Life as We Know It

Menu Monday

2011-02-28T07:22:00.000-08:00

I know it has been a long time since I have posted anything, but things get busy and life gets a hold of you and wont let go.

So here is my latest favorite recipe. But first an advertisement.

I subscribe to this magazine, and I absolutely love one little feature in it. Every month there is a little pull out booklet of 50 things. So for example this month is 50 things to do with pesto, or during the holiday season it was 50 holiday cookies. You get the idea.

So one of the summer months it was 50 burgers. Now I am a fan of the hamburger, and 50 different variations on a burger is like a little bit of heaven for me. I found this on in there and we have been having them a lot, and they are spectacular!

So here it is.

Thai Pork Burgers

For dressing:

1/4 cup lime juice

1 tbsp. fish sauce 1 tbsp. olive oil

salt

sugar

For slaw:

one shaved carrot

one sliced red onion

about a half cup of whole cilantro leaves

For burgers:

1 lb ground pork

1 big pinch salt

chili sauce

mayonnaise

Combine lime juice, fish sauce, olive oil, salt and sugar (to taste). Toss half of dressing with carrots, onion and cilantro and allow to marinate for a while. Make patties with pork and salt and remaining dressing. Grill or broil in oven. Serve on a toasted kaiser roll with chili sauce, mayo, and veggie slaw.

So I know this recipe isn't the most specific in the world but that is the way it is in the little booklet. It is kind of a throw together meal, but I promise it is really good!

If you do try them come back and tell me what you think...

Reluctant

2011-01-18T18:31:00.000-08:00

I haven't been blogging for quite some time now. I'm not sure if it's because I am bored with it or I just don't want to. I was talking to a blobby friend the other day and she said she thinks it is a fad that she thinks is just over. So here is my question for you...
Do you feel that the magic is gone?
Are you still blogging?
Are you still reading blogs?
What makes you come back to read the same blogs?
What keeps you interested in bloggingnyourself?

Wordless Wednesday

2010-12-08T07:33:00.000-08:00

Wordless Wednesday

2010-11-17T11:53:00.000-08:00

100 Truths

2010-11-11T15:35:00.000-08:00

I stole this from Amber, it seemed like a good idea at the time =)

1. Last beverage: Water, I don't drink much of anything else lately

2. Last phone call: Husband, of course

3. Last text message: Jodee

4. Last song you heard: Talking Heads- Burning Down the House

5. Last time you cried: Today

HAVE YOU EVER:

6. Got back with someone you've broken up with: Yes, stupidly!

7. Been cheated on: Yes, the idiot!

8. Kissed someone & regretted it: Yes

9. Lost someone special: Yes.

10. Been depressed: Yes.

11. Been drunk and threw up: Nope

LIST THREE FAVORITE COLORS:

12. Blue

13. Pink

14. White

THIS YEAR HAVE YOU: (2010)

15. Made a new friend: Yep

16. Fallen out of love: Nope.

17. Laughed until you cried: Yes, but not often enough.

18. Met someone who changed you: Definitely

19. Found out who your true friends were: Yeah, but I pretty much already knew that.

20. Found out someone was talking about you: No

21. Kissed anyone on your Facebook friends list: Well... yes... but I am married to him!

22. How many people on your friends list do you know in real life: Most of them

23. How many kids do you want? More than the two I have

24. Do you have any pets: Yes, the cutest puppy ever.

25. Do you want to change your name: Yes, I always thought it was really boring, and it isn't like I can shorten it to make a nick-name

26. What did you do for your last birthday: Uummm... is it bad that I can't remember

27. What time did you wake up? 6:30

28. What were you doing at midnight last night? Sleeping, thank goodness.

29. Name something you CANNOT wait for: Thanksgiving, I love it.

30. Last time you saw your mother: Monday, she did a great favor for me.

31. What is one thing you wish you could change about your life: My health issues

33. Have you ever talked to a person named Tom: Yes, a couple.

34. Who is getting on your nerves now? 1st graders!

35. Most visited websites: Facebook, godealgo, IMDB

36. What's your real name: Sarah Rebecca

37. Nicknames: Sariah, Mom

38. Relationship Status: Happily Married.

39. Zodiac sign: Cancer

40. Male or female: I'm female.

41. Primary School: 5 at last count, too many to list.

42. Middle School: Bennion Jr. High

43. High school: Cottonwood

44. Hair color: Blond

45. Long or short: Longer than I have had it in years.

46. Height: 5' 5"

47. Do you have a crush on someone? Yep, and its a good thing too, cause I am married to him.

48: What do you like about yourself? I have a good sense of humor, and am friendly.

49. Piercings: Ears, two in each but I only use one set.

50. Tattoos: No thanks

51. Righty or lefty: Righty.

FIRSTS:

52. First surgery: Wisdom teeth

53. First piercing:12 ears

54. First best friend: My hubby, and Cassie, and Vennessa

55. First sport you joined: I DON'T SPORT!

56. First vacation: First one I remember was Yellowstone

58. First pet: First I remember was Sassy (snif)

RIGHT NOW:

59. Eating: Nothing right now but I am making corned beef for dinner

60. Drinking: Nada

61. I'm about to: Finish dinner

62. Listening to: The sound of my little fingers rapidly typing.

63. Waiting for: Hubbs to come home

YOUR FUTURE:

64. Want kids?: Yes more please

65. Get married?: Only once

66. Career: Teacher, maybe some day.

67. Lips or eyes: Eyes, lasik again would be nice.

68. Hugs or kisses: Kisses

69. Shorter or taller: depends on who I am standing next to

70. Older or Younger: Younger would be nice

71. Romantic or spontaneous: Spontanious

72. Nice stomach or nice arms: Can I say both...

73. Sensitive or loud: Loud

74. Hook-up or relationship: Relationship for sure!

HAVE YOU EVER:

76. Kissed a stranger: Yes

77. Drank hard liquor: no

78. Lost glasses/contacts: Yes

79. Sex on first date: No.

80. Broken someone's heart: Yes.

82. Been arrested: no

83. Turned someone down: Yes.

84. Cried when someone died: Yes.

85. Fallen for a friend: Yes

DO YOU BELIEVE IN:

86. Yourself: Most of the time, depends on the situation

88. Love at first sight: Yep... again married him

89. Heaven: Absolutely

90. Santa Claus: Yep

91. Kiss on the first date: NO!

92. Angels: Yes

ANSWER TRUTHFULLY:

94. Had more than 1 girlfriend/boyfriend at a time: Nope

95. Did you sing today?: Yep, with the music but nobody was home to hear it, thank goodness.

96. Ever cheated on somebody: yes, but it wasnt on purpose

97. If you could go back in time, how far would you go?: High School, improve grades, stay away from boys, go to college after.

98. The moment you would choose to relive? My wedding day

99. Are you afraid of falling in love?: Nope, already there

100. Are you afraid of posting this as 100 truths?: Nope they are all completely the truth.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-11-10T09:56:00.000-08:00

Drivin'

2010-11-09T13:24:00.000-08:00

Do you remember what it was like when you got your drivers license?

Or when you got your first car?

For me that is what its like every time I get into my car.

Driving equals freedom for me, I love to drive. I will never understand women who stop driving when they get married. As far as I am concerned that is MY car and no one else should be driving it. Especially if I am in it. I hate being a passenger. My friends give me a hard time because any time we all go somewhere together I have to drive. Mostly it is a control issue, but a lot of it is also that I get a kind of trill from driving. It really is one of my favorite things to do. I love long road trips. Emanhaud and I have the best conversations while we are driving too. For some reason we can let loose and really talk to each other when we are in the car. We discuss politics, movies, books, finances, and just about anything else that might be on our minds. The funny thing is that we don't talk to our kids at all when we are in the car. The Bug gets really annoyed by this, because she really wants to be part of the conversation.

For me being alone in the car is the best time for me to think. I just let my mind wander and think about things in a way that I just don't normally. I get some of my best thinking done this way. Any time you pull up next to me you can guarantee that my music is going full blast too, and you can almost always catch me singing along as loud as possible. (Windows up of course!)

Don't worry I obey traffic rules while doing this!

Maybe I like driving so much because I waited longer than most to get my license. I was 18 and graduated from High School before I could drive. I bought my first car just before I got my license. I paid $125 for it when I bought it from my uncle and I put $800 in repairs into it, a lot of them myself. I will admit I did NOT like driving a mini-van but it was still freedom and I dealt with it until I finally sold my van this summer. Driving is also the thing that makes me the most mad. I hate it when people don't obey traffic rules. I will yell and cuss at people for doing stupid things. This makes my family very happy as you can imagine. But I still love driving and they will have to remove my license from my cold dead hands at the age of 100 before I give it up. Maybe I will request to be buried in my car!

How about you do you like to drive?

Friday Randomness

2010-11-05T15:10:00.000-07:00

So I know it has been quiet a while since I have blogged. I just haven't felt that there was much to say. Not that there wasn't anything happening in my life, I just didn't really feel like writing about it. So hopefully what I do have to ramble about today will take up some space and fulfill my bloggy quota for the month.

----------

I would just like to say I hate airports. I seem to have only sad moments at airports, mostly because it is not me doing the traveling. I am usually the one dropping off. I had to take MJ to the airport to go home today. I was very proud of myself that I didn't cry, because I didn't want to make her feel bad. But I really wanted to. I just don't know what I am going to do without her here now.

Who will keep me company?

----------

I have to say I am loving Junior High... no... really!

My girls have the best teachers.

It is far less of a nightmare that I thought it would be.

--------

The Bug went to her first JH dance today... this makes me scared and fall over with laughter all at the same time. I desperately want her to grow up and start doing age appropriate things. At the same time, I am terrified of her spending actual social time with the kids at her school.

Does this make me one of those loony over protective parents?

----------

I swear I will never shop in Walmart again if I can help it. Every time I go in there, not only do I have to look at and swerve around the very dregs of humanity, but I have to deal with the people who shop there too. Their employees are getting less helpful by the minute, and they no longer always have the lowest price, so my thought is, why bother!

----------

I am up to walking 4 miles a day now, not that it matters. I have gained 20 pounds since spring, (AKA my last surgery) and none of that weight wants to go away. It is time to really buckle down and start actually depriving myself of things that are doing me no good. Like ice cream, and all that Halloween candy that is just sitting around. I am not far away from cutting out sugar all together. I did it once for a while and I did feel better. The problem is I am not sure I have the will power. I have to start reminding myself, that it just isn't worth having all this weight on me, and feeling like crap.

----------

The back problems are back. I have a herniated disc in my lower spine, and osteoarthritis, in addition to that. I am going in for steroid shots in my back on Monday. I am just hoping that all goes well and it actually makes me feel better.

I am so tired of being in pain.

----------

So what are you watching these days, me... I'm loving Big Bang Theory.

What!

You haven't seen it?! Well check this out.

OK that's all I got, so here are the tunes. Enjoy!

1. Strip- Adam Ant

2. New Moon on Monday- Duran Duran

3. Tenderness- General Public

4. No One- Alicia Keys

5. Another Day in Paradise- Phil Collins

6. One Night in Bangkok- Murray Head

7. Imagine- John Lennon

8. The Emperor's New Clothes- Sinead O'Connor

9. 74-75- Connells

10. Jane Says- Jane's Addiction

Bonus: I'm Your Daddy- Weezer

Question of the day?

2010-10-07T15:03:00.000-07:00

How do you feel about children calling adults by their first name?

Do you feel that it is OK or not?

Tell me why.

What Happens on the Playground Stays on the Playground

2010-10-05T13:47:00.000-07:00

Actual Conversation heard between two sixth grade girls...

(Sugar is talking to Freckles about the cell phone rules in her family, names have been changed because I can't remember their real ones.)

Freckles: "Are you the oldest kid in your family?"

Sugar: "Yes, accept for my two older sisters."

How do you not crack up, when you hear something like that?!

HOLY FREAKING COW!!!!

2010-09-24T12:50:00.000-07:00

I just got home from work and realized that my dog was freaking out in the back yard. There was a loud chirping accompanying this freaking out and I assumed that there was a magpie in the back yard taunting my dog... again. I looked through the back door and saw that my dog had something cornered in the tall grass that my husband needs to cut badly. Hint hint. I went into the back yard to rescue the "bird" and it began to run around chasing my dog. The dog was also chasing the critter at the same time so you can imagine the mayhem that was going on. So you know that thing that all the dogs do in the movie Up? You know when they all yell SQUIRREL and look around at the same time. Well it was just like that, accept that my dog had an actual squirrel (not a bird) cornered in the back yard. Needless to say you all would have been very amused had you seen me trying to lure my dog away from said squirrel.

