Category — General

Sorry for my cyber-absence. It’s been a long week.

Last Monday, Caelyn stuck a hair clip in her mouth and choked on it until she finally (miraculously) got it down. I’ve always felt that putting anything in her hair was risky, but she rarely takes those clips out. And two weeks ago I bought bigger ones with the specific intention of reducing the choking risk.

Needless to say, she did take one out and I didn’t reduce the risk enough.

After the orange incident THE FREAKIN’ WEEK BEFORE, I brushed up on my “What to do when my toddler chokes” knowledge, so I knew the moves. Doing them, though, was more complicated than I expected, because she resisted me with all her strength. But I did my best, which was enough to help her breathe off and on before downing the thing. And, fortunately, Chris was there and came out when I banged on the wall.

Even with it swallowed, we had to go to the ER to make sure it was in a “good” place, which meant Caelyn couldn’t have anything to eat/drink (she missed snack and dinner) in case we needed to do a procedure, and we were in for a long evening of waiting, hunger, stranger anxiety, exhaustion, and outright terror.

In the end, we were only there for 3 1/2 hours, and although Caelyn thought they were ripping her heart out of her chest when they took x-rays, everything turned out fine. The clip had cleared the chest cavity and all we had to do was wait for it to come out — which it did 2 days later.

I’d thought about kids swallowing things before, but never about the possible consequences besides choking or poisoning. The triage nurse told us not to let her throw up, because she could just as easily choke (and die) when it came back up. So if it had gotten stuck somewhere in the middle they would’ve had to surgically go in and remove it.

Thankfully, that’s not how it went for us. We all came home healthy and even a little disappointed that we didn’t get to see the x-rays.

Then on Thursday Caelyn and I got an early start on errands. We picked up sparkly stickers for party favors at Michael’s, then headed south for lunch and Hobby Lobby, but our trip was cut short in front of Wal-Mart, where a lady pulled out in front of me and the only thing to do was hit her.

I’ve never been in a wreck (or a “fender bender”) as a driver or a passenger. I’ve never even gotten a traffic ticket, so all the excitement was “novel” to me. Still, as cynical as this may seem, it wasn’t entirely unexpected. Everyone’s number has to come up eventually. Seriously, I don’t know how anyone can commute in the metroplex for any length of time and not think something like that. On the most part, I don’t mind DFW traffic, and I think it’s “friendlier” than most of the traffic in other big Texas cities, but when you pass one or two accidents both to and from work every single day, you gotta wonder.

I stopped wondering last week.

Here’s the recap:

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Something happens to me when I start working on a new project that I actually care about.

I get focused.

I work on it in my spare time. I read about it in my down time. I think about it when I’m supposed to be doing something else, like blogging or sleeping or coloring.

Yesterday, I had a pen in my purse, so I took notes during church. Here’s a sample:

The Gospel shouldn’t be reduced to the afterlife.

Polka dots . . . or buckles with Cs?

Why were they, who thought they would be accepted, rejected?

• “I never knew you.” “Did not do my father’s will.”
• Didn’t have the relationship required to act in his name.
• Didn’t have the authority to act in his name.
• Used his name in vain by using it selfishly.

Pizza? Chickfila? Subway?

“Do not be like these.”

• Pagans, Scribes, Pharisees
• Contrast between religious and authentic

Lipgloss? Candy? Mini cupcakes? Crayons?

SotM revolutionized the law — heart became the central issue.

In case you can’t tell, those are notes about the closing of the Sermon on the Mount and Caelyn’s birthday party, which will be happening in just a few weeks. (The birthday party, not the Sermon on the Mount.)

No, I’m not crazy enough to think you really care about what I’m thinking about during church. I’m just sharing this bit of info to let you know where I’ve been.

Or at least where my mind’s been.

My body’s been right here on the couch during nap time, just like always. I’ve even had the laptop open. But I’ve been looking at party stuff. I keep thinking that I’ll just look for a little bit and have plenty of time leftover for blogging and commenting. But you don’t need me to tell you that it never works out that way.

I’m kinda at a standstill, though. I’ve figured out how to make the invitations, but I can’t make ‘em until Chris reserves the locale and we confirm the guest list. I’ve figured out how to decorate the tables, but I can’t buy the supplies until the plates get here and I can match the colors and until we find out what kinds of tables we’ll have and how many. I’ve figured out the favors, but I can’t make them until I have the guest list. . . .

Sensing a trend yet?

Anyway, I figure it’s high time I fill you in on the last few weeks. But actually doing it would take more time than either of us cares to give. So whatdaya say to a list of highlights, in no particular order? (I promise comments/responses will be appearing the next time I hit the computer.)

I’m only doing 10 and I’m just gonna type ‘em as I think of ‘em, because if I tried to cover all the things I’ve made mental notes to blog about, we’d be here all afternoon. And I won’t mention Claire’s first birthday, since I already have.

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Okay, I know I promised to do some real blogging asap, but I just got Season 7 of Gilmore Girls back from my sister, and with the last leg of my marathon in sight . . . .

C’mon, like I even need to finish that thought. You know what I’ve been doing. But I will follow through on my promise eventually. Plus, by that time, I’ll have a few new GG thoughts for you. And! I’ll give you those anniversary pics RIGHT NOW! (Tell me that’s not a deal.)

Here they are . . . My Parents, Rude E. & The Duke, Grammi Roo & Graddaddy, Ge-Ge & Ga-Ge, still goin’ strong just three years shy of the ruby:

Still Smiling After All These Years

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I’ll try to get a run down of my last five days in the Big Country and some real blogging to you asap. But, for now, I’ll let the pictures do the talking. (Yeah, I know. 20 pics?!? Sure, less is more and all that jazz. But, well, don’t you know me by now?) My parents’ anniversary pics are right around the corner too.

Lookin’ Cute Even Before the Party

“Get ready. Here’s your one photo smile for the weekend.”

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As you all know, MK Olsen has agreed to be my stunt double. (All we lack is her signature. And knowledge of my existence.) Upon reading the news, JSmo claimed that she has “always” thought that I look like Michelle Tanner. She even challenged me to post some toddler pictures.

She’s right. I do look like Lil’ Munchkin in some of my toddler pictures. Unfortunately, since the scanner doesn’t work with Leopard, the only ones available for posting are those that have already been featured on the old blog. (Aww, nuts!) I don’t mind putting them up over here, and I will, but I’m not sure how accurate a comparison you can make, since only one is a head-on shot and I’m making a weird face in it.

But I don’t want JSmo starting her own blog just so she can post pics of me on the pot — how rude! — and we do our best to give the fans what they want at For the Record, so . . . You got it, dude!

Pre-toddler, snoozin’ on the Pops

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