Happy Sunday

Mom and me 1973

Mornin' Son! How's the weather there?  Dumb question huh? Maybe to you, but how is the weather there?  Since I don't have a clue as to what perfect is, how would I know what perfect weather is?  Do you even have weather in heaven?  Well how the heck would I know?  It's not like anything we experience here on earth, it's heaven for crying out loud.  I know we only know what we know but I doubt very much if you have rain, snow, ice, tornados, hurricanes.  Well, maybe, what's it like when God gets mad in heaven.  Or do I? Maybe "getting mad" in heaven doesn't look like it does on earth. I mean one of the effects of God getting made here was flooding of the entire earth.  Or was it Him being mad, or sad or maybe a little of both.

We've had a little bit of everything here lately, wind, rain, snow, ice, SUN! Yes sun!  We made a trip to Albany yesterday and it was 45 degrees and sunny.  Absolutely beautiful. The snow is picking up though.  Not heavy stuff, but more often.  Everyone says February is usually the coldest month so I guess we'll be seeing soon.
 

Except Josie's name was on the bow!

Did you hear the explosion this last week? I know, it was really something wasn't it!  I mean, Josie only turns 4 once in her life. The family party was last Wednesday night.  Josie ordered hot dogs and "smiley" fries for dinner. Now these were no ordinary hot dogs.  Jon grilled them along with onions.  Yum, they were so good  And, to top it all off, a Hello Kitty cake, a green Hello Kitty cake to be exact! It was actually a very pretty cake.  You can see how Corey decorated it.  Yes, she decorates cakes too! What doesn't she do? I've stopped asking.  Anyway, when she cut the cake you saw the very pretty light green cake with white and pink icing (the bow in Hello Kitty's hair was pink). Very pretty.  Had she chosen a different green, a very different story!. It's so fun to have a party here.  You'd love it. Jon's mom and dad joined us too so that made it even more special for Josie. At one point I looked around the kitchen, because that's where the party always is, the kitchen, and everyone was there but Josie.  She'd gone back to the family room to finish her movie. It didn't take much to get her back though, all Jon had to say was, "Josie! Your hot dogs are ready" and she was back like a flash.  It had been a long day for her.  First the anticipation for a month of everyone talking about it and asking her about it and then waiting all day for the party.  She received many wonderful gifts AND she did get her American Girl doll.  That's what she REALLY wanted. She was very happy with the crib.  Her new doll fits perfectly.  Corey said she took it to her room and put it beside her bed so she could sleep next to her doll.  She brought the doll with her last night when she came to visit. Sierra had given her some clothes from her American Doll collection and so we changed clothes on dolls, baked cookies, watched Dora and Arthur, and read books.  I even got her to eat something besides the mini-chocolate donuts uncle keeps hidden in the freezer.  She settled for an egg, banana and apple.
God continues to be so good.  I've been doing pretty well.  I did have a "bump" last week, or what I call, "an Aaron day".  Sometimes they're just "bumps" and I go on.  Other times, and I will say they are less frequent, they just stop me in my tracks.  Last Thursday was one of those days. I guess it started the night before watching Josie and thinking of you at that age.  Oh, by the way, it cost me a day's wages...pay up! We had such great times. We spent so much time together just you and I.  Remember when we first moved to Fullerton CA and lived in the condos? It was just you and me buddy.  Dad had to do his job and it was a new one so he had to really concentrate.  Driving in Orange and

Honest mom, we don't know who she is!

LA counties was no small thing when you'd never been there before.  His job did keep him on the road but there was always Saturday, or Funday as the two of you called it.  I don't know how long it was before dad and I realized that you thought the days of the week were Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and "Funday". Dad never failed to be there for Saturday, Sunday or holidays no matter how far he had to drive to get home.  He still talks about the one Halloween he missed when we lived in Buena Park CA.  Not a bad record for 41 years of holidays I'd say. 

Anyway, you loved living in the condos. You were about 4 years old then.  The condos were completely surrounded with a 6' high stucco wall and was 3 "levels" high. And by high I mean the roads were almost straight up to the next layer of condos. You use to ride your bike everywhere.  One day I remember in particular.  I saw you coming up to the front door and you were walking your bike.  I opened the door and asked you if something was wrong with your bike.  You said, "nope mom, I'm just to pooped to get on it". You were always an adventuresome kid. And you never got lost.  You always had that special built in radar.  When we'd go camping, even when you were little, you go off "exploring" and come back dragging a stick, turning over rocks and branches to see what was underneath. I am so thankful that "back in the olden days" we didn't have the worries that parents have today about a stranger taking their kids. Maybe I should have been more concerned and to young to realize it. Another instance of God stepping in where I was to naive to be concerned.  He does that quite frequently still...step in I mean; just in the nick of time.

It's beginning to feel good again to wake up in the morning. To look forward to a new day and new week.  I haven't had that feeling in a long time. To look forward to new adventures, new friends and doing new things. I think some of us at work are going to get together here at the house before Valentine's Day and do some Valentine crafts, have some snacks and watch some "sappy" movies. When I was showing them pictures of Josie's crib several of them mentioned they'd like to do some crafts too. I'd been thinking about having a crafting party so it was the perfect opportunity.  What better holiday to do a craft for than Valentine's Day.  Oh, by the way, I put my music box on the mantel this week.  You remember I know. The miniature one you bought me one Valentine's Day of a duck playing a piano. I still have it.  It's usually in the hutch but I sat it on the mantel so I can see it better for the holiday.


