Shrinking Leg

I broke my 5th metatarsal (foot) on May 15th. That's only three weeks ago even though it feels like forever.


I've been rather astonished lately to notice that my right leg is now substantially thinner and softer than my left. The calf has lost a whole lot of muscle tone. It's rather unnerving. How can you lose muscle that quickly?



Well, I suppose this says something about needing to exercise all the time, hunh? So when I'm out of my cast, does that mean I should jump around on my right foot so that I can even out? Hmmmmm....

If I wrap a padded bandage around my tummy for three weeks, could I lose flab there?
Hmmmmmmm....

(U.S.) National Do Not Call Registry (Oops!)

I got this message from a friend a bit ago and thought I'd pass it along. I just registered our home phone and cellphone and it was very quick.

REMEMBER: Cell Phone Numbers Go Public next month.

REMINDER.... all cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies and you will start to receive sale calls.

..... YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR THESE CALLS

Even if the message is saved on your phone, you will be charged for the minutes to listen to it.

To prevent this, call the following number from your cell
phone:   888-382-1222 .

You can register home phones too.

It is the National DO NOT CALL list. It will only take a minute of your
time. It blocks your number for five (5) years. You must call from the
cell phone number you want to have blocked. You cannot call from a
different phone number.

DOGGONE IT! I just checked Snopes.com as one of my commenters suggested and discovered that it's true that it's FALSE. There's no deadline for getting your phone registered and telemarketers are still blocked from calling cellphones. I'm sorry about this. I should have checked Snopes first before posting this. Sigh... I'm still glad I did the phone block for myself anyway.

Jon (my son), are you my Anonymous commenter?
He usually watches my back for me.

Tour Guides for a Day

After meeting with our termite inspector (I'll have more to post on that lovely topic) we ventured into Honolulu again to pick up our nephew's wife and her sister, Mizuho who is visiting from Japan.



Our first stop was the Bishop Museum. "The Bishop Museum was founded in 1889 by Charles Reed Bishop in honor of his late wife, Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, the last descendant of the royal Kamehameha family. The Museum was established to house the extensive collection of Hawaiian artifacts and royal family heirlooms of the Princess, and has expanded to include millions of artifacts, documents and photographs about Hawai‘i and other Pacific island cultures."



We saw some beautiful kahilis which were feather standards for many of Hawaii's elite.



We also took the garden tour and learned a lot about the flora of Hawaii. This is a kukui (candlenut) tree. Oil from the kukui nut was used for light by ancient Hawaiians. We now use the nut to make kukui nut leis.



The hala tree (Pandanus)leaves were used to weave mats, toys, hats and other things. We also learned about breadfruit, sweet potato, naupaka and other wonderful plants.



After seeing many other beautiful things, we got to watch a lovely hula demonstration. The male dancer's name was Keola which I loved since we gave that name to our son. It means life in Hawaiian.



It was getting pretty late so we went to Kenny's Restaurant close by to grab a quick lunch. We'd never been there before. It was OK with generous servings and the service was friendly and efficient. Mom and I had a bowl of saimin which is a noodle dish. And no, it wasn't good for my glucose level but I only have it once a month.

Art had the chicken salad.



Miho and Mizuho had the kahlua pork, lomi lomi salmon, chicken long rice and sweet potato. They were adventurous to try the Hawaiian meal but they enjoyed it.



Mizuho was interested in seeing Pearl Harbor so we headed there. We'd heard that the crowds made it very difficult to go out to the Arizona Memorial. However, once we got there, Art was able to secure the last set of 3:00 PM tickets for the movie and boat ride to the memorial.



The Arizona Memorial is a somber beautiful place of remembrance for the sailors who perished there on December 7, 1941. The memorial sits right above where the Arizona sank.



The park ranger told us that there were many sets of brothers or fathers and sons aboard ship because at that time they used to put family members together on ships. Therefore, quite a number of families ended up losing more loved ones on that terrible day.



Art was photographing the aircraft carrier when he noticed that lone sailor.



He loved it when that sailor suddenly waved at him... a friendly farewell as we headed back to shore.

We then went home where my nephew, Barry joined us for some homemade chili (which I served over greens with taco chips) and Zippy's broasted chicken. It was a most wonderful, full day of learning and discovery.

First Hawaiian Bank Free Breakfast

We got an invitation from First Hawaiian Bank to a FREE breakfast at the Hawaiian Village Hotel Coral Ballroom. We threw it away. Then our banker, Rocky called about another matter and asked if we were going since he would be there. We told him we threw the invitation away so he signed us up.

