My how they've grown..

Busy Boy and Busy Girl never cease to amaze me. Watching them grow and evolve into independent individuals is bitter sweet. Here are some new revelations I've discovered about my kids;

• Busy Girl is not a fan of pink, especially if it's the dominant color.
  
• Busy Girl is afraid to flush the toilet if she has to go in the middle of the night (just found this out last night).
• Busy Girl does not like to be the center of attention and is more comfortable blending in.
• Busy Boy is a walking calendar. He remembers dates, school assignments and activities like nobody's business.

Who would've ever thought?

My butt hurts

Well the b-day came and went. No bells or whistles, just a quiet evening at home with my family, just how I like it.

I haven't been doing as best as I can with meal tracking, but I have been walking and did make use of our elliptical machine. Yes, I may not have mentioned that we have one. It's a manual one and an older model, but it works just as good. It has a "coach" program built in that I never utilized until Monday. A little digital figure will show up next to a bar line on the left of the display. Your status is reflected on the right. You have to maintain your intensity to match the coach bars. It started out nice and easy, then suddenly the bars shot up and I had to really work to keep up! All in all, an excellent work out, but by nightfall, my butt ached.

MRSA

The MRSA virus has been all over the media. If you're like me, I've combed the internet for concrete information on what to look for and ways to protect myself and my family. My kids school sent this timely information. Hope it's as helpful to you as it was to me. Stay safe!

We understand that hearing about a “super bug” can be very frightening, particularly to parents. However it is important to keep in mind a few key facts about MRSA:

• MRSA is not a new disease. It has been a challenge to healthcare providers and the public health community since the 1960s. It was first primarily associated with hospitals. In the last several years, it has also become increasingly common in the community.
• MRSA is a type of bacterial infection that is resistant to some but not all antibiotics. It is treatable.
  
• MRSA can cause skin infections. These infections result in redness, warmth, swelling, and tenderness. Often a MRSA infection will look like a spider bite, boil, abscess, or turf burn.
• MRSA skin infections are usually spread by skin-to-skin contact or by direct contact with the drainage from the wound. They may also be spread by contact with contaminated surfaces or things such as sports equipment or personal hygiene items. MRSA skin infections are NOT spread through the air.

Please be aware of the signs and symptoms of MRSA. If you or a family member has any of the symptoms listed above or below, please contact your medical provider. MRSA is treatable. However, if it is left untreated, it can become a serious illness.

• What is MRSA? MRSA refers to a type of bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) that is resistant to many antibiotics. It is a common cause of hospital-acquired infections.
  
  
• Who gets MRSA? Anyone can get MRSA, but it is found most often in hospitalized patients.
  
  
• What are the symptoms associated with MRSA infection? MRSA infections can cause a broad range of symptoms depending on the part of the body that is infected. These may include surgical wounds, burns, catheter sites, eye, skin and blood. Infection often results in redness, swelling and tenderness at the site of infection. Sometimes, people may carry MRSA without having any symptoms. When people become infected outside of the hospital, symptoms usually consist of a pimple or boil.
  
  
• How is it transmitted? The staph bacteria are generally spread through direct contact with a person who is infected with or carrying the organism. Occasionally, MRSA may be spread by contact with surfaces or objects.
  
  
• How long can an infected person carry MRSA? Some people can carry MRSA for days to many months, even after their infection has been treated.
  
  
• How are MRSA infections diagnosed? MRSA infections can be diagnosed when a doctor obtains a sample or specimen from the site of infection and submits it to a laboratory. The laboratory places the specimen on a special "culture" plate containing nutrients, incubates the plate in a warmer and then identifies the bacteria. The final step is for the laboratory to conduct tests using various antibiotics to determine if the bacteria are resistant (able to withstand or tolerate) or sensitive (susceptible to killing) to select antibiotics.
  
  
• What is the treatment for MRSA? Most MRSA infections are treated with basic wound care. More severe cases can usually be treated with an antibiotic called vancomycin. Newer antibiotics are being developed to address this problem.
  
