I have not posted in months... mostly because I haven't felt very well and don't want to go on and on about how yucky I feel most days. On the days I do feel good, there is just too much to do to sit down and try to write. I have no discipline, what else can I say?
The last 7 months have been chaotic. I became ill in January with an entero-cutaneous fistula opening up (again) on my belly. It was a traumatic event for me and I did think I would die from the infection. Once we got things under control, I was sent to see a nationally ranked surgeon at Penn Medical University because of the complexity of my health issues. I started with some testing and a huge dosage of on-going antibiotics. We were also trying to schedule testing procedures around weather and snow storms since it's nearly 3 hours away. Not an easy thing to do.
In the midst of all the above commotion, we received a call from DH's father, stating that Grandma was in the hospital and she has taken a turn and we needed to come right away. We literally packed bags, made arrangements for the dogs, I rescheduled appointments and finished the rest of the calls on the road as we were gone in less than 2 hours. We were in Connecticut before the sun went down and began a vigil. Gram had suffered a massive heart attack and it was also discovered that she was also suffering from stomach cancer. She spent 4 more days in the hospital and we brought her home on hospice care. She lasted just 36 hours.
While we waited for arrangements to be done, DH became ill. He came down with a migraine like he had never had. We took him to the ER where he was later shown to have a mass in his sinus cavity that needed attention as it was not there on his last ocular xrays from work. (He has to have one every time he has an MRI because he works with metal, welds, and has metal in his eyes in the past.)
We came back to PA on Tuesday after the funeral and on the way, I called and scheduled an exam with a local ENT physician in Bloomsburg. We were able to get in right away. They sent DH for a more comprehensive CT scan with a different view. It showed a large mass occupying his entire maxillary sinus cavity, cause pressure on his eye. (It also explained why DH had been walking into walks, furniture, edges of buildings... because his vision was compromised.) It needed to come out right away... and it took precedence over my procedure. DH was out of work for just about 3 months with this entire procedure. To say things weren't stressful is an understatement.
We have been busy trying to get back on track with things... getting caught up on bills and doing some of the usual spring and summer things we do. Instead of doing my usual planting of annuals for color outside... this year I planted a perennial bed at the side of the house. It has turned out rather pretty and has been fun for both of us as it's a butterfly and bee garden. We have lots of bees, butterflies, birds and dragonflies. The feeders are well used as is the bird bath. I have enjoyed sitting out in the evening to watch the birds feed and listen to the all the chatter as they call to each other.
I have added 2 humming bird feeders to our little patio area and that has been a great source of joy for me as we have 3 that feed with us, 2 females and 1 male. The feeders are less than 8 feet away and we get a close up view... they are not afraid to feed while we sit right there.
That is pretty much my life these days. I still need to get back to Penn Medicine and restart my work ups. I do need to have surgery to remove the fistula and undergo a small bowel resect. It is not easy to think about, and it does need to be done in the next few months before the weather gets bad again. DH doesn't have much time away to be with me... he had to use all of his vacation for his Grams illness and funeral. His company is rather difficult to work with regarding family issues and FMLA is carefully watched. I hesitate to do too much... if I do this surgery, I think I will have him take me down for the day of the procedure and not worry about seeing me until I transfer to a rehab unit and then come home.
Time for me to go and get a few things accomplished today. Moving very slowly!
Thanks for stopping by and reading...
Be Blessed! ~Suzanne
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Monday, July 28, 2014
Sunday, May 11, 2014
This Spring Season of Time
Again, here I sit... stating the same thing... that it's been awhile since I last blogged. I have had intentions of blogging, it's just that with my fibromyalgia and my thyroid issues that cause me to have a lapse in short term memory from time to time. I've had that and brain fog a lot lately. We had a visitor stop in and have dinner with us. I made a meatloaf for our supper and he watched as I assembled it. Once it was served and I tasted it, I knew I had left an ingredient out. I couldn't remember what it was that I missed... and our friend began to make guesses on what it was... and DH told him, it wasn't that I knew and couldn't think of it, it was that I really didn't remember!
The last few months have been full of issues. We were called at the beginning of March the DH's Grandmother was gravely ill and hospitalized, and we needed to come immediately. We cleared schedules, made arrangements for pets, rearranged all my medical stuff, packed bags and readied the house for our departure. We were on the road within 2 hours. I managed to call the bank, the post office, the university, and anyone else who needed to know we were is crisis mode.
Our stay in Connecticut ended up being 10 days long. We had expected things were at a more advanced stage than they were and it was revealed that we were at the beginning of end stages. That takes around 4-5 days and that is what we endured. We had found a small inn 10 minutes from the hospital and the family home to stay at... but really didn't want to incur the expense. We did anyway and made the best of it. It was a very stress filled time with DH's female siblings. His brother was also in and out of town and proved to be a huge ally in all the turmoil. Things were said, some very rude and blunt, and DH and I quietly bowed out and stayed on the edge of things to avoid anymore unpleasantness.
The day before our last day there... DH had developed a migraine. I had done all I could to nip it before it became out of control. It did a very quick crescendo that DH said was the worst headache of his life. I The car became lodged between a rut and an ice dam and before I knew what happened, I went lurching backwards and took out the back fence and landed at the back edge of an antique stone wall. We ended up leaving the car where it was and DH's uncle took us to the hospital. After several hours of tests, it was ruled to indeed be a migraine. But it also revealed that DH had a very large growth in his head that needed further examination. We took the test results with us and headed back to the hotel to get some sleep.
The next morning, we packed up our broken up car with 10 days worth of laundry and life... attended his grandmothers funeral and luncheon and then headed back to our home. On the way, I called an ENT practice associated with another doctor's group we use and made an appointment for the next day. DH had an exam, was sent for further CT scan studies and we were scheduled to see the doctor in a week. DH headed back to work and was met head on by a true crap-storm led by the head of HR for being out for 10 days. They ended up having to involve his emergency vacation time and then 2 days of bereavement to cover all of the time we were gone. (She wasn't too happy about it and decided that he should pay... by taking a simple over site of not cleaning off a machine that he had scribbled on with glue from his finger... and had him walked out. After 2 weeks, she deemed that he was on suspension, thus voiding out his unemployment.
But let's back up to the doctor appointment... just after that doctor appointment and Ms. HR had DH walked out of the plant, she had the nerve to state that he was a danger to himself and/or others because of his "distracted state of bereavement". So she sent he home... which would have either put him on unemployment or on short term disability. Both of which ended up being denied because of Ms. HR. ... We did go back to see the doctor and he scheduled DH for surgery as he diagnosed a very large growth in the maxillary sinus cavity and had to come out as it was large than a golf ball and filled over 90% of that cavity.
I will fast forward to the surgery being successful. The growth was determined to be a benign cyst. DH is still out of work and will be out a full 60 days before he goes back. Actually, it translates to him not working for most of the March, all of April and almost all of May. If we had not had all of the expenses incurred with going to Connecticut for 10 days, we'd likely be just fine. Things are pretty lean around here, meaning we've sold or are selling all that we can... and have cashed in some other things. We have a few projects we'd like to tackle... don't want to spend the funds right now. I sprained my ankle and foot while in Connecticut, and walked on it for 6 weeks. I finally went to see my Orthopaedic surgeon and he diagnosed it as a level 2 sprain "now" and put me in an air cast. It's been tough to remember to wear it, it's slowed me down somewhat more than usual. Thus, we have no garden area set up, we have no flowers acquired for the sitting area or any beds... nothing is hanging and no foo-foo has been placed as of yet.
If I have left anything out of great importance, I will try and update it. Please, I request your prayers for us... and I also humbly request prayer for a dear friend whose husband (and best friend) has just been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer... and they think it's been caught early enough.
Thank you for reading... please have a blessed day!
~Suzanne
The last few months have been full of issues. We were called at the beginning of March the DH's Grandmother was gravely ill and hospitalized, and we needed to come immediately. We cleared schedules, made arrangements for pets, rearranged all my medical stuff, packed bags and readied the house for our departure. We were on the road within 2 hours. I managed to call the bank, the post office, the university, and anyone else who needed to know we were is crisis mode.
Our stay in Connecticut ended up being 10 days long. We had expected things were at a more advanced stage than they were and it was revealed that we were at the beginning of end stages. That takes around 4-5 days and that is what we endured. We had found a small inn 10 minutes from the hospital and the family home to stay at... but really didn't want to incur the expense. We did anyway and made the best of it. It was a very stress filled time with DH's female siblings. His brother was also in and out of town and proved to be a huge ally in all the turmoil. Things were said, some very rude and blunt, and DH and I quietly bowed out and stayed on the edge of things to avoid anymore unpleasantness.
The day before our last day there... DH had developed a migraine. I had done all I could to nip it before it became out of control. It did a very quick crescendo that DH said was the worst headache of his life. I The car became lodged between a rut and an ice dam and before I knew what happened, I went lurching backwards and took out the back fence and landed at the back edge of an antique stone wall. We ended up leaving the car where it was and DH's uncle took us to the hospital. After several hours of tests, it was ruled to indeed be a migraine. But it also revealed that DH had a very large growth in his head that needed further examination. We took the test results with us and headed back to the hotel to get some sleep.
The next morning, we packed up our broken up car with 10 days worth of laundry and life... attended his grandmothers funeral and luncheon and then headed back to our home. On the way, I called an ENT practice associated with another doctor's group we use and made an appointment for the next day. DH had an exam, was sent for further CT scan studies and we were scheduled to see the doctor in a week. DH headed back to work and was met head on by a true crap-storm led by the head of HR for being out for 10 days. They ended up having to involve his emergency vacation time and then 2 days of bereavement to cover all of the time we were gone. (She wasn't too happy about it and decided that he should pay... by taking a simple over site of not cleaning off a machine that he had scribbled on with glue from his finger... and had him walked out. After 2 weeks, she deemed that he was on suspension, thus voiding out his unemployment.
But let's back up to the doctor appointment... just after that doctor appointment and Ms. HR had DH walked out of the plant, she had the nerve to state that he was a danger to himself and/or others because of his "distracted state of bereavement". So she sent he home... which would have either put him on unemployment or on short term disability. Both of which ended up being denied because of Ms. HR. ... We did go back to see the doctor and he scheduled DH for surgery as he diagnosed a very large growth in the maxillary sinus cavity and had to come out as it was large than a golf ball and filled over 90% of that cavity.
I will fast forward to the surgery being successful. The growth was determined to be a benign cyst. DH is still out of work and will be out a full 60 days before he goes back. Actually, it translates to him not working for most of the March, all of April and almost all of May. If we had not had all of the expenses incurred with going to Connecticut for 10 days, we'd likely be just fine. Things are pretty lean around here, meaning we've sold or are selling all that we can... and have cashed in some other things. We have a few projects we'd like to tackle... don't want to spend the funds right now. I sprained my ankle and foot while in Connecticut, and walked on it for 6 weeks. I finally went to see my Orthopaedic surgeon and he diagnosed it as a level 2 sprain "now" and put me in an air cast. It's been tough to remember to wear it, it's slowed me down somewhat more than usual. Thus, we have no garden area set up, we have no flowers acquired for the sitting area or any beds... nothing is hanging and no foo-foo has been placed as of yet.
If I have left anything out of great importance, I will try and update it. Please, I request your prayers for us... and I also humbly request prayer for a dear friend whose husband (and best friend) has just been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer... and they think it's been caught early enough.
Thank you for reading... please have a blessed day!
~Suzanne
Saturday, March 9, 2013
I am stuck...
I haven't posted in awhile about anything... except for the simplest of things. I am rather stuck by events of my childhood. Things that are never talked about... especially not on the Internet. But certain things have come looming to the surface of my memory. Things that have been worked on in therapy, but still linger on after all these years.
