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Post by huskermom98 on May 9, 2021 3:14:13 GMT
Get to Urgent Care right away. DH had shingles 10 years ago in the nerve that goes from the tip of the nose back to the top of his skull. It took several days to get a diagnosis because it presented as a headache followed by a watery eye. He was given a shot for the pain at his first visit to Urgent care (Friday evening) and told to go to the ER if the pain came back in 4-6 hours because it could possibly be an aneurysm or something in his brain. Thankfully a scan showed nothing, but he still had the headache. The watery eye continued too and by Sunday morning he was developing a sore on his nose near where the pad of his glasses sits. The same doctor at Urgent Care walked in the door and immediately knew he had shingles because of the sore on his nose and another one that was starting to develop. He got a prescription for the antiviral pills, but I'm not sure how much they helped because it was a miserable week for him (and me). He ended up back in the ER a few days later because he was dehydrated. His face looked awful because of the sores, but they healed up just fine.
To this day he still has to see an ophthalmologist every couple of months because there's still something going on in his eye. It doesn't affect his vision (other than he can't wear contacts anymore) but he's been on special eyedrops for 10 years and every time the ophthalmologist has tried to wean him off the drops the "whatever is going on in his eye" comes back.
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Post by huskermom98 on May 8, 2021 15:00:58 GMT
Ugh...the handwriting is bad enough, but the thick random letters is awful. I actually never minded her handwriting before, but now with her digital tool I've started to get really annoyed with the handwriting.
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Post by huskermom98 on May 8, 2021 3:27:16 GMT
I don't have any big expectations on Mother's Day, I just don't want to cook or plan anything. The last 4 mother's days have not be fun and relaxing because I was delivering flowers for my neighbor--two of the years I was still delivering ON mother's day, the other two I was just exhausted from 3 days of deliveries. So it will be nice to not have to worry about anything like that. Most years we do go out to eat, but usually not until the evening when it's less crazy. This year I decided that I want brunch from the same place we got a to-go brunch last year, but we'll dine in this year. We have a reservation, but I'm not sure if they are only doing reservations or if we might have to wait because everyone will be trying to eat out.
I don't expect gifts, usually we end up getting something we call a gift for ourselves for Mother's Day, Father's Day and DH's birthday in July. I do however expect chocolate because DH usually gets some from a local shop--I did forget to hint to him about chocolate covered strawberries from another store (something I usually got from my flower lady neighbor because she would get some for customers.) The only gift I want from my boys this year is to not get annoyed when I take pictures next week during an annual scrapbooking project where I document a week in my life--I don't "smile and say cheese" or try to do something embarrassing, I just want to take a picture of what they are doing if it also happens to be part of my life.
We live 3-5 hours from our parents so that's never been an issue. I do have to share the day with my oldest son every few years because his birthday falls during the possible Mother's Day dates.
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Post by huskermom98 on May 7, 2021 15:48:30 GMT
My youngest son's private school just went to mask optional this week. All of the adults have been vaccinated. They are still distancing as much as possible & not gathering multiple classes (like for chapel).
My oldest son's school district will likely be the last in the state to relax on masks...I wouldn't be surprised if they still require them in the fall...
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Post by huskermom98 on May 6, 2021 21:14:45 GMT
Did a Barre class today. My legs are mush I did my first ever Barre class today...my legs are mush too! I was doing ok through the first half, but by the second half the heated room was starting to get to me and I had to sit out a fair amount of the last 10 minutes before the cool down. But I think I liked it, even if I had no idea what I was doing during the yoga-pose warm up. I walked a new bike trail on Tuesday and managed to run a couple of parts. Yesterday I did a trail walk/run and went further on the trail than I have before (started to get nervous about where I'd end up because the GPS on my phone wasn't lining up with the trail map, but as long as I was on a trail I wasn't too worried). I'm trying to figure out a time to get into the level 1 yoga class so I can learn some of the poses before trying out some of the other classes.
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Post by huskermom98 on May 4, 2021 20:57:46 GMT
It's my LSS! and by local, I mean half a mile from work! It really is a great store with a ton of inventory that is current and "in". The owners and workers are great. I have to be good about not going too often because I tend to stock up when I do...but that reminds me I think I have a reward credit...
