Grammar Snob

Enough

2009-07-02T11:03:00.003-04:00

I've about had it. Seriously.

The Wonderdog looks like she might be getting a cataract, gotta get her to the vet.

O'Mama's wonderdog is suffering from a hellacious kidney thing.

Chili's mom is struggling, and thus Chili is struggling.

My friend's son is in the hospital having been infected with e. coli.

I've got Yellow Jackets inside the soffit right above my front door.

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.....ENOUGH.

Things that annoy me Friday

2009-06-26T09:36:00.004-04:00

I thought we could list a bunch of these that annoy us. You know, get them off our chest.

As my online name suggests, grammar is my thing. So when Larry King said "myriad of..." last night I wanted to call to tell him if he'd like to use big words, he should AT LEAST use them correctly. Myriad is plural, no need for "of."

O'Mama's annoyed that CNN is dumbing down their headlines. Read about that here.

Mr. Snob gets annoyed when someone calls an LED an LED light. The L in LED stands for light.....so saying LED light is redundant.

I'm a little annoyed by the people who are choosing to spout off all the "bad" stuff about Michael Jackson. First of all, he was acquited of those charges. Second of all can we just celebrate the good in someone -- especially in their death? Maybe I'm naive, but I think it's a sign of the times when we are first to point out the bad and often overlook the good.

I'm annoyed that my house isn't cleaning itself...the nerve.

Feel free to post your annoyances.

Ten Things Tuesday

2009-06-23T11:06:00.001-04:00

The what’s on my mind right this minute edition.

1. I have been spending a fair amount of time thinking about my friend, Chili. She is going through a really tough time right now. I am doing what I can from here to help her. I do this by pausing to be still for a moment and focus some energy toward her. If you can today, please send her some energy, I know she’d appreciate it.

2. I’m a little nervous about my workload and course load in the Fall. I’ll be all kinds of busy with 11 credit hours (which doesn’t include 8 hours of clinical work…so 19 hours really) and 32 hours of work. I always function better when busy, but this might be challenging that system a wee bit.

3. My niece is having a gigantic party to celebrate her 18th birthday (and HS graduation.) It’s a traditional Filipino “debut”. Not unlike an old school debutant ball – a rather fancy affair with a royal court and such. It will be lovely and the court has been practicing a waltz and tango with some modern dancing thrown in for good measure. I’ve enjoyed watching the practices and love that the court appreciates my presence.

4. Last year, I started wearing a charm bracelet by Pandora. It now holds 17 charms, each one holding special meaning. I love this bracelet and the things represented in it. Perhaps a ten things for next week talking about the charms.

5. Jeff Buckley’s version of “Hallelujah” is one of my most favorite songs. I’ve heard many versions of the song, but his speaks to my soul.

6. I am very VERY excited to see the upcoming movie version of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. So much so that I’m considering driving 45 minutes north to see it in IMAX. I’m guessing I’ll see it several times in the theater and am just giddy with excitement. It looks to be the best one yet!

7. I’m looking for a new book to read….any suggestions? With that, I have read great things about the Kindle2 electronic book thingy. I’m not sure I’m ready to give up paper pages, though.

8. I am hella behind on housecleaning. Seems like I’m never home. Probably because I’m never home. Do you think hiring a cleaning service for a one time cleaning would cost more than a hundred bucks?

9. My black sandals that I wear every single day to work in the summer have perished. I’m on the hunt for new ones and am having a heck of a time. The deceased sandals were 3 years old and were casual and dressy all at the same time. I wore them with my work clothes, my weekend clothes, they were the perfect pair. I’m sad they’re gone.

10. I’m in love with my Blackberry. Much more than I should be….but it’s love!

The Toast

2009-06-02T15:51:00.002-04:00

(D and V if you're reading -- STOP RIGHT NOW)

I am the maid(matron, really, but GAH) of honor at my friend's wedding this weekend. I've never been MOH before and amd thrilled and terrified. I am the only attendant for the bride and the groom only has a Best Man. My friends D and V were married to other people, then the Universe decided they should be married to each other....so they are making that happen this weekend. The toast has been rolling around in my head in various forms for weeks. Months, really. Here's the latest rough draft, I needed to get it out there before I stand in front of friends and strangers and say it all outloud. I tried and failed to bring The Funny. I present The Schmoopy:

The road we travel is quite often not the road we thought we would be travelling. As children, we dream of becoming astronauts, doctors, rock stars. I can pretty much guarantee we didn’t dream of becoming insurance reps! The road dips and curves, we head in one direction then suddenly we’re thrust head first into another direction and we have no choice but to keep on going. How we deal with these changes in direction is part of what defines us as human beings.

