tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280211292024-03-07T11:46:29.913-06:00Cool ZebrasHeatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01979925607834752536noreply@blogger.comBlogger1494125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28021129.post-21429084659815815232020-05-14T10:00:00.000-05:002020-05-14T10:00:04.950-05:00The Viral Post 2020 #1Fair warning. I have a lot of thoughts that contain swear words lately. If that offends you...click away now!<br />
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This pandemic makes me feel like I'm living is some sort of shit dystopian novel. I have nightmares about somehow falling and needles of increasing sizes become embedded in my skin. I pull them out one by one but more appear each time I think I've removed them all. I stay up later and later and wake up later and later. My land of "give a fucks" is pretty much barren.<br />
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I work(ed) in an elementary school with students that have emotional and behavior disorders. I miss the kids every day. I miss the hugs. I miss the defiance. I miss it all. I miss my coworkers. I miss laughter. We had to pack up the entire school last week because it's being remodeled. Libraries look very strange with no books on the shelves.<br />
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I've been working from home for a while. I'm making Kahoot! quizzes, recording videos, drawing pictures, etc. We have "professional development" modules to watch as well, that are boring as hell. I fell asleep during one about ADHD and now I'm thinking I may have the inattentive type. I still scored 100% on the quiz at the end so that's cool. I'm going to write letters to some of my students because apparently that's the only contact I'm allowed to have while others get to have google meets and phone calls. <br />
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My oldest is a senior and of course has looked forward to high school graduation for years. We got her a beautiful prom gown for senior prom that hangs unworn in her closet. Graduation ceremonies were planned then reconsidered. Her graduation party at home will probably be a drive-by affair. The all-night grad party at the school that most of us enjoyed? Not happening. I thought her graduation year would be so cool. 2020! How cool is that? Then covid-19 happened and the world is shit.<br />
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I have been called numerous times about my son not checking in for attendance. I kind of want to scream about it. He's on an IEP. He's doing some work. Should be good enough because this whole distance learning thing is bullshit. But yeah. PLEASE keep calling me about fucking attendance on a computer. Not stressful at all.<br />
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My Ms. D has been struggling since starting middle school this year. The pandemic is not helping things. I fear my D is following in my footsteps of the self-doubt even though deep down we know we're awesome. Thankfully, she has an awesome school counselor that is working with us to keep her positive and also to mediate the school work load.<br />
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M and I have asthma so we're supposedly at a higher risk. We've both been off work for many weeks. I order groceries online and try to support local restaurants. It's made me gain the CO-VID 25 at least. If the virus itself doesn't claim me, obesity and diabetes might. I'm sitting on my ass daily and eating more than I should. Though most days I only eat one meal. But it's a shit meal of too many calories. I chalk it up to helping small local restaurants survive.<br />
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I will have more rants to come.<div class="blogger-post-footer">*********
If you have the time, please consider clicking through to my blog.
Also, if you comment, I get warm fuzzies and I think you're cool...even if you're not.
;)(But you totally are you know.) Thanks!</div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01979925607834752536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28021129.post-5088617844857788052019-07-29T09:30:00.000-05:002019-07-29T09:30:09.847-05:00My Boy is Fifteen NowThe boy started his first year of high school back in September. He's grown several inches in the last couple of years and is now almost as tall as I am.<br />
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I wouldn't call him Destructo-Boy anymore as he is more of a fixer now. He can do things with computers that I don't understand. He has taught himself how to code and he can figure out how to recover information from hard drives that were thought lost. That's just the stuff I know!<br />
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He likes to make jokes and drive his sisters crazy with teasing. He makes me laugh and also sometimes drives me nuts. He gives great hugs and is probably the only one of my three kids that regularly tells me he loves me.<br />
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He finished his driver's training classroom lessons last week and will attempt to pass his permit test tomorrow. It will be challenging for a kid who has trouble with memory, but I know he will try his best and will have done everything he can to prepare. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Dad's shirt kind of fits him now!</td></tr>
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His efforts to overcome obstacles and to be a kind person make me so proud to be his mom.<br />
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Happy birthday dude. I love you.<br />
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">*********
If you have the time, please consider clicking through to my blog.
Also, if you comment, I get warm fuzzies and I think you're cool...even if you're not.
;)(But you totally are you know.) Thanks!</div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01979925607834752536noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28021129.post-56623105382726983062019-07-25T09:30:00.000-05:002019-07-25T09:30:06.447-05:00AkelaWe met our dog on a Cub Scout camp out. Another family brought her mom and siblings to the sleepover. They had met their dog while on vacation. She was a stray who came by their cabin in the Virgin Islands. They fell in love and brought her home to the continental United States. Then they realized she was pregnant. They didn't know because she looked older and had grey hairs. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-msp1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/1069261_10151545493496009_392167585_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&_nc_oc=AQkVmO7gdXdSBzedcIFmddt9X2S46CSS8Xgj1k0rBn8DQmyO91sAiQKVTHSXKi2g_dI&_nc_ht=scontent-msp1-1.xx&oh=e2af5d309feefda8fb8db48ca0d86b9f&oe=5DA13569" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://scontent-msp1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/1069261_10151545493496009_392167585_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&_nc_oc=AQkVmO7gdXdSBzedcIFmddt9X2S46CSS8Xgj1k0rBn8DQmyO91sAiQKVTHSXKi2g_dI&_nc_ht=scontent-msp1-1.xx&oh=e2af5d309feefda8fb8db48ca0d86b9f&oe=5DA13569" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Akela and her mama, Coco.</td></tr>
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She had 8 pups when she had her babies in Minnesota. Four of her babies survived. All four of her babies found forever homes at that Cub Scout camp out. We named our pup Akela after the Cub Scout leader of the pack.<br />
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I remember my husband going to the store to pick up essential dog supplies while I drove home with Miss M and our new (as yet) unnamed puppy. At home our kids were immediately smitten with the little girl. None of them wanted to go to bed, even though the poor pup was exhausted and wanted to sleep. All the kids were ready to help with everything that had to do with the dog. As so many parents find out, the promises to take care of the pet were empty but we still have her hanging around. <br />
