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.

The beginning of a new week 1-27

There will be some changes made in a little bit.  I think they will be good chances.  I can't go into specifics at this point, all I can say is prayers will be very welcomed.  So if you would, please pray for me and the changes.  Thank you for the prayers.

We have the timings for competition.  I am very pleased with this as we have never had the timings so early.   I am glad about that.  Sarah will be playing 2 piano pieces.  She is really doing very well.  I am really thrilled with how she is progressing.  Rebecca, Breanna, and Natalie are doing very well too.  Natalie seems to be less nervous about competition so that is good.  I do hope that she and Star will get together and talk about competition.  Star has competed before when she was Natalie's age.  I was worried that Natalie and Rebecca would be competing with each other as Rebecca is 11 and Natalie is 12.  Sometimes they have to put the ages together.  I am one thankful teacher that we won't have this issue this year.  Even though Natalie and Becca don't know each other, it would be rather stressful for all of us.  I am thankful that it is not happening.  Natalie will also be going to the luncheon with me.  I am happy about that because I will have someone to hang out with while we have lunch.  I will know more for Sarah and Breanna this week.  I am glad this year that my job was so much easier than last years.  I am in charge of the pianos!  Yes, I called stores to see who would rent us pianos for the competition.  I am in charge of having the logistics of the competition pianos.  I just have to send an update of where the pianos will be in the hotel.  I have that info now.  I will also submit the bill to Pattie for the competition.  All in all, I think this will be a good competition.  It is a month away now, at the end of February.  I am also happy that it is near home.  I will be staying overnight, because that will be easier for me, but it won't be such a long drive home at the end.  It usually takes several days of rest to recover from the weekend.  I also rest a lot during the weekend when I need to.  I have been to enough competitions to know how to pace myself, but sometimes things happen that are unexpected.  You can't  plan everything but I do try.

So far, the healthy stuff is going pretty well.  I have some more things to change and improve upon in the next few weeks.  After I see the chiropractor, I will make the rest of the food and supplement changes.

Well, Rick had his lesson today.  He is doing very well.  He is working on a Beatles song, Music of the Night, a Sonatina from Clementi (my favorite composer), and Fur Elise.  He is doing very well.  I do agree that parts of Fur Elise are very hard and a huge challenge for him, but he likes the main part pretty well.  Rick admitted today that 2 of the sections were probably a bit more of a challenge than he can do at this point.  I am just happy that he is playing piano and doing so well.

Tomorrow Patrick (Hannah, Natalie, Lydia, and Sarah's younger brother) will be starting piano.  He has done some fiddling around with it for the last few years.  I am excited about this.  He is a very nice little guy.  Sarah will also have her lesson tomorrow.  Hannah, Natalie, and Lydia will not be having lessons right now.  They wish to learn some things on their own, which with the level they are at, they can.  I did say they needed to still be in the concerts because I need to hear them play.  The Muglias are such a nice family.  I really like all the children.  I hope to spend some time in the next few weeks with the girls and watch a movie or two.  We do like a lot of the same movies.  I am not sure what movie is out that I would like to see.  I do have a couple of DVDs that I wish to see that I think the girls would like.  I want to see the "We Bought a Zoo" movie for a while now.  I have it.  I hope to see it soon with them.

I have so many books on my nook now.  I can no longer say I have nothing to read.  Trust me, I sure do have plenty to read.  The nice thing about the nook is that with getting the free books, I am getting introduced to new authors that I have never heard of.  this is definitely a good thing.

My headache isn't so bad right now.  This morning it wasn't too good, but it is better now.  The weather is a bit warmer (I can't believe that I consider 22 degrees F warmer) so my hips are not as bad as they were earlier in the week.  The hallucinations that I had with the higher dosage of headache medicine are gone so I no longer see things in the dark that are not there.  Thank goodness for that.  I see Dr. R near the end of February.  This will be after I see the chiropractor so I will have started some of the new supplements.  We shall see what is going to work better for me.

I am going to read for a while.  I am in the middle of a good book.

at the end of the day! 1-26

I love the song "at the end of the day" from Les Miserables.  I love all the music in Les Miserables.  It is simply a beautiful movie and show.  It has been a good day.  The pain level is the normal pain.  The weather is warmer so I don't ache so much more than usual.  Kirbie had her saxophone lesson.  She has also chosen a solo to work on.  Kirbie picked "Chim Chim Cheree" from Mary Poppins.  I love that movie too and the music also.  Acer had his lesson today instead of yesterday because he was busy last night, he had a fundraiser to attend.  He and I picked Scales and Arpeggios for the group song at the Spring Concert.  Natalie was here and Bill (Acer's Dad) help with the editing of her song that she needs for the Junior Idol.  I am very excited about that.  I know she will work very hard and practice a lot so that she does her best performance.  I can't wait to hear how she does.

So far, 2013 isn't so bad.  I have had some major headaches, but overall, it has just been a normal pain month.  I received a beautiful note from my friend, Andrea wrote me.  She wrote that she prays for the day that I will have no headaches and that it won't be normal to have a headache.  She is such a sweet friend.  I am thankful we have reconnected through face book.  I am thankful that I was encouraged to get on face book because I did reconnect with many school friends and some friends that I didn't know very well in high school are good friends now.  It is also a good way to stay in contact with family too. It is easy to send messages to Andrew.  It is harder to call him because of the cost.  It is very expensive for him to call me because although we are only 2 hours apart, it is across the border to another country so it is best for him to write messages here or email.  I do hope to visit with him soon.  I did enjoy Christmas Day with him.  I like being with him just talking and watching movies.  His girlfriend, Angie, also invited me to come and see her whenever I can.  I am looking at my schedule to see when this would work.  I don't teach a lot but there is a lesson or two everyday or most days of the week.  I like that they are spread out because otherwise it would be too difficult for me to teach.

Outside of lessons, I don't have any solid plans for the week.  It will just be a regular week.  I am hoping to be able to visit with Star.  I also would like to discuss with her about the sewing club we are creating.  I think that would be really fun.  I can do a bit of sewing, I just have to be careful not to do too much at one time, that is when I get into trouble and then the pain really hurts.  As long as I pace myself, I am okay.  That is the key, of course, we all know but there are times when the pacing is off and well, that is not a good thing.  I am getting much better at pacing myself.  I also have very good friends that help me pace.  Several of my good friends don't mind if I have to cut something short, or cancel because of the pain levels.  I am thankful for that!  I think I am one of the luckier ones because most of my family and friends understand the kind of pain that I do have.  They also help remind me that while the pain is awful at times, I don't have a terminal condition.  I do try to keep that in my mind all the time.  I also have learned not to care what people think if they believe me or not.  The people that are important in my life do and that is what counts.  I am also glad that I don't look sick.  I know for so many that live with people or the people around them judge them and don't believe that they are ill that they do wish they looked sick because then, maybe they wouldn't have to defend themselves a lot.  I have always been lucky as far as the fact that my mother never questioned whether I was telling the truth about the pain or not.  She believed me and she really went with me through the journey of getting a diagnose and a doctor to help me.  I am very lucky because so many do not have this.  I had such a good mom.  She was behind me and when I was in too much pain, she did whatever she could to help. I do miss her a lot but I am happy knowing that one day we will be together again and we will never be apart.  I will meet my great grandmother that mom loved so much too.  I think they are waiting for me.  Sometimes it seems like I can feel her with me.  It is strange but true.

Well, I am getting a bit chilled so I am going to make some hot tea and read for a bit.  I hope that this evening was a good one for you too.