Katerbug Blue

My Boys

Kate — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 03:54:43 +0000

They always say how different two siblings can be, and I have to admit, it’s very apparent with just my two oldest. My 12 year old is brilliant—he really is, but he doesn’t have the tools he needs to really put that brain to good use. He’s one that I have to fight with daily to do simple things like shower, brush his teeth or change the t shirt he’s worn for three days. His bedroom floor is clean–and “vacuum ready” at all times—yet every surface is covered with clutter. My 10 year old is also brilliant. Yet has the ability to make it work for him. He takes care of EVERYTHING! His clothes are clean, his teeth are brushed–his surfaces empty. My father in law gave him a ship in a bottle and asked me if I thought that, at 10, he was old enough to treat it right. I assured him that he would be able to ask for that item in 15 years, and it would be in exactly the same condition as it is now. It would be well cared for.

Opposite of his brothers crumpled t-shirts–this boy dresses up everyday. He has a selection of bow ties and neckties that he wears to church, and I think his number could rival any white collar man in the room.

The thing is—I did nothing different with child number one–than I did with child number two. I’ve never been the scared first time mother sheltering my first born only to realize with number two that I could relax a bit—-I’ve always been relaxed. Too relaxed if possible. And yet these two boys are polar opposites. Personality wise, I enjoy them both—but my oh my, one’s wife will thank me while the other one curses me!!

No Time

Kate — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 03:45:55 +0000

I have been thinking lately about how we get so much more done in our day now that we are super busy, than we ever did when we were “normal”. I have heard the saying that if you want something done, give it to a busy person–but really, who knew?? This last Christmas we purchased a ton of new computer hardware to speed things up a bit online. There are video cards and DVD burners, and a TON of memory–but in all of our comings and goings we have never taken a moment to tear the computer apart and finish the project. I’m thinking that will be item number one on the agenda for Spring Break! (Just not before 9:30 am)

The D’s Knees!

Kate — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 03:27:53 +0000

My parents snowbird every Winter in Arizona. They have a 5th wheel that they leave parked year round in Yuma and enjoy those moments of getting away from the snows of Utah, for a little warmer climate.

They are heading home next week and my father has an appointment with his doctor to schedule his knee replacement surgery. He will be 78 on April 11 and his poor knees have finally given out. He’s been on joint supplements for a long time, and I think that’s why he’s gotten away with it for so long.

So I will find out on March 31st, when I need to fly to Utah to care for my parents. My poor mom is practically bedridden with Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia–and will need all the help she can find while my dad recuperates from his surgery. I said it before….when it rains….it pours!

When It Rains It Pours

Kate — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 03:22:10 +0000

We’ve all heard that expression, huh! But so true it is in this family. You’ve been reading about the shock one side of the family has been dealing with this past 6-8 weeks, and as awful and all consuming as it is, the other side of the family has been having a rough go as well. My father in law was put in the hospital earlier this month. In fact, the day they admitted him, his doctors were amazed that he was still alive. How crazy is that?

Years before I joined the family, he underwent a quintuple bypass and has been having trouble with his heart since then. There is a LONG history of heart disease in his family–both parents died rather young, and despite being on one of the best best cholesterol treatments around, his years of hard drinking and heavy smoking have started to take their toll. He’s developed COPD and that is what he was hospitalized with this last time. He had pneumonia, and because of the COPD it was being masked. He spent his 66th birthday in the hospital, and will live on oxygen the remainder of his life.

Wednesday is the Pinewood Derby for my second son, and we will be celebrating that 66th birthday dinner that night before the race.

I marvel at how we take our health for granted until those around us lose theirs.

38 With A 15 Year Old Face

Kate — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 03:06:41 +0000

As I mentioned in my previous post, my husband and I are getting old and yet, not feeling old. I think part of that is the fact that I still deal with acne breakouts on a daily basis. Today, especially, my face is bad. Red and inflamed and honestly, quite sore! I can’t wait for the day that I’m old enough to say goodbye to acne once and for all!

