Not one more death . . .

As it stands today, the death toll of Americans in Iraq is at 1998. When that number reaches 2000, people will gather all over the country to proclaim, "Not one more death, not one more dollar." Follow the link below to find where the meeting place closest to you will be

Not one more death. Not one more dollar

Protesting the war should not be about partisan beliefs all are welcome. We should stand and unite for our troops, but against the war.

I'm sure it was funny. . .

Last night, my daughter was boomerang baby. She came to my bed, I put her to sleep, took her back to her bed and she would end up back in my bed about 2 minutes later. This went on for hours. I decided at about 2:00 to sit next to her bed and rub her back until I was sure she was asleep and would stay put. I woke up at 4:00 in her toddler bed and she was in my bed. I'm certain I looked completely ridiculous. I was disoriented and confused, but I still found it funny. I gave up, I spent the rest of the evening crammed over to the side of my bed as my daughter slept soundly next to me.

It attacked me . . .

Yesterday I decided that we should take down our gazebo in the backyard for the season. It made me sad becuase we enjoy the yard so much during the summer. When I took it down I realized that our only shade tree that hangs over the gazebo was quite overgrown and needed a good trimming. I got out my trusty ladder leaned it against the tree and began to saw off branches. When done, I looked at the yard, and . . . crap . . . now I have to dispose of all these limbs covering my backyard. I had to cut them down to a respectable size and bundle them. You should see my hands today. It looks like I was in a prize fight. I am convinced that the tree attacked me for cutting it's brnaches. Well . . . that and a good dose of klutziness.

Could I be any more blessed . . .

As the days get colder and shorter, I tend to get depressed. I can't stand winter and I have even more to worry about this year as gas pricers shoot through the roof. You see, I have a very old home, and my gas bill is close to the cost of a round trip plane ticket to Hawaii. (Ok, not quite, but I love to exxagerate.) I spent last weekend on a ladder stapling plastic to my windows in an effort to keep the hot air inside. I have a wonderful kerosene heater that keeps the living room nice and toasty, and I have also purchased an electric space heater since electric is more cost effective than gas these days.

So, I decided as I am sitting here worrying about my life in general and bemoaing the fact that I live in an upper midwestern state that I would make a list of my blessings. So humor me. . .

1. I have a great dog.

Ok, so he's not so great, and he's ugly and fat, but he loves me. The rest of my family can't stand him, but Max is devoted to me and me alone. I must be ok if he loves me.

2. My children are super.

OK, so my older son got in trouble at school today for whining, my younger son had 2 potty accidents before noon, and my lovely daughter went around telling her teacher "No touch me!" all day. But, they are cute and cuddly and love me unconditionally, that has to count for something.

3. My husband is a stay at home daddy and takes care of the house.

Ok, he doesn't make the bed, and he loves to blog ALL THE TIME, and he doesn't sort the laundry right, but he is an awesome daddy and does cook.

4. I have a nice job.

Ok, my job is crazy, I deal with other people's kids all day, I work with my mother, and now we are probably moving to a new building and I don't want to. But, it pays the bills and I believe it is the right job for me.

5. I have a home to live in, I have food in my cupboards, I have a wonderful family, I have a husband that loves me, I have children to make me smile . . . I AM BLESSED

I've got cold feet . . .

The problem is that the cold feet aren't mine, they are my daughter's. I woke up this morning at 6:00 to them firmly planted in the small of my back. Kids are such a joy and I adore mine, but oh please put on some slippers before you crawl into bed with mommy!

The problem is sorely misunderstood. . .

As a parent of a special needs child, I was concerned to hear that my school district, Fort Wayne Community Schools, was the target of 3 cases filed against them by special education parents. This concerns me because it affects my child and causes me to question the quality of care and equal treatment my son has a right to by law. These parents are to be commended for being an advocate for their child's education. We have had to fight the administration at my son's previous school to guarantee him an appropriate education. This so-called principal told us that "Maybe it's time you give up and decide he needs to be institutionalized" THIS WAS A 6 YEAR OLD!! She also told me that, "Every child is in this school by my grace. If I don't want them here, they won't be" I went home, wrote emails to my senators, state representatives, state lawmakers as well as the superintendent of Indiana schools. The following day she said in a meeting that she had said no such thing. LIE! I brought in an advocacy group called IN*SOURCE that helps parents fight for what the law provides for. I fought for my son's education and now at ten years old, he is beginning to function appropriately for his disability.

In my experience the teachers, with only one small exception, have been very helpful and understanding. The "exception" should not have been teaching special education students and since that first episode has quit special education and is in a "regular" classroom. The Special Education Office has been completely behind us and as helped in every way possible. It is typically the administration at the school that struggles with anything that deviates from the norm. They continue to treat each child that has an Individual Education Plan (IEP) like any other student even though their specialized plan outlines other objectives, more chances and fewer consequences. They often times refuse to accept that these children are different for a reason, and deserve the difference in treatment.

