Little Cabin in the Big Woods

Aaahhh! The sweet smell of mountain air! I was fortunate enough as a kid to expedience this mountain air just about every holiday and summer. My grandparents had a cabin in the Sequoia's and from the time I was around 8 or 9 til I moved out, our family vacations mostly consisted of going to the cabin. The rules first started out as NO TV was allowed. Grandad thought that the great outdoors should be entertainment enough. He was right! Some of the best memories I have were from our family hikes..like Darryl almost drowning, Dave getting hit in the lip after my dad was FREAKED by hornets...( ok, so he's deadly allergic..he had a right to be afraid), and of course hiking to the waterfall with grandma and finding bear tracks...fresh bear tracks.. Yes, those were the days! Crazy, scary stuff like that is what makes memories. I really do cherish the time spent there and had always dreamed of my boys having the same experiences. But, the cabin has been sold and we are no longer living in California...

Still having this in the back of my mind, I decided that this year the boys were going to get some "cabin exposure". Oh, I've been planning this for months! After my failure camper attempt, there was no other choice than cabin time. Usually, Charles has to work during the holidays..which leaves me and the boys alone. Sooooo, why not go to the mountains and do something different for a change? Let's start the countdown now and let you all in on mistake #1...the words RUSTIC implies ALONE, no TV, No civilization, no HELP...yes, there are neighbors, but not during Christmas!

The plan was for the boys and I to go up on Christmas Day and then Charles would come the next night after he slept from all night working. We would stay til Sunday and then come home. The week of Christmas, I kept an eye on the weather in hopes for some "vast amounts of puffy white stuff..snow!" But no such luck. I did however see that there would be some rain the day after Christmas ( Friday), but nothing major. Ok, no big deal... mistake # 2.

Well, Thursday went mostly without incident. However I was totally excited about being at a cabin that I was too quick to go exploring with the boys and locked ourselves out. Now, NO ONE is around, we are the only Crazy's to do this little trip over Christmas. So, I hoisted Keaton up on the back balcony and had him climb ( lucky for him and me that he can climb) over the raling and go through the back door that I was praying was left unlocked. Thank goodness it was! No car keys, no people around...on the CHILLY side...and of course...no cell phone. Yep, could've been disastrous! Mistake # 3.

After this little exciting adventure, I decided it was best to keep the keys with me at all times..just in case. Our first night was fun, we had popcorn, watched movies, played with the legos, a few card games..ate leftover Chicken and Dumplings, hot dogs, hamburger and of course our staple food item.. oreo's. When we finished, I thought it would be cool to disperse our leftovers outside off the back deck so that Christian could use his night goggles to maybe catch a glimpse of wildlife. Yep, mistake # 4... Umm, what kind of wildlife do you REALLY want to see?? I would say it was around 10:00 or so when we heard this loud screaming, shrieking noise out back where we threw the leftovers. Quickly I try to reach my friend and wildlife expert and I get NO RESPONSE...still more screaming and shrieking going on..yet too terrified to step out back and look. Christian thinks it must be some dogs mom.. umm, No son, it's deer. They make this certain noise when they are finding their young..now go to bed. Ok, I have no DOUBT that wasn't a deer, and dogs..yes, but not your standard domesticated dogs...how bout, coyotes or wolves..hmm, yep, after the hot dogs and meat that we threw out for the squirrels.. Dah! Do squirrels eat meat??? Stupid Stupid Stupid !! Umm, later...I was told it most likely was a mountain lion....once again, Stupid Stupid Stupid!!!

So, the rest of the night, we had the fireplace going ( coolest thing EVER, all I had to do was turn a knob..who knew??) and huddled together. I might bring to your attention that the temps were in the low 30's most of the day...a bit on the chilly side. remember mistake #2 and the weather.

The next day we spent it driving around, and made our own Indiana Jones road with it's bumpy, curvy twistyness...we found other crazy folks who were visiting a cabin down the way and talked with them for a bit, we also saw some wild turkeys and did some exploring on the banks of the lake. Temps rising and now a "fire" in the fireplace would make us too hot.. remember mistake #2..it should be raining today as the weather predicted, lucky for us ( i thought) it didn't.. All was good..and then Charles called.

Yep, Chuck got lost. We had to go out and find him in the dark. He was already out of the park by the time we reached him. I guess if you would've asked for directions, this wouldn't have happened!! We got back to the cabin, ate some burgers ( didn't throw anything out this time) and then to my objections... he showed the boys how to gamble. Thanks grandma for sending the gambling chips and dice...nice. Well, of course, Keaton had a blast with this game. I tried to re-direct with a nice game of Crazy 8's.. No go, Keaton is stuck on gambling. I have visions of him taking this new profound knowledge to school... AND of course, Keaton goes nowhere without his new Radio..and what is Chuck encouraging in the music department?? HMM, Fat Bottom Girls makes the Rockin' world go round!! Like I need Keaton going to school singing this and then gambling in the cafeteria.....

