Happy 4th of July!

Today we are grateful to live in the land of the free and the home of the brave.  Our thanks and thoughts go to all those who have served, and continue to serve, to keep our country the best in the world.

My festivities include being able to keep food down and not collapsing everytime I stand up.  I’ve been ill – not contagious ill, but woozy, dizzy, lightheaded ill – this week and yesterday I passed out at work after a small meeting with my employees.  I went downhill after that  so  Will drove me to the ER where I was pumped full of fluids, forced to pee and had yet another gallon of blood drawn.  A CT revealed ye olde noggin is okay, but my right shoulder and hip are bruised from falling.  For those who may not know: concrete is hard and isn’t what I would recommend passing out on.   I’ve been out of bed for about 3 hours today and was super glad to get back in.   I slow cooked a Boston Butt the other night so we did have barbecue today.   I’m secretly hoping Will is going to make a trip somewhere to bring me a special treat – maybe a hot fudge brownie sundae from Bruster’s. 

I hope you all are enjoying your day and take a minute to reflect on what it means to be an American.  It truly is a blessing to live in our great Nation.

Peace and love from our family to yours.

I Hate White Noise

Seriously.  I don’t know if I’m the only one in the free world who despises it or not, but I hate white noise.  Our ceiling fans are uber quiet and get replaced the moment they get a little hum that can’t be quieted.  The sounds of fountains and the ocean make my skin crawl while I’m trying to relax. 

There is new “white noise” in the house.  It’s Will’s CPAP machine.  Granted, it has replaced the snoring and it’s not that loud, but I can’t freaking get used to it.  That little hum and occasional whistle drives me batty.  I’m glad he’s resting the best he has in the past 35 years because I’m not.  Yes, I have earplugs on my nightstand and I can only wear one…otherwise, I won’t hear Olivia if she wakes and Lawd knows he’s not going to hear her…He’s a hard sleeper and didn’t before and he sure isn’t now strapped in like Darth Vader.

Just thought I’d bitch a little.  I’m good now.  Thanks.

 

Peace and love….

A Must Have

You duck enthusiasts, this one’s for you.

Yesterday I went into a convenience store and, while waiting for the lady to give me change, I was looking at the collections of “stuff” next to the register.  Boiled peanuts, wedges of cheese, caffeine pills and duck call lighters.  I know, right?!?  All your camping supplies in one spot next to the register.  Holy hockey sticks, the luck.  Just kidding…I was more in awe of the duck call lighter. Today I G00gled it to see what I could come up with.  Apparently these beauties are not available in most stores and have to be bought on e*bay or other auction sites.  Maybe I should head back to the Grits and Grocery and pick up a few for stocking stuffers.   Whatcha’ll think?  I can get one for you, too.  Sadly, due to the downturn in the economy, I can’t absorb the cost of it, so I’ll need you to pay for it first.   I accept P*yPal.

P.S. Still sick.  Still no motivation to finish blog posts.  Too lazy to buy new card reader that will actually read my memory stick since my laptop chooses to be bitchy about it so I can at least give you pictures to write your own post with.

Meh.

