Another Year, come and gone:

Too much happened in our lives this year;
some things good,
some things bad,
some that will haunt us the rest of our lives.

There is so much i can say here, but i will refrain because i think no one really wants to read my ruminations. I will say this... we made a resolution this year.

Goodbye McDonald's drive-thru, i will miss you.
Goodbye Burger-Ville, you had the best small burgers in town.
Goodbye Burger King... i didn't really like you anyways.

We are saying farewell to fast food. We can still have meals away form home, but they must be in sit down establishments. We will no longer be eating in the Cruiser. There is but one exception... Indy can still have the occasional McChicken sandwich. After all, he isn't the over weight, lazy bum that we adults are.

blue painters tape

ok, i have to explain something...

in the previous post (pic) you can see "blue stuff" on the wall near the front door.

so here's what it is:
it is a redneck fix to a serious problem.

Our electric plug ins on the front wall are on a switch (for like lamps) well, i have the telly plugged into that outlet and every time someone tries to turn on the porch light they shut off the telly. This can really suck when i am in the middle of NCIS, as it takes a while to power back up all the electronics. I get a wee irritated. Ok, i get ticked.
Since none of us are smart enough to hit the correct switch, i covered the switch that can't be shut off, with blue painters tape.

It works.

it must be some kind of record

yeah, you can tell school is out...

i am posting more than i have in ages!

yesterday's package from Florida was a hit, so was today's!

I'm John Lennon:

Indy adores music. He has eclectic taste for a four year old. No old McDonald for him, oh no. When it comes to the Beatles, he says "I am John Lennon" and sings several of the songs. He loves Beatles RockBand. The music is over 40 years old, yet their appeal hasn't diminished with time or generation.

Rock On.

two quick pics:

We spent Boxing Day on the coast... Cape Foul-Weather was actually nice, clear and WINDY! the clouds came in just as sunset came, foiling my plans for pics.

This other pic...

i like it.

I had a lot more to say here, but, meh.
You either get me or ya don't.

Happy Christmas Eve:

Just sharing a good morning photo...

Sometimes they are too cute!

whats up!?!?

I thought i would have more free time with term being over.

boy was i wrong.

grades are in:

ME:
gpa 3.71

Nutrition: A
SP 218: A
WR 121: A
MTH 95: B



CHRIS:
gpa 3.5

Golf: A
WR 90: A
CLP: A
MTH 20: B
CJ100: B

that puts both of us on the honor roll for fall term!!

storybook land 09

I gotta give Santa credit. Indy climbed on Santa's lap and says "do you remember me from last year?" and Santa doesn't miss a beat, he says "sure i do, you come see me here every year."

Indy was duly impressed and chattered his ear off, not about what he wanted, but about how is Santa doing, its cold at the north pole, he sure loves Rudolf and Dancer.

(Tooti went with us this year! oh and we also bumped into one of Indy's classmates)

deforestation, and the anual gaudification thereof:

Before:

During:

After:

Lights are up outside, too...
I promise pictures soon(ish).

ciao.

An Open Thank You:

The moment every parent fears most is that their child might stop breathing. I have aged 10 years this weekend.

Friday, when I picked Indy up from school he had a very slight runny nose. At dinner, he was a little cranky and had a very mild cough. By bedtime he was hacking and coughing and we sent him to my bed with a dose of Children' NyQuil. A few hours later, Indy's dad wants to come to bed, too. I need to make room so I roll Indy over and he coughs a moments, then he sits up and can't breathe. His lips turn blue, he gags and hunches over, you can see his mouth and chest fighting for air; he gags up mucus and you hear a rattling breath pulled in... too short, not enough oxygen in it. Chris is running for a phone to call 911 and my little boy is fighting for his life; fighting for a breath to sustain him. Indy breaks free from my arms and stands up, his skin flushing pale. I coral him again, leaning him forward, rubbing his back, telling his to breath like his friend Jace's mom who is almost ready to have her baby. His chest is heaving. You can hear the rattle of a minute amount of air going in, and none coming out. His color worsens, he gags more mucus onto my lap. He gasps trying to copy my Lamaze. I know how men feel, coaching childbirth; "Breathe honey, slow and easy" (I'm giving it my best, non panic, he-he-he-who)... it's such a helplessness.
fire trucks arrive...
Indy is looked over by 6 firefighters. The house feels so small with six big guys and all their gear. They are pros though,who whisk him off into the the ambulance. I grab a pair of long pants and head out to ride along. My husband and my mother in law trailing in the car behind the ambulance, running red lights. A nebulizer treatment is administered in the ambulance, he is breathing so much better now. The paramedic/firefighter who rode in the back with us gave Indy a stuffed fireman dog, wearing a fire department shirt. Indy rewards him a weak "O", and a small "go ducks". The guys wheel Indy into the hospital on a gurney, where the nurses swing into action. Indy gets more breathing meds and the pediatrician is called in from home. Blood is drawn, an IV inserted. It is 1 in the morning. Indy receives oral steroids. She (Dr Perryman, the pediatrician who rushed in from home) checks to be sure that everything possible is being done, and being done right. She checks and double checks. She admits us to the hospital just to be safe. We head for the 3rd floor. Indy was born on that floor, just across the hall from where i toss and turn on a pull out, listening to each ragged inhalation, holding my breath until i hear Indy exhale. We rest. We wake, vitals are checked, more breathing meds administered, breakfast comes and goes. Finally, i hear it. He is breathing clear. We get to eat lunch, bathe, and we learn to feel more secure; that each breath will be followed by another. We get to go home.

