Thanks for posting, ladies.
Carole, I am so sorry about your grandmother. What hard decisions for your mother and uncle. I can't imagine having to do that. Because of that I should do a living will, shouldn't I? But will I? Probably not. I can't even get Jim to do a regular will. I think he follows his father's philosophy that if you don't address something, it won't happen, but it happens to all of us, doesn't it? When my grandmother was diagnosed with a brain tumor at age 94, she said she didn't want surgery and to just let it run its course. It was very hard but that is what everyone did. She also didn't want any pain medication because it made her "not in control" but luckily the hospice workers convinced my dad and uncle to do it anyway before the end. Can you imagine? I hope your grandmother and family find peace in their decisions as well as you.
Julie, sorry to hear your frustrations with Parrish. I have to admit I didn't know what a 504 Plan was so I Googled it. Still doesn't make sense to me since it seemed to dwell on students with learning or physical disabilities but I'm guessing the scope is actually larger than that. Hope it is continuing to work for you. Carter wasn't interested in getting his Learner's Permit either, but I pushed it. He is still the accommodating child he has always been. Now that he's driving a bit and he knows other kids doing the same thing he seems to be on board. I don't think Jim wants him driving while Emerson is in he car, so I don't get to drive with him. He drives most weekends though with Jim since he is always on the go. Emerson is definitely my challenging child, although things do seem to be going better. We just finished up counseling sessions when school started. I did the same thing when he was three although that time he didn't attend. When things get really crazy, I like to go in and learn about different strategies I can use to calm both of us down. So far so good. Now I think we are going to have to address adoption issues. He has been asking a lot of questions and I want to make sure we are answering them the best way. Cari and I had a nice discussion about this as well.
Cari and I have been exercising together. We started walking when school started. We went three times a week for 1 1/2 hours. We have now joined the YMCA and work out three times a week, then walk for an hour (or do the treadmill if the weather is bad). So far we've only done the treadmill once. I'm not losing any weight, but feel like I'm getting in better shape which is a good thing.
Off to karate with Emerson.
Brenda
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Friday, October 12, 2012
far far away
As i write this I am trying to decide what about the end of a life is most important.
My mother's mother is 89. My mom is 74. ( they lived in the country and she married her older sister's brother in law at a young age).
My grandfather( her husband) was her only love and he has been dead 31 yrs.
She has been sad ever since.
She lost a daughter to cancer 14 yrs ago...and she continued to grieve even more.
She developed diabetes (with kidney complications), macular degeneration ( blind from it) and now has suffered a debilitating stroke. She cannot get up, feed herself and cannot hear much or even see.
Where was the life she knew and what is most important to her now??
My mother and her brother must make decisions about feeding her with a tube;another tube for the bladder and still another for the multiple antibiotics for the persistent kidney infection.
So again, what is most important to her now?
I wish I had asked when she could still see me and hear me.
c
My mother's mother is 89. My mom is 74. ( they lived in the country and she married her older sister's brother in law at a young age).
My grandfather( her husband) was her only love and he has been dead 31 yrs.
She has been sad ever since.
She lost a daughter to cancer 14 yrs ago...and she continued to grieve even more.
She developed diabetes (with kidney complications), macular degeneration ( blind from it) and now has suffered a debilitating stroke. She cannot get up, feed herself and cannot hear much or even see.
Where was the life she knew and what is most important to her now??
My mother and her brother must make decisions about feeding her with a tube;another tube for the bladder and still another for the multiple antibiotics for the persistent kidney infection.
So again, what is most important to her now?
I wish I had asked when she could still see me and hear me.
c
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Sorry...
It's not as if I have even been super busy. I've had time to take 2 sewing classes since the kids went back to school at our local quilt shop. Anyone need a tote bag or a cosmetic case? I pinky promise not to be so neglectful in the future.
We got back all of Parrish's educational testing. Guess what? He's really, really smart. As if we didn't know that. We got him a 504 plan at school and things seem to be going better. I am taking a hands-off approach right now so I don't give myself and aneurysm. Case in point he decided not to go to school today. I haven't even spoken to him this morning. His post-graduation plans now include spending two years on the Appalachian Trail which he wants to spend several weeks on next summer. He regularly hikes 8+ miles a day. He also doesn't want to get his learner's permit which is making me crazy cause it sure would help if he could drive.
Belle is doing well at her new school. She is excited because all the kids get MacBooks to take home & now she has her very own computer. She seems to be making friends and is pretty happy, I hope it continues to go well.
We are just about done with fall up here. It briefly snowed at the top of Stratton day before yesterday which reminds me I need to get my snowtires on! Who knew I would thinks so much about tires? I swear, winter prep up here is extensive. It's full-on soup weather for me, but I only make it on the weekend since my kids aren't fans. Another thing my mac-daddy blender does beautifully.
