Friday, July 12, 2013

Friday 7-12

I had a meeting with the group that will be helping to pay part of my hearing aids.  They will pay 60% of the cost, which is totally awesome.  I have to figure out how long it will take for me to be able to save the balance, which is the 40%.  It should be a few months and then I will have good hearing, something I haven't had since I was 13 and I had that horribly long ear infections in both ears that I never told my mother about.  Yeah, I have cautioned Calli to never do that.  Even if she is worried about telling her mom or dad about something that is wrong with her, she must tell them immediately.  She said she would.  I think I am a good example of what can happen if you don't.  Anyways, in a couple of months I will be hearing sounds I haven't heard since I was a child.  It will be weird.

Calli is reading to Acer right now.  It is a good story.  I have been listening too.  It is a mystery story.  Acer loves to have people read to him.  Last night, he wanted me to read to him before bed.  I read 2 small stories and then he went to bed.  I like to read before bed too.  We are all readers in this house.  It is a lovely thing to be in this house.  Acer likes to read also.  He has read a few books to me.  I get such a joyous feeling when I hear him or Calli read.  It makes me smile.  Calli reads very well out loud.

It is beautiful outside today.  I actually want to take my scooter out and go for a scooter.  Maybe Calli will want to go for a scooter walk today after Acer's lesson.  It is just that beautiful.  The temperature is perfect along with the humidity level.  It isn't too humid and too hot.  I haven't scootered in a while either.  We may even be able to bring Maisy.  She loves to go for walks.  Maisy and Q both love to go for walks.  I don't need to go for a long one, just enough to soak up the sun and the beautiful weather.  I will ask after Acer's lesson.  Acer might want to go to.  Who knows.  One never knows in this house.  I do like my scooter even though I wish I didn't need one.

I don't expect that I will still need it even when I am thinner.  It isn't the fibro that causes me to need it so much as it is the arthritis.  With the arthritis that is, as my doctor has said, riddled through my lower back, I cannot stand for very long nor can I walk very long or very far.  When I have lost about 30 more pounds then I plan to start walking more outside of the house.  My goal is to go to the top of the street and back without needing the scooter.  I figure that maybe I will be able to go farther than I can, but as for walking for miles like I used to, I know I won't be able to do that.

I have a few students today.  Acer is one of them.  Ryan has been on vacation for 2 weeks so he is back today.  I am glad.  I miss my students when they are not here for their lessons.  I don't have that many so I do miss them when they are gone.  Robyn is ill today so she won't be coming.  She has a summer cold and is planning to go to the doctor this afternoon.  I hope she feels better next week.

Well, Mr. Acer is anxiously awaiting for the bop it pinball on the computer so I am going to have to end this now.  He is most impatient.  I don't blame him.  He loves bop its a lot.  We hear bop it games all day long.  Acer even makes the noises himself when he isn't playing the games.

Thursday, July 11, 2013

an evening of Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix 7-11

I love the harry potter books and movies.  I remember being on vacation when the 5th book came out.  I so wanted to buy it but I didn't have enough because I bought a bit of Anne of Green Gables stuff.  That was alright.  As soon as I got home, I discovered Momma already bought me the book!  So had I bought it, I would have had 2 copies.  Momma loved doing surprises like that for us.  It didn't matter to her we were adults.  We were still her children and she loved surprising us.  With me, it was usually books or music.  I also, liked to surprise Momma with treats.  For several years in a row, at Christmas, I surprised her with tickets to a musical.  The last one we saw was the "White Christmas" at the Fox Theatre.  Momma and I really enjoyed it.  I cannot count the amount of musicals we saw both on TV, in the Movies, or live at a theatre.  I miss my musical theatre partner so much.  It isn't the same without her.  I do want to see some but I don't really have anyone to go with anymore.

Tonight, Acer wanted me to read him stories at bedtime.  I was planning to go to choir but he wanted me to read stories so I didn't go.  It isn't anything new.  It has been so long since I have been there.  I was feeling alright except I did have a bit of a bad headache too.  I was proud of myself because I told him I would read 2 stories and I stuck to it.  He tried to get another but I stuck to 2.  That hasn't happened before.  I usually cave and read another if not 2 more.  Well, tonight I didn't.

Maisy and I took a ride to get gas this afternoon.  She is a good little passenger.  She really is.  She stays on the passenger side most of the time.  If I open the window, then she comes over to my side to see what is going on but other than that, she stays on the passenger seat.  I love that little dog.

I was purposely driving Calli crazy this afternoon.  There is a song called "Snuggle Puppy" that is on Acer's IPod.  It is such a cute song.  I only know part of it but I was singing over and over the part I know.  She was like, ugh!  We did have good giggles about it though, which was my goal.

