There are times life has a way of just jumping up and biting us in the a$$. We all know it and have experienced it.
In March we actually got approved for a home loan, huge step considering where we were 3 years ago. As of today we have jumped through so many hoops we might actually get to put in an offer on a home. We have paid off $1500 worth of misc outstanding debt, found another had been released, and are disputing one final one.
We have finally gained stability. The budget is actually working...we have come so far in a very short amount of time.
As of Wednesay I will offically be the mother of 2 teenagers. Hard to believe DD will be 13. Unfortunately I will be having a minor surgery procedure so Dad is on Birthday Duty.
Speaking of Dad, my Dear Husband finally got to buy a boat. Nothing fancy but perfect for the lake, fishing or tubing. There have been a few hiccups with the boat so far but nothing that can't get fixed. DH is also redoing the interior of the boat. Honestly I thought we bought a boat to go boating with not for DH to just tinker with. Silly me!
I will be adding some new pages to my blog to touch on some other exciting things going on.
Showing posts with label DH. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DH. Show all posts
Sunday, June 8, 2014
Sunday, January 12, 2014
Surviving the New Year
Here it is the 12th of January and needless to say we have been plugging right along.
The kids have made it through the first week back to school from the Holidays.
Documenting our lives has started with my new Project Life Album for 2014.
I got a new planner from Erin Condren, and I am in love with it. I will be sharing pictures and ideas.
After 10 long years we have finally found a doctor at the VA willing to listen to what we are saying in regards to DH knee injury. On December 30th we went to Seattle VAMC for an MRI and that night the Dr. called us to confirm what we knew. WOW!! it is like winning something HUGE.
She put in a consult for the orthopedic specialist to take at look, and we will be going back to Seattle VAMC in February.
We have been told that we can go back and file a formal complaint with the ARMY naming the SGT that would not follow the doctors instructions when DH got injured, but I am not sure it is actually worth the effort. On the other hand I would love to see him in a dark alley, zip up my big a$$ purse and beat him with it...again, not sure it is worth the effort.
The kids have made it through the first week back to school from the Holidays.
Documenting our lives has started with my new Project Life Album for 2014.
I got a new planner from Erin Condren, and I am in love with it. I will be sharing pictures and ideas.
After 10 long years we have finally found a doctor at the VA willing to listen to what we are saying in regards to DH knee injury. On December 30th we went to Seattle VAMC for an MRI and that night the Dr. called us to confirm what we knew. WOW!! it is like winning something HUGE.
She put in a consult for the orthopedic specialist to take at look, and we will be going back to Seattle VAMC in February.
We have been told that we can go back and file a formal complaint with the ARMY naming the SGT that would not follow the doctors instructions when DH got injured, but I am not sure it is actually worth the effort. On the other hand I would love to see him in a dark alley, zip up my big a$$ purse and beat him with it...again, not sure it is worth the effort.
Sunday, January 5, 2014
New Year...Fresh Start
Welcome to 2014
A New Year and a Fresh Start and boy do I need one. I didn't feel like I had anything worth blogging about, but I was wrong.
I looked back through 2013 and realized there was A LOT going on that I could have shared and not all good or bad.
I have a high schooler and a middle schooler this year. Making life interesting to say the least.
Our Dear Friends moved to Salt Lake City making visits more challenging.
We launched David's House on FB on November 11th. Working on fund raising right now.
Survived the first whole year without Debbie.
DH's oldest son came out to visit for 2 very short weeks in September. He wants to move out here to be with us. Kids are loving the idea and DH is waiting not so patiently.
We had a nice Holiday Season and are eager to move on to goals and adventures of the new year.
On December 30th, after 10 years of battling with the Army et al regarding DH's knee injury we actually got confirmation that there is a problem, and it is NOT arthritis. I feel like we won a major battle.
A New Year and a Fresh Start and boy do I need one. I didn't feel like I had anything worth blogging about, but I was wrong.
I looked back through 2013 and realized there was A LOT going on that I could have shared and not all good or bad.
I have a high schooler and a middle schooler this year. Making life interesting to say the least.
Our Dear Friends moved to Salt Lake City making visits more challenging.
We launched David's House on FB on November 11th. Working on fund raising right now.
Survived the first whole year without Debbie.
DH's oldest son came out to visit for 2 very short weeks in September. He wants to move out here to be with us. Kids are loving the idea and DH is waiting not so patiently.
We had a nice Holiday Season and are eager to move on to goals and adventures of the new year.
On December 30th, after 10 years of battling with the Army et al regarding DH's knee injury we actually got confirmation that there is a problem, and it is NOT arthritis. I feel like we won a major battle.
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Update on Life
Things have been really crazy here.
DH had an appointment with a neuro-psychologist and were were told that any TBI he MAY have had in 2004 has healed so these lasting affects are due to PTSD.
I drove like crazy for the last 10 days or so...drove my brother to the Sea-Tac Airport so he could fly to NM for the sentencing hearing. Then two days later I drove from Lacey to Longview to take DD to meet up with her friends for the weekend...then pick on on Sunday at the same place. Monday had to run to the bank late in the day. Tuesday back to Sea-Tac to pick up my brother. Wednesday was grocery shopping. Then Friday to the VA for DH to get his Vpap machine so he can breathe at night.
We have had a wonderful weekend with 80° weather and sunshine...don't ever let people tell you it only rains in the Pacific Northwest, they have no clue what they are talking about.
The kids have state testing Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of this next week.
Thankfully the kids are feeling better since getting sicky last week.
DH had an appointment with a neuro-psychologist and were were told that any TBI he MAY have had in 2004 has healed so these lasting affects are due to PTSD.
