Gemma Grins

I stayed with the kiddos last night so Scott and Tracy could go out. The twins really do change so much from week to week. Evan is crawling on all fours and both are pulling themselves up all over the place. They are such happy babies and are easily amused with funny faces and goofy sounds. And when Tracy said Evan was chewing on his bed, she wasn't kidding! It isn't just bite marks - he has shredded the wood! Luckily, she has bumpers on the rails now and he just can't figure out how to chew on the vertical slats yet. They make me laugh all the time with their antics. The Miller house is definitely my happy place!

Free Saturday

Doctor offices closed today so our calendar is free. I had 2 biopsy's this past week, l right knee area, the other my ulcer on my tongue(no comments.)
Tongue, OK, nah I can talk all I want. Knee showed cancer and have another app. next week. jolly time in hot town always.
Miss all of you and counting the days until Teri and Brent arrive, have started the second page of 'honoy do'es'.

Paradise on the banks of the Pigeon River

We were visited by momma & 2 babies tonight. West of the house eating apples.

PT, DOP, JD

I have Physical Therapy this morning for an on-going shoulder problem. I got a cortisone shot a few weeks ago, but it hasn't been the miracle cure (or relief) I had hoped for. Guess I need to keep my appointment on the 10th with the Orthopedic Surgeon.

Dropout Prevention job is going great. I'm still without a computer, an office, a list of official duties, etc., but I've been working with another member of our Transition Team and figured out some things. Our function is to place kids returning from a Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) program to a Pinellas County school. Part of my job will be to follow up and make sure they actually get there. Everyone has been so friendly and helpful.

I'm scheduled for JD - jury duty - on Thursday. I have to call tomorrow after 5 to see if they still want me to report, but they usually do. I'd try to get out of it, but they'd just call me later. There is really NO convenient time for this inconvenience. Part of our democratic process, civic duty, and all that. Sigh.

Monday

Worked Saturday, "farmed" Sunday. The only news from the Ranch is that Ray is getting serious about selling it - lock, stock and barrel. The neighbor wants to buy it to expand his livestock transporting business. He currently farms 32 acres now. I don't know that it will happen quickly as Ray and I are quite a bit apart on the price we want (that's a switch, for the sellers to be at odds). We are also a bit apart on where we want to live. So, there are several barriers to the whole deal that have to be torn down. Don't hold your breath. I don't think we are moving soon - but then again, it could happen like Jim and Kathy's new place. You just never know.

blog

Guess folks are busy farming and not writing that much. I miss that too.

WOW!

Mozart is going to be completely thrown off schedule. You TWO enjoy the days. Play a game or two unless the weather drags you outside. Remember to count how many days until you won't want to go out to play, bbbbrrrrrr cold, wet with snow, etc. (4 letter words).

A day together

After another 8-days in a row of work, I finally had a day off. The craziest thing happened, Eric has the day off too!!! Yep, that's right, we had an ENTIRE day off together! :)

Eric let me sleep in...boy did I need it! He took the dog on a bike ride while I was snoozing. When I got up, we went to Red Robin for lunch...yummmmmmm! After lunch we headed to the mall to window shop and pick up a few things we needed.

When we got home, we decided to take advantage of the gorgeous weather and took Mozart for another bike ride. I can't believe it's the end of August - it only got up to 70 degrees today!

Oh, and I just found out about an hour ago that my training scheduled for tomorrow has been rescheduled, so I get another day off - TWO days in a row - woohoo!!! So it looks like we have another "date day" to look forward to...wonder what tomorrow will bring?

Congrats Brent

WOW a graduation Brent I hope your family makes that awesome occasion. December and g'pa and g'ma McQueen will not be able to make it.
We will celebrate while you are here.

Graduation

Just wanted to let everyone know that I will be graduating from Emporia State University on December 19th at 10am. The ceremony is in Emporia, KS. SO excited!

I'm up, I'm up... time for a nap.

