One day at a time...

Mexico's Swine Flu Pandemic?

Normally, I take cold and flu season with a grain  of salt.  My son had the flu this year, he passed it on to me, and we both got over it.  But this Swine Flu outbreak in Mexico has gotten me nervous.

Maybe it's because I read the book "Pandemic" last summer on vacation, or maybe it's just because I believe the terrorist when they threaten illness as a weapon of mass destruction,  but this  outbreak of Swine flu in Mexico concerns me.

When I first read about it a few days ago, it was a curious, "isn't this  weird?" story about 2 kids dying of swine flu,  nothing to worry about. Then, suddenly, WHAM- it was serious enough to shut down the school, libraries,sporting events, practically the whole town.

Here's some of what I've read so far:

"Alarmingly, the flu outbreak in Mexico is striking healthy young people -- a pattern that would be expected if a flu virus new to humans emerged.

"Because these cases are not happening in the very old or the very young, which happens with seasonal influenza, this is an unusual event and a cause for heightened concern," Hartl said in a CBC interview.(Hartl is a CDC spokesman)

Another disconcerting feature of the outbreak is that it's probably too late to contain it to limited geographical areas

Scientists have warned for years about the potential for a pandemic from viruses that mix genetic material from humans and animals. This outbreak is particularly worrisome because deaths have happened in at least four different regions of Mexico, and because the victims have not been vulnerable infants and elderly.

Across this overcrowded capital of 20 million people, Mexicans are reacting with fatalism and confusion, anger and mounting fear at the idea that their city may be ground zero for a global epidemic of a new kind of flu — a strange mix of human, pig and bird viruses that has epidemiologists deeply concerned.

The most notorious flu pandemic, thought to have killed at least 40 million people worldwide in 1918-19, also first struck otherwise healthy young adults"

Freaky, hmm?

Here's some articles that I read this morning: 

Web MD , Yahoo Health,   MSNBC

Seeing how the illness had been tracked to parts of the US- I wonder how long it'll be until we have a death  here- and will we really hear about it right away.

Am I nervous because I've read The Stand to many times- or am I right to have  a niggle of nervousness?   I suppose I'll run down to our local drugstore and grab a few mask, better safe than sorry, eh?

PortChesterRestaurantReview.com is my new site, - check it out of you're looking for a great place to eat in town.

Well- hello there....

Remember me?The person who used to write faithfully on this blog, and somehow fell off the  face of the earth?  Well, actually I just fell off the blog-s-sphere , consumed with IRL stuff, but I'm back!

One of the things that have helped me come out of writers block is the  giveaway at My Wooden Spoon.   She's reviewed a really cool grill pan that I am lusting over.A "scanpan" that not only cooks like crazy, but is GREEN! Just imagine what you can do with it--  bacon, yum-- burgers without freezing my butt off going outside- grilled chicken, even fish!  Hey- if I were to win this pan, it might inspire me to make more fish! Well, maybe, if it's not too stinky. Wanna know how much I'd love to have this pan? I'd even cook the stinky fish that Dave likes, but I hate, and smell up my whole house for a few days  to win this pan--  THAT'S how much I want this pan!

 Anyway, head over to  My Wooden Spoon (Where's its perfectly legal to use a little pot, so she says!) and check out her cool site, where there is always a great recipe,and  well, don't enter the contest so I'll have a better chance of winning!  Thanks!

Bloggy giveaway winner!

Went thru Random,org,and  here it is:

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

25

Timestamp: 2009-02-01 20:22:23 UTC

After reading thru all the entries, and counting the ones that completed the the requirements, the winner is WONDERFULLYMADE

With the comment:

They have awake by seventh day slumber playing right now! I so want this!!! Thanks for the chance!
wonderfullymade729

CONGRATS!   and thanks to everyone for entering!

Bloggy Giveaways- Guitar Praise!

 

YES!  Its' that time again!  Bloggy giveaway time!   And, the folks at Guitar Praise are giving me a Guitar Praise setup for the giveaway!

What is Guitar Praise?   Guitar Praise is the Christian answer to Guitar Hero.  My kids really, really wanted Guitar Hero, but there was NO WAY I was going to let them have one- knowing the songs and the lyrics that were on that system. (See my post HERE for more about the songs ).  If my kids want to rock out, that's great, but I want them to rock out in praise , and in the name of the Lord!

So, how do you get your hands on the Guitar Praise?  Just go to the website Guitar Praise, and check out the songs that are in the program. Come back, and leave a comment here on my blog telling me what it is!

