Coming out of the fog.........

....I'm baaaaack!!!!

Finally, feeling better again. But, another 6 days of being sick really stinks and really makes one run behind!!!

So, how are all of you?!?!?!

Been busy this week....

....wishing both my dad and my best friend, Michele Happy Birthday this week (ya know I love ya both!!!)

....enrolling Logan for MIDDLE SCHOOL! (eek!)

....running errands (must be done!)

....doing laundry (never ending!!)

....single momming while Ike works insane-o hours (Bluck!)

....trying to catch up on DT scrap projects (far behind...)

....working on a Mini-Album (custom job for a friend...)

....making dentist appointments for all (they can't get us in until AUGUST....can you believe that?!?!?!)

....got 10 inches of snow on Tuesday night, into Wednesday morning (that's alot of snow...the 15th for this year!)

....shoveling the walk and playing with kids in the snow (not fun when you are sick, sick, sick!!)

....kids have snow day (and drive mommy crazy being wild!!!)

....dealing with issues at school with both older boys (one appears to have forgotten that he's not to talk when the teacher is teaching and the other is being tormented by rotten girls --
anyone have advice on how to keep M from being one
of "those kind" of girls?!?!

Well, that's pretty much it!
But isn't that enough?!?!?!

COME OUT OF LURKDOM AND SAY HI!!!!!!!!

So....here's the thing....

I am sick again (or should I say still, never fully recovered, although I had been feeling better!) I cannot believe it. I hardly ever get sick like this and this is 2 times in less than a month!

ARGH!!!!

Anyway, I have been laying around being completely unproductive yesterday and today. And all I have is my tv and my laptop. And no one leaves me a comment ALL DAY LONG!

(and my site meter tells me as of right now, 46 people have read my blog today, but no one leaves a comment!!! WAH!!!)

So, I have stuff to tell and pics to post, but I am not gonna do it unless at least 10 of you, quit lurking and leave a comment!!

Ha! Ha! Ha!

So....comment away!!!!!!! :)
(and thanks to my faithful commenters...
you guys know who you are!!!)

Well, I was right....

I have a blazing ear infection.

It's really bad. It hurts all the time.

When I open my mouth, my ear pops.

When I bent over to pick a toy up off the floor, I almost fell over!
(basically....ear infections can mess with your balance! Super fun!!)

I can't sleep well. In fact, I have lortab for my migraines and i took one last night,
and I was still up most of the night, hurting and hurting and hurting.

Let's hope the anti-biotic kicks in by tomorrow! I'm over it.

I'm blogging from my bed....

Why? You ask......


Because I have my 2 little sweeties on either side of me taking a nap.
Both of them are sick. I am sick, too (although, not as sick as the kids.)


Poor Marinne just came through a scary 24 hours, in which her fever was so high, we could not get her to drink anything. She just flat refused. She wasn't eating, either, as she had thrown up in her bed that morning. She wouldn't take her medicine (and normally she's a good medicine taker.) All of this eventually led me to the pediatrician, who said we had to get her rehydrated and get her to have a wet diaper. (she hadn't had one in 11+ hours at that point) So....the pediatrician said go to the hospital. We were so worried!!!


Fast forward to today. She's doing fine. Still sick, but finally hydrated. No vomiting.
Although, she is still running a fever of 102 degrees.
It's viral and the fever lasts 3-4 days.

So, I guess it's safe to assume we'll be home all weekend.
(which I think were gonna have freezing rain/snow mix tonight, so that just fine w/ me!)


Now, poor Griffin, his virus has now turned into congestion in his chest.
His voice is extremely hoarse. And he sounds just terrible when he coughs.

Anyone wanna take bets on us having to take him to an after hours clinic this weekend?!?!
(based on our medical expenses so far this week....it wouldn't surprise me!!)


And me, well, I'll be ok. I'm just exhausted and have a sore throat that hurts like I swallowed razor blades and then drank lemonade directly after. Basically, it hurts bad. If I can just get some decent rest and avoid getting this virus from the kids...I'll be fine.


I hope everyone has a nice weekend.