Well, it looks like this week is going to be a full one again.  Monday-Friday, 9:30am - 1:30 pm work for me. (If you can call it that!) It's such a relaxed time it's difficult to categorize it as work.  Dad and I are going to strategize how to keep the house in order with me working.  Monday night is dance lesson for Josie.  Tuesday is horseback riding for Josh. Wednesday night is Hebrew School for Josh and then dinner for my birthday with the family. My goal is to work in 20 hours of studio time in the afternoons.  Thursday and Friday afternoons I usually get more time than the rest of the week.  Saturdays I try to hold open for dad and me and most of Sunday is you, me and the Lord. 

Sunday is quickly becoming my favorite day of the week too. I wrap up in my soft warm sweats, pull on my heavy socks, wash my face and comb my hair. Dad brings me some iced tea and my morning oatmeal.  I settle in on the couch with my blanket dad bought me years ago, open my laptop and begin.  I spend some quiet time with the Lord just talking and sharing with Him.  And then, you and I talk. 

Dad just ran to the store to pick up a couple of things we forgot when we bought groceries this week.  Jamison is curled up on the back of the couch in front of the window in the sun taking his morning nap. Every once in a while I lean over and lay my head on him.  He doesn't even move.  Usually if dad is going somewhere Jamison is right on his heels.  It's cold outside, 20 degrees so he just went outside, did his business and came right back in and up to the back of the couch. Oops, spoke to soon.  A dog is walking down the sidewalk, across the street, a quarter of a mile away!  How dare he cross on Jamison's turf.

Well, until next Sunday son, be Aaron...love mom

Joy Is in the Living

A new morning; a new day! Good morning son. I've missed my Sunday morning conversations with you.  For some reason I got it in my head that you had better things to do than to talk with me on Sunday morning.  I know you're busy, but, if time doesn't exist in heaven then there is no way I can "disrupt your day".  So, look out, I'm back. You already knew I'd be back didn't you? It's better for me to blog my conversations than have them in my head. Which by the way, I do all the time.  

It's Sunday and what is also fast becoming my favorite day of the week.  It's a time of quiet reflection of and writing with times of chatting with dad in-between.  How are you doing? Perfect, I know!  I can't even imagine how that would be, to feel perfect and be perfect. Quite an awesome feeling I would imagine.  I mean, no cell phones and yet you have perfect communication.  No dropped phone calls, no problems hearing, no noise as the phone alerts you to text messages, emails and calls you've missed.  Perfect weather always! It's 3 degrees here this morning.  But, we have the privilege of enjoying a beautiful warm and comfortable home. It's perfect for us.  I bet when we get to heaven we're going to have a great time laughing about what we consider what is perfect here based on what is really perfect there.  As always in life, everything is relative. What do people do who have to live in their cars?  I think back to the years we lived in Blue River OR.  The snow high on the ground, freezing weather and rain and hundreds of people homeless and living in the mountains.  It was difficult to keep our home warm with the wood stove.  How on earth do people survive living in a tent with a sleeping bag.  Not only that, but as they would get on the bus at 6:00am with me as we caught headed into town, an hour away, they had to bring everything they owned with them or it would be gone when they got back "home". 

We are so privileged, dad and I. God just continues to work in our lives and continues to amaze us.  I wonder, why are we continually amazed? He is God after all.  Amazed I guess, because of all the people in the world He has the time and makes the time to help us.  He again "came through" this week and provided me with regular hours at work. You already knew that didn't you?  Well, you could have given me a hint and taken away some of the anxiety. Anyway, how amazing is that! And get this, talk about perfect hours, M-F 9:30am - 1:30pm.  I mean how could it get better than that!  When I retired from the The City of Springfield my intent was to be through with working a regular job.  And, I didn't think I would ever find another "perfect" job with another team of people who I loved working with as much as the HR team. But, as the saying goes, "life is what happens as we make plans", or something like that.  You get the message. If anyone understands this, it's you. 

I will say, having not worked at a regular job for 10 months it's a little more difficult working 7-8 hours a day. Last week I helped a couple of days in the MOC (Materials Operation Center) putting together binders for a client.  It's been a long, long time since I've done the "ring around the rosie" putting weekly binders together in City Manager's Office. Basically it's the same idea except there's no "ring around the rosie it's standing in place and inserting the items in the binders. The best thing about the whole process is the team working together.  They work much faster than your mom, but we get the job done.  You'd have to see this process to really appreciate it. MOC is the hub of making sure that all materials are on site in time for sessions, all over the world, and that everything is correct.  Not only do I get to work on different projects, which I love, but I believe in what we're doing; teaching people and companies and the people in those companies how to be inclusive. Being inclusive is so much bigger than most know it to be. There is such a feeling of accomplishment to have even a tiny part in getting the message out.  

