this thing I call my life.....my ramblings

It's been a bit hectic around the Emery house....I feel like there is not enough time in the day. There are mini messes in every corner of the house, I can't seem to keep up with housework lately. Bailey has hockey almost every day, there is homework, school stuff, and trumpet practice to keep on top of too. Thank goodness Steve takes over the hockey part of it. The yard looks a bit caotic as well, as the leaves bearly have been touched....( my job for later today :). I've been working alot, and trying to keep on top of my exercising routine, so that takes up alot of my time.
I can't believe Halloween is almost here, it's my favorite holiday....we've been busy making halloween cookies, Hannah loves to bake.(and eat them)!!!!!! I have had most of my decorations up for about a month now, and we need to carve our pumpkins...hummm when are we gonna fit that in.....??
In between all the hockey this week, I have managed to squeeze in a follow up dentist appt. for Bailey today after school, to take care of 2 cavities. The kids had their dentist appts. a few weeks back. Hannah's teeth looked good, besides the fact that she STILL hasn't gotton in her permanent tooth, after loosing her baby tooth almost 2 years ago. They didn't take x-rays this time, but continue to show me the xrays from the last few times which clearly shows the tooth in there ready to pop through any time...hummm. She has a few semi loose teeth, teeth she says hurts a bit, but are not really very loose yet. She is a slow tooth looser, not to mention tooth grower. The dentist also said she does not have her 2nd molars yet, supposed to get those about age 4-5yrs. What the heck, oh no---is she gonna have teeth problems like her mommy ??
Also after school on Thursday the kids and I will trek to Hutch to get our flu shots, the kids are not to happy with me for scheduling that, but it's a part of life now days.... Hannah and I already have had one early season bout with colds/conjestion, and I don't want to take any chances this winter.
Tomorrow I have the day off (finally), I am gonna go to St Cloud to SHOP. I love that time to myself..... Bailey has decided last minute to dress up for Halloween, he wants me to run to Scheels and see if they still have the Patriot football dress up uniform set....if not he says he wants to be a ghost...we'll see what I can find...don't want to be running all over. Hannah of course, is gonna be Disney's "Hannah Montana"....she was so insistant, and would not even consider any other costume when she saw this one, but yet she will probably not wear the wig I bought her to go with it. I hope she changes her mind.
I also have $30 in Kohls cash, and hope to find a new winter jacket to use that money towards. I usually eat lunch at LeeAnn Chins, and then have to head home by about 2:30 to be back before the kids get home at 3:15 or so.
I guess we'll be carving pumpkins Thursday night, since there is no hockey and then we'll be all set for the "big night" on Friday. It's supposed to be a nice night for "trick or treating".
My grandparents are on their way to Arizona and should be within a day or so of arriving. I worry about them driving so far at their age, and grandpa having been so sick this summer....so maybe this will be their last year of driving and they will consider flying.
I have recently found out my father in law has cancer (prostate/bladder), although the outlook is uncertain, I am hopeful that he will be able to get though it. He has some surgery/treatment to get through, and I am looking to God for strength for him and his family to be strong and supportive.
Also I have learned that my good friend from high school has been recently diagnosed with fibromyalgia. After a what seemed to be a minor car accident last year, she has continued to have pain, which seemed to set off the disease. She has improved but the disease is so unpredictable, she can have some good days and some very bad days. The pain in her body however, is almost constant to one degree or another. She is struggling with accepting this for her life, not being able to do things she loves and even to the point of dealing with her family differently. I just told her to continue to do the things she loves on her good days and don't give up, don't let the disease define who you are. Her friends and family are here for her.

