Fever- I got the fever. Fever all throught the night.

So last night I was sitting there wondering why I had the chills. I got up and put on another layer of clothes. Nope, that didn't work. I turned off the ceiling fan, no. Hum. Uh oh. I took my temperature and sure enough-102.8 Great, just great. I popped some pills, wished my husband and son good night and went to bed.
A few hours of tossing, turning and sweating later I moved to the couch where I took my temperature again. 105.6, I knew I was in for misery. Not just because of the bad TV thats on at that hour either.
So far, I've been taking Ibuprofen every 4 hours and the lowest I can get my temp is 103.
My biggest concern is that now I'm going to get Gryffin sick- again.

Gryffin's fever finally broke last night. This was after I freaked and had Mike rush home because he had a fever of 105.5 and I was low on medicine. Gryffin's fever went down after a cool bath, Mike came home with medicine and Gryffin's mood perked up greatly to see Da-ee home early. It was still a rough night with him waking every couple of hours screaming, but at least after about 10pm there was no fever.
Thank you for prayers- they worked, as usual!

Anyone who reads, please say a prayer for Gryffin. His fever is back. I don't know if its the same thing as before, I only know that he was up till 2:30 this morning unable to sleep because of it. Thank you!

Big Shoes!

Gryffin and I discovered yet another way to have the home made tortillas. Spread a thin layer of peanut butter on half and fold over, I drizzle a little bit of honey on mine. This made for a most excellent late night snack. I've tried this before with the store bought tortillas but it just didn't work out the same. I think maybe because their salt content is too high.

The past couple weeks Gryffin has been letting us know when his diaper is dirty by pointing to it. Wow, Kiddo! Between the sign language and this you're making it easy on us! Thanks!

Tuesday terror....

It's Tuesday and my muther is coming this evening to visit. I'm so excited I may vomit. Sorry, I know I shouldn't be like that. I will enjoy watching Gryffin show off and be cute. And watch Mike try to keep himself occupied and get out of hugging her.
Last night's dinner was awesome. I even impressed myself! It was a Mexican Fiesta of home made tortillas, sofrito rice, pan roasted corn with black beans and taco meat. Along with all the regular comdiments, it turned out wonderfully. Mike had thirds and Gryffin cleaned his plate!
Tonight is honey mustard chicken with brown rice and broccoli. I hope it turns out as well.
Enough of patting myself on the back... my arm is starting to hurt!

Schedule adjustment...

Today I am stuck with a cranker! Gryffin's schedule got all out of whack over the weekend which has got him all messed up today. Since it was hopeless to get him into a good mood I decided that it was time to get him in sync with the 'Day Out' programs schedule. This involves going from two naps, one morning/one late afternoon, to just one after lunch. I think it will take me longer to get used to than him as this cuts my free time down drastically. I guess I will just have to take my showers at night and squeeze all my household duties into a single naps timeframe. Not impossible.
This just reiterates what I've always known. Kids must have schedules and structure. When they no longer know what to expect they freak out. I was this way as a child, which explains why I was always freaking out. I still do sometimes when things aren't as they usually are. But as an adult I have better coping skills and can more easily adjust.
Again, if I'm going to get it ALL done in one nap session I've got to get moving!

Gryffin On YouTube!

Go check him out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzoKduHG4A0

Woo Hoo we're havin' a cookout!

My brother, sister-in-law and their two sons are coming over tomorrow for a cook out. I'm so excited I've already put the pie in the oven. I think this is the first time that I'm having people over where I haven't run ragged trying to get the house clean and the food prepped. I do have to do a little shopping for food but not much. Some brats, some salad fixin's, corn and beans. Ooh, I need ice cream to go with that pie though! It would be un-American to have apple pie without ice cream on a summer Saturday cookout.
I think the only things that NEED to be done are the yard mowed and the poop scooped, both of which I DO NOT do. I deal with enough poop day in/day out that I refuse to clean up the dog's too. Sorry Honey, but that is up to you.
I hope all of you have a great weekend!

