Some randomness

A stack of dessert plates, believe it or not. I couldn't resist.

Napkins. Macro is so much fun!

Post happy...

Yes, I posted many things today. For some reason, I have been very awake! I like it! Especially since it happened without my medication. Not only have I posted the pieces below, I have also cut down a tree that was growing from under my house and had gotten out of control; planted tomatoes and marigolds in the raised bed my DH lovingly added top soil to several days ago (it finally dried enough); and I put away all of Little Pirate's and Mr. Rebel's clean clothes (took an hour but it involved removing winter clothes as well).

Tomorrow's goal? Finish drilling holes in the treated timbers for the new raised bed, sink the rebar, and fill with soil; finish putting all the clean laundry away; and tackle the kitchen! Let's see how everything goes. Hopefully, I haven't aggravated my right hamstring, which got pulled on Saturday from rebuilding the rock walls for the front garden beds so I could plant my petunias and alyssum. Oh, well. I'll find out in the morning.

Goodnight, All! Happy Gardening!

Beautiful...

These were taken a few days ago but I didn't get to them until this evening. My youngest, Little Pirate, was chasing this butterfly all the way home from the bus. It finally landed, once I got L'il P to quit scaring it, and the photo op proceeded.

I have no idea what kind of butterfly it is, just that it is beautiful. Mon@rch (Tom) please feel free to comment on what I am looking at!

I have been...

..playing with my editing program. I discovered a few things that I think I like!

Feeding my flag addiction...again...

A Memorial Day flag . . .

Someone was playing with my camera...

A few weeks ago the 17 y/o took his girlfriend to prom. Since they were all dolled up, I decided that we would go to the river front park near the dance hall. While getting them posed for pictures, my husband decided to play with my camera since it was already on the tripod, with the settings ready to go. I think I will enter this into the contest this summer when I take my down.

For someone who is scared of my camera, he sure does take great pictures!

The end of a chapter...beginning of the book

Last night Chef's (my 17 y/0) girlfriend graduated from high school. It was a wonderful ceremony and one of the shortest graduations I have ever attended. Her graduating class made history in their city, by being the last Senior class to attend the old high school AND the first Senior class to attend the new high school (a mid-year move!). As a little part of their celebration the entire class decided to go outside to the new track and toss their caps together. It was a wonderful sight and a fantastic picture. I wish I could show you the entire photo, so you could see their faces and the joy they feel but this will have to suffice.

School Art Show

Just thought I would share a photo that Mr. Rebel (my 9 y/o son) took for his school's art show. He tried for several days to get a good photo with his camera and did well. However, he wanted a macro shot, '...like Mommy...' So, he got to play with my camera. This is the bumper of a crash guard on a very big dump truck.

Messing with my sunglasses...

Happy Birthday to me...

Well, I turned 30 yesterday. I think I am okay with it. I had a great day. My SIL, my older brother's wife, came over to drop off information for a girl scout craft I am doing with my niece's troop (we're making jewelry!) and we talked for a bit. After dropping the 19 y/o off at work I stopped at the store to get a few more things for dinner and ran into my SIL again! We ended up talking for almost 2 1/2 hours! In the store!!! It was great.

After finally getting home, I turned on the oven to get started on my birthday cake. Several months ago I decided that since I was turning 30, I was going to make it fun. So, I did this...

What do you think? Me? I think it looks so ugly that it's cute! Hahaha! I had such a great time making it! When I started to put the icing on that cake, of course, started to pull apart. I called my DH tell him about it and could hardly talk for laughing so much! It really is an easy cake to create...you just have to use the right cake mix! I wanted a Carrot Cake and it calls for yellow, which of course is denser than the carrot. Overall, I had a blast! I remember my mom making me these really fancy cakes as I was growing up. It was kind of cool to be able to make one myself!

If any of you want to try it out, or see what it was supposed to look like, here it is. Hope you have a blast!

Tulips

Stained glass

I took this photo around this time last year. It is a super-macro photo of stained glass.

Some color...

Textures

Since I was thinking dandelion . . .

A favored flower...

It seems that the dandelion is a favored flower with the children in my family. My brother and SIL, along with their two sons, came for a visit the middle of April. My two younger boys and their cousins enjoyed the time they had together. My youngest nephew, Crumbgrabber as his mother calls him in blog posts, found delight in the MANY dandelions that grow in my yard.

Hair

Well, after almost 5 years, I did it. I had a major cut done to my hair.