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<a href="https://scontent-msp1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/984075_10151469602546009_889725870_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&_nc_oc=AQk0hodjrzTkNUUw1Zm5eiJISrspwcMGXY342it8kOt80X5vBPo-W91PuHP6NMRdaUM&_nc_ht=scontent-msp1-1.xx&oh=8de92909c08a469dced08209997ca7e1&oe=5DEEDED7" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://scontent-msp1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/984075_10151469602546009_889725870_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&_nc_oc=AQk0hodjrzTkNUUw1Zm5eiJISrspwcMGXY342it8kOt80X5vBPo-W91PuHP6NMRdaUM&_nc_ht=scontent-msp1-1.xx&oh=8de92909c08a469dced08209997ca7e1&oe=5DEEDED7" width="320" /></a></div>
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Our dog is a giant pain in the ass most of the time. She barks at everything. She eats ear plugs then eats them again after she poops them out. She'll nip at strangers or down right bite them if she thinks they're messing with her kids. She's our protector for sure. I tried to get her better socialized, but those plans always fell through. She's overprotective which is both good and bad. Probably mostly bad. She is chilling out a little as the years go on though. Now she spends much of the day napping on the couch or on Miss M's bed.<br />
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She gets scared of storms and her safe place is Miss M's room.<br />
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It's hard to tell who is her favorite hooman in our family though. It might be a straight up tie between M and my husband. She will get super excited when they walk through the door. She will bypass me in a hurry to get to one of them. Although if I have food she will watch me like a hawk. "I see you have food. I also like food. Look at me. See how cute I am. Hungry. Yum yum."<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Did I mention I also like pizza?</td></tr>
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Although recently Akela has started to request my attention more often. She will sit and whine by my chair until I greet her and/or rub her paws. As a puppy she would fall asleep on the arm of my chair and I would paint her nails. Those days have long passed. She outgrew the arm of the chair long ago. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not sure if you heard, but I also like pizza.</td></tr>
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Akela loves our kids fiercely, almost to her detriment. We've had to take major steps to keep guests safe when they are at our house (like I said I tried to get her trained better, but promises from friends fell through.) Thankfully, she has been fine with my mom who is by far our most frequent visitor. Akela will not settle down until my mom has pet her and acknowledged her properly, however.<br />
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When M's boyfriend visited us from PA to take her to prom, we opted to board Akela, just to avoid any problems. I wish we could be more sure that she would be nice to "outsiders" but we still don't know. If we are away from the house, she is perfectly behaved. Even the boarders we have used have called her a sweetheart and said she is completely fine with other dogs.<br />
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So our dog is a major pain in the ass, but she's our pain in the ass.<div class="blogger-post-footer">*********
If you have the time, please consider clicking through to my blog.
Also, if you comment, I get warm fuzzies and I think you're cool...even if you're not.
;)(But you totally are you know.) Thanks!</div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01979925607834752536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28021129.post-2747326853016948502019-07-22T07:53:00.000-05:002019-07-22T07:53:00.259-05:00And Now She is SeventeenMiss M is an amazing young lady who has a kind heart and takes no shit from anybody. I say this all the time...I am a lucky mom to have such a beautiful and intelligent daughter.<br />
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And now she's having another birthday. She's 17. SEVENTEEN! It's so true that the years fly by. I remember thinking that my kids were going to be little forever and I'd never have a chance to use the bathroom alone and now they're all getting older. And M will be attending college for her last year of high school. <br />
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I suppose she wouldn't be a teenager if she didn't test me and get embarrassed by me. I'm sure I disappoint her every day. She is spoiled in many ways and I don't think she realizes it. She pretty much always gets what she wants. She helps out when she really has to help. She loves hanging out with her dad working on our vehicles and our boat. She'll go shopping with her dad any time he asks, but will go with me once a year. Truth be told, she's really always been Daddy's girl. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I call this the "I am humoring you mom" look.</td></tr>
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M puts her whole heart into the things and people she loves. She played softball with passion, always trying her best. She does her best in school. She cares about those who care about her. (If you don't at least act like you care about her, she will kick you to the curb quickly.) If she lets you be her friend, you won't find a more loyal one. But you have to prove yourself worthy. She doesn't go for fake people. If you aren't doing right, she won't hang with you.<br />
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She's tough on people. She has high expectations. She also sells herself short. Sometimes people are making an effort to be her friend but she doesn't see it. <br />
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Her dad and I agree that if she chooses to get married someday the man she chooses will have to be amazing and treat her as a queen. He still will probably not be good enough.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBkVGPevqVo70OaplLup4WEbtEyBukASfKMFVP0KnnxuAWnEIVJuiowB1Sbxz1sCq1wbczkbpGtXpCNq3JHBXU2Npx9MSMjB1eOMK5MzVK6IfgzEKMH8ZgsXCoUmeRR-KW-pq5/s1600/IMG_5563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBkVGPevqVo70OaplLup4WEbtEyBukASfKMFVP0KnnxuAWnEIVJuiowB1Sbxz1sCq1wbczkbpGtXpCNq3JHBXU2Npx9MSMjB1eOMK5MzVK6IfgzEKMH8ZgsXCoUmeRR-KW-pq5/s320/IMG_5563.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
This gorgeous young woman is going places. She's already amazing. So look out world! Miss M is 17. One more year and she's making a bigger mark on the world.<br />
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I love you M. No matter what. Remember that always.<div class="blogger-post-footer">*********
If you have the time, please consider clicking through to my blog.
Also, if you comment, I get warm fuzzies and I think you're cool...even if you're not.
;)(But you totally are you know.) Thanks!</div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01979925607834752536noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28021129.post-86710736235824853952019-06-24T09:28:00.000-05:002019-06-24T09:28:03.811-05:00Happy Birthday Dad<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's this guy's birthday today. This last year has been a challenging one with regard to his health, and it continues that way. I hate seeing my parents in pain. </div>
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My dad has always been a hardworking guy. He spent 20 years in the military (9 Navy, 11 Coast Guard). Before that he grew up on a farm. After that he ended up owning and operating his own electronics repair shop (among other jobs). He continues to work at a golf course long after he retired. </div>
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I believe my dad's favorite part of life has been since his grandkids were born. He has enjoyed them so much from the moment each of them were born. I've seen the biggest smiles from him when he is with them. The kids all return the adoration. He's their Boppa. </div>
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I love you Dad! Happy birthday!</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">*********
If you have the time, please consider clicking through to my blog.
Also, if you comment, I get warm fuzzies and I think you're cool...even if you're not.
