project laundry....

I am folding laundry, again. The never ending job.

After we moved, I neglected my netflix, I started it again tonight!

We have been watching news practically nightly for the last year? Holy cow, well, news and DeadWood.

I figure we will be working our arses off in the yard, for the next month, until it is up to snuff. Right now the lawn looks fabulous! We have GRASS, bluegrass, not bermuda, for the first time in 8 years. I have grass the kids can run barefoot on.. In fact the other day I caught SR lying in the grass watching the clouds...

Today's lawn work included weeding. I am almost DONE with the flower beds, I also have all of the trees, and shrubs pruned, and trimmed. Well except for the roses bushes, they are tedious, and I think there are 6 of them, and they are good sized. The war on the butterfly bushes is OVER, and what a battle it was. Seriously. This is our 3rd pickup load of brush....

Tomorrow we are going to try and figure out where to put our veggie garden. The kids voted on strawberries. DH found a greenhouse the other day and insisted I stop in. He was right, it is fabulous, and they have wonderful large pots for the front porch, and back deck.

Photos are sure to come....

It is not 90 at night, it is cool, and requires a jacket. Maybe we need a little fire pit

In like a lamb, out like a dandelion

I have posted this photo before, and i think this is the last cross country hike thing we did. We hiked through Colorado, and Utah. We had a wonderful time.


We are getting ready to take The collective hiking, and on our first over nighter in a tent...DH and I used to love to go hiking....and we have not gone since the collective were born. Oh sure I have taken them on short nature hikes, but it is not the same. Our old wonderful tent...I guess the poles, went bad. Who knew they could do such a thing? We did replacement poles for it. I suppose it goes to show you, if you don't use it, you will lose it.

I am looking forward to it, as I do none of the cooking while camping, and my only rule is, I get a shower EVERY night. Hiking is nasty, and sweaty. It should be fun. I think The kids might complain on the long hikes, but hell Nebraska is pretty flat.

The Collective have taken to picking dandelions for me as of late, and they get SOOOO excited seeing them. They think they are bright and beautiful. I tried to explain to them that no one wants them in their lawn, but they are indeed useful.

I have since attempted to give the collective a tutorial in all things one can do with dandelions.

They are edible, and supposedly are quite good cooked as greens (I have not done this).

They are also delish served fresh in salads, I had this at my Grandparents one time, Grnadma made hot bacon dressing. They were good.

Here is an entire page of recipes here

For more information, go here.

My Mother's parents made dandelion wine out of dandelions...

Here are some medicinal uses for dandelions, found HERE

---Medicinal Action and Uses---Diuretic, tonic and slightly aperient. It is a general stimulant to the system, but especially to the urinary organs, and is chiefly used in kidney and liver disorders.

Dandelion is not only official but is used in many patent medicines. Not being poisonous, quite big doses of its preparations may be taken. Its beneficial action is best obtained when combined with other agents.

The tincture made from the tops may be taken in doses of 10 to 15 drops in a spoonful of water, three times daily.

It is said that its use for liver complaints was assigned to the plant largely on the doctrine of signatures, because of its bright yellow flowers of a bilious hue.

In the hepatic complaints of persons long resident in warm climates, Dandelion is said to afford very marked relief. A broth of Dandelion roots, sliced and stewed in boiling water with some leaves of Sorrel and the yolk of an egg, taken daily for some months, has been known to cure seemingly intractable cases of chronic liver congestion.

A strong decoction is found serviceable in stone and gravel: the decoction may be made by boiling 1 pint of the sliced root in 20 parts of water for 15 minutes, straining this when cold and sweetening with brown sugar or honey. A small teacupful may be taken once or twice a day.

Dandelion is used as a bitter tonic in atonic dyspepsia, and as a mild laxative in habitual constipation. When the stomach is irritated and where active treatment would be injurious, the decoction or extract of Dandelion administered three or four times a day, will often prove a valuable remedy. It has a good effect in increasing the appetite and promoting digestion.

Dandelion combined with other active remedies has been used in cases of dropsy and for induration of the liver, and also on the Continent for phthisis and some cutaneous diseases. A decoction of 2 OZ. of the herb or root in 1 quart of water, boiled down to a pint, is taken in doses of one wineglassful every three hours for scurvy, scrofula, eczema and all eruptions on the surface of the body.

"It's very difficult to keep the line between the past and the present. You know what I mean? It's awfully difficult."...Edie Beale

I recall posting about THIS before...

My very first documentary in 1978-79. I was 8-9 years old...

Well they made it into a movie...

Here is the trailer for the original documentary.



Here is the new remake



I am hoping to watch it, with a big box of popcorn, and seriously what I wouldn't give to go dressed as Edie......maybe for Halloween?

