn't have time to stick around and walk with me... so ...
walk away the pounds
set up wading pool -- no go... pool had a crack in it...
play w/dgs in wading pool -- see above...
walked around yard and named things w/dgs
s2s
Bible reading
bake cookies
call dmom
visited dmom
delivered rx & coffee to dmom
read a few short books to dgs
gave him juice and peanut butter crackers and Cheerios
gave him supper and milk, milk, milk
call dsgm
go to dsgm's house and deliver cookies/pick up pants she mended for me
dust bedroom, 15 min. focus there b/c I skipped last week
wrap dgs's bday gifts
deliver florist's bill to dbil (re: dmil)
made another trip to florist
phone call back to dbil
bank
picked up supper for dh & me
called dh's cousin for dbil, re: funeral expenses for their daunt
picked up house from dgs's activities (w/ds's help)
call daunt
15 min in master bath focus
transfer pictures from phone & camera to computer
upload pictures to Wmart site
water plants

That doesn't look so bad, really, does it?