Run

I got a cold last week Friday.  I  was pretty miserable Friday night and all day Saturday.  Sunday at the marathon I fit right in as we were all sort of sniffling from being out in the cold.  The rest of the week I had poor sleep, a lot of sinus pain and pressure and it was really difficult to breath and concentrate.  Fun stuff huh.  I focused this week on getting healthy again and let my diet slide a bit.  I also tried to rest rather than exercise. 

So this morning I finally got back on the treadmill, felt good.  I did 30 minutes, 2 min brisk walk followed by 5 min runs.  

Excited to watch the Packer game this afternoon.  I'm hopeful that the refs being back will make football exciting again. 

Work

I got a lot of homework done at work today.  I did a lot of work at work today too.  

I am feeling pretty good about where I am with my school work.  Still, I'm not looking forward to October.  Its just a really busy month. 

Started watching Downton Abby season 2 :)  Good thing they are short seasons!

Bikes

This is the same look Jon wears when he is playing video games. 

The kids are very into biking right now.  Ava recently acquired a bike with training wheels all her own, and it took a week or so for her to figure out how to peddle and steer, but now she is a riding fiend! Alivya and Taylor are learning to ride with only one training wheel.  We took Liv's off first, and she had a little crash that totally broke her confidence for several weeks.  But a few days ago she got back on and she did great.  It took a lot of encouragement for her to keep trying though. Yesterday we took Taylor's off.  This really boosted Liv's confidence, and they both are doing great.  Next summer I think they will be riding on two wheels!  YEAH!

Evan took Wes for a ride in the bike trailer.  Wes likes it as long as its constantly moving.  

15 hours

Clinical 7-11, Class 12:30-3:30, Work 4-12:30

No time for blogging :(

Happy Birthday Hubby!

Happy Birthday Hubby!

Hope you have a great day, sorry we don't get to spend it together!

Orthosis

Taylor and Wes were fitted again for new orthotics.  Wes' current orthotics are too small as his toes hang over the edge by more than a half inch.  Their orthotist believes that this will be Wes' last pair of ankle high orthotics.  He thinks Wes is doing well enough at stabilizing his ankles that next year he will be able to have simple inserts in his shoes...  I find this news so exciting.

We have never progressed this way before.  So it is very exciting.  

Taylors orthotics started irritating the back of his legs.  He came home from school one day and had large long welts where the calf supports separate from the ankles of his orthotics. The orthotist recommended that he get some occupational therapy to help deal with his toe walking.  We will look into this in November when things are a little calmer around here.  

Dear NFL

As a long time Packer Backer, a share holder (if even only one) and a NFL supporter, it is time for the league to compromise their stand and make a deal to get the real refs back on the field.  Last nights fiasco seals the deal.  All of the games I have been able to watch this season (which is less than I would like...) have been ridiculously over ref-ed.  Stopping game play to throw flags on every down.  Calling penalties on seriously questionable infractions and not calling blatant violations.  Failure to control the bickering and bantering on the field, and penalizing only the last player in the outburst. Even I know that every one of the scuffles is provoked by the action of some one.  

The calls in this game not only swung the momentum of the game, but were so obviously wrong that if we were not in the middle of a lock out, you would think that refs were in fact paid off.  If I didn't know that many many other games this season left everyone numb and in disbelief simply because of the penalty calls... I would be crying wolf.  

I place the responsibility on the league.  It is time for the league to make the necessary compromises to get the professional referees back on the fields where they belong.  Do the right thing for a change, restore order!

Marathon

So after my night out "on the town".  Jon and I got up at 6am to have breakfast together before we headed out for our first marathon.  No, we didn't run a marathon.  Jon photographed it, and I was a catcher.  Basically when the runners finish a half or full marathon, they have expended all of their energy.  This causes all sorts of really unpleasant after effects including nausea, vomiting, crippling exhaustion, leg cramps, and more. My class mates and I were the "nurses" supporting two physicians on site to help treat the participants.  Apparently the cool weather made it a "slow" medical day, and I only carried three people up to the medial pavilion.  Three was enough. 

