My dear readers, i know you have missed me. i have been having a wild 2 weeks. i think that's how long it's been since i last posted.
since then, we've had some changes happen around here.
we did NOT go through with the surgery to put tubes in Kate's ears, which was scheduled for last week. she ended up getting sick again before the surgery, so i took her back to the pediatrician, and he said if i kept her out of daycare for a month, i could monitor her and see if her ears improved. and that we could hold out on surgery.
so that is what i did. i've been home with her ever since, and she's finishing up a round of antibiotics, and feeling FANTABULOUS. she loves being at home, she is all sunshine, and she is radiant. behavior problems we were facing after school have ceased, praise God.
I'm amazed at watching her grow each day. At first I didn't think I could work and be a stay at home mommy (i guess that makes me a work from home mommy) but it's been great. within the first day of announcing such, i had a friend from Lagniappe volunteer to keep her on Mondays for me so that I can keep my dr appointments and such. What a blessing! She came this past Monday so that I could meet with a surgeon about my other problem.
So all things on the Kate front are great.
About the surgeon-I have gallstones, and they are not serving me well. I need to have my gallbladder removed, so sayeth several doctors. My GP, and then I met with a surgeon in Gulfport on Monday. After a bad first impression and hearing some opinions on him, I decided not to go with him, but I am going to meet with another surgeon in 2 weeks (she's so good she's hard to get in to see.)
But the plan is to have the surgery the week of Thanksgiving so that Andy can be home. I will have to spend at least one night in the hospital, so I will be relying on a friend or two to watch Kate at least during that time. (Any takers?)
He said it would take about a month to feel normal again, but I am a champ so I bet it will be sooner. He said a C Section was worse, and I sailed through that, so I am hoping for amazing results.
My current symptoms: Nausea, other gross feelings, being tired. Feeling gross. Trying not to complain. Some days are good, some days are sick.
Dr said it would be like this until it comes out, so i guess i don't get a choice-it has to come out.
But God made gallbladders, and gallstones, too, so I am confident that He will finish His good work.
Does the list ever seem to stop with us? We have had a hard time here lately on the coast.
Probably one of the worst moments was last week when we found our family dog, Rosie, next door. She was not alive. It was so sad. A neighbor called and reported the news; we'd been looking for her for 2 days. The last day we saw her, she was very sick. We've had her longer than we've been married, and it was so tough. Another sweet neighbor volunteered to bury her for us, since it was too hard for us, and it really has been hard without her.
I didn't realize how much I loved her and relied on her until she was suddenly gone. No one to eat leftovers, no one to vaccuum after. The house has been so quiet without her, so clean, so sad. I don't know if Kate understands but she LOVED Rosie. Andy and I also loved her so much. She really was the best dog. She was so obedient, so sweet. We think someone poisoned her due to her quick demise.
Andy's work has been rewarding for him. He is traveling overnight at least once per week, which is not the norm, but we are handling it. I'm pretty clingy so I like having him around all day, every day, but that's not normal either.
He's a great dad and I think his allergies tend to get the best of him because he's been very tired and coughing a lot. But that's an After-Katrina effect-bad allergies.
Kate and I had fun today trick or treating around our downtown with friend Susan. She had trouble saying "trick or treat" but had fun, anyway!
We've been really into Barney, Cheerios have taken on a new passion with Kate, and we get really excited about the mail coming.
I am quite excited about Christmas time! I can't believe it's almost time again.
Last weekend I got to wear a coat. That was nice!
My work has been good, I've been managing it from home nicely during the day and it hasn't been overwhelming. I do think about it, but then also I think about when I should do chores, when I should stop thinking and just play, when should I just rest, when is it okay to talk on the phone, etc etc etc.
Such is life.
31 October 2007
21 October 2007
So, if you are ever overwhelmed by your life, you can watch the hit TLC show "Jon and Kate plus 8."
I thought one kid and one husband was wearing me out. They have 8, and 6 of them are all the same age.
She's a stay at home mom (SAHM as known in the web world) but she does rely on a maid (she needs 3) and sitters.
She is awesome, she is very organized and clean. I don't know if she was before the kids or having 9 folks to manage helper her become more organized, but she's a diva.
Today, I toast to her.
We have had a noneventful weekend. Football, playing around the house, wiping Kate's nose, diapers, church today. Sermon was encouraging and well spoken. Again, the mantra of "it's okay to not be okay" is still true. It's okay to not have it perfect, it's okay to mess up, it's okay to be unorganized and loud and smelly because there is a Father in heaven that loves and forgives.
Kate is set to have surgery on Tuesday, unless she gets sicker. I will call the ENT tomorrow to see if they want to proceed.
I am going to have a check up tomorrow on my gallbladder (too much info, i'm sure) but hey it's broken and i need it fixed. my wiring is out of alignment.
I have discovered the best laundry detergent for those of you on the edge of your seats. Tide with Febreeze, Spring and Renewal. And it's currently on sale at Tar-jay. But it does not work if you leave the wet laundry in the washer too long. Nothing can help that.
Poor Rosie, our beloved chocolate lab, is on the lam. She's been missing since yesterday. She's been known to do this before, but not recently. We are praying she comes home!
I have been cleaning a lot lately but no good meals to report. I have lost desire for cooking thanks to the broken pipes/wiring in my tummy.
Peace out, as kate says.
I thought one kid and one husband was wearing me out. They have 8, and 6 of them are all the same age.
She's a stay at home mom (SAHM as known in the web world) but she does rely on a maid (she needs 3) and sitters.
