Last Time At Bat

Gearing up for the last semester

2012-01-12T03:38:00.000-08:00

So this is it.. the last semester! This semester we are spending most of our clinical hours in the emergency room, the ICU's and in a preceptorship with a nurse at the hospital of our choice.

Lots of self motivating responsibility goes with this semester as we have to line up our extra hours on our own. Should work well for this procrastinator.. LOL.. well.. I have the contact numbers and it is my hope to call today and line up my 80 plus hours with my nurse.

We are scheduled to take 3 practice NCLEX exams over the course of this semester. Should be good and ready to sit the boards in June. :)

The only fly in this ointment is that I don't want to be in school right now. I am so closed to being burned out. I can't take a break.... we have orders to move in June, no chance to extend my schooling.

On the plus side, first test was yesterday and I made a 100%. Drug calculations... love them! Always my highest score each semester. :)

Conflicted

2012-01-09T13:53:00.000-08:00

For the past 2 plus years, I have been working towards my RN degree. I made some pretty good friends early on and we have made the effort every semester to have the same class schedule, if not the same clinical groups, in order to make studying as a group easier. Not as many schedule conflicts if we're all at school at the same time.

Our group has been a great mix of ages and types of people and I feel as though we've really gelled into a fantastic group. We have always respected each others differences... some of us are married, some single, some drink or smoke, some don't, some adhere to strict religious rules, some don't.... but these things have never been an issue.. until now.

One member of our core group changed his class schedule to specifically move away from those of us he has always liked because in his words "If I'm with y'all all the time I'm gonna wanna drink and stuff." Which.. was conveyed to all of us by text. Which we didn't receive until after worrying about him today since he didn't show up for class.

I understand that for some people it's easier to hold to a higher standard if you are not constantly put in temptation. But what I don't understand is why (since drinking alcohol and/or smoking is not something we do ALL the time) he couldn't bring up the subject and ask us to not include him in the few times we may decide to drink. Which... for the record was twice last semester... once at the end to celebrate the end.. and once after a particularly long and tough clinic. AND none of us ever drink more than one beer. No one forced him to partake...at least half the folks there don't drink.

Anyway... it just makes me sad.. and conflicted. I feel like because he can't keep himself responsible, we are all being punished. LOL.. or worse.. that somehow those of us he moved away from have been tried, judged, and found wanting.

Because of how the schedule works at school, we will not see him very often, if at all during this school semester since he has made this choice. And since it appears that he does not intend to socialize with us because of our bad influence.. . it feels like he has essentially cut all ties with us.

Yes, I'm whining. I don't like losing friends when I don't feel I've done anything wrong.

Tuesday Morning Remorse

2011-11-29T08:23:00.000-08:00

Procrastination is something I have down to a fine art. My ADC group is required to present a 15 to 20 minute presentation on Thursday Dec. 1 on Postpartum Depression. We divided up the work three weeks ago. (maybe a bit longer). Last night, or early this morning at the latest, my slides were due to Jeremy (he's coordinating the slide show for all of us). I finally finished my portion and emailed them at 9AM this morning. I spent a total of 4 hours doing the research, creating the slides, coordinating my speech to go along with the slides. I woke up at 4:30 this morning, thinking I could get it all done in a couple of hours. So I played a "quick" game before starting.

Once I did start working, I worked straight through and I'm really happy with the product I created. But.... why did I wait three weeks to even get started? Why did I waste the whole of the Thanksgiving break on relaxation, when I could have spent an hour or two each day working on this assignment and studying for the last three tests we have?

Ah well, It's done... here's hoping I can learn from this experience and use my time more wisely.

Counting Down

2011-10-29T14:36:00.000-07:00

We are entering the final phase of nursing school. I have a little over 28 weeks left. We are working on hematology in our unit right now. The ins and outs of blood transfusions, type-matching, leukemias and other cancers of the blood.

Quilting weekend

2011-07-18T03:46:00.000-07:00

Came out to Savannah for a long weekend with my best friend, Leigh. We went to a quilting class at the local quilt stor (Colonial Quilts). The quilt pattern is called "Monkey business". We had six hours of instruction with Bette. Very personable and very helpful. It was a good day. Then we came back to Leigh's and its been non-stop piecing. We should be done by the end of the day. This has been a much needed break from nursing school.

Hardest Part of being in Nursing School

2011-03-27T08:34:00.000-07:00

So, I'm discovering that the hardest part of being in nursing school is over-diagnosing yourself. Every lecture includes all these symptoms of whatever ailments we are learning. It's hard not to think "gee, I have that, ...maybe I should have that looked at.... wow, that's what's wrong with the in-law?... should I share my new insight with hubby? " It's just a three hour long "what if" session with the mind.. LOL

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A new beginning

2011-03-27T08:18:00.000-07:00

Starting a diet seems to be the hardest thing to do. I know I need to lose weight, I don't expect it to happen overnight. I know how to lose weight. Yet I never manage to go the distance... at least up til now. I have 14 months to reach my goal of losing 118.1 lbs. That computes out to just a shave over 2 lbs a week. Totally doable. And so I begin today. I have been struggling with my weight for less than half of my life. When I was younger, the kids were younger, it was very easy to keep fit. Tag, Hide and go seek, dancing with the hubby, housework.... all these things and more kept me healthy and happy with my weight. But time and a sweet tooth has taken its toll. My kids are grown now, no more games of tag and my hubby is playing soldier far more often away from us than he is with us. Not complaining, just stating facts... I have no one to go dancing with. Sometimes I work out at home, dance around the house, watch what I eat... but most of the time it's been half-hearted... I'll lose a size or two and then I start slipping back to my old habits. This time it's going to be different. I have a plan for my future and I can most effectively create that future if I can "look the part" as we say. I am going to be a nurse and I want to help people stay and/or become healthy. But I want to look like I know what I'm talking about. So I'm ready to make this commitment to myself and my future. I know I need to be healthy for my own self, but I also have that added incentive of knowing I can be a better example for my clients if I can reach and maintain my goal.

Autumn color

2010-10-30T16:01:00.000-07:00

Taken at Ft. Rucker, Alabama. Where autumn has yet to arrive. Taken October 30, 2010

Nursing School Reality

2010-10-27T13:30:00.000-07:00

So I am 7 short weeks away from the end of my first semester of nursing school. It's been insane! I have a great group of study buddies and I am loving my clinical group (not composed of the same people). Instructors are tough, but fair and VERY picky about procedure... which is a good thing when you are turning out the next class of RN's I think.

Hardest task so far? Learning to "eat the elephant, one bite at a time."... No seriously.. the hardest part has been having to reorient my way of learning. I think I've found the groove though, and I'm pretty sure I should be seeing improvements in all my grades. (A's and B's thus far, but it never hurts to shoot seriously high).

As far as procedures go, I think the toughest is maintaining that sterile field. It's amazing just how easy it is to break it and have to start all over again. Never fear, future clients, I have it under control!

Who left all the cobwebs around here?

2010-07-17T06:02:00.000-07:00

Wow! I had no idea it's been so long since the last time I blogged. Well.. been in summer session for Microbiology the past 6 weeks... another 3 weeks to go. I am enjoying the subject, but not caring too much for the teacher's way of doing business. Still, at this moment in time I have an A so I guess I shouldn't complain too much. I have been accepted into the nursing program for the fall. Should graduate May of 2012.

Paul is in "talks" to arrange his next assignment. We are currently scheduled to end this tour in June 2011 and his unit will be out of here as well, since they've been slowing moving everything up to Huntsville (part of a BRAC program). Paul can't just extend here at Ft. Rucker... so we aren't sure what he's going to do next... and that directly affects me since I have to be HERE through 2012.

We may end up living apart for a year, but it's not like we haven't done that a few dozen times, eh? :)

2010-05-14T07:36:00.000-07:00

Or at least it's out for two weeks.... as I have a summer class starting on June 3. I intend to take advantage of this two weeks by cleaning all the paper left over from all the research (recycle bins, here I come) as well as create my daughter's graduation dress.

I ended the semester with all A's and have made the "president's list". I am joyfully optimistic that I will enter the nursing program this fall, with all but one of my prerequisites done. Sweet, huh?

But for now, I'm basking in the glow of NO MORE FINALS!

The Crazy Oddness of being a Mother

2010-05-05T04:54:00.000-07:00

My semester is drawing slowly to a close. Kendra is already done for her spring semester and Mac and Kim still have a month of school. (Yes, at the moment they hate us. Per Kim's request, I'm no longer allowed to complain aloud about my finals.)

Even though Kim and Mac still have four weeks of school ahead of them, I am already beginning to realize that this house is going to feel very empty by next fall. Kim graduates and will be heading off to college.

When Kendra started college, I had the luxury of having her still at home for the first year. I took my time adjusting to the idea that she'd be leaving home soon. Her move to the dorms for her sophomore year was easier than if she had bolted out the door at the beginning of college.

I will get no such buffer with Kim. She's going to the same college as Kendra and they are eagerly looking forward to sharing a place to live.

I missed Kendra when she left, but I think I will be devastated when both my girls are gone.

Whenever Paul is away with the Army, it's just going to be Mac and me rattling around this huge house. And he's not going to want to watch romantic comedies with me either. But on the other hand.. we both love action movies and Mellow Mushroom Pizza Parlor (neither of the girls do). I guess it's his turn to have me all to himself. That's the silver lining.

It's Crammin' Time!

2010-04-28T18:24:00.000-07:00

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This semester I don't have the luxury of just one test per day during finals. ACK! Luckily I've been working ahead on a lot of my study prep, so I think I'm in pretty good shape. Finals start Week of May 10th.

Vegas in Spring-ish

2010-03-24T19:44:00.000-07:00

I took advantage of Paul's testing being delayed (he was supposed to be in Yuma for March) and made last minute plans to meet my sister, Susan in Vegas for our "almost"
annual sister trip. I was on spring break anyway... and it's been too long since the last sister trip (in spite of our efforts to get together at least once a year).

I had so much fun... if only my feet did too. I came home with blisters... from all the walking in new-ish shoes. We stayed on the strip and walked everywhere, every day, for many hours each day. Well.. we did have breaks here and there for some gambling and meals and shows. But it FELT like hours and hours of walking to my feet.

One of the best comedy shows I've seen in a long time was happening at the Improv @ Harrah's during the week we were there. We saw Mark Price (Skippy from "Family Ties"), Maryellen Hooper, and Jeff Riezen. Jeff emcee'd the show as well as had his own style of comedy to share with the audience. I enjoyed everyone, but really felt a rapport with Maryellen. I laughed so hard, I had tears streaming down my cheeks.

Maryellen is a blogger, you can check out her blog at www.stinkyflowers.wordpress.com She doesn't blog daily, but she is consistent and funny.

Spring break in Vegas was wonderful. The temps were perfect- in the mid 70's and a nice breeze most days. I think the spottiest thing were our restaurant choices. My favorite place and meal turned out to be breakfast at Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville at the Flamingo. Second floor deck overlooking the strip. Food was absolutely divine. Ate there twice.

Well, bed calls.. I have pics, but I have to wait to post them. Another entry soon.

Tapestry explained

2010-03-09T03:41:00.001-08:00

On a previous entry, Russ was curious about one of my six word memoirs:

tapestry twisted, illumination low, still....pretty!"

I have always enjoyed the idea of God as the master weaver and how from our vantage point we might not always be able to see the design intended for our lives. It's a fanciful thought perhaps, but I have always felt that our lives are guided and even the bad things that have befallen us (my family), there has been evidence to me that I can see a pattern that makes sense.

Hence, the idea of the tapestry being twisted (things can look pretty twisted from a "me" centric point of view) Illumination low (viewing the pattern from a less than perfect angle), but being able to acknowledge the beauty in the design.

And that is the explanation about that particular six word memoir.

I presented three of the four memoirs in class (I left Tapestry out). My instructor really liked them and thought I should frame up the Grasshopper (we had to decorate the six word memoirs) one for my husband.

On pins and needles

2010-03-09T03:21:00.000-08:00

Sometime in the mid 90's my best friend dropped me like a hot potato. She and my sister had found themselves on opposite sides of a business deal gone bad and she had asked me to intervene on her behalf. And I refused to get into the middle of it. I wasn't living in the same town as them, I had no idea what had gone on and I did not want to have to choose sides. I stayed neutral. Or maybe to my BF it seemed as though I'd chosen my sister's side. I don't know... what I do know is that after things resolved on the business side, she never talked to me again.

