Terrible Tuesday

Well in keeping with the accidental blogging theme created, today was Terrible Tuesday in alot of ways:

• Taryn is Totally Sick. Really sick. Hopefully she only has the totally terrible rotten stomach virus going around campus, but I did get a call from her and the school nurse that she is on...appendicitis watch. She missed an exam today and has finals next week. Her ECON prof said she can make up today's exam next Thursday. Pray, pray, pray for T that she recovers her good health SOON and that it is not her appendix!!

• It's Totally Freezing here! After dinner tonight, Gib, Riah & I went outside to move some cement and gravel ditched beyond the creek. We never used to see it until Tree Guy came and cleared the place out. It was an eyesore. The dumpster will be leaving soon and Grammy wanted the debris gone. We all got frozen fingers. Gib had a nice little song going there about how he couldn't feel his fingers while we worked. I was the only one with gloves and they were just my driving gloves. We all needed to thaw afterwards.

• Today was a Total Bummer because I had to return to real life. No more sick pass for me. Back to the 6 days a week grind. But I am feeling a tad better. The antibiotics are kicking in. Tomorrow I gotta pull a double shift though. Ugh. Actually I'm gonna call it a triple because I am subbing in a pre-K class, so that counts as a double, and then working at CWC afterwards. Not looking forward to it much. I only have to make phone calls at CWC but I may not have much of a voice and zero energy. I will turn in early again tonight and hope extra sleep helps.

Well, all in all, there was nothing TOO terrible about today, except Poor Taryn.... but hopefully she is feeling better by Wacky Wednesday. I mean, who doesn't right?!

Power Monday

Yesterday was Power Monday for Gib. The high school administration meets and does teacher stuff and students start school at 8:10 instead of 7:30. If you take the bus, it picks you up same as usual and the kids hang out in the cafeteria. I drive Gib to school on Power Monday's, which pretty much gives him a whole extra hour of sleep. Mariah declared her dislike of his extra hour of sleep loudly and often. Both before school and after. Why this particular Power Monday pushed her over the edge, I don't know, but it sure rankled her. Totally not fair that Gib got to sleep in and she didn't! Maybe it was walking to the bus stop alone... no that can't be it, she had to sprint to the bus because she almost missed it. Just jealousy, pure and simple.

She was still riled about it and gearing up for another rant, while Gib and I were in the kitchen getting ready to serve dinner. We were about to try the consolation approach that she would get her Power Monday's in a couple of years too, but that little devil on my shoulder whispered in my ear (he was probably tired of the complaining!) and I winked at Gib and mouthed watch this... Mariah walks in and hearing the last of Gib's attempt at teasing/mixed with consolation, I go "yeah, you'll have a turn...oh noooo, wait. Your new high school (we were rezoned) doesn't have Power Mondays!" You should have seen her face. I was projecting utmost tragedy, more angst at the rezoning, and the most sincere sympathy I am capable of... I was only going to let it go another 10 seconds. But Gib, he couldn't take it, he goes "They have Power Wednesdays Mariah". I'm all "GIB!!!! I was gonna tell her in a minute!" and he says, "Mom... didn't you see her face?" Ahhh, what a good big brother. And then they ganged up on me and discussed what kind of mother does this stuff to her kids. The BEST KIND I say, the best kind.

That would be the same mother who drives her kid to high school on the Power day just so they can sleep in that extra hour. And Power Monday just so happens to be my day off! But wait, I'm the mom, and there's no such thing as a day off, right?! Besides, I love that drive to school time with Gib in the car. We enjoy it. There was this one morning when it was really cold and I don't have my driving gloves out yet. So I had my sleeves over my hands. I'm telling Gib how he probably shouldn't drive this way, since all our drives are now instructional. Some dodo is blocking both lanes to make a left turn, another dodo turning left across traffic stops in the middle of it and BOTH vehicles are in my way! Of course I honked! I threw up my hands in a C'MON! Move It! gesture, and Gib starts cracking up - we both did - because my hands are completely covered by flapping sleeves. Oh, we laughed all the way to school. :)