She is awesome, she is very organized and clean. I don't know if she was before the kids or having 9 folks to manage helper her become more organized, but she's a diva.
Today, I toast to her.
We have had a noneventful weekend. Football, playing around the house, wiping Kate's nose, diapers, church today. Sermon was encouraging and well spoken. Again, the mantra of "it's okay to not be okay" is still true. It's okay to not have it perfect, it's okay to mess up, it's okay to be unorganized and loud and smelly because there is a Father in heaven that loves and forgives.
Kate is set to have surgery on Tuesday, unless she gets sicker. I will call the ENT tomorrow to see if they want to proceed.
I am going to have a check up tomorrow on my gallbladder (too much info, i'm sure) but hey it's broken and i need it fixed. my wiring is out of alignment.
I have discovered the best laundry detergent for those of you on the edge of your seats. Tide with Febreeze, Spring and Renewal. And it's currently on sale at Tar-jay. But it does not work if you leave the wet laundry in the washer too long. Nothing can help that.
Poor Rosie, our beloved chocolate lab, is on the lam. She's been missing since yesterday. She's been known to do this before, but not recently. We are praying she comes home!
I have been cleaning a lot lately but no good meals to report. I have lost desire for cooking thanks to the broken pipes/wiring in my tummy.
Peace out, as kate says.
15 October 2007
today a friend told me i would not make a good 50's housewife. at first, i laughed. then, i was mad....but then i realized she was right.
oh and it wasn't a friend, it was my counselor. well she could be a friend but if you have to pay someone, they aren't a true friend.
anyway. she's right.
but....my thought....i truly believe 50's housewives internalized everything, plus they had less distractions. no ipods, no internet. all they had was their easy bake ovens and reusable diapers. hubbies went to the office, came home at 5. there were no pampered chef parties, because they were all chefs. either they were all heavily motivated (and medicated) or there could not have been good communication.
there's no way! i've never seen june cleaver mad. when did carol brady get mad? when the kids didn't line up height accordingly? plus, she had alice-the maid-so what exactly did carol do all day?
and i don't even want to talk about the partridges-drugs, music, common outlets to stress.
so, while i do acknowledge that i am no june cleaver, i don't have to face what she did. her biggest worry....would the milk man come on time? did she leave enough cookies for the postman?
so thank you, but no, i'm not a good 50's wife. i am loud, particular, opinionated, savvy at the internet, have pizza hut programmed in my cell phone, and i know how to use a disposable diaper. and a pacifier too.
so arrest me if it's needed.
and yes, i still watch the Hills.
14 October 2007
lunesta fiesta
I'm taking lunesta. i can't sleep at night because i have a lot on my mind.
lunesta, i found out, is $7 per pill. "That's a lot for a good night's sleep," i commented to my pharmacist.
His advice: "You should just get some booze and get drunk."
Professional advice? I think not.
But I might start a Lunesta fund, or a lunesta race for the cure-donations accepted.
Lunesta chocolate sale. Lunesta Bikathon. Of course I don't have a bike but I could pretend. Yall would never know, anyway.
Just kidding.
Sweet dreams!
lunesta, i found out, is $7 per pill. "That's a lot for a good night's sleep," i commented to my pharmacist.
His advice: "You should just get some booze and get drunk."
Professional advice? I think not.
But I might start a Lunesta fund, or a lunesta race for the cure-donations accepted.
Lunesta chocolate sale. Lunesta Bikathon. Of course I don't have a bike but I could pretend. Yall would never know, anyway.
Just kidding.
Sweet dreams!
13 October 2007
pumpkin patch
a truck passing me kicked a rock onto my windshield this week, leaving a mark. what kind of truck was it? a windshield repair truck. and he was turning into a car dealership.
that's how you spell irony.
and how do you spell happiness? a marathon of "Arrested Development" reruns on a Saturday afternoon with a napping booger bear.
Well the booger bear is in her crib but she's still here.
but that show is amazing on so many levels. i've seen the entire series on DVD and i can't think of a better show. Ugly Betty is close but not as funny.
Today we decided to celebrate Andy's birthday so we went to breakfast at the Buttercup Cafe in Bay St Louis and sat outside. It's finally cooled off a bit-i knew it was finally cool when I saw someone taking a nap on a porch swing. That would be unforeseen 2 weeks ago.
We then went to the pumpkin patch, and we forgot the camera. Just envision it-pumpkins all over the ground, kate running, and a sign that said "Do not pick up the pumpkins by the stems. Watch for ants and stickers." No, not the fun colorful stickers you buy at the store, the prickly ones that grow in grass. So, how could a parent relax in the pumpkin patch? Now you have to monitor for ants and pricklies. So Andy picked out a pumpkin (Kate didn't have a favorite) and then Kate picked out one of the 75 cent small baby pumpkins.
So a hobby I've always enjoyed is watching game shows. I love Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, Game Show Network, and I need to figure out how to be on one. Except I don't know that I am dorky enough. I may be a lot of things, but dorky I'm not. I'm going to google that definition to see what it means exactly. slang : foolishly stupid : clueless. I think what I mean is that some people on game shows act like that. I guess I could fake it to get on the show.
Yesterday was good for thrift store shopping in Gulfport. Good stuff for Kate, and they were even having a sale. Everything in the store was at least 25% off. Now all I need for fall for Kate is some tights! I love hand me downs so if any readers have some, I'll happily help you see those repeats on Kate.
