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I began a post last Saturday about my grandmother - about how she was doing, and what had been taking place over the last few weeks. I intend to complete that post (soon), shifting it into a before & after. The 'after' is now necessary as she left us yesterday morning just before 2:45am. 

 ~ Martha Elizabeth ~ 

Link to obituary

I know and understand there is joy and grace to be found in her finally being relieved of her suffering and of the life that was ultimately no life at all. I know she is now with her mother whom she has missed deeply and intensely since her passing, and I believe she is now free from all illness, pain, and worry. Intellectually, I know these things. Emotionally, I'm not there. There is no right or wrong place to be; we each grieve differently. Where I am now...is not past the point of her being gone..not past counting days and hours. When I drove by the nursing home yesterday evening at 8:40pm, I could only think that I had been with her at that exact time the day before. ...She was just there. 


In the space I'm in right now, it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter that we knew it was coming, or that it was inevitable. I'm calm in one moment and fall spectacularly and uncontrollably to sobbing pieces the next. She has been a constant in my life and has filled more space in my heart than I can survey. Her role has been more than that of a grandmother which is so difficult to measure/express personally, because she was such a special grandmother to all of us - I wasn't alone in receiving that incredible gift. 

Last week I was nearly yelling at God; I slammed my hand on my steering wheel and cried out loud wanting to understand why she was here and suffering. And now He's taken her.. She's at peace, she's whole, walking, and well. I should be beeping the horn and shouting in thanksgiving, finding comfort in resolution. 
Instead, I find difficult to breathe and my heart is shattered. 

I added a tag cloud out of curiosity; it's to right of this post → somewhere over there. No surprise. Even in the life of my writing, she has been the main character. And because there is *life* in my writing, my first task was to compose her obituary. Contradictory? Not really. It is an announcement of her death, but a statement about her life. There are letters to various caretakers at NHC to follow, but for the moment, I'm here. Not the most consistent writer in the Land of Blog, but beginning this very personal process... 
Learning how to live without her. 

July 28, 2005

4 years ago today...

Love and miss you, PaPaw.

Weighted

I mentioned to a friend that I hadn’t posted anything recently because all that had been on my mind had been fairly heavy. True. Not that I don’t enjoy/appreciate a blog with some weight to it, but my writing tends to tilt toward random fluff. For the moment, as I sit next to my Grandmother while she sleeps…I’ve decided writing the heavier might be cathartic. My life has a lot of natural light, perhaps acknowledging the shade will provide for a nice balance - as with photography. We shall see. Then too, I'm not a photographer, I'm also not a writer. I fear my friends are all talked/listened out on this particular topic (Grandmama). If nothing else, they know my heart and my love for this very special woman.

(Taken 5.9.09)

This evening, the front hall of the Magnolia Wing (of Grandmama's nursing home) is quiet; the back hall, however, is buzzing with activity…as someone has just “expired”. There are loved ones to be informed, procedures to be followed, paperwork to be processed, and roommates to be moved. We don’t usually know when someone passes; they have a discreet set of doors at the end of each wing and certainly don’t ring a bell or make an announcement. We learned of the death because there happens to be a CNA working this evening who suffers from a complete lack of tact and a gift for remarkably inappropriate word choice + information sharing.

This July, it will have been one year since Grandmama moved into NHC (the nursing home). It was a year ago this February & March that she began having such consistent trouble, repeated hospitalizations, a bleed in her brain, a reaction to the plasma intended to help with the blood loss…which led to a terrifying stint in the neuro-ICU. The weeks followed with time in Select Specialty Hospital, back to University Hospital, and so on… Initially, the placement @ NHC (the area nursing home of choice) was presented as short-term…physical therapy intensive…readying her to go home. I knew then she’d never return to her home again. As difficult as that was and is, it’s also for the best; her medical needs far outweigh what my Grandfather and I were/are able to provide (as those who were living with her). We did give a powerful and valiant effort. Is there a word which means something more than valiant, but also…slightly hopeless? Pedaling furiously…on a stationary bike, hoping that you’ll make it to your destination of choice even though you're not moving? My Grandfather is a stubborn man and held out much longer, based on a promise he’d made to her…that he’d never put her in a nursing home.

I digress…less background, more of the present.