Carol - my advice would be to disengage. I am still learning this with the help of a prescription for Xanax (which yes, I am very, very careful with...as my friend Cindy points out everyone on Celebrity Rehab is addicted to Benzos). xoxo
We got back all of Parrish's educational testing. Guess what? He's really, really smart. As if we didn't know that. We got him a 504 plan at school and things seem to be going better. I am taking a hands-off approach right now so I don't give myself and aneurysm. Case in point he decided not to go to school today. I haven't even spoken to him this morning. His post-graduation plans now include spending two years on the Appalachian Trail which he wants to spend several weeks on next summer. He regularly hikes 8+ miles a day. He also doesn't want to get his learner's permit which is making me crazy cause it sure would help if he could drive.
Belle is doing well at her new school. She is excited because all the kids get MacBooks to take home & now she has her very own computer. She seems to be making friends and is pretty happy, I hope it continues to go well.
We are just about done with fall up here. It briefly snowed at the top of Stratton day before yesterday which reminds me I need to get my snowtires on! Who knew I would thinks so much about tires? I swear, winter prep up here is extensive. It's full-on soup weather for me, but I only make it on the weekend since my kids aren't fans. Another thing my mac-daddy blender does beautifully.
Carol - my advice would be to disengage. I am still learning this with the help of a prescription for Xanax (which yes, I am very, very careful with...as my friend Cindy points out everyone on Celebrity Rehab is addicted to Benzos). xoxo
Sunday, September 30, 2012
fall is coming
Yea!!!
I rather like fall. Pretty colors, crisp air.
Julie probably has had it for a while, though.
Volleyball season is wrapping up. I think Corinne has just one more game.
Tomorrow at SBEC in southhaven.
She has mixed feelings. Rather abrasive coach and
she is not in with the 9th graders. she is just different from them.
She told me tonight she felt she was a better player last yr and enjoyed it more then.
She would like to keep playing Volleyball....just the $$ involved!!!
I am going to check out some options before we pull the plug on it.
OK, 13 yr old know it all for rent!! or just house him for day for us.
seriously, he has an opinion on everything. The silent treatment makes him sad..even withdrawn to the point of tears....OH, the hormones!!!!
Need to go to sleep...although with the rain today I did get a nap.
c
I rather like fall. Pretty colors, crisp air.
Julie probably has had it for a while, though.
Volleyball season is wrapping up. I think Corinne has just one more game.
Tomorrow at SBEC in southhaven.
She has mixed feelings. Rather abrasive coach and
she is not in with the 9th graders. she is just different from them.
She told me tonight she felt she was a better player last yr and enjoyed it more then.
She would like to keep playing Volleyball....just the $$ involved!!!
I am going to check out some options before we pull the plug on it.
OK, 13 yr old know it all for rent!! or just house him for day for us.
seriously, he has an opinion on everything. The silent treatment makes him sad..even withdrawn to the point of tears....OH, the hormones!!!!
Need to go to sleep...although with the rain today I did get a nap.
c
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Levitt Shell
I would love to see the 9/28 show of Zydeco, Lil Malcolm and the Houserockers. Anyone up for that? Looks like no football game for SBA that night so Carter won't have to play in the pep band. Three others I can't make and Latin (9/21) doesn't interest me, although, if that is the only one you guys can attend, I'll do it. :)
Isn't it weird how busy we've become because of our kids? Carter found out his Man #1 part in the play has just one line. Wow, all these practices for one line.....oh well, I figure it is paying his dues for the next play. He is really excited about being part of the production so that is a good thing. Thank goodness kids can hang out in the library after school, otherwise, I don't know what I would do on some of these weird timed days.
Ran into my old boss's wife at the fair tonight. Weird, but she is very nice. Jim is actually the one who saw her. That man NEVER forgets a face. I doubt I would have known who she was. We ran into a woman at meet the teacher night at Emerson's school and they figured out they taught math at the same time at Cordova High that one year he taught when Carter was in kindergarten. Good Grief!! She has a daughter in third grade at SFA and now teaches at St. Agnes.
Julie, how did the back to school week work? I enjoyed reading your quotes. I think my favorite was:THERE ARE NO STUPID QUESTIONS, THERE ARE ONLY STUPID ASKERS OF QUESTIONS
Jim and I always comment on how when you are in a seminar (continuing ed or whatever), there is always one person that appears to just want to hear themselves talk and must ask questions or provide comments to just clarify what the speaker has already explained or obviously wasn't listening and asks a question that was specifically answered during the presentation. Enough already!! No one even wants to be in these classes to begin with....why prolong the agony!!
I got to quote my Dad today when we were driving down the road and a car was coming towards us taking up more room than they should "Guess that driver thinks he'll just take his 1/2 out of the middle". Oh the woes of country roads with no middle line. I feel sorry for Carter learning to drive on them. BTW, development has come to Oakland Julie, but unfortunately, the schools still suck. If we had good schools it would be pretty easy living here.
I was telling Cari that our friends, the Millers, down the road (Carter's best friend, Mason) bought a house in Lakeland because she can't take the driving to Briarcrest anymore with three kids and two of them having after school activities and I'm sure the first grader will follow suit soon. Their house will be going up for sale soon. Carter has taken it in stride (it's not like they're moving out of state, Mom, and besides, I haven't seen much of Mason lately anyway). I imagine Emerson will take it harder when he understands the significance. Right now he just thinks it would be cool if we bought their house (way out of our price range).