So, what happened? What i understand is that Indy picked up a virus that caused croup. Now, i have heard of croup, its a hacking, barking cough. What i did not know is that croup happens when the air passages around the larynx swell. In a small child, those air passages are very small and they can swell closed in a severe case. That is what happened to Indy. I have been given some tips from nurses and pediatricians now on how to deal with the rest of his illness (which should last about 5 days).

I owe so much to the fast responders coming from Tangent Fire Department, who arrived at our home within 2 minutes of the call... it felt like 20 minutes, but the reality was, i could still hear the city siren sounding in the still night air when the trucks rounded the corner into our neighborhood. Those guys reassured a small sick boy, and his distraught mother. Their very presence comforted a frightened father and grandmother (who was spending the night in anticipation of the "great Christmas tree hunt of 09").

He's fine. honestly.

Those men who respond to the call of others in distress in the chill dark of night; those men who risk their lives, every day, to be sure the rest of us are ok... we all owe them more than a thank you. Our lives are in their hands. They are gentle, professional, and caring; they hold us safe both night and day. Yet, too, their lives are in our hands, and we are none too gentle; we take it as our due. Be easier with these men (and women).

Thank a fireman. Thank a paramedic. Thank a nurse.
They held my sons life in their hands, and they delivered.

pity party, sort of.

so... i have all kinds of great ideas for the future. most of them have me finishing college about the same time as Indiana. Some days, as i sit here trying to make my brain wiring kick, i wonder what the heck i am thinking going back to school.

here's the long version: i decided that the job market sucks for someone with no marketable education. that would be me. so, i did some looking and found a field i might be able to not kill myself in (i might kill others, but what the heck) anyhow, as i started really looking into my chosen field it started making more and more sense but the education for it got longer and longer. now, following the most recent addition to the educational trajectory i am thinking i should finish my university studies when i am 43. holy crap. at least i guess i wont have to work too many years before retiring. and if i keep getting the grades, i shouldn't have too many student loans, as scholarships are just kicking butt right now. however, to keep getting the grades sometimes i feel like, OK, i KNOW i neglect my family. i haven't seen Duck in an age (and he isn't even going to Florida with us this year) I was so wrapped up in my homework tonight that Indy went to bed without his customary bedtime story. the spouse is cooking dinner every-night, on top of unloading the dishwasher every day (i load it), doing his homework, and helping out in other areas... i am so far behind in the laundry we bought Indy three new pairs of pants so he would have something to wear to school on Monday morning. i don't want to work at McDonald's all my life, but i have trouble weighing the (relatively) short term familial neglect over the long term possible benefits. I haven't even gotten Indy's Santa letter written, nor the Christmas card address' put together.

wow, so that was a pity party, wasn't it. of course i feel much better now.

happy thanksgiving

We are having ham.