And no the bologna, that I was using for this purpose did not work!

I don't know who was more worn out by this experience, the dog, the squirrel,

or ME!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-09-22T06:47:00.000-07:00

Question of the day?

2010-09-02T07:53:00.000-07:00

What is your favorite "acquired taste"?

You know the thing that when you are giving it to someone who has never had it before you say "Well, not everyone likes this, it's kind of an acquired taste."

So what is it?

Black Licorice

Coffee

Grapefruit

Artichokes

Come on you can tell me!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-09-01T16:39:00.001-07:00

Is Laughter Truly the Best Medicine? Or NOT!

2010-08-30T10:59:00.000-07:00

Wow! We had quite the day yesterday! Let me start by saying I love my children with all my heart! They are truly an inspiration to me.

Yesterday, however I was willing to sell one of them to the gypsies.

Yesterday we had a gooey-a-thon.

Lou Lou has a problem with the dry fall air. It makes her nose itch. So to relieve this particular problem she sticks her finger up there. Which inevitably leads to blood. The great thing about Lou Lou and blood is that she likes to share it. And it doesn't have to be shared with a person, it can be shared with carpet, walls, clothes, you know whatever is around. One of the really fun ways she chooses to share it to blow blood out of her nose at a high speed, and to aim it at whatever unsuspecting person happens to be trying to help her to stop bleeding. This of course leaves said person looking like they have just stepped out of a zombie movie.

Anyway, we were trying to help with the problem, and possibly put a stop to it, so we took her to the doctor yesterday. (Thank heaven for the Kids Care that is open on Sunday.) We made an appointment, and were in the waiting room watching a movie when one of the offending nose "geysers" occurred. I quickly yelled at the top of my lungs to whoever might be around "Shes gushing blood"! (Which technically she was not, at least not like she was 15 minutes earlier when we decided to take her in.) The problem was not the quantity of blood, but that I had nothing on me to help stop the flow, not even a Kleenex. Several people came out and helped me lay her down and gave me something to soak it up. I carried her into a room, and Emanhaud and I explained the problem. Now keep in mind this is probably her tenth bloody nose in the last four days. Some of them were small, like the one she had in church earlier the same day. And some were "geysers" like the one to come. The doctor told us there were several options. The first he suggested was packing her nose with cotton balls soaked in cocaine.... yes that's right COCAINE! We joked and said she was already keyed up, and he said it wouldn't be enough to make her worse. He made several more suggestions, including cauterizing the nose.

This is my autistic child that is incredibly strong for a 50 lb child. It took four of us just to keep her on the table long enough for the doctor to look at her nose. We mulled over our options and decided to go with whatever the doctor thought would work, this was done in about one and a half seconds. After we papoose wrapped her it was discovered that they did not in fact have the supplies to do what they wanted to. The doctor decided to try cauterizing it. This is done by sticking a wooden stick with silver nitrate on the end up her nose...

YEAH RIGHT!

We held her down, me holding the chest, Emanhaud holding the legs, a nurse holding the head, and the doctor holding the stick. Well he sticks that thing up there and the thing that you would expect to happen when you put a stick up someones nose happens. It begins to gush, in a way that I have only ever seen in movies. The funny thing is, he has a second stick in his hand and he sticks that one in there too. By this time she is howling mad, literally! So the second stick goes in, and it changes from a stream to a raging river of blood. Plus while this is happening she is trying to blow the thing out of her nose full force. So the doctor, Emanhaud, and I all look like we have been sprayed with blood...

oh wait we were!

At this point the doctor looks at us and says there is nothing he can do further and we need to go to the ER. We bundle her up and put her in the back seat with her head in Dads lap, and head up to the hospital. A twenty minute

drive away. Which of course means that it stopped bleeding on the way. We get to the ER, and check in and the doctor comes in, this all happened in about 15 minutes. The doc looks at her and says there is nothing he can do for us...

wait...

REALLY!

So apparently you cannot cauterize something that is not bleeding...

They gave us some info about nose bleeds, and sent us packing. We were there for maybe about 30 minutes.

We got in the car, very frustrated, and I said to Emanhaud, she will be bleeding again within an hour. Needless to say I was right!

The funniest thing is that to top it all off durring dinner last night after everything had calmed down. The very same child slid backward through a dining room chair and got her head stuck in it.

How can you not laugh at that.

Gardens Bounty

2010-08-23T10:14:00.001-07:00

Introducing...

2010-08-18T07:54:00.001-07:00

There is something I have always wanted to do. More for the experience of doing it than because I thought it would be fun. An opportunity came up to do this very thing and I jumped on it when it presented itself. So here I am introducing to you our very own Foreign Exchange Student.

We have had her living with us for about 2 1/2 weeks now, and I have to say it is going much better than I ever could have expected. She is actually more of a teacher than a student. She came here last fall and has been staying with another family until now. We are hoping she will choose to stay with us for a while too.

She has been a great influence on our kids and on me.

So here are some things I have learned about her...

She is 20 years old

She is from South Korea

She is majoring in Social Work

She loves cheese

She loves to cook and learn new dishes to make

She is a great cook herself

She loves and is excited about watching American movies and TV

She likes comedies

She loves to laugh

She has a great sense of humor and is learning to understand and use sarcasm

She is very pretty, especially when she dresses up

She loves to eat

She is very caring and misses her family terribly

We are so excited to have her come and stay with us, and hope she feels the same!

Dropped the ball

2010-08-13T09:36:00.000-07:00

I feel like I am letting people down. I have almost completely stopped blogging lately, and I am sorry. I just don't have the energy or time to sit in front of the computer lately. I blame my Iphone. Ever since I got it, I can check email, facebook, and anything else I want without having to venture into the deep dark basement in search of the computer. The nice thing about this particular device is that I can do almost anything on it, the down side is that I cannot update my blog. It is also very inconvenient to read other blogs on it as well. So not only do I not update, but I am not reading either.

I am sorry about this.

I do want to keep up with what is going on in every ones lives, I just can't seem to find the time.

It seems however that neglecting your blog is the way to get new followers, mine have doubled since I started ignoring my blog.

(Not that that really matters!)

Hopefully things will get back to normal when Lou Lou and The Bug go back to school.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-08-11T09:00:00.000-07:00

Wordless Wednesday

2010-08-04T10:22:00.000-07:00

Plant experts apply here...

2010-07-29T08:20:00.000-07:00

I like house plants.

Unlike the things I attempt to grow outdoors, they do not have to be weeded.

I am pretty good with them too. This however, hasn't always been the case. A few years ago every plant in my house up and died on me, for no reason I could ever figure out. For the most part though, I do well with them unlike some people who can't keep them alive, because they refuse to water them.

I have been know to have house plants so large that people were afraid the plant would eat them alive,

as seen below.

(It got so large I had to donate it to this place. )

People were actually afraid to sit in that chair!

Yes I know, its a lot of clocks... stay with me here people...

The point is that I have become pretty familiar with plants and how to take care of them.

Then I found this...

I keep this plant right next to my shower, I looked through the glass this morning to find this staring me in the face. I was almost afraid to finish showering. It looks like something from this movie.

Anyone got any ideas?

Where it came from... besides Mars?

What I should do with it?

... anyone....?

Check out this video

Wordless Wednesday

2010-07-28T08:44:00.000-07:00

New

2010-07-26T09:01:00.000-07:00

For some time now I have wanted to change the name of this blog. Something about having my name in the title and plastered all over the banner really bugged me. So I have bit the bullet and finally come up with a new title. If you are here looking for Sarah's life, don't worry you have found it.

We are still under construction too, hubby is working on a new banner for me.

So be patient with us, we are working on it!

Evidence

2010-07-24T12:12:00.000-07:00

As some of you may remember from this post last year, I have a rather large garden every year.

We do this with my in-laws as a kind of a family plot.

My FIL keeps asking if we have seen evidence of the deer that are in the area, and until today we hadn't seen any.

Well that has changed!

I picked them and brought them home in the state that I found them in because this is my evidence.

THOSE ARE MY SPAGHETTI SQUASH!

And yes I did mean to yell that because that is exactly how I said it when I found them!

STUPID DEER!

Decisions?

2010-07-20T11:18:00.000-07:00

I'm trying to decide if I want to do a give away for my 300th blog post...

anyone out there who would like me to do this?

If you do comment below.

(I'm will be taking donations for it if I do decide to do a give away. If you want to donate comment too.)

2010-07-19T11:04:00.000-07:00

Dear Stupid Cool Keeper people,

When my air conditioning stopped working on Friday afternoon of the hottest weekend of the year. I just assumed that it was the fault of the machine. And while it bothered me that I was going to have to spend a large amount of money to repair it, I was willing to because it is a necessity in 100 degree heat. Finding out that it was going to cost me less than I expected was good news however, finding out that it was the fault of the little box that YOU installed on my house was not.

Your product sucks! It cost me $130 for an after hours call to my house on Friday night. All this just to find out that your equipment is what had actually failed. I want it off my house NOW! The only reason I signed up for it in the first place is because you were sending weekly reminders to my house.

I want you to pay for the appointment too. I do not think this is asking too much. Hopefully when I call you and tell you as much you will agree.

I am gearing up for a fight, just a warning.

Sincerely

Sarah

10

2010-07-13T09:01:00.000-07:00

10 things I hate about me

1. I am loud

(But not as loud as my mother)

I yell a lot. Sometimes at times when it just isn't necessary. The bad temper is part of this.

2. My feet,

I have a very average size, which means I never can find shoes on sale. By the time they go on clearance, all the average sizes are gone.

3. I am incredibly pale,

and no amount of sun has ever or will ever change this fact.

4. I am vain,

I love looking at myself in mirrors. If there is a reflection around I can't help myself.

5. I am incredibly lazy,

I would so much rather be laying down watching TV or reading a book.

6. I can't swim.

7. Asthma, and bad health issues,

nuff said.

8. I hate the shape of my body,

I have very broad shoulders, and a large bust. However my hips are very slim and I have no rear end. I know this doesn't sound like a bad thing, but I also have a thick waist. This makes me look square instead of curvy like a woman should be shaped.

9. I never finished school and got my degree,

this makes me feel like an uneducated yokel.

10. I get intimidated easily by others,

It keeps me from keeping in touch with friends. I just don't want to bother them. So I never call and then I just eventually end up loosing touch.

10 Things I like about me

1. My skin,

I have very clear, nice skin. I rarely have breakouts.

2. I am naturally thin,

Not SKINNY, just a nice average size. This also makes it very easy to find clothes that fit me in almost any store.

3. My hair,

I can wear it in almost any style, or color I want and it still looks great with the shape of my face.

4. I am friendly,

I have no problem talking to people I don't know.

(Weird that I have more problems with people I do know huh! See above.)

5. I stick to what I know is right!

6. I forgive easily,

maybe a little too easily. I don't like holding grudges.

7. I accept differences in others,

you don't have to believe the same way I do to be my friend.

8. I am smart, and have a pretty high IQ,

I love to learn new things, and pick them up pretty quickly.

9. I am a good mom,

or at least I try to be.

10. I like to cook,

and I am pretty good at it. My neighbors have started calling me Sara Lee.

YUCK!

2010-07-10T05:43:00.000-07:00

I posted a little bit of my experience the other night on FB, but I thought I would elaborate.

First let me tell you that I never was allowed to go to concerts as a kid. My parents at one point went to see Paul McCartney, and said that there was so much marijuana smoke in the balcony where they were seated, that they got high themselves, just on the smoke. So thanks to Paul McCartney, I was never allowed anywhere near any kind of live music.

THANKS PAUL!

So I never really experienced much in the way of live music until I was an adult, and by then smoking- in any form- wasn't allowed indoors. Now, I love concerts. There is an excitement there that just can't be matched for me. When I heard that this band I really like was in town, for a free concert no less, I got very excited. I had been to these kind of concerts as a vendor, and had always wanted to participate as an actual spectator, so I jumped at the chance.

This was the first concert of the series, and there was a change of venue, so they could accommodate a lot more people. I don't however, think they anticipated that there would be quite so many people.

(I think we are in one of those pictures!)

