---STS 6 month alumni week of May 29th---

Wow, Kim, that is so hard! I'm sorry it came so out of the blue for you! I find it harder to deal with reminders of hard things when it comes unexpected. Do you and dh talk about it when it comes up? I can't even imagine being in your shoes. I start crying just hearing someone elses story without it having happened to me. Hugs!
 
Oh Kim, I'm so sorry! I know that can be difficult and I would have done the same thing. Though it's not the same as losing a child, I've had situations that have hit me after losing my dad so I can relate to the need to not subject yourself to it. On a happy note, in case you're interested, the episode did have a happy ending. :)
 
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Happy Friday! Well I was too tired to post much last night! Great night at Resort Night! :cool: Spinning, 30 minutes of Body Combat (like MMA), abs, then water aerobics! Today I am to do MM so will do that when I get home tonight.

Another dreary day here...we have a big storm coming in and it's only about 47 right now. (Really??? In June?)

Kim, sounds like you're going to have a really nice garden! We have some big planters with tomatoes in them but have too many trees to have a decent garden. SS has a big green house but the trees have taken over that area too! LOL!

Cendrine, how's your back doing today? Was the TM walk okay? Did you see the Dr?

Off to the shower. Oh just received a text message...I have a new great niece this morning! No details yet, just a picture of a beautiful little baby girl. Nephew says he's been up for 36 hours!
 
Congrats, Jo!

Your gym time sounds fun as always! I'm going to the store today to get your juice ingredients for the coming week. I'm excited to try them!

I did a short pilates workout today. Pilates really helps reset my mind to keep my abs tight at all times. I so quickly forget.
The Chiro was excited about the chocolates I brought her from Switzerland, and she adjusted me, 1/2 inch off, this time, was to be expected since it's been a month.... I'm not feeling better, but walking and most pilates moves don't hurt, so I'm going to stick with that for the time being.

I am still not back to normal from the jet-lag, but I am noticing that my stress level is down after the trip is over and it is making eating well and not too much a lot more easy! Yay!

Rachel, how was your time away? I hope you had a wonderful time!

Kim, how was your insanity workout, if you got to it already?
 
Congrats Jo! Where is your summer????

I did do Insanity early this morning as was expecting the handyman who didn't come till noon not the 9:30 he said:rolleyes: So finished week 3 of Insanity, one more week till recovery week! I think I will survive. The workouts aren't getting any easier.

There are 2 guys here, doing a list of odd and end jobs to get the house ready for sale. DH has done lots of things but there were a few things he didn't feel he could do a professional looking job. Kind of weird as they are all over the house, projects in all different rooms and they are switching back and forth. I guess letting things dry so I don't really know what to do with myself. No school for the kids, ds is over at a friends and dd is hanging out with me. I feel guilty relaxing with these guys working so hard, so I cleaned carpet stains, weeded the back yard, cleaned the oven, etc. It sounds like they're going to work into the evening, it feels kind of strange making dinner/feeding the family with them working in the other room.

Cendrine, to be honest, I don't really talk about it. I usually just breakdown if I try and so I don't. I find Mother's day the hardest. His name was Christopher Andrew and he died from Trisomy 18/Edward's Syndrome which is similar to Down's Syndrome but almost always fatal. I found out 6 weeks before my due date the diagnosis, and was told that he most likely wouldn't live very long. I went 15 days past my due date so if was a very long 8 weeks of waiting. It was a very awkward time for many people, you know when you're 9 months pregnant, complete strangers stop and talk about your belly:rolleyes: Patients and coworkers who didn't know what was going on would ask questions about the baby. What do you even say, when you know that the baby that you're carrying will die soon after birth. Instead of decorating the nursery we were pre arranging the funeral. Christopher was our second child and having ds who was 2 at that time really was such a blessing. When you have a child at home, you have to hold things together. Then my dad died a year and half later at age 60, 6 months before he was suppose to retire. He died of a aneurysm while on holiday in Mexico. My poor mom what a nightmare for her. At least they were with another couple.


