Doing the Right Thing

Wills' first "teenage" weekend retreat was scheduled for last weekend. It was with his youth group at Alpharetta First United Methodist, and was held at the Athens Y camp in Toccoa, GA. He was so excited all week as the departure date approached. Michael and I practically had to force him to pack long sleeves, warm clothes, and his new winter coat - also some gloves and a knit cap. We tried to explain that not only is the camp 2 hours further north, but is at a much higher elevation. We finally won out, and he ended up with appropriate layers of clothing in his bag. Now whether he wore them, I have no idea!

We had at least 4 flyers with the detailed itinerary, a packing list, a "what NOT to bring list", etc. The itinerary said that check-in and registration started at 8 PM Friday night. Since there was no other earlier time mentioned in any of the paperwork, we assumed he was to check in at the church (about 1 mile from our house) at 8 PM Friday night.

While Michael was driving home, he got a call on his cell phone from the youth leader. He said they had waited as long as they could for Will, but had to go ahead and let the buses leave. Apparently it was announced verbally that departure from the church was at 6PM. The 8PM Registration and Checkin was to be held at the camp in Toccoa. Turner (the youth leader) said that the departure time was not written anywhere, but was verbally announced at church. We figured that Will probably didn't hear or didn't remember the announcement. For the most part, the other kids in the youth group have parents that also attend AFUMC, so their parents probably heard the announcement. Since Michael and I attend East Cherokee, we didn't hear the announcement, thus missing the bus departure.

Will came to me with big tears welling up in his eyes bearing the news. He was completely crestfallen, thinking he had missed out on his much anticipated trip. His bubble was burst. I tried to calm him down and assured him that we would get him up there somehow. I went to mapquest and mapped out the route. When Michael got home after fighting Friday evening rush hour traffic, we greeted himw with the map and a plea to get back on the road to take Will up to the camp. Michael had already made plans for the evening with a friend, but didn't hesitate to cancel, load Will up, and head off into the dark, cold, winter nightl. Counting the return trip, that put him on the road for 5 more hours.

You could see the happiness flood Will's face as he realized he was to be reunited with his group. I assured him that he'd be no more that 1 hour late and wouldn't miss much at all. I was so proud of Michael for taking on the task gladly. I know he was tired, cold, it was inconvenient, and to top it off he already had plans of his own. So many of us, even parents, choose not to do the right thing if it is inconvenient or gets in the way of our own plans. Michael did the right thing with a smile, and considering the event, probably made an eternal impact. Another good peice of news is that Michael saw Andrew at the camp on Friday night working as a camp helper. We were glad to know that he was spending the weekend in a wholesome environment too.

Will got home around 1PM on Sunday. He was pumped! He said they had a live band and the music was going "all weekend", and they were jumping up and down and moving all weekend. He said the walls of the meeting room were covered with names written in chalk - names of people that had accepted Christ as their saviour in that room, going back into the 1920's. He said he didn't write his name because he had already become a Christian at the "BBQ Church". This was a small group we worshiped with at a BBQ restaurant a few years ago. He enjoyed the weekend so much that he volunteered to go back this weekend as a helper. Since that would interfere with his Upward game and his Confirmation class, we didn't let him go, but it was wonderful to see his enthusiasm. He's already talking about Summer Youth Camp and can't wait to go.

This is good stuff. Any parent knows that kids will find something to keep themselves busy, and if they aren't busy with positive activities, they will fill the void with less-than positive outlets. I am reminded of the many youth trips I was blessed to attend and how much I enjoyed them, and what a positive influence they had on my life. Will has found a good fit at AFUMC, and for that I am truely grateful. This will be a wonderful influence on him as he progresses through Middle and High school.

So, our baby has been initiated into church youth group trips, and can't wait to go on more. By the next trip, he'll probably feel like a veteran and will most likely be planning pranks well in advance. I have a few of those up my sleeve to share with him - I can't wait!

Christmas 2006

It's now New Year's eve (only 6:30 in the morning, but still the last day of the year). We managed to get through the Christmas season relatively well. We got lots of beautiful cards and pictures from our friends and families. I haven't sent out Christmas cards in over 10 years - can you beleive that? For so many years, I was "too busy". Now, I'm just plain tired. I am very stingy with my time because there is so little of it to go around; I spend more time sick or at doctor offices than I do anywhere else. I have to 'save my spoons' for things that are truely important.

