*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONEGER*LAUGH HARDER*THE WINDOWS OF MY SOUL I THROW WIDE OPEN TO THE SUN*
John Greenleaf Whitter
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Sunset....
....from my front yard this evening...
....it was inspirational...and enjoyable...
...and a great way to end a very hectic day.
Friday, July 25, 2014
The Nightmare of Yesterday
The best laid plans that went wrong....and yesterday's top my list of days I never want to repeat. The Captain was to come home Friday morning. The Botanist and I were going to clean, visit The Captain and then head to the Adventure Run at the Running Store. I haven't run or worked out in 23 days...
5:15 am I woke up, walked the dog, pulled the sheets off my bed and started laundry. Paid some bills and cleaned the kitchen. Ate a quesadilla with chicken, jalapeno cheese and green chile verde sauce (don't judge,) all we have in the house is dinner food.
7:45 I started to order groceries online....password didn't work so I spent some time with online help. I just aabout finish the order when...
8:10 Land line rings...(who uses that?) The Botanist answers and in a panic I hear her say, "You've got to talk to my mom." It was a Dr. from the rehab facility....and he said.....
"We think Russ is having a 'small' heart attack. You don't need to rush down here. We are going to transfer him to our hospital in Mountain View."
NO WAY! He has his own Dr's here at Sequoia who know his history. He will NOT be transported anywhere but Sequoia!
8:25 The Botanist and I are in the car going 70 MPH in the 65 all the way there.
9:05 We rush into his room to find him sleeping in bed with no monitors and looking very peaceful. He awakens and says "Hello!" We are so panicked and shaken that we can barely talk. He has no clue that he is supposed to be having a heart attack!!!!
9:10 Someone comes in to do an EKG. I can see he is in A Fib again but that is about all I can read. Then a Dr comes in and I ask about his medications.....seems someone felt it necessary to "hold" two important meds because his blood pressure was "too low." When he was admitted I specifically said that I was to be notified of any changes to his meds. That way I could work with his cardiologist. The Captain's case is very unique....no one survives this and the Dr's have been very specific to tell us why he is not receiving meds that they would normally give in this situation. I had the nurse give me print outs of the medications and note which ones were held. I was also upset the day before because The Captain is on a caffeine free diet and twice I came in to find a can of Pepsi or coffee on his tray....wtf kind of place is this? Definitely not a cardiac rehab.
10:55 Ambulance transport to Sequoia Hospital. My 3rd ambulance ride- none of which have been for me....one for The Biologist, one for a student at school who broke her arm and this time for The Captain.
11:05 Admitted to the ER...thank you very much that will be another $150 copay please.
11:20 EKG, blood tests, visits with nurses who were on duty July 2 for the original admit. All were so sweet and had admitted they followed up to find out how well he was doing while at the hospital...all told him how lucky he was and how frightened they were when he was in ER.
12:00 Cardiologists confirm there was no "small" heart attack...his A Fib was back unfortunately.
1:40 Upstairs to have a cardio-version and the shock to the heart to attempt to get it back into rhythm.
3:00 The team finally assembles...The captain is prepped, throat numbed and propophyl given and the camera is sent down to see if there are any clots in the heart...then the zaps are administered. The anxiety I felt during the two of these procedures take its toll on me...I have only felt this fear when The Biologist was dx with cancer in 2002.
3:20 The Botanist and I can hear the zap machine 3x...we know that isn't good because they can only try 3x...The Captains heart just wouldn't reset. But tests reveal that his heart can handle the A Fib for right now. We are allowed back in the room where we visited with the Dr and nurses until The Captain was discharged.
5:10 We are discharged! Sprung!!
5:25 We are in the car at the height of rush hour on our way to pick up all the prescriptions.
6:20 We arrive at home!! I am sooooo hungry I could eat clams...and I hate clams...but I hadn't eaten since 5:30 a.m. I dropped everyone off and headed to El Chorrito for burritos. While I was waiting for my order I heard my name being called...I was so happy to see and get hugs from a student who I taught in Kinder, first and through December of 2nd grade...a sweet little girl and her mom were eating there. What a nice way to end my evening!
7:00 Dinner alas!!
7:30 Meds and a little TV and The Captain was crashed in his chair. I had to go in and put the clean sheets on the bed. I had a little more energy from dinner...but what an exhausting, unexpected day.
10:30 I was out for the count.
5:15 am I woke up, walked the dog, pulled the sheets off my bed and started laundry. Paid some bills and cleaned the kitchen. Ate a quesadilla with chicken, jalapeno cheese and green chile verde sauce (don't judge,) all we have in the house is dinner food.
7:45 I started to order groceries online....password didn't work so I spent some time with online help. I just aabout finish the order when...
8:10 Land line rings...(who uses that?) The Botanist answers and in a panic I hear her say, "You've got to talk to my mom." It was a Dr. from the rehab facility....and he said.....
