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altarflame ([personal profile] altarflame) wrote2007-03-15 09:40 pm

A Series of Statements

The 10-day forecast for Boston (now bookmarked to my favorites for easy, obsessive clicking) is predicting a "wintry mix" tonight and snow all day tomorrow, with snow showers - whatever the hell that is - the day after.

We leave in 12 days. We already have all of Elise's clothes and blankets and the kids' winter gear vaccum sealed into "space bags", that you suck the air out of for efficient use of space.

I was up until 4:30 am last night. I managed to post an assignment to my online class, participate in the discussion board (you get graded for that), and study for a test in my Independant Study class. I FINALLY went and took that test, test #1, today (there are 4 total) and got a B. I'm taking #2 Monday, #3 next Thursday, and #4 the following Monday, which is the day before we leave.

I have longies for Elise half done, a sweater for Jake a third done, and a scarf for Grant one fifth done.

I had my sewing machine up on the dining table where I'd been working, a couple of days ago. In order to sweep and mop, I draped the pedal up over the top of the machine. Next thing I know His Nakedness - Jake - was climbing up on it from a dining chair. He leaned on the pedal with his BARE PENIS UNDER THE NEEDLE. The middle part, even. I had unplugged the thing for convenience in sweeping...or Jake would have sewn up his penis. Dear God I was shuddering and wincing for the rest of the entire day. I was on the other side of the room and there was no way to get to him in time, when I saw what was happening. GEEZ MAN GEEZ!

He also got his first haircut. I have a sandwhich bag half full of black curls, and his neck now has a nape. I can't decide which is more precious to me - the bag of hair, or the new neck.

Driving to pick up Grant the other evening, I was talking to Ananda and glancing at her and Aaron in the rearview mirror. He had his head tipped back, mouth open, drooling in his sleep as she went on and on about things like;
"You know, Shaun says he doesn't like any beans, but chocolate is made out of beans, and he likes that. So obviously he likes cacao beans, at least."
"Balloons aren't really full of air at all...they're full of carbon dioxide. Because your body absorbs the oxygen when you breathe, and what you're breathing out isn't air anymore, it's just the carbon dioxide!"
"Do convertibles have air conditioning? Cuz that seems pretty wasteful to me."
Suddenly Aaron jerked his head up seeming totally alert and interrupted to ask, excitedly, "Mom - Can I have stilts for my birthday?!"

PATH on Tuesday was pretty cool, a volunteer led a really impressive St Patricks Day craft and lesson. Next Tuesday is bubbles and a water balloon fight.

Saturday we're having a big yard sale. Hopefully we'll make a couple of hundred dollars and the ad we put in the paper for my old car will go somewhere and bring a few hundred more. We've gotta bridge this gap with the trip coming up, and we're still coming up short. NEXT Saturday starts with me slipping out of the house while everyone is asleep to go to an Executive Committee/EC meeting for PATH and then coming home to pick up Ananda and take her with me to Kristin's, for my belly cast.

I'm trying to decide whether or not I want to do things like evening primrose suppositories, and taking PN-6 (an herbal thing) to help make sure I go into labor somewhere near "on time". I'm not feeling impatient AT ALL - I'm actually really hoping she hangs loose in there because I want to be up in Boston before anything happens. But once we are there, Grant is missing work, and we're spending money, and so on. He is totally willing to be patient and I know that is important, but if there are simple steps I can take like those, that don't really force labor if it isn't close anyway...All natural, gentle things...Yet, we won't arrive until I'm 39 weeks. Do I want to do anything that might push me too soon? No, no I don't. But with my history, it seems way more likely to delay excessive lateness than it does to bring on something premature. Blah.

Ananda and I have been putting salicylic acid on her warts twice a day, and one has ALREADY fallen off. The others are looking decidedly weird and will probably be gone soon, as well.

