This conversation took place between 3:45 and 3:46 p.m.

BC-I was listening to “Wait,Wait,Don’t Tell Me” in the car (it’s an NPR program) and they were talking about the study that shows that couples with a TV in their bedroom have 50% less sex than couples that don’t. And the female panelist said “I bet that study came out before the new season of “24″ started.” I thought you’d appreciate that.

Me-Yeah, it seems to be the general consensus in the blogging world that Kiefer Sutherland is HOT, and that everyone needs a Jack Bauer in their life, to, you know, rescue them.

BC-I’ll torture someone for you if you want.

Me-Aw, you’d do that for me, honey?

BC-Absolutely.

Isn’t he the best?

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You may remember my post about my Mother-in-Law, who was diagnosed with cervical cancer. She came to stay with us in order to have a hysterectomy at a major hospital and have a place to stay while she recovers.

She had the surgery today. I was surprised to find out that it was a four-hour procedure. In addition to the hysterectomy, she also had lymph nodes removed, but I believe they left in the ovaries. Not that it matters since she has already gone through menopause, but I think it meant something to her that they at least left her something in there.

Her blood loss was 500 ccs, the surgeon told my husband it’s not unusual for the patient to lose 1000 ccs, so that was good. She was adamant about not having a blood transfusion, as was I after my last c-section, so I understand how she felt. But the doctor convinced her to sign the permission form, promising to only give her blood if she absolutely needed it. I’m glad she didn’t.

The best news is that there was some concern about the cancer having spread. She had an MRI which showed nothing besides the cervical tumor, but the surgeon had said that sometimes they get in there and find tumors that they couldn’t otherwise see. But there were no other tumors.

I didn’t go to the hospital with her this morning, since she had to be there at 6:00am and it’s a school day, plus there was no way I was taking Kaitlyn to a hospital and risk her or I catching something. Also, BC has his mother’s Power of Attorney so he had to be there. If we don’t get the SIX TO NINE INCHES OF SNOW in the forecast for tonight, I should be able to go tomorrow. I want to make sure she understands the outcome of the surgery, what medication she’s getting, what the doctors and nurses are talking about. Because we all know that doctors tend to talk quickly and use big medical terms and don’t always explain very well.

The hard part is still ahead of her, the recovery won’t be easy. She has arthritis in her knees and hands and will need a lot of help getting around for a few weeks. I’m just so glad the surgery is over. And hopefully she is cancer-free for good.

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Look! A new template, do you like it? The pink was just boring, and blue is my favorite color anyway. Of course, I DID NOT COPY MY LINK LIST before clicking “okay”. So now I have to recreate the whole damn list. If I previously linked to you and forget to add you to the new blogroll, please! Send me a comment or an email and tell my dumb ass. The second the Index finished Republishing and I saw the empty Links I hit my head and yelled “D’oh”.

Speaking of “truthiness” (copyright Stephen Colbert, or the dictionary, there’s some controversy), could someone please tell me what the hell Ray Nagin was thinking Monday? God sent the hurricanes because we have troops in Iraq? Huh? He says he was talking to a minister before making the remarks, was that minister Pat Robertson?

Did you know Pat Robertson sells an “Age-Defying Protein Shake” recipe on his website? He also makes “Age-Defying Protein Pancakes”. Don’t worry, I haven’t been watching his show or anything, it was on The Colbert Report last night. Colbert brought out a plate of pancakes, took a bite, and said something Pat-like, I wish I could remember what it was. Something about feminists.
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Did you watch “American Idol” last night? Simon was just MEAN. I think he told one kid he reminded him of a rat. Another guy had an orange and yellow striped shirt, Simon told him he looked like a wasp. Then there was the guy who was barefoot and kept leaping into the air and yelping. He could not sing, yet they put him through to Hollywood. Just to be cruel, I guess. Oh, and then there was the girl who was talking to the camera, another girl came out of the audition with the yellow paper, and the first girl said “I heard her sing, she wasn’t that good.” Then they almost had a rumble right there in the lobby. There were two pairs of twins, the first pair were both really good and got through, the second pair were iffy but they walked up to Paula and held her hand while singing to her so they got through also. A girl from the Ukraine wanted to win so she could get a “performer Visa”. Her singing was terrible and accompanied by stripper moves. Seriously. So it was fun, Ryan and I laughed our heads off. It’s on again tonight too.

I also watched the FOUR HOUR season premiere of “24″ this week, without giving away major spoilers I’ll just say that there were some shocking moments, Sean Astin is now playing the head of CTU, Jean Smart is playing the new First Lady, and there was no torture. And what is “24″ without a good torture scene? Also, Chloe? Totally getting sex this season. Good for her.

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Nancy’s daughter Big-A sent Kaitlyn a package the other day, and could the whole family be any sweeter? First, there was this doll:

It is very soft and makes a gentle rattling sound when you shake it. I think she is going to love it.

Then, there was this coat, which is so adorable:

As you can see I am not the best photographer, with the flash on the doll was completely washed out, without it the pic is too dark. Same thing with the coat, this was the better shot. But see the tassels on the hood, the butterfly on the front, and the mittens? These were unexpected, thoughtful gifts. Thanks so much Big-A!

In other news, I got a haircut. There is much layering and the stylist used a straight razor thing on the bottom “to remove bulk”. It feels much lighter but is more high-maintenance.

Here’s another view, also Kaitlyn modeling the latest in hooded velour sweatsuits:

And here is one of Kaitlyn looking at her favorite thing in the whole world-our living room curtains. This is where we sit for feedings and general cuddling, and as soon as she gets up on someone’s shoulder, she locks on to the curtains.

In fact, pretty much since birth she has been making what we in the family call her “worried face”. I’ve always wondered if she is worried that the curtains, which she can’t see from this position, may have disappeared.

I know it’s not De-Lurking Week anymore, but feel free to comment on any of the pictures anyway. Because I just need the love, okay?

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But I am somewhat superstitious about other things. For as long as I can remember, whenever I spill salt (which is pretty much every time I bake), I toss a pinch over my left shoulder. It’s supposed to keep the devil away or something. I have NO IDEA where I got that from, but I always do it.

I won’t walk under ladders, but that seems more like common sense than superstition. What if the person on the ladder is holding a can of paint and they drop it just as I walk underneath? I’m not even sure what bad thing is supposed to happen if you walk under a ladder.

I’m not afraid of black cats, or breaking a mirror. Seven years of bad luck? Like on the day of the eighth year you’ll suddenly stop having bad luck? Sounds fishy to me.

This isn’t a superstition, but I ALWAYS put my left shoe on first. Always. If I ask someone to hand me my shoes and they give me the right shoe, I wait until they give me the left one and then put it on first. I shudder to think of what would happen if I ever broke my left foot and could only wear a shoe on my right foot. (Knock on wood). I’m pretty sure there would be a rip in the very fabric of my universe.

I always say knock on wood and try to do it when I talk about something bad happening. Cripes, I’m more superstitious than I thought!

I hope today is uneventful for everybody. Try not to spill any salt, okay?

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