Thursday, August 28, 2008

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Back but taking the day off

We got back last night from Ohio and picked up the girls from my in-laws in Elizabethtown. Today, my throat hurts and I feel slightly feverish and just blah. I decided, even though I have piles of stuff that needs doing, that I'm giving myself the day off, apart from basic childcare. I just needed to give me that grace today. Piles of chores stress me out, but when I'm under the weather, sometimes I just need a break. The piles will still be here tomorrow.

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Update from Ohio

We're here at the TA Nationals, where it's hot as....well, it's hot! But, being in the winner's circle this year and having a hotel room right here has its advantages. I've been staying inside with Zachary a lot during the hot hours, only going out briefly to see some cars, shine ours up a bit, etc.

On a great note, he seems to be all better from the virus he came down with earlier in the week. Last night, we were able to enjoy the cruise-in to nearby Tipp City, where we ate at the Coldwater Cafe (awesome place...see my post from last year about it), browsed the craft/artist shops in the old hotel store, and bought some stuff for the girls in the little toy store there. Zachary did very well all night there and was amazed by the toy store. I put him in his sling facing outward and he tried to grab at everything we passed :)

Megan, unfortunately, developed a mild version of the virus with fever and sore throat, but Nana has fixed her all up and she's much better today, I hear. My own throat has been a bit sore today. Families share everything, right? :)

Letting Zach take a quick nap before the closing awards that start soon. Eating a few cookies, sitting in the A/C, blogging on Bryan's laptop, while watching The Two Towers on the hotel cable. Lovin this little mini-vacation. Tomorrow, we head back home. I'll catch up with you all then.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

DeLiRiOuS

*Update*: If a kid's going to catch something, it's going to be before you travel with them :( Zachary did not have an ear infection. Instead, he has Coxsackie virus, commonly known as "hand, foot, and mouth" disease. Sounds like some farm animal illness, I know. It's actually quite common in young children, especially in the summer and fall. It causes blistering in the mouth, and often around the hands and feet. Zachary had lots of blisters in the back of his mouth and a couple on his tongue, and little rashy stuff on his arms. Megan had it when she was about 4, I think.

The only thing we can do is give him Tylenol and Ibuprofen for discomfort and fever spikes, nurse him often, and wait it out. It usually lasts around 5 days. So...glad we're in the winner's circle this year at the show so I won't have to clean the car, but afraid Zachary's going to be miserable on the trip. At least we're right there at the hotel, so I can lay him down when I need to. *sigh*

That's me today. I might have gotten 3 hours sleep last night. Zachary's 2nd tooth broke through Monday and yesterday, fever started. Got kinda high last night at bedtime, so really had to keep alternating the Tylenol and Acetaminophen through the night. I kept him in his bassinet just so I could check on him more easily. I'm a tired mama today.

And, just to kick me when I'm down, I have a horrendous headache that started sometime around 1 am. Tylenol and Ibuprofen aren't cutting it. But if I take anything stronger, I'll be down for the count and the kids will mutiny or something. I'll have to deal. This too will pass...

Getting ready to take him in to Dr. Billie just to rule out ear infection or whatever. I'm sure it's just the teeth, but since we're heading out of town tomorrow (lovely timing as always), I want to rule out infecction before we go.

Don't ask me any hard questions today. I won't be coherent enough to answer. *yawn*

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

My Hubby

*Got this from Kim's blog (Sing Me Home) Enjoy!

What is his name? Bryan

How long have you been married? 11 years

How long did you date? 4 years

How old is he? 32

Who eats more sweets? Oh, definitely me. He's more a meat and potatoes guy.

Who said I love you first? He did, and I was a little too scared to (we were 16)

Who is taller? Bryan

Who can sing better? Me…though not in public

Who is smarter? I am (it’s my blog and I’ll be smarter if I want--Amen!)

Who does the laundry? Me, but he'll throw a load in now and then to help out...or when I've forgot to wash his underwear or towels :)

Who pays the bills? I do.

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? He does

Who mows the lawn? He does. I hate yard work. I figure I do 99% of the housework, so he can handle the outside....and he does a GREAT job!

Who cooks dinner? Usually me, but he can really cook a good meal when he wants to...mmmm.

Who drives? He does.

Who is more stubborn? Bryan....but I've got a stubborn streak now and then ;)

Who kissed who first? Well....I guess I did, but he asked me to....there's controversy around this one.

Who asked who out first? He did on his scientific calculator in our Calculus class. We were so nerdy.

Who proposed? He did in my college dorm room.

