Dude Man Dude

We were searching for Christian's Baptism album for a religious education project due for the next day's class when the boys came across one of Mike's old photo albums.  The one with all the cars, mullet-headed friends, and chickadees he knew back in the day.  Then they saw the photo of a post-pubescent 19-year-old Dad (the hairless chest was a dead giveaway) with his arms around another equally young, frizzy-headed (just being honest) girl with a bad 80s hairstyle and they exclaimed, "Mom?  Is that Dad's girlfriend?!"  And Gaby giggled and threw himself on the couch. 

But the very last photo was of an older dad with his arms around two ladies (I use that term loosely) at a sports bar-esque place taken during his mid 20's and Gaby commented, "Wow, Dad! You're with some HOT ladies! Hahahahaahahahahaahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!" I think that photo needs to be burned. There are a number of photos of Mike and his friends showing off pre-weight lifting muscles with such bravura that resonated with our sons. 

Today Christian apparently told his teacher, "My dad is a dude."

I Like Mike -- Please Vote!

Mike has entered a photography contest called 'New Mexico - Day of Enchantment'.  Go to this link and please vote for Mike's photos at http://www.dayofenchantment.com/entries/61834.  Thanks!

Lack of H2O Woes

Last weekend Mike took the kids to Sandia Peak to go on a hike.  Mike is not used to the heat of the southwest -- the dry heat which causes some to sweat less and not realize they're thirsty or possibly dehydrated.

That night he felt tired and a little sore from the hiking.  He had carried Jojo part of the way and thought that may have been the reason for his exhaustion.

I heard Mike wake up around 3:30 that morning and walk to the fan switch. He had felt chilled, so he turned off the fan.  I vaguely remember hearing his footsteps when all of I sudden I heard a loud WHUMP. "Mike, are you ok?"  No answer.  I quickly jumped out of bed to turn on the light to see where he was. 

Poor Mike was out and I had to tap his face and shake him a little.  He had landed between the bed and our dresser, so the first thought I had was he must have tripped and hit his head.  He slowly came to and I asked him if he had rolled off the bed.  He thought he had, but a few minutes later he remembered that he was heading towards the bathroom after having turned off the fan.

He felt nauseous and I put a wash cloth on his head and then I took his blood pressure, which was low.  The next thought that ran through my mind was that he had had a heart attack.  But he didn't have any other symptoms.  Heat exhaustion was the furthest from my mind.  Mike seemed to be improving so we did not call 911.  The following day after speaking to friends and family about what had happened, we realized that he may have had heat exhaustion and had possibly been dehydrated. And then I heard that my cousin's daughter had experienced the same thing a few weeks prior -- nausea, fainting.  Lesson:  Always drink plenty of fluids when outdoors in the heat.

Brrrrreeezing!

A couple weeks ago we stayed at the cabins in Cascade, which are rented by Aunt Tonie's Sisters of Charity order, located in the mountains near Colorado Springs. It was such a good getaway, even though I spent much time alone while my parents, Mike and the boys went on a couple day trips; I had a particularly tedious assignment to work on and relished the time alone. It was freezing and did not go above 30 degrees...brrrr!!



Meanwhile, as the clouds hung over Cascade and the mist turned to ice on the branches, the temperature on the other side of the mountains was in the 60's! They visited Aspen, Maroon Bells, and Breckenridge, places I'd like to visit when we return. Mike has a passion for photography and took these photos. He was disappointed that there was some wind at Maroon Bells and was therefore unable to get a good photo with the lake's reflection of the mountains.

The boys at Maroon Bells


Aspen


Life is going well, all things considered. Mike and I are working on some projects around the house and I'm taking advantage of having him here. I also get some extra study time at the library during the day when I need it.

Being close to nature is refreshing and helps clear the head. While Mike works hard to find another job, he's also taking some much needed time for himself. Mike took Gaby and Jojo to Ouray, CO this week and they spent one night visiting the beautiful area. He's also getting ready for his trip to TN next month and will be taking Gaby and Jojo with him. Luckily, all three kids are great travelers...they had no choice! Mike hasn't been back home in two years and he's looking forward to seeing his friends and family. And I'll have time to study for the exasperating GRE test and some alone time with Christian.

Through all this craziness of his losing his job, we are doing well. Mike takes care of us all and is taking care of himself. He's running and exercising, has lost some weight, has a lot more energy and is optimistic about his future. And are marriage is stronger for that.

I hope the health kick bug finds me soon, well maybe after the GRE or after this semester ends ... or maybe by next summer. Oh, nevermind.