the day before Thanksgiving! 11-21

Thanksgiving in my house was always a big to-do.  Mom would get up early to start cooking the turkey.  When I was very small, we actually had 2 Thanksgiving.  One would be the 2nd Monday with my Grandparents in Windsor and then the American Thanksgiving in November would usually just be my immediate family without cousins, or other relatives.  As I grew, I helped Mom cook the food and get everything ready.  I was always excited because we used the good china, which meant I did not have to do the dishes.  Mom hand washed and dried them herself.  I was always happy about that.  When I was a teenager, the stress of the family issues really showed up on Holidays.  It was a difficult time for me and for mom.  I am glad that eventually the issues were resolved enough that the stress level went down.  I started taking over cooking the turkey in my middle 20s.  Then I got this brilliant idea to have Andrew cook the turkey and stuff.  Now, both my brothers are excellent cooks.  I am not bad, but they are just so much better and more creative then me.  This is what I would do.  First I would thawed the turkey and cleaned out the insides.  Then I would run up to Andrew's room or call him on his phone to ask what I should do first.  Keep in mind, I do know what to do.  He would tell me and then I would do it.  After the first step was done, I would go back to his room or call and ask what to do next.  I would repeat this for a few more times until he would say he was either on his way or coming down and I was not supposed to touch anything.  I did this for about 15 years both at Thanksgiving and Christmas.  I always asked Andrew a few days before to help me and he always said no so this way, he ended cooking it anyway.  I finally told Andrew last Christmas at my Uncle's that I did that on purpose so that he would end up cooking the turkey.  He couldn't believe that he fell for it every time.  I just smiled.  He did have a good laugh and finally admitted that he suspected I was doing this on purpose, but he wasn't always sure because I don't really cook as well the boys do.  Well, now I go to other people's houses for the holidays so I don't have to cook the whole thing.  I could but with my family not having the same day off, it is a bit hard to have them over.  I really do like going to Kathy's parents' house with her and her family.  Basically, anytime I get to spend with Kathy, I am thrilled.  I also really like her parents and family.  I have known her parents for probably as long I have known Kathy.  I believe that after lunch on Friday, Kathy and I are going to go to a movie.  We have very similar tastes in so many things, it is amazing.  From music to books to movies to activities, we have a lot in common.  On Thanksgiving Day, I will be going to my neighbor's house to spend the holiday with them.  I really like this family.  The kids are awesome and very nice.  The parents are really nice too.  Overall, I think my weekend is going to be a good one.

I am hoping that on Saturday I will decorate for Christmas.  I have a few things out of the attic but there is a bit more however, if we don't get it out, who cares.  I do want the boxes that are under the house out because those are my ornaments.  I also need to cut out the ornaments for the students so I have a busy weekend ahead of me.  I will also schedule plenty of rest time.

Sunday 11-18

I am trying to post everyday something that I am thankful for.  Some days it is easy, others not so much.    Today I have another bad headache, although that is not unusual for me.  They are slowly getting better.  Most days, during the day, I only have the normal headache so that is some improvement.  The bad ones are in the morning and at night instead of all day long.

I wanted to start the students' ornaments this afternoon but I need to do Acer's song first.  I need to put it in Finale so he will have the piano part to sing to.  Fortunately, his is the only one I need to do this as Isaac has changed his Christmas Songs.  He originally picked out Rudolph but we switched last week.

There is a SVU marathon on right now.  It is season 13, which is a season I haven't seen too much of so I am glad that they are running this today.  Since it is a quiet type day, no lessons, I am thankful for something interesting on TV.  Sometimes, even with cable, there is nothing good on.

The movie, Brave is out on DVD now.  I can't wait to get it.  It was such a great movie.  I went with the girls to see it.  Oh, that reminds me, I wonder how everyone is doing in the house since last week some were sick.  They are still sick.  I will see them next week.  I do hope my girls are better by next week.  I miss them when I don't see them.  All but Sarah have their Christmas music.  I have Sarah's ready for her.  She is the last one to get her Christmas music.  Everyone else already has theirs.

I am looking forward to the holiday weekend.  I will be spending Thanksgiving with my neighbors down the street.  I am bringing pies.  That should be fun.  Then on Friday (or Saturday) I will be with Kathy and her family at her parents' house.  We are going to see a movie that day too.  That will be fun, I think.  We usually have a good time that is for sure.

