Well, the hospital is in business. We are slowly recovering, Brian has been taking his antibiotic since Tuesday night and is now able to sleep without coughing; although of course he has to complain about the taste of the liquid biaxin (he won't swallow small pills, let alone a giant antibiotic) but I disregard that complaint. However, having taken biaxin myself, I know that it brings with it a terrible aftertaste that really stays with you throughout the entire day, wearing off just in time for the next dose.
My own fever raged yesterday afternoon up to 101.1. I can't even remember having a fever like that in recent years. My face, eyes, and lips were on fire, but I was cold. I took advil but it took hours to work, so I have decided to just be on round-the-clock advil. I am also still having terrible night sweats. I wonder if I'm losing any weight through all of this?!
Kevin complains of a cold now, but the girls seem to be holding their own ::knock wood::. I recommended airborne to anyone who wants extra help avoiding this awful thing, and Megan has been taking it. She has a meet tomorrow, the makeup meet for the one on Wednesday, but I probably won't be able to go, because I am working all day. I considered calling out sick, but I think as long as I take advil I will be OK. And since I paid some bills today, I see I can use the money.
February is going to be a difficult month for me to work, because we have appointments, including the neurologist, so I'll have to take off at least half days then. So I hate to give up a day that I already booked. I sort of hope they cancel the afternoon meetings, or notice that I'm sick and let me go home; but I have to be prepared for that not to happen.
The high school midterms start tomorrow, which causes me all sorts of carpooling confusion with E and her various different obligations. It's a pain that our school doesn't offer a 'late bus' for those who have stayed after for clubs and meetings, but even if they did, it would probably not run during midterms anyway.
So that is the news on our health. I haven't accomplished much else as the fever has been making me unproductive. But in other news - the big news - the wii fit arrived! I didn't want to do it last night, but everyone else had a go. It seems like fun, they all liked it. As soon as the pressure inside my head subsides and I feel like maybe I can actually see straight and stand up without swaying, I'll give it a try. Argh. American Idol is on. I'd better get out of here. I plan to go to bed at 9 tonight.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Snow Day!
How exciting!! No school today :-) :-) I was really hoping for this, I even went so far as to wear my pajamas inside out and backwards, as the kids recommend. I wasn't optimistic, because the accumulation totals have been downgraded, but Kevin woke me up this morning and said the radio station's website said there was a delayed opening, but the township site wasn't updated at all.
This just couldn't come at a better time. Megan was supposed to have a meet today, where she would have had to race the girl who flip-flopped wins with her at counties. This was only part of the problem, though, because the meet was scheduled for 2:30 PM, and her bus was scheduled to leave school at 12:45! Her last class is chemistry and today there happened to be a double period, which the teacher was going to use for midterm review. Of course, that probably won't ever happen now, but at least the whole class misses it now, and they're all on equal terms. I was planning to pick her up later anyway and drive her to the meet, but that brings me to my other problem:
I am sick! I have a fever and I sweat at night, and my head hurts and I cough. I had to work Monday and Tuesday, I came home Monday and went straight to bed. Yesterday I felt better but still not great. I have a cough. I went to bed without taking advil and woke up with a headache and little fever at 2am. This is obviously thanks to Brian and his generosity with sharing germs.
So Brian was getting so sick that I finally took him to the doctor and she gave him an antibiotic for a sinus infection. He actually slept so well last night that I had to go in twice to make sure he was still alive. So hopefully this medicine is going to work quickly. He did still cough, but it wasn't constantly and ALL NIGHT long like it had been the night before.
Anyway, I checked the site for the other school first, and found that they were closed, so I was even happy with that. That meant that Megan got her review because they couldn't have the meet if the other school was closed. But then I went back to our site and it was finally updated with the news that the schools are closed. They must have initially called for a delay, then reconsidered. The total closure is best for Brian; he needs one more day at home without missing any more work.
In other news, my wii fit has supposedly shipped! Also very exciting. And Kevin is about to embark on a journey to Philadelphia and can't decide the best way to get there in these weather conditions (he was going to drive to some station but now things he should just take the train into NY and then back down). That's about it. Really the big news is this perfectly timed snow day :-)
This just couldn't come at a better time. Megan was supposed to have a meet today, where she would have had to race the girl who flip-flopped wins with her at counties. This was only part of the problem, though, because the meet was scheduled for 2:30 PM, and her bus was scheduled to leave school at 12:45! Her last class is chemistry and today there happened to be a double period, which the teacher was going to use for midterm review. Of course, that probably won't ever happen now, but at least the whole class misses it now, and they're all on equal terms. I was planning to pick her up later anyway and drive her to the meet, but that brings me to my other problem:
I am sick! I have a fever and I sweat at night, and my head hurts and I cough. I had to work Monday and Tuesday, I came home Monday and went straight to bed. Yesterday I felt better but still not great. I have a cough. I went to bed without taking advil and woke up with a headache and little fever at 2am. This is obviously thanks to Brian and his generosity with sharing germs.
So Brian was getting so sick that I finally took him to the doctor and she gave him an antibiotic for a sinus infection. He actually slept so well last night that I had to go in twice to make sure he was still alive. So hopefully this medicine is going to work quickly. He did still cough, but it wasn't constantly and ALL NIGHT long like it had been the night before.
Anyway, I checked the site for the other school first, and found that they were closed, so I was even happy with that. That meant that Megan got her review because they couldn't have the meet if the other school was closed. But then I went back to our site and it was finally updated with the news that the schools are closed. They must have initially called for a delay, then reconsidered. The total closure is best for Brian; he needs one more day at home without missing any more work.
In other news, my wii fit has supposedly shipped! Also very exciting. And Kevin is about to embark on a journey to Philadelphia and can't decide the best way to get there in these weather conditions (he was going to drive to some station but now things he should just take the train into NY and then back down). That's about it. Really the big news is this perfectly timed snow day :-)
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Sunday Night
The weekend is already over! It went by in a blur, as expected. Yesterday was slightly different from our initial plan as Brian's sickness is in full swing - he was coughing and sniffling pretty badly so we decided to keep him out of the swim meet. It turned out not to be a distance meet - that's next weekend - but nonetheless not a good place for him to be. He did go to PT in the morning, got a hair cut, then worked on his school project for a couple of hours. He went to his church function late, at 6:30, and we picked him up just before midnight. He just had a cough and cold at the time, but he woke up this morning and had a fever, so he wasn't able to do the meet today either.
