Easter week

 This last week, Grammy and Poppy came to visit us. It was a short trip (Tuesday through Friday), but the kids loved it. I had to work full time and I felt I barely saw them, but the rest of the family did and were entertained by/with them.

 Henry was on Spring break, and so they did a lot. They went to the Bell Museum, the Mill City Museum, Science museum, library, parks and out to eat a few times.  Because it was Easter week, we even threw in some egg decorating and egg hunt in our back yard.

 I went with them to the Mill City Museum with them on my day off, and it was really fun. It was the perfect weather outside, so we got to walk on the Stone Arch Bridge and see the St. Anthony Falls. I have never been on that bridge before in my life. I have always wanted to. It seems to take a visitor as an impetus to explore this city I live in. That means we should entertain more.  Anyone is welcome to come!

Frances says "Henry play tennis"

This last Saturday, Henry had a tennis lesson. I haven't seen him play in a while, and you know what? He's getting pretty good.  Henry says tennis is his favorite sport, and I can seem him sticking with it.  It seems to fit his personality.

This new coach that Henry has is a pretty serious coach, but I think he is pushing Henry to be better. He often gives him feedback and changes they way Henry does things, but then when Henry gets it right, the coach is quick to compliment  The coach is teaching him a lot of what I think are advanced tennis skills, but I suppose I don't really know, I never got past a few lessons myself.

I look forward to watching Aaron and Henry play this summer. I might refrain, because this is one sport I am pretty bad at. Maybe if I need another challenge in my life, in 5 or so years, I will pick it up, but as for now, it is not a priority.

I have other things I want to focus on, both mentally and physically.  Hey, that is a great lead for an update about me. So, I have been done with radiation now for 2 weeks. Things are still going well and the fatigue has been gradually getting better.

Yesterday I went for a run.  I tried to play it smart. I had my phone tell me every 1/4 of a mile hit and then I would walk a little, to recover my brain. I did that and ended up running 2.75 miles. It felt good, but afterwards I had a lingering headache. It wasn't bad, but I had to take some Tylenol.  It just is a little discouraging.  I don't need any more barriers to exercise. It would be so easy to say, "oh, I just can't exercise anymore" and call it good, but it is so unhealthy.  I used to have dreams of a half marathon in the fall or next year. Maybe that distance is too much for me.  Will I ever get there? Who knows.  It is still early. I just want to be better.

I also went to an ENT specialist this week to talk about hearing aids.  What I really have a problem with is sound localization. I knew I would, but I didn't know how often this skill is important to my life. Finding which elevator is ready? Finding your phone when it rings?  Finding your husband when he yells somewhere in the house?  Finding your child in Target after she takes off from you and is giggling somewhere around you?  So frustrating!  With this complaint, I spoke with both the doctor and the audiologist. There are a few options that put sound from my right ear into my left ear, but that would not give me localization. I could try a normal one ear hearing aid and see if it does okay. Some sounds I will never hear and the sounds that I do, will be a weird distorted sound. I guess some people can't tolerate it.  The audiologist said that I owe it to myself and my kids to try, and I agree.  I will go in this week for a hearing aid fitting.

I have been making green smoothies for me and Aaron this last week.  I like it and he does too. The kids are a little scared of drinking something green. We are not pushing it. If they want, they can try t, but more often they chose not to.  As far as how it is helping me, I don't know. I would like to think so, but I have no comparison. I don't know how I am supposed to feel 2 weeks out of radiation. I have had comments that I look well (one was my acupuncturist), so that is something.  I find myself getting a little hungry before lunch, but I am usually at a place where I can have a little snack, so it is not a big deal.  I guess, so far, so good.

Just yesterday, I told the kids they were going to make masterpieces.  They were both very excited. We took a while getting the table cleared, putting paper down and getting the brushes and paint. Then it took, well, about 2 minutes and then the masterpieces were done. 

They are great an all, but just a lot of work from me, especially when my kids are content to just lay and read.