Allergy testing

Last week I went back to the ENT for a follow-up. The doctor decided we should schedule allergy testing to see just what is going on inside me. Today was the day.

The testing started okay. The first part was putting drops (60) on my arms. That went okay, but itched in a few places. Next came the needles. There was somewhere around 35 (I don't remember the exact number, except it wasn't the 73 some doctors want).

I think she was halfway through the shots when I started getting nauseous. My right hand (shots were in my right arm) started tingling to the point I couldn't bend my fingers. They started fanning me, gave me a cold rag, then some liquid Claritin before I left. It scared me a bit. I thought I was going to pass out luckily I didn't.

The final result is I am allergic to three types of trees, seven molds, three weeds, one grass, dust mites and cockroach mix (in other words their body parts and poo). Awesome. I am starting allergy shots next week.

So much to tell!

I honestly don't remember what we did last Thursday and Friday, except school work. We also had school over the weekend (John worked).

Saturday the girls and I went to Charlotte. They hung out with Grandpa, pulled some weeds in the backyard for him and I believe they moved some leaves too. I pulled some weeds in the front and mowed...until the mower ran out of gas. Oh, well. I'll go back very soon and mow again. You'll never know I missed a section. lol

Sunday was another school day. Other than that I truly don't remember doing anything. Monday was the same.

Tuesday was very different. We had two doctors' appointments: one in Sumter and one in Columbia. Chloe has gained five pounds and grew almost two inches; however, her doctor wants her to gain a bit more weight. It is hard for her, but she is going to try. Her doctor also said she thinks she has started her growth spurt now. We'll see what happens in October when they go back. We also had a retirement party that afternoon.

Yes, another retirement party for another librarian. The library is truly nothing like it was when we moved to Columbia. I miss so many people. Some I see on Facebook, have lunch with, or bump into at library functions (they changed branches), but it is still not the same. Of course, I get more work done at the library now because I'm not talking as much as I used to. lol  Because of all of our running around school work was not finished until close to 5pm. I decided to have Master Mike teach our class and we took the night off from taekwondo.

Yesterday, the girls and I were leaving lunch at CFA when my friend Julia came up behind us. I haven't talked to her since they returned from Texas, so we sat for a bit to chit chat. I'm hoping we can find a time for us to meet up, for a longer chat, very soon.

The big news is for Jesse. Last night we signed her up for an animation class. I don't remember if I have posted anything about it on the blog yet. The class is being taught by Chad Stewart. He is an animator originally with Disney now with Sony. His list of work is quite remarkable. Jesse actually got the final spot in the summer classes for Animation I this summer. I think she is excited. She says she is but honestly (she's a teen) it is difficult to tell.

John is off the next few days, so it should be interesting around here. However, today we won't see much of him. We are heading out to meet my cousin and her boys for a play at CCT, then we'll have lunch together. We are usually gone until late afternoon. And tonight is taekwondo. I'm mid-terming in two weeks so I need to go practice. My butterfly kicks are still very sad. But overall I'm happy with the way may form is coming. I've had a great teacher. Jesse!

First week of rehearsals are complete!

I'm glad last week is over. lol  Chloe had her first rehearsal and her friend Gabby brought her some crutches to use. Gabby was laughing so hard while Chloe was trying to use crutches for the first time. It is always fun to watch those two together. I had the opportunity to catch up with Selena, Gabby's Mom.

Everyone missed Chloe at taekwondo last week. I think they will be happy to see her Tuesday; however, I believe that may be the girls' last day until graduation. I will have to teach all alone for the next couple of weeks. It is very sad. I really enjoy watching the girls interact with the students. Both of them do a great job teaching and encouraging the students. And I will miss their help greatly.

Friday was a long day. While Chloe did not volunteer (because of her ankle), we had Meet the Masters. The girls always enjoy that class. We also found out that day my cousin's husband died. And Jesse had her first rehearsal that night too. Like I said, it was a long, and emotional, day.

I believe my Mom and I are going to drive down to Georgia later this week for the funeral. We are still awaiting the finalized plans so I can make our arrangements. I don't think John is looking forward to everything he'll have to do in my absence, but I know he will do well.

