joyful2beeblogs

I have two places in my home that I treasure more than any other spots. One is my bedroom. When my husband was living, he had health and emotional issues. While he was alive and more so after his stroke, (from which he recovered most of his sense of balance) everything was placed for his convenience. I had no problems with that at the time.

Our bed was hardly ever made up. I worked 12 hour night shifts and left home about 6 PM. He laid down to take naps often and went to sleep only a few hours after I left. So there was little point in making up our bed. When we moved to our last home, he never put our bed up on the frame.

Also the wall on my side of the bed had boxes containing smaller boxes of model train engines and cars. I had enough room to get out of the bed and then some. So with all of his health problems I figured it was all no big deal.

We had no headboard on our bed. Many years ago we had a brass head and foot “board.” Somehow, along the way, he gave it to someone so we could move more easily (I guess). The bedroom along with our marriage grew less important because of his physical problems: high blood sugars from uncontrolled diabetes, diabetic retinopathy, and neuropathy that caused painful foot and leg cramps, and just low energy level. I knew he was depressed.

I had a lot in my life to deal with. I was doing well just working 12 hours three nights a week, sometimes I was short several hours of sleep, and rarely a good night’s sleep.

After my husband’s death, my brother came from South Carolina to help me get things situated. He moved the train boxes into the spare bedroom. He put the bed up on a frame. He helped me move my husband’s clothes into bags to be donated. He helped me get the passwords to the computer my husband used. I still owe my brother so much for his loving me enough to come and help me.

I had always wanted a “Comfort Number Select” bed which I knew cost a bit but I also knew that I was going to probably need the features it possessed. Having back problems the vibrating feature would be wonderful! I might some day be sick and need the ability to raise or lower my head or legs with a button. So I indulged myself.

Later I wanted a nice head board for my bed. I had always wanted a headboard with shelves on it. So I found just the one I wanted. Later I found a chest of drawers and side tables that matched and bought them. I bought several comforters, quilts and blankets over the years to switch around through each month. I love my bed.

I bought a recliner for the space between my window and the bedside table. Across from the foot of my bed is my 40 inch screen television which I hooked up to the computer tower on a chest beside it. Now I can lay in bed or sit in my recliner and use the computer when I want to. I have heard it is not good to have electronic things in your bedroom. But for my own needs, this is the best plan. The guest bedroom is where my second son and family come to stay when they visit me sometimes.

I have storage plastic boxes with drawers under the window. The tops of the two top boxes are covered with bathroom rugs for the comfort of my cat, Norie, who loves to lay in the sun on these rugs. She always looks so happy and content lying there and absorbing the sun’s rays.

I finally made a home for myself, with my brother’s help. I love my home, and I love my brother and family. I am so blessed to be loved and to love so many people. I am so thankful. In 2014, I bought a condominium that was just what I was looking for and had the right price for me.

I have wonderful neighbors, my parked car is in view, my first son, wife, and dog live fifty minutes west of me. We meet every weekend or Sunday, depending on plans. My second son, his wife, and three children live eighty minutes east of me. So we meet in a town 30 minutes away from me for lunch on a Sunday or Saturday.

I have two close friends, both are or were nurses. I retired in 2012. My life is good. I am thankful every day.