The Whole Fam Damily

We had almost everyone at the house yesterday. My youngest brother and his wife didn't make it for dinner, as her daughter was in town from Texas, so they wanted dinner with them more than us. Whatevs! Coming to one of my brillant candle light suppers or seeing your kid.....it's a tosser.

We did family pictures for my parent's 50th anniversary.  The actual anniversary is Nov 18th and the party is the 20th but we had to do pics now.  You see, my brothers and dad hunt, and well hunting trumps everything....including The Donald or giving birth or dying (do not dare to die or get married during hunting season - plan accordingly).  Next week is opening season of something.....so this weekend was it.

We went to a gorgeous park and I think we got some good shots. A good friend of mine did the photography and she didn't even charge us! She's building her portfolio (she said next year we won't be able to afford her....LOL).  The boy was being a bit of a pain and melted down about half way thru. And frankly at 83 degrees and very little wind, I was melting too.  I'm excited to see them, prolly take a week.  Yes if her photographs aren't highly secure, I will post a few. Or check facebook.  If you know me and we're friends that is! If you're just a creepy stalker....then forgetaboutit.

Oh and we have cake.  It was also my brother's anniversary.  So if you want some chocolate cake with buttercream frosting, stop on by.  I think I got enough to feed the eastern seaboard.....but they're busy with weather.

Time to head back to the OR

It's that time once again. We can't seem to go a year without ending up in the OR.  I swear.

No not Oregon, I wish.  The operating room.  El super duper tooth grinder has broken 2 of his 3 fillings, so back to the OR. While we're in there, we might as well do an endoscopy right?  Sure.  Pile it on.

It will be nice to get some answers from the GI docs. They didn't want to put him under just so they could "take a peek" so the timing worked out.

Insurance.............that's another story...for another day.

I see summer winding down

and I hate it.  I abso-friggin-lutely love summer. And I abso-friggin-lutely HATE winter.  Hate is a strong word and it fits.

Oh sure it was hot this year. Way hot.  Crazy hot.  If I was rich enough to have my very own pool (besides the plastic Walmart one I do possess, oh you're jealous-you know it) I wouldn't have even minded that.  I love the sunshine and the flowers and all the things to do and see. I love vacations and pools and fruity umbrella drinks. I love tank tops and shorty shorts and flip flops.  I like that you can run out at 9pm and still have daylight.Corn on the cob, steaks on the grill, dining al fresco.......

I am hanging on with a white knuckled death grip to summer.  But no matter how hard I try, I will not stop winter.  Unless I move...........which is a good thought!

Middle school, dreams and shots

Shots.  I knew you'd read that first.  Oh I wish shots of tequila.........but alas.....it was a shot in the foot.  And not with a glock, a long, shiny needle...in my heel.  Read previous post. My foot feels better but that shot was not pleasant.  Forget waterboarding......give terrorists sharp, shiny needles in their foot!!!

Middle school. The boy starts middle school today. Shiver.  He use to ride the daycare van to school and back and this year I'm taking him.  So he has to figure out how to get out of the car.  Doesn't sound so tricky, but he's locked in with child locks, as he has a habit of winging the door open at inopportune times (like going 75 down the interstate or turning a corner).  So he's riding up front and I figure at the very least I can shove him out the door. We have to do this with a minimum of temper tantrums and defiance and a line 10 miles long (consisting of soccer moms and "normal" kids) behind us, blaring their horns as he tries to make a good decision about getting out of the car (while mommy shoves gently nudges him out into the world of middle school.  I am dreading this.  You remember middle school right?  Are you still scarred? God knows I am.  And we weren't "one of those kids" either and the bullying and hormones and the zits were pure torture.....I fear for my innocent child.

Now for the dreams. My dear friend, Sarah, has been home shopping.  Not on HSN but real house hunting.  I've been working surfing the real estate listings, looking at the houses and stuff and she sends me MLS numbers and I look at those. I also looked at houses in Richmond, Charlotte and Greensboro, cause those are my secret dream places to live (and I had time to kill, dreaming).  So I have house hunting on the brain. Last night as I drifted off into slumberland...I dreamt of houses, lots of houses, looking at houses.  The houses were bazaar to say the least, out of porportion, as you do when you dream. But the funny thing was, all the houses had a "drop-in."  What's a drop-in you ask (I can read your mind)?  Apparently it's a bathroom, that only has a sink in it!  So does that make it a 1/4 bath instead of a 1/2 bath?  But the realtors showing us the houses were all excited about the drop ins....."this family room has a drop-in" blah blah.  Then I woke up.  I honestly think the steroids went to my head..either that or I've stumbled upon on the next great architectural design of our times.  Not sure which.

Getting old sucks.

I'm off to the foot doctor today. Yes I'm officially old enough to need a foot doctor. 

No not bunions or corns.  Plantar fasciatis. Or however you spell it, google I'm too tired and lazy (too damn old) to do it for you.  I am limping around like a 50 yr old...oh wait.....

Running..

No, don't call the paramedics, I'm not taking up jogging anytime soon.  I wanted to talk about different kind of running.

The kind where you let yourself wallow in denial.  The kind where you pretend you haven't a care in the world. The kind where you buy yourself a $50,000 ring, because you can.  Even though you ask people for money...oh it goes to charity, but you do ask......

Yeah.  A friend of a friend has a child with MD.  He is five. A cute little boy in which the disease is ravaging his tiny body.  You know he won't be on the earthly plane as long as some of us or as long as he should be.  His mom makes a shit ton of money and dad stays home.  The kids are dad's world.  Mom has been a pretty good mom but apparently something has snapped and she has taken up running.  Not the kind that requires new tennis shoes (we all know she could buy the best too, several pairs!). The kind where you jet set all over the world, you're never home and when you are home, you spend all your time on your smart phone, doing dumb things, like Facebook. Oh and buying yourself expensive toys.  The kind where you ignore your dear friends and start partying with newer, more exciting friends. You rent them stretch limos and buy backstage tickets for 22 people.......so you don't have to be alone with your thoughts.  The horrible, evil thoughts that creep in when you're not partying and playing "life of the party" party gal.

You do this so you can ignore what's going on at home (two other children, a loving father and a little boy who is wasting away before your eyes).  You do this because you make a shit ton of money and you can throw it around and make everyone believe your life is perfect. 

But it's not and that's why you run. 

@$#*&%*#!!!!

Shit.  I spilled coffee all over my desk, keyboard and floor. 

See that $100 is working on me already

Hundred dollar bills ya'll

I found a hundred dollar bill on the floor yesterday at the Nebraska Furniture Mart! Who ever walks out of there a hundred dollars richer??

I am feeling guilty though. I thought we should turn it in to the security desk and hubby stuck it in his pocket. I kept thinking that the person who lost it might really really need it and here I am like a kid in the candy store (dancing around the washing machines like a gangsta just slipped it in my g string. And no I do not wear g strings and the washers did not appreciate my bump and grind....shorty did not get low low low low either....).  But then we decided the security desk would probably keep it anyhow.

So I didn't know what to do with the shame........so I put the benjamin in a mason jar on the top shelf of the cupboards.  I figure if my daughter needs to get a car, (long story but the ex took hers away this weekend) I'll give it to her. That way I'm not spending it on myself and thereby skipping the bad karma.  God knows I have enough bad karma already.......

Is it really all about the benjamins?

OK so the birthday wasn't so bad.

I had lunch with two of my fav BFF's.  I even ate a.......GASP.....dinner roll (and it was heaven). Although I launched an artichoke onto my bff and then the floor....long story but it's good to know I'm talented.

I got a rather large birthday cookie from my contracting company (it's the only time they come through let me tell you, although a pay raise would be nicer than a cookie and I wouldn't have to share with my co-workers) and some birthday wishes from the co-prisoners er workers and some guesses on how old I am.  I took the mid 30's and ran with it.........ROTFL.

Took the boy for his haircut. It was only a minor exorcism this time, no pea soup. 

Then of course Hu Hot with the girl and the boy.  And over to see the new puppies of the oldest boy and the girl.  They are cute but tons of work.  The cat is not impressed and sat in the back hallway, wishing us all an untimely and painful death, I could read it in his yellow eyes (might need another exorcism stat).

