Good morning ,
Today is another day on the slope - this is my second hitch up since the accident . I want to add that my company was amazing during this whole thing - you really learn so much about a company when something like this happens . I mean seriously my boss wanted to gift me 5thousand dollars when I told her after two weeks that I needed to return to work because I couldn't access our money . I instead borrowed from the company and am paying it back each check .
I have super great friends and family that are always around.

I have so very many good memories and even the bad memories are good

Oh to answer your question Eiko is doing great but will need at least one more surgery on her nose it's a little twisted looking haha but she's handling it like a champ and is actually visiting her boyfriend in Cali and they both don't seem to mind the scarring at all.
he biggest issue was after the accident she spoke really funny and sounded like she was deaf or special and came home pretty upset after a magic tournament where some new players thought she was special ..lol until her friends told them about the accident . What she was upset about was so what if she was special they didn't have to be mean to her ( so proud of her)
She has 4 metal plates in her face ( that she's pretty proud of hahaha) she has adhesions in her tummy after the surgery but does not want to have another surgery to repair them because then you can end up with more adhesions so why bother unless it gets worse.

Me ,I'm ok . My back doctor says It's not a question of if I have to have back surgery but when , and is amazed I don't have more pain than I do . She says I have pinched nerves on both sides but my pain is not sever so I want to wait as long as I can to go under the knife .

Working during both Thanksgiving and Christmas this year and I'm so glad . it's easier up here because there are no memories with John up here and the men up here , well, they are men they say " I'm so sorry for your loss" and it's done - no one is watching me to make sure I don't fall apart no one is coddling me lol I need to be treated normal now at work you know.

I can fall apart every evening in my room quietly like a normal person hahaha.

I have started going to church when I'm home and it's really helping me get through life you know .

John prepared me for this in so many ways but I will tell yall some funny things that has happened ...I forgot to pay the monthly bills and when my sister in law told me the internet was out I said hmmm I don't think I paid that ...wait I didn't pay any of them hahaha then found out my husband was paid in advance on all of the other bills until November !

oh yes, my Brother in law Judd and his wife ,my friend Tara , have moved in with me . I am so glad because it's a big house . Eiko was sleeping with me until she went to Cali.

Oh and I still wnet on our cruise but my sister and her husband and my brother and his wife and Eiko and Jazmine as well as Jayse my two y/o grandson . it was amazing ! John old friend the reason we were on the cruise in the first palce came to the table every night and told us stories of when they were younger . Amazing . It felt like a gift from John .


Amy

I'm on my computer this time. Why is it so difficult to write on this site with a tablet? I get so frustrated.

Amy, sorry Eiko experienced those attitudes but she sounds like she is doing well considering. Sometimes people are so insensitive and don't take time to know someone's story. Your employer sounds compassionate and amazing!

My last day before going back to work. I've spent the last 1 1/2 hours doing paperwork, of course. More to do but only brought home two files that were pressing.

Russ is out organizing garage for winter. It looks good with exception of all his junk he has piled on shelves. I wish he was more organized with his stuff but it just isn't him. He has so many other redeeming qualities (cooking, cleaning, caring...) so I am lucky.

I rode my bike for 20 minutes this morning while I read my book. My legs are weak and it will take time to build up to 30-45 minutes. I'm trying to ride my bike 3-5 times per week. The turbo trainer is nice and it will be easy to store when my bike goes back outside.

I hope you are all having a nice weekend.

Jenny

I have been called in to work at 10 pm and I am patiently waiting for the people to show up for a drug test..I thought I'd fill yall in on something funny that happened this week . It starts off dark but try not to focus on that part because it's all working out .

My sister in law is in the hospital in Louisiana after a gall bladder surgery fiasco - she went home and three days later after calling the DR. all weekend went she finally went to the ER and was immediately put on a ventilator - Don't focus on this part she's getting better ...Any how If only you guys knew her she is so private. I mean she does not share her business with anyone hahaha he youngest son in 20 and he has Asperger's ,this is where it gets funny (I like to focus on the funny ) He was so distraught that while she was on the ventilator for a week (gasp) he walked around the neighborhood telling all the neighbors everything that had happened ...lol I laughed so hard when my brother told me that and still laugh ...so while Tonya still had the vent in a couple of days ago ,my brother told her that Tristen was going around telling everyone in the neighborhood about her and her eyes got big ...Poor Tonya ..but y'all this is the funniest story ever ,we will be telling it for years .

