The Great, Late, White Coat Day of Ceremoniousness

And here they are....the pictures proving that Kendra really did get a white clinic jacket :-D

Lame photoness from Ma's cell phone, but you can see lots of doctory types standing up in white coats, facing the stage.
And on the stage are the faculty, shining with the heavenly radiance of wisdom and authority.

Kendra and Ma, out in the lobby, where much milling of medicos and family took place.


Back in her apartment, Kendra wasted no time in whipping out her equipment to test her siblings.
"Man...if I lived nearer to you guys, I could get all kinds of practice..."

In which Kendra discovers Trevor does, indeed, have earwax.


"Now sit still, and I'll adjust your hearing so you'll have perfect pitch..."


Reflexes!


Trevor recovers from an emergency appendectomy while Ethan asks for 15th time, "Forget him...when are we going to eat?"


Kendra packs her nifty equipment back into her very cool "doctor bag," complete with monogrammed initials :-)


It was a great and momentous day...

Ma is extremely proud of her baby girl!
 

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The Cell Phone Picture Saga, Take 2

We are making progress.

Not quite to the point of posting the pictures yet, but Ma has made significant technological strides, this very day!

Today I purchased a memory card for the cell phone, per Loren's instructions. Tonight, with a little help, I installed the card, formated it (OK, that I needed help with), and transferred the pictures to the card, almost sorta by my lil' ol' self!

And get this, did you know that cell phones have soft keys ?

Apparently there's all kinds of info in this 165 page dealy they've labeled "User Manual."

It's incredible...I mean, it tells you how to DO things.

Some of it is even understandable to...to me !

I feel reborn :-D

And then there is this cool adapter into which you stick the little memory card, and that goes into your camera!

Unfortunately the progress stopped there, due to a little pop-up sign that said, "Memory Card Failure."

However, Loren assures me that he has something called a "reader," which will take care of this failure. Maybe even TWO.

Somewhere.

Even now he is rummaging around amidst his various computer components.

(and suddenly I don't feel bad about misplacing my school records)

That's about all the technological improvement I can stand for one night, anyway.

Things look promising for posting of Kendra's White Coat Ceremony, come September.
 

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The Myth of Summer Vacation

 

"The summer's gone, and all the roses falling..."

Appropriate words from The Irish Tenors, as they croon to Ma amidst the annoying giggles of Nolan and Trevor, the last of whom was "helpfully" cleaning off the piano with Windex.

It occurred to me today that we need to start school so I can get a little rest.

Nothing but running, running, running.

Weird stuff happening over the summer...basically lurching from one unanticipated event to another.

Never thought I'd look forward to getting back to the academic routine!

(I'm not, but it should beat summer)
_____________

With Melinda and Derek off to college, Ma's next big deal was to go to Des Moines for Kendra's White Coat Ceremony, yesterday. Loren had just returned from a long drive from Texas, so Ma gave the 4 remaining children options of whether to go with her, or not.

Nolan decided to stay home, lured in no small part with the incredible opportunity to pick out and watch a movie all by himself.

That left Carolyn, Ethan and Trevor (and moi) getting up very early to make the trek to the big city.

I allowed extra time for getting lost. That was good, since I did make a few wrong turns and it was something of a hassle to find an open parking garage.

Note: there is something about having kids with me that makes me prone to stupid mistakes in the big city. Last Saturday was no exception. But at least I didn't almost back into oncoming traffic like the guy in front of me...

Thankfully, we did find the correct event center, aided by the sight of numerous young professional types walking with white coats carefully folded over their forearms.

Even arrived 30 minutes early, which was time enough to hit the restrooms and spy Kendra lined up in the hall :-D

Then it was off to the auditorium to await the solemn ceremony.

I was enjoying the small wind ensemble as they played "The Flower Duet" from the opera, "Lakmé, when I thought, "Hey, I should get a picture of them, to set the atmosphere."

Took out my camera and discovered the "on" switch was "on." Hmmmmm. This had happened before, being stuck in my purse and subject to occasional rummaging.

"No big deal," I thought. The camera automatically goes to "off" mode.

I thought.

Wrongly.

In vain I switched back and forth from "off" to "on." Nothing happened.

"Well....good thing I brought my extra battery," I snickered, mentally patting myself on the back.

I inserted the new battery....nothing....Nothing....nothing....NOTHING!

AARRRGGGHHHH!

Today, of all days! Soooo looking forward to capturing Kendra's big event.

Remembering that the cell phone had photo capabilities, I set about trying to rediscover what the lady at the store had told me and I'd long ago forgotten.