Got sniffed up and down by my two dogs when I got home, as I smelled of new puppies and a cat. (Who would pass up a wet dog nose stuck in your crotch?????  Apparently the big dog thought I hid these new puppies up in my errrr.......hu hah....like that's a good place to store puppies right?) And got some sweet cards from the boy and the hubby. 

I got over 103 birthday wishes on Facebook.  I feel part of the in crowd now.  I have friends!

So it wasn't a horrible birthday......I have to admit.

Suckiest Birthday EVER!

I know, I sound like a whiney two year old.....but it is MY birthday and everyone should stop what they're doing and LOOK at me!!!!  Shower me with the finest gifts and much attention. It's all about me!!! (the tootsie rolls the little white dog left in the spare bedroom do NOT count as gifts)

My two big kids are going out of town with their PITA dad for a family reunion and hubby has to work late. I have to take the boy to get a haircut, alone.  While that sounds innocuous....you've never taken my kid for a haircut. It's like taking Linda Blair to an exorcism.  Complete with pea soup vomit - the head spinning is a given.

The only person who wants to spend the day with me??? Aunt Flo.  Yup, wrap up the kotex with a pretty red bow, break out the tequila and Midol and we've got us a par-tay. Party of one apparently.  Wah.

So I'm off to pout to work where no one knows it's my birthday and I'll keep it that way.  I'm light years older than anyone else there, best to just sit and feel ignored and neglected.

In all fairness, I think the daughter is staying behind and she (after much begging and guilt tripping on my part) agreed to meet the boy and I at Hu Hot. Yeah I live the fast life.

It only happens to me

I swear I draw them in.  Like bees to the honey.  In swarms.

Ya'll know my car went kurplump right?  Well it did, so I took into the shop Wednesday. I had to drive for four more days, wondering and praying it would start each time I took it out. Always a nice added stress to the 110 heat index days we're having.  Finally I limped it into the dealership (from hell).  Naturally the hubby wasn't going to help me out (well it's YOUR car) so I had to rely on the courtesy van.

Now you know you can get the super hot, Brad Pitt dead ringer for a driver or you get the serial killer.  I'm sorry or happy to say I got neither. I got Grandpa. 

Now Grandpa was a nice guy as he came and got us (there was another guy needin' a ride too, apparently his Hyundai sucks eggs too) and he said I have the car today. So I head out of the lobby, expecting a ride in one of the brand spankin' new Hyundai's.  Ummmm.......I look around and all I see is a 1978 Olds.  Oh yes this was my chariot of fire.  So I head for the front seat, not sure of the etiquette but I didn't want to ride in the back seat with a complete stranger either.  Lo and behold! Grandpa has the heater on.  I wanted to say well dude it is only 78 out this morning, with 95% humidity, so I can see how you're a bit chilly, but I refrained.  After all, he was nice enough to haul me around in his stunning 1978 gold Oldsmobile land yacht!

So we head off, a full 20 mph, with the heater.  As we near the main road, he finally decides maybe we could some air.  Maybe it was my face sliding off onto my shirt, I don't know.  Then he makes the brillant decision that I get to go first and he's taking the interstate!  I was wishing I had my rosary beads with me at this point and then he starts in on "the good old days." Oh yeah.......his days stationed in San Antonio in 1960.  He was sure things have changed since then (ummm ya think? Maybe they have indoor plumbing now???) and how he chased pretty girls. Now I'm worried I got Grandpa Dexter....as we pass the entrance to the interstate. Guess we're taking the back roads.  He figured it out 6 blocks later and finally at least started heading south, which is where my place of employment lies.  Progress.

So we continue with football next. When talking about Texas in Nebraska, it always ends up with football.  Sigh.  I was being nice while hoping he wasn't inching over closer to me. I put one hand on the door handle just in case......

So next we decide we could now hit the interstate from "L" street.  Except Gramps remains in the right head lanes and turning left requires you to get into the left lanes..which we I desperated needed to go left and end this ride.  So he's yakkety yakking about University of Texas football team and I point out over the steering wheel...LEFT!!!!  We barely it made it over.  We never got above 30 mph so thankfully it wasn't a two wheel off the pavement type manuveur.

At least the interstate. Dare I say the car actually cruised at 50??  We managed to make it to the front door of work (I was never so happy to have not been driven into the woods and chopped up into pieces in my life and actually make it into work) and I hopped out.  Grandpa was still going on and on about football as I slammed the door.

I did thank him.  It was an interesting ride.  No wiccan license plates or anything either. And no he didn't come to pick me up after work, I got Jerry.  Ole Jer was pretty normal and quiet and had a new mini van. With AC.  Much better.

Vacation Recap or I Need a Vacation from Vacation.

Isn't it the truth?  You get home totall exhausted, knowing you go back to work the next day and you can barely lift your tooshie off the couch??? And the laundry pile looks like Pikes Peak?  I promised a recap and I'll keep it brief.

Alex melted down. The End.

No seriously, he had more meltdowns than Baskin Robbins in the Saraha.  It was not fun.  And he's not going on vacation again.  When the stewardess comes stands by your row on the plane, you know you're about to face a federal marshall.  Yeah he was that bad. 

I posted my favorite pics below if you wanna see those.  Thought I'd recap a few more below.

Day 1

Johnson City. Home of LBJ. Well resting place now.  This was the plane he used.  A bit of trivia, he conducted most of his White House duties in Texas. Hence the name, The Texas White House.  He had a runway built so dignitaries could come to him.

The final stop.  I took pictures of the house, but alas, great photographer and electronics user that I am, they're all black and white and I haven't uploaded them yet. So you get hubby's and he didn't take pics of the house.  Pretty family cemetary on the ranch.  Interesting visit.  I'll have to mention the dead presidents tour hubby and I do. 

Day Two

Morgan's Wonderland.  A neat totally accessible park.  First of it's kind. About time people!

Alex loved the carousel and yes that's me.....riding the Tiger....Meow!

One more of the scuplture at the entrance.  I highly recommend it for our kids!

Day Three

That was the trip to Gruene, TX.  Mom and I went alone, thank God!  Steve and Alex did laundry at the hotel.  The pics are below (a few of my favorite things....).

Day Four

Wildlife Safari!

A cute little baby zebra! How often do you get to pet a baby Zebra (yeah me either!).  The ostrich sticking his head in the window wasn't as appealing.....

I have pictures of Riverwalk but as before, I haven't uploaded them yet.  It's water and tons of restaurants.  I noticed the hubby didn't capture the Alamo...I guess he forgot (pun intended!).

That was it for our vacation.  I may post some more pics if and when I get them on the 'puter.  That laundry pile has grown yet again.......

Vacation

I want to blog a bit about vacation but just haven't had the time nor the energy.  Thought I'd throw you a friggin bone though....

This is one of my favorite pics (and I didn't get my finger or my mom's rear end in the shot!).  It's an old gristmill in Gruene Tx.  My mom and I ate lunch here.  Neat place.  The town is all antique shops and quirkly little mom and pop shops.  Enjoyed it!

Here's another fav of mine, also in Gruene.

It's a really cool B&B.  Had I known about it, we could have stayed there!  duh.

I better get back to work....more later.

Something Wicked This Way Comes

We are interrupting this blog to bring you an important post.  Well I mean I haven't had the energy to post about vacation but I just had to post about my trip to Lincoln tonight.

It was time to take Grandma home. She went with us on vacation and frankly she was sick of us.  Can't say I blame her.    We were going to meet up at my brother's house in Lincoln (so my dad could pick her up it's half way and my dad hates driving in Omaha) and they were nice enough to grill some brats for us.  Alex loves their dog, Pinnie, too. She's a hyper (I use that term loosely) Viszula and Alex thinks that's the neatest thing, a jumpy, piddling dog - the dog has a very severe case of ADHD.  So off in the car we went, thunderstorm warnings and all.

It started raining when we left, but nothing serious.  As soon as we got to my brother's house, my dad aka Weatherman is already warning us about the storms coming.  My dad also hates any kind of weather.....I think even a perfect 75 degree, sunshiny day will get him all itchy...so we got the weather report. We better hurry and eat and head home.  Well ok, there was a tornado warning to the west of there, but it was a ways yet.  My poor brother and SIL slapped on the beans and chips and brats and we shoved them down and literally ran out the door.  Downing a brat and a half that fast is not good for someone who has reflux.....belch.

It was lightening pretty good and dark enough for headlights.  My dad was sitting in his car, yelling at me to back the hell out so he could go!!! LOL  He cracks me up.

