I have to say, this kid has more guts and determination than most adults I know! A couple weeks ago each student who wanted to participated in their grade-level talent show. There were about 15-20 kids who did the 5th grade show, Angela being one of them.
A couple days later it was announced over the loud speaker who the 6 winners from each grade were, and Angela was one of the 5th grade winners! They would each perform at the ALL SCHOOL talent show on the very last day of school, which was today.
But Angela started getting sick. She had her birthday sleepover on Friday then went to her dad's where she slept until Sunday afternoon. The child who rarely cries was in a fit of tears on the couch, she was so miserable. Itchy, watery eyes, dripping nose...like really bad allergy stuff. I put her to bed and in the morning she woke up spunky and ready for school! Monday was ok, Tuesday was not-so-much (when she's getting sick her behavior is horrid!) Weds we had the practice for the talent show, and decided to simplify her act a bit.
Meanwhile, between not feeling 100% AND having HUGE anxiety problems about the end of the school year, loosing her teachers, going to a new school (moving up to middle school) AND anticipation of the talent show...well...it has NOT been a very good week!
And then came today. The last day of school, and the day of the talent show. I wondered how she'd be feeling when she got up. She didn't seem too bad, but MAN was she crabby!!! OMG....every swear word she knows was flying out of that little mouth of hers, all before *my* eyes were even open! She had picked out some clothes (stripes of course) but she is going through HUGE growth spurts and I have rules for her clothes. No tummy showing, no butt crack showing, must wear a bra (she can't quite get them on herself) yada yada yada. Apparently there weren't any stripes in her drawer that fit my criteria and it was irritating her.
Eventually we got out the door (late, which makes her crabby to be rushed along when SHE got up in plenty of time, it was MOM that was late!) and on the way to school she's saying, "Fine! No show! FINE!" and I'm thinking Lovely...just lovely.
Her turn finally rolled around, and as I handed her Dudley's leash, I realized she either had a fever and a really bad case of the chills, or she was super nervous and trembling. I asked, "Are you cold or nervous?"
"I'm SO NERVOUS!" she said, and I thought she would cry. When she went up on stage, she was flustered. It was about that time, as the music started, that I....horrible mother that I am....realized she wasn't wearing her hearing aids, and couldn't hear the beginning of her music. From there she had a hard time catching up to it.
But she did it. Croaky sick voice and all, she did her whole song, remembered to introduce herself and the dog, AND tell the stage lady that she was ready to start. She even got Dudley to take a bow at the end.
When I was done recording her act, I turned around to see all the moms I know crying, and all the staff wiping tears, and Angela's aids were about beside themselves. I knew all along that she could do this, but they didn't....they had no idea...and again, Angela shatters the misconceptions.
And so, here's the video. I wanted to tell the lady to start the music over, but I didn't. I did NOT want to be the stage mom and step in. I let her go it alone. After this I had to go say goodbye to all her staff that have been so wonderful to her since we moved here in 2nd grade with a kid on death's door. You'd never know to look at her now.
(for those on reader, there's a video here.)
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Aaaahhhh let the summer rush begin!
Angela's last day of school was Thursday, June 12th, can you believe it? Friday we left for our 13th annual family Christamas at Ivanhoe weekend (which hasn't been at Ivanhoe for 3 years, but I digress.) This is Christmas gift from my parents. They rent out all the cabins of a local resort up in Walker, MN (just happens to be right down the road from their house.) and all my sibings and I, along with our families, take over the resort for a long weekend. It's the one time every year that I know I'll see my sister from IL. This year I got to see my great nephew Payton and great niece Madison for the first time. Beautiful babies who I got to love on for four whole days!
Ivanhoe weekend is the official start of our summer. Seems weird this year since we're already to the middle of June! Today I'll run Angela to swimming (she missed the first couple of days since she was still in school) then come home to start working in the house! We have a big party here on Saturday. Here's what needs to get done before Saturday morning:
1) Finish painting kitchen. 2 coats of 2 different colors.
2) tile downstairs bathroom
3) replace broken deck board
3) pressure spray 3 season porch
4) repaint said porch floor
5) wash basement windows
6) pick up odds and ends around outside
7) CLEAN THE OFFICE
8) Clean carpets in upstairs bedrooms
9) clean, clean clean the rest of the house.
Thankfully Dean's parents will be around to help out over the next couple of days. Needless to say, I won't be around much. Oh, and I have PCA lined up for all day Thursday and Friday so Angela will be busy, although I don't know what I'm going to do about the state Special Olympics track meet. I *really* don't have time to spend the day down there. Her PCA can take her, but....man...I feel like a rotten parent if I miss it.
Ivanhoe weekend is the official start of our summer. Seems weird this year since we're already to the middle of June! Today I'll run Angela to swimming (she missed the first couple of days since she was still in school) then come home to start working in the house! We have a big party here on Saturday. Here's what needs to get done before Saturday morning:
1) Finish painting kitchen. 2 coats of 2 different colors.
2) tile downstairs bathroom
3) replace broken deck board
3) pressure spray 3 season porch
4) repaint said porch floor
5) wash basement windows
6) pick up odds and ends around outside
7) CLEAN THE OFFICE
8) Clean carpets in upstairs bedrooms
9) clean, clean clean the rest of the house.
Thankfully Dean's parents will be around to help out over the next couple of days. Needless to say, I won't be around much. Oh, and I have PCA lined up for all day Thursday and Friday so Angela will be busy, although I don't know what I'm going to do about the state Special Olympics track meet. I *really* don't have time to spend the day down there. Her PCA can take her, but....man...I feel like a rotten parent if I miss it.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Monday, June 09, 2008
Angela's New Ride
Here's Angela, the coolest kid in the 5th grade, refusing to get out after her first ride. LOL
For those on reader, there's a video here.
For those on reader, there's a video here.
If you do it, I will chase you down!
Picture this:
You're in your car, driving down a two-lane highway. Speed limit is 50, though most do 55, a few do 60. You're driving the speed limit of 50 mph, of course!
There is a car in front of you making a left hand turn. They're stopped in the lane waiting for oncoming traffic to pass. You have two choices:
A) Come to a stop behind them and wait.
B) Without slowing and disrupting traffic, move to the right shoulder and pass.
The answer is AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA people!!!!!
Do you KNOW that when I'm making the left turn onto my road, 99% of the people choose B? Do you KNOW why that's ILLEGAL? Because people get KILLED that way!!! But how does that happen if you're being careful when you pass them?
Lets pick up that same scenario at the point where you need to decide what to do. You choose to move into the shoulder and pass the waiting vehicle, but the car BEHIND you couldn't SEE that there was a car stopped there, and suddenly here is this car STOPPED in front of them! Now THIER choice is to SUDDENLY veer off onto the shoulder, or rear-end the waiting vehicle. The car behind THEM is now suddenly in the exact same position!
Now, make that waiting vehicle a motorcycle, and you have ME! Three years ago, my neighbor, while driving her car was rear ended by a car moving at high speed in this exact same scenario in that very spot. Every day, when I take that corner, I watch my mirrors carefully, hoping I'm not the next one, while also watching the oncoming cars so I can hurry up and turn.
Today it happened again, only THIS TIME the woman didn't even slightly slow down, and she was yacking away on her cell phone. She didn't even glance my direction! I'd had it...I was fed up with idiot drivers putting me in this position over and over again. There were no other cars behind her, so I was safe to change my mind and NOT make my turn. Instead, I chased her down.
Ok, if you haven't seen my in my biker gear, I might looks a little scary pulling up to you at a stop light, especially if I'm pissed off. There is a stop light about a 1/2 mile down the road, so I hoped she'd have to stop in a spot where I could have a word with her. She pulled into the left turn lane, and I pulled into the lane going straight. It's a long light...I had time! LOL I turned and gestured to her. Her passenger shrunk in the seat while trying to get the woman's attention. After several attempts she finally put her phone down.
Me: "Do you know why it's illegal to pass on the shoulder?"
Her:"I didn't do anything wrong, you had your turn signal on."
Me:"And I WAS turning, but you passed me on the shoulder. DO YOU KNOW WHY THAT'S ILLEGAL?"
Her: "But you were TURNING! I didn't do anything wrong! You were turning!"
