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Check it out and see If you’re interested in anything and buy a gig If you are!

Well, as always I meant to blog sooner! I’ve been trying to get a few work at home stuff going for me so we can have additional income and I will keep working until I succeed. Last Wednesday was Katie’s 8th birthday!!! We had quite the busy week too. Wednesday morning I went out with a church friend to visit people then Brad decided to come home early so we could take Katie out to do something. She came home and we ended up taking her to the mall to the DISNEY STORE! She had been there before, but only to look around. This time it was to pick something out for her birthday. The employees gave her a surprise from Mickey – a special button that had her name on it! They also let her blow “pixie dust” (aka glitter) and make a wish! We looked allll over the whole store and guess what she picked? She saw this Frozen book with different stories in it and said, “Oh, I have got to have it!” Our little book worm! We went over to Hot Topic since I have been wanting to go back there and pick up some new band tshirts. Picked up a new Panic! at the Disco Victorious shirt, plus Fall Out Boy, and Five Finger Death Punch. Got a little tiny button pin that says I love music and a Panic button/pin too. Brad found some awesome cologne on sale and only paid a little over $3 for 2 bottles of it! Awesome. We left and came back into our town and stopped by Whole Foods. I figured since Katie wasn’t getting her birthday cake on her birthday then we’d get her a little treat so she picked out a pecan little mini treat and bought her favorite tuna cranberry wrap for dinner. “Yes! I’m so excited about my sandwich!” Lol. We ate dinner then they were having a kids activity at church and Brad needed to go get some church work done anyway and said I could help him. She went with the kids and I sat in Brad’s office for 30 minutes while he was talking to other people then I helped him sort/shred some papers. We went to go get Katie from the classroom where they were having the activity… and the kids were going wild. Katie was all over the place. We had gotten her Nana’s birthday package in the mail earlier that day and I told her if she would come on we could go home and open it but she was still messing with the piano and running up to the podium. I told her to come on and finally we moved towards the door then she started pushing all the buttons on the thermostat- WHAT. I grabbed her hand and said, “What are you doing?!” Noo no no. Way too wild. Told her to calm down or she wasn’t gonna get to open Nana’s package when we got home. Brad had to go drive the car closer to the building since it had started POURING. I knew we had a chance of rain but it stormed! Saw some bright lightning that was close to us too. Katie got to come home and open her awesome birthday package from Nana and their crew! She loved all of it. She got in trouble quite a few times last week at school so I told her to straighten up and do her best, even with it being so close to school ending. She’s got lots of cool birthday stuff that can be taken away If she doesn’t behave.

Let’s see. That was last Wednesday. The next evening we had a guy from church come visit us (that is supposed to come once a month) and he was awesome! We just chatted about our conversion to the church and I basically told him my life story, lol. So glad he got to stop by and see us! We had planned on letting Katie stay with Mom this Saturday (21st) so we could go buy her birthday presents/party stuff but Mom had an eye appointment at 3PM so I thought we would wait until she got back from that and then see about going. We slept in Saturday and then just had a chill day waiting on the afternoon so we could go out. Well, I sent a text to my Aunt to see where she was- and she was with Mom. They were still waiting at 4PM. It was taking a lot longer than planned. I told Brad that we could go after dinner. We ate and then my Aunt said they were still there at almost 6:30PM. Brad was disappointed cause we didn’t get to go earlier but stuff happens yenno. I told Brad we could just try to get birthday/party stuff tomorrow (Sunday) and just go maybe visit the pet store instead and pick up a few things at Wal-Mart so he gets dressed and that’s what we did! Went to the new Petland location and it’s awesome! Looked at allll the animals, got to hold another baby ferret!!!, played with the cockatiels, then cuddled with the cutest and sweetest little baby Goffins Cockatoo. AHHHH I would have taken it home If I could!!! SO SWEET. We stopped by the store then headed back home so at least we got to do something! Woke up and went to church yesterday and Brad didn’t have to be there for early early morning meetings (thankfully) so we left closer to our usual time. I felt more fatigue than usual yesterday morning which was bleh but finally church was done. Brad had to stay, as usual, so I drove me and Katie home to go eat lunch. Brad came home just as I was about to lay down for my nap. I took a smaller nap then called Mom to see If she would watch Katie while we got presents/birthday stuff and then we could have it at her (Mom’s) place like we have been the last couple years. However, she was feeling terrible from doing too much yesterday. Oh and at the eye appointment they found her good eye (she’s pretty much blind in one eye and has been since childhood I think) has cataracts and saw some type of hemorrhage- which sucks. She was finally able to get her new glasses tho. She said she was having trouble breathing and just did not feel well and that her house was a mess and she didn’t want Katie seeing it a mess. I told her maybe we could have a separate party at her place some other time but we still needed someone to watch Katie while we went to buy her stuff and she said, “Well, about how long do you think you’re gonna be?!?!” I was like thinking, woah. Then I thought well, nevermind. She said I could bring her over when we left so I got off the phone then decided I didn’t want to bug her since I know she needed to rest so I talked to Brad and we decided this year we would make it a fun, pick-out-your-own type of birthday for her, instead of a surprise set up. I called Mom before we left and said that we were just gonna take her out instead. It worked out perfectly. We took her to Goodwill and found a whole bunch of new chapter books for her to read, a gigantic My Little Pony play set that included soooo many things!, and a new box/crate to put it all in. Back to Whole Foods where she picked out a cute little birthday cake and got the number 8 purple candle. She also got her tuna wrap to take home for dinner again. Stopped by Wal-Mart and bought her a new small bookshelf for all her books as a present! Came home, ate, Brad put together her new shelf, we sang happy birthday, they had cake (the disadvantage of having so many food sensitivites… 🙁 I don’t get to eat a lot of things), we sorted through old books, fixed up the new book shelf, looked at all her new pony set, then it was late and time for bed! She was super excited about everything and was literally squealing when we were opening the bag that had all the pony stuff in it, lol. She goes a full day at school today, but only half day Tuesday and Wednesday! Wednesday is her last day of SECOND GRADE!!!

