Mom's brain

Well, after a rough battle with medications and rapidly deteriorating eye-sight, Mom had an MRI. They found a walnut-sized tumor on her pituitary gland, which has been pressing on her optical nerve. Her carotid artery is mixed in somehow, making everything a bit tougher to fix (it wouldn’t be Mom’s body if it was easy). So, after seeing specialists and now the surgeon, she’s facing surgery in the near future. The longer the wait, the scarier it gets.
Recently Mom took a spill in front of her house and I watched her go down –almost in slow motion. I was at least 15 feet away from her, so it wasn’t possible to run to catch her somehow, but just watching her fall like that was VERY disturbing to me. Okay, now I’m pregnant, so everything is a BIGGER deal than it might have actually been, but it was absolutely terrifying. I had the quick vision of mom going down and not coming back up. The fall was quite bad, and Mom was really banged up –her eyes were so bad, she couldn’t tell if the huge cut on her arm was deep enough to go to the ER… It was the next day they found this tumor.
For Mom, it’s rather validating to have a REASON for all the irritability and the “need” for medicine changes, and the vision impairment. Regardless, it’s not going to be an easy road. Nothing about my Mom’s health history isn’t scary, but brain surgery makes me edgy.
I’m not going to make any “final thoughts” here on how much I admire and adore this woman. I will simply say; Mom, I love you, and I have faith that everything is going to be okay.

Big Government

SCARY SCARY SCARY. I can’t believe that somehow it’s okay that the Obama administration has taken such personal control over Chrysler. Regardless of bail-out responsibility to tax payers (hmm, did we rush into this?), this is a COMPANY, not a Government program. Who is next?
Yes, I want him to fail. I don’t want to see a successful attack on capitalism.

Uh, scary, but pretty true...

Thanks for this uplifting one, Peggy! I love it! Your Personality Is Like Heroin

You're capable of the highest highs and the lowest lows. Addicted to feeling good, you'll do almost anything to avoid pain. People seek you out, even though you can be quite moody. They're hooked on you! At your best: You are euphoric, stress free, and a little sleepy. What people like about being around you: They're not exactly sure, but they can't get enough about you. What people dislike about being around you: When you finally leave, they go some pretty serious withdrawal. How addicted people get to you: Very... you're quite dangerous.

What Drug Is Your Personality Like?

HAIR CUTS!!

My little Mia-Mushroom desperately needed a fix-em-up in the hair department after Lance had the bangs chopped ("at least it's out of her eyes"). Uhhhhhh.So we took a little tripsy to the most wonderful hair-genius in the WORLD, Lori! Lori has been doing my hair for a little while now (THANK YOU JAMI FOR THE REFERRAL!) and she's amazingly talented. She's got such a darling personality too, I told her she can never stop doing her job!

Ella was SO good in the chair -a natural! Once she's my age, she'll never know her natural hair color again either! :) The whole experience was a bit traumatic for Mia-babes. She cried and cried and cried! When I took her off the chair, she was still miffed with me, but was working through it.

(hahahahahahah, I LOVE this picture: MEANEST mom alive award?)

So when I held her, we tried a few "after" shots, but nothing turned out too honky-dorey.

(heh)

We were in a hurry to get out of there since Mia was so edgy, so I didn't get a good shot of Ella's cut. I took it this morning. How lovely is she?!

Milly goes to the Doctor!

On Monday I ventured out in the snow to drive my Milly-Kisses to Primary Children's Hospital. Ella (being VERY smart) didn't want to go, so she stayed with her Aunt Candace and played with Chaston (Chazzy-bear) all day. *Thanks Candace & Scotty!

We arrived a little early, but considering the wet baby pants (won't say anymore on that) the timing worked out well. Dr. Foster gave her a looksie. She checked out her hands, her tummy, her eyes, her ears, etc. I spoke with her about Mia's habits and what she eats and drinks, etc.

Dr. Foster was VERY understanding about Mia, as she sees kids like this all the time. Lance and I have (of course) been concerned about her due to her size. She (the Doctor) said that she has a group of kids in the same boat. These are just big kids. She virtually ruled out any thyroid issue because she's proportionately (relatively) tall -which is why our family Doctor hasn't been overly concerned.

We are supposed to have a lot of labs run, we didn't get them run there due to the type they need, so I'll have to have it done as soon as I can here. This is mainly to eliminate other possibilities, but, that's about it.
In the meantime, we'll be working with a dietician to tweak what she eats in order to slow some of her gain. I've been at a loss between skim milk and no juice, and lots of natural foods, but I'll take what help I can get in order to ensure this baby's health.

