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.

Green Vegetables, Lasagna, and Ice Cream

7/16/2010

1. Gavin ate lettuce!

I have four children. Generally speaking, they are well-behaved, and fairly good eaters. And, then there's Gavin. He won't eat anything green, or slightly resembling a vegetable. When he was a teeny-tiny toddler, he ate just fine. And, like every other child, he went through the "I'm not eating anything you want me to eat" stage. His stage stuck. We've always been consistent with our rule that if you don't eat what's served for dinner, you don't eat anything until the next meal. We have the kids try things over and over. If they really don't like something, and they've tried them several times, we don't force them to eat it. We're not mean about it, but we do not make a separate meal for each child. Last night, one of my friends made us a lasagna for dinner. It was wonderful. I can't eat red sauce, so I just scraped a lot of it off the lasagna, and ate what I could. Gavin really didn't want to eat it. And, since we were planning to go for ice cream after dinner, we told him he had to at least attempt it, or he wouldn't get the ice cream. We said he could just scrape stuff off, and just eat the noodles with the cheese, but he wanted no part of it. So, Curtis said, "You can have a bowl of salad and still get ice cream, but you can't just go get ice cream if you don't eat anything." And, to our surprise, he ate a bowl of lettuce. He doesn't like salad dressing, so he ate it plain. I was shocked at his choice! It was really something to see Gavin willingly eat something green!

2. My friend, Elaine, brought us lasagna for dinner.

My friend had said earlier in the week that she had gotten the ingredients for lasagna for me. She brought it in the afternoon, and even stopped at the store to get Italian bread to go with it. It was awesome. She even bought two cartoon-like movies so that I could let the kids watch a movie and take a break. What a great friend.

3. We went out for ice cream after dinner.

I've been going a little crazy since I haven't been able to do any driving. I've been home every day since I got home from the hospital. For me, that seems like an eternity. When we were loading the kids into the van, they were remarking at how long it had been since they had even been in the van, or since they had gone anywhere. We have been home every day. In a sense, it's been somewhat cleansing to just be at home, just eating what we have here, and just being happy with each other. I had asked Curtis if he could take us somewhere--anywhere. So, we thought getting ice cream would be perfect because it wasn't too far away, but it was still a change of scenery.

Play-doh, Friends, and Time With My Children

7/15/2010

1. Play-doh is amazing, and entertaining, again!

In the morning, the kids played with play-doh for hours. They dusted off their imaginations, which had been stifled from too much video game exposure. They were building amusement park rides, animals, roads, cars, and anything else you can think of. I was amazed at how long they played together without fighting. The hard part about the play-doh is the mess that is made, although I feel it is completely worth it. I just have trouble getting down on the floor and picking up the tiny pieces before they get ground into the floor and throw rug. I will, however, continue to let them play with play-doh on a daily basis.

2. I have great friends.

I was able to talk to some of my friends on the phone. I have been enjoying my time off of work with my children, but feeling a bit stir crazy here at home, not being able to do a whole lot of work, or go anywhere. I got an email from another, new friend, saying that she was making lasagna, and had bought a couple of dvds for the kids. She wanted to make sure we had dinner and a movie for the kids so that I could get lots of rest. I love my friends.

3. I have had some amazing time with my children.

Curtis and I realized a long time ago that I need to work outside of the home for my own sanity, and financially, it is better for us. So, I've always had a job. It's been a very long time since I've had this many days off in a row to spend with my children. Each night when I'm putting the children to bed Zoey asks who will be babysitting her tomorrow. And, I just smile saying that I will be home tomorrow. It will be hard when I do have to go back to work. And, I know that now. But, I am grateful for the time I get to have with my children.

Beth, Play-Doh, and A Card

1. My friend, Beth, came to visit.

Since I was four-years-old, I've had a friend named Beth. We grew up together. We were friends growing up, and have remained close as adults. Our children love to play together. She decided to come for a visit today. Things always seem better when she is around.

2. My children played with play-doh so nicely.

Who doesn't love to play with play-doh? I think it's one of those things that brings out the creativity in everyone. We haven't played it in a while, so I let the kids get it out. I know it gets messy, but the play time is worth it. For an hour and a half, the kids sat and played with play-doh without bickering or fighting. It's such a nice sound, to hear them playing nicely, using their imaginations, rather than fighting over the same toy.

3. I got a "Get Well" card from my co-workers at the post office.

Usually I'm at the post office, helping to send the card around for peoples' birthdays, or a get well wish. In fact, I've hand made some of the cards. Today, I got a card in the mail from the post office. And, the best part was that Bill signed it. He doesn't sign anything, but signed this. He signed Holly's birthday card a month or so ago, so I was curious to see if he would sign it. It made my day to get the card. I called my boss after receiving it, and it was nice to talk to her. I really do miss my friends at work.

Roller Skates, a Good Book, and Curtis (Again)

1. Zoey loves roller skating.

Well, what kid doesn't love roller skating? Gavin had a pair of tenners that has optional wheels on the bottom. You press a button, and out pops the wheels. He tried to wear them today, but unfortunately, found them to be too small. And, being the awesome brother that he is, he immediately gave them to Zoey. I think we will have to surgically remove them from her feet. She wore them all day. She was so excited about them. It reminded me of my roller skates I had when I was little. My parents let us skate right through the living room. We really didn't have room to do it outside, so going through the kitchen and through the living room was a great alternative. And, seeing Zoey wearing these skates brings back a lot of memories. I told the kids that when I'm allowed to drive again, I'd take them to the roller rink.

