Merry Christmas

Wishing you all 

a Merry Christmas

Stay warm and safe.

Its been very chilly and cold, 

so we are going to stay in.

Christmas Greeting

DEAR FAMILY AND FRIENDS,

We hope this finds you all well and enjoying the holiday seasonal.  This year, was a VERY stressful and a busy year for Craig and me .  As some of you already know he had problems with kidney failure back in February and another kidney failure in mid-August.  His foot also has been trying to heal since April, so it would be hard to travel down to see the family for Christmas.

We thought it would be best that we stay home and allow him to recover 100% since he has been through a lot this year and I have been basically been taking care of him almost full time. 

So since we are not going down to the family, its just going to be just the two of us and our three cats Bella, Augustina, and Buster. 

But looking on the bright side of things, we are certainly trying to stay cheery and happy and making the most of the holiday.

We are hoping that the year of 2014 will be a better year, not for just us but for everybody else as well.

With that said, the holidays wouldn't mean nearly as much to us without all the special people who touch our lives in big ways as well as small.  We appreciate all of you, and even when times are tough in our lives we hope you know that we’re thinking of you at this wonderful time of year, and we hope to see you soon.

                                            Best Wishes,

                                                 Brian & Craig

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas

and a Happy New Year !

Kidney Failure....not again

Well I had a bit of a scare last weekend.  I had to call ambulance that Thursday because there was something wrong with Robert.  We stayed at Mercy Hospital for about 8 hours and they sent him home.  The next morning he had to go to his doctor and he wasn't himself as he kept passing out.  They gave him some water and he felt a little better, by 1pm his doctor called about the results of his blood work which was taken earlier that day and told him to go straight to the hospital.  We ended up going to the Maine Hospital rather than Mercy Hospital.  His kidneys were definitely failing.  He didn't remember all that Friday and I ended up spending the time at the hospital.

He was calling out my name Saturday morning, of course, I slept over but I slept out in the waiting area.  They had a cot set up for me.  I got up that morning and went into the room and he was kind of up and he started crying wanted to know what happened and why is it happening to him.

I had to explain to him that his kidneys were failing again like they did back in February.  I felt that I had to be with him all that time because he didn't really have anybody.  No family but me and my family.  I did had to go home because it was costing me a fortune staying there with food and such.

It turns out that he was dehydrated and the antibiotics he has been taking was being drawn to his kidneys causing his kidneys to fail.   We ended up staying in the hospital for 5 days.

I have been watching him how much water he takes because he needs the water fluids in his body.  Also making sure that he eats as well.  His foot is still trying to heal slowly.  I am hoping it will heal really soon.  Only time will tell.

August Update

I haven't blogged on here for a month and I figure I would write about what's been going on with us.  Remember we were discussing to relocate?  Well we can't do anything until year so we are going to let that rest for a while until the New Years and get things sorted out then and see if anything changed after the New Years.

I had been taking Aleve pills and this is to hopefully help me with my lower back pain.  I take them in the morning.  Past couple of days its been okay when I work out but I still feel the lower back pain but I am able to do my deadlifts.

Robert has been having problems with his feet.  One foot has a rash which just recently appeared and the other foot has been having problems for the past several months healing, since he is a diabetic.  Doctor gave him a shoe to slip on and he is thinking of giving him another shoe for the other foot.  His doctor even thought about giving him a walker, for some reason the doc thinks it would do him more help than the HurryCane.  But we'll have to see how it goes, maybe the doc will change his mind.

Well the summer is almost over, and we were planning on going to see my sister in Connecticut but every time we pay our credit card, it goes back up to the limit again, so we wait until September and that's not going to happen either because right now its been up to the max.  I am trying to bring the credit card down to zero balance.

Decision making / preparing to relocate

Robert and I have been talking and we decided that we were going to prepare ourselves to leave the United States for good.  Its a big step of course I've done it before and I could do it again.  Robert has traveled frequently as well so I would say he could do it as well.  We have 3 cats and this could be a big challenge for us for sure.

