When it rains, it pours

And I'm in a downpour at the moment.

Yesterday I made a follow-up to my hospitialization doctor appointment, a full physical appointment, two dentists appointments, one for Thomas and one for me, and an eye doctor appointment. Imagine my surprise when my eye appointment was TODAY.

Well, there's good news and bad news. The good news is I have been diagnosed with rosacea, if that can be good news. Now I always suspected I had rosacea because my cheeks are always red, but I never thought much of it. WRONG. It is in my eyes. This is the reason that I have not been able to read a book for a couple years now. So the good news is that I have artificial tears and I am to practice blinking A LOT when reading, and I should be a reader again. That makes my year. I never knew rosacea could harm the eyes, but it really can. Scary stuff!

This got discovered today because I did NOT wear makeup. So I think from now on, I won't wear makeup to any doctor appointment.

I probably do have glaucoma. I go back for some weird test as soon as they get me scheduled. It doesn't appear I have any optic nerve damage, which is good. Not good news, but caught early and treated, not the worst news. Hopefully.

The really bad news: I was referred to a neurologist for special evaluation and testing. I go blurry eyed in one eye when I recline, such as laying down to watch TV. When I get up, it takes 15-20 minutes for my vision to clear. The opthalmologist suspects there may be something very wrong with my carotid artery. Yikes.

I'll have to get on the phnone tomorrow and find a neurologist that is on my insurance plan, because we don't have one locally. This scares the crap out of me because there is a family history of carotid artery blockage. I also have to get on the phone and get all my Denver medical records sent to my doctor. I was given some, but no specific test results except the stress/treadmill test. I also have to think back to every single eye doctor I've ever been to, find their numbers, and get my records. Good grief.

The neurologist part scares me the most.

It could all be worse, but I just wasn't up for this today. I guess I wouldn't be up for it any day, but I've had enough going on right now.

