I did okay yesterday and today. Yesterday I knew that I would have fast food because I was going to pick up my friend, Donna and we were heading to lunch. Because I can't have ice berg lettuce, I couldn't get a salad, which is what i would have preferred. We went to McDonald's this time instead of Burger King. I got a quarter pounder with cheese and a drink. She did get fries and I did eat a few but I did not get any for me so I didn't have as many as I did a week ago. Today I had Chipotle for dinner. I love the fresh veggies you get with the burrito bowls. It is very yummy. Tomorrow I don't have any lessons so I will do some housework that needs to be done and plan my meals for the week. I will make the plans and then put the menu on the fridge. I am working on planning ahead. I am working on this new plan. So far I think I have done pretty well. I am also going to look at the family room so I can plan out where my elliptical machine will go when the room is finished.
I have decided that I am not going to be weighing myself a lot. Because I want it to be a lifestyle not a diet. I have been on every diet that exists, I think. I am not going to be on another diet because, for me, they don't work and I feel deprived even if I am not. I do use the foodmover from Richard Simmons because it makes sure that I have the correct amount of each food group. I have a tendency not to do that. I often eat more protein than recommended and sometimes more bread. I have worked on not eating so much bread. I love bread, especially fresh baked bread. I don't need butter or anything on it to eat. I have planned a trip a week to get fresh bagels from Tim Horton's. I won't buy more than what I will eat that day. That would defeat my plan. So far, I have been somewhat on my plan. I figure it will take a few weeks for the new plan to set in since I do have some very bad habits. I have gotten in the habit of getting fast food for brunch everyday. That has stopped. One, I can't really afford it and two, well I am positive it has added to my weight gain. I have much to lose. So far the first week has been pretty good. I look forward to the next week with my new menu.
I hope you are having a good day too.
Heather
Saturday, June 18, 2011
8 long months
It has been 8 long months since Momma passed away. Sometimes, it seems like yesterday that she was here with me, sitting next to me, smiling for me, but others is seems like forever. This last year has been a pretty bad year, with Momma slowly going away from me to her going to Heaven without me. I am thankful that I am living in our house though and I have lots of pictures to look at and they make me smile. I also have fun memories that I wish my brothers had. They didn't see her too much the last 10 years of her life, really especially the last 5 but I did. I have the day to day memories that they don't have too. Yet, I would do almost anything to have her still with me, even with the Alzheimer's. Not a day goes by that I don't think about her either. My favorite month of the year was October, but now I hate it since that is the month she passed away. I didn't know it was possible to miss someone so much! I feel like I miss her twice over, once for the mother she was before Alzheimer's and the other for the mother she became with Alzheimer's. I miss them both.
Today is the type of day that we would go for a scooter. Mom would walk beside me and I would ride my little scooter. We would go for a couple of miles then come home. She loved the sunshine! If the sun was shining, so was she. She loved to work in the garden. When I was younger she made these homemade knee pads to work in the garden. I have a funny picture of her wearing them. I used to tease her so much about them that she threatened to make me a pair. I just laughed. Momma knew I did not like working in the garden, especially weeding. That was my punishment when I was small besides sitting on a chair and thinking about whatever I did wrong. Momma would say do you want to do some weeding? That usually straightened me right up! I think Mom and I had a lot in common. We both liked musicals, sewing, the same movies, the same cartoons, the same love for almost anything Disney (although she loved Donald best and I love Winnie the Pooh best). We just had a lot in common. I remember when she would ask who wanted to go with her to the store (like we really had a choice, but it felt so nice to think we did!) and my brothers and I would come running with I do, I do's! You never knew what going out would bring. Sometimes it was just a trip to the store but other times it would be a surprise to a movie or a park or something fun. With Momma, you just never knew. That was the kind of mom I would have liked to be. I am that way being an aunt though and that is good enough now. Mom loved to take us camping too, in a tent. Yes, it is hard to imagine but the I hate to get dirty girl (me!) loved camping. I loved helping to put up a tent and to make the campfire. I just loved camping with Mom. One time we took my cousins Samantha and Justice camping with my friend Laura too. It was just so much fun. I had a beautiful big 12 X 9 cabin type tent that was perfect for us. One summer we even lived in a tent, well 2, one for sleeping and one for the kitchen while Mom worked at the summer camp. It was a good time. Mom never let us know how hard that summer was for her. She made it fun for us so we wouldn't miss our Dad who decided he no longer wanted to be a husband or a dad. She made the transition to one parent for us easy. Momma would talk to us about it and we became a team. That was her word for it, we were a team and teams stick together. Now I think about how I made Mom and I become a team when she started to get sick and needed more help. I just did what she did. I helped her but I truly hope that I made her feel important. I still spoke to her with important things, I knew she wouldn't remember, but I wanted to include her. She still had opinions even until the very end. She may not remember from one minute to the other, but underneath she was still Momma.
