Chub and the Giant, Gold Hootie!

For those of you who have ever seen the episode of "Everybody Loves Raymond" where Marie, Raymond's mother, learns how to sculpt, and she makes this sculpture that very much looks like the female anatomy, you'll certainly understand this!


John and I made our way to the "Chub" O'Reiley Cancer Center for my appointment on Wednesday. Yes, his name was CHUB! I know, I know....it's almost too much to take in...but just hang on until you read the rest of this crazy story! We rode up on the elevator, the doors open, we step out and look around to see where we were supposed to be going, and as we turn to our right, all of a sudden there is this giant, 30 foot, gold sculpture of what looks like a woman's hootie, right in front of the doors we're supposed to go into, which is called "Women's Oncology"! John and I both immediatley looked at each other and started laughing. So, John, of course, started his comedy routine. He acted like he dialed a phone, and in his very best "hick" or "coo" voice he spoke into his imaginary phone saying "Uhhhhh yeeuh, this is "Chub" ovurh at duh cancer center, I need that giant pooossay to be about 35 feet tall, and about 15 feet wide, with the clit-tohr-us about 30 feet off of duh ground! Ya'll got that???"


I was laughing so hard I thought I was going to pee myself. However, I was so nervous about the appointment, that I was about to pass out, so, we went inside and tried to become more serious, so as not to disrespect any other patients that were perhaps not so easily entertained. Thank goodness, there was only one gentlemen waiting in there for a family member. 


We discovered later, after I saw that there was a plaque down in the flowers underneath the giant, gold, female genitalia, that it was supposed to be "the eternal flame". I told John, "I do believe that was an unfortunate choice of placement for that particular flame!"


Okay, so...I go to the exam, which was the most THOROUGH exam I've ever had in my 25 years of going to hootie docs. Holy, moly was it thorough... John came in for the consult afterwards. 


Before the exam, when the nurse took my vitals, my blood pressure was high, which it NEVER is, my heart rate was high, which it NEVER is, and I was shaking like a leaf....now let me put this all into perspective for you. I see my rheumatologist every 3 or 4 months, and my primary care physician every 4 months. I have bloodwork done every 2 months for my rheumatologist and bloodwork for my primary care physician every 3 months. So, I'm checked very often for all of these things. The fact was, my terror about what I was going to find out, was causing my body to react and I could not get it under control. My body was betraying me (again) and that's the first time in my life I haven't been able to   breathe, relax and command myself to calm down. It just wasn't happening, and that really bothered me... I'm 45 years old, I've performed in front of people in Carnegie Hall, I've conducted many, many concerts through the years, I've done public speaking to large crowds of people, I have saved the life of one student who was choking on a piece of candy on a school bus, I've had students go into full blown asthma attacks on the marching field and turn blue while I'm trying to get them to take their inhalers (yes, they both happened at the same time and I had both inhalers in my pocket and John was up in the top of the stands across the field) I've had two students who have dropped to the floor from seizures while talking to me, I've seen numerous car wrecks that I've helped out at, and I have never, in any of those situations, ever, not been able to control my physical reaction to stress. First time for everything, I guess! Okay, wait....the two tornadoes John and I have been in....I was panicked then.


Here are the things that I know about my situation, besides the fact that it sucks.


I have endometrial cancer, endometriosis and a large fibroid tumor on the outside of my uterus. I also have an umbilical hernia that I had no idea was present. He will stage the cancer during the surgery. He will try not to take any of my lymph nodes so that I won't get lymphedema (the extreme swelling of extremeties in the absence of lymph nodes.)


The surgery will be abdominal instead of vaginal, because my uterus is enlarged, my hootie is small and those two don't make for a good surgical outcome! He will check to see if my appendix, gallbladder and any other non-vital organs look like they need to be hacked out of me so as to save me ever having to go through this again because of the R.A. (I have to go off of my RA meds so that my body can heal and it will also lessen my chances for infection. The RA meds compromise the immune system, which is already compromised because of the autoimmune disease. At least, that's how this RA patient understands it.) Basically, it's a vicious circle of disease and misfortune! 


I've been off of the Methotrexate injections for almost two weeks now, and Monday it will be two weeks for the Humira injections. I can take my oral meds up until the day before which will be Thursday, July 5th. Here's the kicker...I had a flare up in my left hand on Monday & Tuesday....the pain was so intense that even with three Tramadol in me, over the course of 12 hours, the pain wasn't touched and all the pain killer did was make me sick as a dog. I had to sit up all night because sleeping with pain that bad doesn't happen. So, my rheumatologist started me on a tapering dose of Prednisone which will be finished in 4 days. I won't be able to start back on my injections until 3 to 4 weeks AFTER this surgery. My hand is completely fine now, BUT, right now, this very moment....my left shoulder is starting to give me fits...EVEN on Prednisone. THIS is going to be the worst part of this entire cancer thing....is going off of the RA drugs...I think. I HOPE! At least, with the RA, I KNOW what's coming. I just hate to put my family through it. I can't help myself when I'm in that much pain...if I have to move that particular body part that is flaring, I cry and sometimes scream out in pain...and I've seen the faces of my family members when that happens. I hate it. They hurt for me, and I don't want to put them through that. This whole situation just sucks. My oncologist/surgeon gave me a script that will help, but I try to avoid taking any pain meds unless it is absolutely necessary. Well, guess what....I think the necessity has shown it's ugly face.


