David and I went to a homeschool costume dance last night. KJ was in San Antonio with his dad for his dad's bodybuilding contest so David and I went childless. We went just to visit with friends and didn't dance. It was really nice getting to catch up friends we hadn't seen in a while. I wore my spider costume again, but David changed into a rasta guy/hippie/art school drop-out.

One of our friends was also dressed like a hippie so she and David stood together for the costume contest.


Here's Granny (Ruth, but we call her granny) dressed as body organs.


Here are David and Jack from Jack in the Box (Chet) with Wonder Woman (Kara) in between.

More Zoo Boo

Okay, I picked up the CD with GOOD pictures this afternoon. (All pics were taken by Connie Kassner, Education Curator.) These are only pictures from the building I was in (Arachniguy's Web). There were actually three other "haunted buildings" plus a haunted trail in between all four areas.

This is Dan the VooDoo Witch Doctor. Dan is a fish and invertebrate keeper.


This is a much better picture of David than in yesterday's post. His bottles aren't bubbling, but doesn't he look freaky? He is a docent and Rebel keeper.


This is James, Arachniguy. He is a fish and invertebrate keeper.


This is Suzanne who let people in the building. She is a docent.

This is Valerie, the Angel of Death and dropper of scary things. (notice the ropes) She is a docent.

KJ went trick or treating with some friends over near his dad's house last night while David and I worked Zoo Boo. We tried to get him to volunteer at Zoo Boo also, but noooooo, he wanted to trick or treat. After hearing how much fun David and I had though, he wants to do Zoo Boo next year. KJ decided the DAY BEFORE HALLOWEEN that he did indeed need a costume. He had a mask so he just needed a hood and robe which I threw together in an hour...no pattern, so it wasn't very good, but he wore it.

David and I both worked in Arachniguy's Web. We had coordinated costumes with the keepers before hand, so David was a deranged mad scientist and I was a spider. My pic of David didn't turn out. He was under a red light and I did not want to use the flash. The Education Curator is burning me a CD of all the pics she took, so I'll post them when I pick it up tomorrow.

Me as a black widow. I looked better in the exhibit than I do here in the parking lot. Strobe lights can make anything look scary.

David as a mad scientist. Everybody LOVED this area. He had bottles of colored solutions, some of which were smoking and bubbling, a rat nibbling on a severed foot, a saw, candles, bloody cloth, etc. He was under a red light, but also had a strobe on him and a fog machine.

Meet the education animals part 4

We have three new arrivals in the zoo's education department.

This is a screech owl. He has some neurological damage that causes his head to be turned, so he was taken off exhibit. He hasn't been handled much at all so he is pretty skittish. Guess who gets to start working with him tomorrow? Yours truly. Woo Hoo!

This is another ball python. He is the same kind as Monty, but has a different coloration. He is also younger and smaller. Here, he is showing where ball pythons get their name. They curl up into a "ball," and hide their head.

(Monty)

This is a corn snake. He came over from the herpatarium and promptly bit the Education Coordinator the first time he was handled. An intern (poor guy) has been assigned the job of handling the corn snake to get the snake to calm down. It's been two weeks, so I thought I would give the corn snake a try. He did not bite me, but was definitely twitchy.

If you missed the other education animals, you can still view part1, part 2, and part 3.

This week has flown by. We're all doing well here. I'll be back later to post some pics.

Last post about Amanda

David had hand surgery yesterday so he wasn't able to attend Amanda's memorial service with me and KJ. The service was a beautiful tribute to Amanda's life. Please keep my sister, Sherry, in your thoughts or prayers. She is going through such a difficult time. Here are a couple of links about Amanda if you're interested.

Obituary

"Light Went Out" story

Thanks everybody for all the warm wishes and condolences. They are much appreciated.

On a more cheerful note, here is a video my sister, Staci, sent me of my niece, Emily, singing.

We'll miss you, Amanda.

