An Endoscopy, Orientation, and Going Back to Work

I have been frittering away my summer. Yes, frittering. I realized I hadn't written my blog since August 1! Many things have happened since then. None of them were life-altering events, but I've enjoyed my last weeks of my "surgical vacation".

1. My yearly endoscopy revealed an ulcer.

Normally people are not excited to find "something" when they are going through testing. I, however, feel validated when something is found. Since March, I've known something has not been quite right. My medication wasn't quite right, or wasn't working, and I was feeling a lot more pain and all-over discomfort. I had been back and forth to my doctor, only to have my medication changed, dosage increased, or a test scheduled. My endoscopy revealed an ulcer, so I know that I was not imagining things. I had to have more blood work done this morning to test for some other things, but am overall satisfied with the result. I just need to work on getting rid of this ulcer now!

2. Today was Orientation for me at Edinboro University.

Part of me was really excited, while still feeling anxious, and a little bit scared. It was a long day. A lot of it was not necessary for me, but it was mandatory, so I had to go. I met one new friend, named "Danielle", so that was kind of exciting. I probably won't get to see her again since she's not in my major and I'm not living on campus, but it was nice to hang out with her for a little while. I also made Curtis go with me. That's just how insecure I am. I did not want to go alone, so I made Curtis go with me. I needed my best friend there with me.

3. I get to go back to work tomorrow.

This is happening so quickly! I don't have my six week appointment until next week, but I have been allowed to go back to work tomorrow. I am actually looking forward to it, although I will miss my kids. Since my mom was at the house to help while I was at the hospital and at school, she just took the kids home with her. I am sure they will have fun, but will like having them back at the house. If Max and Alex were just a little bit older, I would be able to leave them at home, but I think they are still just a little bit young for it. So, after my month-or-so off of work, I get to return to it tomorrow. Maybe after tomorrow, I'll wish I hadn't gone back early!!!!

Sea Wolves, Reading, and Outings

It has been entirely too long since I last wrote my three best things. It was my intention when I started this blog to do this on a daily basis, but my life is getting busier.

Since it has been over a week, here are my highlights:

1. Today we went to an Erie Sea Wolves Game.

The Erie Sea Wolves is a minor league baseball team. We love going to the games. The tickets are generally cheap or free, they usually have freebies of some sort and they have lots of fun activities during the game for the kids, and there's not a bad seat in the park. Today was the WQLN Kids Club day at the park, so our kids got to high-five the players as they called the starting lineup. And, when we came into the park, they asked Max and Alex if they wanted to play a game during the game. So, Max and Alex got to go out on the field and play a game, running the bases, while putting on an over-sized uniform. Not only was it fun for us to watch, but the kids had a great time participating. We didn't get to stay till the end of the game. A couple of the kids just had too much of a hard time with the down time of baseball. Alex and I really wanted to see who won, and we were getting really into it, but the other kids wanted to go home.

After we left the game, we took the kids to Barnes and Noble for a Summer Reading contest. The kids read eight books to participate, and were given a book for completing the reading. I love these programs because my kids are avid readers. It rewards them for doing something that is quickly becoming a lost art in this age.

2. As a family, we read "The Call of the Wild."

As I stated in the above paragraph, my children are becoming avid readers. Zoey is not a reader yet. I decided that by reading a story to the kids, they would all have the opportunity to enjoy a good book. We read to Zoey, but not usually chapter books. The boys had to read chapter books for their summer reading projects. So, by reading a classic, they got to hear something different. And, they loved it. Max even said he wanted to save the book to read to his children when he is older, and living with Grandma Mae.

3. I got to go get my hair done, and had a class this Saturday.

I am just excited to get out from time to time. I got to get my hair done on Thursday. My kids came with me, so it wasn't a completely alone outing, but it was great, just the same. On Saturday I had my First Aid/CPR class. I will be able to use this course for one of my college courses. So I get three credits for a one-day course, and am done with my first college class before my first semester even begins! Yay!

