Of further Updates and dealing with Lawyers~~~

Hello My Darklings,

Thank you Carrie and Kellie for your warm concern and your good wishes,  I will do my best to be patient and take my time, even my Doctor said healing cannot be hurried.

I saw my Doctor yesterday afternoon, Louise took me to my appointment, she and Ella are very caring people.  I feel very safe in their care.

The Doctor said I am healing but slowly, he is concerned about the spasms that I have in my back muscles, but the heat therapy seems to be working, and I'll have to use a muscle relaxant for a short while,  the cuts and bruises are slowly healing, but the worse of them make take a couple of months, he is photographing my progress for my Lawyer.

It seems I will not be able to go back to work for at least 8 weeks minimum and I will still need treatment, possibly massage and heat therapy afterwards, he's looking into several things.  There is no bone damage which is good.  And he has seen some progress in my range of motion with the exercises, not a lot but more than before.

I'm seeing my Lawyer this afternoon, I did have a chance to talk to him on the phone yesterday, he said that the other driver's Lawyer is trying to delay things, and looking at the progress of my case it may be several months before we go to trial,  but he said that is good because with everything it will help build my case even better, he's finding witnesses who saw the accident and the photo's clearly show the other driver is in the wrong.

My Doctor is a little concern because I'm starting to cough, he was concern about my heart or that I'm coming down with a cold, but so far it appears to be allergies, so I'm on medication for that as well.  Just when I want to enjoy the dark beauty of my garden this happens.  My caregivers and Marie and Doyle are going to monitor this new development.   My Doctor thinks that with the shock of the accident my system went down, as he calls it.

Oh Darklings, you should see the beautiful plantings my friends did, lovely deep dark reddish purple pansy's, outlined with these white flowers that I've seen I think it's called "carpet of snow",  and my Iris's bulbs that were planted last year are coming up, dark colors I know and some unusual ones as well.  Whitish Daffodil's as contrast.  One of my friends have planted several rose bushes the color's are a deep purple red, and several that are a purple red with white center, I never had a chance to get the names, but the pictures of them are so beautiful.

They also started work in the Greenhouse to make it into a garden to enjoy during the cold months, my Koi are already established in their pond in there and the outside pond has the free mosquito fish from the water company, with a little feeding they should get a bit bigger,  my friends also put in the inexpensive gold fish in there for color, what they call "feeder fish"  if any of them disappear I can always get more.

The cat that use to sleep under my front porch has a permanent home now, it seems to have adopted a neighbor who is taking good care of the little thing, it looks much healthier.

I am able to move around the house a little better, but I still need help to bathe and dress, but Ella thinks that in 4 or 5 weeks I should be far more independent, between her, Louise, My sister and Doyle they make sure I do my exercises and walking, it's not good to sit or lie down for too long, too much of a chance to develop clots in the legs and they are right.

I am sad about the loss of my car, but Doyle and my Lawyer said that we can make the cost of a replacement car part of the settlement,  we shall see, I just do not have an idea what would be a good replacement, all these new cars have so many whistles and bells, so something reliable and stylish and easy to drive and get in and out of.   Some of these cars you feel like you are being stuck in a sardine can.

I am so glad I didn't drive my vintage car that night.   If that had been damaged I would have cheerfully strangled the other driver in spite of my injuries.  Just a simple run to the grocery store, who would have thought such a calamitous event would have happened.

I did have fun getting my Mani-Pedi---Marie was right, a bright color was and is perfect, I have "geranium" by Essie on my fingers and toes,  the ladies at the shop were so kind to me, even brought me tea, and told me to relax and enjoy everything.   And Louise's suggestion about going to a gym that has a very warm jacuzzi tub to help my muscles has been working,  we are going right after we see my Lawyer today. 

I must be getting better I was able to type much longer than before, but now I must go.  My therapist is here and she will not tolerate a delay.  ***sigh***  I hate the idea of surrendering myself to other's care, but there are times when it is for the best.

I will post more later.

And Thank you for all your warm concerns.

Later Darklings

Of Updates and slow progress~~~

Hello Darklings,

Well I am going to have a treat today,  Marie is taking me to the manicurist so I can have a mani-pedi, she is having one too.

Marie is insisting that even though I feel bad, I should do little things to encourage and uplift me, and she is right.  It is still painful for me to walk any great distance, so I'll have to use the wheelchair and wear one of my caftans.

