Apartment Living

 

It has been a long time since I have lived in an apartment. There are so many things that make it an interesting experience. Let me share some with you.....

• This is a no smoking complex, and by complex don't get me wrong, it's not a fancy gig. Like clockwork, every morning and afternoon when I walk Jack I see this guy sitting out on his porch smoking. Does he think the smell doesn't go back into the apartment with him? 

• The washer/dryer room is right next to my apartment. For the life of me, I couldn't figure out where this smell was coming from. Well, the dryer vent to the outside is right outside my sliding glass door and so whatever dryer sheet smell is used, I smell it. It wasn't so good this weekend. How are there dryer sheets that don't smell good?

• There is an old couple who live next to me. What is it about older people who like to watch what goes on in the neighborhood? Every time I drive in with Hank (my truck), he has to look out to see what I'm doing. Usually, I park next to his truck, and tonight was no different. As I got out and began walking to the door, I saw him get up and come to his slider, "you didn't hit my truck did you", he asks. No, no I didn't hit your truck (insert eye roll) "just thought I'd ask" he said.

• I think the guy above me works out. The reason I say, I think, is because his appearance does not match that idea. However, his deck is full of work out equipment, including a punching bag. For the love of all that is quiet and respectful, it sounds like a herd of elephants is tap dancing up there on a regular basis. Either that or he can't carry those heavy weights he's lifting and so they drop on the floor. Oh, and numerous soda cans keep dropping and finding their way onto my deck. 

• We have about 25 geese on our pond. I don't mind, I kind of like them. Jack on the other hand keeps our porch clear of them. Yes, they come up pretty close. I now know why. A lady in the building next to mind FEEDS them. I mean FEEDS them PILES of whatever it is geese eat! So they are used to coming up pretty close. The other day I heard her talking to them, and I heard, "oh, that's why you aren't coming up for food", as she hears and sees Jack barking his bloody fool head off at them. LOL

Oh, the joys of apartment living!

Double Nickels

 

To be honest, I have never spent a lot of time thinking about breast cancer awareness month. The disease has touched some friends of mine, but never me directly. I'm sad to say that it took me getting cancer to make me more aware of its devastation. When people talk about "chemo brain" or "metallic taste", I get it now. When they talk about a tired that can't be explained or slept away, I get it. 

This past week I have reached the halfway point in my chemo treatments. It's hard. However, my support system has been praying and so far I have not had any other of the potential symptoms. That's not to say I won't, but so far I have not. I have 8 more chemo treatments, surgery, radiation, and second surgery. So there is still a long road ahead. Yesterday, after meeting with my plastic surgeon, I got mad. Mad to have gotten cancer, mad that I still don't have a full-time job, mad that I'm bald, and mad that I am making life-altering decisions alone. 

Today I heard a song ..... Goodness of God

     I love you, Lord

     For your mercy never failed me

     All my days, I've been held in your hands

     From the moment that I wake up

     Until I lay my head

     Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

     And all my life you have been faithful

     And all. my life you have been so, so good

     With every breath I am able

     Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

     I love your voice

     You have led me through the fire

     And in darkest night You are close like

     no other

     I've known you as a Father

     I've known you as a Friend

     And I have lived in the goodness of God!

     All my life you have been faithful, oh

     And all my life you have been so, so good

     With every breath that I am able

     Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

     Cause your goodness is running after, it's 

     running after me

     Your goodness is running after, it's running after me

     With my life laid down, I'm surrendered now

     I give you everything

     Cause your goodness is running after,

     it's running after me.

     And all my life you have been faithful

     And all my life you have been so, so good

     With every breath that I am able

     Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God.

It's hard to think of God as being good during these days. But I am determined to keep looking for the good. Sometimes it is just a beautiful day that I can look out at my view of a lake - well, really it's just a pond! Or walk Jack, or go to lunch with a nephew or niece. Other times it is realizing that God has kept me from some awful symptoms of chemo, had provided a part-time job of teaching, provided a great team of doctors, and provided an apartment for me for 11 months. I am blessed with a great support system and chocolate ice cream still kind of tastes like chocolate ice cream!

On a side note, we are getting closer to putting together my dissertation proposal! Oh, and I should take out stock in rice and ice cream. 

Double nickels - I turned 55 today