home, restocked all the fruits, veggies, etc. that DS can eat right now & picked up his meds. tossing the can biscuits into the crockpot for the "dumplings" part of chx & dumplings, then taking a long, hot, bath/shower/something until time to eat. let DS know that yes he can stay home from school again tomorrow, but reminded him that also means missing church. he said okay, with only a little questioning, which shows how bad he feels right now.

DH says one more day on the test for DS won't hurt anything, we don't know that even if I did skip class to take him, we'd get it sooner, so might as well stick to class and take him Thurs, since they said that would be fine. So, prepping for class, then will go to the store and see if they have his meds, etc.

That is the absolute most darling outfit ever!! So sweet!

*just* got up from my nap - slightly less headachy, but not enough to fight Houston traffic to/from the college, and today is just lecture, which the prof records/Middle can watch online tomorrow and be fine - the class has no stated attendance policy, requirement, grade tied to it, etc. so should be fine. I think he's missed only once so far anyway. Eating some food, then will see where I'm at on the list. I'm hoping to talk to DH but leaning towards cancelling or at a minimum postponing my class start time tomorrow, so I can take DS for the test first. Just in case doing it earlier in the week gets us results before the weekend. DH has not weighed in yet on that.

Home - negative for Covid, which we figured. Running labs to check for/rule out diabetes. Have to go back for a breath test to check for some stomach bacteria - it has to be a fasting test. Trying to decide -- cancel/push to a late start my class for tomorrow (2nd grade)(we can afford to skip, honestly), or wait and go do the test on Thurs? The lab tech said it's okay to wait. On the other hand, that's likely putting the results not back till after the weekend (vs possibly we get them by Friday if we go tomorrow?). Gah. I don't know. If it's the stomach bacteria, it takes some combo of 3 meds to treat it. (but, at least it's not diabetes), so again, the sooner we know, the sooner we start any treatment, the sooner he's better.....right?? He's to eat whatever he can tolerate, they called in a nausea med, and I'll restock all the things (he's gone through 2 bunches of bananas since Sunday, plus all the apples and strawberries) when I go pick it up. TIRED. Debating Middle's class. going to grab food, get middle up, take a nap, and go from there.

DS came down for food - he had eaten a banana and wanted more. I gave him one of the boiled eggs, made him some toast, and cut up the day's worth of fruit/veggies -- carrots, apples, cucumber, and strawberries. This has all been sitting well with him and giving him something to munch on. The boys filled the dip cups with peanut butter and nutella.....maybe not what I woul dhave done, but hey. Fed the birds. Did the dishes. Got the crockpot started. We leave in an hour for the doctor - DS is hoping they'll have something that helps.

Good morning! DS is so weird - he's feeling better, but hungry, but what he wants to eat doesn't sit well. He hasn't learned things like "gee, I've been queasy all day, maybe a big bowl of chili won't be good..." And then, when, an hour after dinner his stomach's feeling all weird again, he takes some medicine, and thinks, "well, I'm still hungry, let me try another small bowl of chili...." :facepalm: Once *that* started making his stomach hurt, he finally realized, "Huh, maybe I should stick to snacking on these carrots and apples which have been the calmest thing for me to eat these days....." Anyway, my list: ...coffee ...dishes ...feed the birds ...prep more fruit and stuff for DS/reload the fruit/veggie tray ...DS to the doctor - hope that goes well ...come home, nap??? ...prep for 2nd grade tomorrow ...depending on what happens at the doctor, how long, etc, either take Middle to class & back, or have him watch the video later instead (goal: take him, but if I can't, I can't, so we'll see...) ...Oh! start the crockpot now so we can eat dinner tonight - good thing I do this list, or I'd have forgotten ...possibly I have a phone call later today with the single-day co-op people, but not sure?? they never replied after I sent my availability, so if I hear from them, yay, if not, I'll re-send an email and check in ...after dinner, veg out - fold the laundry, watch something, talk to DH, etc. That should be it. I woke up with a sinus/weather/didn't drink enough water yesterday headache, so took some meds, the coffee is already helping on that. Gonna start the crock pot and dishes and fruit and stuff in a sec...

Home. totally wiped out. sent the school emails, updated the hw pages. Middle is cooking dinner. DS seems a bit better - he has an appt for 10 tomorrow, just in case. DH reminded me -- make lists. Let the boys help. So I did, and they did, and I have nothing to do tonight but eat dinner and then veg out. Yay!