2. I got a lot of my book read today.

I started the third title in the "time quintet" from Madeline L'Engle. These are supposed to be kids books, but I've found that I love them. Besides, when I'm done with them, I'm sure my kids will enjoy reading them. It's like the Harry Potter books. All ages can enjoy them.

3. Curtis came home from work early.

My husband has been an amazing friend during this difficult time for me. And, as a husband, that's his job, right? Well, I think Curtis is doing an excellent job of making me feel comfortable, easing my burden of not being able to do chores, and trying to cheer me up. I really think he takes great care of me. This morning, I may have done more than I should have, but he came home early from work so that I could get some rest.

A Serenade, Feeling Good, and a Board Game

1. Max came in to our room to sing us a song.

Tonight, after we tucked in all the kids, I was getting ready for bed, and Max asked if he could sing me a song. He had the words written on a folder in crayon, but the song itself was beautiful. I have to say, my son has a beautiful voice. He had to avoid looking at me, or he would embarrass himself. But, I thought the serenade was beautiful.

2. I felt pretty good today.

I had surgery almost a week ago. Today, I felt pretty good. I had asked my mom to stay an extra day since I had been so sore, but this afternoon I felt it would be ok if my mom went home. I was able to fix dinner myself, and didn't feel overly tired. And, tonight, I'm still feeling pretty good. I limited my trips up and down stairs, so I think that helped, too.

3. We played "RangerRickopoly" earlier today.

Ranger Rickopoly is an "animal" version of Monopoly. Before lunch, Gavin asked if anyone wanted to play. None of the other kids wanted to play, so I said I would. When I sat down to play, pretty soon, all of the kids were gathered around the game. We didn't play for that long, but we still had a pretty good time. I love board games.

Gavin and Zoey, a Manicure, and a Motivated Hubby

1. Gavin and Zoey came home today.

I missed them so much! This was such a hard week, beginning with bringing Gavin home from camp, only to send him to his grandparents' house for the week. I addressed how difficult that was in an earlier blog. Zoey needed a vacation. Max and Alex had already gone to visit the grandparents right after school let out for the summer, and Gavin got to go to camp with the boys, so Zoey was kind of stuck here all along. I was so excited this morning that they would be coming home, I could hardly wait. I kept trying to find things to do while waiting, but it was really hard to occupy my mind. When they finally pulled in, I ran right outside (in my head I was running, in reality I was walking just as slowly as normal since I've just had surgery). I had to remind them to be gentle on my belly, but they still needed to give me big huge hugs. And, tonight when I was tucking them in to bed, I told Gavin my arms wanted to hold him. So, he stood up so that I could pretend to hold him. What a sweetheart!

2. Zoey gave me a manicure and did my hair.

My little girl is such a cutie pie. She wasn't home ten minutes and wanted to do my nails! I told her I would love to play with her, but I had to really stay down, so she had to think of something to do that I could stay down for. So, she decided to do my hair and nails. My hair had a braid in the front with little berets on it, and a small pony tail in the back. How fun! My nails are orange, lime green, pink, purple, blue, and even red. She made sure each nail got a different color.

3. Curtis did all sorts of work today.

Curtis must have been motivated to get things done today. He got a lot of the trim work done on the hill behind the house, and even started installing a new mailbox. We've had it in the garage for about a year. The snowplow keeps hitting ours, so he was reluctant to put up a new one, just to see it get smashed again in the winter. I think he's come up with a good system, and hopefully, this one won't get smashed, at least not right away. Curtis and I also decided he'd rather be in my position, resting all day. I'd so much rather be in his position, up and able to work. He just needs to have surgery and he'll get all sorts of rest!

Curtis, HGTV, and Curtis

Saturday, July 10, 2010

1. My husband takes such good care of me.

Yesterday Curtis took such good care of me. I was a little nervous on Friday when he left for work because I was home by myself with the boys. The boys were awesome, and my mom came up after lunch anyhow. Yesterday, Curtis was home. He went to the store for me in the morning, then he put in our new ceiling fan when he got home. He is so good about making sure I am comfortable. He never understands why I have a hard time taking it easy! I can't understand, most of the time, how he can relax so much! I guess we are a little bit opposite on that one!

2. I've gotten to watch HGTV all day!

I used to love watching HGTV shows every now and then. For the last couple of days, I've gotten to watch all the shows I love. In fact, the boys were enjoying it, too. They were saying how much they'd love to do some of the projects they saw. It was kind of funny.

3. Curtis made an excellent steak dinner.

My mom had gotten some steak out of the freezer yesterday, and left it for Curtis to prepare for dinner. He put them on the grill, and they turned out so well. My mom just gushed over how good it was. I must say, I picked a good husband!

My mom, Surgery, and My Husband

I had great intentions of continuing this blog this week, but it just couldn't happen. I had my surgery on Tuesday. It went really well. I got home from the hospital yesterday, and now I'm working on resting! So, here are the three best things this week:

1. My mom said, "I love you" to me the other night on the phone.

I could probably count on one hand the amount of times my mom has said that to me. I know she loves me, and I love her, but it's one of those things that doesn't get said. I'm sure we both assume the other one knows. After the surgery, I called her to let her know everything went well, and she said it. I feel pretty happy about that.

2. My doctor said the surgery went very well.

There were no complications with my surgery. And, with the way my life has been lately, I half-expected something to come up. My doctor was wonderful. She said I did very well, and there were no problems. I lost very little blood, so that was also good. I'm feeling pretty good, or as good as I can feel for having just had a hysterectomy. I'm tired and sore, but otherwise, feeling pretty good.

