A Day at Grandma's

With cold snowy weather it was a perfect day to spend in Long Grove at McGinty Farm. This is Tim's childhood home and it sits on 6.5 lush acres. Complete with a pond, 10,000 sq foot barn and large in ground pool. Most of all it's Grandma and Grandpa's house. We sit by the fire (TJ built it by himself) and visit. Cal did a solo on the Cello followed by a long long series of songs by Karrick. The kid writes his own lyrics and today we were graced with " Really Fast cars" and "Man in the Fire who is Still Alive" Before you freak out, remember the kid has older brothers. He sits on the fireplace ledge and sings his songs FOREVER, as we pray that the end is near. After the show the boys load more firewood and we sit down for dinner. When all is done it is playtime for the boys. G an G have many toys.

Grandpa has a cool Corvette. Tim is delighted to take each kid for a spin, complete with "peel outs" and doughnuts. (they stay on the property)

The boys love to drive Rosie on the grounds of McGinty Farm

All my boys settle in at home for some popcorn, R& R and a movie on the big screen

or a nap in TJ's case

A Date With My Boys

Tonight I had a date with Callahan to go see

"The Sound of Music" at Glenbard East H.S.

Cal really wanted to go because his friend Matthew was playing the role of Kurt. Every time matthew would sing or dance Callahan got a huge smile on his face. He was really proud of his friend. Callahan was equally excited to see his friend Ben's older brother cast as a Nazi.

Karrick also joined us. Well, of course half way through Act 1 he wanted to get up on stage.

When I told him he couldn't get up on the stage, he belts out "Sure I can mom, there are stairs right there" all the while looking at me as though I'm some kind of idiot. He asked if I would sign him up for the next play. I said ok, then he was content singing "I am sixteen, going on seventeen" for the remainder of the show.

I just don't know about this one. If he's like this at 4...

Pain in the neck

Today, I had Cervical Facet Injections. It's sad when you look forward to having needles plunged into your spine. This is my 4th time having the Facet injections. It is an outpatient surgical procedure. I usually get anywhere from a 4-6 month relief from excruciating pain. My nerves are permanently damaged from whiplash, so this is the best that can be done for me. It has become the norm to live with some level of pain and numbness. Today, I was having left side injections to C3, C4 ,C5, C6, C7 and T1. FUN, fun, fun. For the next 2-3 days I will be sore and swollen. On the 3rd day I will wake up and something magical happens. I will be able to turn my head and replace my Vicodin with Advil.

What is it: Cervical facet injection is a procedure that targets neck pain. A steroid medication is injected into the joint. To ensure proper placement of the medication the procedure is done under fluoroscopy or x-ray.

Who Benefits: Cervical facet injection is useful for patients with neck, head, shoulder and/or arm pain. This is especially useful for patients who suffer whiplash injury.

Purpose: The facet joint is a thumbnail size joint that is located in pairs on the back of your spine. These become painful and inflamed. The steroid medication can reduce the inflammation and thus alleviating your pain

How is it Done: First an IV is started and you may be given medicine for relaxation if you so desire. Next, while lying on an x-ray table your skin will be cleansed and prepared. Then a needle will be inserted into the joint. An anesthetic and steroid medication is slowly injected into the area.

What to Expect: During the injection pain will be increased temporarily. Following the procedure you may experience some initial discomfort for about 2 to 3 days. Once the medication reaches the inflamed area your pain should hopefully be relieved.

USLA- Cocoa Beach Fla

It was time for the Fall USLA Board of Directors meeting held in Cocoa Beach Florida. I decided to bring the boys for some fun in the sun and sneak in a little education. Lifeguards come from all over the country. Some I have known for 20+ years others I met at the Spring meeting in Kauai.I decided to indulge and surprise the kids with a limo for our ride to the airport.

We stayed at the Holiday Inn Ocean front Resort. It was very family friendly. We arrived a day early and had the place to ourselves. I can tell TJ is growing up...he likes alone time.

I booked the 2 bedroom loft with the full
kitchen. With 3 little boys it turned
out to be a great decision

The Lands End "slimming" suit was well worth
my $80. I don't care if you're 125 or 325, this
suit shaves off 20 lbs just by putting it on.
You get used to the somewhat labored breathing.
What we gals do....


Sports Illustrated eat your heart out

We made friends with a wonderful family from
England that were there on "holiday"
They pulled their kids out of school for 3 weeks.
I didn't feel so bad, I only pulled mine out for 1.

Now the education part...a trip to NASA! We had

a great time. What amazed me was the size of the rockets. I've never seen them up close before. The kids got to see how our space program has evolved over the last 40+ years. We did ride the "Shuttle Launch Experience" Not a smooth ride.

I felt our blast off the next day as I hobbled to the pool, pausing every couple of steps and waiting for the angry muscle spasms in my lower back to subside. Once I safely made it,I popped a Vicodin and a muscle relaxer, plopped my fat ass in a chaise and didn't move for the next hour. My back today, reminds me that I am not cut out for any trips that require leaving our atmosphere.

Actual capsule, looking at 2 seats through window...I think not

A lot of playing on the beach

At the closing banquet

I was awarded the"Meritorious Act Award"
for saving a mans life in Kauai. A 30 yo man dove in the surf and broke his neck. He is now a quadriplegic for life.I happened to be swimming 10 feet away from the man when I saw his limp body rolling in the surf. The horror one must feel, not able to move your arms and legs while being bashed around in 2 feet of water. Myself and another guy pulled him out. I maintained c-spine and calmed the man down until help arrived.He was airlifted to Oahu. I think about him often. I was not expecting an award, but was glad my boys were there to share with me.

"

Putting it back together one piece at a time

Our lower level is slowly being put back together. Now that the essentials are complete e.g. Walls, insulation, paint, tile, new pretty navy blue rug with tan circles (photo on home computer). We went furniture shopping and bought this lovely sectional. I can't wait until it is delivered. The McGinty's had a ball, Karrick would run and dive onto the ottoman and skim across. I see many pillow fights in our future!

Will it ever end?

Just when I thought Halloween was over, I was informed that we had one more adventure. The Lombard Jaycee's Haunted House. The Jaycee's set up shop in an abandoned theater. Kids under 10 are not allowed in, but a scary show goes on outside. The most horrifying creatures lurk around. The scariest had to be 'the chainsaw massacre" dude. He would slither through the crowd and come up behind some unsuspecting patron while revving up a real chainsaw. I have never been more terrified in my life. Karrick didn't know whether to laugh or cry. When some ghoul came by he would jump into my arms. Even with the Lombard police dept camped outside, no one felt safe. Once TJ, Cal and myself got the OK to enter, things just got worse. Complete darkness engulfed us while we made our way through a maze of madness while screaming for our lives.I just kept thinking when will this end? Exiting a 1/2 hour later with hearts pounding and bodies shaking, we had to laugh. A perfect end to a long week. Tim and Cal went through it at midnight on Halloween night. As they exited, they looked at each other and said "we need to get mom to go through". Thanks guys, for thinking of me, I'll probably never sleep again

Halloween

It has been Halloween all week for the McGinty's . Starting last Friday with Cal's Monster Bash and Karrick's Spooktacular on saturday. Our day started with Karrick's school party at ST Pius X. Guess what Karrick is?????????????

I was very tired after work and was relieved when Karrick said he didn't want to Trick or Treat. He only wanted to pass out Candy. I could relax in my chair while Karrick went to work. Having 2 older brothers, Karrick is tough as nails. Anyone that touched the candy bowl was quickly put in his place. He didn't care if they were 2 or 102 "you don't touch the candy, point to what you want and I will put it in your bag!" he barked. Karrick would let kids know that he knew this was their secong trip to the McGinty house. When I say the kid is not shy... I mean it.. People didn't expect it this tiny little cherubic kid to have such gusto. It was very cute and people loved it. He squealed with delight at the costumes, complimenting ones he loved. I must say he had a ball with this grown up task

Have you ever seen the Amish rap?

After a couple of pictures they were off to get as much candy as their pillow cases could hold. The four of them came back a few hours later to jump on the trampoline and stuff their mouths with candy, before running off again.

When TJ and friends finished our neighborhood, they hit South Lombard for more treats and a sleep over. When Tim came home, Karrick was ready to hit the streets. It seems OP was left at at school. I like a boy with a plan. No breakdown at all. He put on his race car outfit and became "Horncon" the Transformer that turns into a car






The pose...
Then down to car mode

Hitting the streets with dad