Finally an update

It looks like 16 will look alot like this picture.

I have not been updating here much. I feel like what I have to say is redundant. Yep, Hayley is still not getting good grades in school. I can't seem to find anything to motivate her. She came home from school last week crying. She refused to tell us why. After finally making her tell us we found out that the medical academy director told her that if her grades didn't improve she is out. I have been telling her this for months now. It only seemed to hit home for her when someone else told her. She has two weeks left in this quarter and I am worried about her. Then it is spring break and the end of the grading period.

With our new schedule at work the weeks seem to be flying by. We are both working about 50 hours per week and it seems to consume our lives. It doesn't leave much time for anything else. I dream about renting cars and trucks at night. On Thursday nights we stop now on the way home for dinner and a glass of wine and try to decompress. It gives us something to look forward to.

The weather here is beautiful. 85 degrees everyday. My allergies have been out of control with the blooming flowers. I am constantly taking medicine and my eyes sure have been itching.

Colton has a new job mowing and pulling weeds with a friend every week. She pays them $25 a week which they split. This person was paying $200 a month with a landscaping company. They decided to hire Colton and his friend and save $100 a month. Colton is going to try to get into the business academy in high school next year. I will keep you posted.

It broke my heart last week to read of a little girl who passed due to sepis as she was being treated for neuroblastoma in Vermont. She had started to respond to treatment. Ny had told her to take her home on hospice prior to this. Her counts were low from chemo, she got an infection and very quickly it took over her body and she passed. I can not imagine the pain her parents feel. http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/madisynbenoit. Reading these stories about these courageous young children reminds me whats really important in life.

Visit from Boston

Here's a photo from Chris sisters recent visit during Hayley's birthday. I have become engrossed in facebook. So what little time I have left of my spare time I have been on facebook reconnecting with friends from high school. Not too much excitement right now in our lives. That's a good thing.

Officially Sweet Sixteen

Sixteen years ago today Hayley Marie entered this earth weighing 7 lbs 9 ounces at 6:49 pm. She was 20 inches long. I remember this day like it was yesterday. I had called my friend Brenda saying I thought I was having contractions but they seemed to be sporadic and I wasn't really having any pain. She drove me to the doctors office and the doctor checked me for dilation. He turned to me in disbelief and said I was dilated 6 cm and to go immediately to the hospital. Luckily the hospital was within one mile from the doctors office. I still wasn't experiencing much pain. I was at the doctors office about 2:00pm-3:00pm. We made it to the hospital and I immediately requested an epidural. They said that it might be too late for that. Luckily I was able to get one after stating I was not having the baby without the epidural. They then broke my water and after that the pain was unbearable. Brenda had been calling everyone to let them know I was in labor. Half of Budget car rental was in the waiting room and people would drift in and out of my room. Finally it was time to push and after just a couple of pushes Hayley came right out. It was a very easy delivery but the doctor should have cut me and I tore so I was very sore for the next couple of days. Hayley's apgar score was 8 and 9. Scott was at work and by the time Brenda reached him I had all ready delivered. He did come to the hospital that night. Since I was in pain they gave me some drugs to help with the pain. I don't know if it was percocet or vicodin but whatever it was I never want it again. It gave me an anxiety attack. I remember Hayley's first night home from the hospital she cried all night. I am thankful my mom was there to help me with her. I don't know what I would have done otherwise. Now sixteen years have passed and I am so thankful for the person that Hayley has turned into. She has such a loving heart.

Hayley Age 3

This week will be all about Hayley. Here Hayley is age 3. Not that she's not beautiful now but she sure was a cute little baby and toddler. I can't believe how blonde and silky her hair was here. I always had their pictures taken for Ident a Kid each year at school. I'm taking a new tactic with her. She can now earn an hour each night to play Wii or be on her computer but only after her room is clean and her homework is done and she has shown me her homework. She is really looking forward to her party this weekend. Chris sisters are flying in on Thursday. It will be a busy weekend. I can't believe she is going to be sixteen years old. Where has the time gone? I will try to share a picture each day of her. I am working open to close Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday with Friday off so not sure how possible that is going to be.

It's SuperBowl Sunday

The countdown continues! 8 more days until Hayley turns 16. Chris took her and got her hair cut and colored. She has Auburn highlights under the blonde. I really like the look. Then Chris took her to Ross and TJ Maxx and got her a new outfit. We went to Bravo for dinner.