I have been having trouble sleeping, which I know so many of us have.  It has been a problem for years like so many of us but lately, it just seems to be even worse.  I have tried ambien, rosarim, and other sleeping pills.  I have also tried melatone and Tylenol pm and Advil pm too.  I now have a list of other herbs and supplements to try.  Yesterday, I slept about 15 hours, well, I was in bed for about 15 hours and it seemed like I didn't sleep at all.  I wake up every night about 2 then every hour until about 5 or 6 then again about 9 before I finally get up anytime between 11 and 1.  I am thankful that I live in a house with people who do not give me a hard time about how much I sleep or the hours I keep.  Both Heather B-T and Bill are very much of the thought that if I need the sleep then sleep.  I did have to take a nap 2 hours after I woke up and I got up at 1 pm.  I slept for about an hour from 3 to 4 so I did feel better.  I am getting tired again now but as it is 9:45 that is not a bad thing.  Tomorrow I have to get up at 11:30 for Elizabeth's lesson at noon.

I am meeting with Michigan Works tomorrow.  I need a letter from Heather B-T for them and then I have everything I need.  It is to help me get hearing aids that I need.  I am finally breaking down and getting them.  I didn't realize how much I needed them until Heather B-T and crew moved in.  I cannot hear her at all when she calls me from upstairs or downstairs if I am in the dining room.  I just can't.  I am hoping that I don't get worse headaches though.  I am nervous about that.  We shall see, I suppose.

I have been losing weight these past few months.  I am glad about that.  I am off the Amitryptiline medicine that helped me gain weight.  The medicine I am now has a side effect of losing weight and decreasing the appetite.  I am also working on portions and eating properly too so it isn't all medicine.  I am working hard too.  I also take safflower oil, cla, and omega 3.6.9.  I don't know how much of the weight loss they are adding to but I am taking them.

Overall, the pain levels don't seem to be changing all that much except for, of course the headaches and my right hip pain.  The right hip hurts a lot as well as the right lower side of the back.  I don't know if it is arthritis or the kidney or who knows what.

Well, I am going to play my words with friends as I finish up the last hour of the movie.  I love Harry Potter!  I will say that Anne of Green Gables is my all time favorite character EVER and her books are the best ever but Harry Potter is second.  They are amazing too just not quite as amazing as Anne of Green Gables.

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Independence Day 7-4

It is Independence Day, July the 4th!!!!!  Independence is something that I think every parent wants for their children too.  I would have to say, I was semi-independent.  I never moved from my childhood home.  When I was in my mid 20's and graduated from University, my friends were ALL having issues with their roommates or roommate boyfriends, just tons and tons of drama.  I asked if I had to move out and Momma said no so I didn't.  Good thing too because within a year, I had gotten very ill and was pretty much bed ridden at that point.  When I got a bit better and could live on my own, I didn't want to move so I didn't.  That also was a good thing too because, well, I got the vasculitis and it took 6 weeks for doctors to figure out what was wrong with me.  I never really recovered from that.  Then Momma started with the Alzheimer's Disease so she needed me as much as I needed her.

Here in our house, I am once again pretty independent.  I pay my bills and teach my lessons.  We split the house chores between all of us.  Independence is so important for people and to live in a country where Independence is not only encouraged but the goal is a wonderful.  Momma really wanted all of us 3 to be Independent but none of us counted on me getting so sick so young.  I do think that despite my being ill, I am pretty independent.

I temporarily forgot that Calli was 13.  I kept telling her she was 12.  Whoops!  Nothing like forgetting how old the teenager is!  Acer is 8 1/2.  I was speaking to a Mom who's daughter took lessons a couple of summers ago and her daughter is now 8 1/2 too.  That 1/2 is so important to the kids.  Me?  I don't want to add anything to my age that is for sure.  Heather B-T's birthday is tomorrow!  Calli is giving me gray hair.

Right now, Castle is on.  It is running a marathon.  I love this show too.  Since the kids were in the room, I muted the sound.  This is an interesting episode.

Well, I think I am going to watch the marathon and play words with friends.  Heather B-T and family are getting ready to go to a celebration of Independence Day!

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Tuesday 7-2

It was a relaxing day after all.  I thought I was going to have 8 (yes, 8) lessons today.  This is more than usual, believe me!  Well, I had 2.  The rest either canceled or came an hour late and I had another lesson at that time or forgot about the lessons.  I was worried about how I would handle the day as I usually only have a few lessons a day.  I used to routinely teach 8 to 12 lessons a day but now, I just can't do that.  It is too tiring for me and I ache too much after teaching that much.  You wouldn't think so as I teach music, but it takes a lot of energy to teach music and I get tired really easy.