Me: "Go back to driver's ed. One of these days you're going to pass someone like that and get them killed BECAUSE YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW WHY IT'S WRONG!"
She rolled up her window, understandably frustrated. Why shouldn't she be? SHE didn't think she did anything wrong! After all, I had my turn signal on!
So if you're in Eagan, MN, and happen to pass a way cool looking sidecar and decide to pass it on the shoulder, know that it's ME, and I just might chase you down!
If you'd like to verify this law, here's a link. You'll want mn stat 169.18 subd 4.4
Now, if you'll excuse me while I go look up the road rage laws.
You're in your car, driving down a two-lane highway. Speed limit is 50, though most do 55, a few do 60. You're driving the speed limit of 50 mph, of course!
There is a car in front of you making a left hand turn. They're stopped in the lane waiting for oncoming traffic to pass. You have two choices:
A) Come to a stop behind them and wait.
B) Without slowing and disrupting traffic, move to the right shoulder and pass.
The answer is AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA people!!!!!
Do you KNOW that when I'm making the left turn onto my road, 99% of the people choose B? Do you KNOW why that's ILLEGAL? Because people get KILLED that way!!! But how does that happen if you're being careful when you pass them?
Lets pick up that same scenario at the point where you need to decide what to do. You choose to move into the shoulder and pass the waiting vehicle, but the car BEHIND you couldn't SEE that there was a car stopped there, and suddenly here is this car STOPPED in front of them! Now THIER choice is to SUDDENLY veer off onto the shoulder, or rear-end the waiting vehicle. The car behind THEM is now suddenly in the exact same position!
Now, make that waiting vehicle a motorcycle, and you have ME! Three years ago, my neighbor, while driving her car was rear ended by a car moving at high speed in this exact same scenario in that very spot. Every day, when I take that corner, I watch my mirrors carefully, hoping I'm not the next one, while also watching the oncoming cars so I can hurry up and turn.
Today it happened again, only THIS TIME the woman didn't even slightly slow down, and she was yacking away on her cell phone. She didn't even glance my direction! I'd had it...I was fed up with idiot drivers putting me in this position over and over again. There were no other cars behind her, so I was safe to change my mind and NOT make my turn. Instead, I chased her down.
Ok, if you haven't seen my in my biker gear, I might looks a little scary pulling up to you at a stop light, especially if I'm pissed off. There is a stop light about a 1/2 mile down the road, so I hoped she'd have to stop in a spot where I could have a word with her. She pulled into the left turn lane, and I pulled into the lane going straight. It's a long light...I had time! LOL I turned and gestured to her. Her passenger shrunk in the seat while trying to get the woman's attention. After several attempts she finally put her phone down.
Me: "Do you know why it's illegal to pass on the shoulder?"
Her:"I didn't do anything wrong, you had your turn signal on."
Me:"And I WAS turning, but you passed me on the shoulder. DO YOU KNOW WHY THAT'S ILLEGAL?"
Her: "But you were TURNING! I didn't do anything wrong! You were turning!"
Me: "Go back to driver's ed. One of these days you're going to pass someone like that and get them killed BECAUSE YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW WHY IT'S WRONG!"
She rolled up her window, understandably frustrated. Why shouldn't she be? SHE didn't think she did anything wrong! After all, I had my turn signal on!
So if you're in Eagan, MN, and happen to pass a way cool looking sidecar and decide to pass it on the shoulder, know that it's ME, and I just might chase you down!
If you'd like to verify this law, here's a link. You'll want mn stat 169.18 subd 4.4
Now, if you'll excuse me while I go look up the road rage laws.
Friday, June 06, 2008
It's done! It's Done!
My sidecar is DONE!!! And just in time for Angela's birthday too! Ohhhh I can hardly stand it! I have been waiting for so long for this. (ok, so has Angela, but I don't think it's bothered her all that much. LOL) Tomorrow Dean and I will cancel our plans to tile the basement and make the 2 hour drive to pick up the rig. And then there is the whole weather thing. It's been storming here for days, and tomorrow is supposed to be much of the same. The weather channel says something about "severe storms in the afternoon for southern MN. Great...that's just where we're headed. And then comes the adventure of driving it back! You see, I've never driven a sidecar before! LOL We'll have to take back roads so I don't have to go real fast and can avoid traffic. But, should I decide it's too much, the sidecar is mounted in a way that we can disconnect it and put it in the truck and I can ride home "two up". Here's what my new baby looks like.
SA WEET!
SA WEET!
It's My Birthday! (by Angela)
Big yawn.....stretch....rub my nose...
Oh my gosh, it's morning! Today is Friday! It's June 6th, my birthday! Yep, my birthday today! Oh my gosh!
I get dressed FAST! These pants? Nope, too tight. I'm not liking those tight pants. These pants? Nope, that button. I'm not liking that button. These pants? They're black. Perfect. They fit perfect. I look in the mirror. My socks are there, Mom says that's too short. I say perfect!
Get my shirt. Mom says no tummy showing. Red shirt. What? No stripes in my drawer? UGH!!!!!!! That's ok, I just want to get to school. It's my birthday at school too! Red shirt is perfect, even if no stripes.
I go in the hall, and open Mom's door. She's sleeping. Snoring. HAHA Mom is snoring! Shhhh be very quiet so Mom doesn't wake up. I'm dressed for school, time to go! Wait, eat breakfast first!
Open the fridge...hhmmm....Maybe pickles? No, that's not breakfast. I know, peanut butter toast, and an orange. Oranges are hard to peel. Tyler will do it for me. I go downstairs, open Tyler's door. He's sleeping too. "Tyler, will you peel this orange for me?" He did! He didn't even open his eyes. Thanks Ty!
Breakfast tastes good. Time to brush my teeth, and my hair. Done! I'm all set for school. Get my jacket on, and my shoes, and my backpack. Bye Mom! By Ty! Ohhhh It's dark out here. Kind of scary. It's not supposed to be dark when I go to the bus. Oh well.
Today is my birthday! I can't wait to get to school!
Note from Mom: I was woken up at 6:00 this morning by the slamming of the front door. I looked out the window but saw nothing. I threw on some clothes and ran to the door, noticing that Angela's shoes were gone. I ran outside and there stood Angela, in the semi darkness, waiting for her bus. The one that won't come for another 3 hours. I walked down the driveway and told her to come in the house, that she was too early for the bus. "Besides, you need to eat, and brush your teeth and hair and all that stuff. I see you found your clothes. Good job. You're sure excited for school today huh?"
"I did! I did brush my hair. I did brush my teeth. I did eat breakfast! I'm all set!"
Sure enough, I can tell by the toothpaste on her mouth that she did do her teeth. And embedded in that toothpaste are crumbs and bits of orange, so I know she ate breakfast. (though I didn't know we had oranges. Hmmmm) I can also see that the front and sides of her hair is brushed. She's dressed in matching clothes (though the pants are a little on the short side, at least she doesn't have plumber butt in them.) Now we just have to work a little more on that telling time thing. She can tell time, but doesn't understand that things don't happen UNTIL a certain time, and that just because you're ready for them doesn't mean they will happen sooner.
Twelve years old. So much more independent, even from a year ago. So grown up (in all kinds of ways Shocked ) and ready to take on the world!
Oh my gosh, it's morning! Today is Friday! It's June 6th, my birthday! Yep, my birthday today! Oh my gosh!
I get dressed FAST! These pants? Nope, too tight. I'm not liking those tight pants. These pants? Nope, that button. I'm not liking that button. These pants? They're black. Perfect. They fit perfect. I look in the mirror. My socks are there, Mom says that's too short. I say perfect!
Get my shirt. Mom says no tummy showing. Red shirt. What? No stripes in my drawer? UGH!!!!!!! That's ok, I just want to get to school. It's my birthday at school too! Red shirt is perfect, even if no stripes.
I go in the hall, and open Mom's door. She's sleeping. Snoring. HAHA Mom is snoring! Shhhh be very quiet so Mom doesn't wake up. I'm dressed for school, time to go! Wait, eat breakfast first!
Open the fridge...hhmmm....Maybe pickles? No, that's not breakfast. I know, peanut butter toast, and an orange. Oranges are hard to peel. Tyler will do it for me. I go downstairs, open Tyler's door. He's sleeping too. "Tyler, will you peel this orange for me?" He did! He didn't even open his eyes. Thanks Ty!