Megan, on the other hand, did go to today's meet, and it was a long one! I finally ended up leaving because I was worried that it would end too late for us to have a normal dinner, plus Brian and E were here at home. So I missed her last event (the 50 free) which of course turned out to be the one she actually won. :p (Many swimmers had left already by this time!) But I came home and had a full dinner nearly ready by the time Megan and Kevin got home, so it worked out better for everybody. And I was able to chase Brian off the x-box, which was a bonus.
The visit to the vet proved relatively uneventful - the worst thing that happened from my perspective (the pets may not agree) was that Rusty screamed the whole way there in the car. But his gums, which had been a mess when we got him, are now healthy and clean, as is the whole cat. Puff looked great,although she is a tiny little thing, weighing in at less than seven pounds. Rusty was nine. Molly did fine, her gross bumps and lumps didn't concern the vet at all. And now they are all vax'd against rabies, the cats for one year and the dog, perhaps for the rest of her ::sob:: life, or three years - whichever comes first.
I was going to call the sub caller but decided not to since Brian was so sick. But she called me, and early in the evening! So I am working this week Monday, Tuesday, and Friday, and if she gets any AM jobs Wednesday and Thursday, she will call me then. I plan to go to Megan's meet on Wednesday, although I would rather miss it, as would she! It's the meet where she has to meet up with her biggest adversary, the one with whom she 'traded wins' at the county meet last weekend. I assume they will race again in the same two events. I don't doubt that Megan can beat her, but she has to believe she can, and sometimes she seems like she isn't so sure. On Thursday I have to drive her to the Y by 3:20, so I can't work until 3:15. Brian also has PT again that day.
I had to have Kevin call the Doll, though, because it's not looking likely that Brian will go to school, so I'll have to leave him at home. Of course, he is fine with just a cold and cough, but just in case anything were to progress, I need to know that someone can come and tend to him, or take him to the doctor if need be. So she is on call, and she was thrilled to hear about his acceptance to the high school.
In other news, I attempted, for the second time, to order a wii fit. I placed the order and received a confirmation, but didn't get anything further. I guess tomorrow I'll see if they send me any news on the status. The last time I tried to order one, they said they were getting them in in two weeks, and that was close to a year ago. Every once in a while, I still get emails from then, saying that it's on backorder and will ship as soon as they get it in. I've heard good things about it, and I can use it along with my exercise bike to try to get into shape at home. Which reminds me, the bike and I are tied: Bike 1, Me 1 in terms of our battles. It got me the first time, but I managed to make it for 20 minutes the next. We're due for a tie-breaker this week.
Megan, on the other hand, did go to today's meet, and it was a long one! I finally ended up leaving because I was worried that it would end too late for us to have a normal dinner, plus Brian and E were here at home. So I missed her last event (the 50 free) which of course turned out to be the one she actually won. :p (Many swimmers had left already by this time!) But I came home and had a full dinner nearly ready by the time Megan and Kevin got home, so it worked out better for everybody. And I was able to chase Brian off the x-box, which was a bonus.
The visit to the vet proved relatively uneventful - the worst thing that happened from my perspective (the pets may not agree) was that Rusty screamed the whole way there in the car. But his gums, which had been a mess when we got him, are now healthy and clean, as is the whole cat. Puff looked great,although she is a tiny little thing, weighing in at less than seven pounds. Rusty was nine. Molly did fine, her gross bumps and lumps didn't concern the vet at all. And now they are all vax'd against rabies, the cats for one year and the dog, perhaps for the rest of her ::sob:: life, or three years - whichever comes first.
I was going to call the sub caller but decided not to since Brian was so sick. But she called me, and early in the evening! So I am working this week Monday, Tuesday, and Friday, and if she gets any AM jobs Wednesday and Thursday, she will call me then. I plan to go to Megan's meet on Wednesday, although I would rather miss it, as would she! It's the meet where she has to meet up with her biggest adversary, the one with whom she 'traded wins' at the county meet last weekend. I assume they will race again in the same two events. I don't doubt that Megan can beat her, but she has to believe she can, and sometimes she seems like she isn't so sure. On Thursday I have to drive her to the Y by 3:20, so I can't work until 3:15. Brian also has PT again that day.
I had to have Kevin call the Doll, though, because it's not looking likely that Brian will go to school, so I'll have to leave him at home. Of course, he is fine with just a cold and cough, but just in case anything were to progress, I need to know that someone can come and tend to him, or take him to the doctor if need be. So she is on call, and she was thrilled to hear about his acceptance to the high school.
In other news, I attempted, for the second time, to order a wii fit. I placed the order and received a confirmation, but didn't get anything further. I guess tomorrow I'll see if they send me any news on the status. The last time I tried to order one, they said they were getting them in in two weeks, and that was close to a year ago. Every once in a while, I still get emails from then, saying that it's on backorder and will ship as soon as they get it in. I've heard good things about it, and I can use it along with my exercise bike to try to get into shape at home. Which reminds me, the bike and I are tied: Bike 1, Me 1 in terms of our battles. It got me the first time, but I managed to make it for 20 minutes the next. We're due for a tie-breaker this week.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Weekend Preview
This is going to be one of those weekends where I feel like I am running in a hamster wheel the whole time. This morning, Brian has physical therapy, E has a haircut, then a basketball game, and Molly and the two baby cats have to go to the vet. I'm not sure how I am going to juggle all of this, but at least Kevin is home. I guess I'll send him on the PT and hair runs, and I'll take the pets. Later, Brian has a swim meet half an hour away, which I am not sure how this will go for him because I'm pretty sure the races will all be long distance events. He wants to be back by 4 for a church 'lock-in'; although he can't be locked in, because he has to get up tomorrow and go to another swim meet, which Megan also needs to attend. And Megan and E are both going to different parties tonight. So there will be running around all day.
My main concern at this very moment is Puff. She has been out and about, but that is subject to change especially when people (Kevin) wake up and start walking around the house. When I made her appointment, I explained that I have to (a) see her and (b) catch her in order to put her in a carrier for the journey. So I'm about to set off on that challenge.
Otherwise, Brian's contact lens issue seemed to have been dryness. Wearing the glasses for a couple of days did help, and he wore the contacts yesterday and although they started out ok, by the end of the day they were a bit fuzzy again. His rewetting drops were expired, so I'll get him some new ones and hope that does the trick.