On a similar vein, Mariah got more teasing from her dad last night. Poor Mariah was just getting all our attention last night. Grammy and I stopped at Platos yesterday afternoon to get Mariah a couple pair of jeans for Christmas and we found a great leather jacket at an unbelieveable price which I knew Mariah would love. You can only make returns within 7 days, so I had to know if they fit even though it was all for Christmas. She was trying them on and modelling for us. The jacket was a Medium, but it was a good fit across the shoulders, just a tad long in the arms and big in the body. She can grow into it. Mike pronounced it too short for her and it had to go back. Mariah said I was the expert! Hah. Then she tried on jeans. She told me she wanted the longest ones I could find so that's what I went for. One pair has about 2" on the ground - she says it's perfect! Dad said "too short!". I tried to talk her into doing a modelling walkway run show for us with a headtoss turn, but no go. C'mon, work those jeans and leather jacket Girl!!

Now instead of hearing about Power Mondays, I will be listening to how cold it is and how much she neeeeeds that leather jacket before Christmas every morning. :))

SAT Saturday

Today is the day the younger half of our progeny take the dun-dun-dun (I am really going for the musical special effects this week) SAT. Yes, it is SAT Saturday, as opposed to SON Sunday huh Mickie?! Indy and Taryn both took the ACT, so I thought it was time to try the SAT on for size. The SAT tests in Math, English, and Writing.

Mariah is taking it voluntarily as a 7th grader as part of the Duke TIP academic talent identification program. Mariah qualified to take it due to scoring 100% on math TCAP in 5th grade, and 99% in 6th. Because she has not had much Science yet, I wondered if the SAT would be a better fit for her.

The Duke TIP thing gives her an opportunity to experience the test early. Whoooweee, kind of like riding a roller coaster, huh?! Ah, the thrill. And in return, somebody gets your money and you get in their program for the next 5 years. Supposedly, it helps us develop a diagnostic education plan for Mariah. It may also lead to academic offerings over summers for Duke TIP participants such as math or science camps. The students may have some scholarship opportunities if they do well, but that is not the main goal. I, however, rather think it is the main goal of parents who are looking at the high cost of a college education these days! And of course, I expect we will get alot of college brochures in the mail for the next 5 years. I don't mind; we could use that for both kids.

I wasn't really planning on Gib taking it, but at the last minute, we signed him up too. He was so pleased. But he missed the PSAT offered at his high school when his wisdom teeth were taken out. I also liked that Gib can go with his 12 yr old sister, where they will be with mostly 17 yr olds. I'm just freaky like that and everyone knows it.

It will be a good baseline for both Gib and Mariah. And what a wonderful way to spend a Saturday!

What Did You Get Today?

Did you get a pile of..... GRAVEL?! Ours actually arrived yesterday. It might be smaller by now, who knows. I'm too busy coughing to find out.

This is where it has been going. There is alot of noise going on out there and a big ol' wheelbarrow dumping more in, so yeah, the pile must be getting smaller. Soon, this will be the new backyard porch leading to the patio. The stairs going down will be on the left. Boy will it feel good to be able to open the back door again!

I took this before the workers arrived, super early, in the freezing cold. OK, it was 7 am, but I still consider that early and it WAS cold!

Grammy is supposed to get her window today! It looks so small right now, doesn't it? But it had to fit in her kitchen between cabinets, and there is a ceiling and a floor above her, so it couldn't be much wider or bigger. I'm sure once everything goes in, it will not look so forlorn. Plus we discovered prison bars were way more expensive than one might think, and Grammy hasn't tried to escape yet. And I know that looking out, the window will be absolutely wonderful!!

So. Guess what I got today? I'm supposed to be in bed watching HGTV... at least that is what I usually do when I'm really sick. My CWC boss is not a happy girl right now, but I am the "lucky" holder of a 3 day work furlough due to Acute Bronchitis. All I went to the clinic for was some prescription tussin cough pearls so we could all get some relief from the stupid non stop coughing and I could work the weekend without consuming an entire bag of Halls (which by the way, gives you a tummy ache). Instead, I got the cough prescription, inhaler, and 3 day pass!. I've never had an inhaler before. Wow, am I getting old or what?!

Along those same medicinal old lady health reports (geez, hate reading those, eh?!): I cancelled my excision on 12/6. I just had "that feeling" about the place. I called and spoke to the chick who was to perform it. Thought, pondered and prayed. Woke up about 3 am with a very strong feeling not to go there. Called a friend and we talked, and I discovered the chick is a Physicians Assistant and while she may be very qualified, I really don't want a PA doing what I am now quaintly referring to as my "forehead removal". When she told me I would be losing nerves and all feeling for 3-6 months I was concerned about whether or not a Plastic Surgeon, or at the very least, someone quite specialized should be holding the scalpel! So I cancelled and started searching.

I got several names from people I trust who have gone through this, but it's hard to find someone who "is the best" and on my insurance. I got a match but couldn't get in until 12/30 for a consult. A friend had an appt on 12/9 and was going to try to switch with me. We prayed over the phone as we hung up. Thank goodness for friends and prayers! This morning, two other friends helping me out sent an email with an awesome referral which was on my insurance. I called and got an appoint for next week. I didn't get the dr she said to ask for since he wasn't taking new patients, but I took the first available appointment hoping for the best outcome the Lord would provide. Next thing I knew they called back, and I was asked to send my labs in for a potential appt with the dr I wanted in the first place!

I did that, and then made use of my time waiting to hear back at the Walgreens Take Care Clinic. I figured I didn't want to hack all evening at CWC like I did on Monday. Ugh, that was horrible. While I was at the clinic, I got the call: My appointment to see the golden Dr. Pennington (aaaahhhh! - you have to make the music noise) is on Monday. It's a consult. A consult mind you. They said that 3 times. Yes, I understand. I may still be passed to an underling doctor who graduated summa cum laude from Harvard, Vanderbilt... or (gasp) University of Tennessee, but I will take what I can get. Nashville Skin and Cancer Center looks like an answer to prayer to me. Plus, Father Randy went there and he's bald and I can't even see his scars! I think he might have even prayed me there. Alot of people offered alot of suggestions and prayers and I really appreciate the extra support when I started to get overwhelmed yesterday.

Going, Going...Gone

WARNING: super long post! do what you need to do first....

Mike and Taryn left a bit ago on their way back to MS & T. It was so wonderful to see Taryn again! Despite the many care packages I have sent filled with sour patch and candy, Taryn has not gained a pound. We managed to fill her break with appointments to the dentist, the chiro, the hairstylist, a wellness/nutrition dr, and her Internist. That dr was surprised she hadn't gained any weight and said she could use a pound or two. Taryn replied that the food wasn't that good and you had to walk really far to get to it. I love her dry sense of humor. She got her flu shot too. She wasn't expecting that. Hah! I had to work a 2 pm to 11 pm closing shift last night and am coming down with a cold so I decided not to go on this drive and will instead pick Taryn up in December. I did get up to make sure she packed everything because you know how hard it is to replace a toothbrush. Taryn is looking forward to getting back to her friends and into the swing of things at college. She is changing her major. Taryn has decided the chemistry in Nuclear Engineering is more along the lines of what she likes. Glow, Taryn! Glow! Something about fusion, half-life, atoms... I can't remember this early what all she said. I just keep picturing my tiny human in a white radioactive suit. I'd know her anywhere - she'd be the little one! Or, perhaps with an explosives engineering minor she'll be working on weapons. She'd like that. You should have seen her firing at us with her nerf gun. She likes kill shots and injuries to vital areas. Oh wait, that was Mariah. All I can say is I never let them have guns for toys as children and still, see what happens?!

