Monica Dickinson

Been Awhile

2009-10-20T21:12:00.000-07:00

I keep falling off the blogging wagon. Jumping back on again.

Gonna do a home-made ornament swap. With my girl Aimee. I love it. I cant wait. Anyone else wanna join???

Fall is here. My favorite time. Breezy weather, holidays, family. YAY. Life is good.

DOnt have much to add yet. But im back. Not like anyone reads, but heck who cares.

Ahhh relaxation....

2009-06-27T20:23:00.000-07:00

Been a few days since i last posted. Been tough getting over Coops illness and lolos broken bone, but we SURVIVED!! Woohoo.

Nothing really new to report honestly.

We attended my nephews 5th birthday party today. It was a very nice party. I love spending time with my brother and his wife and kids. I truely miss them a ton. But being grown ups and parents have gotten the best of us and we dont spend as much time as used to together. I hope to change that tho. At the party we swam and played and ate and sang. Such a super day. My nephew is getting so big. 5 wow. His baby brother is almost 3 too. Gosh they get so big so fast. My kids love hanging out with their cousins too. They all came home so pooped from the day that they crashed not to long after being home. Ahh so peaceful here tonight.

I too enjoyed swimming. I feel great. Actually worn out tonight. I even made the baby enjoy being in the big wawer, as he calls it. LOL.

Overall just a spectactular day. Fabulous. Wish there more like it.

What i hate about summer........

2009-06-23T13:00:00.000-07:00

Used to be i complained of all the tourist that came to town. But now that ive moved im kinda bored and miss the beach.

But what i totally hate about summer is the heat. I dont do well with heat, never have. It makes me hot, sweaty, stinking, and oh, I CANT BREATHE, and did i mention nauseous??? Yep, total turn off to the summer heat.

How can one enjoy a day without feeling like poo? Oh i know, get in the pool. But our pool aint ready. Its still green yea. No money for the loads of chemical that needs to be put in. UGH so frustrating.

Also, this isnt really a summer rant, but there is NOTHING to do in my town. And now that kids are out of school they are totally bored. And nothing to do.

Ugh cant i live somewhere fun?????? SAy Hawaii.............

A better day.

2009-06-21T23:05:00.000-07:00

TOday was a better day. Coop is obviously feeling better. Lolos arm is not hurting as much. And keeks is still a turd. LOL.

I managed to take a shower today, get the kids dressed and ready. ANd go to walgreens. Thats a huge accomplishment to drag, a sickie, a broken and a bratty 2yo. But the adventure went well. We didnt get to do Fathers Day today as CJ had to work. So hopefully the kids can spend some time with him tomorrow, cause then he has to work again the next day.

Thats it. Thats my day. Hoping for an even better one tomorrow.

Ugh what a week.

2009-06-21T12:06:00.000-07:00

So last i posted about life Coop was sick. Supposed strep. Well after falling into respiratory distress in the middle of the night friday night and having to literally RUSH him to the ER. This dr tells me the basically i was right and the other dr was an idiot and Coop doesnt have strep at all. He has .....

PNEUMONIA AND BRONCHITIS . Really?? Well no durr. Of course he does. He is basically drowning in his own phlegm. So after being in the ER all night and half the day. I urged them to let me tend it at home. I have alot of experience in tending this and just cant manage a hospital stay if i can do it all at home. I mean, i have the Antibiotics here, the Nebulizer here, the other meds, the stethoscopes. Really unless he needed to be on stronger IV medication i can do it here. And well.....

After about a day and a half now of tending it correctly, no that i have the proper meds. He has been fever free for almost 2 days, is clearing tremendiously in the chest area. He is resting better and his coughing fits are down alot. I thnk we are finally on a road to recovery here. YAY!

Now lets see. Also Lolo has broken her wrist. Well its getting worse before better cause the kid wont stop trying to move it through her splint and it just not taking it easy enough. UGH. 10yos what can ya do. She cried and cried last night about how badly it hurt. I gave her tylenol and motrin, and iced it. Finally got her calm enough to go lay in her bed, meditate and elevate her wrist. She did and when i checked on her about 30mins later she was in a very relaxed state and said she felt tons better, about an hour later she was out. Today she is feeling a ton better too.

Hmm The keke man. Well being slight shoved aside the past week due to being occupied tending other kids he has turned into quite the 2yo. TEsting, disobeying, all out pretty much acting out and showing his disapproval of being left aside. LOL. But i did take a long 2 hrs last night to snuggle him and him alone in my bed and watch his new favorite movie, Horton hears a Who. He fell asleep blissfully in his favorite place, my arms.

Also its Father's Day and CJ has duty. So the kids got him a very funny card and when i get paid on Friday im getting him the new stethoscope he wants so i can have mine back. LOL. HE knows about this gift tho, cause i had him pick it out. Didnt want to get him one he didnt like.

Well basically thats the past 2 days in the Dickinson household. Crazy, busy, hectic and full of LOVE!!

Favorite Strawberry Summer dessert.

2009-06-19T17:12:00.000-07:00

Its called 'Eton Mess'

Meringue Cookies: Preheat oven to 200 degrees F (105 degrees C) and place the rack in the center of your oven. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In the bowl of your electric mixer, with the whisk attachment, beat the egg whites on medium speed until foamy. Add the cream of tartar and continue to beat the whites until they hold soft peaks. Add the sugar, a little at a time, and continue to beat until the meringue holds very stiff peaks. Beat in the vanilla extract. (Note: The meringue is done when it holds stiff peaks and when you rub a little between your thumb and index finger it does not feel gritty. If it feels gritty the sugar has not fully dissolved so keep beating until it feels smooth between your fingers.)

Before placing the cookies on the cookie sheet, place a little of the meringue on the underside of each corner of the parchment paper. This will prevent the paper from sliding. Then, using two spoons, place 10 equal sized mounds of meringue onto the prepared baking sheet.

Bake the meringues for approximately 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 hours, rotating the baking sheet from front to back (about half way through) to ensure even baking. The meringues are done when they are pale in color and fairly crisp. Turn off the oven, open the door a crack, and leave the meringues in the oven to finish drying overnight.

Meringue Cookies can be stored in an airtight container for several days.

Makes about 10 - 2 1/2 inch (6 cm) meringues

Whipped Cream: In a large mixing bowl place the whipping cream, vanilla extract, and sugar and stir to combine. Cover and chill the bowl and wire whisk in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. When chilled, beat the mixture until stiff peaks form. If not using right away, cover and place in the refrigerator. (The whipped cream can be made several hours in advance.)

Strawberries: Place about one third of the strawberries in your food processor and process until just pureed. Alternatively, you can crush them with a potato masher or fork. Cut the rest of the strawberries into bite size pieces and place in a large bowl, along with the pureed strawberries. Sprinkle the granulated white sugar over the strawberries and stir to combine (can be made about one hour before assembling the Eton Mess).

Eton Mess: Break five to six meringue cookies (use more or less if you like) into bite size pieces. Then fold the strawberries and meringue cookies into the whipped cream. Place in pretty dessert bowls or long stemmed glasses. Serve immediately.

Serves 4 - 6 servings.

Eton Mess Recipe:

Meringue Cookies:

3 large egg whites (3 ounces or 90 grams)

1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar

3/4 cup (150 grams) superfine or caster sugar (if you don't have superfine sugar simply take granulated white sugar and process it for about 30 seconds in a food processor)

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Whipped Cream:

1 cup (240 ml) heavy whipping cream

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 tablespoon (15 grams) granulated white sugar

Strawberries:

1 pound (454 grams) fresh strawberries

2 tablespoons (30 grams) granulated white sugar, or to taste

When do Moms get a break?

2009-06-19T00:45:00.000-07:00

When they are 18? Or never?

So its 345am. I just got home again from the ER. This time with Logann. Not cause she is sick, but cause she fractured her wrist. UGH. All i ask was to get some help. Or some company so i wasnt dragging and alone at the ER. But what does CJ say? No im gonna stay home. WTF?? I been tending Coop sick around the clock now for 2 days, now Logann injuries herself and i have to tend her too. Then i get home after 3am and Coop heres me come in and wakes up. BURNING UP. I have to them tend him and cool him, and get him back to sleep. What is CJ doing? Sleeping. I mean really. When do I get my break???

I suppose i should be happy i can tend my kids, and that they are alive. I just wanna know where in the parent handbook does it name the mommy to be the only one who tends and makes the kiddies better.

Cooper still isnt any better. His fever is still very high. He is still coughing and not eating or drinking much. UGH, i just want my baby to feel better. I hate when he is sick. He is so skinny and frail looking, he doesnt look well. HIs little eyes are blood red. He has burst blood vessels in his eyes from fever and coughing. im letting him sleep in my room so im right here if he needs me.

And the best part. DH has to go to school tomorrow, so Friday and Saturday, then Sunday has to work and Monday. Perfect. I am tending them all alone again. Sometimes i feel like a single mother. Its so tough.

I do love my Cj so. ANd my life. But shesh.........When do moms get a break???

Oh what a day.

2009-06-17T22:11:00.000-07:00

First off. Keke didnt sleep worth a crap the night before. SO i woke up this morning terribly exhausted. Couldnt even keep my eyes open. So after dragging myself outta bed, i fed the kids and did some things then brought keke up for his nap around noon. Coop came up and asked could sissy make them lunch and i said sure. My mom comes up a bit later and says Coop is falling asleep at the table and that she suggested he lay down for a bit and he said ok. About an hour later, keke has fallen asleep and coop asked could him and sissy go play with *k* on the porch. i said sure but stay on the porch.

Mom comes running in about 40mins later and says COop is laying in the bathroom floor screaming and crying. I run down stairs and he was laying there. SO tired all red. Felt him and could tell he had a very high fever. So i ask him what is wrong. He says his throat hurts and his head hurts. he feels sick to tummy. so i give him some motrin and mom suggests i take him to get seen at the ER. so i did. After waiting two hours in a empty waiting room. YES EMPTY!! We go to a room. 15mins later a dr comes in, feels his belly, checks ears and throat and says, looks like strep. I said , wait he dont have his tonsil or adnoids, he had them removed over a year ago. How can strep be???He said, well you can get strep without them. His glands in there are very red and swollen. Means infection. I will treat him with Amoxicillin. Or i can test him for a bunch of things then still treat him with AMOX. im like, no thats fine. whatever. He said watch his fever, it was 103 there. And give him motrin and tylenol.

So i brought him home and he is coughing alot, they said from pus draining into his chest from his throat. He didnt eat dinner. said he just didnt feel like it. I have to keep an eye on him, last time he was sick, he was very very sick and was lethargic before we knew it.

Then i got Marley and Me the movie for us to watch. The movie was good. Kinda sad, but in a nice way. Hard to explain without giving it away. Now its 1am and im so sore and beyond tired and have a headache i cant sleep. And tomorrow will come quickly and i will hate the day..lol .

Well i am trying hard to keep up with this blog better. Tho im sure no one reads it. but its kinda nice to have some place to document and vent i guess. Still going strong after like 3 days. So thats progress.

Lets hope tomorrow is a better day.

Alls Quiet on the Eastern Front.

2009-06-16T10:03:00.000-07:00

Man today is so quiet here. The baby is sleeping already. He feel asleep before noon. The tv is OFF. The men, CJ and Coop went to run erronds. Logann is playing in her room. Mom is working. THank God. It is so quiet. All i hear is the slight ticking of the keys on the laptop and the hum of the AC. Its kinda nice.

Im contemplating doing the EMT intermediate class in August. It would be a night classs. Adult interaction. And probably fun to boot. But am i ready for the outside world??? Im so scared. Ive been sick for so long. Lonely for so long. Friendless and not using my brain for anything, for so long. How will i do? Will everyday be a panic attack day? Will i have social anxiety bad again?

I hate being a no one. I need some purpose. But then again, isnt it easier to just stay under these covers??????

My Perfect summer day.

2009-06-15T21:57:00.000-07:00

What is your idea of a perfect summer day?

What's the weather like?

What do you enjoy doing on those days?

Is this the norm for summer days in your area of the world?

My ideal perfect summer day is a day about 74 degrees. Cool breeze. Sweet smelling flowers, fresh cut grass. Sitting on my porch swinging bed reading a book. No kids bugging the crap outta me...LOL

The weather is divine. 74 and breezy.

I like to just relax. sometimes i like to be close to nature, sometimes i like to read and use my mind.

this is normal spring weather for us. not summer tho. summers are often quite hot in the south.

Back again.

2009-06-15T21:54:00.000-07:00

Found a really cool site to help me with my blogging. Whats even better is its full of my friends.

Whoa fell of the bloggers wagon

2009-01-27T06:41:00.000-08:00

Since no one ever reads i tend to not write much. But i hoped back on and hope to stay. Lets see whats new. I went to the allergist who is gonna help me get approved for a shot called xolair. its for asthma and im being deeply tested for allergies. Cause my blood tests show im allergic, but no skin test confirms it. Also went to the doctors about a pain in my side. They think its a hernia and i have an appt with the surgeon on feb 4. got kekes hair cut yesterday. It was so bittersweet. I loved his hair before, but it was shaggy. Like a Beatles. He looks so grown now.

What else. Started a Girl Scout troop. I love it. Im a Junior Leader. My Daughter is in the troop. And Cooper just started Tiger Scouts. So busy busy. My intro to Natural health and healing class is awesome. i love it, its so informative. Thats it for now. Will blog more later.

Diverticulitis....

2009-01-15T08:26:00.000-08:00

Yep i got it. Its an infection in your colon. I have been having some bad left side pains and went to urgent care the other day. the doctor took a look at me and said i want a blood test done now. i said ok. then he pressed on my tummy and i was in so much pain. the blood test came back that i was fight a terrible infection in my body. so i was told that i need to see the gastro immediately to get a CT scan. So i got an appt the very next day for the gastro, which was yesterday. my gastro asked me some questions and then pressed on my belly and i burst into tears. she said, yeah i think the urgent care doctor was right to say he thought you have diverticulitis. so she looked over the meds he gave me and told me they were the right meds and she ordered a CT scan which is today at 4pm. They wanna see how bad it is. What it is , food or feces get trapped in a pocket that colon has created, and from there it get infected. I had a colonscopy a few months back and they removed polyps and they said the area where the polyp was removed created a hole and stuff can get stuck in there and get infected and then you get diverticulitis. If it is really bad they have to remove it surgically. So we will see what today brings. Ugh im so tired of being sick. God give me strength and healing.

Out of my comfort zone...

2009-01-12T11:11:00.000-08:00

i am still very new to my photography. Im still learning all my setting and lighting an all. Yesterday i took Logann out to take some pictures. We found some old abandoned railroad tracks and decided to give things a try. My lighting is off a bit, but i thought id share.

ok my pics wont load today. i dont know why. oh well.

Week 2 What Defines Me..

2009-01-10T12:06:00.000-08:00

This weeks theme is What Defines you. Well my trust in the Lord is what defines me. Without him i am nothing. He is my heart and soul. SO here is my thoughts on a pictures for What Defines Me..

2009-01-09T14:27:00.000-08:00

Got some help today with my photos and im pleasantly happy with most of them. Thats a big plus. Learning settings has been a challenge to me.

I splurged and bought a 50mm 1.8 and i cant wait to get my hands on it.

Doctors appt yesterday didnt go so well. He says if the at home meds dont work in the next few days i have to be admitted to hospital till im better, which usually takes about 5 days. That sucks. Ill be on iv steriods to strengthen my lungs. Lets hope the at home steriods do the trick. SO far so good. Well thats the jest of my day. Its only like 29 degrees here today so its cold in my house. My feet are freezing. I hate that. Ill upload some pics to here later. I dont have them on this computer.

Some changes

2009-01-08T09:07:00.000-08:00

Well good thing i called school this morning. Here i was under the impression class was monday and thursdays and well yeah nope...its monday thru thursday!! Well crap!! i dont have a babysitter lined up for all that. But its cool cause i got it all sorted out to just have my mom go in later on those days.

Also i did some thinking. To enter the Practical nursing program i have to have an english, math and chemistry i dont have, well i wont make it in the deadline. So what ive decided to do was do the Phelbotomy program and take the prerequists to the Rn program and just start right into to the RN program next January. That way im not rushed to get all these classes done in just 2mths. I want to suceed so i need time to beable to take the courses i need and just go right into RN instead of going around it throug PN or LPN. I still have CNA required, which is the course m-t im taking, i have to have that for RN. I always wanted to hit up the Phelbotomy class anyways. We are always hiring them here and they make nice bank! I have to take a HOBETS test too, Terri did you take that? How was it? I have to take that to get into the RN program.

Life is good. Today we went to eat at IHOP, i had a omelette and it had a sauce on it i didnt like, so the lady took it off our bill and i ate harsh browns and pancakes instead. Then we were suppose to go grocery shopping but my chest started to feel tight. Ugh i hate my asthma, so we went to my pulmonigist and made an appt for him to see me at 145pm today to check me out. My chest is feeling heavy again. Ugh please pray he dont put me back on steriods. Im a cow as it is.

Of course its only noon so i may write again for what the day holds, but so far so good.

School and scared to death

2009-01-07T11:42:00.000-08:00

So today was my orientation for nurse aid level 1 course. I didnt realize how strict nursing courses are. I mean uniforms, no makeup, no jewelery, tattoos cant show. Cant be tardy or miss class. Its strict. But well worth it. Oh and no cell phones. I was informed this class is to teach how to wipe butts. Yay. Like i dont already know how to wipe a butt. But now i have to venture to wiping old peoples butts. Seems disturbing, but someone has to do it. And i gotta start somewhere. To enter my Practical Nursing courses i have to do this. Did you know making beds is a practical skills you will be tested on? Seriously! Seems so easy, but yet so tedious and fun. Thank God through my Emt training i already know how to do lung sounds and blood pressures and most of the other things required, so this should be a breeze. Im so excited. My class doesnt start till March 16 tho. Seems so far away. I hope the time flies by. But i have my online classes till then.

I love school, did i mention that. I take random Continuing Education class online all the time. Actually I will be starting Introductions to Natural Heal and Healthing Jan. 21. Its a 6 week long online course. I need to learn, i love school. It makes me feel important. I love going to Office Max and buying notebooks and binders and such. I went today and spent 60bucks!! But i got a cute notebook and binder and journal. Do i need these? Probably not, but hey it makes me feel cool to have them. And these days i need everything i can to stay cool. LOL.

I need to clean off the two desks i have in my bedroom. Cause Cj is taking classes too. So we need them both. How corny am i that i am so excited about this. I am pathetic. LOL. Next thing i know i will be writing my own name on a chalkboard or something. LOL. I can see myself putting my notebook in my backpack and putting on my backpack and walking upstairs like its my class and opening my books up to take this online class. WOw im a loser. Hahahaha im cracking myself up right now. Thank god for when my real class start so i dont feel like such a weirdo for enjoying school so much.

I told CJ today i was nervous about going around the school and figuring stuff out. Cause i was a mother before a college student. I mean i had my first child before i graduated high school. I worked most of that time and took courses here and there at night as she was growing up. But besides online classes i havent been in a college setting since i was about 24. And that was a night EMT class. This is a bit different, i will have nurse aid, and a English, and a Math and a Chemistry i need to take. I mean i will be starting me real life college career at 28 years old. I feel to old. But in order to get on with my Midwifery schooling i have to do all this stuff. I must crawl before i walk.

So life is gonna be busy for me soon. With Faith Formation classes to become Roman Catholic, to college course, to advancing in my photography. Being a wife and mother, i will actually have a life. I have been so sick for so long and doing nothing but laying around, im excited to get a life. I need a life. I had so many ambitions before i got sick. I had goals, and being scared id die, i lost who i was. Well hello world, I found MOnica!! She is a alive, 28 yo mother of 3, wife to a wonderful man, who once again inspires to be a Midwife, her life long dream, and the other day i woke up and said, im going to do this. Today is the day i start my life again.

Welcome to the world again MOnica .....We've missed you...........

Week 1

2009-01-06T19:31:00.000-08:00

This is my lovely daughter Logann, who insisted we put curlers in her hair tonight before school tomorrow. I just know how the morning will go. She will wake up and i will take the curlers out, she will flip out cause its to "poofy" and will cry. LOL i will then have to quickly fix it. Ahhhh oh well, we have to experience the curlers one day, dont we?

Challenge List

2009-01-06T19:23:00.000-08:00

This is the list i will be following for my challenge.

2009 List

Week 1 Free for All
Week 2 What defines you
Week 3 Show us your Town
Week 4 Water
Week 5 Sports (anything related, teams, players, equipment, etc,)
Week 6 Botanical
Week 7 ONE object shot at 5 different angels/distances
Week 8 One for the road (signs, streets, traffic, etc.)
Week 9 Objects that tell something about you
Week 10 Things that make your life easier
Week 11 Your favorite color
Week 12 Household items
Week 13 Foods
Week 14 Something Slimy
Week 15 Sun (sunlight, sunset, sunrise, etc)
Week 16 Emotions
Week 17 Something old
Week 18 What you do outside the world of photography
Week 19 Weather
Week 20 Emotional attachment (heirloom/special gift, ect.)
Week 21 Pets
Week 22 Things you couldn’t live without
Week 23 Habits
Week 24 Fire (candle, fireplace, etc.)
Week 25 Your SO
Week 26 Textures
Week 27 Hands
Week 28 Shoes
Week 29 Favorite Jewerly
Week 30 Generations
Week 31 Hot
Week 32 Fill the Frame (close ups)
Week 33 A week in our lives
Week 34 Faith (what you believe)
Week 35 Dance (body in motion)
Week 36 Family & Friends
Week 37 SOOC…from that to this…before & afters
Week 38 Patriotic
Week 39 Object: straight up shots and then straight down shots
Week 40 Nighttime
Week 41 Something that gives you the feeling of warmth or cold
Week 42 Pictures of words
Week 43 Chores I hate
Week 44 Animals
Week 45 Music
Week 46 Reflections/Shadows
Week 47 Flowers
Week 48 Sleep
Week 49 Action Shots
Week 50 Wheels
Week 51 Wrapping (gifts, baby, foods, etc.)
Week 52 Guilty pleasures

52 Week photo challenge

2009-01-06T19:13:00.000-08:00

I am jumping on the bangwagon to go a 52 week photo challenge. I am excited to improve my skillz and see how committed i can be. I am also new to this bloggy thingy, so be patient. I am not the most exciting person around. LOL.

Welcome to my Page....

2008-05-27T06:36:00.001-07:00

I am Monica Dickinson. I am a Photographer working on opening my own studio. I am constantly working to improve myself and my business. My studio name is Angel Eyes Studios. I named it that cause i got my inspiration to be a photographer by looking into the angelic eyes of my 3 kids. Then Angel Eyes Studios was born. I am currently taking jobs in the ELizabeth City area but will travel to some extent for a travel fee. To book a session just shoot me a email. Love to work with you. Hope to see you through my looking glass soon!