April 22, 2008
Jump Rope for Heart - Part II
Yes, my dear readers, it's that time again. Meelie is jumping (pardon the pun) at the start to participate in such a worthy cause. Last year, her goal was $500, and with the help of family, friends and all of our generous readers, she was able to reach that goal, and then some, with a total donation amount of $750. This year, she is striving to reach a goal of $1,000.
Once again, she is doing it in honor of her Papa.
My father had his heart attack in 1992. Over the years, he's been hospitalized several times, had quintuple bypass surgery, an ICD, and has been diagnosed with congestive heart failure. Without all of the knowledge gained from the help of the American Heart Association, my father would not be here with us today. He truly is our "Angel."
Why it's important:
- Heart disease is the No. 1 killer; stroke is the No. 3 killer and a leading cause of serious disability.Congenital cardiovascular defects are the most common cause of infant death from birth defects.
- Cardiovascular disease ranks as the No. 2 cause of death for children under age 15.
- Overweight and diabetes are increasing at an alarming rate among our nation's youth.
Won't you help Meelie in her fight against heart disease? Click here to make your donation. It will only take a second of your time.
Anything will help. Let's make this year our best fund raising event ever.
Posted by Moogie at 5:17 PM | Comments (4)
April 10, 2008
And the Mazda Goes Hmmmm
I'm sitting here in my garage, keeping my husband company while he is putting a new radiator in the truck. I wish I could say things were going smoothly, but that would probably be considered a bold face lie a slight untruth.
Him: We haven't had any certified disasters yet! I am reminded of Tim the Tool Man.
Pray with me people!
My husband? He is quite the mechanically inclined type. Me? Not so much. He is trying to remove the old radiator, which I gather is somewhat difficult if his language casts any light on the subject. Something about having to remove the doohickey from the watchamacallit before you can take it out.
Moving right along...
There is nothing like showing your husband how much you love him by standing there listening to him explain all of the engine parts, and acting like you are interested and understand what the heck he is talking about. Oh look a shiny penny! Thump!
Can I be completely honest with you? I know Jack Squat (he's a good man, even if he does have an IQ of 4) about cars and what makes them run (can I have an AMEN?!). I climb in the car, put the key in the ignition, and start her right up! Vroooom! I know how to check the oil and other fluids, make sure the tire pressure is correct and yes people, I put gas in my own car (thank you very much please). Aside from the gas, my husband performs all of the other maintenance on my car and I'm quite happy to let him do so.
I know my limits people.
Currently, our neighbor Charlie and my husband are standing around, scratching themselves, pounding on their chests, swilling beer, belching and generally doing manly car type things while looking at the engine. I was tempted to offer them some chew.
Charlie: This thing is really starting to piss me off.
Husband: You and me brother! For the record, Charlie is not a blood relative, but they may as well be, all scratching aside.
To summarize (finally, the crowd roars!), the "if you know what you are doing it will only take 45 minutes" turned into 3 1/2 hours of pissing, moaning, and finally elation over a hard earned success. When we were getting ready for bed later that night, he casually mentioned, "I have to replace the thermostat."
Me: Blank look.
Him: I have to put in a new thingamabob so the collection of spare parts flying in loose formation don't go into melt down mode.
Ah, I see. Now it's perfectly clear.
Posted by Moogie at 9:22 PM | Comments (6) | TrackBack
April 1, 2008
Slicker than snake snot
As many of you know, Chickie will be entering High School next year. Let's have a moment of silence while I go find some tissue, ok?
The registration process was flawless. I pictured long lines and oh, I don't know? Perhaps many Pepcid AC moments. We were in and out of there within 30 minutes. Good stuff. When we got there, we walked up to a table and gave the name of Chickie's (present) home room teacher. At that time, we were given a room number to go to (let me back up to say that we all had "appointment times"). We were taken to the designated room by a current student, and when we got there, we immediately met with the counsellor and got down to business. There were a few minor corrections we had to make to the schedule she chose (in the area of her alternate choices) but that was it. We won't find out what classes she actually got until a few days before school starts when they hold open house.
I would love to tell you that I am ok with all of this. Which I am, sort of. I'm excited for her because she is starting yet another chapter in her life. At the same time, I am wrestling with sadness for the child she no longer is. What happened to the babe I held and nourished at my breast? I could go on here but I fear the post would resemble a novel. It only seemed like yesterday that she was my baby. That she needed me for everything. That she listened to me without talking back. That she was dependent on me for everything.
What happened? She has grown up (is growing up). All that her father and I have worked hard to instil in her? It is coming to fruition. I am so delighted to watch her during this phase of life but at the same time, heart broken that she no longer needs me the way she used to. Don't get me wrong, she still needs me, but it's all on her terms. I've learned to sit back (mostly) and let her come to me when she needs it.
If you could have seen her tonight you would have smiled. She was ecstatic to register for High School. She was scared out of her mind. She is looking forward to it, but at the same time, uncertain of how it will all turn out. So am I. But I do a lot of praying. I try to keep in mind all that her father and I have taught her, and I hope that some of it sticks. Time will tell.
I am scared. I am sad. I am excited.
My baby girl? She is growing up.
Posted by Moogie at 8:33 PM | Comments (3)
