Confirmation Day!

Brandon was confirmed in June and I am just now posting the photos that I took... yes, I am behind on things. I am still waiting to hear from the professional photographer (aka the handsome Jeff Blade) I hired for the day whether his photos turned out (he had camera troubles). I am so proud of Brandon that he stuck with the classes for 3 years with minimal whining. And I am so thankful for my parents and Jeff who helped immensly with party preparations. And I am so blessed to have such wonderful church friends who are so supportive and caring towards Brandon and I.

The worst few days of my summer vacation

Most parents agree that we would much rather be sick ourselves than have a sick child. Brandon (Thank God) usually doesn't get sick very often, but he's been making it up this year. He's had strep twice, and a couple of colds this past winter but that still doesn't hold a candle to how sick he has been these past few days.

It started on Friday with a bad headache and a slight fever. Sat am he puked, headache was worse, no appetite, and his fever was up to 101.

Sunday am he puked twice, headache was terrible, no appetite, he had spots on his limbs, face and neck, and his fever was up to 102.7. He was suppose to go to a Christian camp this week, so I called our pastor and told him that Brandon was very sick, we were going to the ER, and he wouldn't be at camp. I expected a compassionate answer (I don't know why, I've never gotten one in the past) like, "Oh! I hope Brandon will be okay!" or "I hope Brandon feels better soon." or "I hope it's nothing serious; I'll be sure to pray for him." But no, I heard nothing but "okay, I'll hold your registration until next week." Frustrates the crap out of me... if it wasn't for the members of the congregation whom I love dearly, I would be so out of there! Anyway, that's a topic for another blog.

We took him to the ER in TH where thankfully we got in right away. They ran blood tests and took a throat culture. No strep, and his blood was okay except his white blood cell count was high. They ruled out meningitis, strep, hoof and mouth disease, rocky mountain fever, allergies, and lyme disease. Oh, and syphillis. We left with no answers (viral syndrome is what is written on the sheet), and the orders to withold food and give tylenol (which is what we were already doing). The standard line of "If he doesn't improve, take him to see his regular dr." Ugh.

So Monday, he puked twice, his fever was down (prob due to the tylenol), spots still there, lightheaded, weak, and headache was at a pain level of 8. Tylenol wasn't helping. His normal doc was out (of course) so we got the one doc I don't like... Dr. Peterson. He has the bedside manner of a dead fish and always seems insanely nervous. But at least he ausculated and palpated B's abdomen, which ER doc never did (too busy looking at the spots, I guess). B was tender in the lower right quadrant, so doc thought it may be his appendix, even tho the other symptoms didn't match up. So off we went to have a CT scan.

They made him drink horrible stuff and on a stomach that was already upset, you can guess what happened. And the stuff he had to drink was red... Then, because he was a bit dehydrated, they couldn't find a good place to put in an IV. The third time was the charm, finally. Then the CT scanning machine wouldn't work -- they had to reboot it twice. Meanwhile, my child is laying flat on his back, bright lights in his face, writhing in pain because his head was hurting so bad. Finally, they got it to work. Then came the awful wait for the results. The last time I waited for CT scan results was 6 years ago and the answer was a death sentence, so you can imagine what was going on in my head no matter how hard I tried to think positive.

An hour and a half later the dr informed us that all looked ok. Which was a huge relieve, but still no answer on what was wrong!

So, guess what? Because this doc didn't know what it was either, he chalked it up as a viral syndrome too. I did convince him to at least give him something stronger for his pain, so we walked out 5 1/2 hours later with a prescription for Lortab.

He puked when we got home and puked two more times before bed, but finally his headache was down to a 3.

He didn't sleep last night, but didn't puke this am -- Thank God! No fever, and the spots are fading. But still no appetite... not even for gatorade anymore. So maybe, we made a turn for the better, but I'd feel better if he would eat something and drink more.

I wish it were me instead.

