July 31, 2004
Pride and Prejudice Keeps Me Up Nights
I have the A&E version of Pride and Prejudice and I could not stop watching it last night. Steven went to bed around 11 and I thought I'd watch a few more minutes and go on upstairs. Nope. I watched the whole thing. 1:10AM I finally rolled into bed.
Steven's at work for a bit. They needed to move some things in to the new building. Now tell me if this isn't dumb? The contractors told them the fire that was found in the new building yesterday was caused by a (gasp) frayed cable running down the hall. Imagine that. A frayed cable caught fire.
Duh.
July 27, 2004
How many times a day can a person hear that without going nuts?
"MMMMMMaaaaaammmmmmaaaa! Lizzy gots crackers/cookies/markers/sharp objects that could pierce/any food object not bolted down with 10 penny nails and long strips of duct tape!!"
Katy lost another tooth last night. I'm always amazed at how much those things bleed! She is normally thrilled with the fact she's lost a tooth until she realizes how much blood is coming from that tiny hole. Several paper towels and several cups of swish 'n' spit water fixed things right up.
Emily seems to get very little press around here. She's quite overshadowed by the other two and their antics. Some of the things she says crack me up and/or amaze me. We were talking one day, well she was talking nonstop as I listened, and all of a sudden her voice inflection changed. Her eyes grew wide and she continued....
"and then I realized that it wasn't so scary after all...."
My four year old "realized" something. Heh.
My 'puter time is up for the morning so I need to get busy around here.
July 26, 2004
The Photo Update
I finally got a chance to up load pictures. You can start here and click the next button to browse through to the last one I added.
Here we go loop-dee-loo....
We're back.
I'm surrounded by trip remnants. Bags here. Laundry there. Beach bag on the couch.
You get the picture.
Speaking of....
Couldn't wait to share that one with you. Doesn't he look like the epitome of vacation fun?
I was going to relate the "I never plan to stay in another hotel/motel remotely near a college town again" stories but I'm tired and now I have to get dinner started.
July 24, 2004
Trip Pictures
Just a few of the pictures we've taken while we've been here in sunny Florida. I'll upload some of the others when we get home on Sunday.
Enjoy!
July 22, 2004
Peek A Boo - I See You
Why yes, I am still alive, why do you ask?
Couldn't log in to my Bellsouth email account, not sure why. Kept getting a session invalid error. Dj did email me that login information, I just couldn't access it. One quick cell phone call and info was retrieved.
I wanted to chat with her but my silly cell phone battery croaked. The phone had been left off the charger for a couple of days and wasn't holding enough charge. I'll call her back when we get in the van.
Recap of recent events:
Eli is a cutie!! I took some pictures and attempted to burn them to a disk at Nancy's. Somehow I didn't finish the burn process and they are now obliterated. Much baby holding and smooching was had by all. We cooked dinner for Nancy and Daniel one night and left them with enough homemade chocolate chip cookies to last a good long while.
The visit to Aunt Sandra's was nice. We played in the pool with the girls and visited with my family. The trip down to the site of Daddy's accident was pretty tough. Wouldn't you know, as soon as we crossed that busy intersection to step down the embankment, a flock of Harley's rode by. Joe told me the same thing had happened the day before when they'd come to put up the cross. I took some pictures, but I'll put those up later.
We've been down here in Daytona since late Monday. Visits to the Grands and the Great-Grands, trips to the pool, a date night have all been a hoot. We decided to stay a few extra days. We'll be heading out Saturday afternoon and breaking our trip in two. I've been taking quite a few pictures here as well and I'll put those up later as well. The cable for my camera has gone missing. Was in the van but I'm pretty sure I put it into a bag at MomFrances' house.
There's a poker game tonight at the Great Grands' and Steven will probably lose a good chunk of change. He'll have a blast though. I'm going to keep the girls at home and we'll watch a movie and eat popcorn. I don't really know how to play poker and the girls would be in the way. I hear that Grandma Lillian is a hot poker player (when she plays) so Steven better watch out. Heh. I love visiting these guys. Once a year isn't often enough.
