Happy New Year's eve everyone !

For the first year in many We were invited to a New Years eve party / Birthday party but unfortunately, we are not able to go. First of all Cindy has to work the midnight shift tonight because she only got one choice out of Christmas eve, Christmas, New Years Eve New Years day off and she chose Christmas eve so that we could all attend Midnight mass as a family. Since she works midnight shift, Christmas day and New Years day are not that big of a deal. Anyway, though we struggled to decide whether or not to go to this party leaving Cindy alone before work, in the end we will be staying home where we can all eat before Cindy goes to work . Sometimes things just happen that way. I pray that all of you have a wonderful and safe New Years eve and day. May God bless you abundantly in the coming year and always!

Possibly some good news !

Yesterday Mike and I went to my doctor's appointment to get the results of my ultrasound and discuss some of the aspects of my coming surgery. The appointment started like any with about half an hour in the waiting room then ushered into a room for another fifteen minutes.When the doctor came in he looked over my reports and told us that he had good news. First of all my ovaries were cyst free so it looks as though I will probably be able to keep them, yea ! Then he read further wow my uterus has went from measuring 13.5 to measuring 7.5. Could it be that my auto immune disorder, has stopped attack on this organ ? The doctor had no explanation for the decrease in size but this sounds logical to him. So what about the hysterectomy ? We all know deep down that we must still do something and the doctor advised that we not wait until I have another flair up. Fair enough, I guess but then Mike had a question. " If the ablation couldn't be done because the uterus was too big ( it seems that this was the reason ) and now it is not too big.... Why can't she have the ablation now?" The doctor sat a minute to think then we discussed whether or not I wanted to cancel the surgery( that I still have no date for, the date will be set in two weeks when the lady comes back from vacation, but will most likely happen in February) and try the ablation again. Of course I did want to try again but I didn't want to cancel the surgery so I negotiated still scheduling the surgery just in case but still trying another ablation. Finally the doctor said that he would schedule one extensive surgical spot. He would attempt an ablation and if it worked, wonderful ..... If not then he would do the hysterectomy. Mike would know the outcome when the doctor is done and I will find out depending on my pain level when I awaken in recovery.
So this is where , my dear readers, you come in. Please pray for me about this. I have pretty much accepted either outcome, though one would obviously be less painful and require much less recovery time, Only God knows what is actually best so I am leaving it in his hands ! Thank you all ! I will post my surgical date as soon as I get it.

Me and my puppy !

Christmas eve

New hair accessory


Mike's Dad poses for a picture



Mike's Mom and I open gifts


Mike never gets into pictures..........until he found a mirror that is

Christmas Day

Is it ticking ?????



Robby opens his pajamas from Cindy


Michael opens a pair of pajamas from Cindy as Robby waits for his turn



Cindy opens a Barbie doll



Mike opens his USB pen


The kids take turns opening gifts

Boxing Day December 26, 2009

Mom receives a big present from her children and grandchildren



My Dad opens a Public Menace( from the movie UP) shirt that one of the kids got him



Uncle Curt with Michael & Rob



A bottle of wine from my little brother



Mom , Dad & I talk around the table

Did everyone have a wonderful Christmas ?????

Ours was pretty nice indeed. On Christmas eve was visited with Mike's family before midnight mass ! After Midnight mass , as is our tradition, we went to Sheetz for doughnuts and a free cappuccino, then we came home and the kids opened their presents from each other followed by Mike and I opening our gifts to each other( well what was left as Mike only had one gift that he didn't pick out & know about) while the home made bread, which had been rising all day, baked.
I then prepped and put the turkey in the roaster and went to bed. A couple hours later, we got up and the kids did some essential chores like letting the dogs out as I put the ham into the oven and started to prepare some of the side dishes. We then gathered for the kids ( and the puppies too)to open their gifts from "Santa" after which I put the rest of the food on to cook and we relaxed and messed with gifts until dinner time. After dinner we put everything into refrigerator containers and I headed to bed for a nap. Since Cindy had to work Christmas night,we all got together ( after our naps) and had desert before she left. The next day we prepared and gathered with my family where Isabella got to meet her cousin Sophia and uncle buzz (other family dogs)
It all went so fast that I can't believe that Christmas eve, day, and boxing day( Dec 26th or the servant's Christmas) are but a memory.
It goes without saying that Mike has hundreds of pictures, but since he is restoring our secondary lap top today and also received a call that a friend has a virus of the computer variety, I probably won't be receiving any this afternoon but as always, when I get them I will post some.
As for now, I must shop for Sauerkraut and pork... New Years is only days away !

