Hey, where's Perry?

I'll take a great shopping trip whenever I can.

Today, my boys let me get coffee and breakfast, and joined me.  We looked for winter coats(yes, I was that mum kneeling on the floor of Carter's Outlet as my boys tried on 4T, 5T, size small coats) as I judged what a sweatshirt underneath would do to sleeve length.  They also helped me window shop and choose a dress for my OATH ceremony this Friday.  I'll try it on later.  So, did I reward them?  Yes, I did.

Hey, where's Perry?

September 1st, 2014

the things pregnancy does to us

The end of summer ... and its been long.  Let me tell you how it started.

My summer started early, you see.  As of April 29th, I have been to a vein specialist ten times, maybe 11.  I lost count.  For much of my life I have suffered from the very unsightly and often painful condition of varicosity.  The technical definition quoteth http://www.webmd.com

"Varicose veins are twisted, enlarged veinsnear the surface of the skin. They are most common in the legs and ankles. They usually aren't serious, but they can sometimes lead to other problems.

Varicose veins are caused by weakened valves and veins in your legs. Normally, one-way valves in your veins keep blood flowing from your legs up toward your heart. When these valves do not work as they should, blood collects in your legs, and pressure builds up. The veins become weak, large, and twisted.

Varicose veins often run in families. Aging also increases your risk.

Being overweight or pregnant or having a job where you must stand for long periods of time increases pressure on leg veins. This can lead to varicose veins.

Varicose veins look dark blue, swollen, and twisted under the skin."

I will spare you the pictures.  

Laser treatments(injections of local so they can shove a laser up your dead vein and kill it), phlebectomies(stab avulsion and scalpel cuts to pull out your veins with clamps WHILE YOU ARE AWAKE - they look like shoelaces by the way), sclerotherapy(foam injections to be bound with really big PUFF balls), compression hose(boy, these are something special), large maxi-pads taped to my legs(YES, maxi-pads), bruising, discoloring, limping, inquisitive toddlers, etc. etc. etc.  

But I am on my way to being done ... thank goodness.  Unfortunately, my doctor has retired in ... 7 days.  My last appointment he wanted to pop one of the small clots in my left leg, but I wouldn't let him as my boys were with me, so I must now start (or shall we say continue) these procedures with a new doctor.  I loved my doctor.  I will miss him.  

Tomorrow, I will go back to school with fewer veins, more bruising, and inquiring students.  These procedures kicked my ass.  I never expected to be so tired, I never expected it to be so painful; and I can take pain.  The hose are a joy - let me tell you.  Sooooo tight.  You sweat putting them on.  NOT COOL in the summer, not cool.  At least the students will not think I have aliens growing in my legs anymore. 

What have I learned from all this ... I should of had this done a long time ago.  Atleast before considering pregnancies.  As you can imagine, they(my veins, because THEY'RE people) got so much worse with each pregnancy.  After Max, I said I would take care of them after nursing and before another one.  Well ... doesn't always happen that way as I was pregnant again before I had finished nursing Max.  (WOW, I was fertile.)  

It could have been worse, but it could have been better.  I'm happy to be on the road to recovery.  Showering with a garbage bag duct taped around your leg is overrated. 

August 24th, 2014

I'm published!!

So, it's just one article, but I still feel pretty cool.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/natasha-walizer/what-is-a-teacher_b_5545882.html

Perhaps one of these blog entries will make it there one day.

July 1st, 2014

My name is Max and I WILL take over the world ...

with corks.

Let's just settle one thing first and foremost.  NO.  One hundred percent NON.  Nee-et.  Nein.

I did not drink all the wine that produced this many corks.  I might have helped, but not ALL.

I'm lucky I did not break my ass.

seriously ...

Got to acknowledge his creativity ...

June 14th, 2014

Lititz, PA

I had recently had the great pleasure of visiting Lititz, PA - the so-named "America's Coolest Small Town."  No really, that's what it is called.  Thanks to the advice from one dear Brandy Brandt, a colleague of mine, we all decided to venture out because we actually had a day off together.  I know, GASP!

http://lititzpa.com/

I have to say, it really was a cool little town.  There was the Sturgis Pretzel factory where my boys helped twist pretzels and "mock-play" putting them in the old ovens.  The Wilbur Chocolate Factory ... almost as good as Hershey's ofcourse, offered many tasty treats and streets were lined with quaint little shops and boutiques where you could buy some Hot Pepper Jelly for only 8.99!

