Decisions Decisions

Last Wednesday we went to the "Design Center" to pick out all the floors, fixtures, counters, paint, etc. for our new home. They set up a 4 hours appointment which I thought was ridiculously long but I'm here to tell you we used every minute of it and more. I woke up the next morning in a panic thinking I have to change those kitchen counter tops! Even when you have a picture in your mind of what you want it to look like when you get down to the nitty gritty of choosing, it can be mind boggling. After a trip to the paint store (I didn't like their paint samples) and another visit to the design center we finally got it all picked out.

We had to meet with the builder Saturday morning to finalize our selections so we made a quick drive by the lot. We were so excited to see that they have finally broken ground! The frame was up for the slab.

Here is Tom standing on what will be the back porch. The only thing missing is a chair and his radio set to country western hits!

Finally some progress. We are on are way!

Good Times and No More Blister Pictures

When I went to the doctor a week ago getting on the scale I was mortified to see how much I weighed. After all I had been really sick for 4 days had nothing to eat but soup and I weighed more than I remember ever. This morning I bit the bullet and got on the bathroom scale afraid to see how the steroids are affecting me and I was thrilled to see I was 6 lbs lighter! All fluid from the reaction I suppose, but it put a little skip in my step.

Before I went to work I made a stop at the convenience store. There was a car next to me and in it two little white yapping dogs. There was a man in the store (white haired) and as I walked in he looked at me and said "You're Cute". At 57 I'll take it anywhere I can get it. I love days like this. Now I could be describing my brother with the two white dogs but he would never call me cute unless it was 40 plus years ago and he wanted me to make him some popcorn balls or something he liked.

We went to a party last Saturday at our friends house. They roasted half a pig in a pit they made in their backyard. This is Joan and Danny.

It was a fun evening with lots of good food. This is a picture of Molly, Jackson and their daughter Lindsey. Molly used to babysit Lindsey. Time flies way to fast!

Danny is a football coach at one of the high schools and another coach from the school came and entertained us for hours playing the guitar and singing. It was a fun evening and great to get out and be with friends.

Hope your having a wonderful day!

My Leggy Journey

NOT FOR THE SQUEAMISH!

The rash started 5 days ago. I think it all peaked Thursday evening because my legs were swollen like tree stumps. Fortunately I was put on steroids that day and they work very fast. The swelling was down Friday but oh my the blisters, they just keep growing and growing. I've grown a little weary of it all and wonder if I will ever have normal legs again!

Speaking of legs, did you see ER on Thursday? If your a fan you know that Doctors Neela and Ray split up years ago after he tragically lost his legs in an accident. In October 08 they went running together.

He out ran her.

Well on Thursday Neela left the ER to go to work at the rehabilitation center. Few words were said. His "Finally, are you really here?" and Hers "I really am." Awwwwww! I keep replaying the end and wiping away the tears.

Okay my pity party is over. I'm off for a haircut and real party this afternoon. And thankfully I still have my legs!

The Flu Or An Allergic Reaction

I've always been pretty good at diagnosing myself. This time I missed it by a mile, at least to begin with. I was given an antibiotic last week for a mild urinary infection. I woke up Thursday night because my rings were hurting my finger. My fingers were swollen and fortunately I was able to get them off. The next day I went to work despite the fact that my body ached all over. By Saturday I was running a low grade fever, had chills, aches and began a marathon of sleeping all the time. I have had the flu before and this felt exactly like it. Sunday morning I did not take the antibiotic because I just felt too bad to put anything in my stomach. Sunday evening I actually thought I was getting better and took the medicine before going to bed.

Monday morning I woke up feeling worse. I started wondering if the pharmacy had messed up on the prescription. I looked at the pills, googled the brand name and number and saw that it was the right medicine. Then I saw the symptoms for allergic reaction to this medicine. They matched me to a tee. Tom took me to the Doctor who confirmed the reaction. A quick flu test was negative and a chest Xray showed some fluid on my lungs which is also part of the reaction. Yesterday I started breaking out in a lumpy rash (hives). It's now pretty much all over me except my face.

Be cautious when taking medicine for the first time and make sure you know what the side affects and reaction symptoms are or your legs may look like these.

Sometimes it's a good idea to get a second opinion!

