Ouch! That was Dumb!

I did a not very smart thing this morning... I woke up for work after DH was already getting dressed for work in the guestroom where his closet is located. (Yup... I took all the closet space in our room.) I failed to turn on the light, relying on light coming in from the open door across the hall... and I walked directly into Punky's crate door. I managed to stab myself in my right knee pretty darn good. I have a lovely bruise and I am sore clear down to my toes.

I did make it to work today as I had an important conference call that I didn't want to miss. I took some "pain-away" medicine from our first aid kit and once it kicked in, I was talking and laughing a mile a minute. My call lasted about an hour and I stayed until lunchtime. I came home 3 hours early to elevate my knee and ice it. I will work tomorrow, but I think I will still be doing the elevate and ice thing while I make all my calls.

Thanks for reading...  be blessed!
~Suzanne

Taking a Breather...

I don't know where the time gets to... one day it's September 16th (the last time I posted) and now is the 26th of November! No one really lets you know that the older you get, the faster the time flies! So much has happened in the last 2 months, I don't know where to begin!

DH has been blessed to land a job that took him 4 months to get. He's working as a maintenance mechanic for a major chocolate company. It's a super fabulous job and has so many benefits. We are very blessed and excited about this turn of events. He also starts school this next week at a top ten university and the company is picking up the tab for his classes.

I am still working and driving a crazy commute each day. I love what I do... but can't wait for the day that we have enough money saved that I am able to look for something part time or stop working all together. My right knee is still giving me fits... and I don't think I can go for another set of injections. Last time, she (the p/a) thought it would be the last set of shots as there isn't any room for anything in between that joint. It's too close together to even get a small needle in between! (Yeah... that even hurts as I type this.)

We are trying to get things ready for Christmas. DH has the house lights up and on a remote switch... he is loving that! We were going to put our tree up yesterday, but DH was working on the windows and discovered that one window that has been wrapped in aluminum has totally rotted out at the top... so we spent the day doing repairs and finding a glass shop to replace a pane of glass. That all started because he decided to put lights in the windows before the tree goes up. I am hoping to get it up be the end of the weekend.

DH is working overtime this weekend. (It's not really over time as much as making up for holiday hours that he won't get paid for this year as he hasn't been there long enough.) It feels kind of strange to be home on a Saturday all by myself. It's kind of nice since I rarely get time to myself these days. I hope to have a little bit more time to write as I am missing being creative these days. I am doing what I can on crocheting for the local prayer shawl ministry. It goes slow because of all the work I do, and having to deal with the pain in my hands and wrists... no one said getting old was for sissies!

And my newest addiction is Pintrest! Oh... that is total fun for me. I can't tell you often I wished I could pin something that was wonderful or a good idea... and now I have pintrest! If you need an invite, please let me know.

Thanks for reading... be blessed~!
Suzanne

Five Good Things on Friday...

1. I have managed to stay home in bed for most of the week to heal my body from Pneumonia.

2. We are going to be helping a family out who are flood victims... they lost all their appliances and we just happen to have a spare washer and dryer!

3. We are also hoping to help out their neighbors who lost everything with extra furniture taking up space in our basement.

4. The weather has turned and it's quite cool at night... good sleeping weather!

5. My DH took me to Cracker Barrel for dinner... I have leftover shrimp and hush puppies for lunch this weekend.

That was fast... I could think of a few more things... Punky is happy to have me home, she really missed me while I was in the hospital. It's time to clean up flowers and get some mums purchased... maybe next week tho! I made my first batch of pumpkin bars for a bake sale at work... and came home with none left!

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

Waiting For It...

We"ve been at storm prep for a few days... as soon as the storm was announced and we started tracking it, we went into "prep" mode. The biggest thing for us is the rainfall... and how many inches can fall in an hour. We are the only people around that sought out sandbags. We practically cleaned out Big Red of "tubesand". DH told me he bought almost all of what they had. We wanted to make sure we didn't flood the garage and basement and our front landing. Our front neighbors also have an issue with rain run-off... so DH purchased sand bags for them as well.

