They called. The office manager called back. She said 30 days. She has to do the schedule and move some people around. Probably make room for my training. So we get to enjoy August as stress free as possible, until the next crisis. Or so it seems at the moment.
Trev made up his birthday list, even though I told him his trip with me was his birthday present. He said his brother still has to get him a present and his dad. We'll see. I am not going to push it or purposefully take his brother shopping. He might get a card. We'll see. My pocket book is drying up as the summer comes to a close.
I still have to get through Tom's birthday. I have arranged for a sitter and we are going out on the town. Date night. My step mom bave us a night at a hotel for Christmas. I am taking advantage of that gift. I just have to find something fun to do outside the hotel. That is my job today. Plan the activity, plan dinner out. I am pretty excited. I think Tom is looking forward to it also.
He wasn't thrilled about celebrating his birthday. As we get older it is less thrilling. So a night out is just right. He doesn't do walking tours, but I might get him to a concert. I will see what I can find.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Loss
I talked to my sister today. She had returned from her memorial on the East Coast. It was intense. During the Quaker service a lightening storm struck the city. All power was lost, toilets couldn't flush. The service was held by candle light and flash lights.
I have never been to a Quaker service. I remember Quakers played a large role in the underground railway pre Civil War. I decided to look up the Quakers and what they represent. Its a Christian movement from the 17th century. They believe each individual is a direct conduit to God, no priests needed. Jesus was the word of God, not the whole Bible, written by others. Their meetings consist of people gathering and when inspired to just stand and speak, moved by the word of God inside them. Some meeting may be held in complete silence. Others may have many speakers. There are no particular leaders. Decisions are made by consensus. They have been successfully doing this kind of governing for centuries. Though criticism abounds that governing by consensus cant succeed. Here seems to be an exception. The word Quaker is thought to come from the expression Fear God and quake in your boots. The more correct term is Religious society of Friends.
So I visualize this room full of people sitting in silence until someone was moved to speak. Each person is there to bid farewell to a man they knew. The warm glow of candles illuminating their sad faces. When someone rose to speak, it was from the heart. It truly must have been a surreal moment, intense.
When we were in DC, Senator Bird, a Democrat from West Virginia died. All the flags were at half mast all week. They were at half mast at Arlington Cemetery and Antietam. When you give up your privacy for the public life, even your death is publicly acclaimed.
My mom says she wants no party or recognition of her passing. She threatens to haunt us if we do a memorial. She takes the practical approach. A few hours of mourning then get on with your lives. Even the few hours is begrudging. Something in between would be nice. My dad wasn't religious. He called himself a lapsed Episcopalian.He left it completely in our hands what to do. We hosted a cocktail party and a lunch for his friends, so they could have the opportunity to say goodbye. Nothing ostentatious, just a way to gather and acknowledge his existence, that he impacted our lives, and that he would be missed.
That is what my sister is doing. She is acknowledging the impact her fiance had on her and his friends. He did so much to support and love Tory, that his going has left a serious void in her life. It was so sudden there was no time to say goodbye. It will take time to fill that hole in. There will always be a scar from that void. No one gets away un scathed from being with death.
I was bit by a spider or a misquote yesterday while gardening. My leg has a big itchy red welt on it. I took some benedril for the antihistamine to stop the itching. It helped but it also made me tired. I ended up taking a nap. Now my leg wants to start itching again. I think I will find some hydrocordizone instead to stop the itching so I don't fall asleep again.
When we were at the beach I really stressed Riley getting bitten and how his body would react. I slathered on the repellent. He joked it was his lack of blood or the pills making him taste bad, but he did not get one bit. The mosquitoes did swarm around my friends until they also got the repellent on their bodies. I love living in this modern age. To be able to beat the bug with a little squirt bottle is lovely. Too bad I didn't do it before I went out gardening.
My blisters popped on my hands, while gardening. I used a little bag balm to sooth them. I figure if it is good for cow's udders, it will sooth my hands. It is amazing, softening the dry skin and easing the sting. I used to use it on the boys diaper rashes. I thought it cured them faster than the desinex.
This is why I need to go back to work. Too much time on my hands to dwell on everything and nothing.
I have never been to a Quaker service. I remember Quakers played a large role in the underground railway pre Civil War. I decided to look up the Quakers and what they represent. Its a Christian movement from the 17th century. They believe each individual is a direct conduit to God, no priests needed. Jesus was the word of God, not the whole Bible, written by others. Their meetings consist of people gathering and when inspired to just stand and speak, moved by the word of God inside them. Some meeting may be held in complete silence. Others may have many speakers. There are no particular leaders. Decisions are made by consensus. They have been successfully doing this kind of governing for centuries. Though criticism abounds that governing by consensus cant succeed. Here seems to be an exception. The word Quaker is thought to come from the expression Fear God and quake in your boots. The more correct term is Religious society of Friends.
So I visualize this room full of people sitting in silence until someone was moved to speak. Each person is there to bid farewell to a man they knew. The warm glow of candles illuminating their sad faces. When someone rose to speak, it was from the heart. It truly must have been a surreal moment, intense.
When we were in DC, Senator Bird, a Democrat from West Virginia died. All the flags were at half mast all week. They were at half mast at Arlington Cemetery and Antietam. When you give up your privacy for the public life, even your death is publicly acclaimed.
My mom says she wants no party or recognition of her passing. She threatens to haunt us if we do a memorial. She takes the practical approach. A few hours of mourning then get on with your lives. Even the few hours is begrudging. Something in between would be nice. My dad wasn't religious. He called himself a lapsed Episcopalian.He left it completely in our hands what to do. We hosted a cocktail party and a lunch for his friends, so they could have the opportunity to say goodbye. Nothing ostentatious, just a way to gather and acknowledge his existence, that he impacted our lives, and that he would be missed.
That is what my sister is doing. She is acknowledging the impact her fiance had on her and his friends. He did so much to support and love Tory, that his going has left a serious void in her life. It was so sudden there was no time to say goodbye. It will take time to fill that hole in. There will always be a scar from that void. No one gets away un scathed from being with death.
I was bit by a spider or a misquote yesterday while gardening. My leg has a big itchy red welt on it. I took some benedril for the antihistamine to stop the itching. It helped but it also made me tired. I ended up taking a nap. Now my leg wants to start itching again. I think I will find some hydrocordizone instead to stop the itching so I don't fall asleep again.
When we were at the beach I really stressed Riley getting bitten and how his body would react. I slathered on the repellent. He joked it was his lack of blood or the pills making him taste bad, but he did not get one bit. The mosquitoes did swarm around my friends until they also got the repellent on their bodies. I love living in this modern age. To be able to beat the bug with a little squirt bottle is lovely. Too bad I didn't do it before I went out gardening.
My blisters popped on my hands, while gardening. I used a little bag balm to sooth them. I figure if it is good for cow's udders, it will sooth my hands. It is amazing, softening the dry skin and easing the sting. I used to use it on the boys diaper rashes. I thought it cured them faster than the desinex.
This is why I need to go back to work. Too much time on my hands to dwell on everything and nothing.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Humor
I drove Trevor's friend home. Its an hour and fifteen minute drive one way. His mom and I kind of eyed each other until I volunteered to bring him home, that was when she said he could stay over night. We live just a bit too far away now we both admit. They are such good friends, the whole family. Trevor and his friend have known each other since preschool T ball at the YMCA.
