Chapter 8 in new Lyme book written by yours truly!

Forgive me, but I have to share a little bit of excitement with my friends:   I have been very excited to see a new Lyme disease book hit the shelves this year... because I wrote one of the chapters!  

And no, you don't have to run out and buy this, because I don't get any royalties from it anyway.   It's just very rewarding to be able to contribute to a project like this... and I admit that it's a lot of fun to see one's name in print.

For anyone who is really bored, you can see it here or view the Table of Contents here. 

"Everything is Bigger in Texas"

Enough said!

New Lyme documentary showing this Saturday!

A special screening of the new documentary "Under Our Skin: The Untold Story Of Lyme Disease" will show Saturday, July 26th at the Alamo Drafthouse downtown. The CDC reports approximately 20,000 new cases of Lyme disease a year. Factoring in underreported cases, the CDC says the actual number could be 3 - 10 times higher. You can purchase tickets online. For those not in central Texas, here is a link to other cities where the movie is being shown. A blurb about the film:

" Bigger than AIDS, West Nile Virus and Avian Flu combined, yet most physicians don't recognize it or are afraid to report it. Insurance companies pay experts to say it's all in your head. And the mainstream medical establishment won't want you to see this film.

One of the most misunderstood and controversial illnesses in the history of medicine, Lyme disease is among the fastest growing infectious diseases in the United States. Yet each year tens of thousands go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed with such conditions as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue and even autism, MS and Alzheimer's. This groundbreaking documentary investigates the human, medical and political dimensions of Lyme disease, an emerging epidemic destroying countless numbers of lives. Following the stories of patients and physicians as they battle for their lives and livelihoods, the film brings into focus a haunting picture and its inability to cope with a growing terror under our skin."

Ffeatured on CNN and Good Morning America!

CNN Video and CNN Text
Good Morning America Video & GMA Text

Space Stuff for July (Geek Alert!)

Some interesting astronomy events happening this month... and that's astronomy, NOT astrology, for all you crystal ball folks...

Tomorrow, July 9th, Jupiter will be at its closest to Earth for 2008, which means it's at its biggest and brightest. Just look southeast after sunset and you can't miss it. (Well, I know some who can, but... they aren't reading this anyway.) For those with telescopes, you may be able to see some of Jupiter's moons and the Great Red Spot.

Which brings me to the next interesting event: About one week ago, the Great Red Spot collided with the Little Red Spot (LRS). Most astronomers thought the LRS was destroyed (great photos here). However, scientists now think the LRS may have survived the collision and is re-forming. Considering that the "Little" Red Spot is actually about the size of Mars, it figures that it would be a tough contender.

Also, a solar wind stream flowing from a coronal hole in the sun should reach Earth around July 13th. Solar wind streams tend to trigger geomagnetic storms, which means an increased chance of amazing Aurora displays even in more southern regions of the U.S.A. Or, for those who are "EMF sensitive", it means a flare of weird symptoms!!

Princess completes her first trip around the sun

Princess recently celebrated her first birthday! She enjoyed ripping the shiny paper off the presents, chewing on the bows, and being the center of attention. Of course, we had to have a cake that was fitting for the occasion... a crown! (A great recipe I discovered here on the Family Fun website.) Personally, I think she is growing up way too fast and I wish she would slow it down!

Beach Bums

We just returned from our summer vacation to Florida, where we spent a wonderful week with the kids' grand- parents and great- grand mother. I even tried parasailing (I had to... my grandmother was doing it and I had to keep up with her!) It was AMAZING.

This was Princess's first trip to a beach, and she loved it. She did frequently eat sand, though, which makes for very interesting diaper changes.

Long Live The Geeks!

Lately, thanks to Warren (a kindred spirit), I've been thinking about how our family celebrates its "geekiness". I love geeks! I am one and I married one. (Actually, I think Russ is officially a nerd, which is a geek with bigger brains.)

We do very "geeky" stuff as a family and, from the way our oldest son tells it, you'd think we were the envy of all the kids in his class. One of our favorite "geek" activities is Geocaching. This is heaven for anybody who enjoys both techno-gadgets and the outdoors! I wrote an article explaining Geocaching, which can be read here. Then go to Geocaching.com and find out more.

As you can see, we have discovered some really interesting places thanks to Geocaching... I promise, true geeks will love it!