You know when Christopher died, that's when I discover the internet. We had it on the computer at home but I never really bothered with it. But at that time I would be up during the night not being able to sleep. I googled Trisomy 18 and found a website which was a support group for moms who had lost babies. It became a godsend, they were all so sweet. I found myself there in the middle of the night often. After I had dd I was ready to move on and found a post partum weightloss group which I really needed as I had babies less than a year apart.

Okay, so I guess I do talk it. You guys make it easy to share. Thanks.
 
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I am back...
First of all I have to say that I got chills reading what you wrote to Cendrine, Kim, about your baby boy. I can not imagine having to know a fate like that and there being nothing you can do about it. I am blown away by your strength and getting through it. Then your father dying in Mexico. That is so weird because while dh and I were whiling away the hrs in the car we briefly talked about how hard it would have been if something would have happened to one of us while we were overseas. (I know kind of morbid but it is weird the things that come up when you think you have talked about everything else) It is very lucky that your Mom had someone there to help her through that situation.

Well our impromptu trip was just that....very impromptu! When we left the house we did not have any real plan whatsoever and that is a little strange for me. Even though I am not a very good trip planner I still like some semblance of a plan. LOL We had a lot of fun, although we were in the car more than not it was nice just driving and looking and stopping where ever. We even found a swimming hole that DH visited as a kid. So all in all a great time. Now I have to admit, I am pretty sure not one thing I ate while I was gone was healthy. Although I did give it a good try. We ate at a little Ecuadorian place called Rolando's and they had a popeye burrito...It was filled with spinach and chicken. It was good but surely not good for me and then on the way home we came up on a place in the middle of no where called Fisherman's Cove. The parking lot was slammed packed so of course we had to check it out. It was a buffet of fried country goodness for the most part but I did find some pinto beans and green beans. Other than that it was hush puppies chicken fritters and fried catfish! :eek: Oh and did I mention the home made cherry cobbler!:eek:

Cendrine-I can not believe that you are still lagging from the jet lag! Is everyone else getting back to normal? Does your dh have to leave the house for work or does he work from home? If he is going to the office and still suffering , I feel sorry for him!
I have made a lot of fancy meals that did not turn out looking the way they were supposed to either but you are right...They still taste great!

Jo-Your gym does sound like so much fun. I forgot to tell you about this thing I saw on tv the other day. I can not remember exactly what it was called but it was Kelly Ripa's new favorite workout. I wanna say it was called Soul spinning or something. It looked like you grooved out while spinning! Looked like fun but I am sure I would not have the coordination to do that and keep up too! lol

Kim-I am exactly the same way about strangers in the house and not knowing what to do with myself. I am sure they wish I would just leave. The whole dinner dilemma made me smile cause I think I would be the same way. It would be awkward trying to go about your business with them in the other room! Hope they got everything done!

Well we are suffering a heat wave down here so I wish we could send yall a few degrees and yall could send us some rain. Too bad it does not work like that! It is going to be 100 degrees on Sunday and Monday! Yuck!

Better go! Gotta get some zees to catch up on workouts tomorrow!

TTYT
Rachel
 
Welcome back, Rachel! Sounds like you had a great time! I wish I could have some of that cherry pie! We have a healthy little restaurant mostly organic stuff that makes an in house boysenberry pie and it is great! You literally have about 2 inches of super big boysenberries and the crust is an afterthought.... No ice cream required...LOL!
Yeah, I can't believe jet lag is giving me so much trouble this time. I was never affected by it before, so it is kind of hard. The kids are also still under it. They have started sleeping through the night, but their attitudes tells of more rest and adjustment needed....:confused: I'll be glad when we are all back to normal. Luckily dh works from home several days a week, so he can be a bit flexible about taking coffee breaks when most needed and all...LOL