Here are some pictures:
Today is the type of day that we would go for a scooter. Mom would walk beside me and I would ride my little scooter. We would go for a couple of miles then come home. She loved the sunshine! If the sun was shining, so was she. She loved to work in the garden. When I was younger she made these homemade knee pads to work in the garden. I have a funny picture of her wearing them. I used to tease her so much about them that she threatened to make me a pair. I just laughed. Momma knew I did not like working in the garden, especially weeding. That was my punishment when I was small besides sitting on a chair and thinking about whatever I did wrong. Momma would say do you want to do some weeding? That usually straightened me right up! I think Mom and I had a lot in common. We both liked musicals, sewing, the same movies, the same cartoons, the same love for almost anything Disney (although she loved Donald best and I love Winnie the Pooh best). We just had a lot in common. I remember when she would ask who wanted to go with her to the store (like we really had a choice, but it felt so nice to think we did!) and my brothers and I would come running with I do, I do's! You never knew what going out would bring. Sometimes it was just a trip to the store but other times it would be a surprise to a movie or a park or something fun. With Momma, you just never knew. That was the kind of mom I would have liked to be. I am that way being an aunt though and that is good enough now. Mom loved to take us camping too, in a tent. Yes, it is hard to imagine but the I hate to get dirty girl (me!) loved camping. I loved helping to put up a tent and to make the campfire. I just loved camping with Mom. One time we took my cousins Samantha and Justice camping with my friend Laura too. It was just so much fun. I had a beautiful big 12 X 9 cabin type tent that was perfect for us. One summer we even lived in a tent, well 2, one for sleeping and one for the kitchen while Mom worked at the summer camp. It was a good time. Mom never let us know how hard that summer was for her. She made it fun for us so we wouldn't miss our Dad who decided he no longer wanted to be a husband or a dad. She made the transition to one parent for us easy. Momma would talk to us about it and we became a team. That was her word for it, we were a team and teams stick together. Now I think about how I made Mom and I become a team when she started to get sick and needed more help. I just did what she did. I helped her but I truly hope that I made her feel important. I still spoke to her with important things, I knew she wouldn't remember, but I wanted to include her. She still had opinions even until the very end. She may not remember from one minute to the other, but underneath she was still Momma.
Here are some pictures:
The top one is of Momma, Andrew, and I in Algonquin park in Ontario in 1974. I was 6 and Andrew was 5. The bottom one is from Kathy's Wedding in November 1996. I was one of the maid of honors. One of the best days for Momma and me. Kathy getting married. I was so excited about that.
I do hope this finds you doing well and in less pain if you have any! Despite it being a sad day, I am doing okay. The pain isn't too bad for a change (at least so far!) and I have a lesson to look forward to in about 20 minutes!
Friday, June 17, 2011
A Wonderful Evening!
It was game night at the Bowman-Tomlinson house tonight after dinner and lessons! I had a ball, it was simply wonderful! We had lessons at their place instead of here because Heather B-T's van was in the shop and she had no way to bring them over. It was not a problem at all. It really wasn't. It is an 8 minute drive to her house from here so it isn't a long drive at all. Calli started her very first Italian Song. She did quite well for the first time. I was very pleased. Acer is doing well with his Fur Elise (arranged for his little hands) too. He really is so cute and so musical. He is gifted beyond belief, he just really is. Calli is gifted with a beautiful range, over 3 octaves, she is ONLY 11, can you just imagine what she will have when her voice matures more? She has a more mature voice than a usual 11 year old which is why we started today. She and I chatted about it last week and a few weeks ago and we both came to the conclusion that she is ready. The only obstacle we have come across is the rolled R. Because Calli's first language is Chinese and there is no R much less a rolled one she does have a problem with that. I talked her dad to see if he had a better way to explain it to her than me, so maybe that will help her. I don't know how to tell her how to roll the R. But I am confident that eventually Calli will get it, we will keep working on it together. She also grew a bit again. She is now up to 1/2 way in my forehead. Only a few more inches and I will be looking up at her! Acer was so excited when he won the game. I love the look on his face, it just shined and glowed. It was just so fun to spend the evening with their family, it really was.
I also had a really good afternoon. I went and picked up Donna for lunch. She treated me. I just love her. She is such a good friend. I can tell her anything, simply anything. i often ask her opinion if I need an opinion of something. Because she is older than me (okay, her kids are only a year younger than me) I look to her experience to help me if I need it. We went to the bank and paid the house payment on time thanks to her. I will pay her back this coming week when my take lessons money comes in. What a life saver. I have a new plan, well a new order of paying bills so this will hopefully not happen again. Anyways, it has been paid so I am glad about that. So after that we went to lunch and had a lovely chat. her daughter is going through so issues right now so we talked about that. When things calm down then her granddaughter will take piano from me. Her grandchildren are so sweet. Emily is 6 and Santiago is 2, the oldest, Samantha is 18. She just graduated from high school. We also discussed my plans for the house and for the summer. They live near her so she gets to see them quite often. I am glad they moved closer to Donna. I know how she dotes on the grandchildren.
Tomorrow will be a little busy with Katie's lesson at 12 noon and Rick at 2 pm. I am looking forward to the lessons. Afterwards I am planning to go and get Elizabeth, the newest young student starting next week, her books and flash cards. I have Laith's books already.
All in all, I would say this has been one of the best days in the last year. I really enjoyed it. I could relive this one again. Many days in the past year I couldn't but this one I could. It was as fun as the days Momma and I used to have together. The only slight downer, is that the pain is a bit higher tonight than usual, but I have since taken some pain pills so that is good. I do hope your day went well too!
I also had a really good afternoon. I went and picked up Donna for lunch. She treated me. I just love her. She is such a good friend. I can tell her anything, simply anything. i often ask her opinion if I need an opinion of something. Because she is older than me (okay, her kids are only a year younger than me) I look to her experience to help me if I need it. We went to the bank and paid the house payment on time thanks to her. I will pay her back this coming week when my take lessons money comes in. What a life saver. I have a new plan, well a new order of paying bills so this will hopefully not happen again. Anyways, it has been paid so I am glad about that. So after that we went to lunch and had a lovely chat. her daughter is going through so issues right now so we talked about that. When things calm down then her granddaughter will take piano from me. Her grandchildren are so sweet. Emily is 6 and Santiago is 2, the oldest, Samantha is 18. She just graduated from high school. We also discussed my plans for the house and for the summer. They live near her so she gets to see them quite often. I am glad they moved closer to Donna. I know how she dotes on the grandchildren.