The two separate roads that you’ve traveled have been filled with more than just dips and curves. A few potholes and more than a few detours were necessary for your two roads to end here today. It has been a long journey and I am so proud to have been a part of it. I have watched the two of you hit your potholes and wonder if you’d ever find your way back onto the path. You did, of course, because destiny calls you to be here today. The roads you traveled were perhaps not the smoothest, or the shortest, but had they been even a tiny bit different, they would not have brought you here.

Today, you will exit your individual road and join each other on a new road – together, as husband and wife. This road, too, will come with dips and curves, but you will now have someone to lean on along the way. May you never forget the paths you’re leaving behind for they have offered great life lessons, but may you look toward the new path with great faith, hope, and love.

The poet Robert Frost said that “two roads diverged in a wood, and I – I took the road less traveled by – and that has made all the difference.” May the road you start on today make all the difference. Congratulations! I love you both so much.

tap tap is this thing on?

2009-04-22T17:56:00.002-04:00

My life has been a whirlwind of drama, suspense, and just plain stuff. I've missed you, my friends inside the computer. I've also missed my outlet of writing and am starting to think it's one of the reasons for my tossing and turning all night while my brain spins at 12983 rpm. For the sake of brevtity, I'll clear my head random bullet point style. Except...well, I don't really know how to do bullet points on blogger. Ah, well, spacing will have to work.

I'm listening to Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince on my i-pod. Yes, of course I've read it before. I like to refresh before the movie and didn't realize I'd get sucked in so quickly. I'm enjoying it just as much as the first time.

Speaking of refreshing on books before seeing the movie, have to do that for Angels and Demons. Hmm, maybe I should get that on i-tunes as well.

Mr. Snob is running a half marathon on Sunday and I'm meltdown free so far about the whole thing. Booger is running the kids marathon on Saturday and I would just like to say that I think I would like to enter the kids marathon. 1 mile seems to be a much smarter race....stupid Greek Olympians 26 miles? Seriously.

I got the Blackberry. It's a Curve 8830 (I think) and I love it way more than I should. Please email me, or text me, or say something to me on Facebook. I live for the blinking red light....

Needing a flat iron. Have decided I'd like a little versatility in my hair and I think a flat iron will help. Here's the thing, though....my hair is THICK and curly. Need a high quality one and hate to spend $30 on a cheaper one and hate it. Do y'all have any recommendations?

I'm going down to 4 days a week, so I'm available for playdates on Thursdays. Plz call hug hug kiss kiss.

2 of my best people are marrying each other in a sunset ceremony in early June. This event will find me in a (very pretty) gown in front of a crowd of about 50. A strapless, not quite to the ankle length gown. Strapless. Lawdy help me.

In lieu of the gown (strapless!!! large bra size!!!) I have recently joined a gym and have been attending step class and zumba class and making friends with the recumbent bicycle. The eliptical machine winked at me the other day and I thought I might try it but....

I was attacked by strep throat and a double ear infection. Worst illness ever. Worse than labor. Haven't eaten solid food since Saturday. (It's helping, though, with the gown preparations.)

Events in the next few weeks include no less than 5 high school graduations & their respective parties, a first communion, a half marathon, 3 birthday parties, a wedding (strapless. gown. sorry, I digress.)

Last thing about the gown....I'll be posting pictures, it's a gorgeous varience of white and differing shades of blue with flowers and I have no fucking clue as to what shoes I'm going to get to wear with it.

I rented Rachel Getting Married and want to marry Anne Hathaway. She was amazing in it...I actually have a half-written popcorn post already (my first!!!). The movie itself was 3 shades short of mediocre, but Hathaway blew my mind.

Ten Things

2009-02-24T11:15:00.001-05:00

Total random version. Ten things floating around in my head right now.

1. I am eligible to get a new cell phone late next month and am thinking about plunging into the smartphone – connected all the time phone – email and QWERTY and ohmygodwillnevergetanythingelse done phone.

2. The flu appears to have packed up and left Chez Flores. Good riddance, you prick.

3. I need a haircut so desperately that I grabbed the scissors and made long side bangs the other day. Oh, yes I did.

4. Every night I’ve been trying to do just one thing off my list of stuff for the week. Last night I managed two -- cleaning out a big container of old makeup and pulling some old tomes off the shelf for the school’s upcoming used book sale.