I faithfully check an old hometown newspaper each week. I want to see if the perpetrator of crimes within my youth has passed away. I want to know... yet, I don't know if, what I would do with that information. I have had notions of bringing forth the long withheld information upon the surviving members of that family. I am torn... because of knowing that it would very much be denied even though the abuse that happen was multi-generational. And I worry that my allegiance to my very best friend after being put back into that scenario many times over the years, to either succumb to it once again or to finally take a stand and say-- "No, enough is enough" would make me credible. And yet not being able to report to any agency for fear of repercussions upon my now former childhood friend as she could lose her livelihood weighs all to heavily... despite the statutes of limitations.
Things that happened were not my fault... I know that in my head. Things that were done, were done by numerous people from the time of being a very small child. It has been something that has affected my entire life up to a certain point. Again... it would (and did) take therapy to help me begin to move past the pain and devastation this crime has imprinted on my life.
I have also just passed the 3rd anniversary of my mothers passing. Something that is very difficult for me to even speak about. Things that surrounded that event are indeed quite hurtful and painful... and I again am having issues with processing those feelings. I miss my Mom... and in her last few years of life, she became inaccessible to me within the confines of dementia and distance. I loved her deeply and miss the last few years we had together as I fought for her dignity within the confines of my family and "what they felt was right" when I didn't agree. It was always a battle to be heard and to have a favorable outcome as I know that if my Mom could truly be aware of what was happening (instead of the stress of the matter) she would have let the opposing party have it (once again) and we would have moved toward the positive direction. ( Once my Mom went to dementia care... I would often send clothing as gifts to her... it was important. This is being said as a point of reference only and not as a point of attack on anyone.) I loved my Mom very deeply and I know that she loved me... and she so wanted to have me near her after I had moved back to the east coast.
What brought all this on were 2 events. One being a facebook post made by a friend, praising her children... and I was wondering if my Mom had ever really been proud of me. I don't remember her saying so... never during my school years as they were very turbulent times. And Second, I watched Lisa Ling's "Our America" on Trouble in the Clubhouse... about abuse by coaching staff. That one hour set things off for me ... again....
So, the question is this...Does that part of your inner psyche ever really heal? It can be overcome... with time and distance and separation, but does that inner part of the one what has suffered ever really get to a place where it doesn't rise up and cause pain once again?
I am sorry this post is not about sunshine and rainbows. I do have many things to be grateful and thankful for. I am not depressed... I just have things within my heart that can sometimes weigh down the sweet spirit that usually resides there.
Thank you for reading... and being patient.
~Suzanne
I faithfully check an old hometown newspaper each week. I want to see if the perpetrator of crimes within my youth has passed away. I want to know... yet, I don't know if, what I would do with that information. I have had notions of bringing forth the long withheld information upon the surviving members of that family. I am torn... because of knowing that it would very much be denied even though the abuse that happen was multi-generational. And I worry that my allegiance to my very best friend after being put back into that scenario many times over the years, to either succumb to it once again or to finally take a stand and say-- "No, enough is enough" would make me credible. And yet not being able to report to any agency for fear of repercussions upon my now former childhood friend as she could lose her livelihood weighs all to heavily... despite the statutes of limitations.
Things that happened were not my fault... I know that in my head. Things that were done, were done by numerous people from the time of being a very small child. It has been something that has affected my entire life up to a certain point. Again... it would (and did) take therapy to help me begin to move past the pain and devastation this crime has imprinted on my life.
I have also just passed the 3rd anniversary of my mothers passing. Something that is very difficult for me to even speak about. Things that surrounded that event are indeed quite hurtful and painful... and I again am having issues with processing those feelings. I miss my Mom... and in her last few years of life, she became inaccessible to me within the confines of dementia and distance. I loved her deeply and miss the last few years we had together as I fought for her dignity within the confines of my family and "what they felt was right" when I didn't agree. It was always a battle to be heard and to have a favorable outcome as I know that if my Mom could truly be aware of what was happening (instead of the stress of the matter) she would have let the opposing party have it (once again) and we would have moved toward the positive direction. ( Once my Mom went to dementia care... I would often send clothing as gifts to her... it was important. This is being said as a point of reference only and not as a point of attack on anyone.) I loved my Mom very deeply and I know that she loved me... and she so wanted to have me near her after I had moved back to the east coast.
What brought all this on were 2 events. One being a facebook post made by a friend, praising her children... and I was wondering if my Mom had ever really been proud of me. I don't remember her saying so... never during my school years as they were very turbulent times. And Second, I watched Lisa Ling's "Our America" on Trouble in the Clubhouse... about abuse by coaching staff. That one hour set things off for me ... again....
So, the question is this...Does that part of your inner psyche ever really heal? It can be overcome... with time and distance and separation, but does that inner part of the one what has suffered ever really get to a place where it doesn't rise up and cause pain once again?
I am sorry this post is not about sunshine and rainbows. I do have many things to be grateful and thankful for. I am not depressed... I just have things within my heart that can sometimes weigh down the sweet spirit that usually resides there.
Thank you for reading... and being patient.
~Suzanne
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Adding to the Family!
We have been searching for another dog to add to our family for some time now. We tried to adopt a dog last January that did not work out. He was not happy here and consequently made the rest of us very miserable. We took him back to his owner after a week.
We talked about doing a puppy. We talked about just waiting. We looked for awhile and then stopped for awhile. I decided to go back on Craigslist and look... and had found several dogs that we liked. A few ads actually belonged to scammers wanting to take our money. That being said... I came across an ad for a Great Pyrenees/Anatolian Shepherd... a 5 year old female that is a housedog. We sent an email off and waited.
They responded the next day and arranged to bring her to meet us. She ended up staying and we are on day 3 of getting adjusted. She's a BIG dog... very tall and long, with a very large head. She's extremely intelligent... and is very protective already. She's attached to me all day until John gets home and then she ignores me in favor of the Big Dog. She is quite a picky eater and it's going to take time to get her tummy adjusted as she has a sensitive stomach.