Tomorrow will be a little busy with Katie's lesson at 12 noon and Rick at 2 pm. I am looking forward to the lessons. Afterwards I am planning to go and get Elizabeth, the newest young student starting next week, her books and flash cards. I have Laith's books already.
All in all, I would say this has been one of the best days in the last year. I really enjoyed it. I could relive this one again. Many days in the past year I couldn't but this one I could. It was as fun as the days Momma and I used to have together. The only slight downer, is that the pain is a bit higher tonight than usual, but I have since taken some pain pills so that is good. I do hope your day went well too!
Thursday, June 16, 2011
the quietest day so far this week
I have no lessons for today and the phone has been quiet too. I don't mind. Some days I just need a silent day to relax and get a few things done. I am looking forward to tomorrow as I will be picking up my friend, Donna and going to lunch. She is such a wonderful lady. I know I have mentioned her before. I miscalculated my bills this month and I am short $25 for the house payment. Part of this is because Carson dropped to one lesson and Breanna is absent again today. That would have brought me to the full payment. I have a new strategy for paying the house bill so that I am no longer waiting until the 17th to pay. I will pay right away and some of the other bills that have more time will be paid later. Everything will get paid, I just am a bit stuck right now and I don't want to pay the house payment late so Donna offered to loan me the $25 so it won't be late. I will be able to pay her back by the end of the month. Living lesson to lesson can be stressful but I am doing pretty well with it. I just have to rearrange when I pay a few bills and then I will be fine.
I am thankful for the students I have and I have 3 new ones from the new company starting next week. These ones seem like they have a better chance of staying. One, they are NOT adults, they are children (who tend to actually stay with lessons) and they all seem to live near me which is also another issue I have had with the new company. I have lost a few students because they live farther away from me than they thought and with traffic it takes much longer than the parents thought to get here. These three new ones said they live right near by so that is wonderful. I have to pick up some books for the one of the students, I have the other students books on Tuesday or Monday before the lessons. They will pay me back at the lesson. I am anxious to see how next week starts. I have 13 regular weekly students now. That will be wonderful! I am also to the point where I can't take anymore (but not quite!) because of the disability and my health. I can't teach the 60 lessons I used to. i just am not healthy enough, but I can handle a few more if they are spread out over the week as some days I still only have 1 or 2 lessons. I can handle about 4 each day then I am not super tired, just happy tired.
My cousin, Hayley ordered a few things from one of her suppliers and it just arrived. I get nervous now when someone is at the door in case it is Jose. However, should he come back over, he is not welcomed anymore. It makes me sad because he was Mom's friend, or did she just be nice to him because they worked at the same plant? I wonder now but either way, he is not being friendly to me, he is being a predator and I won't put up with it. I have never been nervous of someone coming to the door until now. How sad that I have to be. I have my plan and I will put it into action should I need to.
I hope Hayley comes in a couple of weeks to get her things so I can see her. Maybe we can even go to lunch or something like that. I would really like that. I didn't get nearly enough time with her this past Sunday, but I will take what I can get!
I woke with a bad headache earlier this morning so I came down and took some pain pills and it seems to have made it go back to the regular headache. My left arm is a bit sorer than usual, but other than that, the pain levels are all about the usual pains. I am missing Mom a bit more than usual as it is a quiet day and these are the type of days we would go and see a movie for the afternoon. Hm, maybe I should see a movie, the new pirate one is out and I want to see that. I have a gift card so it isn't like I need cash (thank goodness since I don't have any!) I will check the times and see. This would be a good day for that.
I do hope you are having a good day!
I am thankful for the students I have and I have 3 new ones from the new company starting next week. These ones seem like they have a better chance of staying. One, they are NOT adults, they are children (who tend to actually stay with lessons) and they all seem to live near me which is also another issue I have had with the new company. I have lost a few students because they live farther away from me than they thought and with traffic it takes much longer than the parents thought to get here. These three new ones said they live right near by so that is wonderful. I have to pick up some books for the one of the students, I have the other students books on Tuesday or Monday before the lessons. They will pay me back at the lesson. I am anxious to see how next week starts. I have 13 regular weekly students now. That will be wonderful! I am also to the point where I can't take anymore (but not quite!) because of the disability and my health. I can't teach the 60 lessons I used to. i just am not healthy enough, but I can handle a few more if they are spread out over the week as some days I still only have 1 or 2 lessons. I can handle about 4 each day then I am not super tired, just happy tired.
My cousin, Hayley ordered a few things from one of her suppliers and it just arrived. I get nervous now when someone is at the door in case it is Jose. However, should he come back over, he is not welcomed anymore. It makes me sad because he was Mom's friend, or did she just be nice to him because they worked at the same plant? I wonder now but either way, he is not being friendly to me, he is being a predator and I won't put up with it. I have never been nervous of someone coming to the door until now. How sad that I have to be. I have my plan and I will put it into action should I need to.
I hope Hayley comes in a couple of weeks to get her things so I can see her. Maybe we can even go to lunch or something like that. I would really like that. I didn't get nearly enough time with her this past Sunday, but I will take what I can get!
I woke with a bad headache earlier this morning so I came down and took some pain pills and it seems to have made it go back to the regular headache. My left arm is a bit sorer than usual, but other than that, the pain levels are all about the usual pains. I am missing Mom a bit more than usual as it is a quiet day and these are the type of days we would go and see a movie for the afternoon. Hm, maybe I should see a movie, the new pirate one is out and I want to see that. I have a gift card so it isn't like I need cash (thank goodness since I don't have any!) I will check the times and see. This would be a good day for that.
I do hope you are having a good day!
