Since (I've) Been Gone

Wow, so much has gone on in the last month, and yet, so much has not happened all at the same time. Strange that. Very strange.

Bringing you up to speed... The biggest news by far is that my boys had their Eagle Scout Court of Honor... picture above. They have about 10 plaques and 30 plus letters each from local, state, and national organizations, current and former presidents, vp's, senators, governors etc. It was a really moving ceremony (altho 95 degrees in the school gym) and afterward we had a nice party back at the house!

The Eagle Scout ceremony was the at the end of a string of consecutive weekends of camping and the HUGE spaghetti dinner fund raiser that the Scouts do and my Hubby chairs. And, the Monday right after I went away!

Mom and I went to Atlantic City for her work. This was my 4th May conference with my mom. It was nice. We enjoyed ourselves and I came home with $100 more than I left with! Always a plus! We had nice dinners and fun playing poker machines and lots of slots.

Unfortunately, my health didn't cooperate fully during any of this and by the time I arrived home I was a mess.

Full lupus flare, with the whole peripheral neuropathy thing going on. That is pins/needles/numbness and pain. It was down my entire right side. From the tip of my head to my toes. I have spent the last week tossing and turning, and resting.

I have been experimenting with my meds and with self medicating with a little wine/beer/or liquor to help me sleep. Normally, I wouldn't do this, but I am waiting to get into the new rheumatologist in July. Ack.

This weekend, Memorial Weekend (kudos and thank you to all in the service, past and present) we have nothing much to do. Tomorrow, the boys are heading in to NYC to see the Fleet Week ships and then we have a family BBQ to go to.

Coming soon we have a combination Scout trip and family trip to the Inner Harbor, Baltimore. My dad is coming too (mom and my bil Uncle K will be home) and we are trying to get to a game at Camden Yards on Friday night, Saturday is Fort McHenry, then Hubby and the kids are sleeping on the USS Constellation with the troop. The ship was a former slave ship before being commandeered for the Navy and becoming a war ship in the Civil War and after. Then, Sunday we want to go to the National Aquarium. It is awesome. We visited in 2001 and the kids barely remember it.

As you can imagine, having the Lupus acting up is not going to mesh with the Baltimore weekend plans.

Enter the PREDNISONE. Yes folks, this will be my third round of the dreaded stuff since the holidays. It's a love hate relationship... it works, but the long term side effects are not good. Even in the short term a taper makes you a little nuts, but I need to do it. I need to be in better shape to push my body for the trip.

Things have been hard. Very hard. Lots of tears, lots of frustration. Lots of pain and not enough meds to cope.

It is hard realizing that I am probably not going to be able to do all the things I thought I would do. I want to travel, see the US and Europe, Alaska, Australia. Probably not going to happen. I want to see my grandchildren and do awesome stuff with them... I can barely do stuff with my kids, so that is probably not going to happen. I thought I would go back to school someday for fun... probably not going to happen.

I often feel I am not enough. Not good enough at being a mom, at being a wife, at being a daughter. Lots of little comments and jibes from family seemed to be repeatedly driving that point home. Why isn't this done? Why can't you? Why are you too tired? Why? Why? Why?

They know why. I know why. It sucks for everyone dealing with this chronic illness/disease/pain.

It's been hard.

Yesterday, I was having a particularly bad day and my dad handed me a box. He said it was a Mother's Day gift he bought me but it was on backorder and just arrived. It is a gold heart with rose and a ruby. On the back it says, 'My little girl yesterday, my friend today, my daughter forever'.

Needless to say I was overwhelmed. Lots of tears.

Maybe, life isn't that bad. Maybe the fact that I am blessed with the love of my parents and Hubby and kids is enough. It is has always been enough for me, but...

... even more importantly, maybe I am enough for them. Maybe just maybe.

Hope this finds you well...

Thankful Thursday

I have so much to be thankful for, so many blessings.

However, today, I am in pain, tired and weepy.

I hate that.

So, I got up, took my morning meds, got dressed, ate some food and took a vicodin (which I hate to do), drank 2 coffees, drank an orange juice, checked emails, and crackbook, er Facebook, I mean, and now, I am here.

Weepy because I am so blessed. Weepy because I really wish I could ENJOY my blessings more.

Today lupus/rheumatoid arthritis is kicking my ass.

Anyhow...

