Breathe!
Current mood: exhausted
Category: Blogging
as you all may have noticed, I'll sign on to myspace and get distracted. There is a lot to distract me lately. So my apologies if you thought I was here when in reality I wasn't.
I just ditched in my classroom. I gave an informational speech on Amtgard today in class. Took Talen along, in garb, with weapons, shields, an arrow, and other odds and ends to pass around. As well as a slide show presentation of various pictures from Amtgardia. It went well. I have 2 people who want more information. One has a friend who wants her in the SCA. The other desperately wants to play. However, I ended up missing my applied calc class due to lack of sleep. I had been up for 24 hours. The night before, only about 4 hours sleep. Night before that... about the same. So I was very tired. They found me with my ass sitting in my chair here, but my head on the bed. I obviously passed out.
The calc class is going alright. it's so damned short!! wish it was longer.
The divorce was supposed to be on the 24th. Doug was on a cruise and the lawyer didn't inform him. So it was pushed back to whenever. I had to get the parenting plan from his lawyer and get it signed before the date could be set. So that's been going on. It has finally been sent out. So now it's a matter of days. The question is: change my name back?
Alex had a psychiatric evaluation almost 2 weeks ago. But it was only one half. She wanted him off his meds. Needless to say that on Monday, when he goes back to finish, she wants him ON his meds. lol. So that's been happening.
Dad is looking for work.
Irene is being passive-agressive. Won't even talk to me. She'll have Dad or Krissy come tell me what she wants and has them bring them back the answer.
Krissy is an average student by Virginia standards. I'm used to the 90-100 is an A. Not 94-100. What would be a B in MO is a C here and if you drop below 70, you have an F. But she is working on it. At least there wasn't a note on it saying she talks a lot.
Alex is below grade level for reading, spelling, and writing. big surprise, right?
Talen ... yeah. I'll tell you when I get a real report card. He's in Kindergarten.
I have at least 2 if not 4 tests coming up this week. I'll figure it out soon enough.
Talen has found work for now. it will pay his bills and get him his certifications for networking. Then he'll get a better job. Dad really likes him. Irene not so much anymore. But then again, she's not liking anything pertaining to me lately. She even tried to throw away Krissy's microscope because she left it in the livingroom unattended for 5, 10 minutes max. I call bullshit.
I'm still broker than a pane of glass. I've paid for girl scouts, picture day, and have halloween stuff, extra school stuff, kids school stuff, insurance... I still need to give Krissy $10, Brittany 1 $10, and send Jen money for Koda. And I still owe Itsari $50. T-bug needs $8 for his field trip on Wednesday.... ever thing adds up.
The kids are going to the Ennis' next weekend for the Apple Butter Festival.
Krissy doesn't want to move back to Tennessee. She is getting very depressed over everything. Trying to get all the daily stuff accomplished and still find time to remind her how much I love her is tight. Especially with all 3 of them plus me having homework. Talen is being very patient with it all, luckily. Dad said he seems to have infinite patience. I'm getting lost as to what to do for/with Krissy. It seems that nothing I do is good enough. Moving back there isn't what she wants. But, accordning to her " he is my dad. I love him. I know he loves me, but he forgets to show it. maybe I need to go to remind him how." In my opinion she should need to remind him how! He needs to pay attention to her. I found on my desk a picture. In one square it has "Used to be" over it and Doug, krissy, baby Alex, and I are there. Then she has a 'now' with 2 groups: her, doug, kendra, and devon; then me, her, alex, t-bug, and big Talen. At the top it says: Happy Days When I get a good report and come home I get loved, not ignored. Doing something with everybody.
This is something that is done here. We all sit together and discuss our day, we all eat together (though frequently I'm sitting on the floor because there is not enough chairs), we have evening reading time where Talen or I read to the kids. We ask questions, we listen to them, and I answer all the questions she gives me as truthfully as possible. The most recent one that seemed to broad-side me came from a discussion about Devon. She told me she doesn't want to have kids until she's married. That she doesn't want to have sex til she is married. I said great; but there is no contract to sign. It's all up to you. Though some kids wear the Christian promise rings, I might get you one to remind you that you are loved and respected; even if others don't treat you that way. Then she broad-sided me with the question: What is an abortion? Yeah. I was like... where did you hear that from. It turns out she had been watching "The Secret Life of an American Teenager." I told her the truth. I started with what a miscarriage was. then i preceeded to explain to her that it was a medically done miscarriage. She asked how, so I told her. She asked about religious views, I told her. But I also reminded her not to judge other if someone she knows has one; there is no one on this planet anyone has to answer to. When they die, then they will confront their God about it. But she is not a God.
Kinda rough, eh? I thought so. But it was easier to tell the truth than to lie. I just wish I could find out just what happens down south when she is there. It's in the parenting plan that doug and I signed that she is to go there for Middle School. Though neither of us actually intend on following through with it to the T; we've been at this long enough, I think. Don't you? I think i might have her sit down with her school counselor and talk a bit. it might help.
at some point i need to hit the grocery store. I've been trying now since Wed. but have only gotten there to get some veggies for the pot roast and milk. But i need to get back to work. I know this doesn't seem like much for my long absence and silence. But there is more there... I'm just not remembering to type it at the moment.