The thanksgiving turkey was just, well... it was at other peoples houses and we stayed home. (Indy went to the other side of the family like he always does on thanksgiving... my folks came here, Chris is southern, thus we had ham)

This years thankful thing:

There are so many people that i am thankful for in my life.
All of the people crowd out the things, really.
Although i am thankful for my husbands ps3 (it keeps him off the streets)
I am so thankful to have two healthy beautiful sons.
I am thankful for the best set of folks, ever.
(really, you guys rock)
I am thankful for a group of friends,
who throughout the years have suffered ups and downs together and apart,
who will step up to the plate for me, whenever
You guys have been around for ages and know who you are.
I am thankful for online friends...
like Caroline, who I feel like is a regular friend.
I am thankful for my community college instructors,
some more than others.
Did i mention my husband yet? He's pretty amazing, too.
So, yeah, economy sucks. i have too much homework. and life isn't always easy
It's better than the alternative, and i am thankful for that.

practice practice practice

Indy has been practicing writing his name, this was the first day (the green is daddy's model):

(he says the other symbols there mean "i love cheese")

Anyhow it's been about a week and a half and he has been practicing everyday on his white board. Not lots of hours or anything, just writing his name once or twice a day in purple, with a green model written by his dad or i visible near the top.

Well, today the spouse is all about getting the house spotless for thanksgiving, so I am trying to keep Indy out of trouble (no easy feat that). I wipe off the white board and begin writing his name in green on top when Indy says, "you don't need to write it, i know how to do it"... i erase the green letters and give him his purple pen:

Well done, little dude.

peroxwhy gen

Indiana's new favorite band.

Check them out at Peroxwhy?gen

pre-school play

Indy, Fisher, Justin, and Braeden hang out in one of the "learning centers" early in the morning. Indy really likes school (except nap days).

the school pictures came:

He is just so cute.
His dad said his lopsided smile makes him look a little goofy.
I think he looks amazing.

random soldier

Yesterday was Veteran's day.

I could go on and on about the parade, and all that, but i wont,

instead i will just say what needs to be said. Thank you, to this random soldier who made Indy's day, and thank you to all soldiers and veterans. America, and we here at the State of Indiana are proud of you.

couple updates:

So...

Duck is sick with the flu. I hope he feels better soon. We miss him, but no one wants to get sick so we havent seen him in a while. I tried to message him from class today, but he didn't answer so i figure he was sleeping.

I haven't posted a picture of Indy in a while, and although this one is not exactly recent, it's cute.


He says he wants to play golf like daddy, basketball like Duck, and motor-cross because he wants a bike... Duck's going to have to get his old one out of the barn and get it running... or not. I don't think Duck's old bike has training wheels.

math

(yeah, not an Indy post...)
So, i am having this conversation about how math is harder for me to score well in not because i am incapable of learning the material, but because it is not subjective. Math is always one answer. you are either right or wrong. and one thing builds upon another in such a very logical linear way...
Writing and communications and other classes of that nature have so much leeway (and even more when you think comparatively).
I do well with leeway.

Gimmie an inch and i will take a mile.
It's true.

I never thought of myself as subjective before.
Objective, usually.
Objectified, well, not lately.
But "subjective"... yeah the more i think about it. It's hard for a scatter to be anything else. I like to be where-ever-able.

So, what do i do to become less subjective? I plug away at this math over and over and over until all the sudden, something in my brain wiring makes a connection and i score a 93% on the pretest. i'm very good with a 93. i am beyond very good with a 93.

this is better than in high school. in high school i was embarrassed by my grades. my friends never did as well as i did, i didn't want them to think i was some kind of brain freak. some of my friends i still cant really share the grade stuff with, but most of them, well, most of them dont care but at least i am not ashamed to show them how smart i am turning out to be.

pumpkin pi...

The annual pumpkin massacre went well... pumpkin pi was my favorite of the year.The begging candy from strangers thing went well also.
Although my valiant little knight fought Darth Vader all day long.
I think i prefer the family afternoons of rock band, though.
Ok, this is disturbing and just happened as i was posting the last picture... Indy comes dancing out of his room, nekkie except for his hat, singing "some people call me the space cowboy, some call me the gangsta of love... wooo wooo" .
wow.

finley...

In the day to day struggle not to flunk out of community college like some kind of moron, i often don't take the time to truly enjoy my Valley. Some of you have been reading here for a while and know how much i truly love my home. I enjoy showing it off; i enjoy just looking around me and showing it off to myself.

Today, we took some friends and family and off we went to a place called William Finley National Wildlife Refuge. It's an amazing local place.