So Mariah and Taryn are trying the bazillion-million probiotics, food enzymes, and BioEssence the wellness guy recommends they try for the tummy problems they have. It will help with eczema, hay fever, ADD and stuff too. We'll see. We're on a 2 week trial. I also got some Zinc chewable stuff that supposed to help keep you from getting sick. I was already exposed by a coworker at preschool to this lovely cold so I am trying to shorten its effects. Plus, Gib is getting alot of canker sores and zinc is supposed to help prevent that. I sure hate canker sores. I used to get those from stress too.

Indy leaves today too. She had to spend the last couple days of her break working on assignments. She was none too pleased about that. At least she had the help of the brilliant and creative minds that live here. One assignment was to make a web page, and another from her Great Books class, was to make a mosaic. She wanted to put Mariah on that, but I guess Mariah was all postered out. When I got home from CWC, there was a nice rendition of the Young Women's torch done in red, purple, blue and gold sequins. Indy was trying to perfect the image of the facial profile. I tried to help by cutting some sequins rather than leaving them whole. After alot of work, we didn't like it, and went back to the way it was the first time. I suggested she make other people feel lame if they couldn't see the face. My advice was to say stuff like "what do you mean you don't see it?! A beak?! I don't know what you're talking about!" It was funny how she was patiently telling me in an irritated voice (you know the one that says "mom's such a ratard") that she wasn't going to be selling her piece and the only one seeing it was the professor. At least she got the chance to catch up with a couple of friends while she was here, and we enjoyed having both girls home again! I do believe Indy has decided to pursue a Masters degree. She also has been accepted to go on another study abroad trip this summer to Africa with the Mercer on Mission. The destination is Ethopia. They will be working on water again, but in a different way. Not sand filtration, but sounds more like wells to me. This will be followed by her Service Scholars trip to Armenia to build a house. She has alot of work in store for her in the next semester and summer!

We had a great long Thanksgiving weekend! We love having the house full. We watched some movies, played Killer Bunnies and the kids got started on Christmas. This year they are in charge of gifts. Santa will still deliver on Christmas Eve I'm sure, since most of them are more Nice than Naughty, but otherwise mom and dad are out of the gift buying. I thought that was a genius move on my part. The kids love the thrill of shopping with someone else's money... who doesn't?!?! They all have a budget to spend and buy gifts for their sibs & parents. Taryn even helped with a purchase that will be a gift for a certain someone from other certain someones in the family.

Taryn went with me to work on Black Friday to do her shopping. She zigged and zagged her way through the crowds. I got to see her a couple times at CWC as she zipped in to show me what she found, drop off her jacket, stuff like that. Later on, all 3 of my girls showed up! That totally made my day to see all 3 of their smiling faces. What an awesome surprise!! It was a couple hours before my shift ended and they were taking me home when I got done. They helped Mariah with some of her gifts and we went home to a delicious Thanksgiving 2.0.

As you know, we do a Surf & Turf Thanksgiving. We've tried it all, fried turkey, honeybaked ham and turkey, the usual turkey... nobody ever feels like Thanksgiving is a hit unless we Surf & Turf it. So we had some yummy Ribeye and Alaskan King Crab. Indy's friend Kristy joined us. Afterwards we watched Letters to Juliet. We enjoyed the movie, especially the super cheesy ending. So fast forward to Friday... Grammy made turkey with all the fixin's!!! It was kind of weird, in a delicious sort of way, because it felt like we were eating it a day late. I did enjoy getting to have my mashed potatoes and turkey gravy though, and I didn't have to do any of the cooking, so I'm not complaining. The kids don't care much for turkey, and with it being just us, there's alot of leftovers, so that's why we don't usually do a big ol' Thanksgiving turkey in the first place. But hey, this year we got two thanksgiving dinners, and whaddya know, I didn't cook either of them, so it's all good!

