There are two kinds of people: those who say to God, “Thy will be done,” and those to whom God says “All right, have it your way.”
― C.S. Lewis
― C.S. Lewis
Monday, January 31, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
Pink Eye
NOTE: Ansley is very embarrassed by this although we keep telling her that there is no reason at all to be embarrassed!
Last week, Ansley's right eye was bothering her a bit. We thought maybe a sty was developing, so we applied a warm compress every so often and OTC eye drops as needed. Off we went with life in general.
Saturday morning, she woke up to a horribly red eye and a bit of goop. We decided that we'd better not mess around with this, so off to the Clinic at Wal-Mart (run by Union General and friend Dr. Debora). The nurse was great. She checked Ansley's eye for abrasions or foreign objects, with a black light after adding some eye drops first. You should have seen that eyeball glow! No problems there, so probably bacterial pink eye since the problem was relegated to one eye only. Start a round of antibiotic eye drops and if things don't improve, take her to the eye doctor. Oh, and by the way, she could be contagious for up to 24 hours after starting the eye drops.
We stayed home from church yesterday but would have gone to school today had it not been canceled due to the ice that is still lingering on the back roads (and our driveway). Her eye has cleared up some so we will wait and see about going to the eye doctor.
The good news is that she will go to the orthodontist this afternoon to get the wire that came off of the back left bracket over Christmas fixed. Whew. What a sentence. Hopefully it won't be any big deal at the ortho. Shouldn't be.
Also, today Logan went and had bloodwork done as part of his routine physical. I'm proud of him for taking better care of himself!
Last week, Ansley's right eye was bothering her a bit. We thought maybe a sty was developing, so we applied a warm compress every so often and OTC eye drops as needed. Off we went with life in general.
Saturday morning, she woke up to a horribly red eye and a bit of goop. We decided that we'd better not mess around with this, so off to the Clinic at Wal-Mart (run by Union General and friend Dr. Debora). The nurse was great. She checked Ansley's eye for abrasions or foreign objects, with a black light after adding some eye drops first. You should have seen that eyeball glow! No problems there, so probably bacterial pink eye since the problem was relegated to one eye only. Start a round of antibiotic eye drops and if things don't improve, take her to the eye doctor. Oh, and by the way, she could be contagious for up to 24 hours after starting the eye drops.
We stayed home from church yesterday but would have gone to school today had it not been canceled due to the ice that is still lingering on the back roads (and our driveway). Her eye has cleared up some so we will wait and see about going to the eye doctor.
The good news is that she will go to the orthodontist this afternoon to get the wire that came off of the back left bracket over Christmas fixed. Whew. What a sentence. Hopefully it won't be any big deal at the ortho. Shouldn't be.
Also, today Logan went and had bloodwork done as part of his routine physical. I'm proud of him for taking better care of himself!
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Book Review: "Hothouse Orchid" by Stuart Woods
Product Description (from Amazon.com):
"A brand-new page-turning Holly Barker novel from the perennially entertaining New York Times-bestselling author Stuart Woods.
"After Special Agent Holly Barker lets international terrorist Teddy Fay slip through her fingers for a second time, the CIA thinks she might want a long vacation, at least until Teddy is captured and the bad publicity has blown over. So Holly returns to her hometown of Orchid Beach, Florida, where she had been police chief for many years. But a very unpleasant surprise awaits her. Many years earlier, Holly and another female army officer had brought charges against their commanding officer for sexual harassment, attempted rape, and rape. Holly had managed to fight him off, but the other woman, a young lieutenant, had not. The officer in question was acquitted of all charges, and has also left the army-for a job as Orchid Beach's new police chief.
"Will Holly return to the CIA? Or will she challenge her old nemesis for control of the Orchid Beach Police Department?"
"A brand-new page-turning Holly Barker novel from the perennially entertaining New York Times-bestselling author Stuart Woods.
"After Special Agent Holly Barker lets international terrorist Teddy Fay slip through her fingers for a second time, the CIA thinks she might want a long vacation, at least until Teddy is captured and the bad publicity has blown over. So Holly returns to her hometown of Orchid Beach, Florida, where she had been police chief for many years. But a very unpleasant surprise awaits her. Many years earlier, Holly and another female army officer had brought charges against their commanding officer for sexual harassment, attempted rape, and rape. Holly had managed to fight him off, but the other woman, a young lieutenant, had not. The officer in question was acquitted of all charges, and has also left the army-for a job as Orchid Beach's new police chief.
"Will Holly return to the CIA? Or will she challenge her old nemesis for control of the Orchid Beach Police Department?"
