Nice, relaxing morning. I don't have anywhere I HAVE to be at in the next couple of hours. What a difference. The Kiddo is sacked out on the floor under her "mennie" (what she calls her blanket, I have no idea why) and I have spent coffee time surfing some of my favorite sites. I solemnly swear that soon, I mean it, soon, I will figure out how to add links on the side, post entries with more than one pic, add links in text (I did it once and can't remeber how) and I will also figure out how to take control of this crazy life. Things will slow down soon, but next week starts the multiple 'end-of-year' extra dance rehearsals, and the Bookworm is graduating elementary school on the 21st. I have parent orientation over at the Middle school tonight, she has two awards/5th grade picnic ceremonies next week, the Kiddo graduates preschool the 15th, my mom's birthday is the 22nd, my mom-in-law's is the ninth, the bookworm's is the 28th, and the recitals (3 of 'em for Bookie) are on the weekend of the 25th.
breathe
I am not gonna get hyped up now. Gotta take advantage of these quiet times, right? I will leave you with one of my favorites, I often sing it to my lil ones.
These are days
you'll remember
never before, and never since
I promise
will the whole world be warm as this
And as you feel it, you'll know it's true
That you
are blessed and lucky
it's true
that you
are touched by something that'll grow and bloom
in you.
"These Are Days"
Buck/Merchant
10,000 Maniacs-Our Time in Eden
Thursday, June 02, 2005
Wednesday, June 01, 2005
Let me 'splain...
inigo
Originally uploaded by Broken Bindings.
No, is too much, let me sum up...
(sorry, that movie is a favorite)
Schedule of the past month, format 'borrowed' from the lovely ladybug
7= times I have watched my nephew
10= times I have had to either drive ACROSS TOWN to bring stuff Bookworm forgot at home, or drive HER back to school to pick up forgotten homework
5= extra band rehearsals for music teacher's DEMENTED decision to have 5th graders participate in town-wide 'festival of music'
1= time I got nearly hopelessly lost following 'map-Iamstupid-quest' directions
20= rehearsals scheduled for bookworm and kiddo in this month's dance recital still-to come
4= weekends that have been ENTIRELY taken up by family parties
6=weeks until I am supposed to schlepp 2 kids and a month's worth of luggage across the ocean to visit my inlaws, the Brit will be staying home for 2 kid-free weeks (so what his boss wants him to work- shut up)
457= times my head has nearly exploded
And we still have 3 weeks of school left here.
Friday, May 27, 2005
Fifteen years ago today
I was going to post a mushy, poetic verse here, along with cute pics, to celebrate our anniversary. Flickr is getting a massage, and the craziness that has become our family schedule is still grinding along.
But, I do want to take a moment to celebrate that my wonderful, sweet, adorable, and geeky, hubby and I have been married for an unbelievable FIFTEEN years as of today. I was a dumb kid, literally, when we met, and he had no idea how young I was (I WAS legally an adult - shut up) and I realize how lucky we are, to not only have made it this far, and this long, but we actually lived through my growing up some more, two kids, several job changes, many moves, motorcycle accidents (for another post) sometimes devastating illness, and not only do we still love each other, we mostly LIKE each other a lot too. My dear Brit is funny, charming, sweet, caring, and I feel so blessed that I was right, at 19, when I chose him. After all, he did move more than three thousand miles away from his home to meet me.
Michael, I love you more than I can say. Thanks for enjoying the ride with me. Here's to a lifetime more. I love you, you geek.
But, I do want to take a moment to celebrate that my wonderful, sweet, adorable, and geeky, hubby and I have been married for an unbelievable FIFTEEN years as of today. I was a dumb kid, literally, when we met, and he had no idea how young I was (I WAS legally an adult - shut up) and I realize how lucky we are, to not only have made it this far, and this long, but we actually lived through my growing up some more, two kids, several job changes, many moves, motorcycle accidents (for another post) sometimes devastating illness, and not only do we still love each other, we mostly LIKE each other a lot too. My dear Brit is funny, charming, sweet, caring, and I feel so blessed that I was right, at 19, when I chose him. After all, he did move more than three thousand miles away from his home to meet me.
Michael, I love you more than I can say. Thanks for enjoying the ride with me. Here's to a lifetime more. I love you, you geek.
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
Friday, May 20, 2005
What a WEEK I'm having!
DSCF0302
Originally uploaded by Broken Bindings.
