Letters From New England

Footprints...

Monday

March 31, 2008

Hi,

A friend sent an email with this great link!  You can calculate your "carbon footprint".  I got a 31, but there are things I have no control over (like composting), or having Energy Star appliances (came with the apartment).  However, I do the best I can with the rest.

The US average is 27, which is WAY higher than the world average (5.5).  Goes to show how wasteful we can be in this country.  The land of plenty is becoming the land of toxicity to the environment.  Hey, remember when we thought the "machine age" was so progressive? Sigh...

Here's the link: http://www.nature.org/initiatives/climatechange/calculator/

So, it snowed again today.  It's been raining and gloomy since mid-afternoon.  And cold.  I should have gone to Florida with my cousins, Diane and Donna. :)

Jacob is doing a bit better!  His left lung is clear and some of the damage is healing.  His right lung, not so much.  However, there is some progress, but he may need surgery on it.  The best news is that the surgeon said this surgery is the worst case scenario right now.  So, no lung transplant!!! 

He's still on the heart-lung bypass machine, still in a drug induced coma so he's not conscious of what's going on.  His poor body is taking a beating from being immobile for 5 weeks now, so he's getting some physical therapy.  They are moving his wrists, ankles, arms and legs.  He even lost 3 teeth from the tubes in his mouth, but thankfully, they are baby teeth.  His skin is breaking down too, so wound care specialists are handling that.  His father's insurance is what is paying for these medical bills.  Last week, his employer informed him that since he is out of benefit time, not working and no longer drawing a paycheck, they have no choice but to stop their portion of his insurance.  Huh?  He now has to come up with over $900/month.  Ummm...does that sound like an oxymoron to you?  You aren't working, so now you have to pay $900/month for insurance.  I can't believe they couldn't come up with a better plan than that! 

We are getting donations from co-workers, which is fantastic.  Say what you will, we are one big family there.  It's amazing to me what a total stranger will do for someone out of compassion.

Tammy is planning a fundraiser for June, which we hope will bring in a couple thousand dollars.  We are also hoping that by then, Jacob is in Rehab (or home!) and they can start to pay down all of their expenses.

He's got a long way to go, so keep those prayers coming!  They've performed a miracle or 2 already.

I'm cold, so I'm off to make a cup of tea and flop on the sofa to bead.

Peace,

Kay

Let it snow...let it s...NO...what?

TGIF

March 28, 2008

Hi,

Woke up to a couple of inches of S*N*O*W covering the ground this morning.  By the time I left for work, it had started to rain, making slush soup.  Then the snow returned for another couple of hours and finally stopped this afternoon.  Ugh!  It was the wet, heavy snow that sticks to everything, so all of the trees are white again, as well as the ground. 

Not to be deterred from a margarita and some appetizers, Linda and I waded through the mess and I drove us to Chili's in Leominster.  Margaritas in a big beer mug?  Yes, thank you... ;)  We had a chance, for the first time in weeks, to sit and chat.  It was good to see her relax and smile a little.  Jacob is a little better and that's encouraging.

Hey, I heard the coolest thing today.  Tomorrow is Earth Hour 2008 day.  Did you know about that?  People, businesses, cities around the world are turning off their lights from 8-9 pm (in your own time zone).  Here's the website:

http://www.earthhour2008.com/

Jesus!!!  I'll be right back.

Just as I suspected, Dawn is gone.  Her kids are raising holy hell up there...screaming and chasing each other around.  And, Ashley has a friend over.  I had to go up and tell them to settle down.  This time, when Dawn gets home, I'll tell her that I had to go up there.  I've only gone up there one other time because Ashley was screaming, "Justin, help me" over and over.  Turned out to be nothing but a game.  Whenever she leaves them alone, they pull that crap and I usually just turn my iPod up.  Tired of that.

Anyway...where was I?  Oh yeah... Earth Hour.  I'd never heard of that before.  So, I've left myself a couple of reminder notes and will turn off the lights from 8-9 tomorrow night.  I'll just light a few candles to read by...or write in my journal or something.  If I close my eyes, I'll be down for the count and wide awake at 2 a.m., so I'll have to find something to do.

Have you been remembering to write out your abundance checks on the new moon each month?  I forgot for a couple of months, but the new moon is on April 6th, so mark your calendars!  Who couldn't use a little somethin'-somethin' from the Universe to kick off Spring?  I know I could.  Plus, I have a jewelry sale coming up on May 8th and I'd like it to be a good one.

Okay, I hear the coffee pot gurgling, so I'm off to fill my cup and make some necklaces/bracelets and earrings from my cool paper beads from Bead For Life!

Have a good weekend...

Peace,

Kay

'Scuse me while I kiss this guy...

