So there are my 5 places I want to visit. Next?
And finally, Jay has been ditching the Homework Club a lot lately making one excuse after another. Ok fine. What annoys me is as soon as he walks in the door, he's picking on his sister. Even if she's off doing her own thing. Within 5 minutes, I have both coming to me tattling. It really is all I can do not to just smack them both. And they're 7 years apart! Lord give me patience! That's all I ask right now.
On top of all that, we're actively looking for a home. Something with at least 4 bedrooms, due to our brood, on at least half an acre of land. Not as easy as one might think since our pre-approval covers modular homes but not manufactured homes. And here I thought they were the same. I was wrong. Wish us luck! Wich me luck that I keep what little patience and/or sanity I have. LOL
After the game
I love my boys, but it's nice to have the girl thrown in there to shake things up. LOL She's a spitfire, that's for sure. I'll hopefully have her soccer pics back soon. When I do, I'll scan them (along with Justin's) and post them. I can't wait!
We got up early this morning and arrived downtown around 8:30. I signed in and recieved my t-shirt. A white t-shirt that says "I'm saving babies. March of Dimes WalkAmerica." Jackson, my little miracle, was given a t-shirt that says, "I'm a March of Dimes Wee Wonder." Those t-shirts were given to all NICU grads. I was extremely emotional this morning before the walk began. I saw all kinds of twins being pushed in strollers and it was a little overwhelming. Not only seeing them but remembering everything Jackson has gone through and how thankful I am for him. (I could probably have a good cry even as I type this. LOL But my eyes are dry.)
We walked 5 miles. I didn't know it would be that long. But the kids did so well. Jackson, of course, was in a stroller. We really enjoyed ourselves. We got some much needed exercise and we helped raise money to help premature babies. I want to think of it in honor of Pheobe and Audrey. I totally plan on participating again next year. Hopefully, I won't be crying for 30 minutes again. LOL
It was great seeing
Jared, Mike, Vera, Eugene and Heather again. It was nice meeting Dave, Kathy (Dave's wife, I think. I was never really introduced to her) Patrick, Kit, JJ, Kevin, Jeane, Rose, and Patrick (Vera's Hubby.) The place we met at 10-17, was perfect. I think we were the only ones there. The owner is from Germany and has the most wonderful accent! (I love accents!)
Jimmy was glad to finally put faces to a few bloggers I regularly talk about. I was happy to meet new people and get out of the house for a bit. LOL I hope Jimmy didn't offend anyone and that you all had as much fun as we did. I was disappointed that Dan and Janet couldn't make it. I really wanted Jimmy to meet them also.
For some reason both seem to trust me enough to share information that most Americans would hide. Nothing illegal or dangerous, just personal. Yet, I find myself drawn to this woman and feel I could be friends with her. I admit, I'm jealous...she's gorgeous with a flat tummy. LOL However only one of those three children are hers...and I've given birth to 6, so I take that into perspective.
Today while at the playground she wanted to ask me a question, one she thought was weird. I wearily agreed to answer. She just wanted to know if I had a vacuum she could borrow because they wouldn't be able to buy one until next week when payday rolled around. I breathed a sigh of relief and said she was welcome to use my vacuum. I don't know what I thought she was going to ask. But I'm weary of newcomers getting too personal with me. LOL
Anyway, I'm happy I've found someone I feel comfortable being around that lives around here. Someone that actually watches their children like I watch mine. Her daughter seems to really like me because whenever she sees me she runs to me and hugs me. And she's very beautiful little girl. I'm just not used to other children (that I'm not related to) running up to me to hug or sit on my lap. It's really sweet.
I hope she and I can become good friends and she won't let me down by my last neighborhood friend. (Wanna know about that, email me and if I trust you, I'll share.)
Justin's coach has never coached soccer. So his practices are quite disorganized. When I take Korinne to her practices, I take Justin along because Korinne's coach is nice enough to let Justin practice if there's an odd number of girls there. Well Colleen Condon's son happens to be on Justin's team. The first time I met her I knew she looked familiar but I couldn't place her. I'm so not into politics, but when someone pointed it out to me, it made sense. I'd seen her on the news a few times. She's played soccer for 8 years. She was at practice tonight and I have to say, tonight's practice went so well. I think with her helping tonight, the kids learned more in one hour than they've learned in 4 practices. She was encouraging to all of the children. Which I think was a boost in their confidence.
On another note, Jay has been coming home the past couple of weeks complaining about a girl in his class that is verbally bullying him. According to him she calls him hideous looking and talks crap about us. She's never even met us. And Jay is not hideous looking. So it looks like I'll be contacting his teacher to find out what's going on. Jay says he's told her about it and has even talked to the counselor. Jay is a very sensitive child and gets his feelings hurt easily. If what Jay says is really happening, then I consider this a form of bullying. I intend to look further into it.
I can't wait to see how cute they look in their uniforms. I will, of course, post pics sometime this weekend of them in their uniforms.