I love that they make the effort to still call each other and angle for sleep overs whenever possible. I do what I can to keep their friendship alive.
I had a dear friend when I was little. When we moved away I tried to keep connected but over time we lost contact. When you don't see each other and have those common events to share it is hard to get together and have anything to talk about. Its awkward for me.
Trevor has no problem with this friend coming up with things to do or talk about. They both love mad libs. They will do the silly stories for hours, laughing hilariously. His parents are wonderful people and have great parenting values that I admire. I like those kinds of friends. Tom was disappointed they didn't come in to say hi. But often he is asleep in his chair recovering after a round of golf. He could have come outside to say hi if he had felt strongly enough. They had other things they wanted to squeeze into the day.
After dropping the boy at his home Trevor and I headed over to my sister's place. I had said I would mow her lawn again. No one had done it since the last time. She was coming home from the East coast service on a late flight. I wanted the exterior of the house to look welcoming. I also told Trevor he owed me for the sleep over and drive home. He didn't complain. He said he felt bad for Tory and wanted to help. That boy has a good heart. He belongs to the volunteer corps at school and does charitable works all year long.
We are headed south on I5. I want Trevor to remind me to stay on I5 when we come to our regular splinter. I have in the past automatically taken the other rout when I really wanted to stay on I5. Trevor's response was so funny. He says "I5, that's easy, Bingo."
"What?" I ask
"Bingo" He says again. "You know mom Bingo, I5."
I love the way that boy's mind works.
Today it was 85 degrees. The ground was hard and dry. Mostly weeds had been growing in this heat. At my sister's, the grass needed a trim, but it was not out of control from two weeks ago. No one had been watering it regularly so it hadn't grown much. I tried to do some weeding while Trevor mowed. It barely mad a dent. I will need to catch the weeds after a wet rainy day in the fall to get the roots. The lawn did look better two hours later when we were done. She has a lot of lawn and the self propulsion is broken on her lawn mower. It is also a big heavy machine. I burn my fingers on the side of the mower when, with Trevor's help we lift it from one level to
another. My fingers touch the hot part of the engine. My skin turns whit on two fingers and I know I have created blisters. We continue working but I put on gloves.
Trevor is thirsty so he goes inside and returns with a tall glass of water for me, without my asking. He is so thoughtful. I needed that water. After the mowing is done I throw in the towel on the weeds. I am sitting on the porch drinking that wonderful water sitting next to Trevor, he looks over and asks why I am crying. I say I am not, that is sweat dripping off my face and it was. I sweat really easily. 85 degrees is way too hot for doing yard work.
Tory has a friend house sitting for her. He was there at the house when we arrived. It was nice to see all the cars in the drive. Leaving your house empty during times like these is not smart. This friend was taking care of the cat and I think enjoying the air conditioning on this very hot day. He had also cleaned up a bit from all the visitors earlier. Tory has some very dear friends who have been wonderfully supportive.
Hopefully she will be happy with our work. Trevor and I are both pleased. We are done and head home. There are still a lot of weeds on the bank but we need to wait for the rain to tackle those. I ask Trevor what he wants for dinner as my thank you for helping. I had told him we would stop at a store for a drink, but now I am thinking bigger. I don't want to cook. Options are KFC, Chinese, or Panda Express. He wants Chinese and calls home to get either Tom or Riley to place the order while we drive. It would be ready for pick up by the time we got there. Neither Riley or Tom want Chinese or want to make the call. Since we don't have the number the fall back plan is KFC.
I order Trevor a kids meal with a milk shake and the rest of us get family meal with mashed potato and gravy and original recipe. There is a special, 7 thighs and legs for $10. That is all we like. No one in the family likes the breasts. So for us its a great deal. We even end up with left overs since Trevor had a kids meal. Riley only eats one leg.
Tom and I talk while we all watch TV. My sister in Law has been trading e mails with me over the cat issue. Tom and I agree again "no cat". It is nice to confirm that we are on the same page. He hadn't want to read the e mails in case there was something in them that would make him mad. I told him he was free to read them. I hadn't written anything he wouldn't approve, nor anything really instigating from his sister either. But it is always nice to know what to expect when opening his family's e mail. You have to love them.
I tell him his family wants to wait until the bitter end before moving. No one is coming to visit any time soon. They may not even end up here as things resolve themselves. All options are open. Now that that issue has been pushed out indefinitely, I have taken a breather. Doing the lawn has given me fresh energy. Exercise is invigorating.
Tom says I am like Bones on TV, I am good at compartmentalizing my life. Now I am just waiting to hear officially if I got the job and when my start date is. Long days, but I am looking forward to them, since it is only part time. After 14 years, its a good start. I think Tom is torn about my job. He wants to encourage me to go back to work, but then he is concerned about the boys. He also wishes it were something more distinctive than a shoe store. But again I think he is happy since it is a start for me working, finally.
Tom and I have always joked that we are scrappers. If push came to shove we would not be embarrassed to do any job. We would not be too prideful to flip burgers. A job is a job. It is important to provide financial support to the family with an honest wage. That was how Tom ended up on Vashon Island as a Project Manager for a sewage treatment plant before we ended up where we are now. He hated being away from home, but he did what he had to do to provide for the family.
My Meyers Briggs exam in high school said I should work in a Funeral Home or own a Boutique. I was strongly empathetic the test scores implied. I figure this shoe store will give me the exposure to small retail and the details needed for running a successful small business. The owner has successfully been in business for 57 years. He has a lot of knowledge to teach. I am excited at the opportunity. The store manager mentioned starting in September, which would work, but I would love to start sooner. We will see what they say when they call back. I am guessing at the end of the week. Tom keeps asking. I will call if I don't hear from them by Thursday. I sent a thank you letter and the formal application back in the mail on Friday. My references will need to be contacted, so I want to give them a few days.
I love that they make the effort to still call each other and angle for sleep overs whenever possible. I do what I can to keep their friendship alive.
I had a dear friend when I was little. When we moved away I tried to keep connected but over time we lost contact. When you don't see each other and have those common events to share it is hard to get together and have anything to talk about. Its awkward for me.
Trevor has no problem with this friend coming up with things to do or talk about. They both love mad libs. They will do the silly stories for hours, laughing hilariously. His parents are wonderful people and have great parenting values that I admire. I like those kinds of friends. Tom was disappointed they didn't come in to say hi. But often he is asleep in his chair recovering after a round of golf. He could have come outside to say hi if he had felt strongly enough. They had other things they wanted to squeeze into the day.
After dropping the boy at his home Trevor and I headed over to my sister's place. I had said I would mow her lawn again. No one had done it since the last time. She was coming home from the East coast service on a late flight. I wanted the exterior of the house to look welcoming. I also told Trevor he owed me for the sleep over and drive home. He didn't complain. He said he felt bad for Tory and wanted to help. That boy has a good heart. He belongs to the volunteer corps at school and does charitable works all year long.
We are headed south on I5. I want Trevor to remind me to stay on I5 when we come to our regular splinter. I have in the past automatically taken the other rout when I really wanted to stay on I5. Trevor's response was so funny. He says "I5, that's easy, Bingo."
"What?" I ask
"Bingo" He says again. "You know mom Bingo, I5."
I love the way that boy's mind works.