Honey Wheat Bread

The bread was a wonderful success! Yuuuuuu-my! It was super easy too. I may never need my bread machine again as I just used it for kneading and never baking. Heck, I've got my food processor and KitchenAid mixer for that! One less thing to clean and put away is good, especially in a kitchen that is less than 100 square feet.

Honey Wheat Bread

1 1/4 cups lukewarm water
4 teaspoons honey
1 teaspoon sugar
2 1/4 teaspoons bread machine yeast
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon salt

1. In a small bowl, combine water, honey, sugar: sprinkle with yeast. let stand until foamy, about 10 minutes
2. In food processor, combine flours and salt. While the machine is running add yeast mixture just until the dough forms a ball. If too wet, add small amounts of flour just until ball forms.
3. Knead dough by pulsing until it is smooth and no longer sticky, about 30 times.
4. Spray large bowl with nonstick spray; place dough in bowl and cover loosely with plastic wrap. Let dough rise until double in size, about 1 hour.
5. Punch down dough and turn out onto floured surface. Pat into 8x12" rectangle. Fold into thirds, pinching the seams to seal and form and 8" loaf.
6. Spray an 8x4"loaf pan. Place dough in, cover with plastic wrap and let rise until doubled, about an hour.
7. Preheat oven to 350 and bake on center rack until it sounds hollow or internal temp in over 190. About 1 hour.
8. Remove from pan and cool completely on rack.

On a roll...

I'm on a roll and its Honey Wheat! Actually, I'm making a loaf of bread. Another attempt hopefully more successful than the last. I found a new recipe in the Weight Watchers cookbook. I'm not on the program but always try to eat healthy. Heck, my snack-loving/fruit & vegetable hating brother would starve around here. The closest thing we have to snacks are low-fat cheezits, which I usually make chicken fingers with.
You can smell fall in the air today. I love it! I've got all the windows open and the attic fan going so there is a nice little breeze throughout the house. I think I may be even looking forward to winter. Something about hot cocoa and hopefully getting to watch Gryffin play in the snow for the first time.
I've already done my menu for next week and the grocery shopping so I think I may start on the laundry. Thursday is my shopping/errand and catch-up day. My errands are on hold until the buyer for our chair and ottoman shows up sometime after noon. But I'm thinking they may be on hold till at least tomorrow, if this weather holds Gryffin and I may just play the day away!

Slacker to Attacker

I was a slacker yesterday. Didn't get the bathroom clean or any laundry done. But I'm back on track for today!
Wednesday is Kitchen/Dining room Day.
I've already: cleaned out the fridge, wiped down the counters and appliances, cleaned the stove and microwave, wiped down the table, watered the plants, dusted and vacuumed.
Hopefully, I will still have enough steam to do the bathroom and laundry from yesterday. Oh, and I've got to clean the chair and ottoman that was sold over Ebay because the buyers are picking it up tomorrow. And since we sold Mike's old recliner yesterday my living room is going to look like a living room again. Maybe I will post a picture of our new chairs.
I want to give a shout out to Catherine, angelfoodcakeisntacandle.blogspot.com, for catching me when I was falling off the bandwagon. It helps to have a cleaning buddy. Keep it up, Girl and I will try to keep up with you!
Butts growing roots, gotta move!

Scrub-a-dub-tub

Yesterday was a rough one. Gryffin's rash was so bad he wouldn't sit down all day and screamed and kicked when it was time for a diaper change. He didn't do much playing either. That is (fingers crossed) over, for the most part. He still has a little redness but he no longer looks like one of those weird butted baboons at the zoo that you just can't help staring at.
Today is bathroom day- my least favorite. I wipe down the sink every night when I wash my face so that never gets too bad. But the tub it seems always looks dirty. Thanks hard water, I needed an upper body workout. Funny how a thing that is always getting covered in soap never really gets clean. At least I only have one small bathroom to contend with unlike my MIL who has like ninetybajillion. When she bought her house I told her she must love vacuuming and scrubbing toilets because that was all she was going to be doing. I complain about my little two bed one, bath house but at least it doesn't take long to clean.

