Friday, September 26, 2008

I Need Help!

CORRECTION ......... WE have not been on an actual vacation in several YEARS. Hubby and I went to Atlanta for the weekend in May (while my parents kept the boys). We were going to take a longer vacation this year but due to my Dad's health we will only be a couple of hours away.


Many of you have this for awhile now.........LOL!!! just kidding. Okay, now to serious matters at hand.

I need your help! We are leaving at 6am tomorrow heading out for the weekend. We have NEVER traveled away from home with the kiddos before (more than a day trip). This will be our first family vacation! Yay to that! However, I need suggestions on what to pack for the kiddos, anything you can think of! Clothes to a potty chair to toys to snacks........anything. Please leave your suggestions in the comments.

Now for the fun, for you. I will be having my fun this weekend with your help of course, but I will be drawing at random from the comments for a prize for you. I will announce the winner on Monday night at 8pm (Central time).

I will check my comments before we leave in the morning (my laptop will be enjoying her own vacation here at home). NO comments entered after 6am Saturday morning will be chosen as the winner.

Now, I must go and start packing. Leave your comments and good luck!

Blessings!!!

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Beautiful Fall Morning

What a gorgeous morning to awake to. I slept in until 6am and it was so nice under the warm blankets and snuggled up to hubby.

It was 51* this morning! Cool for these parts, just right for Fall though. The boys looked so cute in their "bew jeans" this morning!

He and I got the boys off to school and I sit here with a full tummy ready to pounce on the day.
I had leftovers for breakfast from last night's supper (roast and biscuit gravy with buttermilk biscuits). Yummy!

Today is going to be a busy day.........we are getting ready for a little trip this weekend and I CANNOT wait!!!! YAY!

Before I go on and while it is on my brain (at least I do not think I have told you this), the boys do not qualify for any therapies any longer. Their delays are not enough! Praise God! Thank you Lord! We were (and are) so excited that their speech and behavior issues are no longer issues! Also, that they are finally NOT under weight any longer! That sings joy to my soul. If you have ever had to get your one year old (until he was 2 years old) up twice during the night to put him in the high chair and feed him high calorie drinks and foods because he was so underweight, you know what I went through! Thank goodness we never had to have pumps or lines to feed him through!

God is so good!!!!

Today holds...............
  • MAKE TEA
  • WASH DURANGO
  • MAKE BED
  • CLEAN UP COOLER
  • PLAN SNACKS AND DRINKS FOR THIS WEEKEND
  • FINISH COOKING SUPPER (baked beans, potato salad and bbq)
  • START PACKING
  • LAUNDRY AND IRONING
  • SALVATION ARMY
  • CVS
  • RITE-AIDE
  • WAL-MART
  • BANK
  • SHOW SHOW
  • P.O.
  • CLEAN OUT FRIDGE AND FINISH FRESH VEGGIES FOR FREEZER

LAST BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY...............

SHOWER!

Funny, but not really. Isn't it funny how mommies always get put on the back burner?!

Hope you all have a wonderful and blessed day!

Blessings!

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Still A Sneezin' and $25!

My head hurts and my face from all of the sinus pressure. I am a trying' though. I was going to go to the market today but decided it was not worth my time, since all we have picked is apples and I am just too tired to try to get anything else gathered. We can sell those apples at our roadside market.

I am staying home and cooking supper, cleaning out the freezers and taking stock of inventory for later. I also may but up some okra and make some pear butter (like apple butter)..........we shall see! i also am going to pick up some free tickets that my Mom won for us. It appears we (hubby and I) are taking the boys on a little road trip this weekend! Yahoo!!!!

Last night we had our sitter to come while we went out for a free dinner to my husband's sisters house. They had someone to come and cook for all 5 of us couples and it was delicious. All we had to do was pay the sitter. So, for $25 we got a terrific dinner with dessert and lots of wonderful fellowship with friends! Yes, I felt bad, but made myself go. I am so glad that I did.

Well, I hope you all have a wonderful day and I will see ya soon!

Happy Fall Y'all!

Blessings!!!!

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Good Sunday!

