Friday, June 6, 2008

The Ups And Downs


That's the way life goes.
You have your ups and your downs.
I'll take more ups, please!


The Downs-

-After enjoying yesterday's thunderstorm I suddenly got a massive migraine. I don't know if it was the air pressure from the storm, or what, but it was a doosie. It is NO FUN taking care of 3 boys while my brains are spilling out onto the floor and I'm trying not to vomit from the pain. I went from being fun, sweet, loving mommy to psycho, don't talk to, look at, or breath in her direction, mommy. Poor boys. They had to put up with that all day. I actually told Tommy, "Tommy, if you don't shut your yipper I'm gonna karate chop your head!" Luckily he thought it was funny. Can we say, "psycho mom"?

-I have a fro. It is not pretty. I haven't cut my hair in over three months because I am growing it out but, seriously, something needs to be done. I'm beginning to look like a crazy person.

-I only ran once this week. My K-Lo bootie is getting bigger by the second. I can feel it.

The Ups

- Dad has been adjusting to the nursing home amazingly well. The beginning of the week was a bit rough. Dad was just really out of it. Barely able to walk. Didn't really know who anyone was. Now, these last few days he has been completely different. Much more lucid and cheerful. I walked into his room and he was sitting in his recliner (we brought his favorite chair from home) drinking tea and listening to music with mom. We laughed and talked and he even called me by my name. Something I haven't heard in a long time. Mom has been taking him out on car rides and trips to their favorite ice cream shops, and when they get back to the nursing home dad says, "Yep. We're home now." I think dad thinks that mom lives at the nursing home with him because she is there so much of the time. The last few days have been nothing short of a blessing. I realize he will go back and forth between horrible days, okay days, and wonderful days, but I'm willing to take them as they come. It has been so good to see him smile again.

-I have a haircut appointment for Saturday. At least I'm doing something about one of the downs!

- Yesterday's thunderstorm. Loved it! So good!


So there you have it. Not too up and not too down. Pretty even keel. And for someone like me who has recently been a freaking weeping, sobbing, emotional mess that is pretty good.

48 comments:

painted maypole said...

oooh.. i had a migraine the other day, too, during VBS. ack. no fun.

glad the ups are helping to balance out the downs for you.

:)

lime said...

you have my complete sympathies regarding the migraine. i become hell on wheels when i have one.

so glad to hear things seem to be smoothing out for your dad. sounds like you have a realistic outlook there. hoping for more good days than bad.

Mom24 said...

I am HATING my hair right now too. *sigh* I keep trying to tell myself it's not important in the grand scheme of things, and it's not, but it is important all the same.

I am so glad your dad is doing a bit better. I know that brings you a lot of comfort.

So sorry about the migraine. I've never had one, but I can imagine how horrible they must be. Let alone adding in three energetic little boys you want to do your best with!

Hope today is an up day!

Cassie said...

It's great that your dad is doing better. I know that will help put your mind at ease.

Hoping for more ups today! :)

girlymom said...

I hope it gets better for you soon. For you and your Dad.

Tonya said...

I think all moms have psycho days. You have to show us your new hair cut! Glad your dad is doing better.

Also when you vote are you clicking on my picture? I have had people email saying that is what they did. If so you have to go past the pictures and click on A Day in the Life of a MaMa. If that is what you are doing and it is letting keep at it :)

Anonymous said...

Best wishes through the ups and the downs, Kat.

Great picture at the top, btw!

Stephanie said...

I'm sorry about your migraine. I cannot imagine having that with taking care of the kiddos. Hopefully today and this weekend are much better and that there are more ups than downs next week!!
Happy Friday!

imbeingheldhostage said...

I'm sure you're beautiful even with a fro, and I am even crazier about you knowing you actually lost it during a migraine. I don't think karate chops fall under child abuse or neglect, (especially when the child is laughing at you) so you didn't go over the line. Have a great weekend with more ups than downs!

dianna said...

One day at a time my friend.

Here's to more ups*!*

Storytellin' Mama said...

Life- what can you do?

My mom's mom recently went into a nursing home and she is dealing with the same issues. Glad your dad is transitioning well.

I hate headaches. I always get the neck tension kind.

poignant haiku!

Anonymous said...

You have my sympathies too.... so painful.

Anonymous said...

You are awesome, and even at your most psycho, I bet you are still more awesome than lots of folks.

I'm really glad to hear that your dad is having some good days and that you are savoring every minute of them.

Mmmm, haircuts. I like haircuts. And a shampoo.

Beck said...

So many people had migraines yesterday!
I'm glad your dad is settling in. And I hope you LOVE your new hair!

Laura said...

I get migaines on sotrm days too...it sucks!

So glad you Dad is adjusting.

HUGS!

Anonymous said...

So good to hear that your dad is settling a bit more. Often furniture can help to relax their minds, we did it with my late father-in-law although he was a different kettle of fish!!

Migraines: horrible things. I suffer usually once a month so obviously hormonal but I do get one if I've been shouting a lot! Sounds ridiculous but our youngest dog and my daughter need a lot of keeping in line!!

Take care,
Crystal xx

Life As I Know It said...

Ugh- I've only had a few migraines, but they were horrendous!
Just found your blog today...I have a Tommy too!

dawn klinge said...

I'm so glad to hear that your Dad is having some good days lately. Sorry about the migraine. Have a great weekend.

Karen Coutu said...

We all have our "psycho mom" moments. I'm glad you have some ups to balance out your downs.

