Friday, June 26, 2009
I've Switched!
I'm moving my blog to WordPress: (www.topofworld.wordpress.com) I just like it about a thousand times better, so sorry for the inconvenience to all of you who faithfully follow my blog. (yes, all three of you.) I will be reposting some of my "greatest moments" from this blog over there, so watch for them! Oh, and I just posted the Midnight Sun, so check it out, check-it-outers.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
I almost got killed by a bear on the way home from writer's conference...
Well, sort of.
I saw a lot of wildlife in Homer. A lot. For example, there was this obnoxious cackling bird that was really grating me as I walked into my first workshop. It reminded me of that dang raven (which really is just a euphemism for obnoxious crow) who hangs out in my driveway and wakes me up every morning, except this bird was, (and yes it is possible,) even louder. I didn't know seabirds could be this loud, as a matter of fact, so I looked up to find this remarkable loud-mouthed gull, and saw instead an American Bald Eagle hacking it's lungs out like there was some salmon entrail stuck in it's throat. And then I thought,
"What an amazing bird!" Perspective.
(This was not the actual eagle. I didn't have my camera at that moment. This eagle was captured on film on the boat cruise. This one's prettier, though. Ever seen an eagle trying to clear phlegm? Not cute. Or pretty. Or magestic, or grand, or patriotic, or any of those other words we use to describe our national fowl.)
Later that first night, in my amazing hotel room at the end of the Spit, I looked out my window as I laid in my bed and what did I see? The cutest little beach otter swimming by me. He hung out by my beach a lot. This photo is of the hotel where I stayed, just to prove that we really were at "Lands End". I stayed in one of the little condos on the far left of the page.
But back to the otter. We became good friends throughout the week. I even took a video of him. He was a little far out there and really hard to see on this tiny little video format, but I thought he was super cute. I've never really seen an otter "motor" like this before. BTW, this was shot at 10:58 pm, no joke. There's a reason it's called the land of the midnight sun. Setting
The cruise was a mecca of wildlife, also. We did not go out far enough to see whales, but we did see a myriad of otters...at one point I counted 45 otters, not counting babies, in one raft. We passed several rafts of them, and all the mamas and babies together reminded me to love one an otter, and it was about at this point that one of my new friends and authors, Kirby Larson, as well as several other out-of-state writer and editor types begged me to email pictures since I had the most impressive camera. I knew there was a reason I lug that thing around! Networking.
And of course, the puffins. I must admit, I'm the most proud of these, photography wise, but I'm going to restrain myself to one, considering I'm sort of getting away from the subject. (I'll put a photo box in a future posting...) So...wait for it, wait for it... here is my symbolic taking off in my writing career. I had to say it. Bold.
But I didn't see a single moose, and I didn't see a single bear.
It was time to go home, and so I left, along the way I encountered the biggest beast of all:
I didn't have the courage to "inquire inside" to find out her price. The Business of Writing
I continued on my merry way, and then I noticed a problem. There were several cars at a complete standstill in the middle of the 2 lane highway, half a mile to the Kenai/Russian River Ferry pullout. I braked, I stopped. I heard a horn honk. I saw a man exit a red truck. I was concerned he was having car trouble. A car waited for a break in traffic and swerved around him. I thought, "How insensitive can you be?" Then I moved forward and looked to my right and there was the bear. I would have taken a picture, but I've already been run over once this year, so I didn't find it appropriate to get out of my car and further hold up traffic to take pictures of what, frankly, is one of the uglier bears I've seen in this state. See my header for a better specimen. There are no original ideas. The writing just needs to be good enough.
So I signaled left. I craned my neck not toward the bear, but out my window to try and make sure I wasn't going to get plowed head-on. I was just easing out when the mini-van maniac mom driver whipped around me, nearly taking my head off. I wonder if she ever learned to take turns in kindergarten. More likely she just learned how to drive in Alaska. But then, what I really wonder is, did she see the bear? Process
But I did see my first true-blue Alaskan Bear Road block. Life is good.
(If I was from Virginia I probably would have been run over. Because I would have been photographing that light-colored, matted, molting ugly specimen of a brown bear. But I didn't.) Because in the end, all I want to do is Write On.
I saw a lot of wildlife in Homer. A lot. For example, there was this obnoxious cackling bird that was really grating me as I walked into my first workshop. It reminded me of that dang raven (which really is just a euphemism for obnoxious crow) who hangs out in my driveway and wakes me up every morning, except this bird was, (and yes it is possible,) even louder. I didn't know seabirds could be this loud, as a matter of fact, so I looked up to find this remarkable loud-mouthed gull, and saw instead an American Bald Eagle hacking it's lungs out like there was some salmon entrail stuck in it's throat. And then I thought,
"What an amazing bird!" Perspective.
(This was not the actual eagle. I didn't have my camera at that moment. This eagle was captured on film on the boat cruise. This one's prettier, though. Ever seen an eagle trying to clear phlegm? Not cute. Or pretty. Or magestic, or grand, or patriotic, or any of those other words we use to describe our national fowl.)
Later that first night, in my amazing hotel room at the end of the Spit, I looked out my window as I laid in my bed and what did I see? The cutest little beach otter swimming by me. He hung out by my beach a lot. This photo is of the hotel where I stayed, just to prove that we really were at "Lands End". I stayed in one of the little condos on the far left of the page.
But back to the otter. We became good friends throughout the week. I even took a video of him. He was a little far out there and really hard to see on this tiny little video format, but I thought he was super cute. I've never really seen an otter "motor" like this before. BTW, this was shot at 10:58 pm, no joke. There's a reason it's called the land of the midnight sun. SettingThe cruise was a mecca of wildlife, also. We did not go out far enough to see whales, but we did see a myriad of otters...at one point I counted 45 otters, not counting babies, in one raft. We passed several rafts of them, and all the mamas and babies together reminded me to love one an otter, and it was about at this point that one of my new friends and authors, Kirby Larson, as well as several other out-of-state writer and editor types begged me to email pictures since I had the most impressive camera. I knew there was a reason I lug that thing around! Networking.
