Mommy's Minute

Tales From Under The Bed

2006-07-26T07:24:00.000-07:00

While Sam spent last week at his dad's house, I tackled his room. My goal this year is to get him into an organized routine, because he suffers from ADD (inattentive, without hyperactivity) and staying organized will help him tremendously.

His little brother has been fascinated by Sam's room since he started walking seven months ago. He had all kinds of things growing, breathing, living in that room.

I decided to start under the bed, which stands over a foot off the floor.

The first couple of feet were fine, I slid and hurled clothes, shoes and garbage out from under.

Then I tummy crawled underneath. Only my below the knees were exposed, and I continued to toss piddly junk like pink beanie babies that his great grandmother from his Dad's side insist he have - WHEN HE WAS 10!!

Then, something Big, brown and hairy hopped down my shirt. I was so started, I wacked my noggin on the 2x4 attached to the bottom of the bedframe. While I checked my head for bleeding (I was sure I felt that tingly blood running down face feeling) I discovered a piece of paper. It had "Sam" written in girly girl writing with a heart outside his name.

So, being the sneaky mom, I wondered if I should open and take a look. "No One is here, I am all by myself" I was thinking just as a cold clammy hand grabbed my ankle.

So I wacked my noggin again, on the same 2x4 in the same place, for which I still had not determined the extent of the first injury.

It was Tony home for lunch, and I had Evanescence blaring on the stereo, I didn't hear him sneak in.

After we had lunch at Hunan's, I went back to my project. It took me 3 days to clean that room, closet, drawers and all.

Among the things I found:

A shopping bag full of Easter Candy and empty wrappers.... under the pillow. Sam said he had been looking all over for it.

More love notes. Lots more. Typical puppy love stuff, "wanna go out with me?" kinda stuff even though they are years from driving!!

Dead AA batteries everywhere.

I had no idea he owned 5 CD players!

Tony's missing underpants....... alrighty then!!

A Chik Fil A Sandwich, still in original foil, located inside his desk drawer. Hard as a rock and had the face of Virgin Mary on it. Well, not really, but it was hard as a rock, and I guess he thought he would save it for later??

WEATHER PAGE UPDATE:

Something happened to my weather station, the first storm that came through. We initially thought it was lightning, and so a new part was sent. The part howsomever has not solved the problem. So my new pal Brett at Davis Instruments are going to take the next step when he calls me back.

As soon as I get up and running, I will start the page and go from there.

More later, in the coming days!

Hurricane Ivan: Two Years Later

2006-07-17T06:07:00.001-07:00

On September 16th, Hurricane Ivan slammed onto Orange Beach as a Cat 3 Hurricane, sustained winds of 130 mph. It caused tremendous damage to homes, condos, retail centers, and the roads. The vegetation was severely windburned, hardly any survived.

Fortunately no one was killed. Gov. Riley ordered everyone off the island, and rerouted I-65 southbound lanes to make them northbound lanes.

I remember this well. My Granny lives in Orange Beach, in The Pines on Wolf Bay. She moved there just months before from her Seaside Condo on the beach. God had a way of telling her she needed to go, NOW. She evacuated to my aunt's house in Wilsonville, AL. My uncle, who lives in Mobile, stayed behind and took shelter at the National Guard Armory where he was a reserve.

Traffic on I-65 on September 14 was horrific, even in Birmingham. There was no hotel, motel room to be had. It took me over an hour to get to work, which normally only took me 15 minutes. The license tags on the car were not only from Baldwin and Mobile counties, but Escambia (both FL and AL) Conecuh counties were tags that I recognized.

I had a terrible gut feeling... a feeling of doom, fear and sadness. It was like I knew my home away from home was about to change forever.

And it did.

In the early morning hours of Sept 16th, Ivan rolled ashore with furor. The aftermath was devestating. Hwy 182, was destroyed. Many condos were destroyed, and had to come down. Many popular restraunts, gone. The trees and shrubs were badly windburned. Hwy 59 was flooded - with water, furniture, appliances, and the alligators.

It was a week before my grandmother who lived in zone 13 was allowed back on the island. We feared the worst, she is 4 minutes from the beach, 1/2 block from Wolf Bay and just a few miles from the canal. We thought for sure she would be flooded out.

Fortuantely, not even a screen was out of place. She was lucky, being that she had just moved in, and didn't have hurricane shutters, and had to leave in such a hurry there was no time to get shutters, much less get one of us up here to come down and board her windows for her. The condo complex she lived in was severely damaged. The first floor was completely blown out, and the next two floors suffered serious water damage.

Two years later, most of the damaged houses are removed, and being replaced by high rise condos. Palms trees have been replaced, and restraunts have been rebuilt. You have to look really hard and know the area well to know what used to be where. The further East you go, into Florida, Perdido Beach and Pensacola, you can still see lots of damage. Florida didn't fare so well.

Playin' Catch Up!

2006-07-17T05:50:00.000-07:00

Just in from a sunny few days in Orange Beach, AL for a visit with my grandmother.

My Granny is doing great, she has lost a ton of weight, her "drawers" won't stay up, and she has a spiky new do. Most important, she is healthy, energetic and cancer free now. I haven't seen her look this good in years.

Elijah loved the beach. This was his first time to actually touch the shoreline. He isn't afraid of the waves either, which means next time we go, I will have to get a shild safety harness with a leash to keep him from running me and everyone else silly. We fed the seagulls, and he was mesmerized by the number of birds that flew over us. I took pics, but they won't be back till next week. I forgot my camera and had to buy a disposable one.

Sam hung out on the beach. He loves surfing. Tony and me have talked many times about moving down there permanently (he is in the perfect position to transfer!) And I told Sam that he would be a surfer instead of skater. He isn't quite sure about that one though.

We discovered our favorite restraunt, Gulf Bay Seafood Restraunt on Canal Road has closed. This was a sister resturaunt to King Neptune's in Gulf Shores, only bigger and cleaner. They had a great seafood platter for two for only $50. And it was huge, full of steamed red royals, snow crab legs, blue crab legs, crab claws,raw oysters (YUCKY SLUGS), and the regular side items. Soooo.....

Tony and me discovered Cosmo's on Friday nite. Not a typical seafood place, more like a whimsical Ruby Tuesday that offers....

SUSHI!!

That is our favorite thing in the whole wide world. We were thrilled to discover this. Plus, I DID NOT go off of my diet. The whole trip. It wasn't hard. I am pretty motivated.

Speaking of which, after my next post, regarding Hurricane Ivan Recovery, I will be hitting the gym!

Changing Trends

2006-07-10T14:36:00.000-07:00

It is about to be a different life again. A little more fun. I have purchased my weather station and it is on the way here from South Carolina. I cannot wait to get it up and running!

Tony and me went to Swamp John's in Alabaster. It is a new Catfish resturaunt that opened up a few weeks ago. I was thoroughly un-impressed. A friend told me it was like going into a dressed up Captain D's. I don't think they ate there, and that was probably a good thing too. They have nothing to choose from, just fried fish or fried shrimp. I hate anything that is fried. My french fries were cold, not even cooked all the way. The food is served in a cafeteria style buffet, you go and place your order and they place the cold fried food on a styro plate. People are friendly enough, but I give that place 6 months at the most.

Full Moon BBQ for dinner that night. I walked in to pick up our carry out, and the place smelled like heaven! Tony got a thing of ribs, and Elijah and me had bbq chicken sandwiches and coleslaw. Thumbs up!!

All this eating over the weekend has led Tony and I to have a discussion. About me. And my fat. He told me to make a lot of money on Ebay, we need that money to get me a brand new body. Sooooo... that little remark has cost him dearly. I signed up at a local gym for ladies, a luxury gym, with machines that have little fans on them, an indoor running track, massage therapy and a tanning bed. Oh and there is a sauna and steam room, a cafe with wireless internet and CHILDCARE!! Wooo!!
My personal trainer started me off today, lightly. She said in 6 weeks I will have a new body. And it will be a tanned one at that. So HA Tony! Eat your words NOW!!! In just 6 weeks, I will be going skinny dipping, while you my fat little friend will be going chunky dunkin!! And I cannot WAIT!!

Boys are gone till tommorrow. Going to go play some. More later!!

Needing An Energy Boost

2006-07-07T05:37:00.000-07:00

I linger in the doorway
Of alarm clock screaming
Monsters calling my name
Let me stay
Where the wind will whisper to me
Where the raindrops
As they’re falling tell a story

In my field of paper flowers
And candy clouds of lullaby
I lie inside myself for hours
And watch my purple sky fly over me

~Imaginary by Evanescence

This is exactly how I feel this morning. I simply did not want to get up. Today will be a low key day. I will list a few jewelry pieces on Ebay then take it easy for the rest of the day, preferably by the pool with the kids.

I do have some incredible news though! My dear sweet husband has finally relented and has given me permission to buy what I have been wishing for for nearly a year now. It is a weather station, and not just any old kind. It is a Davis Vantage Pro 2 Wireless station, the same sophisticated instrument that our local weather team at abc 33/40 uses. I will be able to measure rainfall, by the day, hour minute and the year. Wind Speed, Dewpoint, Wind Chill and more, all from inside the house. I am one step closer to fulfilling a long, long time dream of some serious storm spotting. My friend Michael, ( also a weather geek like me ) has said he will help me get it set up when I get it, he has one too and loves it.

Next goal is getting my Amatuer Radio's License. I have the book, just need 2 weeks of peace and quiet so I can study for exams. Then I will get a hand held radio, and join spotter groups, SKYWARN and ALERT.

Coming soon to the world of blogs near you..... a weather blog for the Alabaster, AL area. I will be keeping a journal of sorts in this blog, of Alabaster storm stories, forecasts and daily readings.

So just thinking of those thing has given me the energy boost I need to get moving....

more later..... :)

More Farm Pics

2006-07-03T11:12:00.000-07:00

More Farm Pics

Farm Pics

2006-07-03T11:05:00.000-07:00

Here are some pics from our weekend at the farm. Be Sure to scroll down for more details.

City Slickers Go To The Farm

2006-07-03T10:35:00.000-07:00

We had fun at my sister's farm just outside of Carthage MS.

I think I have gained 10 pounds. It shows. Tony said he could tell I ate a lot.

Because country farmer people are used to cooking on a massive scale, it is easy to overdo.

There were about 16 people there for my niece's party. Mostly my brother in law's family, who is a very lively, fun loving bunch.

We hung out outside most of the day. It is as dry in MS as it is here in Alabaster, AL. Elijah and Sarah played well, most of the time. When one of them did something the other didn't like, it turned into an inaudible screaming match between the two.

Sam, well, I hardly saw him. He was off in one pasture or the other or in the woods on the four wheelers with my nephew Aaron and his two cousins, Emily and Jennifer.

There were 76 acres of land we were on. It was so big and so peaceful. I regretted having to come home. I could live there, and never ever be bored.

Sarah had a great 2nd birthday. She got all kinds of stuff, mostly pink girly girl stuff. She likes to sing and dance, and is the prissiest thing you would ever meet.

We took Elijah to the barn to see the chickens. He didn't much like the way they smelled. But he was fascinated by the horses. Crazy Horse, who really is crazy was just as intrigued by Elijah as he was him. He stayed in the pasture across the street. Every time he saw Elijah, he would whine and come running to the fence, full speed ahead. He was really excited. But he was crazy and wild. We could never take Elijah near him.

We did put him on Daisy, a pretty grey and white horse that belongs to my brother in law. He didn't know what to think. He does want a horse though.

Sam, the last twenty minutes we were there had an accident on his four wheeler. He hit a bump while making a turn, and it slung him off the ATV like a rag doll. He has a 4 inch nasty gash on his knee that probably should have been stitched up, but we butterflied it shut. He was lucky. I am not crazy about him being on the 4 wheelers, but he is twelve, ad he needs to go and be a boy.

All in all it was a great time. I got to know some really wonderful people, and made new friends. I was really sad to leave.

Posting pictures - then got to go feed Elijah and do the shopping for groceries.

More later!!

When The Cat Is Away, The Mice Will Play!

2006-06-29T06:53:00.000-07:00

Tony is in Atlanta today, but he will be home tonight.

I did not do diddly squat yesterday as far as chores and such. Sam played on the computer and I played with Elijah.

Well, I did some other things. I took a package of Swarovski Crystal Jewelry to the post office, for shipping to South Africa.

I have never shipped anything to South Africa, nor have I ever seen a country with so many restrictions on what can be shipped from the USA.

Jewelry was one of them, apparently. No clue as to why, but as long as it is registered, it is ok to ship.

Upon returning from USPS, the Invisible Fence guy was at my neighbor Amy's house to repair the fence that had been struck by lightning a while back. She had told him to come and see me for any problems or questions.

Turns out, when he went to repair the electric box, he inadvertenly got into a hornet's nest and was stung a number of times on his arms and back. That poor guy then came over for some benedryl. He said he was allergic to bee stings, and was already swelling up.

So I medicated him, and checked him over for any loose stingers. (yes, he took his shirt off, and YES he was HOT!!)

