Easter Sunday 3-31

I spent the afternoon with Kathy and her family at her parents' house.  Her mom is a really good cook.  I did control myself and not go crazy.  I made sure I ate more veggies than anything else.  I also had some spare ribs.  Kathy's mom makes them and they taste amazingly awesome.  Trust me on this.

Not much extra pain today like yesterday, just the usual amount of pain.  I just ached so much yesterday.  It is so nice to live with people who understand about this.  Neither Heather nor Bill ever say anything about what time I get up or how much I try to sleep or when I nap for a long time, like yesterday.  I slept for about 3 1/2 hours in the afternoon.  I did have a bad headache this morning, but by the time I actually got out of bed it was back to the normal headache so that was good.  It just is annoying that it is bad in the morning because that means I miss church a lot and I mean a lot.  I have pretty much given up on being about to be there on a regular basis.  I usually missed at least 1 time during the month before but now, I miss all of it.

Easter is such a beautiful season in that it causes me to reflect on things a lot.  It makes me think of what sacrifices my mom made when we were young to the biggest sacrifice of all, Jesus on the Cross.  It boggles my mind that God loves us so much that He allowed Jesus to be whipped, tortured, and then hung on a cross to die for our sins.  I mean, you hear people say that they would die for people in movies and in books, but He really did.  Jesus DID die for us.  Although I am not Catholic, I do like the idea of giving up something during lent.  I have before.  I didn't this year because I didn't realize it was lent until it was about 1/3 over.  Yes, I didn't know that Easter was early this year.  Perhaps I should pay more attention to these details.

Maisy and I had a good snuggle when I came home.  She is sitting behind me right now waiting for Heather to get home.  She was happy to see me but she will be even happier to see her momma, Heather.  Maisy is such a joy to hang out with.  She has this really cute habit of taking her paw and putting it on you if you stop paying attention to her.  It really is adorable.  She is one happy girl.  I would say overall the kids and the dogs have adjusted rather well to the move.  Acer and Calli are both full of life and really bring sunshine and joy to my life.  Life here in the house is never boring with the kids and the dogs around.  Calli's dog, Q, of course, goes everywhere with Calli so he is with Calli at her grandparents house.  I wish I had more time with Kathy today but I will take anytime I can with her.  She is very busy and lives a couple of hours away from here.

Well, I am going to watch a bit of TV before reading and heading for bed.  I have a busy morning tomorrow.  (okay - stop laughing, I did say morning!)  I have Physical Therapy at 10:30 am before I go to the Muglia's for the piano lessons with Sarah and Patrick.  Bob will have his lesson at 3.  Isaac and Rachel are absent.  I am not sure when Rahul or Sam will be having their lessons.  Often their mom wants it a bit earlier than they are scheduled for.  Natalie is having a make up lesson tomorrow because she was sick on Friday.  That is if she is better.  If not, then I won't see her until Friday at her regularly scheduled lesson.  Sammy and Gabby are coming over to put music away this week.  I am very excited about this job.  It has been so long since I have had all my music put away and not all over the house.  I will then know what I have again.  It will be easier to find music again too.  Right now, if it isn't in the cabinet, then i have no idea where it is.  Most students have copies of music unless it is their own music.  The Muglia girls do have some of my original music but they do take good care of the music so I don't mind loaning the music to them.  I am excited to be getting the music room in order.  Every week the students see a new part put together.  I have to get the legal size hanging folders from downstairs because a few of them have ripped and I can't use them anymore.  I will post pictures this week.  It is really an exciting event in the house for me.  I think all the small changes are good ones.  I like the pictures we have put up and the rearranging of the furniture too.

Saturday 3-30

Tomorrow I get to see Kathy!!!!!!  I can't wait!!!!!!!!  It will be a lot of fun.  I have all the Easter Treats for everyone.  I gave Acer and Calli their coupon books.  I must add a couple more coupons though because he asked about ice cream so I will add that today.  He also wants to help sticker them.  He and Calli both like to help with things.  Calli is cleaning out the van today.  She is emptying it out of all of Acer's toys too.  He is in the middle of putting them away.  By the way, for all the worry that some people had about how quiet or loud the kids would be while I have lessons, they are quiet and do not come in the room when I am teaching.  So really, there was no need for worry.  I wasn't worried at all because I knew they would be playing or doing something in other parts of the house.

Nina didn't have her lesson today.  I didn't know she wasn't coming so I called her dad.  They didn't think we had lessons because tomorrow is a holiday.  They were at church this morning.  My next student, Sally, should be here any minute now.  She has a lovely voice.  We are working on a song out of the 24 Italian arias and art songs and also a song by Handel.

I took a 3 1/2 hour nap this afternoon.  I was so tired and my headache was just not good.  I am done teaching with the day.  I am still very tired.  Acer is in bed already and Calli is heading there.  Bill is rather tired too.

The kids went down the street to a subdivision Easter Egg Hunt.  They met several of our neighbors.  Our across the street neighbor introduced himself to Bill and Heather.  The kids had hot chocolate and received some candy.  Both Acer and Calli said they had a good time.  I was glad about that.

While they were gone, Maisy and I had to get me some caffeine.  I needed some diet coke so she and I went to get some.  I expected to be back before the kids but i wasn't.  I wasn't sure if Bill or Heather had their keys with them so I left the front door unlocked since they were just down the street.  I am really glad that they had a good time and met a few of the kids in the neighborhood.  Most of the kids are pretty friendly.  Faith and her sister, Courtney were among the ones who knew who they were from the recitals since Faith is my student.  Both she and Courtney are very nice girls.

It has been a tiring day and I do seem to ache more but inside of me, it hasn't been too bad.  You know what I mean?  The outside can be so tiring and exhausted but the inside can run marathons at times.  That was today.

Tomorrow will be the 3rd Easter I have had without Momma.  I wonder if I will always count how many holidays or birthdays it will be since I lost Momma?  I am sure that she is watching me and with me.  I think about her a lot, like everyday.  I probably will forever but that is okay.  She is my mom and I do miss her.  Sometimes I miss her terribly and I still cry but other times I don't.  I can think of some of the silly things we did together.  I also think about how she was very upset when I started getting sick and no one knew what was wrong with me.  The first time I had a headache for 6 months straight, she was worried.  We went to doctor after doctor until we couldn't go to anymore.  Finally, she said we will work on this ourselves and we did.  Eventually, the bad 6 month headache went away and it only popped up now and again until I had the vasculitis.  Then it never went away.  Slowly, it seems it is getting better.  The bad headache seems to be bad in the morning and late at night but not during the day, most of the time.  I also have noticed that my anxiety is not as bad as it was.  I think that having Heather and family here has helped.  Either that or I have really, really good meds.