We talked at length about a tree, even took a family vote. Amanda voted a definate NO to getting a tree. I was on the fence - didn't care either way. Everyone else voted YES. In the past, we've always had a live tree. This year, as time was quickly running out and we still didn't have a tree, John came home with a new artificial tree from Wal-Mart. I was very pleasantly surprised - it really was beautiful. Then there were the added benefits that Garfield didn't drink the water and kill it, no one had to remember to add water every day, there are no pesky needles all over the house, and of course we didn't have to deal with disposing it. Plus, we're all ready to go next year - Our tree is neatly boxed up and waiting for us. So all in all, it was a great idea John had and I have to say I'm a convert (I used to be a "natural or nothing" Christmas tree snob).

As soon as the tree went up and was decorated, presents begain to 'appear' under it. Garfield loved the tree perhaps more than anyone. He was forever swatting at the ornaments, garland, and lights, and even kept tring to climb up the trunk. When he did that, the whole tree would start swaying back and forth, and the spire on the top wobbled wildly. So I guess I'd have to say the tree was a big hit all the way around.

We did some furniture rearranging in order to make a spot for the tree. We moved the big green chair up to our bedroom, along with the reading table and lamp. I'm really enjoying the change, and have decided to make it permanent. Now we have a great, quiet reading nook in the bedroom. Michael gave me a pretty table top fountain which I placed atop the reading table. It is so relaxing! The only thing is that Garfield likes to drink from it, so I have to keep a close eye on the water level so it doesn't go dry and damage the motor. We put the piano in the corner where the big green chair had been - and I like that change too. I know it sounds silly, but now that the piano is more visible, I tend to play it more - and that's a good thing. Its a great outlet for me. I usually put on the headphones so only I hear what I'm playing, because there is usually a lot of noise and stuff going on in the house.

We had a more frugal gift-giving season than in the past, but no less meaningful or fun. Amanda gave me a tea set that is AWESOME. It is hand made cast iron from Japan, the type of tea set I've wanted for years but would never have spent the money on. It is warm green with dragonflies on it, and it is so perfect. Dragonflies symbolize new beginnings, and I've always been partial to them, but never knew their symbolic meaning. It reminds me of the plaque on my wall that my Mother gave me that says "Today is the first day of the rest of your life". I've been offering tea to everyone in sight. My family has been indulging me by sharing pots of tea, but I don't think anyone else really enjoys it the way I do. Amanda got me the matching trivet and two teacups with saucers to match. They tried to sell her a warmer that you put a candle in and it keeps your tea warm for hours, but I didn't think I needed it. I've changed my mind on that, and when I have $39 to spare I'm going to get it. That way I can brew a pot and sip on it all morning.

John gave me this incredible sleeping mask. It is so fluffy and soft and goes over your eyes. It TOTALLY blocks out any light, and has different sounds you can play. There is white noise, a babbling brook, the ocean, birds chirping, and some others. Plus, you can plug in your iPod and listen to that if you want to. Of course, you can also listen to nothing, just put on the mask and block out all of the light and take a nap. I've been using it every day... it's so perfect for me! Now I can take a nap in the recliner in the middle of the day in complete darkness. Plus the plush fabric feels SO GOOD against my skin and sort of 'hugs' me. I like it a lot, I guess you can tell.

'Santa' brought Will the SIMS. He's always wanting to play on Amanda's game and so we knew he would enjoy having it for himself. We were right. For the first 2 days, I don't think he ate or slept at all - he just played the SIMS. What I really like about that game is that it makes you think and really teaches life concepts in a fun way. Like if you don't work, you don't eat, or if y ou don't learn to cook you burn up your house, if you don't get enough rest you get sick, if you don't bathe you get sick - stuff like that. I'm relieved that it works flawlessly on his laptop, because it is an IBM Thinkpad and sometimes things don't work exactly right on it.

There was lots more special gift-giving - too much to recall it all here.

