Wow... is it really?

Is it really Saturday, already? Thursday was "ages" ago with the start of a record snowfall for the Northeast. It kept coming... and Friday also turned into a "PA Region Closure" for DH and his company. When it was finally done snowing around 2:00pm... the plow-man came to do our driveway. He didn't do that great of a job... but at least we can now get out. We have around 20+ inches of snow... and in some areas, it's 24 inches. The guard rail behind us on the street is buried.

We also spent the day cleaning up dog messes... Punky was not communicating her needs very well and I may have been preoccupied with Nolli... all I can say is that at least Punky is kind enough to go on the tile floor and not the carpet. She surprised me twice, so today we are a little more vigilant and she is getting quality Mommy time. (I know that she will act up if something seems off to her.)

We also woke up to more snow today... only a couple of inches. It was enough to keep us lazy and in jammies for half of the day. We finally got showered and out the door to do necessary errands after 1:00. Now we are back home... settled in, and I'm deciding on what to make for dinner. The dogs will still have at least 2 more trips outside to the yard before it's all over. Oh... and DH, being the wonderful man that he is... took Nolli-dog's bandages off of his front paws today. It was a little traumatic and Nolli actually nipped at him in the beginning. So... we went to plan B which was to place him up on the table and have me hold him like when we go to the vet. I talked and coached Nolli through it with very little incident. Although my back is now achy and my knees hurt from halfway crouching down to hold his neck and head. Can't really complain though... that's what Moms do! Nolli is happy to have those bandages off.

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

Nolli's Day

Tonite we are so glad to be home, safe and sound. This Nor'easter that is dumping snow on us is really doing a great job of it! DH took the day off to help me get Nolli to the vet on time. It was a bit slippery when we drove across town today. It also didn't help that our wiper blades decided to stop wiping the snow off the windows... so we had to stop at the Wal*marts to get new ones after dropping Nolli off for his appointment.

We had to be in the exam room while the prepped Nolli... and it just about broke my heart. When they put his I.V. line in, I was holding his head and neck and I felt him flinch. I was quietly talking to him... telling him that I understood what he was feeling and telling him to be gentle. He was so good. The vet picked him up to whisk him away and I saw Nolli look at me with such a sweet look in his eyes... I started to cry. The tech told us to call them at noon... and we went home to wait.

The vets office called us at 11:50 that Nolli had done well and was ready to come home. We headed up to get him... and the vet was nice enough to carry him out to the car for us. He came back in and told us that everything went well... his tumor was a sebaceous tumor and was benign. He also found a fatty tumor below the first one and removed that. Nolli also had his teeth cleaned and his front dewclaws removed. Poor baby was really groggy... and we put him on the sofa with a pillow under his head and his soft blanket over him. He was shaky for quite awhile... and I spent quite a bit of time bent over him, giving him kisses and rubbing his head to calm him. We let him sleep for as long as he wanted... and he woke up while we were eating dinner. His dinner per the Vet's instruction was browned ground beef... and he ate all that I gave him. He's been pretty good about not trying to take his bandages off because he has so much experience with vet wrap on his front paws. Oh... and the vet also trimmed up Nolli's nails very short, which was an extra blessing as I was going to have to take Nol to the groomers this next week.

That has been most of our day... part of it has been "trying" as DH has a new all in one printer that doesn't want to work and he's spent over 2 hours on the phone trying to get tech support to understand the issue. I think he has figured out part of the problem tonight... tomorrow we shall see! And... the wind has finally arrived with this storm... it's snowing sideways and blowing like crazy!

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

Not Exactly the Way I Planned

I went back to physical therapy... and when we started going through my evaluation and what was going to happen, it wasn't even what I thought! I had prepared myself for electro-shock therapy on my lower spine. We instead spent the time with me being either on my back with my knees up or being flat on my stomach and doing half push-ups.

I've been instructed that I cannot bend from the waist, not allowed to pick anything up, (including a little red dog) and to refrain from sitting too long and... the best part... No Housework, No loading or unloading the dishwasher! Once I get through the next 2 days, I am suppose to start this "No doing things" phase for 4 days. I will have to be on my stomach on the bed doing half-push ups in 2 5-10 rep series every 1 to 2 hours. Crazy stuff.

