Toxicology 101

In the process of my "investigation" I have learned some things.
1. Dogs can not be killed by a couple of Tylenol, asprin or a minor bit of chocolate.
2. Pitts like Bella have cast iron stomachs. This we know because of all the things found in the tox report. Mainly crayola crayons, and a lot of them.
2. Toxicoloy testing for dogs is very expensive.
3. It was probably a hotdog that the neighbor put through the fence, perhapse with a laxative in it.
4. Most people don't want to kill the dog just punish the dog owner.
5. Bella is well liked by almost everyone she meets.
6. The highest setting on the dog collar actually does work after you shave her neck for good contact. Bark! whelp! whelp! Whimper.
7. You don't actually want to touch a static collar on the two contact cables at the same time; on any setting.




I elected not to send the samples off the TAMU becasue of the cost. While Bella has lost a pound or two (and a bit dehydrated) she is in, otherwise, very good health. During this process I discovered she has eaten the following things (and been alright.) Yes, I had to look through her poop (with plastic gloves.)
- Crayons
- Baby socks
- Money (pennies)
- Dice
- Rocks
- Legos
- various bits of plastic from toys and garbage

I now wonder if, infact, the neighbor DID attempt a cruel act. It is still suspect but I'm on to them now and they know it. I have watched them in the backyard and then banged on the window, waving wildly saying, "I see you!!! I know what you are doing!!!" Hopefully the intended message is getting through.

Sometime in the last 4 days they have gotten a Lab puppy. If they though this would help or make us mad I'm not sure. Whether we were even considered in this is also up for debate but now there is another dog in the mix.

I'm sorry to say this but she is very cute.

What have I learned? That my neighbors are weird and that I do not under any circumstances trust them and that I will probably continue to think these thoughts until the day they move. As far as I know they will have to go before we do.

Hopefully this is the end of this drama.

The Case of the Poisoned Dog

Let me begin by saying this is all circumstantial until the toxicology report comes back from Texas A&M.

On Tuesday afternoon I was cleaning the blinds in my bedroom. I opened them up to clean the windows and noticed our dog Bella was barking insanely at the fence and more specifically at a large knothole. She was almost forcing her muzzle into the hole and then pacing back and forth. I almost yelled at her when I noticed something, sort of like a large straw or plastic utensil come just slightly through the hole. Bella went to it immediate, put he mouth on it, pulled away and began chewing. I almost knocked on the window but stopped to see if what I had seen was really what I thought it was. After a moment or two then entire scene repeated and I began knocking wildly on the window. From the other side of the fence I could see a large adult move past the fence (through the slats) back toward the house. I immediatly ran upstairs and looked out game room window in to the back yard. I saw nothing but this is really what I should have done first to catch them in the act.

I was completely baffled as to why someone would be feeding my dog anything through the fence much less an adult in 32 degree weather in the late afternoon. I was VERY suspect from the get go and I began to try and think of why this might have occurred. I only came up with one possibility.

Bella is a barker, an extreme barker. She has been muzzled (she tore one up) with a mesh muzzle, fitted with a static (shock) collar and still she barks. She can almost jump the back fence and has on several occasions actually jumped so much that she has knocked the fence section down and escaped. She is black part Pitt and part lab and weighs about 80lbs. She looks fierce but she is a big baby who whines all the time. She is actually Garrison's dog he got for Christmas in 2005. She's a big old mess but I really like the dog because she is a great watchdog and everyone (salesmen and solicitors) who comes to the door is scared of her.

I've had numerous complaints in the form of phone calls complaining about the barking. We really have spent tons of money and tried just about everything to get her to stop. Actually the bark collar is humorous in that she barks, it zaps and she freaks out! I really should tape it for America's Funniest Home Video. We'd probably win because she nearly flips over in the air bucking like a bronco but she has never connected the barking to the zapping. So now after this event I became convinced that they are trying to kill our dog.

I told Sean (and ever the gentleman) he didn't think the worst but tried to think of some alternate reason this might have happened. He even asked if I was sure of what I saw. His solution was to watch Bella, cover the holes in the fence and we'd go from there. That was Tuesday night.

Wednesday she seemed fine. Today however she spent the day in her kennel and when I got home I was greeted but the most overwhelming and utterly disgusting odor I'd ever come up against. Garrison declared he wasn't going in the house but we went in holding our noses searching for the source of this foul crappy odor. You guessed it is was Bella. She had filled her cage with poop. She was covered, the bedding was drenched and the cage was the biggest mess I've ever seen. I drug her to the door, the cage outside and threw the bedding away. gagging the entire time. The smell permeated the entire house so in 29-degree weather the windows were opened we wore coats and I lit candles. I sprayed every air freshener and bottle febreeze I could find. After about 20 minutes of this, the smell was gone and we could move on.