The best things I took out of the day, was when a runner that I was helping walk told me that he had just qualified for the Boston marathon.  I felt pretty special to be the first person that he shared his excitement with.  The doctor who manned the finish line with us, was awesome.  She demonstrated again and again how much information you can get from a simple handshake.  She shook nearly every runner's hand, while doing so she would look at their number tag (which had their name on it) and say, "Good race Joe, how are you feeling?" She would look right at their eyes, and those that were really good, would respond to their names, and look back at her, making eye contact.  Those that were struggling, would sort of slump over on to her, or respond very deliriously. It was really amazing to see and by the end of the day I defiantly felt more confident in my own assessment abilities.   

There were also some interesting and surprising things too.  The first runner that I carried (with help) back to the pavilion, had just completed her 26th marathon.  Another runner told me that his mother was supposed to be running, but for some reason she couldn't do it, so he found out three days earlier that he would be running a marathon in her place.  Most of the runners didn't want to need our help and often tried to tell us they were fine when they really were not.  There were a lot that were really grateful to have us to lean on if even just long enough to catch their breath.  On of the runners told me that he wouldn't have "made it without me".  I was thinking, "you ran 26 miles and in this moment think I did anything." It was very humbling, and I felt really lucky to be a part of his race, if only a small part...  

If ever I thought I would be fit enough to run a marathon, I'd pass... These athletes are sincerely amazing.  Over and over again I heard the athletes talk about how many they've completed, and I just kept thinking about how much it does to their bodies, why would anyone want to do it again?  

Happy Birrrthh Day Mr Hubster

No, its not actually hubby's birthday... that is on Wednesday.  But my sister agreed to watch the kids over night... so it might as well be his birthday. 

I had planned the day to go somewhat differently.  Mostly I didn't plan to feel like I was on my death bed. This turned out to mess with my day quite a lot.  First, I was scheduled to work from 8a-8:30p.  I made it to about 12:30 when I realized that I was totally miserable.  Thankfully the floor was slow enough that I could take off early, very early.  When I got home I told Jon that he had "seven hours to cure me".  I had chills, diaphoresis, more chills, my head was literally pulsing with pressure and pain.  My eyes watered so much that I could not see. 

So I took drugs, over the counter drugs.  Lots of them.  

And, by around 8, I felt ok. 

We met JZ and Jon's mom for dinner.  A story for another day.

Then we spent the night a local hotel, not the nicest place I have ever slept, but, it was a bed away from my children for a night.  

Flu or something

I got my flu shot today.  Two hours later I came down with a major illness.  My face started pounding and my eyes and nose leaked nasty clear fluid.  I started sneezing and literally couldn't stop.  I don't mean to suggest that my illness was caused by the vaccine. Especially since the vaccine I received was a killed virus vaccine, so it can't proliferate.  But, perhaps my system was already compromised enough that the injection was just that one thing that made it all too much to handle.

Either way, I feel terrible, were I felt pretty good this morning.

Yikes!

blur

I know this photo is blurry, but I love it anyway.  The kids look so happy. 

In other news, this is sort of what life is like in second semester :) Time is flying and I'm just a little tiny pixel in it. 

Clinicals

Tomorrow I start my OB clinicals!  Yeah. I am very excited.  Though I concede that something is going to have to give as I run out of time... :( Probably going to be the blog....  

Peek!



Welcome Autumn



A cold and wet Monday marks what I would call the invasion of autumn in Wisconsin. Everywhere (and not just in my backyard) the red, yellow, and orange leaves have begun to fall.  The gusty winds rolled in over night, and are in large part responsible.  This afternoon I sat on the couch with my patio door open so the cool breeze could flow through the house.  There was a marked change in this breeze around two in the afternoon.

I like fall because usually by this time of year, I am sort of done with the hot weather.  I like the colors, and back to school sales, and scarf sales (a topic for a whole new post!).  But, I hate that fall preceeds winter.  I hate winter... cold, snow, slush, yuck... I think we should extend spring and fall and seperate them with two brief periods of summer... nix winter altogether.