Baby and Bebax Bootie

Princess had her cast cut off, which completely terrified her. The doctor decided that her foot had improved enough to try wearing a "Bebax Bootie" instead of a cast. Hooray!

The Bebax Bootie is a torture device as well, but at least it can be removed so she can have a bath. Also, she only has to wear it at night - for the moment, anyway. We hope this will continue to help correct her foot so we don't have to do any more leg casts.

It's an interesting little device, with hardware on the bottom that adjusts to hold the curve at a certain angle. There are two velcro straps to hold it on... now, what child is going to leave velcro straps alone? As you can see here, she already tries to push it off with her other foot! It's only a matter of time `til she figures out how to remove it.

Memorial Day: Rant of a Patriot

Anyone who knows me can tell you that I'm a bit of a die-hard patriot. I suppose I can't help it; it's in my blood. I come from a long line of patriots, not "in name only", but those who truly meant it. My grandfather and his brothers had a combined 119 years of active duty (and another 31 years of reserve) between the 5 of them! As I said, it's in my blood.

As my brother so aptly stated, "My family has always grasped the fact that somebody's loved one has to put it all on the line. Our mothers do not shrink at the thought that it could be their boy who does not come home, so long as it is either ‘return with honor' or ‘die with valor.'"

Some people spout nonsense about patriotism, calling it "a form of pride", "brainwashing", and "mind-numbing, unquestioning loyalty". Have they ever actually looked up a definition for patriotism?

Others say we are intolerant and "people in other countries are just as precious as people here". That was never the issue! No one is saying that Americans are better PEOPLE. We're saying that America is one of the greatest nations ever. It's not one-upmanship, it's gratitude.

Why is it that celebrities who spout anti-American drivel continue to reside here, work here, and enjoy the freedoms provided here? If they hate it so much, why don't they move elsewhere? (Sean Penn, Alec Baldwin, I'm talking to you! Jane Fonda, I will continue to boycott your films for the rest of my life!) Why do they think that their so-called acting skills qualify them to be political analysts? Of course they're entitled to their opinion, but can any of them even name a Constitutional amendment, or the Secretary of State? I doubt it. In a true debate, these folks would be smeared mightily from one end of the room to the other, because they don't have a grasp of reality.

And if this country is so awful, why are there so many immigrants desperately trying to come here? But I digress...

Memorial Day has had me on this line of thought, and I have always been determined to instill the same sense of pride and responsibility for our nation in the hearts of my children. (Which is why I subject them to these things on days like Memorial Day: "Our Troops" and "If I Die Before You Wake". Also check out fabulous quotes about freedom and America from LDS prophets and a great article by Gordon B. Hinckley "War and Peace"). Support our troops... wherever they are.

Recently, a friend of mine mentioned the book "How To Raise an American: 1776 Fun and Easy Tools, Tips, and Activities to Help Your Child Love This Country". (Thank you, Tricia!) I bought a copy and, though I haven't finished it yet, I'm hooked!! It even mentions one of my favorite orgs, "Soldiers' Angels".

I tried to recall my history classes and, sad to say, most of them were just garbage -- regurgitated for tests and promptly forgotten. I always thought history was BORING... because I didn't know real history. I knew useless dates, faceless names, taught in a confusing context that I couldn't comprehend. I began thinking about powerful historical events that have occurred just in my lifetime – not only 9/11, but even back to the Challenger explosion, the end of the Cold War, the fall of the Berlin wall. Remembering how I felt at those moments made me realize THAT is what history is about - connecting emotions to an event to help us realize why it occurred and what it means.

Most schools aren't going to do that for our children (if they bother to teach history at all). Some even label America "the enemy". Ah, the devil's a sly one! But this book is inspiring me with the ways and means to teach my children the TRUTH.

Princess and the Pea

Princess got her first foot cast a few days ago, and it has been a hard transition for all of us. She cried the entire first day. Much like "The Princess and the Pea", she just can't get comfortable.

She has since figured out how to get around with the cast, but she tires quickly and then gets very frustrated. She had been pulling herself up on things and is now unable to do so because the foot isn't set in a flat position that can sustain her balance. That doesn't really improve her mood either.

I thought the docs would start slowly, but they really twisted that foot significantly. See how it looks upside down or backwards? I'd be grumpy too!

Mother's Day Musings

I was very amused by the card that Monkey #2 presented to me for Mother's Day. His teacher had created a list and he was supposed to fill in the blanks about me.
I couldn't help but crack up when I got to the 4th line down:


I think that's a compliment??
Then came the part that reminds me why I put up with him...