;)(But you totally are you know.) Thanks!</div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01979925607834752536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28021129.post-29948902242567767032019-06-19T09:00:00.000-05:002019-06-19T09:00:12.139-05:00Some Days are Just HardI had a tough day yesterday. I can't even tell you why. No one thing. It's one of those unexplainable things that people with anxiety and depression go through I guess. It doesn't help that I'm peri-menopausal and my hormones are trying to kill me. I spent a lot of the day crying, which isn't great for my Ms. D since she wants to know what happened and I can't say that anything really happened because it didn't. She knows her mom has anxiety and depression. She knows I take medications for that. I think it still worries her and that sucks. But I also don't want to hide it because if she should develop any of the same issues I don't want her to feel ashamed. And yet I still feel ashamed myself because I know there are people (some very close to me who could maybe use some services themselves) who still think we can control these emotions and just turn them off. Wish it was that simple. Brains are stupid.<br />
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D and I went to get some groceries and after we got in the car and were trying to leave the parking lot there was a woman pushing a cart while talking on her cell phone who just randomly stopped in the middle of the lane. My first thought was <i>why are you walking in the middle of the aisle</i>? I've never seen anyone walk in the center of the lane in a parking lot. How special do you think you are? So I waited. And the person behind me in her vehicle waited. And she just stood there, apparently oblivious to everyone around her with her important phone call...that needed to be completed in the middle of the lane. I admit I was not on my game today with patience. But. So I waited for a bit while she stood there with her important matters that couldn't be completed in her parked car or on a sidewalk or even <i>on the side of the lane like normal people do.</i> I beeped my horn. I tried to just tap it, but the car is still new to me and I couldn't get any sound to come from the tap. So I honked it. If looks could kill I'd be dead. She made it a point to shake her head and give me the evil eye several times as she moved out of the way. Why do people think the world revolves around them. She was also apparently taking note of my license plate. So I'd love to hear that phone call to the police. "Hello, I'm calling because I was standing in the middle of the parking lot talking on the phone and a woman beeped her horn at me to get me to move my ass out of the lane. Yes I stood there completely oblivious of others around me for several minutes. I'm too important to move to the side of the lane like literally everyone else in the world. Thank you I'd like you to place her under arrest."<br />
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Then I watched America's Got Talent and cried the ugly cry over some of the stories of the people who appeared on the show.<br />
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Thank goodness not all people are assholes. But there are a lot of them.<div class="blogger-post-footer">*********
If you have the time, please consider clicking through to my blog.
Also, if you comment, I get warm fuzzies and I think you're cool...even if you're not.
;)(But you totally are you know.) Thanks!</div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01979925607834752536noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28021129.post-78105996139896002512019-06-17T08:00:00.000-05:002019-06-17T08:00:00.417-05:00Senior MomentsSo it turns out this kid is going to be a senior in high school next year. Hold me.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCADfhdImhLzV6w3JbKOdzmXFOG3_sbfbQwdJElMfIMcX5O5n45rjdCiHI4pDIDDKVFEg_XpX6UjtLncoqTdPYMnUGCdr-IIei3IrTKOj-WsSPSpX5J0EE-eNp9o4DXrB7TnIS/s1600/IMG_4466.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCADfhdImhLzV6w3JbKOdzmXFOG3_sbfbQwdJElMfIMcX5O5n45rjdCiHI4pDIDDKVFEg_XpX6UjtLncoqTdPYMnUGCdr-IIei3IrTKOj-WsSPSpX5J0EE-eNp9o4DXrB7TnIS/s320/IMG_4466.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I'm not sure how this happened because I am still 29 and I didn't have babies until I was married.<br />
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She doesn't give herself enough credit. She's so smart and level-headed that I don't worry about her future. She knows what she wants and won't jump through hoops for people who don't recognize her awesomeness. If she loves you, you are lucky. She won't deal with your bullshit.<br />
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If she calls you her friend, she will do whatever you need to be happy. There are not many who fit this bill. I jokingly called her the softball Uber, because she would give rides to teammates who needed a lift home. She chose to help only the nicest girls. Or only the nicest girls asked her for help. She'd probably still help the not-so-nice-ones because she's that awesome.<br />
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I remember her telling me that in 5th grade the teacher asked whose parents had talked to them about sex and M was one of the few who raised a hand. It wasn't just me answering questions but her willingness to ask. When she was a toddler, she offered all the parents at our play date a bottle of water. She's more confident than she thinks.<br />
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I've worried about her in the past, but honestly this girl has it under control. If only I had had my shit together like this my Junior/Senior year.<br />
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I think she will avoid the mistakes I have made. So far, she has. She is smarter than I am. I think that's fantastic.<br />
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I love her sense of humor. I love her face. I love watching her play softball (That is over I guess. Sad face.).<br />
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This girl is on fire.<br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">*********
If you have the time, please consider clicking through to my blog.
Also, if you comment, I get warm fuzzies and I think you're cool...even if you're not.
;)(But you totally are you know.) Thanks!</div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01979925607834752536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28021129.post-21073787874993806092019-06-05T09:33:00.000-05:002019-06-05T09:33:00.218-05:00Goodbye Elementary SchoolToday is Ms. D's last day of elementary school. All of my kids are out of elementary school! It feels strange to have older kids, but it also feels fantastic. I miss the babies they were, but I am also enjoying the young adults they are becoming.<br />
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D is sad to be leaving her elementary school, just as her siblings were. It's a great school. The atmosphere when you enter the building has always exuded a welcoming vibe. We were lucky to be able to send our kids to this "choice" school that always has a lottery drawing and wait list to get in. It has an alternate schedule from the rest of the school district with 45 days in school, then 15 days off. Then they had 6 weeks off for summer break. We enjoyed the schedule. It was always a relief to have a break during the school year.<br />
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Now we will all be on the same schedule though (since I work at a school as well) and that will be good for us all. Finally we will all have 3 months of summer together. (Except Craig, unfortunately, who continues his regular work since he doesn't work in a school like I do.)<br />
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Miss M brought up the "Fun Box" the other day and wondered where it was. I'm not sure I can find it, but we might just resurrect it for this summer. Let the fun begin!<div class="blogger-post-footer">*********
If you have the time, please consider clicking through to my blog.
Also, if you comment, I get warm fuzzies and I think you're cool...even if you're not.
