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Chapter 27-28-29 - Weight loss, Covid-19, and Rich's Kids Come

Ann
January 10, 2023

Chapter 27-28-29 - Weight loss, Covid-19, and Rich's Kids Come

Pt arrived on time. Reported doing "OK" today. Partner has been ill and now diagnosed with COVID. Reviewed process. They have been working together to complete tasks. Pt was able to get mail and make dinner. Reflected on process. Last session was feeling that these tasks would be difficult. When the time came to them, she just did them. Feels they were easier than imagined. Reinforced process/goals. Reviewed updates on medical issues/appts. Had conversation with PCP-RN about support for weight loss. Plans to review it during upcoming appt. Rescheduled appts this week due to partner's illness. Reviewed session tracking updates. Keeping up with sessions over the day. Returned to discussion of writing project. Summary from last session led to discussion of process - reviewed statement, how it applies to process, her firsthand experiences - had difficulty holding thoughts together in session, which she connected to different parts' experiences/perspectives. Explored process, reviewed the labelled content from the writing and how these impact updates to general descriptions of parts. Goal has been to update descriptions and this observation/insight fits with this goal. Reviewed most recent descriptions and potential additions based on recent reflections. Discussed how updates to parts' descriptions reflect progress and feed back into her writing goals - understanding and sharing her experience of multiplicity.

Pt arrived on time. Pt feeling sick since last session and evaluated positive for COIVD over the weekend. Partner had previously been ill and assessed positive. Sx have been mild to moderate. Had a few days of feeling tired/sick with resting/sleeping most of the day. Has been feeling better the last couple of days. Has been taking cold medicine around the clock which is helping. Moved on to discussion of writing project. Based on passed discussions she had worked to summarize one part's contribution to aspects/topics (relationships, roles, goals). Reflected on process - generated satisfactory results but took a significant amount of time, more than is realistic to do on an ongoing basis. Reviewed potential compromise solutions based on larger goals of updating part descriptions and being able to track progress over time. Reviewed several of the insights that came from activity, thoughts/observations that are new and feel "big." Expressed feeling intimated on some level about the scope of work. Explored sources, practical aspects of the project and time involved (scope of months), which helped define scope. Feels it is worth continuing to work on. Reframed several observations to non-judgmental standpoint - goal is to observe, reflect, learn. If there are things that she notices, rather than judge them, reframe as opportunities for improvement. Reviewed next steps in project.

Pt arrived on time. Partner's daughter and son-in-law are visiting. Reviewed details - going well so far. They have dogs as well, which has been a little challenging. She has continued to work on the writing - updating part's bio/description. Reviewed the outline/summary for the two additional parts. Reflected on process. Likes the output. Reviewed how the summarized data updates/changes the perspective of the parts. Reflected on this as a new experience - observing in real-time, being aware of who is contributing and their perspective. Reviewed goals for this new skill - help parts with difficult feelings/situations, problem-solve tasks. Reviewed progress on writing. Has continued to label and edit more sections. Working to keep up with sessions, daily writing, editing, summarizing, and home tasks. Feels that it is working together - staying caught up with things. At end of session, returned to discussion of partner's family. They are in town for his surgery and will be staying for several weeks. Reviewed process, goals, positive aspects of interactions, options for maintaining personal space/time. Reviewed writer's leave next week.

Ann

January 10, 2023
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  1. #2022-12-07 ## 2022-12-08 – Evidence 27A – Serious About Weight

    Loss – Start 291.1 lbs. Dr. Marvin’s Notes Pt arrived on time. Reported doing "OK" today. Partner has been ill and now diagnosed with COVID. Reviewed process. They have been working together to complete tasks. Pt was able to get mail and make dinner. Reflected on process. Last session was feeling that these tasks would be difficult. When the time came to them, she just did them. Feels they were easier than imagined. Reinforced process/goals. Reviewed updates on medical issues/appts. Had conversation with PCP-RN about support for weight loss. Plans to review it during upcoming appt. Rescheduled appts this week due to partner's illness. Reviewed session tracking updates. Keeping up with sessions over the day. Returned to discussion of writing project. Summary from last session led to discussion of process - reviewed statement, how it applies to process, her firsthand experiences - had difficulty holding thoughts together in session, which she connected to different parts' experiences/perspectives. Explored process, reviewed the labelled content from the writing and how these impact updates to general descriptions of parts. Goal has been to update descriptions and this observation/insight fits with this goal. Reviewed most recent descriptions and potential additions based on recent reflections. Discussed how updates to parts' descriptions reflect progress and feed back into her writing goals - understanding and sharing her experience of multiplicity. Global Improvement (CGI-C): No change Assessment (Depression): - Mood’s stable - with partner being sick, has been able to act on tasks. - Current project to process writer's notes in collaboration with personal insights - making meaning of work/life. - Several ongoing medical follow-ups remain in process. Actively following up with appts. - Working to maintain progress with writing projects and balance with other activities.
  2. - Able to contract for safety. Assessment (DID): - Review

    of writer's observation assisted with discussion of her process, goals, and progress in understanding multiplicity. Able to plan for next steps in updating parts' descriptions. - Continues to work to balance time online with writing/reading/household tasks. Using more simplified daily journal to track time in sessions. - Review of home videos in background. Goal remains to process smaller pieces of the video as time allows. - Working on larger writing project (trauma narrative) - goals/product/audience. Moving forward on "case file" project. #2022-12-09 ## 2022-12-09 – Evidence 27B – Casey In Charge Case File of Ann – Chapter 1 (Casey): Be cautious of Casey (eight to ten-years) with male relationships (sexuality) Sexual Relationships: • Has sexual relationship to Grandfather (four-years-of-age) – other parts earlier, or later • Thought sexual abuse “attraction” was sign of love • Food conceived as positive treatment for having sexual relationships Body Systems:
  3. • Watches over body systems w/KC (hunger, tired, pain, washrooms,

    medications) • Understanding her responsibilities of getting body in shower (but fearful) • Is aware that Buspirone helps to calm her(us), as does sitting on the couch with Ginney and youngers, and being with caring men – would like to be more patient Time, Movement, and Emotions (Sexual) • Is watching time carefully – when can she have things • Appears to watch time (comings and goings of people and situations) • Watching both Nihit and Dr. Marvin - Dr. M. thought of as handsome GF? (Do not know if sexual. But we believe so) • Worried about time waiting to see Nihit in his room, or within US boundaries (feels time away makes her sad) • Showing sexually precocious attention on Nihit (him leaving shower excited her, but also might be envy) • Watches comings and goings of Nihit, later exclaimed in love with Nihit • Worried Dr. Marvin’s time would go too fast (wanting to jump in to group discussion) • Not wanting sad parts (self) out when Dr. Marvin came home – wanted to glow In Relationships: • Loves people activity, but easily lost in a crowd or intimidated • Supported and volunteered KC to be supportive of Nihit when sensed Jamie mean to him • Although Rich seems intimidating, she wants Rich’s approval (will interrupt others to speak of him coming home – warning?) • Eager to see our real sons, but feeling intimidated by them as well – is not able to define their meaning to her life • Aware and watching over Aanya and Nihit (comparison of similar ages) – interested in being like them, or in their circumstances • Looking forward to seeing Vitty, but scared of him (protected when KC turned off the screen) Gifts (Coming In and Out) • Gaining insights from her environment • Positive and imaginative • She is conscious of self as actor (part of the team/system) • Will add the last word – usually a compliment (unsure if she understands the content) • Encourages others – like Corey to be the writer we all aim to be • Wanted praise from Sarah as being Patient and fun-loving Responsibilities w/Others • Feels like a host (drinks ready and such) – in the old days, ashtrays
  4. • Portal to younger parts – valid “actor” (part of