I drove like crazy for the last 10 days or so...drove my brother to the Sea-Tac Airport so he could fly to NM for the sentencing hearing. Then two days later I drove from Lacey to Longview to take DD to meet up with her friends for the weekend...then pick on on Sunday at the same place. Monday had to run to the bank late in the day. Tuesday back to Sea-Tac to pick up my brother. Wednesday was grocery shopping. Then Friday to the VA for DH to get his Vpap machine so he can breathe at night.
We have had a wonderful weekend with 80° weather and sunshine...don't ever let people tell you it only rains in the Pacific Northwest, they have no clue what they are talking about.
The kids have state testing Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of this next week.
Thankfully the kids are feeling better since getting sicky last week.
Friday, April 19, 2013
Blogging for Stress Relief
We have had a crazy week and I really have no one I can vent to but the Whole Wide World.
- Monday -
- Finished my letter to the judge and emailed those over to the Crime Victim Advocate
- Helped my mom get her letter straightened back out
- Got yelled at by my sister (turns out it was a misunderstanding but you know how that can work out)
- Helped my brother with his letter
- Tuesday -
- VA Day From Hell
- 90 minutes appointment with a neuro-psychologist telling me that every one of my husband TBI symptoms is caused by something else BECAUSE TBI's heal in a short amount of time and there are no lasting, long term effects (The new VA party line)
- DH has suffered from headaches since 2004 when injured overseas BUT they believe the headaches for 9 years are due to SLEEP APNEA which is only something we have dealt with for about 18 months
- Balance issues are caused by the medications he is on regardless of the fact that the balance has been an issue for these same 9 years and the medications have only been for 2 years now
- Cognitive/Memory issues are due to medications as well regardless of how long he has been having these problems
- Every symptom he has is caused by something else and not the event in question
- Everyone of these symptoms could be resolved with Cognitive Processing Therapy or some kind of PTSD Treatment or Group Therapy
- I would love to get these 90 minutes back but I know that is not possible
- Wednesday -
- Went to Lowes
- We figured out that since we will probably need to stay in this house another year we need some type of temporary fencing for the backyard for privacy
- We picked out some nice bamboo privacy screens we are going to put up over the next month so we can be out back more without the neighbors driving us bonkers
- Thursday -
- Lazy Day
- Never left the house but I managed to go to the High School Orientation for DS online.
- Made a plan to move the office/classroom into the dining room and the dining room into the office area. More room.
- Picked out the new desks at Ikea
- Friday -
- Social Security
- Dropped off paperwork for reconsideration
- Wal-mart
- Dog Treats and a wander through the store
- State Surplus Store
- A box of books for $1 got some great books for DD
- District Office
- Paperwork for next year for the kiddos is finished
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Update on the Chaos
The normal level of chaos in our house seems to have diminished.
We have finished with Girl Scout Cookie Sales and are now heading in to enCamporee time. I have completed my second term at WGU and have a bit of time off until the new term begins. The kids have been working hard in school and are really looking forward to Spring Break even if it is only a break from routine.
We had another VA appointment cancelled on us the day of the appointment. That drives me nuts and I would change providers but DH is comfortable with this provider so it is best to not rock the boat. We had our quarterly visit from the visiting nurse on Wednesday, went really well but my 'burden/stress level' was more than an 8 so they wanted to recommend counseling. I don't need counseling at this point and I explained after the fact that we are just coming down from a chaotic couple of weeks and that things will settle down. If they don't settle down I will ask for the referral.
While I am not super religious, hit you over the head with a Bible, or anything like that, I read the Bible and pray regularly...I have an unspoken prayer request, God knows what is up but just say a quick one for me and that will work.
Darling Daughter decided she was going to slack off on some of her school work so yesterday we enjoyed some Saturday school...about 4 hours total. Amazing what she can accomplish when she puts forth the effort. She makes me a little nuts with her ditzy routine she likes to pull on me. She has not figured out we know better.
Dear Son is really showing some progress in school but he has been slacking off a bit as well...must be some Spring Fever. The best part with him though was watching The Hobbit after he read the book and him telling us how he remembered that part of the book. He was so animated. He is also really looking forward to seeing Jurassic Park in 3D since he has only seen it at home.
Trying to make some plans for the summer, which hopefully will include a move from this house. DH has started packing up things we don't use on a regular basis.
So I guess you could say that Chaos still Reigns over our house but at a different level than it did last month.
We have finished with Girl Scout Cookie Sales and are now heading in to enCamporee time. I have completed my second term at WGU and have a bit of time off until the new term begins. The kids have been working hard in school and are really looking forward to Spring Break even if it is only a break from routine.
We had another VA appointment cancelled on us the day of the appointment. That drives me nuts and I would change providers but DH is comfortable with this provider so it is best to not rock the boat. We had our quarterly visit from the visiting nurse on Wednesday, went really well but my 'burden/stress level' was more than an 8 so they wanted to recommend counseling. I don't need counseling at this point and I explained after the fact that we are just coming down from a chaotic couple of weeks and that things will settle down. If they don't settle down I will ask for the referral.
While I am not super religious, hit you over the head with a Bible, or anything like that, I read the Bible and pray regularly...I have an unspoken prayer request, God knows what is up but just say a quick one for me and that will work.
Darling Daughter decided she was going to slack off on some of her school work so yesterday we enjoyed some Saturday school...about 4 hours total. Amazing what she can accomplish when she puts forth the effort. She makes me a little nuts with her ditzy routine she likes to pull on me. She has not figured out we know better.
Dear Son is really showing some progress in school but he has been slacking off a bit as well...must be some Spring Fever. The best part with him though was watching The Hobbit after he read the book and him telling us how he remembered that part of the book. He was so animated. He is also really looking forward to seeing Jurassic Park in 3D since he has only seen it at home.
Trying to make some plans for the summer, which hopefully will include a move from this house. DH has started packing up things we don't use on a regular basis.
So I guess you could say that Chaos still Reigns over our house but at a different level than it did last month.
Thursday, March 21, 2013
You Can't Go Back in Life
I think there are many times in life we wish we could go back and have a 'do over'...reality sinks in and we know we can't.