I have been doing some researching so I could prepare ourselves for this big move.  I hear lots of prices about having your pet flying overseas.  But I haven't looked into it deeply.

We have been thinking about what we should do before leaving, and I didn't realize that we do have to do a few things before we leave, such as getting our passports, and also get married so that it would be easier for us over there in Ireland.  I want to make sure that we will do everything that we need to do before leaving.

I'm surprised that the Social Security does allow people who are collecting Social Security Disability to take their allowance overseas.  I did read that some parts Social Security will deny it due to certain reasons.

I haven't told my mother our plans on relocating back to Ireland because I know she will be filled with 50 questions.  How are you going to get there?  Where are you going to get the money for it?  Where are you going to live?  Its like totally endless and I don't want to deal with that right now.

New friend from home (Derry)

I met a friend online and happened to live in Derry Northern Ireland where I used to live.  It was a coincidence that we met online and not when I lived in Derry.  I was just thinking that we could had several times during the 8 1/2 years that I was there that we could had passed our paths one time or another.

I gotten really excited and getting along with him via emails and skyping one another that its making me wish I was back home again.  Its nice that Robert likes him too.  Robert actually knows that I want to return to Derry.  And now that I talked to Colm for a while, and hearing him all the good stuff that is happening for the better makes me want to leave now. Everything has changed in Derry.  I am already dying to return to Ireland and that's what I have been thinking these days.  I really want to return to Derry.

Colm wanted us to make a plan to relocate back to Derry which I have been discussing with Colm that I do want to return.  He was telling me that I would need to break everything down in steps what I needed to do before leaving Derry.

I so much miss my family and friends in Derry that its reminding me of the times I lived in Derry and how much fun I had even with the troubles back then in the 1990s.  So when Colm told me that everything has changed, its making me more want to go there.  I can't even wait.  I'm getting psyched up already. I really think Robert would like it there too.

Accident

I had to workout today and It was biceps and back day and I really wanted to do my workout today even though I was pretty much tired.  I was working out and just finished the first half of my workout which was back until Robert called me into the livingroom.  He too was working out, walking on the treadmill.  I knew that there was something wrong with him from the tone of his voice.  I stopped everything and went into the livingroom.  His toe and the whole treadmill band was filled with blood where he had the blister about 6 weeks ago.

Of course, I had to stop my workout completely and help him out as well as making sure that the blood doesn't stain in the treadmill band.  Just doesn't seem like his toe is healing properly.  I don't know why he doesn't put on his shoes for the treadmill.  I have heard about people running on the treadmill barefooted and that it is best.  I don't know if that is true, but he is a diabetic so its hard for him to heal quickly.  I wish his toe would heal already then he wouldn't have trouble with it all the time.  Also maybe that will give him an idea that its time to wear his shoes for the treadmill. So it took 20 minutes to clean the treadmill, about 10 minutes to clean the carpet, and a few minutes to bandage his toe up to stop the bleeding.

Getting back to my workout, I had to decrease my deadlift workout exercise due to my bad back.  You know, I'm coming to a conclusion that maybe my lower back pain could be to much stress.

Who knows.

Skyping

Well we were skyping with my neice and nephews and they were really acting silly but that is typical of their silliness.  My niece was asking us when we are going to come down to see them.  What else could I say but other than I don't know.

It seems that whenever we go down there they are happy to see us.

Well as we were skyping they left the computer and left Robert and me hanging on skype.  I could do nothing else but to hang up.  I then found out that my mother said they were doing something I can't remember what but I think they were getting ready to leave.  I personally think that is rude.  I thought they might had sasid bye at least.  Well my niece did say bye but I wasn't sure if she meant it.  I thought she was just going into the other room but she continued to stay there.

So we might have to take a trip down to Connecticut to see them.

Stroke with the paints

I had ordered Bob Ross Paint set as I wanted to challenge my skills. I never done oil painting before only pencil, charcoal, and oil pastels.  So the oil painting is my next challenge.  I always liked Bob Ross and used to watch him all the time in the 80s.  I should had taken up oil painting back then, I would had become a professional by now.  But hey, better late than never.

