Another Snowy Night

Severe winter storm warnings in effect tonight and the snow started around 8:30 P.M. Six to eight inches expected.

My son is home for spring break! It is always so nice to have him back home for the week. I rushed home from work yesterday to cook my mother's sauce recipe and bake a cake. We had a great dinner together. It is fun to hear all of his stories from school.

I watched LOST tonight on the computer. I enjoyed this episode a lot because I love story lines about time travel. It fascinates me. What was cool about this episode was that the time travel did not involve the body, but rather consciousness. Very cool. I would love to study quantum physics, well what I could understand of it anyway.

Busy day tomorrow. We have a fund raiser at work that I need to make an appearance at, and then an early dinner at my friend's house. Wonder if the weather will cancel any of these activities?

Family Day

After two weeks in the hospital and no news as to what was the actual cause of his collapse, my FIL was transferred to a nursing home today for some rehabilitation. He left the hospital with none of the clothes that he came in with because the hospital lost all of his clothes and even his shoes. They switched his room 3 times and his personal items did not keep up with him. I have sent prayers to St. Anthony and hopefully they will turn up!

He didn't get moved until late in the afternoon, so before we headed over to see him, we spent time with my family for Sunday dinner.

We picked my aunt up today from her nursing home and brought her to my parent's house for Sunday dinner. She should only be in the nursing home another week and boy is she anxious to get home, and who wouldn't be?

My niece came home from NYC for a couple of days to see everyone. When she walked into the kitchen she hugged my mom (her grandma) and she told her how much she missed her and they both burst into tears. My other two aunts and I were in the kitchen with them and we all started to cry. Lots of emotions going around today, but it was a nice moment.

My parents ended up with a houseful, and a lot of the cousins stopped by and it is always fun when the kids are together. And the ravioli's were delicious as well!

I have been watching the Oscars tonight, but will be off to bed soon. Even though I only saw one of the nominated movies, I enjoyed watching.

Tomorrow back to work after a week off, that is always a hard day, but once I am back, I will be right back into the swing of things.

P.S. Spell Check is working again!!

Law of Attraction

I have been re-reading about the laws of intention. I had read about them over 20 years ago, but never really got into the habit of practicing setting my intentions on a conscious level. The following is a true experience that happened to me over 10 years ago, and I believe a good example of the power of visualization.

We had just bought our new computer and it came with the Encarta encyclopedia. I was looking up different things to show the kids how to use it, just for the fun of it and looked up Oprah Winfrey. I printed out the information with her picture and for no particular reason; I stuck it in the corner of my mirror on my bureau in my bedroom. So there I saw it every single day when I sat on the edge of my bed to put on my shoes in the morning and when ever I looked in the mirror though out the day.

A few months later I heard that Oprah was coming to our area to lead a 5 Mile walk. I decided to call up to try to get tickets to go. I had to call quite a few times, but I finally got through and got tickets so that my husband and I were able to attend.

There were throngs of people there. Reporters from Extra and other shows were following Oprah around interviewing her, but we actually got very close to Oprah, so close that she even bumped right into my husband. Everyone was trying to talk to her and people were bringing up their kids to meet her. I didn't try to chat with her, I just enjoyed being in the thick of it and managed to hang around her and take in all the action and had a great day.

Weeks later I was in my room and noticed the picture tucked into my mirror. I realized in that moment how it was no accident that I was able to get tickets to Oprah and get so close to her. I had been seeing her picture every single day for months.

Unconsciously, I had been creating the intention, and it brought me the experience of going to the walk and being in her presence.

If you think about it, there are things that you have attracted to your life as well. I have another story to post next time.

A Recipe for you

I love Linen N Things because they will take expired coupons. I never seem to get there in time, but it does not matter. I picked up another Simple Solution to organize under the bathroom sink and a couple other small things. 20% off on entire order was a good deal to me!

I took my computer with me and stopped off at Panera Bread for lunch and free WiFi. Although very crowded, I was able to find a seat very quickly and had hardly any wait for my lunch. I hadn’t been there in a few years I think. I enjoyed the cream of chicken soup with wild rice and Caesar Salad with grilled chicken.

I found it hard to write and eat though, so I did not end up blogging from there, but just read a few blogs. I was sort of distracted by trying to eat and manage the computer and get up to do things and having to drag the computer with me. I am sure with practice I would get better with it!

I think I am going to start cooking dinner now. The husband has to stop at the hospital to visit his dad before he heads off to his painting lesson. I have been trying to cook some of his favorite dishes this week to cheer him up.

So here is one of our favorite recipes taken from an Italian Cook Book called, My Godfather about 20+ years ago.

My Wife’s Spinach

1lb. of spinach cooked, well drained
3 beaten eggs
½ lb. ground beef
½ cup bread crumbs
1 medium onion
½ cup sour cream
½ lb egg noodles
1 cup of mozzarella cheese chopped or grated. (part skim)
¼ lb. melted butter – you can use less or none at all

In large bowl mix spinach with beaten eggs, ground beef. Add bread crumbs, onion, sour cream, cooked noodles, some melted butter, and cheese. Mix well. In a large greased casserole place mixture. Pour melted butter on top.

