SO...here I am again about three months behind with this whole process. 

 

Put up a ghetto pool a couple of week ends ago.

 

 

 

Thought the ground was "level" but not so much.  The neighbor (who rarely does more than nod or complain that I mowed) decided to stand there and offer up his opinion on the process the entire time and needless to say I lost focus.  That and the fact that Abby wouldn't nap, the boys are not great workers and Jay had never done this kind of thing before.  Its off...at first by 2 1/2 inches...now by close to four inches and two sides are a lot higher than the front or back.  It holds close to 10,000 gallons of water, so the lean on the back side has us a little nervous.  The plans are to drain it and try again...maybe this coming weekend.  Funny thing is....we put up a pool and we haven't hit  a high of 90 degrees since.  Its even been as low as 57 degrees at night.  Ultimately, if this turns out to be something we use, the goal is to save for an inground.  Perhaps DREAM is a better way to word it. 

 

Abby is growing fast...unfortunately I don't take many pictures but here is one from my phone (yes she is wearing a dress...)

 

 

Andy and Austin will be leaving again this weekend for an extended visit with their dad.  I never look forward to these times away from them.  Work is pretty much the same.  Other than that not much is happening.  Hope all is well with you.

 

 

...that pretty much sums it up.

I am currently preparing my case for court on Wednesday.  I will be representing myself against my ex husband in regard to a petition he filed to modify visitation with the boys.  Without getting into the ugly details of it all, I will go on to say that I am an absolute basketcase.  I have not slept in three nights (and I still have two more to go), and I am getting an Internet crash course on divorce and custody law and the trial process in general that I never intended to take.   I am not saying that all attorneys deserve the fees that they charge; however, it is a lot of work.  I am also learning that there are some things that people in this situation really need to learn up on; its best to arm yourself with as much information about the law as you can even if you are paying for a top notch attorney. 

 

If I manage to get through this alive (he has an attorney and I expect she will try to eat me alive) I can honestly say I never want to do it on my own again.  I would not be, however, opposed to going to law school to be a lawyer (if I weren't already so old and broke) and doing this for a living.  Of course I say this BEFORE the verdict is in....I might change my mind after I lose miserably in court.

 

Wish me luck, pray for me, burn incense, chant, do voo-doo....what ever it is that you do to send good vibes....put it out there for me; I think I am going to need all the help I can get.

 

 

A couple of weekends back, we took Abby to a charity event for our local Children's Hospital.  It was at a local stable/ranch that is owned by the sister of a very dear friend of mine; unfortunately the boys were away for the weekend, but we might look into the trail rides.  (Thanks KM for the heads up on this one!)  When we got there Abby was of course more interested in the barn cat (nevermind that there are six cats at our house) and later spent twenty minutes "discussing" the chickadee that was hanging out in the barn rafters.  Ultimately, she was able to get up close and personal with a horse....

 

 

She really seemed to enjoy it; and of course I had to tease her about not getting "peed and pooped" on if she walked under it; so she thought that was pretty funny.  She held onto the reins, rather than the saddle horn...I was just glad she didn't try to stand up in seat.  She is known to be quite the dare-devil. 

 

 

Hopefully she doesn't ask for one for Christmas...    (Thanks Mrs. Harkness for the photos!)

 

Hope you all have a great day!

...more pukin.  Abby came home from daycare last friday with a virus, and ended up throwing up both Saturday and Sunday.  She went to school half a day Monday before they called to say she had the other end working overtime.  It irritates me that they inform me she can't come back for 24 hours; but when one little boy in her class had sores on his hands from the Hand Foot and Mouth episode, they said he had already infected people.  Either way...we stayed home by default the next two days because I had it.  Jay got hit, but not hard and early (3:15 am) this morning - Austin was stricken.  Andy was at a friend's house and is now on a personal quest not to breathe our contaminated air.  I did my best between stomach crapming today to disinfect the entire abode; but I have yet to tackle the boy's room.  I hope for Andy's sake that it skips him; and as bad as my stomach hurts makes me sad for little Abby.  Sorry folks no pictures to post for this one.  8-)

 

To top this off, some cook books I ordered came today and with everyone feeling "green" - and not in the KM Harkness, make the world a better place way that I so admire - I can't even think about trying any of the recipes.  I don't think I could stomach the preparation and no one would even bother to eat it.  8-(

 

Hopefully we will all be feeling better soon because I was outside for a bit after Jay got home and noticed the trees are budding.  I think we all need some consistently "good" weather.  One up side to this illness for me - I started a diet this week; can't help but think I am losing weight as I write this.  8-)

 

Hope you all stay well!