;)(But you totally are you know.) Thanks!</div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01979925607834752536noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28021129.post-71302934291768378322019-06-04T08:00:00.000-05:002019-06-04T08:00:02.659-05:00Per Miss M's RequestHi! I have been absent here for a long time again. Miss M and I were talking and it turns out she likes it when I write about her and she wanted me to start to write again. She almost always gets what she wants so I guess this is no different.<br />
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I'll give you the Cliff Notes version of what you've missed to start. <br />
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Miss M is now 16, almost 17. She's driving. A car. By herself. Today she scheduled college classes for her senior year of high school. (Post-secondary education option) She has a boyfriend who lives in another state. We visited him and his family last summer and he flew here to take her to prom last month. He's a nice kid and he makes her laugh so that's half the requirements for a good relationship right there. M was playing softball up until this year when a certain coach killed her love of the game. Pisses me off to no end, but that's another post for another day. I <i>think</i> I have a pretty good relationship with Miss M, but I have been known to make some major embarrassing mom blunders, so that might depend on the day or the week. Oh and she's GORGEOUS. I'll post a photo in a future post. Maybe. Or I'll just keep her gorgeousness to myself. We shall see.<br />
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In other news, my son emerged from his room, sat on my lap, and farted on me just now, so I've got that going for me, which is nice.<br />
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Speaking of the K Man, he just finished his Freshie year in high school. He's finding high school much more tolerable than middle school was and is doing well. He's always been a bit worried about his (lack of) height but is now almost as tall as I am. (I'm 5'9") The boy eats constantly but is still skinny as a rail. I miss those days when I was like that! K Man makes me laugh all the time, and I make him laugh too. I think we have very similar senses of humor. It's almost like I birthed and raised him! Weird! K Man will be 15 this summer so driver's education and permit for driving are in his near future. He is a computer whiz and teaching himself to code in several languages. I don't even know what he's doing because I'm not that smart. Oh and he's such a HANDSOME dude. Of course he is, because I grew him.<br />
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Ms. D. My baby. She is finishing with elementary school and heading for middle school. I NO LONGER HAVE KIDS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL! (After 2 more days.) She had her 5th grade slide show today that we give a "baby" photo for and then they take a current photo. Everyone knew D right away because she's just always been Ms. D. This girl is full of confidence and sass. I have no worries about her fading into the background anywhere. But she is also kind, I hope. Though we have our moments where the sass comes out and I have to tell her she is just being rude. She's playing softball, following in her sister's footsteps, but getting more of a chance at it since M didn't start playing until 9th grade. Should have started her sooner, but I didn't think or know about it I guess. D is learning to pitch, but she lacks discipline so far. Hope she can focus in the future!<br />
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My husband is still around. I've rarely, if ever, written about him, because I try to respect that my need to write doesn't mean it's okay to write about others. We've been married for a little more than 18 1/2 years now and together for about 23 years. We have a real relationship. I don't pretend it's always roses. If anyone married for a number of years says it's all fantastic I'm pretty sure they're lying. But we're committed to each other and we make it work. We've been through a lot of shit together. Health problems for our parents is challenging these last several years. His brother's death. Aunts and Uncles of both of ours passing on. Marriage is hard. Parenting is hard. But we keep at it. We'll get through this too.<br />
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As for me? I'm working with kids who struggle with life in general. I'm about one year away from becoming a mental health practitioner. Every day I work with kids is an adventure. I am the safe person for several students. Most of the kids I work with have had or are experiencing some type of childhood trauma. I've forged relationships. I've been kicked. I still know those kids need someone like me.<br />
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Until next time.<div class="blogger-post-footer">*********
If you have the time, please consider clicking through to my blog.
Also, if you comment, I get warm fuzzies and I think you're cool...even if you're not.
;)(But you totally are you know.) Thanks!</div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01979925607834752536noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28021129.post-51644059019508147112017-08-07T10:30:00.000-05:002017-08-07T10:30:05.464-05:00The DUDE is a teenagerSo this happened last week.<br />
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K Man turned 13. Ya'll I have TWO teenagers! WTF?<br />
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He's so funny and loving and adorable. Happy late birthday dude.<div class="blogger-post-footer">*********
If you have the time, please consider clicking through to my blog.
Also, if you comment, I get warm fuzzies and I think you're cool...even if you're not.
;)(But you totally are you know.) Thanks!</div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01979925607834752536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28021129.post-17875743678072383492017-08-06T20:44:00.000-05:002017-08-06T20:44:07.479-05:00Memories: Food EditionThere are random things I remember from childhood. Food always plays a role. I guess because we have to eat to survive. I was a skinny kid. As an adult I am not so skinny though. I am on a diet still so I suppose that is why I am thinking about food.<br />
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I'm just saying I remember the first time I tried these foodstuffs...they were brand new!<br />
<ol>
<li>Combos</li>
<li>Microwave popcorn</li>
<li>Chili cheese Fritos</li>
<li>Reese's Pieces</li>
<li>Curly Fries</li>
<li>Blizzards</li>
<li>Velveeta Shells and Cheese</li>
<li>Capri Sun</li>
<li>Fruit snacks and Fruit Roll-Ups</li>
<li>Hershey's Hugs</li>
</ol>
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What do you remember when it first came out? <br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">*********
If you have the time, please consider clicking through to my blog.
Also, if you comment, I get warm fuzzies and I think you're cool...even if you're not.
;)(But you totally are you know.) Thanks!</div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01979925607834752536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28021129.post-59833998199170376502017-07-22T09:00:00.000-05:002017-07-22T09:00:47.468-05:00My Oldest is FIFTEEN - also, HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?<br />
My first born child is amazing. She's smart, funny, talented, beautiful...pretty much everything positive in the world. She's also a teenager so she sucks sometimes. Pretty sure that's the job of teenagers. She's probably much easier than I was at 15. Sorry Mom and Dad.<br />
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So M turns 15 today. Did I mention she's amazing?<br />
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Suddenly, I have a kid old enough to start driver's training.<br />
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She makes me laugh. I love to make her laugh. She's also great at being a fart. I am also great at embarrassing her.<br />
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I'm so lucky to be M's mom. Happy birthday Miss M. You are amazing!<div class="blogger-post-footer">*********
If you have the time, please consider clicking through to my blog.
Also, if you comment, I get warm fuzzies and I think you're cool...even if you're not.
;)(But you totally are you know.) Thanks!</div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01979925607834752536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28021129.post-39965704838345213972017-06-27T21:13:00.000-05:002017-06-27T21:13:08.801-05:00Typical Convo With My MomMe: Hey Mom! What's going on?<br />
<br />
Her: Just watching some TV (or reading, etc)<br />
<br />
Me: What did you do today?<br />
<br />
Her: Got my hair cut, some groceries. What did you do?<br />
<br />
Me: I went to the store with K Man to get ---<br />
<br />
Her: --some applesauce?<br />
<br />
Me: ....What? ....No. We were shopping for a backpack for K Man. (Applesauce? Did I need applesauce? Crap...I didn't buy any. We're probably out of applesauce. Dang, I suck as a parent. Wait! Does applesauce have anything to do with my story? What was my story again?)<br />
<br />
Her: Oh did he find one?<br />
<br />
Me: Yeah, but we were looking at a camouflaged one and this older guy came around the corner --<br />
<br />
Her:--and told him to get out of the way?<br />
<br />
Me: (...moments of silence...) No. He told him he was in the Army.<br />
<br />
Her: Oh. Did you tell him your Dad was in the military?<br />
<br />
Me: Um, no. Anywho...K man was looking at the backpack and this older guy came around the corner and told him he was in the Army --<br />
<br />
Her: So did he --<br />
<br />
Me: The guy gave him a dollar Mom. He gave him a dollar.<br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">*********
If you have the time, please consider clicking through to my blog.