Unfortunately, the bank was short staffed today so Rocky wasn't able to go after all. However, we braved the morning traffic to get to Waikiki at 8:00. My brother and nephew told us that we needed to leave at 6:30 to get there by 8:00. Incredibly, it only took us a half hour to get to the hotel.

Ah well... We met a fellow named Patrick and was having a very friendly talk when suddenly we ran into somebody we knew... Ed (Art's old Air Force Buddy).


Ed came over to us and... what do you know?.... Patrick turned out to be his daughter's father-in-law. That's what it's like in Hawaii. It's a small island. You're bound to run into somebody you know.



We had our breakfast with Patrick and Ed which we very much enjoyed.



Not bad. Remember... It's FREE.

We also learned about dental health. Hey, you guys! Floss! You MUST floss. Everyday! If you don't... heart disease, gum disease, mouth rot, you name it! So floss!

We also learned about wills, trusts, First Hawaiian bank stuff which actually was more helpful than I thought it was going to be.



They told us we had free validated parking until 8:00 this evening so we could walk around Waikiki. Ummmmmm... not with the ball and chain around my foot, no way.

P.S. We got free toothbrushes AND Art won a door prize. Remember, we live in Hawaii. A heating pad!

Roy's in Waikiki

Yesterday was our last day with Sam and Keiko and we wanted to do something special. Our daughter's favorite restaurant in Chicago is Roy's and it was listed as #2 in Hawaii's Favorites listing for their type of fusion food so we decided to go there.

I haven't done many restaurant reviews because we very rarely go out to eat but this is what I thought of this experience.

First off: I looked on the web and found what they call the Prix Fixe Menu. It listed the price as $35.00 a person but when we got there we found that it was really $39.00.

You could get a preset appetizer selection (sparerib, blackened ahi, crispy vegetable spring roll) and choices for entree (Macadamia crusted white fish, grilled salmon or beef short ribs) and dessert (Macadamia torte or Roy's Melting Hot Chocolate Souffle with raspberry coulis and vanilla ice cream). Mom and Keiko chose the white fish. Sam and I had the salmon and Art had the beef.

The salmon and beef were very tender and tasty but got cold quickly with the air conditioning. Can't help that because it was really hot and humid outside. The white fish was incredibly dry! Keiko said it was still quite tasty and she was enjoying it. I think she was just being kind and polite because she only ate half of it. I mentioned it to our server and he took my mother's plate back to the kitchen where they added more sauce to it. They also quickly redid the plate adding more asparagus and potatoes. They really tried to make the customer happy. After that my mom ate all of hers but I know she wasn't impressed.



Despite the disappointing white fish, nothing could diminish the great time we had with our friends who we had fun chatting with because our servers were always cheerful and helpful and the ambiance of the place was quite lovely.



Now then, that said.... and let's completely forget the fact that I'm pre-diabetic. Roy's Melting Hot Chocolate Souffle with raspberry coulis and vanilla ice cream was a huge hit with everyone. It was sinful but we loved every teeny weeny single bite.

Would we go there again? I guess nobody has to worry since we rarely eat at fancy places but I have to say I'd try someplace else first. There are too many other interesting restaurants to try on the island. And the BEST place to eat on the island?... Mom's Kitchen (my mom, that is).

When it rains....it pours....

Doggone it!

When Sam and Keiko were here yesterday, our outlet in the kitchen suddenly died. It's the outlet where our microwave is hooked up.

We called the electrician. He'll be here on Monday.

$$$$

Today, my mother called out frantically that she found termite poop under the back door. My brother came and helped Art take the door down to check it. They agreed it needs to be replaced.

I just sent an e-mail to a contractor for a new door.

$$$$

Arrrrrghhhhhhhh!!!!!!

Sam and Keiko

Sam and Keiko arrived safely after a 6.5 hour red eye flight. We picked them up at their Waikiki hotel and Art drove them to the Waikele Outlet Mall about 5 minutes away. Busloads of tourists are often dropped off there.

Before they left Japan. I told Sam there was a Coach Outlet close by. When he mentioned it to his beautiful, fashionable daughters, they were thrilled. It was definitely a place Sam said he and Keiko needed to go to.

While they were gone, my mom and I were busy getting dinner on the table. We had her crab casserole, 6 (3 is not enough for us)bean salad, green salad, ogo (seaweed) salad, grilled vegetables with parmesan cheese, corned beef slices, rice and flan for dessert made with soymilk.