Okay, maybe not quite that bad, but really, these two adorable creatures have been running me RAGGED this week.
On the upside.......no time to be depressed. heh
The past 10 days or so have been unbelievably busy. Mostly good stuff, our springtime activities heat up every year, with school band/chorus concerts, the annual dance recital coming up, end-of-year girl scout trips, etc. But come on, 10 days with nothing but driving, packing, unpacking, driving some more, screaming, etc?
puhleeeeeeeese gimme a break.
Friday, the 13th, Bookworm and I had a sleepover party at our nearby Girl Scout Activity Center. I was NOT looking forward to this, but actually, we had the time of our lives!
The party was called "Freaky Friday" and included several troops from the area, each girl bringing an important older female in her life. I got to be the Bookworm's important lady.
The evening was chock-full of girly activities like manicure time, making friendship bracelets, creating unique outfits out of construction paper, buttons and bows, and then dragging out the sleeping bags and snuggling up to watch "Freaky Friday" on a huge prejection TV.
WE HAD A BLAST!
Bookie and I laughed, like we haven't in a loooooooong time, cuddled, crafted, teased, tickled, and hugged, both of us reveling in the mother/daughter alone time. We soooooo needed it. I am amazed at how caring, funny, original, creative, and fun my (gasp) nearly 11-year-old baby has become.It was really, really nice to spend that time with her.
The next day, after tackling the 'rope course' at the camp ground, we made our way home. At 1:00
At 2:00-
Kiddo had to be 20 minutes away at a neighbor's birthday party. I dumped luggage, grabbed the Kiddo, and took off. Thankfully, my very sweet hubby had treated Kiddo to a night out at the Golden Arches, and a trip to Target to get the birthday present, otherwise we would have been VERY late.
Meanwhile, said British gentleman assembled our Kiddo's brand-new 15 foot trampoline, which was a birthday present for the lil one, we had promised it to her at her December birthday party and finally delivered.
Okay, this is getting too wordy, even for me, heh.
To be continued.....
I have been reading you all, and missing the interaction. But hey, Spring only comes around once a year, right?
Hugs all
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
Jealousy
_41147755_portman_pa203
Originally uploaded by Broken Bindings.
How pissed do you think it makes me that this chick can look THIS awesome with NO HAIR!?
I want my frizz gone.
Crazy, crazy weekend, still running around like a psycho, gotta run now and pick up my nephew and then kiddo, will update later. promise
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
Great sisters come in sets of three
I have three sisters. Actualy, two of them are my stepsisters, but since our parents have been married now for 25 years, the step part no longer counts.
We all gathered Sunday at Sissy's house. She is six weeks younger than me, and constantly reminds me of that fact, by the way. All of the hubbies decided to throw a cookout for the wives, and let Sissy's hubby be in charge of the purchasing. Big mistake.
With children, our party was a grand total of 17. Present was my family, 4 of us, all 3 sisters, their hubbies, and my niece and 3 nephews, and my Dad's ex-wife and her 'friend'. My kids call my step-sisters' mom "Grandma Dee" and just consider her another part of our very big family. (My mom is one of 6 kids, my dad is one of 5).
We played lots of volleyball, had many shots and mudslides, fabulous salads, hamburgers, hot dogs and grilled pork loin. I was impressed with my bro-in-law's preparations. Until.
Until we were packing up to leave, and my bro-in-law started asking for the guys' shares of the cost. He wanted a hundred bucks apiece from each of the hubbies. I handed the Brit the cash, as he NEVER carries enough, but started scratching my head, wondering how he spent over five hundred dollars. We found out.
My mom, as usual watching out for her baby chickies, asked how he could have spent that much. The answer?
He forget to take out and cook the three huge london broil steaks, had purchased 4 cases of beer, 6 cases of soda, 6 different packs of buns, 12 bags of chips that never got opened, 3 'box' wines that are still in his garage, and a box of one thousand plates.
We paid up and left, but my sister now has to host ALL of our summer parties, and maybe Thankgiving, Chrismas, and New Year's Eve too.
I hope all of you mothers out there had a great Mother's day. I have tried to post since Monday, but blogger ate my homework.
We all gathered Sunday at Sissy's house. She is six weeks younger than me, and constantly reminds me of that fact, by the way. All of the hubbies decided to throw a cookout for the wives, and let Sissy's hubby be in charge of the purchasing. Big mistake.
