Cancer, really?

What Now?

So I am going to take a little blog post break from counting down my top ten WND posts. Last week my Dad had his physical and his level of something I can't remember was a lot higher than his last physical so they wanted to do a prostate biopsy to check for cancer. My Dad's dad has prostate cancer later in his life so the chances were pretty decent that my Dad might have it too. I really didn't give it much thought, not because I don't care about the health of my Dad, but because cancer isn't something that really happened in our family at such a young age (I can now say 60 something is not old since I am close to 40).

So tonight my Mom called to tell me the test came back positive. "What does that mean?" I asked..kind of knowing but not really wanting to. It means there is cancer there. Cancer, really? Talk about your head filling up with more thoughts than you can process. Now, before I get too deep into this I have come to realize that in the world of cancers, prostate cancer is like the minor leagues. And when caught early, like in my Dad's case, it is very treatable. Hell, I even learned that eventually every man will get it if he lives long enough. Now that is crazy shit.

So, before I was calmed by all this my thoughts are about my Dad, his health, me, my health, human mortality...damn, I didn't want to think about this stuff, not now...not ever. Like I mentioned before I have never really had to deal directly with this stuff in my life so I really don't know how to react or what to think. I'm not an idiot, I know that everyone has to deal with death...but I also know it can never be easy.

I am fortunate in my family to have many health care specialists in it. Right away we had names of great doctors for my Dad to call. As my Mom said, he is more concerned with the treatment than the actual cancer at this point. Both my Mom and Wife have made me feel at ease with this news and for this I am so thankful.

Not the most uplifting blog post in the word, but I know it will have a good ending....stay posted, I'm sure I'll be talking about this more down the road.

PEACE OUT DADS...AND KEEP YOUR REGULAR DOCTOR APPOINTMENTS PLEASE!

Our favorite kids songs, vol. 3

WHAT NOW?

Here is the third, and final, volume of kids songs our family grooves too. I can admit that some of these songs get played enough that I find myself wishing for slow death before I hear them again, but all in all these songs are great for the whole family in limited play. Of course the kids can play the same song over and over and over......then come downstairs and ask to sing it to me, over and over and over. Gotta love 'em. Here we go:

11. Peanut Butter Polka - The Jimmies

How many ways do you like your peanut butter sandwich, not including with jelly? This song pay tribute to all the different ways kids like their PB. I recall really liking it with mustard myself. To be in the song I would need a name that rhymed with mustard...I don't like the prospects.

12. Banana Smoothie - The Naked Brothers Band

Great little ditty by a band that might be following the footsteps of the Jonas Brothers if they aren't careful. Kind of a Hawaiian island theme going on here with directions on how to make the perfect tropical treat. My girls and I have developed a dance that would look great in a music video, just in case you are reading Naked Brothers.

13. Love, Lovely Family - The Roots

Another main stream group with a big kids hit. I don't know if this song was meant for the younger crowd, but it gets a lot of play on Sirius/XM Kids Stuff and both my kids and I sing this from start to finish. This adds a little hip hop/reggae to the mix and is sure to please the mellow music lovers of the group.

14. El Quacko - Zev

Like Catboy this song has a little old country style to it. This is another nonsense song that kids pick up pretty quick. Think Rawhide meets the Wiggles, but much cooler than the Wiggles. And can you beat a cowboy duck named El Quacko? I didn't think so.

15. Billy Joe Mcguffrey - Veggie Tales

The tale of the most injury prone child on earth. Very funny lyrics that go pretty fast for kids, but you'll get a kick out of them. There are several versions of this song available, but I went with Veggie Tales because I like the voices the best.

Well, that's it. All 15 songs recommended by whatnowdad and his two little angels. I encourage your responses to my list and any others I may have missed. We are always looking for good music to get our groove too. Life without music is pretty dull, and quiet!

PEACE OUT DADS!!!

Where do you find your inspiration?

WHAT NOW?


I am writing this post from my very cozy bed in a downtown Boise hotel. That's right, I am away from home, with my wife, and without our kids. They are home with my folks and having a great time without Mom and Dad, so we can concentrate on the reason we are here and not worry about kids entertainment. That reason is the Boise 70.3 Ironman triathlon. My wife will join 1800 other athletes tomorrow in this grueling test of the human will. At 2pm she will get in the water for a 1.2 mile swim, after which she grabs her bike for a 56 mile ride and then tops it all off with a 13.1 mile run. Those distances by themselves are amazing, and putting them all together will test her as much mentally as it will physically. She is ready. She has put in the training, she has her equipment prepared and she feels good. If the weather holds up not only will she finish this amazing accomplishment, but I think she will kick it square in the ass. If someone would have told me back when we got married, 13 years ago this Sunday, that my soon to be bride would be competing in any triathlon, let alone a 70.3 Ironman, I would have probably had to postpone the wedding because I obviously don't know this woman as well as I thought. She is just an amazing person and I am reminded each and every day how lucky I am to have her as my wife. I think it is important that the person you marry not only is the love of your life, but also your best friend. I have both of those in my wife, plus one more think I never expected...my total inspiration. She is a incredible wife, mother, friend, daughter, sister, aunt, employee, the list can go on and on, and she is also a triathlete on top of all that. Before she started her own personal triathlete journey two plus years ago I was at my heaviest and had very little motivation to work out. Today, thanks to her, I am at my lowest weight since college, I'm in the best shape of my life, and I finished my first every marathon just last month. It is all because of her, and I'll never be able to tell her how grateful I am to her just for that. I know she will read this and say something like "you are way too nice", but I mean every single word of it. This Sunday marks 13 years of marriage and over 20 years of being together and there is no other way I would want to spend it then to spend my day tomorrow cheering her on and watching her accomplish her goal. NO FEAR, NO DOUBT, ALL IN, BALLS OUT. Go for it B, it's your day!





PEACE OUT DADS!

What the what?!?

This morning at breakfast during our normal family conversation my 7 year old "K" asked, in a very sweet way "how do I get pregnant?" WHAT THE WHAT?!?

I don't think you can ever be ready for your child to ask you this question, but it really came out of left field today. But the more I think about it the more excited I am to raise my girls and see them grow each and every day. I never want to take my family for granted and miss out on any of the "memorial" moments. I LOVE all three of my girls more than they will ever know, but I will try to show them every day of my life!

Oh, and my wife took that question this morning...thank God!

PEACE OUT DADS!!!