Better day

I think we are slowly getting over the cold bugs at our house. We got a surprising call from the pediatrician last night, to inform us that Laura DID have strep. The initial test was negative, but after they sent it off, it came back positive. I felt really bad for sending her to school yesterday and I hope that she didn't spread it to anyone at school. She started her meds. last night, so she should be alright today.

I am off to the stores and will sub. this afternoon in kindergarten. Should be a relatively easy day. I did not go running this morning as I am still working on being able to breathe, due to my cold. I will be up and at it again next week.

Take care all....

Less Funk

Today is a brighter day. Laura and I are both back to school. Still coughing, but feeling a whole bunch better. Tom and Becca have been spared, or they have already had it. Who knows this time of year? I am trying to determine if I should run tomorrow morning. It should be in the teens with the wind chill and I am still coughing. We will see. Part of the reason I get out is for Tom to get out too. He joined us this week and I don't want to spoil the momentum.

The service for Joe, in Texas, went very well, per Tom's sisters. They said that some healing of souls took place and that they were very glad they went. Thanks everyone for your prayers and support. We have to move on now and learn from this experience.

Today's message is short as I have to get to school, but I hope everyone has a blessed day.

Funk

I am definitely in a funk today. I am getting the crud from Laura and I did not want to get up at 5:30 to go for a brisk walk. It was in the single digits outside, with the wind chill. I did get up and I did go for a walk, thanks to Carol and my dear husband. I feel so drained and my throat hurts. I took Laura in yesterday and the doc said it is a virus and not strep. Hopefully, we will all be better by the weekend.

Please remember Tom's siblings today in your prayers. The service for Joe is at 10:00 this morning. It still doesn't seem real, that he could be gone. Part of the funk, for me, I'm sure.

This is a short note today, but that's about all I'm up for. I hope all of you stay virus free so you can enjoy the season.

One last thing, thank you to all for your love and support over the last few days. Jen, thanks for the poetry and thanks for just being you. It is so good to know that we are loved.

Happy day to all.

Happy Birthday Grandpa

A bit of time ago, today, my grandma gave birth to a baby boy. She named him Danny and he became my "Daddy". I called him this morning and he was having one of his "bad" days. He could hardly talk and complained of pain. It makes me sad to think that is how he will spend his birthday. Whether he was able to hear me this morning, or not, I want him to know that I love him and send him all the best. I found this quote for him today:

"The holiest of all holidays are those, Kept by ourselves in silence and apart, The secret anniversaries of the heart...." - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Laura is home today. She is complaining of a sore throat. I hope it is not strep. Secretly, I am looking forward to spending the day with her.

Tom decided not to go to Texas. Joe's funeral is tomorrow morning at 10 am, Texas time. Please pray for our family down there. On Sunday, the family is coming over for a "Tom Russell BBQ". It should be good and I hope, a lot of fun. The weather is to be really cold on Saturday, but better on Sunday.

I hope this finds all of you recovered from your turkey and may all of your left overs be gone.

Back to the real world

After a lovely week with my girls, today is back to school for the girls and work for Tom. As you know, our Thanksgiving was a bit of a downer, but life goes on. Kirsti and Chuck come in today (we probably won't see them), and they will leave with Jan, for Texas, tomorrow morning. Tom is 80% sure he cannot miss work in order to go. He has mixed emotions about this, but we are hoping that his folks will understand. He has been out of the office for over a week and is at least that much behind. Please pray that he will have peace about whatever decision he makes about going on this trip.

Becca woke us up yesterday morning, ready to decorate for Christmas. She has been our bright spot and the keeper of the holiday spirit. My living room looks like a hurricane blew through it. I have a picture to post later. I love watching Becca sort through all of the ornaments and talk about when she made them or what they mean to her. She is so sentimental and I just love it. She helped us hang the lights outside and even put gold tinsel around her bedroom door.

Laura enjoyed her week off and today she is back to school. The good news is that they only go for three weeks and then we are out for winter break. Laura enjoys decorating the tree, but her love is cooking. She made special guacamole for Thanksgiving and I know she will help me with the baking. This is a great mom/daughter time for us.

I have to clean up our house today and get back to my students. We have family coming in, as I said earlier. They might not come over, but it is good incentive for me to get things picked up. This afternoon I will be back to giving lessons. I am preparing everybody for the three concerts coming up in December.