And of course, the puffins. I must admit, I'm the most proud of these, photography wise, but I'm going to restrain myself to one, considering I'm sort of getting away from the subject. (I'll put a photo box in a future posting...) So...wait for it, wait for it... here is my symbolic taking off in my writing career. I had to say it. Bold.
But I didn't see a single moose, and I didn't see a single bear.
It was time to go home, and so I left, along the way I encountered the biggest beast of all:
I didn't have the courage to "inquire inside" to find out her price. The Business of WritingI continued on my merry way, and then I noticed a problem. There were several cars at a complete standstill in the middle of the 2 lane highway, half a mile to the Kenai/Russian River Ferry pullout. I braked, I stopped. I heard a horn honk. I saw a man exit a red truck. I was concerned he was having car trouble. A car waited for a break in traffic and swerved around him. I thought, "How insensitive can you be?" Then I moved forward and looked to my right and there was the bear. I would have taken a picture, but I've already been run over once this year, so I didn't find it appropriate to get out of my car and further hold up traffic to take pictures of what, frankly, is one of the uglier bears I've seen in this state. See my header for a better specimen. There are no original ideas. The writing just needs to be good enough.
So I signaled left. I craned my neck not toward the bear, but out my window to try and make sure I wasn't going to get plowed head-on. I was just easing out when the mini-van maniac mom driver whipped around me, nearly taking my head off. I wonder if she ever learned to take turns in kindergarten. More likely she just learned how to drive in Alaska. But then, what I really wonder is, did she see the bear? Process
But I did see my first true-blue Alaskan Bear Road block. Life is good.
(If I was from Virginia I probably would have been run over. Because I would have been photographing that light-colored, matted, molting ugly specimen of a brown bear. But I didn't.) Because in the end, all I want to do is Write On.
A note about my "process"
This basically sums up writer's conference for me. My bag, my manuscript, my "Open Mic" form, my suitcase, my new books signed by my new favorite author. Oh yeah, and my candy and my mess. Good times!
Juxtaposition
I watch them share.
They share in their jeans, Carharts or otherwise. They share in a drink, plastic cup of beer or otherwise. They share in their highly appropriate shoes, designed for the express purpose of not slipping on the rocky shore, rubber fishing boots or otherwise. They share in lungful of bonfire smoke near midnight on the shore of the Spit that might as well be exhaust ingested outside a savvy New York Agent’s Manhattan office for all the good that sharing has done for the writer, and for the agent, who, after the driftwood burns out share nothing but a good story, which has been written well enough, (which is to say), a stomachful of ashThursday, May 14, 2009
She has long n' lovely locks. Now what?
My first (semi) Successful French BraidIn the meantime, my four year old daughter Lily kept growing, and so did her lovely brown hair. It is long, and thick, and long, and lovely, and long. It falls below her waist, and it is healthy and shiny and so loverly.
So now I am presented with a problem. I don't know how to do hair. My own hair as a child was short, brittle, thin and gross. Neither of my sisters was inclined to let me play with their hair. (Can't imagine why...) Both my older daughters have cute, but short, bobs. Sure, I can brush out Lily's hair and pull it back into a ponytail, or even a daring "half-up"on occasion, but outside of the baby "top knot" that was about the extent of my skills.
Then I noticed that my friend, Kori, was doing a blog called The Story of a Princess and Her Hair , which featured her daughter sporting amazing hairstyles, including step-by-step instructions to get it done. (There is a contest to win a professional flat iron on her site: read the "curling hair with a flat iron" post and click on the contest link for instructions to enter.)
I looked at the pictures. I read the instructions. Unfortunately, my arms didn't work due to my accident, and I couldn't even BRUSH my 4 year olds hair, let alone dare a half-up. (Dale did though, don't worry!)
I had to bide my time, and wait for my arms to work.
Finally, the day arrived that I could brush out her hair without having to take a Tylenol. I could finally take on...(dun, dun, DUNN!!) the French Braid.
The first attempt was not too awful. I'm getting better as I go. And now, I feel confident, armed with my brush and mad braiding skills, to take on some of the cute styles on her blog so that she can have, without a doubt, the CUTEST HAIR IN KINDERGARTEN! Which is what life is all about, right?
Now if I could just get her to hold still....
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Grandma, I Love You!
Even though you are far away in Mexico, we still wanted to say happy Mother's Day to you!
Elliotte wanted to join in, but she was busy:
Elliotte wanted to join in, but she was busy:
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Mr. Quimby
Okay, his first name isn't mister, but maybe it should be. Hmmm. I'll have to think about that.
Anyway, here's a couple of pictures. Ignore my shaggy-doo in the bottom one! See his darling blue eyes and cute pink nose? Just what Dale wanted. Happy Mother's Day to ME!!
Anyway, here's a couple of pictures. Ignore my shaggy-doo in the bottom one! See his darling blue eyes and cute pink nose? Just what Dale wanted. Happy Mother's Day to ME!!
Rebecca Jane, Age 9
Family party! Isn't this a great cake? She helped me design/decorate it. It was quite tasty. Have I mentioned that I love using modeling choclate over frosting or fondant? We used modeling chocolate for the antlers, eyes, nostrils, but chocolate frosting on the moose for that "furry" look.
Rebecca decided to have the antlers for the moose have five points on one side, and four on the other to represent 9 years old. We used her hand to mold it into the right shape. (yes, I need a haircut. No comment required.)
Rebecca has some balance issues, so we got her some stilts to practice with. Yes, I'm aware that it seems as if this would be setting her up for failure, but it turns out she is doing very well at them. She also got a long jump rope (Cinder-ELLA, dressed in YELLA...), pierced ears, (yikes! If you double click the top pic you can see them...but ignore the sloppy frosting work on the moose...there's a reason I like modeling chocolate!) and of course, I had to make her a duct-tape carrier for her build-a-bear. (she wanted to spend 8 bucks on one at the store, but I vetoed with the promise to make her one.)
