Lisa Zahn

Dreaming of summer... Just a quick few notes. Today's a work day so I only have a few minutes... An update on my Dr. visit last week: My bone density is unchanged from last year and is good. Yay! My calcium level has gone DOWN, also good news though until it's normal I'm still in trouble. The normal range for blood calcium is 9-10.5 and these numbers are very strict--shouldn't go at all below or above them. My latest reading is 11.1 milliliters/deciliters (ml/dl, I think that's the right unit of measurement). That's down from 11.7 last April, and I believe when I first found out about this condition three years ago I was in the 12-point-something range. So, steady progress down is good but my Dr. is still unconvinced, I believe, that I'm going to hit normal without the surgery. We'll see. Maybe I'll be the first one she's seen to do that, and I can be a "poster child" for alternative therapies or something! I'd love that. My Vit. D...

You'll have to scroll down to the post after the next one to read today's post. Since I started writing it on Monday, it's published onto the site below Tuesday's post. Not sure how to change that! Have a nice day! Lisa

Rose is enjoying her third bowl of my homemade granola this morning, and I am thinking about starting a separate food blog because I know my family members, for one, who are not much into cooking are probably wondering why they bother to check my blog every day. They thought they'd be getting pictures of the kids instead of recipes and pictures of food. Ha! Besides, if I just post kid pics this is all you'd get today... They have the day off school while teachers have meetings. As for the food thing, it's likely no one even knew I like to cook. And I don't, really. I don't like to cook that big family meal we call dinner every night. I'm uncomfortable around main dishes and vegetable sides and other such things. I can do a salmon patty and mashed potatoes, can even warm up frozen corn or green beans. I can follow a recipe and make a really good homemade soup like minestrone, too. But roast a chicken with lemon and rosemary? Or grill a steak to juicy doneness? Un...

Eli on the 4th of July in Mandan, ND--2003, I think. Does Eli need explaining? I struggle with that one all the time. At times I feel like pulling my hair out when he behaves inappropriately in a social situation (particularly at Grandma and Grandpa's house!). I wish I could give every adult and even some kids a lengthy, sympathetic look into Eli and why he acts the way he does sometimes. Although, do I even know why? Not exactly, though I have some clues. Mostly, I guess as his mother I just want people to know that he's a really lovable, funny, bright kid who just takes some getting to know to see that. But I don't often get that chance, nor would I usually take it even if given it. First year of downhill ski club at Powder Ridge--2006 Yesterday, at Rose's piano recital, he stayed in the living room reading his Harry Potter book 7, fine with us. During the refreshment phase of the event, he sat reading near me while I talked with the other parents. One mom, a teache...

Rose had her second piano recital today, at her teacher Kathie's home. She did very well, playing "Dance" by Bela Bartok. It's a relatively difficult piece for her, since she only started last August. It uses two hands and everything! But she plays very well and it's a pretty piece. Next Saturday she plays it for a contest at St. Benedict's College. It will be her first contest, though she and George played a duet for an ensemble festival in November. She was nervous at the festival and I'm sure will be nervous at contest. We have no idea what to expect but know she will do well. Just the fact she agreed to take part in a contest makes us so proud! She's a go-getter, as you all know. Above photos show her playing today on her teacher's grand piano. Doesn't she look like a natural? Lisa