I wish everyone the happiest of holidays and a spectacular New Year.
We're holding our Christmas in the coming week because of my husband's work schedule and thanks to the fact that Sweet'ums and I both unexpectedly fell sick (each in our own way) I am, once again, spending Christmas mostly alone. It's ok--Sweet'ums doesn't have a clue and really, our little Christmas won't be until next week anyway, so I guess we're not really missing anything--our family togetherness event is just being postponed.
At any rate, that has left me alone with my thoughts. As you all are very well aware, me being left alone, unsupervised, with my thoughts is usually a bad thing, especially when things have been like they are.
For once, though, I've managed pretty well. I'm coping and coming to acceptance of the possibilities and generally, keeping it together. I'm doing all of the research I can and trying to formulate some kind of idea how this will impact us if, indeed, my daughter has some measure of autism.
The thing is, I believe everything will be okay, but life experiences have taught me that being okay doesn't always mean what we want it to. Sometimes it means things going back to normal or being like they were before. Other times it means adapting to change or realizing that things aren't quite what we thought they were or coming to a point where you can accept that your life is something other than normal.
I kind of got to thinking and I realized that NG and I were never really normal to begin with. How does it make sense that our child would anything but like us? We're weird. Our kid might be too. So what? Whether it's just a verbal/social delay or autism, she's still the same kid. She hasn't changed; all that has changed is our understanding of her. It doesn't bother me that she might not be just like everyone else. I never was and NG wasn't really either. I still believe, no matter what might be up with her, that we couldn't have hand-picked a child better suited for us.
So when I talk about possibilities, no, I'm not depressed. Scared, a little, that things might be worse than what we're prepared for, but what parent doesn't worry about those things to some extent? No, mostly I'm just trying to prepare myself for what's possible. I know in my heart that something's not quite right. That's not me being morbid, it's just me admitting what I feel. Is it autism? I don't know, but something in my gut says maybe so. They say that it seems to run in families, and also seems to have a connection to families who have manic depressive individuals in their ranks. There's a few adults in my family and my husband's who could potentially be either one of those things, but back even when I was a kid autism just wasn't something they tested for unless you were "slow" and manic depression wasn't something I'd even heard of until I was older, so I doubt "back in the day" it was something a doc would say Great Aunt Suzy had.
Sweet'ums is a fast learner, so I have no doubt of her actual intelligence. She's surrounded by love so I know she'll be ok, no matter what the problem is. All of us are weird in our own ways and honestly, some of the most brilliant people who have ever lived were socially incompetent. So I'm not worried about that. I do worry about helping her deal with people around her if she does have a problem, because people tend to be intolerant of even minor differences.
All in all, I know it'll be ok. Mostly I wrote all of this to sort through some of my own thoughts, so bear with me. I'm in a good place about it all now since I've had time to process it. We're still waiting to hear from the evaluation people so when that happens, I'll let everyone know.
Hope you all had a great Christmas and everything. I'll post pics of ours when we have it.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Not sure what to say
I had hoped that the doctor would tell me I was being paranoid, typical first-time-mom stuff since the third year is new territory for me.
I had hoped he'd tell me what I already know, that kids develop differently and "normal" for one isn't necessarily "normal" for another.
I'd hoped he'd say that he sees a lot of kids like her, quiet and shy but perfectly normal despite their desire not to chat with their parents.
Instead, he asked us a lot of questions, some of which we really didn't know how to answer. And, at the end of it all, he said that just from watching her he saw everything he needed to know.
When he first walked in, she covered her ears like she was expecting a loud noise or something scary. Then, she realized that it wasn't that kind of appointment. She played by herself, up and down the step stool, on the edge of the exam table and back down again. She watched him but said nothing. She laughed some and muttered to herself but showed no interest in what the grown-ups were talking about. She ignored her name being mentioned several times over in the course of the discussion and just played happily, off in her own little universe.
He said at the very least he thinks she's language delayed, and most likely socially delayed, and will need some group time and speech therapy to get caught up. But, it's also possible that it is a mild autism-spectrum problem. That by her age, even well-behaved children are interested in what the grown-ups are doing and if they hear their names mentioned they want to know what's being said, or they'll want Mom or Dad's attention for something, or they're at least curious about the doctor.
He's not the kind of doctor who throws around labels. When Nice Guy mentioned at her 3 year checkup that he thought she had an attention problem, the doctor said to keep an eye on it but that he was hesitant to suggest that a 3 year old had an attention issue--after all, they're 3. He's careful about medications and has given Sweet'ums antibiotics on only one occasion, after over-the-counter solutions had failed. And I really, truly do not believe he would have brought up autism casually--he's not the kind to cause unnecessary worry and if it was only a remote possibility I think he would have left it to the people doing the evaluation to mention it instead of bringing it up himself. To me, it seems he saw something that made him feel it was best to go ahead and bring it up. He gave us the phone number of the local office for the state folks who do the evaluations for this. We've already called, and we're waiting for a call back.
So I came home and called Mom to let her know what was going on, since she was like me and was starting to feel like something wasn't right. After I got done telling her everything, she had news for me: my uncle (the one who has been sick) died sometime during the night. He simply didn't wake up this morning.
It has been a long, tiring day. I don't know what to think or feel and despite all of my attempts to see the positive side of things, my heart can't help but break a little. It's the culmination of about two months of feeling like the rug was being pulled out from under my feet in slow motion. And somehow, it continues. I'm trying so hard to keep a little ray of sunshine in my mind but I still feel like maybe I did something wrong. Like I'm still paying a lifetime of penance for a handful of wrongs. Like maybe I failed somehow as a mother.
I've done good so far today keeping my chin up. This darkness has got to be the exhaustion talking (I hardly slept last night).
Ali, please don't say anything about Sweet'ums to family until I know more about what's going on. No sense in getting anyone riled up if there turns out to be nothing really wrong. Love ya, girlie.
So, this is Christmas for me. What a week (and it's only Monday).
I had hoped he'd tell me what I already know, that kids develop differently and "normal" for one isn't necessarily "normal" for another.
I'd hoped he'd say that he sees a lot of kids like her, quiet and shy but perfectly normal despite their desire not to chat with their parents.
Instead, he asked us a lot of questions, some of which we really didn't know how to answer. And, at the end of it all, he said that just from watching her he saw everything he needed to know.
When he first walked in, she covered her ears like she was expecting a loud noise or something scary. Then, she realized that it wasn't that kind of appointment. She played by herself, up and down the step stool, on the edge of the exam table and back down again. She watched him but said nothing. She laughed some and muttered to herself but showed no interest in what the grown-ups were talking about. She ignored her name being mentioned several times over in the course of the discussion and just played happily, off in her own little universe.
He said at the very least he thinks she's language delayed, and most likely socially delayed, and will need some group time and speech therapy to get caught up. But, it's also possible that it is a mild autism-spectrum problem. That by her age, even well-behaved children are interested in what the grown-ups are doing and if they hear their names mentioned they want to know what's being said, or they'll want Mom or Dad's attention for something, or they're at least curious about the doctor.
He's not the kind of doctor who throws around labels. When Nice Guy mentioned at her 3 year checkup that he thought she had an attention problem, the doctor said to keep an eye on it but that he was hesitant to suggest that a 3 year old had an attention issue--after all, they're 3. He's careful about medications and has given Sweet'ums antibiotics on only one occasion, after over-the-counter solutions had failed. And I really, truly do not believe he would have brought up autism casually--he's not the kind to cause unnecessary worry and if it was only a remote possibility I think he would have left it to the people doing the evaluation to mention it instead of bringing it up himself. To me, it seems he saw something that made him feel it was best to go ahead and bring it up. He gave us the phone number of the local office for the state folks who do the evaluations for this. We've already called, and we're waiting for a call back.
So I came home and called Mom to let her know what was going on, since she was like me and was starting to feel like something wasn't right. After I got done telling her everything, she had news for me: my uncle (the one who has been sick) died sometime during the night. He simply didn't wake up this morning.
It has been a long, tiring day. I don't know what to think or feel and despite all of my attempts to see the positive side of things, my heart can't help but break a little. It's the culmination of about two months of feeling like the rug was being pulled out from under my feet in slow motion. And somehow, it continues. I'm trying so hard to keep a little ray of sunshine in my mind but I still feel like maybe I did something wrong. Like I'm still paying a lifetime of penance for a handful of wrongs. Like maybe I failed somehow as a mother.
I've done good so far today keeping my chin up. This darkness has got to be the exhaustion talking (I hardly slept last night).
Ali, please don't say anything about Sweet'ums to family until I know more about what's going on. No sense in getting anyone riled up if there turns out to be nothing really wrong. Love ya, girlie.
So, this is Christmas for me. What a week (and it's only Monday).
Sunday, December 19, 2010
All Cookied Out
So I've spent the better part of last night and today baking and cooking. No-bake cookies, chocolate and white chocolate covered pretzels, sugar cookies, buttermilk pies. Tomorrow it'll be little smokies in blankets lol.
So here's the deal: My MIL is having her kids over for a Christmas party and, just like the last couple years, I'm doing the pigs in blankets that his family loves so much. Why do they like mine so much? Because I get the beef smokies instead of the regular ones (because my gut has expensive tastes), and I actually take the time to do them in the little crescents instead of stuffing them into biscuit balls. My MIL also special requested a buttermilk pie since last year my SIL disappeared with the last slice and MIL didn't get any. Oh, how they fought over that pie. The only problems: This adds up to be quite an expense (have you LOOKED at the price of pecans lately???) and a LOT of cooking.
On top of it, we thought it would be a good idea to do a gift for Sweet'ums' gymnastics teacher. This is great, right? Mom suggested cookies since Teacher has several kids. Fun stuff. So I bake. And I cook. And I bake some more. We got a little Christmas-tree shaped cookie jar from Walmart and I filled it with the tasties that I spent my day making. We'll see tomorrow how well it goes over, but I'm pretty happy with it.
In other news, I get to see my best friend tomorrow! I haven't seen her in... I dunno, more than a year I think. I miss her like crazy. She'll be shipping out soon and will be gone for another year. It's just really sad to realize that you've known your best friend longer as a long-distance friend than you have as a normal friend. Six years vs. three years. I'm a little scared that it might be weird. I dunno.
Tomorrow we're also seeing Sweet'ums' doctor about her speech. She talks but not very often is it directly to anyone. She doesn't ask questions or tell stories like kids this age usually do. She doesn't ask for things--she usually just points and yells. Actually, the yelling is a big part of why I haven't been around much--between all the yelling and this just being a hectic time of year, my nerves are shot. So tomorrow we see whether the doctor thinks she's just being a butthead or if something's actually wrong.
That's another thing, too. Lately I've had what seems to be a series of panic attacks. I had one that was pretty scary for me, and then every time I go to the store anymore I get hot and my face turns red and I start to sweat and feel sick. Maybe it's not panic attacks, I dunno. But I promised NG that I'd see the doctor about it once our new insurance kicks in a few weeks after the first of the year.
So that's it. And I leave you with a pic of my baby doing the balance beam. :)
I'm a proud mama. Can't you tell? Oh, and that's Teacher in the background. :)
So here's the deal: My MIL is having her kids over for a Christmas party and, just like the last couple years, I'm doing the pigs in blankets that his family loves so much. Why do they like mine so much? Because I get the beef smokies instead of the regular ones (because my gut has expensive tastes), and I actually take the time to do them in the little crescents instead of stuffing them into biscuit balls. My MIL also special requested a buttermilk pie since last year my SIL disappeared with the last slice and MIL didn't get any. Oh, how they fought over that pie. The only problems: This adds up to be quite an expense (have you LOOKED at the price of pecans lately???) and a LOT of cooking.
On top of it, we thought it would be a good idea to do a gift for Sweet'ums' gymnastics teacher. This is great, right? Mom suggested cookies since Teacher has several kids. Fun stuff. So I bake. And I cook. And I bake some more. We got a little Christmas-tree shaped cookie jar from Walmart and I filled it with the tasties that I spent my day making. We'll see tomorrow how well it goes over, but I'm pretty happy with it.
In other news, I get to see my best friend tomorrow! I haven't seen her in... I dunno, more than a year I think. I miss her like crazy. She'll be shipping out soon and will be gone for another year. It's just really sad to realize that you've known your best friend longer as a long-distance friend than you have as a normal friend. Six years vs. three years. I'm a little scared that it might be weird. I dunno.
Tomorrow we're also seeing Sweet'ums' doctor about her speech. She talks but not very often is it directly to anyone. She doesn't ask questions or tell stories like kids this age usually do. She doesn't ask for things--she usually just points and yells. Actually, the yelling is a big part of why I haven't been around much--between all the yelling and this just being a hectic time of year, my nerves are shot. So tomorrow we see whether the doctor thinks she's just being a butthead or if something's actually wrong.
