girls night

So PN and I did chores as soon as we got home, and then we went shopping....

I found a cocktail dress. I did not get a long gown, I found a beautiful shade of blue called Tacoma blue, a simple sheath, satin dress. I do need shoes though. None of mine look right. (Even DH said so....) I also pre shopped for Christmas cocktail events, and found something ON CLEARANCE. It is a set of separates, but very sharp. A long satin skirt, and a red blouse thing that ties at the waist, with blingy buttons. Very festive. I am done shopping for any sort of ball or event for a long while....

PN managed to help me shop, she is fun to shop with, and she got a few sets of summer clothing, and sunglasses.

SR, also got some summer clothing, shorts and polo shirts...

I should not have to shop for a long while.

There are not enough hours in the day, between running here and there, and working out of doors, the inside is suffering.

This is the first mil-blog conference I will miss...I am so sad I will not be seeing so many friends. Maybe next year?

Hee-Haw Hot...

So we managed to go from 39-82 overnight....simply ridiculous

Back to normal....

I am feeling 100% better.

the kids and I have already been out in the garden.

We managed to trim most of the dead crap away on 2 levels. There was so much brush we have an entire trash can full, and a BIG pile, which I have no clue what we will do with.
And there is more. I went around and pruned the river birch, as I kept getting tangled in them.

DH started a rhubarb patch last night, with PN. I am hoping it takes, if not, my Father will have to bring down some for me to transplant, along with some asparagus.

I am thankful The Collective were so helpful this afternoon, otherwise picking up all of the piles of dead stuff would have taken me hours. No JOKE. they have earned their dinner tonight for sure. There is still some trimming left.....

It was 39 degrees this morning, and is now 70 at least....I am sweating!

Thank you to Grandma for sending gardening gloves for me and the little fuzzers!! They were nice to have!

My Brother in Law is now in Iraq, with his unit.....pray for them all...

Stuck to my guns...

I decided to stick to my guns, and went to bed early although I was not tired. I turned on Top Hat, so I could fall asleep. It must have worked.

I slept, and then was plagued with weird dreams all night about vacationing in Memphis, PN kept wandering off scaring me to bits.

I woke at 3, chilly. I am now sleeping with the heat off, and the windows open. I was chilled. Slept off and on from 3-5.

It seems I do that, and then go back into a deep sleep from 5-6 and then do not want to wake....

Headed to work, a WILD day ahead, as we have changed software, and today is the LIVE date for the change over. CRAP. Should be a flustercluck.

*Just checked the temps, no wonder I was chilled, it was 39 degrees this morning.

I am feeling better...

How do I know this...my love affair with sleep is over. Last night it took me 40 minutes to fall asleep. I woke at 3:30, and then again at 5:00 because of the loverly birds chirping.

Darn, well it was good while it lasted.

In other news, I have to get my garden ready, I am behind. Far to windy and brisk for me to deal with it today. Tomorrow I have choir. I am moving my flowers down to level one, and moving a veggie garden and a sandbox to level 2. I want them contained as well, I am unsure about wooden frames, or tires right now. The garden is not going to be crazy this year, I would like tomatoes, cucumbers, and green beans. Perhaps acorn squash, and jalapenos.

SR still likes, sand, and building roads, and his Tonka trucks. So the sand box will be similar.

Seems as though Spring happened overnight, the pear trees are in bloom, I do wish it would warm up. My bones would appreciate a thaw...

PS: Yellow Dog democrat Step FIL is coming for a visit, I adore him, but I am no mood to be called a "dirty teabagger"

I do not like Easter Grass

It should be banned I tell you, banned!! I am currently finding it in every cranny of the house.

I took The Collective to church this morning, as DH had to work yet another weekend! GO TEAM!

Afterward I noted I was feeling better. So I thought, I could run to the store and do some shopping, etc.

HA, I overestimated how good I was feeling. I really want another nap. And the napping seems to be working to make me feel better. I am sure when I am 80% I will be back to my regular insomniac self.

I thought I would set up the croquet to help the kids keep busy and out of the house. I have too much to catch up on here...and wanted them out. That is what happens when Moms are down with whatever, the fridge empties, the crap piles up....and now I am waiting for them to beat each other to death with mallets...

I napped

WOW, I slept in this morning, and took a nap.

Amazing really.

My head hurt most of the day, but is better now. The nap kicked it.

the cotton balls are drying out...at least I hope.

I heart sleeping.

Seems as though WE are a petrie dish of filth

So everyone who was here over Easter is now ill, with a head cold. This particular head cold/bird flu/ whatever. Makes your skull feel like it is in a vice, and nothing will drain. Imagine someone stuffing wet cotton balls in your skull. Freaking weird.

Hence I am in no mood to be motherly today. I wish I was, but I can't. I do not have it in me. So I am bailing out, and taking my children to the children's museum. They can play there, maybe I can take my crocheting, or a book, or something.

I wanted to work on my yard, but that is not going to happen, as it is raining, and I have a hitch in my giddy-up

CNN did not show you....

Go to 1:49 if you want to see the rest.

One more thing...

Go over to Le-gal In-sur-rec-tion, and read his take on what the DHS, thinks about The Constitution.

More strange appointments by Obama

Rosa Brooks??

In what has to be one of the most extreme appointments yet by the Obama Administration, ex-Los Angeles Times columnist and Georgetown law professor Rosa Brooks has just been made an adviser to Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Michelle Fluornoy - a move Brooks describes as "my personal government bailout." (Click on that link, it will make your head explode)

Bailout is certainly the right word for someone who appears to have no relevant national security qualifications for the position. She does though have experience working as Special Counsel for George Soros's Open Society Institute in New York, and as a former adviser to Harold Koh, the hugely controversial nominee for Legal Adviser to the State Department.

Continue to read here...

I must be sick, I actually slept...

Do not worry I am headed to bed as I promised.

I have already been there and took a nap.

The one good thing about not feeling well, I actually sleep, the insomniac sleeps. Ahhhh I love sleeping.

I only wish I could breath out of my left nostril.

My Sister called tonight, and said one of the pictures she took while here I look like my Mother. Almost exactly, down to the look I am giving the camera.

It is strange resembling a dead parent. There are times I see myself in photos and see her, speak and hear her. I also move like my Mother, walk like her, carry my handbags like her. It is eerie some days when I see my reflection in store windows. I wonder if my Father notices, and i wonder if it bothers him....

OK off to a hot tub to soak, and then bed.

I am hoping they send me home...

I feel like crap...

I am shakey, legs and arms feel as though they weigh 50 pounds, my head is stuffed...and I am headed to work.

I am guessing influenza. Crap.

I wanna stay in bed

*I made it through the day....

I fell like crap, but I made it.

Illness reigns

Right now my head feels like it needs to be removed from my body and drained.

I had to leave work early to pick up PN from school. She was running a temp of 102, after I gave her Tylenol this am. I took her to the Dr. She has bronchitis, and a right ear infection....

DH had this for 2 weeks. SR has it too..

Sick of being sick.

Some things piss me off...

like this...


and THIS

piss poor planning.

here is the video

I am not amused. Locking family out of a going away event?

to my Brother In Law headed out...

Prayers daily, we are proud of you.

Happy Anniversary

*picture taken 18 years ago by DH's Grandfather....


Today we celebrate 18 years of marriage.

