OMG

OK, I really thought that other water slide was scary.  Then I did it and it was all fine.  This one, the yellow one, on the other hand, was really scary.  And it was not fine.

My 13-yr-old and my husband (for now, anyway) "forced" me to go on this slide.  We climbed up four flights of steps.  My heart was pounding, my palms were sweating, and I was really, really panicking.  I looked at the life guard and asked him how bad it was.  He took my hand.  He told me, "it's only 3 seconds.  You'll be fine."

As you sit at the top, it is STRAIGHT down.  I can't believe I did it.  I sat at the top, crossed my ankles and arms, and plunged straight down.  I was so scared I couldn't even scream.  I'm not sure how long it will take me to forgive myself for getting talked into that one.  I guess I am too old.

I Guess I'm Not Too Old Yet!

No, this is not me.  It's my middle child coming off one of the water slides at our resort.  But I also found myself flying down this water slide.

 When we planned this vacation with the boys, I have to admit that I had a certain amount of dread deep down inside somewhere.  A resort with 2 water parks?  What are we thinking?  But I figured since DH and I got our trip to France and Scotland (sans kids), we could take the kids someplace that they'd really enjoy.  We even signed up for the Family Fun Package that comes with up to 5 (yeah, 5) free pizzas, 5 vouchers for 100 tokens each for use at the arcade, free bowling, etc.  

When we got here we headed straight for the indoor water park.  It has an impressive number of slides and rides as well as the other water park stuff.  After spending some time in the hot tub, the boys really wanted me to experience some of the other stuff with them.  So we headed up a flight of stairs.  Then we went up another flight of stairs, turned on a landing, and went up another flight of stairs.  We were at the python plunge.  The huge black and orange body flume has a closed section that winds around for a story or so, then an open section that shoots straight down for about 2 stories and ends in a section full of water similar to the one in the picture above.

As my turn approached I started to panic.  I could feel my heart pounding.  I was thinking "I'm too old for this".  I was wondering if Liam and Rowan would believe any excuse I could come up with not to go down this slide.  I was sure that I'd somehow make a fool of myself.  But their smiling encouragement was too much for me.  I couldn't disappoint them.  

I stood at the top of the slide waiting for the life guard to give me the nod.  When he did, I got myself into position (on my back, ankles crossed, arms across my chest) and let go.  I was plunged into darkness.  As I slid through the darkness I told myself "You're fine, Barb.  This is nothing.  The kids can do it."  Then I couldn't help but scream as I plunged through the near vertical section to waiting boys.  It was awesome!  I loved it.  I'd forgotten what that adrenaline rush was like.  So I'm 43.  But I'm not too old to enjoy a day at the water park with my kids.  Five days, I'm not sure.  But since I've survived two of them so far, I'm optimistic.

"I'm Busted!"

Sassy here.  I got busted in the living room.  I know I'm not supposed to go in there.  Something about there needing to be a room in the house that non-dog people can go and not be molested by Ginger and me.  But I'm a firm believer that there is no such thing as a non-dog person!  And look at the white couch!  My tiny black hairs look great on that couch.  

I've only gotten busted once before.  Barb and the boys brought home freshly dried starfish from their trip to Oregon.  They figured they could leave them in the living room since Ginger and I know not to go in there.  But they smelled so good.  We couldn't help ourselves.  We gobbled them up in 3 seconds flat.  When the family got home they found regurgitated starfish in several places and were smart enough to figure out who'd done it.  Man, those humans are smart!

Well, I better get this post wrapped up and get off this couch!  Ginger and I have snoozing and yard watching to do.  Thanks for stopping by!

Sassy

Mystery Solved

A few days ago I went out to the deck to pick 3 ripe tomatoes.  When I got out there, all 3 had been chewed on.  Even a couple of the green ones had been eaten.  I figured it must be a squirrel.  There's one that always gets into our bird feeder.  I also considered the possibility that my next-door neighbor had made a late-night visit to my deck to try my tomatoes.  She had threatened to steal them when she learned we were growing some.  (She loves home-grown tomatoes!)

