Redneck French food

A short note about my surgery: everything went as expected, I'm home and recovering, and I owe a great deal of thanks to many family and friends for thoughts, prayers and other contributions that have made our lives easier during this time.  We may delve into this topic more later, once I'm past the recovery, but for now I'll just say that we're beyond it and moving on.

The morning before my surgery, I rode up to Kearney on my motorcycle just to kill some time.  I tooled around town a little, just soaking in all the places I'd hung around the first 18 years of my life.  As I left town on Highway 33, I passed a subdivision.  It was once a very large cow pasture, past the southern-most developed part of Kearney, and it contained a pond in the middle of it.  It belonged to the uncle (I think) of a friend of mine, and one night in high school, a group of us - probably five or six - decided to have a campout at the pond.  

Except for rare occasions, Kearney was too small a town to have parties without it getting back to your parents.  So back in those days, a campout was a good reason get away from the adults, have a few beers and shoot the shit.  It took a four-wheel drive or two to get us all out to this place in the middle of nowhere.  We must have had four cases of beer between us.  We always over-provisioned for events like this.  Where were you going to get more if you ran out?  

After several hours of drinking late into the night, we decided we were starving.  At that point we discovered we hadn't supplied this trip very well.  As one of the guys summed it up, "We brought four cases of beer, and not so much as a fucking cracker to eat?"  There wasn't a place then that was open late enough you could go grab something to eat in the middle of the night even if you wanted to, and for that matter it would have taken a while to get to a road.

Pretty soon, we found ourselves walking around the pond, flashlights and guns in hand, searching for frogs.  One guy would spotlight the frog, and the other would shoot him.  I can't be sure, but I don't dismiss the possibility we discussed shooting one of the cows instead.  We were pretty hungry.  

We must have shot a dozen or more.  We cut off the frogs legs, skinned them, and threw them in the ice water of one of the coolers to clean them off.  Then we open-roasted them over the fire, had a few more beers and went to bed.  It was the first time I'd ever had frog legs.  I don't remember much of what we talked about for hours, and I hadn't thought about it probably 25 years, but I still remember it as a fun night.  One thing I do distinctly remember, before I took my first bite, was wishing we'd had some salt.  

The Boy Scouts would probably not advise going on a campout, bringing nothing but beer, guns, knives and something start a fire with, but that wasn't very notable in Kearney in those days.

Surgery was a success

Paul went back to the OR shortly after 7:30am.  About 11:15 I talked to his surgeon and he said things went very smoothly.  It's been 2 hours and we are still waiting for him to wake up.  They woke him up, treated his pain and he's sleeping again.  Anxious to go back and see him, but surgery is behind us, now we move on to recovery.  Will update later tonight.

Ready

We've been busy lately, trying to get ready for a few weeks away from work, and a few weeks of single-parenting.  Since our summer plans came to an end, we've both been getting edgy and anxious, simultaneously wanting to get this event behind us, and not wanting to face it.  Mandy described me as not being "present".  She was right.  I was a million miles away.

As I put the finishing touches on work on Tuesday, and drove to meet Mandy out on an impromptu date, I realized I felt more relaxed than I had been in weeks.  With getting the to-do list done as best I could, and the inevitability of what was next, I was now just along for the ride.  We had a great time out, and talked about the next few days.  We're pretty ready at this point.

This morning, I got up early and went for a ride. I left the house about 5:00 AM and headed north, with no particular destination in mind.  I don't usually ride much in the dark anymore, but I enjoyed it.  I like the lit-up skyline profile of downtown Kansas City, and seeing the stars once the city lights dim and you're in the country.  I ended up in Kearney, where I grew up, and drove by places where many of my early memories were created.

I headed back home to enjoy a day off with the boys, stopping to watch the sunrise from the riverfront.  Only Elliot was up when I got home, so I sat and played "cars" with him - he likes to crash these two cars together over and over - until Noah got up.  I made pancakes for the boys while Mandy went for a run.  They wanted to go to the park afterwards, so that's what we did.

