Indoor Surfing is NOT recommended

Got one word to describe it -- OUCH!  I was headed from the kitchen back downstairs and the next thing I know I feel my right leg/knee turn under, my pinky toe scream in pain and OWWWW.   Silly Carolyn!  I'm black and blue between my last two toes where the skin ripped and bled, my foot is tender, and my knee a little swollen and tender.   Shoes are no fun today.  My first thought was daggonit, how am I supposed to workout tomorrow?

Charles did this on other stairs in our house in October 2005; he managed to shatter his big toe, so maybe it's not quite as bad?  We ended up opting not to go to the doctor -- the toes are still in proper alignment, and I'm able to bear weight on it today, although it's not fun.

In better news, I attended Connor's parent/teacher conference on Friday.  She said math is going to be his strength.  He is slightly below grade level on reading due to not knowing as many sight words as he should, and below grade level on writing, but I am hoping some of our testing/interventions will help us on that.  I should see report cards today or tomorrow for both kids.

Thursday Thoughts for 1/25

The Pinewood Derby went very well last weekend.  Duncan finished 2nd in his den, and his buddy Comfort finished first in the den.  I'll post pictures of his car (& his 2nd place ribbon) on the photo blog tomorrow.  He was a good sport, and seemed to enjoy his day.  We race again at the district derby in mid-March.   It really has been a busy scout January -- our den leader asked if one of us could step up and lead two meetings this month, so I volunteered and we earned our "Handyman Activity Pin" over two Tuesdays.  We have next week off, so we are done with scouts until 2/6.

Charles and I are trying to get our exercise habit breathing new life in the new year.  So far I've made it to the gym once/week for three weeks, and this week I've already made it a second time.  I should be really going 3 times/week but we just aren't there yet.  I'm also only doing my strength workout so far, but I'm proud to be getting back there.  My kids love the "Adventure Room" which is the child watch for kids 5-12, so it's a family outing.  Maybe if I get my act together and find our swimsuits we can do the pool too tomorrow.

Speaking of tomorrow, I'm off work for the day.  Connor's parent-teacher conference is tomorrow morning, and with as many problems as we've had with him in school, it's a MUST attend for me.  I get his evaluation back from the psychologist next Wednesday, and then his OT evaluation (for sensory integration problems) is next Thursday.  Next Friday is Charles' birthday, and I'm afraid to confess I haven't done ONE thing about it yet.  Eek!!

Any Top Chef fans out there?  I'm going to be sorry to see this season end.  I was really sad to see Elia eliminated last night, especially in favor of Marcel -- what a little obnoxious twit.   I think Survivor:  Fiji kicks up next week so I won't have a gap in my reality-tv fixes.  I've been taping American Idol so far, but haven't watched it -- I'm not into the horrible singers, I usually start watching either when they get to Hollywood or in the semi-finals.

Everyone ready for Valentine's Day?  My gift boxes that I made for Christmas were such a hit at school I'm getting ready to do a valentine's version.  I've been watching the ads to get my chocolate cheap for them, and my stamp roller came in last night to do the boxes.  I have 30 of them to make between the two kids' classrooms.  So far in consumable supplies, I have $13 (INCLUDING the chocolate), so I'm really pleased with myself.  Now to find the 2 hours to make them!

OK, I think I'm out of things to say for the moment.  I haven't slept well this week, so I am looking forward to a restful weekend!

Thursday Thoughts

WooHOO -- Dexter is using the litter box again!!! He's also now sporting a pretty royal blue collar. So far when we let him out to roam he's coming back in an hour or so when called. We're skeptical about having an indoor/outdoor cat, but he's being pretty stubborn about it. I had to laugh this morning though... we are getting a "wintery mix", mostly snow at the moment. Of course, he was adamant about his outdoor time... until he got out there. He licked the snow... sniffed it... walked around the tree, then hid under the molded slide thing, only peeking his head out to see if he was still getting wet. I think his outside time lasted maybe 5 minutes today? LOL!

Charles is doing well, thank you to those who have asked. HIs finger still has some redness and one hard spot, but otherwise he is very much back to normal. Hopefully that is our last medical emergency for quite a while. I'm afraid Connor might be getting sick though. He's been really irritable and teary lately, and that's normally a sign he doesn't feel well. Only time will tell.

