The ever enchanting Calli

I am watching Ella Enchanted with Calli.  She and I recently read the book so she wanted to see the movie again.  I haven't seen this in a long time so it is nice to see again.  I love Anne Hathaway too.  She is an amazing actress!  I do love the movie though.  It is quite different from the book.  The ending of this movie is very, very different from the book.

It was a nice way to spend the afternoon.  Brandon made dinner.  It was good.  Calli and I have also been getting into having soup for lunch.  Bear Creek brand is a really good soup.  We had Potato soup on Tuesday and Tortilla soup yesterday.  Today's was cream of wild rice.  So far, Calli and I agree that the Potato soup is the favorite.  All 3 are good, but the potato is really the best.  We have a few kinds to still try.

Maisy is lying next to me here in the dining room.  We had a couple of good snuggles today.  I love my Maisy and I snuggles.  I am feeling much better today than I was yesterday.  I ended up in the ER at Midnight on Tuesday.  I just couldn't handle the pain anymore.  I was patched up and sent home, as Bill calls it at about 3:45 am or so.  I think I slept almost all of yesterday with a few hours here and there awake.  I was so tired from sleeping even less than usual because of all the pain I was having.  Now, that pain is okay so I am back to as normal as I get.

I am finished with the 1st disc to season 2 of the Rizzoli and Isles.  I really like this show a lot.  Next Tuesday is the season premier of season 3.  I have 2 more episodes on this disc and then a few on the 3rd disc.  This episode is really weird with witches and covens but I love this show.

I am not sure what is up for me this weekend.  I have one lesson on Saturday and one on Sunday.  I have a couple tomorrow too.  I am re-reading the O'Malley series on my nook.  They are soooooo good.  Kathy has just got to read them.

I have this weird pain in my right side for some strange reason.  I am not sure but it has been there for a few weeks now.  Just another weird symptom to add to my list, I suppose!!!

Well, Maisy and I are going upstairs.  It is time to read before bed.

Sunday 6-16

Today is Father's Day.  Happy Father's Day Momma!  She was the best Mom and Dad ever.  I wish she didn't have to do both jobs, but she did them.

It has been a quiet day today.  Acer is at Music Camp and so far, we haven't heard anything from them so he must be having a good time.  I can't wait to hear all about it.  This is just so up his alley.  Music is such a part of Acer's soul that it comes out whether or not he wants it to or not.  I think one of the most often spoken words in the house are "Acer stop with the noises".  Calli, Bill, and Brandon went to Bill's parents house for dinner.  I am sure they are having a good day.  Heather B-T and I both have sore throats and are not feeling up to par so she stayed home.  I had one lesson.  Rick asked for some duet music for he and his girlfriend so I pulled out the Andrew Lloyd Webber book and a Patriotic book that I thought they would both enjoy.

After the lesson I took a long nap as I was so tired from not feeling so well.  I think I slept for about 3 hours or so.  I am planning to go to bed early as I took some nighttime cold medicine and I am getting rather tired now.

I am watching Rizzoli and Isles disc 3 season 1 episode 2.  I haven't seen this episode before, well, I actually haven't really seen any of season 1 episodes but they are are good.  Season 3 starts June 25.  I am looking forward to it.  This is a really good episode.  The cop who was shot is actually the leader of the drug ring.  I did not suspect him at all.  Then again, I don't try to figure out who is good and who is bad in these shows.  I just watch them.  Now I just need to watch Season 2.

Maisy was so cute last night.  I was sitting on the edge of Heather B-T's bed and she was trying to get my attention.  Heather B-T took a picture of us.  I posted it on Facebook.

I had my CT scan results and I need to get a biopsy.  I am trying not to worry about it but sometimes I do, sometimes I don't.  I am not sure when the test is, but I plan on taking the first one available.  I am not waiting around on this one.

Well, off to more Rizzoli and Isles before some fun reading before bed!  I am re-reading the O'Malley series.  I love those books so much!

a lovely June evening 6-8

Maisy was not feeling too well this morning.  She also had a bit of a mishap this evening as Heather B-T and crew were getting ready to leave.  She seems to be much better now.  Maisy has learned to get herself up onto the princess table and stare out the music room window and watch the world go by.  I simply adore that little dog.  We had a bit of a snuggle this evening.  We both needed it.  She is in the music room right now, I think.  I am going to check.  Yup, that is where she was.

