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Down For The Count

I hurt my knee again. AGAIN! One week before I'm supposed to run my 10K. WHY??? I have no idea how I injured it this time. I suppose it could have still been touchy since the last time I injured it. I don't know, but it really hurts.

I know it isn't a big deal in the grand scheme of things, but it pisses me off. I don't often get to compete in 10K races because I am always pregnant or nursing, so when I finally do get in shape again and all the cards fall in to place I want to take advantage when I can. This just sucks. I am really pissed. The last time I hurt my knee I had to stop running for a month before it healed. Did I mention that I am a little pissed about this? Suckity, suck, suck, suckage.

I know I haven't been around to your blogs much lately. I beg you to be patient with me. It has been craziness around here. And now on top of everything else I have to keep my knee iced and elevated so that there is a snowball's chance in hell I might be able to run next week. Unfortunately, my friggin granny knee hurts just sitting at this desk (WHY don't I have a LAPTOP???????) so I have to get back to my couch. I promise I will be around to see you all soon. "Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but soon- and for the rest of your life."* Oh wait, what?

In the meantime, keep your fingers crossed that I'm just down and not out.

-I think I'm done whining now.
-Sorry.



*Casablanca, people! Sheesh.

Doggone Valentine's Day!

I get it. I know that Valentine's Day is nine months before November, but come on people! Can't you conceive at any other time than Valentine's Day? I know approximately 20 people with November birthdays. Two of my brothers, two of my niece's, eight friends, my dad, my MIL, my best friend's son, a few cousins. I'm going bonkers trying to keep them all straight. And I'm going broke too! It is insanity.

I realize Valentine's Day is the most romantic holiday and all. But what about January? You know, the holidays are over, there is nothing to do. Make a baby then! Or what about March? Spring is coming closer, the weather is getting nicer. How about a baby then! Or April! Yay, April! Or any other month, for that matter. Just not February, okay?

I think I should start circulating a petition for no more conceptions in February. Can I do that? You want to sign it?

Hmmm.

My Girl

She was the first baby I ever fell in love with. I had been around many babies before, but never had I been so smitten as this. When I babysat for her I would pretend she was mine. It was easy because everyone remarked at the resemblance between us. I paraded her around my school, my friends, my work. I had to introduce her to everyone. Yes, I was smitten.

I remember nights at my sister's apartment when I would beg to put my baby to sleep. I would turn the radio to soothing music and stand in front of the big patio windows dancing her to sleep. Her hair was the sweetest smell I had ever known in my 17 years. Her cheeks were so rosy and soft I had to restrain myself from kissing her too much and keeping her awake.

For a while when she was two I had the pleasure of being her nanny. Every morning at the crack of dawn she would come bounding in my room begging for her "ba-ba" and her favorite show "Bananas in Pajamas". She would cross her legs, stick her nuk on her big toe, and bounce her foot up and down. Up and down. Even at two years old she was funny, expressive, and full of life. She was a handful for some, but was always fabulous for me. My little buddy.

Today my niece turns 15. I can easily remember what my life was like when I was 15. On the one hand things were so exciting and new and all of life's possibilities were mine for the taking. On the other hand life was confusing, draining, scary, and at times heart breaking. At fifteen I turned inside myself and tried to find exactly who I was. Who I wanted to be. It was a time of mixed emotions. At fifteen I struggled.

Distance made it impossible to stay in my niece's life as much as I've wanted to over the years, but fate has brought her, her sisters, and my sister back home. I'm so glad that she is here. I hope she knows how much it means to me to have her close again, and to be able to watch her in this most exciting, fun, confusing, and draining time in her life. And I hope she knows that whatever she needs I am always here for her.

**********************************************************
For years I've carried this advice around in my wallet. It has helped to lift me from my funks and inspire me to do better. I hope that it helps to inspire my niece as well and reminds her of life's possibilities.

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

Saturday Suggestions

Every Saturday I pick three posts that stand out in my mind that I have read in the past week. They can be posts that make me laugh, cry, or just strike a chord with me. Please feel free to visit the links and leave comments. Enjoy!


Carol at Rose Creek Cottage with Just An Ordinary Day
I love stories like these. This post is wonderful for so many reasons you will just have to read it for yourself.

Crystal Jigsaw with The Jigsaw Puzzle Part I
A story about missing her father. I can relate. It is so beautifully written and so wonderfully told you simply must read it.

Chris at Life... Or A Reasonable Facsimile Thereof with Photostory Friday: Girls
A father's view of life with daughters. So honest, and funny, and absolutely moving. Please. READ IT.

PSF- A Time To Whine

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek
I can barely move. My back is having little spasms. I am sore. I am tired. I just want to curl up in one of the three massive piles of leaves I raked yesterday and go to sleep.