    the team/system due to given roles) • Feels elementary emotions quickly and prefers to glow rather than feel tired or sad • Potential chip on her shoulder from slighted in the past • Is a bit of a tattle tale (will watch group and tell on members as part of her conceived responsibilities) KC and Ginney • Twin is KC and both able to read their environment – guided by Jamie • She and KC responsible for Ginney and is willing to share food with her • Adores being in a relationship and showing favoritism to Ginney • Romantically believing Ginney could fall in love with Nihit’s YouTube TV dog #2022-12-10 ## 2022-12-10 Evidence 27C - Gobsmacked ### Quick Capture - Today's selves - Daily Note - Hey ... we must talk for a bit, and then hopefully going back and answering more questions, but we have taken up with what we just added to yesterday’s journal work. Titled, "Case File of Ann – Chapter 1 (Casey): Be cautious of Casey (eight to ten-years) with male relationships (sexuality)" - That is the first thing ... now we must find the other things. I guess if you are up to this part, you are already familiar with the statements, and by this time, how many more. Dr. Marvin said he would be looking for something like behind bullet points. We did numbers because there were so many, we had already put them in order, and we needed reference points. - I would like to think that 9/10's said is between chapter 1 and introspection. We are gobsmacked because we do not know what to make out of the work, or how it relates to the rest of the writing. BUT it seems particularly important and on tract with us.
  5. - It helps to put that in words. Now we

    must connect some of the words. Right now, we have Covid, so might not be working on all ten cylinders, Rich has been out of the house. He went to pick-up a few groceries and dog food/treats, YAY! - Wow! That feels better. We just cleaned-up our spaces next to the couch and the desk. There is free space again! One WoW is enough! Ok, shh ... You done good! Now ... LEAVE the LAST two cookies for Rich! We have had too many already, k? This is for real, you know! Yes Ma'am. ### Day-to-Day Goals - Do we have any riveting goals today? Should we have? - Yes, our riveting goal - well, between yesterday and today, we just wrote the sentences making complete sentences from little quips Casey reported to be saying. It makes a definite "story." We are feeling a little fear in what we have created, mostly because we do not understand it yet. I can follow the steps. I know where we were at where we went, but how could we have pulled out such a strong character? Our Casey developed in Chapter 1 ... She was our first sample of all the parts. But only through chapter 1. We needed some place to start. We thought, hey, Casey did not say too much. BUT WOW! we pulled thirty-four-character lines from the text. It is like our head has content to use. We also used the material we had gained from the start - only refreshed nine years ago. - We had: - Wrote the chapters from Journals and Dr. Marvin notes - 27B so far - Added/claimed "Name tags," to our writing - 3 chapters so far - Separated one of the names from the first chapter – Casey - Added her work to categories that originated by cues from Dr. Marvin - Summarized at the end of each day's entry a column under, "Personal Insights,"" we had gained reading and working with the material. - Took a fresh sheet from Word, and behind bullet points, Went down the Insights section and developed a list of thirty-five points for in this instance, Casey. - Reordered, and then numbered the bullet points. - Placed a copy on its own sheet, one for the day created, and one last copy in our book. It happens to be 27B - What next?
  6. #2022-12-12 ## 2022-12-12 – Evidence 27D – Skipped Past Confusion

    A Very Good Morning - How was sleep last night? - We recall there were nightmares of several large sections, but I do not recall what all that was. It is 8:54AM now, but it is gone. This morning we slept in until about 6:45AM, and then by 7:30AM napped until about 8:15AM WooHOO, We're up! - Hmm, 9:49AM remember something about coolers, and trying to fill bags with ice to cool pop while down at the beach. We just could not get everything done to leave the house. Younger people were there - one stayed, but I do not remember who it was ... a younger Joe. He had the key to lock the door behind us, and that had us worried. - How have we been (the previous day)? - Yesterday the only thing we worked on was the Chapter 1 Notes about Casey. We set up a nice presentation of seven categories. And each have 3-8 bullet points. The categories are: - Sexual Relationships - Body Systems - Time, Movement, and Emotions (Sexual) - In Relationships - Gifts (Coming In and Out) - Responsibilities w/Others - KC and Ginney
  7. - We have not read them again today. I would

    like to skip it because yesterday it caused so much confusion. We are a bit of a loss as to how they fit together, for example, are the categories in order. And, then what do we do with the categories, and should we be replacing the effort in getting the individual analysis with other parts. It is a lot of work. There is a strong lack of understanding here, though we do know we need to be working at one of the other three levels. They are: - Write - Edit - Tag - All three of these we can be working on ... right now the writing is the furthest behind. We have another Dr. Marvin appointment tomorrow and we have only a few short things over the last five days of not seeing him. - One thing today about which we can get excited. - We are meeting our new dietician this afternoon at 1PM. - How would we deal with a stressful situation that could trip us up today. - We can be sure to → Over-worry about the weight. Just an appropriate level of concern should be our goal. - If we were someone looking at our life from an elevated level, what would we tell ourselves? - An Eagle's eye view → Oh, and that French bread you just ate ... will not be on the diet! Go ahead ... you can run, but you cannot hide! - What else are we thinking of? (Morning Pages) - I know that is why we ate it BEFORE the diet started! Sarah: Grrr. - One word/phrase that could describe the kind of person we want to be today? - One phrase to rule them all → We are working this together. It is the only way we will win! ### Quick Capture - Daily Note - Today is our fifth day of having felt Covid. It seems more like a thorough cold. Napping is good. But if we are up, that should be working positively to get our minds in order and back together again. There ... just remembered a small part of the dream last night, so wrote it down. - Hey, you ... now that we have heard you screaming below about taking showers, when are we going to take one? O night divine ... ### Day-to-Day Goals - Do we have any riveting goals today? Should we have?
  8. - The only riveting goal is to get through the

