Paul is healing very well and getting antsy to get back to work. He is grounded until Dec 20th and he can go back part time until January and then he goes full time. He gets his wheels back next Wednesday. Keeping him down has been difficult but that is a good thing. He is tired, but feeling great. He should be getting on the kidney list in January and then he will be good as new and around for another 50 years or so : )
I am healed from my fall but now I have to have gall bladder surgery soon. I see the surgeon next Wednesday and I will know more then. They should be able to do it laparoscopically and I will be good in 7-10 days. I may try to do it when I am off for the holidays and just relax. I'm all for that. I'm telling you - getting old sucks!
On a more positive note, all the kids are doing wonderful. Jon was here for his dad's surgery and both Jon and Paul will be here for Christmas. Cheri is coming home today for a month and I am thrilled about that. Clint and Amanda came in last night for a couple of days and will be back for Christmas. This was an unexpected surprise that I really needed. Charlie will be home this weekend to see all the family since he is off. Hopefully he will bring Kortnie but she has been working and going to school so I haven't seen much of her. Anna has been a Godsend in the chaos going on in our house. She is my comic relief.
Cheri's choir is going to Austria June 2012 and I am going with her! Anna will have been home a year and I can go visit her and her family. I am looking forward to that trip!!! Cheri is also going to Oxford, England this May. It is a personalized study program and is worth 8 credits. She will be gone a little over a month. She is most excited about the fact that she can take the train to Paris for about $90 while she is there. Paris is her dream trip. I am not crazy about her leaving as soon as she is out of school but Clint and Amanda will be moving back in May and I will have Anna until June. About the time Anna leaves, Cheri will get back. That will be an emotional roller coaster for me. I always miss my kids and now I will have to give Anna back. That will be difficult. She has become part of our family.
Amanda is going into her last semester of her teaching program. Last semester was rough and she is glad to be done. I am praying she finds a job when she graduates. It seems like schools are laying off and not doing much hiring. I am sure things will work out. They have to because she needs a job so I can get a grandbaby. Clint has been working a ton of hours at Best Buy. He is hoping to transfer to Toledo until he find a job in his field.
Kortnie is almost done with her phlebotomy program. After that she has to do clinicals and then she can find a job in a hospital, for the Red Cross, or in a doctor's office. She has been so busy that I never get to see her. Between her school, job, and Charlie's job, it is hard to find time to spend with them; it is impossible to see them together anymore.
The pictures are some of the fun we have had the past couple of months. I wish I had gotten a picture of Anna taking the neck out of the turkey, it scared the crap out of her! Too funny. I ran my first race on Thanksgiving, it was a 5K and I really didn't train for it so my time sucked but I finished and that is all that mattered. Now I have to get going on training for my 1/2 marathon in April. It will have to wait for the surgery now though.
My favorite pictures are the dogs dressed up. That was Anna's idea. I also took Jimmy to a horse chiropractor last weekend. I wish I had gotten pictures of that. I have never seen anything like it. Jimmy's back was sensitive to the touch and now he doesn't care if you touch him. He kicked when he got adjusted and then turned to the guy and rubbed his head on him to thank him. It was a sight to see. The guy's name is Kit and his business is called Animal Krackers. I thought that was so funny. We will see how Jimmy does when I get on him this weekend. I haven't ridden him since the treatment. I'm telling you, my critters are one of the most interesting parts of my life.
Love Ya,
Cindy
THE RAMIREZ, ANDERSON, AND DEFALCO FAMILY - WE LOVE FAMILY, FRIENDS, FOOD, FUN, AND FUR!!!
Friday, December 10, 2010
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Keeping our chins up...
Paul is having open heart surgery on Wednesday. He had a heart cath last week because when he was getting testing to get on the kidney transplant list they found a blockage. It is in his main, front, left artery. It is actually on a curve, where other arteries intersect, so they could not put in a stint and he has to have surgery. They also cannot go in through the side because it would take too long and it would risk the little kidney function he still has.
Jon is flying in on Monday and staying until Thursday. Paul will be in ICU and then a regular room for a few days. When he gets home his mom is staying with us so he isn't alone when I am at work - at least until he is back on his feet.