We have an 8 year old and an almost THIRD GRADER! Time goes by way way way too fast. I’m so thankful, grateful, and blessed. Just send some good vibes to my Mom so maybe she can feel a little better and some positive vibes for my hubby since he is not happy at his job and hopefully soon we can get it sorted to where we can both be bringing enough income in to get everything we need and he can be happier career-wise. So, our big 8 year old will be getting baptized at church as soon as we can get it set up! So excited for her!!! <3 Alright, wishing everyone an awesome week. Make it great.. we have a choice every day in how we handle life. THINK- BE- DO positive. =)

I went with Mom to the hospital Tuesday to see about getting her lung biopsy done, since they had found a spot on her lung last week. Mom and her friend came to pick me up around 10:30AM, as Mom had to be at the hospital by 11AM. I fixed my lunch to take with me, in addition to my vitamins, water, and a few other things. Mom’s friend dropped us off and we went in to find the admissions desk. We waited and were called back to the booth so Mom could answer questions and see about paperwork. However, an issue came up with her information in the computer and we ended up having to go sit back in the waiting area for probably ~35 more minutes or so. Finally, they get her arm band and we get ready to go back to another area so the nurse got Mom into a chair to wheel her down. Mom was freezing so she stopped and got some blankets that were heated up for her. Mom is only 73 pounds and freezes all the time anyway. =( We get set in the prep room, or whatever it’s called, and some person comes in to tell us who her nurse would be in this area and they were gonna have to try to get a lab done before they could prepare to get the biopsy going. Well, blood taking is always a problem with Mom. I help her get into her gown and wait for them to come poke her 100 times. Two nurses try… nope. The problem is that they finally get a little vein and it slips every single time. It just hurts my heart to see her, so tiny, so bruised from all the poking, and all the pain I know she is in and has been through. She’s such a strong woman. I feel a little antsy when I see her feet twitch each time they try to stick her. They say they’ll have to call in the IV team to come help. We wait and wait and wait. A different nurse comes in and says- nah we can’t wait for IV team so let me try. I can’t remember which nurse but someone FINALLY grabs a tiny vein but It could slip any minute. The IV team person had just arrived after they finally got the tiny one, and the IV team person was like, “Oh yes, I know her and yeah, she has nothing” (meaning no veins…). Haha not good when the IV expert says that. They tell Mom not to move that arm at ALL. I feel for her. She’s freezing, had not eaten anything since the previous evening, was in a lot of pain because she has bad arthritis and couldn’t take her usual for pain the previous night, and being poked on so many more times AGAIN. Meanwhile, it’s getting closer to lunch and my blood sugar is beginning to drop. I was trying to wait till they got Mom situated and then eat my lunch but it didn’t look like she was going anywhere soon. I usually eat lunch around 12-12:30PM and we were waiting, waiting. Soon, It was after 1PM and I told Mom I had to go ahead and eat.. even tho I hated to eat in front of her because she was starving but I went ahead and ate plus took my vitamins and felt a bit better.