When we arrived (two hours early) it wasn't bad at all, a little wait in line, and then we found our little space in the grass for our blanket. As things started to fill up, there was a great party atmosphere. We lived in down town SLC for the first two years of our marriage, and I really like, and miss the feel of the outdoor parties. Emanhaud of course whipped out his camera as quickly as possible, was practically drooling at the possibilities, for crowd shots. (Don't worry there will be more to come.)

About the time the warm up band went on, things got very crowded, but we were still holding our own. Then all of the sudden, the Mayor of SLC got up to speak, and a little ripple of discontent went through the crowd. This was the time that we were suppose to be listening to music, not to the Mayor. I looked at my husband and asked if this was the season opener of the series, and he said he though it was. Well that would explain the enormous number of people. This was the point when we started to loose all patience with this particular crowd. This was the point when the alcohol started to settle in on most of them. This was the point when they started to trample anyone sitting down, including the baby that was sitting with her family right behind us!

All of the sudden, all decency and respect for human life just floated away on the breeze. I didn't mind that occasionally people would step on our blanket, I didn't even mind when they would occasionally would trip. Hey I am not the most sure footed person either. But when, they started blatantly trampling the people on the blankets, that made me mad! Eventually we had to stand up, because the density of the crowd just made it too hard to be sitting anymore. Eventually we had to put our bags (my purse and his camera bag) between our feet, to keep from being stepped on. Eventually we had to get used to being kicked, and stepped on.

And eventually we just had to leave.

Two songs into the main act.

We just couldn't take it anymore.

Maybe we are getting old...

but this kind of thing just isn't what it used to be.

I can tolerate people drinking around me, even though the smell alone was making me want to throw up. I get that not everyone feels the same way that we do about alcohol.

What I can't tolerate it people getting sloppy drunk and then trying to trip their way over everyone in their path.

Lets just say that when I said NEVER AGAIN... I meant it!

I wonder if this will make me never want to let my kids go to outdoor concerts....

As for myself, I'll stick to the arena concerts, thank you!

Question of the day?

2010-07-06T08:27:00.000-07:00

So every time I log on lately it seems that I have a few new followers.

This question is addressed to all of you.

How did you find me? Did you follow a link from someone else?

You are all welcome, new friends and old.

But will someone please tell me how you got here!

Thanks!

Pppppttttttt!

2010-07-01T15:16:00.001-07:00

You know there are times when I do feel like I am being punished for some kind of past wrong.

Most of my life is pretty good right now. Our current money situation is good, that isn't always the case. I have a great relationship with my husband. I have beautiful children, who love me as much as I love them. I am not even bored, which is saying something considering we are smack dab in the middle of summer.

The problem is that it only takes one little thing to drive me right over the edge right now.

My beautiful, sweet, autistic daughter is spitting again.

No this isn't just spitting, this is blowing disgusting raspberries right in your face

ALL FREAKING DAY LONG!

Ok so I know there are some of you out there who are saying...

Oh look how cute she is, it can't be that bad.

Well its worse!

Imagine if you will, someone spitting on you every time you try to hug them. Or spitting on you all the way through a meal, which means when her mouth is full of food.

Imagine that the noise from this action is in your ear every waking moment.

Yes I do mean EVERY moment she is awake.

That means from 8am to 9pm.

She even keeps herself up at night doing it.

Every hour of every day.

This has been going on for about a week now.

I am getting very tired of this.

The hard part is that she isn't like other children. I cannot punish her for doing this because it is really not a conscience act. Yes she knows she is doing it, and yes it gets worse if you try to stop her. But it is more of a compulsion, than anything else. She literally cannot stop!

It is just this one little thing.

Other than that my life is just great thank you very much!

?

2010-06-14T10:04:00.000-07:00

I am having a parental dilemma.

How do you punish a child for something they knew was wrong when they did it in a fit of temper, but they came to you and confessed to all of it, including the fact that it was purposeful?

Don't get me wrong, she is being punished, she is grounded from life for the rest of the day.

Is that too harsh, considering she did confess without even being asked, and before I even knew she did wrong?

Maybe we will just call this the question of the day.

Randomness

2010-06-11T09:54:00.000-07:00

So summer is here...

NOT!

It is suppose to reach a whopping 58 degrees today. I have to keep reminding myself that it is in fact JUNE!!!

I am so ready for the heat now. Yes I know I will be complaining come July, but I will be happily complaining.

I am ready to get the pool out, I am ready to have sweat trickling down my back even while I am sitting in my air conditioned house. I am ready to be sun burnt and blistered.

This is me... being ready... still ready... waiting...

--------

I am desperately trying to loose weight.

The problem is I have no will power.

I need to develop some of that.

I have to keep reminding myself,

"Sarah you are an adult, you have self control, you are the only one who can control what you do, OOOOO COOKIES!"

See, doesn't work.

I am regularly exercising. Last night Emanhaud and I upped our walking by another mile, we are up to three now. I have a goal to walk for an hour every day.

Some days that goal is more attainable than others.

Some days the only thing I want to do is lay on the bed and watch reruns of Alias.

I will keep trying. I'm not giving up yet.

--------

I'm bored

I keep looking for stuff to do, reading, cooking (see above), laundry, etc. Its just that on a daily basis most of the time the things I can think of to do just aren't happening. I just finished reading a series of books and have nothing on my list to read now. I can only do so much housework without going crazy. As far as cooking and baking go... again see above.

When I was a kid my little sister used to go around all the time saying she was bored. My mom would look at her and say "no your boring" and after a while she started saying "I'm boring" instead. Not the nicest thing to do, but I think that is what I am going to have to start saying.

"I'm boring, boring, boring!"

--------

I am starting up my cooking classes for kids next week so if you are in the Davis county area and want your kids to participate just leave me a comment and I will fill you in on the details.

If anyone out there has fun and kid friendly recipes that you can suggest that would be great too. They don't have to be easy. I am teaching them how to actually cook, not just assemble.

--------

Alright I guess that's it for the week

Here are the tunes

1. Little Red Corvette- Prince

2. Violette Hill- Coldplay

3. Stiff Kittens- Blaqk Audio

4. Oh My- Mellowdrone

5. Walking on Air- Kerli

6. Colorful- Rocco DeLuca and the Burden

7. Another Day in Paradise- Phil Collins

8. Out of Control- Oingo Boingo

9. Cruel Summer- Bananarama

10. The Only One I Know- The Charlatans

Bonus: Your Decision- Alice in Chains

An open letter to the idiots who keep doing this

2010-06-09T15:18:00.000-07:00

ALRIGHT

YOU...

YEAH YOU!

YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!

STOP PUTTING THE FREAKING SHOPPING CARTS IN THE HANDICAP PARKING SPACES!!!!!

DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW INCONVENIENT IT IS FOR A HANDICAP PERSON TO GET OUT OF THEIR CAR TO MOVE THEM SO THEY CAN PARK THERE?

OBVIOUSLY YOU DO NOT AND THAT IS WHY YOU CONTINUE TO DO SO!

WELL

STOP IT!!!! NOW!!!!

YOU KNOW WHERE THE FREAKING CART RETURN AREA IS SO...

USE IT!

Sincerely,

Wordless Wednesday

2010-06-09T09:59:00.000-07:00

Can't Complain

2010-06-07T09:07:00.000-07:00

First let me just preface this post by saying I am sorry that I haven't updated for a long time. I have been really busy... Really! I swear I have been!

My girls graduated from elementary school this week, I planted a HUGE garden, I had to work, I have been trying to keep up on my house work... You know.... busy.

Plus there is the problem that I don't do anything web related any more unless it is on my Iphone. So I don't read other blogs, and I don't do updates unless it is a one sentence updated on Facebook. I know lazy lazy lazy.

I promise I will try to do better.

Plus I finally just realized, Hey I have a laptop!

Crazy world huh?

The thing is that even with all the busyness, I haven't been stressed out as much as usual. I haven't had a lot to complain about. I have decided I like my life. Sure I could stand to loose about 20 pounds. (See below post) Yeah I do have very difficult and challenging children, that are out of school for the next three months!

But hey, I get to sleep in for the next three months too!

So that makes it all better.

This is the first time in years that I am actually looking forward to having my kids home for summer.

Did I just say that?

I think there may be something wrong with me!

New Leaf

2010-05-19T07:51:00.000-07:00

I looked at my husband last night an said "I've had it!" I don't want to feel like this anymore.... Oh wait it isn't what you think!

I have decided that I am going to be healthier. I know I have said this before, but this time I mean it. Let me tell you why. About a month ago I decided that I was cutting out sugar in my diet. It went really well for a while, I had very little sugar, and I did feel a lot better. However I have absolutely no will power and I eventually gave in. I think yesterday was my low point. We had the girls birthday party last week and so the house we have had a lot of sweets hanging around anyway, but I had to compound it with the donuts that I purchased on Monday to hand out in their classes. And since they were buy a dozen and get a dozen free, I had to get some for us too. Then about half of the donuts for the classes came home with the girls anyway. So we have birthday treats, cupcakes, and donuts just sitting around getting stale, and I spent money on them so I feel like I just have to do something so it isn't a waste of money. The solution is of course to eat them all myself. I am ashamed to say that I probably ate about 6 Krispy Kream donuts yesterday, along with two frozen burritos I had for lunch, and a couple of scotcheroos.

Needless to say I was not in a good mood yesterday. When I am "sugar mommy" I am not pleasant to be around. I do not feel good, I am impatient, I am angry, and I yell a lot, for no particular reason. By the time last night rolled around I was not a fun person to be around. This was sort of like hitting bottom for me. I decided right then and there that things were going to be different.

So here is the plan. I am recording on this very public blog what my stats are as of today, and I will make a monthly update to let you all have the chance to ridicule me if there is no change.

(This is probably the bravest thing I have ever done)

Natural waist: 35 inches

Hips: 38 inches

Bust: 38 inches

Bicep: 11 inches

Weight: 155 lb.

These are the areas I am the most worried about.

OK so don't get me wrong. I am not fat, I know this. I know there are people out there that truly struggle with their weight. I am not trying to belittle their struggle by saying that I am fat. I know that I am not!

I am however, very unhealthy. I am at the top weight I have ever been in my life, and that includes when I gave birth to my girls. I do not feel comfortable with my body and it is affecting the rest of my life. Plus now it is starting to affect my family as well.

I do not want this to happen anymore!!!!!!

Really this isn't about weight loss, it is about being healthy enough to feel good. It is about being healthy enough to take care of my family. It is about feeling good about myself, and knowing that I am trying my hardest to take care of myself. It is about setting a good example for my children so they will not have the same kind of struggle with their health that I have had.

I just want to do better, and from this day forward I will do just that.

12 years ago today I became Mommy!

2010-05-17T08:31:00.001-07:00

We've come a long way baby!

Happy Birthday to my beautiful girls!

OK So Now I Really Am Depressed!

2010-05-13T15:44:00.000-07:00

So Emanhaud sent me this via email the other day, and seriously it really did make me depressed. It made me laugh a little too, so I thought I would share.

Men Are Just Happier People-- Your last name stays put. The garage is all yours. Chocolate is just another snack. You can never be pregnant. You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park. Car mechanics tell you the truth. You never have to drive to another gas station restroom because this one is just too icky. You don't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt. Wrinkles add character. Wedding dress $5000. Tux rental-$100. People never stare at your chest when you're talking to them. New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet.

Phone conversations aren't over in 30 seconds flat. A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase. You can open all your own jars. If someone forgets to invite you, he or she can still be your friend.

Your underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack. Three pairs of shoes are more than enough. You almost never have strap problems in public. You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes. Everything on your face stays its original color. The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades. You only have to shave your face and neck.

You can play with toys all your life. One wallet and one pair of shoes -- one color for all seasons. You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look. You can 'do' your nails with a pocket knife. You have freedom of choice concerning growing a moustache. You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24th in 25 minutes.

No wonder men are happier!

This speaks to me

2010-05-08T09:27:00.000-07:00

I love music.

There are certain songs that just instantly transport me to another time, and literally fill me with memories. Good and bad. Sometimes a song just speaks to my heart, sometimes it's something about the melody, but most of the time it is the lyrics. I found this one, and something about the words just makes me cry every time I hear it. I thought I would post part of it because it says something about how parents feel about their children, and I found it fitting for Mothers Day somehow.

