Nanaxthree

Happy 2nd Birthday Ethan!

2008-04-05T20:16:00.013-04:00

We awoke again to rain. Traci and Paul had to run some errands for the party, so Joyce and I tried to keep the house clean until the party. We managed to get the boys to sit and watch TV and Ethan fell asleep.

The house was packed with kiddies, parents and family. Nikki, Tony and the boys missed out on the fun because Carter had a game on Saturday. After the pizza and snacks, all the kiddies faced the wet conditions and went outside to the bouncy house train and slide. We had a pack of wet, doggy-smelling kids. After the outside activities, everyone came in for cake and ice cream!

Tanner did not want to come in and was pitching a fit. So, I took him upstairs, gave him a bath and he and I took a kitty (our terminology for a cat nap). We almost missed the gift opening. There was Thomas the Train everywhere. When we got back downstairs, he saw some of the kids outside in the jumpy house and wanted to go outside again. I told him no - more tears flowed. Amber told me she would clean him up, so back outside he went.

After the party ended, we hung around until around 4:00 p.m. and then packed up car to leave. Naturally, Tanner did not want to come home. I was hoping that he would sleep some on the way home, but forget that! He was throwing his earphones, clicking for his drink, and otherwise, being obnoxious.

My face was hurting, so all I wanted to do was get home! We finally arrived home around 7:30 p.m. Boiling Springs never looked so good!

After unloading the car, I decided that I needed to see a doc about the rash on my face. So back in the car and off to Mary Black Emergency Room. No way was I going to go to Regional and be there all night. I was in and out at Mary Black within an hour and a half.

The doc said he really didn't know what it was, but felt there was infection involved and he gave a prescription for a Reidville Road, so let's just drive some more. The script cost me $36, but the small tube of cream actually cost 100 bucks. It had better work miracles.fter returning home around 11p, I had to do the church bulletin. Ashlee and I went to the church and copied the bulletin around 11:30p. There was no way I was going to go to church on Sunday with this swelled up mug.

Busy day - I'm exhausted - gonna hit the sack!

Day 2 & 3 Atlanta

2008-04-04T19:53:00.006-04:00

Well, we pretty much have had an uneventful two days. The boys had their usual squabbles, but nothing major. After punches and pulls and a few tears all was forgotten and they moved on. Don't ya wish the adults could do that! We were hoping that it would be sunny and warm so the boys could play outside, but nothing doing - it was chilly and raining.

Joyce cooked us another wonderful supper on Wednesday night. We had cubed steak, mashed potatoes, corn and rolls and pretty much finished up the pound cake and strawberries. It is so good to have a home-cooked meal especially from someone else.

While Tanner and I were napping the company delivered Ethan's inflatable train jump and slide. The weather doesn't look promising for Saturday; but rain or shine we'll make do.

Friday afternoon, Paul's dad drove up for Ethan's birthday party. We had tornado watches all day Friday up until 10pm; but, all we had was rain and a thunderstorm. When Paul got home from work and when the rain slacked up we all loaded up to go to Zaxby's for supper. Joyce had Tanner so paranoid that we were going to get separated from Traci (Paul, his dad, Ethan and Traci rode in her van) that every few seconds, he was hollering, "Where's Traci?)

One major kink in Friday was on the way to Zaxby's my stupid car radio would not lock into a station and stay there. It would always revert to an AM stations. Plus, Tanner's video sound would not play on the radio and he refused to wear the earphones! More yelling from him!!! Also, I had some kind of rash on the left side of my face around my nose, lips and chin and it was swelling - NOT a pretty picture!

After we returned home, we all watched Shrek 3, except halfway thru, Traci and I decided to give the boys a bath. We paused the movie and while they were in the tub, Joyce started cleaning for the party tomorrow.

After finishing the movie, Tanner, Joyce and I decided to go to bed. It was a little before nine. I was pooped!

Next up - Ethan turns 2

We're Back........ in Atlanta!

2008-04-02T17:21:00.003-04:00

While preparing for our trip to Atlanta last night, my back was bothering me and I decided to take some ibuprofen - but the idiot I am - I took Excedrin migraine. By doing this I could not go to sleep. After making sure everything was ready for our trip, I tried to just lie down and hope that sleep would come. The last time I looked at the clock it was 5:45 a.m. on Wednesday. And to make matters worse I woke up at around 7:15 a.m. NOOOOO sleep to amount to anything.