Today is Second Saturday so I bet we will go downtown later. Since it won't be so hot, and since one of our clients, Le Bon Temps, wil be having a little open house, we want to go and support them, as well as the other folks downtown (and a few other clients, too.)
If you haven't visited here, you should come. The way people talk is so neat. I guess if you live/have visited near Boston, you've heard it before. I don't know if Kate will pick it up, since Andy and I only talk like that on command, but we'll see. Her teacher does, and it's funny.
I did lots of work this week for Lagniappe, calling team leaders from days gone by to see if they want to come back again, and all of them said yes. So that's good! Still need to clean my house but the laundry is up to date.
Oh and if any of you watched Grey's Anatomy this week, I'm sure you saw the new intern-did you recognized who he was? He was the neighbor on Home Improvement. Finally revealed!
that's how you spell irony.
and how do you spell happiness? a marathon of "Arrested Development" reruns on a Saturday afternoon with a napping booger bear.
Well the booger bear is in her crib but she's still here.
but that show is amazing on so many levels. i've seen the entire series on DVD and i can't think of a better show. Ugly Betty is close but not as funny.
Today we decided to celebrate Andy's birthday so we went to breakfast at the Buttercup Cafe in Bay St Louis and sat outside. It's finally cooled off a bit-i knew it was finally cool when I saw someone taking a nap on a porch swing. That would be unforeseen 2 weeks ago.
We then went to the pumpkin patch, and we forgot the camera. Just envision it-pumpkins all over the ground, kate running, and a sign that said "Do not pick up the pumpkins by the stems. Watch for ants and stickers." No, not the fun colorful stickers you buy at the store, the prickly ones that grow in grass. So, how could a parent relax in the pumpkin patch? Now you have to monitor for ants and pricklies. So Andy picked out a pumpkin (Kate didn't have a favorite) and then Kate picked out one of the 75 cent small baby pumpkins.
So a hobby I've always enjoyed is watching game shows. I love Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, Game Show Network, and I need to figure out how to be on one. Except I don't know that I am dorky enough. I may be a lot of things, but dorky I'm not. I'm going to google that definition to see what it means exactly. slang : foolishly stupid : clueless. I think what I mean is that some people on game shows act like that. I guess I could fake it to get on the show.
Yesterday was good for thrift store shopping in Gulfport. Good stuff for Kate, and they were even having a sale. Everything in the store was at least 25% off. Now all I need for fall for Kate is some tights! I love hand me downs so if any readers have some, I'll happily help you see those repeats on Kate.
Today is Second Saturday so I bet we will go downtown later. Since it won't be so hot, and since one of our clients, Le Bon Temps, wil be having a little open house, we want to go and support them, as well as the other folks downtown (and a few other clients, too.)
If you haven't visited here, you should come. The way people talk is so neat. I guess if you live/have visited near Boston, you've heard it before. I don't know if Kate will pick it up, since Andy and I only talk like that on command, but we'll see. Her teacher does, and it's funny.
I did lots of work this week for Lagniappe, calling team leaders from days gone by to see if they want to come back again, and all of them said yes. So that's good! Still need to clean my house but the laundry is up to date.
Oh and if any of you watched Grey's Anatomy this week, I'm sure you saw the new intern-did you recognized who he was? He was the neighbor on Home Improvement. Finally revealed!
07 October 2007
i'm back from out of town. i've been gone for 4 months. (nope, just 4 days but it felt like longer.) we made the rounds around the state-to the top and back. we made appearances in both oxford and starkville, both too warm for my taste, covered too much terrain thanks to needing a new tire, and being gone too long from a small booger bear. (read: kate). she was so glad to see us today she wouldn't even take a nap. but she did crash after so much fun.
in the small span of time i've been away, my house was made very dirty by my sitter (now should i hire a maid?), britney had her kids taken away, i got a yellow purse, and had a fun time at marimekko in oxford. they had never met a fan like me before-and were so glad to meet someone who actually knew who they were. they wanted me to come back to the wine and cheese later so i could explain the fabric to local folks-this is one of only 4 boutiques in the country. marimekko, to sum it up, is a Finnish fabric/textile designer from the 60's, and she used to be a favorite of Swanky Girl Designs.
So to see her stuff in real life-that was amazing. of course i exceeded my budget there, much to andy's dismay, but it was awesome. only the fabric junkies that read my blog would understand.
on the agenda for the week: figuring out how many hours i want to work at Lagniappe per week, figuring out how many hours to be a stay at home mom (i want to increase this number), more figuring out how to be a good wife. (this is a challenge, since i am a sinner.)
here are some things i need: a driver, a car with no note, a personal assistant for grocery shopping, a nanny in case i need a break, and a chef to prepare healthy meals.
wait-i'm all of those things. ok never mind.
in the small span of time i've been away, my house was made very dirty by my sitter (now should i hire a maid?), britney had her kids taken away, i got a yellow purse, and had a fun time at marimekko in oxford. they had never met a fan like me before-and were so glad to meet someone who actually knew who they were. they wanted me to come back to the wine and cheese later so i could explain the fabric to local folks-this is one of only 4 boutiques in the country. marimekko, to sum it up, is a Finnish fabric/textile designer from the 60's, and she used to be a favorite of Swanky Girl Designs.
