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Our Nightmare

I wanted to share what had been going on this past week in our home.

 I guess you could say it started around the summer.  Angel had been retaining water in his feet.  We didn't think much about it.  Especially since I have also been retaining water and noticed if I watch my carbs it gets better.  Other than that, there was not much going on.  Angel did start to sleep more during the day and less at night.  However, he has always been a night owl.  So once again, we didn't think much about it.

Around Halloween we had noticed that his stomach seemed bigger than we remembered.  The swelling in the feet and calf was pretty bad.  We didn't really understand why.  He did gain weight .. about 27lbs.  Angel, however, doesn't keep track often so we didn't know how long he had been gaining.  He is a night eater.  Loves to snack and such.

Two weeks ago he decided he was cutting back.  We cut out meat and most carbs.  We focused alot on salads, fruit and yogurt, oatmeal for breakfast.  He was feeling better.  Swelling was going down.  Weight dropped about a lb or two.  We were on the right track.. or so we thought.  We did have some slip ups.. like the night he wanted pizza.  But other than that we pretty much stuck with it.

Then two Saturday's ago, we were taking Anna to ballet.  We did not want to ruin the diet so we stopped at stop and shop for their salad bar.  Ate in the car.  Then to the theater.  Angel wasn't feeling well.  His stool was really black and tar like.  Also the swelling was starting up again, actually worse than before.. the swellign went up his legs.  He did not want to go to the hospital.  Our co-pay is 100 and we have a 400 deductible.  He promised he would call first thing monday morning. 

Monday morning he called.  The receptionist said the doctor would not be in til Tuesday.  Angel told her his symptoms and she scheduled him for Tuesday at 2:45. Angel also had not eaten much since Saturday and he wasn't  hungry. 

During all this time my gram was not doing well in the hospital.  Angel decided we would go up and see her .. however, she died before we could go.  I lost it.  I was crying and just couldn't stop thinking about the horrible month we have had.  My 16 year old cat died.  Family members hospitalized.. etc.  It was so overwhelming. 

Tuesday came.  We went to the doctor and ended up waiting 2 hours.  When we finally saw him, he didn't think twice before sending us to the hospital around the corner.  He told me I had to find a way home.  We were not anywhere near our town.  We were about an hour away actually.  At the hospital as soon as they confirmed it was blood in the stool.  They were all over him.  He was bleeding internally.  His liver was having a problem.  They put a tube in him and suctioned out all the blood.  During this time the liver started to fail.  I was there the entire time, just watching in shock.  Angel was awake and I took every  minute I could to touch his hand or hair.  He was very scared.  They managed to help the liver and had to give him 2 cc's of blood.

They explained that his liver was in trouble.  They had to stop the bleeding.  The choices they had were not simple.  They were only capable of one choice.  If it failed it would not go well, so they decided to send him by helicopter to the Hartford Hospital.

There is a blur of activity from there.. running home to get clothes, talking to anna, phone calls to be made, which my friend handled that part for me.  When I got to the hospital (which is further away) he was stable.  I stayed in the ICU with him for two days.  They ran tests, took pics of his chest to make sure nothing else was swollen, ultrasounds, just everything, in that first full day we were there.

What they found was he has Cirrhosis.  They do not know why.  All of the usual reasons do not make sense.  They talked about liver biopsy and possible liver transplant.  His liver is scarred.. more than one area.  Also a little shrunken.  They have decided that he needs to go in as an outpatient about 2 weeks from now, for another Endoscopy to see if the banding of the esophagus is still in place.  They have been keeping a close eye on his blood count and did blood tests daily.  I have a list of symptoms I need to look for.  He is on alot of meds.  He also needs a low sodium diet.  We have to make sure he has protein also.  He can not have anything that may rip open the esophagus.  No pretzels, popcorn, nuts, etc.  He needs to move more and get his endurance back.  After 5 days in bed only, it will take awhile.  I will add more details later but this is the basic of what is going on. 