I came home and bawled.

~~~~~~~

On a school-related note, things have been better. We've been getting into the habit slowly but surely. Book learning is going on again in our house, which is a very good thing. We've decided to work really hard so we don't have to use the entire summer (or month of June) to catch up.

I talked to my dad on the phone yesterday and he sounded so good -- better than he did when he was in the hospital. That did wonders for my heart and soul. It is so hard being so far away.

I asked Bob to take the afternoon off tomorrow. He readily agreed. I just need him to be close right now. He's good at chasing off the scary monsters in the closet, so to speak.

We're supposed to get up to six inches of snow tomorrow. Good grief, it's April already! Snow, snow, go away, please come back another day...preferably next winter.

Here's hoping next week is better!

Three Little Kittens

On a lighter note, I saw this video today and *loved* it. If you like kittens, you'll enjoy it.

Stink, Stank, Stunk

I fear my future blog entries are going to all be negative. Please, forgive me.

School today? Stink, stank, stunk. We both had a terrible time getting started up. We finished three subjects. It took us all day. 'Twas an awful day.

The house is a pit, I have bills to pay, dishes to wash, laundry to do. I took the weekend off and so did everyone else. Big mistake on my part. At least I got unpacked.

I actually snuck in a nap this morning, too.

Tomorrow is another day. While Bob might be upset with what little we accomplished, I'm cutting Thomas and myself some slack. Each day will be better.

If I had three wishes to be granted, this is what I would wish for:

1) Good health for my father -- and all my loved ones, but especially dad.
2) Easing of Thomas's struggles with life in general at the moment.
3) A maid, a cook, an errand runner, a bill payer, a laundry doer, a tutor: Wait, what I need is a wife!

Sunday, Sunday

Dreading Monday. I think getting back into the routine will be good for both Thomas and I, but I’m dreading it nonetheless.

Yesterday I didn’t shower and get dressed until afternoon. Same today.

I tried to get a nap in yesterday, but the phone kept ringing. One time it was dad calling on his new Jitterbug phone. That was a nice surprise.

The whole family packed up and hit Wally World last night. We were looking for an intermediate sized crate for Tesla, but they didn’t have one we liked. What they had was a bit too small, and the large was way too large. We need to venture out into the real world soon as Tesla is too big for his crate now. He fits, he curls up fine, but I’d like him to have a tad more room.

I bought myself something last night. A Bissell stick vacuum. I was getting very sick of lugging around my small canister vac to do floors. Dad had a cordless Shark that was good at picking up chunks on carpet (dog food, big crumbs, etc.) and that got me to thinking about my own floors. I tried his Shark on his wooden entryway and his laundry room floor. I wasn’t impressed. I was, however, impressed with the way it was light weight and easy to maneuver.

I looked online and found some great stick vacs, but always impatient, I decided to buy one at Wal-mart last night. It was only $19.99. Bob put it together for me and I am very surprised, but it works very well. It’s like a Dust Buster with a handle and floor attachment. The only drawback is that the cord is so short it won’t reach the entire floor in my kitchen. So I need to run out and buy an extension cord for the thing.

It’s the small things in life that get us through – and having something new to vacuum my hardwood floors is really the highlight of my month.

I have been avoiding looking at school work. I should be sitting down going over things, but I can’t bring myself to do it. Tomorrow is going to be a difficult day for both Thomas and I. Thomas is very upset that we’ll be doing school until the end of June. Can’t be helped, though.

I’m thinking of cutting some subjects short. We had started studying civics, which we both really enjoyed. It’s not imperative that we finish that this year, though. I’m going to scrutinize my list and do only what is of utmost importance: math, science, reading, grammar and writing. I’ll tweak as we go. I’d like to throw history back into the loop, but I’ll let time tell. We do need a gentle day tomorrow.

I’ve been looking at cell phones, or prepaid cell phones to be exact. The last time Bob was in South Carolina, we got hit with a cell phone bill that was over $200. We typically pay $86 a month. Our company just got bought out, and the new company charges you .10 a minute if you’re not on one of their towers. What a jolt to the system that was after we were used to never paying extras for years. My cell phone bill from Denver is going to be a KILLER. I bet it will be over $300. You just have to have a cell phone in an emergency.

So, while in Denver I bought Thomas his first cell phone, a Trac Fone. We couldn’t get a local number with the phone he got, so he got a Colorado phone number. It was easy to use, and the cost would be very cheap if we got the high minute card and double minute card. He used his phone everywhere – including all the way back to Minnesota – and always had coverage. I looked at some of the other prepaid phones, and it looks as if the Trac Fone would be the best bet for us. My plans are to switch to unlimited long distance on my land line and just use the cell phone when out and about. I use my current cell for all long distance now. I think that’s what we’re going to do. In case of emergency, Trac Fone cards can be purchased anywhere, so I could buy a big-minute card if need be.

I hate making decisions like that, but I really detest our new phone company. I went in person to the local store to ask about and then contest that big phone bill, and they were so rude I filed a complaint. I talked to the service center online and they weren’t much better, but they did cut my overages in half. We had such a great deal, and it’s gone. None of the other cell phone companies in our area are nearly as cost effective as our old plan was. So, prepaid wireless it is.