Tuesday To Do's:
scrub tub, sink, stool and floor
clean mirror, window and stained glass panel
straighten linen closet
wash rug & shower curtain, change shower liner

For Bonus Points and a chance to compete in the finals:
clean out the fridge in prep for maintenance dude tomorrow
get a jump on the menu and grocery list

Gryffin is on the mend. Fever is gone, crankiness and rash are all that is left.
Our leather chair and ottoman that we posted on Ebay as a local pickup only item sold. And for a heck of a lot more than we thought it would. We got half of its original cost and got to use and abuse it for several years. Now we are just waiting for the buyer to come pick it up.
The weekend, although hecktick and emotional, was productive. Since we were house bound it got cleaned- even the mud room! Yeah, I have my mudroom back. All my cleaning supplies are in there organized and reachable. My 'To Sell' items and packing supplies for Ebay are all in one spot. My stained glass lamps that I made but can't have out because of little curious fingers are safely stored. Hey, even Gryffin's stroller can fit in there again and no longer 'decorates' our dining room. I feel a pat on the back coming!
I've divided up all the house cleaning and have assigned each room(s) a day:
Monday is bedrooms: wash sheets, take dirty laundry down, dust/vacuum, straighten
Tuesday is bathroom: scrub the 'appliances' and floors, straighten the linen closet, wash towels and rugs
Wednesday is the kitchen and dining room: scrub every thing, clean our the fridge, mop the floors and water the plants, wash Gryffin's clothes
Thursday is errand day: make my menu and list, grocery shop, Target, Sam's, etc. and wash the darks
Friday is the living room and office: dust/vacuum, straighten, wash the whites and do a quick pickup of the rest of the house
Saturday and Sunday are Free Days!
Now... I pledge allegance to the cleanliness of the united house of Holcomb and to the happiness in which it thrives, one household under God, indivisible, with love and laughter for all.

We just got back from the ER with our little pickle. When his fever got up to 103.8 we gave him a room temperature bath and a dose of Tylenol. Then we looked at eachother and knew that the only way any of us were going to feel better was if we went to the ER and had him checked out. He has a virus, THE virus according to the doctor that is striking this area pretty hard right now. Yup, we are under quarantine. It is highly contagious and with everything from a high fever to stuff coming out both ends I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. Gryffin is crashed out in bed and I am soon to follow. There were high points tonight though: it will be over in 3-7 days, Gryffin is extremely healthy otherwise and is not dehydrated and it only took us 2 hours in the ER. I think that is a new world record! Oh yeah, and Mike scored some really grubby scrubs because Gryffin yacked all over him in triage. Lets just say I won't be fixing Kiel basa and carrots for a long time.

Gryffin is running a fever over 102 and I am on the verge of a breakdown. My little boy is NEVER sick. The only time he has ever been sick was when Mike and I were sick too. We are feeling fine so I don't know what is going on with him. That is frustrating. The doctors office said to give him Tylenol every four hours and call them in the morning. Apparently they don't know this is MY SON who is sick. They should be all 'bring him in' and 'sure we will see him immediately'. Yeah, I know I'm freaking out over most likely nothing but Gryffin is my one and only and is going to stay my one and only. I am in tears when one of the dogs isn't feeling well if that gives you an idea of my emotional state at the moment. Ok, I've vented. Now I'm calling my Mom(step-mom), talking to her always reassures me and makes me feel better. She has this sunshine that radiates from her soul, it knows no distance.

Lets see, there is a big storm blowing in and the city just got done trimming/butchering the gaybors tree. Before it was lopsided and leaning over our yard like that rude fart in the coffee shop that always tries to see whats on your laptop. Now its top heavy and even more lopsided. Come on down Mr Tree- winter's a coming and we have a fireplace. We currently have about a cord, cord and a half but with the annual department float & camping trip coming up that will be cut in half. Even though Mike started this annual shin-dig when we still worked together, I have yet to attend. There was always something that kept me from going. This year is different. Dianne, my MIL, has agreed to watch Gryffin overnight. That should be interesting as his first day of 'pre-pre-school' is the day before. I have heard all the stories of previous years. The never-been-camping-before dude who fell over the cliff, the loud mouth racist hoosier that Mike hopes will pass out quickly, I could go one but I'm sure you've figured out that alcohol is overindulged in. I don't drink much anymore- learned my lesson the hard way, but I do enjoy watching others make fools of themselves. Mike tends to be 'Grandpa' and looks out for everyone. Well, except racist hoosier. I think Mike would like it if he got left behind on the river. Then after the float down the river 'Grandpa' makes a fire that can roast marshmellows on the other side of the campground! I don't think I will take the part of 'Grandma' though. I'm going to spend my night not being responsible for anyone or anything for a change.

Well, my bread didn't turn out like it used to. I think my yeast is bad. It just didn't have the rise I wanted. Still pretty tasty, just a little on the dense side. That and I used a bakers trick of putting a pan of water in the oven while it baked to make a crusty crust and it was more like armor crust. Maybe another try Thursday after I get more yeast.
Tonight I don't think I will cook. We get to pickup our new recliners! Hey, if we are going all the way there we might as well make a night of it. Maybe if there is room in the truck we will stop and get one of those cheap plastic wading pools for Gryffin. The one we have is great but its labor intensive to set up.
My mother-in-law, Dianne, stopped by yesterday for a visit after getting back from vacation. She went to visit her family in New England and boy was I jealous. A few years ago Mike and I drove up there for a visit and I fell in love with it. Vermont is awesome! We rolled down the windows and it was like getting hit in the face with a dozen pine scented air fresheners, except this really smelled like pine! His family is spread out between there, New Hampshire and New York State so we got the full tour. Maybe next year we should take Gryffin, a 26 hour car drive with a two year old sounds like a great idea. Hee hee hee.

Crustless Quiche (for those low-carb freaks)

1 cup meat, cooked, diced
3/4 cup vegetable , if frozen, thaw
1 cup cheese, shredded
1/4 cup onion, diced
2 cups milk
4 egg
1/2 cup flour
2 teaspoons baking powder

1. Combine meat, vegetale, cheese and onion.
2. Place this mixture in a labeled 1 gallon freezer bag.
3. With a mixer or blender combine milk, eggs, flour and baking powder.
4. Pour into bag with the meat and veggies.
5. Seal and freeze.
6. To Serve: thaw completely, shake bag well to combine all ingredients.
7. Pour into well sprayed deep dish casserole dish.
8. Bake at 350 for 35-45 minutes, until lightly browned on top and well set in the center.
9. Cool slightly before serving.

With this one I usually use ham and broccoli or chicken and asparagus. You do not need to freeze first, but this is one of my freezer recipes for when I do my bulk cooking.

Chicken Pot Pie

1 pound chicken breast, cooked and cubed
1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup butter
16 ounces mixed vegetables, frozen
1 pie crust, prepared
various herbs and spices


1. Preheat oven to 425
2. In a saucepan melt butter, add flour and whisk to make a roux, stir in herbs
3. In a large bowl mix chicken and veggies, add roux and stir to coat
4. Spoon into greased, deep pie dish or casserole dish
5. Cover with pie crust and cut 4 vents
6. Cover crust with foil and bake 30 minutes
7. Remove foil and bake until crust is browned
8. Let stand 5 minutes and serve

White bread from a red head...

Basic White Bread

1 cup warm water plus 3 Tablespoons
3 1/2 cups bread flour
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon butter
1 1/2 teaspoons bread machine yeast

1. Preheat oven to 350.
Add liquid ingredients to bread machine pan.
2. Add dry and make a well in the middle
3. Divide butter and place in corners
4. Add yeast to middle
5. Set machine for dough
6. When done, turn dough out onto floured surface and knead into loaf
7. Place into greased loaf pan and let rise until doubled in size
8. Brush top of loaf with water.
Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes.
9. Take out of pan and let cool before you slice and serve.

This recipe has many adaptations.
-Add garlic powder, basil and oregano for Italian bread. Perfect for meatballs.
-When you turn the dough out slightly roll it, spread it with butter, cinnamon and sugar, roll up and follow the rest of the recipe for cinnamon bread.
-Cut thick and this makes awesome French Toast- hint for Sunday morning, Honey!
- Cut the crusts into 1" squares, spray with non-stick spray and dust with your favorite herbs & shredded cheese for home made croutons. Just bake until toasted.