Every year Christmas gets harder. I feel more like a scrooge every year and I don't know why! Maybe it's the substitute teaching. Right at the time when most people are taking days off to shop and get ready, I am getting called in. Not that I can complain, of course I am glad to have seemingly gotten into the good graces of the new sub caller so quickly. I am working in the morning tomorrow and a half day on Tuesday, which is the last day before the break.
But it's the outside lights, and the decorations, and the shopping - the stores are so crowded!, and everyone wants some money and I feel badly choosing one over another so I try to do as much as I possibly can. I do the giving trees at the Y, and you just never know if the kids liked what they got, the presents might as well have been tossed into the river for all the feedback you get. I don't even know how to know if they legitimately reached their destination.
Then of course there are the garbage men, the newspaper delivery woman, and the cleaning lady. And what about the mailman? You're not supposed to give him anything, but how do you NOT? Anyway, the cleaning lady is coming tomorrow, so that is my first priority right now.
Yesterday we spent the day up in Madison at Brian's meet. The parking situation was awful and the meet was poorly run. We didn't get home until 8, and Megan's friends had left without her for a party she wanted to go to. She had to wait two hours for us to get home to take her. And E's friends had completely forsaken her, but it worked out OK because she stayed in and finished a school project.
Today I am trying to get caught up on laundry, and Brian has a friend over. I am distraught because when I heard him speak, I heard a deep voice! I asked if he was sick, but I don't actually think that's it. I guess it is about time, he was 14 a few weeks ago, but still! He's been Brian's friend since first grade! I can't stand it!
In other news, I am trying to wrap up wrapping, preparations and food shopping for the onslaught of the holiday festivities. This coming week will be hectic, as it turns out, James flies in quite late on Tuesday night, Kevin has to work on Wednesday, and the Doll suggested he pick James up at the airport. This is impossible as we welcome the cousins earlier that day and are invited to a party that evening, but he did agree to pick James up at the shuttle drop at midnight. (!) George?
disclaimer: post not proofread
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Friday, December 19, 2008
Stupidity Reigns Supreme
I am stupid. I have always known it, but sometimes my stupidity amazes even me. I wrote before about the cat puke on the xmas card debacle, and how it cost me dearly because I was no longer able to just consolidate my list and send the cards I had to only the important people. Well, as I was straightening up the kitchen, I discovered what I had seen but not registered the other day: the OTHER pack of envelopes. Yes, folks that is correct. I had only addressed half the envelopes before I threw up my hands in despair at my perceived shortfall.
So now I will have 25 cards arriving today (weather permitting) and an additional bunch at home. I did have to cull quite a few because of the puking, but most were salvageable. Yet another expensive lesson on the pitfalls of disorganization.
Anyway, last night I took Brian to a meeting of a local chiari support group. I had met the guy who runs it through a posting I saw online for a fund raising walk back in the fall. I happened to be down there at the start of it, picking Megan up from her beach swim training. I introduced myself and we have become Facebook friends, and I was included in the group. I hesitated to take Brian, because the topics they discuss really don't apply to him: pain, medication, degeneration, etc. We hope that they never will, but at this point I like to be armed with all the information; in case I ever have to make decisions, I want to have all the facts ahead of time, unlike the initial period of diagnosis.
So it was interesting, we sat there for about an hour listening to people talk, all but one were adults and had lots of issues with pain, instability, and doctors who just can't help them anymore. The other child was recently operated on and is doing better but still having some problems. I thought I had made a mistake in bringing Brian, a couple of people were in wheelchairs, and one had a cane. But on the way home, he said that he had learned from it, and he wanted to know some more details about his own condition, such as which vertebrae were involved. I guess he never pays attention when we study the MRIs or when we looked at the model skeleton. So I guess it was a good thing for him after all, and he would like to go back. I think I'll choose selectively, depending on the topic. Obviously kids are going to have different issues than adults.
The 'storm' has just begun. At first it was sleet and ice was sticking to the deck. Now it sounds pretty heavy, like rain. I have to work this afternoon, I wish it had been morning because I start later than my kids go in, but when I work afternoons, they get out before I do and have to get home from the bus stop. It isn't far, just a quarter mile, but I worry when the roads are slippery. They usually manage to find rides, but I don't like them being moochers, as it seems I work more days than not lately. I told them if they want they can stay at school the extra 30-45 minutes and I will get them on my way home. I don't know if we'll get any snow, we're still in the line between snow and rain. The heavy snow is north of us. But slush can be even worse to drive in, while it's coming down.