About five years ago I had old color and damage taken off the length of my hair. By the end of the salon visit, I had a pageboy cut. During the ensuing years I have had trims that involved only a dusting of the ends to cuts that took off six inches (I cried and needed a supportive hand during those visits). Last Saturday I followed through with what I had been thinking of for almost 2 months.

When I walked inside the salon, I could easily sit on my hair. When I walked out...it hit me at my bra strap. Over 1 foot of hair came off my head. Turns out it wasn't as traumatic as I thought it would be. Jim (my hair guy) was great! I have been going to see him for over 6 years. He made me promise when he cut my damage off at the beginning, and found out I was going to let it grow, that I would always come to him for trims and upkeep. He loves long hair and wished more women would let their's grow, so I was in no danger of him cutting off too much. He also made me promise that, when the time came, I would return to him for the big cut. March 1st was it. And like every other time I have gone in, I had to stand. The only difference? This time he didn't have to get on his knees to do the trimming.

Many associates near him stopped their work and watched. They all have kept an eye on my length over the years and were shocked that 'that was THE day'. I like it, though. I can still pull it up. It still moves. Best of all...I have my CURL back! I had so much hair that I was BARELY wavey.

I would just like to thank my SIL, Dana. When I made the decision to let my hair grow and to do it in a healthy manner, she was my biggest supporter. My Hair Buddy. Without her constant support for over a year, I would have just shaved my head and been done.

It may seem sappy to many of you to post about a hair cut but for almost 5 years, my hair was my identity. Now, it can be someone else's. I am mailing my pony tail to Pantene Beautiful Lengths, to use in making a real-hair wig for a woman who has suffered from cancer.

So, that's it for now. I know it's been a while but with kids being sick (real sick!) and my DH and I catching something, I just haven't had the energy or desire to do much with blogging.

True Colors

It's unedited and a bit sloppy looking but I love the colors. I don't have enough time right now to work with it (sick Little Pirate and oldest needs a ride to work) but I will later. The colors are true! The sky was amazing that day! Plus, I got to feed my Flag habit...lol!

Update on my 'List of 5...'

Well, if you read the following post you will notice that on my list of '5 Things on my to-do List', I have noted that I need to take my two youngest sons to the doctor. Oh, my...

Mr. Rebel (the 9 y/o) has a sinus infection. Normally, this isn't anything unusual but this time he has such severe pressure in his ears that he hurts all the time. I hurt because I can't just make it go away!He and his little brother are taking the same antibiotic, now. Luckily, he can go back to school tomorrow. He HATES missing science class!

Little Pirate (the 6 y/o) has a sinus infection AND severe bronchitis! It took the doctor less than 3 MINUTES to get him on a breathing treatment after hearing him COUGH! She ordered an X-Ray to rule out pneumonia. Thank goodness his lungs are clear. He has to do breathing treatments every 3 hours for the next 7-10 days and cannot return to school until next week.

We were at the hospital for over 4 hours and then we had to run all over getting the nebulizer for the breathing treatments, lunch, and the prescriptions for both the boys. Needless to say, I am tired, the boys are exhausted and I still have to fix dinner. The oldest needs someone to ride with him up to his girlfriend's house and I didn't even get to work on the house today.

Happy thought? My boys are still able to laugh and play together, no matter the amount of medication that they must take.

My life.

Five things I was doing 10 years ago:

1. Falling in love even more with the wonderful man I was dating (my husband).

2. Falling in love even more with his children.

3. Grieving over the death of my father and grandfather (just over two months apart).

4. Making plans to visit my mom to help pack up the house.

5. Trying to learn who I was.

Five things on my to do list today:

1. In agreement with Dana - Pack up the Christmas decor (I know, I KNOW!)

2. Take my two youngest sons to the doctor

3. Finish editing Senior Portraits for my 17-year-old's girlfriend.

4. Do the dishes! Ugh!

5. Maybe take a nap (up til 2am)

Five things I will do when I am a millionaire:

1. Build a house that will hold my family.

2. Make sure that my mom and grandparents are taken care of.

3. Let my husband stay home with the kids like he dreams of doing.

4. Make sure that my kids are able to afford college.

5. Take my kids on a trip across the country!

Five things I will never wear again:

1. My size 2 wedding dress

2. Maternity clothes

3. Pegged pants

4. Skirts above the knee

5. Bikini (now, a tankini we will discuss.)

Five of my favorite toys:

1. My Black & Decker power scissors (think Singer scissors with a bit more oomph!)

2. My food processor

3. My digital camera

4. My Kitchen Aid Mixer

5. My chest freezer (with four hungry boys, I LOVE IT!)

The five banes of my existence:

1. Living in a right-handed world can be difficult

2. People who think they are owed EVERYTHING without having to work for it

3. Clutter

4. Bills (no, NOT the football team!)

5. Learning how to let my kids make mistakes and NOT fixing them

Five bloggers I'm Tagging:

1. Aunt Martha

2.