I guess there isn't a whole lot else going on. In other news, registration for Brian's high school is complete. It turns out he knows about 8 or 10 kids who are also going from his school alone, and a couple that he knows from the swim team. I bought him a t-shirt and they gave away gym bags with the school name on them. At the end of the summer, he'll have a whole bunch of activities to get acclimated before the workload sets in. He was asking to take Spanish 1 just so he could have one easy class. I am actually considering it, but I already signed him up to take the placement test. He's already had two years of Spanish, so Spanish 2 shouldn't be too difficult for him. Spanish 3 is out of the question for him. Megan is in the process of choosing her classes for next year. She can't decide which science to take - AP Biology or Honors Physics. She's terrified of physics for some reason, even more so than chemistry, and thinks that AP Biology would be a better choice! The graduation requirements are biology, chemistry, and one year of lab science. Some kids double up and take the physics and the AP biology or chemistry during their junior year. But she needs an elective, since she didn't have one this year.
My main concern at this very moment is Puff. She has been out and about, but that is subject to change especially when people (Kevin) wake up and start walking around the house. When I made her appointment, I explained that I have to (a) see her and (b) catch her in order to put her in a carrier for the journey. So I'm about to set off on that challenge.
Otherwise, Brian's contact lens issue seemed to have been dryness. Wearing the glasses for a couple of days did help, and he wore the contacts yesterday and although they started out ok, by the end of the day they were a bit fuzzy again. His rewetting drops were expired, so I'll get him some new ones and hope that does the trick.
I guess there isn't a whole lot else going on. In other news, registration for Brian's high school is complete. It turns out he knows about 8 or 10 kids who are also going from his school alone, and a couple that he knows from the swim team. I bought him a t-shirt and they gave away gym bags with the school name on them. At the end of the summer, he'll have a whole bunch of activities to get acclimated before the workload sets in. He was asking to take Spanish 1 just so he could have one easy class. I am actually considering it, but I already signed him up to take the placement test. He's already had two years of Spanish, so Spanish 2 shouldn't be too difficult for him. Spanish 3 is out of the question for him. Megan is in the process of choosing her classes for next year. She can't decide which science to take - AP Biology or Honors Physics. She's terrified of physics for some reason, even more so than chemistry, and thinks that AP Biology would be a better choice! The graduation requirements are biology, chemistry, and one year of lab science. Some kids double up and take the physics and the AP biology or chemistry during their junior year. But she needs an elective, since she didn't have one this year.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
A New Beginning
So it begins. Barack Obama is in, the Eagles are out, and Brian is accepted into his first choice school. I called them yesterday to tell them he wanted to enroll, and they basically said, "great! stop by later today with $300!" So I stopped by with a check for $300. "Great!," they said, "stop by on Thursday with another for $1000!!" :-O And so I will.
I sent an email to one school telling them he won't be attending, I hope they can find his name, as they sent the letter to 'Brianna'. I'll drop the card in the mail to tell the other school tomorrow, and they can cross him off as well. I feel a little bad about that one, but I hope and believe this one is the best we can offer him.
Meanwhile, Megan has gotten some light press coverage for her performance at Sunday's meet, and she also found out that both times (the 200 and 500 free) were records for her high school. So that was some excitement. I don't know if she will get anything other than the morning announcement yesterday, but last year someone we were sitting next to at the awards ceremony for winter sports got a nice plaque for breaking a relay record with the winter track team. But swimming seems to be second class. The yearbook listed athletes in other sports who made second- and third-team in the local paper's regional selections, but Megan made first team and got no mention at all.
Oh, and the new exercise bike. I rode it. For ten minutes. I nearly died. I don't know what is wrong with it. It's too hard! I am not weak on bikes, so I think the tension is just too tight. I emailed the manufacturer, but they haven't responded and I am losing hope that they will. I guess I'll give it another try, maybe tomorrow. Maybe if I do it enough it will loosen up. I don't know. Either that or it will do me in. One of us is going to win this battle. I'm just not sure which one.
I worked a half day yesterday and all day today. I was supposed to work tomorrow morning, but the job got cancelled. The cleaning woman is coming, so I sort of hope not to work because I have laundry to put away, or at least, to hide. I haven't started it at all yet. I have another half day on Friday morning. This has been a rough week, very fragmented. All of these jobs were given to me in a call at 6:30 yesterday morning. I was enjoying the evening calls. I don't know why I didn't get one, the other subs in the building that day said they had been called the night before!
Anyway, in other news, Brian is having trouble with his new contacts. First he told me that his eyesight had gone back to bad, but when I made him wear his glasses for a day, he notes improvement, so it must be the Focus Dailies. I don't know how this can be, they are the same brand, just stronger, as he has always worn. I told him to leave them out for another day and see what happens Friday. Otherwise I will have to call the doctor and see what he thinks. Our only other alternative is longer-wearing ones, and I just don't trust him to keep them clean. Molly has grossness on her which is alarming, but her appointment is Saturday at the vet, she needs her rabies vax so she can get her license with the town. It is sad to say, but this is likely her last. I don't know if goldens generally make it to 16, but even if she does, I think I'll forego an additional vaccine at that point.
I sent an email to one school telling them he won't be attending, I hope they can find his name, as they sent the letter to 'Brianna'. I'll drop the card in the mail to tell the other school tomorrow, and they can cross him off as well. I feel a little bad about that one, but I hope and believe this one is the best we can offer him.
Meanwhile, Megan has gotten some light press coverage for her performance at Sunday's meet, and she also found out that both times (the 200 and 500 free) were records for her high school. So that was some excitement. I don't know if she will get anything other than the morning announcement yesterday, but last year someone we were sitting next to at the awards ceremony for winter sports got a nice plaque for breaking a relay record with the winter track team. But swimming seems to be second class. The yearbook listed athletes in other sports who made second- and third-team in the local paper's regional selections, but Megan made first team and got no mention at all.
Oh, and the new exercise bike. I rode it. For ten minutes. I nearly died. I don't know what is wrong with it. It's too hard! I am not weak on bikes, so I think the tension is just too tight. I emailed the manufacturer, but they haven't responded and I am losing hope that they will. I guess I'll give it another try, maybe tomorrow. Maybe if I do it enough it will loosen up. I don't know. Either that or it will do me in. One of us is going to win this battle. I'm just not sure which one.
