Midweek

Monday 9/28 was my first day back to work since 7/31. The first two weeks of August I was laid off and then on 8/18 I had my surgery. Since then I have been on short term disability. Monday I went back to work and felt like an outsider. Almost no one is there. We are still so slow that saying we have a skeleton crew at work is an exaggeration. I am working this week. I most likely will not be working next week. Who knows what the following week(s) will bring. I just want my job back. I want my super chaotic, balls to the wall, so busy I can't think straight job back.

I had a recruiter call me today. She was wondering if I was interested in a specific position for a local manufacturing facility. I am not qualified, and I told her that. There is no point in trying to sell myself to be something I am not. It isn't fair to anyone. She still wants my resume. After we talked she said that I have a lot of great experience. My international logistics experience particularly interested her. I told her that I really, really like my job, the company, and the people I work with. She understood, appreciated my honesty, and the dedication I have to my employer. She still encouraged me to submit my resume... just in case the company doesn't feel the same dedication to me at some point. I'm mulling that over.

I am keeping myself busy enough this week. There is always something for me to do. There are always improvements to be made and waste to be found and eliminated. I just don't like the uncertainly of the times.

Anyone want to buy a concrete mixer? Please?

Rock, Paper, Scissors

Sundays during football season are full of excitement and anticipation. We also have an occasional disagreement. This week we (Todd & I) had to determine which football flag was to fly under the US flag on our beautiful, majestic, and very patiotic flagpole. After a brief discussion, we decided that the country was not going to crumble if the US flag came down for Sunday afternoon football games. Beautiful compromise with no disagreement.

OK, things were set and both flags would be hung. I was beginning to put the Colts flag on top and the Steelers flag under it. HALT! Todd stopped me abruptly and asked me what I was doing. I explained that his Steelers flag (with the Steelers logo) was smaller than my Colts flag and therefore the Colts flag should obviously be above the Steelers flag. We have to keep things proportional, I explained. He told me not to move and ran in the house. He came out holding his Pittsburgh flag that has the panoramic view of the city and the bold black & gold stripes. It is the same size as my Colts flag. He wanted the Pittsburgh flag on top. I contested this sentiment and recommended a good old-fashioned Rock, Paper, Scissors challenge.

And then he dropped the big ones. He dropped two facts that I cannot dispute. He threw at me achievements that any red-blooded football fan respects. #1... The Pittsburgh Steelers are the reigning Superbowl Champions and deserve the respect of the superior position on the pole. #2... Pittsburgh has 6 (count 'em 6) Superbowl rings.

If I had those cards to pull out of my pocket I would do it every chance I had. There you have it. The Steelers flag flew higher than the Colts flag.So, a little later I was outside and noticed something... Our new neighbors have a mini Steelers flag
in their garden. When I was driving to the store I noticed that the neighbors around the corner have a large Steelers flag flying on their porch. When I returned home and pulled into our driveway I saw that Todd hung his flag with the Steelers helmet in our bedroom window. Like I said in a previous post, this has the potential to be a long season.

Puppies!

Aunt Marla and Uncle Greg have puppies. They will be 3 weeks old on Tuesday the 29th. This morning Todd took Emma over to see them. Just as much as Cathy loved cats from an early age, Emma loves dogs. Please don't ask what kind they are... All I know is that they are black and we are not getting one!

Open House

We went to an Open House at Emma's school last night. Our school system has the children start a journal in Kindergarten and maintain it through 5th grade. At the end of their elementary school journey, they will have highlights of every year chronicled.

Emma's journal had an entry for May 26, 2009. I found the entry to be humorous. She wrote about a rib party, fishing, and swimming with cousins. It's good to be a kid (except for the being thrown in the pool part)!

The hallways were lined with bulletin boards full of children's assignments and artwork. Emma's class did posters that had self-portraits and information about themselves. I had a feeling it would be coming someday. Click to enlarge and read the last line!

Insane Mom... Thank you!

Someone posted comments regarding Reed vs. Beloit. I honestly expected it to be Todd's mother or my sister. NO! It was an anonymous mom who has a son at Reed and a daugther at Beloit. Oh my goodness. This anonymous mom made me feel much more comfortable regarding Beloit. I went back to the Beloit website and watched the You Tube student interviews.

