A Little Chaos Theory

Attention All Germs

Cheryl — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 18:44:49 +0000

My house has been plague-ridden this winter. We had the stomach flu in November, followed by multiple different colds, followed by pink-eye, followed by more colds, followed by the stomach flu last week, followed by yet another round of colds.

I’m done. I quit. Find someone else to harrass. My family wants to stay healthy, thank-you-very-much.

Granted, all these illnesses are not debilitating like my chest infection last winter, but that doesn’t make it any easier.

Scott and I are going away for the romantic week-end we were supposed to go on back in November tomorrow. After we return I will jump into my Spring semester which includes a 30+ page senior project and masters applications. I won’t have time to be sick, have my kids be sick, or deal with the near-death perception of a sick husband.

Go away.

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Ashes, Ashes, We All . . . Look Like Chimney Sweeps

Cheryl — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 00:20:02 +0000

I like woodstoves. I grew up in a family that used one as the primary heat source during the winter and it seems normal to me to have one. There is something comforting about a cozy fire �?? and the Disaster Preparedness part of me enjoys knowing that even if we�??re without power for several days we can still stay warm and cook our food.

Like most things in life woodstoves require regular maintenance. For the house we�??re currently renting the landlord provides a chimney brush for that maintenance. My experience is that any time we think their might be some creosote build-up then someone needs to get onto the roof and ram that brush down to whatever blockage may have formed.

So the woodstove has been showing signs that the chimney needed cleaning. Yesterday, Scott said he was going to take care of it. But instead of getting out the ladder, he removed part of the pipe that led from wood stove to the ceiling. And then shoved a broom handle up the remaining pipe.

And there were showers of soot and ashes upon us.

To make a long story short, the inside of my house looks like it was in a fire. There is a layer of black powder on everything. My kids look like they are auditioning for roles as tribal warriors, Pablo looks like he rolled in an ash heap, and I can�??t keep my hands from having a grayish/black tinge to them.

I understand that sometimes things happen but needless to say I�??m not the happiest of campers. Anyone want to come scrub my house?

New Addition

Cheryl — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 01:17:00 +0000

Meet Pablo

I wonder how much trouble they will get up to together?

Unseen Progress

Cheryl — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 01:53:08 +0000

One common issue that children with autism frequently struggle with is that of change. Things need to be the same day in and day out, and many autistic kids still need warning before they will shift from one activity to another even if they have the schedule memorized.

So this morning? The bus was late. It was late picking Breydon up and even later delivering him to school. Instead of eating breakfast in the cafeteria he had to eat it in a classroom. Even last year this would have been extremely difficult for him and the entire day would have been subject to emotional meltdowns because it started off awkwardly. Instead, he rolled with the change and didn’t let it throw him off stride at all.

I’m very proud of him. Sometimes it’s hard to see the progress that I hope he is making and focus on the areas where he still struggles. But then there are days like today which give me hope and cause me to realize all over again what an amazing little boy he is.

The case of the M I A Blogger

Cheryl — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 06:47:16 +0000

Okay - it’s not so much of a mystery as I’m letting on. I’ve been busy. I didn’t realize that it had been close to a month since I last blogged until I logged in for a quick glance tonight on my way to bed.

So, in case you’re curious here’s a quick run-down of what has happened during my unintentional vacation:
- It’s been cold. And snowy. And I love it.
- Roegen is now wearing big boy underwear during the day and doing well with using the potty.
- I got 3 A- and an A for Fall semester
- Christmas was wonderful
- Life is good

Anyway, I’ll try to be much better about writing here. Hope everyone out in the blogosphere is doing well.

Roegenisms

Cheryl — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 19:13:04 +0000

The other day I was playing with the boys and the topic of (what else?) Christmas came up. I teased them, saying that I knew they didn’t want presents this year.

Roegen: I DO want presents
Me: Why?
Roegen: Because I like presents
Me: What do you want for presents?
Roegen: Open them

Does this mean I can just wrap a few empty boxes and stick those under the tree?

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
So last night was the grade school Christmas program. It took place in a hot and crowded gym and after about 5 minutes Roegen had decided that it was not a place he wanted to be. Scott carried him out to the lobby while Jude and I watched Breydon (and the other kids at the school) perform their songs.