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Post by huskermom98 on May 3, 2021 21:40:38 GMT
I waited 5 years to get my Honda Odyssey once I figured out that it was the minivan I wanted--had to wait to be in a better position financially (i.e. not paying for preschool) and then had to find the exact used one with the features I wanted/needed (mostly a DVD player and low mileage, but ended up with a bonus feature with remote start, but I would have added that if it didn't have it).
I still love it, but am ready to think about what's next. I really like the Honda Pilots, but they aren't cheap. DH has a CRV that I don't mind, but it's a little too small. We bought DS a Nissan Altima last summer and while I really love driving it (very zippy and loaded) I still want something that can hold more people and stuff. I also like being higher up than a regular sedan.
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Post by huskermom98 on May 3, 2021 21:27:53 GMT
I put the order in my app (one thing was not available--salted ____ butter) and it came out to $14.52, up from $5.75 for the regular drink. Sounds fake, definitely excessive, but if SB is going to have all of that available in their app for that specific drink, then I see no problem with anyone ordering it (there were one or two things not added that could have been).
Should people tip at SB? For that type of drink, absolutely. For a normal regular menu item, sorry but I don't and I won't.
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Post by huskermom98 on May 3, 2021 21:11:03 GMT
I've been having fun making the half and half pages. I've never been good about taking pictures and posting anywhere, but maybe I'll get some pictures taken this week and post on IG.
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Post by huskermom98 on May 1, 2021 0:51:25 GMT
I had my first one ever yesterday. I'm thankful I googled prep suggestions because I think it went easier than it could have because I went to a low fiber diet instead of just not having nuts, seeds, popcorn, lettuce, etc. two days before the procedure. I had the prep drink Clenpiq which was two bottles of "cranberry" flavored drink, but each bottle was only 8 to 10 oz (can't remember, but they were not big). The nurse suggested I start earlier than the instruction say in order to get it done earlier than the morning of, just to be safe and so I could sleep better/more. So the prep part wasn't hard at all...just weird...I'm not sure I'll ever forget the sensation of what a clean water release felt like!
The day of the procedure was easy too. The hardest part was getting an IV put in as the first try created a bubble, but at least it didn't hurt. I was knocked out shortly after the doctor administered the good drugs and I barely remember much before getting up to get dressed so I could get wheeled out to DH's car. Apparently I was awake enough to unlock my phone and call DH, but I don't remember any of the conversation between DH, the nurse and the doctor (or that the doctor was even in the room!) I remember parts of the drive home, but once home I was in good shape. I did take a long nap, but felt good all day.
Today was a different story. I knew it wouldn't be easy to get back to "regular" once I was eating solid food again, but today's bathroom visits were much worse than the prep trips. Naturally I was at work, but once I got home in the early afternoon I was able to just relax in bed and felt much better.
I was surprised to get my results back so soon--I did have 3 polyps that they removed during the procedure and they were all benign! But I do have to go back in 5 years instead of 10...but I'm glad I went ahead and did it.
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Post by huskermom98 on Apr 29, 2021 21:11:35 GMT
Definitely Steel Magnolias and also the episode of ER when Mark Greene dies as the song "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" plays.
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Post by huskermom98 on Apr 28, 2021 19:34:56 GMT
We're going to Colorado in July for a week for my sister's wedding and some fishing/hiking. I'm trying to work in a short to trip Kansas City to see the Auschwitz exhibition at Union Station--I want my boys to go, but I'm having a hard time finding time with DS15's summer sports schedule. That might have to wait until fall.
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Post by huskermom98 on Apr 28, 2021 0:37:34 GMT
Never wore a mask while watching DS's baseball games last summer, have not worn one to watch games this year either. His teams don't have a ton of people watching so it's easy to spread out, but we're not necessarily all 6 feet apart either. Most of the other spectators don't wear one either, but a few do. Never wore one at the local amusement park either last summer. Masks were not required at any of these outdoor places, maybe they were at his high school games last summer, but no one wore them once seated. I never wear one while out walking on trails or bike paths or on sidewalks in the neighborhood either, but I rarely see more than one or two people on the trails.
