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July 29, 2003
July 29, 2003
Back in the saddle…
Vacation’s over. Things have settled down now that we are home from vacation. The first week was the toughest, as we adjusted to our normal schedules and routines. And to top it off, we were without the use of our SUV from Saturday through Thursday while it was repaired at the dealership. I drove Jerry’s pickup during that time. Unfortunately, the AC is not working in the truck, and it’s just not a priority for us to sink any more money into it since we primarily drive the SUV and Jerry’s has a company vehicle. Let me tell you, fixing that AC would definitely become a priority if either of us had to drive that truck on a daily basis. Some of the spark plug wires in the SUV needed replaced. That’s why it was running so poorly—on 6 or 7 cylinders, instead of the full 8 cylinders. We got a full service tune-up and it was good to go. I was back in the saddle again. I drove away with the AC blasting on high.
Damaged Goods…
One of our suitcases was damaged by Northwest Airlines on our return flight to Houston. I don’t know what goes on behind the scenes on those conveyer belts and carousels back there in luggage world, but man! Jerry’s bag came out looking like it had been shot up by a marksman during target practice. The zipper was broken, one of the wheel encasements was ripped off the bag, it had tiny pinprick holes all over the face of it, and it had blue chalk tire truck prints on it. What in the world? According to the airlines, we had to report the damage within 24 hours of our flight. I called the airlines on Sunday morning, and they asked me to bring the bag back out to the airport. I explained that I was not able to drive back out to that side of town, where intercontinental airport is located, until the following weekend when I got my SUV back. They filled out a claim form over the phone and said they needed to take a look at the bag, but they would replace it with a brand new bag. I was a bit leery and reluctant at first, but they were true to their word. I drove out to the airport, parked in the garage, and pulled the bag behind me down to NW’s office in the baggage claim area. The agent took one look at the bag, and disappeared through a door behind the counter. A few minutes later, she returned with a brand new piece of luggage which was a perfect match for our set. She also gave me a small, matching carry-on bag, and said I could keep the damaged bag as well. She said she has a lot of leeway and that her attitude depends on how the customer acts. She gets a lot of “in-your-face” demanding customers, and she makes them follow all procedures (which can take up to 90 days to resolve). I didn’t give her any attitude or attack her, and so she was nice and generous in her resolution of the claim. I was very pleased. I had planned on having our damaged bag repaired at Houston Shoe Hospital, but I’m not sure if they will be able to replace the wheel casing. Regardless, there is hope for passengers and baggage traveling on Northwest Airlines.
Mammogram…
I had my first mammogram the day before we left for vacation. It was a routine part of my healthcare at age 40, ordered by Dr. K. I made an appointment for 11 a.m. Other, than not being allowed to wear deodorant on the morning of my appointment, I wasn’t that concerned. I filled out paperwork in the waiting area, answering questions like, “are you aware of any lumps? Any swelling? Any discharge? Any pain?” By the time I completed the paperwork, I had talked myself into having a tumor. I began to sweat. They called my name and I followed the clerk back to the dressing room. I put on a hospital gown and waited some more. They took me into an exam area and two women asked more questions and explained what they would do. They poked, prodded, arranged, and smashed the heck out of my breasts in the process of taking x-rays. After they were done, they told me to have a seat. They returned a few minutes later and this time, the older woman took charge. She said that everything was fine, that this happens all the time, but they had to take the films again. I began to sweat some more. When they were done, they left again and told me to wait. It seemed like forever, but they returned with smiles and said everything looked normal, not to worry, and that a report would be prepared and sent to my doctor, and I would also receive a copy. Whew! I couldn’t wait to get to the dressing room. I wiped myself down with baby wipes and put on my deodorant. I hurried to the car and turned the AC up to maximum. I sat holding my arms over the AC vents waiting for my deodorant to dry so I could put my jacket on.
