Little Bits of this and that

BLOGTOBERFEST:

Arizona Bloggers will be gathering for Blogtoberfest on October 7th, and I would love the opportunity to meet more bloggers from our area! Vox is organizing this event, so go check out the latest at her place.

The Basics:

Date: October 7
Time: 3:00 PM to...?
Place: Sonoran Brewing Company,
322 E. Camelback, Phoenix

Vox has a list of attendees on her site. Go add your name and come meet bloggers from all over the Valley.

Sidenote: If you don’t have a blog, but just enjoy reading them, you are invited too! Come meet those you read, at this year’s Blogertoberfest.

Special “Thank-you’s” regarding my Birthday week

Thank you to Jade and OhGirl for taking me out to lunch, and gifting me with some cool new sunglasses and personalized coasters from the Wine Valley in California. Oh Girl, I never publicly thanked you for the Coach hand bag you gave me a while back. I love it! And appreciate your generosity. And of course, Rachel, whose talent and generosity never ceases to amaze me. A special thank you to the rest of my internet friends for the birthday wishes in the form of posts and emails. I love all of you!

To my husband’s siblings who remembered my birthday with cards and gifts. Jim and Barb, I was very touched by what you wrote in the card (I’m saving this one for times when I’m depressed) And a Starbucks gift card is always the perfect gift! Thank you.  Margie and Mike, thank you so much for the card and the “mad money” to spend gambling in Laughlin! You two are always so thoughtful.  And Mike, thank you for the card. You are always so thoughtful and sending your brother and me cards throughout the year. They are very much appreciated, and never fail to touch our hearts.

Gin and Rishel, my homegirls, who managed to track me down in Laughlin to wish me a Happy Birthday. I love you both dearly! I know this wasn’t an easy task, since we were supposed to stay at the Colorado Belle and instead changed hotels after one night. Long story short, I didn’t get my balcony room, as promised. As spoiled as this may sound, I was willing to try and make the best of it. That is until I realized there was NO. ROOM. SERVICE. other than a continental breakfast in the mornings. I’m sorry, but HOTEL ROOM = ROOM SERVICE to me. Otherwise I classify the hotel as camping out.

And of course, a big thank you to my family, who always remembers birthdays. Mom and Dad, I know you lead very busy lives, and always appreciate the time you take out to make my birthday special. Tawni and Tara, thank you for the email and phone calls! It is nice to be remembered, even though we now live over a thousand miles apart.

From writing out these Thank-you’s I see very clearly how blessed I am with wonderful family and friends.

A special thank you to my husband, who got me the Coach bag I have been drooling over for months and months! You know I love it!

Our trip went well. Although gambling winnings were not in the cards this time around, we found new and special ways to make this trip unique and treasured. I know I’ve said it before, but to all couples out there, get away with your mate alone. As often as you can!

I know money and finances seem to play a role in this for most of us. It takes some ingenuity and creativity to put together special weekends or weeks together. But it is possible if you search out ways that fit into your budget.

For us, Laughlin became our place, due to the usually cheap hotel rooms and inexpensive food. Every dollar spent gambling is accounted for by getting the Player’s Cards, that are always free at the casinos. With card in hand, they know what we spend on gambling,(which really doesn’t add up to that much) and usually send us free hotel room deals, and free meal money that adds up with the points on the Player cards. We had a lovely steak dinner on the hotel we stayed at this trip!

This just affords us the opportunity to step outside of our daily routines, relax and concentrate on “us.” Those with kids know how difficult it can be to carve out time for just husband and wife. It is just as important to us as, say, spending quality time with the kids. You want insurance on your marriage?  Find time to play with your spouse, doing things you both enjoy doing, together. Don’t ever give up dating your spouse.

The kids will be back in a couple of hours, ending our alone time for now. But we take these memories with us, until we can break away again. We start out in the daily rountine, refreshed and ready to take on the world!

Hope everyone’s weekend was a good one!

Love,

3T

Ruled By My Emotions

I haven’t been “into” posting lately. I’m not offering up an excuse really. I’m ruled by my emotions in a lot of different areas of my life. Blogging is one of them. I love running around reading my favorites, and putting my two cents in when the spirit moves me. But there are times I’m just not moved to post. Laziness? Partly I’m sure. The other part is when life seems hectic and/or busy, I just can’t settle down enough to put together a post.

Broken Printer

OK, it isn’t really broken, although it’s not printing so it might as well be. Something to do with cleaning some part. I need my printer in order to put together and write the posts on Fibromyalgia. So these posts will happen down the line as soon as the printer is back up and running, or we buy another one. Whichever comes first.