We have our spot set up in the basement... and we have our foodstuffs ready to down. We are really worried about trees falling because of ground saturation. We are also concerned with power being out. We are prepared for that, but don't like the thought of having power being out for days or even weeks.

So... we are praying it won't be as bad as predicted. Irene is on her way here... and I know she's not bringing dessert with her! Makes me wish I had remembered to buy something sweet! (I always want something sweet or salty when I'm stressed. Ice Cream sandwiches!) Hoping to get some sleep tonite... and wake up on the other side of this thing... with our home and yard mostly intact!

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

Rainy Saturdays and Good Books

I have been working my way through the book "The Help". I have spent every spare moment I had reading it. I finish it this morning since it was raining and I didn't want to go anywhere. I loved the book... and I  was totally engaged in it. I read until I fell asleep last night... I can't wait until Wednesday for the movie to come out!

Since it was a rainy Saturday... DH and I worked at going through old boxes of "stuff" that we had left stacked up since moving (3 years ago!). It was mostly paperwork or old clothing... lots of things to be donated to Goodwill and lots of stuff that needed to be tossed out. It felt great to get that done and make more room! As a reward, DH took me out to dinner... we stayed local as the weather was turning a bit crazy...with heavy rains and wind. I didn't feel like being gone too long and having dinner too late. It was an enjoyable meal and we had a great time.

Tomorrow will be a day filled with grocery shopping and laundry... another day at home. I do love being at home!

Thanks for reading! Be blessed!
~Suzanne

How Did It Get to be August???

I cannot begin to fathom that it's August 3rd! How did that happen? I haven't posted as I've been busy with work and trying to keep up with everything. Fatigue regularly kicks my tail... and before I know it, another week has passed with stuff getting piled up to do!

We really haven't done too much this summer with DH being out of work. We've done one fun day trip to the west... one day of yard sales... and we went out to a minor league ballgame with a wonderful luxury box on my company. We had a ball!

We've spent time at home... enjoying our flowers and working around here. DH has spent time working on his truck... but that's about it. We've really had a very uneventful Summer so far. We kind of "hid out" during some of the heat waves we have had...  I still don't adjust well to high temperatures or humidity... one of those "great" side effect hold overs from thyroid cancer.

I can't tell you when I will be back to blog again. It depends on my energy level and time available. Punky is doing well and thriving with being an only dog. We are still grieving the loss of Nolli-dog. I guess the most exciting around here lately besides going to the ball game, is that I backed into a low sign and scraped the right rear quarter panel of my new car from the bumper to the back door! Ouch!

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

A Door has closed... On to a New Chapter!

This past Friday... we received a huge surprise! DH was summoned to his Supervisors house and was told that his position was being terminated. He sent me a text message as he was driven back home with his tools. I was at work and luckily I only had to "hold it together" for about an hour before I left for the day.

We have often discussed whether DH should quit, go looking for another job or just wait. We choose to wait and pray on God's timing... that either DH would come across another job or God would close the door. We have both prayed and truly believe that God has another job and great things waiting for my husband. I know that DH has worked diligently for his former company and has always gone above and beyond in his daily duties. He has given hours and hours of his time in travel and in admin work that someone else who had paid admin time should have been doing.

We know that this "situatuion" has many factors that played into the decision made. Travel time, gas prices, and contract issues with customers are just some of the factors. We also know that when we said "no" to moving closer to Philadelphia at our own expense was a factor as well. The company has had other issues with capital and not having enough trucks for all employees... so what better way to fix that problem then to eliminate the position of the one who works farthest away.

These things listed are just part of many parts... and we are not bitter in any way. It's time for a new chapter in our lives and will only serve to make us closer to each other and reinforce our trust in our loving Father and claim our favorite scripture of Jeremiah 29:11 that He knows the plans He has for us; they are plans for good and not for disaster, to give us a future and a hope.

I write this to simply ask you to keep us in your prayers for wisdom and peace in this new chapter of our lives. Thanks for reading... be blessed.

~Suzanne

Well... What Do You Know!

