BOO

Not so much into the halloweenie thing anymore, but I have some great memories of Halloweens gone by. The year my Dad wore a ghost costume and Mr. Lima (our neighbor) dressed up as a hippie and they took us trick-or-treating and everyone made a big fuss over them. I thought my Dad was the coolest that night. One year I dressed up as a gypsy and my Mom let me wear her big dangley earrings...what a thrill. All of us kids even paid a visit to a old local cemetary one year after sorting through all of our candy. Yikes! We always made a scarecow using my Dad's old clothes and a stuffed pillowcase for the head. We carved up pumpkins and saved the seeds for roasting. To this day the smell of cutting into a pumpkin brings back fine memories.We raked loads of leaves and spent afternoons jumping into the piles and burying eachother. Simple fun, no cell phones, no I-pods...well, you get the picture. We had so much fun, just being kids and could make alot of fun out of just about anything. Hope that you are dishing up some simple fun this Halloween.

This is IT. Knee Surgery!

We had been waiting for this day for months. Now that it was upon us, we were apprehensive. All in all, everything went well. Some disappointing news was that both meniscus's had torn (did not know that there were 2 per knee). That means more post-op swelling,pain, and more difficult physical therapy.




On our way. Smiling and optimistic. Oh...and check out the new glasses. So cute.

Trying to relax beforehand so his BP reading would be normal. It didn't work. I loved his aqua colored johnny coat. They gave him aqua colored fuzzy socks to match. They booted me out at this point.

Whew!!! In recovery. So very relieved that everything went OK. Praying for a successful recovery. Love you Jim.

Quickie

Just a quick update. Jim's surgery is scheduled for Thursday. We are both apprehensive, after all it is surgery, but the excitement of getting Jim back to feeling good far outweighs our fears.
I have been worried about Zach not being able to have the H1N1 vaccine and today he e-mailed me that UNH has procured a small amount and because he has asthma he will be able to get one.
Saturday is Halloween and we have decided not to have our light on and give out candy. The commotion makes the dog nuts. We will officially be the Halloween scroodges of our neigborhood.
I am off to watch the vote-off on Dancing with the Stars. Gotta run.

Innoculated

My computer broke last week, some mumbo jumbo about hard drives and wiping it clean. All I know is that it came home yesterday missing my pretty Autumn wallpaper and all my shortcut icons.
I finally got my flu shot today...right at my desk in front of 5 of my co-workers. I kinda freaked out a little. I have not gotten a shot since, well I cannot remember when. I got a close up look at the needle and got the heabie jeabies. I actually had to mentally settle myself down and they all laughed at me (in a good way). Also, I found out that we keep tootsie pop lollipops for difficult patients (mentally handicapped adults). I chose cherry.

Today is Kate’s birthday but she is far away. We already celebrated her special day…but I am missing giving her a birthday wish and hug in person. Happy Birthday sweet girl.
Love,
Mom

Random October

It finally feels like fall here in Ct. We had our first frost last night and all of the outside summer plants look like wilted lettuce. In contrast, the leaves are racing toward peak and it is quite a sight to see. Autumn in New England is as good as it gets.
Zach is home this weekend. He came home with so many wonderful things to say about UNH. He likes all of his suitemates. He is also having great sucess so far with his classes. His criminal justice class is particularily interesting for him. It is so much fun to hear about all of the new things that he is experiencing.
I am finally feeling better and my lungs are on an upward trend. I hardly coughed yesterday and actually had a normal amount of energy. It has been almost a month since I got sick and it has been an uncomfortable month of coughing, wheezing, chest x-rays and Dr. visits, all the while trying to keep up at work and home. According to my Dr., I should to schedule some pulmonary function tests soon. Anyway, it feels very good to feel better.
The three of us spent Saturday shopping for some warm clothes for Zach. He is still on his get/stay fit journey and nothing fits him from last year. I love that he is living healthy.
Kate will be away on her birthday, so last night we celebrated her 24th birthday. She requested chicken and dumplings for her birthday meal and "the " cake that I always bake for the kids birthdays. I asked Kate is she wouldn't rather a bought cake, or an ice cream cake and she declined. They are still not sick of "the" cake.
Sunday Jim, Zach and I attended the 10:10 service at church and shared a pew with a friend who is searching for spiritual answers. I was very moved to see and hear how God is trying to get her attention.
After church, we drove down to the Bagel King for fresh toasted salt bagels with cream cheese. Upon arriving home, Jim and Zachary settled in for the Giants/Raiders game and I got ready to attend the wedding celebration for one of my new co-workers. This is definitely "the year of the wedding". Since last November I have attended 6 weddings, 7 if you count Jim and Pam from last Thursday. I feel like I am a wedding officianado. I have come away with great ideas if we ever have to be a part of planning a wedding. I have learned that the more personal touches and unique ideas that a couple can incorporate into their cermony and reception is greatly appreciated by the guests. It also helps us to know the couple better. The wedding today was sweet and simple and took place with the beautiful backdrop of the changing leaves and the crisp clean air of the Ct. countryside.
I made my way home by 6:30 and am now just hanging out in the family room with Jim. I hope that your weekend was fun and relaxing. Have a great week everyone!