Life of Riley

Meet the teacher night was Thursday. Like every year to date, all of us start out optimistic and hopeful. This will be the year Riley puts it together! The teacher smiles at him, hugs him, and smiles at us. Assuring all that this will be a good year! We revel in these precious moments, as all too soon, we see a guarded look on her face. Masking???  Is that hostility? But for now, we are hopeful and optimistic.

New Beginings

My beautiful Tayler starts Jr. High School this year. Dressed meticulously in a pretty khacki-colored skirt and brown knit-striped top with a pair of casual heels, she heads for the car for Orientation Friday. She is assigned her very first locker, and listens intently to directions for her new school. I gaze at this young lady and instantly see my newborn baby girl, with tiny fingers that appear translucent. Where did the last twelve years go?

He & She

The air last night was comfortable, so we sat next to the pool and took in the sunset and dusk. My favorite time of the day, it eases all tension and calm spreads thru me. Shedding all chothes, we sink into the pool for a dip in the lukewarm crystal waters. Soaking in its warmth, floating and quietly discussing the week. I always feel so connected to him, even when we’re wordless.

Loving Friends

Thursday was lunch with the homegirls. Gin, Jackie and Rishelle. A one hour lunch turns into two without realizing it. Laughing and catching up on our families, work and life. They add to my sense of belonging, and feeling grounded, with hugs, laughter and pasta. And a Happy Birthday to Gin, this time.

School Supplies

The big trip into Target, hunting for the school supplies, guessing what may be on the list, since the schools didn’t get their lists out in time. And Target’s “lists” stand empty from early supply shoppers. This is my downfall from the budget. I love office supplies, and aquire for myself a white/wipe board for daily reminders. A desktop calendar with plenty of room to write the many errands and activities I need to run the kids to each day, mentally preparing myself for the start of 3T’s taxi service.

The Minivan has a nickname

I have named the new minivan finally. Although I still am not emotionally attached to it like the ol’ dirty white dodge minivan, I’m enjoying my new ride. And 3TSTAXI is now proclaimed right on the license plate. Ready to cart kids to football practices, basketball practices, and drama classes.

Date Night

Tonight is at Pointe South Mountain at the Latitude 30 degrees restuarant, fine dining at it’s best, I guess. Where the cuisine is fusion something-or-other, with rich sauces, and a chinese flavor to the dishes. My stomach doesn’t do well with rich foods, my eyes and heart are already set for the dessert, creme brulee.(A leftover from the winning bid on the silent auction from The Governors Ball) He wants to see Miami Vice, and so we will. I have procured the promise that the next two movies will be the proverbial “chick flicks” in leui of one testosterone filled Miami Vice. And then the best part of date night, some skinny dipping in the dark.

And now it’s time for a short nap, to prepare myself for a late night. I hope the rest of your weekend is fabulous, relaxing and enjoyable.

Love,

3T

With bad grammar, sentence structure and possibly mispelled words. I’m OK with that today. I’m headed out in an hour for a massage, facial and pedicure. It will take up a good three hours, and it couldn’t come at a more perfect time. My thoughts are disjointed and hopping to and fro.

I do believe it is due to the million and one interuptions today. Ever have one of those days, where you don’t complete one task or one thought before it is interrupted by another demand or favor or what-have-you? That’s today. The X showed up mumbling about his broken AC system. And of course wanted the name of the company I used last year.

Anyone who knows me, knows I save every freaking receipt and business card and phone number. The problem is I am so scatter-brained and unorganized that actually accessing this information can take hours. An hour later, still no reciept in hand, but I did find a business card magnet with an AC repair number on it. I think I actually used them for cleaning the ducts. This is the number he received. Fingers crossed that they aren’t crooks. But I was done hunting!

In the meantime the phone has rang on average of every half hour since I got up. With my imaginary ADD this does not bode well with accomplishing much, or completing a thought. The X showed up with the kids, to pick up Riley’s skateboard, and descended on the house creating chaos as they went. Just in time for the hubby to show up for lunch. Calgon take me away! or someone give me a valuim. This has to be PMS.

Now that I’m done bitching, I would like everyone who has stopped by here and actually made it this far into this post, to stop by Chatty’s place and wish her a Happy 40th Birthday! This is a special one, and I hope she has nothing but a wonderful time during her Birthday week!

Happy Happy Birthday Chatty! May it be your best celebration to date!

Love,

3T

Thank you to each of you who left me well-wishes! I’m feeling a lot better. My adorable husband whisked me away on a long weekend to our favorite haunt, Laughlin Nevada. Just what the doctor ordered, for both of us. We headed out Thursday afternoon for our four hour road-trip, playing our cheesy 80 CD’s all the way, and then just relaxed and played at our favorite playground until Monday morning.