Heather B-T and crew have arrived home.  Maisy is happiest when we are all home.  She is going up to  Heather B-T's room now for her nighttime snuggles.  She sleeps in Heather B-T and Bill's room.  Maisy does come into my room when Heather B-T and Bill are gone.  Then she gets helped into my bed and we snuggle.  Her favorite place to sleep in my room is directly behind knees.  I don't mind though.

I was watching more of the Rizzoli and Isles again tonight.  Calli is exercising right now before her shower.  I am almost ready to go up and read before bed.  I was so tired this afternoon that I had to take a nap after Rick's lesson.  Sometimes, I think on days that I don't have as much planned and I finish things I need to do early, I get more tired.  I wonder why?  Maybe because I don't have as much planned?  I don't know.

Tomorrow Calli and I are going to pick up a container for the Easter Decorations that are still on the piano.  I think that I also want to look at the stuff on top of the china cabinet and maybe in the display cabinet too.  I will see.

Well, time to go up for reading.  I am reading "an Amish Christmas".  I have read it before and it is really good.  I have so many books on my nook to read.

Friday, June 7 Already???

It occurred to me last night as Heather B-T was telling Calli that while She, my friend, Star, and I all have problems with fatigue and Star and I have Fibromyalgia that not all women have this problem.  I never really thought about it but by pointing that out, it made me realize that most of the women that Calli sees on a daily basis do have major health issues.  Both her mom and I have bad headaches, we have both been hospitalized for them too.  I was in the hospital just last month.  Many of my friends have fibro too.  I am glad that Heather B-T did point this out to Calli as I don't want her to think she will get this as she gets older too.  She did say she didn't think she would get this and I had to smile.  I so hope she stays as healthy and as active as she is!  She is truly a delight to have around.  Not only her but her little brother, Acer too.  Last Saturday, I had Acer to myself and we had so much fun.  We were busy bees that day let me tell you.  I was rather worn out that night but it was so worth it to spend the time with the Little Mister Man.

Tonight, I am spending a quiet night with the lovely miss Maisy.  She is such a beauty!  Okay - I will have to admit that she is rather aggressive at times and can be mean but all in all she is a sweet dog.  She does bark a lot but hey, she is a dog!  She was lying on my bed this morning.  After Heather B-T gets up and takes the kids to school, Maisy comes into my room and hops onto my bed.  If I have to leave then she goes to Brandon who is usually is sleeping downstairs since it is summer and his school is out right now.

Everyone has arrived home now just in time for the kids to get ready for bed.  I have a couple of lessons tomorrow and nothing really planned on Sunday.  I think I am going to work on the music room on Sunday because I have some things that need to be done and since I don't have any lessons or appointments, it would be a good day to do this.  Most of the vocal music is put away and labelled correctly.  I have about 25 or so books that need to have their songs listed in the catalogue but that is almost done now too.  I am in the middle of switching the CD cases out still.  I haven't done any since I did the first drawer.  I need to do the 2nd and the 3rd drawer as well as all the original CDs.  Sammy will be helping me in the next few weeks so that is awesome.  She is so helpful.  Sam is a wonderful student, too.

I have been feeling rather tired these last few days because last week I was up early for an entire week in a row.  My anxiety was way through the roof but now it is back to normal and has been for a couple of days now.  I am about to go and read for a bit before going to bed.  I love my nook.  I wasn't sure that I would, but I really, really do!  It is the best thing ever.  It is definitely one of the best things I ever got.  I didn't think so since I love reading books, but I have become a e-reader fanatic.  Kathy was right when she said I would love it.  I also like how we get some free books every week too.

Well, time to read before bed.

