Convention

We finished up the rest of the convention a couple of weekends ago and it was wonderful. The assembly hall was beautiful too. In the loveliest sitting in the mountains. It was breath taking driving back to the hotel each evening-fog all around the mountain, beautiful lake, just awe inspiring.

We watched the new DVD as a family and it was a really nice production as well. It's words about how creation can also bring you close to Jehovah sure does coincide with the breath taking views we had each evening after the convention.

It's finally fall, and my favorite time of year. We've been eating the bounty of the harvest and loving every bite-zucchini, corn on the cob, watermelon.......it's been yummy!

I think next month we will find a apple orchard and take the children apple picking at least I hope so, that or a pumpkin patch. Anything to get outside in the fresh air around nature.

I got a new recipe program called Living Cookbook, and having a lot of fun learning to use it.

I also found some of my closet friends I had growing up, online a few months ago. Sadly their father died a week and a half ago, he was only 60. *sigh* I feel so sad for my friends. It's hard to imagine, people my age are already losing their parents and I worry for the day I lose mine.

Lela is growing up so fast, she is so funny. I told her she turned three the other day, and she said, I didn't turn around and be three! I grew up and am three. lol haha

And huge news! We got a kitten. She is beautiful. A seal point Himalayan Persian. She's been a wonderful pet so far, and Lela of course is loving her to death!

I was looking at houses in Baxter Springs thinking about moving there, and showed Lela one of the houses, and she was very excited it had a swing set, she said that was the one she wanted! The one with a park in the back! haha

On another sad note though, Vince's grandma has been having leg problems for years now. And they may have to amputate. Which will be very sad, since she is so independent. I don't know what she will do!

Hate to end on a sad theme, but must go. I'll try to update again soon.

Getting a cat!!!!

I'm getting a cat! I am so so happy. I've been wanting a cat for years! Now we are getting two. Who knew the Humane Society was so hard to adopt from-in home inspections, vet referrals, wanting work phone numbers and references! Well, I gave up on that cause they said that would take a month, and we wouldn't get to choose the cat after all that, they would choose which one we would pay 150.00 for! UHG!

Teeth

Vince and I got so sick of the pediatric dentist here in NYC. So we took Lela to the pediatric dentist I grew up with, Dr. Stephen Moore. He had a brand new office that was cute as always. With a train going around the top, video games and all kinds of stuff. Each exam chair even had it's own flat screen tv. Monsters Inc was on Lela's. It was still hard for her to let them look at her teeth. But, they did and cleaned them. And tried to get some xrays. They said her teeth were ok no root damage. But, to just watch the rough patch on one of her front teeth. She left with a bag of loot! There's a whole station they take the children to and give them a bag to fill up with all the toys and what nots they wanted. She of course got a ton of stickers, pinwheel, and a flying bug thing.

The only thing was it was in a new part of Wichita, I had never been to before. (used to be farm land!). And we about never found it. As I was looking for the address in Wichita, and not outside of town. When we finally figured it out we were pretty late. But, they were nice about it all. Not living in Kansas for 10 years, sure is a learning curve with all the new neighborhoods that didn't exist when I lived there.

After the dentist, I noticed a store I had not been to, and have been reading about for a long time, World Market. So we went there. They sell my favorite chai tea, David Rio. So I can't wait till we move back to Wichita, it will be easy to buy my tea again. As the distributors stopped buying it in my area. But, I didn't get to shop long. The fluoride must of made Lela sick, because she was throwing up and sick the rest of the day. So we took her into see my step mom who is a doctor. And she looked at her, and said she was probably ok. And it was probably the fluoride, we just watched her close the rest of the day. And gave her some medication for the nausea. She was better by the end of the day.

We had to wait at the office for quite a while, and started getting hungry so my sister Amber went and raided the lunch room and found some new Special K chocolate bars, they were sooo good. We both liked them. But, thought they needed more salt and more chocolate! haha

Best One!

It's finally sunny!

We went to the convention yesterday and it was the best one yet! Truly it was. I was very motivated to do more, and even got some ideas of what to do in certain situations I am currently in, and will also be in in the near future. So I'm very grateful for those. I wish I could go in more detail about how great this convention was, but I can't! So it can be a surprise for most.

