Can you get the number of that truck that just ran over me?

I guess I should start at the beginning of this week to explain some things but not sure if I can remember it all.

My surgery to repair my LARGE hiatal hernia was to begin at 2:25 p.m. on Monday. It was difficult to prepare the girls breakfast, lunch, and send them off to school, knowing I would not be home when they returned. We went over the details again to be sure everyone knew the plan.

I took advantage of the time doing a few loads of laundry, washing dishes, all those things I knew I could not for a while afterward. Plus tried to get caught up on emails from work trying to avoid leaving too many things hanging. I hate to leave my co-workers with more than they usually have, but know they can handle ANYTHING that comes and usually ANYTHING and his cousin EVERYTHING happens the minute I leave.

I packed my bag and went get Mom and Dad to go to the hospital.

OOPS!!! They were just sitting down to some lunch. Of course you know the drill, nothing to eat or sleep after midnight the day before, so sitting and watching someone eat did not seem like fun so Dad dropped me off in the circular drive.

When you have a LONG and COMPLICATED medical history, but are as healthy as I am, it takes a LONG time to get everything written down, and you worry that if you leave out one detail that might be the one thing the doctor really needed to know!

One of the funniest things was the need to do a pregnancy test! I got charged for one for Annabel before her surgery too, but knew she did not pee in the cup.

I went into OR very apprehensive, but within seconds of something in my IV, I know longer cared.

Unknown to me the surgery ended up much more complicated than he had anticipated and instead of 1 hour, it took 3, which then caused 3 hours of recovery. The hernia had caused the stomach to push up into my chest and twist around the esophagus and everything else that stays in that area was all entangled and nothing where it was supposed to be.

All I know was that i woke up in recovery in that state of panic that I always do but they started trying to explain that everything was late and that Dad and the girls were going home.

I looked up and could see the girls waving, Grace with these huge tears running down her cheeks, and Mom telling me to say bye and wave back. I don't remember anything from there, all though Mom tried her best to make me understand that it was very late and she was staying with me and Dad would take care of the girls.

I just knew I needed pain medicine because someone had driven a Mac Diesel through my chest!

Sometime later I asked again where were the girls? Mom said that Dad took them home. I thought I was surely hallucinating, learning that my Dad took my 2 little princesses home, fed them, got them ready for bed, heard their prayers and then started the whole routine over again the next day, which is really the more complicated side of the equation.

I'm not sure how many times I asked that because the whole idea seemed so bizarre! Not that I don't think Dad could do it, just has been a while since he did. Usually when Mom went to have a baby, Dad would load us up and go make a big purchase like a stereo while Mom was left at the hospital with their other new bundle of joy.

Tuesday morning he was woken up when Grace probably did like she does to me and hoovers over me while I am sleeping and begins a conversation in the middle of a thought and seems surprised that you are still asleep! Then Annabel will wonder in asking what the weather is like and that she is hungry! So it is a quick trip through the kitchen to prepare their expected breakfast, help with sacking up lunches, signing important papers, ensuring that everyone brushed their teeth and left with an appropriate outer garment and their backpack.

By the time Dad got up to the hospital, I'm not sure who was the most tired, Dad with the 2 girls, or Mom who was up and down with me ALL night. But they escaped to breakfast, some errands, and hopefully a nap. The doctor came late in the afternoon and decided I could go home. But shortly after he left, then my fever went up, blood pressure went sky high, and the pain became unbearable. Calls were made and the doctor decided I had to stay another night, which threw everyone into Plan C mode and Dad once more took the girls home, prepared dinner, oversaw showers, hair drying, dessert, etc. It was a rough night for Mom and I too, but we had some support on our end.

Discharge could not come too soon on Wednesday but knew I had to be home when the girls got there.

While I thought I had good care in the hospital, I had not been the recipient of my daughters' caregiving! Boy you want to be sure on your feet if you mention needing to go to the bathroom around Annabel, because she gets you under the arm and you are there QUICKLY, stays with you, and even prepares your toilet paper for you. Now that is full service!

We stayed at Mom and Dad's so if there were any problems, the girls would not be on their own.

I know there was a lot that happened in the next few days but when you are consisting on just liquids, clear liquids at that and pain pills, things just kind of blur.

I remember getting to spend some time on my deck in my wonderful new chaise lounge, viewing my new lemon and lime trees.