Now I am brooding over the fact that I believe our neighbors are psycho dangerous dog killers who are capable of anything. I’ve called the vet ( at the wias suggestion ont Tracey F) and I am going to collect and take “samples” to them so that we can ship them to Texas A&M. Which leads me back to my very first statement.

I’ve called the HOA president and his wife suggested I keep a video camera by the back window. I will be doing that.
Do I confront the people? Do I wait it out until I see if we have any evidence? What do I say? And what happens next? They have to know I’m on to them because I covered the holes and banged on the window. I’m thinking if they will do it once then they will do it again, right? I hate to start a big old fight because we have to live next to these people but frankly I’m scared of what they are capable of. If they will hurt an innocent animal then what else will they do if they are mad?

The entire situation creeps me out and I want them to move. They have only been there for about 8 months and no one really knows them. Sean has spoken to the husband out front before but I’ve never seen the wife. I know they have no children but that’s the extent of my confirmed knowledge. In my mind they are sadistic sicko’s hurting peoples dogs and acting out the anger in creepy secret ways.

So far Bella seems okay but I’m sure if they really wanted to kill her she’d be dead. Perhaps they thought it’s be a good laugh to make us have to clean up a big mess, like some sort of punishment. I don’t know these are all just guesses. I do know that the only alternative left is a behavior specialist ( who knows what that will cost or if it will work and she is in Bedford.) and as a very last resort, there is surgery to clip her vocal cords. That is the last option becasue we don't want to get rid of the dog. We all really like her, if not love her. What to do?????

I’ll keep updating as I know more.

Happy Valentines Day

I love this day for all the usual reasons but form some not so typical reasons also. It was 10 years tonight that I made a wise decision and said yes. After only 6 weeks and what was suppposed to be our actual first date Sean proposed and I eagerly said yes. And for 10 years we ate Valentine dinner at the same resturant, Lombardi Trattaoria, where we ate the night he proposed. One of the few romantic things we do. But alas, it closed last year and we must make a new tradition. I have no idea what that will be but this year is just like any other day.

I also love valentines because of all the frazzled men in the supermarket attempting to please their better half but choosing just the right flowers and maybe bottle of somthing, be it wine or perfume. It's really cute to see all the people running around trying to buy something "special" from the grocery store. this always makes me laugh. And everyone seemd to be in a good mood and smiling.

I love valentines day for the hand drawn cards from my babies. Somehow some raggedy paper glued onto another raggedy piece and colored with crayons becomes the most precious treasure when made and given by a 3 year old. These are things that I'll never throw away.

Happy valentines day to you!

Have you ever been in love...

WARNING: SUPER, GUSHING ABOUT ONE'S OWN CHILD. READ ON AT OWN RISK.
Also my spell check is on the blink again

Have you ever been so amazed and overwhealmed by love that you think your heart might explode? My Garrison is so sweet and innocent and such an inspiration to me. Tonight in the car he anounced that he was not afraid of dying because that meant he was going straight to God. Right out of nowhere he says this. How innocent and pure and fearless of a five year old. No wonder Jesus tells us to be like the children.

We have dealt with death a lot in his short life and I've not tried to make it a huge issue more a part of life. I know a lot of people try to shelter thair children but that was really never an option for us. Sean and I talk about things openly with the children and always give an explaination for things at their level. This is no easy task but it's never been an "issue" looming over us. We simply explain that God has a plan for each of us on this earth to further his knigdom and when our job is done then it's our turn to get a big reward, heaven. He has asked many time if we will all be together with Jesus and will Sean or I be waiting for him and wo don't go into any great detail but give him a straight-forward simply answer. He talks about how Adam was made from "dirt" so are we made from dirt and what happens to our bodies. My dod was cremated so that has brought up many questions when we have visited his "memory place". He accepts this as life and doesn't brood over it but joyfully sings "I can only imagine". and seems to really understand that he'll get to be with Jesus. It's okay to him.

After my dad died, several times, I caught Garrison gazing intently out the window of the car. I'd watch him in the rear view mirror and he would smile at the sky.

"Whatcha looking at, Buddy?"
"My Poppy in the clouds. He's flying and watching me."

The first time it was really cute. The third fouth and fifth times I began to wonder what he was seeing. It was never after a conversation concerning my dad. It was always really ramdon times. Makes you think?