Occasionally I'd make an effort to contact her, but at the time of the incident she was single. I have never been sure what her last name is. She might have continued to use her married name, gone back to her maiden name, or heck.. remarried since I'd last spoken with her. Her mom and dad had moved away from the last known address I had for them.. and the friends that we had in high school hadn't heard from her either. It was as though she elected to walk away from everything and everyone from Phoenix.

Well.. through a series of backdoor searches I found her facebook page Sunday night. Of course most things are kind of guarded, but from what I could see.. it looks as though things have gone well for her. She has remarried and she looks really happy in her profile picture. I took a chance and I sent a brief message to her. Didn't ask to be her friend on facebook... actually wrote a message to her to which I hope she eventually responds. I am trying not to read into the fact that I haven't gotten a response yet. I know on a normal day I don't get on my facebook all the time either.

But I'm anxious. I have missed her so much over the years and have never truly understood why I was "kicked to the curb." I believe in an identical reverse situation, she'd have stayed neutral as well rather than get between her sister and I. And I would have respected that decision. Well.. at least I think I would have eventually understood. So.. that's what I'm hoping for.. that enough years have gone by that we might be able to be friends again.

Six word memoirs revisited

2010-03-01T15:48:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure that these really qualify... but I've come up with two more "6 word memoirs" that I will be presenting to my Speech class.

" Love guides me; Faith sustains me."

" tapestry twisted, illumination low, still....pretty!"

In other news... first speech DONE! I received a 95 on my outline and an 89 for the demonstration. I lost some points because I went over time. So much for worrying about not having anything to say :)

M-M-My Sharona

2010-02-15T07:52:00.000-08:00

Yet another piece of my teenage past fades away. Doug Fieger has lost his battle with lung cancer. The Knack was one of my favorite groups when they first hit the scene. Played their "Get the Knack" tape over and over and over. It is sad to know that he dealt with the lung cancer for so long before he finally succumbed. My heart goes out to his family and friends

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Blah, I say.... Blah

2010-02-10T16:02:00.000-08:00

As of late, I've been feeling out of step. Not really into school at the moment, but at the same time enjoying the classes i have (except Speech). May be its the countdown to Paul's next TDY. He's off to Yuma in about 4 weeks and will be gone until June.

May be I'm tired of having to spin the plates by myself. I know I can do it... just feeling a bit bratty about not WANTING to do it.

In the meantime, I've been losing myself in a PC game called Dragon Age. Probably an old title. I'm borrowing it from Mac and enjoying the adventure, but losing a lot of time in Ferelden (fictitional area in which this quest takes place).

Have a speech due next Thursday and haven't even begun to write it. Guess maybe that is where I should be now. Okay.. enough of my whining.. off to schoolwork.

six word memoirs

2010-02-02T14:47:00.000-08:00

One of our assignments for Speech is to come up with a six word memoir. It's an interesting exercise in conciseness. I found a website that has several memoirs to read @ smith magazine.

Everyone has a story. Can you tell yours in six words?

This is what you start with.. your beginning point. Can you create a six word story?

Here's mine:

Young bride, late motherhood, later education.

Heres' the link to the Smith magazine site: http://www.smithmag.net/sixwords/index.php?featured=all&offset=3440

A Belated Happy New Year!

2010-02-02T11:19:00.000-08:00

I'm not exactly sure where the last month has gone. I suspect it was lost in a flurry of getting ready for the new semester and an "ostrich with head in sand" mental attitude.

I think I'm out of the slump now. Two tests under my belt, one public speaking and one group project finished as well. I unintentionally took lead in my group (I wasn't assigned the group leader position), so I'm not sure if that will reflect poorly in my grade or not, but at least we got the project done!

I think I need to make myself a large calendar with ALL my due dates on it, I've already missed a couple of reading assignments because certain classes just don't register on my brain away from the school. And that could cost me in the long run.

So time to start strategizing how I'm going to keep all the plates spinning.

Merry Christmas

2009-12-25T05:22:00.000-08:00

Everyone is still sleeping this Christmas morning. Gone are the days when I have to wake Paul up so early to put together bikes, baby doll beds, or many of the other "some assembly required" gifts that were so prevalent when the children were smaller.

Kendra is spending Christmas in Wisconsin, probably snowed in at this point. So for the first Christmas in 22 years, we are less than a full compliment. Another indicator that my babies aren't babies anymore. She'll be back on Monday and we will celebrate a second Christmas with her and Tyler.

I hope that each of you are surrounded by the folks you love and that your family traditions hold for another year. Merry Christmas from our house to yours!

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All is kind of calm

2009-12-12T21:07:00.000-08:00

I've been dividing my hours between studying and family time. We are hoping to get the Christmas tree up this weekend, but I'm beginning to think that might have to wait until next weekend. Too much to do! I'm only half way through my study guides for the Algebra.... as in making them up to use to study. Luckily, the Anatomy ones are good to go. And the psychology ones will be done shortly.

Monday morning we head back up to Birmingham to consult with Kendra's urologist. KUB is on the schedule to see how the stone dust has fared. We're all hoping it's moved on into the bladder and out the catheter (they didn't require her to strain it). We'd like to not have to try and fit another surgery in during the Xmas holiday.

So off to bed for me, for a well deserved rest. It's crazy cold here (although it's probably nothing compared to what some others are dealing with) and I'm ready to snuggle under the covers in my flannel jammies.

Test, tests, tests

2009-12-09T05:15:00.000-08:00

I am now in the last two weeks of this semester and am running the gauntlet with test after test. I know I'm whining (just a bit), but I'm also really happy that we are so close to the end of the semester. I get a month off of school and then on January 19 (or thereabouts) spring semester begins. I think next semester will be tons easier... at least I'm hoping so.

So, my average in Anatomy at the moment is 90.83. I have the lab final and the unit final to go (10% and 12% of my overall grade respectively). Feel really comfortable about both, but kind of nervous knowing that I have to do 92% or better on each to hold on to my A.

Today I have my last chapter test in Algebra and then next week I sit for the cummulative final. That one makes me nervous, but as long as I make at least a 70%, I will pass the class. Right now, I have a tentative hold on a B. We'll see how the next two tests work out for me.

And finally I have my psych test next week. Should end the semester with an A. ;)

Begging and Borrowing

2009-12-01T20:36:00.000-08:00

My computer is/was the oldest computer in our house. It wasn't always the oldest. Paul's was seriously old until we finally splurged on him for his birthday and set him up with a new computer that better suits his needs.

Over Thanksgiving, my computer gave up the ghost. I have seen the blue screen of death and it is not pretty. Thankfully, Paul had the forethought to back up my files a few days prior.

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Now I am begging and borrowing computer time off everyone else to get my schoolwork done. Thank goodness I have less than three weeks left. Of school, that is. My computer issue is going to have to wait a bit longer.

I'm gonna hold off buying a new computer for a couple of months. With extra computers in the house, I think I can get by for awhile. Wait for some really insane sale to pick up a new one.

In other news, Kendra has a kidney stone. Because of her unique physiology, she can't pass it naturally. We've already been up to B-ham once to try and have it surgically removed. They managed to break it up (it was the size of a jordan almond, according to the surgeon), but they were unable to retrieve the pieces. She is scheduled for a follow up after finals. X-rays first, in hopes that the smaller pieces passed and no further surgery will be needed.

If you pray, please pray for her, that these fragments will pass through her system and we can avoid surgery for the holidays. Thanks.

Seeking Advice from the masses

2009-11-16T07:29:00.000-08:00

I have found this great website www.e-mealz.com. For just $15.00 a quarter (3 month period), you can sign up for weekly menu plans AND shopping lists. We are saving a lot on food now because with quick and easy recipes at my fingertips we are eating out less often. That is where the real savings (for us) comes in!

Anyway, now I'm at this point where I want to make my grocery shopping trips a bit more productive as well. The fewer trips I have to make to the store for perishables the fewer opportunities I have to impulse buy.

Which leads to my question, I have this great big freezer that I know I could be using more efficiently, but I need advice. Have any of you ever frozen milk to use later? How has that worked for you? We use non-fat milk, now that the kids are teens.. so I think it will freeze well, but I want confirmation. Also, what other items have you found that you can freeze (bread, etc) that came back to room temperature without freezer burn. As a kid, my parents froze everything, but i remember some of that stuff not faring too well, so I need advice from a savvy freezing pro.

Thanks so much! :)

Oh, and on a side note... e-mealz offers several menu plans (low fat, point, coupon, vegetarian). We're using the low fat and so far, there isn't a menu we haven't enjoyed. A few have become our new favorites.

An open letter to the man with the DUI

2009-10-21T16:02:00.000-07:00

Mr. Darrin Paul Ellis,

I find that the tactics you and your attorney employed in court today to be most heinous. After delaying the court trial month after month with your stall tactics (as I found out today, your hope was that we would not show in court and you could continue your "not guilty" plea), you suddenly switched your plea to "Guilty" in order to prevent my daughter from having her day in court.

Her one chance to speak up about the horror of being involved in a head-on collision with you on that fateful night was snatched away from her today, while you managed to work the insanely lax DUI laws in your favor. Please realize that I don't for one minute believe that this is your first ever offense. You are 39 years old and you should freaking know better by this point. Why, oh why couldn't you have called a family member or a friend to come and pick you up after your long night of drinking?

Did you see my daughter's car after that accident? I did... I took tons of pictures of it. The blood that dried up in the console between the seats was the hardest thing of all to see. I broke down and cried that day. I suddenly realized in all too clear a manner just how seriously blessed we were that night you ran head-on into my daughter's car. By all the laws of physics, she should have been dead. But God saw fit to keep her safe during a very scary time. He was with her in that car that night and I have thanked Him daily for the safety he has kept her in.

My daughter is no longer comfortable driving at night, neither can she relax when someone else is driving. For the last 8 months she has had to change her way of living to prevent the need to drive after dark. All this because of you. I hold you completely responsible for that night.

I hope that this time you've learned your lesson and any future drinking events will be with a designated driver in tow. I don't think the $800.00 fine and the $150.00 court fees, plus a suspended thirty day jail sentence, with an unsupervised one year parole (along with a court approved substance abuse program) is anywhere near enough punishment for what you almost stole from our family that night. My only consolation in this is that I believe the scales do eventually balance and you will one day get what you deserve. I just hope when that day comes you don't take some other innocent driver with you.

I hope that night haunts you for the rest of your life. I know it will me.

I have been humbled

2009-10-15T16:18:00.000-07:00

I am not thrilled with my test scores... the muscle lab quiz came back as a 78 (I missed points for spelling)... and the psych test was an 86.7.... if I had missed one less question, I would have stayed in the A zone (my unit tests have all been A's)... but the midterm knocked me down to a B (for now).

Lots of work ahead of me, but I'll "keep on swimming, swimming, swimming."

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Of Muscles and Psych tests

2009-10-14T20:12:00.000-07:00

Normally I love Thursdays. My last day of school each week is Thursday. I look forward to my three day weekends... which I use to study, study, study. This week, I'm not so sure I'm loving Thursday.

I have my first muscle lab test in anatomy. The muscles of the upper limb, and it's "attachment" muscles to the trunk are the first 29 muscles I have had to learn (we aren't doing ALL the muscles.... The human body has more than 600 muscles).

Then I have my mid-term in Psychology. Normally I don't mind tests...I actually do pretty well in tests... but I really hate having two tests on the same day. It's hard to make time to study well for both.

Tonight I focused on the muscles. Tomorrow between classes, I'll study the psych notes. 60-75 questions on the first 6 sections we've studied. Multiple choice.

I guess I'm venting. :)

back in the saddle

2009-10-10T09:19:00.000-07:00

Things are going well at school. I dropped Microbiology. It was easier to push forward in my other classes than to have all of them suffer while I tried to stay mediocre(at best) in Microbiology.

Now it's study, study, study as I get ready for my mid-terms.

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Back to school

2009-09-24T11:28:00.000-07:00

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I have a lot of studying to do to catch up. I think this would be easier if I didn't have two lab sciences and algebra too! I have two lab quizzes and one unit test to be ready for by Monday.

Still, it's good to be back at school. Good to feel well again.

School, FLU, and birthdays

2009-09-21T14:44:00.000-07:00

Kim and Kendra, September 1991

It's been a hectic month for all of us here. Kendra is back up at school, doing well. Her first post-op visit was encouraging, we go back again in October to see how things are moving along. I actually cried, the news was so good the first time.