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
wednesday
I had my blood test this afternoon. Apparently at the doctor's office now on Wednesday they close early so whoever scheduled my blood test must not have known that. They did call while I was sleeping, but I didn't answer, as I was sleeping! They wanted me to come in early. I didn't because I didn't get the message until I was ready to go. So now I know that on Wednesdays, the office closes at 12 noon. I won't make my appointments for Wednesday then. I will get the results tomorrow sometime.
Breanna isn't having her lesson again tomorrow. She isn't done with school yet, I guess. I miss my Breanna, it has been a whole month now since I last saw her! Ugh! I need my Breanna! I miss her. Hopefully she will finish all her school work and be done so she can have a lesson next week. I miss my students when I don't have them on a regular basis, it is just the way I am.
Jose called and left a message. You will love this one. He wanted to know if I would sing at his wife's funeral. I called back and said NO. Why would I want to sing at that hate filled woman's funeral? She HATED my mother and me so to sing at her funeral is just a big NO. He has nerve, I will give him that. Asking me to sing at a person's funeral who didn't like me or my mother and accused my mother of having an affair with her husband? Yeah, right, that is just wrong on so many levels. He commented that he wanted to come over on Saturday to do some work. I said I was super busy on Saturday. I have 3 lessons but I don't want him over. I have been screening his calls and will continue to do so. I don't ever want to see him again. I really don't and he doesn't get it. I will be blunt if he comes over (he always comes unannounced and unexpected) and tell him to leave that he is not welcomed in my house.
Anyways, I have the wonderful Carson this afternoon in about 30 minutes for his 2 lessons. He takes both piano and voice. He is so cute. He is 8 years old and will be a 3rd grader now. I have 2 new vocal songs for the young man. He is learning how to read music now and is doing a pretty good job of it. I also have Beth, my lovely adult singer. I shall find out if she got in the chorus of the musical she tried out for on Sunday. I really hope so. She knew her music and has a decent voice. She was so excited about trying out for the play. I said some prayers on Sunday for her.
My handsome young man, Carson, arrived early for his lesson. He is not going to continue with piano right now, just vocal, which is fine with me. Maybe in the fall he will start up again. Who knows? Whatever works for him, works for me. Carson will probably change his time for lessons for the summer so he can have more time to play!!! You know how boys want to play, play, play! I don't blame him one bit! I would want to play a lot too if I was his age! He is excited as tomorrow is his last day of 2nd grade. There will be 3 birthday treats for the students who have summer birthdays. I like how he says all the kids in his class are his friends, that is just so nice of him to think like that. Next year his little brother will also be attending his school as a nursery schooler. His brother is 3, I think. How cool is that?
It is simply beautiful out today. No sign of rain, not too hot, not too cold, just perfect. It has been a good day so far. I spoke to a friend I haven't seen in a long time, Mike. He used to work for me at the store. One of the girls from the store (and a former student of mine!) is getting married in September. I called to see if Mike would be interested in attending the wedding with me. He said sure, he would love to watch Jessie get married. I am so happy for her. She is a wonderful young woman. I have known her most of her life now. She and I are going to get together shortly to hang out and just catch up on life! I look forward to it. I really do. I know she would be happy that Mike is coming too. She really liked working with him. I was thinking of asking Oliver or Phoebe, but I thought, Mike would be better. It shall be a great wedding. I am excited about it. I also hope to see her sister, Katie soon too. Katie is going to be a paramedic. She is almost done with school too. I simply love both those girls! I just don't see them enough. I really don't.
I do hope you are having a good day. I really am. I was a bit tired earlier, but now I seem to be okay. I have one more lesson left so that will end my day nicely!
Breanna isn't having her lesson again tomorrow. She isn't done with school yet, I guess. I miss my Breanna, it has been a whole month now since I last saw her! Ugh! I need my Breanna! I miss her. Hopefully she will finish all her school work and be done so she can have a lesson next week. I miss my students when I don't have them on a regular basis, it is just the way I am.
Jose called and left a message. You will love this one. He wanted to know if I would sing at his wife's funeral. I called back and said NO. Why would I want to sing at that hate filled woman's funeral? She HATED my mother and me so to sing at her funeral is just a big NO. He has nerve, I will give him that. Asking me to sing at a person's funeral who didn't like me or my mother and accused my mother of having an affair with her husband? Yeah, right, that is just wrong on so many levels. He commented that he wanted to come over on Saturday to do some work. I said I was super busy on Saturday. I have 3 lessons but I don't want him over. I have been screening his calls and will continue to do so. I don't ever want to see him again. I really don't and he doesn't get it. I will be blunt if he comes over (he always comes unannounced and unexpected) and tell him to leave that he is not welcomed in my house.
Anyways, I have the wonderful Carson this afternoon in about 30 minutes for his 2 lessons. He takes both piano and voice. He is so cute. He is 8 years old and will be a 3rd grader now. I have 2 new vocal songs for the young man. He is learning how to read music now and is doing a pretty good job of it. I also have Beth, my lovely adult singer. I shall find out if she got in the chorus of the musical she tried out for on Sunday. I really hope so. She knew her music and has a decent voice. She was so excited about trying out for the play. I said some prayers on Sunday for her.
My handsome young man, Carson, arrived early for his lesson. He is not going to continue with piano right now, just vocal, which is fine with me. Maybe in the fall he will start up again. Who knows? Whatever works for him, works for me. Carson will probably change his time for lessons for the summer so he can have more time to play!!! You know how boys want to play, play, play! I don't blame him one bit! I would want to play a lot too if I was his age! He is excited as tomorrow is his last day of 2nd grade. There will be 3 birthday treats for the students who have summer birthdays. I like how he says all the kids in his class are his friends, that is just so nice of him to think like that. Next year his little brother will also be attending his school as a nursery schooler. His brother is 3, I think. How cool is that?
