4th of July Weekend

For the Fourth, we headed down to my parents' cabin where we enjoyed a variety of activities.

Pippin was willing to make a path fro Grandma anywhere ane everywhere she needed one, and a few extras.

Cyril was thrilled when,  on our first walk, he found a snake. He was not so thrilled when it "juiced" on him.

The boys had fun shooting the BB gun.

So did this girl.

Cyril found time between finding critters and swimming to work on his aim as well.

There was lots of rock skipping. This one was a little big.

The kids could not wait to get in the river and jumped in with their clothes on.

MOm asked if I wanted to help her cut a four ft trunk with a long saw. Of course I said yes. We got about half way then solicited help from the boys. It was a really good work out and I am still sore. The log turned out to be rotten in places so we'll need to do another cut. So Shane volunteered to get a 4 ft chain saw and come back. Because you should never waste a good opportunity to procure a really cool tool. And becasue he's nice. And because he'd really like to have one.

Shane joined the kids in the water and they swam across the river.

In the evening, after some rather tasty ribs, Shane pulled out the fireworks we picked up after church. He and Sandor, my brother, had fun lighting off the big mortars, the rest of us were huddled around the bonfire trying to stay warm. Then, being boys, they decided to see what would happen if you put the mortor in up-side down. This is what happens. A small bang, then a loud thunk. It's good the package came with two tubes. And then, of course, we had to see what would happen if you just left in on the road- no tube. That was pretty cool. I treid to get a picture but was too busy watching it to get a good one. They are so pretty up close.

Audrey spen most of the week end making horse trails with the grass Grandma had just cut. She was very sad to leave it.

Actually, they were all very sad. Here they are begging to stay 'just one more night'.

I am sure Shane is anxious to get his new chainsaw and go back, so I think we'll be there soon. This time we'll take our fishing grear too.

News from the Front Lines

Here are the latest headlines in the war on chaos.

Operation Laundry is proceeding as expected. It is currently in its second wave. There is confirmation that a  smaller target, operation unpack, was already completed earlier and has already yeilded returns totalling in the $.75-$1 range.


Operation Laundry is expected to last into the late afternoon and possibly into the next day, if needed. Officials say they are 'sticking with it to the end'.



Opreation Carpet Bomb was also considered as an option, but was summarily dismissed due to the very high collateral damage anticipated.

Operation Toilet Bowl Sweep, on the other hand, was carried out eariler this morning with complete success though it is anticipated the same maneuveres will need to be repeated in the future on and on-going basis.

"This is not a bad thing, or a sign of failure" high level officials are saying.

"This is more of a precautionary, or pre-emptive, if you will, move. But we feel such actions will decrease any future disruptions due to unsightliness 99-100%. Which in this situation, we consider a complete victory and absolutely worth the small effort. We are also training the natives so in the future they can take ownership."

Experts are also being consulted on  ways to mitigate the necessary frequncy of this response by educating the newer troops on the benefits  of good aim.



Re-building efforts are already underway, with clothing, food, and any medical assistance necessary being provided on demand. A speedier response will reach those who say please and don't whine.



So far, insurgents have been few and when dealt with swiflty and firmly, have so far shown a willingness to reform and co-operate. However we have gotten word troops on the ground are calling for more soap to combat inflammatory or disrespectful language.



So far, all those involved are calling the efforts a success and do not anticipate any setbacks.



"This in not a perfect situation. We can't rule out surprises or side effects of say, running out of coffee. Things may arise and mandate we take a different tactic. We're agile and can adapt to such things as having to make a coffee run occasionally. And we're very quick to get back on track and stay focused on our ultimate goal. Clean House."

Officials also tell us more is going on that at this point they are not able to disclose. Wanting to maintain good relationships with all those involved, they feel it may have undisireable repurcussions to have complete transparency.

"This is a highly sensitive situation and we feel that information on a need-to-know basis serves everyone best. And who is really going to miss the 3-limbs-missing doll or the trailer with one wheel? Seriously. This is in everyone's best interest."

Pee-View

Today is Kateri's Big Day. Where she gets put on frilly clothes. Be in the spot light. Command everyone's attention. And then dazzle her adoring fans with her ingenious and original antics, for which she'll get a standing ovation. Pretty much like every other day in her life so far. I get the honorof seeing her first this afternoon. Shane and Audrey will hit her second show  this evening. I'm not sure we'll ba able to recdord her dance, but I'm hoping so. Last time was such a hit. I think she might be a little more on top of the timing and choreography this time. But I'm secretely hoping we'll get to see  a  few Kateri original moves.

