Hospital Blues

For the past 2 nights my Kangaroo and I have stayed at the hospital. My baby is fighting an MSRA staph infection. On Tuesday evening I discovered what looked like a little ant bite in a location where one wouldn't want to discover an ant bite. Twenty four hours later, I was calling the pediatrician. This thing had grown to over 1 1/2 inches in diameter and was purple! I was quite concerned.

The pediatrician took a look after my description of the problem and promptly exclaimed, "Whoa! I was NOT expecting THAT!". Then he says he's not comfortable addressing the problem in office and placed a call to the Peds unit at the hospital. I wish he had told me not to feed my baby before we got to the hospital but he didn't. So, on the way, when she said she was hungry, I stopped and fed her thus postponing surgery for the "thing" by 1 day. Aaack!

At any rate, upon arrival she was immediately hooked up to an antibiotic IV and placed in a room. See how she's feeling in the pic below? However, that didn't stop her from correcting the nurses when they called her by name. They would come in and say, "So, how's Kangaroo feeling today?" and instead of answering the question, she would reply, "It's Pwincess Kangawoo!" and then she would say, "My bottom huts." :(

After 24 hours of antibiotics, Kangaroo is wheeled out for the procedure to lance the MSRA infected boil/bump/whatever it's called. It looks like she's feeling much better here. In truth, she's looking at this entire ordeal as an adventure. She's such a trooper!

In the pre-op room getting their party hats on and ready to go.
All is well. Headed back tothe room with a popsicle.
Her appetite was NOT affected!
However, by 1 a.m. following procedure (12 hours later), Kangaroo has finally fallen asleep but developed a fever. I hope this is normal after such a procedure.

The doctor is supposed to see us in the morning and declare whether we can home.

Edited to Add: The surgeon came in at 6 a.m. and opted to wait on extracting the gauze for a later time. She returned at 11 a.m. with a small syringe of morphine, administered that, and then proceeded to extract the nasty looking gauze. She then said that as long as there is fever, we stay here. Otherwise, Kangaroo is cleared to go home. So, we continue to wait and watch cartoons.

Update (8/2/09): We were released and sent on our way. As of today, Roo has fully recovered and is bossier than ever. I think the nurses spoiled her a bit too much.

Clark Creek & Port Hudson

A few weeks ago, my little ones stayed at a friends house for some swimming fun. Therefore, DH and I (along with DQ and The Teen) decided to get out and enjoy some nature like we used to do a long time ago. We chose to visit the Clark Creek area just over the Louisiana/Mississippi border northeast of St. Francisville. This is a beautiful little area that I advise you hike in when the weather gets a little cooler.

It's more than 2000 acres of natural beauty that boasts nearly 40 waterfalls that range from 10 feet to 25 feet in height! If you stay on the established trails you'll only get to see 6 - 8 of these waterfalls. All along the trails you will see a mixed hardwood and pine forest with beech and magnolia trees throughout. As you stroll, hike, or huff/puff along you might also see birds, snakes (some poisonous!), a snail or two, and maybe, just MAYBE a black bear since this area provide excellent habitat for it.

If you plan to hike this area, go at your own risk. It's a pretty strenuous workout. It's also located in a remote area so any medical assistance is quite a distance away. However, across the street from the parking lot there is a home on a bluff where a man has a 6 wheel ATV for emergency recoveries.

There is no drinking or potable water avialable at Clark Creek so be sure to pack a cooler full of iced water. Take a few bottles down into the trail with you.

As you approach the parking area you will prob'ly see the greeting crew as shown in the photo below.

Stop in the pond store to pick up a trail map. Be sure to take a peek at the original cash register that the store aquire in 1903. The owner has the original box it was delivered in sitting up on a top shelf behind her. Ask her to point it out to you. Also, peek at the doll house in the store.

Once you get on the trail, there is a bluff where most vistors carve their names as my hubby is doing here.

Here is the first waterfall of the Clark Creek area. Isn't it pretty?
DQ and The Teen slowly approach an ambush! DH is such a kid!

They have no idea what they're about to walk into.

The 2nd waterfall. You can actually hike right down the stream from waterfall #1 to this one. Just don't go OVER it!