So to see her stuff in real life-that was amazing. of course i exceeded my budget there, much to andy's dismay, but it was awesome. only the fabric junkies that read my blog would understand.
on the agenda for the week: figuring out how many hours i want to work at Lagniappe per week, figuring out how many hours to be a stay at home mom (i want to increase this number), more figuring out how to be a good wife. (this is a challenge, since i am a sinner.)
here are some things i need: a driver, a car with no note, a personal assistant for grocery shopping, a nanny in case i need a break, and a chef to prepare healthy meals.
wait-i'm all of those things. ok never mind.
05 October 2007
30 September 2007
currently i am in between my blog and kate's blog uploading photos from our fun-filled, hot weekend at wavefest in waveland. it was about 2 blocks from our house, and was a lot of fun. live music, good food, crafts, arts, etc. yesterday (sat) we went at 11 am and i almost melted from the heat-i think 1 hour was our max. kate did the whole "mom and dad please spend some money paying for all the kiddie rides" and she did horse rides, jumpy thingie, ice cream, etc.
i spent the afternoon while she took a nap, taking a nap myself and getting over the headache the morning gave me.
last night, after kate was settled in bed and i was scrapbooking, andy went back to wavefest and ended up winning second place in a dance contest. please rag him on this. this is hilarious, but i'm happy for him. he is a great dancer, and i'm glad his talents were noticed. jam band "Starz" was playing, and they had a "dancing with the starz" contest.
he's been bragging about his trophy all day.
today after church and naps, we headed back, because the same band was playing, and we wanted to see how kate would do. well, she did well. danced her little boodie off. pictures will follow.
funniest thing ever. the last song, some folks were on the dance floor doing some real breakdancing-kate took this in and watched intently. she proceeded to breakdance, by herself, with no one else on the floor, and the whole crowd watched/laughed in amazement. the lead singer said "She's stealing the show!" it was hilarious. kate was a true rock star and she danced her heart out.
i spent the afternoon while she took a nap, taking a nap myself and getting over the headache the morning gave me.
last night, after kate was settled in bed and i was scrapbooking, andy went back to wavefest and ended up winning second place in a dance contest. please rag him on this. this is hilarious, but i'm happy for him. he is a great dancer, and i'm glad his talents were noticed. jam band "Starz" was playing, and they had a "dancing with the starz" contest.
he's been bragging about his trophy all day.
today after church and naps, we headed back, because the same band was playing, and we wanted to see how kate would do. well, she did well. danced her little boodie off. pictures will follow.
funniest thing ever. the last song, some folks were on the dance floor doing some real breakdancing-kate took this in and watched intently. she proceeded to breakdance, by herself, with no one else on the floor, and the whole crowd watched/laughed in amazement. the lead singer said "She's stealing the show!" it was hilarious. kate was a true rock star and she danced her heart out.
takes me back
when i was 21, i was a junior in college. i met a fabulous boyfriend. his name was andy chapman. i helped him pack and move out of his house on montgomery street in starkville, ms. he and roommate chandler oswalt had a thing-they never put spare change in a "place." they threw it on the floor. when i helped andy clean up/pack/move out, i collected all the change i found in the couch, on the floor, in their beds....i made $35 alone in change.
and last night, i found this. i have several change spots around the house-a bucket in the kitchen, 2 buckets in the bedroom, yet andy felt like reminiscing, i'm guessing, and i found 3 cents on the floor.
andy, next time can you leave me at least 20 bucks around? or do i owe chandler some money from back in the day?
:-)
26 September 2007
andy and i were headed for a great day. we were going to drop kate off at school and then have a wonderful breakfast before my staff meeting. andy got a flat tire. i dropped kate off and went back to help him change the tire to the spare (yes, i did help, i do know how to do that) and we took the car to the shop. i made it just in time for staff meeting, uneventful and then home for some lunch, then errands. picked up andy and kate to pick up the car, we had a sonic date (kate's first, also the first time i had to share andy on a date. i didn't like doing so. but at least i speak english.)
he loves us differently. i realize that.
had fun with kate at home tonight, did lots of cleaning and laundry and work, and then andy wasn't feeling good so i medicated him and put him to bed.
hopefully he will be feeling better after some good rest.
watched a good oprah rerun-i love seeing kelly clarkson and reba mcintyre singing together-they sing a song that really relates to my growing up. kelly clarkson wrote it when she was 16, and it makes her cry when she sings it, she says. made reba cry.
"Because Of You"
I will not make the same mistakes that you did
I will not let myself
Cause my heart so much misery
I will not break the way you did,
You fell so hard
I've learned the hard way
To never let it get that far
Because of you
I never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side so I don't get hurt
Because of you
I find it hard to trust not only me, but everyone around me
Because of you
I am afraid
I lose my way
And it's not too long before you point it out
I cannot cry
Because I know that's weakness in your eyes
I'm forced to fake
A smile, a laugh everyday of my life
My heart can't possibly break
When it wasn't even whole to start with
Because of you
I never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side so I don't get hurt
Because of you
I find it hard to trust not only me, but everyone around me
Because of you
I am afraid
I watched you die
I heard you cry every night in your sleep
I was so young
You should have known better than to lean on me
You never thought of anyone else
You just saw your pain
And now I cry in the middle of the night
For the same damn thing
Because of you
I never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side so I don't get hurt
Because of you
I try my hardest just to forget everything
Because of you
I don't know how to let anyone else in
Because of you
I'm ashamed of my life because it's empty
Because of you
I am afraid
Because of you
i am making great progress in my counseling-i recommend it for all of my readers. it's fabulous.
he loves us differently. i realize that.
had fun with kate at home tonight, did lots of cleaning and laundry and work, and then andy wasn't feeling good so i medicated him and put him to bed.
hopefully he will be feeling better after some good rest.
watched a good oprah rerun-i love seeing kelly clarkson and reba mcintyre singing together-they sing a song that really relates to my growing up. kelly clarkson wrote it when she was 16, and it makes her cry when she sings it, she says. made reba cry.
