The People Love their B'loonies.

This blog has had almost 9000 visits....since at least I added the visitor counter last year. I've had it for about 3.5 years, so the number would be much higher, I assume. So...who exactly is reading my blog and how did they find me? Thanks to my Google Analytics account connected to this blog I can see how people have stumbled upon here by use of a key word and search engine. The most popular keyword that has brought people to this blog is 'Bloonies', or 'B'loonies' - from when I posted about them here long ago.

People looking for info on B'loonies are no doubt annoyed to be brought here, but perhaps my links I included within the post help them get to their desired location on the www.

It's intriguing how many people, daily, I see that are actually searching for B'loonies info. It's quite impressive. Examples of what people have searched for recently, bringing them here, include:

• -B'loonies - how does it work?
• -B'loonies dangers
• -how do you use B'loonies?
• -B'loonies toxic?
• -B'loonies directions?

And the best one:

• -my kids ate B'loonies

I like to think most of the traffic to my site is from friends or people who like my little blog- but the reality is.....98% of the traffic I get is from people looking for B'loonie info! Oh, and a few looking for 'cleverglogs.ie' - an online children's shop here in Ireland.

Long live the B'loonies! But PLEASE...DO NOT let your kids eat them.

Weekend Update

We took Littleclogs out for her first time trick-or-treating this weekend (and Babyclogs, but she slept through it). She really had fun and although there weren't too many houses in our little area participating, we still got to go hit up a few, and get some of the festive experience.

Halloween for me growing up meant wearing one of those store bought costumes with the masks that had the stretchy string in the back, except for a few years when my grandmother made us costumes, which were amazing! It also meant walking through the neighborhood with my dad, or sister when I got old enough, with my plastic orange pumpkin to hold the candy, passing other children in their costumes, making my way through the crispy fallen leaves that seemed to be knee high. I can still remember the feeling perfectly and visualize the toiletpaper covered trees from the night before. There was also that empty house on the local college campus that they would turn into a haunted house for tours. Totally creepy stuff... I loved it!

There is something about being scared (but not for real) that is fun. I grew up watching scary movies with my mom and sister often. If it was a rainy dark Saturday, you would find us huddled on the sofa watching the likes of The Shinning or The Exorcist. These kind of movies during this time of year would always be on TV. I remember having to hold a pillow in front of my face because I was too scared to look, but so excited by the unknown of it all. I started watching very young! When you are like ten and watching Texas Chainsaw Massacre, a personal favorite, you become a little jaded. Other childhood favorites include The Omen, Children of the Corn, Amityville Horror, and also many made-for-tv scaries!

Did anyone watch Tales From the Darkside? I used to watch this on a little TV I had in my bedroom as a little kid. It was on really late, but I used to make myself stay up for it. My TV was black and white, which in itself is a horror, since this was not the 1950's, but 1983! Mom, Dad, what the Hell?!

We were also big fans of Elvira. All I remember of her was she would introduce the scary movie about to be shown on TV. Sometimes there would be a 3-D scary movie on and we'd have to go out and buy the special glasses, and Elvira would show you how to use them, or something.

There was also a movie that included a pizza cutter, a dead grandma in the attic and a car fire where a sister was trapped because her brother tied her shoelaces together as a joke, but when the car caught fire, she couldn't get out, so she died and then she haunted the family. Does this ring any bells? I forget the name, but my sister and I would act out particular parts of this creepy movie all the time. If you know...please contact me! Never tie other people's shoe laces together...it's just mean and downright dangerous.

And how about the Warrens? Anyone know who I am talking about?!

Hope you had a nice weekend!

*photos from wikipedia

Weekend Update

Yesterday was a 'day off' for Ireland. We just hung around the house, watched a bit of the Dublin Marathon run up our street, and did some playground duty. I took some pics...

