On the homeschool front, it was a good day. But it was odd in other ways.
Today was A's big therapy day. One hour of Speech and an hour of OT. That's two hours of waiting and "Waiting Room Schooling."
We often meet interesting people while waiting for A. Sometimes it's unruly and undisciplined kids. Other times it is grumpy old people and sometimes it is just nice curious people.
Today was a humdinger.
This older gentleman came in with a son my age who was being seen. He came right over to strike up a conversation with me. The conversation started out fine but went waaaaaaaaaaaay off center. He had lost his first wife to cancer and met his second wife due to his "dressing up."
What sort of dressing up you might wonder?
Well, he whipped out a picture when I didn't take the bait. A nice full bodyshot of him wearing a blonde wig, lots of make-up, a bright pink dress, and white 3 inch heels.
Oh my.
Eventually he asked about the boys and the schoolwork that we were doing. I told him that the boys were homeschooled.
That was just too much for him. He retreated to the other side of the waiting room to speak to his son about how odd WE were for homeschooling.
His son is apparently quite a tolerant fellow. I overheard him saying that he had heard that homeschooled kids turned out really smart.
It was kind of surreal.
Then on the way home down a very busy four-lane road, we watched a buck jump the guard rail and crash into the two cars in front of us. The people were fine. The cars were damaged. The buck spun on his back a couple of times before getting up and walking slowly off the road.
We talked about it for the rest of the trip home. The boys were sad to learn that the buck would probably die but it is best they know how life really works. They've gotten pretty good at spotting sugar coating, so I didn't even attempt to.
I didn't explain the waiting room guy though.
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Get Squished!
Today is the day I have been dreading for the last two weeks.
Today, I get my baseline mammogram. I am beyond thrilled.
I know what you are thinking. You're thinking, "Sheila, aren't you a bit on the young side for a mammogram." Why yes, I am. I just hit 35 this summer. However, since I have a family history for breast cancer and since one member was diagnosed at 33 and dead at 35, I am actually a few years late.
So I double reasons to dread. First of all, it's no ice cream party and second...what if they find something?
I don't time to have a cold...much less something big. A takes up a large part of my worry and then I have to spread the rest of my worry out among various family members. I don't have any worry left for me.
So say a little prayer at around lunch today. I'll take a tormenting technition if everything looks all clean and dandy.
UPDATE***
It wasn't that bad. Mastitis was bad. That thrush infection that caused cracking and then went in deep...that was bad. The mammogram...not bad and quite short. I didn't get a bit of knitting done except to cast on for a new hat. (Alas the old hat, we barely new him. He was denied due to his colors and the winds of a a 4 year old's fancy.)
I get the report in a week.
Today, I get my baseline mammogram. I am beyond thrilled.
I know what you are thinking. You're thinking, "Sheila, aren't you a bit on the young side for a mammogram." Why yes, I am. I just hit 35 this summer. However, since I have a family history for breast cancer and since one member was diagnosed at 33 and dead at 35, I am actually a few years late.
So I double reasons to dread. First of all, it's no ice cream party and second...what if they find something?
I don't time to have a cold...much less something big. A takes up a large part of my worry and then I have to spread the rest of my worry out among various family members. I don't have any worry left for me.
So say a little prayer at around lunch today. I'll take a tormenting technition if everything looks all clean and dandy.
UPDATE***
It wasn't that bad. Mastitis was bad. That thrush infection that caused cracking and then went in deep...that was bad. The mammogram...not bad and quite short. I didn't get a bit of knitting done except to cast on for a new hat. (Alas the old hat, we barely new him. He was denied due to his colors and the winds of a a 4 year old's fancy.)
I get the report in a week.
Monday, November 07, 2005
Weekend recap
The boys are not aware that the weekend is over. They are begging to forgo schoolwork this morning to watch Iron Giant. No happening little men. Work...then play.
Let's see, the weekend.
Saturday we got up at he unholy time of 6:30 and dressed all the inhabitants, hooked up the scout masters trailer to ZooDad's v-8, loaded all the boys into my van, caravaned over to my mom and sister's town to pick up our Cub Scout Pack's popcorn. The Popcorn kernel was out of town and had entrusted that responsibility to us.
After loading up $4K of popcorn, we drown it back across town to a church where we were having a fundraising bazaar, unloaded it, counted it all again, and started distributing it to the various scout parents who came by. This kept us busy until 1pm. I knitted a bit. The boys jumped in the inflatable jumpers and ZooDad entertained another mom by sarcastically describing his morning's trip to Bo'Jangels for breakfast. Apparently he did a little employee training while waiting for our biscuits.
When we got hoe, we had lunch and a nap...generally wasting the rest of the day.
Sunday, I awoke at he unholy hour of 6 am and went to the grocery store. By 9 am, I was home, groceries were put up, and the children had all be fed. Yay me!
The kids played outside while ZooDad went into the office to get some stuff done. Then we all went to see Chicken Little. Cute, cute, cute movie but somewhat scary for the lady beside us. She screamed twice.
J was so adorable. He's getting to be a big boy and got embarrassed by the lovely behavior between two characters. At one point he covered his whole face and couldn't even watch.
M was oblivious and didn't even notice.
It was the baby's first movie. He did a great job and stayed in his seat and quiet for most of the movie. We always pick the same seating are each time. The row right behind the handicapped seats. I don't mind the people walking in front of us and it gives the boys a place to get up a stretch a little when they get antsy.
We got to see the Narnia Trailer and the Shaggy Dog and Cheaper by the Dozen 2 trailer. Those go on the movie list. Along with Goblet of Fire and Zathursia...or however it's spelled.
Cool. Movies to look forward to.
Let's see, the weekend.
Saturday we got up at he unholy time of 6:30 and dressed all the inhabitants, hooked up the scout masters trailer to ZooDad's v-8, loaded all the boys into my van, caravaned over to my mom and sister's town to pick up our Cub Scout Pack's popcorn. The Popcorn kernel was out of town and had entrusted that responsibility to us.
After loading up $4K of popcorn, we drown it back across town to a church where we were having a fundraising bazaar, unloaded it, counted it all again, and started distributing it to the various scout parents who came by. This kept us busy until 1pm. I knitted a bit. The boys jumped in the inflatable jumpers and ZooDad entertained another mom by sarcastically describing his morning's trip to Bo'Jangels for breakfast. Apparently he did a little employee training while waiting for our biscuits.
When we got hoe, we had lunch and a nap...generally wasting the rest of the day.
Sunday, I awoke at he unholy hour of 6 am and went to the grocery store. By 9 am, I was home, groceries were put up, and the children had all be fed. Yay me!
The kids played outside while ZooDad went into the office to get some stuff done. Then we all went to see Chicken Little. Cute, cute, cute movie but somewhat scary for the lady beside us. She screamed twice.
J was so adorable. He's getting to be a big boy and got embarrassed by the lovely behavior between two characters. At one point he covered his whole face and couldn't even watch.
