Busy Couple days

I finally have more to write about, I am skipping around.
Jo and Ole invited the kids for an overnight on Saturday night. They picked the kids up late afternoon and Rob and I went for dinner. It was great to be able to have an entire conversation without being interrupted. After dinner we went to JoAnn fabrics to price out the foam and fabric we would need to build the built-in couch in the backroom. We realized that with the wood, foam, fabric and pillows we were not really saving any money over buying a new couch. We stopped into Ashley's which was right there in the mall. Although the prices there were better than Carson's it didn't seem the quality was great.
We went to Macy's because that is about the last place we hadn't looked. We ended up finding a huge sectional that pieces could be purchase a la carte. We bought 2 of the middle pieces (think the bottom of a U shape) which will have no arms and basically looks like an upholstered bench. We added an ottoman for an extra seat and comfort. We also ended up finding a mattress set we liked. Ours is almost 13 years old and doesn't feel so great anymore.
This morning, Rob and I went to Target to try to find some accent pillows that might provide color inspiration. The couch is a dark gray which is neutral so we want to pick up accent colors. We found these fun pillows on clearance so our accent is a darker sea foam green. We went to Lowes and picked up paint and then were on our way to pick up the kids.
Ellie and Nick had a marvelous time at their overnight. The only got about 6 hours of sleep. We visited for a little while before packing up and coming home. We had lunch and started to clean up the backroom. I went to register the kids for summer camp - huge line and wait.
We had dinner at Mom and Dad's house tonight. Mom made egg rolls and we ordered in El Famous. We didn't stay too long because of the lack of sleep the night before. It was nice to see everyone though.
Friday night was Aurosis at Niles North (the student dance group). Rob had to tape it but the kids and I went to see it, too. Ellie invited Catherine to join us. We had dinner and then went to see the show. It was entertaining for all of us and has inspired dance moves the rest of the weekend.
Saturday afternoon I went to baby shower for a girlfriend of mine from high school. Always fun to see all the new and improved baby stuff since your own baby. It was nice to visit and catch up, too. Rob and Dean took the kiddos to see Beauty and the Beast and then they got lunch out.
I can't recall if I posted this before or not...Nick and I went to the library. He is practicing writing his last name so he can get his library card soon. We picked out some books and a couple games to try out.
It has been a busy weekend and next weekend looks to be just the same. I have the backroom to keep me busy for the next week or so. Wallpaper border to remove, moulding it fix and then prime and paint. I have to find new curtains still but I am so excited to be able to sit comfortably again. Visualising my healthy and continually healing body and the new normal, Tree

I need the sun

It has been gloomy this week...I am in need of some vitamin d.
Not too much to share, it has been a slow week. Nick was star of the week at school so he got to bring in his favorite book, favorite toy and decorate a cut-out person with his favorite things. It was problematic because I started to cut out pictures from magazines and he wanted his to look like all the other kids with just words written.
Ellie just took her test at school and in less than 2 months she pulled herself up 2.5 levels. I guess there is a huge multi-month, multi project assignment that has just begun. Ellie picked Florida as the state she wanted to tackle. I haven't seen any notes on the assignment yet but my understanding is it culminates in a huge 3D project on the state.
Mom and Dad have been sick with a cold - we have stayed away. I did make and bring over soup the other night. Nick and I got a Matteo fix on Tuesday. We went over at school to pick up the kleenex we left in Jo's car and help Jo hang some frames. Since Ellie and Tony weren't there we had Matteo all to ourselves.
Hate to say it but that is all I've got. Visualising my healthy and continually healing body and the new normal, Tree

Mr. Sun...I miss you

Man, it seriously got cold today. Jo and Matteo joined us today for a Target adventure. I have an extra 5% off so we did some shopping. Not too much that was terribly fun - clearance cookie cutters, a t-shirt for Ellie and a book for Nick. Pretty much just the basics, food, paper towels, detergent and such.
We came home and I did a quick pick up of the house and vacuum job. Catherine was coming over for cooking club this afternoon. Ellie came home and started homework and then Catherine came over. The girls finished homework, Rob amused Nick and Christi and I caught up. We tried to make fudge tonight - won't know how it turned out until tomorrow. I made dinner while Rob gave Nick a bath and the girls played downstairs.
I am going to jump around now...Nick spent the night at Mom and Dad's house on Friday. I took him over in the snowstorm. He was very excited, it was his first solo overnight. Rob got let out of work early because of the storm but had to go back for the basketball game. Ellie and Rob went to dinner and then the game. I took advantage of my alone time and painted my nails, did laundry and made brownies.
Ellie had a birthday party on Saturday - she was very excited. We celebrated Chinese New year at Mom's house last night. Mom made vegan faux crab rangoon and almond cookies. We ordered from Little Wok. The kids wore their Chinese outfits and put on their hats at Mom's. We got to visit with Jo, Ole, T and Matteo - we hadn't seen them in 2 weeks. The kids played out int eh snow for a bit but it was pretty chilly.
We went to Carson's to look at couch possibilities for the backroom but pretty much decided our best choice is to make what we really want. That has been about it...life is good.
Visualising my healthy and continually healing body and the new normal, Tree

tune in tomorrow

I honestly don't have it in me to do the Sunday night post...tune in tomorrow. Enjoy the thunderstorm everyone!

