Yesterday was a snow day. Today is a sick day. J has a fever/cough/cold type thing going on. Sigh...I'd rather have a snow day than a sick day.
A couple weeks ago I was asking him if there was anything he missed from Haiti. I thought he might say his birthmom or some friends from the O but he said he misses rice and beans with chicken and "red sauce". I asked him what was in the red sauce because I make rice and beans and chicken. He tried to explain it a little bit and what I got out of it was that it was spicy and had onions.
T will not eat anything with onions or anything that he thinks might have onions in it but I do use onion powder a lot. I got online and found some Haitian recipes and came up with something that I thought might make both guys happy. I scored. J was happy and T was happy. They both like spicy and it had onion powder but not onion slices. They put it on their chicken and their rice and beans. I had mine plain so we were all happy. Now if we can get him well again and no one else gets sick. I'll be spraying lysol everywhere.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
Snow day again
Well, it snowed again last night. It came fast and furious. If it had snowed 'til midnight like they (whoever "they" is) said, we'd have like 6-8 inches. We got about 2. So, the kids are off school again. They only went to school 3 days this week.
We tried an afterschool program for J this week and he loved it. Those were his words, "I loved it." I hope he continues to love it. It helps that a couple of his friends are in it. He will just go on the days that I work. Or that's the change, subject to plan.
A gets to re-do the psych class that she failed. We are all thankful for that. Still no job prospects on the horizon for her. Could you pray with us about that and as she makes college plans?
T has found a truck he wants. We'd have to sell Big Mama first. I'm slightly emotionally attached to Big Mama and I don't know why. When T tried the truck out the guy who owns it started it and T said, "Oh, Amy is going to love the way this sounds." Yep, call me a redneck if you want but I do love the way that truck sounds. We shall see.
Today I want to make hamburgers on the grill, baked beans and lemon bars and pretend it's summer. Want to join us?
We tried an afterschool program for J this week and he loved it. Those were his words, "I loved it." I hope he continues to love it. It helps that a couple of his friends are in it. He will just go on the days that I work. Or that's the change, subject to plan.
A gets to re-do the psych class that she failed. We are all thankful for that. Still no job prospects on the horizon for her. Could you pray with us about that and as she makes college plans?
T has found a truck he wants. We'd have to sell Big Mama first. I'm slightly emotionally attached to Big Mama and I don't know why. When T tried the truck out the guy who owns it started it and T said, "Oh, Amy is going to love the way this sounds." Yep, call me a redneck if you want but I do love the way that truck sounds. We shall see.
Today I want to make hamburgers on the grill, baked beans and lemon bars and pretend it's summer. Want to join us?
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Ahhhh...
...they went back to school today. So far, so good. I haven't gotten any calls that anyone is sick or misbehaving or haven't done their work yet.
Laundry is being done.
Floors will be vacuumed.
Dishes will be done and kitchen is already mostly cleaned.
What to have for supper? If that's the biggest decision I have to make today, I will be a happy camper.
Laundry is being done.
Floors will be vacuumed.
Dishes will be done and kitchen is already mostly cleaned.
What to have for supper? If that's the biggest decision I have to make today, I will be a happy camper.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
"Frybrow"
Well, we got the tater cannon out and blew up some snowmen. I tried to upload a video but our internet is too slow.
We were having some trouble with the igniter on the cannon and I was looking in to it to see if it was igniting, when it ignited. There was a really cool sound and a rush of flame and now the inside of my right eyebrow is singed. You can't tell unless you're looking for it, although my forehead feels a little sunburned, or something. My lightning fast reflexes saved the rest of my eyebrow. I put some snow on it and we continued with the fun. What's that saying? If you're gonna be stupid you gotta be tough.
I need to go to work to get a break from all the fun I've been having. I was already sore from rolling the biggest snowball ever yesterday and then we rolled some more this morning, I fell on my mom's porch and then singed my "frybow" as T has taken to calling it and fell again getting away from the flame. Brings new meaning to "stop, drop and roll". Maybe T can upload the video tomorrow. We shall see.
We were having some trouble with the igniter on the cannon and I was looking in to it to see if it was igniting, when it ignited. There was a really cool sound and a rush of flame and now the inside of my right eyebrow is singed. You can't tell unless you're looking for it, although my forehead feels a little sunburned, or something. My lightning fast reflexes saved the rest of my eyebrow. I put some snow on it and we continued with the fun. What's that saying? If you're gonna be stupid you gotta be tough.
