Ate any good books lately?

Help! I won't let go and so I'm stuck!
(And I'm getting angrier by the second!)
These photos are by Sandra.

I had to work a short shift this afternoon. I did a bit of shopping after and pretty well bought one of everything Target sells to combat baby eczema. And dog food.
Miss Lilly has a appointment in the morning (weather permitting) to have her photo taken. I had hoped for Lilly to wear shiney dress shoes with short ruffled socks and bare legs. Looks like we will go with nice heavy cotton tights instead. Her legs were pretty red tonight.
'Dozer didn't take good naps today. I'm sure being uncomfortable doesn't help. She was pretty cantankerous until Gramma came home. Lilly loved me for a bit. She then tried to bulldoze her way to the buttons on the computer. I was blocking with my legs and she kept head butting me. When I wouldn't move she bit me! I picked her up quickly to stop the biting; and she cried - She knew she had been bad! Poor tired baby!
She got a warm Aveeno oatmeal bath, soothed with Aveeno lotion, and off to bed. We'll try the Aveeno for a few days and then switch to Gentle Naturals, and maybe add a bit of Burt's Bees. I find the Apricot Baby Oil is one of the best things I have ever found for my skin. And it smells good enough to eat! Hopefully, we will find the combination to heal Lilly's skin and keep it that way this winter.

My very quiet dayIce is nice when your cutting your sixth tooth! For the record: (almost) 4 up, 2 down.

Lilly and her Gramps. We were doubling cameras on her at this point. She always smiles right after the flash. So we flashed with this picture and got the smile with Gramp's phone camera. He wanted new pics to show off.

This is the one thing Lilly could do forever - let Uncle Willie push her on the scooter. They go round and round the house. "Dozer giggles and giggles. And yes, her shirt is wet on front. She has been sipping my tea a lot this evening.

Rand and I took Lilly for a quick stroll this evening to see the neighbors Christmas lights. (To all small children who read this, my neighbor, Tim, is actually one of Santa's elves. And he has the Christmas decorations prove it!)
Today has been unseasonably warm. We had tornado watches, thunderstorm warnings, and winter storm watches - all at the same time today!
I lived up to my prediction of yesterday. I spent most of today in bed (in pain) and at this writing, am still in my pajamas. Lilly was content to play with Gramma in bed. She loved the Sunday paper. (Eating it, playing with it) I traded my pj bottoms for sweats, for the stroll, but still technically in pj's for the walk. The cumulative effect of this busy shopping weekend, was hitting everybody at work. I feel for those who had to work as well today. I am so glad I had today off. My body needed the recuperation time badly. I treated my body with lots of Icy Hot, sleep, drugs, and warm soft blankets. My arthritis even kicked up my RSD pretty bad for a time today. That always is a bit scary.
My fever from the multiple inflammations finally broke this evening. I drenched my clothes with sweat and opened a couple of windows.
Tomorrow should be an easier day on me at work. I'm only scheduled 5 hours.
Lilly has her own little misery going on, besides this new tooth just cutting through. Her eczema is back - big time. Look like is will be a seasonal problem for her. Time for Gramma to pull out all her remedies.

Can I help you find something?
Better yet, let me follow about five feet behind you and clean up after you. Since "you" out number me by several hundred to one, I will stay for several hours after close to make sure the store is presentable again by morning.
My wish for Christmas? That people quit opening the pretty packages. That is probably the second major loss to stores following theft. Packages are destroyed to where we can no longer sell the item.
I spend most of my shift rehanging and refolding. It is nothing to have a shopping cart completely filled with things, just picked up off the floor, in one swoop. And that is just one small area.
I do love retail, I love to be of service to people, and I do love to organize. But I do not understand the majority of the populations' lack of manners and lack of common sense in a public situation.
I also really wonder about how dirty and messy their houses must be. If they act like this in public where manners count, (Yes, they really do count!) it must be really disgusting at home.

