Good Gravy, What a Good Weekend!!!

I told you sickness wouldn't keep me down. No amount of puking, nose blowing, coughing or anything else was going to keep me from seeing all of my wonderful friends.

My plans on Friday were canned as you saw. But I slept late on Saturday and felt a bit better. I jumped on the T (subway) and headed out to my old haunts near B.U. I spent the better part of Saturday afternoon visiting my wonderful friends that run stores & diners in that area. They all saw Pokemon Boy born and raised to about the age of 3. Some of them kept seeing him even after we moved away. So that was very cool. The owners of my favorite diner (and makers of the best pancakes this side of the Pecos) hadn't heard about the demise of my marriage. So that was sad news to pass on. I think it helped for them to see me in my current energized state and not in the weepy snotty mess of a few months ago.

I got to see my wonderful friend Tex (not his real name and pretty funny considering where I now live). We hung out and exchanged old stories. Then we sat there just emptying the closet of everything we could dig up. For some reason, we can tell each other anything. So we dumped on each other and it was refreshingly cathartic. Plus, he's just a very interesting and fun guy.

After that, I hailed a cab to run over to the other side of the river. Months of anticipation had gone into the plans for this evening. I haven't seen my friends from Boston Rock Opera days in years. Literally. I probably hadn't seen most of them for a year or two (or more) even when I was still living in Boston. So I had put together a gathering of a rather short list of them. My criteria was, have I talked to you in the last year - if so, you were invited. I just didn't want to have to fake the niceties of talking to people I hadn't kept in communication with. I also didn't want to have to retell the marriage implosion story over and over. Or maybe it was that I wouldn't have to tell it over and over because the peripheral people don't really want to know? I have no idea. But I kept it to a small list of people I've been in contact with over the last year or two. It ended up being about 12-15 of us? Can't really count. I don't have enough fingers.

I don't know if you've ever been to a gathering of musicians and/or theater people. It's not like any other gathering of people I've ever been part of. There is something very goofy going on with these types of people. We instantly revert back to our 8 yr old senses of humor. And we have no problem just letting go and laughing until our vocal cords are shredded. I needed a full night of just pure unbridled stupid laughter like that. And I have needed that for SOOOO long. Man! We were just dorks. It was beautiful. All of our MySpace pages are full of references to private jokes born of that night that probably aren't even funny. But we don't care. It fueled our hysteria and it will continue to do so until we are beating it dead on the ground. Such is the madness of our ilk.

At one point, I figured it must be getting close to midnight. I checked the clock to see it was 2:30am. And I had to get up for church in the morning!!! I don't stay up that late any more. I'm a suburban MOM, for the love of Pete!

So I cabbed it back to my hotel and spent a totally restless hour or so in my bed until I finally passed out around 4:30am. When the alarm went off around 9:30am, I thought, yah, this is absolutely the way to kick my illness. Not. But I wasn't going to miss my old church service. No way.

I jumped back on the T (subway again) and headed out to the area where we last lived before moving to Texas. The beautiful Alicia and Kristen picked me up at the T station and off we went to church. Now, I was a bit worried that Kristen's first experience with my old church wouldn't be stellar. I was praying for the head pastor to speak and the main worship band to play. That's the killer combination. We got there and saw that the head pastor was not scheduled to speak and I was bummed. We went and got bagels and drinks and met up with the effervescent Trish and her wonderful hubby. When we went into service, we were pleasantly surprised to see the head pastor DID speak. YEAH God! This guy is one of the most engaging and interesting speakers I've ever heard. And that hadn't changed since 2005. The worship team was not the A team but they were good and God uses the music no matter who performs it. So why was I worrying?

So pastor Dave introduces today's topic. Dating. We all had to laugh. They're all married and now I'm on the brink of having to enter the dating world again soon. So I thought in my head, "Ok God. Funny." But let me tell you, you didn't need to be single to get something from this lesson. Honestly, I was blown away by how God just notched the arrow and POW! right between my eyes! After the sermon, during the first worship song, I was standing there just going, "Wow God. You are AMAZING!" Blew my mind. Not only did the lesson really give me some insight into my own failed dating and marriage scenario. But it also put into perspective a little crush I've been having since last October. And by "little" I mean, pretending it's little while it actually has consumed a HUGE part of my heart. You women know what I mean. But I've been praying about this particular guy and I know it can't possibly go ANYwhere. And I tell God that. But still, I keep leaving the door open to it and trying to pursue it. Yes. I am human. Hear me squeak. So yesterday, God just highlighted all of the red flags he had already posted all around me that I was pretending weren't there. It really was quite humorous. I love the way God doesn't just slam me to the ground with painful lightening bolts. The lesson I got yesterday really was quite funny to me. But really quite serious.

So during the ending worship songs, there was this one I LOVE. And I was trying to just belt it out. I had to stop mid belt because the sheer hugeness of God's little tap on the shoulder and the beauty of the song just got me. And as I've mentioned before, I'm not a pretty crier and I can't sing when crying. I just let it all go. Lost it. My wonderful Trish very quietly bent down and then stuffed about 5 tissues into my hand. Bless you Trish.

After church, I sat with my wonderful girly entourage and told them about my epiphany. Twas good to get it off my chest and confide in wonderful people.

The rest of the day was spent at Alicia's house. Her hubby Art was there. Kristen, A and R all showed up soon after and then it was an event! Alicia cooked the afternoon away for us all. I actually ate a huge meal of ham, wonderful mashed potatoes and green beans. I even ate dessert! So I guess we can assume my stomach is all better.

Alicia drove me back to my hotel where we sat in the car and I vented a bit about life (and by "life", I mean my divorce). She has been one of my dearest friends forever, it seems. She has had to hold me up through quite a bit of this. I love her and Kristen so much for that. And Trish, too. I don't know what I would do without the pillars of friendship God has given me.

Anyway, today, I woke up late. I took a long shower. I posted pix on MySpace. I'm blogging now. I'll finish up and head back out to the B.U. area for breakfast (gotta have those pancakes now that my tummy will accept them). I'll visit with a few more friends I didn't get to see and then head back to the hotel area for dinner with another wonderful friend. Then, hopefully it's early to bed and early to catch my plane tomorrow.

I am so incredibly lucky. Not only did I have a blast. But God gave me a very gentle and humorous lesson. Very clear. Yes, another neon sign that I was trying to pretend I didn't see. Why he is this patient with me, I will never know.

Y'all rock. I will be back in the land of smiling people that actually make eye contact soon. Hope I haven't digressed to my cold introverted no-eye-contact self too much by then.

Smooches...

Ain't NUTHIN' Gonna Get Me Down!

Still in Boston. Still lovin' it. But sad about two things:
1) Jane can't come. Wah!
2) I got sick today. Double wah!

However, #2 makes it abundantly clear that it's a good thing #1 happened. I mean, yah Jane, come to Boston and nurse me to health while I puke and blow my nose. Good times. Good times.

But I'm still hopeful that this will pass quickly and I will be able to romp with friends tomorrow. I had to bail on hanging with an old friend tonight. I'm thinking my choice is really a service to him. This is not the kind of love one wants to share. Nope.

Here are a few pictures so you can experience Boston with me.

Here is one from yesterday during the day. My view off my balcony during the day is just as awesome as the night view!


Here is a view of my best friend from 5:30am today. That nice cold tile floor actually felt good. I am hoping to not reacquaint myself with Mr. Barfitorium any more today but my stomach is still deciding.


Here are more of my favorite things I acquired this afternoon after a quick stop at CVS.


And here is me being a big whiny baby in my wonderful hotel bed.


I refuse to let this get me down. Well, obviously, I'm down. But I slept a few hours already and plan to sleep in tomorrow. And then I will attack Boston with a fresh new vigor! And a fresh new box of Kleenex. And hopefully without a fresh new barf bag.

Annnnnnnd I'm HERE!

WOOOOO HOOOOO!!! Check out the view from my 17th story balcony!!! Jane, I can't wait for you to see this! It ROCKS!

The real big tall one is the Hancock Tower. I work right across from there. The one just to the left of it is actually just as tall but further away. That's the Prudential Center. Feels like home.

Right now, I'm going to head down to that lit area in the foreground and get some GRUB!

YEEEEEE-HA!

Boston Bound!