3.

4.

5.

(so I didn't have five.)

And this is what happens when you leave a can of soda in a car overnight. A car that gets SNOWED ON! Luckily, it didn't explode!

This is FANTASTIC!!!

More parents need to do this!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080109/ap_on_fe_st/odd_car_ad

Scattered...

Things have been a bit scattered as of late. Family getting sick after Christmas, medical issues with a few people in my house, and sending a Marine to California for 18 months of training. Life is scattered.

I have done a few photo shoots lately. One for a couple that didn't get any taken during their ceremony a few years ago and then Senior Year Photos for my 16 (almost 17) year-old's girlfriend. Oh, THAT was a cold few days!

She wanted snow. We waited for snow. It. Was. FREEZING!!! I seriously thought we were going to have frostbite by the time we were finished! I did get a few fantastic shots. Being such an amateur, I am not that comfortable photographing people. I prefer inanimate objects that can't be disappointed.

So, I just thought I would let ya'll know that I am still lurking.

Snow Cones

The things people eat...

For a while now I have been posting photos only. I have been unsure of what to post.

The first link below will lead you to a page about natural sugar substitutes. Why am I writing about this? Well, I am allergic to chemical sugar substitutes (most people are, they just don't realize it). This site lists multiple options for individuals that cannot have sucrose (regular table sugar) but think that chemical substitutes are their only option. Chemical substitutes are NOT the only option. They just have funding and PR people working for them.

http://life.familyeducation.com/nutrition-and-diet/weight/46764.html

Now, I realize that many people feel that sugar substitutes are wonderful but do they realize what they are doing to their bodies? Diet/Sugar-free products claim to not have any, or very little, calories. That is because our bodies cannot process the drug, at least it SHOULDN'T process it. Everyone is different and there are many people whose bodies DO process the drug. That means they have a caloric intake from it. Not to mention, sugar substitutes make you HUNGRY.

Look, after reading and researching just a little bit you may realize what a danger this stuff is. Sure, you may have to look for a while before you find something else that works for you but why stuff your body full of a drug that is toxic. I mean, some of the chemicals used to create sugar substitutes can actually make formaldehyde!

http://www.mercola.com/2000/dec/3/sucralose_dangers.htm

http://www.holisticmed.com/splenda/

Take a moment...and dream...

Creating again...

A wonderful woman that attended physical therapy with my mother ordered these four Cane Bracelets. She has the same style of cane that these were originally created for so my design would not have to be reworked to fit hers.

Autumn continues...

Autumn...

Landmark No More...

I had never been inside this building, with it's rundown exterior and sad, gaze-less windows. I did not know the original purpose of its structure, its calling in the world. All I did know about this building was that it always had the most beautiful mural on the outside walls. They have faded over time and, to some, lost their appeal. To me, I loved to disappear into another world, an Eden, where you could be anything, anyone. I loved to imagine that our world looked like the murals on these walls. . .

Unfortunately, the doorways to another imagining were torn down today. I did not get there fast enough to capture forever the whole view of the fantasy world I love to escape to. Just one lovely, forested waterfall still struggling to flow, trying to hold on to a time long lost. Hopefully, the few moments of time that I managed to capture will be enough. Hopefully, I will not forget the joy and release those worlds brought me for so many of my still-young years.

Sunday morning...

Last night was beautiful...

Grandma's Maple

Hello, Deer...

Traditional Medicinals ©

Oh, okay. So I forgot to put this in my first post of the day.

DH and I went grocery shopping last night. In the second store of the evening, as we passed the organic foods section, I noticed they had boxes of tea. Upon closer investigation I discovered it was almost the entire line of Traditional Medicinals© herbal and organic teas. I have a box of the Nighty Night tea that my mom gave me a while back. I love it! I didn't think it would really do anything different for me but after a few cups I noticed a difference. It really helped my calm down and get ready for a good night's rest.