I want to go back to the giant, gold hootie. I wonder if the giant, gold hootie-from now on to be known as the GGH, was there BEFORE that became the women's oncology department...or if some dumbass put it in afterward. I mean really.....I know that John and I aren't the only ones who have noticed it....because when we went to the hospital for all of my pre-surgical testing, my nurse completely agreed with us and said that she'd noticed that too! So, it's not just us having dirty minds! Unbelievable. Anyway, I'm glad that the GGH was there, it helped me kind of come back to my pre-cancer self even if it was just for a little bit. I will be eternally grateful for the eternal flame that will eternally be known in this blog as the GGH!


K.P., if you can write a country song for me about the giant, gold hootie that made me laugh....I'd love it!


Okay, everyone....have a great night. Type at ya again soon!:)

Cancer Update 1

Okay, folks.

John and I went to the oncology appointment today. After a quick exam, he met with us and here are the basics of what we know right now:

I have Endometrial Cancer, and he still thinks it's contained in my uterus. The CT scan and his exam leads him to believe that it probably hasn't migrated anywhere else yet! This is great news!! :)

Although he would not commit to any kind of a stage diagnosis yet, he seems to think that we may have a good chance of not having to do much or any radiation or chemo.

Next Friday, July 6th, I will have a complete hysterectomy. I'll probably be in the hospital for about a week afterward. Once the entire surgical team feels that I am out of the woods as far as infection and other similar possible complications, I'll go home and take about 6 weeks to recover.

Those are the basics! John and I are completely wiped out. As you know, it's been a pretty tough week! So this is all I've got tonight! I just wanted to make sure that anybody who follows this blog got the information as quickly as I could possibly get it to you! Thanks for all of your prayers and well wishes!! :) I'm really sorry that I didn't put the energy into the entertainment component that I normally do...I bet I'll be more up to that tomorrow or the next day, so stay tuned!! :) 

By the way, if I forget to tell you about the sculpture outside my oncologist's office, please be sure to remind me! Who would ever have thought anything about cancer could be hilarious...but this story is!!!!!! :) Love to all. Goodnight!

The Ultimate F.U.

Well, the title of my blog is certainly true for me for the last three days. Mid-life scariness is not only the title of this blog, it's also the multi-word description of my experiences starting on Wednesday with my Mom's surgery.


This isn't going to be a sad sack read, just a quick run through of the facts with a funny spin put on it... so, pull up your big boy and big girl britches and hang on for the ride!


First, a brief explanation of Mom's surgery. Two years ago, she had a Cholycystectomy (removal of gallbladder) but after that surgery, she was still having lots of pain, indigestion and nausea. Long story short, they left the CBD (Common Bile Duct) untouched instead of cleaning it out and removing any stuck gallstones. After much pain and bullshit for my 83 year old mother, she had the CBD cleaned out on Wednesday and a stint placed in it for the next 4 weeks, only to go back in and have it removed on July 18th. Now, this is what a tough, old bird my incredible mom is...that CBD is supposed to be 4 mm wide...HERS was 16 mm wide and the gallstones were the size of quarters and half dollars...I saw the pictures...NO WONDER she's been in soooo much pain. They looked like little watermelons. Seriously. Should never have happened to her. EVER. Anyhoo, I went home to stay with her. It went well, she's doing VERY well. I'm glad for her now, but I wish for every single time she was in pain or sick since that first surgery, that her surgeon who did the first surgery would have something scary happen to him...like... when he goes to take a piss, it's the color of one of Lady Ga Ga's wigs, then when he drives up to the ATM in his Porsche, he can't get his money because someone who is smarter than I am, stole his identity and emptied his accounts and left him with 25 bucks...then when he drives home to try and figure out what was happening to him, he steps in a big pile of dog shit, slips and falls in it and the neighbor's REALLY BIG dog who had shit in his yard to begin with, runs over to him and starts humping him while biting the shit out of him. That's a lot of "shits" in the last section....but it was necessary for the story. Yes, I have an active imagination. :)


Okay, so first scary incident...the surgeon told us that Mom's surgery would be about 30 to 35 minutes, well, and hour and 45 minutes later, (yes, we were all nervous) the nurse comes out and says "Mrs. Sullivan's family"...we all nodded and sat up, "Come with me, now, please." So, my middle brother, my older sister and I got up while sharing a glance that said "WTF???" We get in there, and Mom is WIDE AWAKE, talking to us like nothing had ever even taken place! I said..."Mom???" and at that time the nurse said " I wanted to get you guys back here before the doctor left...he's on his way out of the building and I wanted him to talk to you while he was telling Mrs. Sullivan about the surgery. She's doing very, very well!" WHEEEEWWWWWW....Thanks for scaring the shit out of us and don't pay any attention if I trip you while you're walking briskly through here. Just sayin'... Mom was awake through the entire thing. They didn't tell us- or HER about that part of it. But she said it was fine...they had enough drugs in her that she didn't feel anything and wasn't freaked out by the tube down her throat. Like I said, she's TOUGH! She'll be 84 on Aug. 8th....awesome!


So, Thursday-late afternoon, I'm sitting with Mom in the living room talking with her and thinking to myself how relieved I am that she is doing so well, and actually felt like sitting up with me instead of laying in bed. As we were shootin' the breeze, my cell phone rang. It was a 417 area code but not a number I recognized, so I figured it was one of John's students who didn't have his cell number, which happens all of the time. So, I answered it.