I'm under deadline (which I not ready for since everyone has been sick for a week now.) I hope to possibly work tonight to catch up. I guess we'll just have to see how the day goes, though.
Usually, I put everyone to bed and go do my work, but when the kids are sick....they earn the privilege of sleeping on a "bed" on mommy's floor (so I can watch them closely.) Well, I've had a guest now for 7 nights straight! And every night they insist I go to bed with them. Well, by the time they are asleep.....I am asleep. Of course, I'm not feeling well, either, so it's probably best I go to bed, anyway. So, I haven't gotten anything done. What can you do?!


All I want is everyone healthy. Is that really too much to ask?!?!

THE obligatory "CKC Happenin's" POST!!!!

Well, so I set off for Kansas City....

running late (I know, I know big shocker!
Shut up.)
AND
without printing any mapquest directions! (super dumb)


So, you know I left town somewhat frazzled.
Plus, directly before I left....it was POURING DOWN rain and freezing, so I got soaking wet and I had to go attend parent/teacher conferences with 4 of Logan's teachers, Jensen's teacher and the school counselor looking like a drowned rat! Needless to say, it was long and some of what I heard was concerning. (now don't go thinking my kids are terrible, they are not. But one is having some issues with reading and spelling......but more on that in the next post, I hope.....)

So, once I got on the road, I was constantly on edge trying not to get lost. And I did fine, until I took a wrong turn. I figured it out within 5 miles (it was dark....give me a tiny break) and turned back around to head the other way.

When I FINALLY reached Downtown KC, I was so confused.
And of course, it is huge and has roads closed for road work. I seriously wanted to cry I was so lost. Kara was waiting on me and although I met her in Tulsa, we are still in "getting to know you" phase. So, I wasn't sure if her phone calls trying to help me were to help me or because she was irritated I was lost and late. But, in the end, it was her info about a tower very near our hotel, that led me to our hotel! Thanks, Kara!! And thanks for not being upset with me!!!! ;-) AND Ironically, I have figured out the tower I was following was the KCTV news channel tower!!!! Ha! I cannot escape the media wherever I go!!! (in addition, on Friday....I am pretty sure I was on tv somewhere. A camera guy was filming me......) Oops, I skipped ahead. Back to Wednesday night......


So, I finally arrived and Kara and I got into our red Hummer H3 that our boss rented for the weekend! I had to call Ike and tease him not to be jealous if we picked up some guys in out totally *rockin'* Hummer!!! HA HA HA!!! As if.... NoT!


So, the word is, you don't do Kansas City w/out doing the BBQ! So, we went to a little BBQ joint downtown. We got a combo platter and Kara and I shared it. It was a bit of a letdown, because we expected it to be better than it was. You know the BBQ isn't good, if the best thing on the plate was the steak fries!
(on the good side, we had enough food for both of us with leftovers!)


So, we went back to the hotel. Got dressed for bed and we were talking and laughing and hanging out. K and I found out we enjoy the same type of music, so that was fun...sharing our tunes!! (reminiscent of trips in the church van on spring break, where you use a splitter and can listen to the same Walkman at the same time!!) Anyway, one ear bud for Kara....one for me! Both of us getting our groove on and singin' like fools!!

So, at one point, I go to the window to check out the KC skyline and you'll never believe what I saw!! (I screamed and started cracking up......so Kara and I had to run downstairs to take pics of this one..........) THE OSCAR MAYER WEINERMOBILE!! HEE HEE HEE!!!! I touched the weiner.



So, that led to more goofy photos....and this one of Kara and our RED HUMMER H3 isAWESOME!!!!!!!!


So, Thursday was "set up" day. For those that don't know....that means work your booty off to get the booth assembled, set-up and looking perfect!!! And, it's hard work. And I love it!!!


