Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Look Ma, I'm back!

After a long break from the blog, I am back at the keyboard. I know, I know...the excitement is almost more than you can bear. So I'll try to start with a low-key post so you can ease back into the routine of reading stuff coming out of my corner.

First of all, for those of you who worried that I jumped in my new little red car and rode off into the horizon, no such luck. "Little Red" and I have been busy but not going anywhere quite so exciting.

So what has been going on? What has happened since I last wrote?

Son17 had to have an MRI. This came up rather quickly due to elevated prolactin levels in a blood test. This can be a side effect of his medications, but it can lead to some more serious problems. So the MRI was to make certain that no damage was being done to various brain regions. The results were all fine. Nothing to worry about. But the procedure took most of a day. Son17 definitely does not have the ability to lay still for an hour inside that machine. So they had to give him a general anesthetic. So we had to be there early, have little "pre-procedure" meetings with anesthesiologists, nurses, doctors, etc. Have the actual MRI. Then hang around long enough for him to recover and wobble out to the car.

Son19 turned into Son20. Fascinating how my kids' names change every year, huh?

The school year ended for me. Pardon me while I do the dance of joy one more time.......

Okay, I'm back. And while I work year-round, the summer schedule is much less hectic. Since a large part of what I do is professional development with our staff, the end of the year saw all of my different workshop series coming to a close. In the last three weeks of school I led eight different workshops. I was exhausted!

School also ended for the kids. If you could peek into the other room, you could see them doing the dance of joy, as well. Well, truthfully, they aren't dancing. But I do fear they have become permanently attached to the Game Cube.

Daughter13 graduated middle school, so the end of the year took on a special significance for her. A small graduation ceremony in the morning followed by her first official dance that night. After seeing her head off to the bus every day in jeans and a sweatshirt, she surely looked all grown up in her new dress. And yes, a boy did ask her to the dance. He did not pick her up here...since he is only 13 and can't drive. But he did wait for her out front and escort her through a very nice evening. And Daughter13's report on the evening...the DJ was good, the snacks were good, Justin did get her punch, Justin did dress up even though some boys just wore shorts and a t-shirt, and they didn't kiss, they only hugged.

Last but not least, the opening of the camper. We own a camper that stays parked in a campground year round about 45 minutes from our house. As soon as school ends every year, we open it up, clean it up, and get ready for a summer of camping. My wife and the younger kids will live there much of the summer and I'll alternate sleeping at home and commuting to work from the camper during the weeks and will spend all weekends there. Some people have a summer home. We have a summer bed on wheels. But we love it. And today was the day Son20 and I went down to set up the deck, put up the screen porch, hook up all the utilities, air out the camper, and get it ready for some inside cleaning and fun.

And that, my good blogger friends, is what I've been doing while I was missing from the keyboard. But I've surely missed you! Jocelyn and Winston and Barb and Dorky Dad and May and Rebecca and Wizened and Wendz and Liv and Chelle and thethinker and Sheila and Redneck Mommy and .... well, instead of listing more, I'm going to read! I'm sure I've got a lot of catching up to do!!

22 comments:

Bardouble29 said...

awww, we have missed you too.

GLad you survived the end of the year.

Sounds kinda fun to live outta the camper for the summer. Great memories for the kids.

Come around when you get a chance!

whimsical brainpan said...

Welcome back!

I'm glad the MRI came back clear and that everyone in your family is doing the dance of joy for various reasons. The camper sounds like lots of fun.

y.Wendy.y said...

It's good to have you back.

I remember our caravan - we went everywhere in it when I was a child. Some of my best memories. But these days. I prefer a hotel...I know I know - I am a wuss!

Ruth Dynamite said...

Woohoo! School's over! (sort of) Enjoy your camper!

Jazz said...

We missed you too. You're on my "check it evey day" list and I was beginning go despair...

Welcome back!

Michelle said...

Wow...you HAVE been busy! But that's ok......sometimes real life takes precedence...hehe Glad to see you back at the keyboard!!

Charlotta-love said...

Glad to see you back. And glad you were able to report all great news.

meno said...

welcome back.

Gretchen said...

So glad the MRI was nothing to worry about. Goodness knows, I find things to worry about even when there's none. LOL.

Enjoy your camper! It sounds like you have a very close-knit family, and I'm sure the camper memories are part of that feeling of closeness. You'll have to buy another one when everyone gets married off. :) It'll be your own summer compound. Sounds Kennedy-esque to me.

Permission to link?

Rainbow dreams said...

welcome back and thanks for still visiting my small space too.

Really good news on the MRI being ok.
The start of summer sounds like good fun in your house - hope you find time to relax too :)

tkkerouac said...

Welcome back, you've been busy!

Anonymous said...

Glad the MRI was good. Sounds like you have been busy though!!!

Have fun camping this summer!

Kati said...

Wow!! You have been busy!!! Glad to hear that Son17 is doing ok and that the MRI came out ok. Happy Birthday to Son20!!! And it sounds like you & the fam are gearing up for a lovely summer. Hope y'all enjoy your camping!!!!

Unknown said...

I'm glad you are back. And I hope you enjoy the summer break.

David said...

I jumped over here from Dorky Dad's blogroll. That is great about summer break. I remember those! My wife wouldn't let me take the summer off, so I decided if I had to work summers I might as well teach summers. Just one reason I teach at a prison. Summer break=two days (and only for the kids-we still had to come in).

Unknown said...

'Bout dang time, Em. I was about to send out a search party.

So you have a camper? Is it big? Do you pull it or is it of the self-propelled variety? Now and then I totally want a camper. Then I totally don't want the hassle.

Jocelyn said...

Indeed, we have missed you. But I understand that end-of-year hecticness.

If, um, hecticness were a word.

Then I'd understand it.

And stuff.

All of which is to say: glad all is well, and you're in fine fettle.

tulipmom said...

Glad to see you're back. I was wondering if I'd discovered your blog just before you decided to give it up.

Thank goodness the MRI came back fine. The camper sounds like fun!

Anonymous said...

em is back!! woo hoo

I like your summer home on wheels set up.

Jenster said...

Glad Son17 is okay! And happy you're getting a bit of relaxation.

The camper sounds great! We have one, too, but we take it to different places. I can certainly see the appeal of having it at one place, though.

nn said...

I envy you so much...still three weeks to go for me.

Never tried a camper in my all life - seems a narrow place to live.

CS said...

I am glad to hear your son got through the MRI, although I know it wasn't easy. And even happier to hear the good results.

You've been busy - reason enough to take a little blogger break.