Despite my technologically-challenged persona, I did eventually figure it out! I never got to the point of zooming in, but I did manage a few lame phone pictures of the ceremony, Kendra shaking hands with the prez and signing the pledge.

They won't be terribly clear, but better than nothing I guess.

It took me almost half of the ceremony to stop feeling sick about the camera batteries.

This is where one would ordinarily post a picture, but I don't yet have the cord that allows me to offload pictures from my phone.

They will come, some day!

Hopefully before next summer.
 

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Big Day Tomorrow!

Early wake-up call for just before 6am. Then we leave--Carolyn, Ethan, Trevor and I--for the big metropolis of Des Moines (pronounced, "Dez MOY-neez").

Why?

For a first-time event in our family...The Great White Coat Ceremony.

This is where the prospective doctors, physician assistants, and physical therapists go through a graduation-like ceremony where they officially don the white coat of medical-dom!

(I was going to make reference to a previously held (imaginary) ceremony involving great white sharks, but couldn't get a version that would be completely family friendly. It was terribly funny, however...)

Kendra tells me the PA's go up on stage first, after which she'll be using the rest of the ceremony time to study her flash cards.

These medical people...so dedicated!

Nolan has opted to stay home with Loren, probably because he (Nolan) gets to pick out a movie to watch. I told him his day could also be rearranged by Daddy if labor is needed from the lad.

Can't wait to see how that all works out :-)

Speaking of work, I spent 5.75 hours weeding at the courthouse, today. I'd intended to get in a full six, but had to make another annoying phone call to the medical insurance company, which seems determined to have their records wrong concerning who is on what policy, which is primary, etc.

I am learning lots with each call.

Mostly how much I hate making the calls, particularly since it seems like we make the same request over and over.

I am picking up some good excuses, however, so it's not all in vain.

But getting back to my aching body....*insert occurrence of old "war wound" from carrying too many heavy babies in pregnancy*...hopefully the right leg will work better tomorrow, after a good night's sleep.

And that means doing something novel, like going to bed before midnight.
 

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Whew!

Didn't realize it had been so long since posting. Mucho to catch up on-o.

First off, Loren arrived back home, this evening, so we are plenty glad about that :-)

Made it in 15 hours and without the use of air conditioning.

You will never hear that kind of sacrifice from me, at least, not intentionally.

Now we try to get used to having a household with 2 parents and only 4 children.

From what I hear, Melinda has had 3 days of classes (including today) and Derek was really glad to be in an apartment this time around.

Melinda is also planning to work a bit. Jason will return for his final semester come January, when for one brief, shining moment, there will be three from our family attending LeTourneau University.

OK, that's them...now for all the stuff you were waiting to hear...about me :-D

(I'm kidding. This self-centered business is all an act. Why doesn't anyone believe me when I say I'm not that interested in only talking about myself?)

After Monday's fun-filled day, I'd planned to take it easy. But then I decided to head to the park in Ackley to put in some time thinning and transplanting Hostas, as well as clipping and deadheading...the usual cool stuff Master Gardeners-who-don't-know-much-more-than-weeding, do.

Got a lot done and I went back today to check on the transplants, which all look quite wonderful.

They say you can hardly kill hostas, and I am living proof that is true.

Unfortunately, I remembered on Wednesday, to check about the last summer class I'd planned to attend. The previous 3 had been on the last Tuesday of each month, but then, August had to go and have 5 Tuesdays, and the class was on the 4th one, so yes, this is Ma's roundabout way of saying she missed it entirely.

I was pretty upset for about 10 minutes, but then it blew over. Happily, I have completed my required continuing education hours for the year, but I'd wanted to finish out that series...ERG! (like I said, I'm not upset anymore)

Maybe if something halfways interesting (and cheap) comes along I'll go to it. I hate to just get by with the bare minimum.

Also on Tuesday, at the park, the three boys were along to play and do other safe stuff like roller blade on the road.

I found out when we arrived home, that Ethan had fallen down and hurt his wrist. It was hurting pretty bad, in fact. So bad, that I took him in on Wednesday to have it checked. They x-rayed and nothing was broken.

He is heartsick not to be able to wash dishes for a few days.

Wednesday I also went out and spent 2 hours weeding the strawberries, finishing up the 2/3's I hadn't done the day before (yes, I know this isn't the most interesting of news, but hey....it doesn't all have to be about the rest of you!)

