It feels like yesterday I called Wes at work and said I am in labor it is time to go! Not the best day of my life as far as that goes, but the actual getting to hold him part, most definitely was.
People always tell you time flies and I never really understood until we had Kercher. Time did fly before, but it didn’t seem to bother me as much as it does now. He is such an amazing little person. Everyday with him around is almost like a new adventure. What will he learn? What will he do? In my case will we go to the ER? It all just seems to be happening so fast.
Last year was rough for me. I am not really sure why, but Kercher turning one for me was very hard. I cried, and cried, and cried. I think it is because that is the day you have to admit that he is no longer a baby. Kercher had been walking for 4 months by then, off the bottle for 4 months, mumbling a few words, eating solid foods, but that day I had to say, he is a little boy. It was really tough, and as crazy as it sounds I kept seeing him graduate college. I know that is still 15 years away, but the fact of the matter is, in reality that is just not far enough.
Last night Amy and I had dinner at Applebee’s (not the best dinner we have ever had there, but that is neither here nor there) but she looked at me and said “when did they turn into little people”.? I said I don’t know, but they are just getting too big too fast!
It truly is amazing to watch him grow and turn into a little boy. All the sweet little things he does and says are just so amazing. I wish it would slow down, but since I can not make that happen, I will just continue to enjoy each and every day as they come and go. Pray for his safety and health. And wish for the best for him and his life. But it is still crazy to look at him and think I made that! Wes and I made that perfect little person.
I love you Kercher. And happy Birthday
Monday, January 26, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
1st Rant of the year! 1/23/09
The article below is something I have feared for a long time. As my husband and most of my friends spouses sit in the middle of the Indian Ocean fighting for freedom for other nations I wonder what happens to us next? One of my mothers good friends Susan and her husband were still active duty Air force during the years of Clinton and she asked me when I was home last week how much longer we will be in the service. I told her a little over three years, and she responded “Good”. She told me how it took about 2 years after Clinton came in to start seeing the changes, but they were drastic when they came and they not only effected her husband, but her and her children as well. Susan talked to me about the decrease in health provisions and service’s for family members, how the Exchange’s (basically the Military Wal-Mart/Department Store) and the commissary (the grocery store) decreased in what they offered and often had very limited amounts of what they did offer. She talked about how when someone was at the either store if they had diapers they would call everyone they knew who may need them and would buy everyone’s sizes because they were almost always out. They dropped the ability to opt out of tri care prime (the ability for military dependents to see non military dr’s) in areas of large military populations, many of the services offered were discontinued, MWR facilities lost funding (military community centers), as well as military housing allowances and military housing were down graded greatly.
I saw this coming by statements made by the new administration before they were ever elected. So far in the first week I have been impressed by nothing this administration has said or rushed off to do. Donating more funding to world organizations that support abortion as a part of birth control is not really something I believe was a) necessary to do right away or b) something we should have even been doing considering the economic state our own country is in, forget the fact that I am completely against abortion to begin with. Those 2 reasons alone are more then enough to already be put off.
Everyone b*tches and complains about Bush this and Bush that, when it was just not all his doing. McCain asked for a review of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae in 2003 and was denied by congress as well as the laws that were used to create sub prime and non-income verified mortgage loans were approved during the final days of the Clinton administration! The 700 billion dollar bailout was not supported by republicans and was only approved by Bush because either way people would not have been happy with it. If he did it and it didn’t work (which we can all say it really isn’t) then everyone would blame it on him just as they are now, and if he didn’t do it and things were just the same as they are now (which they would have been) they would say if he had done it we wouldn’t be here…so it was a lose, lose, so he said if CONGRESS passed it he would sign off, hence complain about the right people!
Now your new administration, who started back pedaling on November 5th, is asking for 1 Trillion dollars! 1 Trillion Dollars!! Seriously? We really think this is a good idea? They already can’t decide what they are saying. Does it make 3 million new jobs? Save and make 4 million jobs? If they don’t know then why should be do it? Their response to members of the Republican Party is to stop listening to Rush Limbaugh, I won! I think I might have said that to Sissy when I won the SGA class chair position in the 2nd grade, or was it 3rd grade? Wow, so I guess you really are just a YMCA director and now you are going to prove it to the whole world.
Now they say they are going to get all this money from the military. Forget the fact that they are already grossly underpaid (given the amount of time my husband spends working and away from his family, he makes less then $1.50 an hour, would you work for that? And that includes all the money for benefits). Now lets take some more away, lets forget that we are still and until we fall will always be the most hated country in the world, lets forget that these are the lives of people who protect us, let us forget that we currently operate under an All Volunteer Military unlike many nations that require everyone, even woman, to serve a few years no matter if they are at war, and lets deny the obvious. The fact of the matter is that we are not in the economic situation we are in thanks to the war, we are here because Wall street got greedy! People got greedy! And Americans like to spend money whether or not they can afford it. But the solution is to take away from defense…I guess so 9/11 can happen again? The military has been operating at a peace time level people! Barley above the normal spending and we have been able to build new ships, which are needed, build new planes, which are needed, develop new weaponry to protect our service members and our country. But, let’s take some of that away. Let’s not upgrade our artillery, let’s allow China and Russia’s military technologies to advance ours because we don’t think we need to develop new war fare because we can save a few bucks. Let’s give more money to those who cause the issue in the 1st place. Let’s return more terrorist to their countries so they can plan new attacks against Americans and their Allies. Lets do to those what we do to our own prisoners, lets be real we put them in jails with Cable TV, workout equipment, and more amanitas that I am pretty sure they don’t deserve or pay for. Why not? After all this is the change we all want to see right? I mean his response was He won? So now because he won we should just all move over and let him do whatever the heck he wants to?
I can assure you I won’t be doing that, and there are many others who will stand grounded. I am all for change. But lessening our defense, putting someone in charge of the CIA who has not Intelligence or covert operation experience, and rushing off to sign into policy as soon as you can anything and everything the last administration did is not change. It is called getting even and being and idiot. Sure change some of it, ever president does it. But didn’t you tell us all you had bigger and better things to do? So why don’t you start doing them, and start telling people the truth! That they should expect this down turn to last a while! That they should stop looking for a handout and see where they can help, tell wall street to figure it out! Stop aid to countries and programs that are just full of FAT and don’t really help people in the way they need it.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,482365,00.html
Yes, I am aware this is an opinion column. But it talks about a lot of things that are facts and how they relate to something I have seen coming since I heard the Name Obama.
I saw this coming by statements made by the new administration before they were ever elected. So far in the first week I have been impressed by nothing this administration has said or rushed off to do. Donating more funding to world organizations that support abortion as a part of birth control is not really something I believe was a) necessary to do right away or b) something we should have even been doing considering the economic state our own country is in, forget the fact that I am completely against abortion to begin with. Those 2 reasons alone are more then enough to already be put off.
