I thought this weekend would be relaxing...

It started on the right note, with lunch with my pal Laura, sans kids. And before that even I got to work on cleaning my craft room and making it usable. Oh and before that, I took the day off, so this was Friday. But then we started to have wood stove issues. Like smoke leaking from the the stovepipe. And it was 9 degrees at its warmest on Friday. And many below that night. We really NEEDED the wood stove, but had to let it die so Bill could clean out the pipe on Saturday. Oh well, our furnace kept us and the pipes from freezing, so can't complain.

Saturday we hit the Wild Center. Which was fun. But not exactly relaxing. When we got home, Bill cleaned the stovepipe. And then the house filled with smoke. Thickly. I played in E's room with the kids til headache set in and then I went for a drive with them. All at dinnertime.

Today I was convinced I had carbon monoxide poisoning, which explains why I washed my cell phone with my clothes, at least.

But nevermind all that, because Bill got THIS picture at the whyseum.

Choice

Why am I pro-choice?

Because I am mom.
Because I want my daughter to be able have the education and health care she deserves so she can have the freedom to live the life she want.
Because I want my son to live in a world where women and men are true equals.
Because I got to plan my pregnancies.
Because I believe in God.
Because I believe in love.
Because personal responsibility is a virtue. So is self love.
Because women know what is right for themselves.
Because my parents instilled in me a belief in social justice.
Because children are wonderful and they deserve to be born into families that want them.
Because I hold in my heart the stories shared by friends who had to have illegal abortions.
Because I hold in my heart the stories of the women who never lived to tell them.
Because my body is mine and no one elses. Not my husband's or my parents' or my childrens'. It is mine.

Why am I writing this?

Because I am blogging for choice on the 37th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade.

I Go Round in Circles...

Or ovals. I never was great a geometry. All I know is the my usually empty personal track has been packed all week. When I got to the gym this afternoon there were about 10 people running, walking, and limping around it. So many resolutionaries!

The gall bladder is feeling better since I have gone on a low low low fat diet. I am probably also going to lose weight, so that is a plus. I have an ultrasound on Monday am. My doc implied that we kind of want to see an obvious issue so it can just be removed. Having heard so many stories of folks managing gall stones with diet until BAM! the WORST PAIN EVER sets in, sending them to the emergency room, and then being forced to wait in excruciating pain until they can have surgery, I would be more than happy to have it removed while it is not yet horrible horrible, thank you very much.

The Gall!!

Ow.

When I was pregnant with E and W they both used to wedge their feet up under my ribs on my right side. Or maybe it was a head. Whatever body part it was hurt. A lot.

So imagine my surprise when I felt a little of that same pain on my way back from California. Because the only body parts in my abdomen are my own. Same pain. In front and in back. On the right side only. Suddenly it was starting to sound familiar. Were two friends in two recent conversations BOTH talking about their gall bladders past? And wasn't right side pain a symptom.

Hello Dr. Google. Thanks for the diagnosis. I am taking my imaginary feet, which were never feet to begin with (oh...gall bladder pain during pregnancy is common, is it?), to the doctor tomorrow am.

Dear Blog,

I have neglected you and I am sorry. The holidays were a whirlwind between visits to parents and in-laws and trips to California. Before that it was year end in fundraising land! Today was the first in recent memory that Bill and I have just spent a day at home (other than a going to the grocery store) I made Guinness Pie with venison. And that is just about it.

Well, blog, bye for now! Hopefully I will see you again before another month and a half goes by.

Love,
Martha