Who should I send my complaint to?

Veterans Park



Today we walked with the kids to Veteran's Park.  It is a tiny little park on a crazy busy street in the neighborhood where Jon grew up.  The kids enjoyed it, of course, and Jon and Kay reminised. There was swinging, hanging, pushing, running, climbing, giggling, and tottering.

Afterwards, we walked home for a good meal, conversation and play. 

Love that our weekends are full of relaxing family fun! 

I spy...



With my little eye

JZ!

After a really long hiatis... we were honored to have the presence of our best good friend JZ!!!

There was some consumption, some horible dancing and singing, more consuption, a good bit of conversation, some less horible bellowing, and most of all some good catching up. 

It was great to see you old friend!

Photo friday



Celebrate!

Today has been a really good day.  (Despite the fact that Ava is upstairs in the bathtub screaming bloody murder because Jon is washing her hair) I was tired this morning, but I had some oatmeal and a shake for breakfast, and hit the door running.  Flew through a care plan for the postpartum woman, got my postpartum head to toe out of the way, aced my first exam... yeah, it has been a good day.  

In addition to all the regular stuff I have to do... studying, work, kids, life..

This week, I also made some really big leaps in my role with the SNA, I attended an SGA meeting, I worked out EVERY DAY so far, and I ate salad EVERY DAY (2 yesterday)!  The scale says that I haven't lost or gained anything -weight wise- but I feel really good.

Now, can the Packers get a win?

Clinical Hell

I had this same look after sitting through the first half of my Management class today.  

During this time I was informed that my Tue/Wed Management clinical will be taking place in Waupaca... most likely at 5:30 in the morning.  

5:30 in the morning is killer enough, but Waupaca is a serious 45 minute drive from my house.  So just to get there by 5:30, I have to leave my house at 4:45am.  So if I take only 15 minutes to get ready... that is not eating food either... I have to be up at 4:30am...  If I want to eat... and who the hell wants to eat at 4am? I would have to get up at 4:10am.  

This is a super huge problem since five of the eleven days I have to work until 12:30am.  So I would get to bed at about 1 and be up by 4...  I don't think this is safe for me, my clients, or anyone around me. 

Lets not even consider early winter blizzards or freezing rain... 

Yeah, this semester just got so much more fun.

Say Cheese



How absolutely cute are Taylor and Liv in this picture?

Today was picture day at school...  I didn't realize what a nightmare I was walking into when I walked in with Wes.  They immediately dragged, me, Wes and Ava all into the library where they had all their equipment set up and ready to go.  My Wes was the first kid to have his picture taken at school today.  Well, pictures of his high tailing it outta there anyway!  He was so freaked out by all the reflectors, lights, cords, cameras, loud adults, and flashy toys.  He knew one thing and one thing only... he wanted NOTHING to do with any of it.

The photographers, two over confident old guys (ok, one was old and the other one like me, getting old). Both had no clue what they were doing with special ed kids.  They thought this dumb stuffed puppy dog was going to get the job done.  Um, HELLO?!? These kids are NOT your typical kids.  First of all, they are all 4 or under, second, they all have some significant developmental deficiency that has landed them in special ed for kids 4 and under.  I was sweating bullets trying to get him to sit, no stand on their dumb stool.  The photographer seriously looked at me and said he couldn't take Wes' picture if he sat on the stool.  I seriously looked right back at him and said, "then I guess you just won't be able to take his picture." Lets think outside the backdrop here!

So we watched, well Ava and I watched and Wes ran, as all his little "friends" got their pictures taken.  Most of them, I will say, did not stand on the stool either.  In fact I don't think any of them stood.  A few sat on it, a few just stood, couple sat on the big spinning stool, and one was in his mom's arms.  When all the other kids were done, we took to the task again.  They got a couple shots where he wasn't screaming or running, and we called it a day.  I got there at 8:15, I left at 9.  Good thing I didn't have somewhere to be huh?

