I have always told my kids that I hand picked the best daddy in the world just for them. And truth be told - he is a way better dad than I am mother. He is patient and laid back. And me? Let's just say it nicely. I am not.
Last night, Abe was all cuddly with Randy and I crawled right beside him and said, "You know, Abe, I picked the best daddy just for you."
And he said, "Oh no you didn't. A friend set you up on a blind date and you met on Main Street. Then you broke up. Then you got back together again and then you got married."
Randy and I looked at each other with our mouths hanging wide open.
And I said, "I still decided to marry him so you could have the best daddy in the world."
And he said, "If you would have went to a Daddy Pet Shop and picked out "Randy" THEN you could say that you picked out daddy."
So I guess that all these years I haven't been quiet honest with my children.
I should have said this:
"Kids, I have something to tell you. I think you are all old enough to hear the truth. Please don't hate me for protecting you all these years. I did it for your own good. I did not hand pick your daddy out from the Daddy Pet Shop. Instead, I picked up a stray, who is now your daddy, wandering up and down Main Street."
Monday, December 31, 2007
Auld Lang Syne
In case you forgot what went on in my life this past year, here is a quick review.
January - We spent several evenings addicted to Yahtzee. This was especially fun because we hung out in the attic (formerly Abby's room). We also had a terrible snow storm that cancelled Abby's flight back to Chicago, which we found out about after we were almost to the airport.
February - Annie turned 17 and my mom came up and made dinner for her and all of her friends.
March - We celebrated 23 years of marriage. Yea!! No easy feat when I'm involved.
April - Annie's junior prom. Which was the same weekend as some freak snow storm. Abby and two friends drove all the way from Chicago to share the prom experience with her sister!
May - We drove to KC to pick Abby up for the summer. This is also the month of freaky flooding. Which would include our basement, as well. Our baby turned 7.
June - Randy decided to take on a second job painting in his "spare time." The girls helped him and the money would come in handy later in the summer.
July - Abe, Randy, and I headed to Branson and the girls headed on a mission trip. Abby became engaged.
August - Our quick (not shotgun) wedding, in which above mentioned paint money came in very handy. Sent Abby back to Chicago and Annie started her senior year of highschool. Abe started second grade.
September - Randy spent the entire month taking care of his dad, whose Parkinson's rapidly progressed. He made several trips in the middle of the night to help his dad out.
October - Annie went on a weekend trip to visit her sister.
November - Our first born baby turned 21. We made our first trip as a family to Chicago. Abe road the subway for the first time.
December - Our much awaited trip to Great Wolf was postponed due to weather. I feel like it was either snowing or icing the entire month. Grandma got the flu on Christmas. It was an answer to prayer that none of us got sick. Considering that she cooked and served the entire supper we all enjoyed. I also have a sore shoulder this month. Wii. Bowling.
2008? One more in college (I will have lost all my babysitters!) and a third grader. 10 more years until we have an empty nest.
Happy New Year!
January - We spent several evenings addicted to Yahtzee. This was especially fun because we hung out in the attic (formerly Abby's room). We also had a terrible snow storm that cancelled Abby's flight back to Chicago, which we found out about after we were almost to the airport.
February - Annie turned 17 and my mom came up and made dinner for her and all of her friends.
March - We celebrated 23 years of marriage. Yea!! No easy feat when I'm involved.
April - Annie's junior prom. Which was the same weekend as some freak snow storm. Abby and two friends drove all the way from Chicago to share the prom experience with her sister!
May - We drove to KC to pick Abby up for the summer. This is also the month of freaky flooding. Which would include our basement, as well. Our baby turned 7.
June - Randy decided to take on a second job painting in his "spare time." The girls helped him and the money would come in handy later in the summer.
July - Abe, Randy, and I headed to Branson and the girls headed on a mission trip. Abby became engaged.
August - Our quick (not shotgun) wedding, in which above mentioned paint money came in very handy. Sent Abby back to Chicago and Annie started her senior year of highschool. Abe started second grade.
September - Randy spent the entire month taking care of his dad, whose Parkinson's rapidly progressed. He made several trips in the middle of the night to help his dad out.
October - Annie went on a weekend trip to visit her sister.
