*sigh*
I am NOT in a good mood. I was up far too often during the night and now have not made it for my walk to Curves, my work out and then my walk back. Which I LOVE to do.
Apparently, Princess saw a picture on the Loch Ness Monster in a book at the library at school. Now she is TERRIFIED that it will somehow get in her room.
No amount of comforting and common sense works.
I told her it does not exist.
I told her *IF* it does, it is in a deep lake, in a country on a continent across the ocean, far from here. Drew a picture, so that she would understand better.
I said that also if it did, it cannot come out of the water, even if it wanted to, which it wouldn't want to. I told her it is scared of being out of water and won't be able to breathe.
I told her that kids live right near the lake that it is in, IF it exists, and they are not afraid because they know it can't get it out of the lake and that it doesn't want to.
She needs every light on possible and I am losing patience. I have tried praying with her. I have cuddled, joked, hugged and let her choose which nightlights/lamps to use.
Jock got her a really cool Tinker Bell night light for Christmas a few years ago. The thing spins and lights up her entire room. Not good enough.
Fine, he also got her a string of Tinker Bell lights that are all on her headboard and light up right above her head. This was one of her gifts from him this past Christmas. Nope, still not enough.
I let her turn on the Hello Kitty lamp on her dresser across the room from her bed. It looks like daylight in the room, but it is still not good enough.
I got her settled with two of the nightlights/lamps turned on and woke up at midnight, to the puppy growling. I get up and see that she has turned on the Princess lamp on her bedside table, as well as the bathroom light down the hall AND the lights in the stairway going downstairs. She has turned on her music and is sitting straight up in bed, wide awake.
*sigh*
I took the dog out to pee, since he was now awake, I might as well take him, right?? So I turned off lights and told her she gets TWO and the Hello Kitty lamp and one of the night lights was PLENTY. I told her if she turns on the light in the bathroom or hallway again, she will be punished. If she continues to wake Brom up, she will be punished. I told her I am sorry she is scared, I have tried everything, it is not considerate to wake the entire house because she needs lights on and thinks something that doesn't even exist is going to come into her room somehow.
I know I should be more patient, but I am REALLY losing it here!!!
I am sure that all the light is part of what is waking her in the night. She thinks that is silly of course and has herself convinced that the more light, the better. I find it interesting that when she used to sleep with one soft night light, that she slept fine and slept through the night, for the most part.
I just got settled, when I hear Brom growling again and hear stomping and am just getting out of bed when I almost collide with her. She was coming to tell me that her ribs hurt. Something always hurts and I can't take it seriously, because I don't know if it is just an excuse to be out of bed to avoid the "Loch Ness Monster" or what.
NOT a good start to the day!!!
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Friday, February 09, 2007
Mutants
Well, today Cryptic was home from school.
There was a mishap last night during all the excitement to watch Survivor.
Thursday nights used to be our "Family Night". We would hold a short meeting, discuss concerns, praise people for improving since the previous week, bring up new concerns if there were any, etc. We would have a snack, play some games (we have set up obstacle courses, played hide-and-seek, as well as board games etc) and then try to fit in watching "Survivor". Soon, it ended up being just Survivor night and the kids all sleep in the Rec Room together, which is a huge thrill, especially for Princess. Since she is the only kid with a bedroom on the main floor with the boring old parents. She loves to be downstairs with her cool brothers.
Monday nights are Family Nights and Thursdays are strictly Survivor nights. We may work in a few board games prior, depending on how things go.
Ah yes, the mishap.
So last night Jock and Cryptic were sent down here to set up the sleeping bags, pillows etc for everyone to get settled down here to bed after the TV show. Jock came upstairs and told Stud and I that Cryptic had hurt himself. We didn't hear anything, so were surprised. I guess he is maturing past the screaming like a banshee stage???
I found him crumpled in a pile in one of the hallways. Apparently, in all the commotion, he had somehow slammed his foot into the baseboard, I believe at a corner, no less. The last three toes on his foot is what took the brunt of it.
His toes were a bit swollen, so I carried him upstairs (can you imagine being able to CARRY your 14 year old son?? That is how light he is! Dude is the exact same height as me, but since he weighs almost fifty pounds less, it is very easy to carry him) and we got some ice. Princess got her "Hello Kitty" ice pack from when she always needed it for "boo boos" and Cryptic was very sweet. He was in pain but still struggled to find the right words to ask her for something bigger without hurting her feelings:)
He moaned and groaned all through Survivor and I decided to make sure and take him to get it checked and hopefully X-rayed today.
This morning the middle of the three was still swollen, but he said it wasn't as painful. I told him I wanted it checked anyway and he was all too happy to miss school!!!
Now to explain the subject of this post!
She ordered x-rays. When we went back in to look, she furrowed her brow and put her chin in her hands and then muttered, "Well, that's funny."
Cryptic was sitting on the exam table reading. He looked up and asked in a hesitant voice, "What's funny?"
She told him to come and look at the bones on the ends of his toes. She said that they are very pointed and funny looking! Especially the one on his pinky toe, it was a tiny little claw like thing, instead of broader and rounded like it should be.
As we were marveling over that, I noticed that he seemed to be missing a bone in his pinky toe. I brought it to her attention and she was totally in shock!
She said, "You are right!!!!!!!! Look at that Cryptic, you have two bones in your pinky toe and you are supposed to have three!!!"
She got a book and showed us how people's toes are supposed to look and sure enough. Dude is missing a bone in his pinky! It simply is not there. She told him that he had to have gotten it from his Dad and/or myself. So we were all laughing and he asked me to take off my shoes and socks (which I was all too happy to do, since I hate wearing anything on my feet anyway) and let her see if I was that way.
Yes. Poor kid gets it from me! WHO KNEW!?!?! We were laughing and she was calling us "Mutants". It was so funny and weird.
So I came home and Stud and I inspected his toes and the guy is totally normal! Who would have thought it???
Alright, Clown wants to play some board games and Princess wants some more food. Stud and Jock are at Jock's hockey practise and Cryptic is watching TV. I slaughtered Clown today playing some games of this and I think he wants a rematch! He has not played it before, he has played the kids' version. So he did pretty good for a first time player.
I hope to FINALLY post about Jock's hockey tournament in BC this weekend. I have some nice pictures to share:)
Have a great weekend everyone!
There was a mishap last night during all the excitement to watch Survivor.
Thursday nights used to be our "Family Night". We would hold a short meeting, discuss concerns, praise people for improving since the previous week, bring up new concerns if there were any, etc. We would have a snack, play some games (we have set up obstacle courses, played hide-and-seek, as well as board games etc) and then try to fit in watching "Survivor". Soon, it ended up being just Survivor night and the kids all sleep in the Rec Room together, which is a huge thrill, especially for Princess. Since she is the only kid with a bedroom on the main floor with the boring old parents. She loves to be downstairs with her cool brothers.
Monday nights are Family Nights and Thursdays are strictly Survivor nights. We may work in a few board games prior, depending on how things go.
Ah yes, the mishap.
So last night Jock and Cryptic were sent down here to set up the sleeping bags, pillows etc for everyone to get settled down here to bed after the TV show. Jock came upstairs and told Stud and I that Cryptic had hurt himself. We didn't hear anything, so were surprised. I guess he is maturing past the screaming like a banshee stage???
I found him crumpled in a pile in one of the hallways. Apparently, in all the commotion, he had somehow slammed his foot into the baseboard, I believe at a corner, no less. The last three toes on his foot is what took the brunt of it.
His toes were a bit swollen, so I carried him upstairs (can you imagine being able to CARRY your 14 year old son?? That is how light he is! Dude is the exact same height as me, but since he weighs almost fifty pounds less, it is very easy to carry him) and we got some ice. Princess got her "Hello Kitty" ice pack from when she always needed it for "boo boos" and Cryptic was very sweet. He was in pain but still struggled to find the right words to ask her for something bigger without hurting her feelings:)
He moaned and groaned all through Survivor and I decided to make sure and take him to get it checked and hopefully X-rayed today.
This morning the middle of the three was still swollen, but he said it wasn't as painful. I told him I wanted it checked anyway and he was all too happy to miss school!!!
Now to explain the subject of this post!
She ordered x-rays. When we went back in to look, she furrowed her brow and put her chin in her hands and then muttered, "Well, that's funny."
Cryptic was sitting on the exam table reading. He looked up and asked in a hesitant voice, "What's funny?"
She told him to come and look at the bones on the ends of his toes. She said that they are very pointed and funny looking! Especially the one on his pinky toe, it was a tiny little claw like thing, instead of broader and rounded like it should be.
As we were marveling over that, I noticed that he seemed to be missing a bone in his pinky toe. I brought it to her attention and she was totally in shock!
She said, "You are right!!!!!!!! Look at that Cryptic, you have two bones in your pinky toe and you are supposed to have three!!!"
She got a book and showed us how people's toes are supposed to look and sure enough. Dude is missing a bone in his pinky! It simply is not there. She told him that he had to have gotten it from his Dad and/or myself. So we were all laughing and he asked me to take off my shoes and socks (which I was all too happy to do, since I hate wearing anything on my feet anyway) and let her see if I was that way.
Yes. Poor kid gets it from me! WHO KNEW!?!?! We were laughing and she was calling us "Mutants". It was so funny and weird.
So I came home and Stud and I inspected his toes and the guy is totally normal! Who would have thought it???
Alright, Clown wants to play some board games and Princess wants some more food. Stud and Jock are at Jock's hockey practise and Cryptic is watching TV. I slaughtered Clown today playing some games of this and I think he wants a rematch! He has not played it before, he has played the kids' version. So he did pretty good for a first time player.
I hope to FINALLY post about Jock's hockey tournament in BC this weekend. I have some nice pictures to share:)
Have a great weekend everyone!
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Awesome changes:)
Stud has been AMAZING with me being sick!!! He has REALLY changed the past four or five months. It is SO NICE:)
It truly is amazing, the changes that have taken place. Yesterday, he took Princess to school, and picked her up at 11:30. I took Cryptic to the Dr. and got some groceries and tried to do some things around the house. By 4:30 I couldn't do anymore and was resting on the couch. He took Cryptic to Tae Kwon Do, went and picked him up AND made supper!?!? This last one DOES NOT happen (I can count on one hand the times it has happened in 17 years of marriage) and man was it DELICIOUS! Hamburger Helper and canned corn. YUMMERS!! The BEST part was that I never even asked him to do it. He just did it.
THEN!!! This morning he didn't even wake me up. He got Princess up, fed her, got her dressed and got her to school. Clown and I did not even get up until almost 10 this morning! He also went and got her from school again and then let me sleep most of the day away. Man, I must have needed that! I feel like a totally different person now and think I am on the road to recovery finally!
Sure does help to have a hubby who works from home! When he has worked from home in the past, he would not help AT ALL. With ANYTHING. I could never leave a kid here to just run and get something done or anything. Had to drag them all with me to get a 20 minute errand done, on and on. Since he started working from home again this past fall, I can leave Clown with some school work and go and get all manner of errands done and am sometimes late so he needs to get Princess from school. He has not complained once.
This is SUCH an answer to prayer!!!
So, I just wanted to share how incredible the Studmeister is being:) Sure does make me feel loved and cared for and not like a burden anymore:) teehee LOVING IT! Can you tell?? LOL
It truly is amazing, the changes that have taken place. Yesterday, he took Princess to school, and picked her up at 11:30. I took Cryptic to the Dr. and got some groceries and tried to do some things around the house. By 4:30 I couldn't do anymore and was resting on the couch. He took Cryptic to Tae Kwon Do, went and picked him up AND made supper!?!? This last one DOES NOT happen (I can count on one hand the times it has happened in 17 years of marriage) and man was it DELICIOUS! Hamburger Helper and canned corn. YUMMERS!! The BEST part was that I never even asked him to do it. He just did it.
THEN!!! This morning he didn't even wake me up. He got Princess up, fed her, got her dressed and got her to school. Clown and I did not even get up until almost 10 this morning! He also went and got her from school again and then let me sleep most of the day away. Man, I must have needed that! I feel like a totally different person now and think I am on the road to recovery finally!
Sure does help to have a hubby who works from home! When he has worked from home in the past, he would not help AT ALL. With ANYTHING. I could never leave a kid here to just run and get something done or anything. Had to drag them all with me to get a 20 minute errand done, on and on. Since he started working from home again this past fall, I can leave Clown with some school work and go and get all manner of errands done and am sometimes late so he needs to get Princess from school. He has not complained once.
This is SUCH an answer to prayer!!!
So, I just wanted to share how incredible the Studmeister is being:) Sure does make me feel loved and cared for and not like a burden anymore:) teehee LOVING IT! Can you tell?? LOL
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Exhausted
Well, I have been sick since about Wednesday or Thursday. *sigh* I don't get sick, so I can't complain. I just feel like I have hardly gotten anything done at all and it is most frustrating. I can hardly breathe, am constantly sneezing, nose running, runny eyes, etc etc. I need to be in Princess's class on Tuesday and unless some miracle happens, I don't see that actually transpiring. I am sad, I really look forward to working in her class. That age is SO CUTE and fun!
What a week. Especially what a weekend! Let me backtrack a bit.
Monday I got up and walked to Curves, worked out and walked back. I LOVE doing that, it really wakes me up and gets the day off to an awesome start!
When I got back, I found that Jock was not feeling well and was in bed. Cryptic had gone, even though he really wanted to stay home. I doted a bit on Jock and soon discovered my tummy was upset also. I was feeling quite sick and went back to bed. He and I felt a little off all day, but by that night were right as rain again.
Tuesday I made an appointment with the school counselor to meet with Jock and myself. He has been complaining about this one teacher a lot and said he is constantly humiliating him. Jock is one of those people who is very easily influenced by others and a real people pleaser. If the people are those other than his immediate family!!! I cannot tell you how often I get complimented about him when I go places. How polite, kind, funny, considerate etc etc that he is. The other parents in our homeschooling group used to be shocked when I would tell them that he was not allowed to do such and such for a consequence for negative attitude or disrespect or anything like that. After about three years, they started to see the side of him that we always see at home.
It is very important to him what others think of him, yet at home, he can be incredibly rude, disrespectful and belligerent. Which I hear is quite normal. Cryptic is the opposite. He can often be rude, condescending, snotty, very serious, aloof and distant outside the house, and states often how he could care less what anyone's opinion of him is. Conversely, when people we met at the HSing group have come to our house for supper or a birthday party or what have you, they were shocked to see a sweet, helpful, mature and light-hearted Cryptic and a butt-head Jock!
My point is that it is not common for Jock to have trouble getting along with anyone. He idolizes pretty much every adult in his life (except me! He is at an age where he is really pulling away from me and maybe I will do a post on that soon) and people just adore him. He can be an absolute perfect kid and angel, if he wants to be. So to hear that a teacher is treating him badly, is kind of a surprise. Then, we found out that the teacher has gone through his back-pack on at least three separate occasions.
Stud went with Cryptic a few months ago to meet with this same counselor about one of Cryptic's teachers. The man yelled continually and was making Cryptic very scared and nervous. The counselor suggested that Cryptic switch teachers and he is the one who stated that he would keep trying, he just wanted her to be aware of how uncomfortable he was. So when I took Jock in, I expected the same thing.