Heather B-T's friend, Deedee has moved back here from Spain and was visiting this afternoon.  It was a lovely afternoon.  The kids got along really well and they stayed for dinner.  The kids were a bit nervous around Q and Maisy, but they did okay with them.

I am much more relaxed now that the results are good.  I had a nice visit with Kathy during lunch and after.  Acer had to show her all his toys.  She went upstairs and got the tour of Acer's toys.  She really enjoyed Acer showing her his toys and talking to Calli.  I think the kids really enjoyed visiting with Kathy too.  I am planning to go and see Kathy next month sometime.  She will let me know when will be a good time.

Rizzoli and Isles is on right now.  I love this show.  It is the new season.  Tomorrow, Bill will be bringing home Season 3 of Rizzoli and Isles for me to watch over the week.  I don't have any plans on the 4th except for the one lesson I have in the afternoon.  I don't really ever have too many plans on the 4th.  When I was young, it was a day of extra work around the house.  I remember one year in high school, I had permission to go to the beach with a friend on the 4th but at the last minute Momma changed her mind.  I was so upset.  She bought a new shed and wanted us to put it up on the holiday.  I could go to the beach after I was done.  Well, we didn't get done until the next day.  I was so upset and angry at her.  Unfortunately, this was something Momma did a lot.  It was definitely one of her not so good qualities.  We all have them, but that one used to really make me angry.  I never really knew until I was out the door or at the activity if I really could attend or not.  Despite all that, I still miss her so much.  Sometimes it seems like yesterday that she passed away and sometimes it seems years and years ago.  Sometimes it still physically hurts that she is gone and sometimes it is just hurts in general.  Overall, I am doing better than I was but I don't expect to ever stop missing her in general.  From what I have been told by my friends who have also lost their mothers, I probably won't.  Most of them still miss their moms a lot.  I was definitely a Momma's girl that is for sure.  I guess when I was small I was a Daddy's girl until he left and then I became attached to the hip with my Momma.  That is what she told me anyway.

Well, on to playing Words with friends and reading.  I am still on the 3rd book of the O'Malley series.  It is just so good!

Monday, July 1, 2013

The Results 7-1

The results are in and here they are: I do not, at this point have cancer.  There are clear cells present but nothing to worry about at this point.  The mass has not grown too much in 5 years either.  It went from 2.7 to 2.9 so that isn't too significant.  I am pleased with this.  It needs to be monitored but that is okay.  I can deal with the monitoring.  I am just glad I don't have cancer.  I was very worried and I know Kathy was too.  Heather B-T drove us and we all went into the doctor's office.  I had both Heather B-T and Kathy come incase it was positive and I needed to really pay attention on what to do next.  Heather B-T and I did read up on clear cells and since my mass is only 2.9 and not 7 centimeters, we are not too worried about it.  If it grows, then we will worry about it.  I do need to have the mass re-checked in 3 months but that is okay.  I will have it done.

I don't have any lessons today.  Monday is usually a light day anyway but Bob needed to reschedule until tomorrow since he had to work this afternoon.  It won't be a problem to have his lesson tomorrow.  It will be a bit busier but that is okay.

Kathy and I went to lunch today.  We went to Chipotle.  It was the first time I had been there in about 3 weeks.  I used to go weekly but not anymore.  I am working on eating here at home more.  It is better for me and it saves me money, which is something I need to do too.  I plan to visit Kathy this summer in August for a couple of days.  We always have a good time.  I stay at a hotel because there just isn't enough room at her house for me to stay.  I try to stay at a place that has a pool so the kids can come and swim.  That is always a good thing.  It is nice to have the kids have a pool and come and swim.  They swim and Kathy and I chat.  Kathy left shortly after lunch.  It was so funny before we went.  Kathy pulled out her phone and was having trouble reading it so I handed her my reading glasses and they helped her read the phone.  She was not too happy about that so right after lunch we went and got her reading glasses.  They are similar to mine as far as the prescription goes but a slightly different style.    Hers also comes with a case just like mine do.  I also got some more tea as we were almost completely out.

I put the picture of Maisy in one of my Disney frames today.  She looks so adorable in the Winnie the Pooh frame on the piano.  She is such a cute dog.  I tell her all the time what a good girl she is and how she is the cutest little girl dog in the world.  I think she realizes that she has me wrapped around her little paw.  I just love Maisy so much.  I had no idea I would get so attached to her but I sure have.  I even have her sleep on my bed when Heather B-T and Bill aren't home.  I know, me!  Miss, I don't want a dog on my bed!  Well, I do!!  That little girl sleeps on my bed when they aren't home and I am not ready to get up yet.  She likes to sleep at my feet.  She sleeps on her back and it is so cute.  Her little paws are in the air and oh, it is the cutest thing!  Kathy FINALLY got to meet Maisy today.  Maisy was a bit nervous at first but then she came around to Kathy especially after Kathy gave her a treat.  We all giggled when Maisy stood on her hind legs to get her treat!  She looks like an Ewok when she does that!  Yes, I love that little dog so much.