This morning we sort of bummed around for a bit, then began cleaning up places to make Loren think we'd been living a virtuous life the entire time he was gone, instead of watching movies and videos left and right, eating supper in the living room and gallivanting off to pick up weird glasses and play in parks, every chance we could.

I also managed to put up cheapo brackets for simple shelving in the pantry. And I made sure to goof it up so Loren would have something to smile about after he returned home.

Just my way of being thoughtful.

And after managing to whip up a decent supper out of freezer leftovers, Ma gave herself a haircut, with Carolyn snipping and trimming a few bits that couldn't be done in the back.

I don't mean to brag, but I think it turned out slightly better than the shelves.
 

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SOME Day !

Crammed with mucho stuffo.

After getting the boys to remove bed linens, start the laundry, and have them pick up their room, (and water my trees) my main objective was to type up the curriculum lists and fill out the school forms. Then deposit them at the school on my way to shopping in Iowa Falls.

Then the fateful telephone call came...my glasses were in :-D

Hmmm. I had promised the kids one last summer fling: at the proper time, we would go over to Waverly, pick up my glasses, eat at McDonald's and visit the Kid's Kingdom park, one of those massive wooden structures.

The question was: could we do all of this, along with the school forms and weekly shopping, on the same day?

I promptly popped the Bach Brandenburg Concertos into the CD player and started in to typing.

The B. Concertos are a regular when I am preparing the forms for school, each year. They are pleasant, energetic (for the most part) and have a well-oiled feel to them that keeps the brain focused on the task at hand.

I had already written most of the curriculum out in longhand, and had even stacked the books in their appropriate piles on the dining room table. So it took just around 2 hours and I was done with everything! A new record for MA :-D

Then I hit the showers and we hightailed it to Ackley, with Carolyn driving despite a large grasshopper planting itself on the windshield. The forms were dropped off at the school, after which we cruised into the gas station for a fill-up.

Heading in the opposite direction, we made a stop at the bank to fill up on cash, heh, heh, thanks to a timely check that arrived in the mail. Loren is still in Texas, so I pretty much knew God was telling me to use my own judgement in that regard.

Still driving, Carolyn headed us north to hit highway 3, and then it was off to Waverly, home of the famous horse auction and....oh yes, our eye doctor.

Got to Wolfe Clinic and what do you know, Davis Vision--the lab that our insurance requires us to use--had messed up the order, again.

Let me be clear, our eye doctor and staff always do a great job, but when they send the prescriptions and orders to Davis Vision, Davis Vision has this incredible knack for not getting things done correctly.

Numerous times they have cut the lenses wrong and we've had to make a return trip--45 minutes, one way--for the right lenses.

This time they got the wrong color of frames. They are dark brown instead of olive green. But I'm taking them home while the tech tries to get the incompetent people at the lab--DAVIS VISION, in case I neglected to mention the name--to pony up the right frames.

Oh well. At least I have that cool, warped feeling with new lenses. That's something you don't want to miss!

It was off to McDonald's where we learned, the hard way, that if you're ordering meal #10 it is easily confused with meal #9. One of them is a sparse piece of chicken with a pickle. One of them is a luscious looking hunk of chicken with lots of fixin's. Hey McDonald's....your picture format is misleading!

You have been warned.

Still it was goodsome eating. Not only did Ethan get two double cheeseburgers, but they had Fox News on the TV! Pretty much heaven for him, I guess. I was just there for the air conditioning and fries.

Next we hit the Kid's Kingdom playground, where Trevor demonstrated his gymnastic prowess.
And he made sure I was watching and taking a picture, before he leapt.

I like this one of Nolan, even if a few leaves are in the way...
...he comes across as rather serene and contemplative.

We live in hope.

Next was a stop at the newest Goodwill store in the land, and boy was it clean! I was hoping for tennis shoes for Nolan, since his are pathetic beyond belief (pictures, another time). Alas, no shoes, but they did have large sunglasses to fit over Ma's new specs! Only $2.35, so I sprang for Nolan, Carolyn and Trevor. The four of us look so cool ! Ethan begged to decline, stricken with a severe case of sensibility.

On to Wal*Mart!

Among the usual weekly shopping suspects, I bought a cheap pair of tennis shoes for Nolan. He is happy as a clam, and strangely enough does not miss his old ones, which were split clear across the top.

At last we headed for home. And since we'd eaten lunch so late (after 3:00) it was one of those "make an egg or fix a sandwich for supper" deals, eaten while collapsed on the couches, watching "Chicken Run."

Ahhh, a pretty good day :-)

Oh yes, here's a glimpse of my new specs. The picture is blurry but frankly, that's in my favor.