With children, our party was a grand total of 17. Present was my family, 4 of us, all 3 sisters, their hubbies, and my niece and 3 nephews, and my Dad's ex-wife and her 'friend'. My kids call my step-sisters' mom "Grandma Dee" and just consider her another part of our very big family. (My mom is one of 6 kids, my dad is one of 5).
We played lots of volleyball, had many shots and mudslides, fabulous salads, hamburgers, hot dogs and grilled pork loin. I was impressed with my bro-in-law's preparations. Until.
Until we were packing up to leave, and my bro-in-law started asking for the guys' shares of the cost. He wanted a hundred bucks apiece from each of the hubbies. I handed the Brit the cash, as he NEVER carries enough, but started scratching my head, wondering how he spent over five hundred dollars. We found out.
My mom, as usual watching out for her baby chickies, asked how he could have spent that much. The answer?
He forget to take out and cook the three huge london broil steaks, had purchased 4 cases of beer, 6 cases of soda, 6 different packs of buns, 12 bags of chips that never got opened, 3 'box' wines that are still in his garage, and a box of one thousand plates.
We paid up and left, but my sister now has to host ALL of our summer parties, and maybe Thankgiving, Chrismas, and New Year's Eve too.
I hope all of you mothers out there had a great Mother's day. I have tried to post since Monday, but blogger ate my homework.
Wednesday, May 04, 2005
heh heh, if she only knew how funny she is...
While casually paging through my least favorite catalog just now, Kiddo and I had the following exchange.
Kiddo: Mommy, all I want is Samantha, Kit, Samanthat's tea party, and ....loook look see dis?
Mean Mommy: Uh-huh
Kiddo: 'member Kit and Samantha mommy? like Bookworm's best friend has? I want dem. And the tea party. Oh yeah, and the doggie, and there is this 'udder' 'Mercan Girl dolly that comes with the horsie.
Mean Mommy: Oh, really?
Kiddo: Yup. That's it. Is it enough, Mommy?
Kiddo: Mommy, all I want is Samantha, Kit, Samanthat's tea party, and ....loook look see dis?
Mean Mommy: Uh-huh
Kiddo: 'member Kit and Samantha mommy? like Bookworm's best friend has? I want dem. And the tea party. Oh yeah, and the doggie, and there is this 'udder' 'Mercan Girl dolly that comes with the horsie.
Mean Mommy: Oh, really?
Kiddo: Yup. That's it. Is it enough, Mommy?
Sometimes they seem like 'bestest friends'
Sometimes they seem like 'bestest friends
Originally uploaded by Broken Bindings.
and at other times....
well, sisters will be sisters, ya know?
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
Things that make you go "hmmmmmm"
First, I want to thank you all for the lovely posts and email responses to my return. I feel a little bit like Sally Field.
I tend to isolate when the depression hits. I got very lucky this time. I am blessed with a really teriffic hubby, but he was just letting me get on with things and not mentioning anything about how down I was, or how messy the house was getting. Not one damn thing. I think he was just hoping I would 'snap out of it' without him having to confront me. The guy is great, but he IS BRITISH after all.
It was my mom, again, who helped me realize my situation. She called one day, chatted for a minute or two, and then said "Are you really okay? You have not called me in a while."
My mother and I are very close. We normally talk at least once a day, even if only briefly. She was right. I had stopped calling, and wasn't even checking my email. I am so grateful she got concerned and had the guts to confront me about it. She does that sort of thing all of the time. The woman is literally my hero, the gutsiest lady I know.
On Sunday, she will not be getting any sappy Mother's day cards from me. She will be getting the best "Thank You" card I can find. Over the years, since adolescence, my mother has stuck up for me when doctors told her I was fine, not sick, or a hypochondriac, or on drugs, the list goes on. Somehow she knew that something else was going on, and kept digging until we got to the bottom of it. She has helped me pull myself out of the bleakness of depression several times, even when I wanted to hate her for it, and never EVER gives up on me.
MS causes incredible fatigue sometimes, and I think the fatigue and depression many many MS patients experience are definitely connected. Luckily for me, I was slipping into another depressive period, but hopefully my mother helped me recognize it soon enough to turn things around.
I only wish I knew why I isolate myself. I have missed the blog world so much. I just didn't realize it until now.
Again, thank you all.
I tend to isolate when the depression hits. I got very lucky this time. I am blessed with a really teriffic hubby, but he was just letting me get on with things and not mentioning anything about how down I was, or how messy the house was getting. Not one damn thing. I think he was just hoping I would 'snap out of it' without him having to confront me. The guy is great, but he IS BRITISH after all.