I worked all day and was exhausted. Today I have spent the day taking many small naps. I can't get enough sleep. We have been pretty busy at work so that is always good. Our company is putting so much pressure on all of us and it is driving me crazy. Nothing is good enough for them and they want more and more. We made it through the first month of the year meeting our numbers so we won't get a "letter". Basically if we receive a letter we will be on probation and if we don't make our numbers the next month they will give us a 30 day notice and replace us.

Hayley promised me she would really buckle down and do a better job this quarter. I looked at her grades online and she had missed three assignements in History and Geometry wasn't much better. I am very disappointed after everything we are doing for her birthday. I don't know how to get through to her.

As you can tell by the pictures it is once again freezing here. This whole week the highs are in the low 60's and the lows in the low 20-30's. Since I moved here in 1988 it has never been this cold for so long. I am dreaming of the Bahamas in April.

Temps in the 20's

Since I have lived in Florida (1988) I can not remember it ever being this cold here for such an extended period of time. We have had several nights with temps in the 20's. When I came to work yesterday the cars were covered in a deep frost. I thought I had left that behind in Wisconsin. The worst part is that if it's going to get that cold it could at least snow. I do miss that first snow. Snow reminds me of peace for some reason.

We have been preparing for Hayley's sweet sixteen on February 9th. She is actually having her party on February 7th. She has invited 25 girls with eight of them invited to stay overnight. Chris has really been planning alot of events to make this a special birthday for her. He is taking her to the salon and she is getting her hair colored and getting a new style of hair cut. Also at that time she is getting a manicure and a pedicure. At her birthday party he hired a palm reader to come over to our house for an hour to read the girls palms. He is going to cook on the grill hamburgers and hotdogs and then on our tv we will hook up the Wii and they will play games. We also have a pool table for their enjoyment. It should be everything that she could wish for.

On the other hand Colton and Chris have not been getting along. Colton is in that teenager land. Very lazy not doing his chores, expecting everything but giving nothing in return. He got an F in Science this last quarter and his behavior has been bad in that class. Chris tried to work with him on a paper and he had misspelled all the words, penmanship was atrocious etc. Colton was laughing which infuriated Chris and all I heard was alot of screaming. Hayley was in the room and told Chris enough defending Colton. After it was all said and done everyone apolozized but both Colton and Chris are still holding grudges. Chris feels like Colton doesn't appreciate everything he does for him and Colton thinks Chris is hard on him all the time. I am in the middle. Colton doesn't show appreciation, do what's asked of him etc and Chris is hard on him but only because he wants to help him succeed. So where do we go from here. I don't know. One day at a time I guess and I try and be the buffer in between. Just what I don't have time for.

Last night Chris and I met Geoffrey at the little Italian pizzeria restaurant that he works for after we had gotten off work. Geoffrey was proud to show us where he works. Chris and Geoffrey were going to the Orlando Magic game afterwards. Unfortunately, the Magic played horribly against the Celtics. He didn't get home until around 11:00 and had to get up for work at 5:00 am. I felt bad for him but I sure needed today off. I have to work tomorrow.

I just love this picture of Colton. I wish I could go back in time. Now that I am older and wiser I would do some things differently with him. I did the best I could at the time. He will be a success but I know the next four years are going to be trying. I will post pictures of Hayleys new hairdo when she gets it done.

Where have I been

Wow, lots to catch up on since I last wrote. I spent the week of Christmas sick with a cold and then my allergies were horrible for the next two weeks. Nothing seemed to work. I tried sinus medication, allergy medication, I thought I would never get better. But then a cold front came through and whatever was in the air has cleared up and I can finally breathe!
On the work front things are not good, not good at all. My company is on the verge of bankruptcy. We have tremendous pressure being put on us to sell and if our numbers aren't where they want them to be they will replace us. My only day off right now is Sunday with no end in sight. At least Chris and I still have a job for now anyways.
I haven't officially heard from his mother but I read on another website that Jack Brown the boy that I collect money at from work and match any donations has relapsed. Neuroblastoma comes back more ferociously each time. I am so worried for him and his family they have been through so much. This week alone three children that I follow have died from neuroblastoma. Many more are really struggling. We need a cure for cancer. I can not imagine losing my child and what these parents go through every day fighting for their lives.

Happy New Year

Sadly, Chris and I did not make it to midnight. We got off work about 3:00 pm yesterday and then went out for appetizers at Timpanos. They had a "special" menu for the night. Not really what we wanted to eat but we made do. Matthew is in Orlando and he met us for a drink. Strange to be drinking with him in a bar. We came home and took some dessert to our neighbor Steve who is still recovering from his seaplane crash. We had a few glasses of wine with them and then I was out by probably 10:30.

