B update 2...

The steroid seems to be working because this morning B had hearing in that ear for his hearing test. He is to continue to use it for a month and refills as needed. If it becomes persisitent and the spray is not working then he is to go back in for another hearing test. Because the steroid is working they are calling it a eustacian tube problem. The nurse said though from his symptoms that it presents more like a blockage due to a growth of some sort. So, for now he is being treated and we will wait and see. Now I know he has some hearing again so no more excuses for not listening to me.

B update...

He has to go back tomorrow for a hearing test. B was sent home today with a nasal steroid spray. The nurse seem to think it is a problem with his eustacian tube, but it is not presenting classically like this type of problem. After the hearing test we will know more. If the steroid doesn't work we are potentially talking about a more serious problem tumor, nerve damage etc. Continue praying please...

Prayers for B please!

B has been complaining for about a week about his ear really bothering him. I suggested he go see the Dr. He hasn't said anything for a few days so I forgot about it. This afternoon he tells me that he made an appointment to see Aidan and my ENT for in the morning. He realized today while talking on the phone that he can't hear out of that ear. Here is hoping for a really bad ear infection that will clear up with an antibiotic instead of something more serious. Thanks my friends!

Returning to the land of the living...

after feeling badly and barely functioning for the last 4 days I am starting to return to the land of the living. Those Alberta Clipper weather systems seem to be the worst for my migraines I am not sure why. Anyway, I am busy playing catch-up after getting minimal done for a few days. My house looked like it exploded! Tons to do, but getting there. Laundry is going dishes are done, recycling collected. I am going to have to break for lunch as I am starving. I am surprised Ainsley hasn't started in on me yet.


Caught some of the Oscars last night even though I think the movies that were nominated ever played in our town. If they did they were so short lived that I totally missed them. Loved Hugh Jackman as host. And can I say I have a small crush on Rob Pattinson, what a cutie! I love all the clothes and gowns. Of course I mention this to my hubby and he says to me you know we can go to the theater and such so you can wear some of those things. Really, I can't imagine wearing a ball gown to the theater especially around here. Those dresses are not meant to be worn with coats! Not my lot in life, but not sure what my hubby is thinking. Besides I wouldn't need to buy a fancy dress anyway. I still have my dress from my sister's wedding that the seamstress was so impressed with because it is something that you could actually wear again. Ah well, scattered this morning. Sorry, but I will be back soon with pictures promise.

In an effort to spend more time with family...

while guests are visiting my husbands plant this week, B has decided to have them all over to play cards tomorrow. They are all providing food and drink so for this I am grateful. He is trying. This entertaining is not his fault, but I struggle with it more because of who the company is. It is B's friend and I love him dearly, but he is not one of the bigwigs that is not familiar with town. I am glad he is coming over as I don't usually get to see him. It will be a fun evening that I will excuse myself from early without any problems.


Snow is coming tonight. I can feel it in my face. I have become once again a giant weather vane as when I lived in Houston. Claritin and tylenol will hopefully clear me up so I can function tomorrow. Tired tonight so I am taking the trash out, having a cup of tea, turning off the computer, and going to bed. B and I had the discussion last night that I need to start putting myself back on the list. I am not good about this, but I am worn thin these days. I am starting to take some time out for me so that I can better give to everyone else. So tonight this care of me looks like a cup of tea and early to bed. Goodnight taters!

Ainsley is 4!

I don't know where the time has gone as I still she her as such a baby. My sweet girl turned 4 years old on Saturday. We had a nice party with some of her little friends and their families. She had such a nice time and her sweet Daddy brought her flowers and some balloons. My Mom found this cute little dress set at Kohl's and when Ainsley saw it she just screamed, "It is American Girl!" Actually, it is not, but I did not tell her that.


This is the only picture I am able to post for now as we have tons to do today. We have already been to the Dr for her 4 year old well check and vaccinations, and to the grocery store. I still have to go work up at the church for an hour and get to laundry and get cupcakes made for Ainsley's school treat tomorrow. I am really trying to get too much into the day on Monday's. Later taters!

I am at a loss...

with how to handle the school situation. Aidan is way above academically so much so that the teacher would consider him skipping a grade. Aidan however continues to struggle with his classmate and the teacher has separated them as much as possible with them still being in the same class. Next year she is going to make sure they are in different classrooms. That leaves the remainder of this year still being a problem. I asked her to allow him to see the guidance counselor and maybe he could benefit from talking with someone better equipped to help him handle this child. It is driving me nuts that he is being harrassed so. I don't think this child is trying to be a bully. He just has no understanding of other people's feelings is what it sounds like. Prayer please people, I am about to pull my child out of school. Anyone think I can homeschool second grade? B is more willing to put him in private school first though. Ahhh, struggling with this.

