365.191 Just as you are. Right now. Today.

365.191 Just as you are. Right now. Today., originally uploaded by zzwhitejd.

Mary Heather (rainydaygoods on Ravelry) posted on Flickr a super sweet photo of herself for Operation Beautiful. Like quite a few of us who do the whole project 365, I was quite taken with it and decided to do one myself as my 365. I scrawled out a quick sign on Dory's art paper with her crayons and dashed out the door with Jack to the park where Dory was in camp to pick her up.
Once I had her, I set up the camera, set the timer, let the lady sitting at the table behind the camera stare at me all puzzled, and made the mad dash back to the kids before the timer set off.
Overall, I'm pretty pleased with it. What a wonderful thing we women need to be reminded of!
However, unbeknownst to me until yesterday, this photo became my very first to hit Flickr's Explore! I'm in shock. Floored. Who knew? I won't begin to try to understand why or how the Explore really works with it's mythical 'Interestingness' factor... but I'm so honored. So I just had to share with you!

See?!? Here is page #22:

O hai, Ohio!

Oh, how I am SO glad to see you...


The trip up... ha.

Near Death!!

YIKES.

Okay, let me back up... we had a great drive to Ohio yesterday. The kids *didn’t* squabble in the back, they played nicely with their lap boxes and few new toys. I tell you, those were a freakin stroke of genius on my part! I will TOTALLY toot my own horn on that one.

Anyway, I even convinced Dory to take a nap by telling her it would make the time pass quicker and the two of them took a nice nap while it rained, no - torrentially downpoured for a few hours.

It was a good thing they both slept. A really good thing.

I couldn't see more than about, oh, 30’ in front of the car. Complete whiteout haze and rain. So, when the white truck in front of me that I could barely see stated fishtailing and hydroplaning... well, I paid attention. Of course it didn’t take more than a split second to see why... a tidal wave of mud and dirt was flinging itself across the road in front of me coming from the left. It was if a giant machine was digging and flinging it as hard and fast as it could - but I couldn’t see it. Between the whiteout and the mud wall flying at me I am amazed that we came out the other side to see a tractor trailer coming to a halt in the center median, folded in two, in my side mirror.

It jackknifed right in front of me. Had I been 50’ further up the road... we would have been toast.



But, we weren’t. Whew.

I got off at the very next exit, in Corbin KY, in an attempt to calm my nerves. It was nearly 15 more miles until I was able to do that. My teeth were chattering as if it were 32F outside.



I called John and told him I loved him and called my Mom to tell her THANK YOU for the safe travels prayers.

We didn’t have any other issues the whole drive. All except for those few moments of terror were long car ride unheard of bliss.

Now, was it worth it? I’m not sure I wouldn’t have preferred screaming the whole way. Really not sure....

That said, we had a fun/cute little lunch stop. :)

What a week...

So, I've alluded to my ankle in the last post about Jack wandering out the door...

Monday looked just about like this all day. Did I ever say this was fun? It's not, in case you were wondering. I'm sick of it. My foot is a very lovely shade of sickly yellow-green now and not anywhere near as swollen... but my butt is killing me. I honestly hurts from sitting so much with my foot up. Bah humbug.

Over the week I have become more and more bored, and finally decided to rent a movie via iTunes since Netflix wasn't fast enough for once. I debated and debated... and in the end decided that if I was going to rip on Twilight as I had been doing among friends that I should go ahead and finally watch the movie.
Dang, I'm a total sucker.
I've had such a hard fall this week... make that 'falls'.
By the 24 hours expiration period that iTunes gives you, I had watched it nearly 3 times. Now what am I doing?
Yeah, I bought the book. Just one so far... I figure it will force me to take them slower and spread my apparently inevitable irritation, that all of the other fans feel, out just a bit. I don't know quite what it is about vampires and teen flicks that I adore so much... but good grief. I feel nothing but absolute shame right now.

Speaking of blood suckers, more enjoyment this week:

Yes, my red blood all over my white pajama pants thanks to this little evil thing. She bit the ankle that I hit on the bed while frantically trying to find Jack. Ouch. I feel even worse for Dory, she has 5 from a walk with my mom on Friday... and she welts like I do. Sorry kiddo.

My highlight of the week was that after we had to cancel the trip to Tricia's house on Monday due to the first thing in the morning before-I-even-got-my-coffee sprain Tricia decided to come and visit us on Thursday for a few hours. The kids were so very excited. She got to spend a little time with each of us while she was here...