I don't usually promote things like this, as it may tend to bug some people, but I encourage everyone to browse their site or look for it in the stores. One of the great things is they have several teas that are Fair Trade Certified. I will stumble all over it if I try to explain what that is, so just click the link and enjoy. They do a much better job of telling you what Fair Trade does for the farmers.

For those that want just a straight link to the website, here it is. Explore and enjoy!

Oh, and DH bought me two boxes! He knew I was almost out. He is such a sweet man.

Today I went to rehab with Mom. She is doing so well! Of course, she is exhausted by the time she gets finished but the therapists are thrilled with her progress. Guess what?! Thursday I took her to the store to get her out of the house for a bit and she WALKED for 45 minutes! She hasn't been able to walk a store like that in over 6 months! I am so proud of her!

For those that sent me encouraging vibes in dealing with my migraine, I thank you so very much. Ewokgirl, I will be checking my library for that book. After the experience with Topamax, I am so iffy on going on another medication. I still have my Maxalt, but I don't think I want to get another med in my system right now. Dana, don't worry, okay? It's all good. The worst seems to be over for now. I have gotten through the majority of withdrawal from the Topamax and things have evened out a bit. Granted, my head doesn't feel that fantastic at the moment but we have a storm front moving through. As for Mom...she knows you and G are thinking of her. Her policy is that her kids have lives and families of their own. If it was an emergency, she knows you would be here immediately.

So, abrupt change of subject! The photo shoot for Saturday has been rescheduled. T is suffering from cabin fever and wants to spend time with D for a change. No books, no stove, no chefs. We have things penciled in for Nov. 3, which will be interesting since that is my oldest's birthday. Oh, well. It will work out. If we get lucky, maybe it will have snowed by then. Can you just imagine those shots?! Oh, I can hardly wait!

Migraines & Mom - Part 3

So, mom is home now. She is going to have rehab 2-3 times a week to keep her knee moving. So far she is doing well. We went out to one of her churches on Sunday (She came home on Saturday) for a wedding. She did not officiate because she wouldn't have been able to stand that long. However, she had another pastor coming anyway and he performed the service. It was wonderful. The groom owns a flower shop, so of course there were flowers everywhere! They were just gorgeous. The bride wore a tea-length, autumn brown satin dress. It was beautiful.

One of the blessings during the wedding on Sunday evening was that it was my first afternoon/evening without a migraine. I had one that morning that was taken care of with my medicine and time. Thankfully, I was able to function through it. Since going off my Topamax, I have been in a constant state of migraine. One long period of pain. I was finally able to describe the pain to my husband. It feels like someone is shoving a pike into my skull and using a blade to scrape the thinnest layer of skin off my scalp. ...Lovely...

My pain tolerance has increased, though. I seem to be able to handle the...geez, what can I call it?...symphony of pain, I guess. My worst day was Saturday, September 29 (?). The 16-year-old took his girlfriend to Homecoming at the high school and I was the driver. We drove the 30 minutes north to pick her up and take pictures with friends before dinner. On the way to drop them at the restaurant, my migraine hit - HARD. I faked a smile and a laugh expertly. Since they were eating just a few minutes from the rehab center Mom was at, I was going to see her until they were finished. I stopped to get some food and, in tears, drove to the center. I could hardly see by the time I got to Mom. I tried to eat but it was like cardboard in my mouth. I curled up on Mom's bed and slept for over an hour before the kids called to be picked up. I, again, faked the smile and laugh all the way to the house - I had a young lady who's hair was in need of repair. I then drove them to the dance. After I left the school, I had to call my husband. My head was causing me such agony, I had to have him talk to me just so I could make it home. When he got me in the door, he was prepared - medicine, water, wet washcloth, bed - all ready to go. I was helpless, couldn't function on my own at all. I seriously thought I was going to be able to get over this in a few hours and then pick up the kids and take them to the bonfire party at a friend's house. I woke up at 2:30 a.m. when my husband came home from taking the teenager's girlfriend home from the bonfire.

After sleeping until 8 a.m., I awoke still suffering from the migraine. It didn't go away until almost 1p.m., when we left for my MIL's birthday party. That was a rough 18 hours.

I am hoping that I can keep the migraines under control through the weekend. I have a photo shoot with a couple on Saturday and Mom has church on Sunday. The photo shoot is going to be a blast! It is my husband's best friend from high school and her life-partner. They did not have any formal photos for their ceremony (I think it was a year ago?) and would like me to do an album for them. They loved the photos I did for T's culinary portfolio assignment and my oldest's senior pictures, so they are thrilled I am going to do this with them. I got paid in CAKE when I did T's culinary shots. I wonder if I can get BROWNIES this time. Hubby LOVES brownies. See? You don't have to get money...bartering is fantastic! I just love that T is in culinary school!

