LET THE HOLIDAY FESTIVITIES BEGIN

Another week has come and gone. Someone please tell me where the times goes, and better yet, tell me how to slooooow time down. I was looking at Colby the other day and thought, OMG, he's 12 years old! How and when did this happen? He's getting a moustache for crap's sake!!

So this is hopefully the last or next to the last time I blog on this teeny tiny iPad keyboard. I bought a laptop today! Well, I ordered it off the internet anyways. Should be here in 4-7 business days. Super big shout out and a big fat thank you to my friend Jimmy for helping me navigate through all this. Actually he did all the work and research. Then he said what do you think? And I said uh-huh sounds good. He' so funny. He already knows I'll need help setting it up and has offered to do it. Yay!

We've had lots of nursing changes around here. One nurse quit. One nurse is having surgery. Lately we have had 3 different nurses in here to shadow and start. While it's great because we needed shifts filled for Colby, it's always nerve wracking having new people work with Colby. We're stumbling through it and adjusting the nursing schedule as it comes along. Hoping Colby likes the new nurses. Haven't had a chance to talk to him about it. Too many people around, ha!

Remember when I won tickets to the Colts game? That was awesome. Last Thursday at Colby's school they had their annual Turkey Trot. Families are encouraged to eat lunch with the students, then walk laps around the school (inside). My kid neither eats nor walks, but hey, I'm a team player so I went. Signed up to win a food basket. The school was giving away 3. And I won on! That food basket is ginormous! I hit the jackpot! The turkey was too big to fit in my tiny freezer. How lucky am I lately?!

Not very. Went out to go to work Saturday morning and had a flat tire. I've never walked out and had a flat tire. I didn't panic-I didn't lose my mind. It's all good. Borrowed a vehicle from the ex to get to work. Called my daddy. He fixed the tire while I was at work. Bing bang boom, flat tire no longer an issue.

Ok, it's 10:00. Colby is waiting for his Harry Potter read for the night and I have clothes in the dryer to be folded. More blogging and updates soon. Going to be a busy week. Much Turkey Day prep work to do. I'm hosting! Lord have mercy. Will have 8 people crammed into this little apartment. I can do this. I can do this. Just hope the toilet doesn't overflow like it did a couple years ago at Christmas. Nothing says Happy Holidays like plunging the commode. Hoping the plumbing gods smile down on us Thursday.

LONG WEEK, HARD DAY, CALGON TAKE ME AWAY

Friday night, 8:20. I'm in Colby's room typing on this very petite keyboard on this small keyboard. Yep, my computer is definitely effed up. Don't know what else to do except get a new one. So if this blog is full of typos, forgive me and deal with it. Remember, tiny keyboard. Colby is lying in his bed, AFO's and hand splints on. Trying to get him, again, to watch the first Harry Potter movie. He's not having it. We just read the book, why doesn't he want to watch the movie?! Maybe he doesn't like English accents? Who knows. It's at the point where the talking hat is picking which house the students will go. Colby really doesn't care. I should post a video of him whining and looking everywhere but the TV screen. Then you would understand how I can tell what Colby is trying to tell me most of the time. Hold on while I find him something else. Okay, let's see if he'll tolerate Ice Age until I can get this blog done.

This week has been full of ups and downs, with a focus on downs. I know I shouldn't focus on the negative. I know I have many blessings in my life, and when you "look at the big picture" we don't have it half bad around here. There are a lot of people around me who are going through issues much more serious than our problems currently. I have friends who are missing loved ones who have passed away within the last few months. I wish I could find something to say to help comfort them. Seems I always fall short. I have friends going through surgeries. The nurse who goes to school with Colby has been sick. He missed 4 days this week, meaning Colby has missed school and I had to miss work today. Today is a hard day for me. November 14, the day we received Colby's SMA diagnosis. Very hard to believe that was 12 years ago. From that day forward, our lives were changed forever. I'm not saying changed for the bad. There have been lots of joyful, wonderful moments over the years. Been a lot of complicated, difficult ones, too. So here I sit, in this little bedroom in this little apartment, on this little keyboard, a single mom to a special needs child. Wow, didn't see any of that coming my way. Every November 14 is hard on me. I say I won't let it get to me. It's just another Friday or Tuesday or whatever. But we all have days, joyous and shitty, that stand out, and today just happens to be a shitty one for me. Glad this day is almost over.

