The Many Faces of Dave

On Easter I let the kids have control of the digital camera. As I looked through the 150 pictures later on, I couldn't help but laugh at what was most important to them... pictures of the two dogs that attended the Easter function, the bowls upon bowls of candy, their cousins, and their Daddy. So here you go - the many faces of Dave, as viewed by the kids. Look closely and guess which one really isn't Dave. Have fun!

More on Presents

In my opinion the best Valentine's Day present I ever gave Dave was a heartfelt rendition of John Prine's In Spite of Ourselves. We first heard the song one Saturday night a few years ago - a friend got married and prepared a CD of love songs for everybody on the guest list. Dave and I, after a few glasses of champagne and a little dancing, came home from the wedding and put in the CD. I'm not sure if it was alcohol induced but when In Spite of Ourselves came on, we laughed and laughed and played it over and over until we knew all the words.

Fastforward one month- instead of grading papers, I sat in my office revising the words to the song to fit Dave and me. I think one part was, "Even though your back's all hairy, you still manage to drive me crazy. You're my baby, I'm your honey, never going to let you go."

Fastforward another month and there I was with my friend Lori, in a practice room at the Hughes Fine Arts Center. She, bless her heart, had figured out how to play the song on the piano and, by doing so, became my official accompianist. I had a cheap tape recorder, my sheet of handwritten notes, and good intentions... just not the voice. After several singing attempts and another attempt at bribing Lori to do the piano playing and the singing (she declined), I finally managed to get through the song and be somewhat satisfied.

A few weeks later, on Valentine's Day, I presented Dave with the typed up lyrics and played the song for him. His only reply, "Geez, you must really love me to put this on tape." Yes, yes I do.

Now, just in case something happens to me all you blog readers need to promise this tape will not suddenly surface at my funeral or anywhere else for that matter. All that would do is prove my 6th grade music teacher correct - no matter how hard I try I certainly can't sing in tune. But, I can, once in a blue moon, give a pretty darn good present.

Introducing another blog by the kids - GKids

Sophie, after seeing my blog entry about her messy room, was most anxious to write her own entry about it - giving her perspective. So began the new blog - GKids. To access it, you can try the link on the sidebar or go to it directly, Gkidsathome.blogspot.com. Enjoy reading about our household ups and downs from the perspectives of a nine, seven and five year old.

Shortlived Household Organization

In the weeks before my surgery I went on a crazy organizing kick - similar to that of the nesting instinct they talk about with pregnant women. The bathrooms were all stocked with plenty of toilet paper and clean towels, the beds all got clean linens, the laundry, instead of being a heap on the floor, was all clean, folded and put away, and the kids had clothes laid out for the upcoming week. The fridge and pantry were well stocked and I even cleaned the kitchen junk drawer, organized the laundry room and got the kids' toy room in tip-tip shape. You get the idea...

I can tell it's been a week since then - yesterday John wore two mismatched (as in one blue camoflauge and one white) socks to daycare while Sophie wore a fleece pullover she's been wearing for the past six years and Lucy wore her Sunday dress to school. On more than one occassion I've been thankful I had the foresight to put toilet paper in the bathrooms as the roll has run out in the middle of a job. And I've given up venturing into Sophie's room with my crutches for her good-night kiss - it's just way too much of a mess to navigate. (The pictures can attest to the mess.)

So, tonight's the night - cleaning time for this family. I'll bark orders from the couch while they get busy stacking and putting away papers, toys and water glasses. I'll probably hear it from the peanut gallery, but hey, a clean house and a good night kiss should be worth it for all of us.

Healing in Process

The dreaded foot surgery is over and the healing has begun. The surgery was Wednesday afternoon and when I woke up at 6 pm I found myself very thirsty, but in no pain. That's the way it's been since - not a heck of a lot of pain. I've only taken one pain pill at a time and spread it out to eight hours between doses. It's not that I'm trying to be a martyer, but the nausea and dizziness caused by the medicine is something I can do without. So, as of this morning, I'm down to only tylenol. Here's hoping it goes well.

The surgery itself was supposed to only last an hour, but besides the hammer toe repair on two toes, they did find a neuroma to take out as well as a tear to repair so it took 2 1/2 hours. When my doctor came to talk to me I had just woke up so I'm still kind of foggy on the details, but I'll see him tomorrow morning and find out more.

I've spent more time on the couch in the last four days than I think I have in all the last ten years - and it feels strange, very strange. Until today reading was making me dizzy, so I've spent the majority of time either watching TV or napping. The other night Dave came into the family room and said, "Thank God - the TV is on a channel other than TLC or HGTV!" I think he might be worrying that I'm getting remodeling ideas from all that television.

There's been lots of visitors - thanks for stopping by everyone! Today my big day brightener was Michelle and Theo - Emmett's little brother and a guy after my own heart. Isn't he just such a sweetheart?!?! He's the one I got to watch most Friday mornings while Michelle took Emmett and John to gymnastics. She got to run around after two preschool boys while I got to cuddle with a baby... hmmmmm, I wonder who got the best end of the deal? Definitely me!