The Book Thief

I have had this post sitting in my box for over a week. I guess you could say it has been marinating there. Or waiting for me. Or I don't really know what.
I finished this book almost two weeks ago and still haven't stopped thinking about it. I can't remember the last time I had a book have a similar effect on me.
Its haunting. Its heart warming. Its funny. Its smart. Its one of those books that makes you want to keep reading so you can see what is going to happen, but as soon as you hit the end you can't believe its over. I was sitting at Maggio's cafe drinking a coffee with tears streaming down my face trying not to look like a total dork while I was finishing the book.
I would recommend this book to ANYONE. I am thinking of buying this so I can read it again and again. I think it will most likely become a classic at some point. If I can get Emmalee into reading at some point and Andrew past the point where he doesn't balk at seeing too many words on a page, I would definitely have them read this at some point.

Oh I miss my kitties

Disco Party

The kids got to blow off some steam this afternoon with a fairy-tale or hero themed disco at school. At the end of lunch, all the K-2 kids got to go up to the hall and disco down until the end of school. It was a total sauna in there. UGH!



I took Becki up a few minutes early to experience the 'controlled chaos' that is their dances. Was quite cute. Both kids looked very pleased to see her there.

Now she has gotten to see them in their uniforms and in regular 'mufti' or dress up clothes -- buzzing with energy. After school let out, Emmalee got the chance to show Becki around her classroom and the science rooms (which I could see how proud Emmalee was to do!)

Oh Mom... by the way...

As we are pulling into the parking lot THIS MORNING, Emmalee chooses to inform me that it is Mr. Court's birthday. That means, her teacher's birthday.
As the class mom, I felt that I was slacking on my duties by not knowing that (which I had incidentally inquired of last year's class parent and got no answer). So, I went home after coffee and made a batch of mini brownies with m&m's to take into school for Mr. Court.
Made it up to the school in time to hit the class just before lunch and got the kids collected and got them to sing Happy Birthday before they got to partake in a mini brownie and then run off to lunch. Hopefully made Mr. Court's day!

me me me me me me

Today I decided to make the kids it a me afternoon. After spending almost 1/2 the day at the school with scripture and Emmalee's class yesterday I felt like I needed some time for myself.
So, I made an appointment for a pedicure and a manicure at a salon in Cammeray this afternoon. I took a brief nap, got up in time for a quick bite to eat at Maggio's.
When I got to Maggio's, I smelled this amazing smell. It was their pasta of the day -- prawns, chilli, bacon and tomatoes. So, it tempted me and I succumbed. It was worth it.
Then I wandered over to body essentuals for my appointment. I was surprised to find to ladies ready to work on me. One to work on my feet and one to work on my hands. I am not used to that -- never had it done that way before. Quite a pampering. Quite a pampering.
It had been over a year since I had my last pedicure (last time was 100 days before Christmas 2007) so I think I was well due!

Ahhhh.... the wonders of the internet

What did I ever do without it?
I am sitting here on my bed. Plugged into my laptop computer having just transferred my pre-paid mobile phone service from Telstra to Virgin Mobile because I think I understand they have cheaper rates (we'll see). I have my i-pod plugged into a speaker recharging deck listening to quiet relaxing music on the nightstand next to me.
I am blogging about the internet and how it has saved me countless hours of shopping and standing in lines and possibly hundreds of dollars in postage. How could I possibly mean that??? Well, my pretties... I just finished a 1/3 of my Christmas shopping in two fell swoops on Amazon.com. Gotta love that super saver shipping. By shopping early I can afford to use the slow shipping and get it for free. Got one-two-three-four-five of our USA relatives basically finished up. Got a few things shipped off to Hawaii for mom and dad to pick up and bring on their last leg over when they can add an additional 20lbs to their bags each. You know, up to what they can fit next to the Crisco they have to bring back for me!
So, now I have only a few more US relatives to finish up. You know who you are -- you don't have Amazon.com Wish Lists. They are easy to create. They give us overseas people ideas of what everyone likes and make it much easier for us to shop for you. Hint Hint!!!

Taking Time to Snuggle Up

From Snuggles

Ever since Gramma Millie has gotten here, Emmalee hasn't been able to get enough of her. After pizza tonight we rushed the kids into their jammies. Then all seven us of piled onto the couch to watch a bit of Australia's funniest home videos. Still no where as funny as the American version, but laughable nonetheless.

