I decided at the beginning of the month to give up my lovely diet coke and well, soda pop in general. As of October 1, 2012, I will not use artificial sweeteners or any type of pop. I am now a water drinker. Since I actually like water, it isn't a problem, it will be just getting into the habit of getting water instead of pop. I can do this though. I know I can. If I can give up junk food (which I did on Memorial Day and have had very little since) then I can do this. I have done this before so I know I can do it. Anyways, it is a new leaf or more of a new leaf for me.
Wednesday, I have an appointment with a nutritionist type person to talk about food and weight loss. Since I want to be a third of myself by next summer, I need to find a healthy way to lose weight and keep it off. So far, I have been eating really healthy and I actually like it because I feel so much better. I still have the same amount of pain, which I expected but overall I feel better.
Tonight was a fun evening. I met up with Star and Chelaine at Barnes and Nobles bookstore. We visited for a while (okay - until the store closed and we had to leave). It was lots of fun. I haven't seen Chelaine in a while. Star is teaching 2 of my students art and I am so excited about that. Hannah and Natalie had their first lesson last Friday and they all had a great time. I am very happy about that. I am so glad this is working out well so far. I am excited to see what stuff they come up with and create.
Tomorrow is the tummy's doctor appointment. It is just a check up about medicine, that's all. Basically, it is just to make sure I am not having any side effects from the reglan I am taking to help digest my food. I have updated my medicine list for the doctor and it is printed and ready to go. Tillie is going with me. She has a few questions and I am not sure I will remember them all so she is coming. So far, the only doctor that she doesn't like is the arthritis doctor, Dr. A. She just doesn't really like Dr. A. at all. She hasn't met Dr. G, my primary care giver yet, but I have no reason to go right now. I did manage to forget about last Friday's protime bloodtest. Whoops! I will reschedule for this week. I also will be getting the flu shot at that time. I have to get it every year because of my weakened immune system. So far, in the 6 years that I have been getting the flu shot, I have not gotten the flu so I am hoping for this one to work too.
Tuesday I get my Muglia girls for their piano lessons. We are starting Christmas music because they have once a month lessons so we need to start very early because of the level of music they are in. All three of the older girls are advanced students so their stuff is much more complicated. Sarah will not be starting as early as her older sisters. Sarah is so cute and is doing so very well. I miss the girls. I haven't seen them in a few weeks. I am going to ask the girls to decorate the tree at my house again this year. they seemed to have fun last year decorating my tree. It was fun watching them decorating the tree. This year I also think we are going to make cookies for Christmas too.
Well, time to read and then to bed.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Saturday, September 29, 2012
It's the Weekend!!
Friday:
I actually made it to choir practice last night. It has been several weeks since I have even stepped foot into church including Sundays. It is just so hard with the bad headaches. The normal headache I can handle and do stuff but not with the bad ones. I hope this new dosage works. I really do.
I thought I had a Saturday with no lessons but thankfully, I have 2 lessons. I am very glad about that. Next Saturday, I will have a new student. I think my two who have quit for the summer are not coming back this fall. I am disappointed but that is okay.
Saturday:
Once again I am starting a post one day and finishing it up another day. What can I say? I was super tired last night. I taught until about 8:30 last night.
Today I only had 2 lessons, Dede and Koki. They have switched from Thursdays to Saturdays. I don't mind as it works best for them so it works good for me. They are really good pianists. They both started in January and are almost done with level 2 books. Dede and Koki are really nice girls too. We will be going to a movie in the next few weeks together. That should be rather fun.
I am not sure, but I think part of the day, I may not have had a headache. I know I had one when I woke up, but I think for about an hour or two, it went away. of course, now it is back. I do really think it might have been gone for a while. That would be awesome if it continued to go away and never come back. I am so sick of having headaches and things like that sometimes. I do try and not complain because I know there are people in much worse situations than me but sometimes, I just want to scream! this is one of those times. Argh! There I screamed now I feel better!
Seriously though, I can't really complain too much as I have much in my life, I have a place to live, friends, a part-time job (students that I adore plus really great student parents), family, I could go on, but you get the picture. i am going to go and read for a while now after I make a nice tea for myself. It is a perfect day for tea, it isn't too hot and not too cold, just a bit on the chillier side than warmer now.
I actually made it to choir practice last night. It has been several weeks since I have even stepped foot into church including Sundays. It is just so hard with the bad headaches. The normal headache I can handle and do stuff but not with the bad ones. I hope this new dosage works. I really do.
I thought I had a Saturday with no lessons but thankfully, I have 2 lessons. I am very glad about that. Next Saturday, I will have a new student. I think my two who have quit for the summer are not coming back this fall. I am disappointed but that is okay.
Saturday:
Once again I am starting a post one day and finishing it up another day. What can I say? I was super tired last night. I taught until about 8:30 last night.
Today I only had 2 lessons, Dede and Koki. They have switched from Thursdays to Saturdays. I don't mind as it works best for them so it works good for me. They are really good pianists. They both started in January and are almost done with level 2 books. Dede and Koki are really nice girls too. We will be going to a movie in the next few weeks together. That should be rather fun.
I am not sure, but I think part of the day, I may not have had a headache. I know I had one when I woke up, but I think for about an hour or two, it went away. of course, now it is back. I do really think it might have been gone for a while. That would be awesome if it continued to go away and never come back. I am so sick of having headaches and things like that sometimes. I do try and not complain because I know there are people in much worse situations than me but sometimes, I just want to scream! this is one of those times. Argh! There I screamed now I feel better!
Seriously though, I can't really complain too much as I have much in my life, I have a place to live, friends, a part-time job (students that I adore plus really great student parents), family, I could go on, but you get the picture. i am going to go and read for a while now after I make a nice tea for myself. It is a perfect day for tea, it isn't too hot and not too cold, just a bit on the chillier side than warmer now.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
A better Wednesday this week than last! 9-26
This Wednesday was definitely better than last week when I was rather ill. Thank goodness I feel almost back to my normal. My nose is doing better and the chapping is getting healed so I don't look so scary or at least I think I don't look so scary to me.
I had a few lessons this evening. I also met my new student, Sarah (age 9). She is a very sweet young lady that I really like. She seems very sweet. Sarah hasn't had a lesson for about a year so we will need to review a few things for her. I think we can work well together. Oh, and like me, she loves Christmas music! I am very excited about that since it is almost time to start working on the music for the concert.
Rahul and Sammy had their lessons. Rahul is a bundle of extreme energy. Trying to get him to focus on his music instead of what is on the other piano is very difficult at times. Sam is starting to remember his notes better. It is hard with the two boys because they don't practice at all so we do review notes and things a lot. They are so cute though.
I called my neurologist's office yesterday, I think and they called me back today. I was expecting it tomorrow, but it came today. I am to double the amount of the nighttime medicine starting tonight. I am really hoping this works because I am tired of bad headaches and everyday headaches. The everyday ones aren't as bad as the others because I am used to the everyday headaches.
I am a bit more tired tonight than usual. I think it is because I am just getting over a cold. I am so glad that is almost gone. I think by the weekend, I will be just fine.
I had a few lessons this evening. I also met my new student, Sarah (age 9). She is a very sweet young lady that I really like. She seems very sweet. Sarah hasn't had a lesson for about a year so we will need to review a few things for her. I think we can work well together. Oh, and like me, she loves Christmas music! I am very excited about that since it is almost time to start working on the music for the concert.
Rahul and Sammy had their lessons. Rahul is a bundle of extreme energy. Trying to get him to focus on his music instead of what is on the other piano is very difficult at times. Sam is starting to remember his notes better. It is hard with the two boys because they don't practice at all so we do review notes and things a lot. They are so cute though.
I called my neurologist's office yesterday, I think and they called me back today. I was expecting it tomorrow, but it came today. I am to double the amount of the nighttime medicine starting tonight. I am really hoping this works because I am tired of bad headaches and everyday headaches. The everyday ones aren't as bad as the others because I am used to the everyday headaches.
I am a bit more tired tonight than usual. I think it is because I am just getting over a cold. I am so glad that is almost gone. I think by the weekend, I will be just fine.
Monday, September 24, 2012
First Week of Fall 9-24
It is definitely fall around here. The leaves are starting to change colors and fall off the trees to sleep through winter. It is a beautiful blue sky with puffy white clouds today. It was a bit chilly last night. I even had to use 2 blankets and the extra blankets on my feet since they freeze so easily (and I wear socks to bed too). I have turned on the heat because I don't like to freeze. I am happy to be wearing my lovely Tinkerbell hoodie again. I love this hoodie a lot. It is white and has a nice picture of Tinkerbell and the word Flirty on it. So very typical me since I love Tinkerbell a lot. I am still looking for a beautiful pink hoodie for me, but I haven't seen one yet. I am hopeful, but we shall see if I see it.