Also, thank you to everyone who wished Alex a Happy 9th Birthday! It didn't go unnoticed and he says thank you. We had a small ice cream cake celebration with just neighborhood kids on Monday afterschool. Dessert before Dinner night:-) And the neighbor kids like the cake I made so much, Sid (the oldest) has requested it for his birthday. So I gave Wendy the directions.
So, since I passed out somewhere between 6:35 am and 7:15 am and was back up and out of bed somewhere around 8:50 and 9:15 I am tired. 2 hours is not enough sleep for the Rachel.
And I really fucking miss my dog. I am going to try to make it to TN for the divorce hearing. Jen, I'll let you know if I might need to borrow your couch. I know you have to work, so don't fret. But if I can't borrow the couch, that's cool. Just let me know. *sighs* I know the last thing I need is one more thing added to my list of things to do for a day. But I miss my puppy kisses and her sitting in my lap like a small dog. I also miss having my own place. I might have to get one of my own here soon if Dad doesn't find a job. So tack on one more thing to worry about. But if that is the case, then I can have my puppy-butt back with me. the kids will be happy, Jen will have one less thing to worry about, i'll be happy, and Koda... well I would like to think she would be ecstatic.
Mom is having issues with her job, with food (she has none), with stupid people. This is still an ongoing issue that i haven't been able to rectify.
owwie! headache. I'm outta here. Multimedia Software (ITE 170), Intro to Tele (ITN 100), studying for the history test, doing calc... they all beckon me. No homework for bowling. But my finger is jacked up and swollen for whatever reason. Oh well. gonna go try not to pass out and get work done. Big Talen is at work this evening, so we're on our own. Krissy is at Kassidy's so it is ultra quiet. I wonder if I will ever get the opportunity to watch the TiVO'd episodes of House, Bones, and Law and Order: SVU from last week? Is that too much to ask? And I am tired of all of Krissy's projects: research papers, diaramas, mobiles, and maps.
And at some point I would like to get Brsinger by chris paolini (third book, Anaglaesia series; Eragon is the first). I haven't read something for myself for fun in so long I have forgotten.
The first week back.
Current mood: Deer in the Headlights with the fall semester.
Category: Deer in the Headlights with the fall semester. Life
Well, school has finally started again for the kids; the fall semester for me. so what do we have you might wonder...?
Well:
Talen: School is fine. I like my teacher. His teachers name is Mrs. Armstrong. now I know at some point ... in either elementary or middle school I had a Mrs. Armstrong. Some one help me out here if you can remember if there was an Armstrong in South Junior.
That's about all he has to say on the subject. We have to drag it out of him each day what he did, if he made a new friend.... He's kinda bleh on the subject of school. But he loves going; that's a plus.
Alex: Has had some homework. Already managed to forget his homework folder at home once. We puzzled out his assignment from what he could remember. It had to do with the Word of the Week; which I might post here just so you guys know what word to worm into your sentences. It's great practice for kids and adults alike. His teachers name is Mrs. Keen.
Krissy: Loves her home room teacher Mrs Anderson. Which was also the name of my 5th grade homeroom teacher. This lady likes frogs. She has a tank of 3 oriental fire belly frogs in class. So applications were sent home with the kids to vie for positions in pet care. It was the kids name, why they should be chosen, then us parents had to give our "referral". I explained to her that Krissy has helped with everything from basic care to after-vet care and isn't afraid to get her hands dirty. Yes, Krissy was one of the first chosen. The job I know she has done was care of the crickets: clean out the dead crickets, feed and water the crickets, etc. Which, while she was doing this, some of the boys were harassing her asking for fries to go with that (the dead crickets) and being little putzes. There is one in particular who keeps harassing her to the point she is getting frustrated; and this is only the first week! I just reminded her that it means he likes her; she said she told him that he said no. So i told her to tell him that if he doesn't like her then to not talk to her at all; that's how he can prove it. Otherwise, we will assume he is sweet on Krissy. Hopefully this will end. She also had some boy make a snide remark to her about me; I sent this kid messages on XBOX Live, supposedly. That one... if it keeps up, I will call his parents; I will NOT put up with that. Period. She also already messed up on when and what is due. she had a research paper due on the frog types. She told big Talen and I that the research was due Thursday; we took that to mean just the research. No; it was the whole damned paper! Big Kudos to big Talen for helping her with that so I could work on my assignments. Oh yeah... and she isn't too keen on her science teacher. She looked like she needed a habit and a ruler when I met her.
My classes: History is the same; love Professor Davis' teaching style. She doesn't use notes or the book; she knows her history. It's all she has ever done in her life ever. So history class is an hour long story time for me! Yeah, I take notes to help retain what I'm hearing, but otherwise it's a nice down time.