Talking about death, we were talking about this too, dh and I, to figure out what to set up legally for the kids. I was discussing it with my mom to see if she would possibly be interested in taking care of the kids here in the states if something should happen. It very quickly gets so complicated that we decided we need to finalize this with a lawyer who knows international issues like these. My mom told me a sad story of a mom and dad dying leaving 4 kids behind. Friends took them in but did not allow them to grieve, (did not let them keep things to remember the parents by and all) they thought the sooner they adjust to identify with their new family the better....:( You would think they would have at least talked to a counselor about how to help the kids transition! As soon as the kids were old enough, 12yrs or so, they chose to go live with their uncle and his family. How sad that story makes me for those kids! How much hardship on top of the unimaginable that they had to deal with!

Kim, like Rachel said, you are such a strong person! I'm glad you felt comfortable to share, I am so sorry that you had to go through this! I hear what you are saying about keeping it together because you had ds to take care of. I can understand very well how that would have helped a lot.

Strangers in the house: I am another one of those who doesn't know what to do when they are around. That is one thing that felt so awkward when cleaning ladies were in the house... We had people put in new windows once and they were there all day, still there by the time we ate dinner. Dh couldn't handle it and went and got them take out from Baja Fresh....;)
I even feel odd about the gardeners when it's hot out... I have made them lemonade before...:rolleyes:
 
Glad you're home safe and sound Rachael! What fun just to go on a impulse and do something different!

Cendrine, so what did your mom think about your idea of her caring for the children in the US? What terrible things to think about but if they were ever needed we would be so glad that we thought ahead.

I guess the workers are coming back today but at least DH is home so I can come and go. Maybe I'll take the kids out somewhere. Not much on the agenda today. It's my rest day! DD has her last piano lesson before summer holidays. I want to stop by the library. Should be a nice day (except hard to relax with the 3 handymen here).

Does anyone else do cross stitch?? I've dragged out a picture that I started ages ago because I think it will match the new house so going to try and finished it over the summer. I use to cross stitch alot.
 
Happy Saturday! I agree it's always strange when you have people working in your house! Especially when lunch and dinner time comes around. A few years ago when we were having new carpet put down...it was raining outside and these guys were working so hard... I went and baked them a batch of chocolate chip cookies! But I always think a little kindness goes a long way! :eek:

Rachel, glad you had a nice little getaway! Since DH family is all from TN and KY, he loves fried catfish (doesn't get that here) so he would have loved the buffet! I wish we were having some of your weather! It needs to warm up! Well, we're feeling the effects of having such a hot summer last year (el nino).

Kim, cross stitch is something I've never tried. I know a couple of people that do it. My mom's neighbor took a picture of my mom and cross stitched it and then framed it. I've always been a crochet'er (is that a word?) I am glad you shared your story with us. I know for me, you have all been easy to "talk" to and I appreciate it. Sometimes writing things out is actually easier than talking so there are some benefits to our forum talks! :)

Cendrine, it's a good idea to have all the "just in case" situation worked out. We did that when SS was little. And, my nephew that just had the baby yesterday, DH and I were set up to raise him if something had happened to my brother & wife. I think it's good to have a plan.

Alright, coffee is down and time to get busy! I'm not sure what workout I'm supposed to do so I better go figure it out! Have a great Saturday!
 
Good Morning! or should I say Good almost afternoon!

This morning it was make up day so I did GS back, shoulders and tri's then I added on the boxing. I didn't do heavy bag bonus or the warmup since I was already warm from GS;). It was a great workout! It was nice to skip a day and then punish myself for it today! LOL Just kidding. Since the boxing is not that intense it felt like a good add on and the perfect match for an arm day to really burn them out!