Wish them luck on their first games. :)
This is what I want to print a flyer of. The bike isn't really lost. Someone STOLE it! Why am I not surprised. We're surrounded by a bunch of hoodlum thieves! I cannot wait to move from here. We realized Jay's bike was missing this afternoon. I thought it was in our bedroom where we usually keep it. But Jimmy says he last saw it last night behind the huge bush in front of our porch. Now anyone walking by wouldn't really see it unless they were looking for it or something to steal. I spent over an hour walking around today looking on porches and balconies for this bike. Jay asked the maintenance men if they'd seen it. They hadn't, said they would keep an eye out for it but that we should call the police. Oh please. What the hell are they going to do about it? I can't remember where Jimmy stashed the paperwork with the serial number on it. Regardless they don't care about some stupid bike. I'm tired of my kids' things being stolen from our porch. I posted
I'm so ready to move from this place. I love the school...well as long as it's right down the road. Not going to let them go to Spruil Avenue! But I'm willing to move away from this neighborhood. It's gone downhill so fast in the past year. I just want my kids to be able to forget their toys for one night without having to worry about some asshat taking it off our porch. Is that too much to ask?
We got up and out the house by around 8:30am. We stopped by McD's for breakfast then made a pit stop at Walmart to get some kind of AC to DC adapter so we could charge the camcorder battery in the car.
Alas we are on the road. The rental car Jimmy was able to get (there's an Enterprise in the office of where he works so we got an *AWESOME deal for Friday-Monday and any car we wanted) played burned cds so we were able to listen to all kinds of music. The kids (Jay and Justin) kept themselves occupied really well. We played the Alphabet game several times. Couldn't really play I Spy since everything was green. LOL
We reach NC state line and following the directions from Map Quest, we drive past this beautiful waterfall. We made plans to stop on the way home to take pictures.
We find out hotel easily enough. Map Quest was accurate on those directions. I'd printed out directions from our home to the hotel and then from the hotel to the drag way.
Here is where I can say Map Quest sucks ass! It told us to turn on one street, then left and follow to the drag way. However one street was a dead end! So we turned around and stopped at the nearest gas station where we bought a map of Rockingham AND North Carolina. I also asked the cashier for directions. While she couldn't give me street names she gave me precise directions and we were on our way.
We finally arrived and parked. We weren't able to bring our cooler in or any bags (other than my purse). We had to go to a special window to pick up our tickets since I'd ordered them online. Jimmy was allowed to bring his bag in. It's one of those Marlboro lunch boxes that he uses as a camera bag. They looked in the bag and saw that it only contained his camera and our new camcorder so they allowed it.
It was quite nippy in North Carolina and Jay had left his jacket at our hotel room. He still wore a long sleeve shirt and a sweatshirt with a hood. But it was still cold. (I won't be surprised if we all end up with colds this week.) When I say nippy, when the wind was blowing, it cut right through you. By the time we left it hurt to walk cause my toes were so cold and from standing in one place for so long.
As far as the actual show. It was the BEST show I've been to in...EVER! We saw some very fast cars. A jet car that we could barely follow. Some racing motorcycles, racing snowmobiles, pro-mods and then the actual All Out Racing.
The show will air in about 4 months and you may just see us in the audience. You won't recognize any of us, but you might see Jay out there in his bright orange Clemson sweatshirt. LOL
In between events, they had people throwing t-shirts in the stands (kinda like at Stingrays' games.) Jay and Justin tried so hard to get one, yet were just about trampled by grown men. At one point, I was just walking back to our seats and was about knocked to the ground by grown ass men fighting over a piece of damn cloth! So the last time they were throwing out shirts, Jimmy and Jay had left to circulate their blood/feet/whatever. Justin and I were in the stands. When I saw the girls throwing shirts out, I told Justin to run to the fence and start making noise. He did. But there were still a few grown men trying for the shirt. As I'm watching to make sure these particular assholes don't knock my son down, I see a t-shirt being thrown in Justin's direction. A grown man grabs it, turns around and hands it to Justin. My heart jumped. As Justin is running to me, I'm running down. I ask, "Did you tell him thank you?" He says yes. So I'm going down to tell the man myself thank you but he's disappeared into the crowd. Jimmy said he didn't do it for thanks or he would have stuck around. I thought that was extremely generous. Of course, Jay didn't think it was fair. But it's not like I bought the t-shirt. We couldn't afford the t-shirts anyway!
The races were over around 8:30pm. We left, went to Sonic for some real food and went back to the hotel room. We were all passed out by 10pm and up at 7:30am eager to head home. The mattress was VERY comfy but we're used to sleeping with at least three pillows, not one! LOL
Anyway, below are the pictures we took of the waterfall. Yes we stopped and took pics. It was just so unexpected to see in the middle of trees. We saw a lot of swamps, but nothing like this. So, of course, I insisted we get pics. We did cross the street to see where the water was going. And on a log in the stream was covered with ice! ICE! It was that cold! LOL Jimmy thought he got pictures of that as well, but hey we're still learning how to use the camcorder for videos and still images. LOL I'm just glad we got the pics of the waterfall! LOL
ALL the toys are in Justin's and Korinne's room. I expect them to clean their room. Jay plays in there with the toys yet I don't expect him to help clean in there. Justin and Korinne actually race me while I'm cleaning the kitchen and living room. They usually win. Yet it seems to take Jay all day to clean up what would take me half an hour.
