Both Home Sick

Bubby woke us up about 6am this morning because he had a headache, his nose was so stuffy, and he had a dry cough. His fever was 102.2 so I gave him an Ibuprofen and decongestant then sent him back to bed. His headache and sore throat has stayed away all day and so did the high fever. Unfortunately, evening is at hand and his fever is back up to 102.4...you can tell he just feels yucky.

Little Miss has ran a low grade fever all day...this is day three for her. She too has a dry, unproductive cough but without complaints of aches, headache or stuffiness. Hopefully, she'll be through all of it soon.

Funny that neither one of them feel too bad to irritate the other...I've been dealing with that all day...

Now hubby and I stare at each other and wonder, who is next? And is this just some bug or could it be a case of mild H1N1 or the seasonal flu?

Giveaway Winner!

Wow! Somehow I lost track of time and it's time to announce the winner of my giveaway. There were 15 comments left and I used Random.org to pick my winner. And the winner is....

Amanda, at Lunchbox Limbo

Amanda, you have 48 hours to collect your prize! Message me and I'll make arrangements to send it your way! Congratulations!

Is it SAD?

Where has the time gone? For those of you that haven't thought about it...Christmas is 57 days away. Haven't started my shopping yet, how about you??

This grey and overcast rainy weather is depressing the heck out of me. My mother-in-law tells me I have SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). Of course, I read the description on Web MD and I thought we just might all have a bit of SAD. I went out to lunch with a girlfriend the other day and she actually said "I can't wait for the snow". That just seems crazy to me and I don't understand that line of thought. Snow is okay if I don't have to be anywhere and it melts in it's entirety in about 24 hours. I'm already thinking and saying "I can't wait for the sun and warm weather" which unfortunately, is several months away. By the way, don't forget that your clocks fall back an hour on November 1st. Then it can be cold and dark... This is a picture of that awful place we lived last summer on the gulf coast. This was 15 minutes from my house and now I'm thinking maybe I was a little crazy...

Little Miss hasn't been herself spunky little self the last few days. She's been crying at the drop of a hat, seems so sleepy and has had a cough. I kept her home from school today (much to her dismay) and she told me all day she felt fine. As a matter of fact, she cried for two hours this morning when she woke up and realized bubby was at school while she'd been left behind. Of course, I told her that it was evident to me that she indeed did need to be home if she was going to cry like that. This evening I used my beloved and accurate glass thermometer and she had a fever of 100.0--will keep a close eye on it tonight. Amazingly she took the news that she would not being to school again okay. Bubby pipes in, "Am I going to school tomorrow?". As if....

Bubby is nine!

Bubby had his 9th Birthday! He decided he wanted to have it at Burger King...initially I thought that there were better options but we really had a ball! He's going through that phase where he doesn't know how to smile...Blowing out the candles...

I know he's growing up because he actually reads the cards...

We got kid's meals for all the kids...that was fun to keep straight

I was trying to show my pretty blue teeth off from the cake. Thought I'd share this because we moms really are at the parties, we're just not usually seen!

The children had a blast playing in the play area but somehow I missed pictures of that because I was trying to get everything else done.

I recommend a party at Burger King...it was very affordable and the kid's had fun...which is the most important thing!

First word that comes to mind...

First word that comes to mind when you see this picture...please share

I'm so not "techy"

Thank goodness that my internet is up and working again! Of course, I feel like a complete moron because the reason it wasn't working was MY fault. Not to everyone and self: Make sure you have a filter on all phone lines if you have DSL...life without internet just didn't feel right!!

Hard Wallet Giveaway

At my in-law's house...again...darn computer!

Just a reminder that my giveaway ends on this coming Wednesday, October 28th. For more information follow this link.

My computer is sick...

My computer is sick...at my in-laws right now...and will hopefully be back on next Monday. If I'm not back on before then, have a fabulous weekend!

Tasty Tuesday: Chicken & Rice

This is one of those super easy, put all the ingredients in one pan and forget about it meals!

Chicken & Rice

1 can cream of chicken
1 can cream of mushroom
1 can cream of celery
1 pkg. onion soup mix
1 cup water
3 cups rice (yes, I use Minute Rice)
4 chicken breasts

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes

Pretty in Pink

My pretty princess...