Breakfast tastes good. Time to brush my teeth, and my hair. Done! I'm all set for school. Get my jacket on, and my shoes, and my backpack. Bye Mom! By Ty! Ohhhh It's dark out here. Kind of scary. It's not supposed to be dark when I go to the bus. Oh well.
Today is my birthday! I can't wait to get to school!
Note from Mom: I was woken up at 6:00 this morning by the slamming of the front door. I looked out the window but saw nothing. I threw on some clothes and ran to the door, noticing that Angela's shoes were gone. I ran outside and there stood Angela, in the semi darkness, waiting for her bus. The one that won't come for another 3 hours. I walked down the driveway and told her to come in the house, that she was too early for the bus. "Besides, you need to eat, and brush your teeth and hair and all that stuff. I see you found your clothes. Good job. You're sure excited for school today huh?"
"I did! I did brush my hair. I did brush my teeth. I did eat breakfast! I'm all set!"
Sure enough, I can tell by the toothpaste on her mouth that she did do her teeth. And embedded in that toothpaste are crumbs and bits of orange, so I know she ate breakfast. (though I didn't know we had oranges. Hmmmm) I can also see that the front and sides of her hair is brushed. She's dressed in matching clothes (though the pants are a little on the short side, at least she doesn't have plumber butt in them.) Now we just have to work a little more on that telling time thing. She can tell time, but doesn't understand that things don't happen UNTIL a certain time, and that just because you're ready for them doesn't mean they will happen sooner.
Twelve years old. So much more independent, even from a year ago. So grown up (in all kinds of ways Shocked ) and ready to take on the world!
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Why Parents Drink
The boss wondered why one of his most valued employees
was absent but had not phoned in sick one day. Needing
to have an urgent problem with one of the main
computers resolved he dialed the employee's home phone
number and was greeted with a child's whisper. "Hello?"
"Is your daddy home?" he asked.
"Yes" whispered the small voice.
"May I talk with him?"
The child whispered "No."
Surprised and wanting to talk with an adult the boss
asked "Is your Mommy there?"
"Yes"
"May I talk with her?"
Again the small voice
whispered "No."
Hoping there was somebody with whom he could leave a
message the boss asked "Is anybody else there?"
"Yes," whispered the child "a policeman."
Wondering what a cop would be doing at his employee's
home the boss asked "May I speak with the policeman?"
"No he's busy." whispered the child.
"Busy doing what?"
"Talking to Daddy and Mommy and the Fireman." came the
whispered answer.
Growing more worried as he heard a loud noise in the
background through the ear piece on the phone the boss
asked "What is that noise?"
"A helicopter." answered the whispering voice.
"What is going on there?" demanded the boss now truly
apprehensive.
Again whispering the child answered, "The search team
just landed a helicopter."
Alarmed, concerned and a little frustrated the boss
asked, "What are they searching for?"
Still whispering the young voice replied with a
muffled giggle...
"ME ."
was absent but had not phoned in sick one day. Needing
to have an urgent problem with one of the main
computers resolved he dialed the employee's home phone
number and was greeted with a child's whisper. "Hello?"
"Is your daddy home?" he asked.
"Yes" whispered the small voice.
"May I talk with him?"
The child whispered "No."
Surprised and wanting to talk with an adult the boss
asked "Is your Mommy there?"
"Yes"
"May I talk with her?"
Again the small voice
whispered "No."
Hoping there was somebody with whom he could leave a
message the boss asked "Is anybody else there?"
"Yes," whispered the child "a policeman."
Wondering what a cop would be doing at his employee's
home the boss asked "May I speak with the policeman?"
"No he's busy." whispered the child.
"Busy doing what?"
"Talking to Daddy and Mommy and the Fireman." came the
whispered answer.
Growing more worried as he heard a loud noise in the
background through the ear piece on the phone the boss
asked "What is that noise?"
"A helicopter." answered the whispering voice.
"What is going on there?" demanded the boss now truly
apprehensive.
Again whispering the child answered, "The search team
just landed a helicopter."
Alarmed, concerned and a little frustrated the boss
asked, "What are they searching for?"
Still whispering the young voice replied with a
muffled giggle...
"ME ."
Scrapbookers and Crafters Unite!
I would like to introduce you to Parker Hodson.
Please, I beg you, to go read his story. Parker has the most extreme health issues, and health insurance isn't covering the cost of his care. He's on several very expensive medications and uses a lot of medical supplies. (read his mom's blog post from today!) But his family continues to pay, and continues to sink further and further into debt as they continue to pay bits here and there on his medical bills.
A group of bloggers has set up a fundraiser called Pages4Parker to help raise funds for this family. It's simple...put together some scrapbook pages that someone would want to buy, and send them to the address below. But other crafters have jumped on the wagon and asked if they could send other stuff as well. YOU BET!!!! All items will then be listed on ebay for a virtual craft sale! All proceeds go into an account for Parker to be used for his medical care.
Pages and craft items can be sent to this address. If you're not crafty, but would like to make a donation, you can do so through his paypal account here.
Please, I beg you, to go read his story. Parker has the most extreme health issues, and health insurance isn't covering the cost of his care. He's on several very expensive medications and uses a lot of medical supplies. (read his mom's blog post from today!) But his family continues to pay, and continues to sink further and further into debt as they continue to pay bits here and there on his medical bills.
A group of bloggers has set up a fundraiser called Pages4Parker to help raise funds for this family. It's simple...put together some scrapbook pages that someone would want to buy, and send them to the address below. But other crafters have jumped on the wagon and asked if they could send other stuff as well. YOU BET!!!! All items will then be listed on ebay for a virtual craft sale! All proceeds go into an account for Parker to be used for his medical care.
Pages and craft items can be sent to this address. If you're not crafty, but would like to make a donation, you can do so through his paypal account here.
Parker Hodson
10865 North 6000 West
Highland, Utah
84003
Monday, June 02, 2008
Wrist update
A few people have asked how my wrist is doing, so I thought I'd post a quick update about it. My wrist is doing great...most days. There are some days when it's not so great, usually when I've done too much with it! I keep forgetting that if I'd had a cast, I would have just gotten it off a couple weeks ago! My hand strength is nearly 100% of what it was prior to my meeting with the ice. I can rotate everything the way it's supposed to rotate. My ARM strength is definitely not what it was before though. Sometimes I'll go to grab something and my arm will collapse.
I do have one complication from the surgery to install the plate and screws though. The median nerve runs through the area where the plate and screws went in, and sometimes the scar tissue compresses it, causing carpal tunnel syndrome. My thumb and index finger are always tingly, and my other three fingers vary from tingly to numb. I go back to the doctor in a couple months to have some tests done to determine how much damage is done, and weather or not I'll need surgery to release it. And...the best yet...it can handle a whole day on the bike! Cuz that's what really counts, right?
I do have one complication from the surgery to install the plate and screws though. The median nerve runs through the area where the plate and screws went in, and sometimes the scar tissue compresses it, causing carpal tunnel syndrome. My thumb and index finger are always tingly, and my other three fingers vary from tingly to numb. I go back to the doctor in a couple months to have some tests done to determine how much damage is done, and weather or not I'll need surgery to release it. And...the best yet...it can handle a whole day on the bike! Cuz that's what really counts, right?
Death by trike
OMG, she's gonna kill me with the bike!
Lets go back to Saturday. Dean and I were on the Ride For Wishes motorcycle run, so Angela was home with a brand new PCA. Brett is 15, and also has a brother with DS. He's a GREAT kid, and Angela really had a blast with him. Could it be because he was willing to play dress up with her? Or "Jail"? Or could it be because he doesn't say no to things that require a lot of...uumm...energy?
When Brett first got there, Angela got out her little Thomas the Tank train set. Really, it's a tiny set, and one that annoys the heck out of me setting it up. But Brett was game! He got it set up and they played with it for about 8 seconds when I saw that twinkle in her eye.
Angela: I'm done with this.
Brett: Ok...what d'ya wanna do next?
Angela (with evil grin): "Play dress up."
Brett (with eye roll and cringe): Ok
Me: "Don't worry Brett, we don't have anything in there that will fit you. But, maybe I'll make a stop at Goodwill to get some stuff for next time."
