Where's the Love?

Today...

1. I slept on the couch (again) because my husband is still sick.
2. Justin decided that my day should start about 3:30 this morning.
3. I was over an hour late dropping the kids off for Mom's Day Out. (Even with the early start.)
4. I had to go to the gynecologist for my annual exam.
5. Justin got a "red light" at school today. (Again. By the way, that's not good. He had to go to the office. He's only three.)
6. I stepped in gum.
7. I'm achy and my throat hurts. Why did I get that flu shot?
8. My youngest son, Cameron, pee'd on my foot.

So, I ask you, where's the love today?

My Hidden Bliss

Okay, so it was not a good day for the Republicans. But it was not the end of the world. At the end of the day, the democratic process triumphed and that's what it's supposed to be about.

I'm not going to complain today. (I'll save that for another day.) Today I want to talk about how blessed I feel. As I stood in line waiting to vote, I had lots of time to think. I had put the whole thing off until the last minute. Apparently most of the people in my precinct did the same because I waited in line nearly an hour to vote. Again, another story for another day. My own fault. Anyway - - the line was outdoors part of the time and I was able to catch the West Texas sunset. My thoughts immediately went to my family overseas. Not just them, but what they are doing over there and the people that they work with. I began to feel guilty because I was "inconvenienced" for having to wait in line. Inconvenienced. Please. I was late to meet friends for coffee. Coffee. There are people on the other side of the world making a couple of dollars a day, hoping they can feed their families that day and living under dictatorships and I was inconvenienced by having to stand in line for an hour to exercise my right as an American. A free American. An American blessed by God.

I won't continue on because I think you get my drift. The election did not completely turn out the way I desired. But I thank God that I had the opportunity to cast my vote. Voting really made me feel like an American this time. And I'm proud to be an American.

Politics

Okay, I turn into a political crazy person this time of the year. I'm just ready for the nasty ads and the automated voice messages (regardless of the candidate) to stop. They drive me insane!

Thank goodness it's not a Presidential Election. I'm *not* ready for Hillary and the First Gentleman (I guess that's what they'll call him) to take over Washington. It should be abundantly clear to you that I bleed Republican blood. It's not up for debate. It's me. It's how I feel. You are entitled to your own opinion and you are more than welcome to share that opinion on your own blog. But this is mine, so if I may, I will continue. Thank you. Actually, I'm not going to *go off* on anything right now. Well, maybe a little on anyone who votes for Kinky. Are you *kidding* me? Hey, I majored in Psychology. I'm pretty sure what Dr. Freud might say about that cigar Mr. Friedman is always fondling. And putting Willie Nelson in charge of something? You've *got* to be kidding me. Kinky is completely wrong for the job. I do agree that "politicians" can get too "political" at times. But come on? I seriously don't think he'll win. But that doesn't stop me from wanting to crash my car into the hillbillies that have his bumperstickers on their bumpers. I wouldn't do that, you know. But I do think about it. Tee hee hee. I have considered a good thump on their foreheads complete with a "Are you serious?" No, both just scream lawsuit. *Sigh.*

Anyway, back to what's to come on Tuesday. Since I am what I'd label a "conservative" then it should serve as no surprise to you that I choose to watch election returns on Fox News. Ever since Dan Rather nearly broke down in tears on CBS when Al Gore was defeated by George W. Bush - - I have had to boycott the networks biased coverage of the returns. Well, basically their coverage of just about anything newsworthy. But we won't cover that whole issue today. And CNN - - please, the Clinton News Network? No thanks. So, FOX News it is. Here is a link to their site. I really like the way their site is presenting information so far. So, without further ado:

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/youdecide2006/races.html?TX

The important thing is to vote. Do your homework and know about the offices for which you need to vote for and get out there and do your thing. It's your responsibility. Be a responsible American and do your part. If you don't, then don't expect me or anyone else listen to you gripe about the results. You earn the ability the day you make your voice heard by voting. VOTE!!!!!

**A note to my liberal friends out there: (I actually have a few!) We're still friends, right?

Product Review

Two thumbs up!! If I had more thumbs, I'd give them more. Wow! This product is nice. I made chili in the crockpot on Friday. I purchased these little gems a while back and kept forgetting that I had them. My mother in law suggested that I store them in the crockpot so that I'd remember I had them. (This was after I found them - - after I had scrubbed the pot - - after I had cooked queso in it.) They work beautifully. I didn't use them for cooking chicken in it last night. I didn't think I'd need to scrub the pot a lot for that. And I was right. But for the chili, it was a great call. I haven't tried the queso with them yet, but I'm betting it will also be a huge success. So, Reynolds company - - Kudos on an excellent product. My time is definitely worth the price I paid for your product. You guys rock!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Okay, my Mom has no idea I even have a blog. But I have to say Happy Birthday to her anyway. Today she turned 59. Wow. Next year will be the big one.

