It Happened One Friday Night

On Saturday, Oct 18 1997 was my friend Lori's wedding. I was looking forward to it. You see, Lori had driven us batty for about a year, preparing for the wedding. She wasn't a bridezilla but to say she was excited might have been quite an understatement. We bought her one of those glass lamps that you can put collectibles or whatnot inside and started collecting stuff from her wedding plans. The main plot however, was to steal her cake topper and put it inside, after gathering various items from the wedding reception. Favors, silverware napkins, etc.

Nothing would be spared.

I was pretty excited about it.

But Friday night, there were no plans. My best friend and her boyfriend eventually talked me into going out with them. Because that's fun, hanging out with people on a date is always good times. We were all friends though, and they were going to BW3 so eventually I was talked into a night of beers and triva.

There was a guy there working and after I'd been there a while he waved me over to the food counter.

I walked over, and he said to me ,"You ever date a cook?"

As for the rest...

It's the story of how families are made.



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It Happened One Friday Night

On Saturday, Oct 18 1997 was my friend Lori's wedding. I was looking forward to it. You see, Lori had driven us batty for about a year, preparing for the wedding. She wasn't a bridezilla but to say she was excited might have been quite an understatement. We bought her one of those glass lamps that you can put collectibles or whatnot inside and started collecting stuff from her wedding plans. The main plot however, was to steal her cake topper and put it inside, after gathering various items from the wedding reception. Favors, silverware napkins, etc.

Nothing would be spared.

I was pretty excited about it.

But Friday night, there were no plans. My best friend and her boyfriend eventually talked me into going out with them. Because that's fun, hanging out with people on a date is always good times. We were all friends though, and they were going to BW3 so eventually I was talked into a night of beers and triva.

There was a guy there working and after I'd been there a while he waved me over to the food counter.

I walked over, and he said to me ,"You ever date a cook?"

As for the rest...

It's the story of how families are made.



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Reminding Us Of Our Age

It's not that it's been a tough couple of weeks around here but it's been a tough couple of weeks around here. Some days I feel like my life occurs in intervals between when I'm pulling strings out of other people's butts. Those days get blurry and long, and I guess I usually think of things to write and then just never do. That's been the case lately but I had some time and thought hey, I could say some things.

That string thing is not a metaphor, FYI. Jump into my nightmare, the water is warm.

The husband has been having some health problems, which sent him to the hospital about a month (maybe two) ago. We were afraid he was having the dreaded fat guy in his 40s heart attack but in fact they said no, not a heart attack. Unfortunately, they didn't have any idea what it was. Just what it wasn't.

So this past week, on Friday, he went in for a heart cath to take a look at what was going on inside. I got the boys off to school then he and Julia and I went over to Gwinnett Medical for the big test.

Luckily, they had coloring books in the cardiac waiting area.

Because they were on hospital time and not human time, and because emergencies came in and they had to go before us, Julia and I had to leave and go get lunch. 

And this is where your heart starts to worry, if you're me. I hated leaving. I wanted to stay there because I felt in control there, even though I wasn't - of course. I took the girl to Taco Bell and there was food and it occurred to me that she and I have never once been out to lunch together.

It also occurred to me that this is what it felt like, to be solitary.

I'm not a solitary creature. As I picked up the boys, one by one, from the bus, and we waited, and had snacks, all I could think was "this is what it would be like" and I didn't like it not even a little.

It was finally over early evening. He said it was like a painful horror show. 

The result? Nothing. Nothing wrong with his heart, that's the good news. Something is wrong though still. 

Here he is in the aftermath. 

It still aches and hurts. I think I will freak out if they ever do that to me.

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Reminding Us Of Our Age

It's not that it's been a tough couple of weeks around here but it's been a tough couple of weeks around here. Some days I feel like my life occurs in intervals between when I'm pulling strings out of other people's butts. Those days get blurry and long, and I guess I usually think of things to write and then just never do. That's been the case lately but I had some time and thought hey, I could say some things.

That string thing is not a metaphor, FYI. Jump into my nightmare, the water is warm.

The husband has been having some health problems, which sent him to the hospital about a month (maybe two) ago. We were afraid he was having the dreaded fat guy in his 40s heart attack but in fact they said no, not a heart attack. Unfortunately, they didn't have any idea what it was. Just what it wasn't.

So this past week, on Friday, he went in for a heart cath to take a look at what was going on inside. I got the boys off to school then he and Julia and I went over to Gwinnett Medical for the big test.