Everyone b*tches and complains about Bush this and Bush that, when it was just not all his doing. McCain asked for a review of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae in 2003 and was denied by congress as well as the laws that were used to create sub prime and non-income verified mortgage loans were approved during the final days of the Clinton administration! The 700 billion dollar bailout was not supported by republicans and was only approved by Bush because either way people would not have been happy with it. If he did it and it didn’t work (which we can all say it really isn’t) then everyone would blame it on him just as they are now, and if he didn’t do it and things were just the same as they are now (which they would have been) they would say if he had done it we wouldn’t be here…so it was a lose, lose, so he said if CONGRESS passed it he would sign off, hence complain about the right people!
Now your new administration, who started back pedaling on November 5th, is asking for 1 Trillion dollars! 1 Trillion Dollars!! Seriously? We really think this is a good idea? They already can’t decide what they are saying. Does it make 3 million new jobs? Save and make 4 million jobs? If they don’t know then why should be do it? Their response to members of the Republican Party is to stop listening to Rush Limbaugh, I won! I think I might have said that to Sissy when I won the SGA class chair position in the 2nd grade, or was it 3rd grade? Wow, so I guess you really are just a YMCA director and now you are going to prove it to the whole world.
Now they say they are going to get all this money from the military. Forget the fact that they are already grossly underpaid (given the amount of time my husband spends working and away from his family, he makes less then $1.50 an hour, would you work for that? And that includes all the money for benefits). Now lets take some more away, lets forget that we are still and until we fall will always be the most hated country in the world, lets forget that these are the lives of people who protect us, let us forget that we currently operate under an All Volunteer Military unlike many nations that require everyone, even woman, to serve a few years no matter if they are at war, and lets deny the obvious. The fact of the matter is that we are not in the economic situation we are in thanks to the war, we are here because Wall street got greedy! People got greedy! And Americans like to spend money whether or not they can afford it. But the solution is to take away from defense…I guess so 9/11 can happen again? The military has been operating at a peace time level people! Barley above the normal spending and we have been able to build new ships, which are needed, build new planes, which are needed, develop new weaponry to protect our service members and our country. But, let’s take some of that away. Let’s not upgrade our artillery, let’s allow China and Russia’s military technologies to advance ours because we don’t think we need to develop new war fare because we can save a few bucks. Let’s give more money to those who cause the issue in the 1st place. Let’s return more terrorist to their countries so they can plan new attacks against Americans and their Allies. Lets do to those what we do to our own prisoners, lets be real we put them in jails with Cable TV, workout equipment, and more amanitas that I am pretty sure they don’t deserve or pay for. Why not? After all this is the change we all want to see right? I mean his response was He won? So now because he won we should just all move over and let him do whatever the heck he wants to?
I can assure you I won’t be doing that, and there are many others who will stand grounded. I am all for change. But lessening our defense, putting someone in charge of the CIA who has not Intelligence or covert operation experience, and rushing off to sign into policy as soon as you can anything and everything the last administration did is not change. It is called getting even and being and idiot. Sure change some of it, ever president does it. But didn’t you tell us all you had bigger and better things to do? So why don’t you start doing them, and start telling people the truth! That they should expect this down turn to last a while! That they should stop looking for a handout and see where they can help, tell wall street to figure it out! Stop aid to countries and programs that are just full of FAT and don’t really help people in the way they need it.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,482365,00.html
Yes, I am aware this is an opinion column. But it talks about a lot of things that are facts and how they relate to something I have seen coming since I heard the Name Obama.
Baby Shower Frenzy 1/22/09
I say this out of the kindness of my heart to all of my friends. I really do love you…but for the LOVE OF GOD stop getting knocked up! LOL no really it isn’t that big of a deal. But tonight I seriously attended my 3rd baby shower in 2 weeks! 2 of which I helped host! Plus, I have a shopping problem and baby showers are definitely a down fall for me. I always over spend, especially when it is a girl, and that is just not positive for my check book. Not to mention the amount of birthday parties Kercher has over the next couple of weeks. Either way congrats to Kimberlee Westlake on a baby boy (she isn’t giving a name which I get, but wish she would have given me at least the 1st initial so part of her gift I had to keep last night and finish when she tells us his name), Amy Scott who is due with baby “B” any day now, no B is not the initial either (but I am super special so I know the name…but don’t tell Bryan ok) and Lydia Avant who is having a girl in April and her name will be Kennedy Marie and she will be so spoiled it will be ridiculous. As far as I know no more babies on the forefront but I don’t expect that to last long seeing as the ship my husband is on is due back in a few months and there tends to be a HUGE baby boom about 9 ½ to 10 month after that happens…no clue why?
Sad News 1/21/2008
Poor Wes. The guy has been deployed for almost 4 months and his other grandfather passes away this morning. The ship was going to let him come home for a week since he lost his other grandfather just 3 weeks ago (the day before Christmas) but we would have to pay for it and we couldn’t get him here in time for the funeral so he is staying. I wish there was more I could do from here, but sometimes there just isn’t anything you can do to make someone feel better.
Crazy Minivan Mom/Annoying Grocery store Parent 1/20/09
I love my child. I love him with all my heart. But tonight he forced me to almost be turned into one of those Crazy Mini Van Moms! You know, the ones you pull up along side of and all you see is a left arm and shoulder driving because their head has turned around backwards like that scene in the Exorcist and they are flailing their right arm at whatever kid they can reach! Yea, that was almost me, just minus the minivan because I was in a truck. But ugh! I know he is 2 (well almost anyway), I know he doesn’t understand everything, but I know he understands when I tell him there is no juice in the car!!! I don’t even have a long drive from his sitter to home anymore, and tonight we had to stop at Lowe’s to pick up a dishwasher connection thingy for the dishwasher that is being installed tomorrow. (YAY!) He screamed the whole way there. Then in the store he pitched a fit and I became that annoying parent in the grocery store who’s kid is screaming and won’t stop. Everyone is walking around the store wondering why you won’t shut your kid up and is annoyed that you haven’t just left. I totally get that now. 1) your kid has to learn to deal with life! I do not produce Fruit Snacks and there for I can not pull them out of my a$$ whenever you want them. The fact that I told you we could get some when we get home should satisfy you. 2) My kid may be being a pain, but remember I am the one having to deal with it. 3) Obviously I am in the store because I NEED SOMETHING!
I just wanted to smack the woman standing next to me at Lowe’s. She actually had the nerve to ask me if I could take him outside! And do what, have the guy at the customer service desk bring the part out to my car? Then she tried to hand him candy from her purse! Who the H do you think you are! Thanks for that lady! Now he knows if he screams loud enough someone will give him candy and then his B of a mom will tell them no! I of course politely declined but seriously would you ever do that? After several more minutes of her huffing and puffing and rolling her eyes and whispering to the guy she was with I finally said something to her. I was like, if it bothers you why don’t you go stand in another line? But I am having an appliance being delivered tomorrow and I have to pick up this part, my husband is deployed so I can’t just go sit in the car and leave my kid out there because he is being loud, I just got off work, and I have to take this kid home and deal with him all night so I would appreciate it if you would stop trying to help me parent my child when I don’t know you before I start to get louder them him.