Tomorrow, I head up to Boston for 2 days of business and the 4 days of fun! I'll have the laptop with me and plan to do some blogging. But my days and nights booked up fast. I haven't seen many people on my last few trips as I was still too fresh and raw from the implosion of my marriage. But now I'm ready to see people. Well, most of them. I'm keeping the contact to people that really matter in my life.

I will get to see Kristen and her wonderful family. I'll see Trish and her fabulous hubby. And the biggest bonus is that Jane will join me on the weekend and she'll get to meet them, too! Along with a few other assorted and sundry friends of mine.

I cannot wait - I have been so excited about this trip for so long! But yesterday and today I'm oddly anxious. The raging sinus headache that is literally throbbing through my head and neck isn't helping any. But I think the anxiety stems from the fact that I'm leaving my boys for a total of six days. And that I've had to reach out to quite a few people to cover their care. Normally, it would just be my mom. But this time I asked future ex to step up. As their dad, he really should be the first stop for child care. So he's going to come stay with them and commute to his job. Which means neighbors and my mom will get the boys after school until he can get back from work. They're all being wonderful about it. But it has seemingly made me rather anxious. Just hoping it all goes smoothly.

I think most parents (and especially moms) have trouble leaving their kids and just enjoying the break. The mom part never shuts off. And since their dad hasn't been around them for large amounts of time...I am wondering just how rusty his patience might be.

Well, I can't keep worrying. I actually think most of the anxiety is gone and it's this dang headache that's really doing me in at the moment. I've gotten all the bills paid, the child care is all set, the house is stocked with food and the upstairs is clean. Still have to get the downstairs looking less like a toy bomb went off. Still have to get that last load of laundry finished, get a few things over to my mom for safe keeping, and then pack. Oh, and finish lining up people to cover food service at church. I'm so glad you reminded me!!

If this headache wasn't the center of my universe at the moment, I'd tell you just how excited I am that I'm heading up to the relatively frozen tundra of my old home town. I will get to see my coworkers in person again. One of my favorite friends is picking me up at the airport and will go with me to get dinner. I will have lunch with my old work pals and dinner with my current work pals on Thursday. Friday, I will be hanging out with another friend of mine that I haven't seen in a couple of years. Saturday, Jane will get a small posse picking her up at the airport - ok, there will just be two of us. But still - that can be a posse, right? That night we'll visit with a bunch of my old rock theater friends. Sunday we'll visit my awesome former church - Trish's current church. And then we'll go hang with Kristen and our other friends that have been my lifelines and rocks through the last decade or so. YEAH!!!

I really am not conveying the true depths of my thrillosity over this trip. If you could see my face, you would SEE the headache.

I will go now. I am not forming much goodness here. Gah. I will try to post while in Boston.

Smooches...

Friday Night Lite...

This one is for Jane. She totally cracked me up with her post today. Mostly because I have those SAME glasses (thanks to Pokemon Boy). And I took this picture in them just to make myself and Pokemon Boy laugh. Then, for my church Christmas party, I blew it up, framed it and wrapped it for the White Elephant gift exchange. My friend ended up "stealing" it from someone (and he was very glad she did). She actually WANTED this!!

In Boston, we call this "wikkid retahdid"

There you go Jane. We are WAY too much alike!!!

The Funeral

On Tuesday, I took about 4 hrs off from work to attend a neighbor's funeral. Around the corner live a woman, her husband and her sister. I'll call the woman Connecticut Yankee and her sister will be Sweet Sister.

I don't even remember how I met CT Yankee and Sweet Sis. It may have been in my initial pie delivery from my little red wagon in 2005. But meet them I did. And we hit it off immediately. CT Yankee and I very quickly made the New England connection. But then we made the Connecticut connection. I grew up mostly in CT. And I grew up about 20 minutes from where she grew up. Actually, she was born and raised in the next town over - the town in which I had my first job as a prep cook (oh the glamor!). Sweet Sis was incredibly sweet and just a lovely woman so I have gone out of my way to run down the stairs and call out a greeting at the door if I see them walking their dogs.

One time...I think it was in 2006, Sweet Sis was walking her little dog with one of her grand nieces (CT Yankee moved here to be near her daughter & 3 granddaughters). I was on a neighbor's porch when I heard a commotion. I turned around to see Sweet Sis down on the sidewalk and her grand niece trying to help her up. I went running over and asked if I could call an ambulance or go get her sister. She didn't want me to do either. But she was having a hard time getting up. I had always noticed her being a bit unsteady and had incorrectly assumed she was a stroke survivor. She actually had Parkinson's. Anyway, her grand niece and I got her up and she was able to make it home. I never mentioned that again and hoped it hadn't embarrassed her.

On Christmas day, I was in the driveway with Big Sis and Tall Guy saying goodbye. CT Yankee, her hubby and Sweet Sis all came walking by with Christmas cards in hand. They hand delivered one to me and met my Big Sis and Tall Guy. We exchanged pleasantries and I hugged the two sisters. They walked away continuing their walk back home around the block.

A couple of days later, I saw CT Yankee walking the dogs. I ran outside to say hello. When I did, she gave me awful news. It appears that when they had returned to their house on Christmas day, Sweet Sis had a massive stroke. She was taken to a hospital in Austin.

She ended up being paralyzed. She lost sight in one eye and partially in the other. She couldn't speak and they said she never would again. She could hear. But aside from that, she was locked in. Trapped in her own body. It was just too horrible to imagine.

I prayed hard. And I prayed the hard prayers. I asked God to please do what was best for Sweet Sis. And to comfort CT Yankee and her family. I had an idea what the best might be but wasn't sure what God had planned.

Last Friday, I was coming home from a daytime appointment. I saw CT Yankee and her hubby getting in their car. The time of day worried me as I knew they'd normally be with Sweet Sis. I drove over and asked for an update. Hubby had to tell me. CT Yankee couldn't even say it. Sweet Sis had passed about 2 hours earlier. It was painful to hear. But God is good. He didn't let her linger too long.

When I got the email with the date and time of the funeral, there was no doubt in my mind that I'd go. And I'm so glad I went. CT Yankee and Sweet Sis were transplants to Texas like me. They haven't been here all that long so don't have a large network here. CT Yankee has a daughter and her family around the corner. And one son about 90 minutes away. The other children all live in California, I believe. So only the local family was able to come. A coworker of CT Yankee was able to come. And me.

At the viewing, I got to hear stories and watch a DVD of old pictures. I found out that Sweet Sis had never married. Never even dated. She had opted in stead to care for her ailing mother. Later, she cared for another sister that eventually died in her 50s. They had also lost a brother when he was 52. Sweet Sis had spent her life in service of those that she loved the most. It just filled my heart to know that. It made so much sense of the sweet demeanor I had encountered. She was just the most amazingly gentle and loving woman.

I also learned that her unsteadiness had been from Parkinson's, not a stroke. CT Yankee told us all a cute story. Their pug, Max, loved to sit up on Sweet Sis' lap. All 26 pounds of him! Because of her Parkinson's, her hand would shake. Max loved this because he just thought she was always petting him! I just love that story.

CT Yankee also told me that Sweet Sis had indeed told them about her fall and my assisting her. It had meant a great deal to her. I'm glad I was able to do that one small thing for her. She also told me that I had been the last person to hug Sweet Sis. I cannot tell you how wonderful that made me feel. I feel very blessed to know that.

You know, years ago, I had sworn off funerals and the like. I cited some half baked story about how my own father's death had put me off of them. Not really true but most people left me alone when I waved that flag. I just couldn't handle them. I didn't like the morbidity I presumed it all represented. I didn't like to be reminded of death. I didn't like the doom and gloom. What a silly git.

Over the years, I've realized that it ain't about me. I now understand that I am there to pay homage to that person. Not because that person needs it. What do they care? It's for those that remain behind. Those that are missing that person terribly. It's to show the survivors that your loved one MATTERED. Your loved one made a difference in some one's life. Your loved one made this world a little better for being here. I honor the dead to help the living. I actually felt it was my honor to be there for Sweet Sis and her family.

And I'm so glad I got to see that DVD of family pictures. I got to see Sweet Sis as a young woman, smiling and happy. And I honored her family. They are people worth that effort.

I will miss Sweet Sis. I will make sure to watch out for her little sister while she's gone.

The Eagle Has Landed...I Repeat: The Eagle Has Landed!

That's what I said when I called my sister in NY to tell her that dad was home. She didn't think it was funny either. You want good humor - check the dairy aisle.