They had drawn *just enough* blood to get the one lab they needed so were waiting for those results and then they were gonna take her elsewhere for the lung biopsy. Eventually someone came in and said that there’s a 20% risk of lung collapsing during the biopsy. However, a little later a Doc came in to explain their concern with everything. Doc said they felt uneasy about doing this right now because of this vein they *barely* caught and that is about to slip. Also, because Mom’s lungs were very unhealthy that chance of lung collapse is VERY high. If that were to happen then she would need to stay overnight and It could be worse to where she would need to be on the ventilator. Doc said if they needed to give her more meds after the biopsy if something went wrong then that pitiful IV would not be suitable. Everything just did not add up, so they talked to Mom about it- and bless her I noticed that her eyes teared up a little and lip quivered when they were talking about this whole circumstance. Everyone came to the conclusion, including Mom, that nobody felt good about going forward with this right now but to get it addressed soon. First we need to let her veins heal and talk to her other Doc. Brad was taking off work early to be there in time to get Katie off the bus but after Mom got back into her clothes and wheeled down to the front to wait for Mom’s friend to pick us up- I made it back at the same time as Brad was walking over to the bus stop in front of our apartments lol. Ugh, it was a draining morning. I’m glad they didn’t go through with it right now for Mom too. I just hate to see her in pain and going through so much but apparently her whole life has been medical madness.

Of course with Mom being in pain and not feeling well then that doesn’t keep her in the greatest mood- which I don’t think I would be either but then everyone else around me is grumpy and negative too. It’s so hard but I’m just gonna keep being positive and trying to inspire others to be too. Life has pain and circumstances that might make us disappointed/angry/etc etc etc but I choose to find the light in everything because I want to try to enjoy my life. <3 Just send some good vibes to my Mom please. =)

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY! I’m so grateful for my Grandma and all that she sacrificed to raise me as her own! Love my “Mom”! <3 Church was awesome today and we had a special discussion for Mother's Day that brought tears to my eyes, as I thought about Mom and all she's been through lately and all her life with health struggles and past negative and traumatic experiences. Mom was in the hospital all last week for the low potassium and they found a spot on her lung... which they saw in the past but want to take a biopsy, which she will go for Tuesday. She came home Friday and said she slept most of yesterday. They gave away little Mother's Day treat boxes at church so I saved mine to give to Mom! Brad had to stay after church, as usual, so I drove me and Katie home, fixed lunch, etc etc then laid down for about 30 minutes then Brad came home. Called Mom and she asked If I could go with her Tuesday for the biopsy and then also said she needed some medicine filled at the pharmacy for today. Brad said that he and Katie wanted to go out (hint hint, Mother's Day and all lol) and so he went to pick up Mom's stuff for the pharmacy. However, something came up with her insurance so she wasn't able to get her meds yet. Stupidness. I got some chores done and enjoyed a nice quiet house!!! They came home and gave me a big surprise! It's usually flowers and a card but this year- an awesome heart bracelet with pink sapphires and opals! I love it and it's beautiful! AWWW, they didn't have to buy me something and I know It had a bit of a hefty price to it and I feel blessed that they would get me something so special! <3 I fixed my dinner, spent some alonnnne time with my babe (!!!) and eventually went to give Mom her Mother's Day card and little treat box and she loved it. My Aunt and Cousin got her a new small watch that she really likes. It's been a great Mother's Day. Thankful, grateful, blessed.

Katieisms from last night-
*Brad closes Katie’s folding doors on her closet*

“Well, be careful not to break my closet” LOL.

Earlier, helping her get ready for bed (again, from last night)-
“Mom, I wish I could be just like you”
– “What do you mean?”
“I guess to be as good as you” (Love her)

Welcome to another week! As you can see- different layout for the site. It’s one that I made in 2011 and decided to bring it back to life, since I still love it. Still need to fix a bunch of various stuff, including links. Doing this in preparation to move forward with my virtual business.