One Lizzy story before I head back out. The last day we were at Nancy's, Steven was helping Daniel repair the dryer. I was scanning some wedding photos to add to the video presentation I'm making for Nancy and Daniel. I thought the girls were being watched by Steven and Steven thought the same thing of me. All of a sudden I hear Nancy saying "Oh no! Lizzy...."
Turns out Lizzy had gotten into Adam's room. Adam is Daniel's brother and shares the house with Nancy and Daniel. Both brothers are in dental school and various teeth molds and dentures are kept in storage boxes around the house. I had made a point to close Adam's door earlier, but that didn't stop Lizzy.
You see where this is going, don't you?
Lizzy had found a pen, yes again. She'd gone in Adam's room, opened the storage box of teeth and begun a tedious palate decoration project. As soon as I saw them my heart sunk to my toes. Nancy assured me that Adam wouldn't be upset. Nancy told Daniel, Daniel told his Mom. Adam came home not long after and was met at the front door by Daniel and his Mom. Next thing I know, Adam goes and checks them out and steps in to the living room and says "So, I hear you have a future dentist on your hands..."
I was very relieved that her antics hadn't been too horrible and Adam wasn't upset. She's way too busy for her own good.
I need to run. We're eating ribs before the poker game. Steven's cooking them at his Mom's and we need to head back and check on them.
I should get a chance to come back and download some photos from the trip before we leave.
Placeholder
Just thought I'd type a quick entry so everyone wouldn't think Christy was lost off the deep end of the ocean. As far as I know she's still on the baby kissing adventure. She emailed and asked for the login to the MT cpanel but I have yet to see an entry from her.
AHEM!!! That is not a subtle reminder missy!
July 14, 2004
Preparing the nest
The Great Baby Smoochin' Adventure begins tomorrow night. In preparation for the trip, we clean the house today and tomorrow. We have to finish up laundry so we can pack. Clean up around the house so that when Ben comes to take care of the cats he isn't repulsed by the mess and when we return there isn't much to do.
We have a very busy day tomorrow so most of today needs to involve cleaning. Katy's ORTHO appointment is in the morning. They are going to do another exam and decide which x-rays to do on her legs/feet. Should be interesting. I'm glad Steven gets to go. I can't imagine trying to console Katy about the x-rays AND try to keep Lizzy from climbing the equipment as well as Emily from screaming loud enough to shatter the protective shields.
I may post a bit tomorrow. Depends on how much time I have. I may post a bit from Nancy's house. And I'll at least post once from Daytona. I plan to take my camera and the equipment to download the photos there. We'll see how that goes. I don't know if either of them have a photoshopping program I can use. Here's hoping.
July 13, 2004
Brain Dead
Not much happening lately. The girls and I are spending our days doing school work, playing in the pool and soaking up the sun. Steven and I have been devouring books lately. Particularly the Ted Dekker books. Steven doesn't really enjoy reading unless the subject or author totally grips him. I suppose Mr. Ted does just that. I'm currently reading When Heaven Weeps and I seriously was in tears before the first half of the book. I love to read. Being without cable for almost two years has reminded me how much I love it. Sure, we have movies and I've watched them but nothing gets my very visual mind working than a good book.
Click the extended for some random memes.
Steven took this when he took the girls camping in Jackson, MS
What's On your 'fun things planned for the near future' list Right Now?
-Upcoming trip this week to visit my new nephew (Eli), my aunt and uncle (and various relatives), and then Steven's family!
-August trip to Idaho/Montana/Wyoming to see Yellowstone!
Sunday Brunch (a tad late)
1. Looking back on the past week, what was your favorite moment? Spending a romantic evening with Steven.
2. Tell us about funny moment that had you and others laughing 'til it hurt. ummmmm, My memory stinks. I know there was something recently, but I can't remember what it was.
3. What is one of your favorite childhood memories? Spending summers at my Nanny and Papa's house. We spent many an afternoon swimming and coming home to a Johnny's Burger and a homemade milkshake.
4. Tell us about a time when you were traveling when things just didn't work out as planned. We planned to do a lot of sight seeing when we visited Mexico. Heh.
