Saturday, August 29, 2009
are you kidding me???????
My lap top charger has decided to stop working. So, we have ordered me a new one. In the meantime, my nice neighbors are sharing with me. If not these first few weeks of school would not have gone so smoothly. Our school is going paperless, so we are working hard creating new things for the new website!! It is certainly a fun and exciting time!!
busy boys
Here are a few cute pictures from the boys next door. 
They have a secret to share with Dad!
Baby Lovell number 3... arriving late spring 2010.
They have a secret to share with Dad!
Baby Lovell number 3... arriving late spring 2010.
my poor poor baby
Brady has been miserable for the last month or so. I have taken him to the cute vet up the street- who dismissed it as allergies. He gave Brady an antibiotic and a dose of steroids. Brady was so much better.... until the last day he took the meds. Then the itch itch itch scratch scratch scratch was back. We visited again.. He told me to change his (already hypoallergenic food) to a different protein source in the same line. He also suggested Benedryl. From this method we discovered that a lethargic, drugged up dog plus a bad smelling food equals a gassy lethargic dog. Trying a new (and I hoped less costly) approach, I called the vet back. They said he was out (8/10) and took a message and assured me would call me when he returned (8/12). If I wanted to talk to one of the other vets- I had to bring Brady in. I decided to wait for the call.
Mr. D. left for Canada and I still waited for the call. After I didn't hear back, I decided to take charge of the situation. I turned to the internet. I talked to the people at the pet store. I did anything I could think of. This resulted in Brady taking Omega Three fatty acids, brewers yeast, taking baths in aloe and oatmeal, and my cooking for him to help eliminate anything commercially added to foods. Here is what a week of his evening food looked like.
I love the cute (clearance) containers I found. So anyway, along with his dry food with was made of oatmeal and chicken, here we are eating lovingly prepared dinners al a his momma. The itching continued, the hair falling out, constantly biting, licking and chewing... but he was getting a little better. Or so I thought until Mr. D. came back from Canada and said he didn't see any difference. In fact, one evening he got up and left the house and came back with hydrocortizone spray. This actually caused a huge relief and is one of the only things that has seemed to make a difference.
On 8/22- I got the return call. He was friendly, like always. I explained the situation (again) and all that I am doing. He said yes, I was doing the right thing and basically that is all that can be done. He said he didn't want to do steroids again because overuse could cause a disease and could also ruin Brady's baseball career. One of the two people in that conversation thought that was so funny... the one up all night listening to the scratch, lick, bite, chew didn't. His suggestion... keep on keeping on. My suggestion-- I need something different. He told me to come get a prescription for generic zyrtec and that he was going to give me a sample of a special shampoo that he would like me to try that would help if his skin had a bacterial infection. He said if I liked the shampoo to call back and he would prescribe it. Mr. D. went to pick up the meds, and came back. Turns out the "sample" he was "giving me" cost $4. I know that isn't a lot of money, but I was under the impression that a sample is usually something free.
Anyway, bathed and zyrteced later--minimal difference. I did like the zyrtec and the fact that it lessened the scratching, but didn't give me the coma dog the Benedryl did.
Meanwhile, no one is sleeping through the night and everyone in the house is grouchy. The whole time this has been going on - in the back of my mind I kept thinking- this isn't allergies.
Fast forward, 3am (insert day of week here- take your pick) I am up, brushing Brady, inspecting his skin, trying to make him feel better. I am at my wits end and email my cousin, the vet. I said I know you are going to think I am crazy- but I just don't think it is allergies, and my vet won't do a skin scrape. I am convinced it is something else. I also told him to go ahead and roll his eyes, because I know he would think I was nuts. So anyway, long story short- I got a spray, and a fine comb and combed him over. Nothing came out on the comb (like a flea or anything) but whatever it is might be microscopic. So I just kept on keeping on. That night Brady slept like the dead- we all did.
The next day, back to the itch. I read the bottle and realized that I didn't do the treatment correctly. I was supposed to squirt 2 sprays per pound... 178 sprays. I probably did around 30. So, I am going to retreat and see if this works. If not, he is going to my cousin Shane who is going to work a miracle. Keep your fingers crossed!!
