Random Notes from the Sandwich Life

1.  Man, I was out of sorts last night.  Don't know why.  I got home and wanted to treat myself to some time to figure out a new banner for my blog.  I don't like any of the standard templates and I assumed I could figure it out.  I was wrong.  I hated all the pictures I had, got hung up because my damn connection is so fucked up and couldn't figure it out after all.  And it's really not important but it drove me crazy. All the kids playing in the yard were irritating me even though they weren't doing a thing wrong.  I wasn't upset with anyone or about anything but I just felt frustrated and headachy and grumpy.  Ernie tried to be helpful and sympathetic but when he saw our neighbor Rob he brightened up at the thought of friendly company and scurried outside.  I sat inside by myself (!) and watched Hell's Kitchen.  Every so often the Lego playing creatures infiltrated but I couldn't complain as they were so damn cute.  Honest to God, Linda has one of the cutest families I've ever seen in my life and of course I happen to think mine are pretty damn cute too. When Owen saw what he was watching he wailed "Oh, I LOVE this show....can I watch it with you?" and he curled up next me and let me sniff him and kiss the top of his head every so often.

Watching bad tv and having a glass of wine (as well as snuggling with Owen) finally eased me somewhat. I'm worried about my mother and feel like I'm not doing enough for her.  I get in these states and the future scares me. Instead of thinking how good most of the present is I get hung up on the future. STOP DOING THAT CYNTHIA.

2.  My doctor is increasing my blood pressure medication.  Maybe that will stop the headaches I've been getting too.  I'll cross my fingers as they sure as hell don't help anything.

3. So what do you think my blog banner should look like?  What  do you think would represent this blog?  Even though I put pictures of the guys up all the time somehow I don't want them on my banner.  I haven't been able to bring myself to change my tagline about having elderly parents....I think I'll have to leave it that way.  A week from today it will be two months since my father died.

4.  Another question to put to a vote:  Should Ernie agree to paint the dining room orange?  I guess if I were a really good blogger embed a little voting thing.  Oh well. Another time....

Comments

[Kenny]

I should keep my mouth shut, but, I recently bought a pair of burnt orange New Balance shoes. They're made in the U.S., and they feel really good.

I was going to buy a grey pair, but I went down to the New Balance store, where they have all sorts of colors you don't find anywhere else, and in a fit of alumni pride and the desire to be hipper than I really am, I bought these burnt orange shoes. I love 'em, don't get me wrong, but sometimes they are just a bit too much.

Orange can be funny color. Illini orange is way too strong. I have a feeling that even burnt orange, on such a large palette, might try to get bossy. I would go with the color of Dreamsicles. But you didn't ask that question.

[mrs. chicken]

I am ALL about orange these days. I even have orange Keens. I am wearing them right now.

I've been a terrible commenter lately, but you are often on my mind. I know how hard it can be to feel responsible for your widowed mother. I also know how much I long for the ocean, so I can imagine how much you are looking forward to your trip.

I hope you find some peace at the shore this month, and that you get yourself healthy. That is the first priority.

Be well, friend.
-Amy

[Dawn]

I liked the banner with the picture of the shore that was on your blog for a brief time. I thought that it was your own photo. Maybe, while you're in Maine, you can take a picture of the shore with the kids playing in the sand. Not a close-up of the kids, but something soft and a little out of focus. I think the tans of the sand and the greyish-blue water would have a soothing appeal on your banner.

[Mel]

How about the orange color inside of a ripe mango. I always loved that hue.

As for your banner. How about a montage of flower, vegetable photos that you've taken over the years?

[cathy]

Yes, mango. I'm going to paint our garden room with Devine Color's Mango Tango Beans. A friend just did her office in it, and it's a wonderful space.

[Gamera]

You could use your kids in your banner, but you could obscure them by using some filter effects in photoshop (etc) with shadows, color, etc. Then they are there but not really identifiable in the banner.

Just a thought.

[Larkins Mom]

I think you should paint your dining room any damn color you want. Need help? I only like to cut in - no rolling.

[Van]

I like your banner just as it is. The most common theme in successful marketing is: DONT CHANGE THE BRAND!!! You have tons of friends and fans and they obviously LIKE your banner. I say, obey the rules of capitalism that do wicked things to the most generous of us. Again, hell, I am a marketer, and not proud of it at all, but I do know that changing one's online image is NOT a good idea. Did I miss the point?

Oh by the way, I've been wearing New Balance since 1996.

[WEGO_Wendy]

Hello Cynthia,
I recently came across your Web Site and really enjoyed reading your very direct and inspirational messages regarding life with Alzheimer’s. I have read several personal AD journals but this one especially interested me for its optimism and reflections on the unique challenges faced by all those touched by this illness. I admire your upbeat and very spiritual approach: The caregiver and patient need to be compassionate, self-protective and strong during a bumpy journey.

WEGO Health is a web site devoted to identifying the most helpful health and wellness information and to make it easily accessible to everyone. Our mission is nicely articulated here:

http://www.wegohealth.com/about-us.html

Our busy Alzheimer’s community is growing. It would be a pleasure for me to interview you (we can do this via email) for our Spotlight on Health Activists series. Would you be willing to share some of your thoughts, advice and useful experience with our Alzheimer’s community? If so, I would be pleased to give you more details!

Here is a link to our recent EOAD interview with Christine B. van Ryzin of www.forMemory.org. To see more, please go to http://community.wegohealth.com

There’s a box in the middle that highlights our latest interviews.

Again, it was a joy reading your vignettes, what real gems. I look forward to hearing from you.

Best regards,
Wendy L. Gammon
wendyg@wegohealth.com