Well moving on... no loud noises that night. All was good even though we are HOT..remember mistake #2.... Something going on with the weather and the tempts...hmm cold to hot, what does that spell? TOR NA DO??? Nah!

Next morning, we get up ..do some exploring, playing around on the play equipment. Check out these next few photos and see the talent!

Christian first down the slide.. Then Keaton...


And then......Charles..

With perfect form, I give him a 10 for not spilling 1 drop of his coffee! You go Chuckie boy!

Ok, so by now...it's hot, and VERY windy. Tornado feel.. Lots of clouds rolling in. But lots of wind all day and no precipitation. Wow, how we lucked out, not much rain on our parade... what was I thinking?? The rain CLEARLY was making it's way IN!!! No mention of tornado...it's all good!

So, say around 6:oo Saturday night, while watching Narnia, Prince Caspian... the power cuts off. Windy, yes, but no rain. It's all good. A few looksy looks and all appears to be good. I make a few calls to see if we are in a " severe weather" path..umm, yes we are but nothing big( as I was told). Ok, I could go with it. A thunderstorm, some rain...no big deal.

Since the movie was being played on my computer, we were good to go for another hour. Just about at the best part of the movie..my battery dies. AND the wind is HOWLING by this point.. our little cabin is vibrating some. I make some more calls...but it's now not going through. You guessed it...this is mistake #2. Never Never trust the weather man... if they say rain, expect STORM and if they say Friday..try SATURDAY and ALWAYS bring flashlights and VALIUM...not for me of course, for the kids! And it doesn't help when Charles goes around saying Freddy Krueger is coming!! Yikes is right! I look out and I see a few car's down the way LEAVING! We are still here, major rains, thunder, lightening...WIND oh the WIND!! Later found out that the wind was traveling around 50 to 60 miles per hour! Isn't that classified as a tornado?? It should be to a cabin in the big woods!! Well, no flashlights, no power, what is left but to go to bed and hope for the best. If only Chuck would shut up about Freddy Krueger, we could all go to sleep!

Finally, the storm dies down and it's just rain. Keaton is in our bed, I am on the edge as there isn't enough room in this double sized bed. And everyone is finally asleep but me. I'm still a little on edge making sure we don't have another round of the storm. So, It must have been around 3 and I reach up to scratch ( not pick) my nose and WHAM...something is running out my nose. YIKES! It's a flood of blood. Too much drama for me and I have this blasted bloody nose. I can't see ANYTHING, blood running down my face..I trip over someones shoes to the bathroom and just as I get in there.. I almost fall over my socks. So, after getting this in control. I decide to try and sleep with Christian on the sofa bed. Ugh! The springs were NOT comfortable. I think I only got about 3 hours sleep. But the next morning, it looked like a murder took place, my DNA is all smeared in the bedroom, bathroom ....EVERYWHERE! Ok, time to go home.

So, really besides all this...we had a great time. I really enjoyed having quality time with the boys, playing games, legos and taking a few walks. The storm will be a memory for them like the ones I have from my cabin days. The sun of course was shinning the next day.. today...and all is good. Can't wait for the next trip..anyone wanna come?? Bring your flashlight!

Camper Success....Finally!

For those that remember the camper story ...well, my friends decided to get me a camper since the duct taped beauty didn't quite work out... After many long hours searching the web for that perfect camper... Woo-lah!

Happy Camping!!

It's NOT the gift that counts...

It's always a good idea to make a Christmas list for the hubby, so you don't get any unexpected suprises....

Is it starched...how does it stay that way??? Do I really need to know??

Just for the record..this is not mine... found it on FB...

Warning : Danger Up Ahead!

Well, since my camping ideas went down the drain with the duct taped camper... I had decided that I would comfort my sad self with renting a cabin for Christmas. Oh yeah!! I have been sooo excited about this, everyone that knows me knows where I am going to be over the Christmas break. But all I keep hearing is... it's going to be cold you know, are you sure you want to do

this? When is Charles going to get there... what are you going to do with the boys???? Have faith in me PEOPLE!!

Well, OK...I've got plans! Sure, Chuck isn't going to arrive til day 2..which leaves me in charge of a fire ( scary thought I admit) But the boys and I are going to do board games, make hot cocoa, watch a few movies, make cookies, take a walk..where's the damage in that?? Oh did I mention that there is NO TV and NO PHONE?? It's all good. I have a cell phone, supposedly it's in range... and I have a computer that will play DVD's ...AND their own DVD players...so all should be good.....right?

