WW: Sunny's House {Linky}

We decided to put Isaak's Eitech Teifoc House in our Gecko - Sunny's tank. It fit!

He loved it a lot! 

He'd eat, sleep, and smile in his new home.

The only problem, was that Sunny never wanted to leave his home. We couldn't get him to come out all week. He wouldn't even come out to get drinks of water. 

Sleeping away!

Even though it's supposed to stress Gecko's out to change their tank set-up, the house has now been removed. He has one of Travis' small sculptures in his new tank set-up. He's a bit more active in and around it.

Have you ever had a pet that took you awhile to figure out?

Random Tid Bits

1. Before I left for Jury Duty I got all the rest of the semester completed. I will have grading to do, but tests are written, lectures are prepared for, all that kind of work is done!


2. I can't keep up with Mica's pant size. He came out looking so odd, with tight/short pants. Go figure he he was up a few sizes in length and width. I bought him a few pairs of Urban Outfitters, brought them home and Travis said they were the same size that he wears. It's a good thing they like different brands, so I can tell them apart.
   
   I took Mica to Tractor Supply to look and see if they have worms for Sunny, our Gecko. Turns out they don't have live worms, but they did have canvas pants that looked good on Mica, for $9.99. Do you have a Tractor Supply store where you live?


3. Mica was looking for tortilla shells, for a taco. He came out in the living room and said, "I can't find any normal ones. All I can find is these small ones." We all three looked at him and said, "Mica those are pancakes." That kid cracks me up weekly.


4. This meme cracked me up more than others I've seen lately:
   
   
   
   
   
5. I feel like I have 100s of things to do, and zero time to do them. 

Court Trial

I've only seen trials on TV. Showing up, and being part of one was new to me. 

It's lots of sitting, listening, not talking, and not sharing. 

I did find it funny when I went to the bathroom, and a lady was in there talking to herself. She came out of the stall, apologized for talking to herself. I said, "Hey we all talk to ourselves from time to time. No worries." She replied, "I'm just so worried about my urine. I'm in trial over a drug charge. They said I diluted my urine, but I didn't." I replied back with, "Oh well maybe you just drank a lot of water." She said, "No." I said, "I'm not sure." Thinking, You look a bit strung out to me. You sure you didn't dilute your pee?!

Now that my civil trial is over I can share.

They told us not to look anything up, while the trial was going on. Now that it's over, I can't even find anything about my trial online at all. Poof nothing!

First off I'm not about to spill the beans, and names too. I'm just spilling the beans only.

A man was shot (wrong place at the wrong time) in 1979. He remained a paraplegic. His wife was/is his primary caregiver. She was told by the VA to take a 30 day vacation. She sent her husband to stay at a healthcare center.

The VA checked him out, he was in good health. He had a history of urinary tract infections, but hadn't had one for 3 years that we knew of record wise. He needed a condom catheters, which is a catheter that goes on like a condom, and has a bag at the end to collect the urine. It's the least invasive catheters.

Condom catheters only have to be changed every 4 to 5 days. The healthcare center changed it every 2. He got a scratch on his penis, that changed into a bigger wound. They claimed he wanted a foley catheter. He said he never asked for that.

The order was called in to the VA doc to get him a foley catheter. He got a massive UTI, which turned sepsis. He had to go to a hospital, and it cost him $35,000.

He was suing the healthcare center for the medical bills, pain and suffering. He claimed it was the healthcare center that was at fault, for giving him the scratch, turned into a wound. He never wanted the foley catheter. It all lead to the UTI.

The healthcare center said his memory wasn't right. They were just following what he wanted, and what the doctor ordered.

In the deliberation room:

The healthcare center and VA had horrible records! The healthcare center said one day he had the condom catheter, the next day the folly and the next day he was back to the condom catheter. Say what?! The VA doctor didn't even have him on antibiotics. Say what!? With the scratch/wound in the penis + being at risk for UTIs I would have had him on those right away! He could have gotten a staph infection on that wound. Yes he was out of it memory wise, he was sick with a UTI that went sepsis!

There were errors with his care all around. BUT the nurses at the healthcare center were acting on orders from the doctor at the VA. He went to a different hospital, not under the VA because that's where the ambulance decided to take him.