On Christmas Eve we had a very special time. Michael, John, Andrew, Grandpa Bill and I all went to the Christmas Eve service at our church. I think that other than Grandma Betts funeral, this was the only time the five of us have been to church together. It was mostly music and sharing. The lights were dimmed so it was comfortable on my eyes. Both John and I shared during the service, and it was just so special being all together like that. My only wish was that Amanda could have been with us, but it was her time to be with her Dad and Marsha. Afterwards, we were hungry for dinner but I was far to tired to deal with cooking, so we went out for Mexican.

Our 'family Christmas' was on the 18th at my brother, Joel's house. I knew beforehand that I was not up to going. I got several calls from Joel, Mom, and Dad, all encouraging me to go. I know their intentions were good, but I had to listen to my body - I know my limitations and it would have been very uncomfortable - plus my family wouldn't have been able to stay as long as they wanted because I would have had to leave early. Amanda helped me make big baskets for each of my brothers families and my Mom & Dad, and I sent them to the gathering. I got a lot of enjoyment from that and it made me feel like I was participating in some small way. One thing we put in all the baskets was 'Peppermint Bark'. This is super easy to make, and Amanda made it while I sat and instructed her. It's so much fun teaching her to cook things and watching her as she tries things for the first time in the kitchen. The bark was no exception. It turned out great, and we had plenty of it to go around and give to friends and family. On Christmas morning, each of the kids even had a bag of it in their stockings!

On the 27th, we got sad news. My dear uncle Drew passed away. He was my mothers only brother, and father to 4 of my cousins. He has been seriously ill for the last 8 years, due to a heart condition. He was on over 6 liters of oxygen! (I'm only on 2-3 liters). He was able to spend Christmas day with his family, and according to reports he died quickly and without pain. He has always been dear to me, kind, gentle, and caring. We never lived close enough together to form a close bond, but I love him none the less. I know he was a believer and I know we'll see him again. That is my consolation. Rather than send flowers, I went to the American Heart Association website and donated $50 in his memory; my aunt will get a card from my family for him. My parents, who just returned from Texas the week before Christmas, went back to Louisiana on the 28th for the services and to be with the family. The services were yesterday, the 30th. They had to wait until then because my cousin Nathan was in Africa and that was the earliest that he could get home.

Yesterday morning (Saturday), I made breakfast (with help), and we were all together to eat it (a rare thing!). Michael, John, Andrew, Amanda,Will, and me. Everyone seemed to enjoy it, from the cathead biscuits to the Mayhaw jelly. Afterwards, before everyone could dash off their seperate ways for the day, I asked the kids to please take down the tree. Michael brought in the storage boxes, and they all got to work. They had it done in no time. I was feeling very tired and went to bed. I kept feeling worse and worse, and about 1:00 I realized I had not taken my morning medicine - DUH! So I took it and in about an hour I started feeling human again and got out of bed.

This is what happens when I don't write

There is too much to tell! This is what happens when I don't write to my blog for a long time. It's been almost a month. Where do I start?

Exciting news about Amanda. She has all A's and 1 B in collge - WOW! With her extra-curricular activities too, it's really a feat for her. She was on the technical team for Milton High School's Fall 1-act play, and the Technical Director had to leave unexpectedly right before regional competition. So they asked Amanda to be Acting Technical Director. She did so, and Miltion WON FIRST Place in the regionals, which meant they went to state. So there's my sweet little Amanda, Technical Director at the Springer Opera house for state competition. Then, the best news of all, they took 2nd place at state! It was all very exciting and the Springer Opera House in Columbus is WORTH THE DRIVE. I would love to go back there to see another play. Mom, Dad, Michael,Will,and I went on the day of the state competition to support Amanda and Milton, and I'm so glad we did. What a blast!