I'll choose a winner via Random Number Generator on Sunday, after church!    After I  notify the winner,  and get their contact info, I will forward it to the Guitar Praise people, and they will send the  game directly to you!    USA shipping only, please!

Good LUCK!

Being scared

Every mother of energetic sons know  "the Look" - and I saw it on Sunday afternoon when i got home from a church meeting. WHAT HAPPENED?  Aedan burned himself.  The story is that Aedan sprayed his sister with  air freshener and ran, and she for once didn't take the bait. So he went skulking back into the kitchen and backed into a freshly poured, boiling hot cup o' soup. When I got there, and saw the burn,  with he skin already sloughing off and  looking terrible, I didn't even take off my coat- I told them we needed to go to the hospital.

Aedan's face turned  white, and he got huge tears in his eyes.

 "I'm scared, Mommy- Mommy, I'm really, really scared."  

Ok, Aedan, what should we do? I gathered him close and thought of a Magic Mommy, kiss, or some special Mommy hug that would  have the power to take away this type of  fear.

Let's pray, Mommy.

Oh, The tears in my eyes and in my throat choked me as I tried to open my  mouth to start. Then, I hear his little , uncharacteristically quiet voice begin: "Dear God- I'm really scared.  Will you please help me not be afraid?  Will you help my boo-boo get better, and not hurt so much? I'm so scared. Love, Aedan. Amen."

This scared silly little boy has immediately laid my fears to rest with his trust  and faith. His prayer healed my fear, too. We prayed a lot that day. As we waited to see the Doctor,  as we prepared to get it cleaned up- but I really loved the one that he said as we snuggled in my big bed, later- "Dear God,  It wasn't so bad - and I wasn't so much afraid. Thanks! I love you, Love,Aedan. Amen."

Amen, indeed.

We said a few more prayer in our pediatricians office when we received instructions and lots of meds to treat the now infected 2nd degree burn - but we have faith it'll tun out just fine!  We'll take any extra prayer to be thrown our way, however. Debriding stinks. ( and hurts).

Thankful for a dead battery.

This morning, Dave's car wouldn't start. And, I thank God for that!

Those who know me well will know what I mean when I say, "I have a feeling"-- I sometimes get "bad feelings" about things, and more often than not, something bad will happen.  It freaks Dave out, so I don't always tell him about them, but he's gotten smart and will ask me.

Anyway, last night, starting about 11:00 pm, I started getting an ominous feeling. I was fretful and not sure why. I was sure that something bad was going to happen to someone I love, but I wasn't sure who- I was just scared and shaky and generally freaked out. I rolled over In bed to poke my husband who was snoring, and  realized again how much I truly, madly, deeply, love him. His soul is the other half of mine,. We don't say it enough, as we are busy with the lives of raising children and taking  care of parents and general life. But we really love each other, and are so committed to each other and the other's happiness. Anyway, I got very scared.  I snuggled in to him, and  started praying. "Lord, please please keep my husband safe. Hold him in Your hands all the time, but especially tomorrow, when I feel so anxious and nervous.  I need Your strength and assurance. I need my husband, Lord, and I trust in You and You will.   I fell asleep singing a chant in my head; "Trust in the Lord, with all your heart-  Trust in the Lord, be strong, take heart"

This morning, when Dave woke up, I woke up, and he gathered me close and  snuggled with me. Normally, that doens't happen.  We cuddled for a few minutes, then he got up for work. I realized that I felt peaceful- not nervous as last night. I know I had given my fears over to God, so He was holding onto them.  As Dave was leaving later- he normally hollers up the stairs- I'm leaving!  Love you, Bye!  But this morning, I said, come uupstairs and tell us!  So, he did. I told him I loved him, too, and he left. I snuggled in the bed with the 2 kids getting ready to get up and go back to school, when the door opens. What happened?   My car won't start! What? Ok- then take the truck, but wait until I come downstairs- I throw my clothes on, and run downstairs.  I'm sure he was surprised that I wasn't freaking out (He's not the best at servicing his car) but I knew better. I gave him a hug and sent him on his way.  I'm sure this was a gift from God.

The car that ran perfectly just last night wouldn't start this morning. It delayed his trip by 30 minutes.   I truly believe that God speaks in many ways, including the silence of a battery. Who knows what happend? I know my husband is at work, safely.   I know I feel His peace upon me, and I know my husband will be fine now. Thank you Lord. Thank you.

