ads

posts
Powered by Squarespace

Asthmagirl Full Feed

A Day in the life....  

Entries in love of a lifetime (9)

Sunday
14Feb2010

Slackers

DateSunday, February 14, 2010 at 11:27AM

 

It's true... The Olde Goate and I do not celebrate Valentines Day. We're slackers...

It started simply enough with TOG's statement to me early on in our relationship that having a mandated day of celebration just didn't work for him.

My response was relief.

Relief that I didn't have to find a way to make the day special. And I won't be gooey and say every day is special... because they aren't. Some days are hard, and some are frustrating, and some are rewarding, and some are just busy... and some are priceless.

The best ones are usually in Canada... our home away from home. Our getaway. Where we can just be...

...Together.

...Relaxed.

We're not much on the public celebrations...

It works for us.

However, I know a lot of folks do enjoy the celebration... Wishing all of you that do the happiest of Valentines Days!

AG out!

 

AuthorAsthmagirl | Comment10 Comments |
tagged , in ,
Saturday
30Jan2010

Expose'

DateSaturday, January 30, 2010 at 6:15AM

KMOM: Excuse me... Madeline? KMOM here with a few questions for you... Can we talk about the job you're doing? This looks very intense!

Madeline: *stretch* Fine, but if you wake her up, the entire Brute Squad will be very displeased. We're stretched pretty thin here...

KMOM: What kind of work are you doing? Is it difficult?

Madeline: Look, this is very challenging stuff. Every time they bring her home from the surgery, our job is to apply Puppy Presence until she recovers fully. This requires a soft coat, the ability to throw off heat and lots of dedication. Sometimes more than one squad member will be on duty when she feels particularly bad.

KMOM: That is amazing!

Cassie: Tell me about it... I've been pulling an all-nighter.

KMOM: Oh really?

Madeline: Please. She's not qualified to comment. We've got her on the lower extremities as a back up. The serious work is being done up here.

KMOM: Well this is just amazing. Do you ever get a break?

Madeline: Only when her medications are being given. Otherwise, we are on the job 24/7. Now... if you don't mind...

KMOM: Not at all. Thanks for taking the time to talk with us Madeline!

Madeline: Next time please call ahead. We really need to eliminate these interruptions if we're going to have the maximum impact.

KMOM: *whispering* This is KMOM signing off from the bedside of K3. Good night and have a pleasant tomorrow!

AuthorAsthmagirl | Comment10 Comments |
tagged , , in , , ,
Wednesday
30Dec2009

Past and Present

DateWednesday, December 30, 2009 at 6:00AM

Today is a dual celebration... 29 years ago today, I married this man. Which brings to mind a few questions:

  • How did I get so old?
  • How have we made this work?
  • Is it really 2009...?
  • What did I do to deserve such a charmed life?

I did a post a few months ago about the night we met... but honestly, it seems like yesterday, not 29 years ago. While we've gone through many changes together.... parenthood, moving, career changes, having a child with a disability, grandparenting... there are a few things that still hold true. He's still my best friend, a heck of a fisherman and I've never met a more stubborn person in my life!

Happy Anniversary Ye Olde Goat!

Twenty nine years later (today), K3 is going in for her second surgery on her broken jaw. I believe it is implants this morning... In fact, that is likely where we are while you are reading this. I set it to post while we are downtown.

As we are no longer rookies at this process, we have stocked up on baby food, pudding and ice packs and the Brute Squad is ready to do some serious cuddling. Stay tuned for updates... likely on Facebook.

Have a fabulous day!

AG out!

AuthorAsthmagirl | Comment9 Comments |
tagged , , , in , , ,
Wednesday
25Nov2009

Eye am thankful...

DateWednesday, November 25, 2009 at 8:07AM

Sorry I didn't update yesterday. I think we were all just exhausted.

First, K3... She continues to be a good sport about everything right on down the line: all the meds, the lip cleaning and dressing (every couple hours), the liquid foods and the hated mouth rinses. If you have to take care of someone, you want it to be an awesome patient like K3.

Ironically, this picture represents a "black eye" that has crept up on us the last couple days. It was not there earlier this week. K3 is kind of tickled by it's emergence! It makes her feel tough!

New to her diet is puree foods in the blender, which bodes well for Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow. She had pulverized homemade chicken soup last night and was thrilled!

Today its back to the surgeon for an evaluation of her bone graft. We're very hopeful that its successful. The only thing we did not do this week was brush the screws holding the graft in place. We tried but K3 just cannot get her mouth open far enough. So we've relied on the antiseptic rinses and I hope we've done okay.

