Merry Christmas
Fröhliches Weihnachten
Joyeux Noel
Hauska Joulu
Vrolijke Kerstmis
Buon Natale
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Monday, December 22, 2008
Twisted
My poor son is twisted like a pretzel. He awoke Sunday morning just fine, but while getting dressed he got a spasm in his neck. Through the day Sunday he whined, cried, and lay on the floor or on the pew at church. At home he went to bed early.
I had great hopes that, being still only six years old, one good night of sleep would ease the tension in his neck and he would be greatly improved today.
Not so.
He also had a fever.
Rats.
A whiny child with fever, refusing to eat and crying when asked to touch his chin to his chest is not what we were hoping for for Christmas. I took him to the Dr. to rule out anything dangerous. All the while, Rick and I strongly suspected he was using this discomfort to manipulate his way with things. He was so vastly improved during the time Sunday afternoon football was on the TV. How could that be?
At first glance in his mouth, the Dr. suspected strep, but a culture ruled that out. After some chiropractic manipulations, the Engineer was about 10% better. He can move his head to the left without pain, but still not to the right. He's also holding his right shoulder about three inches higher than the left. (It hurts me to look at him like that.) He is so afraid of pain that he braces himself and tenses up when he needs to move. When he is completely distracted (football on TV) he forgets to tense up and he gives his muscles a chance to loosen and work out their kinks.
He was prescribed massages and hot packs from mom, and lying on the floor to relax and watch TV. I can also give him Tylenol for pain. But I'll stay away from the Icy Hot. I tried that remedy yesterday because it is a favorite of mine. I love the stuff, but it put him in such a foul mood he never really got over it until the TV came on.
I had great hopes that, being still only six years old, one good night of sleep would ease the tension in his neck and he would be greatly improved today.
Not so.He also had a fever.
Rats.
A whiny child with fever, refusing to eat and crying when asked to touch his chin to his chest is not what we were hoping for for Christmas. I took him to the Dr. to rule out anything dangerous. All the while, Rick and I strongly suspected he was using this discomfort to manipulate his way with things. He was so vastly improved during the time Sunday afternoon football was on the TV. How could that be?
At first glance in his mouth, the Dr. suspected strep, but a culture ruled that out. After some chiropractic manipulations, the Engineer was about 10% better. He can move his head to the left without pain, but still not to the right. He's also holding his right shoulder about three inches higher than the left. (It hurts me to look at him like that.) He is so afraid of pain that he braces himself and tenses up when he needs to move. When he is completely distracted (football on TV) he forgets to tense up and he gives his muscles a chance to loosen and work out their kinks.
He was prescribed massages and hot packs from mom, and lying on the floor to relax and watch TV. I can also give him Tylenol for pain. But I'll stay away from the Icy Hot. I tried that remedy yesterday because it is a favorite of mine. I love the stuff, but it put him in such a foul mood he never really got over it until the TV came on.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Priceless
I'm one of those who is spoiled by modern appliances. For years I've taken it for granted that I can do my family's laundry at home in my own basement.
Last week there was a crack in my confidence. The washing machine wasn't emptying the soapy water or the rinse water unless I went downstairs to open and close the lid a couple of times. I wondered how long I could cruise with the machine needing to be babysat before it conked out altogether.
Monday was the (un)lucky day. I'm thankful the family's laundry was all completed before the machine died. On Monday all that remained to be washed was the tarp we used to help transport our Christmas tree from the tree farm to the car, and from the car to the house.
When I opened the lid, I saw some seriously dirty soapy water in there, and it was not going anywhere no matter how many times I opened and closed the lid. I felt like I was manipulating a giant ugly muppet.
The repairman was on his way. When he arrived and he opened and closed the lid just one time and it started draining right away. Does that kind of thing only happen to me?!?!?
After a few tries, he did get it to fail. And then he had his diagnosis. I needed a new one of these:
Cost including the house call was a little over $100. (Significantly less than a new machine).
Being able to do my family's laundry at home in my own basement again, priceless.
Last week there was a crack in my confidence. The washing machine wasn't emptying the soapy water or the rinse water unless I went downstairs to open and close the lid a couple of times. I wondered how long I could cruise with the machine needing to be babysat before it conked out altogether.
