December 8

On Saturday, December 8, 2001, my life changed forever. I gave birth to my daughter. She has many names. Her given name, of course. Banana, Booger, Sugar, Sugardy Boogerdy Boo, there are many. She is such a kind soul. She has warm chocolate brown eyes and an infectious laugh that comes from deep in her belly, and she is, quite simply, incredible. Funny, oh my goodness is she funny. She makes me smile every single day. I can, occassionallly, see glimpses of the woman she is bound to become. I can't wait to help you along on your journey. But not just yet, okay...I'm quite enjoying you at this age.

Happy Birthday, my love.

December 1, 1987

Twenty-two years ago, I stood in front of a judge who gave me the option to choose my dad. Not very many people are fortunate to get to make that choice. Without hesitation, I chose you, Dad. Choosing you made me feel whole. It may have just been a formality at that point, but the act of choosing…that feeling has never left. Before that, though…you chose me. You promised to take care of me, to hold me accountable, to tease me, to teach me to be responsible and to love me even when I wasn’t. You chose me. I’ll never be able to tell you how on that day, I felt whole. I had a person who so willingly gave me their name. There I was, a young girl, practicing writing my new name over and over. I was so proud of my new name. My new name came with not only a Dad, but a Sister and Brother, too. While mom and I were fine without that name….without you…we were and are so much better with you. I had a new name. I was a new person….because someone stood up and said, “I choose you.” I’m so glad you did and I love you so much.
Happy Adoption Anniversary!

update

I am good in a crisis. Always have been. When someone needs something, anything, I’m typically in their top five list of people to call. Maybe even the tippy top. Because if you need something, I’m your gal. I’m a clear thinker, I can take charge without being bitchy, and I flat out can get things done. I don’t take time to think about anything else other that what needs to be done right this second. I’m so good at it. I can help with your wedding, your funeral, your in-laws (not my own, but whatever), your pet, anything.

Maybe this is why the Universe keeps challenging me. Because I keep succeeding in my tasks. Dear Universe, (and I say this with the utmost respect) screw you. You and I are friends and friends are allowed to get mad at each other, yet still love each other. So back off and give me a fucking break for five minutes. There, I feel so much better.

Roy had the liver biopsy on the 10th or the 11th. Bleeding was a potential side effect, but he didn’t really have any the day of, you know, while we were at the hospital. Instead, his liver decided to bleed 8 days later all of a sudden for no apparent reason. I was on my way to class when he called. 20 minutes from home and he was in so much pain he couldn’t take a deep breath, was almost crying, and was in too much pain to drive himself to the hospital. I turned around, quickly texting my classmate to tell my instructor and sped home. We arrived at the hospital and he was in so much pain, it was just….oozing off of him. His blood pressure was through the roof. We were swept into an exam room and met, almost immediately by a doctor. We explained our recent (and not-so-recent) medical history and a CT scan was ordered to confirm bleeding. A big dose of Morp**ine helped take the edge off and so we waited.

My in-laws showed up (calling them was the right thing to do, but I would have preferred not to, truth be told). They make me crazy because they are NOT good in a crisis.

Anyway, we were told there was, in fact, bleeding in the liver and we would need to meet with a surgeon. (!!!) One that I am familiar with from my clinicals met with us and showed me the CT from the bleeding and the original one from the biopsy to confirm it was in the same place and related. No surgery needed, just bedrest, pain control and lots of lab work needed.

We got to go home the next night and he’s okay now, so far. We're watching the absorbtion of the blood and he has to take it really easy for a bit. More lab work today and more to tell you about our stay, but I wanted to touch base to let you know we’re all well. Not 100% maybe, but well

All over the place.

We are still waiting on the biopsy results.

In other news, Mr. Snob is suffering from another gout exacerbation. His genes, they are not kind.

There is still much drama about the accreditation thing. I'm not sure what to do, but I am leaning in a certain direction, so that's something.

We have a buddy visiting from the west coast...can't wait to see him after work!

I had Skittles a few minutes ago and realized I eat them by color. That's not weird, is it?

Less than a month left in this semester -- holy cow I can't wait.

Trouble in River City

My school has recently lost it's national accreditation for the program in which I am enrolled. There is recent documentation to lead me to believe they knew 2 years ago that this was happening, then were notified it happened in July. The students in the program were not notified until October.

There is a whole lotta he said she said bullshit happening right now. I'm considering switching schools, except once you've started the clinical cirriculum it's a pain in the ass, not to mention it's very hard to get into on a good day...now with hundreds of other students wanting to do the same, well -- it's a grade A clusterfuck.

More as I can decipher to facts. A law suit has been filed by a handful of students, I'm interested to see if it turns into a class action.

Gah, I didn't need more drama.

Almost forgot to post something. I've done well so far this NaBlo month.

Writing everyday is soothing me. It's helping. I already feel better about the biopsy on Tuesday, though I'll keep taking the energy you're sending.

Saw Transformers 2 this evening on DVD...wasn't terrible.

More tomorrow. I'm going to snuggle with the Booger

Books!

I can’t wait until December. After finals I will have a whole month to read non textbook books. The list is getting so long that I doubt I’ll finish them all in December, but damn I can’t wait to try!

Here are just a few books on the list. What’s on your reading list?

The Time Traveler’s Wife, Audrey, Niffenegger. I had to put it away for awhile so I can focus on school. This will be first.

Open, Andre Agassi. I have had a thing for Mr. Agassi for the longest time. Yes, even during the neon yellow and pink, long haired phase.

The Audacity to Win, David Plouffe. I think the Obama campaign was stuff of legend. I can’t wait to read what Mr. Plouffe has to say about the campaign.

The Secret History of the Pink Carnation, Lauren Willig. I don’t know a thing about this book except my friend recommended it and she hid in the bathroom in order to finish it! Ooh! I think it's a series!