But with the time to think I realized what Mom and Dad do to make sure their visitors don't stay too long: they keep the temperature at 85 degrees! Even if it is 90 degrees outside.

So here it is Saturday night, I've broken all the rules that the doctor laid down, and feeling it. I was supposed to move to soft food this weekend. What I thought would be good is telling me now that maybe mashed potatoes would have been better.

A splendid weekend!

Since Annabel had such a rough week I was hoping we could do something a little special to make up for it.

I love my Blackberry Curve so I can get emails without sitting down in front of the computer because then I learn about fun things even at the last minute.

This happened Saturday morning.

While we were glad to have the whole day ahead of us, it just seemed like we needed a good activity out of the house too. I got an email about a quilt making class at the Ice House Cultural Center, right in the neighborhood. When I called about the class I was told it was full, but being someone who plans this type of class all the time, I know there are usually a few who do not show up.

The girls greeted the idea eagerly, even Annabel, who I am going to guess, really did not know what a quilt was before Saturday. She liked the idea of cutting and sewing.

The girls have been fortunate to have a great art teacher at Rosemont who has introduced them to LOTS of great mediums including sewing.

When we arrived at the Ice House only 1 person had showed up for the class so we were guaranteed a place! Yippee! I thought I would just observe, but they had the most gorgeous display of some fantastic quilts and I got motivated.

My sewing skills earned me a C on an a-line skirt that took 12 weeks to make in homemaking in high school, so I have never done much sewing since.

But the instructors made this look easy and we were doing free form, so we could do it however we wanted. They had all the supplies and while some labored on selecting just the right fabrics others chose quickly and got started cutting out squares. The instructors commented on how different the girls are and it was so evident in doing something like this, Grace chose each piece of fabric so carefully, drew each square, and cut with deliberation. When she sewed it was at a slow steady pace.

Annabel and I figured out that as long as it had a right angle then it did not matter if it was exact and we whizzed through our sewing like we were in a race.

After 2 hours we still weren't finished but our projects had grown from a planned 10" x 10" square for a cushion cover and ended being the size of a king size bed. We didn't care and were proud of our accomplishments.

We went with Mom and Dad to Lowes to find a replacement for my chaise lounge and enough dirt to plant my new trees and attempts at vegetables. Mom and the girls always like to go to the dollar store while Dad and I like to go to Lowes. I let the girls take some money to spend and they were SO excited about the possibility of buying treasures at the dollar store.

We finished off our great day with dinner at CiCi's. Thanks Mom!

Today proved an even more glorious day with the weather just right.

After church the girls and I went to Tom Thumb to make sure we had enough for their lunches and other special things for the coming week. I don't know how we can go in there with a short list and spend $75!

After lunch the girls helped me with planting my Lemon and Lime trees and my potatoes, onions, garlic, and ginger. I think Dad giggled over the way I was planning to do this but it will be great fun if any of it comes up!

Facing surgery tomorrow has made for lots of last minute details that I think have to be completed! When we used to go to Colorado each summer and as everyone else was packed and ready to go, we had one uncle who insisted on so many last minute details like watering the plants, sweeping out the car, and who knows what else, that the rest of us just had to sit and wait until he was ready.

I feel like I have done the same thing, trying to take care of such important things like planting my potatoes that probably won't grown and washing the girls' coats. None of the things I felt like I HAD to get done were really that important, but some of the things off my mind that have been bothering me. The surgery is not until 2:25, but as usual, nothing to eat or drink after midnight tonight, so I am trying to make sure that I don't wither away in the morning.

Tonight Annabel prayed that my surgery would make me OK, Grace prayed that she would be OK, and then that I would be OK. I love it.

You little pig

Annabel has had a pretty hard week.

It seems that no matter what she did someone found a reason to tease or make fun of her at school.

Here at the end of the week after all my coaching, she admitted today that when one girl pushed too far, she told her to shut up. I told her I understood and sometimes you do get really angry but it wasn't the best way to handle it. Then she said, I think you might be mad though because I said the other word too.

The other word?

What other word besides "shut up"?

I know when I first adopted Grace, Gillian and Darcey taught her that the "sh" word was "shut up". There are lots of other words that start with "sh" that I could think of that were a lot worse.