We (the SMA community) received a shock this week. There is a sweet, wonderful family that lives up East. They are mourning the loss of their son. We're all so saddened and shocked to hear of his passing. This family is very active in the SMA world. I cannot find enough "good" adjectives to describe them. She is the best mom EVER because the boy who passed away had SMA Type I, just like Colby, AND an older brother with SMA Type I also. I have learned so much over the years from this family. By following their lead, we've learned how to "live" with Colby's disorder, not just exist with it, trudging through life. This family took their boys to camp, parades, outings, school, etc. Always so willing to offer advice and support to other SMA families. I don't know the details. Not really sure I want to know. All I know is it sucks. I wish I could do more. I honestly can't imagine what this family is going through. I know the big brother will miss his little brother terribly. How do you even begin to move forward after such a loss? I have no idea.

I'm not going to lie, I just wanted to check out for a couple of days. Wanted to get in my van, start driving, and keep going until I had no gas.Wherever I ended up, fine. But get real, I wouldn't make it 2 miles up the road without my sweet boy as my sidekick, so that wasn't an option. Then I thought, screw it, I'm going to get drunk, really, really, snot-slinging drunk. Once I gave it a little more thought, that didn't seem like the answer either. What they say is true, hangovers are a bitch when you're over 40. Plus there's been a lot of time we haven't had a nurse this week, so I really needed to be on my toes so I could care for sweet boy. Plus I thought maybe a tribute to this wonderful SMA family would be to cry when I needed to, but keep pushing forward. Be the very best mama I can be for Colby. Can't do that if you're drunk\and or hungover. Trust me, I know, learned that several years ago. So I've spent extra time with Colby. Not only being in the same apartment with him, but taking the extra time to really talk to Colby and spend that QT with him. That felt like the right thing to do and that's what I've been doing.

Praying that the new nurse shows up tomorrow at 8AM sharp. Not in the mood for any nursing BS so for here sake and mine, she needs to be on time and ready to learn Mama's way of taking care of Colby. She did a shadowing shift last weekend to get a feel for the in's and out's of Colby care. I didn't spend a lot of time with her because I was at work. We shall see.

Okay, time to get kid in bed, then I'm going to take a steaming hot bubble bath. Because I deserve it. More blogging soon Hopefully it will be a bit more upbeat.

IT'S MONDAY - LET'S GET GOING AND HAVE A GREAT, PRODUCTIVE WEEK - OR AT LEAST TRY

Good Monday morning, blog readers! Time to chug down some coffee and get this week started, don't you think? Here's the latest with us.

There has been a change in plans for today. Colby's nurse called in sick. I talked to him and he sounded horrible. So yes, I think he is legitimately sick. He won't be coming in today, which means no school for Colby. This also means I won't have a nurse all day, but that's okay. I'm getting rather used to not having nursing. Been working with the agency to get empty shifts filled, but it's not as easy as it sounds. We haven't had Colby's nursing schedule filled in months. Then we had one nurse quit and another is having surgery soon. Uh, yeah, we need to get some more nursing peeps in here to cover these empty shifts, like ASAP pronto. Having nursing help in our home is not the magic answer some people think it is. It comes with its own issues and problems, trust me. Makes me very thankful for the great nurses we do have. This is the first sick day Nurse Dave has taken since he started working for Colby in July. Hope he gets better and can make it in tomorrow.

Took Colby to Cincinnati Friday for a follow-up appointment with the spine surgeon. Colby got the “all clear.” Yay! They took x-rays and the surgeon looked at Colby's back/incision. He said everything is right on track, looks great, and gave Colby the okay to resume activities to what we were doing pre-surgery. Surgeon said the only thing Colby wasn't allowed to do is sky diving and bungee jumping. Haha, I think we can handle those restrictions. So I started giving Colby extra PT on his hips and wow, he is stiff! It's going to take some work to get him back to where he was. Hoping it's not too late and that Colby's hips haven't contractured. That would suck big time. We got stuck in traffic on the way home. Uggggg, that's so frustrating. But I tried to keep in mind we weren't the ones in the accident. We didn't get hurt or the van didn't get damaged, and that's what really mattered. But it was still frustrating, ha!