M was oblivious and didn't even notice.
It was the baby's first movie. He did a great job and stayed in his seat and quiet for most of the movie. We always pick the same seating are each time. The row right behind the handicapped seats. I don't mind the people walking in front of us and it gives the boys a place to get up a stretch a little when they get antsy.
We got to see the Narnia Trailer and the Shaggy Dog and Cheaper by the Dozen 2 trailer. Those go on the movie list. Along with Goblet of Fire and Zathursia...or however it's spelled.
Cool. Movies to look forward to.
Friday, November 04, 2005
Booooooooo!
Here's the zoo residents on Halloween night.
J the nine-year-old with huge feet was a mummy. All of those strips are tacked in place except for the mask which has been "Wonder Under-ed."
Next to him is the baby. He's two and wearing my modified sweat suit. You can just see the purple wings that are sewn onto the back.
M, at age 7, is Luke Skywalker, not Anakin, not Han Solo, but Luke...the original Luke. I made the jacket and the "boots."
A (4) in is a turtleneck. It's hard to be evil and fashionable at the same time.
Also shown in this picture is my handprint covered fireplace door. (I wonder how it got that way.) On the left is a lovely basket that ZooDad brought back from Bosnia many years ago. It houses my yarn stash.
Below it are a stack of knitting books, and patterns.
On the very bottom are previous year's costumes which the boys wore Saturday night at the neighbors' party. More specifically, a Wizard suit, a dragon, suit, and a ghost costume.
On the right you can see S's talking lawnmower which must be nearby at all times. Thankfully, it has an on and off switch that S does know to use.
J the nine-year-old with huge feet was a mummy. All of those strips are tacked in place except for the mask which has been "Wonder Under-ed."
Next to him is the baby. He's two and wearing my modified sweat suit. You can just see the purple wings that are sewn onto the back.
M, at age 7, is Luke Skywalker, not Anakin, not Han Solo, but Luke...the original Luke. I made the jacket and the "boots."
A (4) in is a turtleneck. It's hard to be evil and fashionable at the same time.
Also shown in this picture is my handprint covered fireplace door. (I wonder how it got that way.) On the left is a lovely basket that ZooDad brought back from Bosnia many years ago. It houses my yarn stash.
Below it are a stack of knitting books, and patterns.
On the very bottom are previous year's costumes which the boys wore Saturday night at the neighbors' party. More specifically, a Wizard suit, a dragon, suit, and a ghost costume.
On the right you can see S's talking lawnmower which must be nearby at all times. Thankfully, it has an on and off switch that S does know to use.
a rewarding day
Granted, if I measured it in the number of dirty dishes in my sink or the number of laundry loads finished...it would have been a total wash.
But on the "raising men" front, it was a grand success.
We started school late and did the bones, math, grammar, handwriting (fine motor skills), speech, and Latin. M started a new Magic Tree House book. He's easing into chapter books. It's not so much a problem with reading as it is a vision problem. Right now, he's not in glasses because we are still trying to get his eye aligned. But he has an astigmatism and all those words on a page...with no pictures...well, they just all run together. It's hard for him to stay on the right line and keep his place. Hopefully, that will all change next month when he gets new glasses.
J is still reading 21 balloons. He cam running excitedly to explain the professor's balloon to me. Once he said it was a hydrogen balloon, we took off down the rabbit hole to the Hindenburg and its tragic end. (Titanic of the Sky)
Then we dove into blimps in general and how they work and why we no longer put hydrogen gas in them. (Cool blimp site)
That led to a chemistry discussion on my Helium, a noble gas, is safer than hydrogen, a highly combustible gas. We also covered some buoyancy which led to displacement.
We had a late lunch of chicken noodle soup and crackers while the boys worked on their weekly Sudoku puzzles. Afterwards we baked 3 dozen cookies and the boys ate a few and played outside until it got dark.
When ZooDad got home, he was intrigued by the Sudoku puzzle so he and M did one together in a race against me after dinner. (I won!)
ZooDad loves that I am pushing the logical thinking right now. Thinking skills are most important in this household. The logic puzzle were the best thing I ever got out of my gifted "class." When you know how to think, you can figure out the rest.
Then I knitted, (That blue hat has been pulled out and started over. A decided he wanted the dark blue first and I would agree that it looks better.) and ZooDad and the boys went upstairs to work on Cub Scout awards. They finished all the work to earn their computer belt loop and pin.
3 B's...Bath, books, bed and it was time for my favorite show of the week...CSI.
Good day.
But on the "raising men" front, it was a grand success.
We started school late and did the bones, math, grammar, handwriting (fine motor skills), speech, and Latin. M started a new Magic Tree House book. He's easing into chapter books. It's not so much a problem with reading as it is a vision problem. Right now, he's not in glasses because we are still trying to get his eye aligned. But he has an astigmatism and all those words on a page...with no pictures...well, they just all run together. It's hard for him to stay on the right line and keep his place. Hopefully, that will all change next month when he gets new glasses.
J is still reading 21 balloons. He cam running excitedly to explain the professor's balloon to me. Once he said it was a hydrogen balloon, we took off down the rabbit hole to the Hindenburg and its tragic end. (Titanic of the Sky)
Then we dove into blimps in general and how they work and why we no longer put hydrogen gas in them. (Cool blimp site)
That led to a chemistry discussion on my Helium, a noble gas, is safer than hydrogen, a highly combustible gas. We also covered some buoyancy which led to displacement.
We had a late lunch of chicken noodle soup and crackers while the boys worked on their weekly Sudoku puzzles. Afterwards we baked 3 dozen cookies and the boys ate a few and played outside until it got dark.
When ZooDad got home, he was intrigued by the Sudoku puzzle so he and M did one together in a race against me after dinner. (I won!)
ZooDad loves that I am pushing the logical thinking right now. Thinking skills are most important in this household. The logic puzzle were the best thing I ever got out of my gifted "class." When you know how to think, you can figure out the rest.
Then I knitted, (That blue hat has been pulled out and started over. A decided he wanted the dark blue first and I would agree that it looks better.) and ZooDad and the boys went upstairs to work on Cub Scout awards. They finished all the work to earn their computer belt loop and pin.
3 B's...Bath, books, bed and it was time for my favorite show of the week...CSI.
Good day.
Thursday, November 03, 2005
The lessons we teach them
S, who is two, was playing with a mega blocks truck and the little workman that accompanied it.
As he played, he dialogged his little fantasy.
"Man go to work. Man go home. Man go to Work. Man go home. Man happy!"
He repeated this over and over. His little man would get in the truck and got to work and then he would get out of his truck and go home and be happy.
I looked over at ZooDad and told him that our little two year old had already learned an important lesson. That a man goes to work to support his family then he comes home to be with them and this makes him happy. That working and being a provider then spending time at home is a worthwhile accomplishment. S has picked that up from watching his Daddy. Knowing that daddy does go to work away from us, but that he will come home and he will be happy.