Grandmama is often confused…doesn’t understand where she is or why. Then other days, she shares that she wishes she’d had some say in this “placement”…no one asked if her she wanted to live here, or what she thought of this place. It’s the in-between that makes it so hard; on the rare days, she is just coherent enough to know that she’s losing her senses. Her eyes are still very blue, but now always glazed…and seem very far off. My Aunt Brenda calls where she [Grandmama] is, that far off place, her “other place”. The other place is sometimes a dream-world; not a world made of all she could ever dream of…but a world composed of nothing but her dreams; mainly non-sensical stories. Children hiding under her bed, bags full of dogs, milk in her bed linens, the kitten water she’d been made to drink…Those stories, though upsetting (and not shared to diminish her personal integrity in anyway), are the more pleasant. It’s the more violent ones…where she’s been taken to the woods and stripped naked, witnessed the murder of a set of twin babies, or Is convinced Granddaddy is having an affair and also in jail for murder… Those daymares (my word) - delusions (psychological/medical term), are cruel and there is generally no talking her out them.

The exchange that instigated this post took place this past Wednesday. Having spent so much time with her and acting as a caretaker for the last several years she was at home, I am often able to anticipate her needs (as anyone in a similar situation would be…and as all of us who spend a great deal of time with her - are). I noticed she was having trouble breathing; she said she just needed to blow her nose. She can often be the Girl who Cried Nose-Blow..as she’ll do anything to get that oxygen tubing out of her nose/and off her face. She wasn’t able to blow her nose, and I still felt like she didn’t sound quite right… I requested that the nurse do an O2 check, and though they had just taken her vitals (she read at 99%), this time (the re-check)…she read at 91%. Since she felt “stopped up” we thought it might be the tubing; thus it was replaced along with the little water bottle that acts as a humidifier for her 02 machine.

Afterwards, she still looked so distressed. Her blues eyes - very worried, and her brow furrowed in deep creases. I asked her what was wrong, and she said she didn’t know… I reframedBama shaker (read: pom pom type thing used to cheer on the Crimson Tide). So I taped it to her closet door, directly in front of her bed. I taped it with handle-part down and against the wood, with the streamers hanging over it. It looks like McDonald’s fry-guy, but it’s a familiar object.

She didn’t think it would help…and I offered to take it down. She often gets frustrated with Granddady or one of my uncles who rushes when helping her with meals, but will never speak her mind – never express her frustration. I told her explicitly, right then (referring to the other times she had not spoken her mind), that if she wanted me to stop…to just say so. She said…”I don’t want to play this game anymore.” I apologized and said okay – clarifying that it wasn’t meant as a game – that I was only trying to help. “I’m here for you, Grandmama, that's all”… A sentence which certainly contained more personal weight than was intended for it’s immediate context.

I was frustrated. It hurts my heart to see her like this and I feel so helpless when there is nothing I can do to make anything better for her.

She stared out of the window for a few minutes, and then said… “The shaker will be perfect, because it will remind me of you.” I leaned over to hug her…and could not hold back my tears. I sat back down and we just sat there…holding hands…both crying. Again, she was looking off…not even out of the window, but somehow at a space right before it. She squeezed my hand and said…”let’s not cry anymore”. I replied…”yes ma’am”…and sat back in the recliner so that I was out her sight-line, and cried until I stopped. Damn. Talk about gravity of words...of a moment. I took her words metaphorically.

I trust in God‘s timeline, but do not understand it…not In her case. She no longer receives joy from anything and is hardly allowed to experience any variation of emotion or feeling… If she’s upset and can’t be calmed, she’d medicated. I too, want her to be comfortable. …But what about quality of life? I know there are those who live through far worse - without the care and benefits we are afforded. I pray that I am someday able to see the good in this situation…the positive that can be taken from it. It’s not as though the time we are being granted with her is quality time, and it's not as though there is anyone she's waiting on or wanting to see; there are no open pieces that need closure. Those who are employed by her stay will remain employed…jobs will not be lost, and for the most part…it’s not brought our family any closer together. Ultimately, I know it's simply not her time yet. The mind still reels.. Perhaps it is to keep my Grandfather alive. Perhaps I should be still, and be thankful. And know that after we brush her teeth and wash her face after dinner…she’ll enjoy the Oil of Olay being put on her face and neck…and the other lotions massaged into her arms and fingers. She always closes her eyes when I do that. And I always kiss her forehead.

(Grandmama & Kimmey...Mother's Day...5.10.09)

Happy Birthday, Dad!!!

I can't seem to wrangle my thoughts into any sort of fenced in eloquence this afternoon...