Wow, how time flies! 5-30

I can't believe that tomorrow is the last day of May!  June first here we come!  It has been a bit since I last posted.  I have had 4 doctor appointments/tests done and a final one tomorrow at the kidney doctor.  I had a camera scope type test today.  That is the last test at this point that the doctor can do to see if there is any bleeding in the GI system.  Tuesday, I was at the neurologist.  She and I decided to discontinue the Amitriptylin (however you spell it) medicine as I still was getting hallucinations and I don't feel like it has helped at all.  In 3 weeks I will be done taking the medicine.  Wednesday was the hearing test.  I have known for years that I am partially deaf.  How deaf?  Well, I didn't really know that part, I just knew I was partially deaf.  When I was 13, I had an ear infection that lasted pretty much the entire school year.  My ears were blocked and I never told my mom.  I was afraid to tell her because I wasn't wearing my hat when I got sick and I didn't want to get in trouble for it.  Well, unfortunately, that was the wrong thing to do.  Yes, eventually my mom found out how bad they really were and took action.  Now, don't get me wrong, mom questioned me a lot and I said I was fine so if I had told the truth, I would probably not have permanently damaged my ears like I have.  So once mom found out and got me to the doctor, the specialist said I probably have damaged my ears permanently.  Mom was so upset and so was I.  I learned an extremely important lesson.  No matter what, always tell Mom when you aren't feeling well, especially if your ears hurt!  The new specialist I saw said that the hearing loss is from scar tissue from ear infections.  It has been years since I had an ear infection (thank God for that!) so it is probably from when I was 13.  The bottom line is I will be getting hearing aids.  I am glad that there is no nerve damage and if I use the hearing aids now, I can prevent nerve damage so yes, I will be wearing them.  I am looking into different programs to see if there is one that can help me pay for the hearing aids as I am on a limited income and cannot afford to pay for them all by myself.

Today, I had a camera scope type test.  I had to have clear liquids all afternoon and evening yesterday to prepare for the test.  It wasn't hard to do at all.  I went in at 8 am and then swallowed the capsule that is the camera and I had a monitor on so then I went on my way home.  The test is supposed to last from 8 to 4 but because of the lovely IBS, I finished early.  It will be 10 to 12 days before I get any results.

Tomorrow, I have the kidney doctor check up.  In 2008, it was discovered that I had a mass on one of my kidneys.  i can't remember which one.  I had it all checked out and it is not cancerous or at least then it wasn't.  In 2009, I went for a check up and then I was supposed to go every year to make sure it didn't grow or become cancerous.  Well, let's just say it is a good thing that they sent me a letter saying that I hadn't had my check up in a long time.  2009 was the last check up so because it has been 5 years, I have to refill out a lot of forms when I get there tomorrow.  I don't mind.  I know that I have to do it so I will arrive early to do this.  I will probably have an ultrasound done soon to check out the mass.  I don't expect to have it tomorrow but soon.  I know that they can be done at his office so that is good.  I really don't expect that it has changed in size since it wasn't cancerous before but it is something I should not have totally forgotten about.  I was just so busy with mom that really, I couldn't think about anything else except what she needed.  It was the last year of her life in 2010 so I really needed to focus on her and I did.  Should I have not skipped the appointment?  Of course I shouldn't.  The reason they didn't call to remind me like they normally do is because the phone number they had was our landline and we got rid of it before the next appointment or I would have gone.  They have the right number now and I received my reminder call today so I am all set for tomorrow.

Well, I am a bit tired more tired now than usual since I had to get up so early today.  I am going to read for a bit and then go to sleep.

The beginning of another week in the musical zoo. 5-19

I want to get a sign and paint it.  It will say, welcome to the musical zoo.  It so describes this house.  We have music somewhere going on pretty much all day and evening.  Acer and I listened to some veggie tales music this afternoon.  I love listening to music with him.  He is such a serious young man when it comes to music.  We started listening in his room and then we came down to the dining room because I was hungry so I had a bagel.  We shared his ear buds.  I was so exhausted today that I had to take a rest after I finished my bagel.  I am just that tired today.  I have been so tired lately.  I feel like I haven't gotten back to myself since I got out of the hospital.  I know it takes time to recover but seriously, it has been 3 weeks already!  I should be back to normal by now.  Or at least, that is what I think.  Naturally, my body doesn't agree.

Calli helped with the dishes this weekend.  It was a big help.  I am so tired and sore.  I really appreciate when she helps me.  I just have to empty the dishwasher before bed tonight.  There aren't too many dirty dishes right now.

Tomorrow, I have 2 lessons.  I have to copy a couple of new songs for Isaac for singing.  He is going to sing the Policeman's Song and the Pirate King.  Both are Gilbert and Sullivan.  I also need new songs for Nick this week.  I gave Natalie a few new songs on Friday.  She seemed to like them a lot.  I hope so.  I have to transcribe "Alleluia" by Mozart to make a practice CD for Sally.  She is having a hard time with the runs.  I have slowed it down so she can work on each individual note.  It doesn't take too long to do and since I know that I will be using that song for other students in the future.

Well. I am off to read for a bit.

Friday 5-17

The Fellowship of the Ring is on TNT right now.  I love these movies.  I have no idea how many times I have seen them.  I love the extended versions best because they really allow the movie to tell the story.    It is at the point in the movie right before the secret meeting.