This is one of the water lilies my MIL has growing in her Koi pond. Every time I have been over there, the lilies are closed but at her birthday party they were open and beautiful. This is an unedited photo, right down to the little bug on the petal. Lol!

Migraines & Mom - Part 2

For Dana - I completely agree about the food Mom has to be eating but from she says, it is pretty decent. They give her fruits and vegetables that she really likes and that has a lot to do with her weight loss, I believe.

Well, the doctor has taken me off the Topomax. He agreed with my husband, who wanted to flush my pills down the toilet, that this has to stop. So, for the next month the whole family gets to help me keep track of my migraines.

Migraines & Mom

Okay, so Mom had her surgery on her left knee. She is now in a rehab center for a few weeks and is doing very well. Besides her knee healing, she has also lost weight! YAY! This is what we have been waiting for. It is difficult to exercise if you can't walk - now she is starting to lose weight that she has been trying to get off for years.

I am going to the doctor today. I actually have to leave in a few minutes. I just needed to get this out of my system first. My migraine medication, the preventative - Topomax, is causing me so many problems. The good things no longer outweigh the bad. I can't continue with it. My memory STINKS! I am unable to remember things the kids have told me. I don't remember conversations. I can't concentrate on anything - I haven't made any jewelry in so long! I am unable to focus on simple tasks, like cleaning the house. Ugh! It's a monumental feat to get things done. I lost the van in the store parking lot the other day. This wasn't just forgetting the exact location but knowing the general direction to go - I LOST THE VAN! Luckily, my 18-year-old was with me and I just followed him, after I told him I did not remember where the van was.

My system reacts to medication in such an odd fashion. I could only take 1/4 of the dose of Topomax my doctor wanted me to take. I don't like the way I am right now. I don't like forgetting things. I am afraid that one day I will forget to go get the kids or even forget that I have kids.

Am I scared? Yeah. Do I think that another medication is the answer? . . . I don't know. I just want to be me again.

Mom walked today...

I just took a call from my mom. She walked from her bed to the doorway of her hospital room! Of course, she then started to get a little fuzzy from the pain in her knee but the nurses and therapists took care of her. I am so thrilled that she is doing better! The pain had been so bad that she was unable to put any weight on it the day after, like the doctors were hoping she would.

I am going to dinner with my longtime friend Rachel this evening. Plans were that I would meet her at her home but I think I will just meet her at the restaurant. This way I can spend a few hours with Mom at the hospital.

A few days ago...

Mom

Well, Mom had her knee surgery today. She is in a fair amount of pain but that is being managed with the medication they are giving her. After reporting to the hospital before 10 a.m. this morning for check-in, with the anticipation of surgery at 12 noon, she wasn't taken back into the O.R. until almost 4 p.m. It made things rough, having to spend the whole day in the waiting rooms, jumping when the phone rang, hoping the next doctor stepping in was going to be hers. In the end, things went well.

One of the many unique things about today, I had a few brief, wonderful conversations with my SIL's mother. Dana's mom was in visiting and was able to talk with me about Mom when I called to leave a message for her and my brother. She is such a sweet lady! Dana, Mom says to tell your mom, "Thank you."

Another unique moment occurred throughout the day. Aunt Martha took the day off and came to the hospital with us. She brought this fantastic book on photography that she checked out from our local library! Now, the three of us (me, Grandpap, and Aunt Martha) are determined to BUY THAT BOOK! It is full of wonderful information and humor! Plus, I had a blast playing with Pap with it. I would leave the waiting room - he would take it; he would leave the waiting room - that thing was mine! Aunt Martha laughed and giggled every time! Now, if I could just remember the name of that book. Help!

Oh, and the photos posted for today, I took today. The petunia was shot this morning in Grandma's yard while the dew still rested on the petals, before we left for the hospital. The clouds and sun were shot through the glass of the waiting room window (Aunt Martha saw a flag hanging down the street - she humors me - and then we saw this shot).

Night Flag

(due to getting a new computer, I have had to edit this post and repost my Night Flag)

I have a new flag photo. I am thinking of entering it into next year's county fair photography contest. Seems I have a penchant for our nation's flag! It was taken at a local family restaurant by standing directly underneath it while the wind made it whip and curl. It looks like it is just hanging there, gently billowing.