It was hot, but Noah insisted on playing tag and hide-and-seek, and swinging in the sun.  We brought food for a picnic.  I was on a clear-liquid diet, which is about as fun as eating grass.  I've had a jello cup, a couple of popsicles, some chicken broth, and one of the powder packet from a pack of ramen noodles. I must eat out of boredom a lot, because I kept catching myself opening the refrigerator looking for something to eat before remembering I couldn't.

It was pretty relaxed day, and we had fun with the boys.  Noah asked me a few more questions about going to the doctor, and told me he would bring me an entire box of popsicles.  All on his own, he made me a hand-lettered card that said "I HOPE YOU FEEL BETTER.  NOAH".  He asked me whether I wanted it at the hospital or at home.  I said, "home".  He told me "No, I'm going to tape it to your bedroom wall".

They're now in bed, and we're waiting for tomorrow.  See you in a little while.

Sunrise on the Missouri River.  No one was around, so I just drove up the sidewalks near the riverfront and sat for awhile.

Sliding at the park

Playing tag

Riding bikes

Noah hauling ass around the playground.  Not sure why he wasn't wearing his helmet

Sweating like pigs, but having fun.

Trying to get a good picture with both boys is, in fact, impossible. But we tried.

Efficient government?

When we were in Rocky Mountain National Park a few weeks ago, we forgot our annual park pass.  They couldn't look it up, like practically every other company in the world can, because they don't have a computerized system.  So I bought a week-long pass, and the nice park ranger told me how to get a refund by sending my receipt, a copy of my park pass and a self-addressed stamped envelope within ten days to a certain address.

I forgot about it until about a month later when I ran across the receipt.  I decided to give it a shot, copied my pass and mailed it in, thinking I'd never see that $20 again.  I was very surprised to open an envelope less than a week later with a $20 bill in it, and a mild (and deserved) scolding to remember my pass next time.  I'm sure it was all they could do to avoid typing "dumbass." at the end of that sentence.   Mandy left it unsaid too, when I got the scolding from her.  Everyone was nice that week.

I was simultaneously shocked at the efficient customer service, and a little concerned that there was someone sitting on a pile of cash, waiting to mail it out to people like me who couldn't remember a simple thing like their entrance ticket.  I can't remember ever seeing a cash refund, but in the end I decided it was probably more efficient for both of us.  No need to print checks and keep track of them, and no need for me to go cash one.  I'll give them this one.

New school year

A couple weeks ago, I took Noah an open house at his school to meet his teacher and see his class room.  He seemed up for it until we got there, when he turned into a bundle of nerves.  He refused to talk to his teacher, and constantly tried to press himself into my legs, as if he could disappear.  After a while, he found some Leggos, which he played with while I talked to the teacher.

As a part of the open house, the school held an ice cream social, and set up three bounce houses on the playground to let the kids have some fun.  Noah couldn't wait to get out of the classroom, and even stood right next to me the whole time we were in line for ice cream rather than play on the playground.

Between the large crowd and the idea of a new teacher and class, he was nervous, and I figured he would want to leave after the ice cream.  Instead, he still wanted to jump in the bounce houses.

I stood watching him, bravely waiting in line by himself, and looking a little like he wanted to run and snapped the picture below.  But in the end, the pull of the bounce house was too much,  Once he got in there with five or six other little strangers, I watched him open up with a big smile and start jumping, into the start of what will be the first of many new school years.

Elliot swimming

Elliot is so close to full on swimming. He's got the crawl stroke down, but only underwater. Here he is swimming to Paul a few weeks ago at the pool.

Speed Demon

Elliot's first root beer experience this summer

He liked it.

Random Summer pics from my iPhone

Paul mentioned the other night how bad we've been slacking on our blog. We post vacations or events, but not the everyday stuff enough. And the funny things kids say everyday or little stories are the best to look back on anyway. I finally uploaded all the pics on my iPhone today and thought I'd share random pics from the summer. I always take pics on my phone just doing everyday stuff with the kiddos. And I'm going to get better at posting everyday stuff. The kids crack me up daily. And I want to remember it.