Anyway, that's about it. In other news, tomorrow Brian has physical therapy in the morning, which he is thoroughly enjoying, I wish I had thought of this years ago. It will be interesting to see if it helps him with strength and flexibility. The balance might be a little more difficult, but as they said, the brain is very good at adapting and learning new tricks, so perhaps they can help him, even if it won't turn him into a big-time sk8r dude. Cats continue to ransack the tree and drink all of its water, which I just try not to think about while I hear the lapping come from under the tree. As I write this, Rusty is working on pulling an ornament off, working from underneath the branches. I also just hung the stockings, I bought one for E but don't have glitter to put her name on it, so I had been putting it off. I finally just gave up and hung them. It was time.
So now I will have 25 cards arriving today (weather permitting) and an additional bunch at home. I did have to cull quite a few because of the puking, but most were salvageable. Yet another expensive lesson on the pitfalls of disorganization.
Anyway, last night I took Brian to a meeting of a local chiari support group. I had met the guy who runs it through a posting I saw online for a fund raising walk back in the fall. I happened to be down there at the start of it, picking Megan up from her beach swim training. I introduced myself and we have become Facebook friends, and I was included in the group. I hesitated to take Brian, because the topics they discuss really don't apply to him: pain, medication, degeneration, etc. We hope that they never will, but at this point I like to be armed with all the information; in case I ever have to make decisions, I want to have all the facts ahead of time, unlike the initial period of diagnosis.
So it was interesting, we sat there for about an hour listening to people talk, all but one were adults and had lots of issues with pain, instability, and doctors who just can't help them anymore. The other child was recently operated on and is doing better but still having some problems. I thought I had made a mistake in bringing Brian, a couple of people were in wheelchairs, and one had a cane. But on the way home, he said that he had learned from it, and he wanted to know some more details about his own condition, such as which vertebrae were involved. I guess he never pays attention when we study the MRIs or when we looked at the model skeleton. So I guess it was a good thing for him after all, and he would like to go back. I think I'll choose selectively, depending on the topic. Obviously kids are going to have different issues than adults.
The 'storm' has just begun. At first it was sleet and ice was sticking to the deck. Now it sounds pretty heavy, like rain. I have to work this afternoon, I wish it had been morning because I start later than my kids go in, but when I work afternoons, they get out before I do and have to get home from the bus stop. It isn't far, just a quarter mile, but I worry when the roads are slippery. They usually manage to find rides, but I don't like them being moochers, as it seems I work more days than not lately. I told them if they want they can stay at school the extra 30-45 minutes and I will get them on my way home. I don't know if we'll get any snow, we're still in the line between snow and rain. The heavy snow is north of us. But slush can be even worse to drive in, while it's coming down.
Anyway, that's about it. In other news, tomorrow Brian has physical therapy in the morning, which he is thoroughly enjoying, I wish I had thought of this years ago. It will be interesting to see if it helps him with strength and flexibility. The balance might be a little more difficult, but as they said, the brain is very good at adapting and learning new tricks, so perhaps they can help him, even if it won't turn him into a big-time sk8r dude. Cats continue to ransack the tree and drink all of its water, which I just try not to think about while I hear the lapping come from under the tree. As I write this, Rusty is working on pulling an ornament off, working from underneath the branches. I also just hung the stockings, I bought one for E but don't have glitter to put her name on it, so I had been putting it off. I finally just gave up and hung them. It was time.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
That Darn Cat
The old 'be careful what you wish for' has sort of become a good way to describe my life these days. Since making the phone call requesting the one school and announcing my availability, I have been called nearly every day to work, including the days on which I said I was unavailable. So I worked all day today, then came home to run around some more.
The other day my Christmas cards arrived and I addressed all the envelopes, only to find that I hadn't ordered quite enough! So I left them out on the table while I considered how I should manage this quandary. Wrong thing to do. I came home, went to check the envelopes to see which ones I might be able to skip this year (ie: Kevin's friends heh heh) only to discover all of them sitting in a giant wet hairball yack!!! So several were destroyed, which only solidified the need to order more, only this time at greater expense, because I had to order them with 2-day shipping this time!