November - Our first born baby turned 21. We made our first trip as a family to Chicago. Abe road the subway for the first time.
December - Our much awaited trip to Great Wolf was postponed due to weather. I feel like it was either snowing or icing the entire month. Grandma got the flu on Christmas. It was an answer to prayer that none of us got sick. Considering that she cooked and served the entire supper we all enjoyed. I also have a sore shoulder this month. Wii. Bowling.
2008? One more in college (I will have lost all my babysitters!) and a third grader. 10 more years until we have an empty nest.
Happy New Year!
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Undone
One of life's mysteries is why on earth I can hardly wait to put up our Christmas decorations and then I can hardly wait to take them down!
Tonight, when we started taking down the tree, I was amazed how quickly it was going. I even commented that taking the stuff down was going twice as fast as when we put it up.
Three hours later I wondered why I ever said such a thing.
I feel the need to rearrange my entire house when I tackle this project. Move stuff to the basement. Bring stuff up from the basement. Bring stuff down from the attic. Move stuff up to the attic. I drive myself insane!
But now that the boys are tucked in and there are a bunch of teenagers in the basement watching a movie and I am watching the most glorious beautiful snow fall, I feel a total sense of accomplishment.
I am sad as I always am, that this season is over. I think that is why I am always in such a toot to get the stuff out of the house. To just move on.
The one thing that has kept me going is the Wii. It brings back memories of a long time ago when Abby and I were addicted to Dr. Mario. Now it is Abe and I and we are competing at bowling. He beats me every single time just like Abby used to.
The more things change the more they stay the same!
Tonight, when we started taking down the tree, I was amazed how quickly it was going. I even commented that taking the stuff down was going twice as fast as when we put it up.
Three hours later I wondered why I ever said such a thing.
I feel the need to rearrange my entire house when I tackle this project. Move stuff to the basement. Bring stuff up from the basement. Bring stuff down from the attic. Move stuff up to the attic. I drive myself insane!
But now that the boys are tucked in and there are a bunch of teenagers in the basement watching a movie and I am watching the most glorious beautiful snow fall, I feel a total sense of accomplishment.
I am sad as I always am, that this season is over. I think that is why I am always in such a toot to get the stuff out of the house. To just move on.
The one thing that has kept me going is the Wii. It brings back memories of a long time ago when Abby and I were addicted to Dr. Mario. Now it is Abe and I and we are competing at bowling. He beats me every single time just like Abby used to.
The more things change the more they stay the same!
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Monday, December 24, 2007
Bird Whisperer
Today, while I was in the kitchen cutting out snowflake cookies, Randy went out to set some birdseed on our deck.
I kept hearing him shout "RICHARD!"
There isn't a dog a mile around named Richard and I couldn't figure out who on earth he was talking to since he was standing all alone.
I walked over and stuck my head out the door to ask him who he was talking to and that is when I realized he wasn't saying Richard at all.
He was actually saying THIS....
"Redbirds! Here little Redbirds. Redbirds! Come here little Redbirds. You can come over anytime and eat. Your dinner is ready."
I kept hearing him shout "RICHARD!"
There isn't a dog a mile around named Richard and I couldn't figure out who on earth he was talking to since he was standing all alone.
I walked over and stuck my head out the door to ask him who he was talking to and that is when I realized he wasn't saying Richard at all.
He was actually saying THIS....
"Redbirds! Here little Redbirds. Redbirds! Come here little Redbirds. You can come over anytime and eat. Your dinner is ready."
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Apples to Apples
We had a few friends over for dessert and a game night on Thursday. Annie thought it looked like fun so she did the same tonight. I think we should merge the two groups. We could have played Would You Rather Twisted, Sick and Wrong! My friends would have given those teens a run for their money! Guaranteed!
Aunt Von's
Toys? These basement steps provided an evenings worth of entertainment.
Looking for the elusive penny.
Mommy & Me. And Aunt VonThursday, December 20, 2007
suddenly
The countdown is on. It is almost Christmas. Like I'm telling you something you have yet to notice.
I did not get to do all the things I had hoped and dreamed would happen this year.