Well, after placing the suitcases into the car, I had to chase down Tanner who was riding his motorcycle down the driveway over and over. Too much activity before 8:00 a.m. especially with an ill Nanny!

We were finally on our way after pit stops at the bank and Hardees for breakfast. Joyce called and she had a few errand to run, but said that she would leave her front door unlocked. Well, she had already returned before we made it there.

Loaded the car again and we headed off, but oh yeah, another pit stop for Joyce's breakfast at Hardees. Now we're ready to go at around 9:00 a.m. Fortunately, Tanner was very good on the drive, after we passed Commerce, I put in the Wizard of Oz and he was in DVD heaven.

The trees were beautiful along the interstate, however, Joyce and I could not figure out what type they were. They were so many pinkish-purple flowering trees. Even after stopping on the side of the interstate so Joyce could break off a branch, we still had no idea.

After stopping by Target, we arrived at Traci's around 1:00 p.m. Tanner was so excited to see Ethan when he arrived home around 3:00 p.m. Joyce took the boys outside to play - they had a ball, especially when I shook Traci's tree to let the blooms fall. Ethan and Tanner were running around underneath the tree yelling - "It's snowing!"

We had a great supper of meat loaf, mashed potatoes, squash and rolls. For dessert, we had pound cake with strawberries and whip cream - yum, yum! Eat your heart out Ashlee!

After the boys' splash-a-thon in the tub, they were exhausted and it took no time to get them asleep, but it was still around 9-9:30 p.m. I was exhausted too, but managed to stay up and see who was voted off American Idol.

I can say that last night was the best sleep that I have had in a long time. I didn't even wake up for a bathroom break - that is a miracle in itself.

Well, check in later and I'll trip to update on Thursday's activities.

Tootles!

Busy Busy February

2008-02-17T15:55:00.000-05:00

The first part of February was spent painting the Fellowship Hall at our church. Before we could paint, the walls had to have Kilz applied because they are paneling. I have never been so tired in all of my life.

The painting was done in a little over a week because we were trying to get everything looking nice for the Sweetheart Supper. Along with the painting, new faux plantation blinds were installed and decorations added.

It was really beautiful and we got oodles of compliments. Still have a little bit of work to do, but thankfully there is no rush on it!

Leavin' Hot Lanta ??????

2008-01-26T15:34:00.000-05:00

Well, Saturday morning proved to be our most exciting day at the Helton's. With our bags packed, we ate breakfast before heading out. Well, before we left, Traci was going to get Ethan a snack out of the pantry when disaster struck. There was a new bottle of pancake syrup sitting on the shelf and Ethan accidentally knocked it over. Syrup was everrrryyyyy where. I picked up the bottle to carry it to the sink - naturally dropping syrup throughout the kitchen. With everyone's help, we finally got the mess cleaned up.

With that drama over, Paul helped me load the suitcases for our trek back home. Good bye kisses where given and Tanner wanted to stay and Ethan wanted to go. Everyone was in the van and guess what happened - the stupid van would not start. Paul had to go next door to borrow some jumper cables and try to jump the car off. (Oh yea - it was soooo cold!) Yep - didn't work at first. Joyce called Timmy and he said to leave the cables on the van while Paul's car was running for about 10 minutes. Thank goodness - it started this time. Thankfully, because Paul and I were going to buy a new battery.

Well, finally we were loaded up and ready for the drive home. Just to be on the safe side, we went to Advance Auto and had my battery checked out. A OK! On the road we are!!!

Friday

2008-01-25T15:32:00.000-05:00

Well, it was a routine day, except Joyce cooked supper for us - we had mashed potatoes, cube steak, rolls. Yum! Yum! Plus another round of splash fest and jumping on the bed!

Like I said before, in another year or so - bless ya Paul and Traci!

Up Bright And Early!

2008-01-24T15:24:00.005-05:00

Well, Ethan and Tanner were up around 8:30 a.m. and ready to play. Ethan did not even mention Traci and Paul the whole day. Tanner and he were having a ball playing with the trains.

