Transitions.

My life is full of them right now.

I'm transitioning to the reality that I'll be oh so very far away from my mother, who I never imagined I'd ever live more than ten miles from.

I'm transitioning to the reality that I am indeed a "grown-up" and it's time to make my own traditions. This one is a bigger struggle than I'd expected it to be.

My Grandmother is transitioning to her life in the rehab facility. It's something she never wanted to do, but she'll need to if she wants to be able to use her legs well enough to remain independent for longer.

Transitions, transitions everywhere. I'm really looking forward to January, when the transitioning is all done, and I can start to settle in to life as it will be.

I fly in two days, for anyone looking for an update. I can't believe it's here!

11.23 Update on Gram

They've added a neurologist to her team of doctors (which already had a cardiologist, and a pulmonologist on it) and told her that she won't be home before Thanksgiving.

Update on Gram.

They ended up not biopsying (is that a word?) her lungs. The CT scan at UMass didn't show the spot that they saw at the first hospital, so we're back to knowing nothing. :(

Thankful.

Today I am thankful for:

• being raised by strong, independent women who taught *me* to be the same way.
• the freedom to be whoever I wish to be.
• friends who accept me exactly as I am, without apologies.
• having a dark sense of humor that allows me to find the funny in nearly any situation.
• tv, books and hobbies that help me take my mind off the bad times.
• modern medicine.
• the laughter of my children.
• my husband who mostly knows when to step in and overlap my responsibilities and when to step back and let me run over his.
• my hands, which let me knit.
• my knitting, which calms me when stressed, and challenges me when bored.
• my brother, who can make me giggle even when I'm angry at him.

Concern.

My grandmother is being transferred to UMass. They're going to biopsy her lungs. Sigh.

Love.

Today is To Write Love on Her Arms Day. To learn more, go to TWLOHA's Website.

I have my kit well under way. Things are nearing completion, things are under construction, and things are done and ready to go in the box. Could I be more cryptic right now? ;)

We're having friends over for dinner tonight. They're bringing something and we're making something. I doubt it'll look like an actual balanced meal when we sit down to eat, but who cares. It's not every day, right? Plus, they're a blast to hang out with so I'm really looking forward to that, too!

Knit-wise, not much to report. I'm in that awkward in-between phase where everything's getting worked on, but nothing's getting DONE.

Moving is coming along nicely. I think we've finally purged everything that we will be purging, and now it's just packing. Starting with non-essentials, obviously, working our way through to things that are more and more essential as we go. If you've ever moved, I sound completely redundant right now. I'm aware of that.

My grandmother is back in the hospital again. Only a small part of her lung(s?) is functioning properly, so she can't breathe. Time for another long round of tests and no answers, I imagine. Not really scared this time, just annoyed and wanting an answer. I'll be going to visit her in an hour or so.

The week in review

Saturday was Halloween. It went well, but Laura decided after four houses that she was done because her feet hurt, and "You buy me candy. Why am I here?" Sigh.

Sunday we hung around the house and didn't do much of anything. The time change is *still* kicking our butts...

Monday was a bit of a struggle, again thanks to the time change.

Tuesday the girls spent the night at my mom's, which was great because I'd get to sleep in! And then a garbage truck parked itself outside my bedroom window for far too long and banged around at 6:30 in the morning, so I still didn't sleep in.

Wednesday we went to visit my grandmother, as usual. The girls each lost their minds at different points of the visit, so by the time we got home I was completely exhausted and ready to give up even trying to parent them.

Today, I am sitting on the couch and working on Christmas gifts. I refuse to get up or do anything for anyone. It's Jake's day off, and his turn to handle a bit of the crazy.

Tomorrow (Friday) my nephew Michael, age 1, is spending the night here. Also, we're having friends of ours over for dinner and a game night. So, full house, but it'll be great.

Saturday will be a busy day of packing non-essentials, and dealing with the girls.

Sunday, though. Oh, Sunday... I can not wait for you to arrive... Sunday, we're using Jake's Father's season tickets to the Patriots, and going to a game! I'm SO excited. Can't wait! We're taking the train from Providence to the game, and will take it back afterwards (obviously) I'm so excited about getting to see a pro game live!