He had the nerve to say he didn't think it was fair for him to clean Justin's clothes. I said "Well you drag out and play with the toys that are all over the floor in their room but I don't ask you to help them clean." Then I went further to say, "Every single day, I clean the kitchen. I don't use all those dishes. Every single day, I clean the living room. I don't play with those toys. I don't leave granola bar wrappers or fruit snack wrappers on the floor. And every single week, I do 6 loads of laundry and only a sixth of those clothes are mine. So until you can explain to me how fair it is that I do all that, then and only then can you complain to me about how unfair it is that you have to clean one measly room." He obviously didn't have an answer to that.
I do ask Jay to take the trash out also. All he has to do is walk to the compactor and throw it in. Yesterday, when I asked him to take the one bag out he started pitching a fit and said under his breath, "Sometimes I feel neglected." Now this is coming from a child that is completely spoiled. When he wants something within reason we buy it...he does work for it. It's not as if he says he wants a PS3 and we go out and buy it. But if he says he wants a new book, we're all over that.
I don't like it but the kids do get a weekly allowance. However, they have to earn it. If I have to spend all day coaxing, bribing or threatening them to clean, they forfeit the allowance. But if they do their chores, they earn it. They can also earn money by doing things I didn't ask them to do.
Because I've had Jay steal from me, several times, he's lost his allowance. He's also lost it when I've had to spend all day just getting him to clean his room. (Remember all that's in his room is his bed, Jackson's crib, the bouncy seat under his bed and a dresser him and Justin share.) So He has right now $10. When he does get money, it burns a hole in his pocket and he spends it right away. Justin, on the other hand, has saved his money for a long enough time that he has just over $100. He says he's saving for a tv. And I will buy him that tv because he'll be using his own money and he's earned it.
I have totally digressed! It's Spring Break. I haven't had a moments peace. I haven't been able to nap, which makes me cranky. LOL But despite all the arguments between the kids, we've been having a great time. We've been playing lots of board games. Today we had a water fight. The weather was perfect! I couldn't find our water balloons, so we pulled out the water guns. In the end, we had several neighbor children going in and out of their apartments with bowls full of water. It was so fun watching these kids enjoying themselves.
I had Jackson outside for close to 2 hours, longer than ever. His little cheeks were all rosy and he was so tired from playing so hard.
I know the kids will still get on my nerves tomorrow, but I'm looking forward to having another water fight with them. Or playing another board game with them. I love that their friends want to come inside and play here. At least I know where my kids are and what they're doing.
Ahhhhhhhhhh Spring break
!I'm excited to learn it yet a little intimidated. I am technologically illeriterate. LOL I'm lucky I can work my digicam. LOL I imagine I'm going to have dvds after dvds filled of the kids. LOL
This past weekend, Jay (stupid as it was) left a PS2 game belonging to my cousin on our porch. Our neighbor that had come over to play mentioned he saw another kid messing with the case. I sent Jay out to get the game. The game was not in the case. (Jay insisted it was.) So we went to the child's parent and I asked her to please keep an eye out for the game, explaining that it was on our porch and a neighbor saw her son messing with the case. She said her son didn't even own a PS2, but promised she'd keep an eye out for it.
However, it turned out the game had been in our apartment all along. When I found out, I went straight back to the boys apartment and told his mother, "We found the game and I want to apologize for coming over and asking if your son had it. I only had my neighbors account to go by." She said it was alright and thanked me for coming back by. She then said that the same thing had happened to her son when they used to have a game system. Only the game really had been stolen. I told her, "Well I felt I should come and apologize to you and your son." She seemed genuinely shocked by that. But I feel I was wrong and needed to admit it.
But what about the children around here that seem to think it's okay to walk off with something they clearly know doesn't belong to them? The same day the game couldn't be found, one of Justin's friends came over asking where his bike was cause Justin had been riding it. Justin insisted he'd left it where the other child had left it before. So I sent Justin out with his friend to look for it. A friend of Jay's was over and said he saw some big kids riding it. We spot it and sure enough kids too big for the bike are riding it. So D goes to get the bike and I'm watching them talk for a few minutes, then D comes back with the bike. He went up to them and said, "That's not your bike." One kid said, "Yes it is." D says, "No it's not. It belongs to that little boy over there. I don't want to start anything, but if you don't give the bike back, you're not going to be happy." The kid eventually gave D the bike back, making Justin's friend very happy.
Man I can't wait to move from here! I'm so tired of all the bullshit we deal with.
Well Easter weekend, the show is doing an All out race. There will be several hundred people that show up with their cars. It will be dwindled down to 16. Then down to 2. The last two, whoever wins the best 2 out of 3 wins 10K. We've seen a couple of those shows on the Speed Channel. However, this time, there will be an all out race in North Carolina at the Rockingham Dragway Easter weekend.
I'm so excited to go! A friend of Jimmy's referred us to a hotel that he said charges $60 a night. I called and was told it was $90 a night. When I questioned why, the bitch got an attitude with me and said, "It's a bigger race." Then put me on hold. So I hung up.