We are all fine and keeping a positive attitude. I am grateful they found it before it hurt him. He really has not had any symptoms. He will be ready to get on the kidney transplant list at the beginning of next year. I am sure he will be happy when all this is over and he can get on with living a healthier life.
It was rather ironic that we were at a Red Dress Gala for women's heart disease at Cheri's college tonight. We had fun, family, and food (my favorites). Cheri will be home next weekend. I like the fact I see her every week or so when she is at college. I don't like not seeing Clint and Amanda for months but that will all end in May!!! I can't wait. Charlie usually stops down here on his days off but I don't see Kortnie much with her school and work.
All three of the kids were up in White Cloud a few days ago to visit Grandpa Anderson. He cooked them venison and they all enjoyed visiting. He is getting ready to deer hunt. I sure wish he would move up here from Florida. Sue and the kids are all in Michigan (except her grown boys). I worry about him down there all by himself.
Getting old really sucks. Friends, family, and health all start going. I really need some grandkids to make it worth while. I'm going to be 50 in May and I have 5 kids and no grandkids. Clint, Charlie, and Jon hear it from me all the time. PIII doesn't want kids and Cheri is too young. The kids just laugh at me and roll their eyes when I start in on them. Actually none of them are at that point of their lives but I can dream, can't I?
Anna is doing great. She has been so busy with football, friends, Young Life, our critters, and shopping! She is going to Kalahara (huge water park) next weekend (we were going to Chicago but cancelled because of Paul's surgery). She is going skiing over Christmas and we are meeting her parents in New York over Spring Break. We are trying to plan another short trip in-between but we need to see how Paul is feeling. She is also going to Disney World with EF and the other exchange students. On top of all this we have tons of activities planned around here. We are getting ready for her first Thanksgiving and an American Christmas.
I have been teaching Zumba 3 days a week and I am running. I have signed up for a 5K on Thanksgiving so I try to fit in running on non-Zumba days. These activities are a wonderful stress relievers. I decided to take the time for me - at least an hour or so a day.
I will keep you updated on Paul.
Love You!
Jon is flying in on Monday and staying until Thursday. Paul will be in ICU and then a regular room for a few days. When he gets home his mom is staying with us so he isn't alone when I am at work - at least until he is back on his feet.
We are all fine and keeping a positive attitude. I am grateful they found it before it hurt him. He really has not had any symptoms. He will be ready to get on the kidney transplant list at the beginning of next year. I am sure he will be happy when all this is over and he can get on with living a healthier life.
It was rather ironic that we were at a Red Dress Gala for women's heart disease at Cheri's college tonight. We had fun, family, and food (my favorites). Cheri will be home next weekend. I like the fact I see her every week or so when she is at college. I don't like not seeing Clint and Amanda for months but that will all end in May!!! I can't wait. Charlie usually stops down here on his days off but I don't see Kortnie much with her school and work.
All three of the kids were up in White Cloud a few days ago to visit Grandpa Anderson. He cooked them venison and they all enjoyed visiting. He is getting ready to deer hunt. I sure wish he would move up here from Florida. Sue and the kids are all in Michigan (except her grown boys). I worry about him down there all by himself.
Getting old really sucks. Friends, family, and health all start going. I really need some grandkids to make it worth while. I'm going to be 50 in May and I have 5 kids and no grandkids. Clint, Charlie, and Jon hear it from me all the time. PIII doesn't want kids and Cheri is too young. The kids just laugh at me and roll their eyes when I start in on them. Actually none of them are at that point of their lives but I can dream, can't I?
Anna is doing great. She has been so busy with football, friends, Young Life, our critters, and shopping! She is going to Kalahara (huge water park) next weekend (we were going to Chicago but cancelled because of Paul's surgery). She is going skiing over Christmas and we are meeting her parents in New York over Spring Break. We are trying to plan another short trip in-between but we need to see how Paul is feeling. She is also going to Disney World with EF and the other exchange students. On top of all this we have tons of activities planned around here. We are getting ready for her first Thanksgiving and an American Christmas.