3. My husband...

I could say, my husband, period. On Tuesday, he was with me all day, through the surgery, the waiting, and even my sleeping. He had to go home around 5:00 to pick up the boys, but he was there all day. The next day, he took the boys to work with him so they could visit me. I know those sound like things a husband should do, but he is so caring. I just don't thank him enough for what he does for me. He was wonderful this week.

Max, Alex, and Gavin

In no particular order:

1. Max

2. Alex

3. Gavin

I missed them so much.

They were home much of the day, but Gavin went w/ Zoey to Grandma Mae's and Grandpa Joe's house. He was sad and not sure he wanted to go. But, we talked and decided since I'll be in the hospital anyhow, he might as well go have fun. Max and Alex went to spend the night at a friend's house, again, since Curtis and I'll be at the hospital, they'll be more comfortable there than at the hospital with us. It's so quiet here again, but I have to be up early and ready to go. I'm just looking forward to this being done.

Fireworks, a Nice Family Picnic, and Sleep

July 4, 2010

1. Fireworks!

I love fireworks, even if it means sitting in traffic when they are finished. Last night, Cambridge Springs had fireworks, so we did not have to drive very far to see them. I can't remember Cambridge Springs having fireworks before this. I looked forward to it all day.

2. Curtis' parents came up, and we had a nice picnic.

Curtis' parents came up so that they could take Gavin and Zoey home with them. That way, I don't have to worry about them while I'm having surgery. Max and Alex got to go with them right after school was out for the summer, now it's Gavin's and Zoey's turn. After not getting to see Gavin for a week, it's going to be hard to not get to see him again. But, I'll be in the hospital for a couple days, anyway, and probably wouldn't see him anyway. Zoey needs a little vacation, and we need a little break from her. She's been very, very needy lately! I think she misses her brothers.

3. Curtis and I got to sleep in.

We had church, but it wasn't until 10:30. And, since Zoey didn't get up at the crack of dawn, we actually got to sleep in a little bit. It was so nice to not have to get up and get moving.

Food, Cleaning, and Friendship

1. Today at work, Holly, Michelle, Karl, and I made food since I'll be gone for a while.

Today was my last day of work before my surgery on Tuesday. We decided that meant we needed to make food as a going away party of sorts. It was great. Holly and I ate way too much, but enjoyed every bit of it!

2. We got part of the back room cleared out.

We've been trying to get a room in the back of our house cleaned out so we can put Teya's crate there. That way, she can sort of have her own room. And, during the winter, it will give her a place to be out of the way when people are here, or for when we need to leave her during the day for work. I got two boxes of old documents burned, which ended up taking almost all day. I feel pretty good about getting that accomplished.

3. I have some of the best friends.

My friend Theresa is going to take Max and Alex while I am having my surgery. I think she is awesome! In so many different situations, my friends have always stepped in to help me. So, I have to say I have some of the best friends...

Sunny Quiet Time, Time with Zoey, and a New Dinner

1. The sun was shining, so I sat outside to read.

When I got home today after work, and after picking up Zoey, I sat outside to soak up the sun. It felt so good to sit and read for a little while. Zoey was taking a little quiet time on the couch, so I decided to take some quiet time outside. I usually try to get as much done as possible. I thought about running the weed-eater, mowing the lawn, or cleaning, but that's as far as I got. I just decided I would rather get some rest. I took my little netbook out to read, but it's really hard to read the screen of a computer in the sun!

2. Zoey and I had puzzle time.

After we had our little quiet time, Zoey and I went up to the Family Room and put together a few puzzles. It was nice to just work some puzzles together. We didn't have any music, so we sang. We tried to sing every kids song we could think of. It was great quality time.

3. I tried something new for dinner, and it turned out alright.

Every once in a while, I try putting together something new. Tonight, I made a broccoli/ham/cheese dish. It was really good. I made rice on the side, which got burnt?? I'm not exactly sure about that one. I also made pasta for a side. We ended up stirring the pasta into the casserole, and it was very tasty. Zoey actually ate mostly broccoli for dinner. I love seeing a child eat vegetables so willingly.

Lunch, Haircut, Dr. Wismer

Yesterday--7.1.10

1. I had lunch with Zoey at The Big Skinny.

When I picked up Zoey from my friend Autumn's house, Zoey was very sad. We decided lunch at The Big Skinny was just the cure for "having the worst-est day ever"! When we pulled into the parking lot, I realized I had left my purse at work. We had to drive all the way back to Saegertown to get my purse. It worked out well, though, because when we went back to work, Alisha invited Zoey to spend the night with her daughter, Aubrey. Zoey loves Aubrey, and was very excited! While having lunch, some friends who were walking stopped in to say hi. Not only was it a nice meal, but having time with my daughter was wonderful. I hope that Zoey and I can continue to do this type of bonding. Since she will be going to Kindergarten in the fall, she won't be able to have lunch with me during the week. I have to get my "Zoey fix" now.

2. I got a hair cut at Tina's.

Lately, it's been a bit of a challenge making plans, like getting a hair cut. Between doctor appointments, work, getting kids to and from babysitters, preparing meals, and having less money than usual, getting a haircut has been at the bottom of my priority list. Kerry, my friend, has been doing my hair, but she moved to a salon in Erie. I used to go to Tina all the time, so it was refreshing to get to see her. She was very excited to see me. It was nice to get to catch up with her.

3. I had a great doctor's appointment with Dr. Wismer.

I was really dreading the possibility that since I'm still getting acid reflux, even though I'm taking medication daily, that I would have severe repercussions. I was so relieved to learn more about my condition, especially that the medication that I am taking is helping me, and that the acid reflux may be uncomfortable, but isn't necessarily as detrimental to my health as I had before thought. Since I've got Barrett's Esophagus, the tissue in the lining of my esophagus is changing, and therefore, replaced with pre-cancerous cells. So, every time I get a little bit of pain, I literally panic. And, after yesterday's appointment, I know now that I don't have to panic.

