TAKING CHARGE 6 Mar 06

I'm still dying of strep throat over here and nobody can even be bothered to post?? You lot stink! You lot couldn't organise a pis$$-up in a brewery!!!

get your bottoms moving ladies or I'm giving up on all of you after this week.

and yes, being unable to swallow for over a week makes me grumpy... you wanna make an issue of it??

Kerri.

I'm here!

"Taking Charge" of getting ready to get ready for vacation (if that makes any sense!) I bought DD11 two new swim suits today...and myself a new pair of jeans (in a smaller size!!! but that's a topic for "New You" )

I washed bedding today since the house had been well cleaned in preparation for DD11's party on Saturday. We only had ice cream cake and presents here, then took the girls swimming for the remainder of the afternoon, so the house stayed pretty well in order.

We just finished meeting with DD15.5's scouts. They are prep-ing for their Silver Award Ceremony on March 18th. They have planned a Luau-themed meal and 2 skits and will be receiving their Silver Awards and bridging to Senior scouts all in the same evening! They finished the invitations (for about 30 guests) wrote out the shopping lists and a time-table for the meal (which THEY have to prepare!) and wrapped up the second skit. The first skit is done...but we (the adults) haven't seen either skit, as they are a "surprise" for us, too!

My co-leader and I will be doing the Silver Award and bridging ceremony...designed to be exceedingly sappy as a fitting tribute to their accomplishments AND to the fact that our "precious little girls" are turning into quite amazing and admirable women!

I signed on this morning and saw Jana's news, but aside from posting a good thought for her, I just couldn't bring myself to post my mundane and trivial, crisis-less list of "stuff." It was good to see her update this evening.

I'm sorry you're still feeling so yucky, Kerri. I hope that medicine kicks in soon!

That's all from me for now! I hope it's enough to get me off the sh*t-list, Kerri!

Blessings,
Lenora
"...if woman's work is never done, why bother about how much of it [isn't] getting done at any given moment?"
~ Claire Fraser in The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon

as rough as I feel I keep reminding myself of Jana, and it puts things into perspective. I am going to the doctor again this morning though. After 4days of a 7day course of antibiotics I expect to see quite an improvement. So far there is nothing, so I'm not waiting for the end of the course thanks! Difficult to get stroppy with people though when all you have in your repertoire are soft grunts!!

DH is coming back tomorrow and I've never been this unenthusiastic, poor guy. Normally by now I'd be bouncing off the ceiling, but the pain spread to my ear overnight and I'm struggling not to cry really. Difficult to feel 'take charge' in this pathetic state. DS' comment this morning says it all: "Mummy, you look like you have lines on your face this morning."

I guess by going to the doctor today I AM taking charge... sorta...

Kerri.

to ask the doctor for some stronger painkillers.

Next time get yourself to the doctor quicker! I know, this is rich, coming from the person who took 7 months to go to the doctor with her bad knee

I haven't posted much, 'cause there's nothing much to post! I have a really busy week, today is the only 'free' day I have and I don't seem to have achieved anything beyond laundry. Have to go out (in the rain, yuck) shortly to buy groceries. This evening I have mountains of ironing to do, mine and my Mum's.

Taking charge? Hmm. I'm applying for a job. Does that count?

We got back from vacation late Saturday night and of course I woke up Sunday sick. I hate airplanes. I am all dizzy and naseous and I have a fever. Plus, I have a ton of work to catch up on and a book club party at my house tonight.

Thank goodness DS15.5 cleaned the house and made dinner last night. His angelic moments sure do help!

So to take control this week:

Take paperwork to the accountant-then she can let me know what else she needs, instead of me wasting time and energy wondering and guessing

Call the DMV and find out why the truck is unregistered and what we can do about it

Change out the emergency food and water store in the cellar, it's almost a year old now

Update DD's homeschooling portfolio and plan for March (she's been on vacation so far this month)

Meal plan for the rest of the week and go get groceries

Kerri, sore throats are the worst. I really hope yours is better very soon.

couldn't have anything simple, now could I. It's a 'quinsy' - what a delightfully old-fashioned term. I think it's rare now because most people get their tonsils ripped out at age 10. This is an abcess which went sideways from the tonsils, sort of.

no time now, but i need to go back into hospital tomorrow after collecting DH for intravenous antibiotics - could be a couple of days, so no slacking off ok! Had to sign a form discharging myself against medical advice because I have nobody to take the kids tonight. Thank goodness DH is back tomorrow at last. Poor soul... full-time nursing required all round the world!

sounds like you've been busy Jo, in spite of the holiday. I feel a bit like that after a flight, though fortunately not for long.

I gotta split...

Kerri.

Most Americans keep our tonsils. So that problem might be more common here!

I have a VOICE!!! Much to the kids' initial joy, and soon their dismay! Not just a pipsqueak little thing either but almost full service. And I can swallow normally. I'm still going in to the hospital of course but I have a feeling the abcess may have broken in the night. If it did then the bacterial stuff still needs killing. And you know what, I am now firmly convinced that this is what I had at the beginning of uni 13yrs ago. Except that time I didn't have a doctor at all and the pharmacist put me on to a medical mouthwash you don't have in the US and the thing burst. I'm sure it's the same. I was just damn lucky last time that I managed to get past it without antibiotics.

Also had a good sleep although I went to bed quite late - best in ages in fact. Drug induced of course, but who cares! So I'm really raring to go today. Well... comparatively.

I think maybe I'd do better on New You because it's for sure I've done more weight loss than taking charge of things in the last 10days!

I still think that at some point soon we need to take time to think about our emergency preparedness. I don't just mean for things like hurricanes and floods, as the phrase is often used. I'm talking about medical crises and family crises and all the other stuff that gets in the way of our carefully planned week. Does it throw you for a loop?? Well that's the point of a crisis, but how quick do you hit the ground running and become the capable woman you can be. Or do you collapse in a puddle and let someone else mop up?? That's not always an option though is it. A big part of this taking charge thing is knowing how to fend for ourselves and be the one in charge when there is nothing but chaos around you. What systems do you have in place?? How could you modify your reactions to a crisis?? Do you have anything in the house which might ease your burden if something bad were to happen - instant meals are an obvious example, but anything that soothes you in between times, keeps you sane. Anyone who's read Simple Abundance might think of the Comfort Drawer. Well maybe you can't pull the covers over your head this time, but you probably still need to be extra gentle with yourself to survive without too many scars.

Maybe we aren't ready to discuss this right now, but I want all of you, lurkers included, to think about this. Maybe it isn't a loved one in crisis - maybe it's yourself. Does your DH or parents or other childcare know what to do with your kids?? Where they go to school, which clubs they attend, who needs to be told what. I had a tiny forewarning of this yesterday, but maybe another time I won't be able to discharge myself write a list for DH and come back another day. Touch wood it never happens, but wouldn't it be one huge extra weight off your mind to know that everyone knows the drill if there is a problem??

so think about that, and keep checking in with the wonderful things you're doing. Honey - how's the job application?? Did you send it off?? That's a massive step for you, and earlier than you planned so good for you for not waiting until you're pushed into a corner. I'm afraid I don't have any great and inspiring examples to include, except for the one about taking myself back to the doctor when things didn't feel right - if I'd waited till the end of the antibiotics I could have theoretically suffocated on that thing! Seems like ordinary common sense to me, but I suppose not everyone would have second guessed the doctor's diagnosis and prescription.

Kerri.

Well, DH is home for the week, and I'm feeling better today. He has a conference call this morning, but after that I'm going to dive into the office and take as much control in here as possible. Wish me luck! I'll post a progress report later.
--Karin
www.chaotichome.blogspot.com

DH is home and I'm perfectly healthy again! I did go back into the hospita but the swelling was reduced big-time and the doctor said the oral antibiotics would be enough to see off the rest of the problem now, so I was in and out in about 5mins. DH was a little stunned after the dire warnings he'd received before he left S'pore!

so now I have to whip this house back into shape and figure out what to do and when about the business, so we can figure out exactly what needs doing in what order. Yay... LISTS!

Kerri.

talk about an instant recovery!! Glad you're feeling better. You too, Karin.

No, I haven't sent the job application off yet, but I hope to do that tomorrow. I want to submit it online and I need DS' help for that! He's not here today.

Lots of clearing up and housework to do as we have visitors on Friday. Onwards and upwards...

I normally make a big push before DH comes home but I'm afraid I just left the house this morning knowing there wasn't much I could do after so many weeks of not-so-benign neglect. At least he didn't have tons of dirty washing to add to my existing mess, and he didn't take umbrage at the present I'd bought and left him in the hallway - a new ironing board! He's dozed off now (8pm) and I have some gammon stock that needs to not be neglected.

We have a lot of business talk to sort out in the next few days, so there will be a blitz on this office so we can brainstorm and plan, and then we need to be working super-efficiently on whatever we've prioritised. That all ensures more neglect for the rest of the house. I think my morning pages will take an even bigger beating with DH actually working here for the foreseeable future too. I've been a bit weak on them for the last month and it makes me feel all edgy not to get it all sorted out on paper.