I have been teaching Zumba 3 days a week and I am running. I have signed up for a 5K on Thanksgiving so I try to fit in running on non-Zumba days. These activities are a wonderful stress relievers. I decided to take the time for me - at least an hour or so a day.
I will keep you updated on Paul.
Love You!
Monday, November 1, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Speeding Up and Slowing Down
When something happens in our lives that forces us to slow down, I sometimes think God had a hand in it. This happened to me about 2 weeks ago. I was standing on bales of hay (about 4 feet 0ff the ground) and when I pulled a bale down I lost my balance and fell on a weedwacker that is as big as a lawnmower. I have a bulging disc in my back, dislocated my ribs, not to mention the intense bruises. I was off work for a week and quit teaching Zumba until last night. I am finally starting to feel human again but it hasn't been an easy road.
I still made it to Brad and Melissa's wedding reception but only stayed for 2 hours. Brad has been friends with Charlie for years and I had to go even if it was for a short time. I have pictures but most of them were stolen from the kids because I left. Paul and I danced one slow song and I was done. I wish Brad and Melissa all the luck in the world, they were made for one another.
I also have pictures of Anna, Clint, and Amanda cutting the pumpkins. Anna said they have Halloween in Austria but it isn't as big a deal there as it is here. She was excited to go to Erie Orchard, go on a hayride, and in the corn maze. We got apples and have been cooking yummy recipes.
Of course there are pictures of my Cheri cheering. We were invited to a luncheon with her Alpha Phi girls. She was initiated on Sunday. Paul, Anna, and I went to see Katie in Godspell after the luncheon, then we went to eat with Cheri and Alex, then off to the game.
I also have some pics of my critters. Romeo is so big now! His back is as high as the dining room table. He is like a BIG stuffed animal. I can't help but hug him every time he walks by. He doesn't seem to mind that either. I don't have any pics of Jimmy but I have been training him and he is too smart for his own good sometimes. He gets a bit stubborn but he is so much easier than Sunny and Chavez to train. I haven't been on him lately because of my wonderful back injury.
I have a blog for Romeo from his point of view. If you would like to check that one out it is www.romeothenewfie.blogspot.com I also have one I have been keeping to document my training for my 1/2 marathon in April. That blog is www.cindyisarunner.blogspot.com In case you are bored and want to see what crazy things I write for fun.
Love Ya,
Cindy
I still made it to Brad and Melissa's wedding reception but only stayed for 2 hours. Brad has been friends with Charlie for years and I had to go even if it was for a short time. I have pictures but most of them were stolen from the kids because I left. Paul and I danced one slow song and I was done. I wish Brad and Melissa all the luck in the world, they were made for one another.
I also have pictures of Anna, Clint, and Amanda cutting the pumpkins. Anna said they have Halloween in Austria but it isn't as big a deal there as it is here. She was excited to go to Erie Orchard, go on a hayride, and in the corn maze. We got apples and have been cooking yummy recipes.
Of course there are pictures of my Cheri cheering. We were invited to a luncheon with her Alpha Phi girls. She was initiated on Sunday. Paul, Anna, and I went to see Katie in Godspell after the luncheon, then we went to eat with Cheri and Alex, then off to the game.
I also have some pics of my critters. Romeo is so big now! His back is as high as the dining room table. He is like a BIG stuffed animal. I can't help but hug him every time he walks by. He doesn't seem to mind that either. I don't have any pics of Jimmy but I have been training him and he is too smart for his own good sometimes. He gets a bit stubborn but he is so much easier than Sunny and Chavez to train. I haven't been on him lately because of my wonderful back injury.
I have a blog for Romeo from his point of view. If you would like to check that one out it is www.romeothenewfie.blogspot.com I also have one I have been keeping to document my training for my 1/2 marathon in April. That blog is www.cindyisarunner.blogspot.com In case you are bored and want to see what crazy things I write for fun.
Love Ya,
Cindy
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Friday, October 8, 2010
Sororities, dogs, horses, amusment parks, Homecoming and football games - Oh My!
