Halloween

My little fairy queen had way too much fun and got way too much candy on Halloween.

Appreciating the Ones you love

I was reading an article the other day about why men leave their wives. The main reason that was stated was because they don't feel appreciated. This got me thinking - when was the last time I really and truly made my husband aware of how loved and appreciated he was? He treats this marriage as a partnership. He helps with the cleaning, laundry, the kids - everything, without me having to ask. Since going back to work, it seems that we leave for work in the mornings, come back home around 6pm, fix dinner, put the kids to be, watch some TV, then go to bed ourselves. That's it - very little communication. We are so stressed with thinking about work, bills, the kids, that we have stopped even noticing each other. So, now I'm totally sad, knowing that I have totally withdrawn into a world of monotony, with no time for the person that is going to be there for me as I get old and feeble ( hopefully just old not feeble). If I could say that he was abusive or uncaring or lazy, maybe I could justify it, but it seems that I'm the one that has gotten lazy in our marriage. We've been together for so long and we've put the kids way ahead of each other for too long. So, I am making him number one and letting him know how much he means to me and how much I appreciate all that he does for me because it is important to him and me. And, mostly, because I love him.

The government's trying to kill me

Ok, I may be exaggerating just a little bit, but I'm more than a little annoyed today. I was diagnosed with asthma when I was 22 years old and have pretty much just stuck with the normal albuterol inhaler for all my needs since my asthma is basically triggered by allergies or strenuous activity. Well, I was trolling my local news website and found an article about how the inhalers were going green and thought "how cool, let me check that out." So, the article was really positive and everything, explaining that inhalers were going to be CFC-free now and would be using HFA. I had used a few HFA inhalers in the past and currently and like them because of it tasting much much better than normal CFC inhalers,which can be pretty bitter. Well, I decided to find out more info on HFA and was startled by what I had found. Some of the side effects make it dangerous if not deadly (http://copd.about.com/b/2008/07/24/cfc-vs-hfa-inhalers-are-you-ready-for-the-switch.htm). I have had heart palpitations that have lasted for quite some time while using it and just thought it was normal, since I haven't been asthmatic for a long time, I didn't know any better. I also tend to get dizzy and lightheaded and I will normally have to use it several times to get it to work. Others have complained and some of their side effects are just as scary (http://www.consumeraffairs.com/health/hfa_inhalers.html).
So, why has the government banned a product that is needed for people with asthma or copd to breathe?? Is this just another way for the drug companies to make more money, since the HFA version cost 3 times as much? The testing done by the FDA (what a joke) was minimal. Is it going to take people dying and ER visits for asthma to increase before the government will bring the old version back? I am all for the environment, but I am more for being able to live a productive life. I can't imagine that the ozone layer, the reason for banning CFC inhalers, will suddenly reappear just because asthmatics start using HFA inhalers. This is just another example of the government sticking their hands into things they shouldn't be and passing regulations unnecessarily.

3 More things to be thankful for

1. New job - actually seems to be working out quite nicely. No long hours and the people I work with are super nice.
2. Reuniting with old friends - didn't realize how much I missed some of my old school friends, until I heard from them.
3. Both kids loving daycare - didn't think that would happen.

Life is good!

Bugs!!

Ugh...I just remembered why I never wanted to get into gardening. I found the ugliest bright green caterpillar with a horn at the tail. I was thinking this is the kind of caterpillar that decimates tomato plants overnight, but after much research, I think this is the caterpillar that turns into a hummingbird moth. It is a very interesting moth so I kinda wouldn't mind seeing it but I don't think I can tolerate having these caterpillars right beside me when I work in my garden. We'll see...

Lazy days of Summer

I've been a little lazy about posting lately, just been busy being Mommy, so I though I'd update. Yesterday was my birthday and I got an extra surprise - I got a job!! Not too sure how excited I really am about returning to the workforce, but I'm sure it'll be a good thing. Although, I now know why some people would prefer to stay home and raise the kids, instead of work. Almost half of my paycheck will go to childcare and gas. It almost feels like working for minimum wage. Not that I'm complaining, I'm grateful to have gotten the job, but for some people, it makes returning to work and having someone else raise your kids an easy choice to make or not make. My daughter is thrilled about returning to daycare, which makes the process less guilt inducing. She is always happy when she has the opportunity to play with other kids. Now, if I can just manage to be disciplined enough to put every paycheck toward a bill.

Local 504

artShort post today. Check out my brothers website: http://www.thelocal504.com/
He's making a movie in New Orleans for a local film festival. Donate money or buy a shirt. Support the arts!!