Thursday, May 25, 2006

Get Shorty (UPDATED)

Honestly, what kind of crap is this?

Probation for child molestation, because he's "too short" to survive in prison, because he's 5'1" tall. That is just stupid. If you commit a crime you go to jail.

Call me cruel, but if you steal the innocence of children I have very little sympathy for how you fair in jail.

UPDATE

I'm not the only person who thought this was stupid. I am amazed that short people are defending the decision. I'm short (I'm even the tallest woman in my family), I'm only 5'2" tall, I don't find that to be an excuse. You suck it up and toughen up and deal with what life and God gave you. It isn't a handicap, let the man have his fate as a prison toy.

Wednesday, May 24, 2006

6lbs. 12oz. Total

I should probably e-mail this to people, but I’m lazy and I’m just going to post it here.

I had another ultrasound yesterday. Combined right now the boy’s total weight is the same as Jackson’s birth weight. They weigh 6lb 12oz together. Alex is taking more then his share still, he weighs 3lbs 11oz and Owen is 3lbs 1oz. I can’t imagine having a baby half the size of Jackson at birth that would be really little. Alex was 2lbs 8oz and Owen was 2lbs 3oz two and a half weeks ago. They are certainly packing it on quick now.

Even if I hold out the specialist doesn’t think they will let me go past 36 weeks. I have another ultrasound June 9th. If my next non-stress test goes like Monday’s I’ll have more. My NST wasn’t coming out with good readings (it’s hard to monitor 3 heart rates and contractions with out the heart rates trying to cross over) so I had a very brief ultrasound Monday also.

My back is starting to really hurt, but is anyone really surprised at that. I haven’t had any caffeine is a few days I’m going to go have a little caffeine therapy and see how that makes me feel (anything to make the Tylenol work better). Have a lovely day and if you are somewhere like here that is a bit warm, stay cool.

I want my 2 dollars. (UPDATED)

UPDATE
We got our money! Let the happy dance begin.
UPDATE ENDED

Okay, so maybe I want more then 2 dollars, I want my ***** dollars. We pre-signed Friday (to close the sale of our OKC house), Jonathan works 2 hours away he couldn’t be expected to come back, plus I wouldn’t have had a babysitter to get me there.

The closing was to happen Friday, then Monday, then it happened yesterday at around 5 o’clock. It was too late for all of the money to be in, so now I sit and wait for my mortgage on that house, my bridge loan (we used the equity for a down payment on our current house) to be paid off and our profit to be electronically deposited (I trust that more then them mailing me my check).

What makes me mad about this whole deal is the lack of information I have received. I’ve been told, “I’ve been calling you all day.” from the office manager at our realtors more then once since we listed with them. Bull, our house, our cell, Jonathan’s office line all have caller ID and answering machines or voice mail. We would know if an attempt was made to reach us. I got a call saying the closing was going to happen at 1pm from the realtors office and that if anything changed they’d let me know (this was at 10:30 yesterday morning). Just to make sure I called the title company and that information was wrong and the realtor’s office never called me back with the change. The escrow closer contacted me with progress for the rest of the day. Now that is good service.

Thank you Marsha, you did a great job. As for our realtor, and his office manger, you don’t deserve you commission; you did a fair job at best on the sale of our house start to finish.

Friday, May 19, 2006

I'm just shy of bedrest. (UPDATED)

I am still progressing and Jonathan is currently picking up medication to stop contractions. The doctor wants me to go at least 2 more weeks (which would set me at 32 1/2 weeks for delivery), but she thinks I can go 4 (which would be 34 1/2 weeks at delivery). I am only allowed out every 2-3 days for no more then 1 1/2 hours and not by myself (I'm 27 and have to have a babysitter).

I have another ultrasound Tuesday, and Monday I begin non-stress tests twice a week (Monday and Thursday) at the hospital. My regular OB visits are now weekly, with progress checks.

I am upset, I am having trouble dealing with the thought of the babies in NICU and me being discharged, which is what my OB thinks will happen. I am thankful for the decision to have the babies in Norman. It's hard for me to accept help even from my family, but I can't do this alone.