So, we get to the convention center and when we pull in,
I see this:
Just the sight of it, my heart starts racing!!!
If I saw it traveling down the road, I would have to seriously
fight off the urge to beg the driver to pull over and see what goodies were inside!!!! LOL!!! :-)


So, to set up for convention......you start with this: a concrete floor, some tables and booth supplies (what a mess!!) and when you're done....you have a mobile scrapbook store!! Here's the booth, only partially done..... Amazing!!!!
(in fact, the setting up of the booth brings out the inner "Gap window girl" in me.....did I ever tell you I used to dress the windows at the Gap?) Anyway, I really like it! I like things to be organized and pleasing to the eye....
so this job is perfect for me!!!!


(and can you believe all that stuff was in these 2 containers... aka the pod and the palatainer??)

So, here I am showing you the Fancy Pants.....mmmmm...I love me some Fancy Pants, don't you?!?!


And let's hear some ahh's and ohh's for the Junkitz!

And have you seen these yummy Junkitz Halloween papers?!? So stinkin' cute...and this is only part of them....

On Friday the show starts...... and in my normal fashion...I sold all the purple cow trimmers. Even oversold them.
Yea, I rock.


Unfortunately, I have no pics to share because I took no pics at the show at all. I didn't even take my camera because I knew I wouldn't be able to watch it like I wanted to. And if someone stole my precious Nikon D-SLR camera....I would be soooo upset!!


Here's a pic of me one of the mornings before we left. Don't ask me which day......I have no idea!!! Can you see my pinkish hair?


After it was all said and done.....Kara and I were exhausted!!
Here's our goofy butt picture of that....

I was feeling reallllllly crappy when we took this pic. I was super nauseated. And it just kept getting worse. By the time Kara and I went to Panera for lunch (I didn't eat) and I got on the road, I was reallllly feeling questionable.


Well, I didn't even make it back into Kansas before I puked all over KC, MO and to my horror, in front of about 15-20 drivers whizzing by on the interstate! HOW EMBARRASSING!!!! But, that just tells you exactly how sick I was!
I booked it home and made it in record time. I had to get home and I had to get home right. now. as. soon. as. possible!!


At first I was unsure, but after a full-day of ugly sickness....and then feeling a bit better, Big Daddy and I are fairly sure I had food poisoning. So, in the interest of learning,
according to the internet

THIS

--------------------->
is the germ
responsible
for my misery!!

It even looks disgusting!
(no wonder it made me sick!!!!)

Hey Kids!!!

I'm back from CKC in Kansas City!!!!

And I am sick. Really sick.

Food poisoning we think.

I hope to post all about my adventures soon!

Emergency, Emergency!

See this sweet angel?

It's official. She's a full-blown "terrible two!"


The night before I was to go to Tulsa for the Creating Keepsakes Convention....she decided that her 4 year old brother had unknowingly sat in the spot she deemed in her mind as hers. Well, she would have none of that and she pushed him off the couch. Hard. And he was hurt......


When I reached G ~ he took one look at me while holding his arm and crying and he said, "Mommy, sister pushed me off the couch and broke my arm."


Oh, Crap!


I knew we had a serious emergency....by the sound of his cry and he would not let me touch it or even look at it. It took 10 minutes of coaxing for him to even let me look at it. Finally, he did. And I was very concerned about the "bruising" that was already showing up on his hand.


So, I called Big Daddy, who was home in 5 minutes, and he carried G to the car. (he is really in pain) I took G to the Urgent Care. (always a better choice than sitting in the emergency room for hours!)


The first Urgent Care we went to had no x-ray tech after 6pm (oh, the joys of a smaller town.....) But, of course, they failed to mention this to me until we've been there for 45 minutes, seen the doctor, etc. ARRGH!!!! (Ummm...seriously, they better NOT send me a bill, when they couldn't even do the job!) So, she suggests we come back in the morning for an x-ray.


Ummm...NO! I tell her I have planned to go out of town in the morning to work. (although, I'm already thinking in my head how to get ahold of the store owner I am supposed to work for......and that it's very likely I won't be going...after all, I am a mommy first and everything
else, second.....)


So, I say, "No, I need to have it looked at tonight." So, the doc responds by saying, "Well, I just hate to send you to the emergency room...." At this point, the nurse interrupts and suggests the "other" urgent care on our side of town. So, they call and make sure they are still open, as it is now 7:40pm. So, they call and find out they are open till 8pm. And now they are waiting on me.....