It is simply beautiful out today. No sign of rain, not too hot, not too cold, just perfect. It has been a good day so far. I spoke to a friend I haven't seen in a long time, Mike. He used to work for me at the store. One of the girls from the store (and a former student of mine!) is getting married in September. I called to see if Mike would be interested in attending the wedding with me. He said sure, he would love to watch Jessie get married. I am so happy for her. She is a wonderful young woman. I have known her most of her life now. She and I are going to get together shortly to hang out and just catch up on life! I look forward to it. I really do. I know she would be happy that Mike is coming too. She really liked working with him. I was thinking of asking Oliver or Phoebe, but I thought, Mike would be better. It shall be a great wedding. I am excited about it. I also hope to see her sister, Katie soon too. Katie is going to be a paramedic. She is almost done with school too. I simply love both those girls! I just don't see them enough. I really don't.
I do hope you are having a good day. I really am. I was a bit tired earlier, but now I seem to be okay. I have one more lesson left so that will end my day nicely!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
another June Day
It is very nice out again today without any rain!!! My flowers that I got from Rachel are apparently Impatience. I really like them. They sit on my front porch. When they droop I know it is time to water otherwise I am clueless. The sit on the edge of the porch (it is a very, very small porch) and I think it looks nice. So far the girl with the black thumb (that would be me!) has managed to keep the flowers alive.
Tomorrow I have a blood test. My blood was not in therapeutic range last week so I have to be checked again tomorrow. It is not fun, but I will do it. I hope to get it over and done with quickly. Being right after lunch should help. I plan to arrive early a bit so that I can get in on time.
I spoke to Kathy today. I sent her the info for our new blog yesterday so I would think shortly she will go and write a post. They will be super busy in the next couple of weeks though, so whenever she can write a post works for me! I would definitely say I have much more free time than she does.
Last night a family member mentioned to me that she thinks I am in a depression. I tend to disagree. It has only been 8 months since I lost my mother. I do agree I have gained weight in the last two years but I don't think I am depressed. I go and see my friends, I teach my lessons, and I do things that I enjoy. Am I sad? Overall, yes, I am sad that I lost my Mom. We were very close. I think in the overall picture I am doing all right. I do need something more to occupy my time and I am looking into other things to do. I do have a few more lessons than I did last month so I am very excited about that. I met my friend, Robin for lunch today and Friday I am picking up Donna for a nice visit so I do go out and see people. I don't know, maybe I am just not seeing this. What do you think? I am missing something here? I am working through my grief, which is a lot like most people.
Jose left a message last night. I am ignoring his calls at this point and praying he doesn't stop by. You see, he doesn't do what normal people do, which is call before they come over, no he just comes over and you're shocked to see him. Next time this happens I will let him know that I am super busy and can't visit right now. In this day and age, I would not just drop by someone's house without letting the person know I am coming.
It has been a good day. i spoke to several friends, I may also have another new student (one not from the new company) so all in all a good day! I do hope your day is going well too!
Tomorrow I have a blood test. My blood was not in therapeutic range last week so I have to be checked again tomorrow. It is not fun, but I will do it. I hope to get it over and done with quickly. Being right after lunch should help. I plan to arrive early a bit so that I can get in on time.
I spoke to Kathy today. I sent her the info for our new blog yesterday so I would think shortly she will go and write a post. They will be super busy in the next couple of weeks though, so whenever she can write a post works for me! I would definitely say I have much more free time than she does.
Last night a family member mentioned to me that she thinks I am in a depression. I tend to disagree. It has only been 8 months since I lost my mother. I do agree I have gained weight in the last two years but I don't think I am depressed. I go and see my friends, I teach my lessons, and I do things that I enjoy. Am I sad? Overall, yes, I am sad that I lost my Mom. We were very close. I think in the overall picture I am doing all right. I do need something more to occupy my time and I am looking into other things to do. I do have a few more lessons than I did last month so I am very excited about that. I met my friend, Robin for lunch today and Friday I am picking up Donna for a nice visit so I do go out and see people. I don't know, maybe I am just not seeing this. What do you think? I am missing something here? I am working through my grief, which is a lot like most people.
Jose left a message last night. I am ignoring his calls at this point and praying he doesn't stop by. You see, he doesn't do what normal people do, which is call before they come over, no he just comes over and you're shocked to see him. Next time this happens I will let him know that I am super busy and can't visit right now. In this day and age, I would not just drop by someone's house without letting the person know I am coming.
It has been a good day. i spoke to several friends, I may also have another new student (one not from the new company) so all in all a good day! I do hope your day is going well too!
Monday, June 13, 2011
new blog
Hi Friends!!!!
My friend, Kathy and I are beginning a blog that will follow our journey to a healthier lifestyle and weight. We both think that this would be a neat way to do this because we both can write in the blog! Please come and check it out! If you have any tips or advice for us, please tell us!!!! We are both really serious about this journey!
I hope you are having a great day!
My friend, Kathy and I are beginning a blog that will follow our journey to a healthier lifestyle and weight. We both think that this would be a neat way to do this because we both can write in the blog! Please come and check it out! If you have any tips or advice for us, please tell us!!!! We are both really serious about this journey!
I hope you are having a great day!
