Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Time and Tide wait for no one

Can't believe the Holidays are just around the corner.  It seems like it was just Memorial Day!   I guess it is true when they say, "the older you get, the faster the time goes" - or so it seems.

Time to look ahead...

With Halloween just a day away, I am reminded that we did not get any pumpkins this year - but I do have a bounty of Halloween candy to distribute.  I am sure I can find a use for the leftovers, if there are any.

Mr. W. will go through 6 weeks of radiation, starting in about a month.  We CAN do ANYTHING  for 6 weeks - this is not permanent!  Soon, with the help of God, this whole situation will just be a memory.

Time to plan the Thanksgiving menu - not sure why I try to "plan" it at all.  These kids ask for the same stuff year after year!!  I still think asking them what they want to eat is part of the holiday process, so I will indeed ask - and refer to last year's list!!

Our 36th Wedding Anniversary is December 3rd.  We will surely do something special..... like hold hands while we order some pizza to be delivered.  The older we get, the more we like to stay home.  I am grateful that my home is a safe haven for us both.

Just have to put up a tree and hang the stockings....

It really doesn't matter what is going on   -   Life goes on....

Friday, October 18, 2013

Another milestone

Congratulations to Bobby and Suse on the purchase of their new home!  So proud of these kids.  They really know the value of a dollar and they worked very hard to make this possible.  It is a beautiful house that they turned into a home in just minutes.  Their love is so evident the moment you walk through the door. 

I can't help but wonder if our job, as parents, is finished?  All the kids are settled.  All the kids seem happy.  Do they need us anymore?  Other than worrying about them, I am not sure there is anything else we can do for them!   Mr. Wonderful and I are so proud of all our kids... It is not their accomplishments that awe us, but the fact that they are really and truly "good" people.

Our entire marriage can be classified in stages: 
We were newlyweds for 10 minutes
We had kids
The kids were all in school
I went back to work
The kids started moving out
WE SURVIVED THE TEEN YEARS - (it only took 22 years!)
Mr. W. retired
The kids started coming back home
The kids moved out again

I wonder what the next stage is???

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Praise God

Surgery is nearly a week behind us.  Just so glad that portion is over.  The surgeons feel as through they removed any possible trace of the cancer, but, they also said, microscopic particles can still be lingering in the area.  Radiation will begin in a couple weeks.

Recuperation has not been easy for Mike.  His face is swollen, bruised and somewhat distorted.  The removal of bone, the manipulation of his eye, trying to control bleeding - recovering from all of this will take some time.  BUT, HE WILL RECOVER!

I must sing the praises of my children.  They have just been troopers, working together to get everything done so I could concentrate on Mike.  Phone calls, texts, hospital visits, chauffeuring us around, filling the house with food and just loving each other.  Truly a testament to a cohesive family.

The outpouring of love and concern from extended family just left us speechless.  Mike was amazed when I was reading him the messages.

We have been truly blessed with wonderful family and friends.  It is times like these when you realize and feel the love that surrounds you everyday.  We are humbled by the attention, yet we continue to ask for prayers until this nightmare is behind us.

Tuesday, October 08, 2013

Tomorrow's the day

Yesterday we saw 3 different doctors, ending with the surgeon.  No matter how prepared we thought we were, nothing can prepare you for a surgeon who MUST tell you all the possible outcomes of this surgery.  No need to go into all the details here, suffice it to say, it was quite nerve wracking. 

I still find it hard to believe that Mike is as sick as they say.  He looks great.  He feels great.  Of course, after hearing all that was said yesterday, he is quite shaken up.  Perhaps, if he didn't look so good, this would be easier for him to handle.  It would be easier for me to understand this stage of the disease if he was in pain or not feeling well. 

I still can't say that he "has cancer".  I find myself saying, "the tumor is cancerous".  I am not in denial.... I am just hopeful that this will all simply fade away like a bad memory.

After hours of meeting with these doctors, not one of us asked, "what's the prognosis?"  Can't help but wonder why they didn't mention it.... I have decided that I do not want to know and I hope Mike never asks.

I have told everyone I know that my Mr. Wonderful will be in surgery tomorrow.  Hoping that God, the angels and saints will get tired of hearing his name...

Thursday, October 03, 2013

"Happy Anniversary, Bobby and Suse"

As we get ready to celebrate Bobby and Suse's first Anniversary, I thought it would be nice to publish Michael's Best Man Speech.   
 
