September I'll Remember - Part II

Why do I go to the Utah State Fair each year?

a) To see the new culinary atrocities presented, e.g. deep fried bacon dipped in chocolate.

b) I like to pretend I’m at a Jazzy/Rascal power scooter convention. Seriously, it’s like watching the live version of WALL-E. “Time for lunch…in a cup!”

c) It makes me feel better about my hair and my full set of teeth. I’m the last person to be criticizing hair-styles, but good gracious, will the mullet EVER die?!

d) I find a certain joy in walking around the pig pens next to Derek in his uniform, just waiting for someone to make the obligatory “pig” joke.

e) It is better than a trip to Wal-Mart!

f) all of the above.

I'm quite sure this is the guilty one.

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A Day in the Garden

Last week, I spent a day with Thing 1 & 2 at Red Butte Garden. This is one of my most favorite places in Utah. It was beautiful weather and barely anyone else around. It was perfect. They splashed around in the stream, watched the frolicking squirrels, looked for snakes, and found handfuls of acorns (coconuts according to Tyler). I can’t explain the delight it brings as they walk around the garden and point out certain flowers, by name, that they know & love.

Yes Tyler, fish do have tongues.

September I'll Remember - Part I

I’m allergic to cats. After being even remotely near them I break out in hives, sneeze non-stop, and my eyes swell shut. About a week ago, I had a brief visit with the neighbor’s cat. Afterwards, I promptly washed my hands & arms, but they still itched and the “hives” began to sting. The next day they worsened and moved further up my arm to my shoulder & upper back. A visit to the Dermatologist confirmed that I had shingles.

Back up 28 years ago to Miss Denny’s first grade class, my friend Ben Holbrook was absent for about a week (to a 6 year old that translates to forever) because he had chickenpox. I wish I could convey the dramatic effect that had, sitting at our table of four, but missing one classmate. A few days later I stayed home sick. I just didn’t feel right & had a headache. The nice thing about being sick when you’re little is that you’re treated like royalty. Ok, so maybe not a lot has changed for me since then, but having the T.V. wheeled into your room, the constant availability of Sprite, and being allowed to eat in bed was an extraordinary experience. During one of my mom’s frequent checks on my state of malaise, I pointed out to her that I had this insatiable itch in my armpit. She lifted up my shirt and found that I had chickenpox. Hooray…several more days of special treatment! A few days later, the blisters on my feet were so painful they made it impossible to walk comfortably on the orange shag carpet throughout the house. Since my two younger brothers had also joined in the festivities of itching and scratching, the T.V. remained in the family room. They were so sweet to pull me down the hallway while I sat on my blanket (perhaps another contribution to my princess complex) to avoid any contact with the aforementioned carpet.

Day 2

At Tyler’s last well-visit with his Pediatrician, he recommended that we skip his vaccination for chickenpox because it contains a live strain and I was still in Chemotherapy. I was already taking Acyclovir during treatment due the risk I had with my suppressed immune system, so this seemed like another logical precaution to take. Guess who has chickenpox now? He’s such a trooper; he hardly seems bothered by them and has only slightly complained about how they itch. If you want your non-vaccinated kids to have the experience of a lifetime, send them on over.

Day 3 of my bespeckled wonder. Bespeckled, there's a great word that doesn't get enough playtime.