YEA!!! I have internet!!!

Last Friday after the kids went to school I realized that the Internet was out. But I didn't worry too much. Usually, when that happens we just need to reboot the modem. I do know how to do this, but just didn't feel like going upstairs and dealing with it.  I kept myself busy with other things (like a new quilt!!)

After Drew came home, he  did deal with it  - turned off the modem....rebooted everything...nothing....  So, he called the company and made an appointment for the following Monday. Let me tell you how thrilled the kids were to have NO Internet for a whole weekend....yea...that didn't go over well. 

Late Monday afternoon (much, much later that the appointed time, of course) our techs showed up. They saw nothing wrong.  NOTHING WRONG!!  Within a few minutes they had the system working.  We all were very happy to have it working.

Then there was Tuesday morning.  No Internet again.  I unplugged and rebooted everything. Nothing.  So, I called the company and forty minutes later still had no Internet.  The tech on the phone couldn't seem to figure out the problem.  I could hear him typing away and every now and then he would say, "I'm still here  - still working on it."

For all I know he could have been typing a letter or playing a video game.

After forty minutes he said he would have to get his supervisor and call me back.  Since I had to leave for a luncheon, I didn't have a problem with this. 

It was dinner time before I got back home from my luncheon, a doctor appointment for Ben, and a trip to the commissary.  This time Drew ended up trying to figure out the problem and calling the company.  He, also, was on the phone for close to an hour with on luck, but the tech did say he couldn't see our modem so maybe that was the problem.  So, Drew did a quick to the store and bought a new one. After installation and another conversation with a tech, he was told "it's not the modem....there's still a problem." 

Urgggggg  Frustration!

Late Wednesday our techs show up (and yes, much later than the appointed time).  This time they couldn't get the system to work.  They finally figured out that an outside part was not working  and they replaced it.

Finally!!! After six days, we now have Internet again!!

No longer frustrated.....but I will make sure I get credit for six days on my bill.

Five out of Thirteen

One of my goals last year was to read more non-fiction than fiction - which I did by one or two.  This year my reading goal is to read twice as much non-fiction as fiction. Right now I'm at five fiction out of thirteen. Not a bad start...most of my fiction has come this month. I guess I needed some light reading as I have been recovering from my surgery!

I just finished a book I bought in New Orleans while with Ben on his school trip.  It's Marcelle Bienvenu's Who's Your Mama, Are You Catholic, and Can You Make A Roux? (Book 1): A Cajun / Creole Family Album Cookbook.  It was fun seeing all the memories she had surrounding food.

And yes. There's a few recipes I just might try soon! I'll let ya know if they turn out well or not.

The Nightinggale

Several years ago I read Winter Garden by Kristen Hannah. Since then it has been one of my favorite works of fiction.  It's about two sisters learning of their mother's life and how she endured World War II and the following years under communist rule. As you read this book you want these people to be real! But then  you don't want them to be real, because you don't want anyone to have to endure all those horrors of Europe during that time. But what a great story!

This week I read another book by Kirsten Hannah - and once again, the character seems so real you want to meet them...but don't want anyone to have to endure the horrors of World War II.  The Nightingale is a story of another two sisters.  This book in place in France, but as in Winter Garden  there's parts of the story place in modern times. In Winter Garden the two sisters are in modern times looking back as they learn their family's story, and in The Nightingale the two sisters are in France during WWII just trying to survive while the modern story of one of the sister's son learning the truth of all his mother did during that horrible time.

An amazing story!  But as with many stories connected to WWII, you'll some tissues.....but worth it. 

William's Quilt

Many years ago I decided I would make a quilt for each child during their senior year of high school. Over the years I even made a point of collecting fabric for the boys. (Fabric that boys would like is hard to come by!) Back in January I started William's with the plan to finish it before my surgery. While a lot of the work is just sitting at my machine, the actual quilting part of very physical. I have to get on the floor and even crawl around on my knees while I tape part of the quilt to the floor and then pin it altogether. 

But then, I broke my machine. Urggggg. I was cleaning it out and forced the bobbin case in a little too hard...apparently while it was crooked....  No sewing got done while I waited for a replacement case, but  after it came in I was able to get the quilting and binding done before the surgery. All that was left was hand sewing the binding closed. Perfect  thing to do while resting and recovering from surgery.  

Here's the quilt. I think he likes it. Can you guess his favorite color??!!

Health-Wise....

Last week I had some minor out-patient surgery....sort of female stuff.  As for as pain, I've had more deep achiness instead of sharp pain. But at times I can feel my incisions...that's no fun. Then last Thursday I had tummy issues... Then beginning Saturday I started to have an eye thing going on - I got diagnosis on Monday with Pink Eye.

Pink Eye.  At 45 years old.

Good Grief!

While I tire faster than I want, I think I'm good.  My tummy issues have resolved, my eye seems almost better (will continue to take eye drop meds until Sunday), and the achiness from the surgery is about gone.  I'm moving faster than I was last week.  I still have to take it easy for awhile  - I'm not allowed to exercise or lift over five pounds until first of May. (sort of hard when a gallon of milk is eight pounds!) Just need to get my energy back...if I could sleep well, I think that'll help.  (I've always been a horrible sleeper!)

So, I'm taking it easy....Haven't worked in almost two weeks and probably won't get called in to work next week due to state testing.. But I'm not really complaining.  I did finish working on William's quilt....it just needed the hand-sewing and I read some....and watched lots of tv and took lots of naps last week - trying not to nap this week, so I'll sleep (that's the plan, anyway!!).

Drew and the kids are taking good care of me. The boys were sent to Walmart Monday for the week's fresh items - I think they enjoyed it! Or at least enjoyed using my credit card. Melissa was disappointed that she couldn't go due to babysitting...but I promised she could go next time.  Melissa brought me an ice and chocolate one day - such a sweet girl I have!

Everyone else in the family seems healthy....which is always good!

Mystery

Last weekend I was a chaperone for a school trip with Benjamin  and 47 of his classmates.  Overall, it was a fun three days....tiring, but fun. I really enjoyed touring Houma House Plantation. The gardens were beautiful!  I love trees and they had some wonderful old trees. 

 

 

Love the gnome peeking up!

 

Now...this is the mystery of the weekend.  This tree was blooming all over South Louisiana but, t I have no idea what the name of it is.  Against the winter bare trees, this beauty stood out. If you know what its called, please, let me know!!

Snow Days....

Today was the third day of snow day.... And it's been good.  Monday was just a lazy day - which we needed after the weekend we had. We hosted 15 middle schools boys and two chaperons for a church youth event.  Needless to say, we didn't get a lot of sleep, so Monday was nice to be lazy.  None of us really got dressed - just stayed in our pj's.  It was a great day!!

Tuesday  I made everyone get a shower and we got out of the house!  We went into Shreveport for lunch - it was, also, a great day.  I love just sitting around a dinner table and talking and laughing with my family - that was lunch.  Melissa was trying to talk William in to asking someone to prom - he didn't want any part of it!  But so funny!

Tuesday the base started out with an two hours delay, then just as Drew was about to walk about the door, he got the call that said the base was closing.  Wednesday - with worse weather than Tuesday! - the base opened at the normal time....then closed at noon.  So, not only have I had the kids around extra this week, Drew has been around as well.  We really have enjoyed this extra family time.

But it's time to get back to a normal schedule!! I have errands to do....life needs to get back to normal.  So.  Snow, snow...please, go away.  Come on warmer temperatures!!