Shopping, a Parade, and Bones

July 24, 2010

1. We went to Erie for the afternoon.

Curtis told me last week about a "Bakugan" event at Toys R Us. He had asked the boys to get their toys out the night before, but did not tell them why. The kids haven't been playing with their Bakugan for a while, so we weren't even sure we'd attend. But, when Curtis asked me if I wanted to go, I said I did. I thought the boys could go do their thing while Zoey and I went shopping. So, that's just what we did. As usual, we did not tell the kids where we were going. But, as we approached, they were going crazy with curiosity. As they guessed, they got even more excited. When we got to the toy store, we weren't really sure where to go, but there was a little boy who was obviously there for it, too, who know where the brawl was to occur. He had his little Bakugan kit, and wristband, and was well-equipped for the event. I kissed the kids good-bye, and Zoey and I went shopping. I was looking for a new purse, and sundresses. I didn't want to spend a lot, though, so we went to "Clothes Mentor", a store which sells almost new things. I found several purses, and Zoey found a pink one that she's still upset I didn't buy. I ended up getting on that is very different from my normal purse. I am happy with it. Then we went to look for some things for Zoey. She ended up getting a pair of red clogs that are so cute. I wish I had a pair! By the time we met up with Curtis and the boys, I was exhausted. The boys had an excellent time with the Bakugan stuff, and Zoey and I had fun shopping. She's really good at helping me pick out stuff.

2. We went to the parade.

Cambridge Springs has a parade every year. It's at 5:00 in the afternoon, which is different for parades. It's always worked out well for us, though, because I've always had to work on Saturdays. We decided to go with my friend Autumn and her family. When we got to her house, we decided to leave a little bit early because I had to walk so slowly. I was still tired from the day in Erie, walking around with Zoey, and shopping, but I did my best anyhow. I was so happy to have a place to sit once we got to our spot. We watched the parade for a couple of minutes when the rain started. It was just a sprinkle at first, but before long, it was a torrential downpour. We had umbrellas, but with rain like that, it didn't matter. Curtis ended up running for the van, while the kids and I waited under the umbrella in front of the church. It was still fun to get out, but we sure got wet!

3. Curtis and I stayed up late watching Bones.

Our friends let us borrow the "Bones" season one set of DVDs. We watched one episode a while ago, and last night decided to watch some more. Even though it was getting late, we watched two episodes. It was nice to just cuddle up and rest after a long day.

A Doctor's Appointment, A Little Stitching, and Inspiring a Friend

I have had a pretty uneventful week, so I'll write the three best things about the rest of my week:

1. My doctor's appointment went well.

On Wednesday, I had a doctor's appointment in Erie. My doctor said I could resume driving. Since I hadn't been able to drive, I have not been able to leave the house unless my husband took all of us somewhere. Now that I can drive, I will be able to get out a bit more. The doctor also said that things were looking good, and that I could gradually increase my activity. I am feeling much better, and much more alive. Hopefully, the next four weeks will continue to go well.

2. I taught the kids how to do a new craft.

When I was young, my mom and sisters taught me how to sew, cross-stitch, and yarn-stitch on plastic. We've been trying to do little arts and crafts from day to day to try to mix things up a bit. Max had asked if I could please teach him how to sew. I am not very good at it. It's been years since I've done any sewing, but every time I do something like that, the kids want to learn. I picked up some of the plastic grids and some yarn needles, and taught the kids how to do that type of stitching. Max and Alex caught right on, and literally worked for hours on their little projects. Gavin and Zoey needed more help, but they are younger. I think it went pretty well.

3. My friend liked my idea.

My friend Sarah called me to tell me she liked my idea of writing about the best things, and wanted my blessing in writing her own. Of course, I was flattered that she asked, and thought it would be wonderful if she did it!

A Good Book, Arts and Crafts, and the Laundry

July 20, 2010

1. I finished another book.

Since my surgery, I've finished four books. Yesterday, I finished my fourth. It was a book about a young woman, sorceress, caught in some turmoil in her world of Mermeia. I've had the book for a couple of years. Curtis got it for me, and for some reason, I just never read it. But, since my surgery, I've had a lot of time to sit around reading. And, when I read a book, I generally sit and read it until I've read the whole thing. I love getting lost in a book!