The other thing that Garrison does, a lot, It sing "God Bless America". With the purest, unabashed love and from the deepest part of his soul he sings that song. He talked about lady liberty with all the passion a five year old can muster and that's quite a bit. He loves this country and loves to talk about the presidents and what they did for our country. He wants to learn about the Revolutionary War and the Civil War and everything that goes with it: names places, battles, heros, traitors, ammunition, artillery, war ships countrys, Native American tribes and anything else you'll tell him. Presidents day has been a great source of intrest for him as well as Black History Month at school. He's come home talking about Martin Luther King and George Washington Carver.

He will surpass me in knowledge by the time he's in the 4th grade.

There is an old saying, "There really is the smartest child in the world and every parent has it." It's more true than you might first think. You know those parents who talk incesantly about how brilliant and beautiful and bright their children are? They make me nuts but I understand how their heart feels and I share their pride.

If this is for posterity I want Garrison to read this one day and know just how much I love him and that he and Kamdyn fill my heart daily with a love that I never knew or understood before them. It's quite possibly the best feeling in the world to know that your babies love the Lord. If they don't make straight A's, if they aren't the star player, If they struggle in classes but they love and follow Christ then I feel we, Sean and I, have done a good job.

Kamdyn's Teeth

Kamdyn did very well today and is almost back to herself as I write this. If I haven't called you to give you an update it's only because Sean is still sick, kamy is a mess and Garrison is feeling a little neglected. Three against one...

We went in at 11:00 and the pre-op was easy. I did all I could to make this a "fun" experience for her. Children's is a wonderful hospital and that helped. We played Barbies and colored and drew until we were called back to day surgery. She had the giggle juice and went back ike a champ singing all the way back to the surgery doors ad probably beyond. When she had her adneoids taken out a year ago she work up nasty, mean and grumpy. Today she was sweet as a peach. The difference is the medication they gave her. For pain they gave her lor-tab which prompty knocked her out again.

In all it was a good experience. I'm not sure how we are going to pay for it but God will provide. He always has before and He continues to amaze me whit His constant unwavering care. I'm really tired and pretty emotionally wrought. She is a trooper and is trying to work her way into staying up late. It's not happening.

Sean is still really sick. He did go to the doctor and is now on several perscriptions. It's in his chest and he continues to run a fever. I sure hope no one elase gets this terrible thing. It is bad. I'm still coughing. I haven't slept with him in 3 nights because of the coughing. I'm also doing all of his "jobs" around the house. I've lost complete control of my chores but that's nothing new. I'll get it back before Rebecca and Sylvia come next Thursday. They come every other Thursday to help with all the heavy stuff. If I could just keep all the other stuff picked up.

No basketball in the morning. I love buy weeks. They are a tiny little bonus on Saturdays. Don't misunderstand. I love to watch Garre play but I also love to sleep.

I have a funny idea for a blog - all the things that drive me crazy. I'm compiling my list to post it later.

Later.

It was the most beautiful day about 68. This is really a beautiful zoo. It is older but that did not detract from it at all. We had a blast and want to go again very soon.
"Maflingos" aka Flamingos

Gibbon monkeys and their baby

"Purple butt" aka Baboon. Yes, I told her she was not to say that again so now they are booboons.

Kamdyn and the zebras

The elephants were really fun. We stayed for a very long time. There was a baby that kept rolling two balls over to the adults. The adults kept shooing him away but he kept coming back again and again.

This was a gorgeous setting for the white tiger. like a rainforest with a waterfall. He sat there like he was posing.

This is a sunbear and Kamdyn loved that he was laying on his back catching some "zzzzz"

Near the back of the zoo it's built to look like a Texas town from the old West. The animal exhibts are broken up ito the different regions of Texas. There is a general store, cafe, candy shoppe, horse farm, and museum. They also have a petting zoo.
This is a longhorn calf that Kamdyn couldn't get enough of. I hope this is no indicator of her college choice in the future. Note her hand attempting to touch the calf. This went on for a good 15 minutes until I had to drag her away crying.

Princess Kamdyn in her royal carriage. It's actually an old mail stagecoach but she insisted it was a carriage for the ball.

Attempt 2 at photos / Basketball

Kamdyn had the camera. Mom acting silly.


Garrison seriously proud after their 3rd win


Mom and me at the crack-of-dawn basketball game.


Kamdyn tying to be the center of the attention




The Sharks. Notice Garrison is a head taller than the other boys

Good Friends and Ft. Worth Zoo

First of all, Thank you to my good friends who knew I was feeling down in the dumps and called or wrote to cheer me up. I don't get down too often but you knew I was and you came to the rescue. Thank you, again. I'm blessed and feel very loved.