But inside stores and restaurants, sure I wear one. I think they were required for football games last fall, but DS's school only play one game because the superintendent and school board refused to follow the state law...
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Post by huskermom98 on Apr 27, 2021 22:12:01 GMT
I almost always have it with me--the few exceptions are when I forget it or when I'm walking around the building while working (if I'm not listening to anything). I like to have it on walks so I can listen to something, but also as a safety measure because DH can see where I am or where I was through the family app (not a control thing at all, just a way to be able to see where any of us are if needed). We got rid of our land line a year ago so I now keep it on "do not disturb" on my nightstand. That has turned into a handy thing because now I can use my phone for an alarm instead of changing the alarm time on my clockradio.
Part of why I always have it on me, even when moving around the house, is because it became a habit when I was delivering flowers for my neighbor. I never knew when she'd need to get a hold of me to ask if I could do a delivery...and if I didn't answer in a certain amount of time she'd start calling our home phone, then DH's phone, then walk over and knock on our door...ugh... But now I still like to have it near so I can look for something I happen to think of or write a note for something I remembered.
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Post by huskermom98 on Apr 27, 2021 16:21:26 GMT
I keep meaning to open & join these threads, but keep forgetting.
I am one month into my most recent lifestyle change. I had a checkup after some weird menstrual bleeding in early March and my blood pressure was still high. The OBGYN NP pretty much forced me to make an appointment with a family practice doctor in the same hallway after learning I hadn't seen a doctor in 5 years & my original family doctor retired last fall.
My new FP is giving me 3 months to lose weight to in order to see if my blood pressure comes down or I have to start BP meds. I've changed my diet and have started moving--especially when it dawned on me that I drive by several trails on my way home from work.
So my goal this week was to do trail walks yesterday & today, but missed yesterday after remembering I had an eye appointment. I'm not sure if I can get outside tomorrow because I'll be on a liquid diet for a colonoscopy (my first) on Thursday. Hopefully I feel like walking Friday. I think I'll plan on walking to DS15's baseball game Saturday morning for something different.
My other goal is to finally sign up for some classes next week at a local yoga studio. I won some class passes in a school auction & also took advantage of a special they offered for a month of unlimited classes. I want to try a yoga sculpt class, a Barre class maybe, and also a Fiit class, but they fill up fast.
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Post by huskermom98 on Apr 26, 2021 21:51:00 GMT
Both of my boys loved this Skwish toy--it was easy to hold on to because of the strings, but fun to chew on because of the knobs.
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Post by huskermom98 on Apr 24, 2021 12:18:37 GMT
I liked the first lesson with her tips on lining up all of the layers. I made a page that was out of my comfort range after watching the video. It was hard to pick out the layers, but in the end I like how it turned out.
The second lesson was better for some of her process tips (colors and more lining up tips). The 4 photos across is more of what I do (rarely do I use only one photo) so I hope to try out the ideas this weekend.
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Post by huskermom98 on Apr 24, 2021 12:13:02 GMT
The only one I know of for sure is a mini album for my youngest. I made an album for my oldest using a kit (Bo Bunny maybe?) that I loved so much so I was excited to run across another kit a few years later after I had DS#2. I don't even know how far I got into making the 2nd album, but I just know that I never even got to the picking out photos stage. I see the bag with the kit whenever I do some cleaning up or rearranging & the guilt comes back...not enough to get it out and work on it though...DS with the finished album is almost 16 & DS with the unfinished one is 13 so I've had it 11-12 years.
Otherwise I'm sure there are some WITL or DD albums that need some finishing touches as well as some travel albums (like the 3rd album of our 2016 DC road trip...I got the pictures and cards into the pockets, but not the journalling!)
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Post by huskermom98 on Apr 24, 2021 11:44:07 GMT
We didn't want to know with our first. I was sure I was having a girl & almost shouted "no its not!" when the OB announced it was a boy. We did find out with our second because I wanted to know if we could reuse everything or not. So we knew we were having a boy and the only surprise at the delivery was when the OB said "its a boy!...and he's urinating..."
