Flip Flop Fun!

Everywhere I look I see people wearing the cutest flip flops. I thought I might like to have some metallic ones. Then one night I was surfing the web and found this ingenious craft for interchangeable flip flop fun.

I just had to try it.

Off to JoAnn's I went. Bought me some $1.50 flip flops, velcro and some ribbons/trim that were on sale.

And away I went with my crafting.

After 2 days of wearing my creations, I thought how in the world do people wear these? They are so uncomfortable. So with a little more velcro I found a way to make them comfortable. I velcroed my sole inserts that I wear in other shoes to the bottom.

Oh the possibilities are endless! Now I can have shoes to match any outfit.

Yesterday we got to go on a field trip to the weather center.

I was probably more excited to go than the kids.

We learned all kinds of things and saw different instruments to read and forecast the weather. And I can't remember what anything was called. But here he is showing us a rain gauge.

I learned that every weather station in the world sends up 2 balloons at the same time everyday. They send it up "Greenwich time".

So here in Nashville they send it up 6AM and 6 PM. The balloon measures about 6 feet across when fully blown up. And do you know what it is filled with? All of us guessed helium, which is wrong. Helium is expensive so they use hydrogen. EEEKS! That's explosive! And I learned that as the balloon goes up it gets bigger. All of us except one little boy thought the balloon would get smaller as it got colder. Anyway these balloons have a little GPS signal attached to it and they are able to gather all kinds of information from it. And since everyone sends it up at the same time they are able to compare their findings with everyone else's findings. He told us that only 20 to 30% of the packages or bags are returned to the weather station. I'm surprised I didn't know about this before or maybe I've seen one and didn't know what it was when I saw it.

This tower with the big "soccer ball" on it is a radar. It has a disk inside that spins around 3x per minute. When we first got there one of the girls said, "Whoa that is one big soccer trophy!"

I found it fascinating to see all the different maps.

It was a small building but we got to see where they went when the storms hit too close to them. They have an interior lunchroom that had reinforced steel walls with a big steel door that they could shut and bolt in case of an emergency. Our guide, Tim gave us a poster that has all the different cloud formations on it. I found it most interesting! It shows the types of clouds they need to watch to see if they develop into tornadoes. You bet I'm going to use that information during a storm.

I was really glad to see our friend, Chance. This was the first time we got to see him in person since the airport when he came home to live with his family. He is such a happy boy. We gave him some clothes and books and he is tickled! Aussie got to speak a little bit of Chinese to him and Chance answered him back.

After learning more about the maps inside it was time to let the balloon go. So we headed out to watch it. Up up it went. I didn't have my sunglasses so I couldn't look up for too long.

The guide commented on how good our group was. Everyone asked questions and answered those that he had. **insert bragging on Aussie who knew many of the answers** We had 2 two year olds in the group and they were perfect too. Really proud of all of them!

And I already have gotten to use my new found knowledge. I was awakened by a huge thunder that roared and roared after it struck this morning. I rolled over and told Greg, "Now that was a positive charged lightning strike." Greg still asleep didn't really acknowledge me. FYI most lightning strikes are negative charged. The one that you hear that hit and roar for a long time are positive.

Severe tonsillitis

"Good Job Doctor"

That is what I heard my doctor say to me when I went to see him today.

Even though I have been feeling much better after looking at my throat last night I decided I better go see my doctor. My throat was the worst that I have ever seen. Even worse then any I saw when I Googled it. Yes it is nasty!

In the doctor's office I became the "show and tell" patient.

The nurse was super fascinated when I told her and she said, "Ooooooh let me see."

OK sure I said as I opened wide and let her look.

"Wow- I've never seen anything like that. You have strep! "

Yes I'm afraid I do.

One minute later she brings in nurse 2 to take a look at my throat because it is so impressive.

"You've got strep. You need a stronger medicine", nurse 2 said.

2 minutes later nurse 2 brings in nurse 3.

You guessed it- to see my impressive throat. She is new and they are supposed to show her anything unusual.