Thanks so much, @TexasProud. I go teach today, and I was dreading leaving him home, but his big brothers really stepped up and are supervising everything - I even woke up to find his school binder on the counter, open to the page where I'd find his homework to take and turn in for him. Didn't expect that! So - my list today, since I'm here: ...coffee ...unload the dishwasher, load it ...leave a list for the guys with med instructions, etc. just in case ...go teach ...stop at Costco for gatorade and some of their ready-to-bake meals ...come home, do my work emails, veg out, hope DS is feeling better, go to bed

Okay, the thermometer finally registered his fever. Had him shower, take tylenol to alternate the ibuprofen, fed him rice cooked in chicken broth with veggies added, as well as a boiled egg, and we/he/they are all watching a movie. When he's distracted, he seems to feel better. Also cut up a bunch of fruit and veggies and fixed a tray - he's been munching on that all through the movie (apples, carrots, strawberries), and drinking a green tea. I am exhausted and heading to bed early - I do have class tomorrow. DS is staying home, and the boys have all been instructed on what to do/how to help make sure he stays okay (med instructions if his fever returns, etc.) Nothing they couldn't figure out on their own, but makes me feel better to tell them. Ha. 'Night, all.

Keep the prayers coming, please; DS is still hungry but queasy, and I think has a fever, though the thermometer says no. Did the grocery run, swapped laundry around once, heading up to do the next swap, and then going to just veg out and ignore the world.

Had a nap, heading to the grocery store

He got through chemistry homework w/o really snacking, despite that he took up a cup full of trail mix - so that's good. Making him lunch now -- heating up some meatballs, turned last nights leftovers into a very bulky stir fry (added broccoli, brussels sprouts, plus the leftover potstickers, insides of the leftover egg rolls, leftover rice, added some plum fruit spread & bulgogi sauce, and will dice the meatballs and mix in). That will hopefully be good.... He's sleepy/tired/drowsy, so going to eat and then nap. *THEN* the chem test. :sigh:

If it isn't too crazy, would y'all pray for DS? He's still "fighting" this excess hunger thing and it is really bothering him, a lot. I'm suspecting growth spurt, which would explain the easy tears over it (hormones, anyone?), and I'm making/prepping/going to go shop for as much high protein/good fat stuff as I can find, we already do whole grains as much as possible when we do grains, he's not having any other symptoms....but he's *really* upset over the whole thing. Says he can barely even draw b/c he's just always eating something. :sigh: I'm trying everything I can think of to help him feel better about it, but would love extra prayers on it. I know that's not a "to do list" thing, but....thanks. *and, on that note, now that his eggs are done boiling, heading up to do school so that if his gf is free after church, he'll likewise be free to chat

It's for 1st grade, and is part of an exploration on states of matter. So, we'll look at the alka seltzer itself, ice cubes themselves, baking soda itself, vinegar itself, and then we'll combine the various ones to see how they react (the alka seltzer and ice, and of course the baking soda and vinegar). I forget exactly what it does - I did it once last year, but not since; I'm assuming the ice melts which sets off the alka seltzer. Ha. (this is why I am not a *science* teacher)

....OR, I'll have to go to the store anyway, b/c DS got up and has eaten: -2 eggs -2 (frozen blueberry whole grain) waffle -a bowl of oatmeal with half a banana & slivered almonds added (made w/whole milk) -and is drinking a milkshake made of 3 large scoops peanut butter, 2 more bananas, a pouch of "Instant Breakfast" high protein version in chocolate, and however much milk (whole milk) to make it drinkable So we are again out of bananas, and I realize I need to get other oatmeal toppings. We are also nearly out of eggs and milk. Egads. Oldest just came down and says we need cat litter, too....bah.

praying for the surgery and recover, @TravelingChris. I got the kitchen all cleaned -- dishes loaded, defunct dishwasher running; cleaned the stovetop (downside of the kids helping cook - rice boiled over? spilled spaghetti sauce? ah, oops....and then never a thought to stop and clean it); emptied the leftovers and took out the trash; opened/replaced the bird's peanuts in the pantry (for the bird food outside); flattened all the boxes in the recycling bin so they fit and are ready to go out on Tues; wiped counters; gathered dirty rags to take up to the laundry. Also -- thought to check, and sure enough, YES, we do have Alka Seltzer from last time I did this project; will test it and be sure it still works/isn't expired or something, but yay! That saves me a trip to the store. We have all the things for all the food either kid will cook, so that solves that, too, and I have all the stuff I need for Tues/Weds foods, so...all set. Going to run up and start the laundry before kids are all in their showers again....

Good morning, all! I'm not usually "here" on Sundays, but this week is weird, so here I am... My list: ...coffee ...clean the kitchen ....actually start the laundry - the kids never did bring theirs out, so make them do that, then sort, start everything ...remember to go get the alka seltzer, which I forgot yesterday, and make sure Middle doesn't need anything for his day of cooking (hmm, Oldest too, so I don't have to go again before his day) ...go over the chemistry problems/notes that DH sent for DS ...have DS do the chemistry test and mark any questions so he can ask his teacher for tutoring on Monday (she won't use the test itself, but for ex, if he says "i'm really struggling with how to figure out titration questions" she'll likely walk him through a few and then turn him loose with the test again) ...make sure Middle finishes/turns in his homework for class (he actually almost got done last night, but paused for movie night) ...SEW which I didn't do yesterday at all ...figure out church - go? watch online? go early while the kids are asleep? ...food for today -- pull out all the leftovers, toss whichever ones are too old, feed everyone whatever ones aren't, &/or they are on their own for food today ....veg out, relax, etc. So...not a lot, but still stuff that has to get done. Have a good day everyone!

