The NRA Hates Me

Within 2 hours of arriving in Tulsa, my in-laws' phone rang. It was the NRA. As in the 'National Rifle Association'. EVERYONE was there - J's parents, siblings and their spouses. No one wanted to answer the phone, so I did.

I put on my best thick southern drawl.

The call went something like this:

NRA

"Good evening, Ma'am is Mr Widney at home?"

Me

"He's not available right now but how can I help ya?"

NRA

"I'm calling to invite Mr Widney to become a member of the NRA."

Me

"The National Rifle Association??

Oh my word, that would just scare me to no end!"

NRA

"Ma'am, it's really not that scary at all.

(insert NRA schpeel)"

Me

"Well Sir, I'm a Demo-crat."

NRA

"I'm sorry, Ma'am. Have a nice night." CLICK

Ahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!

I'm not a democrat. I'm Canadian.

Look at what I played with immediately after that phone call!

Motor Mouth's Allergy Update #2

This is Michael, the uber friendly receptionist 

at the Allergy & Immunology Clinic

This is Motor Mouth on August 19th

This is Motor Mouth on August 9th in the ER

This is Moor Mouth having a skin test.

Motor Mouth is allergic to oak trees, dust, cats.

Sorry, no pictures of me dancing around and singing "What's up pussy cat" and "Leaving on a Jet Plane" and "Rehab" in the exam room for 15 minutes in a desperate attempt to keep Motor Mouth from scratching his itching, itching arm!!

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This is Motor Mouth getting blood drawn for the 1st time.

This is how much more we know about what caused his severe allergic reaction.

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Doc says they won't know what happened to cause his face to swell to unrecognizable proportions unless it happens - again.

We'll keep you posted.

Motor Mouth Allergy Update #1

As you may recall from my blog on Saturday, Motor Mouth had a severe allergic reaction, requiring him to go to the ER. 

There was a birthday party for Grandma Grandma at Widney Manor Saturday evening. Motor Mouth was so self-conscious about his appearance, he didn't want Skaterboy, his friend, to see his face. Motor Mouth went to the costume store and picked up a Batman mask and cape. 

Motor Mouth LOVES Batman!! 

He also picked up eye masks and animal noses (elephant tusk, mouse nose, etc.) for the other children so Motor Mouth didn't stand out and didn't have to worry about how he looked. It worked!!

I am happy to report Motor Mouth's face and hand swelling (yeah, his hands and arms were a bit swollen as well) has gone done. My beautiful boy is back!! He has a couple of scratches on his face from when he was rubbing it on the way back from the lake Friday.

The kiddos and I decided to take BUS by OURSELVES to the doctor's new office. 

Motor Mouth would have me to tell you we took the #8 Halsted bus.

Feed Mini Me and she is good to go!

The doctor prescribed an EpiPen Jr and a referral to an allergist. I called the allergist on the way out the door of the doctor's office. Good thing!! Initially, I was told Motor Mouth would not be able to get in for "MONTHS". Then, she found an opening for Tuesday morning. I don't know what I am doing with Mini Me yet, but Motor Mouth and I will be there!!

Wedgewood and Luggage

We are HOME!!!!!

While we were gone, our home was being taken very good care of by our house guests from England. I think they left the place cleaner than they found it! And, on top of that, they brought this beautiful Wedgewood tea cup set from merry ol' England.

Now, here is a first...

We have been back just a few hours and all the beds have fresh sheets, all the clothes have been unpacked and all the toiletries have been put away.  The last time the kids and I returned from Canada, it was 2 weeks before everything from the suitcases were put away. 

I must be growing up!

Chi-Town to T-Town Installment #6

DAY FIVE

This day started with the ending of yesterday. We went to visit our BFF Starr, and kept her company until her husband and son came home...at about 4 am.

In the evening, it was a rockin' party for Grandma Grandma's birthday

Grandma Grandma

We remember the days when Grandma Grandma would wistfully look at her married grandchildren and say, "All of my friends have great-grandbabies and I don't have any." Grandma Grandma is so sweet, we were all putting in extra effort to make her dream a reality.

Now, she is called Grandma Grandma by her 14 great-grandchildren (all 5 & under), with 2 more on the way!

Baby Sis, one of 3 pregos in the fam.

Oh, and she now has more great-children than most of her friends!

Huggy and PJ

These are my favorite of Grandma Grandma's friends. They are so special to me, like an aunt and uncle. I refer to her hubby as 'Huggy' because he gives the best hugs! PJ is so sweet and kind, I just love her.

Some of our friends came to the party. 

Mickey & Minnie

Neon & Starr

Skater Boy - Motor Mouth's friend

JBW & KeiKei (J's aunt & cousin)

Train Boy & Baby Sis (Baby Y is the 'bump')

T.A.S.T.E. was there, but I forgot to get pictures!

Sun Allergy

We went boating yesterday afternoon. Motor Mouth started having itchy arms and his face was burning/itching.  He kept putting water on to soothe it. At 11 pm when he went to bed, he seemed fine. A little coughing, but fine for the most part.

By 5 am, Motor Mouth looked like this.  

J and his dad took Motor Mouth to the ER. They gave him a steroid and we are giving him allergy meds. I'm happy to report Motor Mouth can now see out of his right eye. His eye is about 1/3 open and his face is still too swollen to recognize him. But we believe the swelling to be coming down.

I went online and typed in 'sun allergy'. From the sounds of it, Motor Mouth has this (technically, it is an immune system thing). I just thought Motor Mouth was allergic to Oklahoma!

When we return to Chicago, I will take Motor Mouth to be tested to confirm my net diagnosis and to rule out other things.  But it sounds like there really is such a thing as being allergic to the sun. 

Chi-Town to T-Town Installment #5

DAY FOUR

We ran errands most of Friday without Motor Mouth because he was with his favorite person in the world - Grandpa FlyGuy.

Playing to an audience at the bank

A surprise visit to the best childcare provider in the world - Missy Me.

Missy Me cared for both Motor Mouth and Mini Me but there was a special bond with Mini Me.

Missy Me's girls LOVE Mini Me and she loves them. Can you tell?

We went to the airport to meet J's parents to go out to the lake.

But they weren't there. After finally meeting up, we went boating. 

My beautiful mother-in-law, DonnaMomma

Mini Me loved tubing with Daddy but...

Motor Mouth wanted to spend the night in the cabin.

MUCH LATER THAT EVENING...

J and I visited our BFF Starr at her new house which is wonderful and has a great pool.

I don't covet my friends' things but I DO covet this chair, and have for many years. I've asked Starr to put it in her will for me to have if she goes first. That's about the only way she will part with this piece.

Chi-Town to T-Town Installment #4

DAY THREE

We slept in until almost 11:30 am this morning, meaning we missed breakfast at the hotel. We were both looking forward to it, as this particular hotel has great eggs. Oh well, we got to lunch at Michael V's instead. Both of us were excited at the prospect of seeing our favorite server, Kingsley. I can't place what it is about Kingsley that we love so much, we just know we love him.

After lunch, we popped in to our former church to give Mystic Muse hugs. While standing in Connie's doorway, we got hugs from no less than 10 people we had worked with and loved for the last 8 years. More on this another day.

We visited with our dear friends, Mickey and Mini Me, for what seemed like 15 minutes but was well over an hour. The men were upstairs while the ladies got caught up downstairs. Fashionista, their oldest daughter, commented to her friend that her dad had a play date at the moment. Cute, Fashionista. 

On the way back to Widney Manor, we drove by the former Widney House. We have absolutely no heart connection to our first house purchase and the place we brought our babies home to. Maybe it's because we ripped out every shrub, tree, and flower, and the fountain in the front flower beds last year, thinking we would re-landscape. 

Faith Chick and the kids visited and we had a cook out at Widney Manor. Grandma CC came over later in the evening. It was great to see her again.