I hope that all of you take time to enjoy the season. I was a bit frazzled when I looked at my living room, but I am trying to see the big picture. Decorating for Christmas is a great family time and I don't want to miss it. Don't get caught up in all the "Holiday Hype". Don't forget that we are celebrating the birth of our lord and that is reason enough celebrate and decorate.

Happy day.

What to do

Tom and I are struggling. We just don't know what to do about traveling to Texas for Joe's memorial service. I guess I am using this blog to put it down in writing. Hoping it will help. There will be a service (very, very small) for him on Wednesday in Killeen, TX. This service is more for his brother, Sean and Joe's friends. Kate, Chuck, Jan, David, Matthew will all be there to offer support for Sean. It is expensive to go and a bad time for Tom to leave work, yet Tom feels guilty about not going if they need him there.

We want to have a service here in the springs for Pookie to have some closure. Skip has not talked to his son in years and he needs some closure too. PLEASE pray for him. My heart breaks for him the most. Tom and I are thinking that we could take charge and plan the service here, if we don't go to Texas. Joe was not a Christian, so I don't know what the service would look like. If anybody has any suggestions, let me know.

Please pray for us today as we are gonna tell Pookie. Our big family Thanksgiving will be this afternoon. It was to be a happy time and now I am not so sure.

Thanks for listening to me ramble on this morning. I just needed to see my thoughts and bounce ideas off of people who love us the most.

Take care all.

Please pray for our family.

After the big race yesterday, I took a big nap. We then had Jeff and Sue Clark, and Pookie over for Thanksgiving dinner. Tom, as usual, made a delicious smoked turkey. It was truly yummy. It was a very quiet day and I will definitely do the "trot" again.

This morning we were awakened by a phone call from Jan. She called to let us know that our nephew, Joe, had committed suicide. We are all so saddened and wondering what we could have done better or differently. When something like this happens, you don't know what to say or do, so please just pray for us and our family.

I also want to say that if you have a relative who is struggling with alcohol or drugs, plead with them to get help. I do and I have. Be proactive. Empower them. Don't worry about being too harsh. Practice tough love and get them help. Once they are gone, it is too late to do anything.

We will be thinking of Joe this holiday and we will all be saddened by the loss. I would hope that through this tragedy, others may seek help. I hope that some of the family dynamics will be repaired. Maybe this loss will not be in vain, if healing can occur.

I want to end this blog with some profound quote, but none comes to mind. We are just numb and shocked. Please pray for Joe's family and friends. All of us.

I DID IT!!!!

Here it is everyone. I finished the "Turkey Trot". I finished with over 100 people behind me. I was quite proud. The greatest moment was seeing my family at the finish line, waiting for me. I got calls from my family in Florida, from my adopted family in Tennessee and from the best of friends here at home. The lady in the picture with me is Heidi Welge, a lovely neighbor who kept me going the whole time. Thanks everybody. Now, I am off to the next race in January.

Test run

Well, it is official. I am number 162 in the race tomorrow. I must say, I was proud to pick up my t-shirt and number. It made me feel like a runner. I am reading a book that Jen gave me. I just love it. It is called "The Courage to Start". I love the author. I had to laugh as I read last night that, "it is alright to finish last, but it does get a bit alarming to have the police and ambulance at your butt the whole time". Here's hoping that tomorrow, I am ahead of the ambulance and not IN the ambulance.

It is a balmy 22 degrees outside today. I am so worried about conditions tomorrow. I figure I am gonna go put in a mile or so today, so I can test myself for tomorrow. I don't want to tire myself out, but I think a gentle run today will help my anxiety.

Happy day all.

Daddy home

Tom comes home today. We are so glad. He is feeling much better and the presentation went well. The boss took him to a swanky restaurant to celebrate. He called me this morning to let us know that his flight has already been delayed. I hope not too much. I really hope he gets home before the bad weather sets in.

Becca and Andre' are playing today, so I want to take advantage of the distraction and get the house cleaned.

