Tonight, my parents, siblings and a few friends are joining my family at Babbin’s, a local seafood restaurant. There will be fun, fellowship and alligator appetizers for the adventurous among us. No, it does not “taste just like chicken”. Afterwards, we will be going to my parent’s house for cake. The only ones missing will be RTA and MFA, who live too far away to come (insert frowny face here). I told FMP that this all sounded a bit expensive and he asked me if I intended to turn 50 again. Since I don’t, I had to concede his point. On with the festivities!!
Posts Tagged ‘family
16
Nov
13
time to party
16
Nov
13
i made it, so there!
Despite my upper original equipment’s trying to kill me at 39 and my lower original equipment’s trying to kill me at 47, I have reached the auspicious age of 50. My beautiful, belovéd cousin, Kelly, was taken by a form of the first disease that tried to make off with me before she could reach this milestone. In thankfulness to God and in memory of her, I intend to have a very good year for my 50th. This will not bring her back, but I hope God will let her know that I remember her with love.~TSK
07
Oct
13
note to self:
People who take two days off from work for “goofing-off purposes” should first make sure the college-aged children have transport.
22
Sep
13
starting in early this year
For many of us who have dealt with breast cancer, October is a month of pure torment. We steel ourselves to deal with an onslaught of light pink (side note: Why is this the only cancer/condition with a pastel color? We are not weaklings or children who must be carried!) and pressure to “contribute” to ending this scourge. Believe me, I have contributed. I signed over all the tissue taken from me (otherwise known as my breasts and some lymph nodes) for testing. The results of only using surgery with no follow-up Tamoxifen were also shown when I could not tolerate the drug without losing my sanity.
I do not want to be rude, but I have the right to deal with this in my own way. That way is to avoid it as much as possible. I do NOT want to buy or wear things in that detested color. I am NOT being selfish when I say “No, thank you”. I am trying, as best I can, to maintain my composure and dignity. Do people think I have forgotten what happened? To them, I say, “I remember it every morning when I look in the mirror. It comes back to me when I come across evidence of an event that occurred which I do not remember.”. I will never forget and I will never be the same. But, I will not let this become me. I will not center my life around this single event.
So, what brought on this semi-rant? This morning, when the alarm went off, there was a program interviewing a rather perky woman about her experience. There is much pressure on “survivors/victims” to play nice and be permanently cheerful when discussing this topic.
I will NOT play nice. This is not a nice topic. This is a war. I took heavy casualties in the battle. I will not forget, I will not forgive, I will not surrender. Please, can we keep the organized reminders confined to October?? Remember, you are wearing our pain.–TSG
04
Sep
13
rta and avb update
Well, those who think there is no God or, if there is, He doesn’t care about us, should not read further. It would just make them angry. Today, RTA was announced as the winner in a contest for gear. He had been entering once a day forever. The prize is enough clothing, eyewear, and other gear to get his and AVB’s new company off to a great start. As you may remember, I have been praying that they would have the will, means and help to do what they have planned. Last month, AVB met with a gentleman who is going to supply the means. Today, they got the help. All that is left is the will and they are both full of that. Thank you, Father, we truly are grateful!-TSG
26
Aug
13
a new chapter
This morning, for the first time in twenty-one years, I do not have a child going off to school. RTA is married and soon to be moving closer to Texas. IRP and CPI are going to the college with me this morning to start classes there. IRP has gone before, but this is CPI’s first time to attend class on campus. He has a solid backing of Dual Credit courses from high school to send him on his way.
I am happy that my children have turned out so well, but will miss their younger selves. Well, at least until they begin to gift me with tiny replicas of themselves to spoil rotten.–TSG
11
Aug
13
com’n, take the money and fly!
In true Gaudy fashion, CPI has found a way to make flying a paying venture. His flight was scheduled to stop in Phoenix where he would catch another to Seattle. He was going to call us when he got to Arizona and again when he reached Seattle. When he called, he apologized for not calling from Phoenix and then explained. It seems that the original flight was overbooked and the airline gave CPI a $536 credit for a future flight to wait for the one going straight to Seattle. Since that is what he wanted to do anyway (he didn’t have enough graduation money), CPI was thrilled to wait. As he told me, “I got paid to be convenienced!”.
11
Aug
13
travelin’ man
This morning at about 5:45, we dropped CPI off at the airport. This is his first time to fly and he was dressed for the occasion. As I may have mentioned, CPI has decided to bring elegance back to daily life. Accordingly, he was fully kitted out in a suit and tie. As he walked into the terminal, I was so proud that I was the mother of such a good-looking traveler.
He is on his way to Seattle to visit RTA and MFA. I am sure they will show him a good time. Judging from Facebook pictures, they have been practicing with MFA’s folks, who were in last week. Most of all, though, he is excited to be going somewhere by himself. If he runs true to form for our family, he will not want to stop going to new and exciting places EVER. My grandmother made her last trip in her late 80s to take a river cruise in New England. I have a picture of her taken the day she ate her first lobster.
Have a great time, CPI, as you run towards your wonderful future!
Love,
Mom (aka TSG)
03
Aug
13
the return of irp
Hurrah! The blockage in IRP’s intestine has resolved itself and she is back home. We are truly grateful for the prayers and well-wishes of everyone. Next week, IRP and FMP will be going to consult with a surgeon about the reversal of IRP’s temporary colostomy. If it pleases God, this will be the end of IRP’s struggles. Oh, how we hope and pray it is!
In other news, my brother is marrying again. He has been married to this woman before and we are very happy to have her and her children back in our lives. As a bonus, she will be gifting us with a baby girl in December. Oh, how we love adding children to our family! The rottenness in our family is unbelievable. And, it all starts before we even see the child’s ultrasound. The moment a child is conceived, we know that s/he is a person with a unique and special purpose. My brother and his fiancée have already refused the test for Down’s Syndrome because it carries a small risk of harming the child. Since nothing will change their intent to have Little Miss HM (of course she has a name), they see no point in risking her life to find out. Other tests that may reveal challenges but carry no risk of harm will be performed so that we may better care for her when she makes her grand entry. We are, of course, praying for an uneventful pregnancy and delivery, but God has a plan no matter what happens. Just because we are not in on all of it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.
IRP’s suffering also has a purpose. We are totally in the dark as to what it is. In time, perhaps He will show us. If not, we will trust until we stand before Him and learn all.
Hoping your weekend has started on such a good note,
TSG
In the Ensuing Panic 
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