It was sewing day again!  What a lovely time.  Unfortunately, silly me forgot my machine, which, of course, has Lydia's thread on it so she couldn't do any machine sewing.  She was able to baste a few seams, but that was about it.  I also got there late due to a doctor's appointment.  I don't like going to the doctors.  4th one in 3 weeks.  Nothing major, just checking out my shoulder and if the new sample medicines were doing any good.  They weren't so I won't be getting them.  At least it didn't cost me any money to try the new medicine.  We went out to eat afterward because I wasn't in the mood to heat up our dinners.  We went to our usual restaurant up the road.  We like it there, they are really nice and are helpful when mom needs something.  I had to go to the loo while I was there and Mom got nervous because she didn't know where I was, the waitress was there right away when she noticed Mom was getting upset.  She let Mom know that I was in the loo and would be right back.  Mom calmed immediately.  The waitress let me know Mom got upset while I was gone.  I need to know these details.

I will have to go to the Joann's store this weekend.  Oh my, what a hardship.  He he he!!!  I have to get Natalie some more thread.  She is about out and not quite done with her top.  She should be done next week.  She has one sleeve, the neck hem, sleeve hems, and the bottom hem left, then she is done.  Lydia has two sleeves, neck hem, sleeve hems, and bottom hems left and she will be done.  Hannah will be helping me with Christmas presents next week so she will be sewing with us again next week.  I am excited about that.

I got an X-ray for my knee.  I suspect it will be the same as the shoulder, nothing physically wrong, just fibromyalgia.  The knee comes and goes.  I have some exercises to do.  So now I have shoulder and knee exercises.  As long as they work, I don't care.  I just hope they do.

My arm and shoulder are alright right now, but my head is beginning to really hurt.  I took a pain pill so I hope it kicks in soon.  My knee is fine, of course, because I went to the doctor this morning!  Naturally!  Anyway, it has been a great day and I hope yours is too!  Happy Halloween Eve!

I have two lessons later tonight.  Rachel and her sister, Rebecca.  It's Becca's first official lesson.  She is excited, so I am.  Rachel is doing very well and learning some really hard music.  I am so nice, giving her hard music!  He he he.  How else does she learn?

My arm is okay today, so is my shoulder.  We went to the music store this afternoon to get a few new books, actually they are old books I have to replace because they have disappeared over time.  I did get two new books though so I was glad about that.  Mom helped me choose the new books.  She likes looking at the song titles and music even though she can't read music anymore.  She could when her memory was better.  She is doing pretty well today, although she has this obsession with our jackets and shoes.  She brought them both upstairs again, I had to search for my keys before we went out.  I found them on her bed.

I hope you are having a great day!

We went to Windsor this afternoon to visit Tillie.  It was fun.  We went to the OHIP office and got her application and then we went to the Alzheimer's Society for some info.  Mom peeked into their day away program and said maybe it would be fun to go and visit.  Of course, there is a waiting list, just like everything else in Canada.  After that we went to lunch at Wendy's.  The french fries got stuck in Mom's throat, so no more french fries for Mom.  She doesn't really mind since she really doesn't care either way whether or not she eats them.  By the time she is finished with them they are often cold anyways.  She did fine with her hamburger and had a few sips of her Sprite.  I also am not going to get her anymore pop because she barely drinks it.

I had a hard time at the Alzheimer's Society with the chair.  I made the mistake of sitting in a low chair and had a hard time getting up.  The lady there helped me, but of course I used the left arm, wrong arm.  It hurt when I got up, next time I will sit in a regular chair.  Mom did fine when she heard everything the lady told us.

My arm is sore and so is the shoulder.  My right eye is also sore because the contact irritated it so now I have my glasses on.  My knee is doing all right.  It is supposed to rain tomorrow so it will probably hurt some.  I have an appointment with the doctor about my shoulder.  I haven't heard anything from him so there must be nothing wrong with the shoulder except fibromyalgia.  I suspect that is the same with the knee, unless the arthritis is kicking up a storm, but since it comes and goes, I suspect fibromyalgia.

I hope you are having a good day.  It was beautiful out this afternoon.

I actually got some sleep last night!!!!!!  I made sure Mom understood that I was completely exhausted and needed some sleep.  She didn't do the usual (well, what's apparently usual) come in my room every 15 minutes.  I also put signs on our doors so she would know where her room is.  She mostly stayed out of my room until about 11:30 am this morning, then it was every 5 minutes in my room.  I finally got up because I wasn't going to get any more sleep.  I feel much better than yesterday, that is for sure.  Mom seems to be a bit better than yesterday, although I am not as relaxed as I was a few days ago.

I started leaving her a bowl of cereal on the table to eat in the morning.  She would just have to add milk.  She didn't eat it this morning.  She keeps realizing that and comment on it.  It would be funny if it wasn't so sad.

It is pretty nice out right now.  It does look like it will rain soon, but I am not sure if it is supposed to rain today or not.  I hope not.

My arm is not as sore as it was earlier, I had to take a pain pill.  My shoulder is okay except, of course, when I move it wrong.  You would think I would learn not to move it wrong.  

I hope this finds you doing well and having an enjoyable day, despite the overcasty weather.

I am sooooo tired right now and I can't take a nap yet.  I will be able too shortly after Bob's lesson.  I am awake enough for his lesson or I would have rescheduled it.  I am going to have to find something better to make mom sleep!  She stays up late and then comes in my room to wake me up early and then comes in about every 1/2 hour or so.  Not good for my sleep.  I don't say anything to her because if she does remember she won't come in on something important like she doesn't feel well or something like that, so I don't say anything.  It is better that way.  She is sleeping a bit better when she sleeps, just doesn't get enough of it.

I bought Warren (3rd cousin or something like that) a new toy.  He is living with his grandma right now who is Tillie's daughter.  I saw one of the cars from the cars movie that he loves, so I got it for him.  I plan to bring it to him sometime this week or next, depending on Mom's swallowing test.

Pain is medium right now, my arms feel uncomfortable but not painful, if that makes any sense.  I can't seem to find a place for them.  Silly me.

My cousin has a new blog.  She is a very creative person with crafts and furniture and stuff like that.  She decorates things beautifully, I have seen some of her work.  I am excited about her blog so that I can see what she is doing with her talents.

I hope this finds you doing well!!!!!  And, hopefully, not in too much pain if you have some!  Happy October!

I am very tired right now.  I could go and take a nap.  Hmmm, perhaps I will.  Can't hurt anything except maybe make me more awake.

I had Katie's lesson earlier.  She is doing really well and practices so nicely.  I just love teaching people who actually practice.  It makes it so much more fun.

Not much else going on today.  I bought two new tires for the car (back ones - and I need a new wheel.  Yeah)  I have to call tomorrow for the price of the wheel, I am not looking forward to that.  Wheels are very expensive.  Stupid potholes.  Michigan roads are horrible, potholes everywhere.

Pain is medium high today, except the knee which is high.  I hope your day is more exciting than mine.  Have a good one!!!

So, today is supposed to be book club, only I don't think anyone is coming.  So no book club.  I am sad about that.  I love book club.  Oh, well, there is next month.  We will have to pick a new book and date so that we all can attend.  Katie has been working the last few Saturdays, now that she has a job so she hasn't been able to attend for two months.  I will see her tomorrow and see what time she can attend.  Maybe we need to make it later.

Lily and Aggie had their lessons this afternoon.  They are doing well.  Aggie is almost ready for her audition, she just needs to stop chopping off her long notes and she will have the songs down pat, and finish memorizing the German song.  Lily is almost done with a couple of songs she has.  She is learning to breathe properly.  It is hard to do at first, but I have no doubt she will catch on.

Not much going on now.  Mom didn't go to sleep until about 2 am, so I am very tired.  Then she came in my room at 9:30 am and asked if I was ready to get dressed.  I managed to stall her for an hour.  Not a happy camper about that, not at all.  I hope we don't have a repeat tonight.  I am thinking we are heading for bed early today.  Especially because tomorrow is church and we have to get up early like around 7:45 am to get ready.  So early to bed tonight!!!

Pain isn't bad today, my arm is a bit sore as usual, but not more than usual.  I was expecting it to be worse because of no sleep, but it isn't.

I hope this finds you having a fun day and enjoying a Saturday.

It was sewing today!!!!  Yeah!  I love Fridays.  They are so fun.  Hannah is finished with her shirt.  She finished last week so she had school today.  Lydia and Natalie should be finished by next week.  I was a half hour late this afternoon.  I reset my alarm, or so I thought, I forgot to reset it so I didn't get up on time.  Oops.  Mom slept through a lot of sewing.  It was kinda funny.

We need a new roof.  It is going to be very expensive, but we have to do it.  Apparently, it won't last the winter.  yeah.  Another huge expense.  I am not looking forward to it.  I had the salesman here on Wednesday and he went over everything.  We shall see what happens next.

It is pouring out right now and has been pretty much all day.  It is making me ache so much more than usual.  It looks horrible out.  So basically, the arm hurts, the shoulder hurts, and the head hurts.  I am sure the knee will start again soon.  It has too keep everything company.

I hope you are having a great day despite the rain.

Tillie called while we were at walmart shopping for groceries and prescriptions.  Apparently, in order for Mom to be put on the waiting list in Windsor, she has to have a valid health card, which we don't have because we don't live in Canada.  So since I am not planning to move to Canada, I can't get her a card so that is the end of that.  Finally.  She is doing okay today.  I didn't get her a donut, instead I got her two muffins and they seemed to go down just fine.  I haven't heard from her doctor yet so I don't know when the test will be.  Hopefully soon.  Although, this week hasn't been so bad, so maybe it was just a phase.  We shall see.  I bought her a scale to weigh her one weekly so I will be able to keep track of her weight.  She has to gain 15 lbs.  I offered her some of mine, but somehow she didn't want it.  Neither do I.  I will not get on the scale because I know how much I weigh, and I know it is too much.

It looks like it is about to pour outside, my shoulder can tell.  My arm and shoulder are really sore right now.  It didn't help that I had to lift groceries out of the car, but how else are they going to get put away?  Mom doesn't know where anything goes anymore.  I just feel blah today, no other word for it but blah.  I hope it improves soon.

Have a great day!!!

Mom had trouble swallowing her donut and muffin this morning.  Not good.  Yesterday it was just the donut.  I won't be getting her donuts anymore.  I am still waiting to hear when the test will be.  I hope this week.  She has to be able to eat otherwise she will waste away.  Right now she is sitting in her chair sleeping, sort of.

Frank will have his lesson tonight.  I am very happy about that.  It has been a few weeks since he had a lesson because of his Mom's work schedule.  He works pretty hard on piano and is planning to accompany Rachel at competition.  Rachel's younger sister, Rebecca, will be taking lessons too and wants to go to competition.  Kayla and Katie are also planning to compete.  I am hoping that the Muglia girls will be competing too since competition is in town this year.  We shall see.  Grace doesn't want to go to competition, which is fine with me.  If you want to go, go, if you don't, don't.  Doesn't matter to me either way, just that if you are going to go, plan on doing a good job.  

I have to go to Evola's Music this week and sign up for the benefit.  We are going to do it around Valentine's Day.  I am very excited about it.  As soon as I have the date I will be working on who is going to be in it.

Pain is medium as usual.  Nothing out of the ordinary.  Just the regular pain for the day.

I hope this finds you doing well and having a good day.

No students this afternoon.  Charlie has a band event.  It would be kind of hard for him to be in two places at once and he is an important part of the marching band.  One of these days Mom and I will go and see him in the band.  I like going to see what my students do.  It is a lot of fun.

I bought Mom her ensure.  She didn't look very happy about it, as a matter of fact she looked kind of ticked at me for buying it.  I will make her drink it until she is back to the weight she is supposed to be.  Her donut was difficult for her to swallow this morning but her muffin went down fine.  I am not sure exactly what to do with this new problem of swallowing.  We should her from the doctor this week when her test will be and then we will go from there.

We will be relaxing this afternoon and sorting bills for the bankruptcy for both of us.  I think I have enough bank statements to finish off the stuff I need to put together.  I am planning to call and make the appointment to file early next week, then it will be over!!!!!!  I can't wait for that.

Pain was medium until I, of course, moved my arm wrong!  Now it really hurts and I had to take another pain pill.  Stupid arm.  My head just has its normal everyday headache.  It will be rather boring the rest of the day.  I hope yours is filled with stuff to do and that you are enjoying your day!

Mom had a doctor appointment this morning with her neurologist.  We haven't been in a year.  Oops.  I didn't realize it had been so long until I made the appointment.  Apparently we missed her last appointment.  I didn't mean too.  Anyways, she is down to 105lbs.  The doctor is not really happy about that, not happy at all.  Mom has to start drinking ensure again.  She is not happy about that but what can I do?  She has to gain the weight back.  Once she is at 120 again, I will take her off ensure, but not until.  Mom also has to take a swallowing test.  Lately different foods (I never know which ones will do it) are difficult for her to swallow.  She says the foods won't go down and get stuck in her throat.  So the doctor's office will call us and let us know when the test is.  I hope it is not too early in the morning.  We all know I am not a morning person.  She isn't happy about all this but too bad, she is going to the test.

In the middle of Grace's lesson she got hungry.  She wanted something to eat, well I didn't have anything for her to eat.  She got mad.  I am now going to get a snack with us at all times in case she gets hungry.  I never know when that will happen because she won't eat enough.  It drives me crazy but I will get the food down her somehow.

Grace is doing well for lessons.  She has learned two hand positions so far and will start a new one in two weeks.  Then she will get the Christmas music too.  She says she loves Christmas music, I do too.

Kayla is going to be absent today, but Rachel should be back so it balances things out.  I hope to have everyone next week.

Pain is medium and the arm is medium too.  I have tried to do some of the exercises and man do they hurt.  I have to have help with them.  I am going to get a heating pad and then try them.

I hope you are having a good day.

Busy day so far today.  We went to a new church this morning.  We have been there once before, but that was for Emily's confirmation.  Mom liked it so we are going to start to attend.  I don't like what time the service is, but I did like it.  it was nice and traditional, the way we like it.  Then I took her to Big Boy for breakfast.  She was hungry and I knew we didn't have any milk so we went and got the breakfast bar.  I am still full from it 4 hours later.  We ran into Peggy and her family there so it was nice to see her.  She used to be one of my best friends in high school.  We aren't really friends because we don't spend any time together, but we aren't enemies, we are more facebook friends which works for me.  It would be nice to do lunch or something some time, but we shall see.

When we got home after breakfast Donna called so we went and met her at Tim Hortons and for the first time, I only got a drink as I was super full from breakfast.  We visited for about an hour then she had to go home.  Her granddaughter Samantha is ill and Donna wasn't really feeling well either.  But it was nice to spend a little time with her.

I have decided that I should put Mom on the Canadian list just in case something happens and it becomes necessary, I don't think it will, but you never know.  It will calm Tillie down and make her feel better, I don't really want her upset either, she is trying to do the best she can for us.  I do think she should listen to me a bit more, but whatever, it isn't worth strife in the family over all this.  I am not, however, going to make Mom go to a day center unless she wants too.  That would be mean and unfair to her.  If I need a break, and yes, sometimes I do, I can call someone here and they will come and stay with her or I can take her to their home and go out for a while on my own.

Pain is high for some reason today.  Don't really know why.  My arm hurts more than the shoulder which is kinda weird, but hey, what can I say, I have a weird body.  I hope this finds you well and having a great afternoon and evening!!!!!!

I had Lily's lesson this afternoon.  She is soooooo cute and adorable and much more interested in singing than she was in piano.  I love listening to how all my students weeks go and what they did and are planning to do.  She is excited about going to camp this week.  She won't miss any lessons either so she is actually happy about that.  She is doing pretty well and is remembering most of the time to keep her eyebrows up.  (An important vocal technique, lifts the muscles which help lift the soft palate to open your throat to let the air in).  We are working on airflow too.  She doesn't want to compete this year which is fine by me.  I don't care if my students do or don't, it is completely up to them.

Pain is high in the shoulder though.  My arm sort of burns today.  My head is normal (the usual daily headache - the one no one can do anything about).  I had to take another pain pill for it.  I try to limit them to nighttime, that's when I really need it, but I couldn't take it anymore.

We are trying a new church tomorrow, Lily's.  We have been there before for her sister Emily's confirmation, but we are going to just a regular service.  It has been a long time since we have regularly been to church and we are very unhappy with the one I grew up in, so we are trying.  The only drawback is that they go to the 9:00 am service, so I have to get up early, and we all know how I am not a morning person.  I will definitely be taking a nap tomorrow.  Mom misses going to church on a regular basis so I hope she likes the church and we will go every week.

I hope this finds you doing well and having a good week.  To Sarahbear - I hope you are feeling sooooooo much better soon!!!!!!  Less pain!!!!

We had sewing this afternoon!!!  What fun!!!!  I think I am over my upset from my visit with my cousin.  I just think they should spend some time with Mom at home before they tell me she will need a nursing home soon.

Lydia was at her grandmother's today so she wasn't there for sewing.  Hannah finished her top and Natalie is getting closer.  Hannah wants to make another top only a little more complicated one.  Good choice for her.  She did a good job.  Natalie and Lydia are doing very well with their tops too.

Not much going on today, just sewing and then we got something to eat.  We each took 1/2 of our dinner home so we have dinner for tomorrow night!  They give such big portions that often we take the rest home for the next night.

I talked to Donna tonight for almost an hour.  She wants me to take my facebook page down.  I wish people would stop telling me what to do, it's not a good week for that.  I like facebook, yes, my younger brother totally misunderstood one of my posts, but over all I have not had any problems with it and I have reconnected with several friends that I haven't talked to in years.  So over all, I like it.  I will just be more careful on what I post.  I wonder what she would think of my blog.  Probably not much, but I won't be asking!

Pain is a little high for the day.  It's been one of those kind of weeks!  I hope your week is better than mine and in less pain if you have any!

I just got back from the doctor's office.  This was my family doctor, not a specialist, I see my rheumatologist Thursday.  I accidentally made mom's appointment with her neurologist at the same time, oops!  I tried to call and reschedule, but the office is closed today so I will call tomorrow.  I have one student this afternoon, possibly two.  I hope so anyway.  I am not sure what time Frank will have his lesson and I haven't heard from his mom yet today.  Charlie will be here regular time for his lesson.

I got an xray for my shoulder at the doctors.  I am sure they won't find anything, it probably is just fibro.  That was what I think anyway.  The doctor will let me know if anything is wrong.

We got our passports so we can go to Windsor tomorrow.  I am happy about that.  We will be transferring some money to our bank account to pay our house payment and our taxes.  Finally, we will not be behind on anything.  We will be up to date again.  With the house payment going down, we will be able to stay on top of things as long as no emergency pops up.

Pain is medium high this afternoon.  Might have something to do with the fact I moved my arm wrong after I had my xray.  I am so graceful, yeah right.  My head is normal, with its normal headache.  I have one everyday, it never goes away.  Nothing any doctor can do about it either.

I hope you are having a good day.  I am going to play with my DS lite now.  I love that game.

It looks like it is about to downpour here.  Thank goodness we aren't going anywhere for the rest of the day.  I have had 2 lessons so far and am waiting for 1 more.  She is running behind because Mom's dentist appointment went later than expected.  No problem, she is on her way.  Rachel is absent today because of strep throat.  Please stay home and get better.  Oprah is on!  I love her show.  She has some very interesting guests.  Some have lived through some horrific things in their lives.  They are so inspiring.  Today is Mike Tyson.  He is not inspiring that is for sure.  He has lead a very weird life.  Not one I would want to live.

Our passports will be here tomorrow.  I am excited about that.  We will be able to go to Windsor and see some relatives and get some money out of the bank to help catch up us on bills.  That is very exciting for me because I am tired of being behind and the phone calls.  I will also be able to file for the bankruptcy as well as Mom.  Like I have said before, when we lost the store, we lost almost everything.  Thank goodness we still have the house.

Pain level is medium high right now.  When I am teaching it doesn't seem to be as high as when I am not.  I have a doctor appointment tomorrow and a blood test.  I hate blood tests.  They hurt so much, not so much the needle as the tourniquet.  That hurts the most because of the fibro.

I hope this finds you doing well and in less pain if you have any.

We went to Port Huron after Katie's lesson this afternoon.  There is an awesome craft store there that we love.  I wanted to get some Christmas crafts that I think Mom can do.  We bought to packages of kits.  I think they will turn out cute.  They are pretty simple to do so she shouldn't have too much trouble with it.  After that we stopped at a restaurant we have been too before, but it wasn't as good.  The food was cold by the time you got to your table.  (It was a buffet restaurant).  I don't think we will go there again.  Definitely not worth it.  

Katie did pretty well with her lesson.  She is getting over a cold and no voice for a week.  She is a junior in high school but she is taking some college classes so I think that is neat.  She goes to the community college for both her high school classes and her college classes.

I tried to call Richard again, but he didn't answer.  I haven't heard from him at all.  He didn't even answer my email.  Mean big brother.  It has been a month since I have spoken to him.  I hope he has either found a job or will find one soon.  It sucks to be out of a job, I know.  It has been over a year since I lost my store and outside of the few lessons I teach, I have no job.  I don't know what I would do with Mom if I could get one.  Right now I am on disability so that is helping a lot.  It is not much, but it adds up with teaching.   I would prefer to either have another part time job and teach or teach full time, unfortunately I am not really well enough for that right now.  Maybe by spring I will be better.  They are supposed to come out with some new medicine that will help fibro fog, which is a big problem for me.  We shall see and hope.

Pain is medium, shoulder is medium for a change.  Brain fog mild for a change too.  I like this day.  I woke up at 11 am and then reset the alarm for 11:30, Mom didn't interrupt as much as she has the last few days, so it was good.

I hope you are enjoying your day and things are doing well with you!

It is a boring day now.  I have finished two lessons and we went to Tim Horton's for a snack/breakfast at about 2:30pm.  We are back home again.  Mom is somewhat better today than yesterday, but still a little teary for me.  Winter is not going to be fun with her.  Not that she does well at anytime of the year with weather, it's either too hot or too cold.  She paranoid of both.  Right now she has her fall jacket and hat on in the house.  It is not cold in here, but she won't take them off because she thinks she will get cold.  I am not touching that one.  Let her leave it on and then boil with them.  Eventually she will take them off at least in time for bed.

My patience level is at an all time low these past few days.  It is hard dealing with her when I can't do a lot of stuff.  She is difficult to entertain because she can't remember how to do stuff, but wants to do things, we just don't know what.  She is now taking her coat off, finally.  She still has the hat on though.  I think in a while we will go to the bookstore and look around.  Maybe, we will see.

Lily was so cute during her lesson, she is working on keeping her eyebrows up when she sings.  It is a small thing, but makes such a difference in the sound.  She is also working on airflow.  So far she likes all the songs she has song but one.  She didn't like the Kerry Dance at all.  Not one little bit.  But she did finish it so I was happy.

Aggie had her lesson too, she is working on her audition music for MSU.  Her voice is starting to change again, getting stronger and more mature.  She should get in the music minor program no problem, but she can't stop practicing her music or she won't get in.

Pain is medium right now.  The shoulder is unhappy as usual and so is the knee.  I am a bit stiffer than usual because it is getting colder out.  I don't mind the fall weather, it is winter that isn't so good, snow looks real pretty, but it sometimes makes me ache more.

I hope this finds you doing well.

It was sewing day today.  It was hard to get out the door because Mom was freaking out.  I just don't have the patience with her today.  She wanted her red little jacket with the hood, but it is cold out and she would have froze.  So I had her put on her purple jacket with a hat so she would be warm, but no that isn't good enough, she wanted the red one too to put over her purple.  She looks ridicules with that on like that and it doesn't help at all.  She kept waking me up all morning, taking her clothes off and then asking me what she should wear.  I answered and showed her what to wear, then she went and changed.  It was not my morning with her.  I was very tired and was being drove crazy.

I was very glad we went to Muglia's because I could calm down.  She was bored though, but she can't remember enough to do something with sewing.  It is frustrating for her, but I don't know what to do.  I take suggestions!  Anybody??????

The girls are almost finished with their tops, Hannah is the closest to being down.  She has the neck and the sleeves hems to be done and then she is finished.  Lydia and Natalie are about half done.  I am so proud of them.  They all are doing such a good job and very patient with me as this is the first time I have ever taught sewing and of course, I have screwed up some.  But they are wonderful about my mistakes.  I am so grateful for them.  It makes my day to go and help them make some clothes.  They are already thinking about the next outfit they want to make.

I am calmer now than I was this morning, thankfully.  Usually I have very little problem dealing with Mom, but not this morning.  

The pain is medium right now.  This morning was pretty high, so that could be why I had no patience.  My shoulder isn't any better but today it isn't worse so I am glad about that.

Today is my high schools homecoming and it is raining, just like it did 23 years ago.  I remember marching with the band in the rain.  I hope they have fun, we did despite the rain.

I hope you are doing well, even if it is raining where you are!

Katie was here and helped pass out about 150 flyers.  It was very tiring even though I was riding in my scooter.  I hope to hear something from someone this time.  So far the response has been zip, zero, nada.  Not very encouraging.  I could use a nap right about now, but it is almost 5 pm so not a good time for a nap as I plan to go to bed around 8 pm.  Oprah is doing a show on hoarders.  I live with one, that would be Mom.  I can't get her to clean up or organize her stuff.  I thought it would get easier as she loses her memory, but it isn't.  She is so afraid to be left with nothing and homeless and her stuff represents what she didn't have as a child.  They were very poor and she was born in the great depression.  She still has the handkerchief she got for Christmas when she was 15, it was the first Christmas present she had gotten in years.  I figure eventually I will be able to organize but probably not until she is in a nursing home.  As long as the living room is easy to get to and somewhat organize, I don't worry about the rest of the house.  Apparently hoarding is common among seniors who lived through the great depression and World War II.

I have one student tonight, little Roman.

Pain level is a little higher than normal because of the scootering.  Sometimes scootering makes my arm ache a bit more.  Next Tuesday is the doctor appointment.  I managed to make two doctors appointments at the same time next Thursday.  Mom and I both have doctor appointments.  I will be rescheduling hers because her doctor is easier to change than mine.

I hope you have a good day.

Samantha and her grandmother just left after picking up Samantha's homecoming dress.  I had to fix the straps because they were too big and falling down.  They stayed about an hour.  When they arrived I hadn't started the dress yet because I was going to do it in a few minutes, but they arrived earlier than I thought.  Silly me!  It only took about 5 minutes to sew it.  We had a short visit after so that was nice.

I have no students today.  I will have one tomorrow.  Katie is coming to help pass out flyers.  I hope to pass out a lot tomorrow.  Hopefully I will get some response from them.  I have 300 left.

Not much happening for the rest of the day.  We will watch the news and then Touched by an Angel followed by Law & Order Special Victims Unit.  I haven't seen that show in about a year because it used to be on at 10 and we are in bed way earlier than that.  It is a slow day around here.  It is almost dinner time so I better end this now.

I hope your having a good day.

It was slightly boring today until Charlie's lesson.  Frank's Mom had to work late so he couldn't make his lesson today.  I knew about this last week so it was not a surprise.

I left a message for the lady in charge of events at the Women for Women International.  I hope she calls me back tomorrow.  I am excited to receive all the information they are sending me for the benefit I am holding.  I am waiting to hear from Annie to see what day we will be having the benefit.  

I have to finish fixing Samantha's straps on her dress tomorrow.  They will be coming over to pick up the dress in the evening so I will do it in the afternoon.  It won't take long at all.  I will also be taking out the zipper in Aggie's dress so I can replace it on Thursday.  I have to budget my time sewing because of the pain in my hands.  I love sewing though so I do it in small doses.

I finally got to see a couple of pictures of Emily in her homecoming dress all done up.  She looked so beautiful.  It is so hard to believe that she is 16 and a junior in high school.  I still haven't talked Samantha out of wearing black tights and tennis shoes with her blue dress.  She doesn't realize how ridicules she is going to look.

Tonight is NCIS.  I love that show.  I am so glad it is on tonight.  This season has had a great beginning with the team back together again.

We should be getting our passports soon.  The fee has been put through so I know that they are in the process.  I can't wait.  We are going to visit my cousin when we get the passports.  We haven't been to Canada in over a year.  I don't really keep track, I just know it has been a long time.  I actually think I haven't been there in several years.  We were too busy with the store to go so I guess it has been a few years.  

Mom is falling asleep in her chair.  She does this a lot.  It can be quite funny.  She no longer likes to be in a room without me during the day.  She sits in on every lesson now.  I don't think we are going to be visiting the day center because she cries when she can't see me, so I don't think leaving her in a day center would be a good idea anymore.  She got upset in the bathroom at Tim Horton's this morning.  She had to go to the bathroom, so I ordered our usual bagels and muffins.  She didn't come out by the time I was finished getting the order.  I went into the bathroom and she was upset because she couldn't find me.  I guess this means I have to go with her to the bathroom.  I now know what to do.

I haven't heard from Richard lately.  His temporary job should be over by now unless he was hired full time.  I would think he would have let me know, but one never knows.  I am going to email him when I am finished with this post.  I worry about him and his family.  I miss them so much, especially the children, Abigail and William.  I haven't seen them in over a year now.  I hope to see them at Christmas time for a week or so.  Of course, if Richard needs us, we will be right there.

I hope this finds you well.

I had 8 lessons today!  Yup, that's right, 8 lessons.  What an awesome day.  I had the four Muglia children, Grace, Bob, Kayla, and Rachel.  I wish I had 8 everyday.  (We'd be doing much better financially too!)  Everyone did well at their lessons.  Kayla and Rachel are starting to think about what they want to do for competition.  Oooh, that's right, I need to look up all competition info.  Last year they put everything on the web.  I miss the paper info we used to get.  It was so much easier for me to remember about competition stuff then getting it off the web.  Yes, I understand it is cheaper and etc, etc, but with a memory problem like mine, no paper means no remember.  I will print the stuff tonight too.

Because I was so busy today, I didn't have time to think about the pain.  That is why I like busier days.  It doesn't always work, but mostly it does.  I am rather tired now because of so many lessons, but the trade off is worth it.  

So far all my students are interested in performing in the benefit concert for the Women for Women International.  I am excited about that.  

Today is Katie's birthday!  She is 22 officially now.  I have to remember to face book her for her birthday!

I hope this finds you doing well!  Have a great evening!

We went to dinner with Katie to celebrate her 22nd birthday.  It is hard to believe that she is 22 now (well, will be tomorrow!)  I remember when I met her she was 8.  Boy how time flies.  We went to the Olive Garden which is one of our favorite restaurants.  It was a nice time.  She is currently in school in the Emergency Medical Training Program.  She plans to move into the paramedic program then eventually the RN paramedic program.  Katie will be great no matter what she picks.

On Thursday I think Katie and I will be passing out flyers.  It seems to be a good day according to the weatherman.  I will keep a close watch on the weather.  I have 300 more to pass out.  Hopefully on Saturday the Muglia girls can come and pass out some too.  Hopefully by Saturday all 300 will be passed out.  I hope to get some response from these, I haven't gotten any from the first 200 I passed out.  We are going to try a couple of different subs to pass them out in.

I am excited about tomorrow, I have 7 lessons on Monday!  How awesome is that?  I love the first Monday of the month because there are so many lessons.  The Muglia children only have lessons once a month due to finances.  I am thankful they are still taking lessons, even if they are once a month.  They are all doing quite well with the lessons that they do get.  And they practice!  That is the important thing, they do their lesson and then they work on the music for the rest of the month.  Mom enjoys going to their lessons.  Their little brother Patrick (4) thinks Mom comes just to play with him.  It is so adorable.  

I take Mom everywhere with me.  She doesn't like being anywhere I am not.  I don't really mind.  This way I know she is alright.  We haven't visited the day center yet.  I don't think she wants to because she doesn't feel comfortable unless I am around.  Most of the time it is fine, occasionally it is annoying because she is always with me.  When I am annoyed I try to remind myself how frightening it must be to be losing your memory and confidence.  Mom handles it pretty well overall.  Her crying is becoming less and less.  It is her first reaction to a scary situation is to cry, so I try to think ahead whatever we do.

Pain level is medium today so it is bearable.  I did manage to hit my arm that made my shoulder move the wrong way so of course it was extremely painful for a few minutes.  Sometimes I am amazed at my clumsiness.  Mom gets upset when I do this because there isn't anything she can do when she wants to do something.  So for a few minutes I am ready to scream from pain and then it lessens and goes back to regular pain.

I hope this finds you well and having a good day.

We met up with my cousin Hayley in Port Huron.  It was a lot of fun.  I haven't seen her for a bit.  She lives in Ontario about 2 hours away from us.  She ordered some items that can't be shipped to Canada so she had them shipped to my house and we delivered them to her today.  We don't mind at all, I look at it as an opportunity to see her.  Otherwise, I don't see her very often.  She works a lot at a stressful job.  She was very stressed out about her job today.  Her daughter, Justice was working or something like that so she didn't come with her mom.

Mom started off having a bad day but eventually it got better.  She was upset over the rain.  I didn't have her in her rain coat.  The coat is very thin and she would freeze in it.  I told her she would be alright with the jacket she had on and her head scarf, but she wouldn't really believe me.  It is like sometimes I think she thinks I am lying to her and I don't.  I may not tell her all the information because she wouldn't understand it, but I don't lie to her.  This is what is frustrating about dementia.  The paranoid behavior and freaking out easily.  I think I have about a year before her memory will get worse.  I try not to think about that but it sneaks into my brain at times.  Silly brain!

My arm is sore as usual, but pain level wise it is medium.  I got some new tummy medicine (you can only get it from Canada so Hayley brought me some!) so my tummy should be okay.  I see the doctor at the end of the month so I will have a refill of the tummy medicine that I am supposed to take every day.  My tummy is bad right now because I am out and now I can call to pick up a new prescription but I couldn't before because they wanted me to come in earlier and I didn't have the money for a doctor visit.  None of my doctors visits are paid for by my insurance.  When I get medicare part of them will be paid for but that isn't for another year and a half.  So I will keep what I have.  It is okay insurance and definitely better than none, that's for sure.

I hope this finds you having a good day.  Happy fall!

I had to cancel sewing lessons this afternoon because my head hurts and my stomach is not feeling so hot.  I am disappointed about that.  I love sewing days.  The girls are doing so well and it is so much fun.  They are really great girls.  The twins, Hannah and Natalie, are 13 almost 14 and Lydia is 12.  They also play piano.  They really took off this summer once I brought the Harry Potter and Star Wars music.  All of a sudden they were just jamming!  It was great to see and hear.

We are having a low key day due to health issues.  We are watching Golden Girls.  I love this show.  After Golden Girls we will be watching Murder She Wrote.  Just a low key day.  

It is raining out right now.  I wonder if that has something to do with my headache.  It is possible.  Well, I am looking forward to tomorrow, Lily has a lesson and then either Saturday or Sunday I will be meeting up with my cousin, Hayley.  She ordered a few things and they have arrived.  She is very excited about it.  She lives in London, Ontario and sometimes some of the stuff she orders can't be sent to Canada, so she has them sent here.  We don't mind.  It is no problem for us and it helps her out too.  Also, we get to see her more often.  She is very busy and her schedule is crazy at times.  Once we get our passports we will be able to visit her and other family members in Canada.  I look forward to that.

I hope this finds you having a good day despite the rain!  Have a great afternoon!

I know I already posted today, but I have to post again.  I just finished watching Oprah.  She had several amazing and inspiring women and about an organization that helps women around the world.  It is called Women for Women International.  They have a new book out called half the sky.  I hope to read it this weekend.  I will pick it up tomorrow.

Anyways, I will be speaking to my teenage girls about having them perform in a benefit recital.  I can't sponsor a woman right now, it is only $27 a month, but we are barely making it ourselves, but we can do a recital.  I have emailed a former student to see if she would be interested in participating.  When I have more information, I will let you know.

have a great day!

It is definitely a better day than yesterday except that my mind kept me awake most of the night.  You see, somehow I thought I overdrew my bank account because even with the deposit I made there was a shortage of $100.  I noticed this after I went grocery shopping yesterday.  I couldn't figure out where that $100 went.  And naturally, I have two checks ready to go through.  So this kept me up all night.  So this morning I check the account again to see how overdrawn I am and what would bounce.  Well, those two checks?  They went through two days ago that's how the account got shorted $100.  Silly me.  If I had looked further down in my checking account I would have seen that they went through.  So the bottom line is I didn't overdraw my account.  (actually it's Mom's and mine.)

Emily is coming over this afternoon to try her dress on one last time.  I wanted her to come during the week instead of just picking it up on Saturday in case something needs to be adjusted.  We don't need an upset teenager the day of the dance!  She looks so beautiful in it.  I can't believe how much she has grown.  I met her when she was 6, she is now 16.  

Roman is suppose to have his lesson tonight.  He is so cute, he is 4.  They had too miss last week so he should be here tonight.  Little kids are so cute to teach.  He is just starting the concept of playing the same note several times in a row.  Last time he couldn't do it.  I hope to work more on it during this lesson.

I hope this finds you doing well and enjoying fall.