Videos

I am hoping that I can post more than one video on here for you to see. It may not work but we shall see. Animoto is a very cool site. If your video is 30 seconds or less, it's free. Over that and there is a fee. I don't know how much but from the looks of what they can do, I think it would be worth it if you were really trying to get something out there for people to see.

Playing with video

Animoto Video. Thought I would give it a go. Turns out it's really great! I think I shall make a few more!

Speech Evaluation

The meeting with Little Pirate's speech teacher was this morning. She giggled A LOT! She said she thoroughly enjoyed working with him! Most of his vocabulary skills and item recognition are 1-2 years ahead of his age, which is great. He has NO - and I mean NO - problems with conversation skills. This child can talk! It's his blending and some of his verb usage that needs work. She is hoping that with 30 minutes a week, broken up into ten minutes a day with a day off, we should should have him sorted out by the end of kindergarten at the latest.

*giggle* She told me how Little Pirate had to identify pictures. One was of a scholar but he recognized it as a graduate, which lead to a conversation about Isaac (his oldest brother) who just graduated from high school in May, which lead to a conversation about college. Okay. She let him have that one. He has good reasoning skills, she told me. She loves his thought patterns. He absorbs it, processes it, changes it so he can understand it, and then moves on to the next. It's like - Okay, I'm done! NEXT!

The book the picture of the scholar was in is the type that you look through it, get to the end, flip it upside down and go through it the other way. It's a regular paper book (as apposed to a board book) that's about an inch thick. She told me that until Little Pirate, she has never had a kindergartener go through the whole thing! It was like he couldn't get enough of it! She loved it!

I am relieved that he is going to get some help. I was at the end of my rope. I wanted to help him so much but nothing I did worked. I know it's not my fault. Every child is different. I just want him to be able to talk with his friends as he gets older without the fear of getting picked on because of his speech. Kids can be vicious sometimes. Little Pirate is a smart little scrapper and he processes things so fast. He just can't shape his mouth right sometimes. Mrs. E. is going to be a great help to him.

When did they grow up?!

It happens so fast, we never see it coming. No matter how many minutes, how many hours, how many days we spend with them they always seems to grow faster than our hearts want. Mr. Rebel is in third grade this year. Just yesterday he was starting kindergarten and NOW -- *sigh*-- now, he is walking his little brother to the bus stop so HE can go to kindergarten.

Little Pirate has been so thrilled about school but still nervous enough to stick to his brother without a problem. Mr. Rebel is going to be just fine! He really likes his class and his teachers. His homeroom teacher has been waiting for him for FOUR years! LOL!

Before Mr. Rebel started school, the county hosted a summer kindergarten program to prepare students for school. Mr. Rebel's teacher was introduced to his wonderful personality in full techni-color! She handled it with grace! We worked together to help him understand the rules, came up with a reward system just for him (good behavior = 5 minutes of Video Game time at the end of the week) and he had a blast for four weeks. She put a request in at the office that SHE get Mr. Rebel. She checked on him all the time, talked to him during the day, just generally kept tabs on him. Well, she got him! All the teachers are probably breathing a sigh of relief! So far, he is doing well.

Little Pirate is going to be in Speech Therapy. He doesn't like to use his 's' at the beginning of words and he has difficulty with his L's. I have been talking with the instructor since Tuesday (ran into her after a general orientation meeting with third grade teachers). Because my husband and I know Little Pirate has some speech issues and we aren't in denial about it, she has been able to waive the waiting period. I have another meeting with her on Friday morning to go over the results of Little Pirate's evaluation from Wednesday (they evaluate the whole school every year). From there, I should know the extent of work he has to do at home and what he will be doing in school. Technically, he will be listed as being in Special Education because she has to take him out of regular class to go to Speech. She seemed to think I would be worried about that. Oh, well. No big.

Down time...

Okay, so I have been absent from posting for a while. I have been frantically getting the kids prepared to start school, going to the first few events for the marching band the 16-year-old is in, and getting my husband back up on his feet (without a cane).

