Saturday, May 27, 2017

Cobwebby Thankfuls

Oh, my goodness, have I neglected my blog! There are cobwebs everywhere, and the dust is thick enough to write your name in it. 

I've missed writing, and even more, I've missed my bloggy friends, but as much as I've missed it, the words just wouldn't flow. I used to try. I'd get my laptop out, turn it on, and maybe even try to write a paragraph or two before giving up. I progressed (or maybe "digressed" is the better word) to setting the computer in my lap but not turning it on until I finally didn't even pretend anymore and didn't even pick it up.

I've got a list of excuses as long as my arm. My mom was my biggest blog fan, and when she passed away last July, a little of my desire to write went with her. I began a second job this fall, working a couple of afternoons a week in a photo studio, and that, coupled with helping with photo shoots, has taken up a lot of previous down-time. It was Emma's senior year in high school, so not only were we busy with all of her activities, including Senior Nights for several of them, I was also on the executive board for Project Graduation (for potentially 500 graduates). I still haven't gotten over that whole fiasco of a presidential election, either, and that's all I'll say about that. Then in March, we were all stunned by the death of one of my daughter's friends in a freak accident. Spencer was the best kid ever, a friend to all and never without a smile on his face. I've known him since he and Emma was babies together in a club for stay-at-home moms, the club where I met his mom, who is one of my favorite people (she was an important part of my Ta Ta to the Ta Ta's Party five years ago). My heart has hurt so for my friend and her husband and daughter, and also for my daughter and her friends, who are too young to have to deal with something so terrible. I've tried to write about it, but the words wouldn't come, because I can't process it all myself. And my reason for starting my blog five years ago is in the rearview mirror now (more later on that), and I didn't know if I had anything else to say.

At this point, I had to decide if I was a blogger or a former blogger.

I'm going to go with blogger. 

And I'm also going to jump back in with the Ten Things of Thankful and include some things I should have written about AGES ago . Here goes:

1. My dad had knee replacement surgery on April 19 at the age of 82. Three days later, he was dismissed from the hospital and went to a rehab facility. He was there for only three weeks before he was released to go home, but boy, was he ready!



2. While my dad was at the rehab facility, torrential rains caused the lake to get dangerously high at the lake house, and weather reports said it could be worse than the flood of 2015 (which made its way into the basement of the house as my daughter and I watched, then we skidaddled). My husband and I went down there and sandbagged and moved what we could to higher ground (meaning higher than the floor, but it was the best we could do). We stayed there until the police began telling people to evacuate, and we told the house goodbye and left. Several neighbors and friends kept me informed on the lake level, and a few days later, the water level started going down.

3. Now, while we were all worrying about the lake house flooding, what we didn't know until the day I took my dad back home was that the basement of THAT house had quietly become a wading pool and then emptied itself. The water was probably not more than a few inches deep, although we can't be completely sure about that, but the bad news is many, many, MANY items were stored in cardboard boxes that were on the basement floor. A lot of books and Christmas decorations and more were ruined, but in all honesty, it was stuff that had seen better days and needed to go anyway. 

4. My dad had his surgery and rehab here in Joplin, and it allowed me to see him every day for the three and a half weeks that he was there. I have not seen my dad every single day for that long since I was in high school, and I loved getting the chance to visit with him daily.

5. The College Boy graduated from Missouri State University in the Honors College Magna Cum Laude with Distinction with a B.S. in Cell and Molecular Biology and minors in Chemistry and Psychology.  He's going to need a name change, for he is going to medical school in August! (Suggestions for a new moniker for him are welcome.) He will be attending the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, located in Oklahoma City. He started preparing for this in middle school, and all of his work has paid off.

6. There was a tornado warning just as we were arriving at the arena where graduation was held. I dropped the College Boy off, parked the car, and walked the two blocks to the venue, sirens blaring the entire time. Emma was with me and was freaking out (and that's putting it mildly), even though I checked the radar and knew the storm was north of us and moving east, and we were in no danger.

In case you haven't ever heard tornado sirens, here's a small sample of them:



The ceremony was delayed for about fifteen minutes or so, as they hustled the graduates into a safe room in another building as they arrived while all their families sat in the arena. Had a tornado come through, those of us in the arena would have been sitting ducks. The jazz band played and played and played during the tornado delay, but at least it wasn't "Nearer My God To Thee."