My mood this weekend has been very low. Friday night I cried for about four hours straight. I had cried off and on during the whole ordeal, but not for long. At home, safe and sound, I was able to really let it all out. I hate being so far from my dad. Thomas has been very upset this weekend as well. He’s actually had a few crying spells himself. I had to remind Bob to go very easy on him because of all the trauma he has experienced. I cannot imagine what Thomas is thinking – it was hard enough on me, and I’m over 40. How on earth a young child would process all that happened is beyond me. He doesn’t really want to discuss anything. Typical male, perhaps? He’s letting off steam slow but sure, though. Bob and I have both told him that if he needs to talk, we’re here. I’ve also asked him some prompting questions to get him to open up a bit. He’ll talk a little but then just tell me he doesn’t want to talk about it. So I’m going to let him be, yet be there for him. He’s like me, he’s somewhat delayed reaction. I have a feeling as we get back into our routine, he’ll have an emotional week. As will I.

Home

We're home. Thomas and I, and Apollo and Tesla, arrived late this afternoon. Bob had a delicious dinner in the oven waiting for us. We were overjoyed to see our cats.

Bob was amazed at how Tesla and Apollo had grown. He said they left as puppies and dogs came home. I'll have to snap a photo in the next few days to share. Also amazing, Thomas grew 1/4 of an inch while gone. I guess all that fast food and hospital food agreed with him.

I am in a very melancholy mood: It's good to be home, but my heart is very heavy.

We'll resume school on Monday. I need tomorrow to relax. We had originally planned on leaving Denver Monday, but I just couldn't. There were many things to do, and I was emotionally and physically exhausted. I needed rest before the two-day drive home. I worked, but was able to rest and not work at such a fast pace.

Our drive through Nebraska this morning was pure hell. Down poor, white-out conditions when truckers passed. It was awful. Many times I was tempted to pull off and find something to do, but I plugged along. We were at Omaha when the rain finally lightened up.

I need a day of nothing. I'm going to take it tomorrow.

Very Rough Times

Three weeks ago yesterday (Thursday) my dad called. He was to have surgery the following Tuesday and my sister was ill and couldn’t come to help. He asked if Thomas and I would come and help him.

Of course we would.

We left Friday evening and arrived Sunday.

The surgery on Tuesday went well. By Wednesday evening, I had concerns about dad. The next morning I called the surgeon’s office and scheduled an appointment that day. I voiced my concerns and basically he blew me off and told us to come back the following week.

On the way home, we drove through Wendy’s so Thomas and I could get a Frosty. We got home and dad, Thomas and I sat at the table while Thomas and I ate our Frosties. I looked up and saw my dad was passed out, in the throws of what I now know was a heart attack.

I called 911 immediately. I got him to the floor with Thomas’s help – he pulled out the chair. I was about to start CPR, but the paramedics arrived. The paramedics arrived in less than five minutes. I specifically looked at the clock when I called 911.

Well, the rest is a long story and somewhat personal so I don’t feel free to share the details. However, dad was released from the hospital today and my brother-in-law and sister drove him four hours away close to their home to a skilled nursing facility. He is very ill, still, but…..sigh. I cannot express my feelings. I ache for him. He has a struggle ahead of him that I just cannot fathom. I love my dad very much and I worry about him.

As they drove off from the hospital, both Thomas and I just let loose and bawled.

Thomas and I are still in Denver. We will stay for a few days because I have a lot to do here, plus I am so completely exhausted that it wouldn’t be safe for me to drive two days home yet.

On the Sunday morning after dad’s heart attack, Thomas and I were driving to the hospital. We were only about two blocks from home. I had the most intense “thing” happen to me. I thought I was having a heart attack. I had tunnel vision, I shook, I had chest pain, I had the most horrid sense of impending doom – I thought I was dying. I got to dad’s house and my sister arrived a few minutes later. She took me to a local walk-in clinic. I was so bad I couldn’t get out of the car so they had to get a wheelchair to bring me in. After a few minutes, they did an EKG and informed me that it was not normal and they had called an ambulance. The ambulance arrived, and I feared for myself, but mostly for Thomas. I didn’t want him to see anything, so requested they take me outside. My sister took good care of Thomas.

Before we left for the hospital, they did an EKG and it was normal – they only saw one “weird blip” They did another en route to the hospital, and that was normal. In the emergency room, they did another which was normal. They gave me Atavan?? I felt much better, but I still shook. They admitted me and I spent one night in the hospital. I was two rooms away from my dad. I had a CAT scan checking for clots and also a treadmill test complete with radioactive dye. Bottom line: My heart is healthy. I was released with Xanax and Ambien. It was a massive panic attack.

The next day I started to have another panic attack, but the Xanax did the trick. The Ambien, which was a higher strength than what I had at home, enabled me to sleep every night. Before I had that, my mind raced at night and I didn’t sleep. I have only had to take one Xanax, thankfully I’ve been practicing breathing and trying to keep myself relaxed.

Poor Thomas. I cannot believe what all that wonderful 12-year-old boy has had to endure. He was a perfect angel, but the stress started to show two days ago. Even then, he was still good. I am so proud of him.

On the way home from the hospital visiting dad one night, I stopped at a Wal-mart and bought him a cell phone with 250 minutes. He is so proud of that phone. He really deserved something special. He’s been able to keep in touch with family and friends on his own terms, which he really needed. He also got a thrill every time someone called him.

We hope to be back home sometime next week. I miss my blogging buddies, I miss the internet, I miss a good computer and high-speed internet. This is the first time I’ve logged on since I got here. It will probably be the last because the computer is so slow.

So, we’re still alive. We’re obviously not doing school at the moment, even though I brought it with us. We’re planning on going way into the summer now. I am so thankful we homeschool because we wouldn’t have been able to stay and help.

If you pray, please say a prayer for my dad. If you don’t, please think good thoughts for him and send him good vibes. I would greatly appreciate it.

Frankie, in Denver

High School, Oh My!