Yes, yesterday was Black Friday.
It was the first time I did not open on Black Friday. I didn't get to see the running and thundering herds when the doors were unlocked. It does sound exactly like a cattle stampede. It is quite scary to see people in this mentality. Really makes you wonder about how high up the food chain we really are. I've seen animals on the farm at chore time with more grace and manners. Does anyone ever look at their actions on Black Friday and hang their head in shame? Is the sport? Pure greed? I don't get it - Never have and never will.
Many of the items people were fighting for, were still in stock when I arrived for my late shift. Of course, many things were sold out as well. We then get to put up with the anger of shortages. If you knew it was the one item you had to buy for that special relative, isn't that loved one worth shopping early for? Most of these things are for sale before, the day after Thanksgiving.
It's not our fault we are sold out of the newest "toys"; which the companies released just in time for the holidays to wet your whistle. And the manufacturers control how many the stores are allowed to receive. We don't have enough of your precious X-Box 360s?
Maybe instead of reacting like Pavlov's dog when Microsoft graces the world with another toy; a world wide boycott of Microsoft marketing practices would make a difference. Then the human race might regain some dignity above the animals.
We are the consumer. We do have the power to get the companies to give us what we want - the way we want it. Instead, the consumer has become nothing more than a rat in a maze. They are orchestrating our every move. Ringing the bell and we are slobbering all over ourselves
Quite simply, I refuse to be played with.
There is no thing that I am willing to prostitute my human dignity for.

Now on to the screaming kids
How rude. You are being uncaring to your child, as well as every human being within ear shot. The needs of your child should come first. Every effort should be made that they are comfortable and happy. If they are tired and hungry, go home. Be the adult. To allow them to suffer, should be a punishable offense.
If they are just throwing the "I want this toy fit", leave the building immediately. As long as they are in the area, they think they have a shot at getting it. You take them home immediately, they learn there is a consequence to their action.
None of my children ever threw a fit in a store. If they were a little less than polite, I took them home. Shopping with Mom was a privilege to be earned, not a right. I always felt teaching my children good manners, was more important than anything I needed to buy that day.

and thank God for
The people who smile, say thank you, wish you a happy holiday, are grateful when you can help them, and graceful, when there isn't anything you can do. They make it all worth while.
And a caffiene and sugar salute to the co-workers who are willing to give 100% and our leaders who help keep the team spirit going.

For the most part, my body feels like a bad toothache that was hit by a truck. Emotionally it feels great to be back!
I have tomorrow off. I'm not getting out of bed for anything tomorrow. Well, I'll probably get up to play with Lilly, but I'm staying in my pajamas!
As for today: We've played, Lilly's napping, and it's about time to start getting ready - to go to work.

How to make a pamela

Ingredients: 3 parts friendliness 5 parts crazyiness 3 parts beauty

Method: Stir together in a glass tumbler with a salted rim. Add curiosity to taste! Do not overindulge!

Username:

Personality cocktail
From Go-Quiz.com
yeah, I'm not sleeping again.....

Now it is a Happy Thanksgiving!
Lilly's home!

 

Photo Friday - Yellow

A little yellow friend

Have a family, friend, and flavor filled day!

only in our family
For Real I'm Not Making Any Of This Up.
KCCI is doing a special report on dog training.
My first thought on seeing the preview is: my "little sister, Buffy the blonde cocker spaniel, will love this story.
I even call my folks to let them know about the story.
They assure me Buffy will be watching tonight.
It continues tomorrow night, 10 pm, and I guarantee she will be watching.
Buffy watches TV with more vigor than any animal I have ever seen!
Her favorite channel is Animal Planet. Of course!

Lilly update?
Sandra left a message that they would be home late tonight. Something about somebody was sick?, the message cut out and I couldn't understand it. When I tried to call no one answered. And no one arrived home tonight.