When they returned, we saw that a delighted Keiko had purchased 3 handbags. Her daughters would get to choose from them and she would take what was left over. She marveled at how cheap the prices were. I was doubtful. My mother and I took a look at the price tags and nearly fell over. It was 60% off the regular price but it was still too much for us. Then again, my mom and I are not exactly what you call stylish. I can just picture my daughter nodding her head with resignation. I'm so excited that they were able to find such lovely (because they were very, very lovely bags) gifts to bring back.

They're in Maui today. Gosh! They must be exhausted! My brother is coming for lunch to help us finish some left overs.

Tomorrow we'll take them around Honolulu. We're figuring Iolani Palace? State Capital? Tantalus Lookout? Pali Lookout (Where King Kamehameha sent his enemies down the mountain)? Ala Moana Shopping Center? Walmart? :-)

I hope they'll be able to stay awake.

Guests From Japan

Sam and Keiko are coming this morning. Sam and Art became friends when both were students at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois. They met at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Morris who were those very special, incredibly beautiful people who went the extra mile to extend love and understanding in this world. I wish there were more people like them.

I say, "I wish" because I haven't been able to extend myself quite as much as they did either. They took in foreign students from around the world, from Japan, Burma (Myanmar now) to some countries in Africa. Many of those students became lifelong friends with each other and with the Morris'.

The Morris' have since passed away as well as their accomplished, beautiful daughter, Sharon. This fall, we expect Sam, one of the Burmese students and Sharon's husband who is a minister to come and stay with us.

But today, Sam and Keiko will be here and we can hardly wait to see them so that we can show them some Hawaiian aloha. When we were in Japan, Sam bubble wrapped us during our time in Tokyo to make sure there were absolutely NO bumps in our stay. I just hope we can do the same. Unfortunately, we won't be able to provide nice weather. We're stuck with vog (volcanic smog), hot and MUGGY weather. Sigh...

Meanwhile, my mother is busy in the kitchen preparing her secret hospitality weapon, a crab casserole as only she can make it. We know that Sam and Keiko must have landed now and are probably on their way to their hotel. We're waiting for their call and can't wait to see them again.

Honoka'a Boy

Art grew up on the Big Island of Hawaii in a small town called Honokaa. He was a Honokaa boy who grew up with friends and relatives always around. His mom and dad owned the Sweet Shoppe Restaurant. Art says he's washed more dishes than I'll ever see which is probably why he's forever finding what I missed when I wash the dishes. His father also ran the theater which is featured in this book by Leo Yoshida. Art says he helped to operate the projectors as well.

A broken hearted Japanese college student apparently went to live in Honokaa some years ago after Art left and formed a beautiful friendship with an older woman who was the mother of Art's classmate. This fellow then left Honokaa and wrote a book and that book was made into a movie (called Honokaa Boy) in Japan. My mother has read the book and says she's surprised that actual names are in there.

Isn't it amazing that you think your town and your lives were just ordinary stuff of life and suddenly it's made into a movie.

I guess all our lives are really books that could be written. I guess that's why I love reading the chapters of your lives.

Inventing a Boot Cast Cover

I had this problem.

We don't wear shoes in the house in Hawaii. We didn't in Illinois either but anyway, it's something we grew up with.

It was getting to be such a chore to clean the bottoms of my boot cast every time I went out of the house. Since I sleep with it on, we didn't want to bring outside dirt into our bed either. A little bit of thinking and I had the idea to make this denim covering for my boot cast. I put an extra tough material on the bottom to keep it from tearing and it's worked great.




Depending on how many other people break their foot or leg, I could go into business. LOL!

Toro Nagashi (Lantern Floating)

Although Memorial Day in most places is about honoring the sacrifices of our brave Veterans; in Hawaii it is more than that. It is also a time to remember and visit gravesites to honor our family and friends who are no longer with us.

There is even a Floating Lantern Hawaii ceremony in Ala Moana for people of all races and religious affiliations.

“Lantern floating is a time-honored Buddhist rite, originating in Japan, conducted in order to pay respects to our ancestors and to comfort the spirits of the deceased. During Toro-Nagashi, or “lantern offerings on the water,” candle-lit lanterns are individually set afloat on the ocean and are said to ferry spirits “from the sea of delusion to the shore of salvation.”