I am going to take the Easter stuff down (finally) off the 2nd piano.  I know, I know, I should have done it a long time ago, but I didn't.  I couldn't find a box to put them in.  I wanted a plastic box not a cardboard box and I kept forgetting to go to the store and get one or when I got to the store I would forget to get one.  Now, I have one.  I have had it for a couple of weeks but I still haven't done it yet.  Well, I need the space for Maisy's picture so I have to do it today.  I also want both of Mom's pictures on the 2nd piano instead of one on each piano.  The one on the piano that I use the most gets pushed back and I am afraid that it will fall behind the piano and then no one will be able to get it because there is no way to get stuff from behind the pianos so I need to move the one picture.  I also want to put up the rest of my beanie babies that I am keeping back on the piano.  They look so sweet up there.  I have lots of Winnie the Pooh stuffed animals that belong on the piano when it isn't Christmas or Easter.

It is a bit chilly today but I don't mind.  I have a really cute hoodie sweater that goes with all my dresses.  I did buy myself a new top today.  It was super cute and lacy at the top.  It is tan and I think It will go very nicely with the blue skirt or the coral skirt.  I do have to take the turquoise skirt and the coral skirt to Nancy to fix.  I need to do that this week if she is at work.  The seams are on the outside and I don't like that at all.  I want seams on the inside.  A few years ago, that was the style but I don't like it so since there is so much work needed to do with it, I am taking it to her.  I also will need to get some fall dresses and winter ones too since I do not plan to get any pants.  I like skirts and dresses so much better.  I also plan to make me some skirts and dresses.  I like sewing with people not so much on my own.  Star wants to do some sewing so we are going to do some together.  Last year, Aggie and I made her costume for the yomicon weekend and this year she is making it herself!  I gave her a sewing machine when she graduated high school and she is sewing the costume herself.  She helped me sew hers last year.  I wonder what she will make this year.  She is definitely going to have post a picture on facebook.

Well, time to go and put the stuff away.

Sunday, June 30, 2013

The Day Before! 6-30

I had Rick's lesson this afternoon.  He is taking piano now and doing very well.  He took voice for about 1 1/2 years and then decided to switch to piano.  He has 5 pieces he is working on.  I love the songs he is working on.  After his lesson Maisy and I spent some alone time together.  We had a bit of snuggle and I tried to nap because I was so tired all of a sudden but after about 15 minutes I couldn't sleep so Maisy and I came back down.

Yesterday, when I got home I commented on facebook about how wonderful the tea party was and one of my friends, Laura, wanted to know who the beautiful redhead was!  That was my friend, Star.  Well, she wants Star to be the model for her 2nd book in the trilogy.  I was very excited about that, so was Star.

Tomorrow is the appointment for the results.  I am getting a bit anxious now but not too bad.  My anxiety has been doing pretty well for the last few weeks after it being super high for no reason at the beginning of the month.  It was like, once there was a reason for higher anxiety, the anxiety went down.  I know, weird, isn't it?  My anxiety is just like that, weird.  Kathy is in town this weekend.  She is at her parents house tonight.  I will see her tomorrow.  We will have lunch after the appointment.  I know that the kids want to see her too because they have told me so.  I don't know if they will be coming to lunch or not.  I will find out tomorrow.  I am happy to see her even if it is not a good reason to see her.  I am always glad to see her even if the reason is sad or not a good reason.

The sun is so pretty today.  There is a nice breeze outside too.  Maisy and I did enjoy our time outside.  She was just groomed on Friday and I need a frame for the picture of her for my piano.  She looks so adorable in the picture.  She did really well for our drive.  She didn't try to get in my lap too much today like some days.  Some days, she wants to ONLY be in my lap and that is not good because she can't be.  It is too hot to drive if she is in my lap.  Today she was happy in the passenger seat.  I simply adore that lovely little dog.  I tell her all the time how much I love her and how sweet she is.  I also tell her she is also the cutest little girl dog ever.  I think she is aware of how much I adore her or as aware as a little dog can be.

I am watching Law and Order: Criminal Intent right now.  I have missed most of the episode but it is really just for something to watch as I type.  I tried to call Kathy but she is either on the phone or it is turned off.  It wasn't a big deal because I will see her tomorrow.  Bill is getting things ready to make dinner.  I think he may be grilling dinner but I am not sure.  I am just sitting at the table to stay out of the way.  Sometimes, it is just the best thing to do when others are busy in the kitchen.