Have I mentioned that this pretty lady is getting married? Yep... and our household contains the Flower Girl, the Ring Bearer and the Matron of Honor.... (since this wedding will be in the summer in Charleston, I think it's gonna' get pricey quick.) I'm so excited for her! :)

My other highlight this week... there was fluffy yarn mail. That always helps. :)

The meaning of PANIC

I wake up every morning with Jack crying or calling my name. This morning was a wee bit different though.
To back up a tiny little bit, our A/C is out and the windows upstairs were all open for air. It's been very humid and it's getting pretty warm this week.
In the middle of the night Dorothy decided to crawl into bed with me to snuggle since John was gone and we woke up to hear Jack crying/screaming mad. Since my ankle is busted I had Dory go get him from their room so he could come crawl in the bed too.
However... even though the gate was locked, he was not there.
Uh oh.
I hobble out of the bed and whack my good foot on the bed bracket instantly bruising and ripping some skin off...
I glance around upstairs, but he's not here. I can still hear the crying.
I hobble down the stairs with my cane as quickly and safely as I can, trying to listen for the direction of his yells in between calling his name. As I came around the corner off the stairs I see the back door is WIDE OPEN.

Um.

Yeah.

Huh.

Ummmm...

I sat down on the ottoman to collect my panic and try to formulate a plan for chasing a toddler though the neighborhood at 6:30am while I have a busted ankle and am only half dressed... when I just call out to him.
He came waltzing through the door screaming mad.
As he collected his anger and I collected my nerves he stared telling me something about Abby. Abby was apparently outside. I called Abby and, just like Jack, she came waltzing in the door.

Jack had, apparently, decided Abby needed to be let out, hopped his gate, figured out the lock on the back door and let the dog out. He was crying mad because he couldn't work the latch on the dog's lead.

Geez. Way to wake your Mommy, Sir.

Tea Time!

A good time was had by all!

I've been profiled!

Someone who writes a blog thinks enough of me to profile me as a designer! I am so very flattered. Please go read and leave comments!

Today's strength.

Psalm 127
1a. Unless the Lord builds the house,
They labor in vain who build it;[...]
2b. [...] For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep.
(NASB)

Sorry... Savannah continued. Finally.

So, the drive down was nice, that I recall... but Netflix sure came in handy that afternoon! John went in to work for a few hours and left us to unpack and settle in at the hotel - which let me just say is NOT EASY with these two. I finally got them to settle down and watch some Dora and other cartoons on the Mac because while we had a nice large flat screen TV in the room it didn't get a single little kid friendly thing on it. Let's just say I was thankful for bedtime. All week.
On Tuesday we went ahead and headed out of Statesboro, where we were 'stationed' (GSU), and went into Savannah -- to go shopping for WARM CLOTHES. The weatherman had somehow managed to lie to me when I was packing. We had shorts and were expecting the 70's and instead got the 40/50's. BURR! Luckily we found several things and we had brought jackets in case so after buying them each a pair of jeans and socks we were a bit better off. We first hit the health food store just south of Forsyth and got yogurt and carrots. I know, weird lunch, but it worked and was yummy. (And I found a new yogurt I am head over heels about!) I had thought we would head over to the Jepson Center at the Telfair Museum... but it was closed on Tuesdays. GRRR. So, we went for coffee and cake (gluten free cake!) at the Gallery Espresso. We tended to set up shop there everyday at some point. From there we wandered over to Shaver's Bookstore and took up residence in the sweet little indy bookstore. Took home a few bedtime stories while there. I also called my old store and had them order a anniversary present for John. Don't tell him about it though. ;) After that Dory was determined to ride in a horse drawn carriage... but I didn't exactly want to spring for that, so then she decided on a trolley... but I didn't want to spring for that either so we hopped on the free city trolley shuttle. I think it was a wee bit of a mistake this trip. The kids loved it at first, but I heard an earful about a dealer at one corner... thank goodness it wasn't so obvious that I was getting questions from my kids. If I were more naive I might have even missed the conversation myself. Well, by the end of the circuit, the kids were falling apart with hungry and tired. We headed 'home' to the hotel. After, um, more cake.
Wednesday we did finally make it over to the Jepson Center and as I was rounding them up to leave the first part of the kid's area, Dory misunderstood me and wandered all the way to the front door of the gallery by herself. 2 entire floors away. I. was. livid. Wow, I was so mad. Not to mention a wee bit scared since she had, upon getting there, been reprimanded by a docent for touching a statue... that was at the very entrance to the kid's area... who puts a 'do not touch' statue at the entrance of a touch everything area? DUMB.
...to be continued, but the aptop battery is dying.

Whew!

FINALLY! So, yeah. It's fixed. I still have some clean up to do to fix the footer and the visual clutter... but no more crazy scroll down!
HAPPY DAY!

