Where Did May Go?

Time is going so fast, speeding by. Days seem to be crazy busy.
We went up to Michigan after the kids came home from school on Friday. It was so nice to drive up in the new van. The kids barely said anything and there wasn't any fighting or pushing. I think we could take a longer car trip now. We got up there and it was cold. We got all the heaters going and Ellie and I went grocery shopping. We got new sheets on the beds and the last minute cleaning done for bed. I couldn't get to sleep, though. We did some shopping on Saturday. We worked around the house - cleaning & painting. We did get a bit of beach time in on Sunday. We were able to take some of the toys down to the beach box and the kids got to play in the sand. The huge storms really helped the lake level - the beach is pretty small this year. We headed back home on Monday.
It is Nick's last week of school this week. He graduates on Friday. It was back into the routine yesterday. I went grocery shopping and got some laundry done. Nick's field trip to the zoo was cancelled due to the weather. I tried to make a dinner that wouldn't heat up the house too much. We had some huge storms go through overnight. My garden doesn't seem to like the huge amounts of rain and the drastic heat/cold spells. Today I did some gardening - our neighbor gave me some of his blackberry clippings and I am trying to root them. Rob brought me some bricks and I built up some of my pots so the bunnies don't have such an easy job of eating them. I did some errand running. I stopped by and got some Matteo playtime at Mom's.  It was Ellie's picture day for dance - she looks great in he costume. Mom and Dad came over for dinner and to watch Nick when I took Ellie for pics. Ellie's class ran through their dance a couple times and I was able to get some pictures of her outside. We had a great throw together dinner. We watched  the new Bake Off show together.
Rob is taping graduation tonight and tomorrow night. Tomorrow is Nick's field day and picnic - I got a call this afternoon saying they were switching the order of the day in fear of being rained out.
Visualizing my healthy and continually healing body and the new normal, Tree

Wacky, Weird, Wednesday

Monday I began my morning at Unique but left with nothing. I did have some success at the Dollar store. I stopped into Salvation, haven't been there in forever. I was able to find some of the items I was looking for. My summer, short sleeve shirts have seen better days and I wanted to replace some of them. I ended up finding Ellie a Patagonia winter jacket for $5.00. I did a quick run into Aldi to pick up fruit for the week. It was so hot that the air conditioning had to go on in the house. After the kids came home we went to the library to keep cool.
Tuesday I ran to Mariano's before I volunteered. I was able to stock up on some favorites that were on sale. Volunteering was pretty quick, I put together the end of the year goodie bags. Mom picked me up and we went to Kohl's. Mom got each of the kids a treat - Nick swim shorts & a t-shirt and Ellie a maxi dress and jeans, I even found a shirt. The kids came home and played inside. We had an early dinner because it was Ellie's concert. She did a great job with the band. The concert was a bit lengthy and Nick did a great job, too, because that was his second time seeing it yesterday.
Today it rained pretty much all day and I decided to attack the second floor. I started in our room, which is the piling place for all outgrown clothes, toys, shoes, and anything else that doesn't belong. I filled a bag for Salvation of outgrown clothing. I dusted the dressers, cleaned the hepa, cleaned the windows, vacuumed under the bed. I washed everything that was out and not in a drawer because of the amount of dust. I did 4 loads of laundry, still more to do tomorrow. I moved onto the bathroom. Washed the floor, organized the medicine cabinet, organized and thinned Nick's bath toys, and washed all the towels. I did a quick clean up in Nick's room and vacuumed his hepa, floor, and his train table. Put away his books and toys. Ellie's room was last and I just really had to throw the garbage into the garbage can. I did vacuum her back door of all the spider webs and dust so we can use that for fresh air now. My final cleaning project was Rob's closet/dresser. I folded and rearranged his clothes so they all fit nicely. Mom and Dad came over and we had dinner. They watched Nick when we went to school with Ellie for middle school night. Ellie has to prioritize her elective choices for next year. The parents got to hear a presentation on internet safety while the kids went to play. Hard to believe ... middle school.
Feeling really great about the upstairs and how nothing is stashed where it shouldn't be. Hope you have a lovely long weekend, I am taking advantage of that and will post again next week. Visualizing my healthy and continually healing body and the new normal, Tree

