When you're staying in someone else's home for an extended period of time (read: homeless) you get exposed to a few of life's little problems.
Last week, my grandson ZJ was a little sick. The fever got high and then he started sounding strange. When his momma looked down his throat, she saw swelling and redness. A trip to the doctor later, and they explained that ZJ had had several cases of strep throat since starting pre-school. His exposure to other kids was limited in Texas because he attended a home day care. Now, he's bringing all the bugs home.
24 hrs on a strong antibiotic later, and he's demonstrably better. But by that time, his sister had been sneezed on, coughed on and drooled on.
Friday she was slowing down and by Saturday morning, burning with fever. Luckily, the pediatric practice they use has Saturday morning office hours. An hour later, the doctor determined to treat Zoey with the same antibiotic that ZJ was on. Zoey's cough is much worse, shaking her little body. But hopefully, she's on the mend.
The outset of this is that Grandee got to have one sick boy home from school for a day, and today is staying home with one sick girl. It's sad, but it's also a treat. You hate to see them suffer, but sick kids will sit in your lap and snuggle. Hey, a grandmother has to take what she can get!
When kids start attending school, they get exposed to all kinds of bugs that didn't circulate in their own homes. It's expected that the first year or so in school will be hard on children without exposure to lots of kids. It's just hard to be there seeing the outcome of that exposure.
I want the kids to get better. I'm hoping that I won't catch what they've got. But either way, I know to go right to the doctor if I start showing symptoms. Right now, I've got a girl to spoil and all day to do it.
--Sandee Wagner
Monday, May 16, 2011
Thursday, May 12, 2011
NC is Great, But So Was MN and OK
I've been on the road again. I went from my son's house in Chaska, MN to my dautghter's house in OKC. I flew down to Ft. Worth, TX for my Mom's birthday party, then on to my other son's house in Huntersville, NC.
I lived in North Carolina for five years when my kids were young and I loved it there. It wasn't that I was born in Cherry Point and felt some affinity to the state, or that I graduated from college with a bachelor's degree from North Carolina Wesleyan College. It's more like North Carolina has all the things I like about the South.
It's warm and humid. I said it before and I'll say it again, I like the humidity. It makes everything green and lush. The people are open and friendly. Some of the best friends I've made in my life I made in that five year stretch in NC. So, my memories of living there are colored by that experience.
I expected to like my son's new home. I'd seen the pictures and it looked great online. What I didn't expect was to really like the community. As I drive around, I enjoy the countryside and even the screwy way the streets are laid out.
I've been to my grandkid's school and to their doctor's office. Both were really nice and full of helpful people. All in all, a very positive experience.
It's nice when your kids land in areas that you love. In MN, my son and his wife have come to love the family oriented community where they make their home. They've run into 'like minded' couples and are making friends and developing relationships. In OK, my daughter is part of an extended family that is tied to the community in all ways political and generational. She and her husband search out new restaurants and bars, and try to support all the local businesses. Here in NC, my son and his wife are settling into new jobs and getting a feel for their new surroundings.
I feel very thankful that my kids are all happy with their lots in life. I'm blessed that I don't have to fret or worry about their futures. They've all made great decisions and I'm very proud of them. Getting to hang out with them has been fun!
--Sandee Wagner
I lived in North Carolina for five years when my kids were young and I loved it there. It wasn't that I was born in Cherry Point and felt some affinity to the state, or that I graduated from college with a bachelor's degree from North Carolina Wesleyan College. It's more like North Carolina has all the things I like about the South.
It's warm and humid. I said it before and I'll say it again, I like the humidity. It makes everything green and lush. The people are open and friendly. Some of the best friends I've made in my life I made in that five year stretch in NC. So, my memories of living there are colored by that experience.
I expected to like my son's new home. I'd seen the pictures and it looked great online. What I didn't expect was to really like the community. As I drive around, I enjoy the countryside and even the screwy way the streets are laid out.
I've been to my grandkid's school and to their doctor's office. Both were really nice and full of helpful people. All in all, a very positive experience.
It's nice when your kids land in areas that you love. In MN, my son and his wife have come to love the family oriented community where they make their home. They've run into 'like minded' couples and are making friends and developing relationships. In OK, my daughter is part of an extended family that is tied to the community in all ways political and generational. She and her husband search out new restaurants and bars, and try to support all the local businesses. Here in NC, my son and his wife are settling into new jobs and getting a feel for their new surroundings.
I feel very thankful that my kids are all happy with their lots in life. I'm blessed that I don't have to fret or worry about their futures. They've all made great decisions and I'm very proud of them. Getting to hang out with them has been fun!
--Sandee Wagner
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