some thankfulness and World AIDS Day....

a little late, but it's still officially thanksgiving weekend. and because i'm feeling so lazy, no caps today. :)

I am thankful for....

My husband. Yes, it's true. I have been "down" for the past 2 months. Well, "down" in a semi-down way. Surgery 2 weeks ago put me "completely down." My perfectionistic partner has been a trooper. From dish-duty to Girl Scout escort to "put the lights up on the house" and "go get the Christmas tree by himself" - I am thankful for it all.

My daughter. Her goofy sense of humor, willingness to try anything once and her tender heart. Okay, She also loves animals. While this is not a love I share (at all!), I admire it in my girl. She has been a tremoundous help to me as I've recovered over the past few weeks.

My little sister. We have a history all its own, my sister and I do. From turkey dances to Rogue River rafting fiascos to a giggle-fest a'la telephone, I love this girl. And rely on her for a little sanity. Nuff said.

She is my humor creator. True story.

My inlaws. Lee's sister and Dad are the peeps we spend the majority of our time with. Vacations, holidays and the like. With all of our quirks, we hang in there together. And I will say (because Sandra doesn't read this blog), that I'm not sure what I would do without my chat with Karen, who has become a bit of the glue for our familia. Glue that looks an awful lot like my mother-in-law, whom I miss each and every day. If I had a picture of her scanned, I would def. post. :)

Other important thankful notes? Health. A roof over our heads. Clean water to drink - and running through pipes and faucets. I don't have AIDS. My parents haven't died from AIDS. I will likely never contract HIV. I am not 10 and caring for my 3 younger siblings, like so many kids in Africa, specifically. My daughter will not know that kind of desperation.

Most importantly, I am thankful for the Lord. Who He is in our lives. That He saved me from a life of hopelesness. Or a life of hope in things that fade and fail. And the promise of eternal life that He alone can give.

:) A rambling post that I began last night. And very jaggedly finished this morning. ;)

24 days until Christmas!!! Yeehaw!

kb

MVI_2215[1].avi

that's my fella....

bellybuttons and ornaments

The past couple of months have been long. And by long I mean 'excruciating."

One of my co-workers blogged about his colonoscopy. I read some of it, thought it was too much info and told him so. After having a procedure of my own, I'm half tempted to share all of the details. I won't. But oh, I am tempted. I wonder why that is? No one is really interested in it. But oh, how we like to share. Wait, the only person who might be interested is one who is about to have a similar procedure.

And I doubt this blog pops up on major medical searches. So you're saved. For now. A wild hair may move me to give every detail at some point. It wouldn't take much, that's for certain. :)

I had surgery about...12 days ago. Recovery has not been without hiccups. Thankfully, I have a job that has allowed me to take extra time off. A daughter who worships me and worries about me and is the best helper a mama could ask for. And a husband, who for all of his words, took on the "other half" of our life in the best way he could while I recuperated. Not that he wasn't salivating over the thought of a vacuum in my hands...sigh.

One of my favorite peeps had her annual ornament party on Saturday. I am not really a girl who enjoys large groups of women. Oh, no. I do not. And I have bypassed my sweet D's soiree simply becuase of the estrogen. This year, I went. And the crowd was half the size. I will say, that a good time was had by all. Namely, me.

Granted, I hadn't left the house in 9 days. A trip to the gas station would have been fun at that point too. (oh, but I kid).

The end of the evening found a group of us forming a not-so-secret sisterhood of women who watch "The Real Housewives" reality show on Bravo. Specifically, the housewives of Atlanta. Or "Hotlanta" as some say (I'm taking a stab that my sweet Jeanette might pray for me over this one. I'll take it, sister). Nine days preceded by a month of pain and days in bed gives a girl a lot of time. I did read some books. I also became addicted to a few new shows. Hotlanta is one of them. Nene is my girl. I am counting the minutes until the reunion show airs in 43 minutes. Oh. yes. I am.

I also watched all six extended version disks in the Lord of the Ring series. I say this with the hope that it somehow balances out my reality tv watching. And by balances, I mean "erases."

Seriously, it was hillarious to discover not just one (camie!) but 2 more (shannon/dana) lovers of the show. It might be a little sad to tell you how long we actually dissected the show. But it was all in good fun. :)

Here are a few pics of our night togethah.

The group of us. Two people are making bunny ears behind my head. Really?