I'm still pretty good natured. I like to laugh, even at myself occassionally.

____________________________________________

We are behind the 2007 Ladies Retreat and it was a huge success by all accounts. As hard as we all worked there were still bumps to overcome but isn't that what teamwork is all about: finding a solution together. It was terrific. I got to know several of the ladies much better than I had before and that's always a bonus. I also got closer to, my already good friend, Traci and that is a gift!

As I said in the previous post, I'm a contract employee for Tickelopes. So yesterday I went and cleaned out my cube and took Kamdyn to the office to meet everyone. She was a gem! Polite and a little (very talkative)lady. I have work for them to do today and until the 15th of February but after that it's all contract and as needed. I would normally be in Ft. Worth today but I spent an hour holding my daughter watching Cinderella 3 and another hour trying to comb out Ariel's spastic hair.

FYI human hair conditioner and or baby oil help but make a huge mess.
Not recommended.

After we finished work yesterday, I took Kam to the Ft. Worth Zoo. I love that Zoo! I'd never been and we had a mess. Another thing I do not recommend is the zoo in heeled sandals. I forgot my tennis shoes. Let me just say blisters. I wanted to upload some pix but the camera is giving me some trouble. I'll have Sean fix it later. I'll post more detail with the pictures...



He's sick with the dreaded flu-like virus of 2007: fever, chills, aching all over, coughing, dizziness, light-headed wooziness and zero appetite.

The rest of the week is really busy. Tonight is academic clinic for Garre athen church. Tomorrow we are having a friend over after SS school, ballet, PTA performance by the kindergarten, and then Basketball practice. Friday is a really big day.

I had noticed Kamdyn had a spot or two on her molars to I made an appoint for her and Garre at Dr. Bob Morgan's pediatric dentist office. After learning about how soft and deep pitted Garre's teeth are I was fearful of Kam's. I was right to be concerned. Kamdyn has 9 cavities, 8 of which have formed from the inside out. By the time I saw the tiny spots she was needing at least 4 mini-root canals (in children they are called root treatments.) The doctor explained that baby teeth vary in their hardness from that of a very protective non-porous egg shell to super soft very porous chalk. Kam and Garre are like chalk. We brush twice a day and have as long as they have had teeth. We have occasionally missed like everyone does but never again. I'm a parent obsessed at this point.

Friday we go to Children's where her will fix all the problems at one time while she is under general anesthesia. I'm scared to death about the general but it's really the best option.

Why, you ask, are you going to all this trouble for baby teeth?

We can't ignore the problem because the next phase, if not repaired, is abscess and a nasty bacterial infection. These are her molars which will not come out until she is nine or ten. She'll get silver caps in the back and two white fillings on her two front top teeth. He is going to do as many fillings as he can rather than the root treatments but I wanted to worst case scenario to be fully prepared. It is very expensive but it is partially covered by our medical because it it so advanced. I "look forward" with great anticipation to our future dental disasters.

Please pray that all goes very well, routine and uneventful. She's so little still and it's really strange that she has this type of decay already but it's not a statement about hygiene (thankfully) but about genetics. She doesn't even know it's coming.

Well I'll round out this post by explaining my children's books. I've had several people ask what it is about and there are actually several in progress. They have titles and are waiting on art.
1. The Fish Wish - A Boy and a fish exchange places. Moral the grass isn't always greener. Sometimes where you are is the best place of all.
2. Givabak - Selfish corrupt village that gets a strange new family who teach important life lessons to the villagers whether they want them or not.
3. A Kiss You Can Keep - Written from two points of view a distracted mom who goes back to work after bing at home and a little boy dealing with the changes.
4. Why am I here? - Based on a repeated question from my kids. An explanation of God's plan at a child's level.

Should I post more often????

Hello world! I have a lot more free time now that I am no longer employed by Tickelopes. Yes, that is correct I am only an artist on contract paid by the sketch, no longer having to travel back and forth from Dallas to Ft. Worth and having much more time to do all the strange and quirky things that I do on a normal basis.

I just finished the Ladies Retreat for this year. It's my 8th year on on the committee and my 7th year not to show up for breakfast! In fact I didn't make it back to the entire second day. I felt like the bottom of a dirty shoe. I am still sick but I have not been in to see the doctor. I go tomorrow morning.