Her coat is short but she does shed. Thank God that we just purchased a new Dyson animal quick vac! I think we will be getting a new Dyson animal vac soon to keep up with the fur. Punky is taking a rather wide berth for now... but does spend most of her day being attached to my right side. Having 2 dogs in the house again is very different... and Sophie-dog is keeping me very busy as I work on helping her learn the noises of the house and noises of wind and pine cones hitting the roof and snow plows and car doors. It will take some time for her to learn to take cues on what to be alarmed at. She does have pretty good house manners and some training. We are already working on improving her training skills.
We went to Petsmart and purchased her a new dog bed... but she's so long, it doesn't fit her. She did not enjoy going to Petsmart and had to go back out to the truck. She's not really been socialized all that much... so my plan to have a "therapy dog" will likely have to wait. It will depend on if I can get her trained to not be so timid and scared of new environments. So... with out further ado, meet our Sophie!
These photos were taken at her previous home... She was being fostered as her owner had a stroke and they were afraid Sophie would knock her over trying to be affectionate. It's my observation that Sophie is able to gage how to best interact... she is very gentle with me on the stairs and does not pull me when on lead. I can't wait for the weather to clear enough to be able to take her outside and work with her.
Thanks for reading... have a blessed day!
~Suzanne
We talked about doing a puppy. We talked about just waiting. We looked for awhile and then stopped for awhile. I decided to go back on Craigslist and look... and had found several dogs that we liked. A few ads actually belonged to scammers wanting to take our money. That being said... I came across an ad for a Great Pyrenees/Anatolian Shepherd... a 5 year old female that is a housedog. We sent an email off and waited.
They responded the next day and arranged to bring her to meet us. She ended up staying and we are on day 3 of getting adjusted. She's a BIG dog... very tall and long, with a very large head. She's extremely intelligent... and is very protective already. She's attached to me all day until John gets home and then she ignores me in favor of the Big Dog. She is quite a picky eater and it's going to take time to get her tummy adjusted as she has a sensitive stomach.
Her coat is short but she does shed. Thank God that we just purchased a new Dyson animal quick vac! I think we will be getting a new Dyson animal vac soon to keep up with the fur. Punky is taking a rather wide berth for now... but does spend most of her day being attached to my right side. Having 2 dogs in the house again is very different... and Sophie-dog is keeping me very busy as I work on helping her learn the noises of the house and noises of wind and pine cones hitting the roof and snow plows and car doors. It will take some time for her to learn to take cues on what to be alarmed at. She does have pretty good house manners and some training. We are already working on improving her training skills.
We went to Petsmart and purchased her a new dog bed... but she's so long, it doesn't fit her. She did not enjoy going to Petsmart and had to go back out to the truck. She's not really been socialized all that much... so my plan to have a "therapy dog" will likely have to wait. It will depend on if I can get her trained to not be so timid and scared of new environments. So... with out further ado, meet our Sophie!
Thanks for reading... have a blessed day!
~Suzanne
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
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.
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
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
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.
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.
Monday, August 2, 2010
A Busy, Worrysome Day Ahead.
This morning I have to take Nolli-dog back to the vet's office. Yesterday we took him to be examined as he has a new red growth that showed up this week on his elbow. It's not in a good spot. And it grew fast. The Vet didn't think that it was too serious, he felt it and Nolli didn't flinch... so that was a good sign. He's more concerned about where it is on his body, being right at the elbow, where it gets a lot of pressure and it gets all of Nolli's weight on it when he gets up.
It's been tough this last evening to keep Nolli quiet... and to keep him from constantly begging for treats and wanting water. Punky seems to be adjusting... and she's taken up residence in her little crate in the bedroom.
(Content removed from prying and sneaky eyes... ahem!)
I am holding it together quite well as I write this... but then, I can fall apart at any moment. I usually do hold it together and lose it later!
Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne
It's been tough this last evening to keep Nolli quiet... and to keep him from constantly begging for treats and wanting water. Punky seems to be adjusting... and she's taken up residence in her little crate in the bedroom.
(Content removed from prying and sneaky eyes... ahem!)
I am holding it together quite well as I write this... but then, I can fall apart at any moment. I usually do hold it together and lose it later!
Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne
Friday, June 11, 2010
Inconspicuously Ranting...
I am feeling more than a little sad and I am finding that I am stress eating. I recently talked with my brother... and discovered that what I would consider a "major family event", had taken place and no one bothered to call me. (I know that I wouldn't have been able to travel, but I would have liked to have known.) Once again, someone else decided that I didn't need to be informed. I cannot express enough how much this saddens me... and I am left to ponder why this continues to happen. It shouldn't matter anymore... but it does matter to me.
Anyway... all I can say is that, Yes, I am stress eating. I didn't even realize until this afternoon. It's been over a week, and I have pigged out on everything I can get my hands on in the morning and afternoon. All that weight I've lost, has been packed on again. This also makes me very sad... and it's my own fault. Part of it is also my back issue and how much it hurts me when I move wrong. (Enough to stop me in my tracks... breath-losing pain.)
I don't really know where this blog post is going... I guess I'm trying to vent and rant... as inconspicuously as possible.
I do need to go outside and water my plants and flowers. I need to "deadhead" and I have a few things that need to be re-potted. I don't feel like it... which is a way of saying that if I don't want to play in the flowers that I must be depressed! I am sure I'll feel better in a few days... don't worry... I'll be back soon!
Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne
Anyway... all I can say is that, Yes, I am stress eating. I didn't even realize until this afternoon. It's been over a week, and I have pigged out on everything I can get my hands on in the morning and afternoon. All that weight I've lost, has been packed on again. This also makes me very sad... and it's my own fault. Part of it is also my back issue and how much it hurts me when I move wrong. (Enough to stop me in my tracks... breath-losing pain.)
I don't really know where this blog post is going... I guess I'm trying to vent and rant... as inconspicuously as possible.
I do need to go outside and water my plants and flowers. I need to "deadhead" and I have a few things that need to be re-potted. I don't feel like it... which is a way of saying that if I don't want to play in the flowers that I must be depressed! I am sure I'll feel better in a few days... don't worry... I'll be back soon!
Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Life and Other Stuff
This is just a quick post as I have a chiropractic appointment in 25 minutes. We have been busy as usual with keeping the home fires burning. There are always errands and things to shop for around here.
Yesterday, after Punky's little episode of pancreantitis... she really needed a bath. I called the groomer and was able to get her in at 10 am. I also decided that Nolli needed a good scrubbing as well, and I can't get him into the tub by myself these days. So... I scheduled an appointment for him as well. They came out looking very clean and fluffy and smelling very delightful! Nolli's "grinch feet" are now gone and his "horsetail" is now trimmed and fluffy. Punky looks good as well... her little feet are trimmed up cute!
It's Thursday, so that means after I get my back done, I need to go grocery shopping. DH has been working down in southern NJ, and that means extra snacks and food in his lunch for such a long day. (Meaning I need more stuff to feed this man!) At least this morning I was "with it" enough to write out a list. So... I'll be out doing that... and going to the doctors office in Bloom to get copies of our old medical records instead of having them shredded. I hope I can get it all done before the thunder and rain hits this afternoon!
Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne
Yesterday, after Punky's little episode of pancreantitis... she really needed a bath. I called the groomer and was able to get her in at 10 am. I also decided that Nolli needed a good scrubbing as well, and I can't get him into the tub by myself these days. So... I scheduled an appointment for him as well. They came out looking very clean and fluffy and smelling very delightful! Nolli's "grinch feet" are now gone and his "horsetail" is now trimmed and fluffy. Punky looks good as well... her little feet are trimmed up cute!
It's Thursday, so that means after I get my back done, I need to go grocery shopping. DH has been working down in southern NJ, and that means extra snacks and food in his lunch for such a long day. (Meaning I need more stuff to feed this man!) At least this morning I was "with it" enough to write out a list. So... I'll be out doing that... and going to the doctors office in Bloom to get copies of our old medical records instead of having them shredded. I hope I can get it all done before the thunder and rain hits this afternoon!
Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne
Friday, February 19, 2010
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
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
Thursday, February 18, 2010
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
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
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
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
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
Sunday, January 31, 2010
On Facebook...
Let me ask a quick question... Isn't Facebook, if it's your personal page... suppose to be ALL about you and your life? (Or at least what you want to share?) On my facebook page... I have an assortment of friends, former co-workers, my family and DH's family. I share about what is going on in my life with all of them. It helps to keep friendships going...(or so I thought) and builds bonds with people. It has really helped to forge a wonderful bond with one of DH's sisters and his Aunt.
I know that when I share something... even something painful, that if my friends tell me that they are praying for me... I know that they are. I draw strength in that, because I am so far away from my friends and my family. Because most of my friends work... and have families of their own... and have life going on around them, this form of communication works pretty well until one of us has the time to call and catch up on stuff. (And if I called all the people that I communicate with on Facebook on a regular basis... I'd never get anything done!)
Without going into any "gory details"... one of my family members who thinks that they know me... called me out on facebook last night for posting about how I was feeling about the news of my Mom starting to go down hill... and then promptly "unfriended" me so that I couldn't even set the record straight. I was hurt and deeply saddened that someone who happens to be in my family but really hasn't had anything to do with me or my life in any real personal way for over 15 years feels that they can pass judgement on me about things that took place during my very turbulent teenage years... which really didn't have anything to do with my Mom, she just happened to bear the brunt all my issues. Or even some the years after that before I was able to make peace with my demons, go through years of therapy and come out on the other side as a pretty nice human being who happens to LOVE the heck out of my Mother and my family. (I have more than acknowledged my short comings and implored forgiveness and am very grateful and thankful to my sisters and expressed that more than once, even if they don't remember it.)
Anyway... I've decided that this will be the only place that I will deal with this... and if that person reads this... fine! Just know that I call into question: 1. Your Christianity and how your Grandmother would feel about the way you came across... where's your mercy and forgiveness... especially when lots of things have been forgiven? 2. I question your perception and how you live in pretty big glass house. You weren't the best teenager to your mother either... and you weren't the best mother to your own children as you went about your merry way. I too, know lots about you and your character. I know about your drug use, drinking, and all the many men you slept with after leaving your 2nd husband. And that you took my furniture and never, ever paid me a dime for it.... but I didn't say anything. The last time I saw you in person... you were rude and uppity and downright ghetto in your countenance. I've kept my mouth shut... tried to be kind and reach out to you... but, I think I'm done.
That's all I have to say on the subject... I'm certain that I ruffled a few feathers within my family now... I needed to speak my piece and I really just want peace within my family... and I didn't deserve to be attacked that way. Death and dying can really bring out the "ugly" in some people, I hope and pray that when my Mother passes, it will be with peace and surrounded by love... she deserves that.
Thanks for reading... be blessed.
~Suzanne
I know that when I share something... even something painful, that if my friends tell me that they are praying for me... I know that they are. I draw strength in that, because I am so far away from my friends and my family. Because most of my friends work... and have families of their own... and have life going on around them, this form of communication works pretty well until one of us has the time to call and catch up on stuff. (And if I called all the people that I communicate with on Facebook on a regular basis... I'd never get anything done!)
Without going into any "gory details"... one of my family members who thinks that they know me... called me out on facebook last night for posting about how I was feeling about the news of my Mom starting to go down hill... and then promptly "unfriended" me so that I couldn't even set the record straight. I was hurt and deeply saddened that someone who happens to be in my family but really hasn't had anything to do with me or my life in any real personal way for over 15 years feels that they can pass judgement on me about things that took place during my very turbulent teenage years... which really didn't have anything to do with my Mom, she just happened to bear the brunt all my issues. Or even some the years after that before I was able to make peace with my demons, go through years of therapy and come out on the other side as a pretty nice human being who happens to LOVE the heck out of my Mother and my family. (I have more than acknowledged my short comings and implored forgiveness and am very grateful and thankful to my sisters and expressed that more than once, even if they don't remember it.)