Man did the wind start in and then rain. The clouds were ominous to the west.  Thankfully we're heading east, so we'll outrun it right (if you know new math, a tornado heading east at 150 mph and a car heading east at 65 mph, leave Lincoln...at what point do the people in the car die?)

So it's raining like a mad bastard and I can barely see. If you've had lasik surgery like I have, you may be able to see in the distance, but you cannot see shit on a rainsoaked interstate!  I'm hoping I'm staying in my lane. Thankfully I pull up closer to a car in front of me (so I can tailgate and hope to hell they don't head for the ditch, cause I'm right behind 'em).  OMG.  Her license plate????  WICCAN 1.  I am tailgating a witch in a tornado.  I cursed the Gods who won't release the last Harry Potter til the 15th, cause I sure as hell can't remember my Patronas and I think I might need one now. 

Flying 65 down a wet windy interstate behind a witch tends to un-nerve one a tad bit (did I mention my already white knuckle death grip on the steering wheel???). I can barely see ahead but I suddenly see swirls of black clouds........in all that is the baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph....I swear it's (you think tornado right?) Dementors!! All swishy and swirling around my car and the Wiccan's car!!!  Where is my wand?  I'm doomed.  I've gone thru how many years of Hogwars with those Weasleys and I can't remember one damn spell, all I can think of is Quiddich, epic Potter fail.  Until I realize that a coal train is running along side the road and the wind is blowing coal off the top..............

Who's the drama queen? 

The Wiccan exited at the wildlife safari and South Bend (home of the Testicle Festival I kid you not!) and I wondered if I should follow her or stay on the interstate.  I stayed on.  I was driving straight down the middle of what I thought was 3 lanes.....and I guess I was ok cause I made it home in one piece.  

I'm just glad the pictures hanging on my wall aren't moving around and talking to me......

And.....

we're off. On Vacation. Finally.

And for all of you burglars just waiting for me to leave my house so you can steal my uber expensive jewelry and high tech electronics...we have a house slash dog sitter and a fancy schmancy alarm system, so be forewarned!

We're heading south, not to the border but close, San Antonio.  Please pray that the boy doesn't bite the TSA agent  (well he bites the dentist why not a government agent???) during a pat down and also pray that if yours truly gets a pat down......he looks like Bradley Cooper or Brad Pitt and not Ed Gein (too lazy to link, so use your mad Google skills). Momma could use a good pat down..... just sayin'. 

Have a happy and safe 4th.  I might even post some pics. I know, I can feel your excitement! And stay out of my underwear drawer...that's not where I hide the goods!!!

Amen Sistah!

Check out my friend's post on Hopeful Parents.  Click here.

And Mommy got the Vapors

I can't say I'm not a morning person, but when I haven't been sleeping well (see the job fiasco) I tend to like to sleep as late as possible.  Well if you call 5:40am late......

This morning I woke up at 4:00 and laid there and fretted and stewed about work and insurance and what will this all end up costing us......took me almost an hour to fall back asleep. If you're a wiz at the new math like I am....that left me 40 mins of sleep.  The buzzer went off way to early but I staggered up and out of bed.  Hit the potty and let the little dog out of her kennel.  It's potty time for her too!

So we head out back and I actually went part way out with her.  For a June morning it was colder than a witch's you know what, so I stood back.  She took one look north and made a beeline.  Now this is typical....the bunnies hide over on that side of the house. Her and the fat dog have made it a game of catch the bunnies, which neither one is fast enough to actually catch one, but they have puppy dreams all the same.  I didn't think much about it, but little princess didn't come back. Hmmm...I looked out the sunroom window and didn't see her. Then the bushes wiggled.  Okay, she's under the bush, huntin' wabbits (eehhhhheeeee).  I waited another minute, then called her. No Sammie.  Hmmm....so I wandered back out in my nightie (oh really people, it's sexy as hell, trust me) and to my shock and horror...the gate was wide OPEN and the little doggie was G-O-N-E!!!! 

Did I mention she's a runner? Oh yeah, she's a runner. And she was 2 blocks down the street, crossed one busier street already. This is when mommy got the vapors, in her sexy nightie, at 5:45am. 

Now I had the option to run down the street....boobs a floppin'.....screaming her name or go back in and get daddy. Daddy was the best option at this point (really if the neighbor men saw me, I'd be stalked for days, that's how hot I looked).  So I go hauling butt up the stairs to get Daddy. He of course is angry to be woken up 30 mins earlier than normal to go chase a naughty puppy.  I was like Dude, deal.  She's moving north......I think the pit bull lives over there.....

So he donned some gym shorts and opened the front door and guess who's waggely butt was on the porch???   Yup Princess came back home!! Apparently she didn't want to see mommy's flappin' boobs runnin' down the street either!!!

I'm awake, wide awake. No need for coffee....as I sit and contemplate who the hell opened that gate (which we never use and it between two houses) after 9:00pm last night, when the dogs went out last????

What a Week!

Been quite a ride.  Alex got more stars than he lost and I got a new job.  WWWWHHHHAAA???

Yeah I know.  I wasn't happy at the new place. Old technology, old hens to deal with, a wishy washy boss who didn't give me much confidence and a project the size of Texas - with me as the only resource!!  When the opportunity presented itself to go back to my old job, I jumped on it.

I know I know.  I'm a basketcase right?  You shouldn't just quit a job.  But I am at the age (ancient) where life is getting way too short and I already have more than my share of stress and heartache.....I don't want to spend 9 hrs a day miserable and hating every minute of that 9 hours!  Now was the time to do it, I made a mistake and I fixed it.  I apologized to the people I've inconvenienced and moved on.

Looking forward to going back.  I really liked it there.  Oh sure, work is work.....but at least I wasn't miserable!  I'm sure I'll have a few days of ribbing and generally being made fun of, but that's what I liked about it!

Another Fifer

Alex got all five stars yesterday!!! Totally different kid than the one that got kicked out last week.  Today he was a bit ornery as we drove to the Dr's office, so I hope today goes ok.  Keep your fingers and toes crossed, rub your crystals, poke pins in voodoo dolls, whatever works!!!

We saw the psychiatrist this morning. We decided to up the Risperdol and add another drug that will help supress the appetite (Risperdol can cause weight gain because it doesn't let Alex know he's full, so he eats and eats and eats).  Risperdol has been a wonder drug for him, so I am confident upping the dose will be a big help with behaviors. 

One takes for granted having a "typical" child.  Dealing with these behaviors is draining.  This last medication (Geodon) made Alex aggressive and anxious.  It was ugly.  Add on top of it, the fact that he can't tell you how he feels or what's wrong......and you have a recipe for some uncomfortable/difficult situations and suspensions from daycares ( and not good recipes like Zadge comes up with).......

Dream Weaver

I usually take some type of sleep aid before bed.  Oh now, nothing harsh, the sleep aids you find at Walgreens.....although some Percocet might be nice....I can't go to sleep without it.  They all say it's not addicting but there you are, well here I am....can't sleep without it.

I had a weird dream last night.  I was at home, getting ready for the day, in the kitchen and you'll never guess what we had in the kitchen? Oh go on, guess....I'll wait...tick tock tick tock tick tock.....I knew you wouldn't guess it!!!! We had a swimming pool with a pet Orca in it!  WTF does Walgreen put in those sleep aids? LSD??  A swimming pool in the kitchen with a whale it, a pet whale named Henry.  First of all, if I had a pool that ginormous, it would be in the back of my McMansion, with a pool boy and not with a whale swimming around, pooping in it!!! Second, wouldn't Oprah be the only one with a kitchen big enough to house a whale sized pool?  My kitchen barely holds 2 dogs, a kid and me!!

What do you think it means? I was feeding him before I left for work and it all seemed very normal...except I was feeding him those frozen brine shrimp...if any of you have ever had an aquarium (the 20 gallon kind, not the bazillion gallon whale kind) it's like 3 oz of frozen shrimp. So I broke Henry off a teeny tiny piece and headed on to work. 

If any of you (all two of you who read here) what do whales mean in dreams? I am hoping it means that I am about to win a HUGE lottery amount and move into a McMansion with a pool boy.  And a nanny for my bratty child and a dog walker for the bratty dogs.  And a whale watcher too?

On a side note, pray for my bratty kid. He really needs to stay in daycare......cause mommy and daddy have to support the ginormous whale.....

