Health Weirdness

*News Flash*
I am allergic to one of the three new meds I was prescribed... itchiness all over. The new wonderful task is to figure out just which one it is! I love trial and error with pharmaceuticals! The good realization is that I haven't had a minor illness in a while... you know, the colds and flus, and digestive stuff I'd get at least once in October (usually twice), again in December, again in February, and again in May. (Not to say that won't pick up again... I think I've moved out of the little league and am now playing in the minors... not something I'm proud of, just a thought).

As a side note, I'm trying to grapple with how to appropriately celebrate the upcoming holiday. I've never been on for religious Pomp and Circumstance. Ritual's not my thing. I'm more into having a certain moral standard and trying my hardest to live by it rather than practicing special rites. But, having said that, it's been a while since I've formally observed a major holiday, and I it may be good for me to connect a little more. Hmmmm. I may have to think more on this one.

Happy Birthday, Belated

Happy 1st birthday to my Blog!! (um... two days ago anyway) So lots has happened... lots of bitching... lots of silliness... 1 official follower, but I'm married to him. Well... Here's to another year!

Only For Now...

Today's been pretty crappy, and the worst part is that due to my supervisory duties, I can't even talk about it with some of the people I care about most. Even more so, I should probably be taking more of a high road and "modeling" really excellent coping strategies and professionalism, so starting tomorrow I will. "Parallel Process" Jen!

So Being a Supervisor Sucks! (not totally because I really like the job and being able to make some really good changes). This whole not being able to talk about things is really hard, and I'm actually really, really, really afraid I'll let something slip and get myself fired. (I was the kid who couldn't keep a secret: birthday presents, Christmas, whatever... still working on it) I'm way too open, and I'm just not close with the other supervisors yet. That's why they were always in their little club... they can't properly vent to anyone else.

Well, anyway. Tomorrow is a new day! I will awake with a good attitude about the changes about to happen. I be a friggin beacon of positivity. I will not let this person effect me anymore or bring down the mood of my team. We will be strong. We will survive. And we will outlast. (woah... channeling Bill Pullman from Independence Day for a second).

I think my new mantra will come from Avenue Q. The final song is very eastern philosophy. "Only For Now" is about how everything in life is only temporary... the suckiness as well as the good stuff, and it's words to live by. It helps you get through the tough times and helps you to appreciate the good times, because neither last forever.

"And we'll accept the things we cannot avoid, for now."
"But Only for Now!"

Stupid-Watch 2009

So tonight I my bestest long-time friend in the world came for a quick visit. I had been wanting to talk with her about my new meds because she has been taking medication for seizures for a long time and I thought she might be familiar with them. One she'd never heard of. The other she had. It was Great! All of the good medicinal uses, craving weird things like pickle water, plus she lost like 20 pounds in two weeks... oh.. except she had to stop taking it because it makes you stupid. Apparently it can cause cognitive deficits and she was in law school at the time and needed to think... but she fully intends to return to the wonderful med once she doesn't need to think anymore. She said she made good grades before the med, while on it she thought she was fully making sense, but apparently wasn't anymore.

So I need everyone's help. I may not realize I'm getting stupider (hmmmm.... is using the word stupider a symptom of stupidity?) so watch out for me and *gently* let me know!

Sumo-Tumor?

Well, It's been an interesting few days and I 'm just now feeling up to really writing anything about it. So the spinal tap was more weird-feeling than painful. Sure, there were a few moments of pain, but not the worst I've experienced. I think the worst part was the anticipation of pain, and wincing when I felt something weird, like the needle scraping against bone (I think) which actually didn't hurt. Once the needle was placed, I had to lay there a while because the fluid only dripped out. After it was over, I had to lie there some more until I was okay to walk down to the lab to have some blood drawn... insult to injury. Then I went home. For the next 24 hours, my head would begin to hurt if I sat up, but the wonderful thing was my head didn't hurt if I remained horizontal. The tap relieved the pressure enough to help with my headaches, temporarily.
So by last night, I could move around without anything hurting, hooray! But I had started my new meds, one of which causes dizziness, at least for the first few days. I would have gone to work this morning if not for that, but it's a good thing I didn't. By noon, my spinal pressure was back with a vengeance. I started my second med today which should really help with that pain. Hopefully I'll be right as rain by Monday.
I'll be on those two meds plus a diuretic for 3-6 months, getting checked by my doctors to see if the swelling goes down. Chances are, I'll hear on Monday that my lab work was fine and that what I do have is Pseudo-Tumor.
I do want to thank all of my friends who have been so caring and supportive. Everyone's been great to me and I appreciate it.