• I have drafts started and saved of all the funfilled things that have been happening around Chateau L.  I just simply can’t get in motion to get them finished.
• There are a few of you who still hang around, and I’m grateful for that.
• I have over 2,000 unread blog posts in my feeder.
• We’ve had an anniversary, a vacation and a birthday come and go in my bloggy absence.
• I’ve had more blood drawn than vampires can suck.  I’ve been prodded more than a farm full of cattle.  And ye olde ta-tas went in for bubbie check 2009.   Mammograms suck, although they are muy importante…so girlies, pay attention to dems bubbies.  Know what they are supposed to feel like so if something odd should come up you are aware and it’s not just what’s on the inside…know the lay of the land, if you will, on the outside.  (dontcha just love “bubbies”?  So stolen from Real Housewives of New Joyzee)
• I have something.  Don’t know what it is, hence blood work and prodding.  I don’t have a fever, but every muscle in my body is contracting at once.  Damn, I wish my arse was this tight under normal circumstances – along with my calf and thigh mucles.   I don’t have chills, but my hair is so dry it could spontaneously combust.  My fingernails are splitting, peeling and doing all sorts of funky stuff.  My migraines are back with a vengeance.  And my skin.  Holy hockey sticks is my skin all funky.  All outwardly signs that something ain’t jiving within the blob of my body.  My thyroid has been checked and is well within normal limits.  First round was last Thursday and all was supposed to be well.  I shot that theory to heck and back.  I’ve gone downhill in the past 3 days.  Big weekend planned with my parents at the coast, but as long as my head is swimming and my balance is off, I don’t think we’ll make it.  I have to have something else done by Thursday since my doc’s office is closed on Friday.
• Olivia is almost a teenager.  No, not really, but it sho does seem like it.

I miss you all and hope you are all doing well.

Peace and love.

Veggie Tales

Ni Hao, ya’ll!  So, I am going to try and back track all the goodness that’s been happening around Chateau L over the past many, many weeks.   I know you all are just dying to know what the McBorington’s have been up to.

First, we’re gardening in the ‘hood again this year.  Will and Fabul-O have planted a beautiful little garden.  (or so I hear, I’ve only actually seen it maybe 3 times)  They water it religiously and our plants have flowers.  Now, I’m just hoping we have some actual vegetables this year.  Last year we had one cucumber and 2 squash all season long.  BUT we had a bajillion grape tomatoes that were planted in our Topsy Turvy.  They were supposed to be romas, which are what I use when I make salsa, but they were tagged wrong and we harvested grape tomatoes.   Even when you throw 6-7 handfuls of grape tomatoes into your food processor to try and make some salsa, you only get 2 TB of puree.   

But, when all is said and done, Olivia has learned about planting, taking care of and cooking up some of nature’s goodness.   Lesson learned even with one cucumber, 2 squash and grape tomatoes pureed into waste. 

Coming up next…Prom Night.  I thought having a junior prom date in high school 5 inches shorter than me with feathered bangs was bad.  Silly me…Not.Even.Close.

Friday, June 5

First, thanks for all the well-wishes and prayers.  The good word today is my cousin is hanging on with everything she has.   She developed a fever yesterday, but it is back to normal today.  Adrenaline is wearing off and her parents are exhausted, as are other friends and family members.  My mom and an aunt drove down yesterday and Fabul-O and I are headed this afternoon.

There are so many unanswered questions as to what happened and the only one who can give answers is the guy she was with and my understanding is he is saying very, very little at this point.

We’re all hopeful and praying for the best.

*******************************

My family could use some prayers and good thoughts.

I got a call this morning about a younger cousin who was in a tragic boating accident yesterday.  There are some rough days that lie ahead for my aunt and uncle.  Please hold my family in your thoughts and prayers, including those who will be on the road traveling this morning to go provide as much comfort and support as possible.

Tell one extra person you love them today and, when you hug, hug tight.

She’s Aliiiiive

Hi!  Remember me?  I’m the slack blogger who got even more slack who promised to get better, but only got worse.  Yeah, that’s me.  Sorry ’bout that.

Those who are my FBFs (Facebook Friends) know I’m alive and slightly kicking.  Those who aren’t my FBFs, but are bloggy buddies, I’m sorry if you’ve stopped by and I’ve not been here.

I have tales of gardens, red dresses with spawn of Satan shoes, a trip out west and my theory on dry heat.

See, you’re  totally hooked and I know you’ll be back.  After all, who doesn’t want to know about Satan’s shoes?

Military Spouse Appreciation Day

To all my milspouse friends, e-pals and bloggy buddies…

I wish you all a happy Military Spouse Appreciation Day.  Some of you will spend it alone and many of your husbands may not know it even exists.   From spouse to another, I know you’re appreciated although the words may never cross lips and it may seem that it’s taken for granted.

