Burn baby burn, second child

I was out walking this AM. When I came home, S was sporting this burn. He claims he screamed and hubs never woke up. Trinks took care of him.

Some fun at Great Adventure

Another adventure in health

And this time it's not me. I am still itchy at times, but I have more or less recovered. Tomorrow Trinks is getting her first test on the road to determine if she has asthma. I freaked out on the office staff at the doctor's office today since it's been 6 days since we left a message that Trinks is still coughing. I repeated her long history of respiratory issues, our family history of asthma and our lung disease. I asked them to pull her full chart to see the patterns. I advised that the pattern of coughing - after exercise, when upset, and at night - was consistent with asthma. Hey - maybe I'm wrong, and I hope I am, but we need someone to take us seriously. So an hour and a half after I left the message, the nurse called back. We have an appointment at 3:30 tomorrow.

And then a miracle happened. Around 8:45, the phone rang. I didn't recognize the phone number, but picked it up anyway. It was our regular doctor, who wasn't in the office today. She was catching up on paperwork at home and noticed we called. She was concerned because she had been through all of Trinks' illnesses with us. She was involved with the very first problem we had, when Trinks was born and was breathing too fast. That was the first three chest X-rays. Seven months later it was the bronchialitis and another couple of chest X-rays. Two and a half years later, it was pneumonia and more X-rays. There have been countless episodes of croup, even after four when kids are supposed to outgrow it. So dr wonderful asked if we wanted to keep the same appointment time, but see her. I agreed instantly. I feel a little badly about ditching the other doctor, but I want to go with the one who has known Trinks since day one.

Tomorrow we get albuteral and a spacer. Trinks will get the peak flow test. Then we get to go back to see a specialist at AI duPont for a pulmonary function test. I have two sick days left and one vacation day left to schedule. FUN!

Oh Crap(per)!

It was a long expensive afternoon. Our major leak turned out to be a relatively minor expense. The outside faucet pipe thing split. We opted for a shut off valve, so it was a little more expensive. Then hubs had the plumber look at the leaky toilet. Alas, it was time to say farewell to the 22 year old toilet. There was a hairline fracture and other issues. The plumber advised it would cost $600 for a new toilet. I believe I said something unprintable and then asked hubs to go to Loews to get any other toilet. Who the hell would let a plumber put a designer toilet in, sight unseen? By getting our own toilet, we saved significant cash. We have water again and all is good in the world.

FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUDDDDDDDDDDGGGGGGEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Our minor trickle of water when we ran the dishwasher turned into a major leak in the basement. So we did what anyone else would have done under these terrible conditions. We turned off the water and went to work.

While this is a terrible problem, I am grateful we started to really focus on our finances lately. We have about 6 months of living expenses saved - assuming only one of us loses our job, we eat spam, and cancel all services and activities. While it will greatly pain me to move money from that account to fix the plumbing, I am not stressed out about it. Hubs took a half day tomorrow and the plumber will be here between 2 and 4. We are hoping for a large crack in a plastic pipe. It's kind of a funny thing to hope for!

I am not Greek, but I play one in the kitchen

I love Greek food. The last three times I've been in Chicago, I've walked 2.5 miles each way to get to Greektown to get awesome Greek food. It was worth every step and the long walk helped me walk off the excess food I consumed. This week I wanted to make some tzaziki - yogurt and cucumber - sauce. I found this site in my google search for the recipe. Not only did I find the tzaziki sauce, but I found this spanakorizo - spinach rice - recipe. We ended up having souvlaki with tzaziki sauce, crumbled feta on pita (I even went to the Indian store to get better quality pita), with the rice. I tasted the rice and it didn't taste like I cooked it - it was that good! I am planning on a three week trip to Greece in the next 10-15 years, so cooking and sampling the food is as close as I am going to get for a while.

