You Ain't Seen the Best of Me Yet

Visual proof of Ginger's wonderful recovery from surgery and her fabulous leg warmer. She's secretly preparing for her role in the Broadway revival of Fame.

Really though - kudos to the doctors on giving her such a glammed out cast! Gorg, truly gorg.

Gingy is quickly mending and is even mastering stairs, running, and jumping up. While she is still very tired (she's always been a "napper"), her appetite has increased and she is once again accepting small treats and rawhide bones. She occasionally forgets about her bandaged foot when she gets an itch, which results in her clubbing herself on the head....but she's getting there!
Her back is also shaved from the excision of the second tumor - it is wild to see her ridge hair growing back in the opposite direction from all of the other hair. Meanwhile I can't write my name the same way twice; science is mind blowing.

Speaking of which: we should have the results from the University of Michigan by week's end, so keep your fingers crossed! But if her behavior is any indication we'll expect a good prognosis.


Tug has been a bit lost without his big sister, but it is still too early for them to play. He clearly knew that she was ill before she left (he spent 3 days trailing her backside intently), and with her gone he was a bit more clingy and melancholy than usual. I came home yesterday smelling of my visit with Ginger and Tug curled up on my shirt with a big smile and gave kisses where he smelled her. It was so sweet and, I think, a comfort to him...just before bed I took the shirt out of the laundry basket and put it in his bed where he slept soundly on it for hours.

It is good to have things returning to some sort of normalcy. Today I treated myself to a massage, and my mommy brought me for a mani and pedi. It was wonderful to relax and clear my mind after a hectic few months.

I find it so interesting that despite the proven health rewards, spa treatments are really the last commodity considered a "luxury". I, like most women, hardly ever treat myself to a massage - I only get them when I have gift certificates (this one was courtesy of Dominick for Valentine's Day). Don't get me wrong - I pamper myself PLENTY. I work hard and play hard: but my rewards usually come in a size 10 with a 3" heel (because I'm not tall enough at 5'9"?). And any woman who has braved a full days of meetings in NYC in a fabulous pair of pumps will agree: massages seem a natural partner for this particular indulgence. But I digress....

I've not gotten ANYTHING done that I wanted to this week - and I'm learning that it is okay. I've gotten my car inspected, cleaned our house a bit, got new keys cut, etc. But I'm quickly learning that sometimes - just sometimes - playing fetch with the dog in the yard is more satisfying than mounting those prints we've had leaning against the wall for 9 months, a long walk can provide more peace of mind than reorganizing the linen closet, and leaving the house can be more theraputic than cleaning it. That isn't to say it won't get done...just not today...and tomorrow's not looking good either....

Can You Imagine Us Years From Today, Sharing a Park Bench Quietly

This weekend we celebrated with our dear friends Kristen and Greg as their daughter Devyn turned the big 0-2.
Some would call the photo above amateaur - terrible even - I call it "On the Brink of Year Two - A Watercolor". Seriously, I loved the tenderness of the moment and, even though I failed to capture it, I'd like to think it still comes through in some way. There is no more natural seat for a child than their mother's lap - and that is where Devyn spent most of the afternoon.
Poor Devyn was having a terrible reaction to her MMR vaccinations and was spiking a fever, but she was a great sport despite being tired and a little high on Motrin. Here is our little pumpkin exploring her loot:










Kristen and Greg are two of the best and most natural parents I've ever seen. The evidence is in their (sick) daughter's joyful face. There was a brief tantrum - just to allay any suspicions that she is truly an angel and not just angelic. Our visit was a brief one, just enough time to open presents in between naps and fevers, and then we were home to take care of our little one.

Kris and Greg also happen to be wonderful people and two of our closest friends. We've watched one another grow over the past 7 years and our activities has mirrored the vast changes in our lives. From Karaoke, Jersey Shore bars and cover bands to "game nights", the ocassional movie out, and Dora party hats. We were blessed to have them as witnesses in our wedding party and continue to learn from their examples and teamwork. And now we are all blessed to be able to view life through Devyn's eyes and ears and, while this requires considerable censorship for her mother and I when we really get going, it is a beautiful thing to behold.

On that note: we hope that all of your little ones are safe and sound and enjoying the beginnings of the summer season!

Just Kickin' Down the Cobblestones...Lookin' for Fun and Feeling Groovy

First things first:
Our Ginger baby came through surgery beautifully. They only had to remove one toe and the tumor on her back; a preliminary look at her lymph nodes was very positive. The tissue is being sent to the University of Michigan (sorry ND readers) for testing. When we have the margins back, and the stage of the tumors, we will know whether any further action need be taken. Thank you again for your concern and support. I will be sure to write updates during the week ahead.

As the sun rose this morning, I realized that I was - for the first time in 10 years - unemployed. On Monday I will - for the first time in 7 years - no longer work in major gift fundraising for Rutgers University.
I started to think about what all of that means, about the implications this will have on my daily live, both pratically and psychologically, and realized that my life is going to be almost recognizable. And while that is, on some small level, terrifying - it is also incredibly inspiring and just the "fresh start" that I need. I will spend this week in a kind of personalized detox program, preparing for my role as Assistant Dean on June 11.

We hope that this weekend will be a lazy one filled with movies and puttering around the house. Right now I'm sitting on my couch, watching the summer breeze massage our plum tree, listening to my husband refill the sugar canister, listening to Tugger snore.

Now this is living...