Notice all the webkinz hanging out of the straps everywhere? She got FIVE of them for her birthday: One from me and four from friends at the party. Guess she told them all what she wanted for her b-day, huh?
Oh, and the green frisbee on the floor was Dale's gift. It is made from recycled milk jugs. I got it for him in hopes that we would be getting a dog soon, and it worked!
I guess we get what we ask for, eh Rebecca Jane?
Rebecca decided to have the antlers for the moose have five points on one side, and four on the other to represent 9 years old. We used her hand to mold it into the right shape. (yes, I need a haircut. No comment required.)
Rebecca has some balance issues, so we got her some stilts to practice with. Yes, I'm aware that it seems as if this would be setting her up for failure, but it turns out she is doing very well at them. She also got a long jump rope (Cinder-ELLA, dressed in YELLA...), pierced ears, (yikes! If you double click the top pic you can see them...but ignore the sloppy frosting work on the moose...there's a reason I like modeling chocolate!) and of course, I had to make her a duct-tape carrier for her build-a-bear. (she wanted to spend 8 bucks on one at the store, but I vetoed with the promise to make her one.)
Notice all the webkinz hanging out of the straps everywhere? She got FIVE of them for her birthday: One from me and four from friends at the party. Guess she told them all what she wanted for her b-day, huh?
Oh, and the green frisbee on the floor was Dale's gift. It is made from recycled milk jugs. I got it for him in hopes that we would be getting a dog soon, and it worked!
I guess we get what we ask for, eh Rebecca Jane?
Build-a-Bear...Easiest slash Best b-day party EVER!
Because anyone who knows me is already fully aware of this fact, I might as well come completely clean.
I go overboard occasionally.
Okay, I go overboard a lot.
So when Rebecca had a friend's birthday party coming up, I thought, what the heck. I might as well go overboard again.
Flashback to her 6th birthday. End of kindygarten year. I, I mean, SHE decided on a dog theme. Mom decides to make invitations and spends hours scouring the internet for great dog pictures and editing ad nauseum: (Come: to a party, Stay: from 2-4 p.m....etc. It truly was one of the cutests invites ever...I even included "bloodhound's guide to finding the party"
with a map.) Maybe I'll find that invite and post it. It really was adorable.
But that's not enough. Oh, no. Every kid at a dog theme party needs a doggy bag, right? So why not SEW them, patchworked from various "furry" fabric, including a printing on fabric a different breed of dog on the front, none of the 14 the same?
And what to put in said doggy bag? Why, "sealed" cans of dog food, of course, made from reusing a soup can, relabeling it (again, more computer time in design) and filling with Chex Mix. (If you are intersted in the "how" let me know...."
Then there were the chocolate bones, the dog collar crafts, the doggy decorations.... I easily spent around $200. It was a great party, though. (p.s. I'm not the only over-doer out there. One of the moms...you know you are, JB!...got in the theme action, too, getting me (I mean, HER!) a stuffed yellow lab, complete with dog dish, leash, and a shirt embroidered with the name "Quimby" across the front....)
So this time, I thought I'd take the advice of said JB and try a Build-a-Bear party. I have never been there, really, but it sounded fun.
I'm reluctant to admit this, but I think this party might have even been cooler than the dog one. I know, I know, it pains me to think someone could do this better, but let me plead my case:
***Payton. He was the party host guy. He was awesome. He walked around with a bear strapped to his back and was just the right level of silly. This left me free to snap pictures and hang out.
***Location. Um, in case you didn't know, cleaning my house is NOT my top priority in life. I know, pick yourself up from the shock. Guess what? You don't have to clean up before the party if it's at the MALL!!
***No gift bags, only a gift bear. Come on, what kid wouldn't rather take home a fully-clothed build-a-bear they picked out themselves than, say, a can of dog food in a home-made doggy bag, with a crafty dog collar thrown in? Just sayin.
***No ice-cream. We did have rice krispy treats cut into the shapes of bears. (Again, JB...you're a genious!)
This is Rebecca stuffing her new Rabbit, Rosey. The number one rule of a build-a-bear party? The birthday girl always goes first.
Blame it on heredity.
Logan stuffing his bear, Cinnamon. We didn't bring Lily cuz her b-day is coming up in June, and I figured she could do a party here also, if it worked out. I wasn't shelling out another $25 bucks just to do a repeat next month!
This is Rebecca the next day. She and Rosey are inseperable. So happy birthday, Rebecca. Hope it was as memorable for you as it was cheap* for me!
*cheap refers to amount of money tendered toward invitations, Rice Crispy Treat ingredients, and each invitee's bear budget (minimum guest budget, $10 per child, not including discounts. $25 budget set by adult rendering payment at Rebecca's party includes a bear recommended to not exceed $12, combined with clothing not to exceed total $25 budget set by adult rendering payment, except where secondary responsible adult, such as invitee's parent, renders overages directly to Build-a-Bear. It is recommended that budget be a minimum of $20, before discounts, per invitee to allow both bear and clothing to be acquired by invitee) plus the lack of time spent in preparation for, cleanup of, and other stress related activities that go into throwing a friend birthday party for any particular 9 year old girl.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Another Important Thought on Swine Flu Prevention.
This was from my dad in Mexico. He always has sound advice. He's never led me astray yet, and that holds true even for pig kissing.Remember: "Only drink and smoke if you have to to impress your friends." More good advice from my amazingly wise father. Thanks, Dad.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Sunday, April 19, 2009
A meal fit for a king.
Dale made a delicious dinner tonight: Ribs, funeral potatoes, green beans. Logan was really excited about it. He took double helpings of EVERYTHING!
This is Logan after enjoying his meal.
Sadly, besides this, he ate exactly one slice of a french baguette, although skip calling CPS; we did give him a full plate of food .
We have been trying to get him to eat for about...seven and a half years. Supposedly, he is supposed to be past his eating issues, but sadly, no. Friends came over for dinner a couple of weeks ago, and brought the weirdest food...homemade white bread. He wouldn't eat it. I'm just hoping that the "He'll eat when he gets hungry" method won't be the "He'll pass out if you don't give him more spaghetti" method!