Today I’m just a little disoriented after stepping out of reality for four days. So on that note, here is a quiz I stole from Oh Girl. If you feel like it, take it and leave me your results. Hope everyone’s week has started off well!

Love,

3T

You Are a Daisy

You see the world with an artist’s eye. Finding beauty is easy for you - even in the dullest of moments. You notice all of the colors of the world, from fresh grass to sunsets. You are a total optimist and hedonist. You love to drink life in.

OK, I like the sounds of this answer. (Isn’t that what these quizzes are all about) Even though my favorite flower is the rose, of all varieties. So what flower are you? If you put the flower in the comments, leave the desription as well. I didn’t read all of the descriptions of the different flowers.

Kevin headed back to the office Wednesday after being off since June 9th.  He was dragging by the end of the day, as was expected. But overall I’m thinking he is on the upswing. I’m keeping the vitamins pumping into his system, and then working on a way for him to start getting MORE exercise. He ended this ordeal 12 pounds lighter, a side effect (one of the few) that he was relatively delighted about.

The rest of our smilin’ faces are on flickr. Or, they will be by the end of today.

This last week has been a busy and fun-filled one! Having lunch with my blogger girlfriends Rachel and Jade was a kick! And nothing refreshes the soul like some girlfriend laughter and shopping. OK, some eating and drinking too.

I knew Kevin and I were getting back into our brand of routine, when we had our first “date night” since before his surgery. Friday night it was City Lights BBQ and to the brand new theatre, which no one has really discovered yet. This translates into no irritating overcrowded lines and theatres. I hate crowds and rude people, and they seem to flock in abundance at the movie theatre, and on Arizona highways. But with the new theatre the only aggravation on date night is dodging the bad drivers. It is now dubbed my theatre of choice, or the only one I intend on going to until we have to be there a half hour before the show starts to get a seat that isn’t right UNDER the screen.

I WANT this dress!

We went and checked out The Devil Wears Prada with Meryl Streep. The clothes in the movie were drool-worthy to say the least! The script was mediocre at best. I had the urge to go have a cigarette half way through, which is my gauge for whether or not a movie is engaging. BUT, Meryl Streep’s performance saved this rather ordinary movie with her role as Miranda Priestly. I LOVED watching her play the hyper-critical-boss-lady of the fictional magazine Runway! Kevin and I discussed the movie afterwards, and we’d give it a 7 on a scale of 1 to 10. 5 of those points would be for Meryl Streep’s performance, 1 would be for Stanley Tucci who played Nigel, and the other one is for that to-die-for dress that Anne Hathaway, who played Andy, wore to work one day. (In the above picture) Overall it was a bit of a cheesy storyline, but the clothes were gorgeous, and Meryl was without a doubt the star of this one.

Photo taken by The Hotness Bug’s SO. My photos of this event will be on flickr sometime today.

Saturday was Jade’s housewarming pool party. Which in my estimation was THE event of the Arizona Summer Season! I finally was able to meet Bug of An Indian Summer, as well as Jade’s husband Ryan and Rachel’s husband Gary. All are fun, down-to-earth people. Tayler and Riley had a wonderful time visiting with Jade’s kids, BT Princess, Jade’s Riley and Bean! Her kids are a complete joy and so well behaved and sweet. As Tayler stated over at LOL Tomboy, I jumped into the pool with my clothes on. Actually I was in shorts and a tank top, and it was approximately 110 degrees out, so a dip just made it more comfortable for visiting. (Yes, this is my story and I’m sticking to it) Jade’s melon ball watermelon was so Martha Stewart, I want to hire her to make it for my next party! I took a picture of it, and will put it on my Flickr next week. (It was impressive! Trust me) All in all it was a wonderful time at Jade’s house visiting and enjoying her beautiful new home and pool. A big thank-you to Jade for inviting my family over for her party. Each of us had a blast!

Sunday was veg-out day for the most part. We had a gift certificate for Sunday Brunch in Scottsdale, at the Hyatt Gainey Ranch Resort’s Squash Blossom restaurant. The gift certificate was a remnant from the Governor’s Ball Silent Auction in March; we were glad we saved this one for a post-surgery outing. They had the tastiest selection of breakfast items and desserts, as well as a huge iced seafood table, with jumbo shrimp, crab legs, and oysters in the half shell. I highly recommend this Sunday Brunch if you’re close to Scottsdale. We went away a little on the stuffed side, a lot on the satsified and pampered side.