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Post by huskermom98 on Apr 23, 2021 15:09:21 GMT
I received my Evening kit today and gosh I love it!! Gorgeous colors and chip and the moon/stars add-on is so nice! I really like it too! I looked at the add on options a few hours before the boxes closed & happened to be able to add a set of the puffy moon & stars--so happy I did because I've already used several of the stars (I don't remember having gold puffy stars before).
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Post by huskermom98 on Apr 23, 2021 14:55:09 GMT
The bump would make me consider going in. When I sprained my ankle a few years ago I didn't go in until almost 6 weeks later. It would feel fine and then hurt and then be fine and then I'd do something to tweak it. I got tired of that and we were a couple of weeks away from a trip to DC so I figured I should go in for some official advice/help because of all of the walking we'd be doing. The doctor just recommended Aleve to help with any residual inflammation and some simple exercises to help strengthen the muscles (trace the alphabet with my big toe while holding my foot up in the air). I can't remember if she recommended a brace or if had already purchased one to wear after tweaking it.
It took a long time for it to feel normal if it got stretched in the same direction it sprained. But after taking Aleve it stopped hurting with the slightest "tweak".
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Post by huskermom98 on Apr 21, 2021 0:42:18 GMT
I really like that class kit--now I'm just trying to decide if I go ahead and get the class set or just this one class...
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Post by huskermom98 on Apr 20, 2021 15:00:48 GMT
My 13yo is in a private school that has been in person all year long. At the start masks were only required when they were not seated at their desk, but after 6-8 weeks when numbers in the city/county/state started climbing they changed to masks all day except at lunch. I thought that was going to be hard for DS but after the first day he was fine. The school only had a few big changes like how drop off & pick up are done, chapel is watched on TV (not with everyone in the sanctuary) and lunch changed to a more spread out time for K-4 in the cafeteria & 5-8 eating in their classroom. At first I was worried about the classroom eating because they get to watch movies on Disney+ (and DS is easily distracted) but he has watched more movies that he never would have otherwise. As for next year, I haven't heard how things will go, but I wouldn't be surprised if mask use is cut back.
My 15yo on the other hand...that will be interesting. His public district has been on a modified block schedule all year--3 or 4 classes each quarter. High schools were online only for 1st quarter & hybrid when possible for 2nd quarter, but his 2nd quarter classes were all online because they were part of a central academy that is 100% online this year regardless of whatever else is going on in the district. For 3rd & 4th quarters he has 2 online classes & one in-person class that he gets to go to the high school for. He eats at home, wears pajamas until he has to leave for school, snacks on chips & drinks pop all day...he is going to have a rough time next year when he has to go to school all day long for 7 classes! He has had his struggles this winter. He has been great about getting online for his classes & was great about doing his work until he stopped doing the work for 2 of his classes the last few weeks of 3rd quarter. He got the assignments done & was caught up once we realized what was going on...although he never gave us a good reason (or even a bad excuse) as to why he didn't do the work when it was assigned.
The public district has already announced that k-5 will be 100% in person. Grades 9-12 have the option of enrolling in the (already established before covid) online academy but they would be 100% online, they can't do band, choir, or anything else in a school. Grades 6-8 will be mostly in person, but they are opening the online academy up to a few hundred students. I don't remember anything about masks being mentioned, but I'm guessing they'll wait until some time in the summer to announce that.
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Post by huskermom98 on Apr 19, 2021 16:02:47 GMT
I too wish there were more options. I looked at scrapbook.com's albums but decided to order the cream SC one from sb.com instead. I've gotten too used to the 6 rings for DD & WITL that I not only have a ton of PPs, but I like having the set of 3 rings to insert a 4x6 photo on its own wherever I want to put it (either the top or the bottom.)
Now that I have the cream album in my hands I want to paint it because it looks so blah...
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Post by huskermom98 on Apr 16, 2021 1:42:31 GMT
Waving hello from Iowa!