I finished the birthday gift for Josie. I know, you already know. You've watched me carry that doll crib around no matter where I've been, for the last two years.  I bought it to finish for her 2nd birthday.  She'll be four this Wednesday.  Better late than never. I started to do it in pink and pearls and then got to thinking about who I was doing it for and decided it needed to be a little "sassier" so I stepped it up and added black into the mix.  I think it came out perfect.  I also made a "feather mattress" for it rather than a foam one and finished the blanket and pillow yesterday.  I'm three days ahead of schedule.  I had my doubts since I lost about 10 hours of studio time last week. I made up for it yesterday though.  You know me, it's not like it's a chore for me to spend time in the studio. I'd live in there if I thought I could get by with it!  Doll Crib


This afternoon I'm going to start on a doll cradle I've been carrying around.  I haven't really imagined it in my mind yet but I'm sure it will end up white with pearls or pink with pearls.  Most likely a white cradle and cream pearls.

I'm back.  Oops! Did I forget to tell you I was leaving?  Sorry.  Corey called and a group of us to Starbucks for a coffee and a visit:  Corey, Jinny (from Singapore), Chelly, Sierra and me.  Then we picked up the kids at Hebrew School.  Josie decided she wanted to stay at our house when they stopped to drop me off. Corey told her she could stay for a short time because she needed to come back home and tell Jinny goodbye before she left this afternoon.  Josie said, "I have an idea. How about if I tell Jinny goodbye before I stay at Aunt Jan's and then I can just stay at Aunt Jan's". Corey said, "but that would mean you'd have to say goodbye to Jinny right now".  Immediately, and I mean before Corey could get the sentence out of her mouth, Josie turned to Jinny, waved and said, "goodbye Jinny".  Yes, we all laughed.  Man she's quick.  Then it dawned on me I'd better really move before she got out of the car.  The crib was sitting on the dining room table as you come in the front door.  I made a mad dash, moved the crib to my studio as she and Josh came into the house.  Josh had heard uncle was going to watch the Patriot game today so he decided he wanted to stay too.  We made and had lunch and are watching Phineas and Ferb. Well, I should say that's what we started with.  Then Josh played some Wii, until Corey called and said, "oops, Josh has soccer practice.  I'll be there in 10 minutes to get him".  So then, as Josie tried everything in the world to keep from falling asleep, we watched pieces of "Tangled", "Bratz", uncle read a couple of books, and we did "dress-up". Corey just picked her up and as always, she didn't want to go so we "arranged" for dad and mom to go on their date night Friday night so she can come here.  Works for dad and me.

It's been difficult for Jamison so far this winter season.  When it's in the teens and below dad just doesn't feel good about taking Jamison out for his walk. Plus, he doesn't like the booties and his feet just get freezing.  We'll have to find a solution. Dad says it's probably going to be him playing inside games with him but for Jamison it's just not the same thing.  He loves being outside. Dad took him for a short walk yesterday in the parking lot when we picked up groceries but it was 9 degrees and Jamison's feet just gave out on him. At one point dad ended up picking him up and carrying him because he got a piece of ice in his paw. Poor little guy. Last night he got cold here in the living room so I put the heating pad on low and put it under his blanket. He like that! 

The Troy 9 & Uncle Tom & Aunt Renee

Sierra has her driver's permit and she's doing really well.  I don't know who's more excited, all of us, or her. She's so beautiful and talented son.  You would be so proud of her. Keep your eyes peeled because one of these days you're gunna see her name up in lights! Right now it's school and no play practice. I don't imagine that will last for long.  The "B" boys are great. Jamo, and Josh are great too.  Everyone is beginning the new year doing well and I have no doubt that will continue.  The chickens are well.  They have a heated chicken coop and water with heat to keep it from freezing.  They're giving up about 10 eggs a day.  That's about 300 a month!  That more than even the Troy 9 can keep up with so friends and family are benefiting the reward too. Good thing we all like eggs!

Allegra, Alexis & Arianna

 I guess I never realized how quickly kids grow up. In just the last couple of years I can't believe the difference in all of the kids. Time passes so quickly.  It seems like it was just a short while ago that Allegra, Arianna and Alexis were tiny little things. Allegra will be 18 years old this year.  Where does the time go.

The Taylor's

Well son, it's been a good week. Dad and I have realized we don't have to hurry things, God ALWAYS come through, we're suffering from less anxiety and beginning to enjoy life again.  Soon we'll have the tests and results from dad's visit to the ICU last week then I'll start working on my leg and knee. All is well and good.

I'm very much looking forward to friends and family coming to visit this year.  BUT, in order for them to do that I have to get the guest room ready. AND, in order to do that I have to get the remaining Christmas stuff put away. Why on earth does it take me so long to get that stuff done anymore.  Probably cause I'd rather be playing in my studio than cleaning house!


Until next week, Choosing Joy as I'm striving for perfection, love mom

On The Upside!

Yup, it's cold!

It's a beautiful Sunday morning; 0 degrees and sunny.  The dogs, Jamison's friend Sammy is here for a visit, have been relaxing on either end of the back of the couch looking out their windows. Ray just left to get our Sunday paper, our one indulgence; his for the Sports page and TV Guide and mine for the Sunday ads. He reads the news, I figure I've already heard it about 10,000 times already this week on the evening news!  News is kinda like football, if you don't see it the first time you always know there's going to be at least three more chances!

Ours has been a very eventful week.  I'm sure most of you can claim the same. Our life always seems to be one of adventure.  As I've said before, we can really say, "dull is something our life together isn't". After the "event" last weekend we saw the cardiologist yesterday.  He's scheduled Ray for a battery of tests.  But for right now, he's feeling better than he has in months which is a very good sign.  Thank you all again for your prayers and support.