So without further ado... pics: (no particular order)










I promise i will get halloween pics up soon....

community college continues

school continues apace. i seem to be doing well so far. its getting more difficult, learning new stuff. Indy's chilling in preschool, life goes along smoothly for now.

i made a movie for school, that was fun. i applied to student government as well.

haloween is coming, so hopefully i remember to charge the camera batteries :)

education

just a quick hello.

with everyone in our household in school 4-5 days per week, time seems to slip away from me. halloween is coming, we have indys costume... he even tried it on. i got no pictures yet, but i will. eventually.
school is going well for all of us. indy hates enforced nap time twice per week, but he will get used to it or get over it, since he has no choice. im doing well. 5 classes... one is pass/no pass. so far im looking at 3a's 1b and pass. not bad. the b is in math, again. but i am pulling an a out of a class with an instructor famous for not giving a's! chris has like 2a 2b, same with Nate. i hope chris can get one of his b's up to an a, i would love to see him on homor roll. i think it would do wonders for his confidence. i hope none of my grades slip me off of the honor roll, i like seeing my name in the paper outside the arrests section =P

anyhow, hope you are all well...

ciao

wow, so school and other stuff

so, school is going well. i feel a little old. between classes i found myself chatting with some younger students, one was Xanadu... its weird to find myself randomly chatting with Duck's ex-girlfriends older sister. i like her though. and am glad to see she's in school. other wise, its just start of second week so who knows if i am doing well or screwing up... seems ok so far, really.

indy has the flu (confirmed by the docs at the hospital) so he's on tamiflu and out of school for the week. so we are scrambling and his grandma is taking over babysitting duties while we are at school (chris's mom already had her flu shot so she feels pretty safe).

homework to do and not much else to say...

ciao

Seventeen and too lazy to be God:

A conversation with Indy went like this:

Indy: are there wildflowers?

me: yes.

Indy: so no one planted them?

me: that's right.

Indy: so if no one planted them, how did they get here?

me: I don't know, God i guess.

Indy: i don't think so.

me: you don't? why not?

Indy: because Duck is too lazy to garden.


(ok, OMG, Duck is always saying he is God... i love Indy sometimes)

Happy Birthday Dakota. I can't believe you are 17.

im the king of the brittons... the who?!?!... the brittons.

So, we went to the Renaissance fair... yeah, we are white and nerdy. It was actually fun. I got a killer sun burn, but the food was good, the jousting was entertaining, and we were with David. (for those of you who are comically challenged, the above picture is two people doing the monty python bit... coconuts and all)

oh and so Indy cheered for the blue knight, and daddy cheered for the black knight... the black knight killed the blue knight, later as we were strolling the fair, the black knight was also strolling and indy hollered at him about killing "his knight". the black knight thrust out his hand and apologized. it really was a great day

ciao

pulling pork

One of the many benefits of marrying a southern boy:

This man can grill! He starts a day ahead of time, dry rubbing and marinating, then grills all day, over apple wood (cut from the tree at our old house) then he pulls it all, drizzles it in sauce and puts it on buns... even with two whole pork shoulders nothing will be left tonight except 11 satisfied tummies... and one very happy dog who is currently contentedly crunching pork bones.

His amazing food always makes my pathetic contribution of homemade potato salad and fresh sliced watermelon pale in comparison.

a few glimpses of our day

Well, you see, it started out innocently enough. We decided that we had been under so much pressure lately that we just HAD TO HAVE a day out. A family day. You can tell how thrilled Indy was by this idea. We couldn't get him to crack a smile. Not one. He wanted to stay home and play with his buddies, but NOOO, mommy made him sit strapped into the car, for HOURS.When we finally got to the very top of Mary's peak everything was grey, cloudy, about 45 degrees and WINDY!! it was tons of fun though, even though we all shivered.Indy noticed that Oncle Nate didn't bring binoculars, so he made his own.Then, he raced Oncle Nate back tot he truck... sticking out his tongue and taunting the whole way!

Well, here's where it gets a bit sticky... I hadn't been the Waldport way (hwy 34) in ages and ages and years; eons really. So we continued along to the beach. Indy loves the beach and was pleased to ride the rest of the way there. He didn't even get car sick on the 40 miles of twisty mountain switch-backs. It was warm and mild and wonderful on the coast:There were jelly fish on the beaches and photo-ops galore, and as per usual... my short hop, just 22 miles to Mary's Peak, became an all day thing and the sky turned red as we come into our beloved valley to end the night.

We love to wander our state, but to come back home at the end of the day... that's what its all about.