I worked a half day yesterday and all day today. I was supposed to work tomorrow morning, but the job got cancelled. The cleaning woman is coming, so I sort of hope not to work because I have laundry to put away, or at least, to hide. I haven't started it at all yet. I have another half day on Friday morning. This has been a rough week, very fragmented. All of these jobs were given to me in a call at 6:30 yesterday morning. I was enjoying the evening calls. I don't know why I didn't get one, the other subs in the building that day said they had been called the night before!
Anyway, in other news, Brian is having trouble with his new contacts. First he told me that his eyesight had gone back to bad, but when I made him wear his glasses for a day, he notes improvement, so it must be the Focus Dailies. I don't know how this can be, they are the same brand, just stronger, as he has always worn. I told him to leave them out for another day and see what happens Friday. Otherwise I will have to call the doctor and see what he thinks. Our only other alternative is longer-wearing ones, and I just don't trust him to keep them clean. Molly has grossness on her which is alarming, but her appointment is Saturday at the vet, she needs her rabies vax so she can get her license with the town. It is sad to say, but this is likely her last. I don't know if goldens generally make it to 16, but even if she does, I think I'll forego an additional vaccine at that point.
Monday, January 19, 2009
MLK Monday
So, the Eagles are out. No more history for the City of Philadelphia this year. I guess it's good enough, with tomorrow being the next biggest thing, with the inauguration happening and all eyes on Barack Obama. But at least Megan did well at her meet. Not as well as last year, but that's really tough to top.
There's a newspaper reporter whose predictions we call the 'kiss of death', the one who covers the local high school swimming. Sure enough, Megan and the other girl each traded their events, winning only the ones in which the other had been his predicted winner. This was good for us, because Megan's win came first, in the 200 free, so we knew she was bringing home a win no matter what. The 500 was such a close race, but the other girl is a senior, and she had nice long arms, and I knew that if Megan couldn't put some distance between them towards the end, that she would be out-touched.
The difference in their times was less than half a second; but not in favor of Megan. Their times were very good, though, regardless of finishing position; they were personal best times for both of them. They will meet again once, potentially twice, at the bigger championship meet in February, and possibly at the dual meet between their two teams in a couple of weeks.
Brian still asserts his desire to attend the Big Tough School, so that's where he will go. As long as he still feels this way in the morning tomorrow, I'll be calling them with the news, and I'm sure they will be informing me as to just how much money we have to surrender to them immediately. Those who were initially accepted had to get some sort of deposit in by last Thursday. I don't know if we'll owe that, or if we head straight into the tuition deposits. At least the school is a short walk from the house. This way he'll have more time to get started on the hours of homework I expect him to have each night!
I also read their handbook and it does state that laptops are at the discretion of the individual teachers, but they are allowed in the school. So I don't think they wanted to make a big deal out of allowing Brian to be different, but actually it may not turn out to be a problem. I hope. Check back in September for more.
In other news, today I plan to ride my new exercise bike, shower, and start some laundry going. I expect the cleaning crew this Thursday and would like to have the laundry room free of debris. I am also out of clothes to wear! The kids all have homework they can work on, and there's swim practice tonight. Kevin is home, but my Explorer battery died at the meet yesterday when we sat in the car for an hour listening to the radio, and I didn't realize that the headlights were also on. :X So we had to get it jumped in the snow late in the evening, and drive it home. It might start back up again today, but it might not. The mechanic told me my battery was weak the last time I got the oil changed, so I might as well replace it. And I think I should also invest in a pair of jumper cables. The car is now five years old. We were lucky to find someone there with cables in their car! Kevin has a pair, but they were at home, in his truck.
There's a newspaper reporter whose predictions we call the 'kiss of death', the one who covers the local high school swimming. Sure enough, Megan and the other girl each traded their events, winning only the ones in which the other had been his predicted winner. This was good for us, because Megan's win came first, in the 200 free, so we knew she was bringing home a win no matter what. The 500 was such a close race, but the other girl is a senior, and she had nice long arms, and I knew that if Megan couldn't put some distance between them towards the end, that she would be out-touched.
The difference in their times was less than half a second; but not in favor of Megan. Their times were very good, though, regardless of finishing position; they were personal best times for both of them. They will meet again once, potentially twice, at the bigger championship meet in February, and possibly at the dual meet between their two teams in a couple of weeks.
Brian still asserts his desire to attend the Big Tough School, so that's where he will go. As long as he still feels this way in the morning tomorrow, I'll be calling them with the news, and I'm sure they will be informing me as to just how much money we have to surrender to them immediately. Those who were initially accepted had to get some sort of deposit in by last Thursday. I don't know if we'll owe that, or if we head straight into the tuition deposits. At least the school is a short walk from the house. This way he'll have more time to get started on the hours of homework I expect him to have each night!
I also read their handbook and it does state that laptops are at the discretion of the individual teachers, but they are allowed in the school. So I don't think they wanted to make a big deal out of allowing Brian to be different, but actually it may not turn out to be a problem. I hope. Check back in September for more.
In other news, today I plan to ride my new exercise bike, shower, and start some laundry going. I expect the cleaning crew this Thursday and would like to have the laundry room free of debris. I am also out of clothes to wear! The kids all have homework they can work on, and there's swim practice tonight. Kevin is home, but my Explorer battery died at the meet yesterday when we sat in the car for an hour listening to the radio, and I didn't realize that the headlights were also on. :X So we had to get it jumped in the snow late in the evening, and drive it home. It might start back up again today, but it might not. The mechanic told me my battery was weak the last time I got the oil changed, so I might as well replace it. And I think I should also invest in a pair of jumper cables. The car is now five years old. We were lucky to find someone there with cables in their car! Kevin has a pair, but they were at home, in his truck.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Just When I Thought it was Going to be Easy...
Well, my mind was pretty close to made up. I was giving it another week just for the heck of it, then I was going to send the check in to the high school with the laptops and the block scheduling. Well. Not to be so easy. Yesterday I subbed for a teacher whose son goes to the Big Wait List School (BWLS). Today I was in a school with a principal whose two sons graduated from and loved BWLS. Just at the very end of my lunch, when I had no more time to talk on the phone, I checked messages and had a call from their school nurse.