  
• How can the spread of MRSA be controlled? Careful hand washing is the single most effective way to control spread of MRSA. Heath care workers should wash their hands after contact with each patient. If the patient is known to have an MRSA infection, the health care worker should wear disposable gloves. Depending on the type of contact, a gown should also be worn. Patients must also wash their hands to avoid spreading the bacteria to others.

In addition you should practice good hygiene daily:

1. Keep your hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and water or using an alcohol based hand sanitizer
2. Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until healed
3. Avoid contact with other people’s wound or bandages
4. Avoid sharing items such as towels, soap or razors

• What about contact with carriers? If basic hygiene precautions are followed, MRSA carriers are not a hazard to others including their family and friends.
  
  
• Can I get a staph or MRSA infection at my health club? It is possible to become infected by staph or MRSA at your health club by direct skin-to-skin contact with another person or by contact with surfaces or equipment (less likely). You can protect yourself from infections by practicing good hygiene by:

• keeping your hands clean by washing with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand rub and showering after working out;
• covering any open skin area such as abrasions or cuts with a clean dry bandage;
• avoiding sharing personal items such as towels, soaps or razors;
• using a barrier (e.g., clothing or a towel) between your skin and shared equipment;
• wiping surfaces of equipment before and after use.
  

Where can I get more information?

• Your doctor, nurse or clinic
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website at: http://www.cdc.gov/
• The Burlington County Department of Health at (609)265-5548
• The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (NJDHSS) at (609) 588-7500 or on the NJDHSS Website at http://www.state.nj.us/health
  
  

Fiesty Little Pepper

Yesterday was a get organized day. My office was a cluttered mess and I couldn't work, amongst the piles of books, magazines and papers. There was a segment on the Today Show last week about organizing book shelves, so I dusted and reorganized ours. It looks really nice and makes a huge difference!

During my cleaning frenzy, I came across a journal that my cousin made when Busy Girl was a baby (6 months). At the time my cousin operated a child care center out of her home and she watched Busy Girl while I worked. She made the journal by covering a wire bound notebook with batting, pink fabric, white and gold lace and my favorite photo of Busy Girl on the cover! It was so cute! We used this journal as a way to communicate with one other about Busy Girl and to record her daily activities.

Here is the first entry:

August 4, 1997

This is my first entry in Busy Girl's Journal. Today she has been very playful, every time I'd give her a bottle she'd bang her arm against it. She also spit food out, took her shoes off and tried to suck her toes...

She had several big poops and was extremely delighted after she had done them. She ate very well today, but didn't sleep much. She'll surely fall out tonight.

Oh! By the way, she pulled loose her ponytail on the side - no fights today -(smile).

Love - Cousin D

P.S.
We need more diapers!!

Here is my first entry:

August 6, 1997

I gave Busy Girl her first Arrowroot biscuit tonight. She stared at it and passed it from each hand for a good five minutes before putting it into her mouth!

SHE LOVES THEM!!!

Then she kept losing the cookie, first it fell to her side (she screamed), then it somehow ended up under her chin (she yelled), then it got stuck on her bib and she couldn't see it (she grunted). At the end she had cookie all over her hands face and bib.Love, Mom


Reading these entries made me remember what a "Feisty Little Pepper" Busy Girl was when she was a baby! Not only was she feisty, but she was plump as a piglet! She was so heavy my arms ached from picking her up.

I'm thankful for the journal. Occasionally 10 year old Busy Girl will read the entries and laugh at all her entertaining antics as a baby.

I read the entries and am reminded of how all children are priceless gifts from God.

Thank you God for our Fiesty Little Pepper!

Nature, the good, bad and ugly...

I mentioned in another post that I am a lover of nature. Well, some nature can be pretty rank.