Colby's g-tube has been leaking lately (insert big sigh.) This is new. In 12 years, Colby has never had an issue with anything digestion-related. This is saying something because many SMA kiddos have motility issues. My guess is the size of his Mic-Key button needs to be changed. That's the way he eats. You stick an extension and syringe in the Mic-Key button and pour in his food, straight to his belly. Colby eats nothing by mouth. He only gets to taste foods occasionally. So if it's leaking and he isn't getting all the nutrition he needs, that's a big deal. Will start making some calls on this issue today. Can't have that stinky food leaking out, that's just disgusting.

Colby and I have finished reading the first Harry Potter book. I was so excited to watch the movie with him. Well, he hated it. Within half an hour, he was crying. When Harry is on platform 9-3/4 getting ready to go to Hogwarts, the tears began. Oh sweet boy. Sometimes I just don't know about that kid. I knew he'd love it! Wrong, wrong, wrong. Maybe we'll try again. We watched it Friday after being gone to Cincy all day. We were worn out, so maybe Colby just needed his familiar Spongebob and wasn't in the mood to try anything new. The nurse and I gave Colby a hair cut and bath last night. Not exactly an easy task, but it definitely needed to be done.

As for me, I have much to do this week. Many, many phone calls to make, not just Mic-key button issues. Booooo. I have some paperwork/mail to go through. Getting ready to start a load of laundry and get boy up for the day. I'm also working extra days this week, so I'll need to get these phone calls and other bullcrap stuff done before Wednesday. I've been trying to eat healthier/lose weight and you know what, it ain't easy! Incredibly frustrating as a matter of fact. There's measuring portions, chopping veggies, reading labels when grocery shopping, finding time to exercise. It's like having a 3^rd job around here. 1^st job-full time mommy to Colby, 2^nd job-pre pack at the hospital, 3^rd job-start taking better care of myself. So time consuming and not easy giving in to stress eating and cravings, but hoping it'll be worth it. I've lost 4 pounds in 4 weeks, which is right on track for what “they” say is healthy weight loss. Hoping I can keep it up and take the time to take care of myself. Not easy. Not easy at all, but I must do it to be the best mama I can be to Colby. And I'm not going to lie, I want to get back in my skinny jeans!

Wrapping this up now. I hear Colby back there, awake and obviously wanting some attention. Will blog more in a few days when I have time and/or there is something to blog about for all you good peeps to read! Bye for now.

BUSY THEN LAZY - SOMEWHAT LAZY - WONDERFUL TO GET SOME REST

So what have we been up to this weekend? As little as possible! Seems like ever since we've been home from the hospital it's been busier than usual around here. Like cray-cray, I can't get all this stuff done, there's not enough time in the day, can't talk now I'm busy, somebody get me some vodka and an assistant kind of busy. But finally seems like it has finally lightened up a bit. Thank goodness.

This was Colby's first week back to school. He did well, but by the end of the week he was super sleepy and a bit grumpy. I kept reminding him, hey kid, you're the one who wanted to go back to school. They did trick-or-treat at his school on Thursday. Always such a fun time! Check out the world's most awesome, cutest Beetlejuice ever! I went as Lydia Deetz and Colby's nurse went as the Brawny man. We didn't go out trick-or-treating Friday night. Too cold and windy, didn't have a nurse to go with us, and I think Colby's getting a little big/old for trick-or-treat. So we'll probably stick with the school thing from now on and that's about it. Colby's high school peer buddies helped him do a scary jack-o-lantern. It looked fantastic until the squirrels came along and ate through its face. Yep, took a chunk out of that poor pumpkin's mouth and nose. Darn tree rats! We stuck it back together with toothpicks haha. Then Colby's daddy helped him make a funny face pumpkin. Last I checked it was still intact. Introduced Colby to some scary movies Friday night. We watched a little of Halloween II. He didn't seemed impressed. We also watched The Lost Boys, and I could tell Colby was more interested in that. Maybe next year for Michael Myers.