So, I blaze the 4 miles over to the "other" urgent care. (Turns out, I had seen the building numerous times and thought it was a doctor's office building and didn't know there was an urgent care there. And yay, it's closer to our house!)


So, I carry G in again. Put him down. Fill out paperwork/insurance/sign my life away again. And 10 minutes later we are being seen by a doctor. (they technically close in 5 minutes) The doctor also voices concern about that weird "bruising" on his hand. She definitely wants x-rays. Anyway, they get the x-ray guy to fire up the machine and we immediately go to x-ray.


X-ray rooms kinda freak me out. I don't know why. They are cold, white, sterile, smelly a little funny. Or maybe it's those lead vests...... Anyway, I laughed out loud when he asks me if I could be pregnant..... (thanks for the comedy break cute x-ray guy!) UMMM...DEFINATELY NOT PREGNANT!!!!!!! (or if I was....you may have to x-ray me to be sure my heart didn't give out when you suggested it!!!!) He gives me a lead vest anyway and a teeny one for G to put on. G sits on my lap and then cute x-ray guy (who by the way rocks w/ children) precedes to show/tell me how he and I will be manipulating G's arm to get the x-rays the doc needs. Poor G was in a lot of pain....but he was brave and such a trooper. We were able to get the x-rays on the first try.


Looking at the x-rays, they find no obvious fracture. THANK GOD!!! But, there is definitely something wrong. A sprain or something. So, she puts a 1/2 cast on - basically a splint made of fiberglass that goes along the bottom of the arm and held on by an Ace Bandage. They also gave us a sling, which was basically useless.


Everyone was so sweet and kind to G. They gave him lots of stickers and 5 or 6 people looked at his arm and gave him attention while we were there. We will definitely be going here for our next emergency!!


Anyway, I got home and I was so conflicted between making the best decision as G's mommy and the commitment I had made to a stranger to work in her booth at CKC in Tulsa. I mean, if I didn't show up, she'd have no one to work for her for 3 days. All in all, the situation was BAD. And by the time I got home and fed G dinner, it was 9:30pm here and 10:30 pm in Florida. And my mom always said not to call people after 10pm, unless you are family or close friends.


Big Daddy told me to go. After all, G would be left with Gma and Gpa, not a babysitter, while I was in Tulsa. And of course, Gma and Gpa can handle it!!!


So, I decided I would wait until the morning and see how things go with G and make a decision in the morning.


And then, while I was laying in my bed at 1am Wide Awake.....I figured out the "weird bruising" on his hand....it was scrapbooking marker. I had made a tattoo on his hand with red and orange and blue marker while scrapbooking that morning. It had mostly come off and what was left was that "weird bruising!!!!" Ooops!!!! :-)


**Update**
I took G to the doctor this morning and his arm/hand looks good. She was able to manipulate it without any complaint from G. She's going to call and get the radiologist report of the x-ray from last week and will let me know if further intervention is necessary, but it looks to be fine! YAY!!!!!!!


We also found some "lumps" behind G's ear last night. I had not noticed them before and I was very concerned. It turns out they are swollen lymph nodes. The Ped says it's probably caused by a bug bite on his head.......I'm just glad he's FINE!!!!

Well, I didn't want to say until I knew for sure....

...but, I got my A1C blood test results today and I have diabetes. Wow, that feels really weird writing that. I am sick. I have diabetes. Type 2 diabetes. (nope, writing it over and over doesn't make it feel better)

I know you've probably picked up that I've been going to the doctor quite a bit lately. It started out innocently enough, I just needed to have my blood pressure medicine renewed. At this visit, that's when I cried 4 times and got some anti-d's and a one-way ticket to talk to the therapist. In addition, my new doctor suggested some blood tests after listening to me whine about my lethargy, headaches and feeling like general crap all the time. I walked out of there...forgetting that I had even had it done.

Until 10 days later, when they called about some concerning blood test results.