So for the time being, I'll simply celebrate the day & gift of his birth. I'll celebrate the interesting, intelligent, diversely talented, accomplished, hard-working, funny, soft-hearted, and lovely man he is, and I'll celebrate his life.

And as I do everyday, I'll thank God for him...and be grateful he (Dad) chose a life with me.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

~ All my love... ~

One less Rose

To update: Grandmama spent a few days in the hospital and was released back to the nursing home with a PIC line; she continued on antibiotics until the 23rd and was able to have the PIC removed. She's improved immensely...my time with her Saturday and Sunday (as in yesterday and the day before) was amazing. She was so clear... I keep thinking her highs and lows are off the charts...then visualize either a broken needle (unable to chart her properly), or a snarky bird with a bent beak...which of course would be if she lived in the Flintstones and the same bird who played the records had to chart her. Nevermind.

Sadly... Her brother (my great uncle), Buddy, passed away Friday morning... He's the first of her siblings to pass...she's the oldest, incidentally. He's not been well for some time...since his most recent stroke, he's not known anyone or been responsive. Brenda, Max, Mike, and Teresa were able to attend the service today in Greensboro, AL. *sigh* Uncle Buddy...

Weighing in...for (February) 23rd...I had a 1 pound loss. Another Coke.

For today, 3.5. I usually stay with whole numbers, but for some reason...today, I'll take a half. Hence...the 3.5 pound trout. I lost a trout. A Coke and a trout. Good thing they went with "Have a Coke and a smile".

So much more to ramble about...so little time.

Love.

The Boy

~ Winston Meigs ~

9/13/01 - 2/6/09

Winston was a sweet & handsome boy with a lovable personality; he was often admired by strangers and fellow Airedale enthusiasts. A smart boy, he was valedictorian of his obedience school class, obeyed his parents, and enjoyed the comfort of his daily routine. Winston loved to play with his "monkey" (any stuffed squeaky toy), and preferred to spend his time in the cool of the air-conditioned indoors...rather than the dry Arizona heat (he was born in Colorado). He's been with Dad & Maggie 7 of the 11 years they've been married...this certainly leaves a palpable hole in their now 2-member household. He will be dearly missed and remembered lovingly as he brought them so much joy.

Nutshell + Regression + New Plan

I think I'm nearly outside of the window-of-posting for Christmas tales... I had a great trip and completely enjoyed my time with Dad & Maggie in Phoenix; we had a splendid time and since it's been nearly a month...I'll let the photos tell the story.

New Year's... I wasn't feeling very New Year's Eve-y this year. I had a very chill evening and preferred it that way. I'm on the fence about making resolutions. Plus - I view my birthday as my "new year". There are things I need to work on and grow into every day, week, month...etc.. I'm not against the idea of reviewing the past year and thinking of things I'd like to do differently, better, or at all... But it doesn't make sense to me to do it once a year. So...I resolve to be aware daily, grow constantly, and re-evaluate often. I'm in my head so much...the latter is built right in.

This leads to me something I have been working on, regressed, and now - it's important to me to get back on track. I've written a bit about our family weight loss challenge... Though Team Roseland dissipated, and it's now just me...all of us (the remaining players) have had varying levels of success; Uncle Max has been most successful. I've asked if we were still going (competing/weighing in)...and basically get the sense everyone is going their separate ways. Though I went back and forth a bit, I eventually lost 21 pounds...17 on the other scale. We'll go with 17. I've gained 10 back over the last 4 weeks. I'm wildly displeased with myself.

I liked the accountability factor of weighing in each week...and having to report and write down how much I had lost or gained. So. Since the fam has split off, and I don't want to pay to go to Weight Watchers meetings each week (and the closest location is 30 minutes away), I'm going hold myself accountable by reporting here. Ultimately, though the competition was fun...I'm the one who has to live & love with me. I will be using Weight Watchers online tools. I'll weigh and post each Monday.

I never know who reads my self-indulgent little posts...but I'm hoping at least a few people will check in and keep track/help keep me on track.

Also, I saw Gran Torino. It was good. Really good.

A coconut shell...b/c I need more space than a walnut.

Where to start...

"Note to self: posting more regularly would prevent lengthy posts that are difficult for others to get through...*

Thanksgiving was lovely; my Aunt Brenda prepared SUCH a delicious meal. It's rare that (regardless of where you are) everything is good...and everything WAS good. 4 of the 7 little cousins were present. Their ability to generate such volume & energy is...amazing. I likened it to leaving a concert; it's a good show, but your ears ring for an hour after you've left. Grandmama and Granddaddy enjoyed their plates from Brenda's... To finish the day properly, I spent some time with my other family...the Johnsons <3.