That seems like a long time.....

last night we talked about this...

AWTM: "Does it feel like 18 years?"

DH: "I no longer have any concept of time."

AWTM: "It feels like 10 or so to me."

DH: "some days"

Easter Celebration

We had a small Easter celebration today.

The oddest part of the day was SR announcing he found dead rats while in the play hut out back, while searching for an egg....

Upon closer inspection I noted 5 very young bunnies, hairless. The Mother had made a nest in the play hut out back...and never returned. I am going to guess, a car, or coyote got her....poor things either froze or starved....or maybe both. Not exactly what you want to explain to the kids, after "The Easter Bunny visited".....

Also 3 children can find 84 eggs quickly. VERY QUICKLY.

All was delicious and yummy, and I did not even eat dinner tonight, as I was stuffed....

You should hear The Collective sing this....

Good Friday....

h/t to XTN Yoda

I missed my Birthday...

My blog is now 4....I just received an email from a friend reminding me that I missed my blogoversary...

It was supposed to be March 9, or something...

It does not feel like 4 years until i look at the pictures of the children....

Spring?

Or just another tease?

I hope not, last weekend we had horrific winds, and COLD, and snow and sleet.

Ick, I am done with this. Winter has been cold. I WANT SUN.

The past two days have been lovely, until the sun goes down. I feel as if I am in the desert.

The past two days have been so lovely though, after school I have taken the kids to the park to play, today it was so AWESOME we had no coats! So strange after wearing boots, wool socks, hats, scarves, and what not through the winter.

The collective need sun, and fresh air.

I need the house power washed, check the gutters, clean out the back flower beds, pull weeds which seemed to thrive in the snow...figures.

I want to try and get a small garden ready. I also have to re-mulch a ton, as the wind has blown away all of the current mulch. Let me say we need a lot of mulch. A lot. I also want to build The Collective a sandbox.

Spring overwhelms me, it always does, the lists go on for days, and days.

It does not help things when Winter seems to last from October-May. That is over half a year for those of you keeping track.

I used to love winters, and maybe I can learne to again, but right now....well...

I want SUN.

In good news SR gets to open a savings account at the bank tomorrow. He never spends his $$$. He wants a Nintendo, and I told him i would not buy it. He must do this himself.

He did manage an almost perfect report card today, and the report from his Mentors were outstanding. Today he started learning about Aristotle, he was excited. I also got several of his projects he has been working on at school. He has been writing research reports on animals, songs, poems, and stories....

My Sissy is here visiting and is going to go to school with PN tomorrow. This should be fun!!

drama island...

I am just wondering if I am biased, but I am going to ask people a question...

We all know people that like drama. What I mean by drama, is not real drama either, it is drama that seems to be made drama.

Does anyone think this is a generational issue?

I am becoming more zen like in my age...no drama is good.

I do not like every conversation I have to be a dramatic one.

PN polishing the dining room table






The kids took apart a dead DVD player, this was good for about 3 hours of fun.

breaking the law

SR, starved and bored out of his wits.


While at the Saudi student dinner the other night, The Collective were quite good. They were really good considering they had to wait a while for dinner, and listen to several speeches.

After dinner, I thought I might take The Collective to the Art Gallery, as they were having a walk thru, with fruit and chocolate. However, PN was waering her Easter shoes from last year, and learned her first lesson in "do not wear those, your feet will hurt by the end of the night."

So after dinner, we walked through the student union, for a short tour. SR loved it. And then we went outside, so they could run. In front of the student union, there is a fountain that is empty right now. It has large stone boulders in it, so The Collective were climbing. It seemed harmless, until about 30 minutes into it, when SR tells me there is a sign that says, "no climbing or wading". I could not read the sign from where I was sitting.

About that time, we heard police sirens going off somewhere downtown. I swear I have never seen my children move so quick in their lives. They seriously thought the police were coming to arrest them.

lists of things to do

Contest...

The University of Nebraska is having a contest...


Colorful Creature Contest
What Color is Your Creature?

All submitted artwork goes on exhibit in Morrill Hall this spring!

Eligibility:
Children in the following Age Groups are eligible to participate:
Preschool or younger
Grades K-1
Grades 2-3
Grades 4-5






Creature Categories:
1. General - any creature, ancient or modern
(i.e. tigers, bugs, lizards, dinosaur, birds, etc.)
2. Mammoth - depictions of Mammoths only
Children may submit one entry per category.


Guidelines:
1. Coloring must be the exclusive work of the child, without the assistance of others.
2. Contestants may submit one entry per Creature Category: General and Mammoth.
3. A separate Entry Form must be attached to each piece of submitted artwork.
4. All artwork must be on white, 8 1/2 x 11 size paper.
5. Contestants may use any kind of art medium to generate their creatures. Use of vibrant color is strongly encouraged.
6. Entries must be received by Saturday, April 18th 2009. Completed artwork, and corresponding Entry Forms, may be dropped-off or mailed to: University of Nebraska State Museum, 307 Morrill Hall, Lincoln, NE 68588-0338.
7. All entries will be displayed at the museum as part of a temporary exhibit in May.
8. All entries become property of the University of Nebraska State Museum at the time they are turned in (though if you stop into Morrill Hall within a month of the exhibit's end we will do our best to find and return your child's image).
9. There is no purchase necessary, nor any cost to enter the contest.
10. Families who drop off their artwork may also visit the museum for half price that day.

This looks like another fun activity for The Collective, we also LOVE this museum!!

Preparing for Easter

These are the eggs we made with the silk ties. I had as much fun as The Collective!

PS* Follow the directions, and let the eggs cool, as the print will probably be more pronounced...we are an impatient bunch. Yes even me, the Mom.

The case of the flat size 12 1/2 Easter shoes solved.

Easter shoes obtained. They are not exactly what I was hoping for, but whatever...done. Sometimes it is about getting things done. We were looking for white, and ended up with pink. Pink Ninja has a size 12/12 shoe, she has big feet.

We also decided to go out for lunch today after church, and went to Culver's because it is SR favorite restaurant. I ordered fried chicken, because I have not had any in a long time. I also ordered onion rings...I needed neither, but whatever.

We have had difficulty finding any place to eat here. Seriously.

We normally go out to eat one meal a week, sometimes 1 meal every 2 weeks depending how frugal, or exhausted I am feeling.

So far service everywhere has been fantastic, but the food is either not that great, or not what I had heard from others. Do people care if the food is actually good when they go out? I keep hearing people rave on about food, only to show up excited, and leave sort of disappointed.

We have found one excellent Mexican restaurant, which is actually in the back of a grocery store, the food is delicious. Lincoln used to have great Vietnamese places, but the last 2 I walked in smelled so bad, and had flies, we left promptly.
There is supposedly a good Thai place downtown, I have heard rave reviews, but then again I have been going to recommended restaurants since we returned, and only have a handful of places I would return to. We went to a new Indian place in town, and the food was actually almost Pakastani, spicier than normal Indian food which did not bother me, but the prices were high for what was served, and we were sat right by the door on a COLD and WINDY day, we about got blown out of there, and it made for horrid dining.

So I continue to look for wonderful food here. My Husband says there is an Iraqi restaurant that is quite good, I have eaten their food, and it is tasty, but only at catered events.