I guess I have to trust the professionals....I'll keep you updated!
This is Logan after enjoying his meal.
Sadly, besides this, he ate exactly one slice of a french baguette, although skip calling CPS; we did give him a full plate of food .
We have been trying to get him to eat for about...seven and a half years. Supposedly, he is supposed to be past his eating issues, but sadly, no. Friends came over for dinner a couple of weeks ago, and brought the weirdest food...homemade white bread. He wouldn't eat it. I'm just hoping that the "He'll eat when he gets hungry" method won't be the "He'll pass out if you don't give him more spaghetti" method!
I guess I have to trust the professionals....I'll keep you updated!
Spring...Wake up call
While I was in Palmer for a baby-shower and last minute shopping for my friend Katie (the shopping situation was desperate. She had 3 sleepers, and she's having her baby tomorrow. It had to be done!), Dale had all the kids at home. They got so much done, it was ridiculous.
First, they got the living room cleaned up and ready for our "new" computer desk. They mopped all the floors, cleared out the hall, scrubbed the bathroom, did 2 loads of laundry, AND got all the dishes done.
Then they left the house to run errands. Sam's club, Petco, (didn't find a dog, though.) Home Depot.
Then they came home and raked the front yard, did a general driveway spring cleaning, and best of all.....TOOK DOWN OUR CHRISTMAS LIGHTS!!!! Whoot whoot! They've been up since 2006, so it was time.
Then they got to play, and play they did. Here is how pathetic our current situation is:
A couple of things to note in the above foto. First, notice how nice Elle looks in her boots? Except they are not boots, they are muddy tights. Before I came home yesterday she owned exactly zero pairs of shoes. That's because she just barely learned to walk, and she has only walked inside till yesterday. That is because the whole city was covered in ice until the middle of last week!
Second, don't you love Logan's bike? He's had it for 3 years. His legs are short, but not THAT short. Might be time to graduate out of the 12" model, ya think? He should have worn a mouth guard in case his knee cracked his jaw. He did wear a helmet, though, good boy!
Here is Rebecca being...Rebecca. She made a cage out of old tomato fencing (is that what it's called? Who knows?) She is dragging a sheet behind her for some unknown purpose. I think Sarah is just wondering what the heck she is doing. We all wonder that a lot, honestly. She is so creative!
And here's Elle in her new "boots". She was happy to be outside for a change!
And another. I couldn't pick between the two poses.
So what have I learned?
**If I want to come home to a sparkling clean house and a lights free garage, leave town for a Saturday and leave my SuperDale in charge.
**Logan really needs a new bike.
**Fifth children don't often get new things. Or old things. Like shoes, for example. By the fifth child, everything is pretty much worn out, and frankly, I'm not that excited about girls clothes anymore. Sad, but true.
**Rebecca would be perfectly entertained and happy to play with....anything.
and finally...
**The Christmas spirit really can last all year long. Just not this year.
Thanks, Family for working so hard! It's going to be the Summer of Wow! for sure!
First, they got the living room cleaned up and ready for our "new" computer desk. They mopped all the floors, cleared out the hall, scrubbed the bathroom, did 2 loads of laundry, AND got all the dishes done.
Then they left the house to run errands. Sam's club, Petco, (didn't find a dog, though.) Home Depot.
Then they came home and raked the front yard, did a general driveway spring cleaning, and best of all.....TOOK DOWN OUR CHRISTMAS LIGHTS!!!! Whoot whoot! They've been up since 2006, so it was time.
Then they got to play, and play they did. Here is how pathetic our current situation is:
A couple of things to note in the above foto. First, notice how nice Elle looks in her boots? Except they are not boots, they are muddy tights. Before I came home yesterday she owned exactly zero pairs of shoes. That's because she just barely learned to walk, and she has only walked inside till yesterday. That is because the whole city was covered in ice until the middle of last week!
Second, don't you love Logan's bike? He's had it for 3 years. His legs are short, but not THAT short. Might be time to graduate out of the 12" model, ya think? He should have worn a mouth guard in case his knee cracked his jaw. He did wear a helmet, though, good boy!
Here is Rebecca being...Rebecca. She made a cage out of old tomato fencing (is that what it's called? Who knows?) She is dragging a sheet behind her for some unknown purpose. I think Sarah is just wondering what the heck she is doing. We all wonder that a lot, honestly. She is so creative!
And here's Elle in her new "boots". She was happy to be outside for a change!
And another. I couldn't pick between the two poses.
So what have I learned?
**If I want to come home to a sparkling clean house and a lights free garage, leave town for a Saturday and leave my SuperDale in charge.
**Logan really needs a new bike.
**Fifth children don't often get new things. Or old things. Like shoes, for example. By the fifth child, everything is pretty much worn out, and frankly, I'm not that excited about girls clothes anymore. Sad, but true.
**Rebecca would be perfectly entertained and happy to play with....anything.
and finally...
**The Christmas spirit really can last all year long. Just not this year.
Thanks, Family for working so hard! It's going to be the Summer of Wow! for sure!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Elliotte and the Egg
Now, I like this girl. She's cute and she likes egg. That is also one amazing vocal by yours truly. I smell an Oscar for best musical on a blog! ;)
Lily's thoughts on the Easter Bunny
Here is my first attempt at publishing a video on my blog. We'll see if it works...
Well, how do you like that. Wasn't the video I thought I was uploading, but still, it's a good one! I was considering uploading this one, anyway, so that settles it! I'm going to have to do another one....
Well, how do you like that. Wasn't the video I thought I was uploading, but still, it's a good one! I was considering uploading this one, anyway, so that settles it! I'm going to have to do another one....
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Eastah-Time!
Well, Easter has come and gone again. The bunny came, the bunny saw, the bunny conquered.The fun started when we went out to Palmer, where our long-time family friends live, to decorate our, hold on, let me count....(Hum a little tune while I do the math...) 108 hard boiled eggs. Lily was slightly daunted by the task in front of her...