My sister Rachael pointed out to me, that this is payback for my dear dear mother having to put me on a no-additive/ no-preservative diet in order to diagnose my headaches when I was a kid. Heck, that involved making me home-made bread! YIKES! Inconvenient? Yes. Would she have done anything less in order to help her child? No.

So there's the skinny on our chunky-monkey. :)

Socialism

An economics professor at Texas Tech said he had never failed a single student before but had, once, failed an entire class. The majority of the class had insisted that socialism was a better system as no one would be poor and no one would be rich, a great equalizer. The professor then said ok, we will have an experiment in this class on socialism.
All grades would be averaged and everyone would receive the same grade so no one would fail and no one would receive an A. After the first test the grades were averaged and everyone got a B. The students who studied hard were upset and the students who studied little were happy. But, as the second test rolled around, the students who studied little had studied even less and the ones who studied hard decided they wanted a free ride too; so they studied little. The second Test average was a D! No one was happy. When the 3rd test rolled around the average was an F.The scores never increased as bickering, blame, name calling all resulted in hard feelings and no one would study for anyone else.
All failed to their great surprise and the professor told them that socialism would ultimately fail because the harder to succeed the greater the reward but when a government takes all the reward away; no one will try or succeed.

*A way to live. I'm proud to be an American.

apology

I feel like I may be coming across as whiny lately, and it’s funny, because I can’t stand whininess! :)
For the record, I’m incredibly grateful for this pregnancy and the new little life that will be joining our family. Its strange how in subsequent pregnancies after Ella, I have been less attentive to the person growing inside me. There is too much going on and too much focus for those on the outside… Is that horrible to say? I think that’s why it’s easier to say heartless things –like referring to my new baby as a “fantastic 2nd calorie muncher: tape-worm-esque, if you will” or “Pregnancy. No bueno.” as I whine about some of the random effects –crazy being the biggest.
So, here’s an official apology to junior 3. I’ll try to be better! :)

Aah, High School Memories

Here is a little insight into Rebecca: the high school years...

1. Did you date someone from your school?

Yeah, there were a few. Ethan was the most “serious” boyfriend, but none of ‘em lasted.

2. Did you marry someone from your school?

Well, yes, actually. I didn’t know Lance at the time, but he graduated Logan High the year before I did!

3. Did you car pool to school?

With my sis and bro. Good times!

4. What kind of car did you have?

An Oldsmobile ’98 Regency -1985. It was a BOAT. Lots o’ room, but full-stops were a bit of a problem…

5. What kind of car do you have now?

’07 Entourage. Yes, folks, it’s a mini-van. Cool factor=0

6. It's Friday night...where are you? (then)

Kicking it with my good friends Carter, Natalie, Kim and Chris!

7. It is Friday night...where are you? (now)

Home. Alone. Watching kids. Hoping to go to bed EARLY, because sleeping in is a thing of the past. sniff

8. What kind of job did you have in high school?

I worked at McDonalds, baybee. I wanted my independence, so I took what I could! I worked the “hole” –the busy drive-through and completely rocked it. Yeah, I was making $4.25/ hr, but it meant freedom. I won’t get started on the boss there (who wouldn’t promote me to $5.00/ hr because I didn’t stand in his office and give him “back-rubs”).

9. What kind of job do you do now?

Mostly something I didn’t really sign up for. I fix problems for people: “resolution specialist”, ha ha ha. …Utility billing company.

10. Were you a party animal?

During High School? No.

11. Were you considered a flirt?

Probably.

12. Were you in band, orchestra, choir?

GO BAND, BAYBEE!!! Pep band as a frosh –now there’s FUN TIMES for ya! I saw every LHS Football game!

13. Were you a nerd?

Oh heck no (denial). I was friends with all types –the cheerleaders, the preps, the nerds, the band geeks, the “rockers”, the debate snobs, etc. I had nerddish in me (partial acceptance), but don’t think I was considered one (denial), as I fit in many different groups.

14. Did you get suspended or expelled?

No way. Only graduated with a 3.8 instead of a 3.9 because I slept in Business 140 (younger people would know that class as 1040. I’m OLD). I actually liked school and never missed it. …WAIT, maybe I really was a nerd (acceptance)!

15. Can you sing the fight song?

I can play it on my french horn! I can sing the school theme song, too! "Neath the crest of Wasatch Mountains . . ."