Today it was 85 degrees. The ground was hard and dry. Mostly weeds had been growing in this heat. At my sister's, the grass needed a trim, but it was not out of control from two weeks ago. No one had been watering it regularly so it hadn't grown much. I tried to do some weeding while Trevor mowed. It barely mad a dent. I will need to catch the weeds after a wet rainy day in the fall to get the roots. The lawn did look better two hours later when we were done. She has a lot of lawn and the self propulsion is broken on her lawn mower. It is also a big heavy machine. I burn my fingers on the side of the mower when, with Trevor's help we lift it from one level to
another. My fingers touch the hot part of the engine. My skin turns whit on two fingers and I know I have created blisters. We continue working but I put on gloves.
Trevor is thirsty so he goes inside and returns with a tall glass of water for me, without my asking. He is so thoughtful. I needed that water. After the mowing is done I throw in the towel on the weeds. I am sitting on the porch drinking that wonderful water sitting next to Trevor, he looks over and asks why I am crying. I say I am not, that is sweat dripping off my face and it was. I sweat really easily. 85 degrees is way too hot for doing yard work.
Tory has a friend house sitting for her. He was there at the house when we arrived. It was nice to see all the cars in the drive. Leaving your house empty during times like these is not smart. This friend was taking care of the cat and I think enjoying the air conditioning on this very hot day. He had also cleaned up a bit from all the visitors earlier. Tory has some very dear friends who have been wonderfully supportive.
Hopefully she will be happy with our work. Trevor and I are both pleased. We are done and head home. There are still a lot of weeds on the bank but we need to wait for the rain to tackle those. I ask Trevor what he wants for dinner as my thank you for helping. I had told him we would stop at a store for a drink, but now I am thinking bigger. I don't want to cook. Options are KFC, Chinese, or Panda Express. He wants Chinese and calls home to get either Tom or Riley to place the order while we drive. It would be ready for pick up by the time we got there. Neither Riley or Tom want Chinese or want to make the call. Since we don't have the number the fall back plan is KFC.
I order Trevor a kids meal with a milk shake and the rest of us get family meal with mashed potato and gravy and original recipe. There is a special, 7 thighs and legs for $10. That is all we like. No one in the family likes the breasts. So for us its a great deal. We even end up with left overs since Trevor had a kids meal. Riley only eats one leg.
Tom and I talk while we all watch TV. My sister in Law has been trading e mails with me over the cat issue. Tom and I agree again "no cat". It is nice to confirm that we are on the same page. He hadn't want to read the e mails in case there was something in them that would make him mad. I told him he was free to read them. I hadn't written anything he wouldn't approve, nor anything really instigating from his sister either. But it is always nice to know what to expect when opening his family's e mail. You have to love them.
I tell him his family wants to wait until the bitter end before moving. No one is coming to visit any time soon. They may not even end up here as things resolve themselves. All options are open. Now that that issue has been pushed out indefinitely, I have taken a breather. Doing the lawn has given me fresh energy. Exercise is invigorating.
Tom says I am like Bones on TV, I am good at compartmentalizing my life. Now I am just waiting to hear officially if I got the job and when my start date is. Long days, but I am looking forward to them, since it is only part time. After 14 years, its a good start. I think Tom is torn about my job. He wants to encourage me to go back to work, but then he is concerned about the boys. He also wishes it were something more distinctive than a shoe store. But again I think he is happy since it is a start for me working, finally.
Tom and I have always joked that we are scrappers. If push came to shove we would not be embarrassed to do any job. We would not be too prideful to flip burgers. A job is a job. It is important to provide financial support to the family with an honest wage. That was how Tom ended up on Vashon Island as a Project Manager for a sewage treatment plant before we ended up where we are now. He hated being away from home, but he did what he had to do to provide for the family.
My Meyers Briggs exam in high school said I should work in a Funeral Home or own a Boutique. I was strongly empathetic the test scores implied. I figure this shoe store will give me the exposure to small retail and the details needed for running a successful small business. The owner has successfully been in business for 57 years. He has a lot of knowledge to teach. I am excited at the opportunity. The store manager mentioned starting in September, which would work, but I would love to start sooner. We will see what they say when they call back. I am guessing at the end of the week. Tom keeps asking. I will call if I don't hear from them by Thursday. I sent a thank you letter and the formal application back in the mail on Friday. My references will need to be contacted, so I want to give them a few days.
Monday, July 26, 2010
The Fair
We made arrangements a week ago with some friends to go to the Renaissance fair in Silverton. I got discount coupons and directions off the Internet. We could all fit in their minivan. I do sometimes miss the mini van for that very reason. Theirs fits eight, with a pull down movie projector for the children. As soon as the movie starts the loud talking in the back ceases. It is a cool trick.
The place is easy to find with the directions. It is the second year for this fair. People wander around in costumes covering several hundred years. Some costumes are fantasy costumes with fairy wings. A few jesters are also around. There are actors in costume. You can tell by their carrying voices and their comfortable bearing while dressed in medieval garb.
There is a temporary arena set up for the jousting and sword play. It is very realistic looking with sparks flying from the swords on contact in battle. The horses are beautiful. Each section roots for a different Knight. They use long pointed javelins to grab hanging rings from horse back. They also charge each other with blunt tipped javelins while galloping. It was much like that movie "A Knights Tail". Fancy maidens road around the arena making their horses bow and dip and Spanish walk.
The place was set up on a farm next to a forest. The tents of vendors were set up under the trees which helped shade everyone from the heat of the day. The cars were parked in the un mowed field.
Painted medieval pillars were strategically placed to give you the flavor of a medieval village. I am spoiled. What I felt was missing were real ruins.
Being the last day of the fair, many of the booths had great prices on the jewelry and souvenirs. I bought some new necklaces and earrings for less than $5. I could have bought a lot more. I gave the boys $20 each to go get food and souvenirs themselves. As usual I banned swords. My girlfriend's husband also banned swords. He said inevitably they would hit each other at home with swords. Someone would get hurt and the sword would have to be confiscated and broken. I love being backed by other parents. My boys don't think I am so strict then.
Tom was golfing. He loved that we were going out, he said , so he didn't have to feel guilty about being gone. He should never feel guilty about golf. I love his mood afterwards. I asked Tom if Trevor's friend could spend the night. He said yes. This particular friend is a quiet boy. We have always enjoyed having him over as he keeps the boys entertained quietly.
I asked Tom why he wasn't into Renaissance as he was Civil War. He said the Civil War reenactments are more realistic. The people involved really want to be in 1863, and do their best to create that atmosphere and realism. Renaissance is more like playing dress up.
Its true. Behind the black smith tent is a propane tank, not a boy at the bellows. The campers that spent the night were in modern Pup tents. No canvas covered poles in sight. The Renaissance Fair was theater entertainment. The Civil War was the participants reliving the period as authentically as possible. The civil war was not about the paying customer. That is what made it so special.
I loved the Renaissance fair for the fun and frivolity. It was a fun day and worth the short trip, as going to a play would be. The Civil War reenactment was all about living and breathing 1863. The participants took their roles very seriously. It wasn't acting, it was living.
The boys enjoyed the magician show. Riley watched it twice. He laughed and cheered with the crowds. The boys were right at the fence when the jousting occurred. Cheering on their favorite Knight. The choreography was great in the fight scenes. The actors wore heavy leather belts around their waists to protect them in the final scene when they get stabbed in the gut and carried from the field.