She said how proud and impressed she was with how Crytpic had handled himself and how in this case, she thought that maybe Jock's teacher is not aware of how he is coming across to Jock. She admitted to being very disturbed about the back-pack thing, but was constantly trying to find excuses for why he may have done that. After meeting with Jock for about half an hour, we agreed that she would talk to this teacher and see what his view of it all is. I expressed my concern that after how Jock feels is brought to his attention, that he be even worse to Jock. She said, "Not gonna happen. That is not tolerated." Well, I would hope what he has been doing up until this point will not be tolerated either. I continue to be blown away by what goes on in these public schools and what all is tolerated and what is not. It is very backward and VERY different from when I was in school. Of course, the fact that it is a totally different country may have something to do with it.
The rest of the week is pretty much a blur. I know on Wednesday I went to Costco, Target, grocery store etc and loaded up on stuff since Stud had just been paid. I think I was getting bad with this cold by then. We have been spending a lot of time playing a really fun new board game that the kids got for Christmas. The kids have watched "Open Season" many times since I went and purchased it on Wednesday. Also on Wednesday, Princess started a different dance class.
She had been taking ballet/tap all last year. She started again this past fall and after one month, wanted to quit tap. She is a ballerina at heart and found tap too difficult. She was good at it, but is naturally more graceful (not sure where she gets that from, must be Stud's side of the family??) and wasn't having fun. So we had to change our schedule around and ended up missing so many of her ballet classes, that is why she was so unprepared for her Christmas recital. I have been trying to take her to make-up classes and they ended up being on the original day (Wednesday) and time. She saw the other girls doing tap and told me she wanted to start again. PERFECT timing, because now is the time of year that we put the down payments on the Spring Recital costumes, get measurements, etc etc. So her teacher said she can go back in that class for good, there was plenty of room. We are SO EXCITED, we saw what she will be wearing for each dance.
Her ballet outfit is a Zebra pantsuit. Her tap outfit is a 20's flapper dress, purple sequins and rainbow coloured feather boa and trim on the bottom of the dress. She and I have always wanted her to have one of the sparkly costumes, so we are VERY HAPPY!:) That was exciting except that she can't fit her tap shoes that she wore for one month this past fall! *sigh* So we need to go get new shoes and sell these on Ebay.
That was very exciting. Oh, I know. We went to a meeting at the school about Jock's band trip this Spring. The plan is to go to Spokane for a Spring Parade or something in May. We have been very psyched about it and that meeting got us even more excited. Jock was beside himself, Stud signed up to be late night security at the hotel, etc etc.
Jock has been a BUTT. Truly. Getting worse and worse. The mouth on him is just...*sigh* He has always been our hardest kid, and we try desperately not to make him feel that he is, because he will just fulfill that label. I have read all about it. We focus on the positive and praise ALL THE TIME. It is a constant dilemma, trying to figure out which negative to ignore, and which to point out and use to guide and teach. I have recently become aware that if Cryptic does something similar to Jock, I am not as hard on Cryptic. Jock is an "in your face" type of person, always around, mouth constantly going. Cryptic is more in the background and sly, kind of sneaky with his antics. So even though he may be a butt, it seems to take a while for that to register with me.
Since I have become aware of this, I sat them down and told Jock that I am sorry. I told Cryptic that I will crack down on him more and I have been. I can tell that Jock feels that things are a bit more "fair", so that is good. Still, he has this attitude that he knows everything and is the authority on everything. He knows it all, just ask him and he can tell you. He is never wrong. Apparently, I was the same when I was a kid. I am sure I have not lost it all, but I know I have improved. Stud is that way, always has been since I have known him. So poor Jock came by it naturally and really did not stand a chance. Since Stud and Jock spend so much time together and Jock worships Stud...you get the picture.
We have told Jock that he has GOT to get his act together and treat us all better. We had been giving him chores for any time he lipped off or was rude, calling sibs names, etc etc. The house is getting cleaner and cleaner, because if he has attitude about that, he gets chores added. Here is an example:
Me - Jock, don't talk to Clown that way. You don't like people to call you names, right?? YOu need to tell him you are sorry.
J- Whatever. *insert rolling of eyes here and a lovely glare*
Me- Ok, you can fold Clown's laundry for him, since you cannot treat him nicely.
J- So?? Geez. You think I CARE??
Me- *trying to stay calm* Go ahead and clean you and Crytic's bathroom as well.
J - FINE! MAN!
So then I am thinking, that was rude. Do I keep adding, do I ignore? He has a right to be annoyed, that is fine. Yet he is choosing to be a dork. He KNOWS the consequences, yet is always testing. He claims that Stud lets him get away with acting a certain way, yet if I am around, then I crack down and Stud backs me up. He gets frustrated to tears and says that is not fair. When they are alone, Stud lets him do that. Maybe that is why he doesn't want me around ever, cause I am harder on him and don't allow it??
Anyway, today he was a royal D*ck. Depending on the offense, we have said that he will miss a hockey game. He had two games yesterday and then this morning was being a turd. So I suggested Stud bench him when they got there. Then I decided that he should just stay home. Srud went to coach the game and Jock turned into an angel. When we used to take him to his counselor, he admitted that he is fully aware of what he does. I was concerned that he was bi-polar for a while, but he doesn't have the rages they do and then when we know that he is aware, that is clearly NOT bi-polar. We told him if there was ANY other incident that he was not going on the band trip in May.
He was a dream. As reward, I allowed he and Clown to send messages to each other on their DS lites that they got for Christmas. I keep them and then bring them out when the kids have been pleasant and worked well together, been respectful, etc. Clown has been BEGGING to be able to spend time sending messages back and forth. So I told Jock they could do that for a while.
Within FIVE minutes Cryptic came up to tell me that Jock had typed in Jack*ss to wee little Clown and called him a Bi*ch!?!?!? He hears these words at school and I am sure has heard them in some movies we have not screened very well. His father and I DO NOT use words like that.
So we called Jock up and told him that he was NOT going on the Band trip. He was MAD and proceeded to go to Clown and say "Thanks to you, I am not going on my Fu*king band trip!"
I am not sure that we have ever used a belt on one of our kids. Stud has wanted to use it before and I have avoided it at all costs. I was totally 100% on board with that today. Clown came to me crying when he found out what was happening to Jock. He said that HE was the one who started typing in names on his DS. I asked him if it was names like what Jock said to him. No, but they were bad. "Stupid", "Idiot" and things like that. He said that he was kidding around and that he and Jock have done that before and he thought it was goofy. He didn't know Jock would get mad and type those other words. I said thanks for your honesty, and you will have a consequence for that since you know those are not allowed. But I told him he is not responsible for Jock choosing to call names back.
Jock could have ignored him, told him he was not using the DS to send messages, and CERTAINLY not typed in those worse names that Clown has not seen/heard before. I hugged him and told him he was not at fault for Jock getting what he was getting right then. We didn't hear any noise, it was handled quickly and quietly. Yet it still really upset Clown to know that his Dad was doing something like that to his big brother. I told him how those words were bad enough, what Jock typed, but then to go downstairs and say that to you, use that horrible word in front of you AND Princess, and on top of it all, try and guilt Clown into the fact that Jock CHOSE not to go on the band trip...no way. Not gonna fly.
Since then, Jock has been a totally ANGEL. Playing with the younger two, being sweet and loving, etc etc. So we need to stick to our guns here. I was really looking forward to that trip:( I will remind myself that we are saving MAJOR money and Jock is learning a valuable lesson. He was hard enough, but the child he is becoming since starting public school is just...scary. I thought I was prepared for it and Stud has even said if we need to, as a last resort, we will pull him out and have him home again earlier than originally planned. He complains about it sometimes, but overall he still loves it. So that would be the ulitmate consequence.
Alright, I know this was a lot to take in. This has taken me a long time and I have sneezed all over the monitor many times already. My chest is just burning, feels kinda like bronchitis or something. *sigh* May have to go to the Dr. I was getting so good about keeping active and working out, now that is all on hold.
Nighty night!!!
What a week. Especially what a weekend! Let me backtrack a bit.
Monday I got up and walked to Curves, worked out and walked back. I LOVE doing that, it really wakes me up and gets the day off to an awesome start!
When I got back, I found that Jock was not feeling well and was in bed. Cryptic had gone, even though he really wanted to stay home. I doted a bit on Jock and soon discovered my tummy was upset also. I was feeling quite sick and went back to bed. He and I felt a little off all day, but by that night were right as rain again.
Tuesday I made an appointment with the school counselor to meet with Jock and myself. He has been complaining about this one teacher a lot and said he is constantly humiliating him. Jock is one of those people who is very easily influenced by others and a real people pleaser. If the people are those other than his immediate family!!! I cannot tell you how often I get complimented about him when I go places. How polite, kind, funny, considerate etc etc that he is. The other parents in our homeschooling group used to be shocked when I would tell them that he was not allowed to do such and such for a consequence for negative attitude or disrespect or anything like that. After about three years, they started to see the side of him that we always see at home.
It is very important to him what others think of him, yet at home, he can be incredibly rude, disrespectful and belligerent. Which I hear is quite normal. Cryptic is the opposite. He can often be rude, condescending, snotty, very serious, aloof and distant outside the house, and states often how he could care less what anyone's opinion of him is. Conversely, when people we met at the HSing group have come to our house for supper or a birthday party or what have you, they were shocked to see a sweet, helpful, mature and light-hearted Cryptic and a butt-head Jock!
My point is that it is not common for Jock to have trouble getting along with anyone. He idolizes pretty much every adult in his life (except me! He is at an age where he is really pulling away from me and maybe I will do a post on that soon) and people just adore him. He can be an absolute perfect kid and angel, if he wants to be. So to hear that a teacher is treating him badly, is kind of a surprise. Then, we found out that the teacher has gone through his back-pack on at least three separate occasions.
Stud went with Cryptic a few months ago to meet with this same counselor about one of Cryptic's teachers. The man yelled continually and was making Cryptic very scared and nervous. The counselor suggested that Cryptic switch teachers and he is the one who stated that he would keep trying, he just wanted her to be aware of how uncomfortable he was. So when I took Jock in, I expected the same thing.
She said how proud and impressed she was with how Crytpic had handled himself and how in this case, she thought that maybe Jock's teacher is not aware of how he is coming across to Jock. She admitted to being very disturbed about the back-pack thing, but was constantly trying to find excuses for why he may have done that. After meeting with Jock for about half an hour, we agreed that she would talk to this teacher and see what his view of it all is. I expressed my concern that after how Jock feels is brought to his attention, that he be even worse to Jock. She said, "Not gonna happen. That is not tolerated." Well, I would hope what he has been doing up until this point will not be tolerated either. I continue to be blown away by what goes on in these public schools and what all is tolerated and what is not. It is very backward and VERY different from when I was in school. Of course, the fact that it is a totally different country may have something to do with it.
The rest of the week is pretty much a blur. I know on Wednesday I went to Costco, Target, grocery store etc and loaded up on stuff since Stud had just been paid. I think I was getting bad with this cold by then. We have been spending a lot of time playing a really fun new board game that the kids got for Christmas. The kids have watched "Open Season" many times since I went and purchased it on Wednesday. Also on Wednesday, Princess started a different dance class.
She had been taking ballet/tap all last year. She started again this past fall and after one month, wanted to quit tap. She is a ballerina at heart and found tap too difficult. She was good at it, but is naturally more graceful (not sure where she gets that from, must be Stud's side of the family??) and wasn't having fun. So we had to change our schedule around and ended up missing so many of her ballet classes, that is why she was so unprepared for her Christmas recital. I have been trying to take her to make-up classes and they ended up being on the original day (Wednesday) and time. She saw the other girls doing tap and told me she wanted to start again. PERFECT timing, because now is the time of year that we put the down payments on the Spring Recital costumes, get measurements, etc etc. So her teacher said she can go back in that class for good, there was plenty of room. We are SO EXCITED, we saw what she will be wearing for each dance.
Her ballet outfit is a Zebra pantsuit. Her tap outfit is a 20's flapper dress, purple sequins and rainbow coloured feather boa and trim on the bottom of the dress. She and I have always wanted her to have one of the sparkly costumes, so we are VERY HAPPY!:) That was exciting except that she can't fit her tap shoes that she wore for one month this past fall! *sigh* So we need to go get new shoes and sell these on Ebay.
That was very exciting. Oh, I know. We went to a meeting at the school about Jock's band trip this Spring. The plan is to go to Spokane for a Spring Parade or something in May. We have been very psyched about it and that meeting got us even more excited. Jock was beside himself, Stud signed up to be late night security at the hotel, etc etc.
Jock has been a BUTT. Truly. Getting worse and worse. The mouth on him is just...*sigh* He has always been our hardest kid, and we try desperately not to make him feel that he is, because he will just fulfill that label. I have read all about it. We focus on the positive and praise ALL THE TIME. It is a constant dilemma, trying to figure out which negative to ignore, and which to point out and use to guide and teach. I have recently become aware that if Cryptic does something similar to Jock, I am not as hard on Cryptic. Jock is an "in your face" type of person, always around, mouth constantly going. Cryptic is more in the background and sly, kind of sneaky with his antics. So even though he may be a butt, it seems to take a while for that to register with me.
Since I have become aware of this, I sat them down and told Jock that I am sorry. I told Cryptic that I will crack down on him more and I have been. I can tell that Jock feels that things are a bit more "fair", so that is good. Still, he has this attitude that he knows everything and is the authority on everything. He knows it all, just ask him and he can tell you. He is never wrong. Apparently, I was the same when I was a kid. I am sure I have not lost it all, but I know I have improved. Stud is that way, always has been since I have known him. So poor Jock came by it naturally and really did not stand a chance. Since Stud and Jock spend so much time together and Jock worships Stud...you get the picture.
We have told Jock that he has GOT to get his act together and treat us all better. We had been giving him chores for any time he lipped off or was rude, calling sibs names, etc etc. The house is getting cleaner and cleaner, because if he has attitude about that, he gets chores added. Here is an example:
Me - Jock, don't talk to Clown that way. You don't like people to call you names, right?? YOu need to tell him you are sorry.
J- Whatever. *insert rolling of eyes here and a lovely glare*
Me- Ok, you can fold Clown's laundry for him, since you cannot treat him nicely.
J- So?? Geez. You think I CARE??
Me- *trying to stay calm* Go ahead and clean you and Crytic's bathroom as well.
J - FINE! MAN!
So then I am thinking, that was rude. Do I keep adding, do I ignore? He has a right to be annoyed, that is fine. Yet he is choosing to be a dork. He KNOWS the consequences, yet is always testing. He claims that Stud lets him get away with acting a certain way, yet if I am around, then I crack down and Stud backs me up. He gets frustrated to tears and says that is not fair. When they are alone, Stud lets him do that. Maybe that is why he doesn't want me around ever, cause I am harder on him and don't allow it??
Anyway, today he was a royal D*ck. Depending on the offense, we have said that he will miss a hockey game. He had two games yesterday and then this morning was being a turd. So I suggested Stud bench him when they got there. Then I decided that he should just stay home. Srud went to coach the game and Jock turned into an angel. When we used to take him to his counselor, he admitted that he is fully aware of what he does. I was concerned that he was bi-polar for a while, but he doesn't have the rages they do and then when we know that he is aware, that is clearly NOT bi-polar. We told him if there was ANY other incident that he was not going on the band trip in May.
He was a dream. As reward, I allowed he and Clown to send messages to each other on their DS lites that they got for Christmas. I keep them and then bring them out when the kids have been pleasant and worked well together, been respectful, etc. Clown has been BEGGING to be able to spend time sending messages back and forth. So I told Jock they could do that for a while.