    day, and if possible, do some work in the process. We are not pushing ourselves hard. Just want to manage some writing objectives. - Today is the first day we have started really writing since Wednesday when Covid started. I still have a stuffy nose and am coughing, but not a lot of phlegm like Rich. We are still taking naps. Our head is not as stable as it should be. - Are all today's food choices in My Fitness Pal (MFP)? How can we get through any slumps? - We are calmly becoming more alert to eating again. We get the feeling someone just turned a cold shoulder, and hissed, do not bother me. Hmm, watched Vitty a little with Nihit, but then petted Ginney's nose. She is laying on the couch nearest me with her little nose sticking over the corner. She loves us. And Ginney thinks her job watching us is incomplete. She is a good girl! Nitty has been shuffling his "mini-soccer ball" so that it hits the lower rim of the couch. Oh-oh. Nihit is back ... He is going to need getting a grip on it all. Funny Nihit! Vitty is now in the background. AND NOW! Both together. They are trying to figure out something on the computer. We are hiding behind their screen. I had shut off our screen and volume a while back because we did not want to interrupt Nihit's talk with Vitty. We are though waiting like instead of a Genie in the bottle, there is Ann in the computer. Hehe Nihit will wait until Vitty leaves ... Whoops went right to his game; I am guessing. Let us move on. - What exercising could I commit to today? How much? - No exercising today except are we needing to pick-up? - What can you tell us about the showering experience today? - WHAT!?? A SHOWER!?? Who produced THAT BRIGHT IDEA! We are SICK! Sick people do not shower and dress when they have just done that the day before! HEY you all. I have COVID. You know stay sick Covid! Nihit is doing good at trying to avoid us. We have just less than five minutes on the clock. We will time ourselves out before breaking to find out how he is. Likely he checked on his time on the way back. - What could we do today, so that someone else can say, "Boldly Go! Howard Wolowitz" - Girl! It is time we hit some of that holiday magic ... Good some Bing Crosby Christmas music. I do not think Nihit is listening. He is playing his computer, or reading ... I know watching a video! Let us say Boo to Nihit. We forgot to tell him we are a little MORE Christian during the Christmas holidays :) Boldly go out and sparkle some more!
  9. #2022-12-13 ## 2022-12-13 – Evidence 28A – Someone Catches Covid

    Dr. Marvin’s Notes Pt arrived on time. Pt feeling sick since last session and evaluated positive for COIVD over the weekend. Partner had previously been ill and assessed positive. Sx have been mild to moderate. Had a few days of feeling tired/sick with resting/sleeping most of the day. Has been feeling better the last couple of days. Has been taking cold medicine around the clock which is helping. Moved on to discussion of writing project. Based on passed discussions she had worked to summarize one part's contribution to aspects/topics (relationships, roles, goals). Reflected on process - generated satisfactory results but took a significant amount of time, more than is realistic to do on an ongoing basis. Reviewed potential compromise solutions based on larger goals of updating part descriptions and being able to track progress over time. Reviewed several of the insights that came from activity, thoughts/observations that are new and feel "big." Expressed feeling intimated on some level about the scope of work. Explored sources, practical aspects of the project and time involved (scope of months), which helped define scope. Feels it is worth continuing to work on. Reframed several observations to non-judgmental standpoint - goal is to observe, reflect, learn. If there are things that she notices, rather than judge them, reframe as opportunities for improvement. Reviewed next steps in project. Global Improvement (CGI-C): No change Assessment (Depression): - Moods stable to slightly more apprehensive based on writing work. - Recovering from COVID - Current project to process writer's notes in collaboration with personal insights - making meaning of work/life. - Several ongoing medical follow-ups remain in process. Actively following up with appts.
  10. - Working to maintain progress with writing projects and balance

    with other activities. - Able to contract for safety. Assessment (DID): - Writing project leading to self-reflection on parts and multiplicity. Feels encouraged about process but it is daunting at times in scope. Able to frame/reframe to set short-term goals. - Review of home videos in background. Goal remains to process smaller pieces of the video as time allows. - Working on larger writing project (trauma narrative) - goals/product/audience. Moving forward on "case file" project. #2022-12-14 ## 2022-12-14 – Evidence 28B – Nurse Sarah Case File of Ann – Chapter 1 (Sarah): Previously called Nurse Sarah (34-36 years old)
  11. Where Sarah slips in • Twelfth part of twenty (the

    eight above her are older) • Created/held first spontaneous school/scout friendship to our friend Sarah during and after the original Sarah's death Sarah often • Holds our senses of faith, happiness, and humor • Is creative, sunny, imaginative, and likes the outdoors, the recorder, and singing. • She takes care of the youngest four parts (Mimi, Crystal, Gracie, and Anna), sometimes with the assistance of Henry. • Keeps health and safety balanced - a steady laborer in being aware of our food intake • loves to take pictures Initial Responsibilities • Was able to stabilize some tension/friction when Rich got home from fishing tired; hence blessed those with a sense of humor • Nihit gave the girls a YouTube Dog channel for Ginney to watch, and Sarah contributed a two- minute video of Ginney watching the dogs on TV for us, Nihit, and anyone picking up YouTube • Lissa had decided that we were doing too much talking around Dr. Marvin, and that more listening was necessary. Sarah exclaimed "We can do it, we can!!!" Nihit and Sarah • She then raised Nihit's honor above her own • During the Sunday Council Meeting, reverberated the word, "loneliness" as something we have been working through, though notably doing better with Nihit's help • Anniemi, Sarah and others were so happy about time spent with Nihit, that Sarah exclaimed, that we are overly excited talking to him • thought Nihit could use patience as well, thinking he too easily caved when given chance to self- correct (take the shower) • Teased with Jamie, poor Nihit for him "neglecting his work," which had been volunteering to take a shower Areas Under Guidance • misheard Henry's cue to markdown goals, and instead jumped to her self-awareness of needing more patience • skipped Lissa's point, instead going straight to Anniemi's easier point on "needing" a team name (Nihit and Us) • When Nihit remarked on a small facial blemish. She feared what Nihit might think • She was a little tense about making an eraser mistake (lost a few written paragraphs on the computer), and she knew she needed to accept her frustrations (perfectionism) Sarah and Writing
  12. • In the area of writing, Sarah assisted in the

    first set-up of our noted writing audience (to be Dr. Marvin, Nihit, and others) • She progressed the learning curve by utilizing our own designs, and encouraged Corey's writing with an exclamation mark • Sarah stated liking the new format - like our old blogging days - a form we could do well at #2022-12-15 ## 2022-12-15 – Evidence 28C – Jamie, Soft Underside, Hard Shell Case File of Ann – Chapter 1 (Jamie): Soft side under hard exterior (47-52 years old) Basics • 52 years old (initiated at 11 years old) – five parts older • Created as a response to early sexual cues with same age kids, bi-sexual • was athletic before weight gain and smoking - Quit smoking sixteen years ago • Noted that sometimes only had a "perceived" sense of control, especially as authoritarian Main Responsibilities • will help Kate with financial tasks • Creative with stats/chart’s • Is willing to do some experimentation • Some of the writing/organizing • Ringmaster/Keyholder with those under her Character • concluded that she was tired of the grace period (taking it light) given to cranky others, though tired and cranky herself • Toughest of us – held in “dead to rights” manner • most likely to swear, favorite - “Fuck the dumb shit”
  13. • least amount of trust for the outside world •