Today, I was on the sales floor and my body really hates me. I didn't sleep well last night, the pain won. My body was not in the mood to play today, but I got it done and did it fairly well.
Then I only had things to worry about like: When I actually reach my Jeep - how in the hell am I going to get inside of it? If I take my work clothes off, will I be able to put more comfortable ones on? If I lose my balance and fall out of this chair will Rand laugh at me?
I really need better drugs.
I'm not asking to be an Olympic contender. I just want to feel okay; like most people.
After this, I should be just working evenings. At the very least, I know my body needs as much recoup time as possible. Closing and then to an early shift was too much.
I decaffeinated and cut carbonation last May. I'm really missing it now more than ever. I even tried to buy a Diet Dew yesterday at work. Stupid vending machine in the break room wouldn't take my dollar. A sign from God? I truly doubt that God is all wrapped up on whether I drink Diet Dew or not. My doctors are in charge of that.

My dogs are mad that I won't let them downstairs. Another good use of a baby gate. We think the dogs have figured out how to get "treats" out of the kitty litter boxes. It is a minor trick - our litter boxes are raised - to keep the dogs out.
Speaking of litter box adventures....
(Nice segue, eh?)
Both cats were using both litter boxes. I figured, cut down and save some space, we went to just one litter box. Meowers thanked me by peeing in the formal living room. Camper thanked me by pooping in a wicker laundry basket. Yes, we now have two litter boxes again. And a new plastic laundry basket.

Rand got some plastic on the windows of the screen deck while I was still at work. He's about half done.

Willie is really jumping in and contributing since I've gone back to work now. The other evening Rand got home and Willie had supper ready for him. He bathed the dogs for me today because Kizzie got into something smelly. (We do play by the rules: "If one gets it, they all get it" It's how the folks raised me and my brothers.) He does dishes, helps with laundry, and is even helping with some grocery shopping now.

wait for it
I'm home from work, showered, and am waiting for my Ambien to kick in.
Unbeknownst to most of us, Target has already started their holiday hours. A lot of us thought we were closing at 9 pm (Sunday close time only). We were open until 11 pm! We were there until 11:30 zoning. That's actually pretty good. A lot of nights it can take 2 - 3 hours to put the store back together.
I would really like to get to sleep. I go back in to work at 10 am. After that, I'm back to evenings.

the stupidest thing I have done for awhile
The hardest part of going back to work is convincing my feet shoes are a good thing. All of my shoes are top of the line, my feet just prefer my Birkenstock clogs.
I have orthopedic inserts to wear in full shoes. I've been practicing wearing shoes during the day, trying to get better acclimated for work. The pain has been getting worser and worser. This morning I was moving my insoles from one pair of shoes to another, hoping the shoe change would help. And I found out the root of my pain. I had my inserts reversed - Left one in the right shoe, right one in the left shoe.
Today has gone much better!

they are not here yet
Sandra and Ryan didn't return today. And they didn't call.
Everyone here was at work today, but nobody's phones had missed calls; I checked. I was so hoping to at least see Lilly sleeping in her room when I got home. I miss her so much! It has been almost two weeks.
We really need to get her Christmas pictures taken. I can't even make an appointment unless I know what they are doing and when they are planning on doing it. I had hoped to have them done already.
I spoke to Sandra a few nights ago and it really sounded like they would be back today.
Just plain inconsiderate and rude not to call at least.
Lilly is cognitively old enough now. If I'm missing her, she is also missing me.

a blue moon
Rand and I both had today off! I didn't know this until I got home last night. That won't happen again until - Thursday. It helps that Thursday is Thanksgiving. After this it will probably be Christmas before this we see each other again. We both work tomorrow and on into infinity. We spent today shopping (for stuff like a new litterbox, socks, underwear, dog food, and a laundry basket) and sleeping. We are so exciting.
I got home last night after midnight. It was a better night on me physically, but we were also better staffed. I get a five straight days work routine next. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little scared of how that will feel. I wish my body could keep up with my ambition.