My husband is a fount of wisdom and I would do myself well to listen to him more often. In my anxious need to make myself as competitive as possible for the nursing program, I am taking two lab sciences this semester. Paul warned me that I might find myself a bit overwhelmed. Well.. he was right, although I suspect part of the problem lies in the ongoing care of Kendra. I missed a few key days here and there for her appointments. But I'm doing okay. I actually thought I'd be well settled by this past weeked.

And then the FLU hit me on Tuesday last. Following CDC guidelines, the military clinics are no longer testing to confirm h1n1 diagnosis, but based on the information I was given, I'd say that is what I am struggling with now. Kim and Mac have come down with it too. The basic strategy is to stay away from people until you are 24 hours without a fever and fever reducing medicines. But, based on how I have felt... you don't really want to be farther than your bed anyway. My fever finally left this morning, so I think I am good to go back to school tomorrow... but both kids are still feverish and very lethargic.

Kim and Kendra had birthdays this month. Kim on the 15th (the day I got SLAMMED down by the FLU) and Kendra's was the 20th. We celebrated yesterday, with Kim, Mac and I wearing lovely face masks throughout the event (at home). We were trying to keep Kendra's exposure to a minimum.

At any rate, we took a few pics of the event (with Kim in mask). I can't believe I have two "adult" daughters. Kim turned 18 and Kendra turned 21.

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I'll post the new pics once Paul gets the new ones uploaded.

School Days

2009-08-24T13:32:00.000-07:00

glitter-graphics.comThe kids are all back in school. Both Troy University and the local high school began fall semester on August 12. I think the kids were glad to get back to a school schedule... maybe.

Today I started my fall semester. I feel as though I may have bitten off more than I can chew. How dumb of me! LOL.. I'm hoping in a couple of weeks time that I won't be feeling quite as overwhelmed as I am right now.

I have a hefty schedule... I didn't get accepted into the fall RN program, so I have to re-apply for the Spring program. And I'm trying to make myself as competitive as possible, so I am currently taking courses that will give me extra points towards admission. I am taking Microbiology, Human Anatomy and Physiology, Algebra, and General Psychology (a pre-req for a course I need to graduate the RN program).

Today I had Microbiology and Algebra. I have concerns about the Algebra.. it's been a few years since I last had to know all this math jargon. I'm hoping it will be easier as I get used to the terms again.
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The Microbiology teacher is gonna be a lot of fun. I think the class is going to be fascinating and that gives me hope that I will not have too hard of a time keeping up.

Tomorrow I have Anatomy and Psychology. Of those two, I think the Anatomy is going to be the harder one. At least I have no classes on Fridays so I can use that day to read ahead!

Durbin Farms- And Peach Jam

2009-07-30T17:23:00.000-07:00

Kendra's surgeon and urologist are both at UAB medical center in Birmingham. We travel routinely between here and there using I-65.

During one of our trips, I discovered Durbin Farms fruit stand at exit 205. The folks there have a lot of great locally grown fruits and vegetables. Now that I know its there, I try to stop and shop each time we have to travel to Birmingham.

Most recently I stopped on our way back from Kendra's post-op check up. I picked up a huge box of peaches. They are so delicious! But a bit more than I can consume on my own.

So today I took a stab at making Peach Jam. HA! I amaze myself. The jam came out really tasty and set up pretty well. I'm looking forward to having some peach jam on my toast tomorrow.

The Latest News

2009-07-23T07:48:00.000-07:00

Mac passed his driving test on the third go around. The driving test here in Alabama is much tougher than the driving test that Kendra passed up in Maryland. Kimberly is still doing all she can to avoid learning to drive.

The second week of July all five of us plus Tyler (Kendra's b-friend) went to Orlando. We didn't do the usual Disneyland thing, instead we did a few of the indoor entertainments available there. We visited the Ripley's Believe it or Not Odditoreum, Wonder Works Museum, and did dinner at Sleuth's the mystery dinner theatre. Fun time for all of us. Each day started or ended at the pool. One day we slipped in a game of miniature golf.

On July 13th Kendra had her reconstructive surgery at UAB hospital in Birmingham. Everything went really well and we brought her home on the 16th. We've had our first post-op visit with her doctor this week and things continue to move along nicely. Looks like she'll be good to go when the semester starts back up on August12. And really.. what I mean is .. with chauffeur service (mom and dad), she'll be able to attend classes as long as she doesn't sit too long in each class. She's supposed to not put too much weight/pressure on her "sit upon" during the next 6 weeks. We've come up with a plan to use a hemorrhoid cushion and alternate standing with sitting during her classes.

Both Kendra and the "littles" go back to school on August 12. My classes don't begin until August 24. I didn't get picked up for the fall semester start nursing program, but I am confident I will get picked up for the spring. In the meantime, I'm taking as many of the non-nursing classes as I can, to lighten my load down the line.

We still are swamped with unpacked boxes. Our load increased slightly when Kendra moved back home for the summer. My goal for the next three weeks is to get as many of these boxes emptied and/or repacked for storage.

The two classes that I have been taking this summer are almost complete and it looks like I've earned A's in both of them :).

It's My Birthday... and I'll cry if I want

2009-06-15T06:34:00.000-07:00

I have officially celebrated my last birthday. I shall forever more remain at forty something. he he he.

Kendra came home for the weekend (my b-day was Saturday, June 13). We had a fantabulous family weekend with games and movies and a delicious spaghetti dinner cooked by Paul.

When the kids were younger it was so easy to using a sliding scale to denote my age. I had Kendra about 6 years later (at least) than most women.... in fact, I was the same age when I had Kendra( my first baby) that my mother was when she had my sister (her last baby). So for years, I could take 10 years off my age and not seem too off the kilter.

With Kendra turning 21, I have two choices.... ignore any further birthdays... or just admit that I was a child bride! Well.. I guess there is a third choice (my mother-in-law's preferred method)... from this point on, Kendra quits aging... and as the others catch up to her, I claim that they are first twins and finally triplets. LOL

Of course, I'm kidding... I am old enough now to know that age is a mind game at best. I wouldn't want to be younger, unless I could take all this experience back with me. About the only thing I miss from my early years is my much more in shape body. And that I can fix. :)

Painting --as exercise, plus What is my cat thinking?

2009-06-03T13:47:00.000-07:00

Cool thing about the new management/housing. We can paint our walls if we'd like. Kim wants to put her interior design class to the test, so she wanted to paint her room. Two colors.... Purple Moon on three walls and Rich Amethyst on the fourth wall.

We just finished putting on the second coat of the Purple Moon. My arms are definitely feeling the burn! Which means, painting either burns more calories than I realized, or I am more out of shape than I realized!

My desk is currently free of debris. Typically, it's a bit cluttered with papers and information that I need to deal with. Moving gives me a chance to start fresh because I dealt with all my business before they packed up my computer. Smokey the cat is in the habit of sitting in my lap while I work on the computer. Today, she discovered that there is a whole desk top that she can explore while I work. HA! not for long. But for now she's found a cozy spot by the monitor.

Mac did not pass the driving test today. But I know he'll get it next time. He did a few "California stops" (rolling stops) and forgot to check his blind spot a few times. Surprising because he did fine in both those areas on the drive up. Guess he got a little flustered.

On the college front, my paperwork is finally done and I turned in the application to the nursing office. I should know in about 4 weeks if I made it into the Fall program.

New Home, Same Fort

2009-06-02T18:58:00.000-07:00

Finally have cable, internet and phone service again. It was a very productive 5 days without it. Doubt the next five will be as productive, now that i have multiple ways of procrastinating.

Still working on getting the paperwork together to apply for the RN program. I still need my high school transcript to be "unconditional admission" at the college. (can you believe that 30 years and 30 somthing credits later, this is still needed? )

All the other stuff is in hand and ready to go. Kudo's to the registrar at NVCC. She spent over 20 minutes on the phone with me, walking me through the steps to get my transcript off the computer.

Tomorrow Mac takes his driving test for the "real' license.
Today our new couch and loveseat were delivered. The delivery guys sliced the side of the loveseat while getting the packaging off. I'll be getting a new loveseat in a week.

Back to living among boxes. Retirement (from the Army) can't come soon enough. 2015... and counting.

The five minute catch-up entry

2009-05-25T16:54:00.000-07:00

So, May has just flown by! This month we spent a weekend at the Georgia Renaissance Faire. We dragged Kendra's boyfriend with us, to initiate him into the fun of "faire-ing". Tyler (the boyfriend) graduated with his Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Next step for him is graduate school.

Paul and I spent a long weekend in Nashville, celebrating (early) our 27th anniversary. We attended the Billy Joel/Elton John concert on May 16th. Great fun!

We have found two surgeons that will be doing the next surgery on Kendra. That should happen in June. We have appointments to see both in early June and I think this is going to be good.

We are half moved out of our current house and half moved into our new house. A lot of the older housing here at Ft. Rucker is being replaced. Our current house is next on the chopping block, so they are moving us to a new house, with at least 600 squ. ft. more space than here. So, we are changing addresses, but not really posts.

I have been in the process of taking placement tests for various classes. I am heading back to college this summer semester. I'm taking a few prerequisites and then I'll be starting into an RN program (hopefully by fall).

I think that's all for now. Computer is being packed up in two days and we won't have internet again until June 2.

The first time for an "adult" event

2009-05-08T04:51:00.000-07:00

When I was a sophmore, I went to my first bridal shower. I didn't know the bride personally, she had graduated two years previous. I was invited because I was part of the drill team that she had commanded during her senior year. I was a "friend by proxy". It was a fun shower, how could it not be so with so many teen girls? (And Wendy was the recipient of a lot of lingerie... which I'm sure her hubby appreciated!)

So today, Kim is attending her first shower.... a baby shower.... for a fellow classmate. The teacher has arranged for a surprise shower during the class time. I appreciate where the teacher's heart is in this....the girl is a single mom with limited resources. She's directed the boys to bring diapers and diaper wipes and she's allowed the girls to buy beyond the diaper.

I think what bothers me the most is the number of teen pregnancies we have in this area. I don't know if its lack of parental supervision, or a lack of fun teen things to do around here, or a combination of both. I just think it's so sad that these girls are missing out on so much by rushing motherhood.

Does Frosting Ever Expire?

2009-04-30T06:40:00.000-07:00

We are fast approaching the move-in date (about two + weeks). I am slowly packing things up. Today I am going through our pantry and weeding out expired items. So much of what we buy these days has a "good through" date on it. Makes it easy for me to run through and grab out things that probably should have been thrown away before the last move.

It always surprises me to discover that certain foods aren't unperishable. :) You mean I can't keep my double chocolate ding-dong stash forever? DANG! But I have a can of frosting that doesn't have an expiration date. Or at least not one I can find. I'm pretty sure I've had this can for a couple of years (it's vanilla... not my favorite). Still, without a date... I hate to toss it

Phone Call and Dinner Conversations

2009-04-29T16:14:00.000-07:00

It's been an interesting couple of days. Lots of phone calls happening and an interesting conversation with my teens this evening.

First, I received a call from Mac's Marketing teacher yesterday. I admit.. as soon as he identified himself as a teacher from Mac's school my first thought was "what's wrong with Mac", followed closely by "what did he do?" Mr. teacher assured me almost immediately that this was "not a bad call." (LOL) He wanted to call because Mac and his partner had scored the highest EVER in a marketing simulation program that they use in their class. He wanted me to know that my son was a very bright and polite young man. He said that he expected to see great things from Mac in the future. WOW! It was an amazing pleasure to receive that type of phone call from a teacher. Especially one of Mac's teachers. I am so pleased and proud of how well Mac has been doing this year at school... it's nice to know the teachers are noticing too.

I've also been making calls, trying to line up three tests for me this month. I want to be sure that I am eligible to apply for the RN program this June, rather than having to wait for the spring. So I need to CLEP out of Biology 103 and I need a math and english placement test. I think I can finish up the rest of the pre-reqs this summer. It's been busy, but I think I have a plan now.

Received a call regarding Kendra's surgical records from 1998. They are not where we expected them to be, so I have a whole new avenue to pursue. I hope that we find them soon.

Finally... tonight the kids and I went to the Bowling Alley to bowl and have dinner. Unbeknownst to us, it's League night and we couldn't bowl, but we ate dinner there anyway.

glitter-graphics.comWe got on the topic of Mr. Obama's speech for tonight. While discussing what's gone on thus far in his presidency... Mac and Kim made a few observations. I don't know that I completely agree with them.. but I found their viewpoint had merit (considering what I've read on some blogs and in some papers).

