It Is Easy to be Ignorant

I was contemplating what I had to blog about. I came up with nothing.

Nada

Zip

Zero

Zilch

I thought how sad is my life that I have absolutely nothing to blog about. Then it occurred to me. I am looking at this ALL wrong! How blessed am I that I really have nothing to blog about?

No serious health problems, no job security worries, no housing issues...I am not in a path of a hurricane or tornado. I do not have to evacuate my home picking a few precious belongings to bring with me knowing that everything I leave behind might be destroyed. Read_More

I do not live in Sudan...where they have to worry about life and death EVERY SINGLE DAY. Where millions have been killed or displaced by fellow humans. Humans that have declared themselves more worthy than others. Read_More

I am not persecuted for my race, my gender or my religious beliefs. I can go to church. Pray out loud. Tell others about God. And not be killed for it. (Read More)

I live in a country where democracy is the way of life. Doesn't make life perfect, but it makes us free. A country where we live by these words...."We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

I have the freedom of speech. To speak up about things I find wrong--even if it is against the government that provides me with that freedom.

So, I may not have any stories of my own to share with you today, but the world has enough going on without me.

Welcome Back!

Between my ear problems and baby-sitting difficulties, I hadn't been to work in two weeks.

Until today.

Two weeks doesn't sound like a LONG time, but long enough. On my short drive to work, I was making sure I remembered all my passwords to the computers, etc. It is amazing how quickly your mind forgets things you don't use. And that are important. Non-important things I tend to retain. Forever.

So, I went into work. Started up the computers. Started printing prescriptions that needed to be filled. I get six labels printed and the printer jammed up. I calmly opened the compartments, pulled out the ink cartridge, removed the jammed paper...put the cartridge back in. Closed the compartments. Hit GO! Ahhh...problem solved!

Spin...spin...BEEP! Jammed. I roll my eyes and head back over to the printer.

I opened the compartments, pulled out the ink cartridge, removed the jammed paper...put the cartridge back in. Closed the compartments. Hit GO!

Spin...spin...BEEP! Jammed. I muttered obscenities under my breath at the printer.

I opened the compartments, pulled out the ink cartridge, removed the jammed paper...put the cartridge back in. Closed the compartments. Hit GO!

Spin....BEEP! Jammed. I was ready to take the printer and throw it.

Once again, I opened the compartments, pulled out the ink cartridge, removed the jammed paper--oh no. Not all the paper came out this time. I can see it stuck on the roller in the printer. I reach in there to pull it out...and yelped. I kneeled down to look in there and then noticed the warning :

Caution. HOT! 356 F

Wow...it was hot. For sure. Now I am cursing the computer, cursing the pain in my hand...and still unable to print ANYTHING.

So, I called the help desk. They said they would send someone right out...and to switch to our back-up printer. Ummm...our back-up printer? Doesn't work! It was as effective as having a spare tire in your car that is flat. What good does it do? NONE!

We waited for help. A tech came out (almost two hours later, but still he came!) and replaced parts on our primary printer and back-up printer. Finally, I could get to work.

That I guess was a great welcome back to work. I need Josh's schedule where I can have a five-day weekend. (Shhh..most of the time, I do!)

I had things to say...

But I have learned that if I don't write things down, they disappear from my mind.

So instead I will just bore you with my second trip to the ENT. More suction was done and my ears were declared CLEAR! Yeah! The audiologist did a hearing test on me to make sure everything was okay...and it is not. I have pretty good hearing loss in my left ear--which I have had for years. So, this is not the result of my recent ear problems. However, the doctor (who I found out is also a pharmacist--so I like him even more now!) is concerned because hearing loss should not be so drastically different in your ears like mine is. So, while one set of ear problems is corrected...a new one has blossomed. I will have to undergo tests to find out what is causing the hearing loss. The ENT thinks it possibly is Meniere's Disease. Which, when reading the symptoms seem like it could be. You can go here to read more if you are interested at all about Meniere's Disease. Not a pleasant diagnosis, but better then a tumor in my ear--which the ENT says there is a SMALL (less than 2%) chance that it is. I am not sure that I will be able to have the tests done while I am pregnant, especially since it is not an emergency situation, so results may take a while... But, I am sure everything is fine!

Crib Contents

Cade is napping.