My sister wants me to enjoy the sun a little and to not feel cabin fever,  later this afternoon some of my friends are coming over who are gardening enthusiasts to put annual plantings in the ground as well as some perennials.  I gave them cash told them what I was interested in and should on the diagram where I'd like to have them, if they paid for more things I'll reimburse them. 

And there is a very nice sunny spot in the garden where I can sit and enjoy it, and they are bringing over pot luck as well, so it will be a "planting party", very impromptu, but it does uplift my spirits.

Marie and Doyle helped me get ready although I'm able to do a little more for myself, the exercises do work, but I need my pain medication at night so I can sleep,  I'm trying to take a little less of it each day so I can be more alert and also better gauge my improvement.

Marie thinks I'm rushing it and Doyle agrees, I'm not going to argue with them if they want to fuss over me, if it makes them feel better, but I don't want to impose on them either. 

Poor Belladonna its so hard on her she wants to be close to her "Mommy" but if she jumps on my left side its painful,  so I have to arrange myself so she is on my right side.  And she senses that there are changes in her "schedule" the little thing likes routine and she can't understand why Mommy isn't taking her for the evening walk, even though she likes Miranda.

Doyle is bringing the car around while I type this and he told me that my favorite movie will be on "Svengoolie" tonight---if I can stay awake.   It's "Dracula's Daughter" with Gloria Holden.  Although I have it on DVD, I am going to enjoy Sven's silly but sometimes informative comments.  So this Day is looking to be a very good one.

I'm seeing the Doctor on Monday and we'll see how things are progressing,  and my Lawyer on Tuesday, he is also working with the insurance companies on my behalf, since technically with the pain medication I may not be in a "clear mind" to make important decisions, seems that already the Lawyer for the other driver is trying to make a deal,  much too soon says my Lawyer, so we shall see.

My sister is here, time to go, she says I should wear a brighter color for my mani-pedi,  decisions, decisions.

Later Darklings.

Of owe, ouch, owe and pain~~~~

Dear Darklings,

For three days (today being the third) I've have a therapist coming to work with me especially on range of motion in my left shoulder and arm.  The concern is that the dislocation might limit my range.

Oh the pain!  I find myself in tears, and this morning I took a good look at myself in the Mirror.  I nearly broke down at what I saw, my caregiver Ella and even Louise said that I'm depressed, because of the trauma and the pain, and perhaps the pain medication.

The therapist is concern that if I do not get back my full range of motion then doing something like pinning my long hair I may not ever be able to do that, I may be facing cutting my hair,  it's so long it's well past my derriere.

That thought just depresses me.  But the therapist has re-assured me that it's early days yet and I'm still healing,  but even Doyle and my sister think I should consider cutting my hair just to make it easy on me.  It is a handful to wash.

Louise said to not rush into it, something can be worked out,  right now she is making arrangements to take me to a gym that has a warm water jacuzzi, she thinks that the heat might be therapeutic and the Doctor said it would be good. 

But I just can't stand the idea of anyone seeing me so battered, bruised and ugly looking----who ever said "Vanity thy name is woman" is right---but I am vain for a reason, of course I'm getting old and my body is heir to what age brings---but there is getting old and there is getting ugly. 

Marie says I'm being impatient about getting well, and she's right.   I want to be well and beautiful NOW!

Well the good thing is the schedule for me Ella arrives just as my sister is leaving, so they have a chance to talk while I'm having my coffee, then Ella makes a simple breakfast for me that's easy to chew and is filling.
Then she helps me bathe and get dressed, I can only wear a simple caftan right now and wearing makeup is impossible, then a few exercises to keep my circulation going and to loosen up my joints.

The therapists arrives and works on me while Ella takes care of the dishes, both Ella and Louise know what exercises I'm suppose to do,  come lunch time Louise arrives and takes over and Ella tells her what a baby I've been in the morning.  

Louise helps me move around the house again so I'm not stiff, sees if I have any appointments, we just came back from the dentist to make sure my teeth were not damaged, let's me rest and have a cup of tea.  Then I'll either nap or go on the computer, for an hour then more exercises.  Louise has to prepare a special dinner for me again because it's painful for me to chew, and checks on my appointments for the week. 

I'm going to have to go, Louise said there is a place that would be happy to allow me to use their hot baths, and I don't need a membership can just pay by the use.  I asked if we could pick up some won-ton soup when we go home and she said yes, but she'll have to mash the large pieces.  Oh well, at least it's won-ton.