Will has completed requirements to advance to Tenderfoot. There will be a "Court of Honor" in a couple of weeks at which he will receive it officially. I can't wait! He also went on his first 'teenager' retreat sponsored by the church. I remember how much those trips meant to me and it's wonderful that he is staying so involved in the church and is getting to go on trips. He had a blast, it was a very positive experience. He's also doing very well academically at school. Behavior is another issue - we're constantly working on it. He's not mean or foul-mouthed or anything like that. His challenge is that he loves being the class clown. Every day, every class, is a party to him. Michael has started a discipline program modeled after the movie 'Holes'. Every time Will comes home with a negative report from school, he has to dig a hole. The first hole had to be 1 foot by 1 foot by 1 foot. No big deal, right? But the second hole was 2 feet by 2 feet by 2 feet. The job gets much harder as the size goes up. Michael has a PVC pipe with 1 foot markings all the way up in 1 foot intervals and keeps it right beside the shovel. Once the hole is measured by me or Michael, Will has to fill it all back in. It's really making him THINK. I think its a great idea and I hope before his holes get much larger, we stop getting discipline reports from his school.

Andrew has come back home to live with us for awhile. His job at Honda was only a 3 month contract, so he is between jobs right now. He's been very busy looking for another job and has 2 interviews next week. Michael has taken him clothes shopping to make sure he has 1 "interview outfit" to wow the prospective employers with. He also has some academic work that needs to be completed, and everyone is pitching in to support that as well. Amanda has volunteered to tutor him in Science, as that is the only area he lacks to meet the Georgia graduation requirements.

John came home from Iraq on September 6. He's now working at Atlanta National (where he worked before he left), and is also trying to get on with the Alpharetta police department. He passed the physical and written tests with no problem, and has his final test, which is an oral exam, next Tuesday. We are all excited and proud for him. He has lots of options. He has ben saving like mad because he wants to buy a house.

Michael is still doing the drive to work every day, which takes it's toll on him. His chronic Bronchitis has been very active the last few weeks, and he has to use the nebulizer a lot. But work itself is going well - he even got a bonus last week! We incorporated my business and made Michael the president. Sales have been great, and Michael does all the work while I sit )and boss him around :-). Michael has done a tremendous amount of work on his family history. He submitted his research to the Gwinnett Historical Society, and a HUGE book detailing the history of many Gwinnett Familys was released and dedicated last Sunday. Michalel's work was included in the book. We are all so proud of his efforts. I was too tired from the day in Columbus to go to the ceremony, but John and Sayra went, which was perfect. I'm really glad some of the family was there to support him.

I've had my normal ups and downs health-wise. I had this burn scar on my arm that 'exploded'. It just expanded out about an inch. None of my other scars did this, it was weird. One of my Drs. saw it and sent me directly over to Dr. Rachal, a dermitologist. They gave me around 30 cortizone shots in the puffy area and took a biopsy. The swelling quickly went down, and the biopsy was negative for sarcoid. The stiches got infected, and caused me to have to stay out of the pool for about 4 days. Then came the falls. I've falledn 3 times in the last week. The first fall was because of wet leaves which hid the edge of the walkway. I thought I was stepping on the walkway, but instead was halfway on the walkway, and halfway off. I fell forward, but only made my toes on my right foot sore. Then came a bigger fall. I was getting into my van, and my left knee just 'disappeared' from under me. My left leg twisted and made this horrible crunching sound, and I fell flat down. The pain was through the roof, but didn't last long. Soon, I was able to drag myself into the van and go on. I tried to treat my left leg very gently all day, hoping I wouldn't need to see a dr. Then, I went to get in my van and the same thing happened again, but much worse. This time, I was laid flat down in the driveway (which is very steep), with my head down and my feet up higher. I couldn't move at all. I felt like the old woman in the commercial that says "I've fallen and I can't get up!" I called and called, but no one in the house heard me. Then finally, Andrew drove up and saw me. Then all of the kids came out and helped me up. I succomed and went to the ER. No broken bones, but they fitted me with thisdevice that keeps my leg immoble and put me on a walker. I'm supposed to follow up with an Orthapedic Dr., but I really don't want to. I think they will just run a bunch of tests, charge me a bunch of money, and in the end the treatment will be no different - keep the leg immoble and use the walker until it heals.

Other big news - I received notice that my SS case has finally been APPROVED. I don't have any details about exact amounts yet. I'm talking to several attorneys locally to ensure I have an advocate because there is money to be repaid to my LTD company, and it would be foolish to take their word (the LTD company) for how much I owe them and the terms for repayment.

Well, today is turkey day and there was not even a slice of turkey at our house. Our family celebrated Thanksgiving last saturday, so everyone went their different ways today. Mom and Dad spent time with Amanda, Bo, and Marsha, and knowing them, there was plenty of good treats to eat. John and Andrew went to some of their mother's family. I expect Joel's family spent time with Regina's clan, and I don't know what Jeff's family did. I spent the day mostly laying flat on my back with my Bionicare on my left knee.

We've started bringing in the dogs at night (in crates). Our dogs are pound puppies, brother and sister, and if they can't see each other they go positively mad. So we sit the crates face to face so they can see each other all night. Our problem has been that they bark ALL NIGHT LONG. So we tried the crates. The really nice thing is that they are perfectly quiet all night in their crates. So maybe we've solved a problem for us AND our neighbors. Plus, with the weather getting cold, I know they mus feel better inside.

I finally found a solution to the cat digging in (and pooping in) my house plants. I got some rather heavy, flat river rocks from Pikes, and layed them over the soil in the pant pots. This is advice I got on Yahoo Answers. Sure enough, Garfield can't move the rocks to get to the soil, and so my plants have been in for over 1 week, and remain unmolested by my dear feline. Such a simple idea, but I never thought of it. Last year I tried Cayenne pepper and sticky tape, neither of which worked. Garfield had a heyday with my plants and the stink was, well, stinky. I think we've won the battle this year! He's such a sweet cat, the only cat I've ever known that isn't stand-offish. We all love him, though technically he's Will's cat. He loves to get on top of the bird cage and stare down at Sam and Darin, Amanda's two Cockateils. It drives the birds crazy, but he can't harm them.

Well, that's my best effort to make up for weeks of not writhing. So long and good night from the Allen house.

Holding Every Thought Captive

It's a verse I learned as a child and have 'always' known:

2 Corinthians 10:5
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

While I was swimming the other day, I was meditating and praying as I usually do during my swims, and this verse came to me as I was praying about an issue that's been bothering me a lot lately. It occured to me that everything that comes out of my mouth starts out as a thought. So I have started 'holding the thoughts captive', like holding them up to the light and looking really hard at them before I allow them to go from my brain and out my mouth. What HUGE improvement this has made. Many, many times, when I hold the thought up to the light I get the answer to not release the thought into words. In other words, I keep my mouth shut. Many other times, when I hold the thought up to the light, I am given a different way or even just a different tone to use when I verbalise the thought. Sometimes, I am given something totally different to say than the original thought.

I think this must be what my Dad has done all of his life. He is a man of few words, but the words he says are always meaningful and wise. I know that James is his favorite book, and it talks about taming the tongue, so maybe that is another place where he draws strength.

In any case, it's working for me and I am grateful.

A Great Place To Cry

I can't believe I've never thought of it before. Today at the pool I cried my eyes out and not a person noticed. I swam for 2 hours (rather than the 30 minutes I promised my doctor I would limit my swimming to) - crying the whole time. It's really great; water splashing up, mixing in with tears, lots of noise to mask the occasionial sob - all in all a really great approach to the whole thing. Sure beat laying in bed watching Humphrey Bogart (although he is my fav. old actor) movies and crying all day. In the process, I was actually DOING something. For at least those 2 hours, NO ONE can accuse me of NOT TRYING HARD ENOUGH. But I guess I could be accused of using it as a crutch.

March Madness

Its been awhile since my last post. And a lot has happened. Amanda has been accepted at North Georgia College in the Cadet Program and that has generated a flurry of activities. Most recently, we returned her housing contract, Summer Transition Contract, and FROG week contract. We still have lots of Scholarship work to do. She's also the lead tech for her school's Spring musical, Oklahoma, which opens TONIGHT, and has been very busy with that. We went junkin' over the weekend to find 'old stuff' for the set. We got an old blue lantern, an Indian type blanket, two baskets, and a 'tin' cigar advertizing sign. We are planning to go to the Friday night showing, we've already bought our famliy's tickets. It's a looooong play and we'll be out late, so we though it best not to go on a school night.