    Dry sense of humor and easily annoyed, sarcastic • Is fair-minded in giving others a fighting chance, tough orientation • Dreamt about meeting Stephen Colbert (late-night show comedian). Toward ANN, ANN’s Partner, and other adults • Explained that Ann's “children’s role” (many American's) has more independent roles than children in India. • Angry and aggressive when hearing Rich's negative moods as something we put off for one-week while on vacation, and did not want to return to • dryly concluded toward Ann, that Rich was too arrogant. • Authoritatively dismissed the Nurse-practioner • concurred sarcastically with Sarah about the Nurse-practioner not wanting to get into anyone's triggering subjects (She was there supposedly for the tougher stuff (see below)) Middle parts with harder issues • Appeared to be more threatening and suggesting repercussions or consequences. • Helps with younger parts when they are dealing with harder issues • First to notice and support Annemarie (core part) • Encouraged Sarah when she was putting effort out, in agreeance to Henry’s simplification of the wash by first putting dirty clothes next to machine, and to then later tumbling clothes into the washing machine more easily Middle Parts that are falling behind • Has been critical of some of the parts (behaviors), which persistently annoy her. • Being sarcastic of Anniemi holding the overly easy expectation of the Nurse-practioner not being the same as Dr. Marvin (see above) • sarcastically complained when Kelsie was complaining too much • Did not like Sarah soft-pedaling our sense of self-control (being overly light-hearted). • Contradicting when Corey said Nihit was solid – due to his not responding to the rules he helped negotiate (shower). • Suggested twice people move along (change subjects) when thinking a subject had gotten overly wasteful • Grouchy when parts felt whiney about Dr. Marvin coming back soon (felt longer), or in having face broken out. Casies’ and Ginney • Sensitively responded in the littles trying to curb the dog’s aggressive behavior as to allowing KC's rougher muzzling of the dog, so as not to trigger a bad memory for the younger external child in stroller (to be afraid of loud dogs/barking) • Encouraging of Casey sharing Fruit Loops with Ginney (Cute kid) • Grumbled in affect only - taught “trick” with littles after Ginney had woken us up at 11PM to have KC then wake Ginney up early in the morning, but not a retribution
  14. • teaching Ginney has a role in family too •

    Dry sense of humor such as Ginney laying on our laps, as having "Mommy issues." Youngers - smallest • Watches over the littles sleep patterns, dreams, and nightmares • Decided that sleep was good for the younger parts, but that they were still having problems with "bathroom nightmares." • traumatized toward not getting to a decent bathroom in time - they are all in terrible shape. • Explained having difficulty getting to the washroom on time (littles). Nihit • Jamie thinks Nihit's family role is significant, and that he is like a brick wall. At the wall you need to be clear about your meanings - they respect him for this, though not appreciated • Jamie has mixed feelings about Nihit also having an authoritarian perspective like her • When Nihit is not in Dr. mode, she thinks of him being more a younger brother. • Shut down video, sound, and window - to give Nihit a time out until he accomplished his stated goal (take shower) • put herself in position to scold Nihit for bouncing the ball against the wall #2022-12-16 ## 2022-12-16 Evidence 28D – An Hour On What? A Very Good Morning - How was sleep last night? - Sleep was ok, just remember once being up - Rich appeared to be getting up too, but then went from his bed to chair in sitting room. Woke up again by Rich at 7:30AM when Rich ready to make us breakfast. Got to computer by 8:05AM after Rich took Ginney out and made breakfast - he then left and said he
  15. would be home about 4PM. We took a shower after

    a shift on email and FB - found self-watching someone (hour long video we started to skip) was taking apart and putting together a mini-motorcycle found in a dirt heap. Went to cleaning up Sessions and Word, saw Nihit for a second (he had forgot a meeting and was to have some story why he was so late). Caught up enough to start writing again, and here we are YAY! Oh, and we were supposed to remember that we asked Rich this morning how he was. He talked about sleep, getting up, or how he felt ... Then, we waited a few moments, and said, "You could ask us how we are doing." He said dryly, "I already know." I thought wow. This is how the day is going to go. - How have we been (the previous day)? - Yesterday, we were doing well in the morning. We woke up with the task of putting together Jamie's spreadsheet and surface sheet (still do not have a name for this yet). We were supposed to have our Dr. Marvin meeting at 11AM but did not catch that he had signed off sick. We ate some tomato soup and crackers, and then met Nihit back at the computer and finished our section on Jamie. After Dr. Marvin's "break," we just had to finish the long week (Insight paragraph), and then break things into bullet points, and then sort, and then edit into new sections, edit some more, print, and settle with what we had ... It took a while, but not long after finished, we went back to the couch, and just watched/glazed over watching some Trump videos. We did get clothes in the washer, and then into the dryer, but did not get them out ... or that was the day before. Rich stuck in the sheets and so from the guest bed, but we did not complete the process. That will be a chore for today. - Rich came home early and with groceries. We finished dishes around there, and then after taking groceries out of the bag, spent the rest of the night barely moving. There were remnants of the cold. Rich’s first question was doing we take cold medicine. I had to say we forgot. So, caught up there. We watched a boring Stephen Colbert through dinner, then Rich let me choose. We realized he was falling asleep, so we watched an hour comedy from Netflix - Sebastian Maniscalco, "Is it me?" After that we watched the hour special on our sitcom "Ghosts" and then tucked in for the night and fell asleep Pswhoo! - One thing today about which we can get excited. - We are starting clothes and would like to hang in there enough to do some getting guest ready duties. BUT if only the clothes and dishes done, we would say that is enough. We would ALSO be extremely excited to be moving along with the writing. We have not done it for a while, so would think the feat worthy of our time. - How would we deal with a stressful situation that could trip us up today. - We can be sure to → - A stressful situation might be that we tired ourselves out. So, we need to have rests between moving activities. We did take a shower first thing, and we put on one of our favorite dresses ... I know unusual for laundry day, BUT it makes us feel like June Cleaver. Look it up! Nothing left but to find our pearls! Ok, that too. We can be sure to lower stress by looking toward a good sense of humor. AND be sure to keep those fingers nimble and not overwhelmed! - If we were someone looking at our life from an elevated level, what would we tell ourselves?
  16. - An Eagle's eye view → - I would say