Scary incident number two: I answered the phone and it was my gynecologist, or "hootie doctor" as the women in my family refer to them. I was surprised, because I have his number programmed in my phone, and when it rang, it certainly was not his number. "Mrs. Devos, I've been trying to get in touch with you. I really don't like telling this kind of thing over the phone, I'm really sorry, but the results from your biopsy show that you have endometriosis and cancer, but it's not Ovarian cancer, which is good. If it was Ovarian cancer, many times that is caught too late, but yours is not Ovarian. We will need to do a full hysterectomy and hopefully, we've caught it in time and it hasn't already begun to spread."


(my ears are getting hot, my heart is pounding, I'm going to puke....if I didn't know better, I'd think I was having a good drunk, but....I'm sitting here with Mom, and I don't have a cocktail in my hand....and I'm NOT HAPPY. What did he just say???????? WHAT DID HE JUST SAY??????????)


All I could muster up the courage to say was a timid, quiet... (yes, I was actually quiet you smart asses :) "okay????"  And he continued..."we will need to do a full hysterectomy within the next couple of weeks. I've already set you up with the Oncology department with Dr. So and So, he's one of the best there is and specializes in gynecological cancers." (WHAT DID HE JUST FUCKING SAY TO ME?? MOM is right here.....what am I going to do.....I can't let her know, oh wait....there are tears rolling down my cheeks and she can read my mind anyway....she already knows. HOLY SHIT.....why did I answer this in front of her, I mean, of course I'd tell her when I could be calm about it, but not this way, she doesn't deserve this...AND she just had surgery herself, yesterday. What a fucking nightmare. Somebody, please wake me up....this can't be happening like this....John is not here...JOHN....HOW AM I GOING TO TELL JOHN????? Oh no, I don't know what Dr. L has just said for the last few seconds or minutes...has it been hours???...STOP THINKING SOOOO LOUDLY and ask him to repeat it....Carolinn!!! Wake up and ask him to repeat what he has been saying to you!!!!!!!) "Dr. L, Ummmmm, I'm not sure I heard the last part of what you just said, I'm in shock...this is the last thing I expected... and if you could just tell me again....I don't have Ovarian, right?" "No, you don't have Ovarian." (My mom physically cringed and looked down at her hands that were folded in her lap) "I'm sooo sorry to do this over the phone. We will need to do a catscan and bloodwork and then Dr. C will tell you what is going to have to be done to get this taken care of." (I pulled myself together enough to ask...) "Okay, can you tell me what the surgeon's name is again and what I am supposed to do?" (Besides vomit, pass out and shit myself:)


Now, I have to say to those of you who know me, that even though I'm loud, pretty mentally tough and generally take the bull by the horns, in that instant of my timeline of life, I was looking for a little, blue x to scroll over to show an "edit or delete" button in the air around me...alas, if it was there, it was invisible to me. The next few minutes of that event are a blurred, quick, chain of events that seemed to take hours to play out. All I can really remember is that horrified look on my sweet mom's face and the sound of her voice saying "This is not supposed to happen to you, I wish it was me instead." It was useless to try and pretend like I was brave. I wasn't brave. I was horrified. I was horrified by the fact that I was the one with C. I was horrified by the fact that Mom found out that way, I was horrified that I was going to have to tell my husband, who lost his mother 4 years ago to C and his father just a few weeks ago to something else...that I, his wife, his best friend- was in trouble. Then, there are my sisters, brothers, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews and my friends. The air had been sucked out of me. And the thing that had sucked it out was the C word. The C word that had killed my Dad twenty years ago, and my mother-in-law almost four years ago. I'm scared, confused and a little pissed off. I guess the R.A. and losing my career -only 18 years into it- wasn't enough...oh hell no....let's REALLY test this midlife broad and see if she can make jokes about this little string of terrible events.


Well, guess what....this is the ultimate F.U. to the disease world. I always used to say during Aunt Flo's monthly visit that I wanted to rip my ovaries out and make them into earrings....NOW, I really have the chance to do that!! The fact is, it's in me, yes-it's horrible, yes-I'm freaking scared out of my wits that it has spread, yes-I've sobbed on and off for the last three days, yes-I don't want to die...but, I'm a lot more calm about it all now, three days later. I've done lots of research as has everyone else in my family now, and even if I'm in stage 3 or 4, the prognosis is still pretty good. Here's something funny....I still am not sure exactly what type of cancer it is....uterine, cervical-hell, it could be crazy bitch cancer and I wouldn't know because I was too dumbfounded to ask- maybe...actually, I'm sure he told me, I just don't remember because I had a massive brain fart at that very moment. And a justified one, too!


So, here's the time table as I now know it. Monday morning I will have a catscan and bloodwork done. Wednesday afternoon I will meet with my oncologist/surgeon so he can tell me all the good news and schedule the surgery after which we will commence with the jewelry making session. All I have to say is....I hope my surgeon is HOT. I mean really, if I have to be going through all of this crap....at least give me some eye candy to look at for the few times I'll be seeing him! There's got to be SOME pleasantness in all of this horror! 

Some other good things...I will save A LOT of money on feminine hygiene products, we'll get to use the Aflac cancer policy we've been paying on, AND, OH... YES....I'm sure I'll lose more weight once they get all of these disease ridden, useless parts out of me! Just trying to find the silver lining, people....work with me, here.