"Because Of You"
I will not make the same mistakes that you did
I will not let myself
Cause my heart so much misery
I will not break the way you did,
You fell so hard
I've learned the hard way
To never let it get that far
Because of you
I never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side so I don't get hurt
Because of you
I find it hard to trust not only me, but everyone around me
Because of you
I am afraid
I lose my way
And it's not too long before you point it out
I cannot cry
Because I know that's weakness in your eyes
I'm forced to fake
A smile, a laugh everyday of my life
My heart can't possibly break
When it wasn't even whole to start with
Because of you
I never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side so I don't get hurt
Because of you
I find it hard to trust not only me, but everyone around me
Because of you
I am afraid
I watched you die
I heard you cry every night in your sleep
I was so young
You should have known better than to lean on me
You never thought of anyone else
You just saw your pain
And now I cry in the middle of the night
For the same damn thing
Because of you
I never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side so I don't get hurt
Because of you
I try my hardest just to forget everything
Because of you
I don't know how to let anyone else in
Because of you
I'm ashamed of my life because it's empty
Because of you
I am afraid
Because of you
i am making great progress in my counseling-i recommend it for all of my readers. it's fabulous.
23 September 2007
Mommy has had a long weekend at home, playing with Kate and playing with Andy. It was fun. Kate is so fun to talk to. Somethings I understand, somethings I don't. She is becoming a "repeater." Tonight I called to Andy from the bathroom for toothbrush backup-that means i can't get her to do it. So i yelled, "Backup!" and kate yelled, "Backup!" and it was so funny. I love it when she says, "peace out", "you rock", and something i realized i've said to her after every diaper change when we finish-"al-right!". she says that a lot. she is a bucket of laughs, and loves to put clothes on by herself.
i picked out a funky tutu for her while in natchidotches, la last week, and she loves to wear it. it's pretty cute. i also brought her a tooth fairy frog-it's a really soft frog so that when she ever loses a tooth, you can put it in the front pocket. it has a long string so you can hang it on your doorknob for the toothfairy. but it's a cute frog, and she loves it.
we watched a silly movie today-"Tenacious D and the search for the Pick of Destiny" . Jack Black is my favorite actor, the movie was a bit racy for me, but still made me laugh. He was searching for a magical pick for his guitar. So if you don't like him, or music (it's a wild musical) don't watch it.
What did I do yesterday....hung around the house, did lots of work for Andy's company. Today i stayed home from church with kate since her nose was really runny, and she tore up the house, had lots of fun. i gave her some zyrtec so hopefully the nose will not run and become more of a walk.
andy played guitar at church today and then came home and cooked us steak fajitas for lunch, as well as cooked a romantic dinner for me-grilled chicken, mac and cheese, grilled veggies, and cheesy garlic bread. he even made dessert! girls, this was nice. i had to clean up, but that's a small price to pay for the thought that went into the dinner.
back to the rat race tomorrow.
i picked out a funky tutu for her while in natchidotches, la last week, and she loves to wear it. it's pretty cute. i also brought her a tooth fairy frog-it's a really soft frog so that when she ever loses a tooth, you can put it in the front pocket. it has a long string so you can hang it on your doorknob for the toothfairy. but it's a cute frog, and she loves it.
we watched a silly movie today-"Tenacious D and the search for the Pick of Destiny" . Jack Black is my favorite actor, the movie was a bit racy for me, but still made me laugh. He was searching for a magical pick for his guitar. So if you don't like him, or music (it's a wild musical) don't watch it.
What did I do yesterday....hung around the house, did lots of work for Andy's company. Today i stayed home from church with kate since her nose was really runny, and she tore up the house, had lots of fun. i gave her some zyrtec so hopefully the nose will not run and become more of a walk.
andy played guitar at church today and then came home and cooked us steak fajitas for lunch, as well as cooked a romantic dinner for me-grilled chicken, mac and cheese, grilled veggies, and cheesy garlic bread. he even made dessert! girls, this was nice. i had to clean up, but that's a small price to pay for the thought that went into the dinner.
back to the rat race tomorrow.
18 September 2007
Natchitoches, La, Bed and Breakfast Capital of the world
Also the home of the filming of one of my FAVORITE movies, Steel Magnolias. I can remember going to the theater when it came out in 1989 with my mom and Mossie (grandmother). and since then i've seen it 399 times. and my friend karen can quote the entire thing. (i can, too.)
but since i'm here, i am watching it again, just to see this place i call nachotown, because that is easier to pronounce than the real name of the town. (Nack-a-dish). they have a great downtown, weather was great. i am learning how real, southern ladies still wear pearls, and i'm glad to know that.
cajun food is evident-i couldn't escape it in the bay, but that's okay. it's here too.
so enjoy the pics, and if you want more movie secrets, ask me. if you haven't seen the movie, don't tell anyone. that's a sin in itself.
we are here for andy to work, as part of destination downtown-a main street assistance program. he's been working hard and learning lots.
16 September 2007
 |
| beachandyk |
beach. sunshine. zero humidity. sand, sun, fun.
jet ski, good friends, good drinks.
this is how you do BSL.