We repeated our process Tuesday morning for the second effort at knee surgery.  The procedure was scheduled for 10:30 am and we were instructed to arrive by 9 am...why they can't keep all the same information is beyond me.  We arrived early, since I was now an old pro at the parking deck adventure and were  wisked up to the Pre-op area - all the while holding our breath and waiting for the "bad" news.  They took his vitals and he passed...the surgery was a GO!  However.....the advocate (man there are a lot of people milling about in hospital attire and it seems most of them are not medical) came to give us the time line/rundown/what to expect.  She told us we were scheduled for 11:30 am......   UH?!? WHAT?!? WHOA!!!  BACK UP.....  apparently they don't schedule properly (or communicate...take your pick) between how the room rotation works and the actual time slots.  So we reserved ourselves to the additional wait time and did exactly that....wait.  Dr. Traina came in and drew on his leg, explained the procedure, etc...the putter underer guy came and talked to us...the nurse talked to us and at 10:40 am they came to get him for OR.

 

 

I went to the cafeteria for a hamburger and rice crispie treat (YUM) and upon my return they informed me that the procedure started at 11:02 am.  At 11:50-ish, Dr. Traina came out to tell me the results.  He had a small cartilidge tear that they removed.  He has damage to the back lining of the kneecap, from the knee cap sliding out and making contact with the bone, that cannot be repaired but will hopefully not cause him major concern.  He trimmed the outer edge of the tissue that runs over the top of the kneecap and basically holds it in place, in hopes that it will not be forced by tension to slip out of alignment again.  If this occurs again, major surgery will be required.  As in 4-5 days int he hospital, a month on crutches, a hard-hinge brace for 4-6 months and up to a year of therapy. 

 

 

He has done well.  He has not required much pain management medication and went to the post-op appointment today.  He was given the go ahead to shower (YEAH) and starts PT next week.  We go back in three weeks to take another look at it and he will be wearing an elastic knee brace for the next several weeks.  Hopefully that will be the fix and he can refrain from "wrasslin" with his uncle. 

 

Hope you all are having a good day! 

We arrived at the hospital, fought with the new mammoth parking deck and ten mile walk to registration...waited in line like it was a Walmart....walked another mile to the surgery waiting area and waited our "turn."  A nice lady came to take us back to the pre-op area and Andy got into his designer PJs (they gave him two....so his butt was covered.  I tried to tell him that back in the day....when I was a kid...you only got one gown and it opened in the back for all the world to enjoy!)  The tech took his vitals, and since he was complaining he didn't feel well and was hot and shivery...I shouldn't have been suprised when a nurse came over to verify his temp.  She took his tempurature again and told us she would have to call the doctor...this is where it gets ugly.  Apparently the nursing staff isn't required to READ the numerous HIPAA flyers that we are required, as patients, to sign verifying we understand, because once the doctor called her back not only did she insult us by mispronouncing our surname incorrectly and then saying "or whatever it is...." but advertised Andy's situation to everyone in the waiting area.  What a stupid little troll.  After speaking with the doctor she came over to tell us the procedure was cancelled and that the doc would be there in about ten minutes to talk to us.  Oh yippee.  Dr. Traina came up and explained why the procedure was being rescheduled....which I already had a good grasp of...and didn't seem the least bit concerned about our experience with the loud mouthed nurse.  Frustrating.  Now that Andy is feeling better, we will be attempting the whole thing again tomorrow - 10:30 am.  (Well we have to be there at 9 am - but that goes without saying.)  One good thing did come out of it though.....I got to eat a rice crispie treat from the hospital cafeteria!  BOO-Yeah!!!!!  I will let everyone know how it went the next time I update.  Have a good one and wish us luck.....

On January 1, 2008 at approximately 12:20am, Andy decided that it would be a wise decision to attempt to lift his uncle in a wrestling move and injured his knee.  We went home, iced it and waited until later in the morning to visit the ER (no I was not going to the ER on New Years Eve....right after midnight...are you insane?).  We got Xrays, visited the doctor, got an MRI, visited the specialist, did therapy at home and voila on Wednesday, February 27, he was released with no restrictions.  I know what you are thinking.....today is Friday, February 29.  This morning in PE, first hour, he wrecked it again.  The school nurse called, I called the specialist, I picked him up and to the Dr. we went.  He is scheduled for out patient orthoscopic surgery on Friday, March 7, 2008.  Not sure how I am feeling about all of this....got a few mixed emotions about getting a full, unrestricted release two days prior to being scheduled for surgery.  REALLY struggling with the fact that we are currently being forced to use his "step-mom's" insurance as primary which has us nicely pigeon holed in to 5 available doctors and virtually no room for a second opinion (whereas, my insurance is open to all 16 orthopedic specialist in our immediate area alone....).  Frustrated that you can't tell a 16 year old anything.  And worried about the upcoming surgery.  My children have fortunately had no reason to be put under for anything...its a little overwhelming.  Alas...that is the start of my weekend.  Hope you all have a good one!