Canadian Thanksgiving Dinner is now also a 50th birthday party with a Halloween theme. Maia is going to be turning 50 at the end of the month, but her daughter won't be able to be here so we are celebrating a bit early. I saw a really cute night shirt with a pumpkin on it. Apparently, I am supposed to wear a costume, yeah, I will go with a Halloween themed sweatshirt or t-shirt not a costume. I am just not a costume type girl anymore. My brother, Andrew will be at the dinner to so that will be fun plus I have some paperwork he needs to sign and take care of. I will bring it to him that day and then mail it for him. Silly little brothers, they just don't always remember to take care of these type papers. That must be what older sisters are for, I guess.
My little Rachel had her lesson today. She is such a beauty. I simply adore her. She is in level D now and is doing very well. She is learning her new notes pretty well and plays her assignments nicely. I so happy with her progress.
I had to go to the music store today. Wow, another level of books for my Aubrey. Aubrey is doing fantastic and has finished 3 books since she began the week between Christmas and New Years 2011. To be in level 3 at this point in time is rather amazing. Boy, can I tell how much she loves to play. I picked up her 3 books this afternoon and then I went to Chipotle for lunch. I love that place a lot. I am going to get some brown rice and learn how they make it so I can have some here at home instead of always going there for it. I have picked up some cooked grilled chicken to add to my salads when I make them here at home. I have some really nice rolls too for dinner now. I like putting peanut butter on them. I love peanut butter. I don't particularly like peanuts but I do like peanut butter. Strange, I know, but that is just me, strange.
I almost have a full schedule (full for me anyways) of teaching. Since I am unable to work full time, I have to be very careful of how many lessons I can teach a day. I get tired so easy and then I feel more pain when that happens so I am careful how much I teach in a day. Some days I teach a bit more than others, but it works out to about 13 hours or so a week. That is really all I can do. I just can't do anymore. The last time I worked full time (2008), I ended up in the hospital 15 times so I really don't want to repeat that ever again. I like not being in the hospital. I really do. It is a good thing.
Tomorrow, I have to call the neurologist and let her know that the new medicine isn't working. She upped the dosage and it is still not working. I am a bit disappointed but not too much because I figured it would take some time to actually get a dosage that will break the headache I have had since March of 2003. I can no longer remember what it is like not to have a headache. I just don't. It has been too long since that has happened.
Well, I hope that my next student shows and is happy with what we started with last week. He wants to learn to sing properly so to me that means classical music. I am not sure what he thinks about that, but I will find out. It does say on my profile with the online company that I teach classical and Broadway singing so we shall see if he is happy with the path I am planning to take him on. Isaac is having his lesson a bit later tonight because his Mom got out of work late. It wasn't a problem to switch, not one bit. I would rather do that then have him miss a week when I have the availability to reschedule.
On to checking what music I need for tomorrow's lessons while I wait for the next one.
Canadian Thanksgiving Dinner is now also a 50th birthday party with a Halloween theme. Maia is going to be turning 50 at the end of the month, but her daughter won't be able to be here so we are celebrating a bit early. I saw a really cute night shirt with a pumpkin on it. Apparently, I am supposed to wear a costume, yeah, I will go with a Halloween themed sweatshirt or t-shirt not a costume. I am just not a costume type girl anymore. My brother, Andrew will be at the dinner to so that will be fun plus I have some paperwork he needs to sign and take care of. I will bring it to him that day and then mail it for him. Silly little brothers, they just don't always remember to take care of these type papers. That must be what older sisters are for, I guess.
My little Rachel had her lesson today. She is such a beauty. I simply adore her. She is in level D now and is doing very well. She is learning her new notes pretty well and plays her assignments nicely. I so happy with her progress.
I had to go to the music store today. Wow, another level of books for my Aubrey. Aubrey is doing fantastic and has finished 3 books since she began the week between Christmas and New Years 2011. To be in level 3 at this point in time is rather amazing. Boy, can I tell how much she loves to play. I picked up her 3 books this afternoon and then I went to Chipotle for lunch. I love that place a lot. I am going to get some brown rice and learn how they make it so I can have some here at home instead of always going there for it. I have picked up some cooked grilled chicken to add to my salads when I make them here at home. I have some really nice rolls too for dinner now. I like putting peanut butter on them. I love peanut butter. I don't particularly like peanuts but I do like peanut butter. Strange, I know, but that is just me, strange.
I almost have a full schedule (full for me anyways) of teaching. Since I am unable to work full time, I have to be very careful of how many lessons I can teach a day. I get tired so easy and then I feel more pain when that happens so I am careful how much I teach in a day. Some days I teach a bit more than others, but it works out to about 13 hours or so a week. That is really all I can do. I just can't do anymore. The last time I worked full time (2008), I ended up in the hospital 15 times so I really don't want to repeat that ever again. I like not being in the hospital. I really do. It is a good thing.
Tomorrow, I have to call the neurologist and let her know that the new medicine isn't working. She upped the dosage and it is still not working. I am a bit disappointed but not too much because I figured it would take some time to actually get a dosage that will break the headache I have had since March of 2003. I can no longer remember what it is like not to have a headache. I just don't. It has been too long since that has happened.
Well, I hope that my next student shows and is happy with what we started with last week. He wants to learn to sing properly so to me that means classical music. I am not sure what he thinks about that, but I will find out. It does say on my profile with the online company that I teach classical and Broadway singing so we shall see if he is happy with the path I am planning to take him on. Isaac is having his lesson a bit later tonight because his Mom got out of work late. It wasn't a problem to switch, not one bit. I would rather do that then have him miss a week when I have the availability to reschedule.
On to checking what music I need for tomorrow's lessons while I wait for the next one.
Saturday, September 22, 2012
birthday party day 9-22
I went to Elizabeth's 4th birthday party. It was just a family party, not a big one. We had dinner and cake. It was nice and calm. I was rather tired today so I am glad it was a calm party. I think I overdid it yesterday shopping at Walmart. Since they didn't have any scooter carts I used Maia's walker. It has a seat so I could sit and rest but even with that, I was so tired when we were done. Next time, I will have to pass on the shopping if there isn't a scooter cart available. I got Elizabeth a Tiana costume dress. She looked really cute in it.
I had 3 lessons today before the party. Faith had her lesson first. She was supposed to have a make up lesson yesterday but with the homecoming parade, there was no way to get to our street. Nina had her 2nd lesson. She is doing very well with her lessons. In the next few weeks she will be starting to read music. Nina is a very nice little girl. I think she will fit right in with all the students just fine. Camille had her last lesson for a while. I will miss that young lady so much. Camille is a really good piano player. I do hope she comes back. Camille is hoping to come back too.
I have 2 lessons tomorrow. I also am planning to sleep in because I am exhausted tonight. I am going to read for a bit. Tomorrow I will be watching a new movie that I just got. It is the latest one on DVD that one of my favorite actors is in. I am looking forward to watching it.
I had 3 lessons today before the party. Faith had her lesson first. She was supposed to have a make up lesson yesterday but with the homecoming parade, there was no way to get to our street. Nina had her 2nd lesson. She is doing very well with her lessons. In the next few weeks she will be starting to read music. Nina is a very nice little girl. I think she will fit right in with all the students just fine. Camille had her last lesson for a while. I will miss that young lady so much. Camille is a really good piano player. I do hope she comes back. Camille is hoping to come back too.
I have 2 lessons tomorrow. I also am planning to sleep in because I am exhausted tonight. I am going to read for a bit. Tomorrow I will be watching a new movie that I just got. It is the latest one on DVD that one of my favorite actors is in. I am looking forward to watching it.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Thursday 9-20
Wow, what a difference a day can make. I am definitely feeling better today after totally sleeping most of the day away yesterday. I think I slept a total of about 20 hours between getting up at 2:30 yesterday and getting up today. I just couldn't stay awake. I am much better now, thankfully.
Maia and Tillie are coming over tomorrow. Elizabeth's birthday present is in. I will be picking up her present tomorrow. I think I know exactly what I am going to get her. It is hard to believe that that adorable girl is 4 today. She started junior kindergarten last week. I saw a picture of her on the first day of school and boy was it super cute one.
Breanna had her lesson earlier this afternoon. She is currently an every other week student so it has been 2 weeks since her last lesson. Breanna also plays guitar and for the Christmas Concert I want her to pick a song that she will have to play the guitar and sing to. I really like it when she does this and so does everyone else. I will not make the same mistake I did last year, each student can only do one solo. Last year, I didn't realize how many new students I had and so I had each of them doing two songs each. Well, that was a rather long concert. I did have an intermission, but it was still way too long so we are back to only 1 solo per student.
I had a lovely Fibro Fog moment this week. It is actually kind of funny. On Sunday, I looked up one song in my music catalogue because I wanted Becca to sing it. I found the book number and went to the filing cabinet to find it. Somehow, it is missing and I can't remember the last time I actually used this book. I was upset to find that this really cool book is missing so on Monday I call Pepper Music, which is where I get a lot of my music from. I am on the phone asking the representative to find the book in which this song "Love Will Find Out the Way" is in. At this point I don't even think I have the title of the book. He can't find the song except in Broadway Books which it is not because it is a very old English Piece. I was not a happy camper because the book has disappeared. My little Rachel then arrives and I have to get off the phone. The next day I sit down to call them again when it hits me, I have the name of the book! Every song in each book is catalogued. Well, I had to look up the name to find the number of the book. All I had to do was put the book number in find and the name of the book pops up!!!!! Talk about fog!!!! I had the name of the book the whole time I was talking to the man from Pepper Music. Can you imagine? All I had to do was look up the song for the book number and then place the book number in the find and it would have popped out! Well, what can I say? Fibro Fog is such a beautiful thing and well, it gave me a good giggle when I realized what I had done. Silly me!!!!