When Bob was home for lunch today, I told him I had started planning next year. I told him I needed him to sit down with me and map out what we wanted to accomplish. We then got to talking about high school and that we should have a good, but general, idea of what we want to do 9th - 12th grade so we know what we should cover in 7th and 8th.

Oh my. I haven't even thought about the high school years yet. I don't want to think about the high school years yet. I don't want my baby to be starting 7th grade, turning into a teenager so soon, either. Can't stop time, though, so I guess I'd best start.

Meg, Carole, and Doc, I may be snooping around your blogs. If you see some crazy stats on your site meters from Minnesota, relax, it's just me.

I think I'll start googling, too. Perhaps I'll pull out my Rebecca Rupp Homeschooling Year by Year book. I don't know if I've ever looked at her high school section. And I also have The Well Trained Mind I can look at.

Sheesh, I don't think I'm ready to think that far ahead. BUT wise old Bob and I figure it's probably a good idea to know where we're going.

Yuck!

Bribes

Bribes -- never thought before I had a child I would use them. In fact, I thought it was a sign of bad parrenting.

Not any more. We started playing the bribes game early on. It works!

My latest guilty bribe has to do with school. See, I ordered Christian Light Education's Sunrise (or whatever the heck it's called) math for Thomas. Instead of ordering the 6th grade, I ordered 5th. Now Thomas isn't behind on math, he scores years ahead on computation and post high school on concepts on his standardized tests every year, BUT he hasn't had any exposure to algebra and very little to geometry. I was looking around at the yahoo group's photos, and they incorporate both things in the 5th grade program.

So, most of it will be review -- gravy. There will be ne concepts learned, and I'm happy with that. Now here comes the bribe. After we get it, and have worked it for a bit, I will be ordering the 600 series for THE SUMMER. I don't want Thomas getting behind on the other skills and concepts.

Bob and I broke the news to Thomas at lunch today. He was not a happy camper. He pitched a fit. He was not happy. Uffta. (When in Minnesota, talk like the Minnesotans. lol)

Thomas made a very valid point. His summers are precious to him. He enjoys the freedom of no school. SO DO I. I probably enjoy it more than he does, truth be told. Bob said that if he did this work for us, with a good attitude, we'd get him something. Something big.

Bob was talking Wii -- I told him that's too big. I came up with the perfect solution while reading the Well Trained Mind boardsd tonight: A cell phone. I ran that by Thomas and he was thrilled. He's been asking for one for a long time. All his friends have them. (eye roll) They do, but they're also in public school and going every where after school and the parents use the cell phones to keep track of where their kids are. Thomas just wants one.

So I'll buy him a Trac Phone, get a big plan for him, and we'll call it a day.

I can handle an hour of school every day this summer, right? I can do it.

The thing is -- what do I get for doing math every day this summer? Anything special for me? ha ha ha ha ha

brrr

Took the puppies potty a few minutes ago.

They went out the door, stayed for one second, and raced back in. I physically picked them up and put them out. Each of them. Twice. They wouldn't stay out.

The wind is blowing, it's snowing, it's a wet snow, and the current temp is -15 and our wind-chill is -43. -43. #$#@&*(

Tomorrow is supposed to be nasty cold, too. I think on Thursay, I am going to go buy a lottery ticket. I think I'll buy one for every lottery. If I ever win, I'm moving somewhere warm.

Who said there was no such thing as a cold day in hell?

Back and Forth

We've had lots of back an forths lately:

Back and forth travel for Bob. We're about done with that, though. Whew.

Back and forth with the weather. It's average temperature, then it's waaay below average, then it's average again. Currently, it's 0 with a wind-chill of -21. I'd take our average of 20s in the daytime, PLEASE. Hopefully by the end of the week we'll make the swing. Life is so much better when we are in the average range of temps. 20 may not seem warm, but believe me, compared to -20, it is balmy!

Back and forth with illnesses. Thomas is still coughing away, and yesterday I awoke to greet a lovely sore throat, coughing, sneezing, stuffy nose, runny nose, or just icky nose, aches and pains and slight fever. Had it today. I'm sure it will be here tomorrow. Back and forth between who is sick. Thomas and I just keep taking turns. It's too cold to air the house out. Ick.

Frankly, I'd rather be sick at home than being sick out of town. January 6th, the day we got Tesla, the day I was throwing up and more all over Rochester, Minnesota. Yup. I'll quit complaining about being sick, because I'm HOME. What a world of difference that makes.

Back and forth with math. Gosh, our entire homeschool career math has been an issue. Thomas hates math with a capital H. Cannot stand it. I used to like math, but with the stress of all these years building up with Thomas' hate, UGH. First we did Singapore, which was not a good fit for either of us. Then we did Rod and Staff. I loved it, Thomas hated, hated, triple-dog-dare -- no wait, that doesn't apply to hate -- detested it. In between we've done a little of Lial's Basic College Math, Key To Fractions and Decimals, and Painless Fractions. We're about to finish the Key to Fractions and one have book of Key to Decimals.

I am sick of not having a set math curricula. I need something in workbook format. Thomas cannot copy problems from a book. With the Rod and Staff, that I loved, I broke the spine, tore the book apart, three-hole punched it, and put it in a notebook. Thomas wrote directly in the student text. That worked well most of the time. He really doesn't want to do Rod and Staff.

So I've been searching again. There are a few workbook format choices out there, but I think I will purchase Christian Light Education, CLE for short. Lots more algebra than Rod and Staff. The only samples I could find were at their yahoo group, Christian Light Families. Based solely on a few sample pages, plus the index, I think it might work. It's not too expensive, so I can return or re-sell it if it doesn't work out.

Time will tell. No more back and forth with math, that's my biggest desire.

No more back and forth with anything. I am sick of the pendulum. I want to stay put for awhile. I want everyone home, healthy and happy. Is it possible???