7. Emma graduated from high school Summa Cum Laude two days after the College Boy's ceremony. I did not cry (although my eyes almost got leaky when she was singing the with her choir - those damn songs get me every time!). She is SO ready to move on!



8. We held Project Graduation that night for about 240 graduates (we were expecting about half of the graduates to attend, and we were spot-on). I don't remember the last time I stayed up all night, but I think it was probably at a sleepover in 7th grade, but I did it for this, it wasn't as difficult as I thought it was going to be, and I attribute it to the nine salted caramel cupcakes I ate throughout the night (I would have eaten more if I thought my belly would have held them). The event was a great success, and after a week, I think I have finally caught up on my sleep.

9. I got a hair cut.



10. And that reason for starting my blog that is now in the rearview mirror? After five years of treatment, which included 60 injections, one per month into my abdomen, I have finished my treatments for breast cancer - WAHOOOOO!!! 

I'm thankful. So thankful.

Linking up with Ten Things of Thankful. Join us! 

30 comments:

  1. I was SO DELIGHTED to see your link popping up at the TToT Facebook page saying you'd written a post!! It has been a long time, my friend, and I am so glad you are back, you were missed here! I do understand though, you've had a lot to deal with and a lot going on. I'm thinking your sailing will be smoother from here on out, hopefully not on high waters!
    We have to start with #10 first because it's well, THE BIGGEST AND THE BEST...done, done, done, finis! Yay!! The news doesn't get any better than that, what a happy cause for celebration, thank you Lord!

    Then there's that adorable haircut, I love it! And not just one but TWO major milestone graduations in your family this month. I am so happy for both your kids, and for the bright future's waiting for them, and I am happy for you too, as you move into a new stage in life, hopefully it can be at a bit slower pace with more time for blogging and holding kitties, even that wayward one we adore! :-) I don't think I could stay awake all night anymore for all the money or cupcakes in the world, but I am so glad the post-graduation party went off well, it was worth all the time and effort that was put into it!

    Your father's success and rapid recovery with his knee surgery was amazing and said so much about his determination... and where yours came from. How awesome that you got to spend so many days visiting together, sweet memories you can treasure for always. I am sad to hear that his basement flooded, it's not a fun mess to sort through or clean up and surely not a nice surprise, but I'm grateful to read that the loss wasn't totally horrific, or at least could have been worse.

    I am thankful you didn't have a tornado at graduation... with grandstands full of sitting people no less, and I'm thankful that you're being bypassed again tonight. the weather is starting out on a mean streak this season and it can settle down any time now!

    I know well what it's like to lose your mother, and how the world just becomes very flat and gray for awhile, and then to lose your friend's son - so very hard to understand. I once spent a whole year contemplating posting to my blog, and just sitting there staring at it. Sometimes I think the break is needed, time to regroup and find our direction in life again. You've come back powerfully strong with this post, and I think it's a very fitting way to return to the blogsphere, I hope we'll be seeing posts from you often, surely Dammit Nora will give you something to write about. :-)

    Thank you for the smile I'm ending this day with, xoxo, Josie
    (Now if I can just fine a way to get my comment to post, I see as I am writing this that your blog is still mad at my Surface tablet and won't let me comment. If all else fails, I'll be emailing this to you. But let me try it from my iPhone first!)

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    1. Thank you so much, Josie! It felt good to write, even though it was SO HARD to get started! The last month has been crazy busy, and I feel as though I could sleep for a month. I'm glad to hear someone else has sat and stared at a computer screen and not been able to write. I'm planning to going back to being a regular on the TToT and on Six Sentence Stories. And hopefully Nora will give me some stories, too. She is currently perturbed that I have my laptop in my lap and there is no room for her. She is lying on my lower legs, trying very hard to be comfortable.

      Thank you again for all your kind words and encouragement. I needed that!

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  2. (I had a comment and then it went bye, bye, so I will try to retype it all!)

    Aww, so glad to see your blog pop up again! Missed you this year in the A to Z but quickly realized you had a lot going on. I am so glad your dad's surgery went so well, that he bounced back in no time and that you were able to spend quality time together.

    Glad that the flooding didn't cause too much damage.

    Congrats on your kids both graduating -- they are such great kids who will go far in life. Props to you mama for raising them right!

    Love the new 'do! Looks great on you.