It has been a light day today.  Not like yesterday with no lessons, but there were absences.  Acer has started working on some theory to teach him how to compose music.  He already does write music but I think at this point some theory background was needed.  He did very well with the first lesson.  He knows the primary chords, the I, IV, and the V.  He also knows the proper names of them, the Tonic, Subdominant, and the Dominant.  I did introduce him to all the names of the chords in the scale, but he only needs to know the Primary 3.  He immediately could transpose all of the chords to every scale he knows.  Yes, he is a very musical young man.  I think that as long as he is interested and can understand what we are doing, then we will continue.  He was excited when I told him that we would also be working on writing small pieces.  Acer was also excited to learn that the book we are using is the same book I used in college.  Music is such a part of him, not just something he likes, but it really is a part of his soul (like it is mine) that I believe he should learn whatever I can teach him.  I don't think there is an instrument that he has heard that he doesn't want to learn how to play.  He loves so many types of music too.  I am very happy with what he is doing in his lessons.  He does both piano and voice.  Acer does practice most of the time like he is supposed to but sometimes he does not.  After all, he is only 8, just because musically speaking he is older than 8, in everything else he is only 8.  This summer we are not going to have a summer concert like we have had the last couple of years.  We are going to have some community service concerts instead.  I would like Acer and Calli to both sing "Homeward Bound" together.  They sound so nice together and when they sing together, something wonderful happens.  It is hard to explain but they love to sing together and it shows.

I am very tired again today.  I have not been feeling so well these last few weeks.  I think I am still exhausted from being in the hospital.  i didn't expect to be feeling it still.  I am a bit achier than usual again today too.  I hope for a better day tomorrow.

One of those days 5-16

It is just one of those days, nothing I can put my finger on, but it is one of those I really kind of out of it today.  I didn't have any lessons and that is very unusual as on Thursdays I usually have 1 sometimes 2 so to have no students is just plain weird.  My headache is getting worse tonight.  I hope it does not become worse or a flare.  Both would be bad.  I think my anxiety is a bit high tonight too.  I don't have anything to be anxious about so I don't know why it feels so high.  I really don't have a reason.  Everything has been going really well with all the changes.  I am happier with having others in the house.  Heather B-T, Bill, Acer, and Calli are pretty easy to live with.  Maisy and Q are very easy to live with.  Everyone seems to have adjusted to living here, including the dogs.  I think I have adjusted well too.  So why is my anxiety up?  I have no idea.  It just happens sometimes.

I met with my friend, Jennie for lunch today.  We had a good time.  Her youngest daughter, Mary was there also.  She is growing so fast.  It is hard to believe that Mary is 4 already.  It seems like yesterday that Mary was born.  We visited for about 2 or so hours.  I like how we meet up every few months.  Frann would like to meet up with her also.  I am checking my schedule to see what will work for me for all of us to meet up.  Wendy wants to come too so that will be very fun.

I started the medicine for the swelling of my hands, legs, ankles, and feet 2 weeks ago.  I really hope it helps because the right calf is so swollen.  It is about 2 to 3 inches larger than the left calf.  It is awful.  I know that I need to lose weight, but wow, this swelling is making it even worse.  I also will be beginning the B6, which is also supposed to help with the swelling.  Something has got to work soon.

I am going to read for a bit.

fixing the confusion 5/12

Oops.  I didn't realize that I never mentioned that the friend who has moved in with her family is also named Heather.  I am sorry for the confusion.  I think from now on when I mention the other Heather, I will use Heather B-T to differentiate between us.  I know it is confusing at times.  Heather B-T is the mother of Calli and Acer.  She is also the furmom of Maisy.  Q belongs to Calli.  Bill is Heather B-T's husband.  Heather B-T is the one who does the gardening, certainly not me.  I am very happy that they are here.  I feel so much better than I did when I was alone.  I have enough privacy when I want it and I have someone to talk to when I want also.

Maisy is sitting right beside me tonight.  She also jumped up on the dining room chair for the first time. She is a smart cookie that is for sure.  Love that little dog.

Mother's Day was not bad for me.  Yes, I missed mom.  I miss her everyday so that was nothing new.  I went to Tilley's house to visit.  It was a very good visit.  We went to the movies and watched Romeo and Juliet that was a live performance in Russia.  It was being filmed live as we watched it in Windsor by satellite.  I found it so beautiful.  I love Ballet.  The music was simply amazing.  We had a nice time together.  We went to dinner at a little Vietnamese Restaurant.  It was really good.  I really liked it a lot. I wouldn't mind going back.