She is doing so much better - moved into a regular hospital room today . I will be going to Louisiana on the 6th after stopping to see Eiko in California for one night ..I'm glad I will be going to help ,instead of what I originally thought, I bought the tickets as soon as I found out what was happening .

But it's all good . I get to see the grand baby again .

Oh did I tell y'all that Johns Son had a baby boy on November 8th - on his birthday ?
And that my son Patrick and his girlfriend are expecting a baby girl in March ?

Good things ahead . Y'all good things ahead . I will be ok...

Amy - so glad you are back - have been following you on facebook and so loving your pictures and memories - I am glad your work has been supportive - keep chugging along pretty lady - I'm sorry you and Eiko have more surgeries in your future - I pray they will go well and heal you both completely. I'm glad you are finding comfort in faith. I know all of us here have been praying for you and yours.

Shirley - I only have two practices until our church concert. Not enough! I hate going into it not feeling ready. I am thinking it might be time for a break. I still LOVE the music and absolutely LOVE that the boys are still so into it - but the sanctuary choir practices are getting so chaotic with a couple bringing their little kids and so much noise and chaos. I hate it. And then not feeling ready for the performances makes me nuts. I know it's not about being perfect - but I have spent too many years in choirs to be good with not working toward a good production.

Jenny - I spent a few very mellow days after the crazy day at my sisters. She had all her husbands family so it was like 45 people. Crazy. We had an ice storm that morning so the roads were crap - she of course still took off for shopping - triple crazy. I spent Friday, Saturday and Sunday quite quietly. Got the tree up - watched some Murder She Wrote dvd's - tried a new cookie recipe. My kind of days.

The next couple of weeks will be intense with getting ready for programs and winter weather coming here to stay. Work is status quo at the moment - everyone tip toeing around and hoping they aren't next - for now we are just all working like crazy and watching carefully.

Be well my friends.

Busy! I sing at church with a thousand other people but my voice isn't good enough to be in a choir. Kudos to you Marla and Shirley!

Marla- I'm glad you had some relaxation and quiet time after the huge family gathering. I'm not a Black Friday shopper so I don't get why people want to go out to the stores on Thanksgiving either. I can't stand crowds and lines.

Shirley- I hope you get to have Isaac at your house. Get better! Wonderful that Isaac is crawling. Let the trouble begin Just in time for the Christmas tree!

Amy- Since I understand Aspergers that is pretty funny. Sorry your SIL was so ill. Her son dealt with his stress by talking about it and doesn't get the social cues and appropriateness. Just saying what's on his mind! LOL! Why do you get called in for a drug test in the middle of the night? Who determines the need for one?

Big snow fall last night and this morning. Traffic was awful for the work commute. It took me 30 minutes to go what is usually 5 minutes. I moved like a snail to my first appointment at 7:30am due to bumper to bumper traffic. Took me an hour and typically it takes 15-20 minutes.

We bought a new artificial Christmas tree. The kind that can have colored or white lights. Our other tree had broken branches and lights were going dark. I thought about getting a real tree but didn't want to deal with needles falling off and watering. This way I can have the tree up for a month without worry. Not the same I know...

Well we are getting more snow now but it's so warm that the roads will be passable tomorrow morning. No snow day for us

Night!
Jenny

oh I am so worried (not sure that is even the right emotion) for my nephew. He has been out of high school for two and a half years now and is still struggling. I think he stopped going to classes again this semester. He seems to hit some class struggles and just gives up. He has had some really bad breaks and I think he thinks he just can't do it. And my sister has talked to him and said that it's not like has to go to college - but he needs to commit to whatever. I don't know if it is because he was so rigidly scheduled and so busy in high school with so many sports and then Michele always sat with him every night to make sure he did his school work - and then having all that extra time and no sports to keep him on track. He comes home and works every weekend and works a ton of hours over the summer - but he just flails at school. I'm sure he feels like he is letting everyone down because it was always just expected to go to college - but if it isn't for him - it isn't for him - not that he seems to know what is. He is so unusual in that he really doesn't care about money. As long as he eats he's content. So the lure of getting a degree to get a better job doesn't create a drive. His drive used to be sports and without that he is just - off. Siggghhhh -

Marla , You guys know the story of my daughter right 21 years old . She really could care less about going to school or not going to school . I'm sure the only reason she is going at all is because I told her she either goes to school or goes to work . However she was pretty upset about sitting out this semester - I guess not being able to go makes her understand that it's important . She's just started caring about her grades .