I worked on the swing more yesterday. I sanded it a second time. As I was sanding, I got a whiff of the warm wood. A flood of memories washed over me. I first thought about my uncle who made the swing. I was taking the finish off that he put on. I missed him and was respectful of all the work he put into it. The smell of the warm wood made me think of my grandfather. He was a carpenter and the smell of wood always make me think of him. I could almost hear him talking to me. I also thought of my Dad. He and I can't talk much, but I know if he were here he would be telling me to "take my time and do it right". I also thought of what a wonderful thing a porch swing is. In it you can just be. I need more of just being.

I was a little frustrated that I had to keep sanding when I thought I was done. After my thoughts yesterday, I know God was not finished talking to me yet. I needed to keep sanding because he wasn't finished speaking just yet.

I hope all of you can find peace in your work. I hope that you find nostalgia and love as you prepare for the holidays. Take a little more time to appreciate what and why you are getting ready for them.

Slowing down

The girls and I have enjoyed our girl time, but the girls are getting on each other's nerves and I am ready for Tom to come home. Please pray for him today as it is the big "presentation" day that he has been getting ready for since before he left. We are hoping this presentation means the end of a "stressed out" Tom, at least for a while. He really needs prayer today as he made a HUGE mistake last night. Right before bed, he went down to the hotel lounge and ordered a double cappuccino DECAF. The person making it made a mistake and Tom got a double caffeinated coffee drink. When I talked to him this morning, he had never slept. He said he tried and tried but no use. He has the huge presentation and no sleep.

Yesterday, the girls and I went to see "Underdog", the movie. It was alright, nothing I want to buy. The girls loved it. They want to go to Claire's today to look for colored hair clip ons. They don't want their whole head colored, just a little strand on the side. I figure a clip on won't hurt.

I had a great conversation with my Dad, yesterday. He was telling me how to refinish the swing. It is gonna be a long, slow, work in progress. My conversations with him are few and far between, so I cherish what I can get. When I was in Florida this last time, he slept most of the time. I tried to converse with him, but he just couldn't stay awake. Yesterday was different. He talked, he joked and I soaked it in. Thanks Daddy!!!

Today, I am off to piano lessons and preparing for the storm tomorrow. You see, right before a storm, I always have to buy eggs, milk, bread and gas up the car. I have no idea why, I just do it. I also have to continue work on the swing and do some cleaning. I wanted to start my Thanksgiving baking, but I think it is a bit too early. That can wait until tomorrow.

Last, but not least, I wanted to send a big ole shout out to my sister, Jenny. Her birthday is today. We love you and hope that the coming year brings you much joy and happiness. It seems like yesterday that I looked down at you through the hospital viewing window. You were so tiny and innocent. Beautiful. You still are.

Happy day all.

Sanding Saturday

Today is a work day. I am going to sand our swing. The swing was made by a relative in Memphis that has since passed on. It is an heirloom and I am trying to preserve it. Hey Dad, I am thinking of sanding and then a couple coats of marine varnish. If this isn't right, let me know.

The girls and I enjoyed a restful morning. The piano lessons were cancelled by their teacher, so since we were up and dressed, we went for a treat at Summit House. It is a local coffee shop owned by some folks who go to our church. It feels like home there. I had a yummy maple spice latte and the girls had hot chocolate. It is cold today, so they were extra good.

Today is filled with laundry, sanding, cleaning and movies. I think we are going to watch "Big Fat Liar". No comment on that title. I hope you all have a super Saturday.

Friday fun

Today I am off to third grade. Not Becca's class, but nearby. It should be fun. Becca is excited because she is bringing in our fossils. Tom, Pookie and I got them from the Leashey Shell Pit in Tampa, Fl. We went on a couple of fossil digs, many moons ago. It is cool to think that those fossils are 1.5 million years old. Add 17 years ago, when we found them. Thanks to Pookie's finds, we have a partial mastadon tooth. The partial tooth and the tortoise claw are the most interesting finds, we think.

Becca was so cute last night and it was a great learning time. We talked about how fossils form and are preserved. We talked about what the animals ate, based on their teeth (we also have a few shark's teeth). Judging from the size of the mastadon tooth, we decided that it was a vegetarian, but must have eaten A WHOLE BUNCH. Becca sorted all the bones and labeled them in ziplock bags. She has it all ready to present. She did all this on her own and it is not a school project. She did it just because she thought it would be fun to do. She amazes me and I am so very proud of her. I am a real organized person and I would like to think she got her love of organization from me. I love to see her take pride in learning. She did the same with the space stuff. When she knows a lot about something, she loves to share it.