Bundle up

It is so cold...I hung a quilt on the front door this afternoon since we still don't have a screen door. I hate to disappoint but life is pretty mundane and un-eventful right now...I sort of like it this way.
This morning I took Nick for a haircut - he looks very cute. We stopped to get some basics at Big Lots and then came home. We just hung out here today and tried our best to keep the house warm. Ellie came home from school and put her PJs on. We had a nice warm dinner and then the kids watched Wipeout. Nick dropped a heavier metal steam engine on his forehead by mistake.
Mom and Dad came for dinner last night. We had chili and it was good. The kids got to visit for a bit with Grams and Gramps. Nick and I did some thrifting during the day - nothing real good. It is sort of disappointing because January is normally a very good month to thrift.
Nick had a runny nose and wanted to stay in his PJs all day on Tuesday - so that is what we did. Ellie had a play date with Catherine after school and Nick went along and played with Susannah. I got to visit with Christi for a bit, too. We made breakfast for dinner - Ellie and Nick were both big helpers.
Monday was a day off for Rob and Ellie. Nick and I went over to Mom's to pick Ellie up but ended staying for a while. Dad took the kids out to the yard to play in the snow. They built a huge snowman and had trouble lifting the 2nd and 3rd balls on top. They used the porch stairs as their slide. When we came home they went back outside to play with the neighbors. They built another snowman and a fort. Nick brought out every snow accessory we have - sleds, shovels, toys.
I did find upholstery fabric thrifting this week. There is enough for the dining room chairs and another project, yet to be determined. I was able to pick up spare waterproof mittens for both kids. I listed my January ebay auctions this week.
I feel good, life is good - 2012 is a much different year! Visualising my healthy and continually healing body and the new normal, Tree

sunday, sunday

So, I continued to have the upset tummy into Friday. It was better around lunch time. Nick and I stayed in our PJs until late afternoon. I made a pot of roasted vegetable soup with all my left over veggies in the fridge. When Ellie came home from school - Nick and her went outside to play in the snow. It was so cold though so I only gave them about 15 minutes.
Ellie went to the basketball game with Rob. Nick and I took our soup and went over to Mom and Dad's. Ellie got to help out in the concession booth and watch part of the game - she had fun. We had dinner at Mom's and then headed home.
Nick woke up Saturday with a runny nose and sneezing. We took it easy in the morning. I then went into Salvation donation mode. We organized all the toys in the back room and Nick made some decisions as to which he wanted to donate. I then moved up to Ellie's bookcase - we organized and moved some into Nick's room and some to donate. I moved to the basement to finish us my donation mode.
Ellie got picked up by Mom and Dad for an adventure and then an overnight. Rob, Nick and I headed to do some thrifting and grocery shopping. We came home and I got groceries put away and then Nick to bed.
This morning Rob went to church and Nick and I stayed in PJs until lunch time. Nick still has a runny nose and insatiable hunger. I got some laundry done and some things put away. I went to pick up inhalers at CVS. We went over to Mom and Dad's for dinner. It was a Polish menu tonight. I helped Mom with dinner while the kids played. Dad had taken Ellie to Mt. Trashmore sledding. Mom and Dad agreed to let Ellie stay over another night. We came home and I tried to get Nick to sleep but he kept calling down. The 1st time Diesel 10 (from Thomas) was under his bed and was attacking him - I took Diesel 10 downstairs with me. The 2nd time he thought he heard the phone ringing. He finally went to sleep.
I hope all the germies are out of the house now (Ellie had it, I had it & Nick has it - Rob always has something). Visualising my healthy and continually healing body and the new normal, Tree

yucky snow

I was really 100% fine without snow this winter but we finally have it. The kids loved playing in it today but it is cold, wet and heavy. I didn't post last night because it has been a quiet week...not much to share.
Margaret contacted me and asked if I would be willing to reach out to a patient who had questions and concerns about his upcoming surgery and chemo. I talked with him for about an hour the other night.
Nick and I replenished out fridge and pantry on Monday. We went grocery shopping and picked up some necessities.
We went to the park district camp open house last night to try to see which camps to enroll in for the summer. Ellie is leaning toward the cooking camp and Nick doesn't really care as long as it is fun.
Checked out Salvation and picked up a very cool Brio building set and some valentine stuff. I stopped in there tonight and was luck enough to find a pair of snow pants for Ellie. I didn't realize that I had given away her old ones from last year.
We got Valentine decorations up because the house looked so naked without Christmas.
I have a icky tummy tonight. I am not sure if it is something I ate or a bug. I do have to say that when I shoveled the walk this evening it was very nice to not have major neuropathy issues going on in my hands. Visualising my healthy and continually healing body and the new normal, Tree

Happy 2012

Happy New Year! The past week in Florida has been wonderful. It started and ended with one of us vomiting but hey we were together. I don't know if it was nerves, anxiety, stress or food but I was sick the night before we left. Ellie was sick the night before we came home.