From Snuggles

Emmalee has been glued to her great-gramma's side. From reading in bed, to working on crosswords to trying to figure out soduko. They are together an awful lot. And Emmalee is just eating it up. With a really large spoon. I have to say Gramma is enjoying it on her part too.

In her element

I took Becki, Jim and Gramma to the fish market for a viewing of the 2^nd largest live auction of fresh seafood in the world. They didn't get to actually see the auction, but they saw quite a bit of fresh sea food. I can say honestly that Becki enjoyed it – Gramma seemed to blanch at the sight of the gutted and beheaded octopus. Jim was not that impressed (other than saying it was more seafood that he has ever seen in his life!)

After a take-away lunch from Doyles, we headed over to Paddy's Markets. Jim needed to pick up some t-shirts and trinkets for his grandkids. I thought that was the best place around to get cheap stuff.

Jim found exactly what he was looking for. Got all the gifts he needed. Gramma even bought a few little souvineers. (I'd elaborate, but I don't know for sure how many people on his side of the family might read it).

From Paddy's Market

But before we walked thru the shopping markets, we stopped at the produce section run by the asian merchants in the areas. Gramma went back and forth from one table to another looking at the fruits and the veggies. "Look at the size of that celery!" What in the world is that fruit? Is that a fruit or a veggie?? Whoa! I think she could have spent hours there if we didn't have a time frame. Very funny, but I would say she is enjoying herself.

From Paddy's Market

It's Gotta Be Mo-vember

Movember (the month formerly known as November) is an annual charity event held during November. At the start of Movember guys register with a clean shaven face. The Movember participants, known as Mo Bros, have the remainder of the month to grow and groom their Mo, raising money along the way to benefit men's health - specifically prostate cancer and male depression.

From Starting Mo-Vember

So, Jim is doing his part to help raise money and awareness. He has offered up $25 for each of his team members who maintains a furry rodent on his upper lip/chin for the month of November.

Unfortunately for my poor, sweet Jim, he is plagued with the blonde haired man's dilemna. When he lets his 'beard' grow, its just looks like not much of anything. Except a bit of reddish fluff. And this photo is 10 days in. It has fully grown in, but needs a bit of shoe polish or mascara to fully deepen the color for him. I can honestly say its not for lack of trying though!!! Its just good that he can take the ribbing from all our friends with such good nature!

Mixing it up on the homefront

We are getting ready for our guests. Three days and counting...
Which means I am finally getting off my butt SLOWLY (thanks to the headache and lack of motivation) and clearing the dust bunnies/wombats off the floor and moving beds around the house.
Funny thing is I have emptied out the art room to make room for Gramma Millie who will be sleeping on Emmalee's bed. And today I moved Emmalee's bed into the art room. And got E to mark Dec 12th on the calendar for when G&G are visiting -- the 1st set of visitors she KNOWS about. And she doesn't suspect a thing. Go figure. She is all excited about getting to bunk up with Andrew. Now the trick is to get her room in shape for Becki and Jim. Make sure there is room for their bed to be put up sometime before Monday. No problem -- we hope. Just have to convince her to part with or pack up most of her junk/treasures. She is even more of a packrat than I am. Karmic payback is quite a pain.
STOP LAUGHING MOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Brothers are always lookin out for ya!

Thanks Sam...

Migraines cut breast cancer risk 30 percent

Estrogen hormones may play role in protective effect, researchers say...

read more

So there is at least a silver lining in there somewhere, maybe!?!?!?!?!

Day Two of Migraine

An Exploration Of 'The Migraine Brain'

Neurologist Carolyn Bernstein, co-author (with journalist Elaine McArdle) of The Migraine Brain, estimates that 30 million Americans suffer from migraines — and that most sufferers don't realize they have the condition. Bernstein discusses the causes of migraine headaches and offers suggestions for prevention and treatment.

Bernstein is a professor at the Harvard Medical School and is founder and director of the Women's Headache center at the Cambridge Health Alliance.

Excerpt: 'The Migraine Brain'

 

The Migraine Brain: Your Breakthrough Guide to Fewer Headaches, Better Health
By Dr. Carolyn Bernstein
Hardcover, 368 pages 
Free Press
List Price: $25.00

 

"I'd Rather Die Than Get Another Migraine!"

Melissa is a waitress in her mid-thirties who has suffered from excruciating migraines since she was a little girl. A few months before she became my patient, she gave birth to her first child. I asked how her labor had gone.

