Miserable Monday

Today will officially be referred to as "The Day of Doctors" in our household. As that is all we seemed to get accomplished, visiting one after another.





Almost 3 weeks ago we all had the nasty little head cold. We thought it had all but subsided, then it reared it's ugly head again last week. First Blue Eyes, 2 days later Brown Eyes, and yours truly bringing up the rear this weekend. We toughed out the first round. But we hadn't fully recouped before we got slammed with round two. Round two is worse. I'm all for doing it drug free if you can; but, I thought if round 3 came around, we were in for serious trouble.





So, Blue Eyes went in to see a ENT specialist this a.m. (to see if we should get antibiotics.) He was diagnosed with walking pneumonia. Yes, antibiotics were definitely in order. Ricardo told the doctor that Brown Eyes and I were also sick. He recommended that we get to see a doctor pronto as well. So we went to a doc in the box this afternoon. Same diagnosis. So we too were prescribed antibiotics . Brown Eyes and I also got the "bonus" prescription. Seems our coughs, chest rattles were worse-so we scored steroids as well. Brown eyes gets a liquid to take. I got a shot in the derriere...seems once again, I'm bringing up the rear.





The Disney saga also continues. 2 weeks ago, he started vomiting and losing weight. We took him in for round 1 at the vet. They thought perhaps it might be worms (even though he tested negative) or a gastrointestinal infection. We dewormed (as precaution) started him on special food, kept him overnight at the hospital as well as 3 different meds to take home. All to no avail. Still ill, still losing weight. Has lost 48% of his total body weight in less than 3 weeks time. :(





Went back today for a recheck. They took x-rays. Different diagnosis. This one not good. Seems he has no blockage, ect. But, has a thickening of intestinal walls. This could only be 2 different things. One of these being intestinal cancer. The other, the doctor said is like IBS and is treatable with steroids. To be 100% sure, we would have to do a biopsy( which is very expensive.) If it is intestinal cancer, there is no cure. So we opted not to do the biopsy. Instead, we have started him on the steroids and are hoping for the best. The doc said we should know pretty quickly either way. If it is the IBS thing, he will start to rally. If it is the intestinal cancer, he will continue to worsen.



So, out of our household of 8...1/2 of us are on antibiotics, 3 of us are all hopped up on "the roids" and all of us are hoping healthier days are in our near future.

"Little Surfur Girl"

I'll never again wish I had more help cleaning up the kitchen after meals....

Kowabunga! Looks like I've got a table surfer on my hands.

*Note: To all fellow germaphobs...I've now definitely ramped up the disinfection level on all table and counter top surfaces!!! :) *

Oh Sweet 19lb 2 oz Baby Sumo!!!!

Ouch!!! Now THIS makes my whole body ache. A 19lb 2oz newborn.

Notice how he is crying in the pic? Notice how they didn't show a pic of the Mommy? I bet she was crying twice as hard! Have Mercy!!!

Well Done-Woof! Woof!!!!

My stress level has been pretty high lately. I feel like one of those fundraiser posters. You know the ones, where it shows how much further you have to go until you reach your goal. "My stress level is here...only 2 or 3 more contributions of stress, and we will have reached our freakout goal" Yea!!!!







Add to that, the fact that I'm one of "those people." You know, the kind that always likes to have a project to do. I even make "To Do Lists", much to hubby Ricardo's chagrin. If I don't have a task, a sense of purpose, a feeling of completion and satisfaction of a job well done...well I get a little edgy. If I don't have some type of physical exertion/release on a daily basis, I also get really uptight.







Due to budget cuts and restraints, there haven't been any home improvement projects completed in a while. Due to time constraints, worry and added chaos, I haven't even had much free time to work out lately. I remedied all that on Sunday.This is our cul-de-sac entrance. It is home to the "pitcher's mound" as we like to call it. One of the many projects on our (okay, MY) "Landscaping To Do List." I've been slowly tackling it. A tree here. Another tree there. Planters and flowers are another stage to be done as well...at a later date.







This past Sunday, while Ricardo and Blue Eyes were fishing, I loaded up Brown Eyes and headed to Home Depot. I had received a $5 off coupon on a purchase of $50 or more in the mail. I also had a $50 gift card. Brown Eyes and I got our "frugal bargain shopping on"... so to speak. We picked out two trees (on sale- 1/2 price) and bought soil, as well as mulch.