Who has more siblings? He does (he has 2, and I have 1)

Who wears the pants? Umm, we both wear pants...isn't it illegal not to? ;)

Now…what about your hubby????? Play along if you wish.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Random Tuesday Thoughts

Trans Am Nationals coming up again this weekend. Seems like it came up fast. But looking forward to being in the winner's circle this year, instead of cooped up inside the car, cleaning every nook and cranny. We're taking the baby, have a room right there at the airport hotel, so I can take him in to nurse and for naps. Looking forward to quality time with my man :)

Trying really hard to incorporate walking a few days a week after I drop off Zoe at preschool. Motivation is really lacking, but once I get out there, I feel better. Now, the last leg of the walk is when I start to regret it as I pant my way up the last hill :)

Also, trying to keep eating under control. I've eliminated (mostly by myself unforunately) all the cookies and ice cream in the house right now, and don't plan on buying any more any time soon. Trying to muster up the willpower to not eat anything after supper the rest of the week unless I'm just REALLY hungry, and then, only a bowl of Cheerios with skim milk. At least that's the intention anyway.

Pondering changing routines. Since both girls are in school (1st grade and Pre-K), we've had to change routines from summer laid-backness to a more disciplined schedule. My body and mind are rebelling something awful, especially since Zachary is teething and unpredictable in his sleeping habits.

Is change hard for you? Do you often think back to past routines or habits, and remorsefully say, "I used to..." Do you think like that about your loved ones too? About things they "used to" do or like, but don't do anymore? Sometimes it's hard to accept how people change as they get older and they adapt to circumstances. So, I like to try to keep my focus on my Rock, the One who never changes, who is always the same, no matter how much my life shifts. I try to keep my eyes on Jesus, who keeps me steady when I don't have the will to do it myself.

Friday, August 15, 2008

To my blog friends

Sorry I haven't been commenting on your blogs the last couple weeks. The start of school has kind of threw off my day, and I'm getting busy planning for our new MOPS group and trying to hunt down donations for door prizes and such.

I've just caught up on Bloglines briefly, and hopefully next week, I'll be back to my regular, wisdom-filled, witty, can't miss comments :)

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Things I've learned from living in Kentucky

Thanks to my Aunt Lu for these! Plus my own comments.

1.Possums sleep in the middle of the road with their feet in the air.
2.There are 5,000 types of snakes on earth and 4,998 live in Kentucky (Has anyone seen those snake shows on tv--they're all in Austrailia--I'm never going there!)
3.There are 10,000 types of spiders. All 10,000 live in Kentucky , plus a couple no one's seen before. (Again, Austrailia for the win!)
4.If it grows, it sticks; if it crawls, it bites.
5.Onced and Twiced are words.
6.It is not a shopping cart; it is a buggy.
7.People actually grow and eat okra.
8. 'Fixinto' is one word.
9.There is no such thing as 'lunch.' There is only dinner and then supper.
10.Iced tea is appropriate for all meals and you start drinking it when you're two. We do like a little tea with our sugar! (Hubby and I are the weirdos around here--we both like unsweetened tea *gasp*)
11.Backwards and forwards means 'I know everything about you.'
12.DJeet is actually a phrase meaning 'Did you eat?'
13. You don't have to wear a watch because it doesn't matter what time it is. You work until you're done or it's too dark to see.
14.You don't PUSH buttons, you MASH them.
15.You measure distance in minutes.
16.You'll probably have to switch from 'heat' to 'A/C' in the same day. (I've really done this several times!)
17.'Fix' is a verb. Example: 'I'm fixing to go to the store.'
18.All the festivals across the state are named after a fruit, vegetable, grain, insect or animal. (Let's see: Apple Festival, Bell Pepper Festival, Ham Days....)
19.You install security lights on your house and garage and leave both unlocked. (Nope, not me--I lock every door and window in the house, even the storm doors. That's just crazy to leave them open nowadays)
20.You carry jumper cables in your car . . . for your OWN car.
21.There are only four spices: salt, pepper, Tabasco and ketchup. (I'd also add barbeque sauce and honey mustard)
22.The local papers cover national and international news on one page, but require 6 pages for local gossip and sports.
23.The first day of deer season is a national holiday. (An unnamed local boy was once surprised to find out that my hubby "don't hunt nothin")
24.100 degrees Fahrenheit is 'a little warm.'
25.We have four seasons: Almost Summer, Summer, still Summer and Christmas.
26.Going to Wal-mart is a favorite past time known as 'goin' Wal-martin' or off to 'Wally World.' 27.A cool snap (below 70 degrees) is good pinto-bean weather.
28.A carbonated soft drink isn't a soda, cola or pop. . . . it's a Coke, regardless of brand or flavor. Example: 'What kinda coke you want?' (Hubby makes fun of me all the time--I call it soda. Coke is a BRAND! Don't know what all the fuss is about)
29.Fried catfish is the other white meat.
30.We don't need no stinking driver's ed . . . if our mama says we can drive, we can drive. (Actually my dad said I could drive; my mama was always too terrified to ride with me :)

