Time is going fast!

Wow, hard to believe it's less than a month until we move!

We did find a house to rent in California and from what I can see and what the realtor has told me, it is very nice.  Bob assured me I will love it!  As you can see from the pictures, it doesn't look too shabby.

It is in Yorba Linda in the new Yorba Linda High School district, which is exactly what we wanted!  Bob will get the keys on June 5th and is really looking forward to start moving in. 

In the meantime, back here in Michigan, Olivia and I have been busy packing and taking care of all the practical matters around here.  I had a moving sale yesterday and today, and will have it again tomorrow.  It's amazing how much stuff we have sold.  It baffles me what people buy.  What I think will never sell sells right away and the good stuff tends to linger.  What ever is left tomorrow (I'm selling what is left super cheap) is all going to the Salvation Army as soon as I close the garage door! 

With the exception of our bedroom furniture, one couch, coffee and end table, love seat, chair, futon, desk and one bookcase, we are not taking any other furniture.  Of course our clothes and personal items, books, pictures, etc. are coming with us as well as my good kitchen stuff.  I was so skeptical to sell off everything that I did, and now I am so glad I did!  Not for the money, but because I've realized how much stuff I have that I really do not need!  It sure is a feeling of cleansing!

Our house - we took it off the market this week as Scott and two of his friends are going to rent it.  This works out so well for both of us.  They're in an apartment now, so why not have a house, and we don't have to worry about it being vacant while no one is knocking the doors down to buy it.  He is going to keep Leo for awhile too, so we won't have to drive across the country with him in the car.  This really is a win win situation.

Now, as far as Olivia's back is concerned, I have not yet set up one last appointment with Dr. Mendelow.  I really need to do that soon.  I keep forgetting. 

I'm thinking of changing the name of this blog, as the content is changing, and I am hoping to keep it up once we move as a means of staying in touch with everyone.  I just can't think of a good name.  I'd love suggestions if anyone has any.  You can post here or email me at sstevenson18@hotmail.com

I love you

Mom and you will be missed beyond any words can express.

Today I lost my best friend and mother to a courageous battle with cancer.  My children lost their only grandmother. 

1-1-1940 to 5-3-2010
Resting in Peace
Adrienne Green

We're home

Olivia and I landed in MI this morning at 4:20 a.m.  She went to school, believe it or not!  Me, I went right to sleep for a few hours and am going back to work tomorrow.  Too much to do today.

It was an exhausting week.  We have narrowed down the school Olivia will go to (Yorba Linda High) and the area where we need to live, but have not found the right house.  We did put in an application for one house, which was incredible, but they chose someone else.  We were heartbroken, but looking back it's best.  It was a bit more than we wanted to spend and it was at the far east end of YL, which would make Bob's commute even further.  Not a good thing in SoCal!  So, back to house hunting, via online and what Bob can do when he's there. 

I have tons of work to do here before we leave in the middle of June.  Olivia's schedule is packed.  She leaves for her 8th grade class trip on Wednesday to DC, Gettysburg and Hershey, PA.  She is very excited.  The following weekend is her Choir competition at Cedar Point, then comes her 8th grade dance, the end of the school year, etc.  It's an exciting time for her.

School "shopping" and House "hunting"...

We are in Sunny Orange County California now and it is glorious here!  We have looked at several High Schools and many houses.  Olivia really likes the new Yorba Linda High School.  What's not to like!  We're going this evening for a tour and open house.

We have found a house that we really love.  It is beautiful beyond belief and it we get it, I'll post pictures.  It is rental property and two other families have an application in, but we have faith!

Today I drove Bob to work so Olivia and I would have the car for the day.  We chose to spend the afternoon in Newport Beach.  No words are necessary!

EXCITING NEWS!!!!!

We're moving.....to Sunny California!

We're excited. One thing I must say however, is that there is no way I will ever find another orthopedic like Dr. Mendelow. I hope he has a good recommendation for us, or we may be travelling across the country to see him, when necessary.

Details are forthcoming.....stay tuned.

She was thinking!

Whenever Olivia gets her haircut, she always forgets to remind them that she has scoliosis (a suggestion from one of the therapists at the center. Well, tonight we both went for haircuts. I was finished first (I'm easy, I just let it dry naturally), so I went to watch Kathy finish flat ironing Olivia's hair. I noticed she was sitting very straight. I asked her if she remembered to remind Kathy of her scoliosis and she said no, she didn't need to. She sat down in the chair, aligned her spine and was sitting perfectly straight. She was thinking! Her hair looks beautiful and it's perfectly even. She's sleeping or I'd take a picture. I will tomorrow if I remember.

She's been good...

...with her exercises lately! Yes, I'll say it again, Olivia is doing her exercises. I think she is finally realizing how critical they are and how much better she feels when she does them.

We were in Dr. Mendelows office last week with my sister and niece who is having some back problems. My sister came in from Cleveland to bring my niece to see him, as she wanted a second opinion. Everything worked out better than expected, and she is thrilled that she came. He really is an incredible Orthopedic and everyone in his office was extremely helpful. A special thanks to Wright and Filippis as well for making everything happen so fast, so my sister and niece could get back while it stopped snowing!

Anyhow, when we were at his office, he asked Olivia how she was doing and if she was doing her exercises everyday. I was proud of her for not lying, but.....He gave her a look that spoke a thousand words and she's been at it since. I hope it keeps up.

The new Schroth therapists are all trained and will begin to practice here shortly. They're just waiting for all the equipment to be installed. I am planning on taking her once a week to work with them, providing our insurance will cover the visits. I don't see any reason why they won't.

I did have a small scare today. Olivia called me at work and told me she felt a "snap" in her and that she could only turn in one direction. I told her to go to the office, do some stretches and align her spine. She did and she was fine. Thank God!