Annabel finally admitted that she told the girl, "Shut up little pig", which is what the same girl had said to her earlier in the week.

I think for now the lesson is lost especially when I had to stifle a laugh at the expression she chose to tell someone off with.

Last night after piano I planned for us to go out to eat Chinese food, but remembered a new Mexican food restaurant had opened in the neighborhood. Just a couple of months ago, Annabel would have fought against that idea.

This time, she was all for it, but Grace did not want to go.

Two against one since I love Mexican food!!!

Annabel took the bowl of chips and the bowl of hot sauce and started chowing down! She ate almost all of the chips and hot sauce and was ready for dinner. I can barely dip my chip into the hot sauce whereas she is scooping it up and piling it on each chip.

The place is known for their chicken soup but I gave them the choice of soup or stew, or guiso de res or guiso de puerco.

I have never seen a person eat a dish so quickly as Grace, especially for someone who did not want Mexican food! They loved their guiso, except Annabel doesn't think she likes their rice. We're glad she now understands that the chocolate is actually refried beans.

I had promised Annabel that we would go back to the Chinese church this weekend but last night she was asking if we HAD to go. Of course not, but I did wonder why. Ms. Wu had told her it was the last day before her parents returned to Hong Kong and they were planning a "special" service at church. Annabel understood that the service would be especially long and I think that had something to do with it, but I really think she just wanted the safety and security of going to church with her Grandmother and Grandfather.

I am scheduled to have surgery Monday so I am glad not to have too much planned for this weekend, except getting me a new chaise lounge to recover on.

One last thing - We missed the premiere of the latest Disney movie on Monday so Grace and Annabel had planned all week that Friday night we would watch the repeat. Annabel told Mom that she needed a nap because they had 3 movies they were going to watch tonight. NOT ON MY WATCH they won't be seeing 3 movies tonight.

Turn the other cheek

As I tucked the girls into bed last night, Annabel started opening up about some things that are taking place at school.

It seems that she is the recipient of mean and rude remarks, as well as taunting and teasing about everything from how she talks, the fact she is Chinese, the food she chooses to eat, and I guess just about everything else.

Grace chimed in that she too continues to have people making fun, starting fights, and overall making her life miserable at times.

The more specific they got in what is being said, the madder I got. I was ready to storm off to school this morning and fight their battles for them, or maybe wrap them in bubble wrap to protect them, or tell them mean things to say back.

It seems that a lot of the derision is said in Spanish and then causes everyone to erupt in laughter.

Like I said, I was so angry, so my initial suggestions won't be recorded. No need to focus on the negative and I was VERY negative.

After they went to sleep, I stewed on this for a long time. A LONG time! I knew that I was seeing just one side of the situation and know that Annabel can be pretty good at taking care of herself, but still needed to find a way to help them through this situation that was appropriate not just for elementary school but for life. Now I am not the best to be giving advice on something like this, but have learned that just because someone is unhappy with themselves, does not mean they can make me dissatisfied with myself.

So this morning we talked about it again.

I explained that a lot of times when someone says something mean, it can usually suggest that they are very unhappy, jealous, or a lot of other things causing them to lash out at others.

I suggested instead of trying to find a way to "get even" we need to pray for them, for whatever is causing them to react the way they do. We need to follow Jesus' teaching that if someone strikes us on one cheek, we turn the other to him also. Hard concept and Annabel was listening closely.

I suggested we start with practicing this at home and only say nice things to each other, getting into the habit of thinking the best. Shoot, I guess that means I have to be nice too. Just kidding.

Who planned this?

Some days you think if you can just get through your work day then you will go home and ....... You can fill in the blank because you are sure that you will have a relatively quiet evening, the worst that can happen is washing an extra load of clothes, quick trip to the store, etc.

I've heard recently that to make God laugh, make plans.

So yesterday afternoon I'm talking to dad about something relatively unimportant when he casually mentions that they had had a rather tough day.

It took a while to get the details out, but seems that they were in the parking lot of the local Wal Mart when a woman was looking down, rather than the crowd she was headed into, and hit mom and Mom landed on her hood.

Of course Mom's big concern was not hurting the woman who hit her feelings.

Annabel and Grace sprang into action as nurse and caretaker providing ice packs, cold drinks, and wet washcloths. I prepared dinner and had to fight with mom the whole time trying to keep her still.