We celebrated little Lulu's 5th birthday today. Her mom brought cake so we all had some. It was a very good cake. Lulu is in kindergarten right now and is very excited about it. Her older sisters, Koki and Dede had their lessons tonight. Both girls are doing very well. They are really sweet too. I really like them and their mom and aunt too. Their aunt is visiting them and the girls seem to be enjoying themselves with her.
I have been on a reading frenzy with the Danielle Steel's books. The one I just finished was an okay book. It was called "Big Girl" and you can tell it was written by a skinny woman because not every overweight person does what the main character does with her weight. Most of her books are really good but there are a few that are just okay. There is only 1 that I didn't like at all but I can't remember the name of the book. Well, time to read for a bit.
Maia and Tillie are coming over tomorrow. Elizabeth's birthday present is in. I will be picking up her present tomorrow. I think I know exactly what I am going to get her. It is hard to believe that that adorable girl is 4 today. She started junior kindergarten last week. I saw a picture of her on the first day of school and boy was it super cute one.
Breanna had her lesson earlier this afternoon. She is currently an every other week student so it has been 2 weeks since her last lesson. Breanna also plays guitar and for the Christmas Concert I want her to pick a song that she will have to play the guitar and sing to. I really like it when she does this and so does everyone else. I will not make the same mistake I did last year, each student can only do one solo. Last year, I didn't realize how many new students I had and so I had each of them doing two songs each. Well, that was a rather long concert. I did have an intermission, but it was still way too long so we are back to only 1 solo per student.
I had a lovely Fibro Fog moment this week. It is actually kind of funny. On Sunday, I looked up one song in my music catalogue because I wanted Becca to sing it. I found the book number and went to the filing cabinet to find it. Somehow, it is missing and I can't remember the last time I actually used this book. I was upset to find that this really cool book is missing so on Monday I call Pepper Music, which is where I get a lot of my music from. I am on the phone asking the representative to find the book in which this song "Love Will Find Out the Way" is in. At this point I don't even think I have the title of the book. He can't find the song except in Broadway Books which it is not because it is a very old English Piece. I was not a happy camper because the book has disappeared. My little Rachel then arrives and I have to get off the phone. The next day I sit down to call them again when it hits me, I have the name of the book! Every song in each book is catalogued. Well, I had to look up the name to find the number of the book. All I had to do was put the book number in find and the name of the book pops up!!!!! Talk about fog!!!! I had the name of the book the whole time I was talking to the man from Pepper Music. Can you imagine? All I had to do was look up the song for the book number and then place the book number in the find and it would have popped out! Well, what can I say? Fibro Fog is such a beautiful thing and well, it gave me a good giggle when I realized what I had done. Silly me!!!!
We celebrated little Lulu's 5th birthday today. Her mom brought cake so we all had some. It was a very good cake. Lulu is in kindergarten right now and is very excited about it. Her older sisters, Koki and Dede had their lessons tonight. Both girls are doing very well. They are really sweet too. I really like them and their mom and aunt too. Their aunt is visiting them and the girls seem to be enjoying themselves with her.
I have been on a reading frenzy with the Danielle Steel's books. The one I just finished was an okay book. It was called "Big Girl" and you can tell it was written by a skinny woman because not every overweight person does what the main character does with her weight. Most of her books are really good but there are a few that are just okay. There is only 1 that I didn't like at all but I can't remember the name of the book. Well, time to read for a bit.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Midweek 9-19
I ended up canceling lessons today because I just don't feel so well. I think I will be okay by tomorrow because I really love teaching and I don't like it when I need to cancel lessons due to illness. I am not liking this cold at all. It should be almost over. I think by the end of the week I should be healthy again (well, as healthy as I get). I pretty much slept the entire day away. I am so tired from this cold. I do hope that I will feel better tomorrow. I think I will. Usually, after sleeping a day away with a cold, the next day is better.
I am thankful that it is the fall season. The weather is a bit cooler than it is in the summer. It is hoodie and light jacket weather. Saturday is the first day of fall already. I am planning to go see "finding nemo" with the students and their families, but I am not sure who will be able to go with me. I will find out next week when I send the flyer around.
I am working on getting out the Christmas Music so it is ready for when we start working on this music. I also am working on Competition music for those who want to go to competition in March. I am rather glad that it is in this area this year. I think more students will be able to go because it is so nearby. So far, Becca and Natalie are the only ones who are going for sure. I am not sure who else yet. I will start asking about November as this is when we start working on the music. A few of the piano students will be starting Christmas Music in the beginning of October because their music is much more difficult and takes longer to work on. I have their books already out and ready to go to their October lesson.
I think I am going to read for a bit more and then go back to bed for the 3rd time today. Good thing I like naps.
I am thankful that it is the fall season. The weather is a bit cooler than it is in the summer. It is hoodie and light jacket weather. Saturday is the first day of fall already. I am planning to go see "finding nemo" with the students and their families, but I am not sure who will be able to go with me. I will find out next week when I send the flyer around.
I am working on getting out the Christmas Music so it is ready for when we start working on this music. I also am working on Competition music for those who want to go to competition in March. I am rather glad that it is in this area this year. I think more students will be able to go because it is so nearby. So far, Becca and Natalie are the only ones who are going for sure. I am not sure who else yet. I will start asking about November as this is when we start working on the music. A few of the piano students will be starting Christmas Music in the beginning of October because their music is much more difficult and takes longer to work on. I have their books already out and ready to go to their October lesson.
I think I am going to read for a bit more and then go back to bed for the 3rd time today. Good thing I like naps.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Tuesday 9-18
I still have the cold. It hasn't gone away yet. I am hoping that by the end of this week, I will be cold-free again. I sure hope so anyways.
Next week is the season premieres of NCIS and NCIS Los Angeles. I can't wait to see them! I love those shows so much. I am glad that Dance Moms is over because I like that show too, despite its craziness or maybe because of its craziness and they are all on the same day and the same time. I mean, seriously????? At least the new season starts next week. I can't wait and neither can my student, Samantha. She and I are both NCIS and NCIS Los Angeles fans. They are interesting shows even though at first I thought I wouldn't like them. My brother is the one who got me into liking the show.
I haven't had too many bad headaches so far this week. I am not sure if it because of the medicine I am taking because of the cold or what, but it hasn't been too bad so far. I have the regular everyday headache, but I can function mostly with that one. I hope it stays away or at least until this cold is over.
Next week is the season premieres of NCIS and NCIS Los Angeles. I can't wait to see them! I love those shows so much. I am glad that Dance Moms is over because I like that show too, despite its craziness or maybe because of its craziness and they are all on the same day and the same time. I mean, seriously????? At least the new season starts next week. I can't wait and neither can my student, Samantha. She and I are both NCIS and NCIS Los Angeles fans. They are interesting shows even though at first I thought I wouldn't like them. My brother is the one who got me into liking the show.
I haven't had too many bad headaches so far this week. I am not sure if it because of the medicine I am taking because of the cold or what, but it hasn't been too bad so far. I have the regular everyday headache, but I can function mostly with that one. I hope it stays away or at least until this cold is over.
I had a few lessons today. My Sammy was absent as she has the flu. I sure hope she feels better soon because having the flu is not fun. It is so much worse than a cold. Amy, one of the new adults, is doing very well. She started reading music today. I think she is doing really well. Dan, my other new young man, is also doing pretty well. He had lessons before but he had to quit. He is slowly remembering his note names and finding his hand positions. I think in a few more weeks, he will be more comfortable with his music. He is also one of my shy boys. Dan is not sure he wants to be in the Christmas Concert, which I told him was perfectly fine. If he wants to be in it, fine, if not, that is okay too. For me, the concerts and competitions are not required, they are extras if they want to be in them or not. Aubrey is ready for her next level book. It is amazing. She is heading for level 3 and she only started last December of 2011. I am very happy with her progress. Aubrey is an amazing pianist. She really is. Tomorrow, I have a few lessons so it will be a good day. I am rather tired tonight so i am hoping for a good nights (or at least as good as I get) sleep. I did make a mistake of taking the nighttime headache medicine, Advil PM, and the nighttime cold medicine on Saturday night. I went to bed about midnight and woke up at about 3 in the afternoon. It was 2:50 pm as a matter of fact. Yes, 10 minutes before Becca's lesson. wow, I haven't made the mistake again nor will I.