Feeling good today...

It is sunny out and last I checked 40 degrees only to get warmer this afternoon. I know this warm spell is short lived, but I sure needed the break from the cold. I almost want to break out my lighter coat just for today. I am so ready for spring!

4K and other things...

This week is going to be a busy one for us. Besides getting ready for Ainsley's birthday party and her school Valentines party, I also had to register her for 4K this morning. I am feeling better about the decision to put her in than I did a few weeks ago. Maybe that means it is the right thing to do. I have been praying a lot about this. In 2.5 years life will be a bit easier as I will have both kids in the same school but until then the morning shuffle will take some getting used to. We will work it out though, we always do. We also have parent teacher conference and I am making snack for bible study in the morning. Friday the kids have off from school and I wanted to head up to the mall in Green Bay, but I am not sure that will work out. We will just have to see how the week goes. I also have all the standard chores, bills to pay, party bags to make etc. I am not complaining really, as I don't mind doing all these things. I am just noting them as I will be less likely to forget something in the shuffle if I note it somewhere. Ah well, off to unload groceries. On that note, I go to a store as often as I can that offers childcare while the parents shop. It is really a nice service. We were out and about early and I asked Miss Ainsley what she wanted to do, go home or head to the store early but not go into childcare. She wanted to go shopping early because she wanted to use the kid sized shopping carts. Let me tell you I had such a good helper this morning! I warned her before hand that she had to be really careful and that if she started to run into people or things that I would take the cart away and she would have to ride. She loaded up her grocery cart with the things I told her she could have when we went to pay she unloaded her cart all by herself. What a treat! When we got home she told me how much she loves to shop. Not sure that is a good thing but anyway. I was pleasantly surprised with how well she did. On that note, I really need to stop wasting my time here and get to work. Later taters!

Aidan's rough week...

Wow, it has been a rough one here in this house with some hurt feelings. Aidan has a little "friend" at school that causes him all kinds of problems. He follows Aidan copies everything he does etc. Aidan gets frustrated. Who wouldn't? Anyway, because said friend lives across the street Aidan and Ainsley get invited to play fairly regularly so I have them over here regularly as well. I have been cautious about encouraging the relationship because it causes so much trouble for Aidan in the classroom, usually after school they seem okay. This week this friend wanted to invite another little boy over, but then is telling Aidan everyother day ...you are invited, you are not invited. You see where I am going? Aidan finally had enough of the copying and other harrassment that goes on and fought back which got him in trouble for the first time this year. Nothing serious mind you, but my child who is like his Mom and way to hard on himself was devastated. We talked some and talked with the teacher, and I told Aidan that he did not have to be friends with this kid, but he did have to be nice. Aidan says okay, but I still want to be able to play at his house. No honey, it doesn't quite work like that. On and on this went. I told him that the boy's Mother had not talked to me either so I was not sure if he was invited to play on Friday. Aidan went to school upset again and the teacher tried to talk to him about it, and finally she had the boy's Mother talk to Aidan after school. Aidan was satisfied with her explanation of things and it seems that Aidan will have another little friend over this afternoon, another child that is also in the mix of afterschool playdates. I did not do the pick up yesterday, so I will see what happens this afternoon. I don't think Aidan would have gotten so upset had the invitation not been extended and recinded several times. Who wouldn't be confused? I am not angry at this boy or his mother in any kind of way, but what is upsetting and causing problems is that the kids hatch out these plans during the school day without talking to the parents. This is when the problems occur because parents plans may not always match what the childrens plans are. I am always quick to explain, to the child and to my own child, when invitations come up that I need to talk with the other child's parent. I don't think this is unreasonable...they are 6-7 years old! If anyone can give me advice in this area I would really appreciate it. This is the first time where I am in the situation that I am not friends with the parents of the children in question. That is difficult for me, maybe it is just me wanting to be in control of the situation. I came to a small town from a place where children get assaulted going to school, where kids get abused at friends homes, where children find guns at other peoples homes, I admit that makes me more paranoid than many parents I encounter around here. Ah well, I am frustrated and venting. Aidan will be crushed many more times than this in his life so I need to accept that fact and just do the best I can. I am praying, even though I don't know what to pray for exactly, guidance, peace, a bit of wisdom thrown in. If any of my readers can give some advice, I would be thrilled to hear it. Bless you all my dear friends!