This is Spinal Tap

Like the band... sucked but not completely horrible. So... my cerebral-spinal pressure was 30, normal is below 20. After the tap, it was 17 (but it will build back up again). The fluid was clear, which is good. I should know something by Monday. I have meds that should help... for the cost the meds should do my laundry too, and then I think I just follow up with the retina specialist until my optic nerve stops being all wiley. I've got some soreness, but I think I'll be alright.

Good night, Bax out.

Neurologist-Schmurologist

So I saw my neurologist today... and I swear specialist doctors are so blazè if you aren't dying. Oh well, it would have freaked me out if he would have freaked out. So basically he confirmed what we already know...
1) Jen has intracranial pressure
2) Jen does not have a tumor
3) Jen needs a spinal tap
So I go back tomorrow at 1pm for the lumbar puncture. I'm a little nervous, but I expect it will be sort-of like my epidurals: how painful, or pain-free, it is depends on the skill of the one doing it. So I hope this old guy has some wicked-awesome skillz.

Stay tuned!

A Bill of Rights

This was posted on my best friend's facebook and I wanted to share it as a homage to her and my other multi-ethnic friends.

Bill of Rights for Racially Mixed People

--Maria P. P. Root, Ph.D.

I have the right...

not to justify my existence in this world

not to keep the races separate within me

not to be responsible for people's discomfort with my physical ambiguity

not to justify my ethnic legitimacy

I have the right...

to identify myself differently than strangers expect me to identify

to identify myself differently than how my parents identify me

to identify myself differently than my brother and sisters [and family]

to identify myself differently in different situations

I have the right to create a vocabulary to communicate about being multiracial

to change my identity over a lifetime-and more than once

to have loyalties and identify with more than one group of people

to freely choose whom I befriend and love

Maria P. P. Root is a clinical psychologist who studies biracial and multiracial identity in Seattle, Washington.

Happy Belated Halloween!

In all of the commotion, I forgot to post about our Wicked-Awsome Spookapalooza 2008! I know I had a blast and I look forward to next year!

I was a butterfly fairy.

Mattea gettin her bubbles on...

and me gettin my groove on!

My best friend in the whole world wore the awsomest costume and won a prize!

The Costume Contest Winners!

Olivia helping to make Mummy-dogs

Lily the Ladybug

Bad News

I have noticed the decrease in blogging now the elections are over! I've been so busy at work, I haven't had the energy for much of a life outside that would be worthy of blogging. But unfortunately, I now have something to blog about.

So the family and I went to the eye doctor, and amongst the myriad of tests, they dilated my eyes to check out the insides. Come to find out my optic nerves were swollen and the ophthalmologist said it may be caused by intracranial pressure. Thursday I saw a retinal specialist to take a closer look. (Possibly the most evil of professions... just above proctology. They dilated my eyes and proceded to shine just about as much light as possible into them. It should be added the the list of torture not allowed in this country, along with water boarding... I digress.) So the retina doctor confirmed my funny optic nerves are due to intracranial swelling and not eye disease. (And I thought my nearly-constant headache for the last three months was due to becoming a supervisor!). The two possible causes are Brain Tumor and Pseudo Brain Tumor. Whoa.

So I had two MRI's today and I see a Neurologist soon. The retina lady said she doesn't think it's a Brain Tumor (aka Arnold,"I don't have a tumah"). The pseudo tumor cerebri involves having too much cerebrospinal fluid and will be confirmed with a spinal tap and can be treated with meds and/or surgery, but it could come back.

