Catch Up!

Wow, seems like forever since I posted. Sometimes life picks you up and shakes you up a little.
I went to bed really late on Tuesday night, about 1. The phone rang two and a half short hours later and it was my sister letting me know Mom was in the hospital, possibly having a heart attack. She had just gotten there and did not have any info yet. Moments later, another call that yes it was a heart attack and serious. I dressed and went quickly.

I did not make it back to bed until last night around 10. I think I may change my sleep habits for just in case. Mom is still in Critical Care. Stabilized but not much more than that because her iron continues to be bottomed out. Nothing can be done until it is 9.6. After two units of blood, it is only 8. She is feeling better today. Probably because we have been surrounding her with laughter that only 4 grown sisters can. We all 4 have the sick sarcastic senses of humor you find in me. ( ; Her blood pressure even came up a little when they brought her flowers from us in.

Please keep her in your prayers. Specifically, I would like for you to petition for:

*A higher iron count-she needs at least two stints and a mitral valve repaired that is leaking. Neither can happen until the iron level comes up.

*The will to get better. She is slowly getting her "spunk" back which as you well know is critical to recovering from a heart attack. (or anything)

*She has no insurance and is constantly worrried about money, pray for her to have peace about it. It is all she talks about and we just want her to focus on getting better. At 63, she does not qualify for medicare or medicaid yet so she is a nervous wreck.

*My oldest sister to realize she does not have to live at the hospital. She is running herself ragged and cannot accept her powerlessness in these circumstances. We would love for her to find God at the end of this journey. And a nap.

*My Darling husband to continue being so wonderful. I am very blessed to have a man who values family above all else.

Posting for the next few days will be sporadic at best. Each day you check and don't find me, pray for the above things. God has a plan in all of this. He works all things together for good for those that love Him. I am clinging to that right now.

A Date...

I went on a date tonight. With Lilly. She had birthday money burning large holes in her pockets. We started, of course, knowing me, at the library. Tuesday is library day and so we needed to return movies. We spent at least 30 minutes there. It was fun. One child is so easy and delightful. Lilly is so easily impressed. I parked in the front of the library and that was enough to make her whole night.

Next stop was Toys 'r Us. We spent alot of time there. I really make the kid's money go a long way. I let her spend $30, $15 of which was a gift card. There were many painful decisions made. She finally decided on a baby doll including a Dr. kit (today's Dr. visit still fresh on her mind??), an archeology dig kit containing a treasure chest, a craft set, and a snorkel set with mask & flippers. Things put back: fake food set, more polly pocket stuff, a wetsuit (??). She was actually the one that said, "That's enough, let's go to Claire's now."

Chic'fil'a(sp??) was the restaurant chosen by my 6 year old date. Kid's meal required. We never get those. I find it is too much food for my little bird-like eaters. Tonight was no exception. We shared fries and I had to coax her through her nuggets.

She chose a cute little denim skirt at Gymboree from the sale rack. She walked out of Limited Too disgusted with their prices and I was right with her!! Last stop was Bath and Body Works where I got her some lotion, body spray and much requested and begged for deodorant. She still has money left over to put into savings and also have a bit of her very own yard sale money, plus offering for church. We had such a fun night.

I will do this next month with Kayla and the next month with Erika. One on one is such a lovely luxury. Lilly especially has such wonderful behaviour after bucketloads of interpersonal communication. I should do it more often.

As we left the mall at closing time she said, "My feet are so tired , Mom. But I am not tired at all." Sure you aren't, honey. I hope we made a wonderful memory in her little 6 year old brain. I know I will treasure it.

Official Weigh-In...

Unchanged. This is a miracle thing. I have been through Bible School snacks every night(have you tried turtle chex mix? mmmm!), two parties and not made the best choices on food things. I am happy to just have no gain.

Busy day today. Visited our favorite Doctor today with Lilly for her yearly check-up. Our Dr. is wonderful and the best part is we don't see her often so she is always very happy to see us. Absence makes the heart grow fonder and all.

Today Lilly starts to officially be a drama queen as we signed her up for some drama classes at our local theatre. I hope she lives up to her calling and isn't too nervous. The first day of her music classes gave her such a case of nerves that she left her lunch in Pizza Inn's bathroom. Now that was some money well spent.

The rest of us may visit our local chocolate store or bakery. After all, I have a whole week before weigh-in...that's the spirit.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK!!

BECAUSE IT IS SOOOOOO TRUE!!!

Fiddledeedee says this at It Coulda Been Worse:

"I’m not a really deep thinker. I don’t know if you noticed that or not. I use to be. But my children have all sucked the really useful brain cells right out of me during breast feeding. I don’t really know if I’ll ever get them back. I’m just sayin’"

Thanks for solving the mystery for me. I wondered what happened. I mean, I used to be smart, once upon a time.