1. Coffee. Thank you, Juan Valdez. Green Mountain. Keurig.

2. My kids. My life. My heart. My reason.

3. My parents. Dad's 70th Birthday was yesterday. We had a surprise dinner for him on Saturday night, just adults, with my cousin Karol and my sister/bff Kathy. He is their surrogate dad in many ways and they wouldn't miss it for the world. It was nice. Last night was dinner out with the kids and Uncle K, who couldn't make it on Saturday due to work. :-)

4. Reading. Oh how I love to read! AND, I am so blessed that my kids ALL have the reading bug too! YAY!

5. Tonight, Fuzzy will have his Eagle Scout Board of Review... and he should be elected as one with no problem! The big public ceremony will be in May and he and Hammer will have that together!!! I am so proud!

6. Libby. She is snuggled on the floor right next to me as I type. If I get up, she follows, and then reclines near me, wherever I may go. Nothing like a dog for loyalty!

7. The cats! Oh the fun they are having with mylar balloons from dad's birthday floating about! They are so funny!

8. American Idol. I enjoy watching it each season. By extension, I am grateful for music. It is just such a wonderful gift and part of life. It can help lift you up, pump you up, express love, hate, frustration or fun!

9. Piano. I love listening to Pumpkin play piano! She is so gifted... and doesn't get it! LOL

10. My friends. Thank you, your support means the world to me. Truly.

be well...

Wordless Wednesday

Going to cheat today and say...

Happy 70th Birthday, Daddy!!!

Blaze of Glory

Fuzzy finished his Eagle Scout project this weekend. Phew!

Stay tuned tomorrow for a Wordless Wednesday picture that will highlight his efforts!

Warning: Mommy braggin' below! LOL

Fuzzy collected items over a two week period at 3 locations Mon - Fri and 2 locations on Saturdays. (two schools, and police station)

In addition to 2 huge boxes of items, also collected was over $420.

Who is to receive this windfall?

American soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Regardless of your personal feelings about the political reasons/situations that resulted in our deployment of these soldiers - they are there. At the whim of our government, putting themselves on the line every day. They deserve our support, and if we can give them a little comfort - that too.

The Letter from Home Program at lettersfromhome.org will be the liason between Fuzzy and the soldiers.

I am very proud of my boy.

This Thursday will be his board of review, and barring any unforseen difficulty, Fuzzy will become an Eagle Scout at that time, soon to join Hammer in the formal presentation at the Court of Honor in May. :-)

Fuzzy has had a very rough month too, after just getting over an ear infection in January and injuring his leg/knee with an almost break and tearing the ligments, last week he was sidelined by a bad cold that went straight to bad bronchitis and asthma flare up.

This week he is completing the final Eagle Scout Project details, making up school work, arranging to make up NJ State school testing, and serving our township in Youth Month! The students who volunteer are assigned two counterparts in the municipal government. One is a township employee, the other is a member of the Mayor and Council. Very cool opportunity. Fuzzy and Pumpkin are both participating this year!

Tonight is a meeting of the Planning Board and Fuzzy will be attending.

My youngest son and middle child is maturing into a fine young man.

I will tell myself that over and over as he gives me that teenaged rolled eyes face and says 'I knowwwww' everytime I try to remind him of something.

Sigh.

be well...

Wordless Wednesday

Thankful Thursday

1. I am thankful to be back on my blog!

2. Thankful that Fuzzy seems to have not broken his leg/knee in his injury yesterday, even if we are cautiously treating it as such.

3. Coffee. Coffee, coffee, coffee.

4. Thankful that my recent head cold/ear infection seems to have resolved itself quickly and on its own.

5. Thankful that at Pumpkin's 13th birthday party hotel sleepover I was able to get 4 hours of sleep. The girls got 2. lol And, very thankful that we got a reduced room rate and the adjoining room free, including breakfast.

6. Thankful that both my parents are alive and relatively healthy, and able to give me help and support with the house and the kids. I don't know how I would ever manage without them.

7. Thankful that both my parents are also my friends. We have fun together and enjoy being together as a family and even just going out as two couples. I am very blessed.

8. Thankful for all the silly things between my hubby and myself that make me laugh. It is so true that just laughing together or with the kids can be full of healing/soothing energy and it helps me cope.

9. That Fuzzy will be doing his Eagle Scout project soon over two weekends, and he and Hammer will be able to have their Court of Honor together in May! YAY!

