Wild Woman Tribute - Kem

This is a special time for my great friend, Kem. She is turning 40 tomorrow, and is right now in the midst of a whirlwind surprise weekend completely orchestrated by her husband. He has plotted her itinerary from last night at 5:30 through Sunday night around 10:30 - and she doesn't know anything about it!

I am taking some space here to honor her because she means so much to me. I'm really rotten at mushy stuff, so this is just going to be a list. I'm going to breeze past the true but cliche stuff like she's passionate about Jesus and her family, a fantastic mom and leader... Anyone who knows her at all knows that stuff.Here are some of the extras:

• She's a great bass player in our "Rock Band" Ishooz (see alter ego above).
• She makes fantastic creative appetizers and loves chocolate desserts.
• She doesn't do mediocre. You're either on the team, or not.
• She is high energy but needs frequent down time to re-charge.
• She may have a touch of A.D.D. (; and not everything keeps her attention.
• She is open and real about life's journey.
• She's more comfortable with 20 year olds than 40 year olds.
• She likes to shop and will actually spend time browsing for the perfect gift for a friend.
• She can be trusted to follow through to anything she commits to.
• She likes late nights and could scrap mornings for sleeping in anytime.
• She likes to have the subtitles on for home-DVD viewing.
• She likes variety: in music, clothing, hairstyles, food and friends.

She is incredible and I hope she has the best birthday ever!

Book Review - The Last Lecture

I'm often late to jump on the bandwagon because I don't really watch TV or keep up with pop culture. Plus I usually refuse to follow the crowd. However, sometimes the crowd gathers for a good reason.

There are probably already a million reviews of this book by Randy Pausch, and you can actually watch his hour long talk Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams on YouTube from last fall. The book was written afterwards, designed to pass along to his three children, who became father-less when he passed away last month from metastatic cancer. His legacy focuses on "the importance of overcoming obstacles, enabling the dreams of others, and seizing every moment" to truly live in the time we are each given.

Two of my favorite quotes are:
- Complaining is NOT a workable strategy.
- Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted.

I wouldn't say I agree with or relate to everything, but there are definitely some gems in this story. If you haven't already, this one is worth perusing.

August 28 - Mixed Feelings

I can't decide if I'm looking forward to this weekend, or sad. Scott is coming back into town after being gone for 24 days, and gets the kids for the holiday weekend starting tomorrow at 7AM.

Somehow, about 5 days before he comes back, they start to get really mouthy and disrespectful. There have been more accidents and messes and screaming fits in the last 2 days than the previous 3 weeks! It's intense.

For this reason, the break will be nice. But I'll still miss them. I can't help but wonder if they ramp up because they're a little stressed out about daddy's re-entry and the change in environment and expectations. It's hard to be a kid in a changing world.

August 26 - In My Own Skin

I'm finally beginning to be comfortable and like my body again. The scars are still a little bumpy, and the internal scar tissue formation makes everything tighten up, especially if I sit flexed over the computer for too long.The beauty of fake boobs is that I can exercise without too much uncomfortable movement and I can trim down without losing everything up front. Some women gain chestiness with childbirth and nursing, mine were just deflated. But that's not a problem now. I think I need a new swimsuit. (-;

Movie Review - James & the Giant Peach

Based on the book by Roald Dahl, this DVD was, um, creative? The kids liked it; it was visually interesting and a little weird. It reminded me of how people develop alternate realities in their head when real life is rough.

August 24 - Why it SUCKS to be a Single Parent

It's not so much the normal logistical stuff you'd think of, like it being ALL ME to get everybody ready and where they're supposed to be on time with the proper equipment, outfit, sharing item, permission slip, etc.

What makes this so difficult is when they turn against you. This is inevitable, this is normal childhood. "You don't love me because you won't let me watch TV." "I hate you! " "You never do anything I want to do." "I want my daddy!"

There's no team, no one on the home front that has my back. No one to help objectively view a situation and stick up for the one adult player. Sure, I have friends in the community that love me and my kids, but they're not really around enough to be role models or reinforce anything consistently. Sure, I take them to church where they are taught to honor their mother and father. And my family certainly loves us all, but they're so far away.

