lazy day

Just another lazy day in our house, for us anyhow. Poor hubby had to work another 14 hour day. But I think spring is right around the corner and then it will be the end of the snow for awhile and then I'll have to adjust to him being home again. I think I can handle that. :)

All of us who were home stayed in our jammies all day today and it was great. I ventured out to the mailbox in hopes no one would see me because I was still in my capri jammies and messy hair. Thankfully no one drove by and I think most of my neighbors were gone. :)

My cold is getting a little better. Although now I'm fighting with a headache. No plans for tomorrow except maybe a trip to Walmart!

sick again

I'm sick again. The kind of sick where I look like a (stereotyped) stoner with her mouth hanging open, tears running from eyes which are probably glazed over, red nose that runs similar to a faucet but can be stuffy at the same time, cough and just feeling like I'm drugged up, which I'm not.

And now I have to take Jayden to Sioux Falls for an appointment that will likely only last about 3 minutes. More on that later.

carpal tunnel syndrome

I went to Sioux Falls today to the Orthopedic Institute and had a nerve conduction test done. The doctor discovered I have moderate carpal tunnel syndrome in my right hand. My left hand is ok, thankfully. He said I will likely need surgery. First, I was scheduled to see a surgeon, but that isn't until April. It sounds like we will explore non-surgical options first, such as injections. I have no clue what type of injection, but am hoping it's a possibility because being gone for another surgery is really not an option right now. In the meantime, I will continue to deal with the numb, tingling and itchy hand that is caused by this.

the birthday cake

So my little Jayden doesn't usually like to be the center of attention, unless it's on his own terms. And even then, that can flip faster than a light switch. He was happy and smiling cute for his pictures and admiring his cake, when I think he decided he had enough.

I stopped taking pictures and went back into the living room because I was waiting for Mike to stop in so we could eat cake. (Bad weather, he was working.) The next thing I heard was Joseph screaming that Jayden was pulling the cake towards him, so I flew back into the kitchen just in time for Jayden to take a good smack at his cake.
It wasn't the cutest cake, but it was big. And now it was missing a chunk and there was a birthday boy who refused to come out of his room for over 20 minutes. We ate cake without him, didn't sing happy birthday, and didn't light candles. He came out eventually and ate some cake and opened presents and was fine.

it's over

Well today is over. I prayed for it to come and to leave quickly. I guess it didn't leave quickly, but at least it's done and over with. I sat in the court room for the entire day and testified for over an 1 1/2 hours. Although that time seemed to have gone quickly.

I had a nice quick supper with my husband at The Valley here in town. It was a good way to end a long day. Now bed is sounding delish. I just hope Jayden sleeps. He's got a bad ear infection, fever, runny nose, and cough, so his nights are miserable.

I felt fine when I woke up today, but now tonight, I can tell I have a cold coming on. Besides our family sharing it with each other right now, I'm sure the stress wore me down some.

On a side note, does anybody know what to do when you smell mildew or mold and you suspect it's coming from the attic? We're very afraid of what we're going to find up there and just wondered if anybody knows of any local people we could call?

feeling anxious

I have been so stressed and feeling anxious the last few days and weeks that I didn't even put up a birthday post for my sweet Jayden yesterday. He turned 4. Can you believe that?! I will put up some pictures of the day because it's worth it, trust me. But it will be later today or tomorrow.

Right now I am feeling anxious. I am about to meet with the deputy state's attorney in regards to the subpoena I received. Since it is confidential, I cannot speak of any details, so please understand. What I can say, is that I am feeling very anxious. My stomach is in knots and sick at the same time. My insides are turning. Tomorrow is court. It will take all day.

my feelings

Every year during this time of the winter I find my fuse to be much shorter and my tolerance of many things previously accepted to be much smaller. My children have cabin fever and are wound tighter than a cork screw. As I try to deal with my children while my husband is working because of yet another blizzard, I find my temper is easily set off. Today my feelings are all over the place, along with many other days this winter. I need my husband to be home. He keeps my feelings in check and keeps me more grounded.