"We think Russ is having a 'small' heart attack. You don't need to rush down here. We are going to transfer him to our hospital in Mountain View."
NO WAY! He has his own Dr's here at Sequoia who know his history. He will NOT be transported anywhere but Sequoia!
8:25 The Botanist and I are in the car going 70 MPH in the 65 all the way there.
9:05 We rush into his room to find him sleeping in bed with no monitors and looking very peaceful. He awakens and says "Hello!" We are so panicked and shaken that we can barely talk. He has no clue that he is supposed to be having a heart attack!!!!
9:10 Someone comes in to do an EKG. I can see he is in A Fib again but that is about all I can read. Then a Dr comes in and I ask about his medications.....seems someone felt it necessary to "hold" two important meds because his blood pressure was "too low." When he was admitted I specifically said that I was to be notified of any changes to his meds. That way I could work with his cardiologist. The Captain's case is very unique....no one survives this and the Dr's have been very specific to tell us why he is not receiving meds that they would normally give in this situation. I had the nurse give me print outs of the medications and note which ones were held. I was also upset the day before because The Captain is on a caffeine free diet and twice I came in to find a can of Pepsi or coffee on his tray....wtf kind of place is this? Definitely not a cardiac rehab.
10:55 Ambulance transport to Sequoia Hospital. My 3rd ambulance ride- none of which have been for me....one for The Biologist, one for a student at school who broke her arm and this time for The Captain.
11:05 Admitted to the ER...thank you very much that will be another $150 copay please.
11:20 EKG, blood tests, visits with nurses who were on duty July 2 for the original admit. All were so sweet and had admitted they followed up to find out how well he was doing while at the hospital...all told him how lucky he was and how frightened they were when he was in ER.
12:00 Cardiologists confirm there was no "small" heart attack...his A Fib was back unfortunately.
1:40 Upstairs to have a cardio-version and the shock to the heart to attempt to get it back into rhythm.
3:00 The team finally assembles...The captain is prepped, throat numbed and propophyl given and the camera is sent down to see if there are any clots in the heart...then the zaps are administered. The anxiety I felt during the two of these procedures take its toll on me...I have only felt this fear when The Biologist was dx with cancer in 2002.
3:20 The Botanist and I can hear the zap machine 3x...we know that isn't good because they can only try 3x...The Captains heart just wouldn't reset. But tests reveal that his heart can handle the A Fib for right now. We are allowed back in the room where we visited with the Dr and nurses until The Captain was discharged.
5:10 We are discharged! Sprung!!
5:25 We are in the car at the height of rush hour on our way to pick up all the prescriptions.
6:20 We arrive at home!! I am sooooo hungry I could eat clams...and I hate clams...but I hadn't eaten since 5:30 a.m. I dropped everyone off and headed to El Chorrito for burritos. While I was waiting for my order I heard my name being called...I was so happy to see and get hugs from a student who I taught in Kinder, first and through December of 2nd grade...a sweet little girl and her mom were eating there. What a nice way to end my evening!
7:00 Dinner alas!!
7:30 Meds and a little TV and The Captain was crashed in his chair. I had to go in and put the clean sheets on the bed. I had a little more energy from dinner...but what an exhausting, unexpected day.
10:30 I was out for the count.
*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*NOT MAKING ANY PLANS HERE*
Thursday, July 24, 2014
Sunday, July 20, 2014
Lucky Part III
Day 18- Yesterday we busted loose!
We got the paper work around 3:00 and headed for Los Gatos to the rehab facility. We checked in and stayed for dinner....a nice single room with a window. After getting settled for the night, my kids and I drove home to pack up BIG Foot. We got to bed around 12:30.
The alarm went off at 4:25...BIG Foot's flight was at 6 a.m. He had been home for more than 2 weeks and although I hated to see him go, he had to get back to work. Now it is just The Botanist and I at home. For some reason we can't seem to get to sleep before midnight and we wake up way too early. I came back from the airport and slept for an hour and then got stuff together to head to rehab.
How did we finally break loose? The Captain's heart was in A Fib since surgery...the medications did not work...and it didn't sync on its own...A Fib can cause a stroke...but the heart can being shocked back into a regular heartbeat...which can also cause a stroke. On Wednesday it was decided that 2 weeks post surgery was enough.... a camera was driven down The Captain's throat, and it was determined that there were no blood clots in the heart. Then his heart was ZAPPED! It only took one zapping and his heart rate was back to normal...Bye Bye A Fib! Talk about nerve wracking!!
I don't believe life will ever really be back to normal but WOW what a second chance we have been given.
We got the paper work around 3:00 and headed for Los Gatos to the rehab facility. We checked in and stayed for dinner....a nice single room with a window. After getting settled for the night, my kids and I drove home to pack up BIG Foot. We got to bed around 12:30.