Well, I must go and work on the Jingle Bell Rock for Acer now.

Saturday 11-17

It is the week before Thanksgiving.  Wow, I am so not really ready for Thanksgiving yet.  Give me a few days and then I will be ready.  It should be a fun weekend, I think.  I get to see Kathy and spend some time with her and her family.  Kathy and I are planning to go see a movie together, so yes, lots of plans.  I also have marked some time in for resting as well, I will need to rest or I will not be in good shape to visit.  It is kind of annoying to always have to count in time for resting or downtime with anything I do, but it is better than crashing and burning after a visit or event.  It really is the only way I can do things.  Even with the planned rest, I sometimes over do things.  I am hoping not to have that happen this time.

I have a bit of shopping to do for Christmas.  I am finished with a couple of the kids, but I have a little bit left for the rest.  I also will be starting the sewing project tomorrow for the students.  It shouldn't be too difficult since I have done this ornament before, it has just been about 15 years since I made them.  I have the material ready and the sewing machine is downstairs along with everything else I need.  I have ideas of what I want to get the little ones in the family, I just have to go and get them.  Andrew (the younger bro) is a bit harder because I am not sure exactly what he likes these days.  I have sent an email asking him what he would like.  I got a really neat picture frame from him last year.  I know what I am going to get my aunt and uncle for Christmas.  We have 2 family parties this year.  One is Dec 1 and the other is Dec 2.  Yeah, 2 days in a row.  The 2nd party is also for my little cousin's first birthday.  It doesn't seem like a year since he was born, but it has been.  Myles is a cute little guy who doesn't cry when I hold him.  I am rather glad about that.  Phoenix, on the other hand, cries when I hold her.  She is just over 15 months old now.  Elizabeth is 4, Jayson is 5, Warren is 5, and Esther is 2.  I know what I am getting Esther.  She is such a little character, actually all of them are.  I have ideas for all of them, I just haven't gone and got the gifts yet.  I will do it within a week since the parties are in 2 weeks.

National Treasure (the first one) is on right now on Cartoon Network.  I love this movie.  It also makes me think of one of my friends, Melissa.  She is a film major.  Melissa would like to be a film director.  I think she will be a good one.  I can't wait to see what she does when she graduates.  Back to the movie, I love this movie.  I do have it on DVD (and the 2nd one too) but there is something about watching it on TV.  Sometimes, they add scenes that are not on the DVD.  It is that way with the Harry Potter movies too.  ABC Family channel has been playing all the Harry Potter Movies this past week.

I have a bit of a bad headache tonight.  It was alright during the day, but now it is a bit bad.  I hope it doesn't keep me up or be here when I get up in the morning.  I would really like to FINALLY be able to go to church as I have not been there since, oh, the first Sunday in August.  It seems like ages ago.  I like the church I go to and I love singing in the choir.  I would really like to participate tomorrow morning.  The headaches are getting better.  Instead of having a bad headache 5 to 6 days a week, they are down to 3 to 4 days a week and sometimes during the day, they are okay, not bad, just the regular everyday headache so there is some improvement.  I just wish I had more of an improvement.  Perhaps after I see the neurologist this month.  I have 3 doctor appointments in the next 3 weeks, one each week.  Wow, it just seems to never end.  I wonder if I have lost any weight or again.  I have been eating pretty well.  I have been working on drinking a lot more water.

Tomorrow I don't have any lessons.  I will be working on Acer's Jingle Bell Rock.  I need to make a CD for him to sing to.  I use Finale for it and make a sound file to burn on a CD.  Then everyone will have their music to practice.  Sarah will have her piano music on Monday.  She wasn't feeling to well this past week.  Some of the family got the flu.  I sure hope everyone is okay in her house now.  I know her mother had it too and 2 of her brothers.  With 9 children in the family, things get past around pretty fast.  I do hope they are healthy enough to have their lessons.  I miss my girls!  I did see the 3 older ones last Sunday, but it had been over a month since I last saw them before that.  We went to a movie and then we got ice cream afterwards because it is tradition.  Apparently, whenever the girls and I get together for a movie, we need to go to ice cream after.  Hey, works for me.  If they want it and I have the money for it, we will go.  Lydia has my movie of the Hunger Games.  I haven't seen it yet, but I know I will.

