That time of year again! :(

It's that TIME of year at our house with illness taking over and the worst to get hit is always me. Being diabetic its one of those things I deal with everytime I catch something I get it worse than everyone else. I swore we had the flu we all had the symptoms and I can't imagine we got it so early but if we did, then we at least got it over with already.

Now I am fighting a lovely bout of bronchitis. This is a miserable condition with all the coughing and feeling exhausted and not to mention the sore ribs feeling like you've been beaten with a stick!

It's so important that when you get sick that you take care of yourself, I know that it's important that I take my own advice and rest and relax as much as possible so that I will mend much quicker. Drinking as much liquid as possible and taking my blood sugar readings more frequently. It's been very trying and I'm feeling as if I will never see that feel good healthy day coming but I know its there! I just have to wait all this out.

It never fails that the beginning of the school year my family catches whatever is floating around at school, the kids bring it home like mud on their shoes and it infiltrates our home like a dark cloud. The bright side, once it's over we are usually good to go for the next year, but getting through this is very miserable.

There are a lot of remedies for bronchitis or upper respitory infections and for me the most effective is a nice pot of hot water with a towel over my head inhaling the steam. Of course, good hot steaming tea, my favorite is peppermint and good menthol chest rub. You can't beat a nice bowl of piping hot chicken soup to help make you feel better, the best thing to eat when your appetite is not at it's best. There are many, many diabetic recipes out there on the internet for soup.

If you want a little heat to your pallet there is a cajun chicken soup recipe that is wonderful to open up your head.

All I can say is thank heavens for Big Brother 10 live feeds during my recuuperation thats all thats kept me entertained. I am not usually an ADDICT of big brother, I do watch the show religiously and have NOT missed one season, but since coming down with this illness and TAKING a lot of down time instead of pushing myself so that I can recuppearte quickly, I have been enjoying the hamsters in the house they have kept me quite entertained!

I think my family is beginning to worry that I am never going to turn it off, they are quite bored with the antics of the ones left in the house and it seems to be the topic of all my conversations, being that is all that I find comforting. Politics seem to be all the rage on the television and I'm quite bored with it and the only other topic that I seem obsessed with is the search for that little girl in Florida, Caylee Anthony, and although in my mind and heart I know they are never going to find her alive I hold out hope and keep constant vigil on the news waiting to see if her mother will EVER tell the truth or be honest about the sitaution! The family of this little girl is in my prayers and I do hope that the mother of this little girl is given justice for what she has allowed to occur.

Challenges in parenting

Do you ever feel like you are standing in quick sand as a parent, sinking slowly as you try hard to do what is right? I feel that way a lot of the time with my kids. I want them to be happy and have great values and self esteem. I try to guide them without stymatizing them and I try very hard to keep all communication open. Sometimes though, no matter how many times you say things, how many times you try to guide them they make bad choices anyway!

I spent the weekend reevaulating my parenting, questioning myself and feeling downright miserable after my 18 year old son spent the night in jail for something just plain stupid. How did this happen? He graduated from High school with honors and is beginning college in just a couple of weeks. Where did this boy's head go? I cried and I fumed, I felt sick and devastated as well as disappointed and then sorrowful. It was quite the roller coaster ride. I finally came to terms with it all and just decided to dig in and do what I do best, be his mother. We are now dealing with his mistake and although I'm still shaking my head and feeling very confused to what he and his other friends, also very good kids decided on that night, well its all just hard to wrap your head around. Either way, its all going to work out, he will have to pay for his play and the price is steep. A very good learning lesson in that regard!

I just find it hard to accept that he made a bad choice being so smart, and having to get over the embarassment that I feel inside. I feel like somehow I failed as a parent, but then again, I can't always feel responsible for what he chooses as a new young adult. This new stage in our lives, this parent and young adult is a new phase. Very hard to find my footing with, but every day I wake up and try to accept it and learn from it. I know this will be a great learning lesson for me as my other two grow up and become adults. I think its much easier to be a mom when they are kids then when they are starting off into adulthood.

Summer with Kids

The summer days are long and hot and the kids are always bored, no matter what you do or suggest for them. It's a long period of time for all involved and it can get very frustrating. The mess about the house, the higher food bills for snacks and of course if your house is like mine, you have suddenly gained at least three extra children. I thought I would look up some sites that would make summer less daunting and overwhelming and more fun for everyone.

This one has some cute ideas for the kids. We don't want to leave out the older kids as well and I think this one looks like a great idea. Of course you have your traditional amusement parks, and water parks and such, but that can get costly and with the price of fuel it's time to think thrifty and close to home. My older kids enjoy a good game of tennis or basketball and they have taken up croquet. My yard at times can look like a sports mine field until I urge them to clean it up. Hiking is a great favourite but of course we live in the mountains. Be careful if you have adventurous kids they should know the do's and don'ts of such things and be aware of the poisionous snakes and spiders and always always check them well for ticks. Reading is a big favorite at my house and with my oldest starting college we went and got his semester read ahead of the time for him to start with its called Three cups of tea. I've read a bit of it and it seems like a touching saga. For my daughter she received a list of books to catch up on over the summer for the reading bowl next year in school. So far, she's getting ahead of the game as I went ahead and purchased a few of the titles to keep her busy this summer. My middle child is a challenge he still hasn't found his genre but is always amazed at how good a book is once recommended. He seems to like historic adventure, but of course I can't TELL him that, that would make me WRONG haha.