My shopping was done with time to spare. I still have a few last minute stocking stuffers to wrap. Not a big deal, really.
It is all the other stuff.
Such as looking at lights. We've done this twice. How many times until I think it is sufficient?
And then I wanted to have all the neighbors over this year. I even proclaimed this out loud. To several of them. Didn't happen and won't happen. I barely squeaked in dessert with my small group and their husbands. I promise not to drink the rum and will make that Rum Cake and have the neighbors over New Years.
I still want to bake a couple of more things (in addition to the Rum Cake). This may come to pass on Saturday. The thing is that I like when Randy and Annie help me and they are both working all weekend. I will still have one little elf around to help me. It is the one who doesn't do dishes. Darn!
Here is the fun stuff coming up!
Christmas coffee with my friend, Pam. It would seem that it would be like every other coffee but on the Saturday before Christmas there is something magical about it.
Our Christmas tradition of going to my Aunt's house for Christmas snacks. Everything that my Grandma made and then some will be at the table. I'm not sure how or when this started but Abe and I feel as if "Christmas" doesn't really kick of until this get-together. I can easily gain 5 pounds just thinking about it.
Christmas with Randy's family. Because his dad is in a wheelchair now we decided it would be best at the nursing home this year. Our meal is KFC. I am not ambitious enough to cater this myself. I will bring treats, though.
Christmas Eve coffee with the girls from my church. I'm not sure how long this has been going on either but it started with a Bible Study that I was in and I LOVE this time on Christmas Eve morning. I will get to chat with friends I don't ever see and then we do one last run through of the downtown stores.
Christmas Eve with my family. We will all go to church and come back to my house for snacks. More than snacks. A meal of good snacks. I am coming up with a plan for all the kids. Because that is what I do. Get overstressed and then over plan to keep everything in check. I just want everyone to have fun (this would include me) So I'm feeding the kids first and sending them down to watch a Christmas video. Will that work? We'll see. When this group of kids get together they are WILD AND CRAZY!!! Abe is already practicing his Power Ranger moves, back flips and door jam climbing in anticipation of the party at our house. I am making them sugar free jello. We don't need to add to the mayhem.
Finally, on Christmas morning when Randy is reading from the book of Luke by candlelight I will sit and meditate what this celebration has all been about. Calm will wash over me and I will be new again.
I think we'll do a run through of this tradition this afternoon. Why? Because calm and new are both calling my name right now.
I did not get to do all the things I had hoped and dreamed would happen this year.
My shopping was done with time to spare. I still have a few last minute stocking stuffers to wrap. Not a big deal, really.
It is all the other stuff.
Such as looking at lights. We've done this twice. How many times until I think it is sufficient?
And then I wanted to have all the neighbors over this year. I even proclaimed this out loud. To several of them. Didn't happen and won't happen. I barely squeaked in dessert with my small group and their husbands. I promise not to drink the rum and will make that Rum Cake and have the neighbors over New Years.
I still want to bake a couple of more things (in addition to the Rum Cake). This may come to pass on Saturday. The thing is that I like when Randy and Annie help me and they are both working all weekend. I will still have one little elf around to help me. It is the one who doesn't do dishes. Darn!
Here is the fun stuff coming up!
Christmas coffee with my friend, Pam. It would seem that it would be like every other coffee but on the Saturday before Christmas there is something magical about it.
Our Christmas tradition of going to my Aunt's house for Christmas snacks. Everything that my Grandma made and then some will be at the table. I'm not sure how or when this started but Abe and I feel as if "Christmas" doesn't really kick of until this get-together. I can easily gain 5 pounds just thinking about it.
Christmas with Randy's family. Because his dad is in a wheelchair now we decided it would be best at the nursing home this year. Our meal is KFC. I am not ambitious enough to cater this myself. I will bring treats, though.
Christmas Eve coffee with the girls from my church. I'm not sure how long this has been going on either but it started with a Bible Study that I was in and I LOVE this time on Christmas Eve morning. I will get to chat with friends I don't ever see and then we do one last run through of the downtown stores.
