On Tuesday, we had a mean storm come through. Anyway, I was at work when my phone rang. It was Jack.
Here's the conversation:
Jack: "Mommy, you might want to be very careful when you go to park in the back yard when you get home."
Mom: "Why, honey?"
Jack: "Well, there is a BIG tree on the house in the back yard so I would suggest (he literally said, I would suggest) that you park in the front."
Mom: "I'm on my way home right now."
So, I get home and low and behold, there is a giant tree branch about 40 feet long in the back yard on the driveway. Fortunately, it landed in the only place that it could without really hitting something like a car or my child.
When Jon got home, we both broke out saws and cut the tree branch so that we could move it. Even after we cut it down, it took three adults to move the darned thing!
As for my parking, well, I took Jack's "suggestion" and parked in the front.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Confession Tuesday
On Thursday! Wow, this is a new record!
******
A little delayed this week in posting. Am completely exhausted. Have not slept more than four hours for various reasons for the past five nights. Last night, however, I went to bed at 8pm. Can't wait to do it again tonight! (Especially because of what happened below!)
******
Went to Jon's 25th high school reunion in western Mass. this weekend. It was terrific. I tell you, it is just gorgeous up there. Every time I head to New England, it just PAINS me that we don't live on the east coast somewhere.
*******
Saturday night, we had the reunion party (which was a total blast). I got to bed around 12a. We stayed in the dorms and had a room for the girls (Eva and me) and one for the boys (Jon and Jack). At around 2a, I hear a knock on my door, it is these two guys and a girlfriend of theirs who used to live in my room and wanted to see if their names were still inscribed in the ceiling tile from 15 years ago. Uh, no. An hour or so later, I have another knock on my door. It is Jon coming from the after party. He wants to sleep in my TWIN bunk bed. Uh no. Then, I get back to sleep. About an hour or so later, I get another knock at my door. It's Jack. HE wants to snuggle in my twin bunk bed. Well, who am I to deny him?
********
Sunday, we went to Boston to see my bestest pal, Jana (poetmom) and her family. We had SUCH a great time. Although, heatmeiser Jana would totally disagree with me, I thought the weather was spectacular. It was the high of around 60 and cloudy! For a Texan, that is like someone turned on the air conditioner outside in the middle of summer....ahhhhhhh.
*******
I miss Jana and her kids SOOO much! I wish that we lived closer! This way, we could plot to have our children marry each other. Well, maybe we'll still do that from so far away, anyway.
*******
*******
I had a very odd dream last night. I think that I have completely fallen in TV love with Jason from the Bachelorette. Last night, since I slept for 11 hours, I had the ability to really dream. So, what did I dream about? Well, I went on a "meet the family date" with Jason in Seattle. I mean, it was DETAILED! I met his parents and his son Ty. Let me just make it clear, this was a PG (well, PG-13) dream. What was so funny was I kept waking up at various points of the night completely unaware of where I actually was and completely not understanding who was in bed with me (sorry Jon). Every time I would wake up, I would fall right back into my little dream. It was a good night.
******
A little delayed this week in posting. Am completely exhausted. Have not slept more than four hours for various reasons for the past five nights. Last night, however, I went to bed at 8pm. Can't wait to do it again tonight! (Especially because of what happened below!)
******
Went to Jon's 25th high school reunion in western Mass. this weekend. It was terrific. I tell you, it is just gorgeous up there. Every time I head to New England, it just PAINS me that we don't live on the east coast somewhere.
*******
Saturday night, we had the reunion party (which was a total blast). I got to bed around 12a. We stayed in the dorms and had a room for the girls (Eva and me) and one for the boys (Jon and Jack). At around 2a, I hear a knock on my door, it is these two guys and a girlfriend of theirs who used to live in my room and wanted to see if their names were still inscribed in the ceiling tile from 15 years ago. Uh, no. An hour or so later, I have another knock on my door. It is Jon coming from the after party. He wants to sleep in my TWIN bunk bed. Uh no. Then, I get back to sleep. About an hour or so later, I get another knock at my door. It's Jack. HE wants to snuggle in my twin bunk bed. Well, who am I to deny him?
********
Sunday, we went to Boston to see my bestest pal, Jana (poetmom) and her family. We had SUCH a great time. Although, heatmeiser Jana would totally disagree with me, I thought the weather was spectacular. It was the high of around 60 and cloudy! For a Texan, that is like someone turned on the air conditioner outside in the middle of summer....ahhhhhhh.
*******
I miss Jana and her kids SOOO much! I wish that we lived closer! This way, we could plot to have our children marry each other. Well, maybe we'll still do that from so far away, anyway.
*******
*******
I had a very odd dream last night. I think that I have completely fallen in TV love with Jason from the Bachelorette. Last night, since I slept for 11 hours, I had the ability to really dream. So, what did I dream about? Well, I went on a "meet the family date" with Jason in Seattle. I mean, it was DETAILED! I met his parents and his son Ty. Let me just make it clear, this was a PG (well, PG-13) dream. What was so funny was I kept waking up at various points of the night completely unaware of where I actually was and completely not understanding who was in bed with me (sorry Jon). Every time I would wake up, I would fall right back into my little dream. It was a good night.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
I'll Take It!
I finally got the call today that Eva's test results were NORMAL!
YIIIIIPPPPPEEEEEEE!!!!!!!
So, what does that mean?
Well, basically, she still has this 1cm mass in her. We don't know what that is. What they suspect, however, is that it is NOT the return of her neuroblastoma.
That, my friends, I'll take.
They are doing another ct on July 2 to determine whether or not the mass has grown, shrunk, or gone away. Then, we will get the results of the test on the 7th.
That will determine what our treatment, if any, will be. If it has grown, we might have to do surgery or chemo or whatever. There are many, many, ifs.
So, we are not out of the woods but we can certainly breathe for a bit.
Here's the other bit of great news. I have declared July 1st to be a new year. We have had such crap happen in the first half of the year, on July 1, we will begin year 2008.5. Only good things can happen in 2008.5. Thus, Eva's CT will be ok, as it is on the 2nd day of 2008.5.
Get your champagne and party hats out!
I just want to say a THANK YOU to so many of you who have held your breath with us over this week/whole ordeal. Honestly, today, I was so beat down with not knowing. We are so fortunate to have so many people who love and support us and carry us when we are just wandering about. Although, I am terrible at thank you notes, I cannot express enough how much all your concern helps get us through.
Here's a little shot of Eva so you can see for whom you are all praying!
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Again, With the No News
Well, here I sit tonight at a laundromat also known delightfully known as a "washateria" outside on the sign.
In addition to the many wonderful things that have happened to us in the first half of the year, our washer seems to have clogged and flooded the garage over the weekend. So, on a Tuesday night, I'm here. I have to admit, I kind of like the laundromat. It smells clean and you always see such interesting people here.
It is also a nice break from the family so I can take a moment to write. I have a ton of work to do and will get to it in a moment. For now, I'm just sitting in my bolted down chair with my computer plugged into the back of a washer where I have unplugged another washer to use my computer.
Today has been a tough day. After obsessively looking at my phone all day long, I finally got the word at 3pm that I was not going to get the word until tomorrow.
This waiting. This waiting has been excruciating.
You know, it is not as if I am waiting to find out if Eva will be well. I'm having to wait for almost an entire week to find out where she will fall on the scale of bad. Will it be really, really bad, really bad, or just bad? I think by far that is the hardest part. At least when you have hope that all will be well, you can cling to it. I'm just clinging to the hope that it is just bad and not really, really bad.
I hate to be so sad in my post but this really is beating me down a bit. I'm just ready to get the news and move on with what the next steps are.
Hopefully, that news will come tomorrow.
In addition to the many wonderful things that have happened to us in the first half of the year, our washer seems to have clogged and flooded the garage over the weekend. So, on a Tuesday night, I'm here. I have to admit, I kind of like the laundromat. It smells clean and you always see such interesting people here.
It is also a nice break from the family so I can take a moment to write. I have a ton of work to do and will get to it in a moment. For now, I'm just sitting in my bolted down chair with my computer plugged into the back of a washer where I have unplugged another washer to use my computer.
Today has been a tough day. After obsessively looking at my phone all day long, I finally got the word at 3pm that I was not going to get the word until tomorrow.
This waiting. This waiting has been excruciating.
You know, it is not as if I am waiting to find out if Eva will be well. I'm having to wait for almost an entire week to find out where she will fall on the scale of bad. Will it be really, really bad, really bad, or just bad? I think by far that is the hardest part. At least when you have hope that all will be well, you can cling to it. I'm just clinging to the hope that it is just bad and not really, really bad.
I hate to be so sad in my post but this really is beating me down a bit. I'm just ready to get the news and move on with what the next steps are.
Hopefully, that news will come tomorrow.
Monday, June 09, 2008
No News Today
I heard from the doctor's office around 2p today that they were not going to have the results from Eva's UA until tomorrow or Wednesday! So, we don't know anything. Please continue to pray for her.
Ok, that said, here's a story for ya. This will serve as my official "confession" for the week because I don't believe that I can top it. Well, then again, it is me!
On Friday, my boss asked me to prepare an invocation for a meeting that I attended today. This is a meeting of basically the planning council for the conference we are hosting in Dallas next April. In attendance were others in my position to CEO's from Y's across the country.
Anyway, I thought this was a good way to keep my mind off Eva this weekend and I thought and thought about what to say this morning bright and early.
I found this poem that was basically a rip off of If You Give a Pig a Party called If You Give a Mom a Muffin. The story talks about how a mom just wants to have a coffee and muffin and of course gets distracted from the bigger picture by all the wonderful things her children do to her like dump out her purse, get a smelly diaper, etc etc. As I stood in front of everyone, I tied it into the conference and how we need to keep our eye on the big picture and what we learn at the conference helps to guide us when we lose our way blah blah blah.
Well, it was very well recieved. People laughed when they should and overall I had been feeling very confident in my little presentation.
That is, of course, until I sat down and realized that my fly was open the whole time.
Ok, that said, here's a story for ya. This will serve as my official "confession" for the week because I don't believe that I can top it. Well, then again, it is me!
On Friday, my boss asked me to prepare an invocation for a meeting that I attended today. This is a meeting of basically the planning council for the conference we are hosting in Dallas next April. In attendance were others in my position to CEO's from Y's across the country.