Well, I am going to read for a bit and then I will head for bed too.

Momma's Birthday 3-28

Mom is 79 today.  I think she is probably having a big celebration up in Heaven.  It hasn't been a horrible day for me, just a slightly bad day.  I miss her so much.  I always will.  I speak to her at times too.  Sometimes, I can even still feel her here with me.  I am thankful that I got to spend so much time with her.  I shudder to think how sometimes it drove me crazy that she wanted to be with me all the time.  Now I am grateful.  I just wish I appreciated her more when I was younger.  I remember when I was about 25 or 26 I asked Mom if I could speak with her.  We had a very, very, very long conversation.  I also apologized for my behavior as a teenager and when I was in college.  She apologized for some of the mistakes she made with me.  Momma also explained some of the reasons she did what she did.  How she was afraid every single time I walked out the door that I would start using drugs.  Both of my brothers used drugs as teens, so that is why she was so afraid for me.  When I was in high school she would wait until the last minute to tell me I had a job to do before I went out.  I would get so angry.  I later learned she did it on purpose to see if I would change my mind and stay home.  It didn't work.  It made me want to go out even more.  I never did try drugs.  I also do not drink.  The most I have ever had was about an inch of a wine cooler.  I can't get past the smell of the alcohol to try something else.  I have been that way since I was a child.  I don't expect I will ever change.  I am still afraid, at times, of people when they drink too much.  I am getting much better with that.  It doesn't bother me at all when Kathy and her family have wine at dinner because they don't drink too much.  I can't wait to see Kathy.  It seems so weird (in a good way) to be able to say that I have known her for about 42 years now.

I was afraid of today because I was so sad last year and the year before.  I am starting to finally feel okay about missing mom.  Sometimes it hurts worse than others and sometimes I am okay.  I have started to feel like me again.  I have begun to take better care of myself instead of just going through the motions.  I am happier with people in the house on a full time basis.  I think it is really going well.  The kids seem to be adjusting well.  Calli and Acer are joys and bring much sunshine to my life.  Heather and Bill are also very good friends too.  I am just thankful that we are all getting along and that everything is going pretty well.

I went and got the Easter gifts today.  I got a stuffed bunny and a coloring book for each of Kathy's girls and for her boys, I got them each a itunes card.  I am making coupons for Acer and Calli for Easter.  I got stickers for the coupons.  I also saw a Curious George book for about $10.  It had 8 stories in it.  I have already read 2 to Acer.  Calli was listening too.  Heather and family went to go and listen to some music tonight at a coffee shop.  I am sure they are all having a good time.  Both kids took a rest this afternoon so they could stay out late tonight.  My headache was too bad to go to choir tonight.  I had hoped to be able to go, but I couldn't.  We will see what happens on Sunday.

Last night Bill put the breakfast nook together.  It is in the family room.  I will be able to use it for sewing.  I am hoping that Star and I will start sewing together.  I still have trouble sewing by myself.  I am glad I know how to so.  I have made some really nice clothes.  I want to start sewing again.  I am going to teach Calli how to sew this summer.  She is just so busy with school and studying as well as her activities that she doesn't have time.  Summer will be here soon enough.  Calli and Acer will be very busy in the summer too with all the camps they go to.  There are so many things that the Lions Club do for the visually impaired.  I donate when the have the fundraising people in the intersections.

I am a bit more achy tonight than usual.  My knees have been rather achy a lot lately.  I am hoping that with the warmer weather coming I will not have such achy knees.  I do have a medium bad headache tonight so I didn't go to choir.  I have missed so much church and choir practice.  Tomorrow I have Physical Therapy and then a few lessons.  Acer will have his and I also have a new little one starting tomorrow.  I have all his books so that is good.  The one I had to order just came in yesterday so I went and picked it up this afternoon.  I also have Ellie's new Hymn Book.  I need to email her mom and let her know how much they were.  I will do the same for Ryan.

Time to read some more and then off to bed.

the adventure continues 3/26

The music room is shaping up nicely.  The three filing cabinets are in the room now.  I just have to work on adding the song lists to the 38 books that do not have that information.  I also need to work on finishing up the CD project.  Sammy and Gabby will be coming to put away all the music that is all over the house, or so it seems.  I have several piles in the family fun room and several piles in the dining room not to mention the piles that are in the music room.  I look forward to this being done.  Then we can work on the Little Man's room and the family room.  The dining room will clear out as the other rooms do.  All in all, things are progressing well.

I had to have another protime test today.  I will have to have another next week as my blood is not being cooperative.  I must miss my dose tomorrow and then lower another dosage for one more day so that on 2 days I will have one dose and the other 5 will be a different dose.  I hope this really helps because, well, I really want my blood to be where it should be.

I did hear from the doctor at the study.  I tried to call her back but she wasn't in today.  I will try again tomorrow.  I am not sure outside of she wants to talk about my medicines what she will tell me but that is okay.

I have been rather stiff these last few weeks for some reason.  It is probably the changing of the weather, but I am very stiff at night these days.  My headaches seem to be improving a bit.  There are still bad in the morning but not so bad at night this week.  I am hoping that is a sign that this new medicine will work for me.  Two chances I suppose as my mom used to say.  Either it will or it won't.  I am voting for the will.

The hematoma on my calf is still there.  It has been there for about 3 months now.  It is still really red and swollen.  It doesn't hurt unless I have been driving for a while or sitting in a different chair than what I usually sit in for a while.  It really hurt the other day when I was driving home.  I hope it goes away soon.  It feels rather strange to feel a hard lump on my leg.  Fortunately, it hasn't gotten any bigger or redder or more sore because that could be a sign of it turning into a blood clot.  Something I really, really, really, really don't want to have again.

I am counting down the days until I get to see Kathy!  4 more days until Easter Sunday and then I shall be with her and her family at her parents house.  Her parents are really nice and her mother cooks so good.  Believe me when I say, no one can leave the table hungry at Kathy's parents' house.  If they do, it is their own fault.  I almost have everything I need for Easter.  The students are getting their pencils and I have things in mind for Kathy's kids.  I just need to get something for the two young people who live here.  I will be asking Heather for suggestions.  It still seems weird to call someone else my name in my house but hey, at least I will never forget her name!  I plan to get my medicine and the Easter stuff on Thursday.  I have 2 refills at the Pharmacy right now.