Bowling: Yes, bowling. Need it for one of my 2 PED requirements. If I miss 3 classes it's an automatic "F". I shit thee not. Plus, we do have a book that I already read and finished the assignments for. Yeah, the first 2 weeks of assignment done; hush. I had to catch her on Thursday because the homework syllabus didn't match the main one; it had chapter 7 on there while the main one didn't. So I asked her. It's not on the final exam, but at the end of this conversation, she walked away mentioning that "this is why I love you." Wha?! O.K..... reminder, no one-on-one conferences with my recently married, very athleticly fit, FEMALE, Dr. D.
Speech: Yeah, i already am working on my first speech. We just had class yesterday, but I have 4 chapters to read and in our little in class assignment on "getting to know you", Amtgard peaked her interest. So she already told me she wants me to do that for my informative speech; which is fine. However, if you are supposed to dress nice, does this mean court garb for presentation or armor?
Multimedia Software: i wish in the couse description it had told me I was going to have to get Adobe Fireworks, Flash, Dreamweaver, and WS-FTP (program to transfer files from your computer to the internet). hmmmm. This one shall be interesting. I get to make a website. Thrilling.
ITN 100: into to networking; retaking this one. Didn't like the grade.
Applied Calculus: Ok. After having a rough week to start with, I do not like hearing the following: I expect everyone to get a B. To do this you need 3 hours in class time plus an additional 7 hours out of class at least. Oh yeah, and I assign a lot of homework. I am currently one assignment ahead; they are posted on BlackBoard.
Needless to say I have been working my ass off already to develope the calluses needed; this ensures the sting is less when my ass starts getting kicked.
I just have no time for life. I'm going to the post office. Have stuff to send out to 2 peeps. I need to go to the bowling alley and pay for my bowling time there. Most of my classes will be at the lanes. Plus I am getting big Talen new shoes. it is time. He had an interview yesterday with Geek Squad. He goes back again on Tuesday. Keep your fingers crossed. But he needs shoes; it's the least I can do for all the help he has been giving me; he put on his dress shoes and realized the sole decided to come most of the way off. that and i can smell his tennis shoes across the room. Not good when I've been helping him heal his toes (ingrowns that got smashed). One is normal now, the other one I actually took the exacto-knife to. He sat and took it with the only anstethic being extra-strength ambesol. No yelling, no cussing, no tears.
And now the current conversation has reminded me that I haven't had a Wonka Bar for a while. mmmm Chocolately Grahm crackery goodness....
Ok. I is outta here. Get my out of house chores done, and it looks like it's going to be a nice day so i might get a bit of yard work in, then homework.
Here we go again!
Current mood: froggy
Category: Life
Well, the demonic horde is back together again for another round. Went yesterday and grabbed the boys from the Ennis's and Krissy from BWI. Which i was a couple minutes late. Why? because they love to detain me in security. fucking idiots.
Anyway, Krissy is ecstatic to be home. She doesn't want to go school in Memphis. She said time seems to drag by slowly there. But here, a year flies by. She's happier here and I wish Doug would understand that and let her stay. But I doubt he would do that; he tends to be jaded. With Doug, she gets stuff like electric scooters. I can't give her stuff like that yet. But she said she would rather stay with me. What does that tell you?
Heard a new song by Everlast yesterday. Take Everlast, mix in Folsom Prison Blues and add the back beat from Cypress Hills' "Insane in the Membrane" and that is EverLasts version of Fulsom Prison. Kinda ... well, it was fucking wierd.
School starts for all of us tomorrow. My baby is going to Kindergarten! Not fair. The bus comes at 8 am. But I'll beat it there just to walk him in on his first day and take pictures. Luckily, my first class isn't until 10 or 11 am. i should really check on that. lol. But if I had too, i would have been late to my first day to be there for Talens first day.
Anyway, I have to go get them organized to put away their laundry and get their backpacks ready.
and no brittany, I haven't forgotten to pack your books in my bag. But then again, i need to pack my bag. lol.
Here I shall leave you with EverLasts' Fulsom Prison Blues.
Another Year has Come and Gone...
Current mood: content
Category: Life
I could not seem to sleep well at all last night!I'd sleep for about 55 minutes, wake up, stare at the clock, close my eyes, doze off, and then wake back up again.Kind of like 5 years ago.My back was aching; I'm cramping, and felt all around bleh.
5 year ago at about 2:30 am I woke up in the night, cried in pain as I got myself up off of the air mattress, and went to use the restroom.That's when it hit me:a contraction."Ow, that hurts…"I didn't think anything about it.I had been having contractions (false ones) for weeks now.I go back and crawl into bed.For whatever reason, my body decided to be stupid that pregnancy.My left hip was rotating too much and giving me excruciating back pain (which I still have, if you wonder why I always hurt so much).The docs said "exercise, walk, and it will get better."Umm, nope.I walked the zoo, the malls, mowed the yard, did the plumbing, did my exercises, and all to no avail.So I dealt with the pain; standing up hurt, sitting down hurt, lying down on my sides hurt, on my back hurt.My only reliefs while sleeping was actually on my stomach, with a leg propped up on a pillow to give my burgeoning belly some room.Kinda sucked… ok it a lot sucked.Still does on a daily basis.But at least I have more sleeping options!