I want you all to know I appreciate you.  I appreciate the kind words of encouragement you’ve shared with me.  I appreciate your candor.  I appreciate the fact you all are such strong women and you plow through.  There are days where the tears seem to take over and you simply don’t know where the energy to begin again will come from.  Being a military spouse can be the toughest job in the military.   But you do it.   We do it.  There are often unique sets of challenges we are faced with before, during and after deployments as well as just day-to-day life.   Some of us face more than others and, while it’s all relative to our circumstances and situations, one thing remains constant.  We stick together.For those spouses whose Blue Stars have turned Gold, you are also appreciated.  Your family has given the ultimate sacrifice and your service and dedication is much appreciated.

When your spouse leaves for his mission with his special water bottle in tow, he knows it’s you who replaced the lost one.  When a luncheon with other spouses is successful, he knows it’s you who made it happen.   When they have clean underwear and uniforms, they know it’s you.   It takes a special wife to full appreciate his enthusiasm over his new gas mask.  When you carefully choose what to wear the day they come home and make sure everything is just perfect, it’s you who made the day as perfect as it could be.

Take a few minutes to just pat yourselves on the back today.

Jia-Jia Love

(Those who may be sorta new around here, Jia-Jia is Olivia’s Chinese nickname, which we still call her)

For various reasons, I’m on an emotional roller coaster right now.  When I need a feeling of peace, love and comfort, I turn to the one person I know who will share her love with me.  Olivia.  I needed it desperately tonight.

Olivia is sleeping.  I went into her room.  I uncovered her.  I snuggled with her.  I needed to have her in my arms.  Just for a minute.  I told her I needed some Jia-Jia love.  I gave her a kiss.  I gave her a hug.  I told her I loved her.  She hugged me back.  She gave me a kiss.  She made a face and then I smelled a smell.  I asked her did she have a froggy in her pants and she told me, “not anymore.  I want to sleep now.”

Those who say adopted kids don’t have the makeup of their a-parents are w.r.o.n.g.  She may not be biological, but she  sure is Will’s kid.

I *Heart* Her

This is my friend M & Me on my wedding day; she was my maid of honor.  We met while I was in college and have been friends about 16 years, I think.  Anyway…today, M had heart valve replacement surgery.  It was supposed to be on Friday, but they postponed until today.   I prayed a lot.  I prayed not only for her, but for the surgeons who held her life, literally, in their hands.   I wanted to be there, but I wasn’t able to and she understood.  She has been there for me for every major event in my grown-up life and I really felt like I should have been there. 

This afternoon, around 4:00, her husband sent me a text message and I read the best news I had all day, “off bypass. hope to move 2 icu soon.”  He called me around 5 and he still had not seen her, but said all went well.  

M is one of those friends I may not see or talk to often, but when we do get together, it’s as if time stood still.   Friends are the family we get to choose and those who know me know I make my choices carefully. 

Lots of love to them and the prayers will keep flowing for them.

Floreeeduh

So, we’re doing something a bit unconventional this year for Thanksgiving.  We’re trading our usual turkey for mouse.  The residents of Chateau L are packing up and heading to Florida and we’re pretty dang excited about it.  If you’ll remember, last year’s Plan B vacation ended up in D0llywood since Fabul-O freaked out at Ripley’s Aquarium and I proclaimed D*sney was too hot, too far and too expensive to get down there and she hate it.

We started looking at the stars, they aligned (sort of) and the logistics were pieced together without much effort.  Fabul-O is excited and the date is penciled in on my calendar when I can call and have my annual salary sucked off my credit card to make a reservation to have dinner with a princess.

Damn

That’s Fabul-O’s new favorite word.  Yes, she had to pick it up from somewhere and I’m refraining from either accepting responsibility or passing the blame.  

