A Slow-Down...

This week is usually one of the hardest of the year in what I do for work. Not too many people have money, and the rest of those who do have money, or do the doling out, are on vacation until after the first of the year. It makes collecting a very hard thing to do. It doesn't help that I have a brand new location in our system... and that the in-house A/R person is also doing my work. Tuesday was really bad... as I worked through part of my aging report, she was also working the same section. It became a race to see who could contact the most customers... she was told that I would be handling all accounts from now on... and I will make certain that's the case at the beginning of the month. For now, I will take the help.

Anyway... because it was so slow, I did some training, and I got to leave work early because the phones were so quiet. My boss asked me if I was interested in taking today off... and I of course said Yes! So, I get to enjoy 4 days off... and it won't involve going to a hospital or having a medical procedure. Today... I tried to be lazy in the morning... and then I needed to run a few errands and needed to go north. So I packed Punky up in her pink Rock Star coat and took her with me... stopping into my office on the way, to introduce her to my office mates. She was a huge hit... everyone needs to have a little "puppy break" during the day. (Of course, everyone was leaving at noon today anyway due to mandatory shut-down. I told you, it's been slow!) It was fun for me to share my Punky with the people I work with... and everyone was so happy and smiling when I was done. How fun is that?

I am also beginning to take down my Christmas decorations. I am so going to miss our Christmas tree this year. We both have enjoyed it so much... watching it evolve as we shopped for new decorations and we now have our own family tree instead of just all my decorations from years past. It's been fun to collaborate with DH and get his ideas of what he likes... he really enjoys being able to have a say about things like that... he always tells me that the decision is up to me... but he has a pretty good eye for design! I think the tree will come down on Saturday... that's usually when my Mom did it. But it was always after we watched the Rose Parade and had a good breakfast.

Oh... and speaking of breakfast, I had breakfast for dinner last night. We stopped into Cracker Barrel, and I ordered the cinnamon french toast... and oh my! It was so delicious. I only ate half of it, and enjoyed the second half for breakfast this morning. I will be having that again soon!

Thanks for reading... Have a Happy New Year... and be blessed!
~Suzanne

Waiting for it!

We are waiting and watching... for the snow to begin. They are calling for between 10 and 15 inches to fall on us between this afternoon and tomorrow. And calling for high winds as well.

I managed to get up and out of the house fairly early for a Sunday morning... as I wanted to be sure we had everything we needed in the event we don't get out in the next day or two. It's not really a great thought as neither one of us has any personal time to use. DH has used all of his with my being in the hospital last week and I don't get any for another 9 months. Oh Well... as they say!

I have butter beans slow-cooking in the oven, and glazed ham from yesterday. We have yummy rolls from Christmas eve, and lots of other goodies to munch on when the need arises. We also went to the movies last night and had chinese food for dinner. (Yeah... we can be "heathens" like that! lol) It is something that I have always done since I was first married and living 3000 miles away from family. After getting divorced, I still did it... and it's something DH and I decided we wanted to continue... again, as we don't have family very close by. We loved having time away from home and just laughing... and we both ate sparingly on the chinese food as DH was rather full... and I didn't want the MSG headache. (I did get the headache later tho.)

Our Christmas has been quiet... we didn't really exchange gifts this year. We did adopt a family through work, and donated to give them a nice holiday. We did a few other charity things... and it was easy and not hectic to try and get all that shopping done, and have to get wrapping done. We did buy gifts for Nolli and Punky... it's always great fun to give gifts to Nolli as he understands presents and unwrapping things. He gets so excited and so happy about having a present. They got new collars, new bowls, each got a new toy, and DH splurged and bought them a new running fountain water dish. Nolli really likes it... Punky, I'm not too sure about. She doesn't understand presents and really just wanted to be in my arms through it all. She gets so shy and uncertain when there are new things introduced to the house.

There you have it... we had a wonderful day at home, a fun evening out at the movies and yummy chinese food... a peaceful and joyous holiday!
Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

A Fast Update...

Because I am suppose to be on my way to bed right now! My back is killing me... because I managed to get a huge burst of energy tonight! I stopped at the store on my way home for a couple of ingredients and then came home to get busy. Along with cooking dinner... I whipped up some peppermint bark (thanks to DH for getting the peppermint crushed!) and made chili cheese dip for work tomorrow. I bagged up the bark for gifts for a few of my coworkers (friends!) and baked some toll house cookies without chocolate chipd for another coworker that sits right next to me.

I've cleaned and loaded the dishwasher, and washed the rest of the stuff that won't fit into it.... and I'm more than a little tired. I also managed to write a few more Christmas cards. Whew..... that's enough for tonite... as I still need to lay out what I am wearing tomorrow. We do have an early release... but haven't been told what time we will be done. It makes for a long day... because I am pretty much done with my work for the week. I did have my weekly one on one with my regional manager... and she is very happy with my work. She loves that I have answers and have already been through my book twice since getting it on Friday. (I have lots and lots of issues... but I look forward to dealing with all those challenges and seeing good results.)

It's still bitter cold here and I just heard the wind rattling the windows facing the south. We're looking forward to some time off and just being home. We don't have any big Christmas surprises for each other... we decided that we want to do some electrical work in the kitchen so I can move a few things around and then add a small flat screen tv to one wall. That's my present and one I really wanted! lol

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

He Bakes!

I just have to share with you that DH baked gingerbread cookies for me today to take to work tomorrow. We are having a cookie swap... and he knew that I wouldn't have to endurance to roll and cut out cookies. He did it for me... and they turned out perfect and yummy! I sat and frosted and decorated them. And I can't wait to take them in tomorrow!

He's been taking very good care of me... making sure that I don't over do things and being sure that I sit and rest when I feel dizzy and winded. We've had a great weekend, which included taking me to the eye doctor to get my eyes dilated and also pick up my new glasses, we did a little Christmas shopping, and had lunch out. We came home and worked on a few things around here and then went to the little pizza shop down on the highway... it was deserted for a Saturday night, but we had a fabulous pie! And I think I became a fan for life... they sprinkle the entire pie with fresh oregano... and it has such good flavor! Yummmmmmm! I think I gained 2 pounds from all the good food we had this weekend.

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

Rock-and-Roll Kinda week...

Ok... here goes... I haven't been feeling good for over a week. We all know I have health "issues"... and we know that I really hate to go to the doctor. DH made an appointment to see my primary care physician on Tuesday to see about my "issues." I was having trouble breathing, having chest pain and pressure, dizziness and fatigue. I cannot carry anything upstairs... without having to rest. On Monday at work, I sounded like I was talking underwater. So, DH made the appointment... and I went.

While I was in the doctor's office, he observed my having one of those episodes... and call an ambulance to take me to the hospital. Once there, I stayed in the ER for about 2 hours and was then admitted. While there, I had another echo cardiogram and then had the "distinct joy" of having heart catheterization. Long story short... (I have aortic stenosis that has passed the 5 year mark) The cardiologist didn't see any blockages and that my aortic valve has dilated some, but that as a cardiac patient, I was is very good health... giving me a cardiac clearance.

I will still need to go see my primary care doctor, and I will have to go see my general surgeon to have another endoscope done. And I am thinking I need to see my endocrinologist as it could possibly be that my Vitamin D levels are too low and can cause some of the issues I am having. So... I still don't know too much other than my heart is ok... (which really is a huge deal!) So... I'm off to have a light snack and a nap... able to rest with the knowledge that even if my chest feels like it will explode, it's not my heart!

