It's done

My dad has a new lung. I haven't been inspired to write about it or much of anything until now. It all came about so quickly, I really didn't have time to feel it. He was put on the transplant waiting list on November 17, and was called to come in for the surgery on the November 19th. A two-day wait is unheard of. It has been a stressful two weeks since the surgery, but now I'm finally starting to feel excited. It has taken me this long to accept that so many things are out of my control. His recovery is going well, he's had a few issues along the way, but the new lung is doing great. He is breathing without the assistance of oxygen for the first time in years. He has a long road ahead of him and a strict medication and exercise regimen to follow. It's all in his hands now. 

Thankful Thursday

1. Friends that stay friends despite political differences

2. More work than I can handle

3. Bedtime stories with my daughters

4. 70 degree days in November

5. Good books

For better or worse

Will it please be over NOW? I can't stand the anxiety one minute longer. I need this election to be over.

Thankful Thursday

1. A good Halloween forecast
2. Headache-free days
3. Math games
4. Walks to school
5. Friday night plans

Wassup 2008

Fix Me or Fry Me

My dad has emphysema. Damned cigarettes. After months and months of tests and rehab and scans and more tests, he may finally be put on the list for a lung transplant. I asked him how he felt about it, and his response was "Fix me or fry me." He is tired of living without a decent breath, tired of sitting in the same chair everyday, tired of not being able to do anything. 

I can't sort out my feelings about this. Part of me is very excited. He could get better - he could get out of the house again, he could play with his grandkids, he could teach me how to make pierogis, he could have a better quality of life. The other part of me is very scared because he could die. 

Thankful Thursday

1. Good jobs

2. Pumpkin patches

3. Historic one-room schoolhouses

4. Pumpkin bagels and cream cheese

5. New friends

Thankful Thursday

1. Lots of work

2. Impromptu playdates that allow me to get lots of work done

3. SNL on Thursdays

4. Girl Scout leaders

5. Crate-trained puppies

Feeling frugal

All this talk about the economy has got me feeling anxious. Nothing has changed for my family, other than, oh, the price of EVERTHING! When my husband lost his job in 2004 we were forced to live frugally and became very good at it. It was amazing how much we learned to live without. Since then we have slowly added back the extras, the lawn service, the premium cable channels, the 50 inch tv, really cute shoes, and jeans that make my butt look great. Although I am enjoying living like everyone else again, I feel irresponsible spending the money. I feel like we can never have enough saved and I should be working toward that goal instead of another pair of jeans. 

In the spirit of saving, we have fired the lawn crew, switched to a cheaper cable provider and I am vowing to plan menus for the week based on what is on sale and shop accordingly (Thank you lady on Oprah.). These are just the baby steps.  

Cannonball!

I've been looking long enough, now I'm jumping in. Better late than never. It's Bossy's Poverty Party that got me here, and I'm not exactly sure where I'm heading. But I hope that this blog will help me clear my mind, find some peace, and maybe entertain a few readers.