Her fever has been up and down.  When it’s down, it’s down.  When it’s up it is UP.  No hovering.  No gradual climbing.  It simply spikes.  She has sniffles, aches, pains, coughs and grumps.  But not really too much in the way of grumpy.  She’s always been good like that.  When she feels bad, she still keeps on ticking.  Love that about her, but sometimes I wish she just wanted to be held and loved and soothed by me.  *sigh*  I know…get to the point.

This morning, at 3:30 a.m., I was awaken by a very, very loud, “MOOOMMM.”  My first instinct from being awaken was to retort with, “My name is mommy.  What’s wrong?”  (Mind you, this is being shouted between bedrooms and Will is still snoring – except for that one big gurgle snort he gives when his slumber is being jostled)   The answer?  ”My damn nose is bleeding again.”  And it was.

And that is how my Thursday began.

I Scream, You Scream….

we all scream for…wait.  What’s that?

There is an ice cream truck that crusies our street.  This evening he was cruising past our yard and I began focusing to identify the muffled tune snippets playing.  “Home on the Range.”  “Oh, Susannah.”  “Happy Birthday.”  Ya’ll ready for this one?  Yeah?  You sure???  “JINGLE BELLS.”  I kid you not.   The ice cream man is playing Ho-Ho tunes in April.

A Contest

Tonight, we went to our local mall, which is very small.  As we were walking past the tables in the food court area (made up of Chick-Fil-A and a bunch of tables in the center area of the mall) I noticed a table sign that read the mall is having a mother/daughter look alike contest.  I think I might enter a picture of Fabul-O and me*.  I have blue eyes, she has brown.  I have sort of blonde hair, she has the most gorgeous dark locks.  She doesn’t glow in the dark and isn’t pasty white.  So the physical stuff is a bit off, but if you look at our hearts and souls we are dead ringers.  Whatcha’ll think?

————–

*sort of kidding, but I might do it just because.

Something

Just to fill space so I don’t have a big gap from one highlighted date on my sidebar calendar to the next.

• Garden planted.  Will said he moved it this year, but I haven’t been in the back yard to see where yet. Olivia said he did, too, so it must be true.
• Fever at Chateau L AGAIN. Man, I’m sick of this.  I can’t imagine how parents who have kids that pass it back and forth for weeks on end do it.  Olivia had a 104.4 and woke up with it about 2 a.m. Saturday morning.  She crashed about 7 p.m. without issue.  It goes up and down, but it’s highest has been  again is 101.5.  It was down this a.m. and we’re keeping a close eye out.
• I thought she would feel bad, but once fever came down and was under control for a while Saturday, we went to my goddaughter’s birthday party.  Who let her turn 6?!?  The kids rode horses.  Was fun.  Pics to follow.  After I find my card reader.  Dang CF card won’t fit into the built in reader on my laptop.
• A transmission service is expensive when you couple it with an oil change for a car that ONLY uses synthetic oil.  When your husband tells you, “it shouldn’t be too bad” ignore it and prepare for the worst.  I did pick up some air miles for it though.  And I know it’s cheaper than a new transmission.
• I haven’t cooked in almost 2 weeks.  Seriously.  If you count cereal and sandwiches I have, but if you’re looking for warm and well-balanced… nope.
• We might be getting more gravel for the drive way.  Depends on how much  “it shouldn’t be too bad” comes up to be.
• Prom is next weekend.  I’m wearing red.  Not the little black dress that may or may not zip up.  I’m saving that for a date with my friend J in June.  We’re going to Phantom of the Opera.  Love.It.  The last time we saw it together was in NYC a few years ago.  The time before that was Ken Hill’s Phantom of the Opera while we were in college.  We took our mom’s to dinner, the show and then to a little nightspot we used to frequent.
• One of my best friends is having a heart valve replacement Friday.  She’s a couple of years younger than I.  Pray for her, will you?  Or good wishes, happy thoughts, whatever you have to offer.  I was going to try and go down to be with her family, but my dad is having surgery Thursday and I can’t take O with me and my mom can’t watch her Thurs night.  So, I won’t be able to.  I know she’s going to be fine, but it’s a big deal and I love her to pieces.  I’ll make it down to see her soon.
• Vacation is in one month.  I’m taking a couple of them this year.  Yes.I.Am.  Don’t worry, the family will be going with me.  (Hi, Mar!)
• I’m hoping to hit up the frozen tundra after it thaws. MixedUpMama seems to think August should be fine   She has a gas powered margarita maker.  Yes. She. Does.
• I finally grew up and got contacts.  I have 20/15 vision, but my stinking astigmatism keeps me from seeing clearly now that the rain is gone and I can’t see all the obstacles in my way.  Heh.  It was a little disheartening to hear I’ll lose my reading vision in the next couple of years.   By the way, contacts for football shaped corneas are expensive.
• I hate that jeans have spandex in them.  Especially today since I forgot my belt.  Besides the fact they’ll be at my ankles by the end of the day, it gives a really crappy false sense of having lost weight throughout the day. Oh, and it’s only 2% spandex at that.