Well, I think it is time to go and read for a bit.

Saturday 6-11

I re-read my post from yesterday.  I guess I was much more tired than I thought.  There are several mistakes that made me chuckle.  I can't remember what they are now (lovely fibro fog) but they were funny.  Maisy and I have spent an afternoon together.  I had a couple of lessons and then I had to run to get flowers.  When I got back, I took and nap and Maisy and I went up to my room.  She slept on my bed right next to me.  I think we slept for about 1 1/2 hours.  I was just so tired.

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince is on right now.  Maisy is barking at the door every so often.  She sits by me, then she goes to the door, then she sits by me, then goes to the door, you get the picture.  She tries to be a guard dog.  I had to leave her at home for a bit when I went to get the flowers.  She was so happy to see me that she was on her hind legs trying to jump up on me.  I put the flowers down and then petted her and rubbed her tummy.  I am trying not to pick her up as Heather is trying not to pick her up so much either.  It is hard because she is so snugly.  She is such a sweet dog and lovable dog.  Yes, I have become rather attached to her.  I also am rather attached to the whole family.  Heather and Bill have gone to pick up Acer and Calli from Sports Camp.  They have been there for about 4 days.  I can't wait to hear how it went.  It was Acer's first time going and Calli's first time at the senior camp.  Both were very excited about camp.  It has been very quiet in the house without children for a few days but they will both be home tonight and that will end the quiet in the house.

Before I go to Tilley's tomorrow, I need to get gas and a Mother's Day card for her.  I was going to go and get them this afternoon but I didn't want to leave Maisy at home all by herself for too long a period.  Besides, it wasn't like I absolutely had to go today.  I can go tomorrow no problem.  There is a store right on the way.  I have to remember to get some tummy medicine when I am with Tilley tomorrow.

They are back.  Heather likes her purple tulips.  I am glad about that.  She loves flowers.  They are in her room in one of her vases.  I got a red/pink color tulips in honor of my Momma.  She loved tulips.  They were her favorite flowers that was why I got her those.  I thought the purple tulips were especially pretty so that was why I picked those ones for Heather.

Heather and I took a "tour" of the yard last night.  She and Brandon have been working hard in the yard.  They have planted some trees and flowers too.  The yard will look very nice when they are finished.  It is already looking much better.  Bill cut the grass last night.  He was very tired when he was finished.  Our yard is bigger than their old yard.  I have cut the grass myself when I was younger and I remember how big the yard was.  We also live on a corner so our yard is even bigger than the usual one.

Calli is doing her exercises.  Acer is doing something he needs to do.  Both said they had a good time.  I am glad about that.

I am pretty sore today.  My headache is a bit worse than usual, although much better than earlier before I had a nap.  I am sore all over, not in one place, just all over.  I think I am going to go and read for a while.  I need to be up earlier than usual since I am going to Tillie's and I need to make a couple of stops before I leave.

Friday 5-10

It seems so strange to be Friday again, already.  Wasn't it just Friday yesterday?  Seriously, time seems to fly these days.  Heather and Brandon worked in the kitchen today.  We emptied a whole cabinet.  Shocking, isn't it?  It was full of cookbooks that I said could be donated. I know, that is rather shocking too.  Slowly, we are getting things organized.  Tomorrow I have a few errands to run and then I will be getting some flowers for my mom and for Heather.  I am getting Tulips in honor of my mom since she loved those flowers best.  Heather likes so many flowers so I will get a variety of them for her.  I am surprising her with them.

I am working on not picking up Maisy so much.  I find myself picking her up a lot and it isn't good for my back with the two rods.  Also it isn't always good for Maisy.  I give her lots of attention, I just pick her up all the time like I was.  Right now she is lying down next to me.  She likes to sit in the area next to my chair so she can see upstairs, downstairs, and into the kitchen.  Maisy likes to know where all her people are.

I am going to Tilley's on Sunday.  I am not up to going to see Mom's grave like I thought I might.  I just not besides, she isn't there, only her ashes are there.  Andrew is going and then he is planning to go to Uncle John's.  He has the Christmas presents he never gave Uncle John and Michelle because he didn't see them on Christmas Day.

I am going to read for a bit.  I am getting tired.