"I hate to say this," she confided, "but it was a piece of cake compared to what I'm used to." When she went into labor, Melissa told me, the obstetrician instructed her to let him know when the pain got really intense so he could give her an epidural. Before she knew it, her daughter was born — without any anesthetic.

"When people say childbirth is one of worst pains there is, I'm sorry, it's not!" Melissa said, shaking her head. "For someone used to having migraine pain, childbirth doesn't even come close."

Terry is a businessman in his mid-sixties who has suffered from migraines for thirty years. Several times a month, he gets a horrible pounding in his head, vomits repeatedly, and can barely move. Last year, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and began extensive chemotherapy. "You know something?" he said to me. "I've never missed a day of work from the chemo. But migraines? I get so sick I can't walk. I can't tell you how much work I've missed from migraines."

Gwen is a high school teacher in her forties who has suffered from devastating migraines since she was a teenager. During an attack, she experiences intense throbbing and pounding down the side of her face, so painful she can do nothing but lie completely still in a dark room. Gwen also has heart problems, which means she is not supposed to take the effective new migraine drugs called triptans.

Not long ago, in a migraine support group I hosted in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Gwen stood up and made a dramatic announcement: She was going to risk taking triptans. "I know they're bad for my heart, but I can't stand this anymore," she said. "I'd rather die than get another migraine!"

The good news is, she doesn't have to make that choice.

If you've ever felt like these patients did, you're far from alone. Thirty million people in the United States get migraines. If you don't get them, you certainly know someone who does: One in ten people in this country is a migraineur (a person who gets migraines), and one in four American households include a migraineur.

Migraine is the ninth-leading cause of disability among women, and the nineteenth most-common disability in the world, more common than diabetes or asthma. It's also one of the most painful and debilitating. The throbbing head pain and nausea can knock you out of commission, sometimes for days. More than 76 percent of migraineurs have had to postpone planned activities with children and other loved ones because of migraine sickness, and 50 percent say they can't do anything at all but lie in their beds during an attack. Migraine runs up more than $1 billion a year in health costs and at least $13 billion in losses to industry due to absenteeism and reduced effectiveness at work.

Despite the fact that it's so common and has so much impact on our society, migraine is one of the most misunderstood, misdiagnosed, and undertreated diseases on earth.

Most people with migraine illness don't realize they have it. Only half of people with migraine have sought a doctor's help, and half of these get the wrong diagnosis once they see a doctor. Many new, exciting treatments can bring tremendous relief. But because so many myths about migraine persist — even among doctors — more than 22 million Americans are suffering needlessly.

The Migraine Brain will change that.

I got my first migraine when I was a medical student in my early 20s. At first, I thought I was just having bad headaches, but it didn't occur to me to mention these headaches to my own doctor. Headaches, even painful ones, didn't seem like an important medical concern. And the pain would always resolve, although sometimes I had to sleep it off. I was lucky because mine were not very frequent. But as I began to study neurology, my specialty field, I realized that I was actually having migraines. Sadly, there was very little useful information about migraines. Most of what I found — even in medical texts — was condescending or dismissive. Some writers suggested that the migraine was my own fault; many scoffed at the severity of the pain that migraineurs feel. I was shocked at the absence of solid medical data and horrified by the lack of sympathy.

I learned what many migraineurs already knew: People who don't get migraines — including many doctors — have a hard time believing how debilitating they are. Since migraine isn't fatal, and we don't seem to suffer any lingering health problems after a migraine attack ends, how can we be as sick as we claim? How can the pain really be that bad, they ask. They don't understand why we live in fear of the next attack and may think we're hypochondriacs, or drug seekers making up our symptoms in order to get painkillers. Some of this dismissive attitude may be based on certain prejudices or preconceptions, since migraine affects more women than men. Even today, attention and research dollars for many health issues that predominantly affect women have lagged behind those for men's illnesses. But men with migraines run into prejudice, too.

Countless patients tell me that their friends/family or employers — and, sadly, even doctors — have ordered them to "just deal with it!" Afraid of being tagged as whiners or malingerers, many migraineurs try to ignore their illness and steel themselves to soldier on through the pain, continuing on at work and other activities no matter how awful they feel. Once the attack ends, many suffer from a kind of "migraine anticipatory anxiety," where they worry when the next attack will suddenly appear to derail their plans for a productive, happy day.

At the time of my first migraine, I'd already decided to specialize in neurology. But it was my own experience with migraine, and the realization that we in the medical world still had so much to learn, that led me to investigate this fascinating disorder.

