Christmas

Monday

We continued watching Marvel movies in the morning. Maggie slept in. I exercised. I think I have figured out what happened with my back. So. As soon as my back went out I bought a book about fixing your back using preventative measures (i.e. no meds or surgeries). One of the things they espouse is the importance of walking, biking, everything with your core braced.

As I started walking with my core braced, I immediately realized it felt weird and was tiring. I have been slouching my shoulders forward (and where does that put all my upper body weight? right on the low back). I think it went out so bad because I work out so much with bad form. Rather than evenly distributing my weight across my entire core, my slouch made my low back carry everything. This is good. I can fix this. Right now I'm aiming to do (every day) a proper warm up, a series of back exercises, a walk, and thorough stretching. Once this no longer makes my mid to upper back muscles sore, I'll start adding back other exercises (making sure I'm doing everything with my core braced). Wish me luck!

I had a grocery order to pick up so Ruby and I got ready and told Maggie we were leaving. And! the car wouldn't start again. I immediately knew why. Back in the early fall (or sometime, I don't remember) I got rear ended. It wasn't bad at all. The trunk still mostly closed, minor damage. The lady gave me her information, but when I started trying to get her insurance to pay for the damage, they couldn't find her. I didn't get any further information about her so I thought, eh forget it.

But! that minor damage is the reason I couldn't get the hitch (that's why my frame is just barely bent). And because the trunk won't engage all the way, there is a little light back there that is always on. Which is why the battery keeps dying. We had to get someone to come out and jump us and then we went to Firestone.

It took forever. The girls weren't horrible. Ruby was loud and all over the place but it could have been worse. Maggie was fine. The car people said they would charge me $100 to investigate the problem of the light. No, thanks. So now I guess I go back to my insurance and try to fix my car using uninsured driver insurance. Wish me luck!

After spending at least five days at Firestone (approximately), we went to get groceries. On the way, Ruby asked if we were getting ice cream. No. She was insistent she needed ice cream. I kept telling her we would get some another time. Then when the lady brought our groceries out, Ruby yelled, "Ma'am, ma'am, we need ice cream!"

We came home and unpacked everything and I decided, since I was going out that night, to attempt a nap. It was. . . a failure. In the fourth or fifth Game of Thrones book, the church tortures the former queen, Cersei, by having the nuns come wake her up every 15 minutes 24 hours a day, every day. It was something like that. Mom, Maggie won't turn on Home Alone. Mom, I'm tired too. Mom! Mom!

After that, I got ready and got the girls ready to go to Grandpa's house for the evening. Right as we were expecting him, our neighbors knocked to ask us to go the park with them. Bummer. Then we just stayed outside and played. The weather has been gorgeous.

I went out with Laurie, Jeff, Thomas, Thrusha, Chris Moore and a friend of his, Brandon. We had a great time. The girls hung out at Grandpa's house but, of course, Ruby couldn't go to sleep there. Grandpa brought them back here and she went right out.

Tuesday

Even through Ruby went to bed like two hours later than normal, she was up just a few minutes later than normal. Typical. We hung out in the morning and just puttered. I took the girls to Grandpa's house mid-morning so they could open presents over there with Jill and Ella.

I came home and passed out. Thank goodness I woke up in the general vicinity of when I was supposed to pick them up. We came home and baked cookies for Santa Claus, made spinach casserole for Christmas Eve dinner, and did laundry.

After all the cooking, we started getting ready. We all took a shower and once Maggie and I got out, we kept hearing Ruby call for us. I thought she was asking for a towel so I asked Maggie to go help her. When I came back in the room, Maggie was trying not to laugh and Ruby was still upset. Maggie said, she says she still needs to clean her elbows. And sure enough Ruby was howling from the shower about cleaning her elbows. That kid.

We got ready and got over to Laurie's. My first job was to keep Thomas company outside while he watched the turkey cook. Then I went to Laurie's room. She was way behind so I kept her company. She did Ella's hair and then got herself ready.

Aunt Sherry and Uncle Lee were there for the first time in four years!!! The whole evening was so perfect. Everyone had fun and the food was amazing and the kids were cute.

After that we came home. Ruby had a hard time falling asleep. Two late nights is hard for her. Maggie went straight down. She knows the deal. I had to put together the stupid easel. Ugh.

