Blegh...

My fibromylagia has been rearing it's ugly head lately. I missed Tuesday, worked only two hours on Wednesday & didn't go in today. Probably won't go in tomorrow either. I did start today on that new med that has been advertised for FMS, Lyrica, so we'll see how it works out. The main side effects are supposed to be nausea & dizziness. I am kinda dizzy-ish, not terribly bad, but I have a humdinger of a headache.

Okay, enough of the whine-fest, on to more important things - kiddos!

My cousins from Wyoming, Anna & Abbie, visited the clan in NE Kansas last weekend, so we popped up for a quick visit. As you can see, the kids were swarming like 'skeeters on a summers day. Seven boys and one little girl. For now...
Ahh, hobbit-powered tractors... The boyos had lots of races, mainly pushing each other on this tractor or with Tonka trucks. There was some major testosterone spillage that day.
Yup, that's my niece... *grin*
The Preggo Ladies - Shelly (who is expecting a boy in July), Peanut (who is expecting a girl, Julia Jane, in August) and Katrina (who is expecting a girl, Kinsey Kay, in October). So Clara will eventually have reinforcements against all those boys.

Happenings...

So, since it's been a while, I'll get y'all caught up on what's been going on...

(I had a boatload of stuff to blog when I was thinking about it earlier, but now it's all slipped my mind. Hmph!)

Let's see, we had two clients from work - ages 14 & 15, steal the cottage car & take a little jaunt to Emporia, about 70 miles away. They were caught there & are being charged with felonies for car theft, obstruction of justice & eluding an officer. In a beat-up Neon, no less. Needless to say, they'll not be back, for a while at least.

Dad went in to get some bumps taken off his head. The lab called back to report that the bumps were cancerous, so he's got to go back in & have the doc dig a little deeper where they were. He, his dad & one brother have all had skin cancer spots removed & Grandpa died of prostate cancer, so he probably shouldn't let this go too long.

I've had a knot under my right shoulder blade for last month. I started taking the pain med that I've been prescribed several times before but ended up having a bad reaction - dizziness, shortness of breath, shaking, headaches, etc. & almost passed out in the doctor's office. Quite lovely. So now I get to go through withdrawal since it turns out the med (Ultram or Tramadal) is addicting. Even more lovely. But it keeps getting better, even the knot since she upped the Naproxen (Aleve) to 3 times a day & the muscle relaxer to twice a day.

I have a new game of obsess over - The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. Absolutely love it! I played it at my cousin Jay's & then ordered a copy for myself. Once it came I found out that it wouldn't run on either computer, so I ordered memory, a DVD drive & video card from Newegg.com. I should be able to get everything finished up when the video card gets here tomorrow.

I also turned 29 last month. It's turning into a slippery slide to 30.

One more thing - I mentioned in a post a while back that Peanut & Belle are pregnant. Well, Kat is now due around October. Three new babies next summer & fall. :-)

We Interrupt This Blog For A Very Important Announcement

There will two new hobbitses in the family come next summer.

Peanut & Belle are both expecting, due about a month apart. This will make 6 nieces & nephews all 5 & under next Christmas. Fun times, indeed...

Oh yeah - YAY! ;-D

Videos of the Hobbitses

First up, we have Bobo & Little Man wrestling with Flanders, with Sugar Plum in a cameo appearance toward the end...

And, now Sugar Plum (who had just finished saying "A-dba-dba-dba" to me & then laughing uproariously - I can only assume it was the world's 2nd funniest joke, as there are no remaining copies of the #1 joke per Monty Python), Nameless (who really, really needs a name), Little Man, Ramone (:rolls eyes & shrugs:) & Flanders, who doesn't bend that way.

Why yes, I have been spending too much time on YouTube - there are even science videos on there that have come in handy during Microbiology.

Hope this works - I'm at :cough:work:cough: where there is a severe lack of Javascript & all other things that make the intertubes so much more fun...

Hobbits

The Mothership, Peanut, Belle, her hobbits & I all went down yonder to Wichita a while ago to celebrate a cousin's birthday. As you can see below, Little Man & Bobo conked out on the way down.
Sugar Plum wasn't so inclined, especially after seeing Auntie Peanut's new phone. Oooo, new toy!Poor Bobo wasn't feeling well, so he & Belle were in the van trying to avoid, ummm... spewage... while we were at the restaurant. Little Man missed Mommy, of course, (it was the end of the world, dontcha know) so he had to go join them in seclusion. Not much fun for poor Belle, but Sugar Plum did discover a new favourite food.
I'm not that into lemons as a snack, but hey, they apparently float her boat.