Anyway, I thought this was a good way to keep my mind off Eva this weekend and I thought and thought about what to say this morning bright and early.
I found this poem that was basically a rip off of If You Give a Pig a Party called If You Give a Mom a Muffin. The story talks about how a mom just wants to have a coffee and muffin and of course gets distracted from the bigger picture by all the wonderful things her children do to her like dump out her purse, get a smelly diaper, etc etc. As I stood in front of everyone, I tied it into the conference and how we need to keep our eye on the big picture and what we learn at the conference helps to guide us when we lose our way blah blah blah.
Well, it was very well recieved. People laughed when they should and overall I had been feeling very confident in my little presentation.
That is, of course, until I sat down and realized that my fly was open the whole time.
Friday, June 06, 2008
ZUMBA!
Well, as I have written about before, I am on the diet plan. I have my high school 20-year reunion looming in the distance in October and I have a good bit of weight to lose before then. That said, I also just want to be healthy.
With all that has gone on and as we found out yesterday, still going on, with Eva, I need to put my energy into something that makes me feel good and feel strong enough to handle whatever crap seems to keep getting thrown at us!
To that end, I signed up for a boot camp at the Downtown Y. This was the first week we were doing it and unfortunately, I missed the first day for Eva's CT and the 2nd day for a prescheduled appt. So, that left me with no exercise this week.
I had been seeing these signs all around the Y for a class called ZUMBA! That's how you saw it. All caps and an exclaimation point. Now, what is your first indication that this class will kick your behind? Is it the caps? Is it the exclaimation point?
For those who have not done this before, it is basically a salsa/hip hop/african dance aerobic class. With an exclaimation point!
I have to say, I had a ball. But I did learn that I have absolutely no rhythm nor any ability to balance on one foot while shaking my shoulders and kicking my leg in the air.
There goes my Dancing with the Stars dream.
If you do see a class at your club/Y/rec center, I do highly recommend it. As a person definitely out of shape, I can tell you, you will really, really get a work out! AND one day, maybe I can use those moves at the dance club...OMG, I could barely write that without laughing!
With all that has gone on and as we found out yesterday, still going on, with Eva, I need to put my energy into something that makes me feel good and feel strong enough to handle whatever crap seems to keep getting thrown at us!
To that end, I signed up for a boot camp at the Downtown Y. This was the first week we were doing it and unfortunately, I missed the first day for Eva's CT and the 2nd day for a prescheduled appt. So, that left me with no exercise this week.
I had been seeing these signs all around the Y for a class called ZUMBA! That's how you saw it. All caps and an exclaimation point. Now, what is your first indication that this class will kick your behind? Is it the caps? Is it the exclaimation point?
For those who have not done this before, it is basically a salsa/hip hop/african dance aerobic class. With an exclaimation point!
I have to say, I had a ball. But I did learn that I have absolutely no rhythm nor any ability to balance on one foot while shaking my shoulders and kicking my leg in the air.
There goes my Dancing with the Stars dream.
If you do see a class at your club/Y/rec center, I do highly recommend it. As a person definitely out of shape, I can tell you, you will really, really get a work out! AND one day, maybe I can use those moves at the dance club...OMG, I could barely write that without laughing!
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Well, Hell.
Well, we have just returned from the doctor's office. The spot where the tumor was is just fine. However, they have found "something" else on her left side.
We don't know anything and won't know until Monday. They have done more tests. The results of those tests will determine the course of treatment.
Just an aside and as if we don't have enough on our plates, our brand new $3200 air conditioner is not working now and it is 90 degrees in our house right now. So, let's just say that somone is really testing us.
I'm not freaking out now, I can't spend any more time worrying about things that could be. It is what it is and we'll know more on Monday.
Please keep little Eva in your thoughts and prayers.
We don't know anything and won't know until Monday. They have done more tests. The results of those tests will determine the course of treatment.
Just an aside and as if we don't have enough on our plates, our brand new $3200 air conditioner is not working now and it is 90 degrees in our house right now. So, let's just say that somone is really testing us.
I'm not freaking out now, I can't spend any more time worrying about things that could be. It is what it is and we'll know more on Monday.
Please keep little Eva in your thoughts and prayers.
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
A couple of shots
Here are just a couple of shots of the kids from recent weeks.
Don't mess with The Blue Thunder!
Eva at the Arboretum last Sunday
Senior Moment
Today was a bit trying.
Eva's appointment today was set for 8:30am. We were told to be there at 8:15am to meet with the anesthesiologist. Eva was not allowed to eat or drink after midnight (called NPO in hospital-speak). For Eva, that meant 7pm when she went to bed.
I was pretty happy this morning when she slept until five minutes before we had to leave. So, off we go to the hospital today.
We arrive on time. No problem, they say, we're just waiting for the anesthesiologist. OK. One hour later. Still waiting. Someone finally comes out and says, bad news. The anesthesiologist has been held up so they have to call for another one. Well, I totally understand this. This happens a lot, I would imagine. BUT, here's the rub, as Jon would say, she can't get here for another hour! That means 10:30.
Within the first hour hanging out in the waiting area with a daughter who has not eaten or had anything to drink in 14 hours, I pretty much spent my wad of tricks to entertain her. You start to get desperate as the time ticks away and you start grabbing at anything to find to use as a game. Eva, here's a bouncy ball I keep in my purse! Hey! How about some lipstick! Let's re- stack the magazines! Again! Wow, look at this neat brochure on lung cancer! Pretty pictures!
We decided to take Eva up to the lobby area that is a wide open playground. Here's the trick. Keep Eva as far away from the gift shop as possible so that she does not see the bright shiny balloons staring at her waiting for her to come play with them!
While we were up there killing yet another hour, this very nice family came up to the play area. With them, they had their three daughters. Their 19-month old daughter (one week older than Eva) had just had an MRI and had been NPO for many hours. So, guess what she has. Goldfish, Teddy Grahams, suckers, apple juice...a smorgasbord of treats! Fortunately for us, the mom was so understanding and WITHOUT my asking, made all children but the 19-month old (who poor thing WAS starving!) put away their food immediately so that it would not taunt Eva. That camaraderie of parents of sick children is amazing.
At 10:30, we head downstairs, again. The anesthesiologist arrives around 11. Hours without food and water? 16
We get called back and she says immediately, I'm SOOO sorry for the delay! I said, no problem, I totally understand, I just want to get this over with so poor Eva can eat! She says, Yes, for sure! Boy, I just had a "senior moment" today.
Senior Moment?
SENIOR MOMENT??
WTF? YOUR SENIOR MOMENT IS WHY MY POOR DAUGHTER IS STARVING NOW? Oh, and by the way, YOU are administering the anesthesia on her????!!!
I was SO angry but at this point, I just wanted it to be over so that we could get this poor child to some food.
I won't go into all the details of how horrible it is as a parent to restrain your child while they put a gas mask on her little face. You all can imagine that. I can say that MY restraining of Eva days are over. This is really a job that Jon needs to handle from now on. I just don't think I'm built for it.
Here's the bottom line. Eva came through like the champion she is. We will get the results on Thursday afternoon when we meet with the doctor.
Oh, and tonight, I had a Family Hospital Board meeting. I was sure to mention my "senior moment" today to the President of the hospital.
Eva's appointment today was set for 8:30am. We were told to be there at 8:15am to meet with the anesthesiologist. Eva was not allowed to eat or drink after midnight (called NPO in hospital-speak). For Eva, that meant 7pm when she went to bed.
I was pretty happy this morning when she slept until five minutes before we had to leave. So, off we go to the hospital today.
We arrive on time. No problem, they say, we're just waiting for the anesthesiologist. OK. One hour later. Still waiting. Someone finally comes out and says, bad news. The anesthesiologist has been held up so they have to call for another one. Well, I totally understand this. This happens a lot, I would imagine. BUT, here's the rub, as Jon would say, she can't get here for another hour! That means 10:30.
Within the first hour hanging out in the waiting area with a daughter who has not eaten or had anything to drink in 14 hours, I pretty much spent my wad of tricks to entertain her. You start to get desperate as the time ticks away and you start grabbing at anything to find to use as a game. Eva, here's a bouncy ball I keep in my purse! Hey! How about some lipstick! Let's re- stack the magazines! Again! Wow, look at this neat brochure on lung cancer! Pretty pictures!
We decided to take Eva up to the lobby area that is a wide open playground. Here's the trick. Keep Eva as far away from the gift shop as possible so that she does not see the bright shiny balloons staring at her waiting for her to come play with them!
While we were up there killing yet another hour, this very nice family came up to the play area. With them, they had their three daughters. Their 19-month old daughter (one week older than Eva) had just had an MRI and had been NPO for many hours. So, guess what she has. Goldfish, Teddy Grahams, suckers, apple juice...a smorgasbord of treats! Fortunately for us, the mom was so understanding and WITHOUT my asking, made all children but the 19-month old (who poor thing WAS starving!) put away their food immediately so that it would not taunt Eva. That camaraderie of parents of sick children is amazing.
At 10:30, we head downstairs, again. The anesthesiologist arrives around 11. Hours without food and water? 16
We get called back and she says immediately, I'm SOOO sorry for the delay! I said, no problem, I totally understand, I just want to get this over with so poor Eva can eat! She says, Yes, for sure! Boy, I just had a "senior moment" today.
Senior Moment?
SENIOR MOMENT??
WTF? YOUR SENIOR MOMENT IS WHY MY POOR DAUGHTER IS STARVING NOW? Oh, and by the way, YOU are administering the anesthesia on her????!!!
I was SO angry but at this point, I just wanted it to be over so that we could get this poor child to some food.
I won't go into all the details of how horrible it is as a parent to restrain your child while they put a gas mask on her little face. You all can imagine that. I can say that MY restraining of Eva days are over. This is really a job that Jon needs to handle from now on. I just don't think I'm built for it.
Here's the bottom line. Eva came through like the champion she is. We will get the results on Thursday afternoon when we meet with the doctor.
Oh, and tonight, I had a Family Hospital Board meeting. I was sure to mention my "senior moment" today to the President of the hospital.
Monday, June 02, 2008
Confession Tuesday
On a Monday....
********
So happy to be back in my house again. I swear, I have discovered that if you replace a 25-year old air conditioner, it is amazing how cool your house can become! Hooray!