Mr. D. left for Canada and I still waited for the call. After I didn't hear back, I decided to take charge of the situation. I turned to the internet. I talked to the people at the pet store. I did anything I could think of. This resulted in Brady taking Omega Three fatty acids, brewers yeast, taking baths in aloe and oatmeal, and my cooking for him to help eliminate anything commercially added to foods. Here is what a week of his evening food looked like.
I love the cute (clearance) containers I found. So anyway, along with his dry food with was made of oatmeal and chicken, here we are eating lovingly prepared dinners al a his momma. The itching continued, the hair falling out, constantly biting, licking and chewing... but he was getting a little better. Or so I thought until Mr. D. came back from Canada and said he didn't see any difference. In fact, one evening he got up and left the house and came back with hydrocortizone spray. This actually caused a huge relief and is one of the only things that has seemed to make a difference.On 8/22- I got the return call. He was friendly, like always. I explained the situation (again) and all that I am doing. He said yes, I was doing the right thing and basically that is all that can be done. He said he didn't want to do steroids again because overuse could cause a disease and could also ruin Brady's baseball career. One of the two people in that conversation thought that was so funny... the one up all night listening to the scratch, lick, bite, chew didn't. His suggestion... keep on keeping on. My suggestion-- I need something different. He told me to come get a prescription for generic zyrtec and that he was going to give me a sample of a special shampoo that he would like me to try that would help if his skin had a bacterial infection. He said if I liked the shampoo to call back and he would prescribe it. Mr. D. went to pick up the meds, and came back. Turns out the "sample" he was "giving me" cost $4. I know that isn't a lot of money, but I was under the impression that a sample is usually something free.
Anyway, bathed and zyrteced later--minimal difference. I did like the zyrtec and the fact that it lessened the scratching, but didn't give me the coma dog the Benedryl did.
Meanwhile, no one is sleeping through the night and everyone in the house is grouchy. The whole time this has been going on - in the back of my mind I kept thinking- this isn't allergies.
Fast forward, 3am (insert day of week here- take your pick) I am up, brushing Brady, inspecting his skin, trying to make him feel better. I am at my wits end and email my cousin, the vet. I said I know you are going to think I am crazy- but I just don't think it is allergies, and my vet won't do a skin scrape. I am convinced it is something else. I also told him to go ahead and roll his eyes, because I know he would think I was nuts. So anyway, long story short- I got a spray, and a fine comb and combed him over. Nothing came out on the comb (like a flea or anything) but whatever it is might be microscopic. So I just kept on keeping on. That night Brady slept like the dead- we all did.
The next day, back to the itch. I read the bottle and realized that I didn't do the treatment correctly. I was supposed to squirt 2 sprays per pound... 178 sprays. I probably did around 30. So, I am going to retreat and see if this works. If not, he is going to my cousin Shane who is going to work a miracle. Keep your fingers crossed!!
the bumper sticker snafu
In May, at Doo-Da-Day, I got this cute little static sticker.
I thought it was funny and told Mr. D. I was thinking about putting in on Brady's licking window of choice in my car. Because, after all, by looking at that window, there is no question at all as to whether I have a dog or not. Mr. D. advised that I should wait until I clean my car and then put it on. Fast forward to late August......
For my Birthday, I made Mr. D. a list of things I wanted that didn't cost money. One was my car washed inside and out. We had a great day one afternoon and we both washed and cleaned both cars. He washed the outsides, I vacuumed, he cleaned the interiors. It was fun and I am thrilled to have a clean car.
Later that week, I brought home my new magnetic car bumper sticker thing from my school.
Mr. D. has been saying for years that my school should get these, and now we have them.
Then the truth comes pouring out... Mr. D. doesn't like Bumper stickers. I had to laugh when he said--- "wait a minute here, don't you think going from no bumper stickers to two is a little extreme. " So I haven't decided which one I am going to use yet. The good thing is that with the static and magnetic qualities, I can mix it up whenever I want.