If you've read the Holly Barker novels up to this one, then you will definitely want to continue the saga. It wasn't as nail-biting as I had hoped, but I did enjoy reading it.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Snow Days (AKA Spring Break in January)
Today is the 7th day of school we've missed due to snow (the 3rd day this week). I am not holding my breath that it will melt and be safe to travel the rest of the week either, although with 4-wheel drive on both our vehicles we go where we please. ;)Here are the highlights from our fun in the snow. The girls made this adorable snow person. Don't you absolutely love the goggles? I couldn't resist a shot of the snow-covered jet ski in the background. Definitely dreaming of warmer weather...
Next is the snow man Uncle Reid made by our driveway.
Finally, here are the freeloading, piggy birds that I so enjoy!
Thanksfully Ansley spotted the woodpecker on this tree by our front door! I would have been disappointed to miss him.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Book Review: Just Over the Mountain by Robyn Carr
Someone recommended the author Robyn Carr (or maybe it was the "If you like... then try.." list at the library). I only found one of her books at our local library, so I checked it out. Just Over the Mountain is a sweet contemporary romance. 
Here's Amazon's description:
"Welcome back to Grace Valley, California, where the best things in life never change . . .
"Here in this peaceful community, folks look out for one another like family, though sometimes a little too well. In a town like this, it's hard to keep a secret -- though Dr. June Hudson has managed to keep one heck of a humdinger . . .
"Though visits from her secret lover, undercover DEA agent Jim Post, are as clandestine as they are passionate, somehow it fits with her demanding schedule as the town's doctor -- a calling that requires an innate ability to exist on caffeine, sticks buns and nerves of steel.
"But how can a secret lover compete with a flesh-and-blood heartthrob from her past? June's old flame has just returned to town after twenty years -- and he's divorced. June is seriously rattled. So when the town's most devoted wife takes buckshot to her husband and some human bones turn up in her aunt Myrna's backyard, she's almost happy for the distraction.
"Sooner or later, love will have its way in Grace Valley. It always does."
It was a sweet book, but I doubt that I will read anymore of Carr anytime soon. There's nothing wrong w/this book; it is just a little boring & predictable. Also, I didn't realize it was the 2nd in a series. It would have been better to read the first one first!
Here's Amazon's description:
"Welcome back to Grace Valley, California, where the best things in life never change . . .
"Here in this peaceful community, folks look out for one another like family, though sometimes a little too well. In a town like this, it's hard to keep a secret -- though Dr. June Hudson has managed to keep one heck of a humdinger . . .
"Though visits from her secret lover, undercover DEA agent Jim Post, are as clandestine as they are passionate, somehow it fits with her demanding schedule as the town's doctor -- a calling that requires an innate ability to exist on caffeine, sticks buns and nerves of steel.
"But how can a secret lover compete with a flesh-and-blood heartthrob from her past? June's old flame has just returned to town after twenty years -- and he's divorced. June is seriously rattled. So when the town's most devoted wife takes buckshot to her husband and some human bones turn up in her aunt Myrna's backyard, she's almost happy for the distraction.
"Sooner or later, love will have its way in Grace Valley. It always does."
It was a sweet book, but I doubt that I will read anymore of Carr anytime soon. There's nothing wrong w/this book; it is just a little boring & predictable. Also, I didn't realize it was the 2nd in a series. It would have been better to read the first one first!
Monday, January 10, 2011
In Front of the Fire
School was cancelled last night for today (snow day #5) in anticipation of the snow and ice that was headed our way. We woke up to about 8" of snow- more than we had at Christmas! Fortunately it isn't too too cold (though it will be later in the week). It didn't really warm up though, so we're off school again tomorrow (snow day #6). It looks like we're quickly losing spring break! It's not expected to get above freezing all week so who knows when the snow and ice will leave. What a winter for us, and it's only January!
The last time Logan split wood for the wood heater, he cut some extra small pieces for our fireplace because he knows how much his girls enjoy a fire. The girls moved everything off the hearth so tonight we're enjoying the lovely glow and warmth of the fire. What a perfect way to spend the evening! I may have to go heat up the kettle for hot tea and cocoa. Mmmm!
The last time Logan split wood for the wood heater, he cut some extra small pieces for our fireplace because he knows how much his girls enjoy a fire. The girls moved everything off the hearth so tonight we're enjoying the lovely glow and warmth of the fire. What a perfect way to spend the evening! I may have to go heat up the kettle for hot tea and cocoa. Mmmm!
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Marriage- per Macey
Last night as I was brushing my teeth, Logan "lovingly" called to me from the living room to remind me to close the blinds. Mind you, he was closer to them than I was! Macey must have caught my eye roll, because she said, "You know what the worst thing about marriage is?
HUSBANDS!"
I couldn't agree more.
Logan and I both got a great laugh out of yet another fabulous Macey-ism.
Her sister said that she is now a great philosopher.