So they played dress-up, which evolved into Angela's most favorite game of "Jail". This is a common playground game, and one that Angela can never find anyone to play at home. But that Brett, he was all for it! He got arrested and handcuffed a bunch of times. Don't worry, they're not real handcuffs. What, ya think I'm stupid?
All that happened in the 1/2 hr before we left. It was gonna be a long day for Brett!
I did tell Brett how to get to the closest park, just in case they decided to take a walk. However, I forgot to put the stroller out, and there is no way Angela can make the walk to that park. Angela knows the way to the park, (Angela knows how to get to anything within a 10 mile radius, I swear!) so I didn't give him super directions.
As soon as we were out the door, Angela said, "Let's go for a bike ride!" Ok, for those who have never been here, our neighborhood is not exactly new-bike-rider friendly. Even our driveway is a death trap, with two huge, very steep hills. Brett managed to get the bike down the driveway and they headed out. The park is about 1/2 mile away, and it's uphill almost the whole way! Yeah, well Angela didn't take him to THAT park. Instead she took him all the way to the elementary school, which is a mile and a half away! They got to the school and played at the park a bit, then had to ride all the way home! She was pretty tired when she got back. I felt sorry for Brett, but was glad it was him and not me.
And then Sunday happened.
Angela wanted/needed to burn off some steam, so we got the bike out. We ended up doing about 3 miles. Now, when Brett went with her, he is a young, physically fit 15 year old boy. I am an old, not-so-fit mom who thought she was done running alongside bikes years ago. Angela would get that look in her eye, then crank up the gears and start pedaling really fast. Laughing hysterically at the mom who was trying to keep up! Let me just say that by the end of the summer I will have no excuse for not loosing weight.
Lets go back to Saturday. Dean and I were on the Ride For Wishes motorcycle run, so Angela was home with a brand new PCA. Brett is 15, and also has a brother with DS. He's a GREAT kid, and Angela really had a blast with him. Could it be because he was willing to play dress up with her? Or "Jail"? Or could it be because he doesn't say no to things that require a lot of...uumm...energy?
When Brett first got there, Angela got out her little Thomas the Tank train set. Really, it's a tiny set, and one that annoys the heck out of me setting it up. But Brett was game! He got it set up and they played with it for about 8 seconds when I saw that twinkle in her eye.
Angela: I'm done with this.
Brett: Ok...what d'ya wanna do next?
Angela (with evil grin): "Play dress up."
Brett (with eye roll and cringe): Ok
Me: "Don't worry Brett, we don't have anything in there that will fit you. But, maybe I'll make a stop at Goodwill to get some stuff for next time."
So they played dress-up, which evolved into Angela's most favorite game of "Jail". This is a common playground game, and one that Angela can never find anyone to play at home. But that Brett, he was all for it! He got arrested and handcuffed a bunch of times. Don't worry, they're not real handcuffs. What, ya think I'm stupid?
All that happened in the 1/2 hr before we left. It was gonna be a long day for Brett!
I did tell Brett how to get to the closest park, just in case they decided to take a walk. However, I forgot to put the stroller out, and there is no way Angela can make the walk to that park. Angela knows the way to the park, (Angela knows how to get to anything within a 10 mile radius, I swear!) so I didn't give him super directions.
As soon as we were out the door, Angela said, "Let's go for a bike ride!" Ok, for those who have never been here, our neighborhood is not exactly new-bike-rider friendly. Even our driveway is a death trap, with two huge, very steep hills. Brett managed to get the bike down the driveway and they headed out. The park is about 1/2 mile away, and it's uphill almost the whole way! Yeah, well Angela didn't take him to THAT park. Instead she took him all the way to the elementary school, which is a mile and a half away! They got to the school and played at the park a bit, then had to ride all the way home! She was pretty tired when she got back. I felt sorry for Brett, but was glad it was him and not me.
And then Sunday happened.
Angela wanted/needed to burn off some steam, so we got the bike out. We ended up doing about 3 miles. Now, when Brett went with her, he is a young, physically fit 15 year old boy. I am an old, not-so-fit mom who thought she was done running alongside bikes years ago. Angela would get that look in her eye, then crank up the gears and start pedaling really fast. Laughing hysterically at the mom who was trying to keep up! Let me just say that by the end of the summer I will have no excuse for not loosing weight.
Sunday, June 01, 2008
Ride for Wishes
Yesterday was the 4th annual "Ride For Wish". A HUGE motorcycle ride to benefit the Make A Wish Foundation of Minnesota, specifically raising funds for two kids in particular who are waiting for their wish to happen.
I have to say, the Make A Wish Foundation is the neatest organization I've ever had anything to to do with. The things they manage to pull off are often of the miracle variety. But, sadly, every month we get the MAW newsletter, and there is a list of former wish kids who have passed away. Sometimes there are kids listed who passed away before their wish could come true. Reading these names, and thinking of their families and all they have gone and are going through, always puts tears in my eye.
So back to the ride. There were somewhere around 250-300 bikes on this ride! This is BY FAR the biggest ride I've ever been on, and THE MOST ORGANIZED! These guys really know how to do a big ride and keep that huge group safe. We occasionally ride with another group on their weekly ride, and it's always a little bit scary because there are some people who do some really stupid stuff. But most of the people who ride these huge charity rides do it all the time. They understand how it SHOULD work, and they make sure it DOES.
I can't begin to describe the energy that comes from a group ride like this. When the signal is given "Let's roll!" all the engines start. That's 200+ motorcycle engines, and the adrenaline rush that goes along with it. My sidecar still isn't done (soon...soon...soon) and it was killing me that Angela wasn't along for this ride. After all, SHE is the reason we're connected to this amazing organization! SHE would have loved the energy, and the thrill of the ride.
When there is a group of this size, we stretch out for a mile or so down the road. It's really an amazing sight, and is always met with hanging jaws from spectators. When we go through small towns, people come out their doors to see what the racket is about. They point, and wave, and try to count the bikes (which is impossible!) It really is a lot of fun! Another cool part of a ride like this is the business it brings to the small towns. Local bars are notified of our decent upon them well in advance, and are advised to have extra wait staff on hand. If you figure 250 bikes, about 1/2 of them having two people on the bike, that's a lot of business. For some small towns, that's a week's worth of business in just an hour's time. Because of the added stress to the business, bikers in a group like this often tip generously as well. Some businesses will then turn around and donate some of their profits for the day back to the ride's intended recipient.
Of course, I didn't bring my camera along on the ride. I can't believe I didn't! I realized it when I turned to look behind us, and saw the mile or so of bikes still coming, then turned and saw the 1/2 mile of bikes ahead of us. An amazing sight.
You won't find a more caring, generous group than a group of bikers. That tough exterior you see is just that, the exterior. What you can't see until you spend some time with them is the inside...the heart.
After the ride was a street dance with eight different bands, a silent auction and raffle. Of course food, etc. And the St. Paul Vulcans where there as well, marking people's cheek. We went home to pick up Angela so she could join in the street dance part of the day. She asked the vulcans, "You good guys or bad guys?" They answered her with mardi gras beads and a pin. LOL I did get a few pictures from this part of the day, but I can't find my camera to post them!
Anyway, a lot of money was raised to benefit two different kids who are waiting for their wish to come true. The Make A Wish Foundation of Minnesota is there to see that it does!
I have to say, the Make A Wish Foundation is the neatest organization I've ever had anything to to do with. The things they manage to pull off are often of the miracle variety. But, sadly, every month we get the MAW newsletter, and there is a list of former wish kids who have passed away. Sometimes there are kids listed who passed away before their wish could come true. Reading these names, and thinking of their families and all they have gone and are going through, always puts tears in my eye.
So back to the ride. There were somewhere around 250-300 bikes on this ride! This is BY FAR the biggest ride I've ever been on, and THE MOST ORGANIZED! These guys really know how to do a big ride and keep that huge group safe. We occasionally ride with another group on their weekly ride, and it's always a little bit scary because there are some people who do some really stupid stuff. But most of the people who ride these huge charity rides do it all the time. They understand how it SHOULD work, and they make sure it DOES.
