Chicken Pox Blues

Poor baby . . .

I can still say that, can't I? Even though daughter's 11. Because yesterday she had a few minor bumps on her belly, which I attributed to her wearing new clothes without washing them first. But today it's escalated to large pox bumps and moved to her face as well. She's not feeling well, itching, and cranky. (I would be too.)

Every couple of months, we go out to dinner with 4 other couples, and my MIL spends the night in order to babysit the kids. Tonight was our big night out (aren't we the exciting couple?). I spent hours today cleaning, because that's what I do when my MIL is going to take up residence here. Anyway, I put in a call to her earlier and she just phoned back.

"Have you had the chicken pox?" I asked.

"No, but I had small pox when I was a kid." (she's 85).

Dh and I just couldn't take the chance she'd get infected with it at her age, so we're staying home tonight. At least the house is clean. Still . . . poor baby. I suppose boy's next.

So . . . tell me, did you or your kids get chicken pox naturally? Have you gone the vaccine route? We were supposed to get her the vaccine before she hit 6th grade (in the fall), but hadn't done it yet. I wasn't thrilled about this fairly "new" vaccination, since the period of effectiveness is still questioned. On the other hand, if it holds, they don't have to worry about getting chicken pox or shingles as adults, which is a good thing.

Also, I wonder if she might've gotten it from the kids at school who are getting the shots--I hadn't heard of any outbreaks, and since the vaccination is a live virus, can those receiving the vaccination spread it to others for a short period of time after getting the shot?

Que Sera Sera. Maybe there's a good movie on the boobtube tonight. :)

Name that Career

I'm pretty far into my WIP, and it occurs to me that my hero needs a job.

How can this be, you ask? Well, in this story's other life (the version I scrapped), he was a P.I. This doesn't work at all anymore. He's returned to his hometown for a visit and the question hasn't come up yet. But, inquiring minds might want to know. Soon.

So . . . he's on vacation from which intriguing career?

Please vote:

a. Nuclear physicist (I might have to look up what that actually is)

b. Fry cook at Denny's (nobody does onion rings like this guy)

c. President of the U.S. (in which case his vacation is scheduled for 6 weeks)

d. Writer (in which case his vacation is permanent, er . . . open-ended)

e. College Professor (smart enough to choose a Harley for transportation)

f. Owns a Software company (do I really want my hero to be my husband?)

g. Dog walker in New York (he and Killer Yap are good buddies)

h. ___________ (fill in the blank)

Weekend Break

A break from frustrating brainteasers, so that Mel will continue to visit my blog. :)

A departure from the pondering and poetry that put my fellow AGs to sleep last Tuesday.

A fun and easy quiz that will tell us...

You Should Be A Poet

You craft words well, in creative and unexpected ways. And you have a great talent for evoking beautiful imagery... Or describing the most intense heartbreak ever. You're already naturally a poet, even if you've never written a poem.

What Type of Writer Should You Be?

I Blame Dh . . .

He gave me another brainteaser and said, "put this one on your blog!"

Okay, first of all, imagine you're in Alaska during the dark time of year (so the answer can't be that it turns light and you won't need the flashlight anymore).

There are 4 campers in the woods.

1st camper: very fast, hikes the distance in 1 hour

2nd camper: so-so fast, hikes the distance in 2 hours

3rd camper: average, hikes the distance in 4 hours

4th camper: slow, hikes the distance in 8 hours

So, they're hiking and get trapped across the river--it's dark and they only have 1 flashlight. All 4 must get back to the cabin within 15 hours or someone freezes to death. *muwhahaha* They can't proceed without the flashlight. Problem: there's a bridge and only 2 at a time can cross this bridge. Goal: all 4 return to cabin within 15 hrs.

So for example: Hiker 1 takes Hiker 2 with flashlight, returns for another hiker... It can be done easily in 16 hours, but that's 1 too many, so someone freezes. *evil grin*

Good luck!

Brain Teaser

Dh brought this one home today .

There are:

5 hats, 2 red and 3 blue
3 girls

The 3 girls stand in a straight line, one behind the other, all facing front.

They each have on a hat, but are unaware of the color of their own hat. The 3rd girl in line is able to see the hat colors of the two girls in front of her. The 2nd girl can see the the hat color of the girl in front of her. The girl in front sees nobody's hat.

The 3rd girl (in the back) says to the other two, "I can see your hats, but I don't know the color of my own."

The 2nd girl says, "I can see the hat in front of me, but I don't know the color of my own."

The 1st girl (in front) says, "I can't see anyone's hat, but I know the color of my own."

What color is the first girl's hat?

Happy Easter!

Have a wonderful day!

Just for fun...

I think I've seen this before, but it looked fun...

You Are The Hermit

You posses a great deal of wisdom and the ability to see people for who they are. You are always looking ahead at the future, developing visions. A loner, you tend to travel by yourself through life, seeking your own truth. You don't crave material things or fancy titles. You have no baggage. Your fortune: It's possible that there is a unknown guiding figure in your life, ready to help you. All you have to do is find this person and seek their advice. It's also possible that you need to start seeking the meaning of your own life. Either way, there's some deep thinking you need to undertake, and it needs to be done soon.

What Tarot Card Are You?

Home Again, Home Again...

Yes, we're home and the kids just rode the bus for the first time in awhile.

It feels good.

All went well. The film folks were all so nice--artistic, intelligent, and fun. Thanks Todd, Mark, Blair, Scott, Franz, Jeremy, Anthony, Caroline, and Grace for a wonderful time! You all rock!

As Kait blogged, we got to meet Anthony Cistaro, who's been on multiple TV shows, in plays, and movies as well. What a nice man. Also, Jeremy Rabb, from Grey's Anatomy (he says don't blink if you want to see his ER resident character, but that he'll have a "moment" on the final 2 episodes). All of the actors have enjoyed successful stage careers--as I can attest to since I've had the pleasure of seeing most of them tread the boards.

Anyway, a good time was had by all. And guess what!?! The hotel where we stayed gave me the best story idea I've had in a long time. I took notes so I won't forget a thing and can't wait to write the bugger!

So, question of the day...where do you get your story ideas?

Action!

The film crew is here and the camera is rolling.

It didn't get off to the greatest of starts though. First of all, Todd arrived over the weekend, and the rest of the crew was supposed to come in Wed. afternoon/evening. Monday night, he informed us that they were coming a day early. We had to finish getting the house in order a day sooner, plus pack our clothes, etc.

Needless to say, I'm quite exhausted--physically sore and emotionally drained.

Then as we left for the hotel in dh's car (because Todd is using mine until he gets his 2 rentals), Scout, our faithful and sweet German Shepard, thought we were going on a trip to the Centennial Trail--dh's car is the "Trail" car that Scount gets to ride in. She tried to jump in, but we held her back. Going down the road, the kids look back and begin screaming. Scout has jumped the invisible fence and is chasing us down the road. She kept up with us for quite a distance. I couldn't believe it. Girl's in hysterics, worried the dog will get Goodyear poisoning from one of the passing cars, but we stop, let Scout in, and return her home--telling Todd to keep her in the house.

We get a call this morning. Todd and the film crew were up almost all night. Scout freaked out, barked for hours, and shredded our blinds on the 4 big patio windows leading out to the deck, in her effort to get to us again. The expensive blinds. Shredded. Destroyed. The actors, camera guy and director with big black bags under their eyes from dealing with the insane dog all night long.

Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln . . .

I am looking forward to the next few days of NO house, school, or business duties so that I can crit and write.

Which duties keep you from writing? How do you work around it?

Weekend Break

You Are A Lily

You are a nurturer and all around natural therapist. People see you as their rock. And they are able to depend on you. You are a soothing influence. You can make people feel better with a few words. Your caring has more of an impact than even you realize.

What Flower Are You?