One comment that this "insane mom" made is that Beloit teaches for the "real world." Most schools do not acknowledge reality/practicality when they are teaching theory. That was my experience and Todd's as well. Another comment that she made is that Beloit is great for students with many interests. Colleges generally guide students into a discipline rather than being inter-discplinary. At Beloit you can earn a double-major with a minor, a major and a double-minor, or just the basic major. Heck, if you're motivated enough, you could probably pursue a double major and a double minor.

Christopher would be as comfortable in an English, Art, or Music class as he would a Biology, Chemistry, or Physics class. I could really see him earning a degree with majors in Anthropology and Chemistry with a minor in Music. I think Pher may actually be able to find some of his left brain & right brain dominant cohorts at this campus. I also read somewhere that being different is normal at Beloit. One student played ping-pong because is wasn't cool and he went on to win a championship just to make his point. Sound like anyone we know?

Emma's 8th birthday

Emma Carole Meyers
Born September 20, 2001 at 7:50 a.m.
Weight: 7 pounds, 10 ounces
Length: 19 3/4"
8 years later she weighs in at 46 pounds and her height is 48".

She had a great birthday weekend. Pretty much the whole weekend was hers to celebrate. The grand finale was getting to attend church ON HER BIRTHDAY and have the congregation sing Happy Birthday to her. After church we made the trip to Angola for the baptism. When we were at Grandma and Grandpa's house after the baptism, Uncle Scooter and Aunt Rebecca gave Emma her birthday cake... made in their bakery.The cake decorations were a complete surprise for her. She takes after her daddy, and she is a Steeler's fan. I asked Todd's Aunt Johnni (who lives in Pittsburgh) if she could please find Steeler's cake decorations. She found them, she mailed them, the cake decorator designed the cake around them! Emma was elated with her cake.

More rushing around... We had to get back to Fort Wayne to be at a friend's house to watch the Steeler's game. Kickoff was at 4:15, and we had to hustle. Oh, I almost forgot, on the way to church, Emma asked if we could please get her a new Steeler's shirt for the games. Little did she know that Aunt Johnni sent her a new shirt for a birthday gift (she also sent a little teddy bear wearing a Steeler's sweater). When she opened that present after church, she let out a shriek. I like to think it's all a joke and next year she will ask for a Colts t-shirt!
Another picture of the awesome cake without the plastic cover.I can't believe I did not take a picture of her in the shirt with the camera. I did take one with my phone that I sent to Aunt Johnni, but I don't know how to e-mail that picture to myself. Rats!

Problems with Emma

Emma has been complaining of headaches while reading. She first complained when they had to read on the computer for 45 minutes for district standardized testing. She complains when she reads books at home. I made an appointment for her to get her eyes checked. Turns out her vision is perfect. The doctor did put reading "magnifying glasses" on her and she proclaimed that they really helped make the words easier to read.

For a little girl that didn't want to wear glasses, she sure did have fun picking out her frames. She even told the young man who charted her eye measurements that her baby blue frames, "Match my eyes!" She spent quite a bit of time in front of the mirror admiring herself.
Her second grade teacher tasked the class with reading for 20 minutes, 5 nights a week. They have a full 7 days to get the reading done, but this is how much the students are required to read. The headache complaints made me a little relaxed with mandating Emma's reading. What kind of mom would I be sitting my daughter down to read knowing that she would suffer from a headache?! Now she has the glasses, and she still doesn't want to sit down and read. I think she's just a kid that wants to play. We have to set some guidelines now that the busy weekend is over.

Busy, busy weekend

Why do I do this to myself? I seem to cram too much into weekends from time to time. This past weekend was one of these times. Friday was our anniversary, Saturday and Sunday were the Johnny Appleseed Festival, Sunday was Maya's (Todd's cousin's daughter) baptism, and Sunday was also Emma's birthday. Somehow, someway, in our family if your birthday is on a weekend we end up celebrating all weekend.

Emma had a friend spend the night Friday night. Todd and I went out with friends to celebrate our anniversary. Saturday morning Todd and Cameron had to be at the park for the Johnny Appleseed Festival at 6 am. They worked until 6:30 pm. Cameron went back for more work on Sunday. The Boy Scout Troop makes cinnamon caramel corn and presses apple cider. The boys earn money for their scout accounts by working at festivals.

