I'm a fan of the relaxing gentle massage while DH likes the deep painful even backwalking variety. Different strokes.

Holy cow, my hair is BROWN. I mean BROWN. I like it. Pictures later (because of the whole, you know, "work" thing.)

Second, can I ask details about your back surgery? Mom just got diagnosed yesterday (Degenerative Disk, I think). She thought she was just going to be getting the same surgery again that she had ten years ago (for Stenosis), but now that it's a new surgery she's Very Worried - esp. because they'll be putting in "pins or screws or plates or something". I mentioned that I had a friend my age who had recovered beautifully from something similar (just trying to be generally comforting), but she jumped on it and asked if I could get details.

My surgery was for 2 herniated discs, and the surgeon basically went in, removed part of the prong-y part of the bone, and then removed the disc material that had herniated out.

I don't mean to make it sound simple or easy, because it wasn't, but it was definitely more straightforward than the type of surgery that requires fusion of the vertebrae, or any hardware. I didn't need a fusion, and I have no hardware.

My basic feeling, though, about *any* back surgery is this: in the almost 5 years since my surgery (I truly can't believe it's been 5 years -- or will be, in April), medical technology has grown by leaps and bounds. The surgery that *I* had, though straightforward, did require me to stay in the hospital. And now, 5 years later, it's generally done as outpatient surgery. Which boggles my mind.

So, my point is, even if your mom needs surgery that involves pins or screws, the technology involved is going to be VASTLY advanced beyond what she experienced 10 years ago. It's going to be so different, it'll make her head spin.

Which, again, isn't to imply that it'll be a piece of cake, but I'd bet it'll be far less complicated than she fears, and that the recovery will be much more simple than she thinks.

Massage therapists, even good ones, aren't psychics, and everyone's different. Next time, say "ow!" Or talk to him about it ahead of time. If he doesn't ease off then, well, then he's not all that good.

yeah, part of my problem with massages is that I just want to lie there and zone out. I don't want to chat, I don't want to have to tell you anything other than what we've already discussed.

I'm a fan of the relaxing gentle massage while DH likes the deep painful even backwalking variety. Different strokes.

See, I like the deep semi-painful stuff. Which is why I figured it'd be okay. But it wasn't "oh my muscles are knotty" hurt, it was kind of "hey, you just pulled that over a bone" hurt. But I didn't really figure it out until later. Eh well.

yeah, part of my problem with massages is that I just want to lie there and zone out. I don't want to chat, I don't want to have to tell you anything other than what we've already discussed.

ETA this too.

Last week I had a massage and the therapist was all, "Does that hurt? You should tell me if it hurts," implying she'd go less hard. But I could tell she had found two muscle knots and I was thinking, "A little pain now will result in less pain later...."

Thanks, Steph. Does sound like your surgery was different from what she's looking at, but you've phrased everything so well, I'm still going to forward you pretty much verbatim to her. I tend not to be a worrier, but she is. REALLY is. It might help if someone not me also reassures her a bit.

Aimee, I don’t have any other thoughts that haven’t already been offered, but still wanted to send some love.

Emily, I hate ants. I’m sorry. Ick. I hope they go away soon.

Not anything too sweet/cutesy, but something that represents Ellie and Frisco in some way. Amy suggestions?

I LOVE Pandora Jewelry. It’s charm bracelets and necklaces for grownups. [link]

The cost for our beagle-mix puppy is about $230/year for accident/illness coverage, not routine care, with a $200 deductible. They'll accept bills from any licensed vet in the US.

That sounds fair if you think you need it. We seriously considered insurance for Toto when he was on his I’m-going-to-get-into-all-of-the-dangerous-stuff-that-I-can phase. But, we didn’t. I think it’s a good idea for puppies, though, since they can really get into so much stuff.

I achieved the trifecta. Not only do I have tonsillitis AND the flu, not only did half the lights on my car fail, but my credit card number got jacked.

Raq wins for worst day ever. Ugh, you.

Oh, Laura. Poor Brady.

Me: "Tomorrow, you guys get wood." (Did I just say that?)

Bwah!

That reminds me, I was going to tell this story last night, but I forgot. I was trying to get the last four kids to help me clean up a few things last night. There was a soccer team practicing in the gym, so there were other people around (including parents of those kids). One of my four-year-olds informed me that he wasn’t going to help clean up, because he doesn’t like cleaning up. After going back and forth with him a few times I stooped to his level and said, “Well, I don’t like cleaning up either. That’s why I make you guys help me.”

There was barely a beat before I heard two moms laughing in the hallway. The little guy heard them laughing and said, “Miss Val, you’re funny. Of course you like cleaning up. It’s what big people do.”

One of the mom’s from the hallway yelled in, “No, actually we don’t. Go help your teacher.”

One of the mom’s from the hallway yelled in, “No, actually we don’t. Go help your teacher.”

Hee.

Emily, I hate ants. I’m sorry. Ick. I hope they go away soon.

It made me think of the food of Toto's that attracted ants so quickly. I was really grateful that they didn't seem interested in climbing the side of Bastet's bowl, just eating whatever got to the floor.

One of the mom’s from the hallway yelled in, “No, actually we don’t. Go help your teacher.”

Reminds me of Carol Channing telling my young self, "Your mommy hates housework, your daddy hates housework, I hate housework, and when you grow up, you will too!"

vw - do you know the Clean-Up song?