I'm extremely sick of one of my kids compulsively lying. This has been an ongoing issue for years, yet nothing changes. Today he let me know that he doesn't think any consequences apply to him, which is why he does what he's not supposed to do, does things without asking, and continues to get under my skin. He is not allowed to be on the computer or Wii and this morning I find him on the computer, without asking, not that it would have mattered since he's grounded from it, and then lied to me saying he wasn't on it. After a quick call to my husband he told me he did this yesterday too while I was gone. My feelings are full of anger and confusion because I don't know what to do anymore.

All I know is my feelings cycle through the same vicious roller coaster every year at almost precisely the same time. :(

wall collage

Finally! We finally got our pictures done in June of 2010 and slowly but surely got them developed and then framed. Then today we got them on the wall. It took me awhile to figure out how I wanted them. The lighting was not good, so this picture is without flash to try to get closer.
This one is with flash and at an angle otherwise you see the light on the ceiling in the big picture. Plus this wall is directly in front of the enormous picture window, so we're having issues with glare anyhow.

The big pictures were professionally done by my mother-in-law with non glare glass. The other frames are from IKEA and are cheap. They don't even have a glass front....it's plastic! So my bad for thinking the frames would work. I guess you pay for what you get. Anyhow, we were too far along and I just wanted them up on the wall, so here they are. Finally. What do you think?

today's tidbits

We stayed quite busy today until late afternoon and then it's been slower. We went to town to wash our comforter at the laundry mat because it's too big for our washer. Then went to a few shops downtown and got the kids some clothes. After that we sat at the laundry mat until it was dry and then we all ate at McDonald's. Then off to Wal-Mart, which was a mad house to say the least, to buy Valentine's. And to end the day we went to the Children's Museum. Fun was had by all.

Since coming home and after supper, Mike has puked, Devin has puked and now I'm not feeling great, so I'm wondering if it's my turn sometime. Whatever this is, whether it is something we ate, or a flu bug, I want it gone. Mike and I didn't eat supper, so we're thinking if it's anything related to what we ate then it is likely McDonald's. And why we ate there since I was served a raw hamburger months ago is beyond me.

Tomorrow will be a lull day I hope, especially if anyone is sick.

my birthday

Today was my birthday. It wasn't anything spectacular, but was good none the less. I worked a half day and then went out to lunch with my dad at Cubby's. That was fun. Yesterday, I walked into my office to see flowers on my desk. They're technically for Valentine's Day, but I consider them birthday as well.

My husband was sweet and had them delivered. He even went into the store, picked them out, and wrote on the card himself. They smell amazing and are so beautiful.
After lunch today, I brought the dog in to get his nails trimmed. I don't do that myself because I'm too scared of getting the quick and hurting him. We had spaghetti for supper followed by ice cream cake for dessert. Mike cut his finger on one of our new knives. I did it the other day. I opened my presents and cards. My husband got me some more James Patterson books, so that's exciting. I love those books!

What I found amusing yesterday is the fact that I had to pull out the calculator to find out how old I would be today. Guess that really is a sign of old age....my mom even said so! :)

random photos

Here are a few pictures I took today and edited. I've been wanting to get these two horses and today they were out!

Again, a very cool old worn down building.

And the little guy who's mane hangs in his eyes. Love him!

old house

If you have really good memory, you may remember that I talked about a really old house I stumbled upon a fair distance from here. And I also said I would try to get some pictures of the house and share them with you. I finally did that. I don't know what it is about this house, but it intrigues me to no end.

crabbiness switches

My husband finally got to feel what it was like last night to be home with all the kids, the fighting, yelling, screaming, and of course, Jayden's tantrums, all while I worked late and then went to Shaylee's basketball game. I came home and I could just feel the tension from him being crabby. Usually it's me. And for the last half of this winter, I keep asking myself, why am I so crabby, why can't I just get over this?

