Christmas, country style

When I think of Christmas as a child, I think of two traditions. The Dyker Heights lights and Eggbert.

While we may not get to see the lights in Dyker Heights, we do get this!



This is one of the families homes from the girls' school. I think we can settle with this.

Tomorrow, we're going to Devitts. Nearly every Thanksgiving we came upstate to my Aunt's house for the weekend and would go see Eggbert at Devitt's. Then we would shop at the nursery and my brother and I would get to pick out a new Christmas ornament. Several years ago, the owner of Devitts died and the nursery closed, so I haven't been able to bring the girls. The whole community was devestated. Everyone went to Devitts after Thanksgiving, it's a tradition. Well, I just found out that some old employees bought the store and it's open again! Yay! And the best part...Eggbert is back. Who's Eggbert? You'll just have to wait and see....

I love this kid!

I'm not talking about one of mine. I don't know where this kid, Preston Leatherman, came from, but he's hilarious! I saw the video yesterday and must have seen it at least 20x already and I"m still laughing!!!

My little booger, Abby

If you haven't been following my dramatic posts on facebook this week, than you would not have know that Apani came home Monday with the Coxsackie virus ie Hand Foot and Mouth Disease. Fun. By Friday, all the girls had it. They are not allowed in school until the last blister dries up so it's been a crazy house.

It didn't bother Abby. She just kept showing me her blisters.
Daisy got a fever Thursday and cried, whined rather, all day. Really, non stop. She wouldn't eat or drink because of the sores in her mouth.
Despite countless warnings, Maddy kept drinking out of Abby's cup and Friday she had sores in her mouth and a fever in the middle of the night.
Kaitlyn came home from school Friday and really hasn't eaten much but popsicles.

Talk about stressful! So I decided this morning to make some cinnamon buns. You know, something fun for the kids. I told Apani my plans and you know what that little turd said??? "I'm pretty sure, I love you now."

The good news, once they've had it, they are immune to it! So in a few days, we shall be virus free...till someone brings home the flu. :/

Did you attempt Black Friday?

So I attempted Black Friday this year. I never would have back in the city, but I convinced myself that Poughkeepsie is comparatively small and the towns around it are small, mine is tiny so it couldn't possibly be too bad. Afterall, there's a mall, TWO outlet centers, everyone would be going there, Target or Walmart. I could manage to snag a few deals from Toys R Us. Right?

LOL! Wrong!

We walked in...and out. The line literally wrapped around the store, wrapped. You couldn't even get into the aisles. The shelves looked worse than when we were expecting that hurricane (thanks to food storage, it wasn't a problem for us). It was a waste. Lesson learned. Arrive earlier!! Just kidding. Never again!

Recovery

There is no recovery with 4 little girls. It's more like trying to survive til bed time.

The first night home, I got home just in time to say good night. I guess Maddy really missed me because an hour later she was awake. I tucked her in and an hour later she woke again, this time leaving "gifts" for me on her carpet. She peed. Two hours later, Kaity woke up coughing and needed her asthma medicine. Unbelievable, really.

I finally got to sleep after that. But Fri and Sat (and probably tonight) I've had to help Kaity with her medicine.

I'm in bed nearly the entire day. I'm in so much pain, but the medicine just makes my head spin. I don't know what's worse, the pain, or the dizziness and nausea.

Apani woke up with a fever this morning. My luck, when it comes to health, just stinks! As the day has gone on though, I was feeling myself feeling better. I even made pasta salad. Then Daisy head planted into my gut and I'm feeling like I over did it. But I imagine tomorrow will be even better. I really just want a day or night to myself so I can rest up.

I'm glad I waited, there's no way I could have done this while nursing Daisy. I thought this was a minor surgery and recovery would be much quicker. Even more importantly, I'm so glad I was able to get it done before Thanksgiving and I can eat without fear!! Hide the scales!

To do - To do - To do

Now that Daisy is weened, I feel like I can work on my To Do List.

First up ~ Gall Bladder Surgery. Let's hope all goes well on Thursday. Thursday!! I'm a little nervous. I know it's routine surgery and a common one at that, but as he was explaining the risks (which are 1 in 300) I got a little scared. But, Thanksgiving is next week and last year I was too afraid to eat, I will not pass up pumpkin pie again!! I may even eat 2 slices with extra whip cream!

Next ~ taking that darn 5 hour class for the DMV which will be more like 7 when you include the trip there and back.

After that? Can you say, ROAD TEST??!!

Truth be Told # 2

I forget things, I mean, everything.