"I can't find it"
I spoke these words to Mom, the other day, on the phone. I have lost several important pieces of information, including my social security card.
I am way too organized. I don't lose things like that. My biggest fear is I left them in a purse or billfold that was donated to Goodwill. But, I didn't carry them with me on a regular basis. Everything that is missing I would of swore was locked up in a "secure" location.
I am also missing my voter registration card. Somebody could be using my identity to vote - Democratic! *gasp*
I don't worry too much about identity theft. Nobody is getting too far with my credit.
I have my replacement SS card coming. This means, of course, I'll probably find the original now.
I discovered my missing things gathering up info for Target. To meet requirements, I had to get a certified copy of my birth certificate. I spent a lot of time downtown yesterday morning. I hate downtown Des Moines. It's a maze of one way streets, new construction, and a serious lack of parking.

I also can't find my shoe horn. My guess is that's a Willie thing. I got a new one while out today. Most of the time I live in Birkenstock clogs. But Target requires a full shoe. I prefer my Keen hiking boots. My steel plate (right foot) requires a shoe horn.

to sleep, perchance to dream.....
The new Ambien CR is working great! I am actually getting in eight hours of straight sleep despite my odd hours and Camper. This, of course, includes the use of my APAP.

You Are a Life Blogger!

Your blog is the story of your life - a living diary. If it happens, you blog it. And make it as entertaining as possible.

What kind of blogger are you?
Things I read when the sleeping pills aren't working yet.....

Before I was a Mom

Ashley (who will be a first-time mom in March) sent me this - I think it deserves posting!

Before I was a Mom - I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby. I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous. I never thought about immunizations.
Before I was a Mom - I had never been puked on. Pooped on. Chewed on. Peed on. I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.
I slept all night.
Before I was a Mom - I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests. Or give shots. I never looked into teary eyes and cried. I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin. I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.
Before I was a Mom - I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put it down. I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt. I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much. I never knew that I could love someone so much. I never knew I would love being a Mom.
Before I was a Mom - I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body. I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby. I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child. I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.
Before I was a Mom - I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay. I had never known the warmth, The joy, The love, The heartache, The wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much before I was a Mom.

And before I was a Grandma - I didn't know that all those "Mom feelings" more than doubled!

photo friday - imperfection

the first snow 2005

they finally called
Sandra and Ryan plan on being back on Sunday now.
I really miss Lilly - So much I could cry.
Wait. I am crying.

ow ow ow ow ow
I worked my first shift at back at Target last night. Everyone was wonderful and it felt great to be back. I didn't get home until 1:00 am. First order of business at home: pain pills and a hot shower. In bed by 2:00 am and up at 7:30 am this morning for a doctor appointment. I am beat. I'm not scheduled to work again until Friday. After that I'm on the schedule for 6 nights next week. Sink or swim, here we go! As much pain as I am in this morning - it still feels good in my heart and soul to be back at Target.

What a difference a day makes.
Good-bye warm fall, I'll miss you!
Here are my before and after weather shots.
We start as the rain began changing into snow
yesterday morning.


















Now, for this morning's results.


















And yes, I was too lazy to even open the door for these shots. These are taken from my picture window. Not my fault it is cold and icky out there! I don't do cold and icky.
No idea when Lilly and her folks are getting back from Fort Dodge. Haven't heard from them at all.
It was so cold leaving work last night (this morning?). Our vehicles were covered with ice. I scraped just what I had to and headed home. And at 1:00 am the roads were glare ice. It took several tries to get into the driveway. I wasn't going to put it in 4x4 for the driveway when it wasn't even deep. Our driveway isn't real steep, my problem began when I slowed down to wait on the garage door. I couldn't get going again on the slight incline covered in ice.
My doctor appointment this morning was actually fun. It was at the sleep clinic.
I adore Dr. Fluegal - she is a great person as well as a great doctor.
I got the pressure on my machine adjusted some. I was also given some samples and a new prescription for the new Ambien. I already take Ambien, but they have improved on it. Three hours into it, it hits you with another time released 'dose'. Here's hoping for a full night's sleep! Pain is not a great sleeping partner.
I think it may be time for a nap.

Oh, Rob!
I'm glad I sent warning so he could be prepared!

Quiet day around here today.
Slept in, read the paper. We did a nice roast for lunch.
Rand and I went to Sam's Club to sign up for our free membership.
Went to HyVee for a few groceries.
Lilly will now return on Monday or Tuesday.
Gets too quiet around here without her.