Camp, a Visit with a Friend, and Dinner

1. The boys went to camp this morning.

We took the boys to the Saegertown Park 'n' Ride to meet the bus, which would take them to camp. It was bittersweet for me, but I am still naming it as one of the best things of today. They were very excited to go. So. I am sure it was a "best thing" on their list for today. I was sad and nervous, and when I think about it, them being there and not here, I'm still a little sad. I miss them, but I know they are probably having such a good time, they aren't even thinking about me or of home. They've been away from home before, but each time, they've been at a relative's house. This time, they are at camp, without us. This morning, Curtis took pictures of them on the bus. We gave them extra hugs and kisses, but they were ready to go. They had found their friends on the bus, and were too busy to have us bothering them! They could hardly carry their bags, they were so heavy. But, the amount of things on the list to bring was extensive. I don't even know how they'll get the zippers closed when it comes time for them to return home! I am sure they have had a busy day of canoeing, swimming, and making new friends. What an exciting day!

2. Zoey and I had a visit from a high school friend and her two adorable children.

Julie and I have been friends since eighth grade, I think. We met at a youth retreat at the local Catholic high school. She smiled at me, and soon we were friends. We wrote letters to each other until ninth grade, when we would get to see each other daily in high school. She was someone who was completely unique, and incredibly smart. I always envied her ability to manipulate the English language. I always wanted to be more like her. I loved her independence and free spirit. Even her effortless ability to make "thrift store" finds look like a page out of a fashion magazine compelled me. She and her family are preparing to relocate to Seattle. Even now, I find myself somewhat jealous of her opportunity to move. I've longed for different scenery for quite some time now. I know my family is comfortable here, but each day I feel a little more secluded. We have a beautiful house out in the middle of the country. Our home has actually afforded us many opportunities, but the location is not ideal. I've always thought of myself as part gypsy, longing to see the world, and experience different environments. When Julie came to visit today, it brought back many memories, not only of the events surrounding our friendship, but also of the feelings associated with my life at that time. Julie and I actually went to London together through a drama club trip at our school. We've had so many treasured experiences together. It was such a nice treat to get to visit with my friend. Although we've spent so much time apart, our friendship never skips a beat.

3. We had a nice dinner at Big Moe's tonight.

Curtis had to go kayaking tonight after dinner instead of this morning before work. After all, this morning we were seeing the boys off to camp. Since Curtis puts in his kayak in Edinboro Lake, I asked him if we could meet for dinner at Big Moe's. Big Moe's is a little "mom and pop" type of diner. It has the best food. Every time we go out to eat in Edinboro, we go there. It's absolutely our favorite restaurant. I haven't had anything there that I didn't like.

Bags are Packed, Nail Art, and a Friend at Work

1. I got the boys all packed for camp.

Initially I was excited at the prospect of the boys going to camp for a week. When I was growing up, I always wanted to go to camp, but was never able to. When the opportunity arose for the boys to go, I jumped on it. I asked them if they wanted to go, and of course, they did. For the last three days, I've been labeling clothes, "EMPSON - CAMBRIDGE SPRINGS." And that actually took quite a while. For the amount of stuff we packed, I'm not sure they are going to be able to carry the bags. I just wanted to make sure they had everything they needed. I sure hope everything goes well. I know they will have a good time. And, this afternoon, I got every last item packed in their bags.

2. Zoey and I did nail art tonight.

While doing some last minute shopping for the boys' things for camp, I picked up some manicure stuff for Zoey and I to play with. After dinner tonight, I painted some cool designs on Zoey's nails. I also did my nails, but it was more difficult. It was especially difficult to do my right hand with my left hand. I'm thinking I'm going to have to remove all the polish anyway, so I'll just have to keep trying different things.

3. Holly was at work today.

Holly is a sub at work, so she isn't there every day. On the days she is there, however, it is a joy to be at work. I really enjoy her.

A Nice Work Environment, A Friend's Visit, and a Family Game

1. Bill, at work, is not ignoring me anymore.

I've previously mentioned that I work at the Post Office. The atmosphere there has been very uncomfortable at times, and can be very stressful to handle. One person in particular chooses to ignore people from time to time, and generally has an "I hate everyone" attitude. I thought he liked me. For a long time, he wouldn't speak to anyone, but would chit-chat with me and a couple other people. For the last few months, however, I have said, "Good Morning" to him only to get a grunt in reply, and then silence for the rest of the day. On Saturday, we had a long talk, and today he was back to teasing me. To be happy about someone teasing me doesn't sound quite right, but it makes me feel like things are getting back to normal. It was much more fun to be at work today.

2. My children got to go swimming at my friend Anne's house.

I've gotten to see my friend Anne two days in a row. Today, my children got to go swimming at their house while I was at my pre-surgery appointment at the hospital. They were happy, and I was happy. I definitely miss getting to see Anne on a day-to-day basis.

3. The family is playing a board game tonight.

It is so nice to play a nice game together as a family. And, to hear them playing nicely is even nicer. So often we hear the kids arguing about silly things, so to hear agreement is just music to my ears.

