Calling Paul Bunyan!

I am guessing that you have seen the picture from yesterdays post. If not, go here. That is my neighbor's tree that fell across his yard and way into mine! Argh.

Let me back up a little. It all started Tuesday. I got home a little early to do some work around the yard. Just after Dede and I mowed the grass et.al., a typical summer shower came along. We were so excited for the rain. But wait! It got worse and worse. Then the hail came and we began to wonder what was really going on. After many minutes of watching the rain fall and wind blow like crazy, we heard a huge crash. I actually thought it was our deck furniture that turned over. Upon inspection, the deck furniture was fine and I saw it. My apple tree broke a branch. Dang!

We watched the storm a little more and then I passed by the window to our back yard and noticed something that I hadn't before. Not only did my apple tree break, there was a huge tree on top of it. That was the big crash we heard.

Well, after it was all said and done, Hot Wife got home, and since we were out of power, Dede took Baby O to her house. Hot wife and I took food over to the T's to keep cold in their fridge. Thanks T's! They offered to keep us up for the night, but Hot Wife and I had an urge to be at our home during this time of uncertainty. So we went. With no power in the house, it got pretty warm, so sleeping in the same room was out of the question. I took the couch and she took the bed, and we listened to the chainsaws and workers all night! Yippy skippy! I am sure you can imagine we didn't get but about an hour of sleep in six ten-minute sessions.

The power company and their tree service guys were crazy. One guy was yelling at the tree all night. "I'm gonna cut you!". In the light of the situation we were in, Hot Wife and I thought that it was pretty funny to hear.

Yesterday, we cut up the debris and took it to the street and today a tree surgeon, our own personal Paul Bunyan, will handle the rest. Overall, we were inconvenienced, but it could have been much worse. The tree could have fallen on more property or even hurt someone.

I'll try to take more pics of the workers today and post a follow up.

Yeah! I'll Update You All Later

Baby O Loves This One

Last Friday was my 29th birthday. I was so excited to have my mom with me on my B-day for the first time in about ten years. I think she was pretty excited too. Friday and Saturday were nice, but the weekend turned when Baby O got a fever.

We tried self medicating with Motrin and Tylenol but the fever didn't break. Argh! Amy and DeDe took Baby O to Dr. P the best doctor in the world. Baby O was poked and analyzed from all angles. Poor thing. The test showed that she has a UTI.

Needless to say, Baby O has been pretty unhappy today just as she's been the last few days. We're trying everything to help her feel better. Stroller ride. Food. Sleep.

Thanks to technology, I found a video that made her smile. Us too.



Hope you enjoy too.

The Crazy Mother I Am Part II

Ok so it is getting worse. Wednesday I went to check the mail with Baby O and we were talking to the neighbors and it was getting hot and Baby O had another stinky pants so it was time to go in. Oh no it was not. Hot wife locked the door and we had not keys. Stud the husband was getting a hair cut so he was unavailable to talk. No spare key outside, it is 90 something, we have stinky pants and no way to change them. Thank the Lord my sweet neighbor was home and I called my sister who works 5 minutes away and she came to let us in. I need to start a new week because I am not doing well with memory power.
Today is Stud the husbands birthday and I went to get his favorite key lime pie from Iz 2 that he loves. There are two locations and I went to the wrong one. I tell you I have lost working parts to my brain. Many tell me this is what happens in motherhood and I do believe it.

The Crazy Mother I Am

So this is a thank you for my friend Val. I went to this great clothing sale for Baby O on Sunday and being the wonderful mother that I am, I left the diapers and wipes at home. What was I thinking and I use the term "wonder mother" loosely. So I was looking at the precious clothes getting a visual of how cute they would be on O and catch a whiff of that smell. It was horrible and suddenly I was like oh my gosh my child took care of business in a large way and I forgot the diapers. How humiliated was I. Well sweet friend Val came to the rescue with a diaper and wipes and we were able to shop and have a pleasant ride home. Thanks Val not only for the diapers but for helping me to remember not to forget the diapers again. The sad thing is, with my brain, even though this happened it is quiet possible it will happen again.

Hep C Checkup

Today was my first check up since starting the treatment almost three weeks ago. Hot Wife wasn't able to make it, but was there in part due to a note card of questions for me to ask on her behalf. Everyone asked about her. I guess she made an impression our last visit. I know it was at least a good impression due to the attitude of their remarks.

Overall, the check up was nice. I was able to recount my experience of the past few weeks and the side effects that were noticed. The doctor seemed very positive. Yea!

I also had the basic blood work drawn and most of that was acceptable. The significant concern that we have right now is dealing with my white blood cell count. At 3.4, the WBC was very low somewhere between half and a third of normal. We are going to have to be extra carefull not to catch any bugs since WBC's help fight infection. Little kids stay away! Just kidding.

I guess I will need to be extra diligent about washing hands et.al.

Overall we are extremely postitive. Praise the Lord! Please pray for improvement in my WBC count as it will help many things.

Independence Day Weekend

Our Independence Day weekend started with a trip north to Hot Wife's hometown of Attalla, Alabama. It's been a while since we made the trip there -- I guess we've been pretty busy lately! Uncle Duane and Aunt Donna were kind to let us, and the rest of the family, kick back at their home that has a pool. I don't have any pictures, because the hot July sun caused me to get in the pool like a bug gets into a bug zapper. I just couldn't do it quick enough!

We went to the Gadsden fireworks show.






















I wanted to take a family picture in front of fireworks. After a few minutes of homework and setup to get the shot, Baby O sold me out. She's very afraid of the fireworks. So she hid in the car and got in the floorboard as far back as she could.
















I took my shot Friday night so as you know already Friday night and Saturday were a little slow. I vegged around the better part of the day. Saturday, we did find time to go to the Gadsden Mall to feed the ducks and geese. Where are these geese when we were waist deep in cold water last winter?


































Then we took a quick portrait, but the noonday light was less than tolerable. Argh!






















Later that night, Poppy taught Baby O how to string beans. By the way, this is a good skill to learn. I remember growing up where my Mema and Aunt Pearl would string beans for an entire day. I was there to help though I didn't realize at the time how simple skills are so important and grandparents are perfect people to teach them.


















Finally, after going to church, we had a little time to take a few more quick pictures. Aunt Willene and Uncle Allan, I know you read this blog so thanks for the cute outfit that Baby O is wearing. She got so many compliments. Especially when she would wear her hat!

Two New Pics of Baby O

As you can see, she has a crazy side. She probably gets it from her Uncle Bert.

Hot Wife Battles TMJ

She's gonna kill me for doing this!!!

I just got a picture two day ago of Hot Wife molding an athletic mouthpiece to her teeth as a DIY fix for TMJ. I don't even know what TMJ is, but it's freakin' hilarious hearing her talk with the thing in her mouth.

Good luck baby! I hope your solution works.