Luckily, they had coloring books in the cardiac waiting area.

Because they were on hospital time and not human time, and because emergencies came in and they had to go before us, Julia and I had to leave and go get lunch. 

And this is where your heart starts to worry, if you're me. I hated leaving. I wanted to stay there because I felt in control there, even though I wasn't - of course. I took the girl to Taco Bell and there was food and it occurred to me that she and I have never once been out to lunch together.

It also occurred to me that this is what it felt like, to be solitary.

I'm not a solitary creature. As I picked up the boys, one by one, from the bus, and we waited, and had snacks, all I could think was "this is what it would be like" and I didn't like it not even a little.

It was finally over early evening. He said it was like a painful horror show. 

The result? Nothing. Nothing wrong with his heart, that's the good news. Something is wrong though still. 

Here he is in the aftermath. 

It still aches and hurts. I think I will freak out if they ever do that to me.

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A Real Life Pay It Forward Story

You see those stories on Facebook about how some stranger helped someone out, usually at Walmart, and like they are sort of sweet and sort of trite and I confess - I truly have the urge to run them through Snopes.com because, I think nice things are nice but I hate it when lies are perpetuated. And I'm kind of cynical, if you didn't notice.

Imagine my surprise then, when this happened.

The husband was at Walmart last night to pick up some minilights for our tree. I sat home, diligently pulling the "prelit" strands off our tree, because they had burned out and I was determined to keep our black tree. I think it's cool. We only had two strands of minis that were working from last year so, he ran over to pick up some more.

While in the light aisle, he and another lady got to talking about lights and colors and types of lights, and they started reminiscing about the lights of our childhood, C9 and C7s.

He told her how, we've always wanted to do a retro tree with those kinds of lights but they're not cheap so we've never really been able to do it. It's about 65 bucks to do the whole tree, and well when you have four kids and three are in diapers, there is a lot ELSE you could do with that 65 bucks.

While they were having this stroll down memory lane, another man walked over and started talking to them.
"These kind of lights?" he asked. My husband said yes, and they talked again about how they were the lights from our childhood, and we really always wanted them - they were so cool, but that we just really couldn't ever afford them.

And then the man said "How about if I buy them for you?"

Then, just like that - he did.


We're not poor. But, we do have a budget, and there are choices to be made when you are a big family.
We don't want for food or shelter. But this stranger did something, for Christmas, to make a little Christmas dream come true at my house.
His only condition? That we pay it forward.

I promise you, we will.

Thank you, whoever you were. You are lovely.

Merry Christmas.


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A Real Life Pay It Forward Story

You see those stories on Facebook about how some stranger helped someone out, usually at Walmart, and like they are sort of sweet and sort of trite and I confess - I truly have the urge to run them through Snopes.com because, I think nice things are nice but I hate it when lies are perpetuated. And I'm kind of cynical, if you didn't notice.

Imagine my surprise then, when this happened.

The husband was at Walmart last night to pick up some minilights for our tree. I sat home, diligently pulling the "prelit" strands off our tree, because they had burned out and I was determined to keep our black tree. I think it's cool. We only had two strands of minis that were working from last year so, he ran over to pick up some more.

While in the light aisle, he and another lady got to talking about lights and colors and types of lights, and they started reminiscing about the lights of our childhood, C9 and C7s.

He told her how, we've always wanted to do a retro tree with those kinds of lights but they're not cheap so we've never really been able to do it. It's about 65 bucks to do the whole tree, and well when you have four kids and three are in diapers, there is a lot ELSE you could do with that 65 bucks.

While they were having this stroll down memory lane, another man walked over and started talking to them.
"These kind of lights?" he asked. My husband said yes, and they talked again about how they were the lights from our childhood, and we really always wanted them - they were so cool, but that we just really couldn't ever afford them.

And then the man said "How about if I buy them for you?"

Then, just like that - he did.


We're not poor. But, we do have a budget, and there are choices to be made when you are a big family.
We don't want for food or shelter. But this stranger did something, for Christmas, to make a little Christmas dream come true at my house.
His only condition? That we pay it forward.

I promise you, we will.

Thank you, whoever you were. You are lovely.

Merry Christmas.


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A Social Warning

I am here to warn you, young men and women of the Earth.
I speak to you from a position of experience, like a sage come down from the mountain to drop nuggets of wisdom and possibly chocolate on you.
Beware of members of the opposite sex you meet in bars.