He was suing the healthcare center, for the catheter they put in causing his infection. We as jurors couldn't find them guilty. They were only guilty for not seeing him enough, and taking crappy records.

A needy guy lost. It sucked. BUT it was what it was. Moral of the story, take good records! 

Court Jury Process

I've been on crazy mode trying to get things done. I have all my holiday decor up, all my cookies made (which is a lot!), presents wrapped for my nephews, and gifts bought for my children. I've been pushing Mica to nail out his Science Fair Project. Mica has been stubborn about that one. I just NEED to work on my holiday card in a big way.

I've been freaking out about Monday (Possible Jury Duty), for a good month. I just feared trying to find parking downtown. Crazy that I grew up here, and feared that. Maybe it's all the one way streets. I found out my Mom is the same way. Maybe I get it from her.

Travis was hoping I'd get Jury Duty. He wanted me to wear my big girl panties, and get my ass downtown. Well I called Sunday night, listened to the Juror numbers 3 times, and swore mine didn't need to show. Travis said, "Umm yes you need to show." Not only was I direction incompetent, but I was dyslexic with my numbers too. Nothing new there. Maybe directions and numbers go hand in hand.

Just so everyone knows, I tested positive for a learning disability in college. I never had a name attached to that disability. I've always found my way, somehow. Anxiety does happen from time to time, when things are weak in my mind. I get through.

Off I went downtown. Get this...it's mostly straight, but it feels like I turn and twist all over the place because the streets merge into other streets. Much of the way wasn't narrow straight, but I only turned twice and once was right by my house.

I never got lost, and parking wasn't so bad.

I pay attention to everything!

Except when it comes to directions. 

When I got there I had to go to the bathroom, so bad. I drink like crazy in the morning. Guess what? A couple was getting married in the hallway, right in front of the bathrooms. Who gets married at 8 in the morning right by the courthouse bathrooms? 

I was one of the first to check in. No one sat by each other, but the room was full of people. It was so odd. You could hear a pen drop in there.

They told us on our forms to dress business casual, but there were lots of people in ball caps and t shirts. 

One guy showed up with 2 very small children.

My Odds:

There were 2 trials going on. They only needed 12 x 2 = 24 Jurors. There was well over 200 people there. Everyone was divided into 2 groups. Then between the 2 groups the selection process began. 

We entered the court room. Again I pay attention to everything. A guy was told to take his hat off. Two girls were not. Odd!

I'm thinking, There's a lot of people, maybe I won't get picked! They called off, "Alesa Apell", which I knew meant "Alissa Apel" rhymes with Melissa Maple. 

18 people were called up.

They asked a ton of questions. The one I had to explain the most was, "Do you know anyone that has had to advocate, for someone?" My nephew Emerson has to be advocated for all the time. I had to explain a lot about him. That was a big deal because the case was, for a guy that had to be advocated for.

They kicked off 6. 2 were nurses. The case involved nurses. 1 was a lawyer that defended cases like that. 1 worked for a law firm. 1 just had a surgery, and couldn't sit still. 1 was just trying to make his way back into the world after being homeless. I stayed.

Every time I was in the courtroom I thought about one of the Jurors getting the hiccups up there. Not able to control themselves. 

Rules:

We were told to listen to the facts, not to talk to each other about the case, not to talk to outside sources about the case, and not to have empathy for each party. The empathy part was the hardest. Second hardest was I didn't know how much we could or couldn't talk to the other jurors. Apparently they didn't know either. The room typically got very quiet on our breaks. So much so, that the water bubbler was extremely loud when someone was getting a drink. You could hear when someone was peeing. When we had to buzz in that we were all there, ready to go back in after a break I swear it felt like we waited an eternity for them to show us into the courtroom. It felt like we were inside an escape room, and may not find our way out.

Random Tid Bits

1. I've been tired, since Daylight Savings Time hit! Lights out early, so is my brain power. I've even bumped up my Vitamin D3.


2. Isaak's been put in 2 groups at school. One group doesn't seem like they'll listen to him. The other group had one sleeper and another one that left the group to go do what they wanted. He's pretty frustrated. I don't blame him. While it's important to learn to work with people, middle school is a rough time even without being in groups.
   
