Thursday, April 30, 2009

Quotes * April, 2009

April, 2009

"The sun was warm but
 the wind was chill.
 You know how it is
 with an April day.
~Robert Frost~

 "Spring is nature's way of saying,
 'Let's party!' "
~Robin Williams~

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

It's Water Ice!

It's a bummer when you don't feel good enough to do anything (and you're not allowed - doctor's orders) and yet you DO feel good enough to be bored out of your skull.

I texted Richard this afternoon to tell him that I had spent over 140 hours on the couch in the past nine days and that if I didn't get out soon I was going to lose my mind (the portion that I still have). My trips in the car are very limited at this point, but Richard, Julie and Kate kindly agreed to meet Michael and me at Mazzella's for pizza.

Oh my! The pizza tasted soooooooo good and seeing Richard, Julie and Kate was a FANTASTIC treat! I'm not sure it will last me another 140 hours, but it's sure given me something to smile about until the next "fix".

Better every day... or well... every other day. :)

After we had pizza, we left Mazzella's and Kate looked down the street and saw the sign for Rita's Water Ice. "Look, Daddy! It's water ice!" It sure didn't take her long to know that striped awning and she DOES love water ice!

So cute! So cute!

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Life is...

... good! There have been times in the last 10 days that "life is" was enough.

Long story short - I had surgery on Monday to remove 2 herniated discs from my neck and to fuse my spine in those places. There have been lots of ups and downs in the process - stress tests to get more information about a blockage that showed up on an Echocardiogram (result - no problem with blockage), a 2nd Echocardiogram to verify results from the first one that indicated pulmonary hypertension and right heart damage (result - strong indication of pulmonary hypertension and right heart damage), from there, a right heart catheterization to measure the damage (result - no damage - no pulmonary hypertension) and from there a quick trip to cervical spine surgery.

I'm still recuperating, but I'm planning on a full recovery (with God's help, of course).

Thank you for your thoughts - and prayers - and all the help.

Life IS good!

Saturday, April 18, 2009

What a Day!

Greg took today off to stay home with the kids on their last day of spring vacation, but of course, they didn't stay home.


The kids wanted to go to Wildwood for lunch and we were invited, so...... we went to Wildwood for the day. Amy decided at the last minute, to take off, too, so Amy, Greg, Gregory, Alex, Matthew, Michael and I all went to the shore. I don't think I'd been to Wildwood in about 30 years. It's changed soooooo much!


The kids were really excited, but I don't think they were nearly as excited as I was! Michael loaded up the scooter so I could cruise the boardwalk. I saw all their favorite things to do. We were a day early for the rides. Everything was scheduled to open on the 18th, but we still had a great time!


Matthew is like a perpetual motion machine. He reminds me so much of Greg when Greg was little. Gregory and Matthew were so good do me - giving me lots of hugs up and down the boardwalk. We had pizza for lunch and soft ice cream on the boardwalk for dessert.


While the "kids" (Gregory, Alex, Matthew and GREG) played games on the boardwalk, Amy stayed with Michael and me and we got to have time to enjoy Amy by herself - not something we get a chance to do very often.


The weather was beautiful - sunny - so nice. The best part was watching them all together as a family. Those stolen days are always the best ones.


Michael and I left in the early afternoon, so that we'd have time to get home and rest for an hour before we headed to Philadelphia to World Cafe Live to see Bronze Radio Return. Greg, Amy and the kids walked us to the street where we parked and they were off to the other end of the boardwalk to see what was opened there.


We had a nice ride home, collapsed on the couch for an hour, and then we were off to Philadelphia to the concert which was fantastic! Bronze Radio Return played upstairs rather than downstairs, so the crowd was small but enthusiastic. They may be back in July. If so, we'll surely go.







All in all... a wonderful, wonderful day!


My life is full of wonderful memories of days like this! I'm so very grateful!

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Happy Easter!

And it was!