Aaron believed this with all his heart!

This week we received a box from our daughter-in-law, Kristin. She sent us some belated Christmas gifts. Ray was opening the box, which is funny because he never does (he always brings them to me), I was working in the studio.  He was standing at the dining room table just outside my studio door and was lifting the contents one at a time and telling me what they were.  All of a sudden he broke out in tears and held up Aaron's letterman jacket from Springfield High School.  The minute he unfolded the jacket you could smell the scent of Aaron. Shoot, I didn't cry then, why the tears now. Dang it (as my little sister would say)! What a very kind and precious thing she did for us. Ray tried it on in the midst of tears and it fit perfectly.  I told him he should have it cleaned and wear it.  Aaron would have loved that.  But he's decided for now to leave it as is.  Neither of us can bear the idea of loosing the scent of our son as we hug the jacket.  Thank you Kristin.

I was able to put in eight hours in my studio yesterday.  I'm currently working on two projects.  One project is for our Josie and her 4th birthday the 25th of this month.  I bought this "project" over two years ago with the intent of doing it for her 2nd birthday.  Aaron got sick and the project got put on the back burner.  The baby doll crib has now made the 3,400 mile trip across country in the back of our car and will be completed for her birthday this year.  Two years late, but I don't think she'll notice.  The other project is something I've seen everywhere and decided I wanted to make one to see how long it would take.  When you're making crafts to sell you can't really spend 6 hours making something and sell it for $6.99.  I think with this one I'll be able to streamline the process, since I've made one, and save some time.  It's also an item that is interchangeable for absolutely any occasion or holiday which is great.  I'll post some pictures later because both of these are gifts and I don't want them to see them before they receive them.  Makes sense, right?

I really am in my element when I'm in the studio.  My stress goes away, the tension in my back leaves, my headache disappears, my excitement returns and I'm happy. I can work in the studio doing the basics and then any of the hand finish work I do at night while watching a movie with hubby or a football or basketball game. Afternoons are the best for me in the studio because I have a window over my work table and the light is perfect.  I think I'll be able to get a few Valentine items out on Etsy but I'm already thinking Spring and Easter.  I'm able to do all of this because my hubby knows my heart.  He know this is what makes my heart sing.  He helps by doing prep work on any wood items, chauffeuring me around for supplies and ideas, listening to me for endless hours over coffee about all my ideas and sharing his ideas with me, cleaning the house, helping with laundry and anything else that will free me up so I can be in the studio.  We're planning on "hitting the road" a couple or three times this Spring for craft fairs.  That means I'd best get my fanny in gear and get some stock built up. I couldn't do this without him; nor would I want to.  Believe it or not, this has been a dream for both of us so we're very excited about getting started.  Of course, his first BIG JOB is finishing putting away Christmas!  He does it must S-L-O-W-E-R than I do but I'm really working on focusing on what I'm suppose to be doing and staying out of what he's doing.  I did tell him this morning, because we were both laughing at how much dust is on the TV stand, that if anything sprouts, save it, we'll plant it when the ground thaws!


Ooo,,,that's something else I don't want to forget.  We're going to start all of our own plants and flowers for our yard this year from seeds.  That's going to be a Ray project.  He's the gardner in the family, not me.  Buying ready grown plants in the Spring just costs to much for how many we want to plant so we'll try it this way this year.  Sounds simple.


We find ourselves, in this cold weather, not venturing out very much.  Which is perfectly alright with all the projects we have going on.  We actually planned it this way. I go out in the mornings if I'm going to the office to work on a project, but it's a short trip and Ray heats the car before I leave.  We've not had very much snow to speak of but the cold weather plays havic with my fibromylagia in my legs.  Most of the time I do fine but If my legs get cold the pain is more than I want to deal with.  Now please don't say, "then why did you move to the East Coast?". I've already explained that in previous blogs.  The East Coast has nothing to do with it.  I had the same thing in Oregon and California (where it actually began while living in the San Joaquin Valley).  It's just the cold.  Ray is cold all the time since he's lost all his weight.  He simply dresses in layers; usually four!  He may get down to two layers a month or so during the summer months but even then, it's a rarity. 
 

At their window perches.

Sammy

 This weekend Sammy is here visiting as I said earlier.  We have such fun when he's here. Jamison does go in a little, "don't touch me or talk to me, I'm in a ticked mood" every once in awhile.  He's use to getting all our attention but he gets over it.  He allows Sammy to play with certain toys but now all.  Last night they argued over "Mr. Cone" (so named because it is an 'ice cream' cone squeeky toy) who goes everywhere with Jamison, including bed. Needless to say, Jamison won but then he immediately went over and took the next toy Sammy wanted to play with. THAT was not allowed!  Playing fetch in the house with two dogs and two separate fetch toys can get pretty interesting but they finally got the hang of it last night and believe it not, only fetched their toy.Sammy sleeps on the bed with Katrin when he's home so he naturally sleeps at the foot of our bed when he's here.  The first night he and Jamison much have been up at least six times but since then, they sleep the night through.  Jamison sleeps stretched out beside my leg and Sammy at the foot of the bed. (Rita, I know you're reading this and laughing your head off.  Stop it!)  Believe it or not, and I can hardly believe it myself when I say, I find it very comforting to have them there. 