Also, if you comment, I get warm fuzzies and I think you're cool...even if you're not.
;)(But you totally are you know.) Thanks!</div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01979925607834752536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28021129.post-71490048418334270222017-03-31T21:13:00.000-05:002017-03-31T21:13:26.235-05:00Bedtime RitualsWhen each of the kids were babies we had a bedtime routine that consisted of rocking in a comfy chair and a bottle or nursing until they fell asleep. It was completely the "wrong" thing to do but it felt right to us. We also didn't do cry it out. Well, we tried at first with Miss M, but it felt icky and I hated it. By the time D came, the cry it out method never crossed my mind. It's a weird philosophy anyway. Why should we expect a baby who has been in the closest contact with a person as possible to be able to sleep in another room, away from anyone who will care for him or her? This did not last forever with any of them, and it was a great bonding time with each of them.<br />
<br />
When they were transferred to the crib after being rocked to sleep they still weren't really alone because I made them "lovies" from cloth diapers with satin blanket edging around them. The lovies were always tucked between me and the baby while nursing/drinking bottle and rocking. So our scents combined on the lovie, that was then transferred to the crib with baby. (All 3 kids still have lovies around even though they don't need them anymore.)<br />
<br />
The rocking gradually morphed into laying in the parent bed and reading before bedtime in their own rooms. This happened more consistently with the older two kids, but also occasionally with Ms. D. (Poor third child syndrome...we are not as diligent with the routines...especially when the child is 3 1/2 years younger than the next oldest.)<br />
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Today the bedtime routine is very different. M and K have no real routine other than a time they need to be off electronics and another time they need to be in bed to sleep. We have plenty of issues with this regarding times and not wanting to get off electronics.<br />
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D has really never been a problem getting to bed. She's always been willing to go when she is supposed to go. It is weird to have a kid so willing to go to bed.<br />
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D is almost 9 years old and our bedtime routine has morphed into this:<br />
<br />
Me: D, it's bedtime.<br />
Her: Okay Mom. {Comes over to get a hug and kiss. Then goes to brush teeth.}<br />
Her: Tuck me in Mom?<br />
Me: (Responses vary by the day) Can't tuck you in if you're not in bed!<br />
Her: (Goes up to her bed)<br />
.................Sometimes there is some time delay before I get there. Sometimes she messes around for a while in the bathroom. Sometimes I just can't and tell her to just go to bed. (The latter is the least frequent of the options.)<br />
Me: (Goes upstairs to "tuck D in.")<br />
<br />
Every night it's the same. She turns on her fan, her "D" light, her pillow pal or whatever it is. I head upstairs. Most nights she is in her bed, waiting for me to "tuck" her in. The routine calls for her folding her legs under her so I can't reach them. My role calls for trying to find her feet. Apparently it's hilarious every evening. I attempt to touch her feet, which are no where near the end of her bed. She laughs and laughs. I say I love you and that is the routine now.<br />
<br />
Eventually, she will no longer ask me to tuck her in. I won't realize when it is the last time she asks me, just as I didn't realize with her sister and brother. So we change and grow and find new routines. <div class="blogger-post-footer">*********
If you have the time, please consider clicking through to my blog.
Also, if you comment, I get warm fuzzies and I think you're cool...even if you're not.
;)(But you totally are you know.) Thanks!</div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01979925607834752536noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28021129.post-53583677767377696302017-02-24T23:02:00.000-06:002017-02-24T23:02:22.050-06:00Writing Vomit #5 Too Many ToosI've always thought I'm too.<br />
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My eyes are too small, my lips are too thin, my nose is too small.<br />
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My thighs are too big, my eyebrows are too small, my hair is too thin.<br />
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I run too slow, I breathe too shallow, I cough too much.<br />
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I gained too much weight, I've lost too little weight.<br />
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I spend too much and save too little.<br />
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I keep way too much stuff.<br />
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I am too disorganized.<br />
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My energy is too low, my anxiety is too high.<br />
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My pants are either too big or too small.<br />
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My face has too many pimples.<br />
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I say no too much; I say yes too much.<br />
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I sleep too little on weekdays; I sleep too much on weekends.<br />
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I am too.<div class="blogger-post-footer">*********
If you have the time, please consider clicking through to my blog.
Also, if you comment, I get warm fuzzies and I think you're cool...even if you're not.
;)(But you totally are you know.) Thanks!</div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01979925607834752536noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28021129.post-13948874884182128552017-02-20T07:33:00.000-06:002017-02-20T07:33:06.756-06:00Writing Vomit #4-Love HurtsI have bruises on my arms. It's fine. I didn't even realize my arms were bruised until about 15 hours later and found the marks and/or bumped my arm where a bruise happened to be. I work with kids with emotional and behavioral disorders. It is expected in my job that kids will act out. The truth is that kids with emotional and/or behavioral disorders often act out for reasons they cannot control.<br />
<br />
My 2 younger kids have learning disorders that are often misinterpreted or belittled. A learning disability does not necessarily mean that a kid is "just being lazy" when they seem unable to complete work. Work avoidance is definitely a concern, but telling a dysgraphic kid that they just need to try harder is like telling a blind kid to try harder to see. Handwriting is replaced with keyboarding or pictures as much as possible. 5 years after the diagnosis for my son and we still fight for accommodations. Dysgraphia affects more than just handwriting. Here's a link that describes dysgraphia in more detail if you are interested in learning about it. <a href="https://www.understood.org/en/learning-attention-issues/child-learning-disabilities/dysgraphia/understanding-dysgraphia" target="_blank">Understanding Dysgraphia</a><br />
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Kids with brain disorders that cause them to act aggressively and/or other anti-social behaviors are often born into environments that are not conducive to brain development. Though it should also be noted that poor physical health can also contribute to a lack of proper brain growth.<br />
<br />
Case in point on the latter issue is my son again. He suffered from several ear infections as an infant. His health wasn't as bad as many children, but it was enough of an issue that he didn't crawl until after ear tube surgery at 10 months. His brain couldn't concentrate on learning to move until he felt better. The same is true if any basic need is not being met. A child's brain won't develop if basic needs are not met.<br />
<br />
I think that many kids with these extreme behavior disorders especially lacked at least one if not more basic needs in utereo, during the birth process, as an infant, or as a toddler. Damage during these formative months and years can cause a child's development to derail. But even if a child passes these years unscathed, trauma later in life can cause irreverable damage.<br />
<br />
It is disheartening to see how some of these kids are treated by the adults that claim to care for them. I've been asked several times by adults at my school why we "let" these kids be there. What if it were your child? What if something happened that was beyond your control and your child is the one that has special needs? What if you opened your home to a child who had a less-than desirable infanthood? Do they deserve a chance? Multiple chances?<br />
<br />
That is a question I struggle with often. It is hard to see full-time mainstreamed kids have to deal with kids that can't handle a regular classroom. It's hard to see them have to be evacuated from a classroom for safety. It's also hard to see kids in crisis. Kids that deserved and now also deserve better.<br />
<br />
The kids I work with want and deserve love. Some crave contact, others avoid it at all costs. Each child is valuable, and loveable. Those of us who work with them value them, and they (for the most part) see that. We are their safe place.<br />
<br />
Everyone deserves a safe place.<div class="blogger-post-footer">*********
If you have the time, please consider clicking through to my blog.