I am actually at Traci R's right now picking up the kids from SS school and the elementary when I should be in bed. Mothers DO not get a break. I take that back; my sweet Sean has been the BEST and let me sleep and take it easy. He thinks I have walking pneumonia. I guess I'll find out in the morning.

What else to update.

1. Garrison has been on GREEN for the entire 6 weeks!!!!!
2. He's also been invited into the 1st and 2nd reading program at his school.
3. Mom is doing great.
4. I'm thinking of restarting a new business in stationary and wall art. (I never could sit still for very long)
5. I'm writing and illustrating a children's book; something I've always wanted to do. It may take me 6 months to complete but I really want to do this. Sort of a life long dream.
6. I'm recording books on CD for the kids for posterity.
7. I'm scrapping again.

There are a million new things going on but that is standard fair at my house.
I promise to write about my antics more often including but not limited to... stinky Frito panty hose, butter on gravy biscuits, hot toddy's for sore throats, snoring too loud and too often. (That's for those of you in the know.)

Home again, Home again

I got mom home tonight. After a myriad of tests basically, it appears, she has passed the gall stones (I didn't know you could do this) and everything is normalizing. She is still weak but is home and resting there. Thank you to everyone who called, sent flowers, notes and prayers for her and for the family.

Someone said where your spend New Years is where you'll be for the rest of the year. We were in the hospital. I pray that is not true.

Thank you again to everyone!

Latest update on Mom

She is feeling much better but they are still having some difficulty determining the source of her fever. Today holds more tests and the possibility of gall bladder surgery. I'm home today and Melissa is with her. I think we are all ready to have a diagnosis and move on back to a bit of normalcy.

On the home front, I'm drowning in laundry and playing catch-up from my hospital stay with mom. Garrison starts school back tomorrow and he starts Basketball in mid-January. Thy have asked Sean to coach so we'll see if he decides t do that. Kamdynis going to start dance class this spring also. We haven't really pushed the kids toward sports too much ubtil they actually showed an interest. It's so expensive and we didn't want to start,mpay all that money in fees and uniforms only to have it be a battle every time it was time to play or practice. This way it's Garrison's idea and he really wants to do it.

More later whne I know more about mom.... Thanks for the calls and the notes.

Friday Night Update

Mom is still really sick. Being a dialysis patient is a tricky thing. You can not have an IV for fear of overload because your kidneys don't work. The doctors didn't want too much additional fluid because that can drive up the blood pressure so an IV was out for sure until the BP was controlled. Last night at about 11:00 pm the declared that under control but she was still really nauseated. Today they took her to dialysis and removed another couple of lbs of fluids resulting in an almost 10 lb weight loss since Tuesday when she got sick.

Dialysis for the most part is very hard on the body. They remove all the blood from your body while simultaneously putting it back inthis takes 4 hours three times a week. It filters through a machine that works a lot like a fish tank filter to clean the blood of any toxins. This is normally what your kidneys do. While they are cleaning the blood thay can increase or decrease your body weight with fluid. They should have added to mom's today but instead they lowered her again resulting more nausea due to dehydration. My brother convinced the doctor to try an IV drip to hydrate her, and miracle of miracles,she is feeling a bit better tonight.

She is grateful for all the flowers calls and visits. Thanks you and I'm on my way back to the hospital for another night stay. The doctor still wants someone with her 24 hours. She is really weak and dizzy and tries to get up alone.

The hospital is amazing and staff is really caring and will do almost anyhting for reeces peanut butter cups. We have no idea of a release date or what is coming up next.

More later

Mom is in the hospital again

We are back again in the hospital with Mom’s second serious battle with her blood pressure. She was feeling sick (fever 102 and stomach virus symptoms) when we went to Baylor Regional (5 minutes from her apt) last night after dialysis. She continued to worsen until they admitted her at 5:00am to monitor her condition and get her crazy high blood pressure in check. The vomiting made the pressure go up, in turn that makes her nauseated so she continues to be sick which continue to drive her blood pressure up. It’s the same cycle her system was in back in February 2006 when she went into end stage renal (kidney) failure and started dialysis.

As of right now she is in 426 at Baylor regional and they have set up round the clock one on one care because of the extreme conditions. She is not in ICU but if she continues to vomit with the same intensity they are starting to look for a tear between her esophagus and her stomach. If that were to occur it would mean emergency surgery and sedation, chest tubes and all sorts of other things that are too scary to mention.

Please pray for her and the doctors, Dr. Patel specifically. We are waiting on the documentation from Medical City to confirm which meds she was given that she reacted too so poorly and caused the seizure in February.


I'll update when I know more.

Merry Christmas!

