Welcome Sam

This is Sam, Deniska's new kitten. He is 3 months old and very playful and loving. He will never replace Izzy with me, but his personality is sweet. He unrolled every yarn ball I had the night before last. We had yarn all over the house! Deniska is thrilled to have a brand new kitten! He is still unsure who he belongs to - this morning it is Dennis!

Easter and Curtains

What do the 2 of these things have in common? Absolutely nothing! Just thought I would write about both at one time. Mrs. Easter Bunny was too tired and sick to go Easter basket shopping so Mr. Easter Basket volunteered to take care of Easter Baskets! This was wonderful to Mrs. Easter Basket except Mr. Easter Basket was worried that there was not enough candy in the baskets. So, Mrs. Easter Bunny went back to Wal-Mart to get more candy. The boys loved their baskets (needless to say) and all was well in Compton Land. The Easter Bunny (Harvey) came to the house during church on Easter Sunday morning. I always like for church to come first and then the Easter Baskets. The suits they have on came from their cousins (Anthony and Christian). Deniska and Nikolai wore them to my mother's funeral and Nikolai wanted to know if we were going to see Grandma again at her church. Poor little thing! Anyway, here are a few pictures of the baskets and boys! All the candy is gone, I have no idea where the cars are, and the boys enjoyed every minute.



I never did get around to coloring eggs with the boys. I just was not in the celebrating mood. This holiday was extremely hard on me and the loss of my mother. I called my brother Saturday morning in tears and cried on his shoulders for an hour or so. It's been a hard 3 months since her death. I miss her.


One of the ways I deal with death and pain is by sewing and crafting. I decided that we needed new valances in the kitchen. Of course we didn't, but that did not stop me! NO sir, I pulled out my material and went to sewing on Monday. I am not sure that the valances exactly match the curtains but I like the material. I may see if I can find more of the material and make roman shades for the side windows or just take down the curtains all together. We live in the country. No one can see into the kitchen except the deer and turkey and they don't seem to mind.



Tonight Deniska came running in all out of breath shaking say that Nikolai had cut his finger off! This cause some concern on my part and even their Daddy pulled himself away from the computer long enough to look at the "cut off" finger. It ended up being a skinned knuckle and a tiny cut on the finger tip - not even any blood!!! Apparently, he stuck his finger in a "cutting thing" (according to Deniska) and got stuck. Deniska pulled Nikolai's finger out and it got skinned. This was after Nikolai fell off his play motorcycle as he was trying to swing from a make shift rope swing. Deniska almost hyperventilated as he was telling me about the tragedy! BOYS!!!!! Never a dull moment in the country!

Trip to the Dentist

I have had an awful time lately with severe jaw/ear pain. I called my dentist this morning and he was able to work me in today. He checked my joint for TMJ, checked inside for trauma, and had me do several bit pads. He said one of my molars had turned and was out of alignment. So, he buffed the rough spots and said that should do the trick. If not, he is sending me to a TMJ specialist in Anderson. Sure enough, it feels so much better tonight. I am hoping the soreness diasppears over the next day or so.

3 out of 4 people...

...at my house are sick! Nikolai had an ear infection (he is feeling much better!) for the past week. I took Deniska and myself to the doctor today with complaints. Deniska has strep throat and the doctor mentioned to me about taking out his tonsils. He seems to be prone to strep throat. He can fine the germ within 100 miles. He woke me up this morning (5 AM) crying with his throat hurting. He said "my neck has a chip in it. It hurts to swallow." I gave him children's Motrin and a cough drop. When I called the pediatrician's office this morning, I was told she was gone for the week. So, I took him to my doctor. He came home will amoxillican and some other meds.

I have felt much like this picture (Femme à la resille, 1938, by Pablo Picasso) this past month. I think the painting says it all. My right ear has been hurting and I couldn't open my mouth without pain. The doctor said I had a ball of ear wax sitting on my ear drum. The nurse washed it out using a water pik. The doctor also gave me a nasal spray and antibiotics. Seems my "cold" and laryngitis has settled in my head. This explains the cough I have had lately - I just could not get rid of it. I had never had my ear washed out before. It was not a pleasant experience but not overly unpleasant either. So, now we all have our meds and are praying that Dennis can steer clear of any of our germs! Deniska has been confined to bed for the day and maybe tomorrow. He is not a happy camper but he needs his rest. I wish I could be confined to bed too!!

Conversations from the back seat

Today driving home, I was quiet and just listened to the boys talk. This is their conversation:

Deniska: (whispering) Nikolai, when we get to be big boys, we can make choices. (emphasis on CHOICES)
Nikolai: What kind of choices?
Deniska: We can decide what we will eat and who can be our girlfriends!
Nikolai: GIRLFRIENDS?!?!?!
Deniksa: Yes! You can hold their hand and even kiss them!
Nikolai: On their MOUTH????
Deniska: Yes! (giggling)
Nikolai: Mom? How old do we have to be to kiss girls?
Mama: 25
Deniska: Wow! That's a long time from now.
Nikolai: Will you be dead?
Deniska: No Nikolai! Mama is going to be my girlfriend and live with me - right Mom?
Mama: Of course.
Nikolai: Well, that is not fair! I will live with Mama, not Papa!
Deniska: Where will I find kids?
Nikolai: Russia!