Sunny Day
It is nice and sunny out today. It makes me smile!!! I did have the appointment with the arthritis doctor this morning (well, by the time I actually got to see her it was afternoon). The x-rays just show a bit more arthritis than a few years before and the blood tests are normal so all in all, nothing unexpected, which I suspected as she didn't call me when the results came in. She also wants me to add 2 tramodol in the afternoon and 1/2 the dosage of the Meloxicam. She is hoping that the addition of the tramodol will help me get rid of the Meloxicam. The problem with the meloxicam is that I also have to take coumiden, the blood thinner medicine because of my blood disorder. Meloxicam can can bleeding and with the coumiden, it raises the risk really high for bleeding. However, without the Meloxicam, it is very difficult to walk in the evening. by 6:00 or so, I am in so much pain, I can barely get out of a chair so I continue to take it even though I know the risk. I have been very vigilant with watching for any signs of bleeding and I haven't had any problems with it yet. I am trying her suggestion of adding the 2 pain pills in the afternoon and lower the Meloxicam by 1/2. I did do that starting today. I will see how these things work. Hey, if it does, awesome! If not, well, I will go back to what I was doing.
I talked to my friend, Donna, today. She and I had a very good conversation. Then I also had Bob's lesson as it is a Monday! He is doing very well. I had him bring his Hanon exercise book back so we can do some. I know he has already done most of the book, but I think at this point revisiting some of the exercises will make his fingers more agile and really help with speed of the runs. He agreed with my assessment and has absolutely no problem redoing the book. His Clementi Sonatina is really coming along and we started the last page of the Mozart Sonata this afternoon. All in all, I must say I am very pleased with his progress. I have Emily later this evening. She too, is doing very well. She is just learning to read notes and is doing quite well with her flash cards. The fact that she is super cute helps too.
Kathy, my best friend's son turned 13 today. I had to call and ask how she felt now that she is the Mom of a teenager. He really is a very good young man. He is on a school field trip to Cedar Point today. What a way to spend your birthday! She had a horrible headache yesterday and is feeling a bit better today, but still under the weather. She totally has my sympathy and my empathy! I certainly know how bad heads can ache!
I talked to my friend Georgette this afternoon too. I needed some advice to deal with the inappropriateness of Jose's behavior yesterday and Saturday too. I know have a plan that makes me feel like I will be in charge of any situation that comes up. I am hoping not to have to put it in place, but if I must I will. I still plan to screen the phone this week, that is for sure. I feel much more confident about this now. Thank goodness for good friends, and for Barb who also gave me advice yesterday too. I didn't expect this from a family friend. I have known him since I was in my teens. It is just too much and should it be necessary, I will take action. So anyways, I feel much better over these incidents now.
I was supposed to go to lunch with Georgette today, but because I got out of the doctor so late, we have to reschedule it. I am bummed, but I did have a nice long talk with her as I have already mentioned.
It is simply wonderful outside right now. My baby birds are popping their heads up right now so I can't take any pictures. As soon as they do, I will definitely post a picture. I just love them! I think there are three of them in there. I saw the Momma bird yesterday, what a pretty bird. Not as magnificent as the Poppa bird, but still very pretty. She was white with brown spots on her tummy. I do hope this finds you doing well and having a great day! I am having a good day and am anticipating another good lesson with the lovely Emily. I have 2 lessons tomorrow, 2 on Wednesday, 1 on Thursday (although she takes 2 lessons), 2 on Friday, and 2 on Saturday. I think Sunday I am going to take Donna out for the afternoon since I have no lessons and I want to give her back her books. I also want to loan her a DVD that I know she will adore.
I talked to my friend, Donna, today. She and I had a very good conversation. Then I also had Bob's lesson as it is a Monday! He is doing very well. I had him bring his Hanon exercise book back so we can do some. I know he has already done most of the book, but I think at this point revisiting some of the exercises will make his fingers more agile and really help with speed of the runs. He agreed with my assessment and has absolutely no problem redoing the book. His Clementi Sonatina is really coming along and we started the last page of the Mozart Sonata this afternoon. All in all, I must say I am very pleased with his progress. I have Emily later this evening. She too, is doing very well. She is just learning to read notes and is doing quite well with her flash cards. The fact that she is super cute helps too.
Kathy, my best friend's son turned 13 today. I had to call and ask how she felt now that she is the Mom of a teenager. He really is a very good young man. He is on a school field trip to Cedar Point today. What a way to spend your birthday! She had a horrible headache yesterday and is feeling a bit better today, but still under the weather. She totally has my sympathy and my empathy! I certainly know how bad heads can ache!
I talked to my friend Georgette this afternoon too. I needed some advice to deal with the inappropriateness of Jose's behavior yesterday and Saturday too. I know have a plan that makes me feel like I will be in charge of any situation that comes up. I am hoping not to have to put it in place, but if I must I will. I still plan to screen the phone this week, that is for sure. I feel much more confident about this now. Thank goodness for good friends, and for Barb who also gave me advice yesterday too. I didn't expect this from a family friend. I have known him since I was in my teens. It is just too much and should it be necessary, I will take action. So anyways, I feel much better over these incidents now.
I was supposed to go to lunch with Georgette today, but because I got out of the doctor so late, we have to reschedule it. I am bummed, but I did have a nice long talk with her as I have already mentioned.
It is simply wonderful outside right now. My baby birds are popping their heads up right now so I can't take any pictures. As soon as they do, I will definitely post a picture. I just love them! I think there are three of them in there. I saw the Momma bird yesterday, what a pretty bird. Not as magnificent as the Poppa bird, but still very pretty. She was white with brown spots on her tummy. I do hope this finds you doing well and having a great day! I am having a good day and am anticipating another good lesson with the lovely Emily. I have 2 lessons tomorrow, 2 on Wednesday, 1 on Thursday (although she takes 2 lessons), 2 on Friday, and 2 on Saturday. I think Sunday I am going to take Donna out for the afternoon since I have no lessons and I want to give her back her books. I also want to loan her a DVD that I know she will adore.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
A busy day!