Well, maybe not that good, but I am thankful! The tummy virus has passed and now I have the sinus yuckies (thanks to my litttles). MY head feels like it could just blow off any minute! The congestion, sore throat, runny nose, ears ringing and aching. I will survive! That's the good news. I may not be able to work tomorrow, so that's not so good. I'm sure the customers do not someone (me) hacking around their apples and sweet potatoes and such!

Hubby stayed home from church to help with the boys. SO sweet! I am ready for a bath and hope that will make me feel more myself. I have several things to get done (MAINLY LAUNDRY). We are eating take out tonight (thanks to my parents). Fresh catfish, lots of salad and a hot baked potato with all of the fixins'! Yummy! I have been on a fish kick the last few days! I love fish!

So, we are just hangin' out today. We will probably take the boys out to play after while. We saw a hot air balloon yesterday. The boys thought it was just grand. They were hollering "GO! GO!"

So, what are you doing this gorgeous Sunday?

There are a couple of you that have mentioned doing a coupon swap. Only one of you have emailed me. Please email me if interested. Thanks!

Have a great Sunday! Blessings!

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Spetmeber Menu

Money is tight this month. We are having to make a lot of cut backs due to hubby's surgery, cut in pay being on light duty and my leavre of work taking care of hubby and sick children.


Here is what I am cooking for the rest of September. These are all suppers.

Sat. 20 - pulled pork sandwiches, baked beans and potato salad
Sun. 21- fried catfish, salad, huspuppies and baked potatoes
Mon. 22- tacos, salsa and chips
Tues. 23- spaghetti (from freezer), twisty cheese bread
Wed. 24- chicken fingers, fresh peas, mac & cheese
Thurs. 25- fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green benas, gravy and biscuits
Fri. 26- leftovers
Sat. 27- out of town (we won some free tickets)........more later
Sun. 28- steak and shrimp, salad and baked potatoes
Mon. 29- bbq potatoes
Tues. 30- breakfast casserole and fried apples

DESSERTS: fried apple pies, pear salad, fruited jello and chocolate cake

Friday, September 19, 2008

Real Friends

You know my Mom always told me you could count the real number of friends you had on one hand. Computers were not around then........cause I have such awesome bloggy friends! (No disrespect Mom!)

Thank you all for your thoughts and sharing with me. My hubby and I have had a lonnnnggggg road. I will not air our laundry here but some of you know. I have been hurt deeply and trust has been broken in too many ways to count. I love my husband and I intend to do my Christian duty and keep it together because he loves me too. The last months have taken a toll.......long hours, surgery, sick children, therapies, his Mom's illness and death and now my Daddy's condition (did he have a stroke or does he have a brain tumor?). We have talked and he is trying to "get it", while I have patience and we find some time together soon. Our 10 year anniversary is coming up in a few weeks and we are spending it together (at least the day after). Something else that has NOT helped in missing a couple of Sunday's at church. I always feel like a cloud looms when I do not have the worship and fellowship that my spirit so craves.

So thank you all again and I have stroked his ego with kind words and praise!

Today I worked my 10 hour shift, came home cooked supper and went and picked up the boys. Fed the boys, gave bathes did bedtime routines and now I am finishing (canning) a huge pot of pear preserves. Hubby took my Daddy to my oldest nephew's football game in another county.

Hubby and I share market duties tomorrow as well as children duties. I have a few errands I need to run as well. I have started getting in the Christmas mind set and already have a few gifts purchased. We also are on a strict budget this month and next. So, I will be doing a LOT of cooking around here.

Hope you had a great Friday and Roll Tide tomorrow!

Blessings!

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Ickiness Go Away!

I am going to be completely honest here, I feel rotten.

For those of you that need a refresher or missed it, I awoke to complete sickness Tuesday morning at 1:30am. From then until 4:30pm I bet I flushed the toilet 100 times or more and we will not discuss how many times I needed a trash can.

I have not been "sick" since but I am so weak and any food makes me sick at my tummy. I have had 2 pieces of toast, 1 cup of homemade chicken noodle soup, 10 saltines and lots of Powerade since, BUT that's it. I have the worst headache from not eating and have lost 7 pounds (YAY!) since Tuesday. Not that I was actually trying, what a yucky way to loose it.

