Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Eager for Spring!

Eager for Spring to arrive, we went ahead and planted some seeds... impatiens, vinca, candy tuft, basil, rosemary, cilantro, mint, several different types of zinnias, watermelon, squash, peas, and two different types of tomatoes!

Great for the girls to take responsibility and enjoyment in watching them grow! And as always, if we're anywhere...so is our little fido Brody! Sweet family times!

"Spit like a lady!"

In a rush to get everyone showered, teeth brushed, jammied, and tucked sweetly in their beds before daddy got home, the girls had the suggestion to brush their teeth "while" in the shower...come'on, who hasn't once thought that would be a time-saving trick?

So I gave them permission to try it...just this once!

However, I guess I didn't give explicit instructions, so as I watched toothpaste dribbling down faces and necks it was becoming obvious that my level of frustration was beginning to rise, and I had to burst out laughing when I heard myself say in a parental tone, "Come'on! Spit like a lady!"

Friday, March 09, 2007

Can my Hypothyroidism allow me to remember where January and February went?

As many of you know, I've been not feeling well lately, and I'm happy to say that I'm feeling much better now! And looking back...I really felt awful!!! I was beginning to think that was how it was going to be from now on....thankfully, Spring is now here, and I'm just as thankful as the yellow daffodils are to be coming back to life! And we even have a few double-blooming daffodils in our yard! Wow! They are beautiful!

In mid November, I went for my routine lab work to check the levels of my thyroid, and I knew that I wasn't feeling great; however, I just thought that it was because we're all very busy at this time of year! A few days after my blood work was done, my endocrinologist herself called to say that my labwork looked really terrible. My levels had gone from being too high to too low! My TSH was 0.01 (normal is .35 - 5.3), and my T3 and T4 were both too high. So after a few extra tests (ultrasounds and uptakes, which showed multiple nodules and complete non-function), the doctor decided to completely take me off of my thyroid medication altogether for six weeks...uhhh....in other words, through the end of the holidays!

So as soon as our last set of company left on January 1st, I went straight to bed! I really was having difficulty functioning! My extreme fatigue, my achiness, my lack of memory, my lack of ability to concentrate, and not to mention my weight gain! Long lasting headaches, at times just freezing, and breast pain. And throughout all of this, I've developed several food allergies/sensitivities...still trying to determine what they are! Aghhh! Thankfully, it was a good time of year (if there is one!) to be housebound....we watched lots of Little House on the Prairie, I Love Lucy, Andy Griffith, etc.! My sister (in Europe) kept me entertained with her frequent (almost hourly) phone calls on the updates with Britney Spears and Anna Nicole Smith, helped teach Macy her math, and actually taught me how to cross-stitch over the phone...which I thoroughly enjoyed!

So in the second week of January, Eric and I went back to the endocrinologist, and I had more blood work done. This time (after not having taken any thyroid medication at all for 6-7 weeks!) my levels were at the complete opposite range...my TSH level was 12.01! At least, it validated the way that I had felt! So my doctor decided to restart my thyroid medication...this time at half of the dosage that I had previously been taking! So slowly but surely, I began to come back to the land of the living! And by the middle of February, Eric came home one evening and I was madly cleaning out things deep inside cabinets, closets, etc. He said, "Well, I can see that you're beginning to feel more like yourself!" And I thankfully I was!

By the time that Valentine's Day rolled around, I was feeling so much better! So much better that the Lord felt that we needed some more excitement! So Eric and I went and enjoyed an evening out alone....only to wake up the next morning to hearing the sound that only a mom knows that something is most definitely wrong! The girls had been sweet enough to play quietly in their rooms while we slept in (7:30!), and while they were playing "bridesmaids" Annie tripped and fell on Tressie's way-too-big-for-her crinolin and split the back of her ear open. So sweet Suzy Crouch came over to get Macy and Tressie while Eric and I rushed Annie to the hospital. On the way downtown, sweet Annie asked me, "Momma, do you think that we can make a rule?" which is her way of asking for something. I of course said, "Yes, darlin'!" because I knew that I'd give her anything in the world that she wanted...as any parent would when their child is hurt! And with the bandana wrapped around her head by her daddy, she said, "When this is all over, can we have a get-well party?" Well, once again, I said, "Of course, we can!"