Mac started off by saying that during the election period he (Mac) felt very strongly that the United States was ready for an African-American president. He thought that race relations had come a long way. But since Mr. Obama has taken office, Mac no longer feels that as a country we are ready for an Af-Am president. He says that if we truly were, we could disagree with his policies without being immediately labeled "haters" and "racists". He said that if we truly were at a point where color no longer made a difference, then the pro-Obama groups would not be using this simplistic tact (calling folks racist) to stop negative remarks about government policies.

Kim agreed, adding that she thinks their generation is probably the first generation where there is very little thought about race when making friends and dating. (I don't know that I completely agree with that.... but this was their view). She says that while my generation had certainly made strides...we still see color. She thinks that many folks voted for Obama to be part of something historic. And while that is not a bad thing, that also shows we are not quite ready. They both think that it may be a while yet before America can truly vote for the "content of character" and not the color of skin.

I do not believe that I would have put that much thought into the presidency at their age, so I'm impressed and hopeful of the future voters of America.

Special Entry- eight things

2009-04-26T18:12:00.000-07:00

glitter-graphics.comPlaying the game...Tag You're It. I was tagged by http://lynne-is-on-a-mission.blogspot.com

Here's the rules: mention the person that tagged you. Complete the lists of 8's. Tag 8 of your wonderful blogger friends. Go tell them you tagged them! here we go!

8 Things I am Looking Forward to:

1. Getting answers to Kendra's medical questions
2. Reaching my goal weight;

3. Completing my college degree in nursing
4. The end of the school year
5. Moving into the new house (looking like it'll be week of 5/11)

6. Attending the Georgia Renaissance Festival
7. Billy Joel/Elton John Concert on May 16
8. May 2011- graduation for Kendra, Mac and Me

8 Things I Did Yesterday:

1. Washed my car
2. Folded a load of laundry
3. Showered and dressed for play
4. Watched "What Not To Wear"
5. Drove 5 teenagers to Montgomery
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6. Watched a different set of teenagers get prom pictures done in the park
7. Enjoyed The Three Musketeers play with my daughter
8. Drove through Wendy's for a frosty after getting rid of the other four teenagers.

8 Things I Wish I Could Do:

1. count to ten before speaking in anger
2. speak German, Spanish and French fluently (instead of my pidgin version)
3. see into my children's futures and know that they will be all right
4. run for public office and make a difference
5. run a marathon
6. live in Europe again
7. live near all my family
8. find my best friend from high school

8 Shows I Watch:

1. Greeks
2. Biggest Loser
3. Bones
4. Grey's Anatomy
5. The Dollhouse
6. Amazing Race
7. Castle
8. Ghost Whisperer
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Look below to see who I tagged [in no particular order]:
1. Ken of http://buckoclown.blogspot.com
2. Beth of http://nutwoodjunction.blogspot.com
3. Madison of http://lifesalearningprocess.blogspot.com
4. Dan of http://slapinions.blogspot.com
5. Heather of http://tighteningthecorsetagain.blogspot.com/
6. Mary of http://rejectedtruth.blogspot.com
7. Teresa of http://shadowsofthemoon.blogspot.com
8. Robin of http://yellowbrickroadtwo.blogspot.com

2009-04-26T08:37:00.000-07:00

SPECIAL ENTRY - EIGHT THINGS
Playing the game...Tag You're It. I was tagged by
http://lynne-is-on-a-mission.blogspot.com

Here's the rules: mention the person that tagged you. Complete the lists of 8's. Tag 8 of your wonderful blogger friends. Go tell them you tagged them! here we go!

8 Things I Am Looking Forward To:

1. Getting answers to Kendra's medical questions
2. Reaching my goal weight;

3. Completing my college degree in nursing
4. The end of the school year
5. Moving into the new house (looking like it'll be week of 5/11)

6. Attending the Georgia Renaissance Festival
7. Billy Joel/Elton John Concert on May 16
8. May 2011- graduation for Kendra, Mac and Me :)

8 Things I Did Yesterday:

1. Washed my car
2. Folded a load of laundry
3. Showered and dressed for play
4. Watched "What Not To Wear"
5. Drove 5 teenagers to Montgomery
6. Watched a different set of teenagers get prom pictures done in the park
7. Enjoyed The Three Musketeers play with my daughter
8. Drove through Wendy's for a frosty after getting rid of the other four teenagers.

8 Things I Wish I Could Do:1. count to ten before speaking in anger
2. speak German, Spanish and French fluently (instead of my pidgin version)
3. see into my children's futures and know that they will be all right
4. run for public office and make a difference
5. run a marathon
6. live in Europe again
7. live near all my family
8. find my best friend from high school

8 Shows I Watch:1. Greeks
2. Biggest Loser3. Bones
4. Grey's Anatomy5. The Dollhouse
6. Amazing Race
7. Castle
8. Ghost WhispererLook below to see who I tagged [in no particular order]:1. Ken of http://buckoclown.blogspot.com2. Beth of http://nutwoodjunction.blogspot.com
3. Madison of http://lifesalearningprocess.blogspot.com4. Dan of http://slapinions.blogspot.com
5. Heather of http://tighteningthecorsetagain.blogspot.com/6. Mary of http://rejectedtruth.blogspot.com
7. Teresa of http://shadowsofthemoon.blogspot.com
8. Robin of http://yellowbrickroadtwo.blogspot.com

The Play's the Thing

2009-04-26T06:17:00.000-07:00

Last evening Kimberly and I met up with her French teacher and several of her fellow classmates to see The Three Musketeers in Montgomery. I was one of the designated drivers. Besides Kim and myself, we had four other students with us.

The drive was kind of long, but two of the gals in the car kept up an almost constant patter of conversation regarding colleges and tuitions and cars. Seems that everyone in my car (except Kim) is graduating this spring.

The play took place at the Alabama Shakespeare Theatre. It was amazing! The story had to be arranged for the stage and the playwrite took a very interesting direction. Alexandre Dumas originally wrote the Three Musketeers as a serial. The playwrite elected to allow Monsieur Dumas to tell the tale through the frantic pressure of a deadline,with Dumas interacting with his characters.

The end result was a very fast paced, engrossing and enchanting play. The actors were amazing. This is the first time I've had a chance to experience a play at the AST, but it won't be my last.

There... and back again

2009-04-24T12:56:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy week. Paul, Kendra and I made the trek up to Birmingham to meet with a plastic surgeon and with her (Kendra's) urologist to discuss the next steps that need to be taken. Really liked the plastic surgeon, still on the fence about this new urologist. He seems a bit flip about Kendra's concerns. (eye roll) I think he doesn't care to have his "authority" challenged.

Kudos to Kendra for standing her ground and making sure he understood her desires. I have to say this week has been an interesting roller coaster of ups and downs. It's heart warming to realize that Kendra is getting more mature all the time. As she learns to handle more and more about her condition (with doctors), I feel better about letting go.

We didn't get all the answers we wanted and we have another trip up north in May for more tests. In the mean time, I am composing letters to our preferred surgeons (one is in Texas, two are in DC). These three doctors are the ones that have been giving her care through the military since she was a week old. Her local urologist lacks the experience in bladder exstrophy patients that I think we need for certain aspects of the next surgeries.

I am hoping that the e-mails I send out will answer a lot of our questions and either start the ball rolling to get Kendra back to these surgeons, OR help us find "local" surgeons with the experience necessary.

What I really don't want is for Kendra to have to have repetitive corrective surgeries if we choose the wrong surgeons.

Cookbook Chaos

2009-04-19T08:23:00.000-07:00

Many moons ago Paul gave me a blank cookbook. (a gift I asked for) It's been sitting on my bookcase ignored and mostly empty. I love cookbooks and collecting recipes. My plan for this book was to make it a gathering place of all my favorites that we use again and again and again. My thought was that by gathering those family favorites in one spot, the chidren would have easy access to the recipes that they'd most likely want to take with them to their own homes.

My plan for today is to work on the cookbook. We're trying to get the house ready for this move and I have so many loose recipes flying all over the place that I thought this would be a good use of today. Organize the family favorites cookbook!

glitter-graphics.comOf course, I'm now sitting at my computer, the mass of loose recipes and the cookbook binder behind me spread out on the dining room table. What chaos!! This seemed like a really good idea when all this stuff was stuffed in the bookcase (I have one small bookcase dedicated to my cookbooks). Now that the slips are all over the table... WOW! do I ever collect a lot of recipes!

I think I need to call in the calvary (Paul) to help me get this organized.

The Weekend Blues

2009-04-18T16:55:00.000-07:00

We are back from our trip to Disneyworld. We had fun. The weather was good for the first three days, if a bit humid. Tuesday we spent most of the day in our hotel, with tornado watches and warnings constantly being updated. I'll have pictures later in the week.

Kids head back to school on Monday and Paul heads back to work. That is my blues. I've enjoyed these last days with everyone together and I will miss that this next week. But I'll get over it. :)

2009-04-09T14:24:00.000-07:00

It's been a productive day. Laundry is about done, piles to be packed have been made.

I did run by and get the medical information forms turned in, so that is now out of my hands.

Paul and I shifted seasonal clothing in and out of storage. We actually needed the air conditioning in the house today (probably because of all the work we did!).

It's good, it's good.. it's all good. :)

Stress Insomnia and 29 hours

2009-04-09T03:16:00.000-07:00

I've been waking at odd hours of the night. Something will pop into my head that I have to deal with, or that I've forgotten to deal with (as was the case this morning) and then I'm awake for good. Today's stress has been brought on by my forgetting to get Kendra's signature on a medical records release form. We had dinner last night and I had the damn forms in my purse... and totally blanked on it. OY!

I was hoping to get the ball started on this before we leave on Spring break (which commences in 29 hours, give or take an hour). Kim, Mac, Paul and I are heading south to Florida for a few days.

So... I'm contemplating signing the forms for Kendra so I can get them turned in today as planned. I doubt anyone will notice and/or care. I need these records to her new surgeon by April 21 and there just isn't that much time left (sigh).

Florida will be nice. We plan on taking in Disney World and possibly Universal Studio. But even if we spend most of our time relaxing by a pool.. that will be good too.

To touch or not to touch

2009-04-02T07:55:00.000-07:00

"OMG, She touched the Queen!" I'm sure the mouse under the Queen's throne is having a fit over Michelle Obama touching Queen Elizabeth during their "private" meeting.

I have to admit I was surprised to see the bit of video that HLN has shown over and over again during the Robin show.

And then I remembered an incident from when Paul was going through flight school.

The Army trains certain allied soldiers in helicopter flight. Among those allies are the United Arab Emerates. We had a few such students in Paul's flight class.

At some point or another there was a formal gathering of the students, teachers and spouses. I had been very specifically drilled that the Arab students do not shake hands with women. I was told to not hold out my hand for a handshake. I was instructed to keep my hands at my side and make the greeting verbal. No problem.

When Paul introduced me to one of the Arab students with whom he had forged a "friendship", I kept my hands to my side. I said "How do you do? " without lifting a hand.... and he... well.. he stuck out his hand for a traditional american handshake!
I felt that etiquette required me to take and shake. So I did. But I could tell he was very uncomfortable with the handshake.

Who knows.. perhaps they were drilled to shake the spouses hands... that it would be rude to do otherwise.

So.. I think we can cut Michelle Obama some slack. After all, the Queen touched her first.

No school today = no work at home .... or...

2009-04-02T05:33:00.000-07:00

The school called at 6:20 this morning to let us know that school was cancelled. Too bad they can't make these decisions the night before so we can sleep in. Ah well... back to bed and when we finally wake up rested, I'm gonna try to enlist the kids so we can get some house cleaning and packing done.

It's so Soggy!

2009-04-01T09:40:00.000-07:00

glitter-graphics.com

We've had rain this week. The rivers are over their banks in a lot of areas on and off post. I've had to take the longer routes when I go off post because my usual route is seriously under water.

Paul comes home on Friday (YAY!), I have sufficiently procrastinated that I am feeling the stress. The rain doesn't help... I have stuff I need to trundle off to storage and I hate to have to move it through the rain. But... I do have the rest of today and tomorrow to start making some headway.

Do You Twitter?

2009-03-30T15:29:00.000-07:00

Apparently the new craze is Twitter. All the cool "kids" are doing it! I've been hearing about twitter.com on The View (yes, I watch the view... I keep hoping for some really good arguments.) Anyway.. now Elisabeth and Sherry are twittering too. But Joy, Whoopi and Barbara are holdouts. They don't have the time to twitter.

I have signed up. I am "following" Danny Bonaduce and Wil Wheaton.. as well as Elisabeth and Sherry. It's kind of interesting, but to be honest not something I forsee myself obsessing over.

but for getting a concise bit of dribble out, it works.
So... do any of you twitter?