OK I am off to vacuum, and dust, and CLEAN toilets! The Collective are busy cleaning as well, the money per core thing is working out wonderfully. And I note they are more likely to do more if I pay for each task. A nickle for this, a dime for that, a quarter for the other. Free enterprise works. SR even cleaned his Sisters room to get her money, because she did not want any money....she changed her mond, and is nw cleaning a bathroom with VIGOR.

I am tired of pee, and fart, and toot jokes. Seriously.

Laundry list...

PN haircut X

grocery store X

Spring Shoes for PN (could not find any shoe for a 5 year old, with a closed toe, WITHOUT a HEEL)

Easter clothes for SR (there was nothing cute for boys anywhere, enough with the skulls)

dye eggs (in process)

clean my house (uhhhhh?)

wash linens (uhhhh?)

do laundry (hey, I am working on it)

pay bills X (done, but made me grumpy)

mail them (will do after church in the morning)

*I am also making homemade pizza tonight, well except for the crust, HY-Vee, had the little store brand bags of them for 39 cents. I tried it last week, and it was not bad at all, this is a good way to get everyone to eat veggies...



uckkkkk

also a blizzard is supposed to be headed this way. Right now the wind is gusting about 45 mph...

Out on the town...

Tonight our family is attending this event. We were invited to a dinner tonight.

WE are going to take The Collective. I am not quite sure about this decision, as DH is attending on behalf of work, however with SR continuing to have a week that is complicated....well unless you have been there you have no idea. I am hoping they find dinner fascinating. There is a fashion show, so PN might like.

The week has been a complicated one, and I have had several heart to hearts with SR....

He is trying, he really is.

But in my brain, he is capable of sooo much. And I think there lies part of our issue.

This weekend I am missing SpouseBuzz Live in Virgina. I always come away from these events with such energy, and feel refreshed. I wish I could have attended, as I have friends, that really could use, girl time, support, and an ear...

Wish us luck tonight.

And today was better...

except for the pharmaceutical rep who said..."well you are Valerie Bertinelli's age" uuuhhhhh...no I am not.

Sweet Mother Of Jesus.

While I will say congratulations to Ms. Bertonelli, I will also add that if someone paid me that sort of change, I could be in a bikini too...(any takers? cash only...)

I am just sic of seeing her before and after everywhere I turn around, and I live in a world with very little pop culture.

Yesterday sucked, it was a SR issue. I am not going into details here, he was naughty, and should know better...ughhhh. Consequences have been dealt, and etc etc etc. I did want to poke forks into my eyes from 3-6 yesterday. I managed a bath, and a small drink, and did nothing but over think. Which just seems to leave me spinning.

Work is work, and I wish I could blog about it...maybe soon.

PN now has a bad cold. Yeah I am serious. The petrie dish of filth which is daycare...is making her immune system work overtime.

I will add here, I am tired of the cold, and WIND. I am ready for sun, and fresh air. I am about as cabin fevered as I have been in years. I want flowers, and sunshine. The birds know it is coming, and I hear them all morning.

Tonights dinner? Hamburgers on the grill, with onions, and mushrooms.

I am not really hungry at all...

If I could pick a them song for the day it would be this...



And while I am escaping...if I were Emma Peel I would love this pink top!

sucking eggs

That would sum up my day....

just when I think things look like a cakewalk.

I have not

watched The Daily Show for a long time, but I did last night...

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	M - Th 11p / 10c
Carmageddon '09 - Lemon Aid
comedycentral.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Economic Crisis Political Humor

Sew

I am currently working on a small project for a very good friend. I could not be there for her wedding, so I am embroidering her an antique handkerchief to carry with her on her special day. I am free handing it, to match her wedding invitation she sent.

In good news it feels good to do something for someone I care so much about. In bad news, I wish I would embroider more, so I was better at it. I will be attaching a note that says, do not look at the back. I also have noted my need for bifocals, is far worse than I had thought. I will need some in the next couple of months, as my eyes are fatigued.

I am watching Hildago right now, wondering how hungry I would have to be to consume a locust.

I do not think Monday helped much, as work was fatiguing, well not the actual work, but personalities can be...

It was almost 60 today, and tomorrow we are supposed to get some terrible Spring storm, which includes snow.

My Grandmother was buried in the month of April, and I recall walking in pumps, in the snow, in a think silk skirt....and how cold it was on that day. I also thought of Grandma this week when I was cooking asparagus, and for a moment, I could smell their home. Oh how sweet they were, and how they are missed.

On my nightstand

Since Deadwood ended, it left me wanting more of tales of Western expansion...

so I am reading this...

Phoebe Judson was a young bride in 1853 when she and her husband crossed the plains from Ohio to the Puget Sound area of Washington Territory. She was ninety-five when this book was first published in 1925. The years between were spent in “a pioneer’s search for an ideal home” and in living there, when it was finally found at the head of the Nooksack River, almost on the Canadian border. Phoebe Judson's account of the journey west is based on daily diary entries detailing her fear, excitement, and exhaustion. At the end of the trail, the Judsons encountered hardships aplenty, causing them to abandon a farm and business in Olympia before their arrival in the Nooksack Valley. During the Indian Wars they holed up in a fort at Claquato. In time, Phoebe overcame her fear of the Indians, learned the Chinook language, and won their friendship. All this is told in vivid detail by a woman of great dignity and charm whom readers will long remember. In a foreword, Susan Armitage, professor of history at Washington State University, calls A Pioneer's Search for an Ideal Home a "classic pioneering account," important for its woman's point of view.

More details
A pioneer's search for an ideal home: a book of personal memoirs
By Phoebe Goodell Judson
Contributor Susan M. Armitage
Published by U of Nebraska Press, 1984
ISBN 0803275595, 9780803275591
309 pages

I always think I was born during the wrong time, I cannot help but wonder if I would have made it then, if I would have died early from cholera, or smallpox. Or if I would have managed to build a sod home, and would be able to stand snakes in my home.

Invasions of the ants....

It is always some THING, is it not?

The other day after the torrential downpour...



I note ants. Foraging ants, not the water type.

We have Terro granules out of doors, and the little Terro pads on the inside.

Gross

And the work week comes to a close

This is the view out back...and the sunset, although I caught it a bit late this evening, it was glorious.

I am glad this week is over.

Bwah, I love this chart

Am I the only one?

I spent most of the day scouring things...AGAIN.

Bleached, lysoling, laundry, etc...

and at some point today I thought it may be easier to just pack up and leave the house, to get out from under the foot of whatever virus this is. My hands are raw.

DH and I have yet to be touched seriously with it...

SR spent the day with a case of the lower part of this jazz.

I had to think to myself, that there is no possible way I could be the only person to have ever thought that it may just be easier to leave the germs behind.

It is Spring, and I would like to be planning my garden, and spring cleaning, etc....I am tired of scrubbing toilets, buckets, doorknobs, and washing bedding, and toothbrushes...

Last night at 8:30pm I looked into the mirror and frightened myself. I told DH that 10 years ago, 8:00ish was early int he day, and I would have looked great. Those days are over. I tried to perk myself up, with a apricot facial scrub, and a refresher of my hair color. Sadly it did little. amazing what a few years can do. My Father laughed when I relayed the message to him today, and let me know, the mirror becomes less forgiving with time, but in good news he could give a shit.