The alarm went off at 4:25...BIG Foot's flight was at 6 a.m. He had been home for more than 2 weeks and although I hated to see him go, he had to get back to work. Now it is just The Botanist and I at home. For some reason we can't seem to get to sleep before midnight and we wake up way too early. I came back from the airport and slept for an hour and then got stuff together to head to rehab.
How did we finally break loose? The Captain's heart was in A Fib since surgery...the medications did not work...and it didn't sync on its own...A Fib can cause a stroke...but the heart can being shocked back into a regular heartbeat...which can also cause a stroke. On Wednesday it was decided that 2 weeks post surgery was enough.... a camera was driven down The Captain's throat, and it was determined that there were no blood clots in the heart. Then his heart was ZAPPED! It only took one zapping and his heart rate was back to normal...Bye Bye A Fib! Talk about nerve wracking!!
I don't believe life will ever really be back to normal but WOW what a second chance we have been given.
*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*LOVE YOUR HEART*
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Lucky Part II
Day 14. Yesterday The Captain was moved from ICU to the Cardiac Surveillance Unit. It was confusing for him and he was agitated with the roommate noise (and smell,) and traffic in front of the door. After walking the entire 2nd floor and settling back in after the roommate was discharged, it was more relaxing. But the day is filled with Respiratory Therapy treatments, Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, antibiotic IV drip and a visit from the social worker, case work and a herd of cardiac doctors. No rest for the caregiver or patient!
The stroke was located in the vision center and it is coming to light through therapy just exactly what we need to work on. His memory center of the brain was not affected although his short term memory was so poor it was frightening! He just wouldn't talk about long term things so it was hard to tell he could remember. Each day there is improvement with his short memory...in fact there is a difference from morning to evening thank goodness! Today he has been talking about the dog, Chicago and the fact that my summer is almost over. Whew! If you were to look at him there are no visible signs of a stroke.
He has only been conscious since late Friday night/Saturday morning so much progress has been made. Tomorrow my kids and I are going to look at a rehab facility where he can get 3 hours of therapy each day. I felt first that I wanted him home but now I see that this may be best. I cannot believe that some people just choose a facility without going to visit...unless I think I could stay there, there is no way I would send a family member there!
Thank you for your kind words and prayers.
XXOO!
The stroke was located in the vision center and it is coming to light through therapy just exactly what we need to work on. His memory center of the brain was not affected although his short term memory was so poor it was frightening! He just wouldn't talk about long term things so it was hard to tell he could remember. Each day there is improvement with his short memory...in fact there is a difference from morning to evening thank goodness! Today he has been talking about the dog, Chicago and the fact that my summer is almost over. Whew! If you were to look at him there are no visible signs of a stroke.
He has only been conscious since late Friday night/Saturday morning so much progress has been made. Tomorrow my kids and I are going to look at a rehab facility where he can get 3 hours of therapy each day. I felt first that I wanted him home but now I see that this may be best. I cannot believe that some people just choose a facility without going to visit...unless I think I could stay there, there is no way I would send a family member there!
Thank you for your kind words and prayers.
XXOO!
*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER* HUG YOUR CAPTAIN*
Friday, July 4, 2014
Lucky?
I was washing finger paint off 12 sets of hands at camp on Wednesday when my brand new phone started ringing. People know not to call me at work unless it is an emergency...just text and I will get back to you when I can.
I looked at the caller ID and it was from Coach who lives with us...so I answered.
He had called 911 and paramedics were at our house. Seems he had just come home and found The Captain lying on the driveway between the truck he is working on and the porch. He was conscious but in pain. The paramedics spoke to me and asked his birth date, allergy info and which hospital I wanted them to take him to. It didn't seem to urgent. The Captain's chest hurt a bit but his stomach was where the pain was mainly. He had thrown up a little.
Since I had run to work early at 7:10 to meet a friend to walk before camp, I had no car. Coach came to get me from work. I called for someone to come relieve me BUT THE PHONES WERE OFF 15 MINUTES BEFORE LUNCH TIME!! NO ONE ANSWERED!! I left an angry message. What if I had had an emergency with one of the children? A parent came early to pick up her son and I asked her to stay and dismiss the students.
Coach came to get me and drive me home so I could get the car. I drove a few miles to the hospital and parked outside E.R. Once inside I saw The Captain on the bed in so much pain it was like he was possessed. He was rolling from side to side groaning. An ultrasound was displaying his heart and I overheard the discussion of fluids building up around the heart...pericardial effusion. I stood at his side and kissed his cold head...he had no idea I was there. As they rolled him off for a CT Scan he caught my eye so I knew he knew I was there. A cardiac anesthesiologist I saw previously who walked in drinking a Rock Star came back in and told me it was serious. I asked if he had finished the Rock Star because I wanted him to be awake. He smiled and said he was finishing. The Captain was supposed to be brought back to E.R. but a nurse came by to bring me upstairs to the surgery waiting room and told me he was going straight into surgery from the scan. A surgeon came and introduced himself and said it was an aortic aneurysm that had ruptured...it went from the top to bottom and this was what John Ridder had and he died...I told him, "Save my husband," and he said he would.