After considerable badgering from one of their children, Mom and Dad finally broke down and went to the ER to have Mom checked out.

The doctor was shocked and glad to announce that nothing was broken. He could not believe that mom had ended up on the hood of a car with only deep tissue bruising, sprains, and strains.

A prescription of "taking it easy" is a waste but I know mom didn't feel too good since she let me good dinner again.

The girls had been given a math assignment almost a month ago, so thankfully they waited until tonight to get started, the night before it was due! So while I am trying to fry chicken, then I am explaining to Annabel what we are doing and why.

The assignment was to record the amount of time it took to melt an ice cube, prepare a chart/graph of the variations, and draw your conclusions from your hypothesis. Again, pretty difficult to explain, so I had Annabel dictate to me what she wanted to say about the experiment. I think we need a lot more time on the reading and translating end of learning a new language.

A funny from Dad!

When I'm an old lady, I'll live with each kid, And bring so much happiness...just as they did. I want to pay back all the joy they've provided. Returning each deed! Oh, they'll be so excited! (When I'm an old lady and live with my kids) I'll write on the wall with reds, whites and blues, And I'll bounce on the furniture...wearing my shoes. I'll drink from the carton and then leave it out. I'll stuff all the toilets and oh, how they'll shout! (When I'm an old lady and live with my kids) When they're on the phone and just out of reach, I'll get into things like sugar and bleach. Oh, they'll snap their fingers and then shake their head, (When I'm an old lady and live with my kids) When they cook dinner and call me to eat, I'll not eat my green beans or salad or meat, I'll gag on my okra, spill milk on the table, And when they get angry...I'll run...if I'm able! (When I'm an old lady and live with my kids) I'll sit close to the TV, through the channels I'll click, I'll cross both eyes just to see if they stick. I'll take off my socks and throw one away, And play in the mud 'til the end of the day! (When I'm an old lady and live with my kids) And later in bed, I'll lay back and sigh, I'll thank God in prayer and then close my eyes. My kids will look down with a smile slowly creeping, And say with a groan, "She's so sweet when she's sleeping!"

Family

My mom, my aunt, and 6 of the kids.

Mike, Becky, Kathy (looking for sharks), Lisa, me.

Auntie Dora is on the left and Mom is on the right.

I am the only one standing and facing the camera with

her tummy sticking out and the beautiful haircut done by placing a bowl on your head.

Here my cousin Dubby is excited because he pinched me, I bit him,

then I got pulled out of the baby bed screaming!

They never let me play! Kathy is on the floor, then Lisa and Becky behind.

Dubby was everyone's baby, even his sister Kathy!

These kids are just pretending to be good.
From left to right is Kathy, Mike (in the back), Kathy, and Lisa.
I was probably off eating something!

When we were growing up, our aunt and uncle and cousins lived around the corner from us. Almost everything we did something together.

Mom dropped us off at their house on her way to the hospital to have each of my younger siblings. I remember jumping out of the car with no long goodbyes. I didn't know she wasn't coming back soon and when she did she would come back with another kid!

My cousin, Dubby, is a lot younger than me, NOT!!! He is only 2 weeks younger but you would think it was 20 years. Kathy and Lisa were the same age. Becky and Mike were older and gave us a glimpse of what being a teenager in the 60's was like. Becky provided me with a picture of Elvis which was highly treasured. I think she had every Tiger Beat printed so there were plenty of Fabian, Elvis, and all the others on her wall. Mike taught us about Vespas and then hot rods. I'll never forget the time that the cops stopped him when he left the motor running so he could run into a store. They thought he was going to rob it. He knew if he killed the motor it would not start again.

With a cousin like Dubby in your class, you could be guaranteed that someone would fight your battles for you even if it was against another girl! Dubby also taught me to be resourceful and when we wanted a popsicle, we would scour the neighborhoods for discarded bottles to redeem for their deposit. If we couldn't find enough, then Mrs. Moore, the owner of the store, would be sure she split it evenly between us.

I'm still banned from traveling through the alleys though because we were caught riding our bikes through them. My girls think that is hysterical that I won't even venture into the same alleys. I mind my mother very well!!