I have to go back to work tomorrow and dread it. Things here at home have not been wonderful either. Until hubby and i had the boys we never once argued or had a slighted word with each other. The last couple of weeks have been so stressful. He has taken on the role as the 3rd child. It is driving me nuts. I try to "baby" him as much as the boys will allow but their needs have to come first, they are only 2 you know?

I am doing the best I can, but I feel like a single Mommy right now. I love him with all of my heart, but he waits for me to do everything and when I ask him to do the least little thing he pouts like a child. For instance ( he is still on a cane since surgery, but he can drive , etc.) this morning I got myself and the boys ready, got school bags ready, wrapped hubs knee with a bandage, give meds, made breakfast, made beds, etc., etc, etc. When I asked hubby to put the boys shoes on, so I could get dressed he sighed and rolled his eyes. He was not doing anything at the time, just sitting in a chair by the door. I got the boys in the car, strapped them in and then got all of our things in the car. He is driving me nuts!!!

I have to do bathes, take care of them at all hours of the night, cook supper, clean up supper, give meds, read bedtime stories, clean up from bath time........need I go on and on. Then I have to help hubby with his at home physical therapy.

This mommy needs a break! It does not help any that the boys both still have a sinus infection and are quite needy right now.

Any suggestions? Lord please forgive me for writing this, but I need some wisdom from other wives and mommies.

I love my husband and Lord knows this but I am at wits end.

Blessings!

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

My Daddy

To sum it up, not much for details, still sick........... There is a "spot" on my Daddy's brain. In two months he goes back for another MRI and they will determine if there has been any change or not.

To simplify.....scar tissue from stroke OR brain tumor.

Please pray!

Staying Home?

Update........Hubby took off from work and took my parents to the neurosurgeon. I will post later about the results of the visit.

Please say another little prayer. I have been up since 1:30am so sick (both ends of the body). I hurt all over from all the forcefulness of it. I have used and taken Phenegran, as well as Imodium. Hubby took Monkey to preschool on his way to work. My friend Jennifer is here with Tiger and she just made a run to the pharmacy for me. Tiger will go to preschool at 10:30am

I almost can always get the red Powerade to stay down, so I have given it a try..........time will tell.

I want so badly to take my parents this afternoon! It is not looking likely at this time. Of all times to get sick!

I'll keep you posted!

Blessings!!!

Monday, September 15, 2008

A Million Miles An Hour and A Million Miles Away








I sit here with my head spinning and my brain on one thing.
Tiger is sick with a serious sinus infection. I took him to the peds office today, after running a 104 temp on and off most of the weekend.

Hubby started back to work today (light duty through October 10th). With light duty comes light pay. He will be bringing home roughly $200 per week. Yes, you read that right. It stinks, but we will make it work. I was suppose to go back to work today but Tiger was sick. I am suppose to go to the market tomorrow, but I am taking my parents to see the neurosurgeon.

Hubby has taken my Dad to see my oldest nephew play "B" Team football tonight, since he is not suppose to be driving. I cannot help but think if my Dad is thinking the same thing. How many more games will he get to see? What will tomorrow's appointment hold? Will he ever get to see my boys on the football field?

I love my Daddy so much. He is my rock. He knows everything about me. I call him (and my Mom) every night at 9pm to tell him (them) I love him (them)and goodnight. He is the most giving, loving and devoted Daddy you could ever meet. The tears run hot on my face as I sit here and type. I let them flow tonight in hopes that I can keep it together tomorrow for him and my Mom. I know there is something going on, why else do they send you to another doctor, much less a surgeon. I know unless the Lord (and he very well could and we are praying for this) preforms a perfect miracle that he will have some type of brain surgery.
The appointment is at 3pm tomorrow........please pray.
Blessings!!!!

Sunday, September 14, 2008

No More Steam

I have been praying over this for several days now and I am not a quitter. However, I do know when I have no more to give.