Christmas Eve with my family. We will all go to church and come back to my house for snacks. More than snacks. A meal of good snacks. I am coming up with a plan for all the kids. Because that is what I do. Get overstressed and then over plan to keep everything in check. I just want everyone to have fun (this would include me) So I'm feeding the kids first and sending them down to watch a Christmas video. Will that work? We'll see. When this group of kids get together they are WILD AND CRAZY!!! Abe is already practicing his Power Ranger moves, back flips and door jam climbing in anticipation of the party at our house. I am making them sugar free jello. We don't need to add to the mayhem.
Finally, on Christmas morning when Randy is reading from the book of Luke by candlelight I will sit and meditate what this celebration has all been about. Calm will wash over me and I will be new again.
I think we'll do a run through of this tradition this afternoon. Why? Because calm and new are both calling my name right now.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
FYI
Just a little FYI....
Yes! Little Miss Know It All has been bungee jumping! I know you are all on the edge of your seat waiting to hear that tidbit of info. You may or may not be surprised by a 7 year old bungee jumper. I, for one, was fully expecting it.
This afternoon I'm getting all of my gray hair taken care of. Glorious day.
And tonight, well tonight I am taking Abe on his first trip to the rollerskating rink. We are going to Couple Skate and do the Limbo. I was the Limbo WINNER when I was a kid. They used to say it was because I was short and didn't have too far to go. That is baloney. I was just talented and really good at it. I wonder if my jeans would hold up for me to try it tonight. Maybe I should wear sweats - just in case.
I grew up skating and this is more exciting than Christmas morning to me. I'm just hoping that on Christmas day neither one of us are in a full body cast. I may forgo the limbo after all. Maybe the jeans wouldn't be the biggest issue.
Just think - I have experienced Toy Boy AND rollerskating in the same week.
Just like the olden days! (minus the gray hair and old hips)
Yes! Little Miss Know It All has been bungee jumping! I know you are all on the edge of your seat waiting to hear that tidbit of info. You may or may not be surprised by a 7 year old bungee jumper. I, for one, was fully expecting it.
This afternoon I'm getting all of my gray hair taken care of. Glorious day.
And tonight, well tonight I am taking Abe on his first trip to the rollerskating rink. We are going to Couple Skate and do the Limbo. I was the Limbo WINNER when I was a kid. They used to say it was because I was short and didn't have too far to go. That is baloney. I was just talented and really good at it. I wonder if my jeans would hold up for me to try it tonight. Maybe I should wear sweats - just in case.
I grew up skating and this is more exciting than Christmas morning to me. I'm just hoping that on Christmas day neither one of us are in a full body cast. I may forgo the limbo after all. Maybe the jeans wouldn't be the biggest issue.
Just think - I have experienced Toy Boy AND rollerskating in the same week.
Just like the olden days! (minus the gray hair and old hips)
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
there's one in every bunch
conversation with my most favorite second grader after school yesterday....
Me: How was your lunch at school?
Him: It was Pizza. It reminded me of when I was sick and threw up.
Me: I wonder why because you didn't have pizza when you were sick.
Him: I know. But Haley "little miss know-it-all" threw up after eating her Pizza (this was said with ATTITUDE and his little fingers making quotation marks as he said it!)
Me: Little Miss Know-it-all?
Him: Yes. She has done EVERYTHING. Been EVERYWHERE. And she KNOWS EVERYTHING. She always says, "I know. I know. I know" and it is so annoying!(his favorite word)
conversation with my most favorite second grader this morning before school....
Him again: I am going to ask Haley today if she has ever went bungee jumping. I think you have to be like 16 or something to do that. I know she hasn't done that before!
Me: How was your lunch at school?
Him: It was Pizza. It reminded me of when I was sick and threw up.
Me: I wonder why because you didn't have pizza when you were sick.
Him: I know. But Haley "little miss know-it-all" threw up after eating her Pizza (this was said with ATTITUDE and his little fingers making quotation marks as he said it!)
Me: Little Miss Know-it-all?
Him: Yes. She has done EVERYTHING. Been EVERYWHERE. And she KNOWS EVERYTHING. She always says, "I know. I know. I know" and it is so annoying!(his favorite word)
conversation with my most favorite second grader this morning before school....
Him again: I am going to ask Haley today if she has ever went bungee jumping. I think you have to be like 16 or something to do that. I know she hasn't done that before!