Next up...birthday!!! I love birthdays and this year was one of the best I've had...it was fantastic! My friends, Matt & Leah, came to town from Tallassee, AL and it was so, so great to see them. They treated me to dinner to a lovely dinner @ Miyabi Friday night; so much fun. Saturday morning, Lindsay arranged for a brunch.... It made my heart so fuzzy and happy to have friends make time to spend and be a part of my birthday. I loved that Matt & Leah were up for brunch with a bunch of strangers...as were Kimmey & Ben, and Kevin. (If you live in the area, Crums on Central is working it's way up to one of my favorite local restaurants.) Phone calls, e-mails, comments, voicemail serenades, a sweet office party, and chocolate pie from Teresa completed the day...Dad's singing is the call I look forward to most. Posting a few of my favorite photos...the entire album is in Picasa. The only people I didn't get to see that I planned to...were Chris & Tiff. I was scared to drive Sipsey to ATL; even with the patch (and the gum), she won't quit smoking.

As my birthday gift, Kevin provided me with my first [Christmas] tree! I certainly had them growing up, I've just never had my own. His [my tree's] name is Owen...and I enjoy him every day :). I also put lights outside...another first; apparently feeling super festive this year. I've attended a few Christmas parties...the pictures below are from the one @ the nursing home (plus my tree!). Grandmama adored Santa Claus and was disappointed when the framed picture I gave her for Christmas was of me and her...and not her and Santa. The pictures of her are great, though not exactly representative of how she's been lately.

So now it's off to Phoenix for a visit with Dad and Maggie :). This semester has been frocked with illness following the car accident. As a result, I am having to shorten my trip by one day (not enough leave :/). I wish we didn't have to make the [time] adjustment, but am just excited to see them at all...should be great :). I don't know if it's a combination of feeling good for the first time in awhile, the great birthday, the growth in the last year, Alabama's football season (lol) - (I know, Farrah....), or just...timing, but I have a super pleasant optimistic vibe about this next year. We shall see...

Wishing everyone an amazing & safe holiday... Love!

Homecoming

Not that Homecoming, not yet anyway (Roll Tide!)...

Kimmey (my very dear & sweet cousin whom I love to bits and pieces) and her husband, Ben, have been separated for 15 months; Ben has been in Iraq. As of April 29th, 2008...they'd been married one year. Ben returned home Tuesday (10.7.08) !!! Needless to say...they are thrilled to be back together, and we're thrilled for him to be home (and for them to be together)..:). Admittedly (and a bit sadly), I barely know Ben... It makes my heart happy to know Kimmey is so happy, and I can't wait to get to know Ben - who is...again, sadly...a UGA fan - much better. Love to you both!!! ...And Ben, thank you for your service...

P.S. To watch one of the local new station's coverage, go here.

P.P.S. I'm including a picture of their pups, Bella & Corky, as well. I can't get over how they sit/hang out on a daily basis; it's such a trip.

Martha Jane

Picnik (in addition to having a fun new collage function) has - more importantly - gone pink for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (which is this month...October).

With love for MaMaw...who lost who her battle with cancer 10.13.2000.

~ PaPaw & MaMaw (taken in 1993) ~

I know several people participating in the Susan B Komen Race for the Cure this year... If you'd like to donate, here's one option... My cousin, Teresa, and her daughter (Sarah) will both be racing! Click here to donate to their campaign; our cousin, Lorrie, is on their team as well :). Not only are they family...but good people, I tell you. Bama fans!

Amendments

Quickly...

We all weighed in Sunday...and each lost weight!

However...between Monday and yesterday (Sunday)...there were 4 sets of scales involved. The numbers were inconsistent, and though all numbers reflect that we all lost...we've decided (as a group) to to use yesterday's numbers as our new starting point. We're also using one set of scales...which were purchased Friday. Same set for each person, for each weigh in.

Additionally...there are 2 amendments to the Terms & Conditions.

a) Each member, except when ill, is allowed one "free pass". One week...where they may choose not to weigh, and not be penalized.

b) Any other forfeit of weigh-in (team member is in good health and not using free pass) - results in automatic $5.00 pot-payment.

So...here we go with week # 1...which is August 17th-August 23rd!

