Three Week Vacation ....sort of.

It's been far too long an absence from journaling my experience but, frankly, I was a bit overwhelmed during the holidays. Most of it was good stuff but busy, busy, busy. The part that wasn't good stuff is the fact that the bathroom remodel is still not finished. My mother has Alzheimer's. She's 89 and losing her vision and her short term memory. She lives with me therefore I have become her primary caregiver. The reason I am remodeling the third floor suite is so her bathroom will be ADA Compliant, which is wheelchair accessible. I'm doing it so she can be safe and comfortable and so that I can hire someone to come in and easily take care of her. For now she's fretting over the mess and refusing to shower. The remodel was supposed to be done by Christmas but they're still working on it today. The HOA painting project is also not complete. I'm almost at the finish line but having those two projects going on during the holiday rush was almost more than I could take.

The golden light during the holidays was my family. I had everyone over here for Christmas Eve. Twenty friends and family came together in great holiday fashion. So much love to soak up. All of my nieces and nephews came with their babies and even ex husbands and old friends. At midnight the last of the guests had gone home and mom and I just sat in front of the tree and smiled.

Christmas Day was all about cleaning up from the night before and getting out to a movie. We saw "It's Complicated" which I loved and we had Christmas dinner at The Chart House. This is when my eating plan got bogged down. I had been too busy to see Dr.Shen so I didn't have my herbs. I had no time to get them before he left on vacation and so I just decided take the two weeks and let it be. I decided to just enjoy the family, the tradition and foods that go along with it.

The next day Shanon and the kids arrived from Arizona and we had Christmas all over again. It was great. I love my daughter so much. She's beautiful and smart and the best thing I've ever done. Sunday morning I had my first cup of coffee in 7 weeks. I like to have a morning coffee with Coffee Mate with Shanon. It's just a little something we can share. Just for the holidays. I'll be at her place in a few weeks and I will substitute the coffee with herb tea.

Sunday afternoon I had another party. This one was for Marlie's third birthday. We had cake and ice cream and watched her open gifts. She's really getting the hang of that. She's so cute. She said, "Grandma" for the first time. By Sunday evening we were eating beans and franks. I know.... isn't that just awful? Curiously I felt fine. It didn't throw my intestines into a panic at all. I was sort of surprised.

The rest of the week we played and ate like it was 2009. We had a wonderful time. We even celebrated New Year's Eve at Sea World. We ate churros and hot chocolate and I rode the very first roller coaster of my life. I swear!

I've been a very busy lady and had a wonderful time during the two weeks. I received so much joy from my family. We had a splendid time. It seemed natural to eat and drink whatever we wanted. We even roasted marshmallows in the fireplace. We read books and told stories, had bath time fun and walks in the rain.

Here's an interesting thing.....New Year's Eve I caught a cold. I had been off my supplements and juicing for almost 10 days. I wonder if I had stayed with it, if I would have been able fight off the germs. ???

The kids left three days ago and I've been in bed taking MucinexD and lots of water. I have bills to pay, errands to run and so many things left undone for too long...The tree has to come down the garage needs to be organized, the bookkeeping needs to get done I am ready for my regularly scheduled program of working and writing, teaching and sessions.

More good news. I've only gained 1 pound. I'm down 19.
My energy level yesterday, because of my cold was around 2 but today I'm feeling much better. I will go see Dr. Shen this afternoon and start back on my herbs and juicing. I intend to detox again and do the liver and gallbladder flush.

Oh! And....my readings are phenomenal. I thought I was too out of it to do a reading last week and was going to cancel it at the last minute but it wasn't necessary. The session was right on and I felt great as soon as we connected. Amazing.

Twenty Ten....is a great year for me. I will have freedom this year. My mother will be taken care of and I am now free to travel the country. I am grateful that I have been able to care for her as long as I have. It is my time to fly. It's my turn. I'm looking forward excitedly.