I will have a few more students than I thought next week during Spring Break.  I like that kind of a surprise.  I have a few who are going to be out of town, but several will be home and coming for their lesson.  I am so lucky that I am able to teach the few lessons I can.  It keeps my mind off the pain but also it keeps the fog from getting worse.  There are days when it is really bad and I have to cancel lessons on those days.  Sometimes the pain is that bad and I can't think or do anything other than rest.

Well, it is getting a bit late and I think it is time for a little bit of reading before bed.

The 2nd Day in Holy Week 3-25

Yesterday was Palm Sunday, the start of Holy week.  I just put out our Easter decorations on the piano.    They look so pretty.  It has been a rather productive day around here.  We put some things in for donation, some things for recycle, and some things for the garbage.  3 filing cabinets full of music came up.  I now can have the girls come and put the music that is all over the house away.  I have about 38 or so books that I need to catalogue the songs into the catalogue.  I also need to check the piano catalogue too.  I am sure there are many books that are not completely catalogued either.  I was not taking good care of it when Mom became sicker with the Alzheimer's and could not keep up with it herself.  Now I am back on track with being able to get to the filing cabinets so I can be caught up soon.  I no longer have an excuse.  I can get the job done.  I see Sammy tomorrow so I can plan a day for her next week.

I saw Jewel in concert last night.  It was really good.  I really enjoyed it.  My Aunt Michelle won the tickets so I went with her.  I had help with getting the scooter out of the car but I had to do most of it when I was putting it back into the car.  The security guard was not a happy camper when I asked him to help.  After the concert, Michelle came back and picked up the things she ordered.

I have had a medium bad headache all day today.  I did receive a message from the Doctor in charge of the study.  I will call tomorrow and see what she has to say.  It was something about medicine.  There are a few medicines that I actually cannot live without, the blood thinner for one and the reglan, which digests my food, is the other.  I don't think the synthroid for my thyroid would be an issue, but one never knows.  I will find out tomorrow.

Well, I am falling asleep here so it is time for me to head to bed.  I am very tired.  It has been a rather long day and I have a blood test at 11:20 tomorrow morning.

Saturday 3/23

It has been a some what busy day around here.  First up were a couple of lessons, Nina and Sally (a new student).  Nina is a pianist.  She chose her spring concert piece today.  Sally is a vocalist and we worked on a piece she wants to perform at her church.  It is from the Messiah by Handel.  She worked pretty hard on it this afternoon.  When I finished the two lessons, I had to take a nap.  I was so exhausted.  I think I slept for about an hour.  I picked up Ellie's and Ryan's books for them.  I did buy a neckstrap for a saxophone, but it was the wrong size.  I need one for the Baritone Sax.  I am going to call my friend, Dan and order one.  I will drive out there and pick it up.  It isn't too far away, about 45 or so minutes so that isn't bad.

I worked on updating my vocal music catalogue this afternoon/evening too.  I have discovered about 38 books that do not have the songs that are in the books listed.  This is not a good thing as when I am looking for a particular song, I will not be able to find it.  Once the filing cabinets are moved, then I will have the two young ladies, Sammy and Gabby, come and put all the music away.  Then I will put the songs in from the books.  I also am still working on the changing of the cases for the CDs that I use for teaching.  I have one drawer completely finished.  I have 2 more drawers to do and the box with the original CDs, then I will be done.

The makeover for the music room is coming along nicely.  I have a few more pictures up and some have been moved to other places.  The puppies and horse pictures that used to be in the upper hallway are going to be donated.  I have taken pictures of them to remember them by.  That is all I needed to do.  I have the cool Music picture on the wall where the baby pictures use to be and the Friendship picture I got from Julie is also in the living room (which is now the music room).

For some strange reason, my chin bone hurts.  I don't know why, it just does.  I also have a bigger headache than usual but since we had the little accident with the scented water, I am not surprised.  Calli accidentally dropped the bottle that had the scented water in it on the carpet in front of her room.  We opened the dining room window, her bedroom window, and the furnace room window too.  She was rather upset but it was an accident.  Calli also made sure she washed her hands really good after cleaning up the mess and she changed her jeans because a small amount got on her.  She and I worked on her math with the abacus today.  Calli is doing rather well at it and so is Acer.  I helped him the other day.  Acer tried to teach me how to use it but it so went over my head.  Maybe another time he can show me.  I think my thinking skills were gone that day.

I feel that we are all adjusting to the new living situation rather well.  I am happier and Heather has even noticed it.  She is right, I am happier.  I don't feel as stressed out as I did.  I was starting to feel a crash and burn coming on and I think with the move in, it went away.  I don't know if I will crash and burn, but should I, Heather and Bill are in the same house so if I need to go to the hospital, they are there and also, it won't be such a devastating effect on my bills if I miss for a few days.  So over all, I am feeling less stressed.  I still ache constantly, but the stress level is down.  I think Heather's stress level is down too, same with Bill.  I also think it is really cool that on the days I teach later, someone leaves me a plate with food on it.  I like that.  I am on kitchen patrol while Heather is on laundry patrol. This is actually so much better because I seriously hate to do my laundry.  I don't know why, I just do.  I would rather wash every dish by hand than do a load of laundry.  So my job is to keep up with the dishes.  Calli helped me tonight.  I washed the pots and lids and Calli dried then I put them away.  She also expertly wiped out all of the chili macaroni and cheese bowls.  That is a big help.  With the septic tank, we have to be careful what goes down the sink drains.  She is very good about wiping her plate and bowls.  Calli also swiffered the kitchen tonight as well as vacuumed both sets of stairs and the hallway.  It is one of her weekend duties because her guide dog sheds more than the other little dog Heather has.  I took a few pictures of Maisy tonight.  She is such a beautiful dog.  Q is really beautiful too.  He is a black lab.  He coat is so shiny and soft.  Calli works pretty well with him.  She has several days a week where she has specific things to do with her dog but she is doing good.  Since Q is with Calli all the time, he doesn't hang around like Maisy does.  I will try to get a picture of Calli and Q to post.

Well, I am going to read a bit before bed.

Spring?

Happy First Day of Spring!!!!  As usual, here in Michigan, it is cold and there were snow flurries this afternoon with sunshine later in the afternoon!

I had the interview but I am rather tired so I am going to write more tomorrow about it!