2. I helped Zoey finish making a bracelet.

We have many, many craft-y books for our children. The other day, they found one of these books, and asked if we could make some of the crafts. I love doing arts and crafts, and therefore, was very excited to get some of the projects started. Max and I started making a beach bag, until we realized we didn't have all of the materials needed. And, the other night, Curtis started a bracelet with Zoey. So, Zoey and I sat down with a needle and thread to sew the charms onto the bracelet. And, of course, when we were finished, Zoey was so proud of it. That's the best part about making things. The kids feel such a sense of accomplishment.

3. I did the laundry myself!

Most mothers are probably not excited to do the laundry by themselves. The idea of not being capable of doing the laundry, and needing someone else to do it for me was just not working for me. I'm one of the pickiest people in the world when it comes to laundry. I'm not perfect, and sometimes when I put stuff in, it doesn't come out the way we expect it to, but I really prefer to wash my own clothes. I just don't like other people doing it for me. I'm finally feeling up to doing some work around the house, so I was excited to be able to do the laundry myself. I was even able to fold it myself. I still encouraged (told them they had to) the kids to put their clothes away. After all, they need to be doing that anyway!

Autumn, the Freezer, and My Schedule

July 19, 2010

1. Autumn and her daughters visited.

As much as I love being home every day with my children, it's nice to have a visitor. Autumn called to see if I wanted some company. During the school year, I get to see Autumn almost every day because she lives right across from the school. During the summers, we try to see each other, but it's not as easy since we aren't at the school to pick up our kids. So, I think during the summers we go through a bit of withdrawal! When she came out to visit, it was so great. We just sat and talked and hung out together.

2. The freezer is still working!

So far, so good on Curtis' freezer repair.

3. I think I have a schedule for school.

When I finally got my major declared and an advisor assigned, most of the classes at Edinboro were closed or not at a time that would work for me. So, for the last couple of months, I've been stalking the online site where you can add and drop classes. Sometimes, I'd find an opening where someone would have just dropped a class. I've been doing this almost every day for the last couple of months. So, I was thrilled to finally have a schedule that will work. And, amazingly enough, I've been able to get 18 credits, and all my classes but one in the afternoon before I have to pick up the kids from school. It seems like an almost perfect schedule.

Church, Curtis and Curtis

July 18, 2010

1. We went to church, and then to Walmart.

Sunday mornings are about my favorite morning of the week. We don't have to get up and rush to work or school, like we do during the school year. On Sundays, we sometimes have a big breakfast and then get ready for church. It's usually a pretty relaxing morning, since we don't have to leave until 10:00. I was so excited to get out and see people. I got to see a few friends. And, one of them invited us to go to the beach this week. I'm not sure that I'm going to be able to go, but it was nice to be invited. After church, we went to Wal Mart. It probably doesn't sound too exciting, but for me, it was great. We even had a nice lunch at Subway.

2. Curtis got a bunch of stuff done.

When we got home, we were able to relax. I was really tired from all the activity, but Curtis got a few things done. He had been working on putting up a new mailbox and fixing our freezer. Our freezer has been leaking water into the refrigerator part for months now. Curtis has been trying different things here and there to try to fix it for a couple months now, without success. This weekend, he finally felt more positive about having fixed it. He also got the mailbox fixed. It has been missing the flag since the last time it was hit with the snow plow. He put in a new mailbox on a very sturdy beam. It looks great. While Curtis was hard at work, I was busy relaxing!

3. Curtis was home.

Since I've been off for my surgery, I've gotten to spend a lot of time with my kids. The weekends are wonderful because Curtis is not at work. And, normally, I have to work on Saturdays, so Sundays tend to be pretty busy for us. I love the hustle and bustle of life, but it was really nice to just be here, and have a steady pace about getting things done around the house.