The sun on our face

DH had to work today, which has become the norm. A lot of 28 day work weeks it seems. I decided I could stay home, and try to clean, whilst entertaining The Collective, or we could go to the Zoo.

We decided to go to the Zoo, and make a trip to the commissary. I called my Brother, and he actually brought cousin curl.

First off hats off to Henry Doorly, for giving family memberships to members of the military for less than $40! I need to send them a note of thanks.

Grandma misses her Grand babies, and wants pictures. Here you are Grandma, we miss you and cannot wait to see you.

pfffssst.

I heart the dog whisperer, and about 1 year ago I told my husband, I wondered if Mr Cesar Millan would come to the house and help....

looks like the South Park guys thought it would be a good idea too....

I might try the chicken thing...

Joe Biden scared the crap out of Nebraskans!

Flu is here? Maybe?

Looks like I have a troll...

here is the video for brass monkey

Let them eat Cake

Michelle Obama wore a $500+ pair of shoes to the food bank....

discuss.



I wonder if George Soros sent them?



Reminds me a bit of Madonna cavorting around Africa in her expensive track suit

squinting

Let me see....

It has been busy here. The collective are both learning Spanish. PN is right on her Brother's tail, and it was told to me, that she is doing fantastic, and we should be proud. She can even roll her rrr's.

SR, has been sort of roller coaster lately making it through most of the day and then having at least one frustration meltdown a day this week. Monday it was a mathematics problem. His mentor was out ill, so he had regular math with his peers, since he is ahead of them, his teacher gave him a worksheet to keep him busy, as the rest of them were working on adding. He did not like that at all. I am guessing it is because she did not explain it. He can work a+13=26, but he got a sheet that was a+b=26. I am not sure why he was stumped or frustrated, but he was. He was upset, and had to go the the Principals office to settle down.

Oye.....I asked her to send the sheet home, because we would go over it with him, she forgot it today.

Let me see, it is raining, and I will not complain, as I still need to turn on my sprinklers after blowing them out. I also have to WEED something fierce, and finish my pruning. We have mowed, and now will probably mow once per week. I have beautiful purple bud trees up front, and oh my too many things to report. I have lilac bushes right under my bedroom window, they will need to be moved. I also have 5 butterfly bushes in need of pruning of some sort. It is a lot of work.


We got new software at work, which I must say the font is terribly small. I find the headaches are almost daily. I probably need glasses, but seriously the font is nuts. Also the magic new software is not really as uber cool as anyone would have thought. It is currently a pain in the ass.

Tomorrow is only Wednesday.

Green

Camp Ashland is right by the river...it was pretty


My shoes....I think DH inadvertantly took this photo. I ended up with pearl colored shoes, that reminded me of Laura Bush


Last night we had DH had his annual Officers convention.

The night certainly did not go off without a hitch. First a bow tie emergency. My husband came out of his bedroom, with his bow tie untied. Ughhh....For the record I have no idea how to tie a bow tie, at least not one I can guarantee will stay tied all night. He said he did not want to look like Colonel Sanders all night. (I had made him purchase the tie while in DC this past fall) So I had him purchase yet another one, from Men's Warehouse on the way out of town.

I was pleased with my new dress, although i will say I need to get my arms back in shape. I was also having a weird hair night because it was raining and terribly humid. (For the record I have naturally CURLY hair, and spent about 30 minutes, with my fat curling iron putting big loose curls in it....

stupid hair.

Ummmmmmm....It was nice dining with DH, and spending some alone time with him, the chance are rare, and we do appreciate the time alone immensely.


My sister and her Husband came for the weekend to hang out, and watch the kids. and the funniest thing happened this morning before church....

My Sister and I arrived in the living room, looking identical this morning. We both had white shirts on under sea foam green sweaters, brown handbags and brown shoes....It was weird. I went and put a plum sweater on so we would not look like idiots while out shopping, and at church. It was hilarious.

I did manage to find a Spring coverlet for our bed. It is cotton and a lovely shade of green. I noted a lot of the coverlets were dry clean only, which seemed odd to me.

I also managed to get some more dead sea salt body scrub, and body butter...it is summer, and my skin looks dreadful.

I hope you had a wonderful weekend.

Loved reading Romans 12 this morning....

The last honor flight for WWII Veterans from Nebraska

You can read the rest here...

Ranger UP????

I think I found her!!

And an Army Wife, blogger, and a model!

I think Ranger Up, stopped taking entries, but I think they might bend the rules for this beautiful lady.

Let them know you think they should give her a shot!

customerservice@rangerup.com

He makes me laugh...

This was terrific this morning!

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