Almost rounding the home stretch ., . .

After 3 Chirstmas gatherings, too many kid's presents to put away, and a bazillion trips to the curb for trash pick-up, our Christmas season is just about over. One more party on New Years Day with my step-father's family, then it will be finito. I love Christmas, it's the reshuffling when it's over that stinks.

Thankfully, our household is almost well, Daddy is still hacking at night loud enough to wake the neighbors. The kids are definately better, and causing all sorts of turmoil, as toddlers do. I'm finally back to work. . . woohoo (she says unexcitedly)

My husband stuck with the easy gift . . . jewelry . . you gotta love that! I also stuck with easy . . .clothes. It's the only thing he will not buy himself, what choice do I have. We are much too poor this season for the beloved iPod he is lusting after, so that must wait. My 3 year okld son watches way too much television . . . he opened up a yo-yo at my mom's and said, "Wow, my very own Easy button!" That got a big laugh. Way too many staples commercials. He does however love the gift that we found out he wanted so badly on Thursday which daddy spent many hours and much gas trying to find. He finally found one at the mall that someone had aparently sat down and forgot about. . . a Bulls-eye Bouce and Roll. It must have been the last one in the city. He actually got accosted several times by others wanting to know if he was "going to buy that". Since then, we have been playing it's version of skee-ball. I just need cardboard pizza and tickets and I'll have my own Chuck E's.

The kids were fantastic. Even my adopted son Dustin had a wonderful couple of days. We have had a rough road lately with some juggling of the psychotropic meds, which is NEVER fun. He however is doing better.

Peace to all!

Merry Christmas!

I am sitting here about 1/2 hour 'til Christmas. My children are sleeping in the chair behind me. I don't wish to take them upstairs quote yet. You see, my children do not go to bed well . . we've tried everything . . . but that is another post.

I am enjoying my quiet after cleaning ALL day so that my immediate family could come over for Christmas Eve. OK, not all day, I did sleep until noon. My family would not have minded if my house was dirty, but it was nice to hear the first words out of my mother's mouth be, "Boy, it sure is nice and tidy here!" You see, with 2 toddlers and OCD medication, my house is not always tidy anymore. I do like things in there place, but it's not always tidy. Ok, I'll save that for another post too. Anyhoo . . .

I always loved the magic of Christmas eve. I loved that anticipation of Christmas morning. I was the kid up at 6:00 and bouncing on my younger brother's bed to wake him. Now, you must understand this was when I was 20. I believe I got this from my father . . . we LOVED Christmas. Now with children I love it more. My mom is the best when it comes to Christmas. She always indulged my brother and I and spent way more than she was supposed to becasue she loves giving. Now, she indulges my children. My kids have the best Nannie in the universe. I love seeing their faces light up when they see her. . . My stepfather is a wonderful PaPa as well. He loves them as if they were his own. But . . . I would have loved seeing my father's face as he saw my children open their presents.

It is my Christmas wish that we all enjoy those we have in our family, for all their faults, for we may not thave them next year and that each one of us takes the time to reflect on the fact that we are celebrating the birth of our Lord and Saviour.

Blessings!

Criminey . . .

Holy cow . . . what a couple of weeks. My entire household needs fumigated for germs. Over the last 12 days every member of our household has been sick with at least 3 different ailments. I have been to the pediatrician three times and have had 4 different prescriptions in the house for the kids.

Today I took my son outside to "blow the stink off him" as my mother would say. My daughter is has been fevering at 102 for the last 10 days. She is miserable and has puked the last two nights at exactly 1:45am. I am so tired of changing diapers, flushing toilets and wiping noses I could SCREAM!

Okay, enough about our crappy existence. . . by the way . . . have I ever told you I HATE wrapping presents?

Was I just raised differently . . .

It astounds me how people can just do things without thinking. I think too much. I guess it was how I was raised, but I truly don't like to dissappoint people. Is it because I like to please others? Is it because I want others to like me? I think it's because I was raised that your word stands for somehting. When you give your word, you mean it. When I have to change that, and break that word, I really stress about it. I mean REALLY stress about it. I made a promise, that promise has to be broken. (I belive it is for a good reason, but that doesn't help relieve my stress) I will not sleep tonight, my stomach already hurts, I will run through it over and over in my head becuase I have let a friend down by breaking that promise.

My father passed away 9 years ago. He never got to meet my husband, he didn't walk me down the isle at my wedding, he couldn't hold my babies, he didn't have the opportunity to be called Papa. I regret that he missed so much. He would be proud of my life. He would have loved being a grandpa. He would love that I stress over something like this. Ya know why? He made certain that my word meant something. He wanted me to be a strong person that held commitment and loyalty sacred. My dad raised be to be a good person always. We tell my son, "you do the right thing even when no one is looking." My dad would love that statement.

I understand sometimes, things happen. I understand you can't always forsee when things happen that could chagne the situation. I have broken my promise because I feel as though I have to. I don't take it lightly, but I will still worry about it and fret about it, and wish it could be different.

I'd like to say I wish I was a wishy-washy person that could change at the drop of a hat and break promises and it wouldn't phase me one bit . . . .wait . . . I don't wish I was that person. I like being loyal and faithful. I like having a conscience.

Imagine all the people, living life in peace. . .

