What It's Not

It's not strep, after 2 tests.

It's not mono, after 2 blood tests.

It's not fun!

He has some energy today.

He will take it easy this morning, then try to work a few hours after he picks up Norah from preschool.

See below for more info.

Tough and Solo

Is it really only Monday? One long day, and not yet done. After a long, tough week last week, this week promises no different. It's been rough and I feel solo. I have never seen Eric so very ill before. He lost all of last week not being able to work or to help at home. The same seems true for this week. Not sure what he has, yet. He's been to the doctor 3 times. Blood work was taken today at his follow-up appointment. His doctor wants to be sure. It's not strep, he's had 2 cultures. That's about all we know.

He spends his time sleeping, coughing/hacking/puking, and barely awake for brief miserable moments. He has not even yet looked at Simon's purple pinky.

Oh, you don't know about that either?

Saturday, Simon slammed the car door on his pinky. Yep. Instantly purple. Poor kids had to leave McDonald's without any food. I had a throbbing headache at 10:15, wanted coffee and some food as I hadn't had any yet for the day. We were between two errands. We left without food, a throbbing head, and an even more throbbing finger. Two hours later, x-rays showed no broken tiny finger bones. He did have a hole poked through his nail to release the blood to relieve the pressure. Clean and cover with a band aid is all the care needed. I let the boy choose whatever band aids he wanted at the store. He chose transformers. For a boy who never, ever wanted a bandaid has embraced the wearing of the band aid to cover the purple pinky.

Where, oh where have I been?

Wonder where I have been? Well, so do I!

Days fly by, filled with lots to do that just get repeated the very next day starting when my toes touch the floor. Seems redundant to share the daily events. But, there are some new things.

1. My camera memory is filled. This means I need to download pics to the computer.

2. The home computer works very, very slow. I avoid task #1.

3. I knit a "yarn ball", thanks to Just Jessica. Mine was all different colors left over from various projects. In the works is a second yarn ball in red-black-white, for the Bulls. All in the house love it and can be found tossing it around at various times. It is perfect for the over the door basketball hoop.

4. Thanks to Grandma G, I will be making a Tiny Mouse House for Norah's Easter basket. And perhaps one for Simon. I do like my sewing projects to be small and quick! Hopefully "easy" is included in this project.

5. I have decided to crochet me a green newsboy slouchy hat, have the pattern and the yarn ready to go. This yarn is supposed to be an easy shrug. But, a green hat will be more visible at the St. Patty's day parade.

6. I, in the next few weeks, will be testing a pattern. YES, me, testing a crochet designer's and writer's hat pattern. I really, really, liked the hat below, but didn't want to spend $30 on something I could make. I asked if a pattern was available for purchase, a conversation followed, and that's how I became a tester! So excited. She has to yet write it out.

7. AND, in talking with someone at my church's women's retreat, I am now reading "Half the Sky:Turning Oppression Into Opportunity for Women Worldwide". It is a tough book to read. Her church/book club group is now knitting shawls/afghans for this hospital. This woman and I are partnering in making one. She will buy the yarn, and I will make it. I have my ideas as to get her more involved. (She did say that she used to knit and still has some supplies:) If you are interested in joining "Half the Sky Knitting", I am able to provide details.

8. It seems to continue that we cannot enjoy more than 4 days to a week after an antibiotic without getting sick again. This time, Eric has had a fever since Monday with aches, chills, discomfort and now a sore throat. He is on an antibiotic. Kids are fine. I am trying to stay away and quarantine the kids from Daddy. I came home with a level 10 migraine yesterday. Why does the head have to hurt so bad that it convinces the stomach to join in the pain party? It is tough when both parents are under the weather. I was unavailable for a couple of hours, Eric was probably at 50%. Somehow the kids were fed, read to, homework done, and a bit of play before bed. Teeth were brushed and prayers were said. Amazing!

9. It is IEP season, and that being said, more work is to be done than during a typical week. Paperwork is the addition!

Cheater Post

I am borrowing this idea from Two Adults, One Brown Baby. Too much fun!

You like it?--you leave a link to yours and I will read it. You hate it?-read mine if you wish and shuffle along.

A to Z

A. Age: 37, closer to 40 than to 30. Yikes, how did that happen?

B. Bed size: Queen. Anything bigger would not fit in our room.

C. Chore that you hate: Taking the garbage to the street and returning the cans back behind the house.

D. Dogs: Love that my kids love the neighbor's dog down the street and they get to "walk her home". They give her water, a treat, and then play games on my neighbor's iPad. Walking Muffin home seems to take a half an hour, even though she lives just four houses away. I enjoy dogs if someone else owns them.

E. Essential start to your day: Cuddling with hubby sans CPAP and snoring.

F. Favorite color: Pink, I think for me. Green in March and December. Red in December and February. Bright colors in May through September. Orange in October and November. I like colors. Not too sure about a true fave.

G. Gold or silver: Gold for wedding ring and "real" jewelry from my honey. Silver for all other accessories.

H. Height: 5'8". Although one doctor visit measured me at 5'5", from a pull down ruler from the ceiling. I asked for a re-measure, still 5'5", until a year later. This happened just a couple of years ago.

I. Instruments that you play: Piano when I was growing up, pretty sure I lost all ability. French Horn through post-college, I'd be terrified to pick one up and play again. Handbells since 1999.

J. Job title: Speech and Language Pathologist and Home Manager and Little People Referee.

K. Kids: Two, Simon 6 1/2 (first grade), Norah (3 1/2, preschool).

L. Live: the Midwest, away from all of my immediate family and near all of Eric's immediate family.

M. Mother's name: Sharon Adeline

N. Nicknames: Rebecca at work, Becky everywhere else.

O. Overnight hospital stays: 2005 when Simon was born, and 2008 when Norah was born.

P. Pet peeves: People picking noses and nails.

Q. Quote from a movie: not quite my forte

R: Right or left handed: Right

S: Siblings: I'm the middle child, between 2 sisters. There is a wine called The Middle Sister.

T. Talents: (added as there was no T), I tell my kids that my special talent is peeling tangerines or oranges in only one continuous piece. True talents are crocheting, knitting, and sewing.

U. Underwear: New within the last year, I think.

V. Vegetable(s) you hate: Peas, none will cross my lips - ever. But I will heat them up for my kids.

W. What makes you run late: Getting everything done that everyone needs for the day ahead or the outing at present.

X. X-rays you've had: Ultrasounds and dental. One head scan when migraines were constant.

Y. Yummy food that you make: bacon wrapped pork tenderloin, chocolate chip pumpkin cookies, french toast casserole, shrimp lasagna rolls, enchiladas, buttermilk pancakes, homemade pizzas

Z. Zoo animal: Puffins. A puffin is like a bird and fish in a penguin-like body. The zoo by my parents house has puffins and they are delightful.