Just a quick note today - an update for some of you. Dad was taken to the hospital Wednesday night in Susanville, and they took him via ambulance to Reno. They thought he had a blockage in his lower intestine. His blood pressure was extremely low, and they couldn't do surgery until it was better, and then his kidneys started to shut down. They called in the specialists, and got him stabilized enough for surgery on Thursday afternoon. They did not find a blockage, so now they don't know what the original problem was. He is doing 'better' but not good. He is on a ventilator, and is heavily sedated. His kidney functions are better, but they won't know if there was any permanent damage until later. Luckily for us, Ronna is at the hospital, and she speaks 'doctorese' (since she is one!) Dad is better, and getting better, but...it's still not good.

The wind was howling yesterday! I think it must have died down sometime during the night, but it was making creepy noises out in the garage last night. Even AJ got a little weirded out! It really did sound like someone was out in the garage, moving things around out there.

AJ and I had our first chiropractor appointment yesterday. Last week, as part of a 'health and safety' requirement, we had a safety presentation at work (lift with your legs, etc.) from a local chiropractor. He was offering a 'special' for the employees, and I decided to take advantage of it, and make AJ go too. He has been complaining of headaches for years - not migraines, but just a dull, constant headache. We don't get the results of our X-Rays until next week, but we did review the results of a thermal scan on our nerves in our spine yesterday. AJ showed elevated temps where you would expect for headaches - C-1. He topped out at a 4 there (color coded as red), and had a 2 (blue) and 3 (green) in the T2 & T3 area. No biggy. Then my test -what does it mean if it is black? That means you've gone over the ability of the machine to calculate it, and it just throws a number out there. A severe issue is a 4, and I got a 10 on my C1! Lucky me! Since my main issues were my headaches and pain in my upper shoulder (from over use on the computer and crocheting?), I expected to see issue in this area, but a 10? Wow! We go back next week to see what he thinks he can help us with. I'm sure he thinks he can help, so we will probably give him a chance at least. Since the doctor's solution for my shoulder problem is to just give it rest (not practical!) and my headache problems (drugs) we'll see how this works out. It would be nice to have either one 'fixed'!

We had a beautiful day yesterday -warm and dry. We are back to rain today, but that is okay. I did get my roses trimmed, which was one of the few things on my to-do list for yard work. I got almost nothing done inside yesterday, but...it is still waiting for me today.

Alex got in from the Klondike yesterday about 6:00 p.m. - they took 2nd place in the sled race! I think they started out with 3 boys pulling, and one pushing (Alex) and crossed the line with just the pusher! They lost the smallest scout early in the race, and lost the last two big scouts right at the end. Alex said he almost ran over one - Dylan fell and rolled out of the way, but Isaac just fell. They lost to the first team by about 5 seconds, and the third team was another 3 seconds behind them. Alex said he thinks they placed around 7th over all - not bad - I think there were about 20 troops there. Theirs is also a smaller troop. They just took one patrol up - about 12 kids I think. Some of the larger troops had 4 or 5 patrols along. (I can't imagine trying to keep track of that many kids!!)

I was such a slug yesterday, I am going to have to get moving this morning to catch up. I did work on the baby afghan that I am making - the baby shower is in 2 weeks, so I have better get going on it seriously! I am over halfway done, but I want to make little booties to go with it too. I know - I've got to get busy! I've also been working on a doily, but I don't think I'm going to finish it. It is made with double-triple stitches and clusters, and I don't even like triple crochet, much less double-triple! It is a pretty pattern, so I may eventually make it, but....I can't drum up any enthusiasm for it right now!

Finally Friday! It has felt like a long week at work, even though we had Monday off. I was busy after work on Tuesday and Wednesday, so after work on Thursday was cleaning time. I spent the first 45 minutes home from work getting caught up on just picking up and straightening up! (and now you would have a hard time telling that I even did that!)

The dogs (I know - it was really just Koori, Japser is a good girl!) started digging in one of my flower barrels on Tuesday, and I didn't have a chance to go out there to clean it up. Since it was actually sunny when I got off work yesterday, it was still light when I got home, so I swept up all the dirt, and put more rocks in the planter. Darn dogs! I think this week was an adjustment for them too. Alex was off from school for over a week (his school takes President's week off, not just the two Mondays), and someone was home with them all day! Back to reality for them this week. Bummer! When I got in last night, Koori was already sleeping in her cage. She came out, said hello to me, and went back to sleep in her cage. I didn't see her most of the evening! That stay home by yourself is exhausting! (I'm afraid to wander out around the yard to see what she found to play with that wore her out - I'll probably find out this weekend!)