Friends to the rescue! I know I've said it many times before, but I would be so completely worthless without my friends. My parents too, of course, but lately my friends have stepped up their awesomeness also. Let's just say I'm a bit on the technology challenged time. A couple weeks ago my computer went ca-poo-ey. It wouldn't shut down, then it wouldn't turn off. Had to unplug it from the wall. Then when I turned it back on, it started doing this self check/scan thing. Then it got stuck doing that. I just knew my computer was dying a slow death and that I was going to lose everything. Called my computer buddy Jimmy. He said try this, try that. We finally got the computer to reboot. So I ran out and got memory sticks and was able to back up all my documents and pictures. Thank God. Note to self, start doing more regular backups, duh. While we went to Cincinnati, he took my computer home and fixed it. Eventually I want to get a laptop and get rid of this bulky computer, but not just yet. I'm old school. I use equipment until it absolutely stops working or is so obsolete I have no choice but to get new. Then there was my cell phone. That poor thing really did die a horrible death. Drowning. It was giving me fits anyways. The front case fell off, and I couldn't get it snapped back on. So the battery was running down constantly, along with I was hanging up on people accidentally, butt dialing people, etc. It was awful. Then after I dropped it in the water, it really freaked out. (Yes, I swear it was an accident!) I could get a text but couldn't send one. I could make a call but couldn't get one. It was ridiculous. And my friend Rhonda comes along and gives me her old iPhone 4. Sweet! I never would've spent the money on an iPhone. I was so grateful not to have to go out and get a new phone, and the fact that it's an iPhone, bonus! Thank you, friends, I'd be up Poop Creek without you.

It hasn't been all work, work, work around here. I've been able to do some fun things, too. A couple of weeks ago I won tickets to a Colts game. Do you hear me?! I got to go to a Colts game for FREE! You can't beat that with a stick. I try to go to a Colts game once a year. For some reason didn't go last year. Oh wait, I know the reason, my money for tickets! I took my friend Chris. She had never been to an NFL game before, so she was excited, too. We had a great time, and it was even better when the Colts shut out the Bengals. Who dey, losers, that's who. Ha! Last Sunday some friends and I went to see Dracula. I've been wanting to see it for years. I had never been to Actors Theater. It was awesome! Scary as shit and totally fantastic. Loved it. So glad we went.

So this weekend we needed to catch up on sleep. Oh wonderful, peaceful, much needed sleep. I couldn't tell you the last time I went to bed and didn't set my alarm. And last night we got an extra hour from setting the clocks back, how happy is this mama right now? The only things I wanted to get done yesterday were do a load of laundry, update my blog and go through the mail. Well, 1 out of 3 ain't bad. Got the laundry done. Now obviously I'm getting the blog done. Still need to get the mail sorted. I know I have bills in there to pay (bummer) so that WILL get done today. Think I'll change out Colby's Mic-Key button this morning. It's been a little leaky recently. That's his g-tube/feeding button for those who aren't familiar with the term.

Wow, I can get chatty on a blog update. So I'll wind this up for now. Colby is off school Monday and Tuesday. I have an endocrinology appt this week, along with an eye doctor appt. Then we take Colby to see the spine surgeon on Friday. Hoping to get the post-surgery all-clear from him. Can't imagine why he wouldn't. That sweet boy is something else. Takes a licking and keeps on ticking. Because of him I want to do more, to do better. People say I'm “amazing” for what I do to take care of him. Not really. He's the amazing one. He's strong, determined, adorable and takes every adversity in his life and somehow just handles it. With humor and extreme cuteness, I might add. I simply follow his lead. So lucky to be that child's mama! Thankful every day!

 

COLBY UPDATE AND FUNDRAISING UPDATE - Don't forget you need a new spatula or cookie sheet!

It's been a while since I've blogged, I know. I don't like going over a week without blogging, and you know exactly what I'm going to say. We've been busy, really busy. Hey, it's true, really true. So let's get caught up on all things Amy and Colby, shall we?

Starting with Colby, of course. He's doing great! Last week we had appts at Cincinnati Children's. These were on the calendar months before he got sick recently. Went up on Tuesday. First we saw Pulmonary. They tested the pressures and leak in Colby's trach, putting various amounts of water in his cuff. Turns out he was losing a lot of pressure, meaning he wasn't getting the total benefit of his vent settings. The compromise is, we put as much water in the cuff that still allows Colby to verbalize, 2 mL seems to do nicely. The pulmonologist thought Colby looked great. He said hey, if you want to send him back to school, okay by me. Then off to Neurology. We saw the dietitian. She thinks Colby needs more protein in his diet. I just did a major dietary overhaul to Colby's formula recipe back in May. So I don't know if I agree with her or not. As soon as I have some time, I'll sit down and reevaluate. The neurologist thought Colby looked great, too. Dad, Colby and I spent the night up there because Colby then had an ophthalmology appt on Wed morning. His eyes are fine, his prescription remains unchanged. Love getting those good reports. They make the long, tiring, worrisome trip much easier to handle. We were all simply exhausted by the time we got home Wednesday afternoon, 3:00ish. Took a whole day to unpack, reorganized and rested. Next week we go see the spine surgeon for a post-surgery follow up. That'll be a much easier trip, up and back in one day. And I know we'll get a good report then, too, because let's face it, my sweet boy is a rock star stud!

Yesterday was Colby's first day back to school since mid-September. Yikes! He seemed fine and excited to get back to school. I was a nervous wreck. And in typical kickass Colby fashion, he did great. I stayed home and cleaned house while he was gone, along with the help of my sweet, wonderful mama. This place was super gross dirty. Hadn't been cleaned really well since we both got sick. Can you say nasty?! But it' sparkly clean now. So nice to get one chore completely done and off the to-do list. I've changed Colby's school schedule. He'll be going on Mon, Wed, Thurs and Fri now. Tuesdays we're playing hooky from school so we can take Colby swimming. It was just too much trying to get it all coordinated with him going to school on Tuesdays. Hey, don't judge me. Just trying to figure out what's best for all parties involved. And in my humble opinion, which after all is the opinion that matters, we're all better off if Colby doesn't go to school on Tuesdays. End of story.

Let's talk fundraising! THANK YOU to all who attended the Pampered Chef cooking show last week. I was unable to go, but hear it went great. There were about 10 people in attendance and the sales are rolling in. If you haven't placed your order yet, THERE'S STILL TIME! Orders need to be in by the end of the day Thursday, October 30. Here is the link to order online: http://tinyurl.com/ColbyRussSMA. Colby and I will receive 25% of the sales from this fundraiser. That's a significant amount of change for our “get-out-of-this-tiny-apartment-and-into-a-house” fund. The Pampered Chef special for October is 20% off all stoneware and metal bake ware. That's a heck of a sale! Ask anyone, they'll tell you, Pampered Chef stones and bake ware are fabulous and really are must-haves for your cooking needs. Everyone should have some Pampered Chef in their kitchen - it's wonderful, quality stuff. Just sayin'.

Better get going. Want to get my shower before the nurse gets here at 8:00. I have a hair cut appt today. Then we'll take Colby swimming. Then Colby will need a bath to get the salt water off. School pictures are tomorrow, and at this point, I have no idea what he's wearing. Might also trim up his hair a little. It's looking a little ratty. And oh yeah, I'm going in to work a few hours tonight. We're super busy at the hospital. Imagine that, a hospital really busy during cold and flu season?! Okay, there's your update for now. Must get busy with our Tuesday. More soon, it won't be a week before I blog again, I promise.

FUNDRAISER INFO - Who needs a skillet??

Our Next Get-a-House Fundraiser

PAMPERED CHEF

Profits from this fundraiser will benefit our "we-have-outgrown-our-tiny-apartment-and need-a-handicap-accessible-home" fund. In case you are reading this blog for the first time, here is our story:

Colby was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type 1 at four months of age. Although he had a life expectancy of 2 years, Colby just celebrated his 12^th birthday in July. He is trach/vent dependent and g-tube dependent, along with requiring a wheelchair for mobility. Colby requires various braces and supports to help with contractures and assist in positioning. He is nonverbal but currently uses a communication system with eye gaze technology. He is followed by a pulmonologist, neurologist, cardiologist, orthopedist, dietician and physical therapist at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Colby had spinal fusion surgery in June, requiring a 16-day hospital stay. Colby also had a recent respiratory illness and spent 11 days at Cincinnati Children's.

Colby's mom, Amy, is a single parent. She works part time so she can be available for Colby’s hands-on care and appointments.

This fundraiser is designated to assist in the purchase of a house that can be made accessible for Colby.  Profits will be 25% of all purchases. Also for every cooking show booked – an additional $5.00 will be added to the proceeds.

OCTOBER PAMPERED CHEF SPECIAL:

ALL STONEWARE AND METAL BAKEWARE 20% OFF

Your family and friends may shop online at:  http://tinyurl.com/ColbyRussSMA

All deliveries in the local Kentuckiana area will be provided. If you wish to purchase and live outside the area, please select direct shipping and your order will be sent directly to you. This will allow everyone to share this fundraiser with all family and friends.

If you would prefer – you may contact Candy Fox, Consultant with Pampered Chef, at 502-445-0027 to place your order via phone. Her e-mail is xofden@aol.com if you want to send her your order that way or have any specific Pampered Chef questions. Payment methods include Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express. Make checks payable to Candy Fox. 

All orders are due by October 31, 2014

From Amy:

*I would like to thank everyone who has supported us and our fundraisers in the past. Our recent Origami Owl fundraiser profited around $250 for our house fund. Slowly but surely, we will reach our goal!

**I would also like to give a special shout out thanks to my friends at my old job for organizing this Pampered Chef fundraiser. I haven't had to do much for it except spread the word. Thanks GCCS gang. Love ya bunches.

MUCH NEEDED REST AND NORMALCY

It's been 8 days since we've been home from the hospital, and I feel we've finally gotten around to our "normal" routine. Saturday night was the last night I had to get up and do a respiratory treatment at 2AM. Colby is also finished with his antibiotics. And I must brag a bit and say, Colby is doing very well. So nice to hear the whoosh-whoosh-whoosh of clear lungs instead of the crackles and rubs we heard for over two weeks. Again, let me just say how incredibly happy we are to be out of that hospital and back home. I appreciate all that Cincinnati Children's did for Colby. The nurses and respiratory therapists were all, for the most part, pretty darn good. I didn't have to throw any big fits to get something fixed. But I'm so glad to be out of that hospital, you have no idea. I'm sure Colby is too. After all, he was the one with the illness.

There are two things I've noticed with Colby's new vent mode and settings. #1-his heart rate is lower. Much lower than it used to be. I guess that's a good thing? His heart isn't having to work as hard and he's more comfortable. #2-Colby can't jabber and make noises like he could before. He still jabbers but it's not nearly as loud. Almost sounds like he has a sore throat. I hate this. Absolutely hate it. I want to run back there and put the vent setting back where they were. But that's not the answer, so we'll all have to get used to his new, not-so-loud, hoarse jabbers. Good God, SMA sucks so much there are no words to describe it.  

Monday the nurse and I took Colby to look for Halloween costumes. If you know us at all, we take our dressing up for Halloween pretty darn seriously. So we have Colby's picked out. And no, I'm not telling, it's a surprise. Now I have to decide if I'm going to dress up or not. I've been invited to two Halloween parties, on different weekends, and guess what? No nursing coverage for either night. That blows. But I could dress up and go to school with Colby the day they have trick-or-treating. That's what I did last year, just tagged along with Colby and his nurse. Can't decide yet.

Monday night I hit a wall. The "I've been stressed, worried, and have missed way too much sleep" wall. It was 9:30PM and I honestly couldn't function. I was so, so, so, so tired. I told the nurse, I have to get some sleep. She said no problem, she would finish tucking in Colby. I swear I got ready for bed and was zonked completely out by 9:45. Slept until Colby's feeding pump went off at 7AM the next morning. Man, did I ever need that sleep.

Tuesday we took Colby swimming for the first time since I don't know when. He loved it. He looked happy and content floating around in the water. Taking him swimming is a big pain in the patootey, but very worth it. Then when the night nurse got here we gave him a bath to get all the salt water off of him. Tuesday it was his night to zonk out. By the time I walked the nurse to the door, chatted with her a couple of minutes, and went back in to tuck in Colby, he was already snoozing away. Play hard, sleep hard, guess that's our motto.

I have struggled back and forth and back and forth on whether or not to send Colby back to school or put him on home/hospital instruction for a while. I know when we were at Cincy I said home/hospital all the way. But of course I'm going to think that when he's in the middle of an illness! I was freaking out just a tad. This has been a very difficult decision. Finally, I asked Colby, do you want to go back to school, yes or no, holding out my hands like always so he can use his eyes and answer. He picked YES! I was shocked! So shocked I asked him 3 times, and each time his answer was yes. The nurse said, how many times are you going to ask Colby that? My answer was, as many times as it takes until I get the answer I want, haha. But I asked him again this morning, and he definitely said YES to going back to school. So, Mr. ColbyRuss BigBoyPants is returning to school Monday, October 27. Final answer. I think.Unless I freak out and change my mind between now and then.

This blog entry is getting lengthy so I'll wrap it up for now. Next blog entry will be to tell you all about the Pampered Chef fundraiser we're having to fatten up that "get Amy and Colby a house and out of their tiny apartment" fund. Bye for now. Realize your blessings. Count them. Be thankful for them. Should make you smile, and smiling is gooooood.