Anyway, I lie back down and work on getting comfy.Robbie was at work, Chris out in Columbia, and I was home alone with Krissy and Alex who were blissfully snoring away.I know; I could hear them.Then another contraction hit me like a wave.Oh damn. I slowly sit up and crawl out of bed.Wake the computer from sleep mode to get the clock setting with seconds and start timing.They say wait til your contractions 5 are minutes apart before going to the hospital.What tripped me up was that my contractions were already about 10 minutes apart.T-bug wasn't giving me any leeway for time.Alex and Krissy both decided to warn me with contractions about 15 minutes apart to start and a lot of time to work with.So, I call my mom: line busy!She was living with Mike at the time, so who knows what was going on at almost 3 am there.I call Chris; voicemail!Call mom again; busy!I called Doug and told him what was going on.He spent the rest of the night trying to get a hold of my mom.I kept trying both Mom and Chris.Robbie was working at a gas station, so he couldn't come get me.I had actually mused over the idea of driving the kids and myself to the hospital.I could do it.I was walking through the contractions; talking through them.But I was a bit panicky also.Here I was alone, in labor, with 2 kids in the middle of the night.Not cool.
So, I called the next person I knew could probably help me: Raven.Yeah… she wasn't too thrilled initially that I woke her up.But when I told her what was going on, she completely understood.By this point, I want to say it was about 4 am with contractions at about 7 minutes apart.A 3 minute change in 2 hours; Talen most definitely wasn't taking his sweet time.So we decided I was going to call an ambulance and Raven would meet me at Barnes-Jewish Hospital to help me with the kids.
So first I go and wake up my kids.Krissy was groggy but soon snapped into fluid motion to get dressed and ready to go.Alex did ok. I had to help him with clothes.Eventually he became more alert but he didn't complain.I was very thankful for that.Ok.Kids in motion; call the ambulance.Alright… time to go outside and wait.I was in my robe.There wasn't any way in hell I was going to get dressed.Which was just as well since they were gonna need to access my nether regions, right?I thought, when I was talking to 911, that my water had broken but it hadn't.Leaning against the Saturn in the carport, I was thankful that it was summer.The contractions were not being very nice. I had never had back labor before.But I was having it now and it sucked.The pain in the left lower quadrant of my back was horrific.I watched as a police car drove by.Then he turned around and came back.It turned out that the houses in my horseshoe confused even local police with their numbering.So he came down, left the lights going on his cruiser so the ambulance could find me easier, came over to check on me, and chatted with the kids.Yeay! The ambulance had arrived!Now… what to do with the kids!I was obvious; I rode in the back.Krissy decided to ride with me in the back.Made sure I was ok, watched the EMT check everything on me, and looked around at all the stuff.Alex however got to ride shotgun.The woman driving let him turn on the lights and sirens.But there was nothing anyone in there could do about the roads.Oh the bumps were horrible!Pain with every jounce and let me tell ya: there were a lot of jounces.
So we get there.They put me in a wheelchair and flanked by my kids I get wheeled in to wait in the ER waiting room.That place was really busy.Made me worried that I was going to have T before they got me to labor and delivery; Contractions were still about 7 minutes apart.But they did get us into a room and Raven was there helping me out, thankfully!I called Doug again, let him know the number and to see if he had gotten a hold of Mom.Nope, but he was still trying.I tried to get a hold of her again as well as Chris.Called Robbie to let him know where we were and then it was a waiting game: waiting for the doctor, waiting for the hard labor, waiting for Mom, and waiting for Chris. Oh yeah… I didn't have to wait very long for the anesthesiologist. I was in enough pain that I got myself an epidural.Women who have had one will know what I am talking about when I say this: Do you know how hard it is to sit ABSOLUTELY STILL during contractions so they don't fuck up with the needle they are poking in between your vertebrae?!Luckily they stop when you have one, but still… dear lord!That was a pain in the ass!But it had to be done ASAP because once I dilated past a certain point, they couldn't do it.
Doug finally got a hold of Mom and she got there at about 7:30 am.Turned out that Mike left the computer running all night downloading music! OMG!I was more than a bit irritated but at the same time, I had other things to worry about.Mom was sitting to my left, chatting with Raven and playing with the kids.She was the one who told the nurse that they needed to check me without looking at the printout that the sensors created.I could still feel every ounce of pain on my left side.But she knew my ways: she knew after 2 other kids that during a contraction I would rub my first 2 fingers and thumb together, trying to concentrate on that physical sensation as a small distraction and I was rubbing non-stop.
So they have me sit up, stirrup up, and scoot down.A "let's see what's going on" at about 8:50 am.Oh… full dilation… ok. Can you push and we'll see if we can get him to the zero point?Ok…
So I push at about 8:55 and *PoOf* it was "Um, get the kids out now we need the doctor cause he is coming.Can you wait?Don't push!" All I wanted to do WAS push at this point!Talen was a little over half way out.There was a bit of a fuss about Raven staying by my side and mom going with the kids.But she went anyway to look at the fish tank out in the waiting area.I think it was a salt water tank, if I remember correctly.