I wish I would have said, "Hey keep them coming this makes a great story." But I stopped becoming the circus freak at that point.

The doctor came in and he didn't say strep. He said it's a severe case of tonsillitis. He said if I hadn't taken the antibiotic when I did it probably would have affected my breathing. I asked him if he had seen a throat this bad before and he said yes. It looked just like his when he was a kid. After doing a little research, I'm guessing I have the bacterial tonsillitis. I may even have the rare form, fungus tonsillitis. The doctor said he didn't suspect that my family would get it. And those two types are not passed on. I still couldn't figure out how I would have gotten it though if it is not passed on through the air by people. I would have had to drink after someone or come in close close contact with someone's mouth who had it. I have no idea.

Anyway, the doctor said I was doing absolutely everything I needed to be doing. He did say one thing surprising. He said that I need to rest another FIVE days. That's a long time since this is day four. I specifically asked about walking (for exercise) and he told me not to and to really take it easy. That I could fall back pretty easy if I didn't watch it.

So I have orders to take it easy.

Anyone want to borrow my kids for an afternoon?

What a day!

It's unbelievable how much we take for granite when we live a relatively healthy life. And when we are sick or have a broken bone, that is when we get a taste of how much we use whatever it is that is wounded. Today I needed something upstairs, so I thought since I'm going up I'll take this basket of laundry with me. Something I would do on any normal day with ease when I am not sick. I had to stop and rest on the steps 2 times. TWO times! My body is too weak to even take a load of laundry up the steps. I was really shocked.

Aussie is driving me crazy today! Since I've been up a bit today he seems to think I am fully better. He yells from the other room, "Mom?" And I suppose he expects me to yell "what?" back to him. But I can barely talk. I'm sure he has done this at least 20 times today.

The kids are antsy. They need to get out. Greg took them to Chick Fil A last night, but they need more. Last week, prior to getting sick I said we were going bowling. And if they each got 100% on their list for a full week I would take them to Chuck E Cheese. And we would go swimming and and and...

Ashley has been super helpful! She gets the laundry out of the washer and puts it in the dryer. She empties the dishwasher. She has been really good about checking on me.

Mason has been whiney. No one will play with him or she's been on the computer too long or he hasn't had very much time on it. This child has GOT to get out.

Today I managed to get 3 loads of laundry done, my coupons updated, dishwasher loaded and run or is that ran?

I'd say I've had a pretty successful day.

As for the 10 things a day list. I've learned my lesson that the prize for getting 100% everyday we would go somewhere is not a good plan. 2 did not get it done. Now who will watch those two when I take Ashley? And will Ashley still have fun if her siblings are not there? I've decided to let the boys have 2 make up days. And I have to stay on top of them to get it done. We will continue to do the list, but I will change the prize to getting 2-3 things at the dollar store. The others will have to wait as the one shops and they will get nothing if they don't do their lists. period.

better

It's nearly 4AM and no I'm not just going to bed.

Actually I just woke up.

I feel significantly better.

My throat still hurts,

but I feel rested and my head doesn't hurt.

I feel like I can do something other than sit on the couch all day.

I'm Sick

I'm sick.

Sore throat.

Yesterday I couldn't get warm.

Then at night I couldn't get cold.

And throughout the night I went back and forth.

I slept all day yesterday so I didn't sleep very much last night.

Today I'm a little better. I'm starting an antibiotic.

Father's Day

1,280

That's how many emails I have unread!

Aye Aye Aye!

How in the world will I ever get caught up. I'm sure over the next few days I will do some mass deleting! I hope I don't delete anything important.

I got a picture of Ashley's feet.

They look adorable.

Hers are cute, so why are mine not? :(

It was pretty difficult trying to paint with much detail on my toes.

Today I walked 2 miles again. This time my family walked with me. I didn't want to do it, but I knew I needed to do it. The last 3 days have been party party party with food. I hope I can walk enough to make up for how much I ate.