I got to see my cousins, Hayley and Justice, this afternoon. They stopped by to pick a few packages that they had ordered. Then Rick had his lesson and after that was a Michigan Music Association meeting. We were discussing deadlines and jobs for the competition 2012. I will be helping with the luncheon this year. I think it will be fun. A couple of teachers weren't at the meeting so Diane is going to ask them about what they will do for the competition. It will be a good year, I think.
Jose was over again today. He put one door up for me in the furnace room. I am thankful for that. However, I was a bit uncomfortable tonight with him here because he was staring at me. I don't like that. I don't like being stared at. I have had enough being stared at when I was young. I asked him to stop and he really didn't. He doesn't think anything is wrong staring at me even if I don't like it. I am not sure I will be available the next time he calls. He says he was staring at me because I am beautiful. Well, I don't care because I still don't like being stared at. He doesn't seem to care that I don't like it. How rude if you ask me and very disrespectful. I don't appreciate being stared at no matter whatever the reason he says. If the person doesn't want to be stared at, just stop it. It is very simple. I know he is going through a rough time, I know it is hard watching someone you love die. That doesn't give you the right to stare at someone who doesn't like it. His wife is dying, I know but that doesn't mean he should be disrespectful to me by staring. Anyways, I hope he is busy for the next few weeks and forgets about me. I really do.
It started out as a good day and then ended not so good. I was very uncomfortable and irritated the last hour of Jose's visit. I hope to never go through that again. I am glad that today is over though. I am tired now. I do hope to get a good night (well, as good as I get) sleep. I get my test results tomorrow from the x-ray and the blood test. I hope you have a good night.
Jose was over again today. He put one door up for me in the furnace room. I am thankful for that. However, I was a bit uncomfortable tonight with him here because he was staring at me. I don't like that. I don't like being stared at. I have had enough being stared at when I was young. I asked him to stop and he really didn't. He doesn't think anything is wrong staring at me even if I don't like it. I am not sure I will be available the next time he calls. He says he was staring at me because I am beautiful. Well, I don't care because I still don't like being stared at. He doesn't seem to care that I don't like it. How rude if you ask me and very disrespectful. I don't appreciate being stared at no matter whatever the reason he says. If the person doesn't want to be stared at, just stop it. It is very simple. I know he is going through a rough time, I know it is hard watching someone you love die. That doesn't give you the right to stare at someone who doesn't like it. His wife is dying, I know but that doesn't mean he should be disrespectful to me by staring. Anyways, I hope he is busy for the next few weeks and forgets about me. I really do.
It started out as a good day and then ended not so good. I was very uncomfortable and irritated the last hour of Jose's visit. I hope to never go through that again. I am glad that today is over though. I am tired now. I do hope to get a good night (well, as good as I get) sleep. I get my test results tomorrow from the x-ray and the blood test. I hope you have a good night.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
a bit of a different day
Normally, on a Saturday, I teach lessons, but this week I didn't have any students so no lessons. Mom's friend Jose called earlier in the week and wanted to talk to me and take me to lunch. Generally, I avoid his calls because he always comments on my weight, or at least he used too. He didn't today or the other day. he has finally, it seems anyways, understood that I am not going to be his work out buddy. Yes, I need the exercise, but this is a very fit man who works out like 3 hours a day. That is so not me. I am lucky if I can do a few minutes much less 3 hours. His wife is very ill and he had some questions about hospice. It appears that she is going to be heading into the hospice unit at the hospital. I feel bad for him because I know how hard it is to watch someone die. She has been ill for about 27 or so years at this point. She also has been giving the hospital a hard time about her dialysis (she is diabetic and her kidneys have shut down on her). The doctor basically said you don't want to go, we won't make you, but you will be gone very quickly so she grudgingly went. I don't personally understand that as if you have to do it, you have to do it. Saying you don't want to when it is time to go isn't going to make you any better. He seemed like he was at peace with what is going on. I know he misses my mom a lot and that he is going to miss Dorothy but I think he at one time, imagined that when Dorothy was gone he would have a life with my mother. Well, that isn't going to happen now as Mom is already gone. I probably won't see him again for a while. He only pops in every so often. That works for me.
I don't have any other plans for the evening. I am a bit tired now and will probably go to bed early again. I actually had a semi okay night of sleep last night and I am hoping for a repeat. My cousins may come over tomorrow before my lesson so they can pick up their stuff that they ordered. I think they plan to be here around 1 ish tomorrow so I will be up around 12:30 ish. This will give me plenty of time to get organized and have breakfast before they arrive. I also have a lovely meeting that I am looking forward to tomorrow. That will be awesome! I don't mind going to MMA meetings. I actually look forward to it.
The three baby Robins that live above my front porch light are getting bigger. They are so cute! Usually you can only see 2 of them, but there are three. The third just hides a bit at times. I did learn an important lesson this year about nests. Remove the old one in the fall when the birds are gone because next year they will just build on top of the old one! Well, if they do that next year, there is no where to build! i will be sure to have the nest removed before winter. I love baby birds! We have had a nest above our front porch light since I was small. I have no idea when they started nesting there but we have had Robins there my whole life and I just love it. Only one year did they not come and that was because a big old wind storm destroyed the nest before the babies were born. The next year, they were back.