After Ricardo and Blue Eyes returned home, the whole family went out front and planted the two trees you see in the foreground.

We are now two trees closer to our landscaping goal. (check) I got my much needed physical exertion in.(check) As well as- spending quality time with the family.(check) Outside. In the sunshine.(check and check) Oh, and the whole thing didn't cost a dime out of pocket. (cha-ching!) Now all those checkmarks added together,...Well they are enough to make any anal, compulsive, stressed out, "To Do List/Project Manager" on a budget,...down right proud!!! :)

Welcome Fall!

It's that time of year... I LOVE FALL!!!!

And I love this little guy - no matter what the season!!! :)

Oh the Irony!

Thanks for all the advice girls! I heeded the advice of the very wise, kind RN and opted for the tetanus shot. The way I figure, not only is it preventative (because I am 99.9% sure I will do something else stupid or klutzy in the future) but,..it also gives me license to be reckless. For the next 10 years I can step on rusty nails, wade barefoot through flood waters, or lick any rusted metal post I may come across, if I so desire. Not that I desire; but hey, I really should take advantage of this protection I've acquired. Especially considering what I paid for it.





The health clinic price was only $30.(very reasonable!) The clinic itself was a 45 minute drive-each way. (Ugh!) Ricardo wouldn't be able to take off work to stay with the boys tomorrow.So I wouldn't be able to go until Monday...4 days after stupid, klutzy, incident. I called the "Doc in the Box" down the street. They told me if I paid out of pocket and didn't file insurance, it would only be $77 (because a nurse would be giving me a shot-no doctor visit required.) So, hubby told me to go to the doc in the box tonight instead.



Upon arrival at the local "Doc in the Box,"the receptionist told me she was... "mistaken." She "mis-spoke."Anytime it is a "injury" requiring a tetanus injection, you must see the doctor....even if it is only a scrape. Oh holy Joe Pesci!!!! They do indeed "f*&# you at the drive -thru!!!" But I can't get to the health clinic before Monday. By then it may be too late. I'm already here. Might as well get it over with I guess.





So I had to see the doctor. He was very kind. He spent all of 2 minutes in the room with me. He told me I had to take antibiotics as well as get the vaccination. (The TDaP/antibiotic combo.) He also looked at my hand injury and told me he felt sure it wouldn't interfere with my career as a hand model either. (Doctor humor. :) I replied, "I have man hands, so that career ended a long time ago." (Girl with freakishly large hands humor :) He laughed, then shook my hand goodbye. Upon which, he was shocked...as my hand was indeed as big as his. Sad, horrible truth. Although it should be noted his fingers were slightly meatier...slightly. (Ooohhhhh the curse of these freakish man hands! ) Otherwise, yes...in a parallel universe, I am sure I would have indeed made a fantastic and highly successful hand model.





Anyway, here is the final charge my klutzy stupidity, caused by anal OCD tendencies caused today....$198, not including the cost of antibiotics. ( I feel the need to reiterate here....THEY F*&# YOU AT THE DRIVE-THRU!!!! )





Doctor visit-$72


Urgent care service, low- $32.97


Admin of immunization- $28.00


TDAP Vaccine-$65





The ironic part of the whole ordeal is, I was worried about my mouth freezing in the open position. Also, that hubby would take advantage of the situation if mouth paralysis did indeed occur. As it happens...my mouth did indeed freeze in the open position -when I got my bill. And I have a sneaky suspicion that I will now be indebted to dear hubby for the unforeseeable future.....Good thing I don't have to worry about my jaw locking up huh?! Haaaaaaaa Haaaaaaa!!! Keeping my sense of humor, it's critical! ;)

Seeking Medical Advice for "Supposed Hypothetical Situation"

Okay, here is a "hypothetical situation"...or not. Let's say that someone was supposedly going out to the mailbox to put outgoing mail in it. Then lets say that it was also trashday. The trashmen had already come, so someone grabbed the trashcans to put away. Upon turning with the trashcans in hand, someone may have glanced at a particular flowerbed and noticed weeds growing in it. Perhaps, (just to make things interesting) this person is a wee bit anal or OCD about the appearance of things. (Can you imagine???!!! ;) Anyhow, said person started pulling weeds. It was also raining. What better time to make weed pulling an easy task ?...Ahem....I digress. Then, for good measure-let's say OCD female is also....klutzy. Said person's klutzy, wet hand slipped and she cut herself on metal edging around the flowerbed. The rusted part of the flowerbed edging of course. BUT the cut is just the size of a papercut. No deep wound. No gaping hole. Just your run of the mill papercut size.



