Fresh New Week Monday

[Twins' Mom]

Didn't really finish the last round....I've have some "troubled accounts" that I need to think about.

I went ahead and walked the ddogs a little longer walk since they missed out this morning. Temp is dropping here, low is expected to be 34 degrees. Dh is bowling tonight so I ordered a pizza.

-Light Hanukah candles
-turn on porch lights
-empty kitchen trash and take out paper recycling
-finish clearing "hot" kitchen counter
-start a li$t for tomorrow

[OKay]

After picking LO from school we made a quick trip to town because LO schools shoes are too small. I noticed this weekend when I cut his toenails that he had a callus on the top side of his big toe. I checked and sure nuf - his toe is rubbing the end of the shoe. This is the 3rd time I've bought him shoes since school started. Each time I get the next size bigger. He is definitely still in a growth spurt.

I was noticing LO height compared to others his age at the Christmas play practice. They lined up the kids according to age on stage. The 3, 4 and 5 year olds are on the front line with the 6, 7 and 8 year olds in next row behind them. LO is on the front row but looks totally out of place because he is as tall or taller than the children almost twice his age on the back row. I hope he doesn't feel out of place. His bestest friend is one of the smallest boys. Their size difference is very noticeable to those that aren't used to seeing them play together. While waiting for the parade to start on Saturday night they were holding hands and running around together. Several people commented because LO appeared to be dragging/pulling his small sized friend as they ran and jumped. His friend is very agile and leaps into the air as LO pulls him. Somehow they make the size difference work for them, but it sure looks strange.

[OKay]

I'm in shock. I just opened the bill for LO allergy tests (blood work) done a couple weeks ago. $1900. ***GULP*** Really?! I'm didn't expect it to cost that much AT ALL. I was thinking it would be in the $200-500 range. This $1900 bill was from his ENT doctor which makes me wonder if there will be an addition bill coming from the pathologist/lab people. I'm 99% sure insurance will take care of most of it, but I am still stunned at the cost.

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

I didn't take a nap today and am dragging now. Tempted to go to bed for the night even though it is only 7:15.

Last week when I skipped my nap, I took a 3 hour nap the following day. That isn't an option tomorrow so now I'm worried.

I didn't mean to skip the nap, I meant to take it while dinner cooked but dh had to do a Shepherd's pie as well so I stayed up to help him in the kitchen.

Dishwasher is running now. So there's no reason to stay up except that I may not be able to sleep for 11 hours straight. Nine for sure, ten maybe, but not 11.

[blessedw2]

I would question the costs with ent etc. d okay. Sometimes they pad the bill and you have to make sure that each test was conducted - found that one out.

[scattered]

Lucylee – If you and DH would like to come up please just give me 30 days notice so that I can get my house clean first. If you happen to have military benefits you can stay at Cheatam Annex which is situated on the York River and has beautiful townhome, cabins, and large houses available to rent for very resonible prices check out this website (url link is not working so C&P and make sure you get the whole link) http://get.dodlodging.net/propertys/Cheatham-Annex-Outdoors—Cottages

Kathryn – down here if we get even ¼” of snow they close the schools (usually for days), this is very strange for me because I grew up in Alaska and Denver where they NEVER closed school.

(((Harriet))) – Hugs to you and HRH, I know it can be very tough dealing with eldercare. I like Kathryn’s suggestion, could you set out a plate with veggies, meat, fruit and cheese and let him graze? just read your later post… never mind enjoy arguing with the deaf… I feel like that sometimes with DS20 & DFS19. I am glad DDad is having a better day.

Books Don’t feel bad I have been trying to decorate since Thanksgiving and so far all we have is everything pulled out…

MT – are you now in a house or do you just have a HUGE RV? I am so glad your Dsis is doing better and (((DBro)))

Mystery – you made me you would have giggled at how quick I changed out of those boots as soon as I got to DP/BFF’s.