Waldameer, a Day With an Old Friend, and Quiet

1. We went to Waldameer today.

Waldameer Park is one of our favorite places to take the family in the summertime. It's a nice, small amusement park with a water park inside. The kids love it because they are allowed to ride most of the rides. It's got a lot of "little kid" rides, but also a few bigger rides. It has a roller coaster that stretches out over the Peninsula Drive. A lot of amusement parks don't allow you to bring in food, but you are allowed to bring in coolers, picnics, and really whatever you need for the day. We were lucky enough to have bought tickets through our school at a discounted price. Today just happened to be WQLN Kids Club Day at Waldameer, so we didn't even need the tickets for the kids because they got in for free. It was a nice day. We got rained on a couple times, but it was short-lived.

2. I got to spend a lot of time with one of my best friends, Anne.

Since we were at Waldameer for the WQLN Kids Club day, our friends were there. We don't get to see them a lot since we don't live in Erie anymore. Before Zoey was born, we lived in Erie, and saw Anne and her family almost daily. For most occasions, our families celebrated together. When we moved out of Erie, that changed a lot. We did not get to see them very much. Curtis works in Erie, so it's not that far away. But, realistically, we just don't get to see them that much. It was so nice to get to spend the day with them.

3. The kids were quiet the entire ride home.

After going to Waldameer, Curtis and I were so tired. On the way home, the kids at a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, then rode very quietly. They each picked up a book and read. It was so nice to have a peaceful ride home.

A Nice Little Party, A House Cleaned for Me, and Grocery Shopping Alone

1. I had a nice little get together tonight with two new friends.

For some time now, I've been a jewelry salesperson for Jewels by Park Lane. Since January, however, I haven't had many parties. It seems like I've asked all my friends, and need to meet some new people to ask. I've also had many other things on my plate. I have recruited several people, but haven't had much jewelry business to do. Tonight I had a little party at my house, mainly for recruiting, but really just to get back into the swing of parties again. I'm not going to be able to do any shows for a while because of my surgery, but I've offered some good specials for people to make orders. Tonight, Sheila, an up-line manager came to talk about the "business" to two other fabulous ladies, Elaine and Kelly. They really didn't want to recruit, which is fine by me. I enjoyed just having a nice little get together with friends. From the food to the company, it was a nice little visit. I feel like I've gained two new friends, and that is priceless.

2. My family cleaned the house.

Ok, let me just say that again, "My family cleaned the house!" When I got home from work, my kids were so excited to show me the upstairs family room, that they came running when I came in the door. They had me walk up the stairs, then close my eyes, so they could lead me to the amazingly beautiful, "sparklingly" clean room. I was so proud of them. My husband worked hard all day to take care of the house, take care of the kids, and fix things. He made sure the kids stayed on task with their cleaning, and really made sure everything was just right for me. It was such a load off of me to have the house so clean when I got home.

3. I got to go grocery shopping all by myself today.

In many cases, I have to to go grocery shopping with children. And, when I'm trying to look at coupons or a list, trying to keep my angelic children from destroying the displays so neatly set on the ends of aisles, and keep track of my spending, it becomes a very stressful event. Usually what happens is I end up getting way too much stuff, and spending a lot more than we want to spend. and I end up forgetting several needed items. Going grocery shopping alone is sometimes a treasured experience. Today after work, I went right to the store so that I could get some groceries before I got home. It was nice to be able to get what I needed without having to play referee to my kids.

Extra Hours, Pizza, and Relaxing Time with Curtis

1. I got extra hours at work today.

When I got to work today, one of the other carriers had called out, and since our only sub is on her vacation, there was no one else to do the route. So, I cased that route, my route, carried some of that route, and carried my route. I'm pretty excited to get extra hours right now because I'm getting ready to go for surgery in another week. I am not a full time employee, so I don't get any benefits with my job, including sick pay. So, I will not have a paycheck for about six week. That will be rough!

2. I got to have Papa John's Pizza today.

Since I had to work extra, my husband got to have the kids at work with him. And, since he wasn't planning to have them at work, he didn't pack lunches for them. I suggested he get Papa John's since that would be a cheaper way to feed four kids than if he did fast food or something like that. And, since he was getting pizza for them, I had him order an extra one for me. What I love about Papa John's is that you can order a pizza without sauce! I can't have anything with tomatoes, including tomato sauce, so I love that feature. Until I knew that about PJ's, I would just do without having pizza. So, now I can have my pizza, and enjoy it, too.

3. I get to relax with Curtis tonight.

For the past couple of weeks, our children have fought, bickered, argued, and have been otherwise nasty to each other. It's a shame. We separate them, give them things to do, ask them to stop fighting, give them problem solving ideas so that they will stop fighting, but nothing seems to work. And, tonight, we had enough of it. Curtis sent them to bed. We gave them dinner, and sent them right to bed. It sounds harsh, but maybe they'll think about that next time they feel like fighting with each other. So, instead of dwelling on the fact that our children are little stinkers, we are enjoying the time together just relaxing.

A Compliment from my Husband, Dinner and a Movie, and a Plan for my Future

1. My husband posted a link to my blog on his Facebook page, referring to me as his "brilliant and beautiful wife."

Since he is my husband, it should be obvious that Curtis thinks highly of me. After all, he married me, right? In the day to day life, though, little things like that get forgotten, and many times left unsaid. I will say that Curtis has always said, "I love you," many times a day, and is never shy about saying that he thinks I might look nice, although he may not always notice when I get my hair cut. But, it helps to have his high regard for me reinforced in writing for the whole world of Facebook to see every now and then. Calling me brilliant and beautiful took me completely by surprise, especially since most of his posts and comments tend to be sarcastic in nature. I, for one, refuse to believe that this particular comment was completely sarcastic. There must have been some truth to it, or he wouldn't have married me nearly ten years ago. Thank you, Curtis, for making number one on my list for the day. Here's to another ten or so years!!!