    stay on top of the medicine - do not forget the cold stuff. Remind Rich - AHA! Got him! He is going to fix me up! We have cold and prescription medicine ready picked up. That a girl. We can do this! Hey, do not feel bad about being encouraging. I know people are now watching ... but it is still ok! - What else are we thinking of? (Morning Pages) - We are thinking that we should be taking our 11AM medicine now. WHERE DID THE MORNING GO!?? Hey girls ... HOW long does it take to put together a FB motorcycle. And, if you do not mind me asking, why? Why did we need to watch that? Oh. Like to figure things out. I see. Thanks, No problem! - One word/phrase that could describe the kind of person we want to be today? - One phrase to rule them all → - We want to be the kind of person that feels we got a lot done by the end of the day. At least long enough until Rich comes home. Let us say about 4PM. - A Brilliant Afternoon - How is the day going? - It is now 4:45PM ... we finished the week upload (see below), and I am feeling good about the week all considering. ESPECIALLY because we had COVID all week. Hmm, forgot to ask Rich again to pick up COVID tests. We should both test by tomorrow, or Sunday to assure we are ok for Jillian and Chris - We just did a little writing today, but proud that we got Laundry done - 4 loads (including bed and towels, plus two loads of clothes) ... shoot Rich here already - How should we adjust course? - Now is the time to adjust course. We just did everything Rich-like, like look at the bed linen items he bought, plus new washcloths for the kitchen. The pillows he bought are still out in the car.
  17. #2022-12-17 ## 2022-12-17 Evidence 28E – Shoot Smerconish Time -

    A Very Good Morning - How was sleep last night? - We do not remember going to bed. We watched from 7:30-8:30PM Rich's show, "The Rookies," on our choice (best of many negatives), and then we let him choose, but fell asleep until about 8:00AM. We might have gotten up once for the washroom, but that is about it. We woke up to Rich's Smerconish show. And we heard him eating toast. That was our first memory. We used the washroom, and all, then fed ourselves Yogurt and two pieces of peanut butter toast. Yogurt is new. It was Chobani's Cherry on the bottom. We asked Rich to pick it up. It has done a number on our stomach this morning. We also had 2 pcs of lightly buttered peanut butter toast. And then about 9AM was at the computer and saw Nihit. We talked for a few moments, mostly about how he was feeling terrible of his course, then eating too much, then feeling terrible - like a big dinner, PLUS cake ... he had friends of the family (an older nursing assistance to the kids). Poor Nihit ... we pushed him. If you are too overwhelmed to emotions or food, then the best choice is to go to bed EVEN if it is only 9PM. We were using our trips to Burger King for examples. Fortunately, he followed advice to go to bed. At least that is where we left him. He might have stayed up a while, and not gotten to bed for quite a while. We will find out tomorrow. Hehe. BUT it was a start! - How have we been (the previous day)? - Yesterday, we wrote for a couple of pages, nothing overly much. And one of the important things was that we got Christmas done. At least as much as we could. AHA! Rich just agreed to work on the kids' gifts in twenty minutes. It will then be about 10:30AM. I must just get him to copy/paste and send to his kid’s email. I asked him to get his computer on the counter, and then mine here and we would process together. BUT that is after some work on it yesterday. I made an email stating in blocks, the names of the kids/animals, and then the amount of money - bumped it up to $60 per person, and $15 for animals,
  18. and then we left an explanation as to what we

    were doing, and then copy pasted that to each of the kids - his three and their families and then our three and their families. - Then we put a clean cut (did over from last year) link toward each using our Amazon account in their names as to writing down their lists of what they would like to get everyone for Christmas in their family. And, then when we get the complete list, Rich and us will pay for it. It is going on Rich's credit cards, but the total came up to $1515, and we told Rich with that and $500 toward his Bass Pro Gift certificate - we would give Rich a $2000 check at the first of January when we got our check from my Mom's accounts ... that would leave about half for the saving's account. - I am happy with where we are at ... he is going to need seeing that we spent $15 each of the kids’ animals, but we consider them part of the family. We are only paying $5 for each of Jillian's animals, but she has three dogs, and six kitties. Pswhoo! That is a lot! - Rich seemed to agree with what he had heard last night. I do not know what he will say in a bit after we get into the weeds, but it is a good plan. Nice, neat, and organized ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Merry Christmas Maury, Erin ... Please use this code to shop with. We plan that it should be about $60 each person and $15 per animal. It is up to you how spent. Merry Christmas! We will cover the bill. Just let us know when you want us to push the pay button. I should be able to look at each item, press "See all buying Options," and pay away. In the note you send us stating that you are ready to go, type your full mailing address, so we get it to the right place. Pay attention to delivery dates. THANKS for sharing your gift ideas with Rich and us. Cannot say enough ... Merry Christmas Mom and Rich https://www.amazon.com/... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Merry Christmas Thom, Cathy ... Please use this code to shop with. We plan that it should be about $60 each person and $15 per animal. It is up to you how spent. Merry Christmas! We will cover the bill. Just let us know when you want us to push the pay button. I should be able to look at each item, press "See all buying items," and pay away. In the note you send us stating that you are ready to go, type your full mailing address, so we get it to the right place. Pay attention to delivery dates. THANKS for sharing your gift ideas with Rich and us. Cannot say enough ... Merry Christmas Mom and Rich https://www.amazon.com/... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  19. Merry Christmas Joe, Cari ... Please use this code to

    shop with. We plan that it should be about $60 each person and $15 per animal. It is up to you how spent. Merry Christmas! We will cover the bill. Just let us know when you want us to push the pay button. I should be able to look at each item, press "See all buying Options," and pay away. In the note you send us stating that you are ready to go, type your full mailing address, so we get it to the right place. Pay attention to delivery dates. THANKS for sharing your gift ideas with Rich and us. Cannot say enough ... Merry Christmas Mom and Rich https://www.amazon.com/... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Merry Christmas, Jon, and RJ ... Please use this code to shop with. We plan that it should be about $60 each person and $15 per animal. It is up to you how spent. Merry Christmas! We will cover the bill. Just let us know when you want us to push the pay button. I should be able to look at each item, press "See all buying Options," and pay away. In the note you send us stating that you are ready to go, type your full mailing address, so we get it to the right place. Pay attention to delivery dates. THANKS for sharing your gift ideas with Rich and us. Cannot say enough ... Merry Christmas Dad and Ann https://www.amazon.com/... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Merry Christmas, Jillian, and Chris ... Please use this code to shop with. We plan that it should be about $60 each person and $5 per animal. It is up to you how spent. Merry Christmas! We will cover the bill. Just let us know when you want us to push the pay button. I should be able to look at each item, press "See all buying Options," and pay away. In the note you send us stating that you are ready to go, type your full mailing address, so we get it to the right place. Pay attention to delivery dates. THANKS for sharing your gift ideas with Rich and us. Cannot say enough ... Merry Christmas Dad and Ann https://www.amazon.com/... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Merry Christmas, Chris, Chrissy ...
  20. Please use this code to shop with. We plan that

