Happy Birthday, Brad

Thirty years ago today was Mother's Day. I went to the Mall. I walked the entire length of the Mall. And back again. Then I went home.

Sitting at the dinner table, I felt a little twinge. I didn't say anything. Until much later. And then it was time to go to the hospital and very early the next morning, Brad was born. All 9 pounds 11 ounces of him.

We didn't know his name until we saw him. There were a couple choices, but when we saw him we knew it was Brad.

By the way, did I mention he was crying before he was even completely born?

Grandpa Lunger was the first to come and see him in the hospital, aside from his dad and I that is. He snuck in at the beginning of his work day to meet his grandson. I won't ever forget how totally in love he was with his grandchildren.

His big sister came to see him in the hospital too. She couldn't wait to have him at home. That stopped somewhere around the first time he took a toy from her.

And now, that baby boy is on the verge of becoming a daddy himself. In just a few days, he will understand how such a small little creature can totally steal your heart. And how looking at that little one, the idea that he (or, in Brad's case, she) is totally dependent on you.

In my case, that was a very happy Mother's day. And I'm sure that this will be a very happy Father's day for Brad.

Happy Birthday Braddy. I love you.

Qi and butt fat

This week I entered into the most interesting world of Eastern medicine. I voluntarily laid down on a table and had 12 needles stuck into me with the notion that I would be better because of it. Incredibly, I barely felt the needles, but definitely felt a sort of radiant heat as they did the cleansing they were charged to do. I had put a huge challenge in front of her... assorted joint pain, post nasal river running and butt fat. Is she up to the challenge? Or is it the need for qi (chi) to flow better? Or do I have 'damp'? All of these are new terms to me, but somehow...my knee and my left hand feel better. Unfortunately, none of my pants have yet fallen down when I stood up. I'll let you know if there is any progress on that front.

Chelsea's Senior Prom

Chelsea and Colin at the lake before the Boiling Springs prom.

It was a beautiful evening, warm and sunny, and the whole town was at the lake. Chelsea and her friends all looked great and after lots of pictures, were off for dinner at the Market Cross and the prom at the Camp Hill Country Club.

Home / Work?

I have the best benefit imaginable in my job. I get to work from home. Now let me tell you that working from home does have its downsides...I'm sure it does...I uh..ok, I just can't think of any now. Wait...you have to make your own coffee..I don't get to drive by my favorite field on the way to work. But there is nothing quite like rolling out of bed and booting the computer while pouring a cup of coffee, getting to work at 6:30 am after sleeping in until 6:25, reading and responding to email before others even hit the office door. Accomplishing things in half the time it would take in the office. No interruptions, nophones, no annoying office mates playing music or using the speaker phone while you are trying to concentrate. Twice the work in half the time, my personal feeling..

And then of course there are the 'invisible' (thank goodness) benefits. Hair untouched by comb (and for those of you have seen me just out of bed in the am, you know that should remain unseen). Jammies (my personal favorite work clothes have something to do with red flannel and polar bears). Unbrushed teeth (that may be too much information, but no one is around except Maze and his breath is way worse than mine, so as long as I fix this unshowered unbrushed situation before anyone gets home, it will all be ok).

I 'went' to a meeting today, dialed in on my cell phone, headset on, hands free and phone muted. While listening, I was able to have a short conversation with Chelsea and do my nails. If I had wanted, because of the fabulous i-phone, I could have read my personal email, surfed the web or texted Don at the same time. I, of course, was much too dedicated to the meeting to do those things. It is, after all, a work day.

OK, lunch break is over. Time for a pedicure...I mean another meeting.