We were told all the horses were rescue animals. A donation helmet went round after the show. We all put money into it. There were musicians playing classical music and selling their CDs. One gentleman sang bawdy Scottish ballads that were hysterical. We wandered through the trees to keep to the shade. You could rent costumes for the day at one tent. My friend bought an inexpensive hair ribbon for her daughter.
I had brought a shawl to sit on which came in handy several times. It is light and easy to carry draped over my purse. It is nice to have when sitting on prickly hay bails or the ground while wearing shorts or thin light clothing. The children liked it.
We popped another show in the DVD player for the ride home. Trevor's friend stayed with us when we were dropped off. They were going to try and see another friend on the way home so the parents didn't come in. The boys went off to play on the computer. Tom was already home from his day of golf. He was having that perfect Sunday. He had Tivoed the Nascar Race and was watching the replay. The only thing that could have made it better is if Jeff Gordon had won and Tom had shot better golf. But he was content and happy in his chair.
I made Marinated Flank steak for dinner with rice a roni, one of my family's favorites. I like it because it is minimum time in the kitchen. There were no left overs. Our guest didn't like it. I guess it is what you are used to. I think that other food was snacked on instead. Cheap hot dogs are always available.
I could hear the boys voices late into the night, through our bedroom walls. Tom slept through, so I let it go. Just telling the boys to whisper.
Today I am driving our guest home and going to try to get to my sister's house. No one has mowed her lawn since I did it two weeks ago. I like to mow lawns. Trevor will help me. Mowing her lawn is an easy way to help out. We, Trevor and I are also going to check those school supplies. His tutoring starts tomorrow.
Despite the bad things happening, its been a good summer for us. No complaints today.
The place is easy to find with the directions. It is the second year for this fair. People wander around in costumes covering several hundred years. Some costumes are fantasy costumes with fairy wings. A few jesters are also around. There are actors in costume. You can tell by their carrying voices and their comfortable bearing while dressed in medieval garb.
There is a temporary arena set up for the jousting and sword play. It is very realistic looking with sparks flying from the swords on contact in battle. The horses are beautiful. Each section roots for a different Knight. They use long pointed javelins to grab hanging rings from horse back. They also charge each other with blunt tipped javelins while galloping. It was much like that movie "A Knights Tail". Fancy maidens road around the arena making their horses bow and dip and Spanish walk.
The place was set up on a farm next to a forest. The tents of vendors were set up under the trees which helped shade everyone from the heat of the day. The cars were parked in the un mowed field.
Painted medieval pillars were strategically placed to give you the flavor of a medieval village. I am spoiled. What I felt was missing were real ruins.
Being the last day of the fair, many of the booths had great prices on the jewelry and souvenirs. I bought some new necklaces and earrings for less than $5. I could have bought a lot more. I gave the boys $20 each to go get food and souvenirs themselves. As usual I banned swords. My girlfriend's husband also banned swords. He said inevitably they would hit each other at home with swords. Someone would get hurt and the sword would have to be confiscated and broken. I love being backed by other parents. My boys don't think I am so strict then.
Tom was golfing. He loved that we were going out, he said , so he didn't have to feel guilty about being gone. He should never feel guilty about golf. I love his mood afterwards. I asked Tom if Trevor's friend could spend the night. He said yes. This particular friend is a quiet boy. We have always enjoyed having him over as he keeps the boys entertained quietly.
I asked Tom why he wasn't into Renaissance as he was Civil War. He said the Civil War reenactments are more realistic. The people involved really want to be in 1863, and do their best to create that atmosphere and realism. Renaissance is more like playing dress up.
Its true. Behind the black smith tent is a propane tank, not a boy at the bellows. The campers that spent the night were in modern Pup tents. No canvas covered poles in sight. The Renaissance Fair was theater entertainment. The Civil War was the participants reliving the period as authentically as possible. The civil war was not about the paying customer. That is what made it so special.
I loved the Renaissance fair for the fun and frivolity. It was a fun day and worth the short trip, as going to a play would be. The Civil War reenactment was all about living and breathing 1863. The participants took their roles very seriously. It wasn't acting, it was living.
The boys enjoyed the magician show. Riley watched it twice. He laughed and cheered with the crowds. The boys were right at the fence when the jousting occurred. Cheering on their favorite Knight. The choreography was great in the fight scenes. The actors wore heavy leather belts around their waists to protect them in the final scene when they get stabbed in the gut and carried from the field.
We were told all the horses were rescue animals. A donation helmet went round after the show. We all put money into it. There were musicians playing classical music and selling their CDs. One gentleman sang bawdy Scottish ballads that were hysterical. We wandered through the trees to keep to the shade. You could rent costumes for the day at one tent. My friend bought an inexpensive hair ribbon for her daughter.
I had brought a shawl to sit on which came in handy several times. It is light and easy to carry draped over my purse. It is nice to have when sitting on prickly hay bails or the ground while wearing shorts or thin light clothing. The children liked it.
We popped another show in the DVD player for the ride home. Trevor's friend stayed with us when we were dropped off. They were going to try and see another friend on the way home so the parents didn't come in. The boys went off to play on the computer. Tom was already home from his day of golf. He was having that perfect Sunday. He had Tivoed the Nascar Race and was watching the replay. The only thing that could have made it better is if Jeff Gordon had won and Tom had shot better golf. But he was content and happy in his chair.
I made Marinated Flank steak for dinner with rice a roni, one of my family's favorites. I like it because it is minimum time in the kitchen. There were no left overs. Our guest didn't like it. I guess it is what you are used to. I think that other food was snacked on instead. Cheap hot dogs are always available.
I could hear the boys voices late into the night, through our bedroom walls. Tom slept through, so I let it go. Just telling the boys to whisper.
Today I am driving our guest home and going to try to get to my sister's house. No one has mowed her lawn since I did it two weeks ago. I like to mow lawns. Trevor will help me. Mowing her lawn is an easy way to help out. We, Trevor and I are also going to check those school supplies. His tutoring starts tomorrow.
Despite the bad things happening, its been a good summer for us. No complaints today.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Saturday - thoughts
The doctor said come fall He wants Riley indistinguishable from any other in coming freshman. Other than contact sports, Riley should be able to do everything. He said Riley could ride his bike as long as he didn't try going down steep hills or trick biking. Riley never did trick biking. I love to be able to do the trail by our house again. I tell Riley contact sports also include falling down the stairs. That is contact with the ground.
So we are in normal mode for a while. Tom and I discuss the BMT. He points out the most successful results are those that do BMT within the first year of diagnosis. Less reactions, smoother transition, the body is not worn out by long term drug use yet. He has a point. We will see what the numbers hold for us on September 2.
Lunch with my Mother in Law was interesting. My nephew was there. He is 26. It is kind of a package deal. She wants to make sure he has a home until he gets his feet on the ground. He is attending a Community College. We are about the same distance north as they are south of the school, about 30 minutes. He talks all lunch. I can tell he doesn't get out much or get to have an audience of such rapt listeners. My boys think he is really interesting at first. He is a computer gamer. He has a beard, the boys tease him and warn him beards turn grey when you get old. His is a reddish hue and a little scruffy.
I am told he can type over 100 words per minute and is quite intelligent. He is just a little socially awkward. Nothing like living with his grandmother and an aunt your whole life to make a man socially awkward. He always hid in his room when we came to visit, until the boys got old enough to watch him play games on his computer and enjoy it. Now when we visit, he sits on the couch with a boy on each side quietly cheering him on with his game, while the "adults" talk.