Moreover, the lanterns carry our heartfelt prayers for those who have sacrificed their lives in war, victims of water-related accidents, natural disasters, famine and disease, as well as loved ones and ancestors who have passed away. Through the lantern floating ceremony, the sincere prayers of everyone are united… prayers for a future in which harmony exists among all people regardless of one’s race, religion or culture.

Because of this sentiment and goal, Lantern Floating Hawai’i has become accepted as more than just a Buddhist tradition, more than something only related to Hawaii in nature. It is a human thing."



It always saddens me to hear of religions who refuse to allow everyone to have their own beliefs, who believe their way is the only way...

I like the idea of the lantern lights in the water showing, even for just an evening how to come together.

Memorial Day Remembrance

We had a busy day visiting grave sites to pay our respects in anticipation of Memorial Day.

In the afternoon, Art and I went to visit his Aunt Gladys who lost her husband a month ago. My mother had made some nishime for Art to bring over. Nishime is a Japanese stew with bamboo shoots, chicken, fish cakes, potatoes and other vegetables. It's Art's favorite dish and we knew Aunt Gladys would enjoy some because it's not something you would make yourself due to the preparation time involved as well as the quantity it makes.

As soon as we got there Aunt Gladys asked about my foot. I'd broken it just the day before Uncle's memorial service which was this past Saturday. She had lots of stories about friends and relatives she knew who had also taken some terrible falls. She was thrilled to receive the nishime and told Art he was very lucky to have such a wonderful mother in law. I wanted to ask how she was but didn't want to break her cheerful conversation with a question that might bring her down.

When it was time to leave she said I was lucky to have such a wonderful husband.
I smiled and said, "I know."

"I wish I'd told him more often how much I appreciated him," she suddenly sighed. Her smile faltered just a bit and her eyes grew sad.

"He knew," I reassured her.

"But wouldn't he have loved to hear me tell him much more often? We should let people know how much we appreciate them, how much we love them.... while we can."

Therefore, to all those people out there who I love so dearly, thank you... thank you... thank you.

Class of 97-98

An invitation to a reception for students at the school where I taught 1st grade in Illinois was forwarded to me here in Hawaii. I'm looking at this old class photo and it brings back such memories. There's that bright child who will be the next President Obama, another who will be a corporate CEO, yet another who will be a nurse, a teacher, a comedian, an actor...

I have sent in my regrets with a letter to the students telling them that contrary to what they may have heard, the world is a beautiful place full of new friends to be made and opportunities waiting. It's also a world of responsibilities and I did tell them that I've broken my foot so they should watch where they step.

This Boot Not Made for Dancing!

I'm happily back from the hospital after meeting Dr. Chen, my orthopaedic doctor. There were a bunch of good news, bad news.
I can put weight on my foot when there's no pain -- there is
It will take 8 weeks to heal -- 4 months before there's no pain
I might be able to do line dancing...some day -- he'll tell me when, a month from now.



We found it interesting to see where the break had occurred. Dr. Chen said I should stop kicking my husband around. I told him it was the chair's fault.

"Unh hunh..." he replied, "Suuuure..."


They sent us down to the foot brace department where Sonny fitted me with a fracture boot. Dr. Chen had offered the boot OR a cast. I jumped at the boot. Wearing a cast in the hot Hawaiian summer weather would have been NO fun at all. Art asked Sonny if he had the boot in pink. That's my hubby, always looking out for me.

Sonny was fabulous teaching us how to strap the boot, clean and maintain it. I loved Dr. Chen's knowledgeable expertise.

Somebody said Tripler Army Hospital had the unfortunate nickname of being called Crippler because of a rather unfortunate and tragic error. It reminded me of an episode on House where he used a permanent marker to write on his leg before surgery "Not this leg." On the other leg he wrote, "Not this one either."

Whatever the case, I'm very pleased with my care at Tripler. Everybody has been so nice, friendly and helpful.

Hunh?

On Friday, in the emergency room, a corpsman asked if I wanted a pain killer because the broken 5th metatarsal was bound to hurt me later. I said I'd take it later if I needed it. "OK, sounds good," he said.

10 minutes later another corpsman comes with a pill and says I need to take the Vicodin. "But I said I'd take it later," I informed him.

"Nope, you need to take it," he says with friendly concern.

So I take it.

Another corpsman starts wetting plaster and wraps it around my foot. He finally gets it all set and the Physician's Assistant (who I thought was the doctor) says, "No, you have to form the splint AROUND the toes. It needs to all be covered."

Muttering to himself, "Would be nice if they would make up their minds," the corpsman gets more plaster to rework the splint around my toes.