Does this look like two innocent faces that you want to be cooped up in a cabin for 4 days with?? Surely it will be alright..if not, I have my blog I can document on... Stay tuned!

What is THAT?????

Ok, SERIOUSLY folks, I did NOT make this up!!


There was a time when Christian was around 4 when my friend Kathy brought her new boyfriend to our house ( along with his son) for us to meet and get to know. The kids played pretty well together and all was good until the boyfriends son came out of Christian's room with a hanger with something stuck to it...



What in the world???? To our Ghastly horrors...it was poop! Yep, poop folks. He found it under Christians bed. Well, I just helped out my friend Kathy loose the boyfriend. It's ok, I knew he was toast when he showed up with a mouth full of braces..but none the less...poopy was the kicker! Need help loosing a special person in your life?? Just invite us over for a bit, we can help. So this little story here gave me a flashback when Keaton came out of the room tonight with a pencil and something on it... good gracious, if it's poopy, I'm gonna loose it!! Well, I only wish it was poopy... see if you can make out from these photo's what it was ....

Of course he found it in his bed.. thought he could keep it as a pet. It's a slug. UGH! Hey boys wanna see what salt does to a slug?? Well, needless to say it went out in the butt freezing cold rather than in a jar.

Seriously though, we have had this problem off and on since we have been living in this house. Here a slug there a slug everywhere a slug slug..Oh the Powells had this house, E I E I OOOOOO. Where do they come from?? How do they get in?? Are we living on a Slug Mound?? Don't they hibernate or go to slugville for winter??

Waffle is on slug patrol!

Cookies and Milk

Well...It's been rough the last couple of months. oh, who am I kiddin...the last 11 years more or less...The boys have just about driven me crazy and I have no other choice than to resort to my only option at this point...The Jesus picture with the moving eyes no longer works...


ELF POWER!


Now, first let me begin how I heard of the little elves. I have a couple of friends who have frequent visitors that appear after Thanksgiving. A letter arrives first of course. It's from Santa dah, who else! Santa informed my friends children that he was sending his special little elves to observe behavior and report back to him. Sometimes the elves get into mischief and cause a little mess here and there..BUT it was the children's responsibility to clean it up. My friend reported that their little elf got out underwear and put it up all over the Christmas tree..ok, this could be fun, seriously, I can have some REAL fun with this.. ahem, I mean..the Elves of course, not ME..


So, somehow Santa heard my cries and decided that this year he was going to let it ride since it's soo close to Christmas and all... and just send a letter addressing the issue and letting them know that next year they would have a visitor. Oh, and miraculously he sent the little elf already so that he could make at least 1 appearance before the year is over. He's authentic of course, original, one of a kind.. even has to be registered..you know, Santa has several hundreds and thousands out right now, monitoring. Gotta know where everyone is, keep track..you know!


His name is Cookies and Milk. We will call him "Cookie" for short. Probably to be in his good graces, he might have to have plenty of cookies throughout his stay at our house. Also, since he is original and one of a kind his little note will address that he should NEVER EVER be touched!



Cookie allowed me to take a couple of photo's of him so that I could let everyone know about the Elves..

He has little "wings" too yep this sucker's gotta fly alright, get out of harms way... See, he's holding the "authentic" note.... just in case you doubt my story...



Yep, I can see it now...oh the Elf stories to be had!! Hope this here blog will last a whole year. I have a feeling that it will, there is NEVER nothing to write about. It is just a timing thing. I need to limit to at least once or twice a week...too much time spent on the computer is too much damage to my home!


Umm, did want to let you all in on my pathetic Christmas Tree. For the past 3 years, we have had an issue of keeping ornaments on the tree and the treee actually standing erract. Artificial yes, if it was real, it would be worse, imagine a cat "marking" a tree..hmm, not a good thing.

You see, we have a FAT and FURRY elf running around, one that frequently climbs up the tree and knocks it down. I am tired of replacing tree's and ornaments..etc. So, the past 2 years, I have refused to add any ornaments. In fact, stupid me, I decided that we needed a newer tree last year and replaced it. Same deal, limbs no longer stay upright because it can't afford to hold a 20 lb cat...so it looks pitiful yet once again. Here is a visual of the darn thing. Notice the no presents underneath. well, that is if you can see under it....Umm, that could be because the overweight furry thing, likes to tear things up ( even without nails) and of course, Keaton. Christian, just stands there and "looks" even " directs" on opening the corners etc... then will report to me what Keaton or the cat had done. Nice. Good luck with that Cookie! You've got your work cut out for you!!



First, here is the predator.... Don't let that cute furry face make you feel sorry for him! It's a disguise...he is as much of a handful as the boys....