Dinner was good -- all sorts of random, from-frozen, Asian foods -- sweet & sour chicken, pot stickers, egg rolls. I made rice and the kids had fruit/veggies on the side (plus in the egg rolls...). Was a kind of "trial run" to see if these from-frozen offerings were any good - the egg rolls were meh, the chicken was delicious, the pot stickers are good, but not a quick/easy/convenience food. So...mixed bag. But lots of good finger foods for the kids to munch on the rest of the night. Had my shower - feel much better! Talked *very briefly* (hi, you look tired, how was dinner, 'kay, goodnight, I love you) to DH before he dozed off. Heading up now for movie night - wonder what Middle has picked???

I think it does go back to responsibilities, as others have touched on. If the person/people being hurt are people I am responsible for -- I'm neglecting my duties, shirking my responsibilities, etc., then it is wrong because caring for others is a thing I chose. I don't get to un-choose that (all the time) just because something else seems more fun at the moment. Just like work/play - I have to do my work before I can have play time. Or, I have to be able to still complete my work, if I take off to have some play time. As far as the WHY behind it.....I think that comes down to world views, belief systems, and things any of us are very unlikely to convince someone else of. For me -- because I chose to be a wife and a mom, I cannot now neglect that. I do need to balance caring enough for myself that there's still enough left to give others, but as long as I'm doing that, then my role is to care for them, not hurt them.

Hmm. I'm not sure, without examples, whether I agree with you or with the person who said that to you. Some examples from my own life/those around me -- If taking care of myself leads me to hurt others close to me, for ex, I feel like "living my best life" means going out all the time, and choosing activities I enjoy even to the exclusion of other family activities -- that could be wrong/not ideal. If, however, taking care of myself leads me to hurt others close to me, for ex, I strongly believe that Church A is the better choice for me, but Person B believes Church B is better.....they are hurt that I insist on attending Church A....but that falls under "more important to take care of myself than to risk hurting Person B." Or, for ex, the love of my life lives in a foreign country and can't get a visa to come here, so I move there. This hurts my family, who are all here, and who I now never see much. But, it's taking good care of me, and certainly isn't wrong, and should in fact trump "don't hurt people around you". In other words -- am *I* hurting the other person (in which case, I should consider what I'm doing), *or* is the other person becoming hurt by a choice that really shouldn't impact them in that way? (in which case, I'm free to make that decision in my own best interest) I don't know that I'm explaining this well......I'll think on it and come back after dinner when I have time to think and write more clearly, hopefully (or by then someone else will have summed it up way better anyway)

Did school with DS, more or less. We will do more tomorrow. His pants came in for the "oh, yea, I'm invited to a formal dance/party/thing next weekend..." thing - they fit! Hooray! May have to hem them, but that I can do. Whew. Waiting on the jacket to arrive, and the tie. He has a shirt. Talked with DH some more. ❤️ Should go sew, not motivated to do so, but maybe once I get going I'll get into it.

Okay, ran a ton of errands: -sold some ancient, non-sentimental, unworn jewelry to a local pawn shop -sold some books at Half Price Books -scored enough cash from the above to go spend cash on some special goodies from a certain ladies' underthings store, to celebrate Valentine's Day when DH gets back (and him getting back after 2 wks away) - yay! that was the goal Am now home, eating a quick (late) lunch, have sorted laundry - need to get the boys' to bring their basket out from their bathroom - and will do some school with DS before taking a nap

Went ahead and emailed to set up a chat about the position - I have more questions, might as well get them answered before deciding yes/no; we'll see what happens finishing coffee, going to run some errands/start laundry I think while DH is (I think?) still out & about

For me it would be seafoods....shrimp, or scallops, or lobster, or oysters, or.....yum. Oh, or the most delicious smoked salmon that DH makes...so yum. Also, mangoes. :dreamy sigh: On a broader scale, for whatever reason, pastas are usually in this category, but I don't know about that....spilly, drippy, etc. Maybe a yummy buttered noodle with delicious cheeses? I'd guess not anything heavy in garlic, although I suppose if you both are eating it, problem solved. Around here, they promote those big tomahawk steaks, or the heart shaped pair of steaks/cut of steak. Plus of course the chocolate covered strawberries on the long stems. I guess those are (the strawberries) b/c they are foods you can feed each other?? Steak b/c it doesn't drip, spill, etc. and is $$$ so shows you've put some effort/fits the "declare your love with how much you spend" that is typical in the US. I think for most, anything somewhat elevated above the norm. Whatever that is for that person.