~~~~~~~~~

One more back and forth. Today, Thomas said to me, "Mom, would you please log out of my Webkinz account so I can play? We go back and forth on who is logged in. I am in love with Webkinz. I like to play Tile Towers (Tai Pei game.) I like to play go fish. I like their arcade games. I like their word games. Gee, isn't it geared for YOUNG kids? Maybe I'm just young at heart, but I really enjoy the games there. So Thomas has decided I need a Webkinz of my own. I think he's right. I just have to figure out which critter I want. They don't have a border collie -- well, they didn't last time I checked. The only down side is I make Thomas a lot of Kinzcash. Oh well, he'll have to earn it on his own.

This mom rates Webkinz as A+ for safety. I don't even worry about Thomas there because the only way to chat with others is by picking phrases from a screen. No typing on your own. So, nice and safe.

Back and forth. Sounds like a hypnotist trying to dull me to death. Sadly, I think it's working!

Happy Valentine's Day

We did absolutely nothing to celebrate this year. Normally I buy a gift for Thomas and make a cake or cupcakes or something. Today was just not the day to bake, celebrate or think twice about VD. (My mom always used to say happy VD, so in rememberance of her, I call it VD sometimes.)

Thomas woke up so cranky that he squeaked. Oh my! I forced him to feed and potty his pups and then I forced him back to bed. The later wasn't too difficult. He went back to bed at 8:30 and did not get up until 12:30. He slept hard.

Bob surprised me by coming home early. He opened the door at 9:30 and caught me still in my robe and on the internet, playing Webkinz' Tile Towers.