Later Darklings

Of Being in an auto accident~~~~

Hello My Darklings,

I haven't posted much but I was in an auto accident,  some idiot fool, ignored a red light and, to use the common term "T-Boned" me on my driver side.

The fool was drunk, he didn't have a scratch, but I was in the hospital with a dislocated shoulder, cuts, major bruising and a throbbing head ache and back ache,  the good thing is that my back and neck or any other part of my body wasn't broken.

The bad part is the muscle damage and strain put on my back and neck, and my shoulder.   My insurance company totaled my car.  And it looks like we're going to have to go to court,  what makes it worse is this man has an excellent high paying job and is financially well off.

And yet he insists the accident was my fault,  thank goodness for traffic camera's and Doyle's former associates doing the investigation, because everything  clearly points to the other driver at being at fault and his lawyer is saying don't go to court settle it out of court.   I am listening to what my Doctor's are saying I have to face in further treatments and what my lawyer is saying. 

This person is going to be financially hurting when I'm done.  And it seems he received a DUI the month before.  It is a miracle no one was killed---especially me.

Fortunately I have good car, health insurance, I have an excellent income from both my job for sick leave and personal financial investments.

The good thing is my house keeping service will take care of the house and will do some extra cleaning for me (of course for an extra fee) and I have a caregiver who will come in the mornings to help me bathe and dress and will make a breakfast for me, and I'll be starting therapy next week.

My sister and Doyle have hired someone else come in the afternoons to be with me and take me to my appointments, any shopping, laundry and prepare dinner and if they are out of town be with me at night.  It will only be for a short while, but I hate feeling helpless.

I can type because it's minimal movement, but unfortunately Coralline cannot come and visit me, my neighbor's daughter Miranda will take Belladonna for an evening walk for her exercise.  And she can call Coralline and keep her updated on me, as sometimes my medications for pain make me very fuzzy.

I will be so glad to put this behind me, and just when the weather is starting to look beautiful and everything is starting to bloom.   Some of my friends will take care of the plantings and with a little effort I won't be so limited or confined.

This after noon Louise will come in and we can talk about what will her "assignments" be.   I like her, she was highly recommended to us by her previous charges, she is both friendly and professional, and she can gauge about my physical limitations and needs,  I don't want to be pampered or spoiled, but I do need help at this time until I get my mobility back,  Doyle is letting me have his car and has purchased a light weight wheel chair to help me move around the house,  we've set up a bedroom in what use to be the maid's ground floor room, until I can start climbing stairs again.  I can go up and down a few stairs to get to the car.

I'm hoping to be able to be far more mobile by the end of this month.   But I just hate being like this.

Doyle is suggesting that I might want to consider retiring from my job, I told him that the accident and the job are un-related.   I really hate being inactive, but on the job decision I'll put that off to another day, I'll just take one day at a time to heal.

So Darklings, if you don't see me posting for a while, its because I'm healing.

St. Patricks Day is coming, and all you Elder Goth darklings should wear your very dark green to celebrate.

Later Darklings, now I must rest.

Of skipping the Oscars, Chinese New Years and a Nail magazine~~~

Hello My Darklings,

I am so tired, I can barely keep my eyes open.  Good thing my sister is cooking dinner tonight.

Work---insane!

Chinese New Years Street Fair and Parade----Wonderful!  I even bought a small 8 sided mirror to reflect back evil for the front door, my sister and I had fun trying the different treats, I'm going to have to diet, the Chinese New Years and Lent not a good combination but what can on elderly Goth do but enjoy---Eat, Drink and Be Merry for Tomorrow We Die!   Well almost.

It's a good thing we bundled up warmly and wore comfortable walking shoes, I tucked my keys and my small wallet inside my jacket in an inside pocket that had Velcro fasteners, that way my hands are free and no purse to steal, my sister did the same thing.  We wore our Beret's to keep our heads warm , it was lovely during the day but there was a wind chill factor,  we managed to find a restaurant to eat dinner before the parade, just so many people, the colors, the sounds of fire crackers, and Lion dancers to bring good luck, people exchanging red envelopes and the color of red, gold and green everywhere but it didn't feel like Christmas but something else, something very exotic.

And the food was good, but now today, I'm back on Lent.