"You need to keep your foot elevated and iced for the next two days," the P.A. says and hands me the instructions. I just read those instructions yesterday. It says:

Apply ice intermittently (15-20 minutes at a time 4-6 times daily) today,for days as needed. Elevate affected areas above chest level as needed and until released. No weight bearing for one weeks.
Follow-Up: Return to the emergency department if not better. Follow up with an orthopedic surgeon Thursday in six days as scheduled. They said I should just walk in and sit down after 1:30 PM on Thursday because ER patients are first come, first served.

Hunh? They released me at 10:00 at night and I was going right to bed. Does he mean I should ice it 4-6 times in the 2 hours left to the day? Elevate my foot as needed until released? How do I know how long I need it since it doesn't hurt. (Unless I hit it.) Hunh? One weeks? Hunh?

I just got a call from Tripler Hospital saying I should come in this afternoon or tomorrow morning.

"But, but..." I stammer, "They told me in the emergency room that I should show up on Thursday after 1:30 on a walk-in, first come, first served basis at Ortho."

"No such thing," he replies and then talks to somebody else...maybe a superior? "Do you have a cast on?"

"No, It's a splint. A hard splint."

"Nope," he reiterates, "You need to come in this afternoon or 8:30 tomorrow morning. We don't do walk-ins."

Hunh?

Arrrghhhh!

OK... maybe I won't sign up for line dancing until I know for sure and I've seen an actual orthopedic surgeon.

I'm elevating my foot today and maybe I'll ice it some more since I don't exactly know for sure what I should be doing.

The last line on my discharge paper says: Understanding of the discharge instructions verbalized by patient.
I must have lied.

Stir Crazy

I liked having a day of being pampered yesterday. I got to do my blogging, some reading, the Crossword...

Today: I read the Sunday paper, blogged, iced my foot, read a science fiction book, blogged, checked out hulu.com (which had House by the way),iced my foot, listened to Pandora.com, talked to my son and daughter, blogged, went downstairs for lunch, had a visit from my brother who brought me a DVD of his favorite songs (a lot of them) and a CD of Leonard Cohen songs, had a visit from my nephew Barry and his wife, Miho who brought us some huge apples, blogged, stared at the green walls around me (this is normally Art's office), took a shower, iced my foot, back to bed with my leg propped up...and blogging again. Having visitors broke up my day but being cooped up in bed with my leg up is getting pretty old.

They said I just had to do the leg elevation until today so tomorrow I can do a bit more. I think. I did notice my foot is still swollen.

A hint to my kids: I have a feeling I'm not going to like being in a nursing home.

The Ides of May: No Tree Roots?

Letter to my children: (and my blogger buddies, of course)

Dear Tif and Jon,

I don't understand it! There weren't any tree roots which is what usually makes me fall. I wasn't outdoors. What the heck!

Last night I was putting books back on the top shelf of the bookcase where Dad had secured our new TV in case of an earthquake. I was standing on a chair. (Dad said I should mention the fact that there was a step stool I could have used right behind me.) I don't know what happened next exactly but as I was coming down I fell and twisted my right foot. Like I said, no tree roots, no rocks but somehow I managed to fall anyway.



Almost immediately, a big lump began to form on top of my foot. Dad iced it but I couldn't put any pressure on it without excruciating pain so we decided to go to the Tripler Emergency Room. Remember when Dad had to go there a couple of years ago and we went in there at 4:00 PM and came out at 3:00 AM?

"Don't worry," I told Dad, "I'll be fine. They'll probably tell me I just stressed it and send me home. It doesn't even hurt anymore."

We arrived at Tripler Army Hospital at 6:50 and checked in. Dad brought books for both of us to read and we figured we'd be in the waiting room all night since there were no parking spaces when we arrived.

At 8:00, X-rays were taken by a corpsman that Dad and I both agreed reminded us of Cuba Gooding Jr. He kept up a hilarious running banter the entire time. He also nearly made me scream (not with laughter) when he manipulated my foot to get a better angle. I asked for the lead protective apron since I've had thyroid cancer. "You've had cancer? Well...isn't radiation supposed to cure cancer?" he asked with a smile. "You're not pregnant are you?" I really liked this guy.

At around 8:45 I was in the examining room where the doctor said he had good news and bad news. The bad news was that the 5th metatarsal bone was fractured. The good news was that it was not displaced.

