I Can't Even Begin...

...to adequately put into words what is happening to the family of a close friend of mine. I think I'll start from the beginning and work from there.

If you have ever received parenting advice from me, I assure you that 95% of that advice was passed on to me from Kathleen Matthews. Kathleen and her husband Wilson are the parents of twin 8 year old girls - Madison & Makenzie - and a 5-year-old son - Justin. Of course, I met Kathleen through POTATO and we've been great friends ever since. She is truly my "twin guru" and our personalities are extremely similar (think Type A meets Super anal, but WAY prettier & funnier).

To cut to the chase...almost two weeks ago Makenzie was diagnosed with a brain tumor. I won't go into all the details other than to say this was extremely unexpected and out of the blue. Makenzie went from being diagnosed with the tumor, to an 11 hour brain surgery, to being diagnosed with brain cancer within a 96-hour period. It truly boggles the mind - especially when you think that Makenzie is only 8 years old and weighs about 55 pounds.

I have been amazed at the outpouring of love and prayers from the people in the Matthews' lives and from people they don't even know. Makenzie has a website through CarePages - an online "blog" of sorts for people with life-changing health events, and they are receiving hundreds of messages from people all over praying and thinking of Makenzie and the family during this difficult time. I encourage you to check the CarePages site out, log in and sign up for the updates Kathleen and Wilson are making regarding Makenzie's progress. It is amazing to read their words of hope, fear, faith, encouragement, discouragement and love during this tumultuous time in their lives.

Please take a moment (or 20, or 100) to pray for or send good thoughts to the Matthews family. I will post some updates, but the best way to keep posted on Makenzie's progress is through the CarePages site. Plus, Kathleen and Wilson ready every comment posted on the site, so feel free to leave an encouraging message.

*The picture is of the Matthews family the night before Makenzie's surgery. Makenzie loved that she could wear those fancy pajamas.

Dear HellMart Cashier....

I know, I know....I haven't blogged for a while. And I absolutely have stuff to blog about.

When I logged in this morning to post a picture that I thought I had downloaded (dang it - I didn't), I found the post below saved as a draft from July. Since I have nothing to post today, I thought I would just finally publish this one. Enjoy.
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Dear HellMart Cashier;

When I walk into Hell-Mart (my affectionate name for Wal*Mart for those new to this blog), I truly expect VERY little. I believe this store is a drain on our society, but DANG IT, those low prices sometimes drag the Cheap A** in me into your dark crevices. This is especially true when you are selling my sweet nectar of life - Diet Coke - for $2 less than any other store. Today was one of those days.

When I entered your "20 items and under SPEEDY CHECKOUT" line today (no kidding - the sign says "speedy checkout), I thought for sure it wouldn't take that long to get out the door. Boy was I wrong.

I'm not sure who within HellMart defined your checkout skills as "speedy", but I'm thinking he might be a turtle or snail lover, possibly a turtle or snail himself. Or he might possibly be dead. I literally watched my life pass before my eyes as I watched you scan one item after another with record-breaking slowness. I think I could actually see the hairs growing on my legs as you proceeded with the two people in front of me (no other line was open, because Heaven forbid HellMart be customer service savvy).

And when I finally got up to the checkout for my turn and the little credit card payment box thingy asked, "Was your cashier friendly today?", I practically laughed out loud as I searched for the "Are you freakin' kidding me?!?" button to select as you didn't even crack a smile or even make eye contact with me. I realize you are probably not thrilled to work for such a cruddy company, but there are other places that will pay you the same to do work that might be more appropriate for you. For example:

1. Golf Courses - you would be perfect at watching the grass grow so the greens managers can be aware of any problems on the course.

2. High School Detention Officer - nothing like watching the seconds click by along with the students, and it is very possible that you have super powers to make those seconds click by even slower (that's how it felt while in your lane).

3. Frown Judge - I know that isn't an actual job, but you would truly be excellent at it. I don't think I've ever seen anyone keep a frown on their face as long as you did. Did you know it takes more muscle work to frown than to smile?

Am I being a bit harsh? Probably, but I have yet to have a good experience in HellMart and I just need to quit hoping for things to change.

Sincerely,

Irritated, but optimistic mom

Where, oh where has my treadmill key gone?

Oh where, oh where could it be?

See this?

This is the “key” that makes my treadmill run. This is the key that my children have been apparently playing with and have lost somewhere in the depths of our bonus room (think needle in a haystack). This is the key I searched high and low for at 5am this morning because that is when I decided is the only time I can get in any sort of workout in my now insanely busy days.

Darn key! Darn kids! Darn treadmill!

Want to know what will stop a running woman in her tracks?

In my attempt to be a better blogger, I just had to go ahead and post this while I'm thinking about it (and while my critters are currently captivated in my diary from when I was 9 years old - such scandal in those pages).

I've been pretty slack with my exercise routine since the girls went to school, I went back to work, and apparently the PTO is trying to break the world's record of the most meetings in a two week period. I took advantage of some time this morning (I held my husband at gun point) and went for a run. Running in my neighborhood on a Saturday morning is a bit dangerous - especially for a deal whore like me.

There were THREE - yep, three - yard sales in our subdivision today. And - of course - I had to interrupt the great speed I was running (stop laughing) and stop and look. The first two sales didn't have anything to pique my interest, but the 3rd one was a winner! I made a few selections, took them to the homeowner, asked for a price, haggled a bit and told them I would be back to pick up my purchases.

Yep - I am the ultimate multi-tasker! I can exercise, listen to a book (on my mp3 player while running) and shop a yard sale all within 45 minutes. Woohoo!

And my purchases...well, I was able to score a brand new pair of Old Navy jeans, two brand new sweaters, a cool purse and a few other odds and ends all for $5. Ya gotta love that kinda deal!

busy, busy, bees

buzz, buzz, buzz - so much is going on. I promise to elaborate and post more pictures, but for now let me explain why there haven't been too many posts.

1. The girls started kindergarten.

2. I started back to work.

3. I am on the PTO Board.

4. I am Co-Room-Mom for one of the girls' class.

5. I am still the POTATO President.

6. I have lost my freakin' mind.

Yep - that's it in a nutshell.