Within FIVE minutes Cryptic came up to tell me that Jock had typed in Jack*ss to wee little Clown and called him a Bi*ch!?!?!? He hears these words at school and I am sure has heard them in some movies we have not screened very well. His father and I DO NOT use words like that.
So we called Jock up and told him that he was NOT going on the Band trip. He was MAD and proceeded to go to Clown and say "Thanks to you, I am not going on my Fu*king band trip!"
I am not sure that we have ever used a belt on one of our kids. Stud has wanted to use it before and I have avoided it at all costs. I was totally 100% on board with that today. Clown came to me crying when he found out what was happening to Jock. He said that HE was the one who started typing in names on his DS. I asked him if it was names like what Jock said to him. No, but they were bad. "Stupid", "Idiot" and things like that. He said that he was kidding around and that he and Jock have done that before and he thought it was goofy. He didn't know Jock would get mad and type those other words. I said thanks for your honesty, and you will have a consequence for that since you know those are not allowed. But I told him he is not responsible for Jock choosing to call names back.
Jock could have ignored him, told him he was not using the DS to send messages, and CERTAINLY not typed in those worse names that Clown has not seen/heard before. I hugged him and told him he was not at fault for Jock getting what he was getting right then. We didn't hear any noise, it was handled quickly and quietly. Yet it still really upset Clown to know that his Dad was doing something like that to his big brother. I told him how those words were bad enough, what Jock typed, but then to go downstairs and say that to you, use that horrible word in front of you AND Princess, and on top of it all, try and guilt Clown into the fact that Jock CHOSE not to go on the band trip...no way. Not gonna fly.
Since then, Jock has been a totally ANGEL. Playing with the younger two, being sweet and loving, etc etc. So we need to stick to our guns here. I was really looking forward to that trip:( I will remind myself that we are saving MAJOR money and Jock is learning a valuable lesson. He was hard enough, but the child he is becoming since starting public school is just...scary. I thought I was prepared for it and Stud has even said if we need to, as a last resort, we will pull him out and have him home again earlier than originally planned. He complains about it sometimes, but overall he still loves it. So that would be the ulitmate consequence.
Alright, I know this was a lot to take in. This has taken me a long time and I have sneezed all over the monitor many times already. My chest is just burning, feels kinda like bronchitis or something. *sigh* May have to go to the Dr. I was getting so good about keeping active and working out, now that is all on hold.
Nighty night!!!
Friday, January 26, 2007
Freaky
Well, something happened today as I was driving Clown home from the Doctor.
He has been having headaches and we took him in to get him checked out. She says to keep an eye on things and if they get worse or he vomits or anything, let her know immediately. She thinks it sounds like tension head aches from his neck and shoulders.
On the drive back, he was wanting to see if Cryptic was home from school yet. We drove past the school parking lot and saw Cryptic walking along in there, on his way home. Clown was very excited that we were going to get home before he did!!! Once you come out of the parking lot, you turn right and then the street curves left and goes down a hill. You pass a house and then next is our house, a bit farther down the hill.
We also saw two neighbour girls walking along on the sidewalk along the street. One was way down past our house, almost about to turn into the cul-de-sac where she lives. Another one was in between the house above us and our house.
Because of the how our driveway is, we need to kind of turn out to the left into the middle of the street a tiny bit before turning right into our driveway. You can't get at the correct angle to pull in unless you do that. We have lived here for six and a half years and never had an issue with this. If anyone is behind us, they wait for us to turn in. They have to, you can't pass on the right and there is no room to go past anyway. The back end of our vehicle is still mainly in the right hand lane of the street.
It only takes a few seconds so doesn't hinder the other vehicles very much at all. Today as I was about to turn in, I glanced to my right to see what the girl on the sidewalk was doing. I wanted to see if she had stopped or was going to continue walking and I would need to stop until she was past our driveway to turn in. You never know what these kids are going to do. Sometimes they run to get out of the way, sometimes they know enough to just stop. I was trying to see if she was far enough away that I had time to proceed and not wait for her.
As I looked to my right to check for her, I saw that she was standing there waiting for me to proceed. The car suddenly jerked and was stopped by something very forcefully. I yelled "WHAT THE HECK!?!?!!?" because it startled me and I was freaked. I look and am staring directly into the face of a young man in the driver's seat of a car. I still can't figure out where on earth he came from!?!???
It appears that he was trying to pass me on the right?? Ummm...that is illegal!!! Like sheesh, give me time to turn into my drive way for crying out loud!!! I still don't know where he came from (I didn't even see that anyone was behind me and I am constantly checking my rearview) or how he even took up the lane so that the right front bumper of our car could hit the left front of his car. Stud says because by that time I was at the angle to pull into the driveway, so his lane was clear of our car's back end.
He was totally freaked and kept on saying how sorry he was. I rolled down my passenger window so that I could talk to him. When I saw he was near tears, I calmed totally down and was trying to reassure him. I was just schocked, I still CANNOT figure out WHERE he came from!!!!! I asked if he was ok, he said yes and kept on mumbling something about what his Dad would do.
I said don't worry, I will call my husband. By this time, we are completely stopping traffic and the school buses were all backed up behind us. I got my cell phone and told Stud we were right out in front of the house and to please come out.
I know not to move vehicles in this type of situation. But the kid was freaking, I didn't want to sit and block traffic, everyone was fine physcially, so I backed up a bit so that he could move and pull into our other, lower driveway that is on the other side of the house, down the hill a bit more. I said my husband is coming out, we need to exchange info. So right when I backed away a bit, he sped up a lot and kept saying "Thank you" and went to drive away!?!?!? I kept saying "No no, you can't do that, just hang on!!!" Then his hub cap fell off and he was trying to get it and put it in the car and drive away right when Stud came out the front door.
Great timing! By then, we are untangled so I just pulled into the driveway like I had wanted to in the first place. I went in the house and had Stud deal with him. Clown said he recognized him from the cul-de-sac behind us where they play sometimes. I wondered where the girl went, because I knew she was a witness.
Long story short, his mother came and called her husband. They decided to call the police at least to file a report and figure out who was at fault. There is not that much damage to either car, but it WILL cost something and can add up fast.
The police come and say it is non-reportable because there is such minimal damage. The girl who saw it and her Dad come and he says she came home and was freaked out and didn't know what she should have done. He told her you always stay at the scene and explain what you saw.
So we are thinking about dealing with it between just our families if possible.
Well, now his mother called and said the girl told them that she thinks I am at fault?? LOL What does a 14 year old girl know about the rules of the road and traffic laws??? Anyone even hearing this and trying to picture it in their mind can tell that he was at fault for trying to pass on the right, you know?? For heaven's sake, I was trying to turn into my driveway, can you give me a few seconds?? I can't count the # of times people have turned into our driveway and there is no problem. If you are coming up behind and you see someone getting over a bit, hang back and see what they are going to do. Not to mention NEVER passing on the right. There are rules for a REASON.
I signal 99% of the time, but I don't think I did today. He claims the sun was in his eyes and he couldn't see me. I got thinking about that. Before we came around the corner up by the school, you knew someone was in front of you. How could they suddenly disappear once you turn to go down the hill?? Ya know?? And I know for a fact, whether I had signaled or not, it would have made no difference in this case. Then, at one point, he tried to tell his Mother that I was behind HIM. HUH???
I was going very slowly, but he must have sped up a bit or something for him to even be able to make it almost past me entirely as I was slowly turning into my driveway, yes???
When the girl was here, I was saying how I was looking at her to see what she was doing. She said, "I know people's vehicles and I knew you were going to turn in there, so I waited for you." So... if SHE knows neighbours vehicles, then why doesn't he?? Wouldn't he know where I was going to turn?? And even if he doesn't...it is just common sense to me, ya know??
Anyway, now Stud has a call in to a friend of his who is a police officer and we will see what he says. I definitely will accept responsibility if I am at fault, but I just can't imagine that I am?? SUCKS that we moved the vehicles, but even without them there, you can totally picture in your mind what happened.
Here is a photo of our driveway, with the white van. The van was there when I attempted to pull the car in to the right of it. You can see what I would need to do to get at a good angle to do so.
Whatever, bloody blogger won't post a photo right now. I will add that later on, perhaps.
Alright, Cryptic has given Stud and I the go ahead to have a date. I told him it was up to him, and if he didn't feel like babysitting the sibs, his Dad and I would stay home. He had expressed lately that he would like to get one of their old babysitters sometimes instead of us always relying on him. So I wondered if he was ok with doing it tonight and he said yes.
Off we go. I don't really feel like leaving the house, but I Stud seems to want to get out. So I hope my mood improves!!!
Have a great weekend everyone!!!
He has been having headaches and we took him in to get him checked out. She says to keep an eye on things and if they get worse or he vomits or anything, let her know immediately. She thinks it sounds like tension head aches from his neck and shoulders.
On the drive back, he was wanting to see if Cryptic was home from school yet. We drove past the school parking lot and saw Cryptic walking along in there, on his way home. Clown was very excited that we were going to get home before he did!!! Once you come out of the parking lot, you turn right and then the street curves left and goes down a hill. You pass a house and then next is our house, a bit farther down the hill.
We also saw two neighbour girls walking along on the sidewalk along the street. One was way down past our house, almost about to turn into the cul-de-sac where she lives. Another one was in between the house above us and our house.
Because of the how our driveway is, we need to kind of turn out to the left into the middle of the street a tiny bit before turning right into our driveway. You can't get at the correct angle to pull in unless you do that. We have lived here for six and a half years and never had an issue with this. If anyone is behind us, they wait for us to turn in. They have to, you can't pass on the right and there is no room to go past anyway. The back end of our vehicle is still mainly in the right hand lane of the street.
It only takes a few seconds so doesn't hinder the other vehicles very much at all. Today as I was about to turn in, I glanced to my right to see what the girl on the sidewalk was doing. I wanted to see if she had stopped or was going to continue walking and I would need to stop until she was past our driveway to turn in. You never know what these kids are going to do. Sometimes they run to get out of the way, sometimes they know enough to just stop. I was trying to see if she was far enough away that I had time to proceed and not wait for her.
As I looked to my right to check for her, I saw that she was standing there waiting for me to proceed. The car suddenly jerked and was stopped by something very forcefully. I yelled "WHAT THE HECK!?!?!!?" because it startled me and I was freaked. I look and am staring directly into the face of a young man in the driver's seat of a car. I still can't figure out where on earth he came from!?!???
It appears that he was trying to pass me on the right?? Ummm...that is illegal!!! Like sheesh, give me time to turn into my drive way for crying out loud!!! I still don't know where he came from (I didn't even see that anyone was behind me and I am constantly checking my rearview) or how he even took up the lane so that the right front bumper of our car could hit the left front of his car. Stud says because by that time I was at the angle to pull into the driveway, so his lane was clear of our car's back end.
He was totally freaked and kept on saying how sorry he was. I rolled down my passenger window so that I could talk to him. When I saw he was near tears, I calmed totally down and was trying to reassure him. I was just schocked, I still CANNOT figure out WHERE he came from!!!!! I asked if he was ok, he said yes and kept on mumbling something about what his Dad would do.
I said don't worry, I will call my husband. By this time, we are completely stopping traffic and the school buses were all backed up behind us. I got my cell phone and told Stud we were right out in front of the house and to please come out.
I know not to move vehicles in this type of situation. But the kid was freaking, I didn't want to sit and block traffic, everyone was fine physcially, so I backed up a bit so that he could move and pull into our other, lower driveway that is on the other side of the house, down the hill a bit more. I said my husband is coming out, we need to exchange info. So right when I backed away a bit, he sped up a lot and kept saying "Thank you" and went to drive away!?!?!? I kept saying "No no, you can't do that, just hang on!!!" Then his hub cap fell off and he was trying to get it and put it in the car and drive away right when Stud came out the front door.
Great timing! By then, we are untangled so I just pulled into the driveway like I had wanted to in the first place. I went in the house and had Stud deal with him. Clown said he recognized him from the cul-de-sac behind us where they play sometimes. I wondered where the girl went, because I knew she was a witness.
Long story short, his mother came and called her husband. They decided to call the police at least to file a report and figure out who was at fault. There is not that much damage to either car, but it WILL cost something and can add up fast.
The police come and say it is non-reportable because there is such minimal damage. The girl who saw it and her Dad come and he says she came home and was freaked out and didn't know what she should have done. He told her you always stay at the scene and explain what you saw.
So we are thinking about dealing with it between just our families if possible.
Well, now his mother called and said the girl told them that she thinks I am at fault?? LOL What does a 14 year old girl know about the rules of the road and traffic laws??? Anyone even hearing this and trying to picture it in their mind can tell that he was at fault for trying to pass on the right, you know?? For heaven's sake, I was trying to turn into my driveway, can you give me a few seconds?? I can't count the # of times people have turned into our driveway and there is no problem. If you are coming up behind and you see someone getting over a bit, hang back and see what they are going to do. Not to mention NEVER passing on the right. There are rules for a REASON.
I signal 99% of the time, but I don't think I did today. He claims the sun was in his eyes and he couldn't see me. I got thinking about that. Before we came around the corner up by the school, you knew someone was in front of you. How could they suddenly disappear once you turn to go down the hill?? Ya know?? And I know for a fact, whether I had signaled or not, it would have made no difference in this case. Then, at one point, he tried to tell his Mother that I was behind HIM. HUH???
I was going very slowly, but he must have sped up a bit or something for him to even be able to make it almost past me entirely as I was slowly turning into my driveway, yes???
When the girl was here, I was saying how I was looking at her to see what she was doing. She said, "I know people's vehicles and I knew you were going to turn in there, so I waited for you." So... if SHE knows neighbours vehicles, then why doesn't he?? Wouldn't he know where I was going to turn?? And even if he doesn't...it is just common sense to me, ya know??
Anyway, now Stud has a call in to a friend of his who is a police officer and we will see what he says. I definitely will accept responsibility if I am at fault, but I just can't imagine that I am?? SUCKS that we moved the vehicles, but even without them there, you can totally picture in your mind what happened.
Here is a photo of our driveway, with the white van. The van was there when I attempted to pull the car in to the right of it. You can see what I would need to do to get at a good angle to do so.
Whatever, bloody blogger won't post a photo right now. I will add that later on, perhaps.
Alright, Cryptic has given Stud and I the go ahead to have a date. I told him it was up to him, and if he didn't feel like babysitting the sibs, his Dad and I would stay home. He had expressed lately that he would like to get one of their old babysitters sometimes instead of us always relying on him. So I wondered if he was ok with doing it tonight and he said yes.
Off we go. I don't really feel like leaving the house, but I Stud seems to want to get out. So I hope my mood improves!!!
Have a great weekend everyone!!!
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Cryptic
Ok, I am finally going to post a bit about Cryptic. I did the thing in October about Princess, when she turned six. Showed baby photos and then progressed to what she looks like now, to show how much she has changed and grown, etc.
I have been putting off doing Cryptic's because I was trying to find which pictures to use, and making time to do that was hard to come by. I decided to go ahead and do that tonight. Of course, after all that work and his Dad getting the photos blog worthy, he rushed down here and asked what I was doing.
He has forbidden me from posting them. He says no baby pictures, only current pictures. After a bit of coercion, he has agreed to ONE photo of when he was two, and then a more current one.