The good news is that between us working together DH and I can be a very good team. He thinks out loud, I cross-examine and write stuff down and we usually work really well together. So we just need to make that time now that we're back in the same place.

Kerri.

I'm considering shutting down this thread and leaving you all to flounder and get bullied by life's ebbs and flows!!

I have to make space at my desk today for DH and the big discussions, so that makes me crabby. I moved a heap of personal papers onto our bed because I can't deal with them right this minute but they are in the way. We will definitely need another office - we cannot store everything in here, even if we could work in the same small room for days on end, when DH isn't off travelling somewhere. Still, we have to make do with this for now, so I'd better keep plugging away at it. Maybe Lynn would let me set up a thread which is one room for one year!! At least Honey and I might have a hope!

Kerri.

Good idea Kerri! I am still working on both bedrooms, I depair of ever carrying any of my plans out, sometimes. As for to do lists, I don't think I have ever in my life completed everything that was on my list for that day - even when it was a short list! I am so utterly bored of planning to do things and not getting them done.

... "sick" as in screaming headache and throbbing sinuses...and "tired" as in went on a field trip with 34 high school students yesterday...walked a million miles and then took my own DD15.5 shopping for a swim suit which did not go well...then couldn't sleep.

I'm sick and I'm tired and the only thing I'm controling today is the remote!

I'm glad you're better, Kerri!

Blessings,
Lenora
"...if woman's work is never done, why bother about how much of it [isn't] getting done at any given moment?"
~ Claire Fraser in The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon

not when you're feeling like death warmed over yourself! The upside should be how much more you appreciate absence of pain when you get to feel better!! I've been bouncing around for the last couple of days now. It's the one thing I like about illness! Hope you get to that stage soon Lenora.

washing's in the machine, breakfast is eaten, kids' lunches are dead easy (pork pie instead of sandwiches for a change). DH and I are off to look at a factory shop for my mother's birthday present (yes, her birthday was last Tuesday!). The advantage of where we live is that all the best china and pottery in the world (Sevres excepted!) comes from just down the road, so we're off to look for some Moorcroft. I've found a reasonably priced website, but all we can really afford is a 3in high vase - I'm hoping the factory shop has a little more choice!! I'm considering seconds too, because she wouldn't care about the value of it, and I (as the inheritor) don't care about the resale value either, so it might be better to get her something slightly imperfect in order to have a bit more choice. Unfortunately the seconds shop is on a different site, at the old enamels factory, so we're going to have to move quick!

Tomorrow is a major shopping trip for clothing. I intend to get as much as I possibly can for the next 6mths because I expect to have minimal time for further shopping. DH and I are off to London next week for a meeting with our accountant, so I could do with a few more items. I've already threatened the kids so they behave better. Thanks for the reminder abot swimsuits Lenora - I could do with adding it to the list. Mine's not very nice, although it's perfectly serviceable. It was acquired when we went on holiday once and I packed the kids' suits but not mine or DH's!

so not a lot of housework, but plenty of taking control of the situation. I think!

Kerri.

I've managed to get my headache to a tolerable level of pain, which helps. I'm not feeling very energized so "puttering" is the name of the game for me today.

I need to sweep and vacuum the main floor, but will let the stairs go until Monday. The kitchen is in pretty good shape, since DH cleaned up after dinner last night so quick swipe of the stove-top and microwave will suffice in there. I'll have the DDs clean the bathrooms after school and that will keep things livable for a few more days!

DD15.5's scouts will be here tonight to wrap-up the "skit" productions and tomorrow both DDs have a birthday party to attend. I need to get our at some point this afternoon and get a gift.

Sunday is Girl Scout Sunday at church (and the beginning of "Girl Scout Week," if you're interested ) I dug out an old green skirt and it looks like I'll be able to wear that (with a suitable amount of lycra underneath, of course!) DD11 needs a new pair of tights to wear with her uniform, too, so I'll add those to the shopping list.]

We have a busy week coming up. I have an event every evening!

Monday I'm participating in a "yard and pound" sale at my KKI meeting. Everyone donates a "yard" or "pound" of something and then we'll auction them off as a scholarship fundraiser....basically we donate $$$ to the scholarship fund and go home with someone else's junk!!!

Tuesday DD11 has guitar lessons and a music concert at school, Wed. I have friends coming over, Thursday DD15.5 has a band concert, Friday is the shopping and prep for Saturday, and Saturday is the big event/ceremony for the older scouts. WEHW! I'll NEED a vacation after all that! It's also OGT (Ohio Graduation Test)week for DD15.5. That one is not really a big area of concern since 1.) We refuse to make a big deal out of it and 2.) DD15 takes tests easily and without "angst."