After I felt he was ok to go ( I was concerned he would go into anaphylaxis and wanted be sure there were no symptoms of that) I grabbed a can of wasp spray (kind that shoots 25 feet) and gave it to him. I had already called Amy to tell her what had happened, and I needed to know where I could get the dog's electronic collar) He bravely went to the nest and sprayed, while I rifeled thru Amy's kitchen drawers for the collar.

After which the Hot Invisible Fence guy was going to test the collar to be sure the fence was working again. No need for that. I crossed the invisible line while holding the collar, and nearly electrocuted myself. I still can't feel my pinky finger!

So it was a fun afternoon. I watched Skeleton Key last night. Then dreamed I was Rachel on Friends and Chandler was hexed by some bad Voo Doo Curse.

Tommorrow we leave for Missisippi. Tony isn't going. Just me Dad and the boys. Sothat will be a few more days of fun.

More next week, I will post pictures of my family and exteneded family from the trip!

Just Stuff

2006-06-27T04:56:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, after I finished with Ebay stuff, we went to see Granny, who is in town visiting my aunt.

She has lost so much weight from when she was sick with colon cancer. She is almost skinny! Now that she is "cured" she looks fantastic, has so much energy! It was great seeing her. I hope that when Tony goes to Mobile next week, we can come too and stay with her in Orange Beach!

Elijah started running a fever last night. I hope it isn't his ears - he has been in the water a lot and is prone to infections. If he still has a fever this afternoon, he is going back to Dr. P.

I have to list 10 items on ebay again today, I don't want to. I am so tired. But I know I have a nice break ahead, so I guess I gotta!

Got an Eagles song, Take it Easy going thru my head. I own several Eagles albums. Sam and his friend Tyler crack me up. They are really getting into the good stuff. Sam asked my dad if he had ever heard of Motley Crue. Poor man has heard more than he wanted to when I was in high school. I WORSHIPPED Tommy Lee the drummer, who Sam gets confused with Tommy Lee Jones. HUGE DIFFERENCE there! HA HA HA!!! And Tyler came into the kitchen the other night when I was prepping dinner, and asked me if I knew who the Black Crowes were. I told him that I was older than he thought, and used to like them when I was in school. I think it is really great they are listening to what Gen x'ers parents thought was horrible stuff. What is out there NOW is pretty bad! Think I will try my luck with Sam today, and bring out my Eagles CD. And some Queensryche. Now THATS an intelligent heavy metal band!!

Tony gave me some disturbing news..... the company he started working for 3 months ago has been sold. No one seems to know to whom, and MSG ain't telling. Apparently this was going on prior to his employment. So far no jobs have been lost, and Tony is as busy as ever, if not more. I can tell he is worried but he said his job there is secure and isn't going anywhere. I hope he is right.

Better go start on the Ebay stuff. Perhaps it won't take too terribly long!! I can't wait till Friday- too bad we cannot leave on Thurday night! Tony whined this morning, "but you won't see me for five whole days!!"

I just smiled.

Another Crazy Monday!

2006-06-26T08:30:00.000-07:00

I cannot wait till Friday!!

We are going to Carthage MS to see my 2 year old niece. She is having a big ol' party on Saturday. I have never seen my sister's house out there. So this is going to be fun.

We will leave Friday morning. DH is NOT invited.... (currently not on my good list - so the time apart will be fun! )

So he goes out of town on Wednesday and comes back in on Thursday nite.

will have 5 days of peace. No Ebay. No cleaning up his mess in the kitchen and picking his dirty undies off the bathroom floor.

No "will you................(fill in the blank with typical request)???

No computer. I doubt my phone works out there.

Just peace.

My sister lives in the sticks. Literally. The closest facility around them is in Philedelphia, and those are the casinos.

Nothing but farm land. Elijah will get to pet a horse and probably a cow and chicken or two. Sam will ride the 4 wheelers thru the never ending woods with my nephew Aaron and his two cousins.

I have just about packed. I am so excited!!!! YAY!!

But first, gotta do the chores.

Later!!

Thunder Rolls

2006-06-23T12:16:00.000-07:00

Thunder Storm going around us in Central Alabaster. We so desperatley need the rain, however we didn't recieve the tiniest drop!!

And The Shots Kick In

2006-06-23T05:23:00.000-07:00

Elijah's MMR immunization kicked in yesterday morning around 12:30 AM.

I had only been asleep since 10 pm Wed night, and he woke up cry and screaming and running a temp.

He always, ALWAYS reacts that way. Without fail.

So up we all were (poor Tony and Sam.... who can sleep with all that screaming!!) I can turn him off, being deaf, but the others were were clearly climbing the walls.

So we walked the floors, Elijah and I. We rocked (my poor tailbone!!) and we sang "Itsy Bitsy Spider" which did nothing but make him cry harder.

Finally his meds kicked in (Motrin) and we passed out on the sofa at 4 am. Tony had the gall to wake me up at 6 to ask me to iron a shirt for him..... where I told him he could shove that iron up his butt sideways.

Hope today is much better. I took him to his grandmothers house yesterday and he spent the night.

Got to ship for Ebay stuff. More later!

Slowing Down!

2006-06-21T04:52:00.000-07:00

Today is going to much less hectic.

I got 99.9% accomplished yesterday. I did not finish wrapping dishes in bubble wrap, which resulted in us not going to the UPS store to ship. I will finish this mission today.

Elijah's visit at the doc went well. The doc was concerned about his severe reaction to his breakfast on Father's Day at the Golden Corral tho. Elijah ate some eggs, which is a no no for sure now, and his face broke out in hives, his tounge swelled up within just a few minutes of consumption. Fortunately a dose of Benadryl had him back to normal in 30 minutes!

He has had plain eggs before. But these eggs may have had milk in them. Also, the bacon he ate may have been fried in peanut oil. So, no more eating out for him. We can still go, but we have to stay with "safe food" for him....( a hamburger patty and fries from McDonald'e is still considered safe)

Soooo, what should have been a quick visit at the doc's office turned into a very educational one. I was trained on what to do in case of an Anaphylactic emergency.
Basically, they taught me how to give him an ephinephrine injection using an "Epi Pen". seems simple enough, if he is having a reaction where there is swelling of the face (hence the possibilty of swelling of the throat) give him the shot, give him benadryl and call 911.

Sooooo he goes back for his third allergy testing in September. I think I will call Dr. L the allergist and bump the date up. We need to know NOW what else is making him sick.
Mother's Day Out is definately out of the question. He just has too many limitations on what he can eat.

More Later....

Goal Today: Walk and Chew Gum At the Same Time!

2006-06-20T07:04:00.000-07:00

Today is gonna be a wild one.....
Listing AT LEAST 10 items on Ebay today. That should cover me for 2 days. Pics already shot and edited.
Then.....
Wrap a 28 piece lot of dishes in bubble wrap.
Take to UPS for shipping, along with the jewelry going to Canada.
Then.....
Straighten the house, make the bed and start some white laundry
Then...
Vac the pool
Then.. shower change and get ready
for...
Elijah goes to get his shots at 4:15,
but NOT before.....
I have to run Sam by his dad's... he forgot his CD's
AND.....
his money, I am taking him to get season 7 of the Friend's DVD's
BECAUSE...
he will be a HUGE help today and he deserves it.
Why all this??
Elijah does NOT do well with his shots. He will cry for 3 days solid after getting immunized.
Say your prayers....Stay tuned!!
oh yeh, gotta put the whites in the dryer or they will stink.... LOL

Elijah in the Pool

2006-06-19T05:25:00.000-07:00

Here are some pics of Elijah in the pool...

Take it Easy..........

2006-06-19T05:06:00.000-07:00

Take it easy, take it easy
Don’t let the sound of your own wheels
Drive you crazy
Lighten up while you still can
Don’t even try to understand
Just find a place to make your stand
And take it easy

-"Take it Easy" - The Eagles

At least that is the way it was this weekend....... starting on Friday night.

We did minimal chores on Saturday, then went to another cookout at my Father and Step mom in laws house, we they grilled steak, pork chops and shrimp. YUM!! I made a tossed salad and brought a watermelon. Tony had a few too many beers so we had a lot of fun poking fun at him - he never does that.

Then yesterday, Tony got a wild hair to cookout at our house. My dad, his dad, Linda, and my uncle came to this one. We grilled out freshly cought Tuna from Orange Beach, shrimp Kabobs and burgers. There wasn't any swimming though, I was too busy trying to clean up after Tony, who like his Mom uses every pot, pan plate and utensil and does not clean up as he goes.

The Kitchen was so trashed. Took me FOREVER to clean it. But it was Father's day and that was what DH wanted and since he is truly a wonderful husband and dad that was what he got.
Fortunately, I had his stepmother, my favorite mother in law, there to help with the cleanup while the guys chatted in the back yard.

Elijah likes to swim in the pool. But his swimsuit that has built in floats inside it is a little big and instead of keeping him upright, it flops him face forward in the water. So I blew up his baby boat and he seems to like it ok. He got his first swim lesson, and he kicked and paddled like a natural.
Teaching him to swim should not be hard at all!!

Got to go say bye to my uncle who is going home to Mobile today!!

Well, Cook Me Blistered!!

2006-06-17T05:19:00.000-07:00

I finished the pool yesterday, two days ahead ofthe goal I had set for it to be done.

Sometimes, being "goal driven" can get you into some big time trouble. Because I have not worn a swimsuit in 2 years, my shoulders and back have not had much exposure to the sun. In just 1 1/2 hours, I got BLISTERED. And it hurts.

So much for enjoying the pool today. Maybe tonight when the sun goes down. grrrrr...

But we got in yesterday! then I went out and bought the boys floats.

Great cookout last night, altho no one wanted to sit next to me. I was a living outdoor heater with this sunburn. Fortunately Tony's mother only brought sodas to the party. So my kitchen never got trashed.

Going out Father's Day shopping tonight. That oughta be fun!

more later......

TGIF!! It is Party Time!!

2006-06-16T05:03:00.000-07:00

Lots to do today! Hitting the yard sales in a few minutes.... THEN when it gets good and hot, I will be hitting the now crystal clear, newly repaired pool..... to clean the hard to reach crevices and the large pile of leaves that my vertically challenged self cannot reach even with a 14 foot pole.

But I am getting in and that is what counts!!

Then.... we are having yet another block party across the street at my dad's house. At least they won't be trashing mine this time. It is fun when it is at someone elses house.

Unfortunately when the party was announced, Tony's mom (not stepmom) was there. So to be polite she was invited too. She is notorious for fixing an over abundance of food.... in my kitchen with my dishes and leaving the mess for ME to clean up. But not today. I will call her at work, and tell her NOT to worry about anything, I have more than plenty, and that the kitchen is off limits.

On Memorial day we had some 20 something people here. It was a bring your own meat and a dish to share event. She brought her own meat for US to marinate, in our dishes, and made a giant mess in kitchen. She was also the first to leave, and it took me over an hour to clean her mess up.

I am the type of person who cleans as I go. I make my dishes the day before, to make things easier. But whenever she is around, it just makes it harder.

So I will call her and let her know that will not happen this time, or any other time.

Nicely of course!!

:)

Paypal Woes But The Pool Is Fixed Finally

2006-06-15T04:54:00.000-07:00

Bad news first. Paypal has frozen our account once again.

They decided to do a chargeback on an item we bought and and recieved. Without our consent. So not only can we not ship, again, but our customers cannot pay for the items they bought from us.

We are still in dispute over the money that has still not been credited to the account. I hate Paypal. DH seriously lost his cool last night with them. He pretty much told them how sloppy they were. Their response was that everything is "automated". I guess all of those customers service reps you actually talk to are there to handle customer complaints such as ours. For more paypal horror stories check out this link. I have been doing my homework with these yahoos.

http://www.aboutpaypal.org/

On happier notes -

After wrangling for a few weeks to get someone out here to fix the pump, only to not have them show up- I called Ken Messamore - owner and operator of Spa Tech pools. DH informed me he was the guy who put in our liner and sandfilter two years ago. Ken came right out the next morning and installed a new superpump that is so quiet, you have to check to see if it is turned on. So I will have a pool to swim in by Saturday. This morning I went to backwash and the water was so dirty in the filter, it was BROWN. EEEEewww! Spa Tech Pools in Birmingham are highly recommended!

Taking the boys to Peach Park in Clanton after I vaccum the pool. There has not been much fun time at all this summer with me working from home. Peach park has the best goodies!! Of course this will not help me when I go swimsuit shopping later......

Yesterday Elijah had his first big pool experience! We went to Grandma Offet's house two doors down to play with Zachary (Gack Gack) who was in the pool. So Elijah just plops right in. He had a blast!! He howled all the way home like a activated tornado siren. So when I changed him, his diaper was so full of water and his behind looked so big, I started chanting the Rap hit "Baby Got Back". He looked so funny with a big ole butt!

Speaking of which.. I think I hear a "tornado siren"............ Time to start the day!

Reflections Of The Past Week

2006-06-10T06:32:00.000-07:00

It has been a few days since I last posted. Tony went out of town, and the crowd (us) went wild!!
It was a nice break.