Laura and I worked on her presentation/book report today. It is a school project, but I think she is ready to go. I found a Chinese vest at Goodwill yesterday, so it should work well as a prop for the skit she is performing (Her book is about a Chinese girl).

Laura is in to drawing dragons, right now (thanks Aunt Tammie and Uncle Jim for the art set). She makes up the dragons, sort of like a comic strip. She names them and enjoys drawing different types. She has such an imagination and such a love of art.

Tom left in a flurry yesterday and we were all a little sad. He has been promoted and now works directly for a V.P., but the stress has also increased. He has been unmotivated lately with his exercise, so I have to help him with this. I am hoping the "Turkey Trot" will help him. I find that if I am motivated, so is the rest of my family. I miss him so much and we are looking forward to a date when he gets back.

Speaking of the "Turkey Trot", I am getting nervous. First, I timed myself on the treadmill this morning. I shouldn't post this, but I am using this blog as a historical reference as well as a chance to spill my guts. I ran 1.69 miles in 30 min. I am thinking that it will take me a little more or a little less than an hour to run the 5k. I know I will slow down as I go along. I usually run 5 min. then walk briskly for 5 min. That's my plan for the trot. What do you think, Jen?

My second concern about the Trot is the weather. It is to be a blizzard from Tues. and possibly through Thanksgiving. First, I pray that Tom gets home before it hits on Tues. and I am wondering if I have the gear to run in a blizzard. My other concern is the possibility of slipping on ice. Jen, will they cancel if it is really snowing hard? What do I need for bad weather? I thought it was cold this morning, so I wore a long sleeved t-shirt when I ran on the treadmill. I was uncomfortably roasting by the time I finished. So many questions. I refuse to not run this race. I had to bail on the "Race for the Cure". I don't want to bail on this one. I have worked too hard to get there. Lots to think about.

I hope all of you have a wonderful Friday and a restful weekend. Love to all.

Tom leaves

Today we say goodbye to Tom until next Tuesday. We still have to get him packed and he is now sick with Becca's cold. Yuck!!! I have to go to the market and get him things to help him feel better. NO, not chocolate. I am talking cold meds., throat lozenges, tissues, etc..

We are almost done with Laura's book report. Hallelujah!! This week is slowly getting better for her.

Becca is feeling better, but still coughing a bit. She was being silly last night and harassing Laura. True sign that she is better.

I got some bad news today. There may be a significant snow storm over Thanksgiving. the Turkey Trot should be interesting.

Happy day all....

Happy Birthday Carole

Here is a big shout out to one of my best buds, Carole. This is a woman that is dear to my heart. I don't know who else would put up with me at 5:30 a.m. in the morning. She is always there and always willing to listen to my complaining or whatever is on my brain as we trudge up the hills. Thanks Carole. Have a super "Happy Birthday".

Becca made an "A" on her muskulotsceletal exam (I didn't grade it). I am so proud of her, especially since she is still feeling sick from her cold. Jen, if you need any help with your anatomy and phys., just call her. Ha Ha

Laura has been working really hard this week and today is her Spanish exam. Tonight is the big book report.

Tom leaves tomorrow for Memphis. I feel like we need a date. We have been so busy with the kids, we haven't had time to sit and catch up on life. Maybe when he gets back, I can arrange something.

Today, I hope to cook a nice dinner and leisure around Goodwill for a while. I need some mental down time and that is where I do it. I hope to have lunch with Elaine and then I am off to the string club. Tonight will bring students.

I hope all of you have a great day.

Looking forward to rest

This week is really busy and we are all really tired. Laura has her Spanish test, book report and a food log all yet to go this week. She had a major paper due last night that none of us were prepared for. She was afraid to tell me because she thought I would yell at her. That makes me feel horrible and I am not so sure how to react. Tom says that's the problem. I react too much. Gotta think on this . I know the last couple of weeks have been SUPER stressful. I am hoping that while Tom is gone, we girls can reconnect and have a nice, restful weekend. We may spend a whole day in our jammies, watching movies, playing games, etc.

Becca is still recovering from her cold and I am hoping she makes it through the school day today. We will see. She has a big exam today, that I have to administer. That makes me a little nervous, but I know she is ready.