Monday, December 17, 2007
Worn out bootstraps
I have had a Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.
I know it's Monday but for crying out loud!
I almost threw in the towel today.
Me unemployed would not be so good.
Especially at Christmas.
Who am I kidding?!
It would never be a good time for me not to have a job.
So I've pulled myself up by these old bootstraps....
...one more time.
I know it's Monday but for crying out loud!
I almost threw in the towel today.
Me unemployed would not be so good.
Especially at Christmas.
Who am I kidding?!
It would never be a good time for me not to have a job.
So I've pulled myself up by these old bootstraps....
...one more time.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Friday, December 14, 2007
Still Life
Last night, Annie had to finish (not to mention start) a project for her AP Art class. She whipped this drawing out with the help of Abe's old colored pencils.
10. mid- december
We have been busy at Santa's workshop. Here are some of the things you would have found us doing this week.
- Quick trip to Wichita. Finally got that security tag taken of Randy's birthday shirt. As a bonus, I had my one Big Mac for the year.
- Watched Santa and Toy Boy! I'm not sure why on earth this is on at 10:30 at night.
- Purchased all my inventory for some baking. Except sugar. They were out at Wal-Mart. And Bakers White Chocolate. Out of that, too.
- Mixed up Peppernuts. OK. Randy really did this for me. I will give credit where credit is due. He has taken over the tradition of Chief Peppernut Baker the last few years.
- Abe read to me. We love to snuggle up in the recliner with our books and blankie and read by the Christmas Tree.
- Took a nap. I take 'em when I can get 'em. I wish it was daily.
- Made Rice Krispie Treats. My personal all time favorite snack.
- Hearthroom - twice. I can see my most favorite Barista there.
- Re-arranged our basement. Trying to make it cozy for our Christmas Break.
- My company Christmas Dinner is tonight. However, we are expecting a blizzard today. I wonder what the backup plan is...is that my responsibility?
Monday, December 10, 2007
Tis the Season....
It's official. My Christmas mood has set in.
I love Christmas. I hate Christmas.
I can't wait for Christmas. I can't wait until it's over.
I am so excited. I am so anxious.
The story of me. What I love I hate.
There will be no train or plane bringing the first of my little Angels home this year.
For the first time EVER she won't be here for Christmas.
Her stocking is absent from ours. Her spot next to me at our dinner table is empty.
Transition. I'm in the middle of it and I hate it. I can't go back. I can't stand still. I have to get through it.
Our family has changed.
I need to be a big girl and just accept it.
Just like millions of mothers have done before me.
I can do it.
I can do it.
I can celebrate Christmas, the birth of my Saviour, with a smile on my face and joy in my heart.
I know that I can rise above all the HOLIDAY expectations and celebrate.
Celebrate my family. Celebrate my friends.
Celebrate my reason for hope.
Celebrate the birth of Jesus.
His mother had to let Him go, too.
That, in a nut shell, puts it all back into perspective for me.
I love Christmas. I hate Christmas.
I can't wait for Christmas. I can't wait until it's over.
I am so excited. I am so anxious.
The story of me. What I love I hate.
There will be no train or plane bringing the first of my little Angels home this year.
For the first time EVER she won't be here for Christmas.
Her stocking is absent from ours. Her spot next to me at our dinner table is empty.
Transition. I'm in the middle of it and I hate it. I can't go back. I can't stand still. I have to get through it.
Our family has changed.
I need to be a big girl and just accept it.
Just like millions of mothers have done before me.
I can do it.
I can do it.
I can celebrate Christmas, the birth of my Saviour, with a smile on my face and joy in my heart.
I know that I can rise above all the HOLIDAY expectations and celebrate.
Celebrate my family. Celebrate my friends.
Celebrate my reason for hope.
Celebrate the birth of Jesus.
His mother had to let Him go, too.
That, in a nut shell, puts it all back into perspective for me.
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Happy Birthday!
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Happy Birthday to my most wonderful, cute, smart and adorable husband!
You look great for being 6 weeks premature. Honestly, you don't look a day over, well, a day over 44! oops!