5. Last Monday, I got on the treadmill and walked for awhile. I actually even ran for a minute. (Yes, just one minute….don’t judge me  ) That night the flu came hard and fast. I’m still trying to decide if those two events are related so I can perhaps get back on the treadmill.

6. I’m so tired of winter.

7. I loved the Oscars this year. Loved most of the dresses and many of the winners.

8. I am looking for some new music suggestions….fire away.

9. I would really like to take Booger to Niagara Falls this year. Have any of you been there recently?

10. I have a craving for a big, juicy pub-style burger. Yum.

Effing Flu

2009-02-20T13:10:00.003-05:00

There are few things worse than holding your seven year old daughter's hair out of her face while she throws up in a bucket situated in her lap.

Question of the day: when suffering from the stomach flu, why on EARTH do you always throw up all night long instead of all day long?

Some Chernobyl strength stomach flu has wrecked full out havoc in the Snob Family this week. Me, Mr. Snob, Booger, my mom, sister, brother-in-law all contracted this from my niece who we were in the same house with on Sunday for approximately 4 hours. Nasty little bug, I'm telling you.

Will you join us?

2009-02-19T09:14:00.002-05:00

I'm putting what little anonymity this site has aside to post this. Thanks for reading and supporting us. (I have more posts...lots to catch up with you about....but wanted to do this while it was fresh in my mind.)I'll be checking once posted to make sure the linky link works :-) Hope you are all well!

Dear Friends,

You all know the American Heart Association is very important to me. This year we are creating our own team (last year R walked with his cardiac rehab group) in an effort to encourage our family and friends to walk with us. The AHA has supported the research that made Roy's heart valve replacement possible. As many of you know, Roy's new valve will not last forever...it's research that we rely on to give us more and better options in the future.

We would love for you to join us as we walk for the AHA on Saturday, May 16 at the University of Toledo. We will be also accepting donations up until that date. Any amount of donation is happily accepted. Could you forego a soda with lunch and donate that dollar to our cause? All those single dollars add up and make a very big difference.

Thank you very much for being a part of our lives. We couldn't have made it through his recovery without you. Roy and I are better people because of those surrounding us.

Thanks,
Amy, Roy, and Anna

Official stuff below:

Join us as we walk for the American Heart Association!

Unfortunately, too many of us have a loved one affected by heart disease or stroke. As the leading cause of death in this country, cardiovascular disease claims almost as many lives each year as the next 7 leading causes of death combined. To help stop this, I am creating a team of walkers to help me raise funds for the American Heart Association and I'm asking you to join me.

Our team will be participating in this year's Start! Heart Walk by walking and by raising funds that are needed for heart disease and stroke research and education. To join my team, click on the link below and you will be taken to my web page. On my web page, click My Team Page and Join our Team to register online! You can use the online fund-raising tool to email your friends, family and colleagues to ask them to support our team and our cause! The more people we have working to defeat heart disease and stroke-the better, so please join me today!

Follow This Link to visit my personal web page and help me in my efforts to support American Heart Association - Toledo, OH

******************************************************************************
Some email systems do not support the use of links and therefore this link may not appear to work. If so, copy and paste the following into your browser:
http://heartwalk.kintera.org/faf/r.asp?t=4&i=283931&u=283931-246993704&e=2239134358
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Run, JRH, run!

2009-01-06T10:08:00.003-05:00

Remember Mr. Snob's marathon? I sure do. It changed him forever....he's begun training for the Cleveland Marathon with a warm-up half marathon here in Holy Toledo in April. I'm considering walking the half marathon. I haven't run in years and use the excuse of a bad knee, but mostly I'm lazy. Here's the thing, though. Mr. Snob has a huge scar on his chest and I...well, don't. Guess the excuses I could come up with don't hold water. Mr. Snob ran for and runs for the American Heart Association.

One of my friends inside the computer is running the Disney Marathon. I bet that will be a fun one! Anyway, she's running for the Humane Society for Greater Nashua. If you can skip a Diet Coke today, send her the buck, will you?

http://www.firstgiving.com/juliehorton

Good luck, JRH!

hi....and help!