Of course, I didn't have a camera handy
This has been an odd day.
This morning I finally got out to finish my fall yard work. It had rained in the front yard, but not the back yard. You could see the line in the drive way where the rain stopped. That's spotty showers.
The first thing I did was go pick up the fast food garbage someone had thrown in our front yard. I was holding the discarded sack when friend and neighbor, Angela, stopped on her way by. We chatted for a few minutes and I looked down to see we were being watched.
A mouse had poked his head out of the sack I was holding and was quietly observing us. Angela quickly rolled up her window and drove on!
I am not afraid of furry things. I simply discarded the offending sack and beady eyed stow-away into the trash container.

Now for the weather:

KCCI.com Daily Forecast

Forecast Today: scattered light showers in the morning, then showers and thunderstorms likely in the afternoon. Breezy. Some thunderstorms may be severe with damaging wind. High in the lower 70s. South wind 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 70 percent. Tonight: partly cloudy. A chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening. Breezy. Low in the lower 40s. West wind 20 to 25 mph. Gusts up to 40 mph after midnight. Chance of rain 50 percent. Sunday: mostly sunny. Windy, cooler. High in the lower 50s. Northwest wind 15 to 30 mph. Gusts up to 40 mph in the morning. Sunday Night: partly cloudy. Colder. Low in the lower 30s. West wind near 10 mph shifting to the south after midnight. Monday: mostly cloudy. A chance of light rain showers and light snow showers in the morning, then a chance of light rain showers in the afternoon. High in the upper 40s. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph with higher gusts. Chance of preci

Yes, we did have several tornados in central Iowa this afternoon.
By Monday, we may see snow.
It's Iowa. Don't like our weather? Wait 5 minutes.
The weather was very entertaining. Rand and I had just sat down to watch a movie; we found the KCCI reports way more interesting.
I learned something watching the film footages of these many tornadic events. As the tornado approached an area, the leaves on the ground were drawn to it. You associate strong damaging winds with a tornado. I hadn't really thought of there being a drawing wind - a suction as well. Fascinating.

The old folks went to visit Rob in Ames today. They had no idea anything was going on weather wise.

Yesterday, they went Geocaching. Ended up successfully at the Winterset City park. Then, they got lost taking the back roads home to Truro. Yes, they successfully found their way to another "treasure", but couldn't find their way back home with their GPS.

In other news, Rand's truck broke down yesterday morning on his way into work. It was towed in for repairs and we picked it up tonight. It cost $350 for a cam sensor to be replaced. Yeah, our budget needed that.

friends for breakfast

What you can't see is Kizzie below.
The animals have become very fond of 'Dozer.
It doesn't hurt that 'Dozer is frequently covered with food
and throws it occasionally.
They have headed to Fort Dodge for the weekend.

moon rise at sunset

Happy Veterans Day and a humble, heart-felt, thank you to all who have served.

This particular holiday brings back very poignant memories for me.
Early that morning, at the tender age of 19, I had to hand my 2 month old baby to the surgical nurse. Something had been wrong from the birth. The baby's failing health prompted action.
My weakened infant was returned to my waiting arms with an incision in the abdomen and an IV sticking out of the scalp.
Later that night, I had to call my husband; he needed to rush back to the hospital.
The baby wasn't doing too well. The hospital called back the surgeon and anethesiologist. They suggested I get the father back quickly. It was a long night.
We spent a few days at the Decatur County Hospital in Leon, Iowa with the birth of this child. We spent a few weeks trying to get the baby stronger and to gain weight through the course of that latest event.
Our first child was baptized, not in a church, but in a hospital room.
It was a long year to follow, but eventually my baby thrived.
It's real hard to observe Veterans Day without feeling like I survived a battle as well.

Photo Friday - "Worn"

sometimes babies have layers like that of onions and ogres

'Dozer is helping me play Tetris.

We made it to level 4.
With Camper and Lilly's help
- my computer performs functions I have never known.

Lilly has a crib!Thanks to Uncle Don and Aunt Mo!