Needless to say the lady turned around and shut up and the nice manager of Lowe’s appeared very quickly with the part and I exited the building.
I just wanted to smack the woman standing next to me at Lowe’s. She actually had the nerve to ask me if I could take him outside! And do what, have the guy at the customer service desk bring the part out to my car? Then she tried to hand him candy from her purse! Who the H do you think you are! Thanks for that lady! Now he knows if he screams loud enough someone will give him candy and then his B of a mom will tell them no! I of course politely declined but seriously would you ever do that? After several more minutes of her huffing and puffing and rolling her eyes and whispering to the guy she was with I finally said something to her. I was like, if it bothers you why don’t you go stand in another line? But I am having an appliance being delivered tomorrow and I have to pick up this part, my husband is deployed so I can’t just go sit in the car and leave my kid out there because he is being loud, I just got off work, and I have to take this kid home and deal with him all night so I would appreciate it if you would stop trying to help me parent my child when I don’t know you before I start to get louder them him.
Needless to say the lady turned around and shut up and the nice manager of Lowe’s appeared very quickly with the part and I exited the building.
Trip to Memphis and Awesome News! 1/19/09
Life has been busy for us in VA to say the least. I honestly feel like since Wes deployed in September my life has not only been the usual stuff I was doing plus the usually things he was doing but about a million others that were not going on while he was here. Last week over the Lee/Jackson/King day (which it is officially called by the Fed! And kind of makes me happy, really I think we should just call it famous persons day and celebrate whoever you want, but that is a whole other topic) three day weekend we traveled home to Memphis as well as made a Pit stop in Tuscaloosa for yet another baby shower (which I will talk about later). Anyway, it was a great trip!
We had a nice time getting to see and spend some time with my grandparents. Kercher has been full of himself these days talking and chatting everyone up. My grandparents actually babysat him for 3 hours just the two of them. It was the 1st time I think I have ever seen my grandmothers house that messy! It was just the den, but still I have one of those grandmothers who everything is always in place. Back when my grandfather smoked, I don’t know what the woman did but the house never even smelled like it. The second he would finish she would be cleaning out the ash tray! It was so cute.
Kercher also had a great time with my younger brother and sister. Barbara was still home from college (I swear I should have gone to Ole Miss she had 6 weeks off at Christmas!!!) and Caleb wasn’t as busy as he usually is with scouts and football so Kercher got to play lost of Guitar Hero, he is actually better then me which is ridiculous!
It was just nice to be home. Even though we had visited in November for 10 days it was such a great time. It is hard to live so far away when you are so close to your family. Which is why I was beyond ecstatic when we got the news that Wes was selected to go to Charleston SC like we had been hoping!! He will detach from the TR sometime in June and must report to NNPTS (Navy Nuclear Power Training School) no later the July 14th! Although we are still over whelmed by selling the house and me finding a job there we could not be happier. We will finally be close to some family! Wes’s mom and step father live in Aiken which is only 2 hours from Charleston and it will put us 6 hours closer to my family and 7 hours closer for Wes’s dad and step mom. We are sad to leave our friends behind here in VA, but at the same time we know that this will be a great move for us and for our family. My good friend Amy told me that is the one thing she dislikes about being a military spouse, even if you don’t move, your friends do. We have already had friends transferred out to South Caroline, Connecticut, Georgia, and California and now I guess it is our turn.
We had a nice time getting to see and spend some time with my grandparents. Kercher has been full of himself these days talking and chatting everyone up. My grandparents actually babysat him for 3 hours just the two of them. It was the 1st time I think I have ever seen my grandmothers house that messy! It was just the den, but still I have one of those grandmothers who everything is always in place. Back when my grandfather smoked, I don’t know what the woman did but the house never even smelled like it. The second he would finish she would be cleaning out the ash tray! It was so cute.
Kercher also had a great time with my younger brother and sister. Barbara was still home from college (I swear I should have gone to Ole Miss she had 6 weeks off at Christmas!!!) and Caleb wasn’t as busy as he usually is with scouts and football so Kercher got to play lost of Guitar Hero, he is actually better then me which is ridiculous!
It was just nice to be home. Even though we had visited in November for 10 days it was such a great time. It is hard to live so far away when you are so close to your family. Which is why I was beyond ecstatic when we got the news that Wes was selected to go to Charleston SC like we had been hoping!! He will detach from the TR sometime in June and must report to NNPTS (Navy Nuclear Power Training School) no later the July 14th! Although we are still over whelmed by selling the house and me finding a job there we could not be happier. We will finally be close to some family! Wes’s mom and step father live in Aiken which is only 2 hours from Charleston and it will put us 6 hours closer to my family and 7 hours closer for Wes’s dad and step mom. We are sad to leave our friends behind here in VA, but at the same time we know that this will be a great move for us and for our family. My good friend Amy told me that is the one thing she dislikes about being a military spouse, even if you don’t move, your friends do. We have already had friends transferred out to South Caroline, Connecticut, Georgia, and California and now I guess it is our turn.
The Sickness 1/13/09
Ugh I am so over being sick! I have had strep 4 times since September! And now I have it again along with the stomach flew and I am suppose to be flying home to Memphis tomorrow afternoon!! The Dr gave both Kercher and I a 15 day prescription for Augmenten (or however you spell that stuff). Poor Amy is at L and D because she has it as well and is dehydrated and having contractions and I am sick and can’t even go check on her! Ugh these meds had better finally wipe this thing out because I am so over it!
The only advantage I can think of is that I haven’t been able to go to the gym because I have been ill and on meds, so hopefully when I am done with all the medication and get back to the gym all the fakers will be done by then =)
The only advantage I can think of is that I haven’t been able to go to the gym because I have been ill and on meds, so hopefully when I am done with all the medication and get back to the gym all the fakers will be done by then =)
Pictures: a snap shot of your life 1/12/2009
I am a picture frame nut. Well use to be anyway. I am not sure if it was because it was the only thing I could afford to splurge on when I was in college and just out of college or if I just had that many shelves to put stuff on, but I have a LOT. Well, I have this interesting habit when it comes to picture frames in the fact that once I put a picture in it, I never take it out. Now I will put a new picture in every so often, but I just out it over the old one and leave the one that was there. Strange, yes I know. But it is really fun to be honest. You don’t change them out all that often, but when you own a frame for 6-10 years (yes some of mine I have had that long) it is interesting when you change the photo out. It is like a mini real of your life without actually having to make the scrap book. Although there are no cute embellishments (or stickers), no explanations of what was going on, or where you were, or who you are with, it is kind of a rush of emotions.
Last night I changed out a few of my frames with some new pictures I had printed a few months ago and just hadn’t put them in frames yet. It was crazy! In one I went from my 16th birthday and an ex-boyfriend I haven’t seen or hear from since 1998, to my high school graduation with a girl named Brook and that is all I know, to a Freshman formal with a different ex (however I know what this one is up to), Easter my Junior year of college right after I had lost a TON of weight, a picture with me in my Bama Belle uniform with the former quarterback at UA, graduation with my parents, the 1st condo I sold in FL, the night I met my husband, a picture from the night we got engaged, Wes holding our son for the 1st time, Kercher when he was 9 months old, and now the frame holds a picture of Wes and I and Kercher and the whole Scott family.
