I spend time now enjoying the small stuff. It's not just a cliche or a whole line of books. Where is everyone going? What does it mean to get ahead? Some people spend so much time trying to get where they going that they are not even sure where they are going or what they are working towards. I do not want to live my life like that. I won't live my life like that. Appreciating what I have and where I am has been a gift. I don't want to blow it off and ignore it. I worry about our future but not like I used to in the past. I constantly worried about everything and where did it get me? It led to a situation where no matter how much I worried, it did not change a thing. What encouraged change was my actions, my positive actions. Worrying did nothing for me so I stopped doing it (not completely but you know what I mean). Once I gave up, once I let life happen, I felt helpless in a way but also relieved. I did not feel responsible for what happened but I did feel responsible for what could happen and I kicked it into high gear. The results are obvious.
This past week was another milestone. Jason got the go ahead starting this week to work 3 full days (from 3 half days) so progress has happened again. He also got more bloodwork done, got new glasses (they look like his old ones - what can a wife do?) and got tasked with a job at work. He is a happy working man.
This weekend we had to social invites - the first being a going away party for his former boss and friend. It was great to see her and her husband and family. What a great circle of support. They have been so good to us and I only hope we can return the favour. Last night we were invited over to friends for wing night. Tom is an amazing wing maker - his salt and pepper wings are the best I have ever tasted. Going to their house is like going to family, they are a part of our family. It is so good having friends for such a long time - nothing beats it. The Penguins beat out the Senators - another bonus to the night and the karoke was heated up and what a great time.
Now I am looking for quotes for a deck out back. Is it worth our while to do it ourselves or have someone else do it? That is the question. I need to find out. Should be an interesting adventure. Maybe Jason and I can do it together? I think not. The deck might get finished but so may we. Not a good thing.
Driving out Friday night to the going away party Jason was concerned about his ability to socialize and I told him he would be fine. He told me easy for me to say, I would talk to just about anyone (the devil himself I would say). I then brought up the fact that at one time he could not even talk to me. He grinned and chuckled a bit and so I had to ask "what?" He said maybe he shouldn't have started doing that! I knew that was what he was thinking. ha I think I have him drove sometimes but that goes both ways. Things are so easy now for the most part and I can feel our rythm coming back. Mentally this is the best I have felt in a long time. I still worry but not to my own detriment, I cannot do that to myself any more. Living without that is better.

Death and taxes are the only 2 things most of us will have or have in common. Jason missed out on the experience of taxes last year. With the help of Ken, my next door neighbour, and my sister-in-law in Newfoundland, Brenda, (yes I called her long distance many times) I got our taxes done. With a mistake. Which took me ntil June last year to correct with CRA. I did not want to go through that again. Now Jason said this year "I will do the taxes" and I was happy. I do not like the process at all. So yesterday we sat down together and did our own taxes on paper. Of course I was done before him because I wasn't claiming him, Jacob or a pile of other stuff. Short and sweet, like me (shut up, you know who you are). That took a fairly long time but worth the effort because now it should be easy to enter all of this stuff online. Jason had it all done and my return was different from what I had on paper (just a bit). Why? Why was it different? I enlisted Brenda again, after calling the CRA help line and not being able to reach anybody!, and Brenda informed us that one product was better than another for filing and we we weren't using the better one. But we had already paid for the less user friendly option so my blood pressure had to boil in order to figure out why the 2 numbers did not match on both of my returns. Arghhhh.
Now with Jason standing over me offering to help, which should be seen as a gesture of good will and kindness put forth by my smart husband, I see it as an irritating affront on my ability to figure this out. He leaves the room (I said he was smart) before I explode and has the supper that I cooked while he was doing the taxes. I on the other hand do not opt for eating but instead opt for having it cold later and enjoy the high blood pressure and rage stroke I am having over this issue.
After Jason comes back in the room after a full tummy and patience renewed, we both figure it out together and Jason files our taxes. Praise Jesus.
Yesterday, on a high note, my Mom shaved her head for "Shave For The Brave" - I am so proud of my Mama!! She raised almost $300 in 4 days!!
Mom's visit was a whirlwind of shopping over the Easter holidays. There was no store left unturned, including a trip to the US with Theresa and Meg - what a time! We found lots of good deals. Between the shopping and the Skip-Bo it was a good visit. I miss her.
Jacob is now gathering sponsors for Jump Rope For Heart again this year and I told him we would match what he raises. He's doing well so far with the donations from family and friends. An important charity for this family and many other families across Canada.

Turning a new page

Jason has 2 weeks of work under his belt. He actually got to do some work today. Still no security clearance yet but it will come. Jacob turned 12 last week and Jason turned 39. I am the shortest oldest member of this family - what an honour. Damn those Rowe genes. Oh well, I am still the smartest (shut up, it is my blog after all).
Mom is due to arrive any minute and the stores are throwing open their doors in anticipation of her visit. The weather is hot (twenty and up degrees and more to come!) so it should help in our shopping expeditions.
Had a visit with Jacob's teachers (report card week last week). Of course he did well but the only time I get to see them is through a meeting usually. Even when I volunteer at the school I usually do not to get to see them. He is doing great, adjusted fully and the only "bad" thing they had to say was that he socializes too much. Damn those Rowe genes.
Jason healthwise is doing good. His patience level is still a bit low, but it wasn't high before the heart attack. He has become more of himself but he is still not 100% but improving still, each week there is a difference. Amazing what the body can survive and do. He's still too quiet for me but I like things loud. Damn those Rowe genes.
Before I go I just want to let all the Rowe's know that I like being loud, sociable and outgoing. I could do without the shortness but we can't have everything we want, can we? The Rowe genes have partly made me what I am today and I am proud of that.