UPDATE

Jonathan did let me go to Wal-Mart this afternoon to buy Victoria a new bike. It appears the babies if they make it 4 weeks will arrive near her 6th birthday. Unfortunately he made me ride the little motor cart. I guess it's a vanity thing, but it was very degrading

Wednesday, May 17, 2006

Ducktales (UPDATED)

We bought a 3 DVD set of the episodes 1-27 of the great cartoon Ducktales! Jonathan and I have enjoyed it as much as the kids. Ducktales are so much fun! Victoria totally digs it and Jackson may not enjoy it as much as Scooby, but he does like it.

UPDATE

Yes, Kelly it is really fun watching them as an adult, you do get more of the subtle humor-kind of like old Looney Toons. Jonathan and I laugh at several things that we just didn't get as kids.

Jeremy-Life is like a hurricane, here in Duckburg. Race cars, lasers, airplanes; it's a duck blur. Might solve a mystery or rewrite history. Ducktales. Oh. Oh....

I'll let you try to finish it from there.

For $30 it's about a buck an episode and well worth it. I can't wait until volume 2 comes out. We found these at Hastings on a fluke one night. We didn't see anything we wanted to rent, we debated the purchase, left and went back and bought it. I'm glad we did.

Countdown to closing

Friday is the end. We are set to close our house in Oklahoma City. We are having the termite treatment tomorrow and we have a storm window in for repair that will be replaced after the close. As of Friday we are done (no more payments or bills). There are moments I miss that house. We did so much work and a ton of it was done to our style and taste. The burled oak wood floors we worked very hard to refinish and they were and are gorgeous (3 coats of HIGH gloss polyurethane).

One set of neighbors we liked and miss. During the brief stint we spent there Saturday doing the few repairs that needed to be done I remembered how much of the neighborhood I didn’t care for. The yard needed mowed and when that was finished all I could think was how good our house and yard looked, especially compared to the rest of the neighborhood. I can’t wait until next year when I will be in better condition to work on our new yard (plus the twins shouldn’t be able to walk just yet and I can).

Tuesday, May 16, 2006

The kitchen

Over all our transition hasn’t been bad. The kids need to go to bed earlier and mom does have cable, so I’m letting them watch more TV.

My mom now lives in a different house then the 2 I grew up in. It’s a good house with a good floor plan and I don’t feel totally out of place here…except in the kitchen. Today I have a goal; I’m gong to explore her kitchen (and ALL of the new stuff she has, WOW). I’ve made breakfast (not just cereal or frozen waffles), I intend to do leftovers or corn dogs for lunch and then I am going to take a nap and really COOK dinner here. I think that is one reason I feel a bit out of sorts. Being a stay at home mom cooking is an important part of my day and I think once I adjust to that here things will be really good. Right now I just want to leave and waste money on take out. MMMMM Take out.

I do need to pay more attention to the kid’s behavior, they are a bit wild, but they could be soooo much worse. I’ve been on them a bit more this morning and they are already doing better. I may have to buy a refrigerator lock though, Jackson can open the fridge here and he can’t at home. He brought me a jar of olives (he really loves those) and he rolled a stick of butter in lint.

Monday, May 15, 2006

Goodbye and Good Luck

My mom watches KFOR news out of OKC and around noon today Brad Edwards a newscaster with that channel passed away after a week in a coma. He’s been with the station longer then I’ve been alive (so I’ve always seen him on the news). He was in his late 50’s. Brad thanks for being in our corner.

We survived the first night at moms without Jonathan. It may be best that we aren’t home so he can work late without feeling bad. He’s busy again this week. He has tomorrow and Wednesday working in Wichita (he’s the lead engineer on a program for Learjet), today he is working on the presentation, which he wasn’t supposed to do.

Thursday, May 11, 2006

A Testament to Inefficiency

Okay, so Oklahoma City is not a place I want to live again, but I must admit they did one thing really well. That one thing was BIG TRASH DAY. Once a month you could put out big trash (less chemicals, compressors, tires, the usual). This was great for home renovation projects. They had one guy in a BIG truck with a huge, claw machine type claw, and seat on the back. He would pull up to the curb, get out and climb to the other seat and pick up your stuff, climb back in the truck and drive on. It was quick and efficient. Also, if you had anything someone else wanted your stuff usually walked off (including filthy carpet).

