59\365 End of February

The day was too perfect to stay at home and do the mundane so we had set out to do "something" and we found ourselves at the Bay Bluffs Park. V and I had visited it sometime early in our marriage so I knew this would be hard for me. Going down was no problem, but the coming back up... Wow, I am so out of shape. But it was worth it, it was beautiful and the kids had a blast. Good way to end a month.

58/365

I've been ignoring this for the last two weeks, and that has to stop.

57/365 One of our favorite places

It's impossible during the summer with the crowds that a hot day brings. People swim in unmarked areas while others race up and down the river on loud jet-skis and boats. The trashy leave behind their trash, often in the form of broken beer bottles and cigarette butts, and parking is at a minimum. But it's not yet summer so even though the broken glass is still there, and even though it's not warm enough to stick our feet in the water, we love it.



Friday - Feb. 26, 2010

56/365 Doctors, again

There hasn't been a day this week one of us hasn't been at a doctor office. To sum up, Monday was my appointment and infusion, Tuesday V had a very minor surgery to remove a small cyst next to his eye, and then yesterday I had my follow-up.

Today sick boy went, even though he wasn't complaining of a thing, and even though he wasn't running a fever. In true L style there was something wrong and it came in the form of strep throat so gruesome looking the doctor recoiled. "He hasn't been complaining of pain?" No, he rarely ever does. He just stops being L when things are bad with him.

At the same time V was dealing with what was now an open wound where the cyst no longer was. It had happened the night before while he was working, and sounded like a gruesome affair complete with pain, swelling, and nastiness. As soon as L was taken care of we were off to the Eye Institute for him to get checked out.

Proof L is not himself, in front of the Eye Institute is a small bridge that passes over a little pond. He stared out at it as we sat, waiting for his dad to return to the car, and all he said was "That is pretty neat." We waited for over 30 minutes, and he just quietly sat there.

You'd think I could do better than this for the pic of the day, but my mind has been elsewhere. There is no picture of the pond, or any of the other things there could have been pictures of.

Just keeping everything crossed we manage break the cycle and have a doctor free day tomorrow.

55/365 It's been a day

Too much time in traffic


yet another Dr. visit for me


and a sick baby boy.

54/365 Killing Time

Twice a week both my boys have speech. The oldest is taken right from his class, but the youngest does drop-in, so I take him and sit while he does his thing. If V is off work we usually both go, because almost always there is something to do right after and it's just easier to go from there. Sometimes we both go sit in the busy school office, other times one of us will stay out in the car. Either way, waiting can suck so time killers are necessary. Today I went with...

53/365 Six hours of my Monday

My appointment with the hematologist was at 9:20, but he was late and there was much waiting before I saw him for all of 2 seconds. He quickly showed me labs then sent me on my way to my first iron infusion to battle the ongoing anemia I am dealing with. I'd attempted to have this done once in a past, but after 3 unsuccessful and painful sticks that involved a lot of digging, and the second girl to work on me just shaking her head and sighing, I'd said enough. Today was better. One bad jab, one successful, and no pain like last time. I know who to ask for now, at least, and who to avoid.

First came steroids, then Benadryl, then the test dose and to see if I would have an anaphylactic-type reaction. Cheery thought.

I read until the Benadryl made me too drowsy, then I just talked with Vaughn. He sat there getting me things as I needed them, making me laugh over silly stuff.

When I didn't attempt to die on them they gave me the big bag. (crappy cell phone pic)


This was my stylish pink wrap to keep my IV secure.


This took place at one of the local cancer centers where outpatient IV chemotherapy services are given. There was a display with wigs and hats, and people came and went, some of which were obviously very, very ill. Most patients who walked in there looked at everyone of us sitting in those recliners and gave each a smile. I returned all smiles and head nods, and said a little prayer for them for whatever battle they were fighting, even if it was just anemia like me. A fearful little part of me fretted this was my introduction to this place and I'd be seeing much more of it. I wish my mind didn't work like that but it does. I didn't dwell on that or let it get me down, I had a bad book to read and a silly husband to chat with, and I'd be damned if I was going to worry over myself there, of all places.

I do go back for at least one more treatment next Thursday, then the doctor will decide if I need more based on labs. I'm hoping this will fix me.

52/365 Getting out

The day was sucking. I actually felt a ton better physically so I did more around the house in the morning, but I felt mopey and sad and couldn't shake it. Finally I decided enough was enough, time to get out and enjoy the spring-like temps. I grabbed my boys and off we went.

Rocks were thrown


Ice cream was had


And then we stopped by a little park where they were the only kids there and much playing and joyful yelling was done. When the light got too low in the evening sky we came home. The outing definitely did the trick.

feb 21, 2010

51/365 PNO

Every month the daycare where L's pre-k is has a parent's night out, and sometimes we make use of this and other times we don't. Despite my sick we did this time because the kids wanted to go. After dropping them off we stopped by Movie Gallery and rented Adventureland, grabbed some Subway, and came home for quiet time. Laundry was also started, because it needed to be done. So while they played, ate pizza, and watched UP we ate our sandwiches, watched our movie, and listened for the dryer to sound the end of a cycle. V kept yawning because he'd worked a 12 hour day. I did some internet stuff because the movie wasn't rocking my world and didn't require my full attention to follow. When the movie was done we dragged our weary selves out to the car, dropped the movie back off by MG we wouldn't forget to return it later, then got our boys. L rushed to the car, G was slower. Both fell right asleep once home, and so did their dad. I wasn't up too much longer myself. Boring = us, oh yes.


