Pappy and the Posse

Pappy emailed me 39 pictures of one of his rides. This was my favorite. You can see him taking the picture in his mirror and all his buddies coming up behind him on the highway. Who doesn't enjoy seeing a group of bikes pass you on the interstate? The sound, the look, the feel....so cool.

I'm sorry, did it sound like I was complaining again?

Ok, so last week we had three cases of strep in the house. I missed work again and Jay missed three days. He stayed in bed for three days. I have never seen him stay in the bed. By my dark picture from my camera phone, you may be able to make out a dark spot toward the top of the bed. That would be his head and that is all I saw for three days.



He just looked at me when I took the picture and didn't say anything. He probably knew it was going to be for sharing, whether through text or blog, but was to sick to protest.

When Friday rolled around, by the afternoon, #4 was supposedly no longer contagious since he had been on his medicine for 24hrs and #1 had gone back to school that day. So at this point, I felt like the kids and I could go to our Circuit Assembly this weekend, as we have had this planned for six months or more. By late afternoon, I started packing for the weekend. Jay got out of bed and seemed to be in a daze but said he wanted to go with us. I was hoping he stay home and I would record it for him but he said he would take his Tylenol liquid with him. He thought he would surely feel better Saturday. By 7pm, we were in the car prepared for the two hour drive.

When we arrived at the hotel, everyone took their medicine and bedded down for the night. Saturday morning brought some relief for Jay and with a swig of his Tylenol, we headed to the Assembly. Then about mid way through the morning session, #3 looked at her dad and said her throat was hurting. My head hung low, as I knew in my gut it was strep. Not wanting to get the 2,000+ friends sick, I left the rest of the family at the Assembly, found a doc-in-the-box (urgent care) and had her swabbed for a strep quick test. Positive. I texted Jay the news, checked out of the hotel and picked the rest of the family up at the lunch break. Because I now had four out of the six family members diagnosed with strep in almost as many days, I decided to take #2 and myself back over the doc-in-the-box and have us swabbed. Even though #2 had not complained of a sore throat as of yet, he did mention that the side of his neck had been hurting and upon closer inspection, it was swollen. So yes, you guessed it, his swab was positive. Mine on the other hand was not, but I did get a prescription for the just in case scenario, as I have had a twinge in my throat for a few days.

We got a bite to eat (I won't say where but you would not be surprised) while we waited on all the prescriptions to be filled at the local Wal-Mart. Then we headed home. We arrived home less than twenty four hours from we had left the night before.

Today, if you came by to visit us, you would never know the strep had made a home here. Jay is back to his old self and he is working on something outside. I think we caught #2's early enough that he really doesn't feel sick so he is helping his dad. #3 is still in the bed but she would be there even if she wasn't sick (she is not a morning person). The one who started the ball rolling, #1, feels fine on her sixth day of meds and #4 never really felt too bad. I think we caught his like we did #2

Now looms the task of disinfecting the house and washing the mounds of sheets, pillows and clothes that need to be washed in very hot water. I guess tonight soup will not be our main course as it has been the last five days.

Hopefully Monday will be wellness so all the kids can go back to enjoying school, Jay can go back to enjoying tinkering on stuff and I can start my Flylady routine again and go back to work.

Hopefully Monday will bring that spark back to every one.

Did I sound like I was complaining last week?

Well I had nothing on this week!!

The week started off nice. Monday, I had the whole day to myself to clean, watch TV, fold clothes, skip through the house naked (not really, but I could have).

Tuesday started off nice as well. I went out in Service with Tinka. Then I talked her into going out for breakfast. By noon, I was with another friend, trying to help her and then BOOM, I get a call from the school. It was the nurse letting me know #1 was complaining of a sore throat again and her tonsils were swollen but she didn't have a fever. I hung my head low, hung up and called the doctor. I picked #1 up at school early and went straight to the pediatrician. The NP assured me, while listening to the all the symptoms and sickness in the house the past two weeks that it was just a mean virus. They doctors' office had been seeing for a couple of weeks over and over. I mentioned that the school nurse thought it could be strep but the NP again assured me it probably wasn't but would do a quick strep test. Well, guess what, it was positive. Last time #1 had strep throat, it turned into Scarlet Fever. A sickness I thought faded away with the ending of Little House on the Prairie, so I was glad we caught it early.

#4 had complained of a sore throat last week but he never really got sick sick. His sickness only lasted a day so when he started complaining of a sore throat again, I accused him of faking (this was prior to #1's diagnosis). He had no fever and had been jumping around playing until last night. Then in the middle of the night he woke up crying that his throat was hurting bad. Needless to say, we went to the NP and his quick test for strep came back positive too.

