Holiday Time!

I have been busy preparing for Christmas for weeks now. But somewhere in all the busy-ness, I seemed to lose track of the days... I so need an extra one! Both DH and I thought we had an extra day. Yikes, there is still a bunch to do!

I did lose some time having an arthritic flare and DH's schedule going to 12 hours a day, 7 days a week. I have times where I need his assistance with things. He can also become quite a mess maker when he works so much and I find that I constantly have to clean behind him. And then there are the things I cannot do on my own, either because of health issues now or issues from past health issues... making it really all about my health. Which, it has improved from last year to this year.

That being said, I do have to deal with Fibromyalgia and the ever present back pain that radiates to my arms and down my legs. I also have Rheumatoid Arthritis in my hands and in my right foot. It makes it difficult to do certain things like load and unload the dishwasher and washing pots and pans. I drop a lot of stuff! I can no longer be barefoot in the kitchen to protect my feet. It took a while for me to adjust to as I love being barefooted. I have trouble with holding on to most anything, I have trouble with my right toes... my second and third toes are affected and sometimes I cannot curl my toes... and it makes it difficult to keep my slippers on my feet!

I'd love to be able to share my Christmas tree this year but my abilities to upload pictures is giving me trouble. My laptop has had issues ever since we bought it and my husband did have to replace the motherboard on it once. My power cord has become cracked and it's been taped up. My DH took my entire computer apart and fixed a couple of things... it was out of commission for about 2 weeks. I had to use his laptop for a few things, but mostly used my I-pad.

So, dealing with Fibro and R/A... has given me lots of fatigue and a ton of brain fog! I don't always remember things I should... forgetting to pay a bill or forgetting just how much money I've spent. DH loves me inspite of my screw ups! Time to go get busy in the kitchen again... making peppermint bark, cookies and dessert for our little gathering at my friend Janey's house! So excited to give her her Christmas gifts... both of which I made for her.

Thank you for reading... Marry Christmas!

~Suzanne

Busy as I can be!

I love the end of summer and beginning of fall. Especially around these parts as there are so many wonderful farm stands in our little area. I have my choice of 4 produce stands that are direct from the farm within 5 miles of home. And there are 2 wonderful orchards within 6 miles.

I have been busy with my canner. I've done my wax beans - at total of 18 pint and a half jars. And I have done strawberry freezer jam. I have done roasted tomato marinara sauce and I have frozen it in zip locks bags, done quart jars in my pressure canner and frozen even more in freezer jars by the quart. I am also dehydrating tomatoes and have one last batch in the oven roasting as I sit and type. 

I have 2 more projects to do... making raspberry peach jam and also canning homemade pork and beans. I hear that they are much better home canned than what we can buy in the store. I am willing to give it a try as my DH loves beans. I hope that when the time comes, he will enjoy the efforts I am making! He's not home much these days as the plant he works at is very busy finishing up their Christmas candies to be shipped across the country. Long 12 hour days and with a few shifts that only have 8 hours in between are the norm for this time of year.

DH also tells me that they are short handed and a few people were suspended indefinitely last week due to an issue with getting date codes changed properly. Someone was suppose to change it... thought someone else was doing it, a supervisor didn't check soon enough, product had to be pulled from shipping to be reworked. It sounds like a big mess, and they are trying to get it all figured out and place the blame on the proper person. It's all stuff that makes me feel glad I don't work there. I know those things are important, but it also affects so many people when someone doesn't do their job correctly... from other employees and their families, all the way to the consumer if things aren't caught soon enough.

I am feeling very blessed to be able to be home and do my canning projects. I am also working on doing laundry today and trying to get some weekend housework done. It seems that I am always working on cleaning the house in the midst of what ever I am trying to do. I do know that I need to get my closet sorted out and get rid of some clothing. I have way too much, and I need to let go of some of my older pieces that I no longer wear. (I always think I will wear again soon, and then I don't.) I have a huge pile of things that either need to be thrown away or have a yard sale and then donate the rest to Goodwill or Sals. What a quandary to find myself in. It takes it's toll on me both mentally and physically... more physically than anything, my hands hurt and so does my back and my knees. Time to soldier on!

Thanks for reading... have a blessed day!
~Suzanne

Struggles

I don't really have much to say of late... other than I am having struggles on so many fronts. My health seems to waiver back and forth... good days and bad days seem to fight for balance. I went through a tough arthritic flare a few weeks ago that had me in bed and knocked out for days.

I also struggle with keeping up with house work and chores and keeping my husband ready for his grueling work schedule. He has been working 12 hours days... 21 days in a row. When he finally was able to use some vacation time, it was all spent on getting things ready for winter as he is not certain when his next time off will be. When I have a good day, I grocery shop. The rest of the time, I pack lunches and do laundry.