2. It's "dinner and a movie" night at the Empson house.

In the short time since I've started blogging, I realize movies tend to be among the best things about my day quite frequently. I like movies. My children like movies. Upon my arrival home from work today, my children greeted me with open arms and, "Can we watch a movie, mom?" I was excited to see them, especially since they obviously missed me so much. Curtis rented the new "Alice in Wonderland" movie this morning on the way to work. I managed to stave the children off until dinner time, promising them dinner and a movie. We've done this a time or two before.

3. I met with my advisor today, hoping to firm up a game plan for school.

Almost a year ago, I resolved that it was time to go back to school. When I met Curtis, I fell in love immediately, and insisted we get married right away. I was attending Gannon University at the time, and before that, I had attended Saint Vincent College in Latrobe. As that had been my second attempt at college, and I had already changed my major many times, meeting Curtis was just the excuse I needed to quit school. It's been almost 11 years since then, and for the first time since then, I have the motivation to finish my degree. I still have the indecisiveness I was blessed with 11 years ago, and have already changed my major twice, even though I haven't taken a single class yet. Today, we were discussing my next couple of semesters. I have 18 credits in the fall, and will hopefully have 18 each semester following. But, it's going to be a challenge working around my work schedule. In fact, I will probably have to give up my job in order to take a lot of the classes I need. And, although I left the office feeling frustrated because of my job and scheduling, I feel better knowing I am moving forward. I am going to get my degree. And, when I do, we will celebrate. After all, it's been 11 years, and counting.

A Comforting Show, A Short Day at Work, and Another Comforting Show

1. Zoey and I got to watch a little bit of "Anne of Green Gables" tonight.

My daughter, Zoey, is five-years-old. I love that she loves the "Anne of Green Gables" movies. When I was growing up, our local public broadcasting station showed the "Anne of Green Gables" series, and I was hooked. I watched that story over and over, and loved it. I feel like Anne was a part of my childhood, one of my friends. Now that I have children, I have tried to brainwash them into watching and loving it, too. And, until this year, my children didn't really want to watch it. Then, one day, I wasn't feeling well, so I put it in. Pretty soon, I had all of my children watching it with me. Now, Zoey asks to watch it. In fact, she wants to watch it all the time! And, any time I'm feeling down and want to watch it, I know Zoey will want to watch it with me.

2.I finished work at 11:00am.

I shouldn't be happy when the mail is light. I should be worried about my job, right? Wrong! I've learned that I can't make my job any more secure by worrying about it. Worrying only makes me stressed out, which only adds to my acid reflux issues! So, when the mail is so light that I finish an hour, or so, early, I embrace it and love it.

3. I'm enjoying my evening watching TV with Curtis.

Sometimes it's nice to just sit and veg out. I don't do that nearly enough. And, we just happened to catch an episode of "The Middle" that I hadn't seen yet. So, I get to laugh and relax.

Sleep, the Bedroom (again), and a New Attitude

1. Max is sleeping in my bed tonight.

For the past couple of days, Max has been asking to sleep in my bed with me. We have a king-size bed, so it's not a problem at all. It's been really hot, though, and since we don't have air conditioning, it's not the most comfortable arrangement to have three people sharing body heat in an already hot room! But, tonight, Max asked again if he could sleep in my room, so I consented. He is so sweet. As I am working on the computer, he is slowly drifting off to sleep. Even at nine-years-old, it is still great to watch him sleep!

2. We are slowly chipping away at re-loading our bedroom.

Tonight, Curtis and I continued working on putting away clothes, and discarding the unwanted items. I'm getting better at it. I went through my closet and filled another garbage bag. I was so excited until I went to the other room where our items have been "living" during this time of repair, only to find several more baskets full of clothes. Do I secretly have a fear of being naked, or can I just not get rid of anything? Or, is it possible that I just love clothes and continually buy them? Whatever the case may be, I am slowly whittling away at the enormous, unending supply of out of date, out of fashion, un-fitting at this time, clothing. And, no, I'm not going to save a whole bag of clothes just in case I might need them later!

3. Even though I am tired, and don't feel great, I am writing my blog.

I started this blog to lift my spirits, to find the positive in every day. And, today, I'm not feeling especially positive, but I'm doing this anyway. I have several medical issues, and lately, I've been somewhat depressed about my condition. At one point, my husband kindly pointed out the fact that it was I who was formerly the perpetual optimist, and that recently we had switched roles. I am determined to find my glass half-full at the end of the day once again. Today wasn't bad at all, but I'm not feeling well. I actually had to stop and rest several times during the day. For me, it's hard to stop when there are things that need to be done around the house. But, I did it anyway. So, for a not too bad day, I am thankful for the air I am breathing. I am thankful for having a healthy, loving family. I am thankful for my home, my employment, and my husband's employment. I am thankful for my life.

1. We eliminated three garbage bags of clothing from our bedroom.

We are just beginning to re-load our bedroom from our recent renovations. We had to empty the room in order to have the floor leveled, and then painted. In carting out all our things, trip after trip after trip, we decided we really needed to get rid of a lot of things. Although we have a large bedroom, and a large house, we are trying to de-clutter, and simplify our lives . As a lifelong pack rat, this is no easy task. With my children, after I got home from work, we carried in the dressers, and I started sorting through clothing. This evening, Curtis and I were able to pack three large garbage bags full of clothes we didn't need or want. I feel great about it! And, I know I can actually pack a few more garbage bags before we are finished with the room.

