My oh My, How Time Flies

So much time has passed and so many events, I may not be able to to accurately remember the last 30+ days. I'll do my best.

We had a great Christmas with Debbie, Michael and Garrett! Garrett showed great restraint and allowed the older children to sleep until 7:15 AM. We played lots of games and Guitar Hero, watched some movies, read, slept and ate. I didn't go to work for 12 whole days. It was wonderful; and a much needed break.

Two days before Christmas, Katie adopted a puppy. Debbie and Michael GRACIOUSLY allowed Kate to bring her new addition for the holiday visit. After several days and trial names, Kate landed on the name Twinkie.
She really is a cutie. And I think, as puppies go, Katie was very lucky. She is almost house trained, sleeps through the night and loves being held. She TORMENTS poor Bandit. I believe the word 'tolerate' would be the best term for Bandit's behavior with Twinkie. He will wrestle with her and allow her to jump all over him and bite and chew his collar. But when he's had enough, EVERYONE knows it. The first 2 weeks Bandit had such sad eyes. He was pitiful. His expression was along the lines of, "Why? Why is she here? I wasn't enough for you?"

All 3 kids are settled back into school routines. Kate has 2 night classes this semester. I think EJ has one as well. Chloe has presented her senior project and is now awaiting her grade. She has all but one college application completed and has been accepted at Kennesaw University. I believe it is her 4th choice, but it is only the first response.

EJ is still having trouble with ingrown toe nails! Friday, January 29, he will have 4 impacted wisdom teeth removed. The girls had no trouble with their procedures. Let's hope EJ is as fortunate with his experience.

Katie is playing soccer again; but she is NOT goalie. :-) EJ misses soccer desperately but there are no opportunities, that I'm aware of, to play at school and because he can't be home every weekend it doesn't make sense to sign up for a county rec team.

I'm sure it is all a mental thing, but the spring semester always seems to go by much quicker than the fall. So before I'm ready EJ and Katie will be starting their summers and Chloe will be graduating. (June 1, 2010).

Fall Semester 2009

Two of my three have completed their fall semester obligations. Classes are done, finals are over and they are officially on Christmas break.

Chloe will start her finals next week and finish at 10:02 AM Friday, December 18, 2009. (Not that she's counting or anything.)

Where did the time go?

Katie had her cast removed Monday! No need for further casting, splinting or PT. Yeah. EJ had his last final Monday and an interview with Congressman Nathan Deal's selection committee this morning. Now we wait. Chloe has an additional part-time job filing for a paving company. Since she has basically been layed off at Brusters until February, this is great news. Her first day was yesterday. She enjoyed the work and the pay is great. And this job being offered to her is another example of who you know - family member of step-mom's.

Chloe and I decorated the tree Tuesday. They would all like for me to bake Chocolate Jumbles but I, honestly, don't know how I'll work that in. Presents are starting to appear under our tree, the weather is cold and Christmas music is on all the radio stations.

Merry Christmas!

Good News, Bad News, Good News?

The good news is - Katie does not need surgery for her thumb. New xrays this morning showed that the bone had actually moved, but to a better position. Surgery and or screws are not needed.

The bad news is that she will wear a cast for 3 weeks. Can anyone say finals? Writing and washing her hair seem to be the biggest obstacles so far.

The good news is the cast is pretty pink and she can still move all her fingers.

She took it all like a trooper this morning. The pain seems to be only if she bumps it or if the spint was off and she held it other than at shoulder level. The cast is to protect the end of the thumb from being jarred so the bone can heal properly. The doctor feels she will have some stiffness in that joint forever, but surgery would most likely not fix that. As long as her instructors are willing to work with her regarding test taking and essays, she should sail through this just fine.

Another Busy Weekend

Katie spent most of her Friday running errands and picking up supplies in preparation for the painting party at her dad's new house on Saturday. I went with her for the last part of her paint run and she had her back seat FULL with at least 35 gallons of paint.

Katie and Chloe left around 8 AM Saturday to paint. Katie came home long enough from that to shower, change and go baby sit. She walked in the door around midnight. Chloe was able to have some downtime and relax Saturday evening after her painting marathon. EJ worked as a referee for 3 games (12:30 - 7 PM) Saturday afternoon/evening. He was more than a little chilled when he got home. I was able to meet with Mary, Sheila and Dawn for a much needed chat and movie session.

Sunday was the usual church commitments and Kate went back to paint then shop for sinks and toilets before she went to play soccer at 4 PM. Chloe went to work on a project for school with a friend and EJ played soccer at 6 PM.

I was at handbells when I received a call from Kate saying she was on the way to the ER. She injured her left thumb attempting to stop someone from scoring. I could tell she had been crying and was upset. She said she could drive and her dad was going with her. I told her I'd meet her at the ER.

Her left thumb is broken! Major adjustments will follow; hard to tie your shoes or shampoo your own hair with one hand in a splint. I made an appointment this morning for her to see the orthopedic doctor and we'll see what he has to say and go from there.

Katie walked in from the ER and Chloe took one look at her and said "Oh, Katie. Can I give you a hug? Would you like Bruster's?" And off Chloe went to buy her big sister comfort food. I have the best kids!