Anyway... I've decided that this will be the only place that I will deal with this... and if that person reads this... fine! Just know that I call into question: 1. Your Christianity and how your Grandmother would feel about the way you came across... where's your mercy and forgiveness... especially when lots of things have been forgiven? 2. I question your perception and how you live in pretty big glass house. You weren't the best teenager to your mother either... and you weren't the best mother to your own children as you went about your merry way. I too, know lots about you and your character. I know about your drug use, drinking, and all the many men you slept with after leaving your 2nd husband. And that you took my furniture and never, ever paid me a dime for it.... but I didn't say anything. The last time I saw you in person... you were rude and uppity and downright ghetto in your countenance. I've kept my mouth shut... tried to be kind and reach out to you... but, I think I'm done.
That's all I have to say on the subject... I'm certain that I ruffled a few feathers within my family now... I needed to speak my piece and I really just want peace within my family... and I didn't deserve to be attacked that way. Death and dying can really bring out the "ugly" in some people, I hope and pray that when my Mother passes, it will be with peace and surrounded by love... she deserves that.
Thanks for reading... be blessed.
~Suzanne
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
Friday's Thoughts of the Day...
It's Friday already???? This week has flown by! I've done lots of errands... taken care of a sick dog (again) and done a couple of tons of laundry. DH has actually worked locally the last 3 days... and it's been nice to have him be so close by again. He actually gets home during daylight hours, and with the unusually nice weather this week, we've been able to enjoy it!
I've notice something on my stat logs... someone from Chehalis has been reading my blog... It makes me wonder if it's my sister or my niece... Um, comments are appreciated... I'd love to know when you all stop by. I've also noticed a drop in communication within my family. I haven't been making any calls.... and so, unfortunately, no one seems to call me. I just want to say, again, the phone rings both ways! Maybe I shouldn't have told my family that I blog and am on facebook... they can get all the info they want and not have to bother with calling me. Just saying.
With Punky being sick this week... she got another bath. I've been using baby shampoo on her because it's "no more tears" and easy on the skin. She smells wonderful and both DH and I have been comparing her coat to when she first came here... She has a ton of hair now! Her coat is long and thick and lustrous. DH thinks she may have even grown a little, now that she has good nutrition. We're thinking a trip to the vet for a full check up is in order to get her tummy on track. I went to Pet-Smart yesterday and bought her sensitive-stomach dog food. We are learning that her breed can have tummy issues... and any change in her diet upsets her delicate balance. All I know for certain... she feels better and she was dancing and happy last night. She's such a different dog when she doesn't feel good.
We don't really have any plans for this weekend... it's suppose to be nice this weekend... in the 40's for Saturday. I'm thinking that I may go digging around in closets and in the basement... maybe taking a few things to donate to Goodwill or Salvation Army. The A&E show, Hoarders gets me to want to purge any extra stuff... DH has a ton of stuff that needs to go. We talk about doing a yard sale... but I don't think I have the energy to do a yard sale... I'd rather donate it, I think. I don't really have anyone who could help me do a yardsale other than DH, who is so busy most of the time.... so, yeah, I'd rather donate it. (If I keep telling myself that, then I will do it!)
Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne
I've notice something on my stat logs... someone from Chehalis has been reading my blog... It makes me wonder if it's my sister or my niece... Um, comments are appreciated... I'd love to know when you all stop by. I've also noticed a drop in communication within my family. I haven't been making any calls.... and so, unfortunately, no one seems to call me. I just want to say, again, the phone rings both ways! Maybe I shouldn't have told my family that I blog and am on facebook... they can get all the info they want and not have to bother with calling me. Just saying.
With Punky being sick this week... she got another bath. I've been using baby shampoo on her because it's "no more tears" and easy on the skin. She smells wonderful and both DH and I have been comparing her coat to when she first came here... She has a ton of hair now! Her coat is long and thick and lustrous. DH thinks she may have even grown a little, now that she has good nutrition. We're thinking a trip to the vet for a full check up is in order to get her tummy on track. I went to Pet-Smart yesterday and bought her sensitive-stomach dog food. We are learning that her breed can have tummy issues... and any change in her diet upsets her delicate balance. All I know for certain... she feels better and she was dancing and happy last night. She's such a different dog when she doesn't feel good.
We don't really have any plans for this weekend... it's suppose to be nice this weekend... in the 40's for Saturday. I'm thinking that I may go digging around in closets and in the basement... maybe taking a few things to donate to Goodwill or Salvation Army. The A&E show, Hoarders gets me to want to purge any extra stuff... DH has a ton of stuff that needs to go. We talk about doing a yard sale... but I don't think I have the energy to do a yard sale... I'd rather donate it, I think. I don't really have anyone who could help me do a yardsale other than DH, who is so busy most of the time.... so, yeah, I'd rather donate it. (If I keep telling myself that, then I will do it!)
Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
It's Hump Day!
I am so glad that it's Wednesday.... only for the reason that it does bring us closer to the weekend! We don't really have any plans for the weekend, nothing set in concrete anyway. DH's brother and his girlfriend and her kids... are heading this way on Sunday to go to Big Rock near Lake Harmony for a "tubing weekend." They have contacted us... but it's a HUGE IF that we will even meet up. They will be coming right past us... but late on Sunday night. They apparently have "tickets" for tubing between 3 and 9 pm on Monday and are heading back home on Tuesday morning. They want to see us for lunch on Monday at Red Robin. (I don't think it's gonna happen for DH to take a Monday off to go to lunch... especially when vacation time hasn't been added to the books yet.)
I am also thinking... that I need to take Pumpkin to the vet next week.... she has once again had another issue with being sick. Any little change to her diet... and we end up having a huge messes for a couple of days while we get things back on track. I guess I will be donating some of the dog food and dog treats that were purchased over Christmas and the beginning of the month. She really needs to stick to one thing for awhile... (I know... it's my fault for giving her a change!) And let me tell you... we've started leaving her crate door open so she can go to bed when she's ready... and she's left huge messes in the kitchen the last 2 mornings. It's better than if she gets sick in her crate tho... I don't have to give her a bath! But the smell... it's enough to send me packing... I know, you didn't need to know that, either.