Shopping Therapy

2009-03-19T09:03:00.000-07:00

glitter-graphics.com

This may not be the best thing to admit (in the current economic times), but I currently have an excess of money in my spending account. ... or I did until last night. It's been a rough couple of weeks (months) at our house and I needed some retail therapy.

So yesterday afternoon, after our gym time, Kim and I dumped Mac on the doorstep of the house and we drove off to the mall to indulge in some therapy. Kim made a big score at HOT TOPIC, picking up some really nice jewelry (not my taste, but totally hers!). Then we spent some time looking for new shoes (flats).. unlike Beth (over at Nutwood Junction), we were not successful in that particular quest. Flats that are cute enough and fit are elusive. So we placed that on the back burner and headed over to Bath and Bodyworks.

I found a new scent that I loved. It's in their aroma therapy section. It's called Black Cherry Vanilla. YUM! I bought a candle and the body wash in this new (to me) scent.

glitter-graphics.com
Then off to JCPenney's. We found a few choice pieces of clothing and felt like we'd really scored big. After that, it was time to hit the bookstore.

The bookstore didn't get quite as much of my money as it normally does. I did pick up a couple of magazines and a puzzle book. And one new title, a Dean Koontz book whose title escapes me at the moment.

It really was a great shopping trip. I didn't spend too much, but I found some really great things.

Happy St. Patrick's Day !

2009-03-17T19:35:00.000-07:00

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

We're Moving!! (AGAIN)

2009-03-12T05:59:00.000-07:00

I was contacted a few weeks back while Paul was out of town by our housing office. Seems that our street is next on the renovation/rebuilding project list. They are trying to relocate all of us into some of the new housing on the other side of post.

Tuesday I got the call that they now have a house ready for us. Paul is gone for the next four weeks. Anyone else see the problem? LOL.

I'm not exactly sure yet how we are going to handle this. The housing office is having a meeting today to map out the future availability of four bedrooms. If they can have something else available for us in late April/early May, we will pass on this particular house and take the next one. But if this is the only one in the foreseeable future (keeping their construction schedule in mind), then they will hold this house until Paul returns. The one thing they won't make us do is move without him here.

Which means that the kids and I have three weeks to make this house "move ready". OY! I've mentioned my procrastination issues, right? Poor Paul.

Okay.. so anyway... Kim and I went to see the house yesterday afternoon. The bedrooms are huge. The rest of the house is kind of chopped up into smaller areas. Its a two story. On the first floor is a formal living room, formal dining room, 1/2 bath, kitchen, breakfast nook and family room. Lots of square footage, but not all together in a way that makes sense. I'm not quite sure how we are going to work this all out, but I'm sure we will.

I guess in the next day or two I'll get a definitive plan from the housing office Re: our move date. But the writing is on the wall, and we are moving.

Mood Swings in the aftermath

2009-03-06T08:44:00.000-08:00

It's been a very long and trying week. In fact, it's hard to believe everything that has "gone down" has happened in just a five day span!

On Monday Paul and I had to dash up to Troy to pull all of Kendra's personal belongings from her car (police had the cars quarantined while they took pictures, etc.). When we arrived at the lot, we took a bit of time to take pictures of her car as well as the car that hit her. Just in case we decide to bring a civil suit against the man.

After the pictures were taken, I opened up the driver door. I was not prepared for how it all would look. I was not prepared to see my daughter's blood dried up in pools here and there on the seats and in the tray between the seats. I wasn't prepared to see how much damage occured within the car. I cried. I was so shocked.. all I could do was cry. I am grateful that Paul can be here during all this. He keeps me grounded.. without him I would have been a rampaging, insane mama bear. Still, I'm glad we don't have to see that car again. It did what it was supposed to do (protect our daughter), and I am glad for that.. but I don't want to see it again.

On Tuesday, we had to take a car up to Kendra for her use (foolish us for not doing it on Monday, but at the same time.. I'm not sure I was ready to face Kendra after seeing her car). We took Kim up with us so she could visit with her sister during dinner.

Wednesday I had a luncheon I no longer wanted to attend, but Paul insisted since we missed last months we needed to be at this one. On a side note, it did end up being a very nice , if a bit long, lunch.

Yesterday Kendra and I saw her doctor again because Kendra has begun to experience dizzy spells and is having a lot of pain and numbness in her left knee. Too early to tell, but the numbness could indicate permanent nerve damage. She still has a lot of fluid in her knees, which may be pressing on the nerve bundle... so there is hope that once the swelling goes down further, her feeling will return. OH.. and on a side note, I noticed that Kendra has lost 7 lbs since the accident.

Paul flew up to Huntsville with one aircraft and then drove back in a rental car. We had to pick him up in Dothan (a 45 min drive). No problem... we made an evening of it (the kids and I that is), and left early enough to have dinner and do a bit of shopping before meeting Paul at the airport. Of course, then we discovered that there was no Enterprise counter for the car, so Paul had to drive it all the way home.

Interwoven through all of that were countless calls between the various insurance companies.

I'm not proud of my behavior this week. Oh mind you, I've been nice to the outside world, but I have really been unfair and unkind to Paul. I am stressed. I am resenting his departure on Sunday when so much of this is still up in the air. The Army is not a hearing entity, so it's not like I can bitch at it. My venting is done at Paul..... although I've been careful NOT to use you messages, I know he is still kind of reeling from some of the things I've said.

Today we are running around returning rental cars to various locations, having lunch.. and trying to carve a little bit of couple time for ourselves before the kids get home this afternoon. All while he's trying to make sure he takes care of business at work before he leaves on Sunday (4 weeks to Yuma).

Worse before it gets better.

2009-02-26T03:15:00.000-08:00

We saw Kendra's doctor yesterday, to follow up after the emergency room visit. She did a very thorough exam and then she sat and talked with us about the physiology of whiplash.

She told Kendra that she will feel worse (usually 72 hours after the accident) before she begins to feel better. Use the medications given to help with the soreness and pain. Warm soaking baths and/or showers. heating pads and eventually (once some of the bruising is gone) massage. She warned of relapses in muscle stiffness and muscles seizing up that could occur over the next year or so. And how to combat these things. It was a good visit and Kendra is now armed with ways to help herself through these injuries.

We found out a bit more about the perpetrator. He is 37 and this is his "first" offense. Here in Alabama, they have a law that prevents them from searching this sort of prior beyond five years back. So if you can keep yourself out of trouble for five years, you reset your misdemeanor clock (eye roll). He suffered a broken nose, arm and a "star" fracture of the ankle. He was taken to the hospital in Montgomery where he is under police watch. Once he is released from the hospital he will be arrested. His other passengers escaped injury.

My brother (a police officer in Phoenix) is urging us to pursue a civil claim against this guy. He says that the sentencing that will occur through the state's case will not be enough to deter this man from driving intoxicated again. I know that our insurance company is planning to sue this man and his insurance company (if he has one) for all costs associated with this accident as well as for an award for Kendra's "pain and suffering." Is that enough? Or should we pursue a private civil claim as well?

As a first time offender, his maximum sentencing could be up to 365 days in jail, loss of his license for 90 days, fines not to exceed $2100.00 and mandatory substance abuse program. Is that enough?

Shell shocked

2009-02-24T14:18:00.000-08:00

We've settled her at Tyler's (her boyfriend) for now. Her apartment is on the third floor and she is in no condition to do the stairs for now. Tyler is in a single level home. She is able to walk on her own power, but because of where the bruising is, I'd just as soon she didn't have to tackle too many knee bending obstacles (stairs). She missed classes today while we took her around to see the officer handling the case and pick up prescriptions, as well as to collect the items from her apartment she'd need for a few days. But she wants to try and make as many classes tomorrow as she can.

Tomorrow we go back up there to take her to her doctor for another exam and to give her my van to use until we replace her car.

After we left her, Paul and I went by the wrecker lot that had her car. Although, technically we were not supposed to "see" the car, the lot attendant gave us directions so we could drive and see it on our way off the property. I am amazed that she is not more banged up. If she did not have her seatbelt on and/or if there had been no airbag I firmly believe that she would be fighting for her life in some hospital.

With just a flip of the coin

2009-02-24T03:35:00.000-08:00

Kendra was hit head-on (in her car) by a drunk driver last night (Monday) at 11:45 pm. Through the Grace of God and the invention of airbags, Kendra escaped major injury. She was seen at the emergency room at Troy Medical Center. She will have some colossal bruises and will be very sore for some time, but we are praising God that her injuries are relatively minor. The police investigator says her car is a complete loss and without those airbags, she would have been, too.

Later this morning, Paul and I will be going back up to Troy to take Kendra by the police station so that she can give her statement and then take her home. The drunk driver was in an SUV, but it appears that his injuries are more severe than Kendra's. Blood Alcohol tests were drawn on everyone involved (he had passengers with him) at the ER.

I promise I will keep everyone posted, but as things stand right now.. Kendra is resting comfortably... some bruises on her hands and knees, a bloody nose,... but all the CT scans and x-rays show nothing broken.

2009-02-20T12:39:00.000-08:00

They all start out so small and sweet. So cute, so huggable . Nothing prepares you for that time when you suddenly realize that you have become almost obsolete.

Happy 16th Birthday, Mac!

We love you so much and are so proud of the young man you have become.

(And a special shout out to our Grand-niece, Aydia...Happy 7th Birthday, Sweetheart!)

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Keeping the home fires burning

2009-02-17T19:59:00.001-08:00

Paul is off somewhere in Florida this week. I can't remember exactly what he's doing this time, but I know it's some sort of OJT so that he can take over this "job" when the current overseer retires next year.

He'll be "missing" Mac's birthday this year (it falls on Friday), but he's home on Sunday so we will just delay the family party until then.

Mac wants to head to the bowling alley with a few of his friends on Saturday to celebrate. He's turning 16 this year. I secretly ordered special M&M's to celebrate the landmark event. I hope he likes them.

Well.. it's late and I'm tired, so that's the end of this update.

Midnight Cookies

2009-02-12T19:22:00.000-08:00

Okay... it's really not quite midnight.. and I should be done before midnight. Still... when the boy waits until 5:30 pm to mention he's signed up to bring cookies and chips to the class party Friday, it feels like I'm going to be stuck making midnight cookies.

Paul asked Mac.."How long have you known about this?" "Since yesterday," says Mac. "Well, says Dad," Yesterday you could have expected home baked cookies... today you get what's easy for your mother."

As my mother would say "I was at home when I baked them!"

Catching Up

2009-02-11T03:47:00.000-08:00

It's been interesting, recovering from this surgery. The first week I was taking my pain meds regularly. The second week I began spacing the time out a bit more. This week I've been needing the pain med only at the end of the day. I wake up pain free and make it through most of my day under my own steam. But usually around 6 pm... I am beat and there is pain. Still, I am so much bettter than right after surgery.

Interesting too was Sunday night. We went to Dothan that day to do a bit of necessary shopping. Bookstore, Hallmark store, lunch, and JCPenney for jeans (not necessarily in that order). By the end of it all (maybe two hours max) I was exhausted. Sunday night I just wanted to cry. Don't know why... I didn't hurt too bad and it had been a good day... but I just curled up in my bed and let the tears flow. It wasn't long and I felt better afterwards.. but it was just such an odd thing. Hormone fluctuations, maybe?

Mac has reached his weight loss goal. He looks so good! I need to take pictures and post them. He started out shortly after school began, weighing about 195 lbs. Our two years of homeschooling had definitely taken it's toll. But in just 5 months he's dropped 45 lbs, and has lost 3 pants sizes (thus the need for new jeans)! And he's done most of the work with exercise. He started with walking just a mile a day and slowly worked up to five miles a day... we later added two weight sessions a week, plus basketball playing. As far as food goes, he mostly just began watching portion sizes. This kid lost weight eating pizza and chicken fingers! LOL.
We are now working on tweaking his program so that he quits losing weight. I'm encouraging him to walk fewer miles and give himself a little leeway on the food.

And speaking of weight loss... since the surgery I have now dropped 8 lbs! I am also eating a lot less at mealtimes. Yesterday I took the kids to the gym ... although I couldn't work out with the weights, I did walk a mile on the treadmill while the kids did their thing.

I am looking forward to truly being "back to normal." Each day (minus the Sunday meltdown) I get a little better and that's good. :)

2009-02-05T19:55:00.000-08:00

I had the staples removed today. Not too terribly painful... some were actually painless.. others felt a bit like a pinch. No driving for another week and then I can start doing "local" driving.