Went to see former coworker friends. My friend Kathy is back in BHAM working, and is looking for a place to live. She currently lives in Anniston, and the drive is killing her.

It was really great to see Kathy, Charlotte and Robbi. But they warned me that when I get ready to go back to work, not to go back there. I wasn't planning on it. I was miserable before I left. The company had started going in a direction against my beliefs. Now, it has gone to pits.
When I go back to work, I plan on getting in with Children's Hospital in Birmingham. It is a goal I am confident I will achieve. I also plan on going to nursing school. I love helping people feel better, and I especially love children. It will be a move that will make my MIL proud, she has wanted for years for me to come and be a nurse with her!!

Discovered some prescription painkillers disappeared this week. I know who took them and he will be caught redhanded. I have a surefire plan that will work. I was taking those for a broken tailbone injury sustained when Elijah was born. The thief that took them has taken from me before. He will no longer welcome to my home after I put my plan into action. He had a drug problem about 15 years ago when we got out of school. The fact that he asked me what my herbal Horsetail supplement was for (pain) tells me he was in my meds. I might even plug up a hidden cam so I can capture the look on his face. I will be sad to lose the friendship I have had with this person who was my best friend since we were kids. But, friends do not steal from friends.

Shame Shame.

PRAYERS ANSWERED!!

2006-06-06T06:22:00.000-07:00

It is like Sam said last week, when it seemed the world had crashed around us.... "Mom, when I have a really, really BAD day, like you and me are having right now, the next day ALWAYS looks better. " That boy is my rock, and I took those words to heart, hoping this time it was true.

In his phrase, I will change "Day" to "week", because the next day was only worse, and then stayed on an even slow keel.

Yesterday looked even better. The sun started to come out from all of the storm clouds that had hovered over our home.

PayPal finally allowed access to our account. YES! Finally we are getting somewhere!! So when they reimburse us the money stolen, we will close the account.

Upward Trends?

2006-06-06T05:08:00.000-07:00

Finally - some relief!!

I can ship again, and without having to take from VERY limited personal cash funds. Paypal account is still frozen. Solid. But the replacement card is here, and my ebay customers will be happy. I did send a email out, explaining what had happened and that shipping had been sidelined for a few days. When all is said and done, I will be closing our Paypal account and opening a merchant account with Visa/MC thru our bank Their response time is quicker for the customer (us) and they can go about their investigations without further disabling the customer (us). I know when our bank had a breach of security a few months ago, we knew nothing of it until we got a new card accompanying a letter explaining why and to destroy our old card. That is customer service there folks. To serve and protect the customer without further disabling them.

I do not ever want to go thru this again.

Amanda came over yesterday to work on the pool. I had warned her that DH had tried to take the motor apart and was unsuccessful. She too argued with that thing for over an hour trying to get the housing off the replace the part. I have to hand it to her, she lasted longer than Tony did, who about took a bat to it. She has repaired pool motors before as part of her job and admitted she has never had a problem getting inside one like this. So I have called in an onsite person who will hopefully be here this week, and we will go from there. After the motor is fixed, Amanda will be back to help finish the cleaning, which requires the motor..... Gonna do something real nice for her when all is said and done. Perhaps a gift cert for a local scuba dive shop?

Elijah has discovered the pool. He pointed to it yesterday and said "Baf?" (ie: Bath) Gotta get that door alarm on the sliding door that goes to the backyard. He can reach the lock on the handle now, and this alarm is a lock that goes up at the top of the door. If ANYONE tampers with the door without disarming the lock (this goes for Sam too!) it lets out a piercing alarm. Sam will not be able to reach the lock with out a chair. But we have had a longstanding rule since we moved into the house, and was a condition of buying the house.... Sam is not to go out into the back yard PERIOD without an adult. He is 12 now and an excellent swimmer, but the rule still stands. We won't allow anyone to drown in our pool. I will also be installing a pool alarm - it lets out a screeching alarm (like a car) when anything 15lbs or over falls into the pool. The whole neighborhood will hear it. Either way, the pool will be running by the weekend.... can Monday be the day we can swim in it?? Please???

Sam went to Six Flags yesterday. He had a ball! I have a pic of him, his dad and my former sister in law on Goliath. Sam was the only one hanging on tight! But at least he had his eyes open. He came home all sunburned tired but happy.
I am glad he finally got to go to his aunt's house in Atlanta. They had to get away from the tensions surrounding their parent's remarriage, that neither of them wanted to happen.
I say going to Six Flags was an excellent way to forget their stress for a while!

Tony is going back to Mobile again tommorrow. And he is leaving my car, that he usually takes because his truck is too small for him and his coworker. They are taking the Coworker's car this time.

Yippeee!!

PayPal Sucks

2006-06-05T06:01:00.000-07:00

Just got off of the phone with PayPal for the 5th time. I cannot believe I am still trying to get our.... OUR money after early a week later after someone made an unauthorized charge of 1000 pounds ( nearly 2 thousand US dollars. )

The credit card company that we had to cancel didn't give us this much hassle. They canceled our card right away and re-issued another one.

Hubby called last night for the first time. Since the account actually is in his name (they apparently do not do joint accounts) HE is actually the one who is supposed to call, thanks to secretive bad apples in the world who created this whole privacy act thing, that even spouses cannot obtain info, only give info. In the old days, the husbands worked, the wives stayed home and cared for the kids, kept the house, did the shopping and paid all of the bills, which were usually, solely in the husband's name.

We have had to sign an affidavit and mail it off to them, and now they want a copy of our credit card statement?????!!!!!!!

So I called again to clarify that this was not a spoof email. It is totally unfair that they are still holding OUR money hostage when someone broke into THEIR system because THEY failed to keep it all secure.

When my sister had her wallet stolen years ago, she was up and running again in a few days.

Paypal says they want to be sure that it is really us whose account it belongs to. It does not help that hubby refuses to call and puts me in the middle. He is being as uncooperative in this as they are, and I am in the middle.

I do not mind helping. He is very busy at work and cannot always get away to call.
Paypal does not want to talk to me. I can just ask general questions, which I have been fortunate enough to be able to word in a way that pertains to our case.

Fox 6 on your side, ladies and gent, I may be calling you for help!

Another Saturday.....

2006-06-03T06:51:00.000-07:00

Tony has gone off to yard sale again. He does it so much better than I . Last week he got me a sofa table for the foyer, only $15!! It looks really nice in there. I cannot believe he paid so little for it. Most of our home decor accessories come from yard sales or thrift stores. DH is so talented. He can take $50 and come back with everything you need for a new room!!

Step MIL is coming over later on. She sounds depressed. I hope she is ok! Working on a plan to cheer her up, she is one of my dearest girly friends!

Pool part finally came but Amanda has not called me back. Anyone out there good with motors feel free to volunteer. I have to get the pump running.

Paperwork in motion for getting our $$ back that was stolen early Tues morning. One snafu has come along, but hopefully DH can straighten this out. It hurts to think right now!

Sam's paternal grandparents, who had a nasty divorce a couple of years ago have decided to get remarried to each other. The grandmother (aka "crazy nut lady" ) tried to take the poor grandfather for everything he had which wasn't much..... poor man I do think he must be losing his mind!

Just talked to buddies Delvin and Kathy via AIM. I used to work with them at CompUSA a few years back, we went thru hell together, cried on each others shoulders and we all quit together when the crap finally hit the fan- and we still try to keep in touch. We are FAMILY!! Kathy is moving back to Bham, and I am going to try and find her someplace close to me so we can do "girl stuff" LOL!!
It is always great to hear from old friends!!

Found a SCORPION half alive in the dryer last night. With my Clothes. Already dried. Amazing it lived thru it. I hate bugs and anyone who knows me knows I TOTALLY FREAK when I see one. I managed to get the scorpion out without getting stung (used to cohabitating with them now) and showed it to DH. "My Thats a BIG ONE" he says. Like I caught a prize fish!
..........TERMINIX!!!!

Sam's Buddy Woes Part 2

2006-05-31T12:58:00.000-07:00

Sam showed me a transcript of a conversation between his best buddy and his friend Aimee.

Yeouch. I guess Aimee was right. Sam is learning who his real friends are right now.

He has gained a lot of sympathy from the girls, who he shared the transcript with which contained notes where his so called best bud called him gay and a fag several times.

Wonder why he became so mean? Sam just wanted to be his friend. Just wanted to fit in, so he found other interests that mirrored his good buddy's. Until this year there really hasn't been any guys for him to hang out with in the neighborhood. Where we lived before, no one let their kids go out without a grown up. It was that kind of a neighborhood.

I blocked his emails from coming further. Normally, I wouldn't meddle, but that kind of abuse will not be tolerated. Instead, they are forwarded to me where they will be screened. So tired of the "tit for tat". I think it will be a long summer. Sam has no interest in continuing the friendship now.

Elijah escaped the playpen again while I was on the phone with PayPal (again!!) and under Sam's watch. He went all the way up two flights of stairs to his favorite room in the house.... Sam's bed room.
Sam's bedroom would fascinate anyone. There are clothes everywhere, soda cans, candy wrappers, and stuff he just won't put away.

Elijah locked himself in Sam's room, then went to work. We were terrified when we couldn't find him. I ran straight for the backyard where the pool is to make sure he hadn;t somehow gotten the back door open. We heard him crying, he couldnt get the door open in Sam's room to get out.

It is going to be at least 30 days before the investigation is completed for our accounts theft. I hope they prosecute to the fullest extent. I am still furious, I worked hard for that money.

It is like my friend Michael said this morning...... God has a special place for those kinds of people......... it is a place called Hell.

It Could Happen To You

2006-05-30T12:51:00.000-07:00

Today has been absolutely horrible.

I woke up, got ready to ship off some items that ebayers had won in my auctions. I did over $700 last week, and was pretty damn proud of it.

There was no money in my paypal account.

I looked to see if perhaps DH had transfered it out already. We do not keep cash in the account.

He didn't, but individuals named Steve and Veronica Lamb in the UK apparently not only helped themselves to my money, but also to a credit card belonging to DH.

I am missing over $2000.00. In US Dollars.

Reports have been filed, I think the card has been canceled (at least I instructed DH to call the financial company to report the card number stolen.)

Until the problem gets resolved, presumably after they finish their investigations, my account is frozen.

This means I cannot ship, refund, pass go and collect my $200. Instead I feel like I have gotten a "go to jail" card.

I have worked so hard for this. I am trying (and WAS succeeding at) to run a successful home business. I cannot work outside the home right now due to Elijah's severe food and enviromental allergies. Daycare for him right now, is NOT an option.

Why are there so many dishonest people in the world? I would love to hang the individuals by their ding dongs over a very pissed and hungry alligator pit. Maybe swing 'em a bit and hit them with a baseball bat just like they were a pinata full of Milky Way candy bars.......

To add to insult, my freaking pool part has not arrived. I have called twice. I am still pouring chemicals (also known as $$$$$$) down the drain to keep the pool from turning green.

Sam is equally agravated, he was told by a long time family friend's daughter that his (Sam's) best buddy has called him a "fag"
It is hard to tell what is true. I have known this little girl ( now a high schooler) since she was just hours old.

Of course my son didn't take this news lightly. He asked me what to do. I told him he could talk to the individual about what he was told, or he could avoid him altogether. I told him that a true friend will always stick up for you, and will never talk bad about you behind your back.

Heading for Brusters. Maybe a nice ice cream will soothe the blues.

Mission: Failed

2006-05-28T19:37:00.000-07:00

Well, Monday comes in a few hours, and still no pool.

On Wed. night, we ran into a snafu. Amanda came over and heard a loud high pitch whine coming from my filter along with a rattling noise. I was inside, and of course did not hear the awful sound.

She ran itno the back yard, and shut off the pump. By then I had seen where she was hard at work, taking apart the motor that runs the pump.

Not a good sign. She discovered a piece of plastic had broken off inside and was beating against the rotor blade in the motor. Soooo, together we put the hateful thing back together, hoping this piece of plastic didn;t serve much of a purpose.

No such luck. It provided pressure to the blade, which provided pressure to the pump to pump more water faster.

So on Thursday, I set out to find a part. Clearwater Pools in Pelham had no idea what it was, nor did they offer to help me except to send me to Rec Pools and Spas down the road.

Little did they know that Rec Pools only deals with ABOVE ground pools around 20 thousand gal. Not 40 thousand Gal INGROUND deals.

The nice man who really seemed to want to help. sent me to Leslie's in Hoover.

I wearily walked in where a nice man named Richard greeted me at the door. He asked if he could help, and all I did was hold up the broken part. He not only knew what it was, but was able to order it for me. It will be here Tues.

Meanwhile, I am pouring chemicals down the pool, to keep it from turning green. It was almost there before this happened.

Oh and Sam got honored on Thursday at the Honors Ceremony in reading. I am a proud mama!

Elijah has learned how to tickle people and dogs and cats. He will go up to your bare feet, or the cat who he calls "Mow Mow", the dog he calls "Dog Dog" and do his fingers with a mischievious smirk and say "Pickle Pickle Pickle!"
He is so cute.

