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So, Tomarrow morning at 7:15am,  I'm going to remove...the gall bladder.  It's sounds so crude and mundain.  My snobbish side would say... I am feeling a little distained with my predicament.  I am also, feeling a little apprehensive about going under the anestesia and waking up with something missing from my whole body.  Although, its a good thing that it will be gone and it won't hurt anymore.  The pain is quite excruciating. 

My Husband is taking time off from work to accompany me.  My Mother and Sister took time out of their schedules to help with the children and the household.  

The family is in the best of hands.  My mother works for Sutter as an Administrator and my sister is a nurse-RN.  So, most of the bases are covered for taking care of my position in runnng the household. LOL.  This really demonstrates the importance of a mother's role in the family.   

Seriously,  I am feeling very lucky.  I should say...I am blessed and grateful.  All of this shuffle for one person is crazy.  I have a new awareness and appreciation for my mother and grandmothers.  My sister is...fantastic... for being available when I am down.  How do you repay someone for going above and beyond?  I bought a pretty little spring green dress for my sister and I'm working on a gift for my mother. 

Anyway,  We set up a "Recovery Lounge" in our livingroom.  I made sure all the laundry was caught up.  All the bathrooms disinfected, so as to not offend.  We printed out the kids daily schedules and chore charts.  We bought some kids art materials for the little one's to have something to do. 

Meanwhile...I have crochet projects,  reading material and my drawing journal all ready for the time I may get bored.  I should only take a few days to recooperate. 

Onward and Upward.  

larger view

Usually, we are really good at planning the children's Birthday's.  When my first set of boys were younger we made plans a month in advance and booked rooms or tables to hold our parties.  We have been so busy with a housewarming party, a special Easter brunch and visiting others with their parties. We didn't have much time to plan my youngest son's 3rd Birthday Party this Tuesday.  We figured, since it fell on a work day,  we would make a light dinner, bake a cake, have some ice cream and coffee.  We would invite Grandma to make it special. 

The other day, I was flipping through the "Family Fun" Magazine and found they gave several examples of party cakes. I saw a really neat looking "Sandcastle Cake."  It looked really pretty and it was made with simple ingredients. 

My husband and I went to the store to buy all the things we would need.  Along with some extra touches to personalize it.  I spent the morning of the day of the party baking 3 different sized white cakes. (with cupcakes left over)   We iced it and put on the finishing touches.  It looked like a real sandcastle.  It took a little bit of time to sculpt the cake but, it was worth it.  It was magical looking and delicious.

We stirred up quite a party.  Evidently, my husband was putting out the word that we were going to have cake.  So, I made a calls to my sister and brother.  By the end of the day we had about 10 children between our families and about 10 adults.  We had Great-grandma's and Grandpa's, Grandparents, co-worker friends and Aunties and Uncles with their children.  All coming at the last minute.  My brother, apparently still working in the Bay area, dropped everything,  took the train home and came with his family. 

 I put out an urgent call to my Mother to ask if she would like to bring some "Beach themed" party gifts for all the grandkids.  Remembering,  the kids should have those  little trinkets to take home with them.   She came over with plastic buckets and shovels with bubbles, leis, pinwheels, Frisbees ad key chains shaped like flip-flops!  It was amazing.  Thank you,  Mother!  And, thank you Aunties for running out at the last minute to get them at the Wishing Well. 

Through all of the conversations and kids running around playing,  I wished I could have made it more publicly known how grateful I was they helped throw a great party together.  I think everyone knew.  When we all sang "Happy Birthday" to my son. The sound was so rich and full of happy voices.  He loved it.  We all loved it.  It was a lot of fun. 

I went to see my doctor for some mysterious pains happening the past few months. Along with the severe PMS questions.  I would wake up at 5am with a very bad pain in my stomach.  I tried to deduce the causes.  What were my habits lately? 

A glass of wine with dinner? No, not every time.

Am I going through some major stress? Possibly. 

Home-made London style fish and chips? Yes, every time. 

The doctor is running tests for a possible Gall bladder/Gall stone problem found common in slightly over-weight women, with multiple children and who eat greasy, fun, fried foods.  My blood work is normal. The ultra-sound for my abdomen is coming soon.  So, I may need to have my gall bladder removed. Well, they say, you don't use it anymore that much anyway. 

My husband and I had to change our diet in the past due to high cholesterol, high blood pressure. . We lived on grilled fish and chicken, vegetables and rice dishes for a very long time.  It was lovely.  I think we were happier. 

We just might need to cut out the delivery pepperoni pizza,  the fun, home-made "London style fish and chips" and the home-made chicken nuggets.  We thought we were being smart by frying in canola oil.  That just may not be the only case.

We are finding ourselves having to refine our diets, even further.  Maybe a change in our diet will also help with the PMS as well.   I guess,  to remedy all of these other complications we are going to have to explore new ways of cooking and make a new menu as a family.  

Like this is a revelation. No, but a light at the end of this little tunnel.  It'll be fun.