Here is the terms of what has happened to Angel.

Albumin is a protein made in the liver. If the liver is badly damaged, it can no longer produce albumin. Albumin maintains the amount of blood in the veins and arteries. When albumin levels become very low, fluid can leak out from the blood vessels into nearby tissues, causing swelling in the feet and ankles. Very low levels of albumin may be a sign of liver damage.

Portal hypertension. Normally, blood from the intestines and spleen is carried to the liver through the portal vein. But cirrhosis slows the normal flow of blood, which increases the pressure in the portal vein. This condition is called portal hypertension.

Esophageal varices and gastropathy. When portal hypertension occurs, it may cause enlarged blood vessels in the esophagus, called varices, or in the stomach, called gastropathy, or both. Enlarged blood vessels are more likely to burst due to thin walls and increased pressure. If they burst, serious bleeding can occur in the esophagus or upper stomach, requiring immediate medical attention.

Thanksgiving Mingle

This week’s questions (first one submitted by Brad – the hubby of Robyn (Robyn’s Online World!):

1. Do you know how to change a flat tire?
2. What are your favorite appetizers that you make for the holidays?
3. What are your plans for Thanksgiving this year?

November 1st Mingle

This week’s questions (submitted by Alexes from One Cluttered Brain):

1. What is your favorite way to spend your time during the day?
2. What do you think about guest posting on other people’s blogs? Have you ever done it before? Did you like it?
3. What is the craziest item in your purse??

 

Annaleah's Cupcakes!

Once a week we try to get together with good friends.  This week Anna wanted to make cupcakes for snacks for everyone.  We also made mummy dogs for lunch.  Yum!

A bit of our day..

Yesterday was really a rush.. I spent time in the morning cleaning and doing dishes.  I admit I enjoyed the later quiet time since Anna stayed up with daddy the night before, watching Anime.  However, we had alot of school to cover.  I just found out my friend Steph and her children would be coming the following day..  which means pretty much a lax schooling day.  So I got her up and spent the entire day pushing her to work.  Of course, this was the day she was going to totally be uncooperative.  Oh my word!  She and Ethan fought over everything!  I managed to record little bits of our day that wasn't so umm.. chaotic.   I really would like to try and include alot more visuals to the blog.  I have been way behind in finding the time to write.

All about Shoes!

It's time for another Monday Mingle.. and guess what.. it is Monday.. yay!  Not late this week .. whew..

This week’s questions (submitted by Jendi from Simple Vloggings Tips):

1. ‘Fess up – how many shoes do you own?
2. What is your favorite type of shoe to wear? Sneakers, stilettos, kitten heels, ballet flats?
3. Do you have a shoe story you could tell us?

Fun at the Ice Rink

Last Friday evening, Annaleah got all dressed up for the festivities at the local ice rink.  Daddy took her and I hung out at Walmart for 3 hours.. shopping slowly, checking prices.. alone.  Most of you are probably like.. seriously?? There was no way I was going to hang out for 3 hours at the ice rink!  It is freezing cold!   





















This donut video amazed me because 1. Anna never eats anything that fast.. 2. she doesn't even like anything but powdered donuts.

Sometimes a devotion just hits me head on..

I just got done reading my Proverbs 31 Devotion.

It definitely hit me this morning.  The verse of the day is..

 ²⁰And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.

1 Chronicles 28:20 (King James Version)

Some of the examples today where..

Are you worried about your ability to be a good mother? Do the work.

Are you struggling with debt and financial issues? Do the work.

Do you want to eat healthier, commit to regular exercise or lose weight? Do the work.

Ok.. yes.. I struggle with each of these daily!  I worry about my ability to homeschool and feel like a failure most days.  I get all irritated and anxiety builds fast.  Finances are never ending.. just never gets easier in that area.  My health??  I have been so frustrated with that, I have just stuck it on the back burner.  It isn't helping me when I shove it aside.  It is only getting worse! 

