The D's http://www.the-ds.com/ Brian | Ellie | Evan | KC D's en Copyright 2008 Wed, 30 Jul 2008 07:10:45 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification CSA Discoveries running list on this page as we go. Lucky us, we're only about halfway through the CSA period, as it keeps going into October! Yesterday, I had to have Lisa pick me up since I couldn't get home the watermelon on my bike. I should really look into those SUBs more. We also got poblano peppers, so we'll have to figure out some Mexican dish to make with those. Let me know if you have any ideas.]]> http://www.the-ds.com/archives/2008/07/csa_discoveries.php http://www.the-ds.com/archives/2008/07/csa_discoveries.php Family Wed, 30 Jul 2008 07:10:45 -0500 Shenandoah Trip all on Flickr, in bigger sizes too. Evan getting a drink. He loves steps. Yes, they have a playground there too. Big hit. Beautiful, no? The view was nice too. We could hear the pileated woodpecker that made these holes, but we never saw him. Ellie did pretty well and walked almost the whole way. She only got tired about a quarter mile from the end, which thankfully was fairly flat. Maybe next time she'll make it the whole way. She just needs better pants, since she kept having to hold hers up to keep them from falling down.]]> http://www.the-ds.com/archives/2008/06/shenandoah_trip.php http://www.the-ds.com/archives/2008/06/shenandoah_trip.php Family Wed, 25 Jun 2008 09:13:49 -0500 Downtime Apparently, this blog has been under assault from comment spammers lately. I only noticed because every so often, I'd get notified that an IP address had been banned due to too many comments being attempted at once. Otherwise though, all the comments went straight to the spam filter and I never saw them. However, they were still hitting me. This morning, I was notified that my account had been suspended because of the comment spammers. I spent many hours trying to get hold of someone to fix it or let me back in, and about an hour ago, the site was back up. That's the good news. The bad news is: no comments for a while. Not that anyone legit was leaving too many comments anyway. So, if you have a witty remark about a post of mine, you'll have to email it to me. I think that I can probably fix this by requiring commenters to be authenticated, but honestly, I'm going to let this die down first so that I have a chance to recover, back up all my stuff, and so on. Back to normal soon, I hope. http://www.the-ds.com/archives/2008/06/downtime.php http://www.the-ds.com/archives/2008/06/downtime.php Site News Wed, 04 Jun 2008 14:58:12 -0500 Kid Music Geeks Disney Music Block Party Tour." Featuring Dan Zanes! And They Might Be Giants! And Ralph's World! Jesus Mary and Joseph! Get on the internet and order the tickets already! Our only disappointment is that Barenaked Ladies are not playing at our local venue, only up on Long Island while we're in KC. Still, we are lucky enough to be one of the two dates that TMBG are playing, so we'll have to make do. Yeah, we're a little too excited about kid music these days. FYI to our family and friends in Michigan: the tour hits Meadow Brook Tuesday, August 19th and Wednesday, August 20th, but you "only" get Dan Zanes and Ralph's World (and the two other minor acts I've never heard of).]]> http://www.the-ds.com/archives/2008/05/kid_music_geeks.php http://www.the-ds.com/archives/2008/05/kid_music_geeks.php Family Fri, 30 May 2008 11:51:15 -0500 Second CSA Contents Our second CSA share came in on Tuesday. From our first, we still need to use the garlic scape, and the radishes were only somewhat used. We did make a nice arugula salad with balsamic vinegar and strawberries, and used up all the salad greens, but not the actual lettuce. More on that in a minute. In our second share, we got a ton of strawberries, which is, of course, awesome. We also got a huge head of lettuce, more salad greens, mint, snow peas and turnips. We're going to end up using the lettuce from the last two weeks on Monday for our Memorial Day barbecue. We're also going to use the mint for making mojitos, yum! So really our only puzzler is turnips. Lisa borrowed a cookbook from a neighbor, which has a bunch of turnip recipes, so we'll see how we like them. We're pretty happy with it so far, and we're still in the veggie-sparse season, so I can only imagine things getting better. It's kind of strange not having too much to buy at the farmer's market on the weekend... http://www.the-ds.com/archives/2008/05/second_csa_cont.php http://www.the-ds.com/archives/2008/05/second_csa_cont.php Family Thu, 22 May 2008 10:22:34 -0500 Our First CSA garlic scape, French breakfast radishes, bok choy, and our favorite, strawberries! They also had some turnips we could have taken, but we're not huge fans, so we passed on them. So we're going to be eating more salad than we usually would, but that's okay, since we just bought some fancy basil balsamic vinegar at the farmers market last week. We also will need to figure out what to do with the radishes (raw with sea salt and rustic bread has been suggested) and garlic scape. Any suggestions?]]