This is My "Real" Blog: June 2007


Angie's Blog!

Thursday, June 28, 2007

Things I Have Taken for Granted

. . .a hot shower every day
. . .sleeping on my side
. . .holding my little girl
. . .receiving one of Edison's world-class hugs that last 5 minutes


And, I'm sure there are a few more things I have taken for granted up until now.

I *was* able to take a brief (2 minute) shower which allowed me to wash my hair. According to my aunt, a registered nurse, things are looking allright on the wound care end of things. She also made sure I was able to get in the shower allright.

Dignity. . . shmignity. (I realize that looks like profanity. . .but if you sound it out, it makes sense.)

It was quite the three-ring circus at our house today. After Caroline came home from school, the babysitter came to take care of her. Edison was in his room, and my Aunt Mary was with me back in my room dressing and re-dressing my incision.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. It was our mailman. . .just wanting to get in on the mayhem. He had an express mail package. . . from Canada. . . from Beth. . .it was so sweet.

There were magazines, CDs, and CANDY!!! (I suppose I should share the candy with the kids, but we'll see) Thanks, Bethie . . you made my day!!

Thanks to everyone for your prayers and support. I'm feeling better every day. I still haven't gotten "completely" back to normal. But I wasn't *that* normal before I started this insanity.

I'm hoping to get the laptop set up tomorrow, if I can actually sit for more than five minutes at a time, and maybe scrap a picture or two. I completed four (4) sudokus today. Sudoki?? Anyway, I'm not completely letting my brain go to mush. I even have some crocheting I could do, I just have to get where I can sit up and work. There's still next week.

I'm getting kinda tired, so I'll sign off for now. I will travel and visit all my favorite blogs before logging off the computer. Some of you need to seriously update your blogs. . . DOUG!!!

Hugs all around. . . just easy, gentle ones!
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Tuesday, June 26, 2007

She's Gone. . . .

(hum the Hall & Oates song to yourself. . I am!)

I'm home. All went well. Short post. Time for drugs. Sore tummy.

Cool "God" thing. . . .one of my surgical nurses is a friend from our church. I started crying the second I saw her, and when they were literally putting me under, she held my hand. I cried a little more, and told her I was so thankful she was there.

God is good.

Percoset is good.

God is good-er than percoset.

Liquid-ish/bland diet today - - then tomorrow I can eat whatever I want. Still gonna kick-it WW style. Because. . . .

I got on the scale during my prep time, and I have lost FOURTEEN pounds since my original appointment with my internist a month ago. Oh yeah, that was good.

I'm off to bed, but not without one little post script. My funny, irreverent friend Doug left me a comment on yesterday's post about tonsils and ice cream.

The guy across the "holding area" from me was having. . . wait for it. . . his tonsils removed AND a circumcision.

_______ [insert pun here] Doug, this one's for you, buddy!

I love you all so very much!
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Monday, June 25, 2007

Alice's Last Day

Here it is. . .Monday night. Alice's days (hours) are numbered. I am officially fasting. I can brush my teeth in the morning, but I'm not allowed to swallow any of the water when I rinse my teeth. Ick, like I ever do.

Am I nervous? Yes. I'm nervous. No getting around it. But, I have lots of prayers going up on my behalf. And, God listens. He does.

I have to be up at 4:30 - to get "ready" for my big date with Dr. Brinner. He's such a looker--I'll be especially attractive for him. You know. . .no jewelry, no makeup. I *will* wear deodorant. . .just for him. The scented kind.

On behalf of my dear (soon-to-be-departed) friend, Alice, I bid you all a fond farewell. After her eviction, I assume Alice will invade the torso of another unwitting victim. Pray for them--she's tenacious.

You never know. . .Alice may decide to change vocations. Maybe take a job as a tax auditor. She'd be really good at that. Pain infliction at the drop of a hat. . .making people nauseous to the point of vomiting. Yeah, she'd make a good auditor.

Whatever vocation she chooses, she'll be successful. I just pray she doesn't come to visit you. She's a miserable houseguest.