********
The fleas are all dead. Or as I like to say, "las pulgas son todas muertas"
********
Today, I had to take Eva to the doctor's office for some preliminary blood work for her CT tomorrow. This is the first one that she has had since the surgery. Of course, I am scared to death but I just have to have hope that all will go well.
Anyway, on to my confession. The fact is that somehow with the 27 people who called me at various times to schedule this, I ended up at the wrong doctor's office for her blood work. They did the blood work, which was AWFUL, so of course, I cried alongside of Eva. Afterwards, I ran into Eva's doctor in the hallway. I do love him but sometimes he can be a bit blunt. He told me that I was in the wrong place in his "I'm very disappointed in you, Kristi" voice that only my father can master. I, of course, burst into tears, much to my horror. Completely inappropriately. As a matter of fact, I was waiting on some information so I grabbed Eva and sat in the waiting area outside so that no one could see that I was crying. I mean, WHAT is that? I'm REALLY not an emotional person. Cried TWICE in the doctor's office for no real reason?
********
Got to work today, worked all day long and then around 3:30 or so, knew for a fact that I was going to vomit. I raced home so that I would not do it at the office.
*********
My immediate thought was, of course, inappropriate emotion + vomiting in the middle of the day = pregnant
********
Here's my thoughts on the way home to vomit. 1) I don't want to be pregnant right now. I've got enough to worry about. 2) Let's see, Friday, I had champagne during the Sex and the City movie and then several beers at Jack's end of school picnic, Saturday, had four beers at my office summer party, Sunday, spent the afternoon sipping margaritas at my sister-in-law's pool. Why is it that I always seem to find out that I am pregnant after a weekend bender? 3) I really don't want to be pregnant right now.
*********
I am not pregnant.
********
I took 2 Clearblue Easy tests just to be sure.
*********
I was really frustrated at the Walgreens today when I went to purchase said pregnancy tests. All the signs were in spanish. Not spanish on one side, english on the other, which I could totally understand given where I live but ALL spanish!?!!!?? What is that?
*********
They locked up all the pregnancy tests behind this glass case. I had to have a manager come open them up for me. I asked her why they did that and she said that that was one of the most popular things for people to steal. Huh? If that many people need them, make them free!
I felt a bit embarrassed asking for someone to come over to help me unlock the pregnancy test case. Like, I'm looking out for my parents to come bounding around the corner to see me looking at the tests. No, Mother, I'm not looking at those pregnancy tests. Oh, look here they are, the maxi pads I came into the store to find. Yep, just me, here in the Walgreens, looking for maxi pads.
I mean, I'm MARRIED WITH TWO KIDS, FOR GOODNESS SAKES!
********
Won't get the test results from Eva's CT until Thursday but will post tomorrow what I know.
********
So happy to be back in my house again. I swear, I have discovered that if you replace a 25-year old air conditioner, it is amazing how cool your house can become! Hooray!
********
The fleas are all dead. Or as I like to say, "las pulgas son todas muertas"
********
Today, I had to take Eva to the doctor's office for some preliminary blood work for her CT tomorrow. This is the first one that she has had since the surgery. Of course, I am scared to death but I just have to have hope that all will go well.
Anyway, on to my confession. The fact is that somehow with the 27 people who called me at various times to schedule this, I ended up at the wrong doctor's office for her blood work. They did the blood work, which was AWFUL, so of course, I cried alongside of Eva. Afterwards, I ran into Eva's doctor in the hallway. I do love him but sometimes he can be a bit blunt. He told me that I was in the wrong place in his "I'm very disappointed in you, Kristi" voice that only my father can master. I, of course, burst into tears, much to my horror. Completely inappropriately. As a matter of fact, I was waiting on some information so I grabbed Eva and sat in the waiting area outside so that no one could see that I was crying. I mean, WHAT is that? I'm REALLY not an emotional person. Cried TWICE in the doctor's office for no real reason?
********
Got to work today, worked all day long and then around 3:30 or so, knew for a fact that I was going to vomit. I raced home so that I would not do it at the office.
*********
My immediate thought was, of course, inappropriate emotion + vomiting in the middle of the day = pregnant
********
Here's my thoughts on the way home to vomit. 1) I don't want to be pregnant right now. I've got enough to worry about. 2) Let's see, Friday, I had champagne during the Sex and the City movie and then several beers at Jack's end of school picnic, Saturday, had four beers at my office summer party, Sunday, spent the afternoon sipping margaritas at my sister-in-law's pool. Why is it that I always seem to find out that I am pregnant after a weekend bender? 3) I really don't want to be pregnant right now.
*********
I am not pregnant.
********
I took 2 Clearblue Easy tests just to be sure.
*********
I was really frustrated at the Walgreens today when I went to purchase said pregnancy tests. All the signs were in spanish. Not spanish on one side, english on the other, which I could totally understand given where I live but ALL spanish!?!!!?? What is that?
*********
They locked up all the pregnancy tests behind this glass case. I had to have a manager come open them up for me. I asked her why they did that and she said that that was one of the most popular things for people to steal. Huh? If that many people need them, make them free!
I felt a bit embarrassed asking for someone to come over to help me unlock the pregnancy test case. Like, I'm looking out for my parents to come bounding around the corner to see me looking at the tests. No, Mother, I'm not looking at those pregnancy tests. Oh, look here they are, the maxi pads I came into the store to find. Yep, just me, here in the Walgreens, looking for maxi pads.
I mean, I'm MARRIED WITH TWO KIDS, FOR GOODNESS SAKES!
********
Won't get the test results from Eva's CT until Thursday but will post tomorrow what I know.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Confession Tuesday
I cannot believe how long it has been since I last posted! I don't know what is wrong with me. I think with work being so draining, I just am tired when I get home.
********
Actually, I think that it is just that I am too lazy when I get home. All I want to do is watch the Bachelorette or something mindless and then go to bed.
*********
I would also like to blame my lack of creativity on the home conditions. I mean, how can anyone be expected to write anything when your house is 100 degrees? Yeah, that's it! It was the house and not my laziness! I need an ideal temp of 72 degrees to maximize my creative juices.
********
I killed a pigeon the other day. My coworkers and I were driving back from lunch. This pigeon just jumped into the road in front my car! I tried to swerve away from it but I actually turned the car into it. Seconds later, it was no more.
*********
This gets added to a long list of animals I have killed in my day. Frogs, squirrels, birds, a possum, butterflies and now our friend pigeon all have met their maker as a result of my car. I don't know why animals seem to be so attracted to it. I mean, it's just a Toyota!
**********
Went to Virginia this weekend (thank you Wilsons for housing us!) We went for a very sad purpose as it was for Helene's funeral. It was so strange being home. I mean, since my parents moved to NC, I had not been home since my girlfriend Sabrina got married in Nov 2006. Going home, you know, when I got there, it was as if there had been a piece of me missing and Virginia finally filled it. Yes, Texas has its charms. But, there is something about going home to Virginia.
It is not like Norfolk is the nicest town. I mean, there are some pretty run down parts of the city. Certainly, there are PLENTY of nice parts but there are LOTS of run down parts. I like to think that adds to its charm. No homogonized suburbanites here, that's for sure!
Our best day had to be Sunday, though. We took a ferry from one side of the shore in Portsmouth to the other to the AAA Norfolk Tides baseball game. Jack got to help the captain drive the ferry! Then, at the game, he got to run the bases afterwards. On the way home, he asked the captain if he could drive the ferry again. It was so great. It was Jack's dream day. I mean, where in Texas can you do that? Carry me back to old Virginny, indeed.
**********
I'm getting REALLY good at sneaking in food to a movie. That said, I do take personal pride in the fact that I snuck in a plate of fish tacos to the new Indiana Jones movie on Monday with my husband. I firmly believe that that sneak should go into the movie food sneak hall of fame. They were DE-LISH, by the way!
**********
We had a scare with Eva a couple of weeks ago. As I mentioned, she had a cold that turned bad. She then, got a fever. I called the doctor first thing in the am. I had an appointment around 2p, the same time I had an appt the day that Eva got sick. We were in the same room, I in my same seat, Dr. Kennedy in hers. Just as before, she could not really find out why Eva had a fever. When she went out of the room to go look for something, Eva started to take out the diapers from the drawer just as she did moments before her seizure.
It was deja vu all over again.
Dr. Kennedy decided to go ahead and send us to Medical City ER to have an xray, just as we did the day Eva was diagnosed. We got there and many of the same staff were there. They took her off to xray. As it turns out, Eva only had an ear infection that had caused her fever. While Jon and I waited for the results, so many things were pouring in my head. I'm not ready, I decided, to be able to handle a return of Eva's cancer. I'm not ready.
********
Actually, I think that it is just that I am too lazy when I get home. All I want to do is watch the Bachelorette or something mindless and then go to bed.
*********
I would also like to blame my lack of creativity on the home conditions. I mean, how can anyone be expected to write anything when your house is 100 degrees? Yeah, that's it! It was the house and not my laziness! I need an ideal temp of 72 degrees to maximize my creative juices.
********
I killed a pigeon the other day. My coworkers and I were driving back from lunch. This pigeon just jumped into the road in front my car! I tried to swerve away from it but I actually turned the car into it. Seconds later, it was no more.
*********
This gets added to a long list of animals I have killed in my day. Frogs, squirrels, birds, a possum, butterflies and now our friend pigeon all have met their maker as a result of my car. I don't know why animals seem to be so attracted to it. I mean, it's just a Toyota!
**********
Went to Virginia this weekend (thank you Wilsons for housing us!) We went for a very sad purpose as it was for Helene's funeral. It was so strange being home. I mean, since my parents moved to NC, I had not been home since my girlfriend Sabrina got married in Nov 2006. Going home, you know, when I got there, it was as if there had been a piece of me missing and Virginia finally filled it. Yes, Texas has its charms. But, there is something about going home to Virginia.
It is not like Norfolk is the nicest town. I mean, there are some pretty run down parts of the city. Certainly, there are PLENTY of nice parts but there are LOTS of run down parts. I like to think that adds to its charm. No homogonized suburbanites here, that's for sure!
Our best day had to be Sunday, though. We took a ferry from one side of the shore in Portsmouth to the other to the AAA Norfolk Tides baseball game. Jack got to help the captain drive the ferry! Then, at the game, he got to run the bases afterwards. On the way home, he asked the captain if he could drive the ferry again. It was so great. It was Jack's dream day. I mean, where in Texas can you do that? Carry me back to old Virginny, indeed.