This was from a playdate with two of my old friends from nursing school.  This is my friend, Jessie's son, Caleb.

Noah, Elliot & Olive playing piano

We ran into friends at the pool one day when St. E's Camp Shamrock was there.  This is Noah with Allysa & Zaria.

Noah & Liam at Monkey Bizness

At a BBQ with some of our friends.  It was like 100 degrees and felt hotter, so we kept the kids in water.

Happy hour at Plaza III with some friends (not enough of these kind of pics!)

Wearing mama's shoes (wedge Tom's - pretty cute, eh?)

I was laughing out loud at what his hair did at the pool that day

Elliot making friends in the sandbox

Sam in front of Nypmh Lake on our weekend trip

Sam & I on top of Flattop Mountain, getting ready to summit Hallet's Peak (behind us)

Elliot having a snack with his new friend at the park

Noah climbing the tree (as best as he could barefoot)

Celebrating our 1st week at St. E's with cookies (with Murray & Nona Grace) at One More Cup.  

Noah & Murray climbing trees at Suicide Hill Park (& picking & eating apples)

Picnic in the park with firends

Snack break at the Belton Water Park (kids love this place- especially Noah who is tall enough to do the waterslides)

Working on his sunburn

Just the two of us playing at Arno after dropping off Noah at school

Hallet's Peak hike with my sister

Paul so generously and last minute-ly sent me away to Colorado for a weekend getaway last weekend.  The last trip just wasn't enough to get it all in.  He's getting ready to have his surgery, and he thought it would be a good chance for me to get in some fun first.  My little sister, Sam was happy to accompany me, as she didn't get a vacation this summer and was jonesin' for the mountains anyway.  We drove to Goodland, KS on Thursday night until we had to lay our sleepy heads.  We got up in the morning and finished our drive getting into Estes Park around noon.  We ate a quick fast food bite and checked into our small studio.  After that we headed out to RMNP for some acclimation.  We hiked up to Lake Haiyaha and just took it slow getting used to the altitude.  On the way down we decided to turn off onto Dream Lake and hike up to Emerald Lake, too.  That night we dined at Ed's Cantina, got a Subway sandwich for our hike and hit the sack.  The next morning we got up and headed to Bear Lake Trailhead to summit Hallet's Peak.  Sam has never summited a big peak.  She usually does the lakes.  So she was excited.  I was too!  I did Flattop Mountain last year, but didn't go the extra 0.6 miles to Hallet's Peak.

Since we weren't really acclimated yet, we certainly weren't speedy.  We took our time.  At the Dream Lake overlook (pretty early on) I was already feeling weak and ate some GORP.  I had only had a banana and protein bar for breakfast, which at the time seemed plenty.  The GORP I had was a pre-packaged portion and was pretty small.  In retrospect, it wasn't enough.  Once you pass treeline, you feel like you are close.  You are not close.  As we got higher and higher, we got slower and slower.  I could see we were close but started feeling so weak.  I realized I needed to eat but we were too close to the top.  I wanted to eat my sandwich at the top of Flattop and my snickers bar on the top of Hallet's Peak.  I finally broke down and ate half my snickers and that did help get me to the top.  We both felt weak and agreed we weren't sure about Hallet's.  Turns out all we needed was some fuel.  Once we ate our sandwich on Flattop and enjoyed the views and a small break, we both realized we were up for Hallet's Peak.  Next time I'll pack an extra snack for the way up or eat more carbs for breakfast.  I suppose being acclimated would help too ;)  Felt good on that steep hike from Flattop to Hallet's though.  It was challenging and fun trying to find the best route/boulders/trail up to the top scrambling the boulders.  Once we were at the top of Hallet's I finished my camelback of water leaving me none for the hike down.  Sam shared hers when I needed it.  She didn't drink enough obviously to have any to share.  I now know for next year I need one whole camelback, plus a big gatorade for the hike down.