It was my mom, again, who helped me realize my situation. She called one day, chatted for a minute or two, and then said "Are you really okay? You have not called me in a while."
My mother and I are very close. We normally talk at least once a day, even if only briefly. She was right. I had stopped calling, and wasn't even checking my email. I am so grateful she got concerned and had the guts to confront me about it. She does that sort of thing all of the time. The woman is literally my hero, the gutsiest lady I know.
On Sunday, she will not be getting any sappy Mother's day cards from me. She will be getting the best "Thank You" card I can find. Over the years, since adolescence, my mother has stuck up for me when doctors told her I was fine, not sick, or a hypochondriac, or on drugs, the list goes on. Somehow she knew that something else was going on, and kept digging until we got to the bottom of it. She has helped me pull myself out of the bleakness of depression several times, even when I wanted to hate her for it, and never EVER gives up on me.
MS causes incredible fatigue sometimes, and I think the fatigue and depression many many MS patients experience are definitely connected. Luckily for me, I was slipping into another depressive period, but hopefully my mother helped me recognize it soon enough to turn things around.
I only wish I knew why I isolate myself. I have missed the blog world so much. I just didn't realize it until now.
Again, thank you all.
Monday, May 02, 2005
Tailspin
What causes them anyway?
I have been battling an outrageous, scary, quick-striking bout of the blues of late. I think I see the end of the tunnel.
I have missed you all, I don't even know why I stopped writing. I got rid of my computer cooties a while ago, but I was stuck in depression no-man's-land.
Does the MS cause depression bouts, or am I just crazy?
That, my friends, is the million dollar question.
I have been reading a lot of your blogs. Thanks for writing. You guys make me smile.
Now off to go email around to get the word out that I am actually back in the world, see if any of you all actually want to come back!
:)
I have been battling an outrageous, scary, quick-striking bout of the blues of late. I think I see the end of the tunnel.
I have missed you all, I don't even know why I stopped writing. I got rid of my computer cooties a while ago, but I was stuck in depression no-man's-land.
Does the MS cause depression bouts, or am I just crazy?
That, my friends, is the million dollar question.
I have been reading a lot of your blogs. Thanks for writing. You guys make me smile.
Now off to go email around to get the word out that I am actually back in the world, see if any of you all actually want to come back!
:)
Sunday, March 27, 2005
Hello all...
My computer is broken. We got invaded by a nasty worm, Norton Syst works picked it up, but not before it corrupted some of our windows files.
I am actually writing this from my father's house, we cannot even get our computer to boot properly anymore. A very good friend of ours is going to look at it tomorrow, he actually works for the local cable company, as an internet tech, so cross your fingers.
Hope to see all of you soon! I am going throught major blog withdrawl
I am actually writing this from my father's house, we cannot even get our computer to boot properly anymore. A very good friend of ours is going to look at it tomorrow, he actually works for the local cable company, as an internet tech, so cross your fingers.
Hope to see all of you soon! I am going throught major blog withdrawl
Friday, March 18, 2005
Cookie Mom, cookie mon, who needs you?
I am not the troop leader. Also, I am not the cookie mom, though you never could tell by watching, even closely.
The first three years, my good friend Kelly and I shared 'cookie mom' duties. We had a blast. We collected the girls' forms, sat in one of our kitchens, drank tons of coffee, ate coffee cake, and figured out boxes sold, cases, multiplied by three, laughed, gossipped and griped.
Last year, Kelly's daughter dropped out of the troop, so I was to do it alone. No biggie, right. OH NO, here comes Caroline, Mrs. "6 thousand dollah hahdwood flawers' herself. Oh GOD if I have to listen to the story of the g-dmn 6 THOUSAND DOLLAH HAHDWOOD FLAWERS one.more.time. I will kill myself.
This woman is so freakin' clueless. She wants to help. She wants to be 'THE cookie mom.'
okay, no more responsibility for me, right?
WRONG!!!! (yes that is 4 exclamation points- OF FRANCE!!!!)
I, of course, have to hold her hand. I have to CALL HER AND REMIND HER OF EVERY STEP SHE MUST TAKE. ARRRRRGGGGGHHHHH.