Now lets say klutzy OCD female washed wound with soap, water, peroxide and neosporin. The field is now sterile, so to speak. Would you say I....this person, should get a tetanus shot? (Last one was over 30 years ago) or is it probably fine?



Because a doctor's visit on a high deductible insurance plan would cost a couple hundred dollars by the time it was all said and done. And money is a little tight at the moment. Okay, really tight at the moment.



However...Lockjaw would be very undesirable as well. Can only imagine the horror of paralysis. Being unable to defend oneself, how retchid would that be???!!! Because perhaps said short, blonde, klutzy, OCD female, with vivid imagination, and warped sense of humor, was married to a horndog. What if mouth locked in open position (g forbid)..... and wouldn't close.....couldn't close,... no matter how hard she tried. I shudder to think how long it might take for husband to seek medical treatment for wife. It's a real financial dilemma for her...a moral dilemma for him. The absurd situation....well, it's probably as old as time.



Horndog husband says, I should be fine. Normally, I'd believe him; but, should I trust his advice in this particular instance???? It seems biased. So, I ask you, fellow females on a budget "What would you do?".....

Taylor Swift Rap Video

This is just crazy cute!!!

Taylor Swift Rap Video

Shared via AddThis

It makes no sense to me!

It makes no sense to me how someone can be cruel to another person without any provocation. I'm no saint. But I am not a bully. I would NEVER lash out at another person without any provocation. When someone gives me a reason....THAT is another story.

Life is hard enough somedays without having someone push you down and stomp on you. Somedays a smile that you give someone, might be the only smile they receive that day. And it also might be just enough to keep them going if they've had a particularly rough day. Or better help them face tomorrow. Also a kind, heartfelt word costs nothing to give. But it can be priceless to the person who recieves it.

I think the world (including the internet) would be a better place if people would just remember this.

This is the Homeschool Curriculum that we use:

This is what I will refer to as the "Box of Knowledge." Because when you enroll and order ... THIS is what you get:
First grade covers the below subjects:

Each subject has 12 workbooks.

When you enroll in 9th grade you receive this:

Math/Algebra, English, Science/Biology, Social Studies, Etymology, New Testament Survey, Health, and P.E. All of the above subjects also have 12 PACES a piece. (Except for Biology which has 24 workbooks and a DVD series-and Health which only has 6 workbooks because it is a one semester course.)

Are you with me so far? Are you beyond bored with this post? I implore you to stay with me for just a moment longer......Now, scroll up to the top and back down again...I'll wait...

ALL of THIS up above is why my postings will be erratic or hit and miss and lackluster for the next several days, weeks, months. We've got all this information to absorb, decipher, learn. We are already 2 weeks behind schedule due to the delay in enrollment/shipping. Soooooo, basically for the next several weeks (and weekends) we will be playing catch up. And playing very little......:(

I thank you in advance for your patience. I pray for our patience in the days, weeks, months ahead. I also ask for the power of positive thoughts, so that we may complete this in a timely manner. No monetary donations are needed at this time. However, as always, any alcoholic donations to yours truly would be gladly ingested....I mean happily accepted. (wink, wink)

Ima Remembers School Days Past...

It's Fall, and that means back to school time. I for one, always dreaded school.





Now, I know many of you may find this hard to believe, but Ima not the brightest apple in the barrel. In fact, I recently came across some old report cards that seem to confirm this. Here are some comments posted beside my past grades:





"Since last semester, Ima has hit rock bottom...and started to dig."





" If Ima were any dumber, she would need to be watered twice a week."





"This child has delusions of adequacy."





"Ima is depriving some village some where of an idiot."





"When Ima's IQ reaches 50...she should sell!!!"





"The gate is down, the lights are flashing, but the train isn't coming..."





"Ima's elevator does not go all the way to the top floor."





"I find it impossible to believe that the sperm that created this child beat out 1,000,000 others!"





Wow! Upon reflection, some of these comments may seem a little harsh. Sadder still, when you take into consideration... I was homeschooled! ;)



Ima Jo King



And as I always say:

If you can't set a good example....serve as a horrible warning to others!

A is for...