Colton partied it up with the Brits across the street. They are here from England for two weeks. He pretty much spends all his time over there while they are in Orlando.

Today it is a day of rest even for Molly our puppy.

The Aftermath of Christmas

The buildup to Christmas seems like it takes a long time. Once the holiday ends its like it happened so long ago. Unfortunately, I came down with a cold on Christmas Eve and have been pretty miserable ever since. I can't seem to get rid of the cold no matter what I do. I even woke up with a sore throat this morning. I am ready for it to be over.

Our neighbors are here from England for two weeks. So Colton has been spending the majority of his time at their house. Also, his friend Kyle across the street has a new jet ski so they spend most of the day wake skating.

Hayley has been playing her Wii around the clock and has all ready beaten the Super smash brothers game. They have one more week off of school.

Today I will be using my gift certificate for a massage that Chris got me for Christmas. I have an easy work schedule this week. I only have to work Tuesday all day and Wednesday we close at 3:00pm. I won't know what to do with all my time. I will probably spend it getting my hair cut, grocery shopping, walking the dog, taking the dog to the dog park, taking care of end of the year forms for our business, and preparing for taxes.

Seaplane Crash

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orange/orl-planecrash2108dec21,0,7764559.story

Here's the story of our neighbors plane crash. He is having surgery on his broken ankle this morning. We are thankful that he will be okay.

Prayers Needed

This afternoon our neighbor across the street from us crashed his seaplane into a lake where he had been working on a dock for his dock company. It looks like he will be okay with a broken leg and some lacerations. He's currently in the hospital. Please pray for him.

Also, this little girl lost her mother to cancer a few years ago and she now has an incurable brain tumor. For Christmas, Hannah wants to see how many cards she can get to add to her growing collection. http://www.caringbridge.org/cb/viewHome.do Her address is Hannah Garman 704 Orchard Rd Lititz, PA 17543.

Caylee Anthony

It's sadly official. The remains that they found last Thursday was found to be those of Caylee Anthony. How a mother could do that to their child is beyond imagination. We in Orlando have lived with this since July. It is always on the news. It has been a three ring circus. How the grandparents could stand by their daughters side is unbelieveable. After the remains were found and they returned from taping Larry King Live they flew back from California last Thursday and stayed at the Ritz Carlton hotel. Not that their is a shortage of hotel rooms in Orlando. They had to stay at the top of the line hotel. Then through their attorney the grandparents asked for immunity from misleading statements that they have made during the investigation. Shame on them. That little girl needed someone to protect her. If the mother wouldn't the grandparents should have. It sure makes me want to squeeze my kids extra tight tonight.

Illness hath invaded

Today is the last day of school before the Christmas break. I am off today and Colton wakes me up at 6:30 to tell me that he has a sore throat and he wants to stay home from school. He tells me that he couldn't sleep last night. Since they will only be playing games or watching movies at school I let him stay home with a warning of no XBox will be played today.
I have a serious canker sore underneath my tongue and it is extremly painful to say the least. I can barely talk and the thought of food makes me naseous because of the pain each bite will cause. I am thankful to say the least that I am home today and I will be gargling salt water all day. I do need to get a manicure and hair cut today even though I feel like just climbing back into bed. Our dog last night was restless and I had to get up twice to let her outside. I felt bad for Chris as I kept waking him up and he had to work today.
Chris and I will be working nonstop until Christmas. One of us will be there every day to ensure that we are maximizing revenue. It is pretty depressing how much our business is going to be down over last year. All we can do is make sure that we are catching every rental possible. We have partnered with a repair shop that is on the same property as we are. Their salesperson will be promoting us to rent cars and trucks as they do sales calls. We are hoping that will give us some decent business starting in January.
Lots of kids right now are suffering from their cancer. I also read on another blog that corporate america has pretty much stopped donating to these organizations. That means fewer kids having treatment options and fewer new treatment options. Here is a link to the boy that I help support. Praying for continued good news on his latest scans. http://www.jackbrownappeal.org/updatesonjack.asp

The Medical Student

Wednesday night I went running into Hayleys room to look for something. She is a typical teenager and had things strewn all over the floor. I ran smack into a five pound weight and now my toe looks like this. Hayley in her sports medicine class has been learning how to use Ace bandages to wrap injuries. She looked over my foot pretty much squeezing it from side to side and declared that I would be fine. She asked identifying questions such as does it hurt when I do this and informed me that little pools of blood were forming under my skin. I told her that her bedside manner needed some improvement. When an injury occurs she might want to carefully feel the patients toe instead of ripping it from one side to the other. I then informed her that this was the third time that I had stubbed my toe on those weights and its not like she is lifting weights and to kindly remove them from her bedroom floor before my toe needed an amputation. I think she felt badly but I don't believe the weights are gone from the room.

