Saturday 2-9

The first of the furniture that is going has gone.  The shuffleboard went to the woman who installed the carpet on the stairs for me.  We did a swap.  Her son and his friend came over with a truck to take the shuffleboard.  The two young men were very excited to play it tonight.  Brandon, the woman's son, brought sheets to protect the wood during the traveling process.  I was pleased that he thought ahead to protect the wood.  He even went to get the wax that he needs for the board.  The shuffleboard definitely went to someone who really wants it and will take care of it.

I think I have slept most of the week away, seriously.  Today I was up at 12 noon and back in bed by 1pm.  I woke up again at 5.  I am just very tired at this point.  I do feel better and I am not coughing as much as I was, so this is a good thing.  My ears are not blocked anymore.  Of that, I am really glad about.  I believe I will be able to start teaching on Monday and be back to my regular teaching schedule.  I have Sarah's and Patrick's piano lessons to start off the week.  Natalie's mom would like to have 2 lessons next week to make up for missing this week.  Natalie is competing in 2 weeks at Michigan Music Association.  I am a bit nervous about the competition because I was so sick this week.    Sarah's mom would like to have a make up lesson for Sarah.  Sarah is a beautiful pianist.  She is such a sweet girl too.  Natalie is also a lovely girl.  I love her spirit.  She works hard and I like that a lot.  Natalie does sometimes be too hard on herself, it is a balance between being constructive critical and too critical.  As she develops as a musician, she will learn that balance.

Katie Rose, one of my former students, is planning to come and see some of my students for competition.  Katie competed for several years.  She is a wonderful pianist.  I am happy that she does still play.  We are planning to have dinner together on Saturday.  I will get to spend some time with my busy friend.  It is so cool to be friends with former students.  Katie is now 26.  I can't believe it.  Really, has 8 years gone by since she graduated high school?  Time certainly does fly.  One of the collages I want to have on one of the walls is the one I created for when she graduated high school.  Several of my students were graduating that year.  I had all their senior pictures and Mom and I made a nice collage picture for each of them.  Katie's parents live down the road from me.  They have been very helpful and supportive of me since I lost Momma.  Last night was a bad missing mom night, tonight, just the regular missing mom night.  I want to put up a collage of the pictures that are on my phone.  There are several silly pictures that I took of mom in 2009.  They weren't all taken at the same time, just sometime during that year.  I smile every time I see one of those pictures.  She was such a cute little old lady.  It was interesting how many of my students and their families didn't realize she was a major in the Canadian Army.  She was and mom did very well in the army.  I miss that mom too as well as the mom she became.  I think for some of my family it was difficult to see mom when she had Alzheimer's.  I think it was hard for Richard.  He doesn't do well with any type of illness.  My favorite thing to say to mom was "where is that pretty Momma smile?" and then she would smile.  Mom was a smiling, happy person despite the Alzheimer's.  I made sure she looked very cute at all times.  That is what I would tell her.  When I became in charge of her clothes, I picked out clothes that were mostly Disney since Mom liked Disney so much.  I remember mom had this one pair of pajamas that I just hated.  They were ripped but she kept wearing them.  I finally had to ask mom to stop wearing them because it looked like they were rags with the rips.  I had a new pair of pajamas for her so she said okay and put on the new pair.  I immediately got rid of the old ones.  I was actually afraid that someone would see them and say I was abusing her by making her wear rags.  Mom really liked the new pair and promptly forgot about the old ones.  Once a month we would go and get groceries for the month.  I always checked to see if there was something she wanted.  Sometimes it would be a really cute sweatshirt or t-shirt or pants.  Sometimes she just wanted a treat like a candy bar.  Mom had very little wants.  She was very easy to please with the treats she liked.  That was just mom.

Well, I think I will make a tea and read for a bit.  I love my nook!

Friday 2-8

I have officially cancelled all lessons for the rest of the week.  Wow, I have not had to do that in soooo long but it was very necessary.  I am just wanting to pass along this lovely cold.  I am on the mend so I don't see a problem teaching starting on Monday again.

The carpet is now installed on the 6 stairs to the family room.  I am very happy about that.  The woman and her son did a great job.  They are going to take the shuffleboard.  Her son will be the one to come and pick it up.  They were very happy with the swap.  Since Angela expressed interest in the shuffleboard I thought a swap would be good.  She and Brandon installed the carpet and they get the shuffleboard.  So far most everything has found a new home that needs to find one.

