This past week has been kicking my tail... and DH's tail as well. We're up early... and running all day long. I have still been feeling the after effects of having the flu... and being out of one of my maintenance medications. I tried to to errands and shopping on Saturday and ended up getting ill in the middle of it all... and had to come and sleep. I was gone for most of Sunday, attending a baby shower, which involved a drive and then having to be "entertaining" while feeling puny.
I've also tried to cook ahead and make things for dinner during this week. I've been made some good things to reheat... but it hasn't made any difference as DH has been working overtime and had night calls 2 out of 3 nights so far. He's tired... and I've been having to pick up the slack where he usually helps me. It's been making us both very weary. Running errands after work, shopping, and cooking and cleaning have tuckered me out... and tonite I voted for eating take-out. (So much for reheating what I made!)
Tomorrow I have an appointment after work... the upholstery guy is coming to do repair work on my sofa. We had seam failure on one of the back cushions and it's under warranty. He's coming around 6 pm... and so I have been picking things up and straightening and dusting. I hope I can convince DH to run the vacuum for me... I still can't do the push and pull of the vacuum cleaner.
Work is going well for me... my month turned out better for February than I first thought. I had lots of "old money" come in and it shows that I worked very hard last month. I am running hard to get a good start to this month... not too certain just what my goal will be for March. I do know that my location has lots of work to do to keep up with me... I keep finding problems and issues and I know that they are sick of getting my emails asking for them to do what needs to be done and my checking for accountability. They are not used to having someone hold them accountable for issues that have a way of being swept under the rug... guess who keeps looking under the rug and showing them what needs to be cleaned up!
I've got wrap this up and get busy so the house is a little more under control... still need to pack lunches for tomorrow and get the dishwasher unloaded. I think I hate house work!
Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Reflections and Thoughts...
As I am enjoying the quiet of the morning... I began to think of the last 2 weeks. We've both had the flu prior to this past week. Work wise... we've both been busy. DH has had such a busy week this past week that I've tried be quiet and let him sleep as much as possible. I seem to be back on a regular sleep cycle of only needing between 7 and 8 hours of rest.
We've had appointments to keep and extra drive times because of weather. We've also begun to take a hard look at finances and where we can cut back to keep up with the rising costs of everything else. I think we are going to be trying to stretch our food dollars and eat at home much more. It's hard to not want to go out for a meal when I fight fatigue as much as I do... living with the after affects of cancer can be really tough sometimes. Yes... I am cancer free... but the changes a body goes through and the maintenance medications also take it's toll on you, be it in energy to carry on through the day or in a myriad of other ways.
We've decided that we are either going to go back to cleaning the house ourselves or have the cleaning lady only come twice a month. We have projects that we want to do this Spring... but we are wondering if we should do them, given the state of world affairs and how they are affecting each of us directly in the pocket book. We've had some big set-backs in the last 6 months... and we don't have our nest egg anymore. We need to be diligent in saving as much as we can but also be smart in how we spend our money. I know that God does supply our needs... but it's also my responsibility to be wise in my spending habits.
Well.... this has gone in a different direction... but it's out there now. We continue to seek what God would have us to do... and we continue to struggle with being human and having wants and desires. I need to remind myself to be content with what I have... it's more than a lot of people have... and I don't want to worry about having to "keep up with the Jones or the Smiths". We are happy and we love our quiet life... and we take great comfort in knowing that God is a restorative God who loves us.
Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne
We've had appointments to keep and extra drive times because of weather. We've also begun to take a hard look at finances and where we can cut back to keep up with the rising costs of everything else. I think we are going to be trying to stretch our food dollars and eat at home much more. It's hard to not want to go out for a meal when I fight fatigue as much as I do... living with the after affects of cancer can be really tough sometimes. Yes... I am cancer free... but the changes a body goes through and the maintenance medications also take it's toll on you, be it in energy to carry on through the day or in a myriad of other ways.
We've decided that we are either going to go back to cleaning the house ourselves or have the cleaning lady only come twice a month. We have projects that we want to do this Spring... but we are wondering if we should do them, given the state of world affairs and how they are affecting each of us directly in the pocket book. We've had some big set-backs in the last 6 months... and we don't have our nest egg anymore. We need to be diligent in saving as much as we can but also be smart in how we spend our money. I know that God does supply our needs... but it's also my responsibility to be wise in my spending habits.
Well.... this has gone in a different direction... but it's out there now. We continue to seek what God would have us to do... and we continue to struggle with being human and having wants and desires. I need to remind myself to be content with what I have... it's more than a lot of people have... and I don't want to worry about having to "keep up with the Jones or the Smiths". We are happy and we love our quiet life... and we take great comfort in knowing that God is a restorative God who loves us.
Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Flu and Love in Action
It's been a trying week at the cottage... we've both been hit with the flu. I was struck down Tuesday night after coming home from work... and if it hadn't been for my wonderful DH, things would have been pretty ugly around here. Poor DH was hit with it on Thursday morning in the course of his work day... and he happened to be over 100 miles from home with a drive up the turnpike that doesn't offer many stops. Needless to say... he grabbed some medication from the first aid kit and was able to get home before it got too bad. We are still suffering from some of the lingering aspects of this bug.
We braved the cold temperatures and high winds today to get our errands done. We finished at one store and decided to have a bit of lunch. We pulled into a fast-food joint on the side of town we were on... and I noticed an older man standing near the door. We parked and walked inside... ordered and sat down. We enjoyed our meal, talked and played on our phones, and right before we were leaving, I noticed the man walking from up the street at brisk pace. It was so windy and cold and there were snow flurries.
We went out to the car and went down the road to our next stop, a strip mall where my pharmacy is. We parked and went inside to get my meds... and we weren't really lingering. As we came back out of the store, the man was standing inside the glassed in area of the strip mall, looking out. As we came to him, we both smiled at him and he asked... "Do you have 39 cents so I can catch the bus?" Of course we did... and DH reached for his wallet to give him money. I asked him, "Do you need something to eat?" The man looked down, and said, "I didn't want to ask..." DH reached in his wallet and gave him the rest of what he had. It wasn't much, but we knew he needed it and he headed to the grocery store. I wish I had taken him shopping to get more of what he needed.
It was a humbling experience... and it made me so grateful that I was able to walk to a nice car to drive home. We had more than enough to share with someone who needed it. It's tough out there for so many, and by all accounts in the media lately, it's not going to get any easier. In the past few days... I have been able to enjoy friends and good fortune, and also to help someone else. It felt good... and I hope God gives me more opportunities like this one to give without judgement or reservation.
Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne
We braved the cold temperatures and high winds today to get our errands done. We finished at one store and decided to have a bit of lunch. We pulled into a fast-food joint on the side of town we were on... and I noticed an older man standing near the door. We parked and walked inside... ordered and sat down. We enjoyed our meal, talked and played on our phones, and right before we were leaving, I noticed the man walking from up the street at brisk pace. It was so windy and cold and there were snow flurries.
We went out to the car and went down the road to our next stop, a strip mall where my pharmacy is. We parked and went inside to get my meds... and we weren't really lingering. As we came back out of the store, the man was standing inside the glassed in area of the strip mall, looking out. As we came to him, we both smiled at him and he asked... "Do you have 39 cents so I can catch the bus?" Of course we did... and DH reached for his wallet to give him money. I asked him, "Do you need something to eat?" The man looked down, and said, "I didn't want to ask..." DH reached in his wallet and gave him the rest of what he had. It wasn't much, but we knew he needed it and he headed to the grocery store. I wish I had taken him shopping to get more of what he needed.
It was a humbling experience... and it made me so grateful that I was able to walk to a nice car to drive home. We had more than enough to share with someone who needed it. It's tough out there for so many, and by all accounts in the media lately, it's not going to get any easier. In the past few days... I have been able to enjoy friends and good fortune, and also to help someone else. It felt good... and I hope God gives me more opportunities like this one to give without judgement or reservation.
Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Work Week Wrapped Up
Well... I went back to work this week. After being home for 3 weeks healing my brain and my body, I hit the ground running at full speed on Monday. It felt good to get back into the groove and do my thing. It felt good to have support from other team members... even as I struggled to grasp what they had accomplished in my absence and how the work was divided up. Now... at the end of the week, we have done some good work and I think we shall see our goals met for the end of the month.
I have to admit, my energy and stamina were taxed that first day. But as I look back on the week, I paced myself, dug in my heels when I needed to, and got it done. It's been a bit taxing on me as I drive past the accident scene every day, and see where my car went over... but I calm myself with deep breathing and focusing on where the cars are and listen to music... and get myself through it.
I've had some help medically... or chemically as it were. My doctor and I agreed to put myself back on a very low dose of anti-depressant medication to help me cope with post traumatic stress syndrome. It has been a very trying time to get my mental health back on track after surviving what could have been a very traumatic accident. (It still is traumatic, but not in a horrible traumatic injury way... make sense?) I try not to fixate on the what if... or the why... cause it can only me feel crazy after awhile. So... instead both DH and I focus on feel grateful, feeling blessed and knowing that God truly does have it all under control while my scrambled brain still heals. It's good to see my progress and it's good to see laughter and joy return to our home after such a stressful event.
Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne
I have to admit, my energy and stamina were taxed that first day. But as I look back on the week, I paced myself, dug in my heels when I needed to, and got it done. It's been a bit taxing on me as I drive past the accident scene every day, and see where my car went over... but I calm myself with deep breathing and focusing on where the cars are and listen to music... and get myself through it.
I've had some help medically... or chemically as it were. My doctor and I agreed to put myself back on a very low dose of anti-depressant medication to help me cope with post traumatic stress syndrome. It has been a very trying time to get my mental health back on track after surviving what could have been a very traumatic accident. (It still is traumatic, but not in a horrible traumatic injury way... make sense?) I try not to fixate on the what if... or the why... cause it can only me feel crazy after awhile. So... instead both DH and I focus on feel grateful, feeling blessed and knowing that God truly does have it all under control while my scrambled brain still heals. It's good to see my progress and it's good to see laughter and joy return to our home after such a stressful event.
Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Simple Woman's Daybook...
FOR TODAY (February 1, 2011)...
Outside my window... there is snow everywhere you look... and lots of icicles.
I am thinking... that I cannot wait to go back to work once I am able to go.
I am thankful for... God's Love and Hedge of Protection around me... to be recovering from only "moderate injuries" instead of major head trauma and broken bones or internal injuries.
From the kitchen... there are ginger snaps in the cookie jar, baked my darling husband, and plans for a good hearty meal of meatloaf and baked potatoes for dinner tonite.
I am wearing... jeans, a long sleeve t-shirt and warm socks.
I am creating... order out of chaos from totalling my car two weeks ago.
I am going... absolutely no where... the weather dictates staying in.
I am reading... lots of blogs when I feel like it, facebook and... really, not much else as it's too taxing right now.
I am hoping... to overcome this small obstacle and give God the Glory for seeing me through this time.
I am hearing... the heat coming on, the dogs snoring behind me... and someone's sno-thrower in the distance.
Around the house... things are fairly orderly, I've done some handwashing and have sweaters drying flat.
One of my favorite things...having my husband call me to let me know he made down the turnpike safely in this snow and ice.
A few plans for the rest of the week: only to continue to rest as much as I can, and see the doctor again on Friday and hopefully be well enough to return to work.
Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
A Post I Thought I'd Never Write...
Today has one of those life-time moments.... That stop you literally in your tracks. I've had a few of those moments in my life... and you get past them.
Today started out like any other day in NE PA in the winter. You check the weather forcast... figure out if it's safe to leave the house... and plan accordingly. We had snow and freezing rain this morning. I decided I was going to go late and take my time getting there.
The yard service came and plowed... and the weather changed just a little... and it felt safe to leave. I was half way there when my moment happened... I was in a roll over accident this morning. I was in the 3rd land, all by myself, when a tractor-trailer changed lanes 6 feet in front of me and the draft from his truck pushed me into the shoulder, where I lost control of my car and rolled over. I rolled up the embankment and then rolled back down facing the other direction. I wasn't sure where I was.
All I knew was that when I started to roll over, I put my hands over my face to keep the air bag from hitting me. (Fortunately, my airbag didn't deploy.) Once I got my bearing,I realized my passenger side window was gone and so was my purse and cell phone. The drivers side door was damaged and I could not get out. I hit the emegency flashers and just sat and waited... not more than a minute went by when someone stopped to help. It was 20 something girl who works at the arena north of here... and she was adept at assessing my situation and health status. She called 911, she called DH and she called my boss... and found my purse and cell phone. She worked with the paramedics and the state trooper so that I wouldn't become too stressed.
I was transported by ambulance on a backboard and neck brace. I spent most of my day at the level 1 trauma center, being evaluated. I can tell you that I literally walked away from this with nothing more than a huge contusion on my head... and lots of bruises. I know that God protected me and I also know that seat belts saved my life. DH, as always, was my hero and came to the trauma center to be with me and stayed by my side and advocated with the nurses on my behalf.
I never, ever thought I'd write about totaling my car. I never thought I'd ever be in a roll-over accident... I am ever so thankful for the first-responders and to Sarah, who stopped to help me. I'm also thankful for my DH... who manages to always take such good care of me. I'm glad to be back home with Nolli and Punky... and I will miss my wonderful car... she was such a good ride!
Thanks for reading... be blessed.
~Suzanne
Today started out like any other day in NE PA in the winter. You check the weather forcast... figure out if it's safe to leave the house... and plan accordingly. We had snow and freezing rain this morning. I decided I was going to go late and take my time getting there.
The yard service came and plowed... and the weather changed just a little... and it felt safe to leave. I was half way there when my moment happened... I was in a roll over accident this morning. I was in the 3rd land, all by myself, when a tractor-trailer changed lanes 6 feet in front of me and the draft from his truck pushed me into the shoulder, where I lost control of my car and rolled over. I rolled up the embankment and then rolled back down facing the other direction. I wasn't sure where I was.
All I knew was that when I started to roll over, I put my hands over my face to keep the air bag from hitting me. (Fortunately, my airbag didn't deploy.) Once I got my bearing,I realized my passenger side window was gone and so was my purse and cell phone. The drivers side door was damaged and I could not get out. I hit the emegency flashers and just sat and waited... not more than a minute went by when someone stopped to help. It was 20 something girl who works at the arena north of here... and she was adept at assessing my situation and health status. She called 911, she called DH and she called my boss... and found my purse and cell phone. She worked with the paramedics and the state trooper so that I wouldn't become too stressed.
I was transported by ambulance on a backboard and neck brace. I spent most of my day at the level 1 trauma center, being evaluated. I can tell you that I literally walked away from this with nothing more than a huge contusion on my head... and lots of bruises. I know that God protected me and I also know that seat belts saved my life. DH, as always, was my hero and came to the trauma center to be with me and stayed by my side and advocated with the nurses on my behalf.
I never, ever thought I'd write about totaling my car. I never thought I'd ever be in a roll-over accident... I am ever so thankful for the first-responders and to Sarah, who stopped to help me. I'm also thankful for my DH... who manages to always take such good care of me. I'm glad to be back home with Nolli and Punky... and I will miss my wonderful car... she was such a good ride!
Thanks for reading... be blessed.
~Suzanne
Sunday, January 9, 2011
What a Mess!
We have been enjoying a quiet Sunday. We slept in until almost 9... I walked the dogs and grabbed the paper. We decided on what to do for breakfast... DH cooked some bacon while I made oatmeal along with toast and juice. I read the paper after breakfast and clipped coupons.
Later, I jumped in the shower to get ready to go to the grocery store. I was just going to the local one about a mile or so away. I did my shopping and loaded the groceries into the car. It was a little windy and it's very cold. I got winded and had a hard time catching my breath. I drove home and called DH from the driveway to help me unload the groceries.
He carried it all inside for me and helped me put it away. I was sitting at the small table we have in the kitchen and I had fixed myself a tall cold glass of diet soda because I was soooo very thirsty. DH was still putting things away and I reached for something to hand him... and I knocked my tall, cold glass of diet soda over... spilling it across the table, down the wall, into the heating unit and on to the floor... brown, fizzy soda and ice cubes went everywhere... and I burst into tears in embarrassment and horror of the mess I had just made.
DH calmly comforted me and we both sprung into action. I cleaned what I could and he cleaned the rest. He's my hero... but then anyone who ever read this for long knows that! He works so hard for us... and he loves us all so much... I can't tell you how much he has had to take on lately with this latest health thing... I can't do a whole lot... and he takes up all the slack. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful man. He didn't get mad at me for making such a sticky mess... and yet, he could have. That's such wonderful Sweet Sunday Love!
Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne
PS... DH said there really wasn't that much soda to clean up... and then he went into the basement, where upon he discovered the rest of my soda had gone through the hole in the floor where the heating pipe goes through to the furnace... and all my soda had landed on the top of the washer and the empty laundry basket that was sitting on it. Ewwww... two messes for him to clean up. (I'm so sorry!)
Later, I jumped in the shower to get ready to go to the grocery store. I was just going to the local one about a mile or so away. I did my shopping and loaded the groceries into the car. It was a little windy and it's very cold. I got winded and had a hard time catching my breath. I drove home and called DH from the driveway to help me unload the groceries.
He carried it all inside for me and helped me put it away. I was sitting at the small table we have in the kitchen and I had fixed myself a tall cold glass of diet soda because I was soooo very thirsty. DH was still putting things away and I reached for something to hand him... and I knocked my tall, cold glass of diet soda over... spilling it across the table, down the wall, into the heating unit and on to the floor... brown, fizzy soda and ice cubes went everywhere... and I burst into tears in embarrassment and horror of the mess I had just made.
DH calmly comforted me and we both sprung into action. I cleaned what I could and he cleaned the rest. He's my hero... but then anyone who ever read this for long knows that! He works so hard for us... and he loves us all so much... I can't tell you how much he has had to take on lately with this latest health thing... I can't do a whole lot... and he takes up all the slack. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful man. He didn't get mad at me for making such a sticky mess... and yet, he could have. That's such wonderful Sweet Sunday Love!
Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne
PS... DH said there really wasn't that much soda to clean up... and then he went into the basement, where upon he discovered the rest of my soda had gone through the hole in the floor where the heating pipe goes through to the furnace... and all my soda had landed on the top of the washer and the empty laundry basket that was sitting on it. Ewwww... two messes for him to clean up. (I'm so sorry!)
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