The parts arrived and Rand and I had it together in minutes. We let Lilly help. She seemed quite excited by this new crib in her room.
Lilly is, right now as I type this, officially not taking her first nap in her pretty crib. She thinks she's not tired, still from the other day. The dogs aren't helping. Every time Lilly gets real quiet, they decide to bark at absolutely nothing.
Lilly's sleep schedule is still out of whack as I posted the other day.
Whack must be a good thing, because to be out of it, is just awful!

dictionary.com defines
out of whack Informal
Improperly ordered or balanced; not functioning correctly.

I'm sure teeth have something to do with this. She's filling her diapers multiple times a day and her nose is running. Her appetite is down some. Today for lunch we did PB&J and yogurt. After she was done eating, she was quite happy finger painting her tray with grape jelly.

My next announcement
I'm going back to Target.
I went in yesterday (to the new store) and was basically re-hired on the spot.
Pepsi is cutting Rand's overtime hours, by the first of the year it is predicted to get worse. Our insurance coverage grows worse by the year, and housekeeping costs keep rising. I've got to do something! I'm going to start with just a few evenings and weekends - See how my body does.
I didn't tell anyone, Rand included, that I was going to do this. Everyone else has serious concerns about my health. I have serious concerns about our budget.
Hopefully, when Sandra does get a job, she can get the "mommy hours" - Then the Lilly care will be covered 24/7.

It did get quiet and Miss Lilly is sleeping!

But, I'm not tired!
The 'Dozer decided not to take a morning nap until lunch time.
In a way this worked out, we got a surprise visit from Great Grandpa, Great Grandma and Buffy.
Lunch was at the usual afternoon nap time.
After lunch, 'Dozer accompanied me to Target where we made very important purchases like dog food and garbage bags.
I would have rather gone for a stroll, but I also needed four prescriptions refilled. And I needed them today.
While at Target we took in all the beautiful new Christmas decorations. I think Christmas is going to be very enjoyable through the magic of Lilly's eyes this year.
My little bulldozer "crashed" before we got out of the parking lot. She was awake again at home and refused to take an afternoon nap. After supper, she was dragging. Ready for bed.

This is Lilly's kitchen drawer pictured. In it is an assortment of things to keep her happy - funnels, measuring utensils, wooden spoons, and other such plastic joys.

Hoping to keep her awake to a reasonable bed time, I brought the exersaucer into the office to play.
I lined the tray with cheerios, juice and graham crackers. She has never had finger foods in her exersaucer before. 'Dozer was very happy eating, playing, and jumping. The mesh snack bag holds frozen diced apple. A tasty snack for tender gums.
Remember the first post with Lilly in her exersaucer?



















It is getting very close to the time I'll will have to make the saucer taller.

Eventually, she filled her diaper, so I filled her bath.
She filled her diaper a lot today. And her nose is runny again. I'm thinking it's a teething thing.
She eventually went to bed, with just a little bit of grumbling, and hugging her Raggedy Ann doll.
Here's hoping for a more normal schedule tomorrow.

Lil' Bro Don got his picture in the KC paper.
The paper identifies Don being the one on the left.
I'm pretty sure he is the one on the right!
And Dan seems to have "really aged" since I saw him last.

Yesterday was a (play) date!

This is Amelia.
Amelia's mommy (Miranda) and Lilly's mommy were friends through high school.
Both mommies were also homeschooled and went to church together.

Everyone did a play date.
The mommies even went out for lunch.

Amelia is a couple of months younger than Lilly.
While Gramma was holding Amelia, Lilly got a bit jealous and had to hold Lilly at the same time.
Amelia is feather = Lilly is bulldozer

This was a very special phone call from Amelia's Daddy.
He is in Iraq.

45 years later....

This is my folks when they were dating in 1960.
They met September 27, 1960.
They were married November 6, 1960.
I can only assume this dating picture was taken in October 1960.
Nice ride they have there too!
No long courtship or engagement
and they are still approaching half a century together.
I think kids today think too much.
Just do it!
Happy Anniversary!

