Where To Start?

I have been thinking for a lot of years on a project of great value to our family, as well as great expense. Sometimes it's just a passing thought, other times an intense study of the what ifs and the how-tos. Usually though, it's a middle of the road sort of dreamy thinking, as in "how amazing would it be for this to really happen?"  And then, just when you least expect it, the time has come.

Sorry, this is not about babies.  Nor are we taking a fabulous trip.  No new pets, please.  And business ventures? Um, no, thanks, we have plenty of those.

So what has held my interest for so long?  It's simple really.  A mix of concrete, stone, tile, screen, and oh yes, water.  Lots of water.  A pool.

I know some things we want: a slide, a big pool, good amount of entertaining space, a kiddie play area (calf deep), a hot tub.  I know what we don't: a generic pool, a poorly planned pool, no landscaping to soften it.  I know what we aren't sure of:  screening, depth, slope in our yard, MONEY.  Sometimes you  just have to bite the bullet.  Shawn finally gave me permission to go ahead and start consulting with some "experts".  He said that yesterday.  First thing this morning, guess what I did?  First meeting is set, just waiting for the others.  

So, this is a possibility, sort of what I have been thinking. What have you been thinking?

Valentine's Dance

Katy went to a Valentine's Dance tonight.  I bought her a new outfit at Old Navy, blew her hair dry, and painted her toes.  She said she felt very grown-up and very confident!  Now that's my idea of success, confidence for her is hard to come by, so Momma got what she wanted out of it.  Katy had a blast, wished it would have lasted longer (2 hours was plenty for me, though.  Hanging out at WalMart is not my idea of fun.  Especially when I really don't need anything!)  She looked lovely, and said she can't wait to go again.

Hot Tea On A Cold Day

My boy just woke up, and first thing he does? Take Momma's hot Lady Grey tea and guzzle it down.   He puts the cup down saying, "I hate hot tea.  It tastes nasty."  This from a boy who drinks hot tea every day. Go figure.

Yeah, it must have been really "nasty"!

Hey, That Hurt!

On Monday, I went to get the stitches taken out of my foot. Three little stitches, so small and innocent.  One poor little abused foot, having taken a beating like it's never known before, waiting for relief from the itching, and sure that this will be a good thing.  Um, NO.  It wasn't.

To start with, it appears that the top of the foot is skin and well, nerves.  No fat, no muscle to cushion, to absorb the pull of the thread. I am happily perched on the cold, paper-covered table, my foot propped up, sock removed.  The nurse comes in and readies her suture removal kit.  I am happy to see it.  These darn stitches have been itching more and more every day.  She slips on some purple gloves, opens the kit and takes out little scissors.  I look for some sort of tool, anything that might be an ingenious way to get the three tiny knots out from their cozy burrow down the length of my foot.  There is nothing but the aforementioned scissors, and a pair of turbo tweezers.  Uh-oh.  I feel a flash of queasiness, but chat with the nurse anyway.  She starts to tug on the first knot, closest to me, causing a small stab of pain.  Her brow furrows as she says, "Hmm, this one appears to be pretty well in there."  Uh-oh.  She tugs harder.  I see my skin go with her tweezers, higher than the bone spur ever made that skin go.  Yikes.  She tugs harder still.  The skin goes right with that darn thread, unsure if it ever wants to let go of that which has held it together for two weeks.  I, feeling a bit concerned, pick up my book, a book for kids written diary style, about a girl who lived in Valley Forge.  "January 6, 1778" I read ever so carefully, trying to ignore the tug-of-war descending upon my left foot. "It is bitterly cold, and little Johnny---" YOW!  What was that? Apparently, she has given up on the first one and moved to the second one.  The only upside being that this one comes out after only two or three tugs and a quick little snip of the scissors.  She might as well be sliding nerves out of my skin as thread feels no better.  Phew, one down, only two to go.  She checks out the third knot, closest to my big toe.  "This one is going to hurt, it's almost covered by skin," she says calmly.  Oh, I guess the others weren't supposed to be a big deal.  I might be in trouble here.  I read on, outwardly nonchalant but gritting my teeth and saying an indecipherable prayer that I might be on my way soon.  Really, really soon.  The next tug darn near gets me off the table.  At this point, I am thinking the thread might as well stay.  They've been there long enough, they are pretty much a part of me.  Like a nail in a tree, I have grown around the foreign object, taking it in as if it's family.  I guess I should have mentioned it to the nurse, that I didn't mind if we just left it there.  I would never tell, really I wouldn't!  She ignores my silent pleas, and pulls my skin to the left as far as it will go without tearing (though I was just waiting for that to happen) and snips, part skin, part thread.  "Sorry, but we have to get that out, you doing okay?"  Oh, me?  Oh yes, I am just ducky. I grit my teeth and said, "Yup, just get it out."  Strangely, the final (and first) knot feels little compared to what I just had done.  Ah, it's over.  I am anxious to get that sock back on so she can do no more damage.  I make sure the gauze pad isn't soaking up more than a tad of blood, slide my sock on, hop down, grabbing my book as I go.  I am almost out the door already when she says, "Did they give you your check-out papers?"  Foot throbbing, I am caught.  I wait a couple minutes for the papers and hightail it out of there.  Standing at the check-out desk, the lady says to me, "Was your visit satisfactory today?"  Oh my, um, yes, oh Lord get me out here, I respond, "Everything was fine." "Would you like to take a brief survey on our patient care today?" Hmm, somehow I don't think I can be fair and impartial right now. "Oh, maybe next time," I say breezily.  Good thing my next appointment isn't for four weeks, that should be enough time to forget the torture that has been inflicted on me.