I wish I had time for a nap. Today is an early day. I'm up & got the kiddos on the school bus. It picks them up just 2 blocks away, which is nice. We went to Open House Monday & they got to meet their teachers & all were excited to start on Wed. This week they have had all early outs, so was kind of a short week. They will get into the grind & on schedule next week. All 3 have made some new friends (duh) and are enjoying the new school.

Another day of tests for me today. We have a sonogram at 10am, then NST at 11. No Doc visit this week, but next week starts them weekly. Plan is, Tuesdays I have NST & Doc visit, and Fridays is NST & Sono. As of today, we have 26 days til Delivery Day!!! We have just about everything ready, clothes washed, diapers unpacked, crib set up. My Dad & Deb ordered us an infant car seat which we should get around the 24th, then all we wait on is the little one. We are excited, but a bit nervous, of course. I'm ready to be done with this pregnancy schtuff. I still have not gained much weight, tho, and am still down by 10 pounds since January. Who'd have thought pregnancy would make for a good diet?

It's about time to get Alan up & head to the hospital (Doc's office is in a building right next door). Love to all & have a glorious day!!

Life in Freeland

Haven't posted an update in awhile; figured I'd better check in.

Scott is on the mend, though still very run down and tired. He ended up losing 24 pounds in three weeks, so I expect that took the wind out of his sails a bit. He's definitely doing better, though, and returned to work this week. He's been taking it easy, though, to avoid a relapse.

The babies and I are getting back ino our routine. As I type this, Rowan is happily stuffing her face with bb's and Evan is munching on Cheerios, his favorite. She's a fruit and veggie girl, like her mommy, and he's a meat and bread guy, like his daddy. I can only get him to eat fruits and veggies if they're mixed with other stuff. Oh well. We're about to head out for our daily 30-minute walk. I'm not back to kickboxing yet, but I've been so tired it's been hard to consider. I'm only down 3 pounds after Scott's ordeal, but funny how lack of sleep does different things to women than it does men.

This weekend we have plans to convert our guest room to a playroom for the kids. The house sure isn't flying off the market, and all the stuff we'll have will easily move to the new house. We're going to Ikea down in Canton to load up on organizers and decorations, and moving the queen size bed to the pole barn (don't worry, Mom, we got a tall air bed as a replacement.) The kids will love having more room to play in upstairs, and I will love not having to chase them down as they get into everything possible in all of the bedrooms.

Have a good weekend, all!

p.s. I will post an invitation, but all are invited to join us at Evan and Rowan's 1-year birthday party on Sunday, September 20th at noon. We're holding it at a pavilion at Tittabawassee Township Park.

Friday

It’s a beautiful day in Paradise on the banks of the Pigeon River. It’s my fifth furlough Friday & Jim works late so we both got to sleep in! The windows are open and there’s a beautiful 68 degree breeze blowing through our home. Life is good.

visit

Brent, I just said the same thing this morning--3 wks until you and mom come to visit. I, too, am excited. Will you have some studying to do?

Sunshine

Finally, after 5 days of rain and gloominess, the sun is out today. We are 6 inches over "normal" from what I read. I love rainy days and thunderstorms but 5 days is too much. I don't think I could live in the Northwest. Just as an FYI. :)

3 weeks to Florida!!!! Finally got official approval from work. I wasn't worried but at least finally have the paperwork!

WORK

Lori, you go girl. When you get in gear you really make things happen. Good luck.

Busy

Hello from Jackson!
Things are shaping up around here; getting delivery of Dumpster this a.m. for roof reshingling. Help with cleaning garage 2day. Had to move my '04 GP out into driveway to clear a path. Keep fingers crossed nothing hits it. Reminds me to throw my tarp over it. Thanks, guys.

Tuesday

Ray got home from RNR about noon Sunday. Scott was doing such a great job with the kids that I went home early, too. So we had Sunday PM to catch up. He left Monday AM to take a trailer to PA but he should be home again late tonight, hopefully to stay for a few days! Don't tell him I missed him!!!