"Well my dad was sick
and my mom she cared for him
her love it nursed him back to life
and me I ran,
I couldn't even look at him,
for fear I'd have to say goodbye
and as I start to leave he grabs me by the shoulder and he tells me,

whats left to lose,
you've done enough
and if you fail well then you fail,
but not to us
cause these last three years,
I know they've been hard
but now it's time to get out of the desert and into the sun
even if it's alone"

-The Format- On Your Porch

Wordless Wednesday

2010-04-14T07:13:00.001-07:00

Wordless Wednesday

2010-04-07T09:38:00.000-07:00

What Might Have Been

2010-04-05T10:02:00.000-07:00

I have 4 friends/relatives that will be having or have had babies within the month. I get to go and hold these little darlings occasionally. Holding a perfect little new born is a cheerful thing to do. Most of the time. Sometimes it sparks a little bit of sadness in me. I didn't have perfect little new born babies. I had fetuses. For those of you who don't know I have twin girls that were born 14 weeks premature. The were under two pounds each. I didn't hear my newborns cry until they were seven weeks old. They had scars on their body from the first moments of birth. I has never been easy for me to be a parent. Not that it is for anyone, but I have never had one of those blissful moments when all seems right with the world. I have always had worry.

Will they ever be able to breath on their own?

Will they be able to see they way they should?

Will they be able to eat normally?

Will they be able to sit up?

Will they ever walk?

Will they ever talk?

After a while it switched to...

Will she ever be able to feed herself?

Will she ever be able to get dressed?

Will she every be able to tell me she loves me?

Will she be like everyone else?

Will everyone treat her the way she deserves to be treated?

I know all parents ask themselves these things. I know they all worry. But at some point I have had to give up on the dream. Sure there are a lot of things both of my girls can do that I never thought they would. We no longer have to spoon feed, or worry about falling down stairs. We do however worry about how the world will treat people who are so vastly different.

I look at new born babies, and pray fervently for their parents that they will never have to go through the heartache of having to give up what might have been. I pray that my children never know how much it hurts to give up the dream of a perfect little baby. I pray that they don't realize that with giving up that dream, my life had been altered but, not always for the worse.

I do however hope they realize that my life has been better because of them. That I wouldn't change a thing to make it different for myself. I would change it for them, not because there is something wrong with them, but because there is something wrong with the way the rest of the world sees them.

I hope they never have to ask themselves,

What if?

or What might have been?

I hope they can appreciate themselves for who they are.

Beautiful daughters of God!

Random Ten Friday

2010-04-02T07:27:00.000-07:00

Do you ever watch the same shows over and over. There are certain series that I just have to have, I just have to watch over and over again. I actually own all seven seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Go ahead and mock me, but for those of you out there who have actually bothered to watch this show, you actually understand why I keep watching it. I also have a weakness for Veronica Mars. Again one that looked like a stupid teenage drama, but I challenge you to watch it and see if you still think that! So I am asking you. What do you love to watch? What could you watch over and over and never get tired of it?

----------

What is with this freaking weather? Seriously it is April already and there is snow and hail all over my lawn! If this is what April is going to look like I would just like to have March back... OK!

----------

I watch this show I have done entire posts about it in the past. I love it, I will probably never stop watching. Even when Simon goes away. However I am very disappointed with the judges lately. I swear they criticize my favorites every time. I was so disappointed when one of my favorites was taken off this week! I used to vote, but I also used to watch it live. By the time we get around to watching now, it is way too late. I am very interested to see who actually wins this year.

----------

The Bug starts her new class next week. In the mean time she is off track all this week and most of next. I think she is starting to feel the boredom. Wednesday she was sitting at the kitchen counter sorting Skip-Bo cards by number. I seriously need to find something better for her to do. Unfortunately the weather is not cooperating with the idea of anything outside. So indoor activities.

Any ideas?

Cheap ideas?

Free ideas?

OK ideas that do not involve actual effort?

---------

I hate April Fools Day! Seriously I always end up looking like an idiot, either because I get some stupid trick played on me, or because my lame trick ends up looking just that... lame. I never realized how much kids get into it. Maybe because we have never put much emphasis on it. As a recess duty, it was like I had a huge target painted on my back yesterday. All of them were pretty simplistic, so easy to see through. I had several kids tell me I had a spot on me somewhere. I had several tell me it was their birthday. One told me I had a ketchup packet on my butt. That was the most creative. Apparently the adults in the school are a lot more creative than the kids though. I guess I have to beware in the future.

---------

I decided to take the songs from my new music list this week, and added some commentary.

Here are the tunes

1. Crimson and Clover- Joan Jett

(This song reminds me of Veronica Mars it seriously had a great soundtrack)

2. OK Go- WTF?

(I really hate this particular phrase, but unfortunately this is the title of the song.)

3. Odd One- Sick Puppies

(Love the lyrics on this song)

4. Riannon- Fleetwood Mac

(I swear half this list I have heard on AI in the last few weeks)

5. Stylo- Gorillaz

(Love the beats these guys use)

6. Let it Be- Kris Allen

(I bought this because it was a good cause, and I love this version)

7. Me and Bobby McGee- Crystal Bowersox

(Part of me hopes she wins, and part of me thinks she is really pretentious. I seriously want her to loose the dreds)

8. I Love Rock & Roll- Joan Jett

(I remember my little brother loved this song when it came out, he must have been about 6, and went around singing it all the time, he was so cute!)

9. Your No Good- Didi Benami

( I was truly disappointed to see her go! She was my favorite!)

10. Feeling Good- Michael Buble

(I have really learned to love this song!)

Bonus: The New Moon Soundtrack

Wordless Wednesday (Through the eyes of an 11 year old)

2010-03-31T08:16:00.001-07:00

Better late than never

2010-03-30T13:30:00.000-07:00

I know I should have done this post a few days ago, but I just can't seem to find the time to sit in front of the computer anymore.

Anyway....

I would really like to thank the wonderful ladies that made the effort to come to my "Blogger Thing" last Friday evening. We had some good food, some equally great "girl time".

Some made an extraordinary effort and drove a very long way, to be here.

I would just like to give each of you and individual shout out for making the effort!

Sher, you are beautiful, I am so glad to have met you all those years ago!

The Boob Nazi- I would just like to know, when the freak did you go private?!

Jo- You are my mentor, and one of the smartest people I know!

Elaine- I cant believe I have known you longer than anyone there! I thoroughly enjoyed having you there, and love your post about it!

Fiauna- You are truly and inspiration, and I need to work harder to have your sense of calm.

Val- I love your energy! You made the party very lively, and I loved getting to know you!

In my advanced age I keep thinking I forgot someone... good grief there were only six people present.... Oh wait there was one more...

If you want to know who that was, go here.

And as expected he truly was the life of the party!

I would just like to know why no one suggested a picture?

Tomorrow night people!

2010-03-25T17:13:00.000-07:00

A long time coming

I may have mentioned before that I would really like to have a blogger get together at my house. Well I am biting the bullet and just going for it. Here are the details...

My house

(if you want to know where that is just email me or comment and I will email you back)

Friday March 26th 7:30 pm

Bring something yummy to snack on, since I am not a restaurant and I don't want to provide dinner for my own family much less a bunch of crazybloggers.

I am doing this in the hopes that I will be able to meet some of you in person and put some names to faces.

Everyone who reads this is invited, and if you know someone who would be interested who isn't a regular reader, bring them along too.

(You may even get a prize for bringing a friend!)

Please leave a comment if you plan on attending!

Well Duh!

2010-03-24T07:51:00.000-07:00

According to Redbook Magazine 79% of men think that the number one thing a woman can do to make herself more attractive is to wear a low cut top....

Really?

What a shocker!!!!!

What Happens on the Playground Stays on the Playground

2010-03-22T15:24:00.000-07:00

Actual Conversation

Picture the scene with me if you will....

A recess duty (that would be me) walking around observing and admonishing children on a playground. (Go figure huh). She is joined by Turtle (I did not have to make up a name this time, he calls himself that, and no it is not his actual name.) a third grader of the male persuasion, who actively enjoys hanging out with the "doodies".

Turtle: How come you keep walking so much.

Me: I have to so I can see everything I need to see, it's my job.

Turtle: I am going to invent a machine that you can sit in and not have to move at all.

Me: That's called a car.

Turtle: Yeah but you still have to move your arms, in my machine you will just think you want to go another direction and you will go there.

Me: So we can all get fat, like in WALL-E.

Turtle: Yep that would be awesome.

Me: (Laughing a little) Well you better get going on that.

Turtle: Well I have to graduate from college first (a little indignant).

(pause)

Turtle: Hey by the time I graduate from college you will probably be dead anyway.

Me: (Looking VERY indignant!) I am not that old! How old do you think I am anyway?

Turtle: Forty Nine.

Me: Are you kidding me? Turtle that hurt! (pretending to be in pain)

Turtle: Well you look pretty old.

(P.S. I am actually only 35, that really did hurt, even from a third grader!)

Things I don't want to do anymore

2010-03-19T08:08:00.000-07:00

Things I don't want to do anymore

Think

Get out of bed

Go to meetings

Make life changing decisions

Be spit on

Fill up sippie cups

Dole out medications

Say no

Make meals

Clean my house

Stand outside in the rain

Yell at children that are not my own

Argue with children that are not even 12 years old yet

Be told that I look my age or older

Nag

Watch blindly as people do things that I know are wrong

Exercise

Skip exercising

Eat because I am stressed out

Smile when I don't feel like it

Answer questions about my personal life

Pay bills that I don't have the money to pay

Accept that I have TWO disabled children

Be cheerful

Be negative

Laundry

Whine

Depressed

2010-03-18T07:56:00.000-07:00

I am depressed

Not that this is a surprising thing for me this time of year.

This however, is different.

I am not depressed because of the weather.

OK so I am a little depressed because of the weather, will it ever be sunny for more than a day or two at a time?

No my depression stems from the extreme frustration that seems to have seeped it's way into my life lately. Frustration that stems from all of the decisions that have to be made

RIGHT NOW!

For instance, I am having some health problems lately. I have an ovary that is not behaving itself. It should have been removed last year when I had my last "procedure" but alas it was not. So now I have to decide if and when that will be removed. Not only that but I need to make a life altering decision about weather it is best to remove everything else related to the baby growing process as well. Yes I do mean the dreaded Hysterectomy. I am leaning toward not. This is a big decision and I don't want to have to revisit this issue in a year again.

Then there is the issue of Lou Lou.

Her behavior is getting very difficult to deal with. I have been in tears twice in the last twelve hours because of a certain behavior that she has decided to revisit. I am trying to find a Child Psychiatrist that will take patients without Medicaid and will also take our insurance. This is more difficult than it sounds. Something must be done though.

And SOON!

She is getting very defiant, and more difficult to handle than usual. So now I need to find a doctor that will prescribe her something to keep her calm, so that we can actually take care of her. I do not like drugging my child. I have to do that enough with her sister.

Speaking of The Bug,

we finally got her school placement changed. We have been working with the school district since November. It is now mid March and we have finally been granted what we asked for all those months ago. She will be placed in a Learning Center classroom as of next week. However the school that we are transferring her to is a year round school, and her new class goes off track as of next Monday. So now we have to wait another two weeks to put her where she belongs and can get the most help. I have to decide if we are keeping her in her current class for the next two weeks or just letting her go off track when the new class does. This is the easiest decision of them all right now. I do however want to make sure that we are doing the right thing in changing her school placement in the first place. This means not only a new class, and a new group of kids, but an entirely different school with an entirely different schedule. It also means a change from Mom taking her to school, to being bussed. The good thing about it is that she will be in the same school with the kids from our neighborhood. She will not be in the same class with any of them though.

I do not do well with decisions lately. I have a hard time choosing what I am going to wear every day. I just don't trust myself with the big stuff anymore for some reason. It is making me want to crawl back into bed and just sleep for the rest of the year, and its only March! I cannot seem to get past my weight issue either. I know most people look at me and don't have much sympathy. I am not fat, but I feel like I am. I weigh more now than I did when I gave birth to my girls. I do not feel good. I try to do things that will help, but I have a tendency to eat when I am stressed out, and I AM STRESSED OUT! I think I ate all day yesterday. Then I was more depressed because I can't seem to control my eating.

It just makes me want to cry.

It's such a vicious circle.

I have no time for other people or their problems, not because I am so busy, but because I can't seem to care. I have so many things on my own mind that it is like there is not room for anything else. I feel badly because I have friends that I know could use a shoulder to cry on right now, but I just can't bring myself to think of anything else. I have a hard time putting into words exactly how much stress this is causing in my life.

I know this is depressing post, please forgive me if I have ruined your day.

I just need to get it out sometimes.