10. Thankful for friends that in person and online make my life better. The support, love and consideration helps me cope. Coping can sometimes mean whining, complaining, being cranky and sad. Sometimes it means laughing, sharing and hugging. It's great to have pals to share the good and the bad.

11. Thankful for Facebook. Mindless games help me cope with pain and stress. Reconnecting and staying connected with old friends and new so easily is just a wonderful blessing. We are so lucky for technology that aids us in this way. Yes, you have to wary and set your security settings well and all, but it is worth the time and effort!

12. Thankful that Libby is moving better with her arthritis now that we are giving her buffered aspirin twice a day. :-) Thankful that she and the cats give us so much joy.

Well, that is it for today...

be well...

Thankful Thursday

What started out to be a crazy overscheduled week really settled down rather nicely!

I went to the new rheumatologist yesterday with Hubby. I was not happy to have to go to a male doc, as I have found that female docs tend to be more understanding and in tune. However, I found the new rheumy very understanding and he really listened and heard all my concerns.

It was actually great having a new set of eyes on my issues. He did xrays and a sonogram of my hands and wrists, right there in the office, along with a complete blood workup! I loved one stop shopping!! I usually have to run to one place for xrays and another for blood.

I have a lot of neuropathy issues, always have, his fresh eyes have given us a new plan of attack as well as another diagnosis. He is confident that Fibromyalgia is also rearing its ugly head in my body. Not surprising as it goes hand in hand with Lupus and RA.

The plan is to try Lyrica which will address the neuropathies. The numbing, tingling, weakness and balance issues. As I have mentioned, MS has been ruled out before, and we are sticking with that assumption unless there is a reason to revisit it.

Also to be added will be Provigil, a medication that will help with what to me is the most debilitating part of the disease - fatigue. And, also the cognitive issues. Hopefully, I will be sleeping better with Lyrica and the Provigil will do its magic and I will be like a new person in a few months!

I am happy to have a plan of attack! And, I visit him again on 12/1.

Okay... on to my blessings! :-)

1. New rheumy. So far so good! And, a plan. I like plans.

2. Hubby! Home with me yesterday for the doctors, which was a very long comprehensive 3 hour visit. BUT, today he surprised me by staying home again! Yay!

3. Piano. Pumpkin is having her lesson as I type this... I love it! Christmas carols... have to get ready!

4. Hammer. We have spent this week preparing his application for Eagle Scout and planning his project. Part of that process was gathering letters of recommendation for Hammer. There has been an overwhelming outpouring of love and respect for him. :-)

Kathy, Karol, Dave, Bill, K, you all overwhelmed me with your letters. Thank you. Mom and Dad and Hubby... perfect and just as I expected... we have such a special boy and I am honored that he is ours.

5. Fuzzy. In the last week or so, he has been trying harder and pulling up into A's. If he wanted to he could have straight 100's... it's all about what you put into it, he has the ability. Just needs to work it!

6. Coffee!!!! After months of coping with our Keurig coffee maker malfunctioning and needing to be tweaked each and every day... My dad gifted Hubby and I with a new one for our anniversary - early! YOU ROCK, Dad! ;-)

Well, I think I have taken up enough of your time!

Go to go farm! LOL

be well...

Thankful Thursday

Time to count blessings and not a minute too soon!

Panic mode is over, and I am firmly entrenched back in my denial place! LOL

1. I am grateful for my house, my home and my family.

2. I am grateful for my health insurance.

3. I am grateful for the meds that I have to help me and the doctors that are my partners in my healthcare.

4. I am grateful for the friends I have in my life.

5. I am grateful for my online friends, their availability and support have been invaluable over the last 7 years of coping with chronic illness. (rheumatoid arthritis, and for the last two years the brain thingy)

6. I am grateful for the technology that allows me to not only keep in touch but that lets me play stimulating and challenging games - some for fun - some for brain exercise - all of which help me cope and keep my mind off of worrysome stuff.

7. I am grateful for my pets. Yes, even though cleaning up cat hairballs and dog puke sucks, the unconditional love and joy they give daily far surpasses the difficulties they present on occasion.

8. I am grateful for Boy Scouts. Hammer has begun the planning for his Eagle Scout project which should be executed in the next 2 weeks. Fuzzy will begin planning his in the new year as he is just completing the last badge. Scouts has afforded the boys many opportunities for leadership, community service and personal growth.

9. I am especially grateful this week for my Hubby realizing that a hug, a cup of coffee and a snack would go a loooooonnnnng way.