I have done some canning in the last few weeks. I just couldn't help myself from taking advantage of all the good produce that is grown locally. I just had to put some things up for the winter. That too, has taken it's toll on me. I get exhausted after a day of working... and need to sleep and nap for the next 2 days after that.

I also struggle with things from my past, things that are triggered by news reports. I have done a book outline, preface and have started to write in order to cope with all that troubles me. Someday, I will finish and be able to share it. But for now, it will be a memoir for my family.

I wish this post was more positive... but I do know that I can say that I have a wonderful husband who loves me deeply and takes such good care of me. I have my sweet Pumpkin-dog who adores me, and my silly Cooper-dog who entertains me as much as he drives me crazy. That is quite a lot in scheme of things these days. Yes, I am very blessed.

Thanks for reading!
~Suzanne

It's been awhile

I haven't been posting as of late because I haven't been feeling all that well. Most days, I feel like I've been ran over by a freight train. I ache all over, my right knee is barely holding on as it feels like my lateral ligament is about to let go at any moment. Fatigue grips most of my afternoons. It's all I can do to take a shower and get myself out the door to grocery shopping. If DH is still sleeping (as is the norm when he works 3pm to 3am) I struggle to bring in my purchases and put away the perishables. My day is pretty well shot after that... and I struggle with getting DH's lunch made.

I am starting to wonder if I don't suffer from fibromyalgia what with all the pain my joints are in or if in fact it's arthritis spreading. Most of my summer plans for the yard have been placed on hold due to how I feel and that DH is not home much. He works almost all the time... weekends included. And most of the time, it's a 12 hour day.

We did manage a fast trip to Connecticut for the 4th of July and DH's Grams 95th birthday party. It was a fun time and so many family were there to visit... it was a great party inspite of the heat and humidity. Punky dog didn't take to that heat/humidity combo... she had 3 nice cool dunks in the bathtub to help keep heat exhaustion at bay for her. (That meant I got to spend most of my day in a soaking wet t-shirt in front of the a/c to keep her cool. She's such a cute little dear-heart of a dog that I didn't mind. She is our baby after all!

I think the highlight of my week was seeing a couple of girlfriends from work for lunch this past Friday and having DH home for Sunday. We went out for dinner, it was a lovely evening but I've been exhausted ever since. I bought canning supplies to do some freezer jams, but have yet to go to the Amish market to buy anything. (There's always next year.)

That's all I have... sorry it sounds like a laundry list of aches and pains.
Thanks for reading...

Suzanne

We've been Busy!

Yesterday was a much needed day of fun! DH and I had a date day where we went off together to do a few things that I cannot manage to do without help. We made it a fun day together. (I think we have turned the corner on being sick and are starting to feel better!)

Anyway... we headed north to do some shopping. I needed to go to Hobby Lobby... and I can't maneuver through the store on my own. They don't offer electric shopping carts, only wheelchairs. So... DH has to push me through the store. Someday, I will have the ability to walk through that place. (I can't wait for that!)

We shopped at Harbor Freight as well. DH got some longed for bench tools... and he's promised me to get the garage cleaned out and a new work bench installed for said tools. (I can't wait for that! I love doing projects on bench tools!) We also went to Petsmart for some goodies for Punky and lastly stopped at the fabric store for me. I bought some beautiful dress goods and can't wait to get sewing on a cute dress pattern that should give me some great dresses for this summer. (I love wearing dresses in the summer.)

We stopped for a yummy steak dinner at a place we can only go to up north. It was really good food and a great atmosphere. We had a lovely time together. We love to people watch and visit... it has been a bliss-filled 4 days off together. Even being sick and trying to get some things done at home were nice because we were together. It sweet and DH did do several things that I need help with, carrying laundry and changing bedding. (He's a real sweetie and does all he can to help me so I don't over stress my heart or back.)

I have done some cooking in the last 4 days as well... we have lots of good eats stocked in the fridge right now. There is a great meatloaf, easter ham, a pot roast with potatoes and carrots, a yummy mashed potato casserole with bacon and cheese, red bliss potato salad, and left over steak and salty baked potato from last night. It's nice to have so much to chose from for dinner while DH is at work... and then for him to heat up when he comes home tonite.

The weather has been fairly mild... yesterday was fabulous! It was in the 50's and sunny... only needed a light jacket. I wore a t-shirt with an insulated vest and jeans... it felt great in the sunshine and no cumbersome coat!

