Friday

Snow Pea Seedlings

I woke up relatively early for me (at 8:00 a.m.) and left the house at 9:00 a.m. for my 10:00 a.m. doctor's appointment.  The morning traffic was relatively light (they call it Friday light, here; many offices are closed on Fridays) and I got to the doctor's office early.  They called me in after a relatively short wait and I had my ultrasound scans done.  They are 'screening checks' according to my doctor to see how my heart is functioning.  The doctor's office will notify me when the report comes in.  

I was home again, a little after 11:00 a.m.  I made pancakes for brunch (ate them with seeni sambol).  Cousin V had called while I was at the doctor's office, so I called her back and spoke with her for a bit.  

Then, I went to the funeral.  The viewing started at 12:30 p.m., but, I had decided to go towards the end of the viewing period, so I was there around 12:45 p.m.  It was a closed casket, anyway, so there was nothing to view, as such.  I greeted one or two friends who were there, including A's cousin (who had been calling me, earlier, to find out the funeral arrangements and I refused to get involved in the family dramas), and sat with the friend who had sent me photos of the crocheted candles my mother had made and given to her with the message that she was remembering my mother as she decorated for Christmas.  The funeral Mass started at 1:00 p.m.  At the end, A's two daughters delivered a very moving eulogy, taking turns to remember their mother.  I teared up at that point and I noticed that my friend was also wiping away her tears.  

Afterwards, there were some refreshments served in the lobby of the church, before the journey to the cemetery for burial.  I made my excuses to the family at that point and came home.  I didn't feel up to attending the burial which was to take place at 3:00 p.m.

After I came home, I checked on my daughter.  She said she felt a little better, today.  Well enough to do a little crocheting in the afternoon!  She had heard back from her doctor, who had messaged her saying she was sorry my daughter had experienced an anxiety attack and had suggested my daughter make an appointment to be seen.  The doctor had also sent links to the resources available through the clinic for dealing with stress and anxiety and there was a questionnaire that my daughter had to fill out.  My daughter said she will fill out and send the questionnaire back, today.  She also tested herself and the test came back positive, still.  If she tests negative on the 10th day, then, she will plan to come home for the holidays.  If she tests positive, then, she might not come home as she doesn't want to risk being a carrier and infecting me.  

I had just finished chatting with my daughter when M arrived to tend to the garden.  While he worked in the garden, I vacuumed the family room and rearranged the furniture to make room for the Christmas tree.  M brought in the tree (an artificial, pre-lit tree that I've had for years) and set it up for me.  When I plugged it in, I noticed that some of the lights were not lighting, but, that's OK; I have some strands of multicolored lights that I can add (provided they still work!)  M also brought in the bin with the tree ornaments (the tree and the majority of the bins of decorations are stored in the garage).  I will start decorating the tree, tomorrow.

The snow pea seedlings in the photo were grown from a packet of seeds that M had given me for my birthday (along with that pint of birthday ice cream).  Today, I gave him one of the containers of pea seedlings for his own garden.  

Later in the evening, Aunt C called to check on me and my daughter.  

Dinner was a baked potato with the last of the sausage stir fry I had made.  I think I will do a bit of cooking, tomorrow.

Today, I am grateful for:
- Safe driving to the clinic and to the funeral and back
- Access to medical care and having medical insurance
- Memories of friend A and the opportunity to have been able to be with her during her last few days
- M's help with the garden and other household tasks
- Chatting with family and friends

Today's joyful activity - I'm not sure if attending a friend's funeral could be called a joyful activity, but, I am glad that I was able to attend the funeral and be there to support her daughters.  

Plans for tomorrow include decorating the Christmas tree and doing some cooking.  

How was your Friday?  What are your plans for the weekend?