Chuck

Today I am in mourning. Last night I found out that one of the sweetest people ever known is gone. Chuck was paralyzed from the waist down, but that never slowed him down. I knew him as a brother, and friend. I am at a loss. He was the soul of sweetness and generosity and love. The world is a sadder place without him.
Chuck is the man who made my engagement ring, so I do have a small part of him always with me. He was a fabulously talented jeweler. He came to me many years ago and asked me how to wire-wrap. I taught him the pitifully little I know, and he took it from there to go on to create so many wonderful, spiritual pieces of wearable art. He left simple wire wrapping behind, and worked with precious metals in a way no-one else ever has, and I am proud to have a few of his pieces. He was, aside from that, also an incredible friend. I met him many, many years ago at a place called "Celebrations", which was a monthly gathering at a friends home in the woods, where we would all bring ourselves and our talents to share with others. Example, if you were a masseuse, you would bring your table and offer massages. If you were a writer, you could speak on your books. Everything was free, and to be shared. People brought pot-luck food and drink. Some people went and camped there for the weekend, some went for the day. And it was there that Chuck and my paths crossed. He came to my shop, and we, well, we just really hit it off. He was So gentle a person, not a mean bone in his body. I will always miss him. His passing was, mercifully, quick. it is the rest of us for whom it is now painful, and will be, always.
Good bye dear friend, dear brother.

nice color! 

All packaged, ready to go 

Mikey

Well, the guys weren't able to go up together, there was no way to rent a car, the same person that rented HAD to be the driver, and Mike cannot drive but Rob had the DL and insurance...Mike ended up taking a charter bus to Syrause and hitching from there, only to end up arriving at his mom's place a few hours after her demise. Which his family assured him was for the best, since she was apparently "out of it" her last days and he didn't have to see that. So he stayed for the funeral and got a ride home with family as they went by.
Now our tax return has arrived, so we'll soon be able to get a car. Rob is going to have to get a job to make the payments, it's not a bad deal, though, it's about $600 down with weekly payments of $50 for 48 months. If he can get a part time job we should have no problem with that. HE's off to Hagerstown today to line one up. He's walking. It is raining. It is about 20 miles. Yes, he is nuts, but I love him anyway. His bike is up there, had a flat last week when he rode it up, so he says he'll get the flat fixed and ride it home later today, after he has talked to his possible future boss (Mike's boss, they'd be working together)
MS is OK today, me hands were numb this morning but I shook that off (literally, I shake my hands until feeling is restored)
Got a TV guide in the mail the other day. Since I don't subscribe, I looked to see the name on it, it came in the name of Robbin Michels. Little stinker!!! I'll cancel that, for sure! It ould be worse, it could've ben playboy LOL!!! He does send emails to car dealers about buying a car, I get those calls all too often. They're really dissapointed to find that he is only 7!!! :-)

summer

Is summer still on for this year? It is only 67* out there!!! Where are the 70's? I hope they're on their way (remind me of this when I complain of the summer's heat, ok?)
We've put Bugly up for sale. And the camper. Need to get a car.
One good thing about the house where we live is the landlord/neighbour is a great gardener, so the front always looks it's best, full of flowers and beautiful things that all smell good :-)
The MS is doing fine, my right leg strength comes and goes.
The other day I was at the store and by the time I was done shopping I was in a bad state, but it wasn't the MS, it was the diabetes. My BG crashed, big time. I wasn't sure of what it was, so I called Rob, and he walked to the store and drove us home. When I got in I tested and my BG was in the low 60's!!! I ate something and felt much better, so now I carry a fruit bar with me, if it happens again I'm ready!!! It was really strange, I couldn't see movement, just everything looked like a series of stills. Very disconcerting.

Rob looking fierce! 

Robbin after haircut 

nerve test

Wellm I've had MS for a bit over a year and until now, had managed to avoid this particular hell! Imagine, if you will, having electric shocks on multiple places on your hand and arm, then, as if that weren't enough, the Doc sticks a needle in your arm and digs around to find the nerve, then listens to it, and makes you move your hand to make the noises louder...then moves the needle to other placs on your arm, then on your hand! Then, as if that weren't enough either...rolls you on your side and poked said needle in your neck! not once, but twice!!! Then does the same for your other arm, I guess so it won't feel left out!!!!
THEN, he does the same for your legs!!!
Wow! What fun, eh?
He did tell me that I now have confirmed carpal tunnel on both hands and something, but he didn't yet know what, "chronic" in my lower back. Yeah, I figured, with my scholiosis, he's bound to find something! I won't know the rest, or how bad the carpal tunner is, until he has read and interpreted the results. This test was called somethiing like the Evoked Neurological Response test or something akin to that...
What other new Fun will I have with MS?

stuff

Well, it looks like Bugly has reached the end of the road. It finally has something wrong that Rob cannot fix. poo. Fortunately our landlord/neighbour/friend will let us use his car when needed, like to go to the Dr, like I have to do this afternoon. It sure is different driving his car after the huge truck!! As soon as we can get up about $500 we can go to the local dealer, who will sell a car to anyone with $500 and finance the rest...seems like that might be the only way we can go right now.
My MS seems to be ok right now, and my blood glucose seems under control.
I got the most awesome Mother's Day gift from Robbin...he woke up, came down and climbed onto my bed, took my hand and said "Happy Mother's Day, Mom!"
Considering that until last year he could not understand what a holiday WAS, that was quite a gift for me!!! As for mine own mother, all I have to say is..."Goodnight Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are!"
If you have ever given, or recieved, ammunition as a Holiday gift...you might be a redneck....especially if it was Mother's Day or Valentine's Day!
I made duck last night, had one in the freezer (got it on sale!!) and finally got up the nerve to cook it, now the leftovers are happily simmering making what smells like an awesome soup stock. Yumm.