I have several new to me books from the used bookstore. I bought them a few weeks ago. I am currently reading Danielle Steel. I do like most of her books. There is only the odd one that I don't care for. I just finished the O'Malley series by Dee Henderson. I simply love those books. They are filled with action but also with wonderful relationships between the characters. The main characters are orphans who met at a group home and became a family of their own. They picked a new last name for them all and as each of them turned 18, they legally changed their name to O'Malley. I love the books too. I am missing one book, so I will get it hopefully soon. I have 6 of the 7 books. I need the 4th book.
Friday, September 14, 2012
changes 9-14
My life since October 9, 2010 has changed so much. October 9th is the day everything I knew changed. That was the day the hospice nurse and I had to take Momma into the hospital because she sounded like she was underwater and couldn't swallow. I had anticipated that she would be in the hospital for a few days and then home as usual, like every other hospital visit since that previous May. I was wrong. That was the last time Momma would be in the hospital. She was never coming home again. On the 10th, I received the phone calls from the speech therapist and the doctor that told me she failed all the swallowing tests, her food was going into her lungs, and that her swallowing muscles had stopped working. Essentially, she could no longer eat or drink anything as everything that went down her throat would head directly into her lungs and would cause her to have a very painful pneumonia. There is NOTHING that the doctors can do about this. I think I mostly died myself that day. Yes, I am aware that I didn't physically die, but I so wanted to. I didn't want to go where Momma wasn't going. She was heading to a place without me. So many thoughts would go through my mind. Not only about the pain she was in, when she was in pain, but how would I do anything without my mother? I had never lived on my own before. I was ill, how would I survive. The realities of my own illnesses were crossing my mind too but mostly I just wanted to be with her. I couldn't even conceive of a life without my mother. We were best friends as well as mother and daughter. I don't think we could have been any closer and I don't just mean when I had to take care of her with the Alzheimer's, I mean before hand too, before she got Alzheimer's. I went on vacations with her, I hung out with her, we went to movies and activities together. The scariest part for me was, how would I take care of myself without her. I didn't really realize I already was because the last six months of Momma's life, I did everything for her so I had to do everything for me by myself. I was so scared and I felt so alone without her and she hadn't even died yet. I had never felt so far away from everyone in my whole life. It was like I was standing on an island and everyone else was in the ocean. For 8 days I sat with mom and read to her, I sang to her. She loved hearing me sing. When I was younger (about 20ish) I commented to her that she didn't even like the way I sang. I was commenting that she didn't like so much of the stuff I did. Well, I was wrong. It is true that she didn't like that I only wore black, but she loved my dancing at that point and she said I had a beautiful voice that was why she often would turn on the intercom in our house when I was practicing. It was so she could hear it. I sang her favorite songs to her. They ones she taught me as a child. I read her parts of her favorite books. I sat alone most of the time. The first day, she was in the hospice unit, we had a lot of company, which I was very thankful for. My Muglia girls came to see her, Julie and her girls came to see her, and my uncle Ken along with 2 cousins came to see her. After that day, I was mostly alone. I wanted my older brother, Richard to be there so bad but I didn't have the courage to ask him to come. I was afraid he would say no. I don't know what he would have done since I never asked. I wasn't by myself most nights. Tillie and Maia were spending the nights at my house, which I appreciated but I still felt miles away from everyone. For 8 days I watched her pass slowly away from me. It was hard also because only the first day she could speak. I am very grateful for that day though because the one thing I really wanted was to have the last words said to her from me be "I love you, Momma" and they were. I didn't want to have regrets like so many who don't get the opportunity to say goodbye and I love you. I did. It didn't make the heartache go away or be any better, it was just a bit more peaceful. I also am very glad her last words to me were "I love you". I knew she loved me. I just needed to hear it said again. I still need to hear but I have to listen with my heart because I can only hear her voice in my head.
Anyways, after Momma passed away, I wanted to be with her. I would pray every night that I would wake up in Heaven with Mom. So much has changed since that fateful day. I did ask my older brother, Richard if I could live with him since that is pretty much what mom and I talked about but he said no. I was too sick and slept too much so I couldn't live with him. I was devastated at that time, not only because I had just lost my mother but because my brother didn't want me living with him. Some how I trudge through those first days. I can't remember anything about them except I cried and cried and cried so much. Now with the two year anniversary coming up next month, I can honestly say that I can live on my own. I have been for almost 2 years. I am glad, now, that Richard did say no because I think I would have never learned to stand on my own two feet. Friends of mine have said that they knew I could do this because I had been taking care of Mom for so long. But before momma needed 24/7 help, she helped me with a lot of things. Simple things like washing my hair, helping me get dressed. I couldn't do them because of my shoulder being frozen. I have learned how to do these things by myself. I didn't realize how dependent upon Mom I was until I had to do these things by myself. I can do them (including the hair at this point - which was a wonderful relief). I don't have to go to a hair salon to get my hair washed like I used to. Most of my family didn't know how much I grieved for Momma. They would say things like I should be over this now. That would make me feel even worse because I wasn't over it. I honestly don't think I ever will be. Many friends who are in "the club" of people who have lost their mothers say that you don't get over it, it just becomes a bit easier to live with. I think I have finally accepted that God is not going to let me die and be with mom right now. The deep despair that I want to die is slowing going away and I am trying to figure what I want to do with my life within the limits of my illness. I no longer pray to die every night. My heart still aches horribly, but I know that will always ache for her until we are reunited in Heaven together. I am impatient for that day, but I don't know when that day will be. So now I am left with, how do I want to want to live? I want to keep teaching. I like teaching a lot. I want to continue to be in the church choir and sing on Sundays so I am going to do that. I want to learn on to hand quilt so I can make some presents for people. I saw my friend, Robin, Wednesday for lunch. She was one of the few who did know how badly I wanted to die. She and Kathy were about the only two who knew. Everyone else didn't really know how much I wanted to die. No, I did not try to kill myself, nor would I have. Although in reality, I really lost 2 people at that time, both my mother and my older brother as he is no longer speaking to me. I don't think he will ever speak to me again. I know why he is mad and I know how long he can hold grudges. I was hysterically upset the day he told me not to ever call him again. I am much calmer about that now.
I am trying to go on with living. I have decided that enough was enough about my weight so I am working hard at losing weight. I have lost a bit, but certainly not the amount I wanted to have gone at this point. I can only work harder at it. I am seeing friends and going to different activities (movies, ice cream with the girls) and sewing. Everyday, the feeling of despair are slowly fading and maybe someday it won't be like that but for now it is a baby step and something that I can do.
I think I have found the want to want to go on living again.
Anyways, after Momma passed away, I wanted to be with her. I would pray every night that I would wake up in Heaven with Mom. So much has changed since that fateful day. I did ask my older brother, Richard if I could live with him since that is pretty much what mom and I talked about but he said no. I was too sick and slept too much so I couldn't live with him. I was devastated at that time, not only because I had just lost my mother but because my brother didn't want me living with him. Some how I trudge through those first days. I can't remember anything about them except I cried and cried and cried so much. Now with the two year anniversary coming up next month, I can honestly say that I can live on my own. I have been for almost 2 years. I am glad, now, that Richard did say no because I think I would have never learned to stand on my own two feet. Friends of mine have said that they knew I could do this because I had been taking care of Mom for so long. But before momma needed 24/7 help, she helped me with a lot of things. Simple things like washing my hair, helping me get dressed. I couldn't do them because of my shoulder being frozen. I have learned how to do these things by myself. I didn't realize how dependent upon Mom I was until I had to do these things by myself. I can do them (including the hair at this point - which was a wonderful relief). I don't have to go to a hair salon to get my hair washed like I used to. Most of my family didn't know how much I grieved for Momma. They would say things like I should be over this now. That would make me feel even worse because I wasn't over it. I honestly don't think I ever will be. Many friends who are in "the club" of people who have lost their mothers say that you don't get over it, it just becomes a bit easier to live with. I think I have finally accepted that God is not going to let me die and be with mom right now. The deep despair that I want to die is slowing going away and I am trying to figure what I want to do with my life within the limits of my illness. I no longer pray to die every night. My heart still aches horribly, but I know that will always ache for her until we are reunited in Heaven together. I am impatient for that day, but I don't know when that day will be. So now I am left with, how do I want to want to live? I want to keep teaching. I like teaching a lot. I want to continue to be in the church choir and sing on Sundays so I am going to do that. I want to learn on to hand quilt so I can make some presents for people. I saw my friend, Robin, Wednesday for lunch. She was one of the few who did know how badly I wanted to die. She and Kathy were about the only two who knew. Everyone else didn't really know how much I wanted to die. No, I did not try to kill myself, nor would I have. Although in reality, I really lost 2 people at that time, both my mother and my older brother as he is no longer speaking to me. I don't think he will ever speak to me again. I know why he is mad and I know how long he can hold grudges. I was hysterically upset the day he told me not to ever call him again. I am much calmer about that now.