As for BLACK FRIDAY at Coldwater Creek, we got some fantastic news on Saturday. We knew we were rocking it on Friday. The store was busy but we were handling the pace really well. With all hands on deck, our team was moving like a well oiled machine and the line never got super long, the fitting rooms moved along well, and we were pulling people in and making our store the happy safe harbor in the mall. Apparently it worked, because we were the #1 Coldwater Creek store in the NATION on Friday.

Other things we did this weekend: We worked on Taryn's new room in the College Suites part of the house. Haha. These are the tiny little rooms created out of the bonus room. The girls share the closet off the bonus room and are some distance to the nearest bathroom. However, they are way up high and just across from all the trees so it is like being up in the woods. Feels like it too! They have the DRAFTIEST windows ever. We will replace Taryn's curtains with some white ones we already have and hope they cut down on the draft but still let light in. Taryn doesn't like the room darkening ones that Mariah had. We also got Taryn a really cool beach scene canvas that is a long narrow rectangle and an awesome bedside table. Taryn chose a new paint color. I guess aquamarine turquoise blue is a 9 yr old thing. I will work on that and hope to have it done before she comes home for Christmas. We also bought Mariah a canvas print for her room because Taryn lifted one off the wall that was hers! Well, we knew she would, I was just putting off getting one for Mariah until we found one that was just right and until I absolutely had to replace empty spot. That would be now. Perfect timing because BB & B had the ultimate picture and we had a 20% coupon!

Grammy, Mariah and I unloaded the Christmas stuff from the Man Cave. I hoped to have the porch decorated Tuesday before Thanksgiving because it was a warm and balmy 60 something degrees. Then Taryn, Mariah and I went to BB & B instead. Maybe Wednesday? Nope, Taryn and I went to TJMaxx and found better, cheaper stuff for her beach theme room. Now it is cold and frosty here and I will shiver and freeze when I decorate outside. Mariah and I put the Christmas tree up yesterday. We still haven't found the lights yet, so my hopes that the tree would be decorated by little elves when I got home last night were crushed.

Mike and Gib worked the Scout Christmas tree lot the past two days. They always fill their 4 required shifts the two days after Thanksgiving, when the tree lots open up to customers. They sold alot of trees on Saturday. It's the source of all fundraising and financial support for a very large scout troop and takes many hands. There are 3 lots across town staffed by 3-4 scouts and 2-3 adults.

So I know there will be a request for pictures. Been a little busy but I am off today. I know Mike put up a couple on his fb of Thanksgiving, and I put one of us playing Killer Bunnies on mine. I don't think any others were taken of people. Sorry! When I finish T's room, I will take a picture of it because I know she will want to see how that turns out. I will have Mariah take one of her cool canvas. Other than that, you know we live the quiet life here and there just isn't much to photograph! However, that said.... Christmas break isn't that far off and Taryn will be coming home with MS & T shirts for everyone and I feel a new family photo coming on.

Model U.N.

Gib left this morning for the Model U.N. Conference. It is being held at a hotel for 3 days and they got out of school today. I'm pretty sure that is why everyone joined. Anyways, they have done alot of hard work. Here is his group. They are representing the country of South Africa. They compete against other high schools in getting their resolutions passed.

Haha - I told the kid I wasn't going to show his feet in this photo where I told him to stand on the curb. Trust is such a delicate issue. The other three boys know me so much better. I did not send his mother this shot.

The sanctioned shot.

The Dude.

Y'all heard about our funny evening last night? Well, here's the long story. First it was the conversation about how Gib was getting there Friday morning at 9. Funnily enough, Mike and I both attended the parent meeting last week together. We volleyed back and forth who could go. I said I could but I would have to move my neuro appt. I just needed to know. We thought it likely Gib might go with one of the guys. Mike mentioned he might work something out. Did anyone do anything afterwards. Noooo. Thursday evening rolls around and Mike goes, "are you taking him?" I'm all, "no, I thought you were. I would have had to move my dr's appt. I could have done that, but now it's too late". Then I get to thinking that if I take the dude up early enough I can get back into town in time for my 9 am appt. And I am seriously regretting agreeing to pick up a shift at Coldwater Friday afternoon.