Wednesday

Maggie woke me up a million times. First, I was telling her, not until the sun comes up. And then not until Ruby wakes up. Maggie was relentless. Finally we heard Ruby make one noise and she burst in there. Turns out Ruby was not awake but she got up.

Maggie tore in. Ruby just sat and looked at some of the things from her stocking. She doesn't really get the tearing into presents thing. Maggie and I had to keep calling her over to even open hers. But eventually everything was opened and they played and ate candy and cookies and I drank my coffee.

Laurie texted us a few minutes to nine and said they just woke up and to give them 30 minutes. So we drove over and watched her girls have Christmas and then most of the adults did stockings. It was fun. Me and Jeff have (mostly me) been messing with Laurie about being petite, which she hates because she is NOT petite. Like all things, if it didn't bug her so much, it wouldn't be fun. When Jeff and I were told to do Laurie's stocking, we were coordinating and I had the brilliant idea to get her petite-sized pants. We were so excited for the burn of it. And man it was perfect. I found a really nice (and very new looking) pants at Goodwill. They were size 2 petite. Perfect. Laurie pulled them out and started to say how much she liked them and then she saw the P. It was perfect.

We watched the kids play and talked and drank and ate delicious food and just chilled. No one got out of pajamas. It was blissful. My kids went to their Dad's around 1 or so. Then Laurie and Jeff and the girls and Thomas and Thrusha went to Sally and Bruce's house. Alan and Emily went home. I went home and took a glorious nap.

My kids came home at 7. Ruby needed to go straight to bed, but she insisted she needed to eat. I made her a bowl of oatmeal and finally got her to bed. Maggie and I stayed up and read. Then Maggie switched to TV. I made her go to bed at 10:30 pm because I didn't want her to sleep too late.

Thursday

Ruby messed up her clock somehow so the light isn't coming on. I keep meaning to fix it, except she knocks at the exactly right time every morning. How????

We came out and she's played and watched TV and whatever. I drank coffee in my special new coffee cup. Mischief managed.

Jeff and I had made plans to take the big girls to the new (AND LAST) Star Wars. But when Maggie woke up, she insisted she didn't want to go. She said they are too scary for her and that's that. Fine! At first I thought I'd take Ruby but that would have been bad. So instead Maggie and Ruby stayed with Grandpa and Jeff and I took Ella. Ha!

It was SOOOOOOO good. I loved it so much. I literally laughed, cried, and clapped. Just one clap but I felt it. A spectacular ending to the best six movies (the first three suck and nothing can change that).

After that, I checked in on the dogs and then went and got the girls. Then we went to Laurie's house. It was fun. All the kids mostly got along. Ruby and Jilli, surrounded by 9000000 new toys, managed to fight about a couple of toys.

We finally left in time to feed the dogs and mostly put Ruby to bed in time. Oh Maggie and Ella begged for a sleepover. That never goes badly.

Anyway, we came home. I put Ruby to bed and fed the dogs. I went to bed kind of early. I guess I've been getting used to naps and I didn't get one.

Farewell, Puddles

Monday

Ruby is sleeping great. She's still pooping liquid, but this seems to have zero effect on her. Monday night the girls took a shower together. First, there was much meanness and fighting but then they were happy and played nicely.

Maggie and I read Harry Potter.

It's funny I bought weighted blankets for me and Ruby because we both have trouble with sleeping. And it has helped but, of course, Maggie is obsessed with my blanket. She says it's like a hug. So now I have to buy her a weighted blanket.

Tuesday

Another great sleep night.

We did the big yearly doctor appointment today. I picked up the girls around 1 or so and we went to Dr. Roopani. Ruby has a new thing where she tells Maggie, stop innerupping (interrupting) me! But it's basically any time Maggie speaks. Oh we went back and forth. Ruby would get so upset and say she wanted to talk and Maggie would get mad. Then everything was fine.

The girls are getting along so much better. Sometimes they play together and are sweet and it warms my heart.

At the appointment! So I went first and the doctor wanted to check my back. She said the problem is definitely that my muscles in my hips and butt are so tight they are hurting my lower back. But why??? Why still? I'm stretching every day. Why is this now a problem? What changed?

Ruby did great. She can see and hear and understood much more of what they wanted her to do this year. Dr. Roopani was concerned with how often Ruby gets sick. She asked if she gets sick more than six times a year. Ha! She's been sick more than six times since school started. She said if it continues she might get her tested for allergies or something. It is perplexing to me. She gets sick a lot.