Two years in a row now I have done this. This year, I have actually done EVERYTHING myself, because I cannot let Sally, my fantastic troop leader, have to do this too. She did not show up at the booth sale. She did not call any of the moms to get their money. This morning, and the money is due today or the kids don't get their extra 10 cent-per-box bonus, I had to CALL HER and tell her 'GIMME THE PAPER WORK YOU LOSER' and count all of the money (that I collected) fill out the deposit slip (that I collected) and now I am off to the bank to make the deposit.
Today, I told Sally to FIRE HER ASS.
grrrrrrrrrr
okay, I didn't actually call her a loser, I just wanted to sooooooo strongly.
The first three years, my good friend Kelly and I shared 'cookie mom' duties. We had a blast. We collected the girls' forms, sat in one of our kitchens, drank tons of coffee, ate coffee cake, and figured out boxes sold, cases, multiplied by three, laughed, gossipped and griped.
Last year, Kelly's daughter dropped out of the troop, so I was to do it alone. No biggie, right. OH NO, here comes Caroline, Mrs. "6 thousand dollah hahdwood flawers' herself. Oh GOD if I have to listen to the story of the g-dmn 6 THOUSAND DOLLAH HAHDWOOD FLAWERS one.more.time. I will kill myself.
This woman is so freakin' clueless. She wants to help. She wants to be 'THE cookie mom.'
okay, no more responsibility for me, right?
WRONG!!!! (yes that is 4 exclamation points- OF FRANCE!!!!)
I, of course, have to hold her hand. I have to CALL HER AND REMIND HER OF EVERY STEP SHE MUST TAKE. ARRRRRGGGGGHHHHH.
Two years in a row now I have done this. This year, I have actually done EVERYTHING myself, because I cannot let Sally, my fantastic troop leader, have to do this too. She did not show up at the booth sale. She did not call any of the moms to get their money. This morning, and the money is due today or the kids don't get their extra 10 cent-per-box bonus, I had to CALL HER and tell her 'GIMME THE PAPER WORK YOU LOSER' and count all of the money (that I collected) fill out the deposit slip (that I collected) and now I am off to the bank to make the deposit.
Today, I told Sally to FIRE HER ASS.
grrrrrrrrrr
okay, I didn't actually call her a loser, I just wanted to sooooooo strongly.
Thursday, March 17, 2005
Pretty Pretty Please?
okay, I just tried to plead with Blogger, please stop losing my posts into the ethernet, please let me comment on my LOVELY FRIENDS SITES', and it keeps auto-posting ONLY THE TITLES.
Oh Blogger, dear blogger, I am sorry I got bitchy with you. Could I pretty pretty please have regular access for posting and commenting? Please?
If not, maybe I could just read the comments on my own blog? please?
Oh Blogger, dear blogger, I am sorry I got bitchy with you. Could I pretty pretty please have regular access for posting and commenting? Please?
If not, maybe I could just read the comments on my own blog? please?
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
Mommy Rage, interrupted
Don't you just hate it when you spend and entire weekend preparing a thoughtful, intelligent yet strongly-worded SMACK DOWN against your child's teacher for a very big mistake he/or she made on Friday, only to have the very crafty mo-fo completely cut you off at the knees and take the wind out of your sails?
(Sorry for the multiple metaphors, and pleased be advised that thankfully there has been no lasting or overwhelming damage done to the Bookworm)
On Friday afternoon, Bookworm's usually lovely teacher SCREWED.UP.ROYALLY. She allowed the class to play in the forbidden zone of the schoolyard during recess because they had done such a great job at their 'Mock Trial' presentation the night before. (another post coming on that evening soon..) This particular area is currently forbidden because of the remaining snow and ice piles scattered here and there. Safety issue, y'know. The kids were bored with the 'safe area', so she let 'em loose. First thing she did was warm them NOT to run, jump or act idiotically on or near the ice patches. Most of them complied.
My Bookworm, of course, did not. The jungle gym entrance was mostly blocked by a smallish ice pile. ALL of the other kids who played there stepped carefully around it on the way back in. MY daughter decided it would be much more fun to leap over it. Of course, she caught the very back of her foot on the ice, and went flying.
She landed HARD on her butt and then fell back onto her back, giving herself quite a jarring fall. I can't say I blame the teacher for being angry with her, but still...
Bookworm complained to her when they got in that her chest was hurting. The teacher told her "too bad, your own fault, you should have listened. Do you really want me to get into trouble and the other kids to miss out on future recess because you ran on the ice?"