Also, if you comment, I get warm fuzzies and I think you're cool...even if you're not.
;)(But you totally are you know.) Thanks!</div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01979925607834752536noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28021129.post-39742397940200500222017-02-05T22:58:00.001-06:002017-02-05T22:58:05.705-06:00Writing Vomit #3I spent all last week in bed with the flu. I had the flu shot. I even messaged my doctor within 48 hours of symptoms to get Tamiflu, but I still ended up out of work for a week. It was partly due to how I felt, and partly due to my work with kids and a few adults at school who happen to be immuno-compromised right now. So now it's Sunday again. I started feeling the symptoms last Sunday evening. It's been a really long, and somewhat boring week.<br />
<br />
Whenever I miss things that other people are continuing to participate in (ie..LIFE) it is a struggle for me to get back to reality. Anxiety tends to make me worry that others are judging me and maybe thinking they are better off without me. Everyone is replaceable. I'm not naive enough to not know that. I'm also smart enough to know that to some people, I may be irreplaceable. The problem with that knowledge is that most of the time we don't know the who that we are irreplaceable for. (Besides the obvious family.) Maybe there is a student at school that looks forward to interaction with me. That student is probably not the one I think it is. Or there could be several who look forward to seeing me, but one or two that NEED to see me. Those that need me are probably the ones that would surprise me if I knew.<br />
<br />
I chatted with a coworker a couple of weeks ago about working with the kids. It was sort of an "in general" conversation about how cool the kids are to work with. My coworker shared that they did not like who they were before they started working in the school. Now they like who they are because the kids make them better. (I'm using they/them to maintain privacy...I do know proper grammar.) I have to agree that working with kids can make you a better person, but you have to have patience and be able to share control.<br />
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Sharing control is a hard thing for many adults, in my opinion. Adults like kids to do what they are told, simply because an adult said they should. If you want a child's (or anyone's) respect you have to share control. What is it? Love and Logic that says to offer choices, but they must all be choices that the adult can live with. "You may have the pink or white carton of milk" (not the chocolate but we don't mention that.) "Would you like to hop to the room or walk?" "Would you like to hold my hand or that teacher's hand?" It's also important to avoid saying no as much as possible. "Can I have a snack?" "Yes, when you have completed 2 more problems." Though this is probably a poor example. In general, if kids ask for a snack they are genuinely hungry where I work. <br />
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Which brings up another point. One of my young co-workers asked why/how some of the kids' brains have been affected adversely. I tried to explain that if basic life needs are not met, the brain cannot develop properly. If a child is not getting proper nutrition, the brain won't grow. If a child is sick a lot, they can't work on things like learning language, crawling, walking, etc. If a child is homeless, doing homework, learning to read and write, and learning social cues take a back seat to learning to survive.<br />
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There are other coworkers who constantly judge these kids. Those coworkers are, in comparison, in a position of privilege compared to those kids. I can't explain things to these people, mostly because of privacy laws, but also because I don't think they'll ever understand it all. No one wants to have issues. No one wants mental illness or developmental delays. We all want to be "normal" whatever that means. We want to be the average person at the very least. In fact, these children (and adults) want desperately to NOT need help and to be like "everyone else." This want/hope/NEED to be like "everyone else" causes many of these kids to actively refuse help even when they need it. We all have pride. It is hard to accept help.<br />
<br />
Give me an instance you accepted help...<div class="blogger-post-footer">*********
If you have the time, please consider clicking through to my blog.
Also, if you comment, I get warm fuzzies and I think you're cool...even if you're not.
;)(But you totally are you know.) Thanks!</div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01979925607834752536noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28021129.post-4795807380394752582017-01-19T22:03:00.001-06:002017-01-19T23:42:31.313-06:00Writing Vomit: Week 2: Dream VomitAbout a week ago I had this extreme dream where I dreamed I was dreaming and I couldn't wake up. But I might have been dreaming that I dreamed I was dreaming that I was dreaming and I couldn't wake up. So part of the dream had me partially waking up to find that I'm in a hospital, intubated, and I can't explain what happened to me.<br />
<br />
Before that revelation, I was overseeing a village where (maybe?) I was the head of the village who had built a large "castle" on a hill, and had 4 families living in cottages below. All was well for a while until the "castle" family wanted to use cedar to make their castle prettier. In the dream the other families resented having to use wood from the former castle to improve their homes. The castle was built with cedar and huge windows. In my dream it was a paradise, yet many of the peoples populating the area were unhappy.<br />
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I also had a dream sequence where I sort of knew I was dying. It included seeing a bulletin board with different articles posted, but also photos that I recognized of my biological kids and some of my kids from school. I noticed a comic strip highlighted with elephants (I am currently reading a book that elephants play a major part in) that perhaps I had in my "life" published. I had the sense that the bulletin board was showing the dying me what I would miss if I died then.<br />
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The part where I was near death in my dream was really unpleasant. I remember calling out in my dream for my husband to wake me up. I wonder if I called out anything in real life.<br />
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If dreams are our subconscious way of dealing with issues in our lives, I wonder what this is telling me. Am I close to death or does it mean something else?<br />
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Edit: I am thinking the focus on death is the death of our country. I try not to write about politics online because I hate confrontation and I hate losing friends and family over stuff we really have little control over. My one vote did little. Our country is broken. Trump makes me sick to my stomach. He has no respect for anyone and I can't figure out why people I know and some that I love support him. If you love someone with a disability, or someone who has survived an assault, or someone who has arrived in the USA from another country...if you believe appointees should know basic knowledge of the area they are nominated to fulfill, please continue to protest.<br />
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I feel like I need 3 times the anxiety meds.<div class="blogger-post-footer">*********
If you have the time, please consider clicking through to my blog.
