Liisa and Zack's wedding! We are in the final countdown and it sounds like she has everything under control. I am very excited to be headed to MN--it's been over a year now since I was last up there and I have missed it dreadfully!
I have had some amazing conversations on the phone with Reimond of late. Being away has been really good for him and I am so proud of the directions he is choosing to go. He is a really neat kid! Andrea and Justin got some really bad wasp stings last week after Justing ran through a ground wasp's nest (he didn't know it was there) on their way home from the beach. Liisa and Rei took them to the ER and Andrea was at Abbott while Liis took Justing and Alexis to Childrens. Andrea had 14+ stings and Justin had 9+ stings. Both ended up on prednisone and benadryl, but both are much better now. It was scary though (Alexis had one sting on her back and was fine). Rei ran as go-between from the two hospitals (across the street from each other and connected by an underground tunnel for those who are not familiar with it) and I am so relieved everything turned out well. Tony was in Kansas and called me to see if he should try to fly home; I told him not unless things took a bad turn (e.g. bad allergic reactions), but he will be headed home for this weekend. He blew out his knee doing PT and they had no clinic with an MRI available closer than 200 miles away, so he is needing to get that looked at when he gets home. There is no break, but he can hardly walk on it.
Brie got home from AT and Skye was happy to have her home. Skye is still being a bit of a challenge in putting things up her nose (yesterday she blew out a piece of what looked like scrunched up tape torn off something) and it bled and ran for hours before it finally was visible and could be removed by her mother. I suspected something was up there, but we couldn't *see* anything.
Patrick and his friends have had a series of misfortunate events in FL and currently he is staying at a parent's place of one of the girls. He does have a job, and has been good to be in communication with us. It's definitely been a learning experience for him!
Aurora continues to enjoy her summer vacation, and is glad Dan is back from Maine. He grandfather is now in a rehab home, and is stable. Eric's vacation begins tomorrow, and we are counting the hours! It will be so nice to have him home and be taking a trip together!
I am doing ok: excited tosee/be with my family soon, excited to be bringing the grandkids back with us, and thrilled for Liisa and Zack. I am a little on edge over the pending surgery but am also looking forward to it... And now I have to go get Skye, who is yelling "Helloooooooo" from her bed quite loudly and melodically! She is definitely awake!
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Phase 2 (or is it 3) of our summer:
Whichever it is, we are on the part where Brie is at AT for two + weeks (she should be home on the 9th), Aurora is continuing her job search, Dan has gone to Maine because his grandfather hasn't been doing well (had a stroke while their family was enroute, but is now a little better), Rei is continuing to baby sit the Soulak littles, Patrick is having his own struggles in FL (job-wise, we believe), Liisa is planning her wedding, and Tony passed phase two of his military training (B-NOC) "exceeding course standards" (or the top 10% of his class). Tony is home briefly between phases, then returns to KS for phase 3 on the 8th. Andrea is really appreciating having Rei in the house with her, another adult to entertain and keep track of the kids!
Eric is working hard at both school and work: this is his last term (we hope) and it's going ok so far. I am being run ragged by "Miss Almost Two" who is showing a strong will and a strong independent streak of late (no is her favorite word, she runs the opposite direction from where she is suppose to be, and she has learned the habit of selective hearing from her older role-models...). Skye has figured out how to open the front inside door, and the storm door latch is no longer catching so she can let herself outside (and we fear the dogs too) so we have resorted to deadbolting it, which sucks for those needing to get in. Today she announced to Aurora and I "back later" along with an emphatic finger shake at each of us, then headed for the front door to "go aside". Aurora took her for a brief walk, because the temps were almost 100 degrees at 11 am. What a monkey! She is infuriating and frustrating, and loveable, all rolled into one precocious package (Skye that is).
I saw the eye surgeon and he said surgery is necessary. I am scheduled for August 22nd to do my right eye, followed by my left about three weeks later. I am just having the basic package done, which means I will still be needing glasses when I am through--the astigmatism correction is considered "optional" and costs almost $1800/eye to fully correct the degree of astigmatism I have, and it's $2600/eye if I want my reading vision corrected too, with no guarentee that I won't need glasses still (at the $1800 level I would still likely need reading glasses). We just don't have it in the budget to get it all corrected, and I am ok with that. Just so I can see clearly to do the things I love and enjoy them! Today Aurora laughed with me when I got scared there was a dead animal on the back of the loveseat... It was her hair draped over the back and off to the side of the loveseat, blending in ( because of my blurred vision) with the couch in places, except for where it was standing up/poking out in front of the window. Looked like tufts of fur or feathers to me, seated perpendicular to her on the couch... As I said to her, I can generally differentiate things fairly easily when they are things I know well or expect to see. In that instance, it was neither!
Liisa's wedding plans are coming along. Our prior pastor from down here is a MN native, she is now back in Minnesota, and she will be performing the ceremony at my daughter's house (on the front lawn), followed by a reception/party. It's going to be small, intimate, and loving, and I am so happy for her and Zack. They have focused on ways to do this on a tight, limited budget, and it's going to be beautiful and fun!
We have been dealing with record breaking heat for the past week and today it's supposed to be the hottest it's been. We blew up the kid's pool and have been enjoying it daily with Skye. She developed a horrible yeast infection from her antibiotics, and having her in the pool multiple times a day, plus using the creams has been a god-send and she is looking much better. She is quite the waterbaby and loves to splash and swim. We have to watch her like a hawk though because she makes a beeline for the pool any time we are outdoors, and she can get herself in and out of it without any struggle. She also loves to play in the sprinkler and helping Poppa with watering the yard in the evening is a favorite task.
I completed my May socks by deadline MY time, but not by deadline of the Sock Knitter's annonymous group. Eric wore them to work yesterday and said they were wonderful. I have the June socks to finish before the 31st, and I have been spending time knitting on a gift shawl I started a while back. I have some other knitting that needs to be completed as well, so I have elected NOT to knit the July sock challenge. I am pretty proud of myself though--I kept up thru june! I have things I want to be doing but can't right now, for many reasons, so knitting is helping me to pass the time, as is my Nook (because I can change the font size) and audiobooks. I have played Everquest some, and still enjoy it, but it is hard to get involved with anything of significance (game-wise) while I have Skye to keep track of. She loves computers, but isn't much help with playing games on them.
Like so many in similar circumstances we are in the process of tightening our belts some, and realigning some priorities. I am trusting in God's grace to see us through these challenges, but it is stressful and frustrating, as well as humbling when we see how much we have been blessed with as well. Lots of prayers are being lifted up on so many fronts for us, for family, for friends. Everyone has their struggles these days, and prayers are an easy way to aid when there is nothing else to be done. God knows the needs better than we do ourselves, and I trust in His plan to satisfy them in His own time (as much as I wish it were in MY time frame, unfortunately).
Anyway, baby is awake from her nap, so it's time to hit the pool in the yard! Stay cool!
Eric is working hard at both school and work: this is his last term (we hope) and it's going ok so far. I am being run ragged by "Miss Almost Two" who is showing a strong will and a strong independent streak of late (no is her favorite word, she runs the opposite direction from where she is suppose to be, and she has learned the habit of selective hearing from her older role-models...). Skye has figured out how to open the front inside door, and the storm door latch is no longer catching so she can let herself outside (and we fear the dogs too) so we have resorted to deadbolting it, which sucks for those needing to get in. Today she announced to Aurora and I "back later" along with an emphatic finger shake at each of us, then headed for the front door to "go aside". Aurora took her for a brief walk, because the temps were almost 100 degrees at 11 am. What a monkey! She is infuriating and frustrating, and loveable, all rolled into one precocious package (Skye that is).
I saw the eye surgeon and he said surgery is necessary. I am scheduled for August 22nd to do my right eye, followed by my left about three weeks later. I am just having the basic package done, which means I will still be needing glasses when I am through--the astigmatism correction is considered "optional" and costs almost $1800/eye to fully correct the degree of astigmatism I have, and it's $2600/eye if I want my reading vision corrected too, with no guarentee that I won't need glasses still (at the $1800 level I would still likely need reading glasses). We just don't have it in the budget to get it all corrected, and I am ok with that. Just so I can see clearly to do the things I love and enjoy them! Today Aurora laughed with me when I got scared there was a dead animal on the back of the loveseat... It was her hair draped over the back and off to the side of the loveseat, blending in ( because of my blurred vision) with the couch in places, except for where it was standing up/poking out in front of the window. Looked like tufts of fur or feathers to me, seated perpendicular to her on the couch... As I said to her, I can generally differentiate things fairly easily when they are things I know well or expect to see. In that instance, it was neither!
Liisa's wedding plans are coming along. Our prior pastor from down here is a MN native, she is now back in Minnesota, and she will be performing the ceremony at my daughter's house (on the front lawn), followed by a reception/party. It's going to be small, intimate, and loving, and I am so happy for her and Zack. They have focused on ways to do this on a tight, limited budget, and it's going to be beautiful and fun!
We have been dealing with record breaking heat for the past week and today it's supposed to be the hottest it's been. We blew up the kid's pool and have been enjoying it daily with Skye. She developed a horrible yeast infection from her antibiotics, and having her in the pool multiple times a day, plus using the creams has been a god-send and she is looking much better. She is quite the waterbaby and loves to splash and swim. We have to watch her like a hawk though because she makes a beeline for the pool any time we are outdoors, and she can get herself in and out of it without any struggle. She also loves to play in the sprinkler and helping Poppa with watering the yard in the evening is a favorite task.
I completed my May socks by deadline MY time, but not by deadline of the Sock Knitter's annonymous group. Eric wore them to work yesterday and said they were wonderful. I have the June socks to finish before the 31st, and I have been spending time knitting on a gift shawl I started a while back. I have some other knitting that needs to be completed as well, so I have elected NOT to knit the July sock challenge. I am pretty proud of myself though--I kept up thru june! I have things I want to be doing but can't right now, for many reasons, so knitting is helping me to pass the time, as is my Nook (because I can change the font size) and audiobooks. I have played Everquest some, and still enjoy it, but it is hard to get involved with anything of significance (game-wise) while I have Skye to keep track of. She loves computers, but isn't much help with playing games on them.
Like so many in similar circumstances we are in the process of tightening our belts some, and realigning some priorities. I am trusting in God's grace to see us through these challenges, but it is stressful and frustrating, as well as humbling when we see how much we have been blessed with as well. Lots of prayers are being lifted up on so many fronts for us, for family, for friends. Everyone has their struggles these days, and prayers are an easy way to aid when there is nothing else to be done. God knows the needs better than we do ourselves, and I trust in His plan to satisfy them in His own time (as much as I wish it were in MY time frame, unfortunately).
Anyway, baby is awake from her nap, so it's time to hit the pool in the yard! Stay cool!
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Almost the end of June
and phase two of the summer is done already. I finished my class, and ended up with an A for it, which I am so relieved about. My final project paper, which was due the end of week 9 was submitted a day early, and three days before the end of the class I get a notice that said it was late! I was scared, nervous, and upset. Sent emails to the instructor, talked to tech support (I had received confirmation that it had been submitted and accepted that Saturday, which remained in place most of the week, until the notice it was late, because I was checking for grades on it daily thereafter), and my instructor accepted it when I resubmitted it and didn't penalize me for "being late". Thank God! I had been just sick over it!
We made the trip to Florida (St. Augustine) and it was lovely. The weather was perfect, the town historic, the hotel had a pool and a 640 year old oak tree, and I really enjoyed it. There were moments of tension and frustration, of course, because one doesn't have an ex-girlfriend, a current fiancee, a baby, one's entire family present without there being stress and tension. Brie generally handled herself well, but it was clear she was stressed at points. Then we had a trip to the ER added into the mix on Father's day. Skye had been stuffing things up her nose, and unbeknownst to us had put a part of a tissue up her right nostril that was rotting. Anyhow, she woke up with a fever and lethargic, and we took her in. They pulled out two small wads of tissue (the second one, higher up, was just rank), and put her on a high powered antibiotic for the infection. Poor baby was scared to death and kept telling everyone "thank you, buh-bye" to get them out of the room. Dalton, Brie, and I were in the room with her, along with the hospital personnel, and we were there for around 3 hours, after which we went back to Regina's house (Dalton's mom), ate some burgers, and took the baby back to the hotel to nap.
Long-story short, the med upset Skye's stomach so she had no appetite and the runs, she threw up on the drive home so that we ended up staying in a hotel overnight so we could rinse out the carseat cover and give her a bath. We did take her in once we were home and they changed her antibiotic; she is 100% better now and hopefully will stop sneaking stuff up her nostril!
Skye was very receptive to meeting her great-grandparents on her dad's side of the family, who had only seen her in photographs prior to this trip, and we took lots of pictures. She got along well with her cousin Abby (who is 2 weeks younger), and seemed to like her dad's fiancee too (who was generally gracious with all that was going on). I really enjoyed meeting Dalton's grandparents and of course, I really like his mom, so the trip went well.
We got home late Thursday afternoon, took the baby to the clinic Friday, Eric and I stole a few hours on Saturday to go to the winery in the afternoon, and went back onto "parenting duties" Saturday night because Brie left for her two weeks of AT training.
Reimond had a little excitement heading up to Minneapolis. He got dropped off at the train only to discover he had no cash to pay for the train ticket (despite my telling him to take change from my bucket for it), and he called me in a panic (I was in Florida at the time!). He was able to track down Aurora and Dan, who raided my "piggy bank" for him and brought him back train fare, then he got to the airport without incident, and made it safely to Phoenix, where his flight got delayed for 2 hours or better. He finally arrived in Minneapolis 2.5 hours after he was supposed to be there, and was glad to be "home". Things are going well at Tony and Andrea's, the work isn't terribly onerous, and he is spending time with the kids, his siblings, and friends in his spare time. He passed his license test, so he is driving now, and seems to be doing well with the adult responsibilities.
So: I am back in Mascoutah, and now am planning out the rest of July! We have Skye this week and next while Brie is gone, then we will be travelling up to Minneapolis on the 25th for a week. Liisa is now pulling together her wedding for July 28th so it can happen while we are there, and it's going to be on her front lawn at the house, followed by a reception/party. She is doing it on a shoestring, and is very excited about how it is coming together. My former pastor from down here will be officiating, and things will be finalized on Sunday (7/1) when Liis and Zack meet with Pastor Heidi at her new office in St. Peter, MN. When we leave Minneapolis we will be bringing Justin and Alexis back with us to spend 2.5-3 weeks here, and I am looking forward to that too. I miss those little ones dreadfully!
My mom's heart issues seem to have straightened out with the medication change, and she is feeling fine. She still has "gravel" in her kidney so the stent remains in place and she has to drink more water to try to flush it out. She is excited about the wedding, and is the same as always when I talk to her on the phone.
I see the eye surgeon today and hopefully will get some answers I need regarding my vision.
Skye yesterday decided to swim in the dog's water dish... I think she got spoiled with the pool at the hotel, and missed it, so I took her to the Mascoutah pool--for 2.5 hours! That baby was so tired she asked to be carried in the pool but wasn't ready to leave. We came home anyway, and she was in bed by 7:30 last night.
Ok, that's the news! Now I need some coffee!
We made the trip to Florida (St. Augustine) and it was lovely. The weather was perfect, the town historic, the hotel had a pool and a 640 year old oak tree, and I really enjoyed it. There were moments of tension and frustration, of course, because one doesn't have an ex-girlfriend, a current fiancee, a baby, one's entire family present without there being stress and tension. Brie generally handled herself well, but it was clear she was stressed at points. Then we had a trip to the ER added into the mix on Father's day. Skye had been stuffing things up her nose, and unbeknownst to us had put a part of a tissue up her right nostril that was rotting. Anyhow, she woke up with a fever and lethargic, and we took her in. They pulled out two small wads of tissue (the second one, higher up, was just rank), and put her on a high powered antibiotic for the infection. Poor baby was scared to death and kept telling everyone "thank you, buh-bye" to get them out of the room. Dalton, Brie, and I were in the room with her, along with the hospital personnel, and we were there for around 3 hours, after which we went back to Regina's house (Dalton's mom), ate some burgers, and took the baby back to the hotel to nap.
Long-story short, the med upset Skye's stomach so she had no appetite and the runs, she threw up on the drive home so that we ended up staying in a hotel overnight so we could rinse out the carseat cover and give her a bath. We did take her in once we were home and they changed her antibiotic; she is 100% better now and hopefully will stop sneaking stuff up her nostril!
Skye was very receptive to meeting her great-grandparents on her dad's side of the family, who had only seen her in photographs prior to this trip, and we took lots of pictures. She got along well with her cousin Abby (who is 2 weeks younger), and seemed to like her dad's fiancee too (who was generally gracious with all that was going on). I really enjoyed meeting Dalton's grandparents and of course, I really like his mom, so the trip went well.
We got home late Thursday afternoon, took the baby to the clinic Friday, Eric and I stole a few hours on Saturday to go to the winery in the afternoon, and went back onto "parenting duties" Saturday night because Brie left for her two weeks of AT training.
Reimond had a little excitement heading up to Minneapolis. He got dropped off at the train only to discover he had no cash to pay for the train ticket (despite my telling him to take change from my bucket for it), and he called me in a panic (I was in Florida at the time!). He was able to track down Aurora and Dan, who raided my "piggy bank" for him and brought him back train fare, then he got to the airport without incident, and made it safely to Phoenix, where his flight got delayed for 2 hours or better. He finally arrived in Minneapolis 2.5 hours after he was supposed to be there, and was glad to be "home". Things are going well at Tony and Andrea's, the work isn't terribly onerous, and he is spending time with the kids, his siblings, and friends in his spare time. He passed his license test, so he is driving now, and seems to be doing well with the adult responsibilities.
So: I am back in Mascoutah, and now am planning out the rest of July! We have Skye this week and next while Brie is gone, then we will be travelling up to Minneapolis on the 25th for a week. Liisa is now pulling together her wedding for July 28th so it can happen while we are there, and it's going to be on her front lawn at the house, followed by a reception/party. She is doing it on a shoestring, and is very excited about how it is coming together. My former pastor from down here will be officiating, and things will be finalized on Sunday (7/1) when Liis and Zack meet with Pastor Heidi at her new office in St. Peter, MN. When we leave Minneapolis we will be bringing Justin and Alexis back with us to spend 2.5-3 weeks here, and I am looking forward to that too. I miss those little ones dreadfully!
My mom's heart issues seem to have straightened out with the medication change, and she is feeling fine. She still has "gravel" in her kidney so the stent remains in place and she has to drink more water to try to flush it out. She is excited about the wedding, and is the same as always when I talk to her on the phone.
I see the eye surgeon today and hopefully will get some answers I need regarding my vision.
Skye yesterday decided to swim in the dog's water dish... I think she got spoiled with the pool at the hotel, and missed it, so I took her to the Mascoutah pool--for 2.5 hours! That baby was so tired she asked to be carried in the pool but wasn't ready to leave. We came home anyway, and she was in bed by 7:30 last night.
Ok, that's the news! Now I need some coffee!
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Procrastination...
I am taking homework time to briefly update everyone on life around here...
If I hadn't mentioned it before, Rei had a fabulous time in Alaska, and misses his girlfriend dreadfully now that he's back home.
Brie is at drill all weekend, and we are doing a fantastic job of juggling Skye and getting other things accomplished (mainly me and homework--Eric and Aurora have been wonderful!)
Aurora went out to collect some job applications of Friday, so keep your fingers crossed. She really needs a job and we could use the help with gas, insurance, and misc. : )
Dan too is job hunting (I believe) and he too needs some direction to his days, although he has been making many of the family dinners.
Patrick has been incommunicado for the past few weeks, so I think it's time I send him a "checking on you" text message later today...
Liisa is back at work, getting back into the routine of daily life, and enjoying Zack's kids. They had a busy day Friday at the park and park pool, playing in the sprinkler at home, where she was in charge cuz Zack had to work a 14 hour day. She has her ups and downs, but she is doing well.
My mother had her chemical stress test on Friday and had another episode of atrial fibrillation that needed iv pushes to control and get her heart re-regulated. Her pulse was not as fast as last week (where it ranged in the upper 180s-200s), but 120-159 for an extended period isn't great either. They have upped her med, and she has another EKG scheduled for Tuesday (initially I had been told Monday). Prayers are appreciated! The best (or worst) part of all of this (depending on how one looks at it) is that she is completely asymptomatic and has NO sense at all that her heart is misbehaving, so it leaves us wondering if this is a new thing, related to her "white coat syndrome" or if it is something she has episodes with periodically that we are unaware of! She, of course, is of the opinion that since she feels fine, we are making a fuss over nothing (and is "scolding" all of us for checking on her and checking in with my brother Eric). I took a deep breath yesterday after hearing her plans for the day (grocery shopping, visiting the nursing home, her usual routine) that in the end, the quality of life is far more important than the quantity of life (something we had to accept with my father's heart issues as well), and trust in God's grace, timing, and plan.
We blew up a fairly good sized inflatable pool for the back yard on Friday and have been enjoying it with Skye, especiall with the temps being in the upper 80's low 90's here. She loves the water and is thrilled to have others in it with her (unlike her solitary baths). I am sure Brie would have a fit to know she was "skinny dipping" yesterday because I have no idea where her swim suit is, and we are out of swim diapers... She did fine and loved it!
Tony is leaving Mpls today for Kansas, where he will be attending advanced training for three weeks (I believe). He called yesterday to be sure that everything was on track for Reimond's arrival on Saturday, and said he might make the trip to come see us if he gets any extended time off while he's so close by. Reimond's last day of school is Monday, and he thinks he's done well this term again. I am cautiously holding my breath to see. Overall his IEP came back fairly positive with regards to growth and change. Regardless, I am very proud of how well he has done, and I do see positive growth and change. The focus this week will be on getting him out driving so he can take his road test (and hopefully pass it) before he leaves for Minneapolis.
Brie and I are on track towards our trip to Florida too. She booked a hotel for us (Howard Johnson! That name sure rings a bell with my childhood and travelling cross country!) in St. Augustine, and thus far it's all a "go". We will take the pilot and Eric will use Brie's car to get back and forth to work. I promise to take lots of pictures!
Ok, back to the assignments!
If I hadn't mentioned it before, Rei had a fabulous time in Alaska, and misses his girlfriend dreadfully now that he's back home.
Brie is at drill all weekend, and we are doing a fantastic job of juggling Skye and getting other things accomplished (mainly me and homework--Eric and Aurora have been wonderful!)
Aurora went out to collect some job applications of Friday, so keep your fingers crossed. She really needs a job and we could use the help with gas, insurance, and misc. : )
Dan too is job hunting (I believe) and he too needs some direction to his days, although he has been making many of the family dinners.
Patrick has been incommunicado for the past few weeks, so I think it's time I send him a "checking on you" text message later today...
Liisa is back at work, getting back into the routine of daily life, and enjoying Zack's kids. They had a busy day Friday at the park and park pool, playing in the sprinkler at home, where she was in charge cuz Zack had to work a 14 hour day. She has her ups and downs, but she is doing well.
My mother had her chemical stress test on Friday and had another episode of atrial fibrillation that needed iv pushes to control and get her heart re-regulated. Her pulse was not as fast as last week (where it ranged in the upper 180s-200s), but 120-159 for an extended period isn't great either. They have upped her med, and she has another EKG scheduled for Tuesday (initially I had been told Monday). Prayers are appreciated! The best (or worst) part of all of this (depending on how one looks at it) is that she is completely asymptomatic and has NO sense at all that her heart is misbehaving, so it leaves us wondering if this is a new thing, related to her "white coat syndrome" or if it is something she has episodes with periodically that we are unaware of! She, of course, is of the opinion that since she feels fine, we are making a fuss over nothing (and is "scolding" all of us for checking on her and checking in with my brother Eric). I took a deep breath yesterday after hearing her plans for the day (grocery shopping, visiting the nursing home, her usual routine) that in the end, the quality of life is far more important than the quantity of life (something we had to accept with my father's heart issues as well), and trust in God's grace, timing, and plan.
We blew up a fairly good sized inflatable pool for the back yard on Friday and have been enjoying it with Skye, especiall with the temps being in the upper 80's low 90's here. She loves the water and is thrilled to have others in it with her (unlike her solitary baths). I am sure Brie would have a fit to know she was "skinny dipping" yesterday because I have no idea where her swim suit is, and we are out of swim diapers... She did fine and loved it!
Tony is leaving Mpls today for Kansas, where he will be attending advanced training for three weeks (I believe). He called yesterday to be sure that everything was on track for Reimond's arrival on Saturday, and said he might make the trip to come see us if he gets any extended time off while he's so close by. Reimond's last day of school is Monday, and he thinks he's done well this term again. I am cautiously holding my breath to see. Overall his IEP came back fairly positive with regards to growth and change. Regardless, I am very proud of how well he has done, and I do see positive growth and change. The focus this week will be on getting him out driving so he can take his road test (and hopefully pass it) before he leaves for Minneapolis.
Brie and I are on track towards our trip to Florida too. She booked a hotel for us (Howard Johnson! That name sure rings a bell with my childhood and travelling cross country!) in St. Augustine, and thus far it's all a "go". We will take the pilot and Eric will use Brie's car to get back and forth to work. I promise to take lots of pictures!
Ok, back to the assignments!
Friday, June 1, 2012
Giving thanks and grieving.
Last Saturday something I didn't blog about came to pass: my daughter found out she was pregnant for the first time, and she was ecstatic! We all were. Then she started bleeding, and we were concerned. ER labwork and ultrasounds could neither confirm nor deny a miscarriage, so we continued to pray and cautiously wait. Tuesday's labs indicated the pregnancy was still viable, so more tests were scheduled for yesterday (with incriments of bleeding, cramping, and discomfort). Yesterday morning we got the sad news: the fetus was about 6 weeks along, and tucked firmly in her fallopian tube. Yesterday afternoon both were removed as it was becoming a threat to Liisa's health and life. It was heartbreaking!
Today I was included (via speaker phone) in a meeting with a Pastor at a neighborhood church as Liisa and Zack gave thanks for the opportunity we had to love this gift we were given for so brief a time, and to return it back to God's arms. It was sad, it was loving, it was healing, and it was the right thing to do for us. I was blessed to be included, and while my heart hurts for them and their loss, I am also grateful that things are no worse.
I am also giving thanks today that things are going relatively well for my mother. She had a routine surgery yesterday because of a kidney stone she was unable to pass, and after the surgery had trouble maintaining a regular heartbeat (sinus rythm). They kept her over night and monitored her,with a thought that they might need to "schock" her heart back into a normal rythm, but in the night it restored itself. She had an echocardiogram today, and they still want to do a chemical stress test at some point in the next few weeks (she was adamant with her bum ankle that she couldn't run a treadmill to save her life!) but they are sending her home. We are grateful that nothing significantly wrong has been found, and she can return to her normal life, taking things a bit slower while she heals up. Unfortunately, as they were taking out her IV her hand started bleeding into itself and is swollen and ugly looking. Poor mom! We prayed for her too with the pastor, which I also much appreciated.
Also yesterday my daughter-in-law had a fender-bender with a parked car, resulting in some damage to both vehicles, and her being pretty shaken up. Not sure that there is much more I can deal with, crisis-wise! When I talked to Tony he just said "man, what's next?" And I said "nothing?"
I have cried more these last few days than I have cried in a long time. The tears have fallen of their own accord and I have just let them fall. It's been so hard being so far away from everyone, knowing how much my daughter wanted me there by her and being unable to do more than be a voice on the phone. It's been hard getting info about my mom second and third hand, despite us all keeping the lines of communication wide open, because I am so used to being there and hearing it for myself. I struggle with letting go of control and having to rely on others for information. It has been humbling to be so helpless. Eric has been a blessing to me, letting me cope as I have needed to (knitting, crying, praying, and being on the phone), and providing endless hugs. I am so blessed to have him.
God is good, and he has sustained us all, along with the prayers that have been raised on our behalf by family and friends. I have spent more time on the phone these last few days, talking and texting with family members as we tried to keep everyone on the same page, and I am more grateful for today's technology than I can say. I now just need to steady my course and move forward: finishing my school term, getting my eyes dealt with, preparing for the trip to Florida with Brie and the baby, sending Rei to MN to stay with Tony, and maintaining my own household. Life is never dull!
Now I just am awaiting word that mom is safely home; Liisa and Zack have gone over to her house to see her for themselves and give her love, and then I can start to relax. What an emotional rollercoaster it's been!
Today I was included (via speaker phone) in a meeting with a Pastor at a neighborhood church as Liisa and Zack gave thanks for the opportunity we had to love this gift we were given for so brief a time, and to return it back to God's arms. It was sad, it was loving, it was healing, and it was the right thing to do for us. I was blessed to be included, and while my heart hurts for them and their loss, I am also grateful that things are no worse.
I am also giving thanks today that things are going relatively well for my mother. She had a routine surgery yesterday because of a kidney stone she was unable to pass, and after the surgery had trouble maintaining a regular heartbeat (sinus rythm). They kept her over night and monitored her,with a thought that they might need to "schock" her heart back into a normal rythm, but in the night it restored itself. She had an echocardiogram today, and they still want to do a chemical stress test at some point in the next few weeks (she was adamant with her bum ankle that she couldn't run a treadmill to save her life!) but they are sending her home. We are grateful that nothing significantly wrong has been found, and she can return to her normal life, taking things a bit slower while she heals up. Unfortunately, as they were taking out her IV her hand started bleeding into itself and is swollen and ugly looking. Poor mom! We prayed for her too with the pastor, which I also much appreciated.
Also yesterday my daughter-in-law had a fender-bender with a parked car, resulting in some damage to both vehicles, and her being pretty shaken up. Not sure that there is much more I can deal with, crisis-wise! When I talked to Tony he just said "man, what's next?" And I said "nothing?"
I have cried more these last few days than I have cried in a long time. The tears have fallen of their own accord and I have just let them fall. It's been so hard being so far away from everyone, knowing how much my daughter wanted me there by her and being unable to do more than be a voice on the phone. It's been hard getting info about my mom second and third hand, despite us all keeping the lines of communication wide open, because I am so used to being there and hearing it for myself. I struggle with letting go of control and having to rely on others for information. It has been humbling to be so helpless. Eric has been a blessing to me, letting me cope as I have needed to (knitting, crying, praying, and being on the phone), and providing endless hugs. I am so blessed to have him.
God is good, and he has sustained us all, along with the prayers that have been raised on our behalf by family and friends. I have spent more time on the phone these last few days, talking and texting with family members as we tried to keep everyone on the same page, and I am more grateful for today's technology than I can say. I now just need to steady my course and move forward: finishing my school term, getting my eyes dealt with, preparing for the trip to Florida with Brie and the baby, sending Rei to MN to stay with Tony, and maintaining my own household. Life is never dull!
Now I just am awaiting word that mom is safely home; Liisa and Zack have gone over to her house to see her for themselves and give her love, and then I can start to relax. What an emotional rollercoaster it's been!
Saturday, May 26, 2012
randomness...
1. My birthday was awesome and I had a fantastic time with family here; I was sad to see them go home.
2. Reimond is having a blast in Alaska, and I am so happy he had the opportunity to go, even if there were some difficulties prior to his leaving (at school--he dropped a level and got upset, was assessed a 2 day oos suspension).
3. My eyes have been really bugging me this week, and combined with some other stressors, I have been dealing with migraine-type headaches off and on all week, resulting in being behind in my school assignments.
4. This term is kicking my proverbial a$$ because I just am not into ed psych--I don't plan to teach, I am not interested in learning theories, and I am lost in the language. I am maintaining an A so far this term, but I am working at it and not enjoying any part of it!
5. There have been a few family stressors that have been coming to a head off and on this week, and I am tired of the drama and the attitudes and the blaming... ('nuff said).
6. An old, dear friend has returned to Everquest after an extensive hiatus and I really want to play more than I had been. It's hard to see Eric having fun while I keep my nose to the grindstone sometimes, but I am dealing with it by using time online as a reward for getting stuff done (or as a break when my brain goes into overload (see 2 & 3, lol).
7. I started my May socks on the train home from the airport (dropping Rei off on Wed.) so I can "legally" count them towards my SKA challenge, and not miss a start since I joined; IF I don't finish the April sock on or before the 31st though this will be my first "fail" in this challenge. Am plugging away as Skye let's me.
8. I have gotten better at spinning on the spindle, and spend about 10-15 mins practicing every few days. Love the Merino wool I am practicing on, and hope to turn it into something useable when it is all spun up as singles.
9. Skye is becoming quite a challenge to keep up with of late. She is very busy trying to do whatever she has seen us do, and is not easily dissuaded from whatever she sets her mind to. She is a strong-willed, independent child, and I am getting tired of saying NO constantly and trying to redirect her. Love her to pieces, am so very proud of how smart she is, but wish she could just be satisfied with playing with HER toys, in one spot, so I can get things done that need to be done instead of chasing her around trying to corral her into one area.
10. I am really looking forward to going to Florida (if everything stays according to plan) and having a change of scenery for a few days; really looking forward to seeing the ocean again, and even the car ride and reading/knitting while we travel (less looking forward to helping drive, given my eyes).
Time to hit the assignments again.... After I get more coffee and some toast!
2. Reimond is having a blast in Alaska, and I am so happy he had the opportunity to go, even if there were some difficulties prior to his leaving (at school--he dropped a level and got upset, was assessed a 2 day oos suspension).
3. My eyes have been really bugging me this week, and combined with some other stressors, I have been dealing with migraine-type headaches off and on all week, resulting in being behind in my school assignments.
4. This term is kicking my proverbial a$$ because I just am not into ed psych--I don't plan to teach, I am not interested in learning theories, and I am lost in the language. I am maintaining an A so far this term, but I am working at it and not enjoying any part of it!
5. There have been a few family stressors that have been coming to a head off and on this week, and I am tired of the drama and the attitudes and the blaming... ('nuff said).
6. An old, dear friend has returned to Everquest after an extensive hiatus and I really want to play more than I had been. It's hard to see Eric having fun while I keep my nose to the grindstone sometimes, but I am dealing with it by using time online as a reward for getting stuff done (or as a break when my brain goes into overload (see 2 & 3, lol).
7. I started my May socks on the train home from the airport (dropping Rei off on Wed.) so I can "legally" count them towards my SKA challenge, and not miss a start since I joined; IF I don't finish the April sock on or before the 31st though this will be my first "fail" in this challenge. Am plugging away as Skye let's me.
8. I have gotten better at spinning on the spindle, and spend about 10-15 mins practicing every few days. Love the Merino wool I am practicing on, and hope to turn it into something useable when it is all spun up as singles.
9. Skye is becoming quite a challenge to keep up with of late. She is very busy trying to do whatever she has seen us do, and is not easily dissuaded from whatever she sets her mind to. She is a strong-willed, independent child, and I am getting tired of saying NO constantly and trying to redirect her. Love her to pieces, am so very proud of how smart she is, but wish she could just be satisfied with playing with HER toys, in one spot, so I can get things done that need to be done instead of chasing her around trying to corral her into one area.
10. I am really looking forward to going to Florida (if everything stays according to plan) and having a change of scenery for a few days; really looking forward to seeing the ocean again, and even the car ride and reading/knitting while we travel (less looking forward to helping drive, given my eyes).
Time to hit the assignments again.... After I get more coffee and some toast!
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Three more days and counting!
Thursday, May 17th, 2012 -- You're at another turning point in your life, but everything could seem more important now than it actually is. It still may take several months to gain clarity about your long-term goals, yet your current choices are instrumental in setting a new direction. Don't be overly concerned if you can't synthesize your desires into one single goal. Just allow your daydreams to flow without analysis; you will have plenty of time to make sense of it all later on.
This was my horoscope for today and I am posting it here to remind myself to keep my eyes on the goals before me and undertand that "All things work together for the good of those who love God" (paraphrasing). My mom, sister, daughter, and niece are on the road and headed south to me. I am so excited! I woke up at 6:30 and couldn't go back to sleep! This is only the 2nd time the three of them have been here (Liisa is, of course, here quite regularly), and I cannot wait to see them!
Difficult news from the eye doctor: vision in my left eye is no longer correctable with glasses, and while vision in my right eye is still correctable, it too has deteriorated. The macula looks good, and everything else seems fine, even the cataracts don't look like they have changed all that much, but my vision continues to deteriorate, so I am seeing a specialist (surgeon) on June 7th to see what my options are. I am scared (I hate the thought of anyone messing with my eyes!) and yet I am also resigned to doing whatever is necessary to correct my vision. I need to be able to see to enjoy all my handwork, my books, and my photos. Getting older isn't for sissies!
Anyhow, I have an assignment to do so that I am free to play the rest of the weekend. Looking forward to a wonderful time!
This was my horoscope for today and I am posting it here to remind myself to keep my eyes on the goals before me and undertand that "All things work together for the good of those who love God" (paraphrasing). My mom, sister, daughter, and niece are on the road and headed south to me. I am so excited! I woke up at 6:30 and couldn't go back to sleep! This is only the 2nd time the three of them have been here (Liisa is, of course, here quite regularly), and I cannot wait to see them!
Difficult news from the eye doctor: vision in my left eye is no longer correctable with glasses, and while vision in my right eye is still correctable, it too has deteriorated. The macula looks good, and everything else seems fine, even the cataracts don't look like they have changed all that much, but my vision continues to deteriorate, so I am seeing a specialist (surgeon) on June 7th to see what my options are. I am scared (I hate the thought of anyone messing with my eyes!) and yet I am also resigned to doing whatever is necessary to correct my vision. I need to be able to see to enjoy all my handwork, my books, and my photos. Getting older isn't for sissies!
Anyhow, I have an assignment to do so that I am free to play the rest of the weekend. Looking forward to a wonderful time!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)