Bake 350 degree oven for 20 minutes. Serve hot or cold.

This and That

Thought I would take in a movie today, but there is not one movie that I am interested in right now. All the ones nominated for Academy Awards have come and gone.

Today I have my coupons for Linen N Things and I am going to take a run over there. I have been slowly replacing many kitchen gadgets and pots and pans, and have invested in some of the things they have out now for organizing in the kitchen. It has worked out well, so I will continue on. Sometimes I have in mind what I will buy and other times, I just browse until I see something that I think will work.

Started to watch this season of American Idol, so far I think the boys did a lot better than the girls, but over all I do think this season has lots of talent. It should be a good run. I just wish the judges would explain to them how to make a song their own before the competition starts.

Catch you later.

Presidents' Day

Yesterday was a good time. The husband and I invited my best friend down to see our friend’s art exhibit and it was fantastic. The artist used to be our hairdresser. I admire how much work she has put into her art and that she kept it up while also home schooling her two sons. I was so proud of her because she followed her dream.

After we left there we headed down to another art museum, one where my husband’s grandmother and aunt sometimes have their paintings displayed. No family work on display this weekend, but it was fun to show my friend this museum which at one time was a boarding house for artists from all over the world.

We stopped for dinner at our favorite fish house down by the shoreline before we headed home. We had a nice Sunday afternoon outing.

Today was just chore day and I finally finished reading The Law of Attraction, by Jerry and Esther Hicks. One idea that made me stop in my tracks regarding negativity that was stated in the book is that when something negative happens, it may only last a short time. But then we usually spend hours of time thinking about it and talking about it and we stay in that negative place which just attracts more negativity to us. Oh yes, it is true for me! I am trying so hard to change the way I think, my perspective about situations and especially being more aware of how much time I get stuck in negativity. I really do want to make some significant changes this year. I have all the theories in my head, but really fall short when it comes to putting them into practice on a regular basis.

Tomorrow I am going to work on making a vision board and focus on the things that are important to me in my life…. after I return my library book!

Making the Rounds

Yesterday was a busy day. After doing a bunch of our Saturday chores we headed up the hospital to see my FIL. Our oldest son came with us. He is the only grandchild around right now, so it was good he was able to come along.

When we got there FIL was asleep. He woke up for a few and acknowledged that we were there, but drifted back off to sleep. He had been running a temp and has a terrible cough, neither of which is a good thing on top of everything. So we sat and just kept his sleeping body company.

After we left there, we stopped to visit my aunt in the nursing home. She is there still recovering from the heart surgery she had in December. Finally, she looked and sounded like her old self! It was great to see her bouncing back after all of this time. Today, my mother is going to take her out for Sunday dinner at her house.

We are going to a reception this afternoon for one of our friends who is having an art show at a local gallery. So we will miss Sunday dinner at my parents’ house. My aunt is so excited about going out and especially having my mother’s home cooking!

After visiting my aunt, my son came back to the house with us and we ordered out pizza. I so enjoyed having him spend the day with us. His girlfriend is away visiting her parents for the weekend and he was in no hurry to go off anywhere.

I fell asleep on the couch after he left and then woke up full of energy and finished off the rest of my chores around the house and stayed up until about 1:00 AM which is late for me.

Now off to get ready for the art show.

TGIF

There have been a few ups and downs this week with my FIL in the hospital. First we got bad news, then no news, and then better news, but still no answers. But he is comfortable and acting more like himself today, so we wait for more tests.

The other night at 10:00 P.M. the Dr. called with news that was not good, but could have waited until the morning. My husband was already in bed asleep and now he was up pacing the house. No matter what kind of news you get, when it is the night time, I think it always feels worse. But my intuition was strongly telling me not to pay too much attention to the doctor. Although he is the Dr. and although I know little about the condition, I did not believe what he was saying made sense. I told my husband that I had a feeling things would change. And they did, the absolute next day my FIL was a different man. The treatment was working even though the doctor said his condition was irreversible.

I don’t mean to be disrespectful to doctors, but sometimes they are mistaken, and I have learned to trust my gut more when it comes to these things. Everyone is different and the unexpected can occur.

Work has been stressful. I am the type of person that people come to and “vent to”. One of the reasons they come to me is that they know they can trust me. What they tell me stays with me. We are in the middle of a crisis at work and I have so many people coming to me “to vent” that I am getting very weary from it all. And I have to be so careful about who is telling me what and knowing how to balance it all. Everyone walks out of my office and thanks me for listening to them and then tells me to send them a bill, even the boss.

Well I am taking vacation time next week and I am glad to say that I will be happy being away from it all. I feel selfish about my time off. I know I should be spending time with each of my elderly family members, but I am feeling like I want to hide away and not tell any of them that I am home for the week. It is Friday night and I am so tired, but I know that with a couple of days rest I will be recharged and hopefully be able to help out here and there and still manage some time for myself!

Over the Hump Day

Two hour delay this morning, so I got to sleep in a little bit. When I got to work the side walk was one solid sheet of ice. Two of us pulled in at the same time and the janitor came and helped us walk up the side walk. I held his hand, the very last thing I needed was to fall down!