Time for the long climb out of here!

And the MANY stairs!

On the way back out past the old store, you will see these 2 little cabins on your right. They can be rented on a nightly basis. For more info, talk to the lady in the store.

Leaving the Clark Creek area and heading south we found a historical marker in front of someone's house. Seems that Oliver Pollock was an Irish merchant in Spanish N.O. he also served in that city as a Commercial Agent for the Continental Congress & helped finance the American Revolution with his fortune. He died at Pinckneyville, MS in 1832 and is buried here.

Continuing our southerly trek, we decided to stop at Port Hudson for a visit and lunch. The Teen looks real excited huh!?

I wondered what the inside of a cannon looked like and since I couldn't see all the way down into it, I just stuck my camera in the end of it and turned the flash on. Looks like a cannon.

Aaaannnnd, this concludes our Field Trip to Clark Creek and Port Hudson. Next time I'm taking geocache coordinates to hunt for a different kind of treasure! There's a bunch of them at Clark Creek and 2 at Port Hudson. I WILL find them!!!

Family Tree Quilt

I made this 2 years ago for my parents in law. I'm thinking of making another one this year but don't know which family member to give it to. I might just have a drawing at the Christmas gathering with the lucky winner taking it home.

If you look real close you can see the individual family names that were hand embroidered on the quilt top.

Random Ramblings

I'm such a bad blogger. I haven't posted any thoughts on things for quite some time. I really need to recommit to this if I'm truly gonna say that "I have a blog!". I've been working on some more little "passport" projects similar to the one I did for our Epcot adventure. Only this time, I'm focusing on the Louisiana state parks. Some states already have a passport for their state parks, but our Sportsman's Paradise doesn't. Next year's family vacation is also on the drawing board (thus my passport for Louisiana).

At first I wanted to take another "road trip" to some far away place like Glacier National Park or Yellowstone National Park. However, I was rethinking it and thought visiting every state park at home. Then move on to the "neighbors" of Mississippi, Arkansas, and Texas. We can still have great vacations without all the time on the road. Once these places are knocked off the traveling list, then we can to another big road trip. Yellowstone would definitely be a two weeker for us since I just can't stand to be in such a beautiful place and only spend a short day there.

I'm also planning for my Christmas gifts this year. Some projects I've made in the past include:

1. A queen sized Family Tree quilt complete with hand embroidered individual family names on the "tree".
2. A double sized denim quilt with fabric painted hand prints from some of the grandkids, for my dad.
3. Stuffed letter pillows.
4. Personalized pillow cases.
5. Personalized camoflage velcro fastener wallets - bought from the Dollar Tree and then personalized with a gold paint pen.
6. Baskets with 1/2 pint jars of homemade Mayhaw and Blackberry jelly and a package of Martha White biscuit mix and muffin mix.
7. Baskets with jars of bean soup mix and a handmade hot rice pad that releases a sweet smell when a hot pot is placed on it.

I know there's more but I can't remember what they are at the moment. I really should start keeping a list so that I don't "repeat" gifts! LOL If I can find some pictures of what I've done, I'll post them at a later time for you to see.

Book Review: Jesus Calling

I am FINALLY getting around to doing this little book review.

Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence written by Sarah Young is a beautiful little book, weighing less than a pound. It's small enough and light enough to put in your purse and carry along to read while waiting at the doctor's office, dentist's office, or for an oil change in your vehicle. Setting aside or "making the time" to do a daily devotional couldn't be easier!

This book is a devotional book to be read on a daily basis. However, for the sake of review, I cheated and read more than one entry at a time. I like that it's written in first person, as if Jesus is talking directly to the reader. For me, I found that to be very enlightening and easy to understand what it being said. I didn't have to strain my brain to decipher or interpret the messages.

On my first night of reading, I personally felt as if Jesus was talking to me! It was absolutely awesome to "see" His hand at work right there in front of me!

I would recommend this book as a gift book for any occasion or even “just because” for that someone in your life who is trying to understand a little more about how to live Jesus filled life.

