Pumpkin Carving '09

Tonight was the big night: Carving pumpkins!

The girls each got their pumpkins (that we bought at Lynd's Farm, weeks ago) and staged them for carving.

Carly and Abby had a blast- I was nervous with them both having a steak knife to carve with, so I took over carving duties for Abby. Carly did hers all on her own, and Isabella had a little (a lot) of help from mommy. See, Boo wanted nothing to do with the pumpkin. I figured she would do OK once we got it home... but noooo. She still hates the big 'ol squash!

If you can stick it out, watch until about 2 minutes, 5 seconds. Carly stumbles and lands in the baby's lap. Both are OK, so go ahead and laugh. I do everytime I see it! (Is that bad?)

Eating pumpkin guts!


Love the look on Carly's face!

Isabella's kitty pumpkin

Abby & Carly's pumpkins

Carly Tells Me...

...I should be a professional 'nature' photographer. Sigh. Maybe I will take a photo class or two. I am not that great. I just have a great camera that takes good up close shots! LOL. Kids.

Check out the bugs in the middle of the flowers :)

Took me three times to get this picture...and I am still not completely satisfied with it!

I had no idea that there was a ladybug on the bush, until I was editing the pictures! (on the left)

Leaves on the walkway going up to the yard

I am not sure if this is a bee, or not, but it kept hanging out around us. I tried to get it to climb on to my hand, but it wouldn't. Isabella even swatted it, and it came back for more. Totally harmless...and o'so beautiful!

I love how you can see the antenna, wings, legs and eyes. Amazing anatomy :)

Such A Rough Life

Isabella was born to be outside. She would rather be outside freezing, then inside tearing up the house.

On this particular day, the girls wanted to play outside. Early. It was 9am and the temp on the computer said 28*. If it wasn't 28, it was darn near close. With Carly and Abby bundled up, it was now the babys turn. Naturally, she ripped off her beanie, and God forbid she wear anything that impedes her little fingers from picking up anything (I guess we need to train her to wear gloves or mittens). So anywho, I busted out her snow-suit... yeah, yeah, yeah... it kept her warm, and got her dressed and ready. Out they went.

Don't worry, she is not freezing cold in the picture (no hat or gloves)...by the time I took this picture it was 50'ish outside. After a couple hours they all came inside. But soon after Carly and Abby went back out...leaving behind a certain someone. That certain someone had a fit because I would not put on her shoes, jacket and hat to let her play outside again. Such a rough life.

Day 3

Today marks day three of 'tooth-be-gone'. I tell you, it hurts today more than yesterday, and about as equally painful as the day of surgery. I can't tell you why... I can only imagine that it is because I have tried several hard foods today. No, I have not chewed on that side...but the motion of chewing is kind'of a bilateral thing. Basically, I am screwed. Because of the pain (yes, I am a sissy), I have resorted to these:

So here I type with a cold pack stuck to my cheek, a glass of wine to my lips and ibuprofen melting away in my gut! All I need is a little calgon and a hot tub, and I might be feeling pretty swell. Until it all kicks in, here I type... hurting like hell.

Now I Remember Why I Hate the Dentist

This next picture is not for the lite-stomached!
So I could not take the pain anymore. I have been putting off an abscessed tooth extraction since July. Yes, July. The pain became very unbearable this weekend, so at 8am this morning, I was in line at the OSU College of Dentistry ER clinic. Yes, I promised myself months ago that I would never go back... but I needed a quick fix, and I knew they were the only ones that would look at it (for the first time) and pull it out on the same day.

Triage was *pretty much* (said very loosely) routine: They ask what's wrong, I tell them and they look. However, since it is a college (I am making assumptions here), they like to do every test known to man, all in the name of figuring out what's not wrong. I told them which tooth (#30) was bothering me and I even told them the diagnosis. Yet, they still ran a hot/cold sensitive test, a biting/pressure test and finally a test to see which tooth hurts more when hit with a tool. The conclusion was that #30 needed to be pulled (DUH) or have the root canal re-done. Um, no. You are not 're-doing' a 20 year old root canal. Sigh. They offered to save the tooth... meaning, do the root canal and re-crown it... for only $610.00. Yeah- at the moment I owe OSU $2700.00, I am not about to add another $610.00 to a new department. So I opted to have a gaping hole in my mouth. I guess when I am rich I can buy an implant :)

So after signing my life away-well at least my tooth- we headed up to Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery. I was OK until I sat in the chair...awake. The grad-student gave me 2 rounds of novocaine. That was fine and dandy, but I was still tense. She had a very hard time getting the crown off my tooth, and since I was so tense, she offered me Nitrous Oxide (N2O). I have never had nitrous, so it was interesting. Felt kinda lala'ie and drunk... without all the negative effects of being drunk. I guess. After that kicked in, she went digging into my crown again. It finally popped off... but that is when it got ugly. Whenever she made an attempt to pull up my tooth, I could feel the pain at the root of the tooth (where the nerve is located). I cried to myself. When she noticed, she asked if I was crying from the pressure or pain. When she asked why I hadn't said anything, I could only reply, "I was hoping it would be over soon". But we were nowhere near the end...so she gave me another novocaine shot and up'ed the N2O! By that time, I was sailing on cloud nine. She pulled the tooth out and said (and I quote), "She's a beauty". That is just wrong. Wrong!

