There is No Place Like Home

South Florida is the place I still consider home. Even though I moved away in 1995. I still call my parent’s house home even though I now have a home where I am paying the mortgage.

This Thanksgiving, I was very excited to be going back home and spending over a week at home. I would have plenty of time with family and friends and get see family who I only see a couple times a year and see friends who I see even less.

I had planned out my trip day to day, whom I would see, what I would be doing. Looking forward to each and every day. But, sometimes when you make plans, you have no control of how they go.

Eli has flown several times and we have never had problems. I believe this trip was his sixth flight. This was the first flight were he cried. The entire descent on the plane, my sweet little boy cried. He would not take the milk I offered him or the cookies. He was in pain and I was in pain for him.

The second day I was in Florida, I had planned to see a friend who I have known since elementary school and meet her “new” baby. Well, her son is now a year old but new to me since I have not met him before. Eli was not breathing as well as he should be so off to the pediatrician we went. I was really impressed that as a “visitor” and first time patient, I was able to get into the office right away. (Maybe it was the panic in my voice that my son needed a breathing treatment.)

Sure enough, my sweet Eli had an ear infection (his first one) and asthma like symptoms which put him on the neubulizer for a few days. Needless to say, plans were cancelled.

A few days later, sickness strikes again. Eli has a severe allergic reaction to something. His eyes are swollen and look like he has pink makeup on. He has hives all over his body so we go back to the pediatrician.

At the office, I all of a sudden feel nauseous and can’t make it to the bathroom and throw up all over the checkup room. I was embarrassed but felt better. We leave with new medication for Eli and hopes that we will not be returning to the office.

A couple of days later, my brother in law goes to the hospital for what we think is an appendicitis. He is still there currently. I am hoping he is all right. I am hoping between now and when I leave to go back to the home I live in that everyone else will remain healthy.

Going Against the Rules

I have been so busy with work that I have not been able to post here often. I hope it slows down soon so I can fill the web pages with all the accomplishments my little one is undertaking.

Today, though, when I write I am going against the rules. Why, you say? Well, I said that I would not write about my MIL on here. I wouldn't because it is a sore topic between my husband and I and he occasionally reads the blog.

MIL was on IM with husband and looking for flights to visit. She gave him two options of dates in January - a 6 day trip or 7 day trip. Hubby asked me which I preferred and I said the 6 day trip. Why? - he asked. Because it is shorter, I say and he laughs.

Hubby goes back and tell his mom that the 6 day trip is the preferance. A few minutes later, MIL books her flight and it is not for either the 6 or 7 day trip. It is for a 10 day trip. 10 DAYS!!!!! I don't know how I will survive that trip. I can't survive 7 days trips without my blood pressure coming out and numerous fights with hubby about MIL. 10 days of criticism, comments and questions - my blood pressure has already rised and the trip is not for a month and a half.

So, how does hubby feel about this? For once, he actually agrees with me. He actually told his mom that she will need to get a hotel because ten days is too long. It has been a long time since hubby and I have come to some type of agreement about his mom. Unfortunately, I know her and she will not book a hotel unless pressed and pressed so we will see what happens. If she stays here for 10 days, I may end up kicking her out of the house before the trip finishes.

How do you handle your overbearing MIL (or mom)? One who wants you to raise your child- her way. One who does not understand how things have changed since 30 years ago and one who has a comment and question about everything.

Tina

When I think of Tina Turner, I never thought of her as one I would rush out to buy tickets for her concert. The Rolling Stones, maybe, Dave Matthews definitely but not Tina.

Now, my husband is a huge fan. Has been most of his life. And this you do not expect from the rap loving, techno loving person he is.

Anyways, back in May, they announced a Tina Turner concert here in Georgia for November. I asked Lowell is he would like a ticket to the concert as a Father’s Day gift and he said that would be great. We were able to buy tickets early since we had an AMEX card and got great expensive, floor seats.

Fast forward a few months to yesterday- concert day. We hire a babysitter and leave for the concert. I have not been to a concert in three years so was curious to see what t-shirt prices were like. I could not believe that when I entered the arena that a program alone was $30. T-shirts were $40. We were not planning on buying any souvenirs and did not in the end.
We get to our seats. Great seats. Probably 20 rows from the stage. We were disappointed though that the show started over 30 minutes late and that there were commercials before the show. We spent a lot of money on the tickets and did not want to see commercials.

The show was phenomenal. Tina looks great for her age and she really puts on a show. A moveable stage that moves her above the audience was amazing and her costume changes keep you interested.

Hubby had a good time as well although we were both exhausted from staying up way past our bedtime.