Carousel…
We took the kids to Memorial City Mall last Friday night to ride the big carousel. It’s located in the food court area. The mall is undergoing some major renovations and adding more anchor stores to attract shoppers. We never really shop there as a family, but we decided to go there to eat and shop since we had to pick up Jerry’s pickup truck parked at the dealership near the mall. After eating, we boarded the carousel, and the kids really enjoyed the ride. We rented a push-stroller, which is really a miniature 2-seater push-car, that the kids loved. I pushed them along while they pretended to steer. The push-cars are for rent @ $5, but it was well worth it. We had room to store our packages, and the kids were entertained. We got some sandals for Rachel at Stride Rite and then headed to the men’s department for some pants/socks for Jerry. On the way out to the parking lot, we noticed that Rachel was limping a bit. When we got home, I took a look at her foot, and thought she had sprained her ankle (walking in her Barbie slip-on sandals).
Limping along…
The next morning, Rachel was still limping, but this time we noticed it affected the entire right side of her body. She was not able to walk down the stairs. She sat down and scooted down the steps. Jerry didn’t want her playing outside or in the pool, so we kept her inside and quiet for most of the day reading, coloring, playing with Barbies, and watching a movie. That evening, we went to Katy Mills to buy some new shoes for Jerry. We shop at Larry’s which is the only place we have found that sells Jerry’s size (13EEE). We put the kids in their umbrella strollers. Rachel objected, but we told her she was not allowed to walk on her leg. We ate dinner at Johnny Rockets, which is a 50’s diner. We let the kids put coins in the juke box and we listened to their selections as we ate our burgers and shakes. We went to Larry’s and browsed the aisles for shoes. Jerry found just one pair, so we bought them and decided we better leave. We stopped at Toys R Us on the way home because I promised Rachel she could look at the Barbies and show us what she wanted for her birthday. Jerry put Mitch in one cart and I put Rachel in another cart. We made it all the way to the Barbie aisle, and then Rachel started to cry and said she wanted to leave. She was making strange, raspy breathing noises and she said she had to leave now. I was worried that something serious may be wrong, something worse than a sprained ankle. She lost control of her bladder 3 times that day, which is not like Rachel at all. Her arm was also affected. She walked holding her arm in a crooked position as if it was held in a sling. We carried her upstairs and I gave her a bath. I examined her and suspected a bladder infection. We debated about whether we should call the ER or the doctor, but what were they going to do? She wasn’t bleeding and nothing was broken. Of course, I’m not a doctor (I just play one on TV) and neither is Jerry. We decided to take her to the doctor. Jerry took the day off on Monday and had her in the doctor’s office first thing that morning. They examined her and took a urine sample. The doctor said that she likely had some type of bladder or urinary tract infection. Sometimes these things manifest themselves in the outer limbs or on one side of the body and this is what was happening with Rachel’s right side. They looked at the urine sample under the microscope and saw the normal, “good” bacteria. They sent the sample to the lab for a culture and said that these things normally resolve themselves, that Rachel should drink a lot of cranberry juice, wear cotton underpants, and not take bubble baths. She doesn’t take bubble baths, and all of her underpants are made of cotton. We coaxed her into drinking lots of juice, and in a few days, she improved. It was the oddest thing, though, to see her limp that way.
A good mail day…
Some days (especially on Tuesdays) are bad mail days. We get a stack of pamphlets and junk mail, but nothing good. Other days, we get our normal magazines and bills. Yesterday was a good mail day. No junk, no bills. Instead, we got a set of pictures in the mail from Orma & Jerry and the proofs of the family portraits. They turned out really nice. I couldn’t believe the luck/skill of the photographer who caught all 17 of us smiling at once. Then, there was an envelope from the IRS. True to his word, George W. sent us an $800 check representing our advance child care tax credit. I received a report from my doctor’s office saying that my mammogram was normal with, “no breast cancer detected.” Rachel received a savings bond from Grandma Lynn/Papa John and a package with her birthday card and more presents. They sent her a Skipper doll, some stickers/tattoos, candy, peanut butter in a tube, and a box of Oreo cookie cereal (and these are the same parents who raised me and refused to allow us to buy any of that crappy sugar-coated cereal? These are the same people who are sending my kids sugar coated Oreo cookie cereal! My, times change!). Mitch got a ball and some candy too. He was interested in the stickers though.
