Reflections – October 2009
October came and went, and I feel like I missed most of it. I’m having a hard time remembering what happened during the first three weeks. It’s kind of like trying to remember what you dreamed about; you know you had a crazy dream and you remember a few scenes, but mostly it’s foggy. That is what most of October has been like for me. Things did pick up at the end. I have many happy memories from the last week of October to make up for all of the stuff that I can’t remember from the beginning.
After realizing that I was still struggling to recover from surgery, and seeing the impact that it had on Moanna, Steve and I decided that it would be best if Mo went to Maryland to visit with Steve’s parents for awhile. We knew that it was best for Moanna, myself and everyone else involved. Typically, I’m more than happy to have Moanna spend a few weeks here and there in Maryland, and I’m grateful we had that option for her this time. However, it was harder to see her go this time because she was going because I was unable to care for her.
She had a great time. She got her ears pierced, rode horses, went to a pumpkin patch, went camping TWICE and all kinds of other fun stuff. And, while she was out living it up with Grandma Annette and Grandpa Bob, I rested and recovered. I didn’t do much else in the time that she was gone outside of sleeping, eating, and lounging.
Steve had a very eventful October. He was laid off from his job. Instead of panicking, we looked for the blessings in this challenge. Steve was able to spend time helping me as I recovered, and working on projects in the house. He has been able to seriously consider finishing school; something that would have never been possible based on his old work schedule. Steve has returned to sales, and has been able to generate more income and job satisfaction than he was as a district manager.
In addition to the job change, Steve managed to find himself in two car accidents within just over 48 hours of each other. The first one, not his fault. He was rear ended in traffic. The second one, completely his fault. He ran into a tree. How? He has no idea. NO IDEA. Other than some brusing and stiffness, he was thankfully unharmed. We now have a 2001 (I think) Passat to replace the truck.
The weekend before Halloween, my Grandpa Al and Grandma Mary came to visit from Ohio. We hadn’t seen them since our wedding in May. Their time here was very laid back. Most of the time was spent at my parent’s house eating a lot of home cooked food, watching movies and spending time catching up. Up until their last morning here, Moanna was still in Maryland, and Steve was out of town on business. Before they headed back North, Grandpa Al and Grandma Mary came to our house to visit with Moanna and Steve and have breakfast.
After Moanna came home from Maryland, I started to feel much better. I had a reason to get out of bed, a reason to cook, a reason to smile and I reason to move on from surgery. For the first time in a month and a half, I was able to pick her up and hold her. She, of course, had no time to snuggle because her week was booked full with Halloween activities.
The Halloween celebrations started on Wednesday. Our church held a Chili Cook-Off and Trunk-or-Treat. We ate chili, played games and went Trunk-or-Treating. When we were done Trunk-or-Treating, we stuck Moanna in the trunk to hand out candy.
On Thursday, Moanna went to a Halloween party with some of her playmates. They went Trick-or-Treating and decorated pumpkins. She came home with all kinds of stories about how much fun she had with her friends.
Friday was filled with Fall Fun. With less than an hour’s notice, Moanna and I got ready to go to lunch with my Mom and Grandma Pam on the Blue Ridge Parkway. We ended up spending most of the day on the mountain. We looked for leaves, went for a walk and took a lot of pictures. A LOT OF PICTURES. We had to return from our adventure, so that Moanna could, yet again, go Trick-or-Treating. This time it was Trick-or-Treating at all of the local businesses. It’s great for little kids because it starts at 4:00PM; it’s still light outside and early enough that it doesn’t mess with dinner and bedtime routines (not that we have either of those, but it’s good for families that managed to stay on schedule). When we returned home, we made collages out of the leaves we collected, and hung them on the front door. Our last activity of the night was carving a small pumpkin. Moanna was completely grossed out by it at first, but she eventually got the pumpkin cleaned out so that Steve could carve it.
By the time Halloween finally arrived, I was pooped and Moanna had enough candy to get her through Halloween next year. Instead of going out Trick-or-Treating again, we stayed home. We dressed Moanna up in her costume for the fourth day in a row, and put her in charge of handing out candy. I strongly encourage this for oh-so-many reasons. Your little one learns that it is fun to give away candy, your house doesn’t get completely over taken by candy, and you don’t get stuck carrying the kid home when they tucker out on you ten blocks from home.
I wish that the first three weeks of October were filled with as many happy memories as the last week, but I’ll take what I can get. I’m grateful that I had the energy and strength to enjoy Halloween with my family. I was really worried that the end of the month would come, and I would still be struggling to get up in the mornings. It’s still a challenge to get through day sometimes, but I’m making progress.
We are looking forward to November, and spending more time with family and friends as the Holidays approach. We have set new goals for our family, big ones and little ones. We are continuing to search for ways to improve our lives. Most importantly, we are taking it day-by-day, and finding the blessings that come with each new challenge.
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Hoping for your continued healing and restoration of your health. I am happy your husband was able to get another job so soon. School is always a wonder option. No one can ever take your education away from you! Moanna is a cutie pie!