New Home, Flu and Day's of Our Lives

This is the exterior elevation we picked for our house. I love the front porch! Friday we met with the builder to go over the floor plan changes we made and to pick out brick, trim, where to put wiring for internet, cable, and phones. There are so many things to think about. We added soundproofing to a wall between the family room and master bedroom. Most importantly we are soundproofing the floor of the upstairs room which will be Jackson's bedroom. His room will be partially over mom's room, I think she will appreciate this!

We are all anxious "to get the show on the road"! They are hoping to start in about 2 weeks and have given us a 4 to 5 month completion time. Our next step will be picking out carpet, tile, paint, etc. That should happen in about a week or so.

I have been trying to focus on clearing out 26 years of clutter from my house and 31 years from mom's. This was going along smoothly until I got hit with what I am pretty sure is the flu. Friday I woke up aching all over. I went to work but felt pretty miserable all day. Yesterday I vegged on the couch dosing most of the day and watched 3 episodes of Day's of our lives, Heroes, and Medium that I had taped. It looks like today's going to be the same, every inch of me hurts. Yes, I did get the flu shot! They haven't got that formula right in years! Three more episode of Day's to catch up on. I can't wait for Sammy to find out Nicole has her baby! I really like Rafe too.

Surely this man can settle her down!

Bradford Pears and Spring

Spring is almost here. Bradford Pears signal the onset of spring in the Dallas area. These trees are a favorite because they are fast growing and are beautiful when they are in bloom. Their leaves are small but abundant and they make a great shade tree in the Texas heat. We planted two of them in the back to shade our house from the afternoon sun. They are also notorious for splitting in high winds. A couple of years ago a spring storm came through with high circular winds. I walked to the back of the house to look outside and one of the trees was split in three sections. One section on our patio roof, one on our house and the other still defiantly standing. It was a very large tree as it had been there for over 20 years.

Bradford Pears in Bloom

Workers slowly cut it down working from top to bottom. When they had it cut to a stump about 4 feet tall they split the stump down the middle. They asked me to come and take a look at what they found inside the tree. Right in the middle of the stump was a golf ball. They cut it out along with it's nest in the wood. Here is my little conversation piece.

Watch where you hit your Titleist please!

Volunteering and PTA

I was reading my niece Michelle's blog where she is talking about volunteering and saying No. It brought back memories of the days I volunteered at my children's elementary school. I was very fortunate to be able to stay home with them for those years and despite putting ourselves deep in debt and forgoing little luxuries like vacations, new furniture, etc. we were comfortable and I would not change one minute of it.

I helped out in the office, classrooms, was a room mother I think every year. When Molly moved on to middle school, Jackson moved in to elementary school so I spent 10 years at the same school. I organized the yearly school carnival a couple of years, did the "dreaded" fundraiser, spent a week at camp, and for two years I was PTA president. Personally I think volunteering comes with the package of having a child.

I was going through papers the other day that I have thrown in boxes and came across the school newsletter from May 2001. It was the end of my term as President and I wrote this article in the "Ranger Round-Up". It kind of sums up how I feel.

From The President

As PTA President for the past two years I have learned many things.

• That I will not faint if I stand up in front of a lot of people and lead a meeting!
• That my family will survive on Taco Bueno or McDonald's on meeting nights.
• That teachers, counselors, and principals work really long hours and some don't seem to ever go home.
• That schools have more paper work than the Government.
• That you should never do a fundraiser that isn't prepay!
• That there will be a lot of discussion at board meetings, even disagreement's, but it's okay as long as you are all pursuing the same objective - what's best for the children.
• That you can meet great people and maybe make some lifetime friends.
• That we are really lucky to have a diverse culture in our school. We need to take advantage of it and learn from each other.
• That education is never ending, we are always learning.
• That it takes the unity of both parent and teacher working together to educate a child.
• That children are extremely smart, sensitive and intuitive. They know when you care about what they do and when you don't, and it will reflect in how they do.
• That some parents do a lot, some do a little, and some won't do anything no matter how many times you call them.
• That you can volunteer to help at school even if you:

Work full time, part time, nights or weekends.
Have small children at home, or a 90 year old Grandmother.
Have kids in high school, middle school, or none at this school.
Are in charge of the elementary school, or teach all day.
Have other activities to attend such as soccer games, choir rehearsal, or Girl Scouts.
Have high blood pressure, a heart condition, get strep throat every year or just had major surgery.
Are bravely and unselfishly taking care of a parent dying of cancer.
Meet your PTA Board!
I dedicate this to you.