It was funny to look through them. As I did I have very different reactions to each. I stuck my tongue out and crinkled my nose at the 1st one (I think mostly for the ex), asked myself why I didn’t listen to my mother when I bought my graduation dress, it was not as cute as I thought it was, Freshman formal was fun, Robbie was a good dancer and it was the 1st one of my college career, wow I should really get back into that size I look really good!, ahh Bama Belle I hate they got rid of that it was such a great program, I can not believe I graduated on time!, whoooo hooo the 1st and last condo I sold in Florida, The Red Room in Birmingham with a very intoxicated picture of my husband and I hanging all over each other that cracked me up, I literally laughed out loud to myself, it isn’t everyday you meet “The One” in the new trendy bar after working a double and smelling like fried food, and no I didn’t take a shower before we went out, I remember being more embarrassed then excited when I got engaged and shocked…which is hard to do considering I knew we were getting married on Aug 13 before I had a ring because we had already booked the church, my mom, obviously new what was up because she took the picture before we left, then I cried. Kercher was so tiny and 2 years has passed way to fast for me when it comes to him (for most everything else it can keep on rolling), then I smiled and cried some more…Kercher loved that stuffed monkey that he was holding in those pictures and he took it with him all the time…then I though crap where is that I better have that somewhere he is going to want that one day!
I placed in the new picture and smiled. It is amazing what all can happen in a lifetime and all of those days were good ones…even if I turned my nose up at who I was dating. I think the thing I loved the most is that they were mostly of pictures I haven’t seen or looked or even thought about it years…
Now I want to go through all of my frames! LOL!
Last night I changed out a few of my frames with some new pictures I had printed a few months ago and just hadn’t put them in frames yet. It was crazy! In one I went from my 16th birthday and an ex-boyfriend I haven’t seen or hear from since 1998, to my high school graduation with a girl named Brook and that is all I know, to a Freshman formal with a different ex (however I know what this one is up to), Easter my Junior year of college right after I had lost a TON of weight, a picture with me in my Bama Belle uniform with the former quarterback at UA, graduation with my parents, the 1st condo I sold in FL, the night I met my husband, a picture from the night we got engaged, Wes holding our son for the 1st time, Kercher when he was 9 months old, and now the frame holds a picture of Wes and I and Kercher and the whole Scott family.
It was funny to look through them. As I did I have very different reactions to each. I stuck my tongue out and crinkled my nose at the 1st one (I think mostly for the ex), asked myself why I didn’t listen to my mother when I bought my graduation dress, it was not as cute as I thought it was, Freshman formal was fun, Robbie was a good dancer and it was the 1st one of my college career, wow I should really get back into that size I look really good!, ahh Bama Belle I hate they got rid of that it was such a great program, I can not believe I graduated on time!, whoooo hooo the 1st and last condo I sold in Florida, The Red Room in Birmingham with a very intoxicated picture of my husband and I hanging all over each other that cracked me up, I literally laughed out loud to myself, it isn’t everyday you meet “The One” in the new trendy bar after working a double and smelling like fried food, and no I didn’t take a shower before we went out, I remember being more embarrassed then excited when I got engaged and shocked…which is hard to do considering I knew we were getting married on Aug 13 before I had a ring because we had already booked the church, my mom, obviously new what was up because she took the picture before we left, then I cried. Kercher was so tiny and 2 years has passed way to fast for me when it comes to him (for most everything else it can keep on rolling), then I smiled and cried some more…Kercher loved that stuffed monkey that he was holding in those pictures and he took it with him all the time…then I though crap where is that I better have that somewhere he is going to want that one day!
I placed in the new picture and smiled. It is amazing what all can happen in a lifetime and all of those days were good ones…even if I turned my nose up at who I was dating. I think the thing I loved the most is that they were mostly of pictures I haven’t seen or looked or even thought about it years…
Now I want to go through all of my frames! LOL!
Friday, January 9, 2009
The Harsh Reality of Choosing Not to Vaccinate
As a parent we are faced everyday with decisions to make for our child that could effect him or her for the rest of their lives. The decisions that we make for our children often come naturally, others we make after a lot of research and discussion with other parents and spouses. One of todays most difficult decisions we as parents make is weather or not to vaccinate our child.
For me, this decision was easy. My son faced a higher risk of becoming ill from a preventable disease then he did from suffering a major reaction to one of the injections. The fact of the matter is, all of our children do. Being in daycare and schools, travels, and other factors expose your children every day.
With the influx of media coverage on this issue, and the broad spectrum of Anti Vaccine groups out there, today’s parents are often swayed one way or another without ever understand why or what they made their decision based on. Extreme groups and radical Dr’s use scary words and terminology like Neurological Disorders or Autism and we are instantly second guessing the vaccinations that have saved multiple generations of Americans.
Last night one of my favorite televisions shows, Private Practice, brought to light the harsh reality of not choosing to vaccinate your child. Although I am one who is usually against TV and persons that are famous and looked up to doing things like this, last night I was actually impressed. Although the scenario they showcased could have been much worse, they did a great job of showing how the decision not to vaccinate your child can effect you and others around you (although I am sure that today there are many groups up in arms about last nights episode). The show left me bawling like a baby and lead me to bring my son into bed with me for the night because I wanted to be close to him. But it left me wanting to write this. I have talked to many other parents about the decision to vaccinate and it is something I have felt is very important for all of our children.
In the show and American child who has been living in Switzerland contracts measles on a flight back to the states. His mother did not vaccinate him because her oldest son was autistic and although there is NO SCIENTIFIC evidence that vaccinations are linked to autism she chose to not vaccinate her youngest two children. This 10 year old boy sat in a waiting room for 30 minutes with other children, infants, elderly patients, and pregnant woman exposing them all to the measles. Although the show did not have anyone else contract the disease from this child, it did make mention of the heighten risks of exposing the elderly and pregnant women to diseases like the measles. In the end the little boys dies, and the Dr forces the youngest son to have a MMR against the mothers wishes. It was truly a tragic ending. The mother kept stating that when her grandparents where younger everyone got the measles, it wasn’t suppose to be that dangerous. Highlighting the misconceptions we have today at the devastation that these diseases had on society before vaccinations. The Dr reminded her (this is before the son is in the hospital not after he passed away) that many were ok, but many also died.
Today I think we forget about the damage these diseases caused to societies around the world. Our generation has not been exposed to common childhood deaths to disease, to children being crippled or blinded while they suffer from Polo, massive amount of children plagued by smallpox (and we do not even have to vaccinate against this anymore because of vaccines), and many more terrible things that were once common place amongst children before the development of vaccinations. Vaccinations have made the US a safer place for our children to grow up. While other countries continue to suffer from large measles outbreaks, we in the states have only seen a few. However, those numbers are starting to climb as more and more parents decide not to vaccinate their children. In 2008 24 cases were reported before May. 11 of those cases were directly associated and linked to a child who had not been vaccinated and had traveled to Switzerland, which has been facing massive outbreaks for the past 5 years. As people continue not to vaccinate their children more and more cases will be seen and that harsh reality of the effects of childhood diseases could once again plague America’s youth.
