My scans came back clear. I am still cancer-free! I have decided to take my blog down, as I no longer have the time to commit to it. If you need to copy some of the other blog links on the sidebar, please do so soon.
Thanks for all your support!
Love,
Michele
Monday, October 4, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Saturday, June 12, 2010
It Could Be Worse...
I am not a Supermom. I am just a girl trying to juggle 1 marriage, 2 kids and 3 jobs. I do not stack up to June Cleaver. Most of the time, Scott accepts that. But occasionally when he comes home and I'm sitting in front of the TV, watching a "Snapped" marathon on the Oxygen Network, with laundry and dishes piled up everywhere, he might make a comment about how I spend my time.
No, I will never have the parenting abilities of Michelle Duggar.
But there is one mom I always beat out in the parenting competition.
And I'm not afraid to use her to make me look better.
The conversation typically goes something like this:
Scott: "Wow, this house is really a mess"
Me: HEY, IT COULD BE WORSE! I COULD BE LAYING ON THE COUCH SMOKING CRACK!
See?
It always works.
Forget to pick up the kids? Didn't send lunch money? Neglected to return the field trip permission slip?
It could be worse!
Now, I don't want to offend anyone. If you are a mom that often finds yourself laying on the couch smoking crack...well, I'm sure there is a mom out there who does much worse.
But for me, I will always fall somewhere between June Cleaver and the mom on the couch engaging in illegal activities.
The way I see it, as long as I'm not starring in the next episode of "Snapped", I must be doing something right.
No, I will never have the parenting abilities of Michelle Duggar.
But there is one mom I always beat out in the parenting competition.
And I'm not afraid to use her to make me look better.
The conversation typically goes something like this:
Scott: "Wow, this house is really a mess"
Me: HEY, IT COULD BE WORSE! I COULD BE LAYING ON THE COUCH SMOKING CRACK!
See?
It always works.
Forget to pick up the kids? Didn't send lunch money? Neglected to return the field trip permission slip?
It could be worse!
Now, I don't want to offend anyone. If you are a mom that often finds yourself laying on the couch smoking crack...well, I'm sure there is a mom out there who does much worse.
But for me, I will always fall somewhere between June Cleaver and the mom on the couch engaging in illegal activities.
The way I see it, as long as I'm not starring in the next episode of "Snapped", I must be doing something right.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
I'd Like To Buy a Vowel...
In the fall of 2003, I began providing pediatric speech therapy in homes. My first assigned child had working parents so I would arrive once a week at 6:15 pm. It was a great home but I was always surprised that the television was left on during my time with the child. It was always tuned to the same station, which meant I listened to Wheel of Fortune for half of my session. It was not easy to try and elicit words from a child with "I'd like to buy a vowel" in the background. I was easily distracted by it and found myself trying to solve the puzzles. Turning my back to the tv did not help, as I was too tempted to turn around, so I positioned myself to watch at an angle.
I soon discovered that the majority of homes I visited had the tv on while I was present. Because I visited each home at the same time every week, I soon realized I had my own little television program guide at each house. Each week I listened to episodes of ER, Unsolved Mysteries, Little House on the Prairie and lots of soap operas. I quickly realized I could watch just 1 episode a week of Young and the Restless and still follow the storyline. One house I went to had closed captioning and it was so hard not to read that screen! I couldn't resist! I've also watched plenty of game shows, especially The Price is Right and my favorite, $100,000 Pyramid. I've watched countless episodes of Heartland News at Noon and seen more recipes from Mr. Food than I care to count.
I remember the day the Catholic Church was about to reveal the new pope. I went from home to home, watching it, and hoping to see the announcement. After 3 visits, I finally got to see it. I also remember what home I was sitting in when I watched the Columbine shootings.
Of course, there were plenty of homes with cartoons on the tv. Once I was forced to use the cartoon as a way to elicit words from a child in a home with no toys.
I've watched HBO, E!, BET, VH1 and MTV. I've watched enough Lifetime movies to know that when Patty Duke shows up, there's always crying and screaming. Over the years, I have tried to teach myself to tune it all out. But this week, I found myself completely unable to tune out what's on. Comedy Central was showing Loni Love's Standup Comedy. I found myself trying to do therapy between Loni's voice and all the "beeps" that censor out what you obviously know she is saying. Luckily I was in a home that I have been visiting for 6 years so I felt fairly comfortable laughing hysterically at Loni's humor.
Is it wrong to listen to the tv when I'm working with a child? Maybe. Is it wrong to laugh at Loni's jokes? Probably. I would have been better off watching Patty throw a tantrum than listening to Loni trash talk the President.
But nothing beats buying a vowel from Vanna.
I soon discovered that the majority of homes I visited had the tv on while I was present. Because I visited each home at the same time every week, I soon realized I had my own little television program guide at each house. Each week I listened to episodes of ER, Unsolved Mysteries, Little House on the Prairie and lots of soap operas. I quickly realized I could watch just 1 episode a week of Young and the Restless and still follow the storyline. One house I went to had closed captioning and it was so hard not to read that screen! I couldn't resist! I've also watched plenty of game shows, especially The Price is Right and my favorite, $100,000 Pyramid. I've watched countless episodes of Heartland News at Noon and seen more recipes from Mr. Food than I care to count.
I remember the day the Catholic Church was about to reveal the new pope. I went from home to home, watching it, and hoping to see the announcement. After 3 visits, I finally got to see it. I also remember what home I was sitting in when I watched the Columbine shootings.
Of course, there were plenty of homes with cartoons on the tv. Once I was forced to use the cartoon as a way to elicit words from a child in a home with no toys.
I've watched HBO, E!, BET, VH1 and MTV. I've watched enough Lifetime movies to know that when Patty Duke shows up, there's always crying and screaming. Over the years, I have tried to teach myself to tune it all out. But this week, I found myself completely unable to tune out what's on. Comedy Central was showing Loni Love's Standup Comedy. I found myself trying to do therapy between Loni's voice and all the "beeps" that censor out what you obviously know she is saying. Luckily I was in a home that I have been visiting for 6 years so I felt fairly comfortable laughing hysterically at Loni's humor.
Is it wrong to listen to the tv when I'm working with a child? Maybe. Is it wrong to laugh at Loni's jokes? Probably. I would have been better off watching Patty throw a tantrum than listening to Loni trash talk the President.
But nothing beats buying a vowel from Vanna.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Lenton promises...
My friend Amy F. made a Lenten promise to stop drinking soda. Days after this promise was made, she gave in and bought a 44 oz soda at the gas station, placed it in her van's cupholder, turned a corner and the entire soda spilled out. I laughed and laughed at the irony. My Lenten promise was to give up ugly words. I don't need to give up soda since I only allow myself one a week anyway. I don't need to give up fast food b/c I hate fast food...with the exception of 1 "junk" food I can't live without...Casey's pizza. If you have not had Casey's pizza, you have not had pizza. Unfortunately, the stars have to align in order to get a slice b/c 2 things have to happen- you have to be near a Casey's gas station during regular lunch hours. Tuesday, the stars aligned quite nicely and I bought a slice of pizza and a 32 oz soda. As I am unlocking my car, the lid pops off the cup, soda spills on my shirt and I dropped my pizza on the ground. My Lenten vow to eliminate ugly words was immediately broken. Luckily, Casey's pizza comes in a nice little plastic triangular shaped sleeve, so just a smidgen of my pizza touched the ground and I was definitely going for the 5 sec rule. The spot on my shirt was the size of a half dollar but within 10 min, it had morphed into the size of a...well, personal pan pizza. Five miles down the road I dropped a piece of sausage on my shirt so I once again broke my Lenton vow to eliminate ugly words. By the time I reached my destination, my shirt had a large brown circle with bits of red sauce stuck right in the middle.
Is there a point to my story? Not really. But is is worth noting that spilling your soda can be the result of a broken Lenten vow or it may actually cause you to break your vow.
Next year, I'm giving up lunch behind the wheel.
Michele
Is there a point to my story? Not really. But is is worth noting that spilling your soda can be the result of a broken Lenten vow or it may actually cause you to break your vow.
Next year, I'm giving up lunch behind the wheel.
Michele
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Go
Happy 15th Anniversary to Us!
February 25th, 1995, we married at St. Vincent's Church, had the greatest party ever at the KC Hall in Jackson and then headed off to our honeymoon.
When we arrived, we opened a gift from my mother in law. It was the Dr. Seuss book, "Oh, The Places You'll Go!"
We had big dreams about all the places we would Go. We dreamed of traveling all over the country.
And we have.
We've been able to Go most directions, South, East and even West. We even had the chance to Go to Aruba a few years back.
We have been able to Go to many of the places we dreamed about.
And we've been to lots of places we never dreamed we would Go.
We never dreamed we would find ourselves Going to the hospital a month early to have a baby and getting there just in time to save her life. We didn't know that we would then Go to numerous doctors and other medical professionals a few years later to figure out what was wrong with her.
We never knew we would Go to the nursing home to face a grandmother who no longer recognized us.
We certainly never dreamed we would Go to the oncologist to see how we would fight cancer.
