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...

Fa la la la la... Holly Crap, I'm BUSY!!!

I love my blog... I really do! And, I love all of you, my faithful blog readers!

However, I am really busy, a good busy, but as you can see - the blog has been neglected! So, I am going to sign off for 2009 with promises that I WILL be back in 2010!!!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

May your holiday season be filled

with the love of family and friends and

the hope of peace in the new year to come!

Dawn and family

Hold On Loosely

... but sometimes I need you to hold me completely up.

And, today, Hubby did that. Thank you, hon.

Tough day, and he came home early bearing gifts of Dunkin Donuts Iced Coffee and a cheesy bagel twisty stick thing and most importantly, just his hugs.

My appointment for the neurosurgeon is going to be November 10th. The day after our 18th Anniversary. That is three weeks from today. That is too long. Too long to worry until, too long for discomfort. :(

Next week I have the appointment with the new rheumatologist.

Today, Fuzzy's pediatrician appointment was cancelled further pushing back our paperwork for the school. Ugh.

Onward and upward...

be well...

Thankful Thursday

I am sure you are all familiar with this phrase!

RA SUCKS. Ok... enough whining, I was having a good week and in spite of my latest flare issue resulting in trochanter bursitis or hip impingement or just plain old BUM RA HIP ISSUES, I am going to CONTINUE having a good week.

Thankfuls..

1. Hubby. I asked Hubby to stay home so I could load up on the vicodin and get some 'better/more' sleep. And, Hubby stayed here, working from the house. Thank heavens for technology that makes this possible! Internet, Blackberry, fax machines...etc.

2. Kids. All three have gone above and beyond in supplying help to Mommy during the latest flaring and this hip issue.

3. Boy Scouts. It provides great leadership skills and experiences. For the family too. Next weekend we have a Scout trip to Gettysburg. It will be our second as a family. The boys and Hubby will be camping ON THE BATTLEFIELD. Soooooo awesome. Pumpkin and I will be camping at the Marriott Courtyard! LOL

Positive energy and prayers needed for my hip and flare to go AWAY so I can keep up in Gettysburg next week!

I may have to do a prednisone taper. I am thankful that I have this opportunity, yet its side effects make me hesitant. So, waiting at this point to see what happens.

4. Autumn. Oh how I love that crisp feeling in the air! No other season gets that snap. Nature's kaleidescope show is soon to begin on the trees... sigh. I love it! ::: sigh :::

5. Coffee. Tried a new flavor from Green Mountain called Pumpkin Spice. Not as awesome as Gingerbread, but close! Yum.

ps... coffee machine still acting up. BJ's has one on sale thank the caffeine gods.

6. NCIS and NCIS LA! I love both these shows! Yay! I am just happy that the new fall season is upon us and we have NEW things to watch! Some just fun, some thought provoking, some full of adventure and puzzles.

7. Life. It is good. I have people I love all around me. My kids, Hubby, and parents. I have friends who care. A roof over my head and money to pay the bills. Books and computer to entertain and educate.

COULD BE MUCH WORSE.

And, that fact is NOT lost on me for one minute!

8. Pets. Even though Libby keeps pooping on the front lawn and pissing off my dad, even though Tina still hates me and loves Hubby who hates her, even though Suzy knocked over the hamster cage AGAIN yesterday, even though Pumpkin (the cat) is very obviously declining as she ages --- I wouldn't trade the love, comfort and entertainment that you all provide on a daily basis.

The hamsters could go though. Anyone? lol

9. Diet. It has been a tough two weeks. Feeling the loss in my clothes, but the scale stayed the same. First, I went 2 pounds while Aunt Flo visited, and now, I am back down but still holding at 10 pounds total. This is pissing me off, but this is also how we women lose. So, I am waiting out the plateau. I can't exercise because of the hip... frustrating.

I believe that covers it. :-D

May this entry find you well and happy in your world!

be well...

I Told You So

This is what it has been like lately with Fuzzy and Pumpkin.

This is what it is like most of the time between Hammer and the terrible twosome! Hammer is my big thinker! ;-)

Is it a wonder I want to pull my hair out sometimes? LOL

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Oy! The bickering!!!!