I truly do sympathies with the parents of children who have been diagnosed with autism. I can only imagine what their day to day lives must be like and the difficulties and challenges that face them. However, I do not believe that vaccinations are the cause of the development or increase in cases of autism around the world. There have been no links found that can correlate the two. The same percentage of children are diagnosed with autism that have been and haven’t been vaccinated. Most diagnosis happen between the ages of 1 year and 3 years which is a heightened time for children and vaccinations. I do however believe that children who are not vaccinated pose a great risk to the society as a whole. Vaccines are not 100% effective, so for children who receive vaccines yet the vaccine doesn’t work or children who are allergic to elements in the vaccine, they rely on the immunity of those that surround them to protect themselves from these diseases. I hope that the vaccines that my son has received will prevent him from contracting one of the diseases, but in order to ensure his health I would hope that those around him would also be vaccinated. There is also an increased risk in mutation with large numbers of unprotected children, around those that are. The diseases could one day warp into a new form that the vaccines can not protect against making us all venerable.
Studies are ongoing around the world to find the root to what some call “the autism epidemic", but so far hundreds of studies have found no link between the two. Although my son has not suffered any reactions other then a light fever to any vaccines, I keep a close watch on new information and have decide that with my next child I will vaccinate on a altered vaccine schedule. There is still NO SCIENTIFIC evidence that even shows that the risk of autism is associated with the amount of vaccines our children receive at once, however this avenue has been less studied then the the chemicals in the vaccines. I have attached several articles and places where you can find alternative vaccine schedules. I do urge you to not follow any Dr's recommendations that recommends that you do not start vaccinations until your child is 2. I personally believe that this is too late. I have found a schedule that will still complete the vaccine’s at the same time as other children, however your child only receives one injection at a time. So, it may mean more trips to the doctor’s office, but your child will still be protected.
I urge all parents to do extensive research for themselves. To look at results from many multiple studies and sources. Not to rely on facts and/or postings by extreme groups or even certain groups of medical professionals. I understand the fear, as I too have a 2 year old son. However, I do believe that until we really know what is the cause of autism, that our children are safer being vaccinated then they are not being vaccinated. Also, most of the fears people have are what is in the vaccines, the one item they attribute it to is Thimerosal (mercury), this was taken out of all vaccinations in the late 80’s early 90’s and no longer poses a threat to our children. If the combination of multiple drugs scares you, then talk to your Dr about breaking them up. If he/she will not support you, then find a Dr who will! Many Dr.’s do not believe that vaccines are the root cause of autism, however they do understand a parents concern and I have found that many are very supportive of an alternative vaccination schedule. I also caution you though to still start vaccinating right away and not wait until you child is older to begin the routine. Although there has been no proof that a child with a mild fever or that has recently been on antibiotics may cause a different outcome when receiving a vaccine, I would also recommend holding off till your child is completely well. Then if you had the unfortunate outcome of your child having an adverse reaction to a vaccine you would know right away.
I am not a medical professional, I do not conduct any types of medical studies, nor do I deem myself fit to make decisions for you and your family. I am just another concerned parent who wants what is best for my child as well as all the children he will know and come in contact with. I believe that autism is something that is scary and very real. I believe that it very well could be genetic, environmental, chemical, or a mix of all three, but I also believe that until we know what or why we should protect our children from what we know we can.
This is why I believe in Vaccination’s and will continue to vaccinate my child, and my future children.
http://children.webmd.com/vaccines/news/20081226/alternative-vaccine-schedule-stirs-debate
http://geriatricmama.wordpress.com/2008/01/02/our-alternative-vaccination-schedule/
http://children.webmd.com/vaccines/features/child-vaccines-some-parents-ill-at-ease
http://children.webmd.com/vaccines/immunization-charts-for-children-and-adultshttp://www2a.cdc.gov/HAN/ArchiveSys/ViewMsgV.asp?AlertNum=00273
For me, this decision was easy. My son faced a higher risk of becoming ill from a preventable disease then he did from suffering a major reaction to one of the injections. The fact of the matter is, all of our children do. Being in daycare and schools, travels, and other factors expose your children every day.
With the influx of media coverage on this issue, and the broad spectrum of Anti Vaccine groups out there, today’s parents are often swayed one way or another without ever understand why or what they made their decision based on. Extreme groups and radical Dr’s use scary words and terminology like Neurological Disorders or Autism and we are instantly second guessing the vaccinations that have saved multiple generations of Americans.
Last night one of my favorite televisions shows, Private Practice, brought to light the harsh reality of not choosing to vaccinate your child. Although I am one who is usually against TV and persons that are famous and looked up to doing things like this, last night I was actually impressed. Although the scenario they showcased could have been much worse, they did a great job of showing how the decision not to vaccinate your child can effect you and others around you (although I am sure that today there are many groups up in arms about last nights episode). The show left me bawling like a baby and lead me to bring my son into bed with me for the night because I wanted to be close to him. But it left me wanting to write this. I have talked to many other parents about the decision to vaccinate and it is something I have felt is very important for all of our children.
In the show and American child who has been living in Switzerland contracts measles on a flight back to the states. His mother did not vaccinate him because her oldest son was autistic and although there is NO SCIENTIFIC evidence that vaccinations are linked to autism she chose to not vaccinate her youngest two children. This 10 year old boy sat in a waiting room for 30 minutes with other children, infants, elderly patients, and pregnant woman exposing them all to the measles. Although the show did not have anyone else contract the disease from this child, it did make mention of the heighten risks of exposing the elderly and pregnant women to diseases like the measles. In the end the little boys dies, and the Dr forces the youngest son to have a MMR against the mothers wishes. It was truly a tragic ending. The mother kept stating that when her grandparents where younger everyone got the measles, it wasn’t suppose to be that dangerous. Highlighting the misconceptions we have today at the devastation that these diseases had on society before vaccinations. The Dr reminded her (this is before the son is in the hospital not after he passed away) that many were ok, but many also died.
Today I think we forget about the damage these diseases caused to societies around the world. Our generation has not been exposed to common childhood deaths to disease, to children being crippled or blinded while they suffer from Polo, massive amount of children plagued by smallpox (and we do not even have to vaccinate against this anymore because of vaccines), and many more terrible things that were once common place amongst children before the development of vaccinations. Vaccinations have made the US a safer place for our children to grow up. While other countries continue to suffer from large measles outbreaks, we in the states have only seen a few. However, those numbers are starting to climb as more and more parents decide not to vaccinate their children. In 2008 24 cases were reported before May. 11 of those cases were directly associated and linked to a child who had not been vaccinated and had traveled to Switzerland, which has been facing massive outbreaks for the past 5 years. As people continue not to vaccinate their children more and more cases will be seen and that harsh reality of the effects of childhood diseases could once again plague America’s youth.
