Mama's Sick Day

Yesterday, I woke up with the most horrendous migraine. I don't often get migraines and this is the very first one I've had since moving out to Virginia, but this one had me low. So low I actually had to run to the bathroom to throw-up. It was bad.

While emptying my tummy of water and the bit of coffee I'd imbibed, I heard both children run back to check on me. The rest of the day was spent moving as little as possible and hiding from all light. At one point the children decided they needed to feed me toy foods. I asked if they wouldn't mind tending to toy animals instead, because the urge to urk was rising.

Luckily by the end of the day, I was feeling much better, but the fact that my Monday had been wasted still stings. Mondays are my busiest days. If you're like me, time is your most expensive commodity and I hate to waste it being sick. I'd also made several mental notes of "Monday will be the start of ___."

But I've really had to try to let these feelings go. Any day can be my start. Any hour can be my start. And as for the missed time to get things done around the house, well. There's always tomorrow.

Ugh, but I still hate it.

'Tis the Season

The weather in Virginia is changing! The nights have become crisp and cool. The leaves are beginning to change. It is autumn for sure!

I am a nut for autumn weather. It is truly the most wonderful time of the year in Virginia.


The windows have been thrown open!

The best fruit is in season, apples, pears, grapes, pomegranates!

Trips to orchards to pick some of these delicious fruits!

The scent of warm spiced candles burning!

Handmade blankets have returned to the backs of couches!
 Dinners are warm, comforting dishes!

Pumpkins are appearing at the roadside stall of local farmers!

Today, while doing the weekly grocery shopping, I purchased a pumpkin roll, just because I can.

It's autumn!!!

Equifax Credit Breach

So I'd planned on making a light-hearted post today about autumn and pumpkin spice, but with the news of Equifax dropping the ball on everyone's credit security, I thought I'd use today's post to be of help to you guys.

First, I'll just say simply Equifax is being seriously shady about everything that happened. You can read more on this cnet article. It also includes what you need to do to secure your credit asap.

However some people are having trouble just getting to the article, so I've laid out the basic points.

1. Check your credit report. Personally I'm having trouble getting through on this myself. The system is being slammed, because such a huge number of people were effected and several who have been haven't been told they were!

2. Freeze your credit. This can be done over the phone and it is usually automated, so no people.

3. Set up a fraud alert.

Now, I'm no expert and am going with what I've read on this article, but it's all good information and something you will likely want to do yourself. Good luck! I hope you won't be seriously effected by this security breach.

Now, back to me trying to get my credit report. yay!

Love and hugs!

The Scissor Ban

Well, we survived the house guests. It's times like this when I realize I'm truly and introvert. After a weekend long visit, I'm physically exhausted.

The weekend was uneventful, with the exception of Bun giving herself a haircut.

The children were coloring while waiting for our guests to arrive and I was reading a book. Bun came running up to me with a fistful of hair, smiling and saying, "Mama, here you go!"

Luckily she gave herself only slightly crooked bangs. I mean really lucky. If I tried to cut my own bangs, I'd look a fool. She managed to cut her hair with the natural curl and it's hardly noticeable as a self inflicted hair cut.

All the same, we've removed her scissors from her school box for a week and when they return it will be with the strict rule, "Paper only."

Did you ever cut your own hair? Has your child cut their hair off?

Cat Video Games

While visiting with my mother, she introduced me to cat video games. I'd heard of cat tv, but never cat video games. Above is a video of her cat playing. She was hilarious. I showed it to my cat, but she only watched. No swatting.

This game is called "Cat Fishing" and is made by the Friskies cat food company.

I think they need one with a tiny fly buzzing around or a small red dot. haha!

Let me know if you download the app and try it on your kitty.

The First Day of School

Our family has finally started the homeschool year. I say finally because our local public school started weeks ago and I feel like we are behind.

I'm happy to report that despite a few initial grumbles on Bear's* part, after I showed them their refresh pencil boxes with new supplies they got on board. I'm hoping this means I've passed on the stationary loving gene. Yeah, get me in a stationary shop and I'm in heaven.

We are starting things slowly this week to knock the dust and rust off our vacation brains. I like to have the kids make an "about me" book at the start of the school year, as a little keepsake for them to look back on as adults. Or if they don't ever look at them, at least I can look back at them and cry over my babies growing up.

Have your children started school yet? How are they liking things so far?

Book Review: Dinosaur Empire! by Abby Howard

I'm a nut for dinosaurs. When I was young, I wanted more than anything to be a paleontologist. Except I didn't know the difference between a paleontologist and an archeologist., so when I told my older sister I wanted to be an archeologist, she told me I'd have to touch human skulls. Five year old me didn't want to do that, so I gave up on that dream and dinosaurs.

Fast forward 30 years and I have a child of my own and he loves dinosaurs. So of course I start looking into dinosaurs and y'all! the things they have discovered about dinosaurs and well... to sum up (too late) I LOVE DINOSAURS!

Anyway, a friend posted about this graphic novel, Dinosaur Empire! (Earth Before Us 1): Journey through the Mesozoic Era, coming out and I immediately preordered it. I had never heard of Abby Howard, but a feathered dinosaur graphic novel. Oh yeah, count me in!

This graphic novel is now available and while it's marketed to ages 8 and up, I've been reading it through with Bear and he's understanding all of it. Now don't get me wrong, this book is information dense. Many pages are covered with several animals and so much information. But if you've got a lover of Dinosaurs, this is a book you want on your shelf. I love how Abby Howard pressed the idea that you have to be willing to let old ideas go to accept the new science, because gosh! the world of paleontology is constantly discovering and rediscovering these amazing animals.

Well that's my two bits on this particular book and now that Abby Howard is on my radar, I'm gong to be hoping we get a sequel. I'd love to see a comic book about prehistoric animals of the Cenozoic Area. They don't get enough love and there are some amazing creatures.


And as a personal note, I've been up late this whole week working on finishing dolls early so I can prepare for the in-laws. My cat, Amelia, is beside herself. She likes me to be in bed promptly so she can nurse on my nightshirts. Weirdo. Anyway, here's a picture of her trying to be cute and tempt me to go to bed.