Simple Woman's Daybook...

FOR TODAY (August 31. 2009)...

Outside my window... It's cloudy and cool, with a slight breeze.

I am thinking... of what a great weekend we had here... Friday, DH brought home Chipotle for dinner, Saturday, we stayed home all day and worked on small home projects. And Sunday, we went to church, bought a new tool for DH and had lunch at Cracker Barrel. It was a nice day.

I am thankful for... my hardworking husband and our little family. I am thankful for a cozy home and good friends.

From the kitchen... we are going to have pork chops and scalloped corn for dinner. Yum!

I am wearing... a black long sleeve cable v-neck sweater and denim shorts... bare foot as usual.

I am creating... yummy things to eat for dinner... and maybe dessert too!

I am going... to physical therapy tomorrow... glad to see progress on my disc issue.

I am reading... "The Shack"... and I love it!

I am hoping... that I will gain more mobility and be able to go back into the pool for my knee.

I am hearing... the breeze in the trees and few birds too. We've kept the tv off now for a few days... and either talked or listened to music.

Around the house... DH is working on a couple projects, I am working on training Pumpkin... and Nolli is enjoying extra Mommy-time with me!

One of my favorite things... is how most of my outdoor flowers are still blooming... we are well aware that soon we will be putting all the Summer things away and our outdoor living room will be gone for another 7 months.

A few plans for the rest of the week: working on my flexibility... and recording my pain on my knee to build a clear picture of what is happening for the doctor. (Replacement may be coming sooner than I thought.)

Thanks for reading... be blessed!

~Suzanne

Delurking Myself!

I have been around... just not posting... I am doing a ton of at-home physical therapy to help correct a bulging (leaking) disc in my thoracic spine. It's just under my shoulder blade... right where my bra strap starts. The doctor thought it was muscular... but the therapist wanted to rule out the disc first.... and it ended up being the disc. So... now that I have done the first set of exercises... I am doing step 2 and it is every hour or more if I need it. I am concentrating on my posture... and my rib cage is sore. I've even raised my monitor up a good 6 inches on the desk to help my neck so that my chin is not down.

This also means no bending forward. No lifting... and I had to downgrade my handbag. I am still also dealing with my left knee and how uncomfortable this last injection of Hyalgan has been. I am in more pain then before the first shot. I have to watch how long I stand, how I stand and how I walk. Ice is still my best friend... and we "meet" several times a day!

Nolli and Punky are doing well... they are becoming more bonded... and I am sure to give Nolli more one-on-one time with me and extra treats and car rides when possible. We are looking forward to the weekend... and being able to chill out around home. They are calling for lousy weather all weekend, so we are content to stay home and putter around here.

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

Simple Womans Daybook...

FOR TODAY (August 25, 2009)...

Outside my window... it's sunny and warm... and just a little humid!

I am thinking... of the many projects I need to tend to and want to put off~

I am thankful for... good health insurance, DH's job~such as it is, and the love that we share for each other!

From the kitchen... there is pizza bread on the table... popcorn for snacks... and double-deck tacos for dinner.

I am wearing... denim shorts and a black and pink floral knit top and black flats.

I am creating... physical therapy props... rolled towels in different configurations to help me with my posture and being able to sit properly.

I am going... to the pharmacy later. (Always... the pharmacy!)

I am reading... nothing... got any suggestions?

I am hoping... for Pumpkin to figure out what going outside means soon!

I am hearing... DH working on projects, the tv in the background and just a few cars going by.

Around the house... there is laundry to do (always!) There is a little light housekeeping to be done.

One of my favorite things... was having DH at my p/t appointment today to reiterate what I am feeling and to learn what needs to be done to help me with my posture and shoulder issues.

A few plans for the rest of the week: to maintain my physical therapy program and gain strength.

Thanks for reading... be blessed!

~Suzanne

Sweet Sunday Love

I had a very rough night last night... I went to bed feeling ill... and was up and down during the night. When I finally woke up this morning after getting some sleep, DH had come into the bedroom and told me that I was not going to church this morning. He was very right... I wasn't moving all that well. My legs were hurting and my knees (left) were screaming.