Well, the lovely movie has ended.  There is now nothing decent to watch on TV or at least I didn't see anything interesting when I channel surfed.  I think I will read and then head for bed as I need to get up early for church or at least I hope to get up early and be able to attend church without a bad headache.  they are really interrupting my life at this point.  Well, fortunately I have a wonderful Neurologist.  Time to relax and read a bit before hitting the sack!

Almost the Middle of the Month! 11-14

I can't believe that it is almost the middle of the month.  Wow, time seems to fly by.  It just is.  The students are working hard on their recital pieces.  I think all the students have their music so that is good.  I am working on getting the competition stuff together too.

All this week the family channel has been showing the Harry Potter's movies.  Tonight is movie number 5.  Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix.  It isn't my favorite one, but it is still good since, well, it is Harry Potter.  I keep meaning to read one book and then immediately watch the movie to it, then read the next and then watch that one too.  For some reason though, I get side tracked and continue reading the next book.  They are so good.  I have them on DVD but I like to catch it on the Family channel because sometimes they add extra scenes that are not on the DVD.  It is the same with the Lord of the Ring movies and Star Wars.  I have them on disc and in the case of the Lord of the Ring movies, I have both the theatrical and extended releases.  I just don't really like to watch movies all by myself.

Bon Jovi filmed 3 separate concerts and they have been put together for a movie one night.  Unfortunately, it is on a Tuesday.  I was so upset over that but that is okay.  They may release it on DVD. We can only hope.

Next week is Thanksgiving already.  I am planning to be at my neighbors on Thanksgiving Day.  Either Friday or Saturday will be the Thanksgiving Dinner with Kathy's parents and her family.  I can't wait to see her!  It will be a good time.  I believe we are going to see Breaking Dawn part 2 or maybe something else either way, we will have a good time.  It doesn't take too much for us to have a good time.  I also want to see the new James Bond movie.  I like most of the James Bond movies.  There are a few of the older ones that aren't as action packed like I like, but overall, I like the movies.  The first one I saw was when Timothy Dalton was James Bond.  It was the one where he was involved or trying to help a cello player.  I remember the two of them going down a snow slope in her cello's case and her holding on to the cello so it wouldn't get damaged.  I remember that I didn't want to see the movie, I wanted to see something else, but Mom and Andrew wanted to see that one so I grudgingly went to see it.  I wasn't very happy about it.  I ended up really liking it.  Mom and Andrew said that they were positive that I would like it.

I am going to read for a bit before I go to bed.

Tuesday 11-13

It is a bad headache evening today.  I woke up with a medium bad headache, then it went to the normal dull roar, which then went to bad.  Fortunately, I was able to teach despite the bad headache.  I only had a few so that was good.  I hope it gets better by bedtime.  I finally have all the information I need to turn in to my student loans person.  There was some paperwork that I have needed to get done and now it is and will be ready to be mailed tomorrow.

Tonight is NCIS and NCIS Los Angeles night so is the dance competition.  I am not really able to follow anything major tonight because of the head.  I haven't been really following the competition.  I am really not that interested in it.  It is just on pretty much for noise.  I do enjoy watching the dancing though, which is why I also watch Dance Moms even though I think the Moms are sooo out of this world.

Extreme Couponing is on right now.  I just don't understand all the stockpiling of food or items they don't use.  I think about using coupons but I don't get the newspaper to get the coupons and really, I have not really seen a whole bunch that I could use.  This woman is crazy.  She buys things to look good in her stockpile, not because she uses them.

I am not doing super well with the healthy eating today.  I made the mistake of buying cookies with M & Ms in them.  I should not have done that but I thought I could handle just eating 2 a day.  Well, needless to say, I was wrong.  Thankfully, the are gone now.  I tossed the rest of them.  I am not using the food mover this week and I think it is showing in my stress level about food.  I am so weird about food anyways.  I am afraid of weighing myself every week because when I was young, I was a dancer.  I also had bulimia.  I am not interested in starting to play head games with weight and food again.  I know how easy it is to get that way.  So far, I have been okay although these last few weeks have not been too good.  I will do better tomorrow.  It is just going much slower than I expected it too.  I think that the headache is making me a little disappointed in myself for not losing much weight at this point.

I am getting a bit tired now.  It is usually a bit later for going to bed but with the head, I need to lay down soon.

Thursday 11-8

I turned in the paperwork for Dr. G and mailed the hospital info.  I have the bills ready to mail.  I had to get stamps today.  I am excited that most of the month's bills are ready to be mailed and will be all in the mailed by Wednesday.  It is a wonderful feeling, let me say.