I hope to post again on Wednesday, or Thursday, at the latest. I have been bowled over by those of you who have sent messages of prayer and support. I'm humbled, actually.

I love you guys!!
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Sunday, June 24, 2007

Still a little time to scrap. . .


Got this done tonight. More will follow. . .after Alice is gone.
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This is Insane

I am spending the most wonderful day of my week. . . Sunday. . .getting stuff ready for me to be off work for two weeks. Such is the life of a part-time (ha!) music director.

As I type, a thunderstorm is rolling through. It sounds blissful. I have really been obsessed about the lack of rain this year. I don't know that I have ever been this concerned about a lack of rain.

We're getting some. . .that's really all I care about today!

Oh. . .and I have to confess to something new with which I am obsessed. Combine my favorite network (Food Network) with a reality show, and you have the "Next Food Network Star." Combine the "Apprentice" and "Survivor" but give them all tasks to perform which have them cooking in 90 minutes or less.

I.am.hooked.

Ironically, 90% of the food they're making on this show would be considered "off limits" or at least dangerous for me. But I'm still loving it. I encourage you to check it out.

Well, I need to get back to work. Those three power point presentations are not going to create themselves. And, while I type/draw/create, I will enjoy the sound of pounding (really hard) rain on my roof. I may even open the front door to watch it fall.
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Saturday, June 23, 2007

And now it's Saturday

I have never been so happy to see a Saturday roll around. I will try to post pictures of the finale of camp from last night. It will depend on how well our pictures turned out.

Lesson we learned yesterday. . . Caroline is not a good candidate for funeral attendance. When the bagpiper came through and played "Amazing Grace," that's right, I said there were bagpipes. Anyway, when they came through, she about squeezed Mark's neck to the point of strangulation. Wow.

Then, when the piper was done, she felt more comfortable. It was, after all, in her church building. So. . . every time someone said, or sang something, and concluded, she clapped, and yelled in her sweet, high-pitched voice, "Yea!!!"

We had her removed after five minutes.

She.clapped.for.the.prayer.

Oy.
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Thursday, June 21, 2007

You Might Be a Geek if. . .

. . .you carry on conversations with your extended family (my brother in law) through your husband's blog.

[if nothing else, go for the two most recent posts Mark has put up. The latest is sweet. The previous one. . .a bit long, but educational]

Wow, what a week! Our 5th Annual Music Camp is nearly over. And, amazingly, I haven't wanted to strangle any children or their parents. Of course, there's always tomorrow!

The kids are doing an excellent job. My crew of workers is AMAZING. I mean, I just make the slightest suggestion, and they're all over it - and it's done. Truly amazing.

So, by this time tomorrow, I will have accomplished, in five days:

*running a successful music camp (30 kids)
*planning and playing for two funerals
*singing at one of those funerals
*taking Edison to get his braces fixed (Mark actually did this)
*taking Edison to two football practices
*getting Caroline back in summer school
*eating according to the WW plan

That last one, in my humble opinion, is probably the most dramatic. You see, weeks like this mean suppers consisting of corn dogs, frozen pizza, McDonalds, and the like.

I have managed, somehow, to stay within the plan, and not overeat this week--even in the midst of severe stress.

That, my friends, gives one reason to celebrate.

Alice is making her presence known in subtle, quiet ways. I can deal with her. Thankfully, her days are numbered. . .and the number keeps getting smaller and smaller.

I've gotta give a shout out to my new internet buddy, That Chick, who (through her blog) pointed me in the direction of Fiber One bars. The chocolate one, as she said, is heavenly. And, it's only 2 WW points. That's phenomenal news on a slow, tired afternoon, when you need chocolate.

Quite delish - - although I did notice that there is some variety of unnamed "fiber" in the Fiber One bar that reminds me of tree bark. If the bar does what it is supposed to do, and only costs me 2 points, I can live with it.

Happy Friday to you all! It will certainly be a happy Friday for me. . . when it becomes Saturday!!
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Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Thanks, Melany!

Yesterday, my buddy Melany joked about Canada sharing some of their rain with us. We laughed, but the skies were blue and the day was hot and hazy.