It's hard to believe I have been home from work for 4 months now. After driving north yesterday, it felt great to go past my old exit and not have to worry or think about all that stress of my old job. I do not miss that drive at all... and really wondered how I managed it for over 2 years. I am so grateful for DH to work so hard that I can be home. He's a wonder!

Thanks for reading... please have a blessed day.
~Suzanne

Weekend in Review

This weekend has been a bit crazy around here... we caught the edge of the winter storm and had about 8 inches of snow down here. DH's family lives in Northeast Connecticut and they received about 40 inches of snow.

During the storm... DH had to be out in it. He had signed up for an overnight shift and ended up working over on his regular shift as well. He came home at 5 and ate dinner and got ready for his next shift. Because it was snowing so badly, I suggested that he leave early and rest at work instead of trying to get there during the height of it. He was going to take the car but ended up having to come back and get the SUV out of the garage and use it to get up the hill. He made it there quite fine and made it home in the morning at 7:30 to shovel and help the plow guy.

We decided to go up to Sam's Club yesterday and do some shopping. We had a ball and really enjoyed our time together. DH is quite fun to go shopping with as he loves to look at everything. He's very patient with me as I decide on what I need for the house. I did happen to find a 6 1/2 qt. enameled dutch oven at a very reasonable price. It did make it's way to our home.

When we got home, there was a call on the answering machine from Sophie's former Foster family. I had contacted them as I felt Sophie was not adjusting to life here as well as I had hoped. We decided to rehome her with their help. They had found 2 families that wanted her and we ended up taking her to her new home last night. It was very traumatic... and Sophie was not going to go into the house with us to meet her new family until I picked up my purse and started inside. Her new home has a large dog as well and a nice large fenced yard for her... and 5 kids to love her. it was hard on her to be cooped up with me with the cold weather and snow.

Today, I tried to sleep in but Pumpkin had other plans. One thing she learned from Sophie is how to wake me in the morning. Today has been a trial with Pumpkin as she is missing Sophie. She has decided to soil the floor on several occasions today instead of communicating her needs...  so I will have to start working with her tomorrow on her manners.

DH has worked today as well... he takes such good care of us. I appreciate how hard he works. I was able to also chat with several former co-workers this weekend, and I am so glad to be able to stay home these days as I heard several stories, all the same, about how hard and hostile the work environment has become. Very glad that I don't have to be subjected to the things I have heard.

Thanks for reading. Please be blessed!
~Suzanne

One of Those Lucky People...

I am one of those "Lucky People" who have been suffering from the flu. I am finally on the backside of it... but the flu took all of my energy and interest with it when it left.

I still have a lingering cough and some body aches. I have a really bad case of "sofa-itis" and a side of "I don't really care" thrown into the mix. I am still very fatigued and I can't seem to go to sleep at a normal time causing me to have to sleep in every day. (I don't like to sleep that late... it screws up the day!) But for some reason... my body is requiring that I sleep 9 to 10 hours... with a nap in the afternoon for good measure.

You may recall that I had to go off my synthroid in December and go in to a hypo-thyroid state which caused me to sleep 18 hours a day. I don't know if this fatigue is part of that... part of a lingering flu symptom... or something else. I do know that I have no energy or desire to do anything. All I want is to sleep. It's all I can do to clean up the kitchen and make dinner for DH. I made myself a doctors appointment for Tuesday... and I do have a sleep study scheduled for tonite.

I am trying to bring some sense of normalcy back to this house from before I stopped working. It's not working and yet it's driving me a little crazy that I can't seem to get everything back to a neat and orderly stage for some reason. I think I am going to start with trying to get my dining room table uncluttered (DH's favorite dumping ground) and work on all the paper that never gets tossed or shredded. (I think I will even break out the shredder from under the desk and out it into overdrive.)

Well... it seems that writing about my issues has helped and I am ready to go tackle the 2 afore mentioned projects and get that shredder going! If you see smoke from over my way... that will be the shredder!

Thanks for reading!
~Suzanne

Our Busy Day!

Last night after DH got home from work... he decided to take me out to dinner. We headed north for his favorite place, Red Robin, for burgers. It was a delicious idea and afterward, we hit Wegmans to do our weekly shopping. Some parts of the store were pretty picked over but we managed to find what we needed. It was great because there weren't too many people and no screaming, crying children to be heard.

We had errands to do today... like head up to Shickshinny to my favorite little gently used gift shop, The Holey Cow. I had several things on hold that I needed to pick up... one of which was a 7 foot tall bird house! They pictures of it posted on Facebook and I told Jeff that I wanted it. There were 3 other people that saw it after me... all wanting it. One even offered to pay more for it, but Carole said nope!