We went to the cemetery to check on the family graves and head stones and to leave flowers, so peaceful after all the exuberance of yesterday, and a hint of the promise of spring, I even saw a robin.  I look at the old headstones and statues and I wonder if anything like this will exist a hundred years from now or will they become historical artifacts or only memories captured in photo's.  It gives me a further idea as to what to do for my garden and for the house,  its so old and done by a famous architect.  This idea keeps "cooking" in my mind.   Even my sister remarked to me if it were possible to build an above ground tomb on the grounds, the lot is huge enough, huge and deep enough to build 4 houses with room for gardens ---which I won't do.  But an idea.  

The Oscars are on tonight, but I am so tired, I think I'll go to bed early not that the Oscars ever really captured my interest except a little.   I never had a chance to see any of the films people keep talking about, but then film wise my interests are elsewhere.  So I think I'll go to bed early and enjoy sleep.

After we left the cemetery we stopped at a grocery store to pick up a few things and I came across a magazine called "Nail It"  it's all about nail polish and nail care and style and designs---premier issue---had to buy it.  I'll give you my thoughts about it later Darklings, but it does seem like fun.

Now I'm going to lie down, I just can't keep my eyes open.

Later Darklings

Of Valentine's Day, Lent and "Skyfall"~~~~~

Hello Darklings,

I know I have not been posting much of late, work here has been keeping me busy and doing late work, just to keep up.

I'm not fond of it but it has to be done, although this last weekend I and Doyle had our Valentine treat, and Darklings I'm not going to give you all the details, but deep blood red roses and a very dark red wine of what vintage I'm not sure, Doyle would not tell me were part of the treat.

He made reservations at this wonderful place that reminded me of a speak-easy of the 1920's and the food was excellent, he told me to dress up in my 1930's best evening gown which I did, in deepest emerald green with matching shoes, purse, and I worn my vintage (underscore that word---VINTAGE) black mink stole.   Doyle also looked fantastic, reminded me of a dapper gangster.   We danced, we dined, we drank wine and we.....I'll leave the rest to your imagination.

Sunday we watched our newly purchased DVD of the James Bond movie "Skyfall"  and I loved it, they are re-vamping the James Bond story to meet with 21st century threats,  I believe M's speech truly outlines that idea.  And seeing a combination of old and new ideas.  I'm going to look forward to the next few Bond movies.   But the actress that Bond meets in a Macao Gambling Hall, how she looked and dressed was perfect for a Goth, she started out being 'dangerous' but she knew the danger was also near her.  I loved how she was made up and how she was dressed.  I don't think I could pull that off completely but still it had a certain style.

My sister Marie has also indulged in buying the March issues of Vogue, Elle, Harper's Bazaar, and Vanity Fair, so this coming weekend we are going to have fun reading it in the evenings to see what can be gleaned from them.

It is raining now, and we so do need it to build up the snow pack, even if did have a brief flutter of warm weather, like a promise of what spring can bring.

My sister and I attended Ash Wednesday services, and now it is Lent, a time of mourning and fasting and remembering,  I and Marie plan to go to the cemetery this coming Sunday to check on our parents and grandparents graves, leave flowers and prayers, we do it several times a year, weather permitting, but during Lent, Memorial Day weekend and just before Halloween.

But before that we intend to go to the Chinese New Year Celebration on Saturday and take in their Street Fair and Parade, Doyle will be with us for the parade as he will be busy on assignment during the day, but we'll have to take BART to and from, parking will be impossible.   This year is the year of the water snake, which might be a difficult year for some.   We shall see.

Ahhhh my break is almost over, and my young man friend has brought me a cup of Hazelnut coffee, he is very sweet.

Later Darklings

Of a short update~~~

Hello Darklings,

I am at work early this morning, so much to do.

This will be a quick update, Doyle, my sister and I had fun at the Film Noir Festival, it was fun seeing all these movies that explore the twistedness of the human mind.  Seeing Peggy Cummings was delightful, I am so glad that she knows that she is appreciated for her work in film.

And of course our wearing period clothing, exchanging business cards, making contacts, all in good fun as well as Networking.   Yes my Darklings, business cards although old-fashioned still work, it is real it is tangible.

I'm going to be posting some more current fashion observations a little later on, but of late in the real world I've noticed a trend in nail polish to the grey, pale beige, and sage green colors, all in neutral tones, it maybe the transtional colors for late winter, early spring before the splash of summer colors come out.

I like them and will post more about it later.

Now must go, my 10 minute mental break is over.

Later Darklings