2008-12-16T10:49:00.002-05:00

I'm recovering from finals. Two out of three were great. The other one I'll talk about soon, but I'm not ready yet. It's not a big deal as it was a lame class I need, but not really. So, the low grade is not the end of the world. Mostly. Sort of. Except we all know I'm a perfectionist. So I'm dealing. But again, more on that later.

Here's the other thing. I don't have a tree up. I have purchased 2 gifts and have roughly 25 on my list. I'd like to buy my 12 year old niece some books. She likes to read and I'm ALL ABOUT encouraging her to keep it up. I'd like to spend around $25 and get as many books as I can for that. Any suggestions? Do you think Little Women is too old for 12? What about Judy Blume? That's the right age group for her, isn't it? I haven't been 12 in MUCH TOO LONG. I also remember being far ahead of the curve in reading by then, so my experience is likely not hers. I'm hoping to push her a little toward some classics, thus, Little Women, but not so far that she won't read it.

Help. Please.

Also, need gifts for the following ages. Suggestions are always welcome.

Boys - 4, 6, 7, 8
Girls - 5, 12, 16

Booger, already a nerd, wants (and I've already purchased) this.

Thankful

2008-11-27T09:00:00.002-05:00

In this day of working too much, going to school, successfully managing roles of wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend...I often neglect telling people I love I am thankful for them.

Every Thanksgiving, or about a week before, I decide to write little note cards out for those I am thankful for and passing them our or mailing them. I do this every stinking year. Then Thanksgiving rolls around and I'm too chicken shit to follow through.

My niece and I talked a little bit about this and we decided to try a different idea. It's one I've seen elsewhere on the Internet, but can't remember where. We're taking a basket, some smallish pieces of paper and some writing utensils. We'll leave the basket out with a sign that simply says, "I am thankful for..." Periodically throughout the day we'll take turns reading the deposited slips of paper aloud. No one needs to sign them and I am quite sure some funny ones will end up in there as well. My niece has already declared she is thankful for Orlando Bloom!

I have so much to be thankful for. Mr. Snob, Booger, my family and friends, and many of you....my dear friends inside the computer. I hope we get to meet someday, I'd like to be able to tell you in person how much your endless support helps me in my daily life.

Picture meme and some other stuff.

2008-11-23T20:39:00.003-05:00

I was tagged awhile back to post the sixth picture from the sixth folder on my computer.

Since I am at the old computer right now and the external hard drive is all the way downstairs, I'll post the sixth picture from the only picture folder left on this computer. How's that? It's a picture of Booger from April 2006. I find it fascinating how she has changed so much, yet still not really changed at all....

I saw Twilight over the weekend and am putting my FIRST POST together for Please Pass The Popcorn. (sorry it's taken me so long, Mrs. Chili.) Will let you know when it's ready.

Ten Things - Random version

2008-11-11T13:24:00.002-05:00

1. I've already fallen off the NaBlo wagon. I'll get back on, but am so disappointed...it just simply slipped my mind.

2. One of my friends inside the computer just lost a dear son-in-law. It's a stark reminder of how lucky Mr. Snob was with his quick recovery. I will hold him extra tight today. Stop by Gerry's place and if you are so inclined, offer words of support.

3. It's cold. I hate it already.

4. This semester is almost over. I have a rough draft argument paper due tomorrow. I haven't started. God, I'm such a procrastinator.

5. Problem with the argument paper is that I don't know what to argue. Can't be anything on the professor's list - abortion, death penalty, etc. Might take a stab at term limits. If it goes well, I'll post it.

6. Did I mention it was cold? And that I hate it?

7. A dear friend is pregnant with triplet boys...they're arriving soon and I'm beside myself with excitement.

8. Booger's teacher had nothing but nice things to say about her during our parent-teacher conference. I'm so lucky she chose me!

9. I am loving not working retail this holiday season.

10. The dead flowers outside my window at work make me sad. I think I'll cut them down.

Pointing out the obvious.

2008-11-10T13:22:00.001-05:00

Can I finally say "I told you so?"

"No other president's disapproval rating has gone higher than 70 percent. Bush has managed to do that three times so far this year," says CNN polling director Keating Holland. "That means that Bush is now more unpopular than Richard Nixon was when he resigned from office during Watergate with a 66 percent disapproval rating."

source: http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/10/bush.transition.poll/index.html

Yes we can.

2008-11-05T17:35:00.004-05:00

I'm working on a big post summing up my thoughts from last night.

For now, though, here is part of the text from the speech. I'm curious to know how much President-Elect Obama (!!!) wrote and how much was written by someone else. I think my writing style is more speech-writer than literary work so I'm naturally drawn to good speeches. (Sounds like a potential Ten Things post.)

"This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment."

“This is our time, to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth, that, out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope. And where we are met with cynicism and doubts and those who tell us that we can’t, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can."

Yes we can.....and it feels so good.

Election Day

2008-11-04T09:46:00.002-05:00

I took Booger with me this morning to cast my vote. We only had to wait about 20 minutes. She was tardy to school, but it was worth it. At age almost-seven, this is likely the first presential election she will remember. Regardless of who wins, it is an historic event. I'm thrilled to share this day with her and we will spend time this evening discussing civics and my favorite kind of math - electoral college math!

Crossing my fingers for a safe day for all. Go vote! Let's change the world.

Monday Meme

2008-11-03T13:29:00.002-05:00

Stolen, with love, from O'Mama.

Four family members:
Mr. Snob, Booger, Ally the Wonderdog, and the dust bunnies.

Four places that I go to over and over:
Grocery, Barnes & Noble, Sephora, work.

Four people who e-mail me (regularly):
Mr. Snob, Ness, D, and Mr. Obama’s campaign

Four of my favorite places to eat:
Cousino’s Steakhouse, The Original Pancake House, Home, and Wixey Bakery!

Four places I would rather be right now:
Home (I’m at work), California, School (yes, really), or with family.

Four TV shows I watch over and over:
Grey’s, The West Wing, Sports Night, and the news.

Four things in the room I’m in:
My desk, cell phone, bottle of water, and baseball I use to toss around instead of biting my nails.

Four concerts I’ve been to:
Counting Crows, Metallica, George Winston, Brian McKnight (eclectic, no?)

Four things on my calendar:
Next big exam for school, ELECTION DAY!!!, niece’s birthday, release date of Twilight movie.

Four fears:
Sarah Palin (I stole this from O’Mama), icicles, failure, a harsh, harsh winter.

Four things in your purse or wallet:
Wallet, picture of Booger, cuticle nippers, lipstick.

Four chores you hate doing:
Putting laundry away, mopping, mowing the lawn, washing windows.

Four favorite animals:
Dogs, goldfish, dolphins, pigs (because of Mr. Snob’s new heart valve came from a pig.)

Four speed dials on your cell phone:
Home, Mr. Snob’s cell, Sister, Sister in Law

Four places you have called home:
All are within 30 miles of current home.

Four favorite pieces of jewelry:
Wedding band, mother/daughter pendant, charm bracelet, earrings from Mr. Snob.

Four websites you visit:
CNN, O’Mama, Chili, Kizz.

Four people who have been in your car:
Mr. Snob, Booger, Ally the Wonderdog, Mom.

Four things you are wearing:
Four usuals – watch, wedding ring, charm bracelet, necklace. I have clothes on, too, but they’re just boring work clothes.

Four things you are looking forward to:
Graduating (though it won’t be for awhile yet), Thanksgiving, Booger’s birthday, Christmas.

Four favorite types of candy:
Green & Black’s milk chocolate, Hershey’s chocolate, Reese’s peanut butter cups, Butterfinger.

Four sports teams you like:
BGSU Falcons, Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Indians, St. Francis Knights.

Four things found in your fridge:
2% milk, Diet Coke, Cheese, Ketchup

Four rituals you do daily:
Brush my teeth, have my morning Diet Coke, watch the news, snuggle with Booger.

Four things currently within reach:
Cell phone, water bottle, at least 19 pens, family picture.

Four things you know how to cook:
Melt in your mouth cheesecake, pot roast, mashed potatoes, beef veggie soup.

Four Halloween costumes you’ve worn:
Martian with some stupid blow up thing on my head, cheerleader, devil, Cyndi Lauper (yes, really).

Shocking....not!

2008-11-02T08:29:00.002-05:00

You are a
Social Liberal
(80% permissive)

and an...
Economic Liberal
(8% permissive)

You are best described as a:

Socialist

Link: The Politics Test on Ok Cupid
Also : The OkCupid Dating Persona Test

http://www.okcupid.com/politics

NaBloPoMo

2008-11-01T18:07:00.002-04:00

I'm going to give it another try. I'm pretty sure I'll fail, but I won't know unless I try.

Speaking of trying, Election Day is approaching. Please vote. I would like for you to vote for my guy, but either way, you should vote.