I was watching Soldier of Fortune.  It is rated R so I watch it when the kids aren't around.  I wasn't in the mood to watch it this afternoon after about 15 minutes.  It is an action movie, but since I was watching it right before I got really tired, I had to turn it off when I went upstairs.

Well, I am going to play the words with friends for a bit.  I am now on book 3 of the O'Malley series, "The Truth Teller".  It is the book about Lisa and Quinn.  I have read them before and truly really enjoyed them so much.  The are books by Dee Henderson.  She is an excellent author.  I love all her books.  They are filled with just the amount of suspense and romance.

Saturday, June 29, 2013

Afternoon Tea 6-29

I went to a surprise birthday tea party this afternoon.  It was a lot of fun.  It was for my friend, Star's mom, Paula, who is also my friend.  3 of her friends were there as well as another friend of both Star and Paula.  We had many good giggles all afternoon and into the evening.  It was a beautiful way to spend the afternoon/early evening.  Paula was completely surprised by this.  Star really surprised her mom with this one.  I am so glad that she did.  It really put a smile on her mother's face.  Star's grandmother passed away last month and both Star and Paula are still in the beginning steps of grieving so to have a little celebration of Paula's birthday was a good thing for Paula.  It is hard to have a birthday so close to the death of a loved one.  We both are so proud that we are Momma's girls.  Star is a momma's girl too.  Neither one of us regret any of the time we spent with our mothers, not one moment.  We also spent most of our lives living with our mothers too so both of us (and Star too) are very close to our moms.  Star is very close to Paula just like Paula was to Marion.  Marion was a wonderful woman.  She really was.  I had lost touch with the family for a few years and it was right after Momma died that I got back into touch with them.  They were very sad to hear about Momma's passing and that she had Alzheimer's.  Marion and Momma always got along so well.  I really enjoyed meeting 2 of Paula's friends who I had never met before.  Colette, Paula's best friend and Star's Godmother, I had met many years ago.  She is a beautiful woman.  Annette and Marguerite were very nice too.  Like I said, we share many a good laugh and a wonderful afternoon/evening.  Now it is nighttime and I am getting more tired.  I think it is almost time for bed.  This day was good.  Nina had her lesson and then Maisy and I ran a few errands.  I had to go to the bank, get something to eat and drink and also a gift certificate for Paula's birthday, all this through drive thrus, otherwise, I wouldn't haven't taken Maisy.  It is just too warm to leave her in the car plus I am not comfortable doing that whether or not it is too warm.  She is just too precious.  If I have to get out of the car, I won't bring her. She was not too happy with me because I wasn't bringing her until Brandon came up and played with her while I escaped.  Maisy then went happily downstairs with Brandon and spent the afternoon with him until Heather B-T and Calli came home.  She seemed happy to see me too when I came home.  She was at the groomer's yesterday and her coat is so smooth and soft now.  It was pretty soft before but now it is super duper soft.  She looks so sweet with the little red, white, and blue bow in her hair.  They took a picture of her there and Heather B-T gave it to me.  I am going to get a frame for it and put it on the piano.  I now have my own picture of Maisy.  I have some on my phone too and on my camera, but this is an official from the groomer's photo so that makes it even more special.  She also got a report card and they said Maisy did really good.  I had no doubt that she would!  She is such a good girl (okay - except when she pees or poops in the house).  She did pee in fear today but only a little bit. I cleaned it up right away.  It was because Nina's father came in to look at my schedule.  Maisy is afraid of some men.  Sad, but true.  She does love Brandon and Bill so that is good or we would have a bit of a problem in the house.

Well, I need to text a friend my contact info since she lost all contact info on her phone.  I also need to check up on my word with friends.  I haven't played all day.  I may not play tonight.  I don't know.  I will see.

2 more days until I know.  ugh, this waiting is hard!  10 am on Monday cannot come fast enough!!

Thursday, June 27, 2013

A lovely day 6-27

I can see the beautiful carpet rose bush my mother planted when I graduated with my master's degree from the dining room window.  It is the one bush (besides the Japanese Maple Tree in the front yard) that will be staying in the landscape.  The others will come and go as Heather B-T pleases.  She said that that one will stay as a memory of my mother.  Not too mention it blooms every year and it is simply gorgeous.  I love roses best of all.  I love pink roses best but it is fitting that this particular plant is red as that was Momma's favorite type of roses.