Pinewood Derby

A few weekends ago Aidan's scout pack had their annual Pinewood Derby. I am going to copy a post my husband wrote for our parents blog:



As most of you know Aidan is in cub scouts. This has been quite a trip for both Aidan and me. Our pack is not very organized, but we think that will change soon. One of the most exciting things cub scouts do is the pine wood derby. That is where we make a gravity race car out of a block of pine. I was really excited about it (I got a new scroll saw out of the deal). This was our first time so we weren't sure how we would do.


Aidan's Car...."Silver Streak!"


Aidan picked out the design, the color (chrome...I do not suggest that color again...did not paint well and attracted every finger print imaginable). The whole project took about 3 weeks. Aidan sanded, painted and put stickers on. I found some websites that had some suggestions to help it go faster. Things like where to put the weight and axle/wheel modifications that would reduce rolling resistance. I had fun. I think Aidan did too...well at least the racing part.

Aidan seems to like it!!!!

Aidan relaxing befor the race...obiously nerves of steel!
Our pack is very small (there is only five of us) so we joined with another local pack to do the derby. There were probably 50 kids in the derby. It was crazy. Ainsley came with us to cheer on her brother. Here are some pictures from the derby....
Cub master explaining the rules

The competition


The track

We have a couple of videos, but due to technical difficulties, we will have to show them later. Needless to say, Aidan got second in our pack and was very excited...so was I. And so was Ainsley.....

Quote of the day..."Dad, I know it doesn't do anything, but I can't take my eyes off it." Aidan talking about his trophy on the way home from the derby.


Sorry to copy something written by my spouse for another forum, but I just haven't thought of much creative to say of late. It has been a long week for no real reason other than my husband has been out evenings entertaining out of town guests to the plant. It has gotten super cold again and I have had a touch of the crud. This winter is starting to run me down but I am looking forward to the break in temperatures coming this weekend. Ainsley's birthday is next weekend so I am trying to organize a small party for her. A few friends and their parents food and cake and playtime for the kiddos. I at least got the invitiations out so I won't have much else to do until late next week. That's it for now. Later taters!

Ainsley is a big girl now!

I am going to work a bit backwards for this week getting some photos posted. This was our big excitement for the day. Ainsley is out of the toddler bed and into the full size. It is much higher off the ground than I anticipated so I am hoping she won't have any problems. She napped well in it this afternoon and I will say it is the first time all week that she has wanted to go up for nap. I usually have to bribe her in some way. Both kids were having fun at this moment as you can see. Hope everyone is having a good weekend. Later taters!

Well, it has been a busy week of nothing...

seriously. How I do that I don't know. Okay, I do know. I have been busy reading. For the last couple of years the pile of books on the bedside table has grown to ridiculous proportions. It does not help that I have a list on Amazon and family members, especially my Dad, buy them for me for Christmas. Since this past summer I have made a concerted effort to move through nearly a dozen or so books, only to be thwarted again this holiday with more gifts of reading. Don't get me wrong I love books and love to read, I just don't always make the time. Well, I had finally read through all the Jane Austen and some similar lit. When I started upon a new series for some simple light reading. Oh my me, the books are like crack...not that I have ever done drugs, but seriously addicting. I must confess they are the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer. Such a fun read. Now, they are vampire books, but nothing of the dark stories that Anne Rice used to tell. Just fun light a little more romance, think Romeo and Juliet if you will. SO anyway, if you are looking for some fun reading I highly recommend them. Needless to say though, I finished those and am on to a mystery...the last one in my pile. There is no more pile which means that next week I will actually have to go to the library to check something out when I pick up books with Ainsley. Ah well.

I have some pictures that I need to download that I have been lazy about getting to but I will try to get to them later today when my kids have their afterschool gang over. Ainsley went to the art museum for a field trip and I got a cute shot of her making her creation. Also, I have Aidan with his 2nd place winning car and trophy from the Pinewood Derby for scouts. Tomorrow will also be an exciting day in our house in that we finally got Ainsley a big girl bed. No more little toddler bed. It is about time being that she will be 4 here in a few short weeks, but I have hesitated because she is so small. She is barely over 30 pounds. I am just praying that she doesn't roll out of it as she has at my in-laws house. We have learned our lesson there and the first thing we do after arriving is push the guest bed up against the wall so that she doesn't fall out. Well, kind of a silly post today, but these are the things on my mind. This and that I am tired of the cold. At least today is sunny once again though, as it seems to make a huge difference in my frame of mind these days. Later taters!

