Updates Galore

I realize that my posts of late have dealt mainly with my inner conflict, general conference or rude people.  But is hasnt' given you much sight of what is actually happening on my life.  So today I'd like to remedy that.

1) The Boy passed his driver's test, so now we are just waiting for his birthday and the early morning opening that day of the DMV so he can get his "real license".  He can't wait.  I am proud of him, but know he needs a job to pay for all the "fun" he thinks having a car will be.

2) The Girl took second place in the Science Fair a few weeks ago and won $75 cash for her placement.  He project was also selected to win a scholarship to Westminster College in SLC, but that won't help her at Utah State in the fall.  But good job, nonetheless.

3) Genius Golfer was turned down (again) after an interview at BYU.  I keep hoping something will com e up that he will love, but so far nothing.

4) After interviewing twice for posts at the high school, and not getting them--and not even getting an interview at the other two posts within the district that I thought were good fits, I got online at looked into LDS Employment Services just to see what might be useful to me if I end up having to work in the fall.  I opened a .pdf file of a workbook they use and burst into tears at the computer.  I realized in short order that I don't want to work--that I feel like that would cheat The Boy and I'd have guilt form here to Timbuktu.  I really felt strongly that I'd love to have GG working again and earning an income for our family. That recognition and realization was both honest and discouraging.

5) Over Spring break I came to a decision that I am done with PTA leadership and will (happily) just do some support work from home next year--the website, email trees, and online sign ups.  I told our PTSA board in our meeting on Monday and by Tuesday had someone step up and willingly take the president's role for fall.  I think we can fill in the executive positions for her and they will be fantastic!  Sometimes, when people think that you'll "just do it if you have to" they don't feel the need to step up.  Luckily, I honored that  strong feeling I had over the break and took myself out of the picture.

6) My first tulips opened this week...with snow all around.  Must be Spring in Utah.

7) The Boy has an appointment with the plastic surgeon to see about finally fixing the lump on his left temple.  At first-- a few years ago--we were told it was a lipoma. The first dermatologist popped it like a zit, only to have it show back up a year or so later.  The second dermatologist sliced it open and tried to pull the "sack" out that held it in place. Now a third dermatologist has sent us to a plastic surgeon to hopefully remove it once and for all.  this guy does a lot of skin cancer repairs, so he is going to be a good one to take this project on.  I just hope it works.

8) The Girl has been complaining of pressure under her rib cage, toward the front of her chest--like a bruise on the bone--that hurts a great deal as she tries to eat. We can't figure out what might have caused anything abnormal, but we are keeping an eye on it in case it is something more sinister.

9) My dad has been in and out of the hospital in the past month which has been very upsetting as I am 900 miles away and can't really be of much help--to him or my mom.  His calcium had been off the charts high so the doctors removed 3 of his 4 para-thyroids.  then as that was healing his calcium levels bottomed out and he had to be given IV calcium to even out the levels.  There is hope that this leveling out will eventually happen, but in the meantime the swings are hard to manage.  Luckily the kidney is working well and that isn't what is bothering him.

10) Genius Golfer is registered to attend a BSA Wood Badge training course the end of this month that our stake is hosting.  The presenters are all wonderful folks I got to work with in my former calling and whom I respect and love.  I just hope he absorbs it and the effects help in all the aspects of his life--not just with Young Men.

Update on Tammy's Family

As many of you have followed along the heartbreaking two year journey with me as my Dear Friend Tammy struggled with and ultimately lost her battle with ALS, I thought I would give you an update on her good husband, Mr. Rick.

Today is Mr. Rick's birthday.

He is back to his full-time work. He has an office gig but can also work from home. His employer is the same and his job description is the same as it was while he cared for Tammy. He does travel a bit but not for days or weeks at a time.

While he knows he'll never have his "normal" life again, he is working with a NEW normal. And things seem to be settling into place.

Mr. Rick's girls are 19, 15, and 12. 19 year old Sarah goes to the local university and works in their town. She has also become a valuable resource for Mr. Rick as she is pretty flexible with her time so as to help with picking up sisters from school, soccer practice, basketball games, or from friend's houses. I think Sarah is a big help to Mr. Rick.

15 year old Rachelle is finding her old self again. She is playing soccer for her highs chool team. She is going to do things with friends away from the house. She is learning to drive. She has been a strength for Mr. Rick as everyone learns how to get along with their mom.

12 year old Emily is probably the most out of sorts. But can you blame her? She will be a seventh grader, I believe, this year so she is starting a new school with a new situation.

Genius Golfer meets Mr. Rick for lunch once a month and he does what he can to help his friend and the girls. He is male, and as such doesn't say a lot of what his feelings are or express his needs or inner hurts. But he did tell GG that although the carpet is gross throughout the house, his girls still don't pick up after themselves or clean up messes enough to warrant new carpet. He's going to do that when they all move out.

Yep, a New Normal is coming. Slowly, but surely.

Stop Bringing Me Down, Man

I'd first like to apologize for my written pity party post yesterday. Things are not as bad as I made them sound--or even as bad as I meant for them to sound. A lot of my whining comes from things I signed myself up for--like Dear Friend Micheale reminds me "I'm a volunteer". So true. So I am sorry to dump on each of you in this forum.

The Boy's stitches came out yesterday morning and the doctor said his incision is healing beautifully. The nurse put steri-stips on the incision and they will stay on until they slowly wear themselves off. The Boy, much to his disappointment, can fully wash his hair and face every day without disrupting the wound. Good thing, is all I can say there.

The Girl is still enjoying swim practice, but prefers to actually swim. They only have access to the pool every other day (on "A" days) so on "B" days, at least so far this week, they are running and doing dry land workouts. They are no so fun for her. But she is getting to know the high school and the high school kids. As a freshman from the junior high, that might ease her transition next fall. Not that she will need much easing. She is mostly easy going in general. Lucky for me.

I'm preparing an assignment for our Stake Leadership meeting coming up next week. I have the spiritual thought in our opening exercises with the Relief Society and Primary sisters and then a small part in our Young Women specific section. That is my goal today, as I spent all of yesterday working on PTA. I need a break from that side of my life and the concentration on the Spirit might do me some good.

Genius Golfer is putting in long hours at his new job--new being about two weeks or so old. He seems to like it, but the hours are not my favorite. At least he HAS a job, I know. I was just spoiled when he was only 5 minutes away. Now he is almost an hour on the freeway each direction. I miss having him home for dinner and to say morning family prayer with us. He is building a department and a IT system from scratch, essentially, so there will be long hours for him for a while. SO long as he is happy, I can learn to adjust.

It is Tuesday, and while I still have many things on my "To-Do" list, I recognize I am blessed just to have the flexibility to do all the things I can do. I am blessed to be healthy enough to do them. I am blessed to have the time to do many things other ladies don't have time to do. Some day I'll have time to do other things I think I want to do, but in the meantime I am counting my blessings today and trying to enjoy the day as it unfolds. Thanks for listening, even when the whine gets turned up too loud.

Almost Area 51

In the event that you were worried, since I never got a post up yesterday, I was not abducted by aliens. It was just a wicked busy day. I was dealing with a bit of birthday hangover, PTA overload, Mount Laundry, and Trek leftovers. Throw in grocery shopping, a trip to Costco, and being the phone operator in Crazy Town and I never made it back to the computer to write. I did get nearly half of my blog-book edited though--that is my birthday present to myself. Since this is part journal, part personal rant, i used the milestone birthday as the stopping point for the first volume of my memoirs. But there was a bit of tweaking that needed to happen before I could order the printing.

So, I am still here, in one piece--though my blister callus on my heel opened up today and is bleeding now. (Surely, that is Too Much Information!)

Genius Golfer took us to Olive Garden fro dinner Monday night and had a cake from our good 'ole local Macey's bakery for me for FHE treats--so the world was good on Monday. And, actually Tuesday too since my Olive Garden dinner had fabulous leftovers for lunch yesterday too. And plenty of cake. You gotta love cake.

And just for the record, I have imbibed a total of 30 ounces of diet coke since I got home from trek. And I am 10 pounds lighter, to boot. That is highly motivational to keep drinking water.

Maybe I was abducted and brainwashed against drinking diet coke after all. Whatever works!

Back in the Saddle Again

Alright! We are back to normal around here (whatever THAT is) today. We are getting up a little earlier, eating a little more regularly, and hopefully going to bed a bit easier. School is back on today!

Genius Golfer didn't have any vacation time so he was working all during the Spring Break, but he got to have lunch at home (seeing as he works 2 minutes' walk away) each day with kids. Now they are back into the school lunch plan and back to the standard operating procedure. Yahoooo!

The weather is finally agreeing with me--nearly 70 yesterday, and closing in on 80 by mid week. This was worth the 8 inches of snow last week. Too bad this weather wasn't here for Spring break, but this might be Mom's Revenge weather...for me to enjoy and you to go to school. we'll see how this week shapes up, and I'll keep you all posted. Happy Monday!

Family Update

Here is what Genius Golfer has been up to lately. He is (finally) building an entertainment center/bookshelves fro me in our family room. The first phase is done and we moved in the video library today. Eventually the book shelves will surround the (too big for my liking) TV and the little video cabinets will have doors. Baby steps are great in the mean time. Thanks GG! You're the best.

Here is what The Girl is up to today. She is blowing green gunk out her nose and hacking green gunk up from her throat. She is drinking lots of liquids and taking medicines. She will be staying home for the Young Women Broadcast in Salt Lake tonight. We are going to watch it on TV after the fact. Better that, than be sick and miss school, I always say.

Here is what The Boy has been up to lately. This is an older picture--he has outgrown the gear and the bike, frankly, but he loves to spent 20-30 minutes in the afternoon before dinner time turning donuts in the mud in the back yard. He knows how to play safe on the bike and in the mud, and he is happy to entertain himself this way. With all the time he is putting into play practice lately and the homework and scouts stuff, he probably likes letting off a little steam in the backyard, my himself, with his bike.

My update this week, I am happy to say, involved no more allegations of harassment of any kind. My first day back at the Sucker Table went off without a hitch, and I didn't leave wanting to kill anyone. Sometimes progress must be measured incrementally.