I truly do sympathies with the parents of children who have been diagnosed with autism. I can only imagine what their day to day lives must be like and the difficulties and challenges that face them. However, I do not believe that vaccinations are the cause of the development or increase in cases of autism around the world. There have been no links found that can correlate the two. The same percentage of children are diagnosed with autism that have been and haven’t been vaccinated. Most diagnosis happen between the ages of 1 year and 3 years which is a heightened time for children and vaccinations. I do however believe that children who are not vaccinated pose a great risk to the society as a whole. Vaccines are not 100% effective, so for children who receive vaccines yet the vaccine doesn’t work or children who are allergic to elements in the vaccine, they rely on the immunity of those that surround them to protect themselves from these diseases. I hope that the vaccines that my son has received will prevent him from contracting one of the diseases, but in order to ensure his health I would hope that those around him would also be vaccinated. There is also an increased risk in mutation with large numbers of unprotected children, around those that are. The diseases could one day warp into a new form that the vaccines can not protect against making us all venerable.
Studies are ongoing around the world to find the root to what some call “the autism epidemic", but so far hundreds of studies have found no link between the two. Although my son has not suffered any reactions other then a light fever to any vaccines, I keep a close watch on new information and have decide that with my next child I will vaccinate on a altered vaccine schedule. There is still NO SCIENTIFIC evidence that even shows that the risk of autism is associated with the amount of vaccines our children receive at once, however this avenue has been less studied then the the chemicals in the vaccines. I have attached several articles and places where you can find alternative vaccine schedules. I do urge you to not follow any Dr's recommendations that recommends that you do not start vaccinations until your child is 2. I personally believe that this is too late. I have found a schedule that will still complete the vaccine’s at the same time as other children, however your child only receives one injection at a time. So, it may mean more trips to the doctor’s office, but your child will still be protected.
I urge all parents to do extensive research for themselves. To look at results from many multiple studies and sources. Not to rely on facts and/or postings by extreme groups or even certain groups of medical professionals. I understand the fear, as I too have a 2 year old son. However, I do believe that until we really know what is the cause of autism, that our children are safer being vaccinated then they are not being vaccinated. Also, most of the fears people have are what is in the vaccines, the one item they attribute it to is Thimerosal (mercury), this was taken out of all vaccinations in the late 80’s early 90’s and no longer poses a threat to our children. If the combination of multiple drugs scares you, then talk to your Dr about breaking them up. If he/she will not support you, then find a Dr who will! Many Dr.’s do not believe that vaccines are the root cause of autism, however they do understand a parents concern and I have found that many are very supportive of an alternative vaccination schedule. I also caution you though to still start vaccinating right away and not wait until you child is older to begin the routine. Although there has been no proof that a child with a mild fever or that has recently been on antibiotics may cause a different outcome when receiving a vaccine, I would also recommend holding off till your child is completely well. Then if you had the unfortunate outcome of your child having an adverse reaction to a vaccine you would know right away.
I am not a medical professional, I do not conduct any types of medical studies, nor do I deem myself fit to make decisions for you and your family. I am just another concerned parent who wants what is best for my child as well as all the children he will know and come in contact with. I believe that autism is something that is scary and very real. I believe that it very well could be genetic, environmental, chemical, or a mix of all three, but I also believe that until we know what or why we should protect our children from what we know we can.
This is why I believe in Vaccination’s and will continue to vaccinate my child, and my future children.
http://children.webmd.com/vaccines/news/20081226/alternative-vaccine-schedule-stirs-debate
http://geriatricmama.wordpress.com/2008/01/02/our-alternative-vaccination-schedule/
http://children.webmd.com/vaccines/features/child-vaccines-some-parents-ill-at-ease
http://children.webmd.com/vaccines/immunization-charts-for-children-and-adultshttp://www2a.cdc.gov/HAN/ArchiveSys/ViewMsgV.asp?AlertNum=00273
Thursday, January 8, 2009
There is Always Something....
A blog is a great place to vent. To get it out of your mind or off your chest and just get it out there. I know I always feel better when I am not holding on to things.
Well, a blog sucks when you want to vent about work! And you work in Human resources!!! It isn't like I can really talk about things going on at work because of the area I work in and the fact that other employees can read it...so let it be known...that stuff is going on at work. Enough said.
But there is always something...
Lately I have been more stressed then usual. I think in general I usually have some type of stress going on, but it feels as though now things are just a worse. A good deal of it I have decided I must bring on myself. Much of it is completely out of my control, but it is still beyond frustrating. I think that the economy, my house, work, a 2 year old, husband overseas, illness, sickness, death, family, friends, lack of friends, my drama, your drama, people I knows drama, life shifts, blown out tiers, staples in scalps of two year olds, strep again (that is 4 times in 3 months), shin splints, busy gyms, death and lose of cell phones, death of ipod, computer issues, leaking ceilings, broken dishwashers, dead batteries, pending transfers, money, bills, and 2 dogs is just a lot to think about all at once.
That being said I think I have decided that I will just stop thinking about it. I will take some of the advice that i am always telling other people I know, and going to use it for myself. Easier said then done I am sure. I guess lets just hope that my advice to others "don't stress it will all work out in the end" is correct. Either way most of the things I am worried about, there isn't a whole lot I can do to control them. I seriously doubt anyone is going to ask me what my views are on how to fix this economy, or that the housing market will turn around by this May so I can sell my house, or that my superman son will stop jumping/running/or attempting to fly any time soon.
The more I worry the more stuff that happens, so I am done!
(Smile plastered on face while sneezing, noise watering and throat KILLING me)
Well maybe not completely done with the worrying/stressing...but I will try to focus more on the things that I can control over the things that I can't...Like would anyone like to adopt a 3 year old beagle and/or a 2 year old Maltese? Very cute and lovable and house broken???
Just Kidding...but at least now I feel better (except for the fact that I have strep again).
Well, a blog sucks when you want to vent about work! And you work in Human resources!!! It isn't like I can really talk about things going on at work because of the area I work in and the fact that other employees can read it...so let it be known...that stuff is going on at work. Enough said.
But there is always something...
Lately I have been more stressed then usual. I think in general I usually have some type of stress going on, but it feels as though now things are just a worse. A good deal of it I have decided I must bring on myself. Much of it is completely out of my control, but it is still beyond frustrating. I think that the economy, my house, work, a 2 year old, husband overseas, illness, sickness, death, family, friends, lack of friends, my drama, your drama, people I knows drama, life shifts, blown out tiers, staples in scalps of two year olds, strep again (that is 4 times in 3 months), shin splints, busy gyms, death and lose of cell phones, death of ipod, computer issues, leaking ceilings, broken dishwashers, dead batteries, pending transfers, money, bills, and 2 dogs is just a lot to think about all at once.