I haven't fallen off the face of the earth... just into a huge pit of work, and trying to keep up with everything else. I have also been fighting a double ear infection, sore throat and bronchitis. I've been on lots of antibiotics and have 2 new medications added to my regular regimen, one being a bronchial inhaler. I've been working through all of it... and it makes me extremely tired by the end of the day.

I've also been dealing with DH traveling more. He's was gone all of last week, and worked yesterday. We have spent most of today getting him repacked to be gone this week as well. It makes for a tough week for me with extra trips up and down the stairs to walk to the dog (which is fabulous when you can't breathe!)

I did manage to get lots of work done in getting my closet organized while DH was gone. And I did get a little bit of shopping and found some great maxi-dresses for work this summer.

We have yet to get all the flowers planted that we usually do... I don't seem to have the stamina to do all the watering that I did last year. I am not doing nearly as much as I did last year now that I am working full time. I am hoping to add having a weekly housekeeper this summer so that I have more time for the things we want to do. We shall see if the does infact happen, as it depends on how much travel DH will have this summer.

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

Friday List

1. It's officially the last day of the month at work... I didn't quite make my goal... but I did beat last month by 2 points!

2. The dreaded Nor'easter we suppose to get last night... ended up going farther east! Yay! No snow to plow!

3. I started working this morning and started to get a panic attack. Luckily, my friend Janie had a xanax as I had left mine at home. (Holy Cow!)

4. I was able to go to lunch with my "condo-buddy" and my friend Tammy today. We went to the sweetest little diner... and the food was to "die for!" And they had a "pickle bar"... with lots of different kinds of pickled things and it comes as a side for your meal!

5. DH is not feeling all that well... but it also means that I don't have to cook anything for dinner.

6. I got good news from my auto insurance this week... they are covering me on my uninsured motorist coverage for all my lost work while being off from my car accident.

7. The house is fairly picked up... so cleaning will be a breeze this weekend.

8. I discovered a mexican eatery north of where I work... and it's a grill type restaurant, much like my so-beloved Chipotle... can't wait to eat there! (I crave good guacamole all the time!)

9. My Darling Husband gave me a wonderful gift this last week... he bought me a Kindle... with a great cover! My first book was "Water for Elephants"... and I loved it! Finished it in 2 days.

10. I am still deciding if I am going to keep XM radio on my car... I only really listen to just a few stations. I have to make that decision soon!

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

5.

Weary... Bone Weary.

This past couple of weeks has gone by in a blur. My DH traveled out of town last week, so the week before was spent getting ready for that trip. Making sure that all the needed laundry was done, all the snacks and lunch staples were acquired along with things like gatorade and iced tea. Making sure that all prescriptions were filled for the trip as well.

Then it was all assembled and packed, lists crossed off, and he was on his way in the midst of an pretty good "winter snow event." I was left at home to take care of the dogs and keep the home fires burning in between working. Work it's self has been quite stressful for me, with numbers not moving in the proper direction and the pressure to "work my magic" as I have in the past was intensified.

We spent a busy last weekend doing things like getting Nolli-dog groomed and spending a little bit of money at the "electronics store"... and getting everything charged up and set up. I've been trying to grocery shop, get my own prescriptions, get some cooking done... and still get to work on time and find time for all the things that need to be done around here.

Tonite... I am very bone-weary tired. While at the pharmacy, the clerk asked me my birthday... and I gave her my best friend Lizzy's birthday instead of my own! (Her's is the day before mine!) DH was laughing at me and told the clerk that I was really quite tired... that I was not my usual self! So, here I sit after running errands tonite, having dinner at the Chinese buffet.... and I still need to make lunches for tomorrow. I think I will fall into bed now and make lunches when I get up in the morning. It's been over 5 years... and I still have the same fatigue... oh, how I miss my thyroid!

Thanks for reading... be blessed!

It was Dip Day

Today was dip day at work... it was so much fun and all the food brought was really good. There was a good variety of things to choose from... taco dip, queso blanco, red pepper relish dip, spinach dip, pepperoni dip, crab dip, and my own cream cheese, bacon and scallion dip. It was fun to visit and eat with my coworkers that are always so busy during the day that we don't get that opportunity often.