(stop here if you have a weak stomach)



While walking Busy Pup the other day, we happened across an unfortunate frog that had his head chopped off. How is that possible you ask? Well I have no idea. All I know is this frog which was about the size of my hand, had a clean cut and his eyes and mouth were gone. I came to the conclusion that it was mangled in a lawn mower accident, had to be, the cut was too clean. At first I thought it was a toy, but immediately realized it was real. Well it's been 4 days and the headless frog is still out there. It is now a dark moldy grey. I'm completely grossed out. It has moved from the street to the grass next to the mailboxes. I almost stepped on it. My neighbor informed me that her dog picked it up from the street and started to eat it before she realized what it was. She made him drop it, and now it's rotting near the mailboxes. I'm so grossed out. UGGGG. Now I have to be on the look-out of a molding frog.

Talk about an appetite suppressor!

Quiet Muffs

Every day after school, I chat with Busy Boy and Busy Girl about their day at school. Direct questions like, "How was your day?", "How was school?" or "What did you do in school today?", has always gotten me a limited response. I've discovered a question that seems to work much better (at least for us it works)... "Anything interesting happen today?" . They flood me with information about their friends and teachers and eventually themselves.

Today Brandon informed me that the teacher let him use the "quiet muffs" today. I had no idea of what he was talking about. At first I thought he was being disruptive in class and needed to wear some type of earmuff contraption to calm down-I was immediately on the defense. What is a "quiet muff" exactly? Busy Girl chimed in with a description, "It looks like large headphones with cushions around the ears. Kids wear them to muffle sounds so they can work without distraction. Some kids have their own quiet muffs that they bring to school with their names on them."

O-K-A-Y.

Since I was within arms reach of my computer, I looked them up and found this photo...



They look like headphones from back in the day. I had no idea they were re-invented as "quiet muffs" and used in the school system. Interesting. Have you ever heard of such a thing?

Oh well, you learn something new every day!

Oatmeal Cream Cakes

I love oatmeal cream cakes (aka Little Debbies). If given the opportunity, I could polish off a box in no time flat. Comfort "junk" food at it's best.

Today after dropping off Busy Girl for her softball fast-pitch clinic, Busy Boy and I went to the library. After making our book selections we past the dreaded vending machine. Busy Boy wanted to get a treat, and since I don't keep much junk food in the house, I decided to allow him a treat. Why did he pick the Little Debbie oatmeal cream cake? OH NO! The temptation to take a bite was overwhelming, but I did it! I gave in to the temptation!

P.S.
The Halloween bag of Swedish Fish have stopped calling my name as well.

The Turkeys are Back!

My office is located in the back of the house, facing about 2 acres of trees separating us from the New Jersey Turnpike. At first it took some getting use to. In Michigan, my office was in the front of the house and I was able to view all the happenings and activities of the neighborhood; watch the kids play, see the school bus drop off, get the mail as soon as it's delivered and more importantly, catch a neighbor in action as she let her dog poop on our front lawn.

Since working in the back of the house I'm exposed to an entirely different world, the world of nature. Highlights include; the family of eight deer that travel and live in the woods, a variety of beautiful birds, cardinals, a ton of very loud blue birds, soaring hawks, bunny rabbits, stray cats, buzzards (yuck), thousands (yes thousands)of birds congregating in the trees before making that trip South (I tell Busy Boy it's a bird rest stop) and wild turkeys.

Last year, on exactly November 1st, I looked out my back window to see what I thought were 12 buzzards walking around the back lawn. I was completely grossed out and disgusted because I assumed something big and dead was rotting nearby. Well one bird suddenly spread his feathers out when I realized those weren't buzzards, but Turkeys! It looked like a perfect text book illustrated Turkey. I tried to get some pictures with my camera phone but they were very blurry. They hung around for the entire month of November, many neighbors saw them walking around on Thanksgiving day!

Well on Monday, while in my office, I noticed some movement out of the corner of my eye and there they were - about seven wild turkeys strolling around. I started yelling, "The Wild Turkeys are back! The Turkeys are back!", and grabbed my camera heading for the deck to get some clear shots. Busy Boy was right behind me. Busy Girl was walking the pooch. Busy Boy and I must have scared them off because they took off into the woods and haven't been seen since. I'm sure they will be back, I'll be here watching and waiting with camera at hand.