DH did make me breakfast... yummy french toast, pepper bacon and fried eggs. It was so good. And I did share with Nolli-dog. (I cannot not share bacon with him! I did give some to Pumpkin as well.) We went back to bed for a while as I elevated and iced my knee. I brought Pumpkin with us... she's learning how to chill... (just a little, lol!) and we worked on a couple of cross word puzzles. Once we finished, I got showered, and we decided to take a drive.

We went down the country road that I wanted to explore with DH... showed him where I had found one fishing hole... and we made our way home. We drove 60 miles of back roads and made a huge loop around Sugarloaf Mountain. It was so fun... and we discovered a great park as well... one that we will probably go and visit again before the end of Fall... don't think we will hit it before end of Summer.

We stopped and picked up some bread and cheese and salami... and had a great little picnic. It was divine! We enjoyed the sunshine and each other's company... it's all about the simple things to us!

We are now home... and doing a few chores. DH is such a help when it comes to some of the things I use to do alone... he flipped the mattress for me... and vacuumed under and behind the bed. He's going to start a load of laundry for me as well. (He told me that he understands that I cannot do it by myself anymore. That I do need help with some basic chores these days.) I am growing concerned as I had great hopes for this injection series... and it's helped my right knee... but my left knee is still in so much pain and is so stiff that I have trouble walking if it's not braced. The doctor told me that I don't need the brace... but I do so much better with it.

That's pretty much what our day has been... just enjoying the simple things... helping each other, and being a family. That's Sweet Sunday Love!

Thanks for reading.. be blessed!
~Suzanne

Easy...

After what feels like an extremely busy week... we are staying home today. We have (DH) a few projects that need to get finished. DH is re welding the frame on the attic ventilation cooling system and re-calibrating the speed on the fan blades. With all the humidity we are having, it will help cool off the house... and keep the "pups" cool in the process.

Yesterday... I left the house to go to get a few groceries... and I didn't check the weather first. It started blowing wind... and got dark, and then the rains came. It was 82 degrees when I left... by the time I made it to the top of the hill and turned into the shopping center... it was coming down faster than the wipers would go. (There was no way I was getting out of the car for that!) So.. I drove home. By the time I got back down into the valley, the temperature had dropped to 68 degrees. (The house inside was now hotter than outside!) I came in and opened everything up and got the fans going... and turned on the attic system. I could only leave it on for a few minutes as it has a loud noise from not being balanced. Hence, DH working on it today!

The dogs are getting used to each other. We are allowing Pumpkin time outside the crate now... and she is enjoying getting use to the house. She adores DH and just howls when he gets home from work! (I know how she feels... lol!) I am still taking extra care of Nolli-dog... extra treats, extra Mom-time, time up on the bed with us. He actually seems to be adjusting to having a little dog in the house now... and that smile and sparkle have returned. Pumpkin's favorite thing... is to be held... and of course being in close proximity... has to bath our faces with kisses. She's also liking the grub... she is a healthy eater and can almost eat as much as Nolli-dog. We have had no potty accidents except for the first 5 minutes of being in the house. I think she's getting it!

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

Life with Pumpkin...

Pumpkin is settling into life nicely here. She enjoys being in her crate and we keep her there during the day. We take her out directly when we take her from her crate and she seems to be getting the hang of going outside.

Yesterday... I decided to go and get my hair done... it's very short and very, very blond. I love it and it's the perfect end of summer haircut. It will take me into the beginning of October.

I also took Pumpkin on a car ride to Wilkes-Barre yesterday. She has a micro-chip and her previous owner told me that the SPCA could assist in changing the information. So... off we went... we had gotten directions for someone we met at PetSmart. I "thought" I knew where it was.... boy, was I wrong! I ended up missing a turn... and way far out of the way. There was road construction on part of the way... and I didn't want to go back through that. So... we took a long, scenic drive back to the turnpike. (I finally remembered that I have navigator on my phone as well... it never worked on my old phone) So... once I got directions sent to my phone via *411, I was set to go. I did make my way to the SPCA, where they read her microchip and gave me the phone number and her chip number, but not before giving me the third degree about where I had gotten Pumpkin and who her previous owners were. (Talk about making me feel like a criminal! Hello... I just ADOPTED her!)