GOOD MORNING, ALL!!! A bit sleep deprived but happy is the was I would categorize this very exciting morning. We were all greeted by tons of toys (mostly My Little Pony and Star Wars) and shrieks of delight punctuated by periodic squeals and laughter. I got it all on tape for blackmail purposes later on in life. Garrison is running around battling the dark side of the force in his underwear while Kamydn has a tea party for her pony's and princesses. It's been a very loud morning. I'd say it was a roaring success.

It's been a weekend of exciting fun and family events. We went to see the lights in Deerfield had Sean's family over for gift exchange Friday night my side Saturday night, Sunday was Christmas eve worship at PC and then cookies for Santa and then the main event! Santa Gifts. My mom has spent the last two Christmas Eves at our house and it's been a great new tradition. Now today is the big deflate from all the hype and anticipation. The kids will play all day and then we will go over to Tracey and Greg's tonight to have dinner before life returns to normal; our version of normal that is. I still have holiday cards to send and a house to clean but it will keep until tomorrow today is all about being a kid again and watching my kids have the time of their lives.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

My night at the hooker hotel, as in prostitute.

I'm going to start off by stating the obvious I didn't know I was going to end up there and had I known it was that sort of establishment when I arrived I would not have checked in in the first place.

Last night was my first night to stay over in Ft. Worth.

"You really don't need a reservation Steph. There are lots of hotels over by TCU."

Okay I bought it and didn't make a reservation. At 6:00 pm I left work, left my cell phone and my art pad (all of which I needed) at the office. I began searching for a hotel in a city of which I am only vaguely familiar. I followed the directions given to me and stopped at the hotel.
"Full up. No room at the inn."
I go across the street to option 2.
"Full up, sorry. Try the Courtyard."
Off I go again this time to the Courtyard. But not before I completely dump out my purse and tear my car apart looking for my cell phone. No cell phone.
The Courtyard had the same answer, but there I asked, "What in the world is going on around here?"
The reply went something like this. "TCU graduation, National Cutting Horse Show, blah blah blah blah..." I quit listening took a map off the counter and thanked the lady. She did stop me any say there was one room available a two room suite with a whirlpool bath for $185 a night. "Thanks, but no thank you."

Had I but known where I would wind up I would have taken it in a heartbeat.

On to dinner at Macaroni Grill. Asked for a phone book and the paper on the table suddenly became very useful. A nice wait person, Libby, found one room available in a hotel off I20. "I'm not sure how you feel about this particular hotel, Mrs. French. Do you want the room? It's at the Super 8"

"Yes. I'm not worried about the hotel. If there's a bed at this point I'll take it." Big mistake.

I couldn't find it 20 minutes away. Got all turned around in the dark in South Ft Worth and finally I see a small sign about a mile away.
Upon arrival I was greeted by a police officer inquiring at the front desk about a 911 call from the main hotel line. The clerk hands me my check in paperwork and informs the police man, in broken English I might add, that no such call had been made. He calls the dispatcher confirms another 911 call has come in from the hotel and wants to look at her call log. Neither can find an 911 call but that could mean (this was confirmed by the clerk) that it could be coming from one of the rooms but routed through the switchboard. GREAT! I did hesitate but at this point it's drive home and back to Ft. Worth at 6:00 am, sleep in my car or attempt to sleep at this scary highway Bates Motel. I chose the latter and said a prayer.

Outside, I said to the officer, " I'm not inspired me with confidence."
"Are you staying here?" He asked. There are actually 4 officers and 2 patrol cars at this point. They look at one another and laugh. "Just push something in front of your door. You'll be fine."
"Like what?"
"Like a couch or a desk." and they laughed again. "Would you like for us to wait until you get to your room, ma'am?" The other officer asks.
"Please!" was my very anxious reply.
I got my stuff walked up the stairs and bolted the door and pushed a huge stripped down desk in front of the door, which is really dumb because there is a HUGE plate glass window and anyone could easily break it to get in the room.
So there I was in the worst part of Ft. Worth, in a seedy motel, surrounded by yelling people and backing up to several XXX rated book stores. There was also a store with the slogan, "you can get it here" on the roof in neon. I have no idea what the it was.

Obviously I was safe and not harmed in any way buy I am seriously sleep deprived. I pulled all the covers off on the floor and slept under the sheet only. I didn't know what was on the bed. I laid my head on a towel over the pillow and basically watched movies all night because I was paralyzed with fear.

It wasn't funny at the time but now it's terribly funny.
I later learned that hat hotle rent by the hour as well as the night and that there are regular drug busts there. It's flanked on all sides by strip clubs book stores, movie theaters and sex shops.