But today was a totally different story. IT RAINED. Long, slow, soaking rain.

And it felt good.

Whether I need to thank Canada, or the jet stream I don't know. But, I am one thankful southerner, who really needed for the skies to open up.

We need more, but for today, I am grateful beyond words.

In other (drier) news. . .

Alice is not going quietly into that dark night. I had to "adjust" myself three times today. I have decided that she might just be trying to remind me that she exists. . . lest I forget. Yeah, like that could happen.

I'm at under a week. It seems bizarre to imagine that, a week from today, I'll be home, recuperating. But, it's true. As much as I dread the idea of surgery, I am running headlong into the arms of relief.

When I went to the hospital yesterday for my pre-op testing, I believe my blood pressure had dropped pretty drastically from my visit to the doctor back in May. I don't know if it is the Omega-3 I've been taking, or if it's just the better eating.

I don't care. I've gone from 160/92 to 133/72. This is good, my friends. Very, very good.

Music Camp is going well. The kids are pretty well-mannered. They were whiny this morning, but I think they were tired. By the end of the day, they were more agreeable, and quite cooperative. This is quite the undertaking, but it's always worth it in the long run.

So, that's about it. Caroline went back to school today. Her summer school (er, extended school year) runs through the middle of July. She was excited to get back on the bus. She ate breakfast and lunch at school. This is bizarro world. . .my little girl is growing up so much.

Have a lovely Wednesday. Keep praying for rain...but not on Thursday--we're taking the camp kids swimming, and we can't swim in the rain!

Toodles!!
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Saturday, June 16, 2007

Can you say busy. . . ?

I was productive today. I got a little bit of work done at the office this morning. When I finally got home (after 2 p.m.) it was all about scrapping.

Mark agreed to take us out for supper. Something about me dropping a hint the other day, and something else about my dad taking my mom out for dinner (and Mark wanting to keep up with my dad). Or something like that. . . regardless, I got my favorite buffalo salad at Craven Wings, and it was gooooooooood.

I managed to get a couple of layouts done. One this afternoon, the other tonight.

On our way home from dinner, we stopped at McDonalds and picked up ice cream for the kids. Since I didn't have my camera the other day, it was time to make up for my forgetfulness. She enjoyed this ice cream cone every bit as much as the one the other day. This one eventually hit the ground outside, and disappeared. But, until then, it was lots of fun.

Tomorrow is Father's Day. Seems like a fitting time for a blog entry about my favorite dads. But, I'll do it tomorrow. It's late, and I'm tired. Here are my two layouts. Enjoy! Happy Father's Day (it's 2 minutes after midnight!)

The first layout is of Caroline's first day of preschool. Last year, Christy Sturm came out with this excellent kit called "Elementary" and I'm so glad to have finally gotten the chance to use it!



The 2nd new layout celebrates ice cream. Melany sent me this picture of Cooper eating ice cream the other day. When we took pictures of Caroline tonight, I knew I had a layout up my sleeve!

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I got a layout done. . . .


I wish we'd have gotten a picture of the four of us on Easter. Edison was able to capture this picture of Mark, Caroline, and me. I'm pretty grateful for it.


Hope your Friday is still good. . . .


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Friday, June 15, 2007

Earth weeps, but Heaven rejoices. . . .

Charles, my friend in last night's post, passed away about 1:30 this morning. It was sunny today - for a while - but it's cloudy right now. The air seems a little restless. . . not raining, but threatening to do so.

So, it kind of feels like the earth is sad today. But I know . . . beyond any doubt. . .there's one heck of a party going on in heaven. And for that reason, alone, I can rejoice today in spite of the weather.

In other news. . . .

Jam w/Biscuit
Edison has begun taking guitar lessons from Mike Caldwell who is the musical director at the Country Tonight Theater in Pigeon Forge. Mike has been giving my Dad harmonica lessons for the past year and a half, or so. Last week, Edison attended one of Dad's lessons, and brought along his new guitar. Mike says he has a good ear. Mike's right.