Tonight, DH was tired and wanted to go out to eat. We went to a local coffee shop/ice cream shop for dinner. It was really good food as well. The only draw back of the entire evening was some guy who was seated behind me who whistled through his entire meal. I was so distracted by his endless chirping, I thought I was going to go ever the edge and go "ballistic" on him. Luckily, DH and I chatted and enjoyed our dinner that once he left, it felt positively wonderful!

After dinner, we hit the Wal*mart to pick up DH's medication... and ended up doing some shopping for his trip for work next week. We stayed out much longer than we anticiapated and we are both really tired. The upside is that we won't need to do any running this weekend... we can stay home and relax!

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

Hangin' It a New Way!

It's beginning to feel like Spring is in the air. It was a fabulous 50 degree day today and we even had a little bit of sunshine this afternoon. To celebrate the coming of Spring and all that it means... we dove into our first project of the year... we re-did my closet!

It's been on my "honey-do list" for quite awhile. I had added some organizers and shoe shelving last year... but this time we took everything out and started over. We are only doing a "fast -job" of it this time.  We are going to re-tape the dry wall and paint when we re-do the carpet in the bedroom this year. This time, we put in new closet rods with support brackets, raising one side higher to add a second clothes bar under it... adding so much more space for hanging all my cardigans and my assortment of t-shirts and tops. It's starting to look more like a closet instead of something that was pretty much slapped together and second thought. This house is over 45 years old... and has been a rental for over 24 years... closets weren't such a huge deal back then.

 I can't wait to get into my closet tomorrow and work at hanging things by category and color! (I know... weird, right?) We're both tired this evening... I ran errands and grocery shopped, and had to run back to the home improvement store with Punky to return one clothes rod that was broken in the package. It's been a busy day... but a good day too! Thank you to my wonderful Hubs for doing such a fabulous thing for me!

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

Tired Beyond Words...

This past week has been kicking my tail... and DH's tail as well. We're up early... and running all day long. I have still been feeling the after effects of having the flu... and being out of one of my maintenance medications. I tried to to errands and shopping on Saturday and ended up getting ill in the middle of it all... and had to come and sleep. I was gone for most of Sunday, attending a baby shower, which involved a drive and then having to be "entertaining" while feeling puny.

I've also tried to cook ahead and make things for dinner during this week. I've been made some good things to reheat... but it hasn't made any difference as DH has been working overtime and had night calls 2 out of 3 nights so far. He's tired... and I've been having to pick up the slack where he usually helps me. It's been making us both very weary. Running errands after work, shopping, and cooking and cleaning have tuckered me out... and tonite I voted for eating take-out. (So much for reheating what I made!)

Tomorrow I have an appointment after work... the upholstery guy is coming to do repair work on my sofa. We had seam failure on one of the back cushions and it's under warranty. He's coming around 6 pm... and so I have been picking things up and straightening and dusting. I hope I can convince DH to run the vacuum for me... I still can't do the push and pull of the vacuum cleaner.

Work is going well for me... my month turned out better for February than I first thought. I had lots of "old money" come in and it shows that I worked very hard last month. I am running hard to get a good start to this month... not too certain just what my goal will be for March. I do know that my location has lots of work to do to keep up with me... I keep finding problems and issues and I know that they are sick of getting my emails asking for them to do what needs to be done and my checking for accountability. They are not used to having someone hold them accountable for issues that have a way of being swept under the rug... guess who keeps looking under the rug and showing them what needs to be cleaned up!

I've got wrap this up and get busy so the house is a little more under control... still need to pack lunches for tomorrow and get the dishwasher unloaded. I think I hate house work!

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

Reflections and Thoughts...

As I am enjoying the quiet of the morning... I began to think of the last 2 weeks. We've both had the flu prior to this past week. Work wise... we've both been busy. DH has had such a busy week this past week that I've tried be quiet and let him sleep as much as possible. I seem to be back on a regular sleep cycle of only needing between 7 and 8 hours of rest.

