THANK-YOU

I wanted to start my post today with a huge THANK-YOU. You are all so wonderful. I love reading every ones blogs and looking at your decorating pictures. BUT I have to admit it's the kind comments you all leave me that are helping me through this difficult time. Your comments make me smile and also put tears in my eyes. Who knew strangers could be nicer than your own family and friends. I have been so blessed to have gotten to know each and every one of you. I have a bit of good news to share today. Monday at 3pm I have an interview. It may be just part time but the pay is good and it would be great just to get my foot in the door. So please if you have time will you please include me in your prayers.

We still haven't heard anything about the test they ran on Ray's legs. I am assuming if they had found anything we would have heard by now. Jessica is almost chigger free and Abby is getting better each day. Eleni is just anxiously waiting for school to end. Just two weeks left!

It's funny no matter what you may be going through life goes on. 

Oh one last thing I am so loving all the Americana decor pictures.

Donna

1 Month

Hello everyone. It seems like I haven't blogged in a month. Speaking of a month it has now been a month since we have moved into my Mom's. Just let me say you don't realize what you have until it's gone. I am trying very hard to keep a positive outlook but it gets harder as each day passes.

Last Friday Ray went for the ultra sound on his legs. They didn't tell us anything except they would pass the test results on to his doctor. We still haven't heard from them so I am hoping no news is good news. I will keep you posted as we get more information.

We decided to go to SC and visit Ray's brother and his family over the holiday weekend. It was an ok trip for me. I think I think too much about things and it's hard to relax and really enjoy myself. Ray and the girls had a good time. Poor Abby got fleas while we were there and they have tore her skin up. As soon as we got back to VA we went to the vet and got her something for the fleas. I'm not sure if it was just fleas because she has dug and scratched until her skin is raw and bleeding. If it doesn't get better by tomorrow night I'm taking her to the vet Friday. Jessica said the mosquitoes were eating her up. Yesterday she said those mosquitoes bit me through my clothes all over. Well, after a closer look it wasn't mosquitoes she has chiggers. I don't know who's scratching more Jessica or Abby.

We left SC Tuesday morning about 6AM. I guess about an hour and a half into our journey home it started to rain. The girls had fallen asleep in the back seat and Ray and I were just talking. There wasn't a lot of traffic but as we were driving a white mini van went by us in the passing lane. In a matter of seconds that van was spinning all around right in front of us and headed straight for us then it flew across our lane off the road into a wooded area. Ray pulled over to check on them and we called 911. I am happy to say other than being really shook up a young couple climbed out of the van and seemed to be ok. By now the rain was really coming down and while we were making sure this couple was ok  right before our eyes another car did the exact same thing just a few feet ahead of us except they went off the road into the woods on the other side of the street. Ok if that wasn't enough a third car hit that same spot and did the same thing but came across and into the woods on the side of the road we were on. I was shaking and could not believe what I was seeing. It was obvious we were in a bad spot so we decided to leave. I felt so bad because we had to leave but I couldn't put my own children at risk. I told Ray we were so blessed because that could have easily been us. I couldn't believe the amount of people who passed us and NO ONE stopped but us to offer help. I just hope and pray that no one else was hurt that day. I don't know if there was something on the road or if they hydro planed but it was like watching a movie. I have never seen anything like that in my life all 3 within in minutes. I had a hard time going to sleep last night I kept seeing those cars over and over every time I closed my eyes. I just kept thinking how lucky we were to arrive home safely!

I hope everyone enjoyed there holiday weekend. I am so happy Summer is here.

Donna

Is it really May?

The weather here is so cool and windy it feels more like March. It's beautiful outside just a little chilly for May. I hope everyone had a nice weekend. I don't have a lot to share this week either. We are still living with my Mom and still unemployed. I will be so glad when I can posts some good news! 

We only have about a month left of school and then we could be facing some big life decisions. Ray's brother and his wife have offered us a place to stay until we can get back on our feet. They live in SC and my Dad has offered to help us find a place by him in Penn. We are considering a move just not sure if it will be north or south. I will keep you all posted.

Ray has a an appointment Friday to have a test ran on his leg. He's been having some cramping when he walks so they are checking to make sure he doesn't any blood clots in his leg. Then we see the cardiologist June 29th. It may be awhile before he gets disability so that will also play a part in if we move. The next month should be a busy one for us.

So do any of you have any fun plans for the Holiday weekend?

Donna

Hello Again

Well, I'm sad to say not a lot going on here. I am still looking for a job and we are still working on Ray's disability. He went to the Dr Monday and informed them he was going to try to get back on disability. One Dr's comment was you are too young. Well, last time I checked he was way too young to have all the health issues he has. I'm not sure what age has to do with any of this but Ray definetly does not have the body of a normal 40 year old. He has upcoming appointments to see the cardiologist and an upcoming test to have his leg checked. The leg they took the vein out for the bypass has been cramping and achey lately so they are going to make sure he doesn't have any blood clots in it. See what I mean it's always something. I just hope we get a break somewhere soon. I am thankful we have my Mother to stay with but as I said before there's no place like home.

Today I put in an application at the Children's Hospital here in Richmond. When I was a baby I had a birth mark that would grow as I did. It was the size of a dime and quickly became the size of a quarter. I spent 13 years in and out of Children's Hospital having plastic surgery. I am proud to say all I have is a scar I could have a birth mark that covered my face if it weren't for the wonderful Dr's at Children's Hospital. What a wonderful place to not only work but make a difference in someones life like they made in mine. I still have a lot of fond memories there and would welcome some new ones. It asked on the application why did you apply and I was proud to click other and type in I was once a patient. You never know it may get me in the door. :)

You know I have been unemployed now for a little over 6 months and I still to this day miss my old job. I wonder if that feeling will ever go away? It's sad when you have a job you like and work with people you love and someone higher up decides that you can't have that anymore. Seems so sad that there is no such thing as job security anymore. What happened to the good ol' days?

Donna

Enough Already

Ok here is another update. I think I've had enough already. Ray just can not keep a job. Some because of the economy and some because of his health. We went to Social Security today to reapply for disability for him. He has a Dr.'s appointment Monday in the renal clinic. We need to talk to his doctor about agreeing this would be in his best interest. I know in my heart he would be better off not working no matter how bad we need the money right now. I would think after 2 kidney transplants and a quadruple bypass he should be qualified.

I am still hoping for a letter to receive an extension on my unemployment. I feel like I could just throw in the towel but I'm very hopeful everything is going to work out. Thanks for your comments they really help more than you know. A kind word goes a long way. Thanks to all of your blogs for helping me forget my problems a little each day. I have to admit I'm a little jealous I so want to tweak or redo something.

Donna

Week 1

It's been a week now and I am so bored. Everything I own is in storage except for a few clothes and our TV. I get tired of watching TV and I'm not much on reading. Thank goodness my Mom has internet so I can read your blogs.

My unemployment runs out this week. I am hoping I qualify for an extension although I would rather have a job! The sooner I find a job the sooner I can look for my own place again. Ray is looking now but we really need to incomes to make it these days. 

After Church yesterday we rode to the local GW. No luck at all. I seen a few things I might could redo but they were entirely to high. I was so disappointed because I was looking for something to work on. I may try back another day.

I wish I had something fun and exciting to share but I don't. As I said earlier thank goodness for your blogs. Thanks for all of your sweet and kind comments. I know something good is coming but I have to be patient. I hope to check back in soon.

Donna