We have a busy weekend coming up -- Duncan's cub scout pack is holding their Pinewood Derby on Saturday morning. Duncan's car this year is done to resemble (as best we can) the transformer Crumblezone. He's getting help from the Uncle of his best scout buddy on it, so hopefully we'll have much better results this year. With 105 boys in the pack, and every car running at least four times, it's going to be a LONG morning.

Sorry I haven't put any new pictures up on the photo blog, but January is just not my best month for feeling well and energy. I promise to try and do better!

Deja Vu?

I feel like I'm living my life over again, this time with Connor.   Have I mentioned how much trouble he has had being quiet, attentive, and in-his-seat at school?  That he's been to the principal's office twice?  Well, I finally took him to the psychologist we see for Duncan, and had an initial meeting.  I explained that I definitely see two of the three ADHD problems (hyperactivity, impulse control, attentiveness), that he's not doing well with social cues and giving people personal space, etc. etc.  He's having an evaluation next Friday, and I get the results on 1/31.  My mommy instinct tells me there is something going on.  Dr. S. said he didn't think we'd find anything severe or profound, but that it would be "kind of grey" rather than black and white.  So we'll see.   I'm also going to take him to see the OT for a Sensory Integration Dysfunction evaluation -- DSI can sometimes present as ADHD.   Last on the list is setting up a private speech/language evaluation.   I just want to know how to help him.

For those who have asked, Charles' finger continues to improve.  He saw our family physician Monday about it.  He has had alot of dead skin peel off the segment that had all the blisters, so it is red and itchy, but definitely continues to improve.  Dexter is on a NEW antibiotic since he still had a UTI.  He continues to pee/poop where it pleases him, so we are very frustrated.   Charles is super cleaning the litterboxes today to see if that will restart him going in the right spot again.  He has also gotten out a few more times, so payday this weekend brings him a collar whether he likes it or not.  Little grey fur beast!

Track Star?

Connor informed us this morning that he did NOT want to be on the track team when he grew up. We pondered this, and he also informed us he knew what the track team did. When we asked he solemnly informed us that the track team "waited until a train was coming and then ran across the track." When we asked him why he didn't want to be on the track team he told us he was afraid he'd get run over.

SA Blog Challenge for week of 1/8

1.  I've come to realize that my life is... whatever I choose to make it.   Therefore there is no one to blame but me.
2.  I am listening to... my kids squabbling.
3.  I talk... constantly.
4.  I love... my family.
5.  My best friends... are all a long distance away.  I don't have a "best" friend here anymore.
6.  Love is... something really hard to explain.
7.  Somewhere, someone is thinking...
8.  I'll always... want to be in the middle of whatever is going on.   I like having "the scoop" and all the details.
9.  The last time I cried was because... Charles didn't get to watch the kids open their Santa Claus this year due to being in the hospital.
10.  My cell phone... was a gift from my friend S., and I just got it in October.   I'm already addicted....
11.  Before I go to bed... I normally check my email.
12.  Right now I am thinking about...
13. Today I...  have day #8 of bad sinus pain.
14.   Tonite I will... go back to the gym for the first time in over a month.
15.   Tomorrow I will be... really busy at work.

SA Blog Challenge for week of 1/1

OK, so I'm a little behind...

2007 is here. What do you want to accomplish for YOURSELF this year? What are your goals or dreams? What are you most looking forward to? Give us a prediction of how you see your life going in 2007.

For me this year? I'd like to get back into a workout routine and maybe drop another 30 lbs. I want to make every holiday special for the kids -- I've already started on Valentine's day! I want to settle both kids down from the wild rumble-tumble boys we have right now. I am looking forward to Connor joining cub scouts, Duncan reaching 5th grade, and getting both in something for fall besides scouts. I want a real family vacation again this year, just us four again. I hope to lose some clutter at my house, gain some control over my life and my moods, and be proactive rather than reactive -- 2005 & 2006 were out of character for me.

How about you?

Happy New Year!