Anyhoooooo...dad was released from l'hopital today (that's French for "place where everyone is wikkid sweet to you even while they poke & prod you, the food is good and they have comfy beds"). His white blood cell count was good and his chest sounded clear. Mom wasn't there, apparently, when the doctor declared the emancipation proclamation. I think she (and a few other family members) is a wee bit concerned that he still has some periodic coughing. But having talked to my sister-in-law-slash-nurse and knowing the insurance business, they kept him as long as they could. They dosed him up with one last bag o' antibiotics via IV and released him with a 7-day prescription for oral antibiotics. So yes, we would love your prayers! Thank you so much for offering.

I will update you more when there is more to update about. For now, I will sign off as this particular posting is rather fraught with too much wise-guy-ness.

And now, let's go see how much spell check hates all my made up words.

I've Got Some Good News and Some Bad News...

First the bad (but not too bad)...

I sent an email yesterday to a lot of you. But for those of you not on my email list, dad is back in the hospital. He went in early yesterday (Sunday). They feel it's pneumonia. He just has this incredible cough that wracks his whole body and leaves him intensely weak. Big Sis, Tall Guy and I visited him last night. He wasn't able to talk much as talking triggered the bad coughing. He found a position sitting up in a chair, leaning forward that seemed to alleviate the coughing mostly. But certainly not the most comfy position for someone exhausted from no sleep due to coughing.

Mom says he's better today - but to me, "better" is a relative term. I don't feel like he's out of the woods yet but he was able to talk to me on the phone with minimal coughing this morning. He sounded like he felt better, though. So the docs have told us to expect him to stay longer this time around.

I have to tell you, my pastor told me that he's starting to take dad's hospitalizations personally. These last two have happened on either Sunday morning or Saturday night. Our church definitely misses my parents when they don't show up! I sure do thank God for the way my church has adopted my parents as their own.


And now the good (or the cute)...

Today was Lil' Bro's first day of any kind of formal preschool. They just built a brand new day care and preschool center in our development. It's one of those real awesome ones that actually has a curriculum for the kids. They will play, obviously. But they also learn sign language, Spanish, math, and reading, among other things. The place just ROCKS. I love it. They provide a hot lunch for the kids every day. Even breakfast if you get there early enough. They'll take the kids from 6:30am to 6:30pm. Amazing. A cool bonus is that Lil' Bro's previous day care person (my neighbor around the corner) is a teacher there now! So he'll know someone there already.

Future ex drove up this morning to be there for the first day of school. So we all hopped in the car and drove him the maybe 1/3 mile down to the school. We dropped him off and he looked a wee bit tentative. He's not used to environments like that. Many of the other kids obviously were. But there were no tears or anything like that. We left to do some paperwork in the lobby. They have this huge flat screen TV there with all of the classroom monitors on there. Every room has a camera. So we got to watch Lil' Bro putter around. We could tell he was fine so we left. As we walked by the window to his room, we saw him standing there with a big police helmet on, smiling. So I think he's doing fine.

Here are some cute pictures from this morning:

Lil' Bro is ready to go!

(Note the puppy shirt - he loves puppies)

Pokemon Boy and Lil' Bro

The Boys and Me

Pokemon Boy is here making sure I don't go back to calling him "The Boy". My typing police!

I just snapped a couple of cute pictures of the boys and me. I'm horrified by how this picture shows every freckle and sun spot. What happened to my perfectly creamy skin of my 20s? Oh well. I will have good skin vicariously through my boys.

Here we are:

Here is Pokemon Boy giving the hugest smile he could muster.


Here is Lil' Bro being adorable.

In With The New

Thanks to my wonderful Big Sis and Her Ridiculously Tall Hubby, I have new bedding. Granted, I still have to get rid of the old bed. But it's a start.

For Christmas, Big Sis & Tall Guy gave me a comforter/sham/bed skirt set. When she got here and saw my room again, she told me she didn't think it fit with what I had started. So she provided the Target gift receipt. Today, I went and exchanged it. I got a gorgeous quilt with matching shams. My mom will be happy to note that the quilt is long enough to hide the box springs. I was telling her earlier today that I'm not a bed skirt kind of person. They seem awfully girly to me. She told me we'd have to see if my box springs showed. I think she was going to get those box springs covered if it killed her. So they are covered. And no bed skirt for me. YEAH!!

I love my bedding. It's very grown up for me. It's a departure from the 20-something decore I've clung to for the last few decades. I still want to get a few more throw pillows to fill it out. And I have to eventually replace the whole bed and get some curtains and general furniture in my room. But that can all wait until the stupid divorce is all finalized and all the physical possessions are actually handed out.

So for now, here is a before and after shot of my bed. Ignore any of the mess I wasn't able to crop out. Just focus on the bed and the metal sculpture over the head of the bed.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Dad Is Home and Happy New Year

Dad just got home a while ago. The blood cultures are not back yet so we still don't know what is causing the fevers. But he was doing well enough to allow him to go home with some antibiotics. He sure is happy to see the new year in from his own comfy chair! I just dropped off two burgers from their favorite spot. So hopefully, they will have a nice mellow ringing in.

I am home with my two gorgeous boys. I would prefer this quiet night in with my boys to any kind of party. I spoke to Jane earlier today and she has similar plans with her daughter. I hope that, however you choose to celebrate the arrival of this new year, it is exactly what you want and it's filled with laughter and fun.

Here is to an amazing 2008. Can't wait to see what it brings. Bring it on, God! I'm ready!!!!

My Dad and a Meme

MY DAD:
I got home from the ER a little while ago. It's not as bad as it sounds. In this case, the ER was the only doc available. Dad has a cold. The last two days, he's spiked high fevers and had really bad chills. He said he's never had chills like this in his life. They exhaust him.

Tonight, he had horrible chills and was up above 103 F. The on call nurse said protocol for his age is for him to be seen within 4 hrs. So mom called me to tell me they'd be taking him to the ER near me. I was in my PJs just poking around on MySpace and about to do my blog walk. So I put on jeans, went to Starbucks, got coffee for mom and me and headed to the ER. I beat them there. So I got the paperwork started and waited. Mom drove dad up to the ER door. I got him in the wheel chair and in the ER while she parked. The nurses were saying stuff like, "Well, you liked it here so much you decided to come back!"

I stayed with mom & dad until about 11pm. I wasn't doing much good just sitting there making bad jokes. He wasn't feeling great and my jokes weren't helping any. When I left, they had pulled blood & urine, taken his blood sugar, done an EKG & chest xray. So they were trying to determine the cause of the high fevers. I imagine they kept him over night. I called my oldest brother to let him know. We'll alert the rest of the family if we need to. But I think for now, he's ok. Poor guy just wants to sleep in his own bed.

I'll update as I know more. Your prayers are always welcome.

AND NOW THE MEME:
This was a general tag from Angela. And it looks cute so I'll take it. It is a year end re-cap. In this meme, the tagee is to post the first line, of the first post for each month of the year.

January
So my cousin Kendra just poked me last night (via family email) and reminded me that I haven't posted anything here in a while.

February
I've been tagged by my favorite new author Trish.

March
The Boy is six.

April
This is a few months old.

May
Well, it's been 2 weeks since the whole thing officially blew up in my face.

June
Ok - this one cracks me up.

July
You know, I don't even know what to think of THIS little development.

August
I've been annoyed how life has derailed my original intent of this blog.

September
Two words: Intestinal. Virus.

Rocktober
I just got home from my business trip to NJ and Boston.

November
I'm trying to catch up with every one's blogs.

December
Dudes & dudettes, I proudly announce that I am the mother of an almost-4-yr old that has been out of diapers and/or pull-ups for a whole WEEK now.

I tag anyone who wants to do this.

A Few Pix For You

I finally downloaded all the pictures from my camera. I haven't been taking much with it because I knew I couldn't download them (home PC is behaving badly). Most of the pix you've seen lately are from my cell phone.

Let's see what I can find here.

Oct. 26th - a belated birthday cake from my neighborhood Chick Nite girls. A varying group of us gather at my house on those Fridays where future ex has the boys. They surprised me on this particular night. I have to just say here how much my neighbors rock. If you recall, I had prayed long and hard for good neighbors. All I wanted were quiet people who weren't flicking cigarettes into my yard or peeing on my lawn. What I have gotten is a huge support group and some really awesome friends. God rocks.


