Book Review - How to be Cool

Fluff reading in a conversational, funny style. Through the heroine's obsessing over weight loss and helping others, she shared some great tips on self-esteem. And I actually finished a book only 1 week past the library deadline. Yay!

October 27 - Kids Speed Recovery

Been a little slow on the blogging front because I've been fighting off a horrid illness. Over the course of the last week I've been running a fever between 99 and 103.5 degrees nearly every day. This was associated with deep body aches and a desire to sleep till 2009.

At first the kids were less than understanding. I mean, it's not like I'm bleeding or sneezing or anything. However, by Thursday, when symptoms were at their worst, my friend Ame came over and informed them of all the potential complications of a high fever, like seizures and hallucinations and death. They were much more sympathetic and helpful after that.

Seth did a fantastic job of running interference between the other two and making me take Tylenol on a regular basis. He was very thoughtful and checked on me frequently when all I could do was lie in one spot.

Amazingly, no one else seems to be ill at all. Thank God! I'm medicated and on the mend now, but still lightheaded and nauseous a lot. I really missed my "Mommy Immunity" free pass on this one!

October 22 - Nipple Woes

FAIR WARNING: Graphic content.

Yesterday morning I had the follow up with Dr. Shulman for scar checks and a decision on the next step. I was all prepared to schedule the last surgery to create nipple buds and figured we could wrap this process up. I was ready to enjoy my new normal: bigger, symmetrical breasts and realistic looking and feeling (from the outside anyway) nipples. No such luck.

She informed me that my skin is too elastic and tight and the risk of non-healing isn't worth going through the next procedure. Boo Hoo! She also told me she is moving her practice to Sarasota, Florida at the end of the year. She said that over time (like years) my skin will probably loosen up and I could visit Florida for follow up procedures. (Side note: two kind friends have already offered to take the trip with me :-D)

Probably because I'm sick (fever 102 degrees) and feeling a little emotionally fragile from an over-busy weekend and interactions (none bad) with Scott, this sent me off the deep end. I just want to feel sexy and normal! Why is my body rejecting me? Why can't my life take one easy turn?!

And before any really helpful people write or call to tell me how lucky I am to be alive and enjoy my fantastic children and blah, blah, blah. I know. I don't need to look on the bright side all the time. Today I'm just feeling a little sorry for myself. I'll perk up tomorrow when the antibiotics kick in.

October 20 - Fun Stuff

I LOVE this time of year! Sunny days, cool snuggly evenings, pretty pumpkins, apple pies and Halloween fun!

Friday night we crashed a local neighborhood Halloween party. Well, actually we were invited by my great friends Diane and Tom. This Edwardsburg subdivision is the area I hope to call home when we have to move next spring, so I've been taking the kids over and pretending we already live there. We take evening walks and introduce ourselves to the neighbors.

The shindig on Friday included a hay ride, sack races, cute crafts, candy, decorate-your-own caramel apples and great costumes and social time. Even Seth, who didn't want to go play with the little kids or dress up, seemed to enjoy himself. We had so much fun the kids ended up having an impromptu sleepover when they fell asleep watching Indiana Jones.

I am so blessed to have kind friends to enjoy this season with me and my family!

October 16 - Required Re-learning

With my flexible schedule and awesome job, I have the opportunity to help out in each of the kids' classrooms on a weekly basis. I have decided it's a little bit of a mission outreach and out of my comfort zone since I don't actually like children that much. However, the benefits to being an integral part of their school lives, friends and learning are HUGE!

All that as an introduction to my real rant. Recently I have had the opportunity to get to know many new people, and a few generalizations are disturbing. Do you know how many adults in their 30s and 40s aren't even registered to vote? Do you know how many haven't picked up a book in years? Do you know how many are just figuring out the whole info superhighway thing and have spent the last decade mostly drifting through life figuring the perfect person will make them happy?! Ugh!

I think it should be mandatory that every 5 years or so we get sent back to grade school. There, the walls are plastered with helpful info that many adults seem to have forgotten.

- Tell the truth, then you won't have to remember the story.

- You only fail when you quit trying.

- Learning is a daily process.

- Helping someone else smile will make both of your days brighter.

- Treat others with the respect you desire.

You know, the basics. Maybe every now and then we could just walk the halls together and follow the line leader and keep our hands to ourselves. I think this just might solve some of the world's woes.

October 15 - Pumpkin Patch

Sunday was a stunning and unseasonably (84 degrees!) warm day. The kids and I took advantage of the opportunity to trek north to Jollay Orchards for apple picking, hay rides, a sorghum maze and general fall frolicking activities.

The pumpkins were slim on selection and pricey, so we headed back south to complete our adventure. The patch off of Douglas road had a fantastic collection including all the Martha Stuart suggestions like Cinderella pumpkins and gruesome gourds.

