Know what's crap?  The $5000 yearly limit for pre-tax dollars for daycare.  As I prepare the paperwork I need my daycare provider to sign for our July care I realized this will put us above that $5000 threshold.  I guess the good news is both I and the provider get a few months off from paperwork.  On the other hand I won't get that full $5000 back until the end of the year anyhow as they split things across the whole year.  I certainly hope the balance we have to pay out for August-December can be written off in some other way.

On other news, I have continued to struggle with back pain.  Thinking I'd never get anywhere I tried calling the furniture company I purchased from.  Guess what - they won't send anyone out to recheck the bed for 6 months after a previous check.  If you recall, back in February they came and checked my new bed and found the box springs defective, so they replaced them.  I guess if you still have something defective that's just too bad for 6 months.  With a sigh I called the guy who I turn to for my purchases out here and he worked up his chain to get me some assistance.

I'm lucky to say that they were able to get me covered under the comfort guarantee, even though I was about 10 days past the 120 day window on the replacement box springs, but obviously way out of that window for the initial purchase.  What that means is for a $100 fee to dispose of the old stuff they'll give me credit towards purchase of another.  With prodding from my sister I caved and ordered a king sized bed last night - worse still, one that has a base that moves.  How old does that make me sound?  The new bed will be here on Wednesday, which has me scrambling to get some sheets here in time - never mind all of the other things that will need to be purchased (dust ruffle, comforter, mattress protector (which I already bought there in the store as it ups their warranty on the bed) etc).

I hope this doesn't make my bedroom look tiny.  Ultimately the deciding factor on the size upgrade was that before I know it, I will have someone else trying to sneak into my bed.  I may as well make room for her now.

I've been quite sore since last week.  My neck and upper back first on Friday.  Then the next day both of my calves kicked in, also sore - almost like after some of the middle of the night charlie horses I got while prego.  My calves feel still a light pull, but it moved down into my right foot yesterday and then my arms were hurting - today it's my left wrist that barely wants to bend without pain.  What on EARTH did I do to my body?  This all started after my most recent chiro appointment, which would explain the neck/back, but my calves?  Arms?  Wrist?

I've spent the past two nights partially on the couch sleeping as my side of the bed disagrees with my left hip and lower back, and frankly that's the only part of me that hasn't been in notable pain for the past few days.

Another momentous occasion of great sadness... last night I finally (long overdue) threw away my Pampered Chef Generation 2 cookware pan that was my go to for meatloaf.  How I wish they still made that set (without the rivets on the inside of the pans).

The little one and I played (pre-planned) hookie today and headed to the National Aviary in Pittsburgh where we caught up w/ my Favorite Egg's Mom.  It's a nice little place.  I'm sure it will feel like there is more to do once they're finished remodeling the one larger/original area.

I loved the penguin area.  You could pop your head up into the middle of the area and get up close to them and an area where the water is against the glass and you can watch them swim and play.  There was one in particular that kept frolicking against the glass near the kids, and then I noticed his name tag - Slippy!  My dear friend, imho, giving us a sweet little hello from beyond.  You see, she also loved hockey, but always claimed her favorite (Pittsburgh) Penguin was Iceburgh.

The bats were pretty cool to see as well as some of the other larger birds like the owls and eagles. I have to say seeing the eagles is great, but I know it won't compare to the day I finally get to see them out near the lake in the wild.  I also always enjoy watching flamingos.

From there we went for lunch - at the Cheesecake Factory.  It's been many years, since I was in NC as a matter of fact since I've been there.  It surprises me how good the non-dessert food is, but yea, you know I brought home a slice too.

I'm sitting here holding Avery as she takes her late afternoon nap.  Boy I wish I could wipe out with her as I did for her earlier nap today.  My friend Tanya was in very briefly once again so we spent the night up talking before she headed back to the airport. It's been a long time since I went to bed at 5 a.m., but even worse with a storm rolls that in at  5:20 a.m., upsetting Safyre. I'm not doing too bad for only having 2 hours of sleep (yes we still made it to church - it isn't like Avery was going to sleep in too long).

We had to look closely at our schedule for the next few weeks. It seems like everything is planned for June or July. I hated to tell several friends we wouldn't make it to their events, it just wouldn't be very fair to be on the road for long hours every weekend (and in one case, on both weekend days) - for Avery or the dogs.

Here it is Sunday night once again. At least got through all of the laundry and scrubbed the shower. I made a feeble attempt to trim back the shrubs behind the fence but it was simply too hot earlier today and I didn't get as much done as I probably should have. The deck is back in functional order and the ceiling fan is working as well. I guess some progress was made, but I'm still not wanting to get up and work tomorrow - or to take the wee one (cranky or not) to daycare.

Here it is June already.  I had hoped to get Avery down to visit at my sister's this month, but that's not happening.  It seems like every weekend is booked, if not double- or triple-booked.  It's okay, I'll wait it out and try to get the best flight price/deal, even if it means we go to Texas when it's way to friggin hot to go to Texas.

The underside of the deck roof now has two layers of urethane on it, we're not sure if he will go for the third.  I'm ready to have my deck back.  It cooled off a bit today, it would have been nice to go sit out there for a little while.  The electrician I found finished up he work I had on his docket, meaning there is now a ceiling fan connected out back too.  I also have another plug in the computer room, spare bedroom, and basement - and the two lights in the basement are now on a switch instead of a pull string.

I left work a bit early today for a hair appointment.  From there I ran quickly to another local farm's market area where I picked up some fresh veggies before coming back to get Avery.  Since it was so nice, we went for a walk after getting home and as she seems to do often, she fell asleep while we walked.  I guess learning how to crawl is pretty tiring, as she still managed to wipe out for the night on time.

As to the baby robins, I think they're gone (as of today) already!  I know they only stay in the nest for like two weeks, but it seems so fast.  Good luck little birdies!  I'm thinking about hanging a vacancy sign.