15 September 2007
chanel and eva longoria
i felt like i haven't been able to blog in a while. i did some shorties lately. yesterday was a fun work day for me-andy was home, and he let me do some work with him. we packed up the rest of his office, i organized the leftovers at our home office, and mumsy (andy's mom) arrived. today we hung around, i had a bad headache all day, so my family was gracious to me, and let me rest, and andy cooked a wonderful supper for me, mumsy, and helen (LPC coworker). he cooked some steaks, grilled veggies, and salad. it was so tasty. i put kate to bed by myself, and she was a darling. i enjoyed being around her today, and she is such a gift.
andy and i were able to have a "date" after dinner, and we headed to the beach. we have never done this before. we took his guitar, some candles, some wine, and we had a great date. andy gave me a pair of earrings, some that i had loved after shopping at a store here. they are by a local designer, deborah kennedy, but the earrings, i did not find out until tonight, were worn by eva longoria in a photo shoot! they are so cute, and they are really amazing, but then when he told me eva had worn them, i sat a little straighter.
the desginer doesn't have a press release from them yet because eva's lawyer won't sign it, but she's working on it.
i have had a good week. i did a lot of work for andy, doing billing, platypus billing, quickbooks billing, going to the bank, the post office. my knee is better (as i noted in the last post), my strep throat is all better, so i am a new woman.
monday morning early we head out for nacidotches, LA for a business trip for andy, and i hope it will be fun for me, good work for him.
mumsy is in town to take care of kate for us. kate's health is much improved. i am going to miss her immensely; i have rarely left her out of my care, since we don't have much family to help us take care of her. so i am going to trust God, and relax.
kate was so fun today-she had 3 different outfits on, had a great bathtime. helped her daddy cook supper.
epiphany for the week-i did some counseling at the chanel counter and had a fabulous "counselor" with an irish accent. she was most helpful, helped me achieve a natural look, helped me feel more confident, helped me be more secure. she has been in the chanel business for 20 years, and she is my new pal. i'm sorry girls, but forget mary kay, forget the rest. it's interesting. i picked up some foundation, some eyeshadow, and some lipgloss. therapy in the mall.
i did some research a number of years ago about cosmetic counters. Estee Lauder, Clinique, Bobbi Brown, Prescriptives, MAC are ALL owned by the same company. they are all different counters, marketed towards different clients. it's funny. you can even see it on the faces of the counter sales ladies. Estee Lauder-30 plus ladies, nice, bright colors, cutting edge, great foundation. Clinique, 15-25 year old conservative girls, who want that "allergy free" testing, nice colors. they are all very calm and simple.
Bobbi Brown, different price point, great colors, marketed towards 30-50 year old ladies that have some extra bucks.
Prescriptives, marketed towards extra extra bucks, nothing special about them.
MAC is for cutting edge girls, 18-30, who are daring, not too bad pricing. More artistic work.
Chanel counter-for special, special girls. Girls/women that care for quality, legacy, family tradition. Chanel is a biggie in my family, so i felt honorable getting a makeover there.
products are bar none, impassable. great, nice colors, great quality.
counseling this week went well. my knee is better, my cold is better, so now all i need to do is thank Jesus for my healing and move along in life!
i had fun with andy tonight; something we haven't been able to do in a while. just me and andy and relaxation.
i'm glad i had time to post-hope it wasn't too boring.
mommy hasnt blogged all week because she has been sick, tired, and yes, sick.
yesterday my knee dr and i broke up, because we no longer needed each other. it was sad, but good. my knee is mostly better, and i don't need him.
today was fun. i was able to rest, and then help andy with his work all afternoon. we delivered surveys around town-he did some, i did some. we met with curt in the afternoon, home for some leftovers. kate was not a happy camper, so she went down with some cranking. mumsy came over, and i am awake doing marketing for a local company, and wrapping up some laundry.
the love bugs are everywhere-i do not like it. go away, love bugs.
goodnight!
yesterday my knee dr and i broke up, because we no longer needed each other. it was sad, but good. my knee is mostly better, and i don't need him.
today was fun. i was able to rest, and then help andy with his work all afternoon. we delivered surveys around town-he did some, i did some. we met with curt in the afternoon, home for some leftovers. kate was not a happy camper, so she went down with some cranking. mumsy came over, and i am awake doing marketing for a local company, and wrapping up some laundry.
the love bugs are everywhere-i do not like it. go away, love bugs.
goodnight!
12 September 2007
From the valley, there is vision. From the depths of woe, God teaches me.
I had a consult with a physical therapist today, and he said my knee was doing so well that he didn't even want me to do therapy-he wanted me to go home! And tell my doctor that I was better!
How amazing, to go from an ER visit, crutches, to walking in 10 days. I truly believe it's because of the prayer I received.
I have no pain, and I am walking freely.
My strep throat seems to be on the mend, after a second visit to the doctor, and I am hoping to continue to be improving there as well.
I have several more doctor visits this week and the next, so I am hoping for the best on those. I am also looking for providence to provide funding to pay for my medicine/dr visits since I have not met my insurance deductible yet.
Kate is doing much, much better. She is finishing a round of steroids and antibiotics, and is doing a nightly breathing treatment for the bronchitis, and she is so sweet while she is doing it. I think she is feeling better and she is a happier little girl.
Andy is working very hard, hasn't been to the doctor yet for his cough, so I hope he gets better too!
Today is the best i have felt in a long time. I am so glad to finally be out of the cloud, to smile, and feel like talking on the phone.
I did a working lunch today-I had so many phone calls for work that i could barely get the food down, phone kept ringing-that's good, though.