So I thought this was a fitting picture for the day!

SNA



Today was our first non board member SNA meeting since I became a secretary.  I was nervous because each of us basically organizes a meeting, and half of this one was mine.  I arranged for a guest speaker to come and give our members some tips on APA formatting.  This subject was a particular pain in the rear for many first semisters in my cohert.  I think she did a great job and I was excited to see that we did have a fairly good turn out. 

One more thing I don't have to fret over... along with our first Fox Times article (Jill did a great job on that and met the deadline!), and both of my "papers" for OB.  Off to a good start, now, first exam on Thursday!

Newberry Trail



Today we met up with Grandma K and took the kids on an adventure.  We walked from home, down the Newberry Trail, to the Law Street Bridge.  My Run Keeper App said it was just over 3 miles.  It took us an hour and twenty minutes, with about a twenty minute break at the Tellulah Park playground. The kids did really good and only complained a little.  Taylor loved the fact that most of the trail followed some train tracks.  Livi enjoyied the butterflies.  Wes was most satisfied when he was letting his finger rub against the wheel of the wagon, and Ava pretty much liked all of it. 

After our walk, we went back to Grandma's where the kids got to play and the adults watched the worst Packer opener I can remember in recent history.  Tear.  I'm still excited for football, one of the few reasons I like September... I like also that the weather gets cooler, but I don't like that winter follows close behind.  Is there anywhere where there is pretty much spring and fall? 

Week 1

This really was his idea, not mine :)

So glad this week is over! First days of school, full orchestra playing.  Buses, drop offs, rain, pick ups, walking home, homework (not just the kids), work, clinicals, med cards, meetings, appointments...  How much can we pack into a short week?

The marathon hours I spent going from school to work to bed to school to work to bed to school to work...  My body is beat! And this was only to the first week of it!  December sure seems like a long way off! 

Enough complaining though.  It feels good to have my mind exercised again.  And I am really excited to spend the semester working on my own floor at the hospital as a nurse.  It should really give me an idea if that is where I would like to spend my future or not. I think it will be a little odd at first, as people I work with get used to seeing me in my other role.  I know that I am going to learn just a ton from them.  

The death of my laptop brought another set of issues as I became more heavily dependent on my computers this semester.  I purchased two of my text books as ebooks.  I like this in that I have enough heavy equipment to drag around, but it comes with its own challenges.  Jon found a sweet deal on a refurbished Mac air, and I love it. (So does he...) 

Bring on week 2!

PS: last year I complained about the paperwork that the school sends home. Yeah, still too much paperwork.  I ended up signing up for the electronic newsletter... which every issue talks about how they want more people to use the electronic versions so that they can "save money"... well mission FAILED, I got an electronic copy, and TWO printed copies...  I haven't checked Wes' backpack yet! 

Second day, same as the first

Can't we go back to that?

I am so happy that we spent the summer having a great time.  Especially now that the heat is on, so to speak.  Today was a little better in some ways, than yesterday. I went to bed after work at 1am, up at 6, school by 7:30, then I had a little bit of down time between 12 and 3... pick up kids, off to work at 4. At least I got to sit down and eat one meal at home today :/

It begins

Today I got up at 6, school by 7:30, class all day, work at 4.... 

It was a long day with no moments to rest or exercise :(

or blog really... 

so its your lucky day... or something ;) 

Bus

Today is Wes' first day to ride the bus to day care.  Since there was no school on Monday, our week is a little bit messed up.  Wes and Ava will not actually go to day care today, so Jon will meet the bus there for Wes.  Transportation is one of the funnier things about IEPs and birth to 5 services from the schools.  Federal law says that they have to provide transportation, so they do.  BUT, they get extremely irritable if the transportation needs change.  So the fact that we only need day care 3 days a week and not for is irritating to them.  They don't like to pick up or drop off at multiple locations either. So I couldn't, for example, ask them to drop him at day care Mon, Wed, and Thurs, and at home on Tue.  Last year I did as them to pick him up at home, and drop him at daycare, which they did... but not without a battle.  Apparently, the law doesn't say they have to make the transportation convenient for the parent's care schedule...  