Thanks for reading....  and be blessed!

Grateful Times

We've just passed Thanksgiving... and we had a wonderful holiday. The weeks before that holiday, DH had medical testing, and had to go for a second test. We've held our breath and decided not to really talk about it until we knew. Yesterday the call was made... and DH got the final results... he does not have cancer as previously thought. We are quietly thankful and grateful that God has heard our prayers.(I only freaked out twice in the last month...)

We are both working very hard these days... and today I was awarded a free vacation day for all my hard work in the past month, bringing my collection percentage down over 8%... it's a good thing if you can move your aging report down 5%... and I am on my way to moving it another 5% this next month as well... and it's only the 3rd of the month. Work is getting easier for me... I am getting used to the routine and I am not stressed as I was in the beginning. Other people are seeing my value and how hard I work at what I do... I am lucky and blessed that I seem to get a response when I call and I'm not afraid to dig around for information or ask for someone else if need be to get what I want or need.

Tonite we are home after having a nice dinner out to celebrate. We stopped at the local Big Box store and finished purchasing the rest of our decorations for our tree. We've decided that we wanted a new look for our tree, something that we both liked that reflected who we are now. I hope to finish getting it decorated and post a picture here soon... that is if I am still posting. I'm still undecided on that issue. We have much to accomplish this weekend...  I hope I get all I want to do... done!

Thanks for reading...  be blessed!
~Suzanne

Waiting... Waiting... Waiting...

That seems to be the theme for our lives this month. There are many things that make us wait... and many things that we wait for... and I am trying with great determination to keep from being impatient while we wait for answers on some things and decide when to move on some other things.

On the lighter side of life... we attended my company holiday party... and had a hilariously good time. We also attended a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner with friends... literally going over the river and through the woods... along with snow (2 1/2 inches of snow in 2 hours) and then ice. We stayed until the storm had passed over our area and traveling home was quite easy.

We've put up our tree and have strung lights up... I still need to finish getting things decorated. It mostly depends on my touchy gall bladder and how good I feel at any given moment. Both dogs have had baths and Punky has been groomed, looking very much like the show dog she is... she takes my breath away with how cute and fluffy she is... such a little charmer. And Nolli-dog, he knew what I was up to... and he was quite agreeable to let me give him a shower and later as DH helped me, use the blow dryer on him to get him dry.

We've had a few laughs and giggles along the way... the best one being from my niece who was making her first turkey. She had gotten up at 5am (pacific time) to get the bird in the oven and didn't know who to call when she couldn't find the giblets. I finally heard my phone beep as I walked into the bedroom and saw that I missed a call. I called back and explained that a turkey has 2 cavities on it... and sure enough, I received a text message that they had been found. The bird had only been in the oven 2 hours by then.

So... here I am... back on the Internet... and I will play it by ear for now. DH has plans and he bought me a new net book for my birthday. I'm not totally sold on it yet... I may give it to him and continue to use my desk top at home and use my laptop when I travel or need to be somewhere other than my living room. I'm not really sold on using my laptop at work since I'm on a computer all day anyway... and I don't really have desk space to use it at lunch and wouldn't want to take into the lunch room anyway.

It's been wonderful to have 4 days off... a rare occurrence that won't happen again for quite some time. I do love being at home but there are a few things that I need extra money for... things I want to add to the house that could break a budget if I didn't work.

That's all I've got for now... Thanks for reading... be blessed.
~Suzanne

To My Readers...

Now that I am working full time... and having to keep track of lots of details as DH is traveling more and working crazy hours, I think it's time to draw this blog to a close. It's been fun... it's been an outlet to help me vent and keep a little sanity in my life... but I am finding that as I struggle with life in general and sometimes share my frustrations of being busy or being angry and upset about DH's work issues, that negative comments are left and I don't really enjoy that.

I also must say to one certain person who is anonymous... the reason for my getting my husbands work clothes laid out was that he was getting home from work at 11:30 at night (after leaving at 3:00am) and it was so he wouldn't have to disturb my sleep as he was going to nap on the sofa before he headed out for work again at 3:00 am. He does get his own clothes ready... I was trying to be helpful during a very tough and stressful week for both of us... m'kay????

This started out as a way to journal my thoughts and opinions as I adjusted to married life for the first time in 20 years. It's been 2 years and just about 500 posts, lots of recipes and trips to the Amish Market, along with lots of dog stories, rants about work and tales of what we found on our short road trips. It's been fun but now, it's time to end... maybe I'll be back... but for now... I'm done!

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

Life... This and That...!

This week has been a syringe filled, pill stuffing week for Punky and Nolli. They have yet to have any dog treats and only yesterday had kibble mixed with the rice and beef mixture they have had for dinner all week. Today after coming in from a walk... Nolli kept sliding across the kitchen floor. He has spaniel blood lines and gets quite furry under his feet... it had gotten to be a little too long, so we headed to the groomers to get doggie pedicures for both Nolli and Punky. It is always an interesting trip to the shop as Nolli is so social and wants to meet every person and every dog. Pumpkin, on the other hand, prefers to be held in my arms and really doesn't want to have any interaction with any dogs... people can scare her as well... but big dogs freak her out.Now that we are back home, Nolli is quite pleased to have had an outing and some pampering. Punky is in her crate and isn't too certain that she likes me right now.

DH is home resting tonite... he had quite a week this past week. He worked 63 hours this week, had 2 night calls and also had 6 hours of drive time everyday. (So much for that light duty stuff.) He slept so hard last night, he barely moved. It's been a hard week for both of us, as we haven't really seen each other and I've had to take up the slack for his absence.It would have been easier to have him out of town the whole week instead of him leaving in the middle of the night, and making sure he had clothes out for each day, and having things ready to be loaded into his lunch pail. It was a pressure filled week in so many ways.

For me... this week was "end of month" for me... and trying to bring as much money in as I could along with collecting on my 60 and 90 day buckets. I was at over 25% at the beginning of the month. My percentage for yesterday was at 14% and I still had credit cards and a huge check to apply after that. My book closes at 5pm on Monday and I can't wait to see what I end with... I'm already below what I ended with last month. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I hand this location over with things buttoned up quite nicely on November 2nd. I can hardly believe that I have been working for 8 weeks... I don't get my new location and team until December. That means I don't have conference calls until after my location rolls over... Yippee!

Thanks for reading... be blessed.
~Suzanne

Wow... It's been CrAzY...

It has been more than a little nutso around here for the past week. DH has gone back to work... on "supposed" light duty... but it's not. (Yes, I'm holding my tongue.) I've been working like crazy and trying to keep up with the house and the dogs. I also had a HIDA scan on Saturday morning... and felt sick on Sunday and the radio-active contrast showed up on my face yesterday.

Add to that... a weekend of Punky being sick... and not letting anyone know. It gets worse... I woke up to find both dos having been ill during the night. They were both very pukey... and I gave my "little green machine" a huge workout. I took Punky to the vet after work last night... and he gave me 3 different meds for both dogs. It's been a bit of a challenge to get medicine down both of them... but Nolli has been a trooper for me and has let me pop pills down him and give him nausea medicine in a syringe like it's no big deal. (What a Good Dog he is!) Punky doesn't like the liquid medicine at all.