On Monday we took a drive through the past on our way to my little nephews birthday party. The party was at the Bowling Center where DH and I met and was my first job. I was almost 19 years old and my grandma just had brain surgery. I got a job as a waitress making $3.50 an hour and minimum wage was $3.25 in Washington. I ended up working for this same company for 5 years and learned many different jobs along the way. I was able to leave this job and get a great 'grown up' job based off my work experience.
Walking through those doors though was strange. I knew no one there but it looked so familiar. It was like stepping back in time where you are just the bystander. Very weird. We took the kids and showed them some of the different places we used to go all the time. NOTHING is the same. The movie theater is now closed, the pizza place is gone...just strange to see this once booming area reduced to so little.
Makes me glad it was different so we could remember the fun we had before without being haunted by events of the past. Just another of those life lessons we learn along the way.
On Monday we took a drive through the past on our way to my little nephews birthday party. The party was at the Bowling Center where DH and I met and was my first job. I was almost 19 years old and my grandma just had brain surgery. I got a job as a waitress making $3.50 an hour and minimum wage was $3.25 in Washington. I ended up working for this same company for 5 years and learned many different jobs along the way. I was able to leave this job and get a great 'grown up' job based off my work experience.
Walking through those doors though was strange. I knew no one there but it looked so familiar. It was like stepping back in time where you are just the bystander. Very weird. We took the kids and showed them some of the different places we used to go all the time. NOTHING is the same. The movie theater is now closed, the pizza place is gone...just strange to see this once booming area reduced to so little.
Makes me glad it was different so we could remember the fun we had before without being haunted by events of the past. Just another of those life lessons we learn along the way.
Friday, March 15, 2013
Free Your Mind Friday
Welcome to Free Your Mind Friday
If the average human life span was 40 years, how would you live your life differently?
Well considering the fact that I am 44, I probably would have had children much earlier in life. There are any number of things I would 'do over' if there was a chance...like that first marriage = mistake. DH and I were not ready for life together when we were younger and we both knew that but I would have wanted my same kids earlier in life.
There are times I would have had more fun and not let 'stuff' stop me from the things I really wanted to do. I have no complaints about my life how it is now.
If the average human life span was 40 years, how would you live your life differently?
Well considering the fact that I am 44, I probably would have had children much earlier in life. There are any number of things I would 'do over' if there was a chance...like that first marriage = mistake. DH and I were not ready for life together when we were younger and we both knew that but I would have wanted my same kids earlier in life.
There are times I would have had more fun and not let 'stuff' stop me from the things I really wanted to do. I have no complaints about my life how it is now.
Monday, March 11, 2013
Monster in My House
There is a Monster living in my house. It lives right along side of us and tries so hard to take control whenever it feels like it. I wish there was a rite or ritual to exorcise the Monster from our lives but there isn't. The VA has tried but I think it makes the Monster worse at times instead of better.
There is no warning to when the Monster decides to come out, we have no control. The Monster gets his mind on something and like a rabid dog will not let it go. I wish and pray I could make the Monster disappear but I don't know how. Love and patience doesn't seem to help as much as we would like it to.
The Monster has a name but we only refer to it by letters...PTSD. This Monster has changed our lives forever. The kids handle it really well, they refer to the Monster as "Episodes" more than anything else.
The medications from the VA only help part of the time. The Monster makes my DH believe he is unworthy of additional benefits he could get. He can't work anymore but he wants to do something, what he has no clue.
The problem is the Monster is living in my Love and to get rid of the Monster I would need to get rid of my Love.
There is no warning to when the Monster decides to come out, we have no control. The Monster gets his mind on something and like a rabid dog will not let it go. I wish and pray I could make the Monster disappear but I don't know how. Love and patience doesn't seem to help as much as we would like it to.
The Monster has a name but we only refer to it by letters...PTSD. This Monster has changed our lives forever. The kids handle it really well, they refer to the Monster as "Episodes" more than anything else.
The medications from the VA only help part of the time. The Monster makes my DH believe he is unworthy of additional benefits he could get. He can't work anymore but he wants to do something, what he has no clue.
The problem is the Monster is living in my Love and to get rid of the Monster I would need to get rid of my Love.
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Week in Review
What a crazy week we have had here at my house.
Last Sunday we started with an early morning Girl Scout Cookie Booth Sale at a local Goodwill. The sales were pretty bad but the store was busy. DD was slightly down and decided the Goodwill was not a great spot to begin with.
Monday we were at a local Credit Union and DD and fellow Girl Scout did a great job on sales. The sun was shinning but cold.
Tuesday we took the day off from cookies but Mom and I went to the fabric store. Then we had Girl Scouts. Finally, I wrapped up the day with taking DH to the VA for an over night sleep study.
Wednesday morning came way too early and by 5:45am I had picked DH back up and headed for home. The dogs were really glad to see him. Picked up Girl Scout Cookies in the afternoon for our booth sale that same evening. The girls did great even in the rain.
Thursday we had another Cookie Booth on the other side of town.
Friday we had a late morning sale and while it was slow we enjoyed ourselves.
Friday my brother and his family came to say good bye to mom.
Yesterday morning my uncle came and picked up mom for the Portland airport. I think the kids in NM were happy to see G'ma. Mom called last night and they sure sounded happy.
Working on homework to finish my class for this term and enjoying some piece and quiet.
Last Sunday we started with an early morning Girl Scout Cookie Booth Sale at a local Goodwill. The sales were pretty bad but the store was busy. DD was slightly down and decided the Goodwill was not a great spot to begin with.
Monday we were at a local Credit Union and DD and fellow Girl Scout did a great job on sales. The sun was shinning but cold.
Tuesday we took the day off from cookies but Mom and I went to the fabric store. Then we had Girl Scouts. Finally, I wrapped up the day with taking DH to the VA for an over night sleep study.