I am hoping that the results of the biopsy would have been posted today but no such luck.  It is the wait and see mode.  Kathy is coming in from Kalamazoo this weekend to come with me on Monday.  I am so lucky and blessed that she is missing work to come to such an important appointment with me.  How cool is that?  Heather B-T will, of course, be there too.  I will need the support of the two of them to hear the results.  If it is not cancer, we will all sigh a sigh of relief and if it is, I will need the 3 of us to hear what to do next.  With me being partially deaf, I am nervous that I will not hear everything I need to hear when it is said.  This is too important to miss anything.  I am not nervous or worried too much because at this point it is either cancer or it isn't.  If it is, I just want to know the plan and get going on it.

Shelly had her lesson today.  She is from India and has a doctorate in Eastern Music.  She is applying for music at Oakland University.  Personally, she shouldn't have to audition, I mean she has a doctorate already but I am not in charge so we are working on preparing her.  She has a lovely voice and is such a sweet woman!  We had a brief chat about dance as she also does Eastern Dance.  I loved dance so much.  It is my dream to dance again someday.

I have been losing weight this past few months.  I am down 22 pounds since about April.  I am no longer on the Amitriptilin medicine (sorry - I can't spell it properly) for headaches so I am not gaining anymore weight.  The new medicine doesn't make you gain weight, it helps you lose weight and as I have about 165 more pounds to go, I am happy with this new trend.  It also curbs your appetite, which I find very, very useful.  I don't crave things very often so that is good.  It also is helping me with portion control, which is something I have been working on for a year now.  I am doing pretty well overall with the food cravings and portions control.  I am glad that for once, the medicine I am taking is helping me to lose weight as oppose to gaining weight, which is what Lyrica and the Amitryptilin caused me to do.  Yes, I was overweight to begin with but I gained 80 pounds on Lyrica and 20 on Amitryptilin so that is an extra 100 pounds that I really didn't need to gain.  Now, however, I am on the proper track.  The new headache medicine seems to be working better too.  My bad headaches aren't as many during the week as they were and they don't seem to last as long.  I am hoping that they will continue to improve this summer so that I can be able to go back to singing in the choir at church.  I do so miss it.

Saturday will be a tea for one of my friend's mom's birthday.  I want to get her a gift card and meet my friend for tea.  I like seeing her every few weeks.  I know that Calli and Acer really like her too.  Star is a very nice young lady.  She is 26 now and on her birthday said that I have officially have known her for 20 years now, which is true.  I met Star when she was 6 years old and was starting piano lessons.  I didn't see her during her later teen years and early 20s but we reconnected a couple of years ago.  I am so glad for face book for that because that is how I reconnected with her.  One of Natalie and Hannah Muglia's friend, Gabrielle, was friends with Star and I recognized her name so I clicked on her name and sure enough, it was the same girl!!!!!  Anyways, we are friends again and that is a good thing.

Acer and I are having tea while I am about to read "the Mouse and the Motorcycle".  It is his favorite book.

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Wednesday 6-26

I have been doing a lot of thinking about people in my life and those that are more toxic than others.  I have been working on trying to lessen my exposure to the toxic people but for a couple of people I have been failing miserably on.  Not anymore.  After listening to a few hours of constant putting me down and my friends, I am done.  I will not tolerate it anymore.  Seriously, you do not have to like my friends, this is true, however, they are my friends and I like them.  This person does not know them.  They have only met them a few times and basically have been down on them since day one.  I think it is because of pure jealousy.  If the biopsy is cancer, then I will do what I need to do.  If it is not, then I will breathe a sigh of relief and continue on.  Either way, I will still need a house to live in.  According to Tilley, if it is cancer, I cannot live in my house.  I don't get it either.  I did finally ask her flat out where she thought I should live and she didn't have an answer.  Well, I plan to live in my house.  I do need a place to live and to teach.  As for who will take care of me.  I will cross that bridge when it comes and I have had several friends say that they would help me so I think I will be covered.  I don't wish to be a burden, but on the other hand, I do not have family members who can easily help me.  Andrew is in London, Ontario and cannot come over here and Richard is in Seattle and not speaking to me so that leaves them both out.  Fortunately, I have good friends.  I live with good friends now.  We will work on this together if in fact it is cancer.  I am anxious for an answer, only because I want to know what to do next if it is.  I will see my doctor in a few days so I will know one way or the other.

The biopsy itself was not bad like I expected.  I was so nervous because I have never had anything like it before but it was pretty much pain free except for a few little pinch-like feeling for the numbing stuff. I had to lay on my side for over an hour and not move and I did it!  That was my biggest concern that I wouldn't be able to do that with the pain issues I have but I did.  They gave me some pain medicine and some other medicine to help relax me.  Together they really helped a lot.  I had to "participate", which is why they couldn't knock me out like I had hoped but since it didn't really hurt, hey, it was no problem.  I had to hold my breath a lot, small breaths though so the kidney wouldn't move too far from where the needle was at.  It took a long time but it didn't seem like a long time.

