Busy, crazy stuff

First of all, in reference to my last post - about a month ago! - NY was AH-MAY-ZING! Our family is so incredible that it is beyond wonderful every moment we're with them and increasingly difficult with each goodbye. The wedding was spectacular. Absolutely spectacular. Even with the uninvited guest, Hurricane Earl. From the dinner at the house the first night, to the hysterical speeches at the rehearsal dinner. (Seriously, the Princeton guys had us laughing for an hour straight. Just when you thought there couldn't possibly be another one as intelligently funny as the one before, there he was!) And, of course, the wedding itself. The only wedding I've ever been to that started late because most of the guests weren't there yet. Again, Hurricane Earl. The "Boat People" arrived and all was well. Steve walking his Mama down the isle was one of the most incredible moments of his life. And, the newlyweds - perfect for each other. Our new brother-in-law, Chirs, is such a doll. Smart, funny and so kind. Exactly what Steve always imagined for his littlest sister (and I say this age-wise, because Jenny is easily over 5 feet of legs and eye-to-eye with her brother!). Steve knew Chris was the one for her when they bonded on their night long fishing event a few years back...seriously, they slept on the boat. And, Wally, a stunning bride. I happen to have 3 of the most stunning sisters-in-law...more beautiful on the inside than even on the outside. Jenny just shined on her wedding day. I've seen brides who are just so uptight about the whole event that they lose sight of the fact that, though the party can be fun, the marriage is what actually matters...and, you are there to start that. This was a party to celebrate the beginning their lives together. Exactly as it should be.

Secondly, on a much less happy note, this has been a crazy week. Far too many goodbyes. First, Steve's grandma. 94 1/2 and just fell asleep. Such a peaceful way to go after such a sweet life for such a wonderful person. I adopted Gram as my own when I met her about 14 or so years ago. Short, sweet and funny, always. We got to spend a lot of time with Gram and Grandpa (who passed away in 2000) when we lived in Ohio. Some was fun - like Gram being the life of Steve's graduation party...seriously, the woman was keeping up with his college friends! To the not so fun - the early, early mornings, when Grandpa was sick, and she'd call. We'd answer, "Hello?" She'd say, "I need you." We'd say, "We'll leave in 15 minutes." And we would go up there to help with anything we could to take some of the burden off of her.

When she was packing up her house (and having a lot of stuff packed or thrown away for her) - the one they had lived in FOREVER - she pulled me to the side one day. She handed me a stack of old, crafty, holiday magazines (Martha Stewarts and the like) and said, "I saved these before they could take them and throw them away." They are still in my bin labeled "Holiday Magazines". She also gave me a book on plants/flowers/herbs. Her notes are on the inside cover - detailing what she'd planted in her yard in 1985. The book still has the leaves and flowers that she pressed inside.

We last saw Gram a couple years ago. We knew that would probably be the last time we saw her, and that's why the trip was important to us. I had to catch my breath and wipe away the tears when we actually said goodbye to her. It was just too much. Though the reports we got were always pretty good over the past couple years health-wise (especially considering her age), she really was not recognizing people like she used to. We are grateful we got the time with her that we did - that last trip, and every moment before then. She was always so consistently herself - kind, generous, funny and just plain Gram.

Unfortunately, we weren't the only ones who lost someone this week. Jane, another mother/grandma I had the honor of knowing years ago in L.A. So sweet, so graceful. I will always smile at my memories of her. And, one of Steve's best friends from college lost his, far too young, brother-in-law in a horrible manner.

And, as we know far too well, "family" isn't always the human kind. A, not entirely surprising, but still heartbreaking goodbye today to sweet Clio. She was a perfect meow whose Mom and Dad got to love her for 19 years...19 years - amazing!

To all the families, our deepest condolences.

Beyond ALL of that, it has been a LONG week for two not-so-patient parents in our house. We are still waiting to hear about testing for Colson with the gifted program within our school district. Still hoping for success with the loophole that will allow testing now, earlier than the typical February time frame. In the meantime, he's enjoying being a teacher in his classroom. Fantastic. One way or the other, he will be switching schools in the very near future. The transition will be difficult - though we're not sure if it will be harder on him or his current teacher...they adore each other. But, it is absolutely the best, long-term decision for him - the one we must make as responsible parents.

I surprised Colson today with lunch with one of his friends from Primrose. He was all smiles when Jacob showed up. It was so wonderful to watch them play and laugh. He just got to be himself, not acting silly just to keep up with the crowd at his current school. Jacob and Colson will, very possibly, rule the world together one day. Seriously, it's frightening to see the thinking power in the two of them...at 5 years old. Hopefully they will be at school together again soon - if not now, then next fall. In the meantime, it was good to see them have fun. And, so good to sit and talk with Jacob's mom. She, like us, is so involved and concerned about her child's future. I've been living for so long in the Primrose bubble - I thought that degree of Mommy/Daddy interest/craziness/concern (whatever you call it) was everywhere. It is, sadly, not. So, nice to catch up with someone who really get it.