Also, if you comment, I get warm fuzzies and I think you're cool...even if you're not.
;)(But you totally are you know.) Thanks!</div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01979925607834752536noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28021129.post-26579013828097297362017-01-12T06:34:00.000-06:002017-01-12T06:34:04.270-06:00Writing Vomit-January 2017 editionI haven't been able to write for a long time. The lack of posts here is certainly indicative of that. Part of the problem is that my kids are older and I no longer feel that I can write their stories for them, even though they've given me permission. There is so much more than just writing about my kids and yet I can't seem to transition to writing about non-parenting themes. I can write about pretty much anything at this point since almost no one reads or writes blogs anymore. Also, I remember when I started this blog and thought I would keep it secret and no one would really read it that I know, especially not relatives. Then I ended up telling everyone (almost everyone) about it anyway because I can't make up my mind.<br />
<br />
This will be exceptionally hard to read because I was going to not use any paragraphs but instead I will randomly start a new paragraph. Writing teachers always told me to just vomit words to get to writing. This may be very awkward for all of us for weeks or months. All 3 of us that might still read here. (Hi friend and mom!)<br />
<br />
My life no longer consists of staying home and taking care of my babies (who have not been babies for a while). I started working outside the home at an elementary school in November 2015. I started out as a noon time paraprofessional for 1.75 hours per day because I wanted to try to lose weight and I wanted to try the Medifast program. It's kind of expensive so I thought I'd work a few hours to try to pay for the program.<br />
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Medifast has worked and hasn't worked. I've lost about 50 pounds, but my weight has stayed around this weight for many months now. The program works if you follow it. I have a hard time getting in all the food I am supposed to eat. I'm also supposed to limit my milk intake and I kind of enjoy a glass of fat free milk in the mornings. So that doesn't work so well. I'm sure I'll write more about this journey.<br />
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Work has gradually increased since I started. The 1.75 was kind of a hard gig because I didn't know students outside of lunch and recess and I totally missed contact with many grades. It's hard to be taken seriously when you know literally nothing about a kid.<br />
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There is a long series of increases in hours, interviews, then change in focus. I moved from general education to special education. The move has been really rewarding. I work with kids with emotional and/or behavior disorders. These are some really special kids and I love the ones I know. The ones I don't know? I'm certain they are cool kids too.<br />
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Relationships are the key. Connect with someone. If it's a kid that needs a little help? No matter what these kids want someone to care about them. It may take some time to convince the child that you care. Don't take this transition time personally. It has nothing to do with you.<br />
<br />
Enough vomit for today.<div class="blogger-post-footer">*********
If you have the time, please consider clicking through to my blog.
Also, if you comment, I get warm fuzzies and I think you're cool...even if you're not.
;)(But you totally are you know.) Thanks!</div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01979925607834752536noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28021129.post-47003210817003916682016-10-02T21:02:00.000-05:002016-10-02T21:02:43.308-05:00Just Call Me CoachI had my first attempt at being a coach this fall. I coached D's 8U softball team. It was actually pretty fun and I think I did okay as a coach. I know most of the rules and some plays from watching M play these last 3 years. Today was D's last game for the fall season. Two of the girls I coached gave me hugs and I got several thank yous from parents. It made me feel good even though I felt like I was just winging it the whole time.<br />
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Our last game we were encouraged to wear costumes so I made some shirts for my mini-team (only 4 girls) and for myself. We were Pac-Man and the ghosts.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2CHm8MhRCLkldjVGiu2h5F50gdgQ6qpgMNoVFt0PJN9ijB32FuHyQHmqes9etg-JQvrfvEvOUJTg2yzDPVwWI-32_qnWCfYycV9wvSrRP9IMcNymXQFde2e5Wnj8mkSjQ4kn7/s1600/IMG_8668.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2CHm8MhRCLkldjVGiu2h5F50gdgQ6qpgMNoVFt0PJN9ijB32FuHyQHmqes9etg-JQvrfvEvOUJTg2yzDPVwWI-32_qnWCfYycV9wvSrRP9IMcNymXQFde2e5Wnj8mkSjQ4kn7/s320/IMG_8668.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
I thought we were quite adorable.<br />
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The girls really improved a lot in learning the game as well. Last weekend, there was even a double play! That's some great heads-up playing that even some of the older girls haven't mastered yet. If you have a chance to coach (especially at a young age-group level) do it! It is really fun!<br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">*********
If you have the time, please consider clicking through to my blog.
Also, if you comment, I get warm fuzzies and I think you're cool...even if you're not.
;)(But you totally are you know.) Thanks!</div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01979925607834752536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28021129.post-42646175968370892752016-08-02T07:30:00.000-05:002016-08-02T07:30:15.072-05:00Slow and Steady Wins the Race and other random thoughtsAbout 6 months ago I started a plan to try to lose weight. I was never a candidate for "My 600-lb Life," but I was also not small. I'm still not small, but I have made an improvement in my health. It is slow, but hopefully the slow and steady rate makes for long-term results. I started around Thanksgiving, which in itself is a challenging time to start a diet, but I also started a job outside the home. For those of us that are battling with social anxiety and introversion, you can understand this was a giant change for me.<br />
<br />
I discovered through work that my anxiety mostly refers to adult interaction. The kids at the elementary school where I work do not worry me, they don't make me think twice about what they say...even the "disrespectful" kids don't phase me.I know to not take it personally when they are defiant. There are often other issues those kids are dealing with that have nothing to do with me. In many ways, I enjoy those kids that present a challenge.<br />
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As an obese person, I know that most people treat fat people as invisible. You can look around at your child's game and find skinny parents hanging out together and they make little to no effort to connect with you. That's just one example, but wherever you are, if you are obese, you will be ignored/invisible 90 percent of the time. <br />
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Honestly, so far I have lost about 50 lbs. It's a start, but no where near I need to be.<br />
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I'm so tired of being invisible. It feels like my kids are also being judged by their mom's weight. I feel like a failure. I am working to lose the weight, but combined with my anxiety, it seems like I and my kids will always be on the outside. We're never in the "in" crowd. We're never invited to the party.<br />
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In many ways, I am happy we're not invited. My initial reaction to any invitation is "no."<br />
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At the same time, I want my kids to be included. I want them to have BFFs. I want them to make life-long friends, even though their mom couldn't do it. Their dad did it. His best friend was his best man and still talks to him.. They've been friends since elementary school. Friends are best that stick with you and know your interests. It takes us introverts a lot to try to make a connection with anyone..add social anxiety and we're really screwed. Then add obesity to the picture and it's pretty much clinched that people aren't going to want to hang out with you. It's okay. I get it. Much of the time I don't want to hang out with me either. But I want more for my kids and I'm afraid I'm teaching the wrong example.<br />
<br />
So I'm trying to encourage my kids to participate in sports now so they might stay active later. The boy is presenting a problem, in that he doesn't seem to want to participate in anything. I think he'd do well in soccer or cross-country, but he is resistant. Both girls are big into softball, which isn't the most active sport, but it's better than nothing.<br />
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It's sad that 50 pounds lost looks like nothing. I have hope that I will become the me I should be though. <div class="blogger-post-footer">*********
If you have the time, please consider clicking through to my blog.