Michael is still working at DEC, and puts in a full week plus a long commute each day. I wish he could find something closer to home or even part time, so he could slow down a little bit. We couldn't get by without his salary and benefits, but we could probably get by with a little less, unless my disability company starts playing nasty again. On top of his full work schedule, he handles the lions share around the house becuase of my limitations. On my 'good days' I can pitch in, but I am not reliable. He does ALL the grocery shopping, ALL the laundry, MOST of the dishes, ALL the yardwork, and much much more. He really needs a break. I know he's burning the candle at both ends, but I don't know how to help him. We are still anticipating an answer from Social Security. We were contacted last fall and told it 'looked favorable', but have not heard anything since. We are praying for a favorable outcome, and soon. We really and truely need it to support the children, especially with college coming up this fall for Amanda. We also neeed the Medicaid for my medical costs, which are out the roof. Of course, what I would ideally prefer is to GET TOTALLY WELL and GO BACK TO WORK. I am constantly on the lookout for my 'next career'. I want to do something more creative, if at all possible. On my 'good days', I scout things out on the internet. So many of the jobs I am qualified for have been shipped overseas; they are hard to find locally now. I truely believe it is only a matter of time before the big whigs discover they have been 'had' by the Indian companies and the Chinese companies and they will have to bring the work back home again. Then it will cost even more to start the work back up here again. Those greedy guys at the top can't see past next quarter's bonus and don't care a hoot for the future of the companies they pilage as they move on to the next one.

It's truely a shame. I'm looking for something I can do that is of intrinsic value that will be uniquely mine, that can't be yanked away and outsourced and mass produced and ripped away from me.

Since I last wrote, we have sort of taken up residence at the Emergency Room.

It started with me (of course). I had a terribly painful infection and my dr. couldn't fit me in.... so off to the hospital I go. Our local ER is like a WAR ZONE; they are renovating and it's a real zoo over there. Basically if you aren't dying or don't have to take off your clothes, you sit on a stretcher out in the hall in front of God and everyone else while you are getting 'treated'. How they manage to keep track of the patients is a mystery. In fact, I know of a couple of times when they didn't keep track and mixed up the files and patients. We can only pray that they finish the construction before they kill some one over there. One week later, and one round of Levaquin later I was no better, so I' went back to the WAR ZONE again. This time I go on Macrobid and like magic everything clears up. But are we done with the ER? I don't think so....

Amanda comes home from working on the play set one night and says:

'The windmill fell on me'

HMMMM. Now that's not something you hear every day.

Now I know, because I've been listening over the course of the past weeks, that this 'windmill' is no wimpy deal. Its a 14 foot tall, 100+ pound, real turning windmill. It was apparantly falling, and Amanda inserted her left hand into the 'propellers' to stop it from crashing to the floor. She was in great pain, made worse by the fact that she is left handed. As she is not generally a complainer, I took this seriously, and off to the ER we went. 4 hours and several X Rays later, we were assured that she had no broken bones, but only a bad contusion. She was patched up with a splint and an ice pack and sent home. So now we've paid our dues to the ER, right?

Wrong! I wake in the night with chest pains. My doctor and I have discussed these 'spells' and I've been given strict instructions on what to do the next time it happens - you guessed it - go to the ER. So its 2AM and Michael and I are off to the downtown ER to get it checked out. They admitted me and ran every heart test known to man. The good news is my heart is fine. Apparently this is just a manifestation of my Sarcoid; I just have to sleep upright with a heating pad when this happens. What it is is lingingering Costondritis which is like Rheumitoid Arthritis in the ribcage. Now, we must be done with ER 'stuff', right? - wrong!

Before leaving the hospital, I get a call from Will. He's hurt his left hand playing and wants to go to - you guessed it - the ER. So Mom takes him to the ER, and Michael and I come up from downtown to neet them. Several hours and XRays later we find that Will has broken a major bone right in the middle of his hand. He had been asking for pain meds for hours, but was not given any. As soon as they saw the XRay the pain meds started flowing. Poor kid, he was really hurting! Now he's sporting a lime green cast that has been signed by so many people that there's no more room. Fortunately, Will is right-handed, so his injury doesn't impede his schoolwork as much as Amanda's did.