Oct 31st - the Pokemon pumpkin I attempted for Pokemon Boy. It's a Piplup. Look it up because I don't get it, either. I had to make my own pattern as there were no carving patterns for any Pokemon that I was able to find.


...and here is the puppy pumpkin I attempted for Lil' Bro. He wanted me to make "Buddy" - his Old Navy plush dog rattle. Again, this was a pattern I made myself. It didn't really photograph well. I did the best I could. I wasn't thrilled with it but he loved it. I guess that's all that matters.


Nov 3rd - Lil' Bro came down with a weird fever thing. The first hint was how he fell asleep on the ottoman in the middle of a TV show. He slept like this for probably 30 minutes or more. Note the lack of concern on Pokemon Boy's face in the background.


Nov 17th - I kept Lil' Bro up too late, apparently. Pokemon Boy informed me that I might need to put Lil' Bro to bed. I asked why he thought that. He directed me to the back of the couch. This is what I found - the back view. Note that he's sleeping on top of a large metal model Nascar.


...and here is the front view. Fast asleep on his "Buddy" dog. I cannot tell you how much this face slays me. I wish you could see the whole view of him sprawled out amongst all of the toys. It really was quite a testament to my Mother of the Year skills.


Dec 22nd - Lil' Bro had his 4th birthday fun at one of those inflatable places in town. Pokemon Boy, Neighbor Boy and Neighbor Girl all joined him for the jumping fun. Here they are posing for me. Bunch of goobers!


...here is Pokemon Boy doing his best to look not jealous of all the presents and attention Lil' Bro was getting that day. I just think this is a cute shot of the both of them.


Dec 24th - Christmas Eve - Here is a shot of the fireplace after my Ridiculously Tall Bro-In-Law finished assembling the wheelie car thingies. Big Sis helped me stuff the boys' stockings. Mine had 2 things of chocolate in it. The 4th stocking had toys for the dogs. Wanda, do you see your print up there on the mantle? Don't worry - it's slated to be properly framed and hung. I promise!


...and here is how the front room looked with all of the presents placed under and around the tree. I just love my tree. And Big Sis helped me drag all the presents from my room down to the tree. She rocks, if I haven't mentioned that already.


Dec 25th - Christmas Day - There are tons of shots of the boys opening their glut. But this one just defines them. We had to take a lengthy break in the opening of presents at one point. Both boys had opened books. So we had to stop while they read their books. I love that they didn't chuck them across the room in disgust. Like I probably would have. HA!

The Day After

The Boy...oh sorry...Pokemon Boy commented yesterday that he was worried about today. You know, the day after. I was surprised that a 7 yr old would grasp the concept of how much of a bummer the day after Christmas can be. But yah, he knew that, compared to the endless cornucopia of presents he and Lil' Bro experienced yesterday, today could very well seem like the end of the world.

I don't have that problem. Christmas rocked. I loved being with my parents, Big Sis and her Ridiculously Tall Hubby. Oh, and with their dog (my nephew), Sid. Not to mention my little dachshund friend, Kali - who I am watching for my wonderful church friends while they travel. So we had a full house of loving family and two wee dogs. How fun is that?

Big Sis and her Tall Hubby stayed over Christmas Eve. Her Tall Hubby assembled the two ride on toys from Santa (one for Pokemon Boy and one for Lil' Bro). [I have asked God to hugely bless him for doing that. That assembly was totally weighing on me for weeks. And I just never got to it.] We got everything all placed under the tree and by the fire place and were in bed by midnight. That's a record compared to years past. Again, that is due to the expert assembling skills of Tall Bro-In-Law.

Lil' Bro woke me at 6am - he was wet. So we changed him and I pulled him into bed. He slept for another hour. And by "slept", I mean he tossed and turned and played with his favorite stuffed dog. Finally, he could take it no longer and started to leave my room. I told him to go get in bed with his brother - hoping to buy myself another hour of sleep. Yah. Good luck with that. 7:26am, they were both in my room about to burst. I figured Big Sis and Tall Bro-In-Law needed the joy of being woken early on Christmas morning by their nephews. Away I sent them. But Big Sis and Tall Guy are made of sturdier stuff than I. They did not awaken - only pulled covers over their heads. So the boys, both dogs and I went down stairs.

The boys ran into the tree room and gave the perfect oohs and ahs. I directed them to the living room to see the ride ons by the fire place. Lil' Bro goes, "Ooooooh!...What IS it?!" Too funny. Big Sis and Tall Guy came down pretty soon afterwards. The boys had already dumped out their stockings and were playing with the loot. We made a big scrambled egg breakfast with bacon & two kinds of sausage. I had mini-scones from my local grocery bake shop that are to DIE for. Big Sis made the coffee. It was awesome.

Mom & dad came at the end of breakfast. And we all started opening presents. And by "we", I mean mostly Pokemon Boy and Lil' Bro. We adults had a few for each other. But let's face it. It's a day for kids. And it's more fun to watch them overload on joy.

My boys have no idea how blessed they are. They have no clue that they have more than the normal number of grandparents. They have no clue that most people don't have like 947 aunts & uncles. And this year - I think due to my "circumstances" - everyone seemed to make extra sure to send a little something. I seriously need to hold a garage sale or something.

In the afternoon, future ex came to pick them up for his time with them. This is where divorce benefits the kids. Two sets of stockings. Two sets of present opening. It truly is a day of glut for them. Ahhhh...enjoy it now, boys. Enjoy it now.

Today, we had Neighbor Boy with us as his mom had to work - even though I tried to convince her to play hooky with us. That depression Pokemon Boy was worried about? Never hit. Neighbor Boy is the same age as Pokemon Boy and equally obsessed with all things Pokemon. And he and Lil' Bro play so well together, too. He's like a 3rd brother in our family. So they had a blast. Then, toward the end of the day, the FedEx Penske rental truck [I can only assume they are swamped with holiday backlog and had to actually rent trucks to assist in the delivering] pulled up and delivered a huge box from my birth mom. So we got to open all of those tonight. It was really unexpected. And was filled with tons of stuff for ME! She told me that I had mentioned a while ago that I won't have anything under the tree on Christmas day. Future ex and I used to spoil each other rotten on Christmas. So I figured I'd have one thing under the tree - one thing that I bought myself! She heard that and said, no way! And boom, there it is. A box full of fun and sundry items. Only a few were labeled. She told us all to just open them and share them all. Lil' Bro opened a box of sports bras ("Mommy...I didn't WANT sports bras!"). Pokemon Boy opened a box with 6 bikini undies in them ("Oh I've wanted these my WHOLE LIFE!" quipped he). It was such a sweet thing for her to do. It really made today even more fun than it already was.

So Christmas has been great this year. A bit funky due to the fractured family. I never thought I'd be doing the whole kid sharing thing. But we did it this first year and survived.

I have to admit that I had asked God to help me really feel the spirit on Christmas. It is really really hard to pull my head from that proverbial arse of self involvement. Fortunately, God is stronger than my own imperfections. What with being the creator of all things and all.

I am having one of those wonderful days that God seems to bless me with of late. I am filled with this excitement. This anticipation. Like, something big is coming. And I can't WAIT to see what it is. I don't know if it's going to be some new project I'll tackle. Maybe it's some new friends. Maybe it's a new guy. I don't really feel like it's the guy yet. But something big is coming. It's like waiting for Christmas day when you're little. Isn't that weird? I love this feeling. I almost don't want whatever it is to get here. I rather like this excitement. But it's from God so I'm sure I'll be glad when it finally does get here.

Merry Day After Christmas, everyone!

*I will post pictures soon. I'm just way too lazy to go downstairs to get the camera and cables. I know. I'm pathetic.

Merry Christmas Eve, Y'All!

Message from MySpace:
Here's a bulletin I just posted on my MySpace site (it doesn't show up on my public profile - just goes to all of my "friends" to whom I am connected) where I am connected to more of my secular world than my God world. I decided not to water down my message with "Happy Holidays" like I would have in the past. I was inspired by #7 in Moanna's Christmas Hoopla post the other day.

Merry Christmas y'all

Sorry for the politically incorrect subject line but it's what I celebrate so I hope it's happy for YOU.

I pray that God touch each and every one of you with the real spirit of the season. With most of 2007 behind me, I am looking back and actually not cringing. Let me tell you, the point is not lost on me that God has surrounded me with the most beautiful group of miscreants that love and support me on a lot of different levels.

