update

I made it home fine. No one called me, but it wasn't so bad. I called Scott and Anousha for some short talks. Weston fell asleep right by Little Amana, about 15 minutes from Iowa City. Not that he would talk to me either. :)
We got home around 10:30. I handed Weston to Scott, got in the shower, and then right into bed since I heard Weston asleep on the monitor. We all went right to bed. And were a little lazy waking up. But, we all got up.

Heard from Shannon that mom had a rough night sleeping. So she moved to the chair. They slept a bit this morning. But she's still in pain in her back. Waiting to see what the doctor says about the clot. She may be released with blood thinner shots that someone at home will have to give her. We're waiting to see.

Driving home. Anyone reading this, give me a call & keep me awake.

Mom update

So I got about half an hour out of Des Moines when my dad called and told me to turn around, Mom was not well enough to be admitted today. I was 2 blocks from work when he called me back and said that they had decided to run some tests, could I pleased come out to IA City since he needed to leave. Ok…

I got here about noon. She’s had a chest x-ray, a CT scan, some other tests. So we sat in the waiting room. Around 1:40 her doctor stopped by… the CT Scan had revealed a blood clot, she needed another opinion and would be back. Around 1:50 the PA came by. There was a blood clot in her jugular vein, right where her port ended, right where the vein split to go up to the brain and down to the heart. Pretty much the worst place to form. The clot is large enough to cause trouble swallowing and swelling. She was admitted at 2pm. They have removed the chest port. 

Right now she is being given antibiotics and is scheduled for blood thinning shots around 8pm. Hopefully these will do the trick.

She’ll be here until this is under control. And then released to heal. And then her next round of Chemo after that.

So... Shannon picked up Weston and is driving him here. She's in the parking garage now. We're letting Weston visit mom for a bit, then he and I will head home. Shannon has overnight and tomorrow. So on and so forth until Friday. Hopefully she is home by then.

Right now we are preparing to move.

And it's not going well.

We keep working on the garage, but at some point we are going to have to work on the actual house. We get to view our new apartment tomorrow. The first time we will see our new living arrangements. And I don't think I am going to be happy. 1700 sq feet of stuff cramped into 1000 feet of space. The lack of kitchen space is nauseating. I need to remember my tape measure because I want to put shelves into the coat closet that happens to sit inside my kitchen.

My big hope is that my dining table fits. I love our table. It's Amish handmade of a dark cherry stained maple. It's beautiful and regal and wonderful. I know that we can't fit it in the kitchen, there isn't any way. But I am hoping that we can fit it in the living area. I am going to try to make it work. I want Weston sitting at the table for dinner soon. That's important.

I am trying to get excited about our new living arrangements.

The new green wall, and the patio, and maybe nicer neighbors. The shorter drive to work (the longer drive to Hy-Vee.) The pools and fitness room. I am hoping to have enough money left over to do a small family vacation this summer. And maybe $30 extra a month to get my nails done again. (I confess that I miss that most of my pre-baby life.)

I am trying.

My friend Kari stopped by today. She used to work with me until her position was eliminated. Her life is harder than mine. But she loves me enough to bring me daisies for my new home. Because she is kind and funny and a wonderful person. She brightens my day and gives me hope for my future. I miss her at work every day.

soon, I promise

I promise to write again soon. I haven't abandoned my favorite hobby. I am just so busy and tired. Between mom, and work, and moving... I am overwhelmed. So... I will be back soon. I promise.

For now you will have to settle for a picture of Weston with Dr. Mandy, our favorite Chiropractor. Weston has become a dream patient. And he's been doing this since he was a week old. First time on the big table though. Maybe a future doctor???

weekend, recipe

We are taking a break this weekend. Friday, Scott and I are both on unpaid furloughs. Well, sort of. I am working from 8-10:30 to help cover for my time spent with Mom last Wednesday. Anyway, we plan to be on the road by 11:30, on our way to Sioux City.
We're going to be taking Weston to see the Muskateers (Hockey) games on Friday and Saturday night with Scott's Aunt Linda and Uncle Byron. I even heard a rumor that Scott's cousins will be joining us Saturday and that we may be sitting in the box seats with little living rooms and kitchens. I love sitting up there.
Scott's mom Lila is coming to visit Saturday afternoon. Weston should be sufficiently spoiled this weekend. And, as always, my goal is to leave by noon on Sunday so we can keep working on packing up the garage.
A thought for the diligent readers: I am thinking of blogging about Music ADD... I have it. I don't think it's a real condition, but it's real in my life. And I have some thoughts on it. Do you?


Yesterday was St. Patrick's Day. I used to celebrate the holiday. I mean, my name is Erin and I have a sister named Shannon. Hello? It only makes sense. Even if Shannon looks Irish, but we're not Irish. :) Sometime I will have to tell you all about my favorite St. Patrick's Days. Both in Chicago. Anousha was at both of them. but they were 5/6 (?) years apart. So much fun.
Anyway, with a child, especially a little one, there isn't a whole lot you can do except dress them in green and try to give them some Irish culture. Last year we had Potato Soup. This year I thought we would try Shepherd's Pie.
So... I took this recipe for Easy Shepherd's Pies from Real Simple. And then I doctored it, based on the other recipes I'd looked at. And it turned out pretty good.
So, if you want it, here goes:
Print the recipe here.
I would up the ground beef to 1 1/2 pounds.
I sauteed half a red onion in White Cooking Wine.
Once soft, I added 1 can of Carrots & Peas (together in the can) and 1 can of Whole Kernel Sweet Corn, both cans of veggies rinsed in a colander and drained. (I also wanted to add Mushrooms, but I was out.)
I added 1 1/2 cloves of Minced Garlic to veggies.
Added these spices: 1/2 tsp each of sage, thyme, and paprika.
I upped the ketchup to just over a 1/2 cup, and 2 tablespoons of Worcestershire Sauce.
I gently mixed all these together and put them into a casserole dish. Then I topped them with the potatoes and yes, I used the optional cheese (Weston threw it in for me.)

I cooked 17 minutes instead of 10... . It was great. Even better for lunch today. I will make again.

Next time changes: More garlic, salt and pepper; mushrooms; and my dad said that he adds 1/2 a small pkg of brown gravy mix (powder only) to the hamburger. While it's baking, the mix thickens the sauce and makes it creamy. Sounds like a plan. But I will definitely do this again.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

My Little Lepruchan!

He performs magic and disappears into his hat!