Behold ~
Christmas 1994
This was taken the day after his 14th birthday. November, 2006.
So that is a bit of a difference, eh?? See any resemblance from the two year old to the fourteen year old??
I told more about him in my blog last February. If you care to read more about him, you can scroll around in the archives from last February. Almost a year since he had his surgery. Hard to believe!!!
He is enjoying public school for the most part and we were all amused by the fact that he did not make the honour roll, but Jock did!! We don't care about grades at all and know they don't measure anything for the most part. Still, we were proud of Jock and told him so. He and Cryptic got a chuckle out of it, since it was assumed Cryptic would do well. I forgot they even had such things, until Jock brought this thing home listing his name with the other kids.
The lowest mark Cryptic has gotten this year was an 80%. Most of them are 100% with a few 90's and 95's sprinkled around. The reason he did not make the honour roll first semester is because he forgets to hand things in. Jock is really good about it and finishes ahead of time. Cryptic procrastinates and continues to put it off and then forgets to hand things in. That is one example of why marks don't mean much. Jock has mostly A's and Cryptic has D's and C's off and on. They quickly go up to A's when he hands in his work and then go down again as weeks go by and he has not handed things in again!!! So it is clear he has a good grasp of the material (they are both quite bored) and understands and regurgitates it just fine. So he has been working harder this semester and hopes to get on the honour roll. It was nice to see him motivated and having a goal.
Ok, I need to get up to walk to Curves. I have not missed a day this week with my working out in some fashion or another. We enjoyed listening to my brother on the radio today, besides the fact that the woman who interviewed him cannot pronounce his last name (not difficult. JohnsTon. There is a "T" in there! ARG! That used to drive me nuts when it was my name. MAN!!) and even though she is Canadian, she can't pronounce Saskatchewan. MAN! Bloody Easterners.
HUMPH!
He said he could hardly hear her, so just guessed at what she was saying much of the time:) LOL I think he did awesome!!!
Hope all is well out there with all you wonderful people!!!
I have been putting off doing Cryptic's because I was trying to find which pictures to use, and making time to do that was hard to come by. I decided to go ahead and do that tonight. Of course, after all that work and his Dad getting the photos blog worthy, he rushed down here and asked what I was doing.
He has forbidden me from posting them. He says no baby pictures, only current pictures. After a bit of coercion, he has agreed to ONE photo of when he was two, and then a more current one.
Behold ~
Christmas 1994
This was taken the day after his 14th birthday. November, 2006.
So that is a bit of a difference, eh?? See any resemblance from the two year old to the fourteen year old??
I told more about him in my blog last February. If you care to read more about him, you can scroll around in the archives from last February. Almost a year since he had his surgery. Hard to believe!!!
He is enjoying public school for the most part and we were all amused by the fact that he did not make the honour roll, but Jock did!! We don't care about grades at all and know they don't measure anything for the most part. Still, we were proud of Jock and told him so. He and Cryptic got a chuckle out of it, since it was assumed Cryptic would do well. I forgot they even had such things, until Jock brought this thing home listing his name with the other kids.
The lowest mark Cryptic has gotten this year was an 80%. Most of them are 100% with a few 90's and 95's sprinkled around. The reason he did not make the honour roll first semester is because he forgets to hand things in. Jock is really good about it and finishes ahead of time. Cryptic procrastinates and continues to put it off and then forgets to hand things in. That is one example of why marks don't mean much. Jock has mostly A's and Cryptic has D's and C's off and on. They quickly go up to A's when he hands in his work and then go down again as weeks go by and he has not handed things in again!!! So it is clear he has a good grasp of the material (they are both quite bored) and understands and regurgitates it just fine. So he has been working harder this semester and hopes to get on the honour roll. It was nice to see him motivated and having a goal.
Ok, I need to get up to walk to Curves. I have not missed a day this week with my working out in some fashion or another. We enjoyed listening to my brother on the radio today, besides the fact that the woman who interviewed him cannot pronounce his last name (not difficult. JohnsTon. There is a "T" in there! ARG! That used to drive me nuts when it was my name. MAN!!) and even though she is Canadian, she can't pronounce Saskatchewan. MAN! Bloody Easterners.
HUMPH!
He said he could hardly hear her, so just guessed at what she was saying much of the time:) LOL I think he did awesome!!!
Hope all is well out there with all you wonderful people!!!
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Pedicure gone bad
Again, I feel the need to seek advice on something.
As I stated earlier, I went for a pedicure on Friday. A man did it this time. I have never had him do anything, it is always one of the women who work there.
He was very rough. At one point, he went on a rampage with a pumice stone and seemed to derive great pleasure from attacking my heels! Usually, it is very relaxing and when I leave, my feet are soft and smooth. I am thinking that is a lot of the point to getting one???
Since then, my left heel has been hurting. It seems he did such a fine job, that he split my heel open and it is like a huge paper cut:( IT HURTS. *sniff* The bottoms of both feet are very rough and dry now. Worse than before I went in, which is saying something.
THEN. I got those fake nails put on. Remember, this was Friday. On Monday, two of them snapped off as I tried to open the trash compactor. This looks ridiculous. I paid $50 for this treatment???
So what do I do?? I feel bad going in to complain, but as Stud said, I paid good money for it and should say something and certainly have them fix my nails. I am not sure of the proper etiquette for something like this.
Please help!!
As I stated earlier, I went for a pedicure on Friday. A man did it this time. I have never had him do anything, it is always one of the women who work there.
He was very rough. At one point, he went on a rampage with a pumice stone and seemed to derive great pleasure from attacking my heels! Usually, it is very relaxing and when I leave, my feet are soft and smooth. I am thinking that is a lot of the point to getting one???
Since then, my left heel has been hurting. It seems he did such a fine job, that he split my heel open and it is like a huge paper cut:( IT HURTS. *sniff* The bottoms of both feet are very rough and dry now. Worse than before I went in, which is saying something.
THEN. I got those fake nails put on. Remember, this was Friday. On Monday, two of them snapped off as I tried to open the trash compactor. This looks ridiculous. I paid $50 for this treatment???
So what do I do?? I feel bad going in to complain, but as Stud said, I paid good money for it and should say something and certainly have them fix my nails. I am not sure of the proper etiquette for something like this.
Please help!!
DE-lish
Just now I was in the kitchen getting the chili started in the crock pot for supper tonight. Clown was eating a peach yogurt for his morning snack.
I was putting various kinds of beans in it, sprinkling in more chili powder, telling him I will cut up peppers, onions etc later in the day, so they won't be too soggy. Our mouths were watering and he was commenting on how he can't wait until supper time. He is the one who asked for chili, he has been wanting me to make it. I agreed that I was looking forward to it as well.
I was saying it will be "De-lish."
He looked annoyed and said, "Are you a robot breaking down or something?? It sounds like you are breaking down and cannot finish the word Delicious!!!"
I was putting various kinds of beans in it, sprinkling in more chili powder, telling him I will cut up peppers, onions etc later in the day, so they won't be too soggy. Our mouths were watering and he was commenting on how he can't wait until supper time. He is the one who asked for chili, he has been wanting me to make it. I agreed that I was looking forward to it as well.
I was saying it will be "De-lish."
He looked annoyed and said, "Are you a robot breaking down or something?? It sounds like you are breaking down and cannot finish the word Delicious!!!"
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Brother on the radio
Yeah, so my brother, the writer, is doing another radio interview coming up on Thursday.
You can go and listen live on the internet at 3:30 our time, 6:30 Eastern.
Go here and have a listen, eh??
http://www.ckcufm.com/
That is all. Back to my ab workout and then my walk, shower and getting Princess from school. Clown is working on some fun worksheets that he is actually excited about!!!
You can go and listen live on the internet at 3:30 our time, 6:30 Eastern.
Go here and have a listen, eh??
http://www.ckcufm.com/
That is all. Back to my ab workout and then my walk, shower and getting Princess from school. Clown is working on some fun worksheets that he is actually excited about!!!
Monday, January 22, 2007
Suspension
Well, as you can see I have a photo of myself up here finally. To help remind me I want to be that slim again. I don't want all that make up on again though. ICK! I am glad I figured out to get my eyebrows waxed since then:) This was taken when Cryptic was a toddler and I think I was early in my pregnancy with Jock. So that would make me 24.
So on Friday after my horrid medical/coffee fiasco, Stud told me to go for a pedicure/manicure and have a nice time. I had been trying to go all week and it just never worked out. So I was glad he made me go, it was very nice. I even have those girly long fingernails and everything. Looks odd on my masculine looking hands, but it is kind of fun:) We will see how long this lasts!!!
When I got back, Stud told me that the VP of the middle school that Jock and Cryptic attend had called him. Apparently, some friend of Jock's had been harassing him quite a bit over the course of the day and finally Jock had enough. The boy was bent over a water fountain getting a drink and Jock took it upon himself to push the boy's head into the stream of water. Unfortunately, I think he used quite a bit of force and also since the boy has braces, this resulted in some bleeding.
If a student bleeds because of another student, it is an automatic three day suspension from school. But the VP explained to Stud that since he enjoys working with Jock (Jock spends a lot of time in the office and doing errands around the school since he often has all of his school done far ahead of time) and since the two boys are friends and were not seriously upset at each other, he will do a one day "in school" suspension.
So for today Jock and the boy are in a classroom and their work will be brought to them. I have my own theory as to why the VP did this. I know some of it is that Jock is a good kid overall, but I wonder how much of it is that he wants him there to do all his errands for him??
I need to go and make Stud and I our eggs and toast and get some school done with Clown. Then it is off to clean and scrub. Some friends from church who are missionaries in Spain are home for a year. We have FINALLY co-ordinated our schedules and they are coming over for lasagna tonight.
I will try to post more often this week. I still need to post about Cryptic, and share about our weekend in BC.
So on Friday after my horrid medical/coffee fiasco, Stud told me to go for a pedicure/manicure and have a nice time. I had been trying to go all week and it just never worked out. So I was glad he made me go, it was very nice. I even have those girly long fingernails and everything. Looks odd on my masculine looking hands, but it is kind of fun:) We will see how long this lasts!!!
When I got back, Stud told me that the VP of the middle school that Jock and Cryptic attend had called him. Apparently, some friend of Jock's had been harassing him quite a bit over the course of the day and finally Jock had enough. The boy was bent over a water fountain getting a drink and Jock took it upon himself to push the boy's head into the stream of water. Unfortunately, I think he used quite a bit of force and also since the boy has braces, this resulted in some bleeding.
If a student bleeds because of another student, it is an automatic three day suspension from school. But the VP explained to Stud that since he enjoys working with Jock (Jock spends a lot of time in the office and doing errands around the school since he often has all of his school done far ahead of time) and since the two boys are friends and were not seriously upset at each other, he will do a one day "in school" suspension.
So for today Jock and the boy are in a classroom and their work will be brought to them. I have my own theory as to why the VP did this. I know some of it is that Jock is a good kid overall, but I wonder how much of it is that he wants him there to do all his errands for him??
I need to go and make Stud and I our eggs and toast and get some school done with Clown. Then it is off to clean and scrub. Some friends from church who are missionaries in Spain are home for a year. We have FINALLY co-ordinated our schedules and they are coming over for lasagna tonight.
I will try to post more often this week. I still need to post about Cryptic, and share about our weekend in BC.
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Incompetent
As I am sure many of you have noticed, there are many people out there who are incompetent. I don't want to be negative, but I feel the need to share what happened to me yesterday. Similar things happen often. I am just posting about this because it is time for a new post and I may as well share about this.
I had my physical yesterday. They told me weeks ago, to fast for a blood test. Said don't eat anything after 9:30 the night before (I remember thinking that is an odd time, usually it is nine, ten, or maybe midnight or something) and only drink tea or water if I couldn't stand it. I also thought it odd since they just checked my blood back in the fall for a re-check on my thyroid, etc. I had not fasted then, but I assumed they had more things to check at a physical.
So I did not go to Curves yesterday morning because I always eat an egg or some of a protein bar or something before I go. The appointment was at 9 a.m. so I thought I would be alright and could eat around 10. Didn't think it would take too long.
So I get in there and tell them I am hungry since I had to fast for the blood draw. I get sympathy clicks of the tongue from a few people. Pats on the shoulder from the Dr. herself, saying she is sorry, we will get tests done as fast as we can and I can go eat.
I have been having shortness of breath, chest tightness and burning and my heart often jumps around and gets out of rhythm. I am sick of it. Very annoying and freaky. The breathing thing started three or four months ago and happens many times a day and the heart jumping thing is just here and there. Heart problems run on my Dad's side. My Dad has a pace-maker, one of my brothers just went through some tests etc. So she ordered an EKG.
I went over for that and was calling Stud to tell him what was happening and asking if Clown was doing the school work I set out for him and letting Stud get work done. Right when he answered, the tech guy called me over. I basically hung up on Stud. The Tech could see I was flustered and was trying to get Stud to know that I had to go. So I hang up and the guy goes, "Is your insurance information still the same?? Same home address??"
I said yes and he said ok, that's all.
*sigh* Why didn't he just ask me quickly, or let me know I did not need to hang up on my husband for that.
So my Doc had said I could come back after the EKG and get results or go and eat since I was hungry and she would call me. I said I would see how I felt after the blood tests and EKG.
I had the EKG and was asking people at the lab about my blood tests. They said they had no orders to take any blood. So someone went back and asked my Doc. After a while they came out and said she is not sure who told me that, but they didn't need blood today.
WHAT!?!??? I skipped Curves and starved myself for nothing!!?!?!?!?
Then why did she pat my shoulder and say, "I understand" when I told her I may not come back and would go get some food??
So I decided I wanted to know the results. They also did a breathing test on me that they always do with my kids for their asthma. I don't have asthma, but I feel like I do when this dumb chest junk happens. The nurse said to go and get some food somewhere and come back in ten minutes.
So I went to a nearby Starbucks. I asked that my drink be 140 degrees instead of 160. I wanted to be able to drink it soon, and not wait for it to cool down, since I was pressed for time.
I always get sugar-free vanilla in it. More often than not, they try and charge me for something added on, instead of just a substitution, which is what it really is, of course. I have to watch closely and draw their attention to it. So I watched the little screen and it said "SUB Sugar-Free". Ok, I was feeling better about that and not worried. I noticed later, as I drove away with my HOT drink that I put a nice burn on my tongue, that I was charged 30 cents for sugar free vanilla!!! ARG! So great, I get starved, then have to pay extra just to burn my tongue and have them squirt syrup out of a different bottle. *sigh*
So I go back and wait a long time. The doc finally comes in and says that the EKG was fine, the breathing thing was fine. I am having panic attacks!?!?!?!?
I remember during one time driving and the breathing (or struggling for breathe) thing happened. I was thinking how I heard people who have panic attacks comment on that being one of the symptoms. I dismissed that as silly since I was not upset about anything. I reasoned that when I HAVE been upset, nothing like that has happened.
So when she said that, I was taken aback. She said something about neuro-chemical and how it just something amiss with the chemicals in my brain and the only way to manage it is to take medication for a while.
Good times.
She tried putting me on anti-depressants about a year ago, but I refused to take them. To me, all that would do is mask the problems. I need to learn to deal with the stuff and not just take meds. Slowly, I have gotten better. Stud and I's marriage improving (by us now communicating and me not feeling so alone in everything) has been a huge part of that, I am sure.