Life is what happens while you are making other plans. Isn't that the truth. We were supposed to start school this week. We didn't anticipate being sidelined by a head/chest cold. Which I guess is just as well, because our school supplies/workbooks didn't arrive this week either. Registered the boys on August 10. Did not in my wildest dreams think our supplies wouldn't be here by Sept. 1...ARRRRGGGGHHH!!! Frustrating.

While we are waiting on everything to get here, I started Brown Eyes on his first week of first grade. We don't need workbooks for that this week. And I have the teacher's manuals already from when I taught Blue Eyes first grade.

The past couple of days, we have been reviewing all the sounds of A...
We have also been learning how to make the letter A...

As well as learning words that have all of the A sounds. Long A sounds such as cAke, bAke, rAke, etc.

Also short A sounds. Such as hat, bat, or....

Algebra...which Blue Eyes will be taking this year. Also as in Algebra that I will be teaching this year.

Which brings me to another A sound...

Antacid.

Or perhaps another all time favorite A sound....

Alcohol.



Any Homeschool Mom will tell you, there are good days and not so good days. But when you are able to teach your children something like how to write a letter for the first time....or how to read (as we will be doing this year)....

And you see the pride on your little guy's face when they master the concept....there's no words for how amazing it makes both of you feel!

Rihanna beating 'a blur' to Chris Brown, he says after 'I don't remember' bombshell on CNN

I may be opening up a big can o worms here; but I just gotta give my opinion on this whole Chris Brown "incident."...Is that really what we are calling it?...An "incident." Wow! I didn't know that brutally beating someone could be downgraded to an "incident." What's next? Will a homicide be downgraded to a "misunderstanding" if it involves a celebrity?

Striking a woman if wrong. Period. I think it would be especially evident to someone who watched their mother being beat as Chris Brown did growing up. Repeatedly striking, punching, biting and choking a woman...that's reprehensible, and SHOULD be punishable by more than just probation and community service. And as for accepting his responsibility in all this...puhleeze! He is claiming that he cannot remember the "incident." That it is all a blur to him. Really. Tell it to O.J ...I'm sure HE will understand. I do not.

Do you also think that if it were ANYONE else besides a celebrity, that they would have been given probation and community service? IF that is indeed standard procedure, then our justice system REALLY should be completely overhauled.

I am including one of the recent articles that I read. Tell me, does this type of violence and slap on the wrist as punishment offend you as much as it does me? What's your opinion of this "incident?"



Rihanna beating 'a blur' to Chris Brown, he says after 'I don't remember' bombshell on CNN

A Nasty little cold bug...And a dose of Drama

We've had company at our house. A nasty little bug. It starts out with a sore throat, rapidly becomes congestion, and then lingers far too long in the chest. 3 outta 4 of us have been affected by this...or should I say infected by this.. so far Ricardo has been spared.

Now any Mom will tell you, ya hate it when your kids get sick. You do whatever it takes to get them on the road to recovery. You would also gladly battle the bug, rather than have your kids suffer. Now what some Mom's might not tell you, (but I'm being honest here) is that some kids are easier patients than others when they are sick.

I hate it when either of my children are sick....but I DREAD it when little brown eyes is ill...



Blue Eyes, is the easiest patient in the world to take care of. He doesn't complain. He's thankful for every little thing you do for him-big or small. He's the model patient. Brown Eyes is a little more, shall we say....high maintenance. When he's under the weather, it means there's a storm a brewing.

He has no patience for being sick. It makes him (best case scenario) a wee bit cranky...with
some dramatic flair thrown in for good measure.

The past 7 days have been full of drama, with such classic lines as "my cough just WON'T go away....I don't think I will EVER get better...!" "Being sick makes me sad....I don't think I'll EVER be happy again!"

As well as irritability....I ALMOST buttered the WRONG SIDE of his waffles on Monday. Yes, apparently waffles do have a right side and wrong side to put butter on. (They should really put THAT little direction tip on the Eggo box ;). I don't have to tell ya, I was just a hair's width away from getting an ass chewing on that one! LUCKILY, I corrected my mistake in time!

Oy! From where DOES this little guy get his temper and all the drama....SURELY NOT from his Momma!!! ;)

But I'm happy to report, that Blue Eyes is completely recovered. I'm over the hump and on the downhill coast to recovery. And as for Little Brown Eyes....

He's feeling MUCH BETTER. His cough IS indeed going away. And from the look of things, I dare say he WILL BE HAPPY once again!!! THANK GOODNESS!!!!