St. Patrick's Day

I did not wear anything green today.  I usually don't.  My reasoning is, of course, I am Irish so I don't have to wear green or orange (because I am a protestant).  Both sides of my family goes back to Ireland.  The Paxtons were seafaring people and the McAgys were tailors.  Saying that the Paxtons were seafaring people makes me wonder how many of them were pirates, although, in fantasy or myths, pirates are not such bad people but in reality, they are horrible and still are.  They killed innocent people, stole, lied, cheated, and committed many sins so I am not sure why people (including me) create them in our mind to be something they are not.  Anyways, it has been a quiet St. Patrick's Day.

I attended a Michigan Music Association meeting today.  It was good.  It was mainly a wrap up meeting for the competition that was in February.  My students and I had a good weekend.  There were a few things that came up that we need to discuss more but overall, I think everyone thought things went well.  I am on the board of directors, which I am glad about.  I don't mind not being on the executive board as long as I am still on the board of directors.  I like helping out before the actual competition rather than do a whole lot at the competition.  One of the main jobs I have at the competition is checking that the trophies match the student as well as the category and place.  We did really well this year because no one received the wrong trophy so that was good.

Today is also Calli's birthday.  She is now 13.  This of course means, we have an official teenager in the house.  She is a sweet young lady who was very excited to turn 13.  Right now she is out with her grandparents, parents, brother, and a friend for dinner while Maisy and I hold down the fort here at home.  Maisy and I had some nice snuggle time together on the chair in the music room.  Right now the lovely Maisy is lying down next to me here in the dining room.  She is so lovable.

In the next few weeks I am going to be collecting all of my mom's jewelry to give to people.  I am not sure what everyone wants, if any.  I am going to keep her pearls as well as the necklace that is now mine.  I need to get into the safe deposit box.  I need to find out how much it costs to have the lock drilled out since I cannot find the key and I don't think there is any hope in finding it.  Anyways, I want it done by around Easter.

Well, off to change CD cases to paper cases.

thoughts 3-14

It has been a bad headache day, not bad enough for the alsuma, but bad enough to miss choir.  I have been thinking about the study that is coming up all day long.  I am almost afraid to try this.  I do hope I am a part of the study, but on the other hand, I have been disappointed so often that to try something new again, is frightening.  I am hoping that I am not in the placebo group.  It is a 12 week study.  Robin is also being interviewed on Tuesday for this.  Mine is Wednesday before Physical Therapy.  I will go from the interview straight to Physical Therapy.  It is exciting and frightening all at the same time.  I cannot remember a time where I didn't have a headache or body aches or extreme fatigue and everything else that comes with fibro.  It is almost unreal to think that maybe I won't be in so much pain someday.  I dream about that day.  What will I do?  What will I be able to do?  How long will the effect of the treatment last?  Would I be able to teach full time again?  Or maybe, get a different job and keep the amount of students that I have now?  I don't know.  I have only thought about trying different medications to see if it works.  Now this is non-invasive and non-medication so how cool is that?  Could this be a cure?  Is there a cure?  Does this just lessen the symptoms or can it totally erase all of the symptoms?  Fibro is so much more than just the pain.  I have more trouble with headaches and fatigue than I do with the body aches, although I do have them, they are just not as strong as my headaches and the fatigue.  I know that pain is the biggest symptom that we all share and the others are different because each of us are different.  I can't even imagine a life without pain anymore and I have a good imagination.  After my interview I will be speaking with Robin to see what she thinks too.  We both are very hopeful.  I think many of us at the conference are hopeful with the results of the preliminary studies.

My 2 little boys didn't come for lessons today.  As I suspected, their mom forgot about the changing of the days.  She graciously switched days so I could attend the conference Monday night.  Their mom will call if they can attend lessons tomorrow.  It all depends on what time their dad will be done with work.  If they can't, I will see them on Monday.  They are very cute, super cute.  Tomorrow is a light day for lessons as usual.  That is how Fridays are.  Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the busiest days right now, but that can change in a second.  I have to be careful of how many lessons I have a day because if I have too many in a row, I can get so exhausted so fast that I need to go and lie down right then and there.  Generally, I pace myself pretty well.  Just think, if this treatment actually works, I may not have to worry about the strict pacing that I do now.  Hmm, that is a good thought.  Acer has his lesson tomorrow after school.  Natalie will have her lesson tomorrow too.  I have ordered the CDs to the Broadway Book that both Natalie and Allison are singing from.  I know I have the song that in another book so I should have it on another CD while I am waiting for the other CDs to be coming in.  Saturday will be a light day too.  I have a wrap up meeting for the competition on Sunday.  I hope it is a good one.  I am planning to be there.  It will be at Diane's this time.

Maisy is too cute!  She couldn't decide on whether or not she was going to eat or go outside.  She is such a beautiful little dog.  Maisy chose to eat.

Isaac has misplaced his CDs for his voice lessons so I need to make some copies for the young man.  He had a sore side today.  He and another student ran into each other hard when they were at school.  He couldn't lift his arm up very well so we ended up singing the entire lesson, which was not a bad thing.  Isaac sings really well.  I am not sure what he will sing for the spring concert.  I do know he will be playing "Who Am I" from Les Miserables.  I think there will much representation of Les Miz at the concert since the movie came out at Christmas and the DVD will be coming out on March 22.  I, of course, plan to get it.  In just one week it will be out!!!!  I can't wait to see it again!  I will definitely have to see this with the girls and Star again!  I also have to see the "How to Train Your Dragon" movie that Natalie has wanted me to see forever.  I want to see it too.  We are planning to have another movie day soon.  I will check the girls schedule for the next few weeks to see when they are available.

I am watching Project Runway.  For some reason, I just love this show.  Right now, the designers are ripping on each other.  They were to make 3 outfits each for the Thunder Down Under strip team.  Both teams were so bad.  Clothes didn't fit or didn't come off easy.  Basically, they were not as good as they usually are.  None of one of the teams knew how to make tailored clothes.  I do not either.  Mom was the one who could tailor clothes.  Her suits were amazing.  The fits were just perfect, always.  Mom did teach me how to sew.  I am much better at dresses and skirts.  Most of the stuff I have made is not super fancy with lots of details.  I tend to like the more classical, elegant, simple styles best.  That is me.  I am hoping that when I lose some weight, I will make myself some nice skirts and dresses again.  I also love wearing leggings.  I am so glad they are back into style since I do love them so much.  I am also planning to teach Calli a bit of sewing too.  I have some ideas of how to adapt things for her.  I also like the idea of Star's where we make a sewing group.  I think when she is finished with a few of these plays we will be able to do that.  I would love to take a sewing class at one of the local stores.  The one I would like is the fashion design class.  There are a few things I don't know how to make.  Wow, a Project Runway first, there is no winner.  That has never happened before.  Amanda is out.  Last week was a surprise because it was double out.  Some of the clothing they make on the show does make to the pattern catalogues at the fabric stores.  I have seen some of them.  This particular challenge was not good for any of them.  Next week should be rather interesting too.