I stopped by the local campaign headquarters for my guy the other day to see what kind of swag they still had. I walked out with 3 posters, 2 stickers, a long-overdue yard sign, and a temporary tattoo. I'm perplexed by the tattoo, but might put it on anyway. Just for fun. (in an inconspicuous spot so as not to be prohibited from voting.)

From one of the free posters and it gives me chills every time I read it:

I will never forget that the only reason that I'm standing here today is because somebody, somewhere stood up for me when it was risky. Stood up when it was hard. Stood up when it wasn't popular. And because that somebody stood up, a few more stood up. And then a few thousand stood up. And then a few million stood up. And standing up with courage and clear purpose, they somehow managed to change the world.
-Barack Obama

Let's change the world, shall we?

The Journey - post op

2008-10-26T08:53:00.004-04:00

With all the Marathon talk around here, I've been thinking more about the surgery and how I really just need to suck it up and write it down. It has been cathartic, but also a memoir of the event. Things like this are important. It's important for me to get it somewhere other than inside my head and I think it's important for Mr. Snob to hear my version, just as it is for me to hear his. Someday, Booger will be old enough to really understand how rough that time was for us. She remembers, but not really, you know?

So. I think I left off after seeing him in the cardiac recovery room. He was still sleeping, on a ventilator, naked as a jailbird and covered in iodine. I left at approximately 8:30 with instructions to call around 1:30 - he should be off the ventilator by then. My mom dropped me off (everyone decided I shouldn't drive) and I took a shower immediately. The next few days I remember showering the second I got home, that way I would always be ready to leave at a moment's notice. Showered and somewhat rejuvenated, I fed the Wonderdog and tried to watch TV. After a few minutes, I realized I really should try to sleep, I set my alarm for 1:30 and fell asleep. It was a fitful sleep and I awoke every few minutes (at least it felt like I did.) I checked my phone every time I awoke, terrified I missed a call. At 1:30, I called the nurse's station and talked to his nurse. He was still sleeping, still on the ventilator. She explained that due to the extra time required in surgery...you know....because his heart wouldn't beat....they had to use more anesthesia than expected and it just takes a little more time. She assured me this was all normal and his vital signs were excellent. I could call back at 3:30 and check on him if I'd like. She was so nice as I explained I would really like to call back then, but didn't want to bother her, or take time that she didn't have. She was so kind...told me I could call as often as I wanted to, but there would likely be no change for at least 2 hours. I hung up and cried. This was just so hard and I was emotionally exhausted. I was so tired from putting on a strong face for everyone else, when I felt so defeated. The times I was alone were the worst, for sure. I did sleep some more and woke up in time to call at 3:30.

When she answered my call at 3:30, she said he was awake!!! Still on the ventilator, but he was responsive and they just had to go through some formalities in order to remove the vent. Things like following directions (move your toes, squeeze my hand....that sort of thing). She said he had been cleaned up and they would be removing the breathing machine soon. If I called back at 5:30, she should have excellent news by then. Well, I was so happy to hear that he was waking up, I couldn't sleep. I turned the TV on and watched some news, I sorted some clothes for the week and put them all in one location in case someone had to come home for me, I could tell them exactly where to find something. The phone rang at 5:15 and my heart dropped. I answered and it was the nurse saying he was off the ventilator and the very first thing he said was "Please call my wife, I'm sure she's worried." Does he know me or what?!

There are very strict visiting hours in the Cardiac Recovery Room and I wasn't allowed to go until 10:30. I slept, I cleaned, I snuggled with Wonderdog. And I watched the clock.

I arrived at the hospital, meeting my in-laws in the lobby. We were allowed in a few at a time. I stayed and everyone else took turns. I stepped out so his parents could come in together, but otherwise I was there. Visiting hours were only 30 minutes. I wasn't leaving! Mr. Snob....14 hours post op was sitting up in a chair! He wasn't happy about it, though. :-) His sister, a nurse, came in and we talked clinical for a bit with the nurses. He was doing well, except he wasn't handling the pain meds. This became a theme of his recovery. He was up in the chair, but couldn't speak really well because of the ventilator. He said later he appreciated the way I seemed to anticipate his needs and read his gestures so he didn't have to speak.