Wednesday morning came way too early and by 5:45am I had picked DH back up and headed for home. The dogs were really glad to see him. Picked up Girl Scout Cookies in the afternoon for our booth sale that same evening. The girls did great even in the rain.
Thursday we had another Cookie Booth on the other side of town.
Friday we had a late morning sale and while it was slow we enjoyed ourselves.
Friday my brother and his family came to say good bye to mom.
Yesterday morning my uncle came and picked up mom for the Portland airport. I think the kids in NM were happy to see G'ma. Mom called last night and they sure sounded happy.
Working on homework to finish my class for this term and enjoying some piece and quiet.
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Caregiver Conference
Yesterday I had the opportunity to attend a Caregiver Conference through VA Puget Sound Health Care System at American Lake VAMC.
First was a Doctor from the Deployment & Combat Health Division, Dr. Stephen Hunt. He talked about the role of the Caregiver. He considers Caregiving, the most meaningful and important act, since it is a natural act for many the world over. Parenting is Caregiving.
Dr. Hunt gave us questions to consider about Caregiving:
Dr. Hunt mentioned how attitude and support are key elements in Caregiving and that sometimes the Caregiver has to take the same approach with the same values as our service members used during their time in service. This made a lot of sense. There are times my DH responds better when I use a more military approach with him. He also talked about how the cost of service is family wide and support is not JUST about the Veteran.
Caregivers have a dedication to support one another. This creates new bonds but can also create Caregiver fatigue so the Caregiver needs to take advantage of any resource available to them.
The need for self care is so important for Caregiving and will create a satisfaction which is the cornerstone of successful Caregiving. The key elements here are personal care (more important than medical or clinical care), social support for the family, and to identify barriers of self care.
Dr. Hunt considers self care to be:
He concluded with reminding us all to know yourself, value yourself, care for yourself.
Do not deny the difficulties of your work.
Cast loving eye on yourself and your needs the same as we do for our loved ones. This is about our lives.
First was a Doctor from the Deployment & Combat Health Division, Dr. Stephen Hunt. He talked about the role of the Caregiver. He considers Caregiving, the most meaningful and important act, since it is a natural act for many the world over. Parenting is Caregiving.
Dr. Hunt gave us questions to consider about Caregiving:
- What does being a Caregiver mean to you?
- How have you learned about Caregiving?
- What was it like, being a Caregiver?
- What helped the most?
Dr. Hunt mentioned how attitude and support are key elements in Caregiving and that sometimes the Caregiver has to take the same approach with the same values as our service members used during their time in service. This made a lot of sense. There are times my DH responds better when I use a more military approach with him. He also talked about how the cost of service is family wide and support is not JUST about the Veteran.
Caregivers have a dedication to support one another. This creates new bonds but can also create Caregiver fatigue so the Caregiver needs to take advantage of any resource available to them.
The need for self care is so important for Caregiving and will create a satisfaction which is the cornerstone of successful Caregiving. The key elements here are personal care (more important than medical or clinical care), social support for the family, and to identify barriers of self care.
Dr. Hunt considers self care to be:
- self nurturing
- personal life
- healing activities - hobbies
- balanced life
- goals
- respite care
He concluded with reminding us all to know yourself, value yourself, care for yourself.
Do not deny the difficulties of your work.
Cast loving eye on yourself and your needs the same as we do for our loved ones. This is about our lives.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
The Joys of the VA
There are times when I truly despise the VA and everything we tend to go through to get back to square 1.
Today we had a VA appointment for OT, have to get shower grab bars so DH doesn't fall anymore. This appointment was really productive and the Therapist was very helpful. She submitted everything so we could go to travel and get paid for this visit. Travel pay, what a joke that has turned out to be lately.
At the end of this appointment I got the return call from the VA Call Center to hopefully answer my questions in regards to the competency claim and if there is any progress. Another joke compliments of the Department of Veterans Affairs. They finally determined that they could report nothing new and I/We should have already been contacted in regards to the inquiry send to the Regional Office on January 10th. So the nice man on the phone put in another inquiry and told me if I do not get a call from the Regional Office within 10 business days I needs to call back and let them know so they can investigate further.
We then went over to Bldg. 16, which houses the Veteran Service Organizations Officers, there is nothing for them to help us with since the claim has already begun and we should have gotten VSO assistance in October. Sorry we didn't see the need for assistance since according to the VA due process is 60 days for this type of claim...we are on Day 126 and counting.
Well this was rather disappointing but we then went over to Release of Information and obtained a copy of DH Medical Records for the last 20 months at the VA. I was surprised, it was only 251 pages, but when you can almost never get in to see the doctor or they don't take you seriously, what would you expect.
DH tried to get a Dental appointment and was told the soonest appointment was in May. LOL I probably shouldn't laugh but how can I not, the OT appoint was booked in December and the Sleep Study, scheduled for March 5th, was also booked in December.
Today we had a VA appointment for OT, have to get shower grab bars so DH doesn't fall anymore. This appointment was really productive and the Therapist was very helpful. She submitted everything so we could go to travel and get paid for this visit. Travel pay, what a joke that has turned out to be lately.
At the end of this appointment I got the return call from the VA Call Center to hopefully answer my questions in regards to the competency claim and if there is any progress. Another joke compliments of the Department of Veterans Affairs. They finally determined that they could report nothing new and I/We should have already been contacted in regards to the inquiry send to the Regional Office on January 10th. So the nice man on the phone put in another inquiry and told me if I do not get a call from the Regional Office within 10 business days I needs to call back and let them know so they can investigate further.
We then went over to Bldg. 16, which houses the Veteran Service Organizations Officers, there is nothing for them to help us with since the claim has already begun and we should have gotten VSO assistance in October. Sorry we didn't see the need for assistance since according to the VA due process is 60 days for this type of claim...we are on Day 126 and counting.