After Traci got home from work, she put Ethan down for a nap. Tanner, I believe was already asleep. After their naps, they were up and at it again. Paul and Traci left for their dinner, but Ethan didn't seem to notice as he and Tanner were too busy playing.

Joyce and I had put the boys in for a bath or rather a splash fest. After the bath it was another round of jumping on the bed. I think we all finally got to bed around 11:00p

Off To Hot-Lanta

2008-01-23T23:29:00.000-05:00

Well, after oversleeping on a very foggy morning, Tanner and I managed to get on the road. Only after taking a phone call from Lifeway saying that they will be sending UPS today to pick up our order overages. Well, here I am racing around trying to find some tape to seal the box. Finally found some and set the package on the porch with a sign to send back to Lifeway.

Our trip to Atlanta was to take my sister, Joyce, so that she could babysit her grandson, Ethan, while Traci (her daughter) and her husband, Paul, went to a Chamber of Commerce dinner on Thursday night. Their day babysitter has a second shift job and they have never left Ethan with anyone else. Oh, by the way Ethan will be 2 in April. He and Tanner are 6 months apart in age.

Well, after creeping in the bad fog to Roebuck, we managed to pick up Joyce and of course we had to stop by Hardees for breakfast. We finally got on the road to Atlanta around 9:45 a.m. Our original time of departure was supposed to be 8:30 a.m.

Our trip was uneventful to Atlanta - there was very little traffic and Tanner enjoyed watching Wizard of Oz over and over until we arrived. The DVD player did screw up once and I had to pull over on I-85 and fix it.

Before getting to Traci's, we stopped at Super Target. Joyce had to have her 2% milk. Traci has Skim and Regular milk. Naturally, I had to get Tanner some candy to shut him up. I got him some Reese's Pieces just to shut him up. Ironically, he ate very few of them.

Well, we arrived at Traci's house at 1:30 p.m. After unloading the car, we just flopped on the couch waiting for Traci to get home from teaching school. She gets home around 2:45 p.m. Tanner busied himself with Ethan's trains and his police car. When Traci arrived with Ethan, Tanner was so excited. He had someone to play with. He finally realized who the Ethan was that we were talking about.

Ethan has a huge playroom (used to be Traci's formal dining room) and he has every toy imaginable. Especially Thomas the Train. Seems, he and Tanner wanted to play with the same train - "James." Joyce had brought a chocolate cake and chili for supper. Traci left Ethan with us and went to the grocery store to pick up some other items. Ethan didn't even miss her. He was enjoying spending time with his Nanny and playing with Tanner. By the way, neither of the boys had a nap.

Well, for supper we had hot dogs, tater tots, chocolate cake and ice cream. Wonderful!!! After supper, Traci remembered that her hair dryer had died, so off to Target she and Paul went. It's not often they get to go out alone. While they were out, they picked up Tanner a "James" train along with a new train for Ethan to eliminate any future squabbles.

Our visit really messed up the Helton family bedtime schedule. Ethan is usually in bed by 8:30p. Well, the boys didn't get into the tub until around 9:00 or later. (I'll try to figure out how to post pictures.) Afterwards, it was umping time on Tanner's and my bed. They were having a ball. I guess we all finally went to bed around 11:00 p.m.

Nothing overly exciting, but we had fun! It's been since last October that we saw the Helton's. Oh, for the ones that don't know - Traci is expecting another little boy in April. I told Paul and her to look at Tanner and Ethan and you would have their family in another 2 years.

Well, more on my trip later. I know you can't wait to find out what happened on Thursday!

WE GOT DSL - Finally!

2008-01-19T20:19:00.000-05:00

Well, it's the end of another, long mundane week. Well, the snow on Thursday was kinda exciting, but the topper is WE GOT DSL. While logging in to pay the telephone bill on Wednesday, I decided to check if DSL was available. I couldn't believe it when it came back with a big YES! The order was placed and on Friday, the equipment arrived. The installation was a cinch thanks to Ashlee. Then, Miss I Can Do Anything, went outside and starting putting together the treadmill we purchased on Wednesday. She couldn't finish that until Daryl came home. So, now we are exercising and surfing the net!

