Happenings

I know, I know… I need to do some blog hopping. We’ve been gone a lot these last few days, and once we get home and I get my layouts done for the kit I am working on, I am too tired to do anything but go to bed. My own blog has become neglected too. *sighs* … So anyway, let’s see if we can get caught up with what’s going on in our little lives.

• Money Update:

Our bank account still isn’t back to where it should be. On Tuesday they put the $923 back in. (Turns out that they paid the house payment twice. Once with the cash that Joe gave them to pay it, and then a second time with money from our account.) But, they had taken $290 out of our credit account to cover the overdraft (caused by them), and they haven’t gotten that reversed yet. THEN, last night I went to check it online, to see if they had reversed that charge yet, and it showed TOO MUCH money in our account. Turns out they gave us back ANOTHER $923. … I checked the mortgage account, and it still shows a payment… But, who knows anymore. *sighs* So, we need to call Wells Fargo to make sure we still have the mortgage paid for, and for them to take out the extra money. … How ANNOYING!

• Tuesday:

Since they had finally gotten some money posted in our account, we had to go get some groceries… Our cupboards were getting bare!… But first we decided to eat out at Denny’s. We had been told by a couple people that kids eat free on Tuesday, and there is a Denny’s really close to Wal*Mart. So we had dinner there (wow, their French Toast is yummy!)… You should have seen the waitress, talk about over helpful! *lol* She would come to the table every 10 minutes or so, and ask if everything was OK. We would say yes, but she wouldn’t leave. “Are you sure? Do you need anything? More jam?… (no, everything is OK)… Ketchup?… (no, we’re fine)… More napkins?…. (No, we’ve got everything we need)… Everything taste all right?” etc, etc, etc. We were thinking “Just let us eat in PEACE!” *lol*… But she redeemed herself by telling us how well behaved and quiet the kids were.

When we were leaving, I took the girls into the restroom, while Joe paid for dinner. I guess while the lady (the same one) was ringing him up, she said, “Now remember, the kids eat free on Tuesdays and Saturdays.” Joe said, “Today’s Tuesday”… I guess she just looked dumbfounded. She had done up the ticket (via computer) with all the regular prices. I guess she was trying to figure out how to get the costs off, but Joe told her to forget about it. So she gave him a coupon for a free dinner.

We then went to Wal*Mart and spent way too much. (But, we really didn’t have much food in the house!)… One of the things we bought was the Disney movie “Bridge to Terabithia”, because it was on sale. I had no idea what it was about, but I’m rarely disappointed by Disney movies… So, when we got home (and after the kids played outside for a while) the kids and I sat down to watch it…

Now I, for one, thought it was a very good movie, though it is VERY sad. Jared, on the other hand, does NOT like sad movies. When it was over he said, “Well that was a waste of money” and refuses to watch it again. *lol*…. But, it really was well done. If you don’t mind sad (OK, very sad) movies, then you should watch it. It was an excellent story about friendship. In fact, I may have to watch it again today.

• Wednesday:

We got up early on Wednesday, because Molalla has a parade and carnival every year, that goes along with the Molalla Buckeroo. (No, I am not spelling buckeroo wrong. They use an e, instead of an a, for some unknown reason.)… We left the house at just after 8 am. We went to Safeway first, to get ice for the cooler. We brought a ton of water with us, as the temps were supposed to get into the 90s. Then we went through the McDonald’s drive through for breakfast. (Note to self: Never order a breakfast burrito again.) We met up with Joe’s parents in the McDonalds/Safeway parking lot, and went to find a place to watch the parade. (Joe’s sister and her family joined us there as well) We ended up at the same place we were last year.

We had the kids eat first, and then I put sun screen on them. I was going to put it on me too, after Joe used it, but then the parade started, and I spaced it off. So, now I have a lovely burn to go with my stupidity. (My nose looks like Rudolf’s!)

The parade was 3/4 of the way over, when Amanda told me she had to go potty… During the parade, all the stores will close their restrooms, and they make you use outhouses. (yuck!)… So Amanda and I set off down the road, to find a place for her to go potty. We had been standing on a gravel area, but once we got on the road, I noticed that my shoes quickly became VERY hot. It was really weird. (I got these shoes last winter, so hadn’t used them in summer yet) It was like the soals attracted the heat or something. The more we walked on the pavement, the hotter my feet became. It was becoming more and more uncomfortable… We finally found an outhouse, and on our way back, my feet really began to hurt. They felt like they were burning. (My shoes were SO HOT)… Soon, I was almost limping, they hurt so bad… And it wasn’t the “my feet are tired and sore from walking” hurt, they honestly felt like they were burning…

Once we got back to the rest of our group, the parade was over. *pout* So we packed up our chairs and took them to the Durango, and then headed off to the carnival. I lagged behind with Amanda, because my feet were getting worse by the minute. Luckily, they have the carnival set up in a field, and when I was on the grass (and my shoes weren’t as hot), my feet didn’t hurt half as bad as while on the pavement (though they did hurt some… Still felt burnt)… Man, are the prices of tickets going up!!! It’s a buck per ticket, and most of the rides take $3!!! It’s CRAZY. We wouldn’t even go, except for the fact that the kids look forward to it all year. *sighs* We spent $40, which only allowed for 3 rides each. Joe’s parents bought some too though, and let the kids ride the big slide twice, so that was good… Very sweet of Joe’s parents!