What an amazing thing for a 2 year old to grasp!
Then I think of the two year old boys that don't have the experience of "man goes to work, man comes home, he's happy." What do they learn? Do the boys with absent fathers learn what men should do to support themselves and their families? Do they learn that they should always be taken care of because they only see their mom taking care of them. They never get to see the give and take relationship between a husband and wife. They sharing of responsibilities and the support given to make life more rewarding.
Currently 34% of all children born are illegitimate. If we assume half are males that means that 17% of all males born every day have no daily male role model. How do they learn to be fathers and husbands if they never see what a fathers and husbands do.
I don't know what to do about that. But I do fear what it will do for our society.
I sure am glad that my sons have learned those important lessons.
The man goes to work.
The man comes home.
and the man is happy.
As he played, he dialogged his little fantasy.
"Man go to work. Man go home. Man go to Work. Man go home. Man happy!"
He repeated this over and over. His little man would get in the truck and got to work and then he would get out of his truck and go home and be happy.
I looked over at ZooDad and told him that our little two year old had already learned an important lesson. That a man goes to work to support his family then he comes home to be with them and this makes him happy. That working and being a provider then spending time at home is a worthwhile accomplishment. S has picked that up from watching his Daddy. Knowing that daddy does go to work away from us, but that he will come home and he will be happy.
What an amazing thing for a 2 year old to grasp!
Then I think of the two year old boys that don't have the experience of "man goes to work, man comes home, he's happy." What do they learn? Do the boys with absent fathers learn what men should do to support themselves and their families? Do they learn that they should always be taken care of because they only see their mom taking care of them. They never get to see the give and take relationship between a husband and wife. They sharing of responsibilities and the support given to make life more rewarding.
Currently 34% of all children born are illegitimate. If we assume half are males that means that 17% of all males born every day have no daily male role model. How do they learn to be fathers and husbands if they never see what a fathers and husbands do.
I don't know what to do about that. But I do fear what it will do for our society.
I sure am glad that my sons have learned those important lessons.
The man goes to work.
The man comes home.
and the man is happy.
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Obligatory knitting post
I can crochet. In fact here's the beanie hat I just made for M. J has one just like it but it looks like camo material. J's doesn't have the eyelash yarn.
But crochet is limited. It has a great variety for texture but you really can't do the kind of stuff that you can with knitting. So I decided to learn to knit. So after a month of leaning stitches, pulling out rejected squares, and searching for the perfect toboggan hat...I finished my very first knitted project.
I'm rather proud of it for a virgin knitter.
I made it for A, but he rejected it because he wanted a beanie like his older brothers. Baby S loves it though. He puts it on his legs and stuffs toys in it. He pulls it down over his face like that kid from Fat Albert. It's just an all around cool hat as far as he's concerned.
Oh...the specs. Knitted on #6 straight needles and then seamed. (I crocheted it shut and the seam is nice a neat.
Now I have 2 other projects going on.
One is a hat for A. He chose the colors. I've just finished the ribbing and am about to add the stripes. 100% wool on #6 DPNs.
Here's the beginning of my socks. I did this last night at class. I am freaking out about the small yarn and the thin needles. I have to check like crazy to make sure I don't drop stitches. But it looks like it is going ok. I have 4 hours of class to learn to do the rest. Next week we do heels and the last week is finishing. Then I plan on making lovely socks. (I plan big.)
But crochet is limited. It has a great variety for texture but you really can't do the kind of stuff that you can with knitting. So I decided to learn to knit. So after a month of leaning stitches, pulling out rejected squares, and searching for the perfect toboggan hat...I finished my very first knitted project.
I'm rather proud of it for a virgin knitter.
I made it for A, but he rejected it because he wanted a beanie like his older brothers. Baby S loves it though. He puts it on his legs and stuffs toys in it. He pulls it down over his face like that kid from Fat Albert. It's just an all around cool hat as far as he's concerned.
Oh...the specs. Knitted on #6 straight needles and then seamed. (I crocheted it shut and the seam is nice a neat.
Now I have 2 other projects going on.
One is a hat for A. He chose the colors. I've just finished the ribbing and am about to add the stripes. 100% wool on #6 DPNs.
Here's the beginning of my socks. I did this last night at class. I am freaking out about the small yarn and the thin needles. I have to check like crazy to make sure I don't drop stitches. But it looks like it is going ok. I have 4 hours of class to learn to do the rest. Next week we do heels and the last week is finishing. Then I plan on making lovely socks. (I plan big.)
To recap the last couple of weeks.
Here's what's been going on in the zoo.
No cavities in anyone's heads. Yay us! The dentist eyes got big when J mentioned flossing on his own accord. Wow...kids that floss! There were threats to pull a baby tooth if it isn't out in 3 more days. (It finally got wiggly last night.)
Final denial for A's Medicaid. But the school has deemed him worthy of OT assessment. (That will happen in two weeks.) He can cut like a demon but has no writing skills. at. all.
Linda Blair is back. The van is currently sitting in front of the knitting store where she gave up the ghost (or maybe got one) after my sock knitting class. I'm reminded of a quote, I think, from the movie Major League. Something about "dance around with your hoodoo stick and shake your willy." Believe me if I had either and thought it would help...I would do it. It would be better than the dealership's approach.
I finished knitting project one. (A hat for S, I'll post pictures.) Started knitting project two (a hat for A) and also started knitting a sock for me. I also learned a new cast on, twisted German casting. (I was a thumb caster...practically a virgin.) It is complicated but stretchy. I have about 3 inches of hat and two inches of sock going. Everything is on DPNs because I am unable to handle those circular needles.
Halloween was a great success. One store bought costume and 3 made out of other stuff. We had Darth Vader (store) and Luke Skywalker. Then the Mummy and his trusty bat sidekick. Much candy was handed out, collected, and eaten. J was happy that everyone liked his mummy costume and knew what he was.
We had our yearly food drive. 9 adults and 20 kids collected 1050 pounds of food and $236. Then that evening my neighbor had a great adult party which happened to have a few kids. We got the ultimate compliment from a drunken pirate. "Man, when I have kids....I sure hope they are as cool as yours." (I thought they were supposed to be nerdy homeschool kids.)
Because I can't go anywhere or do anything else do tot he possessed van issue...today we have school and laundry. Maybe an unschool and a mostly housework day. I've been to the library. I have Climbing Parnasus and a ton of cool math, optical illusion, and caldecot winning books. J is giggling through 21 balloons. M is reading "A place for Zero" and A is obsessed with alphabet books. Thankfully, we have tons or I would be very sick of Chicka, Chicka, Boom Boom.
I've got a nice pot of grits going and I might even cook some bacon. We've got plans for cookies this afternoon. And sock sorting.
If we are lucky we might just get 3 days of this before the hectic "go here, go there" starts up again.
Hot digitty!
No cavities in anyone's heads. Yay us! The dentist eyes got big when J mentioned flossing on his own accord. Wow...kids that floss! There were threats to pull a baby tooth if it isn't out in 3 more days. (It finally got wiggly last night.)