That first picture shows a smile on Lilly Jewel that did not go away all day. She LOVED her birthday in a big grandiose way that only Lilly can. The second pic is the other two with their new great friend Sara between them. In the background are my sister Linda and I showing our family resemblance with the "hands on hips" pose. We also laugh alike. The hot pink shirt I am wearing is one of my bargain 50 cent shirts that has to be ironed. This is probably the first pic of me that I have seen in a while where I don't think "UGH!, Delete, delete, delete!" This either means I am finally accepting how I look, the seven pounds has made a difference, I am in denial.

Now, my good friend Mia (see sidebar links) had this to say about my Lilly and hubby ordered (not really)me to cut and paste and put it on here so we could have a record of it forever. Good idea honey. Forgive me Mia for my copyright infringement...hee hee.

"A Different Kind of Birthday Girl
We went to a birthday party today. It was different. The same things were there that are at the usual parties...cake,candles,ice cream,snacks etc...lots of girls and boys running around having fun. But here is where the different part comes in. The birthday girl, who was turning 6 was the most enthusiastic present opener I have ever seen!! It was so refreshing to see a kid who actually got excited about every package and every card. When I say excited I mean she opened every bag and envelope with wide-eyed wonder. She made every present giver feel like their gift was the most magnificent gift she could have gotten. This was followed by genuine thank you's and squeals of happiness. AND SHE MEANT IT!! Call me an old cynic but I have been to so many kids parties where the birthday boy or girl opens gifts with a lethargic "I've seen it all and have it all you can't impress me attitude" Only then to toss each present aside hoping the next one would be bigger and better. Her face full of sheer joy and surprise at the gifts she received really made my day. Now that's twice in one week that this family has blessed me! Happy Birthday Lilly!!!!!"

Don't you just love it when someone else praises your kids. Even though Lilly has been singing just as loudly as always this morning as she makes her way through the house like the little Tasmanian devil that she is, I'm seeing her through Mia eyes and I know she is really just loving life.
Thanks Mia.

24

After many months of waiting, I finally was able to check out Season 1, Disc 1 of the TV show 24. I finished watching the first 8 episodes last night and I AM HOOKED. What a great show. I knew it was because Rush likes it. I believe Rush only likes the best since he is Bill Gates rich. He has all of is clothes dry-cleaned, even T-shirts. He isn't going to watch a mediocre TV show. So after upteen seasons, dear hubby and I are finally getting on board. At least as often as we can get them from the library.

We shall be returning the first disc soon if you are interested.

It is getting cooler and I am soooooooo happy!! We are not spoiled by any means as we keep our AC on 72 usually, with occassional dips down to 71. But last night was a hot night and very hard to sleep. Our windows are either painted shut or not the opening kind. I am a cover freak meaning I must have a blankie under my chin to sleep. Last night I was not in my customary Tee and plaid PJ pants, had no covers, and kept flipping my pillow to the cooler side every 2 minutes. WAH!!

RANDOM & ODD CATCH-UP

*Last night of Bible school and I am very glad. Since I have been teaching the little ones at church as well as the little ones at Bible school, I am pretty burned out on little kiddos. 2-5 is a trying time. Tough ages. If you don't remember, offer to babysit for a friend with kids that age. You will not only be her new best friend, but you will recall these forgotten toddler/preschool games: Hold yourself and need to go potty(This is only slightly more fun than go squat in the corner for a minute and come back smelling like the abomination that is solid food toddler poop.), Ask questions until the grown-ups head explodes, hug in a full run right into the stomach of a grown-up, as you watch the tears well up and spill over, say I wuv you, teacher.

*I had a wonderful visit with Mia I remembered why I love her so much. We had delightful fun and the kids played very well together. It was like not having kids for a while. We chatted about all the parallels of our lives and just had wonderful chatter. We enjoyed live conversation, not just blog reading and how much better it is. Which led to blogs. We discussed the fact that Hula girl should write a column or something. She has a gift. Every entry is great. And she is pretty. And skinny. Did I mention I hate her? Good because I don't. She was a bright star in my scout years.

*Gave Tobilicious a bath today. I was cleaner that he was at the end, but he smells much better. He had gotten into something gross and smelled really bad. I liked him better as a housedog. Sort of.

*I refereed 10,000 fights before AC was fixed and I could finally get around to making lunch.

*I am lamenting the fact that all of my new yard sale clothes require ironing. No wonder they were so cheap.

*I may have witnessed the fact that my daughter has a crush on an unexpected someone. I hate entering this stage of life. I thought I knew all of her crushes but the huge smile she had on her face while watching this guy was a dead give-away. I suppose she and I will have to have a little talk about keeping a poker face. Perhaps she will be able to master it. I never have.

I am sure there a more things, but think I will shower and rest up for the last night of VBS.

WARNING!!!

Be very careful when weedeating around your air conditioning unit. It is possible to cut a wire which will render your unit useless. This will cause a repair that will be very complicated. Much troubleshooting and sweating in the land. God might possibly have mercy on your soul and send a stormy day breaking the heat a bit, but it will still be a hot and sweaty day. Attics are no fun on those days.

I would love to post more, but as I am hotter than a $2 pistol, I shall stop now!!