Emerson has been having some behavior problems in first grade. He apparently has decided that he is very funny and needs to be the class clown. Unfortunately his teacher (and I) don't agree. She is very nice though and patient (thank goodness). Hoping to get this nipped in the bud. We have moved from the Gem Jar (thanks Julie) to the ticket system. He gets tickets for good behavior (and loses them for bad). Each ticket is worth a 1/2 hour of electronics so if he wants to play, he has to be good. He did finally earn his account on Minecraft so the sky's the limit (actually, he is limited to two hours of electronics a day and rarely gets the chance to use both of them).
Oh well, got to go make the lunches so I don't run late in the morning. Another week begins.
Brenda
Isn't it weird how busy we've become because of our kids? Carter found out his Man #1 part in the play has just one line. Wow, all these practices for one line.....oh well, I figure it is paying his dues for the next play. He is really excited about being part of the production so that is a good thing. Thank goodness kids can hang out in the library after school, otherwise, I don't know what I would do on some of these weird timed days.
Ran into my old boss's wife at the fair tonight. Weird, but she is very nice. Jim is actually the one who saw her. That man NEVER forgets a face. I doubt I would have known who she was. We ran into a woman at meet the teacher night at Emerson's school and they figured out they taught math at the same time at Cordova High that one year he taught when Carter was in kindergarten. Good Grief!! She has a daughter in third grade at SFA and now teaches at St. Agnes.
Julie, how did the back to school week work? I enjoyed reading your quotes. I think my favorite was:THERE ARE NO STUPID QUESTIONS, THERE ARE ONLY STUPID ASKERS OF QUESTIONS
Jim and I always comment on how when you are in a seminar (continuing ed or whatever), there is always one person that appears to just want to hear themselves talk and must ask questions or provide comments to just clarify what the speaker has already explained or obviously wasn't listening and asks a question that was specifically answered during the presentation. Enough already!! No one even wants to be in these classes to begin with....why prolong the agony!!
I got to quote my Dad today when we were driving down the road and a car was coming towards us taking up more room than they should "Guess that driver thinks he'll just take his 1/2 out of the middle". Oh the woes of country roads with no middle line. I feel sorry for Carter learning to drive on them. BTW, development has come to Oakland Julie, but unfortunately, the schools still suck. If we had good schools it would be pretty easy living here.
I was telling Cari that our friends, the Millers, down the road (Carter's best friend, Mason) bought a house in Lakeland because she can't take the driving to Briarcrest anymore with three kids and two of them having after school activities and I'm sure the first grader will follow suit soon. Their house will be going up for sale soon. Carter has taken it in stride (it's not like they're moving out of state, Mom, and besides, I haven't seen much of Mason lately anyway). I imagine Emerson will take it harder when he understands the significance. Right now he just thinks it would be cool if we bought their house (way out of our price range).
Emerson has been having some behavior problems in first grade. He apparently has decided that he is very funny and needs to be the class clown. Unfortunately his teacher (and I) don't agree. She is very nice though and patient (thank goodness). Hoping to get this nipped in the bud. We have moved from the Gem Jar (thanks Julie) to the ticket system. He gets tickets for good behavior (and loses them for bad). Each ticket is worth a 1/2 hour of electronics so if he wants to play, he has to be good. He did finally earn his account on Minecraft so the sky's the limit (actually, he is limited to two hours of electronics a day and rarely gets the chance to use both of them).
Oh well, got to go make the lunches so I don't run late in the morning. Another week begins.
Brenda
Saturday, September 8, 2012
constant state of busy
OK. i know this is supposed to be a really fun time.
Don't get me wrong ...it is. I am just not sleeping enough.
This past week was a blur.
Volleyball and more volleyball.
Football friday////volleyball/fair/birthday party saturday.
that was child 1.
child two is an all day sunday affair. kevin turns 13 on wed.
an all day celebration.
then on to youth group and 'the talk for boys'.
Kevin has a friend and they have a nice small but fun youth group.
I have a 35th high school class reunion. WOW.
since Kevin is off friday and corinne is stuck in memphis er, VOLLEYBALL!!!
kevin and i will go to La. and visit family and friends.
The shell concerts will be starting up so Brenda and Cari we need to go to at least 1 together.
I have a U of M concert series mailout. looks good. might even try to go to a few.
waiting on the contractor, still!!
outta here,
c
Don't get me wrong ...it is. I am just not sleeping enough.
This past week was a blur.
Volleyball and more volleyball.
Football friday////volleyball/fair/birthday party saturday.
that was child 1.
child two is an all day sunday affair. kevin turns 13 on wed.
an all day celebration.
then on to youth group and 'the talk for boys'.
Kevin has a friend and they have a nice small but fun youth group.
I have a 35th high school class reunion. WOW.
since Kevin is off friday and corinne is stuck in memphis er, VOLLEYBALL!!!
kevin and i will go to La. and visit family and friends.
The shell concerts will be starting up so Brenda and Cari we need to go to at least 1 together.
I have a U of M concert series mailout. looks good. might even try to go to a few.
waiting on the contractor, still!!
outta here,
c
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