I am told he is pleased to be considered in our tentative plans with grandma. He "likes" us compared to other relatives in the family. He talks the whole lunch. He is like a wound up child, and excited to be with us. I don't mind as it gives me time to assess him and how he and the boys interact. he tells us about school. It is his first year. He says he knows someone on line through his gaming, who is in a position to offer him a job, in California, if and when he gets his associates computer degree. Two years and he is half way through his first year, not unmanageable.
Before I went to lunch I had made some calls around town to see what 2 bedroom 1 bathroom apartments with no stairs were going for in our area. $630 would get an older but decent unit in a nicer neighborhood, near us. $750 gets you a newer apartment complex with a few extra amenities.
Turns out my nephew has a cat. I have to draw the line on the cat. We have two cats. The times other cats have come into the house have been disasters, peeing everywhere and fights in the middle of the night. My nephew tells us his cat is aggressive. With Riley, that just wont work. What a nightmare. So I let him know the cat will be a problem. I don't spell it out or say it strongly enough, though. I e mail my sister in law after lunch and ask her to let him know "No Cat". Start looking for a new home for the cat if you want to be under our roof for any amount of time. Either that or get a job and an apartment and pay the $300 animal deposit.
It may come to that anyway. I like the idea of Grandma living in the neighborhood in an apartment. She would qualify for housing aide and food stamps. She would be nearby. My 26 year old nephew could still live with her for the next year while he is going to school, and keep his cat.
They want to wait until the eviction for the foreclosure before doing anything, which is fine. Put off the move or having to make these serious choices as long as possible. I am told you can go a year without getting evicted or paying any monthly mortgage payments or rent. Live free for as long as possible.
I am still hopeful my sister in law will be able to settle and refinance, doubtful though it is after all this time. They have been in the battle since last October. The bank took it upon themselves to pay the house taxes even though my mother in law had received a waiver from the state. The bank billed the mortgage the taxes and the battle was on.
My sister in law has already reserved an apartment in the event of the eviction. I think she is looking forward to independent living after years of raising children and taking care of family. That just leaves Grandma and nephew. I think that an apartment looks very appealing for them at the moment. There are options other than our house. The key is Tom wants to make sure his mother is taken care of.
My Mother in Law was wonderful when she came to visit for that week, earlier this year. The counters were wiped clean and the dishes found their way to the dishwasher with out me. She was thoughtful and considerate and good company. Nothing like taking care of Tom Senior. That man was helpless by the time he moved in with us. Because of his diabetes I would often have to spoon feed him breakfast in bed to get his blood sugar up. He couldn't make it to the bathroom in time. He was work. But then I was getting paid to take care of him, so I didn't mind. He was a frail old man in need.
Mother in Law will not be in that condition. She is helpful. Now nephew, I have seen how boys live. He may be 26, but if he comes to stay he will need to follow the rules of the house. There will be chores and work. I will yell at him just like I do with my boys to get them to do their chores. But that is only if they end up at our house. We could be just a short duration stop gap while they find their own place to live.
No stress. I did buy my tickets to take Trevor and myself to Tucson for the memorial that was supposed to be my sister's wedding to her now dead fiance. Riley opted not to go. Tucson will be hot hot hot. Riley said he didn't want to do the memorial. He was there a year ago in March and it was hot then. This will be August.
Trevor has never been to Tucson He wanted to go. Tory booked us rooms at the El Conquistador Hilton. It has a huge pool and slide. She got a great rate $79 a night. 1/3 the price as peak season, or so I am told. I doubt Trevor will get to eat free though. Something to find out. The memorial is Saturday. We will fly home Monday. I am trying to figure out what indoor activity we can do on Sunday as our one free day of tourist.
I may have my niece with us. I don't know if she will be entertaining with Tory or if she can come play with us. I rented a car to make it easier. Through it on our very expensive plane tickets, so the car was really cheap to rent. Friday to Monday for $68 dollars. I kept putting off the plane tickets in hopes the price would go down, but they just kept getting daily more expensive. I thought that August would be cheaper, but those airlines know the game.
I thought about bidding on Priceline, but you can't pick your flight. I had specific times I wanted to fly. So I finally just purchased the tickets. I am grateful Riley opted not to come along now. Trevor and I will have a great time. I told Trevor this was his early birthday present from me. His birthday is two days after we get back. The last few years his birthday has fallen right in the middle of family vacations. Rafting down the Rogue river, camping at Lost Lake, Trevor has had some really great birthdays.
I used to host pool parties for him. Between the location, the cake, presents, and goodie bags for his guests, these parties ran about as much as I just spent on his plane ticket. Football has helped because we can't travel as easily without missing practices, once football season has started with conditioning. Trevor will miss one practice in my estimation, without having a schedule yet.
Trevor will miss several practices and a game, let alone a few days of school, when we do our Make a Wish Trip in the fall. I had a friend though, more than one that said do those family trips now. Don't let early sports deter you. As the children get older it is even harder to schedule family events together. Spend the time now.
A friend of mine from college just got back from Italy with her mom and her sisters. Her mother has recovered from breast cancer and decided that she wanted to do a trip with her children. "You can't take it with you" was her motto. She wanted quality time while she still could do it. My dad did that with my little sister. They went to London for a week just a year before he got sick. He wanted one last trip abroad before he was too old to travel. Who knew it he wouldn't be with us just 3 years later.
My girlfriend helped plan this dream trip with her mom. One sister had just found out her husband had a new job in a new state and they were selling their house and moving. Another sister had children in sports. My girlfriend had to take time off from work. It was difficult to coordinate everyone. It was worth the work. I had drinks with them after they got back. Everyone just glowed telling of their adventures, laughing at the problems. The careful picking of an apartment off the Internet with no stairs to deal with for mom, only to arrive and find the building located at the top of a hill with a hundred stairs to climb to reach the hotel.
They will remember that trip with their mom and sisters their whole lives. Even after their parents have passed away, the memories will bring a smile. They will be grateful they made the effort despite the inconveniences to their families left behind and personal lives. They will be glad they made the effort to be there for the ones that went.
I was torn about Tucson, a wedding was one thing, a memorial was another. Like Riley I don't particularly like attending memorials. Everyone is sad and weepy. Not that anyone does like attending these events. But they do give closure. In this case, I want my sister to know her family loves her and supports her. We had mixed feelings about her fiance. He was good for Tory and the children. But, " in our opinion", his politics and environmental views were whacked, and we wished he had more money so Tory wouldn't have to struggle all the time to make ends meet. But in the end the fact that he stuck by Tory despite her difficult ex husband and her children issues outweighed any reservations we had. I am glad to be going to his memorial to say he will be missed and he was appreciated.
Life throws so many curve balls these days, its more like dodge ball. Some hit harder than others. My goal is at the end of the game I am still smiling through the bruises and glad I played.
So we are in normal mode for a while. Tom and I discuss the BMT. He points out the most successful results are those that do BMT within the first year of diagnosis. Less reactions, smoother transition, the body is not worn out by long term drug use yet. He has a point. We will see what the numbers hold for us on September 2.
Lunch with my Mother in Law was interesting. My nephew was there. He is 26. It is kind of a package deal. She wants to make sure he has a home until he gets his feet on the ground. He is attending a Community College. We are about the same distance north as they are south of the school, about 30 minutes. He talks all lunch. I can tell he doesn't get out much or get to have an audience of such rapt listeners. My boys think he is really interesting at first. He is a computer gamer. He has a beard, the boys tease him and warn him beards turn grey when you get old. His is a reddish hue and a little scruffy.