Mowing ≠ Vacuuming!
I don’t know what got into me, but last Sunday, I decided I was going to mow the lawn for Jerry. What was I thinking? I have never pushed a lawn mower in my life, and the only time I mowed grass was while seated on a riding mower on my grandparents’ farm while I was a teen (and I got paid to do that). Anyway, I have always loved to vacuum and I imagined that mowing the grass would be a lot like vacuuming. I would make neat little sweeps of the lawn and see tidy, manicured rows as I mowed. (Ha!) As Jerry was getting his shoes on, ready to go outside, I said, “you know, I’d really like to mow the grass today. I’d like to try it, I don’t even know how to start the mower, and one of these days I may need to know how to do it.” He looked at me with total schock, as if I had 10 heads. At first I thought he’d nix the idea, after all the lawn is his territory, his baby. He takes great pride in his yard work, and spends hours making it look nice. I thought he’d object, so I started small, “I just want to mow the back yard.” He was a bit skeptical, but he got out the mower and fired it up and showed me how to release it, etc. I have watched many people mow their lawns. I notice that some people seem to have their own pattern or routine. They work up and down the rows, turning on the ends, and others seem to go around in one big circle starting on the outside. I started on the outside of the back yard and 20 minutes into my work, I realized that this was nothing at all like vacuuming the carpeting. First it was 95 degrees. Second, the grass was thick and high. Third, I was dripping sweat and my hands were slipping off the handle as I rounded the corners. It was hard to turn on the corners. But I managed to get the back yard done without killing myself. I didn’t cut my foot off or anything like that. Jerry and the kids watched me through the windows. What were they thinking? I’d fall over and die? Or cut down the rose bushes? No chance of that happening (we don’t have rose bushes). I came inside to get a glass of ice water and I think I was seeing stars there for a minute. My hands were numb from gripping the handle of the mower so tightly. I thought, “this is what it must feel like to have carpal tunnel syndrome.” Though, I’m sure it takes longer than 45 minutes to get carpal tunnel syndrome. I didn’t want to sit down, as I figured I’d never get up again, so I told Jerry how much fun I was having, that I wanted to mow the front and side yard as well. His eyes got big, “are you serious?” and I refilled my glass and took it outside. He refilled the gas tank and I started on the front yard. Although the front and side yard covers more area, I thought the back yard was far worse and much harder to cut. I don’t know why, but it seemed like I was up to my sweet a$$ in grass back there, and the front lawn was a lot easier to mow. I went up and down in neat rows, stopping to pick up and toss pine cones from the lawn to the sidewalk. All the while our neighbor Bruce was watching me. He sat in his lawn chair with his beer in hand and watched me mow the entire front lawn. What was he waiting for? He doesn’t like to miss a thing. He is the same guy who pulled up a lawn chair with a beer during our neighbor’s house fire on May 29th. I stopped midway for a drink, but finished without collapsing under Bruce’s watch. By Tuesday, my back was feeling a little sore, but other than that it was not that big of a deal. I have not volunteered to cut the grass again.
Finding a church…
Rachel and I visited a new church this Sunday. Well, not a new church, but it was our first time at Second Baptist. I have wanted to visit Second Baptist for a long time. I’ve heard Dr. Ed Young on the radio and TV, and Angie has loaned me some of his sermons on tape. The church has two locations—one on Woodway and the other is out in Katy, not far from our home. That morning, as we pulled onto the church campus, we saw several large buses and there was a big playground which caught Rachel’s eye. “Mom, look they have a bus for Mitchell!” We were greeted at the door and taken upstairs to the children’s classrooms. Rachel attended the GIGL (Growing in God’s Love) children’s worship while I attended the 9:30 service. I really enjoyed the service and visited with some of the members afterwards. Rachel seemed to have fun, too. When I picked her up, I asked her if she had fun, and she said, “Can we come back here tomorrow?” (a far cry from her response at another church, “get me out of here!”) They gave us a welcome bag filled with goodies and lots of materials to read. There is an upcoming conference presented by Tim LaHaye (the Left Behind Series) that I want to attend on August 16th. There are several classes and programs for our family. There’s even a class for Mitchell when he turns 2.