Charlotte's Web

We live in a cul-de-sac that is surrounding a tree filled island. It's perfect for walking the pooch and serves as an adventure filled location for the neighborhood kids. On any given day it serves as a camp site, a battlefield, a house filled with baby doll strollers and baby doll beds or a place to play adventure hide-and-seek.

Saturday morning we were all bustling to get ready for Busy Boy's football game and I took the pooch out for a quick walk through the "forest". It was a very foggy morning and the morning dew left the grass and trees wet. Occasionally a spider will build a web between two trees so my personal adventure begins as I weave through the forest avoiding a face full of web. Well today I think Charlotte paid us a visit! Here are photos of a magnificent web with Charlotte planted smack in the middle.

I fell down...

Ok, I messed up today. I walked for only thirty minutes and did not do well with meal tracking. We have a bag of Halloween candy (mini bags of swedish fish) that have been calling my name. OK, today I ate two bags (120C for the two bags)....and a chicken club sandwich from Wendys. It was terrible (the sandwich, not the swedish fish). I'm not a fan of fast food, I don't know why I ate it. Laziness I guess and not being prepared.

Things have been pretty hectic over the past couple of weeks. It's always a juggling effort. I'm usually juggling only three balls; family - work - home. Literally everyday of the week is a scheduled commitment for the children;
Sun: Softball Practice for Busy Girl
Mon: Football Practice for Busy Boy
Tues: Softball Game for Busy Girl
Wed: Football Practice for Busy Boy
Thurs: Softball Pitching Clinic for Busy Girl
Fri: Football Practice for Busy Boy
Sat: Football Game for Busy Boy

My work load comes in waves. Most times it's usually either very busy or very slow. Currently, I'm knee deep in a busy season. I'm sitting in front of the computer from the time the busy kids leave for school, until they return. Then it's snack, homework, and prepare for the busy Boy/Girl activity.

Then there is dinner, laundry, baths/showers, preparation for the next day, clothes, lunches, check homework, sign papers, feed and walk Busy Dog, clean kitchen. After the house is quiet, I "try" to jump back into work mode. There was a time when I was able to work into the wee hours while everyone sleeps without skipping a beat. But lately, my eyelids get so heavy after midnight, I must go to bed. I'm thankful to David Letterman and Conan, they help to keep me alert.

Recently, I added another ball to the mix. I took on a freelance position with a small business owner. I will be doing some marketing for him on a project basis. It's been a challenge jumping to and from my projects to his. I haven't gotten the flow down yet, but I'm sure I will. I'm trying desperately to keep up and not drop one of the important balls, it's a struggle. Today I just couldn't stay on track. Tomorrow will be better.

WaWa

I started my 30 day challenge on October 1st which includes meal tracking and getting in 4 hours of exercise per week. It's day two and I've been on point with the meal tracking. On Sunday Busy Boy's football team participated in a local parade celebrating the towns 325th Anniversary. I walked with him in the parade. Not sure about the mileage but we walked for at least an hour, I'm including that in my 4 hour weekly goal. Only three hours to go. (Busy Husband thinks I shouldn't include walking in the parade as a workout-what do you think?)

The only temptation that could have thwarted my progress is the local WaWa. WaWa (for those who don't know) is like a 7-Eleven, but one million times better. They are a food/convenience market that sells everything plus more. They have at 9 different flavors of coffee and a variety of flavored creams to go with. WaWa also sells pastries, sandwiches (breakfast, subs and make your own specialty), healthy snacks, ice cream, drinks, fruit, make your own milkshakes, slushie machine, everything - all fresh and waiting to be consumed. The local WaWa is clean, well lit and stocked with fresh items and a courteous staff who love working there. The lines move quickly and it's always crowded.

Well, it's been a treat for me to run in after putting the kids on the school bus for a 20oz vanilla cream coffee w/cream (no sugar) and an old fashioned donut or cinnamon muffin. hmmmm. Well, Busy Husband called me yesterday frantic to let me know that the WaWa was temporarily closed for renovations!!!! OH NO!! They are expanding the store and I believe they may be adding a gas station. I don't know how long they will be out of commission, but I guess the timing could not have been better.