Feb 20, 2010

50/365 Sick

Last night the sick fell on me like a rabid dog intent on tearing me limb from limb. No sleep was had, chills, body aches, and a throat so sore I couldn't swallow without a lot of pain kept waking me when I did manage to doze. This morning I did the mommy thing and got the kids off to school, and took myself for some lab work that had to be done. On the way back from that I zoned out twice and both time came to about to wreck. Not good. So I got my mom to drive me to the doctor so they could diagnose me, a chore she seemed to enjoy. I sat huddled over, miserable and tired, and she chatted away about this and that like we were having such a grand time. It was a relief to get back into the exam room. I nodded off in there, the door opening startling me awake. Embarrassing. Diagnosis is strep throat, solution is a z-pack. I sure hope it works.


Feb 19, 2010

49/365 Shrimp Basket

We had been given a GC so it seemed like the perfect place to grab dinner. We were the only customers at the time, though by the time we were leaving more were coming in. The only real complaint I have about the place is the no substitutions rule for the kids dinners, everything comes with fries. Believe it or not there are kids in the world who would pick something other than fries, and for the price of their kids meals it seems like they would allow a little choice.



Feb 18, 2010

48/365 Bikes and Walking

They ride, I walk. And we really need to go ahead and get another big bike instead of waiting for L's birthday. G had traded with him in this shot.


Feb 17, 2010

47/365 So Klassy

46\365 We eat out far too much

The 2003 version of 'Freaky Friday' keeps the boys full attention as we wait for our pizza.

365 Catch-up

45/365 Valentine's Day

Treats from my boys



A treat for the 4 of us. We ordered plain glazed at Krispy Kreme and this is what we got.



and some playtime





_________________________

44/365 Imagination

This is Lucian in his rocket ship



_________________________

43/365 Snow day!!

They were telling us 2 to 4 inches where we lived but I didn't trust them. I mean come on, this is Florida! So when the news started showing snow in lower Alabama I told Vaughn to get his clothes on, we were going. It was awesome! It wasn't much where we went, but it was snow, and we had an unphotographed snowball fight because when you're having fun who has time for pictures?




And that 2 to 4 inches we were to get? Well snow did fall from the sky for a minute or two. If you look really hard, you can see it here!

42/365 Mardi Gras

This haul from the local parade is as close as we get to celebrating it.

41/365

40/365 Clean Carpets

I has them.

39/365 At Home

38/365 Relaxing

It was a very rare day with no demands put on our time. I wish we had more of those, though I suppose it wouldn't be good to spend that much time vegging in front of the TV on a daily basis.

37/365 Saturday there was a birthday party

We drove up 45 minutes East to take part in the celebration, and the boys had a blast. There were ton of kids to play with, a Little Einstein's Rocket Bounce House for the younger kids, bubbles for everyone, and just the general chaos of a lot of children running and playing and screaming and having a great time. And most important of all the 11 year old birthday boy spent the entire party with a big smile on his face.

Inside, away from the majority of the children and despite the crowd, there was discord between the hosts, with little barbs being thrown between the two while everyone pretended not to notice. Adding to the lovely atmosphere that created was a woman who constantly yelled at her 3 year old daughter for every move and breath the child took. Earlier I'd heard her sharing her self-delusions, exclaiming that if she only had more money she would love to have more children, maybe even 6 or 7! "I just LOVE children so much, and I'm so good with them!" Indeed!

When we arrived home my husband greeted us and thanked me for having taken the kids, which was unnecessary but nice. He'd had to sleep because of working nights, so he missed the fun, and he knows that there are time I can't do parties, and times that I can but it's a struggle. My social-phobia/anxiety waxes and wanes, and luckily it had been a very good day for me. And for some reason I can almost always handle something his family does. I think it's the constant chaos that helps, there is never any awkward silence, I don't even have to worry about being introduced to everyone because people just come and go and such formalities are tossed aside as if we all know each other anyway. I never have to worry about my kids behaving because it's pure madness. I just keep myself occupied taking crappy and not so crappy pictures, and then it's time to go.

Photo of the day, which has a long story behind it that can't be shared.

36\365 Friday...

Friday means treasure box at school, sometimes they come home with little toys and other times it is something sweet. When a party is added to the day the sugar ratio shoots through the roof, and it was one of those days for Gus. I love that he will share with his brother without any prompting.

35/365 The Unexpected

We went out for breakfast and Vaughn ordered the link sausage to go with his. It was huge! We were like 12 year olds and kept giggling.



Taken Feb 4, 2010

34/365 Boot Envy

I have it. My friend Janel showed up looking super cute and wearing the most awesome boots. I wish I had her style, and her great figure.



Taken Feb 3, 2010 after a fab girls only lunch/shopping excursion.

33/365 Old

I am. No part of me doesn't show it. And hey, it's not going to get better.



Taken Feb 2, 2010

32/365 Photos Fails

Behind the houses across the street is Locklin Lake. It's not very impressive as lakes go, in fact it's probably the smallest lake I've ever seen, but it comes with all the inhabitants you'd expect in a living body of water and that's pretty cool.

Early this morning we had visitors from the lake and I grabbed my camera and proceeded to totally messed up what could have been a great shot of one of the ducks lifting in flight



then got the focus wrong on this picture of the other little guy perched on my carport and checking me out from behind the tree.




This pretty much sums up my day.

31/365 Lots of smiles

Sunday was a good day of laughing, and just general goofiness. Shot for the day, the boys watching their paper airplanes crashing into the side of the house.