I am trying to go on with living. I have decided that enough was enough about my weight so I am working hard at losing weight. I have lost a bit, but certainly not the amount I wanted to have gone at this point. I can only work harder at it. I am seeing friends and going to different activities (movies, ice cream with the girls) and sewing. Everyday, the feeling of despair are slowly fading and maybe someday it won't be like that but for now it is a baby step and something that I can do.
I think I have found the want to want to go on living again.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Laugh of the day 9-13
I edited this from the original entry that I posted. I did not mean to, but I didn't realize that I couldn't post the whole story because of who owns it. I sincerely apologize for that. I will leave the first 2 paragraphs and then I will add the link so that you may read the entire story. I suggest you do because this is really funny and laughter is the best medicine. I do thank the people who own this for letting me know. It was not my intend to infringe upon their story.
Oh my, I just read the funniest post ever from my friend, Ann Marie. It was hysterical. Anyways, I didn't realize how much I needed a good laugh until I read that. I am still chuckling about it. I will try to repost the story here for you.
Here it is:
A story of unknown origin, but I am sure we all can relate to the experience some may have actually been there. I laughed so hard I cried when I read it... then I HAD to share it with you!
Like everything in life, farts have a time and place. However, I never realized that in the wrong time and place, flatulence had enough power to alter my course in history. Well, it can if it’s the third date with the man of your dreams. And, if it makes his eyes burn. If God destined us to be together, I was one SBD away from foiling His plans (that’s “Silent But Deadly” for you prudes).
here is the link to the rest of the story:
Oh my, I just read the funniest post ever from my friend, Ann Marie. It was hysterical. Anyways, I didn't realize how much I needed a good laugh until I read that. I am still chuckling about it. I will try to repost the story here for you.
Here it is:
A story of unknown origin, but I am sure we all can relate to the experience some may have actually been there. I laughed so hard I cried when I read it... then I HAD to share it with you!
Like everything in life, farts have a time and place. However, I never realized that in the wrong time and place, flatulence had enough power to alter my course in history. Well, it can if it’s the third date with the man of your dreams. And, if it makes his eyes burn. If God destined us to be together, I was one SBD away from foiling His plans (that’s “Silent But Deadly” for you prudes).
here is the link to the rest of the story:
http://hahasforhodras.com/the-fart-that-almost-altered-my-destiny/
Anyways, I thought this was just very funny and I thank Ann Marie for sharing it. Talk about embarrassing!!! I would have been mortified if this had happened to me!
It is a lovely day outside today. I am sitting in the dining room and the sun is shining with white puffy clouds. Tonight is choir practice, which I hope to make as I haven't been there in a few weeks due to the lovely headaches I have been having. I haven't even made it to church for a good 5 weeks. Yes, that long. Carolyn won't be at practice tonight as she has volleyball at that time. I think she said she has games for the next 3 Thursdays. She is such a nice girl too. Her sister, Melissa is coming home this weekend from college. There is an event at our church to raise money for Promise Village which is a place where severely abused children are helped and treated. They have these "comedy for a cause" events every few months at our church. I can't go because I teach tomorrow night until about 8:15 or so. Maybe next time.
I am going to be meeting up with my friend, Star tomorrow afternoon. I am not sure if we are going to Barnes and Nobles or Starbucks. It is hard to say. I wonder if Veronica or Chelaine will be there too. i haven't seen them in forever it seems. I was supposed to see them but then my uncle and aunt came so I cancelled. I had a nice visit with my aunt and uncle along with my small cousin, Jayson although at times he is just so high energy that I get exhausted just by watching him. Speaking of exhaustion. Yesterday, I had 2 of my little ones for their lessons, Rahul (age 5) and Sammy (age 6). wow, when we were done, I was simply so tired i think I could have fallen asleep right then and there. During Rahul's lesson, Rahul wanted to know what so much stuff was that I think I need to empty the tops of the pianos before he arrives. He did finally play some and he did do his work book rather nicely, it is just the young man never stops going. Then it was Sammy's turn. In the middle of that young man's lesson both boys needed to use the bathroom, which is normally not a problem. Their mom would take them and that would be that. Well, their mom was still at work so their dad had to bring them so I took Sam and then a few minutes after Sammy was playing the piano, Rahul had to go. Now when Sammy said he had to go, I asked Rahul if he did too. Rahul said no. So I left Sammy at the piano and took Rahul. I was so tired from the ups and downs that I could have taken a nap. I have learned that when the first boy is finished with his lesson, take both boys and have them go then proceed with the next lesson otherwise, oh my. Both boys are simply adorable and cute that you just have to like them, and I really do. Rahul is a very independent young man that likes to do his workbook smashed to my side and I mean right next to me. He has been know to move my arm so he can snuggle closer. How on earth can anyone resist that? I have no idea. Anyways, Sammy is very cute too. They are such sweet boys with so much energy it is fun to watch most of the time. Yesterday was just a bit tiring for me but I hope next week will be fine. Antoinette had her lesson after the boys and she arrived early. She was exhausted just by watching Rahul play with the cars I have for boys to play with and she only saw them for about 10 or so minutes.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
another tuesday
It has been a quiet day. I had a few lessons and I had a bad headache this morning. I woke up at about 6 and went to take some medicine for it. I still had it when I woke up later that morning. I had to take medicine again. Finally, by the time I had to teach, it was back to the normal everyday headache. I had a new student for piano this afternoon. She did very well for the first lesson. Dan was excited to get the CD for the music computer game. He is borrowing it this week so he can play it this week. I think he will like it a lot or least it seemed that way this afternoon when I showed him which games I wanted him to play.
I saw the trailer for the Les Miserables movie. Oh my, I cannot wait to see this movie. I really can't. I have seen the musical on stage 5 times. The last time I saw it we had 5 row center seats. Oh my, it was so amazingly beautiful. I had gotten group tickets for my students and their families to go. It has been several years since I have seen it. I think it is my absolute favorite musical ever. My favorite movie is Beauty and the Beast but this is my favorite live musical so I am so excited about the movie. Not to mention, one of my favorite actresses is in it, Anne Hathaway. I have seen several movies with her in it and I have liked them all. She is so good. I also have heard her sing in another movie and she sings beautifully. She is also an awesome dancer too. I am glad that the movie people pick actors that actually can sing instead of just for acting as the entire play is sung, not one spoken word unlike Phantom that has both singing and spoken parts. Allison loves this musical too. I loaned her the 25th anniversary DVD and she loved. She is also working on "On My Own" from the play. She is doing well with it and I can tell she really loves the song.
Tomorrow, my friend, Julie will be here to help me figure out my budget. I am so lost with it right now. I know that I am missing bills that need to be added. She is very good with numbers, so I know she will be a big help. I am anxious about this though. I just don't know why either. I had a rough summer money wise so that must be why I am so anxious. Julie will help though. She is very good at this so I am looking forward to having a strong plan.
I am getting tired now so it is time for bed. No reading tonight for me unless I wake up super early (like it often happens) and then go back to bed.
I saw the trailer for the Les Miserables movie. Oh my, I cannot wait to see this movie. I really can't. I have seen the musical on stage 5 times. The last time I saw it we had 5 row center seats. Oh my, it was so amazingly beautiful. I had gotten group tickets for my students and their families to go. It has been several years since I have seen it. I think it is my absolute favorite musical ever. My favorite movie is Beauty and the Beast but this is my favorite live musical so I am so excited about the movie. Not to mention, one of my favorite actresses is in it, Anne Hathaway. I have seen several movies with her in it and I have liked them all. She is so good. I also have heard her sing in another movie and she sings beautifully. She is also an awesome dancer too. I am glad that the movie people pick actors that actually can sing instead of just for acting as the entire play is sung, not one spoken word unlike Phantom that has both singing and spoken parts. Allison loves this musical too. I loaned her the 25th anniversary DVD and she loved. She is also working on "On My Own" from the play. She is doing well with it and I can tell she really loves the song.
Tomorrow, my friend, Julie will be here to help me figure out my budget. I am so lost with it right now. I know that I am missing bills that need to be added. She is very good with numbers, so I know she will be a big help. I am anxious about this though. I just don't know why either. I had a rough summer money wise so that must be why I am so anxious. Julie will help though. She is very good at this so I am looking forward to having a strong plan.
I am getting tired now so it is time for bed. No reading tonight for me unless I wake up super early (like it often happens) and then go back to bed.
Monday, September 10, 2012
the start of a musical week! 9-10
I love the fall. It is so beautiful and of course, it means the start of school. The reason I like that is that students are back into a routine for lessons and practicing. It is the start of my busy season for lessons. In October/November not only do we start Christmas Music but we also start working on competition music. I am not sure who is planning to go but I will be finding out shortly. One of my students who goes to competition is starting lessons again. I am not sure if the two who quit for the summer are coming back. I sure hope so. I really like both girls and they were very good students.
I woke up this morning with a bad headache. I came down and took some medicine then I went back to bed. When I woke up again, it was back to the normal headache. It is cooler today than it has been and I like that because I tend to ache less when the weather is like it is today rather than hot or too cold weather.
