Past Tense

I recently asked my husband to stop at the CVS and pick up some body lotion for me.  Not just any body lotion; Nivea Fat Ass lotion.  It's not actually called that but it may as well be.  It's a gel that is claiming to get rid of cellulite.  I posted on my facebook page asking if it was true and got a lot of positive responses.  We have been having warm weather (finally) and I had a chance to see the legs that have been hiding under thick denim for several months.  I figured I should get on the stuff pronto. 

My husband, Thor, is a pretty good sport and has shopped for MUCH more embarrassing things.  I'm sure you're thinking tampons but actually, he once found himself in the nursing bra section of the store asking my mother if he should buy me the underwire bra or regular.  Some fat ass lotion wasn't really such a bad request (and there were fringe benefits for him--my ass being less fat for example).

He called me on his cell from the store and sounded a lot like when he's unsure about the right sized diaper to buy.  He asked, "Ok, I see the Nivea section. Do you want the patches?"

I thought about it for a second.  Could it be worse than I've imagined?  Do I require more than just a lotion?  Do I need... a patch?  I said, "a patch?  no, it's just lotion." 

"Well, they have this other stuff with patches and a pill you can take..." I stopped him there so I wouldn't have to kill him later.  I said, "Uhh.. it's not quite that dire yet.  Just get me the gel."

Well, I started using the gel.  The instructions say twice a day but I've been using it once a day because.. c'mon.  It's me.  However, it's been a week and I really don't feel or look any different.  In fact, this morning I went to put on my board shorts from last year and nearly gave myself a concussion when my hands snapped from the stuck waist band as if to say, "we ain't goin' any further.. find another swim suit to wear."  So I did the walk of shame back to the dresser, dug deep into the bottom drawer, and found an old stretched out swim suit to shove myself into.  So maybe it's time to actually use the gel twice a day? 

Tonight we sat on our new patio and let the kids light up sparklers and run around in the dark while we talked with our neighbor.  She asked about how we, Thor and I, had met.  We've been married a wicked long time--and I enjoy listening to my husband stumble through that story with people.  He went on to say how he had been shocked at my attention towards him and she was surprised.  He said, "You don't understand.  Back then... she was something else..."  and I stopped him.  "Umm... Back THEN?"  Instead of saying, "No, no, you're still gorgeous.." He said, "Well, really, back then you were it..."  I asked again, "Back THEN?" 

He didn't see what I was asking... maybe it was the wine he had with dinner, or maybe he spent too much time in the sun on the beach today, or maybe he fell and hit his head at some point and I didn't notice, or maybe, just maybe, I need to skip the ice cream tonight and invest in some patches.

Taking Duke to NYC Doc

So my son had been complaining of shoulder pain. Did he tell me about it?  Of course not, that would make my life easier.  I overheard him ask his brother to help him lift something because his arm hurt.  Now, if you know Duke, you know why I dropped everything and nearly called 911. 

Duke never complains of pain.  Even when he was very young, he would get a vaccine and just look at the doctor.  He has a thyroid disorder and gets frequent blood tests.  He could care less.  He has broken ribs, had stitches, and most recently nearly severed his tongue clean off.  Never once did he say, "this hurts." 

He complains about other things like, why doesn't he have a big screen TV in his bedroom?  While we're on the subject of his bedroom, why is that pesky brother of his sharing the room and breathing the same air as he is?  Clearly, we're steps away from a Social Services visit.  Anyway, after visiting with the pediatrician and getting xrays it looked like the shoulder had separated.  A pretty serious injury. 

Duke plays a lot of lacrosse (even though it's a spring sport you can play all year here with various leagues).  And this spring he was playing lacrosse and baseball at the same time.  On top of that, he's a touch obsessed and in our yard is a lax bounce back wall and full size lacrosse goal.  His friends are here daily and all they do is shoot, shoot, shoot. 

I used the NYU doctor referral service.  It's a great (free) service.  You call the number and tell them what you need and what insurance you have.  They find you a few perfect doctors.  They were incredibly kind and while there are plenty of doctors and hospitals out here--this was my son's shoulder we're talking about.  If he was getting cut open, it was going to be the best of the best doing it.

The NYU referral service was kind enough to send me the address in the mail on their letterhead.  I am very comfortable in NY and just tucked the letter in my bag and went on the LIRR with my eldest. 

