hey AJ:

I m glad you had great night with ur nephew. I have 3rd grader at our own home who also has wicked sense of humor, so life is never dull in our house. actually while praying in night he never prays for mom's recovery, he thinks then I will be back to work again and not be able to spend time with him and I will become more powerful such that he will loose all his physical fights with me. everyday he invents new games which he can play with his mom and ofcourse that has to involve pushing mommy down and pinch her while she tries to kiss him. he calls it pinching butt and slobbering kisses games

I love to watch all kiddy movies with my son, its always our snuggle time in our papasan chair

Asha

AJ,

What a nice peaceful blog. Kids have a way of taking a short cut threw all of lifes BS and getting right to the heart of a matter. Your nephew just probably needed some one on one attention. Maybe you should have your nephew around more often, he's getting what he needs and you are getting a gift of "normalcy" Love win win situations.

When I stroked, my daughter was 4 and my son was 10. My daughter, Alex never treated me differently and I was thankful for that. My son on the other hand, treated me as some freak at the county fair. In fact my daughter would sit and wish at night that I could "wear pretty shoes again before I died" That sentiment was sweet and heartfelt. She's a diva and to her that was the all important gauge of a diva... shoes.

Pam

Hey Alpinejunkie!

I hope your feelin good!

The 1st year is mostly made up of highs and lows. The old one step forward , two backward kinda thing. But in the 2nd and third year you will look back and then see how far you've come. The first year kinda sucks at times and other times is cool cause all of a sudden you can do something you couldn't. Don't pressure yourself the first year by doing the engineering you used to do, I tried to do my old bookkeeping right away. Start in babysteps when you do. Sequencing at first was really hard. Start with something easier, like organizing your clothes closet. Do "basic life"first then you'll feel better to build on it.

I'm so glad your starting to see the simple joys in life. I'm enjoyin the little kids I run into now. When they're small and nice as compared to my mouthy teens! You're starten to get little enjoyments out of life again! Cool!

Be grateful for still being here to enjoy life. Take a break and give it time.

My kids and fish! Can't still see that happenin yet- they ate their veggies better at 5 than they do now!

Rent 2nd Hand Lions, your nephew would probably get a good laugh. I rented Ferris Bueller's Day Off this weekend for my 13 and 15 yr.old. Brought me back, was filmed here on the "north shore of chicago-well to do 'burb" during my high school years so I really could relate. Its pretty funny and crazy..cool time was had by all- hope you're feelin good-spring's almost here! I remember gardened like a nut the first year and kept wearing myself out, now I last better, your endurance will build....take care