Now this morning, he had to come home to get Jayden to daycare because I have his IEP meeting in a bit. Again, he got to be reminded of what it's like to be here in the mornings with no help. Dealing with yelling, screaming, and the general chaoticness of the routine of getting ready. Yet he was crabby again.

I just asked him, "so do you remember what it's like to be home in the mornings now?". Ha! I can't wait for spring.

enough snow already

As I was blowing out the driveway and street today, I thought to myself, I really am a tomboy. I look around at the other people who are blowing snow and all I see are men. The ladies must be inside where it's warm, unlike me. Because when there is snow, I'm the Queen B, simply because my husband is working. My recent complaint is there is no where to blow the snow. This is one side of our driveway. Can you see the sign?

And looking the other way is our mailbox. Can you see that?
This is one lucky fire hydrant. he is always cleaned out so if it needs to be used, it's not buried, unlike many other hydrants I've seen. Cleaning this out has been one of things we've endured since we bought our house.

Uh-oh. I didn't do it. Seriously. I think the one time my husband used the snow blower he must have forgotten about the buried extension cord.

I even blow paths in the backyard for the dog.

The swing set is not used, since everything is under snow.

The sign in our yard is buried. The snow has no where else to go. As it blows up the pile, it rolls back down.

I told you there was a sign hiding in there somewhere! I used the ice chisel to scrape away the snow in front of it. Any more snow and I don't know what I will do with it.

Anyone want to come rake my roof? I don't own one of those gadgets and I don't think I could do it with my fear of heights and my rib pain anyhow.

So seriously mother nature, enough with the snow already!!

nail polish

Woke up this fine Saturday morning after dealing with my almost 4 year old at least six times last night with his refusal to sleep to him up playing, screaming, and just being loud at 6am.

And by the looks of things, he found something else to keep him busy...
wouldn't you say?!

working hard

Boy was today full of hard work for me. Started off the day with my monthly child protection team meeting, but then it was off to work for a day full of physical labor, something my body hasn't seen in quite some time.

My morning actually started with a call from the sheriff, letting me know I had a subpoena to pick up. I went and got it, as I knew what it was for. It's the dreaded stress I've wrote about in the past, the one that is confidential, the one I cannot talk about. But yes, I have been subpoenaed to testify in court. This is a big one and one that will be extremely difficult for me because of the relationships involved.

Then it was on to the tiring part of the day....emptying two very large (72x36x24) cabinets, sliding them out of a very small closet, and attempting to get them downstairs, which us ladies couldn't do. So we unloaded more shelves, purged totes, built heavy duty shelves, slid them in to the very small closet, and attempted to put things back together as best we can.

Once the guys came and moved our cabinets downstairs, then I got to fill it up with my incentive stuff from work. I worked up a sweat today and have made myself unbelievably sore. I can't believe that my locked up ribs can cause my chest to hurt. So tired of the pain when I breathe, but have have trust in my chiropractor that the pain is because of my ribs. Maybe.

Speaking of the chiropractor, the lady who was going to do the ultrasound and stim today started working on my left side, which I thought was weird because my pain is on the right side. I asked her and she said she could go ask the doctor if I wanted her to....which I did. Good thing she asked because she was doing the wrong side!

Tomorrow my goal is to bring you a post with some pictures, simply because I just caught a glimpse of my camera, sitting in the dark, covered in dust on the shelf. Time to dust her off and put her to use again!

thursday tidbits again

• Because I've slacked off and haven't updated my blog this week, I'm going to do another tidbits post.
• I have a very sore back area. Technically it's my ribs and the pain goes all the way around to the front of my chest. It's no fun. Seeing the chiropractor regularly.
• We experienced very cold temps this week. Below zero. It was cold.
• Jayden finally got to go to preschool today.
• The other 5 kids finally got to go back to school today after 3 snow days.
• Tomorrow will be a busy day at work for me. Moving shelves and cabinets around to make room for more toys.
• I have made 3 new recipes this week with my Deep Covered Baker from Pampered Chef. It is amazing.
• I promise to make my blog lively again soon.