A tale of two children

Over the weekend I asked Trinks to clean her room. I understand how overwhelming it can be, so I always let her pick one place to tidy up. She sets the timer and cleans one area for 15 minutes. Then we either move to another area, or decide she's done. As usual, she whined about it. But she did it. I asked S to pick up 2 pieces of dirty laundry from his floor. Fifteen minutes later, I checked his room. The entire room was clean, but the two pieces of dirty clothes were still on the floor. But there was no whining. And his room had been a complete wreck.

Is it Jesus?

I picked S up from school as usual yesterday. It was kung fu night, so I had a snack for him. Here is our conversation.

S: Do you have my snack?

Me: Of course

S: What is it?

Me: It's what you picked out this morning.

S: Is it Jesus?

Me. Yes, S, it's Cheez-its.

It only got funnier when he refused to share Jesus with his sister.

LRNs - I love you, man!!!!

My stomach is killing me and I am crying!!!! Thank you for introducing me to Cake Wrecks. Can't even pick a favorite. Is it Sexual Harassment? Naked Mohawk Baby carrot jockeys? OMG! Look at as many of these as you can!!!

I'm not broke, but I'm badly bent

Today was picture day at the dance studio. I dropped $42 on pictures - and that was one of the cheaper packages. Tomorrow is kung fu pictures for Trinks - another at least $20. The S has pictures at his kung fu class on Tuesday. Add that to tickets to the ballet show ($17 per ticket - are they nuts???), purchase of the dance video and the fact we just booked our Boston trip, we arrive at the title, which is one of my favorite Tractors songs. Somehow I forget that May is more expensive than December.

The art of traveling in NJ

I am headed to NJ again tomorrow. I feel I am in NJ for most weekends lately. Usually time is split between parents, but this time I am going up to see my grandmother and go to a birthday party. Hubby is golfing, so he misses the fun. Last week when I was up there, I bought 4 pizzas for $20. The cashier rang up the sale and I handed over the $20. She continued to stare at me while telling me that I owed another $1.40. I guess I gave her a blank look, so she repeated it. I then remembered that there is sales tax in NJ. And to add to this week's fun, it is now hot enough to melt the EZ Pass from my windshield. I just have to remember to find it before starting the trip.

But all in all I don't mind the trip to NJ. My grandmother has been doing poorly and I have been in complete denial that she isn't well. She just started dialysis today and that may give her the best chance of quality of life. It didn't go as great as it should have, but it doesn't mean it's not going to work.

The kids are looking forward to the birthday party at Mets Fan's house. It's always a fun time and it will be nice to hang out for a bit before returning to DE in the thunderstorms.

RIP Omron pedometer

I accepted the fact that my trusty, loyal pedometer no longer works. Although I would love to blame the company for faulty design, I can't. I left it in my pocket and it went through the wash. Oops! So I kicked it up a notch when I went to replace it. I can now track my progress online! Go me!!!

They are MY genes, not yours

I can't believe genes have been patented. This is ridiculous!!!

To Mohawk or not

S wants a Mohawk. Hubby refuses to consider it. To me, it's just hair. It's easy to get rid of. So, hubs wants people to comment on what they would do, especially Mets Fan. If you don't know how to comment, send me an e-mail.

Health update

I will post this and then it's bedtime. I'm TIRED!

I am on reduced prednisone and Zantac. I stopped taking the Atarax because it was making me nuts and I was getting better. The rash doesn't itch unless I get too hot. I think I'll go walking tomorrow. According to all my research, I have between 2 and 5 weeks before I stop looking like a freak.

Worms

We hardly even notice our beloved worms. All the veggie scraps have been going to them and they seem to be happy. Hubby seems to enjoy them, too. I'll have to get a picture of them chewing through the scraps one of these days. I fed them tonight. I think in the next couple of weeks I can harvest the casings for the garden. Meanwhile, the yardwaste composter is growing rapidly. Damn weeds - too much rain has caused too many weeds!!!