Dubby and I shared everything including going to the bathroom together, which provided our current names for male and female anatomy. So when Darcey was injured the other day, I had to explain the facts of life using these very incorrect anatomical terms. Annabel comments on Ollie, the dog's, frequently now with the new terms. I am sure I should correct them, but I actually believed you had a bottomend, since that was what my mom called it.

As we grew up then we all started going different directions.

While Gillian and Darcey lived so close, it brought back memories of how we grew up with cousins just around the corner.

Soon after Lisa, Gillian, and Darcey arrived Saturday, our cousins Becky and Kathy and Kathy's granddaughter, Audrey came for a visit. I cannot believe Kathy is old enough for grandkids, but at least she finally got her a girl. Kathy and Becky both have 2 sons, so they missed the fun of buying girly girl things for their kids. But what a cutie she has.

Grace holding Audrey.

I know it is grainy but I took it with my phone and the sun was streaming in behind them.

We enjoyed our visit and catching up and getting to know Audrey.

Lisa needed to do some Valentine's Day shopping for her husband, Ken. When your husband is a state trooper you choose a different kind of place to shop, so we made our way to Smitty's, the local gun store! I think I might get a part time job there. It is obviously where men hang out. Now if I could just find a man named Tom Smith.

Then on to shopping for my birthday present.

With my new deck, obviously the only choice would be found at a nursery.

Calloways provided an Eden and source of too many choices.

My new lemon and lime trees will be perfect additions for my deck. I had no idea that they smelled so wonderful while in bloom. Now we just can't have another freeze though! Otherwise they will be coming inside with us!

When we got home we found Dad cooking! It is still such a shock that I always have to comment on it. Steaks and shrimp for a birthday dinner. Yum! I think this is the longest I have made my birthday last in a long time and I think everyone is tired of it!

They always leave too soon and their leaving produces lots of tears from Grace. She loves Gillian so much and it hurts to lose her each time. For Annabel, it has a different feel because she feels left out once Gillian gets here. So it leaves me trying to explain that it is important for Annabel to find her place within the dynamics and to remember that Darcey also can feel left out. Rather than forcing Grace to change, I do think it is important for Annabel to learn to join groups. While she has friends at school she still feels the outsider. I also explained to Grace the importance of explaining things to Annabel, to help her not feel left out. I know the conversation goes pretty fast, as Gillian can talk up a storm at a high rate of speed, so while Annabel has made great progress in learning English, she does have trouble keeping up, especially with slang.

When I was growing up and my best friend suddenly dropped me for another best friend, I was devastated. Mom's soundly advice was to find someone else who did not have a friend, and be their friend.

I try to impart this wisdom on my girls, but so far not having too much success. I'll keep trying. Also I know their self esteem has to be sound so they do not feel it is necessary to always be part of a group. Even as an adult it hurts to not be part of the "popular" crowd. My crazy friends at one job always said that we were the popular table and everyone else wanted to be with us. It was the only time that I was ever in that group. Still good friends, but still crazy!!!

I don't know how to get rid of this extra copy of this picture, so I just put it at the end!

Happy Valentine's Day

I survived getting another year older and enjoying the benefits of the gifts to help assuage the pain of aging! I LOVE my deeper sinks where there is little chance of the constant streams of water going down the counter top from over zealous helpers and I LOVE having a chaise lounge (what a fantastic word!) for lounging and enjoying my new deck. Now I just need my next door neighbors to improve my view from my deck. They planted a fig tree and I hope that we can soon sit on the deck and reach over for some delicious fruit!

We are eagerly awaiting the arrival of Lisa, Gillian, and Darcey. Annabel woke up very early just in case she misunderstood when they were going to arrive. She woke up Grace who then came in to wake me up to tell me that Annabel woke her up. Thanks!

Annabel has continued to make such huge progress in learning English that she is now able to find songs in English she likes to sing. The only trouble is she truly takes after her mother and cannot get the words right, who was sure the ever famous War song, "Why can't we be friends" actually said, "I get real depressed" and argued vehemently with her older sister on her accuracy.

So as I have mentioned before, Hannah Montana's song, "The Best of Both Worlds" has been for a long time, "It's basketbaaaaaaaallllllllll", which is just as good I guess.

But now she wants to learn more of the words, so I looked up the lyrics so we both could learn them.

So now the line is, "You get the limo out front. Hottest styles, every shoe, every color." In between is a lot of oowa, oowa, yea, yea.