And, so she's not left out of this post, Ashlyn Storm had a wonderful week! She has one of the most perfect teachers on the planet. Seriously, the woman is legend. She's helping Ashlyn to learn all her letters - a current goal as that is the starting point in discussions for Ashlyn getting her ears pierced. Little is also having a blast at dance class. Beyond that, she is busy being adorable and more and more of a character each day. She has often dropped "Mommy" for "Mom" with me...a bit tough to take!

Okay, that (long post) is all for now. I will update soon with some pictures. I'm writing as I'm finishing up dinner (thank you, Bobby Flay, for the amazing salad dressing recipe!), so I'm not going to bring the camera card in for this one!

1000 Island dreaming

Location, of course, not salad dressing. I can't believe we're days away from headed up there! It seemed SO far away when I was getting out of the hospital. But, my 6 week check-up was last week, so I suppose it's actually here! Watch out fish, here comes Steve! Though, the focus is wedding, not boating, I'm thinking there will still be some time analyzing how to catch some lunch!

I'm hoping my side effects continue to stay mild while we're in NY. Not sure how that will all work out. I've got a few more days left in the 2 week post shot safe zone. Then, the side effects could start to kick in...yay. However, I've got medication that I take daily to help keep those on the mild side...hopefully it continues to work well!

I am looking forward to getting in some good family time. Every time we're up there, there's only one bad part - leaving. Beyond the family, it is one of the most gorgeous places on the planet. Peaceful, amazing views wherever you look...should help keep me calm if I turn crazy hormone person from time to time!

First shot is in...

...I suppose I could go with the "but, not the fun kind of shots" comment. But, I've only ever done one shot in my life. Some cinnamon crap drink at the Puke-e-tan in Westlake that Steve bought for me. And, I didn't shoot it...I think I took about 20 minutes and wasn't even able to finish it all.

This was a not so fun, but necessary in the process, shot. The shot itself wasn't that bad. The nurse suggested not looking at it - said it could be a bit overwhelming. I told her that wouldn't be a problem, I never look at the needle stuff anyway. I walked out of the room and said, "Well, I'm not crazy yet." The nurses laughed and told me it wouldn't happen quite so quickly. They laughed again when I told them Steve had scheduled "RUN FAST" on his calendar to coincide with my shot. Then, they stopped laughing and said, "Yeah, that's actually a good idea."

I also started a prescription that is supposed to help ease the side effects of the Lupron. I'm hoping it will help - less hot flashing, mood swings and forgetfulness. Of course, the Lupron may increase my forgetfulness and I'm supposed to remember to take the medicine each day. This seems like a sick Catch 22.

In non-medical news, Dude has his last day at Primrose tomorrow. I absolutely can't believe that is possible. We met his Kindergarten teacher at a Meet and Greet last night. She's been teaching for 35 years and came highly recommended (we'd requested her and were happy to find out that request had been granted). Little has her first day of dance tomorrow. This will be convenient because Steve will pick Dude up from school while I'm at dance with Little. I don't think I could handle picking him up and not breaking down in a non hormonally challenged state! By Monday's first day of Kindergarten, I should be a blubbering fool. Thankfully, the school is having a "Boo Hoo Breakfast" for freaks like me.

One more week

I went in for my check-up yesterday. All was good there. Everything I'm feeling - random lightheaded-ness, nausea, the huge downslide in my ability to sleep - is normal with where I am in the recovery process. The good news - Dr. Gillean said all of that should start to significanty improve in the next two weeks. The bad news - that's about when the Lupron joy will begin to set in. Fabulous.

Speaking of that, the craziness has been delayed a week. My Lupron shot wasn't in yet, so I'll be getting it next Wednesday. Dr. Gillean said the first two weeks would be a surge in estrogen and then I'll start to go "downhill" with feeling the crappy side of it. Perfect timing for my sister-in-law's wedding Labor Day weekend! Thank God the wedding takes place at one of the most serene places on the planet...and hopefully it will be cool enough to combat any major hot flashes that may decide to start then!

I got a fun total of about 3 hours of sleep last night. I chose meds that went after pain...and wasn't about to mix those with any Ambien. When Steve rolled over around 5am, I told him he was on his own with the kids for breakfast and getting Colson to school. I knew I wouldn't be functioning at that point! Tonight, it's half an Ambien for me! I'm SO not used to having such messy sleep!