Little Man chillin' & enjoying the scenery on the way home.

Success!

Ah-Ha! I am victorious over the Intertubes at last! (This time, anyway...)

I finally managed to get the wireless 'net to work at the local coffee shop, so I can upload pictures off of Vickie, my little laptop. So y'all get to look at some of my pictures from the visit to Flanders & Belle's...

Flanders playing with my bow as Bobo looks on. You can see another arrow down at the bottom of the pic - Little Man & Bobo liked to use the arrows as swords.

Belle with a sick little Sugar Plum, also the donor of the virus that I just had. :)
The pink blur is from the first version of the camera. I had to delete over half the pictures I took due to the pink bleeding in the middle. Took it back, got a new one & it's all better now.

Had some lovely views of distant rain on the trip home.

And some lovely sun streamers as well.

~~~~~
The church had it's 20th anniversary party on Sunday & I took the bow. I ended up with a small gaggle of kids who all wanted a shot at it. They all had a blast. The tiniest one was 2/3rds the size of the bow, so it sat on the ground as I helped her pull it back a few inches to shoot at the target that was all of 3 feet away. Unfortunately, there wasn't anyone available to take pictures. :(

Stuff

I'm up at the farm right now with Flanders, Belle & their passel o' hobbits.

Rumsfeld accompanied me on this trip, once I retrieved him from his last little jaunt into the depths of our neighborhood, that is. I didn't realize until we were clear up here that he'd broken his harness (this was #4) & I had no way to keep him from running off. Dad was here & we managed to bolt (yes, you read that right - bolt) his harness together enough to use it, but the next morning he was off & loose again. Put him back on & he slipped out yet again. Gah! So, I've not bothered with the harness the last day & a half & he's been fine. His gypsy blood must be taking a break. He just wanders the farm, carries his stuffed quail around & takes long naps in the shade. The little boys are loving him. The little girl doesn't much care either way.

I got to play a bit on the 4-wheeler - very fun, and we messed around with my new toy some yesterday. Lost an arrow out in the windbreak (durn camo) but maybe Viking Dad can bring his metal detector up the next time he comes & look for it.

The Mothership is taking care of Jay's hobbits - Beetlebomb, Elf & Lil'Un, since school is out. Last week I would go over after I got off work & take my laptop. The kids are having a ball playing The Sims 2. They each have their own house, people & pets. The girls named their cats after each other, so it's kinda funny to hear "Lil'Un, you're going to use the litter box!" Lil'Un goes "Hey!".

I'm heading home later this afternoon & then it's back to work tonight at midnight.

Woo-Hoo!

Peanut has passed her state boards!

From Mom's email:

Family and Friends,

Thank you so, so much for praying for Peanut on her big test day lastTuesday. We just found out this afternoon that she passed. The relief has been exhilarating and such a blessing for Peanut (not to mention a couple of others of us!). The test (computer) stopped after 75 questions which meant that she either passed with flying colors or failed miserably. The wait was not fun for her, but I just couldn’t think that with her grades and hundreds of hours of studying, she wouldn’t have done fine.

We are thankful to the Lord for all the times He gave her the strength to press on. It’s been quite an experience and her tenacity has paid off.

Peanut starts in the labor and delivery unit at (the local hospital) this coming Monday. She will train during first shift and when her training is complete, she will work third shift.

Thanks again for your thoughts and prayers. You all have meant so much to our family these last 3 years.

Blessings To Each Of You,
The Mothership

Sugar Plum

I meant to put this in with the Baby Pictures post, but kinda forgot the little girl. This is Sugar Plum at 8 months, laughing at an apparently very funny Mommy. She loves to stick her tongue out.
I forgot to mention that when Belle, the kids & I went to Kansas City to visit Flanders in training for the new railroad job, a little birdy flew overheard & uhhh... unloaded onto Sugar Plum's head. She was just sitting there, grinning & laughing at us as we laughed at her with a spot of bird crap right smack dab on the top of her little forehead. She didn't care - it was all good to her.

Baby Pictures!

I forgot to mention that Peanut grad-e-ated from Nursing school. (Congratulations!) Jer already has plans to retire in June now that she'll be raking in the dough. A few pics (shamelessly stolen from Kat's Facebook page...)

Nameless (I so need to get a real nickname for this poor kid) with Auntie Peanut & Mommy Kat.
Nameless in the swing at the park. Isn't he a cutie-pie!
And now for the picture that will get me murderized - The Mothership & Peanut.
(Mom, it's a good picture. I don't wanna hear it... ) :-)

Also, forgot to mention that Peanut & Jer bought their first house. It's very cute with a lot of character. And they have the cutest fluffy little baby kitties. Jasmine & Krull the Warrior King are parents. Awww...

Old Maid Aunt

Lil'Un & Elf were after me again on Friday about my love life, or lack thereof.

They asked me if I had a boyfriend & then why not. I asked if I was supposed to have one, they said yes. I'm 28 and that's old enough, so I should be married. Then Lil'Un suggested that I marry Jay, their dad & my cousin. Sorry, kiddos, I may be a bit of a hick but my neck ain't that red...

What's sad is that with their mother out of the picture, both little girls have said they wished I was their mommy.

So do I.

Ooops

I had to change the painting up in the title area. The Mothership pointed out something I'd not noticed - the chick had a little, ummm... wardrobe malfunction. I figure this one is more appropriate anyway, 'cause I've had my nose stuck in a book a lot lately. I'm halfway through book 6 of the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan & have books 7 & 8 waiting at home.

The dog is back home after being neutered. So far, he's not run off, but I feel bad for the poor guy. Anyway, hopefully now he'll quit moving the cistern lid that he's chained to. He's moved it a good 8 inches. It's solid concrete, mind you. Nutcase. I would have to get a freakishly strong dog.

Went up yonder to the farm with Bobo. We were there about an hour before hopping in Belle's van to head to Kansas City to visit Flanders, who started a new job with the railroad there. Bobo wore his Superman cape the whole day and he & Little Man had fun at the park we visited.

By the way, I don't think I've posted a picture of Sugar Plum yet.... well, here she is.

Take a look at those cheeks! And she is so happy & fun, especially when the little tongue is sticking out.

Well, now that I've said hey (Hey!), I think I'll head back to my hibernation...

Misc.

I'm taking Bobo back up to his rightful owners today. By the way, he has this fixation with Superman right now - he calls himself "The Man of Steew". And Grammie made him a shiny red cape that he wears around all the time now.

While we're up there, Rumsfeld is being boarded at the vet's, where he will also be, umm... altered a wee bit. Hopefully this'll help keep him from doing his Houdini tricks, getting away to go find girlfriends. Mom keeps freaking out every time she finds out, yet again, that he hasn't been neutered yet.