Also, if you comment, I get warm fuzzies and I think you're cool...even if you're not.
;)(But you totally are you know.) Thanks!</div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01979925607834752536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28021129.post-73771939341192613032016-07-29T21:58:00.000-05:002016-07-29T21:58:27.114-05:00K Man is 12So this kid turned 12 today. I kind of want to crawl under the covers and pretend it didn't happen, but so far he still needs his mom occasionally so I guess I'll be okay.<br />
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(I have pictures every year in this shirt, I was just too lazy to find them all.)<div class="blogger-post-footer">*********
If you have the time, please consider clicking through to my blog.
Also, if you comment, I get warm fuzzies and I think you're cool...even if you're not.
;)(But you totally are you know.) Thanks!</div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01979925607834752536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28021129.post-32897152571516653162016-07-22T00:31:00.000-05:002016-07-22T00:31:15.295-05:00Miss M is now 14. So I must have had her at 15, right?Happy birthday to the girl who made me a mommy. She is smart, athletic, beautiful...everything girls aspire to be. She does have her blonde moments...like when she said the beeping at the traffic light was for when the blind drivers would know to go.<br />
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Happy birthday beautiful girl. You are gorgeous inside and out.<br />
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">*********
If you have the time, please consider clicking through to my blog.
Also, if you comment, I get warm fuzzies and I think you're cool...even if you're not.
;)(But you totally are you know.) Thanks!</div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01979925607834752536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28021129.post-90155275682384497912016-01-16T01:10:00.002-06:002016-01-16T01:10:42.106-06:00If I'm Only 29 That Means I Birthed Her When I Was 16Of course, that's not unheard of...having a baby at 16. Thankfully, that is not the case with me. If I had birthed a baby at 16 I'm fairly certain I would have been a much worse parent than I already am. Miss M, I am sure, thinks that I am a terrible mother. I am "mean" and "embarrassing" and "annoying." These things I claim as my right as a mother. On the weekends, my husband likes to tell her he will "poke the grumpy bear" as she is particularly disagreeable in the morning hours. I don't blame her. Mornings are not my forte either.<br />
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All three of my kids have a strong sense of self. They recognize when people are jerks and generally steer clear of those kids. This often means that my kids will feel that their dad or I are being jerks and will then stand up to us. This defiance is different at different ages, of course. Ms. D is currently at the stage where she sasses back about everything and "I don't care" is the response to any threats of removal of privileges. K Man generally just shouts at me when he disagrees with what I say. There is a lot of shouting. Then he'll want to get hugs and kisses a few minutes later. Adolescence is a little schizophrenic.<br />
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Then there is Miss M. She's 13 going on 21 or something like that. She holes up in her bedroom 90 percent of the time, which is pretty much what I did in middle school. It kind of sucks, because I like having her around, but I get it. I was once 13, 16 or more years ago.<br />
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She brought home a high school information packet today. There are a lot more options for electives, etc, than when I was in high school. It was almost overwhelming. The cool thing about it was that she was so interested in almost everything offered. That was also the hard thing. How do you determine what you want to do in life at 13? I think we had a good discussion about the pros and cons of different electives. Then I wanted to curl up in a ball and deny the fact that my first baby is going to high school next year.<br />
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Just so you know: I can't possibly be old enough to have a kid in high school.<br />
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I'm not sure when I finally got over the amazement that I was a parent, but I remember feeling that I was participating in some form of charades for several years after M was born. I no longer feel like I am not "old enough" to have kids (nice that I can recognize truth after 10 plus years!) but that doesn't mean I don't screw up a lot.<br />
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I still want to put my kids in a freezer, yet I am looking forward to who they will become. In the meantime, I am cherishing snuggles from D and K, and poking my grumpy bear Miss M.<div class="blogger-post-footer">*********
If you have the time, please consider clicking through to my blog.
Also, if you comment, I get warm fuzzies and I think you're cool...even if you're not.
;)(But you totally are you know.) Thanks!</div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01979925607834752536noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28021129.post-22251865181106477592016-01-14T23:45:00.001-06:002016-01-14T23:45:40.702-06:0015 TV Shows From my Youth I Want To Watch AgainThere are several TV shows that I enjoyed in my younger days that I would love to binge watch again. I started with Dynasty on Amazon Prime and it's so bad it's good. The clothes are the best. The episode I last watched, Chrystal was wearing a sailor-inspired outfit with a big red bow at her neck. Terrible, awful, and totally 80s. I've also watched several episodes of Magnum, PI. I had a huge crush on Tom when I was a kid watching that show. There are other shows that I have found on Netflix or Amazon that let me relive my childhood, but here are some that I would enjoy watching again that I haven't found on either platform:<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Silk Stalkings</li>
<li>Remington Steele</li>
<li>Moonlighting</li>
<li>The original series of V</li>
<li>Quantum Leap</li>
<li>Episodes of Days of Our Lives (from my elementary school years that I watched when I was home sick.)</li>
<li>Fantasy Island (fine. It's from the 70s. But still.)</li>
<li>Kate & Allie</li>
<li>Scarecrow and Mrs. King</li>
<li>Solid Gold</li>
<li>Spencer for Hire</li>
<li>WKRP in Cincinnati</li>
<li>Mr. Merlin (only because we were part of the focus group to decide if it would be put on air.)</li>
<li>The Guiding Light</li>
<li>ER</li>
</ol>
What shows do you want to watch again? What have you watched on Netflix, etc? <div class="blogger-post-footer">*********
If you have the time, please consider clicking through to my blog.
Also, if you comment, I get warm fuzzies and I think you're cool...even if you're not.
;)(But you totally are you know.) Thanks!</div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01979925607834752536noreply@blogger.com0