**********
I'm getting REALLY good at sneaking in food to a movie. That said, I do take personal pride in the fact that I snuck in a plate of fish tacos to the new Indiana Jones movie on Monday with my husband. I firmly believe that that sneak should go into the movie food sneak hall of fame. They were DE-LISH, by the way!
**********
We had a scare with Eva a couple of weeks ago. As I mentioned, she had a cold that turned bad. She then, got a fever. I called the doctor first thing in the am. I had an appointment around 2p, the same time I had an appt the day that Eva got sick. We were in the same room, I in my same seat, Dr. Kennedy in hers. Just as before, she could not really find out why Eva had a fever. When she went out of the room to go look for something, Eva started to take out the diapers from the drawer just as she did moments before her seizure.
It was deja vu all over again.
Dr. Kennedy decided to go ahead and send us to Medical City ER to have an xray, just as we did the day Eva was diagnosed. We got there and many of the same staff were there. They took her off to xray. As it turns out, Eva only had an ear infection that had caused her fever. While Jon and I waited for the results, so many things were pouring in my head. I'm not ready, I decided, to be able to handle a return of Eva's cancer. I'm not ready.
Muchas Pulgas
My house has fleeeeeas...
My house has fleeeeeas...
Yes, this is a stupid song. Do you remember it? Usually, it is a "dog" that has fleas but for me, it is my house.
Last week, our air conditioner went out. When we called the friendly folks at American Home Shield (our warranty folks), they said they would send someone out right away (read: two days from now).
The man came in and said just two words, "Bad news". When your A/C guy says "bad news", you KNOW it means, bad news!
So our A/C compressor was out. The friendly folks at American Home Shield said that they would only pay the cost of the part but it would cost us $500 additional dollars to bring our unit up to "code". I don't know about you folks but I would like to know who is ALWAYS changing those codes? I mean, we had to pay $1,100! to have our water heater replaced because of CODES! And Home Shield bought the water heater! Don't get me wrong, I know that they do that so people don't have craphole houses with craphole crap in them but honestly, we have a nice house and does it really take $700 to make sure that our new water heater is exactly 18 inches off the ground instead of the 15 inches it was before? But I digress...
Back to the friendly folks at American Home Shield who only cover the cost of the part. Our A/C guy said, oh by the way, your unit is over 20 years old and instead of just replacing the compressor, you really, really, really need to replace the whole unit. Oh, and the friendly folks at American Home Shield will only pay $500 of it to replace your part that is broken. So, $3200 and five days later, we have A/C.
Oh, I forgot to mention that it is almost 100 degrees in Dallas right now. Yeah, poor Eva would wake up from her nap soaking wet, we had fans blowing everywhere but did nothing to cool the temperatures. Just one big sweaty house for a WEEK!
What does this have to do with the fleas, you ask. Well, last Thursday night, Jon came home from work, took off his socks and low and behold, he was eaten alive by fleas. After further investigation, we found more of them in the house.
Friday, we were heading to VA for the weekend. Oh, we'll take care of it when we return.
Monday morning, we returned home to find our nanny running out of the house. "Muchas pulgas! Muchas pulgas! " Crap. I know enough spanish to know that ain't good.
Jon and I left the kids in the car, ran into the house to grab whatever we could for tomorrow and headed to Jon's sister's house.
We were in the house for minutes and were covered in fleas. We ripped off our clothes and threw them in the washing machine and drove to Jon's sister's house in our skivvies. I felt like we were in some weird game show where we had 30 seconds to try to grab everything we could in our house before we lose $100,000. Dress for work? check. Jack's school uniform? check. Shoes for work? crap. It's not worth it, Kristi, stay away from the fleas. Just turn and walk away. You can wear your flip flops to work, no one will notice.
"Mommy, why are you driving in your underwear?" Jack asked. "Muchas pulgas", I replied.
How the heck did we get fleas? Well, it turns out that when our friend the possum came to visit us, he probably had fleas. Apparently, and I know WAY too much about fleas now, by the way, the eggs can lay dormant for up to 200 days. Once it gets too warm in your house, they hatch, then they mate like bunny rabbits or fleas, as it were. Then, those little blood suckers wait and wait for a host to come so they can pounce.
Damn you, you fleas, you will not beat me! I will reclaim my house! Just in a few days when you are all dead.
My house has fleeeeeas...
Yes, this is a stupid song. Do you remember it? Usually, it is a "dog" that has fleas but for me, it is my house.
Last week, our air conditioner went out. When we called the friendly folks at American Home Shield (our warranty folks), they said they would send someone out right away (read: two days from now).
The man came in and said just two words, "Bad news". When your A/C guy says "bad news", you KNOW it means, bad news!
So our A/C compressor was out. The friendly folks at American Home Shield said that they would only pay the cost of the part but it would cost us $500 additional dollars to bring our unit up to "code". I don't know about you folks but I would like to know who is ALWAYS changing those codes? I mean, we had to pay $1,100! to have our water heater replaced because of CODES! And Home Shield bought the water heater! Don't get me wrong, I know that they do that so people don't have craphole houses with craphole crap in them but honestly, we have a nice house and does it really take $700 to make sure that our new water heater is exactly 18 inches off the ground instead of the 15 inches it was before? But I digress...
Back to the friendly folks at American Home Shield who only cover the cost of the part. Our A/C guy said, oh by the way, your unit is over 20 years old and instead of just replacing the compressor, you really, really, really need to replace the whole unit. Oh, and the friendly folks at American Home Shield will only pay $500 of it to replace your part that is broken. So, $3200 and five days later, we have A/C.
Oh, I forgot to mention that it is almost 100 degrees in Dallas right now. Yeah, poor Eva would wake up from her nap soaking wet, we had fans blowing everywhere but did nothing to cool the temperatures. Just one big sweaty house for a WEEK!
What does this have to do with the fleas, you ask. Well, last Thursday night, Jon came home from work, took off his socks and low and behold, he was eaten alive by fleas. After further investigation, we found more of them in the house.
Friday, we were heading to VA for the weekend. Oh, we'll take care of it when we return.
Monday morning, we returned home to find our nanny running out of the house. "Muchas pulgas! Muchas pulgas! " Crap. I know enough spanish to know that ain't good.
Jon and I left the kids in the car, ran into the house to grab whatever we could for tomorrow and headed to Jon's sister's house.
We were in the house for minutes and were covered in fleas. We ripped off our clothes and threw them in the washing machine and drove to Jon's sister's house in our skivvies. I felt like we were in some weird game show where we had 30 seconds to try to grab everything we could in our house before we lose $100,000. Dress for work? check. Jack's school uniform? check. Shoes for work? crap. It's not worth it, Kristi, stay away from the fleas. Just turn and walk away. You can wear your flip flops to work, no one will notice.
"Mommy, why are you driving in your underwear?" Jack asked. "Muchas pulgas", I replied.
How the heck did we get fleas? Well, it turns out that when our friend the possum came to visit us, he probably had fleas. Apparently, and I know WAY too much about fleas now, by the way, the eggs can lay dormant for up to 200 days. Once it gets too warm in your house, they hatch, then they mate like bunny rabbits or fleas, as it were. Then, those little blood suckers wait and wait for a host to come so they can pounce.
Damn you, you fleas, you will not beat me! I will reclaim my house! Just in a few days when you are all dead.
Friday, May 09, 2008
Brrrr, time for a cooold winter!
This came from a girlfriend of mine and I thought I would post. She works for a natural gas company here in TX but I am sure this will be felt across the country:
Just wanted to warn you that the price of natural gas is going through the roof. This WILL affect your electric bill as well. Natural Gas is used to produce electricity. Currently, electricity is about twice the price of natural gas.
At the beginning of the year, we were at $7.50 per Mcf. They are predicting we will be at $11 by this summer and $13 by the winter heating months.
The price of natural gas for the next year will be higher than the prices were during Hurricane Katrina and Rita.
As I told my husband, it is time to bundle up the kids and break out that clothes line!
Just wanted to warn you that the price of natural gas is going through the roof. This WILL affect your electric bill as well. Natural Gas is used to produce electricity. Currently, electricity is about twice the price of natural gas.
At the beginning of the year, we were at $7.50 per Mcf. They are predicting we will be at $11 by this summer and $13 by the winter heating months.
The price of natural gas for the next year will be higher than the prices were during Hurricane Katrina and Rita.
As I told my husband, it is time to bundle up the kids and break out that clothes line!
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Confession Tuesday
Ok, it is Wednesday, again.
*******
Tuesdays seem to be a bit hard for me, right now. Maybe it is that I get all wrapped up with the Dancing with the Stars results show. I don't know. For the record, this season I am torn. I want Kristi to win, not only because we share a name and skating skill-level but because it is about time for a gal to win! But, Edyta...oh Edyta! It is your time, too, girl!
********
Last night, I had my first board meeting for the Family Advisory Board of the hospital where Eva stayed. While Eva was in the hospital, they were looking for volunteers to help serve on this committee. So, I did. The meeting went well. The topic? The ER. They asked the group, anyone been to our ER? I was like, yeah, which time in the three days would you like to know about? I think it will be good, though,and while I work in non-profit, it is nice to be volunteering again.
*******
I can't seem to get Jack to keep/put his clothes on. I'm not sure quite what is going on but the Emperor in our house definitely has new clothes.
*******
When I am on an airplane, I block the person in front of me from putting down their seat by placing my knee on the back of their chair. Then, I proceed to read a book or a magazine while they keep hitting the button and trying to get the seat back. I keep my knee there firmly in place until I am sure that he (it is ALWAYS a he!) thinks that his seat is broken. I know, it is awful but I'm sorry I am nearly 6ft tall and really? You HAVE to put your head in my face?
********
I was tricked on the flight home from NC by a guy sitting in the bulk head. I thought that surely, he has 20ft of room in front of him, why would he put his seat back? Bam, down he goes. When we boarded, I was so happy, too. I got the seat in the adjacent row while Jon took both kids as I had traveled with both by myself on the way out there. I thought, hey, I'm going to read my book this flight! This guy's seat was so far back, I could not get my book far enough away from my eyes so I could read!