Where we live know they haven’t done a large trash pick up since 2003 (even then it was 1-2 times a year). I found out why today. The city workers blocked the street with a city truck, they had 4 dump trucks, a front loader and a backhoe, plus 6 guys (who mainly stood there to pick up loose twigs and small debris). I can understand why the cost of “Spring Spruce Up” is so high. Granted the landfill costs are not anything to sneeze at, but the man-hours have to be big. I wonder if the city knows about the big trash trucks with the claws. Renting one for a couple of weeks would probably be cheaper.

The move

Tomorrow I return to my hometown with the kids until the twins come. I must admit it seems to be a win/loose situation. I miss Norman and I miss my family, but then again once you’ve left home and established your own it’s hard to move in with your parent again. I’m very grateful that my mom is willing to let us do this and I love her and we get along well, but it’s still hard. I’m really going to miss Jonathan (he totally rocks) and I know that Daddy not being around is going to be tough on the kids (I'm glad he get 3 day weekends evey week).

The hospital situation and the fear of bed rest or pre-term labor make this move make sense, but it’s still hard. I’m not ready for the twins to come, let alone up and make a short term move.

Blogging will continue from Norman.

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

Survey

73% of Americans say that immigration is a serious problem.The other 27% said, 'No habla Ingles'.

Thanks for another funny Dad.

Preggo Pics

Here are 2 gratuitous pregnant photos (and 1 just, because Victoria looked so cute). My friend Staci keeps asking me when she’s either going to see me or a picture and vanity has kept me from it (okay so I want to try and look cute). Last night Jonathan had a business dinner and I got all dressed up (I skipped on maternity close and wore my sisters old suit unzipped under the coat). If you’ve never seen me pregnant before, I have surpassed my size at delivery for the last 2 kids just barely, so I look term for one for me. I’m not sure how much bigger I’m going to get, but my body really does think it’s time to let them out, at least the contractions let up yesterday. I enjoyed myself last night and Jonathan thought it was funny to hand me his wine glass to hold every once in a while.



I seriously need a hair cut. The middle of my back will never happen. Any thoughts?

Saturday, May 06, 2006

Rain, Rain Go AWAY!

No, really I do love rain, it’s just getting a bit old and I left my raincoat at my ultrasound Thursday, so I’ve been soggy when I go out.  

We skipped the Steam & Gas Engine Show, because of the rain and did the usual rainy Saturday kind of stuff.  We went to Hastings, Wal-Mart (Jackson screamed and fell asleep in the cart, 35 minutes in the store total); we ate at Taco Bell and picked up some stuff for projects at Lowe’s.  

Hastings now buys back books, I totally like that.  We have TONS of books; we have boxes in the attic, because we don’t have enough shelf space in the office, our room, or the kid’s rooms.  This past week I sorted what we had out and pulled about 8 books (mostly mine) that I never finished or honestly will not read again.  They offered me $22 in cash or $44 in store credit.  I took the store credit.  This is way better then I would get having a garage sale.

I honestly think Jonathan didn’t want me at the Steam and Gas Engine Show (walking around), he’s been beyond nice and really doesn’t want me to do anything.  He doesn’t want me to run (more accurately I waddle), he even put on and took my shoes off for me yesterday, so I wouldn’t have to (this was offered and not requested), plus he keeps giving me back rubs.  It’s very nice.

On the homeschool front here’s a quick rundown of our curriculum choices for next year:

My Father’s World 1st Grade (basic set)
A Beka Writing with Phonics 1st grade (this is to teach cursive)
Singapore Math 1A and 1B
Nest Family Hero Series Videos and Workbooks (These we are going to buy as we go)

Friday, May 05, 2006

Progress

We’ve made some progress in the last couple of weeks. Unfortunately that means that the kids and I are moving in with my mom next Friday. The specialist isn’t ready to put me on bed rest, but he wants me to take it very easy and my regular OB wants me close by.

Owen (baby b) is now 5 oz less then Alex (baby a). At this point it is becoming less of an issue (since they weigh more the difference is less percentage wise).

We went to the homeschool convention today, we skipped the workshops and stuck to the exhibits and made good progress on curriculum selection. I was too tired to do much more. Jonathan and I had lunch and finalized our plans and we will be going to his parents shortly.

The Steam and Gas Engine Show is probably going to have rain tomorrow, so we will probably only be there for a little bit.

