Introductions

Hi all;

Chances are, if you are checking out this blog, you know one of my email addresses. I have several, and they are all alike--just different domain names at the end. Yes, I am the person behind "dibasketcase". The name came from my 90's obsession with Longaberger baskets. That led to a temporary crafting obsession with making baskets. And let's face it...to the tempestuous years of raising my two daughters. (Girls--I love you very much, but you sent me over the edge more than once!)

It's difficult for me to believe I have landed so smack dab in the middle of middle age! In my mind, I am still the confused kid still out of high school, unsure about college and having no clue how to answer the question "Where do you see yourself in 10 years?" In my mind, I am still the young professional wife--a part of the couple that was considered a "DONK" (Dog owners, no kids--which of course precedes the having kids.) I am still the hot shot YOUNG professional social worker working in the field of adoption and brazenly ready to tackle becoming a "special needs adoption" parent.

But those years are done. I'm still a dog owner...but they have gotten smaller over the years. Presently I have Schnickers--who is supposedly a Schnoodle. Schnoodle, Poodle...yeah right. Basically he is a fat poodle mutt. He's 7 years old and weighs about 25 pounds. Far cry from my Labrador days! Then to go even farther down the scale, I have Finn--a "poochi". He is the result of a poodle and chihuahua union and my being at a pet store adoption day at the wrong time. I wasn't looking for a another dog, but he stole my heart.

I am no longer married. I have been officially divorced since November 2006. It's been so long there is no more sting of rejection and pain of betrayal...although I certainly have no desire to have a conversation with the woman who took my place. On the positive side, I have a great "significant other" (I hate being middle aged and having a boyfriend.) Together we have gone from infatuation to deep feelings to love and a tested love. We weathered a significant break up and have found our way back to one another. The future is still a little unclear, but there is light on the path.  

I still work in the field of adoption, but added child therapist to my resume. I love working with kids, but don't miss the psychotic head banging, arm biting ones. Now I am doing home studies for very respectable adults who were born during the years I graduated from high school and attended college.

Why this is surprising, I don't know. After all, those two "special needs" adoptees are now ADULTS (for crying out loud) and I am a grandmother. Of four. 

The biggest issue in my life at the present time (and why I can still proudly wear the label of "basketcase" is my mom. One year ago at this time, my mother was in Arizona and having issues with breathing and dizziness. Her original diagnosis was "ear wax". We weren't even close with that one. One Sunday morning the paramedics took her to the emergency room and she found herself in the heart hospital with a diagnosis of atrial fib. This led to more tests and a bronchoscopy, during which the surgeon found "nodules". After returning to Indiana and her family physician telling her she probably had TB, it was found the "nodules" were actually masses which were actually tumors which were malignant  cancer. 

So one year later, here we are. I am living at my mom's house because it really isn't safe for her to be alone. My "boyfriend" is living at my house to take care of Finn and Schnickers. My sister and I have hired a companion to help with Mom when I have to work. This is not going well. 

So here I am. It's 2013, I am 49 years old, and I am a basket case. This blog is my attempt at journaling and to let those of you are interested in the question "what's up?" know the answer.

Feel free to follow along and remember--your prayers are always welcome.

Dibasketcase