So, I tried my tactic #2, seat bumping when I get up and down. Did not work. Ok, tactic #3, Jack? Want to sit in Mommy's lap for a bit? No go. Tactic #4, voodoo hex/hate eyes. Still did not work. So, for three hours, I sat cramped but that nice fella sure slept well. I hope he deserved it. I sure hope he was so tired from saving children from a burning building or perhaps feeding the hungry in Africa. If you are reading this Seat 31B, thanks a bunch!!!
**********
I have decided that if I ever write a book, I would title it "In Vino Veritas: A Wine Guide to Parenting"
**********
Eva does not speak very much but she does know more spanish than english. How sad is that? This weekend, I asked her if she was hungry, she just looked at me. Then I said, "Tienes tu hambre?" She said, "Si!"
*********
One thing about Jack, he tells some great stories but he has no imagination. He would sit in a room and you would say, ok, Jack, tell me a story. It would go like this, "Once upon a time there was a boy named, Jack. He was in his room with his Mommy sitting on the bed. He looked up and saw a light bulb and then put away his toys. The end."
But for some reason, he has had an explosion of creativity. Because Jack has a reputation of always telling the truth, people always believe him. Here's what I have learned over the past two weeks when people have asked: 1-My car broke down and Eva, Jack and I got picked up by a tow truck, 2-Jack went to Austin, 3-Jack eats tree bark and worms regularly for breakfast and my favorite, 4-Jack has a 10-year old brother named Sammy who lives in Montreal by himself but comes to visit Jack every Friday while I am at work. Yeah, THAT one was really fun to explain to a school parent! Hmmm, maybe I should fact check with Jon just to be sure...
********
Eva is still up. Jon put her in her pack and play. Here's a last shot of her trying to break out. Time for bed!
*******
Tuesdays seem to be a bit hard for me, right now. Maybe it is that I get all wrapped up with the Dancing with the Stars results show. I don't know. For the record, this season I am torn. I want Kristi to win, not only because we share a name and skating skill-level but because it is about time for a gal to win! But, Edyta...oh Edyta! It is your time, too, girl!
********
Last night, I had my first board meeting for the Family Advisory Board of the hospital where Eva stayed. While Eva was in the hospital, they were looking for volunteers to help serve on this committee. So, I did. The meeting went well. The topic? The ER. They asked the group, anyone been to our ER? I was like, yeah, which time in the three days would you like to know about? I think it will be good, though,and while I work in non-profit, it is nice to be volunteering again.
*******
I can't seem to get Jack to keep/put his clothes on. I'm not sure quite what is going on but the Emperor in our house definitely has new clothes.
*******
When I am on an airplane, I block the person in front of me from putting down their seat by placing my knee on the back of their chair. Then, I proceed to read a book or a magazine while they keep hitting the button and trying to get the seat back. I keep my knee there firmly in place until I am sure that he (it is ALWAYS a he!) thinks that his seat is broken. I know, it is awful but I'm sorry I am nearly 6ft tall and really? You HAVE to put your head in my face?
********
I was tricked on the flight home from NC by a guy sitting in the bulk head. I thought that surely, he has 20ft of room in front of him, why would he put his seat back? Bam, down he goes. When we boarded, I was so happy, too. I got the seat in the adjacent row while Jon took both kids as I had traveled with both by myself on the way out there. I thought, hey, I'm going to read my book this flight! This guy's seat was so far back, I could not get my book far enough away from my eyes so I could read!
So, I tried my tactic #2, seat bumping when I get up and down. Did not work. Ok, tactic #3, Jack? Want to sit in Mommy's lap for a bit? No go. Tactic #4, voodoo hex/hate eyes. Still did not work. So, for three hours, I sat cramped but that nice fella sure slept well. I hope he deserved it. I sure hope he was so tired from saving children from a burning building or perhaps feeding the hungry in Africa. If you are reading this Seat 31B, thanks a bunch!!!
**********
I have decided that if I ever write a book, I would title it "In Vino Veritas: A Wine Guide to Parenting"
**********
Eva does not speak very much but she does know more spanish than english. How sad is that? This weekend, I asked her if she was hungry, she just looked at me. Then I said, "Tienes tu hambre?" She said, "Si!"
*********
One thing about Jack, he tells some great stories but he has no imagination. He would sit in a room and you would say, ok, Jack, tell me a story. It would go like this, "Once upon a time there was a boy named, Jack. He was in his room with his Mommy sitting on the bed. He looked up and saw a light bulb and then put away his toys. The end."
But for some reason, he has had an explosion of creativity. Because Jack has a reputation of always telling the truth, people always believe him. Here's what I have learned over the past two weeks when people have asked: 1-My car broke down and Eva, Jack and I got picked up by a tow truck, 2-Jack went to Austin, 3-Jack eats tree bark and worms regularly for breakfast and my favorite, 4-Jack has a 10-year old brother named Sammy who lives in Montreal by himself but comes to visit Jack every Friday while I am at work. Yeah, THAT one was really fun to explain to a school parent! Hmmm, maybe I should fact check with Jon just to be sure...
********
Eva is still up. Jon put her in her pack and play. Here's a last shot of her trying to break out. Time for bed!
Two Months Down!
Went to the oncologist today. Eva looks fine, he tells me, besides the cold that I gave her when we kept her in the rain last weekend. Dr. Lenarsky was kind enough to check her ears for me so we don't have to take Eva to the dr. That saved me $30, thank you!
So, provided that her urine tests come back ok, we have knocked 2 months off of our 24.
Next month is the big appointment. She does a quarterly CT scan and then we meet with the dr. That is the scary one.
Here's a shot of Eva tonight as she has decided that she does not want to go to sleep.
In Loving Memory of Helene Gean
I went to the same school for 10 years. Grades 1-10. It was a terrific school and I am thankful for the education that I received there. My Dad worked at the school and in the summer after the 10th grade, I decided that it was time for me to experience a different environment...public school.
I remember it like it was yesterday. It was the first week of school. I was in chorus class and in walked this short little firecracker, Sabrina Gean. While she was only a sophomore, she owned the school. I loved her immediately. She decided that my "sweet sheltered wallflower act" would just not do. A lifelong friendship was born.
SG, as I call her (still), took me home one day to meet her Mom, Helene. Helene was french and loud and outspoken and hilarious. She tanned EVERY DAY, skin cancer be damned! She was the spitting image of Sabrina only a few inches shorter, if that was even possible.
But most importantly, Helene insisted that I call her Helene. Helene! I mean, I'm 16 years old, she wants me to call her by her FIRST name? I felt so cool and so grown up!
Helene and SG immediately joined our family. They were invited to every family celebration that we ever had from that point forward. Every graduation, every mother's day, every birthday party...not just mine, EVERY PARTY.
She was very fervent in her practice of the catholic faith. She and my father loved to discuss various points of which they firmly agreed on all. My dad dubbed her St. Helene of Gean.
One of my fondest memories of her was when France won the World Cup. She stood on her porch, waived her french flag and shouted, "Vive la France!! Vive la France!!" I heard her screaming as I rounded the street.
Helene was diagnosed with mylodysplasia a few years ago. In keeping with her strong personality, she fought hard. God took a new saint today, St. Helene of Gean. I know she will be watching over us and her beloved France.
I remember it like it was yesterday. It was the first week of school. I was in chorus class and in walked this short little firecracker, Sabrina Gean. While she was only a sophomore, she owned the school. I loved her immediately. She decided that my "sweet sheltered wallflower act" would just not do. A lifelong friendship was born.
SG, as I call her (still), took me home one day to meet her Mom, Helene. Helene was french and loud and outspoken and hilarious. She tanned EVERY DAY, skin cancer be damned! She was the spitting image of Sabrina only a few inches shorter, if that was even possible.
But most importantly, Helene insisted that I call her Helene. Helene! I mean, I'm 16 years old, she wants me to call her by her FIRST name? I felt so cool and so grown up!
Helene and SG immediately joined our family. They were invited to every family celebration that we ever had from that point forward. Every graduation, every mother's day, every birthday party...not just mine, EVERY PARTY.
She was very fervent in her practice of the catholic faith. She and my father loved to discuss various points of which they firmly agreed on all. My dad dubbed her St. Helene of Gean.
One of my fondest memories of her was when France won the World Cup. She stood on her porch, waived her french flag and shouted, "Vive la France!! Vive la France!!" I heard her screaming as I rounded the street.
Helene was diagnosed with mylodysplasia a few years ago. In keeping with her strong personality, she fought hard. God took a new saint today, St. Helene of Gean. I know she will be watching over us and her beloved France.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Confession Tuesday
Ok, so it is Wednesday.
Sorry for the delay. Just got back from vacation, had a busy day at work, blah blah blah, all the excuses we use for not writing.
***********
Not much to confess this week. I've been an angel.
***********
Who are we kidding.
***********
Let's see. Had great time at Fest. On Friday, Jack was off with his grandparents (thank you!) and got a sitter for Eva so that Jon and I could go off to Fest by ourselves and enjoy the day sans kids. Jon and his BFF Neil took off so he left just us gals by ourselves, generally, a dangerous thing to do during Fest. Kristi, Hannah and Cheryl, responsible parents/citizens became Doz, Coco and Shug, our 20-something alter-egos. We had a blast.
***********
On Saturday, Jack could not wait for the Imagination Movers to play. We were really excited to take him. Here's a confession for Jon. He injured himself really badly by pulling a muscle while dancing to a children's band. Don't let him fool you will some cool story. He pulled it at a children's music concert.
***********
Here's another confession for Saturday. We kept our children out in the rain at the Fest for three hours. I know, we're awful parents. They were having fun running in the mud, we were having fun running in the mud. Maybe I'm not that responsible, after all.
**********
I think that Eva has a cold because she played in the rain for three hours. I feel really guilty about that given everything that she's been through.
*********
I had to take the most depressing online class today for work. Child Abuse Training. It was AWFUL and I feel so sorry for those kids who have to deal with it! Of course, when they were talking about children abusing other children, one of the indicators to watch for was children who are obsessed with their body parts or the body parts of others. I immediately thought of my baby boy who likes to drop his pants and yell, "Look at my weeeeeeeeeei-ner!!!!"