I am off to teach science, one last day. I have gotten into the groove of the class, so it should be a nice day. The one thing I refuse to do for this teacher is feed her corn snake. The teacher has been gone for a week and I fear the snake is getting hungry. I am glad to leave the science room today.

I am toying with the idea of yet another 5K. I want to see how the "Turkey Trot" goes next week. There is a 5K in Denver on New Years Day. It is called the "Resolution Run". It would give me a goal to shoot for over Christmas. All that yummy food might not seem so tempting if I have a run coming up. Hey, Jen, do you know anything about this one?

Here's to you all and I hope you all have a blessed day.

A new week

Carole and I walked this morning. I so love her insight and thoughtfulness. It is so hard to get up as the mornings are colder, but we are still going strong. We need moisture so very badly. It feels like I am breathing through a cloud of dust. I am sensitive to this anyway and it makes exercising even harder. No moisture in sight through this week. Tom was wondering if it is saving up to give us a big dump later.

Today, Laura and I are off to school. Laura faces a tough week with a book report and two exams. Please say a little prayer for her.

Tom and Becca are home. Becca is in the runny nose and cough stage of her bug. I hope Tom doesn't catch it as he leaves on Thursday for Memphis. He is working from home today.

I am off to teach science. It should be fun. We are studying tadpoles and the skeletal system. This afternoon, I will give five lessons.

Busy day, busy life, wouldn't have it any other way.....

Veteran's Day

Here is a great big shout out to all the Veteran's who have and do serve our country. We especially want to send a shout out to our Dad's, John and Danny. We love you both. Thanks for defending our country so that we might have the freedoms we all enjoy.

Yesterday, we were all in the Colorado Springs Veteran's Day Parade. We had a great time. The girls led our exhibit and float. They carried their banners proudly. I was in charge of the banners and Tom was on the float, controlling the sound and music for the choir. It was a blast, but we were exhausted when we got home. Tom and I rested (mostly me) and the girls entertained themselves. After rest, I made lasagnas for ourselves and a friend who has a new baby boy.

Tom went to church this morning, while I stayed home with Becca. She has a cold like virus and is really feeling bad. I called my grandmother, as I often do on Sunday mornings. I love to hear her sweet rendition of the sermon she just watched on t.v.. She is 92 and still going strong.

I called my Dad to wish him a happy Veteran's Day. My Mom said that he was sick today. I can never really tell what that means, but please keep him in your prayers. He served in the Viet Nam War and has suffered serious consequences.

I thought about Scott today as he served in Iraq. I remember being afraid for Jen and the boys. Military families give so much. I just wanted to say thanks to him and all the other folks who have served so selflessly.

I think about Josh today as he is so excited about serving in the military. I am proud of him and I wish that I could have seen him in the parade today. Way to go, Josh!!!!

Happy day to all...

I Love a Parade

Here is a shout out to my nephew, Josh, who will march in the Veteran's Day parade in Sarasota, FL. This is his first year at a military High School academy. He has been working really hard, so congrats to you, Josh.

We will be in our own Veteran's Day parade tomorrow. The girls are really excited. It should be a lot of fun. We have to be at the school super early tomorrow, but that's alright. I am in charge of the kids carrying banners in the front. I hope I don't mess up. I am hopeing for pictures.

Today, the Russell girls are all off to school. I am the science teacher again. I will be giving exams on the life cycle of frogs and the skeletal system. The skeletal system test is one that Becca will be taking on Tuesday. I have asked her regular teacher to grade it.

I hope you all are off to a great weekend.

Trotting along

It's official. I turned in my registration for the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving day. I have to admit, I am proud that I feel physically fit enough to do it and my family will be there to cheer me on. Now for the hard part, I have to beef up my training.

Today I am off to teach science. It should be fun as we are studying bones. Jen, you could come and teach the class for me. Ha Ha. This evening brings violin students and a quick trip to Target.

We are all getting ready for the big Veteran's Day parade on Saturday. All of us are in it as Tom is running sound on the float. It should be fun and the girls are excited about being in a parade. I will try to get some pictures.

Take care everyone.

Getting ready to run.

