Thursday, November 4, 2010

Peace in the neighborhood.

My neighborhood was very neighborhoody this Halloween. It warmed my heart.

We have lots of kids around. Usually we trick-or-treat with our immediate neighbors on our street. But this year, one of S's friends asked us to come over to his street and trick-or-treat with them. It was great. We saw lots of people we knew. The kids had fun. The adults had fun. It ended in an invitation to have chili and soup to warm up at another house. The kids all played. There were drinks. There was a large, friendly teddy bear-ish dog called a Golden-doodle or some nonsense... good times.
S:Grim Reaper, B:Obi Wan Kenobi, C:Cleopatra
In other neighborhood news: A "truce" has been called between my two boys and the two girls who live next door. They are the same exact ages, yet opposite sexes. Which means "enemy" by definition. I think the kids got tired of all the effort involved in being snarky with each other. My older son, B, called for a "truce" so that they could all build a teepee together in the woods. This seems to have stuck. My three kids and the neighbor's two girls have been having fun together for two weeks. This same neighbor's husband is in Iraq for a year. So I'm sure she's happy to have the kids occupied playing outside while she gets some things done.

My husband and I were out raking and leaf-blowing this past weekend -LOTS of trees in our neighborhood-LOTS!!- we decided to clear our neighbor's yard too, since she doesn't have her husband's help this year. She came out of the house and was practically in tears, she was so grateful. It felt good to have helped. Of course my arm was falling off the next day, but it was worth it!

So lots of neighborhood love going around at the same time as preparations are underway to get the heck out of here if when my husband does awesome on the OA later this month.

Also, he applied for another job locally. Got an interview and they just called him back for a second round. It's good to have options.

I turn 39 pretty soon. I know, shocking! I don't look a day over 26, right?! Right now, if you add up all our ages in our family, we are 100 years old. That came up doing math homework. Useless info thanks to Everyday Math.

And here's a plug for good thoughts/and/or prayers. A week or two after my son B came home from Jamaica, he pointed out he had a lump (an enlarged lymph node) in front of his left ear. It's called the preauricular node. It has not decreased in size in over a month. (It's 2.5 cm) We have been to our primary doc a few times and have been referred to an ENT. B also had a CBC to check his white blood count. (Don't know the result yet.) I'm sure he's fine, as he's acting normally. But if you have a spare moment to think a good thought for one crazy little/big boy, I'd appreciate it. Thanks.

Why do doctors have to say sh#t like, "Do I think it's lymphoma? (long pause) No. Should we be sure? (long pause) Yes."
Then I think: Should I b#tch-slap the doctor? (long pause) ....  If you don't think it's lymphoma don't say it. geez. I've got enough worry in my brain.
My husband told me I look crazy. Ya' think?!
Follow-up edit: The blood test came back completely normal. But we still have to see the ENT on Tuesday. 

11 comments:

Daniela Swider said...

Thinking good thoughts about your son. Hope it's nothing to be concerned about.

I'll Take Mine... said...

Thank you, Daniela.

Anonymous said...

Silly doctors. *shakes head*

Good luck on the OA! GO TEAM GO!

Becky said...

Good luck at the OA! Hope your son is okay and that there are no problems. Best of luck!

Emily said...

I hope every thing goes with your son.

I am happy that you had such a fantastic Halloween!

Jill said...

Thanks for sharing and I hope everything is ok with your son. I've linked to your blog on the weekly roundup. Please let me know if you'd like me to take it down or edit. Have a great weekend!

http://run2newplaces.blogspot.com/2010/11/state-department-weekly-blog-roundup.html

Bfiles said...

thinking good thoughts for your son. Your Halloween sounds fabulous and the kids were SO cute!

I'll Take Mine... said...

The doctor said the CBC showed nothing abnormal. whew. The ENT appt is on Tues. Thanks for the good thoughts everyone.

Camille said...

Make sure you tell us what the ENT says - also, yes you look crazy in that picture - but in a 'hot mom' kind of way. So it's a good thing! :) Best of luck Tuesday!

Bfiles said...

so glad to hear this news.

Connie said...

Very good news from the doctor, and the kids look adorable in the costumes! It sounds like you had a wonderful day, and bless you for looking out for your neighbor! It only takes a little doing, but it means the world.