I waited forever alone....finally The Biologist and the Nuclear Physicist showed up...then a co-worker and my friend the school nurse...then a friend who is a nurse at the hospital who had the day off and her husband....we all waited...and waited...and waited. The liaison came by and told us that it had calmed down in the O.R. now...it was a very tense start. She also said to call any children living away from home and have them come home.
We talked...and the mood lightened...and we waited and talked. FINALLY the surgeon came in with a smile on his face. He went to shake my hand and I said "NO!" and gave a big hug. He said they repaired the upper portion...there was still blood pooled but it would drain...and if he had to go back in for that he would be happy to do so as it would be simple. We had to wait an hour or so to see The Captain. As we waited, the friends left one-by-one and that just left The Biologist and her boyfriend the Nuclear Physicist. We were warned that he would look scary. ACTUALLY he looked soooooo much better than he did in E.R! The ashen color was gone and he wasn't writhing in pain. Later that night when I went back alone I saw his stitches. His chest was sawed open to give access to the heart...then it was wired shut and sutured with twist tie wires....very neatly like a quilter had done it. He was covered with tubes which were attached to every part of his body and had more hanging bags of fluids and breathing machines then I ever imagined possible.
Today I was told that from the time he entered E.R. to the time he was on the operating table it was just 62 minutes! Amazing!...and the scariest fact of all that the surgeon told me today....The Captain had 5 -7 minutes of life left when he was on the table...if it weren't for The Coach finding The Captain, or the quick response of the paramedics, or the quick thinking, Rock Star drinking cardiac anesthesiologist who phoned the other upstairs and told another cardiac anesthesiologist to prep the O.R. because he identified the problem and knew time a factor....and the time of day....because I was told if this happened at night there would NOT have been a surgical team that could have been put together as quickly as they assembled.
A night nurse asked me if The Captain has a nick name..."Russ" was my answer...he said, "Oh, we are calling him Lucky!"
SO there you have it...my life since Wednesday. We were supposed to have left on vacation this morning. Now it is day by day....today the ventilator was removed and when the sedation was lessened we had awakened the monster from Young Frankenstein....grunts and all. He is in a lot of pain and they have had to restrain him. I have had to help hold him down....not pretty! Let's hope tomorrow brings a little less monster!
I looked at the caller ID and it was from Coach who lives with us...so I answered.
He had called 911 and paramedics were at our house. Seems he had just come home and found The Captain lying on the driveway between the truck he is working on and the porch. He was conscious but in pain. The paramedics spoke to me and asked his birth date, allergy info and which hospital I wanted them to take him to. It didn't seem to urgent. The Captain's chest hurt a bit but his stomach was where the pain was mainly. He had thrown up a little.
Since I had run to work early at 7:10 to meet a friend to walk before camp, I had no car. Coach came to get me from work. I called for someone to come relieve me BUT THE PHONES WERE OFF 15 MINUTES BEFORE LUNCH TIME!! NO ONE ANSWERED!! I left an angry message. What if I had had an emergency with one of the children? A parent came early to pick up her son and I asked her to stay and dismiss the students.
Coach came to get me and drive me home so I could get the car. I drove a few miles to the hospital and parked outside E.R. Once inside I saw The Captain on the bed in so much pain it was like he was possessed. He was rolling from side to side groaning. An ultrasound was displaying his heart and I overheard the discussion of fluids building up around the heart...pericardial effusion. I stood at his side and kissed his cold head...he had no idea I was there. As they rolled him off for a CT Scan he caught my eye so I knew he knew I was there. A cardiac anesthesiologist I saw previously who walked in drinking a Rock Star came back in and told me it was serious. I asked if he had finished the Rock Star because I wanted him to be awake. He smiled and said he was finishing. The Captain was supposed to be brought back to E.R. but a nurse came by to bring me upstairs to the surgery waiting room and told me he was going straight into surgery from the scan. A surgeon came and introduced himself and said it was an aortic aneurysm that had ruptured...it went from the top to bottom and this was what John Ridder had and he died...I told him, "Save my husband," and he said he would.
I waited forever alone....finally The Biologist and the Nuclear Physicist showed up...then a co-worker and my friend the school nurse...then a friend who is a nurse at the hospital who had the day off and her husband....we all waited...and waited...and waited. The liaison came by and told us that it had calmed down in the O.R. now...it was a very tense start. She also said to call any children living away from home and have them come home.