At the end of my day, I returned her call and she told me that they had referred my letter to her, and she wanted to ask a few questions and let me know that if Brian is to be accepted, and if he comes, he must be flexible and not always use a laptop. I told her that we would understand this, and we discussed his phsyical limitations as far as gym class, and she seemed surprised that he does gym and everything else normally. Perhaps I overdid my description! I think when one mentions 'brain' they begin to over-imagine the unseen applicant. So I came home, and by the time I got here, there was another message on the machine, offering him a spot!
Now, after all the talk he's done about why he might NOT want to go, he suddenly wants it more than anything; laptop or no laptop. Of course, we will have to purchase for him a laptop, but that won't necessarily be a big and fancy one. He really only needs to be able to type and email files. Anything else can still be done at home, and it needs to be lightweight. I am most excited at the prospect of his being able to walk to school, but the school comes with a hefty price tag, so that will be a sacrifice.
Otherwise, Megan's big meet is Sunday. Someone had told me that one team was faking times to make their swimmers faster, and one was going to be seeded ahead of Megan in the 500, but this turned out to be totally untrue. She's seeded second in the 200, and first in the 500, and there is another girl who shares the same positions in reverse, in the same two events. And either event could go either way. It will be interesting!
In other news, I did work many days this week, so that's also a good thing. with Monday as a holiday, there will be no work, and I have to make sure I'm available to for driving to the Y on a few days next week, which is going to throw me off. At this point, I have to say that it would be easier for me to drop out of the carpool than it is to stay in it, as I'm juggling all these other schedules at the same time, and I am the one who has to backtrack to pick up the other kids. They just come into our neighborhood and pick her up, so it takes them about three extra minutes, but takes me at least ten to go and get them - which is really hard when I get out of work at 3:15 and they all have to be to the Y by 3:40.
(disclaimer: post NOT PROOFREAD!!!)
At the end of my day, I returned her call and she told me that they had referred my letter to her, and she wanted to ask a few questions and let me know that if Brian is to be accepted, and if he comes, he must be flexible and not always use a laptop. I told her that we would understand this, and we discussed his phsyical limitations as far as gym class, and she seemed surprised that he does gym and everything else normally. Perhaps I overdid my description! I think when one mentions 'brain' they begin to over-imagine the unseen applicant. So I came home, and by the time I got here, there was another message on the machine, offering him a spot!
Now, after all the talk he's done about why he might NOT want to go, he suddenly wants it more than anything; laptop or no laptop. Of course, we will have to purchase for him a laptop, but that won't necessarily be a big and fancy one. He really only needs to be able to type and email files. Anything else can still be done at home, and it needs to be lightweight. I am most excited at the prospect of his being able to walk to school, but the school comes with a hefty price tag, so that will be a sacrifice.
Otherwise, Megan's big meet is Sunday. Someone had told me that one team was faking times to make their swimmers faster, and one was going to be seeded ahead of Megan in the 500, but this turned out to be totally untrue. She's seeded second in the 200, and first in the 500, and there is another girl who shares the same positions in reverse, in the same two events. And either event could go either way. It will be interesting!
In other news, I did work many days this week, so that's also a good thing. with Monday as a holiday, there will be no work, and I have to make sure I'm available to for driving to the Y on a few days next week, which is going to throw me off. At this point, I have to say that it would be easier for me to drop out of the carpool than it is to stay in it, as I'm juggling all these other schedules at the same time, and I am the one who has to backtrack to pick up the other kids. They just come into our neighborhood and pick her up, so it takes them about three extra minutes, but takes me at least ten to go and get them - which is really hard when I get out of work at 3:15 and they all have to be to the Y by 3:40.
(disclaimer: post NOT PROOFREAD!!!)
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Monday Night Swimming
And just like that, the streak is broken. We were off to a good start, winning the first relay and then all of the individual races before the 15 minute break that they get in place of a diving competition in high school swimming. The girls were tied up at that point. But it went downhill from there. Starting with the 100 butterfly, we began to not win, and then we lost the second two relays as well. In Megan's relay, she tried to be a hero, coming from a couple of body lengths behind, and it looked like she was going to do it, enough to get everyone screaming and yelling, but alas, it was not enough. That one race wasn't enough to save the meet anyway, but it would have been fun. The problem is that although Megan and her two Y teammates can usually win their individual events, the other swimmers get 5th and 6th. And 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place finishers score more points than 1st and 5th combined. There are no points for 6th.
This meet was ridiculous, though, being held at 9pm in Wall Township, half an hour away. We didn't get home till after 11, and it's hard to recover from a Monday night like that. Their next meet is on Thursday, but it starts at 2:30, so they'll have to miss last period, which is, unfortunately, chemistry. Then on Sunday, they have their county meet, the one where Megan won Swimmer of the Meet and her two events last year. So she'll have to defend this year, which isn't fun, as I have said.
I have to work this morning and then the hectic driving around begins again. And now E has come down and asked if I will read over her paper that she wrote last night. I'm pretty sure it wasn't assigned yesterday, but that is when she wrote it. and right now, I need to be making lunches and showering for my half day of life.
In other news, Molly's head bump is still bleeding, so I need to get her to the vet soon. I am looking forward to a Monday off from school, and today is supposed to be the 'mildest day of the week'. But I hear the printer going now, so I'd better finish this up so I can read this quickly. I can't afford much time; I only budgeted seven more minutes downstairs this morning! (disclaimer: post not proofread!)
This meet was ridiculous, though, being held at 9pm in Wall Township, half an hour away. We didn't get home till after 11, and it's hard to recover from a Monday night like that. Their next meet is on Thursday, but it starts at 2:30, so they'll have to miss last period, which is, unfortunately, chemistry. Then on Sunday, they have their county meet, the one where Megan won Swimmer of the Meet and her two events last year. So she'll have to defend this year, which isn't fun, as I have said.
I have to work this morning and then the hectic driving around begins again. And now E has come down and asked if I will read over her paper that she wrote last night. I'm pretty sure it wasn't assigned yesterday, but that is when she wrote it. and right now, I need to be making lunches and showering for my half day of life.
In other news, Molly's head bump is still bleeding, so I need to get her to the vet soon. I am looking forward to a Monday off from school, and today is supposed to be the 'mildest day of the week'. But I hear the printer going now, so I'd better finish this up so I can read this quickly. I can't afford much time; I only budgeted seven more minutes downstairs this morning! (disclaimer: post not proofread!)
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Little William Strikes Again
Wouldn't it be funny if Philadelphia has TWO parades in one sports season?