I asked her about my MRI results from this past fall. When I had that MRI on Princess's birthday, the Dr. office told me to go to a neurologist. I finally got in in November and she said she saw something on the MRI to indicate that I am prone to strokes?? All the horrible head aches, the few migraines and the weird vision things are from constricted blood vessels in my brain. She said to take aspirin every day to thin my blood and go for an annual MRI so they can keep an eye on this.
I was thinking of getting a second opinion and my mum said something about her health that caused me to wonder about the aspirin. So I was talking to one of my brothers a few months back and he reprimanded me for not taking the aspirin yet. He said Mum told him that I was being stubborn and not listening to the neurologist. I have just been busy and wanted a second opinion.
Anyway, my doc was reading me yesterday the results from what the neurologist said about the MRI and something about not "just" the white spots that are common in migraine. There is something that concerns them more. So I need to ask some more questions I guess. Kind of freaky. I have always been afeared of aneurysm and my kids finding me dead somewhere and being all helpless and unable to get help and being traumatized for life by something like that. Now every time I get these stupid stabbing, shooting pains in my head, I am scared of a stroke. But I don't think you get warning signs with that.
So I will try this stupid medicine for these "attacks" and take aspirin. Kind of weird. I have never had any health issues, except with my pregnancy with Cryptic, there was some stuff near the end there. Other than that, nothing. Oh, besides mild low thyroid and having to take meds every morning for that.
So this will take some getting used to.
Alrighty, a post about last weekend will be here shortly. I started this earlier this morning and had quite a day!! It is almost midnight and we have to get up and go to church.
Hope all is well with everyone out there!!!!
I had my physical yesterday. They told me weeks ago, to fast for a blood test. Said don't eat anything after 9:30 the night before (I remember thinking that is an odd time, usually it is nine, ten, or maybe midnight or something) and only drink tea or water if I couldn't stand it. I also thought it odd since they just checked my blood back in the fall for a re-check on my thyroid, etc. I had not fasted then, but I assumed they had more things to check at a physical.
So I did not go to Curves yesterday morning because I always eat an egg or some of a protein bar or something before I go. The appointment was at 9 a.m. so I thought I would be alright and could eat around 10. Didn't think it would take too long.
So I get in there and tell them I am hungry since I had to fast for the blood draw. I get sympathy clicks of the tongue from a few people. Pats on the shoulder from the Dr. herself, saying she is sorry, we will get tests done as fast as we can and I can go eat.
I have been having shortness of breath, chest tightness and burning and my heart often jumps around and gets out of rhythm. I am sick of it. Very annoying and freaky. The breathing thing started three or four months ago and happens many times a day and the heart jumping thing is just here and there. Heart problems run on my Dad's side. My Dad has a pace-maker, one of my brothers just went through some tests etc. So she ordered an EKG.
I went over for that and was calling Stud to tell him what was happening and asking if Clown was doing the school work I set out for him and letting Stud get work done. Right when he answered, the tech guy called me over. I basically hung up on Stud. The Tech could see I was flustered and was trying to get Stud to know that I had to go. So I hang up and the guy goes, "Is your insurance information still the same?? Same home address??"
I said yes and he said ok, that's all.
*sigh* Why didn't he just ask me quickly, or let me know I did not need to hang up on my husband for that.
So my Doc had said I could come back after the EKG and get results or go and eat since I was hungry and she would call me. I said I would see how I felt after the blood tests and EKG.
I had the EKG and was asking people at the lab about my blood tests. They said they had no orders to take any blood. So someone went back and asked my Doc. After a while they came out and said she is not sure who told me that, but they didn't need blood today.
WHAT!?!??? I skipped Curves and starved myself for nothing!!?!?!?!?
Then why did she pat my shoulder and say, "I understand" when I told her I may not come back and would go get some food??
So I decided I wanted to know the results. They also did a breathing test on me that they always do with my kids for their asthma. I don't have asthma, but I feel like I do when this dumb chest junk happens. The nurse said to go and get some food somewhere and come back in ten minutes.
So I went to a nearby Starbucks. I asked that my drink be 140 degrees instead of 160. I wanted to be able to drink it soon, and not wait for it to cool down, since I was pressed for time.
I always get sugar-free vanilla in it. More often than not, they try and charge me for something added on, instead of just a substitution, which is what it really is, of course. I have to watch closely and draw their attention to it. So I watched the little screen and it said "SUB Sugar-Free". Ok, I was feeling better about that and not worried. I noticed later, as I drove away with my HOT drink that I put a nice burn on my tongue, that I was charged 30 cents for sugar free vanilla!!! ARG! So great, I get starved, then have to pay extra just to burn my tongue and have them squirt syrup out of a different bottle. *sigh*
So I go back and wait a long time. The doc finally comes in and says that the EKG was fine, the breathing thing was fine. I am having panic attacks!?!?!?!?
I remember during one time driving and the breathing (or struggling for breathe) thing happened. I was thinking how I heard people who have panic attacks comment on that being one of the symptoms. I dismissed that as silly since I was not upset about anything. I reasoned that when I HAVE been upset, nothing like that has happened.
So when she said that, I was taken aback. She said something about neuro-chemical and how it just something amiss with the chemicals in my brain and the only way to manage it is to take medication for a while.
Good times.
She tried putting me on anti-depressants about a year ago, but I refused to take them. To me, all that would do is mask the problems. I need to learn to deal with the stuff and not just take meds. Slowly, I have gotten better. Stud and I's marriage improving (by us now communicating and me not feeling so alone in everything) has been a huge part of that, I am sure.
I asked her about my MRI results from this past fall. When I had that MRI on Princess's birthday, the Dr. office told me to go to a neurologist. I finally got in in November and she said she saw something on the MRI to indicate that I am prone to strokes?? All the horrible head aches, the few migraines and the weird vision things are from constricted blood vessels in my brain. She said to take aspirin every day to thin my blood and go for an annual MRI so they can keep an eye on this.
I was thinking of getting a second opinion and my mum said something about her health that caused me to wonder about the aspirin. So I was talking to one of my brothers a few months back and he reprimanded me for not taking the aspirin yet. He said Mum told him that I was being stubborn and not listening to the neurologist. I have just been busy and wanted a second opinion.
Anyway, my doc was reading me yesterday the results from what the neurologist said about the MRI and something about not "just" the white spots that are common in migraine. There is something that concerns them more. So I need to ask some more questions I guess. Kind of freaky. I have always been afeared of aneurysm and my kids finding me dead somewhere and being all helpless and unable to get help and being traumatized for life by something like that. Now every time I get these stupid stabbing, shooting pains in my head, I am scared of a stroke. But I don't think you get warning signs with that.
So I will try this stupid medicine for these "attacks" and take aspirin. Kind of weird. I have never had any health issues, except with my pregnancy with Cryptic, there was some stuff near the end there. Other than that, nothing. Oh, besides mild low thyroid and having to take meds every morning for that.
So this will take some getting used to.
Alrighty, a post about last weekend will be here shortly. I started this earlier this morning and had quite a day!! It is almost midnight and we have to get up and go to church.
Hope all is well with everyone out there!!!!
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
We are back!
Well, we made it back from Jock's hockey tournament safely. The kids are home from school again, because there is (GASP!) some more snow on the ground. This is just insane, I can't believe it.
The kids are loving it, all three of the kids who attend PS this year were begging for us to let them stay home no matter what. Even Jock, who LOVED public school at first is really tiring of it. He is bored. He gets all of his work done DAYS before the other kids and then spends his days running errands for the teachers.
Just wanted you all to know we are back and a story about the tournament will follow, I am sure. I am off for groceries and a pedicure. Not in that order, however.
Toodles!
The kids are loving it, all three of the kids who attend PS this year were begging for us to let them stay home no matter what. Even Jock, who LOVED public school at first is really tiring of it. He is bored. He gets all of his work done DAYS before the other kids and then spends his days running errands for the teachers.
Just wanted you all to know we are back and a story about the tournament will follow, I am sure. I am off for groceries and a pedicure. Not in that order, however.
Toodles!
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Afterthought
Before I say anything, I want to warn my parents that there are going to be photos of Davy in this one. If you are not ok with seeing them, stop now please:)
I should be packing and getting kids to bed. I got Princess settled, but all the boys are busy with various things, keeping out of trouble. So I will leave well enough alone. Stud left for his hockey game. Sure hope they win! Poor guy, they have not won one game all season!
After posting Cryptic's story, I got thinking more about my version of what happened. I plan to finally post my version soon. I hesitate because it involves putting thought into what happened and I have avoided that for all these months. I think of Davy daily, hourly even. However, it is all the wonderful memories, not the horrible minutes, hours, days and weeks after his death. I haven't allowed myself to go there, but I think I need to soon.
Anyway, as I thought of that, I thought it might be nice to show a photo of Davy. Also one of he and Cryptic together. The first one is of Davy in the Living Room at my parents' farm about a week before he died. You will note a much younger Clown in the background, talking to one of my brothers who is in a chair behind Davy, so you can't see him.
The red and blue mesh thing underneath Davy in the wheelchair was his "sling". That was what supported him while he was moved from room to room, into the tub, onto the bed, etc with the lift that Cryptic spoke of.
In this picture, Davy looks a tad surprised. That is cause he was! He was watching TV and I took him by surprise when I snapped the picture. He kind of jumped in his chair and I felt bad. I had a habit of doing that. I am can be very expressive and am quite loud much of the time. Poor guy! He was always jumping when I was around! I even made him cry sometimes, from scaring him too much. I felt so bad. The good part was, I got to rush over and kiss and cuddle and comfort him and soon he was much better and beaming his beautiful grin at me again!
Here is one of him in bed, with Cryptic standing beside him, holding his hand and talking. They were nine months apart in age and both got a kick out of Cryptic having an Uncle only nine months older than him!! There are many pictures of them together over the years, wearing matching PJ's, etc. None of those are digital, so I can't share them right now. This was taken on July 29th, 2005. Davy passed away in his sleep and my father found him early morning of August 2nd, 2005.
I was leaving soon to take my kids and two nieces back here. We were leaving for Calgary within the next few days and I suggested that Cryptic go in Davy's room and spend some time with him since things had been hectic and we had to leave soon.
Alright, better get these kids in bed. It is snowing up a storm here, seems to be snowing everywhere lately! The kids are excited, because they are sure they will miss school tomorrow!
I should be packing and getting kids to bed. I got Princess settled, but all the boys are busy with various things, keeping out of trouble. So I will leave well enough alone. Stud left for his hockey game. Sure hope they win! Poor guy, they have not won one game all season!
After posting Cryptic's story, I got thinking more about my version of what happened. I plan to finally post my version soon. I hesitate because it involves putting thought into what happened and I have avoided that for all these months. I think of Davy daily, hourly even. However, it is all the wonderful memories, not the horrible minutes, hours, days and weeks after his death. I haven't allowed myself to go there, but I think I need to soon.
Anyway, as I thought of that, I thought it might be nice to show a photo of Davy. Also one of he and Cryptic together. The first one is of Davy in the Living Room at my parents' farm about a week before he died. You will note a much younger Clown in the background, talking to one of my brothers who is in a chair behind Davy, so you can't see him.
The red and blue mesh thing underneath Davy in the wheelchair was his "sling". That was what supported him while he was moved from room to room, into the tub, onto the bed, etc with the lift that Cryptic spoke of.
In this picture, Davy looks a tad surprised. That is cause he was! He was watching TV and I took him by surprise when I snapped the picture. He kind of jumped in his chair and I felt bad. I had a habit of doing that. I am can be very expressive and am quite loud much of the time. Poor guy! He was always jumping when I was around! I even made him cry sometimes, from scaring him too much. I felt so bad. The good part was, I got to rush over and kiss and cuddle and comfort him and soon he was much better and beaming his beautiful grin at me again!
Here is one of him in bed, with Cryptic standing beside him, holding his hand and talking. They were nine months apart in age and both got a kick out of Cryptic having an Uncle only nine months older than him!! There are many pictures of them together over the years, wearing matching PJ's, etc. None of those are digital, so I can't share them right now. This was taken on July 29th, 2005. Davy passed away in his sleep and my father found him early morning of August 2nd, 2005.
I was leaving soon to take my kids and two nieces back here. We were leaving for Calgary within the next few days and I suggested that Cryptic go in Davy's room and spend some time with him since things had been hectic and we had to leave soon.
Alright, better get these kids in bed. It is snowing up a storm here, seems to be snowing everywhere lately! The kids are excited, because they are sure they will miss school tomorrow!
A Departed Heart
Alright, we are off tomorrow to small town BC for a hockey tournament with Jock's team. Won't be back until late Sunday. Busy packing, etc. Before we leave, I wanted to post this.
Cryptic finally e-mailed me this assignment that he wrote for a class at school. He got 100% on it, which surprised me. Don't get me wrong, I like it. The topic is great, but I am surprised at how disjointed it seems and I find it unorganised. It is clear that he just wrote things as he remembered them and didn't do even one rough draft or anything. He is NOT a perfectionist, that is for certain!
It is also interesting to see his perspective of the day we learned of Davy's death, how Davy was cared for during his life, etc. I find it fascinating how any given number of people take totally different experiences from the exact same occurrence.
He threw it together in one sitting at the computer, very last minute. I would not have given him 100% on it when *I* was his only teacher. Never the less, it is an emotional read and I love it and he said I could share. I need to edit it just a tad, where he used actual names of family members.
And I like the title he gave it:)
Enough preamble. Here it is, enjoy ~
A Departed Heart
Last summer my family lost someone we all loved. My Uncle David, or "Davy" as we called him. Davy was born with Cerebral Palsy, a sickness that makes the afflicted person unable to control speech or movement of their limbs. He had to sit in a wheelchair all day, when he wasn't laying in bed or standing in a standing board to watch TV. A few years before he died, my grandparents purchased a lift, which made it easier to carry him downstairs. He could sit in it and watch TV instead of being supported by his standing board. He affected everyone who met him in an extremely positive way. Despite his limitations he almost always had an infectious smile on his face.
My grandparents have been foster parents for 34 years now. They started taking care of Davy when he was 8 days old. They have had many foster children of course, but Davy always held a special place in their hearts. The doctors said he wouldn't live past a year. But he proved them wrong. He lived for 13 and a half years before he left us.
My grandparents adopted Davy on 07/28/00. They always enjoyed taking care of him. Until he was four years old they fed him by mouth. Unfortunately he aspirated food when he was fed this way. So they had to feed him with a feeding tube inserted into his stomach. He had to sleep with a specially made triangular shaped piece of foam. It was strapped between his legs so they would not "scissor" together.
Even though he could not speak, Davy still had his ways of communicating with us. He had what we called his "no face". He would do that pouting thing people sometimes do with his lower lip, to let us know he didn't like or want something. He could speak a few words however. Some of them were "yes" and "I love you". He could also sometimes say my mother's name and the name of one of my cousins. He sometimes said "mum" when he wanted my grandmother, and was in the hospital for one of his many surgeries.
My family has a tradition of visiting either my mother's or father's family during the summer. Last summer my mother drove my siblings and I to her parents' farm. My dad had to stay here and work. Davy did not seem as active or cheerful as he usually was. I attributed this to the fact that my grandparents had decided to move to a house in the city, in part because of my grandfather's Muscular Dystrophy. Also, even with the lift it was getting harder for them to transport Davy downstairs. They needed a house with no stairs, and couldn't keep traveling back and forth to the city, especially in the winter. So when Davy seemed a bit depressed when we got there, I hardly gave it any thought.