Anyway... Punky has had some Pepto-Bismol for breakfast and is resting happily on her blanket on the end of the sofa. I have been contemplating what to make for dinner all morning... if I ask DH, he's no help! I think I may have to start a menu plan so that I don't get stuck in a rut. I'm going to do pork chops and baked potatoes and green beans for tonite. It's easy and I don't really have to think about anything.
That's all I've got for today... nothing really exciting... except for snow flurries as I walked the dogs this morning. Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne
I am also thinking... that I need to take Pumpkin to the vet next week.... she has once again had another issue with being sick. Any little change to her diet... and we end up having a huge messes for a couple of days while we get things back on track. I guess I will be donating some of the dog food and dog treats that were purchased over Christmas and the beginning of the month. She really needs to stick to one thing for awhile... (I know... it's my fault for giving her a change!) And let me tell you... we've started leaving her crate door open so she can go to bed when she's ready... and she's left huge messes in the kitchen the last 2 mornings. It's better than if she gets sick in her crate tho... I don't have to give her a bath! But the smell... it's enough to send me packing... I know, you didn't need to know that, either.
Anyway... Punky has had some Pepto-Bismol for breakfast and is resting happily on her blanket on the end of the sofa. I have been contemplating what to make for dinner all morning... if I ask DH, he's no help! I think I may have to start a menu plan so that I don't get stuck in a rut. I'm going to do pork chops and baked potatoes and green beans for tonite. It's easy and I don't really have to think about anything.
That's all I've got for today... nothing really exciting... except for snow flurries as I walked the dogs this morning. Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne
Sunday, November 29, 2009
M.I.A.--- Yep, That's Been Me!
It's been two weeks since I last posted... I have been missing in action... well, because... I felt like all I had to write about was my knee surgery, physical therapy and how I am feeling. I figured y'all had to have had enough of that!
My knee is finally doing much better and my kick is starting to come back. Physical Therapy is working... and it's a lot of work that kicks my butt! It pretty much can wipe me out for 2 days after, depending on the "Pain and Torture" inflicted upon me. I still have a ways to go as my vmo is still very weak, my hamstrings are super tight...as are my lateral ligaments. That is cause an issue with my knee cap... it's not tracking in the groove as it is suppose to. I spent 48 hours of this week having my knee cap taped down and to the side. It was uncomfortable, to say the least! I will likely have it done twice a week for the next 2 to 3 weeks.
In other happenings... we are finishing up a nice 4 day weekend. I was quite busy trying to "procure" all the fixings for "The Big Dinner"... but when it came to pulling it all off... I couldn't quite do it and had to have help from DH to get it all going and on the table. He did very well at fixing dinner for us. (I seem to be having symptoms of Congestive Heart Failure again... but haven't reached the drowning stage yet!) I have been tiring very easily, and it feels like all the trips up and down the stairs never seem to end for me lately, with all the trips to the store, walking the dogs, having the roofing guys come last week on Tuesday... and just keeping up with everything.
I think I mentioned on an earlier post, that DH was going out of town for week... that was about 2 weeks ago, so I was literally stretched to my limits by Friday when he came home. I survived, but it did take a toll on me.
Nolli and Punky are doing well... we just did a "debred" session on Nolli's tummy tonight. He still has a wound that won't heal and if we don't keep it clean, it can stink and smell awful! We finished with antiseptic cleaner with a pain reliever in it and then his tye-die t-shirt to keep it dry and clean. Of course that's followed by a "big" favorite treat.
Punky is still working on house training... she does good for the most part. Mostly it's me not getting the "right" idea that she needs out instead of wanting up. (She would rather be up on the bed with me or in my arms than any other thing in life.) We still keep her crated at night, mainly because we are afraid we might hurt her in our sleep if she was on the bed with us. She is also gaining weight and her coat is coming in nicely. She's gotten very round and cute and when she does go out with me... she gets lots of attention because of her charm and cuteness.
So... there you have it... that is what life around here has been about. I also did have a birthday during the weekend, and DH baked me a cake (while I was taking a nap) and took me to see the movie "The Blind Side." We loved it! He also took me to dinner the next evening as well... he did his best to spoil me over the weekend.
I did have a tough day on Thursday... I discovered that my sisters were NOT going to get my Mom for their gathering. I understand that she is becoming fragile and that she is becoming more and more "withdrawn" but, I breaks my heart to know that no one went to see her or had her join them... I have said many times in the past that I wished I could have her with me so that I could take care of her. (I know that it's not even feasible for me to do that now... but still I wish I could.) Needless to say, I was in tears often through out the day.
Ok... I need to sign off for now... and get things done for DH...he's got a long day tomorrow working down in Philly. ... sigh....
Thanks for reading... be blessed... I hope that your Thanksgiving Weekend was wonderful!
~Suzanne
My knee is finally doing much better and my kick is starting to come back. Physical Therapy is working... and it's a lot of work that kicks my butt! It pretty much can wipe me out for 2 days after, depending on the "Pain and Torture" inflicted upon me. I still have a ways to go as my vmo is still very weak, my hamstrings are super tight...as are my lateral ligaments. That is cause an issue with my knee cap... it's not tracking in the groove as it is suppose to. I spent 48 hours of this week having my knee cap taped down and to the side. It was uncomfortable, to say the least! I will likely have it done twice a week for the next 2 to 3 weeks.
In other happenings... we are finishing up a nice 4 day weekend. I was quite busy trying to "procure" all the fixings for "The Big Dinner"... but when it came to pulling it all off... I couldn't quite do it and had to have help from DH to get it all going and on the table. He did very well at fixing dinner for us. (I seem to be having symptoms of Congestive Heart Failure again... but haven't reached the drowning stage yet!) I have been tiring very easily, and it feels like all the trips up and down the stairs never seem to end for me lately, with all the trips to the store, walking the dogs, having the roofing guys come last week on Tuesday... and just keeping up with everything.
I think I mentioned on an earlier post, that DH was going out of town for week... that was about 2 weeks ago, so I was literally stretched to my limits by Friday when he came home. I survived, but it did take a toll on me.