Scott walked around a bit before telling Roegen it was time to return to the gym.

Roegen: I hurt I hurt
Scott: You’re not hurt
Roegen: Yes I am
Scott: Where are you hurt?
Roegen: My EARS. I no go back.

Think he’s a bit picky when it comes to musical choices???

Tonight it’s All About You (and Me)

Cheryl — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 05:26:24 +0000

Or maybe a better title would be “I’m here because of you.” One year ago tonight I wrote my first blog post. I wasn’t sure where I was going with it or whether my blog would last for more than a month or two. I just knew that I frequently have things that I want to say.

A blog is a good place to think things out. Writing for it has helped me come to some fairly major life-decisions (like the one to NOT become a teacher but instead pursue my love of Disaster Management).

So thank you for joining me on this journey. I appreciate all of my readers, although the ones who take the time to comment have a special place in my heart. (Yes, that WAS a hint if you’re wondering.)

Happy blogiversary. Here is to whatever possibilities the next year may bring.

I’d Rather be Learning Math

Cheryl — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 19:33:11 +0000

“What you doing?”

“Homework, Breydon.”

“Oh, like math.”

“Well, not exactly.” You see there’s the 10-12 page research paper on disaster preparation. . .

“Like reading?” The five page research proposal complete with lit review. . .

“More like writing.” The group case study critique. . .

“Writing? That’s silly. You don’t do writing for homework.” The short papers covering short stories by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Joyce Carol Oates, and Kafka. . .

“When you’re in college you do.” The written evaluation of the group process. . .

“Bummer. I like math better. So do I, honey, so do I.

Is it December 14 yet?

Jude is Another Name for Airhead

Cheryl — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 02:00:10 +0000

My middle son can be a total space cadet. Well, to be totally truthful he not just can be, but IS a total space cadet. He misses seeing things that his brothers comment on when we’re driving down the road, jokes go over his head much of the time, and the words “huh?” “what?” and “I don’t get it” are frequently his matra.

Tonight he was talking with Scott about something, anything - the topic itself is unimportant. And after Jude missed the point for about the 8th time Scott looked at him and said “you are so blond.”

We’ve been saying that for years. Especially since he IS blond. With blue eyes. But I digress.

Tonight Jude couldn’t let Scott’s comment go in one ear and out the other like he usually has. Instead, he said “no, Daddy, I am not blond!” When Scott pointed out that he is blond and has been his whole life Jude responded “I am not blond. Because blond means you can’t see.”

You know, in some ways that definition may not be so far off.

Moving

Cheryl — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 22:41:51 +0000

Since 2000 I have moved from Alaska, to Oregon, to Ohio, to Texas, to Oregon, and to Wyoming. That’s not counting moves within Oregon and Texas. I have perfected the cross-country moving experience, am an expert at packing so that belongings generally arrive intact, and I hate it.

When Scott and I made the decision to move to Wyoming I told him that I was done. I miss Anchorage and could have happily returned there, but making another major move would mean that ship had sailed. I want to be settled. I want to not feel like I’m simply existing or making time, but instead want to be an integrated part of the community in which I live. I want that for our kids too - it’s harder to make friends when you feel like you might leave them soon.

The house that we’re currently renting is for sale.nbsp; That seemed like a great sign, and as a leap of faith when we moved into the house in August we threw away boxes as we unpacked them. The house is much bigger than the one we rented in Oregon (and mouse free!), it’s close enough that Scott can walk to work, the setting is gorgeous, and the kids have a good school to attend. But, after several months we’ve come to the conclusion that it’s not the right home for us.

Don’t get me wrong. We have no plans to leave this area. Much of my family is here, we love the outdoor lifestyle, we’re already becoming friends with another family that also has three sons, the economy here is stable when for much of the nation there is grave concern. . . But we’ll be leaving this house.

I hate moving. I cringe thinking that it’s the right thing to do. But in my heart I know that it is. So for hopefully the final time for MANY long years I’m starting to accumulate boxes and pack things away for when we get to our new home.

We have a couple good possibilities and if they don’t work out then another will come along.In the meantime I’m taking solace in knowing that this really should be the LAST time.

A Little Chaos Theory

Attention All Germs

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