Tailgate Fun - USC Edition

If You Are Coming to Athens This Weekend

Good News

Last week I mentioned that we had been to the hospital for a biopsy. And I am so happy that everything came back benign. Very good news!

But I am a little peeved. I was told by the surgeon that I would just have a biopsy. Described it to me and everything. Instead I had a lumpectomy.

I am glad I had a lumpectomy - it's what I really wanted. Get it out and don't worry about it. But the surgeon isn't a mind reader and I kinda think he should have told me that's what would happen.

The recovery was longer than I anticipated and while I am sure that three days of sleep and two additional days of taking it easy were exactly what I needed, I wish I could have planned for them. I'm a planner - I need to know these things so I could have been better prepared for lazy days and stocked the fridge instead of making to do lists!

How is This Even Comfortable?

Lazy Rainy Sunday

Quilting Like Crazy

While we are watching football (or anything else on TV) I've been working on some quilts. It is something I used to do more often and am enjoying once again. I started this lap quilt in 2004 (I think) and had finished piecing the top and had it almost half quilted when my job got crazy and I put it in a closet. I rediscovered it about a month ago and just finished quilting it. I am so pleased!

I've also got a few quit tops that were in process and are now complete. I just went to the fabric store and am brimming with new ideas!

Lap Dog

Lullabelle thinks she's a lap dog. We don't have the heart to tell her otherwise.

I Am All Good

The good news - I only had a two day work week this week! Yay!!!

The bad news - I won't be having as much fun as I hoped on my days off.

I had a biopsy this morning on a lump. I found it about three months ago and went to my doctor to have it checked out. He thought it was fine, but just to be sure - and because Mama had breast cancer - he sent me to have a mammogram and an ultrasound.

The radiologist could feel the lump but couldn't see it on the films, so he sent me to a surgeon. The surgeon thought it was not cancer but to be 100% sure, we should biopsy it.

So Marc and I were at the hospital at 6am this morning for a little out-patient surgery. The doctor said it all looked VERY good and he is quite certain that it will come back benign. We were out by 11am and I've slept for most of the day. I feel fine, but will evidently be sore tomorrow. And I can't shower for 48 hours. that means I can't spend my days off wondering around Target like I planned!

But don't worry - I've got good dogs taking care of me. And Marc - after two nights of working late and little sleep - has been fabulous. He got me to the hospital with no complaints and is taking very good care of me. He's brought me lunch and dinner in bed and fussed at me when I tried to do laundry. (I know, I know! But I am just not made to do lay around and do nothing!)

I'll keep you updated, But as I said in the title, I am all good!

Frye Baby Shower

This weekend, we threw a baby shower for our lovely friends, the Fryes. Jenny and Brandon are going to be parents in less than a month! Solomon Trask Frye should make his debut to the world on or around October 18.

The boys went up to the mancave to drink beer, watch football and play video games. The ladies stayed downstairs near the food, punch and presents. (Clearly, the ladies are the smarter ones here!)

Jenny looks amazing for 8 months, and we are looking forward to meeting the little guy!

Excuse Me, I Just Need to Vent

Today was the last groundbreaking/dedication until November. For those of you keeping track, that's 7 in 4 weeks. And because of everything else I am supposed to do, I have been putting in 12-16 hours days. And a 4 -day work week? Shucks - this has been the longest week in a while. And I get to work another 8 hours tomorrow for the game.

Every now and then, my job is super cool. But not this week.

Even though it's 8pm on the Friday before the first home game - when folks are out having a good time and the hubs has a friend in town - I am headed to bed. Lucky for me, my dogs are all for an early bedtime!

That's A Whole Lotta Nines

Today - 09/09/09 - at 9:00am, my nephew had his first day of school!

According to my brother and sister-in-law, it went very, very well! When they picked him up in the car pool line, he was all smiles. He said school was good and he did a science experiment. At lunch, he said "I am ready to go to school again." Yay Huddy!!

Oklahoma City Memorial and Museum

Last week, we had a reception in Oklahoma City in advance of the UGA/Oklahoma State football game. (And a stinker of a game it was! But that's another post for another time. . .)

While I was out there, I went to the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum. Wow - what a moving experience.

The memorial I had seen on TV, and I was glad to have the opportunity to see it in person. I went both during the day. . .

. . .and at night. . .

. . .and it really is a different experience to see it after the sun has gone down.

What I wasn't prepared for was the museum. I really can't describe it, but I'll try to give you an idea.

You start by entering a hall describing the day - the weather, the newspaper headlines, the activities in the building, and the times that children are dropped off at the daycare in the building.

You then enter a room, where you hear a recording of a water hearing that took place at 9:00am on April 19, 1995 in a building adjacent to the Murrah Federal Building. Two minutes into the recording, you hear the explosion and the lights flash. You hear the confusion and fear in the voices. The door opens and you enter the exhibits.

It starts with news footage taken about 15 minutes after the bomb. You see keys and watches and eyeglasses and shoes of those who did and didn't survive. Overhead the sounds of sirens blare. You can feel the chaos.

You see the dress of someone in the building with a small cut in it. She was leading a meeting with eight other ladies, all of whom died. She said she was commenting on their pretty Easter colors and then they just disappeared. And then you see video of interviews with parents who were searching for their children who had been in the day care center. That's when I started crying.

They talk about rescue and recovery and then you see how they began the investigation and trial that led to the conviction of Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols. By the time I got there I was so mad that this could happen.

Then you get to the Gallery of Honor, with pictures and tributes to the 168 who were killed. And I cried some more.

I remember this happening, but didn't feel it. I do now, and I learned so much at this museum.

I've Been Replaced

Lullabelle did not miss me at all.

In fact, she was glad I was away.

I hope she enjoyed my pillow.

Marc's Brush With Fame - Astin Edition

Monday, Marc and his students brought Sean Astin to campus for a lecture. He kicked off a speaking tour about leadership, titled "What I Learned as a Goonie, as Rudy, and as a Hobbit Named Sam."

Marc really liked Sean. Said he was a really nice, funny guy.



And the lecture sold out! Marc was excited that the event did so well.

A Year Ago Yesterday. . .

Marc completed his Ironman in Louisville in 90+ degree weather. This past Sunday, the participants in the 2009 Louisville Ironman were competing in much better conditions - 75 degrees with a slight drizzle. All day long, Marc walked around muttering, "Not fair!"