Tuesday, April 14 and still around

I am doing OK these days. I spoke with some people at work today that were amazed that I am still around. I still hurt every day, but it is important how I deal with it. I had to climb a lot of stairs at work today and it hurts to do this. The amazing thing is that it hurts more to go up than it does to go down. Going down used to hurt more many months back and going up was never real pleasant, but coming down is much better now than it was. That is a good thing. Riding a bicycle is easier, too. It used to hurt more to get on one but it is getting easier, too. I still have to watch out for bumps in the rode but life is great that I can ride better. My pelvic area still hurts to lift up and over the seat but it hurts less than it did. Time is great to me.
I have been spending time working on Tiffaney's trailer. It seems like the more time I spend on it, the more I find that needs to be done. I replaced her front door last weekend and put in a new screen door, too. One thing I learned about trailers is that a standard door is too tall. I had to shorten the height on both of these. I was careful to get the right width, but it was either shorten it or cut out some wall. I figured the length was easiest. I spent most of Saturday working on these two items but they made a big difference in the way it looks. I have to go over there this weekend and put up the boards to decorate the porch. All posts are in place and so are the handrails. Just a little of work to make it right. More time spent on it but it will all be worth it in the long run. Every time I am over there working, I feel it the next day. Yes, I don't recover from it like I used to, but I wake up breathing on my own which makes it a great day!
All the girls come home to spend Easter Sunday with us and Maxwell got to spend some time with us, too. After that, we went to Betty's sisters (Pat's) house and spent some time with them, too. I was so tired when we got home, but I slept pretty well because of it. This is our tough week around here. Betty is on days this week. She leaves home around 5AM and gets home at 7PM. We have always had issues with this week of the month, but we survive and move forward. We have learned to deal with this. One thing about 12 hours days is they start early and end late, but you get more days off because of the hours put in. I remember working these long days for many years and they were never that easy, even though I was much younger then.
My company filed for Chapter 11 in January and things at work are a little tougher now. A letter came out today trying to find people to take a severance package. They compensate you pretty well, but I am not old enough to retire so I really don't have a choice. I could not imagine having to find another job so I will do what I can to be one of the people that gets to stay. If there is not enough people that "volunteer" to leave, then the company will have to choose some people to leave. They have a number of people that will have to go, but we really don't know how many it will be. It is set to be 3000 people company wide, but at our facility, we don't really have any idea. All I can do is hope that there are enough people wanting to retire that this package will appeal to. All I can do is my best and hope for this to work out. This kind of thinking gets to you over time, but I can just hope God is looking out for what is best for us.
He has taken great care of me this far. I guess He is the reason I have such a high outlook on life. God does this to you and it is a great feeling to have.
My love to all of you. If you are one of those few that keep up with me this way, thanks for your support and love you have shared with us.

Monday, April 6th and I am still kicking...

Wow, another week has flown by and it, as usual, was a GREAT week. I spent last Monday and Tuesday spoiling my grandson and Wednesday through Sunday, I was working on Tiff's trailer. I have most of the deck done except for hand rails and all the skirting is done except I am about 8ft short on top holder. It is on the side near the back so you can't even see it missing. I have the longest hand rail done and one side of back steps is done, but I have to do this other side and two rails on front steps. Also need two smaller areas of street and backyard sides to do. I get there in middle of morning and come home at or near dark except for Saturday and Sunday. I left earlier on those days. Sunday, I did not have material to keep going. I have the wood for these rails except for I am one 2x4 short and I think I have enough of the vertical rails to get these done, but I was out of screws and did not feel like going back for more. I also have to build the front gate on the porch. I have a few ideas, but have not "designed" it yet. Also, I need to shorten the gate in the yard that is there and put in a post to secure it. The current gate touches the porch right now because this deck must be larger than the previous owner had. I came home each night so tired, but I noticed today that I am still improving. It does not hurt as much to lift my leg up so my pelvic area must still be improving. I rode my bicycle at work today and it was much easier to get on that it was a month ago. Therefore, I am still improving all the time. Could I run around the block? NO. I think running is out of the question! That is OK because I never liked it anyway.
Maxwell went to "day-care" for the first time today. I have not talked to Megan about it, but I am sure all went fine. This will be a new experience for them to grow in to, but with time, all will be good. I know Megan well enough to know how much attention she will pay to how this place is doing. Yes, she has a lot of Betty in her! Like Mother, like Daughter! She has a break in school in the middle of May and will keep Max at home for this time. She will probably still have to pay for day-care to keep from loosing his spot, but she would rather pay this and enjoy her time with Max.
My Mom and Dad came into town on Wednesday of last week to watch Max for the day and really enjoyed themselves. I knew they would have a great time. I did not get to see them while they were in town but them being here allowed me another day of work on the trailer. I really appreciated it! They were able to spend Tuesday night with Scott & Karen so they were close to Megan's on Wednesday. They had to be there by 6:30AM so this was their best bet dealing with the time. I am so glad they enjoyed their day!
I thought a few minutes ago that this was going to be a short entry, but once my mind starts moving, there is no telling where it will go. Every day is a GREAT one and I am so glad God allowed me to still be here "bother" you.
Thanks for taking the time to read this. I love each and every one of you.
Mark 4/6/09