Well, it is time to read for now before bed.  I wish my head wouldn't hurt so much.  I have Physical Therapy tomorrow morning at 10:30.  I am going to put my bagels in a bag so I remember to grab them and eat them on the way.  Otherwise, I won't be eating breakfast at all.  i can nap in the afternoon if I need to.

Tuesday 3-12

Well, now the real work has begun, finding a place for everything.  Yes, that will be the fun thing.  Combining 2 households into one is a challenge but it is one we can meet.  I figure it will take a few months to get everything settled.  I have about 5 boxes and 1 bag that needs to be shredded too.  Heather started a box ladies group on facebook.  I, of course, am a member.  The idea is for us to go through our boxes and get rid of what we don't need and donate what can be donated.  I did my box for the week already.  Heather and I went through a box on Sunday so it is ready to be donated to the thrift store.

I had a new student this afternoon.  She is very excited about starting lessons.  I am glad about that.  She did very well.  Her name is Megan and I met with her on Saturday.  Nick also started his voice lessons this evening.  He really liked "Any Dream Will Do" a lot.  I am glad because I really like that song too.  He did very well with the Italian Song too.

I have had this particular headache for about 4 days now.  It is kind of weird because it is in my face but also on top of my head.  I tried some sinus medicine but that didn't work at all so I am back to my usual medicine.  It isn't bad enough to use the alsuma shot, but if it doesn't improve by tomorrow, I may have to use the breakthrough medicine.  Just once, I would like to not have a bad headache for days in a row.  I am hopeful that this will happen some day in the future.

Well, I think I am going to read for a bit.  Tomorrow is a Physical Therapy day.  I have a few lessons afterwards.  Aubrey will be getting her new books tomorrow.  I am so excited about this.  She is excited about it too.  Her lesson is the last one of the evening so I have a bit to wait after PT to see her.

Sunday 3-10

I didn't have any lessons today, which was a good thing since I have had a pretty bad headache since yesterday.  At one point I thought I was going to have to have a pain shot, but I am holding off as it is not as bad as it was.  I also ran several errands today.  I got some of the books that Rachel and Faith will need, all of Brooklynn's, and all of Aubrey's books.  Aubrey is a very gifted student.  She has finished the levels that I use of the Alfred books so she is now going to the Keith Snell books.  I am so excited for her about this.  It will be wonderful.  She and her sisters are such delights.  It is hard to gage how far Aubrey could go because I have never really had a student quite like her since Melissa years ago and when she got to the same point as Aubrey, she was 14 so it wasn't quite the same thing.  Also, I was much more insecure with my piano teaching at the time so when she got to that point, I stopped teaching her.  Now, I am much more confident.  I know what I can and cannot teach.  It is so fun to teach Aubrey and the others.  Aubrey is excited about how she will pick her songs, as soon as I find the CD or get a new one.  I need to find the copies that Mom made because she gets one.  How she picks her songs is that she listens to the CDs and tells me which ones she wants to do next.  There is a new thing to learn in every song.  I love these books and boy am I glad someone years ago told me about them.  Also, she will be able to play some fun stuff too.  All in all, she is in a great place piano-wise.

Maisy and I had a quiet afternoon.  We went for a small drive and she seems to really like drives.  We also took a nap too.  My head was so bad that I had to lay down for a while.  Maisy can now jump up on my bed.  I think I slept for about an hour or so.  It didn't really help the headache too much though.  I am hoping tomorrow it is better.  I will probably go to bed a bit earlier than usual because of the headache.

Today is the last day of moving stuff.  From what Bill said last night, 99% of the stuff was out of the house and all that was really left was the garage.  The rest of Acer's toys are here now so he is a happy little man and the rest of Calli's stuff is here too.  Calli is working on her room, getting it organized and everything in its place.  I figure it will take a while to get everything re-arranged in the house.  Heather and I have already fallen into a pattern of things that work for us.  Heather does the laundry and I take care of the dishes.  I dislike doing laundry so this works well for me.  I don't mind doing dishes especially since I am lucky enough to have a dishwasher.  I am working on re-arranging the kitchen so that we have more space to use.  I have moved my medicines to the pantry so it wouldn't sit on the kitchen counter out in the open.  Now that I have housemates, we need the space for cooking as there are now 5 of us to cook for.  So far, I think things are going well.  Heather has had some bad headaches, which tend to happen a lot to her too but she just takes her medicine and rests then she is better.  I am the same.  I don't think I am stressed more or less than I was before.  I feel better about the bills and about safety.  I do think I sleep a bit better despite still waking up a lot during the night.  I seem to go to sleep faster than I used to.  It is nice to have company during the day and the kids home in the evening.  The kids are very busy children though.  They have several activities during the week and on the weekend.  Calli turns 13 next Sunday.  It will be an exciting day for her, I think.  I vaguely remember turning 13.  I had a small party and I was excited to be a teenager.  Mom and I were in a hardware store when we both saw this sign that said, "caution, if you have a weak heart, do not enter, a teenager lives here."  We bought it and it was put on the back door where it stayed into my younger brother turned 20 years old.  I loved that sign a lot.  It gave us all good giggles and sometimes you just need a good giggle.

Tomorrow is an educational fibro conference.  I think Maia and Tillie are planning to attend.  I am not sure.  I have to remind my friend, Cheryl tomorrow so that she can see if she can attend.  I need to send directions to Maia tonight so they know where they are going.  I hope it is good.  Dr. Clauw is a really good speaker and he is one of the top researchers of fibro.  Every time I have heard him speak, it has been interesting and I also usually learn something new.  Right now a lot of the buzz is about the new blood test that may be used in the future for diagnosing.

Time to read and then bed.

Saturday 3-9

It has been an interesting day.  I met with a potential student who will be starting on Tuesday.  I am very excited about this.  She is very interested in learning the Classical and Broadway music.  She is a junior at Oakland University.  I think we will get along just fine.  She seems very nice.  Nina missed her lesson.  For some reason her mom was running so far behind that they never made it to piano.  Robyn had her lesson.  She did very well and we started a new song for her to work on her range and her airflow.  She seems to like the new music that we worked on today.