And... Poor DH... his work schedule this week is a real nightmare. He's up at 2:30 and on the road by 3am... and his supervisor has no mercy. It's grueling, ugly and really unfair. It feels a lot like retaliation because of DH being injured... I wouldn't put it past the (a$$-hAt, cough, cough) idiot to do something like that. We are only on Tuesday and feels like it should be Thursday... and I can't wait for Friday! I'm looking forward to just being home and doing stuff around here for the weekend. I don't want to go anywhere, and I don't want to do anything but be home and put things in order around here.

Thanks for reading, be blessed!
~Suzanne

M.I.A.

I'm sorry... I have been missing in action this week. It's been a little crazy around here. I ended up being really sick last Sunday and Monday. I missed work on Monday... a huge no-no! And because I missed work, I ended up working extra hours on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. It was exhausting... I managed to work an extra 6 hours to make up time. I would have been able to make up the entire 8 hours except that I had to take 30 minutes for lunch.

Also this week... DH went back to work on Wednesday. He 's on light duty with a 10 pound weight limit for the next 4 weeks. His supervisor doesn't seem to understand the concept of light duty and sent DH to a job that required him to do welding, pulling an air compressor around and to replace an overhead chain that weighs 80 pounds. (Does that sound like light duty to you? Yeah, I didn't think so either!) DH went to physical therapy and the therapist was quite worried that DH could suffer a set-back if the light-duty order is not followed. DH had great discomfort, swelling and pain in his shoulder on Friday... he couldn't work that day. Hmmmmm... I think someone needs to get a clue about light duty and causing someone additional harm when they refuse to comply with a doctor's note. (Don't even get me started!)

Yesterday was spent getting things ready for the next couple of weeks... getting groceries, trying to find a pharmacy that carries a certain manufacturer of medicine that will work with DH and his blood pressure. We used to get it at Wal*Mart, but they have decided to carry another brand because it's better on their bottom line. They have decided to carry a brand that does not work... it has to do with the fillers that are used that cancel out the affects of the medicine for DH... and even after writing to them, they don't care... and won't be carrying the one that DH has used, any longer. So much for really caring about your customers, Wal*Mart.

Anyway, while we were out... we were able to enjoy the fall colors at their peak. Last year I missed it because of my knee replacement. It was so nice to go down quiet country roads and view such spectacular color. It was very windy and quite cold out... but it was fun. Today, we are going to be starting with winterizing the house, getting plastic over the windows and making sure that the storm windows are pulled down. I know that I will be quite soon placing an order for winter heating oil as well... bye-bye money!

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

On "Catch Up" Duty

That seems to be what I've been doing since I was sick on Tuesday... catching up on everything that fell behind by being sick on one day and taking half a day off on the next. Work is work and I'm behind. It will show on my conference call tomorrow... not that I'm looking forward to it.

This week has taken us to see Doc Williams for DH's post surgical checkup. He got a light-duty work release for the next 4 weeks unless something else happens. We are in a holding pattern with the company until at least Tuesday... then we should have an idea of what we are looking at as far as DH going back to work.

I've been trying to get things caught up around here... I am never finished with everything. I really do feel that we do need a housekeeper to help me keep up as we will still have to do physical therapy 2 times a week. There are so many things to do... and just not enough time... I'm sure that you all can relate!

We did have a little fun yesterday... we went garage-saling. We found lots of good things at some great prices. We hit an estate sale that had a few good finds... I bought 2 pin-up lamps, both vintage and in good working condition. I also found a vintage hooked rug that looks great on the porch. We also found  a great basket with a hinged lid to keep throws and blankets in... wonderful for 3 dollars. We had a great time... and had breakfast out after we went scouting. The last place we went had a great wicker settee and chair and side table with cushions for $10... but we couldn't fit in our car. It was a great deal... maybe next spring I'll find one like it... but I know it won't be $10!

Today I have been trying to take it easy... and I've slept alot. I felt sick most of the afternoon... I've been more than a little cranky... and I am hoping to go to bed early tonight.

Thanks for reading... be blessed.
~Suzanne

Home on A Sick Day.

When my alarm went off this morning... I was met with not only the crazy noise it makes, but also a pounding headache. So much so, that I knew I was not going to be able to function enough to even get ready for work, let alone drive there and sit at a desk with tons of noise all day. I went out to my desk and zipped off an email to my boss. (I couldn't even find her phone number.)

It was because of last night... I was pretty tired and fell asleep on the sofa while curled up next to DH. I only snoozed for maybe 15 minutes, but knew I had to get to bed. I got in bed by 10:15 and promptly fell asleep with my wonderful ear plugs and my blessed dosage of ambien. Sleep came fast and hard. DH woke me just around 11:25... he needed help with Punky. She had gone out to her crate in the living room and had a seizure. He was trying to get honey down her to keep her blood sugar from plummeting from expending all that energy. She takes awhile to recover from those events and needs to be calmed. So... that's what we did. I held her, cleaned her up, and got her back to her happy little self, including a walk to go potty.

When I finally fell back into bed... it was after 12:30... and sleep was not anywhere near by as I laid there with Punky by my side. It's no wonder why my head hurt so badly this morning. I have spent almost the entire morning in bed, listening to the rain and snuggling with my little red dog. I don't know what to do or what we are facing as this is her 3rd seizure in the past year. I did some thinking... and it's possible that it's diet related. We don't have any problems unless we go off our routine and I break down and give her something that she really shouldn't have... like a bite of bacon or chicken. So... it could be my fault that she's having issues. I will have to be more vigilant about no treats... though it's so hard to say no when looking at that sweet, adorable face.

It's a cold, damp and rainy day here... makes me feel as though I was back in Washington State. We did break down and turn on the furnace today. We just needed to take the chill out of the air. Soon, I will be calling for one of many oil deliveries to made through out this Winter season. My head still aches just a little bit...but for me to go to work now would be futile as I would have to leave to take DH to his physical therapy appointment. This is his last one before he goes to see the Surgeon on Thursday.

Is it just us... or is anyone else having an invasion of creepy crawlies? ... we just killed a HUGE spider in our living room. And DH hates spiders... they creep him out and he will do anything to avoid them. I just knocked it down out of the drapes and thought I had it under my foot... but it crawled out from under it... and DH nailed it with his shoe. Yuck! (Don't we live an exciting life around here?)

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

Soooo Busy... I'm Spinnin'!

This past week has gone by in a blur. Work is going pretty well so far. Friday was a rather intense day as the entire office was down to using one printer that is on it's last legs. We had a new one at the front... but somehow it's not working at all.

Moving on... I was pretty tired yesterday, so we went out for chinese food. We got there before the big dinner rush and we were able to get seated with our favorite waitress. She's around 70 and her parents were doctors. She has always been wonderful to us since we first moved here... and we hadn't seen her for awhile. Last night was hugs and well wishes as we left... she took good care of us and we were happy to have seen her.

Today... was super-duper crazy busy. I tried to sleep in, but Punky had some crazy dream and howled in her sleep around 5:30. She woke me up and I couldn't go back to sleep. I got up and went to try and go to sleep on the sofa so I wouldn't wake DH up. I snoozed in front of the tv after falling asleep after 6:15. I woke up at 8:00 with Punky licking my face and hand... so much for sleeping in. I took her out and then got dressed... heading up to McDonalds for breakfast from the drive-thru and brought it home to DH. After that, DH got dressed and we headed to the Amish market up in the Pocono Mountains.