That's another thing, too. Lately I've had what seems to be a series of panic attacks. I had one that was pretty scary for me, and then every time I go to the store anymore I get hot and my face turns red and I start to sweat and feel sick. Maybe it's not panic attacks, I dunno. But I promised NG that I'd see the doctor about it once our new insurance kicks in a few weeks after the first of the year.
So that's it. And I leave you with a pic of my baby doing the balance beam. :)
I'm a proud mama. Can't you tell? Oh, and that's Teacher in the background. :)
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
It's that time of year again
Well, Christmas is almost here. And if my kid keeps up like she has been, Santa's going to be giving her enough coal to open her own mine.
That's the primary reason I haven't been around. I'm so worn out and emotionally dragged through the mud dealing with Sweet'ums right now that I can barely get through a day. She's got NG and I so wound up that now we're arguing with each other even though we each know the other isn't really the problem. And I'm not blaming Sweet'ums--it's probably a phase, or maybe we're misunderstanding her somehow and she's frustrated that she can't make us understand. I dunno. But it's really wearing me down, and it's been hard.
In other (less negative) news, I have a new camera. It's an Olympus SP-600UZ. I'm absolutely in love with it. I got it early because (if Sweet'ums behaves) she's supposed to be in a Christmas play and I really wanted to get some good pics of her. It's already way better than my old one inside the house (my old one distorted the color really badly) and I can't wait to use it outdoors.
That's all I've got for right now but soon I'll post some pictures and a real update. Hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season!
That's the primary reason I haven't been around. I'm so worn out and emotionally dragged through the mud dealing with Sweet'ums right now that I can barely get through a day. She's got NG and I so wound up that now we're arguing with each other even though we each know the other isn't really the problem. And I'm not blaming Sweet'ums--it's probably a phase, or maybe we're misunderstanding her somehow and she's frustrated that she can't make us understand. I dunno. But it's really wearing me down, and it's been hard.
In other (less negative) news, I have a new camera. It's an Olympus SP-600UZ. I'm absolutely in love with it. I got it early because (if Sweet'ums behaves) she's supposed to be in a Christmas play and I really wanted to get some good pics of her. It's already way better than my old one inside the house (my old one distorted the color really badly) and I can't wait to use it outdoors.
That's all I've got for right now but soon I'll post some pictures and a real update. Hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season!
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Gift from my friend Angel
I'm around, but having a rough week. I'll be back though!
In the meantime, I want to show you something my friend Angel made for me a little bit ago. I kept meaning to post it but then I'd forget to.
Isn't that pretty? I love it! Thank you, Angel. I'm sorry I haven't posted it sooner! One day when I'm not half-asleep I'm going to see about playing with coding and seeing if I can make it a little link thingie. Apologies for not making more sense... Off to bed now!
In the meantime, I want to show you something my friend Angel made for me a little bit ago. I kept meaning to post it but then I'd forget to.
Isn't that pretty? I love it! Thank you, Angel. I'm sorry I haven't posted it sooner! One day when I'm not half-asleep I'm going to see about playing with coding and seeing if I can make it a little link thingie. Apologies for not making more sense... Off to bed now!
Monday, November 29, 2010
Update on Uncle
My mom and dad went to spend the weekend after Thanksgiving with my sick uncle. They had a good time and everyone was in good spirits.
When Mom got home she told me what she finally managed to drag out of my uncle's SO... They say that it won't be the cancer/tumors/whatever that is going to kill him, it'll be the loss of lung function.
Apparently his lungs have been deteriorating for quite some time (even before this mess, from what I understood) and the upper portion of his lungs isn't really functioning at all. Uncle's SO says that the doctors told him that basically, Uncle will go to sleep one night and simply not wake up because his lungs will just give out. If I understood Mom correctly (and if she understood SO right) part of what's keeping his lungs going right now is the fact that the stomach contracts too, and that it's keeping his lungs stimulated.
And somehow, this is harder to cope with than the idea of cancer. I guess with the cancer there's always the chance that treatments will work, but something like this... there's just nothing that will fix it, short of a miracle. From what I understand he's not a transplant candidate (due to cancer and a lifetime of smoking). Basically, it's a waiting game.
That really bothers me.
I don't like the wait-and-see approach.
So for the last couple days this has had me in a funk. Like I've said before he's only about 14 years older than me and it's hard to imagine someone so young dying of lung failure. I've lost young friends to illnesses not befitting their age before, but this is so random. And of course, I've said before that I feel like he's largely responsible for this because of his lifetime of smoking so it's hard to feel bad for him, exactly, but I still hate it.
I hate that of my mom's four brothers this will be the second one she's lost. Of the remaining two, one is a meth head and the other is out of his mind (remember the Baker Act uncle?) so who knows how long either of them will be around. She's got a sister (who cleaned her act up after years of living a rough life) who is doing relatively well, so that's encouraging, but all of this reminds me that my mom is 55 and well into the years where adults really start having medical problems. It reminds me that life isn't fair, because how could my aunt smoke for like 20- or 30- something years, quit cold turkey, and have little more than a touch of emphysema, but my uncle smoked for maybe a little over a decade and it's the death of him?
All of this has me worried for my mom, especially since she's without insurance.
People under 40 shouldn't die like this, just like kids shouldn't die of the horrible things they do. Just like babies and old folks shouldn't die at the hands of the people who are supposed to take care of them. Just like nobody should have to live with crippling diseases or things that wreck their quality of life or illnesses resulting from the careless actions of others.
Sorry, I'm just in a life-sucks-and-isn't-fair funk. That's the update on my uncle. Not that it's much of one, but there it is.
When Mom got home she told me what she finally managed to drag out of my uncle's SO... They say that it won't be the cancer/tumors/whatever that is going to kill him, it'll be the loss of lung function.
Apparently his lungs have been deteriorating for quite some time (even before this mess, from what I understood) and the upper portion of his lungs isn't really functioning at all. Uncle's SO says that the doctors told him that basically, Uncle will go to sleep one night and simply not wake up because his lungs will just give out. If I understood Mom correctly (and if she understood SO right) part of what's keeping his lungs going right now is the fact that the stomach contracts too, and that it's keeping his lungs stimulated.
And somehow, this is harder to cope with than the idea of cancer. I guess with the cancer there's always the chance that treatments will work, but something like this... there's just nothing that will fix it, short of a miracle. From what I understand he's not a transplant candidate (due to cancer and a lifetime of smoking). Basically, it's a waiting game.
That really bothers me.
I don't like the wait-and-see approach.
So for the last couple days this has had me in a funk. Like I've said before he's only about 14 years older than me and it's hard to imagine someone so young dying of lung failure. I've lost young friends to illnesses not befitting their age before, but this is so random. And of course, I've said before that I feel like he's largely responsible for this because of his lifetime of smoking so it's hard to feel bad for him, exactly, but I still hate it.
I hate that of my mom's four brothers this will be the second one she's lost. Of the remaining two, one is a meth head and the other is out of his mind (remember the Baker Act uncle?) so who knows how long either of them will be around. She's got a sister (who cleaned her act up after years of living a rough life) who is doing relatively well, so that's encouraging, but all of this reminds me that my mom is 55 and well into the years where adults really start having medical problems. It reminds me that life isn't fair, because how could my aunt smoke for like 20- or 30- something years, quit cold turkey, and have little more than a touch of emphysema, but my uncle smoked for maybe a little over a decade and it's the death of him?
All of this has me worried for my mom, especially since she's without insurance.
People under 40 shouldn't die like this, just like kids shouldn't die of the horrible things they do. Just like babies and old folks shouldn't die at the hands of the people who are supposed to take care of them. Just like nobody should have to live with crippling diseases or things that wreck their quality of life or illnesses resulting from the careless actions of others.
Sorry, I'm just in a life-sucks-and-isn't-fair funk. That's the update on my uncle. Not that it's much of one, but there it is.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Introducing...
My dear friend over at Mom's Soapbox!
I met her just shortly after she suffered a great loss in her life and it's been quite a journey since then, getting to know each other and eventually becoming good friends. But, from here I'm just going to leave it to her to tell her story. I'm sure you'll love her just like I do!
I met her just shortly after she suffered a great loss in her life and it's been quite a journey since then, getting to know each other and eventually becoming good friends. But, from here I'm just going to leave it to her to tell her story. I'm sure you'll love her just like I do!
The final installment of my Thankfuls
9. I'm thankful for sales that make it more affordable to have some good, old-fashioned, family-feasting togetherness. We got our turkey at 59 cents per pound and we had enough for six adults to eat their fill and to have leftovers for a couple more meals for my little family and for my parents. We had enough trimmings for everyone to eat their fill and for me to have enough for supper tonight without any wasted. It worked out perfectly.
8. I'm thankful for my little brother. He's given me a lot of grief the last couple years but he's still my baby brother. One day he'll realize that. :)
7. I'm thankful for beautiful autumn days. Outside the state everyone thinks Florida is the Sunshine State but within the state we know Florida has rather fickle weather. A November day can be in the 90s, the 60s, raining, shining, or anywhere in between. Yesterday dawned bright and beautiful, mostly clear, and the temp stayed in the low/mid 80s. It was just breezy enough that the air wasn't stuffy but not breezy enough to blow away my cute little outdoor feast. And since we had that cooler snap earlier in the season we have some gorgeous color in our trees that Florida doesn't always get to enjoy. It was a perfect day for an outdoor get-together.
6. I'm thankful for fresh haircuts. This is another silly one, I suppose, but I had my hair cut on Tuesday and it has been marvelous. It stayed out of my face during all of the preparations and the longer I have it the more I realize my hair stylist is capable of working wonders. She's a great girl and she's really talented, and I'm thankful to be her friend. But as for haircuts... We all know how good it feels to have a fresh cut.
5. I'm thankful for family recipes. They can really make a holiday feel right. For some people it's a special casserole or a punch or potato salad. For us, it's buttermilk pie. No get-together is complete without it. And, I think it's what made my brother actually show up. :)
4. I'm thankful for long, loud evenings with my family. It's been a while since we've had an evening like that and I really needed it.
3. I'm thankful for days spent cooking with my mom. I've shared responsibility for meals with her before, but this is the first time I've really spent a lot of time in the kitchen with her. We had a lot of fun and it really made me thankful. It also made me a little sad because because this has been a hard year for some girls I know--one lost her mom a couple months ago and the other very nearly lost her mom at the beginning of the year. I'm so very thankful for the moms who are still with us and trying my best to honor the ones who aren't. To me, Thanksgiving kind of carries on their memories.
2. I'm thankful for the joy that surrounded us. This picture says it all.
1. I'm thankful for my husband. This year has been a hard one for us but we've stuck together. I am so incredibly blessed to have him. He was also so helpful over Thanksgiving--he took Sweet'ums to play at a place around here that has those big blow-up bouncy castles and on Thanksgiving he took her to see his family so Mom and I could cook. He's been nice about cleaning up and wanted so badly to help somehow. He's doing so much lately to show me just how he adores me and that effort means everything to me. And every day, but especially today, I'm thankful for the wonderful man God gave me.
8. I'm thankful for my little brother. He's given me a lot of grief the last couple years but he's still my baby brother. One day he'll realize that. :)
7. I'm thankful for beautiful autumn days. Outside the state everyone thinks Florida is the Sunshine State but within the state we know Florida has rather fickle weather. A November day can be in the 90s, the 60s, raining, shining, or anywhere in between. Yesterday dawned bright and beautiful, mostly clear, and the temp stayed in the low/mid 80s. It was just breezy enough that the air wasn't stuffy but not breezy enough to blow away my cute little outdoor feast. And since we had that cooler snap earlier in the season we have some gorgeous color in our trees that Florida doesn't always get to enjoy. It was a perfect day for an outdoor get-together.
6. I'm thankful for fresh haircuts. This is another silly one, I suppose, but I had my hair cut on Tuesday and it has been marvelous. It stayed out of my face during all of the preparations and the longer I have it the more I realize my hair stylist is capable of working wonders. She's a great girl and she's really talented, and I'm thankful to be her friend. But as for haircuts... We all know how good it feels to have a fresh cut.
5. I'm thankful for family recipes. They can really make a holiday feel right. For some people it's a special casserole or a punch or potato salad. For us, it's buttermilk pie. No get-together is complete without it. And, I think it's what made my brother actually show up. :)
4. I'm thankful for long, loud evenings with my family. It's been a while since we've had an evening like that and I really needed it.
3. I'm thankful for days spent cooking with my mom. I've shared responsibility for meals with her before, but this is the first time I've really spent a lot of time in the kitchen with her. We had a lot of fun and it really made me thankful. It also made me a little sad because because this has been a hard year for some girls I know--one lost her mom a couple months ago and the other very nearly lost her mom at the beginning of the year. I'm so very thankful for the moms who are still with us and trying my best to honor the ones who aren't. To me, Thanksgiving kind of carries on their memories.