Nice.

Meeting myself coming and going

Okay. While it was a good effort to have a huge family get together it's been nixed for a variety of reasons. Now instead on one big dressy really fancy dinner I'm having 2 casual game nights where everyone brings food and we open our respective family gifts. Yes, two instead of one. I know. I know.

Today was the Ladies Class luncheon for about 85 people and I have to say thank you to My mom, Traci and Leslie who really helped me out of a big bind. See I was asked to coordinate and give the list of others who had signed up to help for the luncheon. I tried, in vain, to contact all of them and only a couple returned my calls and were able to really help. At the very last minute Leslie and I traded favors, she helped me and I gave her a Princess Leia action figure (Christmas present)and all was right with the world. Traci, because she understands me and likes me anyway took pity on me and dove right in to help. Leslie offered to help before the trade offer but that just sweetened the pot for her (and Brady). THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! I didn't even have a stressful moment after they agreed to help me out. My mom is such a trooper and is always there for me. It was a success and we all ate way too much and enjoyed great company.

What else, I have had my Christmas shopping done for several weeks but I've run out of wrapping time. We spent the night at Plaza of the Americas, Westin Hotel the past Saturday. I really needed a small break. Sean and the kids have all been sick. Kamy had, "a really bad bronchitis/slight pneumonia" to quote the ER doctor. She was really sick. Her asthma kicked back in high gear and her fever was up over 103. She is still on antibiotics, steroids and breathing treatments every 4 hours. She is getting better finally.

She and Garrison were able to perform in their school Christmas pagent. Kamy was a reaindeer and stood on stage calling, "Mommy" for the better part of the song "Run Rudolph, Run". Garrison sang carrols while the older kids acted out the navitity. Can you believe they actually told the story? I think the can get away with it because it's a private school/day care. That was my guess. It was really funny and we all had a great time. Then Sean and I went to the Westin for his company party.

This week is chaotic, Monday I Read the Polar Express at Garre's school to several grades, then set up for the luncheon with another lady Nancy. Then worked last night. Today you know what happened. I did indulge in a pedicure. My feet really hurt. Now I'm supposed to be working. I'll go get the kids at 6:00 pm tonight. Tomorrow and Thursday I'm in Ft. Worth working. I'm going to the Kimble Art museum tomorrow night. I LOVE ancient Roman and Egyptian antiquity and there is a special showing on Egypt. Then I'll get the kids Thursday night, Make cookies, wrap Teacher gifts, do the dishes that were not gone while I was away and go to sleep about 1:00 am. Then Friday I take Mom to the airport at 10:00 am and then fly back to Garre's school for the Christmas party and gift exchange at 1:00pm. I might sleep Saturday. I know I'll be cleaning and wrapping the rest of the family gifts. Next week I've cleared for these family parties and max cleaning.

Does anyone know a cleaning crew? I'm looking to hire one going forward. Sean and the kids seem blissfully unaware of the growing mess all around them and that is a blessing because if I lived with a man who insisted on a clean house then I'd be in divorce court right now.

I'm counting the days until the week after Christmas so I can sleep.

Thankful for...

My faith in God and that He answers prayers.
My children's prayers, hugs, kisses, pats and smiles.
My husbands encouragement, support and stability every day.
My family and my friends; their love and understanding.
Health and insurance.
We have a home, a car, a heater (and an AC),a fridge and a phone.
I live in America and we have real freedom.
My friends understand my chaotic life and forgive me for it and like me in spite of it.
Garrison's teachers, Ms. Smith and Dr. Kirkham; their praise, hugs, consistancy in message which teaches me to be consistant too.
Kamdyn's teachers and her school and the way they encourage her to be herself.
My father reconnected with God and all of us before his death.
My mom's health and stress level is much improved.
Tickelopes
Penson and promotion for Sean
Renewed relationships
A President who, I believe, really want the best for our country and do want to do the right thing.
Second chances.

Family Pix for Christmas

This is not going to be our Christmas Picture but I wanted to put something current of the whole family.

If you haven't had you family picture taken by Collodi Photography (Stacy) then you are missing out. She really captured the personalities of the whole family. I won't ever go anywhere else again.

It's hard to believe it's time to be looking toward Christmas and Christmas cards already but it is upon us. Santa will be sliding down that chimney before you know it.

If decided to have a huge family Christmas dinner on the 23rd this year. I want to do it like Martha or Oprah on china with real silverware and GREAT food and family; I want it to be a night that everyone will look back on and remember with great fondness. Yes it will be stressful but I have 2 months to plan it. Some people get married in less time. I should be good on time.