Ava had a difficult time accepting that she wasn't going anywhere today.  She cried when the other kids went to school and begged for them all day.  Poor thing just wants to learn... and play... and socialize...  

"I don't want to go to school"

"No Dad, not you!"

~Finding Nemo

The first day of school makes Jon and I both think of Finding Nemo.  Most of our kids are not as excited as Nemo, however, and we are definitely not as resistant as Marlin. 

I have spent a great deal of time and effort this summer preparing for this day.  From buying supplies, clothes and shoes, to finding a new day care provider for Ava and Wes.  I taught the older kids to walk home from school, hammered home the stranger danger... look both ways... all that stuff. I arranged for their cousin to meet them here after school and stay with them until I get home, scheduled Wes' new class and transportation, helped him get acquainted with his new school and day care, set them all up with their own back packs, and arranged my schedule and Jon's so that we know where to be and when at all times...  When I write it like this, it seems some how easier than it actually was.  I feel like I have been assembling an orchestra.  I have mentored each instrumental group on their own, taught them the fine intricacies of their music, and today, the dress rehearsal is over...  today, we sit before the audience and hope that no one messes up all the hard work.  

No pressure right!

As it turned out, we did get all the kids off to a good start.  Everyone got up, dressed, brushed, fed, and off on time.  We found all the classrooms, brought all the stuff, said all the good byes and see ya laters.  I only cried a little bit as I left Wes, whose little face showed serious concern as I waved good bye.  When I picked him later he was super happy to see me, and ready to get out of there.  Little did he know that I was dropping him off at day care...  poor guy.  

When we got to day care, Ava was finishing her lunch.  She was right at home and had adjusted quite well.  I left them as they laid down for a nap with all the other kids.  

Off to school for me. When my class was over, I picked up two smily happy preschoolers who were ready to go home.  We arrived home to find Taylor, Alivya, and Evan.  All the papers where placed in their new bins, and the back packs were hung!  Evan said his first day of high school went well. So finally, the end of a stress filled day, all went well!

Happy Labor Day

We spent the day finalizing all our preparations from now through winter.  The pool, which saw its most busy season this summer, came down.  The brush has burned, the bees and wasps were all exterminated, at least those that were too close.  The inflatables were deflated and everything has been packed away for a long winter rest.  I hate to see it go this year.  I think of all the summers I have spent as a parent, this has been one of the better ones.  We took the kids on a lot of adventures, enjoyed our first week long vacation as a family, traveled around the state to visit friends, swam, sweated, biked, roller skated, walked, played, picnicked, and posed...  All while attending summer school (kids) and working two part time jobs (mom).  Not bad at all!

I caved

Ava wins this round. Her tears and violent attempts to fend off the combing of her hair have at last pushed me over.

JC Penny, as it turns out, do a very satisfactory job on free kids cuts! Isn't she cute?

R.I.P.

R.I.P. my faithful MacBook!

Manufactured sometime in 2007, "Julie's MacBook" fell to her death today on September 1st 2012.  She had been a faithful servant and friend for five years.  She began her career in computing as a primary system for our whole family, but had retired as of late to work only casually.  Before her tragic accident, she was dutifully assisting with her pets studies.  She fell to her death only two feet onto a brick patio, her favorite place to enjoy the warm sun and cool breeze.  She will be dearly missed by her family. 

She was survived by her grateful first and only owners, Jonathan and JuliAnn, their children, Taylor, Alivya, Ava, and Westli.  Their cats, Oliver and Patches, who have benefited from the joy of her warmth.  She is preceded in death by a number of former laptops, including Compaq, Dell, Think Pad 1 and 2, an iPod Classic, several desktop predecessors, and numerous other geek tools.  

In lieu of flowers, please send money ;)