Ooh, I just remembered, I need to get an oil change.  With the new oils that car makers are using, I didn't have to change it until it was at 7500 instead of every 3000 miles.  It is time to change it.  I will do it this week.  I have marked it in my planner.  I meant to do this a couple of weeks ago, but I forgot.

Bill and Calli are here bringing some more things.  Calli is organizing the pantry.  Fortunately, the 4 cabinets are not full.  Actually, they are pretty empty so that is a good thing.  We will have plenty of room.  Today's load was some food for the pantry and boxes of books.  Some were Calli's.  Her books are huge.  For Anne of Avonlea and Anne of the Island, there are several volumes because braille books take more space.  I am really glad she likes to read.  Acer is doing really well with reading too.  Acer is under the weather too just like me.  Slowly, everything is getting done.  I have to remember to take a picture of the sofa for Karlyn.  I am hoping that Karen will be coming and getting the elliptical this weekend.  If not, that is okay, she will get it soon.  Things are falling into place.  I am pleased with the progress.

Calli was cute this evening.  She said that Bill is not ready for her to be a teenager.  I had to agree with him!  I am so not ready for her to be a teenager.  I imagine Heather isn't ready either.  Sometimes, it seems like yesterday she arrived from China and others it is like she has been here forever same with Acer.  Calli and I are the same height now.  Yes, Calli is very happy about that, no surprise there.  Acer is still sick too.  He didn't have to go to school today because it was a snow day.  When I woke up this afternoon, my driveway, front walkway, and other sidewalks were cleared.

My pain level hasn't been too high this week.  I am surprised that I didn't get a flare with this cold/flu/whatever it is.  I am thankful that I didn't.  My headache isn't so bad this week.  I think it is because of the antibiotics and other medicines.  I am watching the spot on my leg very carefully.  I am really not up for it to be worse.  I can't really tell at this time if the spot is getting better or not.  I figure I started the antibiotic on Tuesday so maybe by tomorrow I will be able to see if it is getting better.  I sure hope so.  I don't think I am up for anything else to be wrong with me.  I really am not.  This is the 3rd time I have had an infection under the skin.  One in September 2010, another in October 2012, and now.

I am watching Law and Order SVU.  It is the usual show for this day.  I have seen most of the episodes and really, often the TV is on just for noise.  I finished reading this book on nutrition and weight loss.  It was interesting and I think I learned something from it.  I will be starting a food journal starting tomorrow.  Right now, I am not eating a whole lot since I don't feel so well.  I figure that by tomorrow should be better, if not, I will wait until I am completely healthy.  I have started taking some supplements to help with managing the symptoms of Fibro.  I don't think I can lose anything by trying something new.  Between the medicine and supplements, I often feel that I take a pharmacy of pills but there isn't anything at this time I can stop taking.  I am hoping by continuing to work on weight loss I will also be able to stop taking so much medicine.  That is my goal anyway.  On one of the support facebook pages they talk a lot about supplements and vitamins.  So much of the medicine we take either depletes vitamins or makes up gain weight or it just doesn't work.  At this point, I feel like in order to take charge of my fibro, I need to read up on all this stuff.  i really like the page that discusses holistic alternatives.

Well, I know have a bad headache.  I didn't when I started writing this post, but I do now.  Time to rest some more.

What a crazy week!! 2-7

This has been an insane type of week.  I am finally starting to feel a bit better.  If I feel like this tomorrow, I will be able to teach, no problem.  I have been on antibiotics for 2 full days now so that won't be an issue.  I am hopeful for that.  I only have 3 students tomorrow and 2 on Saturday so it isn't like earlier in the week where there were 4 or so.  I am not coughing as much as I was yesterday.  I did have to go and get some more of the nighttime medicine.  I meant to do my laundry today, but I am just so exhausted that I will do it tomorrow.