I woke up yesterday with a pain in one of my toes, on my right foot. It had woke me up during the night, but I hoping it would go away. It didn't. When I stood up, I found I couldn't put pressure on that toe. When I went to touch it, I discovered I couldn't touch it. It felt like a nerve had been injured. But I was asleep when it happened, so I don't know what happened. Then when I was in the shower I fell. I mean I FELL! I had one foot in front and one behind me, and on the way down I'd hit the shower door with my back. I just had a five-inch red mark on my back, so I thought it was fine. However, last night when we went to bed, John was rubbing my back and got to my left shoulder blade. OUCH! There may not be a bruise but I whacked that place hard. I was wondering why my left shoulder started hurting yesterday afternoon. It happened so fast, I just couldn't remember what all I did hit on my body. So, be careful in the shower!

We are having school this weekend. John is working, so are we too. The girls hate these weekends. I don't like them either, but we need to do it. I really want them to finish by mid-May so they can have a few weeks off before we start back in June. I still can't get over Jesse will be in high school when we begin our next school year.

We have been homeschooling for nine years now. I just find that amazing. We have now finalized all of our books for next year, but I still need to work on a schedule for a few classes. Jesse will be doing American Literature and US History and Constitution. I am finding it very difficult to limit American Literature. I have, on our top shelf alone, enough great American books/authors to cover two years of AP Lit. How do you narrow that down? Anyway. I have a friend whose husband teaches history at USC and she said he may do a one-day intensive Constitution study with us. The only problem is Jesse is the only one I know studying American history next year. But at least I know who to go to with questions. lol

Last week Jesse was sick. So, last week there was no school, and no volunteering. Luckily, she was much better by Friday, so Chloe could volunteer and they could attend their "Meet the Masters'" class.

John had a PT test last Wednesday, so he could help grade the tests on Saturday. While he was working last weekend, the girls and I (and the dogs) went to visit my parents. We had a good visit.

This week school was put on hold, because John took the van Tuesday to work and someone left their books in the van. Let's face it, it is quite difficult to work on school work when your books are in a different county.

Today, we were finally back to school. I am glad we at least got one day accomplished since John is off until Tuesday.

We've been everywhere!

We went to Edgefield a couple of weeks ago to take Oma (John's Mom) out for lunch. We had a good time and way too many giggles. Grandma Morgan can be quite amusing! Of course what set her off the most was trying to climb into John's new truck.

Last week was a busy week with school. Both girls had geography presentations due on Friday, and they both did very well. They actually had to turn in a lapbook on a country of their choice and give an oral presentation to John and myself. Like I said, they both did very well.

Thursday we went back to CCT for "How I became a pirate". We actually met my cousin and her two boys. They all had so much fun; the play was wonderful! We all had lunch together afterward. The girls will confirm we had a three-hour lunch. Phoebe and I talked for quite awhile after we ate. We were waiting for the restaurant staff to kick us out, but they were very kind. They always are, which is why it is one of my favorite places to eat.

This past Sunday was the Autry family reunion. They are my mother's, mother's side of the family. I was not happy when we arrived and I realized I had left my camera at home. Dang it! My cousin, Phoebe again, and my cousin-in-law, Dawn, are going to send me some pictures when they get a moment. I'm looking forward to one in particular of Dawn's son and myself. He is adorable! We haven't seen him in quite awhile and he has grown so much!

Monday, we took Chloe to turn in her artwork to the State Fair. The whole way over she said she wanted me to do the talking for her. When we walked through the doors low and behold it was Ms. Betsy from CCT (we always do gift wrapping in December with her). I didn't have to say anything more...Chloe was off and running! lol

Yesterday the girls had their annual well visit with their doctor. Jesse is going to have to have a little test done and Chloe's cholesterol was way too high. And Chloe has fallen off the weight chart again and she is barely clinging to the height chart. So, she'll go back in four months to check her height, weight and cholesterol again. Personally, I think she is just wonderful where she is, chart or no chart.

Always something!