2. I'm thankful for the joy that surrounded us. This picture says it all.
1. I'm thankful for my husband. This year has been a hard one for us but we've stuck together. I am so incredibly blessed to have him. He was also so helpful over Thanksgiving--he took Sweet'ums to play at a place around here that has those big blow-up bouncy castles and on Thanksgiving he took her to see his family so Mom and I could cook. He's been nice about cleaning up and wanted so badly to help somehow. He's doing so much lately to show me just how he adores me and that effort means everything to me. And every day, but especially today, I'm thankful for the wonderful man God gave me.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Maybe tomorrow
I was planning to finish up my "thankfuls" tonight but I'm completely exhausted. So, check back tomorrow for more "thankfuls" and pictures from Thanksgiving. Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Thankful #17-10
I'm a little late with this, I know, but I keep getting sidetracked. I hope everyone is having a good week!
________________________
17. I'm thankful for the rain we've been getting. For those of you not from Florida, rain here typically comes in one of two varieties: "Whoa, who opened the floodgates?" and "Hey, was that a rain drop?" We had a few really wet spells to break up an otherwise dry year and now that autumn/winter is setting in we're starting to get a little rain here and there every couple weeks. Right now the radar says it's raining outside but so far, I can't hear it. But, I'm thankful for it all the same!
16. I'm thankful for a husband who (sometimes) washes the dishes. Enough said? We don't have a dishwasher, unless you count the one named Nice Guy.
15. I'm thankful for 59-cent-per-pound turkeys. It makes having Mom and Dad over for Thanksgiving way more affordable.
14. I'm thankful for second chances. God gives us so many of them, and most of them we don't deserve. Everything about my life is a second chance. I'm thankful He saw fit to let me have it.
13. I'm thankful that my parents have friends who care so much about them. I'm sure I've mentioned that my dad is out of work and my mom is working two jobs right now trying to hold things together, and they don't have insurance. My dad had a tooth infection this week and the people at church, one by one, have slipped them enough cash that he can go to get it taken care of. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to go. Even above him having the ability to go I'm thankful that the kindness of those people obligates him to go. Otherwise, he would have refused to go and he would have put himself in danger of getting sicker than he already is with it. I'm thankful that God works it out sometimes so that people who otherwise don't do what is good for them HAVE to look after themselves.
12. I'm thankful for my own dysfunctional family. This week a death in a family close to mine has reminded me that no matter how screwed up you think your own family is, someone else's family will always one-up yours. And even if they hadn't, I'm still thankful for my extended family, and the people in it, and their very own special brand of crazy. It makes us unique and it makes us, us.
11. I'm thankful for these quiet moments. Sweet'ums and her daddy are both in bed and it's wonderful to sit here, one in spirit with all of you other ladies, listening to music that touches my heart (if you've got kids, you've got to check out the Blink album by Plumb--you'll see what I mean) and writing what's on my mind.
10. I'm thankful for the standard to which God holds me through my daughter. I know she's the root of several of my "thankfuls" but really, she and her father are what shape my life. Apparently she holds me in such high regard that she emulates me, the way I talk, and the things we do. She wants to go places with me! She wants to help me in the kitchen! And she makes me be so keenly aware of everything I say and do, even above and beyond what faith is supposed to, because I know that what I do will be catalogued and filed away and mimicked. No standard I could create for myself, and no standard anyone else could create for me, could ever be higher than that I will be held to by her.
And it makes me want to be a better person.
________________________
17. I'm thankful for the rain we've been getting. For those of you not from Florida, rain here typically comes in one of two varieties: "Whoa, who opened the floodgates?" and "Hey, was that a rain drop?" We had a few really wet spells to break up an otherwise dry year and now that autumn/winter is setting in we're starting to get a little rain here and there every couple weeks. Right now the radar says it's raining outside but so far, I can't hear it. But, I'm thankful for it all the same!
16. I'm thankful for a husband who (sometimes) washes the dishes. Enough said? We don't have a dishwasher, unless you count the one named Nice Guy.
15. I'm thankful for 59-cent-per-pound turkeys. It makes having Mom and Dad over for Thanksgiving way more affordable.
14. I'm thankful for second chances. God gives us so many of them, and most of them we don't deserve. Everything about my life is a second chance. I'm thankful He saw fit to let me have it.
13. I'm thankful that my parents have friends who care so much about them. I'm sure I've mentioned that my dad is out of work and my mom is working two jobs right now trying to hold things together, and they don't have insurance. My dad had a tooth infection this week and the people at church, one by one, have slipped them enough cash that he can go to get it taken care of. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to go. Even above him having the ability to go I'm thankful that the kindness of those people obligates him to go. Otherwise, he would have refused to go and he would have put himself in danger of getting sicker than he already is with it. I'm thankful that God works it out sometimes so that people who otherwise don't do what is good for them HAVE to look after themselves.
12. I'm thankful for my own dysfunctional family. This week a death in a family close to mine has reminded me that no matter how screwed up you think your own family is, someone else's family will always one-up yours. And even if they hadn't, I'm still thankful for my extended family, and the people in it, and their very own special brand of crazy. It makes us unique and it makes us, us.
11. I'm thankful for these quiet moments. Sweet'ums and her daddy are both in bed and it's wonderful to sit here, one in spirit with all of you other ladies, listening to music that touches my heart (if you've got kids, you've got to check out the Blink album by Plumb--you'll see what I mean) and writing what's on my mind.
10. I'm thankful for the standard to which God holds me through my daughter. I know she's the root of several of my "thankfuls" but really, she and her father are what shape my life. Apparently she holds me in such high regard that she emulates me, the way I talk, and the things we do. She wants to go places with me! She wants to help me in the kitchen! And she makes me be so keenly aware of everything I say and do, even above and beyond what faith is supposed to, because I know that what I do will be catalogued and filed away and mimicked. No standard I could create for myself, and no standard anyone else could create for me, could ever be higher than that I will be held to by her.
And it makes me want to be a better person.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
BREAD!!!
I just finished baking my first ever batch of bread! Well, they were actually rolls, and they are SO GOOD. I just wish everyone could smell my house right now.
That one there, the one that's split open with the butter? That one's for you.
Some of them are going to my mom's house for my dad, and some of them are staying here. I'm just so excited that they actually turned out! I have a feeling I'm going to be making tons more bread in the future.
That one there, the one that's split open with the butter? That one's for you.
Some of them are going to my mom's house for my dad, and some of them are staying here. I'm just so excited that they actually turned out! I have a feeling I'm going to be making tons more bread in the future.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Thankful #18
18. I'm thankful for the little extras we've been given in life from kind people. Today was gym day and Sweet'ums had a blast. She's getting to where she's behaving better for her new teacher and gym day is something she really looks forward to. I've mentioned before that we don't have to pay for it because my mom does massages a couple times a week in their lobby. That's a real blessing because even though we could probably afford the class she's in right now, it would be money we didn't have to spend on her at other times. Thanks to their kindness she gets to do something she loves and we're not out the extra money. There's other things too, but it's late and I'm going to stop here.
Good night, all!
Good night, all!
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Seven things to be thankful for
I was going to borrow my friend Patty's idea for posting something every day that I'm thankful for but being me, I got sidetracked. So, I thought it would be almost as good to post seven things once a week. It still adds up to one per day lol. Maybe I'll still try one per day, but I have to get past this post first. I think I'll do this count-down style, since Thanksgiving is on the 25th and that makes for a nice, tidy little list.
25. I'm thankful for all of you!
This one might seem silly, but you guys give me so much encouragement and I'm very thankful for you all! I'm a bit nosy too so it's neat to get a glimpse into the lives of other people and see how they handle the things life throws at them.
24. I'm thankful for my cats. Without them my life would be much simpler, my sleep much sounder, my couches much more intact, and my feet much, much colder. They annoy me and I love them for it.
23. I'm thankful for a house full of toys. Sure, I've nearly broken my neck a dozen times tripping over them, and just today I got this tiny, deep, nasty little bruise right on the bottom of my foot because of a teensy little piece on a toy that I managed to step on, but all of those toys represent the people in Sweet'ums' life who love her and want her to have all these things that they walk through the store (or, sometimes their homes) and see that make them think of her. Also, all of these toys remind me of the sweet girl I have for without her there'd be no need for them.
22. I'm thankful for good neighbors. I've written a lot about the less-than-good ones lately and even a bit of negative stuff about one of my good ones, but what I fail to mention is how anytime I have a problem and my neighbor finds out she drops everything to pray about it. She's a strange one sometimes but she and her husband are blessings.
21. I'm thankful for new house phones! It's wonderful to have a conversation lasting longer than eight minutes and you don't realize how much for granted you take something like chatting on the phone until it starts giving you trouble.
20. I'm thankful for my friend who shows up unexpectedly to spend time with me while we wait for our husbands to get off work and my friend who calls me from Texas routinely because even though she's not present in body, she'll always be my wild only-child-sister at heart. I'm thankful for and amazed at how both of these girls and their families love me and mine just the same as if I was born to them and not just chosen in high school. Some people simply walk through our lives, but some walk with us, and I'm thankful for them.
19. I'm thankful for blue kisses. Or green kisses. Or even orange ones, or whatever color candy she's been into behind Mommy's back. They make my day and warm my heart when I need it most.
I hope everyone's Sunday is beautiful and cool and safe. See you all back in the blog world tomorrow!
25. I'm thankful for all of you!
This one might seem silly, but you guys give me so much encouragement and I'm very thankful for you all! I'm a bit nosy too so it's neat to get a glimpse into the lives of other people and see how they handle the things life throws at them.
24. I'm thankful for my cats. Without them my life would be much simpler, my sleep much sounder, my couches much more intact, and my feet much, much colder. They annoy me and I love them for it.
23. I'm thankful for a house full of toys. Sure, I've nearly broken my neck a dozen times tripping over them, and just today I got this tiny, deep, nasty little bruise right on the bottom of my foot because of a teensy little piece on a toy that I managed to step on, but all of those toys represent the people in Sweet'ums' life who love her and want her to have all these things that they walk through the store (or, sometimes their homes) and see that make them think of her. Also, all of these toys remind me of the sweet girl I have for without her there'd be no need for them.
22. I'm thankful for good neighbors. I've written a lot about the less-than-good ones lately and even a bit of negative stuff about one of my good ones, but what I fail to mention is how anytime I have a problem and my neighbor finds out she drops everything to pray about it. She's a strange one sometimes but she and her husband are blessings.
21. I'm thankful for new house phones! It's wonderful to have a conversation lasting longer than eight minutes and you don't realize how much for granted you take something like chatting on the phone until it starts giving you trouble.
20. I'm thankful for my friend who shows up unexpectedly to spend time with me while we wait for our husbands to get off work and my friend who calls me from Texas routinely because even though she's not present in body, she'll always be my wild only-child-sister at heart. I'm thankful for and amazed at how both of these girls and their families love me and mine just the same as if I was born to them and not just chosen in high school. Some people simply walk through our lives, but some walk with us, and I'm thankful for them.
19. I'm thankful for blue kisses. Or green kisses. Or even orange ones, or whatever color candy she's been into behind Mommy's back. They make my day and warm my heart when I need it most.
I hope everyone's Sunday is beautiful and cool and safe. See you all back in the blog world tomorrow!
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Tying up loose ends
I finally finished the baby blanket! I ran into so many problems with it that I didn't run into with my smaller-scale projects, so it was definitely a learning experience. It took me way longer than I should have--several weekends that would otherwise have been dedicated to it were instead used up with travel and taking care of other things.
This is the front, after being pieced and quilted but before the binding is completely sewn on. At this point I'm actually halfway through the binding. Oh, and just a note: I sew my binding on opposite of the way I understand most quilters do it. If you do front to back, you have to hand-sew the back side so the stitches don't come through to the front. If you start on the back, you can sew with a machine because the stitches will be on the back and are nearly indistinguishable from the rest of the quilting. For me it's a perfect system since my hands like to stiffen up on me.
The back, with the half-done binding. Also, my lovely husband modeled for me.
You can see the little hanging threads still there and my pathetic, uneven name patches. Oh well. It was my first full-sized project.
This is my completed work with all hanging threads snipped and the binding completely finished.
So anyway, it's done. Pieced, quilted, bound, and "finished". The little hanging strings are all clipped and it's been washed twice. Now I just have to wrap it and deliver it!
In other news, my uncle who is ill wants everyone to come up to his place for Thanksgiving. In fact, he wants everyone up there bad enough that he's willing to pay for hotel rooms if someone can't afford to come. So that definitely makes things interesting. I'd rather do Thanksgiving at home, but with him wanting everyone there so badly I wouldn't not go.