I can't begin to describe the energy that comes from a group ride like this. When the signal is given "Let's roll!" all the engines start. That's 200+ motorcycle engines, and the adrenaline rush that goes along with it. My sidecar still isn't done (soon...soon...soon) and it was killing me that Angela wasn't along for this ride. After all, SHE is the reason we're connected to this amazing organization! SHE would have loved the energy, and the thrill of the ride.
When there is a group of this size, we stretch out for a mile or so down the road. It's really an amazing sight, and is always met with hanging jaws from spectators. When we go through small towns, people come out their doors to see what the racket is about. They point, and wave, and try to count the bikes (which is impossible!) It really is a lot of fun! Another cool part of a ride like this is the business it brings to the small towns. Local bars are notified of our decent upon them well in advance, and are advised to have extra wait staff on hand. If you figure 250 bikes, about 1/2 of them having two people on the bike, that's a lot of business. For some small towns, that's a week's worth of business in just an hour's time. Because of the added stress to the business, bikers in a group like this often tip generously as well. Some businesses will then turn around and donate some of their profits for the day back to the ride's intended recipient.
Of course, I didn't bring my camera along on the ride. I can't believe I didn't! I realized it when I turned to look behind us, and saw the mile or so of bikes still coming, then turned and saw the 1/2 mile of bikes ahead of us. An amazing sight.
You won't find a more caring, generous group than a group of bikers. That tough exterior you see is just that, the exterior. What you can't see until you spend some time with them is the inside...the heart.
After the ride was a street dance with eight different bands, a silent auction and raffle. Of course food, etc. And the St. Paul Vulcans where there as well, marking people's cheek. We went home to pick up Angela so she could join in the street dance part of the day. She asked the vulcans, "You good guys or bad guys?" They answered her with mardi gras beads and a pin. LOL I did get a few pictures from this part of the day, but I can't find my camera to post them!
Anyway, a lot of money was raised to benefit two different kids who are waiting for their wish to come true. The Make A Wish Foundation of Minnesota is there to see that it does!
Friday, May 30, 2008
Got Wheels? (by Angela)
Next week is my birthday. I'm 12 years old! I'm so excited! I'm getting a new bike. My bike is red and black. My guy Bruce is making it just right for me. I had to wait a few days to get it. Today I got my new bike.
When we got there, Bruce was still working on my bike. Mom said this is called "tweaking". That is a funny word! I was very boring in that store, so I tried on different helmets. This is the faces guys have in the helmets.
Bruce was STILL working.
We went next door to have a shake. Mom said this is called killing time.
When we came back Bruce made the handle bars just right for me. These are MY handlebars! I have brakes too. One...two...three! On the back, that is mom's brake. That is called a control freak.
We went to the church. There is lots of room there so I won't crash. Hurry up and get my bike out of the truck!
I have to push my feet all the way around to make the bike go. Not backwards. If backwards, that's wrong. Try again. This is a movie of me. This is my very first time on my bike.
I can go fast on the hill. I can use my brakes. Don't turn too fast. If turn too fast, you fall. My stripes are all wet! I was mad that my stripes are wet. Now I have to find clean stripes.
I hurt my elbow, but Mom didn't tell me it was bleeding. Mom said get back on the horse. It's not a horse Mom. It's my bike. I rode some more.
Whew! I'm tired! We went home, and I made a discovery. It's called blood! It was on my elbow and my knee. I don't like blood. Now I have a tear on my cheek.
I love my new bike! Tomorrow I'll ride again. Mom can jog.
When we got there, Bruce was still working on my bike. Mom said this is called "tweaking". That is a funny word! I was very boring in that store, so I tried on different helmets. This is the faces guys have in the helmets.
Bruce was STILL working.
We went next door to have a shake. Mom said this is called killing time.
When we came back Bruce made the handle bars just right for me. These are MY handlebars! I have brakes too. One...two...three! On the back, that is mom's brake. That is called a control freak.
We went to the church. There is lots of room there so I won't crash. Hurry up and get my bike out of the truck!
I have to push my feet all the way around to make the bike go. Not backwards. If backwards, that's wrong. Try again. This is a movie of me. This is my very first time on my bike.
I can go fast on the hill. I can use my brakes. Don't turn too fast. If turn too fast, you fall. My stripes are all wet! I was mad that my stripes are wet. Now I have to find clean stripes.
I hurt my elbow, but Mom didn't tell me it was bleeding. Mom said get back on the horse. It's not a horse Mom. It's my bike. I rode some more.
Whew! I'm tired! We went home, and I made a discovery. It's called blood! It was on my elbow and my knee. I don't like blood. Now I have a tear on my cheek.
I love my new bike! Tomorrow I'll ride again. Mom can jog.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
HOM Furniture complaint!
So a year ago, at HOM's annual Memorial Day Sale, we splurged. We bought a new mahagony entertainment center and a huge leather sectional sofa. Because the sofa color was special ordered, our furniture wasn't delivered until August. It was a looooong summer without furniture in the living room!
So a couple months ago we noticed an area on the leather sofa where the color was peeling off. Hmmmm....I decided to wait and watch it, since everything is on Warranty for one year from delivery date. Then last week I was sitting on the couch, watching TV, when I noticed a weird spot on the entertainment center. Keep in mind that we paid several THOUSAND dollars for this piece of MAHOGANY furniture. It's beautiful, goes perfectly in our newly remodeled space, and is very unique. Yeah...so unique that what I was seeing was LAMINATE peeling off in two different areas of the piece!!! Ummm...we didn't pay for LAMINAE!
UGH! I'm so frustrated! Mostly because now it has to be replaced, and I LOVE THIS THING! Everyone who visits here says they've never seen anything like it, and it's just gorgeous!
So yesterday HOM sent a guy out to take a look at the furniture. They'll be replacing the love seat portion of the sectional, but they have to match the color to the rest of it. We won't know till it comes if it's an exact match. If it doesn't they'll have to replace the whole thing. With the entertainment center, we said we don't want an exact replacement since it's obviously NOT what we were told we were getting, and it would just happen again, so we were given a store credit to pick out something else.
So why am I bothered when HOM is standing behind their warranty and replacing everything? We spent several thousand dollars on this furniture. Both pieces are made by different companies, yet they are BOTH major defects to them. It does NOT make me feel good about getting anything...anywhere...in any store, but why are there two companies that HOM is carrying have defective furniture? That really bothers me.
So there, that's my vet of the day! And, if you've come to this post after searching for complaints against HOM furniture, I have a couple other more recent posts as well...all relating to THIS issue and TRYINg to get it resolved, and NONE of it good!
So a couple months ago we noticed an area on the leather sofa where the color was peeling off. Hmmmm....I decided to wait and watch it, since everything is on Warranty for one year from delivery date. Then last week I was sitting on the couch, watching TV, when I noticed a weird spot on the entertainment center. Keep in mind that we paid several THOUSAND dollars for this piece of MAHOGANY furniture. It's beautiful, goes perfectly in our newly remodeled space, and is very unique. Yeah...so unique that what I was seeing was LAMINATE peeling off in two different areas of the piece!!! Ummm...we didn't pay for LAMINAE!
UGH! I'm so frustrated! Mostly because now it has to be replaced, and I LOVE THIS THING! Everyone who visits here says they've never seen anything like it, and it's just gorgeous!
So yesterday HOM sent a guy out to take a look at the furniture. They'll be replacing the love seat portion of the sectional, but they have to match the color to the rest of it. We won't know till it comes if it's an exact match. If it doesn't they'll have to replace the whole thing. With the entertainment center, we said we don't want an exact replacement since it's obviously NOT what we were told we were getting, and it would just happen again, so we were given a store credit to pick out something else.
So why am I bothered when HOM is standing behind their warranty and replacing everything? We spent several thousand dollars on this furniture. Both pieces are made by different companies, yet they are BOTH major defects to them. It does NOT make me feel good about getting anything...anywhere...in any store, but why are there two companies that HOM is carrying have defective furniture? That really bothers me.
So there, that's my vet of the day! And, if you've come to this post after searching for complaints against HOM furniture, I have a couple other more recent posts as well...all relating to THIS issue and TRYINg to get it resolved, and NONE of it good!
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
How Do I Help Him?
When the phone rings at midnight, it's never a good thing, so when my phone rang all kinds of horrible thoughts came rushing into my head. Is Mom ok? Dad? My sisters? Brother? Dean's family members? All in the few seconds it took for me to get to the phone.