Final denial for A's Medicaid. But the school has deemed him worthy of OT assessment. (That will happen in two weeks.) He can cut like a demon but has no writing skills. at. all.
Linda Blair is back. The van is currently sitting in front of the knitting store where she gave up the ghost (or maybe got one) after my sock knitting class. I'm reminded of a quote, I think, from the movie Major League. Something about "dance around with your hoodoo stick and shake your willy." Believe me if I had either and thought it would help...I would do it. It would be better than the dealership's approach.
I finished knitting project one. (A hat for S, I'll post pictures.) Started knitting project two (a hat for A) and also started knitting a sock for me. I also learned a new cast on, twisted German casting. (I was a thumb caster...practically a virgin.) It is complicated but stretchy. I have about 3 inches of hat and two inches of sock going. Everything is on DPNs because I am unable to handle those circular needles.
Halloween was a great success. One store bought costume and 3 made out of other stuff. We had Darth Vader (store) and Luke Skywalker. Then the Mummy and his trusty bat sidekick. Much candy was handed out, collected, and eaten. J was happy that everyone liked his mummy costume and knew what he was.
We had our yearly food drive. 9 adults and 20 kids collected 1050 pounds of food and $236. Then that evening my neighbor had a great adult party which happened to have a few kids. We got the ultimate compliment from a drunken pirate. "Man, when I have kids....I sure hope they are as cool as yours." (I thought they were supposed to be nerdy homeschool kids.)
Because I can't go anywhere or do anything else do tot he possessed van issue...today we have school and laundry. Maybe an unschool and a mostly housework day. I've been to the library. I have Climbing Parnasus and a ton of cool math, optical illusion, and caldecot winning books. J is giggling through 21 balloons. M is reading "A place for Zero" and A is obsessed with alphabet books. Thankfully, we have tons or I would be very sick of Chicka, Chicka, Boom Boom.
I've got a nice pot of grits going and I might even cook some bacon. We've got plans for cookies this afternoon. And sock sorting.
If we are lucky we might just get 3 days of this before the hectic "go here, go there" starts up again.
Hot digitty!
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
I need a priest
Because I enjoy general chaos, it seems to flock to me like seagulls on a half eaten sandwich.
Oh yes.
Yesterday my van pulled a "Linda Blair." All of a sudden, it powered down (while I was parked) and wouldn't crank. I freaked out and said the vocabulary words the boys have heard and know not to repeat. Then I tried cranking again....click, click, click. Nothing.
Then real panic set in. ZooDad was at the hospital for MIL's body inside camera exploration. Non-working nephew-in-law was with my mom at the hospital for her stuffed in a tube test. My sister was doing pay roll and watching the two kids my mom usually has (thus no room for our five more.) So everyone who would come get me couldn't come get me.
I was at a lost...so I call my friend Jacqui who sent over her wonderful husband. He cleaned the terminals, tried charging the batteries and looked under the hood in a "I know what I'm doing" kind of way that made me feel a bit calmer.
None of that worked. And the van just got freakier and freakier culminating in the wipers going off without me turning on the switches. And I don't even use the rear wiper. How crazy is that? We were both weirded out.
In the end, ZooDad abandoned him mom long enough to grab us and drop us back home. And we didn't get to scouts
Hours later he returned to work his own special mojo on my possessed van with no luck. He even experienced the random window wiping and as a bonus the cleaner fluid sprayed for him. It was like a Car Talk scene from the Exorcist.
He then decided to try one last time....and the demon cranked. It worked fine. We took it to the dealership who told me today that nothing was wrong with it. At. All.
Lovely.
So I had some stuff done that they suggested, which thankfully was part of my pre-paid service plan stuff (they loved that...oh yeah. It took hours to work that little deal out. At one point they wanted to charge me for diagnostic tests that didn't find a problem.) and I get Linda back tomorrow.
Oh yes.
Yesterday my van pulled a "Linda Blair." All of a sudden, it powered down (while I was parked) and wouldn't crank. I freaked out and said the vocabulary words the boys have heard and know not to repeat. Then I tried cranking again....click, click, click. Nothing.
Then real panic set in. ZooDad was at the hospital for MIL's body inside camera exploration. Non-working nephew-in-law was with my mom at the hospital for her stuffed in a tube test. My sister was doing pay roll and watching the two kids my mom usually has (thus no room for our five more.) So everyone who would come get me couldn't come get me.
I was at a lost...so I call my friend Jacqui who sent over her wonderful husband. He cleaned the terminals, tried charging the batteries and looked under the hood in a "I know what I'm doing" kind of way that made me feel a bit calmer.
None of that worked. And the van just got freakier and freakier culminating in the wipers going off without me turning on the switches. And I don't even use the rear wiper. How crazy is that? We were both weirded out.
In the end, ZooDad abandoned him mom long enough to grab us and drop us back home. And we didn't get to scouts
Hours later he returned to work his own special mojo on my possessed van with no luck. He even experienced the random window wiping and as a bonus the cleaner fluid sprayed for him. It was like a Car Talk scene from the Exorcist.
He then decided to try one last time....and the demon cranked. It worked fine. We took it to the dealership who told me today that nothing was wrong with it. At. All.
Lovely.
So I had some stuff done that they suggested, which thankfully was part of my pre-paid service plan stuff (they loved that...oh yeah. It took hours to work that little deal out. At one point they wanted to charge me for diagnostic tests that didn't find a problem.) and I get Linda back tomorrow.
Monday, October 17, 2005
Hole in the Head
No it's not a statement of my well-being.
The oscar fish (Oscar and Elmo) appear to have Hole in the Head. Bad news: The fish are developing HOLES in their HEADS. Good News: It's the bad water/high stress HITH and not the infested with awful parasite HITH.
Now there's a silver lining.
Can you imagine getting that kind of diagnosis?
"Well, Mrs Zoo. You seem to have Hole In The Head."
[blink, blink]
"But no worries, it's just stress and a dirty house. We'll get you some vitamins. You'll need rest and a clean habitat. A good diet will speed things up. No actual parasites or wormy things. Just good old fashion bacteria eating your skin off."
Poor fish.
They already have the clean tank and good food. Now I have to get some Hole-in-the-head Be Gone from the pet shop tomorrow. (I'll work it into the schedule.)
I wonder if it works on people?
The oscar fish (Oscar and Elmo) appear to have Hole in the Head. Bad news: The fish are developing HOLES in their HEADS. Good News: It's the bad water/high stress HITH and not the infested with awful parasite HITH.
Now there's a silver lining.
Can you imagine getting that kind of diagnosis?
"Well, Mrs Zoo. You seem to have Hole In The Head."
[blink, blink]
"But no worries, it's just stress and a dirty house. We'll get you some vitamins. You'll need rest and a clean habitat. A good diet will speed things up. No actual parasites or wormy things. Just good old fashion bacteria eating your skin off."