I would have to say that for a first attempt with his oil paints, I did pretty good.  Problem were that the canvas was pretty small and I couldn't get the trees right.  I had hard time with the brushes too.  I should had used the very small brush rather than the big brush.  I am wondering if I had placed too much water base on the canvas because the mountain wasn't working correctly from the beginning.

I think it will take a lot of practice on controlling the paints and brushes and brush strokes.

Treat ourselves a lovely gift

Robert hasn't been working on his workout program so I don't know if he wanted to do it or not.  I will have to discuss this with him in the morning about it.  We had invested a treadmill and ordered it online.  We picked the Merit 715t plus treadmill.  Not too expensive.  We don't need an expensive treadmill, just someone that will do for now.  We received the treadmill yesterday.  

I must had assembled the treadmill about 2 hours.  I don't like those L tools that you need to use for the screws.  But I am glad that its over and done with.  Didn't realize that it folds up for a little extra space.  I had to read up on the manual for the care of a treadmill since I never owned one before.  

Robert will enjoy the treadmill as it will keep him motivated rather sitting on the sofa all the time.  

Things to do in spare time

A few weeks had passed since I had graduated and even though a few discussions with my academics advisor about job goals, I wanted to take time off.  It was already planned in my books.  She also told me that a good job that I am going for would require two years of experience and another two years of education, which means a Bachelor’s degree.

I had been thinking about my condition of bipolar and decided to try to get Social Security Disability.  It was denied so now I have a case going.  To make my case stronger, I would need to see a psychiatrist and also get my lower back pain examined or checked out.

So I had thought about a few things about what I could do to be able to bring in some income, just so that we could have a little extra money for spending or for a rainy day.  I even talked with Robert on what I want to do.  No comment from him. 

Basically what I would like to do is try some painting.  I used to watch Bob Ross shows all the time and I always thought he was good with his paintings so I would like to purchase his paint set and start painting.  My only concern is the cats.  Where would I paint with them around the apartment?  This apartment is very small.  I also want to purchase some yarn and make some baby blankets and such and see if I could sell all this stuff, including the paintings.

Memorial Invitation

Well I got an email from my sister through evite.  I guess she sent out some evites for a get together.  I was thinking about getting out seeing her, and Robert and I have been discussing on the evite and even though it was nice to go to Connecticut to see everybody, as usual, we do not have the money for going down there. 

Robert's workout program

I have been working out in our apartment and have been doing it for a while.  I remember a time I couldn't do it because I didn't have the right equipment for it but since I got my resistant bands, I am able to workout in the house.  I don't mind it.  In fact, I actually enjoy it even though I don't have the proper equipment only those resistant bands.

Robert's doctor was suggesting that he should go to the YMCA to the swimming pool to do a little swimming.  Robert is a little stiff in his joints and also another problem is that Robert does not know how to swim so that could be a problem.  However, it will help him with his motivation with moving his legs and arms.  I don't know what Robert wants to do.  I don't think he would go there by himself.  I suppose that I could go there and check it out as well as support him on this.  I don't really want to see kids and listening to them scream and all that.  So what I have done for him is that I had set up a schedule for him to workout twice a week.  Robert doesn't have to workout like I do so I had created this two day workout program so he could workout in the house.  Perhaps it will help him out.  Now I just have to give him set days to do this.

Day 1

Bodypart	Exercise	Sets	Reps
Upper Back	Seated Cable Row	1	15
Chest	Flat Bench Press	1	15
Shoulders	Dumbbell Press	1	15
Traps	Dumbbell shrug	1	15
Triceps	Pushdown	1	15
Biceps	Barbell curl	1	15
Lower Back	Back extension	1	15
Calves	Standing calf raise	1	15
Forearms	Barbell wrist curl	1	15
Abdominals	Crunches	1	15