What happened to my husband? Well, it all happened the weekend my brother and his family came to visit. I take my mom to her churches since driving has become a problem with her knees (more on that later). This particular Sunday, all three of her children and their families were supposed to go to church with her -- yeah, right!!! My alarm didn't go off, running late, husband fetches mom while I am getting ready, she and I then drive out to her churches without my family (no time!) and it's POURING RAIN! Yeah, my SIL Dana had a very exciting ride with my brother. After I left the house, my husband gets a call from one of our sons' friends (he's the one who just joined the Marines). He's stuck in the middle of the rain with a rare first edition book in his back pack -- he needs a ride! Hubby, I love him so much, tells the older boys what is happening, races out the front door --- and jumps off the top step.

To make a long story shorter, he broke a bone in his foot with that jump. Right where the cast wouldn't do him any good. So, since Monday, he has finally been back in his regular shoe. No more walking shoe from the doctor, no more ace bandage, no more cane! Maybe next time he does something like this, it won't take me four days of badgering to get him to the doctor. Luckily, he was on vacation already and spent most of his time with his foot propped up. *sigh* I love having my husband back!

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My youngest started school on Wednesday. It was with mixed feelings that I put him on that school bus. I want him to grow up and be a good, responsible young man that doesn't cling to Mommy...but my house is too quiet!!! *sigh* I like his teacher and get a good feeling from her. I believe he will do well in her class. PLUS, he sits diagonal from her desk! Good spot for him, knowing my son! LOL! His first school paper is on the refrigerator and he already has a friend. His big brother (8) makes sure that he gets on the bus with him and sits beside him to make sure he is not picked on.

Once I work a few other things out, I should be okay to get a part-time job and maybe take a few classes. We'll see.

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Mom's knees...well, there bad. Very bad. No cartilage at all, in either of them. So, on September 20, barring any difficulties or changes in schedule, she is having surgery. The left one first. When that one is healed enough, the right one will be done.

Oh, and I am thieving her purse and lightening that 50lb. back-breaker she carries around! I have already told her this. She said she had to have what is in it. I told her she could keep the crayons -- all grandmas need crayons. The rest is debatable!

Lamp Post (no pun intended)

Several weeks ago, my husband's company had their somewhat-annual picnic (not a traditional thing, but it happens every once in a while). I took my two younger sons and my niece to the playground area that was nearby so that they wouldn't be underfoot. While there I saw so many beautiful baskets hanging from old-fashioned lamp posts. This one had the lake's water fountain behind it. I though it was pretty.

So COOL!

5 Minutes For Mom is giving away an HP Photosmart Compact Printer!! It's a tiny thing, too! Tiny but loaded with stuff! One of the best things...it doesn't need to be plugged into a computer to work-all you have to do is insert your digital camera's memory card and start printing!! If you are like me and have a hard drive full of family pics, you need to check this out! Go on over there and check it out, and leave them a comment!! Even if you don't win, this looks like a great asset to have in your house! Especially if you have a camera addiction!

Migraines & Marines

My migraines have been kicking at me for the last week. I actually had to fill my prescription for my Maxalt. The pharmacy could only give me a partial fill because they ran out of the pills I take. When I went in on Monday to get the rest, they had a call in to the doctor's office to see if they could give me the quick-dissolve strips due to the wait-list for Maxalt tablets. They had placed the call in the morning and I was there at 3 p.m. They were still waiting.

So, what does any self-respecting person do when faced with a frazzled pharmacist who is getting more frazzled by the minute due to the number of prescriptions to fill and this ONE prescription is not getting anywhere? I pull out my cell phone and call my doctor's office! I tell them what is going on and they tell me that my file is on the doctor's desk and that he will get to it when he can...click. Oh - bad idea. My mom, who is with me because we had been to that same doctor's office to pick up x-rays of her knees, takes my phone and calls back. She asks for a certain medical tech that works there and is transferred. After explaining the issue she hands me the phone and says, "Give the phone to the pharmacist." Yes, ma'am! Two minutes later my prescription is on it's way to being filled! Thank you, Uncle John!!!I have no idea how the strips will effect me but I do know that some people have said they leave a bad taste in your mouth.

I did experience a sad thing the other day. Well, sad to me. My younger brother would probably do a happy dance since he had been trying to get me to quit drinking pop for years! My pop separated!!! Ewokgirl said that she experienced this when she was on certain meds for migraines. The syrup and carbonated water seem to separate in the mouth and you can taste them individually. Ewwwww!

A good friend of our sons', and a young man we consider one of our own, has made a decision that has been in his heart for over two years. On Monday, August 20, he leaves for Parris Island to begin Boot Camp for the United States Marine Corps. His MOS will be Computer Avionics (Radar). He will be back just in time for Christmas. The kicker of it? His girlfriend is leaving in September for the Airforce!!! Semper Fi!!!