I couldn't understand the voice on the other end of the line. I heard sobbing and "Mom?" squeezed out between the sobs, and thought it was T, which didn't make sense since T was downstairs AND I was just woken up from a sound sleep.
As I came to I realized it was N on the phone. He couldn't talk, he was crying so bad. Was he in jail? Was he hurt? Why was he crying like this? He squeezed out, "It's K..." (his girlfriend's name)
"What's wrong? Is she hurt? Are you hurt? Please, take a breath and tell me what's wrong. There...just breath in...and out....and in.... ok?"
Once he caught his breath he told me of the horrible way his girlfriend of 3 years broke up with him.
What do you DO? What do you SAY to your soon-to-be 21 year old son in this situation? I closed my eyes, and begged God to put the words in my mouth.
And I thanked God that N chose to call me...his mother....when he was at his lowest of lows. I rarely hear from N. Only when I call him. I get indirect messages from T, but other than than knowing where N is living, I'm in the dark. Every night I pray that God keeps him safe. That N knows he can come to me any time. Tonight he did, and I didn't know what to say.
There were lots of things I WANTED to say. Like, "Hello! She's only 18 and you've been with her for 3 years! She needs to see the world and so do you!" or the whole, "Be glad she ended it now BEFORE she got pregnant!" But none of those things would have been appropriate to say...now...while he's hurting.
N suffers from Major depression, and suffer he does. He must have said 20 times, "She's all I have. I gave her everything I could, but she's all I have. Without her, I have nothing. I AM nothing." Statements like that, while pretty normal for his age and the situation, scare me to death given his history. I told him I know how it feels to give someone your heart, only to have them stomp on it, and throw it back in your face. N has seen this happen to me, so he knows I know. I told him to remember that he can't control K's past. That the example she has lived with all her life, even though she swore she'd never be THAT kind of person, is exactly who she is right now. It's not completely her fault, because she is the product of her environment, but she did make a choice...and that's the direction she chose to go. I said lots more...trying desperately to grasp for anything I could think of. I tried not to say things that I would have hated for someone to say to me. I really suck at this kind of stuff! I spent an hour on the phone with him, wishing they'd given lessons about this stuff as part of the birthing classes we took. My friend would have a name for this class, something like, "The art of breaking up 101" or something like that.
I doubt N heard anything I said. But what he did hear is that his mother loves him. That no matter what happens, he can call me, anytime, day or night, and I'll do my best to help him. That mom's can't make the hurting stop sometimes, but they do have ears, and they can listen.
Tonight I'm praying that N heard me listening, and that when he cries himself to sleep tonight, he'll know his mom loves him.
I couldn't understand the voice on the other end of the line. I heard sobbing and "Mom?" squeezed out between the sobs, and thought it was T, which didn't make sense since T was downstairs AND I was just woken up from a sound sleep.
As I came to I realized it was N on the phone. He couldn't talk, he was crying so bad. Was he in jail? Was he hurt? Why was he crying like this? He squeezed out, "It's K..." (his girlfriend's name)
"What's wrong? Is she hurt? Are you hurt? Please, take a breath and tell me what's wrong. There...just breath in...and out....and in.... ok?"
Once he caught his breath he told me of the horrible way his girlfriend of 3 years broke up with him.
What do you DO? What do you SAY to your soon-to-be 21 year old son in this situation? I closed my eyes, and begged God to put the words in my mouth.
And I thanked God that N chose to call me...his mother....when he was at his lowest of lows. I rarely hear from N. Only when I call him. I get indirect messages from T, but other than than knowing where N is living, I'm in the dark. Every night I pray that God keeps him safe. That N knows he can come to me any time. Tonight he did, and I didn't know what to say.
There were lots of things I WANTED to say. Like, "Hello! She's only 18 and you've been with her for 3 years! She needs to see the world and so do you!" or the whole, "Be glad she ended it now BEFORE she got pregnant!" But none of those things would have been appropriate to say...now...while he's hurting.
N suffers from Major depression, and suffer he does. He must have said 20 times, "She's all I have. I gave her everything I could, but she's all I have. Without her, I have nothing. I AM nothing." Statements like that, while pretty normal for his age and the situation, scare me to death given his history. I told him I know how it feels to give someone your heart, only to have them stomp on it, and throw it back in your face. N has seen this happen to me, so he knows I know. I told him to remember that he can't control K's past. That the example she has lived with all her life, even though she swore she'd never be THAT kind of person, is exactly who she is right now. It's not completely her fault, because she is the product of her environment, but she did make a choice...and that's the direction she chose to go. I said lots more...trying desperately to grasp for anything I could think of. I tried not to say things that I would have hated for someone to say to me. I really suck at this kind of stuff! I spent an hour on the phone with him, wishing they'd given lessons about this stuff as part of the birthing classes we took. My friend would have a name for this class, something like, "The art of breaking up 101" or something like that.
I doubt N heard anything I said. But what he did hear is that his mother loves him. That no matter what happens, he can call me, anytime, day or night, and I'll do my best to help him. That mom's can't make the hurting stop sometimes, but they do have ears, and they can listen.
Tonight I'm praying that N heard me listening, and that when he cries himself to sleep tonight, he'll know his mom loves him.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Attempts at family pictures
Ok, well they're of our fur family. If you thought photographing 4 kids was difficult, try four fur kids! Especially when one of them is only 6 months old.
"Roman...STAY!"
Hey guys..Mom's over here!
Almost got it...just gotta get Roman to look.
Finally! Only 20 or so pictures deleted. Not too bad!
Dudley, Roman, Zurri, Rubee
"Roman...STAY!"
Hey guys..Mom's over here!
Almost got it...just gotta get Roman to look.
Finally! Only 20 or so pictures deleted. Not too bad!
Dudley, Roman, Zurri, Rubee
Sunday, May 25, 2008
My Blog Roll
I have a love/hate relationship with Google Reader. If you've never used Google reader, or any of the other readers before, you aught to give it a try. Well..only if you aren't addicted to your computer, because if you are, you'll get stuck on there even more every day! Anyway, Google reader lets you subscribe to a blog(s) and read them all in one spot, and it tells you which blogs have new posts. You just read them all right there on the same page. Then it has this little feature where it notices a theme that you tend to read a lot, and it suggests other blogs that also fit that theme. You don't have to click on them. I know that. Nobody forces me to do it, I just DO!!!!! THAT is the dangerous part of reader!
Anyway, I read several (ok a lot of) blogs ever day. Here is my blog roll as it appears on Google Reader. I'm sure you'll notice a couple of themes: There is Down Syndrome, and there is adoption, and there is Down Syndrome adoption. There is hearing loss, and disabilities, and then a little bit more about Down Syndrome. I know there are others who are subscribed to even more blogs. I feel sorry for them, I really do! They have a very, very, serious addiction.
Ben and his Brothers: Live with 3 boys and CdLs
Chewing the Fat
Cornish Adoption Journey
My Newest Daughter
A Day in the Lives of the Urbans
Parenting Special Needs
Adopting Amanda - Our Journey to Estonia
Adventures in Homemaker Land
Amy and Sons
Annie's Porch
bert, bean, rockstar & schmoozer
Bionic Ear Blog
Catch'in Some Waves
Confessions of a CF Husband
Cuemommy
Daniel Drinker
Dreaming on an Angel
Emma Sage
Family Love Notes
Fessler Family News
Gathering Them from the East
Grey-Haired Geek
Hearing Mojo
Hearing Exchange
Kara's Journey to America
Kelley: My new Beginning
Kids & Dogs Blog
Kristina's Story
Kwisteena's Kwaziness
Larkin's Place
Life As Household 6
Life of the Bubelas
Life With My Special K's
Megan's Got 47
Narrow Ridge
Newbold Family's Adoption Journey
Our Ukrainian Journey
Random Thinking
ReJenerationS
Rhett's Journey
Seriously?
The Adoption Option
The Sunflower Chronicles
The Warren Family
We Walk By Faith
What's Happenin at the Hoover's
Wild Angels
Anyway, I read several (ok a lot of) blogs ever day. Here is my blog roll as it appears on Google Reader. I'm sure you'll notice a couple of themes: There is Down Syndrome, and there is adoption, and there is Down Syndrome adoption. There is hearing loss, and disabilities, and then a little bit more about Down Syndrome. I know there are others who are subscribed to even more blogs. I feel sorry for them, I really do! They have a very, very, serious addiction.
Ben and his Brothers: Live with 3 boys and CdLs
Chewing the Fat
Cornish Adoption Journey
My Newest Daughter
A Day in the Lives of the Urbans
Parenting Special Needs
Adopting Amanda - Our Journey to Estonia
Adventures in Homemaker Land
Amy and Sons
Annie's Porch
bert, bean, rockstar & schmoozer
Bionic Ear Blog
Catch'in Some Waves
Confessions of a CF Husband
Cuemommy
Daniel Drinker
Dreaming on an Angel
Emma Sage
Family Love Notes
Fessler Family News
Gathering Them from the East
Grey-Haired Geek
Hearing Mojo
Hearing Exchange
Kara's Journey to America
Kelley: My new Beginning
Kids & Dogs Blog
Kristina's Story
Kwisteena's Kwaziness
Larkin's Place
Life As Household 6
Life of the Bubelas
Life With My Special K's
Megan's Got 47
Narrow Ridge
Newbold Family's Adoption Journey
Our Ukrainian Journey
Random Thinking
ReJenerationS
Rhett's Journey
Seriously?
The Adoption Option
The Sunflower Chronicles
The Warren Family
We Walk By Faith
What's Happenin at the Hoover's
Wild Angels
Insert masculine laugh here
I'm talking about the laugh made by Tim Allan in "Home Improvement".
I have owned a handful of houses in my adult life. With home ownership comes power tools. But today I discovered a tool I'd never owned before. (still don't actually, as this one belongs to my brother in law.) It is a called a "Pressure Washer". Is it ever a ton of fun! I know lots of people use these every day, but this was a new thing for me! Warning, if you are prone to obsessive compulsive behavior, a pressure washer is NOT for you! Why? Because if you touch it, you will not be able to put it down. But I didn't know that today until AFTER I touched it.
So this thing has been sitting in our garage for a couple of months, waiting to go to said BIL's house. I had suggested to Dean that I might use it sometime to wash the floors in the 3 season porch (aka the puppy room) before our big party. Then today we were at Home Depot (I swear we're there every Saturday and Sunday morning!) and I was eying new cushions for the lawn furniture. I asked Dean "Do you suppose I could just take the old ones and spray 'em down with that pressure washer thingy?"
That was just the beginning.
When we got home, Dean pulled the thing out of the garage and showed me how to start it. He turned it on and started spraying off an old railroad tie at the base of our front deck, wiggling the wand back and forth, making marks all over in the wood. It only took me about 5 seconds to see that he was doing it all wrong of course. I took the wand from him, adjusted the spray, and proceeded to follow nice straight lines down the length of the board. As I did so, images of other similar objects came flashing into my head. Things that have been yucky looking for years that I could spray down and make new again.
The 20 year old railroad ties now all bright and shiny new looking, I headed for the back deck, lugging hoses and the thingy along with behind me. I removed all the deck furniture from the back deck, threw away all the junk flower pots and other junkie looking items that have collected back there, and turned on the machine. It is amazing to me how dirt collects over the years...on wood! Even green mossy/slimy stuff. I meticulously sprayed down each and every board, revealing brand new boards that had been hidden underneath the gunk. It occurred to me that this was MUCH more fun that stripping the wallpaper in my kitchen, a project that still sits nearly, but not quite, completed.
With a deck that now looked new, I accidentally aimed for one of the rocks on the retaining wall. WOW!!! When you spray ROCKS they turn all kinds of colors! I sprayed 10 or so of 'em before I realized the pressure was going to make the wall fall apart and that I'd better not do that anymore. Instead I grabbed those lawn chair cushions and started spraying those. They do look better, but they do not look good, and so I'll have to continue to work on Dean about getting new ones before the party. The furniture itself though, now THAT stuff looks great! And here I was thinking about throwing it all in a dumpster! I even sprayed the cement steps in back, making the cement look like it was just poured today. Interesting.
Next came the front deck. This area has been bugging me for quite some time. Somehow it is a collection spot for anything that gets emptied out of vehicles, or stuff from the yard that doesn't yet have home. Basically it is "flat surface disease" that has struck a very large, outdoor surface! It drives me nuts when people come over and on their way to the door they're walking past coolers, boots, a crappy looking grill, old empty planting pots and a throw rug that has been tossed out the door because a dog puked on it. So I grabbed the wheelbarrow and hauled away all the shed-worthy items and tossed the rest.
I sprayed down the cement step and discovered it looked better dirty. (oops) Under the dirt were splotches of paint, and bleached looking areas in the shape of paint cans. I sprayed down every board on the deck just like I'd done on the back, and just like the back it looks awesome! (it also needs to be re-stained. LOL) And about those rugs...the machine works great on those too, and they're now hanging to dry over the railing. I so wish I'd thought to take before and after pictures. It really is amazing. Later Dean and I were headed for some dinner, and I told him, "We need to get one of those machines!" He said there was no need to, since I'd now sprayed down every possible item. Little does he know what that thing could do inside the garage!
Friday, May 23, 2008
Suicide by Semi
Today in the Star Tribune, it was announced that a recent crash has been ruled a suicide/homicide. The teen driver drove himself and his passenger head on into the semi, killing both of them. The driver of the semi was also killed when his truck caught fire.
Does this sound familiar??????
I'm so angry right now. Granted, this was a kid, who wasn't thinking beyond that very second. I have to believe that anyone in that state of mind is NOT thinking about the person who would be driving the truck, or the passenger he decided to kill as well. But, even though this was "just a kid, he couldn't think that far" I think that's a lot of BS. I bet his parents didn't raise him to be a selfish person, but in the end thats what he turned out to be. And so, in my quest to find answers, I'm brought back to my own post, written just days after Angela and her dad were nearly killed in the exact same fashion. I wish I could reach out to the families of the most recent "Suicide by Semi" victims.
.................
Originally posted August 25th, 2007
There are alot of people who've contacted me this past week who I would love to reply to, but blogger blocks out the email addresses. Late last night I received one email in particular that I feel I must respond to, but I think my response to one will really be for everyone.
To Kam Kam's Mom....(re: comments Sunday August 19th)
I am sobbing and in tears right now. With trembling hands I'm responding.
I have received emails (anonymously) from Tosh's extended family members, telling me "We don't get it...this wasn't HIM! He didn't DO things like this! Gave no indications!" I agree...it wasn't him, and I didn't even know him. Maybe someday, on my blog I'll write what I really believe happened in the spiritual world of good and evil on that night.
If I knew you well enough, I'd tell you all of what I, and the rest of my extended family believe. If you look at the pictures of the accident...and understand the timing and sequence of events of that evening, then you KNOW...beyond a shadow of a doubt...that it was only a miracle, angels and GOD that got my family out of that truck. At one point, after the fire was put out, my daughter's dad was taking pictures of the truck. A fireman told to get away because they needed to do a body recovery on that vehicle. When he discovered that Andy had been the driver...he was shocked...he said there was NO TIME for anyone to have gotten out of that truck, much less a man going BACK IN to get his daughter who was afraid to come out into the flames. Things happened too fast for anyone to get out. They were sure he'd burned up in the fire.
Please know I am so sorry for the hell Tosh's family is going through. There is some extended family member who has criticized something that I wrote (it's kind of hidden on the net) at a time when I was angry, scared and upset by what had happened. I understand that he/she is dealing with their own roller coaster emotions right now. I feel horrible for Tosh's family. They were the innocent ones left behind to sort out the why's, hows, what-if's of it all. It is the sad end that comes with suicide. Too many unanswered questions. Too many hearts that feel guilty about things they shouldn't. "I wish we hadn't argued." "If only we'd collected keys." "I wish I hadn't said...." But Tosh was determined that night. There would have been no stopping him.
My family is dealing with things from an entirely different perspective. It's 1:30 in the morning...last week I didn't get the call until 2:30 a.m. I haven't gone to bed before that time since the crash. I can't. I hardly sleep.
Angela has been putting out imaginary fires with her invisible friends. Yesterday she started patting my leg. I asked her why and she said, "putting out the fire." Here dad has told me where that came from, and I wish I'd never heard the explanation.