My favorite part would have to have been the old English, true to style, British pub where there was no table service, you must order from the bar where they sold Walker's crisps, many a brew, and staple son the menu were bangers and mash, cornish pasties, and fish and chips.  Max and Charlie did not so much enjoy the British fare yet Michael and I went to town.  It was perfect.

Explore your towns ... see what is out there!

makin' some pretzels

 

my men

Hershey Farmer's Market

I have made it no secret where my family and I live ...

we live in Hershey, Pennsylvania, "The Sweetest Place on Earth."  Yes, it really does smell like chocolate here.  I. Am. Not. Kidding.

(Except on those few days when the nearby sewer plant is turning over ... sickening, no joke.  These would be the days we play inside.)

There are many hidden secrets about Hershey besides the rather large not so secret places, such as the park and Chocolate World.  Yes, there is a world.

One of our personal favorites is the Hershey Farmer's Market, held every Thursday afternoon outside the local coffee shop, the Cocoa Beanery, and U-Gro(how convenient).  They, obviously, specialize in fresh produce from close-by farmers and farms, yet there are also activities for the kids, local musicians, specialty tents ... think medical or political, and various other goods; local rug-makers, pot-makers, scarf-makers, and hummus-makers.

Yesterday was the grand opening, re-opening for the summer season.  I picked up the boys and off we went.  We always visit the same farmer's tent.  We're loyal.  Schaeffer Farms are out of Pitman, PA and have the most lovely apples, tomatoes, lettuce, etc. etc. etc.  Yesterday our haul included tomatoes, apples, and asparagus for a simple cost of 6 dollars.  There was a jumpy house set up for the kids.  As you can imagine I had to drag my two away.  We then went off and planted some flower seeds(which were later spilled, which were quickly repotted and watered).  I will hopefully have some little sunflowers at some point.

The best part of this little place is that the boys look forward to it.  They ask to go.  They ask to eat the fruit and vegetables we buy.  They ask to go back.

I wonder what we'll find next week?  Shouldn't blueberries be out soon.

http://farmersmarketinhershey.com/

May 23rd, 2014

conversations

me(at the Hershey Gardens last Sunday for Mother's Day): Are you guys getting tired?  Are you hot? - Max was an impressive shade of crimson.
Max: Mommy, the sun is making me tired.
me:  What a very astute statement, Max.  Want to go to Harvard.
Charlie: (with extreme enthusiasm) YEAH!
me: Win the lottery.
...... this is where a mother and daughter within earshot started chuckling.


me: Charlie, want to go to the store with Mommy.
Charlie: Mommy, bagel.
me: Yes, you can have a bagel.
Charlie: I want 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 bagels.
me: Sure.
Charlie: (emphatically) I want bagel all day.
me: all day?
Charlie: (screaming) All. Day.
me: (turning to the husband) so, we're going to go to the store.
Michael: Don't forget the bagels.


Max: (from upstairs) Mommy.  Mommy.  Ma-me...
me: (slowly going up the stairs)  Yes, Max.
Max: Can I tell you something?
me: sure.
Max:  I want your hair in a ponytail.
me:  [WTF].
Max: no, mommy, a nice one.
me: (leaving)


Charlie: ok, mister mommy
(enough said)


a few mother's day thoughts from Max:

Her favorite place to shop is the grocery store.
Mom always says "I love you."
If Mom had time, she would do more laundry.
When she grows up, she wants to be a "Princess Elsa"
Her favorite food is sausage and ice cream(chocolate)

from Charlie:
Mommy, I don't like the car wash.  It's scary.

in the bathtub:
Charlie: ma, ma, maummy, I wash my penis.
Max: I wash my buttcrack.


This is when I say the all-knowing line ... "I cannot make this shit up."
May 19th, 2014