How to Go Nowhere Fast....

We went canoeing with Michael this weekend at Beaver Lake. We went all around the lake and Michael actually kept his bottom in the canoe almost the whole time:) He tried to pick water lillies, I then tr ied to explain that that wasn't possible and that the frogs needed the lillies to jump on. I think he bought that one....


We saw 3 turtles and one frog and I was lucky enough to get 11 mosquito bites while we were out. Yay!

We found a new kind of water lilly. I've decided that when we get a house and a pond, I want one of these!

These pine trees were amazing! I loved the way they line the path. Michael kept looking up and saying..."The trees are REALLY tall!" He has a knack for stating the obvious:)
Look closely, a frog is in there... One of the turtles
Geoff is eating and Michael is jumping...
Some ducks were born a little late. Aren't the adorable?!!I've never seen so many ducklings!





The duck on the left is the baby, born a couple months ago. He's almost as big as Mamma!

The Gosslings are HUGE now! And you really have to watch your step when walking through the grass. They have a tendancy to leave alot of yucky stuff lying around:P


Our friendly groundhog (woodchuck). He lives behind our house and pays a visit to our back porch every now and then. Geoff got some good pictures of him. Too bad most of them were through the screen...... We're obviously still having a lot of fun with the wildlife.




Michael's new friend Anna. He already has a thing for older women. She's 4 1/2:)

We're going to Ocean City MD for the 4th (Thanks Jenny!!!!) So we'll have lots of pictures from that, I'm sure...

Our condo in Chicago still hasn't sold. I think I may shout it from the roof top once it does, so keep praying!

I started the remicade infusions last Thursday, all went well and I didn't show any signs of an allergic reaction, so I'll have another infusion on the 3rd of July, then the 3rd of August and then I will only have to go in about ever 6-8 weeks. I don't have to give myself shots anymore and the infusion is almost like a spa day. I get to sit in a comfy chair and read for a few hours. They bring me juice and snacks and I don't have to to anything while there. So, let's hope the medication starts working after the next infusion, because I don't feel any different yet.

Hope all is well with everyone!!!!!

I hate the DMV

So. Syracuse only has two, yes that's right 2 DMV offices, for the entire city and it's surrounding areas. Who does that?!!!!

Anyway, Geoff, Michael and I went yesterday. Left Geoff's office at around 4:10, got there at around 4:30 and finally made it out of there at 6:55. Yes, I said 6:55. If you are unable to do the math, I'll do it for you.....That's 2 hours and 25 minutes. In the DMV office, with 200 other people and a very anxious 3 year old boy who really has no desire to sit still at any time. All this so we can drive "legally" in the state of New York where we now live. We all had to go because our car is registered to both of us and we both had to sign the papers and of course we have no babysitter and after walking out of there 200 dollars poorer, couldn't afford it anyway. Can you tell I'm a bit frustrated? Well, I am. There were so many people looking at us like, "WHY DID YOU BRING THAT CHILD IN HERE?" I was about to tell every one of them why, but was stopped by my husband..

OK. Done now. I think my son will recuperate fast enough, but I'm glad I'm done with that for the next couple years at least. The registration doesn't expire until 2010 and our licenses don't expire until 2013. We are now officially residents of the great state of New York....

YIPPPEEEEEEE

All bloodwork came back. All my levels are in the normal range. No high enzyme levels or anything.....so everything is good there and I can stop worrying about my liver shutting down....At least for a little while:)

Rheumatologist and Beach Fun

I was at the doctor's office from 8:45-11:30. First, talking to the new doctor for about and hour and a half and then getting blood drawn and x-rays taken. The doc agreed that I have probably developed a tolerance for my miracle drug. Not many develop a tolerance after only a year, but hey, I gotta be different!
Soooooooooooo, I get to start a new regime. I will start doing remicade infusions sometime next month (we have to wait for a pre-authorization from the insurance company and for the Enbrel to be out of the system). He also put me on a different anti-inflamatory. Fun stuff. More pills. Yay. I think I've lined up a sitter for Michael for the first couple monts of appointments. I'll be going every other week and will be hooked up to an IV for a couple of hours each time. After the two months, it will only be every 6-8 weeks. So, at least I won't have to give myself a shot twice a week!

