House cleaning

I woke up with Tom at 5am Friday. I had been dwelling on how to not have Riley miss any school the first week if I had to go back to the hospital for the cyclosporine test. I had decided the best route was just to take him in. Its the last weekday before school starts. There was no easy way with school starting at 8am and the lab not open until 9 am. He would miss at least three classes.



We just need to know the lows and creatinen numbers and see if Modified works as well as unmodified. Tom agrees that it should be fine to just go in. Labs don't need an appointment, just an order on the charts from the doctor. He would have done it yesterday had Riley not just taken his pills moments before the doctor walked in and the discussion took a few minutes to get around to the pill change order.



I need to make it clear to the pharmacy that they cant keep going back and forth modified vs unmodified. Its a big deal. I will have to personally call each month not computer order because the computer doesn't seem to see a difference.



The trip to the hospital went fine. We bypassed the construction zone and made good time. Waited maybe ten minutes at the hospital lab for Riley's spot in the Que. They are quick getting the blood draw. Not much is needed for the one test. I offer Riley breakfast, but he wants a donut shop. As we drive home I look but Starbucks has replaced Duncan Donuts these days. We don't see anything that perks Riley's interest. I suggest we stop at the Safeway in town and get donuts there.



The result is a dozen donuts in a variety box. It was still cheaper than the donut store had we found one. I use the donuts to bribe the boys to help clean up the house for Labor day visitors.



the first hour of work went well. Then the boys began to fade. They wanted breaks and more food. I worked through for 3 hours. The boys were not quite as dedicated. They tell me I screamed at them. I prefer the word yell. Either way, we made a dent on the mess, but the job is not done. I was tired and called it quits. I wasn't getting much work out of the boys any more. They were more a frustration than a help. I needed food and didn't see any point in ruining the day further with arguments. Their father would direct them tomorrow, with the things we missed.



Trevor wanted to go to the river. We hadn't been all summer. Riley's number were OK. The weather was hot. I said that was a great idea. I suggest KFC picnic. They want burgers but I am driving and its my money so they don't argue. They are just happy to not be doing chores, getting out of the house and going to do something fun.



Trevor has loaded camp chairs and an inner tub into the car. We swing by KFC . I order a thighs and legs meal. Trevor orders strawberry milk shake and chicken nuggets. Riley orders a root beer float and chicken snacker, what ever that is. By the time we get to the park, all the food is gone. So much for a picnic. We were hungry.



We had brought the dog. Trevor started blowing up his float. I offered him a bribe when he was done. If he would let Riley have the float, I would pay him $10. Trevor took the bribe. Riley wont go in the river without the inner tube. I knew that. I wanted to do everything in my power for Riley to do an absolutely normal activity like all the other kids. I thought perhaps the inner tube would clinch the deal. It did.



Riley hiked up around the bend with the inner tube to drift down the small rapids. He loved it. I had asked him if he wanted to take off his Hawaiian shirt he was wearing to keep it dry. He said he wouldn't be getting wet. I didn't argue. I just wanted to see him doing something fun and active for a change, rather than just hang out with his computer, which he did bring with him to the beach.



Trevor got right into the cold water and drifted looking for fish. He ran into some people he knew from school. Riley came drifting round the bend, with his shirt wet and a happy grin on his face. I was so happy to see him do something so normal and active. It was a lovely afternoon for all of us.