Another year ends, and a new one begins

And what a year this has been.  So many wonderful things have happened - I joined Medicare and finally have good medical care, I've made new friends, I've resolved the problems of the stressful commute, I'm ready to travel again, I'm back in touch with long lost high school friends, my health has stabilized.  Every day I count my blessings.  Those years previous to my moving and having discovered Carla and the carriage house are but a distant memory.  It's kind of like the breast cancer - most times I forget about it.  When I go to have a mammogram and they ask me which side, I have to think about it and then check my bra!

I think the most exciting thing to have happened involves the MS.  I wrote in a previous post about the Alexander Technique.  Directly because of that, I have not used my cane since middle November.  I realize now that I had become dependent on it and was using it even if I didn't have to.  Of course, part of the reason for that was because it's so beautiful!  Now, truth be told, there are some days when my legs are weak and I have trouble picking up my right foot.  But I still manage without the cane.  I've seen photos of myself with the cane and it's hard for me to recognize myself.  That is not the image I want to have of myself.  That's not to say that if there comes a day when I actually do need it, that I won't start using it again.  I will.  But not until then.  I do still carry it with me, folded up in its little pouch, just in case, but so far I haven't had to take it out.  Last week I took the train to the city again and this time Francine and I went to the Museum of Modern Art.  I hadn't been there for many years.  It was wonderful.  We just saw one exhibit - the history of wine - but I managed the whole time without the cane.  I did wear the brace, just in case again, but I think the next time I won't even wear that.  Afterwards we went back to Francine's so I could see Michael, who looks great, and then Francine and I went to Linda's for dinner - another women's night out.  What a treat.  I really look forward to these events.

So - what exactly is the Alexander Technique?  Here is a definition I found on the internet: "The Alexander Technique is a method that works to change (movement) habits in our everyday activities. It is a simple and practical method for improving ease and freedom of movement, balance, support and coordination. The technique teaches the use of the appropriate amount of effort for a particular activity, giving you more energy for all your activities. It is not a series of treatments or exercises, but rather a reeducation of the mind and body. The Alexander Technique is a method which helps a person discover a new balance in the body by releasing unnecessary tension. It can be applied to sitting, lying down, standing, walking, lifting, and other daily activities..."  I'm still a novice.  I've only had that one half hour free introduction with a certified teacher, plus a friend gave me a CD with instructions for doing what is called a Constructive Rest.  This consists of lying on the floor with your legs up and arms outstretched and slowly relaxing all the muscles in your body, refocusing the energy flow, for about 10 minutes.  I try to do this twice a day.  It was easy for me because it is very similar to a meditation technique I learned years ago.

I want to take a series of classes from this teacher and so I am trying to get it covered by Medicare.  In order to achieve this, I introduced this particular teacher to my MS doctor who puts on those monthly lectures I've written about (ie the naturopathic doctor, the yoga teacher, etc.).  I've told her (Jong-mi) the benefits I've had just from the little that I've learned.  Well, the exciting news is that Jong-mi has arranged for this teacher to do the presentation at the next lecture, on January 19th.  I will be giving testimonials.  Jong-mi has said she would write me a prescription and I'm hoping to get the classes covered under the mantle of physical therapy.  I will let you all know what happens.

The next exciting event will take place in February - I'm going to New York!  I've decided to go for two weeks instead of just one.  Brenda was the one who convinced me to do that.  She pointed out that I have MS and will be tired from the flights and from all the excitement of seeing everyone and that I have to build in some rest periods.  I have lots of people I want to see, so that makes sense.  I've already alerted Cynthia, Karin and Joan that I'm coming and also my cousin Susan who lives in upstate New York.  I can't wait.

I have also promised my grandsons in the Seattle area that I will be coming to visit them before next Christmas.  I haven't seen them for a long time and they're growing up so fast - Cameron will be graduating high school next year and going off to college!  I called them yesterday and not only spoke to them, I also spoke to Elson at length.  We had a nice friendly conversation, and therefore I feel confident that it won't be a problem when I'm up there.  My next trip after that will be to L.A. and then hopefully France in the Fall with Carla.  I'm on a roll!