Tomorrow is Nolli-dogs surgery day. We are due to have 5-10 inches of snow tomorrow. I am not happy about that. I'm still not sure how I am going to get Nolli in and out of the car after... being that I am not suppose to do any lifting!

My next appointment for p/t is Wednesday morning. I am hoping to have some real progress.

Thanks for reading... be blessed.
~Suzanne

Monday, Monday!

Ackkkkkkkk! It really is Monday. My keyboard is acting funny since it slide off the roll-out shelf last night. And I was almost done with this post and I somehow managed to erase it! Add to that being woke up by my DH this morning by my cell phone and then having a little orange dog poop all over my kitchen floor while I was getting dressed to take her out... you've got the start to my Monday!

I was all set to tell you about our great weekend... and how we bought a new cool file cabinet and how I've been busy with getting things more organized around here. And about DH going to the eye doctor... he's getting some cool new glasses... and how I focused Saturday to be all about him and taking care of things that he really needed. Sorry... but that's about all the time I have left now... as the cable guy is coming today... we've been waiting since the end of January to have them bring us another cable box.

Oh... has anyone noticed that "blogger" has changed the page format and all the cool fonts and neato stuff you could use to add or edit your posts are now gone. I don't like it... and it's much harder to add graphics and photos... I think I need to go looking for another host. (Darn Google.)

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

Quiet Day...

We've been having a fairly quiet day here... We all got up at 5:30 to get DH out the door for his day. (I knew his day was gonna be a long one.) Then we... (me, Nolli and Punky) settled back down around 6:45 and went back to sleep for about an hour. It felt good to sleep!

I have been feeling out of sorts for a couple of days... and today it seemed to intensify as the day wore on. I couldn't seem to focus on much and I felt quite "foggy"... as though I were back on cancer meds. (Yuck!) I'm not sure what is going on, but I have been headachy and my tummy has been almost as sensitive as Punky's! I'm sure it's just the old "living without a thyroid" thing. This week was my 4 year anniversary for cancer... "Yay" to survival! It will soon be time to schedule my annual full body scan... I'm so not looking forward to that and going on the special low-iodine diet. Just when I get my skin looking and feeling good, my hair isn't spaz-ing and my nails look good... I have to do "the diet" and screw it all up! Just so I can take 8 little pills that cost about $5000 and have scan that will cost another $5000 and then have it read by the radiologist-oncologist... and that will cost another $2000. I still don't have last years all paid for yet! (Yay for good insurance.)

It's Friday night... and DH is still not home from work. He started out in Princeton, NJ... and went down to a computer lab at mid-day for a warranty job... and finally finished his day at 7:45. He still has a 3 hour drive home... and paperwork after that. This week has been a long one for him... with tons of overtime and night calls. He does have an eye doctor appointment tomorrow and I told him that I would do the driving. I think the only stop we may make after that is to Best Buy... he really needs an additional GPS system beside his phone. Sometimes it takes him through some scary parts of Philly... just because it's the most direct route. I wouldn't want to be where he was yesterday. Too scary to even think about!

I did have a wonderful phone call from my sister April today... always so good to hear her voice on the phone! And it is so helpful to hear her perspective on some of things that I am going through and feeling these days. I find that I am thinking and talking more to my Mom... we always had a "special connection". We would often pick up the phone and call each other... and it was always a case of "I was just thinking of you and was going to call you". She always seemed to know when I was struggling and needed to hear her voice. I always seemed to know when she needed a "pick-me-up" and to hear the words "I love you"... My Mom loved us in a such a special way. April told me today that she knew how much she loved us from her letters to her and Adonna.

So... tonight... we are hanging out. We've watched Celebrity Rehab all snuggled up on the bed, waiting for DH to come home. I've done a couple loads of laundry. (That's a huge deal for me... to be able to carry laundry down and do it!) We puttered a little bit, and I've spoiled Nolli and Punky with yogurt-peanut butter drops. I've checked e-mail, face book and twitter... so I guess I will work on my list for grocery shopping and call it a night! Pretty boring stuff for today!

