Today is the first day of the FIRST full week of the fourth quarter of my second year of trying to live without complaining and blogging about the process.
In the last twenty-one months, I’ve experienced at least six major life events (which I will not here list; if you know me, you know what they are; if you don’t know me, their nature is of no moment). I’ve made three trips for medical treatment, embarked on one completely frivolous vacation, tried three cases, settled twenty more, and changed personal vehicles once.
During this 1.75 years without complaining (ha!), my INR has see-sawed from .8 to 5.4 — the therapeutic goal is 2.5. INR measures blood-clotting time — i.e., medical bean-counting.
Not included in those “six major life events”: In the last twenty months, I’ve changed secretaries twice; suite-mates once; had one close family member die; and had at three new viruses identified as being active in my body, including, presumably, playing a role in the suppression of my immune system.
In the same time period, I’ve made four new friends; met one fairy-granddaughter; and gotten five new neighbors (not counting the changing of tenants in the rental unit across the street). I’ve only dropped one stitch in the knitting project that I started two years ago and which I hope to finish in the next thirty days.
Since 01 January 2014, I’ve lost ten pounds, gained back that ten plus another ten and lost four of the new ten. I’ve spent $850.00 plus tips on changing my hair from its increasingly grey to a blonde-brown-grey combination. In the last twenty months, I’ve raised $3,425.00 for charity with the help of three colleagues, a half-dozen diehard supporters, and 200 people who emptied their pockets of change and wrote checks. I’ve helped fifteen artists show their creative efforts to the Kansas City Community.
I’ve cried ten thousand tears. I’ve aged twenty years.
Today is the 642nd day in My Year Without Complaining. It has been one year, nine months, and four days (counting today), since I started this journey.
I’m still here. Still doing as my Nana instructed:
Putting my best foot forward. . .
Taking one step at a time.
What type of beans did you think I would count?
Love the photo! But how on earth do you know what you spent on your hair? Whatever it was, it was worth it.
I love this post! You definitely get the chronicler (?) award and done with detail and humor! 🙂
Thanks ladies….Pat, I am a bit OCD about how much I spend on my hair. I added it in my head as I drafted that entry. I am finally back with my old hairdresser who charges a reasonable amount and does a great job — thanks for the compliment!
I should add: I also doubled my office size — by the addition of a Liberty location!
That is quite a tally! I would say that you have been living fully.
I subscribed to these because I wanted to read them more often – but then I haven’t – I am always so glad when I do make the time to read a few of your posts then wonder why I don’t take the time out more often. I love this journey of yours to find to positive and live without complaining. As someone who’s knit (only simple projects) in the past – I’m impressed with only dropping one stitch!