Ewokgirl asked about me being able to get samples of my medication. Yes, I have gotten samples from my doctor but with my migraines coming more often and with more intensity, he felt it was safer for me to have a prescription on hand, should I need it. Good thing he did because I had no more samples left when my migraine hit the Friday I tried to fill my prescription. At least I was able to get a partial fill that day and the rest on Monday. It all worked out in the wash.

Editing

I haven't really been taking any new photographs worth posting but I have been learning to use Paint.NET. It has been interesting, to say the least. I haven't figured out a lot of the things that most people can do with ease. I have some difficulty running through tutorials that are listed on the website but I think that is mainly from my meds not letting my brain process the information correctly, since one minute it is gibberish and the next I completely understand it. Hopefully, I will be able to work my way through all the functions and options available to me, soon.

For now, here is an existing picture that I played around with.

Photo Editing

Well, I have officially confused myself. Hehehe. Unfortunately, most people that know me would say that it does not take much to do that.

I downloaded Paint.NET the other day and am having a doozy of a time teaching myself how to use it! I figured out how to do black & white photos with a touch of color. I figured out how to use the clone tool a bit.

My goal is to see if I can make a collage. The reason? On the way out to my mom's churches there are a couple old trees that are partially hollow. They actually have a fence running THROUGH them! I am going to get photos of them during all seasons. Hopefully, I can make them into a Four Season Collage. It is just an amazing thing to see. The landowners could have easily cut down the trees but chose to keep them, just running the fence through the existing opening. It's wonderful!

Oh, and if you have any tips on using Paint.NET, feel free to leave a comment. PLEASE!!! LOL!

Edit: Dana asked about my camera having the function to shoot in black and white with a certain color chosen to show up IN color. Yes, it can. I was playing with the Paint.NET program the way I was because I have a bunch of color photos I think would look rather nice in black and white with just a hint of color.

What A WEEK!!!

Family fun has gleefully kept me from posting recently and I don't regret it one bit. My SIL, Dana, and my brother came to visit this past weekend. It was wonderful to see him, again! I have missed him so much and to get to hug him was a gift I can't ever describe with any accuracy. Oh, the hugs! The hugs! Boy, did I get hugs! My two newest nephews, Stickyfingers and Crumbgrabber, were just so willing to give Aunt Jenny hugs! I loved it!!!

Dana brought some beautiful cards that she made for me (people, the pictures on her blog don't do justice to her work!). She graciously worked her magic for me, so that I might have a more personal card to give my best friend of fifteen years. I ended up with THREE! The one that is going to be used is just perfect! The colors are exactly what I think of when Rachel comes to mind and the design is the right combination of modern/romantic, I think.

Another bonus of this past weekend: I received my part of the barter I was in with Bobbie. May I just say, "Wow!" I am astounded at the talent. All of you need to go to her blog and see what she creates! One of the best parts? Dana was in the kitchen with me when I opened the package! We got to 'Ooh' and 'Aah' over them together. They are just so pretty, I want to put them in a frame! Thanks, Bobbie! They are wonderful!

On a sadder note, Jessica, one of Dana's friends (who's blog I have been lurking in for a few weeks) had computer meltdown. She lost everything on that computer, including pictures from the last few months that she hadn't backed-up yet. Ouch. I think I will get started on mine. Maybe we all should.

Black-Eyed Susans

I had a doctor's appointment on Monday, a check up for my migraines and how the medicine is working. Eh. So-so. The Topamax is holding at 25mg a day and doing well. The Maxalt is not working as well as it did in the beginning. I go back in three months with instructions to come in earlier if I am having difficulty.

Outside of the doctor's office is a huge bunch of Black-Eyed Susans. I have been debating on making an idiot out of myself for a few months and laying on the landing, leaning over and snapping a picture. So far, I have avoided it. On Monday, I became a goof. The picture is decent, though.

Edit: To Ewokgirl, as far as taste goes, I take the pill version of Maxalt. My doctor just asked me Monday if I would like to try the quick-desolve dose but I declined. I was thinking that the aftertaste might be a bit much for me. However, I am noticing some taste changes. Pop is starting to taste a bit off. I am drinking more water than EVER. I was also asked by my doctor about trying Imitrex injections after my next visit. Oh, the joy.

The humidity is getting unreal here as well. I hope that you get some relief soon. You are in my thoughts.