I had Maisy all afternoon.  She was so sad that Heather and kids left her here with me.  She soon perked as she came with me to the bank, to get gas, and to Panera for lunch.  Later on we went out again for a drink from McDonald's.  I wanted a diet coke so much.  In the car went little Maisy.  She seemed to like the rides.  I can't believe that I actually drove with the Maisy on my arm and lap at one point.  Yup, I have become that woman who brings the dog on errands.  However, I did not leave her in the car by herself as I was not comfortable doing that.  We even took a nap together.  I lifted her on my bed (yes, I voluntarily had a dog on my bed) and I was lying down and she was lying down next to me.  She was so cute.  I think we slept for about 30 to 45 minutes.  Shortly there after the crew came back home to unload and to drop Acer off.  He needed food and was tired of packing up stuff.  Acer read me a book and now we are in the process of finding a toy that has triple A batteries so he can take them out and put them in his easy reader toy.  We have had a fun evening.  Acer is heading for bed now.  Calli will be heading there shortly too.

My headache has been medium bad today, which is why I needed to rest more than usual.  Maisy was a very nice rest companion.  She is very soft and sweet.  Maisy does bark a lot but once she gets used to being here and everything calms down, I think she will calm down and not bark as much.

Well, everyone is home now.  It is almost time for bed as we will lose an hour tonight thanks to that daylight savings time.  I am very tired tonight so I will be going to bed earlier than usual.  I am just that tired.

Friday 3-8

I had Physical Therapy this morning, and yes, I mean this morning.  Yes, it is rare that I am up in the morning but my appointment was for 10 am.  The tech wasn't there today so I had the heat but not the ultra sound, which was fine.  I did all my exercises and I do think they are helping.  My hands do not seem to go numb as much as they used to.  I am happy about that.  It is an improvement.

Calli and I had a bit of a good giggle the other night.  We were drinking tea (out of mugs) and she had a spoon in her mug.  She was drinking her tea with her spoon.  I was telling her how my mom totally freaked out at me when I drank my tea with my spoon.  Not less than 2 minutes later, Heather comes down and sees Calli drinking her tea with her spoon.  Heather told her not to do that.  Calli and I looked at each other and started laughing.  We told Heather why and she giggled too.  Since we were not drinking tea from some fancy tea cup, spoons in the cups are not acceptable.  It still makes me smile when I think about that moment with them.  There are some funny moments in a house when you have children around.  I am learning a lot by living with two children.  It is very interesting.

The headache pain level is pretty high tonight.  It has been all day.  Heather had a really bad one yesterday.  I think she is finally feeling better tonight although she is resting in her room.  Acer is asleep like the Little Man should be.  Calli is out with friends to an orchestra concert at her friend's high school.  Josh is a very nice young man.  I hope that I sleep okay tonight.  I did have to take a nap this afternoon because I got up early and I was so tired.  I am getting tired just not tired enough to go to bed.  I seem to wake up every 2 or so hours at night.  I have a couple of lessons tomorrow and then I will finish the errands I didn't finish today.  I need to get some music for the students this week.  4 of the piano students need new books as they have finished the levels that they are at.  Aubrey is moving to a new series.  She is an amazing pianist.  She really is.  I have never had a piano student go through the first 4 books in just over a year before.  The only other one who would be close to that would be Acer. Rachel and Faith need level 2 books and Brooklynn needs level 1B.  I have ordered CDs that I need for Allison and a book for Isaac and Nick.  Nick will be starting voice lesson on Tuesday.  I am excited about that.  Nick is doing well with piano.  He will have piano first and then his voice lesson right after.

I have the card reader I need to download the pictures off of my phone now.  I am going to download them in a few minutes.  I have some awesome pictures of Mom on my phone that I want to post on face book.  I think Andrew will like them too.  I haven't heard from him in a while but that is nothing unusual for my younger brother.  He is very busy and it just doesn't occur to him to contact me.

Time to download the pictures.

Midweek! 3-6

Wow, we are in the middle of the first week of March!  It is hard to believe how fast time can flew.  More stuff came in today from the old house.  We now have a sofa, chair, ottoman, and a red velvet chair in the house.  We also now have 3 pianos, 2 studio pianos and 1 electric piano.  One of Acer's drum set is here.  The other will be coming before the end of the week.  Slowly, everything is getting to the places where they need to go.  There are a lot of boxes that need to be unpacked and organized.

I have been taking the new headache medicine for 5 days now.  I hope it starts to take effect soon.  I do hope it helps the headaches.  I am tired of them.  I won't know for a few weeks if it will work or not.  If it does help, then I will be weened off of the Amitriptyline so that would be a good thing.  I still get some hallucinations because I am still taking the Amitriptyline.  I figure that as the other stuff gets built up in my system.

Well, I am going to read for a bit and then head for bed.

Tuesday 3-5

It is NCIS and NCIS Los Angeles night.  I had a pretty decent day.  My headache was just the normal one today.  I ran a few errands.  I had to resist taking Maisy with me because I didn't want to leave her in the car when I was in the music store so I couldn't take the little fur lady.  I never expected to get so attached to a fur baby.  What can I say?  She is adorable and very snuggly.  I just didn't think I would ever want one for myself and well, I do, someday when Maisy isn't here anymore.

Not much happening this evening except hanging out watching TV.  I don't feel like cleaning the kitchen right now so I am going to do it later, more like tomorrow or before bed.  It all depends on how I feel.  I do have to run the dishwasher once I clean up the dishes, but that can wait too.  Thankfully, everyone in this house is really relaxed on this stuff so that is good.

My student, Nick, is also going to start singing lessons next week.  He is such a nice young man.  He is very musical.  Mary and Dan are back now.  They had to take the entire month of February off because their mom had to work longer while the owners of her work were on vacation.  I am glad they are back.  Dan is excited about what I am planning to do for my birthday.  I am planning to meet up with the students at the baskin robbins ice cream place.  It will be a fun afternoon.  It will also be on the 6th instead of the 8th since my birthday is on a Monday so we can't go then.

In 2 weeks is Calli's 13th birthday.  I can't believe it is coming up so soon.  It is just way too fast.  She has a cheer competition on her actual birthday so I am not sure when we will be celebrating her entrance into becoming a teenager.  It seems like yesterday at times that she was just turning 10.  Acer is now 8 and that also seems so impossible.