How nice to be loved so much by little boys. I dread that day when they look at me like I am from outer space. I will cherish each day that I have! They think all children come from Russia!

My friends cannot believe that I only have two pair of shoes - a brown pair and a black pair. Last year, I sold all my shoes on eBay to make extra money. I honestly had over 50 pair of shoes but never wore any of them but the brown and black pair. As you can guess, I am not a clothes or shoe horse! As long as I have something to fit my needs, I'm fine. However, I was worried over the upcoming summer season. I do a lot of running around and felt that my brown and black pair of shoes would not be appropriate in 95+ degree weather. So, I broke down and ordered a pair of canvas shoes for $7.96 (on sale from $45) from Sierra Trading Post. I like Sierra Trading Post because I can use PayPal. (I do not use credit cards at all!) These are a nice yellow pair - not too bright but not dull either! They came today and are very comfortable!!

Izzy

My beloved pet, Izzy, died yesterday. Dennis found him last night in his closet curled up as if he was sleeping. I believe that Izzy was not in pain his last few days. I spent a long time petting him yesterday morning and he tried his best to purr. I told him it was OK to die.

I know that Izzy was just a cat, not yet a year old. He was the sweetest kitten I have ever had and loved me. He helped me get through Mama's death by staying by my side. To lose him, brings all those feelings of grief and loss back to the surface. Today, we will tell the boys and dispose of the body. I am not sure how Deniska will take the news since Izzy was technically his kitten. I have been telling Deniska that Izzy was not going to live so perhaps it will not be too big of a shock.

Dennis asked if I wanted a new kitten but I am not ready for that. I just want Izzy. He will be missed.

Conversations from the back seat

Yesterday, I was listening to an audio book on my iPod as I was driving home. I admit that I really just wanted a break from the back seat incessant talking of those 2 seven-year-old boys, especially Deniska, who will ask a zillion questions within 2 minutes. Anyway, I digress. After the 10th question in 5 seconds, I finally explained to Deniska that I was listening to my book and I could not hear him. I put in my earplugs (do they still call them that?) and I pretended to be listening to the book. I did not have the iPod on, just wanted a break from talking – sneaky, huh? After a few minutes the conversation from the back seat went like this:

Deniska: Mama can’t hear anything Nikolai!
Nikolai (exasperatedly): Yes, Deniska. She is listening to her book and cannot hear us.
Deniska (doubtfully): We can say anything about her we want and she can’t hear us. Right?
Nikolai (irritated): Yes, Deniska.
Deniska (thoughtfully): Mama is so sweet! I love her!
Nikolai (after a pause): I ate a booger one time. I didn’t like it.
Deniska: Yuck! That’s gross.
Nikolai: I only did it one time.
Deniska: Are you sure?

The Wizard of Oz

Dennis' mother, Joyce, gave the boys The Wizard of Oz this past Christmas on video. This is a picture of them watching it just as Dorothy and the Wicked Witch of the West have their final showdown. Both boys were so involved in the movie that they did not see me taking the picture. I noticed that Dennis and I both went into their room a lot during the movie since the movie is a favorite of both of us. Deniska was very upset with the "man behind the curtain" and was fussing at him telling him that he "should be 'shamed of himself for hiding!"

It's cold here today. The boys did not want to stay outside. The wind is blowing so the wind chill makes it seem colder than it really is. Right now it is 42 degree outside; it is so different from that 70+ weather we were having earlier this week.

Dennis goes to training next week. I miss him when he is not here. It will be a long week until he comes home.

"This is good Mom!"

I prepared shrimp scampi tonight for dinner and it was a big hit with Nikolai! Hmm, might need to work on table manners a little more!

Nikolai

A year ago, we were leaving for Russia for a little town called Kudymkar in the Perm Region of Russia. Waiting for us in an orphanage, was our precious child Nikolai. In the past year, he has had many new experiences. The biggest (for him), other than adjusting to American life, was learning to ride his bicycle.

He received the bicycle for Christmas from Santa and finally decided to learn how to ride. Originally, he was afraid to ride because he would fall and he didn't want to get hurt. Personally, I thought that showed a lot of forethought. But, his daddy was determined that he was going to learn how to ride. Dennis spent many hours helping him with the delicate art of balancing, starting, and stopping. At last the proud moment arrived when he could ride his bike all by himself. I don't know who was the proudest - Dennis or Nikolai!

Mom....

"Mom," Deniska said after a time-out that I had given him, "I don't belive in God anymore. I can't hear him when I talk to him. I'm sticking with Santa Claus!"

Being a good mother, I launch into a lengthy theological discussion with the 7 year old explaining why we believe in God and how we can hear him. After several failed attempts, I call Dennis in to help. He is, after all, the resident theologian, having his Masters of Divinity. I was all set for him to have the words to straighten out this wayward 7 year old. He looked at him and said, "Oh Deniska, that's silly. You know you believe in God." Then, he turned and walked off.

Deniska, in all of his wisdom, looked at me and said, "Guess I do believe in God."

Daddy's can always make sense out of things!