I've also been summoned for jury duty. This might be a problem as we are a single vehicle household and I'm the one who watches Sweet'ums. I was summoned once before, when I was in college, but they threw out my case before we even had to show up. I'm dreading this! I'm calling on Monday to find out exactly what they mean by one of their exemptions--to me it sounds like if you're a single parent working less than full-time you don't have to come, since you can't afford to miss the work. On the other hand, NG thinks that it means that if you're a parent who is home with a child most of the day (as opposed to someone working outside the home, who isn't responsible for their child most of the day) because of the child care issue. I have no idea, and I guess the smartest thing would just be to call. How crazy that my mom has gone her entire adult life without getting summoned for jury duty but I've been summoned twice in five years! Actually, I do believe it was almost exactly five years ago I got summoned last because it was in the fall semester of my second year of college. I remember sitting at my desk in the dorm fretting over it!
I wanted to copy my friend's idea for having something to be thankful for every day of November but so far I've been lazy and haven't posted. I might do weekly digests instead of daily posts... I haven't decided yet. Anyway, it's wonderful to read everyone's Thanksgiving posts and I'm very thankful for all of my blog friends out there!
Anyway, that's the news of the day. Hope everyone's having a great weekend.
This is the front, after being pieced and quilted but before the binding is completely sewn on. At this point I'm actually halfway through the binding. Oh, and just a note: I sew my binding on opposite of the way I understand most quilters do it. If you do front to back, you have to hand-sew the back side so the stitches don't come through to the front. If you start on the back, you can sew with a machine because the stitches will be on the back and are nearly indistinguishable from the rest of the quilting. For me it's a perfect system since my hands like to stiffen up on me.
The back, with the half-done binding. Also, my lovely husband modeled for me.
You can see the little hanging threads still there and my pathetic, uneven name patches. Oh well. It was my first full-sized project.
This is my completed work with all hanging threads snipped and the binding completely finished.
So anyway, it's done. Pieced, quilted, bound, and "finished". The little hanging strings are all clipped and it's been washed twice. Now I just have to wrap it and deliver it!
In other news, my uncle who is ill wants everyone to come up to his place for Thanksgiving. In fact, he wants everyone up there bad enough that he's willing to pay for hotel rooms if someone can't afford to come. So that definitely makes things interesting. I'd rather do Thanksgiving at home, but with him wanting everyone there so badly I wouldn't not go.
I've also been summoned for jury duty. This might be a problem as we are a single vehicle household and I'm the one who watches Sweet'ums. I was summoned once before, when I was in college, but they threw out my case before we even had to show up. I'm dreading this! I'm calling on Monday to find out exactly what they mean by one of their exemptions--to me it sounds like if you're a single parent working less than full-time you don't have to come, since you can't afford to miss the work. On the other hand, NG thinks that it means that if you're a parent who is home with a child most of the day (as opposed to someone working outside the home, who isn't responsible for their child most of the day) because of the child care issue. I have no idea, and I guess the smartest thing would just be to call. How crazy that my mom has gone her entire adult life without getting summoned for jury duty but I've been summoned twice in five years! Actually, I do believe it was almost exactly five years ago I got summoned last because it was in the fall semester of my second year of college. I remember sitting at my desk in the dorm fretting over it!
I wanted to copy my friend's idea for having something to be thankful for every day of November but so far I've been lazy and haven't posted. I might do weekly digests instead of daily posts... I haven't decided yet. Anyway, it's wonderful to read everyone's Thanksgiving posts and I'm very thankful for all of my blog friends out there!
Anyway, that's the news of the day. Hope everyone's having a great weekend.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
My long week
I'm sorry for disappearing for a few days. I needed some time to think, process, cool off, and just veg out a little.
Sunday evening we went to see the in-laws' house. We were having a great time playing with their new dog (not that they needed one, but at least this one came to them instead of them bringing him home--he's a great dog!) and just generally enjoying my SILs' company. Then, my MIL piped up and said, "I wonder how [nephew] is going to handle it when the new baby comes."
Seriously, there were six adults sitting there. Like half of us turned and looked at her and said, "WHAT?"
You see, my SIL has been trying for two or three years to have another baby. And with every year that goes by most of us breathe a sigh of relief because she needs another baby like she needs a hole in her head. She can't get her husband to hold down a job (he works a job for a while, gets bored or disgruntled, and leaves, or he'll get fired for not showing up). She can't get him to let her take her son to get evaluated for ADHD despite thinking herself that he's got an attention issue. She can't even pay all of her own bills all the time. We're talking about a girl who, when I cited finances as a reason for us sticking to one child, informed me that two doesn't cost any more than one and that if we had another baby we'd qualify for WIC. We're talking about a girl whose financial priorities are so screwed up that she was paying out of pocket for Clomid and then going to her mom and dad and asking for rent money. Keep in mind that these are the same in-laws who can hardly pay their own mortgage payment.
Anyway, I came home and I cried. And had a heated, angry discussion with hubby (not AT him, because he was angry too--we were both on the same side). And cried. And lamented why God would give us such a desire for another child without giving us enough peace about our circumstances and finances to actually go ahead with it. Or, at the very least, giving us peace about just having one. And, cried some more.
Finally, Sunday ended and Monday started. We found out that one of our neighbors (two houses down, on my little short street) had an ATV stolen out from right underneath one of their windows. That really messed with our sense of security, if we had any left. We had gymnastics with Sweet'ums and had a busy but good day.
Tuesday dawned and I woke to a sick baby. We spent most of our morning and early afternoon getting her vomiting to stop, and after that we spent the afternoon and evening trying to get fluids and food in her without it coming back up. She seems completely good now, but it made for a LOOOOOOOOONG day.
Oh, and my new game came out yesterday, so once Sweet'ums was in bed I spent my evening playing.
That's where I've been.
To start with I didn't say anything about the SIL because I have pregnant friends whose feelings I wouldn't want to hurt at all. Obviously I'm thrilled for all of my pregnant friends who are in secure, loving relationships, whose financial situations allow them to provide for their new children, and whose support systems are sufficient for them. My SIL can barely afford the kid she's got and yet her priority was sinking money into Clomid and some sort of injection so she could get pregnant. Her family has neither the money nor the energy to invest in helping her.
I wouldn't be as mad, I guess, if I'd found out she'd done something that only impacted her, but she's bringing her son and another child (or possibly two, since they said that the doctor thinks she might be having twins) into this with her. It's one thing for an adult to make a mistake for themselves, but to me, as a mother, one of the worst things you can do is make a move that could negatively impact your children. I always figured it's one thing to hurt yourself but another thing entirely to take your kids down with you.
So I've had a lot of emotions over the whole thing. It didn't help that my week has been busy and isn't over yet. We still have a church thing tonight that I don't really want to go to but I feel obligated to. I'm just thankful Sweet'ums isn't still sick.
To thank you for sitting through all of that, I have a few pictures for you.
The first two are of our trip to Jacksonville. And in the second picture, in case you were wondering, the whited out lines on the shirt are only because it listed our home city... It just seemed safer this way.
I love my long, lean, gymnastics machine!
The next two are some of Mom's pics of our pumpkin adventure. The first one was taken right after the goofy expression one I posted the other day, so you can see the progression of it. I love that silly/evil grin!
This is what MeMe and Poppy did with Sweet'ums this past weekend. The church up the road had a fall festival and they had a blast!
Thanks for putting up with me. I'm ready for things to slow down again but I doubt it will until after the holidays, and then I've got babysitting duty for my friend whose baby should be here around that time. There's just way too much happening!
Sunday evening we went to see the in-laws' house. We were having a great time playing with their new dog (not that they needed one, but at least this one came to them instead of them bringing him home--he's a great dog!) and just generally enjoying my SILs' company. Then, my MIL piped up and said, "I wonder how [nephew] is going to handle it when the new baby comes."
Seriously, there were six adults sitting there. Like half of us turned and looked at her and said, "WHAT?"
You see, my SIL has been trying for two or three years to have another baby. And with every year that goes by most of us breathe a sigh of relief because she needs another baby like she needs a hole in her head. She can't get her husband to hold down a job (he works a job for a while, gets bored or disgruntled, and leaves, or he'll get fired for not showing up). She can't get him to let her take her son to get evaluated for ADHD despite thinking herself that he's got an attention issue. She can't even pay all of her own bills all the time. We're talking about a girl who, when I cited finances as a reason for us sticking to one child, informed me that two doesn't cost any more than one and that if we had another baby we'd qualify for WIC. We're talking about a girl whose financial priorities are so screwed up that she was paying out of pocket for Clomid and then going to her mom and dad and asking for rent money. Keep in mind that these are the same in-laws who can hardly pay their own mortgage payment.
Anyway, I came home and I cried. And had a heated, angry discussion with hubby (not AT him, because he was angry too--we were both on the same side). And cried. And lamented why God would give us such a desire for another child without giving us enough peace about our circumstances and finances to actually go ahead with it. Or, at the very least, giving us peace about just having one. And, cried some more.
Finally, Sunday ended and Monday started. We found out that one of our neighbors (two houses down, on my little short street) had an ATV stolen out from right underneath one of their windows. That really messed with our sense of security, if we had any left. We had gymnastics with Sweet'ums and had a busy but good day.
Tuesday dawned and I woke to a sick baby. We spent most of our morning and early afternoon getting her vomiting to stop, and after that we spent the afternoon and evening trying to get fluids and food in her without it coming back up. She seems completely good now, but it made for a LOOOOOOOOONG day.
Oh, and my new game came out yesterday, so once Sweet'ums was in bed I spent my evening playing.
That's where I've been.
To start with I didn't say anything about the SIL because I have pregnant friends whose feelings I wouldn't want to hurt at all. Obviously I'm thrilled for all of my pregnant friends who are in secure, loving relationships, whose financial situations allow them to provide for their new children, and whose support systems are sufficient for them. My SIL can barely afford the kid she's got and yet her priority was sinking money into Clomid and some sort of injection so she could get pregnant. Her family has neither the money nor the energy to invest in helping her.
I wouldn't be as mad, I guess, if I'd found out she'd done something that only impacted her, but she's bringing her son and another child (or possibly two, since they said that the doctor thinks she might be having twins) into this with her. It's one thing for an adult to make a mistake for themselves, but to me, as a mother, one of the worst things you can do is make a move that could negatively impact your children. I always figured it's one thing to hurt yourself but another thing entirely to take your kids down with you.
So I've had a lot of emotions over the whole thing. It didn't help that my week has been busy and isn't over yet. We still have a church thing tonight that I don't really want to go to but I feel obligated to. I'm just thankful Sweet'ums isn't still sick.
To thank you for sitting through all of that, I have a few pictures for you.
The first two are of our trip to Jacksonville. And in the second picture, in case you were wondering, the whited out lines on the shirt are only because it listed our home city... It just seemed safer this way.
I love my long, lean, gymnastics machine!
The next two are some of Mom's pics of our pumpkin adventure. The first one was taken right after the goofy expression one I posted the other day, so you can see the progression of it. I love that silly/evil grin!
This is what MeMe and Poppy did with Sweet'ums this past weekend. The church up the road had a fall festival and they had a blast!
Thanks for putting up with me. I'm ready for things to slow down again but I doubt it will until after the holidays, and then I've got babysitting duty for my friend whose baby should be here around that time. There's just way too much happening!
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Oh, and about the neighbors
The problem has died down for now. They're still making all kinds of racket but I can live with the noise for the most part. We really want out of here, but of course moving takes time. We did have a scare today though--we came home smelling paper smoke and thought it was a fire, but it was just the neighbor on the other side of us burning some papers in his grill. He laughed when he realized that we were hunting for fire and reassured us that it was just him.
I haven't heard anything else from the lady next door so I'm assuming it's because there was nothing to tell. So for now, NG and I are enjoying our quiet child-free weekend. Those are always nice. :)
Hopefully tomorrow I'll have more pictures of the last few weeks for you.
I haven't heard anything else from the lady next door so I'm assuming it's because there was nothing to tell. So for now, NG and I are enjoying our quiet child-free weekend. Those are always nice. :)
Hopefully tomorrow I'll have more pictures of the last few weeks for you.
My Pumpkin chose her pumpkin
Yesterday we went to the pumpkin patch! It's hosted by a church near my mom's house and they've got one of the best pumpkin patches I've been to. It's small so it's not overwhelming but it's got a great selection.Sweet'ums and her daddy posed to have pictures done when we got there. He's got a goofy look on his face and I think I caught him off-guard.
Sweet'ums was really excited--she loves pumpkins! I just loved the expression on her face when I took this picture. Here's a close-up of her. I love it!
So then we started the pumpkin-selection process. She is a connoisseur of fine pumpkins and she inspected several before making her final decision.
The first one was nice, but it had no stem. How is a girl to pick it up if it doesn't have a stem?
The next one had a stem, but it was just too tall and big. It sure was nice and smooth, though!
