Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Dear Kids,
      My life is still on hold as I cope with my broken collar bone. I still wear my harness and take my pain pills, and I still can’t drive, cook, make the bed, play the piano, or do much else that’s fun. I’m still typing with my left hand only, and it’s still very slow, and I make a lot of mistakes. I had signed up to help out with the elections next Tuesday, but I had to bail out, because a big part of my job is setting up the voting machines, and nobody would want me doing that one-handed and maybe dropping one on the ground.
      Miraculously, I finished printing the family histories, with lots of help from Dad. The drum on the printer went bad, of course, half way through, and it took a couple of trips to Cartridge World, and a couple of orders from Amazon, to finally get it right. The night I finished printing, I was up till midnight stacking papers and packing them in boxes, and my shoulder felt like we’d been through the Civil War. The next morning Michelle Higham (my visiting teacher) drove me and the boxes to Schaffer Bindery. It was a tremendous relief. By the time the books are done, and I have to pack them up and mail them, I hope I won’t be such an invalid.
      Thanksgiving is coming up Nov. 26th, and I’m planning to cook a turkey at the cabin, along with dressing and potatoes and pie. If you want to join us for dinner, let me know, and tell me what you want to bring. It’ll be lots of fun, whoever is there. Donna has insulated the bunkhouse, so maybe some of us can sleep out there! There might be snow on the sledding hill, if today is any indication.
      Tom and Kim are planning to have Abby’s baby blessing on December 6th. That will be a great occasion, too. They’ll tell us more when it gets closer.
      I love you all!
      Mom

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Dear Kids,
      I’ve slacked off on writing my weekly letters, but it’s so hard to type with one hand, especially if it’s your left. Other things you can’t do with one hand: sweep the floor, floss your teeth, make a bed, put on levis, curl your hair, push ctrl-alt-del on a keyboard. I’ve started teaching piano again, and yesterday I went back to chess club, but it’s all hard. Thanks to those of you who have come and helped me, Donna and Nora especially. It’s so nice to have someone mop the floor or change the sheets on our bed!
      Dad and I really enjoyed the baptisms last Saturday! That’s got to be unusual, three cousins being baptized together, by their dads. We were so proud of them all! If I looked really spacey, it’s because I was. Am. I still take percocet around the clock to deal with the pain. I hope it will improve sometime soon.
      On Sunday I had Dad drive me to the Litehouse Branch, because I didn’t feel like walking, and I persuaded him to stay for the whole meeting. I sort of felt like a missionary, really hopeful for my investigator. Alas, it didn’t take. I thought he might have fun listening through the headphones, but he didn’t. I guess he won’t be coming back any time soon.
      I’ve had a good time reading books, for a change, and not just listening to them. Also, I’m trying to finish up the family histories on Grandma’s side, before Christmas. There’s still enough to fill up the 24 hours in a day.
      I love you all! Please remember me in your prayers.
      Love, Mom