...but was able to push through. (I got a million great pictures of this kid. She is SO photogenic!) Don't you LOVE the woods in the back window? So love where I live, just in case I haven't mentioned that in the last five minutes. Little update for ya. Anyway...
p.s. How great do these braids look? My first semi-success in the french braid department! Here hair looked great for church Sunday, even her ends were curly (naturally so), but I forgot to take pics. Sorry.
At first, it was just Lily and Mia working on their eggs, with Katie and I helping, which was nice. Then the other 8 people in the house joined in, along with the two dogs.
Here's Willow, the new puppy, couldn't resist adding a pic as she's so cute, besides I miss my dog. Oscar was also hanging around, the Hansen's giant tall black dog. Elliotte kept telling him to "sit" and then she would give him a treat and "pat" her on the head (and by "pat I mean "beat as hard as possible" saying, "Good dog!" Except she's sort of hard to understand. The most interesting part to me was that although Oscar is black, just like Olive, and they hung out a lot, she NEVER called him Olive. Poor Oscar. He kept looking for his friend Olive the whole time we were there.
Here are what the other kids were doing...I also got some great vidoes. I'm debating trying to upload one. In the meantime, you'll just have to imagine all the great fun, not to mention the amazing noise level.
Isn't Elle cute when she's dressed? She had a great time with the eggs, both Saturday AND for the hunt on Sunday. Happy Easter!
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Speaking of March Madness and Diabetes...
Did you hear about Lance Mackey in the Iditarod? He got into Nome yesterday at 11:38 am, almost 9 hours ahead of the second musher in. This is his third consecutive win. The man and his team are on fire! Logan is way into it. He informed me that they have a "Junior Iditarod" every year. I said yep, too bad we don't have a sled dog team, huh? He was rooting for Mackey again this year.Bruce Linton, a type 1 diabetic musher, is currently running 29th, about in the middle. He went to diabetes camp last summer, and brought his puppies. He was also featured on the Discovery channel special on the Iditarod last October, and on Dlife, a diabetic lifestyle show Sundays on CNBC. This pic is of him coming in 2nd at the Tustamena 100.
Rebecca's friend has a dog running. I don't remember which team, but supposedly it's the lead dog. True story? You tell me.
I am kicking myself, because during the Fur Rondevous, an annual event in Anchorage, I planned on snapping a picture of every sled dog team truck I saw while running around town, but didn't do it. Everytime I saw one at the grocery store, gas station, pizza place, or in a downtown parking area, I reflected on how cool this city is and how much I love living here! Go Huskies! (But only the real ones, not the mascot sort in Washington. Well, okay, go WA Huskies for one round....I have Purdue beating them in the second bracket...)
Friday, March 13, 2009
Wipe, Test, and Trot.
Sarah on her way to Diabetes Summer Camp last JuneAbout 2 years ago, my daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. I don't know the exact date, only that it was in the middle of March, right around St. Patrick's day. I guess I don't remember because it was such a blur. We (we meaning Lily, Sarah, and I) went to the doctor that afternoon because I thought she had a UTI. In what I thought was an unrelated issue, I also wanted to ask the doc why she would be throwing up with no other symptoms. Turns out it was oh-so-related. The culture came out negative for a UTI, so the doctor decided to test for ketones. Of course, in those days I didn't know what ketones were. (The acid made by the body from breaking down fat when sugar cannot be used for energy, i.e. not enough insulin in the body, just in case you didn't know either.) She tested for moderate ketones, which is why she was throwing up, (ketones first spill over through the kidneys into the urine, and then the body tries to flush them out, which is why a symptom of diabetes is extreme thirst and frequent trips to the potty. If there are too many ketotones to flush, ketoacidosis sets in, and the vommiting starts. Eventually, (as quickly as 8-10 hours) you end up in a diabetic coma. We have never been there, thank goodness!) and the pediatrition came back and said we were looking at type 1 diabetes. I thought there was more testing to be done. She sent us to the pediatric diabetes specialist, who happened to be just about leaving for the day. I filled out some paperwork, and called Dale at work. I didn't really know how to answer him when he said, "so how do we know if she really has it?" because I didn't know that we already knew she did! It is really that easy. A blood sugar above normal (180) or the presense of ketones is all it takes. He left work early, picked up the other kids at school and met us at the clinic.
Four hours later, we left the specialty clinic, after learning how to check blood sugar, give an insulin shot, count carbs, treat low blood sugar, symptoms of high blood sugar...and strict instructions for no juice or sugary pop, unless for a low blood sugar.
Then we had to go to the pharamacy. Remember that Lily is 2. She's been at the doctor for 5 hours now, with no snacks. It was supposed to be a 30 minute appointment. I was a few months pregnant. We were searching the seats in the van for stale pretzels at this point! Fortunately, we were headed to Wal-Mart, where I grabbed a box of Teddy Grahams and started chowing down with my toddler. The toddler was shrieking by now. I will never forget a middle-aged woman GLARING at us on the way to the pharmacy. I was so frayed at that point that I snapped at her, "She's FINE!" The lady sniped back, "She doesn't seem FINE to me!" as she passed me in a huff. I resisted the urge to tell her exactly what my day was like and pushed the cart vigorously to the pharmacy, where Dale was ahead of me with 2 more kids standing in line, leaving me to squint at such things on the shelf as, "glucose tabs" and "One Touch Ultra" moniters. I couldn't get Patti Labelle's diabetes commercial out of my head: 
"One Touch Touches Everything!"
"One Touch Touches Everything!"Remember that one? Course, over the next few months every old man and woman on TV was yapping about home delivery and Medicaid, and "Test your blood sugar. Check it often." Anyway.
After Wal-Mart, we headed to Pizza Hut. It was about 8:00 by now. Sarah was excited to test her blood sugar, and we looked up the carbs and everything, didn't order soda, ate dinner, informed her she would no longer have to fast (at which she got a very worried and devestated look on her face and almost started crying. We hurriedly explained that Heavenly Father understands and that she could fast in spirit, blah blah blah. We, of course, as adults who have fasted for years looked at it as a silver lining. She, who had only been "eligible" to fast for two months was devestated to not follow the commandments! It's all about perspective...)