That being said I think I have decided that I will just stop thinking about it. I will take some of the advice that i am always telling other people I know, and going to use it for myself. Easier said then done I am sure. I guess lets just hope that my advice to others "don't stress it will all work out in the end" is correct. Either way most of the things I am worried about, there isn't a whole lot I can do to control them. I seriously doubt anyone is going to ask me what my views are on how to fix this economy, or that the housing market will turn around by this May so I can sell my house, or that my superman son will stop jumping/running/or attempting to fly any time soon.
The more I worry the more stuff that happens, so I am done!
(Smile plastered on face while sneezing, noise watering and throat KILLING me)
Well maybe not completely done with the worrying/stressing...but I will try to focus more on the things that I can control over the things that I can't...Like would anyone like to adopt a 3 year old beagle and/or a 2 year old Maltese? Very cute and lovable and house broken???
Just Kidding...but at least now I feel better (except for the fact that I have strep again).
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
I hate the GYM after NEW YEARS!!!
Seriously! I hate the gym after New Years. It is crowded, people don't know what they are doing. They leave the machines all jacked up and don't put stuff back where it should be. Plus, they are rude!
I understand that one of my New Years resolutions was to loose 50 lbs. But if you go back and read it, it says 50 more lbs. meaning I have already started. I have been going to the gym regularly for over three months.
So, last night I get to the gym around 6, about the same as normal. Park, get in, drop Kercher off. Child watch is packed! So I know it is going to be busy, but since the spinning class has already started and is full and the new step class was about to start I am hoping that a good bit of those people belong to those kids. Nope I am wrong. The GYM is full. Almost every machine has someone on it. Well I want a treadmill. So I am waiting in line with the other 10 people who want a treadmill and am getting super frustrated because some people have been on there for longer then 30 minutes. And yes I do that as well, but not when there is a line, It is ok when there are not people waiting you know? I just want to walk up to these people and be like, look, this is how it works. You are allowed to be on the machine for as long as you want but when there is a line it is a 30 min time limit. Besides you won't be here next month so why don't you go ahead and get off so I can get to my workout! But I didn't. I so wanted to though. Instead one of the trainers walked by and said hey and asked me why i was just standing there (I think he is a little dense) anyway, I told him that i wanted a treadmill and that several people had exceeded the limit. The nice dense trainer man let them know they had to get off for me. I could tell this one woman was totally annoyed with me, but seriously get over it. Everyone knows it is a common courtesy at a gym not to stay on the cardio equipment for longer then 30 minutes. UGH!
Well, i get to working out and I am on the machine maybe 10 minutes, as well as I have waited already 10 minutes just to get one a machine. And i know what you are thinking why didn't you just do something else? Well, the only thing available was a stair climber which is fine, except I knew I couldn't work out the next day (meaning today) and I wanted to do my weights with both my arms and my legs to stay on schedule and if I did the stair machine, I would not have been able to do my weight routine with my legs. Anyway, I am on the machine and going good. Tonight I am going to push myself to run a little farther. My goal is to run 4 miles at 6.0 so that is 4 miles in 40 minutes which will be the perfect maintenance routine I think. I can get in and out of the gym in an hour with that and have kids, so that is what I am shooting for. anyway, 10 minutes in and the lady from the child watch is in front of me, my kid is stinky. I am thinking UGH I can not believe this. I just got on here! So I go change him and come back,. The room is empty. All that is there is the people I am used to seeing. It is 6:30. I guess maybe the is the magic number or something.
I have decided that until all these people break their routines over the course of the next 4-6 weeks, i will just have to do my weight routine first and then cardio after so I don't waist time waiting for a machine.
But seriously!!! I really did just want to walk up and say "You won't be here next month, so could you go ahead and get off so I can get going?"
I understand that one of my New Years resolutions was to loose 50 lbs. But if you go back and read it, it says 50 more lbs. meaning I have already started. I have been going to the gym regularly for over three months.
So, last night I get to the gym around 6, about the same as normal. Park, get in, drop Kercher off. Child watch is packed! So I know it is going to be busy, but since the spinning class has already started and is full and the new step class was about to start I am hoping that a good bit of those people belong to those kids. Nope I am wrong. The GYM is full. Almost every machine has someone on it. Well I want a treadmill. So I am waiting in line with the other 10 people who want a treadmill and am getting super frustrated because some people have been on there for longer then 30 minutes. And yes I do that as well, but not when there is a line, It is ok when there are not people waiting you know? I just want to walk up to these people and be like, look, this is how it works. You are allowed to be on the machine for as long as you want but when there is a line it is a 30 min time limit. Besides you won't be here next month so why don't you go ahead and get off so I can get to my workout! But I didn't. I so wanted to though. Instead one of the trainers walked by and said hey and asked me why i was just standing there (I think he is a little dense) anyway, I told him that i wanted a treadmill and that several people had exceeded the limit. The nice dense trainer man let them know they had to get off for me. I could tell this one woman was totally annoyed with me, but seriously get over it. Everyone knows it is a common courtesy at a gym not to stay on the cardio equipment for longer then 30 minutes. UGH!
Well, i get to working out and I am on the machine maybe 10 minutes, as well as I have waited already 10 minutes just to get one a machine. And i know what you are thinking why didn't you just do something else? Well, the only thing available was a stair climber which is fine, except I knew I couldn't work out the next day (meaning today) and I wanted to do my weights with both my arms and my legs to stay on schedule and if I did the stair machine, I would not have been able to do my weight routine with my legs. Anyway, I am on the machine and going good. Tonight I am going to push myself to run a little farther. My goal is to run 4 miles at 6.0 so that is 4 miles in 40 minutes which will be the perfect maintenance routine I think. I can get in and out of the gym in an hour with that and have kids, so that is what I am shooting for. anyway, 10 minutes in and the lady from the child watch is in front of me, my kid is stinky. I am thinking UGH I can not believe this. I just got on here! So I go change him and come back,. The room is empty. All that is there is the people I am used to seeing. It is 6:30. I guess maybe the is the magic number or something.
I have decided that until all these people break their routines over the course of the next 4-6 weeks, i will just have to do my weight routine first and then cardio after so I don't waist time waiting for a machine.
But seriously!!! I really did just want to walk up and say "You won't be here next month, so could you go ahead and get off so I can get going?"
Monday, January 5, 2009
Blow out on I-64 and in Louisiana
So far, me and 2009, are not getting along so well. On Friday night I got off work at 6, rushed home to change into some comfy, football watching, team supporting, clothes, let my dogs out, ran to Amy’s to grab Kercher and headed on to Angela’s to watch what everyone (including myself) thought would be an inhalation of some Utah Utes.
Well, lets just say that didn’t exactly happen.
On the way to Angela’s house I had a blow on I-64. Not a super huge problem, just a pain in the a$$. The biggest problem was where it happened. If you are familiar at all with Hampton Roads and the endless construction that seems to always be going on, you would know that there are very few places that one could have a blow out and be able to pull over. Well, I was not in one of those few places. I was actually in the worst place of them all. I was between the greenbrier mall exit and the 464 exist where construction is everywhere, with cement barricades on both sides of you. The noise in the car was horrific and I could smell something burning, but with Kercher in the car and being on 64, and the fact that NO ONE can drive in VA I had to keep driving on the rim of the car till I got somewhere we could get off the road.