I need to go to work to get a break from all the fun I've been having. I was already sore from rolling the biggest snowball ever yesterday and then we rolled some more this morning, I fell on my mom's porch and then singed my "frybow" as T has taken to calling it and fell again getting away from the flame. Brings new meaning to "stop, drop and roll". Maybe T can upload the video tomorrow. We shall see.
More snow fun
This is snow day 2 in a row for us. It's still snowy and slippery out there and some more snow is falling right now. J and I made snowmen this morning. The plan is to take a few out with the potato cannon when T gets home. Hey, we do live in TN. 
This is my large, voluptuous snow woman, recently crowned snow princess with her beautiful straw hair and her cedar spray. T just wanted to confirm whose idea this was. It was mine, not J's.
This is my large, voluptuous snow woman, recently crowned snow princess with her beautiful straw hair and her cedar spray. T just wanted to confirm whose idea this was. It was mine, not J's.
You know those pictures that have a cut out for the head and then you stand behind them and have your picture made? The same can be done with snowmen. Sort of.
-Whenever J gets money he immediately wants to spend it. We tease him that it burns a hole in his pocket. This morning he helped Nanny with some chores and she paid him a little money. He informed me that, "Dis money is going to burn a hole in my pants!" Pants/pocket-so close.
-Whenever J gets money he immediately wants to spend it. We tease him that it burns a hole in his pocket. This morning he helped Nanny with some chores and she paid him a little money. He informed me that, "Dis money is going to burn a hole in my pants!" Pants/pocket-so close.
-Not long after he came home he was trying to help out and put a new trash bag in the kitchen trash. He didn't realize that the bags were attached to each other in one long roll with perforations. He was in the other room with the first bag when he said, "Dis is a long bag!"
-And one more that has to do with the snow. Trixy was rolling in the snow and I pointed her out to J and he quipped, "She is making a snow angel." Funny kid.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Sledding party
We had an impromptu sledding party at my brother's house today-and he's in Haiti. Shame he missed all the fun. My SIL was very gracious with all these people showing up in her yard to sled, tube, snowboard and be pulled in sleds, tubes and snowboards behind 4-wheelers and horses. Here is part of the crew. It's a TN tap tap. If you've ever been to Haiti you know what I'm talking about. 
Here's another shot of some of the group.
It snowed!
Well, they called for snow and it did snow. We are on snow day number 4 already for this school year. At least this is a really pretty snow. It stuck to everything. A is at E's house. Last night we decided to pop popcorn in the fireplace. It was fun, kind of neat to watch it pop and it tasted so good. I thought it would have a smoky flavor but it didn't. Here is J popping the corn. 
This is what it looked like outside at 11:00 last night. The spots are snowflakes.
And this morning. Isn't it gorgeous?
Here is the rosebush.
The gate. Look how the snow is stuck to every little detail.
The dogs were feeling pretty frisky in the cold.
The hill in front of our house.
Closer up.
Trampoline.
See the horses kind of huddled under the trees?
Our house tucked up into the snowy woods.
Rock wall in front of the house.
This is what it looked like outside at 11:00 last night. The spots are snowflakes.
And this morning. Isn't it gorgeous?
Here is the rosebush.
The gate. Look how the snow is stuck to every little detail.
The dogs were feeling pretty frisky in the cold.
The hill in front of our house.
Closer up.
Trampoline.
See the horses kind of huddled under the trees?
Our house tucked up into the snowy woods.
Rock wall in front of the house.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
It's Tuesday!! (and fibro info)
Hallelujah! They all went back to school/work today. T works for the school system and that's why he was off. J forgot his agenda and reading books. And so it begins.
I've had someone ask about my fibromyalgia and what I've done for it. In summer of '09 I took 2 months of doxycycline. After reading about fibro and infections I presented what I had read to my GP and thankfully he was willing to consider it, think outside the box and prescribe 200mg. once a day. The result was that the "fibro flu" (achy, tired, sore throat, low-grade fevers) I had been experiencing for years was greatly reduced. It was happening weekly and sometimes multiple times per week and now, post doxy, it has happened about 5 times. 5 times, people, in a year and a half.