By the time we got home, it was way late. Sarah was sitting on our bed, cheerfully unzipping her kit to pull out her monitor to check her blood sugar before bed. "And just think, Mom, after I'm done with diabetes, I can use this cute bag for something else!" It broke my heart to have to tell her, "Honey, you'll never get over diabetes."
"Ever?"
"Ever. I'm so sorry." She wiped the tears from her eyes and checked her blood sugar and trotted off to bed.
How many more times will she have to wipe the tears from her eyes, check her blood sugar, and trot off to bed? Too many. Diabetes doesn't EVER go away for her. It's a part of who she is, it's in her blood. Everything she does has the "how will this effect my diabetes?" question attached.
But I'm proud of her. 2 years later, she is pumping with great sucess. She carefully weighs all her food. She is a professional carb-counter. She can eloquently explain the difference between type 1 and type 2. She can politely dispute an adult who thinks she's not allowed to have a cookie with the rest of the class. She's doing a science fair project on blood sugar in people without diabetes, and how sugar impacts the blood glucose levels.
And that toddler who is "FINE."? She knows the symptoms of low blood sugar, how to treat it, and what number qualifies her sister to have juice. She knows about insulin, glucometors, test strips, ketones, and high blood sugar. She gives her stuffed animals shots because they have "Type 1 diabetes and they just had carbs, so they needs their shot of insulin because they do not have a pump yet." Here's hoping that she never has to do it for real. (1 in 6 chance of having a sibling with diabetes. I have five kids. You do the math.)
I, in the meantime, get therapy from blogging and yelling at the computer screen before writing a more tactful email when things aren't going right at school and I have to advocate for her once again. I wipe the tears from my eyes as I make her test her blood sugar before she trots off to bed, knowing that if her numbers aren't good, it's ultimately my responsibility. I work to control my tongue (never ending process) to not snap at the people who are her health care providers, teachers, volunteers, nosy neighbors, etc. who only have her best interest at heart. I pray that none of my other children have to deal with this (EVER), and wish that could take this from her.
But I can't. There is nothing we can do about it, except hope for a cure, wipe the tears, and check the blood sugar before we trot off to bed.
After Wal-Mart, we headed to Pizza Hut. It was about 8:00 by now. Sarah was excited to test her blood sugar, and we looked up the carbs and everything, didn't order soda, ate dinner, informed her she would no longer have to fast (at which she got a very worried and devestated look on her face and almost started crying. We hurriedly explained that Heavenly Father understands and that she could fast in spirit, blah blah blah. We, of course, as adults who have fasted for years looked at it as a silver lining. She, who had only been "eligible" to fast for two months was devestated to not follow the commandments! It's all about perspective...)
By the time we got home, it was way late. Sarah was sitting on our bed, cheerfully unzipping her kit to pull out her monitor to check her blood sugar before bed. "And just think, Mom, after I'm done with diabetes, I can use this cute bag for something else!" It broke my heart to have to tell her, "Honey, you'll never get over diabetes."
"Ever?"
"Ever. I'm so sorry." She wiped the tears from her eyes and checked her blood sugar and trotted off to bed.
How many more times will she have to wipe the tears from her eyes, check her blood sugar, and trot off to bed? Too many. Diabetes doesn't EVER go away for her. It's a part of who she is, it's in her blood. Everything she does has the "how will this effect my diabetes?" question attached.
But I'm proud of her. 2 years later, she is pumping with great sucess. She carefully weighs all her food. She is a professional carb-counter. She can eloquently explain the difference between type 1 and type 2. She can politely dispute an adult who thinks she's not allowed to have a cookie with the rest of the class. She's doing a science fair project on blood sugar in people without diabetes, and how sugar impacts the blood glucose levels.
And that toddler who is "FINE."? She knows the symptoms of low blood sugar, how to treat it, and what number qualifies her sister to have juice. She knows about insulin, glucometors, test strips, ketones, and high blood sugar. She gives her stuffed animals shots because they have "Type 1 diabetes and they just had carbs, so they needs their shot of insulin because they do not have a pump yet." Here's hoping that she never has to do it for real. (1 in 6 chance of having a sibling with diabetes. I have five kids. You do the math.)
I, in the meantime, get therapy from blogging and yelling at the computer screen before writing a more tactful email when things aren't going right at school and I have to advocate for her once again. I wipe the tears from my eyes as I make her test her blood sugar before she trots off to bed, knowing that if her numbers aren't good, it's ultimately my responsibility. I work to control my tongue (never ending process) to not snap at the people who are her health care providers, teachers, volunteers, nosy neighbors, etc. who only have her best interest at heart. I pray that none of my other children have to deal with this (EVER), and wish that could take this from her.
But I can't. There is nothing we can do about it, except hope for a cure, wipe the tears, and check the blood sugar before we trot off to bed.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
If you ever get run over by a car...
...Don't slip on the ice!
This has been a great week. And by great, I mean not-so-great. ALL five kids are home from school. (Spring Break in Alaska! Who are the geniouses that decided the kids should be home for an entire week during BREAK UP in Alaska? They can't even play outside! I know from personal experience it's very slickery out there.) I'm exhausted by this alone. Add that to the fact that one of my children is really not making solid choices for herself, and I'm done. Until I step outside to go run a few errands and fall on the ice. My knee flew up and hit the van full force. My skin rubbed off as I got a denim burn from the pants I was wearing. They were even clean, until all the break-up dust from the van smeared all over them. As that was happening, I fell back HARD on my backside. Plus, Lily was flailing about on the driveway, since I was holding her hand so she wouldn't slip. Nice. She's short and light though, so she had no lasting damage. I however, had to stand up and brush the snow from my hair and back (Come to think of it, that large fluffy pile of snow probably saved me from shoulder surgery!) and then headed straight into the house to down some pain killers (Innocent Tylenol. I had nothing harder, anyway! BOO!) and to call Dale and tell him swimming was OUT later. We were all disappointed. We did get the errands run, though. I figured that I was going to be very sore later, so we hustled.