The pot currently (theoretically...since we don't have an actual "pot" yet) $175.00.

GO TEAMS, GO!!!

77 Years Young...

Yesterday, August 12th, was Granddaddy's 77th birthday!

Happy Birthday, Elliott!!

Brenda & Max treated Grandmama & Granddaddy both to a lovely [birthday] shrimp dinner from Rhineharts; YUM! (...we couldn't remember the last time Grandmama had shrimp!) They enjoyed it so much and ate in the comfort of Grandmama's room @ NHC.

Between the homecooked meals from Brenda over the weeks

(black-eyed peas + cornbread!),

the super tasty chicken & ribs from Mike & Teresa on Sunday

(and various other plates a-la M&T over the weeks),

a steak dinner from Kimmey & me Monday night,

and Rhineharts last night...I'd say Granddaddy has had some pleasant breaks in his recently adopted diet of sandwiches + canned beans and Vienna sausage (ick).

Grandmama in one of her new "workout" outfits...

The birthday boy! (...ever the smiler.)
Granddaddy & Brenda

Shrimp!!!

Terms & Conditions

Meigs/Mealing/Roseland Weight Loss Challenge!!!

As agreed on by all members, August 11th, 2008.

♦ Official Challenge Dates:

Start date - 8/11/08

End date - 12/15/08

♦ Only Challenge members will know each other’s weights.

♦ We wish ALL members success.

This is, afterall, a contest.

Trash talk is welcome & expected.

I. Each member will put $25.00 in the pot;

you can make payments if necessary :).

II. Members will weigh in each Sunday; one member of

ANOTHER team must be present to confirm weight.

III. If any member gains [any amount of weight] during the week,

they must put an additional $5.00 in the pot (flat fee for weight gain).

IV. Team with the highest percentage of

weight lost…wins the challenge!

The pot will be split evenly amongst the winning team.

Slight change up in the teams!!!

♦ Team Mealing♦

Max & Brenda

♦ Team Meigs♦
Teresa & Mike

♦ Team Roseland (Rose + Strickland)♦

Amanda, Kimmey, & Daryl

Here we go Team Rose, here we go *clap* clap*!!

The gist...

My aunt & uncle (Brenda & Max)...stated Saturday that they would begin Weight Watchers today (Monday...the 11th); I said, "cool....I'll do it as well".

Sunday...Brenda called and said "it's on". Another aunt & uncle (Teresa & Mike) would begin their efforts to lose weight as well...hence, a competition/weight-loss challenge was born.

(Cue dramatic music.)

...So it would be the Meigs versus the Mealings.

At this point my cousin, Kimmey, and I formed a

third team...the Roses (we share our middle name).

So...now...it's really on.

We weigh in tonight and lay out the terms of the competition.

I'm excited and plan to blog our progress :).

I'll share pounds lost each week...or every two weeks...whatever we decide this evening.

Hope everyone has a great first day (!)...trash talk to begin

once terms of challenge have been negotiated.

Until then...the players are below...

Team Mealing (Max & Brenda)

Team Meigs (Teresa, Mike, and Daryl)

TEAM ROSE!!! (Amanda & Kimmey)

I'm just saying...

If the first picture wasn't convincing in terms of

resemblance...these damn near knocked me down.

Here are a couple more

of Allison + her son, Nicholas :).

T is for Therapy

Grandmama with Kimmey...7.13.08

Wanted to offer an update on Ms. Betty... She is continues to be remarkably consistent in her inconsistency. She'll have a great day, and then plummet the next. "Plummet days" take a few days to recover from...which is exhausting for her. She dreads therapy and hopes to somehow evade it each day :). Monday, she had a cardiology appointment - which she was taken to by ambulance (rough ride). Everything looked good heart-wise...and her pacemaker battery is good for one more year. She has been having significant difficulty hearing; they've been working to flush her ears this week and it has made a huge difference! She's had a decent appetite, though she got sick while eating on Wednesday...very unpleasant for her. Most evenings she falls asleep shortly after dinner...we believe she is simply worn-out from her workouts; there have been several days when it has been impossible to wake her from her sleep. With that deep sleep, she's tolerating the CPAP mask relatively well. Her oxygen tube/nose-piece is a different story altogether; she pulls it out every chance she gets. We've added a clock and calendar to her room...hoping to provide a bit of orientation. I'd like to say it's been helpful for her, but I don't know that it is. She has 3 birthdays to celebrate this month though (which are on her calendar)...Elizabeth, Brenda, and Mike! That about covers it...thanks for thinking of her...I'll be in touch :).