I am NOT that wild-eyed, but at least you get the idea. Though remember, the frames are supposed to be lighter...oh well. Now the husband won't be completely shocked and faint dead away when he returns from Texas.

Think we'll take it easy, tomorrow. The six and a half hours, particularly when 5 of us were in a small Toyota sans air conditioning, was enough to make the Hoytstead appear rather attractive.

(and no, I do NOT know why the last couple paragraphs are underlined...but I strongly suspect either Davis Vision or McDonald's to be at fault)

{late breaking update....am I clever, or what? I had to cut and paste the pictures, after they'd been originally posted in the wrong order. So I knew that the underlining of text after the last picture was due to that. Also, there were a few HTML symbols after the first two pictures. SOOO. Ma carefully compared the HTML on correct pictures from other days, and fixed it all up! No more underlining at the end, and no stray symbols. Hey, I am not a techie, and yet,

I---WIN}
 

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The Plan...

...is to wash up all the boys' sheets, have them pick up their room...

{they did this and I performed the witch's inspection à la Mrs. Piggle Wiggle...found a few things for them to improve but they had made a big difference}

...is to water my trees (Lord, please send rain!)

...is to whip off the school forms and curriculum lists, all before lunch, so I can turn them in when I go shopping after lunch

...get Nolan some tennis shoes, either at Goodwill or really cheap ones from Wal*Mart. You would not be-LIEVE the condition his current shoes are in...film at eleven.

...is to stay awake all afternoon, holding onto the possibility of getting back early and taking a wee nap before news and supper


Ma had better get started!
 

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Last Night and This Morning

Yes, the creativity displayed in that title is incredible, but I'll try to come down to earth, just the same.

Owing to some lovely peaches given to us by Weikerts, Ma decided to make a spiff-o last supper for Derek in the form of Peach Shortcake with real whipped cream.

Turned out OK but was rather rich. I could feel my waistline expanding with every bite.

I think that's the last "dessert supper" for a while.

This morning:

We awoke at the crack of dawn, only to discover it was still dark.

Derek, however, was determined to get off early for El Biggo Trippo to the Texas Miracle. He left shortly after 5:30 (it was still dark), whereupon Ma promptly went back to bed.

For some inexplicable reason, Ethan, Carolyn, and Trevor stayed up to play "Pirates Cove" for a while, THEN went back to bed. In other words, already exhibiting a mental decline due to the absence of Big Bro.

But now that the sun is out, Ethan and Carolyn have biked down to Weikerts where they'll perform the "chores" of feeding the chickens and the bunnies while certain people are at their annual family camp out.

And by "bunnies," I mean one. There used to be several, but a past incident involving the unfortunate loosing of bunnies by the grandchildren occurred, whereupon Sam-the-Dog experienced a surprise dietary supplement.

ANY-way, Carolyn and Ethan are traversing the gravel roads of Iowa by bike, with my cell phone along in case they....get mugged by a cow or something.

Naturally, it seemed only fair (to Nolan) that he and Trevor watch something. I negotiated Nolan down from a movie to a cartoon, and he squeezed out a Rocky and Bullwinkle from me.

The big plans for later today include books. They are due today, and I didn't want to blow half a day earlier in the week while Derek was still here. So we'll be venturing on an unprecedented Saturday library outing, after which I hope to remember tomorrow is Sunday and make it to church.

Thrills and chills from the Hoyt household, to be sure.

Stay tuned and see if Ma ever catches up on her own weeds, after working 9 hours in public gardens, this week.
 

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Workin' da Courthouse

Took four of my minions to the courthouse today. Nolan and Trevor had instructions to work for thirty minutes and Carolyn and Ethan, ninety.

Quite a bit was accomplished, enough to make things appear respectable, especially if no one looks too closely at the bed northwest of the entrance doors.

Nolan's contribution was a bit dubious, in that his main technique involved sitting on the bench, leaning over and pulling up weeds within an arm's reach.

He perked up, however, when allowed to use the pruning shears to deadhead the salvia.

Nothing like the prospect of effortless and instantaneous destruction to pique a lad's interest.

I noticed he didn't put the clippings into the trash bag, however.

Trevor kept asking me every two minutes, "How many minutes has it been?" since they knew the park awaited their forced labor.

And someone else...he shall remain nameless, had a lot of, "Is this a weed?....is this a weed?....how about this?"

But it looks a fair sight improved. I only wish I'd gotten there earlier than August for my second weeding.


In the fauna department, I found this guy perched on the salvia...