I am told he can type over 100 words per minute and is quite intelligent. He is just a little socially awkward. Nothing like living with his grandmother and an aunt your whole life to make a man socially awkward. He always hid in his room when we came to visit, until the boys got old enough to watch him play games on his computer and enjoy it. Now when we visit, he sits on the couch with a boy on each side quietly cheering him on with his game, while the "adults" talk.
I am told he is pleased to be considered in our tentative plans with grandma. He "likes" us compared to other relatives in the family. He talks the whole lunch. He is like a wound up child, and excited to be with us. I don't mind as it gives me time to assess him and how he and the boys interact. he tells us about school. It is his first year. He says he knows someone on line through his gaming, who is in a position to offer him a job, in California, if and when he gets his associates computer degree. Two years and he is half way through his first year, not unmanageable.
Before I went to lunch I had made some calls around town to see what 2 bedroom 1 bathroom apartments with no stairs were going for in our area. $630 would get an older but decent unit in a nicer neighborhood, near us. $750 gets you a newer apartment complex with a few extra amenities.
Turns out my nephew has a cat. I have to draw the line on the cat. We have two cats. The times other cats have come into the house have been disasters, peeing everywhere and fights in the middle of the night. My nephew tells us his cat is aggressive. With Riley, that just wont work. What a nightmare. So I let him know the cat will be a problem. I don't spell it out or say it strongly enough, though. I e mail my sister in law after lunch and ask her to let him know "No Cat". Start looking for a new home for the cat if you want to be under our roof for any amount of time. Either that or get a job and an apartment and pay the $300 animal deposit.
It may come to that anyway. I like the idea of Grandma living in the neighborhood in an apartment. She would qualify for housing aide and food stamps. She would be nearby. My 26 year old nephew could still live with her for the next year while he is going to school, and keep his cat.
They want to wait until the eviction for the foreclosure before doing anything, which is fine. Put off the move or having to make these serious choices as long as possible. I am told you can go a year without getting evicted or paying any monthly mortgage payments or rent. Live free for as long as possible.
I am still hopeful my sister in law will be able to settle and refinance, doubtful though it is after all this time. They have been in the battle since last October. The bank took it upon themselves to pay the house taxes even though my mother in law had received a waiver from the state. The bank billed the mortgage the taxes and the battle was on.
My sister in law has already reserved an apartment in the event of the eviction. I think she is looking forward to independent living after years of raising children and taking care of family. That just leaves Grandma and nephew. I think that an apartment looks very appealing for them at the moment. There are options other than our house. The key is Tom wants to make sure his mother is taken care of.
My Mother in Law was wonderful when she came to visit for that week, earlier this year. The counters were wiped clean and the dishes found their way to the dishwasher with out me. She was thoughtful and considerate and good company. Nothing like taking care of Tom Senior. That man was helpless by the time he moved in with us. Because of his diabetes I would often have to spoon feed him breakfast in bed to get his blood sugar up. He couldn't make it to the bathroom in time. He was work. But then I was getting paid to take care of him, so I didn't mind. He was a frail old man in need.
Mother in Law will not be in that condition. She is helpful. Now nephew, I have seen how boys live. He may be 26, but if he comes to stay he will need to follow the rules of the house. There will be chores and work. I will yell at him just like I do with my boys to get them to do their chores. But that is only if they end up at our house. We could be just a short duration stop gap while they find their own place to live.
No stress. I did buy my tickets to take Trevor and myself to Tucson for the memorial that was supposed to be my sister's wedding to her now dead fiance. Riley opted not to go. Tucson will be hot hot hot. Riley said he didn't want to do the memorial. He was there a year ago in March and it was hot then. This will be August.
Trevor has never been to Tucson He wanted to go. Tory booked us rooms at the El Conquistador Hilton. It has a huge pool and slide. She got a great rate $79 a night. 1/3 the price as peak season, or so I am told. I doubt Trevor will get to eat free though. Something to find out. The memorial is Saturday. We will fly home Monday. I am trying to figure out what indoor activity we can do on Sunday as our one free day of tourist.
I may have my niece with us. I don't know if she will be entertaining with Tory or if she can come play with us. I rented a car to make it easier. Through it on our very expensive plane tickets, so the car was really cheap to rent. Friday to Monday for $68 dollars. I kept putting off the plane tickets in hopes the price would go down, but they just kept getting daily more expensive. I thought that August would be cheaper, but those airlines know the game.
I thought about bidding on Priceline, but you can't pick your flight. I had specific times I wanted to fly. So I finally just purchased the tickets. I am grateful Riley opted not to come along now. Trevor and I will have a great time. I told Trevor this was his early birthday present from me. His birthday is two days after we get back. The last few years his birthday has fallen right in the middle of family vacations. Rafting down the Rogue river, camping at Lost Lake, Trevor has had some really great birthdays.
I used to host pool parties for him. Between the location, the cake, presents, and goodie bags for his guests, these parties ran about as much as I just spent on his plane ticket. Football has helped because we can't travel as easily without missing practices, once football season has started with conditioning. Trevor will miss one practice in my estimation, without having a schedule yet.
Trevor will miss several practices and a game, let alone a few days of school, when we do our Make a Wish Trip in the fall. I had a friend though, more than one that said do those family trips now. Don't let early sports deter you. As the children get older it is even harder to schedule family events together. Spend the time now.
A friend of mine from college just got back from Italy with her mom and her sisters. Her mother has recovered from breast cancer and decided that she wanted to do a trip with her children. "You can't take it with you" was her motto. She wanted quality time while she still could do it. My dad did that with my little sister. They went to London for a week just a year before he got sick. He wanted one last trip abroad before he was too old to travel. Who knew it he wouldn't be with us just 3 years later.
My girlfriend helped plan this dream trip with her mom. One sister had just found out her husband had a new job in a new state and they were selling their house and moving. Another sister had children in sports. My girlfriend had to take time off from work. It was difficult to coordinate everyone. It was worth the work. I had drinks with them after they got back. Everyone just glowed telling of their adventures, laughing at the problems. The careful picking of an apartment off the Internet with no stairs to deal with for mom, only to arrive and find the building located at the top of a hill with a hundred stairs to climb to reach the hotel.
They will remember that trip with their mom and sisters their whole lives. Even after their parents have passed away, the memories will bring a smile. They will be grateful they made the effort despite the inconveniences to their families left behind and personal lives. They will be glad they made the effort to be there for the ones that went.
I was torn about Tucson, a wedding was one thing, a memorial was another. Like Riley I don't particularly like attending memorials. Everyone is sad and weepy. Not that anyone does like attending these events. But they do give closure. In this case, I want my sister to know her family loves her and supports her. We had mixed feelings about her fiance. He was good for Tory and the children. But, " in our opinion", his politics and environmental views were whacked, and we wished he had more money so Tory wouldn't have to struggle all the time to make ends meet. But in the end the fact that he stuck by Tory despite her difficult ex husband and her children issues outweighed any reservations we had. I am glad to be going to his memorial to say he will be missed and he was appreciated.