Dinner and a blog

I'm having a late dinner tonight... a nummy dinner of pasta, tomatoes, basil, and garlic, sauted in olive oil and sprinkled with just a bit of parmigiano... mmmmm...

It was so nice out when I got home from my fab lunch with my fab lunch pals that I spent hours out there doing yard things. Brandon has been cutting the grass the last few years and I realized today how much I missed this task! Ipod on, I drive around on the tractor singing, out of tune, I'm sure, at the top of my lungs. What a simple pleasure! Then I did the trimming with the push mower and the weed wacker (wow, I have a big yard!), weeded my veggie garden and watered everything. While I was standing at the veggie garden watering, I looked down the yard towards the gazebo, and was amazed at how park-like it all looked. Especially with the lush forest behind it. There is nothing better smelling or looking than a freshly mowed lawn. Another simple pleasure!

Today's lunch outing was at the Ledgerock Grill in Larsmont. Beautiful place... very Norway-like... but our waitress was rude and had very bad hair, and the food was good but not exceptionally good. The company was exceptional, however, as always! We always manage to laugh hysterically at something or other... usually Judy and her infamous dots in her calendar! Poor, poor Les...

I have my German class tomorrow in St. Paul. And now, in German: Ich habe morgen meine Deutsch Klasse in St. Paul. While I enjoy my class, and seeing Jeff, I am tired of being in the cities. The good news is that Jeff and I will actually be sharing alone time this weekend! Due to our ex's schedules (an on-going issue, really), and family obligations, we have not been alone since May! I'd much rather spend it up here, but his parents will be out of town so we need to dog sit. That's okay, I'm sure we'll still have fun!

On Sunday, he needs to drive back up here to pick up the boys from their moms (after driving all the way up on Thursday to drop them off -- another on-going issue). He wants me to stay down there until Tuesday... but he'll be gone for 6 hours.driving there and back (she refuses to drive 1/2 way)... or I'll be riding back and forth with him... but I really need to get back home to do stuff... but I'd really like hanging with him and the boys... can you tell that I am torn on what to do? I just really need to have him get a job up here... I pray daily.

My toothbrushes came today! They are AWESOME! They are completely made out of recycled materials, including the little box holding the toothbrush (which also can be used as a travel container) and the note. And everything can be sent back to them postage paid to be made into lumber when my new one comes in 3 months! Awesome!

I also called around trying to find a place that takes plastic bags... not just shopping bags, but the packaging bags you get when you buy stuff that have the recycling number on it. I found out Cub Foods has a bin to collect them. Whew, I feel better now.

Now, just what to do about styrafoam....

zu heiss!

I came home yesterday from the cities, leaving all my loved ones behind, with the good intention of getting some things done both outside and inside around my homestead. My plants looked very sad and thirsty, so it is a good thing I did come home when I did. But it is so blasted hot and humid today that I have no energy to do anything! I am actually envying those of you who have to work during the summer, but only those of you who actually work in the cool fresh air of air conditioning.

I did manage to get 3 loads of laundry done... 2 of which are hanging outside on the line waiting to come in and be put away. I also did Wii Fit for 50 minutes (gotta love the boxing!). And I made the procastinated phone call to my insurance agent regarding my chimney claim (I, like my good friend Jac, for some reason hate the phone). And I've actually put away 2 laundry baskets full of stuff that was in my room. So it hasn't been completely unproductive... I just hate that walking from one end of the house to the other makes me sweat.

And I am soooo not looking forward to putting in my volunteering hours at the library tonight. I think they have AC, but it either doesn't work well, or they have it set at too high a temp, because even in May I was sweating. I can only imagine how I will sweat tonight!

On a side note, can you believe it is July 1 already?! I'm going to be heading back to school before I know it!! Ugh! I haven't even opened my camper since hauling it home from storage, let alone camped in it. Geez!

By the way, I'm planning on selling it... it's a really nice camper with AC (hey, wait a minute!) and has barely been used. Know anyone? Let them know!