The Small Stuff

it"s all small stuff. God doesnt give us more than we can handle. What doesn"t kill you makes you stronger. We learn from our mistakes. Everything happens for a reason.

I guess these are all true and it's easy to reflect on it AFTER all the STUFF has passed. But while it's going on - it's so so so not fun. And if you wait long enough it just happens again. I believe it's called life. After complaining yesterday about my cruddy year I think I'll make a commitment to staying positive. Or really trying to- I do enjoying whining. And my friend Vicky reminded me of lots of good things that happened last year.

So far this year (and it's only January 6th) we rang in the New year with friends - spent New Years day with family. My children went back to school, our lab Millie was spayed with no complications. I have finally gotten over my cold and stomach virus. I have completed 6 hours of continuing education in order to get my respiratory license reactivated, I am taking a novel writing class starting in February. Denton had a great check up with her peds GI doctor and is starting to taper her steroid dose down again FINALLY! Riley is going to be on the morning TV program as an anchor at her school. I get to buy new ski pants because Denton needs new ones - she is getting my old ones and I get new ones!!!

Alright, here's to me, trying to keep the glass half full. Not easy for me at times. I feel like I am fairly laid back, can let things go but I do have a limit. I start to feel "picked on"! Not this year! I'm looking for the silver lining... cheers y'all

Looking Forward

Ever had one of THOSE years? Well we have. BIG TIME. I am going to try and list all the stuff that has happened this year.
Scott had a horrible horseback riding accident
this lead to months of rehab and recovery for a head injury and a severely fractured radial head on  his left wrist.
WAY too much snow - over 6ft for the winter
Riley broke her wrist in January just before our ski trip
a LOAD of medical bills - insurance to deal with- temporary disability to deal with
taxes were not kind this year
Scott's car was in the shop for over 6 weeks and guess who got to drive him around?
it was scorching hot this Summer as well.
Denton played golf daily and i became a dehydrated golf cart driving professional
Denton became ill with Crohn's disease and spent several days in the hospital
Denton started her bi monthly doctor visits to get her drug therapy underway.
Our wonderful dog Maddie died
our awful (wonderful) dog Millie was found heartworm positive ( I have to say that she's been on preventive since we got her and she was heart worn negative when I had her tested initially) bottom line - my free rescue lab is now pushing $1800!
Merlin (my horse) injured his eye
more insurance junk to deal with....
Riley's mouse Acorn died
and to round out the year...I have a nasty cold :-)

I am sure I left something out but you get the idea.
NOW - I am looking to 2011....this year is going to be GREAT, WONDERFUL, SUPER....

we may be having some family changes which will be exciting, more later when we know more. And no we will not be adding any human family members - just clearing that up.

I am hoping to maybe get back to my exciting career as a respiratory therapist - just 1 day a week or so but getting my feet wet again. I know at some point my girls will be in college and I think a job is better than a mental institution or becoming a cat lady or something....
I want to work on my riding as well - just more consistent. We have a great horse and all I need to do is work on me - he knows his job!
I am signing up for a novel writing class as well - at UVa. I love writing but my thoughts are so disorganized I am having trouble getting from A to C let alone all the way to Z. I figure a class with a "real, live" novelist would be helpful....ya think?

I am looking forward to Denton getting her Crohn's disease controlled. There's no cure but medical remission is in the works. She has been so responsible taking her meds, adjusting doses and really putting forth her best foot with her diet. She has a doctor's appointment every 2 weeks complete with bloodwork, it's not her favorite thing. She was so dang sick in October and that really has made an impression on how important her health is to her. A hard lesson for a 14 year old. Taking meds for the foreseeable future is hard to comprehend at that age.

I'm enjoying watching Riley grow into a beautiful young lady. She has changed so very much over the past 6 months. She has matured and become responsible. She is concerned about what she wears, how her hair looks, ect.... she's my "baby" and I treat her like one. Denton has always seemed so much older to me and Riley has never made it past age 3 in my mind. She loves her horse, riding with friends and has started 4H horse judging. I have no idea if it will lead to anything in the long run but it does force her to practice a bit of public speaking. Horses are a disease, if you got it- you've got it. It doesn't go away and there is no cure.

I hope this year is full of great changes and surprises. After last year I need some relief ... I need lightness, not all those heavy dragging feelings that hung over last year. Even though I started out the year with a cold and a bit of truck repair, I feel forward motion.