What a nice rainy weekend it has been! Luckily, we didn't get the snow on the valley floor like they were predicting, but we got plenty of rain! The airport logged in almost 2 1/2 inches with this storm, and there are still a couple more days of rain. Of course, we are 10+ inches behind schedule, so it won't solve the drought!

I was planning a trip to Susanville this weekend, but put it off - they were advising up to two feet of snow in the mountains. Four wheel drive will only get you so far! Maybe next weekend, we will try to get up. Since it was a dreary day, I sat down and watched the NASCar race yesterday, and worked on my doily. I don't remember the last time I did that! Most of the names of the racers aren't even that familiar! It was a good excuse to sit down and do nothing for the afternoon, at least. I finished the doily last night - 24 inches across. About half way through this one, I decided it would have looked better in a smaller thread size, but it was too late!

I did get the call to go and rescue the campers yesterday morning. Not much earlier than was originally scheduled. The leader said it was kind of like the three little pigs story. One tent blew over, one sprang a leak, and the adult tent was nice and snug and cosy! You tell them, and you tell them, and you tell them, but....do they listen? The winds picked up (as forecast!) about 4:00 a.m., and the tents that didn't get staked down (like they should have been) had issues. The boys all climbed into the gear trailer and finished up the night there. All in all, considering the weather, it turned out pretty well. One of the boys I hauled home even said that is was a fun camp-out! (That was not my son, trust me!) Alex came home and climbed in a hot shower for a half hour, and then recovered very quickly.

Happy Valentine's Day! Cupid came early to our house (Ralph can't resist giving a gift once he has it!) I got a very pretty rose arrangement, and chocolate truffles! I think I'm not loosing that extra few pounds I found over Christmas just yet!

The rain has found us - with the possibility of snow. As luck would have it, this weekend was a scheduled snow camp-out for the scouts. They did change the location, since the mountains are expected to get up to two feet of snow this weekend, but they are still camping. A snow camp-out is one thing, but camping in a blizzard is something different! I took three boys down to Cottonwood this morning, and will go and fetch them back tomorrow morning. (The earlier, the better, according to AJ!) We definitely need the moisture. Redding is sitting at 10 inches of year to far this year, and the average is over 20 inches by this time.

I was right - yesterday was a loooong day! Today is looking marginally better - Alli woke me up at 4:00 this morning, instead of 2:30! She did go back to bed for about 45 minutes, so I didn't get out of bed permanently until about 4:45. After a nice hot shower for both of us, and a cup of coffee for me, I think I am ready to face the day.

I actually had a snowball fight with Alex last night after the Scout meeting! We stopped for our normal ice cream cone treat, and there was snow on the wheel cover of the Rav, so.....I missed. Luckily, so did Alex! Poor Seth (neighbor kid that goes to scouts with us) was the only one that got hit with snow, and that was accidental - I was aiming at Alex! I don't think the valley got any snow (that stuck around) last night, but I think the mountains got some! Every little bit helps, I think!

My sister took a very nice picture of Koori last trip up to Mom's. Isn't she a beauty? Like Alli, it is a good thing she is cute!

It's going to be a long day, and it isn't even started yet! Alli woke me up this morning at 2:30 (by poking me with her finger - like 'are you awake'? I didn't hear her get out of bed - unusual for me!) and I didn't really go to sleep after that. Every little noise (and the snores coming from the other side of the bed were not little!) woke me up, so I just dozed the rest of the night. I think I was trying to hear if Alli got up again, since she snuck up on me! Tonight is scouts, too, so I will be out of the house until 9:00 or 9:30 or so. A long day!

So much for saying it wasn't raining! As soon as I finished up the post yesterday, it started raining! Yippee! I don't know how much we got from this storm, but any is better than nothing! Since it was raining, I took the opportunity to work on a new doily. This one is small - just under 6 inches, but the designer is famous for her use of textures in doilies. Reading the instructions for a Front Treble-Treble split stitch is interesting! This photo is more from the side, so you might be able to see the stitches better.

Winter weather looks like it is here, but it isn't raining. It is cloudy, windy and cold, but...no rain. Still, it at least feels like February. Alli brought out her big Picachu toy this morning, and cuddled up on the couch with it and took an nap while I was at church today. Ralph lucked out for babysitting today!