I'm taking suggestions on earring styles for my ovaries. Feel free to submit sketches. The winner will receive an all-inclusive, paid trip to nowhere! 


One of my biggest concerns is, I have to go off of my RA meds to have all of this done, which means I will more than likely be crippled and in LOTS of pain again for a few weeks until I've healed and I can start back on my meds. I will be relying on family and friends a lot, and I'm soooo very thankful that I have them. All funniness aside, I know this is very serious and I know all of the possible outcomes. It's okay...I'll fight it no matter what. We'll deal with it as it comes.


After this is all over....I'm throwing a big-ass party, like the ones I used to have all of the time. Who knows, maybe the cops will even show up. Not a party til the cops show up to tell you to keep it down. Maybe I'll rent a hall somewhere and we can all meet, dance, sing, go do fun things, stay in hotels, and make a weekend of it! You old party goers know who you are!!! :) 


This is to all of my clean mouthed friends-sorry about all the cussing in this post, but you know me...and you know what I'm capable of...my dad REALLY was a sailor, you know. Navy. 


Okay. So, there it is. I'm now ready to curl up with John on the couch and watch a movie on Netflix, eat some popcorn, drink some unsweet tea and enjoy the rest of this weekend! I suggest the rest of you do the same!! -only with your spouses or significant others, not John. :) Love and Hugs to you all, and thanks in advance for the well wishes as we jump in with both feet into this next Midlife Scariness. :)


Carolinn


P.S. John found this recording of Chuck Mangione and Esther Satterfield performing "Land of Make Believe". I didn't even realize there were lyrics to this incredible piece of music. Then, I listened and read the lyrics. It pretty much describes how I'm feeling right now. The first verse.......well, you'll understand.

Hey, everybody! I haven't blogged since February...(it's been a rough few months) so, I figured it was time to get off my lazy streak and give you something to read as well as myself some writing therapy. 


First of all, since I last blogged, I am now on full disability. Which is interesting. I'm not feeling as anxious and depressed about not being able to work as I was. It helps to be able to pay the bills once again! But, I guess I feel kinda left out of the loop with my music teaching buds. Not their faults mind you, not anyone's...it's just the way it is. So, I gave voice lessons which ended last week for the summer and I'm accompanying for one choir performance next week, which I love...as long as my hands can do it! Had it happened a month ago, I wouldn't have been able to play piano for them...couldn't use my hands for about a week, but all is good now.


This weekend is Mother's Day weekend and Michele, Kendrick, Camille and I are going home to Farmington. Daron and John both have stuff to do, so they're staying home. We having a big family dinner (ALL of us) at Bruce and Evanne's on Saturday...can't wait to see everyone, especially Mom. I love her to the moon and back. :)


Okay, so a funny story about the last time we were at Mom's. We were watching Turtle Man, we being Mom, Kendrick, Camille, Chele and myself. It's a show about this toothless cooo who goes around catching wild animals that have gotten into places they're not supposed to be. So, he goes down in this old well, and there's this albino racoon....yes, I said an albino racoon....I know, I know....it's already too much...long story short, it was hissing and growling and right before a commercial, you hear this loud screech and the Turtle Man yell....it goes to commercial....Kendrick....out of the blue says, "I think it bit his nibble!" We all looked at each other and smiled with our eyebrows raised, and me, being the aunt who just can't let stuff go...said "What, Kendrick?" He said it again..."I think that albino racoon just bit his NIBBLE!" I have to say, it was all we could do to not crack up laughing...it was sooooo out of character for him to say something like that...but we didn't want him to think we were making fun of him, so we just went with it...BIG TIME...I said, "Man, that would really hurt if one of those things bit your NIBBLE." Kendrick, all serious like, said..."Yeah, it would!" Camille was laughing just because she's 4 and it was hilarious to her...Mom just about had a cow. She was laughing so hard and trying to keep it quiet that she finally got up and walked into the other room!! Then, it was over...we all busted up including Kendrick when it came back on, of course, he didn't know exactly WHAT we were laughing at...he was just having a good time. 


Since then, of course, the word nipples has now become nibbles.


In honor of our Mother's Day road trip on Friday...I've decided to find out some things about everyone else's road trips. The main thing I want to know is this....what kind of food do you take on a long road trip? Please answer me either on here or on facebook...I'm anxious to find out. Here's what I like on a road trip...no matter how long it is!
*Beef jerky
*Coffee
*Twizzlers (STRAWBERRY)
*Carrots and Celery sticks
*Fruit slices (usually Pink Lady apples and oranges)
*Nips (coffee flavored)
*Cinnamon sugar free gum
*Baked Lays
*Jolly Ranchers
*Bottled Water
Not the healthiest, but, it's not like we eat that stuff every day. And we don't eat it all at once!!
ANYTIME John and I are coming home from Farmington, St. Louis or Cape Girardeau, when leaving whichever town we're in....we ALWAYS stop at White Castle...again, not healthy....but oh my, how good do those belly bombers taste after not having them for months!! :) And since we don't eat drive through anymore, they really are a treat!


