Mystery Diagnosis

I say it every year.

Our summer would not be complete without a trip to the ER.

The boy has obviously inherited his momma's grace and uncanny ability to get hurt. Poor kid.

We spent last summer recovering from a catfish barb to the hand, so this year we had to top that with a case of raging hives. Good times.

The boy has allergies, and we've learned to live with that.
But every now and then, his body throws us a curve ball.

Once - when he was 2 - he broke out in huge horrible hives. Scary-looking hives. And we played the guessing game. What did he wear? Did we change soaps? Did I change detergents? What did he eat?
The only "new" thing he'd eaten was watermelon. Yep. Watermelon. Something that even allergy-prone people are rarely allergic to. So we deprived the poor baby of watermelon for about 3 years.
When he finally tried it again... nothing.
So we really never knew what caused those hives.

Last month, we spent a week with Dan/Daddy's parents on the Gulf. (Yep. The oily Gulf.) About halfway through our trip, the boy woke up one morning with his right eye almost swollen shut and hives all over his face and neck.

I have a photo, but it is a bit yucky. I put it up, and then I took it down.

When did my blog become a place for only the strong-stomached?

After a dose of Benadryl, they didn't go away. Our biggest concern was the swelling all over his face. Swelling on the outside isn't so bad. It's the swelling I can't see that worries me.
So we loaded him into the car and headed to the ER. And the guessing game began again. No new foods. No new clothes. No new detergents. Nothing.
Nothing except he'd been swimming in the Gulf one day before the oil came into Pensacola Beach.
At his point, I'm thinking, "Please let me sue BP."
But the doctor says the words I hear more than I'd like to.
"We may never know."

Agh.

As a bit of a control freak, let me say that those words are hard to swallow.
I want to KNOW.
I feel like I can handle the situation better if I KNOW.
I can even handle bad situations if I KNOW.

But, apparently, being in the KNOW isn't always part of God's plan for this girl.

After week of steroids (again), he was all better.
And the ER doc gave me the advice I had been considering for a while now.
Have him re-tested.
I knew it was probably time... his last allergy tests were done when he was 5.
All those little needle pricks in the skin. Good times.

Who wants to go with us?

Ten on Tuesday is Back!

Ten on Tuesday never went away. I did.
I went on a crazy long vacation and then had a blogging brain block.
But it's nice to be back.


1. How do you take your coffee on an average day? How do you like your coffee if you’re splurging?
On an average day, I use flavored creamer (if I have it) or just plain old creamer with some sugar. If I am Starbucks bound, it's a Cinnamon Dolce Latte. But that changes from time to time. Especially when the holidays roll around. It's safe to say I like a little coffee with my flavors and sugar.

2. What is your genre of books to read?
I'm not too picky here. I read a lot... mystery, medical, Southern, fiction, non-fiction, cookbooks, Children's Literature, Christian, and People magazine (Does that count?) I do not like Romance Novels... at all. I've even tried to read a few. I don't mind a love story in whatever I am reading, but those corny titles and pictures make me cringe.

3. Where do you want to retire, if you could go anywhere?
It's my first week back at T on T, and I am already beginning to bore you.
The beach. Specifically, a giant house on the Atlantic Ocean... with sea turtles nesting on my front lawn. Because my front lawn would be the beach.

4. The 17-year-old you is told to write a 10-minute speech. What topic would you have picked?
The 17 year old in me? You mean the one from the late 80's? Oh goodness. It would be a speech called "AP Art is the Coolest Class" or "How to Get Your Bangs to Stick Up to Their Maximum Potential." Or maybe "If I Could Marry Jon Bon Jovi."

5. What word describes you best?
Real. (I think.)

6. What is the next “event” that you are looking forward to? (ex.: vacation, moving, date, job change, etc)
We are going on a short little trip with our oldest friends! Let me say that another way... They are not OLD. We have known them a long time! Since BK. "Before kids," not "Burger King." We are taking ourselves and our kids (us-1, them-3) to the mountains for a get-away/reunion.

7. Do you like to discuss controversial topics or do you prefer to avoid those types of conversations?
Ugh. Avoid. Unless I feel "safe" with the folks I am discussing them with... Which means, we agree on the controversial topic!

8. Would you rather add 4 free hours to each day, or add 1 extra day to the week?
Oooo... an extra day to the week! But it would be a weekend day.

9. If you created a sports team; what would your colors and mascot be?
The Sea Turtles. And their colors would be brown and green. And I would cheer them on from the porch of my beach house... where I will be watching their game and eating snacks with friends.

10. If you had to be a teacher, what subject would you teach?
I was a teacher... and I am not sure I could go back. Kids know too much nowadays. And I am apparently 65. If I could choose one subject, it would be Art or Photography, so I could go back to school to get all brushed up on the subject.

Part VI... The Day We WISHED We'd Died... Or, Universal Studios

This is it. This is the end of the vacation blog-a-thon. Did I hear a cheer?
It really wasn't the end of our vacation... we had 2 more weeks on the road and away from home, but this daily recap is over. I know I heard a cheer.

Let me begin by stating... I still haven't forgiven Universal Studios.

Way back in February, when we bought our Disney tickets, we also bought a one day ticket to Universal Studios.
(Side note: 4 days at Disney costs less than 1 day at Universal. Disney gives a great military discount. Universal does not. But I am not bitter. I just thought you should be informed.)

We had no intention of going to Universal except for one thing. And one thing only.


Let's just say we are fans. Big fans. All 3 of us have read all the books. Me twice. And all 3 of us have seen all the movies.

When we bought our Disney tickets, there was a sign advertising the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Which was supposed to open in April.
Very cool, we thought... While we're in Orlando, we can go!
Not cool.
It didn't open as scheduled. The grand opening was delayed until June.
June 18th.
The day we bought our tickets for.

We knew it would be crowded. Very crowded.
We knew it would be chaotic and crazy.
We were up for the adventure.

Or so we thought.

What we didn't know (or imagine) was that Universal would be totally unprepared and disorganized for the event.

We stood in a thick wall of people just waiting for the theme park itself to open. Not the Harry Potter part... just Universal.

This was my view for 2 solid hours.


There were people passing out from the heat. There was almost a riot or two.
There was no security, no water stands, and no one with any information.
Every staff member we asked gave us bad or wrong information, if any. And I am NOT exaggerating. It was ugly.

Once we got into the park and rushed into a line that was forming, we were told,

"Oops! Wrong line, folks... This gate into Harry Potter's Wizarding World will not open today. You must go get onto the other line."

The other line which snaked from the Wizarding World to the front gate.
The line that we were told would take us 9 HOURS to stand in.
The line that we were told to stand in with NO guarantees we'd even get into the Wizarding World by the closing hours.
And then we found out that the actual Wizarding World section of the park wasn't even opening until NOON. Noon. On opening day. (The movie cast was inside with the press. Pretty neat... but couldn't they have done pictures and interviews when it wasn't opening day???)
Chaos doesn't even come close to describing it.

We stood for a while.
We drank a lot of water and drinks.
(By the way, Disney allows you to bring in drinks and snacks. Universal? Nope. OK... Maybe I am bitter.)
We finally decided to get out of line, get some AC, and eat some lunch. We needed to make a family decision because it was beginning to look pretty bleak.
We decided to ride a few of Universal's other rides and see some shows and then try the Harry Potter line later in the day.
(And I think Dan/Daddy was afraid I was about to go red-neck momma on some Universal staff.)

We tried to make the most of the day, but by that time... we were finished.
Hot, frustrated, and sad.
We were not upset because we couldn't see the Wizarding World or because it was crowded... we were upset at the way things were handled.
And we were not the only ones. The line to complain at Guest Services was 2 hours long. Again, not exaggerating.

Dan/Daddy had a chat with one of their Guest Services reps, who were (by this time) all around the front gate, talking to ticked off guests.
The representative even said to Dan/Daddy,

"This was expected to be the BIGGEST event in theme park history, sir."

Well, um... yep. Really? That's all the more reason for you folks with the name tags on to be prepared.
We did get 3 free tickets to go back. (A lot of people did.) But the damage was done.

We talked bad about Universal the rest of the day. Mature, huh?
We kept saying, "Disney would have done this or that."
"Disney wouldn't have let that happen."

So we went back to the Happiest Place on Earth and nursed our wounds.

We still love Harry Potter enough to try it again.
In the winter, when it's not blazing hot.
When it's not the newest attraction.
When I find it in my heart to forgive and forget.

Part V... The Day We Died. Or... Chillin' At the Hotel

Silly. We didn't really die. We just thought we had. We were some tired people.
I mean... We thought we were hot and tired. But we weren't.
Until the next day.
But I can't go there yet... I haven't forgiven Universal Studios.

On the 6th day of our trip, we crashed. We spent the entire day (minus dinner) at our hotel.
Relaxin'.
I highly recommend it.

We stayed at the Caribbean Beach Resort. Wanna know some cheesy trivia? That's where Dan/Daddy and I stayed on our honeymoon... almost 17 years ago.
Cool, huh?
It's a great resort, and they've made some changes since we were there before. Seeing as how that was a stinkin' long time ago.

The coolest change by far was turning the resort into more of a pirate-themed resort. (You know... "Pirates of the Caribbean.")
If you know me a tiny bit, you know of my love for all things pirate. I mean, Johnny Depp.
Back in the early 90's, the resort was just Caribbean-ish and tropical-y.
Now it's all decked out in pirate joy.

Including, the beds...


And the curtains...


All was not fun and games this day. Sadly, I had to wash a few clothes. Clothes worn for 16 hours at a time in 108 degree weather should not be allowed to sit unattended.

But mostly, we hung out at the pools. Our pirate-themed pools.




This big splash is the boy... coming down the slide...


My two favorite guys... taking a break from trying to drown one another.


And the boy... sitting in his momma's lap... thinking about how to schmooze more souvenirs out of me at the gift shops. I am weak in the presence of cuteness.


Hold on to your horses for Part VI... The Day we WISHED we'd died. Or Universal Studios.

Part IV... Hollywood Studios and Stop Calling It MGM, Old Man

Oh yeah. I did the research.
Disney's MGM Theme Park opened in 1989.
A few years later, there were contract issues and some court rulings. Something about MGM studios and a now-dead theme park in Vegas...

So Disney announced the name change in the summer of 2008, and in January of 2009, it was official. Disney's MGM became Disney's Hollywood Studios.

You probably don't really care, but I wanted to know. I've told you several times that I am a bit nerdy.

The only problem with that name change is Dan/Daddy kept on (and keeps on) calling it MGM. We Disney fans are serious about this kind of stuff, so I couldn't let it rest. It's like calling Spaceship Earth the big golf ball.
Every time he said MGM, I corrected him.
That's what I'm here for.

After the Magic Kingdom, this is my 2nd favorite park.

It has some of the best rides...
The "Tower of Terror"...


And the most awesome roller coaster ever! The "Aerosmith Rock and Roller Coaster." This was the boy's first time on a big coaster. With upside down-ness. He LOVED it. And begged to go again. But standing in line until the next week wasn't an option.


There's also cool movie and TV stuff to see. From Star Wars to the golden oldies. We saw everything from the Indiana Jones stunt show to the Muppet Show. And we rode the Great Movie Ride, which takes you down movie memory lane.

This was the Munchkin Land part, from the Wizard of Oz. And yes, I screamed with delight. And I am sorry that some guy's balding head had to ruin my photo.


We had lunch at a really fun place... The 50's Prime Time Cafe.
All of the wait staff are dressed in 50's diner-type clothes, and each table area is set up to look like you're eating in a kitchen straight out of Happy Days.
The waitresses treat you like their children. Sounds twisted, I know. But it was a hoot! Our server made us set the table and eat our veggies. She told me 12 times to get my elbows off the table.


Wanna see the dessert that made up for all the mealtime discipline?



And then there is the happiness that is Pixar. The geniuses who made Nemo and Cars and the one movie that will forever have a special place in my heart... Toy Story.


The boy was only a toddler when the first 2 Toy Story movies came out, and he loved Buzz and Woody.

Loved. Them.

And so... I will always think of him as that chubby toddler carrying around a talking cowboy and a plastic spaceman. Be still my heart.

So THIS was the highlight of our (MY) day...


Oh yeah. That's the real deal.
The real life Buzz Lightyear and Woody. (And don't tell me it's not.)
When it was our turn to take pictures with them, Buzz took my arm in his, and Woody kissed my hand. Mercy.

Even standing in line to meet them was fun.
Dan/Daddy gets picked up by the CLAW!


Here's me and Stinky Pete! Sorry, I mean, the Prospector.


You may not want to know why they call him Stinky Pete!



Dear Dan/Daddy,
I really do love you, and I'm glad to be your wife. But if one of these guys ever comes a-callin'... Let's just say you've been warned.


And still yet to come... Part V... The Day We Died.

The Dead Dwarf Theory

We interrupt this riveting play-by-play of our vacation to bring you this commercial.
(Well. It's not really a commercial. But I thought you could use the break.)

We had to drive to the airport to pick up a good friend.

Whilst (love that word) driving in Raleigh traffic, another driver casually pulled DIRECTLY over in front of us (almost ON us) without a signal. A rude hand gesture would even have been helpful.

I said, "Thanks fella! Sure... come on over."

The boy said, "Use the horn, Momma. That's what it's for."

I said, "I know what the horn is for, son." (I was thinking, "It's for waving and signaling to friends." But I didn't say it out loud.)

The boy said, "If you don't use the horn, then the little dwarf who lives in there will never get to blow his trumpet."

"Huh?" I said.

He said, "There's a little dwarf in there, and when you press on the steering wheel, a pin pokes him in the booty. The pin hurts him and scares him, so then he blows his horn."

(Now I'm worried. Not about the traffic, but about my son's sanity.)

I said, "Did someone tell you this or did you make it up?"

He said, "I made it up just now."

So playing along, I said, "What happens when people try to blow their horns and it doesn't work? What does that mean?"

He said, "It means the dwarf is sick or dead. He has to be taken out and given antibiotics or some medicine. If he's dead, then he has to be thrown away."

By this point, we were almost at our exit. Thank goodness.

I am a fan of his creativity.
He says he wants to be an author when he grows up.
I'm glad he can entertain himself by using his mind.
I just can't stop thinking about the dwarf in my car.

Part III... Epcot and the Barf Bag

I shall not discuss the weather.
I shall not discuss the weather.
I shall not discuss the..
Yeah, right.

And a warning before we start. This post may not be for the squeamish.
Day 3 was our day in Epcot, and it was the only day we didn't see people seeking medical attention for the heat. It even stormed in the late afternoon.

Here's the giant golf ball... Spaceship Earth. (Little known Disney Trivia... Even the people who work there call it the golf ball. Walt probably turns over in his grave every time.)



And here are Dan/Daddy and the boy saying, "Come ON and stop taking pictures of that big golf ball."
"That's Spaceship Earth!" I yell. But no one listens.



In the front half of the park is where you'll find all the scientific-y learningish stuff. (It's also all indoors. And AIR conditioned.) We rode a few of the rides and tried out some of the "hands-on" things.

Like launching a spaceship. Dan/Daddy and I were Mission Control and the boy was an astronaut. Our team won, by the way.



At the end of the Spaceship Earth ride, you can create a video postcard from the future and send it to yourself. So being the scientific-y learningish geeks that we are, we did it. Here's mine and the boy's...



Dan/Daddy was riding by himself, so he got the random cartoon lady in his pic...



One of the more popular rides we managed to get to was something called Mission to Mars, or the Puke-o-Rama.
It's a space flight simulator. At hearing this, I should have gotten out of line. God was telling me to get off the ride.
They strap your crew into a row of seats in a capsule. I mean STRAP you in. You can't move any part of your body except your arms and hands. And eyeballs. But I'll get to that.
You watch a little screen in front of your face, and it feels like you are blasting off to Mars. FEELS like it.
Because you don't KNOW it at the time, but your little capsule is spinning. Spinning. Spinning hard and fast enough to create actual G-Forces on your body.
Oh. My. Word.
Wanna know what my second clue from God was that I should not be on this ride?
In every little capsule, in front of every seat, is a small pouch.
Of barf bags.
No lie.
I saved mine as a souvenir.
(I didn't use it. But I considered it.)
Worst feeling I have ever had in my life? The feeling I had on that ride.
At some point, I really did start thinking about that barf bag, but I was so sucked-back into my seat from the G-Forces, that I couldn't lift my arm to my face even IF I had thrown up.
Wanna know my third clue from God? Before the ride starts, the little computer voice tell you not to move your eyeballs around; no looking from side to side.
Wanna know why? It makes the dizzy, spinning, puking sensation worse.
We met a family later in the day who had ridden Mars Mission. There was puking in the capsule around them. The ride was delayed for "clean-up." Niiice.

I was never so happy to get off of a ride in my entire life.
And I felt yucky for a LONG time after. So did the boy.
Guess we're not cut out to be astronauts.

The second half of the park is actually my favorite... The World Showcase.
All the countries and all their yummy foods. Although eating was the last thing on my mind for a while.

Acrobats in China... These little girls could bend in half, folks!


Pin trading in Mexico...


Vikings in Norway!


Hat stealing in Morocco. Just kidding. Dan/Daddy told the boy to take the picture fast so the shop owner wouldn't think we were stealing them. Check out the panic on his face...


Ahhh, Paris.



About 13 hours after the Mars ride, we had dinner reservations at the Coral Reef restaurant.

The food was excellent, but the coolest part is that you eat IN the aquarium. The restaurant's walls are these ginormous tanks of fish. Stingrays, sharks, sea turtles, and tons of fish all swim by while you're eating.
Dan/Daddy and the boy ordered fish.
I just couldn't do it. Not with all of them watching me.
I ordered steak.


Coming up... Part IV... Stop Calling it MGM, Old Man.