Monday, August 11, 2008

Zoe's first day of preschool


I can't believe my little baby girl is ready for this. She reminded me so much of Megan this morning when we snapped these shots. I had total deja vu as we dropped her off and picked her back up today. But, she did well, and it'll be nice to have a break for 4 days a week. Still...I miss her being my baby sometimes :)

Friday, August 08, 2008

The Dark Knight....just one problem

I loved the newest Batman movie, The Dark Knight. The late Heath Ledger's performance of the Joker was definitely Oscar-worthy. The only beef I had with the movie was that when "Bruce Wayne", as portrayed by actor Christian Bale, became "Batman", he no longer spoke like a human being. Quite hard to understand, actually. To illustrate, here's a great spoof video hubby found on YouTube. Enjoy!


Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Oh bother

A couple days ago, I found that someone had sent out a bunch of spam e-mails with my e-mail address. Today, I found that my whole Yahoo address book list was deleted. *grrrr* I'm hoping there was no sensitive information that could have been seen. I try to keep all e-mail clear of that sort of thing, but my inbox had gotten quite full (over 1000 messages). I went through today and deleted them all, and saved e-mail addys as I could find them. I'm still missing several though, so if you happen to read and have the time, shoot me an e-mail so I can save your address.

And if you happened to get any spam from me a couple days ago, that wasn't me, but sorry anyway.

And off she goes...

We took Meg to first grade this morning. Zoe, Zachary (in his sling) and I sat with Meg and one of her friends in the gym and got both girls to their classes as each grade was called out. Meg clung to me a bit in her classroom, but finally found a seat with some friends.

Zoe didn't want to hug her goodbye (I think because she didn't want to say goodbye). Later, walking to the car, Zoe said, "I don't want my sisser to weave." I said, "I know, me neither."

Now, back home to some coffee and blog time. It seems like the summer was so short.

Monday, August 04, 2008

Last day before school



Ah, the last day before school starts. Thought I'd share some pics of my kiddos that I've enjoyed this summer.
A few days ago, Zoe was our little cowgirl in her PJ's--how sweet is that?



Zachary loves his new exersaucer and chews on everything he can reach.









"What? Who doesn't like to chew?"









Last night's supper of baby food carrots--looks pretty satisfied, eh?








This morning, after he ate about 5:30 am, he slept in until almost 10 am, bottom up in the air, hands under him, mouth hanging open--now that's asleep!







Our morning project--the girls and I made jewelry from some of the several kits Meg got for her birthday. Meg took this pic of me with the earrings and necklace she made for me. She was very proud of them.




We also made cookies together today and I let them play outside while I mowed around my blueberry bushes. The weeds were about to overtake them. I pulled up the rest of the weeds and now it looks good around there. Now that I've cooled off, have Zach down for a nap and the girls settled with some video games, I'm hitting the shower.

























Friday, August 01, 2008

Random post

Tomorrow, we head to BG to meet my in-laws and pick up our girls, who've been visiting them in Adair Co. all week. I've enjoyed a quiet week with my Zachaboo, but I miss my baby girls. Zach has missed them too, and has cried for attention a lot. I think he's so used to the noise and chaos of having them around.

I've been able to get a few things done around here, like cleaning the fridge and tidying up the girls' room. Most of the week I've been concentrating on decluttering and pickup, but today, I actually cleaned. It felt good and feels good to walk around a clean house. After tomorrow, it won't be that way *sigh* But I'll still be glad to have them back.

Zachary is going to be 5 months old next week. I can't believe how fast he's growing. He's approaching 17 pounds. He started cereal a couple weeks ago, and started carrots this week. He's liking both. Of course, now his poop is orange :) He is loving his new exersaucer his Nana found for him and knows how to play with all the toys on it. He's starting to squeal now too when he's having fun. It's so cute.

We went to Meg's open house at school last night and met her new first grade teacher. She seems really nice. We took her school supplies to leave there and pre-paid for her lunches. I think I'll take her the first day so I can make sure she gets to the right place at the right time.

Zoe starts preschool on the 11th. I can't believe my baby girl is ready for this step. It wasn't that long ago that she was in the baby swing like Zach is now, sleeping away with those little fat baby cheeks and fuzzy head.

Well, this was a very random post. Next week, school starts again, and so does a whole new schedule. I hope we all adjust well.