My best mother's day

In stark contrast to last year when I almost killed my son twice, this year rocked. I skipped the Race for the Cure this year to spend time with my grandmother yesterday (more on my vacation to De Nial at some point). After the funeral for my cousins' grandmother, I went up to visit my grandmother in the hospital. She was in decent spirits, has a lousy view and got cranky when you took away her ice chips. After the visit, I picked up the various pieces of dinner and headed back to my parents'. I didn't make it back to DE until 10:30. I had a shot of vodka - and then passed out.

This morning, I rolled over, squinted at the clock while holding my throbbing head and screamed when I saw it was 9AM. The kids never even made noise when they got up. So I called them up and they got together with hubby to bring me breakfast. Trinks gave me my presents - a bunch of pictures, and a homemade book. She even drew a picture of the two of us watching the Simpsons together. It was really nice. My headache was from lack of caffeine, so I eventually got out of be to make some coffee - never let non coffee drinkers make coffee is a rule I adhere to. Then I dragged everyone outside for a day of weeding and yard work. At one point I realized I was all alone with my iPod and caught the three of them inside watching TV. But then they left and took the car to be washed, pick up some veggie plants and go grocery shopping for the week. I had three lovely hours ALONE before they came home and hubs grilled bratwurst. We watched America's Funniest Videos, read books and put them in bed. They must have been tired since we haven't seen Trinks at all. She usually springs out of bed several times before we have to threaten her. It'll be fun if she continues her sleep walking tonight. She walks in our room crying between 1 and 3, talks to us and tells us she loves us, then goes back to bed.

Saying good bye to a classy lady

Yesterday I attended the funeral of my cousins' grandmother. She was a constant presence in my life since before I can remember. This lovely, gentle woman was always kinds and always wanted to know what was going on in your life. She was truly a treasure who will be greatly missed. Although she was 96, she seemed timeless and continued to enjoy her life right up to the end. May we all be blessed with a life life that.

I was a good mother today

I ditched work just before 3 with no plans to return. I made it to school only 5 minutes late, and was definitely not the last mom there. The look on my son's face was pure joy. He kept hugging me and touching me to make sure I was there. I was then serenaded with three songs about what a great mother I am. Then it was time for cookies (made and iced by the kids), fruit, and punch. S "shared" cookies with me. He wouldn't give me the cookie - he would break microscopic pieces off and give them to me. But he gave me great presents - a picture of the two of us, a picture of just him, a card, and a paper hug. I love the hug the best. I can take it on business trips and wrap it around my shoulders for a hug when I need it.

After the party, I dragged S to K-Mart to get cards and possibly plants. We ended up getting getting everything but plants. Oh well. We made it to Trinks' kung fu class on time and then hit Lowes for plants. It was nice to hang out with the kids without being frantic about getting places on time.

Be quiet, Daddy!

Tonight was movie night. S chose Madagascar 2. About a half hour into the movie, hubby started snoring loud enough to wake the dead. Trinks yelled over, "Be quiet, Daddy". S is a boy of few words. He walked over, picked up the couch pillow and threw it over hubby's face

We exceeded proficiencies

Remember the social studies assignment I bitched about? We got a 4 out of 4!! Go us!!! And the kicker is the teacher loved the coats of arms I printed out. To hell with all the pictures I lovingly stapled at the end!

Drug haze

I spent today completely out of it. But the good news is the itching finally stopped around 3. I look like a freak, but I think I can return to work tomorrow. I was so out of it I couldn't remember if I took my 2nd dose of prednesone, so I spilled out the bottle and counted. Atarax is a powerful drug!

My big accomplishment today is I finally transferred my iTune library to my new computer. Go me. But I picked up the kids, took them to the library and then got Trinks' new medicine and I am now getting ready to cook hot dogs for dinner. Fridays are usually junk food night, but hubby is working late, so I'll just move junk food night.

oh sweet release

Got my steroids, drove after taking atarax and now I am completely ready to pass out. I expect good things tomorrow, but tonight I am on fire! My whole body burns!!! I may even go back to work tomorrow.