Scary, huh? I'm trying hard not to worry... there's no sense in it yet, and we'll have a plan once we know what it is. What really scares me is it might not have been caught. I just happened to decide that I want a better eye exam than WalMart (with my family history and all) and this new doctor, randomly picked from the spectera website, routinely checks for these things. I would have never paid any attention to my headaches as an actual symptom. Probably not until I would have noticed a loss in vision.

Well, I probably won't know anything until after I see the neurologist in over a week... it's a long time to be brave, so think good thoughts for me!

Fess up...

Who else was moved to tears tonight?

What's the Difference between a Bull Dog and a Hockey Mom?

NOTHING!!!!!!

So, today was our Halloween Pitch-in, and my team did a political theme. I was proof that Sara Palin is wrong about the lipstick thing, as well as other things. Lana made an excellent Palin... I was a little afraid of her. Hope was Barac, Tanya was secret service, Michelle was Michelle, and Darlena was Joe the Plumber, and Michelle's niece was baby Trigg. Lots of fun was had by all and I expect everyone to come to Spookapalooza 2008, and have a hauntingly rockin time!

Too Busy to Post

So lately I've been too busy to have a random thought or a musing... But I did get to go to the company picnic. It was a beautiful day and Ryan took some pics. Way to go Tanya and Katie for their culinary awesomeness! I met Michelle's niece, Anna, who thinks I'm hilarious. Mattea and Lily were as cute as ever. Good day.

You are my Sunshine, My only Sunshine...

You've gotta love Chuck Taylors and Tutus!

So life for me is sucking in ways I never dreamt possible and also in ways I don't feel comfortable discussing in this forum, or acutally, discussing at all. But... I was lucky enough to get a little sunshine in my day today, and their names are Mattea and Lilly. So a big thanks, hugs, and kisses to them and the people who brought them into the world!

Wadda Man, Wadda Man, Wadda Man, Wadda Mighty Good Man

So I'm gonna take a moment to brag on my man. We just found out that two of his photos were selected for the Photos for Health contest at Clarian to be displayed at Arnett Hospital in Lafayette (he already has one at the IU Cancer Center and the contest for Riley hasn't been announced). Way to go!

On another photography front, one of my recently-delivered co-workers, Erin, asked Ryan and I to come and take some newborn pics of baby Tripp. Oh, he was sooo cute and we had a great time. I am impressed, though, how well Ryan did. He has come a long way in two years. Here's just a few of my favorites, but you can check it out on Ryan's flickr pages.

Separated at Birth or Soul Mates?

Lots of people have heard me sat that Jack reminds me of Olivia when she was a baby. Well, here's my proof. Blonde hair, blue eyes, chunky cheeks... they could be related.

Waxing Political, Again

Funny pic, huh? But seriously... a thought has crossed my mind that I feel I must express here. I listen to the Republican rhetoric and think... Do they think I'm stupid? Then I hear other people saying the same thing. Even Jamie Lee Curtis has said, "They think I'm stupid." The ah-ha thing that occurred to me is: Yes, Jennifer, they do think you're stupid. And not just me, all of America. And why wouldn't they? What have We, The People done to make anyone think otherwise? We elected Baby Bush twice... or rather, allowed him to steal the presidency twice... And then did nothing about it. We allowed congress to do nothing when he began a war without congressional approval (hello... unconstitutional). The Patriot Act passed without so much as a blink at the revocation of civil liberties. Hell yeah, they think we're stupid. So do we prove them wrong, or what?

Which brings me to my second thought. People are talking too much about Palin for my liking, and it worries me. And it's not that anyone is saying anything that I don't disagree with. Most people find her as scary as I do. My worry is the excitement level for Obama isn't what it used to be. We need to be talking about him... not Satan. They have got to do something to generate some enthusiasm again... get people talking again. He's got my vote, but unfortunately, I don't get to pick. (Wouldn't that be great if I could?)