We've had appointments to keep and extra drive times because of weather. We've also begun to take a hard look at finances and where we can cut back to keep up with the rising costs of everything else. I think we are going to be trying to stretch our food dollars and eat at home much more. It's hard to not want to go out for a meal when I fight fatigue as much as I do... living with the after affects of cancer can be really tough sometimes. Yes... I am cancer free... but the changes a body goes through and the maintenance medications also take it's toll on you, be it in energy to carry on through the day or in a myriad of other ways.

We've decided that we are either going to go back to cleaning the house ourselves or have the cleaning lady only come twice a month. We have projects that we want to do this Spring... but we are wondering if we should do them, given the state of world affairs and how they are affecting each of us directly in the pocket book. We've had some big set-backs in the last 6 months... and we don't have our nest egg anymore. We need to be diligent in saving as much as we can but also be smart in how we spend our money. I know that God does supply our needs... but it's also my responsibility to be wise in my spending habits.

Well.... this has gone in a different direction... but it's out there now. We continue to seek what God would have us to do... and we continue to struggle with being human and having wants and desires. I need to remind myself to be content with what I have... it's more than a lot of people have... and I don't want to worry about having to "keep up with the Jones or the Smiths". We are happy and we love our quiet life... and we take great comfort in knowing that God is a restorative God who loves us.

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

Flu and Love in Action

It's been a trying week at the cottage... we've both been hit with the flu. I was struck down Tuesday night after coming home from work... and if it hadn't been for my wonderful DH, things would have been pretty ugly around here. Poor DH was hit with it on Thursday morning in the course of his work day... and he happened to be over 100 miles from home with a drive up the turnpike that doesn't offer many stops. Needless to say... he grabbed some medication from the first aid kit and was able to get home before it got too bad. We are still suffering from some of the lingering aspects of this bug.

We braved the cold temperatures and high winds today to get our errands done. We finished at one store and decided to have a bit of lunch. We pulled into a fast-food joint on the side of town we were on... and I noticed an older man standing near the door. We parked and walked inside... ordered and sat down. We enjoyed our meal, talked and played on our phones, and right before we were leaving, I noticed the man walking from up the street at brisk pace. It was so windy and cold and there were snow flurries.

We went out to the car and went down the road to our next stop, a strip mall where my pharmacy is. We parked and went inside to get my meds... and we weren't really lingering. As we came back out of the store, the man was standing inside the glassed in area of the strip mall, looking out. As we came to him, we both smiled at him and he asked... "Do you have 39 cents so I can catch the bus?" Of course we did... and DH reached for his wallet to give him money. I asked him, "Do you need something to eat?" The man looked down, and said, "I didn't want to ask..." DH reached in his wallet and gave him the rest of what he had. It wasn't much, but we knew he needed it and he headed to the grocery store. I wish I had taken him shopping to get more of what he needed.

It was a humbling experience... and it made me so grateful that I was able to walk to a nice car to drive home. We had more than enough to share with someone who needed it. It's tough out there for so many, and by all accounts in the media lately, it's not going to get any easier. In the past few days... I have been able to enjoy friends and good fortune, and also to help someone else. It felt good... and I hope God gives me more opportunities like this one to give without judgement or reservation.

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

Work Week Wrapped Up

Well... I went back to work this week. After being home for 3 weeks healing my brain and my body, I hit the ground running at full speed on Monday. It felt good to get back into the groove and do my thing. It felt good to have support from other team members... even as I struggled to grasp what they had accomplished in my absence and how the work was divided up. Now... at the end of the week, we have done some good work and I think we shall see our goals met for the end of the month.

I have to admit, my energy and stamina were taxed that first day. But as I look back on the week, I paced myself, dug in my heels when I needed to, and got it done. It's been a bit taxing on me as I drive past the accident scene every day, and see where my car went over... but I calm myself with deep breathing and focusing on where the cars are and listen to music... and get myself through it.