Gratitude Challenge

I was visiting "Deal"ightfully Frugal and I saw the "Gratitude Challenge". Last month I posted Gratitude Attitude and I shared about how I often forget all that I have to be thankful for. I've also mentioned some of my greatest struggles and how I sometimes have the tendency to feel really sorry for myself, while forgetting to see the blessings in my life.

So...I'm taking the Gratitude Challenge, a 21-day challenge created to help you take note of the brighter side of life. I'm planning on sharing what I learn on my journey and how I feel about the blessings I so often neglect, ignore or just plain don't see.

Feel free to join me on this journey!

It's the sun!!

For those of you that don't remember...this is the sun...and I have really, really good news!
It's still out there. I know this to be true because it peeked it's little head out to shine through my patient's windows today. So, for those that are tired of the unusually cool temps and grey skies, be encouraged. Beneath those clouds, the sun is still there!!

Wordless Wednesday

(kind of the wrong time of the year, but what the heck...)

If you look close you can see the Easter egg right in the middle of the flower. Sometimes we don't see what is right in front of our face...

My First GIVEAWAY

Drum roll, please...time for my first

GIVEAWAY!While I must admit that I'm a bit of a nerd that carries a really small purse that has the special little zipper compartment on the side that holds my I.D., cash and credit cards, I don't use one of these myself. However, my mother-in-law and several of my girlfriends love theirs and frequently tell me I need to convert to a full fledged big purse carrying gal, with a wallet.

The Metropolitan Hard Case Opera wallet is sleek, unique & chic - soft on the outside! Small enough for a purse, convenient enough so that you won't need one. Superb full-frame design & stylish exterior, pairs fashion with durability. Opens easily & lies flat to allow easy access. Multi-function interior accommodates book of checks, zippered change pocket, ID photo window, credit card slots & billfold pocket. Measures 7" X 4".

(Description borrowed from http://www.myjewelthief.net/)

(Leave a separate comment for each of these. The more things you do, the better your chances of winning!)

-Sign up to follow But Such is Life
-Subscribe to receive But Such is Life in your email
-Subscribe to RSS feed for But Such is Life
-Follow But Such is Life on twitter
-Grab my button and add it to your page (Be sure to leave your link so I can check it out!)
-Blog about this giveaway on your blog (Again, please be sure to leave your link so I can check it out!)
-Share why you need something like this to help get organized

Rules: Open to readers in the US and Canada. Giveaway ends October 28, 2009 at 11:59pm EST. The winner will be randomly chosen by third party and will have 48 hours to respond. Good luck to everyone entering!

You can't buy a paper with a Chucke E. Cheese Token

We just stopped by Baskin Robbins (yummy!!) to get an ice cream cone. This girl was banging on the front of the newspaper coin insert thingy and was frustrated because it ate her money. She said she'd paid her three quarters. As I got close, I looked at the coin insert and a coin was hanging out...a Chucke E. Cheese Token, that is. Thanks goodness that hubby had a spare quarter in his pocket!

What would we do without our kids?? Live would be so boring!

Roadtripping with Hubby

Hubby had to go out of town for a business trip and I had the opportunity to go with him. Because he wasn't able to leave until after Bubby's birthday party yesterday (yes, more info and photos on that later) I rode with him to keep him company. Poor guy...I lasted until about 1am and then he wound up having to keep himself company. I would rouse for a few seconds and hear him singing quietly to himself. Guess I flunked the whole keeping him up thing. Important thing is...we made it safely. I got to sleep in until noon today and now he's been napping for three hours. I'm thinking I'm going to wake him up in a bit and see if he wants to go see a movie. Any good ideas? Crab legs were calling my name too but they're just so darn expensive!

Sometimes we will sit at the computer in the evenings and find funny videos to watch on You Tube. The other night we found Tim Hawkins, a christian comedian that was cracking us up!! Thought I'd share a couple of his clips to make the rest of you laugh as well. We started looking at his website and we're now looking forward to going to one his performances that will be near our home. I'm sure I'll have something funny to share from that!


Hubby was howling over this one!

Next time you're singing "I Can Only Imagine" you're gonna be thinking about margarine!