When Thomas awoke, he took a long shower. His sinuses are really bothering him. We ate lunch, loaded up the puppies, and headed for civilization, otherwise known as Mankato. Yes, the same civilization that Laura Ingalls Wilder used to head to.

Puppies had their final vet appointment and are now officially up to date on shots. Tesla was such a baby that the lovely vet -- and we really do love her -- called him a wuss. He actually cried when she gave him his shot! He's a mama's boy.

After that, we headed out for a quick Valentine's Day meal. We drove past Applebee's (I've never in my life eaten there and don't really have a desire to), some rib join that Bob wants to go to, and my all-time favorite Olive Garden. I drove into the Taco Bell parking lot. We feasted on burritos, tacos and nachos. Ever since our Taco Bell closed a few years ago, I just cannot help myself when I see one. I love their bean burritos.

Next, we drove to a furniture store. My kitchen chairs are falling apart, literally. We bought a cute dinette set 20 years ago and let's just say we've had the chairs five years too long. I took one chair out to the garage while Bob was gone recently because it broke. Bob got a surprise check Monday and announced that we were going to get new chairs with it. We checked our local furniture store, they had an okay set of chairs, but I wasn't in love with them. We thought we'd check civilization before buying those. Well, lo and behold, we found a lovely set, priced nicely, brown microfiber and oak. Bought them on the spot, loaded them in the van. They're still sitting in the van because it's cold and we're old and tired, so we'll bring them in tomorrow.

The addition of new chairs is going to do a lot to lift my spirits. I will take a photo of my old chairs and share it. They were disgusting.

To finish off our time in civilization, we went to our final puppy kindergarten class. They have built a new facility called The Paw that is fantastic. It has a huge swimming pool for the dogs, an underwater treadmill, huge training room, luxury boarding, outdoor play area -- you name it, all top of the line canine luxury! We had our last class in the facility tonight.

The problem is they're not done building it and so there was dust everywhere. We got down on the floor to play with the puppies and I was covered in dust. Disgustingly thick heavy, white dust. Halfway through the class, Thomas started crying. My big 12 year old. The dust was so bad, and he has such a bad cold and sinus issues, that he had trouble breathing. It was so cold he didn't want to go outside, so Bob took him out to the lobby and he blew and blew his nose. I think the tears helped, too. He came back, but was uncomfortable the rest of the class. As we were driving home, I was sneezing, Thomas was upset because his sinuses hurt, and we all just smelled of dust. The puppies were covered.

Thomas showered immediately when we got home. He's breathing better now. Puppies got brushed, we all changed clothes. I am feeling a need to wash all our coats tomorrow, it was that bad.

It was a lovely day, although we didn't really celebrate St. Valentine's Day. I really think that it's fun to celebrate in a small way holidays like today, but love should be year round.

Not one school book was opened today. We're getting a little behind, but Thomas is sick and it cannot be helped. I have already informed him that we'll probably have to do school into the summer, longer than we ever have before. He got upset at first and then his eyes lit up. He has an idea: flex school. That is a post for another day, but I think we're going to come up with a fun plan.

Tantrum Time

I am stomping my feet, angry, ticked off, you name it.

Another BUG has hit our house again.

Thomas woke up this morning with a very sore throat. I gave him some Motrin, and we did school. He complained off and on all day.

This afternoon we went to Wal-mart, all three of us, and stocked up on groceries. He was complaining again that his throat hurt.

We get home, have dinner, and his throat still hurts, but he's fine.

And then, as he was getting ready for a treat of ice cream, because he thought that would make his throat feel better, it hit him. He walked by the trash can and just knew he couldn't make it any further. He didn't.

He's thrown up a few times tonight. He is not running a fever. His throat is red and sore still. What kind of virus is that?

I am so ready for spring, to be able to open the windows and get fresh air. I'd air the house out now, but it's -8 at the moment. Not going to work.

Thomas asked me if we had to do school tomorrow. Of course I am the type to baby my baby, so I would have said no. Instead, I told him to ask his principal. Bob told him it depended on how he felt. Thomas shook his head and said if he didn't feel too well, he'd like to read his life science text book all day. That's doable.

I am just mad because we've been sick forever! If it's not one thing, it's another. I shouldn't complain, because it's nothing *serious*, thankfully, but it's still a pain in the patooy.

