Last of July.

Wow. It definitely came and went. I can't believe tomorrow is already August. That means we have been here in Arizona for almost a year now! The time has gone by so fast. It feels like just last month my parents and Paul's parents were visiting. We have survived the "hottest July on record" so I think we can stay here. I love the heat. I'll take the heat over 10 degree weather any day!

I had such a wonderful time visiting with Jeanne this week. It made me realize how much I have missed her. I have always missed her, but as the years go by and we dont see eachother, you start to get "used to it" and don't appreciate your friendship like you did. I am so happy I got to see her and visit our friendship all over again with more meaning. We are both older now and have changed quite a bit over the years but seeing her and spending time together this week only made us stronger. We have decided to not wait 5 years again before we see one another. It's the same thing with April. I feel like when she came to visit in January it brought us closer together again. I think it has to do with them seeing my new life with sadness. Seeing Paul and what a great husband he is and how great our life here is. I miss them and I miss Heidi. They have all been there for me through the years and I will never have another friend like them. They were there for me when I was down, when I was at weakest and when I probably said and did things I shouldn't have. I love them for that and I hope that over the years we can stay close.

Not sure what we are going to do this weekend....not sure if Paul has to work. Although, if he does I know that I'll be ok with it. I'm getting a new understanding of how he's being treated at work and what they are putting him through. I know that it helps him get through the day when I am supportive. Joey voiced this morning that he would like to see the Monster Trucks this weekend, hmmm...we'll see. It's been a while since we've gone to see them.

Waiting for my coffee to brew.

Hard to believe the week is almost half over. Joey is on day 3 of 5th grade and so far so good. He has been saying "I don't wanna go to school" each day but I think it's just because he doesn't want summer to be over. He comes home every day with a smile on his face, so I know it can't be THAT bad! Besides, it's 5th grade!! He has been feeling better, I'm sure the MiraLax is partly responsible for that. I am really wishing I didn't have to clean his bathroom right about now!

Jeanne is here this week. It has been so wonderful seeing her! It's been 5 years! She looks great and it sounds like her and her husband are still really happy. Monday night we stayed up late chatting and then I went and had lunch with her yesterday. I wish I could see her more, but she's here for work, so her days are occupied by classes. It's so refreshing to see a friend. I talk to her all the time in email but it's just not the same. Talking in person is so much more therapuetic! We were so close earlier in our lives.

It was hot yesterday. It was the first time that I actually felt pretty hot. Normally when it is above 100, around 110 or so, it all feels the same and just feels warm. THIS>>>>>

was pretty freaking warm! I had to put gas in my car and while sitting there waiting, I was amazed at what the air felt like. I felt as though I was standing in an oven, or in front of blow dryer. Normally when it's that hot, I guess I don't notice it because I'm in the pool or inside my house. I've heard a rumor that this is the hottest July on record for Arizona. I'm not complaining about it. Honestly I love it. It only lasts for a few days, the heat itself for a few weeks. The rest of the year is absolutely BEAUTIFUL!

I'm rambling. I don't have much to say today. I haven't been feeling myself. I am not sure what it is, but I have a pretty good idea. I've been tired, a little down, have lost a lot of my motivation. I think I just need to get back into my routine of working out 5 days a week instead of just "here & there". Speaking of, I set myself a date with the elliptical at 9am....time to go sweat and hopefully boost my mood! Can't wait to see Jeanne again tonight...

Exhausting.

Today is Monday. It was the 1st day of school for Joey. Hard to believe he's now in the 5th grade. Oh how I remember the 5th grade! The crushes, the friends, the teachers, the extra amount of homework...I'm hoping this year goes well for him.

I went to bed at 9:30 last night. Fell right to sleep and was actually in a pretty good dreamless sleep. I woke up to the sound of my child crying and walking towards my bedroom. I immediately sat up and asked "Joey? What's wrong honey" and he stood in my doorway saying his stomach hurt. I instantly jumped up and said "Do you need to throw up? Did you throw up?", and he said "no". I searched for my glasses, and ran to him. Thank goodness I was sleeping with clothes on! I walked him back to his room where I helped him lay down on his bed while I tried to assess and make sense of his pains. He was crying. A lot. He couldn't really tell me a whole lot, just that his stomach hurt and when I'd try to touch it he was really start crying. He has been through this before, about a year and a half ago while he was visiting his dad. They said he was "constipated" (probably from the lack of good food his dad feeds him) and they gave him a laxative. While I was 90% sure it was gas or maybe a little constipation, I felt I needed to take him into the ER just to be sure. I would hate for something bad to happen and it be my fault. I asked him if he'd been going to the bathroom and he said, "yes, still going everyday". So it was a little odd that he'd be constipated.

So, loaded him up in the car, tears and all and headed to the hospital. I would have rather taken him to an Urgent Care clinic, but they aren't open 24hrs. We walked into the hospital, our first visit there since we moved to Arizona last year. It was clean and cold. I was so happy that I had worn my pink VS sweats, otherwise I would have turned into an icicle. As we walked in, he was telling me that his stomach was starting to feel better but still hurt when he touched it. Of course. The symptoms go away when you get to the Dr. I told the nurse (who was a male, with a goatee, arm sleeves and spiky hair, oh yes and big huge earrings) what the problem was and Joey's name. He printed up an ID bracelet for Joe and said "follow me"....