So the doctor comes in, I'm gritting my teeth, trying not to push and Raven's poor fingers! Oh they were smooshed.But at least she only gave me two of them.A couple of good pushes and Raven saw the Gods at work.Yeah, her exact words "I saw more of you today that I ever wanted to."But she got to watch as Talen David Perry made his way squalling into this world a healthy 9 lbs. 10 oz. when Nurse Forney (my OB) guesstimated him to only be about 5 lbs., 6 lbs. max.I think he over shot that estimate, don't you?Raven even cut the umbilical cord.But even with her TMS comment (too much seen), she said she wouldn't have traded that moment for the world.
While they were cleaning up Talen (with Raven watching avidly by), I had to take care of the afterbirth.For those who don't know, the body continues with contractions to expel the placenta.With Krissy they just took it, though I wondered what it looked like.With Alex, I asked to see it.With Talen it was, "Hey, um… can I see it?Ok… now… can I touch it?" The nurse looked at me like I was crazy, but let me anyway.It was firm, yet soft, slick, and seemed full of the life that it helped create.Same color as liver, actually.So that was donated to stem cell science or what have you.
I didn't realize they put a catheter in me.But it should have been expected with the epidural and all.While I was still in the labor room, I started to feel my feet.They hadn't moved me up to another room yet.I had asked for a private one because of the kids.I didn't want anyone disturbed.But you know what?Starting to feel your feet and actually having full function of your muscles are 2 totally different things.I tried to get up to use the restroom and yeah, I didn't get too far.I could feel the cold floor under my feet, I could feel me.But I wasn't all there. I caught myself on the bed.Oops. Ok.That ain't gonna happen anytime soon.Did you know that wheelchairs, regardless of the size of bathroom, really don't fit?
Chris eventually showed up at 11? 12?Supposedly he was in jail for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.Bill came by, as did deaf Jennie.I called all the usual suspects, even Jim.
One of my favorite pictures was of Krissy, Alex, and Talen all sitting in a comfy arm chair.Krissy was holding Talen, looking down at him while Alex was passed out next to her.Krissy swore she saw wings on him and started calling him "Angel-baby."It stuck after mom thought she saw the same thing.Angel wing sighting on him had occurred during the first couple of years.But they haven't been seen lately.Krissy says they're still there, just hiding.And, as far as infants/ toddlers are concerned, he was an angel.He was jaundiced a bit, but that was ok and cleared up after a week.He was even with his schedule, healthy, ate a whole lot, and didn't even really have a terrible 2.Instead, I think he waited til he was 4!
Anyway, I have to get him off the bus here in about 15 minutes.The school put him into a pre-k summer program.4 days a week he is gone from 8:30 am to 12:15 or so.I'm thinking the party will be held here.Everything was booked around here.But hopefully, I'll get that taken care off right quick.Cathi is getting him a new bike and Jim got him the Lego Indiana Jones video game.I'm still undecided about what I'm gonna get him now.There are only so many cars a kid can have, right?Too bad he still doesn't like the Intelli-blocks by Fisher-Price.Those things are cool.Movies?Anime? Some more Color-Wonder stuff? Books? Hot Wheels?
All I know is my baby is 5!He's getting harder to hold; he's getting so big.But I still get my snuggles, usually at about 1 am he'll come into my bed dragging Mr. Bear and his Madagascar blanket.
Happy Birthday, my little T-Bug.I Love You.
"Your Gonna Miss This"- Trace Adkins
She was staring out the window of their SUV Complaining, saying "I can't wait to turn 18" She said "I'll make my own money, and I'll make my own rules" Mamma put the car in park out there in front of the school Then she kissed her head and said "I was just like you"
You're gonna miss this You're gonna want this back You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast These are some good times So take a good look around You may not know it now But you're gonna miss this
Before she knows it she's a brand new bride In a one-bedroom apartment, and her daddy stops by He tells her "It's a nice place" She says "It'll do for now" Starts talking about babies and buying a house Daddy shakes his head and says "Baby, just slow down"
Cause you're gonna miss this You're gonna want this back You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast These are some good times So take a good look around You may not know it now But you're gonna miss this
Five years later there's a plumber workin' on the water heater Dog's barkin', phone's ringin' One kid's cryin', one kid's screamin' And she keeps apologizin' He says "They don't bother me. I've got 2 babies of my own. One's 36, one's 23. Huh, it's hard to believe, but...
You're gonna miss this You're gonna want this back You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast These are some good times So take a good look around You may not know it now But you're gonna miss this"
So it was decided that now would b the time to take down some of the trees and haul off everything. I asked dad and if you can believe it he said yes! O.k. So my idea was one tree at a time; cut down, cut up, haul off. Talens idea was cut them ALL down at once, then cut up and haul. I got no homework done because of this method.