Came home to this the other day...well, most days since Thanksgiving. See him?? The tree is actually in our front dining room. We have a couch and a chair along with my treadmill in there..






Found him climbing this morning. Caught it just before it fell...




Tree down! You can't see him, but he's underneath it just hangin out.




So, there ya have it. I could lock Waffle up all day, that wouldn't be nice. Santa might not get me something :( So, I just assume that one day he will out grow the need to "climb". Right. He's a cat. Well, if anyone wants to know about the elves and might need one to come visit your home... just email me and I can let you know where I found him..aghemm, I mean...I can let you know how to get in touch with SANTA to send you one...

Disturbia

Disturbia...my word for FAR WORSE THAN disturbing ...

So, I know this may shock you all..but I have to share it because it's funny. And this blog thingy is about funny..so I must share.

Keaton (you guessed it), is a master at mimicking things and people.. always a recipe for disaster!! Ok, he can mimick the lunch lady, his teacher, the librarian...but NEVER oh sonny boy..NEVER mimick your MOTHER!!! NOOOOOO!! knock yourself out mimicking dad ( and you know there's a lot you can do with that), not me!

It's like this. I am just like every other women out there... and don't deny this ladies you know it's you too, but every once in a while I get this hair that kinda shows up on my face...shocking I know, it's not like I could get a second job at the fair or anything...but you know, it has to be ugh, plucked. Yep, that sucker ain't leavin the house on this here face!! YIKES!

So, the other night, here I begin to pluck that badboy out and Keaton is all eyes.. Not really paying attention, I hold my mirror and do my thing. Well, he decides to take my tweezers to school with him. He put them in his pocket and off he went to class, me "clueless".

So, a few mornings go by... and then the teacher ( along with the Principal behind her so he could hear her) came to me in line up when dropping him off and said... " Oh, I took this from Keaton the other morning. He was doing something with it on his face.. I was afraid he would hurt himself, he said "mommy does this".. full smile on her face...NICE!

oh, gee...thanks he must mean his daddy, I'll be sure to give this back to him. All the while the principal stands a little closer to listen ( or examine my face!) GREAT!! SECRET OUT!!!

So, now everyone knows about the hair and some other unmentionables about me ...(other posts) If you come up to me and examine my face, well...just remember .. you have kids too and what are they telling about YOU??? hmmm???


ummmm, no picture with this one.

Here's to the bird!

Ohhh, I am STUFFED! We did the traditional thing, eat till you are full..go to the bathroom, then eat some more, Full. Had heartburn all night, ugh, why eat soo much, you don't feel any better???

So, let me give you a run down on our Thanksgiving. Mostly went without incident. But, a few little funny things thatI must share.

First there is Chuck. Yep, I was able to convince him that HE needed to get up early and prep the bird. Every year, it's me. I get up, butter the butt and slap it around and cook it. I think this year...it should be him. So, after showering, I noticed he was up and in the kitchen. well for crying out loud, it worked! Went to the kitchen, and this is what I saw..

All he needed was a gun and a ski mask...someone broke in to steal the turkey!! But look again, you may have missed this......

orange knee highs....nice.

Ok, so moving along. He decided later to head to the store, in his lovly outfit, icluding socks with sandals, and get a pecan pie for work. While he was at the store, I asked him to bring home a baster. I first need to share with you what happens to my cooking utensils. For some reason, my cooking utensils make great shovels and what have you. I have lost a good portion of spoons, forks, spatulas and obviously my baster to the great outdoors. I don't think basting with a baster that was used for a mud pie would be a good idea.

So, got the new baster, checked it out and it looked a little like the "BMW" of basters. Of course, I never cook. The baster that I previously owned was a hand me down from my mom...it was probably a hand me down from grandma which was probably a hand me down from Noah. get the picture?

Excited by the new thing, I quickly cut the ties and started using. My first suction it grabbed a whole bunch of juice and stuff...but then wouldn't really release to well. what in the world?? so, try again...Charles, you bought this stupid thing and it doesn't work! It now doesn't release at all and the ball you squeeze won't puff back up! I'm just about panicking, because without basting..you get dry bird, YUCK! Here he comes.... shaking his head, he says not a word and fixes the problem.

Look at this, tell me you wouldn't do the same thing as I did.

There is something in there. I thought it was to help with sucking out the juices..some really nifty way to do it. Look at the next photo..

but nooo there is a brush that you use to clean the inside of the stupid thing...who whould have thought?. Dah! I knew that! A little FYI...it doesn't work to well with the brush in it while trying to suck up juices.

Nice little discovery. But here is the finished product!