The rest of the day was spent watching DVD’s we have wanted to see for a while. We loved Freedomland with Julieanne Moore and Samuel L Jackson. Their acting was another case of saving a script that this time jumped around far too much. Both their roles were mesmerizing. Julieanne Moore evoked conflicting emotions in me, playing the part of a recovered addict who loses her son in a car jacking in a “bad neighborhood.” I don’t want to say much more than that, as this is definitely worth renting. We also enjoyed watching A Good Woman with Helen Hunt and Scarlett Johansson. Not exactly action packed, but mildly intriguing. The costumes were elegant, and Helen Hunt was appropriately mysterious as the talk-of-the-town seductress Mrs. Erlynne, who tempts the husband of a younger woman, played by Scarlett Johannson.

Tayler and I hit the craft store on Monday, to pick up my starter scrapbooking kit. Tayler has been scrapbooking for about a year now, and is very creative in all her pages. As I am only just starting, with her help, of course, it may take me a while to get really creative. I can see why this is a million dollar industry with the many and varied supplies available. I picked up a “how-to” book and got some ideas for different pages.

We also started hunting down old birthday cards, and all other greeting cards that have been sent to us. Our thoughts being that we can somehow incorporate these sentimental cards into our sentimental scrapbook pages. We’ll see. From what I can tell there is no wrong or right in this type of art. Which is a good thing, since I was never one of those students in school who took art to bring their grade point up. (Knowing it had far more of a chance of bringing it down.) Tayler, on the other hand, seems to have inherited her uncle’s (on her dad’s side) artistic talent. At any rate, this is an opportunity for Tayler and I to do something together that we both can enjoy. She loves art, I love sappy sentimental reminiscing, in all its forms.

With Kevin back to work Wednesday, Tayler and I decided it was time to try and put some organization to the thousands of photos that lay helter-skelter scattered in every spare space of the house! Which will make our first day of scrapbooking today easier, as far as accessing photos. This ended up being an all day project that included one trip to Target for “stuff to put stuff into.” If anyone has any clever scrapbooking ideas, leave them in my comments. I think this is something I’m going to enjoy!

And that was our busy out-of-the ordinary fun-stuff week. Wake up now! It’s time to click over to the next blog.

In some ways we have been busy, in others I’d say it was “down time.” This past week was a “kids week” for us, as well as Kevin working on recuperating. It has been special to have my handsome husband here at home with me fulltime. We’ve had some wonderful chats and quiet moments just holding hands and enjoying each others’ presence.

In between has been seeing to the kids’ entertainment, so-to-speak. Tayler had a girlfriend over night last night, so we took the kids to see Over the Hedge. Actually we dropped the three of them off and then picked them up. This marks a first, that normally I wouldn’t do or allow for. But the girls are responsible and aware of the possible dangers, and kept a good eye on Riley. They also made sure they didn’t leave the building and we were there before the movie actually let out.

I wanted to thank a few more people who I love dearly for being there for me before Kevin’s surgery and while he was in surgery. Gin, your emails of encouragement and the visit with you and Conor the night before Kevin’s surgery meant the world to me! I love you and want you to know how much I appreciate how you have always been there for me during hard times. Even when we haven’t seen each other or talked in months, if the shit hits the proverbial fan, there you are for me.

Rishelle and Bill, thank you so much for coming to hold my hand and feeding me the day of Kevin’s surgery. Rishelle, having you there with me the whole 11 hours of Kevin’s surgery, means more to me than you will ever know. Thank you for literally taking a day off work, just to come and hold my hand. I consider the three of you to be part of my family, and I pray that if ever a need arises, you will allow for me to be there for you guys!

Dad, thank you for not only letting me cry on your shoulder, but helping me to laugh and “lighten up” when I was allowing circumstances to drag me down.

Jane, those flowers you sent to us will go down in history as the flowers that lasted longer than any other bouquet that has graced our table! Seriously, they still looked beautiful as late as yesterday when I added more water to the vase. I am completely amazed! Thank you girlfriend, for bringing smiles to our faces.

Mikki and Jim, the fruit basket you sent us has been almost completely devoured! The plant had the most beautiful color of red blossoms on it. Thank you so much for the thoughtful gift! It was a nice compliment to the basket of goodies Barb and Jim sent. And, Margie and Mike, we’re just salavating to get into the treasure trove of books you sent.

Cooking to battle Kevin’s anemia has proven to be somewhat of a challenge. I found myself not wanting to take chances as far as him getting enough iron, and so the poor man has eaten a LOT of spinach!(every meal) A LOT of fruits and dark green veggies! A LOT of steak! Let me tell you, eating healthy is damned expensive! I never realized just how poorly Kevin and I eat on the week we don’t have the kids with us. But I have spent a small fortune ensuring that he, as well as the rest of us, have eaten a vitamin laden diet.

