Caleb’s Crossing–BlogHer Book Club

"I forgot he was a half-naked, sassafras-scented heathen anointed with raccoon grease. He was, quite simply, my best friend."

I am super excited to say I was able to review Caleb’s Crossing by Geraldine Brooks for BlogHer Book Club. The book is out May 3rd, so it was cool to get an advanced copy! I can’t give you the full scoop unless you head over HERE to the new BlogHer Book Club page, so please check out my review and others’ thoughts, too!! Next up, I’m reading Girl In Translation by Jean Kwok. Details soon!

Friday Fragments

Woohooo! I’m actually here, joining in on Mrs. 4444’s Friday Fragments!  I’ve been so busy doing who knows what, that I rarely have the time anymore.  I feel like I’m home!!  You can join, too, at Half Past Kissing Time.

• I’ve worked the last two weekends at the hospital (including Easter), so my house has suffered.  Time to get back to work, I guess.  Hahahaha!
  
  
• I’ve also been taking more photos lately, which means more time spent editing and getting them back out again.  I just wish JC didn’t need to crawl on me every time I sat down to work on them.  You can see my latest fun HERE.
  
  
• Aria’s teacher gave us a note that she may need to be checked for glasses.  I think we may have a family Optometrist day coming up.  Daddy and I both need new ones, too.  Good times…..
  
  
• Aria also let on that she knew the Easter Bunny (and all other mythological holiday creatures) is not real.  We asked her to help us out by hiding all the Easter eggs in the yard this year.  She loved being in on the secret.
  
  

• May is Pediatric Stroke Awareness Month!!  To get a jump start, I’m Streaking for Stroke!!  I’m asking you to do the same, and perhaps donate a little while you’re at it.  Even a dollar helps families affected by pediatric stroke through support programs and activities with Children’s Hemiplegic and Stroke Association.  I’ve set up a page here: Purple For Piper – and THANKS in advance!!!
  
  
• Because I’m a photographer, I’ve never felt the need to pay someone else to photograph my kids.  This goes especially for the school photos every year.  I always know when the fall shots are because even if I don’t buy them, they take them for the yearbook, so I make sure they look presentable.  However, in the spring (did you ever get spring pics?  we didn’t) I don’t really pay attention to the date since we don’t do anything with them.  Much to my surprise, the kids came home with the proofs from the latest round of photos.  I think the photographer was ready to give me the Mom of the Year Award when Max sat down for his photo…..
  
  

Why, yes, that is a pig tattoo on his forehead.  And my very least favorite shirt.  Cool.

• I did not stay up for the Royal Wedding.  Um, yeah.  I like the idea of some girl getting to marry a Prince, but it’s a constitutional monarchy, people.  They don’t do much but spend their money and look good. Admittedly, really, really good, but still. 
  
  
• I’ve been retained as the photographer for “A Bit of Norway” here in town.  It’s a Norsk celebration with lots of demonstrations and fun, even a parade with a big Viking ship.  It should be a pretty fun time!
  
  
• Oh, yeah.  So the thing with my neck…  I went to my appointment and have scheduled a surgery time soon to have a tumor removed from the back of my neck.  It’s supposed to be Day Sugery, so they should kick me out that afternoon, barring any complications.  I’ve also discovered I need to reschedule that already.  I’ll let you know when I get that done!!

So the thing with my neck…

OK.  I’m a procrastinator.  I know this.  That lady on TV with the hundred pound tumor, I used to wonder how in the world someone would let something like that get so out of hand.  I think I’m beginning to understand.

I have a million excuses, like I don’t have the time with kids’ activities and school, I forgot, its no big deal, it doesn’t bother me….etc.  The thing is, I’m going to end up being that lady. 

I have a tumor on my neck. 

While that seems scary, its not as bad as it sounds.  Its called a lipoma and there is very little chance that its anything but fat tissue, just growing in the wrong place.  I’ve known its there for a while, but I was assured it wasn’t anything to be concerned about and I could have it removed when I had time.  HA! Time.  I work better with deadlines.  Given any time to have it removed, I let it go. 

Lately I quit wearing my hair up because I was afraid it would look ridiculous.  Most recently, I’ve started having headaches.  I feel like there is more pressure around my neck.  I can’t wear turtle necks or my camera strap anymore because it bothers me, like my blood pressure is high or I’m cutting off circulation.  I’ve started to think the reason I passed out after I gave blood last week was due to the tumor pressing on my neck. 

Maybe its time I start taking this a little more seriously.

This is me last spring…..

This is me now (literally, like 5 minutes ago – pardon the dryer behind me!!)… my hair is down on purpose.

This is me with my hair up.  Yeah.  A little freakish.