Poor fish.
They already have the clean tank and good food. Now I have to get some Hole-in-the-head Be Gone from the pet shop tomorrow. (I'll work it into the schedule.)
I wonder if it works on people?
I'm it!
Jacqui tagged me. I know it was in retaliation.
So for all that is holy, I will tag no one else. (Be thankful but worry not, someone else will tag you.)
I was instructed to:
Search your blog archive
Find your 23rd post
Find the fifth sentence [this is meant to say something about you...]
Post that sentence in your blog along with these instructions
Tag five people to do the same
"I want somebody to hang with."
That's what I posted almost a year ago. I still want someone to hang with. I'm still in limbo land. Too secular for the Christians. Too Christian for the seculars.
Still diggin' Darwin. Still ultra-conservative politically. Still a big mouth and kind of wild. Still don't own any Abeka. Still full of Faith and still see God's blessings in the smallest of things. (Thanks again Big Guy for that parking space today. You gave me the boost I really needed.)
Still feeling a little lonely and wondering why.
So for all that is holy, I will tag no one else. (Be thankful but worry not, someone else will tag you.)
I was instructed to:
Search your blog archive
Find your 23rd post
Find the fifth sentence [this is meant to say something about you...]
Post that sentence in your blog along with these instructions
Tag five people to do the same
"I want somebody to hang with."
That's what I posted almost a year ago. I still want someone to hang with. I'm still in limbo land. Too secular for the Christians. Too Christian for the seculars.
Still diggin' Darwin. Still ultra-conservative politically. Still a big mouth and kind of wild. Still don't own any Abeka. Still full of Faith and still see God's blessings in the smallest of things. (Thanks again Big Guy for that parking space today. You gave me the boost I really needed.)
Still feeling a little lonely and wondering why.
The problem is simple....
too many d@mn Queen Bees in the Hive. I'm waiting for the final two to show up but she may well not. I believe one has found another hive to frequent that is more compatible and the other has been quiet for a while.
It's better than Survivor. Which highly opinionated woman will be left standing on the Web Board Vote Off?
Sick? Yeah, I am. Sad? That too. But I am most times smart enough not to get involved in board drama unless one of my personal homies is attacked.
The queen bees are why I hardly ever post anywhere. They are so sure that theirs is the one and only right way and that all others who toe a different party line are inferior and uneducated. And I'm a very easily hurt person who holds deeeeeeeeeeeep, loooooooooong grudges. I forgive, but I never forget. ;)
I'm a lousy Queen Bee. I'm the first one to say, "Hey, I couldn't do it...but I'm happy as a pig in mud that it's working for you." That and the fact that I feel so lousy when I hurt people's feelings even inadvertently.
So part of me is envious that these women feel that they can stand so strong. Part of me feels...I hope people don't see me that way.
Just checking...but I posted the same darn rant last month. Almost to the day. I'm going to have to come up with a form rant just to same myself the trouble. Maybe several. That would be calming in a sort of way. I could just pull up my rant, read it, and then feel better with no real time loss at all.
Hmmm....I could even put hot links for visitors to easily find the rant they need.
Crazy women on web boards...click here
Contractor who make appointments but don't show...click here
Public school bureaucrats...
Family members who get way to involved in the dynamics of your household...
Nosey Neighbors...
Oh yeah...I can just see it.
It's better than Survivor. Which highly opinionated woman will be left standing on the Web Board Vote Off?
Sick? Yeah, I am. Sad? That too. But I am most times smart enough not to get involved in board drama unless one of my personal homies is attacked.
The queen bees are why I hardly ever post anywhere. They are so sure that theirs is the one and only right way and that all others who toe a different party line are inferior and uneducated. And I'm a very easily hurt person who holds deeeeeeeeeeeep, loooooooooong grudges. I forgive, but I never forget. ;)
I'm a lousy Queen Bee. I'm the first one to say, "Hey, I couldn't do it...but I'm happy as a pig in mud that it's working for you." That and the fact that I feel so lousy when I hurt people's feelings even inadvertently.
So part of me is envious that these women feel that they can stand so strong. Part of me feels...I hope people don't see me that way.
Just checking...but I posted the same darn rant last month. Almost to the day. I'm going to have to come up with a form rant just to same myself the trouble. Maybe several. That would be calming in a sort of way. I could just pull up my rant, read it, and then feel better with no real time loss at all.
Hmmm....I could even put hot links for visitors to easily find the rant they need.
Crazy women on web boards...click here
Contractor who make appointments but don't show...click here
Public school bureaucrats...
Family members who get way to involved in the dynamics of your household...
Nosey Neighbors...
Oh yeah...I can just see it.
Sunday, October 16, 2005
OK Folks. Tuesday is booked
If there are to be any other "happenings" t, his week please pick a day other than Tuesday.
1. M has speech at 11 am.
2. J and M have scouts from 2:30 to 4:30. This is a busy meeting with achievement stuff to work out plus plans for the food drives (both my responsibility)
3. MIL has her colonoscopy at 12:30 pm to find out why she is broken. ZooDad is taking off from work since she has to have a driver. I can't take her because of the speech/scouts thing plus I would need some one to watch my boys and my mom can't because...
4. My mom has a CAT scan tomorrow at 10:30 am to find out why she is broken.
So my nephew-in-law will take my mom while I tote my boys around and ZooDad takes care of his own mom. Once we get home, I'll have to be good hostess because ZooMIL is spending the night to avoid the 1.5 hour trip home and the fact that she can't drive for 24 hours. (Plus we need her in town in case there are complications.) At some point, I'll have to bug off to see my mom and coo over her sufficiently to make up for the whole not-able-to-take-her-for-the-scary-stuck-in-a-small-tube test.
Wednesday is no good either. We have the regular school/2 hours of therapy going on plus MIL's visit/recuperation.
But Tuesday is full. If you happen to see me Tuesday, do not expect witty humor or even much patience at all. If I am smiling maniacally, just complement me or something and then leave me alone.
I have let both mothers know that if they are going to have to get together and schedule this stuff. We can't have this kind of conflict going on. Oh and some prayers for both Moms and if you've got some spare energy, patience, and three extra hands laying around...I'll take those for me.
1. M has speech at 11 am.
2. J and M have scouts from 2:30 to 4:30. This is a busy meeting with achievement stuff to work out plus plans for the food drives (both my responsibility)
3. MIL has her colonoscopy at 12:30 pm to find out why she is broken. ZooDad is taking off from work since she has to have a driver. I can't take her because of the speech/scouts thing plus I would need some one to watch my boys and my mom can't because...
4. My mom has a CAT scan tomorrow at 10:30 am to find out why she is broken.
So my nephew-in-law will take my mom while I tote my boys around and ZooDad takes care of his own mom. Once we get home, I'll have to be good hostess because ZooMIL is spending the night to avoid the 1.5 hour trip home and the fact that she can't drive for 24 hours. (Plus we need her in town in case there are complications.) At some point, I'll have to bug off to see my mom and coo over her sufficiently to make up for the whole not-able-to-take-her-for-the-scary-stuck-in-a-small-tube test.
