Seattle

Our trip to Seattle was good, if exhausting. The Wiz has decided he likes the hospital, even if he's mad about having two blood draws. (More on that later.)

We drove through the desert and saw Yakima. We saw Ellensburg. Then we went over the mountains. The Wiz was impressed. The mountains here are quite impressive. Then we went down and then we went up, and all of sudden we saw TREES! The Wiz thought that was good. He knew that other people thought that Washington was wet and forested, but he didn't understand why. Now he does.

We made it into Seattle at around 5:30. Exactly the wrong time to arrive. The traffic was horrendous. It's quite confusing, too, because you need to be in the left lane now then all the way across 5 lanes to reach the next exit or interchange. However, we made it with only one wrong turn, and that was because Google maps didn't actually say which way to turn off of the interstate.

We made it to our hotel, and went for dinner. I'd forgotten how busy it is around the University. There were all sorts of restaurants--unfortunately, most of them were Chinese or Japanese, so I couldn't eat there. We found a place to eat, and went back to our hotel.

This is what the Wiz thought of the hotel.:
We eventually went to sleep. The next morning, we got breakfast and went to the hospital. Seattle Children's is also a really great hospital. There is a lot of PacNW art in the hospital, and it's quite kid friendly. The Wiz thought the waiting areas weren't as good though.

We met the new Hem and we like her. She wants us to also see an immunologist, an endocrinologist, and a neurologist. I can't say that I'm thrilled, but I am happy that she is thorough. He also got his flu shot. He had to have it in his leg, because he's too small now for the arm.

We met someone I know from online who has sort of moved to the Seattle area. It was good to meet her and to meet her sleepy daughter.

Then we got his blood drawn. You know you are in for a bad one when there is concern that he doesn't weigh enough to draw all the blood needed for all the labs. For the first time ever, The Wiz REALLY freaked. I've never seen him do this before. He screamed and tensed and blew the first vein. So the phlebotomist had to use a different one. This time, we had him blow bubbles while drawing the blood because you can't scream and hold your breath if you are blowing bubbles.

We took pictures on the pig bench.

Then we started home. The trip back had two delays: a wreck in Seattle at the I5-I90 interchange and at the eastern Pass in Snoqualmie for helicopter testing. Helicopter testing is for avalanche control, if you don't know, which I did not.

It was a good trip, because I feel that he'll be in good hands here. It helps with my stress levels. :)

When Someone Goes Away

Game Boy apparently takes this to mean go damage yourself.

As you probably know, on Wednesday the Wiz and I headed for Seattle. I left a bit later than I wanted to leave but we left at a pretty decent time. When we reached the west side of the Tri-Cities, I had a text message. I ignored it.

Ten minutes later, I had another one.

A minute or so after that, another.

I was getting a tiny bit worried. The only person who texts me is The Collar (and Game Boy, but he was at school so I knew it wasn't him), and he knew I was driving, so it must be something pretty bad.

When we stopped at a rest area to use the restroom and get snacks (there weren't any machines there), I checked the texts. #1. The nurse from Game Boy's middle school called and he needed to go pick him up. #2. He hurt his right pinky. He was going for x-rays at 3:00. #3. A picture of the swelling. I called The Collar to see how he was.

While we were doing all of this, the Wiz and I were admiring Mt. Adams and Mt. Ranier. As we started toward the car, we saw a bus with very skinny windows pull in to the rest area. We watched as prisoners came off the bus to use the restroom. The Wiz was quite impressed with the whole process. He wanted to know why they did things so badly that they had to be shackled. I told him I didn't really know.

We get back into the car and go on. About 4:00 we stop again, and I call. Game Boy has not broken his finger, but he has sprained it badly. He was in PE and was trying to catch a football when he had to dodge a stray volleyball. He shrugged it off, and went to a couple of classes to see if he'd be fine. Finally in math class, he showed his teacher and asked if Mr. R thought it was swollen. Mr. R told him to go to the nurse, right now. Nurse taped it and called Dad, which is why I started getting text messages.

Now we know that Game Boy doesn't just wait for the Collar to leave. He damages himself when either of us are out of town.

Our lives are just too exciting.

10 Things

I've been really busy lately. We thought that once we finished with the Installation (or the screwing in as our previous Bishop referred to it), things would calm down. That didn't happen.

So here are 10 things that are going on/we are doing/random thoughts.

1. The Wiz went to the allergist, who thinks his chronic hives are autoimmune.
2. We found a Wii after only looking for one for 2 years or so. (We got the Wii Fit software too. It's all still cheaper than the gym membership.) So our real Christmas present finally got here.
3. I'm teaching 9 credit hours now. 6 hours are short term classes. EEK.
4. My 3 sections of class next semester (108 slots) filled within 48 hours of enrollment opening. I have a job next semester, for certain.
5. Facebook can be a huge time-suck.
6. The child who supposedly can't read has read three books in the last two weeks. Chapter books, no less.
7. The child who hates language arts (different from #6) is making an A+ in both reading and language arts class.
8. The Collar wants a vacation. We didn't get one this year. (See Great Trek West.)
9. I still haven't worn a the hat I made for myself. Why did I even knit it? I KNOW I hate hats.
10. One more week, and the campaign calls will stop.

Tomorrow, The Wiz and I head for Seattle to see the new hematologist. We're staying in a hotel (he LOVES hotels) and we're driving over the mountains. I saw snow in the webcams in the pass. Snow in October?

I Has a Hat

My head's been cold when I'm walking the Wiz to school. I don't have a hat (mostly because I hate hats) so I made one. Here's the hat on my head. (Picture courtesy of the Wiz.)Here it is flat on the couch.This is what was left over from 1 skein of Knit Picks Merino Style:
Project Specs:
Pattern: Lacy Beanie by Helene Rush (found in 101 Designer One Skein Wonders)
Needles: Ancient Size 3 needles (I bought them at a thrift shop)
Yarn: Knit Picks Merino Style 1 skein (Crocus--no longer available)
I used nearly all of the skein. Very little was left.

It was pretty easy to knit, although I pretty much messed up the lace pattern. I don't think it matters. Who is going to notice on the 7:40 am walk to school? Besides, since I messed up every lace row, it's just a design feature. :)

A Halloween Gift

Thank you, caflygrl. It was a great package to open, and I'll (we'll) have lots of fun with it.

The Schedule

In the next few weeks, we have a crazy schedule of medical/dental appointments. Most of them are for the Wiz. I'm a bit nervous, because I've never driven to Seattle before, but it'll be okay. I was REALLY scared when we went to CCHMC the first time, so this is better. I kind of know what to expect at least this time.

On Friday, the Wiz goes to the allergist. A new allergist, so we'll have more allergy testing. I'm hoping that this time he has clear cut reactions, rather than last time, where he had over a dozen maybes. He's had a lot of "mystery" hives, so allergies would be good rather than needing to go on to finding out whether or not they are autoimmune. (Yes, of course. His immune system doesn't fight off infections, so why not attack his own body.)

The following Thursday, we visit our new hematologist/oncologist in Seattle at Seattle Children's Hospital. We'll have to go up the afternoon before, and we'll be spending the night at a motel. We'll be going up again for his annual bone marrow biopsy, but that has not been scheduled yet. I'm hoping we can get his IG started again.

The second week in November, both boys have dental appointments. Yay. The Wiz will be having his tooth fixed and Game Boy will be going for a cleaning.

The week after that, The Wiz sees his new gastroenterologist. He's been having a bit of a problem with his weight so maybe his enzyme dose needs to be increased.

Oh, and he's been having a LOT of headaches. He seems to be having them at least weekly. I'm thrilled. He's uncomfortable. I'm guessing we're going to have to see a neurologist.

The Collar and I are both going in for checkups with our new doctor too. But that's not a big deal.

So that's the medical stuff going on. Next time, we'll be back to our regularly scheduled programming of house, adventures, food, and knitting. :)

Kate's Crostata Recipe

a.k.a galette (one's Italian, one's French. Basically the same dessert.)

Ingredients:

Fruit (I've made it with apples, pears, and peaches). About 3 large apples worth.
Butter
Pie Crust
Brown Sugar
Spices (I use ginger, cinnamon, and ancho chile pepper.)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Peel and slice the fruit.
Prepare the pie crust. I roll it into a rectangle, but traditionally the crust is round.
Place crust on parchment paper on a baking sheet.
Liberally butter the crust.
Arrange the fruit in a single layer on the pie crust.
Sprinkle brown sugar and spices over the fruit.
Bake for about 17 minutes or until the crust is golden brown on the edges.

I serve it plain, but you might want to add whipped cream.

More Hike

We went hiking at the BLM area near Milton-Freewater again (this time with the BBFs). It's a bit different than last time. The trees are just starting to change, and there aren't any salmon to annoy.
The mountains are starting to look like winter might be coming.
There are old homesteads on the path.
The rapids look colder now.
Supposedly, this last little guy means we'll have a bad winter. I think it means that it's a pretty aged caterpillar.

Evening Visitor

The Collar found this outside when he started the charcoal for tonight's burgers.
Too bad they grow up to be so unattractive.

And to the fort

we go.

Since we finally had a weekend that wasn't completely packed with activities, and the BBFs are here, we made it to Fort Walla Walla. It is a very well done museum. There are military and Indian artifacts, agricultural items, homes from various prominent families from the area.

Knitting on Friday

But before that, proof that even I can fix my hair. I was a little worried about it.Yes, it is that easy to make it curly and spiky. I wish I'd known this a long time ago.

I've been knitting on the Spey Valley Socks. One leg is finished, and I'm pretty close to finishing the other leg.
I wanted to finish something. So I made some Halloween-themed washcloths. What do you think? I think that the pictures even show the design, which is hard to photograph.

I have started a hat for myself. I walk The Wiz to school every morning, and I've been cold. I need a hat. It needs to be one that does NOT match the Wiz's, although he might like that. I'll show you later, when there is actually something to see.

Random Things

The Collar's parents are here, so a short post full of random stuff.

1. We went to the farmer's market on Saturday, so the BBFs could see it. Here's proof:Honey crisp apples, tomatoes, acorn squash, and plums. Yum.

2. Saturday night, we had a dinner party with The Collar's assistant, a rector emeritus, and our former bishop (and of course, the BBFs). We had indian food and a crostata. Want the recipe?


3. Sunday was The Collar's installation. It was a good service, the reception was very well done, and we felt loved.

4. Monday we crashed.

5. Tuesday The Collar and I went to the symphony. (Bach, Brahms, and Beethoven) Walla Walla has the oldest symphony this side of the Mississippi. We had a very good time, and saw about half of the parish.

6. Today was a bit of shopping. Game Boy has now learned to make beef vegetable soup.

Tomorrow is busy, Friday might be, and Saturday will be. We're tired.

In Honor

of the official cryptid of Washington State (Game Boy says so) and because the Collar is afraid of him, we had Big Foot meatloaf.

Before cooking:And after cooking.
:)