"Fashion Show" and Other Final Events...

"Fashion Show" and Other Final Events...


Tomorrow is the last day of school, and this week has been a buzz of activities for AJ as he completes 1st grade and moves on to 2nd. One event was the fashion show offered by his after school program. The program has been going on for 25 years, so they had the kids dress up to represent the '80s, '90s, and '00s fashions. AJ got picked to be in the 90's group. Well, you can see that he got to be a gansta playah -- the video shows it all...



I'm not 100% sure I am ready for him to move from being "cute" this way to him really being grown. It only seems like yesterday that he was a tiny baby --- time flies and Mom must adapt. I am enjoying the many adventures with AJ. Now, if I could market him, and he could be the next Corbin Bleu, then college would be paid for ... hmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Push it by Corbin -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGWeiWkbpuQ

"Go AJ, Go" or "Mom, I think I'll Just Come in 2nd"

"Go AJ, Go" or "Mom, I think I'll Just Come in 2nd"...



Today was Field Day at AJ's school. It's a day where different classes in the same grade compete against each other in races and other events. AJ was totally excited and woke up a little before 7am, dressed himself and played quietly in his room as he waited for breakfast. He was excited and ready for Field Day. He came into the kitchen wearing his red and white Red Mill shirt and red pants. He looked like a track super star.

He was up for the challenge of running the 50 meter and doing 30 second basketball shots. AJ is a natural athlete and a true sportsman. When I asked him if he was ready to win the race, AJ said he thought he'd just come in second. He was pretty practical about it becase he thought that three other guys in his grade were faster than he was and he had come in after them in the fall during the Big Apple Race. Gideon and I were impressed with his ability to self-assess his skills. We also knew that he had the potential to improve upon his already excellent running. So, we decided that it was time to talk about how his running has improved with each big race at the school (he came in 5th and then 3rd during the kindergarten and 1st grade Big Apple Races). We also gave him a little advice. AJ tends to look back at the people behind him when he runs. We've talked about it before, but AJ didn't really want to listen in the past. Today, he seemed ready to take the advice. And the end result is that AJ ran like the wind. He never looked back... He says that he was surprised at the result of the race -- he came in first place. The video shows it all in the 11 seconds it took him to run the 50 meters -- he tied his best friend Chris for first place! I still think he won by an inch, but AJ is totally happy tie with his friend and share first place. His entire 1st grade class cheered him on over the other kids running and the crzay woman screaming just couldn't control herself as her son ran face always towards the finish line.

VERY VERY EXCELLENT RUNNING & SPORTSMANSHIP AJ!!!!

Daddy & I are soooooooooo very proud of you.

Gideon is my HERO!!!

Gideon is my HERO!!!

The beautiful sunny weather is not only encouraging me to go outside and soak in some Vitamin D (I am doing this responsibly with sunscreen on the fair skin and plenty of shade when needed), but it is also getting me obsessed with all things gardening/belated spring cleaning. The fact that my energy and mobility are both increasing also helps. This need to be outside and my bursts of newly found energy have been great for me, but they have not been so much fun for my husband. Poor Gideon, he has had to do all the heavy lifting, bending, and power tool using -- although, I was allowed to use the power washer Sunday afternoon.

Math professors who work for online universities don't get out in the yard much; add to the mix my limited capacity to bend and lift, Gid spent a lot of time in the yard and had to do it with little hands on help. I was able to provide a lot of advice on placement of plants, care with using power tools, and bringing of the drinks. I also did an awe inspiring job of pulling out my debit card at the local nursery and Home Depot on several occasions after taking on the "tiring" task of picking out all the beautiful plants and black mulch that wanted to come home with me; Gid and AJ lifted the plants and mulch into carts and cars. AJ also provided entertainment, interruptions, and helped to drag things around a bit.

All the kudos for the end results of the newly landscaped front of the house rest squarely on the shoulders of my dear hubby! He is my gardening hero! Actually, he's been my hero all along since he puts up with me, all of my projects, and all of the sappy cards I wrote him throughout our 20+ years together. Did I mention that the landscaping happened in between the great garage clean out adventure (probably the topic of another post or simply an exhausting memory that, like a painful childbirth, will fade away as we see the garage's use and cleanliness grow over the years)? During the garage adventure, I was allowed to go through the boxes that had not been unpacked since we moved in nearly two years ago --- lots of old photos, cards, papers, books, party supplies, more books, WP crap, baby stuff, and wicker baskets. Gideon had the unenviable task to move it all around, and lug out some of the old furniture and other things that had found their way into what once had the potential to be a 2 hour special for the HGTV "Mission Organization" show. While I was sorting through one of the many plastic storage tubs, I came across old cards and letters that Gideon had saved. All of these were from me to him in the early years of our relationship into the first year of our marriage - 1987-1990.

I can't believe that he didn't run like hell after reading some of the emotional ramblings of a 19-22 year old me. Ugh! The letters from the summer before we got married when I was on LI and Gid was in our apartment in Binghamton were the fodder for a really bad teenage melodrama. Reading those letters, let alone keeping them, show that either he really loves me or that he was keeping them in case I went crazy and he needed the evidence for the police investigation. In either case, from the late '90s to the early '00s, Gideon has proven himself himself to be ever supportive of my whims and during this period of convalescence, he has been particularly wonderful at making sure I don't push myself and still supporting my whims... As Gid's Grandma Milly used to say -- "He's a good egg; I'll think I'll keep him."

Here are the before and after shots of the front
BEFORE
AFTER

To see the full collection of Gideon's landscaping efforts go to the link http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2044058&l=32c26&id=11903317

Colonial Times for the Cambodian Born...

Colonial Time for the Cambodian Born...