It may be smaller than me, but it's a little unnerving to see that triangular head swivel and stare--right at you.

And lest we forget, the praying mantis has been known to trap and eat hummingbirds, so no, I would not sleep with one on my nightstand.

Far too many books there, anyway.

Nolan called my attention to this beauty, for which he was awestruck.

A Giant Swallowtail! Only the second time in my life I have seen one.

It was all flittery and fast, so I was lucky to get this less than perfect picture of the underside, let alone a good shot from the top.

The older kids had emailed some friends and after their prescribed work was done, they were off to hobnob and play with Emily and Paul Currier.

I believe the young ladies spent the entire time chatting and catching up, while the boys roller bladed and skated on the peaceful side streets of Allison, and later road bikes.

A good time was had by all, after which Ma bought her loyal slaves ice cream treats at the Kwik Star.

Three more hours for my service record. I'm already plenty over my required time for this year, but there is still more weedage to expunge.

Guess I'll be back there, soon enough.
__________________

Sounds as though Loren got Melinda all set up in her dorm room, with registration to follow, tomorrow.

When Derek leaves on Saturday, it'll be just me and the four youngest, until Loren returns some time next week.

It won't be long until our school starts, though I should quite possibly fill out the forms and curriculum sheets, first.

Summer isn't vacation, so much as variations on the work theme.
 

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A little weeding, a little mowing...a little waiting for news

(Loren and Melinda should be near their destination of Tyler Texas, so as I wait for confirmation of safe arrival....)

Yesterday was more than just a little weeding. I spent 6 hours at the courthouse, starting first with the rose garden since I hadn't gotten to that section back in June.

That was a piece of work, with mucho grasso to pullo. Pretty fun, though, when you get those white rhizomey roots to come up in one piece, realizing you've saved the world from oodles of grasslings.

However, I had not intended to spend 3.5 hours on that bed, so when I shifted to the main bed and saw myriads of pernicious binderweeds attacking the day-lilies and peonies...well, my heart skipped a beat, you can be sure.

I attacked it with a vengeance, hoping for a quick go-over that would loose the real plants from the surly bonds of binderdom.

Made plans to come back later in the week, which will be tomorrow!

And I'm taking los childros, with me. I told Trevor and Nolan that I want 30 minutes work from them, and 1.5 hours from Ethan and Carolyn. I'm staying a total of 2.5 hours, which means I should get the equivalent of 6 hours real work accomplished, assuming Nolan and Trevor may not put in "adult" minutes.

After they put in their time, they can play in the small park, next door.

And I'm holding it to 2.5 hours total, so we don't have to pack a lunch. Their pay will be an ice cream treat from Kwik Star, on the ride home.

Hoping no one asks why they aren't in school yet (can you believe some schools have started?!), but I've got it all planned. I'll say it's an in-service work project for homeschooling, and then I'll casually drop the info about the academic scholarships to college, list the ones in honors programs, merit scholarship finalists, the magna cum laude and cum laude graduations from college, the Rockwell Collins co-ops...

Or maybe no one will notice the four kids.

On the mowing front, we polished off the far section, amidst sun and hotness. Nolan actually mowed one more slot than Ethan, thanks to a punishment chore reparation.

In the area of personal trials, I had another episode with restarting my mower-of-exasperation.

Last week I worked up a raw place on the right side of my index finger because I had to pull that rip cord SO MANY TIMES in a futile attempt to restart it. My shoulder was none too happy, either.

It starts fine at the beginning, but baby...once you leave it sit for even a minute and try to restart, it becomes quite finicky. And you can do all the obvious things, like just pull because it's "still warmed up," adjust the power lever to different places, re-prime, try all different kinds of combinations....and then it will start up after about 15 minutes of heart-racing effort.

Today I felt like kicking it, but I held myself in check. Besides, I didn't want to hurt my foot.

Since the index finger is still healing from last week, I put the rip cord in-between my middle and ring finger, which means I now have a raw place there.

That mower hates me. But I just might have figured out it's number.

I thought, "What is the one combination I have not tried, utilizing lots of pulls, different positions of the power lever, and intermittent primings?"

I have never primed it more than 5 times!

So I did that EIGHT TIMES (don't even mention flooding to me...not until you've have to try and restart the mower after a brief stoppage), and it buzzed to life after the fourth pull.

We'll know for sure if it works next time.
 

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Feet in the Frying Pan

As I sit here, soaking my foot in the skillet, drinking a Diet Coke and munching honey mustard pretzels, I can't help but reflect on my life and wonder:

"Why does someone who is only 5'2" (optimistically speaking) have such large feet that she needs a full-size fry pan for soaking purposes?"