Game Day!
Well, here it is. The big day of green vs. blue. Last night we saw one of those giant inflatable Giants, and I remembered the time that our Willow tree blew down in a huge windstorm, and in the pictures, across the street was that same giant Giant, looking totally responsible for the devastation. Only back then I don't think the opponent was the Eagles! So this should be fun. I may suggest we go out and watch it at a bar somewhere. Probably more fun that way, but I'll have to keep a low profile! :X
Yesterday was a fun day. First, we took Megan out to Red Bank to pick up some gifts for her friend. We went into a papiery (if this is truly a word) to get wrapping materials and a card. The clerk was Megan's former voice teacher! So that was pretty funny, we haven't seen her in a while, of course Megan towers over her (as well as me, which we already knew) now. Then we had lunch, just Megan, Kevin, and me, which almost never happens, because she's usually the only one NOT with us when we go places. E was out with a friend and Brian chose to stay home with his artificial friends (playing xbox live). It was strange to me to note that Megan is, in fact, developing a personality of her own.
After we dropped Megan off at her friend's house for their trip to see Blue Man Group in NYC (where she says she and another girl were chosen to participate, and they had to wear ponchos and get bananas thrown at them, and march in 15 minutes after the start of the show to a song playing, "you're late, you're late"), we picked up Brian and took him to Freehold Mall for some new pants. The trip ended up lasting over two hours, and breaking both Kevin's and my banks.
The snow had begun to fall lightly when we came out, so we stopped and had dinner at Chili's before heading home. As it turned out, E never came home again. She stayed at her friend's house for another night. And when we got home, we found a message from the swim team saying that Megan's practice for this morning at 6:30am was cancelled due to the 'weather'. So I texted her, and she didn't come home either. She got to sleep over with all the other girls, which also never happens. I'm sure she'll be exhausted, but at least she got to experience life for a weekend.
This upcoming week promises to be hectic, with two high school swim meets, the first being tomorrow at 9 PM. (who schedules these things at that time?) Then she has one on Thursday, which I'll have to go to and pick her up to bring her to the Y. I think I have whined about this one before. Brian has PT on Wednesday and Saturday this week, then they will re-evaluate. He loves going there. It's like a gym workout for him. And next Sunday is the county swimming championship meet. The psych sheets aren't out yet, but I expect she will probably be seeded second or third in the 200, and possibly first in the 500, but one never knows. There should be some good races at that meet. She doesn't like to be seeded first. It's less stressful to chase than to be chased.
Today we don't have much planned other than getting ready for the week, and watching the game, of course. I hope to make meatballs and sauce, but if I am to do that, I'd better get moving. We overslept and skipped church today, and Kevin just went to pick up E. Megan had some activity for school, so she has to be picked up from that at noon. Then she and E will have to get their homework done. And Brian.
In other news, I've been browsing the site for the high school where Brian is most likely to go at this point: www.sjvhs.com. I am actually excited at the prospect and almost hope the other school (the competitive one) won't let him in. As a result of his poor performances in sixth and seventh grades, he is behind in terms of levels of class. If he goes to SJV, he can take Algebra 1 the first semester and then possibly take honors geometry the second, and that would put him back on track where he might have been had he been put in the accelerated math in seventh grade. It's exciting to think about. Without the block scheduling, doubling up is more difficult, because then you have both of the classes at the same time. This way, you take one in the fall, and the other in the spring. And you only have four classes worth of homework to worry about, as opposed to eight at the other school, with each on piling it on for effect. Well, I am off to the showers!
Yesterday was a fun day. First, we took Megan out to Red Bank to pick up some gifts for her friend. We went into a papiery (if this is truly a word) to get wrapping materials and a card. The clerk was Megan's former voice teacher! So that was pretty funny, we haven't seen her in a while, of course Megan towers over her (as well as me, which we already knew) now. Then we had lunch, just Megan, Kevin, and me, which almost never happens, because she's usually the only one NOT with us when we go places. E was out with a friend and Brian chose to stay home with his artificial friends (playing xbox live). It was strange to me to note that Megan is, in fact, developing a personality of her own.
After we dropped Megan off at her friend's house for their trip to see Blue Man Group in NYC (where she says she and another girl were chosen to participate, and they had to wear ponchos and get bananas thrown at them, and march in 15 minutes after the start of the show to a song playing, "you're late, you're late"), we picked up Brian and took him to Freehold Mall for some new pants. The trip ended up lasting over two hours, and breaking both Kevin's and my banks.
The snow had begun to fall lightly when we came out, so we stopped and had dinner at Chili's before heading home. As it turned out, E never came home again. She stayed at her friend's house for another night. And when we got home, we found a message from the swim team saying that Megan's practice for this morning at 6:30am was cancelled due to the 'weather'. So I texted her, and she didn't come home either. She got to sleep over with all the other girls, which also never happens. I'm sure she'll be exhausted, but at least she got to experience life for a weekend.
This upcoming week promises to be hectic, with two high school swim meets, the first being tomorrow at 9 PM. (who schedules these things at that time?) Then she has one on Thursday, which I'll have to go to and pick her up to bring her to the Y. I think I have whined about this one before. Brian has PT on Wednesday and Saturday this week, then they will re-evaluate. He loves going there. It's like a gym workout for him. And next Sunday is the county swimming championship meet. The psych sheets aren't out yet, but I expect she will probably be seeded second or third in the 200, and possibly first in the 500, but one never knows. There should be some good races at that meet. She doesn't like to be seeded first. It's less stressful to chase than to be chased.
Today we don't have much planned other than getting ready for the week, and watching the game, of course. I hope to make meatballs and sauce, but if I am to do that, I'd better get moving. We overslept and skipped church today, and Kevin just went to pick up E. Megan had some activity for school, so she has to be picked up from that at noon. Then she and E will have to get their homework done. And Brian.
In other news, I've been browsing the site for the high school where Brian is most likely to go at this point: www.sjvhs.com. I am actually excited at the prospect and almost hope the other school (the competitive one) won't let him in. As a result of his poor performances in sixth and seventh grades, he is behind in terms of levels of class. If he goes to SJV, he can take Algebra 1 the first semester and then possibly take honors geometry the second, and that would put him back on track where he might have been had he been put in the accelerated math in seventh grade. It's exciting to think about. Without the block scheduling, doubling up is more difficult, because then you have both of the classes at the same time. This way, you take one in the fall, and the other in the spring. And you only have four classes worth of homework to worry about, as opposed to eight at the other school, with each on piling it on for effect. Well, I am off to the showers!