I spoke to my friend, Julie for about an hour today. She is coming over on Wednesday to help me figure out my budget and what problems I am having with it. I just think having another person going over my budget and projected income will help me stay in control of the finances. It has been a bit of a rough summer financially speaking. I had a lot more absences than I had expected, but now it is fall and I will be back on schedule, I hope anyways. Julie's daughter, Lily is very busy this fall. Lily is very involved in band at her school. It is hard to believe that she is in high school already. Boy, does time fly! Wasn't Lily just in early elementary school yesterday? It certainly seems that way. I am enjoying watching her grow up. She is such a beautiful girl. Lily is very strong and very confident. Not conceited or anything like that, just confident in herself. It is wonderful to see because so many teens are not confident at all and look to their peers for the confidence.
I will see my girls again soon. I am hoping perhaps this week. I thought maybe we could watch a movie at their house or here. I can't take them to the movie right now, but in the future we will be going to see "Finding Nemo 3D". I will be inviting all students and their family to go with me as soon as I know when I can go and see it. I haven't seen them in a couple of weeks so it is time to see them again.
I am doing pretty well with the eating healthy. I haven't lost as much weight as I wanted to at this time, but I am working on it pretty hard. I am very picky about what I eat. I have lots of veggies during my meals. I try to eat a salad for dinner every day. I am working on cutting out pop and white flour products. I am giving myself to the end of September to quit drinking pop. I am working on eating healthier grains instead of white flour products. I am working towards being 1/2 my size by next summer. I know that I can do this. I am sure of it. I no longer care how I got this way, I did. Some of it is my fault for not eating healthy for the last 20 years and yes, 1/2 of the weight I have gained is from Lyrica. However I got the weight put on doesn't seem to matter anymore. I just need to lose it! That is what I am working for now.
I am going to read for a bit before heading to bed. I have a bit of a bad headache now, but it isn't too bad, just a little bit more than usual.
I woke up this morning with a bad headache. I came down and took some medicine then I went back to bed. When I woke up again, it was back to the normal headache. It is cooler today than it has been and I like that because I tend to ache less when the weather is like it is today rather than hot or too cold weather.
I spoke to my friend, Julie for about an hour today. She is coming over on Wednesday to help me figure out my budget and what problems I am having with it. I just think having another person going over my budget and projected income will help me stay in control of the finances. It has been a bit of a rough summer financially speaking. I had a lot more absences than I had expected, but now it is fall and I will be back on schedule, I hope anyways. Julie's daughter, Lily is very busy this fall. Lily is very involved in band at her school. It is hard to believe that she is in high school already. Boy, does time fly! Wasn't Lily just in early elementary school yesterday? It certainly seems that way. I am enjoying watching her grow up. She is such a beautiful girl. Lily is very strong and very confident. Not conceited or anything like that, just confident in herself. It is wonderful to see because so many teens are not confident at all and look to their peers for the confidence.
I will see my girls again soon. I am hoping perhaps this week. I thought maybe we could watch a movie at their house or here. I can't take them to the movie right now, but in the future we will be going to see "Finding Nemo 3D". I will be inviting all students and their family to go with me as soon as I know when I can go and see it. I haven't seen them in a couple of weeks so it is time to see them again.
I am doing pretty well with the eating healthy. I haven't lost as much weight as I wanted to at this time, but I am working on it pretty hard. I am very picky about what I eat. I have lots of veggies during my meals. I try to eat a salad for dinner every day. I am working on cutting out pop and white flour products. I am giving myself to the end of September to quit drinking pop. I am working on eating healthier grains instead of white flour products. I am working towards being 1/2 my size by next summer. I know that I can do this. I am sure of it. I no longer care how I got this way, I did. Some of it is my fault for not eating healthy for the last 20 years and yes, 1/2 of the weight I have gained is from Lyrica. However I got the weight put on doesn't seem to matter anymore. I just need to lose it! That is what I am working for now.
I am going to read for a bit before heading to bed. I have a bit of a bad headache now, but it isn't too bad, just a little bit more than usual.
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Sunday 9-9
I went to Windsor today for Tillie's birthday BBQ. Kayla and family, Danielle and family, Maia, Luana, Zachary, and Chris were there too. I finally got to see Phoenix (1 year old) for the first time. Yes, I know, I should have seen the little one long before she was one. Miles was so cute, as usual. The surprise of the day was Elizabeth (almost 4 years old) wanted me to play with her. She hung out with me a lot today. I am very happy that I got to spend the afternoon with her. Elizabeth is starting school tomorrow. She is a junior kindergartner. She seems really excited to start school. She knows who her teacher is and everything. I can't wait to see the pictures of her before school tomorrow. Warren (age 5) is starting senior kindergarten tomorrow. I can't believe how the two of them have grown and naturally, I forgot my camera so no pictures from me on face book. Maia was doing pretty well today. She has an aggressive form of Breast Cancer. Right now she is in Chemo and then she will have her surgery followed by Radiation. She is the second person I know who has Breast Cancer. My student, Laith's mom has it to. Laith's mom is a OB/GYN doctor. She is the one who gave me the name of the neurologist that I now see. I really like her a lot. I am hopeful that she will be able to get rid of the headaches including the everyday headache. That would be so beautiful for me. I can't remember what it feels like not to have a headache. I have head the headache since March of 2003. That is way to long to have a headache.
Tomorrow will be a quiet type day as I only have 2 lessons. My Rachel is absent this week but she comes back next week. She is 6 and in 1st grade. Rachel is moving up to the level D books that I will pick up next week.
I am getting really tired now so I am going to read for a bit and then head for bed!
Tomorrow will be a quiet type day as I only have 2 lessons. My Rachel is absent this week but she comes back next week. She is 6 and in 1st grade. Rachel is moving up to the level D books that I will pick up next week.
I am getting really tired now so I am going to read for a bit and then head for bed!
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Saturday 9-8
It was such a beautiful day weather-wise. The sun was shining and it wasn't too hot. We had a blue blue blue sky with puffy white clouds. I love this time of year. We have beautiful weather and it isn't too hot like summer or too cold in winter.
Tomorrow is the family BBQ for Tillie's birthday. She is now 78 years old and still going strong. I am picking up chips or pretzels or something like that for the party. I am not sure who all will be there but I do know my uncle will be. My uncle is helping me put back up the fireplace mantel. I took of the one remaining hook off and wrap it up for my uncle to see. I am not sure if Andrew will be there or not or any other cousins like Hayley or Audrey.
I had Camille and Rick's lessons today. Camille is doing so well and really wants to go to competition in February. I hope she does although I thought she was going to be quitting for a while because of her other after school activities so I am confused a bit. Maybe her mother hasn't told her she is quitting, that could be it. Rick had his lesson today instead of tomorrow since I will not be home during his regular lesson time. I haven't been able to get a hold of Minh to find out if she could change her time or not so I will have to be home tomorrow for it. It won't be a problem though since the BBQ starts at 12 noon and her lesson isn't until 5 or I hope it isn't a problem.
I am watching Dr. Quinn, Medicine woman right now. It is the wedding episode. I love this episode. I remember when it first came on TV. It was New Year's Day. I had seen many previews of the show and I thought it would be something Mom and I would like. Mom was sure she wouldn't like it but I asked her to watch at least the first 20 minutes of it and if she didn't like it, she could change the channel. Well, Mom loved it and we rarely missed it on a Saturday night. It was on the same night as Walker, Texas Ranger that we liked so much too.
So far, the bad headache hasn't been back for too long since the injection on Tuesday. I did wake up a couple of days with one, but then it back down to the regular everyday headache. I really hope that some time in the future, I will not have to consider having a headache normal. I do look forward to that. For now, a headache everyday is what I have to deal with. Dr. R said that it will be a few weeks before I will know whether or not the new dosage of the new medicine will work on the everyday headaches.
I am going to read for a bit after I have some dinner.
Tomorrow is the family BBQ for Tillie's birthday. She is now 78 years old and still going strong. I am picking up chips or pretzels or something like that for the party. I am not sure who all will be there but I do know my uncle will be. My uncle is helping me put back up the fireplace mantel. I took of the one remaining hook off and wrap it up for my uncle to see. I am not sure if Andrew will be there or not or any other cousins like Hayley or Audrey.
I had Camille and Rick's lessons today. Camille is doing so well and really wants to go to competition in February. I hope she does although I thought she was going to be quitting for a while because of her other after school activities so I am confused a bit. Maybe her mother hasn't told her she is quitting, that could be it. Rick had his lesson today instead of tomorrow since I will not be home during his regular lesson time. I haven't been able to get a hold of Minh to find out if she could change her time or not so I will have to be home tomorrow for it. It won't be a problem though since the BBQ starts at 12 noon and her lesson isn't until 5 or I hope it isn't a problem.
I am watching Dr. Quinn, Medicine woman right now. It is the wedding episode. I love this episode. I remember when it first came on TV. It was New Year's Day. I had seen many previews of the show and I thought it would be something Mom and I would like. Mom was sure she wouldn't like it but I asked her to watch at least the first 20 minutes of it and if she didn't like it, she could change the channel. Well, Mom loved it and we rarely missed it on a Saturday night. It was on the same night as Walker, Texas Ranger that we liked so much too.