And we Got a Fifer!

Daycare has been precarious at best.  We've pretty much hit, kicked or bitten everyone in the classroom, including baring our teeth to our teachers. *SIGH*  But on Tuesday......taaa daaa... a Fifer!

A fifer?  The kids get stars as rewards for good behavior.  If you get five, you get a prize from the prize bucket. I wish I had a prize bucket at work.  Cause you bet your sweet patootie I'd get all five stars and I'd pick an awesome prize like a day off or an ice cold Bud......but I digress.  Alex got all five stars on Tuesday! He was so proud of himself too! And the prize bucket was glorious (well to kids like Alex it was) and he picked a yellow smiley face rubber ball.  Which I immediately thought the dang dogs are going chew the heck out of it....but ok.  Plus he got to go to Culver's and get ice cream chocolate.

Yesterday he got 4 stars. We blew it in the last 20 mins of class with a meltdown! And chasing the others around the room trying to hit them.  I guess if one is going to blow the prize bucket, you might as well blow it big huh?

Today is the zoo. Is there any hope for five stars? First meltdown will be the butterfly exhibit......he looses his mind in the butterflies..........

Mish Mash

My life is pretty boring.  I'd love to log on here and tell you about my latest trip to Bora Bora or how Brad REEEE-LLY wanted to leave Angelina for me...but alas......I cannot tell a lie.  Snore City.....

Our sprinklers broke.  Good thing it was only 102 yesterday and not 105.  I had to drag out the hoses and water the 3 day old bushes and flowers, which had wilted down to almost nothing.  Bets on how long it takes to get fixed? Yeah Mr Handiman is all over it....which worries me. And the $150 dollars worth of plants? My guess cripsy critters by Thursday.  And all that rain we've been getting? Oh yeah...that STOPPED.......

The dogs are driving me nuts.  They're bored too.  We got out over the weekend, but last night was too dang hot.  So Stanford is chewing the eyes off of stuffed animals.  It's very disturbing to look down and see a one eyed frog staring back up at you.  He had a very accusatory look too (like don't you have any control over this beast)....thank God we don't have a Chuckie Doll or I would have run for the hills or the nearest exorcist!   And the little dog? Apparently pooping outside is just want too much of an indignity so we crap in the house.  And for good measure we make sure some gets stuck in the fur so mommy has to hike me upside down and pick it off.   Hey it's negative attention, but it's attention right?  I would mention the non stop barking at people/dogs walking by, but why ruin a good thing? 

The kid started his new daycare. Yeah we've pretty much kicked and bitten everyone in our class, including a few teachers.  I don't want to even know the odds of getting kicked out of this one.....

Well off to the hellhole....errrr...work. No I'm still not liking it.  I think I made a mistake taking this job, but I'm stuck. So I have to figure out how to make the best of it.  Which is not my strong suit.

Aren't you glad you stopped by????  Don't you all feel better about your life????

Last Day of Daycare

Tomorrow is Alex's last day at his current daycare. He's been there 5 years.  I'm not sure he realizes the place we've been visiting is going to be his new daycare.  We haven't really dwelt on it too much either.  Change isn't easy for my boy.

It will be bittersweet.  They took him in way back when and he has given them a run for their money!  They stuck with us, even during some of the rougher of Alex's behaviors.  We will miss them. I know Alex will miss his friends. 

His new place is awesome.  Children's Respite Care Center can handle him better and provide him with the growth and guidance he needs.  They also take kids up to age 21, so Alex can stay here for awhile. Overall it will be a good thing, but transition could be a rough ride.

Stay tuned for Adventures with Alex.....I'm sure we'll have some new stories to tell!

Day 2 has morphed into Day 4

Not really feeling it today either.  I'm trying.  I just feel lost and lonely and on my own.  I don't do well with those feelings. I'm missing my friends from the old job and feeling blue.

For a company that touts itself as friendly and a "great group of people" my team sure isn't.  No one talks, no one comes over and I feel left out.  And they don't have straws, silverware nor crushed ice. So I decided to head out for lunch, get out in the sun and fresh air. I headed to Boston Market. Nothing like meat and green veggies to liven spirits (only thing besides actual spirits that liven spirits!) and make me feel better. I was dying for my iced tea too. Iced tea is my crack, ok???

Walked into Boston Market and up to the counter.  Yup Brisket sounds good, now for my sides....WHOA! Holy carb overload Batman!  Sweet taters with marshmallows, white taters, cornbread stuffing, apples and corn.  My heart sank. I can't eat any of that! Now I know for sure the whole world is against me (if you ain't for me, then yur agin me).  Poor wittle me.  *sniff*

I finally figure out that they have salad! Ahhhhhh...sweet sweet lettuce (I keep telling myself).  And to pick the other side (after all the brisket meal comes with 2 sides), I told them no thanks I can't eat any of the other sides.  The nice gal then mentions their green beans which aren't out front, cause they only last 30 mins.  OK....I'll have the 30 min green beans and ICED TEA!!! 

But wait..what in all that is holy is this red sign on the tea machine???? OUT OF UNSWEET TEA???? WTF???  How do you have sweet tea but not unsweet?  Don't you make sweet tea from unsweet tea???  Doesn't unsweet tea + sugar, sugar and more sugar = sweet tea?  I can do the math.....  WAAHHHHH!!!!  So I insisted they remove the drink charge from my bill and I not so kindly tossed the cup and ice back at them - no I do not want Diet Pepsi thank you very much, I wanted UNSWEET TEA.  Humph! Who doesn't have unsweet tea in Nebraska??? The capital of unsweet tea!!! And I had to wait for them to whip up the 30 min green beans too.  Lots of foot tapping and irritation ensued. I made sure I flounced out of there with my 30 min green beans too!!!!

The drive was nice.  The sun felt good. I feel better now that I've eaten. The lettuce was crisp, in fact I'm pretty sure everyone heard me chewing it, it was so fresh (and it's sooo friggin quiet in here).  I made cold brew unsweet tea using the bowling ball sized ice cubes. It's not the same as using crushed ice and having freshly brewed tea but it'll do. 

I do have to say if previously aforementioned job would call and beg me to come back, I'd go.  But I am settling down here and trying not to be so needy.  But that's hard when you feel needy!

And I'm trying to remember the folks in Joplin who are still searching for their missing loved ones.  My life ain't so bad after all..

When did it become OK to protest funerals?

I missed a memo somewhere.  When did it become socially acceptable to protest a funeral? Miss Manners has to be rolling over in her grave!

Sunday we went for a drive. OK I confess, I made hubby drive me down to the new job so I knew which building and parking lot I'd be in.  I'm dorky that way.  If I don't do that, I get all heebie jeebie the first day and end up doing stupid shit like going in the exit and running over the poor ole security guard in his shack....but I digress.  On the drive, we hit a main intersection.  Over to the left, were about 8 freaks people holding signs.  With such witty sayings as "God is your Enemy" "USSR Rules" and something about Fags.  Huh.  They were dressed oddly too. I looked up the street and saw that the funeral home parking lot was full. Great.  The Jonesboro (wish it was Jonestown, here's your koolaid, have a nice day) church was in town, protesting a military funeral.  My heart sank.  Of course I've heard of them, but had never witnessed it personally.  It hit me in the gut like Mike Tyson.  I wanted to stop and get out and smack some sense into them but thankfully I was wearing no bra, my hair was a mess, no makeup and ratty shorts.  Not sure the cops could've told me from the wack jobs, so I stayed in the car.  As we drove past the funeral home, I saw the motorcycles lined up in the parking lot.  Good Freedom riders.  I cried the rest of the way to my new job.

No grieving family should have to put up with this crap.  I know I know freedom of speech.  Yes we all have it.  But feel free to express yourself at some other time, not holding dumbass signs on the street corner, dressed like Rainbow Brite threw up on you, so a grieving family can see it all.  These military families give up alot already, give them some dignity and peace.  That soldier gave his/her life so you could have freedom......so give it a rest and protest the war at another time and place.  When did Freedom of speech replace common sense and common decency?  Dress like a normal human being and some of us might even listen, during the appropriate time and place. 

Turns out the funeral wasn't military .  Turns out the deceased died in motorcycle accident and his dad or uncle is a retired judge.  The protesters apparently were ticked off about a decision this judge made.  I'm guessing they petitioned the court to have the right to have sex with their farm animals and he had the gall to rule DENIED! Friggin idiots.  And all the motorcycles?  Buddies. 