Time to start acting

I went to Trinks' appointment with her this AM. It was hot, so my coat was off. Her dr spent more time with me, correctly gave my diagnosis, gave me her recommendation for drugs, then gave me anti itch samples. Trinks is fine - needs to be on nasal spray. At that point, she went dramatic and collapsed on the table crying. I got her calmed down and promised we wouldn't force her to take it if she really didn't want it. I think she's going to take it.

I got to my appointment on time. My dr looked at my welts and thankfully agreed with the diagnosis and then informed me it doesn't itch. What???? I told her I was going crazy with itching. She prescribed another antihistamine, Atarax, which is also a cheap anti-psychotic. Fine, I won't be able to drive, but it will make me pass out tonight. She flat out refused to give me steroids unless I didn't improve. In about 15 minutes, I am calling back to claim I scratched through my skin and I am bleeding a desperately need drugs. In the mean time, I am digging through my expired medral dose pack to get another 60 mgs of prednisone. This insanity must stop. I hate steroids, but there is a time for everything.

Not hives

Can you believe it? I don't have hives! I have erythema multiforme (EM). There's really nothing they can do for me unless I am in respiratory distress. The dr did give me 60 mgs of prednisone and I was back from the ER in an hour. I still itch and I slept on the couch clutching a bag of frozen green beans.

Going to the ER

I can't stand it anymore and it spread to my mouth. Bring on the strong drugs!!!! Driving in glasses after 2 benadryl should be fun.

Agony

Hives

I spent today home with Trinks. She's having belly issues and I have hives EVERYWHERE. The only painful ones are on my palms and the soles of my feet. It's hard to describe how hives feel. I think the best comparison I have is the memory of when I was around 9 and stepped on an underground bee hive. I was stung about 50 times. Bee stings are just a pinch, but the itching afterwards is horrific. Hives are like that, and NOTHING takes the itching away. It feels like bugs are crawling around, just under my skin and it spreads until there is no other place for the hives to go. The steroid cream really doesn't work, heat spreads the hives, and frozen veggies take the edge off. We're having frozen green beans tonight - they are already defrosted! I would have poison ivy any day rather than face hives for an hour.

I am no stranger to hives. I grew up getting hives after swimming in really cold water. I was a fish and nothing kept me out of the water, so I had hives a lot until I outgrew them. I'm not sure what brought this outbreak on - it could have been pressure urticaria, or any of the other miserable urticarias. No test will ever pinpoint the cause, and solutions are few and far between. People get hives from unknown origin all the time, and sometimes they last for years. Hopefully mine won't.

Tomorrow Trinks and I have appointments in the AM. Hubby will have to tag team Trinks' appointment so I can get to mine. I don't think I can go to work tomorrow - the hives will reach my face shortly and I don't want to have to explain what's going on to everyone I come in contact with.

Ocean City NJ

Here are some pictures of the scenery from the MS walk today. I would love to post more, but I am covered in hives and am fighting the urge to get a knife to peel my skin off. I think I'm going back to the dr tomorrow, but I doubt they can help. It's definitely hives, not poison ivy, and there's really not much they can do for hives.

And in other sick news, Trinks can't stop coughing, but hasn't puked again. S puked yesterday, but seems back to normal. Hubby remains healthy. I think Trinks is going to the dr tomorrow - four weeks of coughing is not great. We've tried allergy meds with no relief, so it's time to explore asthma. Fun.

I'm an excellent driver

Hubby bought a toy this week.

Puke with no fever does not equal swine flu

I was awakened to Trinks screaming from the hall. Then the lovely sound of puking FROM THE HALL. Hoping the stain remover works, or we will have a beautiful red design on the gray carpet. I'm kind of happy to be escaping this afternoon.