    it should be about $60 each person and $15 per animal. It is up to you how spent. Merry Christmas! We will cover the bill. Just let us know when you want us to push the pay button. I should be able to look at each item, press "See all buying Options," and pay away. In the note you send us stating that you are ready to go, type your full mailing address, so we get it to the right place. Pay attention to delivery dates. THANKS for sharing your gift ideas with Rich and us. Cannot say enough ... Merry Christmas Dad and Ann https://www.amazon.com/... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I know this is a little routine, but there are 24 people and about 14+ animals to shop for. It is the easiest fairest way to do things, everyone gets what they want from a "small amount" of money, and we get to see what everyone is getting which is fun AND everything goes directly to their door! Hmm, it is 10:30AM now, but Rich is doing grocery shopping from his Walmart app, AND hopefully checking with how much to fit in his fridge. Jillian and Chris are supposed to be here in two days. Reply, Reply All, and Forward - One thing today about which we can get excited. - We feel that we are getting on with Christmas after not doing anything before yesterday. The other thing that we did was get Rich a few under the Christmas tree presents besides his fishy card. Now I must check how many ... thinking just five or six. AHA, EIGHT! BUT to be truthful, one is for Ginney. Most was for winter weather. He got a beanie and neck brace, gloves with lights, a neck and back massager, a fishy sweatshirt, a plain fleece shirt, a canvas tote bag (for his stuff), and his fun gift ... a 142pcs survival first aid kit - outdoors. It is for his SUV. It seemed like a good gift in case something bad happened to him, and he would have to survive it, or if he would need to help someone else out. I thought it was like in the meantime, a LOT of little toys! BUT of course, the fun stuff is the $500 gift card to his fishy place. Oh, plus he can share some puppy bites with Ginney, OR a bear! This is the most fun and exciting part. - How would we deal with a stressful situation that could trip us up today. - We can be sure to → - Our way of dealing with a stressful situation is not letting Rich know we just spent $750 on him for Christmas - Funny how that turns out. It is exactly half of what we are spending on the kids and their pets. PLUS, we are getting from BOTH sides of the family. I know people do not talk about cost ... but ever since reading Honore Balzac in college (first time), we figured money is as important as everything else because it puts things in perspective. - If we were someone looking at our life from a prominent level, what would we tell ourselves? - An Eagle's eye view →
  21. - So far you are doing well for the day

    - especially one where Rich is home. Yesterday we did great in that we got laundry done. Help Rich when he asks - and do not make anything a big deal, k? - What else are we thinking of? (Morning Pages) - We had yogurt and toast for breakfast, then we had nuts, and carrots, with fat free thousand island dressing for a dip for lunch. It is about 12PM and have most of the bowl of carrots left. We are doing well. What is next? I know ... keep writing! AND think if there is anything we could be doing to progress preparation for Jillian, Chris and three dogs being here. - One word/phrase that could describe the kind of person we want to be today? - One phrase to rule them all → - The morning went fast - let us make more of the afternoon - stay working! ### Quick Capture - Today's selves - Daily Note - Yesterday and this morning felt good at taking care of Rich and Christmas for him and the kids. We talked about it above, there are a lot of people we are considering. We are like the Brady Bunch. We brought in the sons, and he brought in three of his own. Just, we do not have Anyone living with us, except Jillian the next few weeks. - I must think through, do we have any specific goals today other than writing. Rich said something about us doing surfaces and him doing floors. It sounds like normal. He is going out to Walmart tomorrow. Today is Walgreen's for cough medicine (Dayquil), and tests for Covid. I do not know what else he needs. We need. I usually do better after he leaves ... I will have to consider that carefully. Right now, he is eating lunch. I do not know if he will take a shower before he leaves. He might skip one for the day, especially because he will be out for just a brief time. - Do you all have these kinds of thoughts, that just meander through the day? ### Day-to-Day Goals - Do we have any riveting goals today? Should we have? - Riveting goals today is to stay up with Rich. We are trying to mentally see ourselves through cleaning off the bathroom counter tops, and we are going to need getting through other surfaces, including the one is in the guest room, including helping Rich put the new sheets and pillows together on the guest bed. I could have kissed Rich; except we are still worrying over COVID. But we called him, and he stopped by at Walmart and bought not only the four pillows we asked for, but he also bought new bedding for the guest room. I feel much better about having them in that room. The bed is going to be too small for them. It is a Queen size and used to a King size. I just reminded Rich, and he said that is their problem. I think all the dogs sleep in the same bed as them. There are always the recliners in the sitting room if they want to spread out. It will be ok. Stop worrying, ok? You are making me dizzy! Let us think about some of the things that matter!
  22. - Are all today's food choices in My Fitness Pal

    (MFP)? How can we get through any slumps? - Today's food choices are ok. Thinking we already spread them out ... yogurt, peanut butter toast, pistachios, and carrots with fat free thousand island dressing. It is 12:12PM, and we are hoping all this bulk with carrots is going to hold us over until at least 3PM. In one week, we have dropped 6.6 lbs. 291.1 to 284.5 lbs. I know the first is water weight, but we are proud to be going down in a courageous way. We focused on change of eating habits ... and YES, we can say that part of it is the conversation with Kathy, the nutritionist. Why don't we agree not to get on the scale until next Saturday? I think this would be very practical. Biggest thing - TWO things. First just one serving for dinner, and the second is focus on vegetables. It is happening. - What exercising could I commit to today? How much? - I think the exercise is still moving to and from our chair. Nihit commented yesterday, and we felt it that we were moving around a lot quicker and with more grace. Just a few pounds are making a difference. So, like when Rich talks about the bedding - no complaining, just get up and do it. Same with surfaces. Start in the bathroom, then guest room, and then living room/office. Also, we should make today about cleaning up in the sewing room and bringing the medicine out here. I want our surface - sewing room table clear for them, so they can set up their computers there. I also want them to use that space - the rest of it (tiny) to have bags and clutter-like things. Rich and Jillian already talked about putting the dog's kennel - big circus tent, in the sitting room, and then of course they get the guest room and bathroom. It is best we get ... we are dedicating four rooms to them. They are small spaces, but it is the best offer they had - AND they did look elsewhere first. Yes, we are feeling just that unpopular. Boo - let us not go there. The exercise is to think positively. YAY! Jillian and Chris and puppies are coming! - What can you tell us about the showering experience today? - Today no showering, but tomorrow yes. I also want to wash this dress - What could we do today, so that someone else can say, "Boldly Go! Howard Wolowitz" - Be there for Rich. There, he just asked for help making the bed, and we said, "right away, dear." He said, oh wait, the pillows are out in the car. Yay! A reprieve. We are going to suggest one of the hard chairs move in the room too. We need somewhere for them to sit other than the bed. Question is could it fit. We should at least put a stool in there. We have one extra floating around a corning in the kitchen now. A stool AND a chair would be great! I wonder if we should get, or if we have a divider to put between the front and the back in case, we need separation of the animals. Lord, let us not hope so. - ### Balance - How is our perspective of time going? Are we still on track? - Our perspective of time is going well in that we are to the point; we are considering Jillian and Chris and their needs. Like, we are going to need to take our panda quilt off the ironing table, so they can use it as a surface. I just do not want them putting anything on the piano. Hopefully, their circus tent will be small enough, so you can put it up and walk around it or put up the footstools on the recliner. Then they have a way of being with their animals. We should take off the books from the marble table, and then maybe the second chair will be the piano bench, YES! Solve two problems. It is solid too! SHEESH! Rich vetoed
  23. the idea of "one more thing" in the guest room.