The good news is that she has a babysitting job tonight. I am all for her earning some money. She blows through it like water and is really into shopping at the mall with her friend Lindsay. Luckily she shops on the sale racks and only spends about $20 when she does go with her.

Our neighbor across the street called us this morning to inform us that someone ransacked their cars and broke into their garage and stole some beer last night. The police believes it was kids. Chris and I checked our cars and both our doors were unlatched. This has happened before and someone stole about 10 cds I had in the car. Most of them were hits from the 80's. Not sure what a kid would do with that. Last time they tried to steal my car but the security alarm turned my car off. I love that feature.

Chris and I went on a Christmas parade of boats on the Butler chain of Lakes. It was so so so cold. I haven't been that cold in a long time and I don't want to be again anytime soon. It was nice and holiday like. Everyone had their boats decorated with Christmas lights and our friends Kym and Clive had appetizers and a good time was had by all. Tonight is Chris friend Ken's 40th birthday party. They live about 30 minutes from us. Should be fun as well.

Work, Video Games and Travel

Today is my official day two of being off after working virtually eight days straight. After complaining for eight days that I had to work I am now off and feeling like I don't know what to do with myself. I am restless. The chores that I need to do today I don't want to do. Pedicure, grocery shopping, christmas shopping, folding clothes, cleaning house, cooking dinner. I told Chris I'm not happy when I'm at work and then when I'm finally at home I want to go back to work. What is wrong with me. One thing I know is that I am a creature of habit. So having my schedule so out of whack throws me out of whack. I don't like change.

All video games in this house have been outlawed during the week due to poor grades and bad behavior from one teenage boy. Now he is always bored and whiny during the week. There is nothing to do. I suggested studying his science book since that is the class that he is doing poorly in. Of course it's the teachers fault and I should have him switch teachers. Which I refused. Hayley has not been allowed being on her computer during the week since the first progress report. She has brought her grades up to acceptable levels.

We did book our two free nights to Atlantis in the Bahamas in April. Just Chris and I will be going. I am also looking for Chris and I to go to New York City in June for the weekend. Hopefully using our Hilton honor points to stay at the Waldorf Astoria hotel and my Delta points for free airline tickets. That gives me something to look forward to. In August we will plan a family vacation with the kids at a resort in Florida probably San Destin Florida in the panhandle. Then in October to Wisconsin with Hayley and Colton for my sisters wedding. I had started planning a trip to California with all the kids until the economy tanked and the stock market virtually crashed. It seems like it will be awhile before it stabilizes again.

Coincidences

I'm driving to work on Friday morning and I see two teenage girls jumping over a brick fence (by the way which is very tall 7 feet or so) and one of the girls has blonde hair and a burgundy sweater just like one that my daughter owns. I say to myself as I almost come to a complete stop in the middle of the road "My daughter would never skip school". I continue on but questions abound. I put that thought aside for the day and call home around 5:00 to find out Hayleys progress report. Chris tells me she isn't home yet. Minute after minute passes Hayley is still not home. Chris drives to the bus stop. We call her cell phone repeatedly and it goes right to voicemail. I am at work and feel nauseous with all kind of thoughts running through my head. As Chris is getting ready to drive to her friend Lindsay's house a car pulls into the driveway. Hayley is finally home at 5:35. Her friend Carla's father gave her a ride home because the girls stayed after school to finish their Biology tests. These tests are so hard (biology honors) they can't finish them during class. Her cell phone was in her room not charged and she couldn't just call us from school. I calmed down considerably by the time I got home but good god child call your mother when your going to be late. We worry about you.

After this is over Chris tells me that our dog Molly escaped out the front door at around 4:00 pm and almost got hit by a car. A teenage boy in the neighborhood heard Chris scream and stopped the car in the middle of the street. Then our ferocious dog started running after his car barking at the tires when he tried to go just 5 houses up the street. The poor kid was probably traumatized. I know that Chris was. Not a very relaxing afternoon for him. I think I might have had it easier being at work. I'm counting down the hours until 5:00 when I will be off.