HUSBANDS!"
I couldn't agree more.
Logan and I both got a great laugh out of yet another fabulous Macey-ism.
Her sister said that she is now a great philosopher.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Book Review: Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks
If you like romance or a good love story, then Nicholas Sparks always delivers. If you don't think you like this genre, give him
a try! This is the 2nd Sparks book that didn't make me cry, but it held my interest throughout. (His first book that I read, A Walk To Remember, really got me at the end! As I read it, I kept thinking, "What is all the fuss about Nicholas Sparks?" At the end, I was hooked.
Here is the book teaser from Amazon.com:
"When a mysterious young woman named Katie appears in the small North Carolina town of Southport, her sudden arrival raises questions about her past. Beautiful yet self-effacing, Katie seems determined to avoid forming personal ties until a series of events draws her into two reluctant relationships: one with Alex, a widowed store owner with a kind heart and two young children; and another with her plainspoken single neighbor, Jo. Despite her reservations, Katie slowly begins to let down her guard, putting down roots in the close-knit community and becoming increasingly attached to Alex and his family.
"But even as Katie begins to fall in love, she struggles with the dark secret that still haunts and terrifies her . . . a past that set her on a fearful, shattering journey across the country, to the sheltered oasis of Southport. With Jo's empathic and stubborn support, Katie eventually realizes that she must choose between a life of transient safety and one of riskier rewards . . . and that in the darkest hour, love is the only true safe haven."
I enjoyed this novel but am ambivalent about the last few pages. (A friend loaned me her copy of the book. Thanks, Peg!)
a try! This is the 2nd Sparks book that didn't make me cry, but it held my interest throughout. (His first book that I read, A Walk To Remember, really got me at the end! As I read it, I kept thinking, "What is all the fuss about Nicholas Sparks?" At the end, I was hooked.Here is the book teaser from Amazon.com:
"When a mysterious young woman named Katie appears in the small North Carolina town of Southport, her sudden arrival raises questions about her past. Beautiful yet self-effacing, Katie seems determined to avoid forming personal ties until a series of events draws her into two reluctant relationships: one with Alex, a widowed store owner with a kind heart and two young children; and another with her plainspoken single neighbor, Jo. Despite her reservations, Katie slowly begins to let down her guard, putting down roots in the close-knit community and becoming increasingly attached to Alex and his family.
"But even as Katie begins to fall in love, she struggles with the dark secret that still haunts and terrifies her . . . a past that set her on a fearful, shattering journey across the country, to the sheltered oasis of Southport. With Jo's empathic and stubborn support, Katie eventually realizes that she must choose between a life of transient safety and one of riskier rewards . . . and that in the darkest hour, love is the only true safe haven."
I enjoyed this novel but am ambivalent about the last few pages. (A friend loaned me her copy of the book. Thanks, Peg!)
Saturday, January 1, 2011
New Year's Day
Logan's mom BJ has taken over the New Year's Day "Hoppin' John" tradition. You must have black-eyed peas, greens, and pork on the first day of the year. (Logan's dad Ralph always fixed hog jowls for the pork. Yep, I even ate a bit. Wow.) They are supposed to bring you health, wealth, and (I guess) happiness in the new year.
According to a little research, the black-eyed peas represent coins (wealth). (I always thought that they represented health. Aren't beans supposed to be good for you?) Collard or turnip greens also represent wealth because of their green money color. Who knows about the pork! Somewhere else I read that the entire meal or dish is for luck (not necessarily health and wealth).
No matter what the history or tradition, best wishes to you and yours on this first day of 2011. May it be your best year ever!
According to a little research, the black-eyed peas represent coins (wealth). (I always thought that they represented health. Aren't beans supposed to be good for you?) Collard or turnip greens also represent wealth because of their green money color. Who knows about the pork! Somewhere else I read that the entire meal or dish is for luck (not necessarily health and wealth).
No matter what the history or tradition, best wishes to you and yours on this first day of 2011. May it be your best year ever!
Happy New Year!
How do you celebrate the new year? Last night Ansley's friend Isabel spen
t the night (last year and maybe the year before both girls spent New Year's Eve with her), and the girls rang in the new year singing karaoke, mak
ing up twisted lyrics to songs, pla
ying with sparklers 
in the yard (Using them as magic wands a la Harry Potter was cute!), and watching the ball drop in Time Square and the Peach drop in Atlanta on TV.
t the night (last year and maybe the year before both girls spent New Year's Eve with her), and the girls rang in the new year singing karaoke, mak
ing up twisted lyrics to songs, pla
ying with sparklers 
in the yard (Using them as magic wands a la Harry Potter was cute!), and watching the ball drop in Time Square and the Peach drop in Atlanta on TV.
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