I was still low energy, still had the tender points, "fibro fog" (feeling foggy headed-can't come up with the correct word, etc.) was bad, and several of the 100 symptoms of fibro- www.fms-help.com/signs.htm . I have muscle relaxers as needed, which I take one once or twice a week. And recently I discovered, through a massage therapist, ATP Energy Dietary Supplement made by progressive laboratories. I love these things! I get them at my chiro/massage therapist office. I did a google search on malic acid and magnesium for fibromyalgia and was surprised at what I found. I am convinced that these things help and I had no idea about it. My energy levels are up, fibro fog is down (not gone, but noticeably improved) and people say I look better. Hmmm. I'd recommend them to anyone with fibro. Not everyone is the same but it sure can't hurt to try. I would recommend the doxy too, if you can get your doc to go along with it.
I know I'll have good days and bad days and that I'm not "healed" but for right now, I'm feeling pretty good most of the time.
I've had someone ask about my fibromyalgia and what I've done for it. In summer of '09 I took 2 months of doxycycline. After reading about fibro and infections I presented what I had read to my GP and thankfully he was willing to consider it, think outside the box and prescribe 200mg. once a day. The result was that the "fibro flu" (achy, tired, sore throat, low-grade fevers) I had been experiencing for years was greatly reduced. It was happening weekly and sometimes multiple times per week and now, post doxy, it has happened about 5 times. 5 times, people, in a year and a half.
I was still low energy, still had the tender points, "fibro fog" (feeling foggy headed-can't come up with the correct word, etc.) was bad, and several of the 100 symptoms of fibro- www.fms-help.com/signs.htm . I have muscle relaxers as needed, which I take one once or twice a week. And recently I discovered, through a massage therapist, ATP Energy Dietary Supplement made by progressive laboratories. I love these things! I get them at my chiro/massage therapist office. I did a google search on malic acid and magnesium for fibromyalgia and was surprised at what I found. I am convinced that these things help and I had no idea about it. My energy levels are up, fibro fog is down (not gone, but noticeably improved) and people say I look better. Hmmm. I'd recommend them to anyone with fibro. Not everyone is the same but it sure can't hurt to try. I would recommend the doxy too, if you can get your doc to go along with it.
I know I'll have good days and bad days and that I'm not "healed" but for right now, I'm feeling pretty good most of the time.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Happy New Year!!
Hmmm. I was trying to figure out how to do a year in review. I guess the best way is month by month. January had the earthquake in Haiti. We eventually found out J's birthmom was ok. It happened about the same time as JT's graduation from basic/AIT so we were in KY. JT's graduation was really emotional for some reason. My mom went with us and at one point we both had tears in our eyes and we looked around and discovered that several people did. T's parents, brother and nephew were in Cap Haitian, Haiti during the quake as well as my dad, brother and nephew. Dad was on the road and the roads are so bad that he didn't even know anything had happened. My brother and nephew felt the tremors as well as T's parents, brother and nephew. Several kids from J's O (about 60?) came home on humanitarian parole that month. We also had a lot of snow days in Jan. The kids only went to school 10-11 days.
In Feb. R packed up and moved to CO in a snowstorm. She took Sanomae (calico cat that they no longer have) and my dad rode/drove with her and flew back. A turned 17 in Feb. J had his first time with non-family babysitters (other than after school) and loved them. Thanks C and S!
In March the four of us flew out to CO to see R. JT had already deployed to Afghanistan at that point. We had a great week with her and took the Cog Railway up to Pike's Peak (only 6 of the 9 miles because of the snow) and it was so pretty. We also hiked around Garden of the Gods, went to the zoo and Focus on the Family and went sledding.
In April we celebrated 23 years of marriage. Zoiks!
In May my nephew got married. We had a great time with family who came in and R made it back too. J got an art award, math award and most improved award at school. After the wedding R, A and A's friend E all drove JT's car back to CO and stayed for a week. They had a great time. I also started playing and singing on the praise team at church again.
In June I got bronchitis. Yuck. J went to a day camp for a week and loved it. He also started wetting the bed less and lying more. Does there always have to be a trade off? JT came home from Afghanistan.
In July we headed up to WI and got to spend time with family and friends. We got to meet Sarah and kids from http://www.5frozenchamorros.blogspot.com/ . We had a great time at a family reunion on my mom's side with 93 people in attendance. We also went up to Door county and especially liked picking cherries and the Door County Fish Boil.
August held the transmission going out in Big Momma, J throwing a fit at the dentist and they wouldn't even work on him, and A started her senior year of high school. Wow! J had his first gotcha day.