The flights both way were fine. We rented a house in a resort not too far from Disney. It was nice because it really had a ton of room - 4 bedroom/4 bathroom house. We went grocery shopping and stocked the fridge for the week. We went swimming in the gorgeous pool - lazy river and water slide.

The resort had a New Years Eve party that I had purchased tickets for earlier in the month. It wasn't terribly well thought out but it was fun. We sat down by the pool and they had a live band playing. The kids loved the appetizer and sweet buffets. We didn't make it until midnight.

We went to the east coast on Sunday. Driving past Cape Canaveral and then up to Daytona Beach. The kids loved the ocean - not so much the salt water but the beach. The house had beach toys that we brought with us and we combed the beach for shells. We drove past the racetrack on the way back. We stopped at Downtown Disney and walked around. It was nice, all the Christmas decorations were still up at all the parks. Ellie got her hair wrap done. Nick got to ride the train. We all got a treat from the sweet shop.

Monday we went to Epcot - my favorite. Even though the parks were crowded we were able to maneuver pretty well. We spent the entire day/night there - from park open to park close. The kids got their bear passport stamped at each of the countries. We watched the Illuminations show and traveled back home.

Tuesday we went to Hollywood Studios. It was a frigid day. We bundled up and tried to stay inside. We were able to hit Toy Story and everything else just seemed to fall into place time wise. We had a character lunch and finished the night with the Osbourne light spectacular - over 5,000,000 lights and snow machines along Main Street.

Wednesday we had a goof off day. We went to the outlet mall and then the Orlando Science Museum. We watched their Holiday Light laser show and the kids got to do a bunch of labs. We had a nice dinner out and then came home and the kids watched Wallace and Grommet.

Thursday we hit the Magic Kingdom. Once again - awesome timing with rides and shows. We did take advantage of the Fast Pass this visit. We were able to fit another character lunch in. We saw both parades and Nick and I even saw a 3rd one while Ellie and Rob rode Splash Mountain. We were able to hit every ride and show the kids wanted to and even got to do a dew favorites a 2nd time. We finished the night with an autograph session with the princesses. The highlight of the visit was Splash Mountain for Ellie and the monorail ride back to the parking lot for Nick. The entire week he wanted to ride the monorail and was finally able to.

Friday we drove to the Gulf coast. We started at the Tampa Children's Museum. It was a nice assortment of exhibits. We had lunch and then headed to the beach. The beach was covered in seashells. The water was freezing but that did not stop Nick from going in. We walked the beach looking for interesting shells. We found sections of conch shells and Ellie found a huge shell but it somehow did not make its way back with us. We drove South to visit Mixon's citrus farm. They had the best orange twirl cones. We had big plans for the evening - pool, Downtown Disney and packing up. It finally was warm enough to go to the pool and Rob took the kids while I got our airplane reservations taken care of. We went to Downtown Disney to pick up souvenirs. We headed back to the house and that is when Ellie's tummy problems began. I packed up as much as I could. Thankfully, Ellie's tummy calmed down enough for her to sleep.

Saturday we finished packing and cleaned up the house. Ellie still wasn't feeling good - couldn't keep food down. We stopped and had breakfast - still couldn't keep food down. We got to the airport early anticipating lines. We sat at the gate and Nick was super excited to watch the planes take off and land. Ellie finally reached a plateau with her tummy. We boarded and had a fine flight home...terrible seats. Mom and Dad picked us up and we went back to their house. We had dinner with them and then headed home. Very nice to sleep in our own beds.

Today we packed up Christmas and I got all of the laundry washed and put away. Rob helped me clean up and organize things. The living room looks so naked now. We went to Mom and Dad's for family Sunday. Mom made a great tomato Tuscan soup, paninis, salad and fruit. We shared our pictures and the kids shared some of their souvenirs. We came home and got things ready for back to school time tomorrow.

It was great to be away. It was great that my health wasn't a thought in my head all week. Yes, my feet hurt, my legs hurt, my back hurt but all of ours did. I am looking forward to this year being far less bizarre and much more normal. Visualising my healthy and continually healing body and the new normal, Tree