I have been really bad about keeping up with my blog but so much has happened since my last post.
My DD turned 11 and we had a great celebration with friends. My oldest nephew graduated from High School and within that same week my youngest sister was killed by a drunk driver. I think the world stopped for a time in June.
Nothing has been the same for our whole family since June.
Christmas Letter 2012
Enjoy the Christmas Letter and here is to a better New Year!
Monday, December 31, 2012
Friday, May 18, 2012
Bowl of Cherries and Then Some
There are so many different witticisms we use on a daily basis it just makes me wonder...
Never fails when I get a bowl of cherries there is at least one sour cherry in the batch. Who really wants the sour cherries? Certainly not me, I have more than my share of sour cherries if you ask me.
When life giver you lemons...find the vodka before they rot. If you are going to make lemonade, it needs to have a kick.
I have been feeling like I am in a proverbial batch of sour cherries, pits and all. I am not sure why since things have been so much worse for us, but I guess I am in a funk. I am ready for the kids to be finished with school. I want to take off for a while this summer and just enjoy some time away from everything. I need to watch my planning for away time so DD can make all of her Girl Scout Camps this summer, but there is plenty of time to spend away from home around the camp schedule.
Some great things have come about with hubby's disabled veteran status...we have free entrance into all the National Parks and reduced camping rates at National Park Campgrounds, plus we got a lifetime access pass for the state parks and state lands that allows for free camping. These two items will greatly reduce the cost to take off camping when ever we want.
We took a day trip on Mother's Day to Mt. Rainier National Park and what a beautiful day it was. We really had a great time. The sun was shining and it was 85 degrees as we were coming into the park. Of course the higher up the mountain we went the cooler it got. The kids were even able to find a good 3 1/2 feet of snow on the side of the road.
Maybe I need to remember to dig through the cherries better to avoid the sour ones.
Never fails when I get a bowl of cherries there is at least one sour cherry in the batch. Who really wants the sour cherries? Certainly not me, I have more than my share of sour cherries if you ask me.
When life giver you lemons...find the vodka before they rot. If you are going to make lemonade, it needs to have a kick.
I have been feeling like I am in a proverbial batch of sour cherries, pits and all. I am not sure why since things have been so much worse for us, but I guess I am in a funk. I am ready for the kids to be finished with school. I want to take off for a while this summer and just enjoy some time away from everything. I need to watch my planning for away time so DD can make all of her Girl Scout Camps this summer, but there is plenty of time to spend away from home around the camp schedule.
Some great things have come about with hubby's disabled veteran status...we have free entrance into all the National Parks and reduced camping rates at National Park Campgrounds, plus we got a lifetime access pass for the state parks and state lands that allows for free camping. These two items will greatly reduce the cost to take off camping when ever we want.
We took a day trip on Mother's Day to Mt. Rainier National Park and what a beautiful day it was. We really had a great time. The sun was shining and it was 85 degrees as we were coming into the park. Of course the higher up the mountain we went the cooler it got. The kids were even able to find a good 3 1/2 feet of snow on the side of the road.
Maybe I need to remember to dig through the cherries better to avoid the sour ones.
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| Mt. Rainier, Washington |
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Update on Life
I have not written much recently because honestly I have not been in the mood. There is so much going on that it is hard to keep up it seems.
We would like to buy a house, this could take a bit since the loan process may have to wait a couple of months since buying the new car. I really want to stay in this area but there are times when I wonder why exactly to I want to stay here? What is there for us as a family here? If it were not for having made great friends since coming to Olympia it would be easier.
Because of DH's PTSD we have basically been shunned from the family. In order to go to family functions I cannot bring DH which means, the family is separated and my Son will usually opt to stay with Dad. I have learned so much about PTSD and TBI over the past few months that can prove the things the family does not like about DH are directly caused by the PTSD/TBI but they do not care. Also since the PTSD/TBI are not new to our lives just recently, it has probably played a huge part in past behaviors as well. With this being the case we are left out of many events, which hurts my kids more than anything else and that is not tolerated by me at all. WE are a family and WE will stick together regardless of what others think.
I have managed to have so much on my plate at one time...the kids and school, my schooling, DH and caregiving, the house...etc, etc, etc. It is very overwhelming and there are times I wish family would offer the help, but they won't so I will continue to be Super Woman and handle it all myself.
My DS managed to finish Math and Earth Science by the end of March and have moved on to the next grade level of courses. DD missed it by just a bit, if she would have worked harder she would have advanced early as well. In fact the kids are almost finished with the school year and we will be working on supplemental activities to help round out the year. So proud of them for putting forth such an awesome effort this year.
We would like to buy a house, this could take a bit since the loan process may have to wait a couple of months since buying the new car. I really want to stay in this area but there are times when I wonder why exactly to I want to stay here? What is there for us as a family here? If it were not for having made great friends since coming to Olympia it would be easier.
Because of DH's PTSD we have basically been shunned from the family. In order to go to family functions I cannot bring DH which means, the family is separated and my Son will usually opt to stay with Dad. I have learned so much about PTSD and TBI over the past few months that can prove the things the family does not like about DH are directly caused by the PTSD/TBI but they do not care. Also since the PTSD/TBI are not new to our lives just recently, it has probably played a huge part in past behaviors as well. With this being the case we are left out of many events, which hurts my kids more than anything else and that is not tolerated by me at all. WE are a family and WE will stick together regardless of what others think.
I have managed to have so much on my plate at one time...the kids and school, my schooling, DH and caregiving, the house...etc, etc, etc. It is very overwhelming and there are times I wish family would offer the help, but they won't so I will continue to be Super Woman and handle it all myself.
