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.