Though she's cute.....

She's still a puppy ! Don't be fooled !


She's still a puppy ! Don't be fooled !




Merry Christmass all !!!!!

A new favorite ornament

Through the years, I have bought Christmas ornaments to commemorate different stages of the kids lives. This being told, it is no suprise that I also have bought ornaments in memory of Mike and my daughter, Caitlyn who was stillborn over fourteen years ago.It has been a couple years since I seen an ornament that I knew that I had to have but the following was one that I seen and immediatly felt that Caitlyn was behind my finding it. Since it was found on E bay I placed a bid and thought that if I was ment to have it, I would not be outbid. And guess what... The strangest thing happened. There were many many bids and some were equal to mine but none were over mine and I won so I know it was ment for me.

What does the wife of a Man who has been working 60 to 120 hours per week in order to build up the bank account, get for her Husband for Christmas ?

Why the Nikon D90 camera complete with two lenses and a sling bag that he has been admiring every since a fellow Karate picture taker got one last month, of course !

BTW.......Yes he will probably read this but he already knows as he found the package deal online.

Keeping it equal

Since May third nineteen ninety three, when Mike and I were blessed with Michael, we made a promise to ourselves. This promise being that since we loved our ,then two, children equally that we would always make a conscious effort to make sure that they were always treated equally. This may sound like a no brainier to most of you but I have personally witnessed Mothers and even Grandmothers who have told me point blank that so and so was their favorite child or favorite grandchild. No matter how many times I have heard this sort of thing it has always hurt my heart for the child, grandchild, children, grandchildren that were not the coveted favorite. When Robby was born three years after Michael we again made this simple promise. Because of these promises, I am always aware of not only how I treat all three of my children but how it appears to my three children that they are treated equal. This is not saying that when one has gone through a period of misbehavior that we are not as tough as we can be on them. After all it is out of Love for our children that we punish them and teach them right from wrong.
This being said , Christmas time is one time in particular when we are very aware that our kids are treated equal in many ways. One of which is making sure that everyone receives equal gifts. This is not always easy as they each have their unique likes and dislikes so rather than making sure that everyone gets the same things, we have set a price amount which is spent on each child. The kids can get one gift or twenty, depending on their wish list but in the end the total spent on each child is equal. Well within a dollar, as equality to the penny would be just the thing to set me over the proverbial edge, or at least that is how I have always thought.However this year it just sort of worked out that in addition to keeping the cost within a dollar( actually twenty four cents this year) I have also ended up with the same amount of presents per child. Since this may never happen again I am so proud of myself! The only problem is now that I have to resist the urge to buy any last minute little things . Thankfully I have many things to keep me busy rather than shopping.

My wheel has arived

At 7:50 Wednesday night( after all of the places that will mount tires closed)the UPS guy knocked on my door.Finally my rim had arrived. I had Mike check it before he went to work so that first thing Thursday I could get it mounted and get my Aztek back on the road. Since Cindy's car was due for a tire rotation, she and I both headed off with our cars to Sams club. From there I was sent to Wal Mart as Sam's didn't want to bother with my needs even though I have been a loyal tire customer there for many years. Finally after six days, my rim was changed and I am back in business. Today I will catch up on all of the errands that I am behind on.

A slip but not a good one

Though we have not been given the official word, there has been a slip from a Sensei whom we trust and it looks as though Michael's Nidan test has been scored for a six month retest. The part that stinks about these tests is that you can be told to retest, or even fail without being given specific reason ( the score cards are not shown to the person testing). I guess that the idea of this is to force one to look deep within , examine not only ones karate ability, but ones spirit(attitude) ( any of these things can be cause for retest or failure) and work on everything.
At this point we have no choice but to believe that Michael will have to retest. This is,though not the outcome we had hoped for, not such a bad thing, as everyone needs to take a good hard look at themselves from time to time. It can only benefit. After all there is a reason that the first line in the Dojo Kun ( mission statement for ShotoKan) is "Seek perfection of Character"