The caramel corn is made over open fire and the cider is pressed by hand.
I took Emma and her friend to the festival and we walked around for a couple of hours. The girls ate and played in the children's area.

Sunday was Emma's 8th birthday and also the baptism of Todd's cousin's daughter. Emma will get her own post.

Todd's cousin Lonnie and his wife Barb wanted Don to baptize their daughter... in the lake. Parents, Godparents, Pastor, and baby Maya all got in the water.

Grasshoppers playing around... hmmm

When Emma got home from school Friday afternoon she blew into the house stating that I needed to, "Come outside, RIGHT NOW. I HAD to see something." She was so excited about the playtime she witnessed that she blurted out what I "HAD TO" go and see. Two grasshoppers were playing out front and one of them was giving the other a piggyback ride.

Hopefully it will be many, many years before she realizes what kind of ride the grasshopper was giving!

22 Years

Friday September 18, 1987 Todd and I were married. I wore my mother's beautiful wedding gown. Todd almost wore jeans. His tux made it at the last minute. He would have looked really silly in jeans when all of the other men were wearing striking black tuxedos. Everyone told me that "something" would go wrong on my wedding day. "Something" ALWAYS goes wrong, and it's usually something that freaks the bride out and none of the wedding guests are aware of the issue. There was something else that went wrong, but I can't remember what it was. I know it will come to me, and I will post it when I remember. Regardless of what the behind-the-scenes issues were, 22 years later, something must have been right!

From Portland, OR to Beloit, WI

Christopher has been talking about attending Reed College in Portland, OR for the last two years. Now the time has come for him to get serious about his choices and decision. On Monday the 14th I decided to go online and see if and when Reed would have an admissions representative in our area. Holy cow, there was a rep. coming to Carmel, IN (just northwest of Indianapolis) the very next day.

I asked christopher if he was interested in going. Yes he was. I called Zeke's mom and talked to her. They wanted to go also. The four of us made the trip on Tuesday after school.

The college fair was sponsored by a non-profit organization called Colleges That Change Lives. It is an organization that highlights the 40 best (in their opinion) private, liberal arts colleges.

Christopher did not spend much time talking to the Reed representative. He figured that he already knows a lot about Reed, so he invested his time talking to other colleges. Beloit College intrigued him. It is an immersive learning experience. Students that attend Beloit are not passive students that sit in class and take notes. These students are expected to be actively involved in class, the campus, and the community. the representative said that, "If a prospective student does not want to be up to the elbows involved, please don't attend Beloit. We are not the right school for you."

Christopher asked about their Anthropology and Chemistry departments. They have the only college anthropology museum that is staffed by students. They are supposedly world-known for their anthropology program. As far as chemistry goes, they just opened their $38 million "green" science building. I can't remember how many stories it is, but classes from different departments (chemistry, biology, physics, etc.) are intermingled on the floors. The classes communicate together because the faculty believes that the sciences relate to each other in many ways.

Wisconsin is much closer than Oregon. Beloit is less expensive than Reed. These are two good reasons for us to look into Beloit College a little more seriously.

Another season

I have loved the Colts since they snuck out of Baltimore and into Indianapolis in 1984. Todd on the other hand is a Steelers fan. From time to time our house gets nasty. Thank goodness the Steelers and the Colts don't play each other often.

Thursday the 10th of September was the season's opening day. Todd took down the American flag and hung a Pittsburgh city panorama flag. Under the Pittsburgh flag he hung a Steelers flag. UGH!

Thank goodness Friday was 9/11 and he was respectful enough of our country and those who lost their lives in the 9/11 trajedy to remove the Pittsburgh flags. He hung the American flag back up, and then on Sunday when the Colts played he added my Colts flag. (By the way, the Colts flag hung all week long!)

I was shocked when I walked into the garage to find a Steelers flag proudly displayed. This is what I walked out to... I have to figure out somewhere to hang the Colts flag that is unsuspecting! This has the potential to be a long season.