Make no mistake: sometimes the work will be hard. Note that our verse today didn't say "Lay around and hope things get better." The challenge we face is not in focusing on how hard the work is, but in seeking the God who has promised to show up as we work. We offer our best efforts and trust that He will multiply them. We will see Him supply the words, the resources, the energy, the time, the patience, the grace we need. But first we must do the work. Just like the priests had to first step into the water before the Jordan could part in Joshua 3:15-16, so we must begin working before we can see the solution appear.

What work do you need to start doing—or keep doing—no matter how discouraged or disheartened you feel? I pray that you will see Him at work on your behalf today as you do the work He has called you to do. Do the work, and He will be with you.

As I copy this and re-read, I also realize something else.  How often do I ask the Lord for guidance in these areas?  I pray when others are hurting, when others have needs or requests, but I rarely pray for my struggles.  Somehow I think that maybe I don't deserve the help?  I know that sounds foolish but it is something I struggle with daily.  I tend to be alot harder on myself.  It gets me nowhere.  So those are areas I need desperately to work on.  I guess I should start with prayer and then do the work that needs to be done. 

All italics are copied from the Proverbs 31 Devotions.

Mingling on a Wednesday…

Yep.. late again.  Monday was crazy but good.. Tuesday was plain crazy.. so I decided to mingle when I woke up.. looking good or not.  So here it is..

This week’s questions (submitted by Robyn’s Online World and Paula from Thrifty Mommas Tips (their questions were the same!):

1. What do you vlog with? what software or handicam, webcam etc?
2. How long have you been vlogging and what is your best tip for newbie?
3. Do you upload instantly or upload to Facebook, Youtube etc.? Which works best/ fastest?

 

A better day..

I have been fighting depression all day Sunday and probably even longer.  This morning ended up pretty much on the same path but I was determined to work through it.  This is what I have accomplished today..

• stripped and washed all bedding and remade bed
  
• washed and dried a total of 6 loads of laundry
• full day of school
• cleaned my bedroom floors and picked up a ton of stuff
• went through newspapers and magazines for recycling
• decluttered the cubby area and set up Anna's daily school work in there.  (they were in a basket on the floor)
• cleaned up some piles in the living room
• completely cleaned off dining table (my laptop along with tons of other things have been living there for months.  we just sweep it out of the way at dinner but never clear it.  My laptop can no longer sit in the cubby because the fan doesn't work anymore.
  
• Cooked a full dinner for Angel, Anna, Ethan, David and I.. including setting table and cleaning off table
• Washed all dishes (except pan which is soaking)
  
• cut David and Angel's hair
• swept all floors and hair. 
  
• treated Baby's paw.. poor thing. 
  

I honestly think I have done more today than I have in any week for the past few months. 

Tomorrow I would like to focus on baking..

• muffins
• soaked whole wheat bread
• brownies
• granola

I also hope to do another load of laundry, fold darks and wash kitchen floor. 

I am looking for a healthy muffin recipe.  I have some apples that badly need to get used.. I am thinking a recipe with maybe apples, whole wheat and oats?  Anyone have a recipe like that?  I would love ideas.  Since I am the only one to eat them I want to freeze them for quick breakfasts. 

I am tired and sore and going to catch up on YouTube vids for a bit. I am also late for a Monday Mingle.  Hopefully I can get that done tomorrow as well. 

Fall Mingle

We just spent an awesome weekend at my mom's for the Autumnfest.  It was a wonderful way to get out of the regular routine of our life.  I decided to do the mingle while waiting for the parade to start.  I wasn't able to get it online however, due to internet issues at my mom's place.

This week’s questions (submitted by Louise from Mom Start):

1. What is your favorite thing about Fall?
2. What is your favorite Fall/Winter thing to cook or eat?
3. What do you like to do with the kids outdoors during the Fall?

Of course I could not leave the girls out.. here is their mingle.

Can’t seem to catch up!