Husbandclogs started getting sick on Friday night, and by Saturday night, we were at the clinic. My worst fear. Waiting around in a clinic full of sickies with a toddler and a baby. First I am all like, 'please don't touch those germ covered plastic toys' that are kept in the corner of every clinic for the kids to play with around the world. Have I ever mentioned to you that I can smell germs? Well I can. I usually smell them at the mall. It's like a radar that I have.

So we're at the clinic, and I am praying that the Littleclogs isn't too interested in the plastic germ covered toys, and hoping she will just sit down nicely next to me and Babyclogs on the sofa, which was, undoubtedly covered in germs, but what can you do? Well, before I knew it, I am trying to pull Littleclogs away from the coffee machine - but it was too late once the cup was dispensed and hot scolding water came flying out. Then it was over to the water fountain where she managed to quickly disassemble it. Water everywhere. It was just about this time that I was praying that she would find those plastic germ covered toys and play with them! She did. Ok, I had to get over my germ fear for the sake of keeping the clinic standing and the sickies sane.......but then I saw her put her hands in her mouth.......COULD IT BE ANY WORSE? Well, you see, Littleclogs isn't into toys too much, so the excitement wears off pretty quickly with them. Soon enough....she was on the ground, rolling around, climbing on the chairs, smothering her face into the cushions.....in other words.....making sure she did not miss picking up every available nasty germ. She's so thorough.

Then, for the icing on the cake....

Babyclogs has a diaper explosion.

Ugh! Husbandclogs came out to the waiting room after seeing a doctor just in time before I crawled myself into a corner and pretended I wasn't really there. And we went home. Husbandclogs will be ok, but I barely survived.

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I was up at an ungodly hour of the night a few nights ago, like usual, to feed Babyclogs and I was watching Cabaret on TV. It completely enthralled me how much Liza Minnelli reminded me of Lady Gaga. Am I the ONLY one who sees the resemblance? I would post pictures to compare, but I cannot find any to prove my point.

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And finally... A few weeks ago, Littleclogs drew her very first complete 'human face' - consisting of a circle with two eyes, a nose and mouth. Check out this masterpiece:


The frown is a little worrisome, but the Picasso-esque style is very exciting!

I Love Houses

I haven't lived in a proper 'house' since I moved out of my parents' home 17 years ago, and several homes converted into dorms in college, so my fascination with houses probably stems from my need to nest after having children, and I do love architecture and interior design, so it only makes sense that houses would be of interest.

When lurking on line for design blogs, like usual, I come across some really fun stuff. Of course there are the blogs that exist to inspire you and delight you...but then there are those that are really just fun to read.

One I can suggest checking out is: Hooked On Houses. Here you will see photos and get a good dose of info about the houses we all admire (or hate), or at least notice in our favorite movies and TV shows. If you are anything like me (God help you), you notice these things when watching a movie or the TV way more than the plot of the story! There are other categories to check out, like celebrity houses. It's way cool! Way!

This next one mixes real estate with fun. Take a peek at: Lovely Listing. It just basically takes real real estate listings that are, well, odd or funny in some way and lists them for you to ponder or laugh at. Who knew real estate could be so hilarious!

From these blogs, you can spend eternity following the other blogs listed within them, and waste your entire afternoon when you should be doing way more constructive things because it sucks you right in.

I know all about it!

Finally!

I finally got my computer back from PCWorld Sunday evening. While I find the people who work there quite friendly.......they lie.

Anyway, in the meantime, Fall has descended upon us. This is always a hard time for me as far as being homesick goes. I am a sucker for the leaves. I was almost on the verge of booking us a flight home for Halloween time, but, it's just not going to happen this year right now, sadly. I did go ahead and purchase a costume for Littleclogs. She will be a nurse this year. Babyclogs will be wearing little tiny black witch's hat on a little headband. Very exciting!

Things are improving on the health front! I am awaiting one last blood test to come back, which hopefully will be this week. It should be fine. My scars are even healing ok. I did make the mistake of googling what possible aftereffects I may experience from the surgeries that I had and found a lovely array of posts, articles, etc of horrible description of what can happen but no one ever tells you... Great!

