Timing is Everything

As you all know, this blog is titled 'Seckmans Say What' and when it began it was not only me posting blogs. My other half used to contribute.

The reason he doesn't contribute may be my doing. You see, we were driving down the road one day and we were having a conversation about .. I don't know, probably something to buy at Target .. and he made some mention about never even blogging. I simply said that I had been considering yanking his rights from our blog anyway because his blogs are boring and I just hadn't found the right time to tell him.

Apparently that was not the right time.

He gave me this 'you're going to make me eat generic ketchup to save a buck?' look and said "Wow." That was it - just "Wow." I laughed, trying to make like it never came out of my mouth as a serious idea but it didn't work. Damage was done.

Since then he has emailed me rather funny stories and I always respond - BLOG THAT! - but he doesn't. I don't know if he's trying to scold me for threatening to banish him or what. Today's baked potato story is especially funny but I doubt you'll get the privilege of hearing it.

Maybe I shouldn't be so hard on him. That post about his geek watch was.. err.. riveting? It is impressive that he can do the mathematical functions that he does. And its essentially a job requirement for him. It's just not a blog requirement and if anyone can tell me how to broach this subject politely please tell me.

Now, here's for hoping he finds the humor in THIS post... Otherwise I might be locked out of my house when I get home tonight.

Nothing to Blog About...

I can't seem to think of anything blog-worthy. It's blogger's block. Nothing truly blog-tastic has happened lately. Only things that would be lost in a blog-version of the event.

Like the time Elliot got so angry about something that he literally cleared the coffee table with a forceful swipe of his arm. You don't get the "I could kill you but I don't even know what that means" look on his face - anger, frustration and Hell-No-I'm-Not all mixed together. And how do I explain that I couldn't stop laughing and had to hide my face while Fred was calling me a bad mommy without marring my perfect image?

His new noise and hand gestures for firetrucks is adorable.. but how does one blog about that? Anytime he sees, hears or thinks he sees or hears a firetruck its a quick intake of breath followed by 'whasat' and then "wee oo wee oo wee oo" while his jazz hands are moving up by his shoulders. See - was that cute? Really? It's sure a hoot when he's doing it.

Or how about how he keeps wearing my 'sues' around the house. Much to my surprise, he walks rather well in them. We did manage to get a video of that but I haven't bugged Fred to shrink it down yet to fit on here. Thankfully he's sticking to my running shoes and not the heels...

Now that I've tucked you all into bed with this boring nigh-night story, I'll sign off.

Addicted...

Fred thinks I'm addicted to Facebook.

While out loud I say "Oh quit it, I am not!" I am internally saying geez, took him long enough to notice.

He's even suggested I get the new blackberry so that I can have Facebook at my fingertips. Please, like I would actually want that. Oooh, can I? Please?

Then, I rationally think but then what would I do at work all day??

Is She Pregnant?

Thanks to the surgery, I am swollen and left with gas in my belly that is making me appear about 3 - 4 months pregnant. I'm also burping uncontrollably like I'm 9 months pregnant. I went shopping to find some looser fitting shirts but with the current styles out there I looked more prego than ever.

I've already fielded the question once. Most people know that its surgery related and these are the very same people that know I have no desire to be pregnant again.

What bugs me is the looks I'm getting. I walked to lunch yesterday and noticed the looks - right at the belly and the inquisitive face that says "Is she or isn't she?" without speaking a word. I feel the need to make a shirt that simply says "No, I'm not. Thank you for staring."

However, I am a believer of the old if you can't beat em, join em theory. I blamed the baby for making me eat some candy yesterday (baby was hungry). Baby was blamed again last night when I had a pain in my stomach (it must have kicked) after lifting Elliot before I was supposed to. I wonder what else this invisible baby can get me...

It's Fair Time - JoCo Style

Elliot and Fred went to Tecumseh yesterday to partake in Johnson County Fair activities and check out the animals. I napped, watched tv and updated flickr. Fred came home last night and Elliot stayed so that we could get some things done and I could ease back into "normal" life without bladdie.

In my email today, I got a cute video. While its not plagiarism, it is a copyright issue for me to post this online. I sure hope Fred's Grandma Judy doesn't leave me a nasty message on my blog. Anyway - it's short, but cute.

Now be honest - did you play it more than once and did you catch yourself wanting to wave back at him? I know I did.

And, yes, I plan to work the word plagiarism in until I'm over that jerk.

Just Another Manic.. Saturday

Yesterday was my first day home alone - and, ironically, was also the day of the most visitors and phone calls. My hubby called to check in on me, some girls from work came over (with a cookie cake in hand!!), Aunt Donna called, Kelly called to chat, Tina and the kids came over and then Fred and Elliot got home. I loved it!!

As I sit here typing, Elliot is in his crib screaming with defiance to adjust that snarky little attitude of his this morning.

I hate that I can't be the one to rescue him. I'm in the midst of this strict no hold, no carry, no pick up (virtually, no interaction at all) thing with him, doctor's orders. And, I don't think my belly and its missing parts could handle it.

Fred is currently negotiating with Elliot that he will NOT do anything cool, fun or exciting while he naps if he'd just nap. HA. I think Elliot knows that as soon as his little eyes shut we're out in the living room having truck races, playing in the sink and painting like crazy. He's on to us. We've been blown.

Home Sweet Home

Well, as you all know by now I've had one hell of a week to say the least. As we determine how to refinance our house to pay off these medical bills that will be rolling in, I thought I'd give a general update. No plagiarism intended. And probably not much humor as it still hurts to laugh.

