Licefreeeeeeee

This is a delicate subject and one you don't go broadcasting to everyone but here I am writing about it in my blog.  It's mainly for posterity and happened about a month ago.

The Deaton house was infected with LICE.  The most hygienic teenage girl EVER was the victim.  Karson got a sunburn on her face one weekend at the lake and around the same time, her head started itching. I simply assumed she'd got a sunburn on her head as well because she was scratching a lot.  Although I didn't see a burn or any red/peeling on her scalp,  it never occurred to me to inspect for lice.  She made it through her entire elementary school career without ever getting lice.  I mean those are the times when you WOULD get lice - there was always some sort of outbreak at Plano. In fact, one random day last year Miles broadcasted loudly in the car - well, we had a lice check today at school, and I didn't have any.  It's common in elementary school but high school?  Come on!  We tried dry scalp shampoo, essential oils, and my mom purchased a special shampoo - it seemed like she couldn't get any relief.  One day at school, she texted me that a friend saw some bugs in her hair.  I texted back and said I was 100% sure she didn't have bugs in her hair especially since I fix it for her most days.  I decided to do some major inspecting that night (week 2 at this point).  She had a game and didn't get home until close to 8:30 PM. I moved the hair back from behind her ear and saw bugs scrambling.  OH NOOOOOO!  I immediately facetimed my friend who's daughter had lice the year before and was an expert.  She told me that she had tried lots of products and Licefreee! was the only thing that worked for her daughter.  It was chaos in the house.  I started stripping beds, bagging pillows, boiling water for hairbrushes and hairbands while Matt rushed into town to Walgreen's to get the Lice kit. 

Matt didn't get back home until 9:30, and I immediately applied the gel treatment - dead bugs all over the combs as I clawed through her hair with it.  Gross.  She slipped on the shower cap and waited for an entire hour (the minimum amount of time) before washing it out.  The instructions suggested using the nit comb to get everything out  before rinsing but there was no way that comb was getting through her thick head of hair with all of that gloppy gel on there.  I was laundering her towel so I grabbed mine and took her to bathroom for rinsing (10:30 PM on a school night people).  All sorts of bugs were falling out and running down the drain.  It was a SIGHT (one I hope to never see again).  She wrapped my white towel around her head and when she started drying it off, there were bugs all over the towel. There was no way I would be able to get all of the nits out of her hair, and she needed to go to bed because it was getting late (and by bed, it was the couch because I was washing her sheets and comforter).  Plus, she wanted to get up early and shampoo with the (included) Lice Shampoo because her hair was nasty and smelled.  I knew the next day would be brutal - she had basketball, a big Chem exam, volleyball practice after school but fortunately, she was touched by an angel.  I hate to say that because it was at the expense of Hurricane Harvey.  We had an enormous amount of rain and school was called off that Friday.

I had to go to work but texted my mom and asked if she would come over and work on Karson's hair.  It was a daunting task and mom spent a few hours combing and removing nits.  I literally spent about four days on her hair.  It was grueling.  We went to the lake for Labor Day and my cousin gave me some tips (she's a social worker and has dealt with lice quite a bit).  She showed me exactly what to look for and suggested flat ironing which I had never thought about but it a brillant idea. It not only fries the bugs but gets the hair nice and straight for sectioning and combing.  She's had two treatments to date and appears to be free of the critters.  I'm happy that I was infected because she and I share a lot of hair products - brushes, rubber bands.  A common misconception with lice is that they fly and jump.  They don't.  The primary way they are transferred is from head to head contact.  You can get them from wearing a hat of an infected person or laying on their pillow.  It's still a mystery to me (and her) how/when she got them.  I'm an expert now, call me with any questions. 

The fun never stops!  

I don't want this entire post to be about lice so let's make it better and highlight some other events of the month....like the Titans game.  Matt's uncle David gave us some great tickets to see them play the Raiders.  It was my first NFL game and was a blast.  I watched some of the game but my favorite part of any football game is watching the people and all the fans.  It's a SHOW not just a football game.

Volleyball is about to wrap up next month, but basketball practice, weightlifting and conditioning already started at the first of school so Karson has been pulling doubletime.  I am grateful for friends like Michael McSween who brings his nice camera to all of the games and captures some of the best action shots.  What a kind thing to do!  I love having them!

 Grandparents Day at Plano was a hit for Miles who is now our only Panther.  It's hard to believe that he's already at 5th grader and growing up quickly.  Nana, Pap, Pops and Miles enjoyed breakfast together.  We have an incredible PTO and staff at Plano who coordinate this special event.  I don't know what we would do without our "grandparents" - they are our lifeline in so many ways.  I'm thankful our kids have so much love in their lives!

Matt's cousin Allie got married this month, and we attempted to grab a family photo at the church.  Yep, we don't match.  Yep, it's tricky getting a nice smile and pose.  Yep, I'm working on getting a family picture organized during Fall Break.  We need a redo which might involve a bottle of wine for me before the session.

August-isms

Three kids, three schools, three PTO's, three weekly newsletters, three fundraisers, three lunch schedules, school pictures, volunteer opportunities, BETA hours, volleyball, birthdays, this month is a smidge busy and rather overwhelming - add work into the mix, and I feel run over by a MACK truck.  I try to get in bed at a decent hour, but 6 AM comes in a blink.  I've felt like a zombie for two weeks.  I know I'll get adjusted to the new schedule, but I'm not quite sure when.

Isaac has had trouble adjusting as well.  Middle and High School hours around here are no joke.  Matt told Karson and Isaac at the beginning of the school year that he will be leaving the house each morning at 6:40 AM with or without them.  If they aren't ready to go, they can catch the bus at 6:53 AM which goes right by our house.  The first couple of days Isaac was okay with that plan.  One morning last week though, Matt needed to leave at 6:30 AM for bus evacuation drills.  Isaac wasn't having it - he stated 6:40 was his limit.  Matt told him he could catch the bus.  He rolled out of bed at 6:40 (that morning), got dressed, inhaled some microwave bacon, popped in a stick of gum and headed out to the driveway to catch the bus.  This has become his new routine and preference.  He's a bus rider - to and from school.  I don't want to tell him that he COULD sleep in his clothes and stay in bed a little longer.  It's funny how different he and Karson are.  Matt tried waking him up the other day and he rolled over and said "you're waking me up to go to prison."  Matt said, "school isn't like prison."  Isaac said, "tell me the difference." He's a character, quirky as all get out.  Monday afternoon he was doing homework and listening to slow jazz music.  Miles took a simpler approach Tuesday when I was trying to get him off to school.  I walked in his room after yelling for him (let's go) multiple times.  I think he was "playing dead."  He was laying lifeless right next to his dresser.  These boys of mine!

Movie reference time (y'all know I love them) - one of my favorite wake up scenes ever from the movie What About Bob?

I think Monday might have thrown us all off this week.  The kids were out of school for the Solar Eclipse.  SKyPAC was closed a half day, and I was grateful to both WCPS and my employer for allowing our family to experience the event together.  Mom invited us all over for lunch and to hang out.  I was a little panicked on the way over to her house the day of the eclipse.  I needed to stop by Kroger on the way to purchase Karson some tea tree and coconut oils for her hair.  She got a scalp burn at the lake last weekend (fun pics above) and was itching terribly.  My SIL told me to combine the two and let them sit on her scalp for a little while to give her some relief.  SO, I'm running into Kroger and it was one of those times that everything that CAN go wrong - does.  First of all, the cheapest coconut oil was on the top shelf super far back.  I wasn't about to climb up shelves to get it so I found a guy with long arms who got it down for me.  Then, I headed over to the organic section to look for essential oils.  I debated between the tea tree and lavender oils but the price difference was unreal.  The tea tree was $6 and the lavender $13.  Being the miser that I am, I went with the cheaper oil and headed to the self check out.  Of course, wouldn't you know it, as I rang up the tea tree oil, the sale price didn't match.  A Kroger employee came over - I explained that the sale price was supposed to be $6, blah, blah - she took off in search of the oil to confirm it.  In the meantime, the clock is ticking away and I see Kroger employees racing in and out with their solar glasses, and I'm thinking I'm going to MISS this event.  Finally the employee comes back, enters the correct price and ends up giving me an additional discount which was sweet.

I got over to mom's pretty quickly and still had plenty of time to eat and witness the changing of the sun.  We even got to strike a cool family pose.

 On Saturday, we had tried to snag some special Eclipse Donuts from Krispy Kreme.  For the first time ever, they turned their regular glaze to chocolate glaze for three days only to coincide with the big event.  However, what we failed to notice in the fine print was that they ONLY served the Eclipse donuts during their "Hot Fresh" hours.  On Sunday, we celebrated Mae Kathryn's birthday.  Sweet little princess turned 2 years old.  The party was at Laura's parents house which is right next to Krispy Kreme, and lo and behold, when we left the party, the "Hot Fresh Now" sign was lit. The drive thru was lined up so I decided to go inside (which wasn't much quicker).  I wish I could report that the Eclipse donuts were delicious.  They weren't.  Not sure if we got a bad batch or what, but Matt, Karson and I all thought the chocolate was super bitter and not very tasty.  Miles enjoyed it.  Think we'll stick with regular glazed and chocolate iced in the future.

Was the Total Solar Eclipse not the coolest thing ever? WOW!

 

 The 9th grade Lady Spartans volleyball team have two wins under their belt this season.  Karson is also doing basketball weight lifting and training during her 2nd block PE classes at South.  She's got a full course load and is studying all the time but enjoys being challenged.

I'll take a Tangerine Fanta, Schweps, Tab - we only have Coke sir - New or Classic?

 Isaac has become a fan of Cheer Wine recently.  I'm not quite sure where/when he had some, but he loves it.  I was working the JV Concession stand last night at the volleyball game, and he walked up and ordered one.  I said, "um, we don't have that here."  I guess he thinks it's new and not a drink dating back to 1917.  

TV Clip:  Baskets Drive Thru 

 

 He and his buddy Mason have been reunited back at South Middle School and haven't missed a beat in their friendship.  They went tubing at Barren River last weekend.  These two crack me up.  I have to mention a funny story for posterity.  We were taking Mason home on Saturday night when the conversation turned to girls in our car.  I mentioned a certain someone that Isaac liked, and Mason started planning how he could talk to her for Isaac.  He led with something like this...."hey _______, I've seen Isaac without his clothes on and he has a six-pack."  Matt and I both died laughing and said, "maybe don't say that."   Then Isaac mentioned maybe he should ask her to go see the new Annabelle movie.  I told Isaac it probably wasn't a good idea to ask a girl to go see a rate 'R' movie on a first date.  These boys have a long way to go on their "girl game."

Round 2 Mammogram:
 As referenced in my last blog, I had my yearly OBG appointment a few weeks back and Dr. Stice recommended I have a mammogram done and got it scheduled for me.  If you've never had a mammogram, it takes about 5-10 minutes, not long at all.  However, the radiology tech told me there was a good chance that I would get a call within the week asking me to come back in (letter and call).  She said it's very standard because it's my first and they have nothing to compare it to.  I was a little surprised when I got a call the very next day asking me to schedule the appointment.  She said they wanted to take some additional pictures and maybe do an ultrasound.  NOW, they had already prepared me for the call and I knew I would be receiving a letter as well.  However, the letter sort of freaked me out because of the wording - things like inconclusive and abnormality.  I called the office to double check and make sure it was still "standard".  They said it was and that they'd noticed some things in my left breast.  She said it's probably a lymph node or fatty tissue.  It was reassuring but not (if you know what I mean).  I went back this week for additional pictures and an ultrasound on my left breast.  The ultrasound tech told me that she needed to send the pictures to the doctor to make sure everything was okay and wanted me to stick around in case additional steps were necessary.  Longest 5 minutes of my life.  She came back in and said everything looked good.  Whew.

August has been fast.  I wore one of my fall dresses the other day and started thinking...I might need to decorate for the fall here soon.  The weather has been gorgeous this week and Friday night football has begun.

A Week of Excitement and A Little Pain

I knew this week would be eventful with the beginning of school but never anticipated HOW eventful it would turn out to be.  On Monday, August 7, we welcomed the most precious 8 lb. 3 oz. angelic girl to the Deaton tribe.  Zella Smith Deaton was born.  She’s squishy, got those perfect pouty lips, some long locks and absolutely perfect.  Andrew and MacKenzie are going to knock it out of the park being her parents.  There’s nothing more beautiful than a brand new baby!  She’s one blessed little girl!  

Wednesdays are like Mondays in the middle of the week! – Lee Fox Williams

 Wednesday arrived and our house was a flurry of activity at 6 AM.  Cinnamon Rolls are a staple on the Wednesday menu too, so I was up getting those ready (and by ready, I mean popping open a can of Pillsbury and putting them in the oven– I’m no Pioneer Woman).  I knew Karson wanted to curl her hair too which takes a while because she literally has the thickest head of hair ever.  Matt had already told the kids that they’d be leaving every morning at 6:40 PM (be in the car or ride the bus was his exact statement). 

How in the world do we have a high school freshman and 7^th grader already?  Facebook Timehop likes to remind me how OLD they are with floods of pictures.  Sheesh.  Karson will be driving in less than two years which might turn out to be a good thing with Matt’s new position at South.  He leaves early and comes home later which means the kids are riding the cheese wagon home quite a bit.  Isaac doesn’t mind it at all, and Karson has practice after school most of the time anyway.  Riding the bus actually gets them home faster than riding in the car anyway.  However, Karson will probably enjoy/prefer driving to school, and it will allow Matt to leave however early he wants. 

I have found out our house is rather small on these morning where three people need in the bathroom at the same time.  It might be time to start looking for another place?  And, I have no idea how Miles managed to sleep through all of the commotion because it wakes me up immediately. He stumbled out of bed around 6:50, post chaos.  Have I mentioned lately how proud I am of this little guy?  I adore him.  I’ve always said he’s along for the ride – putting his plans and agenda aside if something trumps it.  He and Isaac share a room and are attached at the hip.  Now, they won’t even be at the same school for at least four years.  He’s been rather optimistic about this year even though most of his close friends aren’t in class with him. In fact, one of his closest friends recently moved to Edmonson County.  It was so cute – his friend called him last night and they talked on the phone for about 30 minutes.  Precious.  It’ll be a good year, and we’re excited to be reunited with Ms. Lindsey (who taught our Karson in 5^th grade).

I told Miles since it’s just the two of us in the morning, we need to start some new traditions – one of them being going out to breakfast a few mornings each month.  He and I used to do that when the older two were in school, and he was still too little for school.  It was a fun tradition, and since I don’t generally go out to Plano to eat lunch with him, maybe this will be something special we can do together. And, speaking of lunches....

Saw this cute picture on WCPS's twitter feed.

Onto the PAIN…I’m sure some of you were thinking PAIN because the kids started school.  Nope.  I’m not emotional like that at all. In fact, despite losing some extra sleep, I think the kids are usually ready to start back, even though they wouldn’t admit it.  There’s something nice about having productive days that keep you engaged – it  gives you structure, instills good habits, and creates a sense of stability. It’s also fun hanging out with your friends and meeting new people.  I’m thankful for the breaks but thankful for the routine too.  Back to the PAIN….I was racing home from work Tuesday night to inhale a sloppy joe and make it to Logan County to see Karson play volleyball at 5:30 – first scrimmage of the season when I got a text from my sister.

She told me she was in the ER with dad and he’d hurt himself.  Prepare for some gross pics.  Apparently he was using his blower (barefoot) and tripped over an air compressor, got his fourth and fifth toes caught in the compressor somehow, dislocated his fourth toe and nearly ripped off his fifth toe.  Eeeeek.  Sounds frightening?  Shannon and I weren't sure what was more frightening - the injury or his Walking Dead toenails?  You decide?  I couldn't help but think of the pedicure scene from Dumb and Dumber.  My head is always wrapped around movie or television scenes.  For instance, we are doing CPR training at SKyPAC on Monday, and all I can think about is The Office CPR training.

I chatted with Dad later that night once we got back from Logan County.  He was home recovering and in good spirits.  Of course he wanted to know all about Karson, her game, and how she played.  I know he hated missing it. I'm glad he's okay and nothing more serious happened.

I, too, have been in a hospital gown this week.  I had my first mammogram yesterday.  That's one of those beautiful gifts you get for turning 40.  It wasn't as painful as I thought it would be, and BONUS, got a call today from my OB/G office and they want to take more pictures.  Lovely.  The Radiology Tech had already prepared me for the call.  I just wasn't expecting it today though.  Heading back later this month.

August has certainly been eventful!