Over the past seventeen years as a Harvard Medical School faculty member and practicing neurologist, I've treated thousands of women and men who suffer from migraines. I've listened to myriad individual stories about migraine and how it affects my patients' lives. I've seen enormous variety in their symptoms, the factors that trigger their attacks, and the treatments that help them feel better. And it's been deeply gratifying to see how many of my patients are able to make huge improvements in their health and really turn around their lives.

In March 2006, I founded and became director of the Women's Headache Center at the Cambridge Health Alliance in Cambridge, Massachusetts, a teaching hospital for Harvard Medical School. The center is one of the first clinics of its kind in the world, designed by female patients who suffer from migraines and other headaches to meet their special needs and requests. We offer medical treatment through two staff neurologists and a psychiatrist, as well as a full complement of other services including migraine support groups, a biofeedback specialist, a nutritionist, and a broad menu of assistance designed to help our patients reach optimal health.

Within just a few days of opening, the Headache Center was swamped with new patients, and emails and phone calls came from migraineurs all over the country. One woman flew from Philadelphia to meet with me, another called from Florida. I've had phone calls from overseas as well. Clearly, millions of people desperately want relief from migraine but can't find the help they need.

For centuries, migraine has been a poorly understood disease, of interest only to a narrow segment of the medical community. But in the past ten years, a revolution has taken place. Migraine is now one of the hottest medical issues, and it is of growing interest to researchers, doctors, and laypeople. Today, numerous studies in hospital and research facilities around the world are investigating a wide range of topics related to migraine. Neurology and other medical journals are publishing news about migraine in every issue, almost every week. After decades of no progress, the explosion of information about migraine is unprecedented, exciting, and hopeful, with new treatments on the horizon for migraineurs.

In this book, I and my co-author, Elaine McArdle — also a longtime migraineur — have gathered the information and tools you need from the most up-to-date, credible sources. We include all the latest and best data about migraine — cutting-edge information you won't find in any other book. We draw on groundbreaking research that demonstrates, for the first time in history, that the Migraine Brain really is different — and we explain what that means for you. We discuss the biochemical basis for migraine, the influence of hormones, and the newest drugs and other treatments, and why they work. We address every aspect of migraine about which you need to know in order to lead a healthier, happier life.

In the last fifteen years, new medications developed just for migraine have revolutionized treatment, bringing unprecedented relief to most people who try them. Yet only a small percentage of migraineurs are using these medications. While some people may not want to use drugs — a personal choice we understand and support — this statistic suggests a more challenging problem: most migraineurs simply aren't getting the most up-to-date information about their disease. Most migraineurs have never been offered the option of trying these drugs, which have the potential to change their lives. Meanwhile, a whole host of complementary and alternative medical treatments — including biofeedback, ice massage, yoga, and acupuncture — have been shown to help, but most migraineurs know nothing about these options, either.

For years, my patients have been asking me to write a book that shares the latest research about migraine and explains the newest and best treatments — and that also lets patients share their stories of migraine success.

That's what's here in The Migraine Brain.

I love my work as a physician. I'm in a unique position to help patients understand their bodies and lead healthier, happier lives. There is a wonderful, positive energy between me and each person I take care of, a powerful relationship built on mutual respect and trust. My most important role is as a careful listener and clear thinker. When patients tell me their stories, I pay close attention to each detail so I can understand them in the full context of their lives. Then I think creatively, scientifically, and sympathetically to help them create a treatment plan that will work for them. My patients and I truly are partners in their health care.

In the same way, The Migraine Brain is creating a partnership with you. You and I are going to face every aspect of your migraine disability. We'll address each facet of your life — your family, job, healthy history, personal goals — to devise an individualized treatment approach that works for your body, your personality, and your lifestyle. No two people are alike when it comes to migraine, and what works for your friend or neighbor probably won't work for you. It may take trial and error to find the right mix of treatments for you, but I am certain that, with some time and thought, you can feel much, much better.

Beware of anyone who promises you a "migraine cure." Migraine isn't curable — not yet. I can't promise you that you'll never have another migraine. But migraine is a treatable disease. Most of my patients see a significant, measurable increase in their well-being when they follow their treatment plan. Through a healthy lifestyle — regular exercise, not smoking, regular and healthy meals, enough sleep — you, too, can reduce the number of attacks you get. And, on those occasions when you do get a migraine, despite your best efforts to avoid it, there are still plenty of things you can do to minimize the pain and disability — even stop the attack in its tracks. With the right approach, you can lead a much happier, healthier life with fewer migraines and much less pain.