OH MY GOD. That was at ONE O'CLOCK. Bookworm sat at her desk and suffered in silence, because she was embarassed, until 2:30. Did I get a phone call? NO. At 2:30 she asked to go to the nurse again, her chest really hurt. The teacher, realizing that maybe she really was hurt, was now stuck. Bus time was in 5 minutes. She gave my kid the choice of going to the nurse and missing the bus, or coming home to tell me when she got here. The bookworm, of course, came home. Again, NO PHONE CALL.
DUH!? WTF?
The Bookworm is okay, x-rays are clear. She landed on her tailbone, smacked down on the bottom of her ribcage in the back, which put too much strain on her ribcage. Luckily she did not break any ribs, she did, however, pull sympathetic muscles and possibly separated cartilage around her sternum. All is mostly okay, she is just in pain. We now have chiro appts 3x a week for a while, and we need to buckle her shoulder belt in the car - she can't do it herself. I am thankful.
BUT PISSED. I sent in a note, explaining that I needed the teacher to call me. I was soooooooo ready to really rip her a new orifice or two. My mamma bear self-righteous rage had been building all weekend. The phone rang...
Teacher : Hi Mrs Bookworm's Mom.
Me: About Bookworm's accident on Friday...
Teacher : First, let me say, I AM SO SORRY. I made a bad judgement call on not sending her to the nurse. I was angry, you know how impulsive she can be, and in anger I used poor judgement. I honestly kept thinking about this all weekend. I apologized to Bookworm this morning. I NEVER should have made her feel responsible for the class, and I truly did not realize there was a true injury. I thought she was being a little dramatic, but I made a mistake and I am sorry.
ME: Uh, but, (pause) okay, I hope this never happens again.
Teacher: Absolutely, Bookworm is not a chronic complainer, I should've known better, and if she sneezes twice in class again I will send her to the nurse no matter what.
Me: Um, okay. I would however have appreciated a phone call about the incident as well, without having to write you a note (still hoping for even a little rage-venting)
Teacher: You sent me a note? Bookworm didn't give it to me.
SO MY RAGE ESCAPE VALVE WAS BLOCKED! GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
(Sorry for the multiple metaphors, and pleased be advised that thankfully there has been no lasting or overwhelming damage done to the Bookworm)
On Friday afternoon, Bookworm's usually lovely teacher SCREWED.UP.ROYALLY. She allowed the class to play in the forbidden zone of the schoolyard during recess because they had done such a great job at their 'Mock Trial' presentation the night before. (another post coming on that evening soon..) This particular area is currently forbidden because of the remaining snow and ice piles scattered here and there. Safety issue, y'know. The kids were bored with the 'safe area', so she let 'em loose. First thing she did was warm them NOT to run, jump or act idiotically on or near the ice patches. Most of them complied.
My Bookworm, of course, did not. The jungle gym entrance was mostly blocked by a smallish ice pile. ALL of the other kids who played there stepped carefully around it on the way back in. MY daughter decided it would be much more fun to leap over it. Of course, she caught the very back of her foot on the ice, and went flying.
She landed HARD on her butt and then fell back onto her back, giving herself quite a jarring fall. I can't say I blame the teacher for being angry with her, but still...
Bookworm complained to her when they got in that her chest was hurting. The teacher told her "too bad, your own fault, you should have listened. Do you really want me to get into trouble and the other kids to miss out on future recess because you ran on the ice?"
OH MY GOD. That was at ONE O'CLOCK. Bookworm sat at her desk and suffered in silence, because she was embarassed, until 2:30. Did I get a phone call? NO. At 2:30 she asked to go to the nurse again, her chest really hurt. The teacher, realizing that maybe she really was hurt, was now stuck. Bus time was in 5 minutes. She gave my kid the choice of going to the nurse and missing the bus, or coming home to tell me when she got here. The bookworm, of course, came home. Again, NO PHONE CALL.
DUH!? WTF?
The Bookworm is okay, x-rays are clear. She landed on her tailbone, smacked down on the bottom of her ribcage in the back, which put too much strain on her ribcage. Luckily she did not break any ribs, she did, however, pull sympathetic muscles and possibly separated cartilage around her sternum. All is mostly okay, she is just in pain. We now have chiro appts 3x a week for a while, and we need to buckle her shoulder belt in the car - she can't do it herself. I am thankful.
