Your Choice

This is thanksgiving week. Families scurry to cook massive meals, watch football, then eat pumpkin pie, then take a nap, then eat leftovers.Oh, I forgot the deer hunters . I am guilty of the same. It seems like the USA just shuts down to come together and to say thanks for another year on bounty. I simply wish to thank all of my friends and family this year.
This last year was extremely hard on my family, but we made it through. So thank you Karen for standing by me. You are such a ray of light to me. I owe my life to you. To all of my friends on facebook, and this blog, thanks for the many notes of encouragement. Fiends are worth a million dollars to me.
Please take time to call a loved one, a friend or someone in your life. Your choice can be one of gratitude, or one of grumpiness. I choose to be thankful. Have a blessed Thanksgiving, Van

When Life stinks

The last couple of weeks have been very trying around our home. Our septic tank needed to be emptied, and then it decided to backwash into our utility tubs in the basement. Oh sh--. I was to be the hero and decided to clean the pipe from the house to the tank. After three sets of clothes getting soiled, I thought that I had it all cleaned out. Next our washer died, and we started to look for a used one. The next day Karen went down into the basement to check on things and there we go again, more backwash. So for over a week, we were camping, not using water, and going over to the Courtney's to do our laundry. Thanks Annette!
I found a larger snake and started all over again. You push the snake into the 4 inch PVC pipe that connects the house to the tank. There was a blockage so I just kept pushing, and pushing, and pushing, and finally it broke free. I cannot tell you how happy I was to accomplish this task. Two nights ago we went down stairs and started cleaning up all of the mess.
I feel like we had a great breakthrough. Total price- $450.00. It could have been worse, and money is so tight right now. I am thankful that God has given me some skills to do maintenance around the house. I am also very thankful for all of my friends that are there for me. Hope your week is going good for you. Blessings, Van

Our Trip

Last week we were privileged to go on a trip to the Poconos, then to New York City to see a Broadway Show. The show was called Next to Normal about a Bipolar mom and a dysfunctional family. There was a mom and dad, and sister. There was also a 8 month old boy who died that makes the whole show very emotional. The dad has never dealt with the death, and the mom ( Bipolar) just talks with her now 18 year old boy.
To me it was so real as they try to cope with normal family duties, as well as a therapist and a Psychiatrist. I found myself weeping, getting angry with the actors, and laughing out loud. The daughter is extremely angry that she is rejected time and time again by her father who works a lot, and her mom who is never home because of her disease.
The mom went off her meds a few times, had her meds changed a few times, and ended up in the hospital were she had E.C.T. ( electrical shock treatments). She comes home with memory loss, and has to deal with her life now in a way that she has never had to before. It is a very moving story line that kept Karen and I on the edge of our seats.
What did I learn from this show. I've learned to never go off my meds. I've learned to totally trust my wife and doctors. I've learned to keep pressing on with new goals and dreams. Bipolar illness may be my cross to bear, but the illness will never defeat me. I am stable for over one year, and I feel wonderful today. I get down, and I get up, and yet I feel normal. Thanks to all of the people in my life who have taken the time to help me. Blessings to you all, Van

Facebook | Your Photos - Van in October 2009

Facebook | Your Photos - Van in October 2009