While we were visiting, we went to check out the house my grandparents would be moving to. We took Davy with us of course, since he would be moving there too, and we wanted him to see his room. While everyone walked around the house, I went into Davy's room and sat down because I was bored, and hadn't really wanted to come. After a bit my grandparents brought Davy in to show him his new room. It was painted blue which was Davy's favorite color, so we thought he would like it. But he seemed preoccupied and hardly seemed to care, no matter how much we commented on it.
My grandparents live in Saskatchewan, Canada. It is an 18 hour drive from our house in Washington, to their house in Saskatchewan. Because of this, we stop at my Uncle's house in Calgary, and stay with he and my Auntie for the night before continuing on to my grandparents' house. The same is true for going back. So when we were done visiting we headed back home. While we were staying at my Uncle's house I mostly played his Gamecube with one of my cousins and her friend.
That night I had trouble sleeping. I woke up about 5 times. My cousin also experienced problems getting to sleep. Around 5:30am the phone rang, and my uncle answered it. My cousin was sitting at the top of the stairs at this time. I was still trying to get to sleep, but then I heard crying. It was my cousin, and I instantly knew something was wrong. After a few moments, my mother came down and informed me that Davy had died in his sleep during the night. "No" I instantly said, and turned away. Of course you can't deny something forever. After a while, I don't know how long, I came upstairs. Everything is sort of confused after that. And what I can remember, I don't really want to talk about. All I know is that there was a lot of crying and phone calls.
At one point my mother went up to the room my younger siblings were in, and told them the horrible news. As my mother continued to cry, my 6 year old brother asked her to please be quiet. He lay there with his eyes closed. "What are you doing?" asked my mother, after a few moments. "I'm watching Davy. He asked God to shrink him so he could fit on the back of a bald eagle. I can see them flying through the sky right now", he whispered.
When my grandparents later heard this, they decided to have a bald eagle pictured on the cover of the bulletins for Davy's funeral. They also chose a blue coffin for his body, since it was his favorite color.
My dad flew up to Saskatchewan to be a pall bearer at the funeral. He also had to drive me and my siblings home, because my mother was so upset she had to fly home. We also took one of my cousins with us. Two of them had been going to return home with us, but Davy's unexpected death caused one of them to want to stay with my grandparents.
Looking back, there were signs that Davy would soon be leaving us. His unenthusiastic reaction to his new room, or the fact that he wasn't as happy as he usually was. Still there is nothing to be done about it now. Davy had gotten pneumonia shortly before his death, but I don't think that was the cause, or at least not the entire reason. I think God decided it was simply his time to come home. He had dealt with his Cerebral Palsy his entire life, and greatly influenced many people, changing them for the better. I believe that God was rewarding him for his years of service on this earth. And someday we'll all be able to join him.
Cryptic finally e-mailed me this assignment that he wrote for a class at school. He got 100% on it, which surprised me. Don't get me wrong, I like it. The topic is great, but I am surprised at how disjointed it seems and I find it unorganised. It is clear that he just wrote things as he remembered them and didn't do even one rough draft or anything. He is NOT a perfectionist, that is for certain!
It is also interesting to see his perspective of the day we learned of Davy's death, how Davy was cared for during his life, etc. I find it fascinating how any given number of people take totally different experiences from the exact same occurrence.
He threw it together in one sitting at the computer, very last minute. I would not have given him 100% on it when *I* was his only teacher. Never the less, it is an emotional read and I love it and he said I could share. I need to edit it just a tad, where he used actual names of family members.
And I like the title he gave it:)
Enough preamble. Here it is, enjoy ~
A Departed Heart
Last summer my family lost someone we all loved. My Uncle David, or "Davy" as we called him. Davy was born with Cerebral Palsy, a sickness that makes the afflicted person unable to control speech or movement of their limbs. He had to sit in a wheelchair all day, when he wasn't laying in bed or standing in a standing board to watch TV. A few years before he died, my grandparents purchased a lift, which made it easier to carry him downstairs. He could sit in it and watch TV instead of being supported by his standing board. He affected everyone who met him in an extremely positive way. Despite his limitations he almost always had an infectious smile on his face.
My grandparents have been foster parents for 34 years now. They started taking care of Davy when he was 8 days old. They have had many foster children of course, but Davy always held a special place in their hearts. The doctors said he wouldn't live past a year. But he proved them wrong. He lived for 13 and a half years before he left us.
My grandparents adopted Davy on 07/28/00. They always enjoyed taking care of him. Until he was four years old they fed him by mouth. Unfortunately he aspirated food when he was fed this way. So they had to feed him with a feeding tube inserted into his stomach. He had to sleep with a specially made triangular shaped piece of foam. It was strapped between his legs so they would not "scissor" together.
Even though he could not speak, Davy still had his ways of communicating with us. He had what we called his "no face". He would do that pouting thing people sometimes do with his lower lip, to let us know he didn't like or want something. He could speak a few words however. Some of them were "yes" and "I love you". He could also sometimes say my mother's name and the name of one of my cousins. He sometimes said "mum" when he wanted my grandmother, and was in the hospital for one of his many surgeries.
My family has a tradition of visiting either my mother's or father's family during the summer. Last summer my mother drove my siblings and I to her parents' farm. My dad had to stay here and work. Davy did not seem as active or cheerful as he usually was. I attributed this to the fact that my grandparents had decided to move to a house in the city, in part because of my grandfather's Muscular Dystrophy. Also, even with the lift it was getting harder for them to transport Davy downstairs. They needed a house with no stairs, and couldn't keep traveling back and forth to the city, especially in the winter. So when Davy seemed a bit depressed when we got there, I hardly gave it any thought.
While we were visiting, we went to check out the house my grandparents would be moving to. We took Davy with us of course, since he would be moving there too, and we wanted him to see his room. While everyone walked around the house, I went into Davy's room and sat down because I was bored, and hadn't really wanted to come. After a bit my grandparents brought Davy in to show him his new room. It was painted blue which was Davy's favorite color, so we thought he would like it. But he seemed preoccupied and hardly seemed to care, no matter how much we commented on it.
My grandparents live in Saskatchewan, Canada. It is an 18 hour drive from our house in Washington, to their house in Saskatchewan. Because of this, we stop at my Uncle's house in Calgary, and stay with he and my Auntie for the night before continuing on to my grandparents' house. The same is true for going back. So when we were done visiting we headed back home. While we were staying at my Uncle's house I mostly played his Gamecube with one of my cousins and her friend.
That night I had trouble sleeping. I woke up about 5 times. My cousin also experienced problems getting to sleep. Around 5:30am the phone rang, and my uncle answered it. My cousin was sitting at the top of the stairs at this time. I was still trying to get to sleep, but then I heard crying. It was my cousin, and I instantly knew something was wrong. After a few moments, my mother came down and informed me that Davy had died in his sleep during the night. "No" I instantly said, and turned away. Of course you can't deny something forever. After a while, I don't know how long, I came upstairs. Everything is sort of confused after that. And what I can remember, I don't really want to talk about. All I know is that there was a lot of crying and phone calls.
At one point my mother went up to the room my younger siblings were in, and told them the horrible news. As my mother continued to cry, my 6 year old brother asked her to please be quiet. He lay there with his eyes closed. "What are you doing?" asked my mother, after a few moments. "I'm watching Davy. He asked God to shrink him so he could fit on the back of a bald eagle. I can see them flying through the sky right now", he whispered.
When my grandparents later heard this, they decided to have a bald eagle pictured on the cover of the bulletins for Davy's funeral. They also chose a blue coffin for his body, since it was his favorite color.
My dad flew up to Saskatchewan to be a pall bearer at the funeral. He also had to drive me and my siblings home, because my mother was so upset she had to fly home. We also took one of my cousins with us. Two of them had been going to return home with us, but Davy's unexpected death caused one of them to want to stay with my grandparents.
Looking back, there were signs that Davy would soon be leaving us. His unenthusiastic reaction to his new room, or the fact that he wasn't as happy as he usually was. Still there is nothing to be done about it now. Davy had gotten pneumonia shortly before his death, but I don't think that was the cause, or at least not the entire reason. I think God decided it was simply his time to come home. He had dealt with his Cerebral Palsy his entire life, and greatly influenced many people, changing them for the better. I believe that God was rewarding him for his years of service on this earth. And someday we'll all be able to join him.
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Clown again
Alright, I have been debating writing about this. I just can't resist, I have to share this story. Clown would be mortified if he knew, but he doesn't need to know, now does he?? *rubbing hands together gleefully*
Yesterday morning, after he and I took Brom for a long walk, I noticed that Clown was holding his neck funny as he had a few weeks ago when he suffered from his first attack of Torticollis and I panicked inwardly for a moment. It was so horrible and I didn't want him suffering again.
When I asked him what he was doing, he said there was a lump on his neck and when he held it that way, he could feel it more easily. I asked him if it hurt and he said a little bit. He looked scared and very worried. I was trying to tell him maybe it was a lymph node that was swelling and that his body was trying to fight something off (of course later when I took him to the Dr., this was confirmed) and it was ok for that to be that way sometimes.
He didn't look convinced.
He looked at me with tears in his eyes and whispered in a very trepidatious voice, "Do you think it's a testicle??"
Yesterday morning, after he and I took Brom for a long walk, I noticed that Clown was holding his neck funny as he had a few weeks ago when he suffered from his first attack of Torticollis and I panicked inwardly for a moment. It was so horrible and I didn't want him suffering again.
When I asked him what he was doing, he said there was a lump on his neck and when he held it that way, he could feel it more easily. I asked him if it hurt and he said a little bit. He looked scared and very worried. I was trying to tell him maybe it was a lymph node that was swelling and that his body was trying to fight something off (of course later when I took him to the Dr., this was confirmed) and it was ok for that to be that way sometimes.
He didn't look convinced.
He looked at me with tears in his eyes and whispered in a very trepidatious voice, "Do you think it's a testicle??"
Monday, January 01, 2007
Sincerely
Just now I was snuggled in bed with Clown, tucking him in, discussing the holidays, the coming week, saying prayers etc. We often say the Lord's Prayer together and then do "regular" prayers, where he says what is on his mind, prays for certain people, etc etc.
Tonight, he put a new twist on it. He prayed a lovely prayer, thanking God for many things, and then he ended it with, "Sincerely, Clown." and then grinned an adorable tooth missing grin at me. I love this age where they are missing teeth.
Of course he doesn't know he is called Clown in here, so he said his true name. Which is actually his middle name, since he goes by his middle name and we don't usually use his first name. But I digress!
Ok, off to the next one...
Tonight, he put a new twist on it. He prayed a lovely prayer, thanking God for many things, and then he ended it with, "Sincerely, Clown." and then grinned an adorable tooth missing grin at me. I love this age where they are missing teeth.
Of course he doesn't know he is called Clown in here, so he said his true name. Which is actually his middle name, since he goes by his middle name and we don't usually use his first name. But I digress!
Ok, off to the next one...
New Years
Happy New Year everyone!!!
When the time switched over to the New Year, Jock was here on my computer playing his new hunting game that he bought with gift cards he received for Christmas.
Cryptic, Stud and I were in the Living Room watching some of the Everybody Loves Raymond DVDs I got.
Princess and Clown were down here in the Rec Room watching "A Christmas Story". They love how Ralphie swears. They rewind over and over again...*sigh*. I think they had fallen asleep by midnight, though.
I have many resolutions. I should write them down before I forget them!
One of them is to walk 20 minutes a day, rain or shine. So I had better get out there!
Hope everyone has a great year and thanks for visiting my little blog here:)
When the time switched over to the New Year, Jock was here on my computer playing his new hunting game that he bought with gift cards he received for Christmas.
Cryptic, Stud and I were in the Living Room watching some of the Everybody Loves Raymond DVDs I got.
Princess and Clown were down here in the Rec Room watching "A Christmas Story". They love how Ralphie swears. They rewind over and over again...*sigh*. I think they had fallen asleep by midnight, though.
I have many resolutions. I should write them down before I forget them!
One of them is to walk 20 minutes a day, rain or shine. So I had better get out there!
Hope everyone has a great year and thanks for visiting my little blog here:)
It is fun to have a girl and all these girly gifts.
This doll interacts with Princess and dances the same dance as she does. Or, she can also teach Princess and she can follow along with the doll.
Tea party with Daddy.
"Am I reduced to this?" Brom wonders.
Where are we going??
Tuckered out baby!
All these things from his stocking demanded that he play with them. When you are a baby, it really makes you sleepy:)
Good buddies!
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Cryptic and Princess got awesome stuff!
He got these cool puzzles from his Aunt and Uncle in South Carolina.
Thanks Poppa and Grandmama!
YAHOO!! Just what I wanted!! Santa REALLY brought me Baby Alive!
Gift time
Santa is amazing! He even left treats for the mice in their stockings!
Our little builder got something COOL from his grandparents in South Carolina!
Pizza for Santa
Clown discovered in the bonus features of our "The Santa Clause" movie with Tim Allen that Wolfgang Puck suggests making pizza for Santa. He informed us that Santa is tired of milk and cookies. Clown asked that I watch with him and sure enough. There was Wolfy making Pizza for Santa! Was very cute.
It was extremely important to Clown that we shake things up a bit this year and make Santa some pizza. I told him I did not have time for the home made crust, etc and we would buy pre made ones. He was fine with that and was pleased to make this to set out for Santa on Christmas Eve.
Clown and Cryptic
Clown got Cryptic's name in the gift exchange that they do. Cryptic is obviously very pleased with the Bionicle Set that Clown got for him. As I have mentioned, Clown does not like to leave the house. He went shopping for his older brother some weeks ago, but could find nothing that was within the price range.
He has over $40 saved up and insisted on spending more than the limit on Cryptic. I refused to let him, explaining how that is not fair to the sibs who can't afford to do that. He was at such a loss, that he ended up just paying me some money from his wallet for something Stud and I had hidden away in the closet to be for Cryptic. He was sad because he did not get to actually purchase it himself and chose it, but he seemed a bit relieved also at the ease of his "shopping trip".
Note that he actually DOES have clothes on. He wore that to our Christmas Eve Candlelight service at church, if you can imagine. It was all I could do to get him out of his PJs, so I did not insist that he wear something more festive. You have to learn to pick your battles, as all of you parents out there know!!
Christmas Photos
Alright, I am undecided about what to do. I have many photos I want to share, but don't want a long, drawn out post. I think I will post one or two in a separate post. The problem with that is that people will see them backwards...hmmm...what a pickle.
As I sit down here in our Rec Room, I am amazed at how loud a young boy and his puppy can be while they play on the main floor of the house, above me. Sheeshkies!
Ok, I guess maybe I can start with the most recent and work my way to the earliest...wow, I can't believe how I am stressing about this...ah who cares, right?? I will just start with Christmas Eve and work from there. Ok, here we go...
We have a tradition of opening one gift on Christmas Eve and Jock chose this new hockey helmet from Stud's parents.
Princess got a wee table and chairs for tea parties with her friends. Jock was pleased to partake and have his little sister serve him.
As I sit down here in our Rec Room, I am amazed at how loud a young boy and his puppy can be while they play on the main floor of the house, above me. Sheeshkies!
Ok, I guess maybe I can start with the most recent and work my way to the earliest...wow, I can't believe how I am stressing about this...ah who cares, right?? I will just start with Christmas Eve and work from there. Ok, here we go...