My DS managed to finish Math and Earth Science by the end of March and have moved on to the next grade level of courses. DD missed it by just a bit, if she would have worked harder she would have advanced early as well. In fact the kids are almost finished with the school year and we will be working on supplemental activities to help round out the year. So proud of them for putting forth such an awesome effort this year.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Spring Update
I decided it was past time for an update on what is going on in our lives.
We had successful Girl Scout Cookie Sales for my Dear Daughter. She has had a GS Sleepover, an Easter Egg Hunt, and World Thinking Day going on in her life. She is going to GS Camp later this month and is super excited.
My Dear Son has advanced in two of his courses already, Math and Earth Science. We are now starting Algebra and Life Science. His materials arrived on Monday and he got a microscope, boy did that cause some great excitement.
Dear Hubby is still working within his own challenges with PTSD. The VA finally gave a rating on his knee but it was not very favorable by just using x-rays, which to me is just a DUH moment on their part. He really needs an MRI and not just an arthritis doc wanting to push more meds. We have been going through some pretty sleepless nights, like every other night. I am not sure how to handle it but I have been trying to relax and let things happen as long as no one is getting hurt.
We finally got some great news on the VA Caregiver Program and not only do we qualify but we qualify for full time and I have my own income. We are making more money monthly than we have probably made since he returned from his tour of duty. We believe that we are in a better place in life, finally, even if it is not perfect.
Being a full time caregiver I do not have to work outside the home but I have begun volunteering for Family of a Vet and love all the wonderful people I have met through this wonderful organization. Their work is amazing and I am so happy to be apart of something so wonderful. I will continue with my research and advocacy for Homelessness among Veterans and this is a great group willing to support that as well.
We got a new car! We got a 2006 Ford Freestar SEL van. We are really happy with it and it was past time for a newer car. We took on car payments but we have checked the budget and we can easily do it.
We are hoping to be able to buy a house soon but one step at a time.
I am sure I have left some things out but I am working on posting more regularly again.
We had successful Girl Scout Cookie Sales for my Dear Daughter. She has had a GS Sleepover, an Easter Egg Hunt, and World Thinking Day going on in her life. She is going to GS Camp later this month and is super excited.
My Dear Son has advanced in two of his courses already, Math and Earth Science. We are now starting Algebra and Life Science. His materials arrived on Monday and he got a microscope, boy did that cause some great excitement.
Dear Hubby is still working within his own challenges with PTSD. The VA finally gave a rating on his knee but it was not very favorable by just using x-rays, which to me is just a DUH moment on their part. He really needs an MRI and not just an arthritis doc wanting to push more meds. We have been going through some pretty sleepless nights, like every other night. I am not sure how to handle it but I have been trying to relax and let things happen as long as no one is getting hurt.
We finally got some great news on the VA Caregiver Program and not only do we qualify but we qualify for full time and I have my own income. We are making more money monthly than we have probably made since he returned from his tour of duty. We believe that we are in a better place in life, finally, even if it is not perfect.
Being a full time caregiver I do not have to work outside the home but I have begun volunteering for Family of a Vet and love all the wonderful people I have met through this wonderful organization. Their work is amazing and I am so happy to be apart of something so wonderful. I will continue with my research and advocacy for Homelessness among Veterans and this is a great group willing to support that as well.
We got a new car! We got a 2006 Ford Freestar SEL van. We are really happy with it and it was past time for a newer car. We took on car payments but we have checked the budget and we can easily do it.
We are hoping to be able to buy a house soon but one step at a time.
I am sure I have left some things out but I am working on posting more regularly again.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Sometimes Life Sucks
There are times when no matter what we do life just sucks.
Two weeks ago we had to put our beautiful beagle Hailey to sleep. In my whole life she was the only dog I had ever really bonded with, I am really not much of a dog person. I think there would only be a couple of things harder, decision wise, but that just stung deep in my heart. The kids were heart broken. Poor Duey was not too sure what happened and was not liking the puppy loneliness. On the 17th we went and adopted a mini dachshund named Princess. Princess is long haired and very sweet. Duey is not too sure about her yet but he will come around. Princess is very thin for her size but she does have a good appetite.
We have finally finished Girl Scout Cookie Sales and I have to say my Dear Daughter did a wonderful job of selling her cookies. There were times she got tired or hungry but she knew she had to wait until the sale was over to do anything about her minor issues.
Dear Hubby's PTSD has been giving me some issues. He wants to do something but he doesn't know what. With his medications he is rarely on one task for very long. Today has just not been the best of days for me, I am cranky and want everyone to just back off me for a few minutes. Not really expecting much from that, but a girl can wish.
Two weeks ago we had to put our beautiful beagle Hailey to sleep. In my whole life she was the only dog I had ever really bonded with, I am really not much of a dog person. I think there would only be a couple of things harder, decision wise, but that just stung deep in my heart. The kids were heart broken. Poor Duey was not too sure what happened and was not liking the puppy loneliness. On the 17th we went and adopted a mini dachshund named Princess. Princess is long haired and very sweet. Duey is not too sure about her yet but he will come around. Princess is very thin for her size but she does have a good appetite.
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| DD with Princess |
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| DS with Princess |
Dear Hubby's PTSD has been giving me some issues. He wants to do something but he doesn't know what. With his medications he is rarely on one task for very long. Today has just not been the best of days for me, I am cranky and want everyone to just back off me for a few minutes. Not really expecting much from that, but a girl can wish.
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