September and October were relatively uneventful. J had his 13th birthday. A made her first batch of candles and sold them. We spent a lot of time at the lake, A played soccer and J played fall ball. He also got baptized. October was when we had the squirrel in the sink drain.
In November JT fell on the cactus and gave us something to laugh about. What a great story. A got mono. We had a nice Thanksgiving together. And we bought the van. Sometimes I call it Bonquiqui (it has 17inch chrome rims) and sometimes Vanna Blue but mostly just the van.
December was a whirlwind. We had a the fridge issues, mammogram issues (it's a cyst thankfully) car issues, Christmas, R and JT coming in, their party, etc. The fridge story is a crazy one, but oh, what a story. Still need to fix/sell the jeep.
Yesterday morning started off rough with J telling another lie. But it went uphill from there and he and I managed to have a nice day together. My parents came over last night and we played a card game called baseball. J won. A was at her boyfriend's house and is now housesitting for some friends. I'm considering going to CO this spring and that set J off. I've not left him overnite since he's been home so we think it's time. Abandonment issues reared their ugly heads but we are working through it.
Ok. Now for some pix. Here are my "grand critters" crated up for the ride home. Poor babies. They left Wed. afternoon and didn't get home until late Thursday. They couldn't even get up the hill to their apartment. Someone with chains on their tires pulled them up.
We tried to take a family pic. There's one in every crowd.
Better.
Best.
Here's to you, 2010!
Hoping and praying for a blessed 2011!!
In Feb. R packed up and moved to CO in a snowstorm. She took Sanomae (calico cat that they no longer have) and my dad rode/drove with her and flew back. A turned 17 in Feb. J had his first time with non-family babysitters (other than after school) and loved them. Thanks C and S!
In March the four of us flew out to CO to see R. JT had already deployed to Afghanistan at that point. We had a great week with her and took the Cog Railway up to Pike's Peak (only 6 of the 9 miles because of the snow) and it was so pretty. We also hiked around Garden of the Gods, went to the zoo and Focus on the Family and went sledding.
In April we celebrated 23 years of marriage. Zoiks!
In May my nephew got married. We had a great time with family who came in and R made it back too. J got an art award, math award and most improved award at school. After the wedding R, A and A's friend E all drove JT's car back to CO and stayed for a week. They had a great time. I also started playing and singing on the praise team at church again.
In June I got bronchitis. Yuck. J went to a day camp for a week and loved it. He also started wetting the bed less and lying more. Does there always have to be a trade off? JT came home from Afghanistan.
In July we headed up to WI and got to spend time with family and friends. We got to meet Sarah and kids from http://www.5frozenchamorros.blogspot.com/ . We had a great time at a family reunion on my mom's side with 93 people in attendance. We also went up to Door county and especially liked picking cherries and the Door County Fish Boil.
August held the transmission going out in Big Momma, J throwing a fit at the dentist and they wouldn't even work on him, and A started her senior year of high school. Wow! J had his first gotcha day.
September and October were relatively uneventful. J had his 13th birthday. A made her first batch of candles and sold them. We spent a lot of time at the lake, A played soccer and J played fall ball. He also got baptized. October was when we had the squirrel in the sink drain.
In November JT fell on the cactus and gave us something to laugh about. What a great story. A got mono. We had a nice Thanksgiving together. And we bought the van. Sometimes I call it Bonquiqui (it has 17inch chrome rims) and sometimes Vanna Blue but mostly just the van.
December was a whirlwind. We had a the fridge issues, mammogram issues (it's a cyst thankfully) car issues, Christmas, R and JT coming in, their party, etc. The fridge story is a crazy one, but oh, what a story. Still need to fix/sell the jeep.
Yesterday morning started off rough with J telling another lie. But it went uphill from there and he and I managed to have a nice day together. My parents came over last night and we played a card game called baseball. J won. A was at her boyfriend's house and is now housesitting for some friends. I'm considering going to CO this spring and that set J off. I've not left him overnite since he's been home so we think it's time. Abandonment issues reared their ugly heads but we are working through it.
Ok. Now for some pix. Here are my "grand critters" crated up for the ride home. Poor babies. They left Wed. afternoon and didn't get home until late Thursday. They couldn't even get up the hill to their apartment. Someone with chains on their tires pulled them up.
We tried to take a family pic. There's one in every crowd.
Better.
Best.
Here's to you, 2010!
Hoping and praying for a blessed 2011!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)