I've plateaued on the weight loss....I'm stuck at having lost 70 pounds. However, I haven't weighed in a month, so maybe I've lost a little more....even one pound would make me happy at this point, just so I can say I've lost OVER 70 pounds. Can't wait until I hit 100 pounds off. That will be an exciting day. It's sooooo stinkin' hard trying to lose it when I can't exercise. Frustrating. But, it has made me change everything about the way I look at food, cooking and portions! Much healthier today then I was 2 years ago this time!! :)


Last night was the season finale of The Voice. Until I started watching this show, I really liked Christina Aguilera, however, I think she's a royal bitch now. She's so uppity and then when she sang the duet "The Prayer" with Chris, even though she claimed to be sick, I was appalled. He did such a good job and she did not! Then, she copped out at the end...instead of singing the high f, she decided to take it down and roll around on a few notes so that no one would notice. Guess what, bitch....I heard you take that breath in the middle of that last phrase and then you didn't even sing the F!!! Get OVER yourself. She is so mean in her comments, even though some of them are right on the money, it's the way she says them and the look on her face when she does it. I really don't know if she feels inferior because she's a tub of goo now, or if all of that makeup has some kind of chemical that leeched poison into her brain causing her to become so angry, but either way, she doesn't have to be such a hater. I love the way Adam Levine handles her...maybe it's all for ratings, who knows. But, I can honestly say that I won't be buying any of her music anytime soon. I will be buying Maroon 5's new album asap!!! So there, Christina, from a REAL music coach to YOU....learn how to give CONSTRUCTIVE criticism and HELP the vocalists instead of just making them feel like poopoo! OH! And btw, John said about Justin Bieber's performance last night...."He just looks like an idiot! He's trying to be Michael Jackson, and he hasn't got the talent!" I tend to agree with my hubby. 


Okay, Camille is awake and it's time for play!!! Have a fantastic rest of the day, friends. :)

Snow Days Rock!

What is it about snow days that makes us all so excited??? I don't think that it's just the fact that we don't have to get out of the house and go to work or school...and yes, I realize that people who work in other areas besides schools still have to go to work unless it's a blizzard situation! I really think that the excitement is the left over emotions from childhood. We remember the night when the snow starts falling and we went to bed dreaming of a foot of snow, and waking up to our parent telling us that we had a SNOW DAY! The idea of staying in our p.j.s and sipping hot chocolate until it was time to go outside and sled, and make snowmen and snow forts stocked with snowballs with which to nail the neighborhood kids was so exciting and somehow induced a frenetic energy!!


We were lucky as kids because our Mom didn't work outside the home. She made everything so much fun! She would make us homemade hot chocolate on snow days. I can smell it warming on the stove now! Dad worked in St. Louis, so he left the house long before we woke up, especially during bad weather. He'd usually leave between 4:30 and 5:00 a.m. to get there on time. He was a projects engineer for St. Louis  County Highway and Traffic. So, no matter what...he went to work. Saturdays were great because Dad was home too, and sometimes we could talk him into going out into the snow with us! But, it was usually short lived!! However, our older sister, Evanne and our sister in law, Becky were usually around for the fun!! 


We'd wax the bottom of the toboggan until our hands hurt to be sure that it would glide across the snow and ice!!! For those of you who don't know what a toboggan is, it's a sled, but it doesn't have runners or skis like a typical sled. It sits right on the ground. Hence, the big waxing job to make sure it would glide!!! It also can carry several people at once. At least ours did. It has parallel wooden slats that curve up at the front into a J shape. There are shorter pieces of wood that cross the parallel slats and section off "seats".  There was a rope hooked into the J front section of ours, but steering was really nonexistent!


During one snowstorm, we had lots of ice and snow followed by more ice! It was soooo cold, Mom wouldn't let Michele and myself go outside because we were quite little, but Evanne and Becky did. I can remember standing up on the couch and looking out of the big picture window with Michele and watching them ice skate on the street! Of course, there were lots of slips and falls outside which prompted lots of giggles inside. I can still remember the feeling of wanting to be out there ice skating with them soooo badly that I almost couldn't contain myself!! That memory is one of my favorites from my childhood!


Well, now at the age of 45, I still get excited about possible snow days, but I'm more focused on making sure there's plenty of gas in the cars, food in the pantry, laundry detergent in the laundry room and toilet paper in the bathrooms!! :) If we do indeed get a little snow today as predicted and quite a bit of snow and ice on Sunday night and Monday as predicted, I want to make sure that we are prepared! I can guarantee that any snow days in the future here at the Devos household will involve John and myself drinking hot chocolate in our p.j.s and watching the next episodes of LOST on dvd!! We didn't watch the series when it was on TV, but are hooked now that Chris and Sarah loaned us all 6 seasons on dvd!! So, that's what our snowday will entail!! :)


I can only hope that your snowdays are as enjoyable as mine have been and will be!!!

45 Years of observations!

Today is my 45th birthday. Here are some random observations I've made.


No matter how old you are, it's FUN to get birthday well wishes. It's 8:30a.m. and my sister called and sang to me and I've had a half hour conversation with one of my best friends from high school, Steve Fowler. 


My skin is sagging on my face. Maybe it's because I've lost 62 pounds, but it's still sagging. This...I don not like.


I've discovered that if you spread mustard with a knife instead of just squeezing it out of the bottle, that it does not spread evenly. But, I still like to spread it because the clumps of mustard don't work for me. I want to taste it with every bite of my sandwich.