I feel like I have been raking all week. Well, I suppose I kind of have been. But yesterday was a massive overhauling of raking. I had to hurry to get the yard cleaned up so that I could get my piles into the street in time for the vacuum trucks to come by and pick them up. And now one day later I am still waiting for the trucks and watching as the leaves slowly get blown back into my yard. Ugh. I don't think I have it in me to go back out there and rake again.

After all the raking yesterday I went for a 5 mile run. It probably wasn't the best idea but I am trying to get ready for the 10K race I signed up for on Thanksgiving Day. Todd will be gone for a whole week before Thanksgiving so I will not be able to run outside while he is gone and I have to take my opportunities when I can. This was my first run this week because Todd has been working from early morning until late at night every day for the past few weeks. It has been kind of crazy around here.

And now? I'm exhausted. And sore. Did I mention my back hurts? Oh yeah, and I'm tired. But this weekend is no time for relaxation. It is go, go, go. But AFTER that? Oh wait, nope. No relaxation there either. I have to bake cookies and make treats for Todd to take up to deer camp. And after THAT? Well, it is just me and the boys for a whole week. But AFTER THAT? Well, maybe THEN I'll be able to relax.

(Doesn't that just look so comfy?)

Thankful Thursday

I first saw this over at Dysfunctional Mom's blog and I loved the idea. So now I'm copying cuz I'm original like that. But also because I'm thankful.


- I am thankful that Joey's little episode with his dad the other week was only a one time occurrence. I have proof! As I was dropping Joey off in his classroom this morning I watched as he hung up his backpack and jacket and joined in on his classmates' play. Sensing that I was no longer needed I shouted a goodbye to Joey over my shoulder as I made my way to the door, careful not to embarrass him in front of his friends. Joey yelled, "Wait!" and quickly ran over, gave me a hug, a KISS, and told me he loves me. In front of all of his friends. Ahhhhh. All is right in the world.
I also heard from Todd that Joey allows him a big hug and kiss too. But only if his friends are not right there. Good enough. We'll take what we can get.

- I am so thankful that I only have two more weeks to wait until my appointment with my hair stylist. I am looking so bushy lately. I mean it is really out of control. I am trying to grow my hair out and when I do that I usually wait about two months in between hair cuts. Well, this time I waited too long to call my stylist and she was booked for a month and a half. A MONTH AND A HALF. And yes. She is that good. I WILL NOT let anyone else touch my hair so I have been waiting impatiently for my turn. She has told me in the past that if I really need to get in for an appointment that I can leave my name and she'll try and squeeze me in but I feel funny doing that. Like maybe I should do that only in case of real hair emergencies. What that would be? I don't know, but I think I can hold out another two weeks.
It is funny that I am this picky about my hair stylist considering that I had never even had my hair cut in a salon until I was 20 something. Up until then I had cut my own hair, and before that my mom cut it for me. But once you get a really fabulous cut, you just can't go back. Don't you agree?

- I am so thankful bribery works. Tommy has been crying and hanging on us when we drop him off for school in the morning. I know he likes school, but he just doesn't like the part where we leave him there. Being Joey's younger brother has always made it easy for him in the friends department. Joey's friends are his friends. He has never had to go out and make his own friends. And I can understand walking into a room full of kids can be very intimidating. He is a very emotional, dramatic (I wonder where he gets this from???) little boy and he is very free with his emotions. I love that about him, but I don't want these mornings to be so hard on him.
I told Tommy that if he can walk into his classroom, and kiss and hug mommy goodbye like a big boy, then he will get a special treat when I come to pick him up. It worked like a charm! He was fabulous! And his wonderful teacher (I'm thankful for her too!) noticed and ran with it telling him what a big boy he is and how proud she is of him. It was GREAT!

- I am thankful it is Thursday. Great TV night. Between The Office, Grey's Anatomy, 3rd Rock, and ER I am booked. AND, Dr. Greene is coming back to ER tonight! I am so excited!
It's the little things in life.

- I am so thankful for my dad's nursing home. The nursing staff there are the most amazing group of people I've ever met. They are all so loving and kind and they go out of their way to make all the residents feel at home. I was walking down the hall the other day and glanced into the common room and saw a nurse dancing with a resident. My mom said that is common to see. And I know you all heard of them opening up the nursing home to trick or treaters so the residents could hand out candy. That was awesome.
On Tuesday they also had a ceremony to honor all the residents who are Veterans. My dad received a plaque with his Army picture on it, his years of active service, and the awards he received as a soldier. I don't know how much of the ceremony my dad grasped, but he sure was grasping onto that plaque tightly. It warmed my heart.
Tomorrow the nursing staff are throwing my dad a birthday party for his 77th. They really do go out of their way, and I am so grateful to them. I just wrote a letter to our local newspaper thanking the nurses and staff at the nursing home. I hope they print it.
Anyway, it is truly something to be thankful for.

- I am thankful for the Peanut Butter Jelly song. Finally a rap song my boys can listen to. And no matter how grouchy they are it makes them laugh and dance.

The ice cream and cake song isn't bad either.

So, what are you thankful for?