To Your Health

A lot of times when we know someone who has suffered some sort of setback (like a job loss, for instance) and we're at a loss for words to comfort them, we stick with the old standby: "Well at least you still have your health."

It doesn't sound like much. But you know what? Having your health is a big deal!

I recently spent some time with a group of older women, who shall remain nameless. I noticed we had quite a pharmacy going on the bathroom and kitchen counters. All kinds of little brown plastic bottles lined up with lord knows what. I thought to myself, "Boy I'm glad I don't have to take any drugs!" Just a daily vitamin and calcium pill for this old girl.

Of course, that could change any minute. We just don't know.

I got a phone call from my twin sister last night. Her teenage daughter had undergone some tests recently -- including a CT scan -- to pinpoint the source of sporadic stomach pains this year. Turns out she has what doctors labeled a "huge" cyst in her abdomen area, likely attached to or stemming from her ovaries. When they say huge, they're talking 12 inches wide or long or possibly just circumference. Still, that's gigantic. And it doesn't belong there. The next step will be surgery and then a test to determine if it's just your standard mass or if it's cancerous.

This is whole helluva lot to deal with as a 16-year-old! And my twin, God bless her, has just survived 2 years of worry while her son was in Iraq. Then losing a job. Now this. She is one strong woman, that's for sure. And if she doubts how this will go, she just has to revisit how the other events turned out to see how God has been working on her side. Her son came home safely from Iraq. And she is 6 weeks into a new job she really enjoys!

This is going to be a rough patch though. But she and her husband and daughter have got all of us in this big ol' family of ours beside them and praying for them.

We're also praying for ourselves. Not asking God for anything, but thanking Him. I know I don't take my health for granted. I've had enough obstacles in the past to really make me grateful for the good days today.

And the next time someone does a toast and drinks to my health, I'll appreciate it even more.

Child Safety

I was planning to post some pictures from this past weekend tonight but I thought, why not share my favorite picture of the week first?!

Sort of a serious look for a 7th-grader, but these are serious times.

Earlier this week, my great-nephew Anthony (also a 7th-grader) turned 13. What? A teen already? Carter won't be far behind. How did we get these big boys all of a sudden -- and is there a way to stop them from growing up any more?

Nope. My niece and I (and a whole lotta of other 7th-grade moms and dads I know) are in for the ride of our lives. Some of you parents of post-teenagers are probably smiling and thinking, "I hope you go through what I had to!"

I'm guessing we will. Not really any way to avoid it. And, yes, I'll admit, that scares me.

I think what scares me most is that little by little my baby is getting out there in the world and I can't protect him. I can't keep him safe. Car seats, sippy cups, hand holding... all gone. He's "out there" now, looking all serious and adult-like and facing adult-like issues and decisions.

Seventh-grade seems too young for that. But it's not. Not anymore.

Carter told me he heard of some 7th-graders at the public school who got busted for having "pot and marijuana" at school. I said, "Pot is marijuana." He said, "Oh, I didn't know that was the same thing." He shouldn't have to!

Yes, it's a scary world out there. We can't protect our kids from everything, but we can arm them with common sense and a solid base of knowing what's right and wrong.

Prayers help, too. Maybe not for them -- but for me! I sure feel more at peace when I know Someone else is watching over my baby when I can't be there. Don't you?

Fair Game

Carter learned the hard lesson in Fantasy Football this week. Some times the guys you leave on your bench are going to score a gazillion points and the ones playing might get squat. As a result, you lose to a girl!

Hey, I don't mind. I was glad to chalk up another win and I'm not too proud to gloat over beating a 12-year-old! (I should say defeating not beating. I didn't lay a hand on him.)

He insists it's not fair but that's how the game goes. He should know by now that you never know what to expect from your opponent so you just do the best you can at the moment -- whether that's making lineups for your fantasy team or defending the soccer goal. Though I wish tonight's soccer game would have gone better than this fantasy game.

We played down in Nekoosa. This is the team we tied a few weeks ago so we figured we would be somewhat evenly matched. And we were, again. For 45 minutes into the game anyway. Then they scored on our goalie. (Some kid who happens to live in this house. Dang.)

I was so proud of all his incredible saves -- one-handed grabs and diving blocks. I even heard another parent comment to him about it. He did great -- except for that one moment when he dove but it wasn't far enough and it got past him. That's all it took. The game ended with another loss for the Royals, 1-0.

This was our closest game so I wasn't sure how Carter would be on the ride home. He was upbeat, though. "We don't take it that seriously, Mom," he told me. "I mean we try to win but if we don't, we're just disappointed for a little bit and then we're fine. We don't go home and cry about it." Well, that's a relief. Then I won't bother screaming from the sidelines until I'm hoarse. (Honestly, I haven't done that. Yet.)

I had tried to bribe him into a win, too, and now I see where that got me. I said if he won, we'd pick up the new Iron Man 2 DVD on the way home. It just came out today. Either he forgot about it or didn't dare mention it. Either way, I got it since it was on sale. I'll see when I can let him in the secret. He has games on Thursday and Friday yet. I can try it again.

