Day #22 was Tuesday, which is usually the day Evie and I go to lunch with Jim. However, Jim was just too busy at the office to meet us. So Evie and I still went to lunch (even though she had hoped we could invite someone else to join us) and then afterward I got Jim a sandwich. We met him in the lobby at his building and he was very happy to have something yummy even though he had to stay and work.
Day #23 was a very challenging day for me. Last Wednesday I went to have a massage with my sister, Kelly. She suggested I come back this week too. I was at my favorite restaurant in Ann Arbor (Zingermans) when Kelly texted and said that the appointment would have to be 11:30 because she was going to Urgent Care. She was in a lot of pain, and assumed it was her gall bladder. I told her that we didn't have to have the massage, but Kelly insisted if I came a bit later it would be fine. So, she met me at her office at 11:30, and I gave her my gift: a piece of lemon poppy seed cake form Zingermans. However, she looked awful and Urgent Care had suggested she go to the ER and get an ultra sound. Of course in "Kelly Fashion", she wanted to give me my massage first. I emphatically refused. I rescheduled because of her insistence, but could not believe she would want to give a massage while in so much pain. She agreed to go to straight to the ER. I wanted to accompany her, because she doesn't have family in Ann Arbor (my niece was with my parents). However, after a bit of persistence on my part she refused my help. It was really difficult to accept that my gift of time and help was denied.
Needless to say, my sister was at the ER until 3am. They ran a battery of tests. It wasn't her gall bladder, but what they thought was a kidney stone. When I spoke to Kelly earlier, she was still in a lot of pain.
I think the hardest part of yesterday was accepting that gifts can be denied. My heart ached to help my sister, but she refused my help. I had to respect her space and her choice, but I was very deflated emotionally. To make matters worse, I posted on Facebook that I hoped people could say a prayer for my sister. After a few comments and questions, I replied that Kelly was by herself in Ann Arbor but that I wished I could have been there too. And you would have thought I was the worst sister EVER! Some friends suggested that I should have done more, and that I should have stalked her down at the hospital. Of course this made me feel even more guilty, since I was already questioning if I should further push the issue of staying.
Anyway, after a crazy afternoon and evening of karate, ballet and homework, my oldest had issues before bed and stayed up until almost 11pm. Zoe has very bad dry skin, which can become eczema very quickly. She is supposed to make sure to put aquaphor lotion on at school after washing her hands. She forgets. Of course she does, because she is not quite 7 years old. I don't expect her to remember, but when she doesn't her skin can bleed. Last night was a difficult situation with the hands. So she sobbed for awhile (bedtime is 8:30). Then she just wasn't tired anymore. My mom used to call it - being "over tired". And that she was. So, after my stressful day with my sister, and my stressful evening, I knew I needed to bake today....
Day #24 is today. I baked four mini loaves of banana bread. It was my first time baking mini loaves, but I have always wanted to try it. They turned out beautifully!
One I gave to Zoe's teacher, which was a good thing because Zoe had a rough day. Apparently, before the spelling best, Zoe began to cry. She has such a great teacher though. Zoe was able to take the spelling test during recess and was able to compose herself during the time the other children took their test. According to her teacher, Zoe was not in any mental place to take the test. So she felt it was to Zoe's best interest to just calm down and regroup. I have to say that my money is definitely well spent at this school.
One of the other three loaves of banana bread went to Olga, the matriarch of the karate place we take the ladybugs. She is such a giving woman herself. In fact, just yesterday she gave me a small baggie full of box tops for the girls. That was very unexpected and very sweet.
The remaining two loaves are for my little family. Zoe was thrilled when she got home from school and had two pieces. Evie had her second as well. Jim helped himself to a large slice after dinner. And of course I had some myself too!
Speaking of receiving, in the last week I have been shocked at the amount of gifts my family has been given. The sweetest one was on Tuesday. Evie and I were at Panera Cares for lunch (of course without her Daddy), and after ordering and paying the cashier said, "Would she be able to have a cookie?" I always appreciate when people ask me first before offering something to my children. I said, "Yes." Evie's eyes were the size of silver dollars. She choose an M&M cookie. I was surprised at the gift, because we didn't give over the suggested donation. On many occasions I leave more at the store. However, Tuesday I chose to just pay the regular amount as it is the end of the month for us and money is tight. Evie wanted to go back to Panera Bread yesterday AND today. I think she hoped to get another cookie!
I am looking forward to tomorrow. My children have the day off of school for the end of the card marking. I think we all need a day to just veg and enJOY each other.
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