The way back to the Durango was a nightmare. Once we were back on the pavement, my feet were miserable again. By the time we got back this time, I WAS limping. *sighs*

We went to Joe’s parents’ house then, and had a BBQ in their back yard. After my chair was set up, I planted my rear and took my shoes off (left my socks on though). Even with no pressure on them, I could feel the burning sensation still…

Joe helped his Mom BBQ the hot dogs and hamburgers, and when they were done, I went to make Amanda’s plate. Bad idea! I limped around the table, and was so glad to sit back down. Luckily, Joe took pity on me, and made my plate for me… And I didn’t move out of that chair until it was almost time to leave! *lol*

That night I had Joe look at the bottom of my feet, and he said that there were red splotches on them. *sighs*… They felt mostly better yesterday, though they stung pretty good when I took a shower (because I use really hot water).

• Thursday:

 

The kids and I spent the morning cleaning house. When we’re out and about a lot, the house tends to blow up, and I can’t stand that! *lol* So I assigned the kids areas, and then we all went to work. After we were done, I took a shower, and Joe got home before I was done…

Since we can’t set up a sprinkler here (because the yard was just tilled, and it’s all dirt), we wanted to take the kids to the splash park here in Molalla. So we piled our chairs in the Durango, and went to the park. Then Joe and Jared went to Bi*Mart to get Jared new sandles (his souls were broken on his), and then went to McDonalds to get dinner. We ate at the park, and then let the kids play.

At first they were a bit timid about going in, and stood around the edges looking in. But, after a while, they found their courage, and started having a very good time. Amanda seemed to REALLY love it. She made friends with a little girl about her size, and it was SO ADORABLE to watch them. They chased each other giggling, and then they would hug. It was soooo cute…. Amanda was pretty disappointed when it was time to come home. Poor Pixie.

A little while after we got home, the neighbor and his kids came home. As soon as Josh saw them out the window, the older kids RAN outside to play… I am letting them play as much as they can, because they are moving next month. *pout* (I am SOO bummed about that, because the kids are very well behaved, and are really good playmates for my kids…)

After they were out for about half an hour, Jared came tearing into the house, sobbing. I guess some girl (not the neighbor’s girls, a girl from down the street) had told Jared she had a secret to tell him, and then poured ice down his shirt.

He blew it WAY out of proportion.

Since he is homeschooled, he has been pretty sheltered. He’s not use to kids and their pranks. Plus, he’s had problems with this girl before. (She’s the one who called the boys wimps, and tried to get into a kicking match with them… Sounds like a wonderful girl… NOT)… I don’t know if I’ve EVER seen Jared so angry before. Ever. He even said he hated her, which shocked me, as I have never heard something like that come out of his mouth. (Joe and I both got after him about that)… He then ran into the bathroom, and sat in there FOREVER, crying.

A bit later, we heard a knock on the laundry room door (the door that faces the street). Joe went to answer it. I guess it was Jia, our neighbor, his 4 kids, and another neighbor, Ray. For some reason, Josh had gotten confused and thought Jared had gotten stabbed, so they were all there to find out what really happened, and to find out if Jared was OK. (what a mess! *lol*) So Joe reassured them that Jared was fine. I guess Ray said that his daughter had been one of the pranksters, and she was there to apologise, but Joe told them that he didn’t think Jared would budge, and that he was perfectly fine.

Once they left, I called Jared out. (He was none to pleased with coming out either.)… I pretty much told him that he was over-reacting, and that it was a harmless prank. That set him off again, and he locked himself in the bathroom, and cried some more.

After a while Isaac, Makayla, and Rebecca (Jigh’s 3 youngest) came back. They really wanted to see Jared. So I made Jared come out, and the girls gave him some candy. They wanted to make sure he was OK. (I tell you, those girls are so sweet and cute.) Then Isaac, in a nice way, pretty much told him to buck up. *lol*

A while later Jared came to me and told me he was stupid. I assured him that he wasn’t stupid, but that I’ll bet she really didn’t mean it to be more than a prank. Poor Jared. He is so embarrassed. Hopefully this passes over soon, and that this girl doesn’t play any more “jokes” on him… Though I think (hope) that he will handle it differently next time, if there is a next time.

I guess it is time he figures out how to deal with people who aren’t as nice as other people… He’ll be having to deal with them for the rest of his life, sad to say.

• Current:

I am SOOOO bummed that Jia and the kids are moving. I am praying that another nice family, with well behaved kids, move in. It was so nice knowing that their playmates wouldn’t be teaching them bad habits. We found out on Tuesday, and I’m STILL bummed! *sighs*… The kids are none to happy either.

I am starting to get more and more worried about Alicia… As you know, for the last year or two, I’ve had this little voice in my head, telling me that she may have a tethered cord too. The doctor always insists she can’t have it, because she isn’t having BM accidents… BUT, I am not so convinced. She is still wetting at night (remember, she was dry at night for a year, before converting back when she was almost 4). And she has started a new thing…

One day we were out, and she said she had to go potty. So I took her to the bathroom, and right before we made it to the stall, she dropped into a squat. Her face got a weird expression, and you could tell she had to GO NOW. She was right next to the stall door, so I kept saying, “Alicia, just GO POTTY” but she couldn’t move for a minute, until it passed, and then she got on the potty and went…. She’s been doing it more and more regularly. She says if she stands up, she will pee her pants. She also says things “feel weird” down there. (No pain, like with her UTI’s though)

Uhg. I feel like we should take her to see the doctor, but he has always blown us off before. We can’t just take her to see Dr. Webhey (the doctor who did Jared’s surgery), because you have to have a referral to see her…. And, since she will be 6 this year, she won’t have a yearly checkup. (They see them yearly until age 5, and then every other year after that…. They did see Jared at 6, because he is so tiny that he was watching his growth more closely)…. SOOO… Amanda will have a checkup next month, and I think I’ll mention it in passing there… Just to see what Dr. Gyerko says.

Well, I am starving. Think I’ll go get me some breakfast. See ya on the flip side!