10. I am grateful for the outlet that my blog and Facebook give to me and therefore, I am for YOU, the reader.

11. I am also grateful for the clarity health issues have given me in life. It sharpens into focus that which is truly important; those special gifts and blessings that no illness can take away.

Life is good. Thanks for being a part of it!

be well...

And So It Goes...

Need to do a stream of consciousness post here...

So, our new insurance started and my rheumatologist who is at the #3 hospital in the US for rheumatology (behind Mayo and Hopkins), Hospital for Special Surgery in NYC, is NOT in it. Crap.

So, I have an appointment with a highly recommended local guy. We will see how it goes. I will still go to see my HSS rheumy once a year out of my own pocket. I will not give her up completely. And that is another thing. I LOVE having a woman doc. Not ONE woman rheumatologist in all of northern NJ. ACK. Pisses me off.

My jaw/spasm/pain/lower lip thing is still happening. This may or may not be related to the rheumatoid arthritis. I may need to be retested for MS as this is a common MS symptom. It may or may not be related to the brain thingy. Ack.

My right hand is swollen and painful. That is unusual. Usually, my left is the worst one and the right is just achey. Strange. Both my elbows are swollen and clicking and are red and inflammed. Right hip doing its usual annoying achey pain thing.

My diet. Well, I haven't gained, but I haven't lost either. That made me cranky and I cheated all last weekend, but I still didn't gain. Not bad. I was mostly good this week, but not great. I am keeping track of the calories and most days I have been under, but probably not the best choices.

Fuzzy and Pumpkin have both had reality checks that they may have to actually improve and utilize study habits to get the A's they usually get without lifting a finger in school. LOL I have worked with both of them some, but they were both a little resistant. Also, they have slacked on their chores lately. So, they have the punishment of 'Going Amish' hanging over their heads this weekend...

Foolishly, the Terribly Twosome also tried to act 'entitled' this week. Very, very dumb. Nothing pisses their father off more than when they act unappreciative and feel 'entitled' to their goodies. ie; computer, vid games etc. Again... a reality check was delivered.

Hammer has been great. He always is happy to help, never forgets his chores, and is ALWAYS appreciative and understanding. His biggest problem is writing. He hates it. Having Asperger's/being on the Autistic Spectrum he has fine motor issues and being dysgraphic - where writing actually hurts and is very difficult is one of his issues. Although, over the years he has gotten much better, it is a really difficult hurdle for him and something that I need to prod him to work on. It is hard sometimes because I hate causing him discomfort. :(

Even though we have been in school since 9/9 I am still compiling paperwork for Fuzzy's asthma plan. Tuesday we go to the doc's office to get that all settled. sigh.

Things have really been hectic. Lots of Scout meetings, school meetings, doc appointments etc. I really hope it all settles down.

I am going back to Atlantic City with my mom on business again this year in November. I am looking forward to it, as always. It is nice to get that time with my mom.

Tuesday night we have a meeting with the scoutmaster planning out Hammer's Eagle Scout Project. I am excited for him because he worked so hard on all his badges and this is the last step. If all goes smoothly, Hammer will be the 50th Eagle out of this troop!!! A special honor indeed.

I haven't seen Kathy and my sweet little nephew J in over a month. It is just a little under a month for my cousin Karol and my other nephews. This time of year is always hard. School, holidays, crazy stuff. Sigh.

Hubby and I will be celebrating two milestones soon. October 26th will be 19 years from when we became 'officially' engaged, with the ring and all. And, then exactly two weeks later on 11/9 it will be our 18th Wedding Anniversary. Wow. Time flies... sometimes it really seems like yesterday. How could it be 18 years? I don't feel like 18 years have passed by... yet it has.

There are many who never thought that we would make it this long. Our romance was quick and whirlwind... how could we really KNOW. Well, we did. And, we still feel the same. I was very lucky to find my other half, a best friend that I can laugh and love and journey through all of life's challenges with by my side. :-)

Okay, enough rambling for today...

be well...

Thankful Thursday (brought to you by 'holy crap! A week has gone by again?)

The Union doctor and his tools.


The rebel company camp.

The cooking area and commander camp.

A Union infantry uniform. Authentic.

View from atop Little Round Top.

Yes, Virginia, a week has blown by! Yikes!

Some Gettysburg pics above for your enjoyment!

1. Gettysburg. I really, really love the place. The people are so nice, the history is all around you, and there is so much to do and see.

