I Have a Big Deck

Yes, the deck is huge (according to Riley.) We've done most of the staining, although we're only doing one coat this Fall, then we'll hit it good again in the Spring. Ken is once again having me stain all of the post's individually, which means the exiting ones will come down. He says it looks better that way (it does,) and that it's easier to stain (he is so wrong.)

A portion of the posts I will have to remove and stain one by one.

Deck. Deck.

A carpenter suggested that we lay the boards in this pattern rather than basically demolishing our old deck to make the boards stagger in the same direction. We are pretty happy with the results and it doesn't look like we threw an imported deck right next to an existing one.

Assuming we're not completely destitute by next spring, we'd like to get a larger patio set so that we can actually eat as a family out there. We will be able to fit a table, chairs and a grill on the deck for a change! An added bonus? The kids think the deck is an oversized fort and no longer whine about our soon-to-disappear playset (which was used twice this summer - I counted.)

Lights

It's Fall, which has become my favorite season of the year. (Actually, back-to-school time is my favorite season of the year, and that happens during the Fall. I hate the inconsistent, windy and cold Fall weather.) However, with Fall comes Halloween, one of my favorite holidays. At least until I have to make costumes, anyway.

It's been too cold to put my clearanced-out, end-of-the-season perennials into the ground (freeze warning tonight: 31 degrees,) so I decided to put out my Halloween decorations instead. I told a friend that I was going for the Tackiest Decorations on the Block Award, and if my really tacky things hadn't been destroyed in the (slight) breeze hours after I'd put them up, I would have won for sure.

Needless to say, my husband never gets around to putting up my holiday lights on the house, so I use stakes to put my lights on the ground. This actually looks pretty decent, but bad things can happen. I've had dogs chew up my lights, kids trip over my lights, and just last night, I drove right over my lights.

I had lined the driveway with purple lights, and I wasn't too sure if I liked them. They're pretty on the darkest nights, but dull at dusk. They also clash with the orange lights, which are sharp and bright. Well, my subconscious must have said to lose them, because as I pulled out of the driveway with a van full of kids, (we had to go Boo the neighbors - a weird little Michigan thing similar to May baskets,) I veered right over the purple lights and crushed 1/2 of the string into oblivion.

Ken was trying to direct me out of the driveway at the time, and he became very frustrated with me. (Construction work, toys, and his car were all major obstacles at the time.) After I realized what I did, Ken chewed me out for not following his instructions, which I hadn't been able to hear in the first place. (Four loud kids in a van, radio on, and windows up. Ken needs to come up with hand signals for, "Don't run over your lights!")

Upon reflection, though, I think Ken is trying to figure out how he can get me to run over the remaining orange lights, too. He's not a big fan of my holiday decorations, and certainly not a big fan of lights hovering over the ground. But even moreso, he's not a big fan of climbing on ladders and putting my lights where they belong - on the house.

Trashed

Shannon was sitting in the tub this morning as it filled, and when his brothers were climbing in, he yelled, "Look at that! Somebody cleaned the tub! There's no more dirt on the side, or on that wall!" He was pretty darned excited.

Needless to say, my full day of cleaning yesterday was sorely needed. I managed to knock out all but the basement, and the house looked really nice when I left for volleyball last night. Then I returned home...

The boys had knocked over my (freshly watered) plant all over the living room carpet, Club Crackers were trailed about throughout the kitchen and said living room, the bathroom sink was covered in dirt and water droplets, and Ken had tracked the landscaping dirt into the house (and left his muddy shoes in my kitchen.)

Really. Why do I clean?

After I returned from volleyball and pitched a royal fit, Ken then informs me that his brother is coming into town to visit, after all, and did I get the basement cleaned up? Those of you who know me could probably guess where the conversation went from there...

Of course I told Ken he'd better get to work cleaning the downstairs (bathroom, bedroom, playroom,) so his brother didn't think we were slobs, because I refused to do anymore work that was just going to get trashed when I turned around. Of course, Ken just looked at me and went back to whatever he was doing.

Well, today is the day brother-in-law shows up, and I'm getting ready to head downstairs and clean it all up. I should have time now that I've got the plant mess vacuumed up, the kitchen back into shape, and Ken's work shoes buried in the garage. I don't know exactly where those shoes landed after I threw them with all the strength I had in me, but I bet Ken will find them someday.

Not Gonna Mow

I really need to mow today and I thought I'd put some more plants in the ground. It's going to rain instead. Bummer....

Okay, I lied. The weather front seems to be stalling out over Illinois, so after I made (yet another) trip to the lumber store, I set the mower to high speed and knocked out the entire yard in almost one hour. It's amazing how quick it is to mow now that we've added rock borders and expanded that deck! (We should rock the entire yard, to be honest...)

Botox Sucks (and I hate that term but it's appropriate)

Most of you know that Corey, who has cerebal palsy, receives 4 botox injections into his legs every 4-6 months. The botox (yes, that nasty stuff people put into their foreheads, and yes, that stuff that is more appropriately referred to as botulism,) paralyzes his affected leg muscles, which forces him to use his 'good' muscles resulting in a more acceptable gait, or walk.

