Just some ramblings....
Recently my neighbor (and friend) backed into the van.  It was a small dent, but unfortunately, she caught about an inch of the driver's door and 3 inches of the back sliding door.   Such a small dent, yet a lot of money to fix, because it requires ordering 2 new doors.  Her insurance decided to total the van!  I was bummed, but at least I had planned on driving the car until it dies.  I opted for payment and then 'bought' the van back from them.  Now I have to go change my title out for a salvage title!

With Benjamin on the wait list for driver's ed, one of the things they made very clear was that all of his documents must have the same name.  Ugh.  It reminded me that the name on his birth certificate is different from the name on his social security card.  In JR's culture, the kids take the dad's last name and then hyphenate and then the mom's maiden name.  Of course Benjamin being the oldest, in the hospital I filled out the birth certificate form with a hyphenated name.  A few weeks later when filling out social security paperwork, I decided I did not want the hyphen.  I expected it to be an issue when I signed him up for kindergarten, but it was not.  Well, it now appears it is time to legally change it.  I have filled out all the paperwork and am now waiting to hear from the courts on a court date....yes I have to go before a judge.  I don't anticipate any issues, just a formality.

One of the things I have enjoyed doing over the years is donating blood.  I have O negative blood, which means anyone can receive my blood.  I also recently learned that I am CMV negative, meaning I don't have the CMV or cytomegalovirus.  This virus can be deadly to low weight infants, so my blood can be given to the low weight babies.  I have tried to donate regularly, but have been denied the last 4 times.  I finally took their advice and had my ferritin levels checked.  The test determines how much iron my body is storing.  Turns out I am low. That would explain why I have struggled with endurance/stamina during my workouts recently.  I am taking iron supplements now and hope to get it back up.

I also recently went to the dermatologist for my annual skin check.  I have a few spots on my forehead that we cannot get to go away.  So the doc decided it was time to try a face cream for 21 days.  He was very casual about it but at one point told me to try for 21 days but if I had to stop at day 15 no big deal.  He had me curious.  Of course I came home and googled the cream.  It has a chemotherapy agent in it and it basically burns/destroys all the skin.  Although I have just a few spots, he said as long as I am doing it, to do the whole face.  It sounds like it is going to be potentially a very painful process.  I have finished up day 3 and no issues, but most of what I read about other's experiences, is that things don't get bad until anywhere from day 7-12 and continues until about 5-7 days after treatment stops.  Fortunately, we don't have anything going on, so if I need to hide out at home for a week or so, I can.  I have decided to take pictures and document my experience.  There are lots of people on message boards looking for information, since it seems a lot of the doctors out there are no being upfront with their patients about what they can expect. 

The boys just finished their 3rd quarter at school.  One more left until summer!  Looks like we have left winter behind and spring is here!  Still have lots of snow to melt, but green grass is on its way!  Looking forward to wearing sandals this week and putting the snow gear away!