Thanks to every single one of you for making me smile this year. I ask that God bless every single one of you in some significant way. I mean, ASIDE from knowing me (haha!).

Love you all...L.y.n.e.t.t.e

Message from BloggerLand:
I really meant my post above. I am constantly blown away by how God keeps providing support for me. 2007 has severely sucked on many levels. But the interesting thing is, when I look back? That's not the overwhelming sentiment. The overwhelming feeling is absolute wonder at how many people God brought into my life. How many little financial windfalls God tossed my way. How God has been building a REAL community in my neighborhood - not just a group of nice people who smile at each other. How God has connected me so deeply with so many people at my church. How God brought my parents safely here to be my major support.

I don't know why this should all fascinate me. I mean, as a believer in God, his desire to bless us all and his miracles, shouldn't all of this just be another day at the office? I have to think that every time I am surprised by God's perfect timing on something, he must be up there just chuckling and shaking his head. You have to think he's thinking, "My dear one, why does this surprise you?" (In my mind, God always calls me very sweet little endearments in stead of "Hey bone-head" or the like.)

Last night the boys went to their father's. So I slept in today. Which should thrill me. But I woke up thinking, ok I slept in - woopty-doo. I'd rather have my boys here waking me up early. However, as I started puttering around, I thought, yah, I can take this. And by "this", I meant the whole divorce situation. Because you know, in the long run, no one died. There are much worse things to endure in this world. And I would take this crappy story over those on any given day.

I'll give you one more little miracle that God just did. And yes, it surprised me. It shouldn't have. But it did.

On Thursday, my wonderful friend and his wife stopped by. We'll call them Realtor Dude and Gorgeous Realtor Wife. He helped me find this wonderful house. Over the last 2 years, I have referred three other couples to them that resulted in sales. So anyway, they hand delivered a Christmas card to me which I found very sweet. When they left, I walked in the house opening the card. Inside was the sweetest note thanking me for everything I've done for them. And a check. A check with a one and 3 zeros. I don't know about you but I don't have friends or family that can casually toss around that kind of money. And I know he didn't "casually" toss it. But I stood in my entry way with my hand over my mouth going, "OH!" for about 3 minutes. He called later to make sure I wasn't going to try to slip it back under his door or anything. So I told him I graciously accept it and thanked him over and over. He made me promise to spend it on me and the boys (the unspoken part being, "don't give a penny of it to future ex"). He even said, "Hey, save it for lawyer fees."

Well funny he said that. Because on Friday, I got the counter proposal from future ex's lawyer. Let me put it this way: I will need every extra penny for lawyer fees. Because the pure fantasy of what future ex is asking for is insanity. I think the only way for me to get the moral issues considered is for this to go to court. I have been trying to avoid that. But his lawyer is thinking in pure legalese. To get someone to consider what my compensation should be for what was done to me? I will need one of those wonderful southern "good ol' boy" judges to hear my case.

I'll tell you, as I read the counter proposal, I felt my blood pressure rise. I felt sick. So I immediately just started praying. I said something like, God, you have to take this. You have to handle this. Because if I respond based on my emotions right now? I'll get just as stupid as he has gotten - just on the other end of the spectrum. So I have turned it all over to God. The divorce terms, the lawyer fees, my anger, my feelings of vengeance (again!), my feelings of betrayal and hurt. The whole enchilada. God's got it. And how do I know? Because he sent me an extra $1000 the day before I got the lawyer's letter.

God's got my back. I will not forget that. I woke up asking him to take away the doldrums and to fill my heart with the real purpose of this season.

I am SO loved. I have SO many friends. I have SUCH wonderful neighbors. I have the most AMAZING church. I have the most BEAUTIFUL boys. I have the BEST parents. Hey, I have more than TWO parents! I have the most fantabulous sister who will be here today. I have like 8 gazillion siblings that all love me (well, all but one - ha!). I have a new niece. I have a warm house. I have a pantry and fridge FULL to the gills. I have presents to give everyone.

The stupid evil one can bring it all on, man. Because God has built me a fortress. And he has manned it with TONS of people. And my God is stronger than any stupidity satan can come up with.

Merry Christmas everyone. God, bless every single person that reads my silliness today. Bless all of my Awesome Blogger Chicks in a way that is impossible to deny is from You. Just heap huge gobs of blessings on all of my blogger friends, my family and everyone who has supported me this year. Amen.

A Christmas Hoopla

I was just tagged by the Lovely Angela. I love memes and I love Christmas. So therefore, I love this "hoopla"! It goes like this:

1. List 12 random things about yourself that have to do with Christmas.
2. Please refer to it as a ‘hoopla’ and not the dreaded ‘m’-word…
3. You have to tag specific people when you’re done. No “if you’re reading this, consider yourself tagged” stuff is allowed. The number of people you tag is really up to you — but the more, the merrier to get this ‘hoopla’ circulating through the blogosphere.
4. Please try and do it as quickly as possible. The Christmas season will be over before we know it! Let’s involve as many people as possible!
5. Please give Andrea some link-love as the “Hoopla-Creator!

Here are my twelve random things..

1. Alistair Sim is the only Scrooge. I'll watch some of the others but the 1951 version of A Christmas Carol with him is the only one that doesn't annoy me.

2. The scene where George keeps Mr. Gower from poisoning someone in It's A Wonderful Life? Seriously. I die weeping. I cannot tell you how much that scene just SLAYS me. Just thinking about it can get me weeping. Talk about redemption. Phew!

3. My stocking as a child was red with white trim and had a white angel on the front. My name was in gold under the angel. I'm pretty sure my mom or her mom (Muzzy) made it. I always found the angel image rather amusing.

4. My first dad (who died when I was 11) had a birthday 2 days after Christmas. I always thought that totally rocked. I never asked him what HE thought.

5. I thought my in-laws were insane as they made everyone wait until Christmas NIGHT to open gifts. Have you ever hung out in a house with 3 little kids who are being made to wait until that NIGHT to open their gifts? It's madness I tell you. Madness. When I finally started working some of my own traditions in with theirs? That was the first one I attacked.

6. My mom used to make home made cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning. I still think they were the best things EVER.

7. We used to open up our Muz & Pop gifts (mom's parents) on Christmas Eve. For many years, they were homemade slippers from Muz. We knew they would be and couldn't wait to put them on.

8. In 2003, I spent Christmas in the post-partum "spa" in Boston's Beth Israel. It was probably the single most relaxing Christmas I've ever had. I left the baby (Lil' Bro) in the nursery unless he needed me. I slept whenever I could. I watched a ton of documentaries on Jesus, Mary and all things related to Christmas. I totally didn't want to go home.

9. I have an extensive collection of Christmas CDs. One tradition is to buy a new one every year. Come to think of it...I'm not sure I bought one for this year. Yet!

10. I get very annoyed at the seeming necessity most popular musicians feel to "jazz up" or "funk up" or "rock out on" traditional Christmas songs. Honestly, some songs just stand on their own in their original form. Do you really think that putting your "original stamp" on a song will replace the traditional Gene Autry or Barbara Streisand or Bing Crosby or Nat King Cole versions in our hearts? I don't mind a new arrangement or someone new singing it. But I can't take all the vocal acrobats that have to totally Patti LaBelle every single note. Or the new verses people seem to think we need. Or those who subscribe to the belief that ever song must have a bridge so they add one. Drives me bonkers.

11. I love doing anonymous kindnesses for strangers. Especially around this time of year.

12. My kids both asked if Santa was real. I told them the truth. They both exercised their selective memory and are behaving as if he does.

Well, I'm annoyed by the rule saying I have to tag specific people. Because in all honestly, I want to see this done by all of the Awesome Blogger Chicks on my blog walk. But if I must name them each, here goes...
- [Darlene was already tagged by Angela but I want to see hers]
- Ukranian Diva (maybe this will get her blogging again!)
- [Wanda was already tagged by Angela, too, but I want to see hers]
- Sarakastic
- Moanna
- Kristen
- Becks
- My cousin Kendra
- Ellesappelle
- My cousin Monica
- JenKneeBee
- Jane (clean up the sailor talk - it's Christmas, for the love of Pete!)
- [Angela already did hers and tagged me so go read it]
- Trish The Dish
- Stacy

There. I did it. Links and all.