She and Aaron and I have really been focusing on Spanish a lot lately in our homeschooling, and they have some phrases now, in addition to their big vocabulary of single object/number/color words. I can say, "Como te llamas?" and he'll answer, "Me llamo Aaron." and then ask Annie, "Cuantos anos tienes?" and she'll say, "Tengo seis anos", and a few other things (Que hora es, son las _____, yo soy el hijo/a de la familia, etc)

Yesterday I tried to slam the door of the laundry room shut behind me as I came up the steps carrying Jakey, and the bottom of it caught hard on the back of my ankle and SCRAPED a large bit of skin off, and caused some bruising - in my efforts to not scream obscenities in Jake's ear or drop him on his head, I twisted in some way that did something extremely BAD to the muscles in the area. I ended up sitting with tears in my eyes, deep breathing, for a couple of minutes before I finally yelled for Grant to come help me up. He got out this foot bath thing we have and filled it with warm water and put it on vibrate, and I sat for about half an hour with that and then tried to stay off of it for the rest of the night. It seems to just be sore, today. I've been so prone to injury this pregnancy - I broke a sewing needle off IN my finger before Christmas, making a stocking - it went through to the other side - and I still have a healing burn on my belly (!) from splashing boiling water as I drained things into the colander, months ago. It blistered :x

Lastly, I keep thinking what a total loser I am. The only radio I can STAND anymore is classic rock and oldies. With a periodic sampling of jazz. There was a time when I listened to rock stations all the time, but these days I just check in to see if they're playing the new Chili Peppers song, "Dani California". And really, I have iTunes for that and can stick with Bob Seger and Pink Floyd when I'm changing channels. That new fangled stuff the kids are listening to is just too much racket :p

[identity profile] forgetfulmuse.livejournal.com 2007-03-16 02:53 am (UTC)(link)
I had a burn on my belly with Lara from a tray of fries I took out of the oven and misjudged not being used to a belly sticking out so far. At my PP midwife appointment she asked if I'd had surgery of some sort, with a puzzled look on her face. He he he.

Do you just use aspirin (salicylic acid) or is there some particular stuff you get? Cerys has a couple of warts and I'd like some easy way to get rid of them.

I can't believe you're leaving in 12 days! :-O

[identity profile] altarflame.livejournal.com 2007-03-16 05:05 am (UTC)(link)
There's this stuff called Compound W that they sell at pharmacies, it's a liquid form with a brush attached to the cap. You wash the area, soak it in some water to make it more porous (sp), and then dry it and paint it on. It kind of bubbles up white, but dries within about 10 minutes, and Annie has not said anything at all about pain of any kind (and she is a big old wuss about pain of any sort). Then the hardened stuff starts detaching and gradually falls away. It says it can take up to two months, but I only think this one huge one of Annie's that's very well established with actually take even close to that.

[identity profile] forgetfulmuse.livejournal.com 2007-03-16 12:46 pm (UTC)(link)
Hmm, the only product like that I've found effective was something I used in England. Maybe for her little ones it'll work though. Thanks. :)

[identity profile] heavynleigh.livejournal.com 2007-03-16 03:00 am (UTC)(link)
Aaron is so funny.

Holy scariness with Jake and the sewing machine. Oy.

Yuck for scraping up your foot. And bruising it. :-(

Snow showers are on and off snow falling. Kinda like rain showers but snow instead. You guys are gonna need coats and hats and mittens/gloves, I'm thinking. :-p Layers are your friend!

I don't know why I didn't think of this sooner (except I'm a space cadet these days) but I might have some warm clothes that would fit Jake and maybe Isaac, if you need them. What sizes are they wearing right now?

[identity profile] altarflame.livejournal.com 2007-03-16 05:17 am (UTC)(link)
They're in 3t and 2t, respectively, but I actually have a TON of stuff for them. I really appreciate the offer, but for whatever reason my grandparents decided to get us alooooooooot of heavy duty winter stuff for them for Christmas. They have thick wool blend sweaters, INSULATED HOODED PARKAS, sweats and baby legs galore. It's just silly, with our weather - most of the stuff still has the tags on :p I guess we may use it after all, though, so there you go.

We had to do a little clearance and discount shopping for A and A, and ourselves, but overall it hasn't been too bad. I was a LITTLE concerned about Elise because my plan was basically to layer footed pajamas under gowns with hats, and put her in a sling or kozy, but I don't know if that's really sufficient for SNOW with a newborn, you know? But then my sister gave me this insane insulated bulky hooded bunting that the birth center gave her (and, again, still has the tags on and would never be used here) so I have that if it's in the 20s or some craziness.

