The Queen Returneth

February 15, 2011 at 6:26 pm (Journal)
Tags: cooking, counseling, death, food, health, loss, relationships, suicide, therapy, writing

Honey, I’m home!!! 

I can’t believe how long it’s been since I’ve blogged.  But I’m back from the frozen tundra of 2010….it was a Bitch of a year…and am getting ready to semi-retire.  (Again)  So readers, here I come.

First let me give you the down and dirty scoop on last year.  Health:  a bad mammogram in February led to ultrasounds, biopsies and a lumpectomy.  Had to have a heart catheterization (dear God how do you spell that word?), and then a gall bladder-outta-me.  Add in a colonoscopy – (five polyps removed…all benign), an endoscopy – (had to have my esophagus stretched), and now we’re back to re-testing the girls to see if they’ve been bad or good since the lumpectomy.  And so it goes.

On to relationships:  my former husband and very best friend – (that’s one person, not two) – took his own life in October.  Horrific, tragic, devastating story.  The grief is overwhelming some days.  As a result of his death relationships with some family members and a few friends were sorely tested and didn’t make it.  I won’t give the awful details here…still too painful to write about. 

Regarding retirement:  turns out I am entitled to former hubby’s retirement benefits because he never remarried.  Still not a whopping amount, but more than I would receive on my own and enough so that I can go to part-time work and pay the bills. 

Pets:  my dear old Maine Coon cat, Hendricks, had to be put down last month.  He was approaching his 18th birthday and had serious thyroid problems.  I certainly miss the old man.  But the dogs give comfort and wonderful sloppy kisses when I’m sad.

Enough of that crap.  There is actually some good news as well.  I’m writing a book, which has been a lifelong goal.  Learned that there are many websites now where you can self-publish at no cost, and can actually get paid for your books.  So I’m writing about Maggie…a 65 year old woman who sells everything, buys a gorgeous motor home and hits the road, leaving her work, her kids, and most importantly, her fears, behind.  Right now she’s busy meeting new friends, slaying some old dragons, and finding adventure at every turn.  Great fun.

I have also gotten back to cooking and am loving it…even though I can eat very little of what I prepare.  I’m learning, from young son and his S.O….as well as from the Food Network shows…the fine art of using spices to create depth and many layers of flavors to my dishes. 

Which leads me to my newest endeavor.  I’m busy creating a new blog that I hope people will find interesting and helpful.  Since I love to write, cook, and counsel, I decided to combine all three into one effort.  Readers will be invited into my kitchen to discuss a myriad of issues and concerns, such as depression, relationship issues, anxiety, anger, parenting, spirituality, self-discovery, etc…while I “prepare” – (share recipes for) some wonderfully comforting and tasty dishes.  Elder son is being very helpful with suggestions for taking this blog into the area of ‘internet commerce’,  whatever that is. 

And very best news of all: Housemate has just passed her comps (a ridiculously difficult process) on the way to obtaining her doctorate.  All that remains is that pesky dissertation, and she will officially be Dr. Six Figures.  Hah!

So there you have it.  Life is always a mixed bag isn’t it?  The wheel is continually turning between loss and joy, sadness and excitement, fear and change.  And through it all we love, laugh, and learn. 

I’ve missed you all.  See you again soon.

Peace,

PJ