Here are some of my camellias that are blooming. Right now, I have two bushes in bloom.

Finally - pictures of the finished afghan! I don't have a very good place to drape an afghan without background clutter, so just ignore the rest of the room! It turned out about 4 1/2 feet by 5 1/2 feet, and it is plenty thick! It is made with four strands of yarn, so it should keep you nice and toasty!

It figures! All this week, I have had to wake Alli up at 6:30 or so and drag her out of bed to get ready for school. This morning, she is up bright and early at 5:30 - when I could have slept in! Oh well, I guess I will get a head start on the day!

I already have a list started of things to do this weekend. Since I cleaned house last weekend, most of them are outside chores. We are supposed to have clear weather today, and more rain coming in tomorrow (yippee!) I also need to get a picture of my afghan taken (in the natural sunlight) and get it posted. I have finished up another dozen or so heart bookmarks, too. I could probably find a home for a couple dozen more, I just don't know that I'll get that many done! (Okay, I'm pretty sure I won't get that many done!) Alli's class is having a Valentine's party, so I want to put together some little bags of Valentine's 'stuff' for the kids. There are 14 kids in her class, and 6 teachers/aides. As usual, I have big plans - we'll see what I really end up with. It is kind of like my list of things to do - some get done, but not all!

What a week, and it isn't over yet! I feel like I have done nothing but run! This weekend was busy - I cleaned house on Saturday and did yardwork in the afternoon, and then on Sunday, I did laze around in the morning, but after church, AJ and I wen tout and cleaned up the garden area. We got it all ready to be rototilled, just in case my brother happened to stop by and do it for me. (Since he didn't show up, I think he decided not to!) No problem - that is on the agenda for this weekend, unless it happens to be raining, which would be wonderful if it is! After working in the garden area, we watched the Superbowl game.

Monday was a normal day, but Tuesday.....was not! I have to be at work at 7:20 on Tuesdays to 'clear the branch' (sit and watch while someone else goes into the bank and makes sure no one is hiding in there to rob us when we open, ready to call the police if anything goes wrong.) Ralph is responsible for taking the kids to school and daycare on Tuesdays, and he forgot! I had to take the kids with me to the bank, and then after the bank was cleared, run them to school. AJ was late to his first class, but not by a lot! Tuesday night is scout meeting, and AJ has to be there at 6:30. I have to work until 5:15 on Tuesdays, so I had asked Ralph to start dinner - boil the water for ravioli, and start the sauce. He forgot that too, so I rushed around right after work to get that done, and it was ready right as we had to leave. AJ and I ate dinner at the meeting! What a day!

Wednesday was better, but I had a nail appointment after work, so I put a pot roast in the crock pot in the morning, so Ralph could have dinner ready for the kids before I got home. AJ had an interview last night at 8:00 for his trip in 2010 to the Scout Jamboree, so I got home, changed clothes, grabbed something to eat, and was off again. Another busy day! Tonight will be the same - AJ has a concert tonight, and has to be there at 6:30. Friday should be 'normal' - I think I'll order pizza, and take a break! Saturday is back to house cleaning and yardwork.

I think I created a monster! I turned a power tool over to AJ! After cleaning house yesterday, I decided to sweep off the patio. Since I was sweeping dead leaves from the flower garden off of the sidewalk, I decided to pull out the dead day lily leaves in the corner bed. Since the asparagus ferns were mostly dead from the frost, I decided to cut them out too, and then.....since I was cutting back anyway, I asked Ralph for the electric clippers, and turned then over to AJ! Then, the neighbor kid Seth came over. The two of them trimmed up my asparagus ferns, fairy rose bush and the jasmine bushes. The corner yard looks good, but you can't tell I swept the patio off, because the boys hauled their cutting to the garbage through it after I finished sweeping! While they were working on that project, I finished cleaning up the corner bed. The only thing left is to trim back the rose bushes and put more bark down. Not bad for just planning on sweeping the patio and sidewalk off!

Ralph snuck a picture of Lucy the other night. I had already gone to bed, and so had Lucy. She has evidently decided that she needs a foot warmer! She has been sleeping on top of me this winter. I hope she decided not to for the summer! If I push her off to turn over, she waits for me to settle back down, and hops back up again. I'm glad she is a skinny cat. If it was Willey, I'd be crushed!