She had to check out that first one again. The "warts" on it were nice and added interest but in the end, it just wasn't what she was looking for.
This one would be nice if it didn't have a dent in it.
And then, one in particular caught her eye. It required closer inspection.
Yes! We finally have a winner!
Her daddy and I also got a pumpkin. I'll show it off once I've carved it but until then it's not much to look at. I've got grand ideas for it though!
I hope everyone had a nice Friday. I'll have more pictures up as soon as my mom brings her camera over and I can get the ones she took.
Sweet'ums was really excited--she loves pumpkins! I just loved the expression on her face when I took this picture. Here's a close-up of her. I love it!
So then we started the pumpkin-selection process. She is a connoisseur of fine pumpkins and she inspected several before making her final decision.
The first one was nice, but it had no stem. How is a girl to pick it up if it doesn't have a stem?
The next one had a stem, but it was just too tall and big. It sure was nice and smooth, though!
She had to check out that first one again. The "warts" on it were nice and added interest but in the end, it just wasn't what she was looking for.
This one would be nice if it didn't have a dent in it.
And then, one in particular caught her eye. It required closer inspection.
Yes! We finally have a winner!
Her daddy and I also got a pumpkin. I'll show it off once I've carved it but until then it's not much to look at. I've got grand ideas for it though!
I hope everyone had a nice Friday. I'll have more pictures up as soon as my mom brings her camera over and I can get the ones she took.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Please pray for our safety
So we live in a small mobile home park. I have five neighbors, basically--on the right and left of me, the ones directly behind me, and then the ones next to the ones behind me. Fortunately my home faces out towards a wooded area and I have no neighbors on that side.
My neighbor on one side has had many problems with pretty much all of the people behind us. She never hesitates to call the cops for any kind of offense and actually had an injunction on someone living next to her at one time. Luckily the injunction was the boundary they needed and they became friends, but it shows you exactly how my neighbor is.
She's nice. She's a Christian woman (though I don't agree with all of her ideas) and she and her husband have been good neighbors and good towards us.
About six months ago these people moved in behind me. Then, shortly after, someone moved in next to them and around the corner from my neighbor. All of these people are part of one family, apparently. They used to live in this house up the street owned by NG's work friend, who told us they failed to pay rent, kept getting noise complaints, were hard to get rid of, and then tore the house up when they did leave. Since they've lived behind us they've gotten noise complaint after noise complaint from all over our little neighborhood. The problem is that my neighbor is the one complaining the loudest. And now, apparently, they think we're in on it, even though I've only complained independently one time and I only answered the landlord's questions honestly--I wasn't sure where the noise was coming from and I won't report it if I don't know who's behind it.
So yesterday we were about to leave home when my neighbor's husband caught us coming out of the driveway. He said there was something we needed to see, that there'd been a fire. I go running around the corner of my house with him and, at the back corner of my house, next to a little bush, was a pile of ashes where some paper had been burned. He had caught pictures of the fire, the kids, and the whole deal on his phone so it's not like we don't have proof. It was less than six feet, bush included, from my daughter's bed room!
At first we thought it was just kids playing but the more I think about it, the more I think their parents are putting them up to it. Or, perhaps, they're overhearing the adults talking and they think they're doing them favors. This morning there was another fire almost the exact same distance from the same corner of my neighbor's house, and the parents could see what the kids were doing from both places. They also left a sharp, broken-off antenna where my neighbor would walk to water her plants at night (she always waters at night) and they know she has a bad back.
(NOTE***I didn't get to finish this post earlier, so this part comes after talking to the manager)
I spoke with the manager and she's doing everything she can to solve this problem. The person my neighbor is targeting as the problem isn't the parent of the kids causing the trouble. They did this stuff on her watch and while visiting her children, yes... They are her nephews, true... But she's not their mom, and legally not the person who will be held accountable for the issue.
Mostly I'm scared because I'm being brought into something that had nothing to do with me in the first place. I'm annoyed with loud music, sure, but I haven't called the cops on them. I've left them alone. I think that they don't know who is doing all of it and they just assume we're in on it. My child is in potential danger because a neighbor just doesn't know when to leave well enough alone.
I told my husband last night that I'm at a point where I'd skip having another child if it meant we'd get out of this place faster. Something has to change. When kids are setting fires near your home, it's a sign that this is not the place to raise your daughter.
Pray for us that our home and our family will be safe, that my neighbor will learn when to pick a fight and when to back off, and that our other neighbors will keep a better eye on the kids.
My neighbor on one side has had many problems with pretty much all of the people behind us. She never hesitates to call the cops for any kind of offense and actually had an injunction on someone living next to her at one time. Luckily the injunction was the boundary they needed and they became friends, but it shows you exactly how my neighbor is.
She's nice. She's a Christian woman (though I don't agree with all of her ideas) and she and her husband have been good neighbors and good towards us.
About six months ago these people moved in behind me. Then, shortly after, someone moved in next to them and around the corner from my neighbor. All of these people are part of one family, apparently. They used to live in this house up the street owned by NG's work friend, who told us they failed to pay rent, kept getting noise complaints, were hard to get rid of, and then tore the house up when they did leave. Since they've lived behind us they've gotten noise complaint after noise complaint from all over our little neighborhood. The problem is that my neighbor is the one complaining the loudest. And now, apparently, they think we're in on it, even though I've only complained independently one time and I only answered the landlord's questions honestly--I wasn't sure where the noise was coming from and I won't report it if I don't know who's behind it.
So yesterday we were about to leave home when my neighbor's husband caught us coming out of the driveway. He said there was something we needed to see, that there'd been a fire. I go running around the corner of my house with him and, at the back corner of my house, next to a little bush, was a pile of ashes where some paper had been burned. He had caught pictures of the fire, the kids, and the whole deal on his phone so it's not like we don't have proof. It was less than six feet, bush included, from my daughter's bed room!
At first we thought it was just kids playing but the more I think about it, the more I think their parents are putting them up to it. Or, perhaps, they're overhearing the adults talking and they think they're doing them favors. This morning there was another fire almost the exact same distance from the same corner of my neighbor's house, and the parents could see what the kids were doing from both places. They also left a sharp, broken-off antenna where my neighbor would walk to water her plants at night (she always waters at night) and they know she has a bad back.
(NOTE***I didn't get to finish this post earlier, so this part comes after talking to the manager)
I spoke with the manager and she's doing everything she can to solve this problem. The person my neighbor is targeting as the problem isn't the parent of the kids causing the trouble. They did this stuff on her watch and while visiting her children, yes... They are her nephews, true... But she's not their mom, and legally not the person who will be held accountable for the issue.
Mostly I'm scared because I'm being brought into something that had nothing to do with me in the first place. I'm annoyed with loud music, sure, but I haven't called the cops on them. I've left them alone. I think that they don't know who is doing all of it and they just assume we're in on it. My child is in potential danger because a neighbor just doesn't know when to leave well enough alone.
I told my husband last night that I'm at a point where I'd skip having another child if it meant we'd get out of this place faster. Something has to change. When kids are setting fires near your home, it's a sign that this is not the place to raise your daughter.
Pray for us that our home and our family will be safe, that my neighbor will learn when to pick a fight and when to back off, and that our other neighbors will keep a better eye on the kids.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Back and Forth
Disclaimer: This is in no way intended to make anybody feel bad for having good news. Libbie, I'm absolutely tickled pink for your family!
I didn't post this yesterday because I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Part of me, the part that wants what it wants for no better reason than I'm female and this is what I'm supposed to want, wants to cry. The part of me that half expected this, that feels foolish for thinking maybe something had changed, wants to laugh.
Nice Guy changed his mind on me. Day before yesterday he was giving me a hundred and one reasons why we should have another baby, and yesterday he gave me a hundred and one (most of them mine!) why we should stick to just one.
I guess I'm just tired of the back-and-forth. I'm the planner type, the type who likes to know what the future holds for me and what to expect. I don't like when big plans change from day to day. I mean, I understand that things happen and nothing is ever completely set in stone, but I like predictability. And once something is decided I don't like to keep altering it.
I felt foolish enough for making my decision because I've been so firm on the whole let's-stop-at-one thing. I was never one who liked being fickle, though I know I probably am more than I should be. Now I feel even more foolish having to say that I might be back at square one again. I was always one who cried when I felt foolish. I even feel stupid for bothering to make that post the other day.
I guess maybe I'm just tired of being the responsible one. Anytime some mess happens in the family, we're the first ones they call. Now that I'm grown my mom uses me for support a lot, and it's not that I mind, but if I were to pull half the nonsense that my brother or my cousins or uncles or whoever does, I'd get the third degree--not her support or help. My whole life, if I stepped one foot out of line I heard all about it. The two or three things I've ever done in my life for myself without anyone's permission are things that still get held over my head. I was raised to be the responsible one. Nice Guy was too, for the most part--if anyone in his family does anything stupid or gets into trouble he is the first person they call to fix it. You don't know how many times my SIL has crashed on my couch to get away from some conflict with their mom.
The long story short of all of that is, part of our reason for stopping at one was to be responsible. To avoid straining the finances, leave some flexibility in our lives if his job fell through on us or in case of other big catastrophe, to have a home big enough in case a family member needed help (my parents growing old almost as fast as Sweet'ums is growing up!). So it leaves me wondering why I have to be the responsible one all the time. Can't someone else hold down the fort for a while? NG already gave up an opportunity for a college education so that he could make sure his sisters were provided for (something his parents should have been more than capable of handling). Why is it that we are supposed to limit our lives for the convenience of everyone else?
We're the metaphorical designated drivers, but maybe I'd like to be the one drinking in life for a change.
I know every family has someone in our capacity--my parents always did it for my family, both sides, and once they can't do it anymore it'll be us--but it just seems like so much of what we want gets pushed to the side in the name of stability. And I'll do what I always do--exactly what's expected of me--but the young person in my head says that it's awful crazy to do our family planning based on all of the "what can go wrong" possibilities instead of what we want. And the woman in me just can't get a grip on the fact that at 21 years old I held the only newborn that would ever really be mine.
I know what my heart wants, even if it's not the sensible or responsible or practical thing. I'm still going to try losing the weight just in case NG changes his mind yet again. Just don't hold your breath next year for any happy announcements. I have a feeling that things are what they are and probably won't be changing.
I didn't post this yesterday because I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Part of me, the part that wants what it wants for no better reason than I'm female and this is what I'm supposed to want, wants to cry. The part of me that half expected this, that feels foolish for thinking maybe something had changed, wants to laugh.
Nice Guy changed his mind on me. Day before yesterday he was giving me a hundred and one reasons why we should have another baby, and yesterday he gave me a hundred and one (most of them mine!) why we should stick to just one.
I guess I'm just tired of the back-and-forth. I'm the planner type, the type who likes to know what the future holds for me and what to expect. I don't like when big plans change from day to day. I mean, I understand that things happen and nothing is ever completely set in stone, but I like predictability. And once something is decided I don't like to keep altering it.
I felt foolish enough for making my decision because I've been so firm on the whole let's-stop-at-one thing. I was never one who liked being fickle, though I know I probably am more than I should be. Now I feel even more foolish having to say that I might be back at square one again. I was always one who cried when I felt foolish. I even feel stupid for bothering to make that post the other day.
I guess maybe I'm just tired of being the responsible one. Anytime some mess happens in the family, we're the first ones they call. Now that I'm grown my mom uses me for support a lot, and it's not that I mind, but if I were to pull half the nonsense that my brother or my cousins or uncles or whoever does, I'd get the third degree--not her support or help. My whole life, if I stepped one foot out of line I heard all about it. The two or three things I've ever done in my life for myself without anyone's permission are things that still get held over my head. I was raised to be the responsible one. Nice Guy was too, for the most part--if anyone in his family does anything stupid or gets into trouble he is the first person they call to fix it. You don't know how many times my SIL has crashed on my couch to get away from some conflict with their mom.
The long story short of all of that is, part of our reason for stopping at one was to be responsible. To avoid straining the finances, leave some flexibility in our lives if his job fell through on us or in case of other big catastrophe, to have a home big enough in case a family member needed help (my parents growing old almost as fast as Sweet'ums is growing up!). So it leaves me wondering why I have to be the responsible one all the time. Can't someone else hold down the fort for a while? NG already gave up an opportunity for a college education so that he could make sure his sisters were provided for (something his parents should have been more than capable of handling). Why is it that we are supposed to limit our lives for the convenience of everyone else?
We're the metaphorical designated drivers, but maybe I'd like to be the one drinking in life for a change.
I know every family has someone in our capacity--my parents always did it for my family, both sides, and once they can't do it anymore it'll be us--but it just seems like so much of what we want gets pushed to the side in the name of stability. And I'll do what I always do--exactly what's expected of me--but the young person in my head says that it's awful crazy to do our family planning based on all of the "what can go wrong" possibilities instead of what we want. And the woman in me just can't get a grip on the fact that at 21 years old I held the only newborn that would ever really be mine.