David, KJ, KJ's girlfriend, and I went to Austin yesterday to hang out and shop. We had a nice day overall until a little before 5:00. I got a call from my mom telling me that my niece, Amanda, had been in a bad traffic accident in Brownwood. Amanda had lived with my parents this summer while her mom was in basic training for the National Guard. About 6:00, she called back and told me that Amanda was being flown to Scott & White in Temple. David dropped me in Temple with my Aunt Olene and returned to Waco to deliver KJ's girlfriend to her parents. Olene and I sat at the hospital with my sister, Sherry, and some of her family. (Sherry is my half-sister from my dad's first marriage.)

We knew Amanda was critical with a long list of graphic injuries, but still had hope. She had made it through the first surgery, but the docs couldn't get the internal bleeding stopped. I was soooo exhausted, that Olene drove me back to Waco a little before midnight. My parents had arrived about 20 minutes before I left. My mom called me half an hour after I left to tell me that the neurosurgeon had come in and said that Amanda had no brain function and was bleeding out. They had already given her 20 units of blood and her brain pressure would not come down. Amanda was on total life support. At 3:00 am, my sister made the decision not to continue trying to keep Amanda's blood pressure up. A little later, she decided to take Amanda off the vent. Amanda passed on shortly thereafter.

She was 17. She was supposed to graduate in 3 weeks. She had a boyfriend with marriage plans. She was supposed to join the military like her mom. Amanda lived everyday to the fullest and always had a plan A, B, C, and D.

All these pictures were taken this summer.

I'm bored

You Belong in Amsterdam

A little old fashioned, a little modern - you're the best of both worlds. And so is Amsterdam. Whether you want to be a squatter graffiti artist or a great novelist, Amsterdam has all that you want in Europe (in one small city).

What European City Do You Belong In?

You Could Be a Vampire... If You Had To

Like most people, the thought of being a vampire has crossed your mind. But you're not sure if you'd do it, even if you could. Living forever doesn't sound half bad, if you could live forever with the people you love the most. But do vampires even love? And would the vampire version of you even be you? It's all too much to contemplate. Luckily, the chances of you ever becoming a vampire are astronomically low. What you would like best about being a vampire: Living forever What you would like least about being a vampire: Blood stained teeth

Could You Be a Vampire?

I'm alive

I'm feeling MUCH better now. I think the surgery screwed with my brain chemistry, because I was really struggling with depression this past week. I had a couple of middle-of-the-night crying episodes where I really missed Wanda. Now, however, I'm full of energy and relatively pain-free unless I sneeze. Sneezing is very, very bad. I still can't lift over 10 pounds for 3 more weeks which is actually turning out kind of nice. "Honey, could you carry these baskets of wet laundry outside so I can hang them to dry, please?" "KJ, I need you to change the litter in the cat's litter box, please." "Could someone please drag the trashcans down to the road?" (Note: I usually do all these things myself.)

I would also like to announce that David bought me a dishwasher! It will be delivered Wednesday. Yes, I'll use electricity to run it, but it will use much less water than I do when hand washing, which of course means less electricity heating up the extra water. It should all even out in the end, and I won't be near as stressed about housework. Dirty dishes are the bane of my existence.

With the mood I've been in this week, you wouldn't want to read anything I write. Surgery sucks.

I survived the surgery and am now gallbladder-free. Too tired to post anymore now.

Child abusers coming to Killeen

For my local readers, the Pearls are coming to Killeen if you want to protest. Read this article for more information. I'm protesting even though I'm not a "lesbian homeschooler."

Drum store

First, a little background - Waco only has three music instrument stores. We'll call them stores A, B, and C. Store A caters specifically to schools and only supplies marching bands and school orchestras. Store B is partially owned by Ted Nugent and mostly carries speakers, amps, mixing boards, and other electronic stuff. It also has an archery range upstairs. I'll occasionally buy drumsticks there, but that's all. Store C is probably the most well-rounded of the three carrying a little bit of everything, but their prices are outrageous, and their customer service is awful...at least towards drummers, anyway. Consequently, we buy nearly all KJ's drum equipment online. This works okay, but it would be nice to try stuff out before you buy, be able to get something without waiting for it to be shipped, and we have accidentally ordered the wrong part before.

A couple of weeks ago David and I were listening to positively awful poetry (it was open mic night) at Beatnix when I noticed an ad in the City Review. It was for a new music store called Drums and More Music. The address was on 19th St., but since that street practically crosses all of Waco we weren't sure where it was located. I kept the ad and had been meaning to go check out the store when I had time. A few days ago, KJ and I had several errands to run so I told him we would find the store. I called the number listed in the ad and asked where they were located. The man who answered gave me the address (which I already had), so I asked what they were near so I would know which part of 19th St. they were on. He asked me if I knew where Kelly's Bar B'Que was. I had a vague image of passing it so I at least knew the general area he was talking about, so I told him that I thought I knew where it was. Then he asked me if I knew where 19th St. Liquor was. Ummmmm, I'm assuming on 19th St., but no, I didn't recall ever seeing it. He said they were behind the liquor store. I asked what cross street was near. He said, "Reuter," and I told him that I could find it. KJ and I were off.

We headed down 18th St. (it eventually runs into the business part of 19th) towards the area in which I used to teach, which incidentally is in the "hood." We eventually passed Kelly's Bar B'Que, but I didn't see any drum store yet. When we crossed Reuters, I asked KJ if he saw anything yet. Nope, neither of us saw anything looking like a drum store. That's when I realized that 18th hadn't merged with 19th yet. We needed to move over a block. We turned around a little further down, got on 19th St. and looked for Reuter again. Uh, KJ...this doesn't look like a good neighborhood. This isn't it. (Note: I took the pics later.)

Here? Nope, not to Reuter yet.

Maybe I should just stop for a drink...

Oh crap, we just crossed Reuters and I was talking instead of looking. Another U-Turn. Oh, Oh, there's 19th St. Liquor. We must be close.

I backed up and we looked down one side of the store (from inside the car). We didn't see anything and no way, were we going to walk down that alley.

I pulled forward and turned to look on the other side. Does that small sign say "Music?"

I turned on the side street to get a better look. Yep, that's what it said.

By this time, I was pretty sure we were not getting out of the car. What's that back there? The sign says "Drums and More Music."

So did this sign.

We pulled over to discuss the situation. I got my cell phone ready, and we got out of the car. We stepped around the trash, being careful of the crumbling parking lot, and gingerly made our way towards the entrance. There are apartments above the stores and the outside stairway was littered with beer bottles and trash. The door to the drum store was open and we stepped inside. It was a garage, concrete walls, one of which was painted purple, and a concrete floor. There was one of those HUGE box fans to my left, brand new drum sets and cymbals everywhere, a gong to my right, and an aging rocker hippie with a grey beard almost to his navel, sitting in the corner eating a corn dog and reading one of Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake books. Being the proud owner of an Anita Blake Fan Club T-shirt, I relaxed some. He hopped up and instantly put us at ease. He's a drummer who wanted to fill a need for a drum store with very little overhead.

He and KJ talked. KJ played on different drums and cymbals, and they discussed drum heads. I had not really intended to buy anything, but I had been meaning to get KJ new cymbals for awhile. Drum man had layaway so I put a cymbal pack in layaway, and he let KJ take the high-hats HOME even though I obviously haven't finished paying for them yet. Also, on our way out the door, he handed KJ a new pair of drum sticks and said to see how he liked them.

I told KJ this was a good example of not judging a book by its cover.

I'm healthy

The results from all the tests are in and I am FINE! I told them there was nothing wrong with me (except my gall bladder), but noooooo, we had to test just to be sure. The results - I now have a med to prevent migraines (haven't decided if I'm going to take it or not), and another med to stop a migraine in its tracks. I'm still having my gall bladder out on the 1st, and then I'm home free.