So, today was Edison's first official guitar lesson. He came home and told me all about his morning. After his lesson, Mike, Dad, and Edison went to visit a man they call "Biscuit." Biscuit is a 3-time National Champion banjo performer. Pretty impressive for a guy in his 30s. Anyway, Mike, Dad, Edison and Biscuit jammed for a while. Edison said that when he couldn't keep up on the guitar, he used it like a drum, and just beat out a soft rhythm.

As a music teacher, I'm loving this so very much. As a mom, I'm proud as can be. When he's ready for his first appearance at Carnegie Hall, I'll let you know!

Girl's Day Out
Caroline and I went shopping today. She knows all about shopping. Every time we pull into a store parking lot--be it the grocery store or Target--the first word out of her mouth is "shopping!" I'm raising her right!

We visited the Baby Superstore -- the girl needs some Houdini-proof pajamas. If they have snaps, she can escape. Zippers, not so much. But it's summertime. No long "zippies" in the summertime -- especially in the 24-month size range. Oh well, the two pairs of PJs that she has will just have to last until this phase is over.

After the baby store, we hit A.C. Moore, which is like a Hobby Lobby or Michael's craft store. I had to stock up a little on cotton yarn for my 2-week recuperation. I've got to have something to keep my hands busy while I refrain from picking up Caroline, hauling laundry back and forth, and carrying in groceries. I figure getting a few more afghans in the closet for upcoming babies is a great thing to do. Sadly, the store was nearly out of yarn. It was sad. I got some pink and blue -- but no border yarns. That will have to be another trip.

After A.C. Moore, we hit McDonalds. This is now my daughter's favorite place on earth. Not only does she know and love their chicken and "fry-fries" but she knows that they have ice cream. "Creeeeeeeeem" I'm not convinced that there is any trace of milk products in their frozen "dairy" delight, but Caroline loves it.

Today, we were all about the chicken and fries. She no longer wants us to cut the chicken into pieces, but she'd rather "break" them apart. You'd swear she was helping pull down the Berlin Wall by her expression, but she tears the little nuggets into bite-size pieces, and goes to town.

She ate nearly all four nuggets, and chowed down all but about 8 fries. How do I know "eight" fries? (I ate them) They're not that many WW points, and I *did* have the Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad. Which, if you're interested, is my latest addiction. I cannot get enough of that salad!

After lunch, we headed over to my favorite store to buy jeans. We got them and headed home. I even saved $25 buying two pairs. You can't beat that.

Whew, I thought it would be easy "journaling" a day in the life, like my friend Melany. But, shoot, I'm worn out.....and it's just 5:54 p.m. At this rate, I'd better stop writing about my day, and start living it! I've got to figure out what we're eating for supper, and get cooking!

Happy Friday--and I mean that!!
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Thursday, June 14, 2007

Blue Thursday. . . ?

Mark and I attended a meeting tonight, after a long, busy day. I was feeling good--because I was ticking things off a "to-do" list that nearly made me cry when I wrote it all down. Seriously. 2 full pages.
Sometime this afternoon, a friend called to tell me that she would have to miss our meeting tonight because her cousin suddenly died yesterday. Her cousin was 25 years old. She leaves behind a 7-year old little girl. So sad.
Then, tonight, after my meeting, I received word on my answering machine that Ralph, a sweet man from our church, lost his battle with cancer this afternoon. He was courageous. He was strong. He was a firm believer. He loved NASCAR.
I learned the NASCAR part far too late. I mean, he used to be on a pit crew. I think that is so cool! I'm just sad to realize that I'll never get to ask him about those days.
While trying to piece together an annoucement for our church's prayer chain concerning Ralph, the phone rang. Another one of our dear church members. . .my friend Charles, who always teased me about anything he could think of. . .is not doing well at all. He is in critical condition. He may not make it through the night. He used to give me recipe books, and magazines, and articles about music. His wife is a gifted artist. She is a classy woman. She encourages me. She teaches me so much by her example. Tonight, she's at the bedside of her husband.
It's a Blue Thursday. Even if Blue Thursday doesn't really exist.
Then I realized my recent blog posts have been about days. . . which led me to think about this poem. I've read it many times. I've even considered using it for scrapbooking purposes, but haven't figured out how I'd use it. . . until today.
Monday's Child
Author Unknown

Monday's child is fair of face,
Tuesday's child is full of grace,
Wednesday's child is full of woe
Thursday's child has far to go,
Friday's child is loving and giving,
Saturday's child works hard for its living,
And a child that's born on the Sabbath day
Is blithe and bonny and good and gay.