> http://www.the-ds.com/archives/2008/05/our_first_csa.php http://www.the-ds.com/archives/2008/05/our_first_csa.php Family Wed, 14 May 2008 07:45:33 -0500 Children's Music Web Award Winners Children's Music Web Award winners have been announced. Our family (technically, Ellie, since it's judged "by the kids") were judges for the Best Recording for Babies and Toddlers ages 0 to 3 category. You can see the four winners over there. We only judged one of the winners, Linda Robertson. Interestingly enough, Ellie's tastes have changed a bit since the judging a few months back, and she's currently really into Owen Duggan (as judges, you get to keep the CDs they send for judging), winner for Best Song for Babies and Toddlers and Best Song for Preschoolers. She loves The Elephant Song! Congratulations to all the winners! We had a lot of fun judging and look forward to possibly doing it again next year.]]> http://www.the-ds.com/archives/2007/11/childrens_music.php http://www.the-ds.com/archives/2007/11/childrens_music.php Family Thu, 08 Nov 2007 08:35:24 -0500 Halloween '07 We'll start with Evan and Ellie showing their toothy grins. You can even see Evan's top 4 (yes, 4!) teeth coming in. This was during their visit to Cox Farms to buy a pumpkin. All the girls lined up to see who's the tallest. Obviously, not Ellie, but that's okay. You don't have to be big to rock out! A few days later we went to "Boo at the Zoo," which is where the kids gets to trick-or-treat while the animals get treats too. Pretty cool, but also very rainy, which is why we only have a couple of pictures from that night. This would be the other one, Evan strapped to me, trying to stay warm and dry. He did, the rest of us, not so much. Ellie and our neighbor getting ready to head out. The poor guy wasn't feeling well and quit halfway down the block. Evan was a punk. He had better hair earlier in the day, but we figured since his hair is always crazy, we'd run with it. The shirt says, "Spit Up On Authority." Pretty appropriate that he has stuff all over his face too. Ellie wanted to do her hair later too. Luckily, it washes out pretty easily. Obviously, Ellie did not quit halfway down the block. She went to see everyone she knew, and came back with enough candy to last the year. No, really, she still has Easter candy too!]]> http://www.the-ds.com/archives/2007/11/halloween_07.php http://www.the-ds.com/archives/2007/11/halloween_07.php Family holidays photos Fri, 02 Nov 2007 22:28:01 -0500 Roger Update I just wanted to send everyone a quick note to let you know that I got out of the hospital on Sunday evening. This operation appears to have gone well. I am feeling a little better each day as my body learns to adapt to my new GI tract and my incision heals. Hopefully, I can start gaining some weight back (I am now down to a svelte 130 lbs - same as my freshman year in college), and get more energy to do the things I enjoy. This second surgery was part of the plan and removed my temporary Ileostomy to allow my body to use the J-pouch that was created during my first surgery. After it was determined that my hydration and quick transit time of food in my system was due to the placement of the Ileostomy. Meaning that I did not have a long length of bowel to absorb anything, therefore, food and water were having a tough time staying in my system long enough to provide me with the nutrients I needed. So the determination was made to do this second surgery sooner than later (Though it had already been 6 months, but the doctors were trying to solve the dehydration issues before the second surgery). The surgery was much quicker since I had the J-pouch created on the first surgery and I did not develop any fevers or infections (So far) so the hospital stay wasn't nearly as long. I was just there for monitoring and to ease me onto solid foods again (I was on a liquid diet for about 4 days). Obviously, I still have some pain as my incision sight heals and I have some pains as my body figures out its new functions with the new GI tract, but overall, I feel pretty good. I still have a ways to go as my body adapts and heals and I get used to my new GI tract, but this definitely is the long awaited home stretch. Now, once I get healed up and functioning close to normal; we'll be sending Wendy to have her Gall Bladder removed. After that, we plan on flipping our calendar to 2008 because 2007 