"Good evening everyone, on behalf of Bobby and Suse I’d like to thank everyone for being here tonight and helping in making this a special day.
For those of you who don’t know me, (you’re probably better off that way),  I am Bobby’s older brother, only brother and the BEST MAN.  And I have to say bobby, it only took you 27 years for you to admit that I am the best man!
I really need to say how proud I am of my baby brother, and how proud I am with all he’s done and achieved.
As Bobby’s older brother, I’ve obviously know him his whole life.  Though it’s usually the younger brother who has to live up to an older brother’s achievements, but with us it seemed the other way around.  Some of you might think it was hard for me to keep up with Bobby’s accomplishments, But really, I was just looking out for him by keeping the bar so low.  He pretty much learned everything NOT to do from my, YOU’RE WELCOME BRO!
There are so many highlights about our childhood together, I just don’t have time to go through them all; but 2 of the best memories that really shine were 1) the ability I had to make him laugh so hard, milk would literally pour from his nose…  And of course my personal favorite, when we were really young, we shared a bedroom where there were many times of getting in trouble for the late night giggles…. Of course as any good older brother would do; Torture!  (heHe)  For example: he was so gullible that he actually believed that I would actually eat him; Remember bobby?  Mmmmm, I’m gonna eat you “munch, munch, munch” That’s when the giggles stopped and our “Oh so wonderful mother would stand in the door way waving a wooden spoon in her hand. (Love you for those wonder memories of wooden spoons ma)  I don’t think bobby and I could ever look at a wooden spoon the same ever again. Oh the years of therapy…. Just kidding
Bobby, it was nice growing up with someone like you, someone to lean on, someone to count on, and someone to tell on!
Sometimes being a brother is better than being a superhero, and even though you probably, no, wait most definitely kick my ass now, I know you’re still a lil afraid of me.
Just a piece of advice to those who have younger brothers, be careful how much you tease him, because when he grows up, well take a look, the guy can bench press me.  I wish someone told me this when I was younger.
All for one, one for all, my brother my friend, what fun we have, the time we share; Brothers always till the end.
 
Now, over six years ago this beautiful girl came into my brother’s life, SUSE.  We all knew that she was the only one for him.  She puts up with his Storchevoy Madness, she sees put his faults and amazingly she sees past his receding hair line (maybe it’s a height thing.)?  She really doesn’t mind that her hubby will probably be bald by the end of this speech.  To quote my grandfather, “Bobby’s hair was so wavy, it simply waved good bye”. Although I prefer his other quote, “Grass doesn’t grow on stones”!
 
Suse, you are a beautiful, bright talented young girl.  WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU THINKING??  Just kidding.  You make my brother the stand up man he is today, you’ve changed him for the better, and I personally want to thank you for giving him an actual sense of fashion. 
You two make such a beautiful couple, and you will make such a beautiful family.  (Let’s just pray they get suse’s hair!)
Suse, you really have done such a wonderful job at making today as beautiful as it is, but in all honestly its your beauty and glow that really makes it what it is. I am truly happy to call you my sister.
Mr.& Mrs. Mendes, I want to congratulate you on raising such a wonderful daughter, someone who really has every amazing quality a young bride could ever have. 
Mom& Dad, You raised a helluva kid, but I’d like to think I assisted in some of the character building. 
Congratulations’ to both parents, and more importantly Congratulations to Bobby and Suse!
Bobby, remember, “Yes Suse, No, that doesn’t make you look…, you’re absolutely right Suse, I’m Sorry Suse, it is all my fault.”  These words are key to any good marriage. 
May you both have a lifetime of happiness, success, laughter and bliss and may it grow stronger each day.
The end of my Best Man speech is upon us, ladies and gentlemen, so before we toast the Newlyweds, all that remains is for me to thank each of you for my making my role as Best Man an unforgettable experience. Unlike my speech, it is a day that I don’t want to end and I look forward to the rest of the evening and the chance to meet with you all. Today has been a wonderful occasion one that will live long in the memory and I am sure, like me, that you are privileged to be part of it and for that we are indebted to Bobby and Suse.
I Love you both,
BOBBY& SUSE!
CHEERS!

Good Job, Michael..... you made us all laugh and cry.  It was one of my favorite highlights of the day!