I thought it was funny and told Mr. D. I was thinking about putting in on Brady's licking window of choice in my car. Because, after all, by looking at that window, there is no question at all as to whether I have a dog or not. Mr. D. advised that I should wait until I clean my car and then put it on. Fast forward to late August......For my Birthday, I made Mr. D. a list of things I wanted that didn't cost money. One was my car washed inside and out. We had a great day one afternoon and we both washed and cleaned both cars. He washed the outsides, I vacuumed, he cleaned the interiors. It was fun and I am thrilled to have a clean car.
Later that week, I brought home my new magnetic car bumper sticker thing from my school.
Mr. D. has been saying for years that my school should get these, and now we have them.Then the truth comes pouring out... Mr. D. doesn't like Bumper stickers. I had to laugh when he said--- "wait a minute here, don't you think going from no bumper stickers to two is a little extreme. " So I haven't decided which one I am going to use yet. The good thing is that with the static and magnetic qualities, I can mix it up whenever I want.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
my living room
As you all know, this week has been a whirlwind for me. It is always like this the week before school starts. Last night was our back to school bash. It was HOT HOT HOT. We were only outside for an hour and a half in the late afternoon- but it was SO hot and humid. I was getting cracked up that all of the kids were running and super sweaty and then can you guess what they wanted to do next?? Hug me. I didn't mind though. We had a couple of jumpy things and refreshments. We had a great turnout school wide. My class alone had 17 or the 29 families in attendence. It was fun meeting the new children (3) and seeing all of our returning friends who had taken the summer off as well as the friends who spent their summer with me. After the hour and a half having the outdoor fun, we had a brief meeting in the school gym where everyone was welcomed back and such and then dismissed to the classrooms. Leah, Kate and I worked SO hard on our classroom this week and I can honestly say that it looks the best it has ever looked. It kind of cracked me up that almost all of the kids walked in and got out a lesson and started working. Some even cried when it was time to leave because they wanted to stay and work. We have 26 returning families and they are all very nice and fun famlies at that. I can already tell that it is going to be a great year.
This morning, I got out of bed and walked into my living room. This is where I have been working all week. It kind of looks like a wild party took place. Except at the party, people trimmed cubby tags, cut things out, assembles a cabinet, etc. etc. ect. There are paper cuttings all over the ottoman (and... well... floor). The weeks worth of mail is piled up on the red chair. Scissors, the paper cutter, a measuring tape, packaging from things purchases, list, list and more list are just strown about. I can have it cleaned up in a matter of minutes, but still it is funny on how until today I didn't realize what a disaster I had created. I guess I was "in the zone".
Ok- enough blogging. Time to get my life back in order. Hopefully I can catch up on my back-blogging this weekend, so keep checking back for multiple postings!
This morning, I got out of bed and walked into my living room. This is where I have been working all week. It kind of looks like a wild party took place. Except at the party, people trimmed cubby tags, cut things out, assembles a cabinet, etc. etc. ect. There are paper cuttings all over the ottoman (and... well... floor). The weeks worth of mail is piled up on the red chair. Scissors, the paper cutter, a measuring tape, packaging from things purchases, list, list and more list are just strown about. I can have it cleaned up in a matter of minutes, but still it is funny on how until today I didn't realize what a disaster I had created. I guess I was "in the zone".
Ok- enough blogging. Time to get my life back in order. Hopefully I can catch up on my back-blogging this weekend, so keep checking back for multiple postings!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Thursday 13: Thirteen for August thirteen
I am draggin' ya'll. It is the week before school and I didn't know I was physically capable of doing everything I have accomplished so far this week and I just hope I can find the strength to finish all that needs to be done. I know I must be a mess because I stopped to pick up pictures at my mom's store tonight and she gave me money and told me I had better eat dinner. (Thanks Mom!!!!) Here are a few things I accomplished this week.
1) Created cubby tags I am actually thrilled with. I made them so wonderfully that after I made them, I decided to re-make them based on a stroke of genius I had (remember my post on my pre-cognition.) Now, the new and improved cubby tags as so so so so so so so so cute!! I have 29 kids this year. Tonight I will be cutting cubby and hook tags. And tomorrow... unveiling them!!