The 3 15 ft. holly trees lining the driveway, gone. 3 random trees (4 ft or so), gone. 40 ft infested pine tree, gone. 30 ft sickly cedar, gone. 15 ft pine sapling, gone. 20 ft sick hardwood with ant infestation in the roots, gone (didn't know about that ant nest til we started cutting). 15 ft. unknown hardwood, gone. These dont include the dead tree a storm felled that I already cut up and hauled off with a couplde of other, smaller trees. The 40 ft pine was interesting. The ants weren't happy. But they went back in their home. When I was cutting up the trunk, however, it was amazing! They came pouring out of the pieces like a black water fountain. I was amazed. I stopped to watch some grab larvae, fight with eachother, get caught in the sap. Without the saw running, you could hear them crawling, sounding like a whisper over the ground and the ground itself looked like a black sea. I also think there was more than one sort of insect nest in there.
The guys at the county waste disposal and recycling site saw me so much they sarted joking with me that they were going to start charging me contractor rates. They were all very nice and helpful. Everyone at the brush pile tended to help each other unload. Sometimes the workers would use the front end loader to empty out trailers as long as there were no logs in it. The first time I saw that thing moving in my mirror while backing up scared the bejesus outta me. But the guy who drives it is excellent at it. Very smooth. I want one; or at least to learn to drive one.
I also became really damn good at loading the trailer and tying everything down. Eric used to look at my rope work and shake his head; wondering why I was doing it like I was. Now I understand. Talen and I got very proficient. He would handle moving branches out of my way and squishing it while I sinched the rope and knotted it. No more blanket covering the loads anymore for me. We'd get it compacted down enough that a pile of boughs taller than me would squish and tie down to a third of the size.
But we still aren't done. There are a couple of other trees that might go. Dad wants grass in the front yard. The 3 holly trees in the front looked ok. But one was growing into the gorgeous japanese maple that was worth more than all 3 of those trees combined. And one was kinda scrawny. There are so many trees on this property, that the smaller ones just can't compete and look horrid. I also want to kill off the scraggly conifer in the flower bed at the top of the lawn. It looks horrible! That whole bed needs reworking or flat out moving. I would love to plant this there instead: .. ..
Its called Salix 'Britzensis'. Can get it at Home depot. The bark is that fiery red/orange and stays that way year around. Gorgeous!
I am still waging war on ground ivy. I'm going to be working the flower beds and bushes today. Preparing the old ones for work over, planning out a couple of new ones, and hacking at the bushes. They need some serious hacking. Also need to get stuff to kill off the carpenter bee infestation we have here in both decks and the front door area.
But I have time. I have all summer. I have until I move out of here. But those carpenter bees have got to go.
BTW, I need to thank Chrysler. Just cause a mini-van isn't full size, doesn't mean it can't help pull down 30 ft cedar trees.
on a side note, dad is very pleased and impressed with the work done, since he can't do it anymore. he has actually kissed me on the top of the head a couple times recently and even rough housed with the boys this past week! All told, though busy, it was a happy week.
However, my T.V. died the other night. Just started fritzing out, rolled over, and died leaving me with a vertical blue line. Poor thing. it had a good run of life though, don't you think? it's older than Krissy is.
Also, I need to replace the cowl cover on lucy. I'm, researching prices. I'm pretty sure I'm going through Pepboys for new tires, then she goes in for inspection. Yippee!
I am out of coffee. Sucky. But I have Coke. yeay!
Once I get he van cared for, I have plans to go to TN to get Koda and prolly hack up some trees there to. I need more hours in my days. Or need to run off of less sleep. One or the other.
I'm accepted your friends request. Don't be too terribly upset at my questioning. I'm sure you can somewhat understand why, don't you? I've miss you. But thats neither here nor there.
?!?!?!
Current mood: Only on her second cup of coffee
Category: Only on her second cup of coffee Blogging
Is it wrong of me to be suspicious of a former friend befriending me on myspace? his female doesn't like me and he hasn't talked to me since... well damn. Its been a long time I can tell you that. but, in the end, she didn't like my exhuberant scream of "John!" and me pretty much throwing myself in his arms for a hug because I hadn't seen him for so damn long as it was. Did she not understand that there has NEVER been ANYTHING but FRIENDSHIP between us? Or is long red hair and big bouncing boobs too much for some people?
And speaking of people who I want to question on motives... i mean I adore getting back in contact with people. Andy, Dennis, Ileana, hell, even Gary thanks to Raven. But Raven saw deaf Jennie at her work and passed on my cell number (which is temporarily out of service, so stop trying to text me). Did Raven forget about the fact that I was severely angered at Jennie? For what, one may ask... and it was the repeated advances on Chris to try and sleep with him... if not actually doing so (for all i know). Yeah, i know that things between he and I are over now. But still... thats not what friends do.
I am all for the forgiving thing. Once i understand whats going on with everything pertaining to these people in question. One would almost say I've matured or something. but I think I'm just tired of drama. being out here in VA is pretty much drama free. Thats not maturing. Thats just not having the time to deal with it: no time to feed the llamas.