We have a tradition of opening one gift on Christmas Eve and Jock chose this new hockey helmet from Stud's parents.
Princess got a wee table and chairs for tea parties with her friends. Jock was pleased to partake and have his little sister serve him.
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Christmas Message
This is from our family, to you.
Go here to see something we put together yesterday.
Sorry that it is so dark and the audio is off a little. Still, turned out cute I think.
Clown and Princess already knew a few verses in the NIV version, but Cryptic prefers King James, the same as Stud and I. Jock doesn't care either way and just recites what we tell him. Man, you should see the bloopers from this thing! Cryptic got all hyper (which DOESN'T happen) and it took him twenty minutes at one point to spit out ONE verse! LOL
Clown chose not to change out of his PJ's. He didn't even want to leave the house to go shopping for the gift he needed to buy for Cryptic, even though he was SO excited to buy it. He is a definitely my son! Princess was also in her jammies and decided later to change into a dress.
So there you are. We wish all of you and your's a wonderful, happy, peaceful holiday with lots of food, love and laughter. Notice I said food first:) That was on purpose. Teehee
Go here to see something we put together yesterday.
Sorry that it is so dark and the audio is off a little. Still, turned out cute I think.
Clown and Princess already knew a few verses in the NIV version, but Cryptic prefers King James, the same as Stud and I. Jock doesn't care either way and just recites what we tell him. Man, you should see the bloopers from this thing! Cryptic got all hyper (which DOESN'T happen) and it took him twenty minutes at one point to spit out ONE verse! LOL
Clown chose not to change out of his PJ's. He didn't even want to leave the house to go shopping for the gift he needed to buy for Cryptic, even though he was SO excited to buy it. He is a definitely my son! Princess was also in her jammies and decided later to change into a dress.
So there you are. We wish all of you and your's a wonderful, happy, peaceful holiday with lots of food, love and laughter. Notice I said food first:) That was on purpose. Teehee
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Tag - You're all it!
Ok, Lara tagged me.
It is called "Six Weird Things about Me" but since I am a total freak, I have MORE than six things:) LOL So I am going to do a few more. Whoever wants to join in this, feel free. I will tag Tim, Library Mama, L, Vince, Jude, Dooney, Sillygirl and Claire. If I did not tag you, don't worry. Feel free to do it and please let me know so that I can enjoy reading it. Do as many as you want.
Seven Weird Things about Me ~
1) I sometimes sleep on my tummy with my legs bent at the knee and the lower legs sticking up toward the ceiling. I don't do this on purpose and am never aware of it. Stud has discovered me that way a few times over the years and it freaks him out! Clown is the only one of our kids who also does it. That we know of.
2) I can't stand ANYTHING on my feet, or at least for my feet to be completely covered. I wear thongs (Flip Flops to some of you) outdoors as often as I can, bare feet inside. Bare feet outside weather permitting. Once in a blue moon I will put on a pair of fuzzy socks if the floors are really cold. This usually lasts about three minutes before my feet are suddenly hot and the socks must come off INSTANTLY. I have been known to have my hands full of something and screech at someone who is near to quickly rip the socks off for me if I cannot get to them. I usually just step on them with opposite feet and pull them off that way.
3) I have my own odd language that I mutter and/or squeal at random times. I can't actually control it very well most of the time and it really embarrasses Jock. It usually happens when I see a baby or an animal. It is a baby talk that has evolved into...I don't have a word for it. Some find it endearing, others find it bizarre. My kids love to decipher it and are learning it quite well. Jock can actually imitate it quite well. He hates when it happens out in public, but seems to love it here at home!
4) I am insanely ticklish. As in if you tickle me, prepare to be injured. I cannot control my flailing limbs.
5) I am very anti-social. If I could survive without leaving the house/neighbourhood for weeks, I would. I would be happy as a clam, sitting in the house, playing games with my kids, surfing the net, baking, painting, reading, going for an occasional walk, etc etc for weeks on end. BUT NO!! Life dictates that I must leave to get food, library books, take kids/animals to the Dr., and on and on it goes. *sigh*
6) Along those same lines, I despise shopping. If Stud would go and get all the things that we need to run the household, I would be in heaven. I can't stand having to go into stores and search for the things I need. The odd thing about it, is I am actually very friendly and strike up conversations with total strangers. See?? I am weird! LOL
7) I talk to myself constantly. I am becoming my mother and my mother-in-law. Or maybe I always was?? I have never understood why both of those women are ALWAYS TALKING out loud, just muttering about what they have to do and where they need to go and every detail of every move they are making. I am not sure why I do it, but I try not to. Just today, I was saying something to no one in particular and Jock was nearby. I forget his exact words, but he basically asked why I feel the need to mutter about what I am doing. Which gave me the idea for this list.
Well, seven then. I guess I can't think of any others. I will leave you all with a link to Princess's ballet recital on the 9th. She is on the end there, it should be obvious. Don't pay any attention to or even LOOK AT those other kids. The ones that we didn't get their parents' permission to post this. Pretend you don't see those cute kids, just focus on the cute small one on the end, ok?? Thanks!! :)
Go here to see something really cute! Princess was totally lost, she had missed too many lessons. I will post the ones from last spring soon. She was much more focused then. I love when they mess up. SO CUTE! Makes it much more fun:)
Peace out for now!
It is called "Six Weird Things about Me" but since I am a total freak, I have MORE than six things:) LOL So I am going to do a few more. Whoever wants to join in this, feel free. I will tag Tim, Library Mama, L, Vince, Jude, Dooney, Sillygirl and Claire. If I did not tag you, don't worry. Feel free to do it and please let me know so that I can enjoy reading it. Do as many as you want.
Seven Weird Things about Me ~
1) I sometimes sleep on my tummy with my legs bent at the knee and the lower legs sticking up toward the ceiling. I don't do this on purpose and am never aware of it. Stud has discovered me that way a few times over the years and it freaks him out! Clown is the only one of our kids who also does it. That we know of.
2) I can't stand ANYTHING on my feet, or at least for my feet to be completely covered. I wear thongs (Flip Flops to some of you) outdoors as often as I can, bare feet inside. Bare feet outside weather permitting. Once in a blue moon I will put on a pair of fuzzy socks if the floors are really cold. This usually lasts about three minutes before my feet are suddenly hot and the socks must come off INSTANTLY. I have been known to have my hands full of something and screech at someone who is near to quickly rip the socks off for me if I cannot get to them. I usually just step on them with opposite feet and pull them off that way.
3) I have my own odd language that I mutter and/or squeal at random times. I can't actually control it very well most of the time and it really embarrasses Jock. It usually happens when I see a baby or an animal. It is a baby talk that has evolved into...I don't have a word for it. Some find it endearing, others find it bizarre. My kids love to decipher it and are learning it quite well. Jock can actually imitate it quite well. He hates when it happens out in public, but seems to love it here at home!
4) I am insanely ticklish. As in if you tickle me, prepare to be injured. I cannot control my flailing limbs.
5) I am very anti-social. If I could survive without leaving the house/neighbourhood for weeks, I would. I would be happy as a clam, sitting in the house, playing games with my kids, surfing the net, baking, painting, reading, going for an occasional walk, etc etc for weeks on end. BUT NO!! Life dictates that I must leave to get food, library books, take kids/animals to the Dr., and on and on it goes. *sigh*
6) Along those same lines, I despise shopping. If Stud would go and get all the things that we need to run the household, I would be in heaven. I can't stand having to go into stores and search for the things I need. The odd thing about it, is I am actually very friendly and strike up conversations with total strangers. See?? I am weird! LOL
7) I talk to myself constantly. I am becoming my mother and my mother-in-law. Or maybe I always was?? I have never understood why both of those women are ALWAYS TALKING out loud, just muttering about what they have to do and where they need to go and every detail of every move they are making. I am not sure why I do it, but I try not to. Just today, I was saying something to no one in particular and Jock was nearby. I forget his exact words, but he basically asked why I feel the need to mutter about what I am doing. Which gave me the idea for this list.
Well, seven then. I guess I can't think of any others. I will leave you all with a link to Princess's ballet recital on the 9th. She is on the end there, it should be obvious. Don't pay any attention to or even LOOK AT those other kids. The ones that we didn't get their parents' permission to post this. Pretend you don't see those cute kids, just focus on the cute small one on the end, ok?? Thanks!! :)
Go here to see something really cute! Princess was totally lost, she had missed too many lessons. I will post the ones from last spring soon. She was much more focused then. I love when they mess up. SO CUTE! Makes it much more fun:)
Peace out for now!
At Long Last
I am pleased with it. Keep in mind, this is a photo OF a photo. The original is very clear and crisp.
Cryptic is not happy with this one. He said, "Mum, it looks like I'm ON something."
I said, "As long as you aren't, we are good."
I am going to look through the Santa photos from previous years and see if I can post any.
I hope to also post about Cryptic, FINALLY. There won't be as many photos as I had hoped, but you will get the idea of how much he has changed. Used to be blondish, if you can imagine. Amazing how quickly they grow and change. Well, in Cryptic's case, he doesn't grow much. But he DOES change a lot!
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Torticollis
Look here if you want, to see what Clown and I suffer from. I can't imagine an injury that he would have sustained, but Mum and I have a theory as to why mine originally started happening. I will dedicate a post to that fascinating story soon.
Here are a few more precious photos of our two youngest. Now I am off to Curves and will post a mouth watering recipe later on!
Peace out!
Monday, December 18, 2006
Weekend
We have had horrible winds and many people are without power. We had no internet connection from Thursday until last night.
Brain will now be called Cryptic. I will change it over on the side soon.
So I spent Friday in the kitchen all day. I had a cookie exchange to go to that night and had to make 8 dozen cookies. I will post the recipe soon, they are our ultimate favourite cookie, EVER. My kids can be picky, even when it comes to sweets. This is one cookie that they all beg for.
My feet hurt SO BAD by the time I had to leave for the exchange. My legs too. I have had bizarre right ankle issues of late, as well as a cyst on the back of my left knee. Normally it doesn't bother me, but if I walk too much or stand all day, it is painfully obvious and tends to swell up. This was the case on Friday.
While I was making the cookies, one of Cryptic's best friends EVER called and wanted to come over for the weekend. So his parents brought him, along with his 5 month old foster sister. They started fostering this year. She has asked me about it over the years and said my parents are an inspiration to her. We had a short visit and the plan was to take Brain and J (afore mentioned friend) to "Eragon" that night, since it just came out. I was going to pop in to the exchange, leave my cookies, collect my cookies and take the boys to the movie.
They ended up changing their minds and staying here to watch the latest Pirates movie that we just bought. So I stayed at the exchange and actually socialized with some women. That was nice and it was REALLY nice to sit and rest my feet.
Brom kept me up a bit in the night, but he is getting better every night. On Saturday...I can't remember. Ah yes, I took Cryptic and J to the movie and we shopped a bit. When I came home, I was pleasantly surprised to see that Stud had done some things outside. The wind storm had knocked some of the tiles off of our roof all around and he went up there to fix those. He also plugged in and hooked up some new holiday decorations that we got this year. Candy canes that light the pathway to the front door, etc. Looking very nice, now all we need is some snow! I wish we had gotten those set up a few weeks ago when we got that gorgeous snow!
We ordered pizza and Stud went shopping. Many calls home to check in with me later, he has gotten almost all of it done. Just needs another thing for Cryptic and some things for me, and we are finished. We have some left to wrap but we are close to done, so that is nice. A week from today, the kids are going to be very pleased with what they are getting. We got them one small thing each and then Santa gets them three. Of course Stud went over on Jock, so each of the others will get a bit more now. We try to spend the same amount and then keeping them getting the same number of gifts is hard. Jock and Cryptic are harder, since they are older. We could spend $40 on each of the other two and get them four of five things they would be very happy with. That same amount would get the older two ONE thing, perhaps two. Makes things tricky and one needs to tap into their creative side, I find. So I left it up to Stud this year! LOL
Sunday morning, we were awakened at about 4 or 5 A.M. to poor wee Clown standing at the side of our bed, gasping in pain and holding his head in an awkward position. Something was wrong with his neck. If we held him against us and shuffled along, it was manageable, but if we let go of his head and neck, he screamed and was in agony. I got up so suddenly and in such a panic that as I was holding him and trying to figure out what to do, I was suddenly extremely nauseous. I was very shaky and thought I may vomit on my poor boy's head.
I had Stud come over and get him held against him and I ran to the bathroom. I was dripping in sweat and freezing cold and was sure that I was going to erupt all kinds of fluids from both ends. Most odd. I actually did a few dry heaves, which brought back horrid memories of pregnancy, and then it passed and I was fine. Lasted all of two minutes.
So we somehow got Clown settled on the couch in a position that was least painful, with his neck on a heating pad and we all got some more sleep. Stud and Jock got up and went to Jock's hockey game, that I wanted to go to but thought I should stay home with Clown. Good thing I did, things got worse and the child was screaming. I took him to the walk-in clinic. It was very difficult to get him in his seat in the van and he screamed the entire way. I tried to prop things up against his neck and shoulder, but by the time we got there, he was actually laying in a freaky pose and screaming at the top of his lungs. It would be funny, if he was not in such pain and if I did not feel so helpless. I carried him in, with his head propped against my chest. He calmed down a bit, but when I had to put him down to sign him in, etc, the screaming started again. There was no pressure against his neck.
A sweet young man sat with him, patted his leg and kept on calling him "Big Guy", telling him that his mother would be right back. He was so sweet, telling Clown the same things I had been saying, but coming from this "cool" guy, it seemed to really mean something. Asked Clown's name, told him his, etc etc. I was so grateful and told him so when I was able to come over and hold Clown again. Clown had been concerned before we left that he would make a spectacle of himself once in the office, and he was trying to tone things down. He was ashamed that he was still in his PJs but I explained that happens sometimes, no worries, no one would mind.
Long story short, he has a hereditary thing...can't remember the name. He has always suffered from what we thought were horrible growing pains, but it turns out it is this muscle issue. Starts with a "T" and I have suffered from it over the years. Always in my neck, as it has now manifested itself in Clown. Lasts a few days with me typically. Really is terribly painful and I could relate and knew how he felt. I was 18 when it first started, however. Not seven. So that is no good. It happens to me every few years, sometimes a few times a year.
Once we got that sorted out and got him medicated and settled, Stud, Jock, Princess and I went to Jock's hockey Christmas party. Stud had totally forgotten about it and called me on the way home from the game! *sigh* Not only did he forget that, but he didn't tell me about the gift exchange. So we took cookies from my cookie exchange Friday night, and had a great time at the party. Played Dodge Ball, threw frisbees, etc. The food was yummy and I showed off pictures of the new puppy. I did not want to leave Cryptic and J watching Clown for long, but they did great. They did their gift exchange and Jock sat back and watched, smiling and having a good time seeing what everyone else got. I was not impressed, but it didn't phase him at all, so that is great. I asked Stud about it. He said he knew about it, but chose not to participate. *sigh* again. Why not ask Jock?? He has his own spending money, may have been something fun for him to do. Oh, he is cleaning here in the Rec Room and I just asked him if it bothered him. He says yes it did. "Dad never told me". Ah well, worse things can happen. I feel like he was robbed of a fun experience for no reason. What do you think of THAT, Stud?? LOL
Poor Stud is sick:( Princess is a little bit also, but the rest of us are fine so far!