My foot is broken? How can that be? I've never broken a bone before. That's Jon's department. What about the 3 extra weeks of line dancing I just signed up for this month? I'm supposed to register for the next 10 week session of line dancing starting in mid June. Arrrrghhhhh!

Because I've got osteopenia, healing may be a bit slower; more like 8+ weeks rather than 6, the doctor added.

A splint was moulded onto my foot, I was given Vicodin for pain, given lessons on how to use crutches (NOT easy) and out the door by 10:00 PM! Incredible!

Did I mention that your grandmother is totally freaking out? She's acting like I've somehow been hit by a bus, contracted deadly swine flu and needing to be bed ridden for the rest of my life. Sheesh!


I'm not allowed to put any weight on my foot and I'm discovering how difficult it is to manage what I've taken for granted. I now have an even greater respect for people who are handicapped. You don't realize just how lucky you are until you can't do something.



I have to keep my foot iced and elevated until tomorrow. I think I'll go to sleep now. The Vicodin is making me very groggy. I refuse to take it anymore.

I'll be better by Monday. I have to go sign up for that line dancing class.

Well, kids and all my blogging buddies...
I love you all.
Be very careful where you step.
Mom/Kay

ASU B.S.? (This title is my husband's idea.)

Arizona State University refused to present President Obama with an honorary degree when he went there to be their May 13th commencement speaker.

"An ASU spokeswoman seemed to fan the flames further when she told the State Press that it would be inappropriate to recognize Obama because "his body of work is yet to come."

I suppose their standards are a lot higher than other colleges and universities I've seen who have bestowed their hallowed honorary degrees to rock stars, newscasters, etc. ASU has given honorary degrees to a couple of their governors and to Sandra Day O'Connor (3 years into her 25 years on the Supreme Court), a Canadian prime minister, etc.

Obama graduated Magna Cum Laude from Harvard Law School, where he also served as President of the Harvard Law Review. Harvard Law School is supposed to be the best Law School in America. I imagine he won't be terribly hurt that ASU refused to give him their honorary degree.

I guess I've always viewed those honorary degrees as a token of appreciation. I'm glad President Obama took the high road and gave his speech with grace. I believe all this controversy merely made ASU look petty (in my eyes, direspectful as well)and enhanced our admiration for President Obama whose speech showed humility and dignity.

Made a Decision!

My daughter, Tiffany called me on the cellphone while we were standing at the television section of the Best Buy store. Art and I have been seesawing back and forth trying to decide which TV to buy. Art is reluctant to get cable so it was important that we get a TV with a good tuner to catch those elusive television signals from somewhere up in the air.

"Hi, Tif, we're at the Best Buy looking at the Sonys. Don Quixote's has a sale on the 32" and Best Buy will match the price. We decided not to get it at Don Quixote because they have no return policy if the tuner is not good. Best Buy has a 30 day return policy."

"Mom," my daughter says with a sigh, "I know you're not going to buy a TV. You and Dad won't buy anything until you've researched it to death and looked at every single set on the island. Then you'll wait for a sale..."

I suppose our daughter knows us very well but we talked to a very knowledgeable Best Buy associate who told us all about picture brightness, tuner, etc. and we decided to take the plunge.

We haven't set it up yet. I'll let you know if we're able to get more than 3 stations. At the very worst, I may end up doing more reading instead.

When I called Tif a few minutes later to tell her we'd bought the TV, she laughingly said, "Mom, you didn't buy the TV just to prove me wrong did you?"

Now then....if it does work OK... do we buy a blue ray or a DVD player? One had a wireless capability. One had Netflix connectivity. Arrrrghhhhh!

Kiddie Leashes

When my son was very little, I used a leash to keep him close to me. He didn't want his hand held all the time because he wanted to be free to explore. However, if something intrigued him, he could dart out without warning to investigate. Hmmmm... he hasn't changed much in 29 years.

Our solution to this was to put a leash on him. The leash was comfortable and kept him safe. When I was out gardening I'd leash him to the tree while I worked. I know. I know. The neighbors used to kid me about it. However, we lost him twice and that terror lives with me still. Both times... once in the care of a friend and once when he was out shopping with us, I died a thousand deaths.

I see here that Tif has KC in a much cuter leash. The monkey backpack actually masks the fact that when Tif is outside she can reattach the leash to it. I'm still a firm believer in the child leashes and wouldn't hesitate to use it. I don't think we needed it much on Tif but Jon... oh yes... definitely. I wouldn't mind using one on him now if it would keep him safe.

Yes, yes, I'm just kidding.