"Wow Mom," Amanda said as she watched me spread out ALL the Sharpies and all the notebooks and write for hours.
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Personal
This is part of a month long series on depression...
The first week home was one of the best weeks I can remember.
Abby and Amanda and I spent the last week of summer together.
Eleanor (our van) and I drove the girls and their friends all over Omaha.
Abby's friend Chloe handed me a bouquet of flowers the first time she got into the van that week. I held onto them till the very last daisy. I loved them so much.
...
Post from one year ago today...
September 13, 2016
TWITTER, PART 8 OF 8 - KEEP TWEETING UNTIL IT MAKES SENSE
...
Next month is a happier topic. I will post all of the pictures you send.
I was so glad to be on my way home.
"I hear you're a vet!" "Yes..." I said, with that strange mix of pride and trepidation we veterinarians all know so well.
Things are going to be okay.
I knew I was going to get better.
And I slept some more.
I lay awake for an hour or so.
I do have a plan, several plans in fact, but they are all bad ones, thank God.
They kept me safe and asked me questions and let me sleep.
I laugh every time, not because it is funny, but because it is a shockingly horrible thing to say.
"this is not good"
I promised my brother I would stay.
This is my first memory of struggling against depression.
This is hanging outside of the Westwood Church preschool room. I love it so much. I have several suspects, but truly any one of the amazing preschool teachers at Westwood could have put it up.
We asked Russ exactly what he wanted for Father's Day.
"Time with my family."
Nope. I mean, yep, but wrong answer.
"Anything is fine."
Nope.
"A grill."
Nope, but closer.
"This grill."
Better.
"This grill that I just now sent a picture of to Abby and also a picture of the model number. Also it is at Menard's."
Perfect!
Abby and I drove Park (pre-smashed days) to Menard's and loaded the grill onto the cart (with help), bought it and ran it to the car. We tried for a long time, but apparently, as awesome as Park the Car is, he cannot be used to bring something home that is bigger than his available space.
We wheeled the grill back in and asked if we could leave it inside while we got the truck. I figured people must do that all time, but the nice woman who helped us was stumped for a bit.
"Yes, of course," she finally said.
So we drove Park home and got Little Red (Russ wouldn't name him! So his name is Little Red.) and brought the grill home.
It was too big to wrap, and we weren't quite sure how to put it together, so on Father's Day, Russ looked under the table and was (acted) surprised.
Then he put it together and made us steaks and potatoes.
We are so good at giving gifts!
Russ, Amanda and Abby at the 21 Pilots concert in Lincoln last summer
Finch, you are an awesome Dad, and we love you so much.
Russ and Amanda and Abby at a Banfield conference in Portland in 2009
Russ and Abby and Amanda and Ebony at ConAgra Park in 2009
We were driving home from our friends' house in Council Bluffs the other day. Traffic was slow over the bridge to Omaha because one lane was closed for construction.
Joy and Luna were in the car with Russ and me. Amanda and Abby were not with us - they were babysitting their cousins.
We were the first car of a kinda smashy pile-up. The car behind us hit us, and the car behind them hit them. No one was badly hurt, thank goodness, and the dogs thought it was a fun adventure. The Council Bluffs police officers kept going between the cars and checking to make sure everyone, including the dogs, was doing okay.
We don't know for sure if we get to keep Park, but I hope so. I was so relieved we were all okay and that the girls were not with us.
We were tempted to curl up on the couch and stay in, but we had already planned to go hear our brother in law play in a band, so we went. I was so glad we did. It was the opposite of the crash (yes, that good!) We had sangria (people) and ice (dogs), and all was well.
Always bring an umbrella.
Just no.
Russ and Olive check out the lake together
Arthur ate on the floor all week - it worked great! When you have good food, the more you can spread out, the better.
Robert packed his own bag. When we asked him what he had packed, he opened his backpack and shook it upside down - all toy cars and books. Good job Robert! His Mom packed the boring stuff for him in another bag.
Robert and his grapes
Abby and Mom
Henry wore this great outfit at least half the time! I love the tail.
Bill and Charlie driving the boat
This is my favorite picture of the trip. Cara is an excellent diver! I was too chicken to get into the freezing cold water.
The rule when wearing this hat is if someone says, "Howdy, Partner," you have to tip the hat and say "Yee-haw!" Henry followed this rule very well.
Abby on the tube
Abby and Henry on the Maui Mat - I had never seen one - the kids had fun on it.
We had campfires here in the evenings. It was awesome. One night, Bill, Dave, Sara and I were talking about dog training. Bill and I were having a...discussion. "How do you know you're right and I'm wrong?" Bill asked. "Because I'm the fucking vet," I said. "She has a point," Sara said. Love you Bill Nelson! Wish my clients would let me use this reason as graciously as you do :)
Abby and Henry
Russ, Mom and Olive, as beautiful as ever!
Abby and Henry - bumper cars!
Dad and Olive
I love this one! Grab the wheel Olive! Grandpa's driving can be scary!
Amanda and Charlie. I love these two together. They have fun but both have a calm, serious side that sometimes comes out when they are together, even when trying to smash their family in bumper cars.
Carnival games!
Olive won ALL the games.
Every time Olive had a choice of prizes, she chose a duck.
Wise choices Olive!
I love this picture of Henry! Charlie bought the hat for him with his own money <3
Amanda on the boat
Abby learning to water ski from the best teacher around
Dad and Robert coming up from the boat
Amanda, Olive and me on the boat
Grandpa telling Arthur an exciting story about the lake monster
By the end of the last day, we were all wiped out! It was the perfect family vacation.
