Is Something Burning?????????

There are certain words and phrases that as a parent immediately cause your heart to start racing.... "Mommy, mommy, come quick.." is one that I am fairly accustomed to.

But today, it was a thought that kicked my body into fight or flight. I was in the guest bedroom paying some bills online when I caught a drift of something..."What's that smell? Is something burning?" The distant hum of the microwave was my second clue. I jumped to my feet, ran down the hall (while simultaneously screaming out "Chandler?" to confirm his safety) and as I rounded the corner I saw it: SMOKE, EVERYWHERE. The triple beep signaling the microwave was done helped me re-focus, temporarily distracted by the smoke.

Now, I have been inside a burning house before and seen true flames and smoke. And another time, at my parents' old house, I foolishly trusted the "popcorn" button on the microwave to accurately sense when the popping was actually finished. Today's microwave casualty produced a volume of smoke that fell somewhere between the two.

It's amazing how quickly smoke can penetrate 1175 sq ft. I found Chandler cowering, scared in the living room, terror transcribed across his precious face. I darted in the kitchen, assessed the microwave was not actively going up in flames and returned to the living room to embrace Chandler. "Hon-ney? Did you use the microwave?" I asked in my most gentle voice. His little head bobbed up and down. "What did you try to cook?" I inquired. "My muffin" he literally choked out.

Amidst a great deal of coughing and choking, I opened the front door, sliding glass door and all the windows, and flipped on all the ceiling fans while trying not to get smoke inhalation.

Ah, so the smoke was the bi-product of scorched sugar! (I thought the smoke had a little extra kick to it. Yuck) Chandler got a chocolate with chocolate chip Otis Sputmeyer Muffin yesterday and was saving it for a special treat. Usually I will melt it in the microwave for ten seconds, just enough to soften the chocolate chips. This makes the muffin taste like the molten lava cake from Chili's, which we both adore! We sometimes even add a scoop of vanilla ice cream. "Chandler, how long did you cook the muffin?" I asked. "For 5 minutes," he sheepishly replied. "Okay," I respond, "Can you please remember not to use the microwave without a grown-up?" "YEAH!" he categorically affirmed.

So, I am off to investigate why the smoke alarm never went off? and to swat a fly that has made his way in through the wide open front door.

And if you happen to visit us anytime in the near future and our home still wreaks of smoke, you know why. =)

Cherokee Trace Safari - Mother's Day

Sorry this blog is late! We celebrated Mother's Day this year by visiting Cherokee Trace Drive-Thru Safari. Admission is charged per person (not vehicle) and includes a surprisingly large bag of feed for each individual to dole out to the animals. Cherokee Trace Safari is a 300 acre preserve home to many exotic and endangered species. Regretfully, I do not know each kind of animal pictured here. We had an amazing adventure. We reveled in how amazing animals are, how intricate and beautiful they can be and we laughed so hard we wiped away tears. And we were thankful that the rain held out until we drove through the exit gates. Please enjoy my snapshots!

The water buffalo smelled rank. And that's to put it politely. Be very thankful that smells cannot be emitted via the web. The waterbuffalo on the right came up to the window and in all his loveliness shook. Yes, water-hole muck, haven to all sorts of microbial evilness, showered the germaphobe in the car. Me. Didn't touch anyone else (or anyone willing to admit to harboring the stench that is) and I was in the middle of the bac seat. Notice the other picture is shot through the glass. See his friend there, sticking out his tongue at me? That's the last time I tell a water buffalo he stinks.

Ah, the zebras. See the middle pic? He's laughing because he herd what happened at the buffalo waterhole.

The camel was HUGE. There was a big Dodge truck behind us on the trail and this camel towered over it. He tried to stick his head in the car too!

The ostrich was kinda scary. He kept jutting his head forward looking for food. It was somewhat disconcerting... I thought he might accidently peck one of us in the face.

Chandler had a blast! It was even better than our last zoo trip. This was interactive!

Oh, yes. Leaving the llama for last. This llama was smitten by my sister. My sister, vet tech and animal lover that she is, evidently does not care for llamas. At all.. and this particular llama was a bit of a stalker. He chased our car for quite some time. My sister was freaking out.. not something I've seen very many times. Of-course Chandler construed the situation to be hysterical and was

encouraging the llamas antics. Very comical!

I highly recommend Cherokee Trace Drive-Thru Safari if you are out exploring east Texas. Most of the animals will approach the vehicle and there are many kinds that I wasn't able to upload due to space issues. The majority of the animals are calm and will approach your vehicle without incident, giving you time to admire, feed, and photograph them in all their glory.

California Weather

Today was California weather: breezy, warm & sunny. Bekah and I got to do a bit of shopping and even she commented on the Cali-like weather. Later, it was so nice to open up the windows and let the breeze circulate throughout. I could almost fool myself into thinking I was back home. I wish we had many more of these kinds of days ahead of us! All too soon it will be humid & sticky.

Abducted Boy Reunited with Mother - Kudos to San Bernadino Law Enforcement!

The 3 year-old boy who was abducted during a home invasion/robbery was recovered today and reunited with his mother! Praise God!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090517/ap_on_re_us/us_abducted_boy

And to my Daddy, who is retired San Bernadino Law Enforcement, thank you for all your hard work, the sacrifices you made when you had to be away from us, and for putting your own life at risk to help others. Thank you! I am so proud of you and thank you, God, for keeping my Dad safe! I love you and I am so very proud of you, Dad!

Oh, happy day!

Warner Bros. pushed up the release date by 2 days! I feel like a 1st grader waiting to board a bus departing on a field trip!

The countdown continues!!!

Fairy Tale Day

Once upon a time there was a mother who blogged on time.... Okay, so last Friday was "Fairy Tale Day" for 1st graders. A celebratory time full of castles made of paper towel rolls, dramatic poems, and of-course... costumes! (Reason: end of fairy tale unit in Reading). My sweet son elected to dress as Peter Pan!

A video of Chandler's recitation of "Little Red Riding Hood" is below!

After the fun and festivities, I brought home a very wound up, giddy Peter Pan.

No one has claimed the $174.4 million Powerball jackpot on Feb. 28?

There has got to be a really good reason for this. I could only come up with a few reasons why it remains unclaimed and none of them seem very delightful.

What would you do if you won the lottery? Seriously? I am not so sure I would want my life to change. I have long purported that materialism is not the key to happiness. I went to HS in Orange County, CA, where students with very wealthy parents vastly outnumbered those who were struggling to get by. My parents were one of the strugglers, trying to get by from paycheck to paycheck and sometimes those weren't even enough. I am NOT complaining. In fact, I think I was a much happier teenager than many of my peers whose parents threw money and gifts at them in lieu of time and interest.

But what would I do if I had that winning ticket?

Not in any particular order:
1. Build a house as eco-friendly and green as possible on a small lot. Think solar panels on the roof!
2. I would keep my job. That's right.. I love it. I would probably switch to PRN, but I wouldn't quit. Taking care of the smallest patients gives me satisfaction that is unmatched!
3. I would buy my parents a new car. They both have older cars that need some TLC.
4. I would give a HUGE chunk to my department at work, my church, and my child's school.
5. I would pay off my serious dental bill I just racked up.. (my teeth are currently aching!)
6. I would go on multiple medical missions, hopefull 1-2 a year for the rest of my life!
7. I would try to start some sort of recycling, eco-friendly awareness assembly for elementary schools... those kids are our future!
8. Make sure Chandler's future college costs are covered so that he can make a difference in the world.

The rest? I dunno. I'd keep my 6 year old car.. my clothes are fine... I'd love to get out of this apartment so Chandler can learn what grass feels like under his feet! I really wouldn't even want all of the money.

Money is nice... but it isn't everything!

Shhh! That was SUPPOSED to be a secret!

Well, at first I was upset and embarrassed, but now I find it humorous...

Today, I went to Best Buy to redeem a rewards certificate that was about to expire. I also had a neoprene GPS cover that I bought at Christmas that was ill-fitting, so that was going to be returned at the same time. Yes, I said Christmas, that's how far behind on things I am. So Best Buy graciously took back the 5 month old return, whew! and we set out to pick out some new DVDs with the credit. We went back to our friendly cashier, who regretfully told me that my rewards certificate expired yesterday. What? Again, not surprised. I clearly don't even know what day it is. So I swipe my debit card to pay for the difference and Chandler clearly, exuberantly proclaims, "0-5-0-2" that's what your SECRET CODE IS???!!!" I must have made a terrible face because Chandler's quickly changed from prideful to his "I'm in big trouble face." Yes. That was my pin number, and the four cashiers that heard it now have access to our bank account. I hope no one wants a HDTV or Blu-ray. Needless to say, Chandler cried and cried once I explained the gravity of the situation. He asked me if he ruined my life. Then, I nearly cried. Big, bear hugs followed.

So, I called Wamu or Chase, heck, I can't keep track these days... and my card is now cancelled. A new Chase card to be arriving soon.