The last time Corey had his injections (where I have to physically use my entire body to restrain him while listening to his cries of, "Mommy, you're so mean, why do you have to be mean to me?") he had a bad reaction. His legs started collapsing from beneath him three weeks after the injections and he had no leg strength. Why? The doctor got him good. That, and he needed more physical therapy than he was getting to strengthen up his rarely-used muscles that suddenly had to do all the work.

It's been a year since Corey had his last botox injections, and I really struggled with the decision to do it again. Aside from the fact that I can't stand watching Corey suffer, the FDA had put out a warning about deaths occurring with high doses of botox similar to the amounts Corey had been receiving. I had talked to his therapists, I had talked to his doctors, and finally made the decision to go ahead with another series of injections at a lower dosage. Oh, yeah, and one other thing, I refused to go to the appointment. Ken had never had the pleasure of being the bad guy, and I was done with being privy to the torture (literally) that Corey went through on injection day.

So Ken took the day off and about 30 minutes ago, held Corey down for the shots. I've had an upset stomach ever since they left and I've been waiting for Ken to call me and tell me that everything went great and that Corey barely cried. Well, the phone just rang, and I didn't hear what I wanted to hear...

I answered the phone, and there was Corey on the other end going, "Mom? Mom?" I said, "Corey, baby, it's mommy, how are you doing?" After a big deep breath, (here goes...) "WAAAAAHHHHH!!!! Mommy, you made me get shots and that was rude and it's NOT NICE!!! WWWAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!!"

I guiltily tried to comfort Corey, and soon had lost all kinds of patience. I kept saying, "Honey, put your daddy on the phone. Put dad on the phone. Put daddy on the phone NOW!" Finally Corey quieted and Ken must have heard me hollering for him, and he takes the phone from Corey. "What the hell were you thinking, making him call me?" I yelled. The whole point of Ken taking Corey to the appointment was so that I didn't have to be the bad guy or have the massive guilt trip (which I most certainly deserve, but can't stand) while inflicting this trauma on my own child.

"I didn't know he was going to start crying, he was totally fine when I asked him if he wanted to call you..." explained Ken. Well, duh!!! (Can I say that again? DUH!!!!) THEN Ken went on to explain that Corey did pretty good, only screaming for me the whole time, while the doctor gave Corey TWELVE injections. At this point, I really freaked out! How do you decrease a dosage of medication, yet increase the amount of injections from four to twelve?

Ken explained the doctors rationale (okay, I guess it kinda made sense,) and eventually I mellowed out a little. By the time Ken explained the chain of events, Corey was in the background, tear free and happy, asking if they could get a pop. I was still fuming about the phone call, but glad that Ken (and Corey) handled the whole thing fairly well without me. I would have had a breakdown had I been at that appointment, I swear. And I just have nothing more to say about it other than the thought of Corey suffering through twelve (did I mention TWELVE) injections, only makes me feel slightly nauseous at this point.

What's Up

If you haven't heard from me in awhile, there's a reason! My neighbor is redoing all of his backyard landscaping, and rather than pay for a demolition team, he told us we could have all of his rock and decking if we just remove it from his property. Over 40 wheel-barrow loads of large river rock and a small deck, not too tough, right? (My aching back!!!)

Well, after a week we had everything removed and our deck expansion has begun. I wasn't happy with the way my plants looked against the large stones, so I also ripped up my main flowerbed and inserted 15 new plants. You don't want to know what possessed me to re-rock this area twice in two days, but trust me, it really wasn't fun.

New rock and border installed in front.

Stripped twice, old plants removed, new plants installed.

Deck expansion has begun.

Additional rock (98% moved by Colleen,) without a permanent home.

The boys enjoying the neighbor's bobcat.

I DID take some picture of our rainy day fun, which I'd explained in a previous post. Here's Shannon and Anna taking advantage of the puddles...

Picture Day

I did the one thing that is not recommended by photographers all over the world yesterday afternoon. I took Corey in for a haircut and he ended up with a new hairstyle, the day before school pictures are to be taken. The style involves an amazing amount of hair gel, as well, and styling products and I don't have a very good relationship.

I think I have Corey (and the other boys) looking pretty spiffy, and I'm hoping for three good sets of pictures. This is the only year that all three boys are in the same school, and the only year that, for certain, they will have the same backgrounds in their pictures so I splurged and ordered an 8x10 of each. If the pictures turn out, I might just put them on the wall!

For that to happen, though, the kids will have to keep their hoods off their heads, remain upright on the bus rather than recline and muss up their hair, keep from swiping snot across their faces, avoid bloody noses, put their shirts on correctly (Shannon's was backwards this morning,) sit tall for the camera, avoid lens glare with eyeglasses, avoid eating their snacks on the bus on their way in to school which would result in crumbs all over their faces, and keeping any support staff out of the pictures (Corey's teacher's hair appeared in the pictures one year because she physically had to hold him in position.)

Or mommy should just show up to volunteer to help with picture day so that she can ensure that the boys look polished and don't look so much like.... well, like boys.

I'd better go get ready to head up to school...