**********
SERIOUS CONFESSION ALERT! I'm actually a bit late today in my confessions because I've been off my game a bit. My beloved grandfather, Dyda, had a stroke on Sunday. He's ok right now but I'm off to NC this weekend to visit him. Dyda's stroke just put me over the edge. Austin Meglar received his Angel wings on Thursday, I have 6 CLOSE friends whose mothers are very sick/and/or are in the hospital now and I still have not recovered from the Eva/Jack crisis. I keep wondering when it will all stop so that I can get my footing back. So, when does it all stop? Ever?
Sorry for the delay. Just got back from vacation, had a busy day at work, blah blah blah, all the excuses we use for not writing.
***********
Not much to confess this week. I've been an angel.
***********
Who are we kidding.
***********
Let's see. Had great time at Fest. On Friday, Jack was off with his grandparents (thank you!) and got a sitter for Eva so that Jon and I could go off to Fest by ourselves and enjoy the day sans kids. Jon and his BFF Neil took off so he left just us gals by ourselves, generally, a dangerous thing to do during Fest. Kristi, Hannah and Cheryl, responsible parents/citizens became Doz, Coco and Shug, our 20-something alter-egos. We had a blast.
***********
On Saturday, Jack could not wait for the Imagination Movers to play. We were really excited to take him. Here's a confession for Jon. He injured himself really badly by pulling a muscle while dancing to a children's band. Don't let him fool you will some cool story. He pulled it at a children's music concert.
***********
Here's another confession for Saturday. We kept our children out in the rain at the Fest for three hours. I know, we're awful parents. They were having fun running in the mud, we were having fun running in the mud. Maybe I'm not that responsible, after all.
**********
I think that Eva has a cold because she played in the rain for three hours. I feel really guilty about that given everything that she's been through.
*********
I had to take the most depressing online class today for work. Child Abuse Training. It was AWFUL and I feel so sorry for those kids who have to deal with it! Of course, when they were talking about children abusing other children, one of the indicators to watch for was children who are obsessed with their body parts or the body parts of others. I immediately thought of my baby boy who likes to drop his pants and yell, "Look at my weeeeeeeeeei-ner!!!!"
**********
SERIOUS CONFESSION ALERT! I'm actually a bit late today in my confessions because I've been off my game a bit. My beloved grandfather, Dyda, had a stroke on Sunday. He's ok right now but I'm off to NC this weekend to visit him. Dyda's stroke just put me over the edge. Austin Meglar received his Angel wings on Thursday, I have 6 CLOSE friends whose mothers are very sick/and/or are in the hospital now and I still have not recovered from the Eva/Jack crisis. I keep wondering when it will all stop so that I can get my footing back. So, when does it all stop? Ever?
And so my mind wanders....
Just back from Fest and had a fantastic time. Left Wednesday after work and drove halfway, which is about 4.5 hours or so. Got off to a late start because I was working later than I had hoped and since I did not pack the night before, I still had to pack and remove all the hawaiian shirts and Chelsea Football Club gear my darling husband had packed for my children.
Anyway, it was late and everyone was in the car asleep. And so my mind wandered...
(with apologies to Gilbert and Sullivan)
I am the very model of a modern Fest participant,
For 18 years I've come here in April to go to this event,
Was fired once while working,
For my duties I was shirking,
I am the very model of a modern Fest participant!
(chorus) She was fired once while working,
for her duties she was shirking,
She is the very model of a modern Fest participant!
The music is amazing as you move your camp from stage to stage,
armed with your cubes to guide you, you can find enough to engage,
Gospel, blues and Dixieland,
the stage that used to be Ray-Ban,
The music is a part of why I am a Fest participant!
(chorus) Gospel, blues and Dixieland,
The stage that used to be Ray-Ban,
The music is a part of why she is a Fest participant!
Creole stuffed bread and Monica, conchon du lait and gumbo,
The food tents filled up to the brim are the things that steals the show,
Crawfish bread or some stuffed in a sack,
Too much can cause a heart attack,
The eating marathon is the reason I keep coming back!
(chorus) Crawfish bread or some stuffed in a sac,
too much can cause a heart attack,
The eating marathon is the reason I keep coming back!
Anyway, it was late and everyone was in the car asleep. And so my mind wandered...
(with apologies to Gilbert and Sullivan)
I am the very model of a modern Fest participant,
For 18 years I've come here in April to go to this event,
Was fired once while working,
For my duties I was shirking,
I am the very model of a modern Fest participant!
(chorus) She was fired once while working,
for her duties she was shirking,
She is the very model of a modern Fest participant!
The music is amazing as you move your camp from stage to stage,
armed with your cubes to guide you, you can find enough to engage,
Gospel, blues and Dixieland,
the stage that used to be Ray-Ban,
The music is a part of why I am a Fest participant!
(chorus) Gospel, blues and Dixieland,
The stage that used to be Ray-Ban,
The music is a part of why she is a Fest participant!
Creole stuffed bread and Monica, conchon du lait and gumbo,
The food tents filled up to the brim are the things that steals the show,
Crawfish bread or some stuffed in a sack,
Too much can cause a heart attack,
The eating marathon is the reason I keep coming back!
(chorus) Crawfish bread or some stuffed in a sac,
too much can cause a heart attack,
The eating marathon is the reason I keep coming back!
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Confession Tuesday
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
Well, I can breathe a sigh of relief. For the past several weeks/months, I have been planning a function that was tonight. It is over. I can return to being my normal self. Return to my kids, return to my hubby, ahhhhhhhhhh.....
Tonight's event was a celebration of the end of my annual fundraising campaign. We still have not met our goal but are VERY close and I know we will get there in the next week or so. It sure would have been nice to be there now, but alas.
On to the confessions!
***********
Although I have been exhausted from working late hours, ignored my children and husband since the day I started, and stressed so much that I have not slept in the past three months, it has felt really good being at my job. I really like it and I love the folks that I work with. After two years of being home and that wonderful stint at the newspaper (that I also loved), having a high-pressure-must-get-it-done-now job feels kind of good. I'm not sure how I feel about realizing that, though.
***********
I wore my Bon Jovi hat to work on Friday. I could not wait to break it in. One of my co-workers related that I was like that middle school kid who wore the concert t-shirt to school the NEXT day after the show. Yeah, I'm STILL that kid.
***********
Today, for the first time, someone called me out for being offensive on my blog. He was right and Dave, if you're reading please see my response to your post. You know, I write so familiarly and think that everyone knows me so well (and honestly, the majority of you guys do) but I forget that some people do not know me. So, I do have to be careful. I do feel awful for writing something that could hurt someone's feelings. And, I appreciate his input.
***********
While I will do my best, I'm pretty sure that it won't be long until I offend someone again. I mean, the sad part is that I write whatever pops into my feeble brain and even still, I'm far more offensive in person. There is NO filter there! Just ask Joseph.
***********
I'm leaving for the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival with my hubby and kids tomorrow. This will be my 18th Fest. 18 years! I can't believe that I have been going to that festival for that long! It will also be the 8th anniversary of when I started dating my husband and I'm pretty sure it is the 12th anniversary for Jana and Tim (long overdue for another Fest trip!)
***********
Speaking of starting to date my husband, I'm looking for some good ideas on how I can tell the kids that Daddy and I started dating. Meeting while intoxicated at Pat O'Briens during JazzFest does not seem to have a good ring to it, so I am open for suggestions. Just for the record, don't suggest church because as many of you know, Jon is Jewish and I'm pretty sure the kids would be on to us if we tried to slip that past them. Any of you have any good stories Jon and I could steal to make our own? Also, I'm sure that Jana and Tim could also use some suggestions, as they are in the same boat.
***********
I can't decide what to eat first at the fest, crawfish bread, crawfish Monica or BBQ shrimp over spinach. Can anyone offer any suggestions?
***********
Here's a sign of the times. The only band that I know for sure that is playing at the Fest this year is the Imagination Movers. They are a NoLa children's band that they show on Playhouse Disney. Last year, at the Movers concert, I think that the parents were rocking out as much, if not more than the kids....Yeah, sing it Smitty! Please and Thank You ARE magic words!
***********
Ok, time to get packing. So much to do! If I don't get it done tonight, Jon will do it and heaven only knows what he will pack for my children. Eva will have all Chelsea soccer club gear to wear and Jack will have a suitcase of Hawaiian shirts. Time to get crackin'!
Until we meet again...
Well, I can breathe a sigh of relief. For the past several weeks/months, I have been planning a function that was tonight. It is over. I can return to being my normal self. Return to my kids, return to my hubby, ahhhhhhhhhh.....
Tonight's event was a celebration of the end of my annual fundraising campaign. We still have not met our goal but are VERY close and I know we will get there in the next week or so. It sure would have been nice to be there now, but alas.
On to the confessions!
***********
Although I have been exhausted from working late hours, ignored my children and husband since the day I started, and stressed so much that I have not slept in the past three months, it has felt really good being at my job. I really like it and I love the folks that I work with. After two years of being home and that wonderful stint at the newspaper (that I also loved), having a high-pressure-must-get-it-done-now job feels kind of good. I'm not sure how I feel about realizing that, though.
***********
I wore my Bon Jovi hat to work on Friday. I could not wait to break it in. One of my co-workers related that I was like that middle school kid who wore the concert t-shirt to school the NEXT day after the show. Yeah, I'm STILL that kid.
***********
Today, for the first time, someone called me out for being offensive on my blog. He was right and Dave, if you're reading please see my response to your post. You know, I write so familiarly and think that everyone knows me so well (and honestly, the majority of you guys do) but I forget that some people do not know me. So, I do have to be careful. I do feel awful for writing something that could hurt someone's feelings. And, I appreciate his input.
***********
While I will do my best, I'm pretty sure that it won't be long until I offend someone again. I mean, the sad part is that I write whatever pops into my feeble brain and even still, I'm far more offensive in person. There is NO filter there! Just ask Joseph.
***********
I'm leaving for the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival with my hubby and kids tomorrow. This will be my 18th Fest. 18 years! I can't believe that I have been going to that festival for that long! It will also be the 8th anniversary of when I started dating my husband and I'm pretty sure it is the 12th anniversary for Jana and Tim (long overdue for another Fest trip!)
***********
Speaking of starting to date my husband, I'm looking for some good ideas on how I can tell the kids that Daddy and I started dating. Meeting while intoxicated at Pat O'Briens during JazzFest does not seem to have a good ring to it, so I am open for suggestions. Just for the record, don't suggest church because as many of you know, Jon is Jewish and I'm pretty sure the kids would be on to us if we tried to slip that past them. Any of you have any good stories Jon and I could steal to make our own? Also, I'm sure that Jana and Tim could also use some suggestions, as they are in the same boat.