I then went to
www.expedia.com and checked rates. Now the hotel I originally called was 10 miles from the dragstrip. I found an available room 7 miles from said dragstrip. I entered that it would be for 2 adults and 2 children. The website quoted $58.50 plus $5 for each additional adult and advised me to call. So I called. At the actual hotel, I was quoted $55, plus an additional $5 per extra person and a cot would be brought in for each extra. I was fine with that so I made the reservation. I'd already told the woman that Jimmy and I would sleep in the double bed and the children would sleep in sleeping bags. (We're only taking the two older ones. The two younger ones are staying with my Aunt.) So I was expecting to be charged at least $65 plus taxes. The woman I spoke to called me back not 5 minutes later and said, "Mrs. P-----, we're only charging you the $55 plus tax, because the room you're getting has a sofa that converts to a bed and if your children are small enough, they can both fit there." I told her the children were only 6 and 11 and she said, "Then there's no reason to charge the extra." I was so happy. I told her that I would definitely give a positive review for her.It really doesn't matter that the hotel is a small one and not popular like the others. We're going to be at the event longer than at the hotel. When we finally go to the hotel, it will be only long enough to sleep before we head home.
I will still give a positive comment to this wonderful woman who was so nice and didn't gouge the price just because there was a "bigger race" than usual in the area.
I'm so looking forward to this "vacation!" LOL
Justin's teacher emailed me at lunchtime. Here's her email..."hey Katee- conferences were only scheduled for struggling students, but I am happy to sit down with you or set up a telephone conference about your wonderful son Justin. He is reading and writing on a 2nd grade level most of the time, and his critical thinking skills are way beyond his young age. He is a sponge- he loves soaking up everything you put in front in front of him- in ANY subject! He is self-motivated and eager to contribute in any topic- I am so proud of all his growth and progress in written and oral expression. I have sent him to the principal and various 1st grade teachers to show off his creative writing ability! What a wonderful and caring young man you have raised! Congratulations!"
I was so proud, I had tears in my eyes. Jimmy strted teasing me about it. LOL I'm so proud of my young man. And to think he's only in kindergarten! LOL
Jay, on the other hand, proved harder to bribe. LOL But he did finish a few minutes after 11.
It's a good thing they cleaned because I got a notice from the office that they're doing inspections Wednesday. Supposedly to inspect maintenance items, appliances and general condition. They're starting the inspections at 9am. So sometime between 9-5, they'll be here. I hate being inconvenienced. And Jackson has his speech therapy at 11. I don't think I've ever lived anywhere where there was an inspection. They do have maintenance prevention every couple of months, where they check the hot water heater, fire extinguisher, faucets, etc. But to do an inspection on the condition?
Jimmy and I are seriously hoping to buy a house soon. I'm tired of the people around here. The kids around here have no respect for other people or their property. The other day, Korinne and the boys were outside playing. Korinne's bike was maybe a hundred feet from her. Yet I watched this older boy hop on her bike and start riding it around. I went out there and fussed at him. He said, "Well she just left it here." I pointed and said, "She's right there! How about you stop taking things that aren't yours." It's not the first time I've had to chase down their bikes. Even when they're been parked on our porch!
That's one of the main reasons we want to move. The other is next year because their school is doing renovations, the students will be bused to Ron McNair off Spruil Avenue. I do NOT think so! If I wanted my children to go to school over there, I'd live over there! I will do anything in my power to keep my kids from going to school in that area. I know the staff will be the same, but I just will not feel comfortable with my children being over there. So, not gonna happen!
Anyway, wish us luck on finding something big enough yet affordable.
After long agonizing day of trying to get fluids in Jackons, only to have him throw up shortly after, I'm taking him to the doctor in the morning.
I called the ped's office this morning and spoke to Debbie. (Debbie used to live across the street from Jimmy and her son grew up with Jimmy. So I know she will steer us in the right direction.) She told me since he'd just thrown up to wait 2 hours and give him an ounce of pedialyte. If he did well, give 2 ounces in 20 minutes. Unfortunately, we didn't have any pedialyte, Jimmy had already gone to work and I didn't want to risk him getting sick again at the grocery store and possibly infecting others.
Instead I gave him water. He sipped on 2 ounces the entire day, dry heaving when nothing would come up. He had no wet diapers all day, only diarhhea. He's been sleeping pretty much all day and crying in between because I think he's hungry. He just can't keep anything down.
Debbie told me if it continued to bring him in, so that's what we're doing in the morning. I just hope he doesn't need to be hospitalized. It was all I could do all day not to break down and cry. Please keep him in your prayers that we can help him without any hospitalization. I don't want to see him in there again.
While at the store earlier buying the honey needed for dinner, Jackson hurled. All over himself and the floor. I dropped the honey and my purse and ran him to the next register looking for a trash can and paper towels. An older woman standing in front of me, stepped outta line, picked up my purse and the honey and stood with me while I cleaned up Jackson. We get back in line and he hurls again. The cashier joked, "This always happens in my line." She looks over at a co-worker and says, "We have an up chuck clean up." And laughs. LOL
We get to Lucy Blue and I take his clothes off him. I didn't want his car seat to get all yucky. As I'm finishing buckling the kids, I see the woman that had helped me so I called out to her and thanked her. She said, "I don't know how you stayed so calm." I said, "I have 4 kids. LOL" She laughed and said she figured because I was just matter of fact about the whole thing.