On other fronts, my "teaching computer classes in pre-schools" job is going well. I teach every Friday morning while KJ is in co-op. Those little 3-4 year-olds are just precious! I also teach every Wednesday morning, but I'm only gone a couple of hours.

David had his last day of docent training at the zoo today. Now he just has to shadow 6 activities and he's officially a docent. I'm started to get concerned about Petunia the opossum. Her tail is still infected so she started another 14 days of oral antibiotics and antibiotic ointment on her tail. The vet also increased her diet which made Petunia VERY happy. I'm just worried this is the beginning of a downward spiral in her health. Opossums only live about 3 years in captivity and she is on her last year. *sniffle*

KJ's Chemistry class at co-op has turned out to be more work than either of us anticipated. Apparently co-op is just to do the labs, with the rest of the work being done at home. It's a good thing I worked my way through college as a lab tech for an industrial petroleum chemical company.

Just a quick note to say that I survived all the testing yesterday. I should have the results tomorrow. I still say there is nothing wrong with me, though the bright flashing light at the end of the EEG gave me an instant migraine. Can anybody have a strobe light inches from their face (eyes closed) and NOT get a headache?

Inspired by Phoenix, I am attempting to make bento box lunches for David and KJ. David takes his lunch daily and KJ needs one on Tuesdays and Fridays. Phoenix is much more creative than I'll ever be, so please forgive me if my bentos look *ahem* remarkably similar to hers.

This one is KJ's for tomorrow. Yogurt, eight little pumpkin toothpicks holding pepperoni and cheese ka-bobs, brownie bites, grapes, marshmallows, and a soda. Yes, I know there is quite a bit of sugar there. Both the grape container and marshmallow container have lids, plus the whole box also has a lid.

This one is David's for tomorrow. Rice pudding, grapes, marshmallows, a brownie bite, brown rice with chicken samosas, and a Diet Coke.

test day

Yesterday, I finally had my neurologist appointment. It took a month to get in, but boy, are those people thorough. After David and I were ushered back, we saw a nurse who took my vitals. Then we saw a nurse practitioner who asked a million questions about my health history, my parent's health history, my sibling's health history, and KJ's health history. If you ever think you're relatively healthy, just recite your family's health history. By the time we finished, I was thinking it was remarkable that I'm still living. Then she asked a bunch more questions about my headaches, and ran me through some neurological tests. We discovered that I have EXCELLENT reflexes. I could have kicked a soccer ball across a field when she hit my knee with the rubber hammer.

Then we saw the actual neurologist who asked a few more questions, prescribed some meds, discussed the abnormal MRI, and ordered some tests. Incidentally the "thing" on my brain is probably nothing, but they want to watch it, so I have to have another MRI in January. We were sent across the street to the hospital for an EKG and a heart monitor which just makes an oh, so lovely fashion statement. It hangs from my neck in a pouch that sits right on top of the middle of my breasts making me look like I have some strange growth. (Its under my shirt.)

Today, I have to return to the hospital to turn in the heart monitor and have an echo cardiogram done. Then I go over to the neurologist's office for an EEG. I already asked if any of these tests involved a claustrophobic tube and they don't. (except for January's MRI, of course)

I got this from Karisma. It's silly, but fun.

My Rock Star Name: Pepper Civic

(1st pet + current car)

My Gangsta Name: Rocky Road Chocolate Chunk

(fav. ice cream + fav. cookie)

My Fly Girl Name: R' Har

(1st initial of first name + 1st 3 letters of last name)

My Detective Name: Green Turtle

(fav. color + fav. animal)

My Soap Opera Name: Lee Orange

(middle name + city of birth)

My Star Wars Name: Harre

(first 3 letters of first name + first 2 letters of first name)

My Superhero Name: The Blue Dr. Pepper

(The + 2nd fav. color + fav. drink)

My NASCAR Name: Fred Glenn

(fist names of grandfathers)

