Good Riddance

Ok, so 2010 was a horrible, rotten year and I'm glad to see it go.  At least mostly.  It seems like when you take stock, the negative things always outweigh the positives.  So I thought I would make a list of each, at least to remind me of some of the the good things that happened.  We'll start with the positives:

POSITIVES:

Andrea graduated elementary school, and spoke during the ceremony.
David married two couples this year.
Emma had her first big ballet recital, and did an amazing job.
We had a fun summer.
Laurie still has a job with the school system.
We completed some more home improvements.
Janelle passed the Constitution Test with and A!

NEGATIVES:

Laurie had two peritonsillar abscesses.
My cousin broke her ankle and had to have surgery.
Emma had a staph infection.
Laurie had a staph infection.
My best friend decided she didn't want to be friends anymore.
My Grandpa died.
My Mom fell and landed on her face right before Christmas.
Emma was horribly sick for Christmas.

Most of these things I had no control over.  The best friend thing I MAY have had some say in, IF she had bothered to tell me she was mad at me, and given me a chance to fix it.  She didn't though, and her mind was made up before I even knew what was happening.  I have cried and I have grieved, and have come to terms with her choice.  I can't change her mind.  At this point I have come to the conclusion that it's not ok for her to treat me like she has, and it's time to move on.  I'm sad for my girls though, who have clearly lost a relationship they loved, and for me, another sister.  I am also sad, as I won't get to see my nephews as much as I would like to.  I've lost a lot of sleep over the situation, but had a moment of clarity the other day.  I was telling a friend who is having trouble with some of her family believing things that are not true about her that those who knew her would know what was true from what was not.  Suddenly I realized I could be talking about myself.  I'm a good person, and I tried hard to fix things.  She's the one that gave up, and I did my best.  I am saddened by the death of our relationship.  Obviously it was more valuable to me than it was to her.  This was a major event in my life this year, and I hope my family and friends that have stuck by me realize how much I appreciate their support.

The other thing that gave me the most trouble was my Grandfather's passing.  He was 92, and lived a good, long life.  I wish that I could live so long and have as good a life as he.  He was a good man, and my last grandparent.  I think that is what gives me the most grief.  Other than David's remaining Grandmother, he was the last.  I saw him three times a week at least, and I miss him.  I miss our rituals and habits, our Friday and Sunday nights.  His gentle smile and spirit.  Goodbye Grandpa, I love you.

So goodbye 2010.  I won't miss you, and I hope next year I can list more positives than negatives.  I have a wonderful family, and some true, fantastic friends.  Thanks for letting me vent my feelings so I can have a fresh start in the new year.  Everything I need to have a healthy, happy 2011 is within my reach.  Let's hope Mother Nature gives us a break!

This and That

Today was another quiet, low key day.  It was cold outside, so us girls spent a lot of the day snuggled under blankets!  Emma is STILL running a fever over 100, and I am exhausted from not sleeping through the night in over a week.  I had a lot of helpers today!  Kris called and said she was at Costco, and what did I need?  She totally saved me a trip.  I was going to go to Safeway to pick up the little things I needed, when David called and said "Give me your list, I'll get it on my way home."  Lifesaver!  Andrea ran (literally) to the Post Office, bought stamps, mailed two cards and picked up the mail.  I had to contact our friends that were invited over for New Years and ask them not to come.  I just don't want to expose anyone to whatever nastiness Emma has.  The family has already been exposed, so they might as well come anyway.  Leslie also let me know she was at Target, and is picking up New Years decorations and party favors for me.  Thanks everybody!

David also did his good deed of the day.  He ran into our neighbor at the store, and she wasn't feeling well.  He got her to sit down and have a snack while he finished her grocery shopping for her.  He also offered to drive her home if she wasn't feeling better by the time he was done at checkout.  Thankfully she is doing ok, and made it home.  Just another reason why my husband is such a special guy.

Sounds like it will be a small crowd this New Years Eve, but that's ok.  It will get here whether we are sick or healthy, few or many.  Ready or not, here comes 2011!

Winter has arrived!

This is my crazy, wonderful husband up on the roof.  It's been so windy and stormy that it lifted some of the tar paper on the part of the roof that isn't quite finished.  So up he goes, hammer and tar in hand.  I cringe, because it's freezing cold out, and the roof is wet and slippery.

We have had rain, and a whole lotta hail today, so I understand why he wants to make things nice a snug.  It just always makes me nervous when he's up there!  Stepping outside to take his picture when he's somewhere he can't hide, I look out over the ocean to see why he felt the roof couldn't wait, and I understand why he's on the roof in the dead of winter.