We went in a little early so I could do some touring with him and distract him from the doctor visit we were about to have.  It was a gorgeous afternoon so we walked from Penn Station over to the Empire State Bldg, up 6th towards our destination of 57th between 7 & 8th.  We found the office and we had an hour until our appointment.  We were both thirsty but I told Luc that I just wanted to talk to the security person and make sure that I was right with the address.  He said, "That doctor hasn't been in this office for over a year.  I think he's down on 20th."

So, we've now walked from 34th to 57th (basic subtraction gives you the blocks) and over a few avenues (add more to our total).  Now we have to race down to 20th!  Well, we weren't doing that on foot--not enough time.  So, we hit the subway and flew down in record time.  The reason I say record time is because as we walked into the doors of the doctor office the skies opened up and it started pouring.

The good news is that Luc's shoulder is NOT separated and does not need surgery.  He has a rotator cuff injury from the constant overhand motion of shooting a lax ball.  Dr doesn't think it's a tear (confident enough to not order a scan).  He's already starting his physical therapy and may be able to play lacrosse in a few weeks.  He still needs to stay off the field for a bit.

When we left it was still raining pretty good.  We ran from doorway to doorway up to the 23rd street subway.  (with this past summer you'd think I'd be smarter and bring an umbrella every where)  I was explaining the grid system to Luc and how subways worked and had him tell me which platform we should stand on, what train we were looking for, etc.  The stations were BUSY as it was 6pm and I was concerned about getting separated (and at 11 yrs old he's not into the idea of holding hands with his Mommy.)

As we boarded the train there was a commotion around me with another group of people.  Just as they decided to get back off the train I looked down feeling something strange on my arm and realized they just took off with my watch.  It was just like they say it happens on TV.  I never saw it happen. 

In spite of the watch and messed up directions I had a great leisurely trip to the city with my eldest boy with really great news. I don't often get to spend so much time with my first born.  It's amazing how easy it is to be in the city with an 11 year old versus a 2 yr old, or 3 yr old, 4 yr old, 5 yr old....

My Feet Are Killing Me

So, I went on a run today even though it was "officially" a day off for me.  And, I've never been known to go against a training program--particularly the day off part.  While I was in the city all day yesterday (walking more than 30 blocks and running up and down several subway staircases in adorable sandals which provided little more support than a pair of socks) my new Nike+ and IPod Nano arrived in the mail.  So I just had to try it out today. 

I went for a shorter run, about 3 miles.  Well, wait a second, I went 2.91 miles.  The Nike + is pretty cool. In addition to the gazillion features, I downloaded a workout from itunes.  It's by Joan Benoit Samuelson and it's called Women's Marathon Mix Vol 1 which you can download (and you don't need the Nike+ for it, just an ipod).  I wasn't sure if I'd like it or not. I've done yoga videos at home and I always turn the sound off.  I despise that fake dreamy sick-soft voice and I didn't want a lot of yakkity yak.  But this was actually really great.  She talks only every once in a while and her advice is appropriate for the time into the workout.  The music was very good and it all worked together nicely.

Finally, Nike has the coolest website.  You can synch your workouts to the site and track your progress.  You can plan out routes using maps, save them to your profile and share them with others.  You can also see other people's routes and mileage.  Right now I've joined in a Disney Half Marathon Challenge which is pretty cool.

I also have to say that today I wore (for the first time) a tank from RioWear.  In an effort of full disclosure, RioWear, or Denise Hand the owner, is a client of mine.  Denise is super nice and sent me an outfit as a gift and today was the first time I realized that I still hadn't tried out her tank (but I wear the yoga pants CONSTANTLY--and I never do yoga).  Normally I don't spend money on myself and I am the one scouring the clearance bins and making do with whatever I have (if you have kids, you know the drill.  buy them everything and buy yourself nothing)  But I have to tell you.. wearing her tank (with built in jog bra) was awesome.  The material felt like wearing a really nice silk top. Normally jog bras and tanks that are fitted are a bitch to put on and take off.  Not this one.  In fact, I'm going to be buying some from her in the next few minutes.  The tank I had even had a small little pocket on the back which would be great to stash a few bucks and some ID for "just in case."