This has to be the last of illness for while right?

In other news, despite the fact that I am not hungry, or feel like cooking, I feel obligated to cook for my children who look thinner than normal.

I am making turkey filets on the grill, mashed potatoes, and asparagus, in hopes they consume some of it...

Project this week, correspondence, and Easter Clothing for the Collective. PN wants a lavender colored cotton dress. SR could care less as long as he is comfortable

I think i found an Easter project, in which DH's old ties can be used!!

This looks like a great and fun project!



Materials and Tools
Small- to medium-size raw eggs
Glass or enamel pot
Silk ties, blouses, or boxers, cut into pieces large enough to cover an egg
White sheets (or pillowcases or old tablecloths), cut into pieces to cover silk-wrapped eggs
Twist ties
3 tablespoons of white vinegar
Warm water
Vegetable oil
Paper towels
Tongs or spoon

Silk Tie Easter Eggs How-To
1. Cut silk into a square (or a piece) large enough to wrap around a raw egg.

2. Wrap a raw egg with a piece of silk, making sure the printed side of the material is facing the egg. Silk can still be used if it doesn't fit perfectly around egg.

3. Place the silk-wrapped egg in a piece of white sheet, pillowcase, or old tablecloth and secure tightly with a twist-tie.

4. Place the egg(s) in an enamel or glass pot. Fill pot with water to cover eggs completely. Then, add three tablespoons of white vinegar.

5. Bring water to a boil, turn heat down, and simmer for 20 minutes (longer if you plan on eating the eggs).

6. Remove eggs from water with tongs or spoon and let cool.

7. Remove silk from cooled egg.

8. For shiny eggs, wipe with vegetable oil after completing step 7.

The hills are alive, with the sound of puking

SR spent yesterday in my bed, docile, watching cartoons, and sleeping on and off. He did not talk or say much Dh said. When I got home, I climbed next to him and we slept for a bit. I gave him a popcicle, and gave him a warm bath. As soon as he got out of the tub, he puked all over the bathroom floor.

I cleaned him up, helped him get in his jammies, and I tried reading him a chapter from Captain Underpants. He was exhausted, and had no interest. And then he said he was hungry. I went ahead and gave him 4 club crackers, which he kept down with a few sips of water.

We then carried him to bed. He is over 50 pounds now, and I had DH do it, as he was so floppy, and hard to manage.

He slept through the night, with no illness.

This morning, he woke looking pale, and feeling weak, but ready to take on the day it seemed.

DH and I sat here debating on what to do.....Do we take him to science camp? Only to get a call in a couple of hours because he puked?

We decided I would stay at home with him this day, and let him recuperate.

so far all is well he kept rice krispies and a few grapes down. I am not going to push anything on him. He is drinking, and managed to play a video game or two. Something he took no interest in yesterday.

I have given more hygeine pep talks in the last week than I ever care to again.

Wash hands, wash hands, wash hands.

I also have a can of lysol growing out of my left hand.

DH is staying home with SR....

and the puking continues...

I am sure glad I paid $150 for science camp this week!

What a way for the little guy to spend Spring Break...

poor kids.

And I woke to the sound of puking....

It was SR.....

Why I am on the fence about having my uterus removed...and no I am not becoming a sex blogger...

Many of you might remember, when I had my laproscopy about 2 years ago, or whenever it was...they found adenomyosis.

Adenomysis is is a medical condition characterized by the presence of ectopic endometrial tissue (the inner lining of the uterus) within the myometrium (the thick, muscular layer of the uterus).

Adenomyosis, is PAINFUL. Very painful. Please remember I labored pretty much alone with PN at home, until I was 9 1/2 cm with nothing, no tylenol etc. I even gave SR his bath, did dishes...etc...so I am ok with pain.

When my Dr. in Arkansas suggested a partial hysterectomy, I thought about it for a week. I then arrived at his office with a question...

Hold on to your hats Nellie...and leave now if you blush easily. But this is a serious matter, with serious consequences.

I asked the Dr. if having a hysterectomy could effect my sexual well being.

Meaning this...the uterus does function during an orgasm...

"will not having a uterus, effect my orgasm?"

The Dr. looked at me for a moment, like his Universe collapsed, and then said, "good question, I do not know the answer."

to which I replied

"would you want your wife to have a hysterectomy, not knowing that answer?"

he replied

"probably not".

I have researched this to death, and have found little in the way of REAL useful information.

This proved to be interesting...


As well as this article.

I am currently considering ablation therapy, or alternatives.


I have also spoke with Physicians re: leaving the ovaries, and only removing the uterus, can lead to decreased blood flow to the ovaries. Not only causing hormal issues, but an increase for my risk of heart disease (which the gentic Gods have already seen to)....

Who needs television?

the weather here today was strange.

The wind has been fierce for 2 days, and from the southwest. Sunday I left a couple of windows open...we returned from church and I found my very $$$ print lying on the floor, glass shattered all over the place. the darn wind had pulled this heavy heavy piece right down to the floor. I was very upset, as we have a hard time agreeing on any art pieces. And of course it was one we both love.

Today it was windy as well....terribly windy with gusts up to 60 mph.

When I picked up PN from school, one f the minivans in the parking lot had something thrown into the window, and the darn thing shattered to bits.

I picked up PN, and returned home, and watched shingles being blown all over the place, the sky was hazy with dust.

And then whammo, the sky fell out, and buckets of rain came. Whammo again nickle sized hail. One more whammo and rain.

The entire afternoon was spent looking out of my window that faces west, and watching clouds roll by quickly, and listening to tornado alarms.

After it was all over, I looked out the front door to see a lovely rainbow...

The entire thing arched over the empty lot across the way, which was not a bad way to end all of the fierce weather...

PN is feeling better, I am on the other hand feeling a bit under the weather...

SR spent his first day of Spring Break at a science camp, and will continue to do so for the rest of the week.

get your striped socks, we are back in the Midwest...

carried across safely...

Guard Wife lost her Grandmother...

I never know what to say.

But I think this song introduced to me by Tammi is a good one for today....

Governor Palin's take on the Special Olympics

emesis non grata...

We have been without puking for about 8 hours now. She is still on clear fluids, and not hungry, but she is looking lovely...



It is amazing how gorgeous your own children can look even while puking. Because frankly I feel fine, and look horrendous, just with the lack of sleep, and no puking.

DH is on his way home from work, he is going to take SR to look at guitars. That should prove to be interesting.

Nora Bug...? Perhaps

chaos seems to reign....

holy cow...

It seems as though all of my friends have had the crappiest of weeks.

One friend is currently in ICU with her son, awaiting a recovery from very serious surgery.

One friend has lost the dream of yet another baby.

One friend is losing a Grandparent.

Another friend is under tremendous work pressure....

I am not sure where I am headed with this.

Last night at 12:30am, I was headed to bead, and I heard cries from PN room, I sent DH to check on her. I was called to the room immediately to find puke on her bed, PN in tears, crying, and miserable.

She vomited straight until 2:30am.....and then was up every 45 minutes until 7:00am, vomiting, gagging, dry heaving, complaining of stomach pain, and thirst. After every drink of water, out it came. More crying.

She is currently on the couch, pale, exhausted, with a bucket, a box of tissues, and a warm, moist pack on her tummy.

What kept me going through, was the thought of all my dear friends...dealing with far worse situations, and real crises.

