HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Curtis in Hospital

So, yesterday I was just working away at work when I get the following text from Curtis

"Hi. Fyi. Long story but I have a colapsed lung. going in for surgery tonite and will be in the hospital for the week. Royal alex. So you know"

followed by my response

"What?!?! Just tried to call you. No answer. Can u call me?"

followed by his response

"can't talk in the emerg room. Waiting on a room. Surgery tonite. No issues"

No issues, are you kidding?!?!? As you might well expect I thought there were major issues. What happened was Curtis had a cyst on his lung. The Dr. told him that he has most likely had it from birth. It ruptured during the wee hours of the morning on April 18. He spent the night in pain and short of breath until he headed to emerg in Devon around 5:30 am. They proceeded to rush him to the Royal Alex Hospital in Edmonton where all of this was diagnosed. The little bugger of a cyst had put a tiny hole in his lung when it ruptured and this little hole was leaking air/fluid and all sorts of other bad shit into his chest cavity, which in turn, collapsed his lung and caused the shortness of breath and pain. Apparently this is a fairly common problem for tall skinny men that smoke, not withstanding the cyst.

He had surgery last night and the kids and I were there shortly after he woke up, along with his girlfriend Shawna, who was with him most of the day. He was in considerable pain and we didn't stay long, but just wanted him to know that we were there for him and so that the kids could see that he was OK. I have called and checked on him this morning and the unit station said that he slept well and was looking good this morning.

So, I don't know how much experience you all have with this situation, but let me tell you, it is a little weird going to visit your ex in the hospital with your kids while his girlfriend, that you have only met once, is there as well. I didn't really know what to do. I didn't want to offend anyone, but once I was there, instincts just sort of took over and my hoodie came off and I was right in the mix making sure that he had everything he needed, was he in pain? How bad was the pain? Was someone bringing something for it? Had he had morphine before? How was the surgery? Did he remember anything? The weirdest part was I would talk to Shawna about him like her wasn't there and I talked to Curtis about Shawna like she wasn't there. It wasn't something anyone did on purpose, it just sort of happened.

Now, with all that being said I don't want to give anyone the impression that I have any feelings towards Curtis at all except friendship and more often complete frustration. Seriously, I quite frequently want to kick him. It was just weird. We spent the first 18 years of our adulthood together as a couple. Even though he would tell you I don't know him, I know him pretty well and he and Shawna have only been together for about six months. I didn't know what to do and finally just did what I thought was right and be damned with all the rest. I called his Mom so that she knew I knew and checked in with her to make sure she was OK because I knew she would be freaking out. I knew that Shawna had already spoken to her, but I needed to check in too.

Claire and I are going to go back tonight after we drop Daniel off at karate. I assume Shawna will be there when we arrive or shortly after and I am just going to pretend that Curtis and I have no history other than friendship and try to get to know her better, as a person. You know, where she grew up, how many siblings she has, how are her kids, etc. This is my plan. I hope that I can stick to it, but you know me, shoot first and analyze the situation and ask questions later.

Shawna and I have to get along for the sake of Claire and Daniel and I think for our own sanities as well. Curtis is moving in with her and her kids starting June 1, but I will save that blog discussion for another day. Let's just say it is a good thing that I am still " a fully medicated, functioning adult".

An Amazing Night out in Onoway

Saturday night was amazing. I keep saying that to everyone I talked to on Sunday and today. On Saturday the Onoway High School Honor's Band held their coffeehouse showcase. This is a fundraising evening for the band in order to continue to go on band trips such as the trip to Richmond, BC that they are taking in May to compete in MusicFest Canada. There is a HUGE silent auction (over 100 items) that everyone frantically bids on and mingles amongst. A BIG thank you to Nana, Papa and Carlam for their donation to the auction. The Honor's band preforms and all the small ensembles (made up of Honor's Band members) preform as well. There is coffee, tea and juice served along with many yummy dainties and cream puffs. Yes, I said it. all the cream puffs you can eat and not just the plain ones, chocolate covered as well!!!!!

The evening is topped off with a performance by the Joe Saumer Big Band. This band is directed by Tom Saumer, the director of the high school band and basically all round music legend in this area (including Edmonton). This man is the reason why my son is so happy and settled at high school. You could not ask for a better role model for your child and I hope that you are all blessed with a person like him in your child's life. Without this band and Daniel's keen interest, he would just be wandering around, a ghost, at that school. I digress, back to the band!!! The big band was AWESOME!!!! They play swing music from the 40's and for some of it they have a vocalist. LOTS of people were up dancing including me and my friend,Dena. It is worth the price of admission to watch my dear friend dance. She dances like no one is watching and THAT is amazing in itself. Claire and her friends, Emma and Sheraya, had Daniel up dancing and this resulted in Daniel being asked to dance by one of the girls in the band. I was very proud of him for being gracious and not saying no. He does, however, have to have some dance lessons. The last song the Big Band always plays is In the Mood. It is a tribute to the founding member of the band, Joe Saumer, who is our Mr. Saumer's father.

The Things I learned from Saturday night:

1. How truly blessed we are to live in this amazing small town;

2. Mr. and Mrs. Noble can dance like nobody's business and it is a joy to watch them every time I get the chance;

3. That high school boys today look just as awkward and self conscious dancing as they did back in my day and I hope that never changes; and

4. That my kids, my friends and my life right now is amazing and even though it seems to all be slipping away oh so quickly, it is wonderful to take it all in when I get the chance.

My idea of Heaven

A cowboy doing dishes. Nuff said.

Kitty in the Sun

Oilers vs. Canucks

Claire and I got to go to our 1st NHL game last night. We watched the Edmonton Oilers beat the Vancouver Canucks 2-0. It was AWESOME!!!!! I was confused at the beginning because I am used to the commentator on the radio or TV let you know when everything is about to happen and there was no announcement that the puck was about to drop to start the game. That was I think, when I realized that I was actually witnessing an NHL game in person!!!! We had amazing seats right behind the visitor's goal and if I would have pressed my nose through a hole in the Plexiglas, I am sure I could have smelled Roberto Luongo and the Sedin Sisters. There was one ejection for a nasty hit and a sort of fight, but otherwise a pretty clean game. I think based on personal knowledge now, that I have decided that Ryan Jones, who plays for Edmonton, will be my official NHL boyfriend. I am currently looking for a new NFL boyfriend since Brett Favre decided to flash his goodies and retire. Any suggestions?

Anyway, Claire and I had a great time and I think that we will make an effort to go again next year, for sure. I will have to go with Daniel this time, but that would be OK too. The only thing that would have made last night just that much better is if Don Cherry and Ron MacLean had picked us up and taken us to the game.

The National Anthem (that is Roberto Luongo in goal for Vancouver)

Me and the players

Claire and the players

At the end of the game, all the Oilers converge on centre ice and salute the fans. I have no idea if this happens at the end of every NHL game, but I have always thought it was pretty cool.

Office Dog

Monday was made much more fun at the office because Ed and Michelle brought their dog, Sam, to hang out for the day. She is super cute and I enjoyed sharing my lunch with her. I think she enjoyed it too.