The Boob Tube

You probably think I'm going to write about the television. Well...not exactly. I can write about this now because it's over. I had an MRI on Wednesday because of an increase in calcifications that showed up on my last mammogram. An MRI. It sounds serious, and it is definitely not a walk in the park. My last mammogram was 2 days before Christmas and when we compared it to the mammograms from the last 4 years, there is an obvious increase in calcifications on the right side. Sometimes, if there is a cluster of calcifications, that can indicate pre-cancerous tissue... Not good. But, it's normal for calcifications to increase as a woman gets older (joy!). So, since my mother had breast cancer, the radiologist encouraged us to find out for sure. Therefore, I allowed myself to be rolled into a long, metal tube to be x-rayed with super, duper strength stuff. I'm sure there was all kinds of radiation bouncing around the room. The days leading up to my appointment were incredibly stressful. Often, I would wonder if Wednesday was the day I'd receive a cancer diagnosis... Thankfully, everything is fine and the doctor saw no inkling of anything remotely suspicious. I slept for 2 hours after I got home...

One of my friend's grandmother passed away that evening, and as I read about her passing... and a letter from her husband, I was struck by the different feelings we had about death. She was ready to go. She spoke of wanting to go... She was ready to meet the Lord. There's a hole where she used to be, and the sadness of her absences is so fresh...but there's some comfort in knowing she longed to go home to heaven. I'm not ready to go. And, the main consideration I have is not for myself, or even Handy Man...it's my children. They need me. Is there a time in our life when we feel that we've done what we were supposed to do? We've finished the job and ready to go "home"? I don't know the answer, but I know that I still have a job to do, and it looks like I'm going to be allowed to keep at it...

I can't end on such a melancholy note...so, here's a short video of what we did after Christmas. This is my #1 (on the drums), #2 (on the guitar), #4 (on vocals), and a brief glimpse of #5 sitting on the couch completely engrossed in his new Nintendo DS. My boys....singing Ghostsbusters. It told you I had a lot of work to do...

My Week of Projects -- #1

We had such a lovely Christmas. Now, how can I make the most of our little vacation before we have to start school again? I have my list, and I'm checking it twice, of projects I'd like to try to get done before Jan. 5. Today was Project #1. I went to an auction last Sunday and I "won" a new freezer. I know, I know... Roger reminds me that we didn't really "win" anything... "We're paying for it, aren't we?" But, it FEELS like you win... Anyway, today, my Project was to get the garage cleaned up and rearranged so we can put the new freezer in it's spot. It's so beautiful! (The freezer, that it...) It is a commercial freezer and, quite frankly, it's a lot bigger than I realized it would be. It didn't look so big in the shop where I won it...but it's big in my garage. I'm so excited.

So, I got Project #1 completed early this afternoon since the weather was so gorgeous. I'll let you know how my other Projects go...

Did I mention one of the other reasons our Christmas was so great? Granddaddy has arrived! He's been in Siloam for about 3 weeks now and is working on getting unpacked. He's been over many times and we were able to spend Christmas Eve with him, and then Christmas Day with him and Roger's sister Grace and her family, the Davises. We are so very blessed to have him close.

He is Sam!

Hot chocolate... mmmmm.... just saying it makes a gal feel warm and cozy. I've never been a coffee drinker. I love getting hot chocolate (with whipped cream of course) at Starbucks. And, with all of our great Christmas mugs, I feel obligated to dring hot chocolate out of each one at least once during the holidays. I guess that's where my kids get the idea that one of the many traditions of our Christmas is hot chocolate. And, with weather temps below the freezing mark for the last 3 days, hot chocolate becomes our beverage of choice. So, every night, the kids get to split a package of hot chocolate. Here's Sam with his special mug. The picture at the top of my blog is also Sam... about 2 years ago. I keep thinking I need to change that picture, but it's just such a great representation of Sam. He's such a happy guy!

Summer Transitions

Do you ever have one of those days when all is right with the world? As the kids are finishing one subject in school after another, our homeschooling time is less and less. And, with the beautiful weather, it's a good thing that we're spending less time on school, because then I would be very grouchy! I have finished some major, time consuming projects in the last week, and I can really feel the weight lifted. It's funny, because I don't feel particularly weighted down during that time, but when it's over, it's obvious to me that I've been a little stressed. And, my family thinks I'm a lot nicer afterwards :-)

Anyway, there have been some afternoons where I actually didn't really have anything to do, or plan, or ponder, etc... (except of course the regular household stuff, which I promptly put off!). I've been doing less driving too, which I LOVE to not do...OK Becky, I'm certain that is NOT the way to write that, but I'm going to go with it...you all know what I mean. One afternoon I took my magazine and my drink out to the chair under our big tree and sat there for a full 30 minutes. The dogs slept at my feet while I looked at a couple of outdated magazines and catalogs. Then, I threw them away! The weather has been glorious...perfect in my opinion. Not too hot, nice breezes...wonderful.

I got my suitcase down last night. One list that I have enjoyed making is what to take on my trip. I'm so very excited, but I'm already missing my family. I've never been away from all of them for this long...8 days. And, I must say, I feel a little guilty for being so excited to do something they aren't going to be a part of. Not guilty enough to stay home, mind you :-) I'd classify it has a healthy guilt. I figured the kids wouldn't really be too excited for me to leave, but they've entered into all the preparation. And, they're excited to get to visit some of their friends during the day while I'm gone. ...I suppose they have no idea what it will be like with me not here to do all the dishes and laundry. But, I know they all know how to do it, so they'll all just have to pitch in. Perhaps this will be a double blessing... I get to go on a great trip, AND perhaps they will be VERY excited, and VERY appreciative to have me home.