If the real think don't do the trick, You'd better think of something quick, Your'e gonna burn,burn, burn to the wick.... Oooh, Baracuda

Wednesday night, Ryan and I had the absolute pleasure of attending the Heart Concert on Wednesday night! Sure, Cheap Trick and Journey were there too, but I was there for Heart, and they completely stole the show. Ann and Nancy Wilson are Rock Gods! The first hard-core chick rockers, and few have been able to follow. I mean... who else could cover "Goin to California" and "Reign over Me" and it not be considered blasphemy? I actually want to be Ann and Nancy when I grow up... if only I could sing and/or play guitar. Special thanks to Kevin for saving us space at the front of the lawn!

P.S. Does anyone else suspect that the new "Steve" for Journey doesn't know any English, except for the lyrics and "Thank you Indianapolis!"?

The Best Bug in the Whole World

I'm sad to report that Audie the Preying Mantis passed away today. She was 6 months old and was survived by a few hundred daughters that are yet to be born. Very sad, but we are handling it well. For anyone wanting to adopt one of her orphan daughters, they should hatch in March. Farewell, Audie!

Excited about the female VP candidate... until she spoke

Few things inspire more rage and frustration within me than the Republican National Convention. Usually I try to avoid it... like the way I avoid onions and green peppers... I just can't stomach it. But this year is a little different. I had never heard of this Palin person before and was rather impressed with the Republican Party for nominating a female (although I'm sure her salary will be 25% less than Cheney's), so I wanted to check her out and see what she's about. My conclusion:

She's the devil.

(Pretty big statement given my neo-Pagan roots and not believing in the devil and all). Let's see... exploiting her special-needs son, trashing civil rights as well as the economy and the environment.... I could go on. With all of the talk about the controversies of her past, I wonder... What the hell were they thinking?

But I think I have figured out the real scheme behind her nomination. I think the Republicans figured out that there is enough Bush-hate to spill over and ruin it for the rest of the party... they also are against women's rights in general... so, why not name the devil as veep and blame her when the campaign tanks? That way they can later say.... Look, this is what happens when you let the little girl run with the big dogs! Sneaky... but would they really do something so underhanded to further their agenda? Wait. They have... like in Iraq.

Blog Make-Over

Special thanks to Steph... After noticing her gussied-up blog, I saw a link to "the cutest blog on the block" and now have a fancyfied blog too!

So cute they make your head explode into candy!

So, I know... two posts in one evening is a bit much, but I needed some cuteness in my evening and felt obligated to share it with the world. Jack-Jack's birthday party was over the weekend and my husband took some really great pics. So here's Jack, Courtney, Riley, and Mattea, (yeah, I know, Lana's cute too).

All these and more can be found on my web album: http://picasaweb.google.com/jenniferbaxte/JackJackS1stBirthday

Good Bye GG, we'll miss you

It's been quite some time since my last post. Life has been too busy. I'm starting to settle into the supervisor gig, even if I haven't settled into the office quite yet. I'm still feeling way-overwhelmed, but I can still keep my perspective. I go home, make dinner, eat, homework with kids, and then crash. Literally, crash. I'd go to bed at 8 if I could talk the kids into an early bedtime. We are on day 10 of vomit-pa-looza. Poor Julius. Everything that goes in comes up again. I'll call the doctor again tomorrow. Audie laid her egg-sack, so we'll have little Audie-clones in the spring. So that's it for the quick update.

What is really on my mind is that Ryan's grandmother died Tuesday morning. She had been sick for a while and I got the impression that she was ready to go, so I'm not sad for her exactly. She was a wonderful woman and was deeply loved by her family. They are the ones suffering. My thoughts are more so with Ryan's grandfather. Walter and Betty seemed like a genuinely loving couple. You could just see that aura around them. I want that for me and Ryan. Lifelong best friends. They had been together for over 60 years, but now Walter is alone. I hate to imagine what it must be like for him now... to go home alone after 60 years of companionship. How hard would it be just to make yourself breathe. To not give into the crushing loneliness. To find hope. I do hope Walter finds some comfort during this difficult time. Ryan's family has always been so welcoming and supportive of me and my family, even right from the beginning. I feel blessed to be able to call them my family, too. It's so hard to see them hurting, I wish I could do more

Sleepy for a change

Wow, I'm exhausted. This supervisor thing has been kicking my ass and I haven't actually been doing any supervising yet. It's been good for me though. I've had chronic insomnia since I left night shift 6 years ago and have rarely had a good, un-medicated night's sleep. I've been sleeping hard and long for the last two weeks. It's been interesting seeing the other side of the supervisors. Tonight was Tobi's farewell at the Rathskallar. We had a really good time. It's wierd to think of her not being around. Too sleepy to type more, so until next time...

