A Whole New World

It's been another year since I posted.  Last year I included something my husband shared on Facebook.

"Thanks for all your birthday wishes everyone. 2013 was undoubtedly one of my biggest challenges. But with the great support of my loving and beautiful wife Martha, close friends here in Pittsburgh, and a premier team of doctors and researchers things are going well and I'm looking forward to many many more birthdays.
Again my thanks.
Pete"

My husband, Peter, at the Pittsburgh Zoo with Barney

(I think it's Barney and that's what my grandson called him.)

2014 turned out to be just as challenging if not more so.  The challenge began in November, 2012, when my husband was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.  He underwent chemo and radiation.  The radiation to his brain was to keep the cancer from spreading there.  The radiation worked but the chemo did not.  His doctor found a new chemo for him.  It's an orphan drug and cost $10,000 a month.  The drug company, his doctor and a specialty pharmacy helped us to get the drug.  The chemo worked but had side effects.  He was in constant pain from the cancer and the chemo.  The pain was all encompassing and I can't even imagine what deep bone pain feels like.  He had trouble walking because his feet hurt so much.  We tried everything to make the pain better.  Nothing really worked.. but he carried on.  He kept his life as normal as possible.  He fought the illness with all his might and with dignity and bravery.  He lost the battle on October 27, 2014.  

Forever in my mind, always in my heart

Ready to Shop!

I just got an email from Pier One that I have rewards just waiting to use.  I'm so glad they followed up with an email because one came in the mail that was probably thrown out.  Recently we bought a few things from Pier One so I can fill out some of the items like my dishware.. Called Wave.

You can find it here: 

 

We also purchased new chairs for our dining room on sale now here:

 

 

McKinley Dining Chair

 

 

                  

 

If I don't buy something in my dinnerware.. I'll just look for sale items.  My daughter used to work at Pier One and told me I should get more dinnerware because sometimes the pattern is discontinued.. So best to get it now.

 

 

            

 

 



Winter

It's still winter here in Pennsylvania.  We had very cold weather a week or so ago when the artic vortex was moving through the area.  Then it warmed up to the 40's and 50's.. This morning it's 28 and it snowed during the night.. it will be cold next week But is Spring coming.. I just put my spring and summer clothes away.  Will it be time to get them out again soon?

Check out this North Face jacket at Macy's.  It's warm but lightweight enough to wear on a cool morning.  It's long but not too long.  I love the black and the Greystone Blue.



Find the jacket here.

In a month or so it will be time to wear some cute light shirts with jeans like this one from Macy's.  I'd be tempted to buy the grey one because I really like neutrals but my husband loves to see me in colors.

 

This top at Macy's

 

 

I also love this one.  I comes in 5 colors and you can find it here

 

 

Tonight we will be having Asian chicken legs with rice.. oh so good.  Like this one

 from Amy on U Try it

 

 

Have a great Friday!! Any plans for the weekend?

I haven't blogged in over a year.  Not because I didn't want to.. but because I just couldn't.  There was so much going on in my family and I couldn't write about it.  I still don't want to go into details.  If you know me in person you will know what I'm talking about.. and if you don't then just know it's been some very serious health problems.  My husband asked me not to put anything on Facebook so I haven't.. but he recently posted a thank you for all the birthday wishes so I can post what he said here.


"Thanks for all your birthday wishes everyone. 2013 was undoubtedly one of my biggest challenges. But with the great support of my loving and beautiful wife Martha, close friends here in Pittsburgh, and a premier team of doctors and researchers things are going well and I'm looking forward to many many more birthdays.
Again my thanks.
Pete"

My husband, Peter, at the Pittsburgh Zoo with Barney

(I think it's Barney and that's what my grandson called him.)

Things are definitely looking up for us.

 

I had a call from my baby boy last night.. he's not really a baby since he is 29.. but he is my baby.

He lives in Oregon and biking is a big deal there.

He and his wife didn't have a car until a few years ago.. They biked everywhere.

He is in college and was riding his bike to school and was hit by a car.

He has a broken clavicle.. thank goodness nothing else.

I'm not sure on the details.. but I think he was riding and going on a green light

and the person made a right turn and hit him.

It was her fault and her insurance if paying for everything.

I just get so worried about my kids even though they are adults.

He will be in sling for 6 weeks

Will have to drive the car to school which causes more expense.

When we were talking he said Mom are you crying.. and I had to say yes.

He said don't cry.

I'm just happy he's ok.

