"Ditch the List"

It's vacation week and it's spring clean-up time. My husband teaches, so he is off this week. He also does tax preparation and tax planning. Many think tax season is over, but he has close to 100 extensions because the clients either brought their stuff in too late or he doesn't have everything he needs from them. I know the number because I helped him make the list.

This is normally his week to catch-up on the extensions and get some projects done around the house. We have a list - we always have a list of home projects. Everything goes on the list because if it doesn't, then we forget.

I'm thinking it may be time to ditch the list because it's just stressing him out. I'm taking tomorrow off so that I can help address the list. He's close to popping a cork because the list gets longer instead of shorter and the vacation week is slipping away. When I mentioned that I thought I might be able to take tomorrow off, I could see his blood pressure go down. I'll probably regret using my earned time this way - especially when I can't move on Saturday morning because I was hunched over mulching gardens for 13 hours!

We have 3 teenagers. One is on a school trip and 2 are probably on the couch or computer right now. They are not stressed about the list. Although I have found that when I leave them a list of things I want them to do, they can actually complete most of the items. We're not talking advanced physics here, I'm talking empty dishwasher, pick up family room, that kind of stuff. No list, absolutely nothing productive comes out of them.

So hubby and I will do what we can to make progress on the list. (Did I mention his mother also has a list for him of stuff she needs done at her house!?) After this weekend, pending completion of the list, I say we move our lives into a list free zone.

I almost said that with a straight face.

"To All The Girls I've Loved Before..."

My Nana died this weekend at the age of 81.

It all began last Monday when I received a call at work from my Aunt that she had found my Nana on her bedroom floor barely conscious. My Nana had been there for four days alone, beaten, bruised and scared. The paramedics arrived and took her to Midcoast Hospital in Brunswick. She was dehydrated and suffering from hypothermia, but was conscious and aware of what was going on. That was the hardest part. After a couple days of testing, we found out why she couldn't move off that bedroom floor: she had fractured her neck and was permanently paralyzed from the breasts down. Our best guess, because Nana couldn't remember, is that she must have tripped in the middle of the night and broke her neck in the fall.

For those of you who are familiar with spinal cord injury, we found out she fractured her C6/C7 vertebrae. This means she could still breathe on her own and possibly use her arms in the future. During the past couple weeks, I learned a lot about spinal cord injury and found out the higher up the fracture along the spine-- the worse the fate. For example Christopher Reeves, the most famous spinal cord injury case, injured his C1/C2 vertebrae and that's why he required a ventilator. My grandmother survived those four days in her bedroom because she still could breathe on her own, but was trapped inside her own body.

Nana was then transferred to Maine Medical Center to see a Neurologist. That alone was tough on my father and I because it was only nine months ago that my mother died in that same ICU due to complications of the flu. Anyway, the specialists recommended a surgery to stabilize her neck, which would literally attach her head back onto her body. The surgery went well, and we were excited to see that she could move her right hand the next day. It was progress.

During those days at Maine Medical, my father, Aunt and I visited her every day. We shared stories over her bed, we laughed, we reminisced, and we cried. My Nana was sharp as always the entire time, but just couldn't seem to grasp what had happened to her body. It was too much for anyone. Six days in the hospital, she started to slip away. She died peacefully on a warm Saturday afternoon. There was no struggle. She simply had enough, and like the classy lady she was, she knew when it was time to say goodbye.

I am now the oldest woman in my immediate bloodline, and I am only 30 years old. I have lost a mother and two grandmothers-- and gave birth to a daughter-- in nine months. I still can't believe it, even when I see my own words in front of me. I can only hope that I can carry on the spirit of these wonderful women to my daughter Rosa. These women created me, taught me how to love and gave me the sense of what it means to be a woman. That is now my goal. Robyn McCausland, Estelle Purinton and Marylyn Downs will never be forgotten.

Sam's Top 7 Annoying Kid Shows

Now that spring has FINALLY sprung here in Maine, I figured I would give you some reasons to keep your kids even further away from the tube. And although I am a fan of the television, being in that I'm in the biz, when my kid does channel surf here are some of the shows, in no particular order, I opt for him NOT to watch.

1. The Wiggles - Admittedly I think I could handle just listening to their songs, but there's just something that makes me feel ill watching grown men dance, sing and act the way they do. *blech*

2. Yo-Gabba, Gabba - I just don't get it. I've heard some say it promotes good manners and the importance of healthy habits while making learning fun, but what is with the man with the big orange hair. "Come on, everybody." *Slap* The music seems like something I'd hear on an old Atari game and I just don't get it...

3. Lazy Town - Whenever I hear or see this show come on I have this sudden urge to set the television set on fire. That's all I've got to say about that.

4. Franklin - "Hey, it's Franklin....the whiny, turtle who's a big wimp!" That's it though, it just always seems like Franklin is whining about something every episode. Also, a side note, why is Franklin's name Franklin instead of Turtle. His friends are Bear and Duck...

5. Max & Ruby - Now, this show I've actually let my son watch before, but I'll tell ya what I don't get about this show, where are the parents? Now, I know Ruby sometimes acts like she's old enough to take care of Max, but we all know she isn't. She doesn't pay enough attention and that's why he's always getting into her things. Also, Ruby's voice...can you say annoying!!

6. Wow, Wow Wubbzy - Again, it's the voices. "Wow, everybody!" I haven't figured out what Wubbzy teaches our children either.

And last, but I'm sure not least...

7. Oobi - It's hands...for goodness sake, the whole show...hands...hands eating, driving cars, playing in the garden, going to the bathroom. Do I need to say anything more.

So, there you have it. Now, I'm just dying to know yours. Please indulge me, give me more reason to click the off button.

Sleepovers Are Not For Everyone!

Lily and Emily - a sleepover at our house

Yesterday afternoon my daughter was playing outside with her good friend Emily. She asked me if she could sleepover Emily's house and was very excited about it. Of course I said yes...with it being school vacation and all. Emily lives directly across the hall from us...her doorway is 5-6 feet away from ours. They have been friends for over 3 years now and see each other almost everyday. My daughter has attempted to sleep over Emily's many times. I think successfully twice but most of the time she ends up coming home before the night is done. She has no problem staying over her Aunts or Grandmother's house but is still struggling with sleepovers anywhere else. I honestly am okay with this...at twelve going on thirteen, I'll keep her home as long as I can:) I know she gets disappointed with herself, one, because she really wants to sleep over and two, because she knows it disappoints her friend's too. All I can do is tell her it's okay and it's normal. Sleepovers are not for all kids, right? So for now I guess we'll continue to have the sleepovers at our house.