Another cloud is heading this way!  It seems like it's been an endless onslaught today of sun, then rain, hail, and wind.  The day started with a bang at 7am with a HUGE downpour.  Looks like the day might end the same way!

On another note, I worked out (at home) today.  I just don't have time to go to the gym, so I'm trying to get back into gear.  I figured why wait for New Years when I could start today?  It motivated me enough so that when I stopped by Burger King for an Icee for Emma after her doctor's appointment (and I hadn't had lunch!) that I didn't buy anything for myself!  I didn't want to undo the work I had done.  I figure if I can't find a half hour each day (at least) to dedicate to myself and my health, then there's something wrong!  Happily, I haven't gained any weight over the holiday, so I don't feel like I'm starting too far behind.

Speaking of Emma, she's made about ZERO progress on feeling better, which is why I took her in today.  They didn't find anything new, but did get to see for themselves she still has a fever.  Orders are to finish the antibiotics and keep her hydrated.  That we can do, I just wish she felt better.  At least I know her lungs and ears are ok.  The two big girls are quietly enjoying vacation, staying up late, and waking up late too.  They are so busy during school time that I don't mind them being lazy during their break.  They get their chores done, don't fight, and babysit when needed.  We are indeed blessed.

The cloud just arrived, and left pea sized hail on the porch.  Thank goodness I have a husband who takes such great care of all of us!

It was a dark and stormy night.....

On the outside, the wind is howling, the rain is coming down in sheets, and it is cold.  Inside, we are all snuggled up in blankets, me with a feverish little girl beside me.  A candle is glowing, the dog is sleeping on her pillow, and I look around and appreciate the calm, quiet time with my kids.  Not driving anyone to practice, or a club meeting, or dance class.  Many people can't wait to get their kids back into school, but I am not one of them.  I look forward to spending time with my girls, and dread the day we go back to schedules, packing lunches, and getting up early.  December days are meant for movies, pajamas, grilled cheese sandwiches, and snuggles!  Instead of thinking of the busy times ahead, I think I'll just sit back, enjoy my girls, and wish David wasn't at work!

Through sickness and distress

Emma feels YUCKY.  I lucked out and was able to get her into the doctor first thing this morning.  One look at her throat revealed white on her right tonsil.  A throat swab and a few minutes later, we find she also has strep.  She is now taking "Mom that tastes nasty" pink antibiotics for strep and tonsilitis.  Plenty of popsicles too.



She did okay much of the day, but now the medication is upsetting her tummy and her fever is back. She is curled up on my lap now, and something tells me it's going to be another long night.  Thank goodness school is still out and we can stay home and recover.  It's going to be a rough week, and the end of a rather horrid year, but that's another post.

A Merry Christmas?

This is the first Christmas since my Grandpa passed away.  Every year, we would go down to his house and open our stockings, have a Christmas toast, and have crab louis for lunch.  I thought we needed to start something new, so we hosted Christmas Brunch at our house.  We had coffee, mimosa's, pancakes, eggs, and cheesy potatoes with ham, then watched the 3 girls open their stockings.  I think everyone enjoyed themselves, and we should do it again next year.  It's always hard to try something new, when the familiar is gone.

Also, E started running a fever on Christmas Eve.  She has been pretty miserable, and barely played with her new toys.  We canceled my birthday party on Christmas night, (the big 35!) because she's wasn't up to it, and frankly, neither were we after being up and down with her all night.  Today is the 26th and she is still not up to par. She has taken a nap the last two days, which is UNHEARD of for her. Thinking I'll call the doctor tomorrow to check her tonsils, and for strep.  I'm sure glad we have vacation this week so she can feel better.  Poor Doodle.  Birthday is rescheduled for New Years.  They just don't seem to be a big deal as you get older do they?

I hope your Christmas has been happy, and that you remembered the Reason for the Season.
Laurie

A new beginning

So I am going to try my hand at blogging.  I've never done it before, but do follow a few of my friends, which I enjoy very much.  I noticed much of my Facebook was looking a little negative, so I thought if I had a different place to vent my feelings and frustrations, perhaps I could be a little more positive on Facebook.  Perhaps no one will read this, and perhaps they will, it doesn't really make any difference to me.  I received a very cool netbook for my birthday,(thanks honey!) so I thought I would put it to good use.  I will add pictures as I start adding them to this computer, and we'll see where it goes.  Happy reading if you stick around, and if you don't, thanks for stopping by!

Happy Boxing Day!
Laurie