phone log

Dad: "Hello?"
Me: "Hiya, Pop! Wanna feel older than you might already be feeling?"
Dad: "Uh oh, now what?"
Me: "I'm getting bifocals."

pause

Dad: "How old are you?"
snort

Yeah...it's like that. I'm 38 1/2, thank-you-very-much, and I'm getting bifocals. Yippeee.

Busy busy

We had a busy Memorial Day weekend.

Got the house cleaned-ish on Saturday morning. Did some laundry. Left for the cottage for one night. Maddy got to spend time with her cousins Hannah and Nate. The three of them are 6 months apart in age. Quite fun to see the three of them play so nicely together. The men-folk got the dock in and did some errands and chores around the house. I was a lazy bum and did very little other than pick rocks and watch Maddy.

We got home on Sunday night and we were all exhausted. Slept in until 9am on Monday morning. It was already 70 degrees out! We got a headstart on the day ahead: spreading 7 1/2 yards of woodchips, planting the veg. garden, and weeding. It was a GLORIOUS day.

My folks, Julie, and Haddy & William came up from Madison for the day. Mom and I went to the greenhouse to get our annuals. Dad and Joe did wood-chips. Julie was in charge of the kids and assisted with going to the park, playing at the house, and doing some crafts.

But that wasn't all. We ended up with a house-ful by the end of the day: Jodi, Jed, Stacey, Dean & baby Joey came over to plant the vegetable garden; and Caroline, Zak, Teresa, Jason and Gavin came over to eat and entertain us and be entertained.

It was a busy busy weekend. It was certainly difficult coming into work this morning. Oy...I'm a beat....

:)

even as we go about our daily lives....

What craziness is this world!

Big girl bike!

We're ok

It's amazing how much one's body and mind can recover from such loss as we've experienced lately. That's not to say we're 100%, but we're ok.

Every once in a while, Maddy will look at me with such emotion and say how sad she is that the baby died. There's been a lot of hugging and a lot of downtime for the three of us as a family. Maddy's taken to sleeping on the floor and wanting us to sleep with her. We do what we can, but it's been a bit frustrating, especially if we have work to do. I've ordered some books to hopefully assist her (and us) in this phase.

We'll be honoring Steven's life this coming Saturday. It will be a small gathering in Oconto.

We're ok. Spring is here. The seeds have been started for the vegetable garden and have begun to sprout under the grow-lights in the basement. We're planning the patio. Joe's dug a trench between the house and garage.

It's all going to be ok. :)

Steven's obituary

Eckberg, Steven

Steven Eckberg, Grand View, Wis., formerly of Green Bay, died April 20, 2008, doing what he loved best on a wonderful spring day, riding his motorcycle. He was always grateful to God for "another beautiful day in paradise". Steven enjoyed living in Grand View, where he could "coon" hunt with his best bud, "Bub" and the fishing was always good there too. Lake Superior was a great place for sailing, another of his passions. Steve loved the wind in his face, or his nose in a good book from the Drummond Library.

He was born to Clarence and Elizabeth (Betty) Eckberg on Aug. 28, 1952, in Green Bay, Wis. He is survived by his mother, brothers and sisters; also nephews and cousins.

Memorial service will be May 17, at 10 a.m. at the Oconto Catholic Cemetery in Oconto. Burial in Oconto Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been set up at PCM Credit Union - Steven Eckberg, 781 Willard, Green Bay, WI 54304. Memorial proceeds will be donated in Steven's name to the Drummond Library.

Enough already

Steven was 56. He lived off the grid and off the land up in northern Wisconsin. He was an interesting man, had an interesting life, and was a good man.

My favorite story to tell about Uncle Steven (my father-in-law's brother) was what he brought to our house right after Madeline was born: a fresh baked loaf of bread and a frozen leg of deer. The cats were quite amazed as we ended up thawing it in the bathtub because it was so big.

This makes 3 losses. Enough already.

Motorcycle vs. deer crash
Man loses life after motorcycle hits deer.

Posted: Monday, April 21, 2008 at 10:43 a.m.

IRON COUNTY, WI -- A Wisconsin man is dead after an accident in Iron County, Wisconsin.

The crash happened on Highway 77, about four miles west of Hurley, in Pence. The victim, Steven Eckberg of Grandview, Wisconsin, hit a deer while driving his motorcycle down the road.

Eckberg was taken to Grand View Hospital in Ironwood where he was pronounced dead. He was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

Peace.

on loss redux

Baby D'Argo went to the farm today. Literally - not the metaphorical version parents of old told their children.