First Day

Day one is over for my new job. I still don't know what I'll be doing, but I met the people on my "team" and a bunch of others in the Dropout Prevention School. Today was mostly a rah-rah session of meetings to set the tone, but it was so refreshing to be in a room of people I didn't know and be treated kindly and with respect. Such a difference from the first day last year! I did know about 20 people I had either worked with before, or met in some capacity. Off to a good start.

NL

Great reminder Sandy.
I'm so busy with farming that it keeps me hopping to keep up with all the other sights.
Joni sent an article on goal settting and I'm thinking I need to heed the advice therein.

REMINDERS

Goodness Sandy, I forgot---------NNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOO not really.
I wondered if you would send a notice or if I would have to do you know what.
Getting cloudy here and we are suppose to get 1" rain--we will take it and want it.
Dad rode the bike this morning. A first since surgery and he did a good job.

Saturday thoughts

I'm blogging from Tracy's computer since she was able to go on her "girls' weekend" in Alabama, and Scott and I are tag teaming on the kids. Right now, it's his turn and I'm enjoying a cup of coffee.
One of my staff left for a new job yesterday. Fortunately, we were able to transfer someone who was going to be laid off and who has accounting experience into the department but the training curve is very high. I am going to have to cancel some, if not all, of the extra vacation days I was going to take around Labor Day. Bummer!
Hopefully, Ray will be home this weekend. He's been up north for two weeks and while he has managed to take care of himself and the dog quite admirably, I'm getting tired of feeding the dumb chickens. I'll take FarmVille on Facebook any day.
Don't forget your newsletters, everyone! I'll send another reminder (if I remember) when I get home tomorrow for those who don't read the blog. Love to all. Sandy

Just Us

Hi All, I have quickly scanned the blog & caught up sorta. VERY glad to hear Scott is home & on the mend. Congrats on the O'Connor family for new digs & to Di for her new job. We're good here. We are working as much as dispatch needs us..which is every week. We just got back from WA & leaving again today for CA (I think that's what I heard anyway). I had a terrible week last week though. We slept in a rest area in WI.; I got up to start driving & had to back up (which I rarely do) to get the truck out around a camper. It was raining buckets & about the time I had the thought to get and look to see if anyone was behind me, I hit a 2009 Freightliner with the back corner of the trailer. I smashed his left headlight & scratched his bumper. I also got a ticket for illegal backing because I didn't get out & do a pretrip vehicle inspection. If I had, I would have seen the bobtail behind me. Then on the way home in MN, in construction, a truck's draft caught an orange barrel & sent it flying at me. I hit the barrel with the right front bumper but didn't do any damage. I was about ready to turn in my driver's license. Other than that, we're doing okay. Brad has to have some teeth pulled the end of next week. Since we're paying for it, he's gonna get a couple done at a time then get a bridge to fill in the gaps.
Hope this finds everyone well. Love to all, Brad & Teri

our new place...

So we have a moving plan in place, in case you all were wondering. Patrick and I, and whoever we can get to help, will be moving out everything we can fit in our Jeep on Sept. 1st. Then we have movers booked for Sept. 2nd am. We'll have a massive cleaning job to do. We also have to repaint Flynn's room, which will be kinda sad. My friend, Allison worked so hard on this painting on his closet door, I really don't want to paint over it, but I can't do anything else. I think I'll try to take some pictures with it and make a large poster or something. She personalized it for him, and he loves it too! Anyway, we hope to be done with everything on the 2nd, so we can enjoy the extra long Labor Day weekend in our new place. It will be so great sleeping in for 3 days w/o any hospital noises!! I can't begin to describe how much I want to move. I'll send an email out with our address when it gets closer to the time. Hope all is well!!

boohoo

Diana is leaving and there is so much yet to be learned. Brent be ready when you come down. As of now, I cannot be a farmer. My Adobe is too new and won't upgrade because it isn't available. Don't ask how I was able to get on yesterday and do all that fun stuff and now my crops are going to rot waiting for technology.
I may send pictures of my 'beautiful' face when it gets figured out,

Going Home

I'm leaving this morning for home. I took pictures of Mom's eyes each day to show her progress, but I'll leave it up to her whether to post them, or not. They have improved every day. She's still not supposed to lift anything over 10 pounds until she sees the Dr. next week. Grocery shopping for me today.

Office Day

Good morning all!
Yesterday I went to the Whirlpool plant in Clyde, Ohio for a tour. It's the factory that makes our top-load washing machines and I toured it during my training last year but it was great to see it again now that I have some experience in the field and know what to look for and ask about.

It was a fantastic day but looooooong. My friend Adrianna from Cincinnati came up on Monday night and stayed over then we drove together in the morning. It's about a 3 hour drive one way, so we were pretty exhausted when we finally got home after 10pm - then poor Adrianna had another 45 minutes to get home. But she made it safe and sound and we're both taking an office day to recuperate.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Love,
Joni

Racing computer & colorful eyes

Hello from Ft. Myers. Mom & I went yesterday and she bought a new computer at Best Buy. It's a Toshiba with Vista OS (which kind of scared her at first) and a MUCH faster processor. We got all of her files transferred yesterday and she explored some. We'll do more today, but Vista has cleaned out most of the bugs and it isn't that much different than XP.

Mom's eyes are quite colorful. They feel dried out and scratchy at times. The Doc called yesterday to check on her and said that yesterday would be the worst day so we'll see what she looks like when she gets up (yeah, still sleeping!) Dad is doing great.

I plan on spending the night and going home early Thursday morning. Nice rain storm last night and I saw a few of the Perseids showering this morning on my walk (around 4:30.)

vacation

I went on vacation out west with Doug, his truck, each having our own tents and sharing other responsibilities. We stayed at Glacier and Yellowstone national parks. Intend to contribute to NL this month, so more to come. Sorry to hear about Scott/Tracy's ordeal; Vanessa texted me with basics. Very glad things are improving there. Wanted to let family know I will be holding an open house at my Jackson "remodeled" home on Saturday, September 26, from noon to 6:00 p.m. All are invited, especially Jim and Kathy who may want to get rid of that old water pump from the centennial farm they've dragged from place to place for me. LOL, Lori

All is Well

We just got home & Mom is fine. She has drops to put in her eyes and an ointment to put over the stitches (which you can barely see.) She says it stings a bit, but no real pain. She was up, walking around, and lucid within minutes of surgery. New anesthetic that doesn't have such residual effects. I'll keep you posted.

Hot and muggy!

Laying low in Freeland. Scott is still on the mend, and Evan and Rowan are keeping me hopping. In case you haven't checked out our own blog, they are both pulling up and really, really mobile. It's fun, though. To see their daily changes is amazing to behold.

Scott has labs to have run today, and a couple doctor's appointments over the next couple days, so hopefully we'll havea progress report soon.

My girl's weekend to Alabama is still up in the air for this weekend. Depends on how Scott has improved. Gemma has volunteered to come stay with him, but unless he's feeling a lot better, that's a long time (three FULL days) to have to tend to two active babies, even with help. We'll see.

Pitts in Florida

I'm in Ft. Myers for a few days to take Mom to surgery tomorrow. It's scheduled for 10:00; will post an update when we get home. We went to Applebee's for lunch and made a salad (and popcorn) for dinner. Weather is typical Florida; sun, hot, humid, rain, sun, etc...

Update from the Pitts in Ohio

Hello all, it has been much too long since we've contributed to the blog, so there is a lot to catch up on...

First of all, we are extremely grateful to hear Scott is home and improving daily. And that G'ma's MRI was uneventful. We continue to wish you all good health!

As usual, we are staying busy. I've been conducting a lot more trainings for work. I spent 3 days in Toledo assisting the local rep with the Sears "Road Show" mid-July. Each day consists of six 45-minute sessions. During each session, we cover the top 2-3 features/benefits of nine different products. It's A LOT of information to cover in such a short period of time, so it takes a lot of practice. Last week I spent 4 days doing the same training for the Columbus market and next week I'll be in Cincinnati. All in all, I will end up giving the presentation over 40 times. It's gotten so bad, I've found myself dreaming about the presentation - yikes!