This is not chaos, this is the teeniest of bumps....

not the brightest bulb...

I spoke with my MIL the other day, and she informed me I sent her some purple snow crocus bulbs, when I sent her jonquil, daffodil, and iris bulbs.

I sent some of you folks, some bulbs, any luck yet?

My get up and go came and got up and went...

I am just sitting down, and it is indeed 6:25.

I left work, picked up SR from school. Today was pajama day at school, the kids were cute.

I did realize I had to go get Friday groceries before going to pick up PN from school. I could have taken them both, but taking one to the store is enough. I worried about taking SR to the store in his pajamas. But, I figured what the heck and took him. I was glad to see other children that came directly from school instead of just looking like I was lazy, or had no clean clothing to put on the kid. However I was surprised that so many people commented on his pajamas. Note to self, people REALLY do notice what you are wearing, even when you are seven. I guess I did not realize so many people would care...Folks kept coming up to him and saying "what are you doing in your jammies? Did you just wake up?" SR replied to all of them...."Duh? It was pajama day". the "duh" thing has been one of those things he has picked up at school, and I hate it.

He has also picked up things like "its what I do baby, it is what I do", "AWEsome, aweSOME, and other variations of the word...oye.

I got home, and found myself unloading groceries, cooking dinner, cleaning lettuce, washing grapes, strawberries, and all of that business you must do after getting groceries...

We are done with Deadwood, so we are either going to finish watching BSG, or Rome, AGAIN.

We have an Easter egg hunt in the morning.

And the almost Friday exhaustion sinks in...

It is late, and Thursday..DH and I just completed watching Deadwood. Oh how I hate ending something I so love to watch. Now what...I figure we have one month left of watching movies, and the like, before we are out working in the yard in the evenings, or playing ball...etc. I would like to enjoy this last bit of reprieve.

If you want a good chuckle, go over here to my friend Guard Wife's place, and see what fun it is to have a child at St. Patrick"s Day! It is truly darling.

I picked up PN, on St. Patrick's Day, not hearing any mention of a leprechaun trap, but did hear that the leprechaun peed in not only the boys bathroom at school but the girls bathroom as well? How did she know? It seems as though leprechauns urinate green. Who knew, I will applaud the school on using food coloring, and toilets, as 5 year olds love toilet humor. Literally.

Let me see what else do I have to share? not much on this evening. I picked The collective up after school and work, we came home, Igave them a snack, and we went to the park AGAIN. By the time we returned 2 hours later...all were exhausted. I mean beat. I managed to coach them, into the nightly routine, they went down, and that was it...

I am headed to bed right now, and I imagine I would feel more welcome with pezz glued in the corner, and cotton balls, and a wall with money on it...

Return...

Monday when we returned home, we went to the park, Tuesday we worked out of doors, and I took the kids out for a walk after dinner time. Today when I returned I was missing the sunshine, the temps were not bad, but with a 45 mph wind, and no sun...well I decided it would be a good day to catch up wit my indoor work.

The Collective, have been helping so much, that it really takes a load off. Simple things, like making beds, taking out garbage, and replacing garbage bags...well it seems simple, but when done for you, it makes the day marvelous. I must write them each a thank you this week, to encourage both of them.

DH work hours continue to be anything but predictable. And now with the springing ahead, he looses all track of time, and heads home an hour later than he should. We are all off schedule, because the sun is out, when it should not be.

I am currently making a big salad for dinner, and we will have left over corned beef toasted on rolls. I have laundry going, as well as a dishwasher that needs to be unloaded, and I would love to mop my kitchen/dining room.

In fun family news, DH's cousin, (with whom he stayed while he was here prior to me selling the house) is preparing for her wedding this summer.

Interesting, indeed as we will be staying at The Arrow Hotel...

The Historic Arrow Hotel was built on 1928 by a group of private citizens to service the needs of the railroad. It replaced the old Commercial Hotel, and was the first three-story building in Broken Bow. The street-level consisted of the lobby, restaurant, beauty salon, barbershop, ladies dress shop and a ballroom. The second and third floors held fifty-two sleeping rooms with public baths at the end of the halls.

I am also trying to figure out where to take The Collective this summer.

I think we need to have dinner on a train!

Best Days...

I grew up with wives tales, and what not...

We always planted potatoes on Good Friday...

Here is a great article full of good gardening advice

2 helpers...

We managed to get MOST of the front pruned, cut, and cleaned out...

I have 2 butterfly bushes left, and 2 plants left. WE had so much stuff we removed, our lawn waste receptacle is FULL. I will wait until the refuse folks come and take it, before finishing. I even put the kids in the receptacle to tamp it down.

Worse to clean and trim up, the rose. It is wild. I decided to move it in the back yesterday. However I am going to have DH help...

Springing

Yesterday it was 77 degrees.

Very hard to believe considering that it was neg 9 just a few days ago.

When The Collective escaped school, we came home, had a snack and headed to the park, which is walking distance.

Really amazing out.

The Collective played, and played and played.

I think we left the park at 6:15.

Today there is more nice weather, which means I need to trim some shrubs, plants, grasses and trees. This should not be hard, I am only hoping to find my trimmers, and pruners... where are they?

The Collective also agreed to pick up all debris, for a price. I think this is fine, as they have chores, and yes I pay them. I also have made it a habit to pay them daily for completion instead of once weekly. I think this is a good motivator for them.

I was not paid for chores when growing up, there was no allowance of any kind. And i understood what my parents were trying to do. There are just certain things you are expected to add to the house, without payment....

However, I think they do it with a cheerful disposition when they recieve something back.

PN is a whiz at dishes,making her bed, and putting her laundry away. SR, well he needs extra prodding.

I have felt under the weather for about 2 1/2 weeks with my IBS, I will not go into detail about it, but it is never fun, and causes extra stress when it flairs up for several reasons. One of those is the fact that my Mother died from colon cancer, the other is...IBS is painful, and not much fun. Eating is not fun, after meals is not much fun either. 2 years ago I took bentyl for it, and I broke down yesterday and asked my physician to consider writing me a script for it.... I will stop at the pharmacy today after picking up SR from school to see if it is ready. I loathe when the IBS flares up....Normally it means I am stressed, but frankly I am not. So I am trying to figure out what triggered this. It will go away eventually.

I am excited about pruning, and cleaning up my several gardens for spring.

Being out of doors!! Ahhhh

Sing...

This morning was my first day singing with choir in front of the congregation, I think second service went better.

This song was my favorite.



We are currently getting whipped by my 7 year old in guitar hero this morning, although I am not doing bad with kinks songs.

We are off to run about, my Sissy leaves this afternoon.

Tomorrow is Monday already.

We have found excellent BBQ finally!

Plans...

I am still drowning in housework, but my Sissy is here.

We are off to the park, and out fro a luncheon today.

It is suprisingly 51 degrees.

I also must print off some photos for people, including you GRANDMA!! I have been remiss doing this, because of the cost, and time involved. SORRY.

I will get some good shots today!

My Sissy also brought 8 boxes of my Grandma and Grandpas things I have inherited. Normally I would tear into all of it. But I really do not have the space, time or energy...I did find an unfinished quilt top, my Grandma had quilted by hand....

that is 2 unfinished quilt tops here now...

OK we are off!