This summer, I became a fan of The Satorialist. If you haven't yet heard of him, he photographs people that he spots on the street (mainly NYC) whom he thinks are quite stylish. I am addicted to see what he posts and am never disappointed. It is, however, disappointing that I know I will never have the honor of being snapped by him, because, well, I do not have any noteworthy style. In fact, he'd probably photograph me to be the inspiration of a new blog about what NOT to wear. Anyway- I learned too late that he was in Dublin last week, just mere hours after me in Dundrum Shopping Centre doing a book signing. I was mad. Really MAD that I missed him.

Check out his beautiful blog of the beautiful people. You can see some nice Dublin shots taken while he was here last week.

Would You Believe It?

Would you believe it...my computer is broken AGAIN?! Has been now for over a week, and looks like it will be some time before I have it back. Would you believe that I also went without cable for 2 days last week?! What's a girl to do? I read cookbooks oddly enough, and cleaned...and sneezed....because I have been continuously sick with a cold and flu for what seems like forever now! All four of us have been sick with something or other, and now the computer. Other than the illnesses, we are all fine here. We had Babyclogs' christening this weekend, and she was a star. This week, I go to see the liver specialist for a check-up...please wish me luck..and we are ever closer to making a decision as to where we will live...kinda...sorta.... Will keep you posted on that!



Hope you are all well and happy. Will be back soon. I am writing this on Husbandclogs' computer, but I don't always have so much access to write up posts. I need my computer back ASAP!

Hi My Friend

Thinking of you today....

...As always.

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(picture from flickr)

Yes...No...Maybe?

Yes...No...Maybe...I think so...oh, I don't know!

That's pretty much how the conversation goes between myself and Husbandclogs when we discuss moving back to the US or staying here in Ireland.

Yes...moving back to NYC would be amazing! We love it so much! We'd have so much fun. We miss it terribly!!! The food alone.....ahhh!

No...we should stay here...it's easier....more predictable....we can't handle a big move to a big city with two babies! Silly us!

Maybe....it is something we dream about everyday!

I don't know....

We don't know....

No one knows!!!

It's decision time once again. We have this 'decision time' about six times a year. We have been having these 'decision times' for about 3 years now! No decision has yet been made though! What's wrong with us???!!! Will keep you posted if this elusive decision is ever made....It's just...so....confusing.

365 Days of Fun!

I bought this book at TK (TJ) Maxx a few months ago for nearly nothing. I saw it as I was walking to the check-out counter, and thought, "oh, 365 days worth of activities for kids...I may need that!" When I got it home and took a good look at it, I realized it was one awesome purchase!

It is full of so many neat little crafty idea that are suitable for younger kids.... and they are all so cute! Littleclogs is still a tiny bit too young to really get stuck into most of them, but I think in about 4 - 6 months, she will be ready. However, right now she is delighted to just flip through it and look at all the pictures and we draw the characters together. It shows you easy ways to draw cows, sheep, monsters, castles, robots and so, SO much more!

I highly recommend this fun book!

Maybe Someday

'Maybe Someday' is new feature to this blog. I will be posting things that I would love to have, but for whatever reasons, mainly money, I cannot! But, I won't let lack of money or circumstances deter me from dreaming.... and who knows... with my luck (ok, I've had some major bad luck the past few years, but normally- I have really, really good luck), I will one day fulfill my materialistic dreams. Like I said, I'm one lucky girl...and I will win that lottery one day...I will! What would you do if you won the lottery?