It hasn't been all work...we were able to get away the last weekend in July to visit Amish Country (Holmes County, Ohio). We met my Aunt Chris and Uncle Rich, who drove in from Buffalo, NY. They've been staying in the area for the past couple of years so my Uncle can attend the local, annual motorcycle rally. I did a ton of research online and found the cutest cabin for the four of us to stay in. The owners are not Amish but the husband designed and built the cabins and his construction workers are all Amish. The craftsmanship was incredible! And it was a very reasonable rate - only $135/night for 3 bedrooms, one bath, a living room, and a full kitchen. We also enjoyed the private fire pit two of the nights we were there - even cooked over the open fire one night. Eric and I both want to visit again. It was a wonderful, relaxing weekend - just the R&R we needed.

Eric has been staying busy at the restaurant. He's been training more and more - which is good because it provides a new challenge and it pays better! His ankle has healed enough that he's playing basketball again once a week. He's glad to be back at it and hopes to work back up to two days a week soon.

Yesterday we celebrated Mozart's birthday (he's 2 now!). First Eric and I went to breakfast and ran a couple errands, then we picked him up and took him to Petsmart to pick out a new cushion for his bed and new toys (he picked a Kong ball and a tug toy). Then we took him to "Wash Your Dog" where we gave him a bath. It's a really neat place that gives you all the necessary equipment to bathe your pet and they clean up the mess. We ended the day playing ball with him in the back yard. He was pretty pooped after that! :)

Today, I worked until 2pm then we strolled around a local art fair. It was really hot - our first real heat wave of the summer - it got up to 93 degrees. If there hadn't been shade or a breeze, it might have felt like Florida!

Well, that's about all from the Dayton area...going to get the grill read for steaks now, ciao!

Link

If you want to read the whole article:

http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/wellness_articles.asp?id=875

Sunscreen

I just read an article about skin damage from sun and the importance of wearing sunscreen. Those of us who have had melanomas removed know we must protect our skin. BUT I did not know this:

Apply enough sunscreen to fill a shot glass (about one ounce) in order to thoroughly cover all of your exposed skin. During a long day outdoors, one person should use about one half of a full eight-ounce bottle of sunscreen.

WOW.

tomatoes

the girls and i are enjoying fresh cherry and grape tomatoes daily and picked a slicer yesterday. have had some blueberries but ma NEEDS to get me some more--our girls are almost more voracious with them than i am!! they keep up with me fist for fist!! i start at toyota on monday--hope it is a permanent move--heard they work you into the ground--got any bets on how many years it takes them to do that to me? lolol.. mom--get pickin, g'ma and g'pa--if all goes well we prolly makin the x-mas trip south..keepin finners crossed...love y'all

your info

Keep the blog coming. Marc we didn't see what you wrote on FB so we missed your thrill of frest tomatoes. Oh well, we are missing the blueberries and also the asparagus. Your picking blackberries Teri, at our old patch gives us fizzies too.
I do not get into FB very often but share all there is on the blog.
Also enjoy your e-mails.

Friday!

It's the weekend!!! I got to babysit on Wednesday for the kiddos and I get to go again tomorrow for the day. I'm such a lucky Gemma! Marc, I was so jealous to read on Facebook that you were eating cherry and grape tomatoes off the vine, but now, my own tomatoes are starting to ripen. I've picked (and eaten) about 8 of them but my bushes are full of green ones. Sun-warmed, ripe tomatoes - life doesn't get much better than that!
Ray is still up north at the RNR doing odd jobs on our property and favors for other property owners. He has found a couple friends up there and it doesn't sound like he is too anxious to come back to Farwell soon. Oh well, at least he's out of trouble (I think???)
Have a great weekend everyone!!!

new apartment

Hi all! For those who don't have the FB (facebook), we were on the hunt for a new living space. Our current lease is month to month, but we've been so busy these past few months that we haven't had time to go out and find a place. Until a few weeks ago.