AJ is obsessed with the Revolutionary War period, so our trip to Lake George had to include visits to both Fort William Henry & Fort Ticondaroga. The pictures above say it all. He had a wonderful time dressing up and marching and looking at all the artifacts from the French & Indian War at Fort William Henry and then looking at all that Fort Ticonderoga had to offer the next day. We plan to go back for some of the reenactments later in the summer and early fall.

For now it was fun to see AJ reenact the marching with two other newly "conscripted" British soldiers...

The Nicest Note...

The Nicest Note...

Last night, in AJ's school folder we received the following note from his 1st Grade Teacher:
_____________________________________________
May 2008
I firmly believe being a parent is the hardest job of all! I want you to know that I think you're doing a wonderful job with A.J. All the love and energy you are putting into raising him is paying off beautifully. He's lucky to have you both. Kate Twomey
_____________________________________________

She is the kind of teacher who cares for her students sooooo much and they respond by learning and trying hard. AJ has really blossomed in her class. AJ was being a little lazy about his reading early in the school year. When we went in for the first parent-teacher conference, she talked to Gideon and I about how she felt that AJ had the skills to read very well but that he wasn't living up to his potential. He was still very much on grade level, but she thought he could do better and was going to have him get extra reading support. We agreed and worked with him at home too. We noticed that as soon as all of the adults were supporting him with progress reports to each other, AJ's skills and "stamina" for reading for longer and longer periods of time increased. He had been coming home with 100% on math and spelling tests all the time, this continued, and his reading really took off. We don't have to fight with him to do his homework; he enjoys doing it. Kate Twomey is the kind of teacher who does more than address the bad or areas of concern. She sends home praise for AJ as well as any concerns. She calls to check-in, and each conversation with her is a joy. She is so positive and supportive. When I sent in a note to let her know I was having surgery and that AJ might be concerned on the days I was in the hospital and that his grandparents would be picking him up, she sent back a wonderfully encouraging note and we had a wonderful conversation. We feel that Gid, AJ and I are all very lucky to have each other, and I think we and all of Kate's students are lucky to have her. The school year is almost over, but Mrs. Twomey will be a part of our lives for a long time to come I still remember my 1st grade teacher, Mrs. Magnison, and all she did for me. Teachers are always with us in our brains and hearts, particularly those who start off our formal education and show us the joy of reading and learning. Thanks Mrs. Twomey & Mrs. Magnison...

You've Gotta Be Kidding Me...

You've Gotta Be Kidding Me...

So, we had the most amazing, relaxing, and wonderful weekend at a great place in Lake George (the subject of another post) only for me to come back and experience some vaginal bleeding. Not the way most people would expect a blog post to begin, but I am feeling a combination of relief and anger right now.

When the doc told me that I had the choice whether or not to keep my cervix, I asked him about the implications. He only discussed the concerns that women raise about sexual feelings and the cervix and that it was up to me to decide what to do. I figured that if I have a healthy part of my body, I should keep it. Well, don't you know that one thing that can happen when you keep your cervix and ovaries -- MINI-PERIODS!!!!!!!!!!! Do you think someone could have told me about that? Do you think my obsessive researching about the procedure itself could have included information about mini-periods? NO! So imagine my surprise when the doctor told me this morning that I was having a mini-period and that this condition might continue to happen each month. The upside, he said, was that it wouldn't be as bad as what I was experiencing before. Only a man could say that. It seems that some endometrial cells were probably still in the top of the cervix, so each month they would respond to the ovaries and hormones. And, even though they try to burn them all away during the surgery, they can't always get them all.

Intellectually, I understand and appreciate what the doctor was saying. I also appreciate his other comment that with working ovaries and my body responding to them it is better for me in the long run with cancer concerns, etc. However, my pissed-off, hormonally-charged and recovering body is not accepting what the doc had to say. I held it in when he was talking to me, but I just want to scream and cry. Ok, I did both when I got home and called my mom. "Haven't I paid my dues? Since I was 13 I've been dealing with this @#$%@%!!! I got the damned thing cut out of me, and I still f-ing have to bleed!!! I don't have any more pads, and I don't want to buy more!!! It's NOT FAIR!!!! The damned thing never worked to carry a baby to term, so I still have to suffer when it is gone!!!!" -- or some variation of that was my rant...


http://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/article_256483.htm
http://www.healthdiaries.com/women/hysterectomy/elizabeth/archives/2005/11/the_miniperiod.html
To find out more about mini-periods, read the articles in the links above. I'm too annoyed right now to write more...

Time is a gift. It just takes time to realize what a gift it can be...

Time is a gift. It just takes time to realize what a gift it can be...

I'm finally ready to accept the fact that healing and the time I have left to do it before going back to work are not inconveniences. When I went to the doctor's office today, the nurse reminded me (as many others have) that my body has been through a trauma with the abdominal surgery. I need to be reminded of that again and again - kind of pounding it into my addled brain - that the trauma my body experienced needs time to heal. Unfortunately, my brain keeps thinking (during my non-tired periods) that I am better already. My brain doesn't know what it is talking about. Come on, my brain is the one that let me push through and not realize that Charlie had taken up residence draining my iron and setting up the conditions that necessitated the hysterectomy.

So, I am working on doing a better job of listening to my body rather than my mind. The body seems to know that I need to rest and relax. That doesn't mean that I won't get frustrated with the tiredness. The doctor said that the periods of energy and then exhaustion would lengthen (energy) and lessen (exhaustion) with time. TIME TIME TIME. I still have a few weeks before going back to work, so I'm taking it slowly and savoring the quiet and the need to take short naps during the day. As Olivia Newton John used to sing, " Let me hear your body talk, your body talk, Let me hear your body talk"...