My Wonderful The Boy...Oh, Excuse Me...Pokemon Boy!

I just got The Boy's school pictures back today. Due to fiascoes beyond my control, I did not get the disc with the digital image on it. So you'll all have to deal with a scan of the 8x10. But this is my wonderful The Boy. My second grader (how did that happen?). The one who made me a mom. One of the most beautiful souls ever to grace this earth. Obviously, the other would belong to Lil' Bro. At some point, I plan to have a portrait of the two of them. But until then, here is The Boy. Wait. The Boy just read this and asked, "Didn't you ever say that you're going to start calling me 'Pokemon Boy'?" I did promise that to him a while back when he saw his tag as "The Boy" here. So I stand corrected. Here is Pokemon Boy:

Tics, A Rant and A Meme

TICS:
Interestingly enough, the holiday stress doesn't seem to be getting to me this year. At least, my conscious self tells me that. I wonder if my subconscious would give a different answer. I'm wondering this because I've noticed the return of some of The Boy's facial tics. Nothing major but the fact that they're there is noticeable simply because he has been sans tics for so long. Is it second hand stress? Is it the approaching holiday vacation? Is it the TS starting to take a stronger hold as he gets older? In all honesty, I'm not that worried about it. But having just revisited my post from this time last year about how his tics increased in the presence of stress, it just makes me wonder. [And Maureen, if you're visiting again, I love your comments on that post and would love to chat w/ you more. Feel free to email me via the link in my profile!]

I've just noticed in this past week, quite a few facial tics returning. Exaggerated blinking but not as bad as previous times. A few facial movements that seem to go with his blinking. Again, nothing horribly obvious. But I see it. With my dad's hospitalization and a few late nights due to Christmas festivities, who knows. Maybe it's just that. We'll see.

A RANT:
I'll keep it short. Because if I don't, this will become a 5 page tome. But here is my gripe about future ex. And keep in mind that this comes on the heels of weeks of getting along wonderfully with him.

Winter break, the kids get 2 weeks and 2 days off. I was able to take one week plus 1 day vacation. The other week would hopefully see the boys with their dad. I'd prefer to have them with me but time with their dad is important, fair, and also legally suggested. The divorce decree (no matter what details we are hammering out) is pretty unchanged and clear about that. Most major holidays will be split. Well, a few weeks ago, future ex informed me he couldn't take them as he couldn't get the time off from work. No problem. They'll stay with me and have to be bored while I work. But they'll be safe and not stuck in some weird day care where they don't know anyone. I'm fine with that. So is future ex.

Fast forward to a couple of days ago. Future ex informs me he will be taking that 2nd week of the winter break to visit his girl thing up in her state. He couldn't get time off to take his boys. But apparently his work was ok with him taking it off to have a week with his girl thing in a totally different state than his boys. 'Nuff said.

I have mercilessly ridden his butt on this subject. Most other infractions, I say my piece and leave it be. Not this one. This is anti everything he ever believed in. So I have not relented on pointing out this really big bone-head dad move. He's feeling pretty rotten about it. But not rotten enough to cancel his flight. And in my book? That's the only action that will redeem any part of him to me.

If I ever get a boyfriend and start dissing my boys? You all better smack me upside the head until I stop being stupid.

And I'm done. Now on to more fun things:

A MEME:
I found this meme on Stacy's site. I adore Stacy and try to do anything she does. I want to be her when I grow up. Here 'tis:

Two Men I’d Love to Date (if they were single)
1. A Clive Owen look-a-like that plays and sings in a worship band in a really kick-ass spirit filled church. Know any?
2. Same as above but with a Christian Bale look-a-like. (And yes, I’m aware of the ridiculousness of the details in my fantasy wishes.)

Two Things I Am Wearing Right Now
1. A purple ‘Keep Austin Weird’ t-shirt.
2. Jeans.

Two Things I Would Want in a Relationship
1. A man.
2. A Christian man (see answers to first item).

Two of My Favorite Things to do
1. Play/hang with my kids.
2. Singing God songs.

Two Things I Want Very Badly At the Moment
1. To be madly in reciprocal love (I added that ‘reciprocal’ after realizing that, without it, it indicates a situation where I might be the only one in love. Been there. Done that.)
2. Someone to clean my house regularly for a cheap price. Oh wait…I meant world peace. Yah. World peace.

Two Things I Did Recently
1. Ate one of the 3 huge enchiladas my neighbor’s hubby made & she brought me tonight. I’m going to see about paying him to make them for me every single night. This means I will inevitably be a size 24 very soon.
2. Prayed over my sons.

Two Things I Ate Today
1. Way too many M&Ms.
2. PB&J with Lil’ Bro for lunch.

Two People I Most Recently Talked To
Aside from my boys?
1. My mom.
2. Future ex.

Two Things I’m Doing Tomorrow
1. Updating those use cases if it kills me. (Ah, the glamor...)
2. Trying to avoid having to do production DB2 updates for the users. But will end up doing them. (...the glamor never ceases...)

Two Longest Car Rides
1. Connecticut to Texas/New Mexico almost every summer as a kid. So that’s way more than two.
2. Boston to Roanoke, VA in 2004.

Two Favorite Holidays
1. Christmas.
2. It’s a tie between Thanksgiving and the New Year.

Two Favorite Beverages
1. Fresh home-made lemonade - not too sweet, please.
2. Any decadent mixture of espresso, chocolate and dairy.

Two Things About Me, Things You May Not Have Known
Like there’s anything I haven’t already told you? Let me think. Think think think think think…hmmm. Wow. I’m boring.
1. Ok, I have only one kidney.
2. When I was little, I prayed nightly to wake up and be a boy. God, in his wisdom, just gave me a little extra testosterone and kept me female. Thank you, God!

Two Places I Have Lived
1. Boston, Massachusetts
2. Austin, Texas
Yes, I have a thing for places that rhyme with "_ostin".

Two of My Favorite Foods
1. Mexican – and of this genre, give me enchiladas any day.
2. Breakfast – and of this genre, pancakes, hands down.

Two Places I’d Rather Be Right Now
As long as my boys were with me...
1. Cornwall, England, or
2. Somewhere with butt-loads of snow.

Two People I’m Tagging
1. Anyone
2. Everyone

I Don't Know Nothin' 'Bout Birthin' No Babies!

...which is a good thing since it was my half-sister doin' the birthin'. I just sit one state down and take all the credit when my niece is born.

So wooooo HOO!!! My "little" sister (10 yrs younger than me and probably just as tall as me) just had her 3rd little girl. She was born very easily (as easily as anyone can be born, I presume), about 4 hours after they broke my sister's waters. The labor was easy - again, as easy as labor can be. The father reported that the baby came flying out. I thought he was exaggerating until my sister confirmed the flight.

So I'm an aunt. Again. I just had to use a calculator to figure it but I believe this is niece and/or nephew number 18 of a collectible series. Collect them all! Trade with your friends! There's a 19th - the son of Anger Boy - the half brother that refuses to claim me as a sister. His loss. But in my real world of being a really forgetful aunt? I have 18 now.

I'm told she has lots of dark hair (like me). She has a great set of lungs (like me). She's wikkid cute (again...like ME). And she cries like a big ol' baby. Which she is. So that's forgivable. And also like me.

I can't wait to get up there to see her. She's in Oklahoma. You know, "up north".

Anyway, just wanted to share that good bit of news with you guys.

Dad continues to do well. I'm trying to stay away for a while to give him a break from a house full of chaotic family. He needs rest. Something I rarely provide when showing up with my two little tornadic boys.

Thanks for all of the wonderful emails and comments. Y'all rock!

Dad is Home...Again

Since I didn't post since Thursday, that is good news. I never made it over to see dad on Friday. Since he was stable, I just worked all day to make up for the days I took off early to see him.

Saturday, the docs felt he was ok enough to head home. Big Sis, her Impossibly Tall Hubby and I went to the hospital to help mom get dad and all of his stuff home. We got dad home and ready to nap. Big Sis and Tall Guy stayed with dad while mom & I ran to get his prescription (and a quick few Christmas gifts for my boys).

When we got home, dad had gotten about an hour nap. We all hung out for a while until dad decided he wanted to go out for dinner! So we went to our favorite fast burger joint, Whataburger. TOO funny!