It really hit me hard.  Obnoxious, rude, crude and moronic.  Next time, carry a sign that says "Stupid is as stupid does" or I know....when you really want attention, call up Jerry Springer! I hear he actually pays you to be stupid.  You get your freedom of speech and all the attention you could ever want.   You might even be able to have sex with your farm animals on the show!!!!  Leave grieving families alone. They have enough on their plates without you f*ckheads displaying less sense than God gave cabbage! God bless the man who died, his family and those of you who drove by this hornets nest of idiots and flipped them off!

Amen.

Day 2 or How I Usually Manage to Talk Myself Out of a New Job

I've switched jobs a few times in my career (shut up Sarah) and I should be use to this by now. My usual MO (I have mad CSI skills) is to love love love the job when I'm offered it, be nervous to the point of barfing on Day 1 and I hate it Day 2. Besides Sarah decided she just had to go to training today and I have no one to email and kvetch too.

Yup today I'm not liking it. It's not everything my other job was and it's too quiet and no one is talking to me.  I'm just sitting here like a lump, writing my blog.  I want to go back to my old job. Where it was comfortable and I had friends and distractions.......Here my only friends were gals in my orientation class who work in another building, there's no water machine (I know right), there's an ice machine but the ice cubes are the size of canteloupes,  it's too quiet (I can hear myself chewing lettuce - God forbid I accidentally break wind, they'll hear me on the third floor and the windows will rattle), no one has reached out to me but one person, no one has asked me to lunch, my new dress clothes are itchy and the crotch keeps riding down, dammit I want a burger and fries, but I'm eating my meat and cheese like a good little brainwashed Atkins girl and they put me in a cube where everyone walks up behind me (do you know how much I hate that and how I really hate it on Day 2?????) !!! Could I pout any more than that?

The old company just contacted me about a job in Austin. I would LOVE it, but they want programming experience and that's not this old broad.  So back to square one and Day 2....

I know it will take me a few weeks to adjust.  It always does.  Take a chill pill and go with the flow.  This is how I roll. By next week I'll love it.  Right now I'm not seeing it. Call me Pouty McPouty Face..go ahead I dare you!

Goodbyes and Hellos

I ended my contracting stint yesterday as I accepted a full time job at another company.  It was hard to say goodbye.  I genuinely liked the people I worked with and the work I was doing.  But a girl's gotta eat and pay bills right?

I promised myself when I took this job, I wouldn't switch anytime soon. Those that know me, know I've worked alot of places.  Some I wasn't happy at, some just gave up with the economy, others I was pissed off and moved on.  But this one I liked, other than it was contracting, with minimal benefits.

When hubby started contracting too, our insurance premiums went skyhigh.  Then the new employer came along, tempting me with 10% 401(k) matching and much lower premium costs.  And an opportunity to lead a team......an offer I couldn't refuse.

So I broke the promise to myself and accepted the job.  I have the pre-job jitters and girgling stomach to go along with it. I'll be fine, I know I will.....I've started over alot. 

This time is bittersweet as I said goodbye to some good people, a casual work environment (I had to go buy all new clothes - oh the pain of that! Thank God I've lost 27 lbs recently!!!) with little pressure and where I knew everyone and everything (well not quite, but close!). 

Wish me luck on Monday!   Diving in headfirst.....

Three Hundred Dollars Flashed Before my Eyes or The Day the Earth Stood Still

Yesterday was gorgeous here in Nebraska. We get five beautiful days a year (it's written in the bylaws of the state I swear!) and yesterday was one of them. I just had to get the boy and the dogs outside and enjoy (no really, we get five days, the other 360 are either too hot, too cold, too windy, too wet or too dry).  We headed off to the park and big sister walked down to play with us.

Everyone had a good time.  I even ran to Sonic, grabbed some burgers, snagged some doggie treats at the window and we ate outside.  Naturally Alex didn't want to leave but we had been out since 5:30 and it was 7:00 and he was sunburnt from field at school to start out with it. A small temper tantrum ensued.  We got him and the dogs to the car and headed home. I had the windows down and we were singing Bruno Mars Lazy Song....end to perfect day. UNTIL................we pulled into the garage and I looked back at Alex...his glasses were gone!

Oh no!  He loves to toss things out the windows in the car, but I knew his windows were up.  Did he toss out the front passenger side while I hit the high notes (quite impressive I assure you)?  I got the flashlight and searched the whole car. They were gone!  UGH!  That's when $300 went racing past my eyes.  Frantically I called big sister back and had her walk back down to the park to see if she could fine them. And called Daddy.

Thankfully.......big sister found them at the park 10 mins later...PHEW!!!! Crisis averted!  But we did all load back up in the car for the drive over to pick them up!  I was ready for bed when we got home!

Alls well that ends well...........

Thoughts of Grandma

Grandma has been in my mind alot...it really started Friday night and has carried through.  She just pops up in my mind and at times I break into tears.

I read the following blog every day and DG is just a brillant writer. She sums it up so well for me.  Please stop by and read  her In the Mourning post.  I am guessing this is what is happening to me. Grief hits you when you least expect it, it ebbs and flows, comes and goes. This past weekend, it decided to rear up and be noticed.  It's been almost 3 yrs since she passed, but this weekend it feels like only days.

I miss her.  I wish we could have had a few more good years. She wasn't ready and I surely wasn't ready.  I guess I'll just keep talking to her for now and hopefully the painful parts will ease and the good times will flood in!

Thunderstorms

I don't mind a good spring/summer storm.  In moderation of course.  This morning at 3:00am the thunder started rolling in, quietly at first and started to build.

That's when the little dog started whining and barking.  Hubby got up with her and tried to take her outside before it started raining but she wouldn't go. So back upstairs she comes and she's not going back in her kennel either. So she jumps in bed with us.  The thunder really started crackin' and rattling the windows.  She barked at every one. Sigh.  Then the kid comes out of his room, with the big, fat dog close behind. 

So I had the big dog trying to wedge his fat ass under the bed, the little dog whinning and barking at every boom and the kid saying "Mom" "MOOOOOOM" 

We didn't get back to sleep until 4:30.  Just when I hit dreamland (in the spare bedroom with the kid practically laying on top of me and the big fat dog panting right outside the shut door) hubby comes in to wake me for the day.

I need a nap.

A Facebook Come on

Logged into FB this morning and whenever I see the email flag larting me that "I've Got Mail" I get all excited! One of my friends has deemed me worthy of a personal note (yes sadly I need a life)!

Alas, some old guy in New York was hitting on me!  Said my profile pic was beautiful and he hoped I didn't mind he emailed me.

Of course I don't mind.  Who doesn't want to hear that their profile pic is beautiful?   EXCEPT....  it's a picture of my Grandma right before her 90th birthday!  OMG!   Grams you still got it!  Even though you died about 6 months after that picture! 

Once my oldest was visiting his grandparents and great gma and they headed out to the grocery store. Some old guy was hitting on my grandma in there!  My son and laughed and laughed about "Greats"  (the Great Grand kids called her Greats) getting picked up at the Sun Mart!!! We teased her all the time. Greats was a hottie!

I hope I'm hit on when I'm 90! Hell I'd settle for it now!!!!  Grandma if you passed down one thing...let it be your hottness!

A New Doc

We're adding a new specialist to the list, podiatrist.  After trying to buy shoes for Alex last week and being told how flat his feet are, we decided we better get on the orthotic bandwagon.

Will be interesting to see how it goes.  Mixing a kid with textural aversions and forms in the shoes could spell disaster!

Where is Spring?

Did we only get a couple of days and now winter is back? It's almost May for Pete's sake (whoever Pete is, I'm sure he'd want Spring too).  We're all tired of being cooped up in the house.

Alex is more than likely getting orthotics.  We see the doc on Monday. Good times.  No really.  We have neglected this poor kid's feet long enough.  When you're battling life altering diseases, feet don't register high on the danger scale (in fact most days, you don't go looking for other problems...there is plenty on the plate already).  But Monday night we decided the kid needed new shoes.  Well since we're "tiger" parents like that and given the fact that the school has begun to duct tape his shoes to his feet.....it was time.  Boy this kid has flat feet! It was pointed out by two different shoe tryer on-ers.  So I called a Podiatrist.

