What a small world...

My working out story will defintiely not beat Karen's snot story but one worth sharing. I started to feel like crud and missed my boot camp class this morning so ended up going to the Y later in the day. I purposely avoid the Y later in the day because of more people and maybe actually running into someone I know and having to make small talk-hate small take-hate small talk while working out even more. So after I get done on the elliptical and doing some heavy leg work-squats etc, I head over to the other side of the gym and see someone familiar. Ahhhh it is my GI doctor who I had the privilege of just seeing last week for a pretty invasive procedure-no details needed. I am not sure what bothered me more-the embarrassing blubbering I did after the appt, and the dr witnessed-I blame the strong drugs. Or the actual mental image of what this guy does for a living and doing it with ME. Yeah, think of something else quickly!! Ahhh nice sandy beach, trees, ocean....

When hubby is away...

My hubby has left for the week on a work trip and this has been the chain of events so far:

Q threw up in his bed, both the top and bottom bunk-don't ask how

My tire went flat,luckily noticed by a kind driver, which I did not change in the middle of this cold freeze but drove directly on the back soft snowy streets to the tire place

My microwave was making very strange popping and humming noises while making "A" his pancake/sausage thing-a-ma-jig on a stick . I went directly after work to get a new one- the thought of reheating something in a pan was horrifying

"A" woke up "sick" and ended up staying home while I went to work-had to be there for a presentation I was doing. When I checked on him at lunch he said he was feeling MUCH better-ummm yeah-faker. Assigned him all the times to tables to copy for good measure (he must have been faking-he did them and even called to tell me he did a few extra)

While working on my presentation late last night-had a momentary scare with not being able to save the most recent saved powerpoint-somehow pressed a whole bunch of buttons and it worked.

None of these things are earth shattering but definitly worthy of a little sympathy Ben and Jerry ice cream after everyone was tucked in. Yummmmmm it is settling into my middle already along with the Red Lobster we had earlier. Yeah I was to lazy to cook also:)

Procrastinating

I am sitting here on my computer, putting off working on a presentation I am supposed to give tomorrow at another school and homework for my next class. I am being sucked into the blog dimension instead.

I have a story related to my recent appointment which I posted previously was fabulous news. I was driving in the car and jamming to music when this very old song by Rare Earth came on-for those of you who know me way back, I love weird old songs. Anyway it had this line-"I just wanna celebrate another day of living..."that was the chorus with this really cool funky blues sound. So I am singing along as loud as I can and amazed at what a gift life is. I promised to myself I will wake up each morning and go to bed each night thinking of that and being thankful- taking time for reflection during each day no matter how hectic, annoying, frustrating or tiring.

Enjoy the pics I struggled out in below zero temperatures to take for fun. You can also click the link and go down to "I just wanna celebrate"-maybe sing along when nobody is watching!

http://www.amazon.com/Very-Best-Rare-Earth/dp/B000009QLV

Moving on

Excuse me if I happen to write this again later or have very poor writing and spelling. Shane has ran to get me a BK happy meal (the last bite of comfort food) now that my appt is over. Wahooo everything was clear and do not have to go for another five years. My GI guy was funny-the tech guy says she is a little nervouse-GI guy -are you a little anxious Cher?
Me-Ummm yes-
GI guy-Not me.
I told him good but that was probably because he wasn't the one lying there on the bed. Gotta love him though he told the tech to give me the good stuff -they were trying to get my pulse rate down-mentioned it being "tacky" which I don't think is a good thing. And lets see.... think that is about the last thing I remember.

So looking on the bright side-All news is goo, I got some great drugs and drinking that vile stuff made me lose 3lbs overnight-I think I deserve a happy meal, don't you:)
And the best bright side all those great friends who put up my neurotic worrying and always have kind words.

Heading to boot camp tomororw to put those toothpicked arm Barbie girls to shame (that is for you Karen:)

warning: venting inside

Ok, I admit I have not written because I have been CRABBY.
Here is my list of the following things I am crabby about:

*Medical tests that come along every three years (really hate those)-definitly on my "not favorite" things to do list

*Diet that goes with my medical test-living without fruit and vegetables for two days is not fun

*My husband being out of town this week-causing me to miss my favorite boot camp class at the YMCA and other working out opportunities when I need it the most.

*My inabilty to control my comfort eating when I am stressed

*Birthday Parties-Kids ones that is, especially when your son's friend said he was invited while playing at your house and then same son comes home and says he thinks the party is already over. That honestly almost hurts more then upcoming appt.

There it is my lovely venting post, but where there is rain there are rainbows here are some things to make me laugh.

*Boot camp class teacher and personal trainer says I am looking leaner-butt looks smaller (not after all the eating this week buddy!)

Actual conversation:
A to his brother: Quinn you are pathetic
Mom: A-don't say that, its rude-go sit on the stairs
Q: Yeah A that's rude
Q: Mom, what does pathetic mean?

Our dinner time discussion centered around A's girlfriend named Aspen (hmmm nice sounding granola name-I like it). Brown hair with highlights (his words not mine) and he thinks brown eyes, they swing together AND she is on crutches-her dad ran over her foot. More information then I needed.
I commented that he was too young for a girlfriend, she is just a friend that happens to be a girl. I was corrected and told 8 1/2 is not too young for a girlfriend.