BUT PISSED. I sent in a note, explaining that I needed the teacher to call me. I was soooooooo ready to really rip her a new orifice or two. My mamma bear self-righteous rage had been building all weekend. The phone rang...
Teacher : Hi Mrs Bookworm's Mom.
Me: About Bookworm's accident on Friday...
Teacher : First, let me say, I AM SO SORRY. I made a bad judgement call on not sending her to the nurse. I was angry, you know how impulsive she can be, and in anger I used poor judgement. I honestly kept thinking about this all weekend. I apologized to Bookworm this morning. I NEVER should have made her feel responsible for the class, and I truly did not realize there was a true injury. I thought she was being a little dramatic, but I made a mistake and I am sorry.
ME: Uh, but, (pause) okay, I hope this never happens again.
Teacher: Absolutely, Bookworm is not a chronic complainer, I should've known better, and if she sneezes twice in class again I will send her to the nurse no matter what.
Me: Um, okay. I would however have appreciated a phone call about the incident as well, without having to write you a note (still hoping for even a little rage-venting)
Teacher: You sent me a note? Bookworm didn't give it to me.
SO MY RAGE ESCAPE VALVE WAS BLOCKED! GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Sunday, March 13, 2005
Okay, back to non-disgusting topics
Heh, I guess I don't have Dooce's flair for entertaining poop posts. Oh well. We are right now taking things one day (or one hour) at a time with Kiddo.
I got a little bit of a break from her yesterday. I am a helper with the Bookworm's Girl Scout troop, and yesterday was the dreaded 'booth sale'. As Girl Scouts USA now discourages door-to-door selling, we now need to order CASES of cookies extra for the troop, and set up a table at local businesses, such as grocery stores, Wal-mart, etc.
It is through the troop, however, that I became aware that I am not nearly so tolerant with other people's children.
One of these girls in particular, has a death wish. These girls have been together since kindergarten, and are now in 5th grade. This one devil child does not grow on you. What wasn't even cute in kindergarten is now unbelievably annoying in a fifth-grader. She is rude, obnoxious, selfish and mean. the rest of the troop can't stand her either. GRRRR> They moved out of otwn, to the next town over, and I really thought she would leave the troop. Our sainted leader, my very dear friend, took pity on her mom and said sure, she can stay in the troop.
Ick
Good thing I'm not the leader, huh? I'd have said SUCK IT!
The girls raked it in in four hours at ShopRite. nearly 500 dollars! Incredible.
I got a little bit of a break from her yesterday. I am a helper with the Bookworm's Girl Scout troop, and yesterday was the dreaded 'booth sale'. As Girl Scouts USA now discourages door-to-door selling, we now need to order CASES of cookies extra for the troop, and set up a table at local businesses, such as grocery stores, Wal-mart, etc.
It is through the troop, however, that I became aware that I am not nearly so tolerant with other people's children.
One of these girls in particular, has a death wish. These girls have been together since kindergarten, and are now in 5th grade. This one devil child does not grow on you. What wasn't even cute in kindergarten is now unbelievably annoying in a fifth-grader. She is rude, obnoxious, selfish and mean. the rest of the troop can't stand her either. GRRRR> They moved out of otwn, to the next town over, and I really thought she would leave the troop. Our sainted leader, my very dear friend, took pity on her mom and said sure, she can stay in the troop.
Ick
Good thing I'm not the leader, huh? I'd have said SUCK IT!
The girls raked it in in four hours at ShopRite. nearly 500 dollars! Incredible.
Saturday, March 12, 2005
The Bookworm and Kiddo in Wales
DSCF0015
Originally uploaded by Broken Bindings.
I FIGURED IT OUT! GOODBYE HELLO AND PICASA2
YAY FLICKR
1
Friday, March 11, 2005
CAUTION! a post about control, and POOP coming up!
I have GREAT kids. They are beautiful girls, smart, funny, and really cute. Mostly.
Lately, we have run into some problems with control with Kiddo. She has always been a little stubborn. I look back now and realize how easy the Bookworm was to deal with at this age. Over the past few months, the Kiddo's behavior has become quite a problem.
When I say she throws tantrums when she doesn't get her way, I don't mean little squalls that blow over if you wait long enough. I mean SCRU-HEEEEMING battles, over literally everything. She yells, throws toys, (not at anyone, just at the floor), refuses to do what we want, and sobs so hard sometimes I think she is going to throw up.
Kiddo is not a toddler going through the 'terrible two's.' She is five years old, very articulate, and very strong willed.