I explained what a limo is and what the phrase the limo out front would mean, what are the hottest styles, and the concept of every shoe, every color.

Then she belts out, "You get the lemon out front. Shoes, every color."

I corrected her to limo, yea, she knows, lemon, no, limo, yea, lemon, no limo, yea lemon. You can see it is a lost cause!

We haven't even tried to learn the next line.

Valentine's is one more of those holidays that we celebrate that is very difficult to explain. I realize it is disdained as a greeting card industry holiday, but the sentiments behind it are sweet - showing your love to others.

But when you are in 5th grade and seem to have a crush on a boy in your class, then Valentines' becomes "eeeeeeewwwwwwwwwwww".

We were at our local Chinese Buffet at 7:07 pm on Thursday night when I casually asked if they were sure they did not need valentine cards.

Oh yes they did!!!

A quick trip to Tom Thumb provided a new product where the candy and valentines are in one package and thankfully we had a couple of choices that would not make them feel geeky by providing something too childish. Annabel didn't want to be bothered with writing out cards so she chose a bag of suckers.

This child who probably had very little candy in China has definitely developed a taste for it here.

So her bag of 24 suckers came back with almost half of them left so she could have them.

If I had just given her a tub of butter and a loaf of bread she would have been even happier, all things that she deplored when she first arrived.

We continue to learn!

You know you are getting old when ...

Your girls get into an argument about whether it is cruel to mention your age.

65 degrees outside makes you put on a jacket!
At 66 degrees then you are sweating!

You spend lunch at a grief support luncheon.

Your child who is still learning English tells you what your present is and you think she means a disposal and you get all excited about that. BUT instead you get a new REALLY DEEP sink and you are just as excited!!! And even more important, you want it to stay spotless like it is today!

You get another clock radio to replace the one you accidentally fried, so now you can see what time it is in the middle of the night!

There are 3 messages on your machine at home and you think it is probably well wishers for your birthday and instead they are messages for your 10 year old daughter.

And your knee isn't relieved even by 2 aleve.

Having Tex Mex 2 days in a row makes you worry that you might end up in the hospital!

But you also get to have a Sprinkles double fudge cupcake with a glass of milk after everyone goes to bed, even though you know you are going to have to get up in the middle of the night!! But at least now I will know what time it is!!

I wrote on my Facebook that this is the first time in a long time that I was actually looking forward to my birthday. My life is so good and each day brings new rewards.

My birthday got started early this year.

Mom made me a delicious homemade German Chocolate Cake, my absolute favorite.

But she decided it wasn't up to par, so we got to eat it Monday after a wonderful meal of chicken and dumplings. The girls were a little confused, but hey, delicious cake is appropriate anytime, right?

On Tuesday my co-workers decided we needed to celebrate since we would all be tied up with our big book sale today. And while they tried to surprised me by inviting Mom and Dad to lunch too, my Dad doesn't keep a secret very well. But they took me to one of my absolute favorites, La Calle Doce, so life was so good.

Then about the time I was thinking they couldn't fool me, I get a call for an emergency meeting, which sounded serious. I practically run out of the office into a set up for a surprise party! All our great volunteers and co-workers were there. And another delicious German Chocolate Cake!!!

Annabel surprised me the most with a cute card she made.

The weather forecasters got it right that there was a bad storm coming last night. About the time the girls got settled down and just about asleep, the tornado sirens sounded and hail started pounding the windows. Their room has 6 windows and I couldn't stand for them to be that far from me, so I woke them up and put them in my bed. Just a couple of weeks ago they were able to share a twin bed and Grace and I have shared her twin bed too, but my queen bed suddenly was too small for them. And about the time they finally got settled in and questions about God and storms were covered AGAIN, the storm was through.

So my bed is filled to capacity, the storm is past, so I end up on the couch!

Tonight though Annabel decided that I could give her a kiss good night since it was my birthday. I had told her that in the US that the moms got to get their kids birthday spankings on their birthday, but instead she let me give her 53 hugs and kisses!!

Life is so good!

A morning short

Grace - "Happy Birthday, Mom! You are 53 today!!!"

Annabel - "Grace, you are being MEAN to Mommy!"

Grace - "No I'm not. That's how old she is."

Annabel - "But Grace, that's OLD!!"

Happy Birthday to me!!