My Tribe – Page 39 – Apron Strings for Emily

28 November 200803 May 2010

Trip-Toe-Fan

That’s it. I’m officially on a Tryptophan trip. I’ve eaten enough turkey last night to hibernate for the rest of winter.

The turkey we had at my in-laws house last night was delish. I think what made it more tasty was the fact that the Thanksgiving lunch we had didn’t exactly have “freshly carved” turkey. But the company at the restaurant was worth any time spent there.

My 18-year old cousin, the one that recently had her cotillion, was there along with my parents and our other aunt’s (by marriage) mother. Unfortunately, my cousin’s mom and our shared uncle and his wife (said aunt previously mentioned) weren’t able to make it as they were all working.

Let me tell you. The fact that both my aunts still work as nurses in the “trenches” (read: bedside nursing) after more than thirty years is f*cking amazing and I’m so proud that they still do it. Because I sure as h*ll couldn’t do it anymore. But I digress …

It was just a great time, eating and talking, and watching the Lions lose (no shock there) at the restaurant. Which was then followed by going over my parents house to look at some of their recent pictures from their vacation in Greece and Turkey. Believe me, the irony that we were looking at pictures of Turkey on Turkey Day was not lost on all … well, at least me anyway.

Sandwiched in a "manly" iPhotoBooth — Being sandwiched in a "manly" iPhotoBooth pic

After that, it was a quick drive to our house, to pick up our Wii and other fun things and then it was off to the in-laws where we devoured that delicious turkey, watched the second Hulk movie with the boys (which included Hubby’s four younger cousins and our nephew), and finally played Rock Band and Wii Sports for the rest of the night.

Overall it was a wonderful day. The best moments of which were:

Sleeping in this morning and subsequently snuzzling next to Hubby.
Taking silly pictures and playing iTouch Air Hockey and Hangman with my cousin on the couch at my childhood house.
Sitting in my nephew’s room surrounded by all boys; three of which decided at one time or the other to snuggle up next to me.

Those moments … those snippets in time … they’re the ones that make the holidays memorable.

27 November 2008

Fleas On My Dog

No … there are no fleas on my puppy-girl, Kozzy. Actually, this is the way that my co-worker sings the Christmas carol, “Feliz Navidad.”

“Ah … now I get it,” I can hear y’all chuckling. But what does this Christmas carol have to do about Thanksgiving … other than the fact that today (or tomorrow, how ever you want to look at it) is the “official start” of the Holiday season?

Well, funny you should ask. Last year at this time Hubby & I, along with my parents, were on a Caribbean Cruise. One of the days was spent in Cozumel, Mexico where, as we stepped off the “boat” all I could hear throughout the plaza was that Christmas carol. And just the thought of hearing a Mexican Christmas Carol while in Mexico … it just had me in hysterics.

Anyway.

It’s about 8:00 am on Thanksgiving morning. Hubby’s getting some much needed sleep in the bedroom while I’m on the couch typing away on my lappie. I’m still getting these horrible coughing fits, but for the most part I’m feeling much better. Although, I have this feeling I’ll be losing my voice by the end of the day today. Damn sore throat.

Plans for today include lunch with my parents after the traditional Filipino Thanksgiving Mass. My parents asked us if we were going to attend; in which I promptly said that this morning was the only opportunity for us to unwind before another busy weekend. Which, in a sense, is the plain truth. But I also just honestly don’t feel like having to deal with the inevitable social conversations that involve Filipino acquaintances commenting on our child-less status. Seriously, there’s only so much of this an infertile can take … even if it’s been more than ten years! But seriously, it should be a nice sit-down lunch with my parents at the local Italian restaurant.

What?! Did you just say restaurant?!

Mmhmm. Yes. Emily, with or without the apron strings, is not exactly that great of a cook. And quite frankly, while I can do a turkey dinner, it just doesn’t seem to make much sense to do so when it’s only going to be the four of us. Oh, I suppose I could invite Hubby’s family and the other members of my side of the family … but then that would mean 20+ people in our home which, at most is only comfortable to fit five around the table. So yes … turkey lunch at a restaurant with my parents.

But don’t you worry, we’ll still have the traditional turkey fixin’s. At Hubby’s parents house. Later tonite. Where YAY! I get to see my nephew and niece. And BOO! Might not get to hold niece because of being a bad sicko.

So overall, busy day. But one that will be spent with family. After all … isn’t that what holidays are about?