Early Morning Soccer

We got to play soccer at 9am this morning and the temperature was 32 degrees...that's freezing! Really! Thank goodness that the sun was out and the wind was almost nonexistent.

After bubby's game we had an hour to waste until the little princess' game. You know how it is--an hour seems like such a long time until the time is up and you have to be somewhere else. We were getting ready to walk out the door when I realize bubby has no shoes or socks on. When I asked him why had taken them off he responded "I had to go to the bathroom"...you know....like duh, mom. Does anyone else have to remove their footwear to use the pottie? That would be super inconvenient at work!

I'm gonna use Momma Such's frequent words (from Raising my Four Sons)...Boys can be so silly!

Hubby and I sat and watched both of our kiddies play soccer today and neither team scored any goals. I'm such a nerd...I accidentally called it a touchdown (and I really do know the difference). We just tell both the kids that having fun is the most important thing...and we mean it...mostly!

I opt out!

You knew it was coming...there's no way I can't share my own decision.

As many know, I'm a Registered Nurse that works in the Intensive Care Unit. Thanks goodness that we have so many educated and well-qualified doctors that work everyday to save lives. If I'm in a car accident or cut off my finger, I want an incredible surgeon to patch me up and sew everything back together. If I develop respiratory failure, I want a knowledgeable pulmonologist to help my lungs recover. When I get a nasty bacterial infection, I'll take the antibiotics I need to help me get better. Doctors, pharmaceuticals, hospitals, treatments, etc. definitely have a time and a place.

I signed a declination this week refusing the seasonal flu vaccine as well as the H1N1 vaccine at work. I feel like I made an informed decision...I've read what the WHO and the CDC says about this new flu. I've watched programs on regular TV discussing the concerns about not receiving vaccines as well. Of course, I've also read a lot on other sites like Dr. Mercola or other bloggers that have looked into this hot topic--Giovanni's World seems to have done a very thorough job of researching, and has multiple links that supports his own choice.

This is my advice. Research. Read. Investigate. Don't follow blindly but make an informed decision that you feel good about. I've opted out. The hospital I work at has basically said that there is every possibility that I will not be working when and if the "pandemic" is declared. I was told there is suspicion that this will start around December through March. That means for four months I won't have a pay check, however, I have to do what I feel is right for me and my family. I'm hopeful that this whole Swine Flu scare will have been much ado about nothing and we'll sail through, making their proposed statistics mean nothing.

And on a lighter note...

Five Word Challenge

Amo, at Where A Woman Shakes Her Tablecloth, accepted the "Five Word Challenge" from Janie B. at Life Not Wasted Or Lost (who just happens to be her mother), and as I read her answers I thought it might be fun to share some of me as well.

Here goes...

1. Movie. I love movies. Doesn't matter if it's a romance, animated, comedy, action, drama, horror (in really small doses), based on a true story or just so silly it could never be true. I think that I like the whole escapism part where I can cease being me and just completely absorb myself in whatever I'm watching...now that's a good movie...when you can do that! I also think that my life has had enough chaos (good and bad) that maybe I could write a book and have a movie produced about my life. Maybe I'd title it But Such is Life, or maybe not.


2. Silence. What is that? I'm not really sure that I know the definition--it's not something that I do very well. Most of the time I'm surrounded by my children and they are definitely never quiet. Maybe it's the fact that I don't have the ability to not talk. When I'm by myself...when there's complete silence...I whistle, I sing, I hum, I tap on the table, I roll a pen between my fingers where it hits my rings and makes a clicky sound. Silence is not me, although at times I wish it were.


3. Laughter. What a beautiful sound. What an incredible feeling. There's nothing like a big belly laugh that you can hear from across the room. Better yet, how about the sound of children laughing?? They say that it takes less muscles to smile then it does to frown and while I sometimes question that, I can say that it definitely feels better!


4. Medicine. I'm gonna pretend that we're not talking about the cabinet full of medications in my kitchen or the prescriptions that I get to fill every month for my blood pressure and thyroid. I'm thinking more about what it could be like if we had a world full of people that focused on prevention instead of treatment. What if we really ate fresh fruits and veggies daily and cut out all the processed foods? What if we exercised regularly? What if we made sure that we were doing what truly made us happy? What if we cut out alot of the pharmaceuticals and instead focused on whole foods? I'm thankful that I live in the USA where we have some of the best physicians in the world with state of the art treatment, but what if we tried a little bit more of a holistic approach? Would we be better off??