FYI: Our day hasn't gone as planned. Not they way WE planned, anyways.
We were packed and dressed and ready to head out the door early this morning. Abe thought it WAS CHRISTMAS MORNING! He has been up since the crack of dawn. It all fell apart when we received word from our road testers (Chad and Dad - thanks a lot guys.) that our trip was cancelled. (ICE!) That meant the surprise birthday part (Pattycake and all) would be shelved as well. No gift from me, either. Last weekend American Eagle forgot to take off the security tag.
So what is a family to do on a special day such as this? We loaded up and slid all the way to Neighbors for a Not So Hungry Neighbor breakfast. What fun! The place was packed. It was the second best way to celebrate a birthday.
My brother (Thanks Tal!) has invited us all over for an afternoon of snacks and games. Since we all made snacks for this weekend - it will be just like the Lodge. Minus the indoor snow. The waterslides. The fireplace. The cozy rooms. The shopping. The grandparents.
On second thought - it won't be so much like the Lodge. There will be lots and lots of kids, however. I know we will make it fun as we always do. I'm going to make sure my brothers dance to 80's music. That will make everything much better for me.
I know we aren't at the Lodge but we are still spending the day together. Happy Birthday Honey! Here is to many many more!
Friday, December 7, 2007
We're going to the Lodge (I hope!)
I feel as if our Advent reading for tonight wasn't just preparing us for baby Jesus but it was also preparing us for a weekend of ice and snow and much disappointment.
These were our questions tonight.
Q: What are you most looking forward to this Christmas Season?
Abe: Gifts. And The Great Wolf Lodge!
Q: What if circumstances out of your control change those plans? ie: weather, finances or sickness?
Abe: Oh, the weather doesn't matter. The Great Wolf Lodge is all indoors.
Ahhh....the innocence of youth!
We aren't crazy enough to travel 3 1/2 hours home on a sheet of ice. That is the forecast as of now.
There may be tears at our house. Lots and lots of tears. And I'm sure Abe will be crying, too.
These were our questions tonight.
Q: What are you most looking forward to this Christmas Season?
Abe: Gifts. And The Great Wolf Lodge!
Q: What if circumstances out of your control change those plans? ie: weather, finances or sickness?
Abe: Oh, the weather doesn't matter. The Great Wolf Lodge is all indoors.
Ahhh....the innocence of youth!
We aren't crazy enough to travel 3 1/2 hours home on a sheet of ice. That is the forecast as of now.
There may be tears at our house. Lots and lots of tears. And I'm sure Abe will be crying, too.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
little boy. big heart.
In an attempt to get our 7 year old to eat the crust, along with the rest of his sandwich, I have been over emphasizing how the crust happens to be my favorite part of the bread.
Abe was feeling overly affectionate towards me last night (which is rare in and of itself) and wanted to sit by me at dinner. His spot of choice is in between his big sister and his daddy, which happens to be across from me.
After we prayed, he grabbed the bread off my plate and put it on his plate! There was an entire basket of French Bread directly in front of him and I could not figure out what he was thinking. He proceeded to take the heel of bread out of the bread basket and he said, "you deserve this mommy. I know it is your favorite part of the bread." He was right. It is my favorite part.
After dinner, we ran to Wal-Mart. I have quarters in the console for my morning cup of coffee. He crawled into the front seat and grabbed a quarter before hopping out. I told him to put that back because it was my coffee money and he was not going to get one more thing out of the gum ball machine. I could tell immediately that I had crushed his little spirit.
He said, "It's not for the gumball machine. I wanted to put it in the bell ringers bucket for the little boys who won't get any gifts this Christmas."
My own heart skipped a beat and I handed him the dollar bills that were in the console, too.
Abe was feeling overly affectionate towards me last night (which is rare in and of itself) and wanted to sit by me at dinner. His spot of choice is in between his big sister and his daddy, which happens to be across from me.
After we prayed, he grabbed the bread off my plate and put it on his plate! There was an entire basket of French Bread directly in front of him and I could not figure out what he was thinking. He proceeded to take the heel of bread out of the bread basket and he said, "you deserve this mommy. I know it is your favorite part of the bread." He was right. It is my favorite part.