The Monday after the Battle of the Books, Chloe woke up with a sore throat. And since we were planning on visiting my parents that weekend, I didn't want to take any chances. She went to see the doctor that afternoon. She didn't have strep or anything infectious. No meds! That was good. We all figured it was her allergies and hoped she would be able to attend her first library volunteer ice cream social the following day.

At 1:30am, those hopes were dashed. Chloe had not slept well all night, but at 1:30 I thought I would go check on her. I suppose "mother's intuition" kicked in. I covered her then kissed her forehead. She was boiling! I woke her up to take some Motrin and kept my fingers crossed it would bring down the fever. It did thankfully. But there was no way we could take her to the party. She felt awful, for various reasons.

I spoke with Ms. Cathy before the party to inform her Jesse would be receiving Chloe's award for her. Chloe was one of only two to receive the Presidential Voluntary Award this year. Ms. Cathy made a point to explain Chloe was not well and Jesse, her sister, would receive it for her.

We didn't have school most of that week. She felt bad for a few days, then John felt bad. He had already taken a vacation day for Friday so the week was shot as far as school went. But we made it to my parents'. I wish I could say the visit was wonderful. It was, but I know my Dad was not feeling well. He didn't want to say anything. We left a little earlier than we planned so he could rest. He was starting chemo again this Monday and needed rest. I did talk to him later that night (after he had a nap, which he won't take while we are there even though we try to get him to) and he sounded much better.

This week has been better. We have worked on our school work every day. We are even getting ready to start a new art class...Meet the Masters. We are actually going to have class with other homeschoolers. This will be our first adventure, except for Book Buddies a few years ago, to have class outside our home. The girls are excited about it. Me? Well, I'm on the fence but I hope it goes well.

A little catch up

I haven't posted in awhile. I'll be honest and say I've been tired and depressed. So many things going on at once that it is just a bit overwhelming. I am finally, kind of, feeling better. I still don't have much energy thanks to not sleeping well, but hopefully I'll get there soon.

Today, we said goodbye to Tryphena. We are going to miss her so much! We did take her a goodie bag...candy covered pretzels. And Chloe made her a felt lion that she said she was going to wear the rest of the day. Hopefully, we'll see her at the library awards ceremony at the end of the summer. She said she was going to try to come because she wants to see Chloe get her award.

We, our family, had more bad news. Sunday night my Dad's cousin, Wilburn, called from Florida. My Dad had a difficult time understanding him, but finally realized Wilburn had had a stroke. Wilburn and his family are very special to John and myself. They were the only extended family at our wedding. In fact, they drove down a snow covered mountain then up another mountain just to get to our wedding. They are awesome people and we are hoping for the best for Wilburn.

Monday night I met a friend for coffee. We talked for over two hours. It was something I needed. Between being sick and school work, I think I've felt a little isolated lately. The girls are probably feeling it too, but they haven't complained...yet. I also got to hold her new baby the whole time. There is nothing quite like comforting a little one to make your own issues fade away. I'm grateful to her for coming out with the little one just to spend time with me. She is totally awesome!

Saturday we took the girls to a dinosaur exhibit in Columbia. Chloe had been wanting to go the past couple of years, but we never made it. She never let us forget it. lol So, this weekend we went. It had some very cool hydraulic-powered dinosaurs. We also played a little dino mini-golf.

I spent most of this past weekend crocheting a baby blanket for a baby shower this coming weekend. Yeah, nothing like waiting until the last minute. Anyway. I finished it on Sunday and I love the color! I hope she likes it. The girls have been looking forward to this shower for awhile now, so they are very excited it is finally here. It just means more family time!

Vices

I believe I am like most people, in that, on the days when I accomplish many tasks before I feel great. On the days, when nothing really gets done, I feel like a failure. I don't recall if I have mentioned here or not that in June I was put on some meds for my head. In May, I was very close to a complete mental breakdown. While I cry at commercials and songs, and so many things, I don't usually breakdown when someone ask me how I'm doing. That was how my May ended.

We've been adjusting to many things around here the last year and I think May just kind of topped things off for me. My Dad's health, of course, has been on my mind. I think he is doing better. His numbers are doing well and he hasn't had a blood transfusion in a few months. He was getting one every month at the beginning of the year, so I think he is doing better.