#1 - my potassium level was way to low. So me, I say...no biggie! I eat a banana. Well, apparently, it's not that simple. Muscles need potassium to work. Your heart is a muscle. Without enough potassium, it won't work. (or at least not like it should) So, this is serious. Welcome to now I have to take potassium pills and I have to have it monitered in my blood. Fun!

#2 - my fasting blood sugar was 125. Which = not good. So, I had to repeat the test the following day, to make sure it wasn't a mistake.

So, I repeated the test, fast forward a week and the next result was 129. Apparently, the first test was not a mistake.

So, upon getting these results, the doctor wanted to do this larger, more conclusive A1C blood test. This test measures your blood sugars over the past 3 months and gives a more clear picture regarding your body's processing of sugar.

Here's the Roxann version of how the A1C works. So, the hemoglobin in your blood has red-blood cells. The life of a red-blood cell is 120 days. When you eat sugar, your body is supposed to break down the sugar and it glucatates (or some medical word like that) and attaches to the red-blood cells. So, by measuring this, it tells them basically an average of about 3 months. Does that make sense? (again, that's my version of it.......not the AMA's)

So, I had this blood test done last Thursday along with a re-check of the potassium.

Fast forward to today at 2:47pm --

My potassium level is looking better....keep taking the potassium pills, though.

My A1C result is 6.1. And it should be 5.9 or less. So, it's almost borderline, but I have Diabetes. (nope, still not easier)

So, the doc is referring me to the hospital's diabetic center. (after they consult with my insurance, of course.) So, I have to see a dietician and I have to go to these diabetes classes. And if you know me, you know I am completely overwhelmed, but ready to tackle this sucker head-on!!!

So...if you know of any sugar-free products you like....let me know.

If you have any diabetic recipes....mail them to me.

And if you believe in prayer...send one up for me. I've sure been under fire lately.

So, for now. I am ~the real Roxann~ the new diabetic. And I'm joining Weight Watchers on Saturday. For now, it's all I can do. Wish me luck...

I'm BACK.....

Got the kids...they had a great time! The big boys *loved* church camp! They had a blast and they say they want to go back next year.....

Once I finally left, I decided to stay a few days. We had a really nice visit! Now G-ma and G-pa have to use this week to recover!!! I had planned to come home on Wednesday, but Ike had a late meeting scheduled, so we weren't in a hurry.

(TMI alert for coming passages.....but I just tell you like it is.....)

Until....Ike called at about 1:30pm with a scared voice. He was passing blood in his urine and he was freaked out! For once, I was pretending to be "the calm one" and I urged him not to worry, it was probably a urinary tract or bladder or kidney infection. But, he was still freaking... and actually, so was I. (of course, I didn't tell him that I was freaking.....I just calmly told him how to look up what Minor Emergency Center he could go to and gave him the insurance information he needed.) Poor guy had a fever and felt raunchy to boot! (and I wasn't here to be with him....)

So, I quickly got upgraded to "we are in a hurry to get home" status. My step mom started shoving the kids things in bags and I was dragging stuff to the front door. My dad and the kids started carrying it out, while I met them outside to carefully cram everything in the van. It's a jumbled up mess at this point!!! But, we got out of there pretty quick....

Before we could even leave town, I had to get gas. And I had to use the facilities, because my stomach was so messed up! (Don't you hate it when you get so worried that your bowels betray you?) Thank God I had to drive across Tulsa before leaving town and they sold 7-up!

Anyways, we came blazing home (to the tune of 4 hours) and found Big Daddy laid up in bed. He has a horrid UTI and that's so weird, because men rarely get them. But, the dr. says his is BAD! Poor Guy!!! And as an added bonus they gave him a prostate exam. Can you imagine, that would be bad enough, but to have to have one when you feel like dookie....not cool! I felt real sorry for him and boy was he glad we were home.

Luckily, the doc gave him the nuclear bomb anti-biotic and he was already feeling a tiny bit better.

I put the 2 littles to bed at 8pm and the 2 bigs to bed at 8:30pm and Big Daddy and I were in bed by 9pm. We were all exhausted! Gosh, we are OLD!!!

So....how was your weekend?!?!