We were already going into the back room? Couldn't be, there were at least 20 other people sitting in the waiting room. I wasn't going to argue. He put Joe on the scale, took his temperature and said "the Dr will be here shortly". I was barely able to blink and here comes this stud muffin of a doctor introducing himself to Joe. It was obvious that he had kids of his own, you can always tell. People with kids talk to other kids in a different way. It's great. So...after pressing on Joe's tummy and making him jump as high as he could, he came to the conclusion that it was probably gas/constipation. In order for him to further conclude that he recommended we get an X-Ray and have some blood work done to rule out any infection. He felt completely confident that it wasn't Joe's appendix and I was so happy to hear those words. While he said he couldn't be 100% sure, he did say he was pretty positive. Joe was already feeling better, in fact now, he was ready to go home and go back to bed. So was I....

Two and a half hours later the doctor tells us that it appears he has a few "clumps" blocking up his system. Take him home, give him Miralax for a few days and have him drink plenty of water. I can do that....poor kid :( The worst part is, today is his first day of school. I just hope he got enough sleep. I went back and forth about just keeping him home, but it's the 1st day! He can't miss that! He was feeling fine this morning, so I sent him on his way. I told him if he started to feel too tired or his tummy was hurting again, just tell the teacher and go to the nurse. I'd come pick him up. He's my little trooper, aka, "non pooper". Maybe I'll call him the "Non-Pooper-Trooper.

Now, I am exhausted. I had 3 hours of sleep last night, didn't have coffee yet today. I opted for a Monster instead and plan on coffee this afternoon. Work out is done and now it's time to clean house. Bella (my tarantula) needs new bedding and Maui (my snake) needs some mice. I think she's a little hungry....

No picture today. At least not right now. Maybe later....

It's the weekend.

Well.....it's Friday and I'm so happy it is! This has been a long week for me. Not exactly sure why, but it has. I've been extremely exhausted and just can't seem to catch up on sleep. It seems I dream all night long and can only stay asleep for 2- 2 1/2 hrs. What's up with that? Why? Is it stress? I shouldn't have anything to stress about! I'm healthy, happy and loved....

I'm hoping for another storm tonight. The sky does look rather gloomy out there. I'd love to play with my camera some more and get some great storm shots. It's almost as if it's becoming my new hobby. The boys play their video games and I play with my camera, works for me! :)

I was on TV last night. Channel 3 evening news at 9. It was lame, I was lame and sounded like a total blonde bimbo! Who says "Oh yeah, we are affected by the road being closed, we have to go around! Geez, like OMG, our life is ruined because we have to take a left instead of a right!" COME ON! It's ok, I'm sure there are people out there who watched and laughed...I know I always point and laugh at silly nosey neighbors who are the news talking about an incident in their neighborhood! HA!

Took Joey to the movies today. We stocked up on candy at Fry's and then got our traditional movie theater popcorn. It was delicious. Minus the gross cheddar cheese "stuff" i put on mine, blech, should have stuck with the Kettle Corn stuff Joey put on his. Much yummier! The movie was it's normal kid flick type. It was funny, but I was ready for it to be over. I would have been

happy renting it and watching on the comfort of my couch, but I did it for Joey.

Not much else to say...not sure if I'll write this weekend. Not even sure what we are doing.

Hmmmm...Here's a picture, nothing special, nothing fancy. Took it with my camera on my phone actually...

I seem to have forgotten.

It's a little annoying when I'm out and about and I think "Oh! I want to blog about that" and then I sit here staring at my computer screen with nothing to type. I am sure it was something good and it will come to me later as I'm sitting on the couch watching So You Think You Can Dance.

Paul is finally on his way home from work. It's 5:15pm and it's been another long day. This week has been torture. I feel so bad for Paul and all of the hours he has put in. It makes me feel guilty that I get mad that he's working so much. I know I shouldn't be mad, but I am. He worked Saturday, Sunday and then Monday didn't get off until 5, yesterday didn't get off until 630!! 12 hour days are not what he should be working. But, I guess if he's gotta get the job done then he's gotta work. I should just shut up and be thankful that he has a job. One that allows me to stay home!! Ok, I'm done venting about that.

Joey has been quiet this week. I can't quite put my finger on it. I'm guessing maybe it's because he's getting a little nervous about starting the 5th grade on Monday? Maybe. I'm going to miss him when he goes back to school, but on the other hand I am happy he is. He seems to be getting bored with swimming everyday and watching movies, playing video games and whatever else him and I decide to do with our day. At least going to school will allow him to make some new friends (since the ones he made in 4th grade moved away) and get some education!!

Well, I still can't remember what I wanted to write about. Oh well, next time I think of it I'll write it down so I can blog about it tomorrow. Time to cook dinner and get ready for another monsoon tonight. So exciting. I hope this one brings lots of thunder & lightning! It always makes me smile...

Oh yes, can't forget....one last thing. Here is my photo for today...