1 YEAR

Thanks so much to all of you who have stood by me this past year. I have been blessed with so many great blog friends! As many of you know I was laid off in November of 08 from a job I loved. This was the beginning of many problems. When I lost my job I also lost my medical insurance which meant I had no idea how I was going to pay for all of Ray's rejection medicines. Then there was rent, utilities, truck payment and groceries. Unemployment only goes so far and Ray was just not able to keep a job one because of his health and two because of the economy. I just felt like my life was spinning out of control.

My life has really changed since that November. The first thing we did as a family is go to Church. Tammy from Country Girl at Home inspired me to make that decision. Thank you Tammy! It was the beginning of many blessing. We were able to get Ray's medicines through programs based on our income or lack of I should say! As the months went by and the lack of a steady income we decided not to renew our lease. It was very hard to leave a home we had lived in for 7 years. We had so many great neighbors and I still miss them! It was a hard decision but we knew it was the best one at the time. So one year ago we gave up our home put our things in storage and moved with my Mom. Another blessing a roof over our heads. Not long after we moved Ray started having issues with his legs hurting an ultra sound proved he has blockages in his legs. It was advised he get back on disability. I finally got a job last June as many of you remember I hated it! Things are much better still not the job of my dreams but it's a lot better. So within a few months we had insurance but getting Ray's Social Security didn't not come as easily. Seemed like once we got over one hurdle another was waiting.

I became so depressed and cried all the time. I just didn't think we would ever see the light at the end of the tunnel. I quit doing things with friends and just stuck to myself. As time went on things got better and easier. I could see a dim light trying to peek through.

In March we paid off our truck. Also in March Ray received his first disability check. They are reviewing his case to determine if he will be reinstated permanently. We will take what we can get and call it another blessing. We got back a decent tax refund this year which we put up to move. Yet another blessing. I am happy to report another HUGE BLESSING we will be moving JUNE 1! Yes, you read it right we are finally moving. We found a rancher like I wanted and Eleni will get to stay at the same High School.

I can not wait to post pictures and decorate. I am so exited and feeling very blessed. I am hoping this is many of new Happier post. Once again THANKS for sticking by me this past year!

Donna

Feeling Blessed

I know I haven't been very good about posting like I had intended. I don't have a lot to share so I try not to bore you all too much. We are still house hunting. I had no idea just how hard this was going to be. I know God will lead us to the right house at the right time. I just hope it's soon. I know my Mom will be glad to have her house back. I know it's not been easy for her. She is used to quiet nights and now there is an extra dog barking, Eleni's music and my girls constantly bickering from too much time together and not enough space of their own. On that note were are blessed to have a roof over our heads, food in our bellies and of course my job which gives us the insurance we need for Ray's medicines. It's not the best life but it's a blessed life.

I'm not sure if I have ever really said what I do at work. I work in a call center for a Medicaid HMO. We also provide services for a Coordinated Care program offered by one of the Hospitals. I hear so many sad stories everyday. I wonder if the economy is really getting better. I find it hard some days not to get emotionally attached to some of our members. I wish I could help all of those who really need it. When you have lived their lives it's hard not to put your heart into it. Some days you have members who hate the world then there are those who are so appreciative it makes your job worth all the bad calls. It has really made me think about how I speak to the person on the other end of the phone. Like me it's their job not their fault. As many of you know I absolutely hated my job in the beginning. I finally quit hating it and started appreciating the fact I had a job not to mention we have a new manager. I didn't dislike the other manager but I really like the new manager. It's nice to go to a job you don't hate. :)

I am trying to be more positive and happy with what I have not what I want. After all at the end of the day all I want is to enjoy being with my family and friends and making new memories. I have stated so many time how much I miss all of my stuff but the one thing I really miss the most is seeing my pictures everyday. I think it will be one of the first things I unpack.

I hope you all have a great and blessed weekend.

Donna

WINTER

I'm seating here eating my first home made pot pie while watching it snow. I don't think I have ever seen it snow this much in Virginia. It's pretty but I am so tired of winter. I think everyone in blog land is getting cabin fever.

They have taken the block off of the blogs at work. I try not to stay on there long just in case big brother is watching. Needless to say to my surprise I had won Leslie's give away over at Crafty Mom. I am so excited and thankful. Do you know how hard it is not to scream out with joy at work. :) When I do move I am going to have so many new things to display. Speaking of moving we are seriously house hunting. Our goal is to keep Eleni in the same school especially since we just ordered her school ring. I just hope we find something soon.

Thanks to all of you who have stuck with me through all of this. I haven't had a lot to post about but it's nice to see the same folks commenting and supporting me. You all are the best. Until next time.

Donna

She's 21!

I can hardly believe this past Friday Jessica turned 21. Seems like just yesterday she was watching Barney and listening to her cassette tapes. The years have flown by. She is a very smart young lady with a bright future ahead of her. Her Dad and I couldn't be more proud. She went out with friends to celebrate before yet another Storm hit us. Here is a picture she took of her first drink. Looks pretty. :)

She still had to have her birthday cake from Ukrop's. Anyone from Virginia can tell you Ukrop's has the best birthday cakes. They were a family owned business they recently sold to a bigger market. This may be the last Ukrop's cake. :(

Jessica is a huge Jonas brother fan. She and friends went to DC to see Nick Jonas in his solo concert. They went early and ran into him outside the Warner Theatre. She was able to get a picture with him and his autograph.