Charles came home on Friday on oral antibiotics. He's still not feeling 100%, but the finger is improving. It has nasty looking blisters on the underside, but they are slowly getting better. Dexter however, is still suffering from his urinary tract problems despite a week of antibiotics, and I believe he will be heading back to the vet.

Let's hope we all start our new year off right... I have more to say but no time this morning, so I'll write again soon!

Light at the end of the tunnel

OK, on day 8, we *think* he's coming home today! The doctor has not been by yet this morning, so we aren't 100% sure. He is sooo bored. I am working from home this morning and then have the rest of the day to deal with getting him home. I'll keep ya posted!

Update on Charles

Charles is concluding day 6 of his hospital stay for cellulitis and a badly infected left middle finger. We still have no word on when he'll go home, other than "when his finger is better". They've got his left arm/hand in a sling to elevate it, and he's bored out of his mind.

My mother-in-law is here with the kids, and I'm working and spending my late afternoons/evenings at the hospital with Charles. I'm ready for him to come home!

Ho Ho Ho

Not. Where to start? Charles woke up last Thursday complaining of an ingrown fingernail. By late morning his whole finger had swollen, and by early afternoon it was past his wrist. He saw our family doctor, who put him on antibiotics and pain meds. By Friday am the streaks were up to his bicep, so we took him to the emergency room. 10 hours later, he was finally admitted. His white blood count (wbc) was 19.1, his blood pressure was low, he had a fever of 100.6, his pulse oxygen was low... he was a pretty sick guy.

Saturday his wbc came down to 16.3, and his blood sugars were at least dropping. Today his wbc is down to 9.8, but his finger is still gnarly. They did an xray of it in the emergency room, and if it's not better tomorrow, they will do an MRI. His finger getting better is the ticket to coming home.

Soooo.... our Christmas is kinda funky. I have yet to wrap the first present, and I have to do "Santa" without help for the first time in my marriage. I really hate that Charles will miss the kids' opening their gifts. We're going to pack up and take his gifts over to the hospital tomorrow morning. It just makes me teary to think of Christmas with him in the hospital.

On a happier note, Duncan did well in the 4th grade Christmas play, and Connor is missing both front teeth just in time for Christmas. Hope everyone has a Happy Holiday!!

Weekday Ramblings

Ugh. It's so hard to go back to work after being off for four days. It has NOT been a good week either. I applied for a promotion on my team and found out Monday I didn't get it. This is not such a bad thing -- I lost out to a retired air force colonel so I know it was a matter of not being the best candidate, but it still feels weird.

School snet an email asking why we hadn't responded to the notes they had sent the past several days, which meant Charles has not been signing the daily stuff. Apparently he has been "forgetting" to give Duncan his medication, which is really a bad thing. So I've had to be the watchdog the last couple of days trying to get them back on track.

The school nurse, whom I despise, has been trying to track us down, about Connor. He had a potty accident at school. I don't understand what the big friggin' deal is, but she sure is hard to get back with, and Charles just pleads embarassment and won't deal with her. So in between constant meetings I've been trying to track her down.

Charles has been sick as a dog this whole week with a flu like virus, so absolutely nothing has gotten done at home this week. We had scouts on Tuesday (rephrase, Duncan & I had scouts), and tonite are meeting family friends at Chuck E Cheese for dinner. Last night should have been fellowship and choir, but Charles wasn't feeling good, Duncan has been a tween jerk lately, and both Charles and I have been disenchanted with church lately. Lately we just haven't felt welcome. So we'll see where that goes.

OK, I got a new boss to train at work, so I need to get moving.

Blog Nonsense - Blame Liz

Thanks Liz!!

Christmas Elf Name My Christmas Elf Name is Get your Christmas Elf Name at JokesUnlimited.com

Happy Turkey Day

Happy Thanksgiving! Ours has been rather quiet and uneventful. The weather here in NC has been rainy and windy the past few days, so we decided not to go to Charlotte due to weather. Instead we stayed home and ate a nice family meal here. The kids are all excited about the new "Foster's Home" movie coming on Cartoon Network in a few minutes.

Tomorrow brings a day off from work, and my birthday. I am headed out to the local scrapbook store for an all day crop tomorrow, so I'll have some peace and quiet away. I really am simply looking forward to a quiet weekend.