It was a long day, with sunburn and skeeter bites, but I think the photos speak well of a memorable experience.

Wild Woman Tribute - Grammy

Anna P. Johnson is actually Scott's paternal grandmother, but I've called her Grammy since I met her almost 16 years ago. Recently she was diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer and she is now under hospice care. She has helped us in many ways, and I want to honor her while she is still with us.
Grammy has seen a lot of joy and pain over her 91+ years, raising 3 children (often without help), working as an elementary teacher and elder caregiver, and being an active member of her church. She loves kids and has guided 3 generations in her own special way. She has a strong faith and likes to help others. Grammy has a ready smile and has kept the same portable "hairstyle" for over 30 years. She is a collector and shopper, and has given dozens of small children happy memories from her toy chest.

She is fiercely independent, and has taken care of herself and others most of her life. Although her health is declining, she continues to be a blessing and hasn't lost her smile despite the pain she is suffering. She is a strong woman and I have been privileged to be part of her family.

Book Review - SheetzuCacaPoopoo

"My Kind of Dog"

Normally I don't review children's books, and on principle I refuse to be a fan if the author is already famous for something else. (Except for Jami Lee Curtis, who is super-cool and can do no wrong.)

However, I really liked this gem from our last library run and wanted to share the love. It's about the melting pot of real life and great community values, through cute dogs' eyes. Plus you can put on your best character voices to bring the gutsy Chihua-poo and demure Afghanoodle and friendly SheetzuCacaPoopoo to life for everyone's enjoyment.

October 8 - Girly Weekend

I feel like I've been out of the blogging loop for a while and I've missed it! Life seems to rush by without time for me to assemble my thoughts. Today I have to sit with my foot wrapped and elevated, waiting for the swelling to go down so I can figure out if it's broken or just sprained. While this puts a serious crimp in my active lifestyle, it will give me time to take a step back and catch up online. Just keeping up with email, facebook, twitter and bloglines is like a part-time job (which I love)!

I want to take a moment to be thankful for my girlfriends, who put up with my whining and relational drama while helping keep me focused on what is important. Last weekend was a fantastic example. Scott had the kids most of the week and through the weekend. This should be freeing and productive time, but I tend to get mopey and need help to keep from sinking into depression.

Friends to the rescue! Friday night my girls' book club came over and we shared yummy Mexican-themed food and conversation. Saturday morning started early with a shopping trip with Diane, Skyler's best friend's mom. While out I got a text reminder to meet my friends Arin & Summer for lunch at Olive Garden. Yum! While there I got a call to meet Kem, Jami & Lindsay for a girly movie that afternoon. After that I finally ran home to shower and let the dog out, just in time to exchange messages with Tina and Lara and Natalie, then head over to Ame's house for dinner and drinks. All very casual, all spur of the moment. How cool is that?! I have the best friends ever!!! Thanks girls!

Book Review - The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

A quick read on a troubling topic, this story follows a year in the life of a 9 year-old boy, Bruno. This historical political commentary is written from his naive perspective, but is really not a book for children. I would recommend it, but would want you to have someone to talk to about it when you finish. It was great for our book club!

October 6 - Size Wise

I will preface this post with the fact that it will involve a bit of bragging, and I know none of you will feel sorry for me. Still.

Here's the issue: I lost a fair bit of weight through the changes and surgeries in the last 6 months and now NONE of my clothes fit. I officially hate everything I own. Actually, the summery shirts are ok, but now that we have frost warnings at night I have nothing. And it's not like I have a clothes budget or anything. I went to 3 Goodwill stores for 50% off this weekend and only ended up with jeans. That's it. My entire lower half wardrobe.

I'm like my skinny kids, doubling up belts and holding my pants up everywhere I go like a "homey". The nurses at work follow behind me and gather up everything. Embarrassing!

There are a lot worse things to deal with, but facing daily wardrobe issues really puts a crimp in my appearance self-esteem. Oh well. For now I'll dream of hip clothes that stay on, and pray God guides me to the best place to pick up hand-me-downs.

September 30 - Single Advantage

Tuesday was a quiet evening, and the kids were all staying with their dad up in Cassopolis. So I got to thinking about a few of the good things in the situation.

- I can wear frumpy flannel jammies and knee socks on a cold rainy night and not even worry about being un-sexy or stand-offish.

- I can sleep diagonal in my bed (although I still pretty much stick to one side).

- I can share a single carton of ice cream with all three kids because we like the same flavors, and it will still last at least a week. That's some savings!

- I can set the temperature at whatever makes me comfortable and adjust the kids' clothing accordingly. More blankets anyone?

Nothing worth giving up a marriage for, but I'm thankful for the little things.