I am watching project runway.  I like this show.  Some of the fashions they come up with are interesting.  They aren't always something I would wear, but it doesn't have to be.  They are just interesting.  The show reminds me of Lydia every week since she is so into fashion and make up and sewing.  Lydia is a wonderful girl.  The luncheon we went to on Sunday was so much fun.  It really was.  I enjoyed spending time with the girls and their friends.  I finally got to meet Gabrielle.  She is a sweet girl and it is because of her that I was able to re-connect with Star.  When I was first on face book, I had Hannah, Natalie, and Lydia as face book friends.  Their friend Gabrielle friended me.  We would have little bits of conversations on face book.  The girls have a drafting board at their house that they are now using for art and design.  Hannah and Natalie are doing very well at their art classes.  All three of the older girls have decided to stop taking lessons right now and just learn on their own.  This leaves room for Sarah and Patrick to be able to have lessons every other week instead of once a month. I really like that idea a lot as both are younger and sometimes waiting a whole month they forget what they are doing or they are so confused.  This every other week will be so much better.  That is what we did when the older 3 were small.  Laura feels that Patrick gave me my cold.  I think it was just a bunch of things that added up to the reason I got the cold.  It doesn't seem to matter why, it just matters that I got it and that I am getting better.  I slept a lot today.  I really needed it.

Tomorrow, the carpet for the stairs is supposed to be installed.  I sure hope it is going to.  I really am.  It is just one more thing on my list of things to do.  Bill was here earlier today with some of their stuff.  He chuckled and said it would be an unusual thing for him, to actually have his clothes in his own closet.  I did have to chuckle on that.  I really did.  I, of course, will actually have to take my clothes out of the dryer and put them away in my room, unlike what I do now, which is leave them in there and take what I need for the next day out.  I have to wash a couple sets of sheets and fold them so that I can take my laundry bin back into my bedroom.  Silly Heathers, I have not had the laundry bin in my room for a really long time.  Also, that big pile of clothes on the dryer, yeah, they are going to have to go upstairs in my room too.  I am going to see if Calli can come and help me organize my drawers so I have room for my stuff.  I have clothes that don't fit in the drawers and I need to get rid of them.  Some will be donated, others will be tossed.  Some of them aren't good enough to donate so those Calli and I can just toss them.  Calli is a very helpful girl.  She likes to help.  I can't believe that she will be 13 next month!  Seriously, wasn't she just turning 10?  It sure seems that way.  Of course, it seems like yesterday Acer was 4 almost 5 and now he is 8.

Karlyn is going to be coming up in the next few weekends to come and get the living room furniture.  She likes it and there are 6 pieces plus two lamps.  She is aware that the lamps need new shades and the  cushions all need to be re-stuffed.  She isn't sure they would have room for the stair climber.  Karlyn is disappointed about that but the decision hasn't been completely made so maybe she will be able to take it too.  Karen is coming on the weekend to pick up the Elliptical.  She is very happy about that.  I know Lisa also wanted it, but Karen asked first so that is who gets it.  After the 14th, Wendy will be picking up the table and chairs.  Ray is out of town until then.  So far, things are really working out well.  We are slowly clearing out what needs to be cleared out and bringing in what needs to be brought in.  I think it is working well.  I want to spend a lot of time this winter deciding what pictures of my family and friends up.  The family room doesn't have anything on the walls.  Not one picture and I really think I would like pictures up.  I have a collage in mind for Mom.  I took some silly pictures of her in 2009 on different days.  I want to put them in a collage.  I also have some pictures of Mom when she was a little girl.  The youngest picture I have is when she was 3.  There are 3 pictures of her with her dad and she is making faces.  It is so Mom.  Mom was always making faces at us when we were small.  I also think that I would like some pictures of us when we were young, as well as pictures of friends.  I think it will add something to our us.  I haven't really been able to do anything with pictures because it hurt so much.  I miss Mom so much that it began to hurt to see her pictures.  Now, it doesn't or at least not as much.

I have all my valentine's done.  Since next Thursday is Valentine's Day, it was important to have them all finished for tomorrow.  This year, unlike last year, I will be able to give the students' their Valentine's before Valentine's Day.  This year I picked Valentine's that also come with Pencils.  I thought that was a nice surprise.

Well, I am getting a bit tired.  I think I will have another tea and finish watching Project Runway.  I may even read for a bit.