We got out of there as quickly as possible and went on over to PetSmart. I got her nails trimmed and picked up a couple of items she needed... like a small pink flowered dog-food bowl with "Diva" painted in the bottom... and new hair brush... and a sleeping mat. We met several nice people who were very interested in Pumpkin and her sweet face. She's sooo tiny and has such big eyes, and loves attention! She did pretty well on the car trip... but I do need to get a small dog tote for her. She so craves being held and wants to be up near your face. That makes it a little difficult to drive... but we're working on it!

When I got home... I called the micro-chip company. It seems that her chip has never been registered! I was so surprised! They are sending me the info packet... and it will cost me $20 to have it registered. Now it makes me wonder about Pumpkins shots... they didn't give me a copy of her certificates for rabies and shots... I sent off an e-mail asking about it. We shall see... I just don't want to have to give her shots again if she doesn't need them.

Last night... Nolli and Pumpkin did have some play time. He's trying to teach her how to play tag and chase. It's very cute and he's starting to warm up to her. He's still jealous when I have her near me... it doesn't bother him when DH has her, just me! But I am giving him tons of extra attention and treats and praise. He's going to be just fine once we get into a regular routine.

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

Holy Cow!

Holy Cow... Holy Mole`... Holy smokes! I had my last set of injections... because the doctor bruised me so badly last week, he moved his injection site a little closer to the middle of my right knee. That stuff is now under my knee cap! It feels like a small mountain in there!

But that's not the worst of it... when he did my very last shot... on my left knee... he hit a nerve! I actually cried as he finished. (I just never cry at these things... they are always a piece of cake!) It was so bad... that he made me sit down in a chair in the exam room and wait... he went and did another patient... and came back to check on me. He had me walk... and it sounded like "rice krispies" as I walked back and forth. I am once again walking like a weeble ... a very drunk weeble! So... I managed to make my way out of the office and I promised I would ice it. Yes, Ice is my best friend these days! (It does feel good with these 90 degree days we're having!)

The Last One!

I have my last set of shots in my 5-shot Hyalgan series today! Yippee! I did it... I made it through! It hasn't been bad except for last week when the doctor nicked a vein and I had swelling and bruising. I'm still dark purple! I am also still doing my physical therapy in the pool. It feels good and I am feeling better! (FINALLY!!!!)

We are settling into a routine with Pumpkin. She's getting the hang of going potty outside. Nolli isn't so sure he likes her yet. He wants to play and she doesn't know how... I'm hoping that as things settle down... that she will start to bond and interact with him. She's a good eater... and eats faster than Nolli and could eat more than him! She's very sweet and loves to be up in your arms... we are working at trying to get her to have more "floor time" so she can be a "regular dog." I wish Cesar Milan lived closer... I'd love some tips from him.

Time to go and get ready for my "jaunt" over to Bloomsburg... I will have to try my hardest not to stop at any of the farm stands! ... Please continue to pray for us... we know that change is blowing in the wind, we want to be able to follow what God has for us next.

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

We have a New Arrival!

The last few days around here have been a little crazy, to say the least. Work for DH has been trying at best... we appreciate your prayers... and we ask that you continue to lift him up as he has a HUGE meeting at corporate tomorrow about all that has transpired since last Monday. (Supposedly, he will still have a job... but we will see. I sure hope so!)

As I have written in the past month... I have been wanting to add another furry friend to our midst. I decided that I had done all the looking I was going to do on a certain website... (Craigslist) and the I was putting in God's hands... if he wanted me to expand... then it would happen. Well... a few days ago the phone rang. It was someone that I had inquired about that had a small dog up for adoption. We talked for a few days back and forth... and went to get her yesterday.... Internet Friends... meet "Pumpkin!"

She's very shy and timid... but she bonded to DH immediately. She's 6 years old and is a puppy mill rescue. She's had 5 litters of pups in her short life. She is now spade... and her owner had to move and couldn't take her with them. She came with a different name... but we decided on Pumpkin on the drive home. It seems to fit her and she responds to it! Nolli is adjusting pretty well... he's only a little nervous, but I've been giving him lots of extra attention.

We were also busy with a neighbors yard sale... and we were blessed with many wonderful things... I got myself a bicycle. I have great hopes to be able to ride it after my physical therapy. Speaking of physical therapy... I went to see the doctor on Friday about my back... and he's sending me for therapy on my shoulder. I hope and pray that it helps.