   I was in a group in middle school where boys were violating my space. One put his pencil on my chair and said, "Sit and spin!" Then he kept putting his hand on my upper leg. You could say I hated groups at that moment! BUT I asked the teacher if I could switch, and said the boys were doing things to me that wasn't acceptable. He didn't ask questions, he let me switch groups. I got in a group with one of my best friends at the time. We're still friends. It was a negative situation that turned positive.


3. Mr. Sunny is now pooping regularly. YAY! Not Vet follow-up.
   
   We actually have seen him grow. His tail is thickening up. Such a good thing! The Vet said his tail was too thin. His diet has expanded. He used to only eat 2 small mealworms every other day. Now he eats 1 superworm, and 2 small mealworms, or 1 cricket, and 2 small mealworms. We're attempting to breed mealworms and superworms. He could eat roaches, but after a fun back prick allergy test I know that's something I'm allergic too.
   
   
   
   
   
4. I had a student that came to me and said, "I'm sorry I wasn't in class. I had a reaction to a med I was taking." I asked, "Can I ask what med you had problems with?" She said, "Well I had an allergy flair up, so I took Claritin D, an Equate Allergy, a Zyrtec, and a Montelukast. No one could wake me up."
   
   If you know anything about allergy meds, she basically took 3 of a similar med; overdosing! Montelukast is the generic of Singular. It's, it's own bird. Basically it's primarily for Asthma. The rest of what she took are all the same type of drug!
   
   I don't worry about drugs with students as much as I do with them mixing drugs! I hear all the time about them being on an anti depressant, and drinking on top of that. Not good!
   
   
5. It might not stay this way, but as of right now Isaak has higher grades than Mica. Mica found out he had all A's mid way through. I think that went to his head. 

WW: Brightly Colored Lady {Linky}

Bluetooth Shower #speaker by AncordWorks Review

Make it an AncordWorks Christmas. They have different selections of bluetooth speakers. I think these make excellent gifts, for tweens or teens. Most of them have some kind of device like a Smart Phone, a Kindle, an iPad, and so on.

This time I got a round speaker to review:

Mica and Isaak both love their AncordWorks speakers. They use them in the bathroom, when they are taking a shower, in their rooms, in the kitchen when they are helping me, and outside when they are helping their Dad.

These Speakers Can be Used Around Water!

I wouldn't suggest using any electronic item in water, but this speaker can be used around it.

Want to go to the pool, the beach, perhaps a river? You can have this speaker on the side.

Want to listen to tunes in the shower? It comes with a suction cup to attach it to a shower door, wall, or you could just set it up on a shelf if you have one.

Carry it With You:

I like that it has a handle on the top. It's also great that it's fairly small, but puts out a lot of sound. It's 2.91 inches tall and wide. I think Mica could take this with him on his Chicago trip, and it would fit great in his suitcase. 

Durable Buttons:

When I got my first AncordWorks speaker to review I was impressed that the buttons are silicon. Even the port that it has, has a silicone cover. This speaker is the same as their others. 

Colors:

I got the green color to review. It's an olive green. They say on the box that it comes in black and an orangeish brown. I don't see the color options on their Amazon link. Amazon often tells you where to get other products. I don't see the different colors there either. I do have a complaint, I'd like to see the color options when one goes to purchase this speaker.

Where to Get it:

You can pick up this speaker, all it's accessories and manual on Amazon for $18.07. It's on Prime, so free shipping if you're a member. It comes with a 12 month warranty. I don't know that we'll need it.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DFZZB4R

What is one gift that you bought this year to give to a teen or tween?

Disclaimer: I got this product to review. All opinions are my own. The company did not tell me what to write. 

Random Tid Bits

1. I've had not 1 but 2 companies lately say that I'd get something to review, and to send over my address. Then I never heard from them again. Has this happened to anyone else? I didn't say anything bad, I just sent over my address like they asked. That's like a winner not getting a prize that they spent time entering. 


2. I belong to this app called Nextdoor.
   
   This lady (we'll call her Cally - not her real name) put out a thank you for people getting her groceries and helping her out, when she asked for it.
   
   I was curious to see if I knew her or any of her friends, so I copied and pasted her name into FB. It was the same person on both. She has a dent in her forehead like she was shot, or got something removed and stitched up. She has the same star tattoos on her chest.
   
   On her FB page someone posted, "Cally has moved on to the next life and we (her family) would like people to stop messaging her. Her phone is on so we can hear her voice, but please leave her and us to rest."
   
