Attack of the Colds

The kids have taken turns with a pretty harsh cough and cold. Last week they so kindly shared it with me. I've been feeling absolutely miserable for most of last week and this weekend.

We were going to go to the Grand Rapids museum to check out the mythical beasts exhibit today. Unfortunately, I am a walking-talking germ factory. The museum visit has been pushed to next weekend.

I feel like nothing is getting done around here. Everyone needs a haircut, I need to renew my drivers license, and dusting...dusting really needs to be done. Ugh.

I'm giving myself today to be lazy in the hope that Monday I will be able to start getting things accomplished. Until then...aaachooo!

Blankets for the Kids!

I have anxiety. One of the ways I combat the really bad episodes is to find a way to distract my brain with videos. In particular, how to crochet videos on youtube. I've knitted since I was 7 years old, but I've never wanted to crochet. This all changed in December when I, quite by accident, came across videos from The Crochet Crowd on youtube. Mikey makes videos on how to crochet certain stitches or patterns. I love his slightly awkward self. He is hugely popular and has big name sponsors. There are crochet cruises and get-togethers.

Anyway, I watch the videos and they provide enough mental stimulation to interest and distract my brain. However, I suddenly had a NEED to crochet blankets. During Christmas break my mother-in-law took me and the kids to JoAnn's to shop for yarn. Yes, I have never crocheted before, but I was going to make each of my children a blanket, dammit!

We found Bernat Blanket yarn, a crochet hook, and a sale at JoAnn's. Gavin picked three colors he wanted, and I paid for 6 balls (giant balls!) of it. Seriously, it is super bulky yarn and 6 balls is like 1320 yards.

I cast on a chain of 90 stitches and went to it. It was awkward to get used to holding the crochet hook. Still, I  double chained along and 5 days later I had a super long, super warm blanket for Gavin.

We immediately went back to JoAnn's to let Henry and Irene pick out their colors. Their blankets took even less time than Gavin's. I was on a roll!

My kids each got a warm blanket that will fit them into adulthood. For as long as the yarn lasts, this blanket will stay with them.

A New Year...

A new year! I've been rather lazy about posting here. It seems like I always have something that I need to do instead. Ah well, perhaps it'll get easier as the year progresses.

We had a great Christmas. We went to my older brother's house the weekend before. Had a lovely lunch, caught up on lives, exchanged gifts, etc. My dad was also there, but my younger brother and sister-in-law had to work.

For Christmas eve we had dinner with Mark's parents. Very easy and relaxed.

Christmas day found me getting up early. I had put a ham in the crockpot the night before, but I had other food to make for a Christmas brunch. Mark's parents came over and joined us for opening gifts and eating. It was a lot of fun and really just an easy holiday.

The kids had two weeks off of school. Leading up to the holiday Henry was sick several times. One day had us at the doctor's office with the right side of his neck hugely swollen. He got to have two doctors confer on that one. Thankfully, it wasn't mumps (especially since he has been vaccinated for that!) but they wanted to make sure.

On New Years Eve, Henry woke up during the night with severe itching. I couldn't find any marks, bumps, or hives. Gave him Benadryl. The next night, Mark was on the road, and Henry got up at 1:30am. He was itching again. However, this time his face and hands were horribly swollen. I gave him Benadryl again and called Mark. We talked on the phone for two hours while I sat with Henry. In hindsight I should have called 911. Instead I sat up and watched him breathe.

The next had us at the doctor again. Blood was taken to do a food allergy test. Was told to call 911 if he ever had a reaction like that again. The doctor said that a reaction so severe had to be from something he ingested. Of course, you tell people it had to be something he ATE, and yet they'll still tell you a million things he could have touched to make him swell. Oh well, at least they care!

A few days later the blood work came back, but Henry is not allergic to anything that they currently test for. That means we wait and see. We do have a current Epipen for him and we all practiced on how to inject it.

The one thing about that whole saga is that it happened on New Years Eve and Day. We just happened to have a meat and cheese tray on NYE that we finished up the next day. There was hard salami on the tray that I know Henry ate both days. We don't normally have hard salami...like only sometimes on NYE. So, is it possible that something in that caused him to have such a reaction? Sure. But I am not willing to test it. It is not worth risking his life to check if that was the culprit.

And there we are. A relaxing Christmas and a slightly crazy start to the new year.

Holiday Cards!

I love holiday cards! I love to send them, I love to get them. I wish we had another holiday-time when sending cards was a big deal. I would so be on it.

We are fast approaching Christmas. I am looking forward to my kids having time off of school for something other than colds/flu. I'm tired and the past two months have been filled with anxiety. This past week has been completely nuts, but I'll save that tale until next time.

For right now I want to bask in the greatness of holiday cards and the people that were willing to send them to us. Such a little thing, but it brightens every day. You people are the kindest, and for that I thank you!

Christmas Time is Here...Sorta

 Christmas trees and Christmas cards. It is slowing starting to look like Christmas here. The tree is up and decorated. However, the tree skirt seems to have moved house sometime since last December. Cannot find it anywhere. The boys did the majority or ornament hanging. This means the ornaments are grouped in certain areas, but I don't care a bit. They loved doing it and love showing us which ones they put on.

Many, many holiday cards were addressed and sent out. I love holiday cards. No one in my family really sends them out, but I still do it. When I was young my mom would hang up the cards we got on the curved archway between the living room and family room. That memory has stuck with me, so I send out cards and hope to get some in return!

Last week was a bit rough. On Halloween I got a 'Juror Questionnaire' in the mail. Apparently, my name has been pulled. I cannot even list all the ways that this is not good. I take care of three kids alone every week. Who would get them to and from school? Dinner? Homework? Not to mention, the courthouse is in Grand Rapids. That is at least 25 minutes from here. Not counting traffic. I have no idea how to get there or where to even park once I did.

I must admit to being in a bit of a panic over this. My kids are 8, 10, & 12. Too young to fend for themselves. Plus, I drive Irene and Gavin to school. UGH!!!!

So, possible jury duty not enough? Well then, on Sunday Mark was driving Henry and Irene home from Grandma's. A suburban pulled out of the lumber company, crossed two lanes of traffic and slammed into the driver-side slider door of the van. Apparently, the guy driving wanted to be in the same lane, same spot as our mini van. Thankfully, Gavin was home with me because that door is where he sits. Henry and Irene were frightened, but fine. Mark was livid.

A young man gave a witness statement to police, so they have down that Mark was absolutely not at fault. The van is a mess and we are trying to get a quote on repairs. 

Just to add to the fun...This week Gavin came down with a hellish cough and cold. Tuesday he had almost no voice and a temp of 102. He spent the majority of the day covered up, watching Ben 10. It was really weird because he is usually all go! go! go! He stayed home Wednesday, but went to school today.

Unfortunately, Irene, Henry, and I all have the beginnings of the cough/cold. Even Mark, who called me today, has it. I'd like to put my pajamas on and cuddle with LuLu, but needs must. Dinner, homework, and that never-ending laundry.

~~~

I have an Ornaments Wishlist...if that's your kind of thing.

Halloween Happiness

 Pumpkins made with melted crayons

 A dolphin, Godzilla, and Master Chief