I know what my heart wants, even if it's not the sensible or responsible or practical thing. I'm still going to try losing the weight just in case NG changes his mind yet again. Just don't hold your breath next year for any happy announcements. I have a feeling that things are what they are and probably won't be changing.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
I can't believe I'm saying this
I think I've made a decision.
Today, Nice Guy and I were talking about babies. I can't remember what started the conversation, unless I made one of my off-hand "I love babies" comments or Sweet'ums said something about it. This sparked a several hour on-and-off conversation about the pros and cons of having another child. And I realized something.
My husband wants another child a lot more than he lets on.
You see, it just so happens that I married a good man. He considers family planning, from birth control to family size, to be a woman's choice. Of course he believes that men should actively participate in the prevention of pregnancy if that's what has been decided on, but that the decision is a woman's to make. We'd sort of discussed this before, but I never fully realized that he was basically leaving the choice up to me--my body, my decision, was how he looked at it. He commented that he doesn't want to take chances with my health--he'd prefer to have an only child and me be healthy than have another baby if it risks my well-being or the child's.
At the same time, he talked so much about how he'd love for Sweet'ums to have a sibling. How he feels guilty sending her into the future without someone closer to her age who she can relate to and rely on. How he worries that the burden of aging parents in the future could be too much for one child to handle. How much he values the experiences he had with his sisters, despite the rocky times, and how he wants her to have that. How he wants her kids to have at least one aunt or uncle and cousins to look forward to seeing.
Of course, I've shared before my counter-arguments to all of those things. But today I just didn't have the heart to argue. His parents are disfunctional and his extended family is slightly crazy, but he has a far better relationship with his siblings and cousins than I have with mine. I never placed much stock in extended family relationships because mine was so messed up in such a wide variety of ways.
The problem is that today he made a good point. We aren't our parents. Every parent makes mistakes, but at least we know what we'd do differently from our parents. Our siblings--the aunts and uncles of our child(ren)--aren't the same people as our strange aunts and uncles. Our cousins, for all of their good and bad, will be in our kids' lives, but they won't be the cousins our kids grow up knowing--"aunts" and "uncles" perhaps, but they won't be the people Sweet'ums and any of her maybe-siblings would know as cousins.
He really wants another kid. He's talked before about worrying about the pressure of taking care of us all and trying to be a father and all of that, but at the heart of it all he wants another child more than he worries about the pressure.
And I guess the biggest thing keeping me from just going for it is fear. I'm afraid of all the things that can go wrong. I know that fear isn't a good reason to avoid doing things, but where it could impact my child(ren) I find that I can't help myself. Nice Guy looks at all of the positive things that could happen by adding to our family while I focus on the negative.
Once I realized that fear was at the heart of all of my reasons for not having another child, it occurred to me that I couldn't come up with any new reasons to avoid it. Nice Guy and I share one reason to not do it, but it's only ONE reason: We enjoy our family dynamic so much. But, like NG said, we could enjoy the dynamic of being four instead of three just as much, and maybe more.
And then, this afternoon, we caught Sweet'ums digging through her old baby clothes. We've already noticed that she's got a preoccupation with the babies we see while we're out and about, and Nice Guy pointed out that maybe it's her way of expressing that she would like to have one around. That kind of got to me because she's so good with babies and has no problem with me holding and snuggling with them. She's happy to share her mommy as long as her mommy shares whatever baby she's holding!
So, my decision. If I can lose ten percent of my current weight by May/June I'll very, very seriously consider trying for #2. The reason for the weight requirement is A) I need to lose weight and losing that much would put me back at my pre-Sweet'ums weight, B) I've always heard that the first 10% always goes fastest and this gives me an incentive, and C) it gives me something to work on in the period of time until I'm actually willing to try, since I really don't want to go through another 3rd trimester in the heat of summer. I also don't want to have to find (and then pay the high price for) plus-sized maternity clothes, and losing back down to the 170 range would put me in L-territory instead of XL-territory.
So for you moms out there, what finally made you decide to go for #2? If you have more than 2, what made you decide to have more? Am I just giving in when I should hold strong? I admit, I'm a little ashamed and feel a bit like I'm giving in, but I don't know if I should feel that way or not--I was just always raised that you stick to your guns and never back down. Maybe it's just carrying over?
Today, Nice Guy and I were talking about babies. I can't remember what started the conversation, unless I made one of my off-hand "I love babies" comments or Sweet'ums said something about it. This sparked a several hour on-and-off conversation about the pros and cons of having another child. And I realized something.
My husband wants another child a lot more than he lets on.
You see, it just so happens that I married a good man. He considers family planning, from birth control to family size, to be a woman's choice. Of course he believes that men should actively participate in the prevention of pregnancy if that's what has been decided on, but that the decision is a woman's to make. We'd sort of discussed this before, but I never fully realized that he was basically leaving the choice up to me--my body, my decision, was how he looked at it. He commented that he doesn't want to take chances with my health--he'd prefer to have an only child and me be healthy than have another baby if it risks my well-being or the child's.
At the same time, he talked so much about how he'd love for Sweet'ums to have a sibling. How he feels guilty sending her into the future without someone closer to her age who she can relate to and rely on. How he worries that the burden of aging parents in the future could be too much for one child to handle. How much he values the experiences he had with his sisters, despite the rocky times, and how he wants her to have that. How he wants her kids to have at least one aunt or uncle and cousins to look forward to seeing.
Of course, I've shared before my counter-arguments to all of those things. But today I just didn't have the heart to argue. His parents are disfunctional and his extended family is slightly crazy, but he has a far better relationship with his siblings and cousins than I have with mine. I never placed much stock in extended family relationships because mine was so messed up in such a wide variety of ways.
The problem is that today he made a good point. We aren't our parents. Every parent makes mistakes, but at least we know what we'd do differently from our parents. Our siblings--the aunts and uncles of our child(ren)--aren't the same people as our strange aunts and uncles. Our cousins, for all of their good and bad, will be in our kids' lives, but they won't be the cousins our kids grow up knowing--"aunts" and "uncles" perhaps, but they won't be the people Sweet'ums and any of her maybe-siblings would know as cousins.
He really wants another kid. He's talked before about worrying about the pressure of taking care of us all and trying to be a father and all of that, but at the heart of it all he wants another child more than he worries about the pressure.
And I guess the biggest thing keeping me from just going for it is fear. I'm afraid of all the things that can go wrong. I know that fear isn't a good reason to avoid doing things, but where it could impact my child(ren) I find that I can't help myself. Nice Guy looks at all of the positive things that could happen by adding to our family while I focus on the negative.
Once I realized that fear was at the heart of all of my reasons for not having another child, it occurred to me that I couldn't come up with any new reasons to avoid it. Nice Guy and I share one reason to not do it, but it's only ONE reason: We enjoy our family dynamic so much. But, like NG said, we could enjoy the dynamic of being four instead of three just as much, and maybe more.
And then, this afternoon, we caught Sweet'ums digging through her old baby clothes. We've already noticed that she's got a preoccupation with the babies we see while we're out and about, and Nice Guy pointed out that maybe it's her way of expressing that she would like to have one around. That kind of got to me because she's so good with babies and has no problem with me holding and snuggling with them. She's happy to share her mommy as long as her mommy shares whatever baby she's holding!
So, my decision. If I can lose ten percent of my current weight by May/June I'll very, very seriously consider trying for #2. The reason for the weight requirement is A) I need to lose weight and losing that much would put me back at my pre-Sweet'ums weight, B) I've always heard that the first 10% always goes fastest and this gives me an incentive, and C) it gives me something to work on in the period of time until I'm actually willing to try, since I really don't want to go through another 3rd trimester in the heat of summer. I also don't want to have to find (and then pay the high price for) plus-sized maternity clothes, and losing back down to the 170 range would put me in L-territory instead of XL-territory.
So for you moms out there, what finally made you decide to go for #2? If you have more than 2, what made you decide to have more? Am I just giving in when I should hold strong? I admit, I'm a little ashamed and feel a bit like I'm giving in, but I don't know if I should feel that way or not--I was just always raised that you stick to your guns and never back down. Maybe it's just carrying over?
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Home
First of all, a disclaimer for Ali: Please don't report all of this to your mom or granny yet. Let me get my facts completely straight first.
____________________________________________
Our visit with my uncle was a long one. Thanks to my mom's pastor and his wife, we were able to go up the night before, get some sleep, and THEN go see my uncle. The hotel (a LaQuinta hotel) was a nice one... Clean, courteous, great breakfast.... Everything we've come to expect from them.
The next morning, bright and early (at least to me--my daughter decided she wanted to play all night, and I was sharing a bed with her) we headed to my uncle's house, where his and my mom's mother waited with directions for us. When we got there, we were surprised to find my aunt (well, ex-aunt, but hang on and I'll give some explanation) already there, willing to show us the way to the hospice place.
Ok, for a bit of family history: My mom has five siblings, two older brothers, one sister slightly younger than her, and two "baby" brothers--the oldest of the two younger boys is about thirteen years younger than the youngest of the older set of kids (my mom's sister). Of the two younger boys, the older was married and had two kids (who are close in age to me and my brother). Eventually he divorced and I hadn't seen his ex-wife or kids in maybe fifteen years. We'd get reports of them through the family grapevine, but they led their own lives, and it's probably a good thing--that particular uncle is in and out of jail on a fairly consistent basis and it's probably better that the kids didn't grow up watching it. Then, there's my youngest uncle. Fourteen years older than me, has a long-term boyfriend (while we disapprove of the lifestyle, we couldn't have asked for him to find a better person to be with), a great job. It just so happens that his brother's ex-wife has been a close and dear friend of his since childhood so she's still in his life.
Anyway, back to our story: We got ready with the aunt and her son (my cousin, oh my how he's grown up!) to go to the hospice and eventually we make it to the hospice to see the uncle.
Surprisingly he looks pretty good for what he's going through. He's lost a lot of weight but he doesn't have that death-warmed-over thing going on like Mom's Mom was making it out to be. He was sitting up in bed, cross-legged, when we got there, working on paperwork of some sort. He was in good spirits and aside from one comment he made to me he seemed to be handling the whole thing fairly well. Uncle's BF was there, looking worn out but also trying to keep his spirits up.
From what we could understand, it sounded like when he first went into the hospital they made some mistakes. They first started treating him for a kind of cancer that this ended up not being so the treatments weren't doing any good. Also, the doctor he had at first went on vacation like a week after he got there so Uncle wasn't really getting the medical treatment he needed to start with. The doctor he has now seems to have a handle on things and wants to be aggressive in treating this cancer. I don't know really what kind of chances that this gives him, whether it's improved or not or if she just hopes to give him a little longer overall. I also don't know exactly what kind of cancer they decided he has--I was only catching bits and pieces of the conversation. I THINK I heard something about an undifferentiated carcinoma, but don't quote me on that. I'll ask some questions and find out more when I talk to Aunt again.
So I'm content with the visit we had with Uncle. He looked better than I was expecting, and honestly, I didn't get that "feel" of death on him. I don't think he's quite as bad off as Mom's Mom was reporting, and I'm wondering if perhaps this new doctor can help turn all of this around for him. Sweet'ums got to see him, Mom got to see him, and at least things were left on good terms.
Other than that, things went well. A family member acted in a way that I thought was selfish and childish but that's a story for another day.
So we're home now. I'm trying to finish up my friend's quilt for the baby shower this coming weekend and rest and all of that too. You'll get pics from me in the next few days--we got good ones of Sweet'ums on this trip and once I finish the quilt I'll take some more and share them.
____________________________________________
Our visit with my uncle was a long one. Thanks to my mom's pastor and his wife, we were able to go up the night before, get some sleep, and THEN go see my uncle. The hotel (a LaQuinta hotel) was a nice one... Clean, courteous, great breakfast.... Everything we've come to expect from them.
The next morning, bright and early (at least to me--my daughter decided she wanted to play all night, and I was sharing a bed with her) we headed to my uncle's house, where his and my mom's mother waited with directions for us. When we got there, we were surprised to find my aunt (well, ex-aunt, but hang on and I'll give some explanation) already there, willing to show us the way to the hospice place.
Ok, for a bit of family history: My mom has five siblings, two older brothers, one sister slightly younger than her, and two "baby" brothers--the oldest of the two younger boys is about thirteen years younger than the youngest of the older set of kids (my mom's sister). Of the two younger boys, the older was married and had two kids (who are close in age to me and my brother). Eventually he divorced and I hadn't seen his ex-wife or kids in maybe fifteen years. We'd get reports of them through the family grapevine, but they led their own lives, and it's probably a good thing--that particular uncle is in and out of jail on a fairly consistent basis and it's probably better that the kids didn't grow up watching it. Then, there's my youngest uncle. Fourteen years older than me, has a long-term boyfriend (while we disapprove of the lifestyle, we couldn't have asked for him to find a better person to be with), a great job. It just so happens that his brother's ex-wife has been a close and dear friend of his since childhood so she's still in his life.
