Blindsided

*In this section, so you don't freak out, I am not telling you anything bad about Steve.

You know how sometimes in life you become comfortable and think that everything is in control and then out of nowhere, you are blindsided with bad news.  This happened to me on Friday.  I found out that a very dear friend of mine's wife was diagnosed with breast cancer.  Talk about a punch in the gut.  I was totally caught of guard when I was told.  So of course I did the only natural thing to do... I cooked some casseroles to take over to them.  Last night I went to visit, with casseroles in hand, my friends Tom and Lorene Tav. I felt I had to take food because that is what people do  HA.  I also become worried that Tom would not feel like cooking in the days to come.  They had their first meeting with the oncologist today.  They go to the same group as Steve, but they do not have the same Dr.  Thursday she gets her port.  I will know more about her protocol and treatments later in the week.  Tom promised to call and update.  I know some of you know these two special people.  I am asking you to pass on the same get well thoughts their way that you have sent our way.  I know they are strong and will be able to handle whatever comes their way, but it is always easier if people are sending you massive amounts of positive energy.

We went to Springfield today after school.  We needed to find clothes to wear to Elizabeth's wedding.  Talk about waiting to the last minute.  We got Steve a nice jacket, pants, shirt, socks, and belt.  He did not need a tie since Elizabeth picked one out for him to wear.  He is going to look so handsome!!!!  I also got a nice pant suit to wear.   We were so lucky that we found each outfit on the first place we went.  Talk about lucky.

Steve rested today so he would feel up to going to Springfield to shop.  He had to go get gas today.  I let the big car get quite low. He, of course, gets mad at me for doing that.  I simply say I do that so he will have a project.  I drove so he could rest on the way up there.  He felt great while we were shopping, but the later it got, the worse he started to feel.  We went to Buffalo Wild Wings for supper.  It was Steve's first visit.  He like it.  During dinner he confessed that he was feeling poorly because he did not eat lunch.  What a knucklehead!!!!!   See what I have to deal with!  We did have leftovers from dinner, so I will be eating high on the chicken tomorrow for lunch. We love their different sauces.

I have started a new project.  Remember my friends that wrote a book a year of so ago?  Well, they are writing a sequel, and they have asked me to proofread it for them.  The last book was about vampires.  This one is about werewolves.  I have read the prologue and chapter one.  I think it is going to be a good book.  I met with the author this morning to go over the parts that I read and to explain my marks and suggestions.  She gave me chapter 2 and chapter 3.   This is not the first proofreading that I have done.  I have proofed for Mark Twain Media with the girls that were in the group that wrote the teacher resource books with me.  I really like doing that kind of stuff.  I think it is the perfectionist in me, or the fact that I love to use red pen!!!!  

In 6th grade we are writing letters to the veterans that are going on the next Honor Flight.  The kids are loving this project.  It makes them feel important and special to be asked to participate in this project.  The flight is in a week or two, but we are working on letters now because we have to make sure they are perfect.  I sure hope the veterans love the letters as much as we love writing them.

I do have to make a political comment.  I am sooooooo glad I do not work or have children in the Republic School District.   They are having this big issue with banning books.  The school board even has a several page policy describing acceptable books.  I read it today, and it made me want to grab those people and shake some sense into them.  Please, this is not Nazi Germany.  Banning books.  Next thing you know, they will be throwing books on the homecoming bonfire.  Talk about scary, but this is how it happens!  If you don't want your child to read a book, do the responsible thing as a parent and talk to your child about his choices.  Don't keep my child from reading a book because you don't want your child to read it.  In fact, if you tell me my child can't read a book, I would go out and purchase that book for my child to read right in front of you.  Censorship is one of my pet peeves.  I only hope that if I ever write a book, some one makes it a "Banned Book".  You know when you tell someone not to read something, it makes it more intriguing, and they want to see what all the fuss is about.  It is an instant way to start up the ladder of the best selling list.  I do  have a story about Koleen and a "questionable" book.  She was in high school reading A Million Little Pieces.  One of her more conservative teachers asked her if her mother knew she was reading THAT book?  She just smiled at them and said, "It's my mom's book, and she recommended it."  I guess that teacher's face was priceless.  Like I said, the choice is mine for my child.  How dare you try to take that right away from me!!!!

Ok, enough.  I am now off my soap box and my blood pressure is back to normal.   :)