NOW FINALLY, I THINK WE'VE FINISHED OUR ER DUTIES FOR THE MONTH!

I got one of those Scooba's from the Home Shopping Network. It's really cool! It does a terrific job on the floors - I have cleaner floors now than I ever had when I was 'healthy'! It's amazing just to sit and watch - wow I must be starved for entertainment! When it finds a really dirty spot it just stops and goes around and around in circles over and over and over again until it thinks it is all clean - what a hoot! Anyway I think it is well worth the investment if you have hard surface floors whether you are healthy or not. If you are healthy - what a time saver! Let the thing clean your floors while you are off doing something better with your life!

My other new toy, the Urban Rebounder, didn't work out so well. After about 5 minutes of jumping, my joints felt like they were on fire. When I reported this to my Rheumitologist, she said to stop using it, that it was bad news. I think I'll try to sell it on eBay to get some of my money back. Bummer.

Saturday Rollin' with the Punches

I can't say today was boring. That's a good thing. Many of my days stretch into hours of lonliness and boredom and I just get tired of being alone and sick. Today was different.


It's been foggy all day. Not cold, just foggy. It probably wouldn't have bothered me if I had stayed inside. But I didn't, and the dampness went straight to my bones and made me cranky and miserable. I had to apologize to my family for my cranky attitude, and even had to put back the steaks I'd planned to cook for dinner - I just couldn't pull it off. It feels like my bones, and especially my joints, are magnets for moisture, and the more moisture, the more pain. My chest got worse today; yesterday it felt almost all cleared up, but not today, it's back in full force. Oh well, at least I'm still only taking the 20 MG of Prednisone.


At least I slept INSIDE last night. Not so for Michael and Will. They were at a camporee and Michael said from about Midnight on, everything was wet. He sent Will straight to a hot bath when they got home this morning, we're trying to head off any ill effects!
Amanda had a meeting at the Y this morning. She is on the Teen Board of Directors. They are planning an inner city mission trip to Atlanta and a mission trip to Mexico next Summer. She was offered and INTERNSHIP for next year, should she decide to go to college locally. It's quite an honor, because they only offer 2 every year. Plus, she'll get paid! Yea! PLUS, they need some one to run lighting for the concerts, which is exactly what she loves doing. I'm so happy she is involved over there, it is such a healthy place.

Well, when she came home I took one look at her car and saw a rear tire was very low. The tread was nearly gone on both rear tires. I ASSUMED this was the 'problem'. So I followed her to the tire place and $270 later she drives out with Michelin's on both rear tires. But when we got home, she said the 'wierd' thing was still happening. Great, thats what I get for assuming. I took a quick ride with her and I would describe the behaviour of her 1993 Sable as a violent shudder randomly occuring anytime as you drive down the road. Not good. By this time, shops were closed, so we had to take it to a key drop at a repair shop on Main Street. I surely hope it'snot a transmission job, especially after putting the $270 in the tires, because the car probably isn't worth the cost of a transmission job. I guess we'll find out on Monday.

She is going to Gaitlinberg next weekend and needed some supplies from Wal-mart. Now honestly, can anyone really go for an entire Saturday without a trip to Wal-Mart? My legs felt like telephone poles; they just wouldn't move for me. So I gave her my credit card and I sat in the luncheonette while she shopped. Fortunately, I think she found everything she needs. No small feat for a teenage girl.

After all is said and done, I'm resorting to my pain pills,

my heating pad, and cuddling up with my tortie kitty on the bed.

Crazy

Crazy
Ok, so where do I start?
Of course, I woke up feeling like hell. Chest pain unbearble. Popped a few pills, drug myself to the car and took Amanda 1 mile to school. Nearly hit two bushes on my own street driving back, I was so dopey.

Checked on mail from yesterday. Liberty Mutual wants tons of forms signed, plus the names, specialties, address, phone, fax, and treatment dates of all doctors I've seen in the last 2 years. That took 3 handwritten sheets. Jst a little light research to start the day. I understand they have to be vigilant; there are so many people who take advantage of insurance companies. But at some point I wish they could put you in another "non-crook" category and treat you more humanely. All this does not help my recovery.