In the grand theme of things, orthotics aren't a big deal. Unless you're a kid with textural aversions, strong aversions and you can't seem to pull your sh*t together in the morning to get ready for school.  When it's a battle royale to get out of bed, go to the bathroom, brush your teeth, get your jeans on, get your shirt on, get your socks on, get your shoes on, take your medicine, get your coat.....one can only imagine the tears over having foreign objects in the shoes, stiff foreign objects..... 

Mommy may need to start stiff drinks early in the morning.....

When God Hands You a Sign

You best be reading it.  And when he smacks you over the head, hello!

We didn't make to Kansas City.  Our good friends Sue and Cody invited us to go to the Kansas City Down Syndrome Guild Easter Egg Hunt. Complete with Rachel Coleman. I know right?  Kewl.

We've planned it for about 3 weeks now. My mom was coming with us and it was going to be fun. We wanted dinner at the T Rex Cafe Saturday night and then we had CoCo Key Water Resort all lined up for Sunday.

So early Monday morning, I have to get up to pee.  Nothing new, except when I got up, I about hit the floor. Vertigo. Yup.  And it wasn't pretty.  I got back to bed and stayed there til about 10:00am the next morning.   Missed work.  Got up Tuesday morning and felt fine.  Went to work, hit the grocery store, walked the dogs, made dinner.  Hit the sheets and BAM or should I say TILT A WHORL? The world was spinning again. Did the work from home deal.  Sue (see above) thought the chiropractor would be a good idea. I wasn't convinced but I tried it anyhow.  Worked miracles.  He thought it was the joints in my neck and not my ears causing the problem and he must be right....no spinning since.

So last minute I tell Sue we're a go.  I had mentioned on Wednesday that if I was still sick, we better not go.  So phew! We're going. 

This morning we get up at 5:15am to be on the road (well we were actually up at 4:30 cause the clock in my mom's room was an hour ahead and she got up even earlier).  Loaded up the car and the sleepy/grumpy kid and Grandma and hit the road.  Made it to Rockport, MO and my car shot craps.  On the side of the road, stopped.  Seriously.  Two hours on the road.  Called around and the dealership said we could drive with the check engine light. So we loaded up and headed on south. Drove another 20 mins and the car just shut off.  That was it.  Turned around and went home.  I finally got the message.  Do not go to Kansas City.  So we spent 4 hours on the road and went nowhere........

UGH!

Welcome to the Island

Pop on over and visit my friend Sarah.  She talks about our future plans (which we have planning sessions everyday on skype!).  You'll be jealous!

Giveaway Day

Head on over to I Should Be Folding Laundry and see if you'd like any of the coolio giveaways. I'm checking out the jewelry gimme..I mean giveaway.... cools stuff! 

And I love the Aimee necklace, I'd do one of the personalized necklaces but I have 3 kids and 2 dogs and one husband....and there's only 4 names I can use.  Somebody would get hurt.....

Go! Have Fun!

Home with a sick kid

and here is where you read the gory details....but I'll spare you.  Mainly because so far, no gory details to share!

I get tired of this school. Do they send home every kid who wet burps or only the SPED kids?  Cause God forbid a SPED kid infects one of the "normal" kids ya know?  This is only the 2nd or 3rd year they've had the SPED classes at this school and while they smile the patronizing smile....they don't like it. The kids are in their "specialized" classroom and only come out for PE, Music and Lunch.  Thank God!! Cause Muffie and Buffie and Trixie (husband is Bif) couldn't bare to expose their children to "those kids."  So yeah Alex urped and we're home.

He urps alot.   It's not an all out stomach flu projectile type thing (ok here's some gory details, I hope you didn't decide to eat lunch after my first sentence) but it's a wet burp.  So got a call into the Ped. Might need a good ole fashioned PPI.

Alex?  Oh he wants chicken nuggets, chips, M&M's, lasagne and sketti'os.  And to play outside, watch a movie, run around like a crazed child and generally giggle and laugh.

At least the normal kids are safe!

Steven Tyler

Seriously, are you not just falling in love with him all over agan?? 

Days of Whine and Snow-ses or PPP

This is snow day number two.  I am going crazy. Yes I know it's a short drive on a good day, but today UGH!

First I woke up to Stanford, vomitting on the stairs. So yes he hit not one but two stairs. Nice.  So I clean that up, take a shower and head downstairs for coffee and logging into work. The wireless network doesn't work with my work laptop, so I head downstairs to the basement to hook into the network.  I really wanted to be on the main floor, well because it's the main floor and my chair at my desk hurts my neck and back after awhile.  And I can watch TV while working and snacks are right there!  Where is the wizard hardware guy I live with? Oh yeah at work and not willing to troubleshoot.

Alex gets up and comes to the basement.  He eats some breakfast and is playing.  I discover that Sammie has pooped and peed in the house. Well she did hit the pee pad, so I can't be totally mad, but still it's a pee and poop clean up.  Then Alex barfs!  Seriously.  It was a wet burp but still there were chunks to clean up.  So I get all that into the wash, settle back down "to work" and Alex has to go to the bathroom.  You guessed it, he manages to pee all over the floor and his clothes.  So I stop the washer and toss those clothes in and get him redressed and the bathroom floor cleaned up.

I want to go back to work.  No really I do.  Enough snow days!

The Social Experiment is over before it started

I am sad (or happy???) that the cans were tossed last night. Experiement over.  I thought I'd have a good run with this one. I guess it's good news right?  LOL

Social Experiment

I sorta kinda stole this from my friend Sarah, but the idea struck me this morning. Yes in my morning fog a glimpse into the mind of man.  Not mankind, man. Men, males..... (is there much to insight into????)

So my hubby has been really bad about throwing away his garbage.  It makes it to the counter ABOVE the garbage can but not into the can.  For all of you physics majors (cause I know there are hundreds of you reading my blog)...how much more energy does a man have to exert in order to lightly TOSS the garbage into the can? And please factor in the extreme effort of lifting the lid to the can.

Now we watch Hoarders on A&E.  I see the trend starting.  I am not going to die under a 6 ft pile of garbage in my own home. And a social experiement is born.

So with two empty coke cans sitting on the counter, we added another last night. I did do dishes last night after dinner, but left the cans sit. I am now going to start stacking them.  How many cans do you think it will take???  Will it be a stand off?  Will he ever toss the cans?  How many empty chip bags will join the cans? Place your bets in the comments and we'll see who comes the closest!

Bad Poster, Bad Bad Poster

I haven't posted in ages and ages and ages, well you get the picture. Nobody was really reading here anymore so I kind of gave up.  My friend Sarah has inspired me to maybe start up again. Maybe.  Could this be a New Year's resolution?  GASP!

2010 went by so quickly, I'm not sure I even remember what all went on.  Work, doctor's appointments, more work, very little fun, lots of time spent at home staring at the walls.  If truth be told, wishing for a new life, something fun and exciting and so not frozen.  Warm tropical breezes...umbrella drinks..... ahhhh...

So the only resolution I have so far, blog more.  We'll see.  If I get anyone stopping by I might pick it up again.  And if nobody stops by, I can just blather on to myself!

Happy New Year!  What are your resolutions for 2011? 

I've been a pretty lame blogger.

Hanging head in shame.  I have fallen into the grips of Facebook. That and I got a real job. One where I show up and they have things for me to do. Important things, that matter. 

I do really like my new job. It's at Paypal.  I work on the software that the agents use. An agent is the person who answers the phone when you call Paypal and say stupid things like "I can't remember my password" and "Show me the money" And yes you do sound stupid, I've listened to the calls.  Please don't sound stupid when you call Paypal, you've been warned.

Alex is enjoying summer.  He likes swimming the best I think.  Who doesn't?

This Saturday we hope to go to an MDA party being thrown in Sam's honor.  Sam is adorable. I only know him thru some pictures and I've met his mom.  Great family!  But the heat is suppose to be that of the Saraha desert, so we shall see.  I don't have time to rent a camel.....

My mom made two quilts for Katie's Comforters. I found Karen's (mom of Katie) site from the Hopeful Parents site. Check them all out, you'll be glad you did. And if you or someone you know loves to quilt.....whip one up and ship it off!

Enjoy your summer! Maybe my next post will come before fall!!! Yeah yeah, promises promises. So friend me on Facebook!

Haven't been blogging much.