Personal Pistivity, I apologize

As my husband has already blogged about the details and frustrations of our weekend road trip, I thankfully don't have to. But I do need a moment to vent as well. My anger is directed towards, no surprises here, my ex-husband. Personally, I'd rather him disappear, never to be heard from again, just as all of my other ex's were decent enough to do. But alas, my children love him and their feelings on the matter come first. My kids are going through things they shouldn't have to. Both of them want to empty their savings to give to him, as if that would do any good. Oh, poor, poor, Elvin. Everything bad happens to him. He's not personally responsible for the shit-storm that surrounds him. It's not his fault he has been unable to hold a job for over six months in the 14 years I've known him. Factors outside of his control keep coming together to thwart his ability to be a decent adult. My kids are miserable and it's his fault. It's his fault he won't work. It's his fault he's alienated himself from enough of his family that he has no place else to go. It's his fault he can't take care of himself enough to be able to take care of his kids. Damn him. He got an opportunity that most men don't get with their kids and he blew it. He can blame me all he wants, but I wouldn't have been able to get them if he was a decent parent.

All they see is poor dad. Julius is halfway to an ulcer worrying about how his dad was going to be able to find a job, how dad was going to be homeless when he comes back to Indy, and how dad might go to jail. Olivia cried all the way home and is now asking to do extra chores so she can save her money to help dad get an apartment. They shouldn't be going through this... he's teaching them how to be enablers. He starts to look like he is going to get his act together, but within months it's the same old excuses. Him screwing up all of the time doesn't hurt me. I've come to expect only pathetic attempts at adulthood. And I'm pretty sure the kids will figure all of this out on their own one day, but that day will really suck for them. I remember my "aha" moment, but I don't think it was worse for me because my father was never around to begin with. I think it will be worse for them.

So, what do I do? One of my biggest fears is that Julius will become him and Olivia will marry him. It's a powerful cycle. I didn't grow up around my dad and yet I managed to find a guy just like him. All I can do is keep talking to them about choices and hope Ryan has some sort of influence.

Okay, so that's enough. Two posts in a row is a lot for me to delving into heavy-hitting emotion. Maybe next time I'll write about my bug again. Her butt has gotten huge!

Oppression and Politics

I have a couple of things on my mind tonight.

First, I'm kinda pleased with myself right about now. While my husband may see me as a confident, take-no-shit, "Are you certain you want to talk to me with that tone?", stand-up kind of woman, I have not always been so. It has only been through my experience with my ex-husband that I have developed a spine. Knowing how far I allowed myself to be kept down really makes me appreciate my own voice and my ability to make a different choice. Ryan knows with no uncertainty how I expect him to treat me... and he does treat me very well. But... there has always been a residual fear when it comes to my ex. Oppression is a tough thing to kick, even 8 years after I left him. I'm not sure how, but I still have difficulty asserting myself with that man. I know I have no need to be timid... heck... I could literally break him if need be. I find myself being overly accommodating, which was never extended to me... ever. Well tonight I had a bit of a break-through. I had been talking with him for the last week about plans to bring the kids back home from West Virginia, and as per usual, he spent a lot of time talking about plans and excuses. Tonight I decided to take the reins and tell him what the plans are going to be. No anger... no attitude... just fact. I'm coming to get them Saturday because they have to be home by Sunday. No wondering about when they'll come home... no waiting on him to make a decision and then change it at the last minute...no relying on him to have gas money. He responded well... "Um... alright." So this is hopefully the first of many positive experiences in dealing with him.