I hope that the school district does not suffer for these law suits, however I hope that the person who let this "fall through the cracks" be held responsible for the aftermath.

Last night I saw a report on this situaiton on a local news channel. They only addressed how kids with dyslexia often struggle. HUH?? That had nothing to do with the situation outlined in the Fort Wayne newspapers. That proves that no one completely understands that struggles that parents with special needs go through not to mention the children themselves. The issue is behavior control, consequences, and the ability to meet each child on his or her level AND help them learn and grow. The IEP is meant to promote success and help the child meet goals that they CAN acheive with specialized help. It is most importantly for the staff, ALL the staff, of the school to see where that child is and how they can help them meet those goals.

Could they be any nicer . . .

The following is letter from Dave Lambert of the FW Peace Action, he is writing concerning the Camp Casey that has been set up. My husband, myself and our children visited the camp the other night. I couldn't have been exposed to a group of nicer people. You could immediately see the kindness and acceptance of the group. My husband has been visiting the campsite daily and will man the site while members go out and speak to different groups. It has been a positive experience and has truly helped so many people see that this war is NOT RIGHT. My hats go off to those who are staying at the camp.

See my husbands blog for further information at leftofcentrist.blogspot.com

Friends:

As you know, Cliff Kindy has established Camp Casey at 1521 E. Pontiac Street (the new hdqs of NAACP.) For the next couple of weeks, volunteers are needed to help staff the camp.

Will you kindly consider dropping by to see how you can help? This is an important event, which carries on the work started by Cindy Sheehan at Crawford TX.

Please drop by any time of the day and talk with Cliff, Tom, Amy or whoever is there and ask how you can help make Camp Casey a success in helping to end the war in Iraq.

Thanks

Dave Lambert

Fort Wayne Peace Action

You have to be kidding me . . .

I spoke to my older son's teacher today. She asked me if I had taken my son to the doctor recently. I asked why and she said, "I think maybe he has allegies." I explained that he hadn't had that issue before. "Well, we're having a problem with mold here at our school." WHAT?? Then she begins to tell me how all the classrooms are damp and they have dehumidifiers in all the rooms. They have found mold in all the classrooms because of this problem. Do you think that if this happened at home, they would criticize me for having an issue at my home. Absolutely. But, since it's at school they want me to take my son to the doctor to see if he has any allergies. HELLO IT'S MOLD! Of course he is having problems with allergies. Sometimes I wonder what they heck school administration is thinking.

A couple weeks ago my son did not get off the bus at his usual time. My husband began to call the transportation department, which was busy over and over. He finally got through and was put on hold for about 15 minutes. By now it was 45 minutes past the time my son should've been home. I finally got through at the school and found out he was still at school waiting for his bus. School had been dismissed 1 hour and 10 minutes earlier. I told hthem not to put my son on the bus and that I would be right there. At this point I should remind you that my son is special needs. He is moderately handicapped and has huge abandonment issues since he was removed from him mother's care at 4 years old and placed in 10 foster care placements in the ensuing 2 years. THIS is the child they leave at school for over 1 hour. I got to school and he was definately a little upset. Why the school didn't call me is beyond me. But trust me, they will next time since they got an ear-full.

On the way home I decide to vent my frustrations to the transportation department. I waited on hold for a supervisor for over 20 minutes. Once he was on the phone, he said, "This must be about Dustin." I said it was and told them how difficult this would be on him and that I found it inexcusable. He said, "What should I do about it." I asked him to guarantee that it wouldn't happen again and tell me that I could rest assured my son would be home as close to the promised time as possible. He said, "Nope can't do that, this is after all a public school" HUH?? I then asked him if he knew what the school would do if I left my child at school for over 1 hour after dismissal. The school corporation policy is to call Child Protective Services since I have abandoned my child at school. HELLO, you did the same thing and you call it okay.

All I ask is that while I place my child in the care of Fort Wayne Community Schools that you do your best to protect my child from things like incompotent bus drivers and oh, I don't know . . . MOLD!

I'm Frightened . . .

My husband attended the Anti-War rally in Washington this past weekend. I am rarely left alone, my husband and I are together all the time. It haven't spent time without him since before our children were born. I thought I would scared to be at home alone, but I think I am more frightened now . . .

I scoured the news on Saturday only to find scattered news concerning the march. C-Span did have coverage of the speakers prior to the 2 mile march through Washington DC past the White House, however the march was barely mentioned in the media. This irritates me! Hundreds of thousands were present as they marched from the ellipse and past the Whiite House. I think this is definately news-worthy! It scares me that hundreds of thousands of people descending on Washington DC for a peace rally does not make the news.

Mr. Bush was away from the capital as he oversaw hurricane efforts from Colorado (Colorado???) and Mr. Cheney had a scheduled surgery on his knee( on Saturday??). Jessica Lange made a comment about Mr Bush not ever being where he could see the will of the people. Perhaps the most interesting speaker was Ramsey Clark, former Attorney General of the United States. He made a compelling speech for impeachment of President Bush for high crimes and misdemeanors agfainst humanity. Visit www.impeachbush.org for more information.