Midweek 2-6

I had to cancel lessons again for tomorrow.  I am finally starting to feel a bit better, but I sound horrible.  I am losing my voice now.  I am sure students will be very happy about that.  I am pretty sure I will not be singing in choir tomorrow night.  I have already said I won't be there.  I do hope that I will be teaching on Friday.  I have not had to cancel this many lessons in years.  I hope not to have to this again in many years.  I do believe I am on the mend today.  My ribs hurt really bad though from the constant coughing I have been doing in the past few days.  I did run out of tissue in my room last night though.  I meant to get more yesterday but I forgot.  What can I say?  Whoops?  So I did have to go out today to get some.  I don't plan on going out anytime tomorrow or this evening.  I have enough tea, I have my medicines, I have some food, basically, I have what I need.  I am hoping that resting 4 days in a row, I will be perked and ready to go on Friday.  I had to cancel my doctor appointment tomorrow.  I will reschedule for next week.  I couldn't go in with this cough.  Friday will be the carpet installation day.  I am really looking forward to that.  I will FINALLY have carpet on those 6 stairs to the family room and office.  I am really looking forward to having this job done.  I am not sure if the woman who is installing the carpet still wants the shuffleboard or not.  If she doesn't, then Wendy will take it.  Basically, things are really falling into place now.  I had to cancel Jen coming today because of my cold.  One - it is really unfair to have someone come to help you when you are coughing like a madman and two - I wasn't feeling up to any of this at all.  Jen and I have rescheduled for next Wednesday.  So many are sick right now too with this cold to hot to cold to hot and back to cold weather we are having.  I should have known better and worn a coat when I raced to the store.

I am trying to decide which of Mom's paintings I want to keep and where I want them.  I want to exchange them for pictures of family and friends.  I love her paintings, but I also love pictures of her.  I have several pictures that I took of Mom in 2009 on my phone.  I want to print them and then put them in a frame.  They are of her smiling and being silly.  I really like the pictures of her.  I am not a great photographer, but I think they turned out really cool and I smile when I see them.

Anyways, time for some dinner.  I am actually a bit hungry for a change since I haven't been since Sunday night.  I also need to do some laundry so I am off to do that after dinner!  I sure hope that everyone is healthier than me!!!

Still Sick

I am still sick.  I had to cancel lessons for tomorrow also.  I am getting somewhat better, but still coughing like a mad woman.  I am watching Castle and drinking Earl Grey tea.  It is one of my favorite teas ever.  I hope everyone else is healthy.

No Lessons for the Day 2-4

Well, I had to cancel lessons for today and tomorrow.  I am hoping by Wednesday I will be a happier camper and ready to teach.  I do have an appointment tomorrow with the doctor about the spot on my leg.  It is still there.  I don't get it.  I hope it is not an infection or anything like that, but who knows, this is me and weird stuff happens.  Nature of the lovely chronic illnesses, I suppose.  Anyways, I do feel a bit better right now and I am not coughing as much as I was so I am glad about that.  I am very thankful that the coughing isn't so bad.

So far, the downsizing is going well.  I have to take a few pictures for Karlyn.  She is interested in the formal living room set.  She knows that the cushions need to be re-stuffed so that is good.  Patty is taking the full size bed frame, headboard, and foot board.  Karlyn is also interested in the stair climber and the twin size bed frame and headboard.  I have a picture of that already.  I just have to go downstairs tomorrow when it is light out to take the picture.  Almost everything we need to find a new home has found a new home.

Well, I think I am going to make another tea and then head back to bed, again, for about the 3rd time today.  I have to get up a bit early for the doctor appointment but then I can come home and rest. Fortunately, the pain levels aren't too much higher than normal.  I am so thankful for that.

The Start of Another Week 2-3

Well, I officially have a cold.  I am thankful it is only a cold as a cold starts off the same as the vasculitis does.  I do believe I have missed the vasculitis again.  I never want that one again, ever.  It was awful and very painful not to mention how ugly the rash looks.  Yes, despite being a chub, I am slightly vain when it comes to rashes.  I have started coughing now so I am hoping the nighttime medicine will help me feel better.  I can hope, can't I?

Other than my cold, things are coming along.  I posted on face book posts asking if any of my friends or family wanted some stuff that I have.  Wow, most of the stuff that I need to find a new home for has been spoken for.  Whoa, talk about timing!  Things are really working out here.  I am pleased with this progress.

The weather this week has been so insane.  I am not sure if we are getting more snow or not.  It is supposed to be colder than this week, which is understandable as it is February.