Maggie did great. She refused to let the doctor look below her belt but we respected that. She shamed me about eating habits. I really have given up but I guess you're not supposed to that.

Then! Oh dear, then came the shots. Maggie immediately freaked out. I told her to stop, because she was going to scare Ruby. Ruby went first and was a little shocked but fine. Then it was Maggie's turn. She was in full panic. I was telling her everything I knew, breathe, calm down, it'll hurt if you're panicked. But nothing worked. So, finally, another nurse came in and we RESTRAINED Maggie and gave her the shots. She bawled. It was ridiculous. She continued crying in the car while I talked her through calming breaths. All night she kept telling me how her arm still hurts and she can barely use it.

In the evening, I got a text from the basset rescue that Puddles has an application. Someone wants to adopt her! They asked me to call the lady tomorrow!

Wednesday

Maggie inquired whether she would be forced to attend school today, what with her grievous arm injury. My eyes hurt from rolling. I'm trying to remind myself that Maggie is very sensitive and, to her, this probably is a big deal and I shouldn't be an asshole about it. And I'm not! But on the inside, oh my God.

I talked to the lady who wants to adopt Puddles. She has another senior basset, a boy, named Solo. Oh my buttercup. I'll miss her but this is the point of fostering.

I got the girls right after school and we just hung out at the house. They took a shower together and it's so cute. Maggie still really likes to play and I think playing with Ruby is fun for her, even if she won't admit it.

I updated all my through the years albums. I was looking at the NYE one with Ruby and the first year is 2007/2008. So it's just me and Richard. I told Ruby, I didn't know it yet but Maggie was already in my tummy. Ruby said, yeah. . . and I'm in Daddy's tummy.

Thursday

Maggie called me from her school at 10 something. She said, Mom, my class party starts in five minutes, can you come? I told her no, I was working. So she asked if someone else could come. I told her probably ten people could have come, but no one can come on five minutes notice. She must have known or gotten some paper or something to give me and I would have come.

When I picked her up, she wanted to go to the movies. I felt guilty (even though it was her fault!) so we went. We saw the second Jumanji movie. Ruby was not too interested. She ran around the theater (which, thank goodness, was almost empty), but Maggie and I enjoyed it.

Friday

Ruby had her last day at school. We didn't go until late. Maggie slept in and Ruby and I just kinda puttered. I drank coffee and she played and ate and watched Sesame Street.

Maggie went to Nana and Gran's. I had to have an electrician come out to put in the outlet for the stove. It turns out there are only three wires in that area that run to the box thing and all outlets are supposed to be four prong. It's quite expensive to add a wire so they used a box that acts like a converter. Unfortunately that means the stove isn't grounded. Hopefully that's okay. 

Saturday

Ruby's cough has been back off and on. It's not horrible but jeez. I usually only hear it when she's laying down (poor thing). 

We watched Marvel movies which was quite fun. I don't think we did anything else.

Sunday

Ruby and I continued watching Marvel movies. She isn't really interested in TV at all. She'll watch for a minute or two and then wander off and do something else. 

Maggie eventually came home. She likes the Marvel movies but only once they are actually on. 

Oh! I forgot. Puddles. So they did a home study for the lady who wants to adopt Puddles and it went great. She lives in Oklahoma and she's going to drive down on Friday to get Puddles. My baby!

This is her new family.

You serious, Clark?

Monday

My back woke me up twice in the night spasming. Why?!? I'm doing everything right. I'm going to all the people. I'm warming up, walking, and stretching. So, stop it.

I also have a fever. I don't actually feel so bad, just body aches, but come on! The PT place called me and said they had an opening if I wanted to come today so I did.

This time she decided to focus on my IT band. It was funny (except not) I feel like one side is markedly tighter so she started on that side. And it hurt but the other side was insane. I'm not sure why I don't feel it.

I got the girls after that. We watched Christmas Vacation. Ruby didn't really get it, but it's one of me and Maggie's favorites.

Ruby had a hard time falling asleep. She just kept coughing. I finally gave her some ibuprofen and that seemed to do the trick.

Maggie and I read Harry Potter after Ruby went to bed.

Tuesday

Ruby tried to take her clock apart to figure out how to get the green light to come on. Not cool. I was up off and on all night. Body aches and man that IT band area hurts. I don't know what else to do besides keep on doing what I'm doing.

Maggie did not want to go to school today. There was a very small chance for a snow day and she was so disappointed it didn't come through.

We had another boring evening. The girls watched Home Alone 2. Ruby was so sad when she had to go to bed. She wanted to finish the movie. I don't think she feels good. Poor girl.

She did wake up at 10:30 and said she was hungry. I got her a granola bar and told her to go back to sleep. Maggie fell asleep early too. I still have a bit of a fever.

Wednesday

Ruby slept the rest of the way through the night. Woohoo!!!

I picked the girls up early from the school. The plan was to go visit Santa and then go to the movies. But everything took considerably longer than planned so we just saw Santa. Maggie decided she didn't want to sit with Santa this year. It's the end of an era.

When we got home I let them watch Home Alone 3, which was awful. I mean, duh, but really, really awful. I gave Ruby extra allergy meds at bedtime. That cough is awful.

Maggie and I hung out the rest of the evening. She's mostly given up on begging to continue watching tv or other screens.

Thursday

Ruby slept great. When she started banging to tell me her light was green, I was seriously dead to the world. Hooray for good sleep!!!

I don't remember what we did Thursday night so probably not much.

Friday

I woke up with swollen tonsils and Maggie told me her throat hurt so I let her stay home from school. Ruby went. Maggie seemed like she felt fine by like 10 am. She's never sick!

Friday night we watched the new Grinch movie and ate BBQ. Maggie and Ruby played together and it was so awesome. They laughed and were sweet and it made me so happy. Ruby asked Maggie to put her to bed and came and told me, you can't come in. Ha! Fine by me.

Saturday

Ruby was up and down several times. I was so tired. I slept and then I went to work and then I came home and slept more. Then we took Spot on a walk. Ruby insisted she wasn't going to make it. I had to give her a piggyback ride. It was weird. After that we went to the library.

Then Ruby passed out on me. She has a bit of a fever. Poor kid. I finally just put her to bed.

Puddles got a Christmas box from the foster group. She got a new bed and she hasn't gotten off of it. She's so beautiful. She also got a toy and some treats and a harness and leash.

Sunday

Ruby is better. Well, her fever is better. She is pooping liquid. I'm going to have her bathe in hand sanitizer. We didn't do much. What can you do when one is pooping liquid?

Son of a nutcracker!

Friday

Much better night. Ruby insisted on going to bed pretty early last night but she slept until almost regular time. She is not respecting the green light. But I think she's really hungry because she's mostly refusing to eat any dinner. So. . .

My back is feeling better, but the muscles in my hips and upper back are so tight, I'm sure from compensating for the injury. I decided to get a massage and they added Rapid Tension Relief, which is a thing that punches your muscles and gets them to release and then they do the massage. It was amazing. I'm still sore but it's definitely getting much better. Fingers crossed.

I got the girls at regular time and we just hung out. Maggie was being mean and light dawned on me that she's had way more screen time than regular due to my ridiculous back. So I immediately turned everything off and told her we were going on another hiatus.

I put Ruby to bed and Melinda, Laurie's babysitter, came right after. I went out to have dinner with Laurie, Jeff, Ashley, and Cam for Laurie's birthday. We had a great time.

Maggie seemed to have had a good time with Melinda as well.

Saturday

I let Maggie sleep in and Ruby and I got up at regular time. Well, Ruby woke up a few minutes early and I got up and then, again, light dawned, and I thought wait, no, she doesn't get out until her light is green. So I ignored her until her light was green. I reminded her about her light and that she cannot come out until it is on and, if she does, she can play a game on my phone.

We watched Frozen and did this and that. I had to work for a little while. When I got home, Ruby and I walked the dogs. In the afternoon, I let everyone watch screens so I could take a nap. Then Maggie insisted she was bored and wanted to go somewhere. We went to the library first. Maggie loves the library. She always gets several books and just loves going.

After that we stopped at the grocery store and I let them each pick out a box of candy for a movie night. After that we went to the park for a while. They made friends and ran like crazy. I walked the whole time. It's got to be helping. . . right?

Then we went home. I made popcorn and we watched The Santa Clause. When I put Ruby to bed, I reminded her (AGAIN) about her light and that I will not come in there before it's on. I've also been putting a granola bar in there in case she's hungry.

I was going to read to Maggie, but all she wanted to do was read her library books.