I am behind in everything.. seriously everything!  I haven't been blogging, I am struggling with keeping the house in shape, schooling, and just your typical day to day stuff.  Exercise and healthy eating have been thrown out the window.  I don't understand what the problem is here.

So I am going to start by making a list.  All the things I need to be better at..

• waking up in the morning to do bible study (not getting up and watching youtube videos)
• Schooling on time
• Organizing school materials so everything can be found and used in a timely manner. (Too much time is spent looking for things)
• Preparing some type of preschool activity for Ethan so that he has something to do instead of talking to Anna during school.
• Having meals planned ahead of time and actually cooking them.
• Cleaning up before bed!  After dinner would be best! (Instead of doing this in the morning.)
• Washing and putting away one load of clothes a day. (Instead of being overwhelmed on the weekend)
• Blogging before reading everyone else’s blog.. ( I get lost once I start reading)
• Going to bed at a reasonable time (3am is not a reasonable time when you need to wake up at 5:30am)

So there you have it.. if I follow these simple steps.. maybe life would be a bit easier? 

Is there anything I missed?  Hmm..

Monday Mingle - Changes

This week’s questions (submitted by Debbie from Musings in the Key of D):
1. What is/was your favorite thing you have done to change your look? i.e. tanning, hair removal, new cut/color, different style of clothes, hair extensions etc.
2. What is/was NOT such great a way to change your looks?
3. If time and money were not an inconvenience, which would you prefer laser hair removal or permanent makeup ? Why?

My 9yr old Vlogger..

My daughter wants to be a vlogger.  She is really a natural at it.  I love that she can be in front of a camera and just let go.  I am working on this and don’t think I will ever be completely calm in front of the camera.  When I thought back on this .. I realized that alot of it had to do with school.  I remember that I would hide alot of my feelings and silliness around other kids.  I was made fun of in elementary due to my hearing loss and constant sickness.  Still to this day I do not really show my true self to others.. 

Anna does have a youtube account.. it is actually under my control.  Registered under me and everything.  The account is for her to be creative in a safe enviroment.  (I keep track of all comments and such)  I will not share the account here (although I have thought about it because she would love the views) because I have no clue who might come across this site. However, I wanted to share this video I found on my camera..  It is long.. sorry about that.  I tried to edit it but it was just too hard. 

Things I like to do with hubby...

It's Time for Another Monday Mingle!  

(in my tv show host voice)

This week’s questions:

1. Name an activity you do with your significant other (or kids), just because it makes them happy.
2. What is something you (or you and your spouse) used to do that you really miss now?
3. What qualities/features do you have from each of your parents?

 

 

2 Mingles in one post

I have been sick. My usually seasonal sickness.. not fun. Last week I decided to do a non vocal mingle.. but never put it together. So today will be two mingles in one.

This week’s questions:
1. Describe (or show) your favorite picture of someone in your family. Why does this one mean so much to you?
2. If you could live in any home on a television series, what would it be?
3. Where were you on September 11, 2001






Last week's questions..

1. What is the weirdest thing you did as a child?
2. What are your top 3 guilty pleasures?
3. What song never fails to make you think of your significant other and smile (or a family member is you do not have a significant other)?





and here are some of my favorite past pictures..

distractions..

My mom is visiting this week.  We picked her up Tuesday evening.  Before we left I did feed the family soup and sandwiches.  However, by the time we got there.. hubby was hungry and craving chinese.  We headed to a new place in Smithfield, RI.   Now, really full we finally headed home.  I tried to hurry and get Anna into bed.  It was 10 when we walked in.  It was midnight when she finally went to bed.  Hubby had told me to let her stay up a bit.  I just knew tomorrow wouldn't go well. 

Anna woke up before 8am.. so that was a huge plus.. however no work actually got done.  She never finished the one page of math that she was behind with.  Things were just so hectic with stories from Mimi, Ethan coming and wanting her attention as well.  Fights over who would sit next to her.  Ethan gave lots of hugs.  I gave lots of demands to finish the page. 