Thank you for your prayers for my FIL. He is still in the hospital and may be for while. More tests to run. He was more oriented today and that made us all feel better. I have a very good friend who works in the Adult Day Care field and she has been very helpful as what questions to ask the doctor. Although not a doctor herself, I trust her opinion more than any doctor because she has been working with the elderly for over 20 years day in and day out and she has seen it all.

Roads are expected to be icy tomorrow morning as well. May be another late arrival day!

Snowy, Snowy Night

Snow and ice predicted until tomorrow morning. Hmmm this has potential for a possible snow day or late opening tomorrow at the very least!

Father in law still in the hospital, and not doing too well. They will keep doing tests to see what they can find. Husband has been busy going back and forth, and is looking forward to his sibling coming on Thurday to help out with things. The husband is the only sibling close by so he is the one who looks after his parents on a regular basis. I know it is a lot for him sometimes, and I am glad he is getting some help.

I have my 2 siblings who live close by and between the 3 of us we can share a lot of the duties that come from the sandwich generation, so that is so helpful. And the husband also helps out quite a bit with my folks and my aunt so he sure has earned his place in our family.

The spell checker is disabled on this blog and it is annoying. Does any one know how to enable it again?

The Weekend Ends

Today was a busy day. We celebrated Valentine's Day with my parents as well as the birthdays of my sister and my nephew. We had a nice fun time sitting around the table after dinner having cake and laughing together.

We left to go home and we were in the house no longer than 5 minutes when the phone rang and it was my mother in law. My father in law had collasped the paramedics were there and they were about to take him to the hospital. We jumped back into the car and headed up to meet them at the hospital.

I stayed at the hospital for awhile and when it looked like he was doing better, my husband sent me home and stayed with him. He knew it would be a long time before all the tests were run and the doctor would come in.

So I have been home about an hour and the husband has called saying still no news. I cooked supper so at least there will be food to eat when he gets home, even though it looks like it will be pretty late.

When I left the hospital I could not believe how slippery the roads were and it was a bit tricky driving home.

Now I am home watching the Grammy's, my favorite awards show, and waiting by the phone for an update.

Saturday Night Is Alright

It will be one year on Friday since I started this blog. I have enjoyed it very much, even though it takes a great deal of time. It doesn't have to take as much time as I have allowed it to take though and I am trying to get a better handle on that. I enjoy reading other bloggers and it has been very nice to connect with them. I didn't quite expect that when I started, so I look forward to more of that.

This has been a busy week, mostly working overtime to keep up with the increase in my work load. Thursday night I went out with my high school friends and we went to Japanese restaurant and sat at that grill while they put on a show and cooked up our dinner. I had never been to one of those places before and it was fun and the food so delicious!

Today was a lazy Saturday. I mostly sat around the house and read all day. I think it is good to have a day like that sometimes. I knew I should have been doing a million other things, but I didn't. I finished the whole book and I will have tomorrow to run errands and catch up on house work.

I am still working on the Course in Miracles. I am going slowly at it though as some days I forget to do a lesson. But it is progress not perfection and it will take as long as it takes, I keep telling myself.

I also decided to sign up for Oprah's global on -line class which will feature the book, The New Earth. A global classroom sounded very interesting to me. She is saying that 90,000 people have signed up for it already. So I bought the book and will spend my Monday evenings hanging out on line with the rest of the world.

Misquamicut Beach, Rhode Island

It was a beautiful and sunny day today. We decided to take a ride to the Rhode Island beaches. Everything was closed down for the winter, and hardly anyone around. A couple of people walking dogs on the beach, but that was about it.

Although it was windy and cold by the sea, the sky was so clear and the temp only in the 40's. It felt like spring was right around the corner, and that is a good feeling all around.

Boob Tube

Last night was a couch potato night watching TV. The premiere of LOST was on. The husband and I borrowed season 1 from my son a couple of years ago, and we would watch 3 episodes a night. We became so hooked. Then we followed it on TV. When it had that long hiatus last year, the husband decided not to watch it when it came back on because he said he lost interest. I kept up with it last season and was sort of thinking of letting it go like he did this season as well.

Instead I got pulled in by all the hype and I talked him into watching it with me. He didn't enjoy it and said he is done with it. I am on the fence. There is a part of me that is curious about the story line, but the episodes drag on. So much camera time is spent on the cast walking in the woods. They don't answer enough questions and the plots are so far out that I wonder if they will ever come together and make any sense?

Yesterday I heard that there will be another story line this season about another airplane that gets found in the ocean, with the same flight number. Will that plane be filled with the same characters? One of the cast also said on a talk show that those characters who seem to be good will turn out to be evil and vice versa. Hmmm....well I guess I will figure it out next week.

I stayed tuned to the new show Eli Stone that was on after LOST and I found that to be enjoyable. The main character has an aneurysm on his brain and has auditory and visual hallucincations. (Hence, George Michaels singing in all of the promos.) The show had a sort of spiritual bent to it and I think it is going to be very interesting. That was enough TV watching to last all weekend!