Routine is the key to humans having a happy existence. We crave routine. Whether it's brushing and flossing before you get into the shower each morning, or doing the laundry on Saturday mornings. We need a routine. However, if this routine is not sprinkled with fun interruptions, like staying in bed with your significant other for WHATEVER:) reason when you're supposed to be doing something else, then the routine becomes a bummer.


Kids have changed. I realize that the differences from the 1950's kids growing up to us who grew up in the 70's/80's was significant. But I don't think those differences can hold a candle to the ones that I've observed in what I call the "technology children". They lack certain skills that we all just took for granted. They don't communicate verbally well at all. When they meet someone, it is rare that I see a handshake or that I hear them say "It's nice to meet you, so and so." WE were taught that when you meet someone, you say "It's nice to meet you" and repeat their name so that you won't forget it. The kids seem very distant and removed and I blame it on texting, messaging and all that jazz. Even though that may not be what is causing it, I'm going to blame it anyway. Oh...and another thing, I think texting, messaging and spell check shortcuts are why they are such horrible spellers too.


Fruits infused with other fruit juices are awesome. Take the grapple for example. It's an apple infused with grape juice, and they are delicious. Bethanie Ernst, G.B., turned me on to these. (When Bethanie student taught with me, and lived with John and myself during that time, we dubbed her "go-fer bitch" because she was always running to the store to get something for school or home, or she was running to get drinks for us, or picking up my school mail so I wouldn't have to walk, etc.) She was a fantastic student teacher and is now a fantastic choir director, and we love her very much! But back to the fruit juice infused fruits....try them. You'll love them.


At the age of 18, the highlight of my day was getting a call from one of my friends asking me to meet them or go somewhere with them. At the age of 45, the highlight of my day is singing songs with my 4 year old niece at naptime. :)


Being 45 doesn't feel any different from any other age, except that I know that in 5 years, I'll be eligible for AARP.  So the significant ages in my life were 10- I started my period, 16-I got my license and became FREE, 18-I could vote, graduated high school and started college, 21- could LEGALLY drink alcohol, 23-started my career, 25-my Dad died, 28-got married, 35-got Rheumatoid Arthritis, and today...45- I have yet to see what is in store for this age! Who knows, maybe this year I'll go through menopause and STOP having periods!!! :) If you're offended by this, get over it. Every female goes through it, just like every man knows what masturbation is. So, don't be all nose in the air and think "I can't believe she just said that!" I am who I am and I figure at 45, I can say whatever I want on MY BLOG. :)


My last observation on my birthday is this. Things happen to us. Horrible things, wonderful things....things happen. How we handle these different events is what defines us as individuals. We don't always handle them the same way...it depends on where we are in our lives, but our character pretty much defines how we'll react in any situation. We choose our paths for the most part. Today, I'm choosing to be happy, loving, encouraged, encouraging and inspired. I can only hope that you will do the same. 


Thanks for reading, friends. :) Love and Hugs. And thanks for my birthday greetings!!

The Blanket of Truth

I had a very long conversation with a very old friend yesterday. It was one of those events that happens in your life that you know was meant to be. Without going into detail about what our four-hour colloquy included, I will say that it was a genuine, in-depth, heartfelt exchange of thoughts, ideas and possibilities. It felt like a soft, warm blanket cloaking me from a harsh, stinging coldness.

I've always felt like I needed to know more, do more, be more. The thing is, as I've matured not only in age, but also in "being", I've realized that every single day of my life has been, in one way or another, a day in which I knew more, did more, or have been more. I continue to grow as a spiritual person and have been reminded over the last couple of years that my existence is not only what I make of it, but also that there IS a very real and lasting extension and understanding to the numbered days we are all living.

I exist within a bubble of questions, ideas, challenges and insights, as do we all. Fortunately, I have always had the ability to say to myself "But, what if?" and know that the idea of "what if" was a way for me to see beyond the information that was given to me and expand my knowledge while satisfying the need to challenge the status quo.  My mind does not allow me to just accept without question.  I have always wanted to know the whys and hows of everything. I have lived my life thus far thinking that what I put out there into the world is what will eventually come back to me. Karma, if you will.  I believe that this week's announcement on the national news that John Edwards has a bad heart condition is an event that has karma written all over it. Not that I wanted him to be sick, but sometimes, you just have to open your eyes to truly see what is happening around us.  Of course, that's not to say that every single person who has something wrong with him or her is a "victim" of  karma. That's not what I'm saying at all. I'm just telling you that what you put out there into the world, affects you and other people whom you do and do not know. We breed what we are, what we live.

My perspective about how I handle things has changed over the last decade. Mainly because the physical pain I have learned to endure had become a catalyst for my explosive personality - which used to be short fused, quick to anger and let it all go - on whoever was the unfortunate soul who had triggered my rage, to be multiplied several times over. When I'm in lots of pain, or even just at a slightly elevated pain level-but for an extended period of time, I can physically feel my blood pressure rising and before I can catch myself, I'm yelling, biting John's head off, being short with my words, and very flippant and rude. One day not too long ago, John had his can full of me, and politely said. "Carolinn!" (which was my first clue something was wrong, because he always calls me "honey") "Carolinn! Do you realize that you've continually attacked me since I got home from work yesterday? You are being so short and rude to me. Would you please stop???!!" BlinkBlink...BlinkBlink...I had not realized that I was doing that to him...it took about 2.5 seconds for me to review my actions over the last few hours and come to the conclusion that I was reacting to being in pain. Not making an excuse, because the reaction is something I can control, but the pain is not. The constant, wrenching pain was and is an automatic multiplier of whatever bitchiness I have in me. What he said was true. I had been rude and unreasonable to him. So now, I'm very careful of how and what I say when I'm having a hard time dealing with the vicious attack on my good cells by my bad cells which cause a very uncomfortable time to be had by not only me, but all who are around me. Thank you, John, for your patience.