I've had some help medically... or chemically as it were. My doctor and I agreed to put myself back on a very low dose of anti-depressant medication to help me cope with post traumatic stress syndrome. It has been a very trying time to get my mental health back on track after surviving what could have been a very traumatic accident. (It still is traumatic, but not in a horrible traumatic injury way... make sense?) I try not to fixate on the what if... or the why... cause it can only me feel crazy after awhile. So... instead both DH and I focus on feel grateful, feeling blessed and knowing that God truly does have it all under control while my scrambled brain still heals. It's good to see my progress and it's good to see laughter and joy return to our home after such a stressful event.

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

Simple Woman's Daybook...

FOR TODAY (February 1, 2011)...

Outside my window... there is snow everywhere you look... and lots of icicles.

I am thinking... that I cannot wait to go back to work once I am able to go.

I am thankful for... God's Love and Hedge of Protection around me... to be recovering from only "moderate injuries" instead of major head trauma and broken bones or internal injuries.

From the kitchen... there are ginger snaps in the cookie jar, baked my darling husband, and plans for a good hearty meal of meatloaf and baked potatoes for dinner tonite.

I am wearing... jeans, a long sleeve t-shirt and warm socks.

I am creating... order out of chaos from totalling my car two weeks ago.

I am going... absolutely no where... the weather dictates staying in.

I am reading... lots of blogs when I feel like it, facebook and... really, not much else as it's too taxing right now.

I am hoping... to overcome this small obstacle and give God the Glory for seeing me through this time.

I am hearing... the heat coming on, the dogs snoring behind me... and someone's sno-thrower in the distance.

Around the house... things are fairly orderly, I've done some handwashing and have sweaters drying flat.

One of my favorite things...having my husband call me to let me know he made down the turnpike safely in this snow and ice.

A few plans for the rest of the week: only to continue to rest as much as I can, and see the doctor again on Friday and hopefully be well enough to return to work.

Thanks for reading... be blessed!

~Suzanne

A Post I Thought I'd Never Write...

Today has one of those life-time moments.... That stop you literally in your tracks. I've had a few of those moments in my life... and you get past them.

Today started out like any other day in NE PA in the winter. You check the weather forcast... figure out if it's safe to leave the house... and plan accordingly. We had snow and freezing rain this morning. I decided I was going to go late and take my time getting there.

The yard service came and plowed... and the weather changed just a little... and it felt safe to leave. I was half way there when my moment happened... I was in a roll over accident this morning. I was in the 3rd land, all by myself, when a tractor-trailer changed lanes 6 feet in front of me and the draft from his truck pushed me into the shoulder, where I lost control of my car and rolled over. I rolled up the embankment and then rolled back down facing the other direction. I wasn't sure where I was.

All I knew was that when I started to roll over, I put my hands over my face to keep the air bag from hitting me. (Fortunately, my airbag didn't deploy.) Once I got my bearing,I realized my passenger side window was gone and so was my purse and cell phone. The drivers side door was damaged and I could not get out. I hit the emegency flashers and just sat and waited... not more than a minute went by when someone stopped to help. It was 20 something girl who works at the arena north of here... and she was adept at assessing my situation and health status. She called 911, she called DH and she called my boss... and found my purse and cell phone. She worked with the paramedics and the state trooper so that I wouldn't become too stressed.

I was transported by ambulance on a backboard and neck brace. I spent most of my day at the level 1 trauma center, being evaluated. I can tell you that I literally walked away from this with nothing more than a huge contusion on my head... and lots of bruises. I know that God protected me and I also know that seat belts saved my life. DH, as always, was my hero and came to the trauma center to be with me and stayed by my side and advocated with the nurses on my behalf.

I never, ever thought I'd write about totaling my car. I never thought I'd ever be in a roll-over accident... I am ever so thankful for the first-responders and to Sarah, who stopped to help me. I'm also thankful for my DH... who manages to always take such good care of me. I'm glad to be back home with Nolli and Punky... and I will miss my wonderful car... she was such a good ride!

Thanks for reading... be blessed.
~Suzanne

What a Mess!

We have been enjoying  a quiet Sunday. We slept in until almost 9... I walked the dogs and grabbed the paper. We decided on what to do for breakfast... DH cooked some bacon while I made oatmeal along with toast and juice. I read the paper after breakfast and clipped coupons.