I've got a Tuesday's Child.
I've got a Thursday's Child.

Edison is my Tuesday baby. He is full of grace. He is full of compassion. He is full of enthusiasm. He is just full.

Caroline is my Thursday girl.

I refuse to look at that and stereotypically categorize her because of a diagnosis of Down syndrome. Instead, I'm turning that glass to "half-full" mode, and saying that yes, she might have a tougher road than some others, but she'll get there.

She has already overcome hurdles that most children don't have to struggle to overcome. She walks. She talks. She tries to climb over the back of the sofa -- it's not up against a wall. She counts (skips the number 4) and she fills in the last word of each page of her favorite books.

She has far to go.......but by cracky*, she's gonna get there. And we'll throw a party. . . on a Thursday!

*To my more sensitive readers. . . .the phrase "by cracky" has been running through my head for the past couple of days. I never heard it before moving to Tennessee. When I use it I feel like a true southerner. Grits, anyone?
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Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Tuesday Afternoon

Tuesday afternoon
I'm just beginning to see, now I'm on my way.
It doesn't matter to me, chasing the clouds away.
Something calls to me,
The trees are drawing me near,
I've got to find out why
Those gentle voices I hear,
explain it all with a sigh. (ahhh . . . ahhhhhh . . . ahhh)

I'm looking at myself reflections of my mind
It's just the kind of day to leave myself behind.
So gently swaying through the fairyland of love,
If you'll just come with me you'll see the beauty of
Tuesday afternoon, Tuesday afternoon.

Basically, my Tuesday afternoon is pretty much like my Monday was. . . . crammed with far too much to do, and not enough time to get it all done.

I'm trying not to see things in a countdown to surgery view, but it's very difficult. It all comes back to whether or not it has to be done pre-surgery. Most of it does, unfortunately.

So, my post will be short.

I just wanted you to get a song [stuck] in your head. It's my gift to you on this fine, sunny Tuesday aaaaaaafternoon!

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Monday, June 11, 2007

Monday, Monday

I'm sure, in the history of blogging, there have been many posts with that title. I just really like that song.

"Every other day. . .every other day
Every other day of the week is fine, yeah"

Mama Cass Elliott. Now there was a woman. Great songs. Cool band. In the end, I believed she choked to death on a turkey sandwich, right? Oy. Still a great band. [note: Wikipedia says that she died of a heart attack. But, there was reports out there that it was a ham sandwich.] Good to know.

This has been a typical Monday, I guess.

I'd settle for a Karen Carpenter "Rainy Day and Monday," but alas, no rain has fallen upon our little stretch of land. I did, however, hear from a friend today, and I'm a little freaked out, that there are bears. . .of the lions, and tigers and. .. oh my kind. . . variety roaming around these parts.

Small geography lesson here: The family and I live fairly close to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. And yes, I *do* spell Smoky without the "e" because that's how you're supposed to spell it. Don't get me started collectibles vs. collectables. Small digression there, I apologize.

This spring we had a bizarre freeze in March. Usually girls are laying out in the sun from Valentine's day on, but this year, we had a big cold snap. Many local strawberry farmers lost their crop because of the freeze.

I guess the bears lost their dinner, too. Reportedly, the berries and other vegetation that God provides these bears with each year was lost. They are now roaming down out of the mountains looking for food. You know. . .seeing what we leave behind, and foraging for it.

Anyway, my friend lives about a mile from me - in a very, very densely wooded area. Her neighbor had a bear on her porch. A bear. A black bear. A big black bear.

