Adelaide to Boston - Calculations

 

On the A side (in Adelaide)...

David is finishing up the refrig/freezer project … really. Did we ever tell you how we calculate the time to finish a project on Nine of Cups? David meticulously lists all aspects of the project and determines the man hours necessary to complete each facet. He totals it all up and multiples by 2 … that's his best guess-timate. Marcie looks at that number and multiplies it by at least 2 again and that's usually closer to the amount of time it takes to complete the project.

That said, whether the project is done or not … we're in countdown mode until David leaves Adelaide for Boston in a couple of weeks.

On the B side (in Boston)...

Bea, Marcie's mom, continues to improve and to amaze those around her., including her doctors. Living with her has allowed me to witness her daily progress, her resilience, her strength and stamina. She's one feisty mama! It's also given me a chance to use some newer medical equipment. We are using TeleHealth which allows me to take SAO2 (% saturated oxygen levels in her blood), blood pressure and weight every morning … all automatically.

If David is counting the days on his side of world till he gets to Boston, I'm counting the minutes. It's the longest we've ever been separated in 30 years. Time for a reunion.

Days and Ways to Celebrate

A daily list of mostly obscure holidays and fun ways to celebrate them.

Dandelion Day

Dandelions are thought to have evolved about 30 million years ago in Eurasia. They've been used by humans for foods and as an herb throughout recorded history. We've seen them in every country we've ever visited. Learn more here.

Adelaide to Boston - A new home port

 

On the A side … in Adelaide, South Australia

Work continues slowly, but surely on the refrigeration upgrade and new counter tops for Nine of Cups. David is evaluating the timetable for the work left to be done, so we can start looking at airline tickets for him to join me in Boston. This has been a long separation for us and we look forward to a long awaited reunion. Look for another Blue View on his progress soon.

On the B side … in Boston, USA

There's always some excitement and anticipation when we arrive at a new port and I guess this is no different. My mom came home a couple of days ago and I moved in with her. I'm actually living on land … in an apartment … with my Mom … and I've unpacked my suitcase. Wow!

Records are being broken here for snowfall and accumulation. So glad it was reserved for my time here. I love the freezing cold, treacherous, slippery sidewalks and gloomy skies.

Both Mom and I have had to make some adjustments. She's used to living alone with Jelly and not relying on anyone for personal help. For the past five years, Lin has done her laundry and her grocery shopping and provided a cribbage partner, but Mom has maintained her independence quite well. I, on the other hand, am not used to living on land and definitely not used to living without David. We're doing well enough though and I'm proud to say, we're acclimating to the changes quite nicely. No mother-daughter spats although it's only been a few days!

For the near term anyway, Massachusetts will be our new home port … sans Nine of Cups.

Days and Ways to Celebrate

A daily list of mostly obscure holidays and fun ways to celebrate them.

Shoelace Day

Did you ever wonder who invented shoelaces and why? It was NOT Harvey Kennedy! Or maybe you wondered what those little plastic things on the ends of a shoelace are called? Dr. Shoelace aka Ian Fieggen has all the answers. Tie your shoes before you trip.

Full Moon

Howl at the Moon party sounds about right! Make sure your shoelaces are tied!

A to B - Continental Drift

Things are moving slowly … on both continents. It's kind of like continental drift.  

Down under in Adelaide, if you've been keeping up with David's Blue Views, he has been sweating bullets and working at removing the old refrigeration system and insulation and beginning to replace and then re-install it (and brewing beer in his spare time). It's a very big project, but with me out of the way, I think it moves faster since there's no one there to distract the captain nor whine about the mess. He's having his challenges, but he seems to be making progress forward … always a good sign. Expect a Blue View blog update soon.

On the North American continent here in Boston, things have been moving at a snail's pace. For the first couple of weeks, I spent a few hours each day with my mom visiting, chatting, encouraging. In Rehab, she was frustrated with trying to re-learn simple things like standing up, dressing and walking … things that she's been doing for over 8-1/2 decades. She's always been independent and her patience level with having to work at these basic tasks and wait for assistance is still minimal. Now I know where my impatience gene came from!

We have decided that bringing her home to her apartment is the best option for her. Jelly and I will move in with her and eventually David will join us. My sister, Lin, and her family live close and between all of us, we think we can give her the care she needs.

It's the first day of Spring here in the northern hemisphere. A time of rebirth and renewal. I refer to this as “vita rumpo” ... life interrupted … a little side trip when life interrupts what you're doing.

Days and Ways to Celebrate

A daily list of mostly obscure holidays and fun ways to celebrate them.

Snowman Burning Day

It's time to burn the snowman effigy. It's the vernal equinox in the north...Spring's here. Autumnal equinox for you downunders.

Festival of Extraterrestrial Abductions Day

You missed the International UFO Congress unfortunately. It was earlier in February this year, but it's not too early to plan for next year OR you could subscribe to their Open Minds magazine OR watch a good alien flick at home. I'd go for the flick myself.