Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Deja Vu

I think I need to copy and paste the post from when the kids went back to school after their Christmas break. It feels like it all over again. Due to thing beyond our control (which soon would include the children), the kiddos had a 6 day weekend. Yeah.

We had snow Wednesday that closed the schools. Then we were all frozen with sub-zero temperatures and nasty windchills. I think the high on Thursday was only -13. The windchill had gotten down to -36. Ick! Due to the extreme cold school was cancelled Thursday and Friday since the temperatures stayed low. Then you have the weekend, and my kids had yesterday off from school for MLK day.

The worst part about being home for so long was that it was so cold, you can't go outside. At temperatures like we had Thursday, frostbite can happen in minutes. At least we are having a heat wave now. It is supposed to be up to 32 tomorrow.

That ice storm we had earlier really helped as we had firewood from downed trees and also from the dead ones we cut down since we were already outside cutting up fallen trees and limbs. The fires have kept us toasty warm as long as I remember to add wood to it.

Oh yeah, we didn't have any frozen pipes since ours are mostly inside due to our full basement. The water main in town isn't though. It decided to burst after Clint's shower Sunday and before mine. So we are scrambling (Clint actually had left already for meetings so was blissfully ignorant until I called to complain) to get water to take care of the animals and sponge bathe. On the way to church I grabbed our 5 gallon container and a couple of gallon ones to fil at the church. I also borrowed 2 five- and a three-gallon containers from our scout troop supplies so I could have water on hand. The water was back on by the time we got home, but we are on boil order.

Yeah, I almost could enjoy that we have water to do laundry except that I ran out of laundry soap. I am definitely enjoying the quiet. I think that deserves a nap.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Extreme Home Makeover

I always find it cool to read a book or see a show and know exactly what or where it is. I was able to see the EHM show about the Grys family in Pekin (finally). As the show opens I knew where all of those landmarks are located. I pass by the new house often. I know one of the workers at Sears that helped shop for the family. She was able to pick out clothes for Jake. I know someone whose son was in Jake's kindergarten class and know the family. It is so neat to see and adds a bit of reality to the show for me because I can relate. Yeah, I saw the excavators cleaning up after demolition. I even went to see the house as it was being built. Some of the flooring trucks arrived while I was there. It was so cool to watch and there was a party at our area civic center for the show.

The only thing I didn't like was not seeing anyone I know personally caught on camera-- not that I wasn't looking!

Monday, January 5, 2009

Guess what! Guess, guess, guess!

What is that sound? No, not Eric crying or the sound of Cheerios being thrown ... bbrb ... Oh, sorry. That took longer than I thought. It seems my dear son has learned all about the spirit of giving these past few weeks. He gave me a blow-out and coated my arm with ... you don't really want to know, do you?

What was I saying? What is that sound? It is the is the sound of silence. Eh, quiet is more like it. I don't think my house will ever be silent with washing machines, dishwashers, dryers and various other appliances running. The kids went back to school today. I was a bit more excited than they were.

Don't get me wrong. I like my kids. I even love them. It isn't having them home that is the problem. Well, when they won't share our new Wii, it is. Besides that, I like having them around. It is what happens to my schedule. I do not handle being off schedule over an extended period very well. What with hubby and the kids home for two weeks that constitutes an extended period. I am just going to enjoy getting back on my schedule. So what do I do? Why, I sit here on the computer telling you all about it. Hey, do you know how hard it is to get computer time with 9 people in the house? Like I said ... Back to the regularly scheduled program.

Saturday, January 3, 2009

He's Walking!

Okay, I know I need a video but since mine stink posting without one is about the same. Eric tried his hand or rather feet at walking this week. He still prefers crawling as his mode of transportation, but he is getting more confident on his feet. He has a Frankenstein or zombie walk which is funny. Each step he takes, his legs get further and further apart which poses a problem, but he hasn't done the splits yet.

Eric loves to climb. If he can climb it, he will. Stairs are a snap. He often gets stuck on a stool or in the pantry trying to get to the goodies. My time is coming when he is going to be everywhere at once and unable to be contained. Eric has already started cutting his naps short.

At his doctor appointment the 30th, Eric weighed in at 21 lbs 6 ounces and 30 inches. He is as healthy as can be. He is so mellow and calm too. The doctor asked if that was normal for Eric. When I said it was, the pediatrician said he would take a full day of little boys like Eric. The only fuss Eric made wa his shot, but that lasted less than 20 seconds. He was back to his chattering self quick.

I have noticed Eric is a bit obsessive when it comes to food. He eats one food completely before moving the next type. He picks apart soups that way. I made him a cheese-less pizza tonight. He ate all the meat off before licking the sauce and eating the crust. LOL! He ate two slices, the porker!

After having a houseful for the holiday, I am so glad one of my children is mild-mannered. I would say quiet, but Eric has discovered the shriek.