Today, mom & dad stayed home from church. I fielded questions and well wishes from everyone at church. My parents sure have worked their way into the hearts of everyone there! Mom said she and dad got some well needed rest. Dad is having trouble with a wound healing. The pressure bandage they had to put on the incision where they started the catheter - that wasn't healing well as his skin is so thin. It really tore up when they removed it. So today, they had to let it air out a while as he napped.

So dad is home. And we are so glad. My boys want to get over there to see their grandpa. They had visited on Saturday for a short bit before he went home. They had great fun pushing the buttons on dad's hospital bed. And, lest you think I have unruly monsters for kids, my DAD showed them how to work it! The Boy was fascinated with the heart monitor. He would stand there going, "Grandpa, your heart rate is 69.....now it's 72...." Grandma had to explain every number and every line on there to him. So that was a fun visit.

I am trying to get dad interested in getting LifeLine - that little thing you wear around your neck or on your wrist to push in case of emergencies? I have to say that most people hate admitting they need that kind of assistance. I'm sure I will be just as stubborn when I need it. So he is resistant and believes he'll always be able to get to a phone to call 911. The problem is, we've had two examples this week of his resistance to even tell my mom when he needs to get to the hospital. He's not exactly timely with his information. I'm tempted to just get it for him, use my key to their house and let the guy in to install it and say, "There. It's there. Too bad. Get over it!" But knowing him, he'd take it off in the shower or leave it by the bed. He's a stubborn man. I must get that from him. I'm doomed.

Well, keep prayers going up that he'll see the wisdom in getting LifeLine. I know many people who have had it and it gives them a peace of mind. Keep prayers going that God can break through his stubborn streak in order to get him quick care. I just want my mom to feel free to leave the house - without wondering what she'll find when she returns. That's not a fun way to live.

Love you all...

Dad Back in the Hospital

Mom called me close to noon today to say she was taking dad back to the ER. He was having chest pain that 3 nitro pills didn't totally get rid of.

By the time I got to the ER (pretty quickly), they had dad in a room, hooked up and all sorts of monitored. We got to chat with the manager of the cardio unit there for a while as they explained things to mom. Basically, with this heart episode, the choice of whether to do a heart catheter or not was made for him. We heard the cardiac doc tell dad, "You have to have this done." We also found out that dad's electro-cardio doctor (I'm murdering the real terms here) is the top of the top. The whole group in the ER sang his praises. And they also told us that the cardio doc that was treating dad was cream of the crop, too. Apparently, this new hospital has been busy stealing the best cardio staff from other facilities. So dad is in the best place possible around here! Thank you God!!!

They prepped him for the heart cath and took dad (with us trailing behind) to the cath lab. They put us in the waiting room saying it would be about 45 mins to an hour later. That was noonish. Around 2:30, we thought we should start poking someone. The doc came out a bit later (almost 3:00) to update us. It had really taken that long. It took a whole hour just to feed the catheter in there. His age and a strange branching of the arteries made it slow going. As you age, your arteries start twisting and turning. So it takes a while to get it in there.

Once they got into the heart, they found the blockage in the area that had showed up in earlier tests. They found it almost completely blocked - at dad's age, it's calcium deposits. It was the distal (sp?) artery - one of the lower ones. They put the balloon in there to open it up and then put in two stints. So the flow was restored. The doc told us that dad isn't out of the woods yet. Meaning, this isn't some instant cure to aging. He made sure to explain that this kind of heart blockage is just what happens with age in most people. It's what they used to call hardening of the arteries. And if you think about all of his medical issues, he's doing pretty darned well for 80 years! He will be on plaxil (sp?) for 6 months and they'll continue on the cumaden (sp?) indefinitely. He'll be closely monitored probably from now on. I'm sure the docs will be figuring out the long term game plan over this next day or so. Right now they want to see how he does in this next 24 hrs.

Dad told us in the hallway outside the cath lab, "I feel SO much better." He was pretty doped up but kept his humor up. He introduced one doc to me saying, "This is my daughter the stand up comic." So he was obviously feeling better.

They let mom & me accompany him up to the ICU unit but we had to wait in the family waiting room for a bit. They had dad in a huge "luxury suite" as I call it. It's the one right across from the nurse's station so I was glad for that. He can't bend at the waist due to the incision for the catheter feed. Oh yah - one problem due to his age and blood thinners is that the bleeding at the incision didn't stop as quickly as they'd like. So he has a special bandaging there. And thus the no-bending thing. So they inclined his whole bed in order to allow him to drink & eat a bit. That was tough because he still wasn't fully inclined. It's so hard to swallow like that. So the nurse told him no eating/drinking unless she was in the room with him.

I left him around 4:30, I think? I couldn't really do much but get in the way and crack bad jokes. So I went to grab my boys from my wonderful neighbors who had kept them after school for me. I told mom to update me with any news. I intend to go back tomorrow to see his new regular room. I think Big Sis will be coming up tomorrow, too. So we'll make sure the family is well represented.

I have to tell you, dad is getting amazing care. All of my neighbors and church are asking what they can do. He & mom are well supported out here.

God rocks. Even in the crappy stuff.

Update on PapaSan

I went to the hospital this morning to hang with mom & dad. I got there some time after 8am. Dad looked not so happy. He was on meds that knocked him out a bit. But he also looked visibly uncomfortable. He wasn't allowed to take anything by mouth so was really parched. That's never fun.

Eventually, they got him an IV drip for his "drink". He was having back pain and some chest pain. So they got nitro in him. They scheduled him for a cat scan to check for an aneurysm (those often cause back pain).

Wait! Mom just called and the cat scan is negative!!! NO ANEURYSM! Woo-hoo!!! God totally rocks. Wow - you guys are getting this as breaking news! I haven't even had time to call my sibs with this news. Sweet.

So this means it's more something with the heart. And means a heart catheter tomorrow. He'll stay over night again.

When I was there today, the doc was telling mom & dad that he hadn't had a full on heart attack. They think he might have been on his way to having one. But because he got to the hospital quick enough and got the right meds quickly, it stopped whatever was starting. So if it had been a heart attack, it was stopped. Can I tell you how awesome it is that this hospital just opened right here? Because they were a good 10 minute drive from the next available hospital. Can you say "God Rocks"? I can.

Bottom line is, when I left today, he looked markedly better - the nitro having alleviated some of his pain & discomfort. He'll hopefully enjoy a nice pampered (albeit poked & prodded) rest today. And maybe he'll head home tomorrow.

The nurses & doctors at this brand spankin' new hospital are awesome. Very nice. Mom & dad seem very happy with his care. And if they're happy? I'm happy.

Thank you all for your prayers. My mom said she felt such a peace last night. And obviously the healing is coming, too.

Love you all...

Please Pray for Dad

Mom called tonight - just after I had gotten home from shopping. She said, "Dad and I are testing out the ER in the new hospital." Initially I thought, ok, they're touring the ER...cool. Then I realized she wasn't joking.

They were returning home from shopping when dad had chest pain that radiated down his arm. Not good for an 80 yr young man with a pace maker. Not good for ANYone, for that matter. Fortunately, they've just opened up a great hospital spitting distance from my house. Which means it's a 10 minute drive from mom & dad's house. But I think they were close to it so they went to the ER. Mom feels they got great attention and care.

Right now, they don't know what's going on with his chest. They don't want to diagnose until they know more. So they will keep him overnight to run blood tests every 4 hours. We'll know more in the AM.

I have called all of my siblings and my mom's sister. Got the family and church prayer chains going. I even posted a prayer request on my MySpace site. I'll take any prayer out there right now.

My dad rocks. I have a gut feeling that God intends to keep him around here for a while because he's a major player in the healthy male role model department for my boys. And I'm still a mess who needs rescuing. HA!

Anyway, I know I have a huge group of prayer warriors out here so I'm tapping into that.

Love to you all...

The Ladies' Tea and Dianty Ol' ME

My church has an annual Ladies' Christmas Tea. The first year I joined the church (2005), I turned my too-cool-for-anything nose up at the thought. I mean puh-LEEZE! Have you MET me? I am so not the ladies tea type. You just have no idea. If it's dainty or in any way girly, I usually sneer at it and then kick it just for good measure. Girly = weak. And while I am human like everyone else and have weaknesses, let me tell you, I was never going to show the world any weakness that might be mistaken for "girly".


