February 27 - Happy Birthday Seth!

My eldest son turns 12 today, with the teen years looming right around the corner. What fun! We celebrated this weekend with a sleepover/Xbox party. I think the whole household is still recovering from that adventure, but it was totally worth it.

Some stuff about D. Seth Johnson:

Height: about 2 inches shorter than me, with a shoe size 2 sizes bigger than mine.

Favorite hobby: playing Halo Reach

Favorite food: pierogies

Favorite music: pop, "like the Black Eyed Peas, Mom"

Favorite color: blue

Future aspiration: architect

I'm so proud & blessed to share life with this mischievous, bright, caring, charming young man. I love you, Seth!

February 24 - New Age

It's an occupational hazard, but I spend a lot of time thinking about aging. I'm really not a fan, but as my patients point out on a daily basis, "the Golden Years stink, but they're better than the alternative."

Recently I read an article on the biopsychosocial care model by Natasha Emmons in Today in PT. Sounds complicated but basically means looking at the whole picture and targeting therapy to each person. The article briefly addressed psychological issues and memory. This made me wonder how much of "the mind goes the older it grows" is scientific truth versus media hype or old people gripe. Here's what I found out.

Reaction time and cognitive speed do decline as people get older. This is probably related to a dozen factors, including loss of brain cells, decreased production of neurotransmitters, genetics, hormone changes, and cumulative side effects from all the other stuff we've done such as medications and smoking. Incidental memory, or things learned without meaning to recall them, fades with time. Fluid intelligence, or the ability to solve problems using reason and abstract thinking also declines. (Sigh.)

However, not all is lost. As adults age, the ability to use skills, knowledge & experience is actually enhanced, with continued learning capacity throughout life. Intentional memory also stays intact with healthy aging. This means calendars, lists, and memory strategies become really important. All is not lost. We may just have to work a little harder to remember the new neighbor's name. Or which nursing home we just moved into.

A retentive memory may be a good thing, but the ability to forget is the true token of greatness. -Elbert Hubbard

February 23 - Menu Malaise

I am so bored with cooking and, I can't believe I'm saying this, food! Meatloaf on Tuesday, tacos on Friday, pizza on Saturday blah, blah, blah. Over the last month several girlfriends have complained of a similar kitchen malady. Maybe it's just that time of year. It seems we all have about 5 go-to menus, and the rest is whatever we can get out of box with the least amount of effort that the household will actually eat. (Which is another gripe altogether: what do you mean you hate applesauce?! It was your favorite just last week!)

I had the brilliant idea that we could all share our 5 faves, which would expand our creativity and stretch a few tastebuds. Then someone sent me a recipe chain email, and I rolled my eyes and realized more info may not be the solution. Particularly if your food allergies are different from ours. Plus this blog isn't really a "high social response" experience.

So I decided to take a little time at the local farm market and see what that inspired. I brought home oat bran, adzuki and soy beans, sweet potatoes, and turnip greens. Hmmm. Anyone wanna come over for dinner?

February 16 - Energy Crisis

I'm getting ready to pay the most expensive utility bill of my life so far, thanks to a giant propane tank in my yard and a frigid January. Dale is threatening to "go Amish" and make us live by candlelight, and apparently a giant bonfire in the living room since we don't have a fireplace.

I'm torn about this, being a huge proponent of conserving resources and responsible living, but love love loving luxurious hot showers at any time of day. Is there a sustainable middle ground? We recycle, compost, and unplug. Most of our clothes are second-hand. We keep the thermostat at 64 degrees, prompting me to wear my down coat day and night. I'm considering donning gloves as I sit here and type.

I have the kids brainwashed, er, coached into following suit. Family mantras include "we don't waste food", "put on socks" and "turn it down, turn it off". Skyler has taken to unplugging his digital alarm clock every morning, which is pretty annoying when I have to reset it every night, but his intent makes me proud.

Yet we're still facing escalating energy and living costs. My energy cooperative just sent out an article predicting tripling expenses in the next two years due to federal regulations. How in the world are we supposed to pay for that?!? These kids better start looking for jobs!

February 10 - High Five

Late last summer, Naomi developed a tiny brown spot on her left hand. No big deal, the whole family is spotted. However, over several months I watched it change color and multiply in size. During a regular check-up, her doctor said it was nothing to worry about, but I insisted on further follow up. Two months later the office called to tell us an appointment was arranged with a dermatologist, in two more months. We changed pediatricians.

Anyway, in January, we saw the smart and kind Dr. Cerullo. She scraped the suspicious mole off and sent it out for testing. Two weeks later, her office called with the results: atypical nevus. Which really means "something's off, but it's probably benign". She promptly made an appointment with a hand specialist. A week later, Dr. Sylvan Clarke scheduled Naomi for surgery.

So that's what we did today. Check-in at 5:30am. (Yawn.) I see post-surgical patients all the time. I like hospitals. I love Grey's Anatomy and House. I do NOT love taking my baby girl in for surgery. Even if she is adorable in her little hospital outfit.

I think they got a late start, for whatever reason, which means she was more than half an hour later in surgery than they predicted. I'm not a nervous momma, but when I had no news by 10:15am, I felt my shoulders starting to ratchet up. When she finally came back to the post-recovery room, I noticed about 5 poke marks on her right arm where the IV was hanging. Hunh. Or that could have slowed them down.

She was peaked and greenish for a few hours, but after a chocolate doughnut and a princess movie, Naomi is back to her sassy self. Now the trick is to keep the bandage clean and in place for 10 days. Wish a momma luck!

February 7 - Time-Devouring Monsters

I don't have time to blog, or for that matter, time to form an intelligent, coherent thought worth sharing. I'm too busy learning to be "all dat" with our new Xbox Kinect Dance Central. Our basement is my new favorite venue: non-smoking, climate-controlled (sort-of), all my musical faves, creeper-free.

Unfortunately, it's a little, well, little. The support beam is my most willing but non-negotiable partner, and I keep tripping over the couch. Ow.

Kids are great cheerleaders though. "Look Mommy, you almost passed that move!"