My Stripper Name: Lavender Licorice

(fav. perfume/scent + fav. candy/lolly)

My Witness Protection Name: Jon Gene

(mother's and father's middle name)

My TV Weather Anchor Name: Swartz Seattle

5th grade teacher's name + major city with same letter)

My Spy Name: Autumn Rose

(fav. season + Fav. flower)

My Cartoon Name: Strawberry Shorty

(fav. fruit + what you're wearing plus 'ie' or 'y'

My Hippie Name: Crackers Oak

(what you ate for breakfast + fav. tree)

My Rock Star Tour Name: The Reading Dew Tour

(The + fav. hobby/craft + weather element + Tour)

On Saturday, I took KJ up to Dallas where he met up with some friends to do Renaissance fighting. They were performing at the Dallas Harley-Davidson (though it's in Garland) for "Talk Like a Pirate Day." KJ has finally decided on a character name, Nicholas. He currently has no background information though.

KJ is fighting Millsaps/Montuss here.



Doesn't he look cute here? Feel free to pop him with your staff, D'Anne.


KJ and Montuss.



Hey, hey, hey! That's my baby you're swinging that sword at! Thank goodness, KJ isn't using the real swords yet. A wrong hit from a wooden sword and you'll bruise. A wrong hit from a real sword and you'll need stitches.



My sister, Staci, and her two girls, McKenzie and Emily, came out to watch. Emily was terrified at first. The guy in the above pic, Jim, nearly scared Emily to death. She was actually shaking. Montuss, however, wasn't nearly as scarey.



Getting to hold KJ's foil made everything just fine.



KJ was hot and tired towards the end.


I took LOTS of pictures and videos. You can see the rest of them here.

Oh, I forgot to mention that with the exception of boots, belt, and gloves; I made the rest of KJ's garb....and that I stayed up until 1:30am Friday night finishing...and that I had to get up at 5:15am so we could get to Harley-Davidson on time...and that it was my birthday. I really love my son.

Welcome back, Eric!

My cousin, Eric, returned from Afghanistan a couple of weeks ago. He had already done a tour in Iraq, and was home a year before leaving for his tour in Afghanistan. (and he's not even active duty) Eric is normally a police officer in Austin when not pulling soldier duty. Apparently, he finds dangerous jobs attractive.

His two boys sure are glad their daddy is home.

Anyway, his mother, my Great-aunt Olene, threw him a welcome home party on Saturday. David had docent training at the zoo, and KJ was with his dad so I went by myself. It was great getting to visit with family I don't see very often. My cousin, Pam, was there with her son, Carson. He will be 1 in Oct.

Pam & Carson

I am absolutely smitten with Carson. He is the sweetest baby! He had been in the hospital with pneumonia 2 days before the party so I could feel gurgling in his chest. Boy, did that bring back memories, especially when Pam broke out the nebulizer to give him a breathing treatment. My cousin's wife, Heather, and I both wanted to take Carson home with us. We played nicely though and took turns holding him.
Heather's turn

This is Carson's Aunt Amanda. She spoils him rotten.

These two spoil him too. The lady in back is Carson's grandmother, my Aunt Betty. The lady in front is Carson's Great-Great-Aunt Olene.

This is probably the worst spoiler of all though, Carson's Great-Grandmother, MY grandmother, Audie.

HEY, don't get too used to that Carson. Audie is MY grandmother, MINE. I was the first, and of course favorite grandchild.

Are you eating Audie's keys so she'll have to ride with you, Carson?

This is Carson's Great-Uncle Freddie. Freddie pretends not to spoil him, but he would give Carson anything he wanted.

Only one person did not want to hold Carson. Eric said that he didn't do babies, so Carson took every opportunity to win him over.

Another nice surprise was Freddie bringing his girlfriend, Jerri. She came Thanksgiving too. I think I may have a new aunt soon.

My Aunt Betty, Uncle Freddie, and his girlfriend, Jerri