By the time August/September of 2012 rolled around, he was not much improved and went in for another CT scan which showed him at Stage 4 already. He got another round of chemo for his birthday (78th) and the news that there really was nothing further that could be done. He opted for home hospice and he passed on October 1st, 2012 with immediate family around. Plans for the funeral was a team effort. I am so thankful that my sister, Renee was close and could help Mom with Dad's care. He certainly gave it his all, but the lymphoma won out. The funeral was well attended by immediate and extended family and friends. It was raining cats and dogs during the service at the funeral home, and I think Dad had his say when the preacher got wound up and was starting to get going when a huge clap of thunder broke out - it did the job and preacher wrapped it up. But the rain had cleared when we got to the cemetery. Dad got full military honors and rightfully so. I now know what the military honor guard put in the flag when it's rolled up.
About 2 weeks prior to my going to Arkansas to be with Dad, Mom and sisters, Renee and Angel and try to be of whatever help I could be, I was informed that my job was being phased out. I managed to train my coworker for about a week before I had to leave. After the funeral I came back home and worked with my coworker to the best of my ability to stuff 15 years' worth of bookkeeping knowledge into about 8 weeks of training. I'll just say it was not an easy task given the time I was afforded even though I was there all day during those 8 weeks. That's all I will say about that.
Now, I've been unemployed for about 6 weeks and although I've sent out numerous résumés, I've only received a couple of acknowledgements but no calls. I've cold-called at least 50-60 firms but the majority are not hiring. I really didn't think there would be many hiring at year's end. So, I keep trudging forward.
About 3 weeks ago I got some form of food poisoning which I suspect was from sampling a cheese spread that was sitting in the cheese section at a local grocer. NOT ever going to sample stuff anymore! Then, I got an URI just after Christmas. Let's just say I'm still trying to recuperate from all that. I've been taking my probiotics and restarted taking multivitamin packets from Melaleuca.
So that brings us to the present, I'm unemployed (again), missing my Dad, trying to recuperate from being sick, trying to clean my home office by packing it up and looking for employment. In the meantime, when weather is nice, I'll be trying to help my husband work on the house to finish repairs (replacement of windows, siding, painting, drywall repair and finish the kitchen remodel (3 years in the process)). We have most of the supplies already. There is a possibility that we may be moving out-of-state and we want to finish up repairs so we can put the house on the market. I hope by the time we get to that point, the housing market will have improved.
I haven't forgotten to count my blessings though. I still have my Mom, my sisters, my daughter, my son-in-law, my son, my daughter-in-law, my grandchildren, my husband, my nephew, his wife, my great nephew and my dogs, all of whom I love so much and get love back in return. Our property in Colorado is paid for and waiting for our return. So, we continue to plan for our retirement as well.
Since I knew I was getting laid off, I've been trying to "shop" from my freezer and pantry as much as possible while supplementing with fresh fruit and veggies from the store. Both the freezer and pantry are showing signs of use. It's really helped with food costs by doing that and I must say that I really was well stocked! There is just a minimal amount of meat in the freezer and we've pretty much gone vegetarian.
My sisters are both starting out their new year by getting back to exercising while watching the new season of "The Biggest Loser". I need to dust my elliptical off and get on that. Tomorrow is a Monday and I'm determined to begin exercising on it. Baby steps...
Time to get that menu plan finished. I will try to be better in posting this year as well. Enough for now! Take care and "see" you soon!