Sunday

Ruby did not make a sound until her light turned green! Woohoo!!! We exercised and walked the dogs while Maggie slept in. Then we all got ready and went to church. I got mixed up on the time so we were late, which oh my goodness! After, I made the girls some popcorn and made soup to go in the crockpot. Then we watched Elf. I love that movie.

I had asked Laurie and Jeff if they wanted to hang out today but they were busy. But then Ella and Maggie got on the FB thing and begged and I guess more begging happened and eventually I got a text from Jeff asking if we wanted to meet up for dinner (Laurie was heading out of town). I was in sweatpants and Jeff was in pj's but we soldiered on and put on pants and met up.

The girls were crazy. Like they've never seen each other. Never been in public. And haven't eaten in days. But nobody broke anything or got kicked out or choked. Winning.

Ruby went straight to bed when we got home. Maggie and I played Moose in the House and then read some Harry Potter.

Keeping on

The weekend

The girls spent pretty much the whole weekend with their Dad, which was great because oh my goodness, my back. It hurt so bad. I was trying to walk and stretch and nothing seemed to help. I went back and forth with Laurie trying to guess what could be wrong and she suggested, you old. Very helpful.

Sunday

We had our rescheduled Thanksgiving lunch at Luby's. Richard brought the girls. My back was feeling better. It was a great lunch.

Grandpa wanted to get the girls to have them help with decorating his house. When we got home, I made the girls help me clean. I just couldn't do it by myself. I'm bad about making them clean. It's so much easier to do it myself, but that's not doing anyone any favors.

When Grandpa picked them up, I asked him to bring our Christmas tree in from the garage because I just did not think I could do it. I was able to get it set up.

When the girls got home, we ate dinner and watched Home Alone.

Monday

I took the girls to school and went straight to a PT appointment. When I had the diastasis recti thing, I went to a lady to fix it. She was great. Now she owns her own company so I made an appointment at one of her offices with another lady.

She did a bunch of tests and we talked. She told me that what she thinks happened is that when I was sick and stopped stretching for a long time, my muscles got super tight. For whatever reason, I have extremely tight hamstrings and hips, all that area. It causes a lot of problems. She said that when your muscles get too tight, there can be biochemical something something in there and that just stretching won't work. She said eventually the stuff will dissipate but it can take months. So she does dry needling to force the muscles to release. Dry needling is basically getting a needle shoved into your muscle and then they wiggle it around until the muscle spasms and releases. Super fun. I'm supposed to continue stretching often and taking walks to try to keep everything open and moving.

I have two end-of-term papers due Wednesday so I got home and set down to get started and, I swear, the second I opened my computer, my phone rang. It was Ruby's school. She had a fever and had to come home. When I got her, they said she can't come back until at least Wednesday. Oy vey!

I told Ruby I had to work and told her to be cool. And she kind of was. We went and got Maggie a few minutes before school was over. I told Maggie to turn on something for them so I could keep working. This week is so busy!

Ruby insisted on going to bed early, which was weird, but I guess she doesn't feel good. She doesn't seem too sick. The school said her temp was 100.0 so. . . She's been coughing a little. I gave her expectorant and some ibuprofen and let her go to bed more than an hour earlier than usual.

Maggie and I read a chapter and then she played on her computer game.

Tuesday

Ruby woke up twice in the night. The first time was 2 am and she said she needed to throw up, but she didn't. I'm guessing it was just drainage. Then she woke up around 4 am and wanted to get up. I told her no but I gave her a granola bar because she said she was hungry.

At actual wake up time, we got up and took Maggie to school. Then we walked the dogs. Puddles is still limping and Buddy was outside and saw us walking away and started running after us crying, so we cut the walk short and took Puddles and Buddy home. Then we went back out with just Spot. After both walks, I did all of my stretches. I definitely feel so much better. I don't think I could ride my bike or run, but a couple of days ago I could barely walk, so progress!

When we got home, we took a shower. I hoped it would help break up Ruby's congestion. I told her I had to work and she mostly respected that. She did make a mess (although the whole house is a mess!) but what are you gonna do? I finished my longer paper and turned it in.

Then we ran errands. I went back to the chiropractor. Then to U-haul. The plan was to get a hitch so I could attach a bike rack. But! It turns out my frame is just barely bent and he couldn't attach it. So, bummer. I can ride on the 287 frontage road but it's kinda scary. As long as I go mid-morning there's very little traffic.

After that, we picked up Maggie from school. I finished my second (and last for the semester!!!) paper. Grandpa picked up the girls and took them to dinner. They put up outdoor Christmas lights too.

I realized that Maggie has both a field trip tomorrow and a dentist appointment. I told her sorry, but dentist comes first. I hope this is helpful for remembering why it's important to brush your teeth. We'll see.

She told me a girl in after school care was being mean to her again and I asked her why. She said someone told the girl she'd been talking about her but she hadn't. Then she said, I always try to give her advice and she gets mad at me. So I explained (unsolicited) that no one likes unsolicited advice and that, if this girl doesn't ask for advice, she shouldn't offer it. People feel like that's an insult and are likely to insult you back. Will she take that to heart? We'll see.

Wednesday

Ruby woke up early, but only by like an hour so she was NOT going back in her room. Then I had to let stupid Puddles out. Gosh, I can't remember, I guess I just got up. For reference, it's 3:19 now and I cannot remember this morning. Laurie was right; I am old! Although not as old as her.

I had Ruby sing happy birthday for a video for Laurie. At the end Ruby refused to say, I'll see you tonight. So I posted the video on FB and wrote, only minor subordination; happy birthday, we'll see you tonight. Then Laurie posted that Ruby was uninvited and, because it's fun to mess with kids (she messes with me way more than the other way around!), I videoed Ruby telling her that Aunt Laurie said she couldn't come. She was indignant and I think accidentally said, I'll see you tonight.

I was going to keep her home cos why not, but then I decided to send her to school. Oh I'm so glad I did. I woke Maggie up and everyone got ready. Maggie did not take the dental appointment well. It was very dramatic. I cannot imagine if I'd had both of them there. Ruby would have freaked out. I had to hold Maggie's hands and talk to her to keep her calm. Afterwards, I told her over and over, as long as you brush your teeth every day, with toothpaste, twice a day, for the whole time, you'll never get another cavity. Fingers crossed.

Later, we had to take Puddles to the vet. Guess whether or not a massively fat basset hound can get herself into a car. I tried to make sure I used my legs but it still didn't feel great. She has a swollen toe and because of her size and shape, she can't really limp to let it heal. She needs all four legs. So they put her on pain meds and antibiotics to try to fix whatever is wrong.

Maggie and I finished decorating for Christmas. This is the latest we've ever done it, but man, it's hard to decorate with a bad back. I'm so over my back. Get better!

At night, we went to Laurie's birthday party at Moni's. It was very nice and yummy. It was me and mine, Laurie, Jeff, Ella, Jill, Grandpa, Sally, Bruce, and Uncle Steve.

Ruby woke up crying at 11 something. I went in there and rocked her and put her back to bed. I think I'm going to try to get her a weighted blanket. It just kind of dawned on me that maybe that would help her sleep.

Thursday

Ruby woke up a little early. She wanted to just go stare at the Christmas tree. So that's what she did. I was grumpy. My stupid back! It's not even that it's that bad. It's just. . . it's been hurting for almost a month. That's insane.

I got the girls around 4 and we just hung out at home. Ruby and I took the dogs for a walk. Puddles is doing much better.

Ah, my back!

Monday

Ruby slept in. I woke up when my watch buzzed and didn't hear anything from her. I thought I would let her sleep. I let the dogs out and just waited. Finally, at an hour, I couldn't wait. I had to go check on her. She was awake. Her green light (that tells her she's allowed to get up) only stays on for 30 minutes past wake up time. She slept longer than that and it had turned back off. She was a little confused. What a good girl though!

I took her to school and let Maggie sleep in. You have to be careful with Maggie. She will gladly stay up all night and sleep all day. I don't like sleeping too late too often and, of course, Ruby does not sleep in. Not really.

While I was working out this morning, I told Maggie that no one had even inquired about adopting Puddles. Maggie said, that's because she's fat and ugly. Which, okay, no, she's freaking gorgeous. And svelte, she's lost 14 pounds. That's a lot for a short little dog.

Puddles is limping today. I tried to take her on her walk but I brought her back. She's moving very slowly today and sleeping a lot. Poor old lady. And then with the insults she has to hear!

Maggie wanted to go the library. When we got there, she asked if she could get her own library card. The librarian helped her and I let her answer all the questions. It was quite cute.

We went and got Ruby next. Then we went home and ate lunch. During lunch, Ruby said, oh I eat my cheek. I said, oh did you bite it? She said, yes, sometimes I eat my tongue and it hurts.

After lunch, we went to the Fort Worth Botanic Garden. We got stopped walking in and told we had to buy tickets. I didn't remember that you had to pay. Oh well, it goes towards conservation. It was great. It's so beautiful. We saw the garden where Laurie and Jeff got married. We went to the Japanese gardens. We saw two weddings. On a Monday!

At night, I started feeling bad. My neck hurt so bad. It was strange, I can't think of anything I might have done to hurt it. I went to bed pretty early.

Tuesday

When Ruby woke up, I was still so tired. I got her ready and took her to school. Then I came home and went back to sleep! I feel so much better. I still don't know what was wrong but oh well.

Maggie's glasses were missing in the morning. She insisted Ruby must have stolen them. Because I was so tired, I genuinely was unsure. We found them in the glasses case in the kitchen. She swears she didn't put them there, but man, I have a hard time believing Ruby stole them and put them in such a reasonable place.

I had to write a paper today so Maggie played on the computer until her time was up and then.  .  . communicated with Ella over the phone. They use stuff I don't know about. Skype, maybe. Kids FB messenger. It's very strange.

When we got Ruby I asked her if she had picked up Maggie's glasses. She said, welllllll (which I knew meant yes). It turns out she saw them on Maggie's side table and thought they were lost, so she picked them up, found her glasses case, and put them in there so they wouldn't be lost. Which is entirely reasonable. It's like she a human and not a firecracker/hurricane.

The girls had a dentist appointment. This would be Ruby's first. She was worried it would hurt but I told her it will be just like when we see Dr. Roopani, they are just checking on her teeth. Maggie went by herself to get everything done and I stayed with Ruby. She did great. They were concerned one tooth might have the beginning of a cavity so they want me to brush extra carefully and recheck in six months.

Maggie told the hygienist she doesn't brush her teeth in the morning! I'm so annoyed. I used to watch her every morning but Ruby is actually incapable of getting ready without help, so I trusted Maggie to do those things herself and she wasn't. Which means every morning when I asked, did you brush your teeth and hair, she was lying to me. I'll go back to watching her again.

The natural (and completely un-surprising) consequence is that she has two cavities and plaque build up on the back of her teeth. She was sad and swore she would be better about brushing. We have to go back next week to do whatever they do to cavities.

We had planned on seeing Frozen 2 today and I told Ella to tell her mother. Of course her mother is still sick so Ella (smart girl that she is) thought to message her Dad. He texted me and we coordinated a time and place to take all four girls.

I had to go back to the chiropractor. My back is killing me. What did I do???? And why is it not getting better??? I have a whole list of things I'm going to try (preventative measures) once it's better. Fingers crossed.

There was a dog at the chiropractor. The lady had a badge that said something about seeing eye dogs, like that the lady was a trainer. The dog looked like a slightly bigger LaRue, not at all like a seeing eye dog. I don't know. They let Ruby pet her and she was such a good girl. I usually hate taking her anywhere but she is so much better. She's truly becoming. . . not a menace.

Frozen 2 was good. The girls were great. They all ate and sat and weren't too loud. Fantastic.

At one point, I kept seeing something go across the screen and I could not figure it out. I kept looking and I could swear something was flying in the theater. I thought maybe a toy or something, but no, it was a bird or a bat. Poor thing. It was gone after a few minutes. Hopefully it found a way out.

As we were leaving, Jill walked into another aisle and appeared to drink from a completely random cup. I asked her and she said, no I was just looking. Jeff and I were laughing our heads off. Just looking?

Oh! I forgot. Maggie has been selected to help tutor second graders in math. I'm so proud. She is such an awesome kid.

Wednesday

My back! Oh my. It was so bad we couldn't go to the pre-TG dinner at Luby's. I had to ask Grandpa to pick up Ruby from daycare. Oh I hurt so bad. I tried to walk and stretch as much as possible, but that was not much. I was just in so much pain.

Thursday

I was determined to get to Thanksgiving at Aunt Susie/Mamaw's house no matter what. I actually had to go in sweatpants and flip flops because I could not put on regular shoes. We had a very nice time. Aunt Susie gave me a big ice pack and then let me use her heating pad for about 30 minutes each and that helped a lot.