Wednesday

March 26, 2008

During the LONG winter months of snow and t.v. repeats due to the writer's strike, I found a new show or two to occupy my eyes (ears)while I kept my hands busy with beading or cross-stitch.  Some were sitcoms that I didn't normally watch because they were on the same time as shows that I DID watch, but there were 2 that were new to me.

The first is Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader.  I'm humbled to say, "nope, not even".  I'd heard of the show, of course, just never watched it.  Emma and I were even going to play our own version after she started the 5th grade in the fall, but it never panned out.  Probably Godde's good graces keeping me from looking like a complete idiot to my granddaughter. :) 

The second is one I could probably win some serious cash at.  It's called Don't Forget the Lyrics.  Wayne Brady hosts and I love Wayne.  My friend, Carol, has said to me on numerous occasions, "Do you the the words to every song ever made"?  Well, no...but I seem to have the capacity to remember song lyrics, book titles and authors on demand.  Just don't ask me the capital of Yugoslavia.

Last Thursday, the girl that was on the show was so jacked up on something, I thought they'd have to tranquilize her during a commercial break.  I was embarrassed for her, really.  But sometimes, there are some really good singers on there.  So, now that the writer's strike is over and new episodes of my fav shows are coming back, I am in a dilemma about what to watch on Thursday night.  Wait... no, I'm not really.  I'll be viewing Ugly Betty and Grey's Anatomy and will just have to wait until repeats start again to catch Wayne's show.

Hey, I was perusing a "green living" website and discovered that I've been doing some "green" things that I didn't know were actually considered eco-friendly. 

I air-dry my clothes.  Not because I didn't want to waste electricity and release carbons, but because the dryer shrinks clothing and I can't be buying new clothes on a weekly basis.  So, I hang them up and air dry them, then toss them in the dryer for about 5 minutes to take the stiffness and major wrinkles out.

I also use cold water for laundry.  I didn't start doing that for the environment either.  I did it because hot/warm water fades the colors. 

And, I take short showers.  Always have.  It wasn't to save on water, really.  It's because it's so damned boring in there, I can't see any reason to hang around. 

Lastly, I don't usually "idle" in my car.  That's mainly because gas is too expensive to waste sitting around, but it also lessen the emissions so... there ya go!  It's a win-win.

Meanwhile, a chunk of ice in Antartica broke off today.  It's 7 times the size of Manhattan.  Sigh...

Jacob is finishing up week #5 in ICU at Mass General.  There's progress, then there are setbacks.  He's still on a heart/lung bypass machine and still in a (drug induced) coma.  He may need a lung transplant.  Prayers still needed and greatly appreciated.

Peace,

Kay

'Scuse me while I kiss the sky...and hug a tree

Friday (yippee)

March 21, 2008

Hi,

Someone on a list I belong to posted a website for a blog from a lady who totes around a really cool red leather journal.  I'd love to share it with you, but I can't find the email with the link.  Sorry!

Anyway, it brought up a little exchange among the list members when I said that I'd love to be the kind of person who carries such a thing around (except I'm not keen on the leather part) looking all eclectic and bohemian. 

I'd love to wear natural linen and cotton and denim (together!) and birkenstocks and funky eyeglasses.  Let my hair grow longer and stop coloring it.  There's something so "romantic" about that in my mind.  I can almost picture myself (50 lbs lighter), sitting in a café with my cool, overstuffed journal, and the great fountain pen Den bought me, wearing an awesome outfit, everyone looking at me and thinking... "what a cool old lady".  :) 

Maybe as I begin my 6th decade.  Until then, I can lose the weight and start stockpiling the clothes (from thrift shops, if possible... don't need to waste more resources).  Of course, I'm living even more "green" by then. And, while I'm envisioning this lifestyle, I might as well see it all happening in a cottage by the sea, making quirky jewelry with sea glass while living off of the royalties from my book.  :)  I think it's time to re-do my vision board!

My craft buddy, Debbie, gave me a bag of her beads today.  She is giving up beading (she's a craft junkie...does everything you can imagine).  I hope they inspire me to get some work done this weekend because I'm going to be in big trouble if I don't fill my inventory soon. 

It is so cold and windy today.  I wish you could hear this wind!  Where, oh where is Spring?  We are in sore need of some warm breezes and sunny skies.  Not a spring bud in sight.  Come ON, Spring... we're in the doldrums here.

Jacob update:  I haven't heard from Linda today, but yesterday's report was a little encouraging!  He's SO not out of the woods by any means, so please keep those prayers coming!

Peace,

Kay

Another one for the history books...