The hike down is slow going (although faster than going up).  It is so steep you have to work against gravity to prevent falling.  Plus it's very rocky.  We both felt great the whole way down and at the end though, even though we'd hiked 10 miles and were tired.  Sam did get some altitude sickness feelings that night.  I am positive she didn't drink enough and think that is largely part of it.  Plus we were up high and were only there a day.  She drank lots of water and still felt kind of dizzy most of the drive home the next day.  Either way, we both thought it was an amazing hike and LOVED it!

I love hiking because it's so empowering to overcome challenges, both physical and mental.  It feels physically challenging, but it's more mental really.  I know I can do anything I set my mind to.  Anything.  But, I have to believe I can do it and remind myself of that when it gets hard.  The journey and hike is fun, yes.  But reaching the summit is the best.  Summiting Hallet's Peak gave me that same high I got finishing my half marathon.  And it was a hell of a lot more beautiful.  In such beautiful mountains you feel closer to God admiring his creation.  I said a special prayer for Paul's upcoming surgery thanking God for the healing he IS going to provide to him.  This, I know.

Trail Stats:
Hallet's Peak
Summit Height: 12,713'
Elevation Gain: 3,228'
Difficulty Level:  Strenuous

Sam & me at the Bear Lake Trailhead

View of Long's Peak from the Flattop trail

Emerald Lake overlook from Flattop Trail

Beautiful views along this steep and rocky trail

Marmot

Snowfield on final stretch to the summit of Flattop Mountain

View behind Flattop

Sitting on rock on Flattop just above Tyndall Glacier - Hallet's Peak in background

Sam in the same spot. This is where we ate our sandwich before summitting Hallet's Peak

Flattop Mountain (if you click you can see tiny people and get some perspective)

Never Summer Mountains (view from Flattop)

We laugh in the face of danger!  (Well, not really, we didn't touch the glacier)

It was a steep, rocky climb to Hallet's Peak from Flattop, but only 0.6 miles

We can do it, one step at a time

From Hallet's Peak:  Looking at Tyndall Glacier, Flattop Mountain & curve of the earth on the horizon

Beautiful views 360 degrees around Flattop

Another view from Flattop

Beautiful views every way we turned

12,713 feet baby!

Cool views

Post 10 mile hike pic, back at Bear Lake Trailhead

Noah's 1st day of PreK

Today was Noah's first day of PreK at St. Elizabeth. I had him in bed by 8pm the night before, but still had to go in his room to wake him up at 7:15. Once I told him that there were blueberry muffins in the oven Mr. Groggy perked right up and was raring to go. He went potty, brushed teeth and got dressed in record time to get downstairs and eat his eggs and muffin. He requested lemonade to wash it all down. Noah was brave and ready for school. I saw his room for the first time and it's really nice (and much bigger than last year!). He found his hook to hang up his backpack, his name tag of where to sit and got to work decorating his name tag. After taking a few pictures, I realized I had to leave. I just wanted to stay and watch him all day. I'm excited for this school year for him, but at the same time it's bittersweet watching him grow up.

I had Claire come over at 7:30 to stay with Elliot so I could take my time with Noah, taking pictures, etc without having to worry about keeping Elliot from getting into all the toys and staying out of trouble. After drop off, my friend and I went to Starbucks for a little while. Today they had a noon dismissal. My friend and I took the kids to Winstead's for a first day of school lunch. The place was FILLED with kids and families from all the local parochial schools. I had no idea this is "a thing". So it may become tradition. Great first day!

Cheesing it up before loading in the car

Heading in to school

Noah's friend Murray is in his class this year.  Murray's little sister, Nona Grace is in Miss Diane's class

Noah & Benjamin (friend from last year in his class this year)

Noah's dear friend Zaria is in the class next door

Doesn't he look brave & ready for his first day?

Time to say goodbye.  Wish I could stay all day and just watch him.

Noah sat next to Molly (a friend from his class last year)