Happy Birthday Jack

Happy Birthday Jackson Ryan Chiszar! I know that I can not be with you today but I am thinking about you. I'm not allowed to call or send you anything because your parents will not allow any type of communication.

But, I love you and am always thinking about you. I know you are getting so big and I wish I could give you a great big grandma hug.

I've written you a letter and card today and I will hold on to it until we are together once again. I have a savings bond for you and this to shall have to wait.

If you feel something brush against your cheek just know it is me sending you kisses.

Love Grandma.

Happy Birthday Misty

Today Misty is two years old. She is still as frisky as a puppy and is a delight in my life. Yes there are nights that like last night when the weather outside is not really dog walking weather but no matter I love her. This morning when we went out there was frost on the grass. Yes it was cold this morning.

Hope for the Future

It's a new day for America. I just read a list of what the future may hold for all of us. We definitely new a new era and a new leader at the helm. I am proud that this country is looking toward a new beginning and look forward to a better tomorrow for all.

Hump Day Winding Down

Lots of things going on this week. Saw the cardiologist on Monday and he gave me a good result on my Nuclear Stress Test that I took last week. He said I had to work on my weight, exercise more and we all know what the third item was. So I guess I have some work to do. Don't have to go back for three months.

It was another bust last night at Bingo. I certainly am on a dry spell. Was one number away several times.

Spent some time at the library today but really didn't find anything that sparked for me. Had a few errands to run after that.

Scrap and dash was tonight so these are the layouts I completed. The middle one is from last week that I had not posted yet. The other two are really outside my comfort zone but they were fun to play with.

Thanks Jackie for dinner tonight. Sorry I was late . . . just talking to much at Scrap and Dash.

Another Busy Week Ahead

Well last week is behind me and a lot was accomplished. I got through the breast biopsy and it was negative. That was a huge result for me. I was a little worried as we all are when faced with this challenge.

I had a nuclear stress test on Thursday and the doctor didn't say anything during the test so I am hopeful that tomorrow I will get a good report on this procedure.

I am trying very hard to get a government job. I had my second testing on Wednesday and hope to hear something this week. I will have my cell phone with me at all times.

Friday night I went to the crop at K2 and had some laughs with friends. It is a great way to sit and relax and just let loose with other women who have their own problems and know that you are not the only one swimming against the current.

Yesterday morning there was breakfast at the clubhouse and then some of the people came over and picked some oranges and grapefruit from my trees. I have so many that I will never be able to eat them all. I told them to definitely come back for more. Last night we went and say Bride Wars. A total chick flick and it was fun to just laugh. Today I helped Jackie clean my mom's carpets and then guess what. I fixed dinner. We had rib eye steaks and they were wonderful.

Here's hoping everyone has a great week.

Yeah!!!!

It was a fibrous cyst with scar tissue from the last biopsy. More later.

Better Blogger

I have been very eractic in my blogging the past couple of months but I plan to do better. I think I am better when I put my thoughts down and get them out of my mind.

Isn't this a great photo of mom with the two dogs at Christmas. She was trying to read a book and Rizzo was trying to get away from Misty and Misty was the jealous one and had to get up with Mom. Mom made these adorable Xmas scarves.

This is a busy week for me. Today I had a breast biopsy. My doctor got all of my biopsy results from Naperville and Arlington Heights hospitals and believes that we will have good news. The lump has grown to one inch from three quarters inch. Say a little prayer for me on this one. I'll get the results tomorrow afternoon.

Wednesday I take another exam for the job I am hoping to get. Another prayer. Then Thursday I have a stress test scheduled. Results on that one next Monday. So it looks like I am going to meet my max out of pocket all in one week but that means that everything will be paid at 100% for the rest of the year because my new plan is an 80/20 plan and not a copay plan. That's the only good thing about all of this.

What a way to start the year but it goes with my one little word "revitalize." Refresh and renew and get back on track. I think I'll pick some oranges in the morning and have some fresh orange juice. Cheers.

One Small Victory

It's a victory with Medicare and that is saying a lot. It has taken over six months to deal with this. Before Jim got sick he ordered a new prosthetic leg. He never got delivery of this prosthesis. I tried to get it but the company would not give it to me because I was not the client. After Jim died I decided I would either sell the leg or donate it to a worthy cause. The cost of this prosthesis was a little over $11,000. Not a small amount and Medicare paid the bill even though there was no delivery.

Since this St. Petersburg company would not give me the leg and it had been paid for I wrote to Medicare. A couple weeks after I wrote the letter Medicare responded and said they would look into the situation. I just received a letter from Medicare and on December 18th they required Orthopedic and Prosthesis Center of St. Petersburg to return the money they were paid for this prosthesis. If they do not repay the amount it will be deducted from further payments from Medicare.

Yeah a victory. Small but satisfying. Since we all contribute to the Medicare fund it is good that we do not have them pay for services that are not provided.

Last Layouts of 2008

Just wanted to post the last of the layouts I did in December. Now I can start fresh on 2009. Going to the all day Saturday crop so I am sure I will get a lot done since it runs from 10 to 10.

Happy New Year To All

My One Little Word

My one little word for 2008 was "strength" and boy did I need it last year. My challenges were many. I started the year sitting by Jim's side as we both fought for him to get better. I found every bit of strength I had to support and love him through the vigorous fight for his life. Ultimately we lost that battle and then I had to find the strength to endure this terrible loss. I am still trying to find this strength and it is a battle every day. Then I had to find the strength to face the hatred of Kathy and Bob. It all came down to money. Bob said give him all my money or I would never see our grandchildren again. But as I face that loss I know that either way Bob would never have let me see my grandchildren again because of his hatred of me. Then there were those awful emails from Kathy to all my friends, employers and family. Yes because of those same people I found the strength to get through this too. Not one of you said to buckle to these two. I will always love these three little boys and someday I hope to reconnect with them.