Thankfulness comes easy to us this year. K3's accident puts many things in perspective.

I'm grateful that the accident wasn't worse.

I'm grateful that the bus driver gave her his coat and held his umbrella over her while they waited for the ambulance.

I'm thankful for the wonderful paramedics, doctors and nurses that have cared for her in this process.

I'm thankful to the friends and family that have been so good to us; the cards, phone calls and emails... even the door to door turkey delivery!!

I'm thankful for my bloggy friends, my blisters... they've been a ray of sunshine everytime I've sat down at the computer while K3 naps. You ladies are awesome, funny and genuine! I can't thank you enough!

I'm thankful that I get to sit down with my family tomorrow, that we'll all be together, that we're all okay.

I'm thankful for K1, who dropped everything and ran to the hospital that morning to be with K3. She left so fast she forgot to bring a burp rag for Ben!

I'm thankful for K2 who has been there at the ER, the surgery and the at-home nursing. All while balancing a full load of credits and a nursing job.

I'm thankful for TOG (The Old Goat) who lived upstairs with his Swine Flu for 4 days while K3 stayed on the couch. I know he wanted to see her, but he did the right thing staying away and it was hard on him.

I'm thankful to my dad who calls every day to check on her.

Hold your loved ones close tomorrow.

Hugs,

AG

 

AuthorAsthmagirl | Comment13 Comments |
tagged , , , in , ,
Wednesday
02Sep2009

Smiles

DateWednesday, September 2, 2009 at 6:16AM


Ben took his mom and his wheemaw to the mall last night for outlet clothes shopping. He can no longer fit any of his old clothes.

Harden your hearts.... he's starting to get smile-y.

Photo by K1

AG out!

PS~ All meds finished and I no longer have headaches or vertigo and  the nausea is slowly improving. Hopefully I took enough meds to kill the sinus infection, as I don't want to repeat these last few weeks....

AuthorAsthmagirl | Comment12 Comments |
tagged , in
Tuesday
04Aug2009

Love of a Lifetime...

DateTuesday, August 4, 2009 at 9:05PM

AWW (Almost Wordless Wednesday)

 

 

Welcome Benjamin Reed

9.5 pounds

20.5 inches

15.5 inch head

It's a beautiful world with you in it....

AuthorAsthmagirl | Comment16 Comments |
tagged , , in ,
Friday
31Jul2009

Verkempt

DateFriday, July 31, 2009 at 6:39AM

When Shelley and I arrived in Seattle on our way back from Virginia, I was puddle of emotions. All the wonderful moments at BlogFest were swirling vividly with my imminent parting from Shelley and my urge to see TOG, the Brute Squad and the kids. I was playing it cool, but inside I was all ....GAH!

So as we get on the escalator going toward baggage claim and ticketing, I couldn't help but notice the gentleman in front us being video taped by another young man. The gentleman being videotaped was noticeable in his utter exhaustion. Thus when the videotaper asked "how was the flight", the single word answer "long" was no surprise.

About the same time, I noticed the exhausted gentleman had a baby carrier strapped to his chest, and a tiny child sleeping against him. As one of my co-workers had just adopted a child from Africa, I assumed that this was the same scenario. I nudged Shelley and I knew she was aware also as she was equally focused on the child and the rising murmur of voices as the escalator approached the next floor.

Before us unfolded one of the sweetest moments ever... A young woman broke away from the crowd, the videotaper faded back for a wide angle... The young woman is trying not to cry... and failing. The man with the carrier is unstrapping the baby as quickly as he can...

He pulls the sleeping child free and the woman cuddles the baby to her chest, tucking the dark head under her quivering chin and swaying gently. She's weeping openly now and the man is smiling through his exhaustion... people are quietly clapping and "oohing"...

I turned to Shelley and said "she just became a momma". And promptly started leaking tears.

It was the finishing crescendo on all the highs of emotions over the last few days. I felt so drained as I blotted my eyes in what I hope was an inconspicuous manner. I was (thankfully) able to say goodbye to Shelley without sobbing again although I think it was just because I was so wrung out.

I admit, that when I saw TOG pull up in my car and saw that he had thoughtfully brought Madeline (my little Chihuahua) to greet me, I understood that little piece of me... that mother/nurture/feed them until they pop-part. The one that lays dormant until you become a mother... the fierce protector, the instinctive cuddler, the compassionate observer, the encourager... I know I use that on Madeline because she's needy enough to require it. But I think I'd use it on any small, helpless creature in my vicinity.

Like the creature above who I was sweet talking while TOG was in the men's room. He didn't even have to ask what it was. He came out, heard me talking to the tree and said "where is it".