Well this was rather disappointing but we then went over to Release of Information and obtained a copy of DH Medical Records for the last 20 months at the VA. I was surprised, it was only 251 pages, but when you can almost never get in to see the doctor or they don't take you seriously, what would you expect.
DH tried to get a Dental appointment and was told the soonest appointment was in May. LOL I probably shouldn't laugh but how can I not, the OT appoint was booked in December and the Sleep Study, scheduled for March 5th, was also booked in December.
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Romance
So here it is February and there is talk of Romance in the air. I don't hate Valentine's Day but it seems silly to celebrate love only once a year.
For the most part we do not do much for Valentine's Day. With the kids being schooled at home there is no 'class party'. Since our Dear Friends moved back to Oregon there are no other kids to have over for the day either. Last year we did a lunch with our Friends and the kids all had a blast. This year will be fairly low key. DH usually makes a great dinner and we will spend the day together, who could ask for anything better than that.
I did read a post this morning about Valentine's Day. Here is how it was laid out:
When I think of how we got to the point we are now, I think of a long, hard journey where it seemed there were many against us. Everything that came to pass and try to knock us down, failed!
While our relationship is good and solid there are always areas which could use some improvement. Our whole relationship has changed with the addition of PTSD. In some respects it is almost like starting over with a history. We have to continually work on communication, without communication we would both be lost.
Romance takes time and focus...yes it does and what is romantic to one is not necessarily romantic to another. Taking the time to focus on your loved one is key. Keeping the romance alive can be just as simple as delivering coffee to the bedroom (yes I am spoiled).
Dates can be anything and anywhere. DH and I have shows we love to watch together and we set that time aside for each other. Usually by 8pm in is tucked away in the bedroom and I will go, grab my knitting and we will watch TV and talk. We take time together to just get coffee out together or take a longer route to the grocery store.
As for making my other half feel loved he says I do a great job of that especially since I never left when things got tough. Does he make me feel loved...every day, I am blessed.
Here is the song that reminds us both of what we have.
For the most part we do not do much for Valentine's Day. With the kids being schooled at home there is no 'class party'. Since our Dear Friends moved back to Oregon there are no other kids to have over for the day either. Last year we did a lunch with our Friends and the kids all had a blast. This year will be fairly low key. DH usually makes a great dinner and we will spend the day together, who could ask for anything better than that.
I did read a post this morning about Valentine's Day. Here is how it was laid out:
- Remember how you got here
- Recover Relationship (if necessary)
- Romance takes time and focus
- Dates
- Make your other half feel loved
When I think of how we got to the point we are now, I think of a long, hard journey where it seemed there were many against us. Everything that came to pass and try to knock us down, failed!
While our relationship is good and solid there are always areas which could use some improvement. Our whole relationship has changed with the addition of PTSD. In some respects it is almost like starting over with a history. We have to continually work on communication, without communication we would both be lost.
Romance takes time and focus...yes it does and what is romantic to one is not necessarily romantic to another. Taking the time to focus on your loved one is key. Keeping the romance alive can be just as simple as delivering coffee to the bedroom (yes I am spoiled).
Dates can be anything and anywhere. DH and I have shows we love to watch together and we set that time aside for each other. Usually by 8pm in is tucked away in the bedroom and I will go, grab my knitting and we will watch TV and talk. We take time together to just get coffee out together or take a longer route to the grocery store.
As for making my other half feel loved he says I do a great job of that especially since I never left when things got tough. Does he make me feel loved...every day, I am blessed.
Here is the song that reminds us both of what we have.
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Love My Life
I have to say that I love my crazy life. There are days there is so much going on I don't even know where to begin. The last few days have been like that.
I have finished one homework assignment and submitted it for grading and started working on the next assignment. This term is over at the end of March and then onto the next term. I am currently working on a 25-30 slide Power Point for my class and all I can think of is WOW, that's a lot of slides. At least I started a slide outline and hopefully that will help.
The kids are doing great with their own schooling and my DS is almost finished with 2 subjects for the year. DD on the other hand is not putting her best effort forward. We are working on some improvements.
We have reached 120 days without any information from the VA so yesterday DH sent another letter to them with the hopes they will finally take him seriously.
My mom is still visiting and she is just about to graduate with her AA in Accounting. Very happy for her and glad we can be finished with school for a bit.
I need to remember to pull out my blog organizer so I can remember what it was I was going to be posting about over the next few weeks.
On the positive side I think we actually have a great med routine down with DH. The last few days he has actually woken up early and gotten up. He is awake more during the day as well. What an improvement from where we were a few weeks ago.
I think I need to pick one day of the week to post about my #1000Gifts. I guess I need to actually plan.
How can you not love a busy life!
I have finished one homework assignment and submitted it for grading and started working on the next assignment. This term is over at the end of March and then onto the next term. I am currently working on a 25-30 slide Power Point for my class and all I can think of is WOW, that's a lot of slides. At least I started a slide outline and hopefully that will help.
The kids are doing great with their own schooling and my DS is almost finished with 2 subjects for the year. DD on the other hand is not putting her best effort forward. We are working on some improvements.
We have reached 120 days without any information from the VA so yesterday DH sent another letter to them with the hopes they will finally take him seriously.
My mom is still visiting and she is just about to graduate with her AA in Accounting. Very happy for her and glad we can be finished with school for a bit.
I need to remember to pull out my blog organizer so I can remember what it was I was going to be posting about over the next few weeks.
On the positive side I think we actually have a great med routine down with DH. The last few days he has actually woken up early and gotten up. He is awake more during the day as well. What an improvement from where we were a few weeks ago.
I think I need to pick one day of the week to post about my #1000Gifts. I guess I need to actually plan.
How can you not love a busy life!