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

Dog Day Morning

Today was the day for both dogs to go to the Vet. They were both very excited as I pulled out collars and leashes. Nolli was especially excited... he knew a car ride was involved. We made the trip across town just fine... and we were able to park in handicapped parking. (Yay!)

We made our way inside to the waiting room... it was filled with 4 other pet owners and we chose a spot at the backside near an older Bernese Mountain dog. He was sweet and beautiful, but as he walked away from us for his turn in the exam room... you could see his hip problem and how hard it was for him to walk. (awwww...) Nolli waited so sweet and patient. Punky was a little basket case and needed to be held. We were called 3rd... and made our way to the exam room. Nolli figured it out and started to bark a little bit. He doesn't bark much, so it surprised me a little.

We waited in the exam room for quite awhile... and Nolli literally sat in front of the door facing away from the room. He was ready to leave as soon as possible. When the Veterinarian came in, Punky was the first to be examined. We discussed what I knew about her... and he gave her a thorough going over. At the end, after she had her shots... he picked her up and weighed her. I was more than surprised to discover my little girl has gained weight... she weighs a whole 10 pounds now!

Next up was Nolli dog. I discussed why we were there aside from shots. He needs to have his teeth cleaned... and his dew claws need to be removed. They have always been a problem for him and get caught on things. Then I told him about Nolli's boo-boo on his tummy. He has had a spot on his tummy that won't heal. We will almost get it there... and then it flares up and gets all yucky. He has a pretty good infection on it now... and the doctor rolled him over to get a real good look. It has become very swelled in the last few days... and it's actually a tumor that has to come off. He's scheduled for surgery in a week. Poor baby... I feel so bad for him. And of course, it will need to be biopsied. I am hoping that it's something benign. Nolli was so exhausted after going to the vet... he's slept all day. I'm going to spoil him rotten until his surgery day.

Thanks for reading... be blessed.
~Suzanne

Reality Check!

Some things... no matter how much you want them... seem to stay out of reach! I've been contemplating going back to school. I went for an admissions appointment last night. I have got the smarts to go... I even did so well on the admissions test and placed almost over twice what is required that I didn't have to take the second part.
They even have a financial program that would suit us quite well. The only problem is that classes start on March 1st, less than 2 weeks away.

DH and I talked about it last night after I got home... he pulled out the calendar for the rest of this month and for March and April... and reminded me that I really have too much on there that cannot be juggled around. I got so excited about going back to school that I blocked out all the stuff that is "blocked out on the books!" So I have the sad task of calling the admissions officer and telling her that I won't be able to keep our appointment because I already have an appointment for that day... and that I have too many other things that my husband needs me to take care of while he is traveling out of state for the next 3 or 4 weeks. It's just not gonna work! I am going to have to pass on this term and request to go when the next course comes open on the class schedule. Reality Check!

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY (February 16th)...
Outside my window... it's snowing yet again... a fine powdered snow.
I am thinking... of all the things I'd like to do today, but won't because of the snow.
I am thankful for... my Wonderful DH, my brother, how Punky has become healthy.
From the kitchen... there are plans to make and freeze spaghetti sauce and chili.
I am wearing... my favorite old comfy jeans, a pink t-shirt, my heather colored hoodie and my pink slippers.
I am creating... a more organized handbag for myself.
I am going... to talk to an admissions officer about going back to school.
I am reading... a new chronological bible... we've always wanted one.
I am hoping... to tackle some of my to-do list this week.
I am hearing... the sounds of quiet from the snow... the dogs are sleeping in the bedroom.
Around the house... things need to be picked up again... DH had a tough night last night, the sofa and table are a wreck!
One of my favorite things... is how attached Punky has become to me... she whined yesterday when I left to do some shopping, for the first time!
A few plans for the rest of the week: it all depends on what happens with the admissions officer! We do have some shopping to do in Wilkes-Barre this weekend tho.

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

Pulling It!

I'm taking the weekend off... unplugging... spending time with my Valentine before he starts a CRAZY 2 week stint on the road. We've been busy... trying to dig out from all the snow we got in the last storm... it was around 21 inches on top of the 8 that we still had from the storm before that. (We were lucky that we were far enough north that we were on the edge of that big blizzard.) We've been busy planning out projects for spring... and I for one, cannot wait for the spring thaw to begin... soon the farm markets and flea markets will begin to fill up with spring flowers! (<------ Happy Joy, that thought!)

