Pulling the plug - or feeding tube

[susandennis]

I've been doing a lot of thinking and trolling and conjuring on the redesign project. No, I am not pulling the plug on the project by any means... But hang in there.

My main stumbler has been how to convey what I want to Sheri in a way that will inspire her and give her good guidance. I think I've pretty much settled on my bed linens. A couple of years ago, I bought a duvet cover and two pillow covers from Linens and things. In the store, I knew I liked the colors. When I got it home, I realized I had a gem. It is beautifully made - little ties to keep the duvet in, little hand holes to get the bottom straight, smooth buttons that look nice, are hidden and work excellently and a nice squared tabbed edge all around it. It's just a nice piece. And I still love love love the colors.

So I think my new direction to Sheri will be: I want walls, floor and furniture that make that duvet cover look like it belongs there - like it was created just for that condo. That's what I want.

I haven't noodled out the finances yet. How much is too much. How much is reasonable. What's my reason behind reasonable...

I have the cash. It's in investments. I don't have enough to quit my job now and maintain my current lifestyle forever. But, I do have enough to redecorate and still have a healthy stash for someday.

But, a lot of factors have come together to make me consider what my someday will be or might be. I am too angry at Republicans right now to even comment on their involvement with Terri Schiavo, but I do appreciate that it has initiated difficult conversations that may well prevent others from going through what she and her husband have had to.

Personally, I've long said - loudly and on paper and often - that I do not want to ever ever ever be plugged in. If someone has to make the 'pull the plug' decision on me, someone else has already fucked up. I'd love to have DNR tatooed on my forehead. I've thought long and hard about this for many years and revisited my thoughts often. I am not interested in medical treatment. I have had a fine life. If it ends this afternoon it will have been a fine life and I will have been grateful.

I do not intend to live long. In many ways, I think I've already overstayed my welcome. So saving vast sums so that I can live in comfort for many years to come is just silly. There's a funky balance that I've never quite gotten a grasp of. I pay a tidy sum each year for Long Term Care insurance that I hope - hopetogod - that I never ever every have to use. I need justincase money but how much?

Why not unfold the wallet now? Get the best. Enjoy it while I'm here. What in the heck am I saving it for so my sister can wallow in her version of winning the lottery?

Comments

[katbyte.livejournal.com]

quit my job now and maintain my current lifestyle
#1 OMG, you have a lifestyle!!! I am so jealous.

I see no reason not to enjoy what I have now. Even my mom was always saying she wanted to leave something to us kids. and I told her to have a good time while she could, and die with a smile on her face and a nickle in her pocket. She did more after that, and loved it!! I had to make the DNR decision (with my siblings) and it was not hard. No need to suffer.

OK, now a pic of your duvet cover? Colors etc.

Get what you want and feel comfortable spending you spend much of your life enjoying your home. It should be what you want.

[susandennis]

Hey, when I saw Sheri's notebook with a title sheet that said "Dennis Loft", I knew I had a lifestyle!

My folks always said they wanted to spend their last nickel with their last breath and that would be great. Actually, I'd really love to die with my credit cards all maxed out. That might be tricky to pull off and I'm pretty sure my sister wouldn't have to pay the debt which would kind of negate the real fun of it.

So... Yeah, I'm thinkin' like you're thinkin...

Picture of the duvet? You can actually see the colors of it right here:

and here:

[katbyte.livejournal.com]

Sheesh, I am going to have to improve my grammar.

I re-read what I wrote. Good for you for half way understanding it!!

Those colors make me smile. They aren't too loud either, just bright and colorful.

I am not a loud color kind of person.

[melodysk.livejournal.com]

I love that quilt, I fell in love with it the very first time you posted the piccy of it :)

As to the DNR thing...Stephen would definitely NOT allow them to pull the plug on me as he doesn't believe in *taking* someone elses life. so I am going to have to hope that there is a Doctor who will read my wishes rather than ask my next of kin. The law in the UK is very, very muddy on this subject anyway :(

I have tried to explain to him my feelings but it is a no go area ..his beliefs are too strong

[susandennis]

Oh that's a tough situation. I guess you can hope that if it does happen you'll be too far gone to care.

I remember now that you love the quilt. Me too. And more now than ever so I'm pretty sure it will be a while before I tire of it, if ever.

[susandennis]

>And telling her to make duvet look like it was made for the room is the perfect way to communicate your wishes to her.

You really know how to make my day! Thank you thank you!!!!

[pheon.livejournal.com]

I have seen this thought as a sig line many places:

The goal of life is not to arrive at the grave safely and well maintained; but rather to skid in at full throttle coming to a screeching stop shouting "Holy SH*T, WHAT A RIDE!"

I can go with that.

Also, I believe there was a nurse several years ago who had "Do Not Resuscitate" tatooed across her chest.

[susandennis]

Ok, chest would be a much better place for the tatoo... much better. If I ever get a tatoo, that, seriously, is the one (and now the place).

[letmesaythis.livejournal.com]

I think giving her your duvet cover as a focal point is an excellent idea!

[thalamic.livejournal.com]

Susan, I am in no position to tell you what colors should go on your walls, but I don't think I would be a good friend if I didn't tell you that bright colors are very taxing for the brain.
Psychologically, bright colors act as stimulants and being constantly stimulated is very tiring. Your home should be a place to relax. You can use accents of bright colors to have them in your house. Like, say, one whole wall in your room, preferably, the one behind your bed could be painted in alternating stripes of lime green and purple (or whatever). Then you could carry the same pattern in a horizontal band of the same lime and purple stripes. This way you get the bright colors you want and still the major portion of your walls can be simple, muted colors to focus your attention on when relaxation is required. BTW, I only mention the lime and purple because I think you like those colors. You can use whichever and however many colors.
Another thing you could do is paint the walls a comfortable dull color (not dark) and paint abstract art on about 25% or the wall surface in bright colors on it (with a spot light over it to bring it out even more). Or get some Matisse prints and sprinkle them on your walls.



In any case, use of bright colors in little amount will make them stand out more. And one more thing: in a remodeling effort of $20-60K, the cost of repainting a freshly repainted room is negligible. Don't be stuck with a color just because it has already gone on the wall. Just thought I'd offer suggestions. I'm sure it will be great whatever you decide.

[susandennis]

Thank you and I had forgotten Matisse... Thanks for that, too!! I absolutely understand what you are saying but you explain it far better than I had figured it out on my own. I don't want a lime green room. What I want is a room where lime green (or purple or my duvet cover or these Matisse prints) is comfortable and happy.

The colors that Sheri and I originally agreed on looked ok when the chips were splayed out together, but then she taped one to the wall here and one to the wall there and all of a sudden I could see how dark and muddy and depressing they were.

And I need to be reminded that paint color can be changed in a blink.

Thanks!! I really appreciate your comment! It gives me much to think about plus I love the Matisse!