Life throws so many curve balls these days, its more like dodge ball. Some hit harder than others. My goal is at the end of the game I am still smiling through the bruises and glad I played.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Friday July 2010
Tom was asleep by 8:30 last night. Probably exhausted by holding in the stress and emotion. He had machines down yesterday which didn't help, but some good people were in charge to deal with it until he got back. So it was early but justifiable on such a full day.
I took advantage and kicked out the neighbor boy that was playing with the boys and sent everyone to their rooms for bed. Riley took his pills and went without complaint. Trevor had me get his book out from under the covers in our room, where he had left it this afternoon. It takes thirty minutes to settle the boys when we don't do night time showers. Between the fussing and the getting water from down stairs, and the brushing of teeth, settling down the house takes time.
Ahh, the peace and enjoyment of an early night is delicious. I did pull my blanket from the drier only to find it had started to smell from not being fully dry. It had knotted up and inside the knots were damp spots that smelled of old shoes. I will rewash it. It is an argument for a clothes line. Those heavy blankets do better spread on a line. My neighbor has one she can put up and take down. I have used the ladders before. Setting up two A frames with the extension ladder between them .
I need to wash a rug. Its a big 8x10. I thought I would hose it off and scrub it then hang it in the yard. I am just waiting for another hot spell so it doesn't mold like this blanket fresh from the wash. It always surprises me how fast clothes go stinky in the laundry if you don't flip them right away. One of my friends told me she could tell when she hugged me whether the load had been flipped in time.
Today I have lunch with my mother in law. We are going to discuss her coming to stay. Her home is in foreclosure. Medical expenses went up and fixed income stayed the same. Now she is too far behind to make it work. They may want to put the move off as they battle with the mortgage company to refinance. Who knows, they could pull the rabbit out of the hat trick, and get some special deal.
I just want to set some of the ground work and see what she is thinking. I also want to offer the option of apartments in our area that are within her fixed income means. We will see what happens. My motto is no stress until you have to. Right now we are in this gray area, neither good or bad, options are available.
The boys are looking forward to lunch. Riley likes the all day breakfast menus and Trevor loves Cheese burgers, onion rings, milk shakes, and soup. The restaurant has lots of good coffee and a waitress that does all the work. That is what I like about eating out.
Next week Trevor starts tutoring. We will set up his supplies. Some things we will buy new but some we can scavenge from his old stuff. I told Trevor we will add days if he doesn't make an effort. I will hang a sign on the door for the neighborhood children so the sessions are not interrupted. 10:00 to noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays. for three weeks.
I took advantage and kicked out the neighbor boy that was playing with the boys and sent everyone to their rooms for bed. Riley took his pills and went without complaint. Trevor had me get his book out from under the covers in our room, where he had left it this afternoon. It takes thirty minutes to settle the boys when we don't do night time showers. Between the fussing and the getting water from down stairs, and the brushing of teeth, settling down the house takes time.
Ahh, the peace and enjoyment of an early night is delicious. I did pull my blanket from the drier only to find it had started to smell from not being fully dry. It had knotted up and inside the knots were damp spots that smelled of old shoes. I will rewash it. It is an argument for a clothes line. Those heavy blankets do better spread on a line. My neighbor has one she can put up and take down. I have used the ladders before. Setting up two A frames with the extension ladder between them .
I need to wash a rug. Its a big 8x10. I thought I would hose it off and scrub it then hang it in the yard. I am just waiting for another hot spell so it doesn't mold like this blanket fresh from the wash. It always surprises me how fast clothes go stinky in the laundry if you don't flip them right away. One of my friends told me she could tell when she hugged me whether the load had been flipped in time.
Today I have lunch with my mother in law. We are going to discuss her coming to stay. Her home is in foreclosure. Medical expenses went up and fixed income stayed the same. Now she is too far behind to make it work. They may want to put the move off as they battle with the mortgage company to refinance. Who knows, they could pull the rabbit out of the hat trick, and get some special deal.
I just want to set some of the ground work and see what she is thinking. I also want to offer the option of apartments in our area that are within her fixed income means. We will see what happens. My motto is no stress until you have to. Right now we are in this gray area, neither good or bad, options are available.
The boys are looking forward to lunch. Riley likes the all day breakfast menus and Trevor loves Cheese burgers, onion rings, milk shakes, and soup. The restaurant has lots of good coffee and a waitress that does all the work. That is what I like about eating out.
Next week Trevor starts tutoring. We will set up his supplies. Some things we will buy new but some we can scavenge from his old stuff. I told Trevor we will add days if he doesn't make an effort. I will hang a sign on the door for the neighborhood children so the sessions are not interrupted. 10:00 to noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays. for three weeks.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Numbers- July 2010
White cell 2.3 (from 2.4- inconclusive)
Hemoglobin 11.0 (up from 10.4 on 6/24, not bad, low normal)
Platelets 67 (up from 62 , a 1% gain)
BASO% 1 no change
EOS% 3 same as last month
Reticulocyte absolute # 23.8 (down from 51.6) This may not be good as these are the new juvinile red cells
The White cell family:
Neutrophil 1.2 (6/24 was 1.1)
Lymphocyte 0.7 (0.9)
Monocytes 0.3 (0.3)
Its like watching a turtle sleep. Every once in a while something might twitch to show that things are happening and alive. I had my interview and it looks like I got the job. three days a week including Saturdays though. I asked for every other Saturday, because of football season. They said that they could accommodate. I also mentioned the Make a Wish Trip and the potential to need 6 to 8 weeks for BMT if necessary. Again they were understanding. As I said before they hire by word of mouth and do not advertise as they are looking for a particular type of employee that melds well with their clientele.
I am to send back the formal application and they would let me know when I can start training. Training will take a month or so. They will know by the end of that time if I will work out or not. I look forward to starting after years of talking about going back to work.
I had taken Riley to Starbucks across the parking lot prior to my meeting. He waited in the car for me to finish. The interview took 4o minutes. I met the owner, who has owned the store for over 50 years, and his manager. I also had the pleasure of meeting another employee who came in to open the store while we met. I am hopeful that this will be a good fit for all of us, no pun intended as it is a specialty shoe store.
I am told 80% of their business comes from Doctor referrals. Very few are just walk ins. One client may lead to 5 others just by word of mouth. My mother in law moving in soon is good timing, if this works out.
Riley and I head to the hospital directly afterward. Riley needs to give blood so we can see his numbers. We park in the parking garage and head in to the seventh floor. I sign the arrival card on the door of the nurses station. There is one name ahead of us. Five minutes later they call for Riley. I ask him if he wants me to go in with him. He shrugs, either way is fine. I go in with him.
He sits at the raised chair that has special padded armrests. He asks for the anesthetic while the nurse wraps the rubber band around his arm and has him pump his fist. She tells him she doesn't have any as she sticks him with the needle. By the time he says "Awe, I like anesthetic" She is done drawing blood. "Wow you are fast". With a grin on his face, Riley leaves the room.
We head to lunch since we have 2 hours until our appointment with the Doctor and get the blood results. Riley orders a bacon cheese burger with seasoned fries. Once at the table he says its over cooked and he isn't hungry after all. His Dad texts us and says he is in the building. I text back to have him join us for lunch and he can eat Riley's whole meal. He does just that. He arrives shortly and wolfs down the burger. We talk about my potential job and then I suggest heading upstairs to the waiting room. Tom leaps from the table with alacrity. He has been waiting as patiently as he can for those numbers.