We found our usual eggs and butter, smoked sausage and produce. We also found some great pumpkins, squash and beautiful mums. We came home... and I went straight to work. I had to clean up all my summer flowers and get all my flower pots and containers and terra-cotta pots put away for the winter. It was a little sad for me to pull up all the flowers and fill up the wheel barrow with all that stuff. I got things put away and moved. We also decided to do some painting... our doors all needed some spiffing up and we got that done too. We finally got finished just before 5:00.

Tonight, I am back from going to dinner with DH and stopping to pick up a couple of things I needed for work. I'm looking at a pretty big to-do list for tomorrow... but I'm certain I will be moving quite slow while I do it. All I can say is... I'm glad my day started out with a large mocha! I'm sure I'm gonna need one tomorrow too!

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

What I Did at Work Yesterday!

Yesterday at work... it was spirit day. Since I'm a new employee, I really didn't know what it entailed. We are also doing a fundraiser for the Light the Night Walk for Leukemia and Lymphoma... our site has a team and we're all walking...(remember that!) Anyway, we were treated to one of the best catered Italian lunches... with penne pasta in a rich tomato sauce and lots of yummy cheese and some of the best meatballs ever. There was salad and fresh italian rolls. And a very yummy dessert spread, with pies, cheesecake and a sheetcake to celebrate birthdays. It was lovely and good and everyone enjoyed it, so much so that there were NO forks or plates left in the lunchroom today!

We all went back to work after... but only for a few minutes... because it was "Toss the Boss" time! We all went outside to the back loading area where all the supervisors were sitting in chairs... in shorts and t-shirts. And we all got to purchase water balloons with the money going to the cancer walk for our team. There were more than a few hundred water balloons sitting on a portable work cart... and anyone who wanted could partake in throwing a water balloon at the bosses. There were more than a few who took great joy in throwing balloon after balloon at their supervisors. Sometimes the sups would catch the balloon and throw it back. It was great fun... to go outside and have a water balloon fight after lunch. Some of the guys who service the fire extinguishers got in on the action by having some of the large tanks filled with water and hosing off their supervisor with the hose... from behind all the action. So much fun and so much laughter!

What a great concept to get paid to have fun and throw water balloons while being on the clock~ I don't know who was answering the phones... but it was fun to let 'em ring! It was so much fun to come home and say... "Honey, you won't believe what I did at work today!" It was also fun to share with customers on the phone about what we did and hear... "I wanna work where you work!"

Thanks for reading.. be blessed!

Paying For It... Still!

We went to the Bloomsburg fair yesterday. It was opening day. We braved the crowds... and yet took our time seeing all the FFA, 4-H, Grange and Homemaker and Garden Club entries and exhibits. We watched timed fence jumping by the 4-H kids. We ate all sorts of good junk food... and had some of the best onion rings ever!

It was warm and sunny! And I forgot to wear sun screen... didn't even think about it until it was too late. I fried my face... I look a bit like Rudolph today. DH did really well... managing to avoid anyone bumping into him. He fried his face too!

We walked and walked... probably around 2 miles yesterday. We did stop and rest... and I did take a couple of anti-inflammatories. But with my new knee... things don't exactly measure up straight anymore. My left leg is actually straighter and longer than my right, which is crooked and turns in. I really felt it in my hips and lower back as well... and today, I can barely move. I am really paying for that trip to the fair today!

DH discovered something on this trip around the fairgrounds that we ladies can relate to... he discovered that with his arm in a sling close to his body, his weight is more forward, and it causes his back and shoulder to hurt! But he only has straps that dig in on one side!

It's time for me to go get ready for work tomorrow. It's going to be a busy start to the week... and I am hoping to be able to keep up.

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

I Managed...

I did it! I managed to make it through this week. I managed to get my "speed" up at work. It seems as though I hit it hard, but because leaving voice mails don't count, I took a hard hit on my work today. I had "8" calls that were voicemail contacts. Those don't count against the end of the day count... so I only managed 54 contacts today. I also managed a huge amount of email contacts and faxmail contacts too.
It's tough to bring in the money... and I am going to have a huge amount roll over into the 60 day bucket, but I have a lot of payments coming in after it rolls over. Such is life. I hope it puts me in a great place at the end of October.

I am also excited to be going to the 'Bloomsburg fair this year. Last year I missed it because I was busy having my knee replaced. DH has told me recently that he finally understands what I meant when I couldn't get my leg and knee to do what I wanted after surgery. Your muscles are in shock from the trauma and go to sleep... and it takes awhile for the nerve path to regenerate and wake those muscles up. He's trying to get his arm and shoulder to work together and raise his arm up. It's a process, for certain. Between the 2 of us, we only have 3 good arms and 3 good legs to get things done!

I'm still tired at night... I have to remember to stay hydrated and to eat enough during the day. It's hard to have a bowl of cereal a 7:00am and eat breakfast at 12:30. I only eat half my lunch because it's so late. We can eat at our desks, but I'm too busy to take the time... I gotta keep it rolling!

Thanks for reading/// be blessed!
~Suzanne

I did try!

I tried to post last night... but I just couldn't get it all together. I had a post almost done and I deleted most of it. My laptop mousepad is set too sensitive. (Or at least it was until after DH fixed the settings.)

My workweek is going by in a blur. I stay so busy all day long, I don't have time to even remember to take a break or get something cold to drink. Yesterday was also physical therapy day for DH... it was a long session and by the time we stopped for dinner and gas and for an ATM run... I was more than ready to get home. (Which was at 8:00 pm last night.) I vaguely remember falling into bed close to 10:00 and I woke up in the same position I fell asleep in.... that's tired!

I did manage to watch GLEE last night. I am always surprised by what they manage to pull off and I love the music! We also managed to watch Two and a Half Men... that show makes me down right belly laugh. Tonight is Survivor... and speaking of Surviving, I came home in a horrid thunder storm that had high winds, hail and rain drops as big as your fist. It was pretty bad... and our patio flooded like crazy. The stream went up over it's banks too... and we took a little water in our basement, but it wasn't too bad down there. Our new neighbor has put in new downspouts and splash guards. One is right near her basement door... and I've tried to tell her that it was only going to fill up her basement door area faster, but she doesn't want to listen. Something tells me she's going to be a real trial to live with... and I already miss how cordial and easy it was to live with our old neighbor.

Time for Survivor! Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~S.

Where Did It Go????

Oh Wow... did this weekend ever go by in a blur! Where did the time go? I think I last relaxed on Friday evening and the rest is a sheer blur. We ran errands, got DH's phone reprogrammed with features he used to have, shopped for Punky, DH has his hair cut, we picked up prescriptions and I think we went to the Wal*Marts at least twice on Saturday and once today. Oh... and I forgot, we went to Target too... got a new blue tooth there.

And today... DH did laundry, I cleaned in our bedroom and got things straightened up. Then I tackled something I have been wanting to do since we moved here. I went through all of my jewelry and organized it, cleaned it, and DH has a nice pile of things that need to be repaired. At least now, when I get ready for work, I can pick things out without having to search and dig for what I want.

We did grill out for dinner tonight. It was good... thick steaks, grilled corn, fresh cauliflower with cheese sauce. DH went to take Punky out after dinner... and it was rainy like crazy! We managed to get dinner done in just the nick of time! So, here I sit, contemplating what I am going to wear to work tomorrow, watching the movie "The Family Stone" and trying to cool off after running my legs off this weekend. Really, seriously... where did the time go???