I had a lovely afternoon with the Muglia girls and some of their friends.  We met up at a restaurant for a ladies only luncheon.  Lydia is turning 16 next Saturday and it was also her aunt's birthday.  It was a really nice afternoon.  I got Lydia some makeup.  She likes makeup a lot so I got her some fun eye shadows and lip gloss.  Lydia is also our fashion girl.  She is doing really well with sewing.  At this point she is considering fashion design.  Since Lydia is a sophmore, she has a few years to finalize her plans for the future.  I finally got to meet the girls friend, Gabrielle.  We are face book friends but it was nice to finally meet her in person.  She is a sweet girl.  I am thankful that I am face book friends with Gabrielle because it was through her that I re-connected with Star.  So all in all, it was a good thing.

If I don't feel better tomorrow, I will have to reschedule lessons.  I am hoping to feel better.  I will know tomorrow.  Right now, I am going to have a tea and shortly get ready for bed.

Saturday 2-2

I wonder if the groundhog saw his shadow today.

I have started working on what needs to stay in the house and what can go in the house.  My cousin, Zachary had said that if I ever don't want the round table and barrel chairs to let him know, he would like them.  Well, I placed a call to Tillie to pass the message to Zachary that I no longer want the table and chairs.  I have a different set that we will be using.  I may have sold the shuffleboard.  I left a message with Angela (the lady who was over yesterday about the stairs) and she is very interested in it. I am planning on having everything out of the family room that I don't want in about 2 weeks.  I need to get a hold of the thrift store for a pick up.  The formal living room set is also going to be going as a different sofa and chairs will be taking its place.  In order to keep the living room set, I would have to get new shades for the lamp (that isn't a problem - that is easy) and re-stuff the cushion.  Yeah, I don't see that happening anytime soon.  It is also rather cold downstairs for me so I don't spend a lot of time down there so that is why I don't mind them going.  Plans are shaping up.  I am happy that progress is being made.  Once the family room is mostly emptied I want to steam clean the carpets.  I have a steam cleaner so that isn't going to be a big deal.  Then after the family room is almost emptied, it will be time to move everything out of the office and put it in the family room.  The entire office is being emptied and downsized.  The photo albums will go back on the shelves that they belong on, the other computer will be put up.  Once the office is completely emptied, I will then steam clean the carpet in there.  I figure by doing one room at a time, it will be much easier for me to do this.

Once the downstairs is shaped up I will be heading for my room.  I have things in there that need to find a better home.  I no longer want ANY of the music in my room.  I have the original CDs that go with many of the books I use for voice students.  I kept them in my room for really, lack of a better place to put them.  Now, I have a better place to put them.  Natalie and Sammy said they would help with the putting away music and switching out the old cases for new sleeves.  I feel good about all the changes and things I am doing with the house.  I have been in survivor mode for so long that it seems like forever since I have done nothing in all this time.  I feel better these days.  I still really, really, really miss mom, but I do feel like I can move and not be in survivor mode.  With the new changes happening, I am not feeling stressed about it, I have a plan and I will do one thing at a time.  I also need to start going through boxes upstairs.  In my old room there are so many boxes that were mom's.  I am not sure what is really in any of them.  I know there is some military stuff in a couple of them, but other than that I am not sure.

Bill was here this afternoon just before Natalie arrived for her lesson.  Bill needed to measure how tall the office is.  He also needed to measure some other stuff too.  I have to take the music downstairs and put the ice skates away in the furnace room.  I need access to the front closet.  My job this week is to put Mom's military uniforms and stuff in boxes and put in the garage.  I also need to get my pictures out of the garage for my room.  I have asked Jen to come and help if she is available.  I am going to need the front closet rather soon.  I also need to empty some of my drawers in my dresser so that I can bring up the clean ones upstairs.  I have a list started on what needs to be done to organize the house.

Acer couldn't have his lesson tonight.  The Little Man is not feeling too well.  He has a wet cough and is just miserable so Heather kept him home instead of coming here for his lesson.  Heather said he has been working on his piano song and his vocal song.  Acer has decided to sing "Ave Maria" for the spring concert.

I have put a status on face book asking if anyone wants the exercise equipment.  My cousin, Danielle would like the stair climber.  Andrea is interested in the cross country ski machine and the elliptical.  Things are falling into place.

Time for a nice read before bed.

The First of February - EECK! Where did January Go!

