June 7, 2006

• First, let me say thank you to all who expressed sympathy on the passing of my brother. I know he is no longer in pain and that helps. I have renewed a relationship with his sons and hope to maintain that in the years to come.
  In addition to work, I have been trying to enjoy the summer. I was invited to a picnic with Ali’s (Roger’s girlfriends) familyon Memorial Day. It was fun and I enjoyed their company very much, even though Roger says I didn’t talk too much. I’ve been trying to get my yard into some sort of shape so that I might invite people to our house for some cookouts. I’m not getting anywhere on that goal, though. I hope by a week or two, I can have some relatives over, at least.
  Speaking of relatives, Mom and Dad are going to get to move into their own house this summer. You see, when they moved to NM 12 years ago, they left behind the farm in East Sparta that they bought from my grandpa when they got married. My brother, Kevin, moved in to take care of it for them, but then my dad decided my older brother, JR, should live there and so it was. He and his wife and grandchildren have lived there for the past 12 years with the understanding that when Mom and Dad moved back to Ohio they wanted their house back. As Dad’s health declined more and more, Mom told them 3 years ago to start looking for another home, because Dad has always said he wants to go out of this life living on the farm. They acknowledged the request but didn’t try to find anything.
  As luck would have it, just before Kevin and I went to NM to bring them back 2 years ago, my grandmother was moved into a nursing home. We just brought our parents back and put them into Granny’s house and they have been living there. Mom was still reminding JR and wife that they wanted to live in their own house. Well, for the past year JR and wife have been trying hard to get a place of their own, but wanted to stay in the same school district because the grandkids have had enough hard times in their short lives. Last week, they signed papers on a house in nearby Sandyville, and JR said he wants to be moved in by his birthday on June 18. Mom and Dad are having central air put in the farmhouse and then they will be moving. Mom said she hopes to be in by August. Dad is ecstatic. So is Mom. As for me, I am looking forward to sitting on the porch with my parents late into the summer evenings and just talking about any topic that comes up, just like we used to do before they moved out west. My sister lives right next door and she is looking forward to it also.
  My concert season starts next week. I go to see Rob Thomas and Jewel on the 14th. Then on the 16th, Roger, Ali and I are going to see Mindless Self Indulgence. Nine Inch Nails is on the 27th. July will be great because I have the week of the 4th off and so does my husband. Rog’s birthday is on the 4th and he will be 18. On july 18th, we are going to Ozzfest and on July 22 will be the Dixie Chicks concert. So far there are no concert plans for August, but I want to go to one with my sister-in-law. Man, this costs some money, but it is worth it. Of course, the nearest venues are Akron, Cleveland and Pittsburgh. So it will also cost in gasoline.
  To help support my heathen ways, I am thinking of picking up one day per month working for a nursing employment agency. I can make at least $20 an hour, and with my experience maybe even $25. I love my job I have now, but it is more a labor of love than for profit. I only make $12.50, and work 8 days a pay. I figure I can pick up one extra day a month with the service and it won’t matter to my other job or my family.
  Today is sort of my re-birth day. Five years ago today, I had my gastric bypass surgery. I try to praise God every day for the blessing of having a normal life. I can work, walk, and breathe. I can wear normal clothes. I can fit into a seat. I lost 160 lbs., gained back 30, lost 13 and am content at 177 lbs. I am hoping to be back at 170 by fall. I go see my gastric bypass doctor on July 24th in Columbus for my annual exam. Maybe I can take off a couple more pounds by then.
  Well, that pretty much does it for me. I have been trying to get to most of your sites daily. I don’t leave a lot of comments, because I don’t have a lot to say that hasn’t already been eloquently expressed. Please know I think of each of you every day and say a prayer of thanks and protection for all.
  Oh and the tomb raider game? I am actually watching my husband play Tomb Raider Legend on the X-box and giving him helpful(?) hints as he tries to find all the treasures.

  Out of here.

  • 11:43 am
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