    Ok, I have been there ... I see his point of view. There are containers that need another place to be. But overall, the surfaces cleaned up. - They can put things (small) wallets and such on top of fire place in front of TV. Pswhoo! Out of breath. I just figured out the TV is good and the remote works! YAY! Chris glued to the TV. Did I say yet? We are going to need cleaning the sewing room. Without my medicine, there is enough room to put laptops up and have some privacy, PLUS there is a TV right there too! There is not a lot of room, but a decent desk worth, and there is a comfortable chair too. OH, YES! There is an Alexa! I wonder if we should put Rich's office, Alexa, in the guest room. I will have to ask Rich because it is his. Nope, he is a negative there too. He sometimes says he likes to listen to music, and that the others can play from their phone or computers. Ok, ok ... quit doing the nice stuff! I can still make my sewing room work for them. :) Hmm., I am going to need clearing my desk too. Pswhoo! - What has been going well? - Hmm, we were just talking to Rich ... it is 2:00PM and he is finally taking off his pajamas YAY Birthday Jammas! SO, I just ordered him another and slippers from Walmart. I am doing well in the Christmas department. He is stripping his bed. I was already washing the guest sheets, and then he added the rugs. It is just that we hear bed squeaking and other than putting on socks, I do not know why it would do that. Hmm, yes, he did come out freshly dressed IN socks! Nailed that one, but I do not see a pile of sheets in the corner. Hmm, think he discovered another throw up by Ginney. He said if he calls, come, because he will not be able to stand up. He is having a rough time this week. I think the Covid affected his back, breathing and such. - Today, we have added balance by ... - We are doing some of the cleaning as we speak. For now, my desk cleared off, at least as much as it is supposed to be. YAY! It still needs Windex. Tomorrow or Monday. I do not think they are getting here for a while. Rich has been talking about them not making dinner. There ... just got another thing done. We unearthed the packing tape for the extra (third) C-Pap machine. We boxed it up, put a label on it and asked Rich to FedEx it back. Better look for a FedEx place. He did not know. AHA! I looked online, and then we called. Rich is going to Walgreen's today, and it turns out that Walgreen's "camera section" is a FedEx drop off location! Wallah! We told Rich and got a "Good, that's just where I was going." I work hard for those little phrases. - What could have been better? - It would be better if we had all these surfaces Windexed. I need to figure out where that candle goes. We do not want it to be a candle, we want it to be a cup again. *Sigh* There ... found a lighter, so we are going to wait until the candle is all melted, then scoop it out, clean it up. And get it back to being a custard cup again. It matches the other three, and we are using them to measure 1/2 cups, like my pistachios. Hmm, like having a candle around, we should ask Rich about them. Where are they? AHA! I spotted one up next to Dakota and the kitties. Whoops dryer rung. That will take a moment. We must address the bed with Rich, but he is working on a candles project. We have angel candles he puts around the outside windows. They are fake candles :) Nothing says safe like battery operated candles. - There the bed made, except the pillows. We have two of the pillows covered, but
  24. the extra two were oversized and Rich must bring them

    back. Plus, We have the extra-fancy pillow to put back on the bed ... they are going to need to puff outside. Good - pillows out in the fresh air (sunroom couch). They still must puff. We are going to ask Rich to do that. We do not have much more strength. I can do it tomorrow. - We were also in the sewing room. We had to take out all the extra medicines in the back of the case, so we could close it with the tall bottles up front. It is a bit of a hassle, but we are hoping they can make use of the room for computers, or such. Again, nice L-shaped Desk space, with TV and Alexa. Good place to land. Plus, we took the garbage out from that room - it was full, and we took out the garbage in the small bathroom. Plus, we made sure there was simply good toilet paper to grab from behind, above the toilet, and under the counter. We run a tight ship here, Chris! I am loving cleared space. Tomorrow or Monday morning, we will do the dusting. Today, it is about clearing space. When things get cluttered, it will help a lot. I know Jillian expands, PLUS Chris and three dogs. We will get there. #2022-12-20 ## 2022-12-20 – Evidence 29A – Jillian and Chris Are Here Dr. Marvin’s Notes Pt arrived on time. Partner's daughter and son-in-law are visiting. Reviewed details - going well so far. They have dogs as well, which has been a little challenging. She has continued to work on the writing - updating part's bio/description. Reviewed the outline/summary for the two additional parts. Reflected on process. Likes the output. Reviewed how the summarized data updates/changes the perspective of the parts. Reflected on this as a new experience - observing in real-time, being aware of who is contributing and their perspective. Reviewed goals for this new skill - help parts with difficult feelings/situations, problem-solve tasks. Reviewed progress on writing. Has continued to label and edit more sections. Working to keep up with sessions, daily writing, editing, summarizing, and home tasks. Feels that it is working together - staying caught up with things. At end of session, returned to discussion of partner's family. They are in town for his surgery and will be staying for several weeks. Reviewed process, goals,
  25. positive aspects of interactions, options for maintaining personal space/time. Reviewed

    writer's leave next week. Global Improvement (CGI-C): Minimally improved Assessment: - Moods stable to improve this interval. Managing having family staying with them. - Current writing project is to process writer's notes in collaboration with personal insights - making meaning of work/life - progressing. - Several ongoing medical follow-ups remain in process. Actively following up with appts. - Working to maintain progress with writing projects and balance with other activities. - Able to contract for safety. Assessment: - Writing project leading to ongoing self-reflection on parts and multiplicity. Feels encouraged. New experience of more real-time awareness of parts contributions. - Review of home videos in background. Goal remains to process smaller pieces of the video as time allows. - Working on larger writing project (trauma narrative) - goals/product/audience. Moving forward on "case file" project. #2022-12-20 ## 2022-12-20 – Evidence 29B – PUPPY Sitting – Christmas Shopping
  26. - A Very Good Morning - How was sleep last

    night? - Not sure Guests over. Jillian and Chris plus puppies got in last night about 6:30PM We watched the puppies while Chris and Jillian went shopping #2022-12-21 ## 2022-12-21 – Evidence 29C – Cub’s Park Puppy Sitting - Where are they? This is the day that Chris and Jillian went to Cub's part, and we watched the puppies again. We watched a Paul Simon special, and we went to Dr. Dorman's - he was late. Jillian and Chris got back around 9:15AM #2022-12-22 ## 2022-12-22 – Evidence 29D – Yay, Dog Patrol
  27. - A Very Good Morning - How was sleep last