DH and I finally think we have this ebay thing figured out. We are doing pretty ok these past couple of weeks with it. He has bought me a ton of brand new costume jewelry to resell. I hope it works, or everyone is getting costume Jewelry and Boyd's Bears fro Christmas for years to come. Even the guys!!

Going to bed to snuggle my DH... who in one day consumed an ENTIRE box of Blue Bell popsicles.............. sure hope there is room in the bed for me!

Working For The Weekend

2006-05-24T06:15:00.000-07:00

"Everybody's working for the weekend
Everybody wants a little romance
Everybody's goin' off the deep end
Everybody needs a second chance,
ohYou want a piece of my heart
You better start from start
You wanna be in the show
Come on baby lets go"
~Loverboy~

Pool work is coming along nicely. It is no longer green. I worked on it all day yesterday. Sam stayed home from school, playing hooky. I never let him do that, but because we think he pulled a muscle in his side, and wanted to be sure that was all it was, I kept him home and he played with Elijah all day (12 hours!!) so I could work on the pool.
I still have frogs, but if they do not find a new "pond" to live in they will be dead soon. Sound harse? I gave up on the "save the frogs" missions a couple of years ago. They just hippity hop right back into the pool after I have placed them into the woods. The chemicals are strong and pretty much liquidfies them.
Amanda says it will be ready by Monday. Then, the party begins!! WOO HOO!!! :D

Ebay is getting to be really fun now!! I am actually making some money. If I keep at it, I won't have to go back to work next year. I really like being a stay at home mom!!

Hurricane season is predicted to be very active this year. This is NOT good news for family I have in Orange Beach and Mobile.

My blog friend, Kenny Evans has a new sight for us weather junkies and gulf coasters. You can see his hurricane sight here:

http://www.hurrwx.blogspot.com/

His other blog sight for everywhere else in the US is here:

http://www.wxsouth.blogspot.com/

Kenny absolutely amazes me. From Wichita, KS - now in Trussville, AL, he is a 15 year old high school student destined to be the next James Spann of ABC 33/40. From reading his blog, you wouldn't know his age, unless you read his about me profile. I can only hope that both Sam and Elijah have the same drive at 15 to achieve their goals and dreams that Kenny posesses. I know his parents must be extremely proud!!

Have tons of Ebay work to do - and a pool to vac. If you haven't looked at my stuff on ebay, go see - even if you aren't planning on buying. My seller id is Madhatter1972. I find it fun to watch family and friends auctions, just to see how they end!

More later.........

Hot and Sunny Crazy Week!!

2006-05-22T09:03:00.000-07:00

Tidbits of the weekend behind and the week ahead:

Another successful yard saling day! I swear DH has become addicted, and me too, tho I cannot go when Elijah is here, it is still fun anticipating what Tony will find in someone else's garage next!

Ebay seems to be picking up. I am having trouble finding things to put up though..... the goal is to list 5 things a day.

Amanda is coming over today to help me get the pool cover off, and start the treatment process.

I get to clean the algae covered pool cover this evening. Last year we tunred it into a giant "wet banana" ( remember those gen x'ers??!!) If we do it again this year, I promise to provide pictures - it is so funny - 'specially when Tony does it!!

We hope to have it ready to swim in by this weekend. It is, after all, Memorial Day weekend!!

End of Year Band Concert

2006-05-20T05:51:00.000-07:00

Last night Sam had his end of year band concert.

He had a solo during The Star Spangled Banner where he played the cymbal, and another during Voo Doo Dance.

They did very very well. My personal favorite was Hot Fudge Sunday.

We ate hamburgers before the concert at a special dinner at the school.

I will bring his drums home on Thursday, after the Honors Ceremony. I plan on checking him out then we are going ice skating.

I took pictures, but my camera was blurring when I zoomed for some reason. I hope it is ok, it was not a cheap camera, and was a gift from Tony two years ago.

Elijah the Monkey Man

2006-05-19T04:52:00.000-07:00

Just a quick note this morning as I can no longer leave Elijah alone in his playpen. He has learned to climb out.

Yesterday afternoon, I left him for 5 minutes to go upstairs. When I came down to the middle level of the house, there he was in the foyer by the front door playing with the cordless telephone.

He uses his "monkey toes" to shimmy up the side of the playpen then gracefully topples out onto his head.

Doesn't hurt him a bit. Then he climbed up the basement stairs into the main level of the house.

Scary. Just wait till he climbs out of his crib!

Mother's Day out this summer cannot come soon enough!!

Sam has a band concert tonight. It is the last one of the year.

Will post pictures later on.

Thar She Blows!!

2006-05-18T07:19:00.000-07:00

Back in April, Iwrote about how my goofy DH had to go to Atlanta for a sales meeting. He took my car and left me his truck which I had discovered had a bad tire.

He shrugged off the "area of suspicion" when he came home, and said there wasn't anything wrong with his tire.

At 7:30 this morning he called home and asked if he may borrow my car for the day. He had decided to get his tire fixed, and was on his way home.

I couldn't help but notice the remnants of a badly shredded tire in the back of the truck and the dinky little donut he had put in it's place.

I cannot seem to wipe the sarcastic smirk off of my face!!

But it got us out of the house for a while, he took us to Home Depot and Staples since he was in a serious time crunch.

I am not one to tell some one "I told you so." But that doesn't mean I can't think it.
I am glad he wasn''t hurt in an accident, which could have easily happened.

Another Long Night

2006-05-17T05:29:00.000-07:00

Elijah is cutting 2 new molars. He cried most of yesterday, and had a terrible tummy ache to go with it. I was up with him all night long. He is asleep for now.

I made my offer to my father yesterday for those Boyd's Bears. I don't think he will accept, depsite the fact that he has no place to sell them and no time to find a gift store willing to buy them for close to retail prices. It is his decision, but when he changes his mind, I won't accept. I intend to be working on a new project by then.

Sam has honors day on the last day of school for academic excellence. I am really proud of him!!
He also has a band concert on Friday Night. I have to find him some black dress pants and a red polo shirt....

My cranky neighbors have taken another neighbors comments about their weeds in the front yard to heart. They not only got rid of the weeds, but they have chopped down 4 shrubs in the front yard, making the porch area look naked. So far, no complaints from them about other neighbors. Perhaps they saw my blog????

Another neighbor has offered to help me get our pool (errrr frog pond) cleaned out! We will probably do this next Saturday when I can go and get some pool chemicals. We will make a cookout party out of it and it will be a lot of fun!! Still looking for a really loud stereo - will plan on blaring Jimmy Buffet's "Margaritaville" in the direction on the cranky neighbors.

Just kidding!! Don't want to go to jail for disturbing the peace - however I don't think anyone else would mind!! They'd probably want to join the fun!!

Gonna go finish the chores before Sir Teethes A Lot wakes up!!

:)

Blurbs

2006-05-16T05:50:00.000-07:00

What a busy few days this has been!! Dad's store is officially open, though he has only had one customer. A lady came in to his blue jean store wanting to know if he had a lay a way. Considering his jeans are priced between $4.99 and $9.99 - we are still shaking our heads on that one....

I got him set up with a couple of phone lines, his fed and state tax id's and a credit card company that also does check verification. I have also found a sign company which I hope he will decide to use.

I wonder when I will get paid.... HA!

Tony went yard saling on Saturday, and found me a decent comforter, some brand new hippie Rocket Dog shoes plus some stuff for me to Ebay. My ebay ID is Madhatter1972. Look us up!!

Sunday was Mother's Day. I hate little holidays like these. We spent the day listening to Sam whine about the hole in his shoes and the fact that he won't be getting a brand new pair till school starts. He specifically wants some high end skateboarding shoes and because he has gone thru 3 pairs this year tearing them up, he will only get them secondhand till school starts back.
Tony showered his mother with gifts and dinner to Ruby Tuesday then fussed at me for the $90 check -(I ordered a $8.99 turkey sandwich plate which I shared with Elijah and a $5.99 desert which I shared with EVERYONE) . I think he forgot that I was a mother too.......

I fell into a possible opportunity to possibly make some $$. My father bought out a gift store in Hoover, and has hundreds of Boyd's Bear products. I will be making him an offer soon to buy all of them. Please say your prayers, I really want these bears- and he could use the cash I am sure!!

Granny update - she is doing GREAT!! She comes off of her restrictions on the 25th. Being dx w/ colon cancer has changed her ways a lot. She is 81 years old and now walks every day the weather permits - along the beach, at the park, along the bay. She has been declared cancer free and feels so much better since the surgery!!

gotta scoot and get some ebay items up.

Bleary Eyed

2006-05-12T04:37:00.000-07:00

After going to bed last night at 10pm, I woke up an hour and a half later, missing Elijah who had gone to spend the night at DH's dad's and stepmom's house.

I didn't go back to sleep until 3 am, then back up again at 5:30 when DH had the nerve to wake me up.

So I am going to quickly take care of some errands then go and get him. I can no longer take him to the store with me due to the fact that he is a 2 1/2 foot tall Houdini.

Why can they not make a 5 point harness to hold a child in a grocery buggy?

The belt that goes around the waist prevents them from leaning over too far and falling out. My child does not lean. He props his fat little bare foot up and then stands straight up and pretends to fly.

He is only 14 months old.

It scares me to think that if I shift my attention for one second, he will be on his head in the floor.

Same for the highchair. I couldn't find one with a shoulder strap. The other day, Sam was supposed to be watching him while he had a snack, and instead he was watching TV, when I looked in on the two from the kitchen and there was Elijah, standing on his high chair tray and laughing.

I don't know who will die first, me from a heart attack or him from a daredevil stunt.

Mommies and Daddies - please, PLEASE feel free to give me ANY suggestions for this problem. I KNOW my child isn't the only future movie star stunt man out there!!

And people wonder why I am tired all the time...........

Coming Soon to Childersburg: Blue Roof Jeans and Things

2006-05-11T13:57:00.000-07:00

A most interesting day today!! I helped my hopelessly unorganized father get his new store in Childersburg ready for it's grand opening - sometime...... He wants to open up this weekend, but he still has much to do and no time to do it all in. Why?? Because he is a procrastinator. He still has yet to open a business account. He has to get online with the credit card companies. And he has failed to obtain his State and Fed tax id. When I went into the building off of hwy 280, it looked like yesterdays storms had formed inside the building. I feared for what I had gotten myself into. But it is coming along. It looked really good when I left. I had to come home to get Sam off the bus. The building is really old and rustic looking. Dad is selling western style jeans and shirts. The merchandise fits the design of the building. I hope it does well. I would know, I get to do the bookeeping (scary thought!!)

Severe Weather Threat?

2006-05-10T09:07:00.000-07:00

SPC placed us in a "Moderate Risk" for severe weather today.

According to 33/40, the NWS says they will be pushing the risk outlook area south. The radar is lit up like a Christmas tree from here back to Shreveport, LA.

We have already had one very heavy rain shower. Did I mention earlier I got soaked in it?? I shouldn't have worried about a shower, I could have saved money on my water bill by letting nature's pressure washer do its thing.....

I hope we won't see any tornadoes today. I do think we will see a large amount of rain and thunder.

For excellent weather coverage, if you are at work click here:

http://www.jamesspann.com/bmachine/wxtalk.php

An Innocent Transaction

2006-05-10T06:29:00.000-07:00

Just in from Thompson Middle School and speaking with Ms. Youngblood. I am soaked from the pouring rain. This only makes me angrier because if Sam hadn't made such a ding a lingy decision, I would not have had to do this this morning....

What happened was Jason gave Sam the check because he wanted to get into Sam's band locker.

Sam's band locker is huge, to accomodate his snare drum and bell kit, and it is the only large locker that is on the bottom.

Apparently Jason wanted to see what it was like to climb inside.....

I have a hard time believing that. I wonder why it was worth $15 to get inside someone's locker??? But that is their story and they are sticking to it.

No discipline action from the school, but Sam is grounded to his room, with no electronics of any sorts allowed until the end of the week.

I have to go easy because Sam was honest from the get go.

Fortunately the Johnson's were very nice about it.

Still shaking my head on that one. Hope this wakes Sam up......

Welcome to Teenager Hood

2006-05-09T08:21:00.000-07:00

Sam has managed to make a bad decision. To start from the begining, last week due to time constraints that prevented him from making his lunch, I gave Sam $2 to buy his lunch at the school. That afternoon, he came home and gave me my $2 back. When I inquired as to why he was giving me my money back, and did he not eat, he tells me this story:

A kid named Jason came to him and told him his mother had written him this check in which to buy him a new workbook. But since school is letting out, they are no longer selling the workbooks. Jason didn't know what to do with the check so he told Sam to take it and put it in his lunch account. Sam, bored with having sandwiches everyday, took it and deposited it into his lunch account. I asked Sam that if I had been the one to give him a check for a workbook, and he couldn't buy one, what would he have done with the check? He told me he would have brought it back home with him. I let the principal know what was going on, I wanted the parents to have their money back. Sam was called into the office today, and the principal got like, 3 different stories.