We talked...and the mood lightened...and we waited and talked. FINALLY the surgeon came in with a smile on his face. He went to shake my hand and I said "NO!" and gave a big hug. He said they repaired the upper portion...there was still blood pooled but it would drain...and if he had to go back in for that he would be happy to do so as it would be simple. We had to wait an hour or so to see The Captain. As we waited, the friends left one-by-one and that just left The Biologist and her boyfriend the Nuclear Physicist. We were warned that he would look scary. ACTUALLY he looked soooooo much better than he did in E.R! The ashen color was gone and he wasn't writhing in pain. Later that night when I went back alone I saw his stitches. His chest was sawed open to give access to the heart...then it was wired shut and sutured with twist tie wires....very neatly like a quilter had done it. He was covered with tubes which were attached to every part of his body and had more hanging bags of fluids and breathing machines then I ever imagined possible.
Today I was told that from the time he entered E.R. to the time he was on the operating table it was just 62 minutes! Amazing!...and the scariest fact of all that the surgeon told me today....The Captain had 5 -7 minutes of life left when he was on the table...if it weren't for The Coach finding The Captain, or the quick response of the paramedics, or the quick thinking, Rock Star drinking cardiac anesthesiologist who phoned the other upstairs and told another cardiac anesthesiologist to prep the O.R. because he identified the problem and knew time a factor....and the time of day....because I was told if this happened at night there would NOT have been a surgical team that could have been put together as quickly as they assembled.
A night nurse asked me if The Captain has a nick name..."Russ" was my answer...he said, "Oh, we are calling him Lucky!"
SO there you have it...my life since Wednesday. We were supposed to have left on vacation this morning. Now it is day by day....today the ventilator was removed and when the sedation was lessened we had awakened the monster from Young Frankenstein....grunts and all. He is in a lot of pain and they have had to restrain him. I have had to help hold him down....not pretty! Let's hope tomorrow brings a little less monster!
*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*THANKING OUR LUCKY STARS*
Saturday, June 28, 2014
Finally...
*I got to see (and touch, even though I wasn't supposed to,) the S.F. Giants World's Series TROPHIES!!
*AND finally I finished a run where I placed 1st in the old ladies category...not 2nd or 3rd....but FIRST!
...and I won 2 tickets to a San Jose triple A ball game. It wasn't my fastest 5K time but I will take a win...I am always beat out by some fit 50 year old...not today!
*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*GET AN AWARD FROM A TROLL*
Sunday, June 22, 2014
Summer Scamper!
This morning I got up early and drove to Stanford Univ. I used to make this trip daily...it isn't that far from my house...around 12 miles...but it is the traffic that is painful. But early in the morning on a weekend there is little traffic making it a pleasant drive.
The Summer Scamper is a Fun Run to raise money for the hospital. The Biologist and I have run it for the previous two years...this was my 3rd year and the 4th annual run. This is my "giving back" to the hospital that helped save my daughter.
Each time I run now, I am just hoping for a small improvement on my time. I looked up my time from 3 years ago...30:02. I was hurt and Ali finished ahead of me. Last year I was in better condition and finished in 28:54. Last week my Garmin watch died so today I was running without having any idea of my pace. I was frustrated because even though we were to line up by the pace cards with the mile times, walkers and slower runners still blocked the course. I told some walkers 6 abreast to "move it!" I just don't understand why walkers start with the 7 minute milers. Next year I will line up with the faster runners to avoid the walkers and strollers.
At the end I was surprised to see the time on my iPod as 27:00 and even more surprised to see my official time of 26:54 posted at the result wall! I was second in my age group- 50-55...and I was beat by a 50 year old youngster! Just wait til next year...I move up to the next time bracket!
The Summer Scamper is a Fun Run to raise money for the hospital. The Biologist and I have run it for the previous two years...this was my 3rd year and the 4th annual run. This is my "giving back" to the hospital that helped save my daughter.
Each time I run now, I am just hoping for a small improvement on my time. I looked up my time from 3 years ago...30:02. I was hurt and Ali finished ahead of me. Last year I was in better condition and finished in 28:54. Last week my Garmin watch died so today I was running without having any idea of my pace. I was frustrated because even though we were to line up by the pace cards with the mile times, walkers and slower runners still blocked the course. I told some walkers 6 abreast to "move it!" I just don't understand why walkers start with the 7 minute milers. Next year I will line up with the faster runners to avoid the walkers and strollers.
At the end I was surprised to see the time on my iPod as 27:00 and even more surprised to see my official time of 26:54 posted at the result wall! I was second in my age group- 50-55...and I was beat by a 50 year old youngster! Just wait til next year...I move up to the next time bracket!
*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*RUN FASTER*
Sunday, June 8, 2014
Graduating Kindergartners
Today I went to a graduation party for one of my little kindergartners....who was in my class in 2000. He has grown into a fine young man and will be attending Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in September.