So far, the bad headache hasn't been back for too long since the injection on Tuesday. I did wake up a couple of days with one, but then it back down to the regular everyday headache. I really hope that some time in the future, I will not have to consider having a headache normal. I do look forward to that. For now, a headache everyday is what I have to deal with. Dr. R said that it will be a few weeks before I will know whether or not the new dosage of the new medicine will work on the everyday headaches.
I am going to read for a bit after I have some dinner.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
midweek 9-5
The bad headache is gone still today. That is a really good thing. I still have the everyday normal headache. I am looking forward to not having a headache at all. I hope someday to have that happen.
I had several lesson this afternoon and evening so I am a bit tired tonight. Tomorrow Tillie will be here rather early in the morning so I have to go to bed early. I can go back to sleep for a nap after they leave since they will not be here very long. They are just picking up something from here. I will see them again on Sunday for the birthday BBQ at Tillie's. It should be fun. My aunt and uncle will be there too so that is good. I love visiting with them too. Andrew isn't sure whether or not he will be able to be there. I do hope so though. I have some paperwork for him to sign.
So far, all my students who have started school this week like it. Mind you, most of them are small, only 1 teenager so far and she liked that she saw her friends.
I have decided that I will be giving up pop by the end of the month. It is time to do this. I like diet pop or regular pop. The regular pop upsets my stomach but the diet stuff is so bad for you so I am giving it up. I haven't lost as much weight as I had hope at this time, but I am eating much healthier and I am continuing to work on eating healthy. I like that I am eating healthier because I feel better about myself. I do, very occasionally, have a treat. I don't feel bad about that because I do eat healthy everyday. I hope that by next summer to be 1/2 my size. I think I can do this. I am working very hard at it.
Well, I am going to read for a bit before heading to bed. I sure hope I sleep better tonight than I did last night when I fell asleep at about 4:30 in the morning. I just couldn't sleep and my tummy was upset a lot last night. So, not a great night but I am not super tired like I expected to be.
I had several lesson this afternoon and evening so I am a bit tired tonight. Tomorrow Tillie will be here rather early in the morning so I have to go to bed early. I can go back to sleep for a nap after they leave since they will not be here very long. They are just picking up something from here. I will see them again on Sunday for the birthday BBQ at Tillie's. It should be fun. My aunt and uncle will be there too so that is good. I love visiting with them too. Andrew isn't sure whether or not he will be able to be there. I do hope so though. I have some paperwork for him to sign.
So far, all my students who have started school this week like it. Mind you, most of them are small, only 1 teenager so far and she liked that she saw her friends.
I have decided that I will be giving up pop by the end of the month. It is time to do this. I like diet pop or regular pop. The regular pop upsets my stomach but the diet stuff is so bad for you so I am giving it up. I haven't lost as much weight as I had hope at this time, but I am eating much healthier and I am continuing to work on eating healthy. I like that I am eating healthier because I feel better about myself. I do, very occasionally, have a treat. I don't feel bad about that because I do eat healthy everyday. I hope that by next summer to be 1/2 my size. I think I can do this. I am working very hard at it.
Well, I am going to read for a bit before heading to bed. I sure hope I sleep better tonight than I did last night when I fell asleep at about 4:30 in the morning. I just couldn't sleep and my tummy was upset a lot last night. So, not a great night but I am not super tired like I expected to be.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Injection Day 9-4
My head was really bad again this morning so I called my neurologist to see what I should do. I left a message for the doctor and a little while later I received a call from the doctor's office. She wanted me to come in for an injection so in between lessons, I went and got 2, yup 2, shots. At first it made my headache way worse but then it helped the pain to go way down back to the normal, everyday headache. So far, they seem to be helping. I am so tired of my head aching. I really am.
I had 2 lessons today, Sammy and Dan. Sammy is a 15 year old vocal student and she sings beautifully. I am really happy with her. Dan is new to me and a rather shy pianist. He is doing really well too since we are trying to figure out how much he remembers and what he needs to work on. He stopped lessons about a year or so ago so right now we are assigning different levels of stuff to see where he should be. He is very nice.
Tomorrow I need to get Eliana a new theory book tomorrow. I meant to do it this weekend, but I forgot when I had the time plus I did have the bad headaches so I probably couldn't have gone anyway so I am going to go tomorrow. Eliana is such a cutie pie. She is simply so sweet and cute. I have had 2 lessons with her so far and she is doing pretty well. Her bass clef notes are a little hard for her as she hasn't done them very much, but I know we will work on them and she will get better at them. I also have Bob tomorrow since Monday was a holiday. I have a couple other students tomorrow to so it is shaping up to be an awesome day. I am really happy about that. With Monday being a holiday, I don't have as many as usual, not that I have that many to begin with. I only teach part time, very part time but it is enough for me so I won't be over tired or too exhausted.
Sunday is a family event. Tillie's birthday is tomorrow. I must remember to wish her happy birthday. Today is Richard's birthday. I really wanted to call him but I didn't. Today, it bothered me that he is not speaking to me, but often it doesn't. I think it does because it is his birthday. My small cousin, Elizabeth, (Danielle's daughter) has her birthday on the 20th, I believe. Her brother, Miles, is only about 10 months old. I got to hold and play with him at Lia's wedding. I really liked that. I am hoping that I will see Kayla's littlest one on Sunday too. I have seen her in pictures but not in person so I am looking forward to that.
I have started my new headache medicine to start getting rid of the everyday headaches. I do remember when they first started. In March of 2003, I came down with vasculitis. Vasculitis is the inflammation of the blood vessels and is very painful (worse than the fibro pain, believe it or not). I got a headache from it and my nose ran continuously, and I mean continuously. I would wake up in the night to blow my nose. Normally, the vasculitis stays and you have flare ups start as soon as the flare goes down. Fortunately, mine actually left me except for the headache. The rash (which was hideous looking and all over my legs, arms, and a bit on the face) was from the blood vessels pushing up on the skin. I did have 3 break through the skin and I now have scars from it, but considering I could still have it, I will take the scars. I went to the neurologist and she doubled my everyday medicine. If it is still not working by the end of September I am to call Dr. R and let her know.
I am going to read for a bit before heading to bed.
I had 2 lessons today, Sammy and Dan. Sammy is a 15 year old vocal student and she sings beautifully. I am really happy with her. Dan is new to me and a rather shy pianist. He is doing really well too since we are trying to figure out how much he remembers and what he needs to work on. He stopped lessons about a year or so ago so right now we are assigning different levels of stuff to see where he should be. He is very nice.
Tomorrow I need to get Eliana a new theory book tomorrow. I meant to do it this weekend, but I forgot when I had the time plus I did have the bad headaches so I probably couldn't have gone anyway so I am going to go tomorrow. Eliana is such a cutie pie. She is simply so sweet and cute. I have had 2 lessons with her so far and she is doing pretty well. Her bass clef notes are a little hard for her as she hasn't done them very much, but I know we will work on them and she will get better at them. I also have Bob tomorrow since Monday was a holiday. I have a couple other students tomorrow to so it is shaping up to be an awesome day. I am really happy about that. With Monday being a holiday, I don't have as many as usual, not that I have that many to begin with. I only teach part time, very part time but it is enough for me so I won't be over tired or too exhausted.
Sunday is a family event. Tillie's birthday is tomorrow. I must remember to wish her happy birthday. Today is Richard's birthday. I really wanted to call him but I didn't. Today, it bothered me that he is not speaking to me, but often it doesn't. I think it does because it is his birthday. My small cousin, Elizabeth, (Danielle's daughter) has her birthday on the 20th, I believe. Her brother, Miles, is only about 10 months old. I got to hold and play with him at Lia's wedding. I really liked that. I am hoping that I will see Kayla's littlest one on Sunday too. I have seen her in pictures but not in person so I am looking forward to that.
I have started my new headache medicine to start getting rid of the everyday headaches. I do remember when they first started. In March of 2003, I came down with vasculitis. Vasculitis is the inflammation of the blood vessels and is very painful (worse than the fibro pain, believe it or not). I got a headache from it and my nose ran continuously, and I mean continuously. I would wake up in the night to blow my nose. Normally, the vasculitis stays and you have flare ups start as soon as the flare goes down. Fortunately, mine actually left me except for the headache. The rash (which was hideous looking and all over my legs, arms, and a bit on the face) was from the blood vessels pushing up on the skin. I did have 3 break through the skin and I now have scars from it, but considering I could still have it, I will take the scars. I went to the neurologist and she doubled my everyday medicine. If it is still not working by the end of September I am to call Dr. R and let her know.
I am going to read for a bit before heading to bed.
Monday, September 3, 2012
Labor Day 9-3
Tomorrow is my older brother, Richard's birthday. We haven't spoken since July of 2011. I was thinking about him the other day. I was wondering how he was doing, and how his family was doing. Since he isn't speaking to me right now, I am not sure. My younger brother hasn't heard from him either. I did see my younger brother, Andrew at our cousin, Lia's wedding. We had a nice visit together, Andrew and I.