It has been a decent day.  I had Elli and Allison for lessons.  Elli is such a sweetheart.  She is working really hard on piano.  Allison is a singer.  We started something completely different for her.  We are now working on "The Lord's Prayer".  We rarely do English classical music as usually we do just Italian but we added and English one in addition to the Italian.

The other night, I as re-reading some old journal entries on my live journal.  Wow, they were all about mom.  I wrote an awful lot about her.  I sure miss her a lot.  I suspect I always will.

Pain level isn't too bad tonight.  Even the biopsy area isn't too bad.  I only have the regular headache tonight whereas earlier it was a bit more than regular.

Well, onto playing words with friends and then reading.  I do hope you are having a good night too!

Sunday, June 23, 2013

One of the Best Blogs for Fibro Award!

I am so excited!  My blog has been named one of the top Fibro Blogs.  I am very excited about this.  It is such an honor.

Today is a Maisy and I day.  We are enjoying hanging out together.  Acer comes home from camp today.  I sure miss that Little Man.  Heather B-T and Bill have gone to pick him up.  It has been super quiet this week without Acer here.  I can't wait to hear how camp was.  Since no one heard from him, we are under the belief that he had a good time and was very busy.  I will find out tonight, unless they arrive too late and he has to go right to bed.

I am watching Rizzoli and Isles.  I am on Disc 3, season 2 so I will be ready for the new season.  I have seen this episode before but it is a good one and I can't remember how it ends.

This coming week is going to be an interesting one.  I have a test tomorrow that I am not sure what will happen after.  I hate being in limbo.  I just need to know so I can plan.  ugh, it is the limbo that is hard.  Well, there isn't much I can do about waiting so I guess I will just learn to be more patient.

Well, not much is going on so I don't have much to write today.  My left arm is sore today.  I am not sure why.  I hope it isn't too sore tomorrow because i will have to hold it over my head for the CT scan biopsy.  They did say they would give pain medicine so I am glad about that.  I also hope they give me some relaxation medicine too because I am really nervous since I have never been through this before.

Star will be coming over this evening for tea.  Maisy loves Star.  She is such a sweet girl.  She will be teaching dance this fall at a dance studio near her house!  I am very excited about this for her.  Star is a wonderful dancer.  I miss dance so much but trust me, I am sooooo not in shape for dance.  I have lost weight but not enough for dance yet.  I am glad that I am finally losing weight.  It is nice to have the scale is going the proper direction instead of up and up and up.  I hope that it won't take super long to lose all the weight i need to lose.  I figure about a year or so.  I don't expect that it will stop the pain or anything from Fibro completely, but I do think it will help or that is my hope.  I know that losing all the weight will not cure my fibro and anything else that is wrong with me.  But I do know that it will help with the arthritis pain and pressure.

I am waiting for Star to text so I am just going to watch an episode right now.

Friday, June 21, 2013

Friday!!!!

Oh my!  Is it Friday already?  This week seems to have blown on by.    I have 2 lessons tonight, Natalie and Robyn.  They are both singers.  Tomorrow is just Sally and Rick.  I have no lessons on Sunday, which is when Rick often has his lessons when he is in town.  He spends part time here and part time traveling.  He has been to so many places around the world.  He also spends a lot of time in Hawaii.  I have been to Hawaii, well, Maui anyway.  It was beautiful.  I went for a writing conference.  I went a few days early so I could see a bit of Maui.  Originally, Momma and I were planning to spend 2 weeks in Hawaii with the conference being at the end of the vacation when we had to shorten it because she was laid off her job.  I was disappointed because I really wanted to visit the other islands with her but we had been on several vacations together before that and several after.  Mom was always fun to go on vacation with.  She really was.  I loved going to new places with her but after we went to a new place and she was so upset and confused, we had to come home early.  I just couldn't have her be that upset and confused during a vacation.  That was why we went to Disney World so many times at the end of her life.  She knew that place and loved it.  Yes, she wouldn't remember that we were there, but while we were there, she would remember the place and relax and have fun.  We even belonged to the Disney Vacation club before I had to give it up because we lost the store.  That was awesome.  We went to Disney Vero Beach for New Year's Eve once too with Richard and his family.  That was a blast.  Mom and I had a lot of fun at that resort and so did Richard and family.  Abby was 5 and William was 3 when we went.  Momma and I had one room and Richard and family had another room.  They were really nice rooms.  We stayed until January 2 and then we went home.

I would like to go there again someday.