I don't want a bear on my porch. I don't want a bear anywhere but up in the mountains, or at the zoo. (Sorry to my PETA friends. . .if I have any)

I prefer my bears either in chocolate-chip teddy grahams, or in the Boyds variety with those cute little country dresses and sweet button eyes. I am NOT a fan of having wildlife in my backyard. I was happy with the cows, mules, and horses. But no bears, please.

So, I'm paranoid, or should I say "bear-a-noid" that I'm going to look out one day next week, and see a bear drinking out of my hummingbird feeder and chucking my little finch feeder across the lawn.

There's that. . . and Caroline can officially get out of the house. Tonight, while no one was looking, she opened the front storm door, and walked out. Thankfully, we heard the door, and realized that she was out. She had only gotten a few steps out . . . but it was the wake-up call we needed.

[Yes, friends and family who worry about my children on a constant basis. . .we are locking the storm door all the time now.] When she can maneuver that lock, we'll move onto Plan B.

So, other than being afraid that Caroline will escape, and that a bear will take her away, we're doing fine. Surgery in T-minus 14 days. I am really getting anxious - but it's that good kind of anxious. I'm hoping to get caught up on every little thing I'm *supposed* to do, so that I can just scrapbook for a few days, while I recover. We'll see what happens.

One other note - I am insanely jealous. Tonight, in a country far, far away (not really). Christy Sturm, my digi-scrapping boss (well, my first one) and Melany Groves, my canadian alter-ego got to meet in person! This is the second person that has gotten to meet Melany in person, and I wasn't there. We did get to talk on the phone -- and I was able to see the circus that was taking place in Melany's living room with her two kids, and Christy's three beautiful kiddos. I didn't get to see Steve & Chris -- I think they were hiding from the camera.

If the Aubrey's would have been there, it would have been the same story--only Edison and Maggie would have been sitting off in a room complaining about their little brothers and sisters, and Caroline would have been part of the chaotic excitement.

Girls, I was green with envy -- but sooooooo happy that you both got to do the squeezy hug thing. Next time it's my turn, right???

Happy Monday!!

p.s. Just went to Christy's blog. There are pictures of her and Melany, and Melany and Henry (Caroline's intended) Go see 'em just for the fun of it!!!
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Thursday, June 07, 2007

Tuesday

I remember a man that I once worked with pointed out in a boring meeting that Tuesdays are the most productive days for business. Interestingly, a couple years after he made that statement, I had Edison on a . . . that's right. . . a Tuesday. Caroline was planned for a Thursday. I lived with the disappointment!

But, I am looking at the potential for a very productive Tuesday in a couple of weeks (June 26) as my "kick Alice out of here" day.

The scheduling nurse called today. She says I need to report at 6 a.m, the surgery begins at 8 a.m., and I should be home that afternoon. Bizarre, really. But, if she says so. . .

Caroline and I went for a walk tonight. Mark and Edison came along, too. I enjoyed the walk - except for the "readjustment" that Alice needed after our walk. I will not miss adjusting her. Not one little bit.

I was able to complete a layout tonight. I really should have worked on work stuff, but it was more fun to be creative than productive. I suppose if this would have been a Tuesday, I'd have somehow managed to get both done. Oh well. . . .



Here's the layout. Caroline was having a great time the other day with her Noah's Ark. Mark happened to catch this great picture - and it really needed scrapping! She's really getting into putting the animals into the ark, and then making them march out again. My favorite part: when she "counts" them after lining them up!
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Wednesday, June 06, 2007

Her Days are Numbered

Alice's.

I visited the surgeon today. Not the friendliest man in the world. . .but, he *is* a surgeon. When his scheduling nurse calls me (I assume tomorrow) I will know the date of said surgery. Other than his cactus-like personality, it was a perfectly fine doctor visit. I wasn't looking for a new best friend!

In other news. . . .

We had visitors this morning. "Mr. Ed," as we have begun to call the large blonde horse that lives on the farm behind our house, was joined by at least 8 baby calves, two mules, two bulls (horns & all) and a few more cows. Our bovine and equine visitors made quite a scene in the back yard. When I took Caroline out to see the baby cows, she started squealing, "Baby Cows! Baby Cows!" Guess who went away?