The only bad part was breakfast time, I went to Dunkin Donuts and it was in Brooklyn, and I think because I wasn't black the lady had a attitude with me, she finally told me she couldn't deal with me and told some one else to come take over. She said I confused her. Because I ordered a combo for myself-a eggwhite flat bread sandwich, with coffee, and added the hashbrowns because Vince wanted them and when you buy a combo it's cheaper. Then I ordered Vince's, which was a omelette supreme sandwich and OJ. Well, that was too much to order at once and confusing, and I needed to stop she said. And I didn't know how to order right, I shouldn't order a combo, I needed to tell her every thing al a cart, as she doesn't know how to do combos-even though it was on the sign above her, a number 6. And she finally threw her hands in the air and said she couldn't handle me. I was nice to her the whole time, she just didn't want to give me the price break of a combo and wanted for some reason for me to state every thing al a carte. *sigh* Oh well, next time I will make sure to try to get one of the men to take my order. They were very nice to me, and when he took over for her, he really tried hard to make up for her treatment of me. Which I appreciated.

But, the good thing was, I took the breakfast and went back to the assembly hall, and was able to eat with the brothers and sisters, and had a great time talking with them, and getting encouragement and spiritual refreshment among them!

Lela tried to give a comment today-it would of been her first-but the brother missed her. By the fourth try though we couldn't get her to say another one. She tried on paragraph 6, then paragraph 12, then for paragraph 16, we tried one last time for paragraph 20, but after practicing the first three with her and she didn't get called on, by the time we tried to get her to do the fourth one she wouldn't do it. I think she would of done it if she had been called on, one of the first three times. We all had our hands up trying to get the brothers attention, during the whole answering time of all of those paragraphs, and Vince even stood up, but for some reason the brother never even glanced our way, during any of those paragraphs. But, we'll just try again next week! :)

Long day!

Whoo today has been a long one already. We are bottle breaking Lela. I know it's a little late in the game. But, it was hard for her to give it up. We finally bit the bullet and just did it. She hasn't had a bottle for 2 days now. And this morning was the biggest melt down yet. After 3 hours of a all out melt down temper tantrum, she is FREE! She drink some milk from her cup! And then I gave her a sticker, hugs, and chicken nuggets! Things are good again! I didn't think the melt down was ever going to end for a while there. But, finally she broke! *sigh* And I think we're over it and can move on from bottles for good now.

We're also working on potty training. She has went a few times, and once even ran and got on by herself just in time. Most other times though we have to put her on it with out her asking, cause she won't tell us. But, I was shocked yesterday when she ran and got on.

We are going to one day of the Convention this Saturday then the rest of the convention in August. I'm making corn bread and salad to take. Can't wait, I hear there is lots of great surprises and releases, and can't wait to see them for myself.

Park Day

It seems like this is the first sunny day I have seen in forever, so we will go to the park today.

We went shopping yesterday and I bought a pur water filter. Trying to do better about not wasting things, and have felt horrible about all the water bottles I buy and throw away. So maybe this will help. The other great thing was it came with two of those expensive metal personal water bottles. So I'll use those when exercising.

The problem is I really really got to get exercising. I have gained so much weight, all because of lack of exercise. So I'm trying to get to the track as much as possible and climb stairs as much as possible.

We went to the Y to see if that would work for us, but the one here was so bad! So very very small, in a bad part of town that is very busy and no parking. The pool can only be used sometimes, and it was down in a hole like a dungeon, down steep steps to get there, I can only imagine if those steps get wet, we would be flying down them. They had good equipment, but it was just so tiny. And way too expensive. 250 to join, and 78 a month.

So then we went to the City Parks Dept gym to try to join it. And it was way way way too small. First Lela can only use the pool there one hour a week. So that wouldn't help much. And the work out room was so tiny and had crime scene tape all up, and isn't being allowed to use till the crime scene is done. They said maybe in a few weeks. So, we would have membership basically until the crime scene is done, for one hour a week of the pool. Cause that's all they had. And even if the work out room was not under investigation, it is so small I think I would be claustrophobic in there. It was only about a 9 x 10 room, with about 4 treadmills and 3 bikes. All piled so close together it wasn't funny. It was cheap though, only 75 a year per a person and Lela would be free. But, still.....

So we ended up taking Lela to the park, then I just walked on the track nearby for free, then climbed the stadium stairs for a bit. I think that is what we'll have to stick with, as the gyms here are just too small.

I sure hope I can lose a few pounds, but the way things are going I don't know.

Pouring

It has been raining nonstop for a month and yesterday was no exception. Vince's grandmother has been in the hospital for a very long time. She got out a few days ago, so yesterday we had a party for her. It rained ALL day! Some times very very heavy.

But, it was great to see Oveela, and the rest of the family. Lela had a great time with her cousins.

When we first arrived all the little boy cousins were following me closely to the table, as they know I bring deviled eggs, and they were chanting deviled eggs, deviled eggs! And were very excited to get some! haha They were eaten up in a hurry! Good thing I always hide one container of back ups! So after they devoured the first tray I brought out the second for every one else! haha

I finally hit on a dessert all the Woodford's loved. I call it strawberry shortcake trifle. I made it up myself, it's a bit like banana pudding but with out bananas, with strawberries and vanilla pudding instead. Any way, every one loved it! One of Vince's cousins told me she would pay me for me to bring her one of her own next time I come. hahaha

Beautiful Face

Lela was at the park today with her grandfather, when I got a call she was in a ambulance being taken to the hospital, I didn't have a car, nor did I even know what hospital they were taking her to, as my father in law didn't have his phone with him. So some one at the park called my mother in law to tell her. Meanwhile I had no idea what had happened or what was wrong.

I finally got to the hospital, just as they were going to admit her. But, I looked around (I was afraid he would have the ambulance take him to a ghetto hospital and he did!). There was over 150 people in the ER room alone and more than that outside! He for some reason had them take her to one of the over ran hospital's here in Queens. You may or may not know but the swine flu is rampant right now here. And especially here in Queens, so that hospital is so over ran. There is actually a tent set up outside to see ER patients!

So I looked at the admittance nurse and looked at my daughter which I had only been seeing now for a few seconds, but could tell it wasn't horrible since she was talking, walking etc. And I said, does she have to be seen here, can I take her some where else? She said yes I could take her some where else. In Kansas sometimes if the patient is too bad off especially a child they won't let you take them some where else, with out calling welfare! Lol One time I twisted my ankle when I was 12, and we were at a fair and the police actually escorted us to the hospital, because they wanted to make sure my parents were taking me! Even though of course they were. But, medical help with children in Kansas is a little over board, when it comes to the state making sure they get it. So I wasn't sure how NYC was on such.

Any way, took Lela to Long Island (now remember this is really only literally about 5 to 10 minutes tops away), and sooooo much better. That's where she was born and it was a nice hospital. Only about 3 people waiting in the waiting room there! And we were back and seeing the Dr with in minutes! Literally my Mother In Law went to the bathroom came out and we were being taken back to her room. I knew with all those people at the other ER we would of been there hours maybe a day before getting to see a Dr! Once when I had to go to that hospital when I first moved here and didn't know how crazy some hospitals can be, I didn't get seen by a Dr in that ER even though I was brought in by ambulance, and was throwing up compulsively and projectilely, for literally over 10 hours I didn't even see a nurse! I had fallen and bruised a kidney is what we found out. Any way, they took one look at Lela's bandaged head which I hadn't gotten to see because the ambulance people had bandaged it, and determined she needed stitches. They called in a plastic surgeon, and said it would be a hour. So since we were at the hospital I know well (been there many many times! Lol) we went on the short walk to their cafeteria had lunch (which Lela was happy about) and then came back and got her stitches. She did soooooooooo well! They of course put her in a child's papoose (AKA straight jacket). Which the Dr thought I would be upset about, but I had already warned my Mother In Law & Father In Law I was sure that is what would happen, because the same thing had happened to me at her age, and they had put me in one. So I told the Dr, it was ok, I understood, I knew that was what was going to be happening. (just for her own safety). Any way, she was better then I was at that age. I had a severe melt down in it, she was soooo good though. I was scared to death of drs for many years after my experience with it, but my mom thinks that is because they didn't use pain medication with me, and blood was squirting every where and I was really fighting them. With Lela she as given pain medication before we went to eat so it had plenty of time to take effect and was given more right before the stitches. I was given nothing. So far she doesn't seem traumatized like I was, she even gave the Dr a high five afterward. So I think she will be fine.

Come to find out this is what happened, she tripped at the bottom of the steps of the slide and her head caught the corner of the step (I can tell that too by the shape of the cut, a rounded corner!). Any way blood was squirting every where and my Fater In Law doesn't handle blood too well, he swooped her up and was running towards home with her, which is only two blocks from this park, which is what had majorly scared me when I got the call, cause my Father In Law doesn't seem like the type to call a ambulance especially when they have a car and the park is only 2 blocks from their home! I've walked there a lot with Lela myself it only takes minutes, so I was sooooo scared that he hadn't went home to take her in his car, and had actually from my only conclusion had a stranger at the park call a ambulance. But, no, what happened was he was running home with her when he got to the corner there was a police car. Which usually that's where the police car seems to be stationed at all times, as they have rookies on the beat only 2 blocks the other direction, so I guess they survey the rookies from that area. Any way, the police of course stop my Father In Law since he has a screaming squirting blood from the head and by this time covered in blood 2 year old with him. And at that point one of my Father In Law's Bible Study's just happened to be there as he was taking his grandson to the park too! So the police called the ambulance and it was my Father In Law study who called my Mother In Law.

So it wasn't as bad as I had visions. I was sooooo scared though when I heard the slide was involved from my Mother In Law before we knew anything else, because about 2 years before Lela was born, one of my good friend's son died from falling off the top of the slide and he was 2 years old! I was soooo so scared.

But, thankfully all was and is well, just scary and hectic yesterday.

Vince got to the hospital just as she was done with stitches, and I told both my Mother In Law and Father In Law in any future emergency be sure to take her to the Long Island hospital in the future-the care will be better there and faster! And then we came home with my husband, Vince.

Chips

It's been nice and sunny here the past few days, so it's been good days to go to the park.

I took Lela to the park yesterday and it was both funny and embarrassing. There was two little boys there with potato chips. She kept asking them for some, and they kept saying no. Finally their grandma asked me if it was ok if she gave her a cookie. I said it was....Lela wouldn't leave the grandma alone after that. She ate 6 cookies! I never seen her eat that much before! They were sugar wafers, she had never had them before. I went to the store afterwards and bought her some, so next time at the park I don't have a beggar.

I've been really liking Panera Bread's chicken salad sandwich on honey wheat bread. So I ended up going to Panera and buying the bread and then experimenting on my own making the chicken salad filling. I used sour cream and just a bit of mayo, with celery seed, garlic, dill and a touch of sea salt. It is good but not Panera's. I'm pretty sure now I need to try yogurt. I'll see how that goes next.

Memorial

We had a wonderful Memorial on Thursday. It was such a lovely evening. Leaving we viewed the beautiful moon. It was the most beautiful I had ever seen it. Afterwards we went out for Chinese with my father in law.

Friday we cleaned out the car. Boy was that a job. lol We found things we forgot we even had! But, at least it is done.

Saturday was our congregation talent show, it was so much fun. We were two hours late because the flyer listed the wrong city, but we finally made it and had a great time. I took Cookies and Cream Dessert, I didn't like it, so I won't be making it again. However it was all eaten up, so at least I didn't have to bring home left overs. I think I'm going to work on the recipe making it into a pie and I may like it more. I also took my usual Layered Party Pea Salad and it was good, as always. This time though I used green onion instead of regular onion and I think I will continue to do that. I really liked the flavor they gave. Lela danced the night away! She never wanted to stop. Even in the car, she kept saying let's dance some more, let's go back and dance.

Yesterday was just a lazy day. We went to meeting, then went to my inlaws home and helped them with their computer. Seems they got some virus and had to pay a lot of money to have a company fix it over the phone for them, with Vince's help. Then we came home and just had a lazy day.

It was windy, windy, windy today!

But, we made it to the Universoul Circus. It was really good, not as many animals as last year but still good. Lela loved getting her picture taken with the elephant. And was up real close to them during the show too. This was Vince's first time to this circus, as we went last year with out him. He really liked it! I let Lela pick out which hat she wanted to get with the cotton candy, from a elephant, a tiger and a giraffe, they had more animals but I thought 3 were enough choices, and I knew she really likes elephants and tigers, but the giraffe was so cute, I had them bring one of them to her to look at too. I really didn't think she would choose it over the elephant or tiger though, but she did! It was so cute! She wore it in some of her pictures. I'll post them later. It was a really fun day. We even got one photo with Vince's grandmother. She went last year with Lela and I too. I'm so glad she was able to come again this year. I don't know how many more years she may be with us, so it's nice to have her along when we can. Lela also got to hit one of the great big balls that goes through the crowd, during a song part, and she was proud of her self! I wish I could of gotten a photo of that, but the camera at that very moment decided to act up! Oh well, I'll post a few photos we did get later.

Home Show

It was very rainy today, but it was still a great day. We went to the home show, I've been wanting to go for years, but I've had a hard time finding when and where they are here in NYC, as there is no advertising for them. I finally found when one was, and was able to go. It was great. First when we went in, if we filled out a simple survey we got our tickets free, so of course we did that. Then I ended up using our regular vacation money on items we've been needing for a long time, since we aren't going on vacation this year.

First I finally got a few good knives, they were so expensive, I only got the steak knives this year, next fall when they come back, I'm hoping to get the chopping knife, then I would like another knife I seen in the catalog, and the kitchen shears. My dad bought some from this company from his local home show a few years ago, and when I tried them at his home they were so good, I knew I had to get myself some too. It'll just take us a while to collect all we need. But, they are great knives, if they survive my father and his families abuse, they'll survive anything! lol As they have even ruined cast iron, which his grandmother had for 80 years, and how that was possible, I don't know!

I ended up also getting a few things I didn't even plan on, I went for the sole purpose of getting the knives as my dad said that was the only place they sold them. But, ended up coming home with a steam mop. I LOVE it. I haven't really cleaned our kitchen floor in a VERY long time, as nothing will clean it, I've tried every thing, and the only way to clean the horrible flooring is by getting down on my hands and knees with a SOS pad! And it ends up taking me about 3 days to do the whole kitchen and about 10 SOS pads! It's really horrid! So I gave up on it, after doing that several times, and a week later having to do it all over again (mops don't work on this flooring!). Any way, the steam mop has already made it look 110% better, with little effort, and in a few minutes, not DAYS, and not me having to be on my hands and knees! So YEAH! I can't wait to use it all over the house, it makes me smile already though finally seeing a clean kitchen floor. I've tried every swiffer, and every mop on the market, before to no avail. So this is wonderful.

Then I ended up with some all purpose cleaner, I normally only use vinegar for every thing, but we have been needing something better for a few things, and the way it made my jewelry shine, I ended up bringing some home. Boy does the TV and PC look better!

So all in all it was a great day at the Home and Garden show. Lela ended up with a ton of free stuff, just like I remember when I was her age! lol She got a lot of magnets which she likes to play with on the door, a hat, a ball, and of course candy!

Then yesterday I found out our local grocery stores have gotten much better then they were when we first moved here. As I went there a few times and they were so horrible, I just stopped going. Out of desperation I went back yesterday and they had really cleaned up and had most the foods I eat for half the price I usually pay, and I didn't have to pay gas to get there, as I could walk!

Well, I decided to go back with Vince and Lela, and take paper and pen and write down prices, to compare both stores, and compare against my normal stores, and even though I have lived here 8 years, the store manager didn't know me, and asked if he could help me. I was like no thank you, he kept insisting, then finally just said he thought I was the new sales representative. lol hahahaha The way I looked, I'm scared to know what the real one looks like. lol I looked like the typical haggard mom, and had brought my child with me! lol hahahaha

Well, tomorrow we take Lela to the UniverSOUL circus, so that should be fun, it's a small cheap circus that is held in a park down the street from our house. But, it's really really good, and so small that every person in the audience usually gets to participate in some part of it! It's mainly a African American circus, with a few Asian, and a few Hispanic acts. But, it's really fun. The whole family gets to be involved, which is neat. And it's so cheap, that's a huge plus, even their toys and food is cheap, which again is a great plus. So I'm sure Lela will love it.