I'm back

I haven't blogged in a while. I think I have been tired and rushed. I have today off, so I am going to relax and perhaps, take a nap this afternoon.

I went on my 5:30 walk with Carole and I could use a nap now. I am trying to prepare for another 5k on Saturday. This is my fourth. I am so pleased that I have done it, but I am not looking forward to this one. It is at Garden of the Gods. I am gonna need God to get me through it. I have been told that the first half is straight up and the second half, straight down. I plan on walking this one. Carina Plocek is going to do it with me, so she can keep my mind off of the fact that we are going straight up or down. Jen, you have ran this one. Is it as hard as I have heard?

Tom and I are playing at school tonight. I have been wanting to play Ashokan Farewell, forever. It is a Civil War ballad. One of the fifth grade teachers is going to play the guitar and Tom will play the penny whistle. We have lots of Irish jigs to play after that. We are playing for the reception for our new principal at school.

I was told, yesterday, that D20 Administration office has been calling around, asking about me. This is a very good sign that they are considering me for the nursing job. I am excited.

We are also excited that a week from Saturday, the Janii will be here. I can't wait. I feel like a grandma getting ready to see her grand kids. Don't kid yourself, I am TOO YOUNG to be a grandma. At least mentally.

My dad is home from the hospital and doing great. I am so glad and so thankful for all of your prayers.

Have a super day all.

Thanks for the prayers.

My dad's clot is gone. Thanks so much for your prayers. The docs need to get his clotting factors stable and I think he will be able to go home.

Yesterday, I visited Deb. Harnly's mom. She continues to lose weight and get confused. I was glad to help and visit with her. After the visit, I went downtown to Mountain Chalet. I bought Tom and Becca summer shoes. I went in to buy Tom this special coffee press, that he wanted. It reminded me of my pre-children days when I spent a lot of time, downtown. I love Mountain Chalet and could spend a lot of money there, so I don't go often. Maybe once every couple of years.

Last night, I went to the last Amadeus Concert of the season. The kids were great and it feels good to know that summer is near.

This afternoon, I am subbing for kindergarten and then come home to lessons.

I hope all of you have a great day.

Update on Dad

My dad had his catheterization, yesterday. The clot has shrunk a bit. Please keep praying. He will have the catheterizations done daily to check on the status of the clot. As long as it is shrinking, I am hopeful.

Not feeling especially good today. Tummy rumbles. Good thing I am not subbing. I think I am going to slow down today and do bills. Yuck!!!

I was so proud of my little third grade student, yesterday. I am cautious about putting names on my blog, but I just want to give them a big shout out. This little one was a soloist at a concert, yesterday. I brought them flowers and was "proud as punch". Those moments make teaching all worth while.

I hope all of you are having a super day and thanks for the prayers concerning my dad.

Keep on praying.

Just a quick update today. My Dad continues to be in ICU. They put a catheter in his arm, yesterday, and shot some clot busting medication, into the clot itself. As I write this, I am awaiting a call from Mom to tell me how the medication reacted to the clot and if it is dissolving the clot.

I am off to see one of my students perform, as a soloist, with the Amadeus Youth Orchestra. I am so VERY proud. I must go buy flowers this morning.

Take care all.

Prayer request.

Hello everyone,

Here goes a HUGE prayer request for my Dad. He is in the ICU at his local hospital, with a huge blood clot in his upper arm. As of this morning, the docs are trying to dissolve the clot using Coumadin and treating him with antibiotics. The hope is that the clot will dissolve. We are not sure what is next, if the Coumadin doesn't do it's thing. Please pray that this works.

After much fretting and running around, I finally have all the paperwork to submit to Academy District 20 Schools. I can't believe all the paperwork involved for one application. I am hoping that the job comes through, as I think it is a perfect fit.

On Friday, we went to Denver and hand delivered some of the paperwork for my application. The State Capital was directly across from the Colorado Department of Education, so we took a tour of the Capital Building. Way cool. It is so beautiful on the inside. We spent the night, in Denver, at a "Hyatt Place". I highly recommend the place. Very clean and very comfy. We took the girls to Casa Bonita for dinner on Friday. Yuck food, but good atmosphere. The girls swam in the pool Friday night, and on Saturday, we went to the Denver Science and History Museum. It was wonderful and we had a blast. It made us feel like we were back in D.C. again. Since we can't do that trip this summer, it's good to know there are things to do around here that are super fun.

Yesterday, I visited Pookie. He is so very confused. He was telling me things about his mother that I knew was really about Baba. He was in good spirits other than the confusion.
After Pookie's I had a nice phone conversation with Jen. It always does my heart good to talk to her and to hear the boys. I actually got to talk to them on the phone too. I can't wait to see them soon.

Today, we are out of school, yet again, but I am busy with lessons. I would rather do them during the day, than wait until tonight. I must go before the next lesson arrives.