Mr. Six Tens had to pull a 16 hour day yesterday and came home sick as a dog. He had been complaining of a slight sore throat and not feeling good in general but he attributed to long hours and stress. Last night about the same time #4 woke up crying, Mr. Hard Worker woke up and quickly turned in to Mr. Very Sick Guy. He actually called in sick and was willing to go to the doctor. I have only known him to call in sick one time and that was 9 years ago. I encouraged him to tell the doctor he had two kids at home with strep throat. Well his quick test for strep came back positive too, along with an ear infection.

Fortunately, there has been no throw up and the two kids who do not have strep, have been able to help me a lot with running water, soup and medicine back and forth. How nice it is to have such good helpers.

Since we have had plans to go to the two day Assembly this weekend and there are still two kids who could get sick, I feel sure I will be heading back to the NP by Friday.

My poor sick family.

When I was your age I had to ride my bike uphill both ways!

Last Friday, the kids wanted to ride their bikes to school even though we live far enough from school to ride the bus. They have been begging to do this since they were in first grade. So, on Friday #1, #3 and #4 suited up and headed up the hill behind our house. #2's bike had a flat tire so he had to be carted to school. Plus, I don't think he was feeling all that great. I was still dressed in my pajamas with my hair sticking up wearing flip flops but headed out in the car to follow. (Yes I am a crazy paranoid mom.)

Well #4 could not make it up the hill and was dragging the girls down. So I put his bike in the hatchback and carted him up to the top of the hill. Then I let him try it again. I then had to put his bike back in the van a few blocks away and take him up the next hill. I dropped off #4 at the corner and had #2 stand with him because I had to go back down the hill to tote #3 up to the top. #1 just kept peddling away and made it up by herself, during the time I was making circles with the other two.

Once I got all of them to the top of the second hill, I pointed out another way which would not be as uphill, but would be safer, as it utilized the crossing guard.

Well in the end, all three missed breakfast at school, #4 was cursing his bike and crying about his legs, #3 was swearing off bike riding all together and #1 parked her bike and skipped to her class' line. Come to find out, she had breakfast at home. #2 was mad because the other three made him late for breakfast.

I was almost in tears because my head was hurting and I wanted to go back to bed. Which I did, once I got back home.

Needless to say, I felt the need to make sure they were going to be ok riding back home. As a family, we all had rode our bikes to the house from the school. But with them going a another way home, I had follow. Well, there was some crying and I had to put a bike in the van again but #1 and #3 did very well and made it all the way home. #4 did inform me that it was not down hill all the way from school to home.

It was very taxing for me both ways and we all agreed we wouldn't try it again for awhile.

Then last night, they all decided to make another go for this morning. #2's bike was fixed and he was gong-ho. Well, to make a long story short, #4 decided to be carted to school with his bike in tow and the triplets headed out. #4 and I met them at the bike rack and again there were tears. #2 was crying, cursing and swearing off bike riding for ever. For the trip back home, only two out of the four made the entire trip while the other two rode in the van. Though, in #3's defense, she did have a flat and it was over a hundred degrees and two miles to home.

In the very end, I made the decision that it will be a very long while before they could try to ride bikes to school and home again.

The night ended in early bedtimes and Advil for sore all the sore legs.

My 1st day on my own...

Last week, I had one child sick the first half of the week (my days off) and thought maybe the rest had scooted by without catching the bug. This week proved me wrong with two very sick and another mildly sick.

Today I was supposed to be at work and my children at school as the the third week of school ended. At week's end, it would have been my third week on my own, being carefree for two and a half days of solitude, waiting, wrapped in Saran Wrap (think TV sitcom, Maude), for Mr. Hard Worker Guy to get home early as the children were blissfully learning at school.


This week Mr. Hard Worker Guy turned into Mr. Six Tens and rarely beat the kids home, at least the ones that went to school. I was either picking kids up because they were sick, taking one to the dentist/orthodontist, making chicken soup for those who had been throwing up, stocking the fridge with Gatorade or dishing out Advil for the high fevers. This scene lasted all week until this morning. Then everyone was better and wanting to try to ride their bikes the 2 miles up hill to school (that is a post I will do tomorrow).

Yet with all the sickness seemingly gone over night, the pendulum swung in my direction and today I woke up feeling yucky. I technically was supposed to go to work. But I slept pretty much all day. My first day in which I was truly on my own (for the first time in 9 years), I felt lousy, down right icky.

But looking back on this week, it could have been worse. I am fortunate because I have the best job ever and work with a group of ladies who understand that having children means I might have to take off. We now have a very nice gentleman who is willing to cover for me on short notice. I am fortunate because I can crawl in the bed with the sick kids and watch Sponge Bob Squarepants because they want their mom just to lay down with them.