Michael and I went to church this morning at Covenant Fellowship Church in PA. What a huge church. Yesterday morning the church was set up to accommodate 1,950 people in each service (there are 2 services each Sunday morning). At one time I would have thought that church too big, but at this point in my life, I kind of like the anonymity that I find in such a large group. It's also a church that I could manage by myself. There aren't a whole lot of those. It was a good start to a wonderful day.

From church we went to a quick breakfast at Jimmy's. Couldn't wait too late to eat because we were invited to Greg and Amy's for Easter dinner at 4:00. And it had to be quick because we wanted to get to Richard and Julie's before Kate went to bed.

So... off to see Richard, Julie and Kate. It was certainly Easter at their house! Kate had an Easter Egg hunt outside and then they all went inside to see what they got in their Easter baskets. It was a short visit, but a nice one. They are such a happy family. I pray that their happiness increases even more with the years.

Home for a snooze and to talk to Scott on the phone. They had a nice Easter morning at home and then took Bryce to the movies. Scott said that Bryce was SOOOOO good at the movies! We're going to get together on Tuesday for lunch and I can give Bryce his Easter basket then. I can hardly wait to see them. I'm just sorry that Crystal can't come.

On to Greg and Amy's for dinner at 4:00. FANTASTIC as usual. Amy and Greg make such a wonderful holiday dinner - turkey, ham, green beans, corn, rolls (heated on the grill - creative!), Amy-mashed-potatoes (the BEST mashed potatoes you ever ate!!!) and then Greg made cobbler for dessert. Everything was wonderful and we were stuffed when we left!!!! The kids shared the candy in their Easter Baskets without even being asked. I was definitely impressed! Matthew told me I could take 2 pieces of candy, but I had to save one for after dinner (which I did). Fun!

From Greg and Amy's we went to Philadelphia, to World Cafe Live to see The Duhks. What a fantastic concert! Michael used the word "dynamic" which I think is a great word to describe their "sound". From the first note, we were drawn in by their sound. So, remember, when you get famous and go on the road with your band, hire a soundman. It's worth it! ;) If Michael got any decent pictures, I'll add some here at some point.

It was a busy day, but a wonderful one!

Happy Easter!

Christ is risen!!!!!

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Back to the Keswick!

We went to the Keswick on Friday night to see Raul Malo! What a great show! Michael was in "guitar heaven" with all of the vintage guitars that Raul Malo had. And... what a band! We came away with some pictures and a signed guitar pick. Pretty cool!









So much fun!!

While was getting acclimated to being at work this morning and NOT hapy about it, Richard sent me a video morning of Kate singing "Take me out to the ballgame". SO funny! I've been having video parties in my office all day! What a treat!


I was not at work on Monday or Tuesday, so I'm a busy lady today. Back to it, I guess.


Life is good!

Sunday, April 5, 2009

As Alexandra Denny said...

... who knows where the time goes.

January, February, March and now April.

We've been through Kate's birthday, Richard's birthday, Amy's birthday. We've been to the Moonbounce, to Kid Shelleens for brunch, out to lunch, out to dinner. Can't get it back. Gotta just start again (seems to be a pattern).

So... I'm starting again.

Michael and I have been spending our spare time playing with Etsy. We sold 3 bracelets and a pair of earrings this week and the pieces have gone to Australia and Canada. Pretty cool.

I bought 2 sets of bows for Kate from Etsy (with grippers) a week ago. They finally came yesterday!!! We'll have to stop by and drop them off for Kate today. They're sooooooo cute!

Concert tonight at the Keswick - Raul Malo, originally from the Mavericks. Although concerts on Sunday nights are not generally the best thing for me with that work thing on Monday, I really like Raul Malo and as usual, we have great seats. Maybe I'll get a nap in this afternoon (WOW! I sound old!).

Everybody's good - healthy - busy. Gregory, Alex and Bryce have started soccer. I hope I can get to a few games. I really do need a new lift for my scooter that I can manage by myself. So many places to go - so many things to do.

Enjoy your Sunday!