MalabrigoYarn.com

It's been a while since I announced Chimera's win, but about a month or so ago Malabrigo added it to their site... the front page!

I just thought you all might like to see. ;)

365.54 Forced family time.

365.54 Forced family time., originally uploaded by zzwhitejd.

Stuck waiting for tow truck, 2.5 mi from the mechanic's. That's Jack bouncing around on my lap. Dory is behind me in her car seat still yelling about how she wants to be first to spot the tow truck.
We were already on the way to the mechanic's for a few minor issues on John's truck. We all pulled off to get gas and the hose for the radiator blew on said truck, smoke rolling out from under the hood - therefore needing the tow for the last fraction of the drive.
Can't make it up. You just can't.

A Day at Grandma Debbie's

Table tent, originally uploaded by zzwhitejd.

What could be better than playing under a tent converted table with boxes and blankets AND Grandma? Beats me. :)


We headed over to Mom's now that she has left her job on Monday morning after the monthly food delivery. We needed out of the house and had a great time.




The kids helped pull corn stalks out of the garden until Jack was determined to pet the neighbor's cat and went tearing through a MASSIVE red ant mound. You remember the red ant attack of '08 with John, right? Could have been soooo much worse. We abandoned the garden after stripping Jack down to his skives right there in the back yard.




Later, Jack found my (I think, maybe was Tricia's) old Casio PS-6080 and quickly found the demo tunes. Dory and Jack commenced bickering. Dory won. I almost got so lost in nostalgia that I brought it home... I DID come to my senses though. Into a 'toy for Grandma's house' box it goes. I can't believe the batteries still worked. They don't make things now like they used to.......

Living a Sitcom Life

I go to change Jack's dipe this afternoon and found out too late there was poo... and then once the diaper is all removed and I am contemplating how to get him to sit there while I go get a washcloth, I hear the dog - thought it was the bi-monthly veggie delivery and I forgot to set the box back out for pick up...
I go to set the box out telling Jack to "HOLD STILL DON'T MOVE..." and manage to knock over a small bulb flower pot which shatters, dirt, dead bulb and all on the floor a few feet from him in the process...
What do you clean first? A gooey bottom or dirt and ceramic shards?
I went for goo.
Then, of course Dory wants to 'help'.
There was no veggie delivery today, that's next week.
-Oi.

Kinda' a Surprise

:) I love my husby. He's so good to me!
Last night was the (overdue) 30(1)st 'surprise' party. I say 'surprise' because I had to bring the ice and keys so he could get into his office and cake knife... lol. Also, Dory knew... and well, she's a great secret keeper, I tell you! All week long it was, "There is NO PARTY, Mom."
However, the scope was a surprise, who was a surprise, etc... and may I say, it was wonderful...
I had the BEST cake I have had since my wedding cake. Period. To boot, it was GLUTEN FREE. AMAZING. I made myself absolutely sick on the sugar. And then had more when we got home.

Anyway, I'm rambling - and a picture is worth a thousand words.

LOL, ok... so *I* find it really funny - and very true.

YOU KNOW YOU ARE A CELIAC IF…

…you’ve ever had to give a doctor a crash course in Celiac 101.
…you weep at picnics, parties, receptions, and breakfast, lunch, dinner.
…you’ve “brown bagged it” to an elegant dinner
…a 7 course meal is a 1 course meal for you -Lettuce.
…you’ve installed bookcases in your bathroom.
…you’ve driven more than 40 miles to buy a cookie.
…it takes you 4 hours to grocery shop and your eyesight is ruined.
…you hold your breath through the bakery section.
…you feel like you need a loan to pay the grocery bill.
…your bread weighs more than a moon rock and just happens to resemble one as well.
…you’ve disinherited loved ones for putting their knife in your mayo.
…you’ve brought a suitcase full of food with you on an over night trip
…your family thinks you’re crazy for not tasting their new chocolate chip cookie recipe, because surely a little nibble couldn’t hurt right?
…you can spell transglutaminase and dermatitis herpetiformis.
…you show up at the annual church pancake breakfast with a mask and lettuce roll-ups
…having solid poop is the highlight of your day.
…you have actually doodled a new cartoon dog on your notes named “Sprue”
…you have actually considered using a gluten-free bagel for a hockey puck
…you’ve mastered saying “I actually enjoy MY food” (without your face twitching)
… you hide the gluten-free cookies when guests come over, so they don't eat them.
…you read the ingredient label on green tea - plain green tea.
…you pay relatives back east exorbitant shipping rates to send you a $12 six pack of gluten-free beer.
…you cried when you saw your usually careful significant other or family member brushing the crumbs off their hands (from making a gluten-containing sandwich) RIGHT OVER the open utensil drawer
…you hear of a new health food store opening in a city close by and get ridiculously excited only to drive there, spend 2 hours walking around, reading labels, only to leave empty handed
…you take a list of safe drinks to the bar with you, and actually consult the bartender before you order a drink.
…it drives you crazy when someone says they completely understand your diet, they did Atkins.
…people roll their eyes at you when you say “no thank you” to someone’s gluten filled dessert
…..your friend invites you over for your birthday and want to make you a gluten free birthday cake , but you plead with them not to, because although you’re trying to seem like you don’t want to put them through the hassle, you’re secretly terrified of cross contamination.
…your ‘favorites’ sites are mostly celiac sites
…you’ve mastered the art of lying when other people ask you if you’re hungry.
…you go to a potluck at a friends place and your dish is gluten-free -you dive into it first so that you get something to eat before others contaminate it.
…you long to look at the contents of other people’s fridges and pantries just to see if you can eat anything