And, if anyone from KFC (the Kellner Fantasy Club) is reading, I can be bribed to WIN again, too. I think you know what I like!

Da Bears

I realize 99% of Wisconsin is probably watching that football game tonight. In fact, based on my history, you probably think I'm cheering for da Bears. I might be, but I must admit I had to cheer for Aaron Rodgers for the first hour... just until he scored enough points for me to beat Carter in Fantasy Football! Oh yeah, he's goin' down!

I do have da Bears on my mind for another reason. Well, a different kind of bear -- we think.

After the rains, we discovered some footprints in the sand and mud in a path between our backyard and the next-door neighbor's. The way the footprints are pointed, the animal (with a 4-inch claw or so!) was headed from their backyard to ours!

What do you think it is? I took pictures of 2 of the paw prints that seemed the most visible (though I admit they don't seem as clear on camera).

I am not an outdoors-woman so I am not 100% sure, but they do remind me of those "bear claws" they make in the bakery! Trust me, I'd rather have that glazed treat than meet this guy out by the fire pit!

The good news is it -- whatever it is -- might scare the squirrels away.

But then what would my hubby Jethro do? That poor Red Ryder BB gun would just collect dust in the corner. Along with a few other things.

Wild Weekend

I would say that comparatively speaking, we women were not nearly as wild as the weather this weekend! Or I should say the result of the weather...

That rain dropped anywhere from 5-10 inches in a path that I drove through Thursday -- basically central and southern Minnesota and central Wisconsin. As a result, the river waters were rising everywhere from the Mississippi right in our cottage's front yard to the Wisconsin River near home and the Bloody Run Creek in my own back yard. Scary stuff.

Of course, you've seen all the news coverage. On my way home today I did make a few pit stops to take some pictures (I'll post later) but the water levels had dropped significantly from where they were at on Friday and Saturday. I saw plenty of images from others, though, and cannot believe how much water was everywhere!

Over at our "sister retreat" we had rain all day Thursday, high winds (and white caps on the waves on Lake Pepin) on Friday, then sunny and cool on Saturday, and simply gorgeous today on our drives home.

The weather did not deter us from any activities (except a boat ride). We managed to eat and shop and eat and tour a toy factory and eat and play games and take walks and eat some more. Mostly, we laughed, though. I think my stomach still hurts from laughing so hard and so much. But that's a good pain!

Had a great time with my sisters and, as a bonus, our brother surprised us and joined us for supper Saturday night. He came back to our place -- Park Place on Pepin -- for a little while after dinner. Played some games and laughed and talked. Now I don't know if he is really grateful not to be part of sister weekend or if he misses it. It was a loud, crazy hen house and I'll be the first to admit it!

Took some fun pictures and nice ones, too, of the of the "girls" and of the area. I'll have to post later this week when I get time. Now I gotta tuck my baby in and enjoy some hot-tub time before the frost hits tonight. (Yes, my blanket is already on!)

It's good to be home!

Rain, Rain, Go Away...

It has been raining for about 12 hours straight now -- and I need it to keep on moving through! My bags are almost packed and I am hitting the road shortly for Wild Women's Weekend XII!

This year, my 6 sisters and I will be staying in Lake City, Minn., on the shores of Lake Pepin. It's a beautiful area -- when it's not raining! There are pretty bluffs and fall colors to see, too -- when it's not raining! We have planned to take a boat tour around the lake to see the beautiful scenery and maybe an eagle or two -- if it's not raining!

Today is our "travel day" so it is fine for now, but it would be nice to have a little sunshine on Friday and Saturday. I'd take cloudy and warm at this point, too! Oh well, we always have fun no matter what we're doing so I shouldn't let the weather dampen my spirits (just my clothes).

My first stop today actually will be on the way. I am visiting an old friend of mine from Luther Point Bible Camp. Julie and I were counselors the summers of 1987 and 1988. I said old, didn't I? Anyway, she lives in Mondovi -- a town I would never just happen to be in or near. So this one time, since I am going through, we're getting together. It will be an awesome way to kick off a girls' weekend!

Better go finish packing... Diet Coke - check... extra jacket - check... camera - check... red licorice - you bet! I'm outta here!

Season Finale

As far as last days of Summer go, today was pretty darn good.

Since the Minnesota Twins clinched the Central Division title last night, I thought I'd be nice and bring TWIN-kies to work today as a treat. I was especially generous and put one on the chairs of each of those White Sox fans, too. Wasn't that nice? I'm sure they appreciated the gesture!

Oh how a pass to the playoffs -- plus a little evil payback -- can make a day! Seriously, I was in a good mood all day... even when the email system shut down... even when all the systems were running slow and I had a ton to do to get out of there for 4 days... yes, even then I was in a good mood! Thank you, Twins.

Then, of course we had to stop at King Cone on the way home. It is closing for the season on Sunday so this was my last chance to get there. (If hubby goes tomorrow or Friday without me, it would be wise to keep it a secret!) Anyway, had some yummy Peanut Butter Elephant Tracks ice cream and I am still full 5 hours later!

Now that's a great season finale! So long, Summer... It's been awesome!