We had to put Ellie down last night; she took a turn for the worse.  Abby keeps asking about her, so that is hard.  I have to thank my vet staff though...they make a horrible situation as tolerable as possible.  I couldn't have asked for a more supportive group of people to help me though such a heartbreaking event.  We will miss you Ellie....

....thing.  Nothing new here.  Posted some newer pictures of the kids.  Andy is driving now.  Scary.  Seems all kids these days think that because they beat Project Gothem on XBox that they are pro drivers.  He is looking for a job; but seems to have unrealistic expectations.  Austin is doing well in school, for the most part.  Abby is...well....Abby.  She keeps us all entertained.  Her lastest favorite movies are "Shawn of the Dead" and "Fido."  If you aren't familiar with these look them up on www.imdb.com   And yes she really is only two years old.  Ellie, our family dog, is not doing well.  We aren't expecting that she will last much longer.  I have promised the boys (and Ellie) that she will pass at home rather than stress her with a trip to the vet to be put down. (As long as she doesn't start to suffer or feel pain)  She has never liked the vet's office and I don't want her last vision and experience to be that bright, cold place.  She has a lot of heart though...I really don't know how she has keep going these last two weeks.  She has been a good dog and I could never have asked for a better companion.  She has done a great job of taking care of her family.

 

I'm not going to bother promising to post more often; because my track record speaks for itself.  So....until next time.....I wish you all the best!

...so I suck at this whole blogging thing.  Seems I barely have time to shower (which I have been told is a priority) let alone update a website on a regular basis.  Things have been pretty much the usual around here.  Boys are growing, Abby is growing, and everything else is lagging.  Andy turned 16 and is driving.  Austin is 13 now and Abby is 2 (which we all know means that she has found her voice!)  We lost one of our cats a couple months back.....he got sick and we had to put him down and Ellie, our 12 year old Lab, has seen better days.  Still have tons of home improvements to do....go figure....and work is work.  I will try and add photos when I am at home with the camera....in the mean time I have uploaded one of Abby that I forwarded to my work computer via email.  Enjoy.

 

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

 

J

Been awhile.   Super busy and things going on.  Here are the kids....I want to post pictures of the Miata someday too, but I don't know if I am organized enough to do that.  Maybe organized isn't the word I should use....disciplined.  Hope all is well.  Take care.

Sorry it's been so long between postings.  Between the holidays, a couple brief illnesses and work, I am pretty much running in circles.  I'm hoping that I can sit down and put something together soon and post some more pictures; but I ask or forgiveness in advance...since it might not happen.

 

J

Yeah!  The roof is done!  We spend the bulk of the weekend working on it, and wrapped it up on Sunday afternoon.  An extreme relief to say the least.  We got caught in a pretty good downpour on Friday and had to stop early, the roof leaked some and the winds pulled a couple of the fastened shingles off...but nothing as bad as it could have been.  It started raining last night and looks like it will continue through a portion of the week; so I guess you could say we got it done just in time.  They are even forecasting snow within the next week or so.....yeah whatever.

WOW....our plate has been full lately.  Andy and Abby had birthdays last week.  Its hard to believe that Andy is 15, Austin is 12 and Abby is already a year.  The time just goes faster and faster. (pics) 

 

 Then we, or rather I....decided that we just could not wait any longer for the roof project, so on Saturday (Oct 28) Andy and I started tearing off the old roofing.  Josh, a friend from work came over and helped and by the time Jay got home at 5:30pm we had all but a relatively small section left to do.  Jay tore off the rest and we called it a night.  On Sunday, Jay, Andy and I climbed back up there and started replacing rotten boards and papering the front.  (would have had pics but we were too busy)  On Monday the forecast threw in a wrench and predicted rain for the evening.  Andy and I climbed up in the gusting wind and fought with two huge tarps (one was 20x40) and attempted to cover the bare wood. I about got pitched from the roof in the chaos that ensued...a tarp acts much like a parasail in the wind. Incidently...it didn't rain.  Yesterday (Tuesday) was Halloween, so we skipped working on it so the kids could have some fun (pics) and now I am going to continue to stress about getting the rest of the roof on.  Maybe one of these days I will learn to NOT do these projects myself....but I doubt it.

