Happy Thanksgiving!

Never Better

The Howler had an electrocardiogram and EKG today. The chest X-ray is old hat, considering she had one last February in the adventure that is pulmonary function testing, so it's hardly worth mentioning.

She was a trooper for the whole thing. She was nervous because she didn't know what to expect, but as soon as she started talking to Rocky (who did the cardiogram and EKG) she relaxed. He assured her that he could get her a shot "if [she] wanted one," and she, ever sassy, assured him that she did NOT want one.

He talked to her about what would happen, and showed her the stuff he would use. She warmed up when he told her that "of course" she would see the "cartoon" he would be making of her heart.

He explained everything, every step of the way. He explained what she was seeing on the screen, and he even managed to print a picture (apparently, the newer machines don't even come with that option available!) of her heart.

He explained what an aorta is, and agreed with her that it's a pretty name. He explained what the "horns" were, and listened to her tell a story or two about "a funny thing that happened at school the other day." (Don't ask me what those funny things were, I don't remember.)

She proudly carried that picture back to school today, and showed several people. She'll show it to several more tomorrow.

We should know next week what the tests show. (btw, I didn't mention it, but they DID hear a murmur two weeks ago. That's what we're checking. It's faint, and what the pede said was "grade 1, low low low" but you know, her mom really needs to know that it's "low low low" and not a big big big worry...)

Also, Mrs N gave us a message from Mrs O regarding her asthma in gym class: The change in meds is definitely helping--she hardly coughs at all during gym class now.

So, all things considered, we have quite a bit of thanks to be giving tomorrow (and every day.) If you can forgive my mushy mom moment.

Christmas Carols

From the mouths of Howlers:

"Silent night, Holy Christ...."

Wait, Mommy, Daddy, that's not right, is it?

Try giving her the correct lyrics without laughing out loud.

Balance

So much more of this blog is about the Howler. It makes it seem like a) I don't like the boy I spawned almost 20 years ago, and b) that he's not nearly as great to be humerous about.

He mentioned that today. Said (albeit sarcastically) that I must not love him as much. In truth, I've been trying to be less critical (as in "We're about to reach critical temperatures and will blow up in 3 minutes") of him in general, and, the most annoying (and humerous) things about him might be things he'd rather I not tell the 8 people who read this blog.

So, Toadly, get yer own blog if you decide at any later date that you want yer privacy. You're fair game as of now, and I plan on using my powers for evil. But I mean that in a good way.

First, I'd like to point out that the highly intelligent Toad decided to change his availability at work. Then, promptly began complaining (quietly, I'll give him credit for that) that he's not making as much money as he used to be.

Keeping in mind that while he's working fewer hours, he's spending more time and ever hiding in Ass Caverns. There's not as much stench, but this may simply be our nasal passages giving up in despair. It's hard to tell, really.

Second, he's taken it upon himself to purchase (with his reduced earnings) less take-out food. Apparently, the back seat and trunk of his car are now so overloaded with crumpled take-out bags that he has no where else to put the empties. Actually throwing the garbage away would be like admitting defeat, I think.

Anyway, he's buying frozen Chinese dinners for 4. He's eating them himself. The Howler asked today, "Why do you eat that stuff?" and I answered for him. Sorry, my control issues are getting the better of me lately...where was I? Oh, yeah. I answered for him, "Well, honey, it's full of good things like red 40 and high fructose corn syrup, trans fats, and other things. The stuff that's sooooo very good for his health. That's why."

He reads the package--"Hey. It does NOT have red 40 or that other stuff."

"Oh, yes, but it does."

"Wait. Yes, it does. But no RED 40! What's hydrolyzed corn gluten?"

I told him it was stuff to plug up his arteries. He countered with the idea that "Gluten is the stuff that makes bread dough stick together." in a *duh to you* kind of voice.

I reminded him, "If it makes dough stick together, what do you think it's doing to YOU?"

He stopped talking to me. That means that I won this round, too.