We celebrated by eating dinner at Fuente's. Yummy. Mexican food. Muy bueno! J was kind of a turd but I think he was just real hungry. C was actually on pretty decent behavior. It wasn't a horrific experience. (For those that don't know me real well, I *don't* eat out with my children. I don't like drawing attention to myself. J rolling around on the disgusting restaurant floor is one of those things that draws looks. I don't like that. I used to give those looks. Is karma spelled with a "k?")

Back to Mom. What a great Mom. She is the best. She loves me and she loves my kids. She's an awesome cook. She raised us to love God first, family second and others third. She can be goofy and silly. And she's the only one who is allowed to call me by my full legal name.

Did I mention she's the best?

I love you, Mom.

Does Everything Have to Match?

This is something I need to get over. Especially living in a house full of boys. Do sippy cup lid colors need to match the color of the cups? In the grand scheme of things it really doesn't matter. So why does it bother me so much? Do pajama bottoms need to match the tops? If they fit, does it really matter? I should be grateful that I am getting the help around the house and I'm not raising these boys on my own. Why do these little things annoy me so much? I'm sorry, but Nemo pajama tops don't go with Buzz Lightyear pajama bottoms. It irks me. It's me. However, kudos to my sweet husband for the help. I can't complain for that. I just can't help but wonder if my stay in the loony bin will be long and if my therapist will understand that the lid didn't match the cup.

Where Have I Been?

I don't know. Experiencing life I guess. Trying to raise my kids. Trying to keep those Dum-Dum sticks out of my oldest son's ear. Yes, you read right. He stuck it in his ear. Then he fell on it. That poked a hole in his eardrum. A "significant" hole. What's next? Wait - - don't answer that. Time should heal his ear. We hope. He's certainly not a candidate for the post op part of surgery. He couldn't handle five minutes worth of an ear test. What makes anyone think they can put drops and shove cotton in his ear for weeks at a time? Not me. Right now I'm doing my best to keep water out of his ear to avoid infection. Ugh... Little boys. I'd like to avoid the ENT doctor in the future anyway. She doesn't exactly read "kid friendly" if you know what I mean. Did she really think that a nearly three year old that had ruptured his eardrum with a sucker stick was going to come into her office and sit quietly in her lobby and then even more quietly in the exam chair and wait patiently for an hour where there is absolutely nothing for a child to do and wait for a doctor to show up late for an appointment? That, my friend is a fantasy world. This isn't my pretty, princess all dressed up in lace daughter whose little ear might be infected from her new earring. (I don't have one of these precious little daughters but I'm assuming this is the type of patient she was looking for.) This is my rough and tumble, all go, no quit, smelly, loud, dressed in camo, almost three year old. Hear him roar. So -- get us in and out on time. Enough said??????

Busy, busy, busy

I'm busy getting ready for my retreat this weekend.

I'm sleepy. Goodnight.

I knew better...

As mommeyof2 asked me, "What, did you dye your hair blonde or something?" No, but I might as well have. I did something yesterday that I totally know better than to do. I was so proud of myself for actually cleaning house while the boys were at Mom's Day Out. I sprayed Clorox Bathroom Cleaner with Teflon in the shower and then went to work cleaning off the counter and cleaning out my closet. I went to pick up the boys and got home and thought that the floor of the shower still looked bad (I hadn't wiped it down yet.) I thought I'd add a little umph to it with some Clorox Clean-Up. Where was my head? I mixed cleaners. I *so* know better than that. I would take a deep breath, scrub, then take another deep breath. It smelled horrible, which should have been a hint and a half that it was not so good for me. (Are my biology friends shaking their heads yet?) First of all, my shower should have *never, never, never* needed that kind of a cleaning. That's shameful. Secondly, you'd think that I would listen to warnings.

