9 Moons Ago

…so as not to wake Cam.

Personal writing at “A Prairie Home Companion” Website

I sent some poems in to them when they first started up the section on the website, but nothing came of it. I read some from the other writers once in a great while, and will have to send in some more writing another time. Give it another chance after a couple of years, eh?

I just thought this whole story was hilarious… and even her biography at the bottom. Bravo!
I want to write and make people laugh that way…

I’ve had such overwhelming support from family and friends over the past weeks, which has got me thinking of those loved ones who I did not get to say “goodbye” to after I moved to Australia..the ones who I will always miss, now that they are gone. It made me realize that I do not want to spend such long long times away from people whom I care deeply about. I can not keep letting time slip through my fingers. But I know that love never dies and that I can get through grief when I need to… I have done it before.

One person whom I lost was my Aunt Marie’s father, Richard Kelly, who would sing to me when I was about 5 or 6, and taught me my first songs on the piano, before I began lessons. He was like a grandfather to me in a way, and I still think of him often.

This song was originally sung by Ray Bolger, and was covered by various other artists, including Frank Sinatra. I had a hard time finding a good sample of it..and none with Ray Bolger, but though this is quite cheese-y in some ways (like the intro), I like the way it was filmed and the singing and song itself make me smile.
This was my special song from Mr. Kelly, and it will always make me think of him:

I have many people still in my life, and each one of you has a special memory or item that I call upon when thinking of you. I carry all of you in my heart on this difficult, but rewarding journey. My love and happiness to all of you dear folk, new and old.

The doctor says that I am fine to fly, that there should be no increase in meds, that he will write a letter to my new doctors in the States. I am well on my way! Have had a good long chat to my Mom today and my family is just as excited as I am that I will be coming OVA! Finally.

Less than 2 weeks. EEEP!

I am happy. And I am getting back to being healthy rather quickly. Had some hearty laughs with Daniel and Cameron who took me out for lamb shish tonight. I am even thinking of painting a little, once I have most of my things packed. I can’t say enough good things about all of you who have helped me just by a word or two. Every bit of support makes me feel your love, as cheese-ball as that sounds! I love you, too!

More and more “thank-yous”, for all the support and love.
I am more than a wee bit excited, shall we say?!

I see the “critical assessment team” today and my Dr. on the 26th again and he’ll be able to see how I’m faring. So far, feeling much much better. Feeling more “myself”, mind isn’t racing, head’s not in the clouds (well anymore than usual), my thoughts are clearer. I’m sleeping better…just starting to, anyway. I’m not so much of a chatterbox space cadet, as has happened in the past. He he.

I’m taking daily walks now, and practicing meditation, when I feel up to it. I may go do a 20 minute session after writing here.

I can tell I am doing well, because I am organized enough to do some cleaning, cooking and some artwork; like creating the new layout for this blog, which takes some brain-power because I do some coding. (I did it all myself. Cameron only helps me with really tech-ie stuff..he’s taught me a lot that I am able do on my own.)

Cameron and I are hanging in there. He HAS been a big support to me, despite the fact that when I am starting to get border-line manic, I tend lash out at him and blame him for EVERYTHING. We are good friends again, even though some people didn’t have a clue that we fight when I’m ill. I wanted to publicly apologize here to him. I hate to hurt anyone, and he’s the last person I’d want to do a hatchet job on. I’m not sure if it is like this with anyone else with bipolar disorder, but plainly put: it SUCKS.

On the good side, I am eagerly awaiting a call about my eTickets, planning a weekend trip with Daniel to see friends in the country and hopefully getting 2 tickets to see R.E.M. in Philly (with my friend Kelly), through the help of Cameron and his band-wrangling ways. I will not be trying to score them for free, mind you. I want to pay for them! I’ll just have to set my my Etsy shop, now, and do some portraits for people who have asked already- won’t I?

I’ll keep you updated yet again. Any comments on the new layout? I may play around with the layout size, or some extra white space in the masthead sometime down the line. Is the pinky-salmon good? Or too pastel, in your opinion? I wanted something warm. But now I kind of want it to be a warm green…Dunno? Calling all artistic minds!

Here are some current photos of me, so you can see that I’m happier and healthier; Amy, the garden and the gazebo:

I’m off to bed now, but just wanted to let people know that I am locked out of both of my yahoo email accounts for some reason.. don’t know why, but will resolve it tomorrow or sometime soon.

I can get mail here or at myspace or facebook, or flickr, blogger, livejournal even… so If you wrote me an email, I’ll respond soon as possible! The links to my some of my accounts are on the “about page” on the right hand side of this blog.

There may be spyware on this computer… we shall see.. it’s making me MAD! Grrr.

In the meantime, here is the run down for my folks and friends:

Flying on March 10 one way on Qantas to LA and then United Airlines to Baltimore, arrving the same day: March 10. But it is a FULL day of traveling. Still, I will have plenty to keep me from being bored. And, yes, Ann, I will be flying alone this time. I should be able to handle things very well by that time.

YAY! I NEED to come home.. it is way overdue!
Love to you all. I’ll write when I’m less tired.

UPDATE: Email is all “fix-ed-ted” up now! YAY.. I did it to myself, I did.