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Saturday Morning Update
Well, the mail brought more news yesterday, not really unexpected. Brian is accepted into the third and final school to which he applied. We are still awaiting the registration packet from the smallest of the three, and we are still awaiting possible acceptance to the most competitive (the one that wait-listed him). The one that arrived yesterday is the largest of the three, but is a co-ed and slightly more competitive school than the smallest one. This one is also a very good promoter, giving away drawstring gym bags at their open house and sending a fancy diploma-style 'certificate of acceptance' with Brian's name imprinted on the line.
So it looks like we are leaning towards this marketing-savvy school right now. The larger school means more different personalities, and they offer AP level classes, should Brian ever feel that he's ready for that challenge. This is the school with the block scheduling, so they have two 90 minute classes in the morning, an hour for lunch, and two more 90 minute classes in the afternoon. In January, they take finals and get new classes for the spring semester. Brian isn't crazy about this, but I like it. Only four classes in which to worry about homework, which means you can really focus on your subjects, making it easier to 'double up' on math and science in a school year, because you can take one in the fall and one in the spring, if you want to. Otherwise, you take your elective.
This school also has the laptop program, which is absolutely perfect for Brian. I think it's the greatest thing. The 'top' school that has wait listed him won't offer this and might not even allow him to use his own, plus it's about $3000 more. But he would be able to walk there.
So this is our latest on the school dilemma. I think we'll give it till the end of the month and mull it over, then we have to send a deposit in by January 30 or lose the spot. So if we haven't heard from the wait-list school by then, we'll just go ahead and send it in. Then, if by some chance he does get in, we can choose to forego the deposit, or we can simply tell Big School thank you, but no thanks. Several people are stepping in and talking to school personalities on Brian's behalf, but he only wants to get in if they think he can handle it, not as a favor to someone with connections.
Otherwise, in other news, the snow is falling off and on already, and more is predicted, as well as ice. I still don't know how Megan is getting in to see the Blue Men in NYC tonight, and she is, of course, still asleep, although I plan to change that soon. I was just researching the schools and reading about community service when I suddenly remembered Brian is supposed to be over at the soup kitchen this morning! Good thing I remembered! So Kevin will run him over there for an hour and a half, and then I'll get Megan up and ready and figure out her plans for the day. Brian wants to go to the mall to use his FYE gift card and get some pants that don't show his ankles off to everyone. E isn't home yet, she slept out last night and is going with a friend to watch a cheerleading competition, that will probably take most of the day, in Trenton.
So it looks like we are leaning towards this marketing-savvy school right now. The larger school means more different personalities, and they offer AP level classes, should Brian ever feel that he's ready for that challenge. This is the school with the block scheduling, so they have two 90 minute classes in the morning, an hour for lunch, and two more 90 minute classes in the afternoon. In January, they take finals and get new classes for the spring semester. Brian isn't crazy about this, but I like it. Only four classes in which to worry about homework, which means you can really focus on your subjects, making it easier to 'double up' on math and science in a school year, because you can take one in the fall and one in the spring, if you want to. Otherwise, you take your elective.
This school also has the laptop program, which is absolutely perfect for Brian. I think it's the greatest thing. The 'top' school that has wait listed him won't offer this and might not even allow him to use his own, plus it's about $3000 more. But he would be able to walk there.
So this is our latest on the school dilemma. I think we'll give it till the end of the month and mull it over, then we have to send a deposit in by January 30 or lose the spot. So if we haven't heard from the wait-list school by then, we'll just go ahead and send it in. Then, if by some chance he does get in, we can choose to forego the deposit, or we can simply tell Big School thank you, but no thanks. Several people are stepping in and talking to school personalities on Brian's behalf, but he only wants to get in if they think he can handle it, not as a favor to someone with connections.
Otherwise, in other news, the snow is falling off and on already, and more is predicted, as well as ice. I still don't know how Megan is getting in to see the Blue Men in NYC tonight, and she is, of course, still asleep, although I plan to change that soon. I was just researching the schools and reading about community service when I suddenly remembered Brian is supposed to be over at the soup kitchen this morning! Good thing I remembered! So Kevin will run him over there for an hour and a half, and then I'll get Megan up and ready and figure out her plans for the day. Brian wants to go to the mall to use his FYE gift card and get some pants that don't show his ankles off to everyone. E isn't home yet, she slept out last night and is going with a friend to watch a cheerleading competition, that will probably take most of the day, in Trenton.
Friday, January 9, 2009
One Week Down!
The first week of the year of school days has drawn to a close! No major incidents that I know of, but often I must await the arrival of report cards at the end of the month to really be made aware of some of these. Yesterday another letter came for Brian, or I should say, for Brianna, accepting him into one of the Catholic high schools to which he applied. This is the smallest of the three, and quite possibly didn't reject any applicants unless they had criminal backgrounds. However, it's also one of his top picks, so we won't rule it out just yet.
Meanwhile, I did write and send the letter to the higher caliber school that put him on the wait list. He talks to others about their status, and the other wait-listed boy at school, who wrote a letter himself begging them to reconsider, told Brian that the school called his house the next day (!?) and told him that the second marking period grades will determine whether or not he gets in. Hopefully, Brian is still doing well. His mid-marking period progress report only had two negative comments: his math homework quality needed improvement, and he needed to stop talking inappropriately and excessively in drama class.
So I emailed that drama teacher about that, and spoke to Brian about both issues, and he insists that he has been doing all of his math homework so he doesn't know why she would say that. He claims she just checks to see if it's been done, but perhaps she is noting the quality as she does this. But the report cards come out at the end of this month. And also, we still haven't heard from the third school, which seems not to be a favorite choice of his. I guess it might depend on where he knows other people are going. But he adamantly states that he does not want to continue on with the same kids in the public school.
I have to get Molly and the baby cats to the vet this month but I've been trying to put it off; between Puff's elusiveness during the day and the expense that I know I will incur with three visits and a bunch of vaccines I just dread it. I should probably wait till Wren needs one too, and then take her along to get the three-in-one discount. But they have to be three of the same pet, and they all have to get the exact same things done. Like if one of them has matted fur and he combs it out, he'd use that as an excuse to say that they aren't eligible.
