The only two funerals I’ve ever been to that truly bothered me were two of our cancer friends (children) in Georgia.  And probably because of Kendrie, it was so incredibly easy for me to identify with the parents of those children, I found both funerals, while beautiful memorials, very sad and upsetting.

Today’s was sad as well.  My friend Shorty passed away on his 47th birthday … much, much too young.  I set him and his wife up on the blind-date-that-led-to-an-engagement-just-two-days-later, almost 25 years ago, so I can certainly identify with her.  And they have two high-school age children, so again, as a parent, I can identify.

The good part of the funeral itself was the simple fact so many people showed up to pay their respects, and I’m certain the family felt the love and support.  Sure, the whole thing just sucked, but it was certainly proof of a live well-lived and a man well-loved.

Blaine, of course, being Blaine, called me about ten minutes before the funeral was to begin, to tell me he wasn’t going to make it.  He hadn’t felt great, but had gone to work every day this week, knowing full well that he’ll miss quite a few hours when his radiation begins, and hopeful to work some make up time before then.   The other concern was that the bleeding after the surgery, which we were told would stop by that evening, was still happening. 

Well, guess what.  Of COURSE, right before he was going to leave work to drive to the church this morning, his nose started bleeding — gushing — and wouldn’t stop.  He wound up going back to his doctors, where they poked around a bit (fun!) and declared he did indeed have some arterial trauma from the surgery last week (wheeeeeee!) and so they pushed approximately 72 yards of gauze up his right nostril to pack it.  That’s some fun times, right there.  I told him he should have just volunteered for a barium enema and a urethral swabbing while he was at it, and called it a day.

I was sad he missed the funeral …. this couple was one of our longest-term friends, we were in each other’s weddings, I’ve known this man since junior high, they visited us when we lived in North Dakota (I’m telling you, *that* is the sign of a true friendship!) etc.  I hate that Blaine didn’t get to say his good-byes properly.  But I got to go, and see people I hadn’t seen since graduation, and let his family know how much they mean to me.  I’m still sad, but now I’m more sad for his family and their loss, since we all know Shorty is in heaven and doing better than the rest of us. 

Back to Blaine … he also had an appointment scheduled today with the radiologist, who promptly took one look at his nose and said, nope, not happening.  Not while its still packed (which probably will be until next week) and not until they get a new radiation mask made, which can’t happen while he’s got the gauze in.  So treatment is delayed, and in the meantime Blaine is wondering if it would be too gross if he goes to work, looking like he looks.  I say the man should cut himself a break and just lie on the sofa and recuperate for one stinking day, but I’m pretty sure he’s a lot more stoic than I am.

So, some good things …. my mom is doing great.  My sister and I have her back up to her normal “good grief please help us keep up with these kids” babysitting routine, and except for a bit of fatigue, she’s not slowing down too much.  I’m grateful for that.

We applied for an inground pool permit with our city a few weeks ago and were denied, so we decided to go with an above-ground.  Not our first choice, but still better than nothing, right?  Except we’ve been in some freak kind of revolving rain storm around here for the past two weeks and the ground was continually too wet for them to install the pool.  At long last, it was installed yesterday, and is about 80% full as I type this.  While I’m not looking forward to this month’s water bill, I am excited for us to be able to get in the water and just COOL OFF ALREADY.

Baby is doing great — I’m 37 weeks now, and heard from the parents that they have made their travel plans and will be arriving a week before my due date.  So that’s certainly exciting.

Kids are good …. I am good …..

the fog is lifting …..

if we could just get his damn nose to stop bleeding.