What is Truth?

That was the topic of our bible study today. Think on it. Not so easy to answer is it. The video we saw compared current definition of truth and the definition from the Websters in the 1820s. Do you know what the difference was? No mention of God in the current version. Makes you think doesn't it. What is truth? Would you know it if it was looking you in the face? What makes me concerned is that I am afraid that I wouldn't. Lies are not typically bold faced you know, they are always meshed with a bit of the truth to make them more palatable. If they were bold faced we would sure know the difference wouldn't we. Interesting things to mull over, need to re-study the book of John. Later!

Poor Aidan is...

so tired of this bitter cold. I warned him before we left school that it would probably be an inside day and we checked the computer temperature. He did not want to believe and realized that when we got to school no crossing guards were out...due to the temperature. He needs his outside time and he is missing it. Not so much bad behavior, but more he keeps saying I'm bored and all he wants to do is sit and play video games. Ainsley is all over him to play with her, but Aidan can't always be swayed. I will be so thankful for temps in the mid to upper 20s later this week. At least kiddo will be able to play in the snow outside for a change.

So I admit defeat...

well, I have given up on getting the quilt done today. Something is wrong with my machine and I think I may see if I can get it serviced/cleaned. Oh well, I will give her the gift later and take her dinner today.

MIA

Sorry I have been a bit MIA this week. I have a situation that I have done to myself so I am the only one to blame here. Last week, I got a call from one of the ladies at church asking if I would be willing to take a meal to one of the bible study girls who just had a baby. Not a problem I said. Really it is not a problem as I usually double up on whatever I am making for our family for that evening. My problem is that I had thought it would be really nice if I took her a small gift as well so I got it into my head to make her a baby quilt. Not usually a problem either but I decided that I could do it in 4 days! If I had all the time in the world or even both kids in school on a more full time basis this would not be a problem, but what was I thinking...I don't have free time like that. I am to the point that I have only the binding to attach today and I am supposed to deliver dinner tonight. Speaking of which I need to call this sweet lady to let her know I am coming. I think I can do it, but I could really use some prayer here. I know it is my own fault. Sorry to my other friends who had babies and have not received their quilts yet either as I have not done any swing since last spring because of other issues. I have all their fabric and even all their plans, but because off issues I haven't done anthing. Enough said. Well, forgive me for the rant. I need to get my children some breakfast now. No stress really not something to stress about, but why do I keep doing this to myself! Have a great weekend everyone, later taters!

I am so going to love...

my new study! Secretly I knew I would. I hope we can all stay healthy and that I won't have to miss. Anyway, just a quick blurb to update as I have a ton to do since I got so behind yesterday. I have bleached the area of the basement that was wet. I think when it dries I am going to vaccumm and bleach again. So grossing me out!

Well, my day did not go as planned...

as I was stuck here with the Roto Rooter man until about lunchtime. He was wonderful and got us all fixed up for a fraction of the price I was expecting. I still need to go bleach again down there, but I am going to wait until tomorrow I think. I just needed a break today as I am behind on laundry because I got such a late start today. I am so thankful for a basement door with a lock on it that I can just close it up and not worry about little people or dogs getting down there.



Tomorrow is bible study which I am still a little nervous, but am looking forward to it. Usually the leaders ask why we are taking the study and I am not sure really how to answer that except that I really felt like I am supposed to do that study. Not sure what yet I am to glean from that lesson, but hopefully in time that will be revealed. I will post a bit about how it goes tomorrow, but I think tomorrow will mostly be a get to know you kind of day. If anyone is interested here is the web address. http://www.thetruthproject.org/ It is by Focus on the Family. At a minimum it should be interesting.



We have a short week this week as I think Aidan has off on Friday. I need to double check since they have had so many snow days this year that I am certain that they will need to make them up somewhere. That will be a huge blessing to us. I really enjoy spending the day with them even if it is just a pajama morning watching Sesame Street. I am really grateful that my 6 year old does not feel too cool to watch that show as Ainsley loves it so much. They seem to be able to agree on the PBS programming. Well, I have more laundry to fold so I am off! Later taters.







PS Happy Birthday Miss N! Love you and have a great day!

Roto rooter, thats the name....

they're number one. Is that how the ad goes? When it rains it pours, literally. In my basement. Gross. Glad we don't have carpet. Just when I think we are getting ahead something else breaks.