A wonderful lady we go to church with writes a weekly gardening letter. In her latest edition she said that this time of the year is layin'-by time." All the crops are planted and weeded and you have a bit of time before harvest starts. This is the time people plan projects like white washing the chicken coop or go fishing or go to the fair or plan weddings.
The concept has never hit my radar before, but I think a little "layin'-by time" is just what we had last week. T took off some time to help me mend from poison ivy. We had planned to take some sort of summer vacation this year, but never really figured out what. With the kids starting school next Thursday we realized this was pretty much it for summer vacation time.
The first half of the week we finally painted the girls room and put up some new trim. We got inspired when we found some classy jungle themed bedding at a neighbor's yard sale. Little A now has her jungle room. It looks pretty good for attempt at home improvement.
On Friday we took the kids camping. We took the easy route and opted for the "primitive" campsite at a nearby KOA. It was ideal because they had a swimming pool and playground and a bounce pillow. . . the sorts of things kids can do while mom sits nearby and rests. We ate a lot of camping junk food. We roasted hot dogs and marshmallows and had a good time.
On the way to the campground Little E dumped a whole sippy cup of water. She and her car seat were soaked when we got there. Then we realized we forgot to pack her clothes. I packed her swimming suit and a swim suit cover. So we changed her into the swim dress and she wore that the whole trip. It was pretty cute, but it had a zipper down the front and she kept unzipping it! One thing we were glad to have plenty of was bug spray. Little A got a few bites on her feet, but most of us avoided trouble with mosquitoes.
When we got back from our trip, our neighbor boys (ages 11 and 12) offered to mow our lawn for $15. That was really great! T isn't really all that fond of mowing the lawn, and I'm not quite up to it yet. They are really great boys. They come over to play with our kids at least a couple of times a week. They like to play ball or goof around and try to make the kids laugh. Sometimes they play hid and seek or keep away. I'm glad we have good neighbors.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Lessons Learned - Poison Ivy
Next time I decide to take out all the weeds along the backyard fence line I will be sure to check for noxious weeds. But three weeks ago, when I decided after mowing the lawn that it was time to remove all the shrub like weeds that had grown up through the fence, the thought never crossed my mind. I first notice something was odd when I came in and there were brown patches of something on my arm. I thought it was probably sap from one of the shrubs, but it wouldn't wash off. So I figured it might be tar. T had recently done some work on the roof and some of the tools I'd used may have had a bit of residual tar on them. I got out the vasoline, aka all purpose tar remover, but nothing.
I soon realized that it was probably poison ivy. By the weekend the brown patches had bubbled and peeled off taking the skin with them. It was terrible, but I figured I was over the worst of it. WRONG!
9 days after I first cut down the plants I started getting red bumps on my legs and arms. At first I thought they were mosquito bites, but then I notices they were unusually shaped and seemed to be in clumps and streaks. The rash grew and spread rapidly. I'll spare you the details, but byTuesday, day 14 swelling had become so intense on my left arm and feet that I could barely touch my fingers to my thumbs and it was difficult to walk. I went into the ER and they recommended Benadryl. The medication seemed to help control the swelling, but it made me drowsy and I had difficulty focusing. My hand was so swollen still I couldn't change a diaper. I called in the reinforcements. My mom was packed and ready to come within three hours, but then T was able to take a week and a half off work.
The kids favorite game right now is Batman Lego on the Wii. I have issues with the game because it is somewhat violent. The kids really like solving the puzzles and beating the bad guys. Little T plays and everyone else watches, even E. She calls the game "bad guys." One of the super villians is named Poison Ivy. J calls her Toys 'n Ivy. It sounds like the name of a gift store.
Now I'm at 21 days since I cut down the plants. I'm over the worst of it. (I'm pretty sure this time.), but still have a lot of swelling in my feet and of course itching. I am humbled and I have a lot of respect for people who have been through worse or lived before modern medicine.
Two things: 1. I definitely made an impression at the hospital. They will remember me now. In it's own little way that is a blessing. 2. I thought if we were thinking of using family names for the baby we could eliminate Ivy. Though, T thought naming the baby Ivy would be great. I guess it is sort of poetic.
I soon realized that it was probably poison ivy. By the weekend the brown patches had bubbled and peeled off taking the skin with them. It was terrible, but I figured I was over the worst of it. WRONG!
9 days after I first cut down the plants I started getting red bumps on my legs and arms. At first I thought they were mosquito bites, but then I notices they were unusually shaped and seemed to be in clumps and streaks. The rash grew and spread rapidly. I'll spare you the details, but byTuesday, day 14 swelling had become so intense on my left arm and feet that I could barely touch my fingers to my thumbs and it was difficult to walk. I went into the ER and they recommended Benadryl. The medication seemed to help control the swelling, but it made me drowsy and I had difficulty focusing. My hand was so swollen still I couldn't change a diaper. I called in the reinforcements. My mom was packed and ready to come within three hours, but then T was able to take a week and a half off work.
The kids favorite game right now is Batman Lego on the Wii. I have issues with the game because it is somewhat violent. The kids really like solving the puzzles and beating the bad guys. Little T plays and everyone else watches, even E. She calls the game "bad guys." One of the super villians is named Poison Ivy. J calls her Toys 'n Ivy. It sounds like the name of a gift store.
Now I'm at 21 days since I cut down the plants. I'm over the worst of it. (I'm pretty sure this time.), but still have a lot of swelling in my feet and of course itching. I am humbled and I have a lot of respect for people who have been through worse or lived before modern medicine.
Two things: 1. I definitely made an impression at the hospital. They will remember me now. In it's own little way that is a blessing. 2. I thought if we were thinking of using family names for the baby we could eliminate Ivy. Though, T thought naming the baby Ivy would be great. I guess it is sort of poetic.
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