Oh, and technically this is also supposed to be the day to express gratitude … so, without further ado …

Things to be extra-thankful of this year:

An incredible husband who takes care of me when I’m sick (and we’re talking both physically and emotionally), and who has been my rock for the past 12 years.
Loving and supportive parents who understand the reason for upcoming changes
IRL friends and co-workers (not to mention bosses) that have also been supportive and excited for my upcoming change in employment
Extra-wonderful pets … who have no idea what changes are store for all of us, but who are always willing to snuggle with me and give me some furbaby love
An incredible online group of friends who have weathered with me during some of THE MOST difficult times in my life over the past year
And last but certainly not least,
God for giving me back a little bit of faith in this world. That somehow when one door closes … another door opens. Even though it might not be the door that you were hoping would open.

Happy Thanksgiving, Blogland!!

25 November 2008

Two Cokes …

… after 10:00 pm is never a good idea. And I know that, yet I still drank them. Grrr.

Last night, Hubby & I had the pleasure of dining at one of our favorite bars/restaurants with one of our good friends. And because it had already been a long day, I needed a little caffeine boost. Not to mention that it helped that tickle in the back of my throat.

When getting home, I knew that I would crash easily. What I didn’t expect was to wake up at 4:45-ish and toss and turn.

Of course, it really could be that I have a lot on my mind right now. Especially with the new job starting in (OMG!!!) about 6 weeks.

Or it could just be that I’m still not feeling as great as I could be. But at least now I’m being properly behind-the-counter medicated (read: prescription antibiotic and expectorant).

Instant Human Oh yeah … so the good news from El Doc is that it’s not pneumonia. (Whew!) But if I don’t get that gunk out of my upper chest and sinuses … it could quickly turn into it. (Crap!)

So yeah. It’s official. I do indeed have snot for brains (and apparently for lungs as well) … !

Now if you excuse me, I must find my next caffeine buzz.

And so the vicious caffeine cycle begins …

23 November 2008

Show and Tell: Ring Exchange

showandtell Ugh. This … whatever it is, is kicking my butt. Instead of feeling better, after two days I’m feeling worse. Methinks I need to hit my primary doc’s office tomorrow. Anyhoo …

Today’s Show and Tell item is a photo from my cousin’s wedding in London, Ontario this past October. The ceremony was held at the Chapel at Windermere on the Mount, which is a retirement residence not far from the University of Western Ontario. However, prior to becoming this the place was once an all-girls Catholic school, serving also as the convent for the Sisters of St. Joseph. And prior to THAT, the location was actually the Motherhouse for the London Diocese since the mid 1800’s and also served as an orphanage.

The current chapel was built in 1953 and the decor clearly reflects this. Lots of stained glass, lots of nouveau Art Deco pieces. Oh, and lots of gorgeous tile work and woodwork, too. But what was most beautiful about the chapel, in my humble opinion, was exactly how the sun hit the the center of the altar at a particular time. At my cousin’s wedding , the sun decided to shine as the wedding rings were exchanged.

Lucky for me, I was able to capture it on film.

Well, kiddies. I think that’s it for this episode of Show and Tell. If I were feeling a little better, I might have been inclined to show you more. But alas … these cold medicines have been fogging up my brain.

Make sure you check out the other Show and Tell blogs this week!

22 November 2008

Love Actually

I’m in the midst of finally catching up on much blog reading, after having called in sick yesterday. That cold turned out to be another bout of bronchitis, methinks. I’m actually down to some 20 more posts I need to read (most of which are yours, Pam … sorry! I just thoroughly enjoy reading your posts leisurely, as they are so poignant and beautiful).

And as Hubby (who coincidentally was working at home yesterday) and I flipped through the channels last night, we stumbled on the movie “Love Actually.”

Perfect, both of us thought. As coincidentally we had talked about when we should watch that movie this year. It’s been a yearly tradition for us to watch it around the holidays, as it’s listed as one of my most favorite movies of all time.

I love that it’s a myriad of different love stories that are weaved together, almost seemingly. And that it isn’t just the typical romance love story centered around the holidays. It’s certainly is a story about love during the holidays … but a variety of different loves. From unrequited love, to love lost, to love despite language barriers, to the love of friends and family.

The reason I love to watch this movie around the holidays is not only because it manages to get the childless infertile me into the holiday spirit, but it manages to remind me about what love is supposed to be about.

Not the romanticized version of it … not the one where a person wakes up and suddenly realizes that they can’t live without the other. Or the one where the two stars … despite the all that happens throughout the movie … finally get together in the end.

The love that this movie reminds me about is the every day kind of love. The love that endures the hardship and pain. The love that survives despite the every day things. And the not so every day things.

And for me, this movie reminds me about the kind of love that can survive infertility.