Thanks for reading... be blessed! (See y'all on Monday... maybe...)
~Suzanne

Tales from the Service Tech...

Tuesday was a regular work day for DH... he was working up north about 45 miles away. (That's local work) He was trying to finish a planned maintenance job that day. He called me about 9-ish and asked a question and then told me he was on his way down to Philly for an emergency call. His main client had a "motor failure" and one whole line was not moving.



He got down there... and proceeded to do a visual inspection and start the process of figuring out what was causing the issue. He's very good at trouble shooting. He discovered that one section of the conveyor belt was actually bent up in a V-shape. He took a look under that section of the belt... and was quite shocked at what he found. He set to work at removing the rollers on the belt so he could get the item out from the conveyor.



He called his supervisor to let him know what was going on... he told him that what he found was very expensive... His Sup asked, "was it a diamond ring?" "Nope"... answered DH, "more expensive than that"... "It's white, with lots of lace"... and His Sup gasped! And along with all the silk, lace, beads and a long train... was a second dress for the bridesmaid. Two of the girls that work the line looked at it and knew immediately that it was a Kleinfeld dress... with no packaging or documentation included in the bundle of silk, beads and lace. Both gowns were covered with grease and dirt, with beads and lace shredded from being wound around metal rollers under the conveyor system.



Somewhere.... there is a girl waiting for a package to be delivered. And somewhere... there are going to be tears when she finds out that her gown won't be wearable. We tried to figure out what happened to the packaging... our best guess would be that maybe some tape got caught and it came out of the bottom of the box... so the box was likely delivered empty. I have to say that DH totally understood both the financial and emotional costs to that poor bride. All in a days work!

Thanks for reading... be blessed.
~Suzanne

Snow Day (For the Eastern Seaboard!)

We knew last night that this was gonna be a big storm... Heck, we've known for more than a few days as our local news station has been tracking it for a week. This storm is HUGE! It's so bad out there... that Penn-DOT has closed most of the roads including I-81 from the Maryland State Line all the way to New York. We happen to live in the little triangle of I-80 and I-81... and the snow is deep and not stopping anytime soon. They say the roads are closed until at least 1am. So glad that DH had a snow day for work... I'd hate for him to be stuck in Scranton for a couple of days! Plus the snow is so deep... I wouldn't be able to walk the dogs. DH is doing that... but he goes out first and shovels a path and then shovels a section of grass so they can go potty. Nolli dog is having a ball in the snow... he has been running and literally plowing head first into all that powder! Punky is trying to keep up but can't get to the really deep snow without becoming completely buried. It's fun to watch and they both make me laugh so much.

Our greatest worry right now is the wind... and the power line coming to our house. Our Landlord won't take care of anything... and we should have insisted the power company come out and trim some of the branches of our fir trees. I worry that the lines could snap... and we would become trapped in our house! (As if I don't have enough to worry about these days!)

DH is out with the neighbors next door... They have been plowed out once, but the snow is again very deep. Miss L has to work tonite (she's an ICU nurse)... and they need to get their Honda SUV out of the garage.... and they have a good foot of snow in the driveway. DH is out there with his trusty snow shovel... we are discussing the fact that we need to buy ourselves a snow thrower if we stay here!

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY (February 9, 2010)...

Outside my window... This morning is peaceful and sunny... but, there's a storm out to the west that promises to be a doozy... with blizzard like conditions.

I am thinking... of my Mom, thinking of preparations for the storm and the dogs.

I am thankful for... my understanding husband... who is my rock.

From the kitchen... I am thinking of what to make for dinner... French Onion Soup comes to mind.

I am wearing... the usual... jeans, white t-shirt, a hoodie, and my slippers

I am going... to do errands today... fighting with the rest of the crowds.

I am hoping... to turn the corner... but I don't see it yet.

I am hearing... Punky sleeping in her bed, traffic on the road and the furnace.

Around the house... 1 laundry basket still needs put away and 1 load still needs done.