Sitting here wondering... Thanks for reading, be blessed!
~Suzanne

3 Days Ago?

Was that the last time I sat down to really look at my computer and blog? Alot has happened in 3 days... trips up and down the freeway, trips downtown to physical therapy, trips to buy groceries and work supplies, and work and a little bit of sleeping in between. I did read in my comments that I won an award from Maranda over at http://glimpesofmyjourneythrulife.blogspot.com. Happiness 101! That's really cool!

Thank you, Maranda for giving me such a wonderful award! It makes me very happy to recognized.

We woke up this morning to sick puppy dogs. DH decided to give them some leftover hotdogs... that didn't sit well with them... poor babies. I had Nolli dog pacing and racing to the door to go outside. Because I had to get ready for work, that left DH to clean up the messes that were made during the night. (Ear plugs and Ambien keep me out for most of the night... I really don't hear much at all!)

DH had done 2 sessions of physical therapy. He's weaning himself out of his immobilizer, doing some exercises and stretching. He's been ahead of the game by using his hand to do small tasks and his therapist is pleased with his progress. He has a very long way to go before he'll be able to raise his arm up, let alone up over his head. But it is progress and we are glad for that.

I've finished an entire week of work... and it's been a little tough for me. I am feeling it in my back and my right arm and hand... all that typing I do and dialing a phone... it does take it's toll. But I like the people I work with... and yes, there is stress with the job, but I remind my supervisor that I am on a steep learning curve and it will come with a little more time. I actually did quite well today, much to her surprise, I covered quite a bit of ground along with phone calls and email, given the mess I inherited from the person who left. She didn't too good of a job with notes, and left alot of old stuff on the books that should have been addressed a long time ago. I get my first shot of getting it taken care of on Monday morning with my first conference call to the location and managers and service reps that I cover. It's a little daunting that it's my meeting and I get to run the show... but I think I can do it.

Well... I've rambled on long enough! Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

Tuesday Whine and Snivel!

Well... today is Tuesday. It has been a very long day for me. I rolled out of bed at about 5:45 or 5:50 to start getting ready for work. I hit the road about 7:15 after having a bowl of cereal. I did the work thing all day, taking only half my lunch break today to help a new coworker sign into our online hr department to set up her profile for benefits and payroll.

I flew back home after 5:00, stopped in the driveway long enough for DH to climb in the car and we headed downtown for his first physical therapy appointment. That's what my Tuesdays and Thursdays are going to be like until after the first week of October. We did stop to get a bite to eat for dinner... and then I came into the house to get dogs fed and walked, figure out what I am wearing tomorrow, pack a lunch, cook up fresh green beans that DH snapped for me and get the dishwasher loaded. I finally sat down with slippers on my feet and jammies about 8:30. If I had kids... I think I'd be dead by now!

Honestly... I don't know how working Moms do it... and homework? I don't even think I could even begin to have to help with homework. It's now 10 pm and all I want to do is fall into bed and sleep. I do have to say that it was very sweet and cute to see Punky dance and leap when she realizes that I am home. She is always so thrilled to see me... and I have started making sure that she realizes that I am leaving each morning. I tell her good-bye and DH says that she spends all her day in her bed now that I am working. Poor little dear... she has started sleeping on the bed with me as well... (she woke me up around 4am this morning because she wanted to snuggle and play...)

I'm so done tonight... my contact lenses are having a hard time staying on my eyes. Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

Big Oops!

My poor husband has not had the best weekend... yesterday while we were at the Wal*Marts, (picking up more pain meds for him) I also needed to get a few things for home. Dog food was one of those items. It can be rather close in that aisle for some reason. And some (rude) lady ran right into him, hitting his injured shoulder. She didn't even blink, let along apologize or ask him if he was alright. He was in pain... and remained that way for most of the weekend.

Today, he tried to do a few things for himself... and it seemed as though most everything he did was a struggle. He made me a glass of diet pepsi and missed the glass, pouring soda on to the dishwasher top and the floor.  Later, he tried to pour himself a glass of ginger ale. He managed the pour, but as he tried to put the cap back on the bottle, he knocked over the glass he had just poured and it went all over the freshly washed kitchen floor...and his pants and his new sneakers. Tonight at dinner, he had issues again... this time it was with his burger... he couldn't hold on it.

The kicker for his whole weekend.... was that he dropped his cell phone out of his pocket... it was two feet from the floor and broke the screw type key that holds the battery to the phone. He has the G'zone phone... the expensive, Army rated device that is shock proof, dust proof, water resistant and does a bunch of other stuff... and it broke... from hitting our kitchen floor. It's not hard wood and there is no cement.. it's a floor that is done from douglas fir and has a 40 year old piece of linoleum on top of it. It should have been just fine. So... I just hung up from our wireless provider... and also with the insurance company. It will be $50 to replace it... (and I already know that it's going to be a refurbished device.) And after he gets all of his pictures off the phone, I will be activating his old phone.

I'm heading to bed now... my ambien has kicked in... and I don't type so well when I'm woozy.
Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

Well... that was fun!

Things have gone by in a blur the last couple of days. Work went fairly smooth on Friday... and I am sure that what I did will be reviewed and scrutinized on Monday. The best of the day was going out with a few of the girls to a little neighborhood bar for a few libations and noshes... don't worry, I had diet Pepsi. It was fun to laugh and be silly and get to know some of the ladies that I work with... they are all hard working and have overcome some of the same stuff I have... so I feel that I am in good company!

DH and  I decided to go up to the Amish Farm Market again. We always find such good produce and this week was no exception. We finally were there early enough to purchase some of the best looking cauliflower I've ever seen. I can't wait to cook it and eat it! We also bought more fresh green beans, oatmeal whoopie pies (so divine!) and smoked sausage sticks. I just love getting goodies from there!

We also met our new neighbor this afternoon. We had a good visit with her, getting to know her and learning about what had brought her to our small town. We were able yo give her feedback and suggestions about what she needed to set up and what utilities she was going to have to have. Since we are familiar with the house she's moving into, DH was able to help her figure out if she had the correct electrical hook ups for her washer and dryer. After they had gone down to the basement... I figured I'd go down to the basement as well and then go outside. I didn't have what I would call a successful trip down the steps. They are old, wooden, and worn. I got half way down and my foot slipped on the worn part and ended up stopping 2 steps down with my left foot on the step and my right knee being bent straight back. It hurt... alot! I've been up the stairs twice now and it feels as though things in my right knee are loose and want to separate. Not the best feeling... and I am now parked on the sofa with ice packs and tylenol. (That part was not fun!)

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

Changing It Up

I've been blogging lately about going  back to work... it's time to write about something else.

I haven't mentioned him much lately, but I need to write about Cannoli. That's his name... Cannoli Etore~  his first name is because he's as sweet as the dessert he's named for and his middle name is italian for loyal, which he certainly is...his my good old dog... also known as Nolli-dog. He's been my baby for over 7 1/2 years, a pound puppy that had been 2 little boys Christmas puppy. They became too busy with baseball to take care of a pup. I found him at the shelter, in the midst of blaring music, wet concrete and 80 other barking dogs. Most dogs, as you go through a shelter, will come to the kennel gate and jump and bark to get your attention. Not Nolli... he was the only dog that was calmly sitting in the center of his cage. I knew instantly that he was a well adjusted dog... and he proved me right when we entered his kennel to get to know him. He came right up and sat in my then boyfriends lap and nuzzled up, inspite of the noise and chaos going on.