I was in between dr visits and was just trying to catch my breath.
i stayed gone all day, in the oh so fabulous honda. it held up pretty well. kate did well at school, and i was so excited to pick her up. i missed her a lot today. she was so talkative on the way home, blabbing and chatting and saying bye bye to all the trees, cars, houses. i taught her how to say "peace out." that was awesome.
she's a sweet girl, and i am so happy to be her mommy.
andy is out of town, working, and i am looking forward to his return. he is a hard worker, and i've been trying to do my part by working on billing for him while he's been gone.
my marketing pieces that i ordered for Dwell Well arrived tonight-i'll post them when i get a chance on my Dwell Well blog!
I had a consult with a physical therapist today, and he said my knee was doing so well that he didn't even want me to do therapy-he wanted me to go home! And tell my doctor that I was better!
How amazing, to go from an ER visit, crutches, to walking in 10 days. I truly believe it's because of the prayer I received.
I have no pain, and I am walking freely.
My strep throat seems to be on the mend, after a second visit to the doctor, and I am hoping to continue to be improving there as well.
I have several more doctor visits this week and the next, so I am hoping for the best on those. I am also looking for providence to provide funding to pay for my medicine/dr visits since I have not met my insurance deductible yet.
Kate is doing much, much better. She is finishing a round of steroids and antibiotics, and is doing a nightly breathing treatment for the bronchitis, and she is so sweet while she is doing it. I think she is feeling better and she is a happier little girl.
Andy is working very hard, hasn't been to the doctor yet for his cough, so I hope he gets better too!
Today is the best i have felt in a long time. I am so glad to finally be out of the cloud, to smile, and feel like talking on the phone.
I did a working lunch today-I had so many phone calls for work that i could barely get the food down, phone kept ringing-that's good, though.
I was in between dr visits and was just trying to catch my breath.
i stayed gone all day, in the oh so fabulous honda. it held up pretty well. kate did well at school, and i was so excited to pick her up. i missed her a lot today. she was so talkative on the way home, blabbing and chatting and saying bye bye to all the trees, cars, houses. i taught her how to say "peace out." that was awesome.
she's a sweet girl, and i am so happy to be her mommy.
andy is out of town, working, and i am looking forward to his return. he is a hard worker, and i've been trying to do my part by working on billing for him while he's been gone.
my marketing pieces that i ordered for Dwell Well arrived tonight-i'll post them when i get a chance on my Dwell Well blog!
10 September 2007
my kind of town
Click here to read an article about where I live that was featured in Southern Living a few months ago.
08 September 2007
why do i blog so late at night? i'm a night owl. today i was up at 7 to get kate off to school because i had to rest-my leg is still killing me.
i spent the day with my luxury maid, thank you hubby for letting me hire her to help me before the party-she was slow as Christmas so i had to keep her on her toes. so I had to the the laundry, and it wore me out, since i could hardly walk.
i did my first driving today since my knee accident, and of course it went with a ceremony-i got pulled over.
Cop:"why don't you have your seatbelt on?"
Crippled girl:"because this is my first driving experience since injuring my knee and i guess i was just wrapped up in seeing if i could actually drive" (crutches on seat beside me) "I was nervous! i always wear it, i have a perfect driving record, i'm so sorry!"
Cop: "can i see your license and insurance?" (Note: I had put the insurance card in the glove compartment just before my test drive.)
Crip: "Yes sir."
Cop:" you have a great driving record. girl, you need to wear your seatbelt."
Crip:" I know what else i did wrong."
Cop, confused:"what else did you do wrong?"
Crip: "I pulled out into a left turn intersection when i should have waited and i turned on a yellow. the only reason i did was because you were behind me and i thought you might be in a hurry."
Cop: "haha. buckle up and be safe."
WHEW. no ticket. Thank you, Jesus.
i think my addition of confession of sin to him helped him know that i actually am a good driver, i was just nervous about driving.
spent the afternoon with more time on the maid's ass trying to move her into fast mode, finally she finished. i called her boss, told her how slow she was, and i get a free service next time.
score.
read some book about love/marriage/respect and it was helpful. my knee was still KILLING me so made a call to my dr. his name is dr thriffiley, (weird to say, so i just call him dr thrifty)
here's how our office visit went:
Doc:"Hi, I'm dr thriffiley."
Crip:"hi, cammie chapman. wish we had met under more social circumstances."
Doc: (Laughs)
So i call his office, conveniently so at 5 pm today, answering service answers, long story short, Thrifty calls me back, asks me what is wrong, told him i am in immense pain, he says, and i quote "what do you want to do about it?"
Crip:" I want a different medicine, this one isn't working."
Doc: "Pain worse?"
Crip: "No, just won't go away. i can't walk well at all, and you want me to walk, and it's not going well."
Doc:"What do you want to do?"
Crip: (Confused, isn't he the pro here?) "Let's find another med."
Doc: "Have you tried _________?"
Crip: "No, is that better than what i have now?"
Doc: "yeah. let's also add some ____________."
Crip:"thanks, appreciate it."
Doc Thrifty : "See you next week. Goodbye."