I tell my cautionary tale lest others experience my same fate. You see, once, some 14 years ago last night exactly - my best friend urged my to come out with her and her new boyfriend for drinks and trivia.
I begrudgingly went.

I will tell you what happens when you talk to members of the opposite sex in bars.

Families happen.

You've been warned.

Yesterday day was  met-a-versary. Tomorrow is our date-a-versary.

14 years.

And counting.

You've been warned.

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A Social Warning

I am here to warn you, young men and women of the Earth.
I speak to you from a position of experience, like a sage come down from the mountain to drop nuggets of wisdom and possibly chocolate on you.
Beware of members of the opposite sex you meet in bars.

I tell my cautionary tale lest others experience my same fate. You see, once, some 14 years ago last night exactly - my best friend urged my to come out with her and her new boyfriend for drinks and trivia.
I begrudgingly went.

I will tell you what happens when you talk to members of the opposite sex in bars.

Families happen.

You've been warned.

Yesterday day was  met-a-versary. Tomorrow is our date-a-versary.

14 years.

And counting.

You've been warned.

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It's Already Starting

A few months ago my husband was diagnosed with serious rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. It's been a dance of getting approvals and forms faxed and more forms faxed and then the wrong pharmacy was contacted and then forms had to be refaxed.

It'd be funny except as we've waited these months, his pain has gotten worse and the amount of suffering he's gone though has increased dramatically. Finally he got through to someone and they hooked him up with samples of this drug which would be 1500 bucks a shot if we had no insurance.

Yesterday while on the phone with me he injected his first shot. We sat and talked to wait to see if anything bad would happen after he did it. It's got these nasty side effects. One of them is referred to as "death" and another one they call "cancer". But when you can't move and your pain is crippling, you face those risks and hit the plunger.

It's supposed to make an amazing difference in his life. It already has.

He doesn't know it yet but I do.

For the past 14 years this man has crawled into bed next to me and slept fitfully. Snoring, tossing, startling himself awake sometimes moaning in pain in his sleep. Sometimes waking up in pain.

I woke up at 6am, to the most gentle breathing I'd ever heard from him. I leaned over to make sure he was ok, and realize he wasn't just ok. He was sleeping.

Peacefully. Without pain, without snoring and without constantly turning to change what aches and hurts.

It gave me hope in the dark morning hours. If it didn't do anything else, giving him restful peaceful sleep would be like a miracle.

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It's Already Starting

A few months ago my husband was diagnosed with serious rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. It's been a dance of getting approvals and forms faxed and more forms faxed and then the wrong pharmacy was contacted and then forms had to be refaxed.

It'd be funny except as we've waited these months, his pain has gotten worse and the amount of suffering he's gone though has increased dramatically. Finally he got through to someone and they hooked him up with samples of this drug which would be 1500 bucks a shot if we had no insurance.

Yesterday while on the phone with me he injected his first shot. We sat and talked to wait to see if anything bad would happen after he did it. It's got these nasty side effects. One of them is referred to as "death" and another one they call "cancer". But when you can't move and your pain is crippling, you face those risks and hit the plunger.

It's supposed to make an amazing difference in his life. It already has.

He doesn't know it yet but I do.

For the past 14 years this man has crawled into bed next to me and slept fitfully. Snoring, tossing, startling himself awake sometimes moaning in pain in his sleep. Sometimes waking up in pain.

I woke up at 6am, to the most gentle breathing I'd ever heard from him. I leaned over to make sure he was ok, and realize he wasn't just ok. He was sleeping.

Peacefully. Without pain, without snoring and without constantly turning to change what aches and hurts.

It gave me hope in the dark morning hours. If it didn't do anything else, giving him restful peaceful sleep would be like a miracle.

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Dream Talk

5:58 AM

Me to Husband: Night Ranger is coming over, they want to have a meeting in our bedroom."

Him: Oh man, no.- He rolls over and groans disgustedly.

6:30 AM

I look around: Where is Night Ranger?

Him: What?

Ohhhhh, that was a dream........They're NOT coming over.

Got it.

Dream Talk

5:58 AM

Me to Husband: Night Ranger is coming over, they want to have a meeting in our bedroom."

Him: Oh man, no.- He rolls over and groans disgustedly.

6:30 AM

I look around: Where is Night Ranger?

Him: What?

Ohhhhh, that was a dream........They're NOT coming over.

Got it.

To My Husband on His 42nd Birthday

This week has not been kind to us gearing up for my husband's birthday. Our van, the only vehicle that holds us all, was in the shop. We had to brave the Atlanta traffic at rush hour with me crammed in the trunk of our SUV on Friday in order to fetch it.