How does this all tie in together?  I am now putting out there a much more tolerable, positive Carolinn, when I'm dealing with pain or anything that troubles me. I have taken time to breathe, focus, meditate and control my reactions to the onslaught so that it isn't so offensive to those whom I love and who take care of me. This realization has allowed me to apply this more positive reaction to other areas of my life. Again, what I put out there, comes back to me in some form or another. I believe that I'm broadening my sense of self. I am suddenly cognizant of things that, if I ever had been cognizant of, had forgotten them over the years. My mid-life scariness, as is the title of this Blog, is becoming less and less scary all of the time.

It is with this inkling that I say I am in a constant state of trying to be a good person, trying to do the right things and spreading the love and encouragement that has been given to me by not only my family, but numerous friends from my lifespan. The last few years of my life, I have not been doing that. I had allowed myself to become a judgmental, spiteful person...which is why, I believe, my heart has been so troubled. My vision of me is now a truthful one. I haven't always been able to say that....but now I can. So, the soft, warm blanket I spoke of earlier, I now know to be the understanding that can only come with age, experience, maturity and self awareness. I AM middle aged, I AM sick, and I AM able to change and grow into a better person.


It hasn't been an easy journey for me.  I kept thinking it was the people I was dealing with at school (work) and their idiocy that was the main reason I was so angry and frustrated all of the time. And yes, I still believe that had a lot to do with it. When you work with liars who are on an ego trip, and will say and do anything to get their way, even at the cost of the students' education, that can be a very depressing and anger inducing environment in which to work.


So, now I've come to a new chapter in my existence. I believe this chapter of my life will be amended from Mid-Life Scariness to Mid- Life Scariness and The Awakening. To all of my friends and family members out there who happen to read this, I want you all to know that I love you, appreciate you and respect you. For those old friends from elementary, jr. high, high school and college who I have just recently reconnected with through Facebook, I can't thank you enough for the laughs, memories and encouragement you've sent me across them miles!!! 

I will continue to work toward a healthier self and hopefully I will invoke a positive change for those who share my life.  Ahhhhhh, yes, the blanket is very warm and soft, indeed!!!! 
(((Hugs))) to everyone.

Politics = D3: Disrespect, Deceit and Disgust

I've always thought that if I just keep a positive attitude, do the "right" things, am nice to other people and try to have patience in all that I do, that good things would happen for and to me and the ones I love. It hasn't always turned out that way, but I still do my best to keep up the "good vibes" as much as possible.

If you've never seen the movie "Idiocracy", you need to! It's soooooo stupid, BUT, and this is a very big BUT...it really stops and makes you think. After you watch it, you kind of get this feeling of....wow...I need to go read a book and make my kids do the same thing!  It's a little scary.

Watching the different Republican debates, interviews and news coverage of the candidates makes my skin crawl. And it's not just those men and women, it's all politicians. The entire system has been dumbed down for the American people. Even though they try to impress us with their knowledge of foreign policy, current events, voting records and all that goes with - the fact is, they know that unless they make it a "show" - taking digs, being rude and negative and making each other look the fool and NOT necessarily to get their point(s) across...it's just to make it interesting for the "people", that they won't get the news coverage they desire. I can't stomach how stupid they think we are. And yes, I realize that there are voters out there who all of this appeals to....which of course, is why it has become the norm for our society...but I for one, think it is appalling and insulting to OUR collective intelligence. I have not heard a single interview yet, with ANY of the candidates that hasn't involved them out right lying or insulting someone else, whether it be one of their Republican opponents or the current administration. Oh, and by the way...whether you AGREE or DISAGREE with Barack Obama, he IS the President of the United States of America. The reason I bring this up is because I heard an interview yesterday morning: I only caught part of it as I was in the other room...but I think it was on Fox News...a female was going off on President Obama and said, " I don't even want to call him the President." during her rant. I apologize for not being able to say who it was or even what program it was. I normally don't quote things unless I know for sure...but I don't even think that matters. I certainly didn't agree with all that George W. Bush did and said during his presidency, but I still referred to him as President Bush. He WAS the President and deserved to be called that... politics aside, I respected him because of the office he held and the leadership he provided at that time...whether I liked it or NOT. My point is, it doesn't matter who the female was, I just don't think that we need to be teaching the future leaders of our nation that THIS is what it's all about. DISRESPECT should never be a part of this process. I believe that we can disagree and make our political points without behaving like jr. high kids. Actually, most jr. high students aren't as bad as the people I've been watching and listening to recently. I cringe to think that we have high school age youth watching, listening and LEARNING that this is the way to handle such an important part of our American society. It doesn't matter what your political views or opinions are, the way we handle our political differences should be a process of respectful disagreement with intelligent conversation. It saddens me that this is what we've become. I'm not naive enough to think that this is anything new, or that we have any influence over the process, but that doesn't change the fact that I detest it.