During the last few years with Aaron so ill if it had not been for friends who loved animals and welcomed Jamison into their homes with open arms, I don't know what we would have done.  Jamison is such an integral part of our lives we needed people to care for him that really loved him.  Those people we will love forever.  I don't know if they really know how much we will ever be grateful to them for taking care of him on a moments notice; because most of the time, that all we had.  A moments notice.  Thank you Paula & Mary and Ginger & Paul. We know that you love Jamison as much as your own and you'll be happy to know that  Katrin loves Jamison too.  She comes at a moments notice and now, we're able to do the same for her which makes us feel especially good.


Well, it's12:45 PM here.  The morning is gone, but like Aaron, Sunday is my favorite day; because it's one of new beginnings.  Everything feels fresh and new.  Ray has found us a church to visit next Sunday morning and has already spoken with the pastor so we're both looking forward to that.  My blogs will be coming later in the day because I will be writing them in the afternoon rather than the morning.  I do so enjoying sharing with all of you about my everyday life and hope that through my blogs you get a glimpse of JOY in all things.

Look what showed up on Google Image when you search for JOY!

 The above picture is a tatoo a friend of Aaron's had done when she was his nurse during chemo.  When I searched Google Image this morning for "joy" this image appeared from Aaron's blog.  How amazing is that!  The message is still going on.

It doesn't really matter who you are, what you do or where you are, you CAN find JOY in all that happens. I encourage you to look for the JOY this week. I'll tell you, if you can't find JOY, do something for someone else.  That single act alone never, ever fails to bring JOY!


Until next week, jan


ps  If you want to see some amazing, truly amazing photography that will bring JOY to your heart and life check out my friends photography at

 John Bulmer

 

Gratitude!

January...new memories to be made!

Well, it's Sunday at 8:30 am and here I sit. Now there's nothing wrong with taking it easy on Sunday morning.  However, you'd think I'd be up taking care of the dust since it currently looks like it snowed INSIDE the house.  Which, I guess if you really think about it really works because Christmas decorations have yet to be put away!  Snow and Christmas go together? Right? At this point, I'm thinking about just tossing sheets over everything and just leaving it.  I wouldn't have to put it away, I wouldn't have to dust and next Christmas I could just pull off the sheets and hit the button for the lights. I tried that once; leaving Christmas up for the year.  I see articles in magazines quite frequently where people have their house decorated for Christmas always.  It's really beautiful and I thought, "what a great idea". We love Christmas, why take it down?  I lasted until March!  The plan is to get things put away this week but as always, life happens and we do what we can when we can.  I don't have the energy to fight it, I just go with it. I find I'm much happier not getting all twisted up about it.

It's hard to believe that we're already eight days into January 2012.  I guess this year is going to pass as quickly as last year.  I've been able to get some work hours the last couple of weeks and it has been a real blessing.  I love working on "special projects" because I get to do so many different things and most of the time, work my own hours.  At times, work from home which is great sometimes. But, when you work from home, it has it's draw backs too.  You miss the interaction with a bunch of great people.  You miss the laughter.  You miss the collaboration.  You miss the teamwork, or at least I do, and you miss being a part of other people's lives.  Which for me, is a huge thing.  As many of you know, I'm not a person that enjoys being isolated.  I like being a part of the bigger picture.  Not in the front row, behind the scenes. 

Last week in my blog I shared my thoughts on my Dreams and Aspirations. If you haven't read it I encourage you to do so.  I believe dreams and aspirations should be an important part of our lives.  If we don't have dreams and aspirations, how do we know where we are going. My dreams and aspirations are driven by my trust and belief in my heavenly father who loves me beyond measure.  If I didn't have my spiritual life and my God in my life I can tell you beyond any doubt, I would not be here today. I know, without a doubt that my ability  to withstand what happens in life is directly related to my relationship with my God, my heavenly Father.


This last Friday I worked three hours and got home about 12:30 pm with plans to have lunch with hubby.  When I got home we chatted and visited and were just winding down.  Later, Ray went to get us some iced tea.  Between the living room and the kitchen door he had to stop and sit down at the dining room table.  When I asked him what was wrong, he said he'd been having  sweats, angina, dizziness and trouble breathing all day. It had gotten so bad during his shower he'd had to sit down in the tub. Needless to say, I was beside myself that during the three conversations we'd had since 9am that morning he had mentioned none of this, nor had he called his doctor, let alone call me or someone to take him to emergency!  


After me fussing and fuming for about 30 minutes he decided to call his doctor who immediately said, "Why the _____are you calling me?  Go to the emergency NOW!". So, off to emergency we went.  It was now 4pm Friday afternoon.  They immediately took him to a bed and started with vitals.  He did not look good. They ran blood work and took an EKG and immediately hooked him up to an IV with what they called "clot busters". 

I called Katrin and asked if she would be able to have Jamison for a sleep over. She met me at the house about 30 minutes later. Jamison was so excited to see her I hope he didn't pee in her car. 

Saw it and couldn't resist. lol

Before I left the house I sent out an email request for prayer to many. Please don't feel slighted if you were not included.  There was nothing intention in not including you, I was just running on a single cylinder. And no, I didn't post to Facebook.  My niece, Corey, had not yet landed in Singapore and I didn't want her to hear via Facebook.  I wanted Jon to be able to tell her when he knew the time was right.  Thank you for understanding.  

He refused to loose the hat!