But prior to that, I got THIS call "Hello this is Jennifer, your child is super sick. Can you come get him at school?" To which I said "Umm,ok which child which school?" When I realized that the child was set to get on the bus in less than 30 minutes, and I was like 45 minutes away. I asked "Umm, can he JUST get on the bus?" to which they said yes when I explained how far away I was.

Then, 30 minutes later they called and said "Umm, the bus driver wouldn't take him because he has a fever."

So I haul ass up across town, to get said sick child. Who is by that point rocking a temp of 103. Then back home, where we have to load up the entire family in the SUV with me in the trunk bit to go fetch the van.

After slogging through Atlanta rush hour to get there, and slogging through Atlanta rush hour to get home, it's past 7pm. And I need to go birthday shopping for the husband.

After diapers and bottles - it's even later.

We run through the electronics store (and I actually do score some pressies) and then to dinner.

Have I mentioned that it's freezing cold in Atlanta suddenly? This is important as the O'Charley's by us didn't seem to realize they needed the heat on. So we all sat and shivered and repeatedly asked if they would PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE Turn on the heat.

Today, his actual birthday, he got up early A.M. to go to a Boy Scout event with #1 Son. And then it's to the festival at #1 Son's school, as the twins are both a bit sick.

He's pulling Daddy duty. On his birthday.

Because that's the guy he is. And I love him so much. Happy Birthday hunny!

To My Husband on His 42nd Birthday

This week has not been kind to us gearing up for my husband's birthday. Our van, the only vehicle that holds us all, was in the shop. We had to brave the Atlanta traffic at rush hour with me crammed in the trunk of our SUV on Friday in order to fetch it.

But prior to that, I got THIS call "Hello this is Jennifer, your child is super sick. Can you come get him at school?" To which I said "Umm,ok which child which school?" When I realized that the child was set to get on the bus in less than 30 minutes, and I was like 45 minutes away. I asked "Umm, can he JUST get on the bus?" to which they said yes when I explained how far away I was.

Then, 30 minutes later they called and said "Umm, the bus driver wouldn't take him because he has a fever."

So I haul ass up across town, to get said sick child. Who is by that point rocking a temp of 103. Then back home, where we have to load up the entire family in the SUV with me in the trunk bit to go fetch the van.

After slogging through Atlanta rush hour to get there, and slogging through Atlanta rush hour to get home, it's past 7pm. And I need to go birthday shopping for the husband.

After diapers and bottles - it's even later.

We run through the electronics store (and I actually do score some pressies) and then to dinner.

Have I mentioned that it's freezing cold in Atlanta suddenly? This is important as the O'Charley's by us didn't seem to realize they needed the heat on. So we all sat and shivered and repeatedly asked if they would PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE Turn on the heat.

Today, his actual birthday, he got up early A.M. to go to a Boy Scout event with #1 Son. And then it's to the festival at #1 Son's school, as the twins are both a bit sick.

He's pulling Daddy duty. On his birthday.

Because that's the guy he is. And I love him so much. Happy Birthday hunny!

LouE2P

I don't have much to say today.....other than HI, I'm tired and to point out how much my husband rocks for ALWAYS taking the position of getting school projects done - such as this robot from recycled materials.

He is not doing this because I'm post partum, he ALWAYS does this. He's great at this kind of stuff whereas I suck at anything requiring assembling stuff - unless it's baking.

So thanks Hunny, for being a great Dad even when it's not Father's Day. I really appreciate you and forget to tell you sometimes.........

LouE2P

I don't have much to say today.....other than HI, I'm tired and to point out how much my husband rocks for ALWAYS taking the position of getting school projects done - such as this robot from recycled materials.

He is not doing this because I'm post partum, he ALWAYS does this. He's great at this kind of stuff whereas I suck at anything requiring assembling stuff - unless it's baking.

So thanks Hunny, for being a great Dad even when it's not Father's Day. I really appreciate you and forget to tell you sometimes.........

...and Then My Husband Got Hit By a Car

So we meticulously plan our last DATE NIGHT before baby #4 arrives. We decide on going to Shogun for some Japanese deliciousness and then we'll go see Clash of the Titans in 3D which will probably be good EVEN WITHOUT Laurence Olivier.
I'm getting cute - and he runs over to Walmart to pick up some prescriptions for our little boy who has some ROCKIN allergies right now......and I get a call.
He's been hit.
BY A CAR.
WHILE WALKING THROUGH THE PARKING LOT.

