Graham's Checkup

Yesterday Graham's cardiology visit went well. He does has some extra ventricular beats, more than last time, so they will do another exercise test to make sure his heart rate is speeding up and slowing down when it needs to. He can still continue with his sports. His heart function has not gone down any but it hasn't gone up, so he's still on the low side of that but he tolerates it well. His valve shows some calcification (hardening and narrowing) but no worse than last time. He explained that if they only have to replace the valve they can do that through a catheter in the leg if it's the whole root (which it may well be) then it's open heart. He said that we have at least a year before that but he cannot give exact numbers.and he needs to start wearing a medic alert where we are not always with him now. Graham said it was a little freaky to hear us talk with the dr about his surgery. It's funny because they ask all the questions to Graham now and you know him, he's more than willing to answer questions. He lists all his medications, talks about the heart beats, he's learning. I want him to always be comfortable when he talks to the dr so that he will continue to do it even when him mommy is not in the room (we don't talk about that day)

Elysia is thrilled to be coming with us to Dartmouth tonight for Graham's baseball game. It's just too long for her to be by herself, not that we don't trust her but we don't want to give her too long of a leash that she chokes herself on it. We remember what it's like to be that age (okay, maybe we think we remember that long ago). Bribed her with telling her she could take my laptop to watch a movie...

Off yesterday to take Graham to the dr, leaving today at 3 to go to the ballgame and then again tomorrow at 3 for Elysia's prom...these hours are great!!!!

Did I mention my husband Mike...he gets upset if I don't mention him...Mike, Mike, Mike!!!

Birthdays Birthdays Everywhere!!!!

My beautiful niece Sarah is 16 today...16...that's freaking me out!! She could actually drive a car now. Seems like only yesterday, Tracey and I were playing cards in the waiting room, greatly anticipating the arrival of our new niece or nephew. All through Josee's pregnancy, I had held firm that we were getting a girl and when Jeff came out, he looked at me and said "you better be happy"...of course, I was thrilled. She was the newest baby I had held at that point in my life. Tiny, wrinkly and screaming...and she looked perfect. Unfortunately for Sarah, I honed my baby handling skills on her. She's had a tough year, having surgery on her jaw and has come through showing her toughness...




My twin sisters, Vanessa and Patricia turn 10 today...that's double digits!! They are twins who are so different in appearance and personality. I called them bright and early this morning to wish them a Happy Birthday...they were excited to head off to school as the birthday girls. I wish they did not live so far away!!



Tonight I am heading to the Relay for Life in Kentville...it's an all night relay to raise money for cancer research. This year it has hit close to my heart, only 2 months ago, young Christopher Coady lost his battle with cancer...I bought a luminary in his memory. I'm sure I'll shed a tear or two but that's okay, I can handle that.



Tomorrow is Graham's second double header. I am running the canteen again...yes, that's right...walking all night and then running the canteen...sometimes I forget that I am not 18 anymore. I think Elysia told her grandmother she was going to sleep at a friend's house Sat night for safety. I think Mike and Graham may hide somewhere as well. Did I mention the forecast?? Rain until midnight tonight...just what this old girl needs-rain and cold!!



Mike and I went to see Russell Peters the other night. He's a comedian...he was funny. He was up for two hours and well worth it.

Life is a Whirlwind

Life seems to be a whirlwind lately...

Graham had baseball this weekend, his first double headed and their season opener...they lost but made a decent showing...Graham said it was his best day of baseball ever. He made some good plays, caught a few balls, pitched a little...

Elysia managed to squeak out of working the canteen. She spent the weekend in Halifax at her friend, Kaylee's house and was quite excited to see the girls. It's been two years but they are still as tight as ever. I'm sure there was some squealing and giggling going on.

I have volunteered to run the fund raiser canteen. A fair amount of work to set up but the on going part seems to be okay...between ticket sales on a small draw and the canteen, we sold over $400...couldn't believe it...BBQ was the big hit and those cursed ring pop candies (I hate them).

I have joined a book club...that's right, I am getting intellectual in my old age. I am reading the book Rockbound by Frank Parker Day. It's set on NS's South Shore...very different than my normal read but I am enjoying it. Took a while to get into and was a little hard at first because it is written the way the people on the island would be talking...not so good English...it's a very diverse group of ladies in the book club so our first discussion should be interesting...oh yeah, it's this Sunday after I do the Relay for Life on Friday night, and then run the canteen at baseball on Saturday. I told Josee if I fall asleep to just prop me up in the corner.

Mike had a great time at the Chef Master's competition in Toronto, I think it was a little more relaxing as a judge.

Connor's a Teenager

My only nephew, Connor is a teenager today...he is now the big 13!! He's a great kid...loves hockey and golf...4H farming and of course, his Auntie Annie :)

Elysia is at her practice day at CK...yes, that's right, my daughter is at high school today. I know, you are thinking that I'm not old enough to have a daughter in high school but I am, I just don't look old enough!! It's the Oil of Olay!

It's been a busy week. Graham has had lots of baseball practice/try outs and made the "development" rep team. Basically it's the rep players for next year and after. They will play against the other rep teams...may lose alot of games but it's about the development and as the coach put it, it's more about learning at the practices this year than winning the games. Should be an interesting summer. Graham is thrilled because his best buddies are also on the team.

