Friday I spent the entire day with Famous (and the entourage of wanna be famous) eye doctors. I finished an adorable knitted pumpkin between sessions. The first four doctors all agreed that the *problem* had returned, and was more aggressive than before, consistent with most of the literature on the subject. When His Emminence swept in for his fifteen seconds of proclamation, he announced that none of his procedures had ever FAILED, and I was not to be the first. A new therapy is available. Drops in my eyes twice a day as directed, in four weeks I should notice an improvement. That will be all. NEXT. I was dismissed. The drops are very expensive, burn like the dickens, and make me nauseous. I hope they work. I have to have special UV filters put into all of my glasses and be obsessive about wearing a hat and sunglasses. A small car could have been purchased for this collossal waste of time.
Enough about that.
I spent the weekend in a Traditional Fair Isle Knitting workshop. I forgot about my queasy stomach as we laughed and shared life stories. I finally solved the mystery (to me anyway) of two handed color knitting! Nancy Shroyer is a terrific teacher and a lovely person. I think my goal of making a steeked sweater will indeed be realized by years end.
About halfway through the weekend I realized that the answer to the question I have been sending out into the Universe has been answered. What shall I do with this next part of my life, now that the nest is empty and there are so many tempting choices? It just sort of crystallized, midway through the Saturday afternoon session. I have spent my entire life taking care of other people and dealing with the egos associated with the medical profession. I knit and spin and quilt and do ART for my own therapy. What if I retired altogether from the business of taking care of other people who will not or cannot take care of themselves, and nurture my own long neglected SELF?
In the past, this idea has always been quickly followed by guilt and self recrimination. Not this time. I've got 25 years of vacation time and sick days coming to me and I intend to use them.
I'm going to post this quickly, before I change my mind, and ahead of the squall line, which will surely bring more flooding rain and power outtages.
Back to my knitting. I have homework to do. A sampler to completed before Saturday, when we will steek and block and eat chocolate and smile.
Blessings to you and yours,
As Always.
Darling, that sounds like the ideal course! Of action I mean, not just the fair isle class. Sorry you got a does of my current doctor disdain. The boys decided to leave me out of today's visit, buty I'll call you anyway. XXO
Posted by: maggi | September 27, 2004 at 09:33 AM
You go, girl! Sounds like your inimitable spirit lives on. Long live the SPIRIT!
Posted by: Norma | September 27, 2004 at 09:34 AM
You're soundin' good, sistah! Well, at least you don't need surgery. Be well and I think that sounds like a plan...(the taking care of you!)
Posted by: Mary Beth | September 27, 2004 at 09:45 AM
Yes! Live for yourself! You deserve it! and it's nice to see another fair isler coming into the fold. Welcome!
Posted by: Wendy | September 27, 2004 at 09:49 AM
Applauds - you are overdue for dedicated "me" time. I hope the negative effects of the meds will ease up.
Okay, here's a funny I will change for your benefit. (In MS circles, he is always a neurologist)
A world famous eye surgeon dies and goes to heaven. He is met at the gate by St. Peter who explains there are a few rules that must be abided by.
St. Peter takes the world famous eye surgeon into the cafeteria where the most extensive array of food is deliciously displayed as far as the eye can see. St. Peter explains that there is one rule here that must never be broken. One is to wait their turn in this line. If a person attempts to cut the line, he will be banished from the cafeteria.
St. Peter has barely stopped speaking when a flash of white coat goes bustling by them. The person knocked people out of the way, grabbed food for his tray and cut into the line several times.
Opened mouthed the world famous eye surgeon turned to St. Peter and says, "Who is that? I thought you said there was no cutting allowed."
St. Peter says, "Oh, that's God - sometimes he likes to pretend he is a world famous eye surgeon."
Posted by: Bliss | September 27, 2004 at 10:17 AM
Good idea.
Posted by: claudia | September 27, 2004 at 10:36 AM
Yes, good idea. And, I for one, had quite a laugh at Bliss' joke. Too funny.
Glad you're back blogging. We missed you!
Posted by: Annie | September 27, 2004 at 10:58 AM
So good to see that you won't need eye surgery - here's hoping the side effects of the drops pass quickly. Taking care of yourself is the perfect life plan - do so in joy!
Posted by: Jane | September 27, 2004 at 11:18 AM
Greta - that sounds perfect. You definately need "you" time. Look at it as a reward for your selflessness in working with others!
Posted by: Melissa | September 27, 2004 at 11:50 AM
Yeah Greta! Guilt for wanting to do what you want and have fun?! I say buy a Nike hat and just do it!
Posted by: Silvia | September 27, 2004 at 12:55 PM
It is so good to have you back and hopefully Jeanne will pass over quickly! We don’t want to do without you another day!
Be careful with the nausea. I just passed out last week from medication intolerance (nausea) and they say it is a common problem…who knew!?
You are very right to take time for yourself. There are so many ways to give to others and you have been a very generous and gracious presence in all our lives. You will certainly continue to give in a different way than to the people in your past.
It is so wonderful to have the chance to learn new knitting skills and to grow. We learn more about life by being with other knitters and more about ourselves, too. Take care, goddess bless and knit on!
Posted by: Margene | September 27, 2004 at 12:59 PM
Oh, dearest Greta! This is just the right thing. No guilt necessary.
Posted by: Nathania | September 27, 2004 at 01:22 PM
Yeah! Nancy is awesome! I took a spinning class with her this summer that changed the way I think about spinning. Have fun and enjoy!
Posted by: Jennifer | September 27, 2004 at 01:32 PM
Sounds like a plan! :)
Keeping you in my prayers so that those magical drops do their thing and work.
Posted by: Sharlene | September 27, 2004 at 02:00 PM
I agree with everyone else, you deserve to be good to yourself, completely guilt free! I'm jealous of the Fairisle class, I've been thinking lately how much I'd like to take one. And positive thoughts and prayers are coming your way, that the eye drops will work.
Posted by: Brenda | September 27, 2004 at 04:34 PM
Everyone is out of the nest, now is indeed your time to indulge yourself with all of things you have put off. Your obligations are fulfilled. Enjoy this time without guilt. I hope the drops work like magic and you have no more trouble with your eye. And it is so good to have you back.
Posted by: Joan in Reno | September 27, 2004 at 05:10 PM
Sending you light and love and my biggest hug and ALL my pride. SO proud of you, darlin'.... Now. Gatorade and saltines for that nausea. Love you.
Posted by: Rachael | September 27, 2004 at 08:05 PM
Isn't it the truth about the ego maniacs? An RN friend of mine tells me that such folks need that kind of confidence and ego in order to perform. Yeah, well---I still think Doctors Like MFES (Mr. Famous Eye Surgeon), could use a class in Bedside Manner 101. Hell, maybe even BM 102.
Love to you, sweetpea, and hugs all around! xxooxxoo
Posted by: Kim | September 28, 2004 at 12:10 AM
I love the idea that you have 25 years of time off coming to you! YES, you should absolutely do what you want now -- including steeking a Fair Isle, of course.
Posted by: alison | September 28, 2004 at 09:01 AM