We get home and I let Jackson run around in just his diaper while I cooked dinner. I put him in his high chair and gave him something to eat. He seemed fine. Then about an hour later he got sick again. I cleaned it up and sprayed carpet cleaner. He doesn't seem to be able to keep anything down. I gave him a little juice and not even 15 minutes after drinking he was sick again. He's not running a fever or anything, so I'm thinking it's a stomach virus.
However, I decided to buy some pork chops when I went grocery shopping. I knew I didn't want to eat it bland and dry, so I went to my trusty computer and looked up recipes.
This is the one I used tonight. Honey-Soy Glazed Pork Chops. It was so delicious! Jimmy obviously liked it because I didn't hear a word outta him until he was finished eating. LOL I even liked it. It was super easy to make. The chops were finished before the rest of the food. LOL
I'm actually looking forward to making them again. We're going to try the glaze on steak kabobs this weekend. I'll let you know how those turn out. LOL
While there, B mentioned that he'd always wanted to try a coconut. They were a dollar a piece, so I told him to go pick one out.
Later Saturday evening, B, Jimmy and I were on the porch watching B pound on this coconut with a hammer. He finally got it open and tried a piece. The look on his face was just priceless! He had this look like I'd made him eat cat litter or something. So he tried the coconut milk. That was even worse. Korinne was out with us watching the whole thing. LOL
I sent her inside to fetch the boys cause they'd both wanted to try the coconut. Jay was first. His face was the same screwed up face B had made. Same with Justin. Now Korinne had been watching this whole thing so I thought, "There's no way she's going to try it." BUT, she did! And made the same horrific face. LOL Jimmy and I laughed so hard we almost fell out of our chairs.
Yesterday when we took B home, I mentioned to my Aunt about the coconut. She started yelling at me! Literally. Saying how B had asked for a coconut the other day at the store and when she said she didn't have the money to waste, he pitched a fit and said, "Well Kaytee will buy me one!" I was not about to be yelled at for something so stupid, so I said, "Okay I'm going now, Bye." And left quickly without a goodbye!
Now, B NEVER once asked me to buy him anything. He mentioned he wanted to try one and I've always wondered about them. We happened to be at the store and they were only a dollar, so I told him to grab one.
No he didn't manipulate me into buying one, It was a casual mention as I was looking through the produce deciding what to get.
But I have to say, even if he HAD asked me to buy one, it was well worth the dollar just to see the faces he and my three older kids made. LOL I'm still laughing my ass off about it. LOL
| You Are A Walnut Tree |
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The other day when Jackson finished lunch, I signed and said, "All done?" And he signed it and I swear it sounded like he said it also! So today while Krista was here, they were playing and he signed all done. And even signed more when he wanted more toys. I was so proud! She brought over 2 dvds that she'd burned of cartoons teaching sign language. We'll be watching those in the morning.
On another note, I was finally able to get in touch with the speech therapist at the boys' school. We have an appointment Friday morning for Korinne to be evaluated. Wish us luck.
We currently have GEICO with coverage on 3 vehicles. Lucy Blue is full coverage with ERS at 25/50/25. Deductible at $250. The Tempo is liability with comprehensive, same limits as Lucy Blue. The truck liability only. We pay $657 every 6 months. I've had one accident I was at fault in in the past 3 years. Jimmy has had one ticket for a seat belt violation.
The lowest quote we got was from a company I'd never heard of (and I used to be an auto insurance agent at Beach and Beach and later at GEICO) at over $900 every 6 months. Progressive was almost $1100 every 6 months.
Those people are totally smoking crack or something. I even emailed progressive and told them they were out of their minds. They claim they can save more money than GEICO, yet they were quoting me $400 MORE than GEICO. Go figure.
I think I'll stick with GEICO. Forget those other companies. Plus, I LOVE those caveman commercials. LOL
When I lived in Cali with my grandmother and her husband, he forbade me from being alone with my uncle because he was gay. My response was "What did it matter, he isn't interested in girls, so he won't touch me!"
Despite all the bullshit I went through, we have always been close. Well right now he works at the Corning ware store at the Tanger Outlet Mall in North Charleston.
Jimmy was sick but stayed in the room, so my mom and Uncle both came over and I cooked for them. My uncle showed up with a couple of glasses and a couple of shot glasses Jimmy and I admired from his store. That was so nice of him.
This same uncle, my fave uncle, also gave me a 12 set of real crystal wine glasses years ago. He's also bought things for my kids just because. He's more of a brother to me than an uncle. Besides, how can I think of him as an uncle when I grew up with him. He's 6 years older than me. But I'm 6 years older than my own sister. So other than parentage, what makes him different?
He's been offered a job in Florida. I so hope he doesn't take it. I like having him near me.
It arrived in the mail today and I have to say, it's awesome! I looked through some of the recipes and was quite impressed that some of the recipes I usually use are in there with alternative ingredients.