Nolli and Punky are doing well... we just did a "debred" session on Nolli's tummy tonight. He still has a wound that won't heal and if we don't keep it clean, it can stink and smell awful! We finished with antiseptic cleaner with a pain reliever in it and then his tye-die t-shirt to keep it dry and clean. Of course that's followed by a "big" favorite treat.
Punky is still working on house training... she does good for the most part. Mostly it's me not getting the "right" idea that she needs out instead of wanting up. (She would rather be up on the bed with me or in my arms than any other thing in life.) We still keep her crated at night, mainly because we are afraid we might hurt her in our sleep if she was on the bed with us. She is also gaining weight and her coat is coming in nicely. She's gotten very round and cute and when she does go out with me... she gets lots of attention because of her charm and cuteness.
So... there you have it... that is what life around here has been about. I also did have a birthday during the weekend, and DH baked me a cake (while I was taking a nap) and took me to see the movie "The Blind Side." We loved it! He also took me to dinner the next evening as well... he did his best to spoil me over the weekend.
I did have a tough day on Thursday... I discovered that my sisters were NOT going to get my Mom for their gathering. I understand that she is becoming fragile and that she is becoming more and more "withdrawn" but, I breaks my heart to know that no one went to see her or had her join them... I have said many times in the past that I wished I could have her with me so that I could take care of her. (I know that it's not even feasible for me to do that now... but still I wish I could.) Needless to say, I was in tears often through out the day.
Ok... I need to sign off for now... and get things done for DH...he's got a long day tomorrow working down in Philly. ... sigh....
Thanks for reading... be blessed... I hope that your Thanksgiving Weekend was wonderful!
~Suzanne
Monday, September 7, 2009
FOR TODAY (September 7, 2009)... Outside my window... it's cool and cloudy. It's very quiet outside today.
I am thinking... of all the projects that need to be finished before the snow flies this year.
I am thankful for... a hard working and very talented husband, our cozy home, and our fur babies... and for good health insurance.
I am wearing... denim shorts and my old (very old) navy v-neck sweater... and of course I'm inside, so my feet are bare right now!
I am creating... my Christmas shopping list in my head... and also looking for a birthday gift or two...
I am going... to physical therapy this week, and also to the doctor this week.
I am reading... nothing... I just finished reading The Shack. A former co-worker has tried to "taint" my views on this book... but I won't be deterred... I liked it!
I am hoping... and praying continually that DH's bosses will be convicted to do the right thing.
I am hearing... DH working on projects down in the basement. He's fixed a broken chair seat, and now is fixing some wiring for a couple of things that we got garage sailing..
Around the house... it still needs to be picked up, dusted and vacuumed from the last couple of days. There is a roast in the fridge that will soon go into the oven for dinner. Yummmm!
One of my favorite things... is that DH likes to help me in the kitchen... he baked cookies for me last night and made breakfast this morning.
A few plans for the rest of the week: Doctors appointments for both of us... physical therapy for me... getting bills paid this week, getting tires on the car and car maintenance... and remembering to order contact lenses for me!
Thanks for reading... I hope you are having a wonderful Labor Day! Be blessed!~Suzanne
Monday, August 31, 2009
Simple Woman's Daybook...
FOR TODAY (August 31. 2009)... Outside my window... It's cloudy and cool, with a slight breeze.
I am thinking... of what a great weekend we had here... Friday, DH brought home Chipotle for dinner, Saturday, we stayed home all day and worked on small home projects. And Sunday, we went to church, bought a new tool for DH and had lunch at Cracker Barrel. It was a nice day.
I am thankful for... my hardworking husband and our little family. I am thankful for a cozy home and good friends.
From the kitchen... we are going to have pork chops and scalloped corn for dinner. Yum!
I am wearing... a black long sleeve cable v-neck sweater and denim shorts... bare foot as usual.
I am creating... yummy things to eat for dinner... and maybe dessert too!
I am going... to physical therapy tomorrow... glad to see progress on my disc issue.
I am reading... "The Shack"... and I love it!
I am hoping... that I will gain more mobility and be able to go back into the pool for my knee.
I am hearing... the breeze in the trees and few birds too. We've kept the tv off now for a few days... and either talked or listened to music.
Around the house... DH is working on a couple projects, I am working on training Pumpkin... and Nolli is enjoying extra Mommy-time with me!
One of my favorite things... is how most of my outdoor flowers are still blooming... we are well aware that soon we will be putting all the Summer things away and our outdoor living room will be gone for another 7 months.
A few plans for the rest of the week: working on my flexibility... and recording my pain on my knee to build a clear picture of what is happening for the doctor. (Replacement may be coming sooner than I thought.)
Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
A Simple Woman's Daybook...
FOR TODAY (July 7th, 2009)...Outside my window... It's cooler today... just the low 60's with a chance of thunderstorms this afternoon, it's was sunny early this morning, but the cloud cover has arrived.
I am thinking... how much fun we had in Connecticut this past weekend.
I am thankful for... new family and new friends... my sweet and enduring husband and sweet funny Nolli-dog.
From the kitchen... there are tons of good eats, wonderfully shared from the kitchen of Uncle Jesse... I don't have to really cook this week!
I am wearing... my usual uniform... jeans, t-shirt and sandals
I am creating... piles of clean laundry from our trip! =)
I am going... to the pharmacy later for DH to get his scripts filled and to the post office.
I am hoping... that our third party insurance benefits payer will finally pay our deductibles.
I am hearing... cars on the street, wind in the trees, someone edge trimming the grass.
Around the house... there are few things to be put away from the trip, but only a few!
One of my favorite things... how Nolli is so happy to be home, how good our bed felt last night, how nice it was to come home to a wonderfully clean house!
A few plans for the rest of the week: to catch up on laundry and contemplate new projects.
Here is picture thought I am sharing...
DH and his Uncle Jesse... they have a deep and abiding love and friendship for each other and for family. Two strong, yet gentle men, who both served our country!
Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne
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