Busy Weekend

Rob didn't have to work until later in the morning on Thursday so we were off to Ace Hardware once the kids were on the bus. We picked up a garden weasel tool and some potting mix. We stopped at Home Depot for some mulch and a couple more pots of herbs. Rob unloaded at home and was off to work and I was a busy gardener. I used my new tool and tilled the garden beds and then mixed in the new soil. I laid out all my veggies and tried to think about the best logical plan with sunlight and eventual height of crops. I am trying out a new tip I read about this year - once you plant, you apply a layer or two of newspaper all around the bed, and then apply a thick layer of mulch. The idea is that the plants still grow but the weeds can't penetrate the newspaper - very exciting if it works. I spent all morning and most of the afternoon out there planting. I came in for a break and to check email and got an unexpected message. A former co-worker of mine, Bob, was in the hospital and had been diagnosed with lung cancer. I called him and we talked for a while, it was nice to catch up just wish it wasn't under these circumstances. I learned from him that another one of our co-workers had passed away during the winter. I dropped off the salads at school for teacher appreciation week. Crazy afternoon running - picking the kids up at cooking and then taking Ellie to dance. We picked up a pizza on the way home and Rob walked in just a few minutes after us. 

Friday the kids only had half a day of school. I ran around in the morning trying to find a couple more herbs and researching prices for the end of the school year picnic. When the kids came home we had lunch and then tried our luck at some garage sales. We had a gift certificate I had won a while back for a local hotel and we needed to use it before the end of the month...so we had a staycation in Skokie. If anyone ever needs to suggest a local hotel, the Hampton Inn in Skokie was delightful. We checked in, got our swimming suits on and were down in the pool for a couple hours. The water was nice and we had the pool to ourselves. We had dinner at El Jardin which was great. Rob and I had a margarita to celebrate our staycation and I was having trouble finishing mine and Rob went for a second...he was asleep in the backseat with Nick on our way back to the hotel. 

Saturday we had breakfast at the hotel and checked out to come home. Rob mowed the lawn and edged. Rob and I discussed my fencing idea for the garden. I had seen a very cool removable fence picture and I wanted to try to replicate it for the garden. Rob went and got the wood and the kids and I went inside to make some cards for Bob. He used to bring Ellie cookies when she would come into work with me. I went to visit Bob with the kids cards and Rob and Nick went to work building my fence panels. I had a great visit with Bob and I was happy I went and was able to be there for him. I came home and Rob had all the wood frames ready to install the screen onto. We worked together and got 4 done and installed - looks so clean and tidy. Rob continued on and I took the kids over to the Festival of Cultures. We walked around and the kids got all there free crap from the expo. We came home and Rob had finished all the panels and we worked together to get them installed. I will have to take a picture - they look awesome. 

This morning we went to mass at Jo and Ole's church and Matteo was baptized after the service. There was a lunch afterwards at Mom and Dad's. It was a great day, especially since there was a lake breeze. The kids had a wonderful time playing together in the yard. We had Chicken Inn, fake chicken, orzo salad, southwest salad, kale salad, and watermelon. We came home and played outside. We set up the badminton net and played. Rob couldn't sit still and decided to take out some of the prolific tree weeds. I watered our grass seed and cleaned off our chairs. We all needed baths/showers when we came in. Ellie and I read for a while and Nick and Rob did his leapbook. 