I cannot wait to try them out (without telling the others) and being able to feed Jackson the results.
I now know exactly what to look for in ingredients and what to use to make every day meals that we all usually eat. So YAY, go me! LOL
Jackson had his 18 month check up this morning. He's still below the charts for everything but you can tell there's been a steady rise in weight, height and head circumference. He was so well behaved during his appointment. He sat there so patiently while they poked and prodded him. The nurse even said, "Is he always this good?" I said "Sometimes." LOL He cried for just a few seconds after he got his shot.
<Ok off the subject of his appointment. But just now, Jimmy leaned over for me to give him a kiss. As he's walking away, Jackson is following him and tapping his own lips. I get Jimmy's attention and when he turns around, Jackson lifts his head for his own kiss. Yeah it was sweet enough I got all verklempt! LOLI'm one of...oh 5 parents...that actually goes to the bus stop with their kids. The other morning, this idiot comes to the 4 way stop just as the bus is coming to his left. The lights are already flashing, yet this idiot attempts to turn left and has to stop in the middle of the intersection because the bus' stop sign was out. YES in the MIDDLE of the intersection. I mean, come on. He had to know the bus was stopping when the lights were flashing.
So after the bus leaves, I'm waiting for one car to turn then I start crossing. I'm pushing Jackson in the stroller with Korinne holding onto the side. I hear, rather so much as see, this suburban nail the gas. A split second later, They slam on the brakes and I'm jerking the stroller back. My stomach drops and I screech "Jesus Christ!" The absentminded driver waves in apology. And as I'm just about running the rest of the way across the street, I'm thinking, "You'd better be sorry! Cause you'd be more than sorry had you hit my baby and Korinne. Well and me ofcourse.
It wasn't even her turn to go as she wasn't the first one at the stop sign. So had I not been walking across the street, she'd have t-boned the car that was going the same way I was walking.
Another driver that witnessed it rolled ehr window down and says to me, "Is she blind?" I said, "Apparently. To miss a grown woman with a child, pushing a stroller."
Before Justin entered the homework club, I witnessed several drivers almost hit kids that were crossing the street because they were in such a hurry. Is it ridiculous to expect drivers that HAVE to stop at a 4 way stop to actually stop? And to be more cautious when bus full of kids is at the bus stop? I guess I'm just that naive.
For
JanetLeeI completely agree with you! And I have 3 men and 1 woman I'm raising right now. I want my children to know that they have to work hard to be recognized for whatever it is they've done.
I admit, my children are spoiled in that they have more than I did growing up. I tell them they're special. But at the same time I also tell them that they have to earn respect and recognition.
For example, with the game Jay invented for the inventor's convention, I knew it wasn't all that great. But he did his best. He did win Honorable Mention because it was unique and wasn't a variation from another game. I knew he'd be upset for not winning an award. But I told him he needed to work harder next year.
Jimmy told me I was being too harsh for telling him that although I loved his project and it was fun for us to play, that he probably wouldn't win. I argued that it was realistic to prepare him for failure so that he would work harder the next time.
I hate "labels." Jay was diagnosed with ADHD. Yes he's hyper and yes he has some trouble paying attention to things that don't interest him. But I refuse to let him use that as an excuse for anything. I feel I'm harder on him than my other kids because I know how smart he is, and I know that even though he hates English and History, that he knows the material. He just doesn't care and tries to say it's the ADHD. No, son, it's not. He does well on all the tests. So I know he's learning something.
The same goes for when one of my kids comes home saying so and so made fun of them and said whatever. I want to teach them that it doesn't matter what others say. They know it's not true. So why let the other kid get to them? No, they're not always going to be the best. The smartest. Most creative. Or whatever. They have to learn that for themselves. I try, as their mother to prepare them for the worst, while hoping for the best. Does that make me a negative person? I've been told so. I've been told I'm ruining their self-esteem. I just want them to be prepared and work harder for the best.
I have NO idea how he landed when he fell out. Now standing in his crib the top came to just under his neck. The little bugger climbed out! So I laid him in my bed with me. I was too paranoid to put him back in his bed where he could climb out and hurt himself.
So this evening, I went in the room armed with an allen wrench. Took the mattress and bedding out and lowered the mattress to the lowest setting. I know he's 18 months old, but he's so small, I thought I had more time before having to lower the mattress.
Now Jay, he was put in a regular bed at 18 months old because even with the mattress on the lowest setting would climb out and crawl in bed with his Nanny and Graddaddy. (We lived with my in-laws.) The first time he did that to me, I almost had a panic attack. My father-in-law was a charleston county deputy sheriff at the time and was on the night shift. So we were always quiet in the mornings. When I couldn't find Jay after looking every where else, I finally risked the wrath of my FIL and peeked in his room, where I found Jay fast asleep snuggled in his Granddaddy's arms.
Justin was in a crib until I put him in a toddler bed when I was pregnant with Korinne. Korinne was in her crib until I was pregnant with the twins. So there was no climbing out with them.
But anyway, I digress. I'm not ready for Jackson to grow fast. He's my baby. He's my last born. I really don't like it when Jimmy calls him a toddler. He is not a toddler until he's at least 2! SIGH! I want to savor every moment with him. And I do.