Kevin looks great! Although I haven’t actually weighed him in, I can see where he has lost a good deal of weight through his face and his mid-section. His coloring is slowly coming back, and his energy level has increased.

The one perk that came from him having surgery and being stuck in the hospital for a week, is he has completely gotten off cigarettes! He has been smoke-free since June 9th. I am thrilled with this outcome, and now must face my own addiction to the cancer sticks and work on getting off of them. I’m not there yet, although I have cut way back. I just haven’t summoned the determination to throw them away completely. I’ll get there. In the meantime I am making sure to validate his success and assure him I will throw them away. Having had morphine for a week made his physically hard first week of quitting not quite as painful. Do you think my doc. would give me morphine to get off cigarettes? Yeah, I didn’t really think so either.

Tuesday, I have scheduled a girls lunch, with both my good friend and blog designer Rachel, and the vivacious Jade of Jaded Sunburns. I am very much looking forward to getting out for a few hours and visiting with these two lovely and fun ladies. It is a celebration in a sense, since I haven’t had lunch with Jade even though her birthday was a week ago, or Rachel, who recently moved into her new home. So I’m calling it a Birthday/Housewarming lunch with two of my favorite blogging girlfriends. Watch out Red Lobster! Rachel, I know they have other menu items besides fish, we WILL find something for you to enjoy! Jade, I know you have been going through a rough time right now, so we are going to let go of life for a little while and just have some fun.

I have started trying to fit some time in to read blogs and catch up with all of my blogging favorite people. I miss all of you. It’s going to take me a while to work through my favorites list while my husband is at home, but I’ll get around to you soon.I hope everyone’s weekend has been a good and relaxing one! In Tayler’s words, “Thanks for reading my blog.”

Love,

3T

But then we blink, and the day is gone.

Kevin came home late Wednesday evening. Between the pharmacy and getting him situated at home, we didn’t get to bed until midnight. It was on the edge whether they were going to let him go home, and I had my own doubts if this was best for him. His numbers had dropped further on his hemoglobin, down to 7.3. It was decided that they would work on building up his own red blood cells, using epogen injections, taking iron pills three times a day and a diet high in iron. He is to rest most of the day with light walks around the house.

My concern was that he would get into his familiar enviornment and then end up doing too much. I am happy to announce he has behaved himself, although I did have to threaten taking him back to the hospital a couple of times if he didn’t rest more.

The last couple of days have been a learning and adjustment period that had them speeding by and us dropping into bed dead tired by the end of each. The hospital arranged for a home health nurse to visit every other day to check his vitals and watch for any changes. We are both happy she is part of his recovery. You don’t realize how many questions you may have and not think of until you get home. She has been a wonderful support in this area.

Yesterday I took him back to the hospital for another epogen shot, and a nurse came by to draw more blood as well. He has seen his numbers go up considerably in the last 48 hours. His hemogloben is up to 8.2. Although this is still below the approximate 14 where he needs to be, it is a huge jump, which is very encourgaging. (I credit my cooking for part of this!) He is enjoying juicy steaks and loads of spinach. Making sure to have orange juice or other high c content foods to help aid in the iron absorption. A fact I wasn’t aware of prior to this crisis. Vitamin C helps your body to absorb iron. (You learn something every day)

I want to again thank all of you who have been praying for Kevin and keeping him in your thoughts. And a special thank you for the encouraging and supportive comments my friends. They really did comfort me more than I can express here. I can’t wait to be able to catch up with each of you, and if he continues to improve, I should be able to start reading more this week. I have tried to stop in hit and miss with a few of you, although I haven’t had much time to comment. But it seems, knock on wood, that my wonderful husband is on the mend! I just need to protect his immune system as best is possible until he builds it back up.Which means lots of rest, staying out of public for a while, top notch diet and supplements, and possibly a few more epogen shots.

I would also like to take a moment and tell Kevin’s siblings just how much I have come to love you all! Margie, Jimmy, Mikki, Mike, Barb and Jim, I pray we get the opportunity to get together someday soon, so I can thank you in person and give you all big hugs. Your support has meant the world to both of us! Jim and Barb, we loved the gift basket of goodies, that was so sweeet of you guys. As was your several emails Jim. Thank you so much for your exhortations and prayers. Margie and Mike, the boxes of chocolate? What can we say, it’s nature’s natural anti-depressant. Both of us will thoroughly enjoy each peice!

Well I wanted to make sure and update today, as I haven’t had time or the energy up until today. Thank you again to everyone who kept him in their thoughts and prayers.

Love, 3T