Cooking and grilling out is always fun and making home made ice cream. It seems once the day is come to a slow pitch in the evening we are all ready to spend time enjoying each other and a meal together is the best way to do that.

Whatever you choose to do to entertain your bored children over the summer I wish you luck, I know how frustrating it is to try to find a balance and keep somewhat of a schedule going. It's so difficult.

Summer HEAT

It is that time of year again when the sun radiates over you and heats up the air like a steamy oven. Living in the North Georgia mountains I have enjoyed cooler summers since leaving the scorching state of Texas. However, a heat wave is upon us currently and its heating the temperatures up near 100 here and for us we know the drill having been in Texas for so long, but just a precaution and a reminder I thought I would share the precautions from the public health department:

Summer Heat Precautions


During a heat wave the body has to work extra hard to maintain a normal temperature. Excessive heat can result in serious health threats by pushing the human body beyond its limits. Young children, elderly people, and those who are sick or overweight are most at risk.

Measures for Preventing Heat Related Illnesses
NEVER leave children or pets alone in closed vehicles.
Slow down, avoid strenuous activity.
Avoid too much sun.
Plan outdoor games and activities for early morning or evening.
Avoid extreme temperature changes.
Stay indoors as much as possible; use fans or air conditioners to cool the air.
Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing that will cover as much skin as possible.
Protect face and head by wearing a wide brimmed hat.
Drink plenty of fluids, even if you do not feel thirsty, and avoid alcoholic beverages.
Hot Weather Health Emergencies
Heat cramps: Painful spasms, mostly in legs and abdomen, usually the result of heavy exertion and heavy sweating.

Recognizing Heat Cramps
Painful spasms usually in the legs and abdominal muscles that may occur in association with strenuous activity.

What to do
Apply firm pressure to cramping muscles or gently massage to relieve spasms. Replace fluids. Consult your health care provider.

Heat exhaustion: Typically occurs when people exercise heavily or work in a hot, humid place where body fluids are lost through heavy sweating.

Recognizing Heat Exhaustion
Heavy sweating, weakness, cold, pale and clammy skin. Weak pulse. Fainting and vomiting possible.

What to do
Lie down in a cool place. Loosen clothing. Apply cool wet cloths. Fan or move person to air-conditioned place. Take sips of water. Consult your health care provider.

Heat stroke: A medical emergency- the body's temperature control system, which produces sweating to cool the body, stops working. Sunstroke: Another term for heat stroke.

Recognizing Heat Stroke
High body temperature (106+). Hot, dry skin. Rapid, strong pulse. Possible unconsciousness. Individual will likely not sweat.

What to do
Heat stroke is a severe medical emergency. Call 911 or emergency medical services or get the person to a hospital immediately. Move to a cooler environment. Try a cool bath or sponging to reduce body temperature. Use fans and/or air conditioners, to cool the body. DO NOT GIVE FLUIDS.


Oh course its always wise to keep hydrated and cool the best you can in the heat. Take care to be considerate to the elderly and check on them quite frequently. If you have a neighbor or friend that you know doesn't have air conditioning maybe trying to find something to help would be friendly.

Try to keep even a small wading pool available for the kids and pets to soak in if you find the heat overwhelming. It's a nice change of pace in the evenings when the sun is going down and the heat is still lingering.

Don't forget your precious plants as well they do sunburn and need to be moved into a more filtered sunlight, if not able to do that then remember to water them very very early in the morning or late in the evening at dusk so that the water doesn't stand on the leaves and petals and cause it to BOIL and burn the plant even more.

Now is a great time to make ice pops for your kids and self. I like to take ice trays and fill them with juice and put them in the freezer the kids like to just crush them in a bowl to eat or even use them in there drinks for ice cubes. Cherry juices makes a great cherry cola or even a peach juice for your iced tea. You can use the juice reserves off of your canned peaches and other fruits to make tasty treats that will cool you down.

Enjoy the longer days and the warmth of the golden sun but take care not to stay out in it too long with out proper clothing and sun screen. It only takes minutes for a child to start burning and adults as well if you are fair skinned like me and my family. Wear hats and sunglasses as much as possible and be weary of pooling water around that gives mosquitioes places to lay their eggs. After a rain dump out any empty pots or containers where water has pooled.

The Graduation Party

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Trevors graduation

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Lazy

I know I haven't been very up to date with my blog lately, but I have had so much going on with my family. Which of course, takes first priority in my life. My son had his prom and I made a wonderful scrapbook for him. That took a lot more time than I had thought it would :S Also, preparing for graduation, getting everything tip top and ready for all the family coming to town and preparing party items menus and all the invitations. And, of course I have two other kids, one with a massive end of school project that the entire family worked on building. The space needle using the actual plans from the 1962 blue prints, hes sure to get a good grade. We had a lot of fun building that. My daughter has been busy as well with some projects and getting ready for their end of the year activities. It's amazing how busy things get from Spring break until the end of the year!
I did the bird bath planter as I said I would and have a photo to share. My yard is really looking lovley and all the roses are blooming now its just gorgeous.
We went hiking at Amicoloa falls this past weekend for mothers day that was exciting and a lot of fun. Being busy is a great feeling you get so much completed and you feel so productive.
I will get back into my blog as soon as I get my childrens lives back into a normal phase!
Cheers! :) Oh wait I'm on my NEW computer and I don't have my photo of my bird bath planter haha I'm so silly, I will add that from the other computer later!