Harmony – I will hopefully be joining you at the sewing machine tomorrow; I have 3 Fleece zippered jackets (DS’s), 9+ aprons (adults), and ??? for DP/BFF’s DstepS, to make by Christmas.

Twins – Awesome BP, mine was way up according to the machine (148/85) but not to bad when the Corpsman did it manually (128/85)… yet again why I hate automated BP machines.

Harriet, Books, & Elly – I read the Dick & Jane books when my (weird) DAuntil thought she should “homeschool” us kids one summer… I was 11 and had been reading adult novels since I was 4-5. Yes I was an early reader.

Sadie - I have an interview sometime this week doing initial and ongoing assessments for a home healthcare agency, unfortunately around here RN’s don’t do/get paid enough doing the actual care. If that doesn’t work out I might look into Hospice Care.

Elizabeth - at argument with DD, DS20 got one when he was like 12 and DS13 got one when he was 8, but it was a special one that would only allow him to call 4 pre-programmed numbers. They got them at a young age because I was a single mother and didn’t trust their DFather. Glad your meds are ready and that you didn’t have an argument this time.

Helia – I am glad everything worked out so well. DS20 was my miracle baby, his heart rate dropped dangerously low while I was in labor and then he was a blue baby for the first 20 minutes. However, once he found his lungs they did not want him in the nursery even though I was very sick. He weighed 9# 2oz and had the scream to go with the weight!!!

OKay - I agree with Blessed they have a tendency to inflate the costs, because the Insurance Co will not only pay most of it but they will also cap what the lab can charge you for the tests.

DS13 has been fed and apparently DS20 had the munchies today while I was gone including eating a large portion of the leftover London Broil that I was planning on using.

It has been a long busy day... don't know that anything else will get done tonight.

Appointment in Williamsburg went fine in fact ran into a fellow Corpsman that I haven't seen in a while and enjoyed swapping the scuttlebutt (Navy for gabbing) with him and several of his shipmates. Then went to DP/BFF's changed clothes and headed out to hit the dollar stores, Targe', and Tuesday Morning, before grabbing a late lunch. It was great to spend several hours with her without anyone else. Looks like if the weather is nice this weekend we may take the DFamily to a local beautiful free park/mini-zoo.

Goodnight everybody, sleep tight.

[Harmony]

Medical expenses are through the roof. I wish they could do something about that.

Took care of numerous work-related problems this afternoon. Ran (no drove) to the county office and came back with a stack of papers that generated another batch of work. I got that taken care of and wrote a statement for that customer.

Friend came and took 2 bags of grapefruit. We gave 2 to our tenant also. So, that is the last of the grapefruit until the ones left on the tree ripen. He called tonight to thank me for the sweet juicy ruby reds. I thought that was nice. We spent a while looking at my garden, talking about compost, etc., quite enjoyable. He used to be a farmer.

Interim youth group leader and wife came over. I had to run around a pick up the place, it looked good enough for them I guess. They were planning the event Sunday eve when 30 youth descend on us here.

Man I was busy today. Still have lunches to make and dishes. Off I go.

[Emptynester]

Scattered - we bought a small manufactured home in a retirement community a year ago. There are about 400 lots here - some with RVs, some with small houses and some with big houses. We love it here but still want to travel in the summer. We will also be going out to the desert in January to boondock (no water, electric or sewer dump). We will carry water in our fresh water tank, we have solar panels and a generator and waste water tanks. We can stay out for about 2 weeks without services.

I was able to empty all 6 bins but have piles of papers sorted all over the floor. Tomorrow's goal is to get them all filed. I bought a big pack of file folders at the store today so should be able to get that done.

I also found several pages of blank label stock so I have the labels printed for our Christmas newsletter. I plan on getting that done tomorrow, too.

Time to head to bed - mixed up hot chocolate mix, Vanilla creamer, coffee, Creme d' Coco and Creme d' Menth. It makes a wonderful night cap. I am so sleepy, I can hardly type.