Greg wanted Mexican today. We went to his favorite restaurant Baja Burito, but it was closed. I secretly was glad, because I don't think there is anything there that I like. So we went to Las Palmas.

Then we went to see a play at the Nashville Children's Theater. We got 5 comp tickets! Wow it's awesome to have connections! I can't remember the exact name, something like Jack's play or life or whatever. It was a musical and I really enjoyed it. I'm finding that as I learn who the actors are I am enjoying these plays even more. Jeff Boyet was in this play and we ate dinner with him the other night. He was also in the play Greg put on, Arcadia. It was really neat to get to know this Christian man and his father. He is the one who invited us to see this play today. He is a really good actor.

The rest of the day was filled with laundry, and folding it and getting today's coupons in order. And I'm loving playing this new game Tetris Battle on Facebook. Yes, I'm addicted. However, I am trying to get enough points to buy something on the game, so every chance I get I'm playing this silly game.

Tomorrow, I hope to go bowling. Last time I tried to bowl, not only did my finger hurt but I think I messed up my hip bad. So I'm hoping I can actually bowl. My finger always hurts when I bowl. Many years ago I broke it bowling. How in the world can you break your finger bowling? Well I was using one of the balls from the ally that had jagged ridges in it. And it was too small. My finger stuck in it and when I threw it my finger popped. That was my best game ever before it broke- 198. I think that was in the 8th frame. Imagine if I could have continued what my score might have been. Just a couple years ago I passed that. Not by much but I indeed broke 200. I can no longer play more than 2 games as my finger begins to hurt to badly. Most of the time I can only play 1. But I still have fun none the less.

And now at 1:43 AM I wish I was tired! I'll do the dishes and hopefully I'll be able to fall asleep.

And one last thing...

Happy Father's Day!

I talked to my Dad a good long time yesterday, so I didn't call him today. Maybe I should have. But I think he knows I love him!

Tacky Nails!

Oh my goodness! I need to hurry and get in bed. Tonight I painted Ashley's toe nails like you see my hands painted in the next picture. It is cute on her toes. But when I did my fingernails. It was so gaudy that I just couldn't handle looking at it. Greg said I had to keep it that way. But I just couldn't! It was way too much of a distraction.

So I kept one fingernail painted that way and did the rest blue. Well that was just as bad. So I "tried' to take that off and I painted them red. It is much better, but you can still see around the edges where it was blue. Oh well. It was just an experiment.

Last night I thought I saw a skunk go into our bushes, w

ith it's big fluffy tail. Tonight, it was confirmed. Greg saw the skunk in our front yard when he came home tonight and it ran under the fence into our neighbor's yard.

I got my haircut today. Unfortunately, I think it looked better before I got it cut. But I think it may be a good cut and that I just need to style it. I suppose I'll find out tomorrow!

And DOH! Guess what I forgot to put in the mail?

Drats!

Happy Father's Day!!!

Always, Patsy Cline!

Well tonight was big treat! Greg and I got to see the musical, Always Patsy Cline. The director Ted Swindley is friends with Greg and actually directed their last show, Arcadia. So he gave us comp tickets. It was really good. I came out of there thinking I needed to look up some of those songs and try to learn them. It brought back some good memories of when I went to Renee Grant-Williams (the best voice coach in Nashville). She introduced me to Patsy Cline. She told me to study how she sung because she was one of the best singers. The difference is that most voice teachers have you open your mouth and really sing those vowels. But this voice coach teaches you to sing through the consonants. It really made a HUGE difference. I still love to sing the song, Crazy like Patsy Cline.

After the show many of us went to eat at Merchants. I had a delicious French Dip sandwich! I enjoyed being around many other artsy people.

Earlier in the day I took the boys swimming at the Y. Ashley went to a girlfriend's house to play. I didn't have time to walk. So when I got home from the play, I power walked for 15 minutes in a circle through my kitchen, school room, living room and foyer. (4-5 times around was one minute) It was monotonous but I did it none the less.