*sound of computer crashing*

More importantly, "Why did Mozilla Firefox crash and then reinstate tabs from almost two weeks ago, making the whole foot-soaking incident history?"

Indeed, "Can I still garner sympathy about the potential sliver in my foot when, in fact, it doesn't hurt as much?"

Also, "Will drinking a Diet Coke after 10pm keep me awake....am I, in reality, performing sleep experiments, or is this a desperate cry for help which may end in commitment to a mental facility? (preferably with cable TV and sleep comfort beds. And a craft class).

"ZZZZZzzzzzz...?"
 

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The Week is Almost Over!

One might question the wisdom of blogging at 1:00am, but then one might not have downed 6 diet colas in the course of one day.

I do not recommend it, but then...(oh wait, I already used that phrase), how-ever, not everyone has to stay awake after the week (and summer) I've had.

SO, Derek and I left at 8:30 in the morning, after I'd squeezed in 2 miles on the treadmill and written out "The List" for the kids' activities.

This was the second day in a row I was gone, all day, so that means two days straight with extra computer game time AND a movie (they had chores, too). I guess you could say they were livin' high on the entertainment hog.

(But that's all over, guys. Tomorrow we clean the bathrooms, the kitchen floor, and most importantly, Nolan and Trevor. I am embarrassed to admit that my two youngest have not had baths for two weeks. I realized this on the last day of Family Camp (Sunday morning) and I thought, "Eh..they may as well wait until next Saturday."

Let's just say they are both starting to smell ripe. I may set out the sprinkler tomorrow, to soften up the outer crust)

*deleted observations of noise and craziness in clinic waiting room*

Once at the clinic, I waited for Derek to come back after his vital signs had been taken. Except, they had taken him off to an examining room. Of course, this is fine. Hes is an adult. I wasn't planning to shadow him to the exam room. But after a substantial amount of time, I went to the cath lab to see if he had been whisked over there unbeknownst to me.

After the secretary got off her 10-minute phone hold, she was able to locate Derek, who by now had turned a year older.

Ma traipsed back to the the clinic and was allowed into the exam room with Derek and Dr. VB, who gave me an incredulous look as I brashly drank pop and crunched honey mustard pretzels in front of Derek who had not been allowed to eat since the night before.

Just my little method of toughening him up.

As can happen in the U of I Hospitals, delays occur and Derek finally got taken back for the procedure 2 hours after his original check-in time.

It was a small waiting room filled with two other families: one a 30-year-old guy in a-fib waiting to get cardioverted, and a 12-year-old, diminutive and hyper lass who was "losing her aorta and left ventricle," and waiting for a long, diagnostic procedure.

I guess there are other people who have problems...ya know?

It was not too long until the good Dr. L. came out to report that Derek had needed 4 successive tries to get him back into sinus rhythm. Starting at 50 joules and working up to 200. I believe this is the highest, so far. I do know that two months ago it only took one try at 50 joules.

He's sporting two red burn marks, front and back, from the paddles.

Anyway, after recovery Derek went up for his Holter monitor (his request, not the doctor's) and we headed back to northern climes.

Ma had brought along 4 12-oz bottles of Diet Coke and she needed every one. This was in addition to the Diet Pepsi (and refill) at "Super Burrito," where Derek treated for lunch (I drive, he buys).

Got very sleepy heading into Waterloo. I think the lack of air conditioning and sitting in the sun contributed. That's when the last coke came into play, making it a new record for Ma, concerning caffeine consumption.

And that's what happened, and why I'm up so late, and why I'm sleeping in, tomorrow...er, later today.
 

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The Big College Day of Shoppingness

Another item ticked off the "to do" list :-)

Left at 9:30 and arrived home at 6:30. I think Melinda has pretty much what she needs, though she may go along with me on Monday to our local Goodwill store. They have everything organized by type and color, something from which Waterloo's Goodwill could learn a lesson.

Speaking of which, I perused the books and videos and what did I spy but oodles of VHS's of the Star Trek: Voyager series. Two episodes on a tape, one dollar per tape.

Exercising some of the extremest self-control ever, I only purchased four VHS tapes.

Also acquired, a new, originally $50.00 skirt, for 4 bucks.

Who da Ma? I say...WHO DA MA?!

Melinda was able to find most of the things she needed, and then I introduced her to Panera Bread :-)

I'm tellin' ya, those baguettes make me wanna move to France! Or is it Italy? Either way, it'll never happen, but Ma's can dream, oh yes they can.