I am so excited about tomorrow.  I am meeting a new friend that I have met through one of my fibro support groups.  It should be super fun.  I told her what I would be wearing so I hope at 11:30 it won't be super busy so we can find each other.  We are meeting at Panera right up the street.  I am a bit nervous too since it is the first time I have ever met one of my online friends.  I have another fibro online friend who lives about 2 or so hours north of me.  Perhaps one day we will meet to.

I am seriously working on eating healthy, but I feel like the weight is really not going anywhere.  It isn't going up, which is good, but it isn't going down either.  I have a new type program that I am going to use and Kathy is friends with me on it.  I also like using my food mover.  That helps me a lot.  I am pretty good at choosing to eat healthy as opposed to the junk I used to.  I am pleased about that.  Even in the choices of restaurants have changed.  I would prefer to go where there is salads available as opposed to french fries.  I haven't had an order of fries since Memorial Weekend.  I am glad about that.

My knees aren't as sore as they were yesterday.  It is also a bit warmer so I am not sure if that is helping it or not.  I do have a headache that is a bit more than the regular everyday headache.  I didn't go to choir practice tonight.  I hope to be there on Sunday.  I screwed up my clock with the am and pm last week.

I am getting rather tired now.  Project Runway All Stars is on TV right now.  I do like the show and some of their challenges are fun.

The Day after the Election 11-7

Face book was rather interesting today with those who were happy about the results and, well, those who were not happy about the results.  Me?  I am just happy that it is all over right now.  There isn't much happening in the house this evening.  I had a few lessons that were fun and the students are doing really well.  Most of the students are choosing their Christmas Music at this time.  Antoinette missed her lesson and I was worried.  She called a few minutes ago.  She had to work until 7:30 so she will come on Friday this week.  I feel so much better now and that she is fine.

It is hard to believe that Thanksgiving is 2 weeks away.  Before we now it, it will be Christmas and then the new year.  I am not completely ready for it.  I have 2 gifts totally finished.  I have a few more to get.  I will be getting them one a week until I am done.  For the family, I will be getting the little ones something.  (Miles, Elizabeth, Jayson, Warren, Esther, and Phoenix)  I have ideas of what I am going to get.  I will start the ornaments for my students this coming weekend.  I have the fabric and now I have a new fabric pencil so I can copy the pattern on the material.  I just have to count how many I need.  I am anxious to get this project started because last time I sewed ornaments for the students, I waited until the last moment and well, I didn't finish in time so I had to get all the students something else.  I am so not going to have this happen again.  This year, I will start early enough.

I have been having trouble with my right now the past few days.  It is really sore.  I hope it improves in the next few days.  Last night was one of the worst nights I think ever.  I woke up with a stomach ache and it was upset.  I took some gravol but it didn't seem to do much good.  I think about 2 1/2 hours later I finally fell asleep.  I hope to never repeat this at all.  I have some problems every so often, but not like it was last night.  I sure hope I don't have it again tonight.

My head isn't super bad tonight, but I must say it is medium bad.  It was good enough during the lessons so that was good.  I need to be able to function during lessons and usually I am able to function just fine.  It is rare that I have to cancel a lesson because of a headache.  I think in 3 years I have cancelled lessons only about 4 or 5 times due to Fibro or its co-conspirators.  Of that, I am most thankful because if I couldn't teach, I would be in a bit of trouble with the financial end.  I may not have a lot of students, but it is the little extra to help with bills not to mention it gives me something to do during the day.  I know I need to rest, but I can't rest all the time.

I am trying to write on facebook everyday what I am thankful for.  I only started a couple of days ago but I am going to try to keep it going.  I am thankful and I know I am one blessed girl.  I have a great support system, which not a lot of fibro people have.  I am glad that I do and I try not to take the support system for granted.

Election Day 11-6

While I am thankful for living in a country where you have the right to vote, I am one thankful girl that the election season is ending tonight.  I am tired of the negativity that the political process has turned to. I wish more ads were about what the person stands for and not trying to make themselves different as the rip on the opponent.  I also wish the candidates would make promises they can actually keep since many of the promises can't be done because it is the job of congress or another branch of government.

