Kittino’s Karousel » 2009

Jan 19

2008 - The Year I Started Sliding down the Other Side Posted by Kittino

I really wanted to say that 2008 was the year that I grew old, but I know that 43 is not really “old.” Only those older than I are going to say that it’s still young, though! Going into 2008, I still had a pretty good foothold on the top of Age Mountain. Life was going along pretty well - until I took my eight year old shopping. My precious daughter pointed out that the reason that I don’t look like those girls on the posters in the same clothes is because they’re thinner and…..younger! Soon after, my six year old told me that I should get some of that stuff that they talk about on TV that “gets the commas off of your face.” (Those “commas” are also known as my well-earned smile lines!)

For all of my childhood and adulthood, I have always loved the lines on my mom’s hands. I suppose that I just love her hands. I love for her to hold my hand, rub my head, rub my back, just love on me with her beautiful hands. In fact, I love her hands so much that I’ve always wanted to have them. I’ve looked longingly at my own hands for signs of those beautiful veins that stick up in her hand. In 2008, I discovered that my hands are not going to be like my momma’s hands; I have major wrinkly hands instead!

One day this Fall, I was driving around Breckenridge and noticed that I was having a difficult time reading signs both in and out of the car. I would have to ask the children what the words were on the medicine bottle. When I’d read my Bible, no matter how much light I could get on the page, there were times that I just COULDN’T read the tiny words! I immediately headed to the eye doctor, certain that I was losing my vision and had developed high blood pressure or diabetes. After a thorough examine, I was given the less-than-exciting news that I’m old. Bifocals were no longer my future; they were my present! Now, I always wondered why “old” people wore such large glasses. Mine, when I didn’t wear contacts, were the cutest little black rectangular glasses, quite fashionable. I’ve joined the club. The secret is that bifocals won’t go in those tiny little glasses! For several weeks, I walked around asking complete strangers if they thought I had “old lady” glasses! Quite annoying, I’m sure!

As if all of these things weren’t enough, I began to have some medical “situations” which led me to my doctor for bloodwork. After all of my testing was completed, it was determined that I was the perfect candidate for hormone replacement therapy! Hormone replacement therapy? You’ve got to be freakin’ kidding me!

Determined to prove to the world that I AM NOT OLD, I actually went out on New Year’s Eve to a real party! It was the first time that Rowland and I had been out on New Year’s since 1996!!! We actually stayed at the party until 12:30 and weren’t in bed until 1:30. I guess my experiment back-fired, though. As we crawled out of bed the next morning, we both determined that we were too old for New Year’s Eve parties. In fact, we committed to staying home from now on and watching the ball drop in New York (11:00 our time) while lying in bed, kissing each other, turning out the light, and going to sleep.

So much for my firm foothold on the top of Age Mountain!!!

My Beautiful Family!!!

Jan 16

The Only Red Spot Posted by Kittino

My William hasn’t been feeling very well or acting very happy (on a daily basis) for a few months now. I noticed it, but I thought he was just turning into a little grumpy boy, a phase for attention. The problem is that it began happening on a more regular basis. He always seems tired, depressed, not wanting to participate in life. He gets a long look on his face, and he even cries. He’s been grounded, received extra love, been bribed, rewarded, etc., etc., etc. Still, there was no change in my buddy.

About a month ago, Rowland began to notice this change in William, too. He decided that there was definitely something wrong with the little (okay, big) guy, something like mono. We discussed the symptoms, but we were still unclear on what path to take. Finally, his eyes swelled up for a couple of days, and I decided to go the allergy testing route. Rowland had allergies; Carson had allergies; although no symptoms had ever shown up before, maybe William had allergies, too.

We went to the allergist this week, and his back test came up completely negative. As I was phoning the general practitioner for bloodwork, the allergist suggested testing three additional allergens on his arm, even though they had been negative on his back. As the 15 minutes passed, one BIG red spot appeared! The only thing my buddy is allergic to is his best buddy at home.

William and Valentino, his Spot!

The good news is that the allergist believes that his symptoms are perfectly in line with this allergy. The extra good news is that Valentino doesn’t have to leave (nor does William!), and a pill twice a day along with some nose spray should do the trick!

Jan 15

Even the Tooth Fairy’s Hurting!! Posted by Kittino

Jia turned six in December and has been anxiously awaiting the loss of her first tooth for several months. The poor girl even had a permanent tooth come in without knocking out any baby teeth. Talk about disappointing! Finally, this week, she told me that her tooth felt a little strange. Since it had been loose for a while, I expected it to still be hanging around. Having had it with the tooth that just wouldn’t leave, I reached into her mouth and with great determination took that tooth right out of there!! Painless, no blood, easy, easy!!!

She’s so excited to have lost her tooth and now gets to write her name on the big tooth in her class at school. And that was the end of that!

Rowland and I didn’t realize until last night that she must have never heard of the tooth fairy. She’s never asked to put her tooth under the pillow; therefore, I’ve never had the opportunity to forget for four or five nights in a row, explaining each morning how busy the tooth fairy must be! I’m thinking that I’ll just count my blessings and keep my mouth shut! In this economy, I’m not sure the tooth fairy is feeling very generous anyway!!

Jia with Her Missing Baby Tooth
(If you can’t tell, it’s because there’s already a permanent tooth in its place!)

Jia and KeKe
(Wow! Those two girls really love each other!!)

Jan 05

Family Fun Posted by Kittino

The last six weeks having the kids at home has been fabulous! We’ve had such a good time sleeping in, laughing, going to see every movie possible, skiing in Breckenridge (or reading for me!), hanging with friends, and just living life with no major responsibilities. I can honestly say that I’m so sad for school to be starting up again - not sad enough to homeschool, though! As I send them off this morning, it’s with a longing heart looking forward to their next break in 9 weeks. I’ll leave you with some images from the last six weeks. After all, a picture’s worth a thousand words, right?

Look, Mom, No Hands (or Feet)!