2. I made a chiropractor appointment.

For several months, I've been driving by my chiropractor's office, thinking I should make an appointment. This morning, on my way to work, I thought for sure today I would definitely make an appointment. Luckily for me, they had an opening today. I feel great! And, my chiropractor had a lot of insight about all my health issues regarding digestion.

3. We had a nice family dinner tonight.

In the last couple of weeks, we've had t-ball, baseball, kids visiting grandparents, and a lot of other "busy-ness" preventing us from having a lot of family dinners. I love meals as a family, even though sometimes we take the time together for granted. And, tonight, it was nice to have nothing planned so that we could just sit as a family and eat dinner. Pass the milk, please.

Breakfast, Canoeing, and a Movie

1. We had a nice family breakfast.

Happy Father's Day! This morning, we tried to get up early enough to make a nice breakfast for Curtis and Curtis' dad. Curtis came down a little earlier than we had anticipated, so we had to make him go back upstairs. I wasn't exactly prepared for Father's Day this year. Usually, I have everything from the perfect greeting card to the perfect present all ready to go. So, while Curtis was upstairs playing video games, we made cards, wrapped presents, and made breakfast. It was a nice, simple breakfast. But, the best part was sitting down as a family to a nice meal. I love big breakfasts on Sunday mornings.

2. We went canoeing with my dad.

Last year for Father's Day, I bought Curtis a kayak at a yard sale. So, for the day, my dad brought up some canoes and we went out on the lake. My dad and Curtis enjoyed it so much we decided to make it a tradition. We all look forward to it because we have such busy lives that it really is difficult tot take the time to just slow down for an afternoon. So, this year, we went out on the lake for a little while, then sat down to a nice picnic lunch. It was sunny and warm, and made for a wonderful day.

3. We are sitting down to a movie.

Nothing finishes a busy day better than unwinding while watching a movie. We are watching, "The Princess and the Frog." The kids saw it before, but I only saw the beginning of it. So, we thought we would cuddle up for a nice movie night.

Children, Work, and Hot Air Balloons

1. Max and Alex came home today.

Every summer, Curtis' parents take our children, two at a time, for about a week. This year, Curtis' mother called me the week school was getting out to see when she could have some kids. She really looks forward to the quality time they get to have together. It's also nice for us because we get to spend some quality time with two we have here at home. The day Curtis' parents came out was our children's last day of school. They got the kids off the bus for us since we were going to Cleveland to see a concert. So, we got home from the concert late at night and had to go to work the next day. When I got home from work, Curtis' parents took Max and Alex and went home. So, I feel like I haven't gotten to experience summer vacation with Max and Alex yet. Since school has been out, I've done stuff with Gavin and Zoey, but not Max and Alex. And, today Max and Alex came home. I have to say, I really, really missed them. It's nice to have a break from them, but a week is long enough! Since we were so excited, it seemed to take forever for them to get here. We finally sat down to play some cards to pass the time when they finally got here. When the door swung open, and the boys ran in, it was awesome. Even Teya, our dog, ran to give them a hug. Alex even picked up Zoey with his hug! I don't know if it's my imagination, but it seems like the boys got a lot bigger this week. Even Curtis said, "Boy, they seem big." I'm so glad to have them home.

2. Work was fun today.

Having to work six days a week, even if it isn't a full eight hours, is exhausting. However, today was a little different. I work at the Saegertown Post Office as a rural mail carrier. I have the auxiliary route, so I am usually done in three and a half hours or less. It's great because in the summer, it's usually less than the three and a half hours. Today was Holly's birthday. She is an awesome person. There are a lot of great people in the world, but she is just a cut above the rest. I made a cake for her birthday, and we all signed a card for her. Alisha, another co-worker and friend had even gone to get ice cream. So, we sang, "Happy Birthday" to Holly and had cake and ice cream. I can't think of a better way to start the day!

3. We got to see the hot air balloons at the Thurston Classic in Meadville.

Every now and then we'll see a hot air balloon in the sky, usually in the direction of Meadville. Several years ago, we saw a lot of hot air balloons, and didn't quite know what the event was, or even where it took place, but thought we'd like to partake. This year, I had heard about the Thurston Classic on the radio, so I was all set to see the hot air balloons. When we drove to Meadville, however, we didn't see a single balloon in the sky. We didn't even know where they launched the balloons, but knew it was at Allegheny College. We decided to go to dinner in Meadville and try to catch the launch before we went home, figuring we would see some balloons in the sky. Driving around after dinner, we still didn't see any balloons in the sky, but were lucky enough to find a map of the college campus. Then, we heard the radio announcement, confirming the event was this weekend. (My husband was beginning to doubt me, and I was beginning to doubt myself.) When we got to the field and found a seat in the grass where we could see the balloons and their teams, we waited and waited and waited. It was over an hour that we waited before the balloons finally were blown up and then launched. Apparently they had to wait for the weather. The temperature was just not right, and there was a nearby storm. We finally got to see the balloons go up, and it was amazing! I want to make it a goal to at least get to ride in a hot air balloon sometime before I die!

The Beach, a Workout, and a Surprise

1. I took Gavin and Zoey to the beach.

Today was a beautiful day! It was sunny and warm, and absolutely perfect for a little beach visit. We like to go to Edinboro Lake because it is so close. We go to the beach and the playground, which is right across from the beach. I was able to sit and watch Gavin and Zoey play in the water. It was so nice to just sit and soak up the sun. They played in the water, and in the sand, and in the water again. What a nice treat!