Wednesday

March 19, 2008

Hi,

This is not an endorsement for a candidate, it's simply a powerful speech.  Listen to it if you can, or read it if you, like me, still have dial-up. :)

http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/hisownwords

Keep those prayers coming for Jacob and his family.  He's far from out of the woods as he begins his 4th week in ICU.  It's been a roller coaster for his family and it's beginning to take it's toll.

Peace,

Kay

My new habits...

Sunday

March 16, 2008

Hi,

I read the latest issues of Body & Soul and Natural Health over the weekend and found myself shaking my head at the "coincidences" in 2 articles (one in each mag) regarding something that's been on my mind for a couple of weeks now.  Well, I guess I shouldn't be too surprised, huh?  You put thoughts out into the universe and voila... they return in surprising ways.

I have been contemplating sustainable/green living again.  Earth Day is coming up soon (April 22) and I wrote a post about Earth Week last year and what I'd hoped to do for my little speck of the planet over the following 365 days.  You can check my archives if you'd like a refresher on the websites and stuff that I posted...April 2007.

Anyway, I was thinking about what I'd done since then to lighten my footprint on earth and I guess I'm not all that thrilled with my accomplishments.  I plan to bump it up a notch this coming year.

I now unplug things that are not in use.  My coffeemaker, coffee bean grinder, toaster, can opener, and so forth.  I've ALWAYS been about shutting off lights when you leave a room, so that's still going on, of course.  Next will be to get rid of the electric can opener and buy a hand one, and get a power strip for my computer so I can shut it all down at night.  And, begin the process of switching out my lightbulbs... something I'd planned last year but didn't do.

I've also used less plastic, and recently rounded up enough canvas tote bags to take to the grocery store, leaving their plastic bags behind.  Prior to that, I'd been recycling them at Market Basket.  Next will be to (slowly, so I don't jam up the dump all at once) get rid of the rest of my plastic storage dishes...aka, Tupperware.  To replace them, I will scour the local flea market for those lovely, old fashioned glass dishes with the glass covers we grew up with.

I want to cut back on the amount of paper I use too, so I'm searching for a pattern to crochet a few more dishcloths.  I have a some, but I want to use less paper towel, so would like a few more of those on hand for clean ups.  Besides, I am thinking of giving "green" starter baskets as gifts this year and that would be a good addition.  On the subject of toilet paper, I'm not sure I can cut back to one sheet at a time as someone (Cheryl Crow??) recently suggested, but I can certainly use less. I will also stop printing off so much stuff!  I have paper coming out of my ears in here.  The only thing I can't see myself doing anytime soon is in the book dept.  I will make better use of the library, but I really can't read a "book" on some electronic gadget. 

I've purchased more organic food and cleaning products, but (as I said in my post last year), you can make your own for much less money.  I need to stop being so lazy.  White vinegar, hydrogen persoxide, castile soap and baking soda.  Add a little lavender or lemon oil and you've got a pretty inexpensive way to keep your house clean.  Oh, and clorox bleach.  Speaking of, they recently released a line of "green" cleaning products, but I'm not so sure they are as environmentally friendly as they are green in color.  I don't know what's in any of the products, but more importantly, I don't know how they were made.  They may not have any ingredients that are harmful, but at what cost are they being produced?

I really (reallllly) wanted to do something "greener" with my vehicle, but I can't afford a hybrid (and WHY aren't they ALL hybrids anyway?), but at least I have a car that's better on gas and has fewer emissions than, say... a Hummer.  Maybe next trade in.

Okay, I'm done with my rant (and my confession).  I recommend reading the articles, but found the one in Body & Soul to contain a bit more useful information, especially if, like me, you are fairly new to the process or have limited funds or capability. 

Here's an old adage we could use more often in this society of consumer waste:

Use it up

Wear it out

Make it do

Or do without

Tammy recently said to me, "I don't know anyone who has kept their towels as long as you have, Mom."  Damed right... and when they are too thin to use after a shower, they'll be cut into rags.

Peace,

Kay

My new "ride"...

Tuesday

March 11, 2008

Hi,

Well, I got a new car.  I wasn't going to get one until Sept, but you know how women are. :)  Anyway, here it is (I hope):

I don't know if this image will go "live" when I post this or not, but it's a 2008 Honda Civic LX in Royal Blue Pearl, which I've already seen is going to be a Royal Pain in My Ass to keep clean.  But, I LOVE it!

Just wanted to update you on Jacob.  He's still in critical condition at Mass General Hospital, so prayers still needed.  It's been over 2 weeks already...very hard on his family.  Hopefully, he won't remember any of it.

I have book club movie night at my house tomorrow.  We are watching a 1970's version of Wuthering Heights with Timothy Dalton.  That's what we read last month and even though it's my month, I am switching movies with Gayle so we can see this back to back with the book.  Besides, I hoped to show The Kite Runner, but it's not out on DVD yet.