Garrison has a shiner and it's getting worst by the day. I think tomorrow it will be all over his eye lid and under the right eye. His nose is still really swollen and looks sort of flat from the front. I'm just glad pictures have come and gone. I have take one for posterity but that's all he would allow.

Well it's late and I'm driving back to Ft Worth tomorrow for a 45 minute companywide meeting with the owner of the Tickelopes. I've doubled my hours and my responsibilities which is exciting but also stressful. I feel a little like I'm betraying my family but Sean is behind me 100% and the kids love that I draw Tickelopes. I'm also starting Project Management and believe it or not departmental organizing. Most of you reading this didn't know me in my working days, lo these many years ago. But once upon a time I was an organizational fanatic. I'm hoping some of it will spill over into my home life.

Well it's late and I'm off again. Goodnight

Halloween and more pix

These are Halloween pix for this year. Yes, Kamy in totally airborn in the slide picture.

I have to say, blogging has become a source of anxiety for me. I LOVE to reach out to people, I love to read others blogs but I swear I can not find the time in the day to write a blog. SO as a result, no one may ever see this.

Today Garrison broke his nose, we think. There;s really nothing to be done about it so we didn't bother with x-rays and a tramatizing ER trip for an already VERY upset little boy. I got a call about 9:45 this morning from the school nurse. That's always a great source of fear when you see the school number pop up on caller ID. It can never mean good news. That has been my experience thus far anyway. Ms. Annie informed me that Garrison had been involved in an accident in gym class; a collision, of sorts, with another student and that he was okay but very upset and bleeding quite a lot from the nose. He also had a decent sized goose egg (I'd later learn cause by his face hitting the floor too hard, post collision.) Of course I asked if she thought it was broken and she said that she was just trying to stop the bleeding and could not really tell.

If you don't already know this a face/head wound bleeds quite a lot as a general rule. I dropped everything I was doing and rushed to the school. Thank God for anti-anxiety pills because I was remarkably calm through-out the entire event. I HAD to be for him because he was not calm. As soon as he heard my voice he fell apart.

This is Garrison's second trip to the clinic this year and his second trip home. The first "incident" occured during a stomach virus and won't go into anymore detail. Someday he'll read this and I don't want him to be mortified.

I watched him at home for several hours and kept him awake, all the while looking for signs of a concussion. He seemed content to lay on the couch with an ice pack on his face. There is minor swelling even tonight (nothing compared to when I got to school. I confess I wanted to take a picture for posterity but felt it might be cruel.) He will have two very excellent shiners and he is already the talk of the kindergarten. Apparently there was quite a lot of blood on the gym floor so he's the "tough kid". Oh did I mention the child whit who he collided is a girl who only comes up to his shoulder? She head butted him while running with her partner. I'm still not totally sure how that happened. Never the less it was so different excitement in an otherwise normal week.

These are some of Garrison's drawing of Star Wars and his first elementary school picture. That is going in the scrapbook! Sorry these are sideways. I have a new MAC and I'm back to square one on the programs. I'll fix it later

Darth Vader and Princess Leia

Hoth the Ice planet and Luke "taking out" an At-At. His words.

Jedi Heros.

School Pic

At the Fall Fest at PC
Make it a good one friends!

It's been such a long time

It's been such a long time that I forgot my password. There has been so much going on that it would be impossible to recap so let me list and sum up.

Garrison School
Volunteering
ARBONNE
Tickelopes
Driving to Ft. Worth every week
Kam's new school starting
More Volunteering
PTA
Soccer
Basketball Camp
PTA Fundraising
Library Lady
Illness
Ladies Class
Dental Reconstruction
Just between Friends

These are just the notable items that have happened and are for the most part ongoing. 2006 will not go down as an easy (or boring) year.

On the bright side I have started a diet that is really working. When I started as an Arbonne Business Builder in August, I decided I'd start the weight loss program. So far I'm down 12 lbs (give a water pound or two) and the program is easy. that's the best part is I don't mind the plan and the weight is slowly coming off. I have so much more energy. I had a skirt on this week that I haven't worn since before Kamdyn was born and THAT FELT GREAT!!!!

Here are some recent pictures. Also if you want to buy Tickelopes you can now get them online at our web site. We are testing in Hobby Lobby and very soon in Kroger in Houston and hopefully in Tom Thumb! It's like a rocket on the launch pad just getting ready for blast off and it's fun to be a part of it.