They’re Off…for good this time

Yesterday, 4,000 of North Carolina’s National Guardsmen of the 30th HCBT bid farewell to their families and friends in Fayetteville, NC.  This is Will’s brigade, but ya’ll know he’s not going due to his injuries from last spring.  Will spoke to some by phone and others via IM and email.  We didn’t attend the send off due to the massive amounts of families and friends who would be in attendance and, as much as would have liked to, we knew families of the deploying soldiers would need to take top priority.  At least in our minds.  Those in charge of planning seemed a little off mark on this one.  You can check it out here, here and here.  (h/t to AWTM for the links)

They have had a lot of “issues” in these last few weeks leading up to the actual deployment and I told Will, had he been deploying with them, by the time I said my piece, he wouldn’t be able to get off the green ramp fast enough.

We wish them well.  We will pray for them.  We will stand tall for them as they perform the tasks and missions they are assigned.   We will support them as best we are able from the homefront.  They have been trained and our faith in them is strong, but they are stronger.

We will be waiting for your safe return home.  Godspeed, Soldiers.

Hooah!

An Easy Way to Thank A Returning Soldier

***UPDATED:  She won!  Thanks to all of you who scooted over and voted.***

 

I found this over at Chuck Z’s place:

A fellow Soldiers’ Angel is wanting to help her returning adopted soldier and his family win a vacation at a dude ranch.  They are no longer winning and need our help.

Here is Roselle Portin’s email to Chuck:

My name is Roselle Portin.

I have a favor to ask of you. Your consideration of this would be
greatly appreciated.

I am a member of Soldiers Angels. My family and I have been blessed
to receive Kxxxx Xxxxxxxxx as our adopted soldier. Through the
program we write to him, send care packages and keep him in our
thoughts and prayers every day. He has a family in NY that he will be
returning home to soon.

I wanted to do something very special for Xxxxx upon his return. In
order to do this I entered a contest to win a family dude ranch
vacation in Idaho. The kids went door to door, we asked our church
family for help, we asked everyone at school, everyone we came into
contact with throughout the day and all our friends and family for
help. We were winning. Now we are not. My family will cover air fare for
the Family but we cannot afford the ranch if we don’t win it.

I was wondering if you had a network of people that would be willing
to help me out in this. It is VERY easy to vote. No personal info is
required and it only takes a minute.

Here’s how it works.
1. go to www.redhorsemountainranch.com
2. click on ‘win a family dude ranch vacation’ under Guest Story
Contest
3. click on Roselle Portin and VOTE.
The contest ends April 15th.

I know it’s a big favor. I just wanted a really special way to send a
very big ‘thank you’ to Xxxx and his family (he is not aware of
this). If you could help I would be so thankful.