Our fall has been as crazy as it usually is. Paul and I have been working 2 jobs and don't seem to have a minute to breathe. I told him we need a wife AND a husband. The house is just a place to sleep since we don't see it much these days. Paul is also still working on the rental trying to get it fixed up to rent - as well as reffing just about every day. I am doing 2 Zumba classes on Tuesday and Thursdays (Buckeye Cable employees and Community Ed) as well as a Saturday class. With all the kids, dogs, our jobs, and the horse we don't have any down time.
Charlie is working all the time and just got recognition from his company for a job well done. Kortnie is working at Tim Hortons and is starting school this month to study phlebotomy.
Clint is getting a lot of hours from Best Buy and Amanda is still working at the restaurant as well as student teaching, so she has been very busy and stressed. They have been trying to come home to work on their room downstairs but they haven't had the chance in the past few weeks. They will be moving back home in June to find permanant career jobs.
Cheri is in her sophomore year at Adrian and is still cheering. Cheri was just accepted into Alpha Phi sorority and she is thrilled. Many of her cheer teammates are in Alpha Phi. Next year she will probably live at the sorority house. Her sorority is the sister of Alex's faternity. They have both met so many new friends at college.
Anna has been having the time of her life at high school. She just participated in Big Ball and was interviewed for the local paper. Anna went to Homecoming with a group of 40 kids. I am sorry to say I haven't received her pictures from that yet; when I do I will post them. We also took her to Cedar Point amusment park and to a Tiger's baseball game. She had a great time at both. The Cedar Point trip was organized by EF Foundation, the group that brought her to the United States, so there were many exchange students. Charlie and Kortnie went with us too.
Romeo is getting HUGE! I am sure he is over 100 pounds now and he is only 9 months old. I will take him to the vets next week and get him weighed. He is much bigger than Cheyenne now and she weighs 70 pounds. Romeo has his own blog http://www.romeothenewfie.blogspot.com/
Jimmy Choo is settling in and starting to show his personality. Sometimes he can be a stinkier but he is still very sweet. He walks out of his stall and helps himself to treats, and whatever else he can find. We are training him now with Parelli, which is Natural Horsemanship. I used it on Sunny and Chevez and it is a wonderful program.
Enjoy the pictures and I will post more soon.
Love Ya,
Cindy
Charlie is working all the time and just got recognition from his company for a job well done. Kortnie is working at Tim Hortons and is starting school this month to study phlebotomy.
Clint is getting a lot of hours from Best Buy and Amanda is still working at the restaurant as well as student teaching, so she has been very busy and stressed. They have been trying to come home to work on their room downstairs but they haven't had the chance in the past few weeks. They will be moving back home in June to find permanant career jobs.
Cheri is in her sophomore year at Adrian and is still cheering. Cheri was just accepted into Alpha Phi sorority and she is thrilled. Many of her cheer teammates are in Alpha Phi. Next year she will probably live at the sorority house. Her sorority is the sister of Alex's faternity. They have both met so many new friends at college.
Anna has been having the time of her life at high school. She just participated in Big Ball and was interviewed for the local paper. Anna went to Homecoming with a group of 40 kids. I am sorry to say I haven't received her pictures from that yet; when I do I will post them. We also took her to Cedar Point amusment park and to a Tiger's baseball game. She had a great time at both. The Cedar Point trip was organized by EF Foundation, the group that brought her to the United States, so there were many exchange students. Charlie and Kortnie went with us too.
Romeo is getting HUGE! I am sure he is over 100 pounds now and he is only 9 months old. I will take him to the vets next week and get him weighed. He is much bigger than Cheyenne now and she weighs 70 pounds. Romeo has his own blog http://www.romeothenewfie.blogspot.com/
Jimmy Choo is settling in and starting to show his personality. Sometimes he can be a stinkier but he is still very sweet. He walks out of his stall and helps himself to treats, and whatever else he can find. We are training him now with Parelli, which is Natural Horsemanship. I used it on Sunny and Chevez and it is a wonderful program.
Enjoy the pictures and I will post more soon.
Love Ya,
Cindy
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About Me
- Cindy
- I am a mother and a grandmother (how did that happen?)I am a teacher. I teach English, Yearbook, Speech and Theater, and Zumba. I have taught many other things over the years. I love teaching.