So today, I bought him a stroller WITH a tray in front. LOL Got a good deal on it too, like I always do at Once Upon A Child. (I LOVE that store. It's my Toys 'R Us. LOL
We had a wonderful weekend. I decided to get grocery shopping out of the way on Friday. And WOW was it nice going with only Korinne and Jackson rather than all four as usual. So my Saturday was free. I put in a cd my mom made me full of Oldies and put the kids to work cleaning. Jimmy came home from work earlier than usual so we hung out and had a good time.
This morning, I got up and cooked french toast for us. NOT thinking, I gave Jackson a slice with strawberry jelly. It wasn't until AFTER he ate it and I cleaned him up that I was smacking myself for giving him french toast that I'd dipped in egg mixture. Thankfully, he only got a few little splotches on his cheeks that went away after an hour or so.
We hung out at home all day. I went and bought a new folding table and chairs and we spent the afternoon playing Monopoly until Jimmy grilled some cheeseburgers (on the indoor grill since it was so windy today.) This evening, we played Yahtzee. I barely beat Jay at Monopoly (he had hotels on Park Place and Boardwalk. LOL) Justin kicked ass in Yahtzee.
It was a great weekend! I do NOT like Sunday evenings knowing the kids go to school the next morning and Jimmy goes to work. I LOVE our weekends. (SIGH)
Oh and because of me playing the Oldies cd, I caught the kids singing songs from it several times over the weekend. LOL
Of course that didn't last long. Justin finished playing with her and now she and Jay are back and forth at each other. Korinne just told Jay she hated him. Jay's response, "I don't care cause I'll always love you." I said, "You remember that the next time you tell me you hate me." LOL
With everything he's gone through, I need a break!
Of course, I HAD to run inside for the camera.
My camera doesn't do the actual site justice. But all I could think was...WOW!
And Justin lost his first tooth...a bottom front tooth. Leave it to my Justin to be different. LOL
However today, said 15 year old that is always skipping school, prevented me from letting my daughter outside to play on the porch. During the week, she only plays on the porch since her friends are in school and there's no one at the playground to play with.
Today I kept her inside because said 15 year old was upstairs on his balcony with a few friends smoking pot. Just before Korinne asked to go outside to play, I stepped outside and was overwhelmed with the smell wafting downstairs. I was irate! But held my tongue.
Tonight when the kids mom was walking by and she asked me how my day went, I said, "I had to keep my daughter inside because your son and his friends were up there smoking pot." She yelled for her son to come over and asked who was with him today. He said no one. So she asked again. She said, "Who did you have here smoking pot?" When he tried to deny it she said, "Don't lie because Miss Kaytee saw you." I said, "No, more I SMELLED it." He got all pissed off about it. And huffed off. His mom said if I smelled it again to just call the cops. I don't like cops anymore, which is the only reason I didn't call today. But if I smell it again and have to keep my daughter from playing outside again, I will call them.
I hate living here. I can't wait to move. Though because of all of Jackson's problems, I refuse to move too far away from MUSC. So as it is, we're looking for something a little bit in the country. With no close neighbors, but close enough for me to drive to MUSC. As many problems as we've had here, I dare these people charge us for breaking a lease. I've been bodily threatened by two "mothers". My son has had paint fly on him due to careless maintenance men (don't get me started on that!) AND I've complained several times to the office and to police about the upstairs neighbors for being loud and waking Jackson up. I think I have reason enough to break our lease. So let them try to charge me, I'll sue. Not for money but so they can't get anything from me!
I called Jimmy first and was freaking out. Jackson has an appointment tomorrow to get his RSV shot. Then after I calmed down, I called Cigna and while their computers showed Jackson's coverage had indeed been terminated, there was no reason why. I told them that we were still having money taken out of Jimmy's check for Jackson's insurance. I was told to have Jimmy's employer resend the info and it would be retro-acted to the date of termination so there would be no loss of coverage.
I called Jimmy back and told him, he said he'd speak to his boss. I said, "Ok I'll wait to hear back from you before I call the office myself."
I didn't hear from Jimmy until he came home at almost 7pm. Of course, I was shitting by then, not only because I didn't hear back from him concerning the insurance, but also because he didn't call to say he'd be late.
When he spoke to his boss, his boss was irate because he'd already paid the premium for February and was taking the money out of Jimmy's checks. I hope this is resolved soon. As far as Jackson's appointment tomorrow, I'm going to go in there pretending I know nothing and pay my $50 co-pay. I couldn't reschedule this appointment. He has to have this shot every 30 days, regardless. Because of his late start and all he has to have these RSV shots to prevent RSV. If he gets RSV, it could damage his immune system to where he'd need to be hospitalized. I do NOT want that!
On the OMG side, I had this best friend in 8th and 9th grade in California that I've been trying to find for over 5 years. I have paid the $9.95 several times to get info on her. To no avail. However, this past weekend, I must have hit the jackpot because I recieved an email from long lost friend today! Complete with an email address and a home phone! I'm still excited about that! She still lives in California so I have to remember the three hour time difference. But damn I'm happy I was able to find her!