To spare you from the remaining details, just know that I am now in pain and am hungry. The resident dentist didn't feel that I needed anything for pain and that I should just take ibuprofen instead. Yeah, cause we all have the same pain. I'm sorry, when it comes to tooth pain, I am a sissy. I would rather give birth again, and again, and again than have tooth pain... or phantom tooth pain. So here I sit. In agony, because they will not give me anything to treat the pain. If I had any wine, I would drink it! But that is not the case. I do have some headache meds... but I don't think that they work. Tried it.

OK, that is all... the picture is to come. It's not bad (I don't think)... it is the whole tooth, root and all. It is actually very pretty...if you are into that kinda thing. Oh, and heavy. Hum, I should have weighed it at work today. O'well :)



WARNING!!!!!!!
The small cap is the crown that went over the head of the tooth after the first root canal (done sometime in '89). The large part is obviously the tooth. There are fibrous materials on the tooth because it was wrapped up in gauze, and stuck to it. Yummmmy! Kidding. Nasty!

Tangent on Halloween Costumes....

I realize that there are many clean costumes out there... I just wanted to point out a few that parents should really reconsider when shopping for those last minute ideas....
At the end of the day it is our responsibility as parents to put our foot down and say "no" to those unwanted costumes, clothing and make-up- don't let your child be your boss. Have morals (or stick to your morals) and make them chose something clean and less sexualized.

Teach your child the true meaning behind Halloween- teach your child what people wore when Halloween originated in Ireland with the Celtics... teach them about the Romans conquering the Celtic territories and in turn having Halloween become a Christianity (and Pagan) influenced holiday. Teach your children that Halloween is to intended to give rest and honor those that are no longer with us. Teach them what 'trick or treat' means (in whatever religion or non-religion you participate in). Teach you child that 'Jack-O-Lanterns' were originally cut to frighten the demons away...

Teach your child to respect Halloween for what it is and for where it originates. Just as equally important, teach your child to respect their body... and to chose appropriate costumes.

Now for the tangent part of this blog....

Do you want your daughter parading around in this? For only $39.99, she too can look like a playmate.

"Did you know ladybugs are lucky? Someone will get very lucky when you wear this Playboy Lucky Ladybug costume to party, kicking up your heels in the flirty skirt and saucy dotted thigh highs. Wonder who it will bee?" ~Spirit Halloween

Or better yet...


Through one on-line costume company, this preteen costume is advertised as "Preteen Red Storybook Pirate"....


On 3wishes.com it is listed as an "Adult Wench" costume.

Humm, interesting. The same looking costume on two different web-sites geared for two COMPLETELY different age groups. Humm.

Because every preteen girl wants to be a "Preteen Hottie Referee" ...

...Just like Kendra from the girls next door.

"American girls, say experts, are increasingly being fed a cultural catnip of products and images that promote looking and acting sexy." ~The Washington Post

These last two have been pulled by their suppliers... the first was sold exclusively through "Spirit Halloween". Now tell me, where is the spirit behind this illegal alien costume? Totally distasteful. I find no humor behind the hate and racism.

Most popularized through media is this Illegal alien costume sold through many chains across America; including: Toys R Us, Target, Wal-Mart and Meijer.

Again, where is the humor? Because last I knew, most of us are decedents of illegal immigrants. Hum. Weird.

Carly's Fall Choir Concert

Carly's choir class performed last Wednesday night. The 7th graders performed 5 songs and the 8th graders performed 5 songs. We left right after the 7th graders were done. It was good-short, but good.

The video is the end of True Colors... I liked the way they performed this song... and I loved how the baby was really into it. :)

I Heart Fall

I promise, I will not bombard you with anymore fall pictures. I *think* this will be the last of them... *think* being the key word here :) I just love all the beautiful colors.

I have officially decided that Fall is my favorite season (until winter hits, then spring and summer)- I had a great evening yesterday standing outside listening to the wind and rain, and watching the leaves fall from the tree tops. It was relaxing just being apart of mother nature--watching and listening to her hard at work. Fall is truly exhilarating


Most of the slide pictures were taken around the house... but a couple were as we were driving. But nevertheless, they are all central Ohio colors :)

Fall Colors

I decided to take a few pictures of the fall colors before they are gone for the season. More to come soon....

