Finding Normal

So I came to a realization the other day. I already know what you may be thinking…..

1. Finally, Ross recognizes that it's time for a big boy haircut and he needs to drop his decade old "5 and a 2"…..Nope.

2. Yes! Ross is finally starting to see that Soccer is interesting……Wrong again.

3. Ok, Ross is finally realizing that we're not fooled by his shirts with tight sleeves. Clearly he doesn't workout……Never!

Those are all things I should probably submit to. But that's not the point of this post. A few weeks back I came to a more important realization. 

FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE FEBRUARY…….LIFE IS SOMEWHAT GETTING BACK TO NORMAL.

Now, let me elaborate a little bit. Abs is truly in the heat of the "fight" right now (more on this later). But, in between the fight, we've had a lot of stuff going on that convinced me we're re-finding normal.

FRIENDS: A few weeks back we had a double date with some longtime friends. Honestly, we probably haven't gone out just the four of us on a Friday night in two years. We've always had a bond with these friends because in our group we were the first to take the plunge into marriage and kids. Plus, our wives are truly thick as thieves. It was an awesome night and an epic meal. We didn't talk cancer. We talked about what a pain in the &*$ our kids can be. It felt normal.

We've had a several of these "awesome" times with friends in the last few weeks. A pool day in our friends backyard. A beer and youtube night at a friends house. Visits from "out of towners" and "trash talking" text threads for our upcoming friends Half Marathon weekend in November. 

Just last night we went and enjoyed a THREE HOUR dinner with friends at an epic steakhouse here in town. We talked about Abby's treatment for 10 minutes. We spent the remaining two hours and 50 minutes on food and wine (plus one interesting Public vs. Private school debate). Normal.

(Before I go on to the next topic, I've come to another realization as I'm writing this post. I'm really using the word "epic" too much. Somebody plan an intervention.)

PARENTHOOD: Abby is no longer restricted with Judd. She wasn't supposed to lift him for 6 weeks after her surgery. Those days are long gone and as you can see, she's making up for the lost time. I'm also trying to make the most of the long days by taking Judd to the golf course at night when I get home from work. If the weather is good, I text Abby (NO Oprah, not while driving) and ask her to get Judd ready. I change my clothes real quick and off we go. We're back to trying to make our home life all about him….Normal.

MARRIAGE: Ok, I'll admit it. I treated Abs with "kid gloves" the last few months. Considering all that she was going through, I could give her a break. That all ended this week when I went to throw something in the recycle bin and I FOUND THIS! Oh Hell No! The husband and wife battles have returned. Normal. 

MINDI: We have an extended member of our family whom lives up in NYC. We had not seen her since last November until she came to visit a few weeks ago. It was just like old times for her and Abby as they hung out for a few days. Judd wore us out with repeating "Mini" while she was here. AND, he really missed her in the guest room when she was gone. COME BACK SOON.

Apparently this is fun?

GOLF: I am a self-admitted golf nut. It is truly the only hobby I've ever loved. Guess what…..try asking your wife to play golf on the weekends when she's battling breast cancer. Go ahead. I dare you. I'll apologize in advance for the black eye. Well, thankfully Abs has granted permission for me to play golf a few times over the last month. I've loved every minute, even if I'm currently sporting my B game. Just yesterday I enjoyed a day on the links with some of my golf buddies…. Normal. 

Much to my chagrin - The Winners

Partly because my partner kept missing the ball

BINGE TV: Our habit of binge watching TV is back in full effect. Season 2 of Orange is the New Black - Finished in 3 days. House of Cards - Done. Breaking Bad - currently in Season 1. Our nightly routine is putting Butthead Judd to sleep, quickly watching the news, then crashing on the couch for 2 or 3 episodes of our current show. There's no place I'd rather be. Normal. 

That's really the best snapshot I can give you into what's new. We're truly finding normal again and it's awesome. 

As for an update on Abby…….there's a saying sports writers use this time of year after the NBA Finals: THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER. This year is a little different because of the World Cup. BUT, usually the summer is a pretty dead time for sports. No football yet. Basketball is done. Baseball is yet to get interesting. Overall, there's just not much to write about that's fresh. 

The same is kind of true right now for Abby's progress. She's in THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER. I am so amazed at how well she is doing. As an up close observer, she is dominating the Physical. BUT, I can attest that she needs your prayers with the Mental. In fact, we've even stopped using a couple of words….

1. Starts with C, rhymes with Bemo - YES THAT'S A WORD!

2. Starts with T, rhymes with Freatment - YES THAT'S A WORD!

The process Abby is going through right now is hard. Very hard. And, it is bringing a lot of "dread" to Abby as each of these appointments approaches. Keep her in your thoughts the next few months. It takes a lot of encouragement to go to these "BEMO" appointments and put yourself through hell for a week. 

Keep up the fight Abby - THE DOG DAYS will soon be over. 

One last quick story I wanted to share. It really doesn't have much to do with this post, but I wanted to remember this story when this blog is done and we look back years from now. 

We attend a non-denominational church here in town that plays Contemporary Music. Basically, the first half of each service is a Rock Concert. It's not for everybody, but we love it. 

This morning as the first song was being played, I could see a little extra "bounce" in Abs as she sang. The so-called "bounce" continued through the entire song. At the end, she turned to me and said "I love when I know the song they play". 

As do I enjoy watching when you know the song, Babe. 

Keep up the fight. We'll find normal.

-Rossco 

P.S. Special shout-out to our friend, Robby Strausser, whose surprise birthday party we were able to attend a couple weeks ago. One has greatly inspired the other. Both inspire me.