Rob has posted his new look!

He posted before, during, and after pictures on his Flicker page.
His during photo is only showing the amount of hair being discarded on the floor. Not very personal if you ask me. It could be llama hair on the floor for all the reader knows.

Here are the during photos his sister captured:










In other news
Lilly woke up from her nap with a third top tooth cut through. That gives her a total of five teeth now. It was a surprise - we were watching a bottom bump.
She celebrated by eating an apple. Actually, I sat her on the table while we were sitting around talking. 'Dozer suddenly reached forward, grabbed an apple out of the fruit basket, and bit a chunk out. She didn't find the skin chewable gummable, and carefully spit it out into Gramma's hand. She took several more bites, carefully spitting the skin into my hand each time. She was eating the apple only and always discarding the skin.

'Dozer finished her day with a bubble feast.


Rand and I were treated to an evening out by Tim, Angela, and Gabby. It was their way of saying "thanks" for Rand using his F350 to pull a tree down in their front yard yesterday. Yes, they did want it down. It was a dying tree that Tim had already trimmed to a tall stump. No, I didn't get pictures. I was napping and had no idea that much excitement was going on in the neighborhood. A beautiful new tree already graces their front yard.

I'm not sure why I was napping. It has been happening a lot lately. I've been extremely exhausted lately. I have wondered if it could be connected to my new medication.

My mom just said out loud, "the reason is pictured above (and it isn't Rob)".
I know my knees are tired. When the baby crawls, playtime becomes crawl time for everyone. My knees went on strike this weekend and Just Said NO! I have no idea when they will agree to use again.
But no matter how tired I am, I truly believe babies around keep you young. At least - young at heart. :)

Speaking of the folks - (nice segue, eh?)
Mom and Dad celebrated their 45th Wedding anniversary today. I had hoped to post a special picture of the two of them; but nobody has scanned it and emailed it to me.
Ten to one says: Mom can't find it.
Hope you had a great day folks!

YEOW!
Severe arthritic flare up this evening.
Before this - I was having a productive day.
I went downtown and picked up my prize from the Des Moines Register this morning.
I did grocery shopping around noon.
This afternoon I visited friend and neighbor Angela, made an apple crisp for Randy, talked to 'SIL' Mo on the phone (Don and Mo are lending us a real crib for Lilly), and cleaned the hall closet.
I had planned on making sausage gravy and biscuits for supper. That didn't happen. We had frozen pizza "ala Willie" instead.
I, suddenly, was having trouble standing.
Now - I'm having trouble sitting up.
Walking is almost out of the question.
Hell, breathing hurts.
I have taken all the meds I can; and then some. It might be a whiskey night yet. I save it for special medicinal purposes only. Tonight really feels like one of those nights.

Something funner
Rob has plans to visit this Sunday. If luck holds, I will perform his hair make over. We have been emailing thoughts on his potential "new look" back and forth.
Rob wants it to be dramatically different. He wants shorter, but not too short.
I've been sending pics via email so we can find our goal.

So far I've sent these:



Actually, Rob had nothing bad to say about this one individually.
"lol... I really can't decide if you're trying to persuade or dissuade me with these pictures. :) The very last one isn't bad I suppose, but
otherwise... umm, no."












Rob's comment for this?
"If women look at me and think "Brady," you're never going to get grandchildren.
Thought I'd offer a little perspective on that one. :)"





And to reiterate from his first comment:
"The very last one isn't bad I suppose,"
This is the last one.
To make this an even more interesting picture - something Rob didn't know when he wrote that:
This is actor Don Grady. He played the character Rob on the old sitcom, My Three Sons. Which, is the show I watched non-stop on Nick at Nite, during the months of throwing up while pregnant with my first child. Yeah, I really liked that name.

And that is when I decided I wanted a "Rob" too.
And that is how Rob got his name.





The one picture I haven't sent Rob.
My current favorite TV show character.
Think I could talk him into this hair?
Actually, Rob doesn't have a great head shape for bald. And luckily, he'll never be bald. I'm a professional - I know this for certain.