Now that my recent traumatic events are quickly fading into the background, we start to revisit other issues that were on our minds before they were so rudely interrupted by my hospitalization. The ever on-going saga in my and Husbandclogs' life is the question of where we should live. It's not easy making such a life altering decision when you have options that weigh out nearly equally in pros and cons... I long to be back in the US, but life here for the moment is working out just fine. It's hard to imagine being here forever though, which is why we are desperately confused and constantly stressed to make this decision - one that we need to make ((soon)) to move on with our lives. Littleclogs has been expressing a strong aversion to rain lately, as it disturbs her outdoor playground time...perhaps we should take her feelings about rain into consideration!? I do often prowl around the same real estate sites looking for homes that would suit us in our price range- whether they are in the US or Ireland... I do confess, I spend a lot more time looking at houses in the US though.... they *appear* to be exactly what we like 80% of the time. When I look at houses here in Ireland, that percentage drops to - oh - maybe 5%. One problem with both places is that we are confined to certain spots to live in - because of Husbandclogs' work. We need to be in a short distance to Dublin's city centre or New York City. I know...how unfortunate for us LOL!!!! But what if we weren't confined to have to live within these set parameters? What if we did have the means to buy whatever house we loved? Where would we live? What would we live in? How would we live?

If, err...WHEN I win the 9 million Euro ($12.8 million) jackpot this week.......

The first thing I will do is.....

-maybe buy this overpriced, but special house. Sure, with 9 million Euro, we could get something much, MUCH bigger, nicer and grander, but I don't see myself in a mansion. I see myself in a 'cute house' where I can keep tabs on everyone. I also need to be a bit close to other houses, like this one. I don't like houses that sit far off on their own. Makes me nervous. I'm not a big Victorian fan for interiors, but you can never go wrong with a Victorian home on the exterior. I'd want to add a little window on the 2nd floor to the right - because all that blank space makes me crazy. I can use the remainder of my millions to make that happen. Oh, have I not mentioned that it's in Newport? Yeah, this house would not nearly be as attractive to me in another town...but in Newport's Historic Hill, within walking distance to town, waterfront and all the fun in the world, it's perfect! I also love historic homes, and this 'built in 1840' house ticks that box! The taxes stink though...but who cares?!

Those windows remind me of the windows on my dollhouse I had as a child....

Look at that stone driveway!

Is that a 2nd floor deck back there? I hope that's off of the master bedroom...

Thanksgiving dinner will be a festive occasion at my house....

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The livingroom is preppy...!

I could drink my tea out on that bench on the many

sunny summer mornings and survey my land....

So...where would you realistically like to live if you didn't have limitations?


*all photos and realestate info was taken from www.raveis.com.
For more info on this sweet little house, visit here.

Normailty is So Not Boring

I should update you on what's happening here, since my last post probably left most people very concerned if not totally bewildered.... Thank you to everyone who posted their well wishes.

I am finally home! I was discharged last Friday and so far, apart from the expected soreness and a few crying episodes, I am doing pretty stinkin' good. I just cannot move too fast or stand up straight or walk very long, but that's ok, it will improve with time (it better!). Nothing was concluded as to why this all happened concerning my liver but that it was probably sick for a while, probably through my pregnancy...maybe resulting from the blood transfusion I had 2 years ago, but they, the professionals, are not positive. Whatever the cause, I am doing better. I am to look out for signs of jaundice which would mean I would be in trouble again, but so far, so good. Husbandclogs mentioned I looked 'tan' yesterday- which freaked me out...and when I freaked out on him, he clarified that I looked suntanned, not jaundiced tan- which still freaked me out since I haven't really been outdoors in about, oh, almost before I gave birth- almost 2 months ago!

I sent a thank you card to the nursing staff on the hospital ward that I was on. I didn't think it was possible...ever... to fall in love with a whole staff of people. A staff of probably 20+, and I fell in love with every single one of them, I did! As much as I had one foot out the door days before I was released, so eager to get back home, I got a little teary-eyed when I had to say goodbye to these people last Friday. I will never forget them and what they did for me. Incredible.

Getting back to 'normality' was a little overwhelming at first, but it's happening, and I am adjusting. My normality before getting sick consisted of feeding Babyclogs, changing diapers, swiffering, doing endless loads of laundry, and the like, and just being me, a mom. When that was taken away from me, I realised how lucky I had it all this time. I never took my life for granted, but maybe at times found being a stay-at-home-mom a bit, I don't know, isolating, or a little too redundant- but it's clear to me now how important this job of being a mother is, and how my simple little normal life is so far from boring, and means everything to me.

So that's it really.... Heading off to take a shower while Babyclogs snoozes and Oprah chats to her guests in the background (today's episode happens to be about medical mistakes made in hospitals. Good timimg...glad I didn't see this while actually in the hospital). It's nearly 1:30pm and I'm still not dressed. Oh well! Here's to getting back to normal!

The Worse the Journey, the Safer the Port...

The deep grey clouds are held by a grey sky; a grey building stands in my view.
The scene is framed by the window sills that border the light grey walls of my room.

I am in the hospital again.

This time for something so unexpected. Yet again, I was unprepared. No bags packed, not expecting to be here at all, and again, bewildered, scared and confused. But it's finally getting better.

To spare you the much long winded dramas that have continuously unfolded these past few weeks, here is the easiest way I can explain my absence in some sort of chronological order, sorta:

Distress
Pain like I have never known
Gall bladder stones
Surgery to remove gall bladder
Distress
More Pain
Tests
Cat Scan
MRI
Needles
Needles
Needles
Scans
Liver leaking bile
Surgery on liver
Sick liver
Uncommon liver issues
Jaundice
Needles
Another cat scan
Blocked bile duct
Another MRI
Needles
Needles
Needles

All through, my blood levels had been completely chaotic, as the doctors would say. Very little good news for the most part. No one could explain why or what was happening or causing this. Daily, my blood was tested, and daily, it remained this chaotic way.

Until a couple of days ago.

Something changed. Not sure what. No more duct blockage, no more pain, no more chaotic blood levels. I had moved on. On to recovery. To be honest, I had NO CHOICE BUT TO RECOVER, and QUICKLY. I have a newborn at home, and a 2 year old that need me. A newborn that only had 2 weeks with her momma....we need more time to bond. A two year old that cried out for me one night, and I was not there to go comfort here like usual. The same two year old that didn't recognize me when she came to visit me last week here in the hospital.

I had no choice. I have had three surgeries (including my c-section) within a month's time, and after these past weeks of being intravenously fed, having IVs in my hands, arms and neck, relying on morphine to get me through, 30+ staples in my tummy to hold the huge incisions for surgery together, the two holes on my side that were made for the gallbladder surgery, which currently house a tube each to drain bile, multiple psychological breakdowns and who knows what else I am forgetting here....it was time for me to overcome this, and fight, fight, fight this problem to get better. And I won. I think the professionals are writing this off as a mysterious medical mystery.

It's been a long, difficult journey, one that I have learned a bit about myself on. I learned I can handle pain. I cannot, however, handle being agitated. I am a very good patient. I need to be near my children no matter what the cost, and I've realized I have a love for them that is so encompassing, it's surreal. My husband is a saint and has been through every up and down right a long with me, supporting me, and keeping things held together at home. I've also learned that there are people in my life that really, really care. I love them.

That's it really. How I wish I could have written to you, apologizing for my absence because the family and I decided to take a last minute holiday to Italy or something dreamy like that.....but alas, here I write this from my hospital bed, finally strong enough to use my computer....listening to the staff change over for the night outside in the hallway, plotting how I will manage to get up the strength to go brush my teeth, and hoping for continued good blood results tomorrow, because the better they stay, the sooner I can go home....where I need to be.

It's all going to be OK.

The First Summer In A Long Time

Thank you everyone for congratulating me on Babyclogs' birth in past comments on this blog! It's nice to be able to share such wonderful things with you.

So, this will be the first summer, since 1993 that I have not lived in, or visited my beloved Newport, Rhode Island. We have managed to make the journey, even when Littleclogs was only weeks old, over the Atlantic and drive the I95 North to Newport just to be there, because, really, we don't care to be anywhere else. We have to be other places due to work, life, etc., but we don't really 'want' to be anywhere else. Especially in summer.

It's hard to stop after sixteen consecutive years of jolly good times!

Who knows, maybe a trip is in the forecast for the Fall, but nothing has been planned, and it's not looking likely at the moment. Travelling right now with the two little ladies is just not ideal. So, to fill my emotional void, I browse photos taken by others who also see Newport through similar, though more creative eyes. The following are found on Flickr, except the 2nd picture which is a Getty image, and sum up what Summer in Newport means to me. Even if I am missing out. Enjoy.

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Could the above be some Irish students on their J1 visas?

It's Been Documented. By a Professional.

We had a visit from the Visiting Health Nurse this week to check up on Babyclogs and assess Littleclogs' cognitive skills, which is done for free here for 18-24 month olds.

Babyclogs has lost a little weight, which is normal after babies are born, but she should be past that now and gaining. The nurse is coming back tomorrow to do another weigh in and it will be expected that there will be weight gain. We are under pressure to get more food into Babyclogs and what I think she needs is a good burger..... but the milk will need to do the trick for now and work some scale miracles.

As for our Littleclogs...well.....I am not one to brag or anything.....buuuuuut........

After the nurse spent some time testing Littleclogs, she looked up at me with a dead serious face and said to me: "She is rather brilliant.".... BRILLIANT! BRILLIANT!!! BRILLIANT!!!!!

I knew it. Now it's documented by a professional.

And coincidentally, that very night, I went in to check on Littleclogs while she was sleeping, and she was counting in her sleep- in multiple of twos. Kid you not. Ok, it was only up to six, but still. I don't think I could do that until I was probably ten.

Today is my first full day at home with both of them since we got home from the hospital last week. I am a little nervous! Hopefully it will be decent outside so we can go and burn off some energy..... Have a great day!

brain image by: www.medical-illustrations.ca

No, I Have Not Been on Vacation...If You Are Wondering....

I've been away from the computer a few weeks now...but not because I am lazy.

You see, I am supposed to be in the hospital right this very morning, having a c-section. That didn't happen, because it happened already! Turns out I was in early stages of labor back on July 2nd for a full day before I admitted that perhaps I should just suck it up and go to the hospital and be told that everything was fine and to be sent home the same way I went in a half hour earlier.

Instead...

I went in, and after being seen by about every nurse or midwife this side of the Liffey, none of who could agree what to do with me.....the doctor was called in from his home across the street (sorry!) that evening, and he made the executive decision to go ahead with the c-section as planned immediately! Wait! What?! Hold up! But the contractions at this point were very clear, and coming quickly!

Mind you- I was totally unprepared for this! No packed bags.... nothing! I was just so grateful that I managed to take a shower earlier that day.

An hour later, after a very smooth, and dare I say, a lovely c-section experience (of course it would seem this way compared to my 1st birth), I had a new baby girl! SURPRISE! Just like her conception... now her arrival..... not quite ready, very unprepared, but all turning out perfectly in the end. Although she was 3.5 weeks early, she still weighed a great weight of 7.10lbs. If she were to go full term, who knows what her weight would have been! The earliness meant immature lungs and a few feeding problems, but nothing my little baby can't handle.

Can I just take this small space in the blogging world to say one thing? I have never been happier in my life than I am right now with my two little ladies and Husbandclogs. Maybe it's the post-preggo hormones speaking here, but just looking at them makes me cry with love! Ahhhh...Ok, that's enough now. The exhaustion is kicking in obviously!

So, welcome to the world Babyclogs. I promise to never stop loving you, to protect and care for you, and to do whatever I can to keep Littleclogs from poking your eyes out. She means well!