Sunday 04 March 2007: Sarah welcomes back Face The Day special guest Joke and awaits news from Heidi about her two nights out!

Sarah says:
Here's Joke again. I have seen her more than usual lately. This time in Breda, The Netherlands. She won't be happy with herself in the photo above but it was the best one I got. She's a hard gal to please (am I right Joke?)! I look the same as always but am disturbed by that dang yellow fang tooth of mine! In Belgium, I have like the best teeth around! Great American teeth! White - not even one cavity ever in my life! But now I have that one really yellow tooth! I can't stand it. I will have to take some whitening action soon. I am afraid though - because a few teeth down from that yellow horror, I have been having some pain lately. The kind of pain that can mean a cavity! If I have a cavity I'll cry! I have every other ugly thing - ingrown hairs, stretch marks, you name it - but please, please, please no cavities and no more yellow teeth for me!!!

After a family meal yesterday in Bilzen, we headed to Joke's (pronounced Yo-ka). We ate all day yesterday from 12 to 7 and then a big breakfast at Joke's today and then a very big lunch out in Breda. I am going to burst soon. This eating has got to stop. But it was all very good stuff and very enjoyable. I love these little weekend get-aways. And my back felt GREAT! Not one pain at all. A bit tired on my sides Saturday from all the sitting (in physio-therapy I should be able to start learning how to build up those muscles so I don't get so tired). Bad chairs and 7 hours worth. But other than that and this tyrannical cough I have everyday starting at around 6pm, I'm totally fine!

This week I have chosen 3 favorite Post Secret entries, though there wasn't one that truly stood out and grabbed me. The Jesus one below I just think is sort of funny. Everyone knows I am pretty much an atheist - very moralistic and practically religious therefore - but that is as far as it goes for me. I just can't get it any deeper than that. I love religious art and stories and I respect other people's beliefs but I guess I am too bound by science and reason and the rational to believe in the undefined. So the idea of giving Jesus up for Lent just seemed very funny to me though I'm sure others might find that very offensive. I never mean to offend! To each his own and all that!
Then we have another Post Secret entry below in honor of Heidi. This weekend she went to a school reunion. I hope she took some photos and will give us a Face The Day report this week. The post card below is obviously a family one. I was at one of those for my husband's family yesterday. Family reunions are always a little odd sober or drunk! I actually love my family reunions back in The States. I guess there are no people I feel more comfortable with than my own bizarre family. My five nutty brothers. We are such an oddball bunch. I love our Markewich humor. I love the little family sub-groups and all that. I can't wait till the next reunion. I also love family reunions with my mom's side of the family. All those good talkers and that humor. I hope one side of the family has a big reunion soon. I long for one. In the past these sorts of things were always a challenge because generally families are so screwed up - mine sure was - but now everyone gets along from all sides so these gatherings are generally just good fun.
And last but not least, the below Post Secret entry from this week is in honor of both Heidi and me. This topic has been covered before and it's a mixed-bag. Both Heidi and I have enjoyed being at home - she more than me of course because she's a new mom and home for being with her little new baby and I had major back surgery and have to rest a lot. She's had so many memorable moments. I am just happy to be pain-free. It will be a big change for her returning to work and having a baby at home. For me, you know how much I have enjoyed all this extra time relaxing with my daughter - picking her up early from school. But I can say right now for sure it's high-time for me to get back to work. I could not happily be a stay-at-home mom. I don't have it in me. I'd lose myself for sure. I love working. Always have. I love my daughter more than anything - but she actually gets a better me when I am a working me. She gets a more stressed me - which isn't good at all. But she also gets a happier and more challenged me and a me with more self-worth. So with that in mind, I will use these last few weeks at home to continue resting and getting stronger and making sure my back is ready to work full time again - and I will also make sure as much time as possible is good mommy-daughter time. But when April comes, I'll be ready. I think Heidi will be ready too but it will be harder for her because she has a little baby at home and is a new mom and all. Luckily, we can pretty much adapt fast to everything in life. It's just finding the right balance, which is the biggest challenge of all...

Before I go, I want to add how HAPPY I am about news that came in today about a new addition to Heidi's and my neighborhood!!! What an even greater place this is going to be to live now that some fantastic people we know are moving in around the corner!!! We'll be sure to bring them some sugar and a pie as soon as they are here!