Photo Friday - Warmth

Time!

I have put off the inevitable for too long.
The final straw was yesterday, when she completely littered the living room and kitchen with leaves.
How anything so small could create such a large mess is beyond me!
And in one swoop, this wasn't a repeated performance.
Our backyard was just raked. Where did she find so many leaves?
The floors were so bad in the living room we didn't dare put Lilly down. Luckily
Lilly and folks were leaving for Fort Dodge for a few days. (They are to return Saturday)

I got very busy.


I forgot to take the before picture.

Here is the after:
Kizzie's hair had gotten pretty long. You couldn't see her eyes anymore. It was also a magnet for anything that would stick in it. I hate trimming Kizzie this close too cold weather. But, with a 'Dozer continually trying to make a buffet of what she finds on the floor - it had to be done. Then I did a very thorough vacuuming upstairs.
After I took this picture today, I vacuumed the deck. Which seems pointless when it isn't even being used except to ready it for winter, but it was driving me nuts.

I had hoped to work in the garden today fall planting.
I washed a few windows today instead. I couldn't take the sun streaming in through the grime anymore. Our windows are the very simple tilt in for easy cleaning. Except today it was just frustrating. I could not get streak free windows. I finally gave up, blaming the aged cheap bottle of window cleaner I was using.
Once I got most of the dirt off the windows, I dusted the living room. Amazing what shows up in new light.
I have dried the kitchen rugs three times. I got tired of the stairs. I don't know if they're dry yet or not.
Not a great cleaning day for me.
I was finally able to get my new drug from Target. You have to mix it with water and drink it. It is a bit tart and very gritty. Yummy. I almost hope it doesn't work.
I won! the Des Moines Register's Prize vault the other day. I get free membership to Sam's Club. Great timing with the holidays coming.
Happy 14th Birthday Derrick!

Believe it or not.......

an unhappy baby

This was a fairly unhappy baby tonight. She was ready for bed way to early - still part of our time change adjustment this week. She was hollering, unhappy, didn't want to play with anything, didn't want to be held, or sat down on the floor. We didn't want her going to bed before 7:pm!
I decided to just check for a reaction. I just touched my baby sling and she stopped yelling. I picked it up and 'Dozer smiled. I put my sling on and she crawled over to me. I put her in and proceeded to clean the kitchen. She was very content. So I deep cleaned the stove top. Miss Lilly made it to almost 8 o'clock "helping" Grandma clean. I even clipped her fingernails - she was being that agreeable in the sling!

Isn't she pretty!

I have no idea where we got this handy device that allows regular bottle nipples to be connected on to any water bottle. It was aquired long before Lilly was born. She thinks it is a real treat!

Happy (belated) Halloween

This is Lilly in her BOO! shirt. Notice you can see her top teeth in this picture!
'Dozer and I were quite busy yesterday.
She accompanied me to a routine Dr. appointment.
We went to Target to try and pick up my new drug for the third time, and it still isn't in! I don't know how special this stuff is, but I'm tired of making useless trips to Target.
We went to the post office and finally, home again.
We did lunch, went for a walk, and visited Angela and "the babies".
Mommy had went with "Aunt Ashley" to a prenatal visit.
It totally slipped my mind about blogging before I went to sleep last night. I was concentrating on budget and other paperwork and didn't get on the computer late like usual.
Rand is showing signs of getting better. And he was able to fix our dryer. The new part cost $3.
Willie is back to working the night shift. He is to remain on this shift until after Christmas.
I even did Lilly's bath last night. Mommy was busy talking to Daddy on the phone. Have I mentioned they are dating each other again?
The time change last weekend hasn't bothered Lilly's schedule too much. Just watching to find out where she is going to land. Things have moved a little earlier, but not the whole hour.
Lilly and I have done our walk for the day. The weather was so beautiful we did our "long" route. My legs are screaming they are done for the day!
We had surprise visitors this morning. Dave and Mary Jane - old friends we haven't seen for a few years. This was their first time to meet Lilly. It was love at first sight, of course.