So much of what was said Saturday scares me.

I am scared that so many people are oblivious to Mr. Bush's alienation of the remainder of the world. There are those that stand behind him on blind faith. They choose to ignore the fact that his policies and his principles are totally against what he claims rto stand for. There are those "christians" ( I hesitate using that word, because I consider myself one) who stand behind him as he lies and has no regard for human life, yet they back him because in their view he has morals. I just simply don't get it! And yet, most of those people would tell you just because you attend church doesn't mean your saved, it's your actions that count. Well, Mr. Bush's actions certainly count in the eyes of Cindy Sheehan and other mothers who have lost their sons and daughters in Iraq, for a war that was not warranted and not our business!

I'm scared that even my mother is blind to Mr. Bush and his phony war. This is a woman who I consider my role model and my best friend. She is the best grandmother my children could want, and yet she can't see past her republican views and see Bush for what he has done to make our country hated in the eyes of the world.

I am scared that my children will grow up in a world where America doesn't stand for justice but vengence. That our war will Iraq will continue to spend dollars that would help further justice in our own country. Money that would feed and clothe those living in our democracy. I pray that we would be more concerned with helping those in our own country with needs as we are with furthering democracy in a country that on a whole doesn't want it. What about our people who are left behind? What about our children who need educations so that maybe they will choose more wiasely than we have?

I am scared that our current two-party system will continue to tear at the fiber of our country and not meet the needs of everyone in the center. That we will have to choose the lesser of the two evils when voting.

We need a centrist candidate that will UNITE our country instead of UNTIE it.

Visit my husband's blog at leftofcentrist.blogspot.com for more info and pictures of the march.

Man, I hate when he's right . . .

My husband is really good at being right. I hate to say that in print, but it's true! Robert is a true trivia buff and he reads everything he can get his hands on about entertainment. He likes to be informed. When we first met, I called him "Mr. know-it-most". Here is one of my biggest pet peeves about my husband . . .

He will start harping on me about watching a particular show. Usually it's some obscure series pilot or some backpage cult phenonenom that "normal" network-type people haven't given a chance. Usually one of two things happen: there is some outcry from fans when the show is slated for cancellation that tends to get more people interested, or it gets cancelled and becomes more popular on DVD with rabid fans. Anyway . . . he'll start nagging me to watch something I have no desire to see. He'll DVR and store several episodes until I finally break down and watch one just to get him off my back. this is usually done with a grumpy attitude and a "fine, I'll watch it but you can't make me like it" comment. Here's an outline of what typically happens . . . within my own mind

1 minuite into show - "see, what a stupid theme song . . I knew this would suck"
10 minutes - " man, I could be doing so much other stuff . . . this sucks"
15 minutes - "Argh! He has 3 weeks saved on DVR, I'm NOT watching the other weeks"
25 minutes - " this isn't so bad, but I can live with out it"
35 minutes - "crap! I kinda like this"
45 minutes - "MAN I hate when Robert's right"
The End - "I can put the kids to bed and watch the other episodes tonight"

This has happened with Buffy, Dead Like Me, the original season of 24, Veronica Mars, Wings of Prey, and now most recently Firefly.

I admit it . . . I AM TRULY ADDICTED TO FIREFLY, MY HUSBAND WAS RIGHT . . . There I said it, happy now?

Firefly is fabulous. It is interesting and witty and has great humor. Joss Whedon is a master of the odd cut aways to commercial and that wonderful Xander-esque dry humor that makes you spit out your soda. I LOVE it. If you get a chance, catch this wonderful "cult-classic" on DVD, the entire series is under $30, before the motion picture Serenity comes to theatres.

You know it's a good day when . . .

Today, my son did not have any potty accidents at school. Do you know how BIG that is? If you are a parent of a preschooler, you do. If not, you think I'm crazy!

I was thinking today about how very in control and organized I used to be. I am no longer that being. I suppose that all starts when you have three little lives to worry about in addition to your own. I'm more concerned about getting out of the house without the dog on my heels, with a pacifier, with nap stuff for school, without a meltdown about the spiderman toy my son wanted to take, with shoes all tied AND getting to the van on our very busy street without having a child squished like a pancake then I am about putting on makeup and looking my best.

I am constantly forgetting to bring this, or take that to work. I always forget party day at school not to mention show n tell. I always say "I'm the worst mother, I forget an item that start's with B, sorry" I'm lucky if I can get my bra on straight while rushing the dog down that stairs to go outside before he pees on the floor while my daughter is chasing behind me shouting for chock-it milk.

I taught preschool for 9 years, I always privately criticized parents who forget special days. I would think they didn't have time for their children. Now I know that they didn't have time because of their children.

Anyway . . . You know it's a good day when . . . you have three little lives to look out for and love and hug and kiss and you realize that they are WAY more important than make-up, taking your special coffee mug to work, and being the organized operson you once were.

I love my babies!