So as next week begins, we will see how it goes.

The burning of purses....

I have never really been a purse lady. Oh, I have had my share of purses since I was a preteen but I have never been true to the purse. One year a friend gave me the neatest wallet purse a woman could ever ask for and I wore it out. It was small, but not too small. It held my check book, a pen, bank cards, lipstick, glasses and my keys. I have never found one of similar quality to this day.

After the demise of this wonderful little carrying apparatus, I took to asking friends to hold my lipstick or keys or ID. Then one day I decided to stuff my money in my bra along with my lipstick. WOW, I was liberated from the need of other people's pockets.

Then along came babies. I dreaded dragging around a large diaper bag with things I didn't think I would use for a trip to Wal Mart. So even with the triplets, we used a small diaper bag (the one they send you home with from the hospital). It carried three bottles (with formula powder in it ready for water to be added), six diapers and a pack of travel wipes. I felt that if we needed a change of clothes, maybe that was the point we needed to just head home. So for several years, the triplets and I enjoyed shopping at Wal Mart with freshly stained clothes from what ever lunch adventure we just had.

When #4 came along, I don't really remember carrying a diaper bag. I am sure I did but just having one baby, come on, that is a walk in the park. I was able to breastfeed him so there was no need for bottles, maybe just a diaper or two and wipes. He really didn't have a need for toys because the triplets always entertained him. #4 was almost not even like having a baby. But that is another posts on having multiples plus one.

I digress...so for years I would sneak and hide or put what ever was needed in my bra and feel carefree of the worry of a purse. I think my husband has had mixed feelings. He liked the idea of not carrying my lipstick but to be around while I was digging for it in my chest was a little embarrassing. I, too, tried to hide when I had to dig.

Then one day I was with my cousin at a cash register and without flinching, she dug around for her cash in her bra and gave it to the cashier. Again, the feeling of liberation came over me that I too could proudly dig in my bra for my necessities of life without shame.

So from that point on I stuffed anything that would fit in my bra and felt good about it.

I bring this subject up because yesterday I was walking into Wal Mart and was not wearing an outfit with pockets, I had no purse, and no children with me that had pockets that could be in charge of the car keys. So I stuffed my very small wallet in one side and cell phone on the other side. Then I thought, I could put the remote from my keys where the uderwires meet in the middle and let the keys hang over (under my shirt). I tried it and wow! I marched empty handed into Wal Mart and dug what I needed to out at the register. Yes, my boob did ring once and I feel a little like Get Smart when I pull the phone out of my bra. And yes, I have friends who joke about my boobs ringing or vibrating (if I am in the movies or at work).

Ok, get to the point Stacy...the point is, I chuckled at myself yesterday because I thought of a whole generation of women who burned their bra as a sign of liberation yet I feel liberated being able to wear a bra and stuff it with anything I please, including my boobs. If I was one who didn't care to wear a bra out in public (mind you at home I have no need to hold money or my ID near my person) then I guess I would have to stuff things under my bra-less boobs. As you know with age, things go south. But despite the direction my boobs insist on going, a bra brings them back up to attention and offers me lots of "pockets". And as long as you are not wearing a clingy shirt, no one will really notice until your left boob rings or you are paying at the checkout.

Just a rambling I wanted to share.

PS I do have a neat little pocket purse my friend made me for when my bra becomes overloaded.

As seen on TV...again

Ok, I think I have made two converts to the Ped Egg, maybe three. And as I have used over the last several weeks, I think my opinion may have changed to a more favorable review.

I introduced my sister-in-law to the Revo Styler and unfortunately it is out of production. Mine lasted for over five years and I am still not sure how I got along with out it for the previous 18 years. I bought my second one on eBay and so far so good. I heard a few bad reviews on it but if you didn't use it for at least a full week maybe two then you did not give it a proper chance.

I have now seen the InStyler on TV and I am almost sold on it. I think my sister-in-law would really enjoy it. Right now, it is a two-for deal and I am not sure I could go wrong for only $15 plus S&H.

Who has not heard of mineral makeup? I tried a hint of one of the main brands they are selling on TV and was not sold at all. Then my friend suggested the version of it from Loreal. I preferred the sheer cover finish powder since I really don't wear makeup (but don't worry to much about my face, my lips have permanant lipstick and my top eyelids are permanantly lined thanks to Min!). At any rate, loose powder is about the only thing I use and therefore have used several bottles of it over the course of the last six months or so. I had ran out of it by Spam's wedding and notice she had the Mary Kay version. Well, let me say, I wear base now! I have not been this happy with makeup since a friend introduced me to the Merle Norman powder base years ago. So, if you are interested in my vote for mineral makeup, Mary Kay is the way to go.