DH will be gone 2 or three days next week and almost all of the following week (big National Manufacturing Week Show in Chicago) so meal planning is significantly reduced and I'll be able to pack for vacation without my piles of "stuff" being in his way! The great thing about winter vacations to the beach is that you can really get ahead in packing...since you're packing clothes that noone can wear anyway!!! (AND upon returning home....there isn't a pressing need to get the laundry done, either!)

Well, that's enough from me!

Kerri, I'm glad you're so much improved...I hope your business venture gets off to a smooth and easy start. I think your suggestions for "emergency preparedness" were right on target. I know I need to get quite a number of things documented (the "where's" and "who's" details, mostly) because if I were suddenly out of the picture I'm not at all confident that DH would know where to even begin.

Hello's to Jo, Honey, Becky, Hope, and all!

Have a great Friday!
Blessings,
Lenora
"...if woman's work is never done, why bother about how much of it [isn't] getting done at any given moment?"
~ Claire Fraser in The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon

I got my mother's present - a lovely little Moorcroft jug, and even that was stretching things somewhat. There was definitely a need to go down and see the things up close and personal though, because the photos didn't do justice to the pattern I eventually chose. Not sure when she's getting that though because it's snowing here today. We may give up entirely!

Yesterday we went to the biggest shopping mall in the UK (only in March would I contemplate such an outing for a Saturday!). As you know I needed work clothes and I think I did pretty well. I got a pair of trousers which only require a seamstress to remove the excess 8ft off each leg. They were less than a third the original price, so that covers the tailoring costs. I bought a lovely draping black jersey skirt with a solid elastic waistband and I even got shoes! Plain black court shoes were thin on the ground because they had the knee-high winter boots and the rope-soled sandals vying for space!! But I found some eventually and grabbed them. I also picked up a single pair of support tights.

So I have enough to survive Tuesday I think. Except for the lack of a decent sweater. I've just put my reen chenille in the wash because it was looking bagged a bit. Hope it survives since it said handwash only! I'm probably going shopping tomorrow anyway though. I have another bank meeting tomorrow on top of the stuff in London with the accountant and her tax people.

DH has packed the pieces of desk back into the box to return. He agrees with me and isn't prepared to wait around for Dad to be free to fix it. We think it might be too short anyway. So we might be dragging ourselves up to IKEA in the next few weeks unless we find someone selling off old office equipment and furniture nearer to home. DH is travelling again next Saturday, which is a pain since it's Mum's 60th birthday party. They already knew time would be a problem for him though so they're quite accepting at the moment.

our living room looks like we just moved in - there's clutter everywhere like it's all temporary, except that room hasn't been even remotely tidy in weeks. Kid bags and unsent charity bags (I fill them but can't remember when they're supposed to be put out for collection!), plus the box from the desk which never got cleared away, luckily. There's barely enough seating for us and the kids! Need to stay more on top of stuff.

Kerri.

Kerri, the jug sounds sweet - do you have a link to a picture?

Not much going on here today, having a quiet lazy day really. I was going to type up my application for the job I have decided to apply for, but the website is down and I can't download a form. I MIGHT go and do some sorting out in my bedroom, if I can't think of something else to do by way of procrastination......

www.moorcroft.com and the pattern is Peruvian Lily.

the desk has gone and we got a full cash refund without fuss. So we're almost back to square one in here, but at least the bed went. I also had a possible nibble on the fridge freezer, but that's probably wishful thinking.

I'd like a day to really play with pen and paper on some of the things that need to be written down, but unfortunately it's a busy errand-running out-of-the-house week so I'm reduced to scribbling on the back of receipts when I get 5mins to myself. Wednesday should be quieter, particularly since DH has to go back down to London. My father's working on Wednesday so it will take quite an emergency to keep us away overnight, since Mum can't get out early enough after her dialysis to take them to school, and I prefer not to hassle her with them until we can get home. Missing a day or a few hours of school wouldn't be the end of the world but Mum having them both on her own isn't ideal. DH is a bit ticked because he wanted to take me to see the Ideal Home Show at Earl's Court, which is the biggest show of its type in the country, and one the business has regularly been part of for the last few years. I'll get there eventually, but we need more childcare backup. I'm looking into the facilities the school has to offer - I can book ahead for a day or two before or after school, but I can't ask the kids to go there if I happen to be running late, because they have staffing issues.

I can feel my duties shifting slowly, but I have to try to remember that I can't let business exclude home duties. I know others manage - Jo for example - so any tips would be very welcome! I think routine is the way to go for me, and writing things down too. Any little pearls of wisdom would be gratefully received though!

Kerri.