We have also had some family issues we've been working on that kind of managed to attach themselves to explosives at the beginning of the year. We are currently still working on things. And while some have improved, I feel others have worsened. No, John and I are great. No worries there!

The one big thing that is bothering me now is I'm now out of meds. No refills. I could probably call the office and get a new prescription, but I'm thinking I don't want to do that. I really want is to find a way to deal with all the stress we are going through without medication. Risky I know but further down the road would be so much better.

Yesterday the girls and I spent the day working on some things that have been stressing me around the house. It hasn't been "Hoarders" bad, but bad for me. In fact, the other day when I mentioned I'm a neat freak John laughed. I think he has forgotten my normal tendencies. Since we had children I've had to do a great deal of adjusting to the new "norm". Eleven years later, I still don't like it. So, yesterday the girls and I worked on a few of the major issues.

First, we rearranged the classroom just a bit. You see our classroom is also the gym, John's office, and the craft room. I stay away from the office and the gym part as much as I can, but the craft part was bugging me. Since we put in the girls new desks, I have wanted to move their school bookcase. We switched the school bookcase and the craft pantry. Now the crafts are closer to my desk and the girls books are in front of their desks. Somehow in my head it just makes more sense that way.

We also did a lot of general cleaning. Jesse still does not sleep through the night most nights, so having a clean floor all over the house is essential to me not hurting myself at night when she calls me. It also just looks better. I keep reminding the girls our neighborhood is filling up and one day we'll be at the point (hopefully) that friends will just drop by to chat or play. I don't want us to be embarrassed by our home. Somehow I think this just bothers John and myself and the girls could careless, but I'm still hopefully one day they will see it our way.

My friend, April, pointed out last week that while stress can be dealt with by medications it helps to find a way to relax. She is so right! I am really hoping to start yoga soon. I've been saying that for quite sometime now, but I finally have a place downstairs where I can actually do it and not be in the living room. Since we rearranged furniture a few weeks ago, there is plenty of room in our bedroom to stretch out. I even talked to John the other day about me having fifteen minutes everyday with no interruptions so I can meditate. I'm working on getting things together for all this, but I'm hoping by the end of this week I'll start with everything. Yeah!

Halloween: I'll get pictures posted soon. Today, we are baking two batches of cupcakes for the CCT S.T.A.R. after party, and working the show this afternoon. So many things to do. lol

Poof!

Seems like every year I think, "this year we are finally going to get in ninety days before Christmas." Then, Poof!, October, November hit and all of us come down with some kind of sinus stuff. We were out two weeks ago with everyone down. Last week Jesse was working on bronchitis, or walking pnemonia (the doctor couldn't hear anything in her chest, but she was coughing up stuff); therefore, this week she felt awful and was on another round of antibiotics. This weekend was my turn.

I just finished my antibiotics yesterday then this morning (3:45am) I woke up to the right side of my head hurting. I haven't felt like anything today, so nothing got done that was suppose to get done. I also didn't get to arrange the classroom, or living room, like I was hoping. There is always next weekend though.

So we are sitting here, in the classroom, on Sunday night trying to finish a couple of things that were never finished last week. I don't even want to think about how many days we've lost. We'll just have to make them up next semester.

Our day out did Jesse in!

We had such fun at the zoo, then of course, the bottom fell out. That night Jesse ran a low-grade fever that had passed by morning. However, Tuesday she had a runny nose and a cough. I tried the following day to take her to work at the library, but when we got there she was just tired.

By Wednesday afternoon, her eyes were gunky and pink. I feared pink eye. I took her to the doctor Thursday morning, no pink eye but two ear infections and a sinus infection. I blame the hill at the amphitheater they rolled down on Monday. She'll be on antibiotics for two weeks and Claritin until the end of April.

In case you were wondering, yes, this puts us four days behind in school. :(

I love spring. ;)

Quick note

John saw I had not posted anything since Boykin. He was shocked! So, I thought I would write a few things.

We took the girls to have an eye exam on Monday; Jesse's new glasses will be here next week. Yep! She needed glasses. Most of her correction will be her right eye. She picked out a couple of cute pairs of glasses (one will be sunglasses). She is not looking forward to it but realizes in this family ten is usually the magic number.

