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Thursday, November 10, 2011

If Anyone Asks, Tell Them I'm Hungover

I'm home sick.  I hacked coughed all night and annoyed kept honey up, but he didn't mind because he loves watching me sleep.  Ha ha.  That's what he says, but I know it sucked because in the middle of the night he was on the recliner and when I opened my eyes to look for him, he quickly tucked himself back in bed beside me.  He's my hero.  Anyone who still wants to hug me despite my incessant coughing and whining is definitely worthy of honor.  He's so kind I even let him put Vick's on my chest twice and reassured him that "yes, I feel much better now."   Pfsshh, I don't even know why those doctors bother going to medical school! Ancient Chamorros used Vick's to cure everything from canoe sickness to hepatitis and they get no credit.  

I've been sick for eight days now. I've also been going through some female stuff and getting dizzy a lot lately.  We thought I might be pregnant, although that is impossible.  Not impossible like resurrection, but impossible like trying to bake cupcakes and remembering you're out of eggs.  After we ruled that out (whew), we thought it might be the flu.  We're half right, the doctor gave me some antibiotics, antihistamines and steroids and told me to stay home for two days.  I have bronchitis, which is a relief.  Eight days in mom years is like being diagnosed with a terminal disease.  Lord knows, I'm more like my mom than I want to admit.  My sister and I laugh about it a lot.  That awkward, clearing your throat, fake laugh when one of us stops real quick because it's scary how true it is.

I have an appointment with my gynecologist next week to unravel the mystery of my ladypipes.  The girls have been real nice to me since I got sick.  It's so funny how kids get all cuddly when you're sick.  Like they finally realize you might not be around forever.  I've been feeling like that about my dad lately, but that's better saved for when I can actually write about it without feeling like I've been hit by a truck.

That was Monday, my trip to the clinic, and I didn't take my doctor's advice. Big surprise.  So naturally, here I am on Thursday after a horrific night of coughing fits and vomiting, blogging about it as if you asked. In case you wondered though, it sucks to be sick. Sick leave is wasted on the ill.  




Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Haiku. God Bless You.

Sommer hugs for free
wraps joy from small arms tightly
around your waist, heart


Sometimes good things fall apart so that better things can come together

Like me and plans, I'm big on them. Routines and plans. I like everything neat and tidy and according to schedule, but lucky for me my best ideas don't always go the way I hope.Take for instance the time we decided to ride donkeys up to the Taal Volcano in the Philippines. I did all the research, found the paid tours and we plugged "volcano" into the week's itinerary. Nice and easy like that, not ever thinking torrential rains would flood Manila and we'd have to wait days to even drive to Tagaytay.  When we did finally get there, it was rainy and gloomy, like my outlook. The fog was so thick it was hard to make an outline of the volcano through them.  Darn.

Left with no other options, we decided to drive around and tour the town. I had read somewhere that nuns make ube in Tagaytay. It was supposed to be special because they used the proceeds to put poverty stricken women through college. So, off we went on a search for the Good Shepherd Factory through steep, winding roads, stopping people on the street to ask for directions. After finally reaching the factory we happened upon a sign on the side of the road for something called a zipline so we stopped to ask questions. No one wanted to do it, I mean strap yourself to a harness and get hurled through the air? No one except me and Hope! And then Donny! Hearts pounding, we made our way into the gates.
What a surprise.  There was a park nestled in in the middle of two mountains and you could "fly" between them, through the forest! Hope, Donny and I got to zipline through the mist, way above the canopy of the Philippine jungle. Hope and I held hands and I knew we'd never forget that day.  Halfway in the air we let go, screamed and listened as our voices echoed through the trees, right into our memories.  But that wasn't the end of it.  While waiting for our complimentary Zipline photos, one of the government tour guides asked if we were interested in a boat ride on the lake. We shook our heads.  Then we waited some more.  Then we started asking questions again.  Safe boat, restaurants nearby, come down and see for yourself.  Hmmmm, since all of our other plans fell through, we decided that we might as well make the best of it. The weather was clearing up and maybe a boat ride would be fun.

So we drove down more winding mountainside to Taal Lake. The lake was massive and still, and we were just the opposite, a small boat full of laughing tourists, giddy from soaring.  Much to our amazement, the other end of the boat ride brought us to Taal Volcano and horses! The very thing we wanted to do in the first place was waiting to happen if we would...if I would just be patient and let life's course just do it's thing.
The moral of my story is that I may not always be able to control what happens, or even foresee it and that's totally ok. Everything in my life that has happened these past few years has been huge, but it's taught me that I'm not always the best judge of what's good for Boni. I can only change me, my outlook on things and my response to things.  I cannot change what happens to me. Talk about a
gratitude entry for the evening. Thank you Lord, for everything you've given me, my husband, my children, my career, my friends, my family, my life. None of these things were in my planner, but all of them are better than what I could have put together on my own.

Monday, October 31, 2011

Sunday, October 30, 2011

In the mood to play with food

I had plans, big plans.  I had a whole lineup of Halloween treats, plus kids costumes, plus my costume.  Grrr...I always do that, make big plans and end up completely exhausted.  Lucky for me, I have a honey who loves my many zany ideas.  He remembers every "kick" I've had lately.  Like the cupcake kick, the pie kick, the limoncello kick, and the time I was totally obsessed with green tea. So while we cut and taped, mixed and baked he prepared a nice healthy turkey lunch and tuna dinner to keep us energized. 

 Sommer wanted to be a rockstar.  Then she wanted to be Lego Princess Leah.  Then she wanted to be a nerd.  Finally, yesterday (yes, two days before Halloween) she decided on being a jellyfish.  Dozens of curling ribbon and bubble wrap strips later, she's got her wish.  

I usually make Hairy Armpits (graham crackers, peanut butter, Nutella and chocolate sprinkles) for Halloween, but this year we had to choose something healthy to bring to school, so the girls and I made some Witch Fingers with a shortbread recipe (no leavening agents) that is absolutely fantastic.   I smell like cherries and almonds.  The house smells pretty good too.


I've made Graveyard Pudding every year since I've become a mom.  Peyton wouldn't pass on it this year, even with a Healthy snack rule at school.  She insists that her teacher will forgive it this one time, for this very special occasion.  I'm just going to pretend I didn't hear that.  Or make this.
Honey and I prepped some pizza dough and pepperoni & olive pizzas decorated like little mummies.  They're in the fridge waiting to be baked tomorrow morning and I'm sitting here tired and hungry.  I'm a hungry mummy.  That's a bit of Halloween humor.  You can laugh.

Monday, October 24, 2011

The finest inheritance a parent can give his children is his time.

For my children: 
You may not be able to leave your children a great inheritance, but day by day, you may be weaving coats for them which they will wear for all eternity. (Theodore Cuyler)
There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children.  One of these is roots, the other, wings.  (Hodding Carter)
 

You may give me nothing during your life, but you promise to provide for me at your death.  If you are not a fool, you know what I wish for! (Marcus Valerius Martial)
A person can recieve nothing except be given him from heaven. (Holy Bible)

Sometimes the poorest man leaves his children the richest inheritance. (Ruth E. Renkel)
An infinitude of tenderness is the chief gift and inheritance of all truly great men. (John Ruskin)
I would rather make my name than inherit it. (William M. Thackeray)