***********
I can't decide what to eat first at the fest, crawfish bread, crawfish Monica or BBQ shrimp over spinach. Can anyone offer any suggestions?
***********
Here's a sign of the times. The only band that I know for sure that is playing at the Fest this year is the Imagination Movers. They are a NoLa children's band that they show on Playhouse Disney. Last year, at the Movers concert, I think that the parents were rocking out as much, if not more than the kids....Yeah, sing it Smitty! Please and Thank You ARE magic words!
***********
Ok, time to get packing. So much to do! If I don't get it done tonight, Jon will do it and heaven only knows what he will pack for my children. Eva will have all Chelsea soccer club gear to wear and Jack will have a suitcase of Hawaiian shirts. Time to get crackin'!
Until we meet again...
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Confession Tuesday
Good evening! Getting a bit of a late start!
Well, this is not really a confession but LAST NIGHT'S CONCERT WAS AWESOME! Jon surprised me with floor seats so we were up close and personal! I cannot speak for Jon (although I often do!) but I'm pretty sure he was shocked to see his wife scream like a 16-year old for three hours. Maybe I should be ashamed of my behavior but I don't care. JBJ is my man. Just look at him!
My favorite part of the evening was when Jon (mine) could not take it anymore and just sat down in the middle of "I'll Be There For You". Then, all the people surrounding us (including the two guys behind us) started to serenade him. "I'll be there for you, these five words I swear to you, when you breathe, I want to be the air for you, I'll be there for you..." That picture will be forever burned in my brain.
******I bought a $35 hat at the concert. $35! For a hat??!! But you know what? I'm wearing that puppy all through JazzFest. Jon will be so happy and proud to be with me.
******So, we got home at midnight. When I woke up this morning, I had an email from our CEO asking me to speak at our all staff meeting. Crap! It was then that I was thinking that maybe I should have had some dinner with my beer. And perhaps, maybe I should NOT have screamed like a 16-year old for three hours because I had what Jon calls my Brenda Vacarro voice. I frantically made some hot tea for the caffeine and the vocal chord work! I think I pulled it off, though. Hopefully....
*****Montreal was amazing. If you have a chance to go, I highly recommend it. As great as it was, though, I was happy to get back to my babies at home. Five days is a long time to be gone.
*****I'm exhausted. Recently, it seems that I have been doing some really late night activities. Normally, I'm an in bed by 9 kinda gal but for the past couple of months, the nights have been filled with activity. Maybe it is just gearing up for summer. I don't know but my 38-year old body is feeling it. This weekend, we are heading to Austin to the Old Settlers Bluegrass Festival. Next week, it is JazzFest in New Orleans and I never get any rest there. I need some sleep!
*****Eva has been difficult lately. It seems that she has developed a knack for temper tantrums. A co-worker recently showed me this video and I have to admit, as hilarious as it is, it hit a little close to home. I guess that it made me feel a bit better. Also, I'm dealing with the fact that I feel a bit guilty because of Eva's cancer, if I don't take her in my arms and hug her every minute. What if her time is limited? I know that is completely irrational and I am actually doing BETTER for her by attempting to change her behavior but still...
*****The flip side is that Jack has been AMAZING recently! I don't know if it is the fact that he is growing, or the new classroom or the fact that we are keeping him all day at school but honestly, he just seems so happy at home. It is quite a difference from the sour puss we had visiting us for the last year or so.
*****Tonight, as Jack went to bed, he told me that he wanted to give me 100 kisses. I said, go for it! Then, he counted out 100 kisses on my cheek. What a way to end a chaotic day!
Monday, April 14, 2008
Wanted: Dead or Alive
Well, tonight is the big Bon Jovi concert! I will finally get to see my beloved Jon sing in concert with 15,000 of my closest friends.
As I have said MANY times, Jon and I have a special bond. We both do a mean rendition of Livin' on a Prayer but his is generally before a larger audience than my two children and my husband.
And I love him.
You can imagine my happiness when I opened up my surprise Christmas gift from my beloved Jon (Bon Bernstein) below.
Now, Jon (Bon Bernstein) has turned. He does not want to lose "cool" points with his peeps so he is brushing off the fact that I firmly believe that he is almost as excited as I am to see the show.
Today, I received this from one of his best friends and thought I would post the slightly edited version. Not to validate his argument but because I want you all to know what I have to put up with! What is wrong with you, SK, that you cannot see the beauty that is Bon Jovi?!? I mean, what's not to love? Who doesn't love a song where he says, "I've seen a million faces, and I've rocked them all!" Pure genius. Bob Dylan won a Pulitzer, maybe Jon Bon Jovi might be next!
Why not pay someone to run over your hand or to beat you around the neck and head. It surely would be cheaper and the long term affects would be less severe. I would think if you must purchase tickets and attend the show you would be due some compensation or favors.
From SK:
On the matter of actually shelling out hard earned money for Jon Bon Jovi I have a few thoughts.
Why not pay someone to run over your hand or to beat you around the neck and head. It surely would be cheaper and the long term affects would be less severe. I would think if you must purchase tickets and attend the show you would be due some compensation or favors.
Below I have listed what I would consider fair compensation for purchasing the Bon Jovi tickets and attending the concert with " The Fan."
For a period of one year.
For a period of one year.
1. Purchaser will never again awaken with the children. "The Fan" will attend to all the children's nocturnal needs. Purchaser will never be disturbed so as not to interrupt his Rock and Roll dreams.
2. "The Fan" must maintain strict confidentiality. She must support the purchaser when he denies having attended the show to any suspecting accuser.
3. "The Fan" will prepare all meals in the future buffet style with several choices for the purchaser. If nothing is to his liking a take out meal must be obtained immediately.
4. "The Fan" may never watch any type of realty TV or Lifetime channel again. Only sports and good rock and roll shows. Purchaser from now on will pick all movies.
5. At the show purchaser will be allowed to excuse himself at anytime especially if he is feeling physically ill.
6. Purchaser will select all acts to be seen at Jazz Fest. God forbid "The Fan" might want to go see Jimmy Buffet.
7. If "The Fan" gets pulled on stage to dance with Jon she must cover her face the entire time so as not to violate the confidentiality agreement mentioned above. If this footage is on the local news and people recognize "The Fan" and in turn people know the purchaser attended said Bon Jovi show the purchaser will be given the option of leaving the country for 6 months to let things die down. "The Fan" can also be admitted to an insane asylum there by providing the purchaser with an excuse.
8. "The Fan" will agree to drive on all vacations so the purchaser may sleep, read, or whatever. On trips without the children, purchaser will be allowed to use the back seat as a bed. Yes, even on short trips.
9. Each night purchaser will select a CD to play in an attempt to de-program "The Fan".
10. These penalties double if Bon Jovi covers a song the purchaser likes.
11. Penalties will also double if Bon Jovi decides to do a double encore.
12. The children are never to know this happened.
2. "The Fan" must maintain strict confidentiality. She must support the purchaser when he denies having attended the show to any suspecting accuser.
3. "The Fan" will prepare all meals in the future buffet style with several choices for the purchaser. If nothing is to his liking a take out meal must be obtained immediately.
4. "The Fan" may never watch any type of realty TV or Lifetime channel again. Only sports and good rock and roll shows. Purchaser from now on will pick all movies.
5. At the show purchaser will be allowed to excuse himself at anytime especially if he is feeling physically ill.
6. Purchaser will select all acts to be seen at Jazz Fest. God forbid "The Fan" might want to go see Jimmy Buffet.
7. If "The Fan" gets pulled on stage to dance with Jon she must cover her face the entire time so as not to violate the confidentiality agreement mentioned above. If this footage is on the local news and people recognize "The Fan" and in turn people know the purchaser attended said Bon Jovi show the purchaser will be given the option of leaving the country for 6 months to let things die down. "The Fan" can also be admitted to an insane asylum there by providing the purchaser with an excuse.
8. "The Fan" will agree to drive on all vacations so the purchaser may sleep, read, or whatever. On trips without the children, purchaser will be allowed to use the back seat as a bed. Yes, even on short trips.
9. Each night purchaser will select a CD to play in an attempt to de-program "The Fan".
10. These penalties double if Bon Jovi covers a song the purchaser likes.
11. Penalties will also double if Bon Jovi decides to do a double encore.
12. The children are never to know this happened.
Yeah, we'll see tomorrow. Don't even THINK that I'm not rushing the stage!
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Montreal--Part 2
Well, it is Sunday and I'm still here.
We have had a fantastic time. The conference was great and I learned a lot. The only thing was that for 48 hours, I did not leave this hotel. I was going stir crazy!
We have had a fantastic time. The conference was great and I learned a lot. The only thing was that for 48 hours, I did not leave this hotel. I was going stir crazy!
A View from My RoomDon't get me wrong. My bed was great, I had a huge tub with bubble bath that I purchased and could watch the American President in French but I really needed to do some walking...and soon.
So, Friday night, I finally convinced a local to direct our merry crew to a local joint away from all the touristy stuff. And they did. We had dinner at this terrific restaurant in a neighborhood and walked around in the cold, rainy/sleeting weather for a bit. It was like heaven for my lungs.
Yesterday, we finished the conference, and had some time to shop. I will firmly admit that while I have a great sense of direction, I absolutely took us the wrong way on our journey. But, we got to see far more of Montreal than we had anticipated so that is not so bad.
Last night, we went to a light show at the Basilica Notre Dame. It was simultaneously the one of the neatest things I have ever done and one of the cheesiest things I have ever done. Honestly, i can't even describe it to you to do it justice. Here are some things I learned, however: God is an Irishman; you can die sitting up and never drop the book you are holding; and apparently, you can come off a two-year voyage to a new world in the 1500's with a clean, white, starched shirt. I do have to admit, the timing of the rest of the show was fantastic. You really got to see what an amazing place that is. It is hard to pack that much in a $10 show! But, if you happen to be in this fair city before June, it is worth a look. If only so that you, too, can act out your own version of the video.
The AltarIn an attempt to do the polar opposite of that experience, one of my co-workers and I headed to a bar to watch the end of the hockey game and celebrate with the locals. That was fantastic. Their team (the red one) won and people poured into the streets, dancing, singing, and running in between cars to celebrate with those going by. It was great and I'm so happy we did that.