So I will be checking him out of school today to find out what is going on, and why HE told Ms. Youngblood a different story. I get to meet with the principal tommorrow, and yes, I sent the parents their money today.

I cannot even begin to understand what happened. I am mortified Sam would do something so selfish, so stupid! Did he not know that he could have been accused of STEALING???? We will be getting to the bottom of this today and will be ready to face the principal in the morning.

Stay tuned........

Just Another Manic Monday

2006-05-08T05:53:00.000-07:00

"Six o'clock already
I was just in the middle of a dream
I was kissin' Valentino
By a crystal blue Italian stream
But I can't be late
'Cause then I guess I just won't get paid
These are the days
When you wish your bed was already made
It's just another manic Monday
I wish it was Sunday
'Cause that's my funday
My I don't have to runday
It's just another manic Monday"

- The Bangles- Late 80's

Lots to do - and I don't feel like doing any of it.

Laundry - not much just a little bit, with some ironing. This can wait till Sam comes home to help with Elijah.

I have to steam clean the furniture. Sir Pees A lot has done it again. I see a trip to the pound in the near future.

Some drunk knucklehead has done yet another number on our yard. Living at the end of a dead end street has it disadvantages. They turn around in Amy's driveway, and back out full speed ahead. They wind up with their bumper embedded in my steep, grassy bank. Grrrrr.... I already have had to unpeel the sod and place it back on the ground. I will have to see Tim - (our wondermous yard guy) and make sure he knows to be gentle with his mowers here. We once had talked about bricking the bank, but that was a long time ago. A few months ago, we had a REALLY drunk driver back out of her drive, and all the way up my bank. Fortunately Amy was still up, and saw what had happened. She called Alabaster PD, who hauled him off to the drunk tank.

Two weeks left of school for Sam. I cannot believe my brown eyed baby boy will be a seventh grader next year.

Last summer, with having just had Elijah and him being so sick all of the time, we had a system. I made a pocket door we have between the dining room and living room into a giant chalkboard.
This was really easy, and took only about an hour before it was ready to use.
We used this door as a giant checklist for chores, that had to be done before noon, and before friends could come over and hang out. I havent used it much this year (only on school breaks) but I am looking forward to using it again. Between the very many Dr's appts and ER visits with Elijah, the house still stayed in some sort of order because of this.
This year, I expect will be easier, to a point, Elijah is much better now, but he is into everything. We are considering Mother's Day Out at the church for him.

Tony wants to get a booth down at KCees in Clanton. We may sell T-shirts, Onesies and Lingerie' for some extra pocket money.

More later, got to get up and moving.....

Little Bits and Pieces Part II

2006-05-06T20:14:00.000-07:00

** Did NOT get to hit the ice today, my skate buddy couldn't go.

** Rented "Scary Movie 2 &3" for Sam and Tyler who is spending the night. I am about half asleep now after watching #2

** Hung out with the neighbors (NOT Betty Sue- the cantankerous one)

(we have decided that since Grandma Offett's (the neighbor with the bush) son will be driving his motorhome and parking it in front of our house (with permission of course!!) my father will pop up his pop up camper and start a barbeque. I will be lending our motorhome guest a wading pool for entertainment. Betty Sue will love that!! HA!!)

** Does anyone have a latin CD (la la la la la la bamba!!) and a REALLY loud stereo I may borrow?? heh heh heh.....

** Did you know Bruno's does not carry Rice Milk?? It is the only milk Elijah can have other that hypoallergenic formula.

** 9 is the number of toenails Tyler has left. He vroke his big toe when he stubbed it, and as a result, had outpatient surgery to have it (the toenail) removed. Poor little buddy!

been up since 3 am thanks to a cat who peed on two of my pillows. I threw them away. Going to bed now.

Ciao'

Little Bits and Pieces

2006-05-06T05:29:00.000-07:00

** Spoke with our neighbors regarding what to do with old Betty Sue. They said telling her to mind her own business won't work. Just ignore her.

I bet she has never been told "Stephanie Style". Ha!

** Grandma Offett (the neighbor with the bush) is having loads of family over for the weekend. This might be interesting. She raised 9 kids (I think) and all of them are comng home. So are the grand and great grand kids. One of her kids will be parking their motorhome out in front of our house. I bet Betty Sue will LOVE that!!! :)

** DH is off yard saleing agian. Hope he doesn't bring home a lot of clutter. I just got the house the way I want it, and he is a clutter junkie like his mother.

** Hoping to hit the ice today, if neighbor Clint is home and DH will watch the little guy for me.

** Opening the pool this weekend, but it will be a couple of weeks before the water is ready to swim in.

** Woke up a 3:30 am this morning to the smell of CAT PEE on my pillow. Was I ever pissed - pun intended!

............which reminds me..... time to toss that 25 pound tailess bag of fat fur out!!

Cantankerous Neighbor

2006-05-04T15:36:00.000-07:00

We have a neighbor who is getting crankier and crankier - by the day!!

She has lived here for all of my life- I know- and has always been a glass half empty kind of person.

Unfortunately, she lives right next door to me.

She likes to pick on people. A few weeks ago, it was my father.

My dad goes to auctions at storage units where people don't pay their rental fees. He then resells the items he wins in the units that were auctioned off.

He stored them in his carport, after he ran out of room in his house.

Now, we can see why anyone would complain. It looked like a scene out of the sitcom, "Sanford and Son".

She complained to the City of Alabaster.

The city then cited my father. He goes to court next week.

THEN, she complained to the neighbor on the other side of her. She wanted her to cut her bush down so she could see on to their property.

My neighbor told her no.

Next it was the people who live behind us. We have a very private back yard, thanks to the Cofers, who are our friends as well.

The woman called and harassed the poor Cofers, asking them to clean the trees and bushes off of their (the Cofer's) property so they "could see"

Mr.Cofer went off on my stubborn cuss of a neighbor. He also said that if she called their home again, he was "going to lose his religion"

Ha!!

This week it is we who are being picked on. I try to avoid this nut lady at all costs. She smokes too much and she smells bad too. Not to mention, she calls herself a Christian, but is a backstabber. She actually had the nerve to tell me she thought Tony had a girlfriend because he leaves for work so early in the morning.

Griping that we haven't gotten the flower bed built on the side of the driveway between us. Even though it is going to cost us some $2K, we had our lawn care guy take measurements this morning.

Witch. She thinks she is soooooo perfect. Well, she has weeds 12" or more tall in her front yard. Alabaster has a public nusiance ordinance about that. Our other neighbor (the one with the bushes) pointed this out to her.

In which she immediately changed the subject. Later, her husband (poor man!) was out weeding it all with his little weed eater.

We have a nice yard. We pay lots of $$ to keep it nice. We have a really good lawn care service.

I understand she is out of town for the weekend. She has been know to peep between the privacy fence we have dividing our property to see what we are doing in the backyard. Someone suggested we prance around naked when she returns.

hmmmmmmm.......

Next week we believe the victim will be Amy, who owns a moving company. They on occasion have to bring the large moving van home when they are going across the country to move someone.

Stay tuned!!

Elijah's Swimming Experience

2006-05-03T15:29:00.000-07:00

Here is my pool!!
Testing the waters....

Climbing in.....

Mission Accomplished!

2006-05-01T07:51:00.000-07:00

Very successful yard sale on Friday and Saturday!! I got rid of all of my stuff - mostly baby toys and clothes. Elijah now has a huge playroom, which is in the larger portion of our finished basement.

I am thrilled that room is finally de-cluttered of excess furniture, and he can run full speed, have an indoor campout with his tent and tunnel, his tv, and most of his toys.

The sectional sofa we got last year folds into a queen size bed, for company right in front of the fireplace!!

Did I mention that I am thrilled?? Ha!

Oh and DH went yard saleing on Saturday, spending some of my earnings from Friday. He got me an end table for the living room, that is too gorgeous!! It is made from cherry wood, and has a colorful mosiac look pattern on top. It was just what the room needed - and it only cost 5 bucks!! I am sooo lucky to have a hubby with an eye for interior design - and he didn't even go to school for that like I did!!

A wicker basket w/ a lid (free!!) and a trunk ($4 bucks) was also purchased for the room, to hide a few toys for Elijah upstairs. We hung a gorgeous wall mirror ($20 bucks!!) and vi'ola!! - the formal room no longer looks like a daycare center.

Sam came home last night from his dad's and wanted to know if "Trading Spaces" came - he was really surprised with the changes we made.

And I get to keep the $200 bucks I made tee hee hee!!!!

Thanks Michael - for helping to keep the "Rain Gods" at bay!!

:)

GRRRRRRRR!!!

2006-04-26T06:56:00.000-07:00

DH has gone to Atlanta for a meeting today. He took my car, and will be home tommorrow.

When I took Elijah out to play this morning, I noticed that the rear tire on his truck was flat. He had run over a screw somewhere.

So I drove the truck to Dad's across the street so he could air it up for me, and was going to get it plugged when we noticed a little snafu.

There is a large and deep tear in the side of the tire, just asking to blow out if driven.

I am glad he took my car! I don't think he knew he had a bad tire.

I didn't have to go anywhere today, but was going to go visit my friends at Macy's, whom I miss terribly, and show off Elijah!

Guess I won't now. I already don't like to drive a two seater truck with Elijah in it anyway. I don't however, like being cooped up.

Grrrrr.......

Tidbits

2006-04-25T06:41:00.000-07:00

Huge, multi family yard sale this weekend on our street. Lots of baby clothes, toys, furniture and maternity wear at my house!

Sam and Tyler have made up. Seems Tylers grades in GRC have fallen to a "D" and that is what his parents were upset about. Tyler apologized, and Sam feels much better now. So do I, knowing now that he hasn't done anything to upset his parents, whom I really like. Cameron seems to have forgiven Tyler too, and it is nice to have all the boys back over again.

He is still talking of converting to Catholictism. Not getting support from his grandmother, but his father, step-father and I are backing his decision. We have both told him his decision is between Sam and God, not Sam and his grandmother nor her church. Tony has invited him to visit his mom's church in Montevallo. He is not interested, her church is too small he says, and he wants to be a part of a group who has lots of extracurricular youth activites.

I sprayed the daylights out of the house yesterday. Inside and out. This has prompted all kinds of critters to come out from nowhere. I found a slithery skink in the dining room, and a very big hard to kill millipede in Elijah's room.

Hired a new lawn care company to maintain our yard. He is our 3rd yard man this year. I had to sign a yearly contract with him, and he will keep our yard and flower beds looking nice all year round. I am really impressed with him, he is older, professional, and not like the college kids who do not pay attention to detail, and fail to appear when they say they will come. He is currently devising a plan to landscape the side of our driveway, which DH has been wanting to do since we moved here. I cannot wait to hear what he has in mind and I look forward to a long working relationship with him!

Elijah is definately all boy. He is an outdoors child. He tells me when he wants to go out, he points to the door and waves, and actually says "bye-bye". It is so cute! Polar opposite of Sam, he likes to play with rocks, sticks and mud. Doesn't cry when he falls and scrapes his knee.

Dad is opening a store. He is leasing my inlaws building in Childersburg. We have decided to call it Bluebarn Jeans and Things, it will have a lot of brand new western style jeans costing no more than $15 a pair. That and typical secondhand stuff, priced at thrift store rates.

Chores won't take care of themselves, got to get moving!

Ciao'!!

Things that make you go "AHHHHHHH!!!!"

2006-04-24T07:51:00.000-07:00

Houston, we have a problem.

In the last week, I have seen five, very large hairy spiders in my home. One was dead, in my dining room, and four were very, very much alive.

They have lots of eyes too.

One was the size of my palm. They are brown and have a light brown mark on the back. One was so big and blackish, and it had the fattest body I had ever seen, like a sydney funnel web.

It is the wolf spider. Minimally poisonous, painful bite. I did my research.

Yesterday, I found one in my bathtub. It was like a scene from Arachnophobia, girl gets ready to get in the shower, and the not so itsy bitsy spider is crawling up the water spout.

I can handle little house spiders. Just bop 'em with a shoe. However, I come unglued with big ones.

I screamed bloody murder. Couldn't help it. DH did not come to my rescue either. Says it kills the other bugs.

After I washed it down the drain, which was fun because it was furiously trying to attack me in the bathtub, I itched all day.

I had imaginary spiders biting me under my clothes, and jumped like someone had a hexed voo doo doll on me.

DH said I was a retard.

I will be spraying today, we do our own pest control, but since I will be the one doing it, I will be very thorough.

They say when you home is infested with spiders, to keep your bed covers four inches off the floor.

Who says they cannot climb on the bed posts??

DH refused to let me get a hotel room.

NOT lookin forward to getting in the dark, crawl space under the house and basement......

What if there is a giant egg sac, like in the Arachnaphobia move??

I guess I will call Terminix then. And maybe the police. Who cares what hubby says!!

Brrrrrrrrrrr..........