Today is the first of February.  That means that in 21 days, 4 of my students will be at competition.  I, for one, am sooooo not prepared for this.  I will use the 21 days to really polish up the performances.  For my 3 singers, only Becca has competed before.  It will be the first time for Breanna and Natalie.  For the piano girl, it is the first time for Sarah.  Sarah is a very sweet and talented young lady.

Next Friday, the carpet that is missing on my stairs will be installed.  It is only 6 stairs and I have the carpet but not the padding.  Angela, the installer, will be bringing the padding.  Also, she would like to buy the shuffleboard, which is sooooooo awesome!  We need the space that it is in and since my standing isn't very good, I don't see the need to keep it.  That is one more thing done for that room.  Next on my list is the formal living room furniture.  We need the space for other things and really, the furniture set is too big for the space it is in.  The round table and chairs also need a new home for.  The chairs are not that study and while it looks really cool, the practicality of them is not good.  There will be a new table and chairs in its place.  They will be a bit smaller but that is okay.  I have other tables I can use for sewing if I need them.

It is getting colder again today.  It is supposed to be very chilly next week, back into the 20s with lots of wind chill.  It is Michigan, so it isn't like this is unexpected weather.

I have a list of things that need to be done in the next 5 weeks.  I think with help and pacing, it shouldn't be a problem to get it all done.  The first of the list is the carpet for the stairs and that will be next Friday!  On to the next project.  I need to clean out my office.  I want to have all the music put away except for the stuff I am actually at this time, using.  The other music needs to be put away.  Also, I need to get some more sleeves for CDs and switch out the cases for all the teaching CDs.  I am running out of room of where to put them so this is a necessity at this time.  Also, the original CDs also need to be placed in sleeves instead of their bulky cases because they are not all fitting in that case.  Overall, the music needs to be put away, the books and sheet musics and the CDs.

Emily is having her lesson today along with Antoinette.  Today will be Antoinette's last lesson for a while.  I am so sad about this.  She is such a nice young woman.  She says she will be back after she is done teaching dance.  I hope she comes back.  Tomorrow is a bit busier because Natalie and Acer are having their makeup lessons.  I would rather have makeup lessons than to miss lessons so I am glad they both wanted to reschedule the lesson.

I am looking forward to Sunday when I attend Lydia's 16th birthday party.  She is such a wonderful girl.  she is so sweet, talented, beautiful young lady.  It is hard to believe that she is 16.

Well, I am going to have a tea before Emily arrives.

Wednesday 1-30

I had the initial consultation for the physical therapy for the carpal tunnel.  I am fortunate because there is no nerve damage because it is rare.  Maybe we caught it early enough to reverse the damage.  I did have moist heat for 15 minutes on my wrists.  I am going to get a new heating pad.  I don't have one at this point.  When I get paid I will buy one this weekend.  Lydia's 16th birthday is coming up.  I am planning to attend her luncheon for girls only.  She is such a beauty and a gentle soul!  Of all the 3 older Muglia girls, Lydia is the shyest one.  Lydia is very quiet.  Hannah is the somewhat quiet and Natalie is the chatterbox, or at least with me she is.  I just really like those girls!  I am blessed to have such good friends, family, students, and students' family.  Sarah wants to see Wreck It Ralph.  I told her that we were going to do something just the two of us.  She has had to miss a couple of movies that the older girls and I have seen.  The first time, she was ill and we when saw Les Miz, she was too young.  As beautiful and wonderful the movie is, it is not for a 9 year old.  I also would not take a 9 year to the live stage version either.  Sarah and I will, of course, stop for ice cream after.  It is a tradition you know.  I love these traditions that the girls have created.  Sometimes the girls and I go just for ice cream and talk.  They are such sweet girls.  Patrick is also a very sweet boy.  He had his 1st piano lesson on Monday.  Because the older 3 will not be taking lessons anymore, Patrick and Sarah will be able to have every other week lessons instead of once a month.  I am pleased with this.  A month is a long wait for the little ones.  For the older 3, it was okay because their music is much harder.  Patrick did really well.  I have to pick up his new theory and note speller book before his next lesson.  Sarah and I are reviewing some of the music she has already played.  I do think that the Christmas Music with a new hand position really confused her.  Sarah is doing very well and I think with some review she will feel a bit more confident.