You are probably wondering how I can take all this time off from work.  Well, that is a very good question, and there are developments there as well.  I love my job, I love the people and the work, I love working for Vickie.  However, what I do not love is the commute and the inability to take off and travel whenever I want to.  At this point it would be impossible for me to take more than two weeks off, and Carla and I want to stay at least three weeks in France.  Also, the stickers on the Prius will finally expire in June, after which time I will no longer be able to use the commuter lane (shudder).  I've already told Vickie that I do not want to do that commute once that happens.  The good news is that Vickie has rehired a former employee to work part-time and take over the responsibilities that I currently have that are beyond bookkeeping.  I was originally hired just to do bookkeeping and I ended up replacing three full-time people, handling human resources, administrative, personal assistant, etc.  Then, once I am ready to leave, she can outsource the bookkeeping to a professional bookkeeping company.

However, all this means that my hours will be reduced and I will not be earning enough to cover my monthly expenses.  So I have to get off my duff and start looking for work around here.  I plan to look for bookkeeping, computer tutorial, iTunes assistance, etc.  I need to put together a new resume and start networking.  That is my new year's resolution.

I've had a wonderful holiday season.  Two weekends ago I spent the weekend with Trish and Stan.  On Saturday we celebrated Hannukah with Stan's family at his cousin's who lives in Half Moon Bay.  On Sunday we went to a performance of the Christmas Revels at the Scottish Rite Temple in Oakland (Stan's brother-in-law is always one of the performers) followed by a Chinese banquet.  Then last weekend Trish came and stayed with me and we went to a performance of the Meshugah Nutcracker.  I want to make this an annual event.  It travels every year to Seattle, Phoenix and Los Angeles before coming back to its birthplace, San Jose.  Here's a description of it: This celebrated musical mixes the familiar score of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite with witty lyrics and traditional Jewish songs all celebrating Judah Maccabee and the holiday for which he is known.  Eight top-notch performers sing while dancing in life-sized dreidel costumes, all while telling eight stories celebrating Chanukah.  As reviewed by the L.A. Times, "this lovingly loopy musical is a treat for the whole family."  This musical was created so that Jews could have something festive to do on Christmas besides the usual movie and Chinese food!

Christmas Eve Carla and I went to a friend's house for dinner and to watch the final two episodes of Dexter.  The three of us have been watching the current season together, alternating at whose house, with it always including dinner.  We've enjoyed this so much that we've decided to continue the tradition and will start with Showtime's new series Shameless which starts in January.

Christmas day I was invited to Liza's house for dinner.  Carla went to her daughter's in Petaluma and so wasn't there.  It was lovely.  There was just family there - Liza and Frank, their daughter Gaby and their son Anthony along with his girlfriend Tony, Liza's mother Alice and her sister Maura, and me.  I felt right at home there, because they have made me feel a part of their family.  I think it was one of the best Christmases I've ever spent.

Carla got back from Petaluma this evening and invited me for some wine and some goodies from a Harry and David box she'd gotten from her grandson.  We exchanged stories from the last two days and showed each other our gifts.  I'd missed her and was glad to have her home.  Because the carriage house is my home.  Whenever one of us returns to it (ie when I get back from work, or this evening when she got back from Petaluma), we cry out "honey, I'm home!"

What a long way I have come in just 3 years.  Three years ago on January 16th I dropped Elson off at the prison and returned to a house filled to the rafters with STUFF and to sleepless nights filled with fear - how would I manage financially, if I were to move how would I find a place that wouldn't be even more depressing, how would I get rid of all this STUFF.  As the weight dropped off until I was a gaunt 97 lbs due to the stress and fears, I literally could not envisage a future for myself, much less a happy and fulfilling one.

And yet.  And yet.  I live in this wonderful, enchanting carriage house, with a wonderful landlady who has become my dearest friend, I have made new friends like Liza who seems like she's been in my life forever and who has welcomed me into her family, I've become good friends with Liza's sister Maura, I am constantly finding new treatments and tools for dealing with the MS, I am starting to travel again, I feel younger and lighter than I have in a very long time.  I am looking forward to the new year and to new discoveries, new friends, new adventures.

I know I've said it before, but I'll say it again.  I couldn't have done it without the love and support of all my wonderful friends.  I didn't do it alone.  And even though I live alone, I don't FEEL like I'm alone.  I feel loved and surrounded.  I think that is what I am most grateful for.

I wish you all a Happy and Joyful New Year.  I raise my apple martini glass to you and look towards the future with joy and anticipation.