oh, one more rambling....and we finally got our TV back. It was a bit of a struggle but the handy dandy Geek Squad guy came through for us. It had been 2 full weeks since the guy was here the first time and had to order parts for our TV. I was told they would call us, but we were becoming increasing impatient every day that passed. So I called them last Wed to see what was up, and they told me that the parts were in.(ok so why weren't we called)...whatever, so she set me up with a service call to install them, and the earliest day was Nov 3. Once again, I stated, are you kidding me? That's another almost 2 weeks away.!!! She said he was busy and that was the earliest, whatever...uuggh.
So now we are even more angry that they never called us to say the parts were in and that we have to wait again. I then proceeded to call Best Buy in Waite Park/St Cloud to see if we can bring our TV in to them to either get fixed or exchanged. I was ready to be done with the TV altogether, and get a new one. Of course they said no, and no returns after 3 months. But the man on the phone was very helpful, although he wasn't able to help me right then, he had to take all my information and relay the message to a Geek Squad Supervisor, I guess he was only the manager. He told me we would have a solution to our situation in 24-48 hours and they would contact me. So already by the next morning a woman calls me from the Bloomington Best Buy, and says that the tech that has our TV parts would have some time available that day, which was last Thursday between 12-3pm. I worked at 9am, and Steve was working in Waverly, so had him come home for ,lunch in case the tech came, and I was home by 12:45 or so. Steve went back to work and the tech came at about 1:20pm. I thanked him so much for sqeezing us in, and he had our parts installed in about 30 min or less. He was very nice and we are so happy to have our TV back working.

Well I better get out to get some leaves bagged up.
Will post some more pictures soon.

Trip to Wisconsin

We are back to reality, back home in Dassel. We had a fun weekend in WI. I got accomplished all that I went there for, and had many more laughs and memories to add.
Kids didn't want to stop up at Rib Mountain on the way there, I was disspointed. I didn't want to force them, since I wanted to take some pictures and didn't want crabby kids.
Anyway, I got to see my friend Friday night, and her house that she is having built. We had a great night catching up, and had supper at the Italian restaurant Gratzies. We had a glass of wine and just talked, just like old times.( minus the wine of course.) We are at a rebuilding point in our friendship, it's been several rough years. We are childhood friends, who were inseperable in the summer months growing up. We attended different schools throughout childhood, so therefore had busy summers to catch up, it was easy cuz we just lived across the street. As we got older we grew closer together, and did more things outside of school time, but the time came when I moved to MN, and then things got a little shakey. It is finally now that I feel that same connection with her, as I did so many years ago. We are trying to get past all of the hurt and dissapointments, and move forward. She is getting married on November 15 and we'll be heading back to WI for the wedding.

I got to spend some time with my sister, on Friday morning before she went to work, we all went to the mall to have Hannah's bear stuffed at Build a Bear. Lisa got her the Hannah Montana Bear from there for her birthday, and we finally got her stuffed. Hannah named her "Savannah". Then we ate lunch at the mall before Lisa had to leave.
We visted my grandparents at their new apartment that afternoon, and I got to see them for a spaghetti supper at my parents house the next evening. We all played Apples to Apples after supper, and had so many laughs...it's impossible not to laugh in that game, esp. with 4 generations playing....makes for an intersting enjoyable time. My grandparents will be leaving for AZ on Saturday so I'm glad I had the chance to see them before they left, something I haven't yet had the chance to do.

Lisa/ Wil then had a football get together at their new house on Sunday, where we watched the Vikings and then the Packers play. My grandparents and parents and us were invited. It was a fun time. Lisa and Wil's house is beautiful and I am so jealous. Makes me more determined to better our situation so I can move.
Hannah and I went through the millions of pictures I have unorganized, as the rest watched football. (football is not our thing). We had many yummy snacks and then grilled out for supper, and then guess what???----- played Apples to Apples again, this time with Lisa and Wil added to the fun....it was even funnier.

Monday, then we had to come home, and as we approached Rib Mtn. I gave the kids the option to go up, and they AGREED!! Really?? Yeah!!! It was a windy chilly day, but the sun was shining, so I was happy to have the chance to get up there and take some fall pictures. The leaves were mostly blown off the trees, but we still saw a little color, and had fun romping in the leaves and climbing the big rocks at the top. On the way back down, we pulled over on the sid eof the road where there was a hiking trail. It was covered with leaves, so we kinda went off the trail a bit and headed into the woods. It was so much fun, and I think the kids enjoyed it there. Hannah even said she wanted to stay in the woods and camp. Silly girl.