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Saturday Morning
Well it is Saturday Morning and I am thinking about what I would like to get accomplished today. I would like to get some work done in the garage and the office/classroom needs to be cleaned. I picked up some more storage totes at Costco the other day so that may help.
The garage is in serious disorder. There is just way too much 'stuff'. We know we will be moving at some point in the near future and my thought is if the garage is in order those items can just be packed to move easy. Don't laugh it could happen.
I really need to spend some time purging out the old stuff and getting rid of things but it is so hard to do at times. DH says I need to just pick one hobby and go with it, how can I pick just one thing when there are many different things I enjoy doing?! Granted there is A LOT of craft 'stuff' in the garage. There is sewing, beads, yarn, cross stitch and the list probably goes on. I am having trouble focusing on the cross stitch...I am picking large projects instead of small ones. My eyes are getting old as well.
The boxes of Christmas Decorations are still sitting in the dining room and need to be in the garage. There are many empty boxes in the garage right now that I am hoping we can use to pack up either donations for the thrift stores or garbage for a dump run. Regardless, the garage needs to get straightened out.
Tomorrow is SuperBowl Sunday and we have no desire to watch the game or the commercials. We would rather just spend some time together. I have noticed that for us the SuperBowl in the past usually meant friends either visiting us or we were visiting them but with some of the changes which have taken place in our life for the last 2 years, that connection is lost. It is really hard for us to go other places, DH anxiety levels start to skyrocket. There are so many unfamiliar things around him, it is so hard to relax and try to enjoy ourselves. Having people over can be just as hard if not harder at times.
I hate Saturdays and have for the last 7 1/2 months. I think there are times when I would just as soon stay in bed all day as to get up or leave the house. I have a picture of Debbie with my kids & her son over my desk and this morning it just struck me how she will never be physically here again. I hate moments like this. I hate the sadness and tears. I don't cry for her, I cry for myself and the kids. Then I get pissed a drunk driver took away someone so precious without any regard for the lives of those around him including his own children. While it would not help matters or change anything, why plead 'not guilty' when the BAC was .2975 in the field? Why can't he Man Up, plead guilty and tell my mom and brother-in-law how remorseful he feels and will feel for the rest of his life?
Well we have gone too far into the dark subject for one morning. Sorry for the rambling but I guess I needed to get things off my chest.
The garage is in serious disorder. There is just way too much 'stuff'. We know we will be moving at some point in the near future and my thought is if the garage is in order those items can just be packed to move easy. Don't laugh it could happen.
I really need to spend some time purging out the old stuff and getting rid of things but it is so hard to do at times. DH says I need to just pick one hobby and go with it, how can I pick just one thing when there are many different things I enjoy doing?! Granted there is A LOT of craft 'stuff' in the garage. There is sewing, beads, yarn, cross stitch and the list probably goes on. I am having trouble focusing on the cross stitch...I am picking large projects instead of small ones. My eyes are getting old as well.
The boxes of Christmas Decorations are still sitting in the dining room and need to be in the garage. There are many empty boxes in the garage right now that I am hoping we can use to pack up either donations for the thrift stores or garbage for a dump run. Regardless, the garage needs to get straightened out.
Tomorrow is SuperBowl Sunday and we have no desire to watch the game or the commercials. We would rather just spend some time together. I have noticed that for us the SuperBowl in the past usually meant friends either visiting us or we were visiting them but with some of the changes which have taken place in our life for the last 2 years, that connection is lost. It is really hard for us to go other places, DH anxiety levels start to skyrocket. There are so many unfamiliar things around him, it is so hard to relax and try to enjoy ourselves. Having people over can be just as hard if not harder at times.
I hate Saturdays and have for the last 7 1/2 months. I think there are times when I would just as soon stay in bed all day as to get up or leave the house. I have a picture of Debbie with my kids & her son over my desk and this morning it just struck me how she will never be physically here again. I hate moments like this. I hate the sadness and tears. I don't cry for her, I cry for myself and the kids. Then I get pissed a drunk driver took away someone so precious without any regard for the lives of those around him including his own children. While it would not help matters or change anything, why plead 'not guilty' when the BAC was .2975 in the field? Why can't he Man Up, plead guilty and tell my mom and brother-in-law how remorseful he feels and will feel for the rest of his life?
Well we have gone too far into the dark subject for one morning. Sorry for the rambling but I guess I needed to get things off my chest.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Mid-Week
Hard to believe it is Wednesday. Monday was Martin Luther King Day as well as the inauguration and a lazy day here at home.
DH is finally feeling better and has been up and around again but I am trying to catch whatever he is sharing.
I am feeling very anxious lately between the VA, personal issues, and waiting for answers. We applied for a home through Operation Homefront in December and we have submitted all necessary documents. The case worker is now out of the office until mid-February due to surgery. I am trying to be patient but we are back to the waiting. Am I worried about this, not in the least. Things will fall together.
Worked on taxes last week and those have to wait for e-file until the 30th of January. Again, a wait.
I feel like there is so much to say I have no idea where to start. There has been a hint of snow in the air for two weeks now and nothing to show for it but a couple of pics of the 'snow dust'. We are in the midst of Girl Scout Cookie Pre-Sales, which makes me so glad DD did not set a ridiculous goal she could never achieve.
I have been working on my 101 in 1001 Days Life Challenge, I will work on an update this week.
But I can tell you that I have finished one book and have started on a second. I think I will update my Shelfari with this info as well.
I have picked up on my Project Life I started last March and never finished after Debbie was killed. I rounded out some of last year with some pictures and some bits on info and started fresh with 2013.
Finished another pair of socks and started another. I love knitting socks, they are so easy. Now I need to work on getting the correct sizing instead of winging it.
I have also completed another course, Statistics and Probability and now on to Literature, Art, Humanities.
"Do what you feel in your heart to be right - for you'll be criticized anyway."
- Eleanor Roosevelt
DH is finally feeling better and has been up and around again but I am trying to catch whatever he is sharing.