I'm pretty sure I can count two miles walking around, so I'm a gonna. Poor little stumps..they were so tired by the time we got to the check-out in Wal-Mart and waited behind a lady with a humungously full cart, separated into 4 different purchase sections.

Got home just in time to help with supper, after which I went out and planted my horticultural "goodies."

I scoured through the local Wal-Mart's perennial plant clearance last Monday and came away with $30.00 worth for 8 bucks!

Whee Doggies, I do love a bargain.

Tomorrow afternoon comes the rain. Normally I would rush around transplanting just before the clouds burst, but I'll be away for much of Friday.

Derek, being in a-fib again, needs another cardioversion, after which he needs a designated driver.

I look on it as a chance to bond with my son over caffeinated pop and oldies music. Well, maybe I'll have mercy on him and play the classical station.
 

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Another Jim-Dandy Day!

Started out a little sluggish, but then:

--Three loads of laundry....check

--"some" Weeding......check

--Mowed lawn for two hours WITHOUT STOPPING.....check

--drank oodles of Gatorade O2........check

--fixed supper despite dirt under fingernails....check

Well, it doesn't look all that amazing in print, I guess, but it's enough for today.

Ethan and Nolan helped with the lawn, a job made all the easier after Loren showed Ethan how to sharpen ye olde mowere blades. Wowee...it cut through the grass like butter!

(Carolyn: "Do you mean hard butter or soft butter?")

Nolan has turned out to be quite the determined mower guy. Particularly if Gatorade is involved. It's gone now, but there's still a little mowing left to finish. Carolyn suggested I don't mention the lack of liquid sustenance until after he mows :-)

In other news, Loren took Melinda down to Iowa City for her last heart check before heading off to college. She had her first screening three years ago and things have checked out normal, once again.

Tomorrow, Melinda and I will head out for the BIG COLLEGE SHOPPING DAY, wherein expenditures of legendary proportions take place.

Just kidding, Loren :-)

Melinda is pretty minimalist so I may have to force her to buy some things...

(just kidding, Melinda)

Those unfortunate enough to be left at home will have to find strength to keep going with such meager amusements as videos, extra computer game time, and...oh yes...a bit more mowing.

Friday holds a whole 'nuther set of fun experiences, but that report will have to wait.
 

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The Recovery

And I don't mean economic. That's pretty much out of my control. As it is with those incompetents in Washington D.C.

No, I mean the recovery from my last couple of weeks :-D

Non-stop preparations for this-n-that...but now I can breathe a bit.

Even slept in 'til 9:45, this morning! But now we'll have to start setting the alarm, again.

The treadmill and shopping was about all I got done today, other than dishes and two meals.

Tomorrow Melinda, Nolan and I will travel to the eye doctor's to get their new lenses and pick out new frames for Ma...that will be exciting :-)

Then it's back home for a date with the mower.

I am still sore from playing softball. More sore, in fact, than yesterday.

Every time I sneeze my obliques hurt.

Every time I walk my quadriceps and left heel hurt.

And there is still a shingly place on my back that hurts from time to time, but the numbness seems to be wearing away so that must be good.

Recovery in progress.
 

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Survived!

Another Family Camp, in the can.

Ma doesn't have pictures at the moment, since I lent out my memory card to facilitate the church bulletin board.

Still recuperating, anyway. And had a lovely nap this afternoon...wow was that great!

Camp was good, but exhausting at the same time.

Only a couple people got hurt, both in the Johnson family.

On skeet shooting day, the Johnsons got there early and were being shown a camp site close to the river. Something about sitting on a large log, and the log coming loose and rolling onto Karen's ankle. It was pretty swollen and painful, but she played at the concert on Saturday night, sitting with her leg propped up.

Then there was Seth. During a night kickball game, with somewhat dubious lighting, he collided with the wall known as Kane Helmke. They were both going for the catch, but Seth's collar bone was broken, instead.

He won't be able to play his cello for about 4 weeks, but he did come up to sing and say verses.

What troupers those Johnsons are!

It was a lovely concert, as always. And Ma got to hear her favorite, The Merry Widow Waltz, dedicated to yours truly :-D

The final meal after Sunday services, and then the big cleanup. We got home around 3:00 whereupon Ma headed straight to bed. Loren too (he doesn't like to be called "Pa"), because we old fogies need our rest!

Anyway, I did my participatory part by playing softball on Saturday. Made a few boners, fell down a couple times, but the crowning achieving for this ol' lady was catching a pop fly out in right field, hit by none other than Caleb Weikert!