I think it looks pretty good now, but man those little holes were not fun.

My Left Foot. And Sarah's Too.

Call it bad luck, or maybe a fluke.  A jinx, perhaps.  But some things just can't be made up.
On Tuesday, January 25, I had surgery on my left foot.  My bone spur was ground down to nothing, and ligaments in my big toes stretched a bit.  The plan?  This would alleviate some chronic pain of arthritis in my big toe, resulting in what was essentially no upward movement of the big toe.  Walking?  Ouch.  Stairs?  Ouch.  Even swimming?  Marginal, due to cramping in that toe at weird times.   It was time, and I knew it would not get any easier.  The surgery went well, and doctors were pleased.  I came home, not feeling anything below my left knee, hobbling on crutches and sporting a most un-stylish black boot.  Luckily, the pain was not terrible, and I began walking on it the next morning.  The most pain comes from my own torture, when I am supposed to pull the big toe backwards, a move I have not made in three or more years, mind you, until it hurts greatly.  I am supposed to gain 3-4 degrees of movement each day.  Not sure I am accomplishing that, but I do "hurt myself" regularly. I can see progress for sure. My children were entertained, particularly Sarah with my crutches.  I want to try, I want to try!  We lowered them to fit her height and she enjoyed being a big goofball and telling me what a dork I looked like trying to get around.  I was healing quickly, and did not need them past the first day at home.

Fast forward to Wednesday, Feb 2.  It is my turn to drive Sarah and her friend, Emily, to gymnastics in Gainesville.  Everything goes well, and I am playing Scrabble on the iPad waiting for the hour-long class to be over so we can head home.  Emily comes running up and says Sarah is injured and can't walk.  She is crying openly, something that I KNOW is not a good sign.  Sarah can hold back tears like her mother never could.  I support her one side and she hops all the way to the car.  I am sure it's more than a bruise as she can not put any weight on it at all.  We drive home, put her to bed, she goes to sleep.

Next morning, we head back to Gainesville to her pediatrician who recommends an X-Ray.  I say, I know just the place! We hustle over to UF Orthopaedic Institute, where I just had surgery.  Sure enough, fractured.  In three places.  Another $24 black boot.  Another follow-up appointment.  Another Stephenson, hobbling out of the clinic and plopping onto the blessed bench outside, waiting for her ride. (And when I say blessed bench, you better believe I mean BLESSED.  You have no idea until  you run around a building on crutches for a couple hours.  Even Sarah said when she saw it, said "Bench!  Blessed, beloved BENCH!")

So, in a strange twist of fate, here we sit.  My stitches poking out of my left foot, propped on the ottoman.  On the other end of the ottoman, her left foot, horribly bruised and swollen, propped on the pillows her daddy gave her.  Is it a fluke?  A strange coincidence? A bit of bad luck?  Did she jinx herself?  I don't know.  But I do know this.  NO MORE Stephenson children will be trying out those crutches!

Warning:  It is worse in real life.

I lightened it a little so you could see the difference, but it makes the bruise look better than it really is.