2) Washed all of the laundry in the house and did everything I could to help Mr. D. get ready for his explorations out of the country.
3) Sent invitation, evites, emails and more to the parents in my class... welcoming, meet the teacher/back to school bash, class picnic pool party...etc. etc. etc.
4) Created cute invitations to Pool-a-Palooza number two-za, our annual staff party. We already have a great theme for next year lined up.
5) Cleaned, organized, purged, arranged, and planned for the classroom and the new year ahead.
6) Attended a 2 hour training for the Girl Scout troop I am taking over. Obtained list of possible girls. Planned what to do with said list-- and it is still just sitting here, untouched.
7) Invited everyone I could think of to the Gold Party Julie and I are hosting on Sunday. (If you want to come let me know). I also picked up my Mom's gold today. I am excited to see how much she makes! She has lots and lots of gold in there.
8) Took care of the very itchy Brady. I even got up early to give him a shower this AM. I will be so glad when this allergy season is over. Wait! That reminds me- his vet didn't call me back this week. I am hoping to get him some new medicine. He is pretty miserable.
9) Checked in on pictures of Henry every chance I got. I (not so) secretly wish I was going to Durham with Stephanie this weekend!
10) Thought about my new phone, programming it, getting ring tones, whatever-- but never got around to it. I did think about it though- so that has to count for something!
11) Learned all about our school's new website- and how it is going to be the #1 form of communication. How exciting!!
12) Visited with my fellow teachers- those who had the summer off. It was nice seeing them again and I certainly look forward to having more help around the school.
13) Found a minute to blog- just so you all would know I haven't fallen off of the face of the earth. I can tell it is going to be an exciting new school year!!
1) Created cubby tags I am actually thrilled with. I made them so wonderfully that after I made them, I decided to re-make them based on a stroke of genius I had (remember my post on my pre-cognition.) Now, the new and improved cubby tags as so so so so so so so so cute!! I have 29 kids this year. Tonight I will be cutting cubby and hook tags. And tomorrow... unveiling them!!
2) Washed all of the laundry in the house and did everything I could to help Mr. D. get ready for his explorations out of the country.
3) Sent invitation, evites, emails and more to the parents in my class... welcoming, meet the teacher/back to school bash, class picnic pool party...etc. etc. etc.
4) Created cute invitations to Pool-a-Palooza number two-za, our annual staff party. We already have a great theme for next year lined up.
5) Cleaned, organized, purged, arranged, and planned for the classroom and the new year ahead.
6) Attended a 2 hour training for the Girl Scout troop I am taking over. Obtained list of possible girls. Planned what to do with said list-- and it is still just sitting here, untouched.
7) Invited everyone I could think of to the Gold Party Julie and I are hosting on Sunday. (If you want to come let me know). I also picked up my Mom's gold today. I am excited to see how much she makes! She has lots and lots of gold in there.
8) Took care of the very itchy Brady. I even got up early to give him a shower this AM. I will be so glad when this allergy season is over. Wait! That reminds me- his vet didn't call me back this week. I am hoping to get him some new medicine. He is pretty miserable.
9) Checked in on pictures of Henry every chance I got. I (not so) secretly wish I was going to Durham with Stephanie this weekend!
10) Thought about my new phone, programming it, getting ring tones, whatever-- but never got around to it. I did think about it though- so that has to count for something!
11) Learned all about our school's new website- and how it is going to be the #1 form of communication. How exciting!!
12) Visited with my fellow teachers- those who had the summer off. It was nice seeing them again and I certainly look forward to having more help around the school.
13) Found a minute to blog- just so you all would know I haven't fallen off of the face of the earth. I can tell it is going to be an exciting new school year!!
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Stay-cation recap
This week was the last of my stay-cations for the summer. I had saved as many days off as possible in case we got "the call" and we didn't so I was in a use or lose situation. So, here we are. Mr. D. took days off with me to. Here are some of the high lights of our stay-cation. Wednesday after school, armed with the best cake bites in the world, I met Tiffani for an afternoon of fun. It was her last day to be off this summer, and the start of my stay-cation.