Again... we do covet your prayers for DH and his job... Thank you for reading... be blessed!

~Suzanne

Trying to stay calm...

I am trying my hardest to let stuff go... but the work situation keeps getting crazier for DH all the time! I cannot go into details... but he's definitely been targeted and set up to look bad. I am praying that all the issues will be resolved quickly and in our favor.

I went to Physical Therapy again today... another 45 minute workout... which had to be modified as my mobility is a currently compromised from my 4th injection in my right knee. It's still purple and swelled. The therapist has actually put me on bedrest again for 24 hours. I have an appointment tomorrow to see my primary care physican and I also have a follow up with my surgeon about my upper endoscopy and my ulcer! I'm sure he's gonna tell me how I got it (maybe) and how to get rid of it... (for sure)!

I do have some good news... I was contacted today from someone on Craigslist who's looking to rehome their pet... and we are their #1 candidate! I have great hopes for this little adoption process... I will keep you posted if we add to the family!

Time to go and elevate and ice again! Thanks for reading.. (Y'all are troopers!) Be blessed!
~Suzanne

Catching up!

Wow... it's Wednesday already! I've done physical therapy on Monday and my 4th bilateral Hyalgan injections yesterday. The 45 work-out in the pool pretty much wipes me out for the day. My injections yesterday... kind of set me back... he did the left knee just fine... but my right knee feels like the gel went down my leg. It's swelled and bruised, as he accidentally nicked a vein when he went in. There's no redness or hotness... so I know I don't have an infection. So... I do what I do best... ICE!

Thank you all for your continued prayers. It's stressful when it obvious that someone is campaigning to get you canned from your job. I am hopeful that the managers of DH's company will support him... and again, we may end up moving back to Maryland, only the Father knows at this point. We are truly grateful for all of his blessings and humbled by his outpouring of love to us. (I've also been admonished be a friend of facebook... to give the issue over to God. So... I'm letting go and trusting... that's always been tough for me!)

Time for me to go and prop up my knee and ice it again. Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

Weekend Whirl!

We were due for company on Saturday... and she had to cancel due to car issues. Oh well.... we had some yummy food to eat! We spent most of Saturday just doing small things around here. DH decided to go through one of his old Rubbermaid totes... and got rid of the majority of stuff inside of it! He also installed some under-cabinet lighting in the kitchen for me!

We also discussed adding another dog to the house... and I continued to look on Craigslist. I didn't really find anything under the pets section that would work for us. But... as I was looking... I had also told DH that he could take the little bench I use as a coffee table in the living room and use it under the window in our bedroom for some of the things that he "stacks up". (We both have that habit... stemming from living in small areas and never having enough room for many years.) So.... that led me to looking on Craigslist in the "furniture section". I ended up spending over 1 1/2 hours emailing a guy who didn't want to use the phone about a nice set of tables. I finally got him to realize that we were serious buyers... (He tried to get me to ante up on a deal that someone was offering him $40 over the list price if he'd hold them til Wednesday) I told him we would come immediately with the cash for his tables... and we did! I got a set of black cherry coffee and side tables with beveled glass tops... just beautiful! I will try and get a pic up tomorrow.

Anyway... this morning as we were getting ready to leave for church in 15 minutes... DH's cell phone went off. The landlord was calling to tell us that he was selling and wanted to bring the new buyers over to see the inside of our place! I just about flipped out... but DH told him to bring them on over! We straightened up and I ran the vacuum cleaner... changed my clothes into jeans and was ready to just go for a long drive. I decided that we would go to church after all... it's was only in the 60's... and we would take Nolli and leave him in the car. (It was raining and cool... and he would be under the trees... and of course the windows would be opened.) So we did... and when we got home... the landlord was waiting at the flower shop. Everybody came over and did the 5 cent tour... and then left! I was very stressed... but DH took it in stride, as did Nolli.

This afternoon, we went out to the Chinese buffet... ate our fill... and came home to chill. We napped, did the cross word puzzle together and enjoyed a crazy thunder storm that lasted a good 45 minutes. Tonite... we are still being lazy... we aren't really hungry and we are enjoying the cool night air coming in to cool the house down.