Very Full Day

I am a homebody.. I LOVE being at home.  I love taking care of things and cooking dinner, making snacks, doing laundry.. It's just me.  In my other marriage I was very busy.. of course raising kids, I had my own business.. my kids had activities so I was constantly on the move.. besides trying to take care of a very large house and yard.  When I remarried, I closed my business.  I had planned to get another job in a preschool.  In fact had a couple of jobs lined up. I was a bit stressed with all the moving, closing my school, the wedding etc.  My husband said I should just take some time off. Turns out I never went back.  I've been a stay at home mom to my two stepsons for 11 years.  I consider taking care of the house and cooking my job and I take it seriously.. The boys are older now and can do their own thing.  Shelby is away at college.  When he is home he works at a store within walking distance.  Max just started school and got his license which is great.. very proud of him for passing his test.  He has been applying for jobs so he can work part time.

Yesterday we had a lot to do.. My Mom had her dental appointment.  Then we headed to the library so Mom could get some books. She can read 2-3 books every week..  Then to grocery shopping.  By the time we got home it was almost 3.  To most people that doesn't sound like a lot but it is for me.  I was happy we got everything done but it's not my kind of day.  I usually try to plan only one or two things on an outing.. which is once or twice a week.. the rest of the time I prefer to be home.  I am now sharing a car with Max who just started college and needs to drive.  Works for me.  My husband has been taking the bus to work.. We call it a bus but it's really a luxury motor coach.. he has to drive to the stop and there is a free parking lot.. he is saving tons of money doing this.. plus he loves it.. he has his headphones and can listen to things on his phone.. could even download a movie and watch it.. kind of neat..  On days I need the car Max drives him to the stop and then picks him up at the end of the day. I like it!

Today I'm getting lots done so I can enjoy the weekend.. no plans really but it's nice to have everything clean and done.

Happy Birthday Paige

Happy Birthday to my middle child.. I always thought middle children were supposed to be kind of out of it and probably homely.. but my middle child is beautiful.. is very talented and such a wonderful person.. she is 33 today.. I love her with all my heart.  Happy Birthday!!

Angel

I'm having such a difficult time with my dog being sick.

She is on 5 different meds and seems a little better and is eating again..

but I think she is going downhill.

she can't go up and down the stairs.. so I have to carry her..

so that is at least 10 times a day.. because I take her out every hour or so..

She has to be confined to the bathroom so she won't go on the carpet.

I've always loved having a dog.. but the end is always hard..

We are no where near putting her down..

I love her with all my heart and I hate to see her suffering..

Honestly.. it's killing me..

It's good that my Mom is here because I don't know how I would do it without her.

Taking care of Angel is almost a full time job..

so it's nice to have my Mom here to help with other things.

 

My Angel

Our little girl has been sick.. gone back and forth to the vet.. has had three rounds of antibiotics..

she saw the vet again yesterday and they said to take her to the pet hospital..

Said they might just medicate her or keep her over night..

She is still there and will see a specialist tomorrow and then might get to come home.

This breed has health issues and one is heart problems.

That is what she is having now.. her heart is enlarged and she can't breathe.

They put her on oxygen and that was helping.

I keep looking for her because she is always with me.. then I remember she is not here.

We knew when we got her that this breed could have problems.. but this came on so fast..

She is so still full of life.. I hate to see her suffering..

She's my Angel

Our Anniversary

This weekend was our 11th Anniversary

We went out to dinner and made my Mom come too

She thought we should go alone but we wanted her to come

I think she had fun

and so did we.

We went to one of my favorite restaurants called Willow.

We exchanged cards and Peter bought some bottles of nice wine that we will enjoy together.

We had huge storms and tons of rain yesterday

but today it's sunny and nice.

Good day for grocery shopping and errands.

Happy Birthday to my own boy

Happy Birthday on Sunday to my own little boy.. he's the baby of the family.. has overcome many obstacles.. he is now a math scholar.. and doing so well.. married to his wonderful wife, Kim.  I'm so very proud of both of them.. He has worked and been on his own since high school.. now back at school and has scholarships and grants.. he has become an amazing baker at his work..

One time he told me that I had never made cookies with him.. kind of broke my heart.. and now he has had a job for several years being a gluten free baker.. something Mama never taught him..

This is his birth announcement.. It's not a great pic but you get the idea. 

I love this young man with all my heart.. he has grown and matured.. and chosen life and to be happy!!  Can't wait to see him again!

My Birthday Boy

Our birthday boy after eating his cupcake.

Our little boy

We had a wonderful visit with all the kids.. Our little boy just turned one.. we had a birthday party for all the girls who have summer birthdays.. funny how Adam got into the picture too!!

My three kids and Adam's lovely wife Kim and my Mom.

Such a happy little boy

Loving on his Grampa

 Nana gets a hug!

What's become of the broken hearted..