So the other thing. Tanya had some free sneak-preview passes to see "Swing Vote" so we went. I'm not a Kevin Costner fan, so I probably would have never seen it... even on cable. But, I'm glad I went. I really enjoyed it and it actually stimulated some thought. Gist: Some drunken slob gets the opportunity to cast the deciding ballot in the Presidential race that is completely tied up. Unlikely... but it definitely showed an exaggeration of political pandering that has most of America distrustful of politics. Drunken slob says to a reporter that he thinks gay people should be allowed to marry; next scene shows the republican president in a commercial discussing his commitment for equal rights for gays. Very funny. The democratic candidate did commercials against immigration and abortion... equally funny. But how far from the truth is it really? I mean, I get a good feeling about Obama... but do warm fuzzies mean he is sincere about what he says? I'm definitely going with my feeling because I was right about dub-ya.

Anniversarypalooza

Thursday was our anniversary, and I'm just now getting a chance to discuss my thoughts about it. Thursday night we went out to dinner and Friday night we went to the drive-in to see a couple of movies (Batman is awesome, by the way, wait for Journey to the Center of the Earth to show on cable, and I fell asleep for Hellboy). We've been together for 6 years and married for 4, thus beating my previously-held relationship record (technically 7 and 5, respectively, but I don't want count the time I was separated). I think this gives me the unique position of having a reference for comparison. I whine and moan sometimes, but things are good. It's not that he's so wonderful (he is) or that I'm so great (I am). We work well together. We fit. A team. (Like the Dynamic Duo, but neither of us wants to be Robin, or the Wonder Twins, but that would make us siblings...ew... maybe Yogi and BooBoo?) And each year, life just keeps on getting better. Yay!

P.S. Although Ryan is a definitely a better photographer over all... I think it has been decided that I am a better self-portrait taker!

What's a Triftid?

I had a fabulous weekend. Ryan and I met up with Kevin, Kim, and Tanya and went to IMA to see Rocky Horror. It has been ages since I'd been and we had a blast. Tanya and Ryan, "the virgins," seemed to like it and I remembered more than I thought I would. We definitely have to do this again sometime, but in costume. Let's see... I did some more shopping, went to a birthday party, painted more faces. Life is good. Made it all the more difficult to go back to work today.

New Love

I'd like to take just a moment to pay tribute to my new-found love... Value World, formerly known as Value Village. I'd heard people talking for years about it but had only recently went in to check it out. Today I did some real shopping. I was looking to get a few things to bulk up my "business casual" wardrobe since I'll have to be in it more. I love shopping but was dreading the expense. Lane Bryant is usually the only place I can find anything I like because few retailers sell plus size clothing that is cut in a flattering way... big girls need structure... but I digress. Anyway, Lane Bryant can be very expensive. I was so excited about all the good stuff I found... some of it with the original tags on it. So for $42 I bought 6 shirts, 2 cardigans, 2 pairs of dress pants, 2 brand new pairs of shoes, and a purse. WhoooHoooooo! The only down side is they have no dressing room, but I made due trying on what I could in the aisle. Even better... I get to go back one Sunday and get %50 my whole purchase!!! I say again: WhoooHoooooo!

Do ya think Baxter will be one Ogre of a supervisor?

Ha Ha!

It's the mid-staycation point and I thought I'd give all you viewers at home an update. I'm happy to report I've not done nearly as much as I had intended. The plan was to deep clean, paint, and make ready for carpeting. After much internal struggle, I decided I was not going to keep my family from missing out on all the fun, so I've been doing lighter cleaning, laundry, and playing in facepaint. I seriously feel I have found my artistic calling... this stuff is so much fun. I wish I had more kids around to practice on, but mine are gone and I don't know my neighbors.

So as most of you already know, I'm replacing Tobi as supervisor. I got the official job offer on Monday. It's very exciting, but I'm also a little freaked-out as well. The whole FSS thing gives me the willies, but I'm sure I'll manage.

The remainder of my week will probably be spent loafing around doing as little as possible, but still being productive (it's kinda my mantra). I'll lunch with mom at Bugsy's tomorrow on the canal and maybe do some shopping. My niece is having a birthday party on Saturday, which should be fun. Then, painting the living room with the whole family on Sunday! Yea!

Happy Birthday America!