I want you to realize that you are not alone. Until very recently, we migraineurs tended to suffer in silence because we often felt we weren't taken seriously — except by each other. In the company of other migraineurs, we got the understanding we needed. We empathized with each other, and shared migraine stories and advice on how to fend off an attack. The Migraine Brain's stories from your fellow migraineurs show just how widespread this illness is, yet how differently it presents itself in each person. These stories — some funny, some heartbreaking — also highlight our many examples of success, to show you that you, too, can see significant improvement.

For the first time in history, our disability is emerging from the shadows and starting to get the attention it deserves. Many athletes, artists, and celebrities get migraines including NFL giants Terrell Davis and Troy Aikman, tennis great Serena Williams, basketball superstar Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and baseball stars Jon Papelbon and Johnny Damon; actors Ben Affleck and Whoopi Goldberg; musicians Loretta Lynn, Carly Simon, and Jeff Tweedy. As they step forward to discuss migraine in their lives, they raise public awareness and dispel myths and misunderstandings. We hope you will share this book with your family and others in your life. We want your loved ones, co-workers, and the general public to understand what migraine is — and what it isn't.

I've continued to get an occasional migraine over the past twenty years. Sometimes I've ended up lying on the floor of my office, so sick I'm unable to move. But today, with the option of many new treatments and a commitment to a healthy lifestyle, I've reduced the number of headaches I get. I know what I can do to make them less likely to happen, and how to treat them when they come — so I can enjoy my life. That's my hope for you, too. While migraines aren't something you can completely avoid, you're not going to let them run your life, either.

We're in this together. And together, we can all lead happier, healthier lives.

Copyright © 2008 by Carolyn Bernstein, M.D. and Elaine McArdle. Reprinted by permission, all rights reserved.

Houston we have a problem...

After we explained to Andrew tonight that Barack Obama will be our next president, he asked us quite seriously if he was going to live in the Parliment House.
Uh Oh!

Girl Guides

Four Tuesdays ago, Emmalee decided to try out Girl Guides. That is Australia's version of Girl Scouts or Brownies. She has a friend named Minty (Short for Araminty) who had been going, so she knew someone and the school counselor suggested it might be a good activity for her to get involved in.
From the first meeting, she was hooked. I could barely get her into bed after she came home from the meeting. (It runs from 6.30 - 8pm -- a little late for a school night for my taste, but I am willing to bend a little since she is growing up -- UGH!) And her feeling about it haven't changed a bit!
In fact, now that I have paid her dues and ordered her uniform - she is getting ready for the sleep-over/camp-out where she will make her 'promise'. Quite a big deal for a little girl!

Lost in Translation...

Overheard in the backseat tonight...

"Andrew has to wear earplugs when he swims or he will go death"

When?

When does sand go from being such a fun thing to play with to a total nuisance that rubs you the wrong way?

Finally Hitting Some of the Top Ten

After our Sculpture by the Sea walk this afternoon, the kids of course were famished. Ready to eat the seagulls flying past us if they could have caught them, I bet. So I suggested a trip to Watson's Bay and some fish and chips at Doyle's which is annually listed on the top 10 list of must do things in Sydney... EVERY YEAR. And being here almost two years, we have never done it yet.

So, we ventured over there and found Watson's Bay at then end of a point on the wharf. Not hard to do. Very cute area. Found a parking spot. Found the original Doyle restaurant. Found the wharf that did take-away and found a table right away. Got Jim a Doyle's beer and lots of water. a Five piece fish, chips and salt and pepper calamari. We packed all the fish and calamari away and left some of the chips. But did a number on it all. Think Andrew did the best job on it all! I think he had three pieces of fish total!

After they finished eating they had a quick play on the beach before I had to physically(almost) had to drag them away to go home and get ready for bed and finish a Christmas card drawing for Jim's work.

Sculpture by the Sea

As seen by Emmalee...
our budding photographer snapped her way thru the sculptures today and this is what she saw. I think she did an amazing job for her first outing.

Duh Duh Duh Duh Duh Duh Duh

Cue the Peanuts music by Vince Guaraldi

Ever feel like you are living in a cartoon comic for a moment? I think this is exactly how Andrew must have been feeling right about now.

From Charlie Brown Moment