Mixed messages

This morning I had my ultrasound to determine if I get an expedited surgery date or not. I was originally told that i would know by Friday what was going on but now I am not so sure. As the tech was doing the ultrasound, she casually said that I seriously needed to make sure to keep my appointment to see the doctor. I took this to mean that something was spotted,however when I went to the desk, I was given an appointment of December 29th ( guess that surgery will be after then huh ? ) I was then asked to sign papers for surgery to be scheduled and was given a form for a hospital that I made it clear( last visit)that I would not go to. I was then told (by the medical scheduler)that the Hospital to which the doctor reluctantly agreed last visit was not an option.( I don't know if he knows this or not ) I was about to ask for the name of another surgeon when I was offered an option of a private hospital which by chance accepts our insurance and which we have had outpatient procedures and surgeries ( such as Michael's feet, & Robby's last ear tubes done at ) Though we have never experienced inpatient procedures here, this seemed like a wonderful choice. So hopefully the plans can be made and it will all work out.Since my appointment is Dec 29th, I assume that I will be on the January or February schedule like I was originally told, if not they will surely let me know !

Oh where oh where is my wheel ?

The online tracking information says that my Aztek rim will be delivered today as it left on the UPS truck early this morning. I have waited around all day except for when I needed to go to a doctor's appointment and then I made sure Cindy was up to sign if necessary,but still no wheel ! I had hoped to get it mounted before karate tonight but that plan looks bleak. I do have Mike's car and he is driving Michael's but it just isn't the same. I stopped at the grocery store to get Chile beans after my appointment and ended up spending about $50 on groceries, which is not very much at all but a Grand Am is not an Aztek and so loading it in was tougher than I am used to. UPS has told me that my package is scheduled anytime before 7:00 PM but that residential is always after business deliveries. So I guess that I am supposed to wait.......

Still no results

Mike and Michael had kind of hoped for early word about Michael's Nidan test yesterday, however, he ended up sick and did not make it to class and since we didn't get a phone call, I assume that the process has not become miraculously short as they had hoped. So to anyone who was told that we might know by now........ Sorry but we still don't :( I will update as soon as possible.

Your kidding right ?

Last Friday while Mike was working a twenty hour day I, as usual delivered his dinner to work.On my way I noticed that something wasn't right with my Aztek and, though I know nothing about cars, deducted that I had a low tire. For the first time in my life, with the help of Mike, on the phone, and the automatic air machine, at Sheetz, I put air into the tire. I felt pretty good about myself until later in the evening my "low tire pressure" light came on. This is when I knew that there was a problem so I headed to Sears, which is where I bought the tires.Upon inspection I was told that I had a cracked rim. They agreed to put my spare on the car as I called Mike to decide where to get a new rim. Since a factory rim cost $800 and would need a week to be delivered, Mike and I decided to see about buying a set of non factory rims. Our only requirement was that they had to be American made . Well the salesman had no knowledge of if they even carried any American made ones or not, so he sort of browsed his computer. In the mean time,I was told that Sears could not figure out how to get my factory spare out from under my car and on my axle so they gave up.Three hours later,I paid for a set of rims that the salesman swore were American made and drove home with low tire pressure to pop a few Tylenol to relieve my huge headache.
My rims were supposed to be in today and since I can't drive the car until they come in, I am awaiting their delivery. This being said, I was awaiting the call to come on in and get them but it didn't come. Mike called from work and was told that they would take longer and get this.... They were made in China ! But he argued, I personally told the sales guy on the phone no Chinese and I was on the phone with my wife when she reminded the guy...... My husband said no Chinese ! Well I guess that Sears has agreed to refund our money , which is good but now I have blown away three days and still have no replacement rim. Mike did order one from E bay and it should be here soon but still I wonder, how can one work for Sears automotive and not have a clue about anything which they sell ? Have we become so desensitized to buying foreign that we don't even care what is or isn't anymore? I am saddened first off that this junk is even for sale here in America let alone that people are oblivious to it. One man at Sears argued that the rims came from West Virginia, so they were American made. Mike made a few calls and they have a warehouse in West Virginia. I don't know about you, but I am tired of the deception.In the future I guess that i will have to research everything I buy, from socks to soap but I will do what I have to because it is that important ! Are you with me?

Waiting........

As I shared, Michael tested for his Nidan( second degree black belt) yesterday. Unfortunately we do not know the results of his test yet. The process can take two weeks as the results must be taken to the ISKF headquarters , then someone from headquarters has to inform (usually via phone call)the executive director of our region. Our regional director will then notify the sensei of Michael's primary Dojo(school) and the Sensei will then contact Michael. Sometimes, results slip out early but nothing is official until this process is complete. Thankfully, we don't have to wait until the scores are recorded in Japan and an official Japanese certificate is made and issued, this can take a year. So as we anxiously await, Michael's score, here are a couple pictures of the sparing portion of his test.