Annie was such a wonderful patient! She had to have 5 stitches, and she never even flinched! She is a tough, little trooper! We were so proud of her! She just held on tightly to Brownie and kept asking, "Is it almost over?!?" And when it was, she even thanked Dr. Meredith! Again, we were soooo proud of her!

A week later, we went and got her stitches taken out, and of course, we had our "Get Well Party"!

Thursday, March 08, 2007

"Getting to know me"

My girlfriend Rachel sent this to me, and here are my answers...that was fun!
___________
1. What is your occupation? Wife, Momma, Executive Household Management
2. What color are your socks right now? not wearing socks
3. What are you listening to right now? washing machine rinse cycle; Macy's pencil and eraser; Annie and Tressie's stomping around playing upstairs
4. What was the last thing that you ate? Macy and I each just secretly (not a secret now!)thoroughly enjoyed a Dove mini dark-chocolate
5. Can you drive a stick shift? Absolutely! Daddy wouldn't allow me out of the driveway any other way!
6. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? cornflower blue
7. Last person you spoke to on the phone? my mom
8. How old are you today? 33
9. Favorite drink? slightly-sweet tea or good 'ole Coca-Cola
10. What is your favorite sport to watch? whatever makes hubby happy...then I really get under his skin when I flirtingly root for the opposing team! Other than that I don't really pay attention to it!
11. Have you ever dyed your hair? Only once.... when my friend Auburn dyed it twice in one day...all I have to say is that it really straightened it, and that was nice! Then Eric made her call L'Oreal before she did it a third time....we never did reach the color that we were wishing!!!
12. Pets? Brody...best dog in the world!
13. Favorite food? Dark chocolate no doubt! A little peanut butter on the side never hurt anyone!
14. What was the last movie you watched? Pride and Prejudice
15. Favorite day of the year? Any day Eric is off from work and can spend it with us!
16. What do you do to vent anger? cry; clean/straighten up around me
17. What was your favorite toy as a child? I think it would be riding my bike up and down our neighbor's long, flat driveway...pretending it was a road, and I was goin' places! And my treehouse...and my tire swing...my wooden doll house....and...
18. What is your favorite season? Absolutely each one...I'm always ready for the next...but I really love Fall and Spring, and Summer and Winter are so great too!
19. Hugs or kisses? Kisses from my children, hubby, parents, and close friends and relatives...a nice hug from everyone else will do!
20. Pool or hot tub? Pool
21. Living arrangements? Married with three children and one dog; Older home with lots of character; 3 or 4 bedrooms/4 bath
22. When did you cry or tear up last? ohh, a few minutes ago...no reason, just tired!
23. Favorite smells? paperwhites, my children's skin, a clean house, rain
24. What inspires you? Being organized; Watching my children learn new things; Putting myself in someone else's shoes and realizing how blessed I am (Is that bragging? If so, I didn't mean it!)
25. What are you afraid of? not doing something to the best of my ability...like taking care of my husband or teaching/training my children
26. Favorite dog breed? ONLY a rescued/shelter dog...they always seem to show their appreciation!
27. Number of keys on your key ring? 3
28. Number of years at your current job? 10
29. Favorite day of the week? It's always been Friday!
30. How many states have you lived in? 4
31. Favorite Holidays? Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas
32. What time did you get up this morning? 7:30...not early enough! Stayed up too late last night...I like to be the first one downstairs in the morning...to hear the quiet and greet everyone coming down!
33. Diamonds or Pearls? Why... both; of course!
34. What is your favorite TV show? All time favorite...I Love Lucy, and the girls and I are hooked on the purity and simple times of Little House on the Prairie; otherwise...Jericho, Lost, King of Queens (not so pure and simple!)...other than classics, I don't care to watch repeats! HGTV, bring back Living With Ed!!!
