Back to School Shopping

August 2000: Christi & Shayla's first (and only) sack race. Christi 3, (far left), Shayla 1.5 (far right).

Christi always enjoyed getting a few new things for school, especially school supplies. Thankfully, with garage sales and hand-me-downs, clothes were never a problem. I do remember buying two new outfits for her to launch her school career and then since she was diagnosed just ten days after starting school and she wore them to her hospital appointments instead. It made me so sad remembering how I bought them with joy thinking anxious she was to start school.

Because Christi was just starting to get to the age where she cared about clothes, last summer was particularly fun in terms of shopping. Now, I'm seeing sale ads and becoming so sad that I cannot take her; therefore, yesterday I sent off two $100 checks to a couple of her classmates who were always very sweet to her and who I think will benefit from the extra money. Inside each card, I wrote a note:

"Christi & I always enjoyed school shopping together. Since I can't take her this year, I hope you'll use this money and have a fun day shopping with your daughter. It'll make us happy! Thank you! Love, Angela & Shayne"

When I approached Shayne with the idea last week, he said, "Why don't you call the parents and see if you can take the girls shopping. You loved taking Christi last year." (Long pause) "Oh, I guess doing this is hard enough, taking them would probably be impossible, wouldn't it?"

Before we went to church, I made biscuits this morning from a mix we purchased in the Amish Country this week, I just had to share this picture. (It's probably hard to believe I still have so many pictures I've never shared of Christi, but the "Kodak Mom" does!)

It's hard to believe it was 11 years ago today when I received that dreaded phone call from my mom telling me dad had a heart attack. Shayne and I quickly threw a few things into a suitcase and took off for the 8 hour drive up to Silver Lake Michigan where I assumed I'd sit with him in a hospital room for a few days and slowly nurse him back to good health. Unfortunately, we weren't so lucky. I never got to talk with him in person again. Rest in peace, sweet daddy! I love and miss you!

NEE NEE NEWS: Grandma is doing well and I'll take her back to Toledo for her second surgery soon. Yesterday, Shayla "babysat" grandma for a change while Shayne and I drove to her home to get a few things she needed. (And of course she insisted we take her little car out for a drive, so we did!) We've bought a toilet set and also installed a handicapped railing to our bathroom to make things easier for her to get around here. (Her wheelchair doesn't fit in our little bathroom.)

She must know how loved she is because even though it's killing us, we've been letting her smoke in our home. (I know my friends are gagging and think I've lost my mind, because I can smell and complain at the first whiff of smoke, but.....it's like the only thing that makes her happy.) To go even a step more I bought my first pack of cigarettes Friday night. As I approached the cashier, who knew Joan was hurt, I said, "I've lost my mind. We're gagging but we're letting her smoke in our home. I'm almost 40 and buying my first pack of cigarettes because I feel so bad for her.....Oh, what the heck, make it two!")

Thankfully, she remains in good spirits despite the pain. (I can even sing, "The Old Gray Mare Just Ain't What She Used to Be" and she just laughs!) Shayne continues to do twice daily dressing changes on her open wounds and he gives her the required shots. As we finally had a chance to talk while we drove yesterday he joked, "Well, I had a break from the medical scene long enough. I was getting bored and needed something to do before you had me start some home improvement projects or something."