~~~~~~~

You Follow Your Head

You're rational, collected, and logical. Generally, it takes you quite a while to fall in love. In fact, you've even been accused of being very picky. While you're cool, you're not ice cold. You just know what you want, and don't mind waiting to get it.

Do You Follow Your Head or Your Heart?

Lagoons & Galoons

Mom & I stopped off at Emporia on the way up to the farm with Bobo. We were in this fun little shop (which is apparently closing soon) when Bobo started doing the potty dance. So we made the trek to the restroom where, upon finishing his business, we had a 5-minute long discussion over washing his hands. It seems that Sage & Citrus soap "smells bad."

We finally got the hands washed & headed for the toys again. And once again, the potty dance made an appearance, this time accompanied by some rather noxious gas.

Back to the bathroom (skip to the loo, my darling...) where we had another, longer discussion, this time over what all the pipes on the walls & ceiling were for & where they all went. I was informed that when the toilet was flushed, "it would go to the galoon!"

The galoon, huh?

Keep in mind, Bobo lives on a farm, where there is no sewage system like all the city folk have. So everything flushed goes to the lagoon, or as it is now dubbed - the galoon.

I also heard an interesting story about how Grammie (The Mothership) came to visit Bobo & entourage & stopped in the driveway. According to the little hobbit, "she got a cup & fiwled it up in da galoon & den she dwank it!" (This was followed by laughter.) I'm assuming this was either an odd dream or some really gross whopper. Can't really see Mom doing anything of the sort.

There was probably more funny & outrageous stuff that went on but I'm very sleepy & cain't remember a durn thing. Hope all y'all have a lovely weekend.

The Chillens

The Mothership & I went up yonder to the farm last weekend to return Bobo to his rightful owners & see the other short ones - Little Man & Sugar Plum.

Auntie LG, of course, had to teach the kiddos some new words & phrases that have absolutely no purpose.

