1. Henry's precipitous decline. Because I've been so consumed with his condition since his accident back in October 2018, I hadn't noticed how Henry himself had slowly disappeared from my life. I'm not talking about monitoring his medical care and physical well-being. I was always alert for news and forever researching what might be done or where. But I hadn't noticed how inexorably Henry himself had receded. Once he became unable to dial his own phone, I stopped hearing from him regularly. Somehow I truly didn't see this in real time so it was a blow when he died in June.
2. John died. Last summer, John and I were talking baseball. This July we would have celebrated his 69th birthday. I planned to take him to Reunion Restaurant on Navy Pier because he would've enjoyed dining on cuisine prepared by the Obamas' chef. Alas, he died in April. I miss him every day.
3. I restricted Kathy. Last year at this time, my friend Kathy was hassling me. She suffers from some sort of cognitive decline, but I'm reluctant to call it dementia or Alzheimer's because to my knowledge she hasn't been diagnosed. But she would text me, asking me to call her. I would and maddeningly, she wouldn't pick up, turning around to text me again as soon as I hung up. She would send me IMs and then, when I responded, scold me for using instant messaging because she believed "they" could access her messages. Day after day, often more than once a day, this happened. I finally restricted her access to my Facebook page. I felt like a bitch when I did it, but now I'm relieved. I don't think she understands how to communicate anymore, and I believe our relationship was causing me more stress than it brought her pleasure.
4. Back to work. My job at the card shop is not especially difficult and my take home pay is only between $50 and $100/week. But it gives my weeks structure and purpose. Last summer I was retired and more than a little uncomfortable with how slothful I had become. I began working a 40-hour week when I was 17, and realize I need to work.
5. Ceecee and Jen. They are my two supervisors at the card shop and the women I've become closest to. Now such a big part of my life, it's hard to believe I had no idea who they were a year ago today.
6. My back is full of surprises. Last year at this time I was slow to move in the mornings because my back was stiff. Yoga and adjustments from my chiropractor remedied that. But now my left knee is freaking KILLING me! My chiropractor suspects its because I'm on my feet so much at the card shop, and that has had an impact on my gait and the way back aligns. Sometimes my body feels like the space capsule in the movie Alien. I know there's a monster onboard, I just don't know where it's going to pop up next.
7. I wear a mouth guard at night. My dentist thinks my messed-up bite is wearing away at my teeth (and all his quality work) at an accelerated rate and hopes this will help.
8. Kiehl's. For at least a decade I used Clinique Repairwear Correcting Eyecream. I loved it. The bastards discontinued it. Now I used Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado. I love it, too, despite the green color. (Avocado, don't you know.)
9. No caffeine after 8 PM. I don't drink coffee but I do have Coke every day. Usually two 7.5-oz. mini cans, but sometimes I make a 20-oz. bottle last throughout the day. Anyway, I've found I sleep better if I cut myself off at 8 PM.
10. New vet. After more than 30 years, my vet sold his practice. The new vet in charge is someone who subbed for him on occasion so Connie, Roy Hobbs and I know her. She's made some significant upgrades in terms of equipment/capabilities, which is nice.
11. I lost Elvis. I used to carry a Graceland mug filled with water with me from room to room. I accidentally broke it. The King has been replaced with my queen. I now sip from my Jacqueline Kennedy: The White House Years mug.
12. New glasses. Kate Spade Tianna. Affordable because of my new insurance. (See #13.)
13. My own insurance. Last year at this time I was still on CORRA for my dental/vision insurance. I assumed, incorrectly, that since the multi-national corporation I formerly worked for selected it, it was the best choice. I did my own (mind numbing) research and switched to CIGNA. It's only a wee bit more expensive than I was paying and the deductible is lower, so it's better than a wash. On the one hand, I'm proud of myself for doing my homework and making the switch. But I'm pissed at myself for assuming the economies of scale and trusting that COBRA and my former employer was a better deal. It wasn't.
How has the last year made a difference in your life?
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