Well, the stupid meteorologist got it wrong today! We've had some flurries, but no "inches" as predicted. Big disappointment. But, they are predicting a possibility of icy weather on Tuesday. Should we believe them? I think not!!!

Till later!!!!!!!

....... and

2008-01-19T20:08:00.001-05:00

Well, after Lindsey and I returned home, I had to sew the curtains for the puppet stage -- that is sewing in the garage in the twilight warmed by the kerosene heater. Ashlee was finishing up the painting of the stage. This was around 9:30-10:00 p.m. Afterwards, we all went inside to watch tv for a bit. Daryl hit the bed first; then Jason, Lindsey and the kiddies left; Ashlee went to bed and I stayed up to type the church bulletin, list of usher nominations and find info on the Women's Conference on the internet. Then, I decided to do my first post. Probably got to bed around 3:00 a.m.

Didn't help that I had to be up around 7:00 a.m. to get ready for church. After church, we all went to Appleby's for lunch. Since it was so cold and everyone was tired, Jason, Lindsey and the kids went home as did we. Everyone hit the bed, except me. Tanner fought sleep until 4:00 p.m. and he had to get up at 4:30 p.m. to go back to church at 5:00 p.m. Not a happy camper.

After church, back home to start the week over! Exciting huh?

Let's Catch Up!

2008-01-13T01:35:00.000-05:00

Well, here it is over a week later. It's not that there's so much going on, it just that I am l.a.z.y. and it doesn't help that we're having trouble connecting to the web and my computer has died - let it rest in peace after I stomp it to a zillion pieces.

Now, let me think what has happened in the last 8 days. Last Saturday, Ashlee, Tanner and I had to go to Lifeway in Greenville and Christian Supply in Spartanburg to pick up some prizes for Children's Church. Naturally, while in Greenville, we had to drop in at Babies R Us (had to spend some money on my boys!) But has usual, Tanner showed his little butt royally - seems Babies R Us is a trigger for him. Afterwards, we had to make to make a Wal-Mart run. Daryl was the benficiary of that trip as we bought him some clothes in lieu of his new job. Naturally, he could not wait until Monday to wear them - he was sporting them at church on Sunday. I'll have to say, Ashlee and I did a good job picking out the ties, shirt and pants and he looked pretty sharp in them.

Tanner and I spent the week holed up at the Crest watching the Wizard of Oz DVD every day and sometimes twice a day. At least for a couple of hours, the Bug is quiet. Before long, I believe that he and I will be able to recite the en tire movie!

Lindsey, Ashlee and I spent today shopping for our church's Sweetheart Supper on February 9th at 6:00 p.m. (hey-anyone want to buy a ticket? - $10.00) We purchased more stuff for VBS than we did for the supper. What the heck, we were killing two birds with one stone. Afterwards, we along with Jason and Daryl, went to eat Mexican and off to Pauline to pick up the kiddie poos.
I hadn't got to see my other two boys (J.C. and Carson) for over a week. They came over tonight after we picked them up at Andrew and Tammy's. J.C. and Carson rode back with Daryl and Jason and unfortunately for our sanity, Tanner rode home with me, Lindsey and Ashlee. Screams, tears and snot was free-flowing for the long ride home and they didn't stop when we got home. Lindsey and I made a quick exit to Wal-mart to purchase a tension rod for our puppet stage to be used at Children's Church. Let's pause - I just heard the Bug let out a scream and I need to climb the stairway to my comfortable bed or I'm not going to get up in time for church. Finish up later. Tootles!

The First Type

2008-01-04T22:35:00.000-05:00

My intentions were to start a blog the first of the year, but as usual, I forgot. Seems that lately I'm forgetting more and more. Is it my MS or old age? Probably a bit of both. Things have been kinda ho hum in '08 thus far. I have been under the weather - sinus, chest cold, upset tummy; therefore, I don't have too much to write about.

We de-Christmased the house tonight - well, I started on Thursday taking down the decorations on the porch. Daryl woke up early today (10:30a) and took the lights off the fence and brought the storage tubs to the deck for tonight's finalization. The house seems kinda naked, but I'm glad to be back to some type of normalcy.

Well, not much for a first post - but then again, I do lead a very boring life. Til next time!