Nighters all.

[helia]

Ooh, that drink sounds awesome, MT! That sounds like a lot of filing. WTG getting the bins emptied.

I did not exercise tonight. Nor did I go to Target. I did take dd14 to a store to get a gift for a Secret Santa, and I did call dd14's accompanist to try to set up a practice time, but she didn't pick up so I left a message. Acctualy, it will be very hard to find a time to practice; dd14 has something every day after school between now and break. She might be able to squeeze in a 1/2 hour rehearsal between school (out at 3:30) and a synchro. practice (needs to be in locker room around 5:15) some day, but even that will be tight.

I'm trying to psych myself up for tomorrow. I will be out and about, mostly driving dd14 around, for maybe 6 hours. First thing in the morning, I'm taking the girls to have their blood drawn (dd17 for thyroid - rechecking to make sure med levels are good and dd14 for various tests that go with taking Accutane). Then, I'm picking up dd14 from school around 2:30 for a 3:05 derm. appt. Hopefully, they won't be running 1.5 hours late like last time -- b/c dd14 has an oboe lesson 4:45 - 5:45. Then, I'll drop her off at the high school, a little early for her band rehearsal 6:30 - 8:30. Dd14 will be out of the house from 7:30 a.m. - almost 9 pm tomorrow. I hope she doesn't have a lot of hw due Wed. Then, I'll need to get dinner on the table asap so I can run out again to stop by a friend's open house/sale before picking up dd14 from rehearsal. I don't really want to go to the open house; I'm busy enough -- and using one's friends to sell merchandise doesn't sit 100% squarely with me, but I do want to support this friend who is new to the area and in my moms group small group. I will have several hours between the blood draw and leaving again to drive dd14 around. I'm hoping I'll use those well. I think I'll try and get some IRL shopping done.

Heading off to bed now. Tomorrow will be a new day - a new beginning.

[lucylee]

Pretty good day, except I just about lost it w/one particular class. They needed a Come to Jesus moment, though, so I don't really mind. Maybe I shocked a little sense into them.

SUV is back at the dealer... although it started up fine and everything was just great with it this afternoon... so I really have my doubts that they will be able to solve the problem. * sigh * At least we didn't have to pay for towing!

DH & dgs apparently had a wonderful day today. He had dgs all alone from about 8:30 this morning till a little after 3:00 pm when I got home.
DH totally amazes me. I am exhausted after 5 hours w/dgs, and he's even had a nap during that time! DH just seems to have endless patience and energy today. I think he is so proud of himself that he is running on adrenaline, LOL!
But dgs has been unusually good all day, I think. He rode over to the car dealership w/us and never made a peep, just enjoyed the ride. Sat w/dh while I went into T*rget to return a rug... and while we went through Arby's drive-through... and then he enjoyed his visit w/dmil... and LOVED his carrots... so if he's been a little fussy since around 7:00, I guess he's earned it, LOL!

I've washed a load of laundry... answered two e-mails from parents of students... fed dgs, washed bottles, and played w/dgs some.
Also seems like the phone has rung a million times tonight.

DH is putting away all the baby stuff now... dgs is back in the basinett... I know I'm not spelling that right.

Oh, scattered, how sweet of you! I don't know WHEN I will ever get dh up there, (Williamsburg doesn't have a baseball or football team, you know )but my dparents went a few years ago and dmom just couldn't stop talking about it! Ever since then, it has been on my bucket list, I guess you could say.

LOL -- IKWYM about the snow, scattered. We're definitely the same way. We've been known to close on a FORECAST of snow!!! Ddil, who is from Illinois, thinks we are CRAZY.

(((Harriet)))

I remember Dick and Jane very well.

OKay -- wow! That IS quite a bill! I'm thinking my allergy testing ran around $400.

Waving to MT... Harmony... Kathryn... Twins... Elizabeth... Dee... Mystery... blessed... and EVERYONE else!!!