Nolli has been with me through a huge break up, moving into roommate situations 3 times. He's endured having to share his toys and have his dish invaded by other dogs. He's always been able to make the transition, no matter what I have done to make our lives better. He's my trooper. He was in a kennel for 12 days as we prepared to move and find a new house. He became quite ill while in the kennel and I made him a promise that I'd try to never do that to him again. He's just too sweet to leave behind anyway!

When I met DH and brought him to meet Nolli, it was rather late in the evening. Nolli barked at having someone unknown enter the house with me. But once I reassured Nolli that it was ok, he calmed right down. It was so fun to see the relationship grow between Nolli and DH... and Nolli loves his Daddy very much. They are now so bonded that most of the time, Mommy isn't all that important anymore.

Last year when I was in the hospital for my knee replacement, DH brought Nolli to visit me as he was very depressed and missed me. Once he was able to see me and licked my outstretched hand, he was his happy self once again.

It's been interesting with the new transition in our lives of Mommy going back to work. It might have had him wondering the first day as I got dressed, but not anymore. He's once again adjusted and he does not seem fazed in the least about my leaving each morning.

I have noticed in the past week that he has been asking for belly rubs more often. And I have relented about having him on the sofa... he loves to come up between us and to have a little snuggle time between Mom and Dad. He loves his evening snack and will ask us to have one after he's had dinner. DH hasn't been able to give him as much love attention as he usually does with his arm in the immobilizer. so he's been coming to me a little more than usual for attention. Tonight, as I am writing this, he's sleeping at the end of the coffee table, with his outstretched paw resting on his dog treat, guarding it from a little red dog who likes to steal them and bury them in her dog crate in the living room.

He's got such good manners... we've had a great deal of activity in our yard and driveway in the past week or so... lots of visitors... and even though he may bark at noise, he listens when reassured that it's okay. He enjoys meeting new people. And he loves when our neighbor is in her yard... he goes to the edge of the patio and waits to be greeted and to be told it's ok to go and greet her. It's sweet and touches my heart that he appreciates being recognized and greeted. Even our landlord likes to greet him and pet him. He's my sweet old boy... and I am so glad to have such a wonderful dog like him!

Thanks for reading about my special boy! Be blessed!

~Suzanne

Working Girl

That's what I am... I seemed to have made it through 4 days of work... and they seem to like me! I still don't have my own computer and have to share with someone after they have left for the day. I managed to spend 1/2 the day on the phones all by myself. I can't wait until I can do this job at my own desk.

We are still slowly working on the mouse issue. DH has put traps out and today he caught one very big mouse. It was an adult... at least 2 years of age according to DH. (He used to have mice for pets. Shuddddderrrrrrrrrr!)  I still have a couple of things to put away... but I didn't seem to get to it tonight by the time I got home, did a couple of things and then headed back out for dinner. After dinner, we came home to get a few other things done, like watering flowers and such. I am very tired... but I will eventually get use to a full time schedule.

Keep me in your prayers as I adjust to working again and learn the ins and outs of this particular job. It's a little more aggressive than my last 2 jobs... but I'll get there! Everyone else seems to have gotten "there"... there are a lot on the team that have been there for less than a year... but to listen to them on the phones, you'd think they had been there forever. I hope to sound that good soon!

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

Unexpected Visitors

Today started as a quiet and peaceful day. We had a simple breakfast... and made plans to go to a local dog park. We drove over the hill, but a new batch of gnats hatched over night... it was way tooooo bad to go for a walk. We all would have ingested more than our daily quota for such things like bugs! It really was bad.

We came home and on our way, stopped at one of the local farms to buy some sweet corn for our dinner. We decided that we would grab our laptops, a cool drink and chill out on the patio under our umbrella. I made more than one trip up and down the stairs during the time we were outside starting at around 11:30. The longest stretch we were out at any one point was about an hour.

We came back inside at 2:00... I was going to make a sandwich for each of us. I had the under cabinet lights on, and to my surprise... there were mice droppings on my counter. Wha???????? It was cold last night... and apparently they came up into the kitchen~ and I went into "freak-out mode." (Mind you, there was nothing on the counters all day until between 1 and 2!) We have spent the rest of our day carefully cleaning our entire kitchen area. DH has discovered their mode of entry and we have obtained traps. He made a customized piece of 1/4 inch plastic to cover the hole that the mice have been using. I think we have seen the last of them up here. (I prayerfully hope so!)

We have boxed up all of our food that is in cardboard or cellophane or anything that a mouse could chew through... and placed all of it in huge rubbermaid tubs that we use for moving. Everything in the entire kitchen has been washed, bleached, dried and put away on clean shelf liner. I am so terribly tired at this point, I can't even begin to tell you. I don't know how I will be able to go in and make a lunch for tomorrow... I think I will probably do take-out tomorrow.

DH is working on putting things back in proper form... even with his one arm! He's an amazing man and I cannot thank him enough for helping me with such a huge job. I am totally "yucked out" by this whole entire thing. I once had baby mice invade a desk drawer at work, about the time it started to get cold. It was a horrid mess and I had to throw some treasured things away because they ruined them. I still get so skieved out! Traps are going out... tonight. It will give DH something to do tomorrow while I am at work.

Sorry to share such horrid news. Thanks for coming by.... be blessed!
~Suzanne

Fall... and Life in Town

Wow... it seems as if the weather here has turned to Fall already. We went up to the Pocono Amish Market yesterday... on the way, there were so many trees that have started to turn red, orange and brown. It's much colder and windy... I needed a jacket this morning.

We did enjoy the market yesterday... it was busy as all get out with lots of people from New York. You can always tell... because they cut in line, don't read signs and are pushy. It's a holiday weekend, so there were lots of them. Anyway, we did buy eggs and butter, green beans, zucchini and squash, cookies and whoppie pies and of course we bought sausage from our favorite Amish guy Mr. B. It's fun to go up and then be able to chat with him for a brief moment... I know that he appreciates that we take the time.

I came down with a cold yesterday. It's my own fault as I went to lunch with some of the girls in the office and they smoke. It's no wonder I am sick... stupid, stupid, stupid! So I am taking sudafed to dry up the fluid in my ears. I am certain that I will be asleep soon.

We had a huge 3 alarm fire down on Main Street this morning. The building is almost behind us but half a block straight down and 2 lots over. It gutted the entire building and when I walked down at 8:30, they were still doing clean up and check work. There were 4 businesses downstairs and 4 apartments upstairs. There are 2 elderly ladies that live up there, and 1 had to be rescued. Poor dear. Everyone got ok but 1 of the firemen fell and broke an ankle. Ouch! That was probably the 4th or 5th ambulance (siren) round that came through. Poor DH was trying to sleep in the recliner and heard the entire thing... he said he couldn't see flames because the smoke was so thick and black. I talked to Miss Millie that lives on Main Street  across the way and 2 doors down... she woke up to see the orange flames on her walls and first thought her house was on fire... scared her to death!

I'm going to be working on laundry today... as much as my stuffy head and my achy back will allow me. Yeah... my back... I turned wrong trying to get comfortable to go to sleep and it's been achy ever since! I probably need to see the chiropractor... but it's going to have to wait now! So... I'm off to sort clothes, and try to keep my head clear from all this stuffiness!

Thanks for reading... be blessed!

~Suzanne

Whoa... I'm tired!