[identity profile] heavynleigh.livejournal.com 2007-03-16 05:47 am (UTC)(link)
I'm glad you guys are all set clothing wise! I just totally didn't even think about it. We're in SoCal so it doesn't get too bad, but we've had our days where it was in the 40's or 50's with the nighttime lows in the teens and twenties. And we bought winterish clothes for the boys last fall when we were in the NE for a couple of weeks.

If Elise is layered and in a sling and can be zipped into your coat, she should be fine. You'll definitely want the bunting for car rides and such though. It can take some time to warm up if it's cold enough and the temperature change getting in and out of the car can be rough. Bringing plenty of blankets could solve that too though. Just tuck her in well. We acutally didn't do snowsuits or heavy coats with Aidan during the winter, only because it's not as safe (the seatbelt isn't as tight as it should be and can cause increased likelihood of injury in an accident. And Boston drivers are crazy! :-p

It sounds like you guys are all set, stuff wise. :-)

[identity profile] literallyme.livejournal.com 2007-03-16 02:20 pm (UTC)(link)
Actually, you don't want the bunting on her in the carseat if it is either bulky, because of the safety issue, or if it doesn't split at the legs, because that just won't work. Also, babies are easily overheated if they are bundled like that in the warm car, so for the car, you really are best off dressing her normally for inside, adding a little sweater with a hood or cap, and then wrapping her in blankets that can be removed easily in the car when it is warmed up. We always laid a blanket with the top just below the strap that goes between the baby's legs and then hangs off the end. Then we would strap the baby in, flip the end of the blanket up over her and tuck it in on the sides. Then you can just lay as many blankets over that as you want until you get to the car.
For walking outside, however, the buntings are great!

Crazy Drivers

[identity profile] theneolistickid.livejournal.com 2007-03-16 06:19 pm (UTC)(link)
You forget that we live in South Florida. Like 25% of drivers down here don't even have a license.

Re: Crazy Drivers

[identity profile] heavynleigh.livejournal.com 2007-03-16 06:26 pm (UTC)(link)
You also don't have snow or ice or sleet or crazy Boston roads that are still the same width they were when they were made for horse and buggies. :-p Seriously, it's crazy.

Re: Crazy Drivers

[identity profile] theneolistickid.livejournal.com 2007-03-16 07:26 pm (UTC)(link)
Good call.

Re: Crazy Drivers

[identity profile] florassecret.livejournal.com 2007-03-17 06:57 am (UTC)(link)
same here in Victoria.

Re: Crazy Drivers

[identity profile] greatestislove.livejournal.com 2007-03-16 09:13 pm (UTC)(link)
same thing here in south california

Re: Crazy Drivers

[identity profile] altarflame.livejournal.com 2007-03-16 10:06 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm sure it has something to do with illegal immigration - I mean I know here it does, and that is what you guys have in common with us. You just can't get a license without papers, but still need to go places.

[identity profile] julierocket.livejournal.com 2007-03-16 03:03 am (UTC)(link)
I love that conversation with Annie and Aaron... Annie is so a ridiculous braniac. F'realz. She'll be getting her PhD by 15, just you wait. I'm already intimidated by her, LOL. And Aaron is just hilarious. He's so... Aaron. The name "Aaron" has now defaulted from my ex-boyfriend (HISSSSSS) to your son because he is that awesome.

I'm so going to buy and consume two tubs worth of plain yogurt now, because turned upside-down and with slits cut in them and ribbon threaded through them, those plastic tubs are just BEGGING to be stilts ;D

[identity profile] julierocket.livejournal.com 2007-03-16 03:04 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, and weather update... two days ago it was high 60's. Tomorrow we're getting tons of snow (although, somehow, not enough to warrant a school closing/day off for Julie). See what I mean? INSANITY.

[identity profile] altarflame.livejournal.com 2007-03-16 11:32 pm (UTC)(link)
The thing you may not be taking into account is that to us high 60s during the day constitutes a cold front, and people wear long sleeves. Today, here, it was 90, and the kids were outside in bathingsuits helping Grant wash my old car in case prospective buyers come by. I had to roll down the van windows while I blasted AC, on the way to the grocery store, until it got cold enough. So a range where the "Wow, what an extreme difference" high temperature is not even 70 is VERY "winter" to us.