This performance will be a tap dance, which I think she is liking better than the ballet portion of the class. But what's not to really like about black shiny shoes that make satisfying clicks drawing attention to every step she makes. That is if you can hear them over the 'non stop  wanna see how quickly I can talk' monologue phase she is in. And being a girl, she can do both. At the same time. Which is nothing less than dizzying.

She posed for a few shots. The she went into photo shoot mode and went wild. When the Elvis poses started coming out, I figured we should stop. In looking over the pictures, I realize how much of her face you CAN'T see, because of her hair. Even with it all slicked back, the encroaching forest that is her bangs, takes up half her forhead.

Shane had to go To Texas this past week. So I had to make some curtains. Shane actually noticed them when he came home. He said they made the room look smaller and closed in. I told him I was glad he was home.

Maybe sheers would be a happy middle road. I need something to block or at least mute the sun when it comes blazing in. Not that it has been a problem the past few days. But maybe later this summer.

Well, we're T minus two hours. Time to start taming the mane again.

Lots Happening

We've been fairly busy the past few weeks. Unfortuantely, not a lot of it has been due to the sunny weather. Actually, today was the first time I had to water my plants. Hopefully its the start of a new trend. It's hard to believe it is almost July. You certainly would not have guessed it from the weather.

But we've been finding ways to keep busy. We are done with school and into our summer schedule. Which means we're free to go wherever the day and our whims take us.
Except Mondays, when I have a chiropractor visit and then we go to take care of the miniature horses:

Wednesdays, when I have a chiropractor visit and the kids have swim lessons.

Thursdays, Kateri has a couple more weeks of ballet.

But the rest of the time we're free.

We enjoyed our first arugula from the garden , dressed with only some olive oil and balsamic vinegar. My favorite.

The strawberries are doing very well. Lots of berries popping out. Now I just need to keep the slugs away.

And we also celebrated my parents' 40th wedding anniversary.

On top of all that, Shane has been travelling a bit. Florida a couple weeks ago, San Diego the next, last week N Carolina, this week Houston and Austin. July might get crazier if he gets the Japan-Taiwan-China-India trip as well. I think I'll line up some projects. There are still lots of window needing to be dressed.

Knock, Knock

Things have been fairly quiet here. The weather has been very fickle. I got a sunburn on Saturday. Sunday our outdoor party got rained out and we had to make alternate plans. My garden is doing mostly well. The slugs are still getting their snacks, but since Shane trimmed the grass around the boxes they have fewer places to hide and I think I am gaining on them.

We are rapidly losing interest in things like math and phonics. Cyril finished his reader yesterday. Audrey has a few more math lessons and I am looking forward to calling it quits. I was looking forward to a slower pace for summer. But then I signed the kids up for summer swim lessons, made chiropractic appointements for 2x a week, and we are continuing taking care of the horses once a week. Somewhere in there we will fit trips to the beach and other summer activities.

I've been super spacey the past few weeks and a litte on the grumpy side. Yesterday I had an appt with the chiropractor. Luckily Shane was able to work from home so I didn't have to haul the 4 kids with me. When I got in the car the "empty" light was lit up. But when I saw the ramp to the free way was already being light controlled, I figured I'd better not stop. It is crazy that a 12 min trip took 20 min,. At 10:00am! I got my last cel phone call while driving in, and the office said to come anyway.

On the way home I got lost, which is not unusual for me, but kind of ridiculous as I've been to the same building to see my midwife for three pregnancies. When I finally found the AMPM the silly card reader acted like it was not really a card reader, just a decorative slot for you to slide your card in and out of multiple times without giving you the slightest aknowledgement. Rather irritated, I darted across four lanes to the other gas station, which was far more responsive, and finally filled up. Then while sitting at the light, my phone rang. It has had this habit lately of hanging up and shutting off when I push the answer button. And as expected its usual performance. I saw it was Shane but didn't have time to boot up, enter my password, and dial before the light turned green. I was so frustrated I fantasized about smashing my phone repeatedly on my steering wheel. I could just feel the case cracking as I bludgeoned it again, and again. At least the visual made me laugh. Kind  of a laugh cry though.

