Time flies when your legs are in the stirrups

It is amazing how long it has been since I've posted something here. That means one of two things. Either everything is going so well I just haven't had the time, or everything is going so crappy that I haven't had the time. Either way, thanks to those friends of mine who refuse to comment here, but are so intent in sending me e-mail telling me I haven't updated them in a while.

October was a blur. Kate's roomate quit college over Columbus Day break.

In November, we went to Disneyland for Maggie's 15th birthday. We met up with a slew of my freakish friends and some normal family and all in all had a fantastic time.

Thanksgiving found us hosting Kate's boyfriend for the weekend. Interesting time, but he got to meet the cast of characters that make up the Rainbow Coalition...we'll see how it all plays out in South Carolina.

I took my Grandmother to Florida in December to visit family. I dropped her off. I went to Disney World.

Christmas was quiet. My sister Gina and my aunt, uncle, Grandmother and Tom's dad came over on Christmas Eve. It's not the same now. My mother and Michele are in Florida, My Grandfather, who lived for Christmas Eve is gone, and somewhere inside, I long for Aunt Sadie to be singing a chorus of "I'll be Home for Christmas" after one too many Reingolds. Christmas Day, it was just the five of us. We played all the new games and just enjoyed being the five of us. I spent a lot of time that day wondering if someday, when the kids are grown and the grandchildren come, if we will have those big family Christmases again. Maybe I'm just being silly.

Middle November also began what has been a wild ride of medical professionals. I feel like crap. I've gained 30 pounds in the last year with no significant change in my eating habits, I feel like I have morning sickenss every day and I have a constant dull ache in my stomach.

And as of last week, (in the TMI department) there is not one opening in my body that has not been violated by something rubber or plastic.

I've had my feet in the air.

I've had and ENT doctor tell me that I feel crappy and my ears ring because of allergies.

After 50 pinpricks by an allergist he tells me I am not allergic to anything.

A hearing evaluation by an audiologist tells me that my ears ring, and well, get over it...too much Twisted Sister or something.

The gastroenterologist got to stick a camera down my throat, stretch things out with a balloon and cut out some rings on the inside. She sends me for an abdominal ultrasound because she thinks I have gall stones, but we find some issues with my liver, and apparently, that is causing the pain.

The endocrinologist sends me for a thyroid ultrasound because it appears there is another nodule, and my personal favorite test, a Glucose tolerence test. Apparently the liver issues are a symptom of impared glucose tolerence.

It was at this point that I decided I hate my family. 3 out of 4 grandparents with diabetes. Auto immune deficiencies galore. Mental Illness runs rampant. And on that subject, after an 8 year hiatus, my father showed up at Christmas. Did I tell you mental illness runs rampant?

Friday, Tom and his Dad leave for a week in Ireland. This will probably be their last trip together. His Dad will be 88 in May. It will be good for both of them. They will be there for the 3rd anniversary of Tom's Mom's death. I can't believe she's been gone that long. I still miss her.

And of course, tax season is upon us. Get those W-2's together, and don't wait until the last minute (you know who you are). FAFSA's are due 2/15!!!