Pics of the day to follow.

Simma Down

Enjoying the view...

I haven't told yawl that I have the grandest view out my living room window. You have to look beyond suburbia, but then it is straight Nebraska...and sky forever a Western view. I get the loveliest view out that window when I do my dishes in the evening. I get the coolest show in town. A Nebraska sunset....which is my favorite, although the sunset off of Oak Island is not bad in NC, especially if you happen to have a Pina Colada, and sand under your butt...

The other day when we drove PN to Daycare in the morning, we saw 1 1/2 miles of Canadian Geese in about 60-100 different V formations, one behind the other....we stood out in the cold for 10 minutes watching them, listening to them....

It was one of the coolest things I have ever seen....

Projects...

I have been slacking on laundry this week. So I have a project tonight when I get home....


I also note I have library books to return, AND the bar has become the catch all. Which is driving me bananas...

lots to do when I return tonight.

Hair, Hair everywhere

Last night DH made a comment about PN's hair being gumpy, with something. I was like whatever, it just needs to be washed...

Ta Dah, she had mentos watermelon gum in it ALL DAY.

Just for the record, if gum dries in your hair, it is impossible to use, ice, peanut butter, oil to get it out.

So I got as much as I could out and then gave her a haircut.

Yes, that is right, for those of you keeping track that is 2 impromptu haircuts this week...

Wonderful company...

I just returned, and yes it is late...

We spent the evening with fellow US Army National Guard Soldiers, none of them born in the United States...

Amazing, really there were folks from Morocco, Peru, and Iraq. All thankful for what the United States Army has done for their countries, and wanting to give back with service. As an American, who has not served, I found it humbling, and amazing.

And even with the language barriers, there were lots of smiles, wonderful Moroccon food, and lots of laughter...

I learned little girls from everywhere love paper dolls and kitty cats..

Be careful when you sleep

I woke this morning, groggier than usual because of the whole move the clock ahead scenario....

My daughter appeared before me with a barrette, and a brush telling me to "put a barrette right here". This seemed like an unusual place. Who wants a barrette right in their bangs?

So upon further investigation, I note, she has given herself her second haircut...

AWTM: Did you cut your hair?"

PN: "Nooooooo."

AWTM: "Well who did?"

PN: "I don't know."

Oyyeee...

So I went to look for the offending scissors, and the missing chunk of blond hair and did not find it...

AWTM: "Hey, I just saw a small fairy with a teeny blond wig, any idea where she got the hair?"

PN: "Noooooo"

This might be an indicator of my week, I hope not.
'
I feel as though I cannot lecture her too hard about this issue, as I gave every living child a haircut on the block when I was her age, I also gave ALMOST every doll I had a haircut at some point.

Science Fair

Here is a photo of the science fair...the only one I am comfortable putting up, as the booth was popular, and most of the photos have a lot of people or children in them....


There were over 200 submissions, so many that the 1st graders got put in the hall, which was fine.

DH insisted that SR, do all of his own writing, and cutting. And he did, this was good for him. He went and mingled, and actually went through almost every booth. PN stayed behind, telling folks this was "her big Brother's booth".


PN is already excited for her first science fair, and has ideas...

It was a fun night

Thursday means the week is almost over...

This is good news, although the week flew by.

I have been a little grumpy, just ask DH, who has to deal with me. I think Monday and Tuesday wore me out, I am better now.

Hoping to catch ya up on the Science Fair tonight.

It is beautiful out right now. Gorgeous!! Who thought I would think 44 degrees is short sleeve weather! It is supposed to be 61 by noon.

No wonder the kids have bronchitis.

Seriously.

I am ahead of the curve this morning, beds are actually made, everyone is fed, and dressed, and in good spirits...

I am trying to figure out how SR got mud all over his shoes....must have been at recess yesterday. Leave it to him to find a big mud puddle....

Things are good.

DH and I are watching Season 2 of Deadwood again....I love it.

I am off to work in a short sleeved blouse, and skirt!!

I am going to have to do Spring shopping soon. The girls told me the office is HOT in summmer...they said it is terrible. ICK. I thought I could manage with lightweight sweater sets, sadly this will not work...

must come up with another plan. I figure skirts will be nice.

Must come up with some sort of budget...

I have NO summer clothes...tank tops and cut offs... that will not work in the office.

LAter...

Running behind, Science Fair was a blast

SR must be feeling cruddy...

DH just left, and PN and I are having breakfast, and watching Franklin, I just heard coughing, so SR must be awake....

He has a big day today, as it is "The Science Fair"...

There are 200 participants.

SR thinks there were far too many volcanoes.

We had to change the science fair project, SR had picked salivary amaylaze, and how it changes starches into sugars, but frankly he is 7, and since it takes about 4 minutes of standing with cornstarch on your tongue...well it was not nearly as flashy as he expected. He did not think folks at the science fair would stand for 4 minutes with crap on their tongues...

So he decided Sunday to change his experiment to Non Newtonian fluids, and viscosity. All with the help of our good friend corn starch again. H/T to Trying to Grok

Pictures to follow sometime in the next 2 days

Remind me never to wear 4 inch heels on days like this....

Seriously. I was out of the house at 8am, took PN to Pre-K, then ran SR to school, where we discussed his science project, looked for his Spanish vocabulary words, which we never found...and studied, until he went in, and then I was off to work. At 3pm, I clocked out, ran down 4 flights of stairs, ran across the parking lot, ran into SR's school to pick him up, ran out, ran through the parking lot, drove to get PN, ran into her school, ran out, ran across a parking lot, drove tot he Dr. Ran with both kids into the Dr. We were only 1 minutes late.

While at the Dr. my diagnosis was proven correct. Both kids have bilateral bronchitis. SR had a chest x-ray to see if the Dr. could figure out if the kids has asthma...

Oye...we will not be able to tell until this bronchitis goes away.

So the kids are both on antibiotics, SR got a refill for his nasonex for his allergies, (as allergy medicine like zyrtec, and Claritin make him wild) He was also the recipient of an inhaler....

I am not surprised by the amount of illness we are picking up, as SR went to a small school last year (total number of students in the entire academy last year was 70), this year he is around 800 children, PN the same, she has never been institutionalized, and now she is around about 200 kids who have varying degrees of snot running from their noses. WE also have to remember we are in a different region with different disease etc, with a different climate. We are used to humid, and right now it is dry, dry as a bone.

But still ughhhhh. I told the Dr. today, hey dude, I am glad I started working, so I can at least pay you...

The kids seem to be slightly irritated by the illness, me, I am sick of IT. Seriously. I am tired of calling Drs. and begging to get squeezed in. (I do heart the kids pediatrician, he is a pleasure, and the kids like him), but I do not want to have to see him once per month.

Today was a good lesson in taking a running suit to work...

Me thinks it is going to be a long day

SR's bronchitis, which seemed to improve Saturday, is worse...

PN started coughing as well. She came to my bed at 3:00am because of nightmares nad a cough

I am going to guess they both have bronchitis, now.

Fan-freaking tastic...

So today after I get off work, I will be making a trip to the Dr, and then coming home to make a hurried dinner, and then it is off to the school to help set up the science fair....

long day indeed, and tomorrow promises to be worse. Yeeeehaw

Snow, and the democrat...