Visualizing my healthy and continually healing body and the new normal, Tree

Great News

I woke up Monday morning and got my prep ready for my CT scan. Rob had a late day so he walked the kids to the bus. I have found the ideal mix or cranberry juice, water and prep so that I can't taste the prep. I got to Kellogg and checked in but the orders for my blood work were sent to Glenbrook not Evanston. It took about 15 minutes to change over the location before it was all strightened out. I decided to go for my scan and come back for the labs since they were running slow. I checked in at radiology and asked for a hot pack to keep my veins warm. When I got into the room, Jessica, the nurse looked at me and told me she was calling the IV nurse. I guess with a last name like Hazard I am memorable as the lady who has no viable veins. Brian, the IV nurse, came in and looked at both my arms and confirmed what I already know...there are no veins that pop. He felt my hand was the best option but after he stuck me and played with the needle for a few minutes he informed me it was a no go because the catherter wouldn't advance. He then checked my other arm - nothing good there. He went back to the left arm and tried my arm. After several minutes of rolling the needle around he was finally able to advance the catheter and get a blood return. The scan was the same as always. I went over to the lab to get my blood drawn which was quick and easy. I did tell the phlebotomist she should train the staff over in radiology.
I went over to Mom and Dad's to help them plant in the yard. With the boys playing we were able to get a lot done. We cut down some prolific shrubs/weeds. We planted the herb box. Moved some pots around and de-gunked the pond. I came home and got Nick from the bus. It has suddenly become nice outside and the kids really wanted to play outside when their homework was finished. Nick had a haircut appointment with Yvonne - he looks so handsome.
Tuesday morning I went to school to volunteer. It is teacher appreciation week so I brought in Mrs. Breiler's gifts. The kids were thrilled to see how the finished project turned out and liked how they were all aprat of it. I came home and Rob and I got to hang out and talk for a bit before he went into work. I headed to my Dr. Marsh appointment after lunch. Dr. Marsh and Margaret walked in and he said, "All is good. Goodbye." and pretended to leave. Quickest visit ever. Labs were good, still a low white blood count but that is just me. Scan was great and reads stable - no disease. He has decided to cease the CT scans - not sure if it is forever or if we will just be spacing them out to annual scans. I will see him again in 6 months for labs and follow up. When the kids got home we went out for ice cream to celebrate. We stopped at the produce store on the way home and found that the truck had just delivered new carts of herbs and veggies. We filled the cart with plants.
Today I went out with Mom, Dad and the boys to Dollar Tree and Costco. The teacher luncheon is tomorrow and I made a couple salads for the kids to bring. I was able to find cheap containers at the dollar store. The boys were entertaining as we shopped. Lillian for the village came by this morning to set a trap in the yard. The kids located a hole in the backyard under the play area. I now know more about rats than I really want to. This afternoon I finished the laundry and my salads for school. The kids came home and went outside to play. Mom and Dad came over for dinner. We had veggie burgers, a sampling of the salads for the luncheon, a new kale salad from Costco, and fruit. We had these brownie brittle squares for dessert. It cooled down outside and I was able to open the window. I love that every so often I get a huge lingering scent of the blooming lilacs - love the smell. Can't wait until the mock orange bloom.
Going to try to cultivate the garden beds tomorrow to get some of these veggie in the ground and growing. Rob and I are going to work on trying to make removable fence sides for the raised beds this weekend. Visualizing my healthy and continaully healing body and the new normal, Tree

Happy Mother's Day

It has been a pretty relaxing day. We hung out here in the morning. We went over to Mom and Dad's at noon for Sunday dinner, we made it lunch instead today. Mom had made a feast, as usual. We had strada, french toast, bagels, fruit, bacon and fak'on. The kids braved the cold weather and played outside for a bit with Dad. It was a great time.
We came home and Rob was going to play with the kids outside but it really was chilly. They came in and Ellie worked on cards for teacher appreciation week, Nick played with Legos. I did laundry and put away a couple bins of clothes. Ellie and I have been trying to read a bit more each day to finish up this book before the end of the school year, so we got some extra time in this afternoon. We had dinner and went up to get the kids to bed.
Saturday we started the day with National Train Day at Union Station. We have been spoiled the last couple years with some fun entertainment and goodies and were a bit disappointed this year. The redeeming factor was the kids depot with Chuggington where the kids got a safety vest and wooden train. We walked down to the Metra station and had lunch before heading back home. We did get some playtime outside in the afternoon. Rob got home around dinnertime from Michigan. He and Dean worked hard to clean up so we have a clean cottage. We had dinner and family movie night.
Nothing great to share about Thursday or Friday. We went to Dr. Gallai for our visit on Friday night. Nick does have a cavity but because of its location and size it can, more than likely, be blamed on his one inhaler. I have my tests tomorrow. Routine at this point, nothing to get stressed about anymore. I have my little hot pack for my hand to warm my veins up and hopefully that will make the IV a bunch easier. Visualizing my healthy and continually healing body and the new normal, Tree