This has been a very long day! I woke up at 4am and after trying to get warm, going to the bathroom, and having to Punky back to bed, I managed to just doze and I was finally sleeping well when the alarm went off. My saving grace was that I knew what I was going to wear to work today.

Work today was training... sitting side by side with top collectors and learning the computer system. It's really not that hard, but I get going to fast and hit keys in the wrong sequence and have to back track. The first trainer was not too patient with me... but it's okay.

I came home with very little traffic or slow downs and even stopped at the post office. I was livid at the envelope I received from the local Social Security office. I went in on Tuesday to get a new card, didn't have the correct document but the agent gave me a mailing envelope and told me that since she had seen me in the office, that all I would have to do is copy the document and mail it back to her. I got it all back in the mail today with a note that said I would need to come in with the original documents... and she sent me back the copy that she made on her scanner! Grrrrrrrrrrr.... I hate stuff like that. I don't know when or how I will ever get back there.

Anyway... I quickly made dinner and got it in the oven, did a few things around here and then served up what I made. As soon as I was done eating... I picked up my keys and headed back out the door. I headed up the hill to the pharmacy, to the gas station and then to Wal*Mart to get a couple things I need for work. I did it all in an hour and ten minutes. I came home... loaded the dishwasher... and then said I was done!

We have dress down tomorrow... but I need to hem my jeans, and I am too tired to do it. I cannot wear my regular jeans... they are just not "casual Friday jeans" anymore. I will probably just wear something casual with out too much fuss... I am still thinking about it.

I'm tired and headed for bed after Project Runway... if I can stay awake that long!
Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

Working! And Other Stuff...

My first day of work went well... the day was actually short as I reported a 1/2 hour later than normal and I was in training for the day.I was sweating bullets as I drove to work this morning as I left about 8 minutes later than I planned... and as I got near the freeway construction 5 miles from my exit... I got stuck in a rolling slow-down! I thought for certain I was going to be late on my first day... but I made it with 2 minutes to spare. Yikes! Anyway... when my last training session was done, I was introduced to the person that I will be sitting with tomorrow... and then I was free to go. It was nice to come home early... an easy way to break myself in to going back to work!

In coming home early... I was greeted by a big surprise. My healing and handicapped husband was finished defrosting our "old" freezer. (This freezer was a Craigslist find, it's a very old model and is not frost-free.) I accidentally didn't get the door closed after removing veggies for dinner last night... and I melted all the ice cream... because there was ice build-up. We were going to defrost it over the weekend. but DH did it for me. I can't believe he was able to do it with one hand and arm. He is amazing. I was able to help him got through old stuff and replace the keepable stuff into the clean freezer. Awesome.

Oh... last night the deer were present in the area. Before I made it outside, the fawns were playing in the stream and splashing each other. I missed it, but Miss J was out on her deck and got to see the whole thing. I love stuff like that.

We decided to head to our favorite pizza place... and just our luck, our favorite waitress was working! We haven't seen her for a long time. She only works 2 days a week now and then works at an Alzheimer's unit over in Weatherly. She is going back to school to finish getting her LPN. She's a smart girl and we love spending time with her. It's always great fun to see her!

Speaking of fun and seeing someone... I think I am finally getting Punky to spend time with us in the living room in the evening. For several months, she has been spending time in her crate in our bedroom. She will come out when we call her to the living room, but will go back to her crate right away. Tonite... I got her to sit on the sofa with me and we played and snuggled for over 45 minutes. That is huge in bonding for her. We are starting to really change her memories... and she even took a snack from me earlier... something that is very difficult for her to do. She is making great strides lately. She has been so happy since I gave her a bath on Sunday... and she does smell so deliciously good!

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

Whirlwind busy!

Today is my last day at home and there is so much to do. I already know what I am wearing to work tomorrow... a cute navy blue travel dress for Coldwater Creek. It is very office appropriate and should work with whatever weather we are having tomorrow... it should be really hot!

Last night as I came up from watering all the flowers, I heard DH on the phone. It was his supervisor, calling to say that he was coming up tomorrow (today) to take his truck. (Bahhhhh! I hate that!)  Anyway, I've been busy getting the rest of the house put in order, as I don't know who is coming with him or if they will be coming inside. It's hot today and very humid. Yuck!

We also got the call from the doctor's office that our copy of DH's surgical report was ready. We quickly went over to Bloom to get it. It's nice to know what took place during the procedure and what they found. DH does not have a rotator cuff issue.. it was intact. He actually has impingement syndrome and they went in and did debriedment and removed his bursa. (I didn't know they could do that.) He had complete inflammation everywhere it was possible. No wonder he couldn't move his arm or raise it up.

I am satisfied that I will have this house back in good order before the day is done... really... it's just laundry that is left to be done. Yesterday was spent getting slacks hemmed up. My hands were hurting by the time it was all done, and felt great to get it all accomplished. I do prefer to wear dresses or skirts and jackets when I work, but these slacks will really expand my wardrobe as I do think office dress is more on the casual side of things.

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

Simple Woman's Daybook...

FOR TODAY (August 30th, 2010)...

Outside my window... It's beautiful, warm and sunny... and will be hot this afternoon!

I am thinking... of all the things I need to get done this coming week.

I am thankful for... getting the good news that I am going back to work!

From the kitchen... the smell of fresh baked brownies fills the air. Yummmm!

I am wearing... a navy and white dotted tank dress... and sandals. Quite comfortable.

I am creating... not much to create this week... I'm hemming slacks!

I am going... to start my new job on Wednesday... I've already been to the post office, bank, Fed Ex drop box, grocery store and gas station today. That should cover it!

I am reading... nothing as of this morning, as I finished the last book in my trilogy series... it was so good!

I am hoping... that DH starts to feel better and stronger soon. I wonder just how he will make it when I am not here during the day.

I am hearing... the fan blowing, computer keys clicking, and sleeping dogs.

Around the house... things are fairly picked up... I could do a load of laundry... (always!)

One of my favorite things... is how Punky waits at the top of the stairs for me to come back... it worries me a little that she will do that all the time after Wednesday.

A few plans for the rest of the week: get things ready for work... start work... survive a new schedule!

Thanks for reading... be blessed!

~Suzanne

Tick Tock, Tick Tock!

Sunday is here already? Where has the time gone? I have been very busy being "nurse" to DH. I have been a constant watch-dog over his pain level and trying to keep it within reasonable bounds. It's a lot of work to keep him fed, hydrated, managed on pain and get him showered and dressed. I don't know how he will manage once I go back to work this week.

I am so excited about that last sentence! I am going back to work... I start on Wednesday. I have missed having a routine and actually having to go to work. I seem to have the house in the shape that I want it for now... and in the coming days, I think we will begin to interview for housekeepers. I want to have someone come in 2 to 4 times a month. We agreed that having a housekeeper come in once a week would go a long way in keeping things going because of busy schedules and commutes. Now we just have to find that person that isn't afraid of dogs, because I don't really want to have to crate the kids if I don't have to... they tend to stay out of the way anyway when cleaning is going on.

So... for now and the next couple of days, I will continue to take care of DH, work on getting my working wardrobe into shape, and make sure that the house is ready for me to return to the workforce full time! I know that Nolli-dog will take into stride... Punky will adjust, she's such a needy girl sometimes.

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

A Busy Day...

Today... I left myself sleep until 8:30....  it felt so good! The dogs couldn't let me sleep any longer, they both were at my side of the bed, begging to be let out. I checked on DH... he was having a lot of pain this morning, so he took more meds and went back to sleep. I spent a quiet morning working on simple projects that wouldn't wake him.