I have received some emails about some of you not being satisfied with the coupon train. Some of you need a break and some of just want out.

So, after tomorrow this coupon train will be disbanded. Please feel free to mail your coupons tomorrow though.

I am truly sorry and I hope you all understand. I appreciate each and every one of you for being a part of this. I just cannot devote all of the attention I need to right now.

Some time in the future I may try getting a train back on the tracks.....stay tuned,

Blessings and thank you again!

Friday, September 12, 2008

Quite Unexpected

Today has been a day of unexpected events, friends and happenings. This morning we got a call from my cousin's husband (retired Air Force). They live just outside of Greenville S.C. He said the gas stations that had gas was charging $5.23 a gallon. OUCH!!!!

We got up (6am) and gas at our local Jet Pep was $3.45, this afternoon (6pm) $4.65. YADDA!!!! People were lined up by the dozen. CRAZY I tell you!

Thankfully we all got every vehicle filled up by 10am (and all of the gas cans too). Dadblasted hurricane!!!

My friend owns the Chevron station in our town and her supplier told her they would likely be out of gas tomorrow and she likely would not get any for a week or more. LOVELY!

Some of the other stations were setting a 10 gallon limit. I cannot believe this madness.

On to other news......we have been trying to get in touch with a guy that worked for us part time this past summer and could not reach him. We needed him to do some work for my parents and soon. This afternoon he stopped by and asked (he works for our local Tyson) how my Dad was. Just out of the blue and when he found out what was going on he went right to work. He will be back tomorrow to finish. Thank you Lord for blessings!

We are finished with peaches.......OFFICALLY........thank you Lord for the bounty and now thank you Lord for the rest!

Then, two (couples) of my parents friends stopped by at different times today and visited for a long while. They prayed with us all and it was so wonderful. Praise the Lord!

Please pray for everyone that has been and will be affected by hurricane Ike! It is going to be a long several days and even weeks.

Tonight I thank the Lord for a dry (and safe) home, roof in tack, clean drinking water, safe family, hot meals and power and phone and of course internet. I could go on and on.

Many blessings.............

Thursday, September 11, 2008

My Heart Is Heavy

The neurologist called my parents this afternoon. Not much to go on. He would not tell them much. The original diagnosis came from an ER doc. This doctor would not elaborate on the phone, other than my Daddy will see a neurosurgeon on Tuesday at 2pm.

We have no clue what is wrong with him. Is it the original (Trigeminal Neurgalia)? A tumor? An aneurysm? We are so torn right now........ please keep praying. Strict instructions for my Dad. No lifting, no driving, no stress, do not get too hot or too cold. I will be skipping the market on Tuesday to go with my parents to this neurosurgeon. It seems like months away.

My faith is not as strong as I would like at this time. God is good and I know that.......but this is a difficult situation too.

Blessings my dear friends. This would be an awesome time to delurke and let me know you're really there.

An Off Day?

Do we (as Moms) really ever have an off day? I consider an off day to be able to catch up (ironing, washing, drying, folding and putting away laundry). To do canning and freezing and big batch cooking for the freezer.

IT seems my plans often get changed and too frequently.

I am off today. Let me just tell you what I am doing (or have done and it is only 11am).
I cleaned out some yard sale stuff, cleaned out the junk room and made it a play room. I also picked up, cleaned and cloroxed and organized all of the boys toys. I took my Daddy to Jack's for breakfast. (We will not know anything from his neuro tests until tomorrow). I also gathered up a bushel of okra, a 1/4 bushel of zucchini, 40 bell peppers, 10 pounds of Candy (sweet) onions and a 1/2 bushel of green tomatoes. All of that will be done for the freezer.

Now to finish......I also have the laundry, supper and general straightening as well as our master closet to tackle. I need to get some things ready and to the post office. I also need to finish a baby shower present I am working on. The cleaning lady will be here this afternoon. I need to reorganize the coupon train once again, as we have a member needing a break, I need to email my friend T.P. about our BAMOM supper meeting this month and also email my friend C.B. about the same thing.