    night? - Sleep last night was good. We fell asleep before Jillian and Chris left the room. We are not sure. We were tired. I know that we were dreaming and such, but we could not remember anything in the morning. Rich woke us up so that we could have dog patrol while he took his shower. He was worried about Ginney and the garbage man, and getting the little dogs woken up. They have been good. One barked a little with Ginney, but they both settled down right away. - Rich left for work around 7:15AM, we made some new coffee, and things settled. We caught up with the Sessions and put all writing in order. We skimmed very lightly over material in the book while Rich in the shower, but our heart was not into it. Likewise, we were more worried about getting to use the washroom before things got out of sorts. - How have we been (the previous day)? - Yesterday was a good day. Rich had left the house later than usual, so he could see Dr. Dorman - pre- operation check-in. And then later we checked in with Dr. Dorman for our pre-procedure check-in. Rich was in the morning, and we were in the afternoon. It turned out that Dr. Dorman had Covid also. He said it was the worst illness he has ever had, but that it only lasted 2-3 days bed rest. I felt better to report that our episode was much easier. We got an EKG while we were in and reported synchronized with the one from previous. The hardest part was that when we stopped at Dunkin' Donuts afterward, they reported that they had NO donuts left. That must be crazy. We did get a bagel, but it was a bit disappointing. - We had an enjoyable time with Chris and Jillian. Furthermore, we have gotten a couple times being able to sit down and talk with Chris. These have been some of the best conversations, we have ever had with him. It was nice, though the topics got a little hard. One of the best things is that he is talking about journaling, and he saved those conversations to have with us, and we were SOOO excited to talk to him. We hope that we can get him started before he leaves, and in the next few days. It might be a little crazy with Christmas coming up in three days, so we will put it off there. - The other highlight of the day was that Jillian and Chris went to Wrigleyville and had a fun time getting on the field and all. And, in the meantime, Rich and us watched the three puppies. They did well stay in their tent area until about 7:30PM, and then they were a little nervous. So, Rich and us and Ginney let them out, and we managed the situation from there on. They were great, but especially Peek-a-boo was a little edgy, and she howled a bit. She had the most difficulty calming down. Wrigley went back to bed in the tent, the middle one stayed parked on my lap, and eventually the younger one came over to stay too. I keep forgetting the middle one's name - the poodle. She is my best friend. She came over the first night. I do not know if she remembered me from a few years earlier, or whether, she just recognized a warm lap, but it made us feel comfortable to have them. Rich and us and Ginney tried to settle things down, and in the end the Paul Simon concert helped. We got a few good pictures and one entertaining video. Mostly Rich petting the younger, dog. I keep wanting to call the middle one Starlight, but that was their older poodle who passed. AHA! Brixey That's it! That is the middle one's name. Wrigley is the oldest. - One thing today about which we can get excited.
  28. - One of the things that has come up in

    the last couple of days is that Jillian, Chris, and us talked after Rich was gone, and somehow it came about that there was no reason that Chris had to go home for Rich's surgery when Jillian went back. Jillian could fly there and back, and Chris could stay a couple of days with us and the three dogs while Jillian took care of her two-day requirement to work. Because Chris thought that if we could put up with them another week, he would like to be at Rich's surgery the following week too. So now instead of NOONE being there, Jillian and Chris will be able to drive me, and Jillian says, her Mom says, that Chris (brother) says, that Chris will be there too, but Chris and Jillian do not get along. Rich says if there is any misbehavior, they ALL go home. I know they are like me though and want to be there. I am worried most about Chris. He lost his father during a standard surgical procedure. - So that is how all that is going at this point. Of course, we would take the kids an extra week longer, and they knew that. The hardest part is that Jillian will be here longer, and her brothers Chris and Jon are supposed to be here the day after New Year's. So, we are not sure how that is going to go. We will see. Rich's kids ... not mine. I am most welcoming to all :) We're the good guys! - How would we deal with a stressful situation that could trip us up today. - We can be sure to → - Stay on course by just following the routines around here. We have already got a few ... Rich goes to work, Jillian and Chris sleep in ... It is now 8:09AM with no real movement. The dogs are still quiet. Jillian will get up next. Check out the coffee, and then Chris will get up last. It takes a while to go through routines of getting the puppies fed. And, then it takes another effort to go through showers and dressing before they must go out. Tonight, is there before Christmas trip over to Jillian's aunt and uncle. They will leave about 3PM, and about 4-4:30PM Rich will get back, so it will be quiet times for me and the four dogs. About then, I will take my shower. So far, it is first Jillian, then Chris, and then Us. They are using Rich and our shower, because it is so much nicer than the other one. It is a system that works. AND, of course, Rich is in the shower way before everyone else. He is to open and close the workshop since his workshop manager is on leave with one of her daughter's pregnancies. - The stressful situation left too long with the puppies. Yesterday they were fine until later when they got to missing their folks. Otherwise, we are all good. - If we were someone looking at our life from an elevated level, what would we tell ourselves? - An Eagle's eye view → - Admit it ... if it were not for just the cleaning, you would admit to appreciating having guests over. THREE-WEEKS!! Thad a girl! - What else are we thinking of? (Morning Pages) - I do like our morning time. I do not know where Nihit is, but otherwise, it has been a good start to the writing day. We are going to need negotiating Dr. Marvin time. Today, we have him at 11AM, of course. I do not know where the family will be in the meantime. We are charging up the phone, in that they will just be in the processes of waking up. I think we might take the phone in the back room and try having the meeting from there. I do not know if we can get Dr. Marvin on the little computer, but we know, we can talk to him without a screen if necessary. I do not think we have anything urgent. It is just our
  29. method of squaring ourselves up. This will be the last

    meeting with him until the week of Rich's surgery. Dr. Marvin has all next week off, and we will have our procedure on Wednesday next week after Christmas. We will see where we go from there. - One word/phrase that could describe the kind of person we want to be today? - One phrase to rule them all → - Today, we want to be the best host we can be. Jillian knows us like a big sloppy St. Bernard. Sure, you are welcome, sure! No problems! That is how we feel. - We did have a little dust up yesterday when we were hearing too much from Chris on our diabetes, but we worked our way into that hole from thinking higher of Donuts than diabetes. We in our place, just it was sucky. ### Quick Capture - Today's selves - Daily Note - If I were going to have the day I would like, it would be everyone is happy and well cared for, and we have a good Dr. Marvin session, and can see him off pleasantly. We do not want him to worry about us on his holiday IF those were the kinds of things that happen, which we are guessing not. He has a good set of boundaries. It is us that we need to worry about. We must get him out of our mind enough so that while feeling protected, we can let our Dr. Marvin "NEED to have" thoughts go. - I wish that we had a chance to talk to Nihit before everyone gets up, but we do not know what is happening there. He only signed on once early this morning - which meant he started off with a good day, and then after that we are betting that things went sideways. AHH speak of the devil ... here he is!