We surely never thought we would Go to the funeral of my sister's newborn son.
But the great thing about our marriage is that we Go together, hand in hand, to face what lies before us. The good and the bad.
It's a good thing Dr. Seuss didn't specify exactly where we would Go. We might have decided to just toss the marriage certificate and Go our separate ways.
Instead, we stayed together through all of the surprising places we would Go. And we will most likely continue Going places we never dreamed of Going. Both good and bad.
Hand in Hand. Together.
Scott, I love you and hope we have many years ahead of us.
Love,
Michele
February 25th, 1995, we married at St. Vincent's Church, had the greatest party ever at the KC Hall in Jackson and then headed off to our honeymoon.When we arrived, we opened a gift from my mother in law. It was the Dr. Seuss book, "Oh, The Places You'll Go!"
We had big dreams about all the places we would Go. We dreamed of traveling all over the country.
And we have.
We've been able to Go most directions, South, East and even West. We even had the chance to Go to Aruba a few years back.
We have been able to Go to many of the places we dreamed about.
And we've been to lots of places we never dreamed we would Go.
We never dreamed we would find ourselves Going to the hospital a month early to have a baby and getting there just in time to save her life. We didn't know that we would then Go to numerous doctors and other medical professionals a few years later to figure out what was wrong with her.
We never knew we would Go to the nursing home to face a grandmother who no longer recognized us.
We certainly never dreamed we would Go to the oncologist to see how we would fight cancer.
We surely never thought we would Go to the funeral of my sister's newborn son.
But the great thing about our marriage is that we Go together, hand in hand, to face what lies before us. The good and the bad.
It's a good thing Dr. Seuss didn't specify exactly where we would Go. We might have decided to just toss the marriage certificate and Go our separate ways.
Instead, we stayed together through all of the surprising places we would Go. And we will most likely continue Going places we never dreamed of Going. Both good and bad.
Hand in Hand. Together.
Scott, I love you and hope we have many years ahead of us.
Love,
Michele
Friday, January 22, 2010
Bringin' Home the Bacon...
I've been providing in-home speech therapy for about 6 years. I often purchase or donate items for the families I work with. But in some cases, I end up leaving with items that have been given to me. Scott is no longer surprised to see what I am carrying when I walk through the door at the end of the day. Of course, I am often given treats while I'm there. Sometimes cookies... a piece of cake now and then...today I had some monkey bread made from biscuit dough. Once a week or so, I purchase fresh eggs from one family. They have tried to turn me on to raw milk and homemade butter...but I hesitate. Several years ago, I stepped in a large pile of dog poo at a home and when I arrived at the next home, I left my shoes on the doorstep. The Mom felt so sorry for me, she gave me a pair of shoes to wear home. I've been given clothes that were no longer wanted, picture frames, gloves, candles, air fresheners, books, toys...the list goes on and on. Scott has banned me from bringing home any more live animals...I have brought home cats, puppies and even a turtle.
This week I received a skillet. What dialogue led up to me leaving with a skillet? I had offered to make a dog bed for my friend B., who has a child that I provide services for. I recently got a sewing machine (that's another blog post coming soon). I am trying to practice my stitches so I thought I could easily sew a dog bed for her 2lb dog named Peanut. B. offered to pay me but I refused to accept so she comes out of the kitchen carrying a gigantic skillet, complete with glass lid. B. does not keep anything in her home that is not required for survival so she wanted me to have this skillet since she has 2 of them. So I bartered a dog bed for a skillet. Scott was thrilled! He loves skillets. I think it makes him feel like a real man to have a big skillet.
I have learned over the years to accept these gifts graciously. When someone comes to your home every week for 3 years to play with your kid, saying Thank You is not always enough. What's more important is giving someone a skillet to fry up the bacon they bring home.
And that's all the thanks I need.
This week I received a skillet. What dialogue led up to me leaving with a skillet? I had offered to make a dog bed for my friend B., who has a child that I provide services for. I recently got a sewing machine (that's another blog post coming soon). I am trying to practice my stitches so I thought I could easily sew a dog bed for her 2lb dog named Peanut. B. offered to pay me but I refused to accept so she comes out of the kitchen carrying a gigantic skillet, complete with glass lid. B. does not keep anything in her home that is not required for survival so she wanted me to have this skillet since she has 2 of them. So I bartered a dog bed for a skillet. Scott was thrilled! He loves skillets. I think it makes him feel like a real man to have a big skillet.
I have learned over the years to accept these gifts graciously. When someone comes to your home every week for 3 years to play with your kid, saying Thank You is not always enough. What's more important is giving someone a skillet to fry up the bacon they bring home.