Cuteness, And Yumminess Too...

Last night, Katy and Izzy decided to try sleeping in the fort without Sarah. Due to her broken foot, Sarah is not able to climb into the fort.  They dressed warmly, and strangely, and headed out.  They looked so cute I had to take a picture.

It was a rainy night, and for ease of taking of shoes in the fort, they all wore their bootsies!  So cute!

Daddy's hats, jackets, fleecies, jammies, juice, and M&M's.  Check!

Gotta love the headlamp, too.  Thanks for the idea, Spring!

After purchasing a pint of Tamarind-Cashew Sauce at the Cheesecake Factory a couple weeks ago with my Momma, I decided to try making the Thai Lettuce Wraps for myself.  

I made Peanut Sauce, Sweet Chili Sauce, sliced radishes, grated carrots, chopped peanuts, cilantro, marinated Thai-style cukes...

...and technically supposed to be Coconut-Curry Noodles, but having a real aversion to coconut, and not being able to get coconut milk at the market nohow, I substituted half and half, and it worked great!

It was one delicious meal.  And so healthy, too! (Except the half and half of course, but you really don't eat that many noodles!)

Beautiful, and delicious!

William Turns Four

Saturday, January 22, 2011.  A busy, busy day.  First thing in the morning, I head down to Yankeetown to show property to a very nice couple.  It goes well, and I am sure an offer is forthcoming.  I go down to Publix in Crystal River to pick up a Spider-Man cake, as well as some rib-eye steaks, french fries, and sald fixins, all Willie's requests.  I make it home about 3:10, get everyone dressed, and head out the door to our old babysitter's wedding!  It was beautiful, she was gorgeous, and we all enjoyed it.  William was cranky from an interrupted nap and never really settled down.  We finally get back home about 7 pm. I run upstairs to wrap presents, the girls set the table with the appropriate Spider-Man napkins, plates, tablecloth, etc.  The following best tells the story of what happened next.

Happy Birthday, William!  We love you!!

Heehee...

I love this pic, it was taken by Izzy a couple months ago, and I had it on my desktop picture for a while.  I thought I would share it...

Heehee, he is so funny for his sisters, but no posing for Momma!

The Tick

After grocery shopping today, I am unloading groceries.  William comes in and holds up his shirt, saying "Um, Momma?  I fink there is sumpin' in my belly button!"  I see a dark spot from where I am standing and go over to look at it.  It's a hard little oval thing, so I take my fingernail and scrape it away.  It falls to the floor and I pick it up to see what it is...  Oh Lordy, it's a TICK, right in my baby's belly button.  I try not to react too much, though I am totally grossed out and feeling slightly queasy, and tell William, "Don't worry, I got it, it was a tick.  It is sucking your blood. That's how it gets food.  If you see another one like that ever, just tell Momma, okay? Don't try to take it off yourself."  Relief washes over his face and his eyes get big, "PHEW!  Cause I fought that was a ROOT in there!  I fought I was growin' a plant or sumpin'!"

Well, at least HIS mind was at ease. Now if I can just stop myself from feeling itchy and buggy all over...

Izzy's Self-Portraits

Hmm... Izzy seems to have gotten a hold of my old camera....

Wow.  Now you know what she is doing when I'm not looking!

The Time Has Come

Today it was time to take down the Christmas lights.  Waaaaah.  It's always such a let-down for me, all the effort that goes into Christmas and after that one day, NUTHIN'.  Sigh...

Wanted to post some pictures from Christmas, trying to get back in the habit.

Kennedy Space Center with cranky Willie

Izzy's First Grade Christmas Program

Mr. Boy in his new bed

Mr. Boy also loves his new jacket, he wears it and doesn't chew it! Woohoo!

Pretty Sassy, so grown up

Chocoholic-ism runs in the family

Sassy's cart is FAST--18 MPH

Cruisin' down the sidewalk

Katy's is a Dune Buggy, does well off road...

Izzy's is a Drifter Kart and does 360 degree turns on a dime

Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake ala Cook's Illustrated, delish, highly recommend it.

Need to figure out how to get the sides smooth when you take it out?  But if you only knew how good those little crumblies were... oh Momma.

Shy Izzy

Sulky Willie (usual position these days)

Partners in Crime--Fudgsicle stealing.