Nice birdy bird! Very tasty... All in all, it was a yummyful thanksgiving. For the first time, I did crock pot stuffing which was VERY GOOD! Thanks Dawn! Anyway, Happy Turkey Day to all my friends and fellow bloggers.

Charles and his Sack O Nuts!

Ahhhh come on now, get your mind out of the gutter! I was referring to his nuts that he loves soo much..lol!

Chuck has a thing for walnuts, pecans and some other funky named nuts. He said he used to get them in his Christmas stocking as a kid. ok, whatever...anyway, since it's the season for nuts ( literally) he came home with some walnuts and decided to crack away on my couch. Thanks!

So, cracking away...here comes Keaton...Watcha got there dad?...nuts, want some? hysterical laughter from Christian as he knows another term for nuts. sure dad!

Meanwhile I am in the kitchen not really paying attention to the cracking going on in the next room, UNTIL...Keaton comes in and starts this WEIRD noise that only I and one other person (Taran) knows how to do. It's a nifty way to itch your throat, makes a pretty interesting noise...anyway, here he is standing in front of me making this noise and he is saying something that I can't understand. What? come again? What's that on your face? He is now starting to look like Hitch. Member this? Big puffy face, the whole shabang!

CHARLES!!!! Nah, he's fine, give him some bendadryl. Alright, can you breathe son? Take a deep breath, are you all right?? Mom, my ears itch, I think the potatoes need to come out!

Benadryl to the rescue! Q-Tips to itch and romove potatoes.... Whew, NO MORE NUTS!! Hysterical laughter once again from Christian. So, we sit down to watch a movie and Keaton comes to me once again, looking better had been running around...and says. mom, my tummy hurts. Ok, not thinking..I say You probably need to poop, head on in there and sit for a little bit. He comes back, no luck..no poop. Well, still not thinking I think he needs a belly rub, a little massage to move the poop! So, massage I go, a little deeper, harder and then...... he gets up and runs to the restroom. Great, it worked! I am soo proud!

But NOOOOO, not poop....Vomit, all over the bathroom! Here I am trying to be the loving, supportive mom and I am GAGGING as I rub his back...every noise, I GAG some more... I can't even get the words out to Chuck that we are both loosing our cookies in the bathroom. Nice, who will have to clean this up? Should be the one with the sack o nuts!

So, I guess we now know that Keaton is allergic to walnuts. It could be worse I'm sure! Aren't you glad you check my blog everyday for stories like this? Makes ya feel all warm and fuzzy now doesn't it? Hey, at least I have no pictures with this one...

Another Note

Brotherly love at it's best! Now, I found this little note about a year ago, it now resides in my closet in an album that has the kids drawings, art projects and special little notes like this one. I discovered it one day while cleaning out Christian's nightstand. See, it's like this. On the weekends, he takes prednisone, which makes him moody and irritable. You can barely bump into him and he thinks the world is coming to an end, crying and just feeling let down. So, since Keaton is a regular in causing mass amounts of emotional let downs..I had decided to have him write his feelings down rather than let it out verbally... a little safer for us all. ( or at least I thought).



So, now onto my little discovery... I actually found this quite humorous..I hope you all do as I KNOW he does not mean this!

EXACTLY how it is written:

Dear Keaton Powell


you are a pimp and you shutup your mouth. I hate you. I dont like you.

Your not playing my game tommoww. You are a dodo.

You are a brate day ( boy). Your not geting your pencle back.

I have your big pencile. You meet me at 3:00 tommorww.

this is the end of you.Your going to pay for what you do to me.



Look out Keaton, he has your big pencil and YOU'RE NOT GETTING IT BACK..tooo dang funny!!
Anyway, I also have this posted on my board at work...keeps me laughing!
Just so that you know I don't make this stuff up... here is the proof, hard to read, but here it is!

Because he is a diligent student, who goes above and beyond...he circled several words...not sure if they are adjectives pronouns or what have you..see, I was not that diligent of a student.

Comments

OK, I have had several of you not really know how to post a comment on this her lovely blog. Here is the deal, click on comments at the end of each post that you want to make a comment on..then this takes you to another screen where you write your comments in the box on the right. You don't have to "sign in" ..you can just leave your comments Anonymous.. but you must enter some weird word or all those letters in the other box before you can post your comment. If you sign anonymous..you can sign your name at the end of your comments in the box... get it? Confusing I know... but at least I know someone reads this...If not, just email me...

I am having entirely too much fun with this, lots of good stuff everyday!! I am seriously thinking that every week I can do a post on Chuck's Closet.. there is PLENTY more good stuff in there. ( well, I can do this as long as he still doesn't check my blog). Anyway, hope you all get a kick out of it as much as I do because......You Can't Make This Stuff UP!!!