has not exactly been a banner year. Again, I thank you all for your support and kind words throughout this ordeal. Hopefully, as I heal, life will begin to get back to normal again. May your health be with you, Roger http://www.the-ds.com/archives/2007/09/roger_update.php http://www.the-ds.com/archives/2007/09/roger_update.php Family Thu, 20 Sep 2007 18:49:13 -0500 A Message From Roger this link to make an on-line credit card donation. (Click on the "Roger", "Russ'" or "General Foursome" tab). Of course, all contributions are tax deductible and the CCFA will send you a letter confirming your donation. Thanks again for your consideration, Russ and Roger]]> http://www.the-ds.com/archives/2007/05/a_message_from.php http://www.the-ds.com/archives/2007/05/a_message_from.php Family Thu, 31 May 2007 06:00:55 -0500 A Happier Roger Update For once, I thought it would be nice to send an update that didn't include me having another stay in the hospital. So here is my current update: I am still at home and taking IV fluids twice a day. My incision is healing nicely, though, not yet closed up (But it seems to be getting closer every day.) I still have a drain tube in my abdomen but it has slowed down considerably so hopefully it will come out soon (I'll have to have a CT scan to confirm the fluid it is draining has dried up). I am sure I will be feeling a ton better once I get these tubes out and my incision is closed up.I see my surgeon next Tuesday and will hopefully have good news that things are returning to normal (Provided I am able to get my hydration under control). My energy level has been increasing and my appetite has been great. Hopefully, that will help me put back a few pounds on. I have been feeling pretty good and doing a little more around the house each day, though I do get tired quickly. Luckily, my Mother-In-Law, Sue, is here with me to chase Sam around and do the lifting. I am so thankful for all of her help on a daily basis. Also, I owe Wendy so much for keeping the household running and just doing everything. She is truly amazing!! Overall, it has been a slow process, but I feel like things are headed in the right direction and I will start feeling "Normal" again soon. Thank you all for your support. It has truly been overwhelming but very much appreciated. I am so lucky to have such a great support network. You are all part of that and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. -Roger]]> http://www.the-ds.com/archives/2007/05/a_happier_roger.php http://www.the-ds.com/archives/2007/05/a_happier_roger.php Family Wed, 09 May 2007 12:46:57 -0500 Happy Birthday to Lisa! Everyone please join me in wishing my lovely wife a very happy birthday. She is {mumble mumble} years old today! Happy Birthday Lisa! http://www.the-ds.com/archives/2007/04/happy_birthday.php http://www.the-ds.com/archives/2007/04/happy_birthday.php Family Tue, 24 Apr 2007 10:54:19 -0500 Latest on Roger I regret to say that Roger is back in the hospital. He is extremely dehydrated and still fighting an infection. He had been feeling very tired and started running a fever yesterday. We went to the ER last night at the request of his doctor so they could give him some IV fluids. It is definately a different experience checking in through the ER than when you have something scheduled! Unfortunately they have not located a bed for him so he is still in the ER. Luckily, he is in a room at the ER and not hanging out in the hallway like many other people we saw last night. The doctors warned us that it is a significant challenge to stay hydrated after this surgery. Basically everything that he drinks is going right through him so his body isn't absorbing enough. The challenge is to slow the digestive process down which they will be focusing on through supplements and medications. They ran another CT scan to try and assess the infection and it looks like he may have another possible infected area. The good news is the other area of infection has gotten smaller. After 15 days in the hospital, it is the last place Roger wants to be. I know this has been very difficult on him and these complications are not making things any easier. I'm very proud of him for following his doctor's orders, handling his own care, and staying positive through all this. It has been more difficult than we could have imagined. I'll pass along his new room information when I get it. He will most likely be there for a few days. And another update this morning:
I just called and woke him up so I think he's trying to get some rest this am. He has a couple of procedures scheduled for today. All of them sound fairly unpleasant. Other than that he seems to be doing all right. Thanks for everyone's support and kind words. It means a lot to us to have so many great friends and family. On a selfish note, I especially appreciate everyone's concerns about me and offers to help with our kids. My respect for single parents has increased tremendously and it makes me feel good that other parents understand the fun (and sometimes not so fun) challenges of raising these little people. I have had the priviledge of travelling a bit in my single days and know that there are many people on this earth that have far more difficult situations than I. I will never forget travelling to South Africa and watching people stand in line for hours just to get a gallon of drinking water. Others in a mountain top community spent an entire day walking downhill to get firewood and then carrying it back up. So, when I am feeling exhausted, frustrated, short on patience or cringing at piles of laundry and the appearance of my house, I try to remember that there are many people who have far less than I. Luckily we have a very supportive family and my mother is in her glory when her children need her. She's been helping a lot with the boys while I work and go back and forth to the hospital. Colin is headed to Disney World next week with Roger's folks, sister's family and auntie's family, so I think that will give us all a little break. He's pretty concerned about his dad and it has been hard to explain what is going on. Hopefully Mickey Mouse and crew will take his little mind off of things.
I know Ellie is very excited about our Disney trip, so hopefully she can help Colin have a little fun.]]> http://www.the-ds.com/archives/2007/04/latest_on_roger.php http://www.the-ds.com/archives/2007/04/latest_on_roger.php Family Thu, 12 Apr 2007 08:28:06 -0500 Roger's Home! Dear Family & Friends, I wanted to thank all of you for the support, phone calls, cards, gifts, and most importantly your thoughts and prayers while I was in the hospital. While the surgery went as planned, I hit a few road bumps on the way towards recovery but most importantly, was given a "Cancer Free" bill of health. I was released from the hospital yesterday, Tuesday, at 5:05 p.m. and was able to relax at home today. I really missed seeing my boys as Sam appears to have grown quite a bit in two weeks, but luckily, he didn't start walking yet (I told him he had to wait for Daddy before he took his first steps). I still have a long recovery ahead as I still have a drain tube in my abdomen that is draining the spot that is infected and my incision, which was opened when they thought it may have had been infected as well, has a long way to heal. Also, due to the blood clots that developed, I have continuing care to monitor my blood thickness level (I have to be on blood thinners for at least 3 - 6 months). The surgery took a lot out of me and my energy level is pretty low. However, for me, the best medicine is just being in my own home with my family. For those of you with entries into the Roger Pool, I will be working on tallying them (But the medical bill part may take some time as they take a couple of weeks to get processed) Again, thank you all for your support and I will keep you posted on my recovery as it continues (At least the hard part is behind me). -Roger]]> http://www.the-ds.com/archives/2007/04/rogers_home.php http://www.the-ds.com/archives/2007/04/rogers_home.php Family Thu, 05 Apr 2007 07:05:09 -0500 Not Cancerous! We received great news this morning that Roger's biopsy shows that he does not have cancer! Now we just need to get him out of the hospital. He is eating solid foods but doesn't have much appetite yet. He's had a few minor complications but they are talking about releasing him later this week. There's quite a bit of home care that will be involved so I'm not sure I'm ready for him to come home yet. The staff at U of M have been great and are helping me develop some nursing skills quickly (I knew there was a reason I was an English major. For our friends in the business, I have a new admiration...). All the phone calls, cards and well wishes have meant a lot to us. Thank you. This is definitely good news. As I'm sure many of you have heard, White House Spokesman Tony Snow was diagnosed with colon cancer two years ago, and had his colon removed, much like Roger did. Snow actually had cancer though, and underwent six months of chemotherapy too. And just recently, he found out that the cancer was back and had spread to his liver. This is definitely scary stuff, so we are all relieved to find out that Roger does not have cancer. But as Wendy alluded to, there is still work to be done, so keep those positive thoughts coming.]]> http://www.the-ds.com/archives/2007/03/not_cancerous.php http://www.the-ds.com/archives/2007/03/not_cancerous.php Family Wed, 28 Mar 2007 07:50:27 -0500