Growing Old?

Kate — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 03:04:12 +0000

My husband turns 40 this year. In July. I can’t mock him because I turn 39. In May. Now, it’s not like we need to be reading a wrinkle cream review or finding coupons for adult diapers–I remember when my mom was 39 for heaven’s sake—and as old as I thought she was at that time…I really don’t feel like it.

I’m also not one of those people dreading 40. I’ve enjoyed every year and look forward to the coming ones. What I’m not enjoying, however, is the fact that my babies are growing up. My first born is 12 and pretty independent. My baby is 5 and talking incessantly about starting Kindergarten this year—where did my babies go? I know I don’t have 12 years worth of memories of Boy #1!!

I offered a friend my body yesterday. How odd does that sound? They have dreamed of children, but have never been able to have any. I offered myself as a surrogate. Now–it was much easier to offer knowing full well they wouldn’t go for it—but it may have been a last ditch attempt to hold on to my child rearing years. Although when I think about bottles and diapers…I’m very glad to be finished with that!

It’s Spring Break In Chicago

Kate — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 02:55:08 +0000

As I crawled into bed last night, I realized that today was the last day of school for my kids before Spring Break. When I was growing up, Spring Break was 4 days…Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.There would never have been time to head on down to Cancun for a raucous “Girls Gone Wild” Spring Break. We were lucky to get some extra sleep in before hitting the town with our friends. But here in Chicago, my kids have an entire week.

My husband’s cousin is heading to visit her parents for an Orlando vacation! How positively nice does that sound? Actually, it sounds like a lot of work to some of us mothers–but in the dreamy state of “I wish”…it sounds heavenly!

Her parents leave Chicago at the end of January every year for a condo in Florida. They make it home around mid April, just in time for Spring.

One of these years, when our kids are a little older, and money isn’t so tight…I would love to plan a little getaway for my family over this week long holiday. Until then, I’ve threatened them all to within an inch of their lives if they wake me up before 9:30 am next week!!!

Looking For A Cure

Kate — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 02:49:06 +0000

In the world of illness I have to say, after a while, they all start seeming the same. I don’t know what a mesothelioma prognosis is, but when you hear cancer–everything in your world seems to slow down. It’s crushing! Every step forward is followed by 2 steps back. Everyday there is bad news, every other day brings a little good news. If it’s exhausting for the healthy people supporting the patient—I can’t imagine how earth shattering and draining it is for the survivor.

Those first few weeks were complete shadows. When I think of them, it’s a blur. A blur of people rushing in to help in anyway they can, kids who know something is wrong with their mom–but not sure what or how to react.

I’m not sure what the coming weeks will bring—but to any and all recovering from this chaos—our thoughts and prayers are with you all!

Getting Back

Kate — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 02:42:12 +0000

I have to apologize for not being here recently. We, as an extended family, have been taking care of a sweet sister in law recently diagnosed with a debilitating and aggressive form of cancer. As sisters we have all stepped in to the “mom” shoes for her kids. Dinners, child care, orchestra recitals…we’ve been there, and as much as I would have loved to be here too, there just isn’t time enough in the day, and our support was needed elsewhere.

Times seem to be getting a little more sane around here, and I hope to back in full swing in the near future.

Thanks for you email messages and comments these past several weeks—they’ve meant so much!

Turning 40

Kate — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 05:32:52 +0000

My husband’s 40th birthday is coming up in July. I’ve already started thinking of something fun to do–because honestly, we’ll really have to start saving for it now. I’m not really one who thinks 40 is over the hill and requiring gag gifts like a walking stick with a horn or wrinkle fillers, but I want something with all of his friends that is both fun and memorable.

If you ask him, he doesn’t want anything–but I would love to do a pig roast. Sadly—he is the “pig roast” guy–and he’d end up catering his own birthday party. Not so great!