Just a reminder

2010-03-13T12:51:00.000-08:00

A long time coming

I may have mentioned before that I would really like to have a blogger get together at my house. Well I am biting the bullet and just going for it. Here are the details...

My house

(if you want to know where that is just email me or comment and I will email you back)

Friday March 26th 7:30 pm

Bring something yummy to snack on, since I am not a restaurant and I don't want to provide dinner for my own family much less a bunch of crazybloggers.

I am doing this in the hopes that I will be able to meet some of you in person and put some names to faces.

Everyone who reads this is invited, and if you know someone who would be interested who isn't a regular reader, bring them along too.

(You may even get a prize for bringing a friend!)

Please leave a comment if you plan on attending!

What Happens on the Playground Stays on the Playground

2010-03-12T05:14:00.000-08:00

I had several things happen during recess duty this week that are going to stay with me for a while. Here is one that really stuck out in my mind.

A group of kids caught my eye as I was out on the playground the other day. There were seven of them to be exact. Six sixth graders and a Down Syndrome girl that is in Lu Lu's class. They caught my eye because... well we don't usually see the "normal kids" playing with the kids from that class. They are thrown together a lot during the regular school hours but when recess hits they don't hang out a lot. This group was more unusual because Jenny (all names are changed to protect the innocent) the girl from the "special class" is a couple of years younger than the kids she was playing with. I was worried at first when I noticed them together. In a world where kids like Jenny are not really accepted by their peers, seeing a group together like that makes a person worry a little. They were all laughing and smiling, and that makes an adult a little suspicious. I almost intervened, but instead I decided to stand and watch for a few minutes before passing judgement. It was then that I noticed that they were moving as a herd back and forth across the basket ball court. Then I noticed that Jenny was always in front, and that they were letting her take the lead. I had to stifle a little half laugh half sob when I figured it out. This amazing group of kids had figured out that Jenny likes to run, a lot. They were racing her across the court, and letting her win every time! I almost cried right there on the spot. It was one of the sweetest things I have seen yet. Jenny's teacher then walked over and spoke with them for a few minutes. There was some kind of agreement made and the next thing I knew, they were getting Jenny to race them to the doors of the school. Jenny by the way is a runner, and when faced with the idea of going inside after recess, she will always run the other direction. Not this day! She ran right over and cooperated in a way I have never seen her do. I guess in her mind it is OK to go inside as long as it isn't the teachers idea.

I walked over to the kids afterward and thanked them for being so kind. I told them that from the perspective of a parent of a child with disabilities that was an amazing thing to see. They all acted as though it was no big deal, but I wanted them to know that that little thing they did was an amazing act of kindness toward Jenny and ever adult on the playground that day was immensely impressed.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-03-10T08:01:00.001-08:00

Menu Monday: and don't forget to come to my blogger get together!

2010-03-08T08:51:00.000-08:00

Extra Energy Breakfast Cookies

1/2 cup softened butter

2/3 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

1/2 tsp vanilla

1 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1 cup oats

1 cup dried fruit

(craisins, raisins, apricots, dates, etc.)

1/2 cup dried bananas

1/2 cup nuts

Cream butter and sugar until fluffy, add eggs and vanilla and mix well. Mix in dry ingredients and then, mix in oatmeal, fruit and nuts. Drop by large spoonfuls onto cookie sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes.

I always double this recipe and I always use an ice cream scoop for these, because I serve them to my kids for breakfast. I like to think they are about the equivalent of a bowl of oatmeal, but don't quote me on that. I mix it up a lot too, I add whatever fruit looks good at the store and chocolate chips because that way I know my kids will eat them.

These cookies will give you massive amounts of energy. I ate one the other day and they walked three miles.

My mother also calls these "colon cleaning cookies"....

nuff said.

A long time coming

2010-03-05T12:46:00.000-08:00

I may have mentioned before that I would really like to have a blogger get together at my house. Well I am biting the bullet and just going for it. Here are the details...

My house

(if you want to know where that is just email me or comment and I will email you back)

Friday March 26th 7:30 pm

Bring something yummy to snack on, since I am not a restaurant and I don't want to provide dinner for my own family much less a bunch of crazy bloggers.

I am doing this in the hopes that I will be able to meet some of you in person and put some names to faces.

Everyone who reads this is invited, and if you know someone who would be interested who isn't a regular reader, bring them along too.

(You may even get a prize for bringing a friend!)

Please leave a comment if you plan on attending!

Question of the day?

2010-03-04T14:46:00.000-08:00

Did you know that your children don't wear their coats at recess?

Even when the tempurature is below freezing.

New Feature

2010-03-02T15:09:00.000-08:00

So I have been having a hard time finding things to write about, especially once I place myself in front of the actual computer. So I am starting a new feature that I am calling

What Happened on the Playground Stays on the Playground

I have something entertaining happen almost every day so I thought I would use this for blog fodder.

For instance....

I had a group of kids today playing with what I thought was a piece of wood. They were trying to convince another kid that it was a jaw bone. I walked over and told them they were extremely gullible, only to realize that it was an actual jaw bone! With teeth attached and everything. It was obviously canine in nature, but still extremely disgusting. I promptly threw it away and told anyone who had touched it to wash their hands immediately. Several of them went to the spot where it had been found and tried to find other parts. It is a spot on the north side of the school where the sun just doesn't shine so there is still a good bit of ice over there. They found more parts (teeth) and at that point I decided that they should stay away. We removed them with a stern warning to keep away and I made sure to find the janitor later and let him know where to look for the possibility that there might be more "parts".

Can I just say...

YUCK!

Actual Conversation

2010-02-26T16:24:00.000-08:00

As I was performing my "doodie" duty today during recess, I was approached by a boy. He was covered in mud that had dried all over his clothes and hands.

Me: Wow you are covered in mud

Student: (Looking indignant) Yeah my friend smacked his muddy hands on me!

Me: Nice

Student (Looking around for the friend he is tattling on) Yeah, so I smacked my hands on him.

(He then proceeds to point out the offending friend.)

Me: So you got each other.

Student: Yeah...

Me: So you are telling on him to get him in trouble?

Student: Yeah...

Me: Even though you got mud on him too?

Student: No we didn't get mud on each other (looking all innocent). We're friends why would we get mud all over each other. (Sly smile)

Me: Yeah that's what I thought.

(I was actually pretty impressed that he caught on to my little hint so fast!)

Question of the day?

2010-02-25T15:44:00.000-08:00

What do you think of these? Why?

Randomness

2010-02-19T14:23:00.000-08:00

I just watched this movie.

It seriously made me want to go dig out my roller blades and start practicing. I seriously want to go and see a match now too! I think this would be and awesome girls night thing. I really was apprehensive about watching this one, but I had heard it was really good. I have to agree. I am absolutely going to have to add this one to my movie collection.

-------

I had my first real emergency happen on the play ground today. A boy had a seizure. I didn't even know that anything was wrong with him until a girl pointed to him and said she thought he was having one. Thank heaven that little girl knew what she was talking about, because I probably got there just in time to stop him from falling over and hitting his head. He must have known it was coming on because before I even saw him he was sitting down against the building. It scared me to death! I didn't have my walkie talkie volume up high enough so when I called for help everyone could hear me, but I couldn't hear if anyone was coming to help. There was a couple of minutes of panic, and then someone showed up to help. I admit I probably didn't handle it with as much mental fortitude as I could have, but now that I know what to do hopefully things will go a little more smoothly the next time there is an emergency.

---------

I would like to plan a blogger get together at my house in the next couple of weeks. If you are interested please comment, and I will try to work around everyones schedules. I am leaning toward doing this on a Friday or Saturday night, probably after dinner time so we all have a chance to feed our families. This wouldn't exactly be a dinner thing it would be more like bring whatever you have around to munch on. I would like to get as many of you out there in blog land as possible, so that I can actually meet some of you in person, but it doesn't have to be only the people I know. If you have friends that you think might be interested, please include them in the invite too.

Please let me know if you are interested.

----------

Please include my friend Jo in your prayers she could really use them right now!

-------

Here are the tunes,

sorry no commentary today.

1. Dear Prudence- Souxie and the Banshees

2.Pretty in Pink- Psychedelic Furs

3. Jane Says- Jane's Addiction

4. Desperately Wanting- Better than Ezra

5. Our Lips are Sealed- The Go-Go's

6. Cruel Summer- Bananarama

7. Stay- Oingo Boingo

8. Elevator Love Letter- Stars

9. If I had $1,000,000- Barenaked Ladies

10. Golden Years- David Bowie

Review: Pasta maker (In which I reverse my decision to give this item a good review!)

2010-02-18T08:42:00.000-08:00

Remember this post?

Review: Pasta Maker

Yeah...

I TAKE IT BACK!!!

This dumb thing is falling apart!

It sticks so bad I had to take it apart the other day to see if there was something clogging it up. Then when I couldn't find anything and I still had half of my pasta dough left to flatten, I had to have Emanhaud hold the stupid thing down for me so I could finish because it won't stay attached to the counter because of the heavy amount of force needed to turn the stupid crank!!!!!

AAARRRGGGGGHHHHHH!

So that was the sound I made when I was trying to use it this week.

So do not buy one of these!

I am thinking of biting the bullet and buying the attachment for pasta that goes with my new mixer. Maybe then I won't have this problem.

I'll let you know if I do, and you can guarantee there WILL be a review for that one too.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-02-17T06:50:00.000-08:00

Question of the day?

2010-02-12T09:57:00.000-08:00

Do you watch Oprah? If so why? If not, why not?

Determination Perseverance Basketball

2010-02-09T14:57:00.000-08:00

I think I have mentioned that I have a new job as a play ground duty at my kids school. Sometimes there are moments that just stick out for me, today I had one of them. Let me first say that the line between boys and girls and their various activities has become blurred since I was in grade school, and its about time! There are more 6th grade girls playing basket ball then I could ever have thought and all I can say to that is

"Good for them!"

I was watching a group of 2nd and 3rd grade boys playing basket ball today. (OK so it wasn't really a "basket ball game" they were playing the game where there are two people aiming for the hoop and when one of them gets it in the other is out... can't remember what you call it.) As I was watching a little (and I do mean little, this third grader is at least a foot shorter than anyone in her grade) girl went to join them. They readily accepted her into their game, and she tried her very hardest to play like all of the boys. She had absolutely no chance of getting that ball in the hoop accept by chance.

Did that mean she gave up?

HECK NO!

That little thing tried her very hardest, throwing that ball granny style every single time. Usually from directly under the hoop. I watched for a couple of minutes and found myself amused, impressed and yes entertained. "That's the spirit" I thought to myself, and then something else caught my attention and I had to turn away from the game. I returned to my rounds about ten minutes later, and found her playing at another hoop with another group of boys. Aiming, and throwing in the same way, she again had very little chance of making a basket. There was a difference this time though. The last time she had been readily accepted into the group, and was encouraged with kind words. This time they were actually chanting her name when her time came. It brought tears to my eyes. What an incredible spirit of goodwill and sportsmanship, this little group had, to actually cheer her name and encourage this tiny little thing in her endeavor to win.

I think every day I have seen this kind of kindness shown by the children at this school.

THAT is what is making me love my job.

THAT is why I keep doing it!

Why Apologies Are Not Enough

2010-02-08T08:12:00.001-08:00

I found this post off of my friend Fiauna's blog and asked if I could copy it over. This was her response...

Sarah,

I'm glad you liked my post. Yes, you can definitely link to it on yours. I want the word to get around. We really need to change how we speak--especially those in power, you know what I mean?

So here is what she posted...

To Rahm Emanuel, Rush Limbaugh, and all others who choose to use that word in that way:

Your apologies are not enough. It saddens anddisappoints me that people in your positions and with your level of education have not elevated your sensitivity or vocabulary above that of the fifth grade. I challenge you to learn.

I will accept your apology when you have sat across the desk of a neurologist, therapist, pediatrician or educator and been told that your child is developmentally delayed, cognitively impaired, or mentally retarded.

I will accept your apology when you have changed an adult diaper, spoon fed a fifteen-year-old, or spent $40,000 of your own money on this therapy or that teaching technique just to hear your child say his or her own name.

I will accept your apology when you've seen the look on the faces of your children, the sudden wetness in their eyes, the blush on their cheeks, when they hear someone using that word, knowing that it refers (even if unintentionally) to their sister whom they love and adore.

I will accept your apology when you've spent sleepless nights cataloging every moment of your life trying to find out where you went so wrong to have irreparably damaged your own child and praying for the strength to move on.