I was a little stressed in the fact that all I could see was barriers and more construction cones, and now we were going up a hill and over a small overpass bridge!! But about a mile and a half after the blow out we finally reached somewhere we could pull over. It was actually a nice place to pull over. The New 3 lanes that will become 64! So we got to get way off the road, which made me feel better and safer as far as getting hit while we were stopped. Now the question, who to call?
Do I get the car towed? Do I just get someone to come and help me change the tire? Can I change the tire my myself? Humm. Of course Wes is overseas, so the obvious call my husband answer is out the window, so instead I call Amy. Not that a ready to burst at any moment pregnant lady can really assist but she is great for goggling phone numbers of who to call =) As well as my initial instinct was to see if her neighbor could come and help. Well seeing as he was out of town that option was a no, then she suggested our friend Cody, who kind of owes us considering we introduced him to his wife. But as I am getting his number I remember those Virginia Roadside Assistant people and I wonder if they can help.
Amy goggles the number and I give them a ring. With in 20 minutes a nice gentleman in a truck with a HUGE flashing light behind it pulls up behind us. Gets out a massive car lift, jacks up the car, pulls off the old rim and what is left of the tire (not much I might add, just the very back part of it about 2 inches thick), pops on my spare and sends me on my way for FREE!
So if you live in Virginia add this number to your cell phone now! 1-800-367-ROAD
In Hampton roads the service is 24 hrs a day! Other areas of VA differ but even if you call and they are not working they can give you numbers to someone to come and help you. It may be a fee, but it is a nice security blanket.
Needless to say we were late to Angela’s and missed the 1st quarter of the game. THANK GOD! I am not sure where my team was, but I can rest assured that they were not at the Sugar bowl, and more then Andre Smith must have flown home on the plane on Monday. All I can be thankful for is that we were not playing a Good Team. Because had we been playing someone other then the Utes, we could have easily lost by 40 points. Although I am disappointed with the way the season ended, I can not complain. 2 years at Bama and Saban is already in a BCS bowl, I see many good things to come.
So on that note, ROOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL TIDE!
Well, lets just say that didn’t exactly happen.
On the way to Angela’s house I had a blow on I-64. Not a super huge problem, just a pain in the a$$. The biggest problem was where it happened. If you are familiar at all with Hampton Roads and the endless construction that seems to always be going on, you would know that there are very few places that one could have a blow out and be able to pull over. Well, I was not in one of those few places. I was actually in the worst place of them all. I was between the greenbrier mall exit and the 464 exist where construction is everywhere, with cement barricades on both sides of you. The noise in the car was horrific and I could smell something burning, but with Kercher in the car and being on 64, and the fact that NO ONE can drive in VA I had to keep driving on the rim of the car till I got somewhere we could get off the road.
I was a little stressed in the fact that all I could see was barriers and more construction cones, and now we were going up a hill and over a small overpass bridge!! But about a mile and a half after the blow out we finally reached somewhere we could pull over. It was actually a nice place to pull over. The New 3 lanes that will become 64! So we got to get way off the road, which made me feel better and safer as far as getting hit while we were stopped. Now the question, who to call?
Do I get the car towed? Do I just get someone to come and help me change the tire? Can I change the tire my myself? Humm. Of course Wes is overseas, so the obvious call my husband answer is out the window, so instead I call Amy. Not that a ready to burst at any moment pregnant lady can really assist but she is great for goggling phone numbers of who to call =) As well as my initial instinct was to see if her neighbor could come and help. Well seeing as he was out of town that option was a no, then she suggested our friend Cody, who kind of owes us considering we introduced him to his wife. But as I am getting his number I remember those Virginia Roadside Assistant people and I wonder if they can help.
Amy goggles the number and I give them a ring. With in 20 minutes a nice gentleman in a truck with a HUGE flashing light behind it pulls up behind us. Gets out a massive car lift, jacks up the car, pulls off the old rim and what is left of the tire (not much I might add, just the very back part of it about 2 inches thick), pops on my spare and sends me on my way for FREE!
So if you live in Virginia add this number to your cell phone now! 1-800-367-ROAD
In Hampton roads the service is 24 hrs a day! Other areas of VA differ but even if you call and they are not working they can give you numbers to someone to come and help you. It may be a fee, but it is a nice security blanket.
Needless to say we were late to Angela’s and missed the 1st quarter of the game. THANK GOD! I am not sure where my team was, but I can rest assured that they were not at the Sugar bowl, and more then Andre Smith must have flown home on the plane on Monday. All I can be thankful for is that we were not playing a Good Team. Because had we been playing someone other then the Utes, we could have easily lost by 40 points. Although I am disappointed with the way the season ended, I can not complain. 2 years at Bama and Saban is already in a BCS bowl, I see many good things to come.
So on that note, ROOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL TIDE!
Thursday, January 1, 2009
New Years Resolutions
I am one of those people that actually makes a list. Then I cross things off when they happen throughout the year. I even Keep the list. Lets just say that like the economy, my 2008 list didn't fair so well. So lets hope that 2009 is better! I even plan to come back to this throughout the year and cross things off as I do them! Some are typical, others are random, and some may just sound plain dumb to some people, but that is why it is my list and not yours =)
1. Lose 50 more lbs
2. Sell this House
3. Attend Church on a more regular basis, being tired isn't an excuse
4. Get more organized
5. Pay off all of our dent with exception of the house, car loan, and Wes's 1 student loan
6. Clean out unneeded clutter
7. Don't sweat the small stuff
8. Correspond more with distant friends and relatives
9. Dance
10. Work out 4 to 5 days a week
11. Forgive those who have trespassed against you
12. Shop Less, Save more
13. Grow our family
14. Get caught up on the scrapbooks and stay that way
15. Take more pictures.
16. Do something for yourself once a week.
17. Make sure everyone important to me knows it.
18. Start back to school on my M.E.
19. Actually clean, fold, and put away the laundry in the same day...heck even in 2 days.
20. Expand my menu options when I cook dinner.
21. Make this the best year ever!!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!
1. Lose 50 more lbs
2. Sell this House
3. Attend Church on a more regular basis, being tired isn't an excuse
4. Get more organized
5. Pay off all of our dent with exception of the house, car loan, and Wes's 1 student loan
6. Clean out unneeded clutter
7. Don't sweat the small stuff
8. Correspond more with distant friends and relatives
9. Dance
10. Work out 4 to 5 days a week
11. Forgive those who have trespassed against you
12. Shop Less, Save more
13. Grow our family
14. Get caught up on the scrapbooks and stay that way
15. Take more pictures.
16. Do something for yourself once a week.
17. Make sure everyone important to me knows it.
18. Start back to school on my M.E.
19. Actually clean, fold, and put away the laundry in the same day...heck even in 2 days.
20. Expand my menu options when I cook dinner.
21. Make this the best year ever!!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!
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