Back home again, back to work, had 5 days off, now have to work the next 8 days in a row get one day off and then work 2 more before I get the following weekend off. I am also struggling with a cold, just some coughing and conjestion in my chest. I mostly feel fine, just sleeping is difficult with the laying down.
I had my yearly review at the hotel and got my annual raise. I can't believe I've been there a year already. I still have hopes of getting back to being a vet tech, but as the years go on, it looks slim. I still am certified until 2010, and am keeping my eye open for an oppourtunity. Otherwise my review at the hotel was great, they "love" me there, and I enjoy it there. (to a point). It's working out fairly well so far, so who knows where life will take me in that respect. I feel like this is where I should be now, but yet, have this feeling in the back of my head that I should be doing more with my love of animals or photography.

headed to Wisconsin

The kids and I will leave for WI in the morning. There happens to be no school Thurs and Friday for teachers education convention (MEA)- and also on Monday for some more teacher study (staff development day), so even though my parents have been to MN alot recently, I decided to take a break and head to WI, since I dont' get there much in the winter.
My sister and her husband bought a new house, so am excited to see that. My friend has a house being built before they get married in November, so she wants to show me how far it's come. My grandparents moved into a new apartment, and they will be leaving soon for AZ, so am excited to be able to see them before they leave. My grandpa is on the road to feeling a bit better, after having a case of Valley Fever all summer, or so his Dr thinks. The blood test came back negative from Mayo, but he was tested so far into the condition, that he was starting to get over it somewhat, and the tests can be inconclusive as to making a dignosis, the Dr's around here have never heard of it and it's not common in this area....It can take up to a year to fully get over it, though. He has some heart issues that will need to be kept an eye on in AZ, and he will be getting a cardiologist down there as well. His heart stays in atrial fibulation (abnormal heart rhythm), even after twice shocking it back into rhythm, it stays normal for a awhile and then goes back. It gives him a risk of clots or stroke, but for now will just be watched closely, and they are anxious to get down to the warm Arizona weather before winter as his doctor has given him the ok to go.

I hope to spend the next few days relaxing, clearing my head of all the stresses of life and just enjoying the time with the kids, my family and friends. Fall is such a pretty time of year, I like the scenery and coolness. The kids and I may stop up at Rib Mtn. in Wausau on the way there to catch some of that beautiful scenery, that my parents saw when they just went there. Hope the weather is nice enough to do so.


Hannah just got over being sick for a few days, and still has a bit of a cold. She seems to be doing better, although still pretty weak, she went back to school today. She seems to be fighting some lung/chest conjestion that also made her sick to her stomach. I'm not sure if it can happen, but it seemed as though she was throwing up what she should have been able to cough up. She did that for about 15 hours, every 1-2 hours. She hasn't been coughing and seems afraid to, or says she can't. At least the stomach thing and fever has went away, and now she is just trying to get over the cold and get her strength and appitite back. We'll try to get her healthy again and we'll be getting the flu shot again this year in the next week or so.

Here's a few pictures my mom took at Rib Mountain last week, which makes me want to go.

Just pictures

Look what we found in our yard...looked this little guy up on the internet and believe he is called, a Sword-bearing Conehead grasshopper--even think we have the male here.

A Fall prayer for Changing Times

In a time when so much is changing, surround yourself
and those you love with beautiful reminders that what
matters most stays the same.
*****************************
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus......I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." Phillipians 4
************************************
Lord,
There is so much happening in our world now.
In the midst of it all, it's so good to know
You're in control, Your love is never-ending,
and You provide for us.
As the trees turn colors, and the nights grow cooler,
may we be reminded that every season of our lives
is a part of Your loving plan.
Amen.

Holley Gerth, DaySpring writer.
www.dayspring.com

if one more thing breaks

It seems as though its one thing after another lately. Everything is falling apart or breaking down...not to mention the entire house, but here's a few examples.
Our kitchen cupboards are hanging by pony tail holders now, to keep the doors from flapping open.
Our vacuum died, and it's only a few years old, it happened while my mom was using it a week or so ago. My dad took it home with them and had it fixed, it just needed some cleaning up. Thank goodness, I vacuum at least once a day if not more. Luckily I have a spare, that's also in not so good of shape, but it held up.
Ok, next is our printer. It stopped printing pretty much all together. I recieved a new printhead through contacting Kodak's website. There was no charge since our printer is only about 10 months old, still under the year warranty. Tried that and it worked for a few days, it was printing documents fine until I tried to print a picture, and then noticed that the colors weren't right. It now prints black good and most blues, wont' print greens or yellows, and the reds are pink. uuggh. So I called Kodak's technical support line, and they are now sending us a new printer. WOW. I just I hope I can trust the 2nd one to last longer than a year.