I tried out this new hummus last night with my dinner and my body did not like it. At least I’m learning what to avoid. I dunno if it was from eating that hummus (I guess so cause that’s the only difference besides a little carrot juice?) but I went to bed last night and woke up at 2AM, 4AM, 5AM, and then Brad forgot to change the alarm time to 6:05, so woke up 10 minutes late. I usually never wake up during the night. Each time I would wake up during the night Brad was snoring loudly haaha. I dunno if it was from eating the hummus that put my body off or If it was from his snoring, but I know I was thankful for a long nap this morning. Today’s accomplishments: Worked on the website, folded and put away laundry, usual cooking/lunch making for Katie, finally uploaded old/newer pics to my Flickr!!! I used to keep up with it but the last few years I didn’t really upload my pics to it so I uploaded and organized!

My cousin knocked on the door this evening and said… Mom was back in the hospital. My Aunt finally said to her earlier today- let’s go to the emergency room since you were supposed to go Friday. The nurses at the ER said her potassium levels were in the 1.0 range and were surprised she hadn’t already had a heart attack. Sheesh.. so they got her hooked up and are keeping her overnight and maybe longer. That’s so dangerous! I just pray for her and love her so much.

Cannot wait to watch new Game of Thrones tonight!! (we usually watch it the day after) Also, gonna watch the movie The Revenant at some point – which I’m excited about! Enjoy your evening <3

Yes- I had to with the title, lol. WELCOME TO MAY!!!

This last week went pretty well. I am really wanting to try to create and run my own virtual business to help guide people with their health and being more positive! I’m nervous about trying to start it, but I just have to try!!! *eek* Katie had TWO big field trips last week!! Monday was a trip to the skating rink and then Wednesday was a trip to our local zoo! Friday the whole school had a special pizza/ice cream party, but Katie got in trouble quite a bit this week and got 2 different letters sent home from her teacher. She can be such a good girl, but this week she just chose to make not so good choices. She also got her chance to go somewhere special for her birthday taken away because she continued to make bad choices the last three weeks, after giving her multiple chances. It all comes with learning though and I know she can be awesome!

My Aunt had her eye surgery last Friday and everything went well! The Doc told her it could take up to a month for her eyesight to really recover and to be able to tell a big difference. My Mom (If you don’t read here usually, she’s my grandma but raised me) went to the Doc last week too and they were finally able to draw blood (they’ve been having trouble getting any from her!) and found out she is down from 83 pounds to 73… =( She also went to get her hair cut last week I think? She told the hair dresser short layer and woah, my cousin sent me a text with a picture and it is SUPER SHORT lol the shortest I have ever seen my Mom’s hair!! She didn’t want it that short but I think it looks nice and she likes it too. Anyway, her Doc called her Friday morning and had gotten the blood test back and said she needed to go to the emergency room ASAP since some abnormal levels showed up. Well, that was the morning of my Aunt’s surgery so she told them she couldn’t that day but that she would as soon as she was able to go. She told me about it later Friday and I told her we would take her that evening, but when I went over to talk to her she said maybe tomorrow (Saturday). I called her yesterday and she said no, she wasn’t gonna go. She’s terribly stubborn and I just don’t want her to get worse off ya know, but she has her own choices to make. Her potassium is extremely low and not sure what else but she said If she felt too bad she would go in. Just worry about her, of course.

It was a great Sunday! We got up and went to church and I’m the librarian, so the last two hours that’s where I stay (sometimes go to the women’s meeting last hour). Anyway, a friend of mine came into the library and said, “Are you pregnant?” I was like, “Ummm, nope!” She said, “Oh, you just have that glow about you!” Lol. Nooope, no baby here but I told her it’s probably due to my health improvements the last month or so. I mostly chatted with her and sorted library stuff. Brad knew he had to stay afterwards but Katie and I waited after church to see If he would be finished sooner so we could just all ride home together, but nope after about 25 minutes of waiting he said it would be longer and to just go ahead. Oh boy. So, once again I faced my fear of driving and drove us home! Luckily, the roads were mostly clear. WOOHOO. I’m very proud of myself!!! Just have to keep going with it. Brad eventually came home about 2pm and Katie and I had already eaten lunch. I laid down for a wonderful nap and was woken up by THUNDER!!! We had a brief storm, ate our afternoon snacks, then I got some house chores done and am feeling accomplished. Dinner = done. Time to relax and in a bit get Katie ready for bed and hopefully a better week at school. Guess what I’m gonna play later?? … my favorite… LOTRO! Hah, I love that game and April 24th made it 9 years since the game released!! I started my account on April 27th, 2007 and I still love it.

Have an excellent rest-of Sunday and sending positive vibes for this week and MAY! <3