If you really wanted to go on I could tell you that my master bath cabinets need cleaned and organized and cleaned out and I am in desperate need of removing my toenail polish from June and I need a pedicure (I do my own usually). I have not had my hair cut, nor highlighted since May and it is bad I tell you, terrible. I need to get the yard sale plans organized for next month and do some filing and some more cleaning out. I need to take some donations to the thrift store. I need to make my lists of the boys needs for the winter and try on some of last years fall clothes for them. I need to call and order a battery for my Delphin (like a Rainbow vac). I need to organize all of my canning supplies and jars ( I have over 500 empty jars) and most of them need to go to the storage building. I need to organize my pantry and cabinets and make an inventory list of food (so I will know what I have to cook). I need to stop being so wishy washy and make vacation plans (maybe tomorrow after we get Daddy's test results back). I also need to get someone to put my new kitchen flooring down and soon. It is being given to us and I need to get it out of these folks' way.

Well, I could go on and on, as you see. So, do you ever have an off day? What do you do on yours? I better hurry along now and find something to do with all of this spare time of mine! LOL!!!!

Please keep my Daddy in your prayers as we await the results.........

Many blessings!

Monday, September 8, 2008

An Outing

Well, today was rather uneventful and what a blessing that was!

I took the boys to preschool and came home to sponge bathe hubby and get him dressed. We then ran some errands (all while keeping a check on my Dad via cell phone).

My Dad had an appointment with his heart doc today and they changed his blood pressure meds. He then went to the neurologists' office and could not see him until Wednesday morning at 8:30. He still is highly restricted in his activities (as is hubby).

Hubby and I went to the pharmacy, post office, ate lunch, CVS, gassed up the Durango and then Wal-Mart. Hubby stayed in the car for most of the stops. He was wore out by the time we made it home.

I got him settled in and went to work for 2 hours. I came home and napped with hubby for an hour (I had a migraine). I got up did 4 loads of laundry, cooked supper, unloaded the dw and so on so forth.

I picked up the boys at 5:30 and we ate supper and did the nighttime routine after a couple hours of playing (and keeping them off of their Daddy's leg).

Hubby's sciatica is better today. Praise the Lord!

Tomorrow I have the banking and bill paying to do for my parents. Then I have to get the truck loaded for the Trussville market. Hubby is going and will keep his leg propped up and just watch.

My mom will pick the boys up about 4:30 from preschool and Miss KK will keep them until we get home. I am hoping bathes and supper will already be done by our arrival home.

Tomorrow is promising to be a busy day!

I will not tell you I am fighting an awful yeast infection due to antibiotics a couple of weeks back. The doctor called in something and I hope to be on my way to recovery by this time tomorrow.

Hope you all have a blessed Tuesday!

Blessings!!!!

Orange Pork Chops

8 pork chops
1/2 c. orange juice
1/3 c. packed brown sugar
1/2 t. dry mustard
1 t. salt

Place pork chops in baking dish. Mix the rest of ingredients and pour over pork chops. Bake at 350* for one hour, basting occasionally.

I serve this with baked apples, green beans and rice.

ENJOY!!!

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Pain All Around

When I said things couldn't get worse.........well, I know it can and have experienced that first hand.

Friday morning I had to rush hubby back to the doctor with severe pain in his chins, hips and other leg (not the operated one) and pain in his ankles. He had this BEFORE surgery as well. The doctor seemed to think it was his sciatic nerve and prescribed Celebrex. The rest of Friday was fine and the pain was decreased. Yesterday it started intensifying again and today is even worse. He woke me up at 1 am Friday morning screaming and we called the doctor at 4:30am and then went to the office. He is in such pain, I cannot even describe it.

Yesterday morning my phone rang and it was my Mom and she was crying. It was my Dad, he was having the pains in his head and face again. We got him to the hospital and they did every kind of test. He has a strong history of heart problems (5 bypasses-19 years ago) and high blood pressure. He has has an irregular heartbeat (controlled by coumadine). All of that was fine and so was the CT.