We heard nothing about the results of the blood work or EKG at this point.  After about three hours Ray was feeling better and ready to go home.  Now when Ray is in the hospital for any reason and decides he's going home it isn't a pretty picture for anyone!  

Early in our marriage, and I mean the first year, he was sent to the hospital for a spinal tap.  It was evidently a training hospital, which we didn't know at the time, and after the intern tried six times, Ray said, "that's it", got up off the table and we went home.  Since that time, he and I have an "understanding" but it still isn't a pretty picture. 

But, Friday night, I had no fight left in me. I told him the decision was his, I wasn't going to be making it or coerce him to stay, or refuse to drive him home.  He had to make the decision and we'd both have to live with the consequences.  At 11:30 pm we still hadn't seen the doctor since being admitted and he still didn't have a bed upstairs.  At that point he looked at me and said to the nurse, "please get my things, I'm going home".  She advised him that was probably not the best decision he could make.  In about 30 seconds the doctor was at his bedside.  The doctor told us that the x-ray and heart enzymes were not normal and the reason he was feeling better was because of the medication they were giving him. Ray still wanted to leave.  The doctor looked at me as if to say, are you going to just sit there and let him decide to leave. I just looked at the doctor and said, "the decision is his, I'm not making this one".  I told Ray I would not be angry if he decided to leave even though I thought it was a stupid idea. The doctor told him the chances of him having a heart attack when he got home were very high and urged him to reconsider. Ray thought for a little while and then decided, based on the irregular test results, to at least spend the night.  Then the doctor told him they were taking him up to ICU.  That about did us both in.  By 1:00 am I couldn't go anymore. They were getting ready to take him upstairs and I couldn't do anything else so I came home.  I don't remember the ride home or anything else for that matter until 8:30 am the following morning.


Now I know this is hard to believe because we've all had experiences of waiting for the doctor to come in on his/her rounds at the hospital.  But the cardiologist was in to see Ray at 6:15 am on a Saturday morning. They had drawn blood at 3 am, and you guessed it, woke him up to do it. The blood tests showed his heart enzymes were back to normal.  The drugs in the ER has done their job!  God is outstanding at his job! The doctor didn't believe there was any reason to keep him any longer.  I missed the entire thing and they were able to do it without me.  Can you believe that?  

Right here I want to say a few words to my mom and family on the West Coast.  I know that you love Ray and I and were concerned that you weren't able to be with us during this time.  Please do not worry.  I know that we've only been in Troy for six months.  But we've been building friendships and relationships with friends and family here for the last two years.  And since we've been here in the last six months our friendships and family have grown like we could never have imagined.  Please know that we are loved and have an amazing support group. And our friends and family know they can depend on us as well. Or, if they didn't, they do now!

Our personalized lunch bags!

Jon was on the phone immediately asking what we needed and what he could do.  Renee, our niece was ready to hop a plane and fly out from Chicago.  We had calls, texts and emails with offers of prayers and help. Thank you all so very, very much. Saturday morning Jon came up with sack lunches, his awesome homemade soup hot off the stove, magazines and the paper. We love this young man!  Our friend Chelly stopped by to check in and make sure we were all right and had everything we needed. 

Jamison is still visiting with Katrin and his friend Sammy this morning

Best buds, Jamison & Sammy

and will be home later today. I think I've told you about Sammy and Jamison before. Those two were meant to be best buddies.  This coming Thursday Sammy will be coming to spend a week with us while Katrin is out of town. It's such fun to have him here.  They are so funny together.

 Well, enough said.  That should bring everyone up to date.  Oh by the way. Corey is up to speed now too so all is good. 

Oh, before I totally close the subject, here's the funny during the entire 20 hours.  As we were checking Ray into Emergency the In-Take Clerk asked for emergency contact information.  I gave her the number and she looked at me and said "daughter?". I thought Ray and I would fall over each other laughing.  The poor young lady was so embarrassed but it brought back a great memory for us. Thirty-nine years ago as Ray was admitting me to the hospital when we were expecting Aaron the In-Take Clerk asked the same question, "emergency contact information?". Ray gave her the phone number and she said, "relationship, father"?.  I mean, you have to laugh at that right!


Chicken update!  The chickens are now classified, "laying hens" 9-10 eggs a day. They are winterized with heaters and water warmers to take them through the winter. All is good.  They are finally earning their keep!

Thursday this week 6:20 pm, text from Corey: "We r picking u up at 7:20 for an adventure.  Trust me, you don't wanna miss this."  Now trust me on this one.  When you get a message like that from Corey, you never know where you'll end up or what you'll end up doing. 

Now, it takes some doing to get Ray out of the house once he's settled in for the night.  He got to the door of the car and said to Corey, "do I really need to go".  Corey, "get in the car"!  None of us knew where we were going.  She kept giving the kids clues but something told me the "clues" had nothing to do with where we were going.  These kids are no weenies when it comes to figuring these things out.  We ended up at the home of John Backman and Prudence Backman. Talk about Christmas decorations! From the entry to every room in the house, each room is decorated in a Christmas theme: Santas, snowmen, trains, packages, Christmas socks, elves...every room.  The entire kitchen is decorated in Gingerbread people.  Josie, Josh and I have decided we're going to be making and decorating Gingerbread men, the non edible kind, for decorating all year long so we're ready for Christmas next year. They have the most beautiful Christmas tree I have ever seen. It is decorated from the inside of the branches to the outlaying tips, and so much reflecting glass.  The tree just glowed with light. Corey was right!  Did I just say that? Geez, I don't want to get in the habit of that!  Anyway, it was a wonderful adventure with the kids and Corey and well worth the hour. Yes, Ray was so glad he went.  John and Prudence generally have an open house.  Ray usually "gives Santa a hand" every year, so I would expect Christmas will again be exceptional in 2012.  Thank you John & Prudence for sharing with us.  It was an awesome experience.