Tomorrow, I have physical therapy... and who knows where DH will end up working! We are feeling blessed in spite of the stress... and we have good friends who are praying for us about the house issue. The new buyers are dentists and want to convert the flower shop into their new office. (That makes me very sad... I will have 2 friends that will be out of work if this sale goes through.) I hope that they don't convert our front yard into a parking area for their employees. That would make me want to move. Only God knows right now what he has in store for us... so it is our job to be diligent in listening to Him, not fretting... and for me... to make sure I "stay in the cart" instead of putting the cart before the horse... and letting God do the leading!

Thanks for reading... be blessed!

~Suzanne

Domestic Life

It's a lovely Friday morning. It's cool this morning and the breeze is nice. I have all the windows open to air out the house. It's so quiet... just some light traffic and a few crows cawing off in the distance. I have begun my housework to get ready for the weekend. I managed to clean off the desk last night, it's still waiting for a waxing though.

Other chores going on... laundry and getting the bathroom rugs cleaned. I am going to try and change a couple of wall hanging on the porch and tonight, DH is going have to carry my piles of stuff down to the basement. It's time to work on getting some garage sale stuff in order. It keeps getting piled up. It's mostly odds and ends of stuff... maybe a few furniture pieces that I've changed my mind on, but mostly lots of little stuff that it's time to let go of. I just need to go to Staples and buy tags and get started!

I'm also in prayer mode... praying for friends. One is going to visit a friend who has cancer and wants prayer about her visit... and also about a new job in another state. Another friend is going back to work today after her 3 month maternity leave... she's having trouble with leaving her babies.... hard, emotional stuff. I'm also praying over DH and his job, and his other issue of bond. I'm praying over Nolli as well... he hasn't wanted to eat lately. (I did give him some mac and cheese and some broccoli with butter the other night, he chomped that right down!) It seems he doesn't want dog food. I did give him just canned food this morning on a salad plate. I went back a little later and the plate was empty... so that's good!

We are hoping to have company tomorrow... a dear friend from Maryland who is house sitting for her brother in Doylestown wants to come and see us! I am so hoping that she does come, she's never met DH and they would get along so well! And Nolli dog would be over-the-moon happy as he just loves her! I guess I'd better go and get myself started on getting things in order, just in case she decides to visit us. (I'd better make something good to eat too!)

Thanks for reading... be blessed!

~Suzanne

Crazy Busy!

It seems like I am always doing something... but I never seem to get all my projects finished! Anyone else like that? It's seems that all I ever do is pack lunches, make food, do dishes, walk the dog, grocery shop, do laundry, try to clean... and then fit physical therapy and doctors appointments in! DH has had a few night calls thrown in this week, so it's been a little hectic for both of us.


Physical Therapy is going well... I love the pool. I will be sad when I can't go anymore. The goal is to get me flexible enough to do some of those exercises on land. (I don't know if it will ever get to the point that I can do some of those without pain... on land. ) I had to cancel my session for today... DH had a doctor's appointment and we were not certain if he would be sent immediately for tests or if we would have to get them scheduled. It's going to be a scheduling deal... and I don't know if they will call me to schedule them or him. We shall see. He has to go for an MRI, a CT scan, and an ultrasound to begin his workup for migraines. The doc didn't like that he had blind spots in both eyes with his headache... so he is doing an extensive workup.



Nolli dog had a little medical emergency last night. He has a spot on his tummy that doesn't want to heal. It's gotten larger recently and it has a good scab on it. He was laying on the patio last night and it got pulled off.... it was pretty messy! We were able to get the bleeding stopped and he was so good in letting Mom work on his boo-boo. I was able to shave the area and clean it, get the bleeding stopped and apply first aid and anti-biotic ointment on it. We have put his little tie-dyed t-shirt on him to help keep it clean. He looks so cute. He was very calm during the process... he's such a good dog.



Last night... before the Nolli emergency... we were enjoying the cool evening air... and we were treated to such a wonderful show! Mama Doe came to drink in the stream and eat berries... and she brought the twins along. They still have their spots... and they were very playful! They ate and drank... and began to play in the water. They would jump back and forth across the water... and then they played chase. They would chase through the thicket and behind the barn and jump to our side of the stream. They played for a good 20 minutes... we just in silence and enjoyed it with huge smiles on our faces. Nolli was so enthralled... he watched and would look back at us to see if he was doing ok. We so loved being able to watch these babies before they get too big to play like that! We are putting out a berry flavored mineral salt lick for them... and we have yet to decide if we are going to do "Deer Crunch" this winter. It's a big responsibility if you start to feed them... you can't stop once you start during the winter.