After dinner, we ran to Wal-Mart. I have quarters in the console for my morning cup of coffee. He crawled into the front seat and grabbed a quarter before hopping out. I told him to put that back because it was my coffee money and he was not going to get one more thing out of the gum ball machine. I could tell immediately that I had crushed his little spirit.
He said, "It's not for the gumball machine. I wanted to put it in the bell ringers bucket for the little boys who won't get any gifts this Christmas."
My own heart skipped a beat and I handed him the dollar bills that were in the console, too.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
My lips are sealed
I am really trying to keep a surprise until Christmas. It has been very hard for me. I have almost "slipped" several times. I hope I can be good until December 25. 21 days and counting.......
Monday, December 3, 2007
We are the Sandwhich Generation and I am the Cheese
And I HATE cheese!
Randy's step-mom is back in the hospital 30 miles from home. She is currently cut wide open from her adams apple to her belly button and packed with antibiotics and wrapped in saran wrap. Sounds rough, I know. She is not doing too good.
Not to be outdone (not on purpose, though), Randy's dad has lost 9 pounds in 7 days. He doesn't eat. He doesn't sleep. He is distraught over his wife.
At the nursing homes suggestion, last night Randy went and ate supper with his dad and try to talk him into taking a sleeping pill.
His dad finally ate but did not want the sleeping pill. I feel he needs to be treated as a 2 year old. He needs decisions made for him. Even if he does not agree with them. That is how I will treat my parents (sorry Mom and Dad) I will be taking charge. I took charge of my toddlers and I can take on aging parents. I am not afraid.
Once again, after getting out of bed in the middle of the night, he fell.
After a trip to the local ER to see if he had broken any ribs (he wasn't able to breath) it has been determined that he may have ruptured his spleen.
He was transferred via ambulance to a bigger hospital in a town 60 miles away and in the opposite direction as his wife.
Do I dare even say, "What Next?"
update @ 1:00 pm: 1 broken rib and no ruptured spleen. In addition the CT scan showed blockage in the colon. Spots on the liver. Enlarged prostate. The Doctor said it could possibly be colon cancer that has possible spread to the liver. He is also guessing the weight loss is due to this. He is coming home with those scans to give to his Doctor here and we will go from there.
Randy's step-mom is back in the hospital 30 miles from home. She is currently cut wide open from her adams apple to her belly button and packed with antibiotics and wrapped in saran wrap. Sounds rough, I know. She is not doing too good.
Not to be outdone (not on purpose, though), Randy's dad has lost 9 pounds in 7 days. He doesn't eat. He doesn't sleep. He is distraught over his wife.
At the nursing homes suggestion, last night Randy went and ate supper with his dad and try to talk him into taking a sleeping pill.
His dad finally ate but did not want the sleeping pill. I feel he needs to be treated as a 2 year old. He needs decisions made for him. Even if he does not agree with them. That is how I will treat my parents (sorry Mom and Dad) I will be taking charge. I took charge of my toddlers and I can take on aging parents. I am not afraid.
Once again, after getting out of bed in the middle of the night, he fell.
After a trip to the local ER to see if he had broken any ribs (he wasn't able to breath) it has been determined that he may have ruptured his spleen.
He was transferred via ambulance to a bigger hospital in a town 60 miles away and in the opposite direction as his wife.
Do I dare even say, "What Next?"
update @ 1:00 pm: 1 broken rib and no ruptured spleen. In addition the CT scan showed blockage in the colon. Spots on the liver. Enlarged prostate. The Doctor said it could possibly be colon cancer that has possible spread to the liver. He is also guessing the weight loss is due to this. He is coming home with those scans to give to his Doctor here and we will go from there.
I AM one of THOSE people
My daughter was one of those people last week and I was a BIG one of those people on Saturday. Totally self inflicted. Which is the worst.
My weekend Christmas shopping trip was fabulous until our dinner. From the moment we walked through the door and my ears did not hear LIVE JAZZ CHRISTMAS MUSIC I was disappointed. Bad service. Slow service. No service. Whatever you call it we should have dashed out before we got in over our heads.
After finally getting our drinks my friend sent her iced tea back. Bad iced tea? THAT should have been clue #22 but I am guessing we are a little slow. We still stuck it out.