We decided to do something we had never done together before--- we went bowling. Here we are at the bowling alley.
One thing you must know about me is that I am not competitive with stuff like this. Sometimes I would go and roll the ball just so I could get back to whatever Tiffani and I were talking about.
Another thing you may find interesting is that I actually took bowling as a class in college. Mr. D. and I were in it together and we had to be partners because we were the only two left handed people in the class.
We had a buy three games for one bowler - get three games for a second bowler free.
After bowling- we walked around Home Goods for a little while before parting ways. It was a fun afternoon.
After I got home, I confessed to Mr. D. about how much I hated my new BlackBerry. My old BlackBerry was over 3 years old and it wasn't functioning properly. Mr. D. took a lot of time and put a lot of efforts into getting me a new BlackBerry for the cheapest price he could find. And, just like I predicted in an earlier post, I felt like it was HUGE! Remember this pic of my saying what I thought the bigger Blackberry would feel like.
Well, it was awful, and awkward and I didn't like it.
I didn't tell Mr. D. for 2 reasons:
1) He had worked so hard to find a great deal
2) I communicate with Keith (My Brother-in-law) via BlackBerry Messenger and I was afraid if I didn't have it- I would lose that connection.
Anyway, I did finally tell Mr. D. and he said I was still in my return period- and that he was sure Keith would still communicate with me and send me pics of Henry. So, we took it back and got a a new phone which I absolutely LOVE!! You see- for me, a phone isn't a luxury, but a necessity. We are waiting on a call about our baby and I have to be able to take that call. So, now I am happy- and even though I was worried about the extra initial cost of the new phone, Mr. D. sold my old phone on some internet cell phone site- and made more than the extra money that we spent on the new phone. Just another reason why HE ROCKS!
Oh, and double bonus, Keith and I talked for a half an hour last night and have made a new communication plan... another reason HE ROCKS as well.
Here is something I got from Granny's that I took the time to put out this weekend. I thought it was so cute and the perfect about of threads I need for hemming and mending (not that I do much of either).
And this is something else I had time to put out- and I absolutely love them.
He must be something special- because I can't stand to have anything on my refrigerator. Mr. D. bought 2 magnets in 2007 for us to use. Honestly, I can't stand anything to be cluttering up the refrigerator.... but somehow this doesn't seem like clutter.
Wondering what I made for my VIP's???? These meatballs. 
I got the recipe here. It has over 900 ratings, so I was sure it must be yummy. It was. I made an Italian Salad and included some herbs for the spaghetti garden.
I also made my double top secret brownie recipe.
Maggie and Shane were in town shopping for baby furniture. This is the blanket to the crib bedding. Charlie Anne will be here on the last day of 2009 (I am hoping about 2 weeks earlier).
Maggie went though some of my Granny fabric and we found some squares that matched for use in her baby blanket from me.
This is me and Mr. D. playing Wii.
And Maggie and Shane.
I have accomplished so much in the past 4 days. I have used the computer so much that my clicker finger aches. I haven't felt pain like this since Super Mario 3 came out and I couldn't function because my thumbs hurt from playing. Here is a list of some things I accomplished.
* set up new school email for myself and my class
* imported all contacting into the new school email
* created a spreadsheet of the email addresses to send to our new room mom
* created Evite to back to school class picnic
* sent email to all parents about the back to school bash this Friday
* made 25 cubby tags (honestly, it may be my best work yet- cubby tag wise)
* returned emails to a few people I needed to get back to
* created email and facebook invitation for the Sandy Julie Gold Party.
* added school calendar into my google calendar
I also:
* derfurminated and gave Brady a Bath
* cleaned house
* working in my room of constant need of organization
* shopped for the tax free weekend and bought NOTHING
* was sad I couldn't find something cheap and fun for the first day of school
* had a lot of fun with Mr. D.
* looked for things to sell on Ebay
* went to Mr. D.'s company picnic
OK- off to bed!!! 2 more days of kids- then teacher work days until Friday. School starts back on MONDAY the 17th... and A LOT of things are gonna happen between now and then!!