And, on that note, I have to finish cleaning my apartment.  Besides my book buddies coming tomorrow, the owners want to refinance the house and they are coming with the bank people to do a walk-through on Sunday.  Need to spruce up a bit.

Peace,

Kay

Update on Jacob...

Wednesday

March 5, 2008

Hi,

Jacob's situation has been such a roller coaster that I hardly know how to describe it.  I guess I can't.  Let's just say that he is still critical, still on a vent, and they are taking things one day at a time.  Thanks for your prayers.

When it rains, it doesn't snow...right?  :)  It's been raining for days now.  I can't imagine we will have water issues over the summer at the rate we are going.  I'm just so tired of the dreary skies and winter gear.  Where is spring?

At least we are changing the clocks this weekend.  We will "spring ahead" one hour, which will make it lighter on both ends of the day.  Hopefully, that will motivate me to move.

It's been a long, looooong winter.  I have been a slug.  I must have mentioned that I wrecked my back just before Thanksgiving and have been seeing a chiropractor ever since.  My gym membership was on hold for 3 months, but went active again on the 27th.  I couldn't get to the gym last week, so started on Monday by taking a gentle Body Flow class.  It combines yoga for stretching, tai chi for balance and pilates for toning and strength.  I made sure I was one of the first ones in the door of the classroom so that I could go to the back of the room, near the rear entrance/exit, in case I couldn't manage the whole class.  I didn't want to disturb everyone if I had to walk out.  I stayed the whole time, but had to modify a few things along the way.  I still got a good workout...was a little sore in the shoulders yesterday.  My next attempt will be Body Vive, which combines balls and resistance bands along with some basic calisthetics.  Until I gain some strength back, I need to skip my fav class... Body Pump.  Even when I can go back to that, parts of the class will have to be modified (forever, I'm afraid).

Anywho, I'm just happy to be able to do something again.  I still have low back pain and sciatica issues daily, but I'm hoping it will get better with time.  Losing weight and toning, strenghtening my core, will help a great deal.  Speaking of, I need to get moving.

Continue to send your prayers up for Jacob.  He's not out of the woods and will have a very lengthy recovery period.

Peace,

Kay

A difficult week...

Saturday

March 1, 2008

Hi,

It's been a trying and anxious week for a few of us, some much more so than others.  My good friend Linda's grandson is critically ill.

Jacob went to school last Friday and mid-day the school nurse called and said that he had a fever, so his mom picked him up.  From that moment, until 1 in the morning on Sunday (well, actually it would be Monday), he went from a school boy with a fever to having tubes everywhere, being put on a ventilator and a drug-induced coma.  None of the drugs they gave him were working.  On Monday afternoon, he was transported by ambulance to Mass General in Boston, where they have a heart/lung bypass machine.

Jacob had pneumonia, which was caused (or the pneumonia caused) a staph infection in his lungs.  The staph infection spread through his blood stream, putting him into septic shock.  He has had 3 or 4 blood transfusions to get this infection out of his body.  His stomach filled with fluid, his kidneys are distressed.  His doctors have told them several times that there is a chance that he won't make it.  I can't even wrap my mind around that!

I have never experienced anything like this.  To be sick with a cold or the flu one minute, and be as sick as Jacob within 48 hours?  The family never left the hospital for 4 days.  They finally took turns leaving on Thursday to pack a bag with clean clothing and go back.  The hospital gave them a suite to stay in for the first couple of days, then helped them find an inexpensive hotel to stay in near the hospital. 

His situation is so precarious at the moment that they don't want to leave his room or the waiting room outside.  Sarah (his mom) has not left his room at all.  Jacob is the same age as Emma...11.  Please keep them all in your thoughts and pray that Jacob pulls through.

Meanwhile, the northeast is being pelted with yet another big snow storm.  We broke records for snowfall in February and now, it's the first day of March and it's been snowing since around midnight.  I don't even know how much we are supposed to get because I stopped listening to the weather report.  On the upside of all of the snow and rain we experienced this winter is the fact that we will probably not experience a drought this summer and MAYBE, just maybe, we will get to experience a spectacular autumn this year.

In other news, I am trading my car in September.  I'm not quite convinced, but have been looking at the Honda Fit for a few weeks.  I like that it's small.  I love that it has good gas mileage.  But the deciding factor was it's "green" rating.  Here's an article that I saw at Yahoo this morning. 

http://autos.yahoo.com/articles/autos_content_landing_pages/432/Top-2008-Fuel-Economy-Faves/2

Tammy and the kids are here for the weekend.  I finally hear them stirring, so I'm going to scoot and get some laundry started.

Pray for Jacob.

Peace,

Kay