We have a big carpet rose plant in the back yard.  Maisy is flirting with Brandon right now.  It is the cutest and sweetest thing EVER!  I just love that little dog!  She was very playful with Robyn today too.  Maisy loves Robyn and comes and sits by her during her lesson unless Heather B-T is home.  If Heather B-T is home, well, Maisy is mostly with her.  Maisy is back near me.

We have a new side board in the dining room now.  Mom's old dresser that was in Heather B-T and Bill's room is now in the dining room.  We will have much more room to store stuff now!  yeah!!!!  I am not, however, looking forward to going through the boxes on top of the dresser though.  Yuck for that but yeah for more space to store things in.  I can put some of the office supplies that do not fit in the music room in one of the drawers.  That will help a lot.  I also am going to be working on pictures so they can go in another drawer.  Ah, slowly the house is coming together.  The new-to-us dresser/chest of drawers set looks very nice in Heather B-T and Bill's room.  Maisy probably won't like that she can't hide underneath it but she can hide underneath the one down here.

My room is a disaster area.  I have come to the conclusion that I am just ready to blow my room up and start over.  Okay - so I know this is not really recommended so I won't.  I do have to start working on my room because eventually, we will be pulling all the carpet up off of the upstairs stairs, hallways, and bedrooms, including mine!  This will help with asthma for me that is for sure and be easier to clean too. The carpets are old but they are in okay shape.  I have no idea what the hardwood floor looks like underneath them though.  That is the scary part.  I don't know if they are in good shape or not.  I am hoping that they are not in too horrible of shape but until we pull them, I just don't know.  I have a Mary Kay starter box in my room that I don't want.  I was interested in it about 5 years ago but then I found out how much inventory I needed to buy and all in all, I just didn't have the money to invest.  I also don't have a lot of friends who had money at that time to purchase the stuff either.  I don't particularly like the pyramid type things either so that put me off too.  I just want the two mirrors and the rest can go as I don't think any of the makeup is good since it is 5 years old.  Makeup only lasts for about a year before it goes bad.  I just need to remember to ask Brandon to take it out to the garbage.  I keep forgetting.  The other boxes of stuff are from Mom's room.  Some are clothes and other Disney stuff.  I will go through them and see what I want and what I don't.  I am not sure at this point.  I think some of the t-shirts can go to Calli if she wants them or I will donate them.  I have her favorite t-shirt and that is one I will keep for sentimental sake for myself.

Well, I am finished with lessons now.  I have been watching Rizzoli and Isles on DVD.  I have really enjoyed the episodes a lot.  I am on season 2, disc 2, episode 3 on the disc.  Speaking of DVDs, Calli and I have been going through mine so I can decide which ones I am donating and which ones I am keeping.  I have a big pile of those that I am not keeping.  I am keeping quite a few, but ones that I have seen way way way too many times or didn't really like, are going.  We have to go through the ones that are in the family room too.  I know there are some in there I don't want.  I also know that I have some duplicates of DVDs too.  I am just not sure which ones are duplicates at this point.  The duplicates will go to the Muglia kids.  Now that I don't watch as much TV, I am pickier on what DVDs I will buy.  I don't see a lot of movies right now.  I go through modes where I see a lot of movies and TV and then there are times when I don't.  Right now, I am not watching a lot.  I am reading a lot more these days.  I am now on book 2 of the O'Malley series.  They are simply wonderful!!!!!  I love the entire series so much!!!  Dee Henderson is one of my favorite authors ever.  I also love: (not in any order of importance) Angela Hunt, Bertrice Small, Catherine Coulter, J. K. Rowlings, Danielle Steele, Melody Carlson, Michael Phillips, Lawana Blackwell, Kristin Hannah, Diane Chamberlain, just to name a few. I can't think of any others, although I know that I have many other authors that I love too!  Of course, my absolutely all time favoritist favorite author is Lucy Maud Montgomery of the Anne of Green Gables fame!  Everything she has written is simply brilliant and beautiful!!  I think I have read everything she has ever written that is available to this date.  I also have all the Anne books on my nook, naturally.  It isn't enough to have them in paper, nope, not me!  I have to have them available on my nook in case I am having a bad day and need to read my Anne books to feel better.  I have 3 Anne dolls, 1 Diana doll, and several Anne figurines as well as a poster.  We are going to make an Anne of Green Gables shelf in my room for all my Anne things.  It was so funny, last week Bill and Brandon were clearing out some shelves and they came across some Anne things.  Bill didn't even have to ask if I wanted those or not, he immediately put them on the keep shelf.  He and Heather B-T know me well.

This is a rather long one so I will end this post now.

RSD, Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria

  One of the hardest parts of ADHD for me is RSD.  There are so many words I have been told as far as I can remember that still go through m...