Finally the doctor did some more extensive research to diagnose him with Trigeminal Neuralgia. The part where it says (if you click on the link), it is one of most severe types of pain known to mankind, left me hurting for my Daddy. There is NO cure. He has a regular appointment with his cardiologist in the am (Monday) and he hopes to see a neurologist then as well. He is currently on pain meds and steroids. Lord help us........ He cannot drive and this TN can be debilitating.

When a pain hits you would think he will just fall out completely.......if he is driving, it could be deadly. There is treatment and it is NOT a stroke or cancer or worse. We are trying to be positive, but when I read at the link I put above I just cried. Read it if you will.

We are surviving, thanks to friends and their kindness and prayers. So, please pray, pray hard. We are going to praise him through it all and hope you will too.

I will keep you posted as I can.

Blessings!!!

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Just When I Thought........

it couldn't get worse. I know, I know, it can always get worse (and it did).


The preschool called and Monkey was vomiting and I mean every 2 minutes. He covered everything (he was asleep). They changed his clothes not once, not twice but three times. He met me at the door in a pullup and tee shirt. Then he threw up on me and the floor and him. Bless his sweet heart.


My Mom went back later and picked up Tiger. He is staying with my parents tonight and hopefully he will remain vomitless (for all sakes involved).


Hubby is in great pain and the incision is about a 6 inch smiley face mouth. He is wrapped from foot to groin. Cannot remove bandage until Saturday evening. He has been unable to control his bodily functions until about 12pm this afternoon. Two words......adult diapers. He had a spinal and some loopy meds instead of being put asleep . He has severe acid reflux and it is not a good outcome. Even though he has been sick after 3 of the last 5 meals.


My Mom got dizzy yesterday and passed out but did not loose consciousness. She had gotten too hot. She and my Dad were both inside the fruit market when it happened. They had just sent my aunt home because she was having a spell with her heart.


Tuesday when I got in from the market I found out that my Dad's bp had went very high and he was having severe pains in his head and burning on one side of his face. I called his cardiologists' nurse at home and she told me what to do. He has an appointment with the heart doc Monday morning.


I am so tired and at a loss. I need you all to lift me up in prayer. I am sorry for being so weak, I am just human. I set holding one of my precious blessings and wash his faces after he cries and vomits, all the while hubby is in tears from the pain and my heart is breaking . Then my pain continues because I miss my other precious blessing with all my heart.

I need strength Lord........please give me peace and strength. Thank you all for listening and praying.

I keep reciting Philippians 4:13.

Blessings!

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Tidbit of Info

We are home and things are choatic. Hubby is in great pain. Boys are wild. Both my parents are sick. I am absolutley wore out. Surgery went well. I will post more tomorrow.

Blessings and sweet dreams!

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Ramblings

It has been a little while. I am so very tired. When you are startled by the phone ringing at 1:15am, it can be difficult to go back to sleep. Especially difficult if you have to get up and fix hubby's lunch, because he needs to be out the door in 15 minutes. The army depot where he hauls hazardous "things" out of, went into high alarm this morning. He needed to be there asap. Lovely......

Other than that we have been making plans for hubby's surgery tomorrow (we have to be at the hospital at 8am) and for the boys' care while we are at the hospital.

I had to work today. I went to the Trussville farmer's market, it was rather hot and sticky. It was a good day though. I got a lot accomplished this morning (before the market). I cooked beef stroganoff, green beans and made chili for later, I also made a gallon of tea, did 5 loads of laundry and got the boys breakfast and off to school. I also made a trip to the post office.

I was not a happy camper when I saw what had happened at the post office. It was my fault, no one else to blame except me......... First of all I owe Stephanie (from Problem Solvin' Mom) an apology. I have the wrong zip code for you. Your coupons came back from last week. Thankfully I had not dropped this weeks in the slot just yet. Please email me and give me your correct zip. I am so very sorry. Please forgive me.......

Please keep hubby in your prayers and the surgeon. Tomorrow will be a long day.

Please also keep my Dad in your prayers. I will post more later. just know it's his heart/blood pressure/ or possibly signs of a stroke. All of the above? Please pray........I need him. I love my Daddy so much, we are so close and I am having a really hard time with this and his stubborness......just pray. Thank you....


Many blessings!