But, the adventure for the kids was finding dozens of guinea pigs in the basement!  John raises, shows and judges guinea pigs.  Josh especially thought he had died and gone to heaven.  I think I've told you before, if Josh could have decided what he wanted to be when he was born he would have been born an animal.  There isn't an animal he doesn't love.  We did have to check his pockets before we left though because John gave him a two week old guinea pig to hold and I for one wasn't too certain it wouldn't end up in his pocket!

So, we're all off to another week. You're probably thinking, "I hope it's a better week?". But whose to say this wasn't a better week than it could have been?  I am so very grateful it turned out so well and hubby is home safe and sound.  I'm so very grateful to have such a wonderful support system of friends and family near and far. I'm so thankful!

Dreams and Aspirations

A new year huh? A new blank page? A new way to look at things?  A new anticipation of things to come? All of which I look forward to; but what happened to the last one? What happened to the last 62 years for that matter?  I don't know about you but there are certain occasions during the year; certain days; certain times and events where I stop and pause and think, where did it all go?  Did I do something useful with the last 365 days; the last 8,760 hours or the last 525,600 minutes?  The truth of the matter is if I didn't, I can't change any of that.  If I made mistakes during the last year, 2011, and believe you me, I did, I can't change any of that. Today, I have the promised of now, today, Sunday, January 1, 2012. My goal today is to make the time God gives me today, whatever that may be, or the week, hour, minutes or seconds in this day, the best that they can be. I want this year to be a happy, prosperous year. I'm the only one that can make that happen. Circumstances can effect that.

Excuse me for a moment while I digress. I need to clarify something before I go any further because I find myself wanting to qualify every single "I" statement by explain something.  I have my mother in my head this morning very lovingly saying after each "I" statement, "the Lord willing honey".  Please let me say right here and now, I cannot do anything without God. Not because I'm not physically able to do it, or financially able to do it, or smart enough to do it. I want God in it because He always wants what's best for me.  Ok, so 'nuf said.


Last night I said "good-bye" to 2011.  Not a lovingly "farewell".  But a "GOOD-BYE"! I found myself wishing parts of my life to be over.  I've always thought that wishing for any time to "be over" is a waste.  I guess I kinda still do, but I couldn't help myself.  I wanted 2011 to end!  I just felt like I couldn't get to a new or fresh start unless it was over.  Right?  Wrong?  At this point it's done and I can't change any of it.  It's just something that happened, or I let happen and it's over and done.  What's important now?  What I do with these next moments in time that I now have.


I'm really struggling with this blog today because as I actually put thoughts to paper, well, virtual paper anyway.I can see how some of you might think I've wasted valuable time by virtually wishing the last weeks of my life away. Well for crying out loud, I wasn't sitting on my butt at home the entire time.  I was still living my life and getting things done!  Let's just be honest here. We've all wished time away in our lives.  Yes, you too!  Oh, no? Does, "I wish it was Friday" ring a bell?  Thought so! I did want 2011 to come to an end. While the year had some great things in it; for the most part, for me, it was a crappy year. That being said, I have the ability to plan a new and different year and life. Now that I know what crappy for me looks like I'll try my best to work around it.  Yeah, yeah I know, some crap always seeps in but, as I've had to remind myself this morning.  There's always more good than crap!

I know this may shock many of you, or all of you for that matter (but I sincerely doubt that)  because I've always talked about the things I want to do, the places I want to go, but it was basically all talk. I never really believed any of it would happen. Okay, pick your jaw up.  Again, I'm not the only one out there!  Wipe that surprised and shocked look off your face.  Many of you are the exact same way.  And we all think we're bad people because we want people to think the best of us, we have to be that person that keeps everybody on a even keel, it's important for us to set a great example, we can't let people down, we're the responsible one, it's up to us to keep everyone going and blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.  Right!  Well, it's time to stop; at least for me! I am not the center of the universe and the world isn't going to stop if I screw up or cease to exist.  Boy did it feel great to admit that to myself. The world would go on and so would  the lives of everyone else.  It may not be like they imagined it, but their lives would go on.  I wonder if this is a mother thing.  I've never really talked about it with anyone because "I'm suppose to be the responsible one"; the one that keeps everything together; the one everyone comes to for answers.  Good grief, did I just lay all of that at my doorstep!  Geez, what an idiot I've been all these years. I'm just human for crying out loud, I'm not super woman; nor do I want to be. I'm not the "be all, end all".  Nor do I want that responsibility. And all along everyone has known this but me. What a putz!  (laughing at self here)




So, how about the rest of you?  In 2012 are you brave enough to admit that you're not the "be all, end all"?  You're right and so am I, life does carry a lot of responsibilities. But do we have to shoulder them all by ourselves?  I think NOT!  Do we have to give up all of our dreams and aspirations?  I think NOT! Do we have to be everything everybody else wants or needs us to be?  I think NOT! Do we always have to be THE responsible one?  I think NOT!  Is it okay to say NO?  I think SO!

