Life is GOOD!

Third Street Prominade- 

Santa Monica

Maddie's first day of Kindergarten and Mason's first day of PreSchool!!

Hi everyone!  It has been a long time since my last entry.  I have been getting on with my life and it feels good.  I am back to being a full time mommy, wife, daughter, sister, assistant editor, friend, retired nurse, tennis player, basically the whole Shebang!  I have been feeling fantastic. Almost back to baseline with no visits to the hospital.  When I look back at all that I have been through it is pretty surreal.  I would not let myself believe (along the way) that I had gotten that sick and they weren't sure how to treat me.  Looking back I am so grateful that I kept my focus on getting better.  Art confessed the other day that there were times while I was in the hospital that he was unsure that I would be coming home.  That's pretty scary as an after thought.  I still have mild facial numbness and  tongue numbness, but that still hasn't stopped me from doing my favorite tongue sports (kissing, eating, sticking it out!)  I am  so blessed that I have full facial function especially in regards to smiling and swallowing.  Most of all no reoccurring headaches.  I really beat the odds with the the size of Willy. I am hitting the tennis courts a minimum of 4 days a week.  Yep that's Good!  I am so lucky.  I am hitting in drills, having double matches with my girlfriends and start two leagues next week.  I will post some pics next weeks with my tennis buds.  I still get quite dizzy if I have to run after a ball, swing and switch gears back into hustling after another ball.  I call it Disney Land in my head--at least its a free ride.  My girlfriends at the Paseo club have been very supportive and wonderful.  They are always willing to come pick my butt up off the court if I fall.  I have to say that my balance is improving with more play time.  My main problem is reaction timing.  I used to be very quick on my feet and now my brain doesn't seem to react as quick or sometimes not at all.  I often find myself admiring my opponents great shot.  I just smile and tell em that shot rocked!  My vision also plays games with me as the ball is barreling towards me and I have to make last second adjustments to my shots.  Probably won't be winning Wimbledon anytime soon, but I look pretty cute in my tennis skirts.

I have been taking the kids out to play tennis after school as well (pics to come-Mason has a lesson this Sat).  Maddie is in dance class again with a dance recital in December (pics to come-they are getting so big).  We are basically back to the grind in regards to work.  Art is crazy busy picking up Disney gigs while we are in full swing with the home studio.  I am helping out with some assistant editing and really enjoying it.  I get a little stressed about how I am going to fit everything into a 24 hr day and then I say "It Is Great to BE ALIVE!"  We have a lot of catch up on accumulative bills from my illness.  I seem to not get so caught up in the small daily stuff and I keep an attitude of gratitude that we are all healthy and thriving.  Art continues to be my rock!  He is amazing and I am so lucky to have a life partner that lives life to the fullest and doesn't take things for granted.

Our real estate in AZ is slowly coming to an end one way or another.  I am really looking forward to having those issues resolved, out of our lives and ready to journey forward.  I have had a hard time coping at times as all our savings and hard work dissolves basically into nothing. But, then again we have each other and our health-that is all that really matters.  Were lucky to have a great roof over our head.

We have a big trip coming up in December.  The Freed foursome are going to take a road trip to Colorado to visit the Canons (my sis Michelle and family) over Christmas for some skiing.  This should be a trip.  First time in high altitude and on skis status post Willy!  Michelle suggested I ski in a helmet to keep all brain matter intact and I agreed.  Art and the kiddos have never been on skis.  Art wants to try snowboarding.  Art and I are going to try to take a couple of day trips in CA before we hit the big slopes in CO.  Art bought me some skis and boots for our anniversary.  They are fantastic!!!  I found a smoking deal (yea I'm frugal) on last years model and I did not feel so guilty.  Art is so supportive and makes me feel so loved and special.  He wants me to have everything.  I think he is just happy to see me alive, functioning,  back to being a partner and mommy. 

I also turn the big 40 in November.  Myself and some high school friends are all going to Vegas mid Nov. to have a mass 40 celebration.  I am counting down the days and really excited to spend some time with my old friends that came back into my life due to my illness.  

Looking back this year has been a DOOZY.  I am hosting Thanksgiving at my house and I find it very fitting.   I am going to try and update my blog once a month to start a memoir of my family.  I have really had so much joy in expressing my thoughts and feelings with this blog and can't believe all the love and support it generated.  Feel free to keep updated on our lives, with always remembering what a special part you took in my life during this time.  Love to all, Dara