So what else? Bob and I each have a sore throat. Hopefully our adult bodies will be able to better handle the virus, whatever it is.

Hrmph.

Silly, Silly

This part isn't silly. I was reading blogs tonight, and Daryl at HE&OS mentioend that the South Dakota legislature killed a bill that would enable homeschoolers who scored at least a 24 on the ACT the eligibility to get a state college scholarship. BOOO

Now for the silly part.

When I moved to South Dakota, way back yonder in the 1980s, one of the secretaries talked about PEER a lot: going to PEER, getting PEER on the phone, sending stuff off to PEER. I thought she was talking about a person.

You see, in my 4th-grade geography studies, I was taught that the capital of South Dakota was Pierre. Pronounced PEE - YAIR.

Not so. The first time I mentioned PEE-YAIR everyone in the office when into hysterics laughing at me.

For those, like me, who didn't know: The capital of South Dakota is Pierre. Pronounced Peer. Or Pier. One syllable.

Trust me, I lived there for 11 years, and on rare occasion, I worked in Pierre. Shoot, I was even on the national news one time while walking into the Pierre courthouse. Of course they weren't filming me, they were filming the judge I rode with and was walking with, but hey, that was my claim to fame.

There, an interesting little tidbit for the day.

Now, if only Pierre would get their act together and recognize excellent homeschooled students.

Puppies!!!

Airplanes

Thomas and I (and Apollo and Tesla) are eagerly awaiting Bob's arrival home today. It's been a long three weeks.

As I type, his airplane just crossed the Georgia/Tennessee border. How do I know this? I like to watch him fly. Whenever he is in the air, I go to Flight View's website, pop in his flight number and watch him.

Today I know that his flight is 46 minutes late already, so I will adjust my dinner preparations. Watching makes it kind of fun for Thomas and I.

Flight View Live opens in a separate screen, so I can surf (if we're not doing school, that is) and watch without refreshing all the time.

Kind of fun, kind of cool, and there's no truth to a watched pot never boils, because we can see progress. His plane is nearing Nashville, as I close.

2:30 am

I awoke. I'm sick. Again.

Sitting here sipping on a Sunkist pop, because we're out of Sierra Mist, trying to settle my tummy, I'm in deep thought.

I hate January. There, I said it. It's depressing. And cold. The only thing to look forward to is February, where the temps will rise, slightly.

I hate February. The temps are usually warmer, not below zero, but Mother Nature likes to laugh at us and slap us with some very cold days anyway. (And my heart goes out to those who experienced the bad storms and tornadoes -- Mother Nature is cruel!)

Since moving to Minnesota a decade ago, I have developed a seasonal depression. It hits in January and February. I have severe cabin fever. I'm tired, I'm cranky, I'm depressed -- mildly -- and just crawling out of my skin.

Today was a bad day. We only got about half of the stuff on our school list done. Watership Down was on TV again and Thomas requested that he be allowed to watch, so I over-enthusiastically agreed. Why? So I could sleep on the couch. And sleep I did. Then I awoke, grumpy, mad at the world.

Part of my problem this February is I am sick to death of my husband being out of town. He was gone in November. He was gone two weeks in December. He was gone a week in January, home a week, and then gone again. This time he's been gone three weeks. Three L~O~N~G weeks.

It's hard being a single parent. It's hard not having a moment to myself. It's hard when there are two puppies in the house.

Anyway, after Watership Down was over, Thomas quickly figured out I wasn't getting off the couch any time soon, so he turned it to Oprah and curled up with a book. Oprah actually got me out of my funk a little because the topic was The Secret which I have long believed in before the book came out. I watched the show with interest, got up and took a hot shower, then prepared supper.

I don't know how to overcome the winter blues. I've tried full-spectrum lights. I've tried getting outdoors more. I've half-heartedly attempted exercise. Nothing works except for spring to arrive. I do know that I get in bad moods and my thoughts get very negative very quickly. So at least I can control that.

So here I sit. January 6 I was sicker "than a dog" in Rochester, Minnesota. I was sick that entire week. Thomas got sick not long after, then I got sick again. We both seemed to be on the mend, now here I am sick again.