Elysia and Graham had their band/choir concert last week. Being the inept mother that I am, I hope sort of forgotten about the day and didn't even remember to tell my mother (so mother...if you are reading this...sorry). I was a great concert! Ms Quinton does an amazing job with those kids.

Mike heads off to Toronto next week to be a judge at the Chef Masters competition (the one he won last year). I made him a book about it through Creative Memories as an anniversary gift. He really liked the book. Mike has a busy summer...in June, he's in another competition in NFLD and then in August he's in PEI for quite a while, he's in charge of the food service for the Canada Games. The kids and I are going to go over for a week while he's there.

The flower gardens are coming along great...lots of pretty tulips. Had these beautiful double tulips that got too heavy with the rain and the heads snapped off...how rude!! Guess I won't plant more of those. Spent a few hours at the garden centre, spent the gift certificate I got for Mother's Day (and maybe a few pennies more...Mike ignore that part). Got the baskets done and just need to fill some more planters. Still need to plant the veggie garden, have some stuff started but need to get my poop in a group.

Happy Anniversary

Today, it's our wedding anniversary!! 15 years and I haven't killed him...haha, just kidding Mike...love you!! Just think it's only another 50 years of putting up with me!

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the mom's out there!!

Yesterday...Mother's Day luck was on my side. My safety is due on the black car...it's going today. Yesterday coming off the highway into New Minas, they are doing a spot check...well, when I saw that I near crapped! Graham and his friend, Connor are in the car with me and I'm telling them to keep their little yappers shut about anything I may say. I haven't decided whether I will play stupid or tell them I have the appt today. The first officer waves me to the second officer because alot of cars are coming off the highway. There is one car in front of me when I get to the second officer...the guy in the car is reaching for his license, etc and the cop is trying to wave him on...he's already checked the tags, etc. The guy took so long and the line up was getting longer that the officer just waved me through...OMG! I could not believe it! Connor, Graham and I were highfiving it!

Saturday, we went to Halifax to get Elysia's prom dress. We were all malled out by the time we got done. We accomplished what we set out to do though...she has a cute little dress, that according to Mike required more material...guess that's the father in him.

Graham made the first cut for the rep baseball team. Their practice was yesterday at 2, guess what time the rain and wind arrived at...yup...2! The field was already flooded so we tried the other field...the kids went out to throw the ball around while the parents and coaches huddled in the dugouts. Needless to say, they cut it short.

After baseball we went for a visit to Grandma's house. Mom had her bathroom redone a while ago and the guy just kind of biffed everything into a pile in her garage. Well, it was big garbage day so mom and I went through the pile, got it all bundled, bagged and out to the curb...what a mess!!

Did I mention my breakfast?? Yesterday, Graham was bound and determined he was going to make me breakfast in bed. Mike was working, it's convocation at Acadia and there is no way Elysia will rise that early. When I got out of bed, Graham sent me back. Mike had gone to Tim Horton's in the morning and bought some tea and donuts. Graham made me toast though, really dark toast with jam...mmm...and an apple, and a yogurt and two exta large teas, and a box with 3 donuts and two croissants in it...he somehow managed to carry this all upstairs in one trip. I had trouble taking it downstairs, not sure how he did it.

Movies I Should Only Watch Alone!

I have determined that there are certain movies I should only watch alone...because I turn into a blubbering idiot...no matter how many times I see them. The Notebook is one, I will watch the whole thing except that last five minutes and anyone who has seen it knows why. Steel Magnolias, when the mother is in the ICU with her daughter and has to turn the machines off...need I say more?! So last night, being the fool that I am, I decided to watch all of A Walk to Remember...it was pitiful! I had snot and tears down to my armpits and it starts half way through the movie and keeps right on going. I know it's going to happen but being the sappy fool that I am, I watch it anyway.

Graham has started his baseball, he's really enjoying it! He's pretty intense as anyone who has seen him play can attest to...so we practiced some in the yard yesterday. Elysia spent Sat afternoon and night with her cousin, Sarah. Who is doing amazingly well. She looks great, almost all the swelling and bruising is gone, she's allowed to eat real food but she still has to take it somewhat easy...definitely no chewing gum!!

Started a new flower bed on the side of the house, this side is south facing and gets lots of sunlight. I "recycled" my existing plants. Split some hostas, lillies and irises and some other green things that I can only figure out once they start to really come up, who knows, I may have transplanted weeds....eventually I will continue the bed right to the chimney...here's a picture...


I have also included some pictures of my tulips...these are the first ones to show their flowers. Tulips are by far my favorite flower, they seem like the sign of good things to come!




I drove to Kingston today to pickup Elysia and as I was driving down the highway, I heard this funny noise on the windshield...I could not figure out what it was...it was bugs hitting the windshield...the blackflies are coming out and they are hungry!! The bugs will be enough to make my husband hide indoors!


So being the organized mother that I am...haha...I had it all arranged to take the kids for their appointments in the city on the 14th. Elysia for her breathing test and visit to the allergy specialist and Graham to get a monitor put on for 24 hours. I had put in the request for some bond money for shopping for all of us. Had made the necessary arrangements with the school so the kids could still participate in the spring concert that night. It's amazing how much difference a 1 makes...the appointment is for the 4th...Monday...so I had to scramble to make sure I could get the day off, rearrange Graham's monitor. The bond money is not here yet so the kids and I are going to go back to Halifax on Sat this week to get shorts, etc for summer. My great day of organization has gone to the crapper!!