Ladies...He's Taken!

Charles..Chuck...Chuckie boy.....


One requirement that was non-negotiable when buying this house was that I HAD, MUST, WILL have my OWN closet...WHY??? Well, you had to ask...The man NEVER throws anything away, including clothes.

Yep, I waited til he went to work and decided how funny it would be to go through his closet and show you all a few choice outfits that thankfully I can step in and save him and me the embarrassment before he gets out the front door. Now, not always can (and will) I do this...sometimes I get a kick out of what he is wearing, I say not a word!

First, a look at the " walk in " closet. Make sure to pay attention to the " " as you are supposed to walk in into a "walk in" closet...

hmmmm, rooomy! I know this picture doesn't do it justice, but clearly you have NO ROOM! Most of which are clothes that he just can't get rid of... Here's my ALL TIME favorite discovery.......

Oh, that looks just like the perfect box for my paperwork, don't mind if I do....

Ok, a typical outfit when going to a meeting, training or just plum church! .... You must be one lucky son of a gun to have a matching hat with that nice shirt! sweet!

Next...ummmm...don't be jealous... You know you want this...

Grandpa Jeremiah William Edward Powell lll had this tweed beauty all to himself until grandson Charles just begged him for it on his death bed. Tweed and all, scratchy..just how he remembers his grandpa's face. I'm just kidding, but he loves this thing...why??? It's soo heavy it breaks the plastic hangers, it's scratchy, hairy...need i say more????

Tweed #2...except this has those nifty elbow pads...you know, in case you rub your elbows a little too much and need a little extra something. It's heavy and scratchy just like the first one...got a mound of dust on the shoulders. He was planning on wearing this with his khaki's Sunday morning... brush off the shoulders first you know, make himself presentable.

Moving along....on the hanger together as he was planning on wearing this outfit together... ]t's stylish, in with the crowd....it has camo, what the big boys are wearing today! Yah buddy!

Alrighty then...next...hey, now that's a tie!

WHY would I throw this away??..I mean, Michael Jackson had one just like it..it has real leather trim and everything! "Beat it, just beat it...no one wants to be defeated...." Darn! Can I dye this red? Add more zippers?? Matching gloves??? oh wait, I bet I have some..somewhere!

Next...we go NOWHERE without this gadget. A MUST and I mean a MUST...we have an assortment of these...it's like a matching pair of shoes with an outfit... you HAVE to have....

the matching Fanny Pack!!!

As I said earlier...Step back ladies, he's taken!

For Christian

This is a more serious blog entry, I can't really say I'll do this often...Not really me to be serious as I hide many of my serious emotions by being silly. A safety mechanism. But, sometimes you just have to let it out...then go on and laugh some more....there is ALWAYS something to laugh about around here!

Christian's illness....doggoneit.. will not go away, and as often as I can, I make it go away by laughing and just not facing it. But sometimes I find other ways...obviously by trusting in what God has in store for him and us. And, by talking about it..then I'm good to go again..

This morning in bible class, I found a verse to a song by Casting Crowns...I'm sure that if you are the religous type, you have probably heard this song before. "Ill praise you in this storm". A very meaningful song to me as this is a storm and what do I chose to do with it?

Here's the verse : Psalms 121: 1-2

"I lift up my eyes to the hills - where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth,"


I'll praise you in this storm...absolutely! As much as I hate the fact that we have to go through this, I have to trust in my faith that there is something better! Oh, and there is!!!

Christian has no idea what is in store for him. We don't either. A cure may come up, maybe in time, maybe not...who knows. I can sit here day in and day out and be sad and gloomy and live as this is his last days. Well, I don't care to live that way. I care to make the most of today and what he can do and be glad that he is still alive and with us. I'm not like other's who sit and calculate how much time before this happens, how much time will he be able to do this..and so on. Nope, not me! Why waste what is in front of me right now and not enjoy what I have now?
I'm not in denial, I'm in: I accept it, let's make the most of it and carry on!

Here is a video I made last year. I found this song that was AWESOME with words and said exactly what I would like to say. But I did it really just for myself, I showed my family, a few friends..but it is NOT something that I did to get sympathy, pity or attention. Well, and for the simple fact that I did a video!.. wha hoo me! AWARENESS was my first intention though. Some of you may have seen it on Facebook..but honestly, I did not post it for EVERYONE to see it, only some of you. But here it is, getcha some kleenex and hit play..that is if I can really download this..having some issues at this momment, but hopefully I can figure it out.



"Can you hear me? Let me take his place somehow..see he's not just ANYONE...he's MY SON!"