We saw 2 groups of reenactments. The first set was mostly Confederates out of Virginia representing Lee's Army of Northern Virginia, up on the extension of Seminary Ridge, near General Longstreet's Memorial. The doctor was a Union doctor of the Army of the Potomac, that was with them and he was very knowledgeable. Gave a great talk and demonstrated with actual Civil War instruments how he would amputate legs etc. A good doctor would do 3 legs in about 5 minutes, moving quickly from one to the next. Would only clean their tools to keep them from slipping out of their hands.

The second reenactment group was from 124th New York Regiment! They were celebrating their anniversary of being called to service 148 years earlier in 1861, on Sunday, October 11th. They were an all volunteer regiment. They did some line formations and demonstrations of rifle firing. No balls in the rifles, just the powder which gave a good bang!

We also visited Little Round Top. This was the extreme left flank of the Union line which Col. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain and his 20th Maine were told to 'Hold at all costs to the end.' And, they did. Even though they were facing 3 times as many soldiers, they held the high ground, and when they ran out of bullets they began the first and only bayonet charge ordered in the Civil War, the last ordered in any battle since, as well. They held the line, captured more soldiers than they had to guard them (thankfully their reenforcements arrived before anyone noticed, but the Rebels were all unarmed quickly), chased off the rest of the Rebs into a retreat. The 20th Maine saved the Union line from collapsing unto itself and thus ended day 2 of the Battle of Gettysburg. (can you tell I LOVE this period of history?)

2. Hubby. He organized a great trip for the boys. Our kids have already been to Gettysburg and probably will return again, but many kids in our troop would never have gotten this opportunity and were exposed to the living history of the Civil War. It wasn't easy to arrange moving 30 plus kids and some parents to the Battlefield and around it. Good job, honey.

3. Mom and Daughter time. Pumpkin Muffin and I really enjoyed our time alone with each other at the hotel room for night 2 and 3 of our trip. We went to the pool, had dinner and snacks. Relaxed and watched tv together, and got to talk a lot. Very nice.

4. Hammer. He helped me so much with all the camp laundry and regular weekly laundry over the last 2 days.

5. Technology. It does make life easier to connect and share.

Okay... that is all I have the brains or brawn for today.

be well...

Thankful Thursday

WOW! Time flies doesn't it? Loved the above pic... he he he...

Here we are at Thankful Thursday again!

1. Gettysburg Trip. I am really looking forward to getting away and experiencing Gettysburg again. I love history!

2. Coffee. A must have everyday, even on trips!

3. Laughter. I watched the first episode of the new show 'Modern Family' last night. We have them all tivo'd. OMG, I laughed so hard I lost my breath and cried. It was great!

4. The Arts. Dancing, singing, music, painting, sculpture, etc. The beauty and talent of those around us can be awe inspiring. Listened to some Mozart last night... brought tears to my eyes. Watched dancing show and was amazed at some of the talent...

5. Farmville. Totally addicted and having fun with the distraction it provides.

6. Life. Whether easy, hard, painful, fun, happy or sad it is to be lived and savored. Autumn is my favorite season, watching nature's exquisite show aflame against a grey blue sky is like none other!

Leaving for Gettysburg tomorrow after some more running around! Ack! Will check in at some point next week, maybe over the weekend if there is time!

be well...

I'm Still Standing

Mondays. Never know what they will bring!

We got hit with the engine light on in the car. Ack.

Thankfully, our local 10 minute oil change place has a computer thingy and it said that it was the oil pressure sensor which may/or may not have been fixed by having an oil change. It worked. They changed the oil and the filters and the pressure came back up and the light went off.

YAY! We leave for our Boy Scout trip to Gettysburg on Friday and we do NOT need to be worrying about anything with the car when traveling about 5 hours from home!

In preparation for our trip I am rereading the book 'Killer Angels'. It is the book that the movie 'Gettysburg' was based upon, in case you are not familiar with it. I have read the book many times before, I am guessing this may be around the 12th time. Definitely more than ten.

I am going to do a presentation for the Scouts and parents about the Battle of Little Round Top and Pickett's Charge and the spot called the 'high water mark' of the Confederacy, by the 'copse of trees'. I am going to try to make it more real for the boys, have them stand in positions of both Blue and Grey soldiers and really get a feel for how it happened.

This is my third trip to Gettysburg personally, so being familiar with it already will help sharing this amazing place in our history with the boys.