D'Argo had high creatine levels - his kidneys were that of a cat 3 times his age. He took to telling us his problems by peeing on the counters, on books, on papers, on anything that he thought would get our attention. After 7 months and over $1500 dollars later, we needed options.

Our friend Julie had an option I could deal with: there was a farm where they take care of not only calves but also the cats who live in the barn. Plenty of straw - plenty of food - plenty of cat companionship.

So D'Argo went to the farm today. He'll be ok. He's a fiesty kitty (as be-fits the namesake of a Luxan warrior).

We love you ... be well...

on loss

I had a miscarriage yesterday. During my first ob appointment and my first ultrasound, we found that there was no heartbeat. Joe was thankfully able to make this first appointment. I was so thankful that we were able to have at least a picture to take home as well. It was real, at least for a little while.

Because my body hadn't yet figured out that the fetus was viable, it hadn't yet begun to spontaneously miscarry, so I had a D&C in the afternoon and was home by 8pm.

Everyone at the hospital was fantastic and treated us and our loss with great respect. I don't hold to the thought of "everything happens for a reason." I do, however, think that "there is a reason for this to have happened."

The best thing anyone said to me was the gal who walked me down to the car. I had a few women who told us they were sorry for our loss, one who talked insistently about "God's plan" (whatever), and many who were just there to hold my hand and let me and Joe go through our emotions.

The best thing that was said though was that one gal who wished us only one thing: hope.

I know it's not uncommon.

Miscarriage is the most common type of pregnancy loss, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Studies reveal that anywhere from 10-25% of all clinically recognized pregnancies will end in miscarriage.
American Pregnancy Association

As a woman of "advanced maternal age", ie, over 35, I had a 20%-35% risk.

We'll be ok. We'll be able to try again in a few months, I know. It's going to be a scary road. But we will be ok.

Thanks for listening and thinking of us.

on hormones, and other fun things

Hormones suck in general. They rule a girl's life. Seriously. Girls unite. Damn.

I'm 9 weeks pregnant. This pregnancy is similar to my first with Madeline. With Maddy, I was sick for 9 months. Threw up every 3rd day. It was not fun. I know every pregnancy is different, but oh my dear stars, PLEASE be very very different! I've not been feeling the best so far. I won't disgust you with my tales of "praying to the porcelain gods". You get the idea.

I have a stash of saltines and peppermint tea under my desk. I have been going to sleep really amazingly early, taking naps when I can. My hair is not behaving and I am finding I can't use the same products in it. My regular clothes are too tight. I'm only 9 frickin' weeks along, but I'm finding myself in a few maternity clothes already.

Ok, enough complaining. I'm ready to ENJOY being pregnant! As I tell my students: "Attitude IS everything."

I'm just not ready to give up the saltines just quite yet!

me me me

Wow ... "Better living through pharmaceuticals", as my father says, and it's true. The antibiotics are working well. Everyday my elbow gets better and better. I'm not in pain like I was only a few days ago. Still haven't a clue as to why I got the infection in the elbow like I did, but I'm glad it's settling down.

Now ... for the nausea to calm down and I'll be a happy camper!

Letterman's Top Ten Reasons to Watch Battlestar Galactica's New Season

ooo...I so enjoyed this! Looking forward to the last season!

The Mahamrityunjaya Mantra

I can use any and all help from anyone and anything I can get.

no seriously, this sucks

• Maddy was sick on Thursday night. (vomiting whilst in the car-seat was NOT fun)
• I haven't been feeling well lately (at five weeks pregnant - did I mention that yet?), the nauseousness seems to have started early.
• I was in the ER with a nasty case of cellulitis. Seriously painful; dreadfully uncomfortable.
  

I'm ready to enjoy my pregnancy. I'm ready for all my family to FEEL WELL.

good news!

Wisconsin's bee season raises an optimistic buzz

Icicles

Pictures from the Day in Milwaukee

Mom, Samantha & Madeline at the Tea Room



Alison and Haddy



Waiting for the Lion King to start

Google Talk

So, if you would like, and if I'm available, you may find me online! --------> Come by and say HI!

To be posted soon...

Pics from Day in Milwaukee...

4 Year-Old Kindergarten

Oh boy. Decisions to make.

The Green Bay public school district will be offering 4K this coming fall. It's only 3 1/4 hours for 4 days a week.

She's very smart (of course) and does quite good at the YWCA (4 days a week now).

• Is Maddy ready for 4-year K?
• Are we ready?

hmmmm....

Thoughts?