After getting to know all the women at my church (and let me tell you, we have some girly girls there!), I realized that hanging out with them in any venue or forum just might be ok. I loved them all in small group or at church. And even the girly girls were absolutely rockin'. And they certainly weren't weak! Some of the girliest girls in my church have weathered stuff that would make some big truck drivin' men cry like...well...girls. So as my attitude shifted, I thought, well, when the tea rolls around in 2006 maybe - just maybe - I'll give it a whirl. And whirl I did. My sister and best friend from my 'hood accompanied me. I certainly wasn't going to take on a bunch of girly girls at tea without some backup. So me and my posse went to the tea and it TOTALLY rocked. Let me tell you, I sat there thinking, ok, next year, I'm totally hosting a table!


Now let me tell you what my church does. Each woman hosts a table (Rosie is brave enough to host TWO). If there is a theme, you decorate accordingly. Now, I wasn't expecting much. It was going to be at our "church" (ie - the cafeteria of the elementary school we meet in), after all. How grand can that get? The answer? Pretty darn grand! The ladies and a ton of volunteers covered the walls from floor to ceiling in blue material. They strung lights across the ceiling. They decorated the stage front with wreaths, garland and lights. And then there were the tables. My goodness! Each lady had a 60" table. And these ladies should be set decorators for Martha Stewart!! I walked in and thought, um...where'd the cafeteria go??? We all sit and are served tea by all the men in our church. A caterer provides very dainty finger foods - like little sandwiches with no crust. Somehow, crust must be low-brow. But I like the no-crust sammiches. It was just...cool! And girly. Girly and cool? Is that possible? Apparently so.


I'm pretty sure I accosted our pastor's wife and a few others in charge and told them, "I want to host a table next year!" And I did.


In 2007, the theme was "And God so love the world." So we each picked a country and decorated our table accordingly. I picked the Philippines because my birth-father's family is from there and I figured it would have all sorts of exotic and different customs for Christmas. Well, I was a bit wrong on that. It's a mostly Catholic country so their traditions were disappointingly just like ours. A few differences were the use of paper lanterns and paper stars. Which the Japanese and Chinese tables would probably have, too. But I didn't care. So I researched the Philippines more and realized that most of the items I might decorate with would be either Chinese, Japanese, Spanish or American in nature. It was originally populated by the same people from the Asian mainland that populated places like Japan, Easter Island and Hawaii. Then it was occupied or controlled by Spain, Japan, the US and probably more. So my table was going to be a melting pot. No problem.


My center piece was a vase holding an American & Philippine flag and a tall cylindrical paper lantern. I'll find pictures of that later. My place settings consisted of an off-white plate (rather American looking) and a Chinese tea cup and saucer. Then I had a Japanese paper fan and chopsticks (thanks to Beth who had extras at her China table). It was tied together with blue napkins my mom sewed just for the occasion. I had little tea lights at the top of each plate. And a little felt red heart ornament near the plate. The ladies were allowed to take home everything but the big plate, the silverware, and the napkins. I gave them each little paper gift bags in which to carry their loot.


Here is a picture of my place setting taken by my wonderful friend Summer (who blew us all away with her Japanese table with a centerpiece that towered over even the tallest men in the room!).



My mom and sister came. Two neighbors weren't able to make it at the last minute so that was a bummer. I remember wishing Jane could have been there. And thinking that Trish would get a hoot out of how into it I was! I think next year you all should fly in for the tea!!! Ha!


I told the organizers that they need to get a venue for next year that had cathedral ceilings. Because my center piece will be 28 feet high. Got that Summer???! (I kid)

Diapers and a Christmas Meme

DIAPERS:
Dudes & dudettes, I proudly announce that I am the mother of an almost-4-yr old that has been out of diapers and/or pull-ups for a whole WEEK now. Including BED TIME. With all of the extra money I'll have on hand from not buying diapers, I have decided to build a full scale replica of the Taj Mahal in my back yard. Or maybe I'll just pay some bills. I'm not sure.

But those of you who have ever changed 952,047 diapers know how huge this is. I am thrilled beyond belief. And how easy it was when he just decided. No drama. He does both pee and poo in the potty. The Boy was cool with pee for a couple of years. The poo part came with huge drama and I'm sure he'll be in counseling when he's 32 because of it.

I. Am. Diaper. FREE.

(And there was much rejoicing.)


A CHRISTMAS MEME:
I'd like to return to the blogging world with a fun little meme sent to me by my wonderful friend Erin. So to kick off my official mental entrance into the holiday season, here 'tis:

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Both - usually depends on what I have on hand and what I'm wrapping. But I love wrapping with ribbon and all that jazz. Bags are usually a last resort.

2. Real tree or Artificial?
Fake but wikkid gorgeous & real looking. Now you know my dirty little secret.

3. When do you put up the tree?
Yesterday but only because it had been set up and used in church. My pastor's mom had taken all the time and effort to assemble it and fluff all the branches - why waste all that work?

4. When do you take the tree down the tree?
I play that by ear. In all honesty, I'd love to have one up all year round. Maybe the ornaments would become the Christmas part but leave the lit tree up all year. That would be fun. Anyway, The Boy just asked if we could leave it up past New Years. Which is fine with me. So probably some time just after New Years.

5. Do you like eggnog?
Love it! I have half a bottle in the fridge as we type. If it wouldn't balloon me back up to my old fat jeans in 2 weeks, I'd be drinking it all season long.

6. Favorite gift received as a child?
Oh I have no idea. Probably most of them. My mom didn't get us all 9,000 presents each like I do for my kids. So I usually really flipped out over whatever she got me.

7. Do you have a nativity scene?
Not a fan. They tend to seem smarmy to me. And the little figuring of Jesus tends to cross a line for me. I have no problem with other people having them. I mean, the funny thing is, this one person I know that has one? She flipped out over a painting of Jesus I used to have in my home. The whole graven image thing, you know? But every year, she pulls out her nativity scene. Complete with the northern European, white Anglo holy family. Gotta love that. And...soap box is gone.

8. Hardest person to buy for?
If I'm buying for someone, I know them well. I don't buy for casual acquaintances. I have way too many siblings & nieces & nephews to be spending on outside people.

9. Easiest person to buy for?
The Boy. If it's Pokemon, he'll love it. Well, THIS year. But almost every year he's obsessed with one thing or another. So he tends to make it easy for me.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?
Mail. This year, I don't know if I'll get to it. People might be getting a Valentines card from me and the boys in 2008. We'll see.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
Um....nothing stands out. But getting clothes in the style of the giver's taste and NOT yours, that isn't fun if they're completely not in your realm of sensibilities.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
Only one? Are you kidding me? That list could be a whole other meme in and of itself! The ones that come to mind quickly are:
- It's A Wonderful Life
- White Christmas
- A Christmas Carol (with Alistair, no other version matters)
- Elf

13. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
Absolutely. But never if it's sentimental or I can tell the giving of it meant something to the giver.

14. What is your favorite thing/things to eat at Christmas?
I think you should really ask what WON'T I eat at Christmas! Much shorter list.

15. Clear lights or colored on the tree?
Clear.

16. Favorite Christmas song?
Oh Holy Night - traditional version. Keep all the stupid over singing newbies OFF that one!!!

17. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
I hate traveling around any major holiday. I stay home.

18. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?
You know Dasher and Dancer
And Prancer and Vixen,
Comet and Cupid
And Donner and Blitzen.
But do you recall
The most famous reindeer of all?
Rudolph! - I have to sing it to remember it. Every time I do that in my head, I here Gene Autry singing it. And when I was little, there was a country song about Shadrack the black reindeer. Can't recall it, though.

19. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
We usually exchange ornaments on Christmas Eve. Then all the rest in the morning.

20. Most annoying thing about this time of year:
People that totally miss the point and stress out thinking they have to make it like some kind of über Martha Stewart event that will be photographed and featured in some high-end home & garden magazine. Honestly people, get a GRIP!

21. Favorite ornament theme or color?
I like all of them. They all tend to have a story or memory for me.

22. Favorite thing for Christmas dinner?
Um...food? Yah, I'm pretty partial to FOOD for Christmas dinner. Beyond that, I'm not really all that picky.

23. What do you want for Christmas this year?
Nothing. I'm good. I just want my boys to have fun.

24. Who will you tag for this meme?
Well, I want to see the responses from all my Awesome Blogger Chicks. So I don't care. Take it if you want to. Or don't. I will shed no tears either way.