Sam's Friendship Woes

2006-04-21T07:59:00.000-07:00

Sam and his best buddy seem to be on the "outs".

He seems to think Tyler's parents feel he is a bad influence. I just don't see why they could think that. Sam is a good kid.

It started when Tyler callled Sam yesterday. Sam invited him over to play Halo on the Xbox. He overheard a conversation where Tyler asked permission to come over.

He heard a loud, mean "NO!!" from his dad. Tyler gets back on the phone and tells Sam: "Dude, my parents hate you." Sam, ever the optimistic child, says "No they don't". Tyler then says "haven't you noticed I haven't been allowed to come over there lately? My parent's think you are like Goth or something."
Sam, by this time, very hurt says. "well I guess we can't be friends anymore huh?" and hangs up the phone. Tyler calls back, but thanks to caller id, Sam and Cameron refuse to answer the phone.

It could be a social thing. His other buddy, Cameron is fed up with Tyler too - he says lately Tyler thinks "he's all that" .

Whatever.

I have tried to analyze why his parents would think that. Sam listens to some pretty strange music, but so does Tyler. We all go thru a phase like that, unless of course you are a religious zealot and have never heard of Pink Floyd, Loverboy, Queen and the likes from my generation.

And Sam is no where near "Goth". He owns one black tshirt that is too small for him and a pair of black jeans that are about to become cut off shorts.

I hate seeing his feelings hurt. He asked what he should do, and all I could tell him is to back off from Tyler a while, that maybe he will realize one day what a good buddy he was to him, and come around.

I had a friend once, who wanted to be the most popular girl in school. She became my friend, because my best girlfriend was one of the most popular girls. She tried to bad talk me behind my back - just to make herself look better. Unfortunately for her, her strategy didn't work, in fact, last I heard she was in an abusive marriage with 3 kids and no money. Funny how things work out.

You reap what you sow.

Pictures of the Week

2006-04-19T18:49:00.000-07:00

Whew!!

2006-04-17T13:58:00.000-07:00

What a busy day!!

Without the kids, I have cleaned the house, steam cleaned the carpet, shipped out 5 ebay items I sold last week, taken the animals to the vet, and done some laundry (including ironing)

Already pooped, still have the laundry room to clean, the cat box to clean, and the animals to pick up from the vet. Shelby is getting her rabies shot and a good doggie bath. Scrawny is getting his rabies shot and a new collar. He will now be a daytime outside cat. I will let him in at night and he can stay confined to the laundry room. I am tired of the cat pee all over the furniture. He is jealous of the baby, and that will never change. When he gets angry, he goes and pees on that persons side of the bed, or where they normally sit on the sofa. So if the dog across the street eats him like he ate our other cat Tigget, my feelings will not be hurt. If I could have it my way, he'd go to the pound.

Granny was given a clean bill of health. She is healing well, sounds good. I hope to go down this week, when Tony goes to Mobile again.

Sam is back home, he was going to the movies, but his friend, Cameron, fell and possibly broke his wrist while the boys went skateboarding.

More later, gotta get that laundry room done......

Elijah's Big Adventure Part 5

2006-04-12T15:24:00.000-07:00

Elijah's First train ride. He liked it we think. Pictured are Grampa Offet,
Zachary, Elijah and Grandma Offett

Donkey and chicken

Zachary at the playground

Spider Monkeys in their den

Elijah's Big Adventure Part 4

2006-04-12T15:21:00.000-07:00

A pretty Peacock shows his feathers.

A lion sunbathing.

A spider monkey. I think Elijah liked him best!

Stinky Wolves. They smelled like a skunk!

Elijah's Big Adventure Part 3

2006-04-12T15:18:00.000-07:00

Flamingo a Friend!

This Giraffe eating lunch made us hungry too!

A VERY loud Macaw!

Grampa Offet, Zachary and Elijah look at the monkeys!

Elijah's Big Adventure Part 2

2006-04-12T15:14:00.000-07:00

Goregeous eagle wih a view of the lake below him.

Elijah taking it all in.

Elijah straining to see the turtle in the water.

We stopped at the playground. We had a blast!

Elijah's Big Adventure

2006-04-12T15:09:00.000-07:00

Africa at the Montgomery AL Zoo.
Beautiful Exhibit!!
Two REALLY OLD Box Turtles having a potential disagreement.
May I recommend Clinique Anti Wrinkle Cream??

Bambi. Montgomery Zoo in AL is MUCH better than the BHAM Zoo. I Highly Recommend!

Change of Plans

2006-04-11T06:59:00.000-07:00

Due to the fact that Tony is tied up at his Bham branch and cannot make it to his Mobile branch, we will be staying home.

I was informed last night when he came home from work that I needed to find someone to take Granny to the dr. on Wednesday.

So our good friend and neighbor will be going in my place, again.

I am truly disappointed. Tony says next week. I think he is nervous about the idea of Elijah and I going alone. I'd have to stop a zillion times. He hates long car rides, and it is easier when there is someone else to keep him entertained.

So no one is going to be around for my yard sale. I simply cannot run it alone, and take care of Elijah too.

It is a holiday week, and might not be a bad idea to postpone it for another weekend.

Sam is going to start going to church with his friend Tyler. He hates the Greek Orthodox church his grandmother had him join (against my wishes!) at the young age of 6. He says no one there is normal. Tyler likes his church, with is a Catholic church down the road. Several of Sams friends are Catholic, and come from good, normal families. He says he will likely convert. I support and applaud his decisions.

Got to go give the key to my friend.

Busy Week Ahead

2006-04-09T08:30:00.000-07:00

I have bitten off way more than I can chew.

Going back to OB on Tues. Granny has an appt. on Wed. to get her staples out. My messy aunt is going back again. She is more trouble than anyone, so so messy!

Funny how a slob can make time to make a mess, but suddenly doesn't feel like cleaning up after oneself.

I will be there to keep the messy aunt under control.

The neat and clean aunt leaves on Tues. Tony has to work in Mobile this week, so he will be there too.

It would be nice if we could just MOVE down there. I have a feeling we will be there a lot.

Yard Sale on Fri and Sat. That means I have today and tommorrow to get my stuff ready. And clothes washed, ironed and packed.

Had a great day with Tony yesterday. Sam went to his grandmother's house and I had forgotten Elijah had a party to go to. So we had all day to ourselves which is very rare!

We found a few yard sales to go to. I have new things on Ebay now.

Go to www.ebay.com and look up by seller Madhatter1972. It is mostly shoes that belonged to Elijah and me, but we have a few things from sales on there too.

After the yard sales, we went to lunch at Papa Saia's in Alabaster. It is a sports bar and grill, they have the best wings! It was nice being able to go and eat without being rushed or having to keep the little monkey from climbing out of his chair.

Lots of labels to make - better scoot!

Warming Up

2006-04-07T10:59:00.000-07:00

Don't let the weather fool you. It looks like a warm summer day out. Sun is out (NOT GOOD) we have some rapid daytime heating, and it is getting muggier out.

They have let the schools out early. Sam will be home soon.

I don't think he will mind.

We haven't been in this kind of a severe outlook since April 8 1998.

We are still in Mod zone, but I suspect that will change.

I finally got the weather radio Tony bought me for Christmas to work.

Seems nobody set it right.

A great site to get WX info.... even if you are in TN, MS and GA. www.jamesspann.com/bmachine/wxtalk.php

Severe Weather Threat Today

2006-04-07T05:25:00.000-07:00

I am slightly uncomfortable with the threat of severe weather we are due to have later on. Normally, it does not bother me, I look forward to it instead.

This is a very serious situation.

It is not often we go under a "high risk" cat. I think Shelby Co. is indeed out of that risk for now, but we are still under a moderate risk.

The skies are already a dark gray. There is a quiet, eerie feeling.

At Tony's new job at MSG, he works in a mobile home like office. Even he will be watching.

Of course I will probably blow his phone up too if it looks like he is in danger.

I do not know if they have a "shelter", I would hope so with all of the storage containers they have stacked up surrounding the office. I forgot to ask.

hmmmm.......

Depending on things, if they start dismissal of schools, I will go and check Sam out so none of us have to worry about being out in it.

More later as the day progresses.

Elijah's Trip to the Allergist

2006-04-06T11:18:00.000-07:00

Today we went back to Dr. Larussa's office at St. Vincent's Hospital.

He is an Asthma/Allergy specialist. We love his office.

When you arrive in the waiting room, his love for children is clearly evident.

There are educational, classic wooden toys everywhere. He has a giant airplane for the kids to play in, and table with a wooden train track and wooden trains, puzzles, cars and trucks to boot.

Elijah had a blast in there. It made the wait time go much smoother. Every exam room has a theme. Last visit we were in the "fish room". This time we were in the sports room, which is the coolest room we have been in so far.

There is a golf pad thingy, balls of all sizes, hockey, and a basketball goal. Elijah just loved it.

Dr. Larussa was pleased at how aggressively I have been with his many food allergies. He is allergic to Cow's milk (severe) Oats (Severe) Fish (Moderate) Shellfish (Moderate) anything in the berry family, and Soy (Mild)

Tony wanted to know what kind of milk could he have if he can't have cow and soy.

I was instructed to continue my aggressiveness with ensuring he does not eat something that has one or more of these things in it. I can come across as neurotic but I don't care, especially now.

I will be visiting Healthy Harveys today or tommorrow to see what he can have. We go back for yet MORE testing in September. He gave me refills on his Albuterol inhaler. He has been wheezing a lot.

Ciao'

Severe Weather for Alabama Tommorrow

2006-04-06T11:14:00.000-07:00

SPC has place much of Alabama under high/moderate risk for tommorrow.

We are in the high risk zone.

Not cool, with all of the recent tornado outbreaks in MO, AK, TN.

I think we will plan to stay in tommorrow night. We usually do anyway, but I will make a simple dinner, that does not require much clean up. I plan to watch this thing, severe weather facsinates me.

Stay tuned on this subject, more coming......

She Has Been Sprung!

2006-04-05T05:13:00.000-07:00

They have decided to let Granny go home.

Yesterday, she got coffee, first in a week - tea and chicken broth. They also gave her some Ensure, but she didn't like it much.

Dad has left to go back to OB. He is in charge of picking up the poopy that my aunt's dog made in the backyard, that she failed to remove responsibly. He has been warned to pick up after himself and not expect Jean to cook for him.

Housekeeper will be there as well. Jean is going to go and get her some Campbells Soup at hand and some Yoplait Smoothies drinks. She is still on a liquid diet for now.

She is pretty excited about coming home! My Aunt Ellen ( this is a clean and neat aunt ) will be going down on Sunday to help care for her. I know Granny will enjoy that!

Tony is going to be in Mobile (again) at some point, so I will probably go down with him.

Gotta go check on Elijah, he hasn't woke up yet.

Latest on Granny and Other Stuff.

2006-04-04T06:39:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a great day for Granny!

She has a family friend of ours, Jean down there to help her remember things she is supposed to be doing to help her get out of the hospital.

She had two friends of hers to visit with her. She watched TV and got a big purple flower bouquet.

She sat up most of the day.

And.... she got some good news!!

If she continues to progress, (tummy is starting to work again!) she gets the tubes out this morning AND a light supper tonight, her first meal in a week.

Her Dr. is overjoyed!

So are we!

Bout to go pick up my car, and fork over more money than I think an air compressor should cost.

But for a car that has 105K miles on it, I cannot complain that was the only problem.

Fortunately Tony didn't keel over. 3 months ago, and he would have. He is much more relaxed in his new position.

Lightning Strikes 2 trees in my dad's yard

2006-04-03T18:16:00.000-07:00

We discovered it this afternoon, long after the loud crash of thunder awakened everyone.

Two trees were (lightly????) struck in my father's yard, who lives across the street. Sam of course came unglued and went into airplane crash mode in the upstairs hallway.

As a huge weather enthusiast, I found it VERY neat that not one, but TWO trees were hit just 20 feet away!!

Granny Update

2006-04-03T12:15:00.000-07:00

Our friend has made it into Foley, where Granny is in the hospital for colon cancer surgery.

She spoke with the doc, who says her stomach is softer, and that was very encouraging.

They should have her in Xray now, to see if she is healing properly.

I ordered her a big bouquet of purple flowers, maybe they will be in her room when she returns.

I get my car back tommorrow. Says the prob. was the air compressor. The air conditioner died three hours before the car did, but I had no idea that it could make a car not go......

Visiting Granny Part Two - Saturday and Sunday

2006-04-03T07:22:00.000-07:00

We didn't see granny as much on Saturday.

The day started where Elijah awoke at 6 am. I had gotten up to get him a breakfast smoothie bottle, and saw where my father had gone to a really cool yard sale the neighbors had next door.

I jerked Tony out of bed, and he was dressed before I was and out the door. He loves to yard sale, I think even more than me.

There we found a brand new umbrella stroller with a bag attachment, for $2. And a Christmas tree, a tall one that does not look like an ordinary Christmas tree, but rather like a Redwood, prelit with snow. It had make an offer on it. I fell in love with it and Tony liked it too. It was mine for $5.