Two of my favoritest girls in the world. Jeanette and baby Shayne (l), whom I do not see enough and our hostess with the mostess (r), ol yella (danielle). These are my truest of peeps. Oh yes, they are. And when a tree falls in the forest .... (ha!)
One of my other most favoritest girls (and I'm using excellent grammar just for her) - Denise (r). We have been through some times together...in fact, I don't think I would have made it through some of those times without her. I do love my Dee-Dee. And her love for books and lending them my way. Um, and lots of other stuff too. :)

This just makes me laugh. Lori and Danielle. These are two crazy girls. Lori and I shared some laughs all night long. Mostly over people dancing in the pits. Ah well, someone's gotta do it. Right, Lori? :)

Danielle grabbed the camera as Camie and I went over-the-top with hysteria over our kindred hotlanta habit. Oh my. I'm so glad I posed with that plate in my hand. Dear Jesus.

This is probably the single-worse picture of me ever taken - but at the same time, the funniest picture ever. Thank goodness I still have my plate in hand - I could just not get it together. Or get my camera back from Danielle. Who know reality tv could make a girl laugh so stinkin' hard?

And this, I put in because what would an ornament party be without ladies gathering in the kitchen to listen to Danielle's hubby share his adventures of the evening? Real men defintely eat at Olive Garden, Cryin B. They also lock their keys in the car ALL the time. Especially firemen. Seriously, don't even worry yourself about that one. "Hey Nana, this is fireman bryan. Can you come get me?" Oh lawdy. But we do love us some cryin' b and the way he puts up with his wife's many, many, many peepettes. Seriously...an award for Bryan. !!! :)

This might be my goofiest post yet. Or maybe, the most sarcastic. Eh, I bet I can top it.

Here's to Thanksgiving 2008 - minus anything resembling pumpkin! :) Praying the holiday is blessed, loaded with family and memory-making moments! I am looking forward to some more time to heal and maybe put that vacuum in hand that Lee is so longing to see. :)

Aiight? :) kb

recovery...

On all different levels, recovery is work. Whether it be emotional, physical, mental or from surgery...it's work and it looks different for everyone.

I had surgery on Thursday - to fix a troublesome issue that's been with me since Hope was born almost 9 years ago. It began to hurt and affect the way I live (or wasn't living) - so it had to be fixed.

As I've laid in bed, recliners and on couches over the past 3 days, I've realized that good healthy recovery is a choice. I can do all of the things the doctor said not to and ignore his wisdom, and while I'll likely heal, it won't be a "good heal." I'll likely re-injur the wound. Temporary "bandaids" will reside instead of a good, strong scar that can withstand any new trauma or pressure that comes its way. God created the human body to heal.

I think it's true of the heart as well. So many adults are simply kids who need a true recovery. Their wounds have healed to the best of their ability, but true healing, the kind that can only come from a lot of hard work, forgiveness and looking at truth, well, it hasn't come to them yet. They need to take "orders" from the "big doctor in the sky" and make steps toward a full recovery. Most don't. But the choice is there.

Those are my Sunday words. From a girl who is still recovering from surgery. And a few other life experiences. But I'm looking at them. And know that freedom is possible.

"He jests at scars who never felt a wound." ~William Shakespear (Romeo and Juliet)

A scar is a beautiful thing. It represents recovery.

Be blessed!

hmmm....

No catchy title tonight. Just a quick blog-dump.

I'm having a minor surgery in t-minus 2 days. Two more wake ups. For the particular ailment, I am looking forward to being on the other side of the knife (ie healing). I'll be "down" for 3-4 days. I have some books waiting to be read. A few shows to catch up on. And maybe some rest to be had. Lee's a pretty handy guy. I suspect he and Hope will be dining on nachos and pizza and nuggets...but they'll survive.

I've been trying to master the art of the crockpot this past week. Much to the dismay of my family, I haven't quite mastered it. Last week, I discovered the brown rice isn't a good think to crock with. It never really "cooked." But the cream cheese chicken that it basted in was really good. Monday, I struck out again with an attempt at a beef and barley stew. It ended up being a big pot of barley with nuggets of meat and veggies buried inside. The liquid completely disappeared. I fixed it tonight...Hope and I dined on it (and it was good), but Lee took a pass. :)

I'm not giving up. Am looking for a recipe that will be a hit with this family. Lee isn't a picky eater...but he is finicky. And there is a fine-line difference there. He likes pizza, but only a certain brand. He'll eat rice, but only if it's accompanied with a certain sauce. That kind of thing.

I made tomorrow's dinner, tonight. Hope was in heaven b/c it's meatballs (to go with spaghetti). She loves them. Turkey meatballs loaded with shredded veggies and spinach. She doesn't even realize... :) But they are good. Wednesdays are a mad-dash for us. Home from work, change of clothes, gulp some food and off to Awana. :) She loves it. I do too. Lee has an award dinner tomorrow night...so it's just the Hopester and I. Maybe we'll have nachos instead (ha!).

My dear friend Denise (and fellow lover of books) brought some books for my "surgery down time." The Great Divorce by CS Lewis. I'm not sure how I've never read this - I've digested most of his works. I'm excited to read this. I hear it referenced all the time. I think she may have put some Karen Kingsbury in there for me too. Another guilty pleasure. I have 3 books that I have been picking up and putting down in a rotating fashion for far too long.