We are over an hour early so a nurse comes and apologizes that we will need to wait until our appointed time. I figured the doctor was at lunch. Kung Fu panda was on again. We have seen that movie every other time. We chuckle that we have never been able to see the whole movie all the way through. I read the paper for a while. We are called promptly and see the doctor within 15 minutes of our appointed time. Riley gets weighed 57.4 kilos and he measured 68.5 inches. He is growing just fine to fit his size 13 feet.
The numbers are close to what they were last month but improving slightly. 1% gains more or less. At this rate it could take years to recover. I ask how long Riley can stay on the cyclosporine. The Doctor tells me he has patients that have been on it for more than a decade. Riley is on a low dose as it turns out. He could take it indefinitely. My mind turns. That means we could time BMT for next summer rather than miss school, or postpone it indefinitely. We will have some serious discussions at our next appointment. Riley would opt to not have the BMT.
Now I understand the articles regarding living with Aplastic Anemia. I couldn't figure out the long term discussions. How these people could still be living. I had not realized you could just go on indefinitely without serious repercussions if you take the autoimmune suppressants. As long as Riley keeps his fluids going so his organs don't stress, it is a possibility not to do BMT. I will be discussing this option with Tom. The risk would be an illness with his compromised immunity.
Everything is a measured choice, risk, gain.
Riley has what looks like a virus to the Doctor, on his skin: chest and fore arms. Little red raised bumps. Riley had thought them in grown hairs or zits on his chest. He has had them for several weeks. The doctor says if it gets worse to call the dermatologist. It may just need to run its course.
The zit meds are working. Riley's face is much better. He did have a new big juicy zit on the bridge of his nose today, but there is definitely an overall improvement. His forehead has little red dots where the zits used to be but the zits themselves are gone and so is the inflammation. The Retin A should fade the spots over time.
Tom is quiet during the whole exam. he is waiting for August to pass. our next appointment is September 2. The Doctor is away for August. It is a morning appointment which is unusual, but we found out he is substituting for other doctors taking their vacations.
Oh, I forgot the insurance angle from our side. If we get everything done this year, we wont have to pay another $5000 max copay for Riley. Well, this time Tom can put it on his flexible spending account. I am sure we will be going through a lot on just the prescription's' co pays.
Honestly, I have no complaints with good insurance and good doctors and options all around.
September will come soon enough. We will enjoy this marathon of a summer.
Hemoglobin 11.0 (up from 10.4 on 6/24, not bad, low normal)
Platelets 67 (up from 62 , a 1% gain)
BASO% 1 no change
EOS% 3 same as last month
Reticulocyte absolute # 23.8 (down from 51.6) This may not be good as these are the new juvinile red cells
The White cell family:
Neutrophil 1.2 (6/24 was 1.1)
Lymphocyte 0.7 (0.9)
Monocytes 0.3 (0.3)
Its like watching a turtle sleep. Every once in a while something might twitch to show that things are happening and alive. I had my interview and it looks like I got the job. three days a week including Saturdays though. I asked for every other Saturday, because of football season. They said that they could accommodate. I also mentioned the Make a Wish Trip and the potential to need 6 to 8 weeks for BMT if necessary. Again they were understanding. As I said before they hire by word of mouth and do not advertise as they are looking for a particular type of employee that melds well with their clientele.
I am to send back the formal application and they would let me know when I can start training. Training will take a month or so. They will know by the end of that time if I will work out or not. I look forward to starting after years of talking about going back to work.
I had taken Riley to Starbucks across the parking lot prior to my meeting. He waited in the car for me to finish. The interview took 4o minutes. I met the owner, who has owned the store for over 50 years, and his manager. I also had the pleasure of meeting another employee who came in to open the store while we met. I am hopeful that this will be a good fit for all of us, no pun intended as it is a specialty shoe store.
I am told 80% of their business comes from Doctor referrals. Very few are just walk ins. One client may lead to 5 others just by word of mouth. My mother in law moving in soon is good timing, if this works out.
Riley and I head to the hospital directly afterward. Riley needs to give blood so we can see his numbers. We park in the parking garage and head in to the seventh floor. I sign the arrival card on the door of the nurses station. There is one name ahead of us. Five minutes later they call for Riley. I ask him if he wants me to go in with him. He shrugs, either way is fine. I go in with him.
He sits at the raised chair that has special padded armrests. He asks for the anesthetic while the nurse wraps the rubber band around his arm and has him pump his fist. She tells him she doesn't have any as she sticks him with the needle. By the time he says "Awe, I like anesthetic" She is done drawing blood. "Wow you are fast". With a grin on his face, Riley leaves the room.
We head to lunch since we have 2 hours until our appointment with the Doctor and get the blood results. Riley orders a bacon cheese burger with seasoned fries. Once at the table he says its over cooked and he isn't hungry after all. His Dad texts us and says he is in the building. I text back to have him join us for lunch and he can eat Riley's whole meal. He does just that. He arrives shortly and wolfs down the burger. We talk about my potential job and then I suggest heading upstairs to the waiting room. Tom leaps from the table with alacrity. He has been waiting as patiently as he can for those numbers.
We are over an hour early so a nurse comes and apologizes that we will need to wait until our appointed time. I figured the doctor was at lunch. Kung Fu panda was on again. We have seen that movie every other time. We chuckle that we have never been able to see the whole movie all the way through. I read the paper for a while. We are called promptly and see the doctor within 15 minutes of our appointed time. Riley gets weighed 57.4 kilos and he measured 68.5 inches. He is growing just fine to fit his size 13 feet.
The numbers are close to what they were last month but improving slightly. 1% gains more or less. At this rate it could take years to recover. I ask how long Riley can stay on the cyclosporine. The Doctor tells me he has patients that have been on it for more than a decade. Riley is on a low dose as it turns out. He could take it indefinitely. My mind turns. That means we could time BMT for next summer rather than miss school, or postpone it indefinitely. We will have some serious discussions at our next appointment. Riley would opt to not have the BMT.
Now I understand the articles regarding living with Aplastic Anemia. I couldn't figure out the long term discussions. How these people could still be living. I had not realized you could just go on indefinitely without serious repercussions if you take the autoimmune suppressants. As long as Riley keeps his fluids going so his organs don't stress, it is a possibility not to do BMT. I will be discussing this option with Tom. The risk would be an illness with his compromised immunity.
Everything is a measured choice, risk, gain.
Riley has what looks like a virus to the Doctor, on his skin: chest and fore arms. Little red raised bumps. Riley had thought them in grown hairs or zits on his chest. He has had them for several weeks. The doctor says if it gets worse to call the dermatologist. It may just need to run its course.
The zit meds are working. Riley's face is much better. He did have a new big juicy zit on the bridge of his nose today, but there is definitely an overall improvement. His forehead has little red dots where the zits used to be but the zits themselves are gone and so is the inflammation. The Retin A should fade the spots over time.
Tom is quiet during the whole exam. he is waiting for August to pass. our next appointment is September 2. The Doctor is away for August. It is a morning appointment which is unusual, but we found out he is substituting for other doctors taking their vacations.
Oh, I forgot the insurance angle from our side. If we get everything done this year, we wont have to pay another $5000 max copay for Riley. Well, this time Tom can put it on his flexible spending account. I am sure we will be going through a lot on just the prescription's' co pays.
Honestly, I have no complaints with good insurance and good doctors and options all around.
September will come soon enough. We will enjoy this marathon of a summer.
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