The carpool comes through. I think Gib probably ran upstairs in desperation and begged. But all 4 boys went together so maybe not. Then I wonder if anyone ever got Gib new black socks? We wrote it down on the paper at the parents meeting that I thought it would be good to get him some. Nope. So Mike figures he'll just run to Costco and the bank and take care of the dude's cash needs and get him new socks too. Super. I made dinner meanwhile and while we were eating, I remember Gib's feet had grown quite a bit and we had been making do for Sunday's with his better looking shoes and he didn't have a more recent pair of suit shoes. I asked him if he had any that fit. He said he could wear them but they were tight. I doubted it, since I remember the last time I bought those shoes and it was a couple sizes ago. Sure enough, they were 9's and the dude's wearing an 11 these days. Off to the shoe store then. He can't go around for 3 days in a pair of size 9 suit shoes with a size 11 foot stuffed in them. He'd be crippled. While there I remembered he might need a belt. He's kinda skinny still and we had to buy a men's suit.

On the way home, Mike called us and said we might as well run through Subway and get Gib a lunch since he was now carpooling and all. Gib was very happy to make a round-about turn and go the back route to Subway to take care of another last minute detail for Model U.N.

We get home and I'm helping the dude pack. I got to steam out some pants and stuff and I cannot believe my eyes. Gib has tried on the pants - 2 weeks ago - just to make sure I didn't need to get them hemmed or anything. Did he say anything about the security tag still attached to the ankle of them?!?! Noooooo. He says he didn't even notice it.

I tagged Mike as IT and he went back to the mall to get it removed. Luckily it was still open, and we are fortunate to live a mile away from everything. Still.... it was all getting to be a bit much!!!

All's well that ends well. The dude is off, and now I must be too. I don't know what I was thinking when I agreed to take this 12-6 shift. I've got a million things to do and 8 minutes to spare.

Taryn comes home today though!!! Unfortuantely, I can't get much done for her welcome home in the next 8 minutes. All I can hope for now is that I am not so wiped out that I can be productive from 6 pm to midnight! I think she will be arriving in the wee hours. I can't wait to see her!!!! It's been since August.

Speaking of Dr's

Mariah has undergone every test known to man... and her pediatrician has come up blank as to why she is still suffering stomach issues after her surgery. That appendicitis ruined her intestinal tract. It's been 6 months, and that's a long time for what she has been going through. But we now know it isn't a virus, parasite, or bacteria that she picked up before, during or after surgery. The next step is to go see a wellness doctor who will diagnose her differently, knowing that we aren't dealing with a medical problem. Then Mariah will take a bazillion million Chinese herbal pills and stuff to detox and after that she will take a half-bazillion million herbal pills and vitamins on a daily regimen... unless she gets lucky and can go the "grape shot" route and chug-a-lug her daily dose. A side bennie: her eczema will also become a thing of the past... if she takes ALL her pills. The downside: it's not covered by insurance. I think, going by what Indie tells me, I need to time detox to coincide with winter break. Bathroom breaks are essential. Nice.

Other things that have annoyed Mariah recently: 3 huge poster assignments due within a day of each other! She works long hours completing her posters. She finished one where she had to create a world of her own. She asked for some ideas on creating Laws of the Land, with the criteria being they couldn't be common or boring. She didn't want to go with ones that were "too obvious" and she could only have 5. Most of my suggestions were met with eye rolling, but I think my daughter listened to some wise advice in the end. Considering she wanted to be original.

1. Commit No Offenses Against Anyone. (I thought that she was rather clever with that)
2. Do not litter. All trash must be recycled.
3. The government gives you a new laptop every year on your birthday. (hint-hint)
4. You must have a 3 day weekend to every work week.
5. Everyone must volunteer to a good cause once a year.

Parental Rule #1: Make your dad happy by carrying the finished poster to the bus!