That's right. All the baby cows. Oh well, it was fun for that few minutes.

Peace out. It's a great summer night, and after a church cookout tonight, I'm beat!
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Go Ask Alice

Alice.

I named my hernia. You expected a masculine name, didn't you? It's Alice.

Why? Simple.

When she's gone, I can say "Alice doesn't live here anymore."

Alice and I went to the doctor's office today--they took her picture. (ultrasounds) They scouted around -- even glanced at my thyroid. (haven't named him yet.)

. . . .thyroids *are* masculine.

Surgical consult tomorrow. I'm hoping for something in the next two weeks. Enough time to make it through music camp, but soon enough to get Alice evicted while Caroline is in summer school.

I do have some good news. . . I have been invited to be a member of another Creative Team for a digital scrapbooking designer. She's Katie the Scrapbook Lady (fitting name, eh?) and I am very excited to be on her team. I have downloaded the most recent three items she has released, so be on the lookout for new layouts from a 2nd source.

Other than that, we're coasting along as normal.

Caroline has taken to running sprints in our living room. She tells herself, "Ready. . . set. . . go!" And with that, she jets across the living room, at top speed (her top speed) and cackles and guffaws the entire length of the living room. Tonight, we had to stop her before she hyperventilated. This child has energy to burn, baby!

She has started taking nightly walks with Edison or Mark in our quiet little neighborhood.

[And, no, Beth, I am not slacking off.]

I haven't been home the last two evenings to take her. However, I am on the docket for tomorrow night. It will be good for all of us!

So, that's all the news that's fit to print, as they say. For Alice and me, and the whole Aubrey family. . . . Adios!!
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Friday, June 01, 2007

If God Appreciates Irony. . .

. . .He'd allow the sky to open up and soak my yard.

We.need.rain.

According to our cute little weatherman on Channel 10 - the morning guy - we are nearly 10 inches behind for the year. This is not good. In fact, it's bad. Did I mention that he's cute?

So, while my parents are away, Edison has been asked (bribed) to water their porch plants, Dad's garden, and the landscaping. Let's just say that if it weren't for Edison's father, we'd have some seriously dead plants on our hands. (It's a link to Mark's blog. He really is Edison's father)

Mark bailing Edison out kind of reminds me of a gerbil or two that Lori and I had as pets, but I digress.....

As we trekked out to the farm -- yes, my parents do live on a farm. Really cool view of the French Broad River. Quiet. Serene. Beautiful. Again, I digress....as we made our way out to the farm, I tried to explain to Edison the old wives' tale that if you wash your car, or water your lawn, it will rain.

Edison gave Mom & Dad's plants a good soaking. At least I hope he did. I had to keep Caroline from playing IN the dog's water bowl (eek) and from licking the front door mat. I don't know. Don't ask.

After we got home, I realized that our precious plants here need a good soaking, too.

Question: How do you irritate a hot, sweaty pre-teen who emits attitude just by being?
Answer: Make him do the same thing at home for free that he's being paid to do by others.

Make a note.
You'll thank me later.

He and I worked together (Caroline is napping) watering the plants and bushes around the front and back of the house. The ones in the back are getting lots of shade. They appear to be doing fine. The ones up front get all the sun. While he fought (literally) with the garden hose, I soaked the life out of the plants in the front. There are some begonias that just might bloom in spite of me. My lily that I was so proud of last week has produced a few more big blooms. But in the heat, they're withering away. And, I believe that we may have some lily of the valley. . .which is my favorite flower of all time. They're scorched and withered away. But, they're perennials, so we'll see what happens next year.

We've been inside for an hour now. Still no rain. I really thought that God would dump on us. He'll probably wait until tonight. I'm going to a friend's house for a scrapbooking crop. You know. . . acid-free paper, pictures, stickers. . .things that shouldn't get wet. It is bound to rain at that point. Because, God really does have an appreciation for irony.
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