Stay tuned for the next segment of my "As seen on TV" product review.

What more could a boy want?

This picture is to show three different things that made #2 very happy at different times but yesterday they all came together to make a very happy boy. The first being his pants. His cousin brought a whole suite case of clothes for #2 when her family made a stop here on their family vacation. When #2 saw these camouflage pants with tons of pockets he immediately put them on. Now I must warn you, you need to be sitting for this, but would believe it had a hook attached to the belt loop to hold keys too??? This kid wore these pants for days with the pockets stuffed and anything that would attach to the hook.

Then last week, a friend at the Kingdom Hall gave #2 a bag of clothes and he found the most awesome shirt ever! He has worn it twice in the last week. It almost is as good as the Abercrombie shirt that is reversible his cousin gave him last year. He loves to wear one side one day and flip it the next day without washing it. How much more fun could a shirt be?

This past weekend he helped his dad work on Grandma's RV. He was the go-for with tools, drinks, rags or what ever. He helped install a fuel pump and worked with his dad to the end. So to say thanks for all his help, his dad bought him a pocket knife. And not just any pocket knife, a Swiss Army knife. He can't hardly wait to eat at Dennie's so he can use the built in toothpick.

So this is a picture of a very happy 9 year old boy.

Random pictures from the last several weeks...

What else do you know that you are not telling me?

This post is a result of reading my monkey bread friend's blog about her oldest daughter going to preschool next week. I remember when the triplets went to kindergarten, it was a mix of emotions for me fun, neat, sad and so on. This was one of the cute stories that I have always remembered. Actually, one of many fun things about school that I smile about it.

When the triplets went to kindergarten, their little world opened up! They came home telling me all about the letters and numbers and colors and gossip on the playground. Then after winter break it seemed they delved into serious subjects or at least it was when it all started coming together.

Anyway...#3 was scratching my back after school one day as she told me a story she had heard in school that week. She told me about a king who many people didn't like but he tried to be nice to all the people. Then someone got mad because they did not like the king being nice to everyone. I kept trying to figure out which fairy tale ended with the king getting killed, even a book, but couldn't think of one. Then I remembered it was Black History Month and asked if she was talking about Martin Luther King Jr. Oh my goodness, this little girl stopped mid-scratch, jerked her head around at me and asked in a very questionable manner "you mean you know about him?" She honestly was mad that I had known something and had not told her about it. She wanted to know who else knew about him. Did Meme? Pappy? Daddy? Aunt Shelley? It was a little sad to see her face when she realized she didn't know a really neat new piece of information.

She asked what else did I know that I wasn't telling her. I believe this was when the seed of love for school, reading and learning in general was firmly rooted because now she had a glimpse of how much knowledge was out there waiting for her to grab it. I took that moment and put it in my pocket with a smile. The triplets are getting so close to the age where I won't know much. Even now, they wonder how I was able to drive around town with out them giving me directions.

Pappy made it back to TN

Pappy made it back home from his northeast trip. He is supposed to be sending me more pictures and when he does I will post them. He said he met some neat people and had a great time. Next year we are going to try to take the kids to the Arctic Circle. Pappy of course on his bike.

Cadillac Ranch

The triplets have been major road trip kids since they were five months old. Yes that is when Meme and I loaded the three car seats in the back of the van, took out the middle seat and headed east. I only remember parts of that trip. Not that it was bad but I believe that was the trip of the infamous "handy dandy van" incident in OK City in a bad neighborhood in the middle of the night (ask Meme). So from that point on my kids accepted willingly to the open road. They have seen many many things and toured many places but this last trip seemed to be the eye opener. It was like every thing was new. This may have been why I enjoyed it so much. I had buddies with me this time who wanted to share and look and know. Before it was fun and neat as I introduced things that interested me to my young babies. But this time, we shared all the interests. The enjoyable smell of a skunk (again for this oddity you must talk to Meme), counting down the mile markers, eating in the car, singing the same song over and over, crossing bridges, playing "Tennessee River" every time we cross the Tennessee River (we crossed it in several states) and the list goes on. But what they really learned on this trip was all the wonderful things truck stops have to offer (except spray paint); showers, gas, candy, cheese sticks, coffee and toys. How do truckers make money when they can so easily spend it all right there at the Flying J?

As I have said, we have made many stops along the interstates we have traveled but this year we stopped near Amarillo, Tx at Cadillac Ranch. I looked for a can of spray paint at truck stop but had to settle for permant markers. It was so fun to stop and write on a car. So here was the fun we had that day...