There were 6 of my former students at the party...I am so proud of all of them- each one off to college. I worked at a very transient school so most of the students in my kindergarten classes have moved years ago and I have lost touch. I am so thankful to have been in each of their lives.
*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*LOVE YOUR JOB*
Sunday, June 1, 2014
Are You My Mother?
One miracle duckling made it! There were a dozen eggs to begin with...one was not fertile and another stopped growing at day 1 or 2. The other 10 I kept in the incubator...and on Friday, day 30, one little guy had made a pip in his egg. Saturday morning he was not yet out when I checked...but when I returned to school again on Saturday night....he was out!! I brought him and the brooder home. He chirped and the dog was worried...she kept staring at the duckling. So I let her see him....just like the rats she licked and licked the tiny guy. Then back in the brooder he went and we went downstairs. The duckling would chirp and the dog would whine at me....I kept reassuring her it was okay. A bit later it was quiet...then The Captain went upstairs and called me to "come quick!!"
Apparently the dog had had it with my lack of parenting...she put her head in the brooder and carefully took the duckling out. When the dog saw The Captain, she kind of looked guilty and the duckling toddled out from her chest, between her paws as she had been licking the little guy!
The dog loves the rats....I have to open the cage so she can put her head in and kiss them. She is such a mommy! She and I took the brooder to school tonight so I can ride my bike to work tomorrow...and she was not happy when I closed the classroom door.
The duckling's foot was splayed....the feet must have been developing when the power went out. It looked better this afternoon and he was eating, but I think that foot kept him from hatching sooner. No pips in any of the other eggs but I did leave them in the incubator. It is not likely though as tomorrow is day 33...25 is the usual incubation time for ducklings. But I am grateful the kids have one miracle duckling!
The duckling's foot was splayed....the feet must have been developing when the power went out. It looked better this afternoon and he was eating, but I think that foot kept him from hatching sooner. No pips in any of the other eggs but I did leave them in the incubator. It is not likely though as tomorrow is day 33...25 is the usual incubation time for ducklings. But I am grateful the kids have one miracle duckling!
*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*
LAUGH HARDER*QUACK QUACK*
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Got Mud?
I have to get the photos from the balance beam over the water pit...I didn't get any of the rings....which I totally sucked at and definitely need to practice.
What I don't understand is how the guy behind me went down the slide at almost the same time as me but ended up way behind at the finish line.
*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*CRAWL IN THE MUD AND LOVE IT*
Sunday, May 25, 2014
And the good news is.....
when our plane landed in San Fran on Friday night at 11:30 p.m.....I had two things on my mind...1. OMG!!...in 5 1/2 hours I will be getting up to run the Rugged Maniac....AND 2. I need to candle the duck eggs.
We were home in no time and hauling our stuff inside. After plugging in the candle-er and carefully took one egg from the incubator and I was surprised to see the egg was much fuller than Monday when I was so worried that the ducklings had died. I was so happy that I didn't bother to check another egg I just brushed my teeth and headed to bed.
I slept so hard I did not wake up until 5:15. It took a while to decide on what to wear...I didn't want to lose my pants climbing from the mud or water...but I didn't want to wear shorts and skin my knees....finally I decided on capri yoga pants and a shirt from the Rock N Roll San Jose half marathon...it's ugly and I didn't care if it got ruined :)
I filled jugs with water and got old towels to rinse and dry with. I got a blanket to sit on afterwards and packed the car. First stop was Safeway for a power bar and some Rock Stars and Red Bulls....I don't drink coffee and just recently had a Rock Star and realized why people drink coffee....the caffeine zap is almost too much for me!
The drive was about 45 minutes away but there was an accident on the freeway but we were able to get off and take surface streets to the fair grounds. We got an excellent parking space, checked in, used the restrooms and waited around until it was time to climb into the starting corral....YES, you had to climb a wall to get in!
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| Pre race picture |
There was mud...and mud...and mud....tunnels and hills of dirt, 25# bags of something to carry through a maze, walls to scale, nets to climb and pits to jump over. Unfortunately there wasn't fire- the fire marshal declined the permit...but there was a bubble machine that made a mountain of foamy bubbles to run through. I can't wait for the photos!
The event ended with a wall climb, that led to a net climb...that scared me at first because I thought I could fall through...but once I realized I wouldn't, I rolled to the bottom of the net, which was sagging, and then I climbed up to the top and there was a giant 45 degree water slide into a pool of water...and I quickly climbed out and crossed the finish.
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| Post race picture |
*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*RUN A RUGGED MANIAC*
Monday, May 19, 2014
Copper
Two times in as many months the copper wire has been stolen from the school I work at...and before stealing it, the thieves turn off the power...so they don't electrocute themselves. In doing so, at 1:28 this morning, they not only stole copper wire, but they stole the joy from my 25 students who were incubating a dozen duck eggs.