Thanks doc, because thanks to the new meds i was actually able to walk tonight, with the use of my immobilizer, and help susan decorate for kate's big party tomorrow. of course, she did all the trapeze acts hanging things up high, and i was just there for creative direction, but she didn't need much-she knew what to do.
it looks good, i hope kate likes it!
so i'm blogging myself in order to settle down, it's my therapy, and i'm about ready for sleep.
andy pulled a long day today, 11 hours plus doing business consulting and driving and meeting and phone calls and working hard and i felt so bad for him, and loved him so much for all his hard work. he does not stop. he is sick, and he is not letting it stop him at all. i gave him a hall pass tonight to go out and do whatever he wanted with his guy friends, but i think he was so wiped that he just went to sleep.
he's looking forward to a fishing trip in the AM to Cat Island. has to wake up at 4 am. if i had to wake up at 4 am to get on a boat, there better be some free diamonds on that sucker. otherwise, i'm rolling over.
but i hope he has lots of fish bite and he can come home and rock and roll for the polka dot palooza.
i've already decided that at this party, i am going to relax. i am usually busy cleaning, straightening, and not tomorrow. i am going to sit there (mainly cause i can't walk) and i am going to enjoy it and enjoy kate in all her splendor. i am going to love my guests and i am going to rest after it's all over knowing that God was in charge the whole time, even if punch gets spilled everywhere.
i'm icing my knee right now so i'll keep typing.
i'm back with netflix. my first dvd-little miss sunshine. i hope to watch it sunday-i have heard good things about it.
monday, we are dropping our cable and going back to directv. an offer too good to pass up, including free tivo and free portable dvd player. signed it up and here we go.
sorry, mediacom.
listening to lily allen.
until tomorrow!
i spent the day with my luxury maid, thank you hubby for letting me hire her to help me before the party-she was slow as Christmas so i had to keep her on her toes. so I had to the the laundry, and it wore me out, since i could hardly walk.
i did my first driving today since my knee accident, and of course it went with a ceremony-i got pulled over.
Cop:"why don't you have your seatbelt on?"
Crippled girl:"because this is my first driving experience since injuring my knee and i guess i was just wrapped up in seeing if i could actually drive" (crutches on seat beside me) "I was nervous! i always wear it, i have a perfect driving record, i'm so sorry!"
Cop: "can i see your license and insurance?" (Note: I had put the insurance card in the glove compartment just before my test drive.)
Crip: "Yes sir."
Cop:" you have a great driving record. girl, you need to wear your seatbelt."
Crip:" I know what else i did wrong."
Cop, confused:"what else did you do wrong?"
Crip: "I pulled out into a left turn intersection when i should have waited and i turned on a yellow. the only reason i did was because you were behind me and i thought you might be in a hurry."
Cop: "haha. buckle up and be safe."
WHEW. no ticket. Thank you, Jesus.
i think my addition of confession of sin to him helped him know that i actually am a good driver, i was just nervous about driving.
spent the afternoon with more time on the maid's ass trying to move her into fast mode, finally she finished. i called her boss, told her how slow she was, and i get a free service next time.
score.
read some book about love/marriage/respect and it was helpful. my knee was still KILLING me so made a call to my dr. his name is dr thriffiley, (weird to say, so i just call him dr thrifty)
here's how our office visit went:
Doc:"Hi, I'm dr thriffiley."
Crip:"hi, cammie chapman. wish we had met under more social circumstances."
Doc: (Laughs)
So i call his office, conveniently so at 5 pm today, answering service answers, long story short, Thrifty calls me back, asks me what is wrong, told him i am in immense pain, he says, and i quote "what do you want to do about it?"
Crip:" I want a different medicine, this one isn't working."
Doc: "Pain worse?"
Crip: "No, just won't go away. i can't walk well at all, and you want me to walk, and it's not going well."
Doc:"What do you want to do?"
Crip: (Confused, isn't he the pro here?) "Let's find another med."
Doc: "Have you tried _________?"
Crip: "No, is that better than what i have now?"
Doc: "yeah. let's also add some ____________."
Crip:"thanks, appreciate it."
Doc Thrifty : "See you next week. Goodbye."
Thanks doc, because thanks to the new meds i was actually able to walk tonight, with the use of my immobilizer, and help susan decorate for kate's big party tomorrow. of course, she did all the trapeze acts hanging things up high, and i was just there for creative direction, but she didn't need much-she knew what to do.
it looks good, i hope kate likes it!
so i'm blogging myself in order to settle down, it's my therapy, and i'm about ready for sleep.
andy pulled a long day today, 11 hours plus doing business consulting and driving and meeting and phone calls and working hard and i felt so bad for him, and loved him so much for all his hard work. he does not stop. he is sick, and he is not letting it stop him at all. i gave him a hall pass tonight to go out and do whatever he wanted with his guy friends, but i think he was so wiped that he just went to sleep.
he's looking forward to a fishing trip in the AM to Cat Island. has to wake up at 4 am. if i had to wake up at 4 am to get on a boat, there better be some free diamonds on that sucker. otherwise, i'm rolling over.
but i hope he has lots of fish bite and he can come home and rock and roll for the polka dot palooza.
i've already decided that at this party, i am going to relax. i am usually busy cleaning, straightening, and not tomorrow. i am going to sit there (mainly cause i can't walk) and i am going to enjoy it and enjoy kate in all her splendor. i am going to love my guests and i am going to rest after it's all over knowing that God was in charge the whole time, even if punch gets spilled everywhere.
i'm icing my knee right now so i'll keep typing.
i'm back with netflix. my first dvd-little miss sunshine. i hope to watch it sunday-i have heard good things about it.
monday, we are dropping our cable and going back to directv. an offer too good to pass up, including free tivo and free portable dvd player. signed it up and here we go.
sorry, mediacom.
listening to lily allen.
until tomorrow!
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