I'm totally looking forward to lavishing all my gooey skills on Ben. Poor little guy!

AG out!

AuthorAsthmagirl | Comment16 Comments |
tagged , , in ,
Saturday
11Jul2009

Timeless

DateSaturday, July 11, 2009 at 7:06AM

This is K3, our youngest. She's going out the door to spend the night at her best friend's house.

One of the things that I cherish most about K3 is her youthful, innocent outlook on life, due mostly to her disability. This picture could easily be attributed to someone at 10 or 12. K3 will be 19 on Monday and her excitement on going to spend the night with her friend transcends her calendar age. I will admit that most 19 year olds do not require their mom to double check that they've packed underwear and a toothbrush along with the video games and comic books... but that's all part of the joy of K3.

Incidentally, that wolf under her arm... TOG (The Old Goat, my beloved husband lo these many years) took her to the zoo for her birthday this week. They always do something together for her birthday. She would prefer that I did not attend and that's okay. Anyway, she will not let go of this wolf except to eat and shower. It's adorable.

I tell you all this because as I took this picture I was contemplating that perhaps some might view K3's exuberance at spending the night with her friend as perhaps a tad age inappropriate. Not that I would give a fig what anyone else thought of my darling girl, but the thought did rattle around in my brain pan momentarily.

And then I had an epiphany. These are few and far between for me... so bear with me.

I could not help but note the similarities between K3's excitement at spending the night with her friends and my own anticipation of going to Blog Fest to see my friends. Granted, I'm not taking comic books and video games, but the adult equivalent of camera and laptop!

I therefore submit that the tug and pull of the sleepover is ageless and timeless. Who doesn't want to get together with their friends and stay up too late and giggle and hug and embrace their inner child.

I went a little further in my observations to note that men do it too. Sorry TOG but its oh so true! They just call it a fishing trip. But the same rules apply. Stay up too late, tell stories, laugh, drink too much beer and take pictures at three in the morning to show everyone how light it stays up in Alaska.

I rest my case!

See you at Blog Fest!

AG out!

AuthorAsthmagirl | Comment8 Comments |
tagged , , in , ,
Friday
12Jun2009

Anniversary

DateFriday, June 12, 2009 at 1:09PM

Today is an anniversary of sorts for TOG and I. It's the anniversary of the day we met...29 years ago...on a blind date... that neither of us knew was going to happen.

I was in the process of finalizing my divorce, had been working at a pretty good job in electronics and the newly hired girl, "L" and I became friends. I invited her to a tupperware party and a few weeks later she invited me to a get-together over at the apartment she shared with her boyfriend.

I had a million excuses... no transportation, had 4 hours of dental work done that morning, was burnt out on socializing/men/parties...

She had a million rebuttals, she'd come get me, it was just a few friends; not really a party, it wasn't going to run late...

So she came and got me and a couple blocks from her place let me know that she'd invited this guy... he was best friends with her boyfriend, one in a million, fun, charming, blah, blah, blah...

My response? Turn around and take me home.

Of course she didn't. She just kept talking... how it wasn't really like a date and if I didn't like him but she was sure I would... yada, yada.

Meantime, TOG shows up at their place and is told "L is bringing a date for you, don't blow it."

TOG had just gotten out of the army, survived the Mt. St. Helens blast (literally), was unemployed and taking a few months off to go fishing... Not really looking for a date.

Neither one of us were excited to meet the other. I assumed he was less excited than me since he didn't talk to me for two hours. I was telling L in the kitchen how wierd I thought it was that he wouldn't say a word, when in walked TOG. L said something about fishing which started us talking and surprisingly, we really hit it off.

Turns out TOG is a pretty shy guy. Faced with a surprise blind date, his strategy is to quit talking so he doesn't say anything funky.

So yeah... I found TOG charming, and fun. He had a lot to say for himself after all and I liked his sense of purpose. He found me cute, interesting and liked my drive to succeed.

Two weeks later, he went out and got a job because he was pretty sure I wouldn't keep dating an unemployed fisherman. Six months later we were married. Cuz we were young and stupid and sure everything would work out. Turns out we're committed too because after 29 years we're still a team.

So happy anniversary TOG. It's not every day you're introduced to the person who will become your best friend, your confidant, your fishing and hiking buddy, your advocate, your support system and your partner in life.  

AG out!

Just for the nostalgia, here we are in 1981 fishing at the Oregon coast. I'm pregnant with K1... TOG is not the serial killer the mustache makes him out to be! It's his "Smokey and the Bandit" look. We won't even talk about my hair!

AuthorAsthmagirl | Comment7 Comments |
tagged , , in ,