Monday was the (un)lucky day. I'm thankful the family's laundry was all completed before the machine died. On Monday all that remained to be washed was the tarp we used to help transport our Christmas tree from the tree farm to the car, and from the car to the house.
When I opened the lid, I saw some seriously dirty soapy water in there, and it was not going anywhere no matter how many times I opened and closed the lid. I felt like I was manipulating a giant ugly muppet.
The repairman was on his way. When he arrived and he opened and closed the lid just one time and it started draining right away. Does that kind of thing only happen to me?!?!?
After a few tries, he did get it to fail. And then he had his diagnosis. I needed a new one of these:
Cost including the house call was a little over $100. (Significantly less than a new machine). Being able to do my family's laundry at home in my own basement again, priceless.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Birthday Surprise
The UPS driver brought me a beautiful surprise today:
A delectable birthday present from my brother- and sister-in-law!
My actual birthday is Thursday, but the family is getting together tonight to celebrate. And this gift will be enjoyed all week long!
A delectable birthday present from my brother- and sister-in-law!My actual birthday is Thursday, but the family is getting together tonight to celebrate. And this gift will be enjoyed all week long!
Monday, December 15, 2008
O Christmas Tree
Saturday we went back to our Christmas tree tradition. We had taken a break from having a live tree for a couple of years due to the small children I babysit.
This year I don't foresee any toddlers trying to pull themselves up on our tree, so we went back to the tree farm and searched for the perfect tree for us. Not too tall, not too wide, straight trunk. The straight trunk is always the hardest requirement to fulfill.
Hooray! A blue spruce again!!! One of the farm dogs checked in to see how we were doing and posed for a photo before trotting off to help the next family.
We brought the tree home and got it in the stand right away. The decorating had to wait until Sunday afternoon. The kids helped us select which ornaments to use and helped with the trimming.
This year I don't foresee any toddlers trying to pull themselves up on our tree, so we went back to the tree farm and searched for the perfect tree for us. Not too tall, not too wide, straight trunk. The straight trunk is always the hardest requirement to fulfill.
Hooray! A blue spruce again!!! One of the farm dogs checked in to see how we were doing and posed for a photo before trotting off to help the next family. 
We brought the tree home and got it in the stand right away. The decorating had to wait until Sunday afternoon. The kids helped us select which ornaments to use and helped with the trimming.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Tribe Deja Vu
The last time the Tribe made a trade, we had a remarkable coincidence: The Engineer's rally towel had fallen from its mounting and lay heaped on the floor doing a laundry impersonation. I wrote about it here.
This morning I woke to the news that the Indians had made a 12-player deal with the Mariners and the Mets. Before I heard any details coming over the airwaves I went downstairs to greet the Engineer and make some breakfast.
And what do I find on his floor? Again! I think instead of a rally towel we should call it a trade towel.
It landed atop the Engineer's tae kwon do bag.
This morning I woke to the news that the Indians had made a 12-player deal with the Mariners and the Mets. Before I heard any details coming over the airwaves I went downstairs to greet the Engineer and make some breakfast.
And what do I find on his floor? Again! I think instead of a rally towel we should call it a trade towel.
It landed atop the Engineer's tae kwon do bag.
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Belt Test Surprise!
The Engineer's belt test day was Saturday. It was a fantastic day! Along with three students trying to earn their orange belts we got to see a student testing for her black belt. And as a surprise, our friends from the school who moved to Texas last year came into town!
Here are the students lined up for the beginning of the test-class.
Students testing various strike skills.
It was so exciting to see our friends again! Best of all, they were somehow able to arrange a visit lasting about a week and a half. Last night the Artist's friend was able to come home with us for a sleepover.
The Engineer should find out the results of his test next week.
Here are the students lined up for the beginning of the test-class.
Students testing various strike skills.
It was so exciting to see our friends again! Best of all, they were somehow able to arrange a visit lasting about a week and a half. Last night the Artist's friend was able to come home with us for a sleepover.
The Engineer should find out the results of his test next week.
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