Now, the fun stuff. Pictures of the boy and all that good stuff.

We found a great state park, just about 15 minutes away, and found out that there are about five more just as close in different directions. The one we went to this weekend was Green Lakes State Park. It had miles and miles of trails, two lakes, a beach, a playground, lots of benches and grills, boat rental, and the list goes on and on..... We went Sunday afternoon, then went back on Monday. Michael ADORED it!!!He loves being outside!
Michael and Me. Amazing, isn't it? I'm actually in a picture! This is us on the beach. It was only about 70 degrees outside, but the water wasn't horrible. Michael wanted to go all the way in, but we didn't bring our swimsuits that day..

This is the lovely Green Lake. I love the views we have here, I think they make the move worthwhile:)

I seriously think Michael would have stayed there for the rest of the day, if we would have let him! Here he is running on a retaining wall somewhere along the trail.
Please Daddy!!!!!Don't make me leave!!!!!











Michael and Daddy. LOVE IT!!!!!








The next day we went to the beach and Michael and Daddy went in (I'm still too chicken for a swimsuit:)
He is such a Goofball!!!!!

Splash, splash, splash!

Daddy built a "Castle" and Michael immediately destroyed it:)
So, we had a great time. Everyone should come visit us!!!

Yesterday

Yesterday would have been my Mom's 56th birthday, so I made her brownies.

OK, one down

OK. I do have a sinus infection. Prescribed antibiotic and flonase. Woo Hoo. But at least now I think I've found a primary doctor here. She seemed nice. She even put up with my screeming three year old (he was scared of the family violence poster, ugghhh). So she also told me to call her if my appointment with the rheumatologist didn't go well and she would suggest a couple other possibilities. I hate this. And I'm a big baby.

Need prayers, lots of them

OK. This past couple months have been a bit stressful. Everyone who knows me, knows that I have a little trouble admitting when I need help. So here goes... I need help. Specifically in the nature of prayers. There's some stuff coming up in the next month that I'm a little worried about and I'm having a hard time handing it over the the One in charge. So I figure, friends and family can help too:)
First: We got moved (obviously), but our condo hasn't sold yet. We need it to sell to be able to survive. Right now we're paying a mortgage, condo assessment, rent and two sets of utilities. It's getting a bit rough. We're still fine, but you know.....People have looked at the condo for the past 4 days in a row (not sure if anyone has looked at it more than once..)
Second: I've got a doctors appointment tomorrow for a sinus issue that has been with me since Saturday. I can't let it get out of hand because of the meds I'm on.
Third: I've got a Rheumatologist appointment on the 29th. Worried about the blood tests, my liver enzymes have been high the past two tests, that's not good, especially since every single drug for Arthritis can have a bad effect on the liver. And..The Enbrel hasn't been working (at least it doesn't seem like it) and I feel like crap. He's also a new doctor for me, in a new city, at a new hospital. I really don't like finding new doctors. It took me five years to find my last rheumatologist and it takes forever to get in to see one. Then, they want to run all the tests again even if you've just had them done.
Fourth: Still laid off. Still no prospect of a good job working from home.
Fifth: I miss my Mom. This move, and everything that's happened since, has been so hard and I want my mommy.
OK. I think I'm done whining. Please pray. I know things could be worse (as I've seen in the past week), but I think I need to be a little proactive.
Thanks to all!

Because I said things couldn't get any worse.....

Last Monday, Grandpa Kleisly passed away. The visitation was Thursday and the funeral on Friday. It was all very lovely and very fitting and he will be missed greatly (an understatement, but the words haven't been coming easily). He had five children (all girls), 15 grandchildren (17 if you count Christina and I) and one great grandchild (Michael). I am so thankful to have seen him right before we moved here, and for him to have seen Michael.
We travelled on Tuesday and Wednesday to get there Wednesday evening. Then we travelled Saturday and Sunday to get home Sunday evening. By the time we got home Geoff and I both had horrible sinus issues. A terrible end to an even worse week.
On the good side, we got to spend some much needed family time with some much-loved family. I've said it a hundred (++++++) times and I'm sure I'll say it a million more....I married into the best family possible. I only hope that one day I can give them all they have given me.

