I'm up to my knees in....

So, yesterday I took Jess to the doctor. No cold. No flu. No shots. She doesn't have a fever. She has a stomach ache. She has had it for several weeks. Before she eats, after she eats, when she isn't thinking about eating. Various times. All the time. Seldom. It comes and goes. For the most part, she runs around like her wild crazy self. But then she will get a stomach ache out of nowhere. Huh?

So, we went to the dr. He listened to her breathing and they did an xray because he said her breathing on one side was noticeably different than the other side. He thought about pneumonia. No. Lungs are fine. But, the other thing that showed up on the xray was her intestines. And they have a lot of stuff in them. That shouldn't be there. It needs to come out. Well, there is only one way that is going to happen. She had apple juice and prune juice for breakfast. With wheat toast and shredded wheat cereal and some sliced peaches. Lunch will consist of some dried apricots and a sandwich on whole wheat bread. We'll see what happens after that. She doesn't seem to have a problem. She goes every day, but maybe that's all it is.

The point of all this is, well, one of the things the dr. said to do is get some specimens. So I am collecting samples in little vials and this is all very new to me. One thing I found funny is that I am supposed to smear a small sample on this card for three days. It is called Hemoccult II. "The world leader in occult blood testing" is what it says on the outside of the card. Brings new meaning to the term, "dabbling in the occult". What exactly is it they are dabbling in?

Oh the joys of being a mom.

Do they or don't they?

So, every once in a while, I come across someone who doesn't like me. For the most part, I get along with just about everyone. I have some very close friends. There are a few people I have known for 33-34 years! I have some great friendships. Everybody has friends that they relate to more than other people, but sometimes I just rub some people the wrong way. A guy I used to work with, who didn't want to work very hard, said I made him look bad and he hated me for it. Another guy who just decided he didn't like me. Period. I didn't do anything to him. Various women along the way, one of which had a crush on a guy I was seeing at work. But she was MARRIED! Unhappily, though. Sometimes there are reasons, sometimes not. Or at least, not that I know of. I have been told I have a very strong personality. I guess I do. I do care what other people think, just not to the point of living my life by it. I have had to come to terms with the fact that I cannot make other people happy all the time, and if they don't like me, tough noogies. I can't be something I am not just because someone else is uncomfortable with it. Sometimes, I am just too out there. I don't try to offend, in fact, many people confide in me and feel very comfortable talking to me. Their secrets are safe with me. But not everyone.

I bring all of this up because recently I came to the realization that there is someone who I think falls into this category. I don't think they like me very much. I am not certain why. I just get this feeling, even though we have known each other for some time, that maybe this person is one of those that I rub the wrong way without realizing it. Some of these people I confronted at one time or another, to try to make amends. Some I just left alone. So my question is, my bloggy friends, what do you think? Should I say something to this person, who I am not entirely certain, but pretty sure has a problem with me, although I don't know what, or should I just go on? Although, now that I think there may be a problem, I will possibly feel more uncomfortable with them. I have been thinking about this for over a week.

On being 36

Well, in two days, I will no longer be 36. Every year, I turn a year older and don't really think about it. My sister is going to be 40 next month. So, I will be in my 30's and she in her 40's. Ha. I am SOOOO much younger than her!

Why it is good to have a birthday:

You get to blow out all the candles on your birthday cake.
There are going to be a lot of candles on my birthday cake.
But more on my sister's.
Scott makes me a birthday cake on my birthday.
which means my husband will be cooking in the kitchen.
I get to eat cake...
and the calories don't count on your birthday.
I get birthday cards.
some with money in them(?)
so I get to get something for me, instead of for the kids.
JCPenney sent me a $15 gift cert for my birthday.
I get a free appetizer at Red Lobster.
And at Johnny Carino's.
And a free dessert at Bucca Di Beppo.
If I go to all these places.
And, if I don't go, I get to save all kinds of money.
Dad is coming out to babysit the girls, so we can go out.
If the fire doesn't threaten his house.
The girls will get me a birthday card.
And Scott is taking the day off of work.
So I don't have to get up with him at 4am.
Which means, I get to sleep in on my birthday.
And do whatever I want.
Which is, to spend time with my family.
And, most importantly, my God loves me.