The staples were replaced with surgi-strips. Those will fall off on their own. I actually am having a bit more localized pain than before. But even still.. each day is a bit better. No gym for me for another four weeks, but I can begin my walking program again... starting slow and building up. I go for another check up in four weeks.

Approaching Normal

2009-02-04T05:56:00.000-08:00

I actually have a couple of outings planned today. Grocery shopping (with Paul's help) and a luncheon with some of the spouses and hubbies from Paul's unit. :) Fun stuff I hope. I've been pretty closed-mouth about my health here within the unit. I had to tell the XO's wife because this month (February) is my month to plan the spouses' coffee. All I told her is that I had surgery and that I had to plan something that wouldn't require me to do a lot of lifting and preparing (we're having our meeting at a restaurant on post).

She did a little fishing... asking if everything was okay. Now, Paul had told her hubby exactly what was going on because of the time off that Paul would need. Guess the information stayed at the office. So, the only additional information I gave her is that we had to plan it for a time when we knew that Paul would be home.

For all that I share here on this journal, I really am rather quiet about my affairs around the folks that are in our unit. Although I've met a few that I think I could be friends with, truth is, we aren't friends yet and I prefer to keep my business out of the general public.

So.. at this point, I can laugh deep and only feel a slight twinge. Everything is healing nicely. I have my appointment tomorrow to have the staples removed and I will ask Dr. for a bit more guidance with respect to exercise (walking) and how much longer I might need to wait before I go back to weight training with the kids.

Since the surgery I have lost 4 lbs (without really knowing if I gained any "water weight" right after the surgery) without really trying. I understand that the uterus was the size of a medium melon...so some of that could be from the removal. My appetite is good, but I find that I am quickly satisfied with about one third of what I ate before surgery. I don't know if that is a side effect of the pain medication (lower appetite) or if after 48 hours of liquids only, my tummy is smaller and I'm actually listening to it. At any rate.. it's all good from my point of view... unless after I stop the pain pills I go back to eating too much...

I'm only taking pain pills during my waking hours now... so I'm down to about three a day at this point. Sleeping through the night, but I am having some truly bizarre dreams... which may be partly caused by the books I am reading... lots of vampire/werewolf stories. :) In last night's dream, we were part owners in a large house (four floors) that was a gateway to the demon world. Demons would occasionally come out and grab someone to drag down to their dimension. We moved out... grabbing as much of our belongings as we could.. while the house was beginning to implode on itself.

When is a good "belly laugh" not a good thing?

2009-01-30T20:49:00.000-08:00

Within a week of abdominal surgery! LOL. It's funny, but it's not. Anything that really tickles my funny bone is guaranteed to cause pain. So, I'm avoiding some of my favorite spots like LOLCATS... after first discovering how much it hurts to laugh.... and on that note.. there is the cutest video of a cat under the packing peanuts that really really really hurt my stitches! Should you get the chance, and it doesn't hurt you to laugh... go enjoy.

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It's done

2009-01-29T16:09:00.000-08:00

I went into the hospital on Monday and had my surgery. I came home Wednesday. It already seems like a million days have gone by! And not in a good way.. lol. Pain medication is keeping me comfortable. I am up and moving... after a fashion. I know it can only get better. I really do have a happy mindset about it all... I'm just really tired and sore and bruised.

What a surprise! It absolutely made my day.

2009-01-17T06:47:00.000-08:00

For years I have carried a roll of developed 8 mm film. Based on the envelope I had it in, I assumed that it was footage of the girls (military) drill team that I was a part of in high school. During December it resurfaced again and Paul suggested that I have it converted to DVD format before it deteriorates too far. So we dropped it off at the local Walgreens.

It takes a while... about two weeks longer than the estimate they gave us. We finally picked up the finished product yesterday when we were out for lunch. After our many errands were taken care of, we came home and popped in the DVD. It wasn't the drill team.

It was Christmas 1977. The year that my brother brought home his fiancee. There was my mom and my dad looking so young, so happy. And my sister Susan, looking almost exactly like my daughter Kim. (Something that everyone has always said, but until this video I never saw the resemblance) It was an incredible blast from the past! To see my dad looking so good, so healthy... what an incredible gift.

Pictures from the trip

2009-01-07T08:50:00.000-08:00

Our travel plans were to make the drive to Phoenix in two long days. Unfortunately, our plans were changed at the end of the first day. Kendra had new braces put on the Thursday before we left and she was having a difficult time eating our typical "on the road" fare.

For her comfort and nourishment we were forced to use sit down restaurants on the road. That slowed our progress significantly on the first day. We elected to do the last 13.75 hour drive in two days. We arrived in Phoenix on Monday Dec. 22. I took this pictures somewhere between the Arizona Eastern border and Benson, AZ.

We were beginning to seriously lose hope of ever arriving when we finally had some good news :)

Our last hour on the road was under rainy skies.

While at my mother's house, I helped make the annual tamales, taking notes so I can repeat this recipe at home this year (my mother does not measure ingredients, she throws stuff in and tastes). Kendra learned to make tortillas... taking lots of notes so she can make some for her boyfriend.

We spent Christmas Eve with Paul's parents and his older brother and sister in law. Pictures include my three in front of the fireplace, Paul's parents, and Paul (no beard) and his brother, Mark.

Christmas Day was spent at my mother's house with My brother and his family. Here's a picture of Paul and me that Kimberly snapped.

After the disastrously long trip to Phoenix, we decided that we might as well change our travel plans for going home to allow three days again. Traveling west, I noticed a couple of traffic signs that I found amusing. In New Mexico, they seem to take an existential view of dust storms, while in Arizona.. it's much more matter of fact. Heading home, I asked Paul to allow me the opportunity to snap these two signs.

Arizona- matter of fact

New Mexico (as Paul says.."Well, it is the land of enchantment")

Finally, we were treated to some spectacular sunsets during our stay and travel. These two pics were taken in El Paso.

The Road is Long...

2009-01-04T18:16:00.000-08:00

I have pictures! But as usual... not tonight. It was a long trip, we've just arrived (give or take a few minutes). The holidays were fun and I felt like I accomplished a few things. More later, I promise. Hope everyone had a good Christmas/holiday of choice.

Kim and her "China project"

2008-12-19T16:22:00.001-08:00

Here is Kim in the shirt I made for her and with the visual aid for her class presentation. We took down our pictures on our wall to have a clean background for this shot, but you can see our Apache wire art down the hallway.

Christmas Kitteh

2008-12-19T03:22:00.000-08:00

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Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight! Unless something crazy comes up for me to talk about, I'll see you all in 2009

Two more days

2008-12-18T06:38:00.001-08:00

Two more days and we hit the open road for Phoenix. They got snow earlier this week. I know they've had snow before, although not during my childhood that I can remember... Hail? yes.. Flooding? oh, hellya.. but snow? nope.. not that I can remember as a kid.

Of course it will have melted by the end of that day. Oddly enough.. it's cooler in Phoenix right now than it is in my area of Alabama... what's up with that?

Here's an amusing little cat for your entertainment.

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Curious Sensations

2008-12-16T08:04:00.000-08:00

My minor procedures ended up taking most of the day. At least ... we were at the hospital most of the day. At least things progressed very nicely and it wasn't until the end of the day I felt like I was just waiting... which I was at that point, waiting to see my doctor. But I slept most of that time away, so I guess it doesn't matter.

Anesthesia is weird. Has anyone ever seen the episode of Buffy TVS where the "trio" place a time modulator on her and she keeps losing pieces of her day? She's kind of standing still while the world seems to be fast forwarding. That's how I felt after coming out of anesthesia. It seems like one moment I was talking with the anesthesiologist and the next the nurses were saying "Take two deep breaths, Mrs. Steele." LOL... it was kind of cool.

So Dr. Banach arrives at my room a little after 2pm and says "I have good news and bad news." He proceeds to hand me a bunch of pictures he took of my insides. The good news.. absolutely no evidence of cancer, the bad news... a humongous number and size of fibroids. He says this condition must have been building up for years. My uterus is the size of a 16 week fetus! Maybe that explains some of why I gain weight the way that I do (like a pregnant woman... all in the belly!).

At any rate, I'm good to go for right now, but have an appointment with him when we get back from Phoenix to plan our next step.

Sunday Mac and I went to the gym to do our workout. I increased the weights I've been using in several of my exercises, but especially in my calf workout. I mention this because what hurt the most immediately after coming out of anesthesia were my calves. Like "charlie horses" were just waiting to grab the muscle. It took me a long while in that after fog to realize that it was probably due to the workout and not the surgery.

Today my throat hurts really bad because of the tube... imagine the worst sore throat and then notch it up just one more bit. As long as I don't swallow, I'm okay... but my mouth is all dry so I'm pushing fluids and that means swallowing.. ouch!

My calves are not as tender as yesterday, and my belly where the incision was made is kind of tender.. but otherwise I'm doing well. I've been told I can't drive the car for 24 hours, but tomorrow I guess it's back to all that I can tolerate.

Time Flies

2008-12-15T03:03:00.000-08:00

Wow, how did so much time manage to slip by since my last post?

Paul came home three days early from his last mission. A very nice surprise indeed.

All preliminary tests continue to be clear of any serious problems. Today I am going into the hospital for outpatient surgery. More of the exploratory kind, but not expecting them to find anything more than possibly endometriosis. We'll see.

Kimberly did a project for her mythology class about the Christmas traditions of China, which ultimately rolled into a briefing of Christmas and Chinese New Year. I spent a good part of last week sewing a Chinese inspired tunic for her to wear during her presentation. Paul asked in passing "What do kids that don't have mothers that sew do?" I told him that they choose "easy" countries to discuss.

Kendra finished up her finals last week and all her grades have been posted. She was elated to discover that she passed her Western Civilization class (it was very touch and go most of the semester). I hadn't realized until this class that Kendra is not a big fan of the history class. Luckily this is the only one she needs for her major, so this should be the last worrisome grade. I hope anyway.

After my procedure today, I'll be spending the rest of the week getting boxes and cards out in the mail and packing for our trip home. We leave on Saturday.

Cell Wars

2008-12-02T05:14:00.000-08:00

I hate to admit it, but I'm kind of glad Paul is gone right now. I know that sounds harsh... but we were at an impass about "what to do" about Kendra's stolen cell phone. With him gone... my way is going to be done. Call it passive-aggressive, but I did send him an e-mail with the information about the final solution.

So... first the background. This is from my point of view and not necessarily accurate. When we purchased our new phone plan we did not buy the replacement insurance (a monthly fee that is not worth it if you never lose or break the phone, right?) because in the past nearly 10 years of phone ownership the insurance has never been needed.

I called our carrier to find out what our options were. 1. buy a new phone at aprox. $300.00 ... we are too new into our contract for them to just write out a new contract.
2. buy a cheaper phone or a refurbished phone 3. have one of our old phones turned on(cheapest option).

This is her only phone source, so not having anything at all is out of the question as well as wasteful since we'll still be billed the monthly charge. At the moment she has my phone, so that we can call her.

Our plan initially was to have my old phone turned on for me and she could continue to use my phone. Then I thought... why am I getting the old phone? I didn't leave my purse in the car and I didn't forget to lock my door. So I told Paul that I thought Kendra should have to save the money to replace her phone and give me mine back. This began a discussion which really kind of swirls down to these two viewpoints:
Paul: I don't think that Kendra should have to save money to replace her phone.
Me: I don't think that I should have to bear the brunt of her foolishness. She either gets the old phone or she can save to replace her phone.

Okay.. I know she thinks she is a "Daddy's girl"... .but I had no idea that Paul thought this too!!! Am I nuts? You can answer.. but I already know that I am not... that she should be taking care of this somehow. (We've elected not to pursue replacement through homeowners insurance, etc.)

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So.. windfall came in yesterday. My mother had set up Certs of Deposit for all the grandkids when my dad died. They matured this year and dividend checks were sent out to all the kids. Kendra's is enough to cover the cost of the new phone and pay for the next semester at school. (Go, Grandma!!)

When I go up to see Kendra today, I am going to lay out her options. She can A) use the old phone until our contract expires or B) take some money from this check and buy a replacement phone or C) use the old phone and slowly save up the money to replace the phone. Her choice... I honestly don't care what she decides as long as she gets the old phone and I get my new phone back.