I think my body is rebelling. I think I need rest. I think tomorrow is supposed to be a day where we snuggle on the couch and read great books and have great discussions.

Friday Bob comes home. I know I'll feel better when he's back. After 18 1/2 years of marriage, I find I miss him more when he's gone now than I did even a few years ago. He's my rock. Even though it's always an adjustment when he gets home.

I'd go back to bed, but I know I can't sleep. So I'll continue to sip my Sunkist, wishing it were a Sierra Mist, and feeling glad that the Imodium is kicking in.

Calgon, take me away.

Frugal Friday

Well, I blew it again -- it's now Saturday.

I'm clueless what to post about frugality at the moment.

This week Thomas and I ate out twice: Once at Taco Bell in Civilization, a town an hour from us where we take puppy classes. Tonight we ate at McDonald's. Taco Bell was $8, McDonald's was $11. So there's a 20 shot. However, I did only spend $60 on groceries this week, so that's much less than normal.

I also spent some money on school this week. I bought two used text books. We're going to stop studying history for awhile and start a unit on civics. It's a good time with the election and all. I find it easier to use a text as a spine and then supplement. I bought two identical texts, because they were $6 each and it included shipping. I prefer it when we read together and then talk -- I can see what Thomas is reading. I don't typically buy two texts for social studies, though.

This week I called the bank where we have our car loan. I had it set up so it automatically comes out of our bank account. For the entire time we've had our car loan, they have only sent us a year-end tax form. I wanted to check to see when it would be paid off. I knew it would be this spring. I was correct, it will be paid in full in April. Woo-hoo to that!

That's it. I am completely uninspired to talk money, think money, or save money at the moment. Sadly, I'm never uninspired to spend it, though. However, I have a new motto: When in doubt, do without. That works for me.

Bump in the Night

I heard a bump, thud or noise. It woke me from my deep sleep. I have no idea what it was, but highly suspect it was a cat. Of course now I can't sleep.

So, thought I'd share a funny a very good friend sent me today. It made me laugh!

GOVERNMENT HEALTH WARNING

DO NOT SWALLOW BUBBLE GUM!!

DUH

I had a light-bulb moment today.

I've blogged several times how I felt this year was uninspired, dull or just not as wonderful as years gone by. I felt it was due to our dog's illness and death, I was wrong. I now understand WHY.

It's because I'm not nearly as involved. Yes, I'm very involved, but Thomas has made that leap this year from needing me to sit by his side while he does his work to working independently.

What took me so long to figure it out???

When we started our homeschool adventure, which was Thomas' third grade year, he had concentration issues. I had to sit by his side year after year. "Focus, stay on task, don't lose track of where you are" were all common words spewing from my mouth. Now? He gets his assignment, asks any questions, and goes off to do his work.

This is a GOOD thing. I don't know why I didn't figure it out sooner.

My babe is growing up -- at his own pace.

Toot

I'm tooting my own horn this morning.

I was reading some blogs this morning and came across a link to a list of the Top 50 Homeschool Blogs by Christina Laun for www.collegedegree.com.

I like to read blogs, so I thought I'd check the list.

Let's just say that I had to clean my computer screen because I sprayed my coffee. I was number 41 on the list! It says, "In this blog you'll find links to tons of helpful homeschooling and educational resources to improve your homeschooling experience."

I haven't been doing much of that lately, so my apologies. It's been a rough year, what can I say.

That made my morning, though.

And yesterday, Audrey made my day. She awarded me an E for Excellent Blog Award.



Wow, I am honored.

I would like to pass this honor on to:

Elshevia at Ragamuffin Studies. Her blog is truly excellent, and I really admire Elshevia.

Carole at Mt. Pleasant Academy. An inspiring homeschool blog. Carole has given me many ideas for our journey and has become a great friend.

Tammy at HS Comments on the Fly. She keeps me up to date on what's going on in the homeschool world.

I look at my bloglines subscriptions, and I read so many blogs because I enjoy them all, so it's very difficult to single people out.

I'm feeling a bit inspired now. What a boost!