Boy, I hope I'm not doped up and have my wits about me. I would really love some reading time. :) I have been trying to finish a book called, "Here if you need me" by Kate Braestrup. It's so good.

I also have plans to watch some movies that we own, but I have yet to watch. Wanna know what they are? The Devil Wears Prada (i know, i know), Stranger than Fiction, Nacho Libre and Lord of the Rings 1, 2 and however many others there are. I'm not much of a movie-watcher - but I am determined to finish watch these. I was "down for the count" over the weekend and brought out "The Devil Wears Prada" - but got caught up in those housewives of Atlanta on Bravo. It was like a train wreck that I just couldn't look away from. Those girls are NUTS. And addicting.

So that's it from here. Spaghetti and homemade meatballs tomorrow night. Surgery Thursday morning. And prayerfully, a speedy and painless (smile) recovery.

If you know me much, you'll know that I am less concerned about the surgery and highly concerned about the IV going into my hand. Oh, how squeamish I am. Needles are not my friend. My hands hurt thinking about it. Bleh! Somewhere, Katie is laughing.

David Cook - Dare You to Move by Switchfoot

No reason. Just my favorite Idol winner. He's so cute. :)

my husband...

was off work today. Meaning, he took a day off. I volunteer in Hope's class on Mondays. And work from home before and after. Arrived back home after class duty to one shining and spotless home. The smell of stainless steel polish and Pledge were mingling with the smell of my crockpot chicken. Somewhere, June Cleaver was gleaming. And my hubby was obsessing. I followed the sent of Pledge. Wondering what if he wanted a little lunch. I was certain he'd worked up an appetite. What with all the cleaning. And obsessing. But alas, what I got was this:

"Kris, can you cook a lunch that doesn't require using the stove, oven or microwave? I'm good. I had some popcorn earlier"

Seriously. Stainless steal may be the death of me. And the catalyst for therapy for Lee.

I did make lunch on the stove. Carefully. He disappeared to another room. It was too much for him, I think.

I went upstairs to my office and heard a noise. A continual noise. I called for Lee and heard a muffled answer. He was outside on the front porch, touching up the paint around the door. The brush hitting the wood was my "continual noise." Swish. Shwep. Shwep. Swish.

As I retreated to the only messy spot in the house (ie my desk), I did feel compelled to tidy it up. A little. I brought down a few coffee cups. Enough for Mr. Tidybritches to give me a shake of the head and the unspoken, "If you'd just bring them down after you're done, things would always be clean." But I know if it sits long enough, eventually, my Mr. OCD will eventually do it for me.

Welcome to life at 111 Crazy Street. In McCrazyville, USA. The cleanest house on the block.

oye.

Lazy Saturdays are the best...

especially when it's raining. That's how I feel today, anyhow.


Our Halloween was fun - and uneventful, for the most part. If you know me a little bit, you'll know that I'm not a fan of Halloween. No particular reason. I'm not a makeup pro, so the whole costume gig, is more frustrating than fun. I don't like to be scared, so the horror aspect of it bites for me. Like I said, the reasoning isn't really there - just not my favorite holiday.

Hope loves to dress up. And she likes candy. So it's a fun time for her. And Lee loves to chaperone she and her friends through miles and miles of candyville, so it was a good night. I stayed home and handed out goodies to a lot of "kids" who looked old enough to be paying a mortgage, if not in college. Crazy.

I do, however, enjoy the haul of candied loot Hope brings home. She's not a chocolate lover (can you imagine?) - so most of that stuff makes it my way. Although, I'm trying to be good.



About a month ago, I "did a little something" while helping my fella move some treadmills. Long story short and a bucket of vagueness to boot, I am going to need surgery. I thought I could put it off for a month or so - but it looks like the sooner they can get me in, the better. Which kind of bites. Am hoping it will be the laproscopic version vs. the "whole enchilada." I'll know more on Tuesday. I am enjoying my lighter workload around the house and Lee's willingness to shoulder some things he doesn't normally, but I'd rather be healthy and not need the surgery, truthfully.

Hope has a cold. I told a friend of mine that I was going to blog about her brand-new nebulizer, but I don't have a pic to share. Hope was in the throes of an asthmatic moment yesterday morning, so we fired up her nebulizer (that hadn't been needed for 6 months). It sounded like a really sad volkswagon bus. By noon, I had a very slim and sleek new neb for my little one. It was like ditching an old 1980s cell phone and using an iPhone. :)



That's really it from here. Doing a little work over the weekend, anticipating some time out for surgery and hoping it happens sooner, than later.

:) Later mcgaters. k


See, Halloween just isn't my thing.