My side salad made me gag. It was covered in some kind of white chunky cheese and I HATE cheese. I managed a few bites, only because I was starving and near pass out hunger stage.
Next came the four cheese rigatoni in creamy sauce. I took a bite and fear hit me like a ton of bricks. It was HORRIBLE. And contrary to popular belief, I do not like causing a scene.
When the Goofy Waiter asked how everything was we all said "good - good," which is a typical restaurant response.
And then out of my mouth came these words....
"What if I don't like this?"
And those words hung in the air......
And then I heard this from our Goofy Waiter.
"What don't you like?"
"Too cheesy????" I questioned myself. I was trying to be polite.
My friends (thank goodness I still have any friends) said IT IS FOUR CHEESE RIGATONI!!! IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE CHEESY.
Ok. Maybe it's not the cheese....I like Ravioli. Lasagna. Manicotti. Pizza. Those all have cheese.
"Is it too creamy?" Goofy Waiter asked me.
"THAT'S IT!" I am a red sauce kinda girl.
Goofy Waiter told me that their goal was for me to leave happy. So I ordered a baked sweet potato. I knew that was a safe choice. Only a sweet potato.
He brought it back minus brown sugar. He did not know where the brown sugar was.
He found the brown sugar and my friends, who at this time are finished with their pasta, encourage me to go ahead and order prime-rib, which was my first choice, anyways.
I ordered it. Medium Well. I do not eat raw or red or bloody meat.
Finally, my prime-rib arrived. With yet another sweet potato.
The meat - it was practically raw. I took a deep breath and slathered it in Horseradish (good thing horseradish is one of my favorite condiments - Thanks Dad!) and ate as much as I could.
Had I had the nerve to send that meat back I think I would have been scared to have eaten anything else Goofy Waiter would have brought back for me.
It would have been covered in his spit, I'm sure.
My weekend Christmas shopping trip was fabulous until our dinner. From the moment we walked through the door and my ears did not hear LIVE JAZZ CHRISTMAS MUSIC I was disappointed. Bad service. Slow service. No service. Whatever you call it we should have dashed out before we got in over our heads.
After finally getting our drinks my friend sent her iced tea back. Bad iced tea? THAT should have been clue #22 but I am guessing we are a little slow. We still stuck it out.
My side salad made me gag. It was covered in some kind of white chunky cheese and I HATE cheese. I managed a few bites, only because I was starving and near pass out hunger stage.
Next came the four cheese rigatoni in creamy sauce. I took a bite and fear hit me like a ton of bricks. It was HORRIBLE. And contrary to popular belief, I do not like causing a scene.
When the Goofy Waiter asked how everything was we all said "good - good," which is a typical restaurant response.
And then out of my mouth came these words....
"What if I don't like this?"
And those words hung in the air......
And then I heard this from our Goofy Waiter.
"What don't you like?"
"Too cheesy????" I questioned myself. I was trying to be polite.
My friends (thank goodness I still have any friends) said IT IS FOUR CHEESE RIGATONI!!! IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE CHEESY.
Ok. Maybe it's not the cheese....I like Ravioli. Lasagna. Manicotti. Pizza. Those all have cheese.
"Is it too creamy?" Goofy Waiter asked me.
"THAT'S IT!" I am a red sauce kinda girl.
Goofy Waiter told me that their goal was for me to leave happy. So I ordered a baked sweet potato. I knew that was a safe choice. Only a sweet potato.
He brought it back minus brown sugar. He did not know where the brown sugar was.
He found the brown sugar and my friends, who at this time are finished with their pasta, encourage me to go ahead and order prime-rib, which was my first choice, anyways.
I ordered it. Medium Well. I do not eat raw or red or bloody meat.
Finally, my prime-rib arrived. With yet another sweet potato.
The meat - it was practically raw. I took a deep breath and slathered it in Horseradish (good thing horseradish is one of my favorite condiments - Thanks Dad!) and ate as much as I could.
Had I had the nerve to send that meat back I think I would have been scared to have eaten anything else Goofy Waiter would have brought back for me.
It would have been covered in his spit, I'm sure.
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