We decided to do something we had never done together before--- we went bowling. Here we are at the bowling alley.
One thing you must know about me is that I am not competitive with stuff like this. Sometimes I would go and roll the ball just so I could get back to whatever Tiffani and I were talking about.
Another thing you may find interesting is that I actually took bowling as a class in college. Mr. D. and I were in it together and we had to be partners because we were the only two left handed people in the class.
We had a buy three games for one bowler - get three games for a second bowler free.
After bowling- we walked around Home Goods for a little while before parting ways. It was a fun afternoon.After I got home, I confessed to Mr. D. about how much I hated my new BlackBerry. My old BlackBerry was over 3 years old and it wasn't functioning properly. Mr. D. took a lot of time and put a lot of efforts into getting me a new BlackBerry for the cheapest price he could find. And, just like I predicted in an earlier post, I felt like it was HUGE! Remember this pic of my saying what I thought the bigger Blackberry would feel like.
Well, it was awful, and awkward and I didn't like it.I didn't tell Mr. D. for 2 reasons:
1) He had worked so hard to find a great deal
2) I communicate with Keith (My Brother-in-law) via BlackBerry Messenger and I was afraid if I didn't have it- I would lose that connection.
Anyway, I did finally tell Mr. D. and he said I was still in my return period- and that he was sure Keith would still communicate with me and send me pics of Henry. So, we took it back and got a a new phone which I absolutely LOVE!! You see- for me, a phone isn't a luxury, but a necessity. We are waiting on a call about our baby and I have to be able to take that call. So, now I am happy- and even though I was worried about the extra initial cost of the new phone, Mr. D. sold my old phone on some internet cell phone site- and made more than the extra money that we spent on the new phone. Just another reason why HE ROCKS!
Oh, and double bonus, Keith and I talked for a half an hour last night and have made a new communication plan... another reason HE ROCKS as well.
Here is something I got from Granny's that I took the time to put out this weekend. I thought it was so cute and the perfect about of threads I need for hemming and mending (not that I do much of either).
And this is something else I had time to put out- and I absolutely love them.
He must be something special- because I can't stand to have anything on my refrigerator. Mr. D. bought 2 magnets in 2007 for us to use. Honestly, I can't stand anything to be cluttering up the refrigerator.... but somehow this doesn't seem like clutter.
Wondering what I made for my VIP's???? These meatballs. 
I got the recipe here. It has over 900 ratings, so I was sure it must be yummy. It was. I made an Italian Salad and included some herbs for the spaghetti garden.I also made my double top secret brownie recipe.
Maggie and Shane were in town shopping for baby furniture. This is the blanket to the crib bedding. Charlie Anne will be here on the last day of 2009 (I am hoping about 2 weeks earlier).
Maggie went though some of my Granny fabric and we found some squares that matched for use in her baby blanket from me.
This is me and Mr. D. playing Wii.
And Maggie and Shane.
I have accomplished so much in the past 4 days. I have used the computer so much that my clicker finger aches. I haven't felt pain like this since Super Mario 3 came out and I couldn't function because my thumbs hurt from playing. Here is a list of some things I accomplished.
* set up new school email for myself and my class
* imported all contacting into the new school email
* created a spreadsheet of the email addresses to send to our new room mom
* created Evite to back to school class picnic
* sent email to all parents about the back to school bash this Friday
* made 25 cubby tags (honestly, it may be my best work yet- cubby tag wise)
* returned emails to a few people I needed to get back to
* created email and facebook invitation for the Sandy Julie Gold Party.
* added school calendar into my google calendar
I also:
* derfurminated and gave Brady a Bath
* cleaned house
* working in my room of constant need of organization
* shopped for the tax free weekend and bought NOTHING
* was sad I couldn't find something cheap and fun for the first day of school
* had a lot of fun with Mr. D.
* looked for things to sell on Ebay
* went to Mr. D.'s company picnic
OK- off to bed!!! 2 more days of kids- then teacher work days until Friday. School starts back on MONDAY the 17th... and A LOT of things are gonna happen between now and then!!
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