Adapting

A lot has happened in the last 22 1/2 months since the second vertigo kicked in. The best is that I don't have "static vertigo" which would mean I would be virtually bedridden, so dizzy I couldn't function, and being sick to my stomach all the time. The worst is all the hard work that John has to do, in addition to his full time job. Each morning he leaves for his regular job at 4:15 a.m. He leaves there at about 1:45 and goes off to work in various locations for his part-time jobs not returning home until about 7:30 p.m. and then dinner and about an hour of paperwork for those jobs and normally to bed about 10:00 p.m. He just doesn't get enough sleep. He has been doing this at least 5 or 6 (and sometimes 7) days a week for about a year. We know that the lawsuit is way down the road - maybe 2 years and the Social Security hearing is probably in about 5 months and then 5 months more before benefits would kick in if I am granted benefits. So, there is no respite in sight. Please pray for John's good health and for the SSDI outcome to be in my favor so that John will a little relief. We have adapted to all of this and feel blessed to have each other ( I especially ) and know that our lives are not meant to be easy and all that matters is that we have God, trust God, and have our family and close friends.

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Choo Choo!

You can't go to the zoo without going on the train. It was really fun and we all enjoyed it. A fast way to see what's there -- elephants, rhinos, etc... We were all really impressed with the zoo - really beautiful. Of course, Marcelle, loved every minute with all the animals - a definite hit.

Potato Head Merriment

One of the gifts we gave Marcelle for her birthday was Mister and Mrs. Potato Head. Fond memories washed over John and I remembering the fun we had with Mister Potato Head (using a real potato, mind you) as we watched Marcelle having so much fun with her new toys. She had a great time giving pieces to Pop "to wear". What a laugh for us all!

Happy Birthday Simon!

We had a nice little birthday celebration with Simon on his 60th birthday. He was very excited as he got to choose what we had for dinner (pizza) and he love the chocolate cake - he loves his chocolate. John took a piece of the cake to his mom when he drove Si home which made her very happy. It was a nice evening - he is such a sweetie.

Where Are Your Babies?

We have been waiting for weeks to see the Roadrunner babies. The parents have been sitting on the nest in the tree outside our front door for what seems ages. This is a photo of "dinner time". The little lizard in his mouth was the entrée. We have been watching and... nothing. Now, there is no one sitting on the nest. So, either the eggs did not hatch or we totally missed the babies. The second is pretty unlikely as the babies stay in the nest until they are quite large and you can easily see their heads when no one is on the nest. We are sad as it is such fun to watch all this going on. Oh well!

Just Chillin'

Hippos are so very cool. When it's hot (this day ended up about 100 degrees) they just hang out together in the water with their nostrils just above the waterline so they can breath. A very smart animal, if you ask me. Wish I had a pool to hang out in. It has been a long hot summer and we are still hitting the very high 90's to the very low 100's. Whew!! Anyone want to volunteer to build us a pool?

There's A Rebel In Every Bunch

I just love this photo John took. Most animals are followers in their "pack" but this one zebra is definitely walking to the beat of a different drummer. Just love it!

We miss our family so much. Krista, Danny, Bekah, Roxie, Misha, Alan, and Marcelle are the lights of our life - it's so difficult not having them all around. Until four years ago, when we moved to New Mexico, we saw everyone often. Because of the economy we could no longer stay in California and, of course, Krista et al moved to the Czech Republic. We love all of them so very much; impossible to express in words.

Such A Pretty Face!

While Misha and Marcelle were here, as I have blogged last week, we went to the Albuquerque BioPark. The Zoo is awesome. Trees everywhere - nothing looks like a cage but an environment. Really nice. This is my favorite photo of an animal taken that day. I love giraffes. When Misha was little she loved giraffes too. We used to stop by the giraffe area and she would feed them. Cute! Krista's favorite was the snakes - yikes!!

Learning When To Stop

I have a tendency to talk--- a lot. I don't mean to harp on things but I know I do. I must really learn to curb my tongue. We all kind of get in trouble but saying "way too much". So, I am going to try --- really, I am ----- not to talk/harp/nag so much. A real challenge - wish me luck. And, by the way, thanks John for loving this "nag". I love you too.

Have a fun weekend!!!

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Tiggy And Friends

Marcelle just loves Tiggy which is very evident in this photo of them and Pop. She always wanted to know where the dog was - wanted to go outside to see him - or followed him around the house. Tiggy was really OK with it all, although he did not like her trying to kiss him on the face soon after they arrived. That was the only time he wasn't happy. All in all, they did very well and were "fast friends" by the end of their stay.

Second Birthday!

We celebrated Marcelle's Second birthday a month early. She received some really cool gifts including a horse (stick and head to ride -- it also neighs), clothing, and Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head. A lot of fun. Nice ice cream cake too - yum. In the photo is Marcelle, Misha, and one of our dear friends, Susan.

Barely Touching

Pop (John) went hunting for a small tricycle for Marcelle's visit. He even stopped at a yard sale but no luck. Funny thing: one of our neighbors was at the very back of the same yard sale and heard John asking about a trike. Later on that day Ray, our neighbor, showed up with this little red trike that his grandson had outgrown. Isn't that awesome? Marcelle's feet just touched but not enough to actually ride the trike on her own. Next year we will have to borrow it again and then she can ride around the sun porch and the cul-de-sac. Fun!!

Music for Grandma Flo

Music has always been a major part of Misha's life. She shared that with her Grandma Flo on Sunday afternoon. Marcelle is all comfy on her lap enjoying the song. Grandma Flo also really enjoyed the music.

Sorry about not blogging yesterday. The computer was acting up all day. Today it seems fine???????? Crazy.

Have a super, duper weekend!

Ducks

On Sunday we went to the zoo. One of the highlights for Marcelle was feeding the ducks. There is a nice duck pond by a huge park area. There were a ton of kids feeding the ducks, of course, but there was plenty of room for Marcelle. She had a really good time - we all did.

Four Generations

What an awesome photo! From left to right: Misha, Marcelle, Florence, and John - four generations of Rosiaks. We are so happy that Flo has moved here so that she could spend time with both Misha and Marcelle. They had a really good time, especially on Sunday afternoon. There will be more photos to come this week - what a wonderful weekend!!!

I Shall Continue - For Now

So, I got some nice e-mails re: my blog. So, for now, I will continue. This week, however, today will be the last day and I will pick back up on Tuesday - Misha and Marcelle are visiting us. Next week I hope that I will have a few photos of the visit to post for you.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend - I know I will.

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Last Stand?

I have truly enjoyed blogging over the last year and a half but, I think, this will be my last week. It has become a bit of a burden and with only a couple of you out there reading it I'm not sure it's worth it. Sometimes it's like spitting in the wind - it just comes back at me. Sounds whiny, doesn't it. Hope it's OK with you - let me know via comment or email what you think.

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Marcel Marceau

I loved to watch Marcel Marceau. My favorites were "walking against the wind" and "trapped in a box". He wasn't your average mime. He was the Charlie Chaplin of mime. He could make you laugh and cry; within seconds of one another. A very talented man - world renown. Don't like mimes in general but Marcel Marceau was an exception.

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