And finally our TV, which is the most frustrating, because our family can't hardly function without it. Our big 42 inch DLP TV has finally decided it needs replacement parts. It is only a little over 2 years since we bought it. It was a floor model, so that might account for some of our early problems. We were told to have the bulb/lamp in it replaced before our 3 year warranty expires next July, because those cost over $300. So so we expected to have to do that in the near future. Over the last year or so, it has acted up 3-4 different times where it says on the screen to, "check fan no. 2" and then the TV will automaticlly shut off after 5 minutes or so....probably from overheating. Our TV has 2 fans and a projection bulb/lamp. The past few times I've been able to open up the panal and vacuum out the area and get it working again. This time I've had no luck, so I called Best Buy last Saturday. I was set up for a service call today...it's been a long 5 days without our TV. We've managed with the playroom TV, which displays static every so often and we have to shake it to clear the picture. I've been used to doing this for Hannah when she wants to watch soemthing, which is rare. So it's just been an added annoiance. Plus there just isn't enough room in there. Bailey's little TV has been getting some more use as well, cuz like I said our family just doesnt' function well without one, we need 3 working TV to suit all of our needs. :)

The "Geek Squad" shows up this morning, he comes in, I explain the problem he takes a quick peek at the back (never opens anything up) and says he will order 2 fans, and I also explained about the bulb, and he said he will order one of those too, and then went on to say, they will call us when the parts are in, which is about 7-10 days, and we'll be back out with another service call to replace them. I said your kidding me, we have to wait another week? He said yup I have to order the parts. GOOD GRIEF!!! Within a minute after arriving, he was out the door, and said have a nice day, and drove away in his little Geek Squad mobile.

Another hockey season about to begin

Bailey is so excited to play hockey again. He is a 2nd year Squirt. He starts this Wed night, with speed training for 3 nights in a row. Then for the next 4 nights after that, it's pre season hockey camp. I'm not too thrilled about this schedule, being that Wed and Thursday night he wont' get to bed until 10pm, on school nights, plus keeping up with school work, etc. Steve just wants to give him every opportunity, but I just worry about his sleeping and general routine screwed up, which causes headaches. Anyway he is all set, he got some new leased skates, and also needed new knee pads, breezers and shoulder pads.
I will try to enjoy this year as much as possible as next year might be a little nerve wracking, as he will be able to "check".

Hannah has decided not to play hockey this year, as much as she loves to skate, she just may not be into the hockey part. Maybe next year. I think she'd be real good at it. I think after being somewhat forced to play last year, it kinda turned her off for this year. She is pretty stubborn and once she says something, it's hard to change her mind, and she may also just need a break, before she realizes if she misses it or not. She plans on still doing alot of skating this winter, as daddy leased her some new skates.

Surely it is God Who Saves Me

Sung by Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School in Jackson, WI.... and it looks like some younger children are included as well. Makes the song complete.
This song means alot to me and involves many memories from a child to an adult. Beautiful.
When I hear it I always have tears forming, it's not something I can control. I hear the words and I feel like I can conquor any of life's obsticles, I feel strong, yet humble, knowing I can't do anything without Jesus by my side.

Headaches....part of life??

I'm beginning to think Bailey's headaches will never go away. It's frustrating, it's been a part of life for the past 6 years.
I have been reporting to the doctor now every month since July. I hope I'm seeing a pattern developing, but only time will tell.
In July he had 8 headaches on 20 mg, in August he had 7 headaches on 30 mg, and in September he had 6 headaches on 40 mg. hummm? He's now gonna be at 60 mg for October.
I think it's a postive pattern, but he has gone anywhere from 8-9 headaches to 4-5.
There never has been any consistancy. His average is 6 headaches per month since last January, after we started the medication.
The goal is to get him to 1-2/month. I sure hope we can get there, of course for his sake, as I will continue to do whatever it takes until then. I sometimes feel that it is not the medication that will end up helping him, that maybe it's more of controlling the triggers, but I also rely on the medication, as to maybe it will start to do what it's supposed to do, in preventing the headache, regardless of the triggers.
Last month he had a migraine that lasted forever. I called the doctor, and he then also prescribed Midrin, which is better than Motrin if we can catch it early enough. That day we apparently didn't, and since then we had to use it only one other time, when the headache seemed to last a bit longer. Bailey prefers the Motrin over the capsules, so therefore haven't been using it regularly. It's best to use it at the onset anyway, for it to take full effect.

Life goes on......