Tony found a mirror for $20. It is really nice and big and is going to go over the sofa. They had some really good stuff.

We forgot the car was already packed. Dad will bring the mirror and the tree home later this week in his truck.

We returned home with our treasures and decided to leave the kids with my dad to go to the grocery store and stock Granny up with plenty of groceries so she would not have to worry about that when she came home.

Along the way we found 4 more yard sales - but there wasn't anything good.

We then trecked over to South Baldwin Co Regional Medical center.

Granny had just finished a walk and was wiped out. The nurse, who was on duty for the weekend, gave her not one, but TWO pain shots.

We knew it was time to go when Granny looked at us and said she was going to take the Doc to the cafeteria for lunch.

She slept all afternoon. And boy was she mad when she woke up!!

I went back that evening with my aunt, and left the boys at the house with Tony, where we had a good visit.

She had a rough night that night. Her stomach is still not working properly and she became very ill.

They put a tube down her nose to drain her stomach. She is only allowed to have ice chips and hard candy.

Hopefully her stomach will wake up and start working. Once she eats and goes to the bathroom, they can talk about her going home.

Meanwhile, back at the house, Tony and Sam were doing a terrible job of watching Elijah.

Elijah got into his bag of animal crackers. There had to of been some 50 crackers in it. He had one for each hand the entire time I was gone.

The bag was empty when I got back. I stupidly fed Elijah dinner (spaghetti and carrots) where he threw up orange gunk all over granny's white berber carpet.

He had eaten too many crackers.

Resolve didn't get the orange spot out which was the size of watermelon. So, Tony comes running with some other carpet cleaner he found in Granny's laundry room.

It turned the spot white.... whiter than the surrounding carpet. We mini panicked.

Fortunately by the time morning came it looked normal.

Sunday was a better day for Granny despite having a tube in her nose.

She was much more alert, walking wasn't as painful. She still wanted food. We visited for a while before we had to leave to come home.

I hated to leave her. Elijah has allergy testing this week, and has to come off of all of his allergy meds 5 days prior to the test.

My father and my aunt left a mess for me and Tony to clean up at the house. I was pretty ticked about that. They are grown adults, there is no excuse for leaving cornbread out on the counter to sit, along with dirty dishes, dogfood on the floor, and fur on the patio furniture.

My grandmother asked if the poopy in the yard got scooped. Dad told her no and blamed my aunt. (it IS her dog.)

A family friend is on her way down to be in my place at the hospital. A housekeeper is coming to clean on Wed. I cleaned a lot of it, (replaced sheets on the beds and wiped everything down) but she will want to know her bathrooms have been freshly scubbed and the floors freshly vacuumed.

And finally, on the way home, my car died. Thank goodness my in laws came and got us.

I am tired. Got to go pack for Elijah who is spending the night with Linda, my mother in law.

Visiting Granny Part One

2006-04-03T05:03:00.000-07:00

After getting down to Orange Beach on Thursday, we finally went to see Granny on Friday.

I walked into the room, where I find my Uncle Pete playing Be jeweled on his cell phone. Granny appeared to be asleep.

I nudged my uncle, and he spoke. Granny popped open an eye and smiled real big. " I finally made it" I said as she held her arms up for a hug.

She was hurting pretty bad that day- didn't remember she was supposed to get up and walk, so she could get her insides moving again.

The doctor told her to chew gum, and that would really help with getting the stomach in motion again. They removed nearly 12 inches of colon from her, just to be sure. Doc says he got all of the cancer.

She is on a liquid diet, via IV. She tells us she wants a steak and baked potato.

Our morning visit was short, she was still mighty drugged up on pains meds, and I had Thing One and Thing Two ( Sam and Elijah) with me at the hospital. Thing Two was in a foul mood.
Tony was at work in Mobile. When he came home to OB, he kept the kids while I visited again.

That time, we walked Granny down the hall for the first time. They gave her a pain shot prior to the short walk and by the time we got her back to bed, she was really hurting and very dizzy. They also brought her a breathy thingy to excersise her lungs for the prevention of Pnumonia. She is supposed to use it 10 times per day, sucking on the mouth piece as hard as she can.

Poor Lady. She was pooped by the time she finished all of that!

Elijah managed to break her pole lamp at her house. I was in the bathroom and Dad was supervising the kids when I heard the crash. The base that houses the lightbulb is now an odd oblong shape. and there is a red mark on the wall where it fell.

Had dinner at Gulf Bay seafood, a sister restraunt of King Neptune's on Canal Road. Tony and My favorite place there -
They have the BEST steamer, The Royal Reds were scrumptious.

More later

Rumor Has It

2006-03-29T05:32:00.000-08:00

I was minding my own business last night, looking at Tony's purchases he bought off of Ebay shortly before bedtime, when my sister calls me with some ghastly news.

She told me I was going to have a new brother or sister.

"Do WHAT?" I asked, in my best Jeff Foxworthy's "You Might Be a Redneck" voice.....

"You're pregnant again??" No wait.... that can't be right.

Ok, so she is trying to tell me that my father got his girlfriend knocked up.

Impossible. They have only been dating a few weeks, and they are like... OLD. (ewwwww)

Kristen says it isn't impossible. She sounds serious.

Then I hear my beloved brother in law Stacy in the background. Ah HAH!!

He has been known to stir up trouble. He gets on the phone.

"What are you doin' gurl?" he drawls.....

No, the question is.. what are YOU doing??

His story has wayyyy too many holes in it. He said my uncle set them up months ago, when really they met online just recently.

My sister, who cannot lie without laughing had me more convinced.

Needless to say, I lost no sleep over the "joke" which they still say is true altho I confirmed that it wasn't.

Dad was in on it, and was expecting my call at 6:45 am this morning.

Ha to you Stacy and Kristen, don't worry, I still love you guys, but I am gonna get even one day.

:)

Quick Blurbs

2006-03-28T07:40:00.000-08:00

This will be a busy week due to the fact that I will be going down to Orange Beach this week.

Tony and I will be going and taking the boys. I just can't leave Elijah for that long. And Tony doesn't have a clue what meds are for what and when so it is just safer I keep him with me.

My Aunt Reba Jo will be going herself. I personally cannot be around her for long periods of time. She smokes heavily, and is on O2 and can barely get around. I think she is in worse shape than Granny the cancer patient!! I have a real problem with smokers, those who pollute my clean air that I and my asthmatic children breathe.

So because of these factors, I have cut my trip short.

My father has a new girlfriend. I haven't met her, but those who have says she is cute. He probably met her over the net, he won't say where he met her. Her name is Naomi.

Our cat, Scrawny has taken to peeing on the beds. He has been quarantined for 3 days while I try to decide whether or not to put him down. He has bad serious behavioral issues before, and frankly I am past being done with him.

Sam helped with massive amount of laundry last night (due to cat pee). We put away clothes last night in no time while watching "friends" reruns. He is back in school, and of course, the weather warms up this week. Would have loved to have taken them to the zoo and to Tannehill State Park last week during Spring Break!!

Elijah is all about crackers. He says crackers all of the time. It is his first official word besides mamama and daddeeee. He knows how to identify and ask for crackers. It is soo cute!!

Going ice skating on Thursday before we leave to go out of town. Started a new workout routine in addition to skating, and I think it may be finally working!!!!! :)

A nice day off

2006-03-24T05:40:00.000-08:00

I got rid of the kids yesterday.

My mother in law has had all four grandkids since yesterday.

I wonder if she has keeled over yet. I thought she may have gone mad at first.

She had my nephews Chris (10) and Blake (4).

Top that with a 12 year old, and a 1 year old, who thinks he is 2.

I think I am gonna have to go and rescue her shortly. But only after I finish a few things and get a nice long shower.

I got nearly all of the laundry done, which had grown to a huge pile, thanks to a certain cat who decided to pee on our bed, and Sam's bed.

He's gotta go.

I have to finish childproofing with a few nifty things that I ordered. The rest should come by this weekend.

I went out last night with my friend Joe and his wife Christy. Christy made an excellent pasta dish, with shrimp. I think she missed her calling, and should become a chef. We had a good time, they didn't have their son Dawson, so it was really great we could have some grown up time.
Tony stayed home. I am not used to him coming in so early.

Gotta scoot so I can get finished up. :)

Mommy's Over-reaction

2006-03-22T08:41:00.001-08:00

During a diaper change yesterday morning, I found that Elijah had a knot in his groin.

This was a new thing for me.

I freaked. But not at first.

I first went to the internet, where my over analytical self googled "lump in groin".

Never google a medical symptom, you will get all kinds of horror things.

This particular search told me that Elijah had cancer.

I called my good friend and neighbor, Jean, and she ran over. She had no idea what it was, so she told me to call his pediatrician.

Dr. P told us to come on in this morning. I had described it to his nurse yesterday, who apparently misunderstood it's location, and had Dr. P worried. He thought it was a hernia.

It is just swollen lymph nodes, probably from some sort of bacteria from a scratch he had.
Everything else checked out fine.

I got a lesson on how Lymph Nodes work, and when to be concerned. I could tell Dr. P was pretty relieved, Elijah has had so many problems in his first year.

That baby certainly keeps me on my toes, and because of him I learn something new everyday.

In Sammy news, we had a skateboard floated into the underground drainage pipes yesterday.

It got stuck under Ms. Debs driveway, and Tyler could not get it out. Boy was Sam mad at Tyler for getting it there. It was his good board, it cost a lot of money.
Since I grew up on this street, and ran into similar issues as a child, I referred Sam to the neighborhood professional stuck in drain toy getter outter........ my father.
He got a 2x4, and lifted the concrete cover next to the drive and propped it on to some concrete blocks. Tyler got it out, since he was the reason it was there in the first place.

It is only Wednesday...... 4 more days till school starts back.

Early Morning Thoughts.... Day 2 of Spring Break

2006-03-21T04:54:00.000-08:00

After a very wet day yesterday, we have a majority of our spring cleaning blitz done.

I cleaned closets, reorganized drawers, and sorted thru clothes that no longer fit the boys to put in the yard sale I am having in a few weeks.

Half the basement is now full of stuff. This sale is going to be HUGE!

Tony already said I could hang on the money made from the sale, so I can go yard saleling.

Ebay is calling me back. It is time to go seaching for collectibles to sell.

Sam's room even got cleaned. Sort of...... Unfortunately, telling him he could keep the money he makes from selling his old outgrown toys didn't motivate him to add anything to the pile.

Elijah woke up at 5 again. Tony's work schedule has changed dramatically, he is getting up earlier and is out the door by 6:15. So Elijah is getting up too. I think I like this schedule. I get things done a lot earlier.

Supposed to be cold and dreary this week. Sam is down inthe dumps, his buddy is going to Six Flags for 4 days. I told Sam I would rather be home and dry, and not to fret. I was hoping to take the kids to the zoo, but it will be too chilly. Probably going ice skating tonight after Tony gets home from work.

Next week I go to Orange Beach to help my grandmother recoup from surgery to remove the cancer they found in her colon.

Spring Cleaning

2006-03-20T05:35:00.000-08:00

It is Spring Break for Sam, and Spring Cleaning for me!

Since he is home, and the weather is not warm enough to go partying out..... I am taking full advantage today!

Closets and drawers will be blitzed, along with Sam's room. Yard sale 3 Saturdays from now.

Along with the spring cleaning, is a new beginning. Tony started his new job today! He seemed really excited to start. He left work last Friday, after working only 2 hours. Can't blame him there. This weekend was fun, he was back to his old self.

In fact, I think his new job is what inspired me to do spring cleaning.

No idea why.

Sam's room is horrific, the cat goes under the bed, and you cannot find him anywhere. I think he gets lost himself.

That will be solved today.

I ordered two saftey gates today, along with some child proof gadgets I had no idea they made.

Did you know you can get a lock for your VCR to keep little fingers and toys out of it?

Or a case to go over your power strip??

Can't wait till they get here.

:)

End of a Chapter and a New Beginning

2006-03-17T08:47:00.000-08:00

Today is the much anticipated last day of work for Tony.

He starts his new job on Monday. I hope he enjoys it, I think he will.

Goodbye to the middle of the night phone calls.

Goodbye to never knowing what one day to the next will bring.

Goodbye to never having dinner with the rest of the family.

Goodbye to missing anymore of Elijah's milestones.

Goodbye to 17 hour + days.

Hello to a new beginning!

"Cancer Schmancer" Thanks Fran!!

2006-03-15T11:46:00.000-08:00

Well.....

Granny went to see the surgeon today, and my uncle went with her. They are very optimistic that her cancer was found in its very early stages.

She has surgery on the 30th, and is expected to be in the hospital 3-7 days depending on how well she does in the aftermath.

No chemo or radiation is expected, the surgery will likely take care of it.

She seems relieved that she finally knows what is making her so sick, and that it is fixable.

I plan on going down on the 29th, with Elijah staying at his grandmother's house for a long weekend.

She is a lucky lady - another reason why having a colon check up on a regular basis is very important!

