Cop

I won't cop any lame story. I've been lazy and busy all at once. (why not lasy and busy or lazy and buzy--anywhoooo)
I've got to do some catching up...

Late-March
We returned to San Rafael after being in Maryland helping my parents for 2 1/2 months. My father is recovering nicely and my mother now has him washing the dishes since he can no longer mow the lawn.
Garth and I reconnect. [insert lame 70's porno music here] Absence does make the heart grow fonder. Actually, I think that the toxic build up of annoying things that we do to each other subsided and we become more forgiving (or forgetful) and get along like we were dating.
The boys get back into their routines--gymnastics, pre-K, day care, otter pops, playdates, Tivo'd children's shows, "mine!" "Mine!" "MINE!!!"
A week after our return, my father is rushed to the hospital in the early morning. He is experiencing shortness of breath and generally feeling lousy. He stays overnight and is discharged with some new meds. A few days later he gets a stomach flu and loses more weight. He is better after 3-4 days but weak. Well, not so weak that he can't drive....

April
I contact my plastic surgeon regarding my lovely umbilical hernia and diastasis recti. Yeah, as it turns out-THAT is why 2 years after having my last child, I continue to look like I am 5 months pregnant. We schedule my surgery (did I mention the BOOB-JOB, too!!!!) and the pre-op stuff begins.
I have my surgery and WOW!!! What a difference. As it turns out, I had to have a complete abdominal reconstruction because my abdomen was so screwed up. I now have a new belly button, mesh installed in my abdominal cavity ("This is one of the worst cases, Paisley. My doctor is Italian so use the accent when you imagine him speaking. It is like, Peez-leeh. You only have intestine here, then thin bit of tissue and some skin. You are very lucky not to rupture your abdomen.) and my old tummy back. The mermaid tattoo did suffer a bit of damage..
And the BOOBS....yes, you are wondering about them, no?!
I did get silicone implants. Nothing big. I believe he (Dr, D'Amore-no, I'm not KIDDING, his name is D'Amore!!!) refers to them as a "sporty look." For those of you who like numbers they are 225cc's..or small B's...I just like to call them "sporty" and man, they are perky little ladies, lemme tell you.....
My father continues to improve. Now he and my mother are starting to bicker about each other, so things are pretty much back to normal...

May
Well, May just started and the weather is a bit cool for my tastes. I am thinking about returning to work but as a professional organizer instead of a therapist. They can charge about the same hourly rate and I don't have to worry about all the ucky stuff that I have to deal with as a therapist. I'm going to keep my license current, so I can go back to counseling or do it on the side. For now, with the kids and Garth working so much-this just looks like a good fit for us.
Can you believe that the median (yeah, median--not average) price for a home in MaCo is $800,000. WTF?!?!
My oldest has a birthday on the 17th. He will be 5. Can you even believe it?! FIVE!!! As my brother said, "He now fills up a whole hand."

dPod

At least that is what we have decided to call it.
My father had a defibrillator installed on his heart today. We decided that dPod sounds a lot cooler and lest dramatic.
So, it looks like our stay in Maryland may be coming to a close. The doctors are speculating that my father can leave hospital tomorrow or Saturday.
I can't wait to get home
to my husband's lovin' arms...
I will miss the Mac and cheese though.....

Cleanse

Can I just tell you that there really is something about food that is prepared by old African-Americans?
I swear, I feel such a rush when Mrs. Eley brings over one of those huge aluminium foil pans full of home made macaroni and cheese. There is just something about the grease. Yum!!
That and the cornbread. My boys are now asking my parents' friends at the door if they've got any cornbread with them. They want to eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
So do I
I keep telling myself that I will do a "Cleanse" when I get back home to clean me out from all of this food...

Church

There are some fairly entertaining aspects to being back home in Cheverly, MD.
There is church. Like ast week when the Gospel-aires performed (is that the right word?) Yeah, they had a drummer and a guy on electric keyboards (sounding like a bass) I mean, the music was always my favorite part of going to church, but sometimes they just made me giggle. Like when the minister did his pitch for Obama.
Yah
church

Long

Sheesh!
Has it really been that long-- November!
Well, I guess it is time for me to get back in there and blog.
So much has happened. I'm not sure if I want to re-cap or just start where I am at.
Haile, Satchel and I are in Maryland. My father had a heart attack on Jan 16th and we've been here since Jan 18th. He has a few terrible infections in his blood that make him highly contagious and very sick. He got out of the ICU about a week ago and is now in what they call the Telemetry Unit recovering. He is still really sick, and progress is slow, but at least it is progress.
Meanwhile, the boys and I are in Maryland. Remembering all of the reasons why I left Maryland. Like when it rains ice. Like it did last night and this morning. Haile is thrilled to find icles all over the place. I'm not so thrilled.

Denzel

I know, never say never-right?!
For F&^*%'s Sake, I had one of the strangest experiences of my life over the Turkey Holiday.
So my mom was nice enough to watch the boys so that me and my man (Did you see the season finale of "Curb Your Enthusiasm" How funny was that?!) could go to a movie. We saw "American Gangster" Good movie-a little long in the middle, but overall really good. Good solid acting, good script, good movie.
So, as we are sitting in our seats waiting for the film to start I notice something very strange and a little unsettling about the audience. There was not a single African-American person in the audience other than me. Is that crazy or what?! I don't think that I have EVER been to a Denzel Washington movie and been the ONLY BLACK PERSON IN THE AUDIENCE!!!
Then-at the end of the movie the Public Enemy song starts to play and they FREAKIN' TURN IT DOWN!!!!
I mean-
WTF
really-
WTF!

After that I was like, "Baby, we have GOT to move on up outta here." "These people are CRAZY."

Visit

I am 6 days into my parents' 13 day visit. I am feeling optimistic that I can make it without having to be hospitalized. However, I may be needing some rather strong sedatives sometime later in the week.
Happy Turkey Day!