SNOW! SNOW! SNOW! Is it okay to say I am so ready for Spring? We were hit with the first storm in December right before Christmas. I will admit it was pretty. Then we were hit with another big storm last weekend. I believe in our area it was about 13 inches. The children were out of school for 3 days and went in 2 hours late on Thursday. Here are a few pictures Jessica took of the storm last weekend.

My Mom's front porch. The snow is so pretty at night.

Jessica's car was buried.

The children were scheduled to go back to school Friday. Then it happened we were hit yet with another storm. I think we got about 6 more inches. They are calling for another to come through Tuesday and Wednesday. I think we are all getting cabin fever. Eleni is out of school again tomorrow and I get to go in 2 hrs late. I like the extra sleep. :) Here are a few more pictures Jessica took of this past storm.

I love this picture. The birds have really enjoyed this feeder the past few weeks.

I am so upset on my breaks and lunch I would try to read every one's blogs. A lot of computers were getting viruses and they blocked all personal pages. I was so upset. I used to love my down time and reading. Now I am going to have to make time at nights to visit everyone. Have I mentioned yet just how much I miss my own computer! Jessica will occasionally let me borrow her computer but it's not the same. I hope you all have a great week.

Donna

Scrapbook, Pets, and Kidneys

I said I was going to get better about posting more. Time just goes by so fast. Last weekend I went with the girls back to the river to scrapbook. I didn't get as much done as I would have liked but it was still a great get away. I did manage to start 2008 now to finish. :)

One of my friends Gwen always bring her two little pups Annie and Gretel to the river. They are cute little schnauzers. While we were there Annie seemed as if she was starting to feel bad. We were sitting around and next thing I knew Annie just fell of the sofa. She appeared to be stretching but just tumbled over. Seems poor Annie had a stroke right in front of us. She was partially paralyzed on her right side. She wasn't 100% but seemed as if she was getting some feeling back and strength. I sent a text to Gwen Sunday and she said Annie was doing a little better. I was so shocked when I sent her a text Tuesday to see what the vet had to say only to be told Annie was now in doggie heaven. Seems she had a tumor the size of a grape fruit and her heart rate dropped from 60 to 20 in a matter of minutes. Gwen's sister Teresa went and met her as Gwen made that hard decision. She didn't want to see Annie suffer. I know Gwen is hurting because she loved Annie like it was her child. My heart goes out to her and Gretel.

When I got back home Sunday I was met by my own little pup Abby. Daddy took her to get a much needed hair cut. She looks so good. I know she has to feel better. I just had to post pictures. :)

This past Monday was a special day for us. Ray has been blessed with his kidney for nine years. He actually had a dr appointment that day and was told his kidney function is great. If only his heart would get on the same page. Ray still has the pains in his legs if he walks or stands a lot. I can tell he also tires faster now. Over all he are very thankful he is doing as well as he is considering.

I hope you all have a great weekend. Stay dry and warm!

Donna

Freezing...

It sure has been cold. Rumor is we may thaw out a bit this weekend. They say 50's in VA come Thursday. I am so excited I am so ready for Spring. Seems like since the holidays are gone the cold weather should be as well. We already had a nice snow this year so I am done. I don't mind the cold when I can stay in and curl up with a blanket and watch Lifetime movies all day.

Funny how much you can change in a year. When I was laid off last year I didn't enjoy it at all it was so stressful knowing what was to come. This year I am working and feeling less stressed as I am looking forward of what's to come. We have been house hunting but no luck yet. Boy rent has really went up a lot. Our goal is to stay in the same school district for Eleni. I am praying we just can find something we can afford.

I'm off to the river again this weekend with the ladies for another scrapping weekend. I hope to get a lot done. Last go around I finished 2007 now to start 2008. I am looking forward to just losing myself in my pictures and memories. Maybe we will even watch a few movies. Anything goes no schedules and we eat when and if we want. It's so relaxing and quiet. I wish I could take you all with me. I will be sure to check back in and let you know how my weekend went.

Donna

Happy New Year

Hello and Happy New Year to you all. I haven't posted in what seems like forever. I wish I could say I had a good excuse but all I can say is life has kept me busy. I have missed blogging so I am going to try to do better this year. I have enjoyed catching up with every one's blogs and all the beautiful pictures. I really missed my tree and decor this year but we had a nice Christmas all the same. We cut back a lot this year for two reason's one money and two no where to put anything. We were very blessed my good friend Teresa and her hubby Tom let us use there house at the river to have a family Christmas. It was cold but great. We ate good and watched a lot of movies. The girls enjoyed having there own space for a few days.

It was a very relaxing and enjoyable weekend even Abby enjoyed Christmas at the river.

On our last morning there Abby woke Jessica up to go potty. She took some of the most beautiful pictures of the sun coming up. The view is gorgeous.

I just wanted to update you on a few things. Ray spoke to SS we should be hearing something from them real soon. I am still at my job. We are under new management not that I didn't like my old manager but I really like the new one. I am trying to learn as much as I can so hopefully I can transfer within and make more money. Ray and I have been looking for a house wish us luck. I am very excited about 2010 and what it may have to offer. Ray and I stayed in last night and the girls went out. I love the New Year's and being surrounded by friends but it was nice ringing it in on the quiet side. This year I want to stress less enjoy life more and MOVE!

Donna