And on another topic, I just finished reading about the failed attempts of Confedereate forces in 1861 to retake the Kanawah Valley in what is now West Virginia. The terrain and amazing amounts of rain hampered any real fighting in the mountains. The terrain alone is daunting. But they had so much rain that Charleston was actually flooded at that time. Thus rendering the roads to a quagmire that sucked men, horses, and wagons in. Some horses were shot because of it. Nor were the 2 armies able to get a good supply line going. The men all were sick (measles was rampant), hungry (idiots thinking that the opposing force would benefit if they didn't burn anything they left behind, did it not occur to them that if they couldn't carry it with them, that the opposing force couldn't either?), wet (no dry clothes or even tents), and all around miserable. The union forces tried to route the confederates off of Sewell Mountain, but you can't turn an opposing force in the dark on a mountain top. Huge stalemate. However, while Union forces pretty much got along, the Confederate forces were idiotic. To leaders by the last names of Wise and Floyd despised eachother so damn much, they pretty much cost the South that campaign. Not even Robert E. Lee was able to mend that fence. Stupid POLITICAL rivalry. They were one the same side, but expended more energy pissing off each other they really got nothing done. This episode is called the Wise-Floyd Feud (Civil War, 1861).
But obviously, history repeats itself.
If the current government officials would stop crusading against each other, the U.S. might be able to get something accomplished on the home front and abroad. Gone are the days that after work was over, Democrats and Republicans could shake hands at the local bar and remember that we are all on the same side. Maybe people need to remember that we are all in this together. Otherwise, nothings going to get accomplished for the greater good of our society.
Now I'm going to go do a quick review and then go take a test or 2. Alex back is peeling in stages, but he is doing fine. T-bug is annoying, which means he is just fine. Krissy is still sleeping. She goes to New York for a week with Irene on Monday; flies out to Memphis on the 24th. Which that pisses me off too. Because of gas prices, etc Doug is flying her into Memphis International Airport. But I have to drive her up to BWI, which is about 2 hours away. her flight takes off at 1 pm. To be safe, i should be there by 11 am. To do that I need to leave here at 9 am. However, its a Tuesday morning. Rush hour in our nations capitol. Fuck, I might as well head up at 7 am at that rate so I have plenty of time to sit in traffic somewhere. but I'll prolly go up Rte. 15, through Leesburg to Hwy 70 into Baltimore. However, in light of my current financial situation, let just hope I fucking have the money for gas. Inconsiderate ass.
Alex was Overdue for the E.R. Anyway....
Current mood: stressed
Category: Blogging
Yes. He finally had one here. It had been atleast 3 years since he had to go to the E.R. for something.
He managed to get himself a 2nd degree sunburn over this past weekend.
Now Saturday, he had a mild burn. I treated it with aloe from the plants we have then with some aloe gel with lidocaine. Then i brought out the sun block and put it on the bathroom counter. But come Sunday, it wasn't on the counter and he took off to Cassidy's. Sunday night he took his bath and I never saw his back or anything. Monday came, he went to school, came home and immediately went to play with his Bionicles. I didn't see him until dinner time. Then back to playing and bath time. It wasn't until I lightly, and I mean barely brushed him, that he said ow. I brushed against his shirt and he also started to cry. Told him to come here, lifted his shirt and he was blistered. Called the nurse helpline for the insurance company, and I had to use the 10% rule. Was he burned on atleast 10% of his body; i.e. at least 10 palms worth of burn. His palms or mine, they didn't say. But from the tops of his shoulders all the way down his back and shoulder blades constitute more than 10%.
Every night I get to put a special lotion on him that contains silver nitrates, sulferitesm and antibiotics on him. Ironically, i can only put that stuff on him once a day because it can lower white blood cell count if used too much. In the lesser burn areas, pure aloe only, no lidocaine, and that can be applied all the time. Stairstep Motrin and Tylenol. And the gauze. Lots of gauze. I had to go out and buy some. Johnson and Johnson have some spiffy "one stop" packages for various things like surgery after care, whihc contain everthing you will need for a week. Yeah, it was cheaper than buying it all separately, but it was still money I didn't really have.
But, Alex is mending already. Its looking better, but he was crying so much last night, i wish I had a med to just knock him out so he could sleep painlessly. He is house bound until he is completly healed. Which is fine since I am totally broke now anyway.
However, the initial RN that we saw was talking to me like I was an idiot who didn't understand anything. I eventually started to cut her off, finishing off her explanations (like what is white blood cells, I shit you not!). All I wanted to know was why this occured. Here are the facts:
Adderall (which we are both on) can cause heightened sensitivity to sunlight. I am a redhead. Redheads burn. Alex has never had a sunburn before. Alex was in a pool on Sunday. We were both outside without sunscreen all day.
The only thing the Dr. yesterday could come up with was the water factor. Though she has no idea why I wasn't burned to a cinder as well.
The RN on Monday night was like " well, were not talking about you, were talking about Alex..." I was trying to lay out the facts to get a good answer. The scientific part of my brain demanded answers. But, though she was an RN, I am not an idiot.