Please let me know what you decide.

Thanks for your time and all you do,
Roselle Portin

It literally takes a couple of seconds and requires NO REGISTRATION or giving of personal information.  I did it.  Hope you will, too.

THIS LINK should take you to the voting page.

Happy Easter

We send our best wishes to all of you.

Today’s breakfast: Peeps and Reese’s peanut butter bunnies washed down with a Diet Coke. Hey, must keep calories in balance.

Ahhh, the tinting of the egg

I learned something in parenting tonight.  Ya’ll know there’s always a struggle of what to call things so as to keep it appropriate and repeatable as it creeps back past the lips of babes.   Tonight, I told Olivia we were going to dye some eggs.  The moment it crossed my lips, I wanted to back up 12.2 seconds and rephrase it.  Four year olds have the knack of a million questions.  She wanted to know why eggs died.  Did their mommies and daddies leave them?  Were they sad? And it went on and on and on.  The only way I knew to remedy it was to throw in some spelling.  D.I.E. means something stops living.  D.Y.E. means we’re going to change the color.  We’re going to D.Y.E. the eggs.  Lather, rinse, repeat…x 4. 

Uh-uh.  Wasn’t happening.  At the risk of bruising the dead horse I had been beating, I gleefully, and loudly, exclaimed we were coloring the eggs.  Coloring. Coloring. Coloring.  

To end it all, Fabul-O chimed in with, “Why dem eggs died?”  Oy vey.

We just finished COLORING eggs and have grassed the basket for the bunny.  

Here’s to hoping all the good stuff is still in there come sun-up.

[Temporary] Home Sweet Home

I lurve coastal cities.  I know I’m getting close when my hair starts to frizz.  Oh, wait.  That was this morning when I stepped off my front porch into torrential rains.  The same thing happens when I get close to the coast, too.   I love the smell of ocean air. 

It’s been a looong day.  I was in the car and ready to go about 6:40, but couldn’t get my blue tooth to work, so my resident techie got me up and going and I hit the highway and then the interstate.  Holy. Cow.  It’s been a long time since I’ve had to drive in big city rush hour traffic around those parts.  My commute is about an hour, including dropping Fabul-O off, but it’s miles versus traffic.  I almost got nailed 5 times by some lady cruising down the interstate trying to put her make up on and THEN the beyotch had the balls to flip me off.   I will take livestock trucks, combines and an occasional free range chicken crossing the road over that any day.

My first meeting was very informative and I was able to outdrive the rain about 1/3 of the way into the next leg of my trip.  I made it to Richmond well in advance of my second meeting and it, too, was pretty informative.  Then another 100+ miles to Virginia Beach and I are whooped.

I made it to my hotel about 10:40.  I had a room with 2 queen beds on the 2nd floor, which I booked when Fabul-O was going to come with me.  I asked for a king room when I checked in.  I’m on the 4th floor.  No biggie, except they are renovating the hotel and elevator 1 only goes to the 2nd floor.  You follow the signs down the hall on the 2nd floor, around a couple of turns and take the 2nd elevator to the 4th floor.  Is it a false positive that I’m on the top floor and there is no construction near my room?  It really isn’t THAT bad because you still gotta follow the halls down and around until you get to the usable rooms, which are across from elevator 2.   There are a lot of pissed off people here…apparently there was a flight that was cancelled and these folks are “distressed.” 

Roads in Virginia suck, but the rest stops are very, very nice. 

Turning in.  Early meeting tomorrow.  A bonus score on this trip is I get to meet a Sailor we adopted a couple of years ago.  He and his family are stationed here and due to the tropical storm in September when I was here last, we weren’t able to get together.  I’m looking forward to putting a person with the care packages and letters we’ve sent.  It’s a true bonus to be able to meet the person who eats your cookies

Happy Thursday, folks.

Peace.