I'm supposed to celebrate what?

OK. So, I'm a bit on the bitter side right now. I had a good mothers day. Geoff grilled steaks and he grilled chicken and veggie kabobs and we had rice and good beer and Michael actually ate without complaining about it. Then we went for ice cream. That was all fine and good and I love my husband and son.

But........yesterday was my second mothers day without having a mother. So, there's one thing that was making me a little upset. I just wanted my mommy. Yes, I know I'm 32. But I don't think you can ever be too old to want your mommy. I've come to that conclusion.

Second thing that was plaguing our family yesterday...Grandpa was taken off his respirator, and they aren't optimistic. So, Grandpa....Bad. No mommy....bad. i just found it a little difficult to celebrate.

OK. I might be done complaining now.

Survey's happen when I'm procrastinating...

If I looked on the bedside table next to you, what would I find?
A stack of stuff that has been unpacked, but not put away
Do you go to the bathroom with the door open or closed?
Closed
Are your underwear and socks folded in your drawer or just thrown in?
Thrown in, if they're lucky enough to make it out of the laundry basket after I do the wash.
Sleep on your back or stomach?
Side (why isn't this an option? I know lots of people do this)?
Are you a cuddler?
No
What would I find if I looked UNDER your bed?
Plastic bins full of yarn and other craft supplies
Something that happened today that made you angry?
We'll I think it's too early to be angry yet, but I was a little upset at having to get up at 6:00am...But coffee was waiting for me, and big hugs and kisses from the little monster..
What were you doing before this survey?
Pooring coffee
What will you do after the survey?
Take a shower
Marriage or living together?
Marriage
What shirt are you wearing now?
A robe
Do you sing?
I do, but you don't want to hear it, I promise...
Do you de-label your beer bottles?
Sadly, yes
Do you talk about your feelings or hide them?
Some would say I talk to much.
Is there something you regret and wish you could take back?
I really can't regret things I've learned from. I feel bad for hurting people in the past. But I've apologized and realized they needed to happen for me to be here.
First thing you do when you wake up?
Find my glasses
Ever had surgery?
Yeah, a couple
Last argument you got into with?
Probably my son. Yes, I know, he's only three. But trust me, he can already get his argument on.
Do you tend to rip the paper off water bottles?
Yes,
What's one good thing about your best friend?
She calls me out on stuff. I can't get away with anything, and that's the way it should be.
How long does it take for you to fall asleep at night?
Waaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyy too long!
Current song on myspace?
I forget
When you shut off your alarm clock, do you tend to fall back asleep?
I don't use an alarm clock. i have a three year old for that:)
If you were given the chance to take care of a monkey for a weekend, would you?
I've already got the three year old. Again, no
What is the current advertisement on the side of the screen?
I really can't tell. I think it's some kind of goth glitter icons
What are you looking forward to in the next few months?
Selling my house??????
Who are you texting?
I don't text. That takes money and takes coordination, two things I don't have.
It's Wednesday afternoon, where are you usually?
Home, enjoying the quiet while the little man takes a nap
Honestly, if you could have ANYONE in the world, who would it be?
My husband. Honestly.
Your Christmas list consists of?
A new House here
You're going to New York for school shopping, where do you go first?
School shopping? Then it would be for Michael, so, Target. So no New York
You need a new pair of jeans, what store do you go to first?
I don't.
How do you feel about your hair?
I'm a little bored with it. And there's a lot more grey than there was a couple years ago. But the color is natural again
What movie is in your DVD player?
Little People Discovering Places.
If you could move away, no questions asked, where would you move?
We just got here, I don't think I've seen enough to want to leave yet
How much do looks matter to you in a guy/girl?
I long time ago it mattered a lot. Now it doesn't matter because I'm with the one I want to be with
What's the greatest thing that happened to you today?
I walked down the stairs (seriously)
How many TRUE best friends do you have?
That;s a hard question. I've got a best friend from middle school and a best friend from my post baby days and best friends within my family. I am just as close to all of them, but all in different ways. I'm soooo grateful to be able to say that!
What would you change about your life right now?
I would be in a house. I would be in less pain. And my apartment in Chicago would be sold.
What’s the best feeling in the world?
Love