Lunch For Life

I have almost made it through this week. I have to work today 10:00-6:00, Saturday 07:00-5:00 and Monday 09:00-6:00 and then next week is a breeze. I am looking forward to a relaxing week.

Below is a link where you can donate $5 to a childs christmas tree who has been diagnosed with terminal neuroblastoma. With every $5 donated a child will get ornaments on their Christmas tree. I follow alot of these childrens battles and it really puts into perspective how lucky I am and that my troubles that I have are very minor. It could be so much worse.

http://www.lunchforlife.org/

Lunch for Life® is about helping children who have been diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a deadly form of cancer that strikes thousands of infants and toddlers each year.

This fundraising program is a simple but powerful solution: We ask people to donate one day’s lunch money to the Children’s Neuroblastoma Cancer Foundation (CNCF), a public charity dedicated to curing this cancer.

The cost of one lunch, if enough people contribute, will help save lives, fund research for a cure and provide support for families. Please donate your lunch money to the Children's Neuroblastoma Cancer Foundation and help us eradicate this disease.

Ranting

It's early Saturday morning and I should be sleeping. However, my employee was up all last night with her dog. Her dog people. I have not once been sick since June of 2004. This is also after the fact that she asked for all of next week off and I am working seven days straight for her to go to Texas with a friend when she does not have any paid vacation time left. Thats how I get paid back for my generosity.
Between the customers and the employees I feel like they suck the air right out of me. Why is it that when the customer does not return the car full and you challenge them on it they then have to tell you about every problem the car supposedly had. It's almost hysterical especially when the car only has less than 3000 miles. My patience and tolerance levels are at an all time low.
On the glass is half full side I have a great husband, great kids, lucky to have a job and financial stableness, health and happiness. I sure could have used a day off though.

Thanksgiving

Sorry that I have been missing in action. In my spare time I have been researching my ancestry on ancestry.com. That can become totally engrossing and when I make a discovery it is very exciting. Like putting a puzzle together. Today is Thanksgiving and we are expecting Matthew and Geoffrey Chris sons. We plan on watching football of course and a great turkey cooked by Chris.

Yesterday was busy at work and Chris and I worked 0700-1800 and we stopped on the way home at a local Italian bar and restaurant for a glass of wine. When we came home I saw this picture on our bulletin board that Hayley had drawn. It took my breath away. I hadn't realized how talented she was. Maybe she should think about a career in the art field instead of the medical field. She has been getting alot of brochures from different colleges. She wants to go to University of Miami. You only need a 4.2 gpa to get in. Looks like she might be staying in Orlando after all. We shall see.

Tomorrow is Chris birthday. I have to work. He is on a 4 day off weekend. I have had two of those in the past two weeks. I loved it. Nothing better than staying home if you ask me. Starting Monday we will both work seven days straight. Our employee asked for a week off. So it might be another break from blogging.

I am thankful for our children, health and happiness. Have a great Thanksgiving.

Brrrrr It's cold down here feels like Wisconsin

On the way home from the Villages these two show their sisterly/brotherly love. How cute!


Yesterday we woke up to weather in the 40's. I thought I left that behind many years ago in Wisconsin. I guess it seems fitting that my relatives are here from Switzerland and Wisconsin that they brought the cold weather with them.





Saturday we spent a nice day with my aunt Clara and uncle John. We went out on the boat with them and then out to dinner. I had a really nice time. Sunday was up to the Villages to spend some more time with cousin Alice and Paul from Switzerland, aunt Clara, John from Wisconsin, cousin Shirley and Larry from Wisconsin and cousin Bill and Paula who now live in the villages. It was a nice day reminiscing.





My grandfather Jakob immigrated from Switzerland in 1929. He was one of 11 children. His brother Wilhelm had immigrated two years prior. Jakob and Wilhelm settled in Lafayette County Wisconsin. Jakob had four children and Wilhelm five. I was born in 1970 and my grandfather Jakob died in 1971, his wife Marie in 1973 and my mother Elaine in 1975. For the next fifteen years I lived within 10 miles of Wilhelms family and never knew about them. Now we are all reunited as we are all interested in our ancestors and have all traveled to Switzerland and visited Alice and Paul. Now Wilhelms son William lives in Florida just 1 hour and 15 min from me. Since my next closest relative is in Wisconsin this is very exciting for me.