I too don't think school is for everyone . and maybe he can join a city sport ? my son plays rugby in the summer here?

So I have something else I want to bring up ....

So I live at a camp up here . It's just a big kind of like a hotel and I eat at the same table almost every day for 4 years now with mostly the same men . They are like a second family because I am up here as much as I am at home and we've shared countless breakfasts and dinners together . I was telling them I am selling my husbands 4 wheeler and snow machine if anyone was interested and someone said they wanted to look at the snow machine and one other guy said he wanted me to send him a picture of the 4 wheeler so we exchanged phone numbers ...

and he texted me .... nothing inappropriate ,he texted a picture of a grumpy looking dog which was a topic we were discussing at lunch that day . so we texted a little jokes and such . Innocent but texted him that I was a mess because of the texts , I felt like I was disrespecting my husband every time I laughed at his texts you know ? He said he understands and that is was just texting he didn't mean to make me feel uncomfortable at all . Sigh Life is hard and I miss my husband .

Amy, you are still grieving and sorting out your emotions about John. It's ok to have friends and text no matter what their gender. You will know when you are ready to move on. Your heart will tell you. Don't feel guilty. You are a people person and having friends is a good, supportive thing! Hugs!

I'm at work and ready to leave for book club. Short up date.
Went to the play with my friends last night and ate out at a Thai restaurant. Very good! We split 3 entrees and 3 appetizers. It was a perfect amount since Asian restaurants tend to give way too much food.

My stitches came out today so now I can sit in the hot tub again, yay! Looking forward to it. Plan to decorate tree and house this weekend.

Have to run. Will write and comment more this weekend.

Jenny

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Shirley- Isaac has changed so much! You're going to have a fun Christmas with a little one. Maybe I forgot to mention on here that the dermatologist did two biopsies on my calf because my rash is so bad and won't go away. He was checking to see if it was eczema or something else. One spot was nothing and the other is possible a combo of psoiriasis and eczema. Great, blah! Scars and more scars!

Ang- Nice to hear from you! Sounds like you and Joseph are still seeing one another. Glad it's going well. You also sound very busy! Good luck with your programs at church.

Marla- How is the holiday season treating you? Busy I bet.

Hi Amy!

Mild temps here, in the 40's. Warmer than normal and snow is almost gone. We may not have a white Christmas according to meteorologist. Warmer temps are suppose to continue. Yay! As long as roads stay dry I'm happy.

Hope to get decorations on tree tomorrow. I've been lazy.

Tired so going to relax. Have a nice Sunday!
Jenny

I'm here - this week will be exhausting - including next weekend - long nights and then the big "Family Christmas Celebration" at both services Sunday - plus Zach's first high school Christmas Concert.

Work is insane too, meh

tea with honey and lemon ladies - cough drops - vocalizing in the shower - we can do this!

Jenny - I think the magazine subscription sounds like a fun idea - so does the craft beer too -

Zach is singing at church and at school - this weekend is the big church concert (Family Christmas Celebration) and also his CHS Winter Concert. So excited! I missed the fall concert because Caleb had soccer so we had to split (that's a different saga) but I am so excited. As frosh both guys and gals only can go to either the Classmen (a men only group) or Treble choir (ladies only) - then after they complete one year they can audition for Concert Choir which is a mixed chorus and also audition for the super select New World Singers which is a small jazz ensemble who are widely known and super cool. I am anxious to see if he will continue singing. I hope so. He is gifted and honestly I think he can make New World if he wants to. Caleb is singing away too - his church group and at school their program isn't until the 21st - this week and weekend is the beasty.

Drawing names has an up side and down side. The boys want to save their money and also don't want to spend much time shopping. They claim they don't know what to get anybody. Lazy!
On the other hand we all save money and focus on spending time together instead of receiving gifts. I feel funny not shopping for the boys but they tell me they don't need anything. I put more thought into stocking stuffers so I can get them something.

Well it is time to leave work and get ready for knitting group tonight. I haven't been since September. One of our members was suppose to host but she lost her older sister and Dad within two days of one another. Isn't that awful? Her sister had a massive stroke and her Dad was in his 90's. Someone else is hosting and she probably won't be there tonight.

Well I'm off. Have a nice evening!
Jenny