School is coming along. I believe the girls are both enjoying their science this year. So many experiments. I do need to make a run across town for some blank slides because one of Jesse's upcoming experiments requires one. So, I need to purchase some. :)

Jesse is turning in her first ever application today. She did a great job filling it out. She even had to send a couple of emails to request references; the responses she received made her and Chloe both laugh. We know such great people! Oh, you are probably wondering what kind of application. She is putting in an application with the Richland County Public Library to be a volunteer. She is very excited. Chloe is anxiously waiting to be hold enough to do it too.

John spent Tuesday night in Charleston. He had an afternoon meeting so they paid for him a hotel. I have to say I did not sleep well with him gone. He slept wonderfully...he took a "sleep aid". I told him next time he needs to leave one with me.

I still have not posted any pictures from Music Man Jr. anywhere. IF I can find the time in the next week or so I'll try to do that. I did post the one on our blog. The picture is one of few I have with Jesse AND Chloe and not a large group of people. The other person is Miss Nicole, one of the co-directors. This is the last picture taken with her; Monday morning after the final show she moved back to New York City. Chloe was heartbroken but is doing better now.

Things that do not go together

I wanted to catch you up on a couple of things:

First, John no longer has his cell phone from work. He went in last Wednesday (first day back after the snow/ice) and he was asked that morning to turn in his phone. Oh, don't get me wrong they had talked to him about it early last year. But they had not mentioned it in awhile, so when they came to ask for it he was a bit shocked. As for me, I did the HAPPY DANCE. I grew to despise that phone the first night he came home with it and it rang twice during dinner. Yep, I'm happy it is gone. John, however, is going to blackberry withdrawal. I'm sure he'll be fine. ;)

Today was my revisit to the doctor to finish what we started in December. Yes, insurance companies do care if it has been a year or not. So, I'm sitting in the chair waiting for him to come back in. He grabs my chart from the door and just turns the first page to me with a flourish. Yes, Dr. G, I did see that blood report and your two exclamation points next to my cholesterol levels. He decided to give me six months to bring down those numbers and only three to check my weight again. So after a lengthy discussion of what he wanted me to do I left the clinic to get my lunch (I had fasted again, just in case): a McDouble and small fry. Hmm, maybe not the best choice considering the conversation. :)

Beginnings

The new year is beginning very well in our little school. Chloe has finished all of her schoolwork for today and is currently working on her math homework (any problem she did incorrectly that day) and Jesse has a couple more subjects left. I am thankful today as gone well.

John wanted our dinners in January to be ALL brand new recipes. {eye roll; yes, I know you will read this John} I started this week with Jesse's two cookbooks. She has been wanting to try (cook and eat) some things in both, so this week we are using her books. She was very excited when she learned this the other day. While not everything this week will be new, or cooked in our kitchen (we already failed that aspect; Chinese food last night), I hope most will be good. Tonight will be Turkish Meatballs made with lamb. I have not had a meal of lamb before; I did taste John's lamb dish he had in Morocco (EPCOT) last year. I hope tonight's dish will be good. Fingers crossed!

I have another beginning I will be working on this year. My cholesterol went up a bit a year ago. I promise you I did read the diet they sent me then quite a few times. I have been conscience of what I've been eating (I have thought about it before I swallowed the doughnut), but I admit I have done little to change things. Until yesterday. Yesterday, I was confronted again with my blood test results and found my cholesterol unchanged. (At least it didn't go up!?) So, I pulled the diet back out and started reading again. Now to make this harder, last summer I found out I have a Hiatal Hernia so that limits the fruits I can have. The cholesterol diet recommends
three (!) fresh fruits a day and one to be citrus. Well, you can imagine with that kind of hernia I have been told to avoid citrus and tomatoes. This weeks menu/grocery list was already prepared before I received the results, so I will not be following it this week. However, I have to find a way to find something to eat, between my hypoglycemia, Hiatal Hernia and cholesterol. There is not much left besides salads (without dressing). I cannot see myself doing that for a lifetime. At least John is coming along on the ride with me...willingly. :)