My "create something" item was to make a little hovercraft using a CD, bottle cap and balloon. But it didn't work. I wonder if the bottle cap was too heavy. I might try again tomorrow or when I can find the right cap to use. I'll share the website on how to make it when I try again.

Here it is nearly 3AM and I've finally finished all 10 items and can go to bed.

Good thing I can sleep in tomorrow!

My Life today

Another 2 miles and my feet hurt!

I don't know what I'm going to do when Doris isn't available. She keeps me going. I'm not so sure I can keep this up on my own.

Yesterday's "Make Something" took way too long to create. I just made this little card for Ashley.

Tonight, I learned my lesson. I'm sure these will be just as appreciated.

VBS is over and I've already found another one. I don't know if they will want to go, but this is really a good gig for me. They learn about Jesus and I get to walk with a friend. I'd say that is a win win situation. However, I'm not so sure the kids will want to do another VBS. But we will see. That one starts on Monday. Tomorrow is another day of swimming if it doesn't rain.

Hail!

Today we went to see the movie, Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2. I don't know why I decided to see this movie since I hated the first one. But I'm glad I did because it is so much better than the first. We decided to see the movie today because we had terrible storms here and couldn't go swimming. On our way home from the movie I heard big pellets hitting the car. Then I saw them bouncing off the car. It was hail. And it was BIG! My friend Doris was so amazed by it. She stood at my front porch and was just mesmerized. She went out in it and gathered up several of hail balls and we decided to measure them. Unfortunately, this one melted a lot before we measured it. She got a picture of it in her hand and then measured her hand. It was 3 1/2" long! No joke! In the picture below, it is just measly 2 1/4".

Tonight when we dropped the kiddos off at VBS it was still raining. BUMMER! So we walked the mall. We walked another 2 miles tonight. Yea Me!

I'm Stove Up!

Here is a glimpse of the chart that I made. Two of them were well on there way before I even woke up this morning. They were so excited they finished up in the afternoon and got a big 100% on their chart. And the last one, well he just completed his last one a couple minutes ago.

Two of the kids wanted to go back to VBS. Ashley took a friend and got a water gun as a prize. They made some cute lion masks and sang The Lion Sleeps Tonight. Aussie went with Daddy and Doris and I walked another 2 miles tonight. We went to a different park this time and it was one that I had not been to before. It was really beautiful. We even saw a doe up close on the trail. We swam in the rain earlier today. I got several laps in, so again I'm worn out and stiff. Or as Doris would say, "I'm stove up" That's certainly not a northern word.

Tonight, I think I'll actually be able to get into bed early. The last two nights even though I was tired I still had several things to do. But tonight I'm done and can go to bed.

10 for 10

Another busy day and I'm too tired to finish my coupon job tonight. I'll have to finish it in the morning.

So I hung out with Doris again today and she was telling me about something she is doing for the summer and thought I might like to join her on that. She and her son are doing 10 things everyday. You can see her list here. So I came up with our 10.

1. Clean Something
2. Math (Kids need to learn their multiplication better and I need to work on saving us money with coupons or cleaning out my email inbox watching the numbers go down.)
3. Water (at least 2 cups)
4. One Fruit or Vegetable (Aussie is dreading this one! Yesterday he announced that popcorn was a vegetable because it came from corn.
5. Walk for at least 15 minutes
6. Read
7. Journal
8. One Dairy (Ashley is dreading this one and went to bed really upset!)
9. One Random Act of Kindness
10. Create Something

The kids will start tomorrow, but I went ahead and completed my list. I have to say I made a 100! I did all of them. Yay me!