Sorry to all my readers out there (yes both of you!).   Just seems like I forget to sit down and write something. Facebook might have something to do with it.

I've got a new job. I start tomorrow.  I am excited! I will be contracting at Paypal. I hate being the new person, but I'm sure it won't take long to fit in.

My cousin Lisa is really battling the beast, known as Cancer. She's having quite a time with it.  She is like a sister to me, she's always been there for me, no matter what.  Please keep her in your prayers.   Her family is going to San Diego in May and she'd love to be well enough to go, see the ocean one more time. Her mother, sister and brothers are devastated as well.  Nasty disease.  We need to find cures for this!

Alex is doing well at school. He's become quite the helper for the younger kids in the class.  It's nice to see him be a buddy.  With his behavior issues, it's nice to see some progress! Stanford has not gone back to school, we'll work on it thru the summer and attend a re-training course and hopefully he can go back in the fall.  We'll see.

Glad you stopped by.  Not very exciting or noteworthy...but hey welcome to my life!!! LOL

Happy Birthday Grandma

We're closing in on our second year without you.  We all still miss you and can't quite figure out why you're gone.  Alex misses you too.  He likes to look at pictures of you, but I'm not sure he understands why he doesn't see you in person.  I'm not sure I understand it either.

I know that I need to come to terms with all that happened during the week you died.  I have to forgive the people who kept me from you because of their jealousy and their own agendas.  We had a lifetime together and they only got that final week.  I have to accept that our time together during the 46 yrs meant way more to each of us, than the last week they spent scrambling to be the most important person in your life and death. But I should have been there for you, I should have fought them harder, but I didn't. I need to forgive myself as well. 

I hope you and Grandpa are celebrating your birthday in heaven today.  We always celebrated both of your birthdays together, during this week...I miss that too. Neither one of you is forgotten, your impact on our lives is still apparent.  Thank you and I miss you both!

Stanford has been going to school

you can check out his blog and see what he's been up too!

Stories of Stanford

~*~*~ HAPPY 10TH BIRTHDAY ~*~*~

I can believe how time has flown by!  Happy birthday to my sweet boy!

Snowed In!

You can't find much to post about when you've been snowed in for three days.  And it's cooooold!  -40 windchills...so not good.  Lots of ice on the roads.

praying for an early spring!!! Early as in January 15th!!!!

Happy New Year and

Happy New Decade! I wish you all good health, happiness and love!

Merry Christmas and Check It Out!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas!

Check out a new blog. I think you may like it......or not.

Happy Holidays!

Stories of Stanford

Snnnnooooowwww Day!

I am really, really bummed as I sit here in my jammies, wishing I could be AT work instead of working from home!!!

Yeah right!!!

Stanford is Transitioning into School

We'll see how it goes. Daddy is taking him up a few times a week to work with the school and daycare. The school is adament that Alex have full control of the dog and Alex doesn't have full control of himself!! ha! So Stanford may get expelled sooner rather than later.......

Wish us luck!

I really haven't been MIA....

Ok maybe I have. Just haven't had much to say I guess.

The school has agreed to let Stanford come to school with Alex, but and it's a big but...we have to sign an agreement they wrote up. Currently looking for a lawyer to review it for us. No way are we signing something so one sided! As much as we want Stanford at school, we'd prefer to not have the pants sued off of us! So more $$$ to spend yet! It's never easy.

The cold weather has hit. We're hearing talk of snow for the weekend. Did I mention how much I hate winter?? We need to move somewhere warmer.

H1N1 has hit Omaha as well. The school called today and said that Alex threw up. So I leave work and go get him and guess what? He's fine. I swear they panic at every wet burp!!!!

Why a Service Dog????

Why a service dog for Alex?

The placement of a dog with the child enables the child and family to increase their mobility and socialization as a family, and the child individually. In most cases the dog accompanies the child at all times when the child leaves home. The dog goes to school with the child and the presence of the dog calms the child, reduces emotional outbursts and serves as a positive social link for the child to their home, school and community.

Above is a quote from a service dog website and it explains really well what we hope Stanford will do for Alex. In addition to Alex, at school Stanford can help the other kids and he can help with OT and PT ! He is trained both as a service dog and a therapy dog! Alex’s diagnosis of T21 and ADHD were the qualifying factors.

We’ve already noticed a difference in Alex. Going out to eat was a nightmare, but now with Stanford, Alex behaves so much better and eats and remains calm. Stanford provides good exercise since we need to walk him and he loves to play too! Another benefit I never anticipated was that now when we go out, people don’t stare at Alex….they stare at Stanford! If you have encountered “the stares” what a relief to have them watch the dog and also for them to think that Alex is “cool” because he has the dog!

You can have other pets home as well!!! We have two cats and while they're not friends it, it's getting better!

We used CARES (www.caresks.com) in Concordia, KS. They are a wonderful group and work so well with both the dogs and person who is receiving the dog. Their application process is listed on their website if you’re interested! Your ped will need to fill out a form as well. They do offer some scholarships based on need and you can even start making payments or have donations go directly to them (in your child’s name) once you’ve been accepted. It took us about 1 ½ yrs from application to receiving Stanford.

I would highly recommend a service dog!

Introducing.... Stanford!

Taaaa-daaaaa! It's Stanford! Alex's new service dog! Stanford is a 15 month old Golden Retriever. He was puppy raised at the Ellsworth Correctional Facility in Ellsworth, KS.

We spent a week training with Stanford in Concordia, KS. He is a wonderful dog, but since we've been home, he's needed to be reminded that he is a TRAINED dog! LOL Alex is going to love him!

We will be working on the dog going to school with Alex. Since school starts Wednesday, we may not get him right to school the first day or even the first week!

If you are interested in a service dog, the organization we used is CARES. They are a wonderful group of people and truly care about the dogs and the people! Check out their website. Also, if you're looking for some place for donations, they would love to receive donations and give scholarships to those who cannot afford the entire cost of a service dog!

Ice Cream Contest

Entering the contest which you can see here

Updated this post to add: This picture was taken at Give Kids the World, during Alex's Make A Wish trip. He loved the free ice cream shop and we visited it often! The workers in there started making Alex's favorite as soon as they saw them heading towards their shop! It was chocolate chip ice cream in a cone!

Maui was a blast!!!

It was hard to come back home! This was one vacation where I actually wanted to stay! What a great way to celebrate our 10th anniversary!

We had fun parasailing and snorkeling. The water is so clear and blue! We did some shopping and hanging out at the beach. I'd definitely consider going back some time!

Here are some pics for your enjoyment:


A room with a view


snorkeling pic


Sunset


Gorgeous flowers!


Our Anniversary dessert plate at the luau


The happy couple!


Creature from the black lagoon!

Visiting the Puppy People

We had a wonderful time visiting CARES in Concordia, KS. Alex loved the dogs, especially the Great Dane and the St Bernard! Yikes! I'm thinking a tad bit smaller than those!

Alex should be getting his dog in August. These dogs are amazing! I know that Alex is going to benefit from having a dog like this. I can't wait for our training class!

Prayers Please!

My cousin just had a biopsy done on her lymph nodes and it came back cancerous. There wasn't enough tissue to determine which type, but he didn't feel it was a lymphoma. They will be removing her tonsils next week, as they may be the culprit.

She is a survivor of breast cancer too. So she's been thru this hell once already and really doesn't deserve a second round!

She would appreciate your prayers and good thoughts as she starts this journey. I would appreciate your prayers for her as well! We are all scared right now. She is like the sister I never had, we tell each other everything. I am heartbroken right now.

I hate cancer!

I'm so excited!!

We're going to Kansas. Ok I know to most of you...big whoop huh? LOL We're going to the place that is training Alex's therapy dog!!! We get to watch them train and they get to evaluate Alex with the dogs. He'll be in 7th heaven (no not the TV show).

June 3rd! Can't wait!!!

Here's a link if you wanna go visit them: CARES

Hippity Hoppity Happy Easter Day!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Easter day!

Dear Mr President

You let us down yesterday. Yes you're hip and you're cool. The nation waited with baited breath for you to appear on Jay Leno.

All that charm, all that charisma, so witty. Dazzling smile, so confident. Until...

The dreaded slur againt Special Olympics....all that charisma and charm gone in a split second....and in it's place....Ugliness. Yes Mr President you were ugly.