Today was a good day. I got to sleep in until 10:30. Then we went to he Jungbauer's for a great picnic. JJ has got to make the best steaks in the world... we wait all year for them. Lana and I broke out the face painting and it went well. Then we found a new place and watched the fireworks. We were at a little park off of New York. It was filled with people and someone nearby had great fireworks, and we had a great view of downtown. Here's some of my favorite pics, more will be on my web album. http://picasaweb.google.com/jenniferbaxte/IndependenceDay08

Wouldn't you like to be a blogger to?

My husband wanted to jump on the blogging band wagon. So... everyone check out Ryan's blog and leave him a welcome comment... it'll make him happy.

Warning: Science and Sexual Content

Audie molted again last night and now she has wings!!! It's very exciting. She's huge, like 3 inches long in the body, not counting her legs. Although, I am now seeing how she's related to the cockroach... it's something about her abdomen that really resembles a roach. So get this... praying mantids are known for the female eating the male after mating. Actually they often eat them during the act! She'll grab him, whip him around, and bite his head off in one swoop. Lucky for him, or not so lucky, a second "brain" is located in his abdomen so he can still get busy without a head. He just hops back on and finishes the job. Now that's dedication to satisfying his woman! If she doesn't finish eating him when he's done, he will wander around headless until he starves to death or until something else eats him. Talk about battle of the sexes! Nature can be a cruel mistress.

So, now that she's the size of Mothra (well, almost), I think it's time for a new tank. Tonight we went to Uncle Bill's to scope out her new digs. The thing is, a mantis needs height to be happy, so we have to get something taller. The cheapest we found at Uncle Bills was $89! Let me repeat: Eighty-nine dollar house for a bug to live in! There's one that is better at another pet shop that's *only* $50. She's becoming very expensive. And, there was a Jonesborough-style massacre in the cricket hut. We bought two dozen crickets last weekend and they are all dead! Every single one of them. I almost expected to see little purple blankets covering them, a la Heaven's Gate. So on tonight's menu... meal worm... "slimy, yet satisfying." (Bonus points to the friend who can name the movie that's quoted from!) I hope she notices it in there before it disappears forever into the ground-cover. I imagine the cat will be in trouble if she doesn't eat something soon.

Exercise Nazis from LA

So we joined a gym. Ryan and I went to L A Fitness on Sunday and signed up. I was so psyched. That is, until we had our meeting with the trainer for a "fitness assessment." Notice the quotation marks... they may call it a fitness assessment, but it is actually CIA-approved torture designed to weaken the will so as to be more susceptible to the high-pressure sales. I am still in quite large amounts of pain from the beating we suffered. Seriously, he had us do too much, especially when you consider how inactive we are. The worst part is, we allowed it.

Big fun at the Jones'

We went to Lana's house yesterday and had so much fun. Lana, Olivia, and I practiced face painting. Ryan and David played video games. Then we all played Rock Band! Olivia is so good at it... guitar and drums. The kids go to their father's house today for two weeks. I'll miss them, but I must admit I don't know how married parents do it. I enjoy the time off and actually desperately need it right now.

Death-watch update

News Flash: there has been a miraculous recovery in my garden! Instead of three ground-cover deaths, there were actually only 2.5! Literally, one half of the plant is white and crispy, the other is green and lush. What's up with that? And with the recent storms, my lilies are perking up, if only a little (just about the only silver lining to the weather lately).

I've found my calling

We went to Ryan's family reunion this weekend. I love his family! The cool thing is I got my first real-world test-drive of the new face paint. VERY COOL! I absolutely love this stuff and the kids had a ball (I have to do something to compete with the cool new aunt!!!). It was so much fun and I was able to see two problems: paint near the mouth doesn't hold up for long, and it took me over an hour to do 11 faces. So... we'll have to stay away from the mouths and work quicker, boy I need to practice. But I do love this stuff. I really think Lana and I could get into this... So if I get fired for not meeting productivity standards, I have something to fall back on!
On a sadder note... my day-lillies are all still droopy and three of my ground-cover plants have died. My mother-in-law gave me some advice, but I have to wait for the weekend to do anything. Hopefully they can hold out... I've been saying to them "don't you die on me!" because it works in the movies!