16. Who was/were your favorite teacher(s)?

Mr. Hoyt ROCKS MY WORLD! I took Biology, Physiology, AP Biology, and Physiology 130 from this man. I couldn’t get enough of him because he was fascinating teacher, and knew absolutely everything. Mr. Hoyt, THANK YOU for the “digestion labs” especially!

17. Where did you sit during lunch?

With my friends, usually in the cafeteria.

18. What was your school's full name?

Logan Senior High School

19. When did you graduate?

1996

20. What was your school mascot?

GRIZZLIES

21. If you could go back and do it again, would you?

Not so much. Although I don’t hold any super bad memories about the experience, who wants to go back? I don’t understand those kinds of people! I’m GRATEFUL for the years I have under my belt, mistakes and all

22. Did you have fun at prom?

I didn’t really stick around for prom for too long. Ethan and I did show, and that’s all I have to say about that.

23. Do you still talk to the person you went to prom with?

Ethan and I kept in touch for a while after I graduated, but last I heard he is married with kids…

24. Are you planning on going to your next reunion?

Please see #21.

25. Do you still talk to people from school?

Yes, I have some dear friends from school –Highschool, Middle, and even Elementary (Go Panguitch!) who I keep in close contact with. I love my friends.

Pregnancy Head Case

Ok, so when you’re pregnant, there is NO filter, and every wretched emotion is amplified and raw and instant. So, here’s a PRIME example why any of my male readers should be grateful they’re not married to me, and any of my female readers should either relate, or be SUPER SCARED of pregnancy.
Disclaimer: I KNOW it’s not just me, girls. If you have experienced pregnancy with none of this emotional bulls&^%, then congratulmafrekin’lations –we might not be friends anymore.

…See my point? :)

The following example is a set of emails between myself and a co-worker who calls herself an “Office Manager”. Her name has been withheld. We’ll call her “Nelly”.

Email 1: Titled $0.40 lost :(

Hi Nelly-
While trying to snaggle a dingdong this morning, the crummy machine got stuck. Do you do reimbursements?

Email 2: Titled: ...and...

Oh, and the expiration on the one that did fall through (I tried a 2nd one) is FEB 21!!! We have bad food in there!

*Okaaaaaaaay, maybe they sounded a bit edgy. Hey, I had a full dingdong sitting in my trash (tasted DISGUSTING: they have a lot of give on the expiration date, and this was PAST) reminding me of my $0.40 loss. I didn’t, however, expect the vehement reaction:

Email 3: From Nelly

Rebecca,

Well, I had a ding dong yesterday and I’m not dead yet (lol) and that crummy machine cost around $3000. Would you like your money back for both or just one (assuming you ate one)?
Please let me know and I would be glad to accommodate you.


Now let's just stop here for a moment while I collect myself enough to tell the story. Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooo I seriously had FLAMES on the side of my FACE!!! I was HOT. I was SEEING RED.

I wrote:

Wow, didn’t expect you to take that so personally! Didn’t eat either dingdong, but since I’m sensing some inconvenience on your end, perhaps you should keep the change to help pay for such an expensive machine. :)


NO, the last email wasn’t sent; rather, I sent my response to my boss. I had my boss talk me off the ledge. This poor “Office Manager” would really hate me right now, and I would have created a “hostile working environment”, which is probably best avoided.

Pregnancy. NO bueno. …Please don’t piss me off.

Erin!

Since it was just St. Paddy’s day, and Erin is an Irish name, I figure I’ll take a second and write about her! Erin is my bestest girlfriend. She is tall and beautiful –but has a quirky edge. Those who know her outside of work can only see her vulnerable heart of gold. Those who know her at work can see the heartless b&^$# that she can become from time to time. It’s one of my favorite things about her! :) I met her at work a few years ago, and she was mean to me a few times. I decided that this girl was going to be my friend whether she liked it or not. (I have that ridiculous challenge-mentality of making the unfriends my friends) After I quit that job, Erin and I remained close, but became much closer over the last year or so.

Here are a few things I have learned from the Erin-meister:
1- When she forgets she already got you a Christmas present, it works in your favor.
2- Listening is as important as being listened to.
3- Two red flags on a blind date mean NO-TOUCHY
4- Time can be made for those you sincerely care about.
5- Strength runs deep and can’t always be seen on the outside.

What I know about this woman and her story goes beyond a casual friendship. I think it’s why she’s so important to me. She has been inspirational to me by her strength and where she stands today with dignity and intelligence. Erin, you’re the best. I love you.