Twenty-five years ago today, the world lost John Lennon. My husband wrote a wonderful blog over at Left of Centrist to remember John and the effect he had on him. Included is the following:

"Shoot me, shoot me," whispered John as the first words on the last Beatles' album. Perhaps the sick animal who took Lennon's life mistook the lyrics as a literal request but the refrain of that song took on an almost mythical precognition. In the days that followed the diabolical actions of 'he who shall not be named', many of us around the world came together over John. We stumbled around in shock listening to the music that had changed the world. We couldn't let go of the dream. Until that fateful day we held out a faint hope that our favorite band would reunite and regale us with more of the magic we had come to love. In one tragic moment, that dream was lost forever.

Great things you hear at daycare . . . part 2

Never heard anything like this before . . .

Teacher : I know you would like to cut the hairs in your nose, but they aren't long enough for that yet.

Boy : But my daddy does.

Teacher : I know he does, but yours aren't ready yet.

And my favorite after 15 years . . .

The set up:
I had a girl in my class whose parents raised Great Danes. Her father who had never been at our dacyare brought one in one time for show - n- share. A boy from my co-workers class named Cameron was quite an ornery thing. This is the child that likes to pee on the toilet paper roll just to see it grow, and pee in the easel tray to fill it up. His father was quite concerned about his behavior, and dad was quite intimidating even to us as teachers. Nice man, but large and commanding. Here's how the show -n-share ionstance went.

The instance:
Haley's dog was LARGE. This back was about eye level with the children. Some smaller children were shorter than the dogs back. Cameron walked around the dog, stopping just in the rear of the dog. He bent over and looked under the dogs tail which was cropped. He moved to the side and looked under the dog. He then moved to the other side and looked once again under the dog.

The kicker:
He pops his head up, points at the dogs Who-Whos and says . . .
"Hey! My dod's gots them!"

My co-worker and I lost it!

Better late than never . . . .

OK so this is a little late.

You know what I am most thankful for . . .

Not crashing our car on slippery I69
Indoor waterparks
Very tired children who sleep through the night
WalMart is open Thanksgiving
Mother In-Laws in a good mood
Daughters who can carry an beloved ceramic angel across the room without dropping it
TURKEY
TURKEY
TURKEY


Now you know how my Thanksgiving holiday went!

Wow . . .

This weather sucks. My entire family has been so sick. I think we just keep passing from one kid, to us, to another kid and back again. I'm so tired of wiping noses, rashy booties, and my wonderful dogs tearing up the tissues that are left everywhere. Finally, we are all in our appropriate places today - school - daycare and work. Daddy is left at home by himself for the first time in a while . .. maybe I'll have a clean house when I get home!

OKay, Okay I know, 9 days . . .

I'm certain that a certain friend is falling off her rocker right now, as if she wasn't already off her rocker. I am posting after NINE days. It's been a little hectic around here, my kids have been quite ill, (more puking stories) and then IT hits. The cold from hell! I have seriuos asthma, and the cold makes it totally worse. My son continues to say "Mommy are you sick?" everytime that I hack up my lungs and nearly die. What does one say to that innocent little face? "Of course I'm sick, did you just hear that?" So I say "Mommy feels like poo-poo" My son looks at my face and with a little scrunched up nose says "Nuh-huh mommy, You're not brown"

Great things you hear at daycare

I work at a daycare. That alone should say volumes. I decided that we daycare providers are a strange lot. You say things at work that you would NEVER say anywhere else. You also hear things you would NEVER Hear anywhere else. A few noteables from recently . . .

My son came in and told me to get back to work. I said "You tell your teacher I work even in my sleep." My sons runs across the hall screaming "My mommy says she goes to work in bed!"

I heard a teacher in the hallway say, "Are you licking your friend? Your friend does not want to be licked right now."

International House of . . . .

Ok let me start by telling you that my daughter has this thing about sticking things in her diaper and pretending they are "all gone". We are at IHOP this past Friday evening and the green crayon she had been playing with went "all gone". After about 3 minutes she satrts saying "Owie butt!" at the top of her lungs. I reach in and retreive the crayon that was lodged sideways in the back of her diaper. As if this wasn't enough fun for the night about 10 minutes after got our food she starts grabbing her stomach and saying "Owie Mommy" over and over. I think she is simply trying to get out of the high chair. I keep telling her she's fine.

Finally I am tired of hearing her whine and I get up to pay the bill thinking a change of scenery would help. I take her hand. The "Owie"s get louder. I reach the counter and pick her up just as I hand the credit card to the girl at the counter. The next minute I realize that my lovely daughter is projectile vomiting down by arm, down my front, down my back, and all over the display case where the register is. You need to understand my daughter is a good puker. She doesn't even heave, she just lets it all go. The poor 17 year old at the counter had no idea what to do. She says "I'll go get towels" she then returns with 2 small dishtowels to clean up this mammoth pile of . . . well, you know.

My mom was bringing my son to me after taking him on a "date". She drove into the parking lot just as I was flying outside to escape the embarassment and prepare for the next wave. Luckily she had a towel in her van. I pulled off my nasty shirt (Much to the dismay of my stepfather) right in the parking lot and put on my jacket. We then ripped off my daughter's clothes and wrapped her in the towel.

It was quite a scene. I will never be able to step foot in that IHOP again. I also will never be able to call it International House of . . . Pancakes again.

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.