I'm not saying I'm hopeless or helpless, just that it's painfully hard.

August 23 - Week in Review

Took the kids to Papa (Scott's dad) for their 6 month dental checkup. Seth had to have a baby tooth pulled; now I can't call him Shark-boy. Otherwise all is great. We spent the afternoon in the park and Walmart, because Seth is totally addicted to Pokemon and knows when all the latest stuff is being released, and I felt sorry for him.The children spent lots of free time this week teaching each other about bondage. This has involved lots of rubber bands and blankets and closets, but no one has been injured. They think it's hilarious; I'm worried they're training for future evil...

I went swimming with the kids in the lake for the first time all summer. I'm still pretty stiff, but they were watching out for me and made sure I had a floaty.Skyler took a nose dive down the steps and managed to gouge each shoulder and christen his forehead with a goose egg without shedding much blood or breaking anything. Despite the trauma, I'm hoping it was a good lesson in "play nice with your sister".

It's been a full week. I have had at least 1 patient every day and spent all morning today at Memorial Home Care's 25th anniversary "Live Well" Fair. The kids are still with Papa & Dida at the beach, so I should get my paperwork done while it's still quiet.

August 19 - Body of Lead

The scabs are starting to work off, a little at a time, with help from olive oil mini-massages twice a day. I almost had the guts to look at the scars straight on in the mirror this morning, but not quite. Despite requests for mid-healing photo updates, it grosses me out so I'm sparing everyone the nausea.

My whole body feels like it is twice the normal weight. I drag everywhere. I am so tired of being this tired! I can't get anything done...



Is this physical or emotional? Does anyone have any suggestions?

August 18 - Frailty

I worked nearly full days Thursday and Friday, then spent 20 hours learning how to "Rehab the Frail Elderly" in a continuing education course over the weekend. Lots to remember and contribute to the community.

This is my 98 year old next door neighbor, fighting off frailty with everything she's got. Cool, huh?!
My co-workers joked that the 30-weeks-along pregnant girl and I had to be lab partners because we are just like the fragile, creaky patients we see. Come to think of it, I am pretty fatigued and stiff and nauseaous a lot. What's up with that?

August 14 - Exhausted

Just a quick update, and then I'm turning into a pumpkin.

I saw Dr. Shulman today and had the long blue stitches yanked out. It kind of hurt and made me feel sweaty all over. She said everything looks great, the swelling will continue to go down. I have a blood clot in my hand where the IV was, which will go away eventually on its own, I guess.

She released me to return to work. Well, actually I released me and she signed the form. I'm taking it easy, and everyone at the office is really supportive. I spent the day there today and started on PT recruitment and patient referral management. We continue to be really busy, so at least one thing in my life is pretty secure.

I'm tired now and have to separate small children who are fighting over the same toothbrush...

August 13 - Blue Day

Maybe it's hormones, or the cloudy day, or the let-down from yesterday's excitement, or tomorrow's anticipated doctor visit and return to work, but today is a yucky day. Today I am mentally replaying all the could-have-beens in my life while the kids spread tiny toys everywhere and battle incessantly.

We're all taking turns screaming and sobbing. We've all had time out. We're all feeling disappointed in life this Wednesday. Boo-hoo.

August 12 - BCYF!

That's the Berrien County Youth Fair for anyone not born and bred in this area. It was a gorgeous summer day. Seth and I got the full view from stories above the grounds on the Death Drop. We all loved spinning, soaring, twisting, and tilting, taking full advantage of our ride wristbands.

We brought some friends (thanks Ame & Jenna, Sarah & Braden) to share our cotton candy and popcorn and ice cream and sno cones and corn dogs and lemonade.

We scrunched into the open air grandstand for the circus, featuring elephants, funny trained dogs, high-wire balancing acts and of course juggling. But the part that makes the fair more than just paid entertainment is the display of local young talent. We toured the animal barns, even hiking all the way to the back 40 so Skyler could see his favorite draft horses. We buzzed through the craft barns, especially critiquing the Lego displays.