Other challenges included the mold in my bathroom and after three months I conquered this also. I found the strength to get through the holidays with a few hiccups along the way. The other problem I had to deal with was the lack of a job. I applied for over 200 jobs with no luck. But 2008 is over and I say good riddance. On to 2009.

My one little word for 2009 will be revitalize. There has to be a new beginning and through this word I hope to find my way.

Revitalize
Transitive and intransitive verb return to doing something: to begin something

or doing something again, or be begun again.
To give new life to.
To give new vitality or vigor to.
Restore strength.
To make more lively or active.
Breathe new live into.
Reestablish on a new, usually improved basis or make new or like new.

Remembering

I met Jim in November of 1997 and we got close very quickly. I remember that first New Year's Eve. Jim was in Chicago and I was in Safety Harbor. At the stroke of midnight he called me to wish me a Happy New Year. We stayed on the phone until the stroke of midnight in Chicago. He told me at midnight that he never wanted to spend another New Year's without me. WE had many wonderful New Year celebrations. They were festive and they were spent with our close friends. Last year we were together in the hospital and it was just as special being together. You promised me you were going to get better and honey you did your best but your poor body just did not cooperate.

Today I remembered all these special times and I miss you so much. Today I experienced what the books tells you will happen to you. Intense grief emotions are difficult to describe to those who have not experienced them. The often come to us at unexpected times, sometimes with no warning and with no evident "trigger". I know what today's "trigger" is, it's New Year's eve and we are not together. I had a doctor appointment this morning for my B12 shot and I cried through the whole appointment. Then I came home and with a rush of energy I cleaned the kitchen until it was spotless. Then feeling completely drained I went to bed and just thought about you and the great times we had.

Tonight I'll be awake at the stroke of midnight and I will be thinking about you and hope you are dancing the night away.

Happy Holiday Season To All

From my family to yours I wish everyone a happy and healthy holiday season.

Black Friday

Today was Black Friday and the crowds were not there. I did not get up in the wee hours of the morning to go shopping. Jackie did get up early and she said there were no lines. She did stop by K2 and pick up my 40% coupon so that I could go later and shop.

The three of us did go to Michael's and Joann and picked up a few things but we did not spend a lot. Normally these places would have huge lines but today there was only one person in line in front of me. The economy is really taking a hit.

The only thing going down is gas. In July it cost me $62 to fill my car with gas. This week it cost me $30.11. I love it.

This photo was taken Thanksgiving day. It was a quiet day to start the holiday season. I miss Jim so much every day and the next month I'll just think of all the great memories we had and the short time we had with our wonderful grandchildren.

Happy Thanksgiving To All

Things To Do

Things to do....
so here goes. i copied this list from a blog & the idea is to bold (highlight/change the color) all the things on the list you've done. Some things I may never want to do but there are some things I would like to experience. Give it a try.
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Held a praying mantis
9.Climbed a mountain
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped.
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice (in Vegas)
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo's David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating (a fish, does that count?)
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake (I’ve seen it)
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

Sharing a Few Layouts

My days are pretty full these days dealing with all of the pressures I have. I have finally found health insurance that I can barely afford but at least I was able to convert my current policy with United Health Care. Everyday I look for a job but as we all know the unemployment situation is very bleak. I find solace in knowing I am not the only one in this situation. I have also been dealing with some health issues. Nothing to serious but they have to be dealt with.

I am trying to stay busy as we approach this holiday season plus both my birthday and Jim's. Way to much to deal with but staying busy helps. Sitting outside with the sun on my face helps clear the mind. Especially since I think of all my friends and family facing the cold and snow. Stay warm everyone.

Misty Out Running

I took Misty out for a run tonight. She just loves getting out at night. A little warm here today but it was cooling down tonight. I think it was 88 today. I've heard something about a cool front coming Sunday. I can't wait.

Some Layouts

Here are some of the layouts I did last month and have not posted.

It has been pretty quiet around here. Jackie Mom and I went to McDill AFB on Monday to renew Mom's ID card. Unlucky for us that they were closed because of Tuesday's holiday. We went to the BX and did some shopping. They do have great prices and no sales tax. I got my haircut while we were there also. Yesterday was bowling and I actually did pretty good. Last night was Bingo and yes I got to yell bingo and won $25. Bingo pretty much pays for itself so that is really good.

Today the fire department is going around the community and inspecting our fire alarms and replacing them as needed. What a great service and it is free. Now that's for me. Have a great week.

A Tank of Gas

In July it cost me $62 to fill up my car with gas. Yesterday it cost me $37. But look around nothing else is coming down. Plus the price of gas went down again today. The price of a barrel of oil is less than $60. The stock market is down 30%. (You know what that means for all of our IRA's). So my question is when is everything else going to come down. When everyone raised the prices they said it was because of gas yet the prices are holding. Today they announced the highest unemployment rate since 1994. I guess our economy is just in the trash.

That was just my little rant.

Been busy. Bowled this week, did some water aerobics and played bingo. Filled out about a dozen job applications and did a little scrapbooking. Played with Misty and lunched with Mom and Jackie. I will miss all of this when I find a job. I do not hold out my chances with the holidays coming. Traditionally that is the worst time to find a job.

I have been really down about it but I may just have to face the facts and do what I need to do. I guess the worst part is losing my health insurance. It will be the first time I have ever been without health insurance. I am working through a complete medical exam so that I am set to go.

The two layouts I did in October. I really am behind in posting them. Have a great weekend everyone.