allergies and stuff

We found out that A is allergic to papaya. At least, we think she is. She had a smoothie with papaya in it and within 1/2 hour or so, she started breaking out in really bad hives. They spread from her tummy all the way up around her face. The worst case of hives she's had. I gave her some Benadryl right away and within a few hours and a nice nap, her hives were gone. So add that to cats and maybe penicillin. Poor girl was wondering why her body is so sensitive.

For Halloween today, Zach is going to be a hockey player. He was going to be superman but the muscle costume is tight around his neck. He spent so much money on that Superman costume. Oh well. Asia is a goth death fairy. Basically she made the costume up - drew pictures of it. And then I helped tone it down some. She wanted a headband with horns on it. All black. A cape. Face painted. Rings, necklaces, blood. A wand with a skull on it. Eeks. Wasn't she Cinderella last year? 360 degree turn. Anyway, we'll see how it goes. I changed the headband idea to a black veil. She's wearing a black summer dress of mine. Then I made her some wings.

kick it to the flu or not?

So the question of the day is - to get flu shots or not? Especially the "dreaded" H1N1 virus. Yes, if you have a respiratory ailment or are very old or very young, I can understand the need to get flu shots. The question is if you're relatively healthy. Do you just grin and bear it when you do get the flu? You get it once a year. You're miserable during the time, but you drug yourself with all kind of symptom-maskers and you deal with it. You're out maybe a week. But you could avoid that misery during that week by getting a flu shot, right? That's the whole purpose of it. Whether or not it blocks the flu you get, you may not know. Do you listen to the hype? If I were in the office, I'd probably get it because they would be offering it for free. You step out of your office or cubicle and go to the lobby and get your flu shot. How convenient. But how about when you don't work in an office or how about vaccinating the family? It sounds like such a hassle to find a clinic that still has flu shots available or try to get one with your doctor. You'd have to research on just when the H1N1 vaccine is going to come out. Then maybe stake out your doctor's office to find out when they'll have their shipment. All for nought?
I was thinking of getting at least the H1N1 because we're going to Mexico for vacation. I thought they had an epidemic or something already. Though if the epidemic already passed them, maybe it's extra safe? Also you have our dear germ-spreader, Asia. Touch this, touch that, fingers in the mouth, fingers in her nose. "Go wash your hands!" She's not Miss Sanitary. Opposite of her brother. Zach is a very thorough hand-washer. So I would almost want to vaccinate Asia just so she doesn't get the virus and spread it to me. Hmmm.. I don't think it works that way. Alas.. flu shot or not. flu shot or not. I will debate this in the next few weeks and probably throughout the winter until it's spring and then decide then that I don't need it or should have gotten it.

construction time again

Ooh, it's been awhile since I've written in this blog. Maybe nothing beats Paris? It's more not wanting to sit too much more in front of the computer as well as having to jog my memory on what happened to have something to write about.

John has started construction on our new kitchen! He's torn down the wall between the living room and the kitchen. Here's a pic with half of the wall removed.He put in new flooring which consisted of tearing out the ceramic tile that was installed, which then revealed a few layers of linoleum. Yes, "wonderful" shades of dark green or some red brick or something. I forget already. Who knows what years those were from. Not to mention revealing some interesting white shiny wallpaper that was painted over a few times. Zach helped out in removing the ceramic tile since he got paid a dollar for every tile. And it wasn't easy work. I tried to help a few times. You hammer a chisel under the tile until it cracks and pieces of it flies into your face. Yes, I was wearing protective glasses, but that only covers your eyes.

Of course to get to all the floor, the stove had to be moved.

We kept cooking on it until eventually it was moved outside and covered with a tarp. Hopefully we don't get rid of it without removing my cookie trays and pizza stones that are in the bottom drawer.

So how do I cook in the meantime? Well, of course, we go out quite often. Last night, Asia and I went to Olive Garden. John and Zach were at soccer practice. The night before was Chan's Tea House. Again, we brought food home since Zach probably had hockey. But for lunch since I rarely have time to go out... today I had ramen. Notice how I cooked it.

Good ol outdoor cooking. Luckily it wasn't raining. So now John has the new floor down. It hasn't been stained yet. Looks kinda neat with the zigzag of old and new wood.

The kitchen/dining room space has a nice openness to it. An echo when you talk. Yesterday, we were looking at reviews for ranges and stovetops. Exciting. Stay tuned.