I promise, this next video that I do will be a more "funny" take on MD. I already have an idea...just wait! Oh, and by the way, If you are a Mark Schultz fan, he will be in Memphis, ummm sometime soon. He is doing a concert for AGAPE..you can log onto agapemeanslove.org and get tickets..it's for their Heartlight thingy that they do every year to raise money for adoptions. It may have already happend, not sure... just a little FYI.. Anyway, hug your little one's and be thankful that God gave you them to raise and make the most of!

It is NOT a NIP!

NOTICE: This is NOT suitable for young viewers..viewer discretion is advised.... consider yourself warned!

Most children comfort themselves with a blankie, pacifier, teddy bear...all of which are quite natural. Of course, if you were a Powell...none of these would be natural.

Let me start with my first discovery that this was a "problem". I was coming home after work one night and to get into my neighborhood, we lived on the main street. Our house was located directly in front of the "curve" into the rest of the neighborhood. So, if you lived in that area..you would pass by my house, most certainly an adventure.

Ok, so there I am driving along and there are about 4 cars in front of me (which are moving ever so slowly ) stop in front of me. I' m thinking hurry up you people what is the deal? Well, by the time I reached my house...there in the window that faces this street ( a full size window mind you) I see my son ( a little over a year old then) standing on his dresser, blinds up... butt naked with both hands on his nipples! Yeah, I was soo shocked by what I just saw..I just kept going and quickly called Chuck and told him to DO SOMETHING...QUICK! I didn't want anyone seeing me pull in my driveway!

So, this little nipple rubbing thing hasn't quite gone away. Last year at Kindergarten, his teacher had to ask what is he doing? You see... All of his shirts are stretched at the neck as this is his easy access! The moment that shirt comes off...both hands locked on the nips.

Here is a little "visual" not like you really need this... but you never know, your child may do this and so there, I have prepared you. First, the hand under the shirt method. You can see this when he's tired or stressed.... Most would not recognize what this is, well... not until now.

Next... umm, well this is what happens when the shirt is " removed"... once again "NOT FOR YOUNG VIEWERS"!

another shot, just in case you missed it...

Now, don't think I don't try and discourage this, but mostly only in " the public eye". He can nipple away at home, but not out in public. ( I do a lot of reminding).

I am reminded constantly by watching my husband that ...it could be worse! No visual aides needed. Sorry chuck, this is my blog...I make the rules, besides you are no different than any other man who sits in front of the TV and needs a good scratch.

Sign Sign...Everywhere a Sign...

Brotherly love. Nothing quite like it I'm sure, but I wouldn't know...my two rarely get along. They make Cain and Able saints! ( Hopefully they don't end up like Cain and Able). Well, so it's like this. Yelling , screaming, fighting, throwing things back and forth...Yes, quite disturbing. Oh, but there are moments that are nice to witness ( if you're ever lucky to catch this) , like when Christian falls outside...the first one on the scene is Keaton, and then he runs to tell me. Probably because he was the one who caused him to fall..Sometimes he can be real sweet and comfort him. You know, hit..I mean PAT him on the head... Sometimes they play beautifully together, but I would say that this is like the sighting of bigfoot..they say it exists, some have seen it...not soo sure.


Now here is what I do when such screaming, hateful rages towards eachother happen. Sometimes, they REALLY despise this, I have them hug one another and stay that way for 5 minutes. PURE TORTURE, I know..EVIL mom! They both cry and pitch a fit, but if that doesn't work...I do the written work. Say something nice to one another in words! Oh yes! Keaton has finally gotten to the age that he can somewhat participate in this. Now being a first grader, he should be spelling a whole lot better than what he is doing. But, he is no ordinary first grader and is too busy checking out the heater, air conditioner or pencil sharpener to pay attention. Thus is the reason why we will be back in the first grade next year.

They have even taken this written assignment a step further and now make " signs".

First..Christian's bedroom door...

and another... just to make himself clear as to WHO is to not come in or touch the sign...

ohh, and these inside his room...

I guess this sign was accompanied by another that somehow dissappeared.. don't worry, I can tell you what it said..

DANGER, GASSY CAT AND PERSON IN ROOM DANGER

Nice. Thanks for the warning. And, most importantly...pay close attention, make NO mistakes!

Next Keaton's room. Of course I thought he did pretty good with " sounding out" Christian. It says " No Christian Powell"...you know, not to be confused with any other christian.

Ok, here is what I had to ask him to clairfy...

He basically told me that he was telling christian some not so nice words and that only I could come in his room, keaton has spoken! Thank goodness he can't spell...wonder what those not so nice words are....


Well, this is it for the "sign's" for now. Several pop up from time to time, I'll be sure to post them when they happen.