   Now I'm wondering if there is a true mystery there. Is this girl dead to her family? Was she running from something, and that's why she needed help? My mind won't escape this drama.


3. Has anyone else out there watched Man in the High Castle - the final season?
   
   I love that show, so much! I put the book on reserve at the library, for Mica. Let's hope he reads it. He's mostly into watching videos on his phone, and laughing.


4. Mica fell at recess. Side note: How great is it that he has recess? Isaak doesn't at his school. Well he has Walking Club if he gets done with lunch fast enough. He never does with brushing the food out of his braces. Back to Mica falling...He did something like this: He went to step up, there was no step, so he lunged into a metal step with his ribs, flipped, and landed on his knees.
   
   He knocked the wind out of himself, so he couldn't breathe, or talk at first. Everyone gathered around. He went to the nurse's office. There she told him he bruised his ribs. We were never called. How odd, I thought that was protocol now a days.
   
   We weren't planning on keeping him home the next day, but we did when he fell again in his room.
   
   My Mom made me feel so guilty about leaving him home alone, and not taking him in. He's just uber sore! This is the same lady that sent my sister to school when she had an Appendix that needed to come out, and when she had the Chicken Pox after I just had them. She said they were moles. Moles that grew overnight. So if Mica gets worse it's on me. Ha!
   
   
   
   
   
5. I really wish the lady that helped us get an HSA account knew more to tell us. She didn't even know how to assign us 2 cards.
   
   We overpaid in it. I didn't even think that was possible. Now it's a mess! I think the cap is $6,000, and over all we put in more than that. Here I'm thinking it's a good thing we put money into it. Ya know to pay medical, dental, and orthodontist bills.
   
   Travis had to go to the Orthodontist to have them take that out of our checking account instead of our HSA account. Then he has to go to the tax guy to figure out our options. 

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WW: Mask {Linky}

We were out, going to gallery openings and happened upon this crazy mask. Isaak kept looking at it in its eyes.

When was the last wedding that you went to? 

@frednfriends Swing Time #birdfeeder #giveaway #holidaygiftguide

How do you introduce yourself? Lately I feel like saying, "Hello I'm Alissa, and I'm addicted to little gadgets."

When we were on vacation this summer I took photos of anything I thought was cool. As I was looking back at our photos I was reminded of the Swing Time Ceramic Bird Feeder that Fred makes.
 
Isn't it cute?

I didn't realize, until I was looking at the vacation photos that Fred is also the company that makes the Food Face Dinner Plates I've had fun with all these years. I think the boys got them when they were about 2 and 4. Now they are 11 and 14! One Christmas I got our kids, my 4 nephews, and 1 niece all Food Face Dinner Plates. It was a Fred Christmas, for sure. 

I recently got 1 more Food Face Dinner Plate because my nephew Edison doesn't have one. He was born after the Fred Christmas. I'm holding off giving it to him until his birthday in May. He drops everything! Maybe by May he can be a little more trustworthy of a ceramic plate. 

My boys still enjoy their plates. Mica said the other , "I'm hungry!" I usually answer back saying, "Well get yourself something to eat." He is 14. This time I said, "I'll get you something, just so I can decorate the plate." Fred had carrot hair, oatmeal pie earrings, and a peanut beard. Older kids can have fun with their food too!

I was super excited to open Swing Time Ceramic Bird Feeder. It felt like Christmas, for me. 

The tire treads look so perfect! It's so hard to believe it's ceramic, but it is.

I love that it came already together. 

All I had to do was go to the pet store to get some bird seed. I had to make the trip to get our Gecko crickets anyhow.

Our Dwarf Magnolia is now paired up with a Swing Time Ceramic Bird Feeder. The tree will look prettier in the spring when it blooms.

I have fond memories of being pushed on a tire swing, when I was a kid. What kid didn't like swings like that? It was back in a time where it was ok to be outside alone. Being outside = freedom in my mind. 

Make your Christmas a Fred Christmas! One of my readers (you) will win a Swing Time Ceramic Bird Feeder. 

Contest will end on December 2, 19. You need to be 18 or older to enter to win. No P.O. Boxes please. Open in the US. $12 retail value.

Entry-Form

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own. Fred did send me the Swing Time Ceramic Bird Feeder to review, for free. They did not tell me what to write.