I am feeling very anxious lately between the VA, personal issues, and waiting for answers. We applied for a home through Operation Homefront in December and we have submitted all necessary documents. The case worker is now out of the office until mid-February due to surgery. I am trying to be patient but we are back to the waiting. Am I worried about this, not in the least. Things will fall together.
Worked on taxes last week and those have to wait for e-file until the 30th of January. Again, a wait.
I feel like there is so much to say I have no idea where to start. There has been a hint of snow in the air for two weeks now and nothing to show for it but a couple of pics of the 'snow dust'. We are in the midst of Girl Scout Cookie Pre-Sales, which makes me so glad DD did not set a ridiculous goal she could never achieve.
I have been working on my 101 in 1001 Days Life Challenge, I will work on an update this week.
But I can tell you that I have finished one book and have started on a second. I think I will update my Shelfari with this info as well.
I have picked up on my Project Life I started last March and never finished after Debbie was killed. I rounded out some of last year with some pictures and some bits on info and started fresh with 2013.
Finished another pair of socks and started another. I love knitting socks, they are so easy. Now I need to work on getting the correct sizing instead of winging it.
I have also completed another course, Statistics and Probability and now on to Literature, Art, Humanities.
"Do what you feel in your heart to be right - for you'll be criticized anyway."
- Eleanor Roosevelt
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Life As I Know It
Happy Wednesday!!
Life, as seen through my eyes in my home, it not what would be considered normal in most house holds. There are days when it seems that life takes a hold and never wants to let go. There is an endless cycle of PTSD/OCD which rears its ugly head. The OCD cycle is so different, it starts with the kitchen, honestly it usually stays there, which has to be scrubbed from top to bottom and left for someone else to put back together. Like I have time for that.
I know there are those which think since I do not work outside of our home I have all the time in the world...oh how I wish. Between research, answering questions, schooling the kids, trying to learn, and taking care of DH, I am exhausted. In December my mom came up to spend some time in WA and she is staying with us, so now there is Me, DH, DD, DS, 3 Dachshunds and G'ma. At least we are not crowded. My mom is still a little under the weather so we might have to find her a good doctor for while she is up here.
I have been in a really melancholy mood and not really very interested in much. Mom and I have talked a lot about Debbie and that could be part of it. Maybe I need some deep sleep, seems to escape my search.
We have entered day #99 in the competency claim with the VA. I am wondering why they cannot come to a decision, I know that my DH back pay will not through us over the debt ceiling but the economics and how our government sees them are not the same thing. It is a good thing I don't run our finances the way the government does.
Well tonight is fend for yourself night since we are all in a food slump.
Life, as seen through my eyes in my home, it not what would be considered normal in most house holds. There are days when it seems that life takes a hold and never wants to let go. There is an endless cycle of PTSD/OCD which rears its ugly head. The OCD cycle is so different, it starts with the kitchen, honestly it usually stays there, which has to be scrubbed from top to bottom and left for someone else to put back together. Like I have time for that.
I know there are those which think since I do not work outside of our home I have all the time in the world...oh how I wish. Between research, answering questions, schooling the kids, trying to learn, and taking care of DH, I am exhausted. In December my mom came up to spend some time in WA and she is staying with us, so now there is Me, DH, DD, DS, 3 Dachshunds and G'ma. At least we are not crowded. My mom is still a little under the weather so we might have to find her a good doctor for while she is up here.
I have been in a really melancholy mood and not really very interested in much. Mom and I have talked a lot about Debbie and that could be part of it. Maybe I need some deep sleep, seems to escape my search.
We have entered day #99 in the competency claim with the VA. I am wondering why they cannot come to a decision, I know that my DH back pay will not through us over the debt ceiling but the economics and how our government sees them are not the same thing. It is a good thing I don't run our finances the way the government does.
Well tonight is fend for yourself night since we are all in a food slump.
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Looking Back on Our Life
It seems silly to post A Glimpse Into My Life without sharing some of the bits and pieces from a few years ago. So I will randomly be sharing some old blog posts from when I first started to Blog.
Hello World
Well here we are on the web sharing the events that make up our crazy life. We have been here working on homework when Joey asked who invented homework and Veronica with a straight face said “Arnold Schwarzenegger”. We just looked at her and you just can’t help but laugh.
Enjoy!
What A Morning
So I get up this morning and can’t access my email and neither can my hubby. Someone managed to change our passwords and our security questions. Needless to say we were not happy. Joe has all of his business contacts in his account. What a mess…and to top it off the individual sent out emails to all of our contacts on both accounts that we were on vacation in Europe, mugged and all money etc stolen then proceeded to ask our friends to send money…man did that piss me off, the least they could have done is put my PO Box in the email…HAHAHA
A Taste of My Life
My darling 9 year old daughter, Veronica (Ronie), thinks that cute will get her through life. The first time this came out we were in the car and the kids were talking back and forth, she wanted something and Joey said no. She came back with “But I’m cute” Joey spouted off, “Cute will not get you through life.” I just about lost it.
Last week we were again in the car and she was starting in on her brother and came back again with the I’m cute bit. He told her again the it won’t get her through life. This time she had a comeback…”It will if I do it right.” She was so smug with her answer that we were speechless.
The problem is that she is cute and she knows it but I need to remind her that she shouldn’t brag about it. Gotta love what can come out of the mouths of our children.
Negativity
Recently I, personally, have been subjected to a lot of negativity and I have noticed the drastic affect that it has on not only one person but everyone around them. I am working on maintaining a more positive outlook and staying away from the extreme negative influences in life.
As a result of some of this negativity I have “unfriended” an individual on Facebook. This person was not really a friend, but a friend of a friend. We all can complain out things in our own lives but rarely do we allow it to take over our lives…that is what needs to be avoided, the all consuming negative thoughts and feelings.