I kept wondering why I posted this song "what's become of the broken hearted".. but now I know why.. my husband of over 20 years.. the father of my 3 beautiful children and I split.. it was not a happy ending.. but I loved him so much.. and he left me broken hearted.. I did everything I could to keep it together.. I have a hard time writing this.. because he took his own life.. and did it on my now husbands birthday.. people have told me that he didn't know the day.. but I think he did and I think he did it on purpose to spoil that day forever.. Plus his wife called my daughter first to let her know.. the last person who should have known first.. ugly.. the wife has never let the kids have any of this things.. things that should have been kept in our family.. pictures, history.. whatever.. the piano that we had for over 25 years.. none of it goes to them from their father.. they can't even read the note he wrote before he died...it breaks their hearts and it breaks mine too.. even though we didn't end well.. It still hurts.

http://vimeo.com/2622219

Happy Birthday!!

Today is Zackary's first birthday!!  It seems like this year has flown by and he's a big boy now!  He crawls around like wildfire.. can stand and do a little walking while holding on to something.  He is a very busy boy and the love of our lives!  I wish so much I could be there to celebrate with him but we have a young man graduating tomorrow so I need to be here.  We will go later on and have another birthday.  It's still early on the west coast so no pics yet.. but when they come in I will post them.. for now Happy Birthday, Sweet Boy!

Happy Mother's Day from my Wonderful Children

My Children made this beautiful video for me.  Makes me very happy.  I know it took a lot of time and effort to do and is such a wonderful gift

.

Lazy Bones

I often feel like a lazy bones.. I think part of it has been not feeling well for a long time and not wanting to do anything.. I'm doing better these days but I have the habit of putting things off.. I've talked before about timer cleaning.. I'm trying to do that more and more.. I can do just about anything for 15 minutes.. and if I'm really good I give myself 15 minutes on the computer or watching something on my DVR then I do another round of cleaning..  It's pretty amazing how much you can get done in 15 minutes.

My sister is truly amazing.. she was always a neat freak.. Her house is still neat but she has let up a bit on the cleaning.. but honestly.. it's still very clean.  They own a cattle ranch and in the past several years they haven't hired as many cowboys as in the past.. so she works on the ranch just like the guys.. Right now she is doing something called "dragging meadows".. not sure what that is but it involves a tractor probably.. during the summer she runs the swather and cuts the hay.. in the spring helps with any calves that need help.. besides doing all that she keeps the house clean.. cooks for any crew that is there.. does all the laundry and irons everything in the house.. She has been an inspiration to me and also has taught me so much.. She is a nurse just like my Mom and several aunts.. has done a lot to help me figure out health issues..

My Little Dictator

I wish I knew how to post the actual video but I don't.. so here is a link to see my sweet son.. holding Zack and Zack giving his orders!!


https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/9KajQxwU1PYQQSy8BDhTzlt-MJiVibLOou8tfVIUvro?feat=email

Cooking

Please go to this website: http://5dinners1hour.blogspot.com and see what Michelle has to offer.. She has some really wonderful ideas and also a menu service.. I think it's only $5 for a month of recipes and menus..

I really need to clean my pantry and organize it.. same with the fridge.. I got my shelves in the main garage done last week.. looks so much better.. Once I have the kitchen stuff organized I might actually try her method of making all 5 meals in one day and have them ready to go.. I like her recipes but have never done the cook ahead thing..

I like to cook but sometimes get tired of doing it every day.. she has some good ideas about prepping veggies and things like that.. and really if you're going to chop things up might as well do it all in one day instead of every day.. I guess the least I could do is chop up onions, bag and put in the freezer.. although I read in her blog that she thinks buying frozen chopped onions is cheaper..

She also has some great ideas for make ahead lunches for her kids.. I don't have to make lunches anymore but I love her ideas.. even if I used them for myself at home.. or maybe sent a lunch or snack with my husband to work.. Could be fun and I like to be organized :)  Thanks Michelle!

Aww.. Quiet

Except for some big crash in the kitchen right above my bed at 6 AM that woke me up.. it's been quiet.. I have heard some walking around but much more normal.. I can only assume that the office talked to her.. It's possible she is not home and it's just her guest that I hear.. It's just so weird to know that she has gone to the office and made up stories about us and that we harass her.. when honestly it's the other way around.. I do get that there is going to be some noise in apartment living but this is so excessive..

Aww.. I spoke too soon.. I heard someone knocking on a door and thought it might be mine.. so I looked out the window.. it was next door.. then I hear the woman upstairs yelling things down to some people in the parking lot.. my window wasn't even open but I could hear what they were saying it was that loud.. She said she would be right down and they could follow her in their car.. not sure where they were going.. so then there was stomping around, slamming things, dropping things and very noisy for about 20 minutes.. then she and her guest who I think is her mom went down and they all yelled and carried on in the parking lot for a while.. Honestly.. I just don't get it..