Vanderbilt Update

Yesterday we went to Vanderbilt for Christian's 6 month check up before I get to the outcomes of that appointment I must first share with you a little something before the trek to Vandy.

Being the smart cookie that I am, I thought it would be a good idea to keep both boys out of school that morning and not give them their ADHD medicine. I wanted to make sure that it was in full force for the appointment and give it to them about 30 minutes before we left Jackson. Mind you Vanderbilt is about 2 hrs and 15 minutes from Jackson. Appointment at 3:0o. Ohh the many mistakes I make!


By say, 9:30 I was about to loose my cool. Fighting, arguing, spilling of milk X2, running after the cat..umm, yelling, fighting some more, a water fight, yada yada yada..... You get the picture. I knew I just had to hang on til at least 11:30. But I was clearly out of patience so with one (take a guess) screaming child at the door, I decided I had " important things to do" and was going to leave. Just as I got to my car, he went back inside, good and stay in..the whole neighborhood doesn't need to see your crazy self. I started to back out and he " re-appeared".....this time with a tube of toothpaste. What in the world? I sat for a second watching him in disbelief at what I was thinking he was going to do and what he actually did! He took that tube of bright blue Colgate and proceeded to " squeeze" the living daylights out of it...just like I'm gonna do you when I..oops, there I go again, telling on myself! So, out of the car I go, counting to 100 VERY quickly, and just as I reach him, ( the pile of toothpaste is rather large by this point) the front door opens and out walks Chuck. He took one look at Keaton and the toothpaste and me, and then I gave him the " good luck with that" look and went back to the car. Oh, Keaton got what he needed because when I got back to the house after my " errands", it was QUIET in the house...and why didn't you do something earlier??? ( referring to Chuck here, not me)


Ok, so I decided it might be best to dose out the meds...a round for everyone. On the road we go and medicine in full force. The rest of the trip went fairly well, other than getting off the elevator and as it closed I looked behind me and Keaton decided he wasn't getting off ! Too late, the door closed and bye bye Keaton... thankfully he returned back down without getting off on another floor!


So, now for the " update" on Christian's status. It went really well. This new dr is from Johns Hopkins and even worked at Cincy Children's (which is top dog for DMD). This is our 3rd time seeing him and every time we go, I like him even more. Our first appointment, he had this "bow tie" that he wore...funny I know, but it worked for him. This time he was in a nice suit..good job, (must have a misses). Anyway, we were evaluated by a Physical Therapist, which is something new that I think he started. Although we have PT in Jackson, we have never seen one at Vandy, so this was kinda cool. She gave us a few pointers, checked out his new braces, talked about " stretching exercises" and what have you and decided he was in good shape. We may need to look at certain "night splints" to help keep his feet from turning in and stretched sometime down the road..but for now, good to go.


Here is a picture of the PT showing us a way to stretch him. Since we just got a new set of braces, I now have him sleep in them so that in the morning, it goes right in with little stretching...save me some time, and you know I can use that !!!

Next Dr. Burnette. I had to ask..." Say Doc, do you want to be on my blog?" Bahhahahha, sure.

So, snap I did! Here he is talking to Christan about his wheelchair. He only uses it for long distant walking, and like at Vandy...the parking garage and crossing the streets and everywhere we have to go..it's just easier on him.


Next, Keaton acting good..just HAD to capture!

The next few pic's are of Dr. Burnett using his tool that can kinda measure Christian's strength. He has to push and pull against it. He does this at every visit, he showed a little decline, but nothing major...

another shot of the strong-man action...






Here is another picture of a "wedge" that is at a 20 degree angle that he made that can help in keeping kids with this disease stretched... say, anyone out there..can you make me one of these??? I'm afraid that if I leave this for Charles to do, it might be made with a muffler and rims...and a motor attached to it...

See, he can't even keep his feet all the way down... that is why this thing is soo good.

Anyway, overall...great check up. Dr. Burnette was pleased with how he is doing, next visit will be the " big one" again with a Cardiology exam to follow his regular check up. But this Dr, is really wanting to be "up" on the latest research and is even going to attend the PPMD ( Parent's Project Muscular Dystrophy} conference next summer. This is an organization that was founded by a mother of two boys with this disease... I can't even imagine having two son's with this disease. After we found out that this is what Christian has, we were terrified that Keaton might have it. But luckily, he did not. Anyway, this lady started an organization that funds research specifically for DMD. It is my best means of support for what we are going through. They have been truly an amazing organization to be a part of! I have met many parents that we each lean on for moral support...check it out if you want..parentprojectmusculardystrophy.com

Well, that about sum's it up...Here is a picture of Christian acting funny before he Dr. came in..he was trying to do a "wheelie" ... AND, Keaton in the background trying to figure out how to make the bed move up and down...