 

Enjoy the new album...though there doesn't seem to be as many pictures as there should be.  Picking up the camera constantly slips my mind until after the event is over. 

 

If you aren't doing anything this week...feel free to stop by and help me with the roof project.  Or you can just stop by and laugh at me going up and down the ladder with my eyes closed....I absolutely HATE heights.

 

Take care.

 

 

Man this has been the week from hell!  We started off with Abby catching the stomach flu from her grandpa on Monday and escalated to the rest of the family having it on Wednesday....all at the same time.   Not a pretty thing.  We have one bathroom...do the math.  Andy got screwed; because Monday was his birthday, so we haven't been able to celebrate; however, he is being a really good sport about it.   I imagine though that next year he will be very interested in turning 16.  We are all starting to get back to normal, so after this weekend (the boys will be with their dad) we will have his "special" birthday dinner of his choice.  Not much point in eating at your favorite restaraunt just to puke it all back up. 

 

Not much else is new....and I think that this was more adventure than I need in an entire year.  (And if I have to call this an "adventure" I obviously need to get out more!!)

I made a couple of photo albums....sorry for the lack of updates and input.  Not much has been going on around here.  Abby had her first illness last week and I ended up missing work to take care of her.  Boy was she crabby!  Fortunately she is feeling better thus we are all in better spirits.  She goes into her day care program the first week in December, in the meantime we are getting help from Grandpa, Mimi and Aunt Shirley.  I think she will enjoy daycare....she is quite the busy body.  She is running all over the place so I think she will be able to keep up.  Hopefully I will be more proactive with the updating...but don't hold your breath.  8-)

 

The obvious stuff -- well thats obvious.  Everyone should be effected by September 11.  I am not so naive to think that everyone is; but honestly, unless you live in a cardboard box, have no family and are one angry at the world human being...it shouldn't take much effort to relate to the pain 9/11 caused the victims.  Be them survivors or family or friends.  Either way, when I had to stop and think about what made a difference this anniversary more than the others (especially when, duely noted, that myself and my loved ones were physically unharmed and safe despite the ordeal) I realized a couple of things 1) I am emotional and 2) I feel that its too easy to forget.

 

I am emotional.  I could blame it on hormones (Abby isn't a year old yet so I am sure there are still some floating around in there) but I rather think its the pure effect of HAVING another baby and realizing how much they depend on you, and how easily someone or something can rip that from you.  I realized that much of the fear and anger and saddness I was feeling yesterday was a repeat of how I felt in 2001.  My boys were 7 and not quite 10 years old at the time.  They were at school (in fact so was I so I didn't hear about most of the days events until after the fact) and every part of me wanted to go and rip them out of their classrooms and just hold them.  (Anyone who has kids, especially boys, knows that at those ages....holding is NOT an opiton!)  I cried for every parent that lost a baby that day...be it a child or an adult.  I cried for every child that lost a parent.  I was angry that someone would have the audacity to hurt people like that.  I was fearful that around every corner we would experience an attack. 

 

I am still angry.  I am still saddened.  And honestly, I am still fearful.  I have gained the same complacency that most of the country has regarding terrorist attacks.  We had so many "reports" of possible action, and so many terrorist threat level changes that I feel like its nothing less than crying wolf.  So now what happens when the real attacks come again....and they will.  Crazy people (and I know crazy people) don't give up.  I am fearful that in our complacency we will lose touch with the reality of our losses that day.  These are not things we should only remember once a year. 

 

I visited a tribute page http://www.legacy.com/Sept11.asp  and read numerous articles about the events of that day and the events scheduled for the memorials services.  It was like I was watching a train wreck; I just kept pouring over the information when I already knew the painful outcome.  And I cried.  I thought about all these people who lost loved ones with no one having to stand accountable.  As I read names off the site, and saw entire families wiped out -- Dad, Mom, children -- at the hands of people who felt righteous and holy for their actionsit angered me beyond words.  And yet.... September 11 is still not a national holiday.  And yet.... Bin Laden is still at large and making threats.  And yet....we are losing our young men and womenin a war in a country that has openly stated they no longer want our "assistance."  And yet....we go on with our yesterdays, our todays and our tomorrows...

 

I am all for healing.  I am all for moving on.  I am not at all for forgetting. 

OK OK...I got some crap today for "playing" with a personal site....something I never thought I would do.  So as an added effort, I am going to add some pictures...mostly of Abby, until I manage to take some others.  Gee......