Logged into eBay. Was I surprised to see hundreds of motorcycles listed under my account! And ll listed with premium features, costing hundreds of dollars charged to my account. So I'm on it. Trying to right the wrong, erase the bad listings, regain my credibility, and most of oall prevent financial damage.

Spent HOURS online with eBay to fix it all. Had to change my eBay password, my e-mail password, my Merchant password, my banking passwords, my blogger password, my Shopping Cart password, my paypal password, my hello password. And I'm sure there will be many more. Now lastly I have to relist all the 'goood stuff' manually on eBay.

Got a call from Emory during all of this. Of course they want their money. Of course they are entitled to it. Of course I don't have it. More stalling and apologies.
Then a call from UTHC. They want their money too, although they just want $500 and they'll be off my back. Of course they deserve it. Of course I don't have it. More stalling.

A horn is blowing outside. It is Lili, coming to take me to Will's teacher conference. I can't drive that far. So I lumber out, full of dread. What will it be this time? How much positive? How much negative? How much presure to put him on meds? There was a detour so we were late. Michael was already there. Yep, mostly negative. And the meds came up again. I'm tempted to do like a 2-3 week trial while he is still in lower school to see if there really is a difference. Will talk to Kathy next week about it.

After the conference, which lasted 30 minutes too long, it's off to the dentist. We were 30 minutes late so they couldn't take him and I had to make an appointment for next Tuesday. So Lili took us back home. By now I'm a basket case and throbbing from head to toe with pain.

At home, I pulled out RatRace and sat down in the den to watch with Will. Amanda came in and promplty removed the video (it's hers) and said it was totally inappropriate for Will. He starts crying and the next thing I know its all about how he hates Mill Springs. Doesn't want to go back there next year, on and on. After about 20 minutes I can't cope with it anymore and go upstairs and lock my door. I pop all of my NIGHTIME meds plus a couple of extra for good measure and close and lock my door. I put in my ear plugs. Maybe I won't wake up.

But alas, wake I did aorund 6:00 to heavy pounding on the door. It was Will. "Can I play with Mickey?" Sure, after you write the 10 commandments on these yellow sheets for your Wed. night homework assignment He does it in less than 5 minutes. I've been trying to get hin to do it for a week.

Michael comes home. He heads around the side of the house to get the DEAD CAT and bury it. Yep, one dead cat laid there under the Kitchen Sink Window. Will found him yesterday. It was truely traumatic. It was Will's new adopted pound kitty, and he was such a sweetheart. Something got him and he died. He was gone for 5 days, then Will found him. The dogs were playing with him like a ragdoll. I had to pick him up an throw him over the fence. Then Michael had to bury him today. Will wanted him buried near the tree that it (Rufus) climbed and stayed in for 4 days, before we paid a tree climber $250 to bring him down.

Now the're all off. Amanda at explorers. Will and Michal at Scouts. Maybe a little sanity for awhlile.

Just another day at the Allen house.

I might have some hair left, but if I do it's surely grey.

My Budding Actress!

Amanda recently performed in the production ?!CINDERELLA!? at Milton High School, and at Regional Competition (in which they won third place!!). This is my favorite "headshot".

Katie's Visit

Katie and her children playing with Amanda's birds. We had a great visit with her family and hope they will come back soon!

Home Again

I've been away for a week in the hospital again and now I'm back home. I really hate to be in the hospital and miss my family - plus my e-mail gets so clogged up it takes me forever to catch back up! Anyway I'm trying to get my records together for my trip to Tyler. Emory is not cooperating and it's a pain. The coolest thing that happened in the hospital is that my stepson John called me on Sunday from California. He is at 29 Palms in training. He will ship out to Iraq in early October. He is going to be guarding a gate at some airport over there. I'm glad he is not going to be out in the streets too much. He is brave and young and strong and not scared at all. We are very proud of him. I can't belive Summer break is over. Amanda goes back to school on 8/9 and Will goes back on 8/16. Will has a laptop this year; at his school everyone gets a laptop starting in 4th grade. Pretty cool. He can play DVDs on it at home and he takes good care of it. Mom has taken the kids to Wal-Mart and Blockbuster so I better go grab a nap while I can... bye.