Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Sick

OK, thanks to my dear friend Colleen, she has sparked my interest in trying to blog again. I do think I'm gonna try out this 365 Photo Challenge that some of my friends are taking part in. http://365project.org/
But also, we have some big changes coming up this year that I think would be nice to blog about for several reasons. First, as a journal to track the process. Second, to vent my feelings and maybe even get some feedback from others. Third, I'm hoping it will help me sort through what may become a messy and confusing journey.
So, there you have it - my first post in what will hopefully become a more regular occurance.
Meanwhile, I feel like crap and I'm ready to medicate and go to bed.
Goodnight all!

Blog sig Kim

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Perspective

So I've been feeling kind of overwhelmed and 'knocked around' these last few months with our financial situation, Tim's job, our house, the kids, blah, blah, blah...

Then today at school, I saw a mom that I haven't seen in several months so we were talking and catching up on each other's lives. I met her when we first moved here because her daughter was in my Madison's preschool class. Well about a year after I met her, she tearfully expressed to me that she had found a lump in her breast and was in the process of finding out the prognosis. Long story short, it was cancer, she suffered through more than 5 surgeries including a double mastectomy plus radiation and some other forms of treatment. Last April the doctors said she was in remission and the future looked bright.

Fast forward to our conversation today - she felt a tiny 'bump' in her breast region in January, went to see her doctor the very next day and by the following week, she was getting operated on again to remove the CANCER - it came back. In these last few months, she has endured 2 more surgeries plus lots of radiation. And this Friday she starts chemotherapy which will last through the end of August.

Meanwhile, her husband tore is ACL along with a few other muscles in his knee and was out of work for six months. Of course she has had to quit her job because of her sickness, therefore they are unable to afford their mortgage. Needless to say, it is now taking a toll on their marriage. Heartbreaking.

I wish I knew why God puts these obstacles and painful experiences in people's lives? It just doesn't make sense to me. They are a hardworking, loving couple trying to do the best in this world and raise two beautiful children. Why??

One thing I do know is that God placed her in my life for a reason and today that reason was to give me a little 'shake' to say 'Count your blessings!' It could be so much worse, there are people out there who are truly suffering. What we are going through pales in comparison. For that I am eternally grateful. But I continue to pray - I pray for the complete healing of my friend and her marriage and family. So, let's keep our lives and our troubles in perspective. And keep your chin up, the sun will come out tomorrow!!

Blog sig Kim

Monday, May 3, 2010

New Beginnings

Its been so long since I last blogged, you may think, 'why now?' Actually, I have wanted to post for awhile but honestly thought 'whats the point?'. Then I realized the point is: for me to journal about my feelings and my life. It's for me. If you find my thoughts interesting or maybe they help you in some way, then that is even better.

We are going through some major changes in our lives right now. Tim's new job in Delaware. Bankruptcy, which will ultimately lead to losing our house. Giving up our expensive car. Financially, we have crumbled. And it was/is devastating. Heartbreaking. Embarrassing. Frustrating. But the positive is, now we are off to a fresh start and I have to be excited about that. I want to make the right decisions to lead us into a brighter future. I know we can rebuild and be as good, if not BETTER, than we have ever been financially. But it is going to be a long, slow journey. We can do it! Right?

The big decision that we face at this point is whether we want to stay in our current town or move back 'home' to PA. I think ultimately, PA is where we belong. No matter how long we live here, this will never truly be our home. Home includes all of our family and friends. The people who are most important to us. The only reason we moved down here was for Tim's job and now that job has gone away. So, why stay? But it's actually not quite as easy as that.

The schools are incredible! They are everything the reviews say and more. The girls really love school and are doing so well. The special education dept is out of this world and they support our girls in every way imaginable. Not to mention, I have a job at the school which I really enjoy, which is the cherry on top!

The town itself is quite endearing. The bike path. The playground/park. The community as a whole with events and fun things that pull the community together.

Living near the beach and boardwalk keep us happy all year long. We are only 10 minutes away, which is far enough away to avoid the traffic or flooding issues, but close enough to go anytime we want! Sun, Sand and Mack & Manco's pizza - can we ask for more than that?!!

Friends. The girls have met some nice friends at school and enjoy lots of play dates. Especially Kaitlyn. She has grown so connected to a very sweet little girl in her class and they became instant best friends. I have also met some very nice people. No one who could even come close to my friends back home though. And that is tough. You would think after almost three years, I would have really connected with a core group of friends. People are very different down here. We live in a wealthy town and people have very high standards when it comes to lifestyle and such.

So anyway, for now it looks like we will be staying in our house until next summer. Meanwhile, we are going to save as much money as we can and keep our eyes out for the right rental property in PA (probably Owen J Roberts school district in Chester County).