Anyway, back to our story: We got ready with the aunt and her son (my cousin, oh my how he's grown up!) to go to the hospice and eventually we make it to the hospice to see the uncle.
Surprisingly he looks pretty good for what he's going through. He's lost a lot of weight but he doesn't have that death-warmed-over thing going on like Mom's Mom was making it out to be. He was sitting up in bed, cross-legged, when we got there, working on paperwork of some sort. He was in good spirits and aside from one comment he made to me he seemed to be handling the whole thing fairly well. Uncle's BF was there, looking worn out but also trying to keep his spirits up.
From what we could understand, it sounded like when he first went into the hospital they made some mistakes. They first started treating him for a kind of cancer that this ended up not being so the treatments weren't doing any good. Also, the doctor he had at first went on vacation like a week after he got there so Uncle wasn't really getting the medical treatment he needed to start with. The doctor he has now seems to have a handle on things and wants to be aggressive in treating this cancer. I don't know really what kind of chances that this gives him, whether it's improved or not or if she just hopes to give him a little longer overall. I also don't know exactly what kind of cancer they decided he has--I was only catching bits and pieces of the conversation. I THINK I heard something about an undifferentiated carcinoma, but don't quote me on that. I'll ask some questions and find out more when I talk to Aunt again.
So I'm content with the visit we had with Uncle. He looked better than I was expecting, and honestly, I didn't get that "feel" of death on him. I don't think he's quite as bad off as Mom's Mom was reporting, and I'm wondering if perhaps this new doctor can help turn all of this around for him. Sweet'ums got to see him, Mom got to see him, and at least things were left on good terms.
Other than that, things went well. A family member acted in a way that I thought was selfish and childish but that's a story for another day.
So we're home now. I'm trying to finish up my friend's quilt for the baby shower this coming weekend and rest and all of that too. You'll get pics from me in the next few days--we got good ones of Sweet'ums on this trip and once I finish the quilt I'll take some more and share them.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Gone
I'm going to be unavailable for a couple days. We're going to be visiting my uncle. My hubby will be around but I doubt he'll get on here, so if anyone wants to talk leave me a note and I'll get back.
And just as a reminder... please, impress upon your children the importance of not smoking. Sure, drinking can kill you just the same, but smoking leads to a slow, miserable, nasty death. Tumors, cancer, collapsed lungs... It's not pretty. Don't smoke. And don't think only old people die from smoking--my uncle is only 38 years old and this is what it has done to him. It hit hard, fast, and aggressive--he went to the hospital in the first place thinking he had a cold or pneumonia, only a couple months ago. He didn't think he was that sick. And now there's really nothing they can do. Kids, don't smoke.
And just as a reminder... please, impress upon your children the importance of not smoking. Sure, drinking can kill you just the same, but smoking leads to a slow, miserable, nasty death. Tumors, cancer, collapsed lungs... It's not pretty. Don't smoke. And don't think only old people die from smoking--my uncle is only 38 years old and this is what it has done to him. It hit hard, fast, and aggressive--he went to the hospital in the first place thinking he had a cold or pneumonia, only a couple months ago. He didn't think he was that sick. And now there's really nothing they can do. Kids, don't smoke.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Trip, but not the vacation kind
Sometime in the next week or so I'm going to have to make a trip I was really hoping to avoid. I mentioned before that my uncle was unwell; today we found out that they say he has three to six months but in the opinion of his hospice nurse he probably doesn't have three months. My mom's mother (who is up there with him) called my mom today to tell her that she and her sister should probably come up in the coming weekend if they want to see him.
I've been dreading this. The last time I saw someone in this condition was when my friend died in '05, and it was so hard. I'm not as close to my uncle as I was this friend but out of all my uncles, this one was my favorite. In that sense, it's hard. He's hardly seems like family because he wasn't around a lot growing up, but phone conversations were always a riot and the rare visits were fun. On the other hand, I'm really NOT that close to him and then there's always the issue of being kind of numb inside after losing so many people over the years. There's a bit of negative history where he's concerned (broken promises and disappointments and whatnot) and he seems more like a close friend of my mom's than an actual uncle but all of that aside, he's still family. So yeah, I've got some conflicting feelings.
With NG working and all we're trying to figure out how to handle the issue of Sweet'ums. I'm really not comfortable leaving her with my in-laws (remind me to tell you the latest on my MIL later) and my only really close local friend who knows her well enough to keep her happens to be about six months pregnant. If my dad stays home he could keep her but that would probably not end well, so I really don't know what we'll do.
I'm still sorting out my feelings and mourning a bit of what might have been had our family as a whole not been so disfunctional. After all, he's closer to my age than he is to my mom's. I always felt he and I would have been close had there not been such a large physical distance (more than 200 miles) between us for so many years. The reason for that distance is due, in large part, to the insane uncle I mentioned a couple months ago. I mean, geez, he even requested that we not tell that uncle that he's sick. I wish things had been different, but they weren't.
If I disappear for a few days, I'll be visiting him. Please pray for him to not suffer, regardless of God's Master Plan in this situation. Please pray that I don't fall apart, because the last thing I want is for my mom to think she's got to hold it together for me. Pray that we find the right place for Sweet'ums to stay and that we have a safe trip.
Hugs for everyone... I'll try to get back on before I actually leave.
I've been dreading this. The last time I saw someone in this condition was when my friend died in '05, and it was so hard. I'm not as close to my uncle as I was this friend but out of all my uncles, this one was my favorite. In that sense, it's hard. He's hardly seems like family because he wasn't around a lot growing up, but phone conversations were always a riot and the rare visits were fun. On the other hand, I'm really NOT that close to him and then there's always the issue of being kind of numb inside after losing so many people over the years. There's a bit of negative history where he's concerned (broken promises and disappointments and whatnot) and he seems more like a close friend of my mom's than an actual uncle but all of that aside, he's still family. So yeah, I've got some conflicting feelings.
With NG working and all we're trying to figure out how to handle the issue of Sweet'ums. I'm really not comfortable leaving her with my in-laws (remind me to tell you the latest on my MIL later) and my only really close local friend who knows her well enough to keep her happens to be about six months pregnant. If my dad stays home he could keep her but that would probably not end well, so I really don't know what we'll do.
I'm still sorting out my feelings and mourning a bit of what might have been had our family as a whole not been so disfunctional. After all, he's closer to my age than he is to my mom's. I always felt he and I would have been close had there not been such a large physical distance (more than 200 miles) between us for so many years. The reason for that distance is due, in large part, to the insane uncle I mentioned a couple months ago. I mean, geez, he even requested that we not tell that uncle that he's sick. I wish things had been different, but they weren't.
If I disappear for a few days, I'll be visiting him. Please pray for him to not suffer, regardless of God's Master Plan in this situation. Please pray that I don't fall apart, because the last thing I want is for my mom to think she's got to hold it together for me. Pray that we find the right place for Sweet'ums to stay and that we have a safe trip.
Hugs for everyone... I'll try to get back on before I actually leave.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
3 year well check
Yesterday Sweet'ums had her 3 year well checkup. From the moment we pulled into the parking lot she knew where we were and she did NOT want to be there. She was fussy, but cooperative. She knows things go much faster and easier when she just does as she's told!
So she's 33 1/2lbs and 37 1/2in. tall, landing pretty well in the middle percentile for height and upper-middle for weight. She's progressing completely normally and he seemed pleased. The one thing he was most impressed with is actually the one thing that wracks my nerves the most: she climbed up on the step ladder they have in the office (to help kids climb up on the exam table) and stood atop it without holding onto anything. He said most kids won't do that at her age and he was impressed that she would, though whether it was her balance or her nerve he was impressed with he didn't say. It was only one of the little two-step ones so he wasn't really worried about her falling. Actually, he has scolded me in the past for scolding her for climbing on it because, he says, I was right there to catch her if she fell and it's good to nurture the sense of adventure and independence. (I like him. He's not one of these new-agey, psycho-babble, coddle-them-and-keep-them-babies-forever types. That's just not my style, even if I do struggle with watching her grow up before my eyes!)
So apparently gymnastics is paying off! It nurtures that nerves-of-steel thing the doctor likes so much that she just HAD to have inherited from my brother since he used to do the EXACT same thing. He like to have killed my mom with it!
Speaking of gymnastics... Sweet'ums' teacher will no longer be with her class. She's moving back north with her family. So far I don't know who Sweet'ums' teacher will be but I have ideas and hopes. The lady I'd really love to see teach her class already has a class during that time frame so I doubt they'd pull her to teach the little ones, but she's a great, no-nonsense kind of lady--just what my cute little free spirit needs.
I apologize for my rambling sentences and whatnot... I'm battling a headache that has been with me for a couple days now. It's not a severe one--it's one of those little ones that is just bad enough to let you know it's there--but it has messed with my train of thought and ability to focus all day. I think it's just the weather, what with that cold front sitting right over us and the little tropical thing to the south. I'm just afraid to take anything for it since I've been on metformin and you have to be so careful.
Anyway, that's the scoop. Sweet'ums is growing so fast and I can hardly believe she's 3!
So she's 33 1/2lbs and 37 1/2in. tall, landing pretty well in the middle percentile for height and upper-middle for weight. She's progressing completely normally and he seemed pleased. The one thing he was most impressed with is actually the one thing that wracks my nerves the most: she climbed up on the step ladder they have in the office (to help kids climb up on the exam table) and stood atop it without holding onto anything. He said most kids won't do that at her age and he was impressed that she would, though whether it was her balance or her nerve he was impressed with he didn't say. It was only one of the little two-step ones so he wasn't really worried about her falling. Actually, he has scolded me in the past for scolding her for climbing on it because, he says, I was right there to catch her if she fell and it's good to nurture the sense of adventure and independence. (I like him. He's not one of these new-agey, psycho-babble, coddle-them-and-keep-them-babies-forever types. That's just not my style, even if I do struggle with watching her grow up before my eyes!)
So apparently gymnastics is paying off! It nurtures that nerves-of-steel thing the doctor likes so much that she just HAD to have inherited from my brother since he used to do the EXACT same thing. He like to have killed my mom with it!
Speaking of gymnastics... Sweet'ums' teacher will no longer be with her class. She's moving back north with her family. So far I don't know who Sweet'ums' teacher will be but I have ideas and hopes. The lady I'd really love to see teach her class already has a class during that time frame so I doubt they'd pull her to teach the little ones, but she's a great, no-nonsense kind of lady--just what my cute little free spirit needs.
I apologize for my rambling sentences and whatnot... I'm battling a headache that has been with me for a couple days now. It's not a severe one--it's one of those little ones that is just bad enough to let you know it's there--but it has messed with my train of thought and ability to focus all day. I think it's just the weather, what with that cold front sitting right over us and the little tropical thing to the south. I'm just afraid to take anything for it since I've been on metformin and you have to be so careful.
Anyway, that's the scoop. Sweet'ums is growing so fast and I can hardly believe she's 3!
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Warm snugglies for BABY!!!
Wanna see what I did today? Wanna wanna wanna???
So I promised pictures of the quilt in progress, but it all happened so fast. Cutting out the pieces took the longest but once I started sewing it flew by.
So here's the half-time results:
The binding will be in the bear paw print pattern and the backing will be brown flannel. As for the quilted design... Well, the jury's still out on that. I'll share more once I've actually bought my backing and have it all pinned together.
So what do you think? I love doing this! :)
Oh, and we're just going to pretend that the Hot Wheels are there for scale and have nothing to do with the fact that my three year old has the hots for classic cars, ok? Mommy already has enough on her mind without worrying over what boys she'll meet one day with beautiful cars!
So I promised pictures of the quilt in progress, but it all happened so fast. Cutting out the pieces took the longest but once I started sewing it flew by.
So here's the half-time results:
The binding will be in the bear paw print pattern and the backing will be brown flannel. As for the quilted design... Well, the jury's still out on that. I'll share more once I've actually bought my backing and have it all pinned together.
So what do you think? I love doing this! :)
Oh, and we're just going to pretend that the Hot Wheels are there for scale and have nothing to do with the fact that my three year old has the hots for classic cars, ok? Mommy already has enough on her mind without worrying over what boys she'll meet one day with beautiful cars!
Sunday, September 19, 2010
3
Today, at 11:56 PM, my baby turned 3. Every year so far I've waited up until that moment. I'm not really sure why, except that in some way I feel like it honors her. It's a small thing, but it's mine.