School & Homework
Well there was an interesting discussion on Facebook today with some friends in regards to school, homework, and education in general. It all started because I posted that teachers don’t give homework to enhance our quality time with our kids. This was all prompted because my 4th Grader Veronica, was driving me crazy while doing her homework. “I hate cursive” is one of many comments that I have been hearing nightly. The funny thing is that this summer she wanted to learn cursive so bad but now that she “has” to, it’s a whole another story. She really isn’t lazy but she acts flaky at times and it drives me crazy. Does she do this with her father…oh heavens no only with mom. Finally she kept asking to do things other things or get a snack so I told her 3 more math problems then she could grab a snack…she came back with “fine I will do 4 problems”. Sounds like a win in my favor.
House
No this is not about the ever popular show but about my house…which is messy. I have decided after our very busy weekend that I need to be cleaning house and not playing on the internet. I wonder how that is working for me?!?!?! Considering that I am currently writing this on the computer, my guess would be not so good. I have gotten a lot done already today and the laundry is going and getting folded out of the dryer, which in itself is a miracle among miracles. I am not sure why we all hate house work but it really is a necessary evil. Everyone of us loves a clean house but it is the process that we sure could do without. There are many times that I wish I was Samantha Stevens from Bewitched and could twitch my nose and the house would clean itself right up. I can wiggle my nose but nothing ever comes of it.
The Big City
Yesterday we had to go to the “Big City” of Seattle. Usually takes 3 hours to get there and then about 4 hours to get home…gotta love traffic. Fortunately all is good, which always makes a trip like that worth while. But I have discovered that living in our small town with no traffic lights and the closest traffic light is 20 miles away in a different town. The drivers in the big city are rude at best. Turn signals are of course an option in all makes and models of cars…4 way stop turns into a mess. Driving on I-5 was fun as always. I usually forget that when the speed limit is posted at 60 mph that it really means 75 mph. Getting passed like you’re standing still.
There was an accident 3 cars behind me. The light turned green and it looked like this truck forgot there was a car in front of him. Never been so happy to get home to the quiet of a small town.
Hello World
Well here we are on the web sharing the events that make up our crazy life. We have been here working on homework when Joey asked who invented homework and Veronica with a straight face said “Arnold Schwarzenegger”. We just looked at her and you just can’t help but laugh.
Enjoy!
What A Morning
So I get up this morning and can’t access my email and neither can my hubby. Someone managed to change our passwords and our security questions. Needless to say we were not happy. Joe has all of his business contacts in his account. What a mess…and to top it off the individual sent out emails to all of our contacts on both accounts that we were on vacation in Europe, mugged and all money etc stolen then proceeded to ask our friends to send money…man did that piss me off, the least they could have done is put my PO Box in the email…HAHAHA
A Taste of My Life
My darling 9 year old daughter, Veronica (Ronie), thinks that cute will get her through life. The first time this came out we were in the car and the kids were talking back and forth, she wanted something and Joey said no. She came back with “But I’m cute” Joey spouted off, “Cute will not get you through life.” I just about lost it.
Last week we were again in the car and she was starting in on her brother and came back again with the I’m cute bit. He told her again the it won’t get her through life. This time she had a comeback…”It will if I do it right.” She was so smug with her answer that we were speechless.
The problem is that she is cute and she knows it but I need to remind her that she shouldn’t brag about it. Gotta love what can come out of the mouths of our children.
Negativity
Recently I, personally, have been subjected to a lot of negativity and I have noticed the drastic affect that it has on not only one person but everyone around them. I am working on maintaining a more positive outlook and staying away from the extreme negative influences in life.
As a result of some of this negativity I have “unfriended” an individual on Facebook. This person was not really a friend, but a friend of a friend. We all can complain out things in our own lives but rarely do we allow it to take over our lives…that is what needs to be avoided, the all consuming negative thoughts and feelings.
School & Homework
Well there was an interesting discussion on Facebook today with some friends in regards to school, homework, and education in general. It all started because I posted that teachers don’t give homework to enhance our quality time with our kids. This was all prompted because my 4th Grader Veronica, was driving me crazy while doing her homework. “I hate cursive” is one of many comments that I have been hearing nightly. The funny thing is that this summer she wanted to learn cursive so bad but now that she “has” to, it’s a whole another story. She really isn’t lazy but she acts flaky at times and it drives me crazy. Does she do this with her father…oh heavens no only with mom. Finally she kept asking to do things other things or get a snack so I told her 3 more math problems then she could grab a snack…she came back with “fine I will do 4 problems”. Sounds like a win in my favor.
House
No this is not about the ever popular show but about my house…which is messy. I have decided after our very busy weekend that I need to be cleaning house and not playing on the internet. I wonder how that is working for me?!?!?! Considering that I am currently writing this on the computer, my guess would be not so good. I have gotten a lot done already today and the laundry is going and getting folded out of the dryer, which in itself is a miracle among miracles. I am not sure why we all hate house work but it really is a necessary evil. Everyone of us loves a clean house but it is the process that we sure could do without. There are many times that I wish I was Samantha Stevens from Bewitched and could twitch my nose and the house would clean itself right up. I can wiggle my nose but nothing ever comes of it.
The Big City
Yesterday we had to go to the “Big City” of Seattle. Usually takes 3 hours to get there and then about 4 hours to get home…gotta love traffic. Fortunately all is good, which always makes a trip like that worth while. But I have discovered that living in our small town with no traffic lights and the closest traffic light is 20 miles away in a different town. The drivers in the big city are rude at best. Turn signals are of course an option in all makes and models of cars…4 way stop turns into a mess. Driving on I-5 was fun as always. I usually forget that when the speed limit is posted at 60 mph that it really means 75 mph. Getting passed like you’re standing still.
There was an accident 3 cars behind me. The light turned green and it looked like this truck forgot there was a car in front of him. Never been so happy to get home to the quiet of a small town.
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