I finally gave up and we all headed outside for a bit.. after Anna rode her bike I tried to get her to do a bit of school out there but she was distracted once again. 

A few days ago, Ethan was riding his Little Tykes car in the cul-de-sac and discovered water in the back.  He yelled out.. "Daddy, there are germs in my car!"  After closer inspection, Justine said they were tadpoles and Anna had started keeping her eye on them.  So when Ethan decided to ride his car, Anna had to save them so she scooped them all carefully into a bucket.  She showed them to me.  Now I am not good at trying to figure out what they are.. so I go along with it.. maybe they are tadpoles.  But then daddy comes out and takes a look.  They were not tadpoles.. they were mosquito larvae.  This brought huge tears to Anna as daddy demanded she dump them immediately.  We all felt bad but we really don't need more mosquitoes.  It was a very sad moment for her. 

So instead of school papers.. we ended up on the computer, learning the difference between tadpoles and mosquito larvae.  That is still school, right.. lol.  Although I would still be happier if she finished at least her math.  sigh..

She ended the evening with a 2.5 hour game of Life.  Anna was the banker and I did my best to get her to figure out all change and payments.. So there was another good lesson she was able to apply.  I guess this would be called 'unschooling'..

However, today she will do her lessons! 

Mom and I also ended the evening listening to Mark Lowry on YouTube..  I loved watching him with Bill Gaither but here is the one that really cracked us up last night..

Monday Mingle - flying..

This week’s questions:

1. Are you going to BlogHer 11 in San Diego?
2. Have you been to any blogging events? Which ones are you planning on going to besides BlogHer?
3. Are you afraid to fly, and if so, does it prevent you from going places?

Drip, drip, drip.. goes the water..

I tend to think of that song every single time I take a shower.  Ever since I married Angel, and moved to CT.  We  have had low water pressure.  Taking a shower felt like you were in the rain.  drip drip drip.  I think I shared here (maybe not) that 2 weeks ago, they were draining our hydrants and putting in a new water main.  We were left with brown water.  Thankfully, we thougth ahead and filled every container we could.  After they finished however, 2 days later.. our cul-de-sac was filled with water and it didn’t rain.  Our pipes busted.  Trucks were brought in and Ethan enjoyed spending the day watching big trucks dig up our cul-de-sac.  
We found out that when they had worked on the main pipes they routed it to another town. The pipe busted because the water pressure is significantly higher now and the pipes couldn't handle it.  So when I finally took a shower.. I still expected the low drip of the water.  Well, that isn't the case anymore!  I was sooo excited.. I called Angel in to feel the water while I was in the shower.  Whoo hoo.. it was awesome!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Saturday night I did the stupidest thing.  I stayed up all night long.  I was playing Perfect World with Angel.  Anna and Ethan were in bed.. When we realized it was 5am .. he went to bed.  I didn't bother.  Instead I spent the morning cleaning.. working through some piles, Anna's laundry, etc.  The house is in really bad shape.  Ethan woke at 8:30,  I woke up David so he could get a shower.  Angel took him to work and got back before 10:30 and the game playing began again.  By about 3pm I couldn't do it anymore.  I was so sick of being on the computer.  I had also been getting up here and there and attacking Anna's room.  I was also starting to pass out at the computer.. lol.  In the middle of a fight.. LOL.  Thankfully I woke before I got killed..

Ethan left at 4:30.  I sat with Angel and just thought.. forget this!  and went to bed.  for one hour.  sigh..  
Angel was supposed to make Thai.. that didn't happen.  We ate peanut butter and jelly.  I decided to watch some comedians on you tube.  Brian Regan was pretty funny.  Watched some Eureka with Angel then he took his second nap.. ( He took one after lunch)  I finished up the room with Anna.. looks so  much better right now.  Put her in at 10:30 and I went to bed.  woke at 6:15 but managed to sleep again til 7. 

Of course I am now sick.  Runny nose.. ugh.  What in the world was I thinking???   I am so not young anymore.