35. What did you have for breakfast? two pieces of whole-wheat bread, toasted....thanks, honey!36. Your favorite potato chip? don't really care for chips
37. What is your favorite CD at the moment? have too many favorites...in the car right now I have Josh Groban's newest CD; Gavin Degraw; Andrew Peterson; Disney's A Bug's Life; and the soundtrack to Sweet Home Alabama!
38. What kind of car do you drive? Toyota Sienna
39. What characteristics do you despise? self-centeredness; someone that isn't genuine...oh yeah...those who don't bother to RSVP!
40. What are your favorite clothes? for at home...anything comfortable; for going out...something a little preppy
41. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? to Australia to see one of my dearest friends (but she's coming here this summer!); back to Europe with my sister and brother-in-law (who can speak enough languages to get us out of any sticky situation...like staying in 1st class even though our tickets don't show that we really did purchase 1st class!)
42. What color are your eyes? hazel or green, depending on what I'm wearing
43. Where would you want to retire? close to family
44. Favorite part of the day? either early morning or evening...not sure anymore if I'm a night owl or an early riser!
45. Pedicure or Manicure? Mani...not a pedi...didn't you see Dateline or 20/20?!?!?
46. What did you want to be when you were little? My mom says that I told my HS advisor that I wanted to be a wife and a momma...it's pretty great!
47. What is your best childhood memory? not sure, for there were so many...probably the week that I spent pampered and spoiled at Alal's in 3rd grade
48. What are the different jobs you have had? advertising (loved it!); assistant to a realtor/builder (loved it!); babysitter (loved it...especially when I would leave and try to secretly see in the dark how much $$ I had been given!); personal assistant to a manager in a large co. (loved the people in my office, but hated how other women were catty with one another!); now is my best job ever (I just love these days)!
49. Been in a car accident? only one that I can think of...and don't ask my sister about it!
50. Favorite ice cream? Ice cream's not really my thing...except when the family gets together and makes our "recipe"... WHAT isn't good with Kahlua or Irish Cream?
51. Favorite fast food restaurant? maybe Taco Bell or Krystal...used to HATE it, but living in Chattanooga, you have to love it!
52. From whom did you get your last email? let me go check...sister, showing me something that I "really needed"!
53. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? can't think of one...I'd be too anxious for when I'd get the bill!
54. Last person you went to dinner with? Dinner...Jad and Tiffany/ Coffee and Dessert...my cousin, Jenna!
55. What characteristics do you love most? a servant's heart, someone who is genuine, hard working, thoughtfulness (Eric and I have been praying for the following for each other, our children, and their future spouses: strength, endurance, and diligence)
56. What color is your bathroom? off white/white
57. What is your shoe size? 8
58. Your favorite candy? Jr.Mints!
59. Do you have any phobias? snakes; spiders; and my friend Rachel has now added...careening off a bridge...thanks, Rachel!

Wednesday, March 07, 2007

Inquiring Minds Want to Know!

After hearing lots of shrieking coming from the bedroom upstairs, I ran upstairs to see what was going on! After I assessed the situation and saw that there was no eminent danger, I calmly opened the window to let out a dirt dauber that had mistakenly found himself trapped inside a room with three, huge giants with soft, little voices...freakin' out, shrieking and swinging at him!

Macy, holding a wooden spoon in the air: "He's ready to get spanked!"
Me, empty-handed: "Isn't that one of God's creatures?"
Macy: "Yes, but I am too!"
Annie, holding a baseball bat: "Yes, but you don't get squashed!"
Macy: "Well, but I don't like bugs in my house!"

Thankfully, I helped him to escape unharmed....but as typical homeschoolers, it did leave us wondering, "Why did God create dirt daubers anyway?"