So our good friend Emma arrives for our date, and learns that instead we're going to the ER. Off we go and she keeps the boys for a night of Emma filled fun.

I have to admit - I was worried. Visions of blunt force trauma injuries creating death and destruction were raging through my head.....and I sat in the waiting room after they took him for xrays- fretting and fretting and fretting. Why didn't they come? Why didn't they call me back?

Eventually he came out,and we spent our date at midnight at the Waffle House,where the cast of characters were very colorful -including the 18 year old cook who told us all about how he'd kicked his wife out of the house for cheating on him,and he may or may not have hit her. You know - it was like reality tv dinner theater.

Ok we didn't get our date. The timing sucks. But he's ok. So, I'm as happy as I can be.

Because it could have been so so so much worse.

...and Then My Husband Got Hit By a Car

So we meticulously plan our last DATE NIGHT before baby #4 arrives. We decide on going to Shogun for some Japanese deliciousness and then we'll go see Clash of the Titans in 3D which will probably be good EVEN WITHOUT Laurence Olivier.
I'm getting cute - and he runs over to Walmart to pick up some prescriptions for our little boy who has some ROCKIN allergies right now......and I get a call.
He's been hit.
BY A CAR.
WHILE WALKING THROUGH THE PARKING LOT.

So our good friend Emma arrives for our date, and learns that instead we're going to the ER. Off we go and she keeps the boys for a night of Emma filled fun.

I have to admit - I was worried. Visions of blunt force trauma injuries creating death and destruction were raging through my head.....and I sat in the waiting room after they took him for xrays- fretting and fretting and fretting. Why didn't they come? Why didn't they call me back?

Eventually he came out,and we spent our date at midnight at the Waffle House,where the cast of characters were very colorful -including the 18 year old cook who told us all about how he'd kicked his wife out of the house for cheating on him,and he may or may not have hit her. You know - it was like reality tv dinner theater.

Ok we didn't get our date. The timing sucks. But he's ok. So, I'm as happy as I can be.

Because it could have been so so so much worse.

Happy Birthday to My Hunny

The true measure of a man, I think, is what sort of a Father he is. Does he let you help cook when you are little, so that you feel included?

Does he take you to places that are wonderful and magical - when you are about 6?

My children are so lucky. Their father wants them to have the happiest childhood possible, and on a daily basis tries to fill their hours with memories to carry through out their lives. He isn't a father who's absentee all week and then gives them tacit attention on the weekends. He's 100% plugged in all the time.

And I'm lucky, because I chose a man who isn't afraid to make being a Dad a real job. Because of him, we have two autistic twins that we can take everywhere - which never ceases to amaze educators and doctors. They know how to act, and they are well loved.

We have a seven year old who is extraordinary and kind beyond reason some days. Because of the words and lessons he heard from his father every day.

Being a parent isn't easy. Being a parent of special needs children is downright torturous some days. His heart, and his unwillingness to ever give up make him one of the greatest heroes I've ever met.

Today is his birthday. He's 41 and I only wish I had met him sooner - because I am jealous of all the days that came before we met. Since I cannot have those days, my only wish will have to be this - if he lives to be one hundred, I hope I live be be one hundred minus one day.

So that I never have to live one day without him.

I love you Hunny.

Happy Birthday to My Hunny

The true measure of a man, I think, is what sort of a Father he is. Does he let you help cook when you are little, so that you feel included?

Does he take you to places that are wonderful and magical - when you are about 6?

My children are so lucky. Their father wants them to have the happiest childhood possible, and on a daily basis tries to fill their hours with memories to carry through out their lives. He isn't a father who's absentee all week and then gives them tacit attention on the weekends. He's 100% plugged in all the time.

And I'm lucky, because I chose a man who isn't afraid to make being a Dad a real job. Because of him, we have two autistic twins that we can take everywhere - which never ceases to amaze educators and doctors. They know how to act, and they are well loved.

We have a seven year old who is extraordinary and kind beyond reason some days. Because of the words and lessons he heard from his father every day.

Being a parent isn't easy. Being a parent of special needs children is downright torturous some days. His heart, and his unwillingness to ever give up make him one of the greatest heroes I've ever met.

Today is his birthday. He's 41 and I only wish I had met him sooner - because I am jealous of all the days that came before we met. Since I cannot have those days, my only wish will have to be this - if he lives to be one hundred, I hope I live be be one hundred minus one day.

So that I never have to live one day without him.

I love you Hunny.