This Ain't the Ritz Carlton Salon...

After my easiest surgery to date, my doctor told me I couldn't get my incision wet for 3 days.  Tonight, I needed a shower.

#1--I showered last on Sunday evening before the Monday surgery.
#2--I cleaned my whole house today & worked up quite a sweat.
#3--It's that time-of-the-month.
#4--I didn't want my legs to look like my husband's.
#5--When I took off the bandanna I had on my head, Joel couldn't stop staring at my hair.

Bathing was necessary. 

Some brief negotiating was required as my husband was all *pro doctor's orders* tonight and didn't want me to get wet.  So, we made a deal that I could take a super duper shallow bath while washing my hair (that he was still staring at) with a cup. 

Fast forward to me sitting in the bathtub & as I'm preparing to wash my hair, I notice my washing cup is across the bathroom.  So I called Joey to come help me.  I asked him to please assist me in getting my hair wet.  I leaned my head back & he starts pouring water on my hair & this is what followed....

"It's so nice to wash someone's hair without them crying."

"How you doin'?"

"Look, your hair is just as shiny as it was when it was dry!"

"How's that your heiness?"

I did shampoo & then he came back to rinse....

"Why are you letting water drip on your bandage, woman?!"

"I can't tell if I'm getting all the shampoo out."

"This is like a salon!"

Now it's conditioner time--

"Really?  Don't you have some leave in kind that I won't have to rinse?"

"Do you use that much?  How much does that cost?"

Time to rinse the conditioner...

"Lean back woman!  This ain't the Ritz Carlton Salon!"

Seriously, there was so much laughing--what a bonding experience.  But in true Joel fashion, his thoughtful words ended out evening as I was getting out of the tub...

"Make sure you don't pop a stitch trying to get outta there, woman."

What's not to love?

Earthquakes, Hurricanes & Nipples...

In the period of 7 days, we have experienced the first earthquake in the DC area since 1897, had the first day of the 2011-2012 school year with a 1st & 3rd grader, took cover for tornado watches & the wrath of Hurricane Irene, then wrapped up the week with the construction of my right nipple! 

So, let's start with last Tuesday when I'm sitting on the bed of my room, watching Hurricane Irene coverage with my oldest.  We're minutes away from getting in the car to go to the school & meet the girls' teachers.  Then there's shaking--Jackie & I look at each other confused.  But then the shaking gets worse & we realize what's happening.  The child tries to bolt from the room, but I grabbed her and we stood in the doorway of my bathroom until the shaking stopped.  Let me just give one word to the reaction to our first family earthquake--FREAK OUT.  Meet & Greet at the school is cancelled as the school needs to be inspected before anyone can be let back into the building.  Jackie cannot wrap her head around the concept of earthquakes NOT being predictable.  No one slept well that night....

Wednesday morning brought BACK TO SCHOOL!  The girls were nervous as they hopped on the big yellow bus, neither one knowing where their classroom was or anyone who would be in their class this year.  I spent the day worried for them, even though I knew they'd be fine.  Thankfully both girls came home thrilled to pieces with their teachers & classmates.  Early to bed that night....

Thursday I headed to the commissary to pick up a few things "just in case"...Friday, Joel grabbed some dog food & more gasoline for the generator.  Better to be over prepared, right?  Oh yeah, he also picked up extra batteries & a couple more flashlights, but guess what?  Of all the batteries he purchased, none were a 9 volt, which is what I need to quiet the damn smoke detector which has started "singing" on Friday!

Saturday morning my plans were messed up as the storm began earlier than I expected.  After a morning run in the rain & quick trip to a bbq to celebrate the end of summer, we came home to tornado watches.  Again, kids were bundles of nerves so we settled them for the night in the basement playroom.  About 9pm we lost power.  Hurricane Irene made herself known. 

Camping is fun.  My family loves to do it.  And we were prepared to be without power for 5-6 days with "camp" foods & paper plates....we were NOT prepared for the street 2 houses away to never lose power, however....

After 2 full nights with no electricity, we left the house this morning just KNOWING we would come home to power.  When we got home about 6:00 tonight & heard the familiar rumble of generators going up & down the street, it was really hard to be upset.  Why?  After I was so angry & grouchy last night?  Well, today I got my right nipple!  It's the first time in over 5 years that I've had two nipples.  It's the little things, folks.  I'll tell you all about this particular surgery another time--all I can say is EEEEK! 

But, tonight, I will go to bed feeling more whole than I have in years...

Tomorrow is a different story.  Between the lack of hot water for bathing & chirping of the smoke detector, I might just make the 6:00 news--stay tuned!!! 

What size?

The email came today--10 weeks and counting!  Just 10 more weeks until we're walking 60 miles in Dallas, TX in the Susan G Komen 3 Day for the Cure.  If you hadn't heard, my husband (tho STILL waiting on leave approval) is walking with my team, Jenny's Army of Angels.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jenny's Army of Angels 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pictured above is our team last year wearing our team shirts--camo for the "army", pink for the "breast cancer" part of the walk, the back had a pair of wings for the "angels".  Cute, right? 

My 4th-year-in-a-row teammate, Jayne, so graciously offered to see if she could get a couple more of these shirts made for our new team members this year & we were hashing out some details last night, including sizes for those new walkers.

So, I pulled my shirt out of the closet & asked Joel, "Would you wear one of these with the team if we get you one made?  And what size do you think you'd need?" 

My husband, the man who has been by my side for 5+ years as our world has REVOLVED around breast cancer, says "That's really PINK.  Can I wear one in a different color?"

Now, in my head the following slide show is going as I recall the previous years I've participated in this walk...

Please note that not only are these pictures all of men, but the common theme of pink.

I replied, "Seriously?  It's a BREAST CANCER walk--the color associated with breast cancer is PINK.  If you want one in a different color, you can wear a PINK bra over it."

There was no pause, "Ok, I'll take an XL."

That's what I thought....

Summer Fun

Today we were all home with no plans & no visitors.  So we took a bike ride!  Jamison had been asking to go to "Park Waters Park"  (aka Quiet Waters Park) in Annapolis.  What a beautiful day!

While I'm very much looking forward to & counting down the days till the first day of school next week, I am loving every moment of the final days of summer fun till then!