Stinky, Stinky Feet

Today was the big day that Carly had her ingrown toenail removed. Her appointment was moved from 3pm to 2pm... however Tom had some timing issues, making us 40 minutes late! Oooops! Luckily the doctor saw us- despite our late arrival.

Carly was seen by Doctor Eric Monson, D.P.M at the OSU podiatry office. He was super friendly (as was his staff), thorough and honest. After being denied by podiatrist after podiatrist (not taking pediatrics), I was glad he accepted us. We could not have asked for a better doctor!



So her appointment...
Her toe is still pretty infected- so much that he did not want to do a total removal because it is too infected. That procedure (I think a 'Phenol Cauterization') will be done after it heals and when she can be sedated... she does not do well :(
So for now he cut out both of the ingrown toenails (from both sides) and wrapped it. It is fixed- but since this condition is in her genes, it is a temporary fix. She goes back next Friday to have it looked at again. Oh, and when she goes in for the appointment when it is healed, she will have the ingrown toenail on her RIGHT foot removed as well. Yes, the other foot has one too. Sigh.

Happy, but feeling the throbbing effects of the novacaine wearing off.

Then, on the way home...........

In even MORE Werner fashion, the car broke down on the freeway... like 10 miles from our house... 1 mile from our exit. I was in tears. After watching a car catch on fire in the middle of the road (in Arizona), I am scared... and afraid of anything going wrong with the fuel. Tom narrowed the problem down to bad gas or water in the gas. After an hour or so, Henry met us at the end of the exit (we finally made it to the ramp) with new gas. After letting it cycle through the line, we were good to go. However, we probably have to take it in to Goodyear to have them reset the 'check engine' light. But because of the vigorous activity of turning on the car and having it sputter, she needs to go in for a tune up. Figures.

However, the Dodgers won game two... so that makes up for a poopy time on the freeway. Oh, and it might snow tonight. Yay. (that is sarcasm)

www.october15th.com (Pregnancy loss awareness day)

On November 10, 2004 my world stood still for what seemed to be an eternity. I was home alone. Tom at work, Carly at school and Abby at daycare. I stood in my bedroom, in shock and confusion. I stood there with my baby in my hand. Our child was only a little over 3 months gestation, and here I was holding not knowing what to do with my child.

The morning started out relatively normal. Rising to the beautiful Arizona sunshine and preparing for the day ahead just like we did everyday. After everyone left is when things started to go wrong. Many points are blurry, but the most intense moments are just as vivid as the day it happened. Mid morning I decided to go to the bathroom... upon wiping I noticed a little blood. First thought was OK, this is OK. But when it didn't stop, I became frantic. I had no idea who to call, what to do, or where to go. I *think* I called my friend and I *think* I couldn't get ahold of her, so I called my nursing teacher. She advised me to call the doctor or go to the nearest hospital. I then called my mom. I do remember that. She told me to calm down. Then I go blank.

Next memory I have is going back to the bathroom. At that point the baby came out. Completely in the sack. In my hand. In total disbelief (even though I could clearly see that it was a baby with two arms, two legs, a trunk and a head), I kept the baby there in my hands for a moment- cradling it while rocking back and forth on the toilet sobbing like never before. After what seemed to be a lifetime, I wrapped my baby in a paper towel and put it into a zip lock baggy. I draw a blank from here.

The next thing I know, I am at the hospital ER examining room. By myself. No friends, no family. I did not even call Tom to let him know what was going on. I give the doctor the baby, and she confirms that I am not pregnant anymore. DNC is done. Ativan is given to me. I call Tom. He comes. I then, and only then, tell him that the baby is gone. He never got to say goodbye. He never got to see him (or her) and never got to hold him. I am sorry for taking that away from you.

Now here we are, almost 5 years later. With our three beautiful, healthy daughters... for which we are truly grateful for. Our little lost gift is always in our hearts and thoughts- and will never be forgotten. And in my heart, I really believe that our little lost gift was our baby boy that we never had- and that for some reason, God had other plans for him.

There are many stories like mine... so please, in honor of all the miscarriages and lost babys, light a candle tonight and think of us... think of them. :)

Toenail gone awry

We visit the hospital once again.

But this time her toe is 'too infected' to do surgery...

So she has 10 days of antibiotics...

and will have the double infected toenail removed on Friday (October 16th).

That's what she gets for trying to hide it. She even had the audacity to tell the doctor that it has only been that way for a week. But he was on to her and said, "this is at least two weeks old... if not one month old".

Can't fool a man who know signs and medicine, Carly. DOH!

...but we still love you anyways, Carly...


...ugly toe and all :)