I will accept your apology when you've looked into the eyes of the purest of souls and caught a glimpse of yourself, however small or fleeting, and realized that they are not here to learn but instead are here to teach.

I will accept your apology when you come to my home and meet my exceptionally beautiful daughter who may never go to college or have a child of her own, but who will undoubtedly capture your heart. And I guarantee you that you will never use that word in that way again.

Sincerely,

Fiauna Lund

Random Friday with Tunes

2010-02-05T08:02:00.000-08:00

I have had the hardest time lately coming up with stuff to blog about when I am sitting down to blog. When I am up and walking around with no writing utensil I am perfectly capable of thinking of things to talk about, but as mentioned I have nothing to write them down with.

Why is this?

Maybe I am intimidated by the computer?

NO!

Maybe I am intimidated by the people who will be reading this...

HA who am I kidding no one reads this!

Maybe I just am not creative enough to make my life sound interesting.

BINGO!

------------

Someone posted a not so great picture of me and an ex-boyfriend on FB. I look so young in it, well... I was young I was only 18! The problem is that it looks like and engagement picture. I am not sure that it is appropriate for a married woman to have a picture posted of her with someone that is not her husband.

What is the protocol for this.. anyone know?

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I have decided I really like my new job. I am a recess duty at my kids school. Everyone looks at me like I am insane when I say this. Why? I get to be paid to play outside. This isn't like being a a substitute, I don't have to keep them in line, or teach them anything. I just have to make sure they don't harm each other or themselves. There are relatively few rules.

Don't throw snow.

Don't touch each other.

Don't leave the playground.

Don't say bad words. Etc.

Pretty easy, right? So why is everyone surprised that I am liking this job. I guess it because I have expressed more than once that I don't really like kids that I don't know very well. The thing is that the more time I spend out there with them the more I know them so, problem solved!

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I am going to a concert in April...

I first started watching that show the season he was on it. I have been a huge fan of his ever since.

As far as I am concerned he is the only one that has ever deserved the fame that comes from being on that show.

I hope I don't drool!

----------

I have been asking a lot of questions on here. I don't ever post my own answers to my questions of the day. Does anyone think I should... That can be my question of the day.

---------

Here are the tunes... from my favorites list this week.

(With commentary, just because it has been so long since I have)

1. This is Where I Came In- Bee Gees

(For some reason I will always love these guys, I think they remind me of my childhood,

although I am not sure that my parents ever listened to them.)

2. Like a Prayer- Madonna

(I love her earlier music, but the new stuff, not so much!)

3. You Give Love a Bad Name- Bon Jovi

(Have you ever seen a singer with a sexier smile?)

4. Had a Dream- Bird York

(If you dont know who she is you should!)

5. Love Me Dead- LUDO

(This must be listened to at top volume!)

6. I Dare You to Move- Switchfoot

(Probably the only song by them that is any good)

7. Eyes On Fire- Blue Foundation

(One of the best soundtracks ever)

8. I Will Dare- The Replacements

(I have to dance when I hear this!)

9. Dare- Gorillaz

(Can anyone resist dancing to this one?)

10. Masquerade- Berlin

(See they did have other good songs.)

Wordless Wednesday

2010-02-03T09:20:00.001-08:00

Review: Cuisinart Mixer

2010-02-02T15:55:00.000-08:00

I asked for something for Christmas this year that I never thought I would ever ask for in a million years. I have never had a use for one of these, but I found myself wishing for one more than a few time over the last year.

I unwrapped all of my gifts on Christmas morning, and it wasn't present (pun, snort!). So I looked at Emanhaud, and said... "Where is my mixer?"

"What mixer" was his reply.

"Listen I know that your mom went in on a gift for me and the most expensive thing I have opened so far is this electric skillet that cost all of about $5o. I know how much your mom spends on each of us... so Where Is My Mixer?"

"OK, you will just have to look around for it!"

Long story short, I found it sitting under the kids Christmas tree in the dining room.

We had looked at several different models and name brands including the Kitchen Aid, but we went for the Cuisinart. It had the better motor, and options for the money.

It took me about a week to actually use it.

Not from lack of interest, just because I was burned out with cooking for Christmas.

I have to say it was a very good choice. Once I did actually break the thing out and learn how to use it I was instantly impressed. It has some really cool features. Like a timer, and a speed dial with 12 settings. Not to mention that it amps up on any speed over 1, so that you don't have flour spray all over your kitchen.

I never saw the need for an item like this before, because to tell the truth I really don't like baking, but I have found it to be one of those things that is essential for any good cook. I have only had it for a little over a month and I don't think I could live without it again.

Mindless Eating

2010-02-01T13:05:00.000-08:00

Do you mindlessly eat?

I do!

I will admit it, I eat without thinking about what I am putting into my mouth. Sometimes I do it out of boredom. Sometimes I do it as therapy, and sometimes I just do it because. I find myself looking for something to eat when I am not even hungry. Like when I have just finished a meal. Is this necessary? The answer to that would be a resounding NO! I need to break this habit. I would say that it is the number one reason why I cannot seem to loose weight, well that and the pesky no exercising problem. I need to get over the idea that I have to always have something in my mouth (insert snicker here). I have tried gum, but I have a problem with my jaw and it gives me a headache after a while. I have tried hard candies, but that never lasts long. I just need to get over this problem I have with eating.

Anybody have any advice?

Question of the day

2010-01-30T10:56:00.000-08:00

Do you make your kids do housework? If so... What do they do? At what age did you start them working? Did you have chores to do as a kid? If you don't make them do chores, why?

Free Advertising for DeNae

2010-01-27T16:39:00.000-08:00

If you want to know why I chose to do this particular post it is because I can't think of anything better to blog about. (See previous post.) All I have to say is I loved this post by DeNae and everyone should read it.

That is all.

2010-01-23T14:23:00.000-08:00

I should be posting more, I know this. The problem is that I don't really feel that there is anything good to be blogging about. I have been very depressed lately. A lot of that is due to the weather, and a lot is due just to me. I also feel that everyone has heard me complain enough lately and that if I don't have anything nice to blog I shouldn't be blogging at all. So this is my dilemma. Do I blog because it helps me get things off of my chest, even thought is turns out to be nothing but a complaint session? Or do I keep it to myself and just wait to blog until I have something cheerful to cover?

What do you think?

Wordless Wednesday (Actual sleep!)

2010-01-20T08:07:00.000-08:00

Procedure

2010-01-19T14:26:00.000-08:00

I had a little "procedure" done today. Before you get all concerned it was nothing like my last one. Not invasive, not even something that I had to be knocked out for.

I have arthritis in the base of my spine. More specifically in my right hip area. It causes me a great deal of pain. We think it has been caused and aggravated by lifting my almost 60lb child and her 50lb wheel chair. (Not at the same time.) For a long time I just thought it was a chiropractor issue. It would go out on me about twice yearly, in the spring and fall (the two wettest seasons of the year) and I would dutifully go and spend hundreds of dollars talking to and getting adjusted by my awesome chiropractor. Whom I love and did wonders for me. It did help a lot, really! However the pain never really went away. Well after years of having this problem, I decided that I just needed to see a regular doc. I went to see mine, and he recommended an MRI. I had it done, (that is a whole other funny story). The result was that I have severe arthritis in the base of my spine. Well that meant onto the spinal clinic. I met with them and they recommended I get steroid shots. I had them done about a year and a half ago. It was getting a little uncomfortable again so I decided that it was time again.

Here is the thing, I like to think I have a pretty high tolerance for pain. I went all the way through labor with a placental abruption. That is suppose to be very painful. I literally stub my toes every day. I have a child that hits, pinches, bites, scratches, etc. I have learned not to react too much to this over the years. I do however have a HUGE problem with shots. I was told once by my dentist that blonds and red heads have more nerve endings on the surface of their skin so shots hurt more. Well I am both a blond and a red head (yes this is possible) This explains why I am a complete baby when it comes to shots. They make me cry every time! I am thirty five years old and shots still make me cry! That is just pathetic.

I told myself that this time I was going to be brave.

I would not cry!

(crickets chirping)

Yeah right!

So much for that. I did at least hold it in long enough to get to my little room afterward. OK, I shed some tears in the operating room too, but not as many as I wanted to.

BUT MAN THAT HURTS!!!!

Imagine the most sensitive and painful part of your body. Now imagine someone poking a needle into it and wiggling it around for a few minutes. It was like getting the shot you get at the dentist but in my back.

It just emphasized to me that I am actually a huge wimp.

Please don't judge me for this.

(By the way I am just fine, the pain doesn't last long and the back is feeling much better as a result, so no worries.)

Menu Monday IIII (With a product review)

2010-01-18T10:00:00.000-08:00

So I got one of these for Christmas. It is an electric skillet from GE. Before anyone out there starts feeling sorry for me or thinks that my husband is a looser, I asked for it OK. Actually what I asked for was just an electric skillet to replace my old one that the handle broke off of. What I got was three times bigger and completely awesome! I haven't used it much since I got it because it is so big, in fact I have only used it once until Saturday night. I was making a new soup recipe and I thought instead of doing it in my usual soup pot I would whip this baby out and see how it went. I was beyond impressed! It has several different settings for cooking as well as for keeping thingswarm. It cooked really evenly and I have but one complaint about it.

IT HUGE!!!!

This is going to be a little bit of a problem because I am used to using it for smaller things but I am sure I can adjust.

Anyway, this is the recipe I tried in it and it turned out fabulous!

Corn and Sausage Soup

2 1/2 cups chopped onion

1 cup chopped celery

1 cup diced carrots

6 tbsp butter

1 1/2 lb fully cooked smoked sausage

diced into about 1/2 inch chunks

3 cloves garlic minced

4 cans tomato sauce

2 cans corn drained

1 large can diced tomatoes

2 cup beef broth

3 bay leaves

2 Tbsp. Italian seasoning

1/2 tsp pepper

In a heavy pot (or electric skillet), heat butter and add celery, carrots, and onion. Saute until soft, and add sausage and garlic. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes. Use beef broth to de-glaze pan and add remaining ingredients. Simmer uncovered for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Discard bay leaves before serving.

I made some modifications to this recipe but they are reflected above. The original recipe called for green and red peppers instead of carrots, but I don't like them. I used canned corn instead of the frozen it asked for. It also called for Italian diced tomatoes, and sauce and I didn't have either so I upped my herbs and added regular of both. I also replaced the water that it called for with beef broth for a deeper flavor. It turned out really well. I added salt because the recipe didn't call for any but realized that it didn't need any with the beef broth and the sausage. It was almost too salty, but we really liked it that way! I made home made bread to go with it, and it was the perfect winter soup.

I highly recommend this recipe and the skillet I cooked it in!

Question of the day?

2010-01-12T16:40:00.000-08:00

Having spent a lot of time the last couple of days watching children play. I have started to wonder about the "art" of playing. Yes it is an art. If you define art as something that is creative that you throw your whole effort and heart into. I have watched children run and jump and laugh and cry, all in the name of play. They don't need much either, maybe a ball or some snow, but the majority of the time there is nothing but their imaginations. So the question I ask you is...

Do you play?

And what do you play?

An open letter to the child puking into a bowl in the other room...

2010-01-11T09:53:00.000-08:00

Dear beloved Child,

I love you! There is no disputing this. I do however wonder sometimes about your timing. Did you know that today is suppose to be my first day at my new job? I know that you are far more important, that is obvious. As mom however it is very difficult to teach you the important qualities of follow through, and responsibility if you force me to have to get a substitute for my first day of work. Just sayin!

I hope you feel better soon! LIKE TOMORROW!

Your Loving Mother

Fridays Randomness and Tunes

2010-01-08T11:04:00.000-08:00

I am so tired lately.

Why, you ask?

For about a two week period of time every month I have very vivid dreams. Last night I dreamed an entire new Terminator movie. Seriously right up until the terminators emerged from my washing machine, it was totally plausible.

I wake up completely exhausted. I am normally a very heavy sleeper, and rarely remember my dreams, so this is a very frustrating thing. It seems to have been getting worse as I get older too. I also can't sleep on my stomach any more because of my back problems. I used to love sleep, now it's just a chore.

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The Bug had to have a hearing test the other day. We requested it in order to make sure that everything was working fine so that when they ask if her hearing has been tested, we can say yes.... Now listen to us and hold her back a year! Apparently she was trying to fail it. She was suppose to raise her hand every time she heard a noise. She was not raising her hand but would look up at the speech pathologist every time. So

Angie,

(speech person extraordinaire!)

told her that if she heard all the noises and passed the test she would get a treat.