It is a busy week around here! Hubby has his 'Man Scout' meeting of all the leaders tonight. Tomorrow night is the Senior Patrol Leader meeting, which Fuzzy runs as the 'head' scout, and all the patrol leaders, their assistants etc. It is basically a planning meeting. Then, Wednesday night is the regular scout meeting.

Thursday morning as a member of the Board of Health I will be working the free flu shot clinic at our Senior Center. Just regular shots, not H1N1. Then, Thursday night is Fuzzy's high school Back to School night. Friday morning is a meeting at the school with regard to his asthma and the special 504 set up we have to manage it.

Somewhere on Thursday and Friday we have to pack for the trip as we leave in the mid afternoon on Friday!

As I said, busy, busy, busy! Never a dull moment around here and no time for my rheumatoid arthritis to be acting up. Not sure how that is all going to play out, but I am doing better. The hip has settled down to a dull ache and I have no problems with putting weight on it! Yay! I may still look into taking a prednisone taper though... not sure.

Fuzzy and my dad are shooting in trap/skeet league together this fall. It is Fuzzy's second time around, my dad's first. Today, Fuzzy hit a new high with 17 of 25 in his trap rounds! He was thrilled.

I guess that about catches you up with us!

be well...

Ode to Joy

I am listening to Pumpkin Muffin playing 'Ode to Joy' on the piano right now. Yay! After taking a year off, she is back to piano! I am so happy.

I have a funny Pumpkin story for you all.

I don't know if it speaks to the power of female persuasion or my daughter's bossiness, but here it is.

The first week of school in their Spanish class they decided to do a review of basic conversation. The kids were broken up into groups. Pumpkin was paired with two boys. One is a friend, J, whose mom is from somewhere in South America and J has been learning Spanish his whole life.

Pumpkin in her daily recitation of every detail of her day (yes, EVERY detail) tells me the next day that they only got a 95% because she must have spelled 'Aloha' wrong.

Aloha? I asked her why did she have 'Aloha' on there at all. She said, 'Mom, it's Spanish for 'hello'!' (read this with all the condescending teen attitude you can muster)

I state, 'No, Pumpkin. Aloha is Hawaiian for hello. Hola is Spanish for hello.

Pumpkin: blink blink

Then, 'Oh, well there ya go then!', followed by hysterical laughter from the two of us.

I asked her to please ask J how come (being from a half Spanish home) he did not step in and point out this glaring error.

So, the next day, Pumpkin comes home and begins her daily recitation of every detail of her day.

I ask, 'Skip to J, what did he say about Aloha?'

Pumpkin smiles and said, 'J said he thought it was just a different Spanish word for hello because after all, I am usually right!' (read this with the smug satisfaction of a woman who has realized she has got it going on!)

So, there ya have it.

Again, not sure if it was her confidence, or her bossiness, but my daughter has got some man management skills! LOL

ps. My hip is feeling better. I can put my full weight on it. That is key. The pain is doable.

Looking forward to the Gettysburg trip. The Boy Scout Gettysburg Campsite is awarded once a year via a lottery system. It is very limited. By October 15th of the preceding year you have to apply. Then, in February of the year you wish to camp, you receive notification of whether you received your first choice or second choice weekend.

As you can imagine, a three day weekend like Columbus Day is a tough one to get, so were lucky. The campsite I believe is also only open May thru the end of October.

Another cool thing is that there are 2 battle reenactments that weekend, one Saturday and one Sunday that the boys are going to be able to witness!

As I mentioned, we visited Gettysburg as a family before and loved it. I also went when I was a kid. I love history. (and science, and english, and yeah, just learning in general... lol)

Being in Gettysburg is awe inspiring. The history is EVERYWHERE around you. Even in the building that houses the Starbucks you can see the holes in the brickwork from small cannonballs and musket fire. It is really amazing. If you ever get a chance to go, do it.

Okay... signing off...

be well...

Dirty Deeds

Today the boys had an Eagle Scout project to work at today. The boy earning his Eagle, was very happy for the turn out. They were collecting old computers, cell phones, tv's, and other assorted electronics. From 8 until 2pm today they were set up at our town's DPW, and filled 2 big trucks worth.

I decided that since it was only 2 1/2 blocks from my house, to walk over for the last hour and half, and to bring Libby.

Libby had lots of fun! She got lots of hugs, kisses, and tummy rubs.