I have been taking safflower oil and CLA with safflower oil for over a month now.  I am not sure if they are helping, but my pajamas seem to be a bit bigger and so do some of my pants so I am hopeful that it is helping.  I also have started taking the new headache medicine so I am hoping that will help with overall feeling somewhat better.

I did read today that they may have found a blood test to see if you have Fibro or not.  It isn't something I am interested in taking as I know I have it but it will be helpful in the future for those who are unsure whether or not they have fibro or not.  It is a good diagnostic tool for the future use.  With the question for some of whether or not fibro is real or not, this will put some minds at ease both within the medical profession and the patients.  I am fortunate that most of the people I know do not doubt me nor do they question me about it so I am lucky in that way.  I do have people who can't handle that I am sick and I will not get better.  I know that so I don't really worry about it.  I don't see him much so it doesn't matter anyway.

Next Monday, I am going to an educational conference on the new research that is being done on Fibro.  Some of it is being done in Michigan at the U of M research facility.  I haven't been to any conferences in a long time so it will be good to catch up on what is going on in the fibro world research wise.  Robin is hoping to go.  I don't know if Tillie and Maia are going.  I am not going to call and remind them about it because the last time I spoke to Tillie and Maia, I was getting completely yelled at so I am not interested in repeating that experience.  I told them about it so it is up to them to remember and go.  I would be meeting them there anyway so it isn't like they would have to drive all the way out here before we go.

Well, I think I have to clean up the dishes and run the dishwasher so we have clean dishes tomorrow for breakfast.  I will read for a bit after and then probably to bed!

Monday 3-4

It has been a good day despite the extra soreness, even my hair hurts tonight and it has all day.  I slept until 2 pm this afternoon.  I was just so exhausted, I tried to get up, I just couldn't.  I am hoping tomorrow will be better as I have a few errands to do.  I need to return a package to target, go to the bank, pick up some music, and get gas.  I need to get a new CD for the Musical Theatre Anthology Vol 2 for Mezzo/Alto because I can't find the CDs that I am sure I have somewhere.  I also need to get the prescriptions that are ready to be picked up too.  I plan to be up at the regular time so that I will be able to finish all the errands I need to run.

Maisy was so cute tonight.  She was left here tonight while Calli, Acer, and Heather went to cheer practice.  There really isn't any place for the little girl to go while the kids are practicing.  Mostly she was okay.  She likes Isaac especially because he gave her treats.  Sam is a bit afraid of her but Rahul is not.  Both boys had their lessons this evening.  They are so sweet and cute.  Sam is a bit sillier at times than Rahul but Rahul can get silly.  Rahul is doing much better.  Rahul is going to play "Jesus Loves Me" for the spring concert.  I can't remember what song Sam is playing.  His dad switched cars with their mom and the books were in the other car.  Rachel had her lesson.  She is ready to start level 2.  I love how her grandmother always gives me the money ahead of time so I have it.  I will pick up her music tomorrow too.  Isaac is doing really well on his "Who Am I" from Les Miserables.  He is playing it on the piano.  He is also singing "Empty Chairs and Empty Tables" from the same play.  He sings it very well.  Isaac is a good singer.

I finally have ink for the scanner/copier.  It has been several weeks since it ran out of ink so tomorrow Sammy can copy her music that she needs to copy and put in her binder.   I also will be able to have Allison copy her music for her binder too.  I will be copying the CDs I get tomorrow for Allison.  She is singing "I Dreamed a Dream" from, you guessed it!  Les Miserables!  Natalie also wants to sing "On My Own".  Since she is almost 13, she can.  I don't generally let anyone under 13 sing love songs but she is so close to being 13, it is okay.  Robyn is going to start with the Young Singer book this week.  I looked everywhere for that book and I couldn't find it anywhere.  I found it yesterday in the living room just like I expected.  It was on the tea table next to the chair I like to sleep in.  It is very comfortable for me.  I have a hard time with the sofas at time but with the chair, it isn't a problem.

I have a new student on Saturday, Jennifer.  She is a singer.  I also have a meeting with a young lady named Megan on Saturday.  She wants to meet with me first, which since she said so right at the beginning of our communication, I don't mind.  I only become upset if I don't know that is what the student or potential student wants.  Jennifer wants to sing with her church choir.  It is nice that when I have a student quit, another one starts.  This keeps the balance for me and I need that.  Sometimes, it seems I have a lot of new students because I don't often mention the ones that have quit.  My handsome young man, Laith, is having his last month of lessons.  He is moving and it is going to be too far for him to come to me.  I am asking some of my friends for recommendations for teachers in his area.  He is a good pianist and it would be sad to have him quit.

Aubrey is almost done with her books.  She is doing amazing.  She has blasted through levels 1A, 1B, 2, and almost 3 in just over a year.  She started in December 2011 between Christmas and New Years.  She is also 8, freshly turned 8.  This is very unusual especially as she is not in the prep books for the younger students.  I started her in the regular series that I use for students who are 7 and above when they start.  Her mother said she reads very well, which is why I chose to put her in that book and she has just done really well with it.  Her two younger sisters also play piano.  They are in level C and they are 6.  They just turned 6.  They are twins and they are so sweet and do very well also.  Brooke seems to like practicing better than Jillian, but they both practice.  I owe Aubrey a $10 gift certificate as well as Laith and Sarah.  Speaking of Laith, I need to get a gift certificate for Club Penguin.  I better do this now.

On to looking up info for Laith and then reading!

Sunday 3-3

the last of the furniture that needed to move is officially gone.  Karlyn now has a formal living room set, a bed frame and headboard for a twin bed, and a stair climber.  She seemed very happy about that.  Her younger brother and his friend, Hans came to take care of it.  Bill helped too.  The kids are downstairs playing and Heather is upstairs, possibly sleeping.  She hasn't been feeling these past few weeks.  I do hope she feels better soon.  She is also super tired, something which I totally understand.

Now that the other furniture is gone, we can have the rest of the stuff from the "old house" as Acer calls it come here to the "new house".  Then we can start organizing stuff.

I bought 3 boxes of CD sleeves so I can change out all the CD cases to sleeves.  There is just no room in the drawer anymore for the CDs with cases.  I am going to be changing the cases tonight.  This will help the issue of the CDs not fitting in the drawer.  I am looking for a certain CD but I can't find it anywhere and I am totally upset over this because I don't to have to buy a new one again but I need it so I will have to do this.