Scary News

2006-03-14T15:17:00.000-08:00

I write this with a heavy heart and a knot in my stomach. My uncle has just informed me that my dear Granny has just been diagnosed with Colon Cancer.

We do not know what stage. She had a colonoscopy today. The doctor who performed the scope has said he believes it was caught early, and the tumor is a small one.

She sees the surgeon tommorrow after being admitted in South Baldwin County Hospital in Foley, AL.

I know my grandmother. She WILL refuse treatment. Even if it is treatable. They have told her, but no one knows what she is thinking, she is too groggy from the procedure for anyone to tell.

I will know more tommorrow.

:(

Happy 1st Birthday Elijah Cole!

2006-03-10T15:30:00.000-08:00

What a fun day at the park - Late spring like temperatures, and I have my first farmers sunburn of the year!!

We have discovered Joe Tucker Park, and the new additions. What fun! One playground is padded so if the little people fall, they don't get hurt.

I think Elijah's favorite is the swing. See the picture - it tells all!!

Tommorrow is his birthday party, and there will be a lot of people coming to have cake and ice cream!!

More pics tommorrow :)

One Year Ago Today

2006-03-09T05:53:00.000-08:00

It seems just like yesterday.

On March 9, 2005, I went to my job at Macy's, a short shift of 1pm to 5pm. I had shortened my hours due to being hugely pregnant with Elijah, and because he was resting on my sciatic nerve, I had severe back pain.

I was having irregular contractions all day, due to taking my sister's advice of walking the stairs. I help Charlotte clean the sterling silver bay, windexing the daylights out of it. I also predicted I would not be back at work the next day. I left around 4:30, because of fears of getting stuck in traffic while having contractions. Of course I didn't share this with anyone at work. I kinda kept it all to myself, in case I was wrong.

By the time I returned home, my contractions had subsided to zilch. Nada. I ate a brownie my neighbor made for dinner (yeh great diet) as I wasn't really hungry. I was too depressed that I was not in labor. I retired at about 9:30, and even Sam was down. He told Elijah thru my belly he needed to hurry up and come out and play.

He must have heard that order.

At approximately 11 pm that night, I woke up to go to the bathroom. I didn't realize at the time I was soaked, and that I hurt. I just knew I had to pee. When I got up water trickled everywhere. I was wide awake then and knew it was time to go. I tippy toed to the office, where I forgot we were in the process of moving it downstairs and there was not a cordless phone to be found. I had planned on having everything ready in the car, because I just knew Tony would freak. I wound up having to wake Sam because he had the cordless last. Tony heard the phone dialing and woke up. The good Doc said to come on in. Of course, if the car had wings we would have been airborne.

Five hours later, and a very easy delivery, on March 10th, at 4:54 am, Elijah Cole came into the world squalling his head off. He loved to be held, and became quite spoiled by it. Such a cutie.
Hard to believe he is a year old tommorrow.

A New Playmate

2006-03-08T15:02:00.000-08:00

We were on our what has become a daily walk in our Harley Davidson Wagon, when we ran into a neighbor around the corner who has a grandson Elijah's age. We got to talking and Logan is only a few months older than Elijah is and I offered him a ride in the wagon. They had a ball! They are the same size, and were so adoreable together. We hope to get together often so the boys can play and we can have adult conversation while they play.

Sam went off skateboarding with Tyler, pink eye looks much better. Now I have it... grrrrr....
But we have the drops which for $53 we can all share.

I am starting an exercise program TOMMORROW. I haven't skated in two weeks, and I feel like a cow. Nothing fits right. Some serious water drinking, diruetic taking, sit-ups and weight training starts tommorrow. I have no idea when I will get back on the ice again.....

I also have another neighbors grandchild, Zachary for the next 3 days while mom goes to school and works, and grandma works the home and garden show. He is so imaginative, such a good four year old. We will have a great time!

Ever Have One of Those Days??

2006-03-07T11:56:00.000-08:00

This is a day where I cannot seem to get anything accomplished.

I have a mountain of laundry to do, and some straightning up around the house, but I cannot get motivated.

I am trying to reason with myself for my laziness.

Last week, I spent 5 days straight in a rather small bathroom. I stripped wallpaper, spackled holes galore, sanded the walls, and painted, scraped and re-accessorized.

All while keeping the house neat and laundry up.

Yesterday, I accomplished what many cannot do. I did our taxes for the very first time.

No short form for us. We want all that is due, so I filed every deductible I could think of.

I am quite proud.

Sam is home from school for pink eye. He is getting much accomplished today - he has cleaned his room and made his bed, and now he is helping his grandfather clean up his yard, and earning $10 at the same time.

He will probably get more if I know my dad.

Did you know that a tiny bottle (less than 1" tall) of pink eye antibiotic drops costs $53???!!!!!
I told Sam he better not squirm when I put these thing in.

I did sweep, mop and make the bed. And, I guess I will go put some laundry away now.
I'd rather read a book.

A mommy's job never ends :)

Wheezing and a Sneezing and a very Pink Eye

2006-03-06T17:59:00.000-08:00

Gonna be an interesting week.

Sam's school nurse called, just when I was sitting down to do our taxes, myself, for the first time. Said his eye was hurting. Nothing to come running for, just wanted me to be aware.

He has come home with the Pink Eye. Eeech!!
No school tommorrow, just to the pharmacy for pink eye meds.

Meanwhile, the little man got a new Harley Wagon for his birthday. It was a throw out from Children's, and all it needed was a couple of screws replaced. It is an awesome wagon, and we were out in it today... A LOT.

Big Mistake.

He is now broke out in eczema from head to toe. Nose running like a water faucet, and wheezing something awful.

Poor little guy!

I have brought out the zyrtec and albuterol. Along with the Elidel, Locaid and some steroid I cannot pronounce much less spell.

Perhaps it will get better............

Boy's Bathroom Challenge Nearly Over

2006-03-03T14:02:00.000-08:00

Most of the work is completed. I still have to paint the ceiling, and put in a new floor, mirror and light fixture. But that will come in the next month.

Elijah will be home from his Maw Maw's house today. Sam goes to his Dad's tonight. Tommorrow, I start gathering the things I need for Elijah's first birthday, he is having an Elmo party on Saturday. I found someone who can make me a cake for a food allergic child. All I have to do is write down everything he is allergic to, and she will use substitutes in his "smash" cake. The sheet cake for the rest of the party attendees will be of normal ingredients.

Sam is doing well in school - his progress report shows all A's and B's. His ADD meds are working very nicely, he is able to focus in class a lot better.

Got laundry- want to get it all complete before Elijah comes home. I miss the little guy and want to play some before bedtime!

More later...... oh and here is my "after" pics of the "Bathroom from Hell"

Trying Times and Awesome News

2006-03-02T17:47:00.000-08:00

Good news is always best first - Tony got a new job!! I am so tickled for him - the last year has not been easy. We never see him, and when he is home, he is always on the cell phone for one petty problem after another. Even in the middle of the night. It sucks - but it will soon be over. YAY!!!

He will be traveling more, but home more too. Seems that this job will be more structured, and he will like this one better, I think. Plus it is right here in Alabaster. YAY!!! Maybe we can do lunch like old times :)

I am still working in the Bathroom from Hell. The paint is on, just have some piddly stuff to finish up. I am too tired tonight tho.

Elijah is walking everywhere. He has been epescially good while I have endured this challenge. Sam has been the best though. The night of the wallpaper stripping, he changed Elijah's poopy diaper!! And he got the diaper on straight!! I was amazed. Of course, it cost me tho........ :)

Elijah learned two new words this week. He said Bye Bye when he waved, and today he looked at the cat and said "mow mow". Now, I know that isn't a word, but we knew what he was trying to say.......

Wallpaper Madness in the Boy's Bathroom

2006-02-28T07:55:00.000-08:00

On Sunday, I started what seemed to be a simple task in the boy's bathroom. They had some tacky floral wallpaper that was put up when our house was built in 1971, and I decided that it was time to update - and make it more elegant for the guests who come and use that bathroom as well.

It has been hell.

The dingbats didn't prime the drywall prior to glueing on the wallpaper. But they used plenty of glue. I got a 3' by 4' area half stripped in 24 hours using Dif wallpaper remover and a putty knife. The paper would come off in tiny strips, and I knew I would be there for years if I didn't take drastic measures, so, I finangled a wallpaper steamer under the advice of my neighbor, father and aunt. It made all of the difference. Jean came over with her putty knife and away we went. In five hours the walls were stripped. I still have a bunch of holes where the drywall came off in spots, but no biggie. Have been sanding and spackling holes all morning. I will sand tommorrow and start painting the two doors in the bathroom. I hope to be done by Thursday.

It is gonna be great when I am thru with the walls. The color will be painted a chocolate color, with bright white trim, doors, and cabinet. Hardware will be replaced with a modern pewter along with the light fixtures. I have a stone floor picked out. Towels and accessories will be a bright white.

Here is a before picture..... before we took off the rest of the wallpaper.

Birthday Blues and an Ice Skating Boo Boo

2006-02-23T10:16:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was my birthday. My friends and the rest of the family made it great thru the day! My next door neighbors Jean and Clint threw me a birthday party! They had a cake, and homemade vanilla ice cream and presented me with a beautiful assortment of flowers which I NEVER GET. The boys were there, my dad came and Laura (their daughter, who we were raised together like sisters) Nothing wild, just a good time talking and laughing while eating cake and ice cream and watching Elijah explore. Sam was real good and helpful all day, he felt bad that his step father didn't take him to get me a card, so he gave me a stick of juicy fruit gum for my birthday. Sweet (the kid and the gum!!)
Then the hubby came home. I was disappointed (still am) that he didn't and never does anything for me on my birthday. He just doesn't think they are special. That isn't how I was raised, most people celebrate their birthdays in some form or fashion, and most husbands treat their wives to dinner or something for their birthdays. Not mine. Of course he was apologetic, he always is - but after nine years, it is getting old. This time he says he didn't have time, but he has known for 365 days my birthday was coming, did he think it was just going to go away???
But the blow would have been a lot worse had my sweet friends not did what they did to make me feel special. It was a really nice surprise!!

Went ice skating today!! Part of my "present" aside from last night's party, Jean offered to keep Elijah for me while Clint and I went ice skating!! It is always fun to go when there are not any "wall huggers" and I love to watch the figure skaters. Today, I was feeling much more confident in trying new things, when all of the sudden, I was doing something, and down I go and land right on my bad knee. Not only was the floor COLD, but my knee was nicely busted up. I have a knot, and a lovely little blue and purple bruise on it now. It smarts. And I am quite proud of it. They say that if you go ice skating and you never fall down, it means you are not trying something new. Well I did, and I fell and I am still alive, and it was a lot of fun!

I cannot wait till Elijah is 2 ish then I will have him on the ice with me.

Poo Poo Picasso

2006-02-22T07:48:00.000-08:00

I HAVE to tell the story of Poo Poo Picasso. The other day, I went to check on Elijah after my shower, who was taking his morning nap or so I thought. When I entered his room, he was standing in his bed, oh so quietly, and covered in poop. So were the walls, the crib, the blankets, his face, hair and clothes. His clenched fists were full of it too. Never have seen so much poop. I gagged. It was sooooo gross. I snatched him up, doo and all, and hauled him into the bathroom, where we got more on the floor, as I tried to do a pre- rinse, before the initial rinse and soak. I didn't have my ears on, and was expecting my best friend Joe to come over at any time. So while I rinsed, wiped and washed, I yelled, "Joe - come on up, I NEEEDD you". He is a stay at home Dad of a special needs child, so I knew he wouldn't be new to this. He gagged too when he finally arrived, but boy was he a big help. We cloroxed, we used some stuff Tony brought home from the hospital the cleaners use to kill germs. We duct taped his diaper so he wouldn't / couldn't take his diaper off again. Ugh!!!!

Sam

2006-02-20T17:52:00.000-08:00

Sam age 12, he refuses to allow me to put his full name up.
My handsome smart guy - he is a great big brother. Loves music, plays drums in the band and is an aspiring skateboarder. Likes to ice skate and is much better at it than me.

Elijah

2006-02-20T17:48:00.000-08:00

Elijah Cole 11 months old. Such a cutie! Loves to play chase, eat keys, throw roll arounds balls at anything or person from his playpen (aka JAIL).
He will be one on March 10, and is having an Elmo Party.

Introduction

2006-02-20T08:44:00.000-08:00

Hello!!

I am Stephanie, married stay at home mom of 2. My sons, Sam age 12 going on 17, and Elijah, 11 months are either napping or watching tv. Today we have to bake a cake for their father who has a birthday tommorrow. That and do a little shopping for a gift.

Elijah, who has his first birthday in a couple of weeks, learned to run this weekend. We were playing chase, when he forgot his faster mobility method was crawling, did a very fast bowed legged run across the room. He has been walking some for the past 6 weeks, but discovering he can actually run has increased his confidence quite a bit.

Sam is out of school for President's Day. He will be going ice skating later with a friend. He is an A/B honor student in 6th grade. A good, kid, for the most part.

Will write more later. Got to start on that cake!!