When I opened my classroom at 6:35 this morning, the eggs were stone cold. I quickly called The Captain, who zoomed up to school, rescued the incubator, duck eggs and all and went home to plug them in. Soon he had the temperature up and the humidity correctly adjusted.
I texted a parent to have her Google duck egg care. She found some info but then called an emergency vet clinic and asked questions. She was told to candle the eggs and see if there was movement. But at 17 days along, I generally don't see movement. She was told there is a possibility they made have survived. So we will try. I candled the eggs tonight and discarded 2 eggs. One was fertile but never developed and the other had stopped developing early on...neither had to do with lack of warmth and humidity today. I will candle the eggs again this weekend and see if they have grown.
So sad that a few crack-heads looking for drug money cause $10,000 in damage to the school and ruin an experience for students. The kindergartners also had chick eggs in an incubator. What our school could have done with the $15,000 to repair the stolen copper wire two times is shameful!
When I opened my classroom at 6:35 this morning, the eggs were stone cold. I quickly called The Captain, who zoomed up to school, rescued the incubator, duck eggs and all and went home to plug them in. Soon he had the temperature up and the humidity correctly adjusted.
I texted a parent to have her Google duck egg care. She found some info but then called an emergency vet clinic and asked questions. She was told to candle the eggs and see if there was movement. But at 17 days along, I generally don't see movement. She was told there is a possibility they made have survived. So we will try. I candled the eggs tonight and discarded 2 eggs. One was fertile but never developed and the other had stopped developing early on...neither had to do with lack of warmth and humidity today. I will candle the eggs again this weekend and see if they have grown.
So sad that a few crack-heads looking for drug money cause $10,000 in damage to the school and ruin an experience for students. The kindergartners also had chick eggs in an incubator. What our school could have done with the $15,000 to repair the stolen copper wire two times is shameful!
*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*THINK DUCKLINGS*
Sunday, May 11, 2014
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY
Every woman is a mom...it's your day...whether you have children, or you teach them, have pets or plants we all nurture in some way...so Happy Mother's Day to all my lady friends.
Today was an awesome day... I picked up The Captain from the airport last night...he was gone for 10 days...enough of watching whatever I wanted on TV, sleeping in the middle of the bed, leaving my clothes on the floor and dishes everywhere and eating when and whatever I wanted...it is nice to have him back :)
We slept in and I went to run the local 10K route....only I couldn't remember which street to turn on so I ended up running 3/10ths of a mile too little. Then The Captain and I went to get breakfast at our little dive bar...I had a wonderful omelet and a mimosa...and the dog ate what was left of my food because there was waaaaay too much. Then, my gift to myself for Mother's Day was a half hour session with a trainer at the club to work on my legs to improve my kick. I was charged for a half hour when I signed up, even though I was sure I was supposed to get 30 minutes free....so when I got there to day, the trainer said I shouldn't have been charged but she would offer me an hour's worth.....yay! SO for 1 hour she showed me a ton of leg exercises to do and had me do them. Then I worked out my upper body and showered. Then I stopped by my classroom to check on the duck eggs in the incubator- thankfully so as the humidity was too low- and also to feed the 4 silkworms who are very slow at forming cocoons....all the others spun weeks ago.
We walked the dog and now I am just chilling on the computer until a BBQ dinner. My sewing machine is warming up and I will end my wonderful Mother's Day doing one more thing I love to do.
I hope you had a wonderful day too!
Today was an awesome day... I picked up The Captain from the airport last night...he was gone for 10 days...enough of watching whatever I wanted on TV, sleeping in the middle of the bed, leaving my clothes on the floor and dishes everywhere and eating when and whatever I wanted...it is nice to have him back :)
We slept in and I went to run the local 10K route....only I couldn't remember which street to turn on so I ended up running 3/10ths of a mile too little. Then The Captain and I went to get breakfast at our little dive bar...I had a wonderful omelet and a mimosa...and the dog ate what was left of my food because there was waaaaay too much. Then, my gift to myself for Mother's Day was a half hour session with a trainer at the club to work on my legs to improve my kick. I was charged for a half hour when I signed up, even though I was sure I was supposed to get 30 minutes free....so when I got there to day, the trainer said I shouldn't have been charged but she would offer me an hour's worth.....yay! SO for 1 hour she showed me a ton of leg exercises to do and had me do them. Then I worked out my upper body and showered. Then I stopped by my classroom to check on the duck eggs in the incubator- thankfully so as the humidity was too low- and also to feed the 4 silkworms who are very slow at forming cocoons....all the others spun weeks ago.
We walked the dog and now I am just chilling on the computer until a BBQ dinner. My sewing machine is warming up and I will end my wonderful Mother's Day doing one more thing I love to do.
I hope you had a wonderful day too!