I sent out an email to Paul last night detailing this plan. I thought my idea was fair and just. And in this mornings email, he still thinks she shouldn't have to pay to replace her phone. I am really glad he is out of town AND on reverse cycle right now. He's sleeping while we are working and working while we are sleeping. I know it sounds cruel. But I also believe that in this case I am right and he is soooo wrong.

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Out the door... again

2008-11-30T02:37:00.000-08:00

Paul just took off to go back out to Yuma to finish up the testing. It's incredibly early, but he has the first flight out of here. If things go well, he'll be gone less than 10 days.

Smokey will probably be thrilled to have "her" side of the bed back. At least he won't be gone so long this time.

And about 10 days after he gets back we go on Christmas vacation. Still planning to drive to Arizona.

Gas dropped here another 7 cents after my time before last fill-up. Yes, I'm obsessed with the dropping price every time I fill-up. At my very last fill-up, I paid 1.70 a gallon. That was on Black Friday.

This week I will be sewing. And I need to call and make reservations for Smokey at the Kennel. I hope I didn't wait too late.. LOL.. wouldn't that be funny if the reason we don't go is because the cat had no where to stay?

Lastly, the most recent tests continue to be negative. No cancer. Seems it's all routine at this point. Next up is minor "surgery", scheduled for 15 December. It's all good- Paul will be back to help out.

OH My, My

2008-11-28T17:35:00.000-08:00

Our family Thanksgiving was shared with Tyler. Tyler is Kendra's boyfriend. They've been dating for a little less than 3 months now. Thanksgiving was Paul's first chance to meet him. He makes a good first impression.

We ate later than usual, so that Kendra and Tyler could eat with his parents first and then with us. I'm a nice mom... LOL.

So... Tyler and Kendra head back up to the school after dinner (Tyler had to work last night) and through a series of interesting events, Kendra had her phone and camera stolen from Tyler's car. Initially she thought her car keys had been taken as well, but she found them under the driver's seat this morning. Tyler also had some things stolen, but the thieves didn't find his laptop.

I'm very glad that the kids are safe, they were inside the apartment when things were taken. The car was not hurt (he'd left the door unlocked), so there is no damage that has to be fixed. I'm very glad that her keys were not taken. By chance, her car was not parked in the same parking lot... so if they did fiddle with the keys, they wouldn't have inadvertently found hers.

We had just upgraded and renewed our cellular contract in August. I didn't get replacement insurance because in 10 years we've never lost a cell phone. LOL... but we did keep the old phones as "back ups". So THANKFULLY, I don't have to replace her phone anytime soon. We can just re-connect her old phone and she can save up the money to replace the stolen phone if she wants.

Today Paul and I went out for some of the early sales. We were not out there so early that we had to stand in lines. We did manage to get some great deals and we are down to just two more presents needed. All the kids are done (YAY!), but we still need something for Paul's mom and dad.

Guess that's it for now.

You like me, You REALLY like me!

2008-11-26T04:10:00.000-08:00

I want to thank Christina at The Uniboob Club: BREAST CANCER DOES NOT DEFINE ME AS A WOMAN,BUT MY BATTLE WITH BREAST CANCER DOES! (Christina is inspiring with her honest words about her battle with breast cancer and how it affects her and her family. I admire her truth and I'm praying for her.)

and Lynne atI'M ON A MISSION (I started reading Lynne while we were still back at AOL journals. She and I are fighting the same battle of weight loss. I love encouraging her and being encouraged by her.)

and Jun at JUN-MIDNIGHT (Jun and I are both here in Alabama. I enjoy reading her journal. She writes about her family and real life.)

for awarding me the Marie Antoinette distinction. I appreciate being thought of and being given this opportunity to spotlight some of my favorite journals.

I write about three basic topics
1. my hubby, family and our life as seen through my eyes.
2. Our military service members and how we can support them.
3. My continuing battle to lose weight (although you haven't heard much on that topic as of late).
It's good to know that folks enjoy reading about these things.

The Rules:
1. Please put the logo in your blog
2. Place a link from the person, from whom you received the award
3. Nominate at least 7 more
4. Put the links of those on your blog
5. Leave a message on their blog to let them know

Many of the journals that I read are ones that I followed at AOL journals, but there are several that are new to me as well, that I have found through following links and/or comments on other journals. I wish I could give them all an award, but since I can't these are the seven I have chosen.

1. Heather at Tightening the Corset ... Again . I have always enjoyed Heather's journal, even when she was back at AOL journals. Currently she's recreating her life to be a joyous one.

2. Fried MSW at http://friedmsw.blogspot.com/. A new find for me since moving to blogger, I have enjoyed reading her accounts of her job in the medical social work field. A fellow Alabamian, she is not quite close enough to me to benefit from my powers over the price of gasoline!

3. Jason at ROAD TO RECOVERY. Another new find, Jason uses his journal to discuss his weight loss process. I get a real kick out of reading the male perspective.

4. Madison at Life's a learning process . Madison and I go way back. We have a lot of the same struggles and we are both moms of teenagers. I love reading about Madison's antics.

5. Rebecca at Latent Thoughts . A "new to me" blog. I enjoy reading her entries and since she also has two teenage daughters, I find we have a lot in common.

6. Erica at *Southern Comfort* . Erica is another one that I've been reading a long time. She is so funny and I just never know what I'm in for when I read her latest entry.

7. Emmi atHome Schoolin' in Jammies. I know Emmi received this award for her tag journal, but I love reading about the homeschooling hijinks of her and her children.

I read so many journals and enjoy every one of them. Thankfully most of them have already received this award and to check them out more closely, just follow the "follower" picture links to find their journals.

Operation Paperback

2008-11-23T16:08:00.000-08:00

I want to talk about an organization I found this weekend called Operation: Paperback.
You can find out more about the effort here: Operation Paperback .

This group allows you to help in two ways. First, you can send monetary donations to them and through their sponsors they will purchase and deliver "high demand" titles to our military members deployed. Second, you can volunteer to be a shipper and send out many of your gently used paperbacks to the troops. Once you are approved for the progam, you list the genre of titles you have available (mystery, science fiction, etc) and they provide you with a list of names and the addresses so you can send your books on to troops that will enjoy these types of titles.

Besides the troops deployed, your books (and/or donation books) can be sent to the recovery hospitals that our wounded military members are at as well.

I hope that you will take the time to check out this website and maybe get involved with one (or both) of the ways that we can help support troops. They have a great FAQ section to cover any questions you might have.

Paul and I are already gleaning titles from our library for our first shipment!

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Busy, Busy, Busy

2008-11-20T05:59:00.001-08:00

You know.. I function fine when Paul is gone. Things get done. Children are tended. Happiness is there for all of us. However, when he comes home it's like everything is just brighter. For all of us.

glitter-graphics.comYesterday I went to a spouse's luncheon. We met up at Ingrid's Castle. This spot is an interesting combination of jewelry store/fine gifts and German restaurant. The theme was "wish list" and part of our time together was spent putting together a wish list for our husbands so they could shop for us at this store. I chose three jewelry items that I especially liked. I met two new wives yesterday. One named Jen, whose husband works with Paul on Apache projects. They have no children. The other woman, Ronnie lives on post like we do and has three teens about the same ages as Mac and Kim. I exchanged numbers with both of them. I did that because I've been too isolated this move and it's time for me to branch out. I really liked these women and felt we could have some things in common. Ronnie is about to go back to college (as I hope to do this spring), plus none of us are working outside the home right now. I have to admit that as outgoing as I can be, I have been very reserved here.

Paul went to the gym yesterday with Mac and I. He ran on the treadmill while we did our usual strength training. Then we played some basketball. I so enjoyed watching those two play and be "father/son-y" together. Paul smoked both of us on points, but we had a grand time playing.

glitter-graphics.comToday my big chores are laundry and t-giving grocery shopping. Last time I was at the store, I was too focused on what Kendra needed for her pantry to think about the t-giving feast. So today it will get it's own shopping opportunity.

In other mundane shopping news, I am 50% done with my Christmas shopping.

Gas and Doctor

2008-11-18T20:26:00.001-08:00

Quick update on the gas prices in local area. I filled up on Friday at 1.99. By Sunday it dropped to 1.87. I had to fill Paul's car Monday before picking him up. I'm watching the pumps now to see if it drops again. Ha ha

Doctor appointment today, two more tests. News keeps getting more interesting and yet farther way from a "final" decision. Test results will be back next week, I see the doc again on Wed. Two more planned procedures within a couple of weeks and then finally... decision time.

Let's Say Thanks

2008-11-18T19:51:00.000-08:00

XEROX IS DOING SOMETHING COOL

If you go to this web site, Let's Say Thanks you can pick out a thank you card and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq . You can't pick out who gets it, but it will go to a member of the armed services.

How AMAZING it would be if we could get everyone we know to send one!!! It is FREE and it only takes a second.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if the soldiers received a bunch of these? Whether you are for or against the war, our soldiers over there need to know we are behind them.

This takes just 10 seconds and it's a wonderful way to say thank you. Please take the time and please take the time to pass it on for others to do. We can never say enough thank you's.

Thanks for taking the time to support our military!

He's Home!

2008-11-18T06:44:00.000-08:00

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I spent most of yesterday making room for Paul in our bedroom (things tend to creep into his empty places when he's gone). The kids helped me clean up the rest, which didn't take all that long.

I picked him up from our "local" airport at 10 pm last night.

When we finally were ready to go to bed, Smokey jumped up on the bed and was rather nonplussed to discover there wasn't all that much room for her anymore. LOL. I scooted my pillow down from the headboard so she could stretch out up there by my head. Paul says she would occasionally turn and give him baleful looks.

This morning I had to be careful to grab my toothbrush now that there is an extra one in the cup. I don't mind making these little concessions if it means he's home.

My heart just sings today "He's home, He's home, He's home."

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Dance the HAPPY DANCE!

2008-11-14T07:33:00.000-08:00

Against the odds, Paul is coming home on Monday! LOL Apparently another thing has gone wrong with the "chase" bird and the team is pulling up stakes and coming home for a couple of weeks.

He'll have to go back to complete the testing the first week in December, but it should just be for a few days, not the months that this has been. And, hey.. worst case scenario, his leave starts on December 17, so I know he'll be back by then.

Thank you everyone for your support, well wishes and prayer.. Paul is coming home!

Pudge the fish

2008-11-14T05:18:00.000-08:00

In the original movie Lilo and Stitch, Pudge the fish controlled the weather. Much like Pudge, I also control things... not the weather, but gas prices in lower Alabama.

I became aware of my power recently when I purchased gas. It seems that since prices started falling, every time I buy gas, the price seriously drops within HOURS of my purchase. It's kind of awesome to have that kind of power.. he he.
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Today gas prices here are at $1.99 a gallon. I have to take off in a bit and I need gas. If my theory holds true.. by no later than tomorrow gas prices will drop again.

Alabama, you can thank me later.

Troop Support

2008-11-13T05:54:00.000-08:00

During this time of year, I like to bring attention to various groups that offer ways for us to be able to support our troops. Although I am sure that those of you that have family members or friends serving in the military are supporting them every chance you get, I like to mention these places that have a pipeline to the troops for those of us that don't have someone that we currently are supporting.

At the present time the general public can no longer send packages, letters or cards generically marked "To Any Soldier". This is to protect our troops from various terrorist possibilities. So companies have stepped up to allow a bridge between the public and our troops to all ow those well-wishers to still be able to brighten a military members day.

My pick of the day is Military Care Package Soldier Gift Baskets Care Package for Troops Treats for Troops. These folks have set up a very user friendly website where you can send a package to any troop, or designate a specific troop... they have a birthday club, so you can send a package to someone specifically for a birthday. Just tons of options and all of it packed up pretty and sent out for you.

They even have a "Foster a Soldier" program, where you can give some guidelines to the individual you'd like to foster, ie sex, location, age range... I often choose two gals and a guy to support, to represent my babies out there. :)

Support Supportive Employers

2008-11-12T09:34:00.000-08:00

Kimberly's godmother sent an email to me this morning regarding Sears and what they do for their Reservist and National Guard employees. I've checked it out at Snopes and it's true. But.. here's the plus to this... Snopes also gave a web site Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve
where you can check out OTHER employers that go above and beyond for their Reservist and National Guard employees. You can check it out by state, so you can show some support to these companies.