Later, I jumped in the shower to get ready to go to the grocery store. I was just going to the local one about a mile or so away. I did my shopping and loaded the groceries into the car. It was a little windy and it's very cold. I got winded and had a hard time catching my breath. I drove home and called DH from the driveway to help me unload the groceries.

He carried it all inside for me and helped me put it away. I was sitting at the small table we have in the kitchen and I had fixed myself a tall cold glass of diet soda because I was soooo very thirsty. DH was still putting things away and I reached for something to hand him... and I knocked my tall, cold glass of diet soda over... spilling it across the table, down the wall, into the heating unit and on to the floor... brown, fizzy soda and ice cubes went everywhere... and I burst into tears in embarrassment and horror of the mess I had just made.

DH calmly comforted me and we both sprung into action. I cleaned what I could and he cleaned the rest. He's my hero... but then anyone who ever read this for long knows that! He works so hard for us... and he loves us all so much... I can't tell you how much he has had to take on lately with this latest health thing... I can't do a whole lot... and he takes up all the slack. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful man. He didn't get mad at me for making such a sticky mess... and yet, he could have. That's such wonderful Sweet Sunday Love!

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

PS... DH said there really wasn't that much soda to clean up... and then he went into the basement, where upon he discovered the rest of my soda had gone through the hole in the floor where the heating pipe goes through to the furnace... and all my soda had landed on the top of the washer and the empty laundry basket that was sitting on it. Ewwww... two messes for him to clean up. (I'm so sorry!)

Dreaming of Days Gone-by

Last night, both DH and I went to bed at a reasonable hour. We had gotten our lunch bags prepped and we both feel asleep right away. I slept fairly well last night... but early this morning, I kept having a continuing dream... I kept dreaming about my old job from 10 years ago.

I used to work at a small community college... doing support services for 2 different programs. I totally loved my job and often think about what my life would be like if I still worked there. (Of course I wouldn't have met DH and married him if I were still there.) I worked with a drop-out retrieval program and also an early childhood education assistance program that was state funded. I loved my teen moms and their babies... and I adored my pre-schoolers. My assistant and I had developed an extensive read-along books on tape library... and I had such a great time with leading songs and buying small manipulative's and stickers and soft toys for my little kids.

I don't remember all the books we had... but sometimes, some of those animated stories will have lines that stick inside your brain... and pop out at some of the silliest times... like when I'm sleeping. I woke up this morning thinking about my little office, tucked into the end of the hall of a house we used as an office. I mainly used my desk to stash stuff I needed quickly... and I used the basement of the house the other program owned for their office to store some of the bigger things we had and our many storage totes for books. My day was spent going all over campus... accessing 7 different buildings during my day and having to park at each of them... in a 12 passenger van. I amaze myself when I think about driving that monster sized van and getting in and out of all kinds of crowded spaces... always with someone inside, needing to get somewhere, and I had a certain amount of time to get there and back again. It was a challenge and I loved it.

Back to those books on tape... again, I don't know the name of the book or the what it was about... I just remember a line... that will come to me in stressful times... a pouty, scared voice that says, "I don't want to do this.... " I had that voice in my head as I went to work today. It came into my head again when I printed the book for my new location and saw just how much money I have to collect this month... and I can't even touch $200,000 of it. With that kind of number... I'll never hit 8%, no matter how good I am.

I dreamt about some of the people I worked with... dreaming about funny situations and all the laughter we shared over the course of each day and some of the situations we'd find ourselves in. Sometimes, you couldn't help but laugh at what our kids would do... or laugh so we wouldn't cry at other situations. I would love to go back and work that job... even though my knees would kill me for all the climbing in and out of the huge van everyday. (Actually, the van is no more... we had to upgrade our vehicle to meet federal standards and we bought a 24 passenger bus... that meant I needed a CDL with 2 years of experience, which I didn't have.) When I shared my dream with DH, he said we could move back there someday! By then, everyone I  knew will have retired~lol.

Thanks for reading about good memories... be blessed!
~Suzanne