January 31, 2009

• Nursing the Ill, Terrorist Pet, & Deep Cleaning

  
  

  I got so much done yesterday.  AND . . .  I *didn’t do* so many things!

  Took Annamarie to her return strep & ear infection appointment and they squeezed Luci at the same time because of her leg pain.  It ends up, Annamarie perforated her ear drum.  Bless her heart.  She always seems to get the short end of the stick.  She had strep as a child and ended up with Scarlet Fever.  AND . . . we were diligent about caring for her, just like we were these past 2 weeks with her strep and ear infection.  She’s on a different antibiotic and drops for ear pain.  The same sweet P.A. saw Luci for her leg pain and thought it was growing pains and told us to give her Ibuprofen, rest, and an ice pack if *she* (Luci) seemed to get relief from the ice.  BUT (not that anything can ever be simple!!!), while we were there, Luci went to the bathroom with a cramping stomach and ended up with horrible diarrhea.  They gave me a kit to collect stool samples from Luci, and I did so while we were there in the restroom (so they could process the samples immediately).    I feel like that’s all I’ve done this week.  Sushi had tapeworms and Stormy had diarrhea and everyone needed stool samples turned in.  I feel like the resident Pooper Scooper!

  We had left Sushi in her crate when we left to run our errands, yesterday.  I felt sorry for her when she whimpered (she willingly goes in at night to sleep) and scooted her cage from the side of our bed to the end of it.  I turned on the TV so she could watch Animal Planet while we were gone.  She did well, as we were gone a long time and she didn’t soil the crate’s bedding.  I’m guessing she is learning to hold her potty. 

  Am I a sucker for a sad face or what?
  

  
  

  I picked up a prescription for Jesse right after the girls’ appointments.  He found this neat place were he can be seen for free AND they pay for his prescriptions.  He is seeing them for his migraines.  The Imitrex pills are something like $200 for a month’s supply and the Topamax is $400 a month – but, he pays nothing.  They base the appointment rates on income and ours is low enough – considering we have 5 in our household.  This is a group connected to a church organization and they also have a recreation center in the building  – an old Wal-Mart building.  VERY NICE PEOPLE!  They were sweet to the girls when we went in to pick up his prescription.  When I got out of the car, I warned the girls to watch their steps with the big ice patches in the parking lot that had not melted.  I suggested stepping over them and demonstrated.  Of course, THEY had on snow boots and I had my regular “granny tie shoes” and *mine* weren’t water proof.  I can’t believe I stepped in a puddle like that and, as the water crept in and soaked my sock, I thought, “You idiot!”

  We have a terrorist in our house. 
  

  
  

  Sushi?  Nope!
  
  That’s Chirper attacking Sushi.  Can you see Chirper’s cat ears pressed back against his head?

  Chirper keeps getting in Sushi’s face and batting it with both of his paws.  Their playing is getting more rough and I’m not just afraid Sushi will injure Chirper, who will have a hard time healing because of the Feline Leukemia condition, I’m also afraid Sushi’s instinct might kick in and she could kill Chirper by biting too hard.  I’ll have to look up her breed of dog, but I have an uncanny feeling we may have a problem.

  
  

  She has already coralled the girls several times.  She pushes, nips at their heels, and barks until the are grouped together.  Then, she stands and barks if they move a foot or a hand.  I’ve found them clustered on the den’s love seat and also on the formal living room’s sofa.  Too bad we don’t have cows – that’s what she’s bred to do – round them up!

  
  

  We had a bit of homeschool yesterday.  Annamarie and Luci have started a reading book with a workbook of questions.  Annamarie has read *some* in the book, but this was Luci’s first time.  She was so excited (and so was I) that she could actually read sentences in a book.  I think it’s a thrilling time when your child suddenly is able to read sentences and not just words.  Rissy, on the other hand, didn’t do so well.  She got 33% on her spelling test.  I think that is an “F-” isn’t it?  Is there such a thing as an “F-”?????  When you miss 10 out of 15, I’m not sure if there is a grade LOWER than an “F-” to assign besides a “NVGAA” (Not Very Good At All)!!!  She’ll be studying this weekend and that’s a guarantee!!!

  I’m still in the midst of cleaning the home school stuff.  It was still spread all over the kitchen table yesterday evening, but it is now in categories on the kitchen table.  That’s my way of saying “stacks of messes” instead of “a chaotic mess”!!!!  I found loose crayons, markers, pencils, and (beyond all belief) erasers that had been missing for a few months!!!!!  Everything is in a pencil box or zip lock bag and I’m trying to decide what to do with everything.  I think crayons and such will need to be put away and not left out. Then, permission will be given before they are allowed to color.
  

  
  

  I’m tired of things being everywhere but put away!
    

   

  It will be good to have the bench under the window uncluttered again.
  

  I stopped by Tangi’s house yesterday to pick up some books and movies I loaned her.  It was good to see her and hug and be hugged.  Her children are growing like weeds and so are mine.  We couldn’t believe the changes in all of our children!!!

  Stephanie came over last night with JanaLyn and did a load of laundry.  We had leftovers for dinner and she was pleased to see there was meatloaf.  She loves my meatloaf and Jesse isn’t thrilled with meatloaf – so it was used up and not wasted and everyone was happy!
  

  I bought a turkey breast and a package of 3 turkey legs, yesterday.  I think I’ll fix that on Sunday.  It’s supposed to be in the upper 60′s today and low 50′s tomorrow.  The oven running will help to heat the house AND it will be my contribution to a Super Bowl Game food-fest!  I just didn’t feel comfortable buying party food, with the economy being what it is and us wanting to save money. I’d rather have “extra funds” instead of spending it on unecessary food.  Party food is foolish and an extravagant expenditure right now, in my opinion.

  
  

  My pictures are really “shadowy” today and I think it’s the new way I’m uploading them to the computer.  I don’t have as many options to touch them up.

  To those who asked, my headache never came back.  I was VERY tired last night and slept almost 12 hours (from 9pm – 8:30am).  Jesse said I was grouchy last night and I apologized.  I know I tried to read in my book and about 1 1/2 pages into reading, I set the book on my nightstand, rolled over, and was out like a light!
  

  
  

  
  

  Today’s To Do List:
  *  Finish cleaning kitchen table and bench
  *  Bake cake
  *  Do one child’s laundry (Rissy’s was done yesterday)
  *  Sweep kitchen floors
  *  Keep an eye on animals and children so no one gets hurt!!!
  
  

   

  Oh!  Almost forgot!  The guy from foster care called yesterday and said he was turning our file into his supervisor for approval yesterday afternoon.  I may need to finish the foster children’s room soon – another thing on my list!  I’m *not* holding my breath – but, it’s looking like we’ve gained an inch!!!
  
  

   

  
  Be Blessed  ~

  • 1:39 pm
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