Finally

The boy has had two loose teeth for what seems like months. He has been asking everyone to pull the loosest out for him- me, his dad, baseball coach, teachers. I didn't think I'd be so wigged out about a tooth dangling and the thought of pulling, but I am. It finally fell out this morning after just hanging for two days.



He's also been asking about the tooth fairy. I kept putting off the question because he always asked if there was a tooth fairy while his sister was around. I asked him last night if he really wanted to know the answer and he responded that he wanted the truth. So I told him the truth. I wonder how long before he connects the tooth fairy with Santa and the Easter bunny......

The dog's fairly smart

The last few times we have taken the dog with us somewhere, we have let her ride in the front between us. We both were amazed how she would lean into us when a turn was coming- before we even started into it. Turning right? She'd lean heavily into the passenger side and then lean the opposite way when a left hand turn was coming. I was impressed.

More pics

Of the cabin and the process of building it here....

New place for R&R

My father has spent every free moment the last eight months building a "country cabin". I put that in quotes because I'm not sure a country cabin has wood floors and stainless steel appliances. We spent part of last weekend testing it out for the first time. He has a little more work to do and then he's putting it on the market as he plans to do this during retirement.

He is not convinced it will sell and the rest of us are not convinced we'll be able to use it for more than a few months.


Kitchen, bedroom and full bath, screened in porch, living room and a separate bunk house with another half bath. Not exactly roughing it....

School homework

I am really confused. The boy's been in first grade since August 21st and the only homework sent home is for the parents. He had weekly homework assignments that consisted of 7 or 8 pages in kindergarten.

But that's not the point of this post. The latest assignment was to describe to your child how they got their name. I am afraid this will be TMI for the teacher and the boy. Let's just say, his name happens to coincide with the location in where he was conceived. I spent two days pondering on how to skirt the issue. Oy.

Stuck in the nomex

After waiting a full 8 weeks to receive my beautiful new nomex jumpsuit, I could not wait to try it on! I take my shoes off and step in. Legs fit great, so I put my arms in and pull it on. Perfect! Enough room to fit over my clothes, and not too much room that makes it awkward to move around. I unzip and try to take it off, only I can't get my shoulders out of it. Nomex, if you have never had the opportunity to wear, does not give. It also is an amazing material that breathes in the winter, but does not breathe at all in the summer. So, here I am in my office, shoeless and struggling to get out of this horrid blue jumpsuit. My boss walks by so I plead- please help me get out of this! He looks up and down the hall, making sure no one can see, and helps me.

Stress, relaxation and illness

Last week was another monster week, albeit short. Two very long days to be exact. Monday was a holiday and then it was vacation time Thursday- our annual family retreat to New Braunfels and it came none too soon. Thursday morning we took the sketches to one of the builders we are considering and he helped immensely with the plans. Thursday afternoon we met with the attorney and finally have notarized wills and living wills. After school let out, we picked up the boy and headed out of town for much needed R&R.

When I picked the girl up from school Wednesday afternoon, they told me she was sick. No fever, but late in the afternoon started complaining and not acting well. We went ahead to baseball practice, but then had to leave early because she was getting worse. By the time we got home, her fever was 102. It peaked at 103.5 that night. She complained that her stomach hurt. By the time we left Thursday afternoon, she was feeling much better and didn't have a fever.

Well, wouldn't ya know, Saturday evening I suddenly felt ill and was getting chills. I laid in bed Saturday night and did what I had to Sunday to pack up and come home. Took my temperature Sunday evening and it was 101.5, only it took my 3 days to get over.

It did rain on us Saturday and was a little cool, so most of us did not get in the normally frigid river or pool (with the water pumped in from the river). The kids swam for bits and got out with chattering teeth and purple lips. All of that considered, the trip was great and the kids LOVE being all around the family.

Sick as dogs

What a waste of a long weekend!! Thursday night, we went over to my technical manager's house with some of my coworkers and our spouses. Hubby got paybacks for the years of parties I attended where the only topic of discussion was flying. We spent the evening drinking, eating, and talking about people, career opportunities, and travel.

Friday morning, I woke up sick, sick, sick. Could not keep anything down all day, not even tiny sips of water. At first I thought it was the 4 glasses of wine, but then hubby got equally sick Saturday morning. I haven't spoke to anyone from Thursday night, but we're convinced it was food poisoning from the food we ordered. I slept almost all day Friday and part of Saturday, and hubby spent Saturday and Sunday in bed. Luckily, the family has been entertaining the kids. My folks had the kids Thursday night and almost all day Saturday. The boy went to church again with my grandparents and he is really enjoying it. I keep getting back reports of how well behaved he is- complete opposite of the reports from school. I asked why and he answered that they let him run around in Sunday school. Active little boys who love to talk and move around just don't fit into the mold for school.

Hopefully we'll be able to manage something fun on this long holiday weekend.