5. Rain. There's nothing like sleeping in on a grey morning when it's raining. My hubby loves those rainy days, but I must admit that I think that it should only rain when I'm sleeping so I don't have to see it or be in it. I know the rain is sooo important, however, it usually gives me a sinus headache. I'm a bit like a weather vane and I can literally feel it before it ever gets here. The best thing about rain is the amazing rainbows we get after the storms. Speaking of which, I actually found the end of the rainbow one afternoon, but unfortunately, no pot of gold!

That's my five word challenge! If you're interested in participating, leave a comment, and I'll send you five words as well. Have a wonderful night!

Tasty Tuesday: Scalloped Potatoes

I kind of missed Monday this week...but I'm thinking Tasty Tuesday sounds better! Scalloped Potatoes
1/2 stick butter

2-1/2 lbs. potatoes

1-1/2 tsp salt

2 T ground pepper

8 oz Cheddar cheese

8 oz Monterey Jack cheese

2 cups milk

Mix sliced potatoes, salt & pepper. In baking dish add layer of potatoes, 2 tsp flour, 1 T butter, then 1/2 cup cheese. Repeat layers ending with cheese. Pour milk over the top then bake until golden brown.

Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 1 hour

I picked this up somewhere--I think that this is an Emeril recipe!

DMV Healthcare

A friend shared this today at work (on lunch break with his i-phone...what did we do before we had them??) and as we watched it, we laughed. Partly, because it's true...

Off to Work I go...

This picture was taken in Kona back in 2007 on vacation...so beautiful!

I have to work the next five out of seven days so we might not have time to visit much over the next several days. Have a fabulous weekend!

All About Steve

Yesterday a friend and I went to a movie and to lunch. I was super excited about seeing All About Steve.

(I usually love Sandra Bullock!)

Unfortunately, it just wasn't that great. It was funny at times (and if you watched the trailer...you already saw the funny parts). All About Steve, starring Sandra Bullock and Bradley Cooper, is a RENTER. If you want a funny Sandra Bullock film, I encourage you to check out The Proposal....that, was hilarious!

Over the Top

We have been a crazy bunch of award-passing women the last several days, haven't we??

Thanks so much Molly, from I'm a Sleeper Baker, for this! You're always so great about reading what I write about...thanks so much! I'm to pass this six others, and they are:

1. Amo at Where a Woman Shaker her Tablecloth
2. Chantelle at Fat Mum Slim
3. Nancy at If Evolution Really Works........
4. Mud Mama
5. Momma Such at Raising my Four Sons
6. Theta Mom

then answer these questions:
1. Where is your cell phone?..on the desk in front of me

2.Your hair?...still have bed head

3. Your mother?...forgiving

4. Your father?...never here

5. Your favorite food?...Mexican

6. Your dream last night?...don't remember

7. Your favorite drink?...Dr. Pepper

8. Your dream/goal? ...financial independence

9. What room are you in?..living room

10. Your hobby?...reading

11. Your fear?...anything with a stinger

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years?...content

13. Where were you last night?...soccer practice (6 year olds are so darn cute!)

14. Something you aren't?...quiet

15. Muffins?...blueberry

16. Wish list item?...to be able to work from home

17. Where did you grow up?...Missouri

18. Last thing you did?...dropped kids off at school

19. What are you wearing?...pajamas

20. Your TV?...off

21. Your pets?...guinea pig and gerbil

22. Your friends?...many

23. Your life?...chaotic

24. Your mood?...happy

25. Missing someone?...grandma

26. Vehicle?...Pacifica

27. Something you're not wearing?...bra...just being honest

28. Your favorite store?...any kind of home store

29. Your favorite color?...red

30. When was the last time you laughed?...today

31. Last time you cried?...couple of days ago

32. Your best friend?...a few

33. One place that I go over and over?...the hospital, where I work

34. One person who emails me regularly?..Kay

35. Favorite place to eat?...Japanese Steakhouse

Also, a thank you to Momma Such from Raising My 4 Sons for this award!

I'm so thankful for the interest that people have shown in reading my daily ramblings!