The blessing is that I'm sore today, but not too bad, considering. A couple more Advil and I'll be back to where I was two days ago. That is to say, still sore, still tired, and still impatient to get better!
I'm such a whiner! I mean, winner!
This has been a great week. And by great, I mean not-so-great. ALL five kids are home from school. (Spring Break in Alaska! Who are the geniouses that decided the kids should be home for an entire week during BREAK UP in Alaska? They can't even play outside! I know from personal experience it's very slickery out there.) I'm exhausted by this alone. Add that to the fact that one of my children is really not making solid choices for herself, and I'm done. Until I step outside to go run a few errands and fall on the ice. My knee flew up and hit the van full force. My skin rubbed off as I got a denim burn from the pants I was wearing. They were even clean, until all the break-up dust from the van smeared all over them. As that was happening, I fell back HARD on my backside. Plus, Lily was flailing about on the driveway, since I was holding her hand so she wouldn't slip. Nice. She's short and light though, so she had no lasting damage. I however, had to stand up and brush the snow from my hair and back (Come to think of it, that large fluffy pile of snow probably saved me from shoulder surgery!) and then headed straight into the house to down some pain killers (Innocent Tylenol. I had nothing harder, anyway! BOO!) and to call Dale and tell him swimming was OUT later. We were all disappointed. We did get the errands run, though. I figured that I was going to be very sore later, so we hustled.The blessing is that I'm sore today, but not too bad, considering. A couple more Advil and I'll be back to where I was two days ago. That is to say, still sore, still tired, and still impatient to get better!
I'm such a whiner! I mean, winner!
Monday, March 2, 2009
Eight is Enough
8 Item Tag.
Here are the rules: 1)Post the rules on your blog. 2)Answer the six '8' items on the tag. 3)Let each person know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
8 Favorite TV Shows
1. Pysch
2. Chuck
3. March Madness (Because I love how much my whole family gets into it. And I like basketball, but really it's because our email goes wild for those few weeks! And I like winning, and I like blizzards, and I like winning blizzards, even though I never have. Sigh.)
4. Project Runway
5. Top Chef
6.Glenn Beck
7. Judge Judy? (I'm actually running out...I'm shocked!)
8. So you think you can dance?
8 Things I did Yesterday:
1. Drove the kids to school. (yippee)
2. Made an awesome duct tape bag.
3. Took a bath
4. Watched "Chuck" (lame episode, I thought)
5. Logged Lily on to Webkinz
6. De-shedded the dog
7. Read part of book 7 (Harry Potter) for the billionth time
8. Fed Lily's baby doll a hippopotamus soup. (Lily made it.)
8 Things To Which I'm Looking Forward:
1. Writer's Conference in June!!!
2. Spring...in about 3 months
3. Midnight Sun Festival
4. Finishing the two books I'm writing
5. Being able to reach above my head without grimacing in pain.
6. Dale finishing the bathroom remodel tonight
7. A cure for diabetes
8. Taking my daily bath later so my shoulder muscles can relax
8 Favorite Restaurants:
1. Los Hermanos in Provo
2. Milanos in Anchorage
3. Orso in Anchorage
4. Chair 5, Girdwood
5. Cafe Rio
6. Macaroni Grill
7. Tony Romas
8. Arctic Circle. (Don't judge; they don't have them here and I really miss their fry sauce!)
8 Things on My Wish List:
1. Becca
2. Jane
3. Kori
Everyone else is on facebook! ;)
Here are the rules: 1)Post the rules on your blog. 2)Answer the six '8' items on the tag. 3)Let each person know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
8 Favorite TV Shows
1. Pysch
2. Chuck
3. March Madness (Because I love how much my whole family gets into it. And I like basketball, but really it's because our email goes wild for those few weeks! And I like winning, and I like blizzards, and I like winning blizzards, even though I never have. Sigh.)
4. Project Runway
5. Top Chef
6.Glenn Beck
7. Judge Judy? (I'm actually running out...I'm shocked!)
8. So you think you can dance?
8 Things I did Yesterday:
1. Drove the kids to school. (yippee)
2. Made an awesome duct tape bag.
3. Took a bath
4. Watched "Chuck" (lame episode, I thought)
5. Logged Lily on to Webkinz
6. De-shedded the dog
7. Read part of book 7 (Harry Potter) for the billionth time
8. Fed Lily's baby doll a hippopotamus soup. (Lily made it.)
8 Things To Which I'm Looking Forward:
1. Writer's Conference in June!!!
2. Spring...in about 3 months
3. Midnight Sun Festival
4. Finishing the two books I'm writing
5. Being able to reach above my head without grimacing in pain.
6. Dale finishing the bathroom remodel tonight
7. A cure for diabetes
8. Taking my daily bath later so my shoulder muscles can relax
8 Favorite Restaurants:
1. Los Hermanos in Provo
2. Milanos in Anchorage
3. Orso in Anchorage
4. Chair 5, Girdwood
5. Cafe Rio
6. Macaroni Grill
7. Tony Romas
8. Arctic Circle. (Don't judge; they don't have them here and I really miss their fry sauce!)
8 Things on My Wish List:
1. I wish for no more shoulder pain.
2. I wish for a cleaner house.
4. I wish to go on a "real" vacation.
5. I wish for a cure for diabetes.6. I wish my children to reach their full potential.
7. I wish for world peace.
8. I wish for a permanent break from Therapy Thursday because my kids and I don't need it anymore.
1. Becca
2. Jane
3. Kori
Everyone else is on facebook! ;)
Friday, February 27, 2009
Maybe if we lived in Maine....