(For those who need a translation, it says: "Dear mom, I love you so much. I wish I lived with you forever.")

Okay, everybody say it with me... Awwwww!

A Smokin' Birthday Party

Yesterday was Monkey #2's 7th birthday, and he had requested a Volcano Cake. He envisioned strawberry syrup erupting from the center. I spent days agonizing over the science of it all, and although I could certainly make it "erupt", it was not with any ingredients that I would want flowing over my chocolate cake. (Mmmm, baking soda and vinegar cake, anyone? How about sugar and sulfuric acid? No? Perhaps yeast and hydrogen peroxide? Yum!)

Finally, I decided that if the volcano just emitted "smoke", that would hopefully appease him. I worried that he would be terribly disappointed.

Making the cake was fun! As I stacked each layer (two 9-inch rounds and a Bundt), I poked holes all over with a fork and drizzled caramel syrup to soak in, then frosted each layer with caramel frosting. I cut down into the center until I could fit in a small plastic cup at the bottom, out of sight. Warm chocolate frosting was poured over the cake so that it dripped down the sides and coated them. Add some red and orange decorating gel "lava", green-tinted coconut for grass, and a package of dollar store dinos, and the mood was set!

We put dry ice into the hidden cup and lit the candles. As we carried it to the table singing "Happy Birthday", we poured some water into the cup and POOF! Beautiful billowing plumes erupted from the center.

Birthday Boy's eyes became huge and his jaw fell open. He was so transfixed that we had to remind him - twice - to blow out his candles. Then he and his brothers wouldn't let me cut the cake -- they wanted to do it all again!

As he went to bed, Birthday Boy declared it "the best birthday ever". Monkey #1 chimed in with, "Yeah, that was way cool. I can't wait to see what you come up with for MY birthday!"

(Mom groans and smacks her forehead)

Strawberry Fields Forever

We actually got to harvest something from the garden... a miracle for us. I think it was because I stayed far away from the strawberry patch and let CJ (aka Monkey #3) take care of it on his own. He was delighted to find a lovely red strawberry ripe for the pickin', which he ate immediately and declared "dee-wish-ous!"

I went to Home Depot and asked their "garden specialist" about fire ants in the vegetable garden. He handed me a bag of Amdro.

I handed it back and said, "You can't put that on a vegetable garden!"

He looked surprised and then read the back of the bag. "Oh, you're right," he said. Then, after much thought, he announced that there was no hope for us and all we can do is sacrifice the veggies, kill the ants by dumping this poison all over the soil, and start over.

I repeated, "I don't want this stuff on my soil!"

"It's okay as long as you don't have food growing in it yet," he insisted.

I asked, "What about insecticidal soap, orange oil, stuff like that?"

"That won't work at all," he huffed dismissively.

Finally, I gave up and fled, leaving the so-called "specialist" far behind.

Don't get me wrong - I'm all for using these poisons in the right places at the right times. But did that "expert" really believe that the soil was somehow going to magically purge itself of chemicals once the crops started growing? Here, kids, have some hydramethylnon... it's highly toxic and a probable carcinogen, so eat up!

Orthopedic Appointment

We had our first appointment with the pediatric orthopedist today, and it looks like we have a long journey ahead of us. Princess's spine is actually curved at 42 degrees, and rotated as well. It's in the thoraco-lumbar area, which is basically just saying it is between the thoracic and lumbar areas of the spine. Doc said this is a rare place for the curve to be (most infantile curves are strictly thoracic) and, to make the case even more "interesting", her scoliosis is not congenital. They have no idea what caused it. So technically she has "idiopathic infantile thoraco-lumbar scoliosis".

Doc also mentioned that, in his 20 years of work, he can count on less than two hands the number of patients he has seen who had conditions like this one. In other words, we're stepping into a gray area where there is going to be plenty of speculation and theorization, and very few statistics or case studies to go on.
As if that weren't enough, she also has "Metatarsus adductus" of her right foot, where the front of the foot is bent inward toward the body, creating a bean shape. She will be getting her first cast for that next week, and the casts will be changed weekly thereafter for a while.

In two weeks, we will be meeting with another orthopedist who specializes in a particular casting technique which is most likely to help Princess's spinal situation. They are going to try to keep her out of surgery for as long as possible, but I got the impression that they believe surgery will eventually be inevitable. They just hope to wait until she has grown as much as possible before they start fusing her spine.

Looking for curves in all the wrong places...

Princess was recently found to have Scoliosis and we're scheduled to see a pediatric orthopedist in May. Since her 30 degree curvature is considered "moderate", I'm pretty sure the doctor will recommend a back brace.

Unfortunately, a brace won't ever make her spine straight. It only keeps the curve from increasing, so she may still need surgery someday.

I do know a little bit about Scoliosis, having watched my brother suffer from it in his youth. I remember helping strap the brace on him, pushing against a chair so that we could pull the straps as tight as possible. It looked like a hard plastic corset... a torture device. Especially since you generally have to sleep in the thing, ugh!

He did have fun with the brace on occasion, however. He liked to talk people into gently punching his chest, and watch their expressions as they frantically withdrew their crumpled fist in obvious surprise (we called him "The Man of Steel"). But it did take away the fun of dropping ice cubes down the back of his shirt.

That was in a colder clime, though, and I wonder how much more torturous it will be here in the Texas heat. Particularly bothersome is that I can't explain any of this to her, since she has no clue what I'm saying, so she will think that we are purposely being mean.

Since that old Waylon Jennings song is in my head, I'll rewrite it a bit...
I was looking for curves in all the wrong places,
Looking for orthopedic back braces,
Searching your X-rays, looking for traces
Of what.. I'm dreaming of...
Hopin' to find a doc who's not a heel
God bless the day I can reveal
A straight spine for the girl I love.

Monkey Business

It's amazing what the Three Monkeys can do when banished to the back yard with only a rope and some PVC pipe... they created their own zipline. They even positioned the hammock seat as a landing pad, and are planning to set up some kind of water feature to land in.

I have to admire their creativity. Even MacGyver would be proud. I'm sure it breaks every safety rule in the book, but danged if it didn't give me enough time to take a hot shower. So I'll let them keep it in place for now... until their father sees it and wants to take a turn!

Their rope burns will heal. Not so sure about the skull fractures, but who would notice?

Great Expectations

Why is it that kids want to play with obscure items that aren't "real" toys? You know, like when you give them a big Christmas gift and they would rather play with the box? My Three Monkeys are very much that way. Alas, my Princess seems to be of that same mindset. We have all kinds of pacifiers, teething rings, dolls, blocks, and other toys for her chewing / teething pleasure... but she prefers socks. Socks!

It reminds me of a little dog we used to have who loved to hoard socks. We wondered why so many socks were missing that we could never put together a matching pair. We assumed that the dryer must be some kind of wormhole to an alternate universe, which seemed to attract socks for whatever reason. Then we discovered the "nest" of socks under the bed... and the guilty pup snoring atop her mound of treasure.

I suppose it could be worse - a preference for underwear, for example. Nevertheless, Princess was *supposed* to teethe on the crystal-encrusted rattle we bought her. And that brings us back to Parenting Lesson #1: Never have pre-conceived expectations for your children! They will do everything they can to flaunt it in your face.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some socks to wash...

Boys Will Be... Barbarians?

I'll be honest -- I don't understand little boys one bit. Mine must be direct descendants of Genghis Khan or something, because there is not a drop of civility in their little bodies.

They share a bathroom, which I avoid entering unless equipped with full BioHazard gear. This is what I saw when I walked in there yesterday.

Yes, that is a bathmat in the sink, sopping wet, with bubbles on it (notice the completely empty soap bottle nearby?)

Granted, this is one of their "cleaner" messes. Having cleaned up many different mediums, such as mud, various bodily fluids, paint, etc, I guess water and soap should be considered some kind of progress. Perhaps someday they will actually use the sink, soap, and mat for the true purposes in which they were intended. A mom can dream...

Joining the Technological Age

I have finally given in to peer pressure and started a blog of my own. All my friends have one. My brother has one. My doctor's cousin's dog's vet's stockbroker has one. Apparently, I am behind the times.

As a mother of four - yes, four - I have plenty of fodder to blog about.

Three of my children are boys. Snips, snails, puppy dog tails... screws, wrenches, buckets of nails... the whole bit. My "3 Monkeys".

My fourth child is a true princess through and through. Only ten months old, she has struggled with health issues of torticollis, plagiocephaly, and now scoliosis.

There is certainly never a dull moment around here!