Ethan comes today at 10 - 5:30.  Tomorrow evening we pick up my mom for the week.  I am hoping to get Anna's curtain up (with Angel's help), and her floor washed.  Going to have her do 2 pages for school and maybe we can finally cover her journal.  I am trying to be better and less strict.  Last year I made her work through Monday holidays.  Because it messed up our schedule during the week.  She will do 1 page of math and one daily gram.  We have steaks for the grill and Angel wants me to make some onion rings.. Ethan’s favorite! 
Enjoy the day today! 
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Monday Mingle - Blogging

This week’s questions (submitted by Robyn from Robyn’s Online World) :

1. What does your extended family think of your blog?
2. Has anyone in your family ever asked you not to include them on your blog?
3. How supportive is your immediate household about your blogging?

Not sure what is up with putting my vids on YouTube.  It is fine on my computer but slightly off sync.  Vimeo makes me wait awhile before they convert and I don't like waiting..

Time for school!

It's official!  School started today.  I am not ready but hey..we did it anyways.  Not too bad so far.  My main problem right now is mostly evenings.  Hubby likes to spend time either playing Perfect World (hey, if you can't beat em, join em. right?) together or watch a movie, or show.  Last night that meant I went to bed at midnight.  I was able to get up at 5:30am like planned but that will be hard to continue at this rate.  I really need to be firm about this I guess.  If Anna is in bed by 9 - 9:30.. that gives us plenty of time.  I would like to be in bed by at least 11. 

Last week we were told our water was going to turn brown.  So we prepared ourselves by filling everything we possibly could with water.  Turned out we only had brown water the first day.  They had predicted the work to last 4 days. However, today they are pulling apart our cul-de-sac.  Apparently we have a broken pipe somewhere.. So not thinking.. I put laundry in washer, pour on detergent and then discover we have no water.. sigh.  Very thankful we still have all the jugs for drinking and washing up. 

This evening we are all heading out to see Meadow.  I should be back with lots of pictures.  :-) 

Monday Mingle - Grandparents

 

THIS WEEK’S QUESTIONS (submitted by Teresa at NanaHood):

1.  If you could switch places for one day with anyone in the world who would it be and why?
2.  What do your children like best about visiting their grandparents?
3. What kind of grandmother do you think you will be (many years from now of course) and are you looking forward to it?

You will have to excuse me in this video.. Mom used to tell me as a child I would talk so fast my brain couldn't keep up.. I guess this is an example of that.  I make no sense.  Also, the video is out of sync.  YouTube doesn't like me today :(

***Warning!  Excessive Gum Chewing Going On***



Managed to download vid to Vimeo.. no sync issues..


Monday Mingle - Grandparents from Linda Ramos on Vimeo.

Our Day at the Library..

We decided we needed to spend some time just relaxing at the library.  There is a nice park nearby and we could also spend some time there.  What was interesting to me was the girls went through, picked some movies to check out and then they were ready to go.

Imagine their surprise when I told them we were staying.  It was as if I just told them we were spending the day locked up in a room with nothing in it.

This really saddened me.  I loved the library growing up.  It has so much more to offer than movies and a few books.  I was determined to show them.  We headed off to the kids section and I browsed thru some books.  I grabbed a book on horses, cats, optical illusions, and some hidden pictures.. We sat and just browsed thru the pictures .. checking to see if we could see whatever wash hidden in them.  Anna loves animal so she was checking out that book.. She is also really good with the 3D optical illusions. Kate finally showed some interest in some of the books as well as some coloring pics that were set up on the table. 

I left them for a bit to check something out in the adult section.  When I came back Anna was having a Librarian help her search for more books on optical illusions.  They also had a board game area for the kids to play.  We didn’t get to go there though.. Not if they still wanted to go the the park.  I actually  had to tell them it was time to go.  They were finally having a good time. 

Here is a video of them at the park.

A few (ok..more than a few) pics..

 

The girls got hungry so we walked over to the local market and grabbed a few fruits to snack on while waiting for hubby. 