The Pappajohn Sculpture Park is nice, but small (not a reason to skip it though) and there's also the Des Moines Arts Center. I'm not sure how old your kids are, but there's also the Science Center of Iowa and the Blank Park Zoo. The Botanical Center is supposed to be nice (I haven't been personally).
In Ames (just north of Des Moines) there's Reimen Gardens next to Iowa State University that's pretty cool.
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Post by huskermom98 on Apr 15, 2021 12:32:26 GMT
I really like the America the Beautiful line, very usable for the type of 4th of July gatherings we've had in the past...but I don't like Photoplay's paper. I might still take a look at it, even though I don't need much for 4th of July.
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Post by huskermom98 on Apr 12, 2021 21:58:27 GMT
I'm in Iowa and it's a mixed bag. The mask mandate was short lived, but a lot of places (schools, restaurants, businesses, etc.) continue to require/encourage one--at least here in our metro area. New cases for the state have been anywhere from 300-800 a day for the last couple of months. They dropped dramatically in February and have either held steady or slowly ticked up since then. It looks like we're sitting at 5% positivity rates for both 14 & 7 day averages (6& for my county).
Most of the school districts in the state have been full time since the start of the school year in August, but any districts that were still hybrid were forced to offer a 5 day option starting back in February (online only continues to be a required option so most districts have quit offering hybrid, so it's either all in or all out).
The vast majority of restaurants offer seated dining (ironically, a lot of fast food places still don't...) and they are starting to get busier as people venture out for the first time because they are fully vaccinated--they are competing for space with those of us who never stopped dining in. Restaurants are struggling to get enough staff hired back and trained, and they are slowly decreasing the amount of distancing between seating now that there's no longer a 6 foot mandate from the state.
Libraries are opening up again, sports continue to be played (high schools are no long mandated to limit spectators), graduations are being planned, and plans are moving ahead for the big Iowa State Fair in August.
Some people are getting frustrated that city/county/state office buildings are still closed down. I'm getting really irritated with our water company because something is wrong with the meter in our basement and they are not letting workers go into houses for any non-emergency repairs. So now we have to call in with our meter amount each month and ask if they are doing service calls yet..."maybe in a month or two"...
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Post by huskermom98 on Apr 11, 2021 21:17:36 GMT
The few trips offered were class specific--not for an entire grade or the entire school. I went on a trip to DC in 8th grade (open to anyone who wanted to go, but only a handful did) and to France in 12th grade (open to students taking French class, maybe only if they were in year 4).
My oldest son went to DC in 8th grade (open to anyone who wanted to go) and is planning to go to Germany/Austria/Switzerland in March 2022 (open to anyone taking German classes, regardless of what year). If he's still in band by his senior year, he can go on a band trip to Disneyworld in March 2023. The district offers (or did offer pre-Covid) lots of opportunities for international travel, mostly based on language classes, but some were not. The trip that I would have loved for him to experience (or at least I would love) is a highly exclusive exchange trip to Japan for a couple of weeks to our district's "sister" school.
My youngest should have a class trip with with his 8th grade class at his private school next year--that one is for the entire grade (of less than 12 kids....). Previous classes have gone to Chicago or St. Louis so it will be interesting to see where they end up going. If he had continued band he would be eligible for the band trip to Disney that his brother is going on because it will be the one year they overlap in high school, but that hasn't been enough incentive to start band again.
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Post by huskermom98 on Apr 11, 2021 19:54:49 GMT
Right now my only sort of meal planning involves looking at the weekly sale ad from my grocery store and then shopping once a week.
I need to plan more, but now I really should because not only do I need to be eating better because of recent health issues, but also because baseball season kicked off today. Between DS's games, his umpiring, DH's involvement as a board member of our local Little League we will not be home to eat as a family more than a couple of nights a week.
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Post by huskermom98 on Apr 11, 2021 12:37:07 GMT
My oldest will be eligible when he turns 16 next month, but we're not in a big rush since we all had very mild cases in February. I won't be surprised if he has to get it before a (fingers crossed) school trip to Germany in 11 months. Youngest DS is only 13 so it's not an issue right now.
DH & I are not opposed to the vaccine, we're just not in a rush either (letting everyone else who really wants it to get it first...)
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