Potpourri

So I haven't blogged in quite some time.  You can call it writer's block, but that's just a fancy word for lazy.  You could also call it busyness, which is really just the nice word for lazy.  The fact is, I haven't been writing lately and I should.  I've had ideas for blogs, but just haven't taken the time to do so.  My DVR isn't going to watch itself now is it?  So here is a round up of a few things that have been going on lately.  Thus the name, potpourri because there is no general theme to what is to follow.  Just a little bit of everything and really nothing of any consequence or importance.  I honestly don't even know why you are reading this.  But if you are reading this then you get a gold star.

Hot Dogs 
My daughter has recently become obsessed with Hot Dogs.  For the longest time, Julia was the best little eater.  It didn't matter what we gave her, she ate it without a problem.  Broccoli, Green beans, potatoes, chicken, it didn't matter.  She would eat most anything.  Lately, things have not been so easy.  She will politely decline whatever you try to give her.  She just pushes away the fork and ever so sweetly says "no".  How can you argue with that?  She will then request one of her favorites, which is "crackers".  Crackers is more of a universal word for her and encompasses all things in bread, wafer, or chip format.  We are trying so hard to raise a child that knows they have to eat what you give them and that you don't get to order something different just because you don't like the choices laid before you.  We do a fairly good job, but sometimes you just have to give in.  The other night, she started loving Hot Dogs.  It's a little out of nowhere, because she used to not like them.  As we were making dinner Julia followed us around the kitchen saying "hot dog hot dog hot dog please please hot dog please hot dog please hot dog hot dog please please hot dog hot dog hot dog please please please hot dog...."  and on and on it went.  FINE!!  She didn't have what we were making for dinner that night.  She had 2 hot dogs and was  very happy girl.  At least she was being polite about it.  And again, who can resist that sweet little voice of hers.  This girl is totally going to get whatever she wants in life.  it's bad news.

Whats in a Name?
My sister-in-law suggested I write about a crazy name that I came across at work the other day.  As I have discussed in the past, I work in an area of town that is borderline shady.  It's not horrible location, but  I do have a very interesting clientele that I come into contact with.  Several of which have very interesting names.  Some of my favorites were sisters names Sparkle and Starlet.  They were all sorts of fantastic.  I'm just not sure how I am supposed to take anyone named Sparkle seriously.  Do you think this girl ever has a chance of becoming a doctor or a judge with a name like that?  Can you hear someone saying "Please rise, the honorable judge Sparkle presiding".  I just don't see it.  The most recent name I came across was a girl named "Miracle Roach".  This poor girl.  It's bad enough that her last name is roach, but for her parents to put a descriptive word before it as her first name is just outright child abuse.  If I were her I would be getting a name change STAT!

Occupy What?
I will preface the following with fully acknowledging that I am totally uninformed on this subject. So apparently, there have been all of these "Occupy" protests going on all over the country.  I keep hearing the words "Occupy Wall Street" in the news and I have no idea what they are talking about.  It's just a bunch of people who are protesting outside of Wall Street, but I have no idea what they are protesting.  These protests have spread all over the country and there was even an "Occupy Springfield" rally just last week.  Again, despite all of the news coverage I have heard about it, I can't really tell what it is all about.  Is it a political movement?  Its a big group of load angry people so it sure does look like a political movement.  I can pretty much guarantee that I don't have the desire or the time to figure out what it is all about let alone join them.  Call me a bad American if you want, but I just don't have time for such shenanigans.  Just because you are the loudest doesn't necessarily make you right.

Phlebotomist In Training
As part of having a chunk of metal in my heart I am required to take coumadin on a daily basis.  As part of taking coumadin on a daily basis, I am forced to get my blood checked regularly.  I suppose its a fair trade.  I take medicine and get my blood monitored in exchange for not dying.  Living good.  Strokes bad.  I guess I can suck it up and deal with it.  When everything in life is going great, I only have to get my blood checked once a month.  I show up at the clinic and let them poke me with a needle and then I go on my merry way.  It only takes a few minutes of my time.  For about a year or so, this was my routine.  Everything was going great and I made my once a month visits like a good boy.  For some weird reason, my blood has not wanted to cooperate as of late.  It seems like every time I go, my blood is not at the correct thinness or thickness and they have to adjust my dosage amount and see me again in a week.  Currently I am taking a 4 mg pill on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday and then I take a 5 mg pill the rest of the week.  I have had this dosage and schedule changed about 6 times now.  It is extremely difficult for me to remember anymore.  Today when I went to get my blood drawn, I got stuck with the phlebotomist in training.  I was worried when the lady called me back and she had someone else standing over her shoulder making sure she did everything correctly.  She started by debating which arm to poke and then having her helper determine where the vein was.  I was not filled with confidence!  She then tried to perform the blood draw.  She poked me with the needle but nothing was happening.  No blood was filling the tube.  She tried to wiggle it around a little bit (which felt awesome by the way) and had no luck.  Her helper then took over and proceeded to poke me in the other arm.  Cause that's the best plan.  Let's poke the bleeder with more holes!  So I left the office with both arms bandaged up.  I understand that people have got to learn somewhere but I think the next time they need to find a different guinea pig.  I've had my turn.  Lets hope that today's blood results are good and I don't have to go back for a while because this is getting really old!

Crazy October
All of a sudden this month has exploded into all sorts of craziness.  Every single weekend has an event planned and most evenings in this month already have something planned.  Nights to relax on the couch are very few and far between.  These are all good things that are happening, but we will just be a little nuts for a while.  We also have a guest coming to stay with us next week.  (Can't wait to see you next week Reagen!)  Along with this we can also add in the fact that Breanne is still doing Pampered Chef stuff and I have started my second job at the church!  Holy cow!  We are forced to become more organized than usual, but we can totally do it.  As we like to say, "We are going to kick this months...  lets say hind end".  So if I fail to blog any more this month, lets just blame it on the busyness.  That's a good excuse.

Well, that's enough for today.  If you made it through this whole thing, you will receive your gold star in 6-8 weeks.  Gold Stars are of no monetary value and may not be redeemed for cash.