The next visiting hour wasn't until 6:30 - this is pure torture for the family, by the way. I certainly understand the medical need for it, but holy crap. Luckily they called me about 3:30 and said he would be moving up to a room - where I could stay all day - shortly. I rushed to the hospital and met him just as he was arriving in the room. Our pre-admission request for a private room was granted and we moved on in.

Speechless

2008-10-23T08:52:00.005-04:00

http://www.runphotos.com/

search bib 7066

No, that's not me in many of those photos...that's our new friend K, also a first time marathoner, who ran the entire race with Mr. Snob. They met as part of the pace group to finish in 6:30. Mr. Snob's official time: 6:15:13. I'm trying to put my thoughts into words.

Race day was amazing. I can't even put it into words! Also amazing was Tuesday when Mr. Snob went to visit Dr. M to show off his medal. Dr. M, you'll remember, was our surgeon, and he was THRILLED to see Mr. Snob and they were both overwhelmed with excitement. I can't talk about it any more because I will cry again :-) Pride, elation, overwhelming relief. Thank you for helping me on Sunday. Your texts, energy, pin-wearing, and emails kept me afloat and I'm eternally blessed to have you all in my life.

The Race

2008-10-13T11:10:00.001-04:00

The marathon is in six days. Mr. Snob is ready. The hotel room is booked. The sitter for Wonderdog confirmed. I’m trying to be ready. I have a list of things I need to bring (camera, video camera, cash, extra whatevers just in case….that sort of thing.) I am going to really try to enjoy myself. I’m terrified, though, and many people in my daily life are doing a poor job of understanding that. Some of them are pretty much saying I’m being silly or whatever with my worry. I don’t think they mean to be so condescending, but that’s how it feels. It makes me feel like I’m the only one who remembers. Race day will be 15 months to the day since they opened his chest with a chainsaw, cut open his heart, and replaced his aortic valve. Pardon me for remembering that day. Pardon me for remembering how I thought it would have hurt less if they would have cut me open instead of him. Pardon me for not wanting to risk that again. I get it. He’s healthier than ever. He’s ready. He’s been released from every single doctor we have. He’s trained…slow and steady….and done everything right.

Still. It’s hard for me. That may make me the bad guy. That may make me selfish. But that’s just too effing bad. I’m so proud of him. What he’s doing is amazing and a true inspiration. But as his wife, this sucks and I’ll feel so much better when it’s over.

You can track Mr. Snob on race day, this Sunday, October 19 at www.detroitmarathon.com I won’t have his bib number until Saturday and might not have access to the internet, but you can search by name. If any of you are in Detroit and have suggestions on how to occupy approximately 6 hours of my time, any thoughts are appreciated. I am likely going to be a nervous wreck the whole day. Text messages will be welcome distractions!

The Journey

2008-10-07T15:13:00.003-04:00

This is what we've been up to. The race is approaching. School is taking a whole lot of time I don't have and I'm sort of curled up in a ball in the corner rocking trying to find a little bit of sanity. I'm struggling a bit right now, but the race is approaching and I'm focusing on helping Mr. Snob any way I can....

Go here, please. Read our story. The next chapter of The Journey should be coming in a few days.

Wonderdog Update

2008-09-25T08:20:00.002-04:00

Dropped her off this morning and talked with the doctor. The vet who's doing the surgery happens to be my favorite one in the practice and the same one who spayed Ally the Wonderdog many years ago. She was confident this morning and spoke encouraging words and I left feeling much better.

She should be out of surgery by lunchtime and will have someone with her for the next couple of hours monitoring her recovery.

We decided since she'll already be under anesthesia, the vet will clean her teeth. We've been discussing this procedure for months, may as well do it while she's under.

When I get her this afternoon, she'll be stoned, but cyst free with a killer white smile!

I know I'm treading on thin ice, but...

2008-09-24T14:32:00.001-04:00

This bothers me. He spoke in front of the United Nations. Not in the parking lot of a Sonic for crying out loud. How do we not have someone there? I personally think it should be Bush or Cheney, but hell, anyone is better than a simple note-taker. Show a little respect for the UN if not the man speaking. Also, I really believe this behavior is what makes anti-Americans so angry. I disagree whole heartedly with Ahmadinejad and certainly don't trust him. But ignoring him isn't likely to get us anywhere.

"As Ahmadinejad spoke, the only person at the United States table was a note-taker; no U.S. diplomat was present. When President Bush spoke earlier Tuesday, however, Ahmadinejad was in the room."

source: http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/09/23/ahmadinejad.us/index.html?iref=mpstoryview