I worked three of five days this week and the two that I had off were the two days I said I could only do mornings. I was actually relieved to have the days off, although I admit to pretty much wasting the first, and I am now halfway through doing the same with the second. I registered my truck online for the next two years, and I have to pay a bunch of bills and reconcile my checking account, which hasn't balanced for about four months anyway.
In other news, we have the usual running around this weekend. E has basketball and a party, Megan has swimming and a trip to see Blue Man Group in NYC on Saturday, and Brian has physical therapy and swimming. His PT is going well, but I think after this visit they'll do a re-val to determine if they can keep him coming for more sessions or if he must be discharged. Last time they put him on the elliptical for five minutes. He was huffing and puffing and could barely make it. I need to get one of those for home!
Meanwhile, I did write and send the letter to the higher caliber school that put him on the wait list. He talks to others about their status, and the other wait-listed boy at school, who wrote a letter himself begging them to reconsider, told Brian that the school called his house the next day (!?) and told him that the second marking period grades will determine whether or not he gets in. Hopefully, Brian is still doing well. His mid-marking period progress report only had two negative comments: his math homework quality needed improvement, and he needed to stop talking inappropriately and excessively in drama class.
So I emailed that drama teacher about that, and spoke to Brian about both issues, and he insists that he has been doing all of his math homework so he doesn't know why she would say that. He claims she just checks to see if it's been done, but perhaps she is noting the quality as she does this. But the report cards come out at the end of this month. And also, we still haven't heard from the third school, which seems not to be a favorite choice of his. I guess it might depend on where he knows other people are going. But he adamantly states that he does not want to continue on with the same kids in the public school.
I have to get Molly and the baby cats to the vet this month but I've been trying to put it off; between Puff's elusiveness during the day and the expense that I know I will incur with three visits and a bunch of vaccines I just dread it. I should probably wait till Wren needs one too, and then take her along to get the three-in-one discount. But they have to be three of the same pet, and they all have to get the exact same things done. Like if one of them has matted fur and he combs it out, he'd use that as an excuse to say that they aren't eligible.
I worked three of five days this week and the two that I had off were the two days I said I could only do mornings. I was actually relieved to have the days off, although I admit to pretty much wasting the first, and I am now halfway through doing the same with the second. I registered my truck online for the next two years, and I have to pay a bunch of bills and reconcile my checking account, which hasn't balanced for about four months anyway.
In other news, we have the usual running around this weekend. E has basketball and a party, Megan has swimming and a trip to see Blue Man Group in NYC on Saturday, and Brian has physical therapy and swimming. His PT is going well, but I think after this visit they'll do a re-val to determine if they can keep him coming for more sessions or if he must be discharged. Last time they put him on the elliptical for five minutes. He was huffing and puffing and could barely make it. I need to get one of those for home!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Happy New Year!
Well, it's been a while; time to resurrect the blog! Much has happened, perhaps not much noteworthy, but I'll try to sum it up here.
1) Back to school - it's been busy - the high school girls have hit the ground running with school, sports and homework. Megan's high school swim season is kicking up, she had a meet yesterday but it was a really easy one and she has two next week, I believe. The toughest ones are yet to come, but her team is now 4-0. She didn't go to one of the four, though. E is enjoying her basketball a bit more, although it's taking her away from her schoolwork much more than she would like.
2) Brian got a letter from one school that he had applied to, and he has been wait-listed. I'm not too sure what this means - apparently the Doll believed that all he had to do was pass the test, and he would be in. But she also told this guy (her contact from the inside) that if Brian can't use a laptop, he can't go to the school. So I just don't know. For now I am going to return the letter and ask them to yes, please keep him on the wait list. We should hear from the other two schools within 2-3 weeks.
3) I have been working, so far, for the past two days. Tomorrow I have lunch plans and Brian has physical therapy. He got sick over the break so he only went to one or two sessions, and is quite behind. I doubt if he's been doing his home follow-up like he should have been.
4) Rusty. I made the mistake of putting my jacket on the couch when I got home today. Rusty has made it his latest resting spot, and he's curled up in it, sound asleep. I don't have the heart to out the coat away!
Anyway, in other news, Kevin and Brian went to the Devils game the other night and had a great time. Brian wants to go again, apparently he enjoyed the hand to hand combat. Molly had blood all over her head the other day from one of her disgusting head tumors, but I didn't have time to take her to the vet so she seems to have recovered on her own. I have to take her anyway soon, as she, Puff, and Rusty all need their rabies vaccines. Otherwise, nothing noteworthy aside from the hustle and bustle of the holiday ending. Probably most of my readers attended most of my holiday exploits, which is pretty much the reason for the delay in the blog updates!
1) Back to school - it's been busy - the high school girls have hit the ground running with school, sports and homework. Megan's high school swim season is kicking up, she had a meet yesterday but it was a really easy one and she has two next week, I believe. The toughest ones are yet to come, but her team is now 4-0. She didn't go to one of the four, though. E is enjoying her basketball a bit more, although it's taking her away from her schoolwork much more than she would like.
2) Brian got a letter from one school that he had applied to, and he has been wait-listed. I'm not too sure what this means - apparently the Doll believed that all he had to do was pass the test, and he would be in. But she also told this guy (her contact from the inside) that if Brian can't use a laptop, he can't go to the school. So I just don't know. For now I am going to return the letter and ask them to yes, please keep him on the wait list. We should hear from the other two schools within 2-3 weeks.
3) I have been working, so far, for the past two days. Tomorrow I have lunch plans and Brian has physical therapy. He got sick over the break so he only went to one or two sessions, and is quite behind. I doubt if he's been doing his home follow-up like he should have been.
4) Rusty. I made the mistake of putting my jacket on the couch when I got home today. Rusty has made it his latest resting spot, and he's curled up in it, sound asleep. I don't have the heart to out the coat away!
Anyway, in other news, Kevin and Brian went to the Devils game the other night and had a great time. Brian wants to go again, apparently he enjoyed the hand to hand combat. Molly had blood all over her head the other day from one of her disgusting head tumors, but I didn't have time to take her to the vet so she seems to have recovered on her own. I have to take her anyway soon, as she, Puff, and Rusty all need their rabies vaccines. Otherwise, nothing noteworthy aside from the hustle and bustle of the holiday ending. Probably most of my readers attended most of my holiday exploits, which is pretty much the reason for the delay in the blog updates!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)