I know I've talked about this before in this blog, but it really does get under my skin, hence, the repeat! Happy watching this week, ladies and gentlemen, if we can stand to spend those precious moments of our lives that we'll never get back doing it. So, brew another pot of coffee and I'll see you on the other side.



 

Friends, Wonderful Celtic Music and Restoration.

This evening, I had the privilege of attending the Celtic Christmas Concert at the First and Calvary Presbyterian Church in Springfield. The venue was gorgeous...a one hundred year old sanctuary (actually older than that) candlelit and decked with greens and wreaths with white lights and stained glass windows. When I entered the room, I knew I was in a special place.

The instrumentalists played violins, guitar, mandolin, piano, cello, bass, hand drum, tambourine, pipe organ and the high whistle. Four women sang; beautifully arranged Celtic carols and songs and the Springfield Boys Choir dazzled us with their crystal clear voices that harmonized so wonderfully and rang throughout the room that the chill and dampness of the night quickly faded away.

As I listened, and experienced the music, it swept over me, through me and became part of me. The music gave me wings on this blustery, wet evening. It allowed me, if just for a little while, to escape from my dungeon of limitations and once again get back to feeling what music has always made me feel...whole. I need music in my life. It is who I am, what I'm about and what I love.

Teaching music doesn't always give us the "musical" experiences that we musicians long for. Don't misunderstand, there are MANY, MANY wonderful musical happenings with students who are our young musicians, but when we are teaching music...we get into the "drudgery" of the next performance, the next favor, the next contest, the next festival, etc. And sometimes, as in my case, it has taken me a year and a half to not be involved in music education to KNOW what I had lost. I'm not talking about not being able to teach...yes, I've lost that too, but...I had lost the music experience. It had been too long since my heart had been warmed, goosebumps had crawled across my skin and my eyes had watered because I was EXPERIENCING the music with every fiber of my being. But, this evening changed all of that. I am once again..."in tune" with my musical needs and wants. 

I can't thank Kelly O'Bryant, Erika O'Bryant, Mark Lawley and all of the other incredible musicians who gave me such a wonderful Christmas present tonight. My heart has been warmed and my musical self has been restored. Merry Christmas.

Politics, Bad Drivers and Decor

Why is it that all of the Republican Candidates seem like egomaniacle, self serving, ignorant, lying sacs of putrid waste?? Oh, that's right, BECAUSE THEY ARE!!!  Now as far as politics go, here's my quick and easy take on the entire situation.

All politicians, no matter with which party they are affiliated, lie and look out for number one...which I understand, in our political world is very necessary sometimes. But, I have to say this....when watching a political candidate debate, I ....as an American citizen, should NOT feel embarrassed for the people who are trying to debate each other to get a leg up for the next party nomination for President of the United States of America. I'm shocked at the stupidity, lack of knowledge and closed mindedness that these people are displaying. 

I don't even care if Herman Cain has boffed women....or men for that matter - while he was supposedly in a committed marriage. Yes, it shows lack of character, but the question is....could this man run our country?? The REAL question is.....Could any of these people LEAD our country?? At least President Obama is smart enough to be able to speak in public and not embarrass us in front of the rest of the world, and whether we like him or not, whether we agree with him or not, he, unlike any of these candidates I've been speaking about... has the ABILITY to lead our country.

I heard a sound bite of Chris Christie going off on President Obama a couple of nights ago. I said to John, "Really???? Coming from the man who isn't willing to run and do something about it???? Shut the hell up and concentrate on your shore." I don't necessarily agree with Christie's political views, but I think he'd be a good leader. But if he's not willing to throw his hat in, then don't complain. That's like all of the American citizens who constantly bitch about politics, the President, the Congress, etc....but don't ever vote. I have no patience for that kind of blatant disregard for the rest of America who does vote and try to make positive change happen in our society.


Okay, enough about politics. Let's talk about people who are asshole drivers. If you are an asshole driver, here are some things I'd like for you to stop and start doing.


Stop: Texting     Start: WATCHING THE FREAKING TRAFFIC LIGHTS

Stop: Talking on the phone   Start: Paying attention to your kids in the back seat!!!!

Stop:  Riding my ass when I'm going OVER the speed limit  Start: Getting a clue that you're an ass.


Stop:  Putting on your make up   Start: Getting up 20 minutes earlier to do it at home


Stop:  Speeding through the neighborhood where kids are playing   Start: Considering the fact that there are other people in the world besides you.


Stop:  Driving like you're in a hurry ALL OF THE TIME!  Start: Using your turn signals, braking BEFORE you get to a stop sign or traffic light, and try turning down your stereo so that I can't hear it in my car when BOTH of our windows are UP and MY stereo is on!!


*The next person I see texting while driving when we are at a stoplight...be warned...I'm going to get out of my car at the stoplight and pound on your window and show you a gruesome picture of dead people from a car accident caused by a driver texting. You've been warned. It's stupid and careless to do it any time....but when you're driving your kids around and texting....I think that's criminal. 

Also, if you have so many Christmas lights up... that you leave on all night ...that it causes your neighbor's bedroom to be lit up like Rockefeller Plaza, you might want to reconsider your holiday decor. 


Just a few thoughts running through my mind this morning. I'm glad it's Friday and I'm glad I'm feeling better. Yesterday was NOT a good day for me physically. But, today is looking up and I'm anxious to get the rest of the Christmas decorations properly placed and the boxes and tubs put away!! Have a great weekend everyone.