I coughed all night. Then today, as the day progressed, I started feeling worse and worse. I was convinced that I was coming down with bronchitis. I took Cameron to the doctor today for his bronchitis and mentioned it to Dr. P's nurse. She said that if it's not better tomorrow, I might want to check with my doctor. Well, tomorrow is Saturday. So, I made a quick call to my doctor to just "check in." He wanted me to come in for a chest x-ray. Holy crap! A chest x-ray? All I could think of were my lungs and throat being eaten away by acid. I scrambled quickly (for the second time this week) and went to the clinic. The chest x-rays were clear but he said that didn't mean I didn't have some complications from the cleaning fluids. He gave me a prescription for an albuterol inhaler and sent me on my merry way. Man I feel stupid. My ignorance yesterday cost me $20 for the co-pay and $10 for the meds. Now we are trying to figure out if the culprit on the wicked bad indigestion is the Topamax or the toxic fumes I breathed in yesterday. If I could kick my own butt right now, I would. Big Dummy!

Dang, I used to be smarter than this. Did the kids do this to my brain cells or the husband? Maybe a combination of both?

By the way - - my bathroom sparkles! At least I've got something to show for my ignorance.

Migraine Help On the Way?

For those of you that know me well, you know that I've suffered from migraine headaches for about 13 years. (Not 13 years straight. Off and on. 13 years straight and I'd have to be in a "straight" jacket!) Recently, I've started having trouble with my vision and my regular doctor referred me to a neurologist. I couldn't get in until a week from today. (This was several weeks ago.) I got a call from my neurologist on Wednesday saying that they had a cancellation, could I be there in 45 minutes. After a quick call to Mom and a speed shower, I went to the clinic.

I *loved* the doctor! I waited maybe five minutes in the waiting room, and five minutes in the examining room after the nurse left. Then he spent about 30 minutes with me. He was incredible. I didn’t feel like a crazy person. (Most doctors look at me like I’m a nut job when I mention the word migraine. I think the ones that do have never had one and totally don’t get it.) Anyway, he did a neurological exam and I guess I checked out fine.

Then we discussed treatment options. Wow! I have to say that this area of medicine has really changed. Before, I was told that I couldn’t take Imitrex because of my “reaction.” I described it to him and he said that it was absolutely normal and that when regular doctors prescribe it, they don’t explain (and probably don’t understand) what the medicine will do within 15 seconds of taking the injection. To make a long story short, it worked for me before and I get to use them again. Hooray! Then we discussed prevention. There are three primary medications they use for prevention. I’ve tried two of them and now it’s on to the third. The first two are blood pressure medications and antidepressants. The antidepressant I took made me a complete zombie and I vowed never to put that poison in my body again. He said they have better meds for that now but I liked the sound of the third option the best. It’s called Topamax and is an anti-seizure medication that is used in lower doses for migraine prevention. I have to work my way up to the full dose over three weeks. I’m a little more groggy today than normal but it’s not unbearable. There are a few side effects, two of which I’m noticing after just one dose. One is that soft drinks all taste flat. Strange, huh? I’m going to miss them, but it’s definitely worth the sacrifice. Another is loss of appetite and the craving of sweet things. Well, after two doses, I can say without hesitation that the loss of appetite is due to *everything under the sun* giving me indigestion. The doctor said I’ll probably lose 10 – 12 pounds the first month on the medication. Can’t complain there. He also said I might have some trouble remembering dates, phone numbers and just trivial stuff. I told him that’s what my Palm Pilot was for!

We’ll see. I’m hoping for the best. He said that most migraines are brought on by “holiday stress.” Basically, a change in your routine. So if I sleep late on Saturday, take a nap on Sunday, go on a long weekend or those kind of things it can trigger a headache. The last thing he told me that I found quite interesting was that migraines tend to change every ten years. I told him about my visual problems and he said that those were a “precursor” to a pending headache. Hopefully that will stop now. I also suffer from hand tremors (like my dad and brother have and my grandmother had.) This medication is supposed to help with that.

I’m sure this is *more* than you could ever have wanted to know. But if you’ve got a friend who has trouble with these, you can pass the word along.

I'm Officially A "Real Mommy"

I went to church tonight, went by the pharmacy to pick up some medicine and then came home. I was greeted at the door with a "guess what Justin did tonight." My walls. My beautifully, recently painted (with color I might add) walls. There are now great big black circles on my walls. David had just bathed Justin and was working on Cameron. The bathtub crayons were up high but must have fallen down. Justin retrieved the black one and the living room wall was his canvas. I figure that once you've had your walls colored on, you're an official Mommy! I'm official.