Kelley said...

I'm sorry to hear about your migraine. I was pretty awful with my kids last night, too. It's a good thing they are so resilient.

I hope you are feeling better this morning.

storyteller said...

Dealing with migraines
never easy …glad your dad’s
‘adjusting’ so well.

I wish for you a peace-filled day, every day!
Hugs and blessings,

Unknown said...

I hate it when I don't feel good b/c I know I am no fun to be around those days. Sorry about your migraine! Yuck.

So glad to hear that you've had some good days with your Dad though. That's awesome. I hope you have many, many more of those!

MamaGeek @ Works For Us said...

Oh your poor K-LO bootie needed a break! Sorry to hear about the migraine, I know those are AWFUL!

Life is one big see-saw.

Cyndi said...

I hope you have many more ups over the next few days. And no more migranes!

Anonymous said...

Ugh, so sorry to hear about the migrane. I don't get them often, but when I do, I need total darkness and silence (and plenty-o-drugs).

I hope your father continues to have better days. So sweet your mom is there so often and is taking him out.

Anonymous said...

Those are some ups and downs, but from this outsiders view...the ups outwieghed the downs this week. (Yes, I know how bad migraines can be!)

Here's to next week being better!

Kelly said...

Ugh, migraines are NO fun although I had to laugh at the karate chop comment!

Hang in there!

Scylla said...

I hate migraines. I am sorry you had one.
I hope they stop.

the planet of janet said...

ugh! i'm so sorry!!!!

Anonymous said...

Enjoy your haircut tomorrow. Enjoy the pampering and don't think about anything else but you...

Caffeine Court said...

What a great haiku. So true. You have such a great attitude.

Head Gaggler said...

I love storms but that stinks you got a migraine. I hate those. Glad to hear your dad is adjusting.

just jamie said...

Sorry I'm so behind on my reading. I loved this post. "If you don't shut your yipper I'm gonna karate chop your head." Okay, seriously, hilarious.

So glad to hear that your Dad is adjusting. Can't be easy, for any of you. But you have carried through with such grace and presence. Keep going. You're an inspiration!

OHmommy said...

It's been storming here too... and I too have a fro!

anymommy said...

It's my first Haiku Friday and I had so much fun meeting everyone. I felt bonded here right away because I have three really little ones too! Sorry about the migraine. Our house also fairs poorly when I don't feel well!

Kristen said...

Karate chop your head just made me die laughing. I think you are funny mom, not psycho mom!

Hope you are feeling better and that your haircut is fabulous. Amazing how good a haircut can make you feel.

So glad to hear that you have been able to spend more happy times with your dad. Sounds like he and your mom are really adjusting.

Hope you have a restful and uneventful weekend, and bring on some more of those up's, right?

Laski said...

Well, I guess things balance out, don't they!?!

I've been running. I swear, my shorts from pre-J days are finally starting to fit (especially if I don't try to zip them up).

Glad to hear your dad is having good days!

Also, happy to hear you are taking time to get your hair a little love . . . I'm in the grow-out phase and I'm thinking I may soon be in the chop-it-all-off phase!

Take care-YOU! Gather up those brains and rest that head :)

Rebecca (Ramblings by Reba) said...

I'm glad your dad is adjusting. That must make things just a bit easier.

As for your "bottom problem," I feel your pain.

Putting the FUN in DysFUNctional said...

Migraines suck. I love your karate chop comment though! ROFL!
And, I can't even tell you how happy I am that your dad is doing better! Such wonderful news!

Kellan said...

Karate chop his head - ACK!! I'm so glad t hear that things are going well for your dad - what a blessing.

Hope you are having a good weekend - see you soon - Kellan

Stephanie Wilson she/her @babysteph said...

Hope this weekend and your new hair cut was one big "up!"

Steph

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad to hear that your Dad is doing better. And let me just say that in the throes of my seasonal headaches I have been known to growl at my poor children. So, you could be worse.

Life in the Crazy Lane said...

Just found your blog and it's HILARIOUS! I feel your pain (I've got two girls who strive daily to steal what little sanity I have). I'll definitely be back!

Life in the Crazy Lane said...

P.S. I once told a fifth grader that I was student teaching that if he didn't stop tapping his pencil on his desk, I would rip his arms off and beat him with the bloody stumps. Fortunately, he thought that was a riot! (BTW, I decided not to go into teaching - ha ha!)

Cynthia said...

Glad to hear a little sunshine with your Dad:)
Let us know how the haircut goes!

CC said...

Hugs!!

My husband gets cluster headaches. For him that means 4-6 months weeks of almost constant insanely dehabilitating headaches. Luckily I've never had a migraine or cluster. I'm kinda a wimp and can't even deal with a tiny headache.

Unknown said...

I'm sorry to hear that you are a migraine sufferer too....that is when it is movie day at our house and I pray for Daddy to come home....nice to hear that your dad is adjusting and liking his new home.

Lisa said...

I'm with you on the 'fro. Curly hair + humidity = not so cute.

So glad to hear your dad is doing well. What good news!!!

Words To Live By

Be grateful for each new day.
A new day that you have never lived before.
Twenty-four new, fresh, unexplored hours to use usefully and profitably.
We can squander, neglect, or use them.
Life will be richer or poorer by the way we use today.
Finish every day and be done with it.
You have done what you could;
some blunders and absurdities crept in;
forget them as soon as you can.
Tomorrow is a new day.
You shall begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be
encumbered with your old nonsense.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson