Benjamin

I still don’t know what Benjamin has but it finally passed. I have to say he scared me. I went in at 3 am to check and see if his temperature had risen. He was wet as though his fever had finally broken. I took his armpit temperature and it was under 94! I then woke him to take it orally and it was 95.7. That seemed awfully low to me. Took my own temperature to see if the thermometer was working and mine was normal. I kept checking on him until 4:20 when I had to go to sleep.

I called the doctors office the next day and they sent for him to get a chest X-ray and blood work.

John took him in but he had to share with me how he didn’t cry when they took his blood.

I received a call today to let me know that everything was normal. I believe it was a sinus issue but that now is not the time to investigate that. But, for now he is back to his busy self.

Today he got a roommate. We have placement of a 5 year old boy. He came this evening and the boys played and played themselves to sleep. Abuse and neglect don’t stop just because the world does.

Sick Benjamin/Easter 2020

I have been a bit exhausted. Thursday I took Benjamin to the doctor. His head and throat hurt and he had a fever. He had a low fever when I called and by time we got to the office it was 104.7. He had a swollen lymph node in his neck area where he said he had a sore throat and his forehead hurt. No respiratory issues, no gut issues. Only one in our bubble of 15 who was sick. They are thinking sinus infection so off we went with antibiotic prescription. Thursday night was Ok, some fever. Friday was ok, even thought he was better. However, Friday night his fever went up to 105 so he got a bath and I searched for Motrin so I could do Motrin and Tylenol to keep his fever down. Strangest feeling, normally I could do a run to Walmart but everything is closed by 8. I did find my Motrin and kept his temperature down. By down I mean about 101. Same pattern for Saturday. What was odd was this morning his temperature was low but at 11am when I checked him it was up to 105. About every 30 minutes I check him. Every three hours at night. I am tired. I called the doctor and they said to just make sure he stays hydrated. That actually isn’t a problem as he drinks fine. The antibiotics haven’t helped at all. I am not sure what we are dealing with. He is still the only one sick at the house. If he has pain reliever his head doesn’t hurt. But he looks sick in the eyes. 

Today was Easter. A day to celebrate but honestly I was dragging. Thankfully Sarah stepped up and did a lot of the cooking. I never found my baskets so we did simple. I had bought the kids each a pool towel, some candy and painted each one a rock. I wrapped their candy in their towel and put their rock by their towel. They were happiest with their personal rock.

To be honest, all these holidays and gifts are a challenge financially. I am curious, any big families out there? How do you deal with all these gift occasions? Some days I feel bah humbug. There are so many events that have gotten bigger since I was a kid. My parents didn’t give me anything for Valentines Day. I swapped cards at school and had a party, that was all. I see pictures of kids getting electronics and such. I simply can’t afford to do big. Painted rock is in my budget and more personal to me. Challenge for me is I love giving gifts, I just have to be more creative about it.

I did enjoy having Tasha and Ethan over. They are in our bubble as we are their babysitters. We used to share babysitting with Ethan’s mom but she has health issues so they are quarantined from each other. Jason is living here but hasn’t been working as some employees tested positive. Miguel is still here although Joselin says she will have a place at the end of the month and will be able to take him. Sarah lives here and is working on her masters. Obviously all our minor kids live here plus a foster teen. We are a large group.

Benjamin felt well enough to come join us, he chose to wear the mask he got at the doctors and his gardening gloves.

How is everyone doing during this time? Buzybee did you get settles and find toilet paper? Let me know how y’all are doing. Also, what other subjects I missed! I need to know people are out there!

Taking Precautions

Tasha is front line with this Coronavirus as a respiratory therapist. As reported everywhere they also have a shortage of supplies. She does get to wear some pretty cool gear!

I decided that I need to take precautions and make some masks. I realize that they don’t offer much protection but I am trying. Since the kids school was closed we haven’t taken them anywhere except for Benjamin to the doctor. I do most of the grocery shopping. I try to do everything that is recommended. Sometimes I don’t feel that it is enough. I hadn’t thought to sanitize the groceries I bring o to the home! I had a friend post about that but when I go I buy about $300 in groceries so I have a few days before I have to go again. That would be a lot of groceries to wipe down!

I would have never imagined that I would be using my sewing supplies for making masks!

This sewing machine has done a good job for me.

Benjamin’s Bedroom

I finally finished Benjamin’s bedroom. Built a closet, wallpapered and painted. We got him a red bunk bed he wanted. Finally, he is sleeping in his own bedroom. We were going for that, so why do I miss him slipping into my bed at night?

Nothing

Today I did nothing. I couldn’t seem to motivate myself to get up off the couch and do much. I guess I just needed a day off.  Anyone does hit a wall where all your motivation is gone? I sat and watched tv, did some homeschooling and some shopping for foster kids birthday. What she wanted for her birthday was to go shopping at the mall. That isn’t going to happen so she came up with something she wanted. I ordered it today but not sure it will be here in time.

Jason took George to the vet. He had gone to his dads and George got fleas. George is allergic to fleas. Jason has run out of Trifexis and isn’t working right now so he didn’t restock. We picked some stuff at the store but it was useless. George was scratching so much he was making sores. We tried to slow down the scratching...... and made an appointment at the vet.

Jason took him today and things were different. They meet you as you drive up and take your pet. You are to leave and they call you when you can come get your pet. We were shocked that the vet bill came to $438. Obviously I paid that over the phone and Jason picked him up along with a bag of medicines. He had developed a skin infection. We got all the medicines the vet suggested. But, I wondered what people did who can’t afford that cost. Jason couldn’t pay that. George needed it. Ahh, the cost of pet ownership. 

I didn’t get any pictures of Benjamin’s bedroom. I didn’t even change out the laundry so I will have to restart the load in the morning. Actually I thought it was Tuesday for most of the day! 

Tomorrow will be a more productive day!