Hope this finds you and yours having a great holiday!

TGIF

One way to truly appreciate having teammates is going three days with most of them out of the office -- what a week! I have just stayed tired this week.

We celebrated Connor's sixth birthday on Monday -- he got his presents on Sunday so he could play with them on the ride back from the beach, but then on Monday we took him out for dinner at Macaroni Grill. Tuesday marked the first time in six weeks we had hit the gym -- I was so very tired that night!! Wednesday was the first time since September we made it to church for fellowship (it conflicted with soccer), and it was packed! The kids acted up after dinner and I was tired of disobedience, so I took them home rather than hanging around for choir. Yesterday I had my hair appointment, and then tonite is scouts and a pack meeting. Tired yet? Tomorrow we have a den activity in the morning, then Sunday Duncan has a birthday party to go to, and I have to hit the gym on Saturday.

When will it end?!

Our Thanksgiving plans are up in the air for next week -- we are trying to settle them down so I can grocery shop if needed. Whew -- hopefully I'll be doing more blogging this weekend. See ya!

We're Back....

Home from vacation that is... the first of the pictures are posted over on my photo blog. I only have 554 to sort thru, so it may take a while to find some good ones to post.

A Beautiful Day at the Beach

Today's weather was the reason why I love the beach in the fall -- high of 76 degrees, sunny.... next to no wind.... simply a lovely day. We did the heated outdoor pool in the morning, ate a quick lunch, and spent three hours at the beach in the afternoon, followed by an hour at the pool. Connor's favorite part so far has been "having the waves hit me".... I have taken loads of pictures of him in the waves, I hope they turn out nice.

We have one more full day at the beach -- Charles' gaming buddies are coming down tonite, and they are all gaming tomorrow, so it will be me and the kids. We'll have the same routine, pool in the morning, beach in the afternoon. Frozen pizza for dinner, sandwiches for lunch. Then Sunday we pack up and head home. It has been nice to get away from everything, but I'm starting to be ready for my own bed, and my computer. But the kids have really enjoyed their time, despite a couple days of bad or mediocre weather. We didn't do much (didn't have the $$), but it has been very enjoyable.

Really Short One

OK, so very very sorry -- I had some troubles with blogger, and went about two weeks where I simply could not get logged in. Then.... we left on vacation. I'm actually writing this from the beach. We'll be home on Sunday.

Overall, we are having a good trip -- very low key, eating in the condo, taking advantage of the pool(s) and the beach. We had lousy weather Tuesday, not so great weather Wednesday, but today was lovely, and our last two days are supposed to be good too. Other than having to unexpectedly, in the pouring down rain, put a new alternator and battery in my car, it's been an uneventful trip.

See y'all sunday!

News

My friend P***** had her sixth baby today, a third little girl. I'm so excited for her, it's been a long pregnancy for her.

It's been a busy weekend for us -- we had scouts Friday night, and Duncan got his first award for the year, his fitness pin. Saturday the scouts did a cleanup project, and our kids got their flu shots. Sunday, we crashed and had a quiet day.

Hope this finds everyone well -- we've got another busy week with scouts on Tuesday, soccer on Wednesday, church directory photos on Thursday, and a scout camping trip this coming weekend. New soccer pictures on the photo page!

P.S. We have two people close to us that had surgery today (besides P****), so please hold them in your thoughts that things go smoothly.

"Getting It"

I have maybe four minutes to write this so bear with me today. We had soccer last night. Connor's coach, "Coach Jim", told me a couple of weeks ago that most of these kids have a moment where it clicks, where they "get it" and they improve rapidly. I think we are close to that moment with Connor and alot of the kids.

Connor improved last week, more hustle, more attentiveness, but still little ball contact. He still hasn't "gotten it", but he sure is close. Last night he had more ball contact than I think he's had the whole season so far. I had to laugh, he get the ball, stop it, and then pause to line up his shot. He'd have had four or five goals if he'd just shoot, but I am so very proud of how he played last night. He was charging after the ball, using his feet to stop it, and really hustling. All of the boys on his team are improving. I yelled myself hoarse last night cheering for them.

When I have a moment I'll post some pictures from last night on the photo blog.