The skies are looking brighter. We are all healthy and safe. Tim has a job thank God. So although life isn't turning out the way we planned or expected it to, we are learning to roll with the punches... one day at a time!!


Blog sig Kim

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Is November really half over?!?!

One week till Thanksgiving ... REALLY???

So many things to be thankful for:

- My job that I love
- All four girls remaining healthy (even thru the Swine Flu scare)
- Tim's vasectomy went well and hopefully was a success!
- Pops was not hurt in his car accident PLUS Tim & Pops were able to fix the car with parts from a junkyard
- Kaitlyn joining 2 social groups at school - both started this week and both are geared toward self-esteem building - one is a running group
- Got to visit each of the girls classrooms this week and see what they do everyday
- the 'Best' pediatric dentist around now finally takes our dental insurance and all four girls have an appt in 2 weeks
- addictive Facebook games that help take my mind away for awhile
- Tim's job offer from a company in Delaware (not the offer we were hoping for, but still promising)
- Our awesome date night last weekend - I finally got to eat at PF Changs (Tim's fave) and we saw A Christmas Carol at IMAX 3D and walked around The Tropicana in AC
- Tim loving his new car (BMW)
- having the girls help put away tons of laundry tonight - they even hung them up!
- Tim's safe flights all around the world (I still worry after all these years)
- Awesome family & friends who create the best support group for us
- taking aspirin everyday has helped relieved some of my awful heart pain (at least to get me thru till my next test on Dec 4)
- Mack n Manco pizza (love it! haha)
- I could go on and on but... well the one big thing I'm thankful for is a cozy warm bed to sleep in!! Which is where I'm headed right now! :)

G'night my friends!

Blog sig Kim

Thursday, October 22, 2009

We are still ALIVE!!

Hello folks!!

I don't think it's ever been this long in between blog posts for me - I can attribute it to a few factors:

1. An awesomely FUN summer!
2. Facebook - since joining FB, it seems I am better able to keep in touch with friends and family, as well as post pics and update my status every day.
3. Crazy busy with Tim gone at least 3 weeks out of every month.
4. And... well... life just kinda took over a bit more than usual.

SOOOO... I'm Baaaaackkk...!! I honestly cant promise that I'll be posting full Summer updates because frankly, it's so far past that you probably wouldn't even care! And even if you did care, I probably wouldn't be able to remember half of it anyway!

Hopefully I will keep up a little better now and let's get re-connected cuz I missed you! :)

Blog sig Kim

Monday, July 27, 2009

Rewind to May!

Since I'm SO far behind... let's just do a review in photos!

5.2.09 Brian's college graduation






5.5.09 Kaitlyn's birthday





5.9.09 Kaitlyn's party






5.10.09 Mother's Day






5.25.09 Memorial Day










5.30.09 Dorney Park















Blog sig Kim

Manic Monday

Manic Monday #177
CLICK HERE

What is one thing that you would change about yourself if you could?
Increase my patience level

Name three exotic countries you would like to visit:
1. Phuket, Thailand
2. Morocco (Africa)
3. Brazil (South America)

What do you think the secret to life is?
Live with an open mind, Love with an open heart, Laugh with an open sense of humor

Blog sig Kim

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Everything She Thought She Wanted

Everything She Thought She Wanted

by Elizabeth Buchan

Published in 2006. 384 pages.

Amazon link

Genre: Fiction, Women's Lit

My Overall Score: 3

What its about (taken from amazon.com): The separate stories of two women--one a career-driven late-20th-century professional and the other a 1950s housewife--are displayed in this novel. Thirty-five-year-old Siena Grant enjoys a life that many women only dream of. A highly successful fashion consultant with her own business, a magazine column, a book deal and an American television show, Siena is also married to a loving, sensitive man. She and Charlie live in a trendy flat and enjoy intimate little suppers. What more could anybody want? For starters, Charlie is dreaming of a country home and children--not a life that appeals to the oh-so-chic Siena.

Meanwhile, in 1959, 42-year-old Barbara Beeching, a married mother of two grown children, lives with her pilot husband, Ryder, in a charming country home and hosts the most delightful little parties. Perfect partners, Barbara and Ryder survived the atrocities of war over England and now face the rest of their lives as Ryder thinks of retirement and Barbara thinks of... Alexander Liberty, a hunky psychiatry student whose passion for her takes her by surprise.

What I thought: Interesting storyline taken from two different yet similar women. I was curious how it would turn out but I never connected with either of the main characters. It felt slow moving to me and I honestly couldn't wait to be finished with this one.

Why I read it & where I got it: I got it at the Ocean City Library Used Book Sale last year and thought it would be a quick read to help me up my annual book count.

Date finished: June 10, 2009

Currently reading: Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs

Blog sig Kim