So, I’ve finally made the next step.  I have a preliminary appointment with surgery on Monday.  Because of my procrastination this will probably be a Day Surgery event rather than a couple of stitches at the clinic.  Say a quick prayer for me, I’m a little freaked out by the prospect of actually going through with it.  Hopefully it will be an easy removal, not involving muscle or nerves or that C word I’m avoiding.  I’ll let you know what I know Monday.

Fashion Tuesday

She can dress herself and she’s proud of it.  So am I.  It took her a while to manage the little things like putting on jeans one handed, socks and long sleeve shirts.  Now she’s a pro.  Sometimes she needs a little help getting them off again, but for the most part she’s very independent.  I love her choices in clothing.  Very…um…unique.  Her style is all her own, anyway.  And I make sure every knows SHE picked out her own outfit.

Who else would choose the stripy tights AND legwarmers AND Hello Kitty socks, polka-dot skirt and fuzzy butterfly sweater?  Oh, yeah!!

Friday Fragments

I’m going to try to fill you in quickly.  I have a date with my freshly made bed for a nap before work!!  Head on over to Half Past Kissing Time for the scoop on Friday Fragments and how to join in!

• The Fly Lady is really helping me keep up with my housework.  For the first time in a million (well, maybe not quite that many) Friday Fragments, I am cool with where my housework is for the day.  I could bring someone in and serve them coffee and not be embarrassed about the state of my downstairs.  Upstairs, however….
• I have a brand new Aria phone and still our service has not switched over to AT&T….. It sits there, mocking me, daring to play Angry Birds and enjoy the 32gb card I installed.  When can I ditch this Blackberry?!?!?!
• I FINALLY cut JC’s hair this week.  He looks like an actual boy.

• I hung sheets on the clothes line for the first time this season on Tuesday.  Today it’s snowing.  I shoveled the steps.  Stupid North Dakota.  At least I can say Billy the Exterminator will never have to visit these parts!
• Have you ever seen Secret Agent Oso on Disney channel.  Not my favorite program, not really Piper’s either, but she doesn’t like to turn the channel so she sat through it.  She comes to me in the kitchen: “Remember how Oso helps kids?  You can help me cook so I don’t burn my hands, mommy.”  Being the smart-a$$ I am, “”Why can’t Oso come and help YOU cook then?”  Piper looks at me, exasperated, “He’s in Disneyland, he’s too busy.”
• I got in with the BlogHer Book Club.  I don’t get to say much yet, but I get free books and a paid review whether I like the book or not.  I really liked it…..
• I donated blood last week.  I’ve done it before with no problems.  What didn’t happen before is me passing out when he removed the line.  I looked away, but I was visualizing it the whole time.  I was still in the chair and when he asked me how I felt, I said a little light headed.  I closed my eyes to focus on breathing like he was instructing.  The next thing I know, there are four people standing around me and ice packs on my chest and neck.  I felt like such a dork.  My neighbor, who is a physician’s assistant, saw the whole ordeal, made a joke about my pallor and gave me a ride home (I rode my bike….see? dork.).

• OH – and the waters around these parts, while high, were actually lower than the past couple of years.  Hubby never got called up for National Guard flood duty and my yard and basement are dry.  Not everyone faired as well.  We’ll see what it looks like after 7-8” of snow they expect this weekend (ugh!!).

Park? No, we are not going to the park. Sorry.

I really did it this time

Yes, I am well aware that my little boy looks like a little girl. 

I’m reminded every time we go out to eat and the server asks us what SHE wants, and where to put HER food.  At Aria’s last basketball game I heard someone remark “There’s Aria’s little sister!” as he ran by. 

I know it’s time, but it’s so hard actually putting the scissors to his hair.  Well, yesterday I finally did it.  I gave him food (I truly tried to avoid getting hair in it, the hair is so long I could just grab the clippings and throw them away) and turned on his favorite shows.  I combed and combed while he got a bit mad and I contemplated if I was ready.  Finally, I cut a huge hunk out of the back on purpose.  No going back now!!!

I kept working despite his protests and got it all done.  JC was not pleased.

After a nap and a bath, things seemed a little better.  I’m still getting used to the new BOY look, but he sure is cute!

Piano Man

JC, Jackson, Naughty.  Mostly Naughty.  He’s the piano man around here.  We got the piano a few years ago from a friend for free.  It needs a little work, which we still haven’t done, but even spending a little money on it will be worth it.  JC seems to be the most interested in the piano.  Every time he passes by he hits a few keys.  The thing we both like about JC’s interest in the piano it that he doesn’t just pound on it like any toddler would.  He uses only his index fingers and pokes keys….and sings. Loudly.  I’m not saying by any means we have a prodigy on our hands, I’m fairly certain we don’t.  But at least we have a little guy that will appreciate music.