Today is the Day I Get My Sight.....For Real!

Well, I'm happy to say that in about 1 1/2 hours, I will be having Lasik Eye Surgery. I am so excited. I have wanted this procedure for many years. It is something that I know will change my life for the better. I can't wait to be able to see my family with open eyes, and no headaches. I am going to pay so much attention to detail from this day on......

MAY Spring Finally Be Upon Us!!!!!

Well, it's again been a while since I last wrote. Things have been hectic. We Rileys have been travelling allot. It will be nice to see everyone on May 19th. Margaret and Mike, you are invited to my dad's 79th B'day outing at Delaware Park. They have a picnic area for family and children. We are going to start at 12:00noon. Bring lawn chairs. It will be like Delaware homecoming. We've invited mostly family, but anyone reading this is welcome. Please email me your RSVP, so that I can let Kathy know the final count. There will be food and beverages provided. If you want to bring any activities/games/sports, that would be great too. My Dad has those of you that he corresponds with regularly, so don't let on about the party. He knows that it is going to be there, but he does not know how big it might become.

Anyway, besides that.....We have been well. And, I hope you all have been well too. We are looking forward to taking a vacation in July. We are going to Williamsburg, VA. I think the kids are going to love Bush Gardens Europe. I would like to invite you all to visit us in Sparta, any weekend that you might have available. We would love the company. It is getting crazy with how much travelling we have been doing. I feel like I live out of a suitcase!

With Mother's Day next week, I'd like to say that I am doing pretty well. I don't really think about her much anymore. It doesn't consume me the way it used to. It is really kind of weird how I just put it out of my mind. I guess because I have my own children to worry about. If I didn't have them, then I would probably dote on the loss more than I should.

My sister, Diane is home from the hospital. She has some short-term memory loss. It is expected to return. She seems to be calmer and more at ease with life. I only hope that it remains that way. I hope with her continued outpatient treatments, that she notices more improvement.

Scott turns 4 tomorrow, and he is looking forward to going to school with his goodie bag. I made up some rice crispy treat and lollipop snacks for him to take to school. Of course, I didn't make the treats, just bought them. But, I did tie a bow on them!

Not much else exciting going on....so I'll just sign off for now.

Until next time.........

Jeannie

Being a Little Creative and a Lot More Painful!

I have been travelling down to DE a bit this month. I have been helping my friend Kurt with some set design for a play that he is directing at the Sanford School. While it has been a blast.....I have come to realize that I am getting old! I can't believe the amount of pain that bending, kneeling and just weird painting movements have caused me. I never would have thought that I would feel like this. However, I would do it all over again and again, because time flew by with enjoyment.

It has been so awesome to be creative again. I was nervous at first, because I had never painted on a tarp before. But, once things got rolling, and I figured the materials out.....it was pure joy!!!!

I have missed this side of myself most of all. Being a Mom is great, but the feeling you get when you create something like this is pretty cool too. I didn't realize how much I had lost touch with who I am.

This is something that I think I would like to do for a living, once the kids are older. And, that in itself is a revelation for me!!!! I have always wondered what I would do with my life when they could take care of themselves. Now, I have an option which appeals to me. I hope you enjoy the pics. Love, Jean

It's Been Awhile, and I'm Fine....

Well it's been awhile since I last blogged. As most of you already know, I lost my beloved Mother on January 2, 2007. It was a long and terrible death; something I hope no-one I love ever has to go through. It was the soul searching time of my life. I never felt so peeled-away and fundamentally human. I truly found the essence of "Jean" and those around me. It is times like this that you see people for who they really are.

I have been in awe of the outpouring of sympathy and kind words from friends and family. I have never felt so loved by so many. I am so very lucky to have the friends and family that care about me and Kevin and the kids. I'm not quite sure what one is supposed to say, when one receives such nice cards and thoughts. I would just like everyone who has contacted me in one way or another, to know that I appreciate you and for thinking of me and my family at this time of sorrow.

With all that said...I would like to express my desire to put things behind me and move on in a positive direction. I find creative interests keep me happiest. I plan on doing some painting and decorating. I hope to visit with friends, and look forward to a pleasant Spring season.

I hope this post finds everyone well. Thanks for taking the time to check in on me. - Jeannie