Last night I went out to check on them again.  This time, not only were the tomatoes all half-eaten, most of the leaves were gone too.  And this huge, yet beautiful, bug was happily munching on one of the green tomatoes.  Isn't he incredible!  He was at least 3 inches long.  As I was admiring him, I saw another one as big as this one.  And another one!  In all, there were 5 huge ones and a baby one. (The first picture is the baby one)

A quick search on the internet revealed that this is a problematic agricultural pest called the tomato horn worm.  They are the larvae of a huge moth called the hummingbird moth (because it is as big as a hummingbird).

My 3 boys wanted to put them in a terrarium and let them transform in their rooms.  I vetoed the idea based on the fact that 1. they probably wouldn't survive (they over-winter in the soil and I didn't think we could recreate the soil and temperature requirements, and 2. I didn't think it would be responsible to release the moths if they did emerge since this is an incredibly damaging insect to tomato crops.

So I got rid of them.  I was labeled a murderer (even though I couldn't bring myself to kill them - they are too big and squishy - I put them in a plastic bag in the trash).  And I'm happy to report that my tomato plant has a bunch of tiny new leaves on the mostly bare stems and even one baby tomato.

Lend me your ears!

I couldn't help but post this picture.  This is Buster.  And, yes, he is a basset hound.  Have you ever seen anything so cute?  This little guy was purchased by a guy to wanted a hunting dog.   But even though he's still a puppy, he wasn't a good enough hunter for his owner.  So what's a guy to do?  Shoot him of course!  Really.  No.  I mean, really.  That's what the plan was!  But lucky for him, he wound up at Hope Rescues in Alton and now has been adopted by a new family.

Thank God for people like Kim and Jackie.  Check them out.  They have a facebook page.  Or you can see them at hoperescues.com

Diabetes Sucks!

Welcome to my pity party.  I guess I'm just feeling sorry for myself today.  I was trying to fold a load of laundry but had to lie down.  (I'm lying on the couch writing this).  For those of you who don't know, I have type 2 diabetes, the most common form and the one that doesn't always require insulin therapy.  I'm not using insulin but am trying to control my blood sugars with other medications.  Two of my diabetes meds cause nausea.  I have it just about every day. Usually it is mild enough to ignore.   But today it is augmented by one of my other meds (which makes me feel like I've got a whopper of a hangover when I forget to take it.  I forgot to take it yesterday so I have the whopper hangover today). 

I know that this disease is not the worst thing in the world.  A friend whom I've known since I was a freshman in high school is battling breast cancer, for God's sake.  And type 1 diabetics have a much harder time of it than I do.  But it sucks nonetheless.  When I'm being "good" I check my blood sugar 3 times a day (or I might just have a period of denial or apathy that lasts for weeks when I don't check at all).   I have to think about the carbs in every meal.  I have to remember to eat even when I feel sick to my stomach.  I have to resist feeling deprived when everyone is having some sinful, delicious dessert.  I have to keep in mind, that even though this disease is not going to kill me right away, if I don't stay on top of it, the constant increased blood glucose levels will damage the tiny blood vessels in my eyes leading to increased risk for blindness, in my kidneys leading to increased risk of kidney failure, and in my extremities leading to increased risk of amputation.  My DH helpfully suggests that I close my eyes, hop on one foot, and imagine myself on dialysis whenever I want to ignore the fact that I have this disease.  I guess increased risk of heart attack and stroke are also worth paying attention to.

I got a "welcome" kit in the mail today from the manufacturer of my newest medication.  It's an injectable (not insulin) drug and the company sent the kit with some info and a carrying case for the injection pen.  It's nice, of course, to have all the information available.  And to have "stuff" to help you deal with everyday issues of a chronic disease.  But today it feels more like a "welcome to my nightmare" kit than a "welcome" kit.  

And when I'm feeling sorry for myself, like today, I really miss my dad.  He had diabetes for 40 something years.  When I was pregnant he gave me pep-talks and pointers on insulin injections and reminded me that it wasn't that bad after all.  He didn't let diabetes keep him from flying airplanes or winning a road race in his 1990 corvette ZR1.  (or spending my inheritance in the process!)  I guess I can get up off this couch and finish folding the laundry.  Besides, my DS's last t-ball game is today.  I can't let a little nausea keep me from that.

You Shall Not Pass!

Driving in Scotland

We've seen road blocks before.  But we were a little taken aback when we came across this one in Scotland.  

This particular road block was encountered on the beautiful island of Islay off the west coast of Scotland.