I don't know what we are doing today. We might go see my brother. They are camping at a lake about 45min from here. We just have to catch them while they are not out fishing.
I do have the granola going so at least I am being a little productive while I am doing nothing! haha

Jo-TN an KY are 2 places I would love to visit. I bet it is beautiful there. Do yall ever go back? Of course you can not come to this part of TX without having some fried catfish or maybe find some friendly folks to throw you a bonefied fish fry! They love to have crawfish boils and fish fries around here LOL
I completely agree that a little kindness goes a long way! And working in the carpet business, I can only imagine what a tough time those guys were having in the rain!

Cendrine-That is just terrible what those people did to those children. I am sure they did not think about what they were doing...hopefully!
That reminds me of another story that I heard about the other day about a Nun that is being excomunicated (spelling) because she agreed to support the dr. at this hospital. They had a case of a woman that was pregnant, I think 5 weeks or more I am not sure. There was something really wrong and if they did not terminate the pregnancy they would both die. The really hard part was that she had Four other children! I am sure the Nun did not make her decision lightly. It is just a terrible thing all the way around!

Kim-I wish I had a skill like Cross stitching but unfortunately I don't. DH can knit because when he went to school in Norway it was a mandatory class. I just think that is so neat! lol I guess it is similar to us taking home ec. but that was not mandatory and although we had a sewing semester, I really stink at it! Do you have big plans for the kids this summer? What do they do while you are at work?

Better go get something done. I am feeling lazy here lately so I have to do something to jump start myself! LOL

TTYL

Rachel
 
I guess it must be an european thing, the mandatory handywork...LOL! I know how to do just about anything because of mandatory classes. I started knitting when I was 6 and have done many other things (I liked it because there wasn't much else to do, because we grew up without a tv...) The last time I cross stitched was when I was making a couple of Winnie the Pooh pictures for ds' nursery. They turned out so cute, I don't have the heart to get rid of them. I also quilted a Winnie the Pooh blanket for him and a butterfly blanket for dd. It sure helps pass the time when you are wishing the babies came early.... For me that feeling usually set in right from the start...LOL! I like crocheting as well, have done a few Afghans, but I don't have the time any more. I don't have the time for anything these days... and everything seems to be cheaper in the stores these days, at least back when I was little, I could do things that were cheaper handmade, but that is now longer the case... I still would like to raise my kids with some skills like that.

Kim, we had previously chosen a family we were friends with who had a boy ds's age to be the ones to take care of him, but we have kind of lived apart having different priorities and such, so the question came up again about it. I didn't think my mom would be interested, but she was very open to it. She is not afraid of the challenge of getting adjusted in a whole new culture and language area at her age. I'm not sure dh thinks she's the best choice, though. But we also realize that nobody is ever good enough when it comes to your own kids, and once you get over that, you can start making some choices, if you know what I mean. Dh's parents are way too old to tackle the challenge and none of our siblings would be a good choice, since they are all single and working a lot. So that doesn't really leave many options. We do have a couple of single women friends who love the kids and spend time with them. Each alone I would not feel so confident about, but if the two tackled it together, it might be an option as well. As you can see, we are still working on it.

Jo, I made the Kale lemonade today! I loved the flavor, but since it was blended and not juiced, it felt a little too fibery.... I may experiment with more water or cutting the stems off or something, but I did like the flavor!

Workout today was a treadmill power walk. I really work the incline to my advantage since running is not such a good idea right now. I worked up a good sweat!

I'm dehydrating flax-veggie crackers right now, then I will put in a double batch of granola as soon as those are done. I also made a tropical fruit salad. Dh was talking about how he used to love this treat where they add whipped cream, coconut and marshmallows to it, Hawaiian delight, I think. So I told him I would try a healthier version. So I mixed greek yoghurt with vanilla, agave and coconut flakes, then mixed in some marshmallows. Dh and ds were very happy with the outcome, but I told them they would have to mix it in themselves, as I want just the fruit... LOL!

Rachel, sounds like your workout was fun! How funny that we are both doing the granola today!

Off to relax a little...
 

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