Flaky Technology

Our internet was so flaky last night that I didn't even try to blog.
Continued Spring Cleaning in full effect. I washed the floors on the 1st floor. The kitchen was gross with sticky spots. I replenished the fridge and went grocery shopping. Mom and I had a day out of Tuesday. We ran some errands and then just hung out until the kids got home from school. I was able to buy my herbs at the store to plant when I am sure the critters are no longer roaming the back yard. Speaking of critters...the village came out on Monday and as we were walking in the yard, we were stepping over dead rats.
Taking the car in this morning to get re-keyed because they were never able to locate the 2nd key for the car. Busy week coming up - dentist tomorrow, National Train Day on Saturday, Rob's going up to Michigan for the weekend, Mother's Day, CT scan and Dr. Marsh visit. Visualizing my healthy and continually healing body and the new normal, Tree

Cinco de Mayo

New normal? Cinco de Mayo hasn't really been the same in a few years. 3 years ago I was diagnosed, 2 years ago I was having Scarlett reversed, last year I had the hip/spine issue and this year - normal!
Not too much to share tonight. I spent Thursday at Mom and Dad's house working to get some things out to their curb for their bulk garbage pick up. The kids had their cooking club - Ellie made tomato soup and Nick made brushetta.
Friday I worked with Mom on some organizing projects. We got quite a bit done. I went with the kids to the library in the evening. We had dinner at home and we watched a movie.
Yesterday we spent most of the day outside. I have spotted smaller rats in the yard and have called the village to report them. We took advantage of the weather and really cleaned up. We got all the leaves out of the corners, all the toys into bins (or into the garbage), we burned all the wood pieces Rob had around. We cleaned out the shed and Rob mowed the lawn. The kids and I ran over to school to register them for next year - hard to believe 1st and 6th grade! We took a nice walk to the park after we finished the yard. We went to Mariano's for dinner and gelato.
This morning we were the parents for Sunday school at church. It was pretty fun, the kids in our group went on a hunt for clues and we were outside to enjoy the weather. We came home and the kids worked on their homework. It was closet spring cleaning here today. Ellie and I spent a couple hours in her room trying on clothes to weed out what doesn't fit her anymore and getting her drawers switched to summer. I then did the same with Nick. We ended up with a huge bag for Salvation and 2 bags to pass along to friends. Rob did his own weeding as I was doing the kids. Rob was a good sport and climbed up to clean all the ceiling fan blades and then I changes all our linens. We went to Mom and Dad's for family Sunday. We were celebrating Cindo de Mayo, Mother's Day, Grandpa GG's and Ole's birthdays. It was a fun time with a Mexican theme dinner. Mom made a vegan flan that tasted pretty good. We came home and the kids played for a bit before we headed up to read.
Visualizing my healthy and continually healing body and the new normal, Tree

May Day

Not too much to share tonight. Monday was a run around day. Lee and I ran up to Northbrook. We had lunch together and did some errands. On our way back home, I got a call from the school nurse that Nick was in her office and had just vomited. Lee dropped me at home and I was off to pick up Nick. It is unseasonably hot here. Monday was the first day of the A-Z countdown at school and A was amazing fashion day. Nick picked out a long sleeve shirt, a necktie, and dress slacks. We were running late in the morning and I forgot to have him take his inhalers. I think it was probably heat exhaustion paired with no inhalers. He came home and relaxed on the couch for the rest of the day. Ellie came home and did homework and then went to play outside, which Nick did not think was fair. Rob came home around dinner time.
Tuesday, Nick was back at school. I volunteered and was able to get the next step for my teacher appreciation project done. I ran to the library to return books and pick some new ones out. I went grocery shopping to replenish fruits and veggies and popsicles for the week. After school the kids had their annual physicals with Dr. Swider. Both are stellar...Ellie is 5'2" and Nick is 3'10"...they are both growing like weeds. We were there for what seemed to be forever. We ended up picking up dinner on the way home because it was so late.
Today I worked to finish my teacher project. I worked on sorting my ebay boxes to start listing again. I think I will need to sub-sort because I am pretty sure the wool jackets and suits aren't going to be real big sellers for the next couple months. The kids came home and did their homework and went outside to play. Rob came home from work and he had stopped to get his hair cut, looked nice. Mom and Dad came over but Mom just stopped in on her way to meet some friends for dinner. We had make your own taco/nacho night. We played a couple games and watched the DVD of Nick's dino play and concert and Ellie's honor roll and dance clinic.
Looking forward to the cooler weather the next few days - 80s was way too hot this time of year. Visualizing my healthy and continually healing body and the new normal, Tree