I will send out an update e-mail with contact information, if you don’t get it (and want it), post a comment and I will insure you get it.

Thursday, May 04, 2006

Off we go!

Our weekend of adventure begins today.  My in-laws have our other car still, so I took Jonathan to work.  I have since bought snacks for the road, had the oil changed, filled up the gas tank ($65 ouch), finished most of the packing (except what’s in the dryer) and I’ve checked my e-mail.  It’s only 9:45am.  I think the rain has slowed down enough to load the car.  I’m very glad I mowed Tuesday.

I have an ultrasound at 1:30 and a regular OB visit at about 4.  Tomorrow we have the Oklahoma Homeschool Convention.  Saturday we are skipping the rest of the convention and going to the Steam and Gas Engine Show.  It’s going to be a full weekend, but life is about to get more full so we are out to enjoy what we can.

I must go over feed the dog (that way the neighbor only has to put him in at night and let him out in the morning), and load the car.  Have a great weekend!

Wednesday, May 03, 2006

NO soda for you!

I’m not a soda drinker.  I drink 64 oz. of water a day (80 oz when pregnant) and cranberry juice.  For me it’s just a matter of knowing and doing what’s best for me.  As a kid I didn’t care, Dr. Pepper was my friend.

This new measure being taken to eliminate pop in schools I find silly.  Do they honestly think that if a kid wants a soft drink he won’t bring one in for the day from home or a convenience store?  That’s like saying not supplying alcohol to minors in my high school meant they didn’t bring it in (I never did, but I know several teens who were never caught).

This is a noble effort, but honestly knowing the mentality of children, they will do what they can to get around there not being any in the vending machines.  As long as it isn’t band from school grounds I primarily see decreased sales, not less pop.

The bath

Jonathan and I have 1 role in our marriage crossed.  He likes taking a bath and I don’t.  I personally don’t like stewing in my own filth; I always require a shower after a bath.

Today for some reason seems like a bath day.  I can honestly say I don’t think I have had a bath since my birthday last August.  I’m not sure why, but today just seems like that kind of day.

Did you know?

Fun fact, did you know that ALL flu is bird flu? Every strain of the flu virus is a bird flu.

Tuesday, May 02, 2006

This is so bad.

I just got this in an e-mail from my Dad. Yes, it’s a bit of a groaner, but then again I laughed, I do so like my lame jokes.

Most people don't know that back in 1912, Hellmann's mayonnaise was manufactured in England. In fact, the Titanic was carrying 12,000 jars of the condiment scheduled for delivery in Vera Cruz, Mexico, which was to be the next port of call for the great ship after its stop in New York.

This would have been the largest single shipment of mayonnaise ever delivered to Mexico. But as we know, the great ship did not make it to NewYork. The ship hit an iceberg and sank, and the cargo was forever lost.

The people of Mexico, who were crazy about mayonnaise and were eagerly awaiting its delivery, were disconsolate at the loss. Their anguish was so great, that they declared a National Day of Mourning, which they still observe to this day.

The National Day of Mourning occurs each year on May 5th and is known, of course, as Sinko de Mayo.

Insert GROAN here.

The lawn. (Updated)

Wow, what a week/weekend we’ve had here. I’m not talking standard events I’m talking rain! At the beginning of last week we had had about 1.5 inches of rain for April. As of April 30th we had 5.74 inches. Granted, my children have been a bit stir crazy (as have I) being cooped up in the house, but I am so thankful for the rain.

I may have to make Jonathan look bad though. The yard needs mowed. This isn’t hard, but people look at us like he’s evil since I’m pregnant. We are expecting rain again for the next couple of days and we won’t be home Thursday, Friday or Saturday. He has to work late today to make up for the funeral Monday and the doctor’s visits Thursday afternoon. Jackson should go to sleep soon and I can get to work. My yard may be high and I may need a serious dose of broadleaf killer, but things are green. I love that. Have I mentioned I love the smell of freshly mowed grass?

UPDATE

Ya, I mowed the yard at 2pm this afternoon, it was only about 80 degrees. As I said above someone did come over and ask me if I was trying to have the babies tonight. The specialist I've seen informed me that his wife (while pregnant with twins) mowed until her 35th week. He told me if you feel okay, it's fine, just don't over do it. I didn't over do it.