The only thing missing was Al Michaels yelling out, "Do you believe in MIRACLES?!"

It's probably a coincidence, but I don't think Caleb hasn't spoken to me, since...

Now that Family Camp is over, we must concentrate on getting back in the daily routine, getting Melinda stocked up for college, and handing in the completed school forms which are not yet in my possession.

Guess we survived the summer....all two months of it.
 

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Family Camp, Thursday

Wow, am I tired! But it was a good day.

And sorry for all the pictures...at least I made them small!

Snapshots of today:

BLT's for lunch!


Baby balancing.


After lunch, Laura Johnson gave a short class on photography, which Ma found rather helpful :-)


Then it was off to the pond. Nolan enjoyed canoeing.


Ethan enjoyed making a spectacle of himself....


...several times.
Not sure who was having more fun...Ethan or Mr. Weikert.

Don't quite know what's going on, but it certainly looks dicey.


My favorite shot of the day: visiting family of Adam Dorn.


Most like to hang around the water.


While others engaged in dryer activities.



Quick...get his mother!


Cleanup crew


Sorry game, featuring trash talk by Caleb Deford.


Because we can.

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Family Camp Wed Night

Seemed a tad sparse, but a few more people arrived after the meal.

Ma, in another example of fuzzy brain, forgot to get out the camera until the evening teaching session was over...oh well.

One of the DeFord twins looks longingly at a cup of ice cream.


"I could really get into this leadership business!" says Ty Weikert.


Have yet to meet a Bell child who doesn't ooze winsome charm.


Here we have the oldest Bell boy, hobnobbing with the speaker and two other men who look vaguely familiar.


Because Kickball-in-the-Dark is such a good idea.


And so.

After racing around all morning, mowing and finishing up foodstuffs, it was nice to cool off in the air conditioned auditorium of coldness.

Which is actually just perfect for me.
 

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Counting Down

To Family Camp!

I am starting to feel better about all the hectic preparations.

Had some frustrations today, in that the family schedule of workage was slightly altered, but in the end, after mucho hot mowingness and an hour and a half at a local garden I maintain, the basics were accomplished.

Special music and even the skit are coming. Carolyn has reduced my Family Camp stress level by almost 50% by writing and rehearsing a skit with the kids.

Just a few more food items to prepare, and a little more mowing. Also, I need to go over the missionary story again to iron out the flow.

____________

I forgot to mention that this past Saturday, while Mom and Nancy were here, Ardith and Justin came up from Cedar Rapids. Also Derek, as well as Kendra, from Des Moines.

We had a good time together! Ate sweet corn from Ethan and Trevor's bed, which came ripe at a very convenient time. It was good.

Mom had never met Justin, so I was glad for the convergence of peoples upon the Hoytstead.

Nancy and Ethan took on Justin and Trevor in Spades--I'm not quite sure who won, but there was some loud stuff goin' on at that table :-)

Derek spent a fair amount of time working on his truck, which came sporting a topper. Now he can take all his junk to school with no worries from rain.

Speaking of school...well, I'm not going to think about that right now.

It'll be enough just to take this heat induced headache to bed.
 

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Hooray for Good Days ;-)

I was still mind-fogged this morning, and my back continues to give me the shingle-tingles, but by this evening I was starting to ooze bits and pieces of productivity (particularly after I'd recovered from traveling in an air-conditionless car during a heat advisory).

*I've been doing some background reading for the missionary story at Family Camp. Two-thirds through a book started today...hoping to finish it tonight.

*Carolyn and Trevor baked up the cookies we're required to bring, and then she drove me to Iowa Falls for grocery shopping.

*Stopped by Goodwill for the first time since early June. Found enough shorts and T-shirts for the boys to look respectable. I have two lads that are pert near blind to stains and dirt, so they've been warned, under no circumstances, are they to wear these clothes before Thursday. I even took the unusual step of washing their "new" clothes, as well as three sets of sheets.

*After an exhilarating 3.5 miles on the treadmill--during which I saw part of Leap of Faith with Steve Martin (interesting)--we ironed out some details with our special music. THAT was a relief. Things weren't quite settled but now...now I can relax a tiny bit.

Tomorrow Ethan and I will start on the side lawn to whack it down to size before camp. He's also going to fry up 2 pounds of bacon and I will cook up 3.5 pounds of chicken. Carolyn has another load of cookie bars as well as cupcakes. A simple dry pancake mix and we should be all set for the camp food.

I feel somewhat less crunched.
 

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