These pains came on fast and furious Thursday and never stopped until the surgery on Tuesday afternoon. I was completely out of it until Tuesday night and slept ON MY BACK that night for a few good chunks at a time. Weds they weren't sure if I was going home right away since my O2 levels were kind of low. That's what happens when someone hasn't been able to take a deep breath for a week (and no one seemed to care) - and now it hurts like an SOB to take that breath.

Regardless, the surgeon's assistant came in and looked me over announcing I was good to go if I wanted to go home. And while that was seriously (I am not kidding) the best Jell-O I've ever had, I was ready to go.

So we packed up and 4 hours later (not kidding there either) got our paperwork to leave. We were home by 7ish and Elliot came home a little while later. Pretty uneventful really, but it was one of the best showers I've ever taken and since it had been 3 days....... you get the point!

I don't know what else to say really. I've been home w/ Fred today (E is at daycare) and have been trying to fly solo as much as I can. I think I'm doing well enough that F will be at work tomorrow and I'll be home alone. Not sure about this weekend - it's hard to know that I can't play with, pick up or hold Elliot and he doesn't quite understand that mommy has an owie and instead sort of acts like I'm neglecting him. Truly its harder on me than him at this point.

Let me know if you have any questions... I didn't want to bore with details. Oh and I thought I had this thing set up to where I moderate comments (thanks again, Anonymous) but apparently you can't comment at all... I don't know what I did.

Some of you will find this funny: Apparently, my gall bladder did NOT look like a Christmas jalapeno much to my disappointment. Kinda pissed.

And I could go on for hours about the differences in St. E's and Bryan and how for a huge variety of reasons I would have chosen Bryan if given the options (I apologize if I offended any St. E Lovers) but I will instead give you my number one reason: The pineapple upside down cake at Bryan is TO DIE FOR. I'm not kidding in the least.

Thank you to everyone for your kind words and thoughts - and the flowers and cards and visits - it's great to feel so supported. I was pretty sure there for a while that a Gremlin was truly trying to claw out of my body.

Fred''s News

Anna is currently in St. Elizabeth's hospital scheduled to have her Gallbladder removed this afternoon. What started with a trip to urgent care Thursday night, then a Dr. visit Friday morning, then a 9pm emergency room visit to Bryan on Saturday, then a Monday morning Dr. appointment, has now become a hospital stay and surgery.

She spent the night there last night but the pain is so bad she hasn't been able to sleep or even lie down. They have continued to give her enough pain meds to kill a horse but it still can't seem to ease her much. As I left to quick grab lunch they had given her a double dose of morphine and Demerol and she was finally able to relax a little bit sitting down.

The surgery can;t come fast enough. Elliot is enjoying some Tecumseh time and appears to be over whatever was bothering him the last few days.

That's all for now.

Dear Anonymous

I have just removed my post from the other day in which I referenced an article I had just read.

Thank you, Anonymous Commenter, for accusing me of plagiarism but know it was not what was intended. Yes, I read the Dooce blog and that is how I originally found the article. Perhaps I should have noted that is where I heard of the public article but because I was not re-posting her comments I didn't really feel the need. And, instead of bringing it directly to my attention I further thank you for posting it on my blog.

In the future, assuming I continue posting, I guess I'll stick to concrete objects like poop.

The Early Bird Gets ... Well, Nothing.

I get this email from Fred this morning (and I may have doctored the text a little by deleting some words):

Happy Anniversary to you.
I ran 4 miles this morning since it's been 4 years.
(and that is a complete lie)

It's adorable that he told the truth about lying. It's true he ran 4 miles and it's true that it's been 4 years. It's also true that our anniversary is TOMORROW and not today.

Coming Soon: Another Frivilous Purchase

The beauty of us having personal accounts in addition to our one joint account is that I get to do silly things like buy iPod after iPod.

I'm thinking these might be coming home with me. They're a bit pricey (but are on sale) and don't fit the best but I'm pretty sure I need them for use at the aqua track at the gym. The gym I just joined. And have been to once.

Did you hear that? It was the sound of Fred groaning and rolling his eyes. It's the same sound you hear from me when Fred thinks he needs another video game.

Apple Addiction?

Years ago, Fred bought himself a nano when the mp3 player I got him (pre-iPod era, mind you) crapped out. So technically, because it was an exchange through Best Buy I helped buy the first iPod that entered our house.

That was iPod #1.

Once I decided that my mp3 player was no longer cool (and I never used it), I decided to buy myself an iPod. By then I was able to pay less and get more memory and it was a fantastic dull silver color to not show scratches.

That was iPod #2.

I didn't really use it (like ever) so I traded Fred giving him my better iPod and still not using the iPod I then "owned." Then I decided that maybe I would use a Shuffle more than I would the actual iPod. I mean, how handy is it that it clips right to your person??

Last night, surfing the web I purchased a shuffle from Apple's refurbished stock. It should be here in a few days.

That was iPod (Shuffle) #3.

I can't help but wonder how long the shuffle will stay in its box unused before Fred confiscates it and starts using all 3 iPods.

My Want List

I want to sell the basement TV and get a new one for upstairs.

I want to leave the cat outside forever and ever.

I want to sell my child when he's crabby. Or trade him for some gum.

I want a bicycle just to say I have one. One with a basket.

I want my sister to come back online.

I want to have the energy and time to work in my backyard more.

I want tonight's dinner now - grilled hamburgers mmm.

I want to have something exciting and funny to blog about.