Happy day all.

Finished at last.

Today, we are off to Denver to push the paperwork through. I heard in the Central Office that the nursing team was talking about me and that they are excited about me applying. I am excited too. I must say, I have been praying for a job where I can teach, be with children, help them, and start my retirement. God really does put things in your lap from time to time, from the most unexpected places. I haven't got the job, yet, but the nurse that I am replacing is already trying to figure out when I can follow her around and learn the ropes.

I am thinking that my dad will come home this weekend. I think he is healthier than he has been in a long time. If only he would stop smoking.

I am wishing all of you a restful and peaceful weekend.

I did it.

Thursday already.

This week has been a crazy blurr, but this morning, we were blessed with a two hour delay. Tom has the day off, so he will bring me lunch at school and we will enjoy a fifth grade play this afternoon. Good day. We need it.

The last couple of days have been filled with lots of stress, but lots of blessings. I have turned my application in to the school district for a nursing position. I thought school nursing was sitting around putting band aids on. Not so, and the pay and the benefits are awesome. I spoke with our school nurse and she informed me that her family is being transferred to San Antonio. Yes, they are Air Force. She said that I really need to apply for her position as she thought I would be a perfect fit. I told her about my love of teaching and that I was probably looking at going back to school. She looked at me and said "don't reinvent the wheel. Apply for my job." So, that is what I have done and that is what has kept me so stressed and so busy, this week.

We have to go to Denver tomorrow afternoon, so that I can walk some paperwork through the proper channels. I need my CDE (Colorado Department of Education) provisional School Nurse License, to be pushed through ASAP. Long story and lots of work. I think we are going to extend the day in Denver and go to Casa Bonita and a hotel for the night. I think we will go to the Natural History Museum on Saturday. We have Friday and Monday off from school, so we need to rest and recoup.

The girls are finally over their strep. so I think this weekend will be much better.

Love to all.

Monday

We had a tough weekend, but I think everyone is on the mend. Laura started vomiting and still had fever, Saturday morning. I took her in to an urgency clinic and they confirmed what I was thinking. Laura had strep.. Within six hours of taking her antibiotic, she started feeling better. She is off to school today to face all the school work she missed the last two days.

My dad is so much better. I had an hour long conversation with him last night. That is the most I have conversed with my dad in years. They are trying a new treatment regime for his Porpheria and I think it is working. Thanks so much for your prayers.

Last Friday, I was asked to sub. for the SPED teacher, long term. Long term just means, the next couple of weeks. I couldn't turn it down as my pay is almost double. Please keep the teacher in your prayers as she continues to have complications from her mastectomy.

Because of the sickness and me having to work another full week, our weekend went by way too fast. I still didn't finish all the laundry and I can think of a couple of things that didn't get done. I need to push that aside and try to just get through the week.

We all have Friday off, so that is a big thing to look forward to.

Happy day all.

Friday

Laura is home sick, again today. She was still running a fever last night, so we decided to keep her home. Becca is still coughing, but I think she is on the mend. My dad is doing much better, so thanks for the prayers. He is still in the hospital, but things are looking up.

I was called to sub. again next week, for the teacher that has been absent all this time. Please say a prayer for her. She is having complications from her surgery. Great for my budget, but hard on my family time.

Today is cold and dreary, with no delay or snow day. I have car duty and it is going to be bitter. Can you tell that I am tired and it's Friday? I need to get out of this funk.

I think the funk will lift this afternoon, when I can come home, teach three lessons and start the weekend.

No Snow

We were all a bit disappointed this morning. We are experiencing freaky Spring weather. We always do, but we forget from season to season. We were to be blasted with snow last night and all we are getting is the blast (of wind). It is cold, drizzly, yucky and no snow day. Laura created her own as she is sick. I am hoping that she doesn't have Strep, like Becca had last weekend.

Still no word on the outcome of my interview. No word may mean that I was not selected. That's alright too, but I wish they would let everyone know. Perhaps, it is just too soon.

My Dad is bunches better and that is a relief. According to my Mom, he might get to come home today.

Two more days and then the craziness subsides a bit.

I wish you all a great day.

Wednesday

I am short on time, again. I wanted to say thanks to everyone for the prayers, yesterday, concerning my interview. It went beautifully. I don't know if I will win the District Title, but I know I gave it my best shot and all has gone very well. I suppose, in that sense, I have already won.

My Dad is at the VA Hospital in Tampa. They are trying a new treatment for the Porpheria, so please remember him in your prayers.

Must go. It is picture day for Becca and I need to help her dress.

Love to all.

Interview

Today will be short as I must hurry. I have to get to school for car duty. Today, at 1pm, I will have my interview with a panel from the school district, to see if they would like me to be the 2008 Volunteer of the Year. Being interviewed by a panel makes me a little nervous. More than anything else, I want the opportunity to let the movers and shakers of our school district know how important a string program is. Please say a little prayer for me.