This resulted in a very dirty yellow lab!

So, we had to give Libby a bath. Libby does not like baths. Libby is allergic to doggie shampoo, so we used the same non-fragranced, hypo-allergenic, expensive Aveeno body wash we use on Fuzzy!

Libby is cleaner now, but wet, and not happy about it. We dried her as best as we could but now she needs to air dry. She keeps trying to get away from herself. It's funny.

Anyhow, Mish is here, our spare for the day, and we are finishing up our chores and getting ready to head to Borders.

Then, the plan is take out for the kids, and then Hubby and I are going to have a much needed dinner out alone.

I am really looking forward to it. It has been a tough week.

I found out from my rheumatologist that my bloodwork showed major vitamin D and potassium deficiencies. It wasn't a complete surprise as I have shown it being low normal before, but these numbers were really bad. Almost, heading to the hospital bad. The plaquenil and the Enbrel can cause this - lucky me - I got the lottery win on that.

So, now I have two more meds to take. One daily for the potassium and an uber pill of vitamin D once a week.

Ack. Yep... fun.

And, it isn't like I don't do vitamins either. I take Emergen C at least once a day, which is filled with lots of vitamins and minerals. Imagine if I didn't.

Ah well, no point in pissing and moaning, as there may be a silver lining.

There is a chance that once my counts get back up to normal that my fatigue will fade. Oh how I hope against hope that it will be so.

Anyhow, today is a gorgeous, sunny, bright, crisp fall day. The kind that you can't help but have a little pep in your step when you breathe in the air...

Enjoy your weekend...

be well...

Thankful Thursday

The 'Thankful Thursday' tradition continues here at blogger and it seems fitting to start with...

1. Coffee! Yumm-o!

2. Sheldor the Conqueror. Those who watch 'Big Bang Theory' will get this and laugh; this show is smart, funny, and very relatable for our family since my dear Hammer is also a physics nut/genius.

3. Boy Scouts. Life enriching, is how I would describe it.

4. AOL Journals. Thank you for giving me years of service, and for closing and forcing me to come here, where I am actually enjoying it more!

5. My cousin, Karol. Who loves me even though she can never get me on the phone! LOL

6. My sister of my heart, Kathy. I am so sorry that you are having such a tough week. I wish I could turn back the clock for you and undo yesterday. {{ hugs }}

7. Bowling. Today is the recreation league, and Mish and DogBoy will join Fuzzy and Pumpkin and there will be much rejoicing. Yay.

8. Dr. Rauscher. My former employer, who just stitched Hammer's finger up 3 weeks ago. It has healed nicely, which was tricky because the slice went to the nail bed. And, in spite of Hammer nearly mucking up the healing as well. (sigh, gotta love him)

9. Bonnie. My friend Ilene's mom, for showing me the power of positive thinking over chronic illness, and how never giving up can get you far. Thank you.

10. Milky Way Dark Bars. Just because.

Okay... there it is. The first 'Thankful Thursday' entry here at my new blog!

I hope you all enjoy and come leave a comment. (Paul, Dan, that was for you - )

Just a quick note, if you want email alerts, check my side bar! No matter where your email addy is hosted, you can get them. Just a few clicks and it is done!

Also, a quick thank you and way to the 55 'followers' I have! Wow! :-)

be well...

Day by Day

I just loved this lolcat!

Hubby just called on his way to the dentist. Just a teeth cleaning, but I swear - you have never seen a bigger baby. He wanted me to come sit there and watch. Really? You must be kidding me. I don't even do that with the kids anymore, and he knows that. You should have heard him whining about it. lol Men!

Tonight is Boy Scouts. Hammer is the troop librarian and this year we are being very organized. He made a list of all the Merit Badge books that he has collected that others have used and no longer needed. I typed a memo for him to hand to everyone tonight, giving our telephone #, his email addy, and with the list of all the books available for loan. Also, in the memo we reminded kids to turn in their used books for recycling in the troop for others.

I hope this is a success. No one has ever done this before in the troop, and Hammer is really into it. Even after he completes his Eagle, he wants to continue with it. :-)

Tonight, Fuzzy also has a handout for everyone. The troop is going to collect goodies/necessities for the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan! A friend in town is working with an active reservist to get all of the items distributed to those in need of some Christmas cheer! A worth cause for sure!