Today my thoughts are on the Turkey Trot. I realized that the run is only a couple of weeks away and I don't know if I am ready. I have decided to run it even if I have to run and walk. I have to keep going. I feel so much better when exercising.

I am off to the market today and I think I will start the Christmas shopping. I did well shopping for folks in Florida, so I guess I really started it last week. I can't believe I actually shopped for Christmas the day after Halloween.

I had a great day yesterday, with the fifth grade. Today I am off to my string club and giving lessons. The next four school days, starting tomorrow, I am the science teacher. I am staying extra busy subbing.

Next week, on Thursday, Tom leaves for another busness trip. I hope his flights are less eventful than mine were. He will return just before Thanksgiving.

I am taking Thanksgiving week off to just be with my family. No school, no lessons, just us. Right now, it sounds divine.

Back in the groove.

I think I had a viral bug while in Florida. I couldn't shake a cough and the cigarette smoke around me in FL exaccerbated it. After a good night's sleep on Sunday, a dose of Musinex, the laughter and antics of kindergarten, and a long chat with Jen, I feel much better. Tom asked me to give it a couple more days and then start running again on Friday. I am antsy to get running as it relieves stress and I have to get ready for the "Turkey Trot".

I wanted to give a big shout out to my daughter, Laura. She officially made the honor roll at school for the first quarter. I think we WILL survive Middle School.

I am off to fifth grade today. It should be interesting, but I have known all of these kids since second grade. Fifth grade is just tough, but hopefully, I am tougher.

Take care all.

Back from Florida

I hope you all had an excellent Halloween. I am still recovering from my trip, but so glad to be back home. I had an interesting experience yesterday, on the my flight from Orlando to Memphis. I was asleep (we had to get up at 12:30 am, Colorado time), when I heard the Pilate overhead say "if there is a doctor on board, we need your assistance". I am not a doctor, but I am an R.N. and I have always thought that the scariest thing would be to be up in the air and have a medical emergency. I went up to where the flight attendance were and told them that I was a nurse. I was thinking that they had things under control and would probably not need my assistance. I was wrong. There was no doctor on board. A Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, me and an EMT were stuck with an unconscious man. He had simply lost consciousness in his seat. When the NNP tried to take his pulse, she could not feel one. We lowered him down to the floor (aisle) of the plane and were prepared to start CPR. The man, all of a sudden, regained consciousness. He kept telling us that he had taken pain medication. We got him back into his seat and he lost consciousness again. With the help of a couple of men, we got him into a row of seats. We were trying to keep him lying down. We started oxygen and I took his blood pressure. His BP was low, but there. He then said he felt fine, but we made him stay laying down and we had paramedics waiting for him in Memphis. I don't know what was wrong. He could have had low potassium, he could have had low blood sugar, I will never know, but I do know that I was scared. The airline bumped Laura and I up to first class and gave us $20.00 in food vouchers for the airport. I came home with a slab of ribs for Tom from Neely's (his favorite BBQ place in Memphis).

A lot of things about this incident have gone through my mind since yesterday. First, I realize how scary flying can be. I asked the flight attendant about their medical training. While they do have some, he confessed to me that they have to rely on a medical passenger being on board.

I realized that I am STILL a nurse. It is like riding a bike and in an emergency, it comes flooding back. That makes me happy.

I realized that I love fellow human beings. I felt so bad for that man and felt so scared for his wife. There was no way I could have stayed in my seat and not helped him. That is comforting to me.

I was proud to show Laura what it means to be an active citizen and she was impressed that I got us bumped to first class.

My visit to Florida was not the best. All I can say on this blog is that my family needs much prayer. There were times on the trip when I thought to myself that I should not have gone. There is so much hurt and pain there and I didn't want to contribute to it. I did a lot of praying and I know God is faithful. As I thought about the man, I realized that maybe that is why I had to make the trip. Maybe I needed to see the situation with my family first hand. Maybe Laura had to learn a few lessons. Maybe all of the above.

I want my family in Florida to know that I truly love them and pray for them. I was happy to see my Mom on her birthday and I think the trip was worth it, if even just for that.

I am back home and will go teach kindergarten this afternoon. I need to visit with kindergarten. It does my heart good to be with them. I am so glad to be back home with my family. I am getting ready to run the "Turkey Trot" and getting ready for Thanksgiving.