Mmmmm....

1:55AM



Chocolate Torte!

Yes, I know...

It's gone bizerk. I'm working on it. Anyone know how to get this in particular to stop? I'd, of course, like all the bars across the top like normal.
Yes, the side bars are at the bottom... and I mean plural, I made a 3 column layout since the 1 side bar was beyond unmanageable. I also moved a ton around, added a 365 Flickr feed and put a scroll bar on the unruly archive list.

I guess this is what happens at 2-3am when there are no kids in my lap and I'm juiced on way too much caffeine. Remind me not to do that again.

UPDATE: ok, so bars are up and blog is down. E gads.

The Magic Potion

Earlier today I thought I was brilliant. Erm, maybe not.

Dory had a mild case of hives/rash on her face that was completely unexplained. I pulled out the Benadryl at John's urging. She wasn't itching and as I said, it was very mild, so I wasn't sure she needed it just yet...
Anyway, she looked at it and decided that something that shade of pink could not be good for your body. I was sooo proud of myself. Other kids would see candy, she saw... "um, no". I had to convince her it was okay just this once to drink something so unnatural looking. I called it 'Magic Potion' like a fairy would use to cure something. That is would fight the bad thing in her body and make the hives go away. She downed it lickity split.
She took a nap.
Fast forward 5 hours... I told her it was about time for a second dose just to knock it out completely. Next thing I know she is coming to my side declaring that she is "not a very good pourer." Can I say my heart stopped as I looked at a few pink dribbled down her dress?
I looked around the kitchen and had to ask her where the cup was, ask her if she took any when said cup was *empty*... One cup full. How high? Up to the top. Where's the phone? *sigh*
While she stripped her dress off and began soaking it in the bathroom I called Poison Control. Guesstimated her weight (later rechecked, overestimated by 3#), guesstimated amount in the cup (for the record it holds 5tsp, I measured later), decided to believe her when she said just one cup. She hadn't been panicked yet, so had no real reason to lie.
Tonya said, I wanna watch her... call me back at 7pm & basically to get her full of food, make sure I can rouse her if she falls asleep again, don't worry if her pupils dilate... and no more Benadryl for at least 24 hours.
Okey doke.
So, she's full of food, bread, apples, cheese, water and a lollypop. Sugary at John's request to combat the sleepiness (I hope that doesn't backfire with a hard crash).
Now, we wait.
Update at 7pm.
________________
And... she's clear. She never fell asleep, just got cuddly and drowsy. Eyes never dilated. Just a grumpy blood sugar crash right about 6. So, we are done with our OD adventures for today.
Separate, yet related note... hives are still there some. I'm guessing it's viral now.

365.Starting

I've known several people this past year who have participated in a project called 365. It's basic premise is that you take one photo everyday for an entire year. I decided to start my own on Christmas Day this year. I was going to wait until the new year, but well... why? It's almost TOO tidy that way. My life isn't exactly tidy, so I don't expect this to be either. Feel free to follow along over on Flickr, or not. ;) Either way... I plan on uploading one time a week, maybe more often if I feel up to it. Some will be from my camera, others from my phone, still others... who knows, maybe my Mac's iSight. Anyway, off I go, on yet another new adventure.

I caught Santa!! (kinda)

The kids are never going to believe me...
We were watching Santa's progress all day long. After they went to bed, I had work to do wrapping their gifts. (nothing was wrapped) John, Grand and I were quite busy until Grand was about to leave and Daddy had already gone to bed. (he's under the weather) I double checked on Santa's progress and sure enough.... HE was HERE! Well, in Charlotte anyway. I had to check on Jack after Grand had left, and Santa apparently didn't want to see me either since he dropped by while I was upstairs.
So, I caught him on the satellite, but not in person. Drat. I'll just have to try again next year.

;)