Wetland Watchers

The following is taken from the sign above the traveling shrimp boots currently on display at the Louisiana Art and Science Museum in Baton Rouge, LA.

"These artistic shrimp boots were created especially for LASM by the Hurst Middle School Wetland Watchers of Destrehan, LA. The traveling shrimp boot project began as an outreach program to students in the New Orleans area who had been affected by Hurricane Katrina; during this difficult time, they were given the opportunity to share the positive things they love and appreciate about their state.

The Wetland Watchers are a group of articulate, intelligent Louisiana students who are truly making a difference in their community. During the past ten years, they have provided over 60,000 hours of volunteer service, planted more than 2900 trees, collected over 2000 bags of trash, and participated in outreach to over 185,000 people. They have been awarded the prestigious National Youth Leadership State Farm Service Learning Award for their commitment to excellence. The Wetland Watchers have also appeared on a CNN special, People Count: Hot on the Trail and were featured by Diane Sawyer on the ABC Children First Special, Protecting Our Planet. Barry Guillot, the energetic leader of this industrious group, was also honored with a Blue Cross Angel Award in 2007. He could be described as a cross between the Crocodile Hunter and Bill Nye the Science Guy with a New Orleans accent, of course! His passion for education and the environment is contagious and most evident as he proudly describes the accomplishments of his young students. Their concern for the wetland and its inhabitants can be summed up in a quote by a seventh grader, "If the animals and plants could talk, I think they would say we are their heroes, because that is the way I feel when we do our work in the wetlands.""

First Sunday Museum Play

After church this morning, we visited the Louisiana Art & Science Museum in downtown Baton Rouge. This is a great place to kill some time on a hot Sunday afternoon! I have a Kodak Easyshare Z712 digital camera that I enjoy taking pictures with. One day I'll take a photography class to learn how to use it better. In the meantime, here are some shots from today.

I call this one "Concentration"

This was an interesting looking boot that I just HAD to take a picture of.

Posted above the display was an explanation about the Hurst Middle School Wetland Watchers of Destrehan, LA.

Taken from the Wetland Watchers website:

The Traveling Shrimp Boot Project
White shrimp boots are a Louisiana staple. Often referred to as “Cocodrie Converse” or “Swamp Nikes”, these popular boots are more of a symbol of Louisiana than merely the boot shape. They represent the hundreds of millions of dollars worth of commercial fisheries that are dependent on Louisiana wetlands. Louisiana contributes a great deal of the nation’s commercial catch as well as other valuable resources. As part of this project, students paint the boots themed after what they love most about Louisiana. Students design activities to place in the boots that help students in other states realize how important Louisiana wetlands are to them and that the coastal land loss in Louisiana affects all of us – not just Louisiana residents! These boots will be loaned to classrooms throughout the United States. Participating classes will complete the provided activities and then use the included webcam to interview my students via Skype video conference calls. My students will answer questions about the wetlands and also ask questions about environmental issues the cooperating students may have in their area.

Moving on to other areas of the museum.

"Dr." Kangaroo? The Old State Capitol building.
Inside the Old State Capitol on the staircase.
Looking up from the staircase.

I laid down on the step below the girls to get this one. It isn't the best picture, but I was trying for an unusual angle. I was absolutely fascinated by this stained glass window.

My flash didn't work but I ended up with a pigtail silouette....almost. Little Bird strikes a beautiful pose.

Kangaroo doesn't want to be left out.

"Look, Kangaroo, flying skirts!"

A wrought iron angle.

Well, that's it. That's what we did for the afternoon. If I'd had more time, I would have visited some other locations for photos as well. Oh, well, there's always next Sunday. Hmmm,I thinkI might look up some geocaches as well!

Lunch Date with Siblings

This morning at approximately 9:30 a.m., while on the verge of awakening but not wanting to because I really wanted to see how my dream, my bedside telephone rang. It was my only brother inviting me to share brunch with him and our baby sister. I was excited and hurriedly dressed to join them. I had visions of scrambled eggs, bacon, and other carbs. By the time I joined them, it was nearly 10:15 a.m. We decided then to just wait for lunch. We went to my brother's office where he introduced our baby sister to his co-workers.