She passed with flying colors!

Amazing what a little treat will do for my child's ability to hear. Her resource teacher called to tell me about this and we both had a pretty good laugh about it.

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So good news about my kids, I know it is rare so when we get it I have to share. The Bug is seizure free. As per her last EEG there was no seizure activity. Which means that we can start whittling down her seizure meds and start her back on the ADD meds.

HEY!

I know it isn't great news, as far as meds go... but it's OK news and we'll take it.

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So as of Monday I have a new job! Yep that is right, I will be officially employed!!

YEAH!!!

OK so don't get too excited, it is just part time, and I have hardly any hours, but it is just what I was looking for. So do you want to know what it is?

I am....

the new recess duty at my girls school!

It is just the right thing for me, I will have all the same holidays off as my girls. I will have summers off without having to actually quit my job. It is just the right hours, and best of all I have acquired a new nick name to go with it!

DOODIE!

Yes this is what all the kids will be calling me!

AWESOME HUH!

The down side is no more lunches out with the girls, No more MAK's. No more hanging out reading a book all afternoon.

But hey I am being paid to go to recess... I'll take it!

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Is the whole world pregnant? Just wondering...

(it sure seems like it)

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I have decided to start taking pictures of the modifications we have made over the years in the name of keeping our child safe. There are several things we have done that seem ridiculous on the surface, but have really helped keep Lou Lou safe. I have also received submissions from other people, if you have anything you would like to submit for this future post just email me a picture.

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Here are the tunes off of my favorites list

1. I Turn My Camera On- Spoon

2. Ricochet- Shiny Toy Guns

3. Hit Me With Your Best Shot- Pat Benatar

4. Sex on Fire- Kings of Leon

5. Jivetalkin- Bee Gees

6. Alone- Heart

7. Birdhouse In Your Soul- They Might Be Giants

8. It's the End of the World as We Know It- R.E.M.

9- Voices Carry- 'Till Tuesday

10. Pepper- Butthole Surfers (I hate the name of this band but I love the song!)

Wordless Wednesday

2010-01-06T16:17:00.001-08:00

Question of the day

2010-01-05T07:55:00.001-08:00

Would you use one of these? If so... why? If not... why not?

Review: Pasta maker

2010-01-02T07:35:00.000-08:00

I have decided that I am going to start reviewing items that I buy (well technically I was given this as a gift, but whatever). This is my first, so here goes.

The Al Dente Pasta Maker

Like I said I was given this by my parents for Christmas, and I just have to say... This thing is awesome! You make a simple dough, recipe for which is in the instruction book that it comes with. You have to do very little needing, because it does it all for you. As long as you follow the instructions it all turns out great. I found that it took a little practice to get things right, but I played with it for a full afternoon and got it down. It makes flat noodles for Lasagna, which I made last night and it was fabulous. It also has a cutter for making spaghetti, and fettuccine. Plus you can make them as thin or thick as you like. I think the next step is drying my pasta that I make and seeing where that takes me. The only down sides I saw to this machine, is that when I first started using it there was some kind of metallic shavings that were embedded into the dough from the machine. This is why I suggest playing with it for a while before actual use. The dough seemed to kind of clean it out. It doesn't beat the convenience of just opening a box of pasta, but it sure does taste a lot better. Maybe it is the whole idea of "I made it all myself" that made it taste better. Whatever it is I think it was worth it.

I give this machine 3 1/2 stars!

(Out of 4)

Question of the day

2009-12-31T09:51:00.000-08:00

So did you get anything you weren't expecting for Christmas?

Why I am seriously thinking of never going to a theatre again.

2009-12-29T20:27:00.000-08:00

Let me just preface this post by saying that I love movies, I love watching new ones, I love watching old ones. I love going to the theatre, and sitting down with a giant bag of popcorn. I love licking the salt and butter off of my fingers because I almost never remember to pick up a napkin. I love sneaking extra snacks into the theatre in my extra large purse. I love watching the previews that seem to last almost as long as the movie these days. I don't even mind it that in a really old theatre my shoes stick to the floor.

Well today we got the great idea that we would take our girls to a movie. This can be a stressful experience for us because a lot of theatres aren't exactly wheel chair friendly. Either we have to sit at the very front and try not to come out with a crick in the neck from looking straight up at the screen. Or we have to try to squeeze the wheel chair into the sometimes awkward slots that are "made for" the wheel chair bound. The best theatres are the ones that have an elevator that takes us up to the top so we can be behind everyone else and not be a spectacle. These unfortunately are few and fare between though. The one that we went to today is a dollar theatre, that was unfortunately none of these. It is an old one that is NOT wheel chair friendly. This particular one has one isle directly down the middle with about 8 seats on either side. The isle also happens to be very small. Which means that not only do we have to park the chair in the isle, but that it blocks anyone from getting past us as well. We have only been to this place once before and managed to make a good time of it so we figure... hey, why not. We chose a movie that had been given great reviews, The Fantastic Mr. Fox. We sat three rows from the front, because it was what was available when we arrived. It was a good location because it was far from the door, and hardly anyone would be tripping over us.

Now let me say now that my child that sits in the wheel chair is not a quiet child. She is a little noisy. We do NOT take her to adult movies, we take her to children's movies, ones where there are other children present. Other noisy children. As we sat in the theatre watching this particularly horrible movie, there were two girls sitting in the front row who were continually turning around and staring at my kid! Every time she made even the slightest peep they would turn around and stare at my child. Is it just me or is this incredible rude? I understand that it is human nature to look when you hear a startling noise, I can understand looking more than just once. What I cannot understand it turning and staring for 30 seconds each time. This happened repeatedly throughout the movie. Once I just looked at them and said "She Can't help it!" This was easily the rudest thing that has ever been directed at my handicap child.

Add to this the fact that this movie sucked! Which I expressed to my husband thirty minutes into the movie when I leaned over to him and whispered "this sucks"! It was like someone had had a sixth grader rewrite the script to Oceans 11 and then tried to put it in a cartoon form. By the time it was over we were so glad to get out of the theatre that we were even OK with the fact that it was snowing all the way home.

I came out of there so frustrated, and very glad that I did not pay full price to see this movie.

This seriously makes me want to never go to a movie theatre again!

THANK HEAVEN FOR NETFLIX!!!

Merry Christmas

2009-12-24T05:33:00.000-08:00

Here is this years attempt at family photos. As you all know I have a talented husband who has a real knack for photography. You can see some of his work here. We have however decided that it might be better to have someone else take our family photos from now on. I hope these give you all a nice Christmas chuckle!

Hey! At least we are all mostly sitting still... kind of. Unlike these...

Don't we all look happy!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Wordless Wednesday (Mercy)

2009-12-22T18:53:00.000-08:00

Sunday Thoughts #6

2009-12-20T06:03:00.000-08:00

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

Dear Santa

2009-12-18T08:11:00.001-08:00

Something to think about

2009-12-15T07:22:00.000-08:00

A Walk in Our Shoes

 
Twas the Night Before Christmas
And all through the house
The creatures were stirring
Yes, even the mouse
  
We tried melatonin 
And gave a hot bath
Asleep early for Christmas?
...an unlikely path
   
The children were finally
All nestled in bed
When visions of Christmas 
Ran through my OWN head
 
Did I get the right gift?
The right color and style?
Would there be a blank stare
Or even, maybe, a smile?
  
Friends & family come
But they don't understand
The pleasure he gets
Just from bending his hands.
   
"Just make him stop it," some say
"Just tell him "no",
You must learn to be tough.."
On, and on they do go...
   
We smile and nod
Because we know deep inside
The debate is moot
Let them all take a side

We know what it's like
To live with the spectrum
The struggles and triumphs
Achievements, regressions….
  
But what some don't know
And what some don't see
Is the joy that we feel
Over simplicity.
   
He said "hello"!
He ate something green!
He looked me in my eyes
He did not cause a scene!
   
He peed on the potty!
Who cares if he's ten;
He stopped saying the same thing
Again and again!"
   
Some others don't realize
Just how we can cope
How we bravely hang on
At the end of our rope
   
But what they don't see
Is the joy we can't hide
When our children with autism
Make the tiniest stride
   
We may look at others 
Without the problems we face
With envy, with wonder,
Or even distaste,
   
What we want them to know
What's important to see
Is that children with autism
Bring simplicity.
   
We don't get excited
Over expensive things
We jump for joy
With the progress work brings
   
Children with autism
Try so hard every day
That they make us proud
More than words can say.
   
They work even harder
Than you or I
To achieve something small
To reach a star in the sky
   
So to those who don't get it
Or can't get a clue
Take a walk in our shoes
And I'll assure you…
  
That even 10 minutes
Into the walk
You'll look at us all
With respect, even shock.
  
You will realize
What it is we go through
And the next time you see us
I can assure you
   
That you won't say a thing
You'll be quiet and learn,
Like the years I learned too
When the tables were turned.


utahmaks.blogspot.com

Some Randomness for Friday

2009-12-11T08:40:00.000-08:00

I have been trying to exercise more frequently. Let me just preempt that statement by saying

I HATE TO EXERCISE!

Really I do not enjoy it, especially in the winter when it is too cold to go outside. We acquired an elliptical machine a while back it has been helping a lot. I get very bored doing it though. I have finally discovered the secret to not getting bored while working out on it. Iron Chef! Have you watched this show? I can seriously go through my entire work out watching it and not even realize that I am exercising. It is just fast paced enough to keep my attention and you really don't have to hear every little word that is said, which is good because that machine is LOUD! Try it some time its awesome!

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I haven't been cooking much. This is a big deal for me. I love to cook but lately I just feel burned out on it. The good thing is that when I have been cooking lately I have been making pretty big meals, so there are plenty of left overs that I can heat up for dinner another night. So that's nice for me because then I don't have to cook a real dinner.

Vicious circle I think.

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Every year my neighborhood has a New Years party. We have all the adults in one house and all the kids are at my house with sitters. Yes this idea was thought up by yours truly! It is one of the most fun things we do all year. I am looking forward to that more than Christmas. Is that bad?

So what do you do for New Years Eve?

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Honestly I was so close to telling off a couple of people this week simply because they seem to feel that driving laws don't apply to them. One lady almost cause a three car accident by crossing a road when she clearly did not have the right of way. Another was parked next to my car in the school parking lot, which isn't a bad thing accept that it was a no parking zone next to a handicap spot. Yeah the one with the bright yellow stripes across it so that people who have wheel chairs have room to get into their cars. Yeah that's right, she parked there with her engine running and her kids in the back seat so she could run into the school to pick up her other kid! I was so close to telling her off. Its a good thing I am such a non confrontational person!

REALLY I AM!

You don't believe me?

Well you obviously have never met me in person! I am sassy in private but a big chicken in person. Its sad really, you should pity me!

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Does anyone else out there find that they have more people to pray for since joining Facebook? Now that I am in contact with more of my old friends and acquaintances and they all post their problems and issues, I find that there are a lot more people to pray for. Our list of people that we include in our prayers has increased about ten times what it was before FB.

Weird huh?

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People always make fun of me for moving within my own neighborhood. Why is this? I live in an entirely different house. I could see making fun of me if I had purchased a house that was exactly like our old one but this one is bigger and has completely different floor plan. Plus I have the best neighbors ever so why would I move away from them?

Seriously I do have the best neighbors ever, hands down they are way better than yours! We even get together for dessert night about every other month. Everyone brings something and we all just sit around and talk and ignore our kids while they destroy someones house.

Its awesome!

----------

Has anyone noticed how often I use the word AWESOME? Or how often I use this symbol !!!!!!? I may have to start keeping count.

----------

Everyone have a great weekend!

Here are the tunes:

1. I'm Alive- David Cook

2. When Doves Cry- Prince

3. Love Etc.- Pet Shop Boys

4. Porcelain- Better than Ezra

5. Pork and Beans- Weezer

6. Hell Yes- Beck

7. Dig- Incubus

8. The Metro- Berlin

9. Iris- Goo Goo Dolls

10. Flightless Bird, American Mouth- Iron and Wine

Bonus:

Kings and Queens- 30 Seconds to Mars

Wordless Wednesday

2009-12-09T08:16:00.001-08:00

Did you know?