Subject: Sears -
Christmas shopping has already started. I know I needed this reminder since Sears isn't always my first choice. Amazing when you think of how long the war has lasted and they haven't withdrawn from their commitment. Could we each buy at least one thing at Sears this year? How does Sears treat its employees who are called up for military duty? By law, they are required to hold their jobs open and available, but nothing more. Usually, people take a big pay cut and lose benefits as a result of being called up. Sears is voluntarily paying the difference in salaries and maintaining all benefits, including medical insurance and bonus programs, for all called up reservist employees for up to two years. I submit that Sears is an exemplary corporate citizen and should be recognized for its contribution. I suggest we all shop at Sears, and be sure to find a manager to tell them why we are there so the company gets the positive reinforcement it well deserves. Pass it on.

I should have known better

2008-11-12T06:35:00.000-08:00

I was actually getting excited. Paul was due home on the 21st (delayed from the original date of 5 Nov.). I believed it was going to happen and I finally told the kids that Daddy would be home by next Friday... STUPID!

During our conversation last night, I discovered there have been more delays because of the crappy bird they have to use as their "chase" bird.. they haven't been able to fly it more than one out of every 10 days. They have test data in abundance on other aspects of this prototype, but they can't get the final stuff done so they can come home. And they keep sending the chase bird back to be repaired.. get a day out of it and then something else goes wrong... and more days are lost. At any rate... at this point Paul's return date is up in the air.

Initially he was going to buy a ticket to come home for Thanksgiving. But I told him no. .. unless the government was going to pay for that ticket, I didn't want him spending our money on that (we still have Christmas to deal with). I told him to go spend T-giving with his parents (he is just 6 hours away from Phoenix) and we'd see him when he gets back.. if he ever gets back. .this is becoming the TDY that never ends. LOL

Anyway.. in other news Mac, Kim and I went to see Madagascar: Escape2Africa yesterday. They loved it.... I slept through it. I guess I was tired. The part I did see, I didn't think was as good as the first one.

We did see previews for "Inkheart" though. Kim and I have both read the book and are so looking forward to that movie in January.

Quick Notes

2008-11-10T05:42:00.000-08:00

This weekend Kim and I accomplished our gardening goals. We've divided up the work that needs to be done over three weekends. With luck we should be close to done when Paul finally gets home.

I'm on Kim's computer this morning. The fan on my computer died yesterday morning and I don't/can't run the computer without it. So.. .one more thing waiting for Paul to come home and repair.

Kendra is coming home today to spend the night and tomorrow with us. I'm thrilled because at first she wasn't going to come (boyfriend and classes) but her classes were cancelled and I guess boyfriend is working.

Paul and I spent close to four hours on the phone yesterday, divided up between 3 calls. I miss him so much... I'm really glad this separation will be over soon.

Random Alabama Images

2008-11-08T16:04:00.001-08:00

November 1 downtown Enterprise sponsored a Fall Festival with booths and food and assorted games for the younger crowd. Kim and I went down to check it out. The food smelled great, but the booths of things to buy weren't of interest to us. We walked up and down the street and took a few pictures, then we came home.

This is the back of the Boll Weevil Monument. The monument is the only one that pays tribute to a pest. This monument was dedicated on Dec. 11, 1919 at the intersection of College and Main Streets in Enterprise, AL.

This area used to be a large cotton growing area until the Boll Weevil struck in 1915, destroying so many crops and putting several farmers in jeopard of losing their land. But a Mr. Sessions felt that perhaps peanuts would be a better way to go and convinced a farmer to try that crop.

Here is a view of more of the statue. It sits in the middle of the street, so for safety purposes, it's better to take the pic from one of the street corners.

At any rate, it was due to the decimation of crops by the Boll Weevil that this part of Alabama turned to peanut growing.

These roses are in my front yard. Kim and I spent most of the day working in the garden area. We pulled grass and weeds and generally cleaned things up in the garden bed. Tomorrow we plan on putting in a brick trim around the garden and then laying down some mulch.

This spider is living outside our house, near the high peak of the roof. She stays up there out of our way, so we've let her be. She kind of looks like something out of Star Troopers, but much smaller.

I deserve a cookie!

2008-11-08T05:03:00.000-08:00

With everything that has been going on, I haven't had the chance to share my "personal growth" opportunity. LOL

Last week I got an email from Paul telling me that an Amazon.com package would be arriving. He said that it would have one of my Christmas presents in it and I was NOT allowed to open it.

A little later that same day I received another email from Paul banning me from Amazon.com. Apparently, whatever he got me has "also buy" stuff attached to it and he's concerned that if I go to Amazon, they will show me enough hints that I'd be able to figure out what he bought me.

The package arrived last Friday while Kendra was home. I handed it directly to her, explained why and asked her to hide it. She did with Kim's help. Since it's been hidden, I have not gone looking for it AND I've stayed off amazon.com. That has been my "personal growth" experience. Because believe me, a few years ago that package would have been toast! LOL.. or I'd be snooping on Amazon.com.
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Of course... considering I told Paul that the only thing I want for Christmas is the opportunity to go to a Quilt Retreat in January down on the gulf coast I have NO clue what the box could contain. I am so curious, but I'm being a good girl and waiting. See... I deserve a cookie!

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Playing Catch-up

2008-11-07T03:52:00.000-08:00

Wednesday I had my appointment with the gyn specialist. He wants to do a slew of tests before we sit down and map out a plan. Being a cynic in the medical area, I know part of the reason for the additional testing is to milk more money out of the government health insurance, but I do appreciate that he wants to be thorough. His lab drew blood for more tests (iron, CBC, Thyroid and a cancer marker test). Upcoming tests will include a more complete U.S., bone density test and a biopsy. Again, he's not expecting to find anything cancerous he just wants to be sure before we make plans.
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Wednesday afternoon I met up with Kim and her guidance counselor at school. No problems, but our move from Maryland to Alabama did some wonky things to her transcript and we wanted to have a clear understanding of what classes she still needed to graduate next year. Good thing we did... turns out that after her school in Maryland promised she'd get credit for her nearly complete semester there, one teacher gave her an F and another gave her a W for her end of semester grades. That F is really killing her GPA, so I now have a new writing campaign to get underway. Even without those grades, Kim is good to go with her plan.. in fact, she will be in a good position in her second semester next year to take some classes at the college. But no early graduation for her.

Mac's teeth are feeling much better since Tuesday. I brought Kim and him milkshakes and fries for lunch the last two days. I think today he's ready to go back to his usual luncheon fare. I will say this ... even though he's not happy with the braces, he's taking good care of them and brushing exactly as the assistant demonstrated. I am happy about that. And I can already see some movement happening in the front.
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Today is gym day for Mac and me. We are dragging Kim along with us. A couple of weeks back, Kim and Mac did a bit of arm-wrestling and he beat her with no problem. LOL... I guess prior to his working out, they would usually end up in a draw. She is not thrilled to have him winning, so she has asked to join us at the gym. I think that in the long run it may not help her with the arm-wrestling, but if it gets her to start working out with us... I'm cool with that.
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Head- Desk

2008-11-06T03:52:00.000-08:00

My daughters have come up with this phrase "Head-desk" to signify those moments when if you could you'd smack your head down on your desk . I don't know if it's an original phrase to them, but they are my source.

It's been a busy week for us here. Every day thus far as had more than it's fair share of errands and appointments to be kept. The day worthy of note, however, is Tuesday.

Mac had his appointment that morning to have his braces put on. Kim missed the bus and because there was no time to drive her and make it to Dothan for the brace appointment, I dragged her with us. There was time for a quick stop at my polling place to vote. Time spent there total was about 15 minutes (early was definitely the way to go). That early in the morning it was still easy to be hopeful. But believe me when I say I have known for months that ANY democratic hopeful was going to win. I think Hilary Clinton knew this and that is at least part of the reason she held out as long as she did in her attempt.

At any rate, my voting done, we traveled on to Dothan. We were at the orthodontist's for two hours. Two very long and very boring hours... Kim and I debated the pros and cons of the presidential candidates and the very real possibility that Barack Obama could win. It wasn't a sanguine discussion.

Once Mac was done I offered up two possibilities... one.. I take them back to school or two.. we take a "mental health" day and shop and lunch up in Dothan, plus possibly take in a movie. No surprise they opted for option #2. We visited Krispy Kreme, where we picked up some milk and donuts.. and I got my free "thanks for voting" donut... YUMMY! Then we set off to do some shopping.. Mac was in desperate need of new jeans.. he has now lost so much weight that his jeans are falling off his hips.. and while that may be "style" for some guys... it's not for him, nor for his parents. Kim also scored a couple of pairs of new jeans.... she prefers higher waisted pants than is currently popular with the teens so we have to go to a specific store to find hers. At any rate, it was a successful trip on the shopping front.

Unfortunately, our plan for a movie and lunch was tanked because Mac's teeth were beginning to feel tender and he wasn't sure what he could eat and the movies didn't start until after 2 pm. So we hit Best Buy, bought "Get Smart" and came home , made soft gooey comfort food and ate while watching the movie. One of the funniest re-makes we've seen in awhile. loved it.

Our late afternoon was difficult at best between Mac's discomfort and a few other testy teen issues. I give them some leeway because I do understand that most of these tirades have to do with asserting a bit of independence, and I like to believe it teaches them to stand up for themselves out in the real world.. but there does come a point where... I'm the MOM and that is THAT. So Kim is currently grounded from her computer as a result of her testiness. I wrote a note to Paul belaboring poor pitiful me and he sent back this reply... LOL

I'm sooo sorry you had such a horrible day. And then to have Obama win... what a horrible end to a horrible day!Well, at least when things go to hell in a hand-basket we can say we didn't vote for him. Unfortunatly, I think because he already has a halo effect, he can be a shity president and everyone will think he's great (ala Bill Clinton).I will write to Mac and try to smooth his feelings. Poor guy. I'm sure it sucks. I wish there was some way of showing kids computer generated images of their faces/smiles (projected into the future after they get older) with, and without the benefit of braces.You could disconnect Kim's computer's power cord. Then you won't have to worry about being on top of her constantly.We are back down to one aircraft. The AATD bird continues to be a piece of crap. Both crews took turns flying the one good aircraft tonight and we will do the same tomorrow night.All for now.Love ya,Paul

Apathy on the Rise; No one cares!

2008-11-01T05:13:00.000-07:00

LOL, I was watching some old Buffy episodes and this was the headline on one of the school newspapers. I thought it was a pretty good title.

We had no trick or treaters last night. We live on post. People DRIVE ON POST to let their kids trick or treat (less walking between houses than off post). And yet... no kids came down to our house. I have a lot of candy left over.

Our house is situated at the end of a dead end street. These are duplexes and most of the ones down at our end are empty. But I think the biggest reason we didn't have kids is because the neighbors at the front end of the block had a big display and all the various folks up there set up a long table with bowls of candy up and down it. In other words.. the four or five families living up at the front of the street did their candy "block party" style and didn't bother to let us know that this is how they were gonna do it.

This is not a big deal other than I have all this candy left. I'm sending it up to the high school with Kim and Mac on Monday so that they can get rid of it.

Today we are heading to the annual Chili cook off here on post. There is a 5K at 8:30 (we're not going for this) and the chili tasting starts at 11:30 am (we do intend to be available for that). Kendra and her boyfriend Tyler are coming down from the college to taste with us. And we're bowling in the afternoon. Should be fun.

2008-10-27T08:47:00.000-07:00

more animals

This little pic made me laugh out loud. I swear this could be Mac and Kendra on some of their more beastly days.

I will say that their relationship has improved greatly since Kendra moved out of the house. Now when she is home, they talk, laugh and play wii games together... it's been a nice improvement.

HA! I did it!

2008-10-27T05:27:00.000-07:00

I have been procrastinating about moving my journal from AOL to here. Not that I didn't want to... just that I was nervous that things would get messed up along the way. And some things did (I noticed the comic strip from FBorFW was truncated), but other than that the move went smoothly.

I have placed it under Lasttime-atbatarchives. Of course I can't remember the http to get there. But I am sure it's listed on my profile page.

Lists of five

2008-10-25T09:47:00.000-07:00

I am a few short minutes from walking out the door and heading to "historic downtown Enterprise" for their fall festival. But I wanted to leave some lists behind before I go.

5 books I recently read (or am reading)

1. Ink Death by Cornelia Funke (great stuff, I've been waiting for this last entry of the trilogy for over a year)

2. Dangerous Games by Keri Arthur (fantasy about Riley Jensen, a werewolf/guardian living in Australia)

3. Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency by Douglas Adams (a re-read for me, but I just love Adams sense of humor)

4. Haunted History Atlanta and North Georgia by Corinna Underwood (ghost stories, the story, the history and the author's personal experiences)

5. The Great Tree of Avalon by T.A. Barron (a triology, a very good read, fantasy story of the world set inside the tree)