My headache is about a medium today.  I am not sure about trying anymore Alsuma because my stomach was so upset in the middle of the night.  I am not sure if it was the medicine or just my IBS acting up.  It is probably a 50/50 toss to say which one caused it.  My legs are a bit stiffer tonight.  I am not sure really why, they get that way sometimes.  Next week I will be seeing the chiropractor.  I hope to learn a new way to help my headaches and losing weight.  I am working really hard on eating healthy.  I am trying to eat a lot more vegetables and fruits.  I sometimes have trouble with the fruit though.  Vegetables are easier for me.  I like salads so I get lots of vegetables in that.  I need to add the fruits to my meals too.  That is what I am working on these days.

Castle is on TNT tonight.  I have recently discovered this show and I can't believe I never ever watched it.  It is really good.  Bill says he can get the DVDs for me to borrow from his work.  I may have him do this along with the books that are available.  That could be great.  I have so many books on my nooks now that I cannot complain that I don't have enough to read, believe me, I do.  The thing I like about the free books is that it introduces me to so many new authors.  Well, time to spend some time with the nook before bed.  I have to get some music tomorrow for a student.  I will have to get some on Friday too but I need the one set of boxes for tomorrow and I don't have enough money to get them all so I will have to go again on Friday.

Strangest Weather Ever for MI 1-29

Sunday night we had a snow storm.  By the time I got up (yes at noon), it was raining and slushy.  All the schools in the area were closed.  4 of my students wanted to have earlier lessons since they were out of school, so naturally, I said of course, come earlier.  I don't have a problem with that.  The temperatures were in the mid 40s.  Today also the weather was in the mid 40s.  Most of the snow has turned into slush.  I just hope that it doesn't turn icy.  That will be dangerous if it does get icy.  I have to put more de-icer if necessary.  I have a huge bag of it so it won't be a problem.

Tomorrow I have an appointment with physical therapy.  It is just the consultation so I will find out what my part of the payment will be.  I am actually thinking that I probably will not be able to afford it. I did have occupational therapy this summer and that helped so I don't really think I need the physical therapy for carpal tunnel.  I do keep my hands straight as possible when I sleep and when I am doing stuff.  I still haven't found exactly a good position for when I am reading my nook, but overall, I am doing alright.  Things are shaping up around here.  Sammy is going to come over and help put the music away.  It really needs to be done at this point.  I will keep a small pile out for things I use all the time, but the Christmas music and other music needs to be put away.  I also need to start going through a file cabinet upstairs.  I really don't know what all is in it, but I have to go through it anyway.  Going through these boxes and cabinets are so hard because it feels like I am invading Mom's privacy.  I know she doesn't need the stuff up in Heaven, but it is still her stuff.  It isn't mine, it is hers.  I can't do this at all when I am alone, all I do is cry.  I just miss her so much all the time.  I have to take the sign off her door.  It still says "Mom's Room".  I remember making them for her.  She was having trouble remembering what room she is in so I made us signs.  I wish I could have done something and had her be here now.  It is so hard sometimes to see people my age with their mothers.  I want mine back.  She was a good mom.  I don't want her stuff, I want her with me.  I am glad that I know some day we will be together again and never separate again.  I just wish it was now.  I wasn't ready for her to go.  I don't think I would have ever been ready for that.  

I have a new student on Thursday for piano.  Antoinette will have her last lesson until May on Friday.  Antoinette is doing very well, it is just that she will be teaching dance for a few months so she will not be able to practice as much and she works a lot at her new job.  I look forward to her coming back for lessons.  Lessons are going well.  There is a new pay structure now.  It is in steps now.  It depends on how many lessons each student has.  I am fine with it.

Competition is coming up fast it seems.  Sarah is doing very well with her songs.  Rebecca will have her lesson on Sunday evening.  Sunday will be Lydia's sweet 16 birthday Luncheon.  I am so excited about this.  She is such a sweet girl.  I am not exactly sure what to get her for her birthday.  I know it will be something for sewing.  Lydia loves sewing a lot.  I have given the three girls the 2 portable sewing machines and their mom has a sewing machine so she doesn't need a new one.  Okay - I would not have bought her a new sewing machine all by myself, I would have given her a gift certificate towards one but since they have plenty it is a moot point.  I am going to the store on Saturday afternoon to pick something.  I love that Joann Fabrics now has a scooter.  That of course means that I can spend lots of time in there and lots of money.  Although right now, I am being very careful with my money.

Well, NCIS Los Angeles is on.  I am going to make some tea and relax before I head for bed.