2009-12-07T13:17:00.000-08:00

I was really bummed the other day when I realized that I missed our Relief Society Christmas party. However they played a game that I don't think I would have been very good at. Everyone was suppose to write down something that no one knew about them and then they all guessed who it was. Not that I wouldn't have been able to guess some of them but I am an open book. I talk about everything, and every one knows everything about me. Five minutes with me and you will know everything about my entire life. So I was trying to think of things that no one knows. So tell me if you knew this stuff....

I was the first girl my husband every really kissed.

I kissed more than 20 boys as a teenager.

I have moved 18 times in my life.

The longest I have ever lived anywhere is 8 years. That was in the house we just sold last year.

I was born a red head, and my grandmother thought I was the mail mans kid.

I am a walking recessive gene. Everyone else in my family has dark hair, and dark eyes.

I have been almost every hair color there is, including green and orange.

I love dogs.

I do not consider myself a Utah Mormon even though I have lived here the majority of my life.

I weigh more now that I did when I gave birth to my twins. (Not something I am proud of.)

I have driven to both coasts, in a car with no power steering, or cruise control.

I paid $125 for my first car and repaired it with my own money and mostly with my own hands.

I don't like mushrooms, but I cook with them pretty often.

I love ice cream, I could eat it for every meal.

I hate seafood, but I will eat canned tuna, as long as it pickles and miracle whip.

I almost always have at least two pair of socks on in the winter.

I hate the winter

I have never lived anywhere that is warm for more than 6 months of the year.

New York is the coldest place I have ever lived.

I want to move to Orlando, or Phoenix just because they are warm.

I haven't been to Disney Land since I was a kid, but I have been to Disney World twice in adulthood.

I hate wearing black.

I love the smell of fingernail polish, I find it very relaxing.

I can't type more than 25 words a minute.

My sister is one of my best friends, but it wasn't always that way.

I have a brother. I am always surprised that people don't know this. I guess I don't talk about him much.

I love meeting new people, but I am very bad at maintaining friendships.

So there you go, a few things about me that you may or may not have known.

What should I know about you?

Random Friday

2009-12-04T10:26:00.000-08:00

So I know I am going to be completely ridiculed for this but I really don't like Christmas.

There I said it!

We spend way too much money, we get too stressed out because of this and being over scheduled. December is just a very frustrating time for me. I don't even like Christmas music, too many years of listening to the easy listening station at work. I especially don't like that it has to start in October. There make fun if you like, but this is my blog and if I can't state my feelings than what's the point.

(I do like getting presents though!)

-----------

I have been so tired lately. I feel like I could lay down and take a nap at any given moment.

Do you ever feel like that? What do you do? Do you give in?

---------

I hate cleaning toilets!

Nuff said.

--------

I think I may have an ear infection.

YEAH!

(sarcasm)

---------

I am panicked about my child breaking something on my tree. Not because I care if she breaks any of my old ornaments, but because I don't want her to cut herself. As an autistic she has some rather obsessive tendencies and one of those is that once you say no to her about something she can't leave it alone. I have to keep reminding myself that there is nothing glass on my tree.

Thus nothing she can hurt herself on. I had an actual nightmare about it the other day, it really freaked me out.

----------

Do you have anything on your Ipod (or other device) that you would never admit to having?

No!

.... yeah.... me neither.....

Why?

Oh just curious.

----------

No news on The Bug yet, but we did go see the neurologist yesterday and had yet another EEG. So maybe it will tell us something different than what we already know. We did learn there is something called reading epilepsy. Seizures that are brought on by reading and other types of cognitive stress. Weird huh!

-----------

Here are the tunes:

1. When Did Your Heart Go Missing- Rooney( Just kind of a fun song, reminds me of summer, probably because of the video.)

2. Big Girls Don't Cry- Fergie (Milo you are so yummy!)

3. Rock Me Amadeus- Falco (Oh come on who doesn't love this song!)

4. Only the Lonely- The Motels (Classic 80's)

5. Makes Me Wonder- Maroon 5 (Love them!!!)

6. Stone Cold Yesterday- Connells (Again just a classic)

7. Paralyzer- Finger Eleven (One of my all time favorites!)

8. Stay- Oingo Boingo (These guys will always remind me of my sophmore year!)

9. The Killing Moon- Echo and the Bunnymen (Best band name ever!)

10. Here Comes Your Man- Pixies (Not my favorite of theirs but still good.)

Bonus:

What Have You Done Now- Within Temptation

(If You're Wondering If I Want you to) I Want you to- Weezer

Just Say Yes- Snow Patrol

1901- Phoenix

Just Breathe- Pearl Jam

Wordless Wednesday

2009-12-02T07:02:00.001-08:00

Thankless

2009-12-01T04:17:00.000-08:00

I have been feeling very sorry for myself lately. I have a very hard time when the weather changes from bright, warm and sunny to dark, cold and cloudy. It affects my mood a lot. It affects the way I see things, and it is really hard for me not to just give in to the depression that follows. It doesn't help that things with the kids lately have been... difficult. It doesn't help that things with my health have been less than perfect lately. It doesn't help that the "spend like there is no tomorrow" season is upon us. I have a tendency to wallow about when things aren't going perfectly. I sort of sink into the mire of life and settle in for the winter. I have even temporarily given up my only real outlet, blogging. Then here I am at 5 am reading other people's blogs. Just for something to do, because sleep is alluding me once again. And I run into this on one of my favorite blogs.

I cried.

This is what I feel like today, what I have felt like for quite a while now. It probably doesn't help that I haven't been exercising. It doesn't help that I have gained weight (seriously I had to go buy new pants people!) It doesn't help that I have had to clean up messes almost constantly, blood, urine, toys, you name I have cleaned it up lately. But that put it all in perspective. I will try to remember that there is a reason for what I am doing. There is a reason for all that happens, while I am doing what I am doing. I may not know exactly the reason right now, but some day I will and it will all make sense.

So here I go, trying to do what I should, even if only He sees me.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-11-25T07:38:00.001-08:00

Gratitude

2009-11-24T14:58:00.000-08:00

There are a lot of things in my life that I complain about but deep down I really am grateful for. Like my family. I know I shouldn't complain about them, but sometimes I get into this kind of habit of listing their faults instead of saying how great they are. So I am stating this here and now. I have a spectacular family. I have beautiful and loving children that have been a tremendous blessing in my life. I have loving and giving parents that have always been a good example of how to show love to others through service. I married into an amazing family of smart strong people. And to top it all off, I have a truly amazing husband, who is a great father, a worthy priesthood holder, and wonderful provider for our family.

I have some of the best people in my life.

I live in a time when there is so much plenty. We have food at the touch of a button. I have never gone hungry, I have never suffered, I have never really wanted for anything in my life. I have been blessed with an abundance of knowledge in my life. I have been blessed with the opportunity of receiving an education. I have had wonderful examples of intelligent and gifted people who have influenced me to better myself. I live in a time when tiny babies can be kept alive that would have been put in a bed to die just a few years earlier. I owe a great debt to modern medical science. I live in a house with indoor plumbing. No cold walks to the out house for me. Now that is a miracle! I have electricity in my home that helps to keep me warm, cook my food, and light my way in the dark.

Most of all I have been given the gift of life, and given the gift of choice to do with it what I will.

I am grateful for all of these things and so much more!

What are you grateful for this holiday season?

Sunday Thoughts #5

2009-11-22T09:07:00.000-08:00

Doctrine and Covenants 122: 7 & 8

And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.

The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?

Randomness for Friday

2009-11-20T04:13:00.000-08:00

Have you seen this?

Holy crap people, I think this is taking it a little too far. I mean yes I have read the books (more than once), and yes I did see the first movie, and yes I will probably see the second. But don't you think this is a bit much?

Just sayin.

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I am so looking forward to Thanksgiving. It is one of my favorite holidays. (This list does not include Christmas, go ahead and harass me about it if you must.) I love cooking and I love cooking big meals. It is actually something that I consider fun. Some people think I am crazy but it is something that I really enjoy. As much as my family all make each other crazy too, I really like it when we are all together. I am hosting ours this year and very much looking forward to it.

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It is a week of blogger get togethers. I went to one yesterday, and going to one today. I am saving up for one big post.

Keep posted!

(he he... I crack myself up)

----------

Do you watch this show? If not you should. I need my weekly Sheldon fix. It makes me feel more normal. Same goes for Dwight.

----------

I have a book club that I started several years ago. Every time it's just the same five people. I have tried to get more people to come, but now I am thinking it's nice just keeping it small like it is. I wouldn't mind if others started coming, but it doesn't bother me any more like it used to. We don't spend the entire time talking about the book. Maybe if someone new came they would be irritated by that. We do a lot of chatting that is not about books. In fact every time we have one Emanhaud asks if we discussed the book at all. I tell him yes we did, for at least five minutes. He seems to find this very funny for some reason.

---------

It is 5:30am and I have been up since 4, so that is all I have the energy for.

Here are the tunes...

From my favorites list this week:

1. When Did Your Heart Go Missing- Rooney

2. Been Caught Stealing- Jane's Addiction

3. You Surround Me- Erasure

4. Devil Inside- INXS

5. Geraldine- Glasvegas

6. So In Love- OMD

7. Tremble for My Beloved- Collective Soul

8. If Everyone Cared- Nickleback

9. Satisfied- Squeeze

10. Breathe- Anna Nalick

It really Bugs me

2009-11-17T14:45:00.000-08:00

I have something I have been meaning to write about for some time now, but I was waiting until I actually had something to report. There is a little bit of back story first...

This is The Bug...

She is 11, cute huh!

This is how The Bug Started out is life. Not so cute! This is after her chest tube had been removed. That patch that is blocking you from seeing her face is holding in the tube that is making it so she can breath. The patches on her back are measuring her breathing and heart rate. She lived the first two months of her life in a plastic box, surrounded by tubes and wires. She weighed 1lb. 12oz. when she was born.

This is not an easy thing to get over.

Nor does it happen quickly.

We are very lucky to have her. Blessed is the word we use. She and her sister are the best blessing we have ever received from our Heavenly Father. We are beyond flattered that he thought so much of us to entrust us with these amazing children.

I have a secret though...

Sometimes I get tired of fighting.

We have had a lot of fighting lately. Not with The Bug, about The Bug. (Don't worry we are not fighting with each other. We are fighting with the school district.) About 2 years ago The Bug was put on a horrible seizure medication that made her regress to the level of about a 1st grader. This happened right in the middle of her 4th grade school year. Because seh started out the year already behind, that year we tried to get her held back, so she could learn the stuff she missed.

We were told NO.

The next year we tried again to get her held back because she was SO far behind the other kids. We were told...

"It's not going to happen, stop trying".

So we have been doing what we can to help her try to keep up with the kids her age. She was behind when she started, and has progressively fallen further and further behind as the school year has progressed. Next year she enters the seventh circle of Hell, better known as Junior High.

I am terrified.

Not just because it is Junior High, not just because I don't want my baby to grow up. Anyone who knows me knows that I am more than willing to let my babies grow up. I have had 11 years of infancy for Heavens sake. This is not the problem.

I am terrified because I will be releasing my child that has an IQ of around 80 and the social maturity of about a 4th grader into the HELL that is Junior High. I have felt for some time like my hands are tied as far as the choices we have.

Well....Her teachers have finally caught on!

Her Resource teacher came to me the other day and said that the other 6th grade teachers approached her and stated that she should NOT be sent on to the next level. Someone actually asked me if I had thought of holding her back a year......

My response, you ask?

(Gigantic Pause!)

SERIOUSLY!

(Said in complete frustration)

Sometimes I just want to scream!

Long story short (too late!) we are having her tested for PDD-NOS which is a pervasive developmental delay, (like we don't already know that she has one) and are looking at putting her into what they call a learning center (a class for kids with behavioral issues). We have also had a very serious discussion with people from the district about holding her back next year. AND THEY ACTUALLY LISTENED!

So as it stands right now we are waiting....

and waiting...

to see what happens with our child. To see if people actually listen to us and realize that WE TOO have our child's best interests at heart. To see if we may have to go to more drastic measures, ie. home school.....

YIKES!

So as it stands right now we are... waiting... and testing.

Bottom line... change is coming. I will keep you updated as it happens.

Cross your fingers for us... would you please?

An open letter...

2009-11-13T14:58:00.000-08:00

Dear Sun,

Please don't go away again. I miss you too much when you are gone. I don't like the cold, I don't like winter for that matter. I would like to see you for at least a couple of hours every day. I would even be OK with those days that are frigid cold as long as I get to see you at the same time.

Love you and miss you!

Sarah