Flashback, Sept. 6, 2008, Seward, Alaska. Elliotte was enjoying her first trip to the SeaLife Center. She particularly had a great time hanging out with the Alaskan King Crab. Little did I know that she is a Crustaciantounge, and that the crab was giving her lessons. No, he didn't influence her disposition, she's not so much crabby as exceptionally mellow, but he did give her pointers on WALKING!! This became obvious when she FINALLY decided to take a few unaided steps yesterday...sidways! She has yet to walk in a forward direction. Guess we should have visited a few more LOBSTERS!!!Maybe I'll post a video, if I get around to taking one. In the mean time, Congratulations, El Halibut...I mean El Crabio!
Sunday, February 15, 2009
What do you get...
...when a bunch of cool hippies plan the school carnival?
Winter Faire at Winterberry!
Now, this was a great event. I've been to some carnivals in my day, but this one takes the cake. Or should I say, "muffin"?
At Winter Faire, you exchange cash for jewels instead of tickets. It's a pretty cool system if you ask me. They use jewels for everything, including games, food, and crafts. One of the food items was a bowl of homemade potato soup. I helped peel the spuds the night before, and out of 100 pounds I must of peeled about 40. There were several people helping, but I was just really good at it. If you have to have skill, it might as well be peeling potatoes! (I guess...) They were observing my technique and asking all sorts of questions about proper peeling. It was pretty funny to me. I told them they should see Dale peel spuds; he can do it with a paring knife almost as fast as with a peeler. They were beyond impressed.
Anyway...This is the muffin walk (I guess they don't do cake walks at this school. They do muffins instead because its more organic. The only difference I see between a muffin and a cupcake is frosting, but I didn't say anything.) Rebecca's class was in charge of games, so I helped set these up. It's not very organic, but they did use my duct tape dice because they are large. They started out the day using students' old paintings cut out in the shape of numbers, but they got ripped up. The mom in charge of the muffin walk had no cake walk experience. She told me that she was going to look it up on the internet because she didn't have a clue. I filled her in on the tricky points (of which there are none, except use something other than paper taped to the floor for numbers, which she rejected.) I offered to use duct tape to make numbers on the floor, but it wasn't organic enough, I guess. In the end they got so ripped up that she begged me to re-do the numbers with tape. Which I did, without saying "I told you so!" That was big of me, wasn't it? (Click on the picture if you want to see the detail of the dice and numbers.)
This is the slingshot range. It was pretty awesome. I donated the pie plates. I didn't do the painting.
Logan taking careful aim:
Elliotte was more interested in eating the ammunition!
In between games, there was a live orchestra so we could do folk dancing. Here is a photo of me (rare) dancing. (Rarer. If that's a word. Which I doubt.)
Dale contributed to the faire by roasting almonds and pecans for the bake sale. It was fun, and they were VERY popular. Here he is with a delivery.
And another of him with the baby. It was VERY cold...I think about 15 degrees F.
There were lots of crafts, and not exactly of the Oriental Trading Company variety. Sarah's favorite was dying silks. She did two of them. They hang in the window, and are very beautiful. Lily did one, also.
The kids also felted a tennis ball.
This is one of only a couple of pictures that actually has Rebecca in it because while I was taking pictures she was watching a marionette puppet show! By the time she was done, I was in charge of running the muffin walk. She had lots of fun, though. We all did. I can't wait for the Winter Faire next year.
You, know I think I just might be turning into a cool hippie myself! MUFFIN THE MATTER WITH THAT! (I couldn't resisit!)
Winter Faire at Winterberry!
Now, this was a great event. I've been to some carnivals in my day, but this one takes the cake. Or should I say, "muffin"?
At Winter Faire, you exchange cash for jewels instead of tickets. It's a pretty cool system if you ask me. They use jewels for everything, including games, food, and crafts. One of the food items was a bowl of homemade potato soup. I helped peel the spuds the night before, and out of 100 pounds I must of peeled about 40. There were several people helping, but I was just really good at it. If you have to have skill, it might as well be peeling potatoes! (I guess...) They were observing my technique and asking all sorts of questions about proper peeling. It was pretty funny to me. I told them they should see Dale peel spuds; he can do it with a paring knife almost as fast as with a peeler. They were beyond impressed.
Anyway...This is the muffin walk (I guess they don't do cake walks at this school. They do muffins instead because its more organic. The only difference I see between a muffin and a cupcake is frosting, but I didn't say anything.) Rebecca's class was in charge of games, so I helped set these up. It's not very organic, but they did use my duct tape dice because they are large. They started out the day using students' old paintings cut out in the shape of numbers, but they got ripped up. The mom in charge of the muffin walk had no cake walk experience. She told me that she was going to look it up on the internet because she didn't have a clue. I filled her in on the tricky points (of which there are none, except use something other than paper taped to the floor for numbers, which she rejected.) I offered to use duct tape to make numbers on the floor, but it wasn't organic enough, I guess. In the end they got so ripped up that she begged me to re-do the numbers with tape. Which I did, without saying "I told you so!" That was big of me, wasn't it? (Click on the picture if you want to see the detail of the dice and numbers.)
This is the slingshot range. It was pretty awesome. I donated the pie plates. I didn't do the painting.
Logan taking careful aim:
Elliotte was more interested in eating the ammunition!
In between games, there was a live orchestra so we could do folk dancing. Here is a photo of me (rare) dancing. (Rarer. If that's a word. Which I doubt.)
Dale contributed to the faire by roasting almonds and pecans for the bake sale. It was fun, and they were VERY popular. Here he is with a delivery.
And another of him with the baby. It was VERY cold...I think about 15 degrees F.
There were lots of crafts, and not exactly of the Oriental Trading Company variety. Sarah's favorite was dying silks. She did two of them. They hang in the window, and are very beautiful. Lily did one, also.
The kids also felted a tennis ball.
This is one of only a couple of pictures that actually has Rebecca in it because while I was taking pictures she was watching a marionette puppet show! By the time she was done, I was in charge of running the muffin walk. She had lots of fun, though. We all did. I can't wait for the Winter Faire next year.You, know I think I just might be turning into a cool hippie myself! MUFFIN THE MATTER WITH THAT! (I couldn't resisit!)
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