My dad has been transferred to the VA Hospital. My sister will visit him today, and I hope, report good news.

Take care all.

Healthier Week

We are hoping for a healthier week, this week.

My Dad is somewhat better. Please keep him in your prayers. He had a really rough Friday, but things are looking up.

Becca is a bunches better. She is still coughing a bit, but I think we are over the really bad stuff.

Deb Harnly's Mom is still in bad shape. She came home from the hospital, under the care of home health services. Her mother has emphysema and heart problems. Please keep her in your prayers and Deb in your prayers.

We are concerned about Tom's dad. Yesterday, he couldn't remember how he met Mom. That is huge and so sad to see him slip away from us.

We had a working weekend. I had so much to do in so little time, as I will work another week of 12-14 hour days. Yesterday, Becca and I walked up to the park at daVinci. The sunset was absolutely gorgeous. Some of you know, that is one of the best things about Colorado. Sunsets on the mountains are just as pretty as sunsets on the ocean. Becca played on the playground. It was warmer and she was happy to be outside, after being sick. I was happy to be with her. It was one of those times where we connected and just enjoyed each other.

Yesterday afternoon, Laura worked on a writing assignment. It was sooo hard, getting her to do it. In the end, she finished and we were all relieved. She and Tom then went over to David's for some Guitar Hero stuff on his XBox.

I made Chicken-n-Dumplings, yesterday. I missed you so much, Jen. I have this big bowl of leftovers. I told Tom that if you were still across the street, I would send you some. I am really looking forward to May.

I went for a walk with Carol this morning. When I got home, we learned, via the news, that there is a two hour delay. Someone broke into transportation services, for the district, and vandalized buses. I am not glad that somebody committed a crime, but I am very grateful for the delay.

Perhaps this week is looking better already.

Thank goodness for Friday

Yesterday was crazy. My Dad was admitted to the hospital with congestive heart failure. He is somewhat stable this morning, but please say a prayer for him.

Becca came home pale, nauseated and complaining of a sore throat. I took a look at her throat and knew right away that she most likely had Strep.. We went to the after hours clinic, and sure enough, my thoughts were confirmed. She is a bit better this morning as the antibiotics have begun to kick in.

I am thankful that the rest of us are healthy. I am thankful that it's Friday.

Have a healthy day, everyone.

Thursday at last.

Thanks goodness Wednesday is over. As I have said before, Wednesdays kick my bootie. I go from 5:30 a.m. until 8:00 p.m., with no break. It makes Thursdays seem like a vacation. I only go from 6:30 until 6:00. Anyway, enough whining. I can't post much as I need to get dressed and head to school. We are all fine and waiting for the weekend.

I hope all of you have a wonderful day.

Blahness

Yesterday, I had all sorts of blahness. I don't know if that is a word, but that's how I felt. Part of it was due to the time of the month and I seem to have a harder time of the month these days. I couldn't control the appetite and I have promised myself better today. I got up and walked with Carol, even though it was 18 degrees outside.

Jen, I read about you planting veggies and I am truly jealous. I wish I could plant something before June. Anyone putting in their garden, plant a couple of seeds for me. I think the fact that it is so cold, yet Spring, has something to do with the blahness as well.

I was the department head , yesterday, at school. I love the SPED department. I feel like I really connect with those kids. I haven't mentioned that I have a couple of "Special Needs" kids in my violin studio. I love them dearly. Someone approached me about a job in the SPED dept. of another District 20 school. I must say, it is tempting. It is a way to combine my nurses training, with teaching. I am sooo confused. I really can't decide what I want to do when I grow up. Just when I think I have it all figured out, like starting school again for a degree in music, God puts another temptation in my path. Please say a prayer for me. I need to make a decision about next fall, very soon.

I need to go and get ready for a busy day. I wish you all peace.

In charge?

Today should be interesting. It's funny how I end up being in charge, without trying to be in charge. Perhaps it comes from being an eldest child or perhaps it comes from being VERY gullible. Anyway, I am up for a challenge today. I am going to be one of two people in the whole SPED department who knows anything about our school. The teacher that I am filling in for is still out, obviously. The department head found out that her husband has additional metastatic cancer and he is NOT doing well. One of our paras is out to be with her mother. Her Mom has been in intensive care, after gall bladder surgery gone bad. She will have additional surgery today. Please pray for me as I attempt to handle things today, with Paula. Paula is the only person in the department who is supposed to be there. More importantly, please pray for all the folks in the SPED department at daVinci.

Being in this department has allowed me to step back and appreciate my life. I am so glad that my family is healthy. It may be a tough time subbing, but I am honored to help these folks.

Take care and be well.