    And I am so glad to hear you are all done with the five year plan! My mom just finished her last chemo treatment in April (for her breast cancer take two) and is just entering her five year plan. Still that road to endure but we're thankful nonetheless to be on it!

    Welcome back, friends.

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    1. I really wanted to do the A to Z, but I just couldn't handle it. Next year!

      My dad is a poster child for knee replacement surgery. He's going to do the other knee this fall, he says. I still can't believe both kids graduated last weekend. It really does go by in a flash.

      Good luck to your mom!

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  3. Am so delighted to read this account of events . I am glad ur Pappa is better now and I feel great reading all positive things u r thankful for . Seriously when life gives us 100 reasons to b upset about we still should keep counting our blessings . I heard about these floods from u many times . Hope the house is safe now . My bestest regards to u all

    Much love

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    1. You know, it has always made me feel better when I took the time to write my Ten Things of Thankful post every week. Why did I stop?

      We narrowly missed another flood last night when we got 5 inches of rain. Global warming is a real thing! This never used to happen!

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  4. "I am happy you no longer are a "former blogger" I love your list of thankfuls so many gems; to your Dr.Son In Training; and your daughter's achievements and her next steps - of course you are a proud mama...what a joy to hear of your clean bill of health, you are a true inspiration...glad to hear your dad's surgery and therapy went well.. love the hair do too
    thank you for sharing - I might just follow your foot steps :)

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    1. Thank you, Marisa! I'm happy I'm no longer a former blogger, too! It's been a wild ride lately, hasn't it? And yes, you should definitely get back to blogging, too!

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  5. Lovely to see you back here. I keep up a little through Facebook, but I am glad you decided you are a blogger.

    There has been a lot of flooding here in Canada this spring, but not right where I am. It was more Toronto and especially in Quebec. Ooh, that was bad. They are still recovering. I am glad the tornado missed you though. I would have been freaking out like your daughter.

    Mmm, those salted caramel cupcakes sound delicious. Congratulations to both your graduates and to you on finishing your cancer treatments.

    Funny, but my mind went directly to thoughts of Titanic, before I even finished reading your line about the music playing. Ha. Not funny exactly, just funny how minds think alike.

    Hope you enjoy your summer.

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    1. Thank you so much, Kerry! The whole global warming thing has to be behind all this weather we've been having, although tornadoes are the norm here this time of year. We take them seriously, too, especially after the 2011 one that destroyed a third of our town. And yes, great minds definitely think alike! The parallel to the Titanic was a little eerie!

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  6. Also, sorry to hear about the death of your daughter's friend. I remember when a guy suddenly died in an auto accident whom I had known and went to school with since kindergarten. We were in our early twenties and the funeral was just so sad. We all reunited, but not in a way any of us would have wished. I couldn't believe he was gone. He was so loved by so many and so promising. Like that his whole life was taken, in a split second. Growing up isn't all so simple or easy.

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    1. Spencer's death has been very difficult to comprehend. You're exactly right: growing up isn't simple or easy. It helps knowing you have been through something similar.

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  7. I love your blog! I haven't been great at blogging lately, and I've been awful at reading/commenting, but your post inspired me to at least write a TToT post this week.

    One thing I love about your blog is that it is filled with real life--the tragedies are right in there with the triumphs--and you manage to stay thankful through it all.

    (For some reason, I couldn't get the tornado warning video to play. It just started a slideshow of photos.) However, I can imagine it is loud, obnoxious, and scary!

    Congrats on beating cancer and completing your treatments!!!! :-)

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    1. I love that I inspired you! I haven't read or commented on anyone else's posts, either, and I feel so uninformed!

      I'll see what I can do about the video. It's only about 7 seconds. Imagine a WWII movie where the air raid sirens are blowing. That'll give you an idea.

      And thank you, Kristi! Glad it's pretty much over!

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  8. Welcome back to blogging world and to TToT! Lots of wonderful things on your list and amazing news that you have finished your breast cancer treatment!

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  9. ok... I recognize that car.... front seat.... drove through midly-radioactive Cold War military bases.... don't see the fireman's uniform (must be in the trunk)... the kids, I totally remember. (how cool-yet-strange, as I used to comment on Christine's blog)... that I can say, "remember that time that Emma..." or " when you helped your son move back to school on his senior year" or... (my favorite) "when Ruby tied herself up in the Christmas tree"
    ...hey! now I remember!! Welcome back, Dyanne

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    1. CLARRRRRRK! You remember me! Yeah, Ruby tying herself up in the Christmas tree was pretty memorable....