There's nothing like.........

The love between a boy and his dog !

A Day Book

Recently I was challenged to post a "day book" A Day Book is like a Me Me but centers more on "Me today" so here it is..... Hope you enjoy



Outside my window … Snow , Not much but enough !

I am thinking … Wow only 15 days till Christmas.... I have to get some wrapping done and what about cookies?

I am thankful for … Mike, who is working tons of overtime for his family

I am reading … lots of E mail sale ads and buying way too many things online too !

I am hoping … Well actually praying for so many things including the health of everyone in our family

On my mind … Mike is working 20 hours today so I will soon be braving the cold to take him dinner.

Noticing that … Mike always seems to work twenty hour days when the boys have karate

A few plans for the week … Maybe get some wrapping done

From the kitchen … I broke down and made and baked a batch of turtle bar cookies and fudge while waiting for the boy's buses this morning

Around the house … I have so much to do

One of my favorite things …sitting around with friends and family while sharing snacks,a drink or two ( diet coke will do but so will something with a touch of alcohol) and just talking, playing Uno, or just having a good time .

A picture I am sharing …
In honor of Sensei Okazaki coming to Ohio this weekend for a clinic and black belt test, Here is a picture of him last month at Nationals autographing the boy's DVD set

Good news...... I think

Monday I had a doctor's appointment which ended in me being told in no uncertain terms that I will need a surgery that I have been putting off for awhile. When asked when the surgery would be done, the Doctor replied that he is booked until January or February( February if I can get into the hospital which I want as this surgery will require a two or three day stay) but that he feared that I may actually be an Emergency case and looking at the next two weeks . The determining factors would be blood work, which I had done in the office, and an extensive ultrasound scheduled for next week. Because of this I was not surprised to see that the Doctor was calling yesterday afternoon. Expecting the worst, I answered. Thankfully it was a nurse and not the doctor who told me that my blood work had come back and I was "barely stable" ( hey anyone who knows me could have told you that this was the case.... of course this is physical rather than mental ;-). I asked for numbers which she didn't have as my file was not available so I am awaiting another call to find out what "barely stable" is but apparently it is good enough to wait for surgery provided that the ultrasound doesn't show the need for Emergency status. This being said, I think that I will file this under good news. As a child I was confined to the hospital for I believe a week , finally getting out on Christmas eve and trust me it was not fun then and would be worse now .Especially since I have declined dinner invitations and plan on cooking for our family myself. So prayers for a stable ultrasound are appreciated.

Thank you Michael

For doing a marvelous job of putting up and decorating our Christmas tree while Mike worked a sixteen hour day and I ran hours of errands that could not be moved to another day. I truly appreciate it !

BTW please move your brother's and sister's " Mom's favorite" ordainments from the back of the tree to the front next to yours ! You know that your all three my favorites !

The Dogs and their Teenage masters see Santa

Oh Christmas tree !

This weekend Mike is working ( probably sixteen hours)on Saturday. Then Sunday is December's Religious education Sunday. Tonight we have to get the dogs groomed and there are a few other things here and there that we must fit in.
Next Saturday Michael is due in Columbus to test for his Nidan( second degree black belt)and Sunday is my Maternal family reunion. The following weekend is days before Christmas, so when do I expect to get a Christmas tree up and decorated?
Does anyone know of a way to stop time and catch up ? Honest all I need is a week or two and I promise to keep up with the program !!!!!

They're here !

What am I talking about ? Christmas trees ? The perfect Christmas gifts ? Nope. I am of course talking about H1N1 vaccines ! As I posted before, Cindy, Michael, & Rob already got theirs at an in school clinic but beings that Mike and I were neither one pregnant and both over twenty one ( OK I know I don't look it but I am quite a few years over 21 and were not even going to go to whether or not I look pregnant !) we did not qualify for first round immunizations but as of last week, our family doctor got in a small quantity of the injectable vaccine and between Mike's health history and my being on a drug to treat lupus, that I may or may not even have, we made the cut( the vaccines are still being rationed in our area ) So this afternoon, I will meet Mike after work at the doctor's office and we will receive our injections. Merry Christmas to us !

Thanksgiving dinner

As of this morning , when I finished the turkey for breakfast, the left overs are already pretty much gone :-(

Mike has posted ISKF 2009 pictures o flicker

http://www.flickr.com/photos/42625375@N08/sets/72157622876258354/