Like "Shiny - Let's be bad guys." Although that one came out as "Siny - Yet's be bad guys" with an adorable laugh. Little Man was even saying his version of "Shiny!" by the time we left.

We watched the hobbits Friday evening while Flanders & Belle went to Topeka for a night out. Sugar Plum isn't used to a bottle, so we were warned she probably wouldn't eat. She didn't but there wasn't any fussing as she was apparently immersed in the movie Mom & I were watching - Return to Me. Even after Momma got home & feeding commenced, she still turned around to watch the computer screen.

I took some toy horses I have (I won't mention just how many of these things I have...) & they were a big hit with the boys. It's been decided that the Mothership will get cats & dogs for the boys, Auntie LG will provide the horses (of course) & F&B will focus on the rest of the farm animals.

There was more funny stuff that happened, but Mom just called & we're going to a tea room in Lindsborg for a late birthday lunch, so I gotta get. I'll try to remember it all & tell ya later.

More Nameless Pictures

Here is Nameless (for now) with his doting Auntie LG.

Ramone & son

The whole shebang - Ramone, Kat & little boy

Nameless

I keep forgetting to post that my so-far-Nickname-Less Nephew (heretofore known as Nameless, for now) was born by C-section at 8:34pm on Sunday, Dec. 3. Momma (Kat) & baby are doing fine, as is the new Daddy (Ramone). I'll post pictures when Ramone remembers to email them to me (hint, hint ;D).

Here he is! Love the first "pose"!

"Hi!"

"Aw, shucks..."

"Mom, there are some strange people staring at me. It's making me nervous..."

Little gangster baby. Heh.

By the way, Kat & Ramone, if you come up with a good nickname for the little feller, let me know.

New Arrival?

Kat's water broke at 3am yesterday & she was induced at 10am (I think.) I've not heard if the new nephew has made his grand entrance yet, but I'll put up a pic when I can. (I still need one of Sugar Plum.) Now to come up with a nickname...

By the way, his initials will be EEW. Heh.

I'm Late, I'm Late...

But the very important date is long past. Oh well.

Happy (very belated) Thanksgiving everyone.

The parental units, Rumsfeld & I went up yonder to the farm for Thanksgiving. The shin-dig was on Friday. My Aunt, Uncle & cousin Roo from Wyoming were there, as were my little cousins, one of whom I'd not met since he was born last summer. Rummy had to be tied in the back yard after he jumped the retaining wall/fence. At least he had lots of company, what with the five little boys (all under the age of six!) running around out there. I had at least four people say "That's not a dog - that's a horse!" in the first half hour.

Roo & I spent part of the discussing the family reunion we are planning for next summer. Holy. Cow. Do y'all realize how difficult it is to plan something that will accomodate the older folks & the little babies, the men & the women, plus allow us to get some important family business done as well? Every time we thought we had something worked out, another option would be brought up or we would be informed it wouldn't work. And this is just Grandma & the families of her four boys. Ah well, it's all good...

Hope all y'all had a lovely & blessed weekend with your families.

The World's Cutest Nephews

And no, I'm not biased at all... ;D

We had a baby shower for Kat & Ramone & their new little boy who will be making an appearance the beginning of December. Flanders & his two little boys - Bobo & Little Man - came down for the goings-on & the boys are staying here with Grammie & Papa (also known as the Mothership & Viking Dad).

We had some very fun conversations on the way to & from the shower, especially with Bobo. Trains are a big thing for him since Papa works for the railroad.

Bobo - "I will not work in the office. I will work in the twain."
Grammie - "Oh, you are?"
Bobo - "Yeah, so I can get money!"

Good little capitalist...

And on the way home, they were both tired so there was a little crankiness goin' on. Especially regarding the lights:

Bobo - "I want the lights on!"
Grammie - "You'll live."
Bobo (in a dramatic manner only a 3-year-old can do) - "No, I won't live!"

And later, to Grammie & Auntie LG:

"Hey! I want to throw you two out the window!"

Peanut & Jer later got that threat as well, after they were accused of smooching. What is the world coming to these days, when a married couple is caught smooching... Oh horrors!

To keep Little Man awake on the way home, I was forced to resort to threats. Every time I was afraid he was going to doze off, he was tickled mercilessly. It got to where I would say "Oh no! I think Little Man is going to sleep!" and he would close his eyes & tilt his head to the side. Then a little smile would start creeping across his face. So cute...

I'll be taking Rumsfeld over the parental units today to play with the hobbits, so there may be more stories to come. Stay tuned...