Today, Ashley went to a friend's house during the day. The boys and I headed over to Doris' pool. We hung out for 2 hours then came back home. Then tonight we went to a VBS that our neighbor invited us to. Ashley and Mason liked it. Aussie absolutely hated it. And I mean down-right bored out of his mind hated it! I can't say I blame him. I told him he only had to try it for one day and if he didn't like it he didn't have to go back. But there were only 10 kids there. TEN! I thought all of them would hate it, but Ashley and Mason want to go back. Anyway, Doris and I had planned to walk the trail we walked yesterday. We headed out but there was an accident and we were barely moving. So we didn't make it to the park. We went to Aldi and I bought some fruit. Then we headed back to the church. We walked around the church and up this street. It was really cool because part of the street looked like we were in a jungle. Rich green trees and vines and hearing and seeing a couple hawks call back and forth to each other. And then we would go just a little further and see run down city. It was very odd but interesting. We estimated that we walked a mile.

All of us again were worn out from our busy day. I suspect we will be worn out again tomorrow.

Chinese Restaurant and Camp

I am beat! Absolutely beat! Today has been a wonderful but long day. After church we went to a new Chinese restaurant my friend Doris has been telling us about. So we met her there and it was instantly the boys new favorite restaurant. Ashley says it is her second favorite. Her first favorite was Evergreen and it closed down a month or so ago.

After the meal Aussie introduced himself to the owner in Chinese. Then he made up another sentence and rattled it off. When he said it he then asked if he said it correctly and that he intended to say, " I like your french fries." He indeed said it perfectly. The owner before moving to America was an elementary teacher in China. She said that if she had not seen Aussie's face she would have thought he was another Chinese person. She said his diction and tones were perfect. Can you tell I'm a pretty proud Mom? The guests paying their bill behind us were quite impressed as well.

A few hours after lunch we met up with Doris again at the park and walked 2 miles. The park is really lovely and the path is shaded. That and it was late afternoon when the sun wasn't beating down. My body hurts. I haven't exercised those muscles in a long time. After walking the 2 miles we went back to her place and went swimming. Some more great exercise. But it has left me so very tired. Ashley fell asleep on the couch. Mason fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow and Aussie was out soon after that.

Last weekend my kids went to camp. This was really the first time all three of them have been gone for more than a night. I was fine and enjoyed the time I could spend without them. I had a gift certificate for a manicure- so I got that and a pedicure as well. Greg and I went to a Hibachi type Japanese restaurant and the food was AMAZING! And we went to see the movie, Thor. It was good, but not great. I have to admit that when the 3 nights, 4 days were over I was very happy to see my kids. Greg made it through it, but he almost made himself sick worrying about them (at least that first night.)

These pictures below are out of order. When they got back they had a performance on Wednesday night to show the parents what they learned.

Ashley is with her friend Mattison.

Here the kids are starting a little "dance" number.

This picture was specifically taken to show Aussie just how much taller Mason is than him.

This was the last day of camp. All of them were given these red camp shirts. I happen to get this group shot of the 3rd grade girls.

They were happy to see me. Mason told me something that broke my heart a bit though. He said, they had one rule in their cabin and that was no crying. Then he said to me, "but every night I was crying inside because I missed you."

And here is a picture the first day. Ashley agreed for me to drop her off at her cabin, go and set up the boys and then come back and set her up.

Aussie and Mason immediately pushed their beds together.

Here are all the 3rd grade boys. I managed to get a group shot before leaving to set up Ashley.

Once I got to Ashley's cabin they had to get started. So I set up her bed but didn't get any pictures of her before I left. The girl's cabin was a lot nicer than the boys.

I thought this was a pretty little bridge right outside the boy's cabin.

They ask the parents to write a note for each day they are there and put them in a basket and they will give them out on the appropriate day. Aussie couldn't figure out how I got my letters there everyday. Bless him! (That's a southern saying that means he's not very smart.)

He is NOT really dumb, I just suppose he didn't have his thinking cap on.

Each cabin had a color. The boy's color was orange. One of their least favorite colors but they wore their bandannas with pride.

Ashley's color was pink. Her counselor made pink tie dye shirts and gave them pink bandannas. I wish I would have gotten a picture.

I'm sure there is more to say but I need to go to sleep.

Tomorrow we have another busy day.