It's one of my cherished annual traditions. The kids are already planning for next year!

August 11 - We Miss Nana & Grandpa

They may be having a great time sight-seeing across the countryside, but it's not the same around here without them.

Book Review - The Undomestic Goddess

From my collection of fairly predictable but pleasantly distracting and funny authors. I've enjoyed several of Sophie's works as audio books, and now I even hear the characters' British accents in my head as I read.

This book helped remind me to find value in simple things and joy in the people around me, while still utilizing my brain and continuing to grow. Pretty cool for a light novel.

August 9 - Arrrrgh! Insurance

Insurance companies can be SO STUPID! I'm venting now. This may not flow smoothly...

I got a letter last week that says my medical insurance has approved Scott's psychotherapy visits by his idiot-ass counselor who gave him permission to leave his family and "be happy about it". The guy who told Scott he's "too young (mentally? emotionally? financially?... he's 38 and already been married for 14 years) to be in a serious relationship" is gonna get paid.

However, today I got a DENIAL for counseling for Seth, my precious 9 year-old, who now has to deal with the fallout of his father leaving, his family falling apart and his mother recovering from cancer.

Like being a kid isn't already tricky. Aaaarrrrrrgh!

August 7 - Physical Update

The stitches are still intact under steri-strips. The swelling goes up and down depending on how active I am and maybe what I'm wearing. The bruises are fading to pale yellow, but are still tender to touch.

I can almost stand up straight. My energy level probably wasn't fantastic before, so maybe I'm back to normal. Doesn't everyone need a nap at 10 AM and 4 PM? Pain is minimal and intermittant, feels more like scar tissue tearing inside than anything else.

I had to buy new bras 2 sizes bigger than what I thought I needed. Huh. Not porn-star big, but not exactly a "C" either. I've been doing visual comparisons all week (I had cancer, I'm allowed). There must be a lot of busty girls out there wearing sizes I've never heard of, because most people are still bigger up top than me. I'm not complaining, just observing. I wonder if I get fatter if they'll grow too, or just rest perkily on the tummy rolls. Ew. Now I've grossed myself out and have to go do something else...

August 5 - Setback

Somewhere between vacuuming and running after kids up and down stairs 50 times today a lot of the pain is back. There's just not much down time with kids, so I sort of expected this. However, I had to go back to Percocet and am heading to bed at 9PM. The kids, still on West Coast time, are just beginning to wind down.

Thank God for Mom & Charlie! Good night!

August 4 - My Kids Are Home!

YAY!

August 3 - Productivity

Typical of my mom, right before she gets ready to leave she switches into Project Mode. Often this means she starts stuff that I have to finish after she's gone. However, we have actually gotten a lot done in the last two days! Good news is that I'm feeling better and can actually pitch in. First day without prescription meds or a nap - yea! And the kids return tomorrow morning - double yea!

Audio Book Review - I Am America (and so can you)

I was entertained, offended, amused, annoyed. I was never quite sure what was over-the-top sarcasm or serious. Don't know that I'd recommend it unless you like Colbert's show, but I think audio book is the best was to experience it since it includes a full cast and mood music.

DVD Review - Friday Night Lights 2

I don't even like football, but this is my favorite show. As with any TV drama, more incidents than could possibly happen in real life plague the characters. However, what I LOVE about them is that they handle whatever comes up like real people. Relationships are tested, high schoolers work, grandmas have dementia, moms cook regular food and vacuum, babies cry... you get the idea.


Plus I love the starring coach and his wife. They are beautiful and complicated, just like life.

The writing in the second season was a little dis-jointed. I don't know if this was from the strike, trying to cram too much into each episode, or because NBC debated continuing the show. I hope they stick with it, because I would highly recommend this series. I also hope they publish a CD of the unique music.

Book Review - Fearless Fourteen

If you have not jumped into the world of Stephanie Plum, accident-prone bounty hunter extraordinaire, the 14th novel in the series may not excite you. However, if you enjoy fast-paced, witty, sexy adventures, this installment does not disappoint. I read it in two days, and that was despite spending hours on the phone with my kids and taking sleepy medicine. So fun!