We had our monthly subdivision meeting.  I like to go because I get to see some of my neighbors.  I was thinking ahead to next spring and summer when the young lady who cut my lawn this year will not be home.  I asked my friend if her son was interested in taking care of my lawn.  His mom said he would be.  Thankful for that as even after I lose all the weight, I will not be able to cut my own lawn.  I just don't think I will be able to do that even if I were interested, which I am not.  I am not an outside girl but an inside girl.  I like the sun when it is shining but in the summer it is just wayyyyyy to hot for me.

I have to go to the post office tomorrow to get stamps.  I usually get a few books at one time so I have plenty.  I am not sure how many Christmas Cards I am going to send this year.  I have some Christmas presents bought.  I don't have much to get so I should be done by the end of the month.

Sunday 11-4

I got an extra hour of sleep last night since we had to change our clocks back an hour.  I just realized that I forgot to change the little clock in the kitchen.  The stove clock is changed as my clock upstairs although I had to fix it since I didn't make sure the am and pm were correct.  Now they are.

I don't have any lessons today.  It is nice to have the day off.  I am not bored like I thought I would be.  I went and got some Chipotle for lunch and I have salad fixings to make my dinner with.  i am so not hungry right now though.  I am very full.  I have to pull the Christmas music and copy some tonight for tomorrow.  I finally have the ink I needed.  I also can mail the hospital papers on Tuesday too.  I also must drop off other paperwork for Doctor G.  I have papers for my student loan that he needs to sign.

My head is the normal, everyday headache not too bad of one today.  I am pretty tired tonight though.  I had to take a small nap this afternoon.  I think I slept for about 1 1/2 hours.  I just couldn't keep my eyes open at that point.  Fatigue is the hardest thing for me besides my headaches.  Headaches are the worst and the fatigue is second.  Yes, I have pain all over, but most of the time I can ignore it or at least I can function somewhat with it but the bad headaches, those are just the worst and I cannot function with them.  Right now, I am getting them most of the days of the week.  With the medicine, they aren't as bad all the time, but I think we need to either change the dosage or the medicine because they still happen too much.  I think I have an appointment with Dr. R at the end of this month.

I think I will read a bit and then go to bed.

the end of the week 11-2

There is a telethon on USA right now for the victims of Hurricane Sandy.  Several of my favorite singers performed.  Jon Bon Jovi sang a medley of who says you can't go home and Livin on a Prayer. It was really good.  It is so unbelievable when you see the pictures and film of the affected areas.  It looks like a war zone, I know in a way it is, a war with the weather and we lost.  I can't even imagine how those people are feeling.  It is so scary.  I have a friend who is in NYC.  At this point, I don't think she has any power but I don't think she was in the flooded areas, I am not sure since so much of NYC and the rest of the sea board was hit so bad.  I did call her and I hope to talk to her this weekend.  I have seen her online so I think she is okay.  It is just amazing what nature can do.  Hurricanes, Blizzards, Tornadoes, Earthquakes, just so much devastation.

Tomorrow I will be pulling all the Christmas books.  I have ink now so I can copy the paperwork that I need to copy and then mail that in to the hospital.  I will also be seeing Lily in her school play tomorrow night.  I can't wait to see her in her high school debut.  I also can't wait to see my girls next weekend.  They will have their lessons on Monday.  I have to bring music to Sarah so she can start practicing for the concert.  Most of the students have picked their songs already.  I need to get a book out for Nina so she can pick a song tomorrow.  Then I can copy the songs for the rest of students.  I figure by Sunday I will have everything ready to go.  That is the plan anyway for the weekend.

Head hasn't been to bad today.  I am excited about getting another hour of sleep on Saturday night!  Daylight savings time ends.  I don't know why they even bother with it.

All Saints Day 11-1

It is a light teaching day.  I have 2 students this afternoon.  Since it is a bad headache day, I am not going to go to choir.  My head just aches too much today.  Both Faith and Breanna are absent today and normally Sammy would have her lesson on Tuesday but she needed to reschedule because of an after school activity.

I am probably going to go to bed a bit early since I am not feeling so well today.  Today is just one of those not so good days that I spend a lot more time resting than anything else.  At least this is only the 2nd bad headache I have had this week instead of the 3rd or 4th one, so there is some improvement.  I am hoping for more improvement next week.  The infection is clearing up.  I do think I need another week of antibiotics so I will call Dr. G tomorrow for another week.  She told me if it wasn't cleared up by tomorrow to call so I will.

Time to go and organize the bills so they can be mailed tomorrow.  Tomorrow should be a better headache day.