Bach To Reality

Usually, by this time of the month, I'm ready for the month to be over. I felt that way in 2011.  3 years ago. And I feel that way now.  Each day, leading up to this week is just another anniversary.  Another day for me to say, 3 years ago...X, Y, or Z happened. 3 years ago, my life ended. On February 22, 2011, my life ended. And the next day, I woke up. Eleanor.  Eleanor came running into the house. I had to be strong. And my life started up again. And I got through those next few days, sometimes sleep walking, sometimes not knowing what was going on, because of her.  Each day. Week. Month. Year. Because of.... for.... Her. 3 years ago today. The day I buried my husband. I got through because of her. And my dad.  My dad who held me during that service. And my mom.  My mom that can hug me like only a mom can hug me. And my sister. And my brother-in-law. And my nephews. Oh my nephews.  How they adore their uncle ...

Just in case you haven't heard - my mom retired on Thursday.  She's been working at the same company for the last 25 years and on Thursday, she finally joined my dad in retirement.    And I am BEYOND thrilled for her!  I'm just SO excited for my parents right now!  They've worked SO hard to get where they are and they deserve every single moment of greatness that comes their way.  They have been inspirational to me.    My mom's retirement has been the talk of the family for some time now.  So it got my sister and I to thinking and talking...what were we going to do for my mom for her retirement?    There are two things my mom really loves - her family and having them at her house.  (which is probably why my mom is always trying to get us to move back to Cedarburg!) So it just made sense to us to plan a sleep over at my parents.  Now, anyone can plan a sleep over - we wanted to plan a SURPRISE sleep over....

I'm sure you know - Eleanor has a Peanut Allergy. I'm sure you've heard - I didn't deal with the news very well. I'm sure you told me - Have her retested. I'm sure you know - I procrastinate! But last October, I had her retested.     We took her to Children's Hospital Allergy clinic and went through the "Scratch Test".  On the right side of Eleanor's back the did a histamine (sample) scratch.  Then on the left side they did a 8 panel nut/legume scratch test.  And then we waited.  And waited and waited.  Little Miss E did remarkable, given how badly the histamine sample itched.    The test, as you can see from the picture above, was pretty conclusive.  She did not have a skin allergy to peanuts.  (See how the histamine sample is red and blotchy?  That is what another allergy would have looked like).    Andy and I didn't make a very big deal about this test.  We still didn't...

Things are a little out of order - I understand.  I haven't even blogged about Christmas!  And here I am, blogging about New Years! Well, things are a little out of order at the Bach household in general!  I've been off work since December 23, because of holiday plant shut down and Andy's obscene amount of vacation has allowed him to be off most of the time with me.  Eleanor has been in and out of daycare, so her schedule is all sorts of messed up.  Needless to say, I think the entire household is ready for tomorrow when we all head BACH TO REALITY! But there is just something about New Year's Eve that compels me to write this morning.  On the surface, I think New Year's Eve is a little overrated - way too much hype for one night. But there is just something about opening up a new calendar.  Turning the page to a new month.  A new year.  How can you not be nostalgic to new beginnings? I don't really have any beef with 2013.  Turn...

Am I the only one that misses Christmas "Newsletters"? I LOVE Christmas Cards.  Don't get me wrong. But I love reading about what is going on with your family!  Ooohhh, you should start a blog! Anyway, Didn't I just do this ? How does a year pass by so quickly?  Maybe when a year is filled with love, laughter, learning (vacations, wedding planning and 1/2 marathon training) it just flies by! So besides some fairly obvious events - what have we been up to? Eleanor I can not believe Eleanor is going to be 5 this Christmas.  She is spending a second year at her preschool/daycare and is just loving it.  She's busy learning to recognize and write her upper and lower case letters - and just brought home two "sight" word books. She can now read "My" and "At".  I know...I know...It's just amazing! ;-)  But seriously, when did my kid get old enough to learn to read? She's busy with swim lessons and continues to have no f...

 Look what I did!! I really wanted to roast my own turkey. And I did. Sorry, Friend... Removing the neck was the GROSSEST thing I have every done!  I screamed Andy's name - He asked what he should do...I said, Grab the camera! :)  I couldn't find the liver...until I finally understood "second body cavity".  Ew. Rubbing with olive oil for that nice golden brown look. My bird - dressed and ready to go!  Yup.  We bungee corded our oven.  We needed to head to the NB Christmas parade and didn't want to take any chances with dog wonder! All done!  And not a minute too soon - look at how stuffed that oven got! Happy Thanksgiving - From our family to yours!  And - the bird was DELICIOUS!  Moist and juicy!  I was pretty excited to do something with the bones and carcass, but realized time was not my friend, and gave it to my dad to who has been simmering it all day to make all natural turkey broth for us...

It seems a little too obvious, doesn't it?  To write a post on Thanksgiving?  A post about the things I'm thankful for? About how lucky I am?  But I am lucky.  And I am blessed.  And I do have SO much to be thankful for.  It's been a crazy little adventure - this journey called life. But I have an amazing family - health - and everything else a girl could ask for.  And I have a guardian angel. A bittersweet blessing.  And on this, our second Thanksgiving as a family, I started to see little things pop up...little things that, on year two, can be considered traditions.  I think the best way to start Thanksgiving is with a nice run. And since Thanksgiving is such a family holiday, it's even better to run as a family, with family.  And we certainly would consider these two family.  Andy and I both love them both as brothers. Brothers neither one of us had.  And Eleanor loves them as Uncles.  And I certai...