In his crib with him is:

• A sippy cup with water
• A plastic bowl with a few remaining Yogo's from his morning snack (he doesn't want to eat them, just has to have them close)
• Three hard board books
• A fleece "Bonkey" (monkey blanket)
• Three cloth diapers blankies
• Three Nuks
• And a partridge in a pear tree

Okay, so that last one is not true. There are NO trees nor are there birds in Cade's crib. (At least, not that I can see...)

But I am still trying to figure out how he sleeps comfortably in there?! Last night he had a plastic ball in there too. A little crowded for my tastes!

Hearing is Believing

Wow. I can hear! It is amazing.

I went to an ENT today. He worked wonders. He used suction to get the wax out of my ears. It was a crazy experience, but once I could hear, I almost kissed the ENT. He said I still have a LOT of build up in my ears and he thinks I have an infection in the right ear...which is what may have triggered this whole thing. So, I have to go back in a week for another treatment but I CAN HEAR! Of course, I am very aware now how loud the new toys are that Cade got for his birthday. And I realized that not hearing Cade's screaming was definitely a bonus. However, I am very glad to not have to say WHAT to everything someone says to me. Things you take for granted until they are gone...

Another wonderful thing happened today. I found Heaven on Earth. What was previously only available to us during trips to Wisconsin...has found its way to AZ! Pure happiness in the form of a Culvers Concrete Shake. Don't know what that is? I feel bad for you. You are totally missing out. AND they have cheese curds. Delicious deep fried golden balls of cheese. What more could you want out of life? (besides the heart attack that is likely to ensue should I become addicted to this--luckily it is just far enough away that we won't want to make the drive as often as I will crave the food!)

What? No, seriously, WHAT?

I am having ear problems. Major ear problems.

Go ahead and say it, "WHAT?"

It started last week. A kind of fullness and difficulty hearing in my right ear. Got really bad on Sunday (of course just in time for Cade's birthday party!) and was a nightmare by Monday. Went to the doctor on Monday. He said that I have an excessive amount of wax which is blocking my ear drum...thus causing the pain and difficulty hearing. Told me to use some wax softening drops and come back in a week if I needed to. I bought the drops. I used the drops. I woke up Tuesday pretty much deaf in both ears. Like being in a tunnel.

Survived all day...went to urgent care that evening. The nurse practicing tried a Water Pik to "spin" some of the wax out. Not very comfortable--kind of makes you want to puke...and no real success. She sent me home with instructions to use different ear drops and to come back in 5 days if not better.

Woke up this morning and I could hear barely anything. Seriously. I don't hear the phone ring...people talking to me...the TV...Cade's nebulizer (which is super loud). The pressure and pain is miserable...add to that the fact that I can't hear and I am going crazy. Jim had to call the doctor for me (the volume on the phone doesn't go up loud enough so I can hear) and got me in again. My doctor also tried to WaterPik to flush out my ears...but no success again. He said I probably need to go to an ENT. Meanwhile, I am supposed to work tomorrow...and I CAN'T HEAR!

So, I miraculously was able to get into an ENT tomorrow. I am hoping that this doctor will be able to help me. Because I am seriously going to have a breakdown if this doesn't get resolved soon!

Again, I am sorry Miss Angelia for bailing on work and leaving you with "Dependable" pharmacists...hopefully they live up to their name!

Happy Birthday, Cade!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Cade!

We had a great day! It got off with a rough start since at 2:30am Cade was standing in his crib--eyes wide open--yelling, "MAMA! MAMA!" The more I ignored him, the louder he got.



(WHY oh WHY do the never call for Daddy in the middle of the night??)



So, I went in and he demanded "Finding Nemo". So, I put the little portable DVD player in his room with Nemo on and let him fall back asleep watching Nemo. I will probably warp him forever by allowing him to watch a movie in the middle of the night, but alas. At 2:30 in the morning, it is hard to care.



So, Cade was a wee bit of a grump this morning when he got up. I kept telling him it was his birthday...he had to be happy. Didn't really make a difference. Until after breakfast. Then he was great for the rest of the day.

Before his birthday party, we gave Cade his bike. His big present from Mom and Dad. He was not interested AT ALL! He wanted the balloons attached to the bike and that was it. Oh well...