Wednesday is no good either. We have the regular school/2 hours of therapy going on plus MIL's visit/recuperation.
But Tuesday is full. If you happen to see me Tuesday, do not expect witty humor or even much patience at all. If I am smiling maniacally, just complement me or something and then leave me alone.
I have let both mothers know that if they are going to have to get together and schedule this stuff. We can't have this kind of conflict going on. Oh and some prayers for both Moms and if you've got some spare energy, patience, and three extra hands laying around...I'll take those for me.
Friday, October 14, 2005
Overheard at the "Zoo"
Said by two-year-old S while holding a giant Nerf gun: "I'm gonna shoot you. Stand still."
Said by ZooDad after hearing the above quote: "Maybe he'll be an ATF agent."
Said by A in the van: "When I'm a Dad, I'm going to have just one kid because we only have one seat left."
Said by A after I told him that when he was a Dad, he'd have his own car with lots of seats: "Then I'll just have 4 kids. I don't want to have a lot."
Said by J while he was unloading the dishwasher: "we just keep washing the same dishes everyday. It never gets done. Right when all the dishes are clean, we just go and eat again."
Said by M who was examining the laundry pile: "12 socks, 6 pants, 6 shirts, 6 underwear...every day mom. Every day."
Said by ZooDad after hearing the above quote: "Maybe he'll be an ATF agent."
Said by A in the van: "When I'm a Dad, I'm going to have just one kid because we only have one seat left."
Said by A after I told him that when he was a Dad, he'd have his own car with lots of seats: "Then I'll just have 4 kids. I don't want to have a lot."
Said by J while he was unloading the dishwasher: "we just keep washing the same dishes everyday. It never gets done. Right when all the dishes are clean, we just go and eat again."
Said by M who was examining the laundry pile: "12 socks, 6 pants, 6 shirts, 6 underwear...every day mom. Every day."
Thursday, October 13, 2005
We have a quest
I feel like Queen Sheila and my knights of the Not-quite-rectangular-because-the corners-are-rounded-off table. Today we have a quest. Today we must obtain proof on paper than the 3rd Knight, known as the Knight-who-says-much-but-nothing-very-clearly, can indeed hear the things going on about him. It is our own little Holy Grail because once we obtain this powerful relic, we can unlock the rewards of the (fanfare) Public School System.
We must endure yet another hearing test and see if the elusive beeps can be heard and thusly indicated to the nurse. We have failed this endeavor twice now. It is not that the precious beeps can not be heard. The problem is that the 3rd knight doesn't process them and the fact that when he does... he forgets he heard them. (The 3rd knight is not known for his attention to detail and time on task.)
So there is the challenge. We are waiting until our bellies are full of ham and mayo sandwiches and fresh fruit to set our on our journey. But we will go where ever we must to obtain the "Holy Hearing Certificate"
We will battle impatient nurses, climb bureaucratic mountains, fight our way through appointment forests. We will even bravely face the audiologist if we can ever get an appointment and then fax this precious document to the school nurse.
I'm off to round up coconut shells. We us luck.
UPDATE!
We have obtained the precious certificate of good hearing. The Knight-who-says-much-but-nothing-very-clearly managed to indicate that heard 9 out of the 10 tonous beeps and all is well in the Land of Zoo. Said document is now in the hands of the County Powers That Be and we anxiously await their ruling.
We must endure yet another hearing test and see if the elusive beeps can be heard and thusly indicated to the nurse. We have failed this endeavor twice now. It is not that the precious beeps can not be heard. The problem is that the 3rd knight doesn't process them and the fact that when he does... he forgets he heard them. (The 3rd knight is not known for his attention to detail and time on task.)
So there is the challenge. We are waiting until our bellies are full of ham and mayo sandwiches and fresh fruit to set our on our journey. But we will go where ever we must to obtain the "Holy Hearing Certificate"
We will battle impatient nurses, climb bureaucratic mountains, fight our way through appointment forests. We will even bravely face the audiologist if we can ever get an appointment and then fax this precious document to the school nurse.
I'm off to round up coconut shells. We us luck.
UPDATE!
We have obtained the precious certificate of good hearing. The Knight-who-says-much-but-nothing-very-clearly managed to indicate that heard 9 out of the 10 tonous beeps and all is well in the Land of Zoo. Said document is now in the hands of the County Powers That Be and we anxiously await their ruling.
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
so she just dropped off the face of the Earth
naw...the inhabitants of the zoo and my grumpy co-zoo keeper have been keeping me quite busy.
Things I need to do this week:
1. Reinstall my camera CF card reader thingie so I can more easily upload all my cool pictures. I have gap toothed ZooKid picutures, my latest crochet projects, and our visit with the aligators as well as a picture of my Poke'mon cake.
2. Finish J's camo sk8ter boy hat. M's cranked out quickly but J's large noggin is creating a delay.
3. Find a decent knit or crochet pattern for toboggan style hats.
4. Call the county and a. get them to do something about thier tree which is uprooting my driveway, b. question them about A's special needs evaluation, and c. get homeschool fliers to the BOE.
5. Finish painting the upstairs bathroom and...
6. Put up the wallpaper border and...
7. Put all the bathroom stuff back in the room. (towel holders, shower curtain rod...ect.)
8. Force ZooDad to start replacing the tile that we replaced and then had to pull up and cart back to Lowe's because it was defective.
9. Drag out winter clothes and get rid of the old, worn, and out grown.
10. Plan some lessons so we aren't flying by the seat of our pants.
Things I need to do this week:
1. Reinstall my camera CF card reader thingie so I can more easily upload all my cool pictures. I have gap toothed ZooKid picutures, my latest crochet projects, and our visit with the aligators as well as a picture of my Poke'mon cake.
2. Finish J's camo sk8ter boy hat. M's cranked out quickly but J's large noggin is creating a delay.
3. Find a decent knit or crochet pattern for toboggan style hats.
4. Call the county and a. get them to do something about thier tree which is uprooting my driveway, b. question them about A's special needs evaluation, and c. get homeschool fliers to the BOE.
5. Finish painting the upstairs bathroom and...
6. Put up the wallpaper border and...
7. Put all the bathroom stuff back in the room. (towel holders, shower curtain rod...ect.)
8. Force ZooDad to start replacing the tile that we replaced and then had to pull up and cart back to Lowe's because it was defective.
9. Drag out winter clothes and get rid of the old, worn, and out grown.
10. Plan some lessons so we aren't flying by the seat of our pants.
Sunday, October 02, 2005
The big party with 31 guests wasn't even the big news
Today M had his 7th birthday party, though the actual date isn't until tomorrow. We had a Poke'mon party complete with a Pikachu cake and a Poke'ball cake. I'll have to post pictures of it tomorrow since the grand celebration wasn't the biggest news of the day.
The truly big news was that M lost his very first tooth today!
