Venting + Writing = Blogging = me *not* going insane and killing you: The Looking Back on the Summer post...

It's mid August already and this summer has just flown by. I really cannot believe how fast the summers go, for me at least...
When you stop to think about it, and I mean really stop to think about how many summers go by and how many summers you actually get to enjoy - normal life span, is like 75 to 80 years old, longer if you're lucky. So, that is only 75 to 80 summers you have to enjoy. When you start to break it down like that, it gets a little depressing.
I am currently enjoying my 35th summer and like last summer, it is going by very quickly. Before I know it, Olivia will be going on to the 8th grade (WHAT? Did I just say the 8th grade???) Wow... Time is just that partner in life that doesn't wait for anybody...

So, this summer has been spent mostly on the river with John and other camping trips with him and my other family members. I certainly have been spending alot of times outside, more so then last year, that's for sure. I have been taking care of mosquito bites and poison ivy all summer long, or so it feels. But, that is just a clear indication as to how my summer has been going.

Olivia is mostly ready for her debut to the 8th grade. I still have to acquire a back pack for her, but that's easily accomplished at my local Walmart during one of our Wednesday night grocery runs. And I need to buy her the usual new socks and underwear for the upcoming school year. Socks and underwear that I'm sure will be lost to the dryer aliens once again this year. I'll be doing the laundry and start putting socks together just to find out that not a single one of them has a match... sigh... Those darned dryer one footed aliens...

When I stop to think about the shopping and endless meals that Olivia consumes, it makes me realize just how luck John and I are.
God certainly knew what He was doing when he blessed John and me with just the one child to raise and care for. I couldn't imagine back to school shopping for multiple children. When just shopping for one makes me want to rip my hair out! And perhaps it because I'm disabled and in a constant state of pain 24/7, but I honestly don't know if I could do this "back to school thing" for more than one teenager.

Anyway, during this post of looking back on the summer, it made me realize that it has been one year since that whole "family drama" thing... And a year since Olivia has even seen the whole family that brought on all the drama. I wonder if they realize it has been that long. I couldn't tell you how many emails I have written and then deleted and then re written and then deleted once again... I have much to say, but I never want to say it in an email. Just seems so, and what's the word I'm looking for here... so... so in concise. I want to say many things, but an email wouldn't do it to get my point across. And it's not that I want to be a "right" fighter, I just need to get things off of my chest before things will ever be "normal" again. I doubt highly that things will ever go back to being normal. I just think it's sad that it's been an entire year since they have seen or talked to Olivia. Well, that's if you don't count an hour or so inside of a loud restaurant where conversation is almost impossible anyway.

So, anyway, this summer has been an enjoyable one. (and no, it's not because of the lack of the family either)... It's just been spent outside, in the sun, underneath of the bright summer sky, looking up at trees and swatting flies sort of summer. We've tried our hands at fishing, and Olivia really likes doing that. She even caught a fish or two of her own. We've hung out with our good friend Mike too, alot this past summer. It's cool to see him and John compare camping gear and talk "shop" about different methods on making their winter trips more enjoyable.
Mom and dad have spent quite alot of time with Olivia. My mom has been helping Olivia deal with some of her "girl" troubles. You know how teenage girls can be. Petty and partial to say the least. But, my own words of advice hit a brick wall when it's flying towards Olivia's ears. She has stopped listening to my sage advice a long time ago. Sure, she still is sweet and kind hearted, but nowadays, her friends and her have been going back and forth between being BFF's and EFL's...

I was published over the summer, which I loved! And I think was the highlight of my year! I mean, to write and write and finally have someone include it in a literary magazine is just an incredible high that no drug (legal or not) can help you achieve.

Speaking of drugs... my pain management doctor has upped my pain meds and I think for now, I'm finally stabilized as far as outrageous pain is concerned. I fear though that this grand feeling of just "manageable" pain won't last. I know that when he has changed my meds up in the past, that the good feeling of having manageable pain only last a few weeks. This time, though, knock on wood, my pain level has been manageable for a couple of months now. Of course, I did have to add one more pill to my daily intake of medicines, but what's one more pill when I'm already taking so many?

Well, I guess that's it for now...

Gonna hit the hay and wait for another day, so to speak. Olivia has a well child exam in the morning, and at the moment, she isn't exactly "well." Her ears are bothering her again and I know I'll have to get the doctor to give her something for it. So, maybe she won't be able to bill the insurance company as a "well child" exam and we will need to reschedule that... Oh well...

Till next time, and thanks for reading...