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  10. DYANNE!
    There is no way I can replicate the words that were on this page seconds ago but which disappeared because of my possessed laptop. Grr....
    So, I'll be serious and "normal" and simply say that if I had written a TToT, you and this post would have been my #1. Really :)
    Your new haircut looks awesome. (you with straight hair! keep it up!)
    #10. I will join in what no doubt is an enormously large number of people singing the same thankful chorus of WAHOOOOO!!!!!!!!
    Welcome back, friend :):)

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    1. DENISE! Thank you so much! It felt really good to write again. Must hang onto that feeling and keep doing it!

      Argan oil. That's what I have learned to use to keep my unruly curls in submission!

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  11. So glad you opted for blogger and not former blogger. We all need a break and it certainly sounds like your plate was insanely full. I am glad to hear that you are completely done with your cancer treatments. That is something to celebrate. Congratulations! WeekendsInMaine

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    1. Thank you, Karen! I really meant to do the A to Z, and when I realized I just couldn't, I really meant to keep up with other people's (your!) entries, but I failed at that. Now if I can just keep up the writing momentum I started this weekend....

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  12. I am here! I am happily writing my name in the dust!
    Your dad looks fabulous! Glad he recovered so nicely. I can not believe how much Emma looks like you in the photo with her grad robe. Fun!
    And I can not believe you will be hanging out at the health center in OKC. We just yesterday got my daughter completely moved out of the sweet studio apt she lived in for all of dental school. I have been posting all kinds of OKC pics on my instagram. Are you on instagram? If so, hit me up mama_naeger. You will find all kinds of OKC tips there including the best place for breakfast in the whole town. You need to know these things!

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    1. Thank you for writing in my dust, May!
      Doesn't my dad look amazing? He used the cane to get to the car and into his house, and then he ditched it! And yes, Emma has always looked like me (a younger, prettier version, but still!)
      HOW DID I NOT REALIZE YOUR DAUGHTER WAS IN OKC?! Kyle is going to get a house or something with two other M1 students from OU that he met through a facebook page. Hopefully they won't find a dump! I'm going to instagram right now and follow you!

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  13. Hi, Dyanne. Glad you're back. The haircut is stunning. You have so much life that you have been living in the past few months - no wonder your blogging took a back seat. You must be a super proud mama - two graduates. I look forward to more of your humorous and fun blog posts.

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    1. Thank you, Val! I really like the haircut, myself! SO easy to deal with less volume! Yes, happy to get them both graduated and hoping they provide me with writing material!

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  14. Dyanne, welcome back! You have so much good news. That #10 is huge. I am so happy for you.The senior year of high school can be so busy for the seniors and their parents. You have had a lot on your plate this year. Your son is following his dream and has worked hard to get where he is now and so has your daughter. I know the joy parents feel when they see their children make the best of the gifts they have been given. I'm glad your Dad's surgery went well. That has got to be a relief for you and him.

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  15. I finally got over here to read, but I can't leave a proper comment because I am now late for Zilla pickup. But I'm leaving this open and I'll be back...

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    1. OK, so your haircut is awesome. I always want a really cool, sassy haircut but when I get one...no go. I love yours! So I'll live vicariously. :)
      Congratulations to you and your two graduates. What a wonderful achievement for both! Maybe College Boy can be Medical Man now? Best wishes to both of them as they continue on the path of their choosing.
      Love hearing that your Dad is doing well. And all the rest...well good grief, no wonder you've been on a blogging break! I am so thrilled that you've reached your five year mark - so wonderful and certainly reason for gratitude!
      And I guess I didn't realize it but we must've started blogging around the same time - mine's about to be five years old. I have similar thoughts about it. Do I really want to keep going or ditch it? I'd miss the people. But a lot of the people I started with no longer come around or are no longer blogging, etc. But then there are new people. And definitely the original reasons for starting are not the reasons I do it now. So...yeah. I'm giving myself a month to decide - on the actual anniversary - whether I'll continue or stop.
      Really glad to see your post and sorry it took so long to get here. I find my time to do anything is severely limited of late. Hope to read more of you going forward - I've always loved your posts. xo

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