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Today, as I shouted at the two of them to 'Knock it off' for what felt like the thousandth time, I decided to add, 'if you two start it again, I am punishing you both - no questions asked.'

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The standard punishment is going Amish or electronics free. Except for tv.

No computer, no cell phone (no texting???!!! The horror! for Pumpkin anyhow.) no Xbox or handheld game either.

_

It worked. Blessed silence ensued and no more bickering, no more 'he said, she said'. Suddenly, it was all UN negotiations and keeping mom out of it. Nice. :-)

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The big news of the week falls under the 'NEVER A DULL MOMENT' at my house category!

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Monday night we were all outside enjoying the lovely evening. Uncle K, his son, Pumpkin and Hubby were playing basketball and were almost done with a game of '21'. Fuzzy was riding his bike.

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He pulled into the drive way and I told him it was getting too dark, streetlights were on already, and to put away the bike. As usual, he argued. After a moment of bickering, he begged for one more run down the street.

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I had a bad feeling about it, but I let him go. I shouldn't have, and he should have listened to mom.

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We hear a yell and a crash. Fuzzy's bike pedal broke off and he went flying over the handlebars.

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He came down very, very hard on his left forearm and tore it up with road rash, also his left shoulder, hand, right thumb, and both knees. Ouch.

The forearm began to swell and bruise and after a half hour he was in a lot of pain so... off to the ER. Thankfully, NOT broken. Three separate finger fractures so far for 2009 ( two for Pumpkin, one for Fuzzy), and I was glad not to add to the list!

_

Needless to say, bad road rash sucks and hurts. As does the massive swelling and bruise on the forearm. Fuzzy had a half day on Tuesday and we let him stay home. He had a rough night and was really sore, so he had a jammie day with motrin. ;-)

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This morning and today have been much better. It is awesome to be young because he is bouncing back already. No gym for this week, but he is already sure he will be fine for Monday! Ahh youth! LOL

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Lesson learned? Listen to Mom? I doubt it. Fuzzy keeps saying, 'It had nothing to do with the darkness.' Everyone keeps telling him, 'Yeah, but sometimes Mom's just know.'

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Well, he is man, after all. Hubby hasn't quite learned to listen to me yet, so what hope is there for Fuzzy? LOL I guess we will see the next time.

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Today I met my cousin Karen for an awesome gabfest at Panera over tea for her and coffee for me! It was really nice to reconnect as it had been too long that life got in the way.

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I am realizing more and more how easy that is to happen and how we really need to work against it. Time just flies by, and there is always something to be rushing to or from, but we have to stop ourselves to be with the ones we love. Too often they are gone too soon.

_

be well...

Thankful Thursday

Finally, school has begun in our little slice of NJ!

The summer, frankly, went too quick for me this year. It didn't feel like summer at all until August, and then *poof* over - in the blink of an eye! I actually love the time with the kids with no schedule and just relaxing.

Sigh.

Thankfuls...

1. Fuzzy. That although he was much like the kitty in the picture above, and was full of nerves, Fuzzy is now happy with high school and seems to be enjoying the new experience and the teachers and the work. Yay!

2. Pumpkin. As always, just a bundle of happy at the thought of starting a new year and after starting it - she still is a bundle of happy! Yay!

3. Friends. Thanks for the prayers and support this week!

4. Hubby. No one pisses me off quite like you. No one loves me better, either. Feh. It's all good, hon. lol

5. Farkle. Thank you for taking my mind off worrying about Fuzzy during his first day at high school. I like being in first place out of my friend's scores too.

6. Books. How I love you all!!!! Thanks also to you for helping me keep my stress levels under control this week!

I am VERY VERY behind on blog reading!!! I am sooooo sorry! I will catch up soon!

I am happy to report that in spite of the increased stress this week, I stuck to my diet and stayed under my calorie goal each and every day! Yay!

More soon...

be well...

Thankful Thursday

Ahh... Thankful Thursday... you do like to sneak up on me! Like now, very late on Thursday... actually Friday am! I am having trouble relaxing because I needed to drink an extra cup of coffee at about 4pm today, and now the caffeine has me up.

I drank it in order to have a little extra 'oomph' because tonight we had a high school 'open house' to attend with Fuzzy. It was good, but long. Whew.

Here are my thankfuls...

1. I am thankful for Hubby, and that the biggest complaint I have about him is that he is a big baby.

2. I am very thankful for coffee! Especially, GINGERBREAD! Yay! It is a seasonal k-cup that I can only get for my Keurig coffeemaker during November, December and January! My first cup of it yesterday was just heavenly! I made a big deal out of it and Hammer was laughing at my lunacy as I turned the first cup into a momentous occasion!

3. I am thankful that on Monday I will be heading to Atlantic City with mom! YAY!

4. I am thankful for my upgrade to the iphone so I can keep in touch with home easier while I am away! I will send them pictures and texts and emails.

5. I am thankful for my early birthday/Christmas clothes from my mom and dad since I needed some new winter things and I can wear them next week on my trip first! (ps... My birthday is coming up on 11/22, since a few of you asked)

6. I am thankful for my kids and my family and my wonderful busy life! And, although it has kept me away from the keyboard, I know you are here and will be here when I am able to get back and catch up properly!

7. I am thankful that I have good healthcare and access to medicines that are helping me to manage my chronic issues! Today, I would never have made it all day and through and 2 1/2 hour Open House without the aid of vicodin. I was really hurting, but after the vicodin I was able to focus on my son and all the info that I needed to absorb tonight.

I will be keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers! This may be my last post until somewhere around 11/24! I will try to pop in and leave a quickie if I can, but if now, know that I am okay!

Maybe I will even win some money in AC! Wish me luck!

be well...

True

Since today is a day that I count my blessings, I want to share with you.

This is my favorite sonnet by William Shakespeare. I fell in love with it, if you will, in high school. Sophmore year we had to pick a sonnet to memorize, and this was mine. It was prophetic since I am blessed to have a love as described in it's verses.

Let me not to the marriage of true minds

Admit impediments, love is not love

Which alters when it alteration finds,

Or bends with the remover to remove.

O no, it is an ever-fixed mark

That looks on tempests and is never shaken;

It is the star to every wand'ring bark,

Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.

Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks

Within his bending sickle's compass come,

Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,

But bears it out even to the edge of doom:

If this be error and upon me proved,

I never writ, nor no man ever loved.

I hope you enjoy it. The beautiful words make me smile still and they hold so much more richness of meaning now that I truly understand what it is to have a love that lasts and does not alter, nor bend.

Thank you, honey. Our anniversary is coming this Sunday... I guess that is why I am feeling so nostalgic. 17 years...

be well...

Thankful Thursday

You know you agree with Maxine... don't try to deny it! LOL

I have to say that this week flew by! One would think that with a cold it would feel slow, but here it is, Thankful Thursday again, and it feels like I just did one! LOL

So... thankfuls... hmmm...

1. All of you. I was reading journals this am and had quite a few laughs, smiles, and even some great useful information! Thank you all!

2. Hubby. He drove the kids this morning to school, then dropped off the car and walked to the bus. Just so I can sleep and try to shake the remains of this cold. He has done that just about every day he can to make it easier on me since mornings are so hard even when I don't have a cold, and I truly appreciate it. The little things really mean a lot.

But, just so his head doesn't swell too much, I will remind him of the years I worked and had to drag out one then 2 kids every morning because he left for work by 6am then. LOL heh heh heh

3. Coffee. Finally, the seasonal flavor that is my favorite is back out again! Yay! Gingerbread! YUMMY! It tastes basically like cinnamon coffee. I love it. I will stock up as much as I can!

4. My life in general. Choose joy. Always better for you than being stressed, sad, or cranky.

"A leaf fluttered in through the window this morning, as if supported by the rays of the sun, a bird settled on the fire escape, JOY in the task of coffee, JOY accompanied me as I walked."
Anais Nin, 1914-1977, French-born American Novelist, Dancer.

Joy is there in the simplest of things.

5. Coffee. Oh did I say that already? Going to get more...

Find your joy today. Think on your blessings. Join in on Thankful Thursday.

be well...