Love.

At Least We've Come This Far

So I mentioned some time ago that I want to dedicate this space (every now and again)...to a little "Request & Dedication" action... a-la Casey Kasem. I've had several ideas which have been quieted by busy. I'm all set for this one though...:).

Out of respect for this new relationship and others who are directly (or indirectly) involved...I won't share many details; not via blog anyway. I would like to introduce those of you who don't know....to Allison. As you can see, we fell from the same tree. Same tree, different...fertilizer.

(Allison and her husband, Andy)

We met for the first time when I was 16, and she was 18.... For various reasons (vaguely understood by us), we've never been able to have a relationship. At 31 and 33...now separate from past circumstances, we're trying "us" on...and giving this sisterhood a shot. Last night, we talked for 7 hours, nearly 8 actually.

I drove (to her home) yesterday evening as Amanda...just, Amanda (read: only child). ...And left with the knowledge/awareness that...potentially (by choice & effort)/technically/and actually... I have 2 nephews, a niece, and a brother-in-law. ...And most importantly, a sister (who was also raised/identifies herself as an only-child). Pretty bizarre considering those words (nephew, etc.) have not previously been a part of my vocabulary...outside of my honorary aunt-ships for my close girlfriends and their little ones (whom I love!).

On with the Request & Dedication to Allison... (Though I'm providing the song myself...which makes it just a...dedication; I'll have to come up with a more clever name.) There is a song by Relient K...entitled "At Least We've Made it This Far". Subtracting the inapplicable romantic overtones; we have come from very different places, and yet we have made it "this far"...to this place - where we are now. And though we [collectively] have more questions than we do answers, and though we're both entering in cautiously...I feel so good about this possibility, our possibility. While it (the song) acknowledges the pain that comes with uncertainty and doubt...which we've experienced as well, the main tone (to me anyway) is sweet & hopeful. ...And I'm hopeful for us.

Love.

To listen to the song...

July-ish

Grandmama moved to NHC (…which is a skilled nursing facility) last Wednesday (7/2/08). She’s adjusting…okay. The therapy is difficult for her, as is the [post-therapy] recovery. She’s been in the hospital for 3 months though…so the atrophy is to be expected. My goal is to be optimistic, but not expectant. We’ll see how it goes. Check it though. On the 3rd...exercise...flag waving... Huh...right?! They offer colorguard at this facility. I'm thrilled to bits. J/k.

I didn’t write anything about SYTYCD dance last week… I enjoyed talking with Elisa on the phone afterward…almost more than I enjoyed the show; we had to hang up so I could vote :). I liked both pieces by Mia Michaels…but that’s nearly a given. ...And though Jessica doesn't do much for me, I really enjoyed Mandy Moore's piece to Alone (by Heart)...using the shirt. Twitch didn’t go home (yay)...and though I like Kourtni (more so in her audition than on the show), I’m okay with who did [go home]. I hope there’s a little more oomph this week…

I spent the 4th with my family…out and my aunt and uncle’s homestead (Brenda & Max). I was able to see my cousins and the products of their lovely gene pools. Seriously. My cousins have some cute kids. Pictures here…

The 4th was an eventful day; I’ll have to post more later… I’m out of time and I’m not sure my thoughts & emotions are all tied up and ready to be presented just yet. Good day though. Good day.

Air-Conditioned Bliss

My sweet cousin...Bryan.

This is me SHOUTING from the rooftop!!!

Sipsey (my car) and I have been without air-conditioning for 3, maybe 4,
miserable summers.

In the last two years, attempts were made by a former mechanic in the family...which were (obviously) not successful. I appreciated the effort, and was told it would take about $2000 to fix it. Sipsey was born in 1997...it hasn't made sense to put that much cash toward something that doesn't directly affect her running...and I certainly haven't had an extra $2000. She has faithfully continued to run (she's been a great car)...and I (during the summers) have endured oppressive heat & humidity.

Alas, my sweet cousin - Bryan - FIXED my a/c yesterday!!! Embarrassingly, it was an easy fix...and thankfully, it didn't cost a thing. ...Which is absolutely crazy. If you know the former (well intentioned) mechanic I'm talking about though...you understand.

Bryan is a sweetheart by nature...he always has been. This is a fantastic favor/gift for me...and I can't thank him enough!!!