Only about a month before the next and last Harry Potter movie comes out. *sigh* I love Harry Potter! I am anxiously awaiting this movie but will not subject myself to the midnight showing. 1 - I would not probably stay awake to see it and 2 - it would be super crowded and that just doesn't sound appealing to me. I will go with my Muglia girls a few weeks after it has come out and we will go during the day during the week so it won't be as crowded. I only wish Mom had lived long enough to see all the Harry Potters. Of course, I wish she were here for so many reasons! I just miss her so much. Mom loved Harry Potter. i remember when I was in the hospital with my blood clot. (Apparently, I nearly died with this one, hm) She was visiting me and I was quite out of it so she brought a book for me to read. She just grabbed the nearest book on my book shelf in my room and it was the first Harry Potter. Momma started reading to me. When the lady who was in the bed next to mine was discharged from the hospital, she asked Momma what book she was reading to me and who it was by so she could go and get it. She wanted to know what happened. I gave her the info. I told her it was a children's book but the whole series so far was wonderful. I think about that lady every time I start the Harry Potter series again. I also think of Mom because she loved Harry Potter and the movies. She did finish reading the first book but never did start the next because that was when the Alzheimer's was really starting to affect her.
Anyways, this has become a chapter in a book! I do hope you are having a good day too.
I don't have any other plans for the evening. I am a bit tired now and will probably go to bed early again. I actually had a semi okay night of sleep last night and I am hoping for a repeat. My cousins may come over tomorrow before my lesson so they can pick up their stuff that they ordered. I think they plan to be here around 1 ish tomorrow so I will be up around 12:30 ish. This will give me plenty of time to get organized and have breakfast before they arrive. I also have a lovely meeting that I am looking forward to tomorrow. That will be awesome! I don't mind going to MMA meetings. I actually look forward to it.
The three baby Robins that live above my front porch light are getting bigger. They are so cute! Usually you can only see 2 of them, but there are three. The third just hides a bit at times. I did learn an important lesson this year about nests. Remove the old one in the fall when the birds are gone because next year they will just build on top of the old one! Well, if they do that next year, there is no where to build! i will be sure to have the nest removed before winter. I love baby birds! We have had a nest above our front porch light since I was small. I have no idea when they started nesting there but we have had Robins there my whole life and I just love it. Only one year did they not come and that was because a big old wind storm destroyed the nest before the babies were born. The next year, they were back.
Only about a month before the next and last Harry Potter movie comes out. *sigh* I love Harry Potter! I am anxiously awaiting this movie but will not subject myself to the midnight showing. 1 - I would not probably stay awake to see it and 2 - it would be super crowded and that just doesn't sound appealing to me. I will go with my Muglia girls a few weeks after it has come out and we will go during the day during the week so it won't be as crowded. I only wish Mom had lived long enough to see all the Harry Potters. Of course, I wish she were here for so many reasons! I just miss her so much. Mom loved Harry Potter. i remember when I was in the hospital with my blood clot. (Apparently, I nearly died with this one, hm) She was visiting me and I was quite out of it so she brought a book for me to read. She just grabbed the nearest book on my book shelf in my room and it was the first Harry Potter. Momma started reading to me. When the lady who was in the bed next to mine was discharged from the hospital, she asked Momma what book she was reading to me and who it was by so she could go and get it. She wanted to know what happened. I gave her the info. I told her it was a children's book but the whole series so far was wonderful. I think about that lady every time I start the Harry Potter series again. I also think of Mom because she loved Harry Potter and the movies. She did finish reading the first book but never did start the next because that was when the Alzheimer's was really starting to affect her.
Anyways, this has become a chapter in a book! I do hope you are having a good day too.
Friday, June 10, 2011
it's a Friday!
I had Calli and Acer's lessons today. Acer is so cute. I told him what song we were going to play and he was like, no I don't want to play that song. I quickly switched gears and we went with the song called the Donkey. It is a cute piece and he plays both hands at the same time with more than 1 note in the left hand. We were going to work on his version of Fur Elise but they accidentally left it at home along with one of Calli's books for voice. Calli is going to start working on some Italian Art song next week. We are starting the lighter classical music since I think she is ready. Her voice is quite mature for an 11 year old. She has an amazing range too. She can sing higher than any of my students. I am quite pleased with how well she is doing and Acer too. I look forward to Fridays.
Other than those two lessons, I don't have anything else going on. I couldn't sleep last night. I think I fell asleep after 3 am. I was reading until about 2:30 because I couldn't sleep. Just one of those things. I don't have any lessons tomorrow so I am going to do some housework. That is the plan. I want to vacuum and scrub the floor in the dining room, kitchen, and utility room. I am not sure if my cousin is coming by to pick up her packages or not. I also need to type the minutes from the last meeting for the meeting on Sunday. We have a Michigan Music Association meeting on Sunday. It shall be fun. We will starting the planning of next years competition. That will be rather cool. I am on the Executive Board this year. i am the assistant secretary/treasurer. It is a nice position. I will find out on Sunday to find out what I will be doing during the competition this year.
It has been a good day today. It has been cooler and rainy but it is a nice change from the super hot and humid that we had most of the week. I do hope you are having a good day too!
Other than those two lessons, I don't have anything else going on. I couldn't sleep last night. I think I fell asleep after 3 am. I was reading until about 2:30 because I couldn't sleep. Just one of those things. I don't have any lessons tomorrow so I am going to do some housework. That is the plan. I want to vacuum and scrub the floor in the dining room, kitchen, and utility room. I am not sure if my cousin is coming by to pick up her packages or not. I also need to type the minutes from the last meeting for the meeting on Sunday. We have a Michigan Music Association meeting on Sunday. It shall be fun. We will starting the planning of next years competition. That will be rather cool. I am on the Executive Board this year. i am the assistant secretary/treasurer. It is a nice position. I will find out on Sunday to find out what I will be doing during the competition this year.
It has been a good day today. It has been cooler and rainy but it is a nice change from the super hot and humid that we had most of the week. I do hope you are having a good day too!
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