Finally, I need some new running shoes (we used to call them sneakers, didn't we?).  The clearance Reeboks from Kohls were a great deal, but I just told my daughter she could brush her teeth tomorrow so I wouldn't have to get up and turn the water on for her.  So, on tap tonight is to get some sneakers, and no running tomorrow.

Who's Bad?

I went on a long run today.  It was my first long run since I started training for this stupid half marathon I'm doing in January at Disney.  I am training to make sure I don't embarrass myself and also so I can be healthy and tour the parks and have fun with my kids while we're there.  I played a lot of sports growing up, track, volleyball, basketball and was even on the track team.  But to me, running distance was anything over 400 meters.

The sport which is most memorable for me is Spring Track & Field.  I lived in Upstate NY so the "Spring" part was a bit of a misnomer.  Many times there was too much snow on the track and we'd have to run in the high school halls (groan).  My events in Spring Track & Field were sprints (100, 200, 400 relay, occasional 100 hurdle, 200 hurdle).  Our team was so small in comparison to others that we had to run the maximum number of events at every meet--even if you weren't prepared.  We needed points and coming in 3rd gets you points.

Today when I went on my run I set up my ipod for some tunes.  I usually just select a genre and have it shuffle.  But today I felt like paying tribute to Michael and Thriller.  When Beat It came on I started to smile and recall my high school track meets.  The best runner on our team had a large silver rectangular boom box. She would hoist the boom box on her shoulder and crank the song Beat It and we all ran around the track with this as our rally song, feeling good, feeling spunky, feeling confident. 

It occurred to me that lately I've been whining a lot about how old and out of shape I am.  I have been feeling old.  And I can't run without getting a sharp pain.. well.. just about everywhere. 

I'll never run as fast as I did when I was 16.  But when I was 16 I never had the willpower to run 7.1 miles just for the hell of it either.

Make Up and Little Ballerinas

My daughter is 3.  She started doing ballet this year.  I couldn't wait for her to be able to take ballet class.  From the time she started to walk, she has been twirling, on points, and dancing everywhere she could.  My little girl, despite having 2 older brothers,  is very much a girly girl.  Oh sure, she'll play superhero with her brothers, as long as her cape is pink and she gets to wear a crown.

Every Saturday my ballerina and I have gone to her ballet class.   After an hour of instruction she and I go to Starbucks for her favorite cookie; Madelines.  This Monday will be her first ballet recital.

There are many rules for the recital.   We had to dye her shoes white.  She must wear white tights (from the studio--so everyone matches).  Wear her hair in a high bun and ALL of her hair must be off her face (including the bangs she has).  No jewelry (which means taking out her earrings).  And finally, she should wear fire engine red lipstick and blue eye shadow.

I don't wear a ton of makeup but I never leave home without it.  Every morning my daughter stands by my side and hands me the under-eye-concealer, then my eye liner, mascara, and lipstick.  She always asks, "Why you wear make up mama?"  I wink and reply, "Because mama is old and tired..."  She always reminds me that she doesn't want any and I tell her, "You don't need it.  You're beautiful already."

I really have a problem with putting makeup on little girls.  It hasn't been long enough since the whole Jean Bennet thing.  Makeup on little girls gives me the creeps.

But they explained that bright stage lighting required makeup.  I am not a trouble maker (shut up... I am not!).  So I went to CVS to find fire engine red lipstick and blue eye shadow.  I was surprised to see that they still make blue eye shadow.  I was sure that was out with the 70's.

I brought the makeup home and showed it to my daughter.  She asked, "Why you got me makeup?"  I said, "Well, for when you have your recital. Miss Tara wants you to have lipstick and eye shadow."   She got upset and said she didn't want to wear it.  I assured her it was just for the recital and we'd take if off immediately afterward. She looked at me, eyes wide and said, "But Mama.  I don't want to wear the makeup.  I just want to be me."

Quick Tick Facts

So my daughter said, "my neck is itchy" and that's when we saw the disgusting spider like little bug burrowed under her soft skin on her neck.  Ticks.  They're just gross.  On Long Island we have quite a fear of Lyme Disease---not sure if that's the case across the country.  I had never really thought about it until I moved here.  In case you're wondering how the Princess is doing now that we're back from the doctor... let me tell you a couple of quick facts that I've learned from reading, talking with doctors, and even from today's appointment.