The tech on monday night however, did make me chuckle. he was the only one to comment on the location of Alex's burns: They went to the neckline and sleeve and stopped. Like he was wearing a "sunburn" shirt. Kinda confusing and odd. I had pics I'm going to post. I'm going to take more also today. he is already starting peel in some spots, which I am grateful for. The worst of the blisters is gone, the body reabsorbed the fluid. The tech was also the best source of information as to why you don't pop the blisters. That was all Alex wanted of that RN. To get the one popped. But the RN refused and Alex asked Tim the tech why. here was his explanation:
Besides the increased possibilty of infection (which everyones knows about), an unpopped blister is a closed wound. It can seep through the pores, but is still not consided open. The body will reabsorb the fluid in its own time to be passed out of the body.
The fucking RN just kept repeating about infection. Not enough information for me or for Alex. Alex was content with that information.
My mom had asked last week if I could loan her $115 to pay her gas bill for the month. At the time, i said sure. But if I had only known, I would have said no. So, after med expenses and 1/2 tank of gas to get me places, I have $4 in my account. I am still waiting for my dispursement check from my college loan and i don't think Mom will be able to pay be back at least until the end of the month.
On an upside, I have had Lucy for almost 5 years now. for about 4 of those 5 years, I have been driving with cracked windshields. Dad paid for me to get it fixed (yet again), so I get the novelty of driving crack free. The final thing to be replaced on Lucy before her inspection check are her tires. But I have to wait for the dispersement check to cover that.
I still have to take my 2 tests this week. Talen is coming up tonight to help me out over the next week or so. Make sure i am at least caught up in my classes and work around the house. I need help. Yes. I am admitting this. I actually need the help. There is just too much to do. help with kids, help with yard work, help with moving stuff, help with school stuff, help with hauling stuff to the junkyard, help financially, help me! I feel like "The Fly". Small and tiny. I hate to admit it, but I was actually crying last night. i feel so overwhelmed.
Andy said I could have his cast off desktop components. He only uses the latest and greatest for his machines, so I told him to tell me the cost and shipping and I will send him $$. Not one machine in this house meets the specs required for GMU. And I want a machine that I won't have to upgrade for a long time. My wishlist on TigerDirect.com, whe he saw it, he was like "you want a gaming p.c. etc etc." No. I prefer AMD and I want a powerful machine that I won't have to replace in 5 years at least except maybe small bits here and there because of it being outdated.
Anyway, i have a lot of laundry to do, and chapters to read and homework etc etc. I have to go.
Yall be safe, be careful, and for the love of the Gods above, wear sunscreen!
Well... for the 10 year anniversary present, i actually signed the papers. So i get a call this morning... either for Alex b-day or mine, I have to go to court. We are officially in our 90 day wait period.
Goings On
Current mood: working
Category: Blogging
Well... lets see here...
Sunday, Jim and his g/f Alicia brought the kids home. We went o the McDonalds here in Warrenton where T-Bug promptly brought me a condom. I knew it wasn't used, there was another unopened one in the playplace. Prety sure Talen opened the packet, but we still left. We went to the one in Gainesville where me and Alicia went outside and had a long talk. About what... I'm not telling. Lets leave it at that.
Atleast once if not twice a day I am supplementing Swifts' (Irenes Cockatiel) with baby bird food. He had gotten so weak he couldn't hold up his head to get seed. Now, he's siting up more, trying to climb to his perches and all around has his attitude back. Which is good. Means that the extra nutients and easier to digest formula is doing its work. I had a very limited amount of time for a turn around for Swift. Irene was going to put him down. His mirror fell on his leg. The vet said it wasn't broken, but he is 15 years old and his ability to heal is obviously slowed down. So I hope soon, he will be back to his obnoxious self. but I think it's sweet now that everytime I go to his cage he starts tweeting at me.
I met the other set of new neighbors. They have 3 kids, Sid, Sam, and Sarah. Sarah and Talen will be in Kindergarten together, Alex and Samantha will both be in 2nd grade. Sydney is a year younger than Krissy, but I think he and Krissy will get along fine. I also think Talen will have a great birthday party this year. We also had Cassidy, Aden and Lindsey over. Aden and Lindsey are Alex's friends. Their dad was looking at he breaker box for them next door so we had all of this kids over here in the yard. Then, we found the snake. I picked up a hefty stick and was scaring it off. I was zagging with he stick as it zigged so I woudn't hit it, just scare it off. Well... it decided to zag when I was zagging and I accidentally broke its back. I felt terrible. I ended up having to kill it, but not the quick way i would have preferred. Could you have seen all those kids (who weren't mine) as I came outt with an axe to put the poor thing out of its misery? I still feel guilty and horrid. Then I asked the Gods for a pick me up. I stepped into the storage shed and there was my sign: the wren eggs were hatching. There were 2 out of 5 hatched at that point. All beak. I had to fight with my dad to save that nest. but I'm glad I did.
We had some terrific storms outt here yesterday, about 15 tornados in the VA/MD area (whole states, not just up here). Gorgeous lightening. its hard to sit still in the basement with the kids when all I want to do is sit outside and watch the fury.
I'm debating between a high end desk-top, a high end notebook or ok grade for both. I need a new system to transfer to GMU. They require at least a Pentium III (or equivalent) and this machine doesn't have it. So, once I get my van up to spec to pass inspection, I'm going to use what I have left of my dispursement wisely.
exhausted
froggy
content
stressed
working