We visit an apartment finder company, and they took us to this great 2 bedroom, 1 bath place a few blocks west of our current place. It's a newer place, FIRST FLOOR, all new appliances, a nice bathroom with a shower that we can actually stand under w/o bending our legs, and an enclosed yard for Flynn to play in. Its much smaller than our current place, so I'm worried about not having enough room for all our stuff...although I hope to downsize mucho!

Not sure on when exactly we're moving in, our lease starts Sept. 1st. So then, or very shortly after. Have a lot to do before then, hopefully we can get it done with minimal stress, even though we have a wedding the last weekend in August.

Can't wait to get out of our 3rd floor, falling apart, next to a stinky hospital apartment. I can't remember what's its like to sleep in our own bed w/o waking to hospital truck noises at least once a night...that will be awesome!!!

Thanksgiving

It is good to hear from Marc. Also, we give our thanks for Scott getting home and Aunt Di for her job victory.
My MRI tests came back OK so you cannot blame me for anythng going wrong in my head,YAY!
I always tried to convince most of you but now it's true. (no comments)
Hope the Millers sleep good tonight and get back into the stream of life soon. Scott a DO NOT go back to work to soon. We've worried and prayed for you and want to see, hear,of your strong self soon. Those babies missed you and I can imagine how your wife feels having you home. This first night may seem strange. I can identify with that. NUF Said!
Love
Gram

really hoping for the best for y'all tracy. scott is strong--he'll be ok. congrats aunt di--really happy for you!! we are doin good here--just wanted to let tracy and aunt di know how we felt.. love y'all...

Oh, happy day!

Scott will be coming home today.

We may never know entirely what happened, but doctors seem to think it's some nasty, elaborate virus. Worries about whether or not it's contagious and the babies are in danger if exposed were relieved by the doctors who assured us that if Scott doesn't slobber on them, they are fine. The doctors even suggested that Scott may have gotten the virus from them, but their immune systems fought it off differently than his did.

I maintain that this is all the fault of months of sleep deprivation, but how to prove it? My mommy immune system stays strong. Good thing.

I can't wait to have my family under one roof again, no matter how much running it means for me. Remind me of that next week, will ya?

It's Official

Yay for me! I was offered, and accepted, a position as a Dropout Prevention Specialist. I don't know what my responsibilities will be other than monitoring data, following-up on court placed kids, doing paperwork, and writing grants. Don't care. I won't be returning to Dunedin Middle. I don't know where, or if, I'll have an office or where I will report for duty on the 17th. Again, SO don't care. Yay for me!

Monday morning at St. Mary's

No big update. Scott still feels very, very poorly. We had an echocardiogram over the weekend - should have the results to that as well as the liver biopsy and some of the other labs today.

We aren't going home anytime soon. Until he breaks this fever for more than 24 hours unmedicated, we're staying put. We're taking it day by day.

I did stay at home last night so Grandma Mills could get some rest. Even with getting up with Evan and Rowan several times I got a better night's sleep than I do at the hospital, and I suspect Scott did as well.

I'll update as we have anything newsworthy.

words

My fingers are bound to hit some wrong key and eyes overlook the misspelled word. Oh heck time does that.

House

YAY! Success for J&K. Great news and relief I bed. Take care.Love Mom

Saturday update

Tracy asked me to update you all on the status of the big guy. She is on her way home to see the babies and left the computer at the hospital with Scott. His labs are improved some today - sugar and blood pressure are down - but he is still feeling poorly. Weak and short of breath - fever. He MAY be able to go home Monday if he can kick the fever. Thanks to all for your continued thoughts and prayers. They both know how much you all care.

I'm going over this morning to spend the rest of the weekend to relieve Scott's mom. When you're not used to it, caring for the kiddos 24/7 is very wearing! And doing it at our age (mine and Dianne's, that is)is doubly difficult! (Get it - doubly - twins - heh, heh)

Happy Day

Closed on the Brown Road house Thursday. We're a one mortgage family again! Cha Ching!