Acer is showing me his trumpet/saxophone toy.  He gets so excited when showing me his toys.  Anything musical and that young man is there in a minute.  He loves music so much.  I completely understand this because I love music so much too.  He does think it is cool that for his lesson he just has to go to the living room.  Now he has a saxophone toy.  I think the majority of his toys are musical.  Acer also has perfect pitch which comes in handy at times.

I am watching this crazy show called Amish Mafia.  It is really weird, interesting, but weird.  Definitely not the usual show about the Amish.

I had lunch with Robin today.  It was so nice to see her.  She brought me the case for my nook that I wanted.  The sleeve is good, but this case is better.  I can set it up to read or play games.  I now have 5 types of Angry Birds games.  I love that game for some reason.  (Acer is playing a game of you order something and then he builds it - it is so cute.  Acer is making me a bob-it-loop.  Both kids are so creative!)  I also have a new magazine that Robin suggested.  It is called what the doctor knows.  I will check and see if it is interesting enough to subscribe to it.

I have to contact the hospital on Monday.  I need to find out if I had received the financial assistance.  I hope I did for at least the ER visits that I have had.  I hope to not have to go back there anytime soon.  I do try to stay healthy enough.  The latest visit was the infection under the skin.  Something I hope to never have again.  It was rather painful and well they can be rather serious so yeah, not interested in having it again.

Calli is back from working with her dog and doing her homework so we are going to play a game of uno.  We both love that game.

I can't believe it is Saturday already and March 2!!!!!!

Where did the week go?  I got home on Sunday from competition and pretty much flopped into bed.  I had to get up earlier than usual Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday so I was rather tired.  I am still really tired from competition.  Tomorrow, Karlyn's brother, Ted and his friend, Hans are coming to take the furniture out of the house and store it in Karlyn's and Ted's mother's house.  I am glad she can use the furniture and that this will help her.  I like the furniture but it just isn't something I can use.  I would have to re-stuff the cushions and really, it isn't for everyday use.  It is company only furniture and I need everyday furniture in the living room since I have children and their parents coming for lessons.  This way we will also have space for a TV downstairs too.  That will be good and once we have everything sorted, it will work out much better.

I am pleased with how well my 3 girls did at competition.  Sarah was ill and still was able to play.  She received 3rd place in piano with her classical piece, Quadrille by Haydn.  I was so happy for her because this was her first piano competition ever.  Natalie and Rebecca did well too.  Rebecca received 1st in all 4 of her categories and Natalie came home with 2 1sts, 1 2nd, and 1 3rd.  It was her first competition too.  I do expect that someday both Natalie and Rebecca will be in voice open and that Sarah will be in Piano Open.  The open categories are for the very advanced musicians.  With how ambitious Sarah is on learning the piano, I do expect her to advanced like she has been.  She is a delight to teach, simply delightful.  Sarah is eager to learn and learn correctly.  She takes corrections very well. I am so pleased about that.  It is so lovely to work with a student that wants to learn so much.

My nook had been giving me issues last night and today.  I thought it was me.  Well, to my surprise, it wasn't!  Thank goodness for that!  Everything is now downloaded and ready to read.  I love my nook.  Kathy has an iPhone now.  She has been saving her birthday and Christmas money so she finally got one.  She is so excited about it.  I spoke to her on the phone for a long while today.  It was so sweet how excited she was about her iPhone!  Now, of course, I want one.  Well, I don't need one and I just upgraded my phone so no new phone needed for me.  I love my new phone a lot.  It takes pretty good pictures too.  i just have to download them on the flash drive and then copy them to my computer.  This is supposed to be easily done so we shall see.  I am not that technically advanced at times.

I have the coolest arrangement of On My Own and I Dreamed a Dream from Les Miserables for my students.  I just have to dig out the original CDs and then copy them for the students.  As a teacher, I am allowed to copy 1 copy of music and CD for each student.  They cannot use it in a live performance, but for practicing they can.  I have a new student starting next Saturday.  Her name is Jennifer and she wants to sing in church.  Kirbie had her last saxophone lesson for a while.  Her dad has to take a 20% pay cut so out goes the lessons.  I am sorry as she was such a sweet girl and worked pretty hard.  She needed to learn how to tongue her notes and how to slur them.  Now, Kirbie is an expert at those techniques.  Kirbie also was fun to teach.  Her mom was so nice too.  We went over a few musical terms that Kirbie will be needing for band class.  I hope to see her in the fall when things get better for them.  I didn't have Brooklynn's lesson today.  She got the week I was at competition mixed up.  I will see her on Thursday before choir.  I may be a bit late, but that will be okay.  We often start a few minutes late to begin with.  This past week, Carolyn and I were the only sopranos at rehearsal.  We sang some new songs too.  I really like the music that we are doing in choir.  I just hope to be able to make it to church soon.  My head is usually so bad at that early in the morning that I have given up hope on being able to go to church.  I hope with the new medicine, it will work.

I started the new medicine last night.  One of the side effects is actually weight loss.  I am actually hoping to have that side effect as I manage to gain weight with every other medicine that has a weight gain as a side effect, especially Lyrica.  80 pounds in 6 months.  Yup, not fair!  Wouldn't it be nice if it was 80 pounds gone in 6 months?  That would be simply beautiful, just beautiful.

So far, the new living arrangement is going quite well.  Maisy is so cute.  I went to take a nap the other day and she hopped up on my lap to join me.  She is such a cute dog.  I had no idea I would like living with 2 furbabies.  Calli keeps her dog with her at all times so it isn't like he is running around.  He is pretty well behaved too.  He is good with Calli who can't sit still to save her life.  He takes her moving around in stride.  Maisy is very attached to Heather.  She follows Heather everywhere.  It is so sweet.  She sleeps in the same room as Heather too.  I like when Maisy comes up to me but basically, she just likes being around Heather.  Acer and Calli have seemed to adapted to the new living arrangement.  Acer even commented about something being at the old house so that is good that he is adjusting.  Calli likes her new room.  I think the bedrooms are a bit bigger but not by much.  Our house looks bigger because the garage is attached.  I think we 5 fit in here very well.  I still have my room (which is in need of re-organizing!).  I did have the option of moving into mom's room, but I really didn't want to because I really like my room.  I am going to transfer the curtains in Heather and Bill's room to my room.  It will brighten up my room and the way their bed is, they need shorter curtains.  Bill brought the light out of Calli's old room to be placed in her new room since the light in there is hanging from the ceiling.  All in all, I feel that this arrangement will really help all of us.

Well, onto copying my choir music from the flash drive and then to reading before bed!!!!  :)