And that's all the thanks I need.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Quick Post
Congratulations to my friend Holly L. who had the best caption for our vacation picture! Holly, I loved it and your gift card will be on it's way soon.
I am still cancer-free! Scott and I saw Dr. G last week and things still look great! We did have a little communication block for a moment. Dr. G asked, in her accented speech, "how is your memory" and when I looked over at Scott and said "Why don't you tell her", I got a deer in the headlights look from him. Apparently, he thought she said "How are your mammories" and he thought I wanted him to tell her what he thought of my boobs. Otherwise, it was a great visit. Dr. G did say she wants me to see the neurologist again for my continued memory loss. I told her I would never return to the jerk I saw before, whose identity shall remain unknown but whose name is synonomous with the color of darkness. If you remember, Dr. Darkness told me I couldn't remember anything b/c I had too much anxiety and I kid you not, he said Take 2 pills a day and call me in 6 months. I knew I wouldn't like him as soon as I walked in the room. I do not like old doctors. And when I say old, I mean old enough to date my great-grandma.
I continue to have very poor balance due to the neuropathy in my feet. I set a record last week for the most injuries sustained in the shortest amount of time. Tuesday, I fell on the gravel and to quote SpongeBob, "I ripped my pants!", along with the skin off my knee. Friday, I made the mistake of trying to catch myself while falling and ended up with a very bad sprained ankle. I would have been better off if I had fallen, then the knees in my pants would have matched, hole for hole. Instead, I will be limping around for a few weeks.
So that's all for now. Keep in touch!
Michele
I am still cancer-free! Scott and I saw Dr. G last week and things still look great! We did have a little communication block for a moment. Dr. G asked, in her accented speech, "how is your memory" and when I looked over at Scott and said "Why don't you tell her", I got a deer in the headlights look from him. Apparently, he thought she said "How are your mammories" and he thought I wanted him to tell her what he thought of my boobs. Otherwise, it was a great visit. Dr. G did say she wants me to see the neurologist again for my continued memory loss. I told her I would never return to the jerk I saw before, whose identity shall remain unknown but whose name is synonomous with the color of darkness. If you remember, Dr. Darkness told me I couldn't remember anything b/c I had too much anxiety and I kid you not, he said Take 2 pills a day and call me in 6 months. I knew I wouldn't like him as soon as I walked in the room. I do not like old doctors. And when I say old, I mean old enough to date my great-grandma.
I continue to have very poor balance due to the neuropathy in my feet. I set a record last week for the most injuries sustained in the shortest amount of time. Tuesday, I fell on the gravel and to quote SpongeBob, "I ripped my pants!", along with the skin off my knee. Friday, I made the mistake of trying to catch myself while falling and ended up with a very bad sprained ankle. I would have been better off if I had fallen, then the knees in my pants would have matched, hole for hole. Instead, I will be limping around for a few weeks.
So that's all for now. Keep in touch!
Michele
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Love, Honor and Cherish
Tonight I told the girls to sit on the couch b/c I had a surprise for them. I went to the basement and brought up a box that hadn't been opened for nearly 15 years.
The box contained my wedding dress. I sent it to the cleaners after the wedding and they cleaned it and sealed it up in a box.
So I took the dress out of the box tonight and let the girls see it...
They even tried it on...
Why would I choose to open it now?
The box contained my wedding dress. I sent it to the cleaners after the wedding and they cleaned it and sealed it up in a box.
So I took the dress out of the box tonight and let the girls see it...
They even tried it on...
Why would I choose to open it now?Because I am donating it to a very special cause. The Mary Madeline project will use my dress to make outfits for the tiniest of babies that are born in hospitals across the country. The outfits are donated to hospitals and given to parents when their baby is born too tiny. This offers them a chance to have pictures taken in a beautiful outfit that actually fits their baby. I am donating the dress in honor of my nephew Declan who was born weighing just over a pound. Declan's name will appear in a card attached to each outfit. Some of the cards will also feature the name Kamryn Olivia, in honor of my friend's baby who was born too tiny.
When I first opened the box tonight, I whispered to Scott that I didn't think I could do it. But as I looked at the dress, I realized just how many outfits could be made from it. I am sure this is what I want to do.
When I first opened the box tonight, I whispered to Scott that I didn't think I could do it. But as I looked at the dress, I realized just how many outfits could be made from it. I am sure this is what I want to do.
I am so grateful I can put my dress to good use. I felt so helpless when Declan was born. All I could do was stand back and pray. Now I will know that the dress I wore on the day I vowed to love, honor and cherish will help other parents love, honor and cherish the memories of their tiny babies.
God Bless.
Love,
Michele
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