One of his co-workers suggested wego to Chookie's in Hammond for lunch. It's a little hole in the wall place that really good seafood!!! I ordered a grilled shrimp salad, fried shrimp pistolette, and a seafood gumbo minus the rice. It was all so good!

Afterwards, my sister and I dropped the brother off at his job location and then we went on into Ponchatoula for some sightseeing. I showed her where a micro geocache was located and then we went into the Collinswood museum for a history lesson on the area. It was really intriguing.

Then we went down the road for a Sno-Cone and sat and visited for a bit before I returned her to her vehicle. I had a truly blessed day visiting with them.

The Shower Blowout Saga

I didn't wake up until 10 a.m. this morning. Sleeping in is nice but can be painful if you lay there too long. Especially after you've entered the 4th decade of your life.

The first thing I did was use the restroom, drink some water, and get dressed. Then I got my bicycle and set out for a ride. Here in South Louisiana at 10 a.m. on the first day of July, it's pretty hot. As I type this only 2 hours later, the current temperature outside is 93F. The high today is predicted to be 97F.

Anyway, as I rode, my first thought was, "Hey, this is pretty nice today. Not too hot....the birds are singing....I feel good!" When I got to the 1.5 mile mark, I noticed a rhythmic Thlap, Thlap, Thlap, on my front tire. Paying closer attention to it, I also noticed a small knot in the middle of the tire. Stopping the bike to closer examine the issue, I noticed the outer tire had a cut and the inner tube was protruding through it.

I got back on the bike and rode a couple of more Thlap Thalps. I don't know what I was thinking. Anyway, that exposed inner tube just couldn't compete with the hot asphalt so it exploded.

Oh, well, I'll just walk back to the house and push my bicycle. During the walk back to the house, I was sweating so hard! It was dripping into my eyes and stinging. I began thinking about a nice long shower when I got back home. I walked my bike up to my dad's house with hopes that he'd be able to repair it when he got a chance. He noticed how red my face was (it gets REALLY red when I exercise) and commented that I looked bit hot. I said, "Yeah, I'm looking forward to a shower."

He responded, "Oh, you can't take a shower!"

I looked at him like he was crazy. I said, "Annnnd why not?"

Then he proceeds to tell me that while he was working around the house today, he ruptured the water main. See, out here in the country, we have a water well. Dad has run all the water lines to the house, the chicken coop, the dog pen, the garden, etc. But today, he has another project going on and when he drove a stake into the ground to mark the territory of the project, he hit the main line.

Yay. Can you just hear the sarcasm there? Yay

So, I sit here now, cooling off in the A/C at least, typing my blog, until the line is repaired and water is restored. THEN I'll go take that shower and wash all the dried sweat off of me.

Pre Diabetes/Insulin Resistance

On Friday, June 26, 2009, I met with my doctor to discuss some blood test results. I was told that I am (along with 57% of Americans) pre-diabetic or Insulin Resistant. I have not yet developed full blown diabetes, but this is why my doctor wanted to consult with me. He wants to prevent me from developing the disease. He believes that we can head it off with lifestyle change, better food choices, regular exercise, and substantial weight loss.

And so, I embark on this journey. I have started an online food diary and exercise journal to keep track of what I'm doing to my body. The links to these along with printouts will be given to my doctor.

On Saturday, I began watching my carb limits. The doctor wants me to have 10 or less carbs per meal. This is a difficult task! On Monday, I began the South Beach diet program with the doctor's blessing. Phase One of this program requires that I eat only high protein foods. No sugars, Grains, or Fruit allowed for 2 weeks!!! This is along with drinking a lot of water and 30 minutes of exercise a day.

By the way, the doc said that when I do exercise, he wants me huffing and puffing for 30 solid minutes. If I can talk during my 30 minutes, I'm not working hard enough. My challenge right now is to find a comfortable level to keep steady before having a heart attack or something during my exercise session.

Okay, I'll sign off for now but not before saying that I am excitedly pleased to report a weight loss of 7 lbs since my doctor's visit on Friday just 5 days ago!!!! Woo Hoo!!!

If you would like to see what I'm eating, click here.