It was quite a day long ordeal. It began this morning when I decided that I needed floss everyboy's teeth including the two that had been flossing their own.
I was shocked-just shocked- to see that M had a almost full tooth coming in behind one of his baby tooth and another erupting behind the neighboring tooth.
Thus began the Great Wiggly Tooth discussion of 2005.
No, he wouldn't let me pull it.
No, he didn't want to go to the dentist.
No, no, no, touching it. Leave me alone you tooth crazy mom.
ZooDad interceded by reminding me that it was against parenting laws to traumatized children at their own birthday parties so I let the issue drop.
At the end of the party, the tooth was downright wobbly.
No, he wouldn't let me pull it.
No, he didn't want to go to the dentist.
in fact, he didn't want the tooth to come at all because his brother said it might bleed.
Ok, little man. So I fed all the boys some left over party pizza and headed out to the bookstore to fondle the wares and wind down from the party chaos.
ZooDad called me twice at the bookstore; once to tell me that the to the tooth was bleeding while the child attempted to eat pizza and the second time to tell me that said child just wanted me to pull the tooth out.
By the time I got home, The owner of the supper wiggly tooth had chickened out and was back to the "I don't want it to fall out bit." I convinced him to let me wiggle it a bit and I wiggled it right out of his head without so much as a whimper.
After 2 minutes of wiping his former tooth's spot and fervently checking his mouth in my make-up mirror, he announced..."I'm glad that's out. I thought I'd never loose a tooth."
Now we have a birthday visit from the tooth fairy. Oh, yes...this has been discussed by the boys in the space themed bedroom. A birthday visit for a very first lost tooth must be extra special indeed.
Poor tooth fairy. She's never come on a birthday before. She may have to swing by the 24 hour Wal-Mart before she goes to bed. I would advise her to do that. One of those gold dollar coins ain't going to cut it tonight.
One tooth down, 19 more to wiggle out under protest.
The truly big news was that M lost his very first tooth today!
It was quite a day long ordeal. It began this morning when I decided that I needed floss everyboy's teeth including the two that had been flossing their own.
I was shocked-just shocked- to see that M had a almost full tooth coming in behind one of his baby tooth and another erupting behind the neighboring tooth.
Thus began the Great Wiggly Tooth discussion of 2005.
No, he wouldn't let me pull it.
No, he didn't want to go to the dentist.
No, no, no, touching it. Leave me alone you tooth crazy mom.
ZooDad interceded by reminding me that it was against parenting laws to traumatized children at their own birthday parties so I let the issue drop.
At the end of the party, the tooth was downright wobbly.
No, he wouldn't let me pull it.
No, he didn't want to go to the dentist.
in fact, he didn't want the tooth to come at all because his brother said it might bleed.
Ok, little man. So I fed all the boys some left over party pizza and headed out to the bookstore to fondle the wares and wind down from the party chaos.
ZooDad called me twice at the bookstore; once to tell me that the to the tooth was bleeding while the child attempted to eat pizza and the second time to tell me that said child just wanted me to pull the tooth out.
By the time I got home, The owner of the supper wiggly tooth had chickened out and was back to the "I don't want it to fall out bit." I convinced him to let me wiggle it a bit and I wiggled it right out of his head without so much as a whimper.
After 2 minutes of wiping his former tooth's spot and fervently checking his mouth in my make-up mirror, he announced..."I'm glad that's out. I thought I'd never loose a tooth."
Now we have a birthday visit from the tooth fairy. Oh, yes...this has been discussed by the boys in the space themed bedroom. A birthday visit for a very first lost tooth must be extra special indeed.
Poor tooth fairy. She's never come on a birthday before. She may have to swing by the 24 hour Wal-Mart before she goes to bed. I would advise her to do that. One of those gold dollar coins ain't going to cut it tonight.
One tooth down, 19 more to wiggle out under protest.
Friday, September 30, 2005
My 5th child
It didn't take me nine months but I am responsible for it. I am the website chick for our support group.
I made this... Homeschool for YOU
I'm rather proud. I've even gotten tot he point where I can make quick changes without too much chaos. That's a good thing. Now if I can get the emails through the knology spam blocker, I'll be cooking with gas.
I made this... Homeschool for YOU
I'm rather proud. I've even gotten tot he point where I can make quick changes without too much chaos. That's a good thing. Now if I can get the emails through the knology spam blocker, I'll be cooking with gas.
Thursday, September 29, 2005
He's going to marry a floozy but she'll have to knit her own hat
M is almost 7. Just a few more days. He already has definite ideas on the fashion and beauty of women. And he's already learned how to beat around the bush to avoid hurting feelings, for the most part. He's also learned to avoid answering the delicate questions.
He like it when I paint my nails red and wear red lipstick. He also likes when my hair is big and curly. He's going to end up marrying a "Fran Drescher" wannabe but he will treat her wonderfully.
I've been painting today and stripping the 20 year old wallpaper from the boys' bathroom. I was quite a sticky, paint-covered mess when I announced that I needed to buy a light fixture from Home Depot.
"You're not wearing *that* to the store, are you mom?"
Actually, no... my 6 year old man. I was planning to change clothes and brush my hair before stepping foot out of the house but thank you for looking out for me.
I'm learning to knit. It's not going well. I can crochet like a fiend. I am a menace with a hook and yarn. But with the needles...let's just say that it requires a lot of thought. ZooDad said he was happy to see me working with yarn again. He said that it seemed to calm me and that I made nice things.
Ha, ha, ha...little does he know that I am trying to knit. I shall be neither calm nor churning out nice things.
I am getting pretty good at making square things with a basic stockinnet stitch. Anything beyond that taxes my brain too much. Everyone is getting washcloths for Christmas.
With crochet, I can veg out and watch TV. The stitches are varied but don't require much thought. With Knitting..."ok the instructions say knit 3 purl 2. Knit, knit, off jumps Jack, Arg...honey, how many knits was that...did I drop a stitch...why do I have an extra loop here...yes, I have to say the little rhyme...if I don't I forget if I'm knitting or purling...was I knitting or purling...aw shoot."
It is far from relaxing and all the chatter annoys ZooDad. But the boys want hats and I just can't find a decent crochet boys hat. And don't even get me started about crocheted socks....uuuuuuuuuugly. ZooDad has issued an ultimatum on yarn work in bed. He found my stray crochet hook in the night. He was not a happy camper.
The enemy called. Not that enemy...the other one. The County schools' special needs director called to set up an evaluation for A next week. I am breaking down and attempting to secure services from the school system. I'll have to see what kind of dog and pony show they have and determine if the hoops are worth jumping through. If we can all play nice together, it might be a nice supplement for my little guy.
The "Attempting to secure services" reminded me...we got new 12 mile Walkie talkies. The boys take them with them when they head out to play. (Not that they go even a half mile from the house.) ZooDad wouldn't let the boys use them until he had taught them proper radio protocol. He's a former communications Officer, so I would not expect less.
