A reflection on the past year

A year ago I had just moved my mother into her new home. My life and world were in complete chaos and upheaval. My mom was unwell, work was odd (to say the least) and my son had left for college in California.

It's so weird to think about where things are now.

My Mother is mentally WAY better. She knows stuff, she knows people. She doesn't think I'm Sharon, or the other Sharon or even Susan these days. She did take a tumble this week and I took her to the Silverton Emergency Room where she was x-rayed from head to low back. Nothing broken, but she's quite sore and bruised. She is presently flat on her back and on pain meds which cause her behavior to remind me so much of last year (this is probably the cause of my introspection). But her prognosis is good - even if she doesn't remember she fell, what day it is or what city she lives in.

My son is living back here in Salem. He never went back to California after his car crash. He's living with his girlfriend (oops - fiance I understand) about 2 miles from my house and every now and then I get to see him. He's well, but semi-unemployed and looking for full time work. He's a good kid and despite my regularly scheduled irritation with him, I love him.

My daughter got her Senior photos done today. She's having a great year. She got accepted for an art internship and is preparing to go off to the Seatlle Art Institute next year.

It's just the two of us girls kicking around in this big house (well - plus two cats, a dog and three chickens - all girls!!) - and we still can't keep it clean.

I was hired at my new job for a specific project (an intranet website built in SharePoint) with a deadline of October 15. Today is the 17th. I didn't make it. WE didn't make it - I refuse to take full responsibility for this debaucle - our only technical person was out for 2 weeks with bronchitis during a critical stage of development. Let's blame the sicky I say! The good news is - we will be debuting the software and website on Tuesday - just 4 days late. It does not appear I will be fired for missing by 4 days - although my boss might decide to rethink the "build a statue in your honor" promise he issued a few weeks ago.

I think I'm done reflecting.. now.. to look forward. I have
256 days
(approximately 36 weeks!). Let's do math though. I can't do much on work days so I'll only count weekends. That's just
72 days.
But.. of course, I go to Peter's one weekend a month so take away 16 days for that..
56 days.
When Peter is here we only work one day of the weekend so I need to take away 8 days for that.
48 days.
There will be days where I must tend to my mother's needs so let's factor in 2 days a month for her. That's dropping us to
32 days.
Peter and I are planning a trip to Florida next May - that will include two weekends.
28 days.
At some point I'm going to need groceries and clothing and trips to the hardware store. 1 day a month?
20 days.
I can't work non-stop for the next 8 months. I think I deserve ONE day a month to play.
12 days.
I've been invited to a Halloween party the 30th of October at 3:00.. that blows the ENTIRE day.
11 days.
Don't forget the regular Easter Weekend trip to to the beach.
9 days.
I'm not working over Christmas. That's just silly.
7 days.

I've got a week to pack up and move. Yikes.