5. Have you ever been in the middle major storm (blizzard/tornado/hurricane/earthquake)? If yes, tell us about it. A couple of hurricanes, none of which were very noteworthy for me. I was really scared during the first one though since it had made it's way to Montgomery!!
Tuesday Twosome Just a little fun...
1. Ice cream or sherbet? Ben and Jerry's Vanilla Heath Bar Crunch ICE CREAM, baby!
2. Two fave flavors of ice cream/sherbet: See above for choice 1 and choice 2 would be same brand, Cookie dough
3. In a cone or cup: Cup!
4. One or two scoops:How about the whole pint?
5. More painful: dropping your cone/cup or a brain freeze? Brain freeze!
July 12, 2004
The Adherence of Pain
She told me today the cyst is probably not what has been causing my pain. While I do have a cyst, verified by yet another ultrasound, it's rather small and not the type to cause significant pain.
Most likely, I have adhesions from my c-section scar that are causing me such pain. After a myriad of tests and exams (not even an open book test) she told me that while you can feel the spot outside, she couldn't feel it from the inside.
What now, you ask? Since I haven't hurt in almost two weeks (since I began taking my supplements again) she gave me a prescription for Naprosyn in the event of returning pain. Also, there is a study being conducted by a general surgeon at the hospital regarding the use of stretching exercises to change adhesions and the pain they can cause. I'm pretty sure I can participate. My GYN will call me back about that.
I'm to reschedule an ultrasound for another month from now, roughly. Then, we go from there. She offered the option of taking the pill to calm the cyst. I flat out said no. I'm a wretched human-like shell of a woman on the pill. Wouldn't be fair to Steven or the girls, much less myself, to torture us all with that foolishness.
July 10, 2004
For Them
A tiny glint of reflected light catches my eye each time I pass through my kitchen. Like a tiny beacon of reminder, the shiny surface of that plastic packaging shouts "Don't forget!" as I glance its way.
Inside this tiny package is a replica of the Harley my dad drove. The one he was driving when he died this past March. It really is an incredible bike. A deep red with tons of chrome and two requisite black leather saddlebags on the bag. A tiny plastic reminder of one of the things my Dad truly enjoyed: riding in the open wind with a smile on his face and the hum of the engine vibrating through his body.
A shadow box of Daddy's things is the intended home for this small piece of his history. Along with several of the coins he loved to collect, we'll place that motorcycle on a bed of soft velvet. Those coins he would always remind us "aren't worth a thing but I love collecting them." Wheatstraw pennies and the like. Some silver dollars. Proof sets.
My Daddy was always into collecting things. I can remember an arrowhead collection he's had since I was very young. The shadow box and stand they were kept in stayed at my Nanny's house. I remember being just tall enough to stand on my tip toes and peek over the top of the box. Small puffs of condensation would appear on the glass as I tried to peer into that box. Trying to peer into my Daddy's soul as much as to see those beautiful artifacts. I rememeber like it was yesterday. When my Nanny and Papa died I stood over that box and though how hard it must be for my Daddy to lose his Daddy that way.
In the wake of losing my own Daddy, I completely understand how he must have felt that day. My younger brother will carry on the tradition of keeping that beautiful set of arrowheads in his home. I hope one day his children will appreciate them as much as I always did. They will be a reminder of the Papa they never got to meet. I hope, too, that when my own children see the shadow box with the small plastic motorcycle and coins inside they'll be reminded of their Papa.
He loved them so. I think it would make him smile to know those girls thought of him often. So, I'll keep your memory alive, Daddy. I certainly will.
For them, and me.
July 09, 2004
July 07, 2004
OH MY!!! The Photoblog has been updated!
Yep! You heard right, folks.
Check out the top three pictures here.
And all of these.
Aliens have stolen my child
....and left me with this freaky screaming, hitting, throw yourself on the floor and wail fit pitcher. This child can scream loud enough to make your ears bleed. Most of the time, for no apparent reason.
We're going to have to take the bunk beds down. She won't stop climbing them and she can't get down. She's making me crazy.
Just heard from MomFrances. If Eli doesn't make an appearance before Friday, Nancy's doctor is going to induce. Ugh. I sure hope that little man comes out before then.
July 04, 2004
Finger-sicles
"Good grief it's cold in here!"