Random RevelersToday, a quick tour of the city and then off to the airport home.
Tomorrow, when I have my camera cord, I'll upload some pics of the trip. That is, if i have time before the BON JOVI CONCERT!!!!!! Less than 36 hours away....
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Montreal--Part 1
Well, in spite of the chaos that was Amerian Airlines today, we had a TERRIFIC flight here. We were fortunately booked on a 737 instead of the MD-80's that were grounded! It was touch and go for a bit as we were wondering if 1-flight would somehow get moved or 2-the promised storms would move in early and delay us.
Neither happened.
So, here I am in this terrific city. I have a room on the 18th floor of this great hotel overlooking a domed cathedral with the "mountain" in the background. I have a huge tub and a four-poster king size bed with NO ONE coming to visit me or screaming for me in the middle of the night. It could not be better...
Oh, yes, it could! I just turned the tv on and they are showing a documentary on ABBA in french!
Mais oui, c'est tres bien! Bon Soir!
Neither happened.
So, here I am in this terrific city. I have a room on the 18th floor of this great hotel overlooking a domed cathedral with the "mountain" in the background. I have a huge tub and a four-poster king size bed with NO ONE coming to visit me or screaming for me in the middle of the night. It could not be better...
Oh, yes, it could! I just turned the tv on and they are showing a documentary on ABBA in french!
Mais oui, c'est tres bien! Bon Soir!
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
One Down, 23 to Go!
We had Eva's one month oncology appointment today. Well, with the exception of being laughed at by the doctor for my overreaction to the teething incident, all was well! :)
We have to wait a week for some tests but they took a chest xray and it all looked good!
We have monthly appts for the next two years. I'll just mark them with a tick mark on the wall.
Now, off to Canada for the rest of the week! Let's sing it together, shall we? Ooooh, Can-a-daaaah, our home and native laaaaand...
We have to wait a week for some tests but they took a chest xray and it all looked good!
We have monthly appts for the next two years. I'll just mark them with a tick mark on the wall.
Now, off to Canada for the rest of the week! Let's sing it together, shall we? Ooooh, Can-a-daaaah, our home and native laaaaand...
Monday, April 07, 2008
Confession Tuesday
Confession Tuesday, ah, I missed thee...
Before I get going, I wanted to give a little shout-out to Gabrielle Frankowski who made her debut this week. Sure excited to get to know you, little one, when we get to JazzFest in a couple of weeks!
**********
First up, I am typing this confession one-handed while eating a chocolate popsicle. It is not a "real" chocolate popsicle but those folks at Skinny Cow sure know how to make a tasty substitute.
**********
It took me five minutes to type that last confession because I kept hitting all the wrong keys. I think I'll take a break and finish my popsicle.
**********
Done!
**********
Tonight, I had settled in for my weekly reality TV fest of Dancing with the Stars and The Bachelor. I put the kids to bed and off I go into the world of ballroom dance and the trash "romance"! Nubbin, tonight, would not cooperate and kept screaming and screaming. I was pretty bitter about having to go get her and bring her into the den. (I know, I'm TERRIBLE! but it is MY night!) Anyway, she sat on my lap, drank a cup of milk, bopped to the music, clapped at the end of each routine, and laughed every time Tom Bergeron came up on screen. It was actually like watching it with a friend! Nubbin was a much more engaged person than the usual grunts I get from Jon! Yes, Nubbin, that was a fantastic paso doble! I, too, agree that Marlee Matlin is consistently underscored! What did YOU think of all the glitter? I think we have a new routine, she and I. Sleep? Who needs it, little girl, Dancing with the Stars is on!
**********
I'm completely in love with this hardwood floor product my father introduced me to. It makes my floors look so SHINY that I am completly addicted to it. My dad told me to only put it on once per month. The first time I used it was two weeks ago. They got slightly dingy so I put three more coats on Sunday. I keep staring at it and showing everyone who comes into my house. Look at my floors, aren't they shiny? I need to be stopped.
**********
I just killed a spider.
**********
We were having a discussion at work about nicknames. It reminded me of a post Jan did a while back about all the names she could recall being called in her life. Here's mine in no particular order:
Resel, Binky, Bink, Binkster, Binkarama, Binkums, Aunt Binky, Aunt Bink, Aunt Kristi, Stinky Binky, Stink, Prissy Britches, Pris, Eva's Daughter, Gordon's Daughter, Dorothy's, Gordon's Ruth's and Paul's Granddaughter, Kristi, Anne, Dahlin', Roomie, Ding-a-ling, Sister, Big Sis, Friend, Special K, Gorgeous, Baby Girl, Shithead, Bitch, Dino, Miss Dozier, Doz, The Doz, Mrs. Bernstein, Princess Aurora, Azz Kik'Ah, Azz, Wife, 'Mam, Sweetheart, Love, Babe, Pumpkin, P2, Honey, Hon, Sweet Girl, K-Dog, KD Kanopy, Dumbass, Jack and Eva's Mom, Mommy, Mimi, Mom, Goodnight Mom
I can pinpoint each name absolutely with a person who called me that name. And, with the exception of Shithead (which was a name bestowed upon me by my mother's father, I might still need therapy for that one!) , well, and of course, Bitch, I pretty much love them all.
I'm sure that there are many, many more but that is all off the top of my head.
************
I'm off to Montreal for a work conference on Wednesday morning. I'm excited on several levels. One, I get to meet some colleagues from across the country and two, I've never seen Montreal. Honestly, I'm most excited to get chocolate croissants. (Thus, the Skinny Cow popsicles...can you bank calories!)
************
I get back from the conference on Sunday night. Monday night, it's BON JOVI, BABY! Have been waiting since Christmas for this concert!!! Maybe he'll pull me up on stage for a Livin' on a Prayer duet. That's right, Jonny, you and me, baby!
************
Today, it was so warm outside. When I got home from work, the kids and I started to weed one of my gardens. Jack broke out the hose, he accidentally sprayed me so I grabbed it and chased him around the yard spraying him until he was soaking wet. Poor Eva got caught in the crossfire but she is such a good sport, she thought it was great and kept running into the hose. We laughed, and laughed. It felt good to be spring, again.
************
One last confession. Tomorrow is Eva's one month appointment with the oncologist. I know that everything will be fine but I am still scared to death.
Before I get going, I wanted to give a little shout-out to Gabrielle Frankowski who made her debut this week. Sure excited to get to know you, little one, when we get to JazzFest in a couple of weeks!
**********
First up, I am typing this confession one-handed while eating a chocolate popsicle. It is not a "real" chocolate popsicle but those folks at Skinny Cow sure know how to make a tasty substitute.
**********
It took me five minutes to type that last confession because I kept hitting all the wrong keys. I think I'll take a break and finish my popsicle.
**********
Done!
**********
Tonight, I had settled in for my weekly reality TV fest of Dancing with the Stars and The Bachelor. I put the kids to bed and off I go into the world of ballroom dance and the trash "romance"! Nubbin, tonight, would not cooperate and kept screaming and screaming. I was pretty bitter about having to go get her and bring her into the den. (I know, I'm TERRIBLE! but it is MY night!) Anyway, she sat on my lap, drank a cup of milk, bopped to the music, clapped at the end of each routine, and laughed every time Tom Bergeron came up on screen. It was actually like watching it with a friend! Nubbin was a much more engaged person than the usual grunts I get from Jon! Yes, Nubbin, that was a fantastic paso doble! I, too, agree that Marlee Matlin is consistently underscored! What did YOU think of all the glitter? I think we have a new routine, she and I. Sleep? Who needs it, little girl, Dancing with the Stars is on!
**********
I'm completely in love with this hardwood floor product my father introduced me to. It makes my floors look so SHINY that I am completly addicted to it. My dad told me to only put it on once per month. The first time I used it was two weeks ago. They got slightly dingy so I put three more coats on Sunday. I keep staring at it and showing everyone who comes into my house. Look at my floors, aren't they shiny? I need to be stopped.
**********
I just killed a spider.
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We were having a discussion at work about nicknames. It reminded me of a post Jan did a while back about all the names she could recall being called in her life. Here's mine in no particular order:
Resel, Binky, Bink, Binkster, Binkarama, Binkums, Aunt Binky, Aunt Bink, Aunt Kristi, Stinky Binky, Stink, Prissy Britches, Pris, Eva's Daughter, Gordon's Daughter, Dorothy's, Gordon's Ruth's and Paul's Granddaughter, Kristi, Anne, Dahlin', Roomie, Ding-a-ling, Sister, Big Sis, Friend, Special K, Gorgeous, Baby Girl, Shithead, Bitch, Dino, Miss Dozier, Doz, The Doz, Mrs. Bernstein, Princess Aurora, Azz Kik'Ah, Azz, Wife, 'Mam, Sweetheart, Love, Babe, Pumpkin, P2, Honey, Hon, Sweet Girl, K-Dog, KD Kanopy, Dumbass, Jack and Eva's Mom, Mommy, Mimi, Mom, Goodnight Mom
I can pinpoint each name absolutely with a person who called me that name. And, with the exception of Shithead (which was a name bestowed upon me by my mother's father, I might still need therapy for that one!) , well, and of course, Bitch, I pretty much love them all.
I'm sure that there are many, many more but that is all off the top of my head.
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I'm off to Montreal for a work conference on Wednesday morning. I'm excited on several levels. One, I get to meet some colleagues from across the country and two, I've never seen Montreal. Honestly, I'm most excited to get chocolate croissants. (Thus, the Skinny Cow popsicles...can you bank calories!)
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I get back from the conference on Sunday night. Monday night, it's BON JOVI, BABY! Have been waiting since Christmas for this concert!!! Maybe he'll pull me up on stage for a Livin' on a Prayer duet. That's right, Jonny, you and me, baby!
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Today, it was so warm outside. When I got home from work, the kids and I started to weed one of my gardens. Jack broke out the hose, he accidentally sprayed me so I grabbed it and chased him around the yard spraying him until he was soaking wet. Poor Eva got caught in the crossfire but she is such a good sport, she thought it was great and kept running into the hose. We laughed, and laughed. It felt good to be spring, again.
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One last confession. Tomorrow is Eva's one month appointment with the oncologist. I know that everything will be fine but I am still scared to death.
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