The Halls of Insanity

Truer words were never spoken

"Everybody makes mistakes; except for Jesus. And Mary." 

-Sean M. Hall, 16 Jan 2011

 

 

Sir, Has Anyone Had Access to Your Bags?

I don't travel nearly as much as I used to so I'm not sure if they (the airline peeps) still ask you the ridiculous question as to whether or not your bags have been under your complete and total control since they were packed.  {Like anyone was really ever going to pipe up and say, "Yup.  I let that shifty guy over there pack 'em for me."}  But I never thought you would need to keep your backpack in your sights at all times lest someone, say, your little sister, gets ahold of it. 

I just picked Sean up from school.  As he gets in the car,we go through the usual:  how was your day?  why were you talking? etc, etc, etc.  Once the formalities are all done, he looks at me puzzled, and says, "Mom, did you pack me tuna fish for lunch?".  My mind begins to race; surely I didn't pack him a tuna fish sandwich for lunch.  Did I?  No, no. I know I remember making him a pb&j.  I reply a slightly puzzled, reluctant, "No....".  And he comes back with, "Well, Addie did then".  What?!  She can make sandwiches now?!  While I'm still processing all of this, he opens up his backpack and pulls out 4 packages of tuna fish.  Addie had stuck them in his backpack. 

So if you ever come visit our house, you may want to check your bags before you leave as you too might be packing tuna fish. 

Back to the Grind

Summer has officially come to a close here in Alabama, even though the weather and temps don't seem to agree.  And, oh, what a summer it was!  It was wonderful because we were able to enjoy the fact that Layla is still gracing us with her presence, which we weren't sure would happen.  Here's a brief synopsis, with pics!, of our summer:

Sean and Addie had birthdays; his on June 12th and her's on June 13th.  She knows no better so we celebrated them both on the 12th.  We got Addie her own cake so that made her happy enough.  He turned 8 and she turned 2.  Lord, help us.

The "blur" was the best money I ever spent!  Those balloons were here favorite gift....

Layla with Daddy

After Sean's birthday, he drove back to Texas with John's parents, who were gracious enough to drive up here for the birthdays and to get Sean.  He was very missed here but he had a fantastic time with them just hanging out and getting to see his cousins, Cameron and Maddison.

Cameron, Sean and Maddison

Then, at the very end of June, we drove down to Texas in a van with A/C issues, loaded to the hilt with oxygen clyinders.  Good times.  But that's for a different post.  We drove down not only to get Sean but to take our annual trip to Surfside Beach.  This is the 5th year we've gone but only the second year we've stayed a full week.  Surfside Beach isn't commercial (at all) with only a few mom-and-pop shops, but that's the allure.  You do have to make a  trip to the grocery and stock up,  which is a chore for 10 people (Layla brings her own food; she's picky like that).  It's probably the most relaxed I am all year, which was much needed after pretty much the whole month of May.  The beach was tar ball free and the tropical storms and hurricanes stayed away.  It was a great time. 

At the end of the jetty when a storm was rolling in....not sure Sean was digging the crashing waves

Double Trouble

John thoroughly enjoying himself; notice the beard. I don't think a razor touched his face all week

Layla going for a dip in her "beach" (usually bath) chair

Cameron, Layla and Maddison

Addie with Grandad and watching the waves at our waterfront, and sometimes depending on storms and tides, over-water house

Grandad with Addie

Daddy holding the swimming beauty

Yes, it really was a doulbe rainbow

Grandad and Grandma with Layla enjoying the windy,humid night

Addie getting pushed along by the breeze?  No telling with her......

A future twirling dervish, but with bubbles!

Addie checking on Layla and surely telling her, "You ok. You ok."

Packed like sardines on the way home.  I think they had a good time.

What's next, the plague?

I really wish that blogger would let me re-arrange my posts so that they flow better. My brain just doesn't work in reverse. I have to think ahead about what I want to write so that you don't read the end before the beginning. They assume that my moments of brilliance are just constant streams of witty banter emanating from my very being. However, they could not be more wrong. Case in point: I just wrote a post about a stomach bug which will be referenced in this post. And when I write it, I will want to write it as if you already know about said stomach bug (which you do now, but for the purpose of me making my point, pretend you don't). I need to be able to re-arrange the posts so that you see the stomach bug post first and then read this one. See what I'm saying? Otherwise, it's like having a conversation with my mother. For those of you who know her, you are now nodding "yes". Those of you who don't, well, you now have a good idea. And Mom, I love you. No harm intended. I know your interest was immediately peaked by the title of this post. And I have mentioned said reference to the stomach bug. A nasty 24 hour bug that went from Addie, to me and then onto Mom, John and Sean on the day of Layla's third 4th birthday party (wrap your mind around that one; you'll figure it out when you read the post about her birthday parties). We all made it back to Alabama and I believe we managed to not leave anyone ill in our wake (thank goodness!). But this past Sunday, Sean complained about his head itching. I noticed that he had a rash on his body, not hives, but a rash. I tried Benadryl but that didn't even help. I (silently) became concerned and searched webmd for answers, none of which I was really crazy about. I kept him home from school on Monday and took him to the dr. The diagnosis: SCARLET FEVER!!!! I know!!!! Who in the world gets SCARLET FEVER in this day and age?!?! My son, that's who! He had severe strep throat (me too. yay.) which goes along with SCARLET FEVER! but I didn't get the rash. Also on the good side, it seems that I am the only other one besides Sean to get strep throat so perhaps we're in the clear. I thought SCARLET FEVER was only something you read about in Little Women or saw in old movies. Apparently not. We are going to Texas for Christmas. I have this vision of our germ-mobile emanating a Pig-Pen like cloud of germs as we speed down the highway, sickening all of those who come in our presence. Good times.

Clowns are Evil

Part of a conversation that took place between Sean and me today: Me: You know, evil can disguise itself as things that seem like lots of fun. Sean: Yeah, I know. That's why I don't like clowns.

In Need of a Makeover

Apparently, I'm in need of a makeover. This epiphany came to me one night while sitting at the computer chatting with John who was at the time deployed to Afghanistan. Sean approached me and began with, "You know, Mom, if you want to be popular....". I'll stop there to let you know what was going through my head at this point. It was a bunch of whaaaaa???? Huh? He definitely got my attention. I interrupted him and said, "If I want to be popular?". He replied, "Yeah. If you want to be popular you need to get some popular shoes, some popular pants and shirt, and you need to get an InStyler for your hair". "Ok," I replied. "So I need popular shoes, pants and shirt and an InStyler." "Yeah, so you can have "flaps" (making an upward curving motion with his hands by his ears; think of the Flying Nun and you'll have a general idea). "Flaps?," I say. "Wow. You think I would look good with flaps". "Yeah, I think so. And you can look like you just stepped out of a salon every day". Lord help me the day he figures out how to dial the number and give them my credit card. I'll have every piece of crap sold on tv. But I bet I'll look damn good!!!

A Tale of Two Dick's

Ok, people, get your minds out of the gutter. I know that's right where they went. What kind of a blog do you think this is? Don't answer that. Huntsville is a thriving metropolis with many shopping areas, most of which are very nice. One of the stores in said shopping centers is Dick's Sporting Goods. We have been in there a couple of times to purchase stuff for Sean. While traveling to a new area of Huntsville we'd never been through before, Sean noticed some new construction in a shopping center. He said, "Wow! They're getting a new Dick's! But that Dick's looks a little bit shorter than the other Dick's". I kid you not. I couldn't make this stuff up.

Because I'm forgetful

These are just some random pics. Some of them could have been put in with the posts that I've written tonight, but did I think about that? Nooooo......That would require too much forethought.

17 Apr 09: A diva in the making

Easter, Addie and Layla

Easter, 3 beautiful Hall kiddos I think Addie wants to escape

Snug as a bug in a rug

Snug as two bugs in a rug (notice where their hands are; too sweet)

At the Space Center, where Cameron (left) and Sean (right) are learning about all things Physics. Where was this guy when I needed him?

Rickshaw John pulling Cameron and Addie

I think Maddison is destined for pageants.

Labels: Pics

Standing His Ground

Many of you have met Sean. For those of you who have not, I think I can sum him up by saying he's all boy. He got his father's persistance and my obstinance, which makes for a deadly combination. However, he has an inner gumption, if you will, about him of unknown origin. John and I are both pretty go with the flow, don't rock the boat kind of folks. As for Sean, yeah, not so much. One evening while the Texas Halls were visiting, we were discussing politics. Sean joins in the conversation saying, "Well, ya know, they tried to give me a bookmark of him [Obama] and I told him I didn't want it". Needless to say, this got everyone's attention and we inquired more. You refused the bookmark because it had him on it? Did you get in trouble? What did they say? (Answers: yes, no, and ok) Then he added, "Yeah, and they tried to get me to color his picture and I told them I wouldn't do that either". Sean's not a fan of the president, if you couldn't tell. And despite what your political leanings may be, you have to give the boy major credit for standing up for what he believes in. However, if his beliefs come to include a refusal to clean his room for fear of disturbing its natural state, we may have issues. What can I say? Refusing to color Obama's picture doesn't make my house messy.

Labels: Sean

Ever Washed a McGriddle? I have.

And let me tell you, the end result ain't pretty. Why, you ask, did I wash a McGriddle? No, not just for poops and giggleho's, as John would say. It is a tale. A tale of having three children, one of whom sees the doctor. Many doctors. A lot. Yesterday, we went to Birmingham (henceforth referred to as B-ham because I'm lazy) to meet Layla's new neurosurgeon, Dr. Blount. Yesterday morning started early, as her appointment was at 10:30 am. B-ham is not far away but with traffic, we were uncertain of travel time. Sean complained of not feeling well in the morning but we assumed this was a tactic to get one of us to take Layla and the other parent stay home with him. We will not be duped so easily!!! We made it to B-ham in plenty of time and decided to grab a bite to eat at McDonalds (you see now where the McGriddle is coming into play?). After dining in the parking lot of the medical complex, we drove around aimlessly looking for a handicapped spot (I will hold my tongue, or fingers, and not rant and rave about the people who have handicapped tags and don't really need them, when we, as a family with a child in a wheelchair do. Grrrr.....I digress). We managed to get the Hall Family Circus up to where we needed to be and waited. During this time, in this room filled with children (let me tell you, there is no place more sad than a children's medical facility), Sean actually came over and said he didn't feel well. He actually lay down on the floor. Hmmmm.....odd for him. We told him it was because he downed the sprite we got him with breakfast (hey, it was McDonalds....what do you want from me?) and didn't eat anything (said McGriddle was in his pocket). Finally, we made it back to the exam room. Just a side note: Sean typically picks Layla's appointments to act like a total bafooon. For example, when John and I were trying to learn how to change out Layla's g-tube button, Sean ran around the room with spit in his mouth, cheeks puffed out, making awful noises. No reason, not about to faint or throw up, as one might think. Nope, just being a bafoon. Changing out her button is a time-sensitive task as the hole will begin to close up. Eeks! So, we gave Sean the "talk" about behaving and being quiet so that we could hear what the dr. had to say. Dr. Blount came in, was very nice and knows both of Layla's previous neurosurgeons and spoke very highly of Layla's new neurologist who we will meet later this month. It was a quick meeting, mainly a "Hi. How are ya? Here's Layla.". It did get hot in the room. When it was over, we praised Sean for being good and started to pack up the girls. Sean wandered out into the hallway. All of a sudden, I heard a splattering noise out in the hallway. Yup. Sean tossed his cookies. I can remember only one other time in his 6 1/2 years on this planet that he has thrown up. Everyone was so very kind, and told me that there was a 24 hour bug going around. Super. Guess it was a good thing he didn't eat the McGriddle. I guess Sean is going to be pretty immune to stomach bugs because he got to feeling great on the way home. He actually wanted us to stop and get him 24 chicken nuggets (yup, you guess it: from McDonalds). What happened to the McGriddle you ask? Well, I washed everything he had on last night. Another side note: I do not check pockets. I feel it is the responsibility of the wearer to remove all items from their pockets lest they be washed. And John just has way too many pockets on his ACU's and all that stupid velcro. Anywho, when I opened the washing machine (and it's a front loading one) I wondered what was that strange stuff in the rubber lining. McGriddle. The word ran through my head in the same manner Seinfeld would say "Newman", with complete and total disdain. Then I hung my head and thought, "This is what my life has come to: I washed a McGriddle.".