That phrase can be heard at least three times a day in this room. For anyone who has visited my house, saying it's cold isn't uncommon. Poorly insulated military housing + Mississippi summer temperatures and humidity = House too hot to breath
The main problem is that if I turn the air down during the day because the downstairs is freezing, the upstairs is sweltering. Well, even if you leave the air up the rooms up there still aren't cool but tolerable.
The computers are in the very front room in our house. This room contains the largest window *snort* in our entire home. (Our other windows are porthole-like so big is a relative term here) This is also the closest room to the a/c unit itself. Thusly, much brrrrrrr.
Steven took Katy and Emily camping. They left today after church for a state park mid-state. Katy waffled as to whether she was going or not. Last night she wailed and moaned about how she didn't want "to be struck by thunder" and she was too scared to go if I didn't go with them. This morning she changes her mind and packs her things. After church is over, she stands next to me in the church foyer and begins to sob again because I'm not going.
I tell her, again, that she has nothing to be afraid of. (reminding her of the Bible verse about God not giving us a spirit of fear) All attempts by me to console her are met with a soft shake of her head and a sniff. I proceed to buckle Elizabeth into her car seat while Katy gets her own seat belt taken care of. Steven walks over to the van to tell them goodbye and she suddenly has a change of heart. Steven then reminds her that once they pull out of the parking lot she's committed to her choice. She's fine with that. Off they go.
An hour or so later, she calls me on the cell phone.
"Hey Mama! Whatcha' doin'?" (insert perky "I'm having a good time" voice)
Heh. I knew if she'd just step past that fear and go for it she would enjoy herself. Let's hope tonight goes smoothly for them. The sunshine, fresh air and exercise should help them get to sleep fairly easily. I told Steven he might want to consider zipping the three sleeping bags into one big one so they could snuggle up to him.
He said he would call later tonight. Here's hoping attitudes remain jovial.
Gigantic Subject Shift
I was planning to get some serious house cleaning done while they were gone. I am, however, still feeling pretty horrid. I coughed until about 2:00 AM when I fitfully fell asleep. Coughing continued through the night. Woke this morning to a "productive" cough but still a cough. I've lost any actual voice quality and have resigned myself to the fact that I'll sound like "Kermit the Frog: The Lifetime Cigarette Smoker Edition" for a few more days. Croaking voice, hacking cough. You get the picture.
Speaking of pictures.....
July 02, 2004
Incoherent babble
Chest sore. Throat raw. Nose incapable of air passage.
Yes, another sinus infection. Yippee. I've got to figure out the right concoction of products (Manna stuff) to keep these buggers at bay. Speaking of MT, when we did the reformat my cookies were (obviously) deleted taking my associate number with it. Heh. I need to email Stacy and get it so I can change my automatic order.
Mama, Steven and the big girls went fishing this morning. Lizzy and I decided to stay here. For one, I'm not feeling up to chasing Lizzy while everyone else fishes. I'm also not up for fishing Lizzy out of the back bay.
Nothing is safe now. Lizzy can open the cabinet locks, climb gates, open bottles. I'm going to have to completely baby proof the house again. Moving things higher isn't working becuase the Monkey can climb. I suppose all our chemical cleaners and what not (bleach, etc.) will have to be moved to the storage room out back. Not sure there is room back there, but I guess we'll have to make room.
MomFrances emailed yesterday and said that Nancy and Daniel are still waiting for Lil' Eli's arrival. I think she's tried every old wives' tale there is to get him to come on out of there. Steven and I gave her a suggestion but I'm not sure she was interested in trying it out. Hurry up Eli! We want to see your cute little face.
July 01, 2004
Saddles and wagons and dust bunnies, oh my
Whoever is responsible for driving away with the Fly Lady wagon that I seem to have fallen off of, could you please bring it back?
My laundry sorter mocks me as I pass it going downstairs. My refrigerator groans with the weight of a thousand leftovers in need of trashing. I've seen Charlotte and Daisey eyeing the super glue bottles. They've stored up a good deal of shed hair and I think their planning a coup. One involving a Trojan Cat they've fashioned from said glue, hair and a hairball or two.
The mutiny begins.