I did errands as well, today. I went to the post office, ran to the grocery store... and got things straightened up. Then this afternoon I got really ambitious. It started out with just brushing Punky out... and ended up with me giving her a bath in the kitchen sink and Nolli getting a shower in the tub. They are both shiny clean and smelling much better. I let Punky air dry and her coat is looking very nice.

This afternoon is very nice and pleasant. We are relaxing and I am going to be grilling steaks on the grill. DH isn't up to that task, for sure! I may have to take a power nap before hand... I'm a little tired from just reading about my day.

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

A Deep Sigh of Relief!

This has been a tough week for me... last week I received a job offer from a national company and went for a drug screen last Friday. They also had to do a criminal background check and credit check... the last one being the one that worried me the most as I have mountains of medical bills. Being a 2 time cancer survivor isn't a "cheap thing" in life... and I keep working on paying stuff... but y'all know how it goes! Anyway... I just got the call that I cleared and I now have a start date of 9/1! It also makes things much easier on us as we don't have income coming in with DH recovering from surgery.

One thing (or two!) that happened today... I found quite humorous! We decided to go up to the Amish Market to get eggs and produce... as I was headed east, we came upon a company truck, driven by DH's supervisor! What were the odds of that happening!?! DH hit him up on the company phone... he was up in the area servicing an CVS. We were very surprised that we came across each other! Also while we were at the market, one of the Amish vendors that we like shared a little about his life with us... I asked where he was coming from and he told us the area that he lives in. We are familiar with it and know about where he lives. He told us his wife had passed this spring... and how hard it was for him. She had had Alzheimer's for 12 years. His kids had come to see him on Sunday... and it made him appreciate the time he had with his wife and all his children under his roof. I told him that my Mom had passed in February with Alzheimer's and it's hard to have her gone. He appreciated that we had reached out to him to care. (Who knew? Amish??? But he does see us quite regularly at his stand.)

So... I am very relieved and so happy to know that God is so faithful to us in our time of need. I get so worried about things and have very little patience for the things I have no control over. (Don't we all?)

Thanks for reading... be blessed!

~Suzanne

Recovering...

It was a loooooooooonnngggg day yesterday, and an even longer night. I managed to get things under control by midnight... but DH was not able to sleep. He said he just laid there all night long. He did wake me up twice, but I managed to get a little rest, probably out of sheer exhaustion!

Today has been interesting... DH has needed a lot of prompting in his self-care. He has to be prompted to take his pain meds... and to remember to hydrate. He doesn't think to eat unless I ask him. I only hope that he can remember what he has to do to get well by next week.

I had a busy "mom" kind of day... I did lots of cooking and cleaning up and acting like the mom... and I'm tired. I can honestly say that if we had small children right now... I'm certain someone would take them from me... because I just don't have the patience nor the energy. My hat is off to all of you Moms right now!

My nerves are shot today... and I have found myself in tears more than once. Please... as I have asked before... please pray for us, and for me.

Tomorrow, I am going to try and get both dogs bathed... am I asking for punishment or what? I also need to try and get to the post office as well... I have to keep reminding myself that I have to do it all right now... DH is definitely on the "Disabled List." So... I'm gonna go and fix myself an tall, icy glass of diet pepsi and go "veg" in front of the tv for a bit!

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~S.

Back Home...

It's been a long day... and we are home again. DH has his arm immobilized... and he was in a lot of pain... now that we are home and he is in bed, with pain meds administered, I am taking a moment to breathe. We don't really know the outcome of the surgery... and notes won't be available for a couple of days. I am going to call the office tomorrow and speak to the P/A about what they found. The doctor had already left the hospital by the time DH had come back from recovery. (I think that is wrong... but what do I know?)

So... I'm off to feed and walk dogs, return phone calls and get DH as ready for sleep as I can. I am hoping to get his pain under control before we go to sleep... and I think I can do it with careful monitoring and tramadol for break-through pain.

Peace, Love and Joy! Thanks for reading... be blessed!

~Suzanne

We're Off!

Yeah... ummm.... off to the hopsital for DH to have his right shoulder scoped. I'll be back later!

How My Heart Feels...

Have you ever felt that things were moving too fast and that you were suppose to be on the bus that had already left the terminal? I have had a heavy heart for a dear friend for over a week... and last night I decided to send her a text to check on her... she had to told me in the past that she didn't like to get phone calls while working, as she owns a boutique and is often the only one there. Anyway... she told me that she didn't have many minutes left on her phone but she could text me. Her last text told me to call her at her shop.

I did call her... and it was a very awkward and strange conversation. I hadn't talked to her in a long time... and it felt awkward, to say the least. I have known her for 20 years now, we've been there for each other through many, many tough times and it was this friend that I stayed with my last 2 days before I moved across the country... she drove me to the airport. I don't know if it's my fault (or no ones! The phone and email works both ways!) that we have lost touch and aren't really a part of each other's lives anymore. It was also awkward to hear her ask me. "How's married life?".... ummm... it's good, we've been blessed so far... and it's been over 2 years now, not exactly a newlywed anymore. And I found I wanted to ask her the same question about her marriage... but I didn't. Like I said... the whole thing was awkward.


I do know that my heart hurts as I remember a time of life that we were closest friends... and that time has passed.

Life does go on... and I am surprised that I do feel closer to people that are able to embrace change and embrace technology as part of that change. I know that I have readers who are my friends, some who are family, and some who are readers because they like my style and that I am who I am... as open and transparent as I can be and still not get into too much trouble.

We talked about health stuff... and she sounded more than a little contrite about her health issues, and I decided that I wasn't going to go into any issues other than having my right knee injected recently. I am struggling with this phone call and how it has made me feel... I guess no matter who we are and where we've been, we all want to go home again... only to find that you really can't. Home is actually where you make it... and friends are family you choose for yourself. It just hurts sometimes when friends decide to pull up their walls and won't let you in anymore. To those of you who still let me in... thank you for your love and friendship... it means more than you know.

Thanks for reading... be blessed!

~Suzanne

PS.... we still covet your prayers for DH and his surgery which is scheduled for tomorrow and for me...  as I've applied for a job that I would do very well at... I hope I get it.

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY (August 23rd, 2010)...

Outside my window... it's cloudy and overcast... rain is in the forecast for today.

I am thinking... of all the things I need to accomplish in the coming week, getting DH ready for his surgery.

I am thankful for... health insurance, the good company that DH works for, prayer, family and friends.

From the kitchen... there are yummy leftovers from yesterday, homemade thick crust pizza, a really good stew and cookies!

I am wearing... a long black and white striped tank dress and my black birki sandals.

I am creating... a more orderly closet... and working on my cookbook.

I am going... to the bread store later, and to tackle my sewing pile... it's more getting slacks hemmed... but it's several pairs of slacks!

I am reading... an oldie but a goodie... Lake Wobegon Days.

I am hoping... for a good outcome on DH's shoulder surgery... and good news about something else.

I am hearing... the tv in the bedroom as DH rests, Nolli-dog snoring behind me, and traffic through the open window.

Around the house... there are only a few things out of place, it's fairly neat and orderly.

One of my favorite things... leftovers for dinner...

A few plans for the rest of the week: DH's surgery on Wednesday... and just keeping him comfortable before and after the procedure.

That's how life is this week. Thanks for reading... be blessed!

~Suzanne