One of my favorite things... finding a new winter jacket on clearance-$225 for $45!

A few plans for the rest of the week: getting through this next storm, getting my physical therapy set up and maybe getting a haircut.

Thanks for reading... be blessed.

~Suzanne

Totally Lost...

That's how I am feeling... totally lost about the passing of my Mom.

I am going to take a little break from blogging while I work through this. I am certain you will understand. I apologize for comments being closed.

Be blessed,
~Suzanne

Early Morning...

I woke up early to help get DH off to work... he's got a long day ahead in Philly... driving in snow and ice. All that I can do in the morning... is pray for traveling mercies and a hedge of protection around him and his truck.

It's been quite a short night for me... I received a call from my sister that my Mom had passed at 1:20 pm PST yesterday. Both of my sisters and my Aunt and Uncle were there with her... she had started to sing as she went... and quietly said bye... it was a peaceful, loving passing. I am so glad to know that she is in heaven, singing and dancing with Jesus. She has lots of friends up there... I'm sure she found Miss Mable and they are both dancing together as they talk about Jules and I... I'm sure that Sandy's Mom found her, as did Lizzy's Mom Leah, and she is being shown around with lots of laughter. I was on the phone a lot with friends, text messages and online with facebook, with comments and chats with friends and my nephew... well in to the night. That has brought me great comfort and love and support! Last night, I could hear her singing again... and I was able to sleep a little bit.

I don't know what the future holds for this family. I have been placed in the "hot seat" because I blog about what is going on in my life and feelings about it. It's not been my intention to make anyone look bad in what they were doing to care for my Mom. They did a good job with her... and my only intention was that Mom be made as comfortable as possible. Hospice ended up being the answer to that and she was well cared for. But now there is a chasm because of my perspective... and how I wrote about it (that post has since been deleted.) My feelings are just that, my feelings... and anyone who knows me well... knows I will be quite direct with them. So... now I pray for guidance and once again pray that one word prayer, "help" as I often do about things I don't understand.

Thanks for reading... be blessed.
~Suzanne

Prayerful Waiting...

Yesterday... I was able to spend some time on the phone with my half-sister, April. It was so wonderful to talk with her and partake of her wisdom. She gave me great strength and understood my point of view... it was refreshing! Even though my heart is very heavy and I am missing my family, I know that soon my Mom will transition from this world and will be in heaven, dancing and singing and praising God with his Angels. Last night... I could hear my Mom singing one of her favorite songs in her soft soprano voice in my head. She loved the song "When We All Get to Heaven"... and I could hear her clicking her tongue on the chorus. It gave me great hope as I know when it's my turn... she'll be there to greet me... singing and dancing.

Anyway... I just want to say Thank You to April... for her kind words. For validation of my feelings... and giving credence to my point of view about life, death, family and processes.

It was a tough night for me... my sister Robbie sent me an email with pictures of my Mom. She is small and frail and drawn. As I await further news... all I can do is pray for peace and love to carry her over... and peace and love within my family.

Thank you for reading... be blessed.
~Suzanne

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY (Feb. 1. 2010)...

Outside my window... it's sunny and cold... but it's actually warmer... 30 degrees!

I am thinking... of many things... my Mom, my family, peace.

I am thankful for... my husband, my church family and my friends at this time.

From the kitchen... dishes need to be unloaded and reloaded into the dishwasher... I do need to figure out something for dinner!

I am wearing... jeans, white t-shirt, my new blue and white hoodie, and socks.

I am creating... a few ideas, but nothing that I want to share.

I am going... to do a few errands today.

I am reading... "Wicked"

I am hoping... for peace that passes all understanding.

I am hearing... my neighbor leave for work, an oil delivery at the front house, and tv on in the other room.

Around the house... things need to be picked up after a crazy weekend.

One of my favorite things... is Punky's pink Rock-Star jacket that she wears to go out in the cold.

A few plans for the rest of the week: I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow about my left knee and if I am really ready to have the right knee done.

Here is picture thought I am sharing..

This is my Mom... taken the day I flew home for a visit... she didn't remember me until later when she got home and saw my picture. I miss her... and I will always miss her. And I will always love her!

Thanks for reading... be blessed.

~Suzanne