My Husband's Step Father is here this weekend for a visit. He is in town for some Democratic fund raiser/political event. I am letting him stay here despite that. We love him dearly, but I find the conversations are hilarious and absurd on both ends. He thinks Rachel Madoux, and Oberman are right on, as I sit here and laugh at how cartoonish I think their views are, and when I talk about how I adore Alan Keyes, he seriously bends at the waist and thinks I am kidding. It is like being in a vortex....I just sent him and DH out of the house, so they can go to a golf shop, and buy me some more yarn, as I am almost completely out. Perhaps a break from political discussion would be good.

It snowed here, and got down to about 6 degrees. This is not sledding weather, I will not go out of doors in 6 degrees, with this wind, and sled. I refuse. So I just went downstairs, and collected a large wardrobe box from the move. I am letting The Collective magic marker , and color it, and make some sort of fort for the day.

I was down and out this week, in my red tent. Contemplating on keeping my woman parts for the 100 time. I managed to make it through work by eating advil, and pamprin by the handfuls. And no I am not exaggerating, I was taking about 800mg every 3 hours and if I waited until 4 hours I was doubled over in pain. I need to find a new vagina whisperer here in town. This should not be fun or exciting, and I do not want to start "all over again". Not excited. Adenomyosis, is an icky icky thing.

So I am trying to catch up on laundry, dishes, dusting, and the rest of those things that do not complete themselves.

I am hoping The Collective no not kill one another over this box, and now see I amy need to get a second one from the basement to prevent death. I should know this by now.

OK second box obtained....I hope this was a good idea.

SR's coughing seems to have subsided a bit, I decided against a trip to the Dr. and am hoping it improves.

time

is a precious commodity these days here at the house. It seems as though there are not enough hours in the day, and the cobwebs here are insane.

The Collective are currently coughing, yes both of them. It sounds like bronchitis, I am going to see if I can get them both through the day, before taking them in to the Dr. I just keep thinking, we have spent more time at the Dr. than I care to.

The other night while playing Monopoly jr. with the kids PN announced

PN "do you know why I am having one child?"....

DH and I: "No."

PN "So I know who did things, when I ask."

She is brilliant! This is the same child who when asked what she would like to be in the future, she says "A Mommy." This is also the same child who wanted 5 children, but decided against it, because she decided it was far too much work.

Frankly I wish that loony Mother of 14, would have taken 2 minutes to call my 5 year old, because she figured it out at 5 years of age.

I also have came to the conclusion that the Dr. who got the loony woman pregnant should have to take care of those children. I imagine that sort of "event" would never happen again.

I have been under my rock this week, We did manage to make it to Ash Wednesday service last night. Our assignment was to use the 51st Psalm as a template for a letter to Christ, and instead of "giving something up for Lent", we were asked to add something to our life over Lent to bring us closer to Christ. I thought this was a great idea.

I keep forgetting my dry cleaning, and need to pick it up TONIGHT.

WE now have a science fair to prepare for, and I think that may be it.

DH has been especially busy at work, he left here this morning at 2am, it seems as though Spring will be busy for him.

Work is fine for me, of course now that I have almost figured out our current computer system, we are changing it over in a month or so.

All is well....

Unable to ch ch ch change gears.......

For some reason, I have noted, I am abnormally tired this week.

This is a strange feeling for me, as typically I am actually full of energy. Motivation can lack, but normally I can go-go-go.

I am going, but my head is not in the game.

That is the tricky thing about insomnia...

It seems to catch up with you at unlikely moments and times, and you feel as though you are operating in a fog.

FOGGY. I hate that feeling, and I have had it since Friday.

Let me see, tonight I am washing preschool blanket and pillow, preparing science fair proposal with SR, grilling hamburgers, made breakfast a go go cookies for the kids (quite delish).

I did manage a run to the dry cleaner yesterday with my clothes that needed cleaning and pressing, I can pick them up tomorrow night.

Yesterday, we had company, DH's aunt and Uncle were celebrating their 36th wedding anniversary, they came to see the house, catch up with the collective, I had promised to fix a meal, but seriously I was wiped...so we took them to dinner....they are always lovely company, and it was nice to see them.

Gotta go before I burn my burgers

Where is my Unicorn?

H/T XTNYoda

And she sings...

Funny how a small stomach virus can throw a wrench into everything. But it did, and I have been playing catch up since that time.

Friday, was a snow day, and we managed to get 5 inches...today it is almost all gone. However we did take advantage of it, by playing in the snow all weekend! ALL weekend. We are lucky enough to have an empty field across from us, with a small hill, and DH and I managed to help the kids down. I tried to show off run, and jump onto the sled to show The collective what speed could do downhill. However the snow was so powdery I simply landed with a thud, and knocked the wind out of myself. It was hilarious, and no, I do not have film on it.

DH stayed out with the kids for 4 hours yesterday as it was Presidents day, they made a gargantuan snowman. It is on the north side of the house, so it is still standing. They had fun. One wall of a snow fort was built. The temps were great, and I cannot complain.

I have my first church choir practice tonight, I am excited, as I really wanted to join when we moved, but the church we decided to attend, had none, until tonight! So I will get to sing to my hearts content. When I was younger I did sing in church, a few solos here and there for Baptisms, and Blessings of children, but I have never sang in a choir.

Seems as though work is keeping me busier than I could have thought, it is not terrible. I am just very scheduled. VERY. And any free time I seem to get is spent with DH, and The Collective, as it should be. DH's schedule is unpredictable at best, and his days are typically 10-14 hours, with a lot of weekend travel. In fact I am looking at the Month of March, and it seems as though he is only home 5 days. SR has Spring Break, so I am sort of struggling with what to do at this time. I have a backup plan, I will just have to see how "easy" it is for all involved.

I need a haircut in a bad way, the back looks like a straggly mess. Hoping to get in tonight or tomorrow to get it straightened out.

OK I am off to figure out dinner, do my 2 loads of wash, unload the dishwasher like every other Mom in the country...

And the rest of the week gets more interesting...

WE got an automated call from the school last night...

They are closing schools today, because of the weather.

We are expected to get 4-8 inches.

Frankly this does not sound like a good reason to cancel school in a city that is able to function in the snow....

DH is placing all bets on school canceling because Monday the kids have off as well. So a 4 day weekend is ensuing.

Normally I would be OK with this, but because I was home M-W with a sick kid, that is $155.00 spent on 1 day of daycare this week. WOW. And 3 days I went without pay. Add all of the medical testing, etc I had done to PN on Tuesday, it appears I am in the red this week.

In good news DH is taking the day off to spend with the kids. Which will be fun for the 3 of them. However, he is missing a big meeting he had planned...

like a dog with its tail between its legs...

OK,

I think all are healthy here.

Let me find some wood to knock on.

OK.

So I missed 3 consecutive days at work, that is always great to do at a relatively new job.

I have to show up this morning, with the feeling of guilt, like I was on a Love Boat cruise instead of up to my elbows in all things bodily fluids...

3 days. I do not think I have ever missed so much work, even due to personal illness. With exception of when my Mother was ill.

So I must head in today fully caffeinated, and ready to roll.

DH could not stay home as he had a finance class, that the Army only offers once in a blue moon.

I loathe not holding my end of the bargain up...

Of course me being the emotional person I am I will be able to read everyone's reaction this morning to my absence.