Banned

Today was "Dress as Your Favorite Storybook Character Day" at school, and although we had hashed out different ideas for the last few days, neither I nor the boys could come to any agreement. My only stipulation was that the costumes had to be simple and require no sewing. (For some reason the boys are under the impression that I can construct a costume from scratch overnight!) I had checked out about 40 library books to get ideas, and still we couldn't figure anything out.

Well, I was so busy yesterday that dress up day completely slipped my mind, only to resurface at 6:55 this morning. Yikes, what to do? I had Shel Silverstein in the back of my mind because he comes up with some crazy characters (visible in his outrageous drawings,) so I grabbed a copy of A Light in the Attic and flipped through it. A few pages in, and a light bulb went off in my head!

There is a great poem called Spelling Bee, and it goes like this:

I got stung by a bee
I won't tell you where.
I got stung by a bee
I was just lyin' there,
And it tattooed a message
I can't let you see
That spells out
Hello... you've been stung by a bee.

In the book, the line, "Hello, you've been stung by a bee," is spelled out in bee stings on a characters (tactfully drawn) naked rear. Well, I couldn't do that, but I got out Riley's toy tattoo gun and tattooed this line on all three boys' forearms in perfect pointillistic dots. The boys were thrilled, even more so after I sent them to school with their own photocopy of the poem (thanks for knocking that out this morning, Heather,) so they could show their classes where the character originated.

After putting them all on the bus, I came in to post about it on my blog, and figured you'd get a better feel for the poem if I could copy the poem with the picture. So I type into my Google bar, "Shel Silverstein spelling bee poem," and all sorts of things popped up. And everything that popped up included the word banned. Uh oh...

Turns out the book A Light in the Attic is one of the ten most frequently banned children's books of all time! (My teachers in elementary school, nor my local library, must have been aware of this fact!) Hmm... why would people want to ban this book you ask? Two reasons, one of which is the drawing connected to the poem in question. The very drawing that I sent my children off to school with this morning to show their classmates.

Oops.

Needless to say, Corey read his poem to his class and showed them all the picture, and I've heard no complaints. Shannon's teacher read the poem to the class and showed the picture, and as Shannon said, "Everybody laughed about his butt with the words on it!" Once again, no complaints. Riley didn't bother taking the poem out of his backpack, so once again, no complaints.

I am so relieved. Pheeeww! I'd hate to have to explain to the principal or angry parents just what I, (the PTO secretary, none the less,) was thinking when I sent in a poem complete with a picture of a naked butt.

Bucket Dipper (AKA Cold Prickly)

I was informed today that I should no longer send occasional notes to school with the boys in their lunchboxes. Apparently it's embarrassing. Shannon said, "It's okay that they laughed at me, mom, but don't do it again." Talk about a bucket dipper. (Doing something that takes away somebody's happiness.)

On a better note, when Ken came home Shannon yelled, "Guess what, Dad? I got to do homework tonight!" (As in, I am LUCKY to have homework.)

Apparently the boy's aren't that grown up, or they would realize that homework really isn't something worth getting excited about. He'll figure it out in a few weeks I bet...

Wet

It has been raining pretty steadily for three days now. Yes, the kids are experiencing cabin fever. I took a note from my girl June, called Anna, and sent the kids out into the rain to play. What fun! (Actually, Anna and I had the most fun.) Riley only lasted about ten minutes, but Shannon and Anna got out a bunch of blocks and wood and I showed them how to make a dam out of all the water flowing down the street.

The kids weren't able to restrict all of the water so I filled up about 40 water balloons to help fill the gaps. Then I threw them some sidewalk chalk and we made streams of green and yellow water. Anna decided to grab some gravel to plug up the dam a bit, and soon we had two interesting piles on either side of the storm drain. Then the torrents kicked in...

Shannon was done. Heavy rain started pouring down and the wind had kicked up, so he tore off for home yelling, "It's tooooo cold...." Anna gave me a look like Shannon was crazy and I said, "I guess you and I are having a water balloon fight?" That girl soaked me as I ran around dodging her, my useless umbrella in hand! Soon the balloons were gone and we gathered up our junk and headed in.

After nice warm baths and pancakes for lunch, we all moped around the house. Soon Riley was telling me that it was raining really hard again, so I looked out. The back yard was starting to flood again, and the water along the street was really high. "Who wants to drive through puddles and look at the lagoons?" I asked.

Riley and Shannon were up for it, and with a little convincing, Corey was too. We zipped through the neighborhood, watering everyone's lawns, driveways and mailboxes, with the kids screaming "More!" the whole time. We decided to check on the lagoons, and as we went to exit the neighborhood, we realized the main entrance was completely flooded. No problem, we snuck out the back way and found the lagoons about 1 foot shy of flooding over. The kids were in awe, and surprisingly quiet.

"More puddles?" I asked. "Yeah!!!" they screamed. We did another five laps or so and decided it was time to head home.

"Mom, you're a bucket-filler!" Shannon said when we got back into the house. (That means I do things to make people feel good.)

"Yeah, mom, that was AWESOME!" yelled Corey. "NOW can I play Shift 3 on the computer?"