Well... I need to go and get a few more things put away... or another flat spot cleared off! We've moved a few things around in the kitchen and I haven't found homes for some of the things we've moved to the porch... so they may be headed to the basement loft. (I really need to have my own yard sale!)



Thanks for reading... Hope y'all are having a great week! Be blessed!
~Suzanne

Calling All Prayer Warriors!

I can't give y'all any details... but please... could you pray for us? We recieved a very serious phone call tonite... and it could be nothing... it could be a huge mistake... or it could be something that could be very serious for us... Please pray for protection, peace and understanding... and the Lord's favor over us. Thank you!

Simple Woman's Daybook...

FOR TODAY (August 3rd, 2009)...

Outside my window... it's sunny and pleasant, with a slight breeze blowing.

I am thinking... of all the fun that we had this weekend.

I am thankful for... a hardworking husband, being able to go to church, my sweet Nolli-dog

From the kitchen... everything is neat and orderly, the cupboards are full and I need to plan out dinner yet.

I am wearing... a black sundress, ready to go to physical therapy.

I am creating...a happy and cozy home.

I am going... to physical therapy today and back home!

I am hoping... for better mobility, and I'm hoping to gain energy.

I am hearing... a small plane in the distance, light traffic on the road... Nolli sleeping near by.

Around the house... there are things that need to be taken to the basement for storage and a few things that need to go in the garage sale box.

One of my favorite things... is the new gas grill we bought over the weekend... we've wanted it for a while... and we are thrilled with it!

A few plans for the rest of the week: to freeze green beans for the winter, work on paring down some of our stuff, decide on fabric for new valances and have my 3rd Hyalgan injections

Thanks for reading... be blessed!

~Suzanne

Changing Plans

We are having a lazy Sunday morning... we decided to skip church today because it's going to be raining all day. We do have a few things to get done today. We started with getting a few flowers and herbs repotted. I figured it was better to play in the dirt first and then take a shower!

We need to take a trip to Lowes and also a trip to Walmart. Then all we want to do is be lazy! I do have a few things I need to do... like fix my swimsuit for therapy tomorrow. It is one of those styles that has formed bra cups... I hate those. So, I have taken a simple tube bra and replaced it so that it fits more like a maillott suit. Much better! I just need to get it zig-zagged in.

I have a couple of baskets of laundry to put away... and maybe just one load to wash... it seems like it never goes away! I need to straighten up the porch and get some chairs moved up and down from garage to the patio and the porch. I may set up some shelves on the porch to act as a pantry until DH gets the pantry built. DH just came over and informed me that he's going to go to second service this morning... hmmm... I don't think I have enough time to get it together to go... and I was staying home to avoid all the stairs at church. (My left knee and my back are killing me today after all the stuff we did yesterday.) I guess I am going to church...

Thanks for reading...be blessed!
~Suzanne

Random Bits

We are doing various things today.... taking DH's work truck in for repair for the second Saturday in a row. (Small wonder there, with all the miles he drives!) We did a quick breakfast out cuz I had taken Nolli dog with me. And then we garage-saled our way back across the valley. Great fun and a few good finds.

This weekend is "Valley Days" in our little berg. It started last night with the Firemen's parade. We had our own "Valley Region" and 7 other townships participate with 45 trucks, tankers and rescue vehicles coming down our street... lights flashing, sirens blaring, and lots of honking. It was loud and fun!

Tonight, we will go up to the old school grounds and "do" Valley Days. Our friend Tim has a band that will be playing in the gazebo at 5. We will go and give them some support! And we hope to have grilled corn on the cob and roasted chicken for dinner. (That sounds really good!)

Yesterday... I did errands in the morning, but had to rest as I could feel the barometric pressure changing with the coming storm and my back was hurting. I managed to rest for about an hour. DH actually made it home on time yesterday... unusual for a Friday! We had a good dinner of grilled sirloin, homemade greenbeans with onion and bacon and some fresh homemade potato salad. It was yummy!

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne