Thursday, April 30, 2009
Swine Flu Tracker
For those of you interested in seeing exactly where the outbreaks in the US are, here is a Google Map Tracker, which also states some details about each patient.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Day off
Since I am way ahead with the work project, and today is a short day anyway when I have to pick Sarah up in school by 1:15, and my mother in law is stopping by at 1:40 and then we are going to the farm to pick up this week's veggies, I decided to take the day off.
So I have been cleaning and doing laundry all day, nice to have that all taken care off!
Feeling a bit sick, little congested, dizzy and a fever of 38 C, but as long as it is not the swine flu I should be OK, ha ha!!!
Speaking of the swine flu, the US had its first death related to the flu yesterday, a 2 year old boy. I have a feeling it will be more. One thing that I see as kind of frustrating is the time it takes to send away samples and confirm each case. It can take days! I am nervously awaiting the test results from a Mexican tourist that got ill on vacation in Orlando.
With my luck, he probably is positive for swine flu, and he probably went to Disney World and got lots of people there infected...
Our plans to take Sarah to Disney World on her birthday the 8th still stands, we will just bring extra hand sanitizing gel and wipes. I also talked to Sarah about germs, washing her hands and be careful touching her face. She is already very good at washing her hands, so I think she will do good.
She is pretty fascinated by this whole swine flu ordeal, asking lots of questions. Better to tell her facts than have her not knowing what this entire thing is about, since she snaps it up here and there anyway.
The schools seem to be prepping for a possible outbreak, and the President spoke this morning about schools and parents being prepared in case it comes to the need to close schools...
It is pretty serious, and I am glad the authorities are taking it as that, without causing any panic.
Now I am off for a walk with the dogs!
So I have been cleaning and doing laundry all day, nice to have that all taken care off!
Feeling a bit sick, little congested, dizzy and a fever of 38 C, but as long as it is not the swine flu I should be OK, ha ha!!!
Speaking of the swine flu, the US had its first death related to the flu yesterday, a 2 year old boy. I have a feeling it will be more. One thing that I see as kind of frustrating is the time it takes to send away samples and confirm each case. It can take days! I am nervously awaiting the test results from a Mexican tourist that got ill on vacation in Orlando.
With my luck, he probably is positive for swine flu, and he probably went to Disney World and got lots of people there infected...
Our plans to take Sarah to Disney World on her birthday the 8th still stands, we will just bring extra hand sanitizing gel and wipes. I also talked to Sarah about germs, washing her hands and be careful touching her face. She is already very good at washing her hands, so I think she will do good.
She is pretty fascinated by this whole swine flu ordeal, asking lots of questions. Better to tell her facts than have her not knowing what this entire thing is about, since she snaps it up here and there anyway.
The schools seem to be prepping for a possible outbreak, and the President spoke this morning about schools and parents being prepared in case it comes to the need to close schools...
It is pretty serious, and I am glad the authorities are taking it as that, without causing any panic.
Now I am off for a walk with the dogs!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Swine Flu update
At this hour, these are the stats on the Swine Flu:
Dead:
152, all in Mexico.
Sick:
Mexico 1,995 unconfirmed
US 50 confirmed
Canada 6 confirmed
Scotland 2 confirmed 7 unconfirmed
Spain 2 confirmed and 17 unconfirmed
France 1 unconfirmed fall
Israel 1 confirmed
New Zealand 3 confirmed and 51 unconfirmed.
Total suspected cases: 2,280. I have a feeling there are a lot more cases, unrecorded cases.
I am officially worried there will be a pandemic.
Dead:
152, all in Mexico.
Sick:
Mexico 1,995 unconfirmed
US 50 confirmed
Canada 6 confirmed
Scotland 2 confirmed 7 unconfirmed
Spain 2 confirmed and 17 unconfirmed
France 1 unconfirmed fall
Israel 1 confirmed
New Zealand 3 confirmed and 51 unconfirmed.
Total suspected cases: 2,280. I have a feeling there are a lot more cases, unrecorded cases.
I am officially worried there will be a pandemic.
Leave my tomatoes alone!
After a lot of sneaky investigation, I finally discovered what has been eating my tomato leaves and fruit... caterpillars! I was plucking them off in droves yesterday. Grrr... They ruined lots of tomatoes, burrowing into them and gobbling away.
No more of that! I have declared war on them, and this afternoon when I have picked up Sarah I am going by the store to get some bacillus thuringiensis, or BT. It is a naturally occurring bacteria that only affect soft bodied insects like caterpillars. They do not harm beneficial insects, such as lady bugs, it is not a poison and is environmentally friendly, and apparently very effective. It affects the caterpillars' stomachs so they stop eating and die.
Don't get me wrong, I love caterpillars! Just that I have invested too much time and effort to let them just ruin my entire crop of tomatoes!!!
Tomorrow my mother in law is coming by briefly (she will be back on Friday to pick up Sarah for their camp out). So that means I got to clean up a little here tonight, not that I really have any energy for that after working so intensely on this job, but being a normal woman: I like to clean before my mother in law comes to visit! That is just a biological thing that you can't resists, I think :-)!
Now, back to work...
No more of that! I have declared war on them, and this afternoon when I have picked up Sarah I am going by the store to get some bacillus thuringiensis, or BT. It is a naturally occurring bacteria that only affect soft bodied insects like caterpillars. They do not harm beneficial insects, such as lady bugs, it is not a poison and is environmentally friendly, and apparently very effective. It affects the caterpillars' stomachs so they stop eating and die.
Don't get me wrong, I love caterpillars! Just that I have invested too much time and effort to let them just ruin my entire crop of tomatoes!!!
Tomorrow my mother in law is coming by briefly (she will be back on Friday to pick up Sarah for their camp out). So that means I got to clean up a little here tonight, not that I really have any energy for that after working so intensely on this job, but being a normal woman: I like to clean before my mother in law comes to visit! That is just a biological thing that you can't resists, I think :-)!
Now, back to work...
Monday, April 27, 2009
Press here for love!
Right before going to school this morning, Sarah handed me a little keyring and said: "Mommy, press on this if you miss me while I am gone!"
I am most certainly pressing that keyring right now...
I am most certainly pressing that keyring right now...
Nice Sunday
My goal was to just relax yesterday, it is going to be an intense work week, so I needed a little calm before the storm.
We went out for lunch, and at the last minute Ken had the idea to go for a short hike with the dogs, at our favorite, Desoto National Memorial Park.
So we went home and got the dogs, and then we were off. I have been noticing a sign that says "Historical Graveyard and Church" right before the park entrance, so on a whim we went down that road to take a look. I also knew the sister farm of the one I get my veggies also is in this area.
Not only did we get to see the graveyard and the church, we drove by the veggie farm, AND found a new hiking spot!
At the end of the road is something called Robinson Preserve. This area was opened as recently as July last summer. It was previous land slated for development, but the land was saved in the last minute. Now there are trails all over, and the land is left to heal and restore itself. Take a look at this link for some pictures of the Preserve to get an idea of how it looks like.
These trails are much more open and not as shaded as the once at Desoto Park, so we just took a quick look, but we are making plans to come back- It would make a great winter hike place!
It was really hot yesterday, almost hot 35 C while we were at the park, so we threw Stan in the ocean (Bob likes it and goes by himself). They looked happy after they got to cool off, all full of sand. Not so happy a few hours later when we got home and they had to take a bath to clean all the salt and sand off...
So a very relaxing day, ended with some gardening. So many tomatoes, I don't know what we will do with them all when they start to ripen! So far it looks liek only one is getting red. And teh red peppers! HUGE! I had to get stakes and stake out all teh talle rplants, they are so heavy with veggies...
Now back to work...
We went out for lunch, and at the last minute Ken had the idea to go for a short hike with the dogs, at our favorite, Desoto National Memorial Park.
So we went home and got the dogs, and then we were off. I have been noticing a sign that says "Historical Graveyard and Church" right before the park entrance, so on a whim we went down that road to take a look. I also knew the sister farm of the one I get my veggies also is in this area.
Not only did we get to see the graveyard and the church, we drove by the veggie farm, AND found a new hiking spot!
At the end of the road is something called Robinson Preserve. This area was opened as recently as July last summer. It was previous land slated for development, but the land was saved in the last minute. Now there are trails all over, and the land is left to heal and restore itself. Take a look at this link for some pictures of the Preserve to get an idea of how it looks like.
These trails are much more open and not as shaded as the once at Desoto Park, so we just took a quick look, but we are making plans to come back- It would make a great winter hike place!
It was really hot yesterday, almost hot 35 C while we were at the park, so we threw Stan in the ocean (Bob likes it and goes by himself). They looked happy after they got to cool off, all full of sand. Not so happy a few hours later when we got home and they had to take a bath to clean all the salt and sand off...
So a very relaxing day, ended with some gardening. So many tomatoes, I don't know what we will do with them all when they start to ripen! So far it looks liek only one is getting red. And teh red peppers! HUGE! I had to get stakes and stake out all teh talle rplants, they are so heavy with veggies...
Now back to work...
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Swine flu
Anyone else concerned about the recent outbreaks of the Swine Flu? So far 11 confirmed cases in the US, all supposedly mild. But 68 people have died in Mexico, where the epidemic seem to have started...
Is this the first signs of a pandemic, a worldwide epidemic?
Consider the Spanish Flu: it ravaged the world starting in 1918. Then, 40 million people died. And back then they didn't travel like we do nowadays!
Sure, people are generally healthier and we have access to better health care, but we also live in a world where people move across the world in a fast pace. Who knows what damage a pandemic can do?
We definitely need to keep an eye on this. I guess a normal, healthy person might do OK, but kids, elderly and sickly people would probably not do as good. That means 2/3 of my immediate family is at risk! So you bet I am concerned...
What are your thoughts on this?
This is what the CDC has to say:
Is this the first signs of a pandemic, a worldwide epidemic?
Consider the Spanish Flu: it ravaged the world starting in 1918. Then, 40 million people died. And back then they didn't travel like we do nowadays!
Sure, people are generally healthier and we have access to better health care, but we also live in a world where people move across the world in a fast pace. Who knows what damage a pandemic can do?
We definitely need to keep an eye on this. I guess a normal, healthy person might do OK, but kids, elderly and sickly people would probably not do as good. That means 2/3 of my immediate family is at risk! So you bet I am concerned...
What are your thoughts on this?
This is what the CDC has to say:
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Non of my buinsess...
I am having a really hard time concentrating on work. The neighbors across the street (the one with LOTS of kids), are scaring the shit out of me.
To be more clear, I am afraid one of the kids will be pancaked on the street soon. Both yesterday and today, one of the parents (or maybe a big brother?) has been watching the three littlest once. I am guessing they are no more than 3 or 4, since they don't follow school hours. And when the mom is around she never says a peep, just let the male handle it.
The guy has been doing nothing but yell at them for two days, even when they are plainly just playing nicely. He sits inside the garage and bombards them with his screaming and yelling. The kids don't sound too happy, they often cry and things like that. Not a very peaceful family!
Anyway, back to the issue. The kids ride their bikes down their drive way, across the street and up onto the sidewalk on our side of the street. Back and forth, constantly. Cars have to brake suddenly all the time to avoid hitting them.
And the adult just yells once in a while, but does not seem to be concerned about this at all. I don't think 3-4 year old have the maturity at all to handle crossing a street on a bike yet. And they don't seem to worry at all, not even looking, just assuming the cars will stop...
I am really nervous looking at this, but I don't think there is much to do. It is that family's responsibility to handle their kids. I just hope it ends well...
To be more clear, I am afraid one of the kids will be pancaked on the street soon. Both yesterday and today, one of the parents (or maybe a big brother?) has been watching the three littlest once. I am guessing they are no more than 3 or 4, since they don't follow school hours. And when the mom is around she never says a peep, just let the male handle it.
The guy has been doing nothing but yell at them for two days, even when they are plainly just playing nicely. He sits inside the garage and bombards them with his screaming and yelling. The kids don't sound too happy, they often cry and things like that. Not a very peaceful family!
Anyway, back to the issue. The kids ride their bikes down their drive way, across the street and up onto the sidewalk on our side of the street. Back and forth, constantly. Cars have to brake suddenly all the time to avoid hitting them.
And the adult just yells once in a while, but does not seem to be concerned about this at all. I don't think 3-4 year old have the maturity at all to handle crossing a street on a bike yet. And they don't seem to worry at all, not even looking, just assuming the cars will stop...
I am really nervous looking at this, but I don't think there is much to do. It is that family's responsibility to handle their kids. I just hope it ends well...
One of my office dogs
The house is nice and quiet... Stan is such a good little companion when I am working, but he prefers if he can be really close, so in case I need to stretch my arms, I might pet him just a little here and there. Hence, he is on a chair right next to me...
Saturday
Last night I made a heavenly marinade with 3 lemons, olive oil, garlic, fresh thyme, fresh rosemary, salt and pepper, then I marinaded extra large shrimp, shell on before grilling them.
With this I grilled veggies marinated in the same marinade (potatoes, green beans, summer squash, zucchini) in my wok pan for the grill. I also made a sour cream based sauce with a little of the marinade in it for dipping the shrimp. Yum!
Today Ken took Sarah and Bob with him to the office, so I can get some work done. So it is just me and Stan for a few hours, nice and quiet!
Next Friday, May 1, grandma is picking Sarah up; they are going to Wachula, where Sarah is going to sleep over in grandma's camper (husbil). The park where they will be staying apparently has a lot of fun stuff to do for kids, and Sarah is really looking forward to spending some one-on-one time with grandma. Ken and I are looking forward to spending some time alone as well.
We are planning on dinner and a movie, it is far too long since either one of us saw a movie that was not meant for kids... And I can't say I will miss the legs and arms that keep poking and kicking me after she sneaks up in our bed at night. TWO nights of undisturbed sleep!
But I will miss her, she is very rarely away from us (VERY rarely!). It sure will be empty around here...
And the Friday after that, May 8, it is Sarah's birthday and we will be spending the day at Disney World. That should be a lot of fun. I have made lunch reservations at one of the better restaurants that are reservations only, and I have arranged for some of the Disney characters to come out with a pirate treasure chest cake while singing happy birthday for her. She is going to love it!
Hope you all have a great weekend!
With this I grilled veggies marinated in the same marinade (potatoes, green beans, summer squash, zucchini) in my wok pan for the grill. I also made a sour cream based sauce with a little of the marinade in it for dipping the shrimp. Yum!
Today Ken took Sarah and Bob with him to the office, so I can get some work done. So it is just me and Stan for a few hours, nice and quiet!
Next Friday, May 1, grandma is picking Sarah up; they are going to Wachula, where Sarah is going to sleep over in grandma's camper (husbil). The park where they will be staying apparently has a lot of fun stuff to do for kids, and Sarah is really looking forward to spending some one-on-one time with grandma. Ken and I are looking forward to spending some time alone as well.
We are planning on dinner and a movie, it is far too long since either one of us saw a movie that was not meant for kids... And I can't say I will miss the legs and arms that keep poking and kicking me after she sneaks up in our bed at night. TWO nights of undisturbed sleep!
But I will miss her, she is very rarely away from us (VERY rarely!). It sure will be empty around here...
And the Friday after that, May 8, it is Sarah's birthday and we will be spending the day at Disney World. That should be a lot of fun. I have made lunch reservations at one of the better restaurants that are reservations only, and I have arranged for some of the Disney characters to come out with a pirate treasure chest cake while singing happy birthday for her. She is going to love it!
Hope you all have a great weekend!
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