Three years... It's so hard to believe. In some ways it seems impossible to have been such a long time because so much has happened... in other ways it seems to have flown by. Either way, it's been a joy having her in my life and no matter how much easier life might have been if we'd done things differently, there's nothing in the world great enough that would make me trade this time I've had with her.
Happy Birthday, baby.
Three years... It's so hard to believe. In some ways it seems impossible to have been such a long time because so much has happened... in other ways it seems to have flown by. Either way, it's been a joy having her in my life and no matter how much easier life might have been if we'd done things differently, there's nothing in the world great enough that would make me trade this time I've had with her.
Happy Birthday, baby.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Girlie girl
The good pics from the party are on my mom's camera, so it might be a few days before I can post any good ones. But I do have these from tonight of Sweet'ums enjoying some of her party gifts--princess jewelry from her aunt and nail polish from Mommy and Daddy. We finished it off with a little of Mommy's lip gloss and played princess for a while.
It looks like she might be a bit of a girlie-girl! She kept twirling in front of the mirror, trying to get side views of herself, and giving herself the "do these training pants make my butt look big" examination. It was so funny. MeMe and I will have to dig deep and summon our inner girlie-girls so we can make sure we nurture all of her personality traits.
It looks like she might be a bit of a girlie-girl! She kept twirling in front of the mirror, trying to get side views of herself, and giving herself the "do these training pants make my butt look big" examination. It was so funny. MeMe and I will have to dig deep and summon our inner girlie-girls so we can make sure we nurture all of her personality traits.
We survived!
We lived through it! All of the good pictures are on my mom's camera so I don't have a lot to show right now, but I have one to share at least.
I'm off to take a much-needed nap now. Hope everyone enjoys their weekend!
I'm off to take a much-needed nap now. Hope everyone enjoys their weekend!
Friday, September 17, 2010
Oh Boy
I over-did it. BIG time.
I spent my night last night (and when I say night, I mean from the time Sweet'ums went to bed at 10 until I went to bed about about 3:30) baking. I made a two layer 9" cake and a two layer 12" cake. Prep took quite some time since I had to make it in batches--I wasn't sure exactly how much I'd need and some recipes don't double well, so I figured it would be best to stick to the recipe as it was. Then, I only have one 12" cake pan, so I had to wait the 45 minutes it took the first one to bake and then the 15 minutes to cool it enough to get it out of the pan before I could start my next one. I tried washing things as I went, which was a big waste of time too. Towards the end I went ahead and trimmed the cakes I had done so it would be one less thing to do today. There was some wasted time in the midst of it all, but for the most part it was just one big baking marathon.
Hopefully, if I do this right, the end result will be a double-layer two-tiered Wonder Pets cake. I'm only making such a big cake because Ricky's family likes to eat, and every year I run it close on cake.
I had trouble sleeping last night once I went to bed, and every time I'd wake I'd have trouble falling back to sleep. This morning my shoulders ache badly, I think from holding the mixer. My hand and wrist ache too but again, I think it's the mixer--the vibrations from it always bother me. And I still have to ice and decorate the things!
Once I get them done I'll post pictures. You better believe I'm proud of this monstrosity!
I spent my night last night (and when I say night, I mean from the time Sweet'ums went to bed at 10 until I went to bed about about 3:30) baking. I made a two layer 9" cake and a two layer 12" cake. Prep took quite some time since I had to make it in batches--I wasn't sure exactly how much I'd need and some recipes don't double well, so I figured it would be best to stick to the recipe as it was. Then, I only have one 12" cake pan, so I had to wait the 45 minutes it took the first one to bake and then the 15 minutes to cool it enough to get it out of the pan before I could start my next one. I tried washing things as I went, which was a big waste of time too. Towards the end I went ahead and trimmed the cakes I had done so it would be one less thing to do today. There was some wasted time in the midst of it all, but for the most part it was just one big baking marathon.
Hopefully, if I do this right, the end result will be a double-layer two-tiered Wonder Pets cake. I'm only making such a big cake because Ricky's family likes to eat, and every year I run it close on cake.
I had trouble sleeping last night once I went to bed, and every time I'd wake I'd have trouble falling back to sleep. This morning my shoulders ache badly, I think from holding the mixer. My hand and wrist ache too but again, I think it's the mixer--the vibrations from it always bother me. And I still have to ice and decorate the things!
Once I get them done I'll post pictures. You better believe I'm proud of this monstrosity!
Thursday, September 16, 2010
It's CRUNCH TIME!!!
So we're officially in counting-down-the-hours territory for Sweet'ums' party and I'm in full panic mode. I've got a lot to do in so little time!
My primary worry is making sure I get the cake done in time. This year I'm making the cake, which is something I haven't done before. I mean, I've made cakes but not with a deadline or for a birthday before. My daughter is hooked on Wonder Pets, and her party is a Wonder Pets party, but the local grocery store doesn't do Wonder Pets cakes...leaving it to Mommy to come up with a solution. Not that she cares, of course, but I figured if we were doing a theme we might as well have a matching cake.
I think the part that has me stressed about getting things done, though, is the fact that NG and I share a vehicle, and he works too far away to justify me taking him to work and keeping the car (that, and I don't want to have to get up at 5 AM to go get him from work!). That means we have to squeeze in as much as we can this afternoon, and then try to get everything else done tomorrow so that Saturday is as free as possible. Mom would help except she's working too, and these are two of her busy days.
So I'm feeling the pressure now. I know everything will be fine--I do this every year, even in years when I'm not baking--but it doesn't stop me from getting a bit stressed.
On the up side, her present has made it to town and now we're just waiting for mail delivery. I'm excited!
My primary worry is making sure I get the cake done in time. This year I'm making the cake, which is something I haven't done before. I mean, I've made cakes but not with a deadline or for a birthday before. My daughter is hooked on Wonder Pets, and her party is a Wonder Pets party, but the local grocery store doesn't do Wonder Pets cakes...leaving it to Mommy to come up with a solution. Not that she cares, of course, but I figured if we were doing a theme we might as well have a matching cake.
I think the part that has me stressed about getting things done, though, is the fact that NG and I share a vehicle, and he works too far away to justify me taking him to work and keeping the car (that, and I don't want to have to get up at 5 AM to go get him from work!). That means we have to squeeze in as much as we can this afternoon, and then try to get everything else done tomorrow so that Saturday is as free as possible. Mom would help except she's working too, and these are two of her busy days.
So I'm feeling the pressure now. I know everything will be fine--I do this every year, even in years when I'm not baking--but it doesn't stop me from getting a bit stressed.
On the up side, her present has made it to town and now we're just waiting for mail delivery. I'm excited!
Monday, September 13, 2010
The last few days
My birthday ended up being a decent day. Mom's comment ended up being a joke (which reinforces that I'm overly-sensitive!) and when they came to pick Sweet'ums up so she could go to church with them on Sunday they brought a tiny little cake and an Olive Garden gift card. Made me feel special. :) I would rather them save their money and all of us just go out together, but I imagine we could still do that if I played my cards right (used the gift card to pay for them and then me and NG pay for ourselves?).
Then, NG came home with another little cake for me and a card. Yes, I have a fridge FULL of cake. Fortunately they're both small and I shared some with Mom and Dad when we went to pick up Sweet'ums on Sunday night. Hopefully I won't manage to kill myself with a sugar OD anytime this week!
My dear friend also brought me a little something. She picked up some candles for me for my birthday. I love them! There's a couple little votives and one huge candle in a jar that looks sort of like the stacks of a nuclear reactor (that thick, rounded hour-glass type shape). Awesome! She spent the day with me and that was awesome.
Sunday I was sick, which stank. I don't know if it was a 24 hour stomach bug, or mild food poisoning, or what. It was awful. I'm so glad Sweet'ums was with my mom!
I'm recovered now, suffering only occasional wooziness. But now NG is sick with allergies, which is a full-body experience for him, complete with nausea.
In the week ahead we have to prepare for Sweet'ums' birthday party and everything. I ordered her present (which is something I think she'll enjoy--blue to match her leo, and pink because she's a bit of a girlie-girl) and hopefully it'll get here in time. Overall, things are falling into place. I just need NG to make sure for me that everyone knows that the time has changed.
Beyond that, this has been a quiet few days. With any luck the next few nights will fly by and we can get on with our weekend!
Thanks for stopping by this weekend, guys. Sorry I didn't get back sooner. I'm gonna run now--looks like the little lady needs a nap.
Then, NG came home with another little cake for me and a card. Yes, I have a fridge FULL of cake. Fortunately they're both small and I shared some with Mom and Dad when we went to pick up Sweet'ums on Sunday night. Hopefully I won't manage to kill myself with a sugar OD anytime this week!
My dear friend also brought me a little something. She picked up some candles for me for my birthday. I love them! There's a couple little votives and one huge candle in a jar that looks sort of like the stacks of a nuclear reactor (that thick, rounded hour-glass type shape). Awesome! She spent the day with me and that was awesome.
Sunday I was sick, which stank. I don't know if it was a 24 hour stomach bug, or mild food poisoning, or what. It was awful. I'm so glad Sweet'ums was with my mom!
I'm recovered now, suffering only occasional wooziness. But now NG is sick with allergies, which is a full-body experience for him, complete with nausea.
In the week ahead we have to prepare for Sweet'ums' birthday party and everything. I ordered her present (which is something I think she'll enjoy--blue to match her leo, and pink because she's a bit of a girlie-girl) and hopefully it'll get here in time. Overall, things are falling into place. I just need NG to make sure for me that everyone knows that the time has changed.
Beyond that, this has been a quiet few days. With any luck the next few nights will fly by and we can get on with our weekend!
Thanks for stopping by this weekend, guys. Sorry I didn't get back sooner. I'm gonna run now--looks like the little lady needs a nap.
Friday, September 10, 2010
So close I can taste it!
You know that potty training has been a long, hard process when you look at that first poop in the potty and you think seriously to yourself about having it bronzed.
Today we had a small victory. Sweet'ums starting talking about "dook" (you can thank my husband for that word) and getting fidgety and so I started looking around, thinking she'd left one somewhere for me to find. I asked her if she wanted a diaper (since she won't usually go without one, and when she does she gets upset about her "accident") and she refused. So I waited.
About an hour and a half later, she comes running to me, jibbering something about "dook" and "poopy potty" and threw the toys she'd been holding into my lap. Then she runs off towards the potty and sits down.
She managed to make it in time this time!
Potty training victory is so close I can taste it!
And in hindsight, maybe that wasn't the best title considering what the post is about.
Today we had a small victory. Sweet'ums starting talking about "dook" (you can thank my husband for that word) and getting fidgety and so I started looking around, thinking she'd left one somewhere for me to find. I asked her if she wanted a diaper (since she won't usually go without one, and when she does she gets upset about her "accident") and she refused. So I waited.
About an hour and a half later, she comes running to me, jibbering something about "dook" and "poopy potty" and threw the toys she'd been holding into my lap. Then she runs off towards the potty and sits down.
She managed to make it in time this time!
Potty training victory is so close I can taste it!
And in hindsight, maybe that wasn't the best title considering what the post is about.
Is she serious???
My birthday has always been a pain. Between 9/11 and the fact that we're just not good at putting on a good party, it's always been a bit of a dud. That's not to say I haven't enjoyed some of them, just that some of them have been days I would rather have slept through.
My mom pulled a real doozy this year though. And I think it was an attempt at a joke but I can't say for sure. My mom sometimes tries to make jokes by saying things that... well, they're just not funny. On the other hand, she IS getting older and I have to brace myself for her and Dad to start forgetting things.
When she asked whether I'd decided to go to church with them Sunday (there's going to be a little program for Grandparents' Day) I told her I'm still not sure, since my medicine is still messing with my stomach and NG was trying to decide whether he was going to do something for my birthday tomorrow evening when he gets off work or wait until one of the next two weekends since he'll be off then. She goes, "Oh, that's right... Tomorrow's your birthday."
Then as they were leaving, she said, "Well, I'll go ahead and wish you a happy birthday, just in case I forget to tell you tomorrow."
Gee whiz, Mom. I love you too.
My mom pulled a real doozy this year though. And I think it was an attempt at a joke but I can't say for sure. My mom sometimes tries to make jokes by saying things that... well, they're just not funny. On the other hand, she IS getting older and I have to brace myself for her and Dad to start forgetting things.
When she asked whether I'd decided to go to church with them Sunday (there's going to be a little program for Grandparents' Day) I told her I'm still not sure, since my medicine is still messing with my stomach and NG was trying to decide whether he was going to do something for my birthday tomorrow evening when he gets off work or wait until one of the next two weekends since he'll be off then. She goes, "Oh, that's right... Tomorrow's your birthday."
Then as they were leaving, she said, "Well, I'll go ahead and wish you a happy birthday, just in case I forget to tell you tomorrow."
Gee whiz, Mom. I love you too.
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