1.  Lyme disease is carried by deer ticks.  Deer ticks are very small.  You probably won't even notice them.  They are black and about the size of piece of freshly ground pepper.  The other ticks--just as gross in my opinion--are larger.  They also need to be removed but they are not a health threat.  Just icky.

2.  Deer ticks need to be in the body for about 2 days before they can transmit Lyme.  Knowing when the tick got on you helps, but a lot of times it's not really possible.  Todays tick did not look well-fed according to my doctor but he followed it with, "of course, we don't know when his feeding cycle is.."

3.  Saving the tick for testing is not really necessary.  They have a high false positive rate anyway. 

4.  Taking the tick out isn't painful but you need the right tools and you should get the entire body out.  We decided that instead of playing around, we'd just go straight to the pediatrician.  (It's always about having the right tools)

5.  Children rarely have a bulls eye from the tick.  Doc said not to bother scanning her for it.  The key is to watch for unusual symptoms.

6.  Treating her with high doses of antibiotics for the next 3 weeks was less "desirable" than the treatment we are doing.  Only about 1 in 600 will contract the disease after it has been in the body for 2 days.  Lyme disease is actually very treatable when caught early.  Given that we're just barely starting summer, the chances are good that we'll find another stupid tick.  What then?  More weeks of antibiotics?

Our plan is to wait for 4 weeks and do a blood draw.  It actually takes about 3 weeks to show up in the blood stream.   If any strange things come up before then they will test the blood immediately. 

Thanks to all of you for your concern!!  She is very happy that the bug is out of her skin (and so am I).

Resources

http://www.aldf.com/deerTickEcology.shtml

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/bugs/deer-tick.html

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/ticks/article_em.htm

Enjoy It

Since the moment my first child was born I've heard, "Enjoy it--it goes so fast." It's hard to imagine it going fast when it's been days (weeks and months) since you've slept more than 4 hours in a row. Often it took all I had to not slap someone telling me to "enjoy it" after I had just finished telling them about the latest stomach virus that had taken over our home, or the screaming baby with ear infection keeping everyone up all night.

Truth is there were many moments that were not so enjoyable. But it seems like life's a little easier now that he's 11 (and please don't warn me about teen years.. I'm not an idiot.. I know it won't be easy). He used to educate me on the differences between a backhoe and front loader. We then moved on to Super Heros. Now it's all about lacrosse and baseball. Baseball never has interested me but I feign interest in Derek, Posada, and the Yankees because of Duke.

He got a new lacrosse head recently and we needed to have it strung. Duke has always been very guarded with speaking. He talks plenty at home, but out in the real world was another story. When he was a toddler he would point at me if people asked him questions and he was too anxious to answer on his own. I tried to fight it--tried to make him speak for himself but soon I realized he needed me. As he's grown older he's become more confident but there are still moments. We walked into the store and the pretty blonde behind the counter took out her paper and pen. Smiling, she asked Duke for his name and other information. Duke slowly turned and looked at me with a small smile and I answered for him giving the phone number, address, and other particulars. Then she asked, "ok.. how do you want this strung?"

I started to panic. I didn't realize we had options. Doesn't she know how to string it? I looked at Duke wondering how we'd get through this piece of the puzzle. Duke stood up straight and his voice was strong and clear as he pointed to the diagram on the pretty girl's paper saying, "I want the hard mesh up here and down in the pocket." She asked, "Ok. What about the sidewalls?"

There are sidewalls on a lax head?

As he spoke I watched the girls face. She had been smiling sweetly at the cute little boy but now was looking respectful as he described his needs.

"Ok, what about shooter strings... do you want to see the new colors we have?"

What the hell are shooter strings?

He nodded and I got out of my sons way as he went around the counter to review the choices. He selected his string and we left the store. I got in the van still in a bit of shock at my little boy quickly morphing into a little man. I asked, "How did you know all that... all that stuff about the lacrosse head?"

"What stuff?"

"All that stuff like, the meshing and shooter strings?"

"I just read about it on the 'net and watched youtube. Casey Powell says this is the best way to string it for an attacker."

I told him I was surprised at his choice of shooter string. He said he chose it because it was new for '09 and no one on his team had it. I smiled and he asked why. I said, "No reason." And for that brief moment he didn't have long hair, he wasn't nearly my height, and he had a super hero costume on like the old days.