Finally it connected a minute from home. It was Shane again, worried and wondering where I was. I told him the appointment was a little longer than I expected and I had gotten lost and had to stop for gas. Then I ranted about the phone for a bit and I told him I was ready for a new one. He's been wanting to get me  a Kin. I feel a little old for one, but if it is super user friendly and won't keep dying on me I'll take it.

I decided it was a soup kind of day, the rain had not left us yet. Just as I was sauteeing the shallots the doorbell rang. I left the pot and ran to open it, thinking it was one of the kids and would just be a second. No. It was a salesman. I told him I was in the middle of dinner- it was 6:00, what did he expect?. He said he'd just make it real brief. He was going to be doing some pest control in the neighborhood and since he's already be here he could give me a "really, really good rate". He had just signed up my neighbor "Doug" who had to replace his patio and was signed up for a spider control treatmen.

 Firstly, I don't know of a single neighbor named Doug. Secondly, all the houses around here have aggregate patios- which I loathe with  passion, and I'm not sure what spiders could do to them. Thirdly, my shallots were going to burn.

I told him again, I really had to go. He offered to come back. Actually , he just stated that he would come back. So I told him,

"Don't bother. We really don't need your services."

"You mean you don't have any pests you want to get rid of?"

"Just door-to-door-salesmen" I answered.

He look confused a second.

"I'm sorry. What did you say?"

"Nothing" I said. Feeling kind of remorseful for being snippy. But really, why is is impolite to communicate in a "this can't mean anything else" way, but a sales man can trespass on your property, waste your time trying to get rid of him, and try to make you feel like you need whatever he is offering.  I told him seriosly, I was in the middle of making dinner. Thanks but no thanks. And finally shut the door
The shallots didn't burn. But I did burn the garlic twice and had to re-do it. Maybe I deserved it.

This morning after breakfast the kids looked out and saw in the swing set area a large rat loafing around. I had to wonder if possibly it was a set up.  I think a  pellet gun will be fine for pest control.

Chicken Class

My mother-in-law and I took another cooking class. This time the theme was chicken, and just for fun the teacher threw in several rice dishes. I really liked the rice and her idea of making a big pot of brown rice at the beginning of the week, and having it on hand to add various other ingredients to to make nice side dishes. Without having to wait for the rice to cook. Shane was little less than thrilled when I told him about it. He generally does not like rice and is baffled as to why I still make the stuff. But, ususally if there is enough of a sauce he ends up eating it. Which encourages me to make it again. But I'm pretty sure he will like the new recipes.

This first one didn't have any rice. Just some chopped chicken with pasta and bleu cheese. She added some of the  the pasta water to it to make a sauce. For not having 1/2 and 1/2 or heavy cream, it was very rich. And creamy.

This one was baked chicken with feta and lemon. For the rice she sauteed shallots, zucchini, mushrooms, and chives.

This was pounded chicken breast with a mustard spread rolled around an asparagus spear and baked with a prosciutto wrap. For the rice she sauteed shallots, roasted cherry tomatoes,and  toasted pine nuts. I think this was my favorite rice. But they were all really good.

The finale was Vietnamese chicken skewers with sweet chili sauce. For this rice she added some warm coconut milk, toasted coconut, and lime zest. Plus a squeeze of lime juice.

I have not made the big pot of rice yet. Mostly because the kids have lost all my tupperware out in the yard. I suppose I could portion it in ziploc bags and freeze it. But I already washed the kitchen floor so I feel like one domestic project is enough for today. Although I did also go out slug hunting this morning. I'm comitted to keeping my tomaoes and strawberries safe. I think I might get some disposable gloves to help next time.

Part III- or What Really Went Down

So I guess there is some confusion, or might be, as to the real outcome of my dr visit. So this is to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Or something like that. As Shane has pointed out, separating fact from fiction is not my stong point, and somtimes I do feel that a little creative history is more exciting. But I'll give it a try. As a disclaimer, I still have not yet received my formal debreifing in the mail so there may be some details left out. But I think I got the main points right.

So Yes- there was a new lesion in my cerebral cortex which corresponds to the muscle in my throat. I don't know the dimensions. Other than that, there was nothing noteworthy. None of the old lesions had "gone dark" or turned into black holes. Which brings up an interesting point. Generally, demyelination shows up on the MRI as discoloured spots. The lesions sometimes do heal themselves and a grey spot can disappear after ahile. When the damage is so severe that it has damaged the axon, which is what the myelin is covering, it turns into a black hole. Meaning all the myelin is gone, the axon is damaged beyond repair and there is not much you can do. Well, I had one of those a couple years ago, and in subsequent MRIs it seems to be MIA. Which is fine with me. I asked Dr M about that and he said that sometimes spots can show up that look like black holes. But they are not. If it never goes away, it is a true black hole. If it does go away, it was an impostor. Apparently the only way to know is just to keep watching it.