The Nutcracker

I love being at hom with my kid,andhaving the oppurtunity to go to so many class trips with them. I love being Class Mom, PTA President (or Co-pres, as it is) being at school, doign things,popping into thier classrooms, being such a big part of their lives.

Today I went on a class trip with 76 1st graders to see  The Nutcracker.  It was a joy to watch THEM watch the ballet. Certainly interesting.   And I count my blessings every day.

The Christmas Sweater- Glenn Beck

Have you ever read a book that touched your soul?  Made you long for something you  didn't or couldn't realize your were longing for?   I have just wept my way through listened to The Christmas Sweater.

Here's what is on Glenn Becks says on his website:

If You Could Change Your Life by Reversing Your Biggest Regrets, Sorrows and Mistakes...Would You?

#1 New York Times bestselling author and renowned radio and television host Glenn Beck delivers an instant holiday classic about boyhood memories, wrenching life lessons, and the true meaning of the gifts we give to one another in love.

We weren't wealthy, we weren't poor—we just were. We never wanted for anything, except maybe more time together....

When Eddie was twelve years old, all he wanted for Christmas was a bike. Although his life had gotten harder—and money tighter—since his father died and the family bakery closed...Eddie dreamed that somehow his mother would find a way to have his dream bike gleaming beside their modest Christmas tree that magical morning.

What he got from her instead was a sweater. "A stupid, handmade, ugly sweater" that young Eddie left in a crumpled ball in the corner of his room.

Scarred deeply by the realization that kids don't always get what they want, and too young to understand that he already owned life's most valuable treasures, that Christmas morning was the beginning of Eddie's dark and painful journey on the road to manhood. It will take wrestling with himself, his faith, and his family—and the guidance of a mysterious neighbor named Russell—to help Eddie find his path through the storm clouds of life and finally see the real significance of that simple gift his mother had crafted by hand with love in her heart.

Based on a deeply personal true story, The Christmas Sweater is a warm and poignant tale of family, faith and forgiveness that offers us a glimpse of our own lives—while also making us question if we really know what's most important in them.

We listened to this book being read by the author as we drove home from our Thanksgiving in Plymouth. All 4 of us sat engrossed in the story, even 6 year old Aedan, although we did have to hush him a few times.  What seemed like an endless ride  at first wasn't long enough as the ride ended before the story did.  I snuck and listened to the story  as I ran my Mommy Errands all week, 10 minutes here, 15 there, until I sat stuck in my seat at the local grocery store fixated on the CD player, groceries forgotten as i listened to the story.  I raced in and out, an then headed out to the school to pick up th kids - 45 minutes early, knowing I'd have enough time to hear the end.

And I did. I gathered my kids with red and watery eyes, hugging them hello, and they realized that I had listened to the ending as they got into the truck and the cd player was off. "Not fair!"  They said, they wanted to listen, too.  They;ll get their chance on the way to and from school, and such.

The ending of the book made my heart sore, but light.  It made me want my Mom like a 13 year old girls wants her mom, not as 38 year old woman does. It made me understand more how to face the storms that are coming- businesses closing, properties being sold, recession,  smaller Christmas than usual, and made me remember and realize what is important- picking up rocks on a stormy beach with my family, recording Christmas Carols,  cooking together, listening to good books together, going to church together.

It was hard for me to decide to spend the money- $23.00- on a book for the trip. Most of my books come from the library, or a book swap, or my sister. But I am SO glad that I did. In fact, I plan on giving it to a few people as a Christmas Gift.  It's not in my price point, but I need them to read it, to hear the message in the book. If you get a change, please read this book.  You'll be a better person for it.

Thankful.....

We're home! Our Thanksgiving trip to Plymouth was awesome!  I have tons to talk about, like the amazing museum, Plimouth Plantation, and  visiting the Mayflower II, and talking with Native Americans  and having dinner with  a group of strangers who became family for a dinner.

We became the Turkey family.

BUT, the most enjoyable part of our trip for all of us, we a trip to the ocean. We spent an hour so so just listening to the waves on a windswept day, picking up lovely shells and stones and sea glass, and enjoyed each other.

Want to see out slide show?  Check it out HERE!

 

New Blog- Penny Pinchin' Mama!

I've started another blog in addition to this one- filled with new ways to save money!  In these tough times, every penny counts.. so come on over and check out......

PENNY PINCHIN' MAMA

See you there!