From the Homefront

Slowly but surely I am bringing some order to my life. I have been faithfully watching the Home and Garden channel and now desire to transform my home by ridding myself of clutter, unused and unwanted possessions and organize what is left. Recently, I watched an inspiring segment called Clean Sweep in which the homeowners had to remove everything from a room to the front yard. They were given a specific time frame to "purge" by dividing their belongings into 3 sections…Keep, Yard Sale and Toss. I have decided that method is about the only way to take control of my overwhelming amount of stuff in some rooms. But that may have to wait until Spring.

In the meantime, mountains of paperwork that I initially sorted into cardboard boxes, have been reduced, sorted and shredded and/or filed appropriately in plastic containers. Papa’s clothing has been given to charity, with the exception of some special things that my uncle may be able to wear. Clothing that I hadn’t worn in years was removed from my closet and friends took their pick before I sent the rest to local thrift stores. The pantry has been cleaned and organized. Christmas items are stored in green and red plastic boxes that make them easily identified with the holiday. This week while I am on "vacation" I will continue reducing the amount of visual and hidden clutter in my life. Not much of a vacation, but it will have its benefits in the long run. Maybe I will even find the remote control for the television!

It’s been three months since I last injured my ankle and I finally got to be evaluated by the "foot and ankle" specialist the other day. It’s exactly what I was telling the "primary care" worker’s comp doctor….a ligament is severed, which allows for the ankle to roll under and I will need surgery to correct the problem. Unfortunately, after the surgery I will have to remain on crutches for 6 weeks, with absolutely no weight-bearing on that foot. I absolutely hate crutches! I would almost prefer a wheelchair because I don’t know if my rickety left knee can handle all that extra weight if I use crutches constantly for 6 weeks. I guess I will be moving downstairs to Papa’s old room for the recovery time, rather than trying to maneuver the stairs each time I want to rest in bed. I recently ordered a beautiful, black leather recliner from QVC that should be delivered by March 1st, just in time to elevate that right leg!

Fly Boy continues to save lives with his eagle eyes by spotting explosives while he’s patrolling in Iraq. He’s put himself in danger a few too many times for me, and probably way more times than he’s told me. This past week he dropped right down in front of a convoy, stopping them from passing over an explosive device in the road, just in the nick of time! If that insurgent had set off that bomb, it would have taken him out! I love that boy and I am so proud of his actions. But, I sure don’t want him to die as a hero! Please! Be careful son! Or, at least don’t tell your mom such scary things!