After the party, Stud went to sleep and I took J home. He had a small group gathering to go to with his parents and sisters and then had to babysit his ten year old sister and the foster baby while his parents went to a Christmas Production at another church. I visited with them a bit and then rushed home to wake Stud and drive him to his hockey game. Silly man. He is sick, but insists on playing hockey! Took Jock with me and Cryptic stayed with the puppy and younger two kids. They lost and Stud took a puck to the jaw AND a stick to the jaw! A friend of our's (Jock's team's head coach) was on the other team and they totally slaughtered Stud's team. What a night!
I will add some pictures and then need to help the kids clean. This house is a total pig sty and we don't want wee Brom choking on anything laying around.
Look at this face! I know you all want one!
I hope to catch up on all your blogs very soon! Happy Holidays!
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Surprise!
Well, I am running on not much sleep. The new addition to our family kept me up most of the night.
Yes, you read correctly. The reason I could not post (aside from it being a chaotic time of year anyway) was that I left on Friday for my home country.
I drove to Vancouver, left the car in extended parking and flew to Calgary. Two of my brothers picked me up and I spent the weekend there playing with my nephew. He will be six months old on the 20th and the little (HUGE) guy weighs over 22 lbs! And can I just say he is CUTE!?!? They gave me a 5X7 photo of him dressed as Tarzan, holding a stuffed monkey. I wish SO BAD that I could post it on here, but alas. They are firm on no posting pics of him. Goofs. Teehee You may recall that I went up there this past June when he was born and helped them out with him. Man, has he changed!
Our oldest brother and a good friend of his from high school (who had come with him to Calgary) drove me to my parents'. Was nice to chat and catch up with them. Mum and Dad were at a potluck with one of their grief groups when I got there, so I called my other brother, Sean (the only one I would not see since he is staying in South Dakota for the holidays) and spent a few hours on the phone with him. My oldest brother had to drop me and drive to Northern Saskatchewan. He is a social worker up there and had to be at work Monday morning of course.
Was lovely to see my parents again! I have not seen them for a year, when we went up last Christmas. They are doing much better than they were this time last year. They let me listen to my brother's radio interview about his book on the CBC. Sean was sent a copy and I want other people to get to listen, but we are not allowed to make copies. Sean just lets my parents have it. Was very cool to hear him, he did a great job!
Monday morning, we packed up their three week old foster baby and they took me to my friend C's house. You may recall from posts last January that C came for a visit. She had NO IDEA that I was coming and thought that she was just going out for coffee with my parents. Needless to say, she was pretty shocked when I showed up and my parents dropped us at the Mall. We borrowed a wheelchair at the mall and I spent the day with her, shopping and wheeling her about. She was concerned it would be hard on me as it was almost a year ago when I saw her and bring back flashbacks of pushing my baby brother in his wheelchair. I did much better this time and we had a great day!! The best of all was seeing her.
That night Mum and I went to another of their grief groups while Dad stayed home with the baby. I had gone last year also and it was nice to see some of the people again. Most of them have lost spouses, but we are all there to help each other. I don't know, and my parents agree, how they would have survived the death of my brother without these wonderful groups!
Tuesday was my parents' 42nd Wedding anniversary. We spent the day shopping together and had a great day. We went out to eat that night at one of our favourite restaurants and had a great talk. We all cried a little bit as we spoke of my baby brother and laughed remembering times with him. It was very healing for me. I was not strong enough to go this past summer for the one year anniversary of his death, but was felt stronger now and had a real need to be with my parents.
Yesterday morning, we went out to near the town I grew up three miles North of. The very town that my brother's latest book is set in. One my Mum's best friends breeds dogs and my parents helped pay for a puppy for our kids for Christmas. Here is our latest addition:
This was the surprise I was talking about, Jude! Isn't he PRECIOUS!?!?
His name is Brom. We think. Not definite, that is another story. He did SO WELL. He was taken from his mother and in a box in the kitchen of the house. We visited and had some tea, then I put him in the bag I bought for him and took him to my parents' house. My little brother's dog played with him and he tried to nurse from her. She set him straight! Was so cute.
From there, he was taken to the Saskatoon airport. I had to get an Iced Capp from Tim Horton's and when I sat to drink it, I noticed the wee lad had upchucked a bit in the bag. Likely from nerves (what a day already for the poor thing!) and being carried around. That would make me sick too!!!
On the plane, I worried that he was dead. He was SO QUIET and good. A woman who works in the pet industry and was on a business trip gave him a free bag of puppy treats. Everyone gushed all over him and he just sat in his bag, blinking around at the people. We stopped in Edmonton (hi JUDE!!) and stayed on the plane. I let him onto my lap for a bit and a steward brought him some water. Then it was off to Vancouver. Once I got the shuttle to the car and got him settled, I brought him onto my lap. I actually started crying, I was so moved by how brave he was. I had not heard a peep from him yet! I was crying a bit and feeling foolish, kissing him all over his little face and telling him how brave he was, being taken from his Mum and flying/driving all over the place. He cuddled with me for a bit, I gave him more water and some of his food. I put him back in the bag on the floor on the passenger side and as I was backing out, he started in! Just a few whimpers. HOW CUTE! I felt bad for him, but man does it sound cute!
He slept most of the drive home and was sound asleep crossing the border in Washington State. Sillygirl, if you are reading this, I always think of you every time I am in that area. Vancouver, and driving South to the border.
So there we go. The kids were totally shocked. Stud videotaped them seeing him for the first time and it was CUTE! Clown's jaw dropped and he kept on repeating, "NO WAY!! NO WAY!!!"
He did pretty well, got me up about six times during the night. He went potty each time and drank some water some of the times. Finally at about 6:30, I laid with him on the couch, but by then he wanted to play. I played with him a bit and then took him down to Jock's room two minutes before his alarm went off. I set him by Jock's face and when he sniffed Jock's nose, he jumped and looked shocked! LOL I felt bad, but right when he saw the puppy, his face lit up and he grabbed him and they cuddled for a few minutes:)
Brain says he is quitting public school so that he can stay home with the puppy. I said no, he isn't. He begged and begged and I nipped that right in the bud. Princess carried him up to the school in her jacket, I didn't have the camera with me, but took of picture of he and Clown right when we got back from dropping Princess.
As if there was not enough excitement around here with the holidays!
Stud was awesome when I was gone. Getting the kids to school, cleaning, cooking, doing laundry, getting Princess to the salon to get her hair done and then on to her ballet recital, sending me and my family photos AND video of it, getting Jock to hockey a few times as well as his band concert, getting them to church, and somehow getting his full time job done as well! I am VERY impressed and VERY appreciative. He is getting some awesome Christmas gifts, that is FOR SURE! LOL
Ok, I need to go find more school work for Clown to do, he has finished what i set out for him. I also have to get ready to bake seven dozen cookies for a cookie exchange I have tomorrow night. I will publish comments from my other post soon. Still have not caught up on e-mail.
I loved seeing some of my family, but it sure is good to be back here with Stud and the kids!!!
Yes, you read correctly. The reason I could not post (aside from it being a chaotic time of year anyway) was that I left on Friday for my home country.
I drove to Vancouver, left the car in extended parking and flew to Calgary. Two of my brothers picked me up and I spent the weekend there playing with my nephew. He will be six months old on the 20th and the little (HUGE) guy weighs over 22 lbs! And can I just say he is CUTE!?!? They gave me a 5X7 photo of him dressed as Tarzan, holding a stuffed monkey. I wish SO BAD that I could post it on here, but alas. They are firm on no posting pics of him. Goofs. Teehee You may recall that I went up there this past June when he was born and helped them out with him. Man, has he changed!
Our oldest brother and a good friend of his from high school (who had come with him to Calgary) drove me to my parents'. Was nice to chat and catch up with them. Mum and Dad were at a potluck with one of their grief groups when I got there, so I called my other brother, Sean (the only one I would not see since he is staying in South Dakota for the holidays) and spent a few hours on the phone with him. My oldest brother had to drop me and drive to Northern Saskatchewan. He is a social worker up there and had to be at work Monday morning of course.
Was lovely to see my parents again! I have not seen them for a year, when we went up last Christmas. They are doing much better than they were this time last year. They let me listen to my brother's radio interview about his book on the CBC. Sean was sent a copy and I want other people to get to listen, but we are not allowed to make copies. Sean just lets my parents have it. Was very cool to hear him, he did a great job!
Monday morning, we packed up their three week old foster baby and they took me to my friend C's house. You may recall from posts last January that C came for a visit. She had NO IDEA that I was coming and thought that she was just going out for coffee with my parents. Needless to say, she was pretty shocked when I showed up and my parents dropped us at the Mall. We borrowed a wheelchair at the mall and I spent the day with her, shopping and wheeling her about. She was concerned it would be hard on me as it was almost a year ago when I saw her and bring back flashbacks of pushing my baby brother in his wheelchair. I did much better this time and we had a great day!! The best of all was seeing her.
That night Mum and I went to another of their grief groups while Dad stayed home with the baby. I had gone last year also and it was nice to see some of the people again. Most of them have lost spouses, but we are all there to help each other. I don't know, and my parents agree, how they would have survived the death of my brother without these wonderful groups!
Tuesday was my parents' 42nd Wedding anniversary. We spent the day shopping together and had a great day. We went out to eat that night at one of our favourite restaurants and had a great talk. We all cried a little bit as we spoke of my baby brother and laughed remembering times with him. It was very healing for me. I was not strong enough to go this past summer for the one year anniversary of his death, but was felt stronger now and had a real need to be with my parents.
Yesterday morning, we went out to near the town I grew up three miles North of. The very town that my brother's latest book is set in. One my Mum's best friends breeds dogs and my parents helped pay for a puppy for our kids for Christmas. Here is our latest addition:
This was the surprise I was talking about, Jude! Isn't he PRECIOUS!?!?
His name is Brom. We think. Not definite, that is another story. He did SO WELL. He was taken from his mother and in a box in the kitchen of the house. We visited and had some tea, then I put him in the bag I bought for him and took him to my parents' house. My little brother's dog played with him and he tried to nurse from her. She set him straight! Was so cute.
From there, he was taken to the Saskatoon airport. I had to get an Iced Capp from Tim Horton's and when I sat to drink it, I noticed the wee lad had upchucked a bit in the bag. Likely from nerves (what a day already for the poor thing!) and being carried around. That would make me sick too!!!
On the plane, I worried that he was dead. He was SO QUIET and good. A woman who works in the pet industry and was on a business trip gave him a free bag of puppy treats. Everyone gushed all over him and he just sat in his bag, blinking around at the people. We stopped in Edmonton (hi JUDE!!) and stayed on the plane. I let him onto my lap for a bit and a steward brought him some water. Then it was off to Vancouver. Once I got the shuttle to the car and got him settled, I brought him onto my lap. I actually started crying, I was so moved by how brave he was. I had not heard a peep from him yet! I was crying a bit and feeling foolish, kissing him all over his little face and telling him how brave he was, being taken from his Mum and flying/driving all over the place. He cuddled with me for a bit, I gave him more water and some of his food. I put him back in the bag on the floor on the passenger side and as I was backing out, he started in! Just a few whimpers. HOW CUTE! I felt bad for him, but man does it sound cute!
He slept most of the drive home and was sound asleep crossing the border in Washington State. Sillygirl, if you are reading this, I always think of you every time I am in that area. Vancouver, and driving South to the border.
So there we go. The kids were totally shocked. Stud videotaped them seeing him for the first time and it was CUTE! Clown's jaw dropped and he kept on repeating, "NO WAY!! NO WAY!!!"
He did pretty well, got me up about six times during the night. He went potty each time and drank some water some of the times. Finally at about 6:30, I laid with him on the couch, but by then he wanted to play. I played with him a bit and then took him down to Jock's room two minutes before his alarm went off. I set him by Jock's face and when he sniffed Jock's nose, he jumped and looked shocked! LOL I felt bad, but right when he saw the puppy, his face lit up and he grabbed him and they cuddled for a few minutes:)
Brain says he is quitting public school so that he can stay home with the puppy. I said no, he isn't. He begged and begged and I nipped that right in the bud. Princess carried him up to the school in her jacket, I didn't have the camera with me, but took of picture of he and Clown right when we got back from dropping Princess.
As if there was not enough excitement around here with the holidays!
Stud was awesome when I was gone. Getting the kids to school, cleaning, cooking, doing laundry, getting Princess to the salon to get her hair done and then on to her ballet recital, sending me and my family photos AND video of it, getting Jock to hockey a few times as well as his band concert, getting them to church, and somehow getting his full time job done as well! I am VERY impressed and VERY appreciative. He is getting some awesome Christmas gifts, that is FOR SURE! LOL
Ok, I need to go find more school work for Clown to do, he has finished what i set out for him. I also have to get ready to bake seven dozen cookies for a cookie exchange I have tomorrow night. I will publish comments from my other post soon. Still have not caught up on e-mail.
I loved seeing some of my family, but it sure is good to be back here with Stud and the kids!!!
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Craziness!!
Sheesh! I still have not posted about Brain's birthday, the Christmas Tree photos, or told any news.
I haven't replied on my favourite blogs. Actually, I have not read most of my favourite blogs.
Been trying to bake, wrap, shop, decorate, plan, etc etc.
I will not be able to post ANYTHING for about a week. Far too busy.
Something lovely to share ~ Stud has let me sleep in two mornings in a row and I have been awakened gently to a freshly made latte with our new toy. He is getting very good at using it and I am enjoying my treats. I am also LOVING him working from home and being so sweet about helping with the kids, taking Princess up to school, etc etc. In the past, he would have complained bitterly. But he is being so sweet and helpful, it is a dream come true!!!
So I shall leave you all with a few photos from the decorating of the tree. The Santa picture turned out GORGEOUS, but the picture we took of it is sideways and I dunno how to fix that and post it. Maybe Stud can do that for me soon.
Trust that all is well and I look forward to catching up with everyone soon!
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Out of the Mouths of Babes
This morning I was helping in Princess's class at school.
I was working with the kids counting pennies as well as writing letters to Santa. When I asked a class-mate of her's to call Princess over because it was her turn, of course the child went to where Princess was and tapped her shoulder. He said, "Your Mom says to go over there."
Princess sighed and acted all put out, put her pencil down and came over with a shy grin. She had to hug me of course, and then she sat and we got to work. As she did her assignment, I was admiring her and noticed something in her hair. Upon further inspection, it was clear that she had oatmeal from her breakfast in her hair! LOL
I started picking it out gently and whispered to her what I was doing. She looked horrified, and whispered back, "It sure is a good thing none of my friends saw that in there. That would have taken away my popularity!"
I didn't even know that she knew the word, let alone how to use it properly!
I was working with the kids counting pennies as well as writing letters to Santa. When I asked a class-mate of her's to call Princess over because it was her turn, of course the child went to where Princess was and tapped her shoulder. He said, "Your Mom says to go over there."
Princess sighed and acted all put out, put her pencil down and came over with a shy grin. She had to hug me of course, and then she sat and we got to work. As she did her assignment, I was admiring her and noticed something in her hair. Upon further inspection, it was clear that she had oatmeal from her breakfast in her hair! LOL
I started picking it out gently and whispered to her what I was doing. She looked horrified, and whispered back, "It sure is a good thing none of my friends saw that in there. That would have taken away my popularity!"
I didn't even know that she knew the word, let alone how to use it properly!
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