He decided we should go out for chinese..

We ended the evening with Ice cream from Dairy Queen..

I think Kate is getting tired of me taking pictures.. LOL

Homeschooling Goals

This is what I have come up with so far..am I missing anything?  

Subject Goals

Bible

Bible Verse

Study on a Bible Character

Math
Math-U-See - Gamma
Daily Math Drills (Multiplication tables) 5-10 min
Mon - DVD, Page 1
Tues - Thurs - 2 Pages a day
Friday - Test

Language Arts
Prairie Primer - Little House on the Prairie
Read 4 chapters a week

Spelling / Vocab
Choose 2- 3 words from chapter
Look up definition, Prep flash cards
Friday Review all spelling words
Daily Flash Card games

Handwriting
Sentences for spelling words
write out Bible verses

English
Daily Grams - 1 page a day
extra pages if needed for help
Activities in “The Mailbox Language Arts Independent Practice” as time allows

Journal Writing
15 min Daily
Journal prompts when needed

History
Our Nation Under God (Christian Liberty Press)
1 Chapter a month (use like a unit study)
Prairie Primer History as needed
Learn about Connecticut

Geography
States and Capitals drill (5 min)
Track the travels of Laura Ingalls

Science
730 Easy Science Experiments
2-3 experiments a week

Art
Cartooning Book

Music
Keyboard Lessons

PE
Ballet, Tap, Jazz, and choreography (3 days a week)

Life Skills
Daily Chores
Cooking
Health - Growing up

Extras
What your 4th Grader Should Know
Read 1 section a day

Library Day
(maybe 2x a month)
Pick out an Animal (or bug or anything of interest) and Research using Library instead of Internet
Work on a report and / or maybe a creative story

So Far Behind....

I can't seem to catch up.  I am so incredibly behind.  Kate spent 3 weeks here.  It was great.  However, now I must get back to work.  I have so many pics and videos I want to share.. but I can't seem to organize time well.  I don't know how others do it.  So far I have planned a whole month of dinners.. Not really planned what days but just wrote down everything we can make this month with the food we have stock now.  We should only have to get some produce and dairy between now and the middle of next month.  Right now I am going to pull out every single school thing I need to work on.  Going to just dig in and start planning. 

Where did the summer go??

Grossed out dinner..…

Last Thursday was a typical day around the house.  As usual, the girls slept in late.  They were able to spend about an hour in the pool.  Our goal was to have shepherd’s pie for dinner.  After dinner the girls wanted to go to the local pet store.  Kate wanted to see a chinchilla and a flying squirrel.. our pet store has both. 

The dinner got ruined.. thanks to a fly that decided it would be a good idea to land in a pan of ground beef as it was browning.  The fly was not discovered til after I started to transfer it to the baking dish.  That was the end of that idea for us.  We packed up and headed out to get pizza instead. 

After the pizza we went over to the pet store to find that they close at 7.  :(  Sad girls they were.  So we headed over to PetSmart.  However, there are not many to look at there. 

After that we heading to Walmart for essentials..   David had asked if we could pick him up around 9 - 9:30.. but he wasn't answering his text..  His boss makes them silence the phones.. So we sat outside the military gates (subase) til 10pm waiting.  Turns out he had promised to help someone move and was hoping we would wait for his call before we headed out to get him.  Sometimes the cleaning up takes longer then expected.  I have to say.. sitting out there waiting.. I was getting nervous.  He wasn't answering and the worse things were going through my head.  I had no clue if he was in there.. or if he had started walking .. maybe his phone died and he couldn't call us.. ugh.. just bad thoughts.  I was grateful he was fine.  He must have gotten a ride home because I checked his room Sat morning and was in there sleeping.  It is extremely rare for him to make it home. 

After we got home.. we watched Percy and the Lightning Thief.  It was a good 1am before the girls got into bed.  Kate decided she will stay for a 3rd week but that she has to go home after that.  LOL.