[identity profile] julierocket.livejournal.com 2007-03-16 11:58 pm (UTC)(link)
...

Yeah, bring some winter jackets. And hats. And gloves. And scarves. :D

[identity profile] altarflame.livejournal.com 2007-03-16 05:19 am (UTC)(link)
What's awesome is how, being that unique, they always find ways to play together. This one time comes to mind, when Ananda came out and said to me, "My friend Angela is in Europe for the month, so she needed some help with the things. My name is Heather and I'm helping her - I have to bring in her mail, and water her plants, and walk her crazy dog - " and just then Aaron ran out on all fours, yelping and barking and running in circles with his butt in the air, and she started yelling "Hey, Max! Sit! Sit! Siiiitt! You see what I mean, he's a CRAZY DOG!!" and she chased him back towards their bedroom.

That yogurt thing is ingenious.

[identity profile] florassecret.livejournal.com 2007-03-16 03:34 am (UTC)(link)
good to get those warts gone, they are a virus and can spread.

[identity profile] altarflame.livejournal.com 2007-03-16 05:20 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah, they already went from one on her ankle to one on her ankle and 3 on her knee. Luckily none of the other kids seem to have any yet, though Aaron DOES have something suspicious popping up on his foot O_o It might just be the remains of an old scab, though, I can't tell yet.

[identity profile] florassecret.livejournal.com 2007-03-17 06:52 am (UTC)(link)
Jocelyn got warts on her foot about a year ago when we realized where it came from, used shoes. I now throw away any shoes that comes from my SIL who says they came from someone else. besides the warts I hate the idea that someone else wore them. I'm very picky that way.

[identity profile] jerkface02.livejournal.com 2007-03-16 09:50 am (UTC)(link)
THANK GOD that sewing machine was unplugged!!
i love reading about your adventures in motherhood. hehe someday you will have to write your memoires!!

[identity profile] florassecret.livejournal.com 2007-03-17 06:54 am (UTC)(link)
And then read them to her grand kids and say "this is what your grandparent did"

:)
My granddad used to tell tails of what his three kids did as children. And most of the time we'd hear "dad, no" in unison.

[identity profile] jerkface02.livejournal.com 2007-03-17 05:39 pm (UTC)(link)
bahaha that is amazing! it's good to pass these things down.

[identity profile] florassecret.livejournal.com 2007-03-17 07:11 pm (UTC)(link)
absolutely. Thus how family stories get handed down.

weather

[identity profile] raina-layn.livejournal.com 2007-03-16 04:20 pm (UTC)(link)
yeah, (I live in Somerville, north of Boston) it was so nice a couple days ago then yesterday it was a little chilly and rainy and now it is definitely flurry-ing with some big flakes in there. ::sigh:: i hope it doesn't interfere with chris's flight to chicago. i am just kicking myself for not walking to the grocery store while it was nice.

[identity profile] greatestislove.livejournal.com 2007-03-16 05:26 pm (UTC)(link)
Annie must be fun to have around. :)



I use to listen to rock now I seem to listen to a lot of adult contemporary. So I beat you in the loser department.

[identity profile] altarflame.livejournal.com 2007-03-16 11:08 pm (UTC)(link)
Adult contemporary? Yeah, loser for sure ;)

My FAVORITE music is still a tie between secular stuff such as Tori Amos, Radiohead, Ani Difranco and the Indigo Girls, and Christian bands like Five Iron Frenzy/hymns like "Here I Am Lord". But I've found one cannot have the same 20 cds in rotation indefinitely, so I eventually go looking for something else. If I let a few months go by, I can come back around to that stuff and it sounds amazing again.

[identity profile] altarflame.livejournal.com 2007-03-17 12:08 am (UTC)(link)
Pay no attention to the man behind the obscure symbol.

[identity profile] florassecret.livejournal.com 2007-03-17 06:57 am (UTC)(link)
OMG lately I have been having a nostalgic days. I've been going to you tube and watching NKOTB videos. I totally can't believe at one time I liked them, shutter the thought.

[identity profile] aranel.livejournal.com 2007-03-16 07:25 pm (UTC)(link)
Annie must be such fun to have around. She missed the fact that air is mostly nitrogen--but I don't think I learned that till I was in high school!