2. I got on the treadmill before work.

Every day, at some point, I think to myself how nice it would be if I would get up early enough to work out a little bit. And, every morning when the alarm goes off, I snooze it for as long as possible, hanging on the every last minute of sleep. Today, I got up, before hitting the snooze button. I got up and went downstairs to walk on the treadmill. I feel like it was a huge accomplishment because I have been putting it off for so long. I felt great when I was done, too. The next step will be to get out the Wii Fit and do some Yoga and stuff. It's funny that it's such a chore to get started on something as fun as the Wii!

3. We are getting ready to go to an outdoor movie at Edinboro University tonight.

I hope this is one of the best things of today, and doesn't turn out to be a horrible thing! I told the kids earlier today that we were going to a "surprise" tonight, and won't tell them what we are doing. Curtis and I started doing that a long time ago, telling them we were going to a "surprise" rather than what we are actually doing. That way, if, for some reason, the thing we are going to do is not happening, we haven't told them anything, and can come up with something else. It's worked so far...

A Date, Shopping, and a Date

1. I got a date for my surgery.

Naming surgery, or a date for surgery, as a "best thing" of the day is crazy, right? Well, I've had a rough couple of months. I had two very minor surgeries about two months ago. One of the surgeries was to be diagnostic, and possibly resolve my problem. It didn't. The next step was to try medication. It didn't help either. In fact, it exacerbated my problem. So, for the past month, I've been on the phone with a nurse at my doctor's office every two to three days, "complaining" about my issues. The nurse allowed me to stop taking the pill two weeks ago, but the effects lasted. I feel a little better each day, but am still not feeling quite up to par. So, today, I was able to get a date for my surgery, answering my prayers. Knowing there is an end in sight makes me feel a million times better.

2. I went shopping for "stuff" for our room.

First of all, I am a woman who loves to shop. I especially love finding a good deal. I would shop for a living, if I were allowed. So, after my doctor's appointment, I went to Bed, Bath, & Beyond to look for some very useful storage solutions for our bedroom closet. I think I could spend hours at that store. I also think I could spend a LOT of money there. Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of money, so I have to be very selective with my purchases. I bought a very nice little shelf, a shoe rack, and a little rolling cart with drawers. I am a happy camper. When I got home, Gavin and Zoey helped me assemble the new toys. And, as soon as my husband Curtis got home from work, I made him come upstairs so I could show off the little treasures.

3. I got to have lunch with Curtis.

Every now and then, I find myself in Erie, and hungry for lunch. When this happens, I usually call my hubby, Curtis, to see if he wants to have lunch with me. He works at WQLN, our local public broadcasting station, in Erie. It's so nice to be able to have a little "date" with him every now and then. The best part about lunch with Curtis today wasn't the food. It was Curtis' outfit. Now, Curtis doesn't normally dress very formally. In fact, he wears the same thing every day. Khaki's and a dress shirt. There's nothing terribly exciting about that, right? Well, today when I called him to see if he wanted to grab lunch, he said, "Sure. But, can we go somewhere casual?" Hm? Well, Curtis has been going out on his kayak before work in the mornings. And, this morning he forgot to bring his change of clothes for work. So, for work today, Curtis was wearing his blue, Hawaiian print swimming trunks, and a black Alice Cooper t-shirt. Could you imagine wearing that to work? I can only imagine how funny it would be to be one of his co-workers witnessing such a situation. How funny!!

The Floor, the Kids, and the Job

1. ) I got the floor painted.

Several months ago, we asked our Amish neighbor about fixing the floor in our bedroom. When we bought our house, the bedroom wasn't there. The master bedroom was supposed to be on the first floor, too far away from the other bedrooms. I was pregnant at the time of our move, and we already had three small children. I knew we could use a baby monitor, but I just felt I wanted to be upstairs with our children. We used one of the small bedrooms upstairs for a time, but my dad offered to finish some of the "storage space" to make us a "proper" master bedroom. My dad has the best of intentions, but the work isn't always what we have in mind. The bedroom is huge. The closet is the size of a small bedroom. The floor, however, just didn't turn out right It was very curvy, and floors shouldn't really be curvy. So, for the last four years, we've had various carpet remnants, laid in a mismatched, quilt-ish pattern. And, for a floor, that is not really a good look. So, last week, our Amish neighbor laid OSB board, to make a good sub-floor for our room. We have been living in the upstairs family room, on the futon while the updates are being made to our room.

I am getting ready to have surgery, so I would like to have the room put back together before I can't lift anything. So, today, I went to Lowe's and bought floor paint, and painted the sub-floor. It is beautiful! We really can't afford to put carpeting or any other flooring down right now, so this quick fix is awesome for us right now.

2.) Gavin and Zoey helped--without fighting

I didn't paint the floor all by myself. My son Gavin, and daughter, Zoey, helped. I have four children, Max and Alex (twins-age9), Gavin (age 7), and Zoey (age 5), and, Max and Alex are staying with my husband's parents' for the week. When you are accustomed to having four children, and take two out of the mix, it makes a huge difference in their behavior. And, when you have four children, they fight all the time! So, today, when I got home from Lowe's, I asked the kids if they wanted to help with a very important job. Of course, they did. Gavin did almost half the room! Zoey did a little bit of the room. But, they helped. And, they did not fight. So, I consider that a huge accomplishment.

3.) I was done with work in two and a half hours today

I am a rural carrier for the post office. My job is very strenuous at times, and during the winter, it is horrible. But, during the summer, the mail is a little bit lighter, and we can finish early at times. I happen to have the "short route" at our post office. It's called an auxilliary route, or "Auxi", in postal terms. I drive the "LLV", or the little white post office truck. It's not exactly a glamorous job, but on days like to day, you can't beat it.