Cancer Sucks

I think that title says it all... Cancer Sucks. A friend from high school lost her husband a week ago to cancer. He was diagnosed 14 months ago with pancreatic cancer; He had surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy; He had a clean PET scan in April. The cancer returned more aggressively in June. He was 37. They dated on and off for many years but were serious for the last 18 months. They married on Wednesday September 2 and he passed away the morning of Thursday the 3rd. They were married less than 24 hours. I cannot imagine her pain, but I wish I could carry some of it for her.

His story replicates that of Carole's (Todd's step-mom). The sadness of her passing and the anger towards cancer returned to Todd and me. Why does cancer play games? Why does it hide and allow the patient to have a clean scan and hope only to resurface with more vengeance and aggression than the first time? It isn't fair. It just isn't fair.

I had the pleasure of meeting him only once. Todd ran into him on several occassions (local band events). Also, Todd offered an 'assist' to a co-worker when she had him as a patient.

Last night was the "gathering." This morning was the Celebration of Life (a formal ceremony). The young man was a musician and active in the Fort Wayne music scene. He played several instruments and sang. It was his wish for his friends and family to jam in his honor. His dear wife made sure that happened. She rented a pavilion at a local park. The instruments were set-up, food was consumed, stories were shared, laughter was heard, and no tears were visible. Now that is a dignified way to honor someone's life!

Responsibly Irresponsible

Christopher asked for permission to go to Chicago to a show and to do a college visit with Zeke. Zeke's mom set everything up. The boys took the train from Waterloo, IN to Chicago. Columbia College is 1.5 miles from the train station. No problem.

Oh wait... Yes, there is a problem. The show and college visit are the same day as Homecoming. I was not happy. I was not happy with myself for not getting clarification on the dates. I was not happy with Christopher for intentionally blowing off his potential "kingdom." It was his idea to sign up as a joke and once the joke came to be a reality, he bailed. He explained that he did not completely bail out. He sent in a proxy. One of his buddies is going to be a "stand in" for him. Christopher even lent this kid a hat he has with fake dreadlocks sewn in.

Todd and I were still planning to go the game in order to take pictures, but he is scheduled to work tonight and unfortunate events with a friend took precedence over blog pictures for fun. We'll catch photos in the yearbook.

Holiday weekend

Friday night Pher left. He said he's be home on Monday. (Todd and I are thinking about renting out his room to a tennant.) Cameron stayed with a friend on Friday and the friend stayed with us on Saturday. Emma hung out at home Friday and Saturday and then spent the night with a friend on Sunday. It's hard to keep up with three social kids.

Saturday night Todd and I met friends at a bar and had a great time. It was my first post-surgical "outing." We saw a fantastic guitar player (Michael Kelsey). Todd was by my side the entire night making sure I was comfortable. I appreciate his care and concern, but I do need a little elbow room.

Sunday Todd and I went to Bill and Val's for an "end of the summer" party. We ALWAYS have fun with Bill and Val. Bill made meat and Margaritas, we all brought a side to share. Unfortunately Bill burned up his blender on Margarita batch #2. Todd to the rescue... Todd ran home to pick up Emma and deliver her to the sleepover. He grabbed our blender and Billy was back in business. (We know how it feels. We burned up a blender at midnight many, many years ago. I looked next door and the neighbors were still up. I ran next door, asked to borrow their blender, and the Barbtender was ready to blend again!) We stayed at Bill and Val's for about 3 1/2 hours. My belly and back started aching, and it was time to go. Todd brought me home and made me comfortable.

Monday was a wash... a complete wash. I overdid Saturday and Sunday. On Monday my body let me know it. I was bed and couch-ridden. Thank goodness Todd understands the ups and downs of recuperation. I gave the illusion of being on the mend and then WHAM back down I went. The Tea Party Express was in South Bend, IN on Monday. I wanted to make the drive up just to be a part of it. However, I didn't even mention it to Todd. Turns out it wasn't THAT important.

Post-op

I had my post-op appointment yesterday. All is well. The doctor is pleased with the results. I still need to be cautious. I can't lift more than a gallon of milk. I should not be as active as I have been. The tenderness in my belly tells me that. I go back to see him in two months for another follow-up. He told me that just because I've had the reversal DOES NOT mean that I'm falling of his radar. RATS!

I noticed that Maui is completely out of food. I better get Todd to do the haulin'. I can't even lift the dog food.