To some extent, she always has been. Friends and family always say to me "but she's so cute!" She is, just spend a day with her and sometimes the cuteness wears off.
I could use some advice. These past few weeks, she has kicked her behavior and control problems up a notch or two. My beautiful little girl has begun to lie. Blatantly. She has suddenly decided that she no longer wants to eat whatever it is we are having for dinner. She will sit at the table for a very long time, crying and yelling that she doesn't want it, although I know she likes the food, and she is hungry. Last week, she fed her meat to the dog THREE DINNERS IN A ROW, while our backs were turned. We knew what she had done, but she bald-faced lied about it, claiming that she ate the food. Yes, she was punished, and we had long fights about that, but I do not want to have to sit with her at the table for hours after dinner is over every night. We have adjusted our responses to her, and she now knows she cannot get away with this, and we're taking it one step at a time.
The next big problem is one that I know is common with toddlers. She is not a toddler. She is suddenly trying to retain her 'poop'. For days.To the point where she cannot hold it well, and has stomach aches, gas, and skid marks in her panties, but continues to lie to us, saying she doesn't need to go. Over the past 6 weeks, I have had to resort to suppositories twice, and I refused to do it this week. I don't want to have her need it in order to be able to go. Apart from her dinner-time issues, she has a very varied diet. She loves oatmeal, fresh fruit and veggies, including raw celery for crying out loud, but she will hold the movements in until she is blue in the face.
I am now at a loss. I spoke to her preschool teacher again today, trying to find out if something has happened at school to set this off. Nothing has changed a home, no issues that may have started this. I think she is really trying to be in charge. I just don't know what to do now. We are punishing her for lies, and for the messes in her pants when we are sure she was actually trying to hold it in. What next?
Does anyone have any ideas?
P.S. She did actually let go and get it out this week, by the way. Several large movements over the past two days, after holding it in for nearly a week. How do I stop it from happening again?
Lately, we have run into some problems with control with Kiddo. She has always been a little stubborn. I look back now and realize how easy the Bookworm was to deal with at this age. Over the past few months, the Kiddo's behavior has become quite a problem.
When I say she throws tantrums when she doesn't get her way, I don't mean little squalls that blow over if you wait long enough. I mean SCRU-HEEEEMING battles, over literally everything. She yells, throws toys, (not at anyone, just at the floor), refuses to do what we want, and sobs so hard sometimes I think she is going to throw up.
Kiddo is not a toddler going through the 'terrible two's.' She is five years old, very articulate, and very strong willed.
To some extent, she always has been. Friends and family always say to me "but she's so cute!" She is, just spend a day with her and sometimes the cuteness wears off.
I could use some advice. These past few weeks, she has kicked her behavior and control problems up a notch or two. My beautiful little girl has begun to lie. Blatantly. She has suddenly decided that she no longer wants to eat whatever it is we are having for dinner. She will sit at the table for a very long time, crying and yelling that she doesn't want it, although I know she likes the food, and she is hungry. Last week, she fed her meat to the dog THREE DINNERS IN A ROW, while our backs were turned. We knew what she had done, but she bald-faced lied about it, claiming that she ate the food. Yes, she was punished, and we had long fights about that, but I do not want to have to sit with her at the table for hours after dinner is over every night. We have adjusted our responses to her, and she now knows she cannot get away with this, and we're taking it one step at a time.
The next big problem is one that I know is common with toddlers. She is not a toddler. She is suddenly trying to retain her 'poop'. For days.To the point where she cannot hold it well, and has stomach aches, gas, and skid marks in her panties, but continues to lie to us, saying she doesn't need to go. Over the past 6 weeks, I have had to resort to suppositories twice, and I refused to do it this week. I don't want to have her need it in order to be able to go. Apart from her dinner-time issues, she has a very varied diet. She loves oatmeal, fresh fruit and veggies, including raw celery for crying out loud, but she will hold the movements in until she is blue in the face.
I am now at a loss. I spoke to her preschool teacher again today, trying to find out if something has happened at school to set this off. Nothing has changed a home, no issues that may have started this. I think she is really trying to be in charge. I just don't know what to do now. We are punishing her for lies, and for the messes in her pants when we are sure she was actually trying to hold it in. What next?
Does anyone have any ideas?
P.S. She did actually let go and get it out this week, by the way. Several large movements over the past two days, after holding it in for nearly a week. How do I stop it from happening again?
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