*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*LOVE YOUR MOM*
Thursday, May 8, 2014
25 Anniversary of National Bike to Work Day
AND the highlight of the day was that my class WON the Walk/Ride to School contest with the most students NOT coming to school by car. We get to keep THE GOLDEN SNEAKER AWARD and everyone got a mini fold up Frisbee.
*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*RIDE OR WALK TO WORK*
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Teacher Appreciation Week
Our room parents got together decorated each teacher's door...with something that fits the teacher's personality....the doors are SOOOOO cute.
There are dogs for the dog lovers, sport equipment themes, coffee, flowers for kinder"garden" with photos of each child in the center of the flowers... and then there is mine:
So far this week I have gotten handmade cards, chocolate candies and lots of little gifts...like those rubberband bracelets, bookmarks and notes. And today we had breakfast made by parents. It's a good week to be a teacher!
Tomorrow is National Ride Your Bike to Work Day! You can bet I will be riding the wrong way to work by 6 miles just to stop by and get my swag back for the 20th anniversary of Ride Your Bike to Work Day!!
There are dogs for the dog lovers, sport equipment themes, coffee, flowers for kinder"garden" with photos of each child in the center of the flowers... and then there is mine:
and the little finish line flag....side two...
So far this week I have gotten handmade cards, chocolate candies and lots of little gifts...like those rubberband bracelets, bookmarks and notes. And today we had breakfast made by parents. It's a good week to be a teacher!
Tomorrow is National Ride Your Bike to Work Day! You can bet I will be riding the wrong way to work by 6 miles just to stop by and get my swag back for the 20th anniversary of Ride Your Bike to Work Day!!
*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*RIDE YOUR BIKE TOMORROW*
...and yes, I remembered my towel for the club today :)
Monday, May 5, 2014
Monday....
Swim 1 mile
Treadmill- 1- 8:27 mile
Stairs 1 - 7 minute mile
Bike 5 miles
Weights
Shower- NO TOWEL- Priceless drying off with two mini hand towels for wiping up sweat.
HAPPY MONDAY :)
Treadmill- 1- 8:27 mile
Stairs 1 - 7 minute mile
Bike 5 miles
Weights
Shower- NO TOWEL- Priceless drying off with two mini hand towels for wiping up sweat.
HAPPY MONDAY :)
*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*I WON'T DO THAT AGAIN*
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Z
Z is for Zamboni...I just keep coming back to this for Z. I loved watching the Zamboni smooth out the ice during intermission at our local ice skating rink when I was a kid. I loved how Zambonis are decorated for each hockey team...
...and I love the story about how, in a local parade for our city's anniversary, the Zamboni from the local ice rink was right behind and a group of us representing the elementary school I worked at, when it blew a tire! It was an amazing shock and we all had a good laugh when we recovered!
I love this book
and who doesn't love to say "ZAMBONI!"
Happy A-Z April! We made it!!
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| Photo from pizzastop blogspot |
...and I love the story about how, in a local parade for our city's anniversary, the Zamboni from the local ice rink was right behind and a group of us representing the elementary school I worked at, when it blew a tire! It was an amazing shock and we all had a good laugh when we recovered!
I love this book
and who doesn't love to say "ZAMBONI!"
Happy A-Z April! We made it!!
*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*A-Z SURVIVORS*
Y
Y is for.....da, da, da, da, da, da da, dh....Ya say it's your birthdaY...(que the Beatles,) You're gonna have a good time....
Yes...I am 55 today...double 5's ...5 and a half decades Young.
I am in the best shape I have been in since I have had kids...it's about time I had a little time to start eating well, working out and just having to work and have fun.
EnjoY !
Yes...I am 55 today...double 5's ...5 and a half decades Young.
I am in the best shape I have been in since I have had kids...it's about time I had a little time to start eating well, working out and just having to work and have fun.
EnjoY !
*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME*
Monday, April 28, 2014
X
X is for X marks the spot...as in, I am exercising and have hit that spot where I feel good and am setting some personal bests. Last Thursday, at the local running store's Adventure Run, I followed some youngsters on the route. I don't have a smart phone and the map is sent out as an email when the run begins. You have 1 hour to run to as many checkpoints on the route as possible...and this was the first time I have made it to all checkpoints. At first I wasn't going to go to the furthest point...but I kept catching the 20-somethings at each stoplight so I just kept going. They were running fast- like sub 8 minute miles...but they had a smartphone with the map and I thought I could turn back if I had to. But I kept them in sight...and they kept tripping the lights for me. I think that run made me realize I could go faster. My mile swim yesterday was surprising too...I thought my time was 35 minutes and when I saw the time on my Garmin I was pleasantly surprised to see 29. I am not a fast swimmer but that was a great time for me. I just need to keep it up so I can rock an Rugged Mudder event next month.
*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONEGER*LAUGH HARDER*X IS AWESOME*
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