It is another bad headache day again. I am really tired of these headaches but there isn't too much I can do about them right now. I just have to hope that the new medicine will really work and I will not have as many as I do right now. It is exhausting having bad headaches 4 to 5 times a week and I am exhausted enough.
Anyways, today was the annual bike parade for our neighborhood. I took the little scooter and I went to the top of the hill to meet the participants. I spoke to one neighbor the whole parade. She lives across the street from me and is such a sweetheart of a girl. Her daughter, Bella, is now 5 and oh my, has she grown. She is not to excited to start Kindergarten tomorrow but she is starting. She is a really nice little girl and her mom is very nice too. Nikki is almost 26 now. I remember when she was younger and running around the neighborhood. Her brother, Shane, used to help mom a lot too. He is doing well too.
It is so nice to be able to wash and dry my own hair again. It has been about 3 1/2 years since I could do it myself because of the bursitis in my left shoulder. It is much better now. I still do not have a full range of motion, but hey, I can do my own hair so I am happy with the range of motion. So I may never be able to lift the arm straight up to the sky, I don't particular care as long as I can still do my own hair. One of the small things in life that makes my life better, that is all I can say about it. Although, I must admit, I am exhausted when I am done drying it. Because my hair is so long, it gets really tangled. I thought condition would improve that, but no, it didn't. I need detangler stuff for sure. Oh my. It feels like nap time.
Tomorrow is the first day of school for the rest of the kids in the area. In Michigan, public schools cannot start until after Labor Day so since today is Labor Day, tomorrow is the first day of school. I am looking forward to some cooler (not winter mind you) weather that I can ache less in and breathe better in. Fall is my time of year. I love fall. I love spring too. Summer and Winter, not so much. I don't particularly do well in extreme heat or extreme cold, both are not good for Fibromyalgia not to mention asthma.
I am watching a Rizzoli and Isles marathon. I really like this show. Well, I am now completely exhausted so I am off for a nap.
It is another bad headache day again. I am really tired of these headaches but there isn't too much I can do about them right now. I just have to hope that the new medicine will really work and I will not have as many as I do right now. It is exhausting having bad headaches 4 to 5 times a week and I am exhausted enough.
Anyways, today was the annual bike parade for our neighborhood. I took the little scooter and I went to the top of the hill to meet the participants. I spoke to one neighbor the whole parade. She lives across the street from me and is such a sweetheart of a girl. Her daughter, Bella, is now 5 and oh my, has she grown. She is not to excited to start Kindergarten tomorrow but she is starting. She is a really nice little girl and her mom is very nice too. Nikki is almost 26 now. I remember when she was younger and running around the neighborhood. Her brother, Shane, used to help mom a lot too. He is doing well too.
It is so nice to be able to wash and dry my own hair again. It has been about 3 1/2 years since I could do it myself because of the bursitis in my left shoulder. It is much better now. I still do not have a full range of motion, but hey, I can do my own hair so I am happy with the range of motion. So I may never be able to lift the arm straight up to the sky, I don't particular care as long as I can still do my own hair. One of the small things in life that makes my life better, that is all I can say about it. Although, I must admit, I am exhausted when I am done drying it. Because my hair is so long, it gets really tangled. I thought condition would improve that, but no, it didn't. I need detangler stuff for sure. Oh my. It feels like nap time.
Tomorrow is the first day of school for the rest of the kids in the area. In Michigan, public schools cannot start until after Labor Day so since today is Labor Day, tomorrow is the first day of school. I am looking forward to some cooler (not winter mind you) weather that I can ache less in and breathe better in. Fall is my time of year. I love fall. I love spring too. Summer and Winter, not so much. I don't particularly do well in extreme heat or extreme cold, both are not good for Fibromyalgia not to mention asthma.
I am watching a Rizzoli and Isles marathon. I really like this show. Well, I am now completely exhausted so I am off for a nap.
Sunday, September 2, 2012
End of August/Beginning of September
Friday -
Wow, summer is almost over. This month has been quieter than usual with a few more absences than usual. Only 2 students quit for the summer, but the ones that stayed had a lot of absences. Today, I was supposed to have 4 and I only had 1. Yesterday I had 1 instead of 5 so I am thankful fall is coming soon. I can't wait for a regular schedule.
I am also awaiting the new season of NCIS and NCIS Los Angeles. I love those shows. They are so good. I do watch some of the re-runs on the USA channel. They also re-run a lot of the Law and Order:SVU, which I also really like. TNT runs the regular Law and Order show a lot too. I do have a few seasons of the NCIS but not too much of the other shows. I have the DVDs of the show Missing with Ashley Judd. I did see a couple of the episodes but I missed most because of choir practice. I am planning to watch them over the weekend.
It is Labor Day Weekend this weekend. School starts Tuesday for most of the students. A few schools started this past Monday, but most start Tuesday.
Sunday -
I had to miss church again today because of my bad headache. I am thankful I only had one lesson for the day though because it was a really bad one around the late afternoon. I ended up going to bed at about 7:30 pm tonight and now I am awake for a while. I knew this would happen so I am not surprised that I am awake right now. My head is back to the normal headache right now. I am also glad that I didn't have a really bad one last night. Yesterday evening, I went to my lovely girls (the Muglia's) house for dinner and a movie. I brought "Sound of Music", which is my Sarah's favorite movie. We had pizza for dinner and salad too. It was so fun and I love spending time with students outside of lessons. The girls and I had such a good time. Their mom has become a good friend to me. The girls also were friends with Mom and they were upset when she passed away. Mom taught them a bit about sewing until she couldn't anymore and then I took over. Lydia has really taken to sewing. The girls have 3 sewing machines between them. Mom had bought each of the girls a travel sewing machine, but somehow 2 of them disappeared with some other stuff so there were only 2 left. They have them now. They also have several books about sewing that Mom and I had bought. Mom also bought me some of the same sewing books she had, so I gave the girls Mom's books about sewing. My friend, Star, is going to be teaching Hannah, Lydia, and Natalie art starting this month. I have to get Star's schedule and the girls schedule to see what will be best for all of them. I am actually really excited about them taking art as the girls are so into art. Lydia wants to be a fashion designer and the twins, Natalie and Hannah, want to be animators. This classical art class that they will be taking will really help them get into art school.
Minh had her lesson today and did very well. She is coming along so nicely with reading her notes and learning to count the music. I am quite pleased with her progress.
I think I am going to read for a bit before I head back to bed.
Wow, summer is almost over. This month has been quieter than usual with a few more absences than usual. Only 2 students quit for the summer, but the ones that stayed had a lot of absences. Today, I was supposed to have 4 and I only had 1. Yesterday I had 1 instead of 5 so I am thankful fall is coming soon. I can't wait for a regular schedule.
I am also awaiting the new season of NCIS and NCIS Los Angeles. I love those shows. They are so good. I do watch some of the re-runs on the USA channel. They also re-run a lot of the Law and Order:SVU, which I also really like. TNT runs the regular Law and Order show a lot too. I do have a few seasons of the NCIS but not too much of the other shows. I have the DVDs of the show Missing with Ashley Judd. I did see a couple of the episodes but I missed most because of choir practice. I am planning to watch them over the weekend.
It is Labor Day Weekend this weekend. School starts Tuesday for most of the students. A few schools started this past Monday, but most start Tuesday.
Sunday -
I had to miss church again today because of my bad headache. I am thankful I only had one lesson for the day though because it was a really bad one around the late afternoon. I ended up going to bed at about 7:30 pm tonight and now I am awake for a while. I knew this would happen so I am not surprised that I am awake right now. My head is back to the normal headache right now. I am also glad that I didn't have a really bad one last night. Yesterday evening, I went to my lovely girls (the Muglia's) house for dinner and a movie. I brought "Sound of Music", which is my Sarah's favorite movie. We had pizza for dinner and salad too. It was so fun and I love spending time with students outside of lessons. The girls and I had such a good time. Their mom has become a good friend to me. The girls also were friends with Mom and they were upset when she passed away. Mom taught them a bit about sewing until she couldn't anymore and then I took over. Lydia has really taken to sewing. The girls have 3 sewing machines between them. Mom had bought each of the girls a travel sewing machine, but somehow 2 of them disappeared with some other stuff so there were only 2 left. They have them now. They also have several books about sewing that Mom and I had bought. Mom also bought me some of the same sewing books she had, so I gave the girls Mom's books about sewing. My friend, Star, is going to be teaching Hannah, Lydia, and Natalie art starting this month. I have to get Star's schedule and the girls schedule to see what will be best for all of them. I am actually really excited about them taking art as the girls are so into art. Lydia wants to be a fashion designer and the twins, Natalie and Hannah, want to be animators. This classical art class that they will be taking will really help them get into art school.
Minh had her lesson today and did very well. She is coming along so nicely with reading her notes and learning to count the music. I am quite pleased with her progress.
I think I am going to read for a bit before I head back to bed.
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