Tonight we went to a carnival, and as I put Angela on those giant swings I had to turn and look away. I wanted to throw up. I don't know how to describe what I was feeling. All I could think of was what if this ride collapsed? I'm too far away! Because of Angela's communication issues I can only guess what she saw/heard/felt at the time of the crash. If I pay close attention to her play I can put some of the pieces together. I hope and pray she didn't see the same things her dad did, but in reality I know there's no way she didn't. But tonight, on the way home from the carnival, she told me countless times to "Slow down mom. Take it easy." We were on area of freeway that's known to be a speed/dui tagging place, and there were alot of squads with cars pulled over. With every one that she saw, she said, "Nope. No fire. Nope." She had also just graduated to sitting in the front seat if she chooses. She now chooses not to. "Safe in the back" she says.
I've talked Angela's dad more in the last few days than I have since we divorced 6 years ago. There is no doubt he has PTSD. Her dad has disappeared now for awhile. He told me he was going to. I have prayed every night that this event will be a turning point in his life to realize he has a PURPOSE here, and that clearly he hasn't yet completed his task or he wouldn't be here. It's up to him to figure out what he needs to be doing with his life.
We lost some things that night. The material things are just that....THINGS. No matter how expensive, how necessary, they can be replaced. Andy's permanent address was his truck, so his home is gone. Angela's things...while some were very necessary, have already been replace for the most part. But we lost more, I don't know what it is. I can feel it but I can't label it. An innocence maybe? And inability to ignore areas in our life that we have been ignoring for too long?
I'm a "glass half full" kind of person, and I truly believe that night, as horrific as it was, was a gift to us onn levels that would be incomprehensible to most. Angela and her dad were given life. They were also given a future. I was given the opportunity to watch Angela continue to grow, and now it's up to me to make sure she develops the way God intended her to. Her job here isn't done. He told me when she was a tiny baby that she was here to teach. She has done that time and again with every single person involved in her life over the years, and she'll continue to do so. I can see that I'm not done learning.
I wanted to send flowers for Tosh's funeral, but couldn't find any information about it anywhere online. Believe me...my family calls me the super sleuth...and I couldn't find a thing. Just tonight I found the notice in the local paper. It's the first time I've been able to put a face to the event. Seeing Tosh's face......it left me with a stunned feeling. Please...tell them if I lived there I would be at that funeral, to give them each a hug and tell them I'm sorry for all they've lost. They will (some of them anyway) carry with them memories of that night that will haunt them. I will pray that God soften the edge of the unpleasant memories, and sharpen those that bring them happiness. I pray that he will soothe their hearts, and wrap himself around them in his comforting embrace.
~Leah Spring~
Does this sound familiar??????
I'm so angry right now. Granted, this was a kid, who wasn't thinking beyond that very second. I have to believe that anyone in that state of mind is NOT thinking about the person who would be driving the truck, or the passenger he decided to kill as well. But, even though this was "just a kid, he couldn't think that far" I think that's a lot of BS. I bet his parents didn't raise him to be a selfish person, but in the end thats what he turned out to be. And so, in my quest to find answers, I'm brought back to my own post, written just days after Angela and her dad were nearly killed in the exact same fashion. I wish I could reach out to the families of the most recent "Suicide by Semi" victims.
.................
Originally posted August 25th, 2007
There are alot of people who've contacted me this past week who I would love to reply to, but blogger blocks out the email addresses. Late last night I received one email in particular that I feel I must respond to, but I think my response to one will really be for everyone.
To Kam Kam's Mom....(re: comments Sunday August 19th)
I am sobbing and in tears right now. With trembling hands I'm responding.
I have received emails (anonymously) from Tosh's extended family members, telling me "We don't get it...this wasn't HIM! He didn't DO things like this! Gave no indications!" I agree...it wasn't him, and I didn't even know him. Maybe someday, on my blog I'll write what I really believe happened in the spiritual world of good and evil on that night.
If I knew you well enough, I'd tell you all of what I, and the rest of my extended family believe. If you look at the pictures of the accident...and understand the timing and sequence of events of that evening, then you KNOW...beyond a shadow of a doubt...that it was only a miracle, angels and GOD that got my family out of that truck. At one point, after the fire was put out, my daughter's dad was taking pictures of the truck. A fireman told to get away because they needed to do a body recovery on that vehicle. When he discovered that Andy had been the driver...he was shocked...he said there was NO TIME for anyone to have gotten out of that truck, much less a man going BACK IN to get his daughter who was afraid to come out into the flames. Things happened too fast for anyone to get out. They were sure he'd burned up in the fire.
Please know I am so sorry for the hell Tosh's family is going through. There is some extended family member who has criticized something that I wrote (it's kind of hidden on the net) at a time when I was angry, scared and upset by what had happened. I understand that he/she is dealing with their own roller coaster emotions right now. I feel horrible for Tosh's family. They were the innocent ones left behind to sort out the why's, hows, what-if's of it all. It is the sad end that comes with suicide. Too many unanswered questions. Too many hearts that feel guilty about things they shouldn't. "I wish we hadn't argued." "If only we'd collected keys." "I wish I hadn't said...." But Tosh was determined that night. There would have been no stopping him.
My family is dealing with things from an entirely different perspective. It's 1:30 in the morning...last week I didn't get the call until 2:30 a.m. I haven't gone to bed before that time since the crash. I can't. I hardly sleep.
Angela has been putting out imaginary fires with her invisible friends. Yesterday she started patting my leg. I asked her why and she said, "putting out the fire." Here dad has told me where that came from, and I wish I'd never heard the explanation.
Tonight we went to a carnival, and as I put Angela on those giant swings I had to turn and look away. I wanted to throw up. I don't know how to describe what I was feeling. All I could think of was what if this ride collapsed? I'm too far away! Because of Angela's communication issues I can only guess what she saw/heard/felt at the time of the crash. If I pay close attention to her play I can put some of the pieces together. I hope and pray she didn't see the same things her dad did, but in reality I know there's no way she didn't. But tonight, on the way home from the carnival, she told me countless times to "Slow down mom. Take it easy." We were on area of freeway that's known to be a speed/dui tagging place, and there were alot of squads with cars pulled over. With every one that she saw, she said, "Nope. No fire. Nope." She had also just graduated to sitting in the front seat if she chooses. She now chooses not to. "Safe in the back" she says.
I've talked Angela's dad more in the last few days than I have since we divorced 6 years ago. There is no doubt he has PTSD. Her dad has disappeared now for awhile. He told me he was going to. I have prayed every night that this event will be a turning point in his life to realize he has a PURPOSE here, and that clearly he hasn't yet completed his task or he wouldn't be here. It's up to him to figure out what he needs to be doing with his life.
We lost some things that night. The material things are just that....THINGS. No matter how expensive, how necessary, they can be replaced. Andy's permanent address was his truck, so his home is gone. Angela's things...while some were very necessary, have already been replace for the most part. But we lost more, I don't know what it is. I can feel it but I can't label it. An innocence maybe? And inability to ignore areas in our life that we have been ignoring for too long?
I'm a "glass half full" kind of person, and I truly believe that night, as horrific as it was, was a gift to us onn levels that would be incomprehensible to most. Angela and her dad were given life. They were also given a future. I was given the opportunity to watch Angela continue to grow, and now it's up to me to make sure she develops the way God intended her to. Her job here isn't done. He told me when she was a tiny baby that she was here to teach. She has done that time and again with every single person involved in her life over the years, and she'll continue to do so. I can see that I'm not done learning.
I wanted to send flowers for Tosh's funeral, but couldn't find any information about it anywhere online. Believe me...my family calls me the super sleuth...and I couldn't find a thing. Just tonight I found the notice in the local paper. It's the first time I've been able to put a face to the event. Seeing Tosh's face......it left me with a stunned feeling. Please...tell them if I lived there I would be at that funeral, to give them each a hug and tell them I'm sorry for all they've lost. They will (some of them anyway) carry with them memories of that night that will haunt them. I will pray that God soften the edge of the unpleasant memories, and sharpen those that bring them happiness. I pray that he will soothe their hearts, and wrap himself around them in his comforting embrace.
~Leah Spring~
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