It's time to take off the shiney armor, put the white steed in the barn and plant your butt in the Oval office. Open your mouth only when you can tell us you've cleaned up the banking system, created new jobs,the auto industry is solvent and the trillions of dollars of debt has been reduced. Otherwise....less is more.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MATT!

For the life of me, I cannot believe I have a child who is 26 yrs old!! Of course I had him when I was 8......I was precocious.....

He is a good kid, always has been. Today he's in Chicago, touring around. They went to Notre Dame to watch UNO play hockey.

A couple of my friends had lunch yesterday, one just had a baby 6 months ago and the other is 3 months pregnant and they were asking me about finding out if my first two were boys or girls. I was like ummm...they didn't do ultra sounds back then unless they were sure you were having problems. I never had an U/S until Alex. I was never offered an amnio (which I wouldn't have done and I'm not even sure they did those either)or any other type of testing. So my first two were suprises. It was fun that way....I guess Alex was a surprise too..only not with sex, just with number of chromosomes!

I don't need to worry about Matt getting all crazy on his birthday in Chicago, getting stupid drunk and not finding his way home. He'll enjoy the sites and go back to the hotel, sober and knowing where he is. It's nice to have one kid that isn't a worry!!!

Updates on Emma Sage and Elliot

Emma Sage is home and the docs believe it's all viral...no cancer! Praise the Lord! Emma's family is grateful for your thoughts and prayers!

Elliot was sent home, but is not doing well. He may be headed to Children's hospital in Omaha. So the family could use your continued prayers!

Prayers Needed!

For two very dear friends of ours.

The first one is Emma Sage. She is in the hospital and they are still running tests. They have used the nasty "C" word, but we are all just very sure it's not that at all!!

The second is sweet Elliot. He is also in the hospital with pneumonia. He was scheduled for surgery on Friday to have his gallbladder removed, but this illness has postponed it.

Thank you for your prayers and positive thoughts! I know their mommies and daddies are very worried and would appreciate it!

A Lazy Saturday

Boy that sounds like I'm laying around, eating bon bons and watching re-runs of Oprah.....but in my reality it means I'm doing laundry at my own pace and filling in the gaps with Facebook!

Not much going on around here. Last week I had the stomach flu and Alex managed a sinus/eye infection combo. We're both on the mend now. My dad also landed in the hospital and required two stents! He's doing fine now, btw.

Next week we meet with a psychologist regarding Alex's behavior (we have to meet with him first, before we see a psychiatrist). It has gone downhill again and has become a PITA for us. As much as I don't want to medicate him anymore, it's obvious he cannot be without something. He is so impulsive, distruptive and down right defiant. School complains, daycare complains and we complain. We can't go anywhere as a family because his behavior is so bad, it's not worth the aggrevation and nasty stares we get. I'm tired of being a prisoner of my own home, where Alex's behavior isn't much better, but at least we can put him to bed without strangers staring at us with distain.

Tonight is Parent's Night Out with our DS Parent's group. Looking forward to it. They provide sitting so we can enjoy adult time. We sure need it! I do pity the sitters though (see above paragraph) but if they keep him playing, he'll be fine.

I'm so excited!

Alex may be getting his service dog in June or Aug. We need to send a video of him, doing everyday things, so they can get a feel of his personality and match a dog to him.

It will be fun times. The two cats will panic and remain panicked for days! LOL I hope I'm ready for a dog.......but I am re-assured that the dog will be will trained which helps!

Alex LOVES dogs. He's going to be so excited!!!

What Internet Symbol Are You?

I Am LOL

The internet is always cracking you up. You could waste the day away finding things to laugh at. You're usually the first one to find a new funny video, picture, or website. You're always up for wasting time online, even if (especially if) you're at work. You also tend to spend a lot of time chatting, especially with people who make you laugh out loud.

What Internet Slang Are You?

I am so ready for Spring!

Who isn't? We have snow on the ground and freezing drizzle on tap for tomorrow.

Come on Spring... let's move it, move it!!! I'm ready! At the very least can we have temps above 35 during the day?? Puh-leeeeaze???

Who's with me??????

What's Your 80's Song?

I am "Time After Time"

If you were transported back to the 80s, your life would be all about reflecting. You're a serious, earnest person - and you couldn't help but think a lot about how things were back then. You'd spend a lot of your time writing, researching, and learning. You would either become a social anthropologist - or a crazy guru with a knack for predicting the future.

What's Your 80s Karaoke Song?

HAPPY 9TH BIRTHDAY!

The birthday boy was excited to head for school today! He knows mommy is bringing cupcakes for treats! And he loves his cupcakes!!

I can't believe it's been 9 yrs! Seems like yesterday, seems like forever. We woke up 9 years ago, me with labor pains, hubby with fear I think, but the whole world was in front of us! Our baby boy would born that day. Boy were we unprepared for the ride we were about to take!!!

I can chuckle at those naive parents of 9 yrs ago. It wasn't funny back then though.... it was dramatic and traumatic and scary and unreal. We were thrown head first into the deep end of the pool, the pool of trisomy 21. We barely kept our heads above water..gasping for air...a life preserver....a floating door...anything.

Today we can breast stroke, back stroke and high dive with the best of them! Today we toss out the life preserver to those who are just starting to tread water...slowly bringing them to the shore. We can now be the lifeguards, watching over and protecting those still swimming....

I should have done a winter analogy huh? Since it's only 9 degrees and snowing today!!! LOL

Happy Birthday Little Man! We've come a long ways baby!!

Is it just me or....

do you have alot of those oh I don't know what to call them... people who dress up or hold up the big cardboard signs and stand out on the street corner and wave at you? Omaha is chock full of them. I don't know how much they make, but holy cow it's COLD outside!!! You couldn't pay me enough!

Today it was women dressed up like the Statue of Liberty.... advertising for Liberty Tax Services (cute eh?). I saw 2 different ones...I actually waved at the one... is that bad? She seemed so nice and COLD. Poor thing. I felt she needed a friendly wave, bless her heart. Hubby thinks they're all crack whores working for their habit!!! LOL

I also saw a person with the big signs....for Old World Market. They're closing our stores here in Omaha.

Halloween brings out the costume shop goodies. Gorillas, pirates, grim reaper and mummies. The Maggie Moo cow is out once a while too... big udders on that one!!!

Also around town are the "Will work for Food" people. The -20 temps drove them indoors to the shelters, but since it's warming up a bit.... they'll be back out.

Is it just a midwest thing? Is it the desperate economy we're in??? Hmmmm things to ponder...

How neat is this?

I got a Christmas present from my grandma today. Yes she passed away in July but I got one!

My mom found 3 cross stitched pictures my grandma had made way back when (before her cateracts became too bad). Two were of ducks and geese and one was a kitchen type scene (jam jar, flowers, mixing bowl). My one brother has his PhD in wildlife biology and his dissertation was on wood ducks and my other brother is an avid hunter and a biologist and arborist. The duck and geese scenes were perfect for them (guess who got the kitchen one?). My mom had them framed and gave them to us today. My grandma only made 3 of them and had them stored away in one of her many sewing bins. They were meant for us!!

I'd like to think she was with us today and even got us gifts! Although rather than have gifts, I'd rather have her here, it was a nice surprise. I think my mom misses her the most!

Thanks Grams!! It's going up in the kitchen tonight! I miss you!

We Wish You a Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all my friends!!!

One year ago today...

The world lost a wonderful mother, wife, sister, daughter, aunt and friend to that ugly disease known as cancer.

Your friends are thinking of you today, thinking of the last time we saw you, talked to you, hugged you! While we wish you were here, we know you're in glorious heaven, watching over us!!

Your faith was so strong, your grace during the most challenging of times was inmeasurable. I can only hope to be half the faithful servant you were, to be half the mother and wife you were. You left big shoes to fill!

Thinking of you also Tom, Kurtis, Ryan and Lisa. You must miss her so.

You can read all about Annette's journey on her blog and now her beautiful sister Lisa is keeping it going at "Grace Between the Lines"

Love you girlfriend! Until we meet again!

Does Santa Claus Bounce?

Our DADS group here in Omaha had a Christmas party for the kids last night. At BounceU, a place full of gigantic bouncers (no not the Patrick Swayze type) and guess who showed up?

Alex was so excited to see Santa. He also loves to bounce and he could hardly wait to get in there!!! Below is a picture of him going down the big slide.