Memorial Day

Today is Memorial Day,when we remember those who fought and died for our country. Of course,there are those who just think of the day as a day off from work,a day to BBQ,go shopping,and drink too much. Nothing says thank you for dying for me than buying crap you don't need at 20% off! That being said,we will enjoy a BBQ,and a few games of horseshoes as well...but we know what this day all about.
This morning we lower the flag to half staff,and go march with the Boy Scouts in the  Rochester parade. After the parade,we will head back home. We will watch something on TV about those who gave the ultimate sacrifice that will make me cry (as it does every year) and I will take some time in quiet reflection. Memorial Day for me is not just honoring our heroes,it brings up the realization that I could have lost my husband in Iraq. He could have zigged instead of zagged,or the bullet could have gone an inch more to the right and not hit his vest. I could have a folded flag instead of a husband.
So today I hug my hubby tighter than usual. I am always grateful he made it home,but on this day,even more so. I find myself more emotional on this day than others.My thoughts go out to those who only have a flag and memories,and my heart breaks.
For those of my friends who celebrate this day,please take a moment and reflect on what this day is all about.
To those who have died for our freedom,thank you a million times over. It's a debt that can never be repaid.
Happy Memorial Day.

The Week In Review

Tuesday was quite a long day.We had four appointments -Cognitive Therapy in Somersworth,then over to Manchester for an appt with Rick's med Dr,then I had a brief meeting with Lisa,the head of the TBI program,then it was a TBI appt for Rick.

Again this week,Rick has homework for his Cognitive Therapy program. The homework is the same as last week,but added is the trauma statement Rick has to write.The trauma statement is usually the most difficult part of the course because it brings up emotions that tend to stay buried.By bringing these things up,the goal is to then discuss the emotions and and deal with them,thereby getting more of a handle on the PTSD.

Rick has been weaning off the Seroquil,and this week his med Dr wants him to get down to 25 mg a night (bear in mind he takes over 1,000 mg of Depakote a day now instead of Seroquil). He is still adjusting to the Depakote,as it doesn't dull him like the Seroquil did.However, part of the reason behind getting off the Seroquil was the fact that it was raising his blood sugar,and diabetes runs in his family (plus the dulling effect).This has lead to a bit of heightening of the PTSD symptoms,but we expected that.

My appt was with Lisa.Lisa used to be Rick's PTSD counselor,until she took over the TBI dept. The VA has a new telephone support group for spouses of soldiers who have PTSD and/or TBI. We hook up twice a month for an hour each time. Lisa wanted to touch base with all members before our first meeting to go over the guidelines.We have a handbook and some homework. It should be interesting,and I hope that I can help some of the ladies who are fairly new to all this. Apparently I am the old pro of the group :)

Rick's TBI appt went well,but we did learn that Rick's Dr is leaving. The VA wants a full time Dr for that position,which I can understand.

Today we have speech therapy. The VA ordered Rick a basic IPOD to help keep track of his meds,daily schedules,etc. It has up to 24 alarms on it,so it will help him organize his day. It will go off to remind him of meds,or to start or stop projects. We have tried writing lists,but that doesn't always work.We are hopeful that this will work out better.

The weather this week has not been very cooperative. It has been foggy,drizzly and rainy. As soon as things dry up,it gets wet again. Sigh. This weekend is suppose to be very nice,so our outdoor work can commence yet again.i at least got my seedlings out to harden off. Next Tuesday our carpenter Rick (not my hubby!) will be coming over to start fixing our sink cabinet,so the kitchen remodel will begin yet again.

Hope all is well in your neck of the planet!

Renaissance Faire

Saturday was a gorgeous day. It was a bit warm in the sun,but not too bad. We went to our first Renaissance Faire,down in Kingston. Kingston is about an hour from us,in southern NH near the MA border.

There were wandering musicians,vendors,various demonstrations,plays,and comedians. Our day in 

photos:

                                               Zach getting some sword fight training:

                                   

The knight encampment:

Sir Brian talking about knight life:

                                         The Queen bestowing Sir Brian with her favors:

                                                              Let the battle begin!

                                                            Sir Brian vs Sir Anthony:

During a break in the action,we discussed the merits and drawbacks of the longbow:

We didn't know until after the bouts that Sir Anthony is Tony Dow,who Rick served on Homeland Security with! We haven't seen him in years:

Vendor area:

My favorite boys posing for the camera:

We had musical entertainment everywhere we went-this lady was performing Celtic music:

Alas,there was no crown for the queen,but I did find this lovely white rose and ribbon head wreath. I also purchased the blue green necklace (better pic of this at the end)

The belly dancers were fun! I even took part in a belly dancing class:

I loved the colorful clothes:

Maypole!

Here is a better photo of my new necklace. I think it's gorgeous!