I cracked up laughing when I heard my oldest say "BFG, this is Scorpion 1. We are approaching the house. Estimated arrival is 1 minute. Out."
ZooDad said that his soldiers weren't that disciplined on radio protocol. He was a proud Daddy.
And for Dy. Mrs Sheehan is the mother who has been protesting at the President's Crawford Ranch. I alternate between extreme annoyance of her and great pity. She's been saying a lot of things that she really has no area of knowledge of and is being used by some wackos I fear. She got involved in a "sit-in" at the White House and apparently the WHG's didn't find her nearly as endearing as they found me. (bat, bat, bat.)
I did read about the elderly looter that was arrested in NO. I don't quite know what to make of the Men in Blue of that elevationally challenged city. Any news of their actions tends to bring on Tourette's like symptoms where I am shaking my head violently and saying words that the boys will never have on their spelling tests.
He like it when I paint my nails red and wear red lipstick. He also likes when my hair is big and curly. He's going to end up marrying a "Fran Drescher" wannabe but he will treat her wonderfully.
I've been painting today and stripping the 20 year old wallpaper from the boys' bathroom. I was quite a sticky, paint-covered mess when I announced that I needed to buy a light fixture from Home Depot.
"You're not wearing *that* to the store, are you mom?"
Actually, no... my 6 year old man. I was planning to change clothes and brush my hair before stepping foot out of the house but thank you for looking out for me.
I'm learning to knit. It's not going well. I can crochet like a fiend. I am a menace with a hook and yarn. But with the needles...let's just say that it requires a lot of thought. ZooDad said he was happy to see me working with yarn again. He said that it seemed to calm me and that I made nice things.
Ha, ha, ha...little does he know that I am trying to knit. I shall be neither calm nor churning out nice things.
I am getting pretty good at making square things with a basic stockinnet stitch. Anything beyond that taxes my brain too much. Everyone is getting washcloths for Christmas.
With crochet, I can veg out and watch TV. The stitches are varied but don't require much thought. With Knitting..."ok the instructions say knit 3 purl 2. Knit, knit, off jumps Jack, Arg...honey, how many knits was that...did I drop a stitch...why do I have an extra loop here...yes, I have to say the little rhyme...if I don't I forget if I'm knitting or purling...was I knitting or purling...aw shoot."
It is far from relaxing and all the chatter annoys ZooDad. But the boys want hats and I just can't find a decent crochet boys hat. And don't even get me started about crocheted socks....uuuuuuuuuugly. ZooDad has issued an ultimatum on yarn work in bed. He found my stray crochet hook in the night. He was not a happy camper.
The enemy called. Not that enemy...the other one. The County schools' special needs director called to set up an evaluation for A next week. I am breaking down and attempting to secure services from the school system. I'll have to see what kind of dog and pony show they have and determine if the hoops are worth jumping through. If we can all play nice together, it might be a nice supplement for my little guy.
The "Attempting to secure services" reminded me...we got new 12 mile Walkie talkies. The boys take them with them when they head out to play. (Not that they go even a half mile from the house.) ZooDad wouldn't let the boys use them until he had taught them proper radio protocol. He's a former communications Officer, so I would not expect less.
I cracked up laughing when I heard my oldest say "BFG, this is Scorpion 1. We are approaching the house. Estimated arrival is 1 minute. Out."
ZooDad said that his soldiers weren't that disciplined on radio protocol. He was a proud Daddy.
And for Dy. Mrs Sheehan is the mother who has been protesting at the President's Crawford Ranch. I alternate between extreme annoyance of her and great pity. She's been saying a lot of things that she really has no area of knowledge of and is being used by some wackos I fear. She got involved in a "sit-in" at the White House and apparently the WHG's didn't find her nearly as endearing as they found me. (bat, bat, bat.)
I did read about the elderly looter that was arrested in NO. I don't quite know what to make of the Men in Blue of that elevationally challenged city. Any news of their actions tends to bring on Tourette's like symptoms where I am shaking my head violently and saying words that the boys will never have on their spelling tests.
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
You have to be nice to the Secret Service Guys
Mrs. Sheehan's arrest yesterday reminded me of our trip to the White House a couple of years ago.
I hung out behind right by the fence on Pennsylvania Avenue for quite some time and managed not to be arrested, even when I brought up shooting the White House.
I guess the Secret Service guy found me endearing.
Either that or as a mom of three boys (one in a baby sling) with a Former-Army hubby, I didn't seem much a threat. I'm sure that overhearing my pervasive Republican brainwashing of my children may have saved me also.
ZooDad still laughs about my conversation with the Secret Service guy. It went something like this:
Me: WOW! I didn't realize that the White House was this close to the road. You could shoot out a window with a BB gun from here. Now wonder you have all the crazies stay over there. motioning to the park across the street filled with protestors and numerous unwashed and unkempt people.
White House Guy with an earpiece: Ma'am
Me: So is the back door to the White House.
WHG: It's the North Entrance.
Me: So that would be the back door?
WHG: It's the North Entrance.
Me; So which one is the main entrance on the lawn?
WHG: That's the South Entrance.
Me: Well, wouldn't that make the "North Entrance" the back door and that (pointing) would be the "West Wing."
He cracked a smile.
When we recall this story, ZooDad always wonders how much indoctrinating these guys had to go through to remember not to call it the back door.
We stood there about 15 minutes total, talking with the WHG and chatting with the boys about the President and the White House in general. And this was a week after the congressional anthrax scare and a month after 9/11.
I didn't even get arrested. I got snickered at. I guess I'm no threat suspect.
I hung out behind right by the fence on Pennsylvania Avenue for quite some time and managed not to be arrested, even when I brought up shooting the White House.
I guess the Secret Service guy found me endearing.
Either that or as a mom of three boys (one in a baby sling) with a Former-Army hubby, I didn't seem much a threat. I'm sure that overhearing my pervasive Republican brainwashing of my children may have saved me also.
ZooDad still laughs about my conversation with the Secret Service guy. It went something like this:
Me: WOW! I didn't realize that the White House was this close to the road. You could shoot out a window with a BB gun from here. Now wonder you have all the crazies stay over there. motioning to the park across the street filled with protestors and numerous unwashed and unkempt people.
White House Guy with an earpiece: Ma'am
Me: So is the back door to the White House.
WHG: It's the North Entrance.
Me: So that would be the back door?
WHG: It's the North Entrance.
Me; So which one is the main entrance on the lawn?
WHG: That's the South Entrance.
Me: Well, wouldn't that make the "North Entrance" the back door and that (pointing) would be the "West Wing."
He cracked a smile.
When we recall this story, ZooDad always wonders how much indoctrinating these guys had to go through to remember not to call it the back door.
We stood there about 15 minutes total, talking with the WHG and chatting with the boys about the President and the White House in general. And this was a week after the congressional anthrax scare and a month after 9/11.
I didn't even get arrested. I got snickered at. I guess I'm no threat suspect.
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