His party was this afternoon. He got waaayyy to many presents, but he loved them all. It was to the point where he didn't want to open more as he wanted to play with the ones he already opened. We finally made it through the stack of gifts and he took off to play with some of the new toys that had been unpacked and battery powered.




We had some dinner...




Then of course, CAKE! If you look very closely at the picture, you will see the string of SPIT coming out of Cade's mouth as he blows out the candle. Don't worry...no one ate Elmo's nose which is where the string of saliva landed. At least, I think that is where it went...



Cade enjoying cake with his Nana.

A Strange Little Monkey

Cade has finished his course of oral steroids.

Thank God that is done because I don't know how much longer we all could handle "MEAN CADE". He was mean. I know it was the medications he was on for his breathing, but wow. Doesn't make it easier to deal with. So luckily that part of his treatment is done. We still, however, have to do breathing treatments for at least another week to get his lungs all cleared up. Cade still HATES doing breathing treatments. Especially two in a row.

When I went to pick Cade up from my parents house after work, he was at the end of his rope. He was tired. He was angry about the breathing treatments. His poor little bum is all red and irritated again. So, when Mom went to go pack his clothes (he was in his PJs already) for me to take home, he started crying for his shirt. He likes his flowery Hawaiian shirt. We had to put it on him over his pajama shirt. And he had to have it buttoned. And he wouldn't let me take it off him when we got home. So, he is sleeping with two shirts on. I guess you have to pick your battles--and that is not one I was willing to fight him on. He might be a little warm, but he will survive. Just hope he will take it off in the morning!

Cade's Two Year Old Pictures

I love these pictures. He looks so "big" to me. It was rough going at first, but Cade ended up doing really well for the photo shoot. Yes, friends and family, I have copies of pictures for you...expect them in the next 6 months!

To See Who Reads My Blog

My Eggo is Preggo.

What?

YES!

I am pregnant. We are having another baby. Crazy? Yes. Excited? Totally.

I had my first doctor's appointment on Friday. The baby measured 8 weeks and looked good. Due in March. That is the good news.

The bad news is that Cade is sick. Again. More oral steroids and albuterol for his breathing treatments. That means twice a day we are doing TWO breathing treatments in a row since he is also on inhaled steroids. He loved that this evening! Yeah, not really. But we got through most of it the best we could. Hopefully this will pass quickly. He is sleeping quietly right now (quick! Knock on wood!) whearas last night he coughed almost continuously all night long. Poor baby.

Anyone Have Any Answers?

Questions:

1. Is the Red Ring of Death on the Xbox really as bad as people make it out to be?

2. What do you do with an awake toddler at 2:00am besides put Finding Nemo on for them on the portable DVD player in their room?

3. Why does Cracker Barrel have the BEST pancakes ever? Do they put Crack in them?

4. If you get a decaf Starbucks is it still worthy to be called Starbucks?

5. Why does playing Mario Kart on the Wii make me want to puke when I don't get motion sick in cars or planes?

6. Why are men SOOOOO hard to shop for presents?

7. Why do toddlers get orange Cheetos everywhere?

8. Why does Cade like to play outside (and make me come with him) when it is like 110 degrees out?

Another Grocery Store Adventure

Saved :$79.41

Spent: $ 53.60

% saved: 60%

I know...maybe not as quite as impressive as some past shopping trips. But, when you see my list of purchases, you will see that it was really a great deal. I am sure some of you are bored by my lists of shopping experiences, but I am proud that I can save some money for my family this way and still get the thing we want and the brands we like. So bear with me or run away. The choice is yours!

(2) Large boxes of Pampers Cruisers
(2) Boxes of Rice Krispie Treats
(2) Boxes of Yogos
(1) Box of Apple Jacks
(1) Box of Corn Pops
(2) Tubs Hillshire Farms Deli Meats
(1) Loaf Sara Lee Bread
(1) Crest Pro-Health Toothpaste
(2) Boxes Keebler Right Bite cookies
(1) Bottle of Dawn
(2) 12 pack Charmin
(2) Cans Campbells Cream of Chicken Soup
(1) Green Pepper
(1) Bag egg noodles

To put my savings in perspective, the boxes of diapers are normally $25.99 each. So, basically I paid what it would normally cost for the two boxes of diapers and then you can look at it as I got everything else free. Not bad, right?