You've got a friend in me...Somebody poisoned the waterhole!  Amazingly, when Woody's hat is off, he says "Whoa, there goes my hat" or something else like that, and when you put it back on, he says several things like, "Oh, now hey, THAT's better!"  or "Aw, shucks, you found my hat! Thanks!"  It's quite amusing.

Drinking Cranberry juice

:(  Getting so big :(

Jumping Bean

All smiles

Growing up, finally a natural smile!  She's a tough one for that!

Happy that our ottoman is not a hard rock anymore.

Chillin' in her room

Having fun (Willie trying to lick Katy!)

Oh yeah Momma, you just THINK I am going to do what you ask.  This is the look I think I gave my sisters many times.  Minus the eye flutter.

Mittens!  How fun.  Too bad he looks so devastated.  He really did like them.  Really!

Trying out Gemini 7 (two weeks without being able to stretch your legs full out! Those two seats are it, nothing more to it!  Yikes!

Shawn read every plaque.  Me, well, my attention span apparently also ain't what it used to be.

Cool.

Thumbs up for space exploration! And cranky boys who pretend there is no camera anywhere around. Grr...

After a great show-- Izzy asked me several times is "she was real."  She was Vulcan, and very cool.  We had a great time at the show. 

Awesome ball that is pure stone and is moved by a small amount of water (displacement theory)

Strangely, one of my favorite pics of the day.  I love it in black and white but Shawn HAS to have color.

Yaya takes the ball for a spin

Izzy looks for constellations

Going into the shuttle

Willie's new shuttle, much adored

Daddy being silly with Izzy

Waiting for the bus shuttle to the launch pad

Aw, Izzy wanted a shuttle too.  Darn those gift shops, they know how to get ya.

Thankfully no line here!  We love going places where no one else is!

Shawn asked for a family photo, then after three or four minutes said, "All right, enough pictures." Ticked me off pretty good, so I took off for the bus with the girls and left his sorry butt in the dust.  Sarah called his cell phone and said, "You better run through the gift shop to get out, Daddy, Momma is LEAVIN'!"  And I was!  What a doofus, really!

Willie's shuttle takes flight

I like this one, too.  He sure loves his Daddy.

My Pooh Bear.

Stephenson girls

Cutie Pie

We got to meet a real astronaut, Sam Gemar, who went on three missions.  The girls asked him questions which he answered beautifully.  

Sarah:  "Were you scared when you went into space?"

Sam:  It was scariest the night before when you had time to think about it.  Launch time you were just too busy to think/"

Katy: "When did you know you wanted to be an astronaut?"

Sam:  About 7 years old (izzy's age!)

Izzy:  "Does your Mom and Dad go with you?"

Sam:  No, but I sure wish they could have seen it!

Izzy: (for Willie who would not speak) "When are you going to Mars?"

Sam:  I'm going to have to have one of you do that for me!

He was very kind, autographed a picture for us, and Willie's shuttle as well.  It really made Sarah MOST interested in space.  We will be going to view the final launch Feb 3, as she insists on us going!  Who knows, maybe she will be in space some day.  We also saw a memorial to Challenger, and the whole story was fascinating to her.  She came home and looked it all up on the internet.  Totally cool how it piqued her interest in one short day!

This one makes me laugh every time.  Katy is rarely joyous, at least where you can get it on camera!

Sunset at the Space Center

All Willie talked about the whole time was PuttPutt Golfin'.  Literally said PuttPutt Golfin'.  We finally went on the last night, which turned out to be perfect.  Quite cool, but not cold.  HE LOVED IT.  He had such a blast, using his club like a net, trying to swoosh it into each hole.  He couldn't get enough.  18 holes and he cried when we were done. Every time he got it in, (twenty to thirty shots laters, most of it swiping, or just picking the darn thing up and setting it right next to the hole :)  Heehee) he would raise his arms over his head and go "HOLE!"

Leaving the park, still cranky boy.

Putt putting wasn't fun for Katy until she CHILLED and then she did great and had a fine time!

HOLE!

The pool at the hotel was heated but not very warm.  They switched from hot tub to pool every three or four minutes.  Still, they couldn't get enough.  Just loved it!

Izzy got the only Hole-in-One of the night!

Swimmin' on the last day

Trying to see through the glare of the overcast day

Could NOT get this picture to work out, this was the best of several

Okay.  There you have it.  Enough bloggage to hold you for a bit.  A long bit.