I am proud of both the boys! And, even Pumpkin will be there tonight helping hand out the memos! She envisions herself as the Troop Mascot. lol

Those who have been reading me for a while will remember that I have been going to Atlantic City with my mom on her twice yearly business trips for a little over a year now. I went to her May and November 2007 trips, and the May 2008. The November one is coming - November 14th! Yay!

This is the busier and more hectic of the two conventions. In May, all the convention is held in the hotel where we stay. This November one we have to shuttle back and forth between the hotel and the Convention Center. Two of my mom's friends are partially disabled and need to use scooters which are rented at both locations. I wil help with the shuffling.

As you can imagine it gets hectic. You have to check in the one you are using at the hotel and get a receipt. I usually stay with them and do that while mom runs to get a taxi ready and waiting. Then, we shuffle with cane and what-not to the taxi and repeat the process in the reverse at the Convention center. Of course the places you pick-up/drop-off the scooters is never right next to the door. Sheesh.

I am very happy to help! I love my mom's friends, they are all like additional mom's/grandma's to me. My mom is the spring chicken of the group at 63 (on November 8th). The next friend is 75 ish and 2 are in the 80's! Brilliant determined women all. Tax collectors, Chief Municipal finance officers. Some retired, some not.

Of course those are just the women we have adjoining rooms with and do our traveling with at the convention. There are many more that are my mom's clients or friends that we meet up with for meals during the week. It is really a nice time. Busy, but fun.

I am looking forward to it - as you can tell!

be well...

Philadelphia Freedom

Wow! I have more new followers! Yay and welcome!

Thank you for all the compliments on how spiffy my blog looks, however, I cannot take any credit! That all goes to Dan, who literally walked me thru each and every step of creating a blog, then he found me a coffee template, walked me thru putting the new template on, and then helped me to edit the blog! Yay Dan!

You should all visit Dan here: http://thewisdomofadistractedmind.blogspot.com/

So, Philly was fun! We arrived there about 10:30am and parked beneath the visitors center.

After walking through the visitors center, buying tickets for Independence Hall for an afternoon tour, and collecting the maps necessary for the day, our group of 19, yes 19 - set out! We had 9 adults and 10 kids.

First stop, the Liberty Bell! She is a beauty! She was affixed the top of the Pennsylvania State House, now Independence Hall, in the 1750's. Next, we visited Ben Franklin's ghost. You asked Ben questions and his 'ghost' answered. Very cool.

Next, the building that was our first bank, now a portrait museum. It held many portraits of the men who were brave enough to start this little 'experiment' of freedom!

Everyone was hungry then and we ate in the food court at the Bourse, a building that was originally one of the first foreign banks back in the 1800's.

Next, we headed to the Underground Museum. All about Ben Franklin! The outdoors has the foundations of his house, and a layout showing were his print shop would have been. There are some original buildings there also. In the museum we saw a film on Franklin and viewed many displays.

The boys earned a special merit badge on Ben Franklin.

Betsy Ross' house was next! Yay for Pumpkin Muffin - she was waiting to see that all day. A great glimpse into colonial life and the life of an extraordinary woman and patriot. Often, the sacrifices women make during way is forgotten...

We needed to race about 5 blocks to Independence Hall to make our tour! Yeah - I started hurting then. It wasn't pretty from then on, but I persevered! lol

Independence Hall, Congress Hall, etc, was fabulous. The kids loved it and the National Park Service really brings history alive! The speakers were great and very kind to us as Scouts at all the locations we visited!

One last destination to complete the day - Ben Franklin's grave at Christ Church. Another 4 -5 blocks... ouch, but we did it. And were a bit let down! You can only stand outside the gate of cemetary and look in - yep, there it is. Oh well.

We headed to the gift shop and did a power shop as they were getting ready to close at 5pm, then into the cars.

Thank heavens for GPS, we headed back into NJ and went to Cracker Barrel in Mount Laurel. We skipped the cheesesteaks as everyone decided they were tired and wanted waitress service. Plus, we don't get Cracker Barrel where we live, so it is a BIG treat!

We sat in groups but all together and had a great meal! Got a few candy goodies for the ride home and headed to the NJ Turnpike.

Arrived home about 9pm and we were tired, but what a wonderful day! We had perfect weather and saw everything we wanted to see and then some! Of course, there is always more... next time.

Today, I am sore, limping and tired, but no rest for the weary! I am headed to the bowling alley to watch the kids bowl with Hubby!

I will be back later to read all your blogs!

be well...