Each day is a succulent new beginning

Be still and let the beauty come

Sark

Sad week

This week has been a sad week. On Monday I went to the hospice house to visit a former student of mine who was very sick. He passed away later that day, he was 12 yrs. old. I had him as a student from kindergarten to 2nd grade and then I had his brother the last year and a half. They both have a rare genetic condition and I have worked with the family the last 5 years. I dedicate the next portion to Kody and what he taught me to be thankful for. I know he is in a better place right now, out of his wheelchair running, jumping, laughing and dancing to the Dixie Chicks.

When I am woken up in the middle of the night for a glass of water, I will be thankful my children can get out of bed to ask me for one

When A or Q talk back and disagree with me, I will be thankful they have the voice and words to use

When we go to the creek for the 100th time looking endlessly for crawdads while the laundry, dishes and all other meaningless errands pile up, I will be thankful my boys can strip off their clothes and get very wet.

When I worry needlessly about A and Q and school and grades, friends and fitting in, am I a "good" parent, or will screwing up now and then as a parent still allow my kids to be kind human beings.

When my patience is at its end and I wonder what I have gotten myself into, I will practice stepping back and seeing my life and my children as we are. We are OK and all is good-that I am the luckiest, proudest, most grateful mom in the whole world.


A few pictures of gratitude and living...

Shopping for a girl!

Ha ha did my title catch you a little off guard? No girls here, Quinn and I went shopping for a paryt he was invited to for a girl. He is very excited, he has a serious crush. So we go to Shopko to buy a present. He was great anxiety, kept saying, "What if she doesn't like it?". He was adorable. We had to pick out the wrapping paper, ribbon, card and found some bracelets on clearance he knew she would LOVE-his words not mine. The best part is when we get in the car and he said: That was really fun, I think we should have a girl at our house. This is coming from the child who usually calls anyone under the age of 4 "those little people who follow me around".
It was a beautiful moment. Off to pizza and movie night.

ugggggg

Thank you all for such a nice welcome as I venture into blogging. I will attempt the picture thing again, must have been something with uploading.

I made the phone call for my not so favorite appointment coming up. It is amazing how setting a time and date for something so simple can almost have me in tears when I get off the phone. BUT anyway, the personal history part is always amusing.

Desk lady-So what is your birthdate

Me-12/20/70

Desk Lady-Oh (pause), you were very young to have colon cancer

Me-Mmmm hmmmm

What I really wanted to say: Yes, I know I have been an unoffical club member of a disease reserved for the AARP.

She goes on to ask crucial health questions

Desk Lady-Have you had any joint replacements such as knee or hip?

Me-No

What I wanted to say-No, but you can replace my bosom if you would like-how about a nice size B when I wake up.

Desk Lady-Have you had any cataract or gluacoma surgery?

Me-No,

What I really wanted to say: Mmmm no but if you would like to take off my marshmallow kangaroo pouch on my stomach from having 2 8lb babies while I am under that would be great

Desk Lady-Do you use a cane, wheelchair or walker?

Me-No

What I really wanted to say-Only after putting up a pop up camper by myself in sweltering heat

To top off the day we had our first phone call from the principal-"A" got in a scuffle when he and some boys were goofing around and they knocked off his glasses. He lost his temper (not sure who he learned that from) and they all ended up on the ground. Luckily, glasses were found, good thing, poor kid is as blind as me and he just got a warning. Getting ready for a busy weekend, A and Q have their first ice skating lessons, a b-day party and my first session with a personal trainer.

For Chris-the picture is supposed to be down here

I bring you gorgeous flowers to stand beside your gorgeous self

Go to where you want to be, and the resources will follow

Sark

The very first official blog

Ok, now that I know I can actually post something here it goes. I have been reading gazillions of entries and already know that my words will not be as eloquent as others I know, or as hilarious. I am guessing my writing will be more like rambling-with thoughts being typed as fast as they would fly out of my mouth. Also any assisance with including photos would be greatly appreciated.
I am hoping this blog keeps me in touch with people I have fallen out of touch with and can in a small way be part of their lives and they part of mine. As the new year starts, we as a family are coming off of a great year. My hubby got a new job this year, I continue to work on my masters. A's school year is going well-each year gets better for him (which works wonders for my mood). Qball started kindergarten and of course is the "advanced" child and loves school-these are both stories for another time. We had a wonderful family vacation and in general I am grateful and thankful for everything!
Which is why this time of year always sends me into a tail spin with my yearly follow up doctor visits following my colon surgery 4 years ago. This year I have a couple of extra tests and the pessamist/negative little person that lives in my brain starts to wait for the other shoe to fall. BUT I am determined to not let this control me for the next six weeks and not worry about things out of my control (which is hard to do for one addicted to worrying). Blogging may help me share these worries which are not easy for me to do, showing weakness and vulnerability is not my nature. I am also excited to share fun and sarcastic things which ARE my nature.
I will end this first, long and rambling blog (told you) with a couple of quotes.

Qball-As I am getting dressed for Christmas Eve-"Mom, I love your dress (actually a shirt), it is so sparkly"
Conversation before above shirt was purchased:
A-Mom sure is taking a long time getting groceries
Hubby-She sure is
A-I bet she is getting a shiny new shirt to take the place of her favorite one she burned.
Ahhh how well my boys know me

Ride through life on a creative cycle

Your real vision is immeasurably valuable and I dare you to let it out! Let us all see what you have made real from your dreams and imagination

We are waiting to see...

By Sark

Work in Progress

I have been glued to my computer the last couple of hours reading through a few blogs of some dear friends. I have been inspired to at least "start" a blog and we will see how far I get from there! A joyful new year to all of you.