Wish me luck....

"Can I have egg nog...?"

Only a child would ask this, after vomiting all contents of her stomach for 12 hours...

seriously, she asked for egg nog, of all things.

Meanwhile Mom looks like she has been through the dregs of hell, and has laundry stacked to her eyeballs, puke stained carpet, bed linens, rugs, rags to wash, puke buckets to rinse, toilets to clean....

she wants egg nog.

So she must be feeling better.

that is the good news.

Orange push ups will stain the carpet, just in case you want to know...

No I have not yet attacked the stains with hydrogen peroxide, yet...frankly I am too tired to.

So for 2 days PN has had a case of the bottoms...

and tonight, it worked its way up, and there was plenty to clean up, crying, fetching of ice cream buckets etc...

Oye...this thing better stop at one person in this house.



In other good news, I have had to pay for daycare I have not used, and I have not gotten paid, because I have not been to work for 2 days...

poopfest 2009

After all I am #1 for how to get poop out of carpet...so why not.

My poor daughter is sick...

Please, say a prayer, as we are off to pick up SR from school, and medicine from the pharmacy...as well as all things gatorade, lysol and food for a sick tummy.

I do not want to be #1 for how to get poop out of car upholstery.

I also want this virus to stop in its tracks....

The internal red flashing light....

When i got the Collective ready for school this a.m. something was not right.

Since I was home with PN, yesterday, we took a nap. Actually I laid down with her in my bed to get her to sleep. I went ahead and set the alarm, just in case, because we did have to pick up SR from school. So, I flipped to the food network, which I thought would work to put PN to sleep. I am not a napper, it takes me forever to fall asleep, and then I end up getting 20 minutes which makes me feel worse than I would without a nap, so I do not nap. When the alarm went off I noted I was napping alone, and when I went to turn off the alarm, I walked over to it, and managed to have so much static electricity that now my alarm clock is not showing numbers on it.

So I had DH wake me this morning, after he woke to his alarm. DH is on the cusp of bronchitis as well I suspect...

I woke, the Collective woke, we did the usual routine. It was "F" day at school, so I managed to remind PN to put her frog book in her bag, and she dressed herself in her football cheerleader outfit. She was excited to go.

SR, was sort of a grump, but he is grumpy about 2 mornings a week.

PN, did not complain this morning, but looked not quite right, so on the way to her school, I put a call in to her Dr. asking if I could get her in.

I got to work, still felling uneasy...

About 1 1/2 hours later I got a phone call from PN's daycare. I guess she was crying and complaining of a tummy ache. So I excused myself, and headed to retrieve her and call the Dr....

When I got her, I noted she could not sit, it hurt her tummy to bend at all, and she was an incredible amount of pain.

So we headed to the Dr....
3 hours later, a urine sample, abdominal x-rays, blood, and strept tests later.....well they are still unsure. They are running a CMP, to make sure her liver is ok at this time, as she has clay colored stools....otherwise they are guessing this is some treacherous gastrointestinal virus, that lasts 5-10 days...

PN was a champ, and did not even flinch for her blood draw...

RIP Lux Interior

The Cramps frontman passed away the other day, at the age of 62, due to heart problems....

this information found out via Boudicca, whose brother TN knew I was a fan.....





How original were The Cramps?

Well here a performance taped from the Napa Mental Hospital 1978, the patients are all dancing and having a wonderful time!



I have posted several videos and covers from The Cramps over the past 4 years...

and I recalled writing this about seeing them LIVE at The Ranchbowl in Omaha...

Reminds of the time I was lucky enough to see The Cramps in November 1997 at The Ranch Bowl in Omaha, Nebraska. Yeah, The Cramps were in Omaha.....Never ever thought I would have gotten to see them. It was probably one of the best shows I have seen live. Most memorable concert experience ever? Me walking right next to a leather and fishnet clad Poison Ivy, and Lux Interior as they made their way through the very Nebraskan bowling alley. Surreal.

Let me add when I broke the news to DH, he too was sad, and then said "that means Poison Ivy is available?" and then he pretended to head for the front door...it cracked me up, as who did not love guitar playing Poison Ivy, and wife of Lux Interior? May her memories bring her comfort....

Lesson 2,891

Never say

"Oh my child never has gastrointestinal illness"

Because, they will wake with it...

I had to call in with a sick child today, because PN has a case of the tummy bug. So far no vomiting, which is good...

I keep thinking could end up going in late, because kids are resilient, and she goes from feeling fine, to running the the powder room....

Ahhhhh kids. I will also say this she is getting so tall. She is a beauty, and spirited. I heart her, and it is nice to spend the day with her, even if she feels icky.

We have opted to watch a Princess sing along, and stay in our jammies...maybe I will catch up some housework....

The weekend was a busy one. DH was gone, so i took The Collective to Omaha to see a girlfriend from High School for the day. It was fun, she has 3 boys...I think PN felt like she was on the outs.

Yesterday we went to church, and came home, so I could catch up with all things housewifey. Ha, my plans were foiled as I called my Father's girlfriend, and noted they were 5 minutes away. They drove 2 1/2 hours to check on us, and bring Valentines for the kids...it is nice having them close.

This week is Valentines Day parties, Parent Teacher conferences.

Val Douche Kilmer...

Holy Crap...

This Ain't Hell posted it....

Holidays?

Who would have thought that the month of February could be so busy?

It seems as though SR will be celebrating the 100th day of school this week. I guess this has become a big deal. Who knew? So we have to count out 100 of something small to take to school this week....

In addition ha must get Valentines ready for class, and make a Valentine Day Box. This could be a challenge as SR wants
You all know I have o creative skills. We will see.

I had also signed up to help in September with SR's party, however this was before I started working, I will be 15 minutes late, but notified the parent in charge of party....

PN, also has a Valentine Day celebration, and we are to bring more Valentines, and plates, and suckers.....

There are also parent teacher conferences this month.

Seems awfully busy for a sweethearts holiday....

I also must buy treats or something for 2 classes of folks.

I need to get this done before the weekend runs out, because I just want to be done with what I can be.....

I managed to have a teeny migraine last night, I went ahead and took my imitrix, as I did not want it to get worse, or wake with a headache this morning.

how many coats does one person need?

I currently have about 10 various jackets and coats...it seems like too many until the weather over the past few days arrives. I have needed, 3 in the last 24 hours...

Last night we had a sudden burst of sleet and snow. This morning, was a chilly 20 something, this afternoon, a glorious almost 40....

Bwah.

In sad news I am retiring my favorite long black top wool coat. The lining is ripping out, and if you look close, it is worn. I recall buying it at TJ MAXX in 1989 I purchased it for $99. That is right I currently own clothing that is older than people I work with...

It seems to me, now would be a great time to replace the long wool black coat, with another one. Coats are on sale, and a wool coat will last forever and ever, or well almossst.

I also think I can probably get away with spending about the same amount on a new one.

I thought about getting it repaired, but wowzers...the coast is about 1/2 the cost of a new one...

I would love to get a houndstooth one, you know how I love the houndstooth, but I think a straight black one is probably the smartest thing to do...

It was a gorgeous weekend!!!

So DH and I decided to take the kids to the Henry Doorley Zoo!

I got to explain this...




We also wore "light jackets"...a big deal!

I cannot wait to go to the College World Series this summer...