Yes, Dr Prineas is real. His work is real. And he is a respected pathologist who has brought some interesting thing to light. As far as "is this really autoimmune" goes, Dr M explained that there are two schools of thought on how damage occurs. One is "outside in" meaning the body attacks the myelin from the outside until it damages the axon. The othere is "inside out" meaning the problem starts in the axon, or the myelin itself, and somehow causes the myelin to fall apart, or whatever it does.  Another theory is that there are different kinds of MS, all of which lead to myelin loss and bad nerve conduction.  Which may make sense in that some people respond well to different drugs and some people don't respond to any.

As for me, given that the Rebif I was on did not halt things completely, Dr M said I can skip all of the interferons. Which I am happy about and had already given up about 6 weeks ago anyway. So no more chinese hamster ovary cell based injectibles for me.

But then he tried to sell me on Tysabri, which involves mice DNA. Can we please just cut out the animal parade? Of course that one also has the risk of  a fatal brain infection and as it has not been around that long, there are no long term studies that tell you 20 yrs from now you may sprout a tail and take a great liking to cheese. So I took the brightly colored information pack home and have it sitting up next to my bed. I have not been in need of any late night reading though, so have yet to discover how wonderful the drug is for my brain, in the event it does not invite some voracious guest in to eat it first.  Needless to say I"m not  sold on it.

So finding that Dr M did know of Dr Prineas and thought his work was real and important was just the first pleasant surprise. I told him I would think about the Tysabri. But in the mean time, could I try LDN. And he said yes. I was really surprised. It seems many neurologists will not prescribe it and consider it a sugar pill with an anecdotal placebo effect. I like sugar, so why not give it a go?

LDN, or Low Dose Naltrexone, is a very small dose, around 4.5 mg, of Naltrexone, a drug initially formulated and marketed for meth and alcohol addicts. In that dose, 50 mg, it works by inhibiting the opiod receptors. IN other words, you won't get the "high" you were looking for. In the very small dose taken at the right time, it temporarily blocks the receptors and causes your body to increase its endorphin production. I can see how that might attribute to a placebo like effect, however in a small study of Primary Progressive MS, all but one patient stopped declining for the duration of the study. It was short and small and no one has done a larger study or compared MRIs or followed people on it for 20 yrs. Dr M said himself there probably never will be. It is really cheap- $40 a month compared to $1700 a month for injectibles- and there is no big company to fund an expensive study. There is no profit for anyone to be had and to front all that money, just to make your drug look bad would be ludricous. ( There have been stories of tumors being shrunk and I think someone grew a leg back. Just kidding. About the leg. The tumor part was true.)

Well I am quite happy to do my own study. I'll be getting the pills this week, but I think I might wait until after our week end trip to Canada to start it. As far as side effects, some people say they have very vivid dreams. Not bad or anything. Just very clear. Some people find it makes their legs stiff. Others say the opposite for them. It does not hurt your liver. Pregnant and lactating women have taken it with no ill effects- although if it were me, I'd stop it anyway. No injection reactions, brain infections, flu like symptoms, and all that rot.

So, I'm tyring not get too excited. But really the thought of no more shots or interferons really is exciting. Dr M says he'll have me check back in 3 months and see how its going. And I can even get a Tully's coffee next time. I'm looking forward to it.

The only disappointment, and it wasn't really a surprise, was when he told me there was nothing I could do about all the scar tissue and skin hardening on my legs. Shane tried to tell me it was not so bad. Then he broke into the Madonna song "Like  A Sturgeon". Which was really uplifting. These are my thighs. They are not supposed to look like   fish. I guess I can't be too picky. They are very serviceable right now. And they do make knee length bathing suits if I get too self conscious. Guess I'll just have to play up my earrings more. Shane would be happy to get me some.

Thus ends my three part sojourn into the land of my brain. Its kind of  a scary place, even without black holes. But I thought it best to clear up any misleading or confusing information. And some down right lies. Far as I know this is all accurate. I'll check it against the radiologist's report and post any errors. Othersise, it's onward and upward in the land of raising and educating children.

On that note, the educating one I think, I'll tell you what  PUTBOOM is next post. Any guesses?