A request for Robin Hood

The 6-year-old decided to be Robin Hood for Halloween. 

It was actually a fantastic ruse to carry the new bow and arrow to church and show it off to a few friends. 

We scavenged and came up with a tunic (Daddy’s oversized green tee) and brown tights (the bottoms to an Anakin Skywalker costume).  But…we needed a hat.  So, off to Google I went. 

I found CraftyStaci.  I love it.  This fabulous tutorial, some green cord scraps, a feather, and about 37 seconds were about all I needed to finish our Robin Hood hat.  Awesome. 

By the way, apparently when you are 10, dressing up becomes “optional”.  The Big Girl told a few friends that “Momma hasn’t made a costume” and that she would be a “kid in a tee shirt”.  Her friends thought it was funny, so that’s what she dressed as.  Poor, neglected “Kid in a Tee Shirt”. 

 

6 Things I wish I’d known (or I’m glad I knew) before my mammogram

****Hey Ya’ll.  Just a little disclaimer:  I’m not a medical professional or such.  I’m basically just sharing my experience so that it may comfort you or a friend before their mammogram.


I had a mammogram today.  Nothing crazy is going on, but my obgyn said I needed a baseline screening at my recent check-up.  Here’s what I wish I’d known, or that I’m glad someone told me, before today:

1.  Some recommendations suggest that women have baseline mammograms at age 35.  I always thought it was 40, so my doctor really surprised me when he suggested I get a mammogram.  (I’m only 35 29.)

2.  The machine is this tall thing with a platform.  You stand up, they line you up and smoosh.  Why is it important to know you’re standing up?  Well, I wear dresses and skirts pretty much all the time.  Thankfully, I was in a blouse and skirt today and I only had to remove my top layer.  So…no dresses.

3.  No deodorant, powders, etc.  Thankfully, a friend mentioned this to me last night at church.  Apparently these can cause false reads.

4.  It really doesn’t hurt.  Really.  I promise.  It is uncomfortable, but for like 3 seconds.  Honestly, it was easier than an x-ray at the dentist with those crazy films they put in your mouth that almost gag you.  For the record, I did take a preemptive Advil dose.

5.  Your mammogram tech is not a radiologist, so she can’t give you any diagnostic info.  That said, Lisa (my friendly mammogram tech this morning) was full of information that I did need.  She told me when and how I would hear from the doctor’s office.  She also told me:

6.  “Don’t panic if you get called to come in for more views.”  Apparently, “re-dos” are quite common, mainly to establish that the baseline is all clear.  Good to know.

So, that’s it.  That’s what I’m glad I knew (or wish I’d known) before this morning.  Is there something you could add to the list?

My little pumpkins

Look what we found in our fall garden!  Whoo Hoo!  The kids are so excited about these little baby pumpkins.  I hope they turn orange before Halloween!

 

Our other vegetables are growing too!  We harvested a handful of bell pepper that were promptly chopped and frozen, just waiting to be mixed with a little garlic and onion and (store bought) celery.