Finding the perfect gift…
I finished sewing two more dresses for Rachel this weekend. I have no idea where this interest in sewing came from, and sometimes I can’t believe it’s really me sitting at the sewing machine late into the night. I mean, really! But, I am enjoying it. And it pleases Rachel. She loves to wear dresses. I decided to save a piece of fabric from each project. One day, I will piece together a quilt using remnants from all the dresses and things I have sewn for her over the years. Her birthday is this Sunday, August 3rd. She will turn 4. I had planned on having a few little girls over for a small party for Rachel. I bought a jewelry making kit and thought they would enjoy making necklaces, getting their nails painted, and having a little girl tea party. Maybe next year. We have decided not to host a children’s birthday party this year. She had a birthday party in Michigan last month, and we don’t want to send the wrong message that she gets two parties. We may go to Splashtown or have a few friends over for cake and ice cream. Rachel has asked for a Barbie house. I have been very disappointed with the limited selection of doll houses I’ve seen. They seem (1) so small; (2) most are cheaply made of plastic; and (3) are overpriced for what you get—in the $70-$100 range. I did some online research and found just what I was looking for: a beautiful wooden dollhouse, but it was in the $400 range. Not going to happen. After more searching, I found something we all can live with. The only problem was that it is not available in stores. I had to purchase it online. I found it on amazon.com, but the shipping costs were cost-prohibitive. I looked on eBay, and found it at a great price. The shipping charges are only $35. I bought it last night. It was shipped this morning from Altoona, PA (near my old stomping grounds). Jerry will have to put it together, but that’s just part of being a dad. Really, he enjoys putting together these things with millions of tiny pieces, bolts, nuts, and screws. (grin) I think I’m more excited about this doll house than Rachel, but I’ll let you know after seeing her reaction. Here’s the link in case anyone is in need of a Barbie doll house:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2942794497.
Where’s Mitchell?
Mitchell loves to hide. He’s still at the stage where he thinks he’s invisible if he covers his eyes or closes his eyes, or if he hides his head under a pillow. Each morning when he wakes up, I walk into his room and say, “where’s Mitchell?” He giggles and covers himself up with a blanket. I lift up the cover and he will pull another blanket down over his head. Lately, he likes to squeeze his eyes tightly shut (he thinks he’s invisible) and I will say, “Mitchell, are you hiding behind your eyes?” He will laugh and squeeze his eyes even tighter. As he rides in the car, Mitch watches out the window looking for buses. He loves buses. As soon as he spots a bus, he will point and shout, “bus!” Every day when we get home, the kids follow me upstairs. While I change clothes, they make it a point to jump up and down on our bed, laughing and seeing who can jump the highest. Mitch loves to play outside and he loves to ride his bike. He runs to the door and yells, “side, side” (short for outside) and then “bike, bike, bike!” And he loves to eat. He loves Popsicles and Clifford fruit snacks, which he calls “nacks.” They are cute little snacks shaped like dog bones. If he catches a glimpse of that silver packet he rejoices. Saturday, we decided to stop at Luby’s for dinner for a quick meal. It’s a cafeteria-style restaurant where we can all order what we want. It was our first time there with the kids. They drew us in with their “kids eat free on Wednesdays and Saturdays” advertisement. We ordered spaghetti and macaroni and cheese for Rachel. She picked at her food. Not Mitch. He ate everything in sight: fish, spaghetti, okra, macaroni & cheese, corn, blue Jell-O and rolls. I thought he would lick the side of the table, but his appetite subsided before that happened. We got him out of there just before he managed to smear his Jell-O hands all over the wall at Luby’s. I’m sure they appreciated our speedy exit. Afterwards, we stopped at the new 99˘ store on highway 6. It was fun to walk up and down the aisles to see what they had, and we walked away with, what we thought were, a few bargains.
I made chicken and dumplings for dinner tonight. Which reminds me, I need to go check on it right now.
Warmly,
Megan
web site updated: http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/m/millimaki/
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