Monday, May 12

What's going on?

I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend. Even though our schedules here at Chez Moogie prevented us from visiting Mom on Mother's Day, I still had a marvellous chat with her, as well as my dad and brother. I'm sure it helps that we are planning to go down on Father's Day (if not sooner), and my older brother and his wife will be there (they live in California).

The past few weeks have been a whirl wind of comings and goings, and goings and comings. Don't get me wrong, it's all good, but we are looking forward to a slower pace of life, coming in the next few weeks (crossing fingers).

And now, an update:

  1. I would appreciate any prayers, or lighting of candles directed towards my FIL. He is having surgery on Wednesday to fix (we hope) an aortic aneurysm. The medical complexities of this surgery still confound me even though my lovely SIL sent a detailed explanation of what was going to happen. There are so many things that can go wrong (he could end up on dialysis for the rest of his life) and so many that can go right (it worked!). I try to remain positive and focus on the good things. It's doubly hard being all the way across the country. I can't do the whole see, touch, feel. I can't physically BE there, but I can pray, and I can offer support, via telephone and email, such as it is.
  2. Meelie's Cheer Leading team went to the National Championships a couple of weeks ago in Virginia Beach. They took six place, with an honorable mention. You can't beat that. I went with my girlfriend, and her daughter who is on Meelie's team. We had so much fun but I was really tired by the time we got home. This old bod can't do that kind of thing and recover as quickly as it once could. It took me about three days before my hearing came back and the ringing in my ears stopped.
  3. Chickie has her big recital this Saturday, and has rehearsals almost every day this week. Tonight, she told me she finally feels comfortable with her solo. She had been worried because she was having trouble remembering it all. Tonight she had one-on-one time with her instructor and she feels fairly confident, albeit somewhat nervous, about the piece. Since I'm the sole taxi driver (see #1) this week, it's turning out to be an juggling act of schedules, making sure the kids have dinner as well as clean clothes to wear to school. It's all doable, but requires some heavy thinking on my part. I'm beginning to learn the value of the "LIST."
  4. Speaking of Chickie, she has her 8th grade prom this Friday. My girlfriend's daughters saved all of their prom dresses and Chickie is wearing one of them. SCORE! We got her a really beautiful pendant to go with it as well as some shoes (both on sale - DOUBLE SCORE!). The only other thing I had to pay for was sending the dress to the cleaners. I'd say I made out like a bandit. We'll be taking pictures that night over at her friend's house. They have a beautiful backyard, complete with a swimming pool. My girlfriend is catering the event, so she'll be sure to give me all the details. I'm really excited for her.

That's about it for now. I'm hoping to update the blog a little more than I have been doing. I decided to take a bit of time for myself and family, and I must say I've enjoyed it.

I hope you all are doing well. Until next time.....

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Category: This and that | 7:32 PM | Comments (3) |

Tuesday, April 22

Jump Rope for Heart - Part II

Yes, my dear readers, it's that time again. Meelie is jumping (pardon the pun) at the start to participate in such a worthy cause. Last year, her goal was $500, and with the help of family, friends and all of our generous readers, she was able to reach that goal, and then some, with a total donation amount of $750. This year, she is striving to reach a goal of $1,000.

Once again, she is doing it in honor of her Papa.

My father had his heart attack in 1992. Over the years, he's been hospitalized several times, had quintuple bypass surgery, an ICD, and has been diagnosed with congestive heart failure. Without all of the knowledge gained from the help of the American Heart Association, my father would not be here with us today. He truly is our "Angel."

Why it's important:

  • Heart disease is the No. 1 killer; stroke is the No. 3 killer and a leading cause of serious disability.Congenital cardiovascular defects are the most common cause of infant death from birth defects.
  • Cardiovascular disease ranks as the No. 2 cause of death for children under age 15.
  • Overweight and diabetes are increasing at an alarming rate among our nation's youth.

Won't you help Meelie in her fight against heart disease? Click here to make your donation. It will only take a second of your time.

Anything will help. Let's make this year our best fund raising event ever.

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Category: Reader Participation | 5:17 PM | Comments (4) |

Thursday, April 10

And the Mazda Goes Hmmmm

I'm sitting here in my garage, keeping my husband company while he is putting a new radiator in the truck. I wish I could say things were going smoothly, but that would probably be considered a bold face lie a slight untruth.

Him: We haven't had any certified disasters yet! I am reminded of Tim the Tool Man.

Pray with me people!

My husband? He is quite the mechanically inclined type. Me? Not so much. He is trying to remove the old radiator, which I gather is somewhat difficult if his language casts any light on the subject. Something about having to remove the doohickey from the watchamacallit before you can take it out.

Moving right along...

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Category: This and that | 9:22 PM | Comments (6) | TrackBacks (0)

Tuesday, April 1

Slicker than snake snot

As many of you know, Chickie will be entering High School next year. Let's have a moment of silence while I go find some tissue, ok?

The registration process was flawless. I pictured long lines and oh, I don't know? Perhaps many Pepcid AC moments. We were in and out of there within 30 minutes. Good stuff. When we got there, we walked up to a table and gave the name of Chickie's (present) home room teacher. At that time, we were given a room number to go to (let me back up to say that we all had "appointment times"). We were taken to the designated room by a current student, and when we got there, we immediately met with the counsellor and got down to business. There were a few minor corrections we had to make to the schedule she chose (in the area of her alternate choices) but that was it. We won't find out what classes she actually got until a few days before school starts when they hold open house.

I would love to tell you that I am ok with all of this. Which I am, sort of. I'm excited for her because she is starting yet another chapter in her life. At the same time, I am wrestling with sadness for the child she no longer is. What happened to the babe I held and nourished at my breast? I could go on here but I fear the post would resemble a novel. It only seemed like yesterday that she was my baby. That she needed me for everything. That she listened to me without talking back. That she was dependent on me for everything.

What happened? She has grown up (is growing up). All that her father and I have worked hard to instil in her? It is coming to fruition. I am so delighted to watch her during this phase of life but at the same time, heart broken that she no longer needs me the way she used to. Don't get me wrong, she still needs me, but it's all on her terms. I've learned to sit back (mostly) and let her come to me when she needs it.

If you could have seen her tonight you would have smiled. She was ecstatic to register for High School. She was scared out of her mind. She is looking forward to it, but at the same time, uncertain of how it will all turn out. So am I. But I do a lot of praying. I try to keep in mind all that her father and I have taught her, and I hope that some of it sticks. Time will tell.

I am scared. I am sad. I am excited.

My baby girl? She is growing up.

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Category: Kids | 8:33 PM | Comments (3) |

Sunday, March 30

1-2-3 GO

ears1.jpg
Getting ready



ears2.jpg
Drawing the holes



ear3.jpg
Brace yourself!



ear4.jpg
Relaxed now that it's done



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Happy!

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Category: Kids | 5:19 PM | Comments (3) |

Where does the time go?

Tomorrow, Meelie No will be 10 years old. Tomorrow. Double digits. Wasn't just yesterday that I held her on my chest for the first time? Wasn't it just yesterday when her dad and I rejoiced when she took her first steps? It just can't be. My baby? She is no longer a baby anymore.

10 years. Has it really been that long?

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