 

Alright then, so exactly what do you want for 2012?  What dreams and aspirations do you have? Times a ticking as they say. How do you envision the next year?  Oh for crying out loud, of course I know we're not guaranteed any time beyond this moment!  If anyone knows that it's me!  But there is nothing wrong with dreaming and planning and living your life. Where would we be if little boys and girls didn't dream?  They don't know they shouldn't dream.  Their lives are built on dreams.  They dream of what they're going to be when they grow up.  They dream about having children of their own.  They dream about all the places they want to go.  They dream about being a movie star, of living in Hollywood, of starring in a rock band, of being a teacher, of walking on the moon, of saving the world, of having world peace.  We can do that!  We may have grown into an adult, but the fun-loving child is still within us.  Somewhere down deep that child who loves adventure, who has dreams is still there.  We seem to let that stinking number that we hit every year on our birthday establish what our life should be.  Who cares if you're 62 and you want to have some fun and do Zumba but you're afraid you'll look stupid?  (The "you" here is actually "I" you realize.)  It isn't like I haven't looked stupid before. I mean, I did the hula hoop for crying out loud.  Talk about looking stupid.  But as a kid, it didn't matter because it was all about having fun  Why should it be any different because I'm 62.  I just stop having fun because my age changed? I'm not dead for crying out loud, my age is just different!

So here are some of my dreams and aspirations.  THIS IS NOT A BUCKET LIST!  These are dreams and aspirations!  For me, the terms of NOT interchangeable.  Call your list whatever you like, but I challenge you to make a list. I never want to loose site of my dreams again.  Dreams don't just happen. The average everyday "Joe" doesn't wake up in the morning hearing their door bell ring and find someone from Publisher's Clearing House standing there saying, "Congratulations, you are our winner of $10,000,000".  For crying out loud, I don't know about you, but I feel great when I win a $2 scratch off ticket.  If I want my dreams to come true first I have to know what they are and then I've got to do my part. Afraid so folks, there is work involved, you can't just sit on your butt and have it just happen because you're pretty.

I challenge you, DREAM and ASPIRE in 2012!  I'd love to hear about your dreams and aspirations. I'd love to hear when a dream has come true for you. Or how you're making your aspirations a reality. Now you realize I'm not talking here about dreaming that you saw your Aunt Sally in your dreams last night. Actual, achievable dreams.  So, if you have a dream of having a baby in 2012....you'd better get busy!


Some of my dreams and aspirations for 2012 are, and believe me, it's just some of them. There isn't enough virtual paper to list them all even though they say (by the way, who is THEY because THEY sure spout a lot of "facts").  Anyway, dreams and aspiration for 2012 include: (and they're not in any order...I mean are you kidding me, they're dreams and aspirations!)

My Dreams and Aspirations List 

(to be altered at a my whim!) 

Beginning?  NOW

• getting re-acquainted with my honey 
• spending a week, or more, at the Smithsonian
• visiting the Lincoln Memorial
• hug friends and family like there will be no tomorrow
• finding a great church and new church family
• spend oodles and oodles of time with friends and family
• hit (no, not literally) every garage sale, swap meet, craft fair, flea market, antique show humanly possible
• Zumba (whether it be "fad" or not)
• more and more and more walking
• enjoy the snow
• re-learn the skills of childhood
• re-learn to be amazed at the most simple details of my life
• never forget to smell the flowers
• take time to find the stars and enjoy clouds
• give myself time to enjoy being creative and enjoying the process
• love myself
• spend more time making new friends and fostering those friendships
• keep in frequent contact with friends
• have more people into our home, be more hospitable and gracious
• a trip to the Adirondacks
• believe in myself
• begin writing my book
• fly a kite on the beach 
• tell my honey dozens of times a day how much I love him and appreciate the life we've built together
• never, ever, give up!
• take a most amazing picture
• visit the Atlantic Ocean
• tour the Eastern seaboard
• be successful in my business (This success to me means really LOVE what I'm doing, making enough money to make my dreams come true; never forgetting to share my good fortune and always, always, pass it forward.)
• do little things that surprise people
• believe it or not, a road trip with hubby (my best friend) and Jamison
• be a GREAT listener 
• be me

Well, that's a few of my dreams and aspirations. I'll keep you posted as the year rolls on. I hope you take the time this new year to think about your dreams and aspirations. Make the time for you. Sit down by a warm cozy fire, or in the sunshine, or in the car parked in the parking lot.  Tell yourself it's a new year....who cares what the age number is.  It really IS just a number. Put some fun, foolish things on that list.  Fun is always good, and foolish?  Well, it's not really all that bad.  Believe me, I fell flat on my fact, literally, three times in six weeks this last year.  Did I feel foolish?  Absolutely!  Did I hurt?  He_ _ yes!  (Just couldn't quite get that word down on paper. (My mother does read my blog ya know!) But, it was the part of my knee, arm, body hands, and face meeting up with solid concrete or asphalt that hurt; not the being foolish. I encourage you to take some chances this year.  Reach for your dreams and aspirations, laugh at the foolishness, grab hold of your inner-child and don't look back.  Life is ahead of you, NOT, behind you!

Happy New Year!