After that... we headed west, had some breakfast at our favorite place and then went to price band saws. From there, we went to the Wal*marts to do some shopping for the stuff we didn't get last night. We headed towards home and DH dropped me off at the nail salon while he went up the hill to the auto parts store to get everything he needed to do an oil change for his truck. We ended up being gone for most of the day and we both wanted nothing more than to put jammies on tonight and chill out in front of the tv.

So... we are all snug and cozy on this chilly November night. Punky has has her dinner and is sleeping at the other end of the sofa from me. DH is in his chair with his lap top and we have reruns of Cosby on... while we both putter around. This is living! And we love it!

Thanks for reading... stayed blessed!
~Suzanne

Tuesday... Catch Up Time!

It's Tuesday night.... and I am exhausted. As many of you know (from Facebook) I have had more than my share of health issues in the past few years. I am quickly learning my limitations of living with aortic stenosis and an ascending aortic aneurysm along with a few other things... like the after effects of Thyroid cancer, and insulin dependent type 2 diabetes... and osteoarthritis and needing my right knee replaced - 3 years ago! (They did the left knee 3 years ago instead cuz that was the one that hurt!)

I state all of the information only to say... that I went grocery shopping on Saturday... and it kicked my butt!!! I went to the store and usually find a electric riding shopping cart. Not that day, so I ended up having to walk through my shopping trip. In my defense, I did do a few errands and get a mani/pedi before I hit the store. Anyway... I was so tired from all the walking and loading and unloading and carry up the stairs and putting away all the groceries, I didn't do much on Sunday. And I was still feeling it on Monday. More than one coworker told me that I looked pretty tired on Monday.

I managed to feel pretty good during my work day today. I worked hard and covered alot of ground for the start of my next month which accounting wise, will start on the 3rd of August. So... I went to see my hair dresser tonight after work. We always have such a great time when we get together. She does an amazing job with my hair... making sure that I get to be as blond as I want to be without having my very black hair not be brassy or become damaged. It's always so good to get my hair cut and colored... it helps to camouflage my gray hair and the amount of hair I have lost from being sick and medications.

That being said... I was hoping to share that DH and I were planning a get away. But, sadly, that won't be happening anytime soon. His work schedule has been changed to 7 days a week and included lots and lots of overtime. I feel as tho I am living with a mouse... I buy food and put it in the fridge and it disappears! I feel bad for him... and if I didn't get to call him on my lunch or him calling me on his breaktime... we would live on notes for communication. I appreciate how hard he works and it's very hard for him to always be at work.

It's bed time for me and for Punky. I don't have any idea what time DH will be home tonight.
Thanks for reading.... keep us in your prayers!

~Suzanne

A Daybook Entry

Simple Woman's Daybook...

FOR TODAY (July 22. 2012)...

Outside my window... it's been a partly sunny daym with temps at about 85  degrees.

I am thinking... that I need to get some of the housework under control, or that it's time to hire a housekeeper to help me keep up.

I am thankful for... a hard working husband that works seemingly endless hours to provide for us.

From the kitchen... there is a fresh baked pizza for dinner and some good leftovers for the coming week.

I am wearing... a long black and white paisley sun dress and silver jewelry.

I am creating... a cleaning list to keep me on track, and working on a jewelry organizer to hand on my wall.

I am going... to take Punky to get her nails clipped today... she needs a mani-pedi!

I am reading... a few easy summer reads, all beach themed novels.

I am hoping... to plan a little day trip for DH and I in the coming month.

I am hearing... the air conditioner, DH cleaning out my car, and Punky next to me on the couch.

Around the house... laundry awaits being folded and put away and dishwahser needs to be ran!

One of my favorite things... just finished season 2 of Downton Abbey... can't wait for next season!

 

A few plans for the rest of the week: Just to make it to work every day and hopefully be able to function with my right knee feeling like it doesn't want to do what it's suppose to! I need to make a return to Cracker Barrell... and I need to keep working on keeping up with the house work. I also need to find a new family doctor as mine has taken a new job and to find a new cardiologist that understands all of my heart conditions along with all the other health issues I have.

 

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

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

A Slow-Down...

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

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

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

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

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

Waiting for it!

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

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

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

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

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

M.I.A.

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

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

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

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

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

On "Catch Up" Duty

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

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

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

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

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

Thanks for reading... be blessed.
~Suzanne

Big Oops!

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

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

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

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

Well... that was fun!

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

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

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

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

Simple Woman's Daybook...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thanks for reading... be blessed!

~Suzanne

Tick Tock, Tick Tock!

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

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

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

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne