Thursday, March 31, 2011

busy busy day!!!!

I love how wonderful today was.  It was super busy for a change.  First up was the lovely Breanna's 2 lessons.  She takes piano and voice.  She is doing rather well.  Piano is a bit of a challenge for her and doesn't come as easy as the voice songs do, but overall, I am pleased with her progress.  After that, Katie came to practice with the accompanist for her audition Saturday for the scholarship.  When Katie was done practicing with Bea, Bea and I went to get a bite to eat.  We went to the usual, Tim Horton's.  It was great as usual.  We sat and chatted for about 45 minutes then headed back to my house for Rachel to come and rehearse with Bea.  Rachel did very well with her music.  I quickly then had to go for my 3 month check up for my tummy at Dr. T's office.  The appointment went quickly since it was just a check up.  I am doing very well on the medicine so no worries there!  I also have graduated up to a 6 month check up instead of 3 months with the understanding should any side effects happen I am to call right away.  I have never yet had any side effects from the medicine so I am not worried about it.  I am very pleased with this progress as I have been going every 3 months for about 3 years now.  Yeah!  The next appointment is in 6 months.  Such great news!

It will be a quiet evening for me.  I am not feeling especially tired like I was last night.  Last night I actually went to bed around 8 pm.  I was simply wiped out.  I don't know why, I just was.  I had a decent night sleep, I did get up once to take some more pain medicine, but other than that, it was a good night for a change.  I think tonight will be a regular night sleep.

Tomorrow I have to get some light bulbs as the kitchen and the dining room are out.  The problem?  I can't hold my arms up long enough to change them myself so my friend, Heather B-T is going to change them during the kids lessons.  Thank God for good friends!!!  It is rather embarrassing though to have to ask someone to change both the dining room and the kitchen light bulbs, thank goodness I don't mind a little embarrassment if it means I get them changed!  I have definitely discovered humility with Fibromyalgia and Arthritis.  I also have Bursitis in my shoulders, so basically, I am a mess.  What can I say???  When the lights in the kitchen blew at Christmas Annie was in town so she changed them.  Once again i was fortunate.  I am very blessed with friends that help me do things.

I am not sure what is for dinner tonight as I am not very hungry.  I need to clean out my crock pot because I am going to make a roast this weekend.  After it is finished I cut it up into several meals and freeze the extras.  It makes for several meals that way and boy are they yummy.  I do like using my crock pot a lot.  It makes cooking really easy.  Toss in and heat!  How hard is that?  Not very hard, even for me.

Pain level isn't too bad for a change.  It is nicer out than it has been so I am thankful for that.  Not as much pain in the warmer, but not too hot, weather.  My hips like the new medicine.  I can get out of chairs so much easier now.  I am very thankful for the new stuff.  I only wish the Savella worked too, but as I have less pain, over all it is better.  If only I could lift my arms!  Ugh, I guess I can't have everything!

I do hope this finds you doing well and having a less pain day too.  Spring may have finally sprung here in Michigan.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

boy is it a better day

I am glad yesterday is over.  It ended on me breaking down (again!) around 11:30 when I was heading to bed.  I cried for another hour or so.  I don't usually have this issue, but with it being the little lady's birthday and all, I did expect it.  It is hard for me to believe how much I can miss one person and how big a hole in the heart and soul can be.  But it is true, my heart is so broken over this.  I think maybe if I had children of my own to take care of it would be different, but I doubt it.  I just miss her so much of the time.  It is all the little things not even the big things that I miss.

I have one lesson tonight, Charlie.  He plays the tenor saxophone and is doing very well.  I am pleased with his progress most of the time.  There is the rare time that he didn't practice enough or at all, but those are far apart, thank goodness.  He is also a drummer.  He is going to play a percussion piece at the spring concert in May.  I can't wait and I think my little student, Acer can't wait either.  Acer and Charlie get along so well.  It is quite nice to see the 16 year old with the 6 year old.  They are pals.

Katie and Rachel are audition this weekend for a scholarship.  It is a $500 scholarship.  I think both are ready.  I know Rachel is since she has sung both songs before.  Katie chose songs she has sung before to because we decided at the last minute she would audition.  Rachel's mom called me this morning because she couldn't find an accompanist for her.  I just found one for Katie so the same nice lady is going to do both.  I was slightly embarrassed though because when I called to let Bea know that Katie was doing it, she said she got Rachel's application.  Well, I had sent Rachel a cover sheet about it in email but I never gave her the application because they never sent me their address.  Rachel's mom must have called them for it.  But that is how I found out Rachel is also auditioning.  I am glad she is, but I wish I had known before I called so I wouldn't have been like, wow, really?  Cool.  So both girls will be here on Thursday to practice with Bea.  It should be lots of fun.

Not too much going on here.  I am absolutely exhausted from the meltdowns yesterday.  I plan to go to bed a bit early or take a nap, one of the two.  I should be doing some house work but I am just too tired to do it.  It is a nice and relaxing day so far, just on the tired side.  I don't have to be anywhere for a change, no doctors appointments or bloodtests or anything like that.  I do hope this finds you doing well.

Monday, March 28, 2011

Mom's birthday

Today is Momma's 77th birthday.  It is the first one I have every celebrated without her.  i don't think since I was born there has been a birthday of hers I have missed.  It has been a rough day, I would have to say.  Tears here and there.  I wish she were here.  I do realize she is better off since she doesn't have Alzheimer's anymore, but I still miss her terribly.  Last year we had two birthday parties for her.  The reason for the two is that I originally only planned one, but our friends couldn't come to the first one because most of them didn't have passports.  Well, because so many of them couldn't come I decided to have a separate party just for friends at our house.  It was a good choice.  We had the family party.  It was an open house but everyone stayed for pretty much the entire thing.  I was happy that almost the entire family was there and I know Mom was happy to see them.  She didn't speak much to them but that is normal for Mom, she just smiled and smiled which made me very happy.  She got some nice things too from the family.  The following Saturday, we had the cake and ice cream party for our friends.  Oh my, the living room was so full of our friends and neighbors it was unbelievable.  That made both me and Mom smile too.  It was such a nice time.  Mom got a lot of nice cards and gifts.  The cards she would read over and over for the next few weeks.  It was like a nice surprise for her every time she picked one up.  I left the cards on the dining room table for her to find and read for a few weeks before I put them up in her room.  She liked looking at them in her room.

When I look back at the last year, sometimes I just can't believe a year has past.  She was doing okay at this point a year ago.  Her eating had become an issue at this point as she barely ate at all but she was drinking 3 to 4 ensures a day so she was getting enough nutrition.  She could walk by herself although she preferred to hold my hand for guidance.  Then she knew she was going in the proper direction.  She could feed herself and dress herself at this point too.  The only thing I did was to hand her her pants so that they would go on right.  She also still helped me get dressed at this point.  I also thought we had years left with her at this time last year.  She was only in stage 4.  Mom was pretty independent last March.  I had only an inkling of knowing this could be it.  I wish we could go back in time because I want to be with her.  I most of the time liked being with her all day and night.  We still played some games then.  It wasn't until May that she flew through stages 5 through 6 and ended at the beginning of stage 7.  She smiled and laughed a lot last year at this time.  All I would have to say is, where's that pretty Mom's smile and she would smile.  I also got pictures taken of her last March.  Boy, am I glad I did.  I had no idea that those would be the last professional pictures ever taken of her.  I had no idea at all.  I am glad she let me get them down.  The day we went, she was all, I don't want my picture taken.  So I told her I already made the appointment but if she still didn't want them taken when we got there we wouldn't do it.  Naturally, she forgot she didn't want her picture taken and when the photographer asked if she was the one getting her picture taken she said yes and let her take the pictures.  I think they turned out very nicely.  Pretty much all of the family and a few close friends got a picture of her.  I still have Richard's copy here at the house. but I sent him a copy by email.  I do wonder how my brothers are doing today.  Sometimes I am fine and others I am in tears.  I would say it is mostly a tears day.  I suppose it will get easier.  It doesn't seem like it to me, but I suppose I will get used to this.

I hope you are having a better day than me.  I am just very sad today.

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Sunday - a Day of Rest?

I am actually doing laundry.  I realized I have absolutely no clean pants (except the pair I am wearing) for the day to day wear.  i do have dress pants clean, but they are for dress up stuff not day to day.  I have nice fleece, warm pants for day to day stuff.  I also have no clean cute sweatshirts that are for daily wear except my Christmas one, so I put on a t-shirt and dragged the laundry downstairs.  I just have to transfer it to the dryer.  Be right back!  Clothes are now in the dryer.  Now I am tired.  You would think I was running a marathon not putting clothes in the dryer!  Stupid Fibro!  Even mundane, boring, supposedly easy jobs tire me out.  Ugh, oh, well, I don't have to do anything with them for a bit so that is good.

I went to Tim Horton's today.  I was feeling cooped up in the house so after a few minutes I packed myself and a book up and off I went.  I stayed for about 2 hours reading.  It was a nice change.  I just needed to get out of the house for a few minutes.  You know how it is, the house feels smaller and smaller until you want to scream, so instead of screaming, I went out.  Good choice.  I am reading "Awakening" by Angela Hunt.  It is a book I bought a long time ago but never read.  I always meant to but the subject became to close to me.  It is about a woman a bit younger than me and how she is learning to live without her mother, who had dementia.  Now when I bought it, Mom was only showing small signs of Alzheimer's.  I was too busy at the time to read it so I put it aside.  Then when I had time, I couldn't read it.  Reading it now I see there are only few parallels of our lives.  Her mother was a typical dementia patient and didn't know who her daughter was at the end.  My mother was not typical, she didn't get angry very often, she wasn't belligerent, or angry.  She was polite and usually pretty quiet.  She also most of the time knew who I was.  Also, the main character, Aurora hasn't left her apartment for about 10 years even while her mother was living, where as I have no problem going out into the world.  She feels some resentment to her mother about taking care of her and I don't resent taking care of my mom.  I could have placed her anytime if I felt I needed to.  I believed she would have better care, and my friends have agreed, if I took care of her.  I got her whatever help I needed.  The only thing I wish I hadn't done that I have done was to place her for rehab in a nursing home for the 2 1/2 weeks she spent in one this past summer.  That was not good for her and I wish I could undo that.  It was a painfully bad experience for the both of us.  Anyways, the main theme in the book is that she finds herself and more importantly, she finds God.  Since I am close to God, I no longer see any real resemblance between me and the main character, thus reading the book is not painful like it seemed like it would be.  I love Angela Hunt's work.  She has written some incredible wonderful books.  I have read pretty much everything she has ever written except maybe a newer book since I haven't boughten any of her books since this one came out in 2004.  So I am a bit behind, but I will fix that soon.

It is a quiet day around here with just the laundry going.  I did the dishes the other day so I need to empty out the dishwasher and fill it with the dirty dishes.  I didn't get as much done as I wanted yesterday so I may finish that up.  I am enjoying the peace and quiet right now.  I don't mind silence like I did a few months ago.  I still miss Mom so much.  I have come to the conclusion that I will probably miss her like I do now forever.  I am starting to make plans of my future, although the future still scares me at times.  I do wish I saw my brothers more often than I do or at least spoke to them on a regular basis.  Both are horrible at keeping in touch.  Basically it is all me, I do the calling, I do the writing, the emailing, the messaging, but since I want to know how they are doing, I don't mind.  Maybe one day I will, but not right now.  I do hope to see both boys soon.  I don't think it fazes them as much as it does me that we are all that is left of Mom.  I am thankful for my uncles and my many cousins as they are very much appreciated, but of Mom, my brother's are all that is left of her.  I just wish I saw them more.

It is an okay day for pain for a change.  The celebrex really helps the lower back and the hips especially at night when I get up from sitting.  I am so thankful we started that.  At first, it didn't seem like it worked until I went a few days without it.  I hadn't noticed I was getting up easier until it was hard again.  I don't take the Savella as it gave me insomnia, but I am taking the Celebrex

Well, so far it is a good day.  I hope you are having a good day too!

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Saturday musings

I had 3 lessons total today.  It was a quick 1 3/4 hours let me tell you and fun.  All three students are doing very well.  Amanda and Kayla each started a new song today.  I was happy with what they did.  Kayla did tell me that when Katie came early last week it made her nervous so today when Katie arrived I had her go into the dining room for a few minutes this way Kayla would be able to continue without being embarrassed.  She had much more confidence today than she has had.  I was pleased with this.  Katie is auditioning for a scholarship next Saturday if we can find someone to accompany her.  I do hope we do because she really wants to do this and if she doesn't then they have to cancel the scholarship.  We are on a time crunch with this.  Both my friends are just not available although 1 is checking with her student to see if she would be available.  I also just called another teacher I know in case he can do it.  I can play the songs, I just don't accompany very well, I start listening to the singing and well, there goes the piano part.  I just never learned the art of accompanying.  I think that is something I need to learn.  I wonder how much Georgette would charge to teach me.  Hm, I will find out.  I figure either she or Diane can teach me to do this.  I can play the piano pretty well although I think I teach it much better than I play.  I could be wrong on this, but who knows!

I had planned on doing housework today.  I am going to vacuum the rest of Mom's room, the path in my room (yes, it needs to be decluttered since things are no longer where they belong), the spare room, and the hallway with the stairs.  That should be enough for the day.  I try not to overdo it because the pain is immense when I do.  I don't wish to spend all day tomorrow in bed.  While I don't have much planned for tomorrow, I still do not wish to be in bed from pain all day.  That would be a drag to say the least.  I don't know what I will do after that, I may read.  I have 2 books I haven't read yet waiting on the table and I have one I am currently reading.  I love reading but sometimes I just don't feel like it.  I have a hard time some days finding enough good stuff to do.  I think sometimes my naps in the afternoon are not only because I am tired but I am bored.  My new course hasn't arrived yet.  I can't wait until it does.  Should be here sometime next week.  I am anxious to get started with it.

It is almost 3 in the afternoon so I am heading upstairs soon to start my vacuuming.  It won't take long but I would like it done before dinner.  I may do the dining room, kitchen, and utility room floors tomorrow.  I have to also scrub them.  Yuck.  Oh well, it needs to be done so I will do it.  I plan to also watch some of the DVDs that I have that I haven't seen yet.  I keep meaning to but then when I have the time I end up doing something else.  I feel like I am in the waiting mode and I don't wait very well.  Patience is not my best virtue.

It is chilly out so my hips and legs are a bit sore today, plus since I split pop on my chair last night I had to sit on a different chair, so that caused extra pain too.  It is sunny out though so that is a plus.  I just wish we had slightly warmer weather to go along with the sun.  I do hope we are finished with snow!  I am so tired of it.  Well, I hope you are having a good day too!

Friday, March 25, 2011

A Joyous Evening

What a wonderful evening filled with laughter and joy.  Acer, Calli, and Heather stayed after their lessons for dinner and games.  Bill joined us bring said dinner.  it was so yummy!  We played Five Little Monkeys Sitting on a Bed.  It was Calli's new game that she got for her birthday last week.  Once we were done eating Bill tightened up the screws under the table because it was so wobbly.  It is so much better now.  No wobble at all anymore.  I am so thankful for that.  I was afraid I would have to get a new table and I really didn't want to as I love this one.  I have 4 chairs to tighten and reglue this summer though.  I know how now.  I can't wait to do this but I need warmer weather so I can open up the windows in case the glue smells.  Anyways, I actually won the game, surprisingly.  My little monkeys stayed on the bed!  It was such a fun game.  I think Calli is pleased with her choice of a game.  She and I love playing games together.  We are also Uno girls.  We love our Uno.  She has a special set that someone Brailled for her so she can play independently, which we both enjoy.

I did do a silly thing though.  I was carrying the chicken bucket, corn, gravy, and macaroni dishes to the counter so Bill could do the table and I split the gravy and my pop.  Now the gravy landed on the tablecloth.  Thank goodness I just changed it to a vinyl one!  However, my pop landed on my chair which has a cloth top.  Yup, I did a great job of soaking my chair and now there will be a stain.  I will scrub it out tomorrow and see if I can clean my chair.  What a silly thing to do.  Next time?  I will just carry a few things at a time and not pile them up on top of each other.

It has been a very good day.  I woke up late, which wasn't a good thing, but I was so exhausted.  I went to get something to eat and then I came home.  I played on the computer a bit before lessons and the rest is history!  I haven't had much pain today.  I am glad about that.  The celebrex works pretty well although the health insurance wants me to switch to something else since celebrex is not covered.  I also have the application for the Pfizer company for lowering the price of Celebrex.  I will discuss with Dr. G to see what is best to do and then follow his instructions.

Bill found a mug from when Tillie and Maia were here last month on the window sill.  Needless to say the cup looks rather gross right now.  I hope it cleans up okay as it is one of my favorites.  He also found 2 books.  I am not happy about this, but I suppose if I opened the drapes more often I would have found then a month ago.  Well, I don't always open them.  I used to but I don't always do.  It is just not something I do everyday.  Either way, I am still upset over the mug with left over coffee in it.  Yuck.  Like I said, I hope it cleans up nicely.

I have 3 lessons tomorrow starting at 11 am so I have to get up early.  I don't mind 11 am lessons, it is the earlier ones I have trouble with.  Amanda comes at 11, Kayla at 11:30, and Katie at 12:15 this week. Next week, Christine will have her lesson Saturday evening.  Hey, what works for her, works for me.  That is what I have to say about that.  She is doing very well.  I am revising my plan with her because she also plays another instrument which means she can read music very well.  I am giving her other stuff, not just stuff out of her book too.  She seems to like that.  I will find more fun stuff for her to play too.  I am some nice 5 finger stuff that she will like.

Well, I am getting tired now so it is about bedtime for me.  I will be setting my alarm because I don't want to miss a lesson.  Boy is this house quiet now after all the activity.  I so enjoyed myself so much.  It is nice to have activity every so often.  They will again be staying for dinner in 2 weeks because it will be my birthday and I want to have a small celebration on my actual birthday.  I have a family birthday party gathering with some friends too at my cousin, Darrin's house on the 16th.  That will be fun too.  But i felt something small for the actual day would be good and the Bowman-Tomlinson family is perfect for that.  The kids will have their lessons and then stay for games and dinner.

I do hope it was a good day for you too.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Not so cold out today

I am glad the sun is shining!  It makes it a bit warmer than it was yesterday, however, we are still in winter temperatures around here with some of the white stuff (snow) on the ground and some icy patches.  At least the sun is shining today.  I will probably have to have the little heater on this evening when the sun goes down since the wind chill is low.  I can't wait until we get actual open the windows and let the sunshine in weather.  I also will need to clean said windows too, but hey, that is another day.

I had Breanna's lesson this afternoon.  She is doing pretty well.  She is anxious to get to advanced level stuff right away.  It is so cute to see.  She is very ambitious and works rather hard so that is a great thing.  She also has determination which is another great trait of a good student.  I never have to worry about her not practicing or doing her theory work because she wants to learn as much as she can to improve.  I  just would like 10 more students just like her!  She is the type that makes teaching a great job.  Not that my other students are not doing well, they are too.  I have great students right now, I just need 10 more to pay all the bills not just some of them.  I pray I will get them soon.

I read a blog post today of one of my regular reads, Connie, (a very inspirational person) and she is redoing part of her house.  I now can't wait until after tax season to do the downstairs.  I am so anxious to have a sewing/craft area and a library/TV are now.  I want to put pictures up on the wall and wall hangings up.  I am just anxious to have my house just so!  I get great ideas from Connie's blog.  She always post the prettiest decorating ideas.  She also loves the color pink like I do!  Unfortunately, the carpet in the family room is brown, so pink is out unless I keep the furniture that is down there and then I could pain the walls pink to coordinate with the pink in the pink and brown furniture.  I wonder how hard it would be to restuff the cushions.  Would it really be that hard of a job?  I don't know.  I love the furniture that is down there, it is just that some redoing needs to be done.  Hm, I will have to ask some experts I know, like Connie and a few of my friends.  I am really rethinking this now.  I am thinking there is room down in the family room for the furniture.  I will measure and find out.  It is really pretty furniture that is in excellent condition (thanks Mom!).  Mom took really good care of it.  So, I am glad I haven't taken any picture of the furniture yet.  I am, however, getting rid of the bar stools and the shuffle board.  Those things have no place or use in the new family room.  They just take up too much space, way too much space.

Anyways, a quiet evening is expected.  I spoke to Kathy and Donna today.  I will turn the news on soon and watch that.  It is probably an HGTV night since there isn't anything else on.  I hope you are having a good day too.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Spring, where did you go?

I am freezing right now.  I have a sweatshirt and fleece pants on and I am still cold.  It is because of the freezing rain we are getting, I think.  All I know is that I turned on the little heater.  It is blowing right on me and boy does it feel nice!  Heaven!

Despite the freezing rain, I bravely (he he he) drove to my friend, Donna's house to pick her up.  She can't drive right now because she was in an accident about a month ago and it totaled her car.  She has had more health problems since then too.  I feel so bad for her but I am glad she is getting good care from the doctors.  That is the important thing.  So I picked her up and off we went to Burger King for lunch.  She treated me! It was very cool.  We were there for about 2 hours chatting away.  Sometimes she speaks very softly and I can't hear her so I have to say speak up.  I have 50% hearing loss in each ear.  When I was young I had some infections that caused the hearing loss.  One in particular I never told Mom that my ears hurt and were plugged so I didn't go and get the medicine until I had had the problem for about 7 months.  My Math and Science teacher finally asked if I could hear him and I said no.  He was standing and quickly sat down.  He couldn't believe it so during the break between classes he called me up and asked how long it had been since I could hear him in class.  I said since October (this was May by this time).  He immediately let everyone of my teachers know I couldn't hear.  I never got moved so fast in my life, I was immediately moved to the front of the room for every class.  It didn't stop there.  He went to my counselor and told him and then they called Mom and told her.  She was as flabbergasted as they were because I never told anyone.  I had an ear doctor specialist appointment for about 2 days later after than and then a few weeks later I had surgery on my ears and I could hear a bit better.  I went from 75% hearing loss to 50%.  The specialist told my mom that because I didn't say anything for months it was too late to save more of my hearing.  I did try hearing aids but they gave me headaches because everything, and I mean, everything is amplified.   I still don't wear hearing aids.  Generally I am okay in most situations.  I do fine with the phone, only a few voices are hard to hear.  Mom was so upset with me that she made me promise that if I even had a smidge of a sore throat or ear ache to tell her immediately, no matter if we were fighting or not getting along, which is why I never told her.  She was mad at me for something and I didn't want to get into trouble.  Well, I didn't get in trouble, but I did do permanent damage to my ears so lesson was a hard one to learn!

So anyways, I digress.  We had a wonderful time.  She misses Mom too because she used to come and pick Mom up to go with her places when we had the store.  She would drop her granddaughter off for her trumpet lesson and then she and Mom would go for ice cream sometimes.  Donna would sometimes come during the day to whisk Mom away with her for running errands and stuff like that.  She liked Mom's company.  Sometimes I would come down the stairs at the store and Mom would be gone.  I always knew who she was with because there would be a note that says, I have Mom!  Mom loved that. Donna was a good friend to Mom and she is a good friend to me.  Today was the first day I have actually seen her though since probably about November.  We talk frequently on the phone though, about every few days.  It was nice to see her in person for a change.

I don't have any lessons today so it is a bit of a boring day now.  I have some good books to read though and I want to put the sheets and blankets on Mom's bed for guests when I have them.  I just have to vacuum the one side of the room and make up the bed then Mom's room is officially done.  There are two boxes in the closet with some Disney stuff in them.  I have some of her stuff in my room too.  There are some boxes in the garage too of Mom's stuff that I have to go through.  I will after tax season when Lily and her mom, Julie are available to help.  Julie is going to help me with the family room.  All after tax season which officially ends April 19 this year.  I can wait until then no problem!  I am thankful for the help for these type things.  I can't wait until the sewing area is put together.  That should be very cool!  I am looking forward to having a family room I can use again.  It has been about 5 years now since we haven't been able to use it.  I plan to have the students over during the summer for craft afternoons.  I have 2 kits full of beaded ornaments to make.  there are about 50 ornaments you can make in each kit so that is plenty.  It should be lots of fun too!

Anyways, this is getting long and I have discovered that blogspot cuts out some of your post if you are too long.  Mean old blogspot!  I do hope this finds you doing well and having a great day!

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

it is snowing again, not fair

Around 5 pm it started snowing hard again.  We are supposed to get a few inches.  I am hoping that we don't get that much because we are on the border of the bad stuff and the not so bad stuff.  I am hoping for the not so bad stuff.  I have officially decided I no longer like snow after Christmas.  I used to like it, but not anymore.  It has been so cold this winter.  It makes me stiff and sore like so many I know.  I often wonder on days like this what Heaven is like and how is Mom liking the weather there.

I took all the paperwork to the tax professional, Julie today.  She is a good friend of mine.  It was sad to do because it is the last tax paperwork I will have to do for the little lady.  I don't like having to do this last things for Mom.  I want my mom here, not in Heaven.  Yes, I know, she is much better off because she was suffering and all that, I never said I was logical, however, I just miss her so much.  I didn't total anything this year like I always do.  I just put the stuff in the envelope and gave it to Julie.  I am hopeful that the only thing I am missing is the copy of the horrible death certificate.  I hate that thing.  It is illogical, I know, but I happen to hate almost anything that has to do with her passing away.  I want my little Mom back, the way she was a few years ago when she could still enjoy stuff and have a good time.  Julie is going to help me get the house in order including some of what is left of Mom's stuff.  I have a good amount of costume jewelry that belonged to Mom along with some other pieces.  I have to collect them all and decide what to do with that.  I have the special necklace in the bank that will go to Abby when she is 16.  Right now it is all mine until Abby is 16.  Then we share it until I pass.  This necklace was given to my great grandmother by her brother, Andrew when she was 16.  Great grandma gave it to my mom when she was 16 and then I got it when I turned 16.  It is a sentimental piece that Mom simply loved.  I like it too.  I think Abby will like it.

I hope I don't owe too much to the IRS this year.  With the tight budget that I have, I don't have extra to pay.  We shall see.

I am going to start removing a few boxes from the storage unit this week after the awful snow clears.  I figure if I can get a box or two that I want every few days out of there, when we can finally empty it, it will be easier to do because I will have all my stuff out of there.  There are a few boxes that I may not be able to lift, but I can try the other ones.  I am still hopeful that the snow globes are okay, not that I have a place to put them at right now.  I plan to put the Mickey Mouse one in Mom's room for decoration and the possibly mine too.  Mine is Beauty and the Beast.  I will be putting the Beauty and Beast picture frame in Mom's room.  I just have too much stuff to put in my room.  I have pictures that need to be put back up, stuffed animals that need to go where they belong, on my chest of drawers.  I am putting some of the pictures in Mom's room too.  I will make it look nice and pretty.  I also have some figurines of Anne of Green Gables that both Mom and I love.  We bought them in Disney World Epcot Center.  Mom and I love Anne of Green Gables books and movies.  When we saw the figurines we just looked at each other and said, oh yeah, we need them so I bought them.  There are, I think, 2 of them in the storage unit in a box.  So much is in the storage unit.  We don't need a storage unit, we just need the house.  There are also about 4 to 6 really, really old cellos.  They are in bad shape.  I was going to paint them and sell them, but I am just going to get rid of them.  I have no room in our house for them.  I have some boxes from the business that I will have to keep for about 4 more years because of taxes.  Those can go straight in the garage.  I don't want those boxes in the house because there isn't enough room.  I only need 1/2 of the garage.  This spring, after tax season, we are going to paint the table and chairs and put them on the outside patio where they belong.  That will clear a good 1/4 of the garage.  That will also  leave enough room to put my little baby car in the garage for the first time ever.  I am so excited about that.  No clearing off the snow off of my car next winter.  The car will not bake in the summer.  How cool is that?  Rather cool if you ask me.  I can't wait for that day.

I have no lessons tomorrow.  I do hope the roads are alright because I am supposed to meet my friend for lunch.  However, should the roads be icy like the weatherpeople

It has been a good day.  Tax stuff is in, 1 lesson taught, all in all, a good day.  I am just pretty tired.  I hope your day has been good too.

Monday, March 21, 2011

Monday thoughts

I spoke with Bob today.  I had message he and Maggie about a decision that I was trying to make.  As it turns out, I feel I made a good decision, but I am glad that I messaged them because they gave me a few other things to think about.  Thank goodness for good friends.  I do feel I have a good plan now that I have been lacking in direction at times (outside of teaching) and really need some focus for long term planning.  When I had Mom here (before she needed 24/7 care from me) I could speak to her about these decisions and thoughts and I do miss that a lot.  I do have a savings plan, even with my tiny budget, that I will be doing.  My emergency fund is very small at this point and needs to grow.  I have added a savings plan in my monthly budget now.  It makes me feel much better knowing I have a plan.  I am a planning kind of girl.  I feel like the fog may be starting to be lifted about some things.  I don't always feel like I am walking through mud all the time, just most of it.  I am hoping the new roadmap will help with the mud feeling.

It is a bad missing Mom day mainly because I had to have someone else to discuss things with.  I couldn't talk to her about it and hear her thoughts about that.  It just is something I will have to get used to now.  I don't particularly like it, but I will have to get used to it.  Mom is in Heaven and isn't here to talk too.  I miss my sounding board.  I have had to find a different one.  I am thankful for the suggestions for me to think about.  I hadn't given some things attention and I needed to.  Thank God for good friends.

I had my lovely Muglia girls for their lessons today including Sarah, one of the little sisters.  She just started today.  She has played out of the book for a while and got all the way up to where she is starting to read notes so that is where we started today.  I think she will do very well just like the older sisters.  I brought the older girls a huge (I mean huge) bag of hoodies that were Mom's.  Some of them she has worn, many of them she bought and forgot she had or I forgot she had so she never worn them.  There were a couple of really cute disney ones that I think the girls will just love.  I asked that any that they don't want (I am sure there are some) to please donate them.  They said they would.  There are a bunch of cute hoodies there that I wished I fit into.  No hope there though.  By the time I may fit in them, they will be long out of style besides I have a bunch of cute hoodies that I have gotten in the last few years.

It was so nice to teach 5 lessons in one day.  I miss being that busy.  I mean, some days I am teaching just 1 lessons.  Now, I am grateful for that one lesson, I just want to be busier and soon I will be.  I am hopeful that I will get more students soon.  I know that by fall I will, I just need new students long before that.  Summer is coming and that is a tough time for lessons although the last couple of summers haven't been super bad like they were a few years ago so I am hopeful that this summer won't be too bad again.  I don't have any plans at this time to go on vacation.  I would like to go and see my brother in Seattle, but I am not sure that will happen.  All depends on his busy schedule so we will wait and see.

I am rather tired today now.  I didn't sleep very well last night.  I haven't been sleeping very well these last few nights.  I don't know why.  I think since I had to get up so early this morning that perhaps I will sleep well tonight.  I am hopeful about that.

It has been a good day overall.  I enjoyed the 5 lessons that I have taught today.  My girls are doing awesome with their music and Bob is doing very well too.  He will be ready in time for the spring concert.  The girls won't be able to attend because baby number 9 in the Muglia house will be making his debut around that time.  Thomas is expected in the 2nd and 3rd week of May.  It will be a busy but exciting time for them.

I do hope this finds you doing well.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

small surprises

Well, I did it.  I went and ordered the course for writing.  When I clicked on to order it I got a big surprise!  It was 1/2 half off!  Talk about a nice surprise!  I was pleased because I don't have to use emergency money for this now.  I am so happy about that.  You just never know do you?  I do hope to get the course rather quickly because I am anxious to get started.  I now just need the creative juices that have been hiding in the fibro fog, to come out and get started again.  The nice thing is that I can do this at my pace which is probably slower than most people's pace, but hey, that is okay.  It is okay to go slower than the rest of the world, right?

It is a quiet day as I don't teach on Sundays very often anymore.  I am trying to have one day where I can not teach and do some stuff around the house.  I have time to rest if necessary so that is good.  Today's big challenge is bringing up the little sewing machine for my girls and separating hoodies for them.  I also have to bring down the hoodies that are in my room that were also mom's.  She never wore these ones so they are going to the girls.

I am still pretty tired as I had nightmares a bit last night.  I dreamed I was surrounded by Wraiths from the Stargate Atlantis show.  Very strange dream let me tell you.  I can't remember all of it, I just remember praying that the dream would go away and happy dreams would come back.

It is a missing the little Mom bad day today.  I got teary eyed when I went to the music store to pick up the music for both Christine and for Sarah.  Mom used to go all the time with me and look through the music to see what was there and what we wanted.  I miss going there with her.  She was always so excited when I bought new music.  If I bought some for me, she would immediately label it and catalogue it.  My music is all catalogue all thanks to Mom.  She spent hours getting it ready for me.  She copied almost all the original CDs so that I would have copies to give out instead of originals.  How cool is that?  Very, if you ask me.  I have 3 legal size file cabinets filled with music, so you can see what a big job this was.  Mom was just so organized that way.  I miss her organization skills as I am not as organized as she was.  She kept me nice and organized.  All my music was always put away when not in use.  I mean, I had it so good.  Just one more of a million reasons I miss her so much.  It is hard to believe how much you can miss one person in life.  It hurts physically at times with how much I miss her.  Today, it is not a physically hurt missing her day so that is good.  Either that or I have much better pain meds than I used to.  I would say it is just a super missing mom day without the physical pain of it.  I knew that when Mom passed away I would miss her this much.  I was warned ahead of time by one of my friends who has lost her mom how bad it would be so this isn't a surprise, I just don't know when it is going to get better.  Some days aren't too bad because I am busy but some are super bad.  I think if I get back into my writing this will help some because Mom liked my writing.  She would say go do some writing, you will feel better or go play the piano.  She was always saying things like that.  I feel like i honor her when I am teaching as she was so proud that I was a teacher and I think I will honor her again while I am writing.  The one thing she always told me (and several teachers have said too) is to never write a sentence or use a word you would be embarrassed to read out loud or read years down the road.  Always write what you would be proud to be read out loud.  It is something like that, I can't put it exactly the way they all said it, but you get the point.  Mom read pretty much everything I wrote.  She would do some spelling corrections at times or if a paragraph or a sentence didn't make sense she would mark it.  I miss having my own personal editor.  She was so good at that.  She was just a remarkable woman that is all I can say about my Mom.  She was the best.

It is going to be a decent day even though it is colder than it has been this week.  I am looking forward to a busy week with lessons and getting my new writing course.  I can't wait for that to come in.  I do hope you are having a good day too.

Saturday, March 19, 2011

saturday

I had 3 lessons this late morning/early afternoon.  I got up earlier than usual because the lessons start at 11 am.  Yes, I know, it is not early for some people, but it is for me.  I got up at 10:30 and then went downstairs to sit and wait.  I sort of dozed as I was waiting for Amanda.  Amanda is doing very well.  She is happy with the songs she is learning.  We talked a bit about what she wanted to do for the spring concert.  I told her (and Kayla) that if there was something in particular they want to learn and I don't have it, they will have to go and purchase it themselves.  I don't have much in the way of popular music.  It is just not possible for me to keep up with that.  I don't have the money nor the space for the music.  Kayla had her lesson right after Amanda.  She is doing very well, but she thinks she is doing terrible.  I try to encourage her to let her know she is doing well.  She just doesn't believe me.  The biggest problem is that Amanda has a naturally mature voice while Kayla has a regular 12 year old voice.  Her voice will mature, I keep telling her this.  She is only 12, of course she says she is 13, which she isn't.  She has negativity for much of her lesson these days.  I am at wits end trying to figure out what to do.  She is doing very well and there has been improvement with her voice.  I think next week I will give her a lower song that may help her feel a bit better.  I just don't know.  It is so tough to watch a young person with so much potential and talent think she doesn't have either.  Katie had her lesson after Kayla.  She received her score sheets back from competition.  She is pleased with how she did.  She is going to audition for a scholarship that is put on by a local teacher group.  She could win $500.  That is a big chunk of money that she could definitely need for school in the next few years.  Katie is in high school but she is in a special program that requires her to go 1 more year for high school because by the time she finishes high school she will also have her associates degree.  I am so happy that she is in this program.  It has matured her and given her a focus that she didn't have a couple of years ago.  I am excited that she is going to try for this scholarship.  I am going to contact 2 of my friends to see if they can accompany Katie.

After lessons I wanted to get out of the house for a bit.  i was feeling a bit of cabin fever so I went to Tim Horton's for lunch.  I am working on cutting out a lot of my trips there because I just can't afford it without Mom here plus it was getting boring without having someone to go with.  I enjoyed her company so much that to go on my own is just not what I want.

When I got home I took a nap because I was so tired.  Between getting up early and not having a good sleep last night, I was very tired.  I ended up sleeping for 4 hours and I am still tired.  I am not sure when I will go to bed tonight whether it will be early or regular time.  Tomorrow I need to pull my tax stuff together and get Sarah her new books for piano.  She is starting Monday after her sisters' lesson.  I know have 4 of the Muglia children for students.  I am excited for Sarah to be starting.  Apparently, she plays a bit everyday.  That is a good habit to get into.  Her older sisters practice pretty much everyday and have since they started lessons so many years ago.  I think it was about 8 years ago, but I am not sure.  I think Hannah was 7 and now she is 15.  Lydia was 6 and now she is 14.  Natalie didn't started with her sisters, but she easily caught up to them and now they are all about at the same level which is nice and not because they all play the same music eventually.  I try not to give them the same songs at the same time though so there is some variety in the practicing.

I am at a loss of what to do.  There is a children's book writing course I would like to take.  I have been writing for young people since I was a teenager.  I have some talent (I am certainly NOT saying I am the best ever, because I am NOT) and I have been told that I do.  I have taken a couple of other writing courses with this company so I know the company.  Their copywritingbreakingant to get back into writing and I do feel the course would help me break into the business.  I just don't know if I should use the emergency money.  There isn't much left and this would make even less.  However, I do know that if I tighten my belt, I can replace some of the money in the next few months so that is a possibility.  It is so hard to make this type of decision by myself.  I have asked 2 friends for their opinions.  I could use the extra money if I get published, but I know breaking in is a difficult thing, not impossible, but difficult and I haven't written professionally for about 5 years now so it is like rebreaking into the field.  I don't know.  I have been praying about it.

It has been a good day, I do hope yours has been good too.

Friday, March 18, 2011

Friday

I was supposed to have 4 students today and ended up with 1.  I am thankful for the one.  The first student, Terry, I had spoke to earlier this week to find out his schedule.  We agreed that Friday at 1 pm would be good.  Unfortunately he didn't let the new company know or he didn't get back in town on time, either way he didn't have a lesson.  The other two's Mom was not feeling very well today.  She gets bad headaches like I do, so when they arrive, you can only lay down and hope that it goes away so that left only Christine's lesson.  Thankfully, she and her Mom are feeling good for the day.  Christine will have her lesson again next week at the same time.  She is 10 almost 11.  Calli just turned 11.  I think the girls will get along well and have someone to hang out with at concerts.  I just wish they were closer in the piano levels so they could play duets together.  Oh, well, I will get a duet from someone someday.  I will just have to wait a bit longer.

Last night was a great evening.  Breanna had her lesson and right after I went over to Heather B-T's house for Calli's birthday dinner and brownies.  It was a wonderful time.  By the time I got there Acer was waking up from a wee sleep and Calli and I were chatting away.  I can't believe the lovely young lady is now 11.  It is hard to believe, but it is true.  She is 11.  I was honored to be asked to come and celebrate with her.  Talk about a great time!  I had a wonderful evening with the family.  Calli got some nice gifts for her birthday.  She was very excited about that.  Acer was excited to help Calli open up gifts.  We had rice with spinach, chicken, and veggies for dinner with homemade brownies for desert.  Calli wanted brownies instead of cake.  Hey, works for me.  Whatever works for her, works for me.  Overall, a great evening and no place I would have rather spent it.  They are great kids and i enjoy all the time I get to spend with them.

I met up with my friend, Wendy for tea this afternoon.  We had such a good time as usual.  She is a good friend.  We meet up every few months to hang out for a bit.  She is a pretty busy person.  She works two jobs, not to mention a wife and mother with 2 lovely children.  We usually only get about 1 1/2 hours, but hey, I will take as much time as I can get.  I enjoy talking to her about everything.  Her daughter just made her high school freshman softball team.  She is so excited about that.  I was excited for her.  She has played softball for about 9 years now.

It is hard to believe that it is Friday already.  Just seems like yesterday it was Sunday.  Time is flying fast.

The Celebrex seems to be helping with the lower back and hips pain.  I don't have as much pain getting up from my chair at nighttime.  I am glad about that.  It was getting really hard at nighttime.  Anytime after 5 pm the pain would just get worse.  I know that is about the sun goes down and the temperature drops, but the pain would just be worse.  I am thankful something is working a bit.  it doesn't erase all the pain, but it is helping some and that is what I needed.  I didn't expect it to get rid of the pain.  I don't think anything will.

With the 2 temporary students finished, the 5 adult students who started in January and have quit, and the other student who has quit, I find once again I am nervous about finances.  I am praying for more students that will stay with the lessons.  I need some more so that I can make all my bills not just some of the bills.  I need prayers on this a lot right now.  I know that I am not the only one in this position.  I do hope that in the next month or so I will be able to be okay again.  I am hopeful in this.  I am trying to rely on prayer and faith on this.  I am confident that eventually I will have the amount of students I need to pay all of my bills not just some of them.

Overall, I must say, despite my disappointment over the first student not showing up, it has been a good day.  Meeting up with Wendy and having Christine's lesson have made it a good day.  I do hope my friend, Heather B-T's headache is gone and she is having a good evening.  It has been a pretty good week so far.  Tomorrow I have 3 lessons that I am excited about.  I don't know what else I am going to do tomorrow, but the lessons will be fun.  I do hope this finds you doing well too!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

quiet wednesday

I didn't have any students today, which is alright.  I would rather have a student, but today just isn't a day I have one.  Last week's new student that had her lesson on Wednesday will have hers on Friday this week.  She is what the new company calls a flex student because she doesn't have a set time every week due to her mother's work schedule.  Her Mom is a nurse and works 12 hour days so there is no set schedule for her.  I don't mind as long as she has a lesson every week.

My friend from high school, Vicki is coming by.  She has a good friend who's husband needs a heart transplant and they are holding a fundraiser so she is coming for a few violins.  I am happy to have them go for a good cause.  I do have 2 that need to be painted, I am planning to paint them this spring.  It has been 2 years since I have painted a violin.  I have 16 that are painted left.  I want to take some pictures of them and put them on ebay.  I am going to get a new memory card since I can't figure out how to clear mine.  I have removed all the pictures yet the card still says it is full.  I am so technological inept that I will just buy a new one instead.  I will do that next month as this month is very, very tight financially speaking.

I asked for the price of Savella today at the pharmacy.  It is $147 a month.  Yeah, that is a lot of money I don't have.  The biggest concern I have (outside of price) is that the week that I have been taking it, I have had 3 nights of no sleep.  One of the side effects is Insomnia.  Is less pain worth no sleep?  I don't know.  I just don't know what to do about it.  I did get the Celebrex today at the cost of $127 for the month.  I used some of the emergency money.  I wrote an email to my older brother and he suggested i contact the company who makes Celebrex to see if they have a program to help pay for it so I did.  They are sending me an application that both me and Dr. G have to fill out.  It will get here in time for my next appointment with him.  I pretty sure I qualify for free medicine because of my low income.  I am way under their cutoff point but about 11,000 so I am pretty sure I qualify.  However, I was reading the info for the side effects and things like that and it says that taking it with the blood thinning medicine may cause some bleeding.  Once again, now what?  Is this why the arthritis doctor didn't give it to me in the first place?  I guess I will just monitor myself and see what happens.  The Celebrex really helps with the hips and lower back pain from the arthritis so I am going to see about keeping it and just watch myself in case something happens.

I am putting my receipts together this weekend so that I can make my appointment with Julie to get the taxes done.  I am not really in a hurry as I usually don't get anything back.  You actually need to pay tax to get some back and since they don't tax social security, I don't get any back.  Makes sense to me!  Sometimes I have to pay because of teaching but I think this year I have enough bills that will cancel them out.  I do hope so.  I don't have any extra money to pay the IRS with.  Boy, things are sure tight without Mom and her social security.  I didn't realize how good we had it until it was gone.  Of course, I miss Mom more than just for her money.  I miss her so much everyday.  My friends have been so right, I miss her more now than when she first passed away 5 months ago.  Friday will be the 5 month anniversary.  My heart broke then and I just don't see it healing to quickly without the little lady around.  I do enjoy looking at pictures of her though.  She had such a pretty smile!

Saturday is my nephew, William's birthday.  He will turn 10 already.  So hard to believe.  It seems like yesterday that he was born.   I remember the day he was born as well as the day his older sister was born.  Two of the best days of my life.  We have another special birthday this week too.  My friend, Heather B-T's daughter, Calli turns 11 tomorrow.  I am going over for dinner and brownies and floats.  It will be so nice.  I just can't believe how fast these kids are growing.  Seems like yesterday Calli was just 9 and arriving here.  These last two years have just flown.

My friend, Vicki just left with 3 violins for the fundraiser.  She picked them out herself.  I wanted her to. I think it makes it more special if you pick them yourself.

So far, it is a less pain day.  My back is a bit sore for some reason where it usually isn't, but other than that, the pain is under control for a change.  I have a good evening so far with a nice visit with Vicki and her Mom.  I am so glad she is close to her Mom just like I was.  She spends at least one night with her Mom every week.  I do hope that you are having a good evening too!

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

I may have been a bit hasty

I may have been a bit hasty in my thinking the Celebrex and the Savella aren't working.  I haven't taken either of them for 2 days and tonight when I got out of my chair, oh my, the pain.  I also can't sleep because of the pain.  Yes, I came down and took a Savella.  I also priced the Savella.  I don't know how I will afford them, but they did seem to work enough where I could get out of the chair without to much pain at night and get some sleep.  Right now it is 2:08 am and I am tired but I ache so I can't really sleep.  Thank goodness tomorrow is a no student day, just my friend Vicki stopping by to pick up some violins for a fundraiser they are planning for her friend's husband.  He needs a heart transplant and they don't have the money for it.  I am not sure how I can buckle down more to stretch the money to get the new prescriptions, but I will try.  I may be able to get some more samples from the doctor but I know he was out of the Celebrex, that was why he wrote me a prescription for it and only gave me 6 days worth of the sample.  I don't know, but I will try somehow.  How do people do it with more prescriptions?  I know, they don't fill them.  that is what I have done in the past, stopped taking a lot of the medicine.  What can I say?  I am in the same boat as so many that I know.  I am thankful that I have the Medicare part D but I do wish I had some secondary insurance but I am not at the point that I can afford something like that right now.  Please pray that I get more students.  That would help.  2 new weekly students on my own or 4 new weekly students from the new company and I will be able to pay for the new prescriptions.  I also need a few more to pay for the property taxes too.  I am still just a bit short to make everything, I have the basics now, just need the property tax and the new prescriptions to be covered and then I will be fine.

I am going to try to get some sleep now.  I do hope I do.  I don't like being awake at this time of night.  I should be asleep like the rest of the world.  Nighty night!

Tuesday 3-15

Hard to believe we are in the middle of March already.  I suppose it isn't a bad thing, just surprising that it is here already.  I spoke to Kathy on the phone today for over an hour and boy was it great.  I so miss seeing her all the time.  You would think after 14 years of her living in the western part of the state that I would be used to it, but no, I am not.  I try to talk with her at least once a week or once every other week.  With the way her kids are growing, anything less and I miss something.

I am not as tired as I thought I would be at this time of day.  I had to get up earlier than usual for the blood test today.  Only one poke today!  Thank goodness for that.  I figured I would need a nap before Charlie's lesson tonight.  Maybe I won't.  that would be nice, a napless day, highly unlikely though.  He will be here this evening.  He is such a good kid.  He is definitely one of those student teachers love to have.  Tomorrow is a studentless day.  Maybe I will go and get my hair cut.  I want to get some bangs and some length cut off.  We shall see.  I don't know.  I do want to get some vacuuming done tomorrow on the main level since when my cousins were here the floor needs it pretty bad.  i also need to scrub that area too.  That would about do me in for the rest of the day so that will be my only plans tomorrow.  I plan on putting the sheets and blankets on Mom's bed tonight before bed.  The quilt will look so pretty with the new blankets and pillows.  I am pleased with my purchase.  Then it will just need a guest to come and stay the night in there.

Monday I have the Muglia girls for their lessons.  I am bringing the portable sewing machine for them and the hoodies that I have to separate.  I have several hoodies that I think will look so cute on them that were Mom's.  Most of the ones I am giving them Mom never wore or rarely wore but some are ones she wore.  The 3 older girls love hoodies a lot and since I have quite a few, I am giving them some.  There are about 4 in my room that need to go.  Those ones, Mom never wore because they were too thin for her but she would have looked so adorable with them on.  I just wish she could have worn them.  We had fun picking them out for her.  Mom had a nice smile when she realized that they were for her.  She was always surprised when I bought stuff for her like that.  She rarely asked for anything too.  Once in a while we would pass a particularly cute stuffed animal or a sweatshirt or something like that and she would ask if we could get it.  Generally, this was so rare that I almost always was able to get it for her.  We usually only were at the store when we had money to spend anyway.  I am not a window shopper and I hate going shopping in general so to shop and only look doesn't work well for me.  I go when I have a particular thing I need and I have the money to purchase it.  I work on the cash only basis.  It is amazing though, how many credit card offers I have received since I filled for bankruptcy.  Yeah, you know I shred those things super duper fast.  First of all, I don't have extra money to be paying a credit card bill every month and second of all, I don't need a credit card to temp me.  I have no reason to really have one especially one that has $150 a year fee.  If I had $150 a year it would go on a bill, not the credit card.  Yes, eventually I will need to start working on rebuilding my credit, but the offers I have been getting are not the way to do it.  Nothing like temping the person who just declared bankruptcy to go and get in the same financial mess again.  Of course, I wouldn't because I don't have a store to lose again.  I don't own a business anymore.  I am an independent contractor for teaching and I only teach a few lessons a week.  I know I won't get in the same mess because the circumstances won't repeat themselves.  I also, believe it or not, have discovered I like this new cash only business.  If I have the cash and I need it I will buy it.  If I don't, I won't.  Rare have I needed something and not got it.  I did have a week where I didn't have the money to get my synthroid medicine.  That was the first time that had happened.  I also know that next time that happens, I have a friend to ask to borrow the money to get it and then pay it back when my money comes in.  I don't foresee this happening again, but I have the fall back if needed.  My friend was horrified that I didn't have my medicine.  At least it wasn't my blood medicine.  That would have been a big problem as I could get another clot before I got the medicine and who knows what could have happened.

I am going to read for a bit before I make myself some dinner.  I don't really know what I want but I will figure it out shortly.  So far, despite the blood test, it is a good day.  Pain level isn't too bad.  My knee is almost back to normal so all in all, it is a good day.  I do hope you are having a good day too!

Monday, March 14, 2011

Monday after the time change

Oh my, the time change!  Wrecks havoc on me every year twice a year.  I don't know why, but I just don't respond well with it.  I had to take a 3 hour nap this afternoon/early evening with it.  I don't get it.  I hope by the end of the week I will be fine.  We shall see.

I just checked my planner.  I have a blood test tomorrow morning.  Yuck o!  I will go though because my blood was kind of messed up last week and I hope it is back to normal.  I hate extra blood tests.  I hope after this I won't need a new one for 3 weeks which is the next doctor appointment.  I hope to get a better pain pill and that will be it at the next doctor visit.  The new medicines didn't work and I am tired of trying new ones.

I had Bob's lesson this afternoon.  He is doing very well right now on his songs.  He is working on the tempo of the pop piece and the first page is pretty much there so that is a great start.  He can play the invention faster than when he plays it for me, but when I am there he gets a bit nervous, so he has to slow down.  A normal reaction for a student.  You always can play better at home than when someone is staring at your hands like I am.

I am annoyed tonight by something someone said to me.  I am trying not to let it bother me, but it does.  I didn't appreciate it and I wish I had never answered the call.  Next time, I will not answer.

It is getting so nice outside right now though I am sure we are not done with snow.  I didn't get the news tonight because I was just getting up from my nap, so I missed the weather report.  I will check online before bed so I know if we will have white stuff on the ground like we did one day last week.  I don't remember the day.  I am really hoping we are finished with the winter.  I am so tired of being cold.

I started making the bed in Mom's room today before the nap.  All I got to was the mattress cover.  I will do the rest tomorrow.  I also have to put the night stands back where they belong and the chest of drawers that was moved too.  Then take the empty boxes out and put them in the garage, vacuum again, close her closet doors, and her room is ready for visitors.  I think the visitors will like what I did with Mom's bed.  I do have to put up the sheer curtains and the one set of drapes as they are down, but I will do that when I have some help because it is difficult to put drapes and curtains up by yourself.  I have tried and it just doesn't work, plain and simple.  Then I will vacuum the hallway, the spare room, the path in my room and then bring it to the kitchen and dining room, which also need to be vacuum but I will wait until the next day for that one.  Too much vacuuming makes me ache from the motions of vacuuming.

I can't really say what kind of day it has been as I think I slept a lot of it.  The parts that I was up, except for the annoyances, were good.  I am going to read a bit before I turn in for the night.  I do hope your day is going well!

Sunday, March 13, 2011

A little disappointed

The Celebrex and the Savella don't work for me.  I am not too surprised since I have yet to find something that does, but I am a bit disappointed.  Also, they are so expensive that I just can't afford them even if they did work.  The Savella kept me awake pretty much all night last night.  I finally feel asleep around 7 am.  Not fun.  I hope that doesn't happen again tonight as I did not take any Savella at all.

I didn't get up too early as I was awake all night.  I forced myself to get out of bed around 2 pm.  Plus we had that lovely time change, so my body is exhausted right now.  I will be going to bed early tonight.  I don't have to get up early tomorrow but I do need to get some decent sleep, well as good as i get anyway.

I have 1 lesson tomorrow, Bob in the afternoon.  I so enjoy his lessons.  He picks good songs when he gets to pick them and he has pretty much liked everything I have given him to play.  The spring concert will be in May so we have an additional month to practice which doesn't usually happen but it will this year.  With my birthday, Andrew's graduation, and Easter being so late, it just didn't fit in the month of April this year. I don't mind.  May works out well too except the Muglia girls will not be there.  They have some first communions in the family and Mom is expecting number 9 near the end of the month so they won't be there.  That is okay, maybe we will do a summer thing this year.  Hard to say what we will do.  It is all up in the air.

Maia may come for a visit soon, I just don't know when.  She mentioned it in a message sometime last week or the week before.  I like it when she comes for a visit, not to do any work, just a visit.  I am going to ask her to bring some tummy medicine with her as I am completely out.  The stuff I like you can't get here in the USA.  I don't know why, but you can't.  Maybe it is sold under a different name or by prescription only, either way, I don't know where here I can get it.  I can buy it over the counter in Windsor so that is what I need to do.  I forgot, as usual, when I was in Windsor a few weeks ago to go and get some.

I think I am going to go and lay down.  I am just that tired and I don't feel that well today.  I hope tomorrow is a better day.  I hope your day has gone well!!!

Saturday, March 12, 2011

A rather quiet day

I had one lesson today, Amanda.  She was so excited because I brought out the Colors of the Wind song for her.  She really wanted to learn that one.  I am excited because I got the other copy of the book back from Samantha (2 1/2 years later) so that I could give her the song.  I have to redo the Over the Rainbow in Finale (a music program) so that it is in the right key for her.  Both my orchestrated version and the proper key version are missing.  At least I have the sheet music for it.  That is the good thing!  Thank goodness for that.  I am hoping that before I redo the song in the Finale program, I may still have it on the other computer so I am going to put up my other computer and check to see if it is on that one.  That would make my life much easier!  All I would have to do is reburn the song then instead of put every note in the finale program.  I am going to do that tomorrow.

After Amanda's lesson, I was on face book for a bit when I realized I was hungry and needed to get out of this house.  I don't always feel that way, but today I did.  I went to Tim Horton's and ate my lunch inside reading my wonderful new to me book.  I finished it while I was there.  Then I went to Barnes and Noble.  I love that store.  I got 2 new books so now I have a total of 7 books to read this week.  4 from the library, 2 from Barnes and Noble, and 1 from the used bookstore.  I love reading although I wish I had something else to do with my time too some days.  I can't believe I am going to say this, but sometimes I am even sick of reading.  I know, gasp!  I can't believe I said that, but it is true.  I really miss taking care of another person and being their caregiver.  I would do it for a job if I was healthy enough.  It was because Momma was so small that I was able to do things for her.  If she had been taller (she was 5ft 3 3/4 at healthy height and I would say she shrunk to 5 ft 2) and weighed more (she was usually around 120 pounds until the end at 84.6 pounds) then I would not have been able to help her.  Thankfully, she was at a height and weight that I could be the caregiver and keep her here at home.  God definitely saw to that.  He knew she was terrified of being alone in a nursing home so he didn't make her very big so that I would be able to take care of her.  I loved taking care of her these last few years especially the last year when she needed me so much.  She got her little sponge baths, she got her meals, her entertainment (yes, I even could entertain her at times!),  I was just able to do everything for her.  When she got further down the line, it did help to have someone come in and give her the baths.  The company we had was wonderful for that.  They brought physical therapy to her and a nurse came to see her too.  When we need hospice, they were simply wonderful, just wonderful.  I don't know how they do, they are very compassionate and caring, yet they can watch and help people who are dying and will not get any better.  I don't think I could do that, but the other things I think I could, if I had better health.  Right now, I will stick with teaching as it is the best job ever.  I would NOT give up teaching to be a caregiver, I would do both.  Teaching brings so much to my life that I just can't explain.

I think it is the down times that I miss her the most because I don't have someone always to talk to or hang out with.  Overall, I am pretty satisfied with my life despite my disabilities, but sometimes I want some more company.  I need companionship at times like I had with the little lady.  Today, just seemed more than usual.  What can I say?  We were very close especially the last 5 years when I had my store and when we lost it.  We did the store together, she even came with me to sign the papers.  We were both so excited about that.  She couldn't stop smiling and neither could I.  I miss her smiles and laughter the most.

I did speak to the younger brother, Andrew, live and in person (over the phone) today!  It was a short call as long distance is very expensive for him but I wanted to speak in person and not through email or face book.  There are times when they are not enough for me.  He is excited and getting ready to graduate with his degree.  I am so thrilled for him over that.  He will keep me posted on when the ceremony will be.  I also told him about my birthday party the family is having at my cousin Darrin's house.  Andrew said he would try to be there.

I do hope you are having a good day!  Despite the missing of Momma, it has been a pretty good day.  I would have preferred 3 lessons instead of 1 but I am thankful for the 1.

Friday, March 11, 2011

Friday Thoughts

As the news media keeps Charlie Sheen in the news, I received a notice that in April he is coming to the theatre near me live and in person.  On facebook, I have a friend who is actually going to go and see him.  That seems rather strange to me because he is falling apart and out of control.  It is not something I would want to pay money to go and see.  He lost his job and his kids, and is now going on tour?  I do hope he gets the help he so desperately needs.  I also am sick of the phrase, Winning.  That is so annoying.  I don't see anything winning about Charlie and his life right now.

I can't even imagine right now what it is like in Japan.  It seems so unreal when these things happen.  I know that many of the people in Japan are prepared for disasters like this, but how can you really prepare? Those poor people, I do hope that this is over soon and that people's life goes back to normal.  All I can do is pray for those that are affected by this.

It has been a fast couple of weeks to me.  I was getting ready for teaching when the Mom called.  She was getting a bad headache, so we canceled.  I totally understand that.  You never know when the headaches are going to arrive.  I have one tonight.  So I took a small nap.  I am still very tired.  I only have 2 lessons tomorrow, that is a bit of a drag, but that is okay, it is still 2 more than I had yesterday.  I usually have 3 on Saturdays, sometimes 4 and sometimes 5.  I like teaching a lot on Saturdays.  I haven't heard from Katie so I don't know if she is going to have a lesson soon.  I have her score sheets from competition a few weeks ago.  I also haven't heard from Rachel either.  I do hope to hear from them soon.

I am going to put Mom's bedding on her bed this weekend.  I have the quilt ready for it too.  Her room will look very cute now as a guest room.  Her mattress is in good condition and doesn't need to be changed like the one in the other guest room.  I don't have the money to do that though.  I hope to change it this summer.  I don't see it happening anytime soon.  My mattress is okay for a while longer and if necessary, I can always change with the one in Mom's room but right now it is okay.  Once the bedding is fixed up in Mom's room the upstairs will be mostly done for now.  I do have to remove the buckets that Maia and Tillie brought it.  I have no idea why they brought them up but they did.  It was strange the first time I saw them.  I don't always understand why they do what they do at times.  Right now, I am taking a brief break from working on the house.  I want to put the boxes that have tools in the furnace room so that they are where I will be able to find them when I need them.  I was surprised by how many tools were found hiding in Momma's room.  I am thankful though.  We found a few things that we certainly could have used during this last year.  The stud finder for one.  I have 15 holes in the wall near where the railing is because Tillie couldn't find the stud.  I have no way to actually fix them right now because I am not going to paint right now.  When the railing for the other railings to go up we will use the stud finder or they won't go up because I don't want tons of small drill holes in my wall.  For some reason, it just doesn't add to the decor.  I know the entire house needs to be painted, but that is just not happening anytime soon as 1 - I can't do it myself and 2 - I don't have the money for it.  I will worry about this stuff at a later date.

I think the new pain meds are working pretty well.  My knee is getting better too and I am not sure if that is from the new medicine or just it coming along naturally.  Either way, I am glad it is getting better.

I do hope you are having a good day!

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Thursday

I had 2 lessons today, Breanna and my newest one, Annie.  She wants to sing in community theatre so that is what we are working towards.  I asked her to get a great book that I usually use as a supplemental book, but for Annie, it will be a great book for her.  Some of the songs have had the keys changed that will be perfect for her.  She is 29 and will hopefully be a nursing student soon.  I do hope so for her.  She really wants to be a nurse.  Right now she is a hair dresser and works at 2 different salons.

I went to the library today.  I got 4 books, 2 by Diane Chamberlain and 2 by Phillipa Gregory.  I then went to the used bookstore and got 1 from Kristin Hannah (my new favorite author) and 2 from Julie Garwood, an old favorite.  I am all set for reading right now.  I am tired of the books I have.  I have already read the new Kristin Hannah books two times so far.  Yes, I am sure I will read them again and again, but not right now.

I burned some CDs last night.  I am now prepared for Amanda's lesson on Saturday.  I have Calli and Acer tomorrow.

My birthday is next month and a party has been planned.  It will be at my cousin's Darrin's house in Belle River.  Cool, is all I can say about that.  It will be a potluck party.  I am to bring the cake.  Too bad an ice cream cake won't last that long of a drive.  Oh well, I will get a good one from a local bakery for that day.  I am to let all the relatives and friends know about this.  hey, works for me, a party!!!

So far, the new medicine seems to be helping.  I will know more later this week and early next week.  I am hoping it works because I need something for the pain.  It is hard to function at times with this much pain.  So far, I am hopeful about it.

We are expecting another winter storm.  Yuck, more snow, just what I want. NOT!  I do not want anymore snow but as I live in Michigan, there isn't anything I can do about it as this is normal winter weather for this state.  I am just tired of it this year for some reason.

The garage door now works!!!!  Yes!  It has been adjusted and works.  I will eventually need to have it fixed, but right now it is okay.  Since I don't use it too much at this point, the adjustments will work.  When I need it fixed, I just call Mr. Carnegie and he will come and fix it.  He also didn't charge me anything because he said he didn't fix anything, he just adjusted a few things.  I am just grateful that he was able to make the adjustments so now it works.  Now all I have to do is empty 1/2 of the garage and be able to put my little car in.  It has never been in my garage, poor little car.  As soon as the snow is gone, I plan to put the table and chairs in the back yard on the patio.  The rest of the stuff in the garage can then be moved to the 1/2 of garage I won't need for the car.  Then, my little baby car will be in the garage!!!  How cool is that?  Also, the garage door opener (the portable one) works still so that is so cool!  I am a happy camper with all of this.

All in all it has been a pretty good day.  I feeling a bit more positive overall these days, although I still miss Momma terribly.  I miss her more now than I first did when she passed away.  It is as difficult as I have been told.  I feel for my friends who are in the same position, it is rough to be without a Mom.  Moms are so necessary in our lives.  I only try to do what I think my Momma would want me to do.  Hard sometimes because I wouldn't discuss what would happen after she passed away, I just couldn't talk about it, now I am sorry, but I am doing what I think she would want me to do.

I do hope you are having a good day too.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

one of those type days

It has been a day that started with anxiety over the finances again.  I looked at my bank account and was like, crap, i forgot about the insurances that are automatically taken out and I wrote checks!  however, once I calmed down and realized I hadn't deposited all the teaching checks, I would be okay.  I will also be able to pay the house payment on time as that also worried me.  What can I say?  It is one of those type days.

I had 2 lessons today.  Bob, rescheduled from Monday and Christine, a new student.  Bob put Mom's bed back together and the mattress back on the bed.  I will make up the bed this week.  I have a quilt I bought for my bed a couple of years ago that I didn't like on my bed when I put it on.  I kept it for some reason.  Now I am glad that I did keep it because it will look really nice with Mom's new blankets.  They are blue.  They will coordinate well together, I think.  The blues will go well together.  I also have some pillows for the bed.  Overall, I think it will make a good guest suite as soon as I clean out the bathroom and put a shower curtain where the shower door used to be.  Mom took off the door years ago and her friend was supposed to put it back on, but apparently he can't do it.  I can't hire someone to do it because he has the parts for it.  This makes me mad, but there isn't anything I can do about it.  I have asked for that part back but since he doesn't come around much, and he was beginning to annoy me, I will live without the shower door where it belongs.  At this point I don't want to see him at all.  I just want him to stay away.  I am tired of listening to him about my weight.  I have been listening to it for about 20 years now and I am not interested in listening to him anymore.  I want him to leave me alone about it.  He hasn't been around for a few weeks, thankfully, last time he was here was on a Saturday when I was teaching!  I had told him a few weeks before that that I teach on Saturdays now and apparently he didn't remember.  I was in the middle of a lesson so he didn't stay very long now that he doesn't have Momma to talk to.  He got in a fight with his wife before Mom's funeral.  She didn't want him to go and he did.  Yeah, for the last 20 years he has had a thing for my Momma.  When he was divorced they dated but as soon as he remarried his wife, that was it for Mom.  She only was a friend to him and that was only at work.  She never saw him outside of work, ever.  He has been accused of fooling around on his wife (from his wife) for years, well, it wasn't with my mom, with someone else?  Who knows.  Whatever.  I just want him to stay away from me because he only makes me mad and I don't need to be mad all the time when he is around.

Overall, it has been a quiet day.  I had 2 lessons, ate dinner, copied the CDs for my students that I needed to do and read my new book that I got a few weeks ago.  It is a good book so far.  I will probably finish it tomorrow.  I have 2 lessons tomorrow.  1 is a new one and the other is Breanna.  She is doing pretty well.  She takes piano and voice.  I do enjoy teaching her.  I look forward to the new student.  I have some music picked for her.  I have the CDs ready for her too.

I am heading to bed soon.  I am very tired tonight.  I don't know if the Savella and the Celebrex is working, I think it is, but I will know more after I have been taking for a week.  I do hope you are having a good day.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

blood test day

I had my usual blood test this afternoon.  Because of the blood disorder that I have I am on blood thinners and will be the rest of my life.  I usually get my tests done every other week, sometimes sooner, sometimes later.  This time, I have to go next week since my blood changed again.  I have to skip the medicine tomorrow and then start a new dosage on Thursday.  I was so thankful that the nurse only had to poke me once.  Sometimes it takes more than one poke to get the blood.  I do NOT like blood tests however, I do NOT want another blood clot, so I will meekly go and get my tests done.

I also am starting celebrex and savella.  I have not tried either so this is new waters with me.  I do hope they help, but the end of the night I am in a lot of pain.  My knee is getting a bit better now.  I do hope with the new medications it will heal faster.  I hate flares, of course, I know absolutely no one who likes them.  I do hope this flare is over shortly.  It has been a while since I have had a flare like this.

Charlie had his lesson tonight.  He is doing really well.  He has picked out his 2 pieces for the spring concert, one is a classical piece and the other is Over the Rainbow.  He is a fun lesson and such a good kid.  I have had him for about 3 or 4 years now.  It hard to believe that he is a junior in high school and will be 17 this summer.  Didn't he just turn 15?  Yeah, feels that way.

Rick had his last lesson for a month.  He is going out of town for a month.  He won't be back until April 12 for his next lesson.  I look forward to that.  It is kind of a drag that he will be gone for so long, but there isn't anything I can do about that.  He is a fun student to teach.  He wants to sing well so much and loves singing in general.  He is definitely a kind of student that is good to have.

Terrence should be back next week so that is good.  i have to call this week to find out when he will be starting again.  He has been gone for about a month too.  That is the way it is for adults.  Sometimes they have to miss because of work.  I am flexible so that isn't a problem.

Today is a special day.  Lily turns 13 today.  Hard to believe that young lady is 13 but she is.  I remember her when she was about 3 and so tiny!  She is an official teenager now.  She is growing up so fast.  I am not sure when she and I will be able to celebrate together, but I will fit in somehow.  It is actually her schedule that is difficult, not mine.  She is much busier than I am.  I have lots of free time, it is Lily that doesn't.  It is nice though that she is busy.  I wish I were busier at times.  I have way to much time on my hands some days.  Of course, I do have stuff that I could be doing, cleaning, laundry, things like that, but hey, sometimes I would rather read, or watch TV or talk on the phone.  These things are much more fun.

Anyways, I do hope that you have had a good day too.

Monday, March 7, 2011

good day!

I didn't have any lessons today as Bob needed to reschedule to Wednesday but that was okay because he rescheduled and didn't cancel.  He generally reschedules instead of canceling, which is nice.

Anyways, I had the tax lawyer meeting today.  I am very pleased with this.  The lawyer is very nice and to the point.  He did say that this is a very unusual case as generally he speaks with the actual person who owes the money, not the deceased person's daughter.  He has a few questions about the particulars of the case.  He is going to be speaking to the IRS on Friday as the rest of his week is a bit busy.  I don't mind.  He wants a 30 stay right away which he feels he should get right away.  That would give him time he says.  As long as I don't lose the house, that is my goal.  I need a place to live!  I love this house.  It is the perfect set up for me.  The studio in the living room with both pianos.  I have the music in the office downstairs, I will have a sewing area, a library/TV area, and of course, a guest room.  Basically, the house is perfect for me.  It was perfect for Mom and I.  I do plan to put some pictures of the family in the family room because the walls are very bare and boring.  I will change that.  I plan to put some pictures up of all of us.  I don't have a ton of pictures, but I do have some family pictures that we had taken in 1989.  They did turn out pretty well.  I didn't like my picture at the time it was taken but I like it now.  I guess Mom was right (again!) that someday I would like it.  She was usually right (darn it all!).

I have a new student starting tomorrow!  I can't wait, plus I believe I will have another new one (not with the new company) on Thursday.  She wanted to start tomorrow, but I have a blood test appointment at that time, so that won't work this week.  It will work for next week, but not this week, unfortunately.  So I asked her if she had another day that would work, she said Thursday or Friday so I picked Thursday at 12.  I have another lesson on Thursday at 12:30 to 1:30 so this would work really well.  I am excited about these new developments.  I just need a few more and I will be all set.  That would be really good!  I just have to wait and see.

It has been a good day despite no lessons!  I feel very positive about the meeting with the lawyer.  I paid a few bills yesterday that were mailed today.  I did talk to a Doctor's office today, I am on a payment plan so I am hopeful that that will pay it off quickly.  I don't know where the bill to this doctor is right now so next week is when they will be sending out a new one.  I will pay it then.  This grown up stuff can be so hard at times!  I am glad I had a trial run at being in charge of everything these last few years with Mom here.  Being in charge of her really helped me get organized and keep track of everything.  Now it is just me, so I have to be ready for everything.

I hope you are having a good day too!  It wasn't too cold out for a change.  It is supposed to rain on Wednesday but be okay for tomorrow.  That is good because I am going to the doctor's office for the blood test.

Sunday, March 6, 2011

so tired today

I have been so tired today.  I don't know why.  Maybe it is just catching up on me, it was a busyish week.  I got up at 11 and then took a nap a little while later.  When I woke from the nap, my tummy was upset and my head was bad so I took some stuff for it, and went back to bed.  In between the naps though, I had a lovely conversation with Kathy on the phone.  It was fun.  Samantha and Alicia had to say hi to me.  It was so cute, Ali had the phone and didn't say a word then handed it back to her mom.  Sammy said hi and a few other things before giving the phone to Kathy.  Jacob was kind of cranky because he had to read for a bit this afternoon.  That is something Kathy and i just don't understand.  We love to read and poor Jacob just doesn't.  I have read a bit this afternoon but my head just hurts too much to read much today.  As it is, I will be heading back to bed for the night in a while.

I wrote some checks to pay some bills today.  Boy it feels good to be able to pay some bills.  I have a few more to pay this week too including some doctors.  I owe so many doctors so much money.  It is so frustrating but there isn't anything I can do about it.  i owe the money so i will slowly pay it.

I was in mom's room this afternoon.  I have to get new sheets, blankets, and pillows because they got rid of hers.  Those pillows were about 6 months old.  I was not very happy.  I will be doing that next month as this month I had to buy a box of contacts so that was the end of my spending money for the month as of right now anyways.  I don't think anyone is coming to visit right now so that shouldn't be an issue.  I will get it taken care of soon.  I am not in a hurry.  I do hope that I am able to hit some sales for the bedding too.  I have to get a bed spread too.  I thought that it had been saved but it was mom's blanket it that was saved, not her bedspread.  I really liked her bedspread too.  I have the drapes and curtains so those won't be an issue.  I will probably buy the stuff a little bit at a time.  I also still have the mattress waterproof cover.  I am going to ask Bob if he can help me put the mattress back on the bed frame next week after his lesson.  I am meeting with the lawyer tomorrow after his lesson so that is out tomorrow.

I had a somewhat good day despite the many naps.  The highlight was talking to Kathy and also my cousin, Cathy, made a comment on my face book that made me smile.  She is so funny sometimes.  I just love both Kathy and Cathy!  They are amazing women.

I do hope you had a good day too!