Tonight I went on eBay to see if I could find them with a better deal. Yeah right! The books sell for $5.99 at Books A Million, with our 10% discount. On eBay they're more than that when you combine shipping. And those are USED books! Are they out of their friggen minds? If I'm going to pay more than $5.99 plus tax, I'm going to go to the bookstore and buy brand new.
Sometimes those people on eBay are full of shit!
I'm enjoying these memes so I stole another one from Mike. Apparently it started out as an e-meme, like we haven't all gotten those. LOL So here's mine.
I say almost, because I wouldn't give it up for anything in the world. I LOVE being home with my kids. I grew up feeling unloved from my mother. Feeling she blamed me for being born, as she once told me. Terrified of being a mother only to treat my children as she treated me. Maybe that's why I chose to leave Jay with sitters whenever I had the chance. After all, I was only 20 when he was born.
However now, now that I'm older and more mature, I realize that I can choose how I live my life. I absolutely LOVE all of my children (and wish I could have more.) I have Jay, though I partied and worked my life away the first 3 years of his life, who is becoming a gorgeous young man who gets on my last nerve. We're dealing with stealing concerning him. He hasn't learned that I constantly know how much money is in my wallet. That's another story there.
There's Justin, who looks the most like me and is such a good child, even with my temperament. Sometimes, I want to say he's my favorite. (Anyone that denies they have a fave child is in denial or a liar.) He's so smart and everyone loves him. His teachers and the counselors at the homework club. The Homework club doesn't normally take kindergartners but one a year. This year Justin was chosen on a trial basis. So far all of the counselors have lectured their classes on how well behaved Justin is. And how they're giving him extra work to do while the other kids finish their homework. His teachers even send different homework sheets with him because he's more advanced than his classmates. I feel so proud that finally one of my kids loves learning like I did.
Then there's my Korinne. My only living daughter. Who is so like me that it scares me. She has my temper. My vindictiveness (that I've learned to control.) She even has my hair! Our hair is straight on the outer layer and curly on the inner layer. She's so beautiful that I worry so much for her safety. I dare anyone to hurt her. I will cut them down so fast, they won't be able to breathe!
Then there's my Jackson, who has been through so much. Yet he's the most loving baby I've ever seen. I took him outside yesterday to play and he spotted his older brothers and took off running to them. As soon as he reached Justin, he threw his little arms around him and just squeezed. Then he did the same with Jay. During the day while it's just him, Korinne and me, he is constantly holding on of us. I've never seen a more giving and loving baby. And yet, I pray he'll be a healthy baby soon. He's got an appointment this month with an endocrinologist for failure to thrive. He's got constant appointments for hearing tests because they believe he has a mild hearing loss. I can't give him regular foods because he has mild allergies to milk, eggs, and peanuts. He has upcoming speech therapies because he's almost 18 months and doesn't talk. (The doctors are thinking it's because of his hearing loss.) Despite everything he's going through, I've never met a more loving baby. He gets so excited when his Daddy walks in the door for lunch or for the evening. He gets so excited when the boys come home from school.
The only thing that could make my life more complete is if I had Pheobe and Audrey with me. I know they're here in my heart. But I want to HOLD them. I want to see them grow. They would be 2 1/2 years old now. Had they lived. I see them in my mind and they're absolutely beautiful!
Despite me missing my carefree days, after reading all I wrote, can you blame me for choosing the life I have? I can't. Despite my moments, I love my life. I love my children. I love having my home clean and dinner ready when Jimmy comes home. I swear I'm a throwback from the 50s. LOL
They got their report cards on the 24th. So with Justin's report card, we spoke to the supervisor of the Homework Club. He agreed to let Justin join on a trial period. Because he's in kindergarten and usually kindergarteners aren't allowed to join. He allows one a year. This year, it's Justin.
Justin's first day was this past Monday. Yesterday, when I saw the kids outside, I went out to talk to the counselors to see how Justin did his first week. One counselor (one I didn't really care for) says "Oh I love Justin! He is so well behaved. I just gave a lecture to my class on how Justin is only 6 and in kindergarten and is the best behaved child in my class." I beamed, of course. She says, "He's the only one that finishes his homework quickly and raises his hand at all times."
I try to look serious and say, "Well I emailed his teacher and asked her to send extra sheets home for practice since I know he finishes his homework quicker than the other children." Justin gets two worksheets of homework a day. Ms. N. says, "Even with the extra worksheets, he finishes before the other kids." He came home Wednesday with a total of 10 completed worksheets and only 2 were actual homework! So they started giving him things to write until the class is ready to go outside. And man! Justin has such neat handwriting!
Jimmy and Jay have h-o-r-r-i-b-l-e handwriting. So it's so nice that one of my children, so far has nice handwriting and is eager to learn.
Justin has been making me buy him books because he loves to read so much! I'm so proud! Finally I have one that loves to read as much as me! LOL
Tonight, I was sitting here trying to see if I could figure it out by myself without losing anything. And guess what?! I did!!!!!!!! Go me! I'm getting my blog customized my own way. I'm so proud of myself. :) Can ya tell? LOL
Here's the after...