Day 2

Bodypart	Exercise	Sets	Reps
Upper Back	Seated Cable Row	2	12
Chest	Flat Bench Press	2	12
Shoulders	Dumbbell Press	2	12
Traps	Dumbbell shrug	2	12
Triceps	Pushdown	2	12
Biceps	Barbell curl	2	12
Lower Back	Back extension	2	12
Calves	Standing calf raise	2	12
Forearms	Barbell wrist curl	2	12
Abdominals	Crunches	2	12

College Complete

Well I had finished college for my associates degree in Arts. I can’t believe it's been two years. So now I was waiting for my degree to come into the mail but after tracking down my diploma through the tracking number then I found out that after 2 attempts UPS returned to the post office. I made several phone calls to the school, UPS, and local post office. UPS told me that after 2 attempts, they would send it to local post office for a 3rd attempt. So I called up local post office again to see if they delivered the diploma. By that time my degree was on its way back to University Of Phoenix. I was told by the school that I should wait for a week until they got the diploma and if they received it when I call then they could issue me out another one. So I called them up and they issued me out another diploma. I had gotten the diploma within a week.

The past two years has been a stressful time in school. I am glad it's over but now what I am going to do?  I have been practicing with my web designing.  Will have to see what I could do with my skills.

Dentist

April 10, 2013

This is the day that both Robert and I had to get our teeth done at the dentist.  We don’t go to the same dentist.  He has to go down to Boston since his insurance covers the school down there. 

I was really concerned about him going down there by himself, thinking that he could fall and have trouble getting up, not to mention about the Boston Bombing Marathon which happened Monday.  I had tried to get him out of the idea of going down there by himself.  We didn’t even know what it would be like down there.  I actually thought the station down there would be closed down.  But I guess it wasn’t.  He kept me informed all day whenever he had the chance to let him know that he was okay. 

Luckily that he doesn’t have to go back down there until September.  Hopefully by that time, they will have the new school opening and he wouldn’t have to go down to Boston. 

Easter Sunday 2013

Last week of college

Well this is the last week of college.  I then receive Associates degree in Internet Technology.  Craig is happy that I had finally completed the two years and I could say that I am happy myself.  I am so burnt out from it.  I was going to go for my Bachelor’s Degree but I was discussing with my sister and she had suggested taking time out of school for a while.  So that is what I am going to do.   Actually what I was thinking of doing is to start painting like Bob Ross since I am very good with my hands.  I had also thought about going back to crocheting as well.  I am very good with my hands, and I miss crocheting and sketching out pictures.  I figured that I would try painting because I think I would be good at it.  I used to watch Bob Ross shows all the time back in the 80s.  I also started creating sample websites perhaps I could use those in my next interview or get jobs from people that is interested in me to design their website.  So we’ll see.

Trip to the dentist

Well yesterday, was my turn to go to the dentist.  I know I have to get a lot of work down on my jaw.  I need to get all my jaw teeth out since they are all falling out due to shifting all the time.  So yesterday they took out 3 teeth.  I never had more than 1 tooth out at a time.  The plan is to get dentures.  I’ll be so delighted once I get my dentures because I have been pretty much embarrassed and not able to smile without my mouth looking like a jack-o-lantern.  I’m still in pain and I will not be able to eat or drink anything that is hot the next few days. 

Dentist in Boston

Craig has been going back and forth to Boston University Dentistry School, because his insurance covers his teeth down there.  I’m not sure why there is no dentist up here in Maine that covers his insurance, it doesn’t make any sense at all.  Each time he goes down there, I would worry about him wondering if he would be okay down there on his own.  Luckily his trip down there his insurance covers for the traveling expenses to get on the Concord Trailways bus, but he would have to pay for the cab back and forth to the school. 

A couple of days ago he had to go back to Boston, I was going to go with him but I was really tired since I didn’t sleep well that night before.  He normally calls me several times to make sure that he is okay.  He knows that I worry about him going down there and I wish he doesn’t have to go down there. 

Apparently, according to Craig, that there is going to be a dentist up here in August so that his insurance will be able to cover for it up here so he doesn’t have to always go down to Boston all the time. 

Next Friday he will have to go down there once again.  I think I will go with him next Friday since next week is my last week for school and then I would be able to go with him to places without worrying about assignments being due.