And then the phone rang again. I'm being sent to another school (yuck) tomorrow but back to my favorite for Monday morning and a half day on Tuesday. But that's OK because after that there are no more days to be worked for the year! (alas) So that will be a meager paycheck, but at least it will be a paycheck. And Thursday and Friday still remain open, which is likely to change at the rate I'm going anyway.
We finally got our tree trimmed last night but the outside lights sort of look, um, pathetic. I kept missing my warm day opportunities to get things up, then Kevin went and did it, and E asked when we would put the lights on the "bottom of the tree" (hedge). This is because on each of the four hedges, there is one square of netting lights just draped across the top, in a line. A couple of weeks ago, I saw that one of the neighbors had hird a company to hang their outside lights on their house and in their trees. Not a bad idea. Our other issue is power sources. We don't have any that are connected to switches, so they have to be physically plugged and unplugged, and I can tell you that the novelty of that wears off pretty quickly.
In other news, Brian had his second PT session tonight, and then I took him and Megan to the swim team holiday party. They seemed to enjoy themselves, it has turned into a big gift exchange. Megan is having a few days off from practice, she goes back Thursday, to recover from the debacle of this weekend's meet. It's SO easy to get used to not having to run around with her - not that I am able to keep from running around, though, somehow. And E was lucky - the snow caused cancellation of her basketball scrimmage this afternoon. She was probably praying that that would happen when the first flake fell!
The other day my Christmas cards arrived and I addressed all the envelopes, only to find that I hadn't ordered quite enough! So I left them out on the table while I considered how I should manage this quandary. Wrong thing to do. I came home, went to check the envelopes to see which ones I might be able to skip this year (ie: Kevin's friends heh heh) only to discover all of them sitting in a giant wet hairball yack!!! So several were destroyed, which only solidified the need to order more, only this time at greater expense, because I had to order them with 2-day shipping this time!
And then the phone rang again. I'm being sent to another school (yuck) tomorrow but back to my favorite for Monday morning and a half day on Tuesday. But that's OK because after that there are no more days to be worked for the year! (alas) So that will be a meager paycheck, but at least it will be a paycheck. And Thursday and Friday still remain open, which is likely to change at the rate I'm going anyway.
We finally got our tree trimmed last night but the outside lights sort of look, um, pathetic. I kept missing my warm day opportunities to get things up, then Kevin went and did it, and E asked when we would put the lights on the "bottom of the tree" (hedge). This is because on each of the four hedges, there is one square of netting lights just draped across the top, in a line. A couple of weeks ago, I saw that one of the neighbors had hird a company to hang their outside lights on their house and in their trees. Not a bad idea. Our other issue is power sources. We don't have any that are connected to switches, so they have to be physically plugged and unplugged, and I can tell you that the novelty of that wears off pretty quickly.
In other news, Brian had his second PT session tonight, and then I took him and Megan to the swim team holiday party. They seemed to enjoy themselves, it has turned into a big gift exchange. Megan is having a few days off from practice, she goes back Thursday, to recover from the debacle of this weekend's meet. It's SO easy to get used to not having to run around with her - not that I am able to keep from running around, though, somehow. And E was lucky - the snow caused cancellation of her basketball scrimmage this afternoon. She was probably praying that that would happen when the first flake fell!
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Back from the Wet Side
The weekend is over! It was a very mixed bag at the swim meet all weekend, beginning with Friday. Megan didn't really get any best times on Friday, although she did swim the 200 free fairly well and at least got a national qualifying time at night, when her coach let her swim the relay lead-off for an official time. Alas, though, not a personal best time for her. She also swam somewhat surprisingly slower than her time in the 1000.
Saturday was even worse, it seemed. Her coach got confused and almost missed her 500, in fact he missed most of it, and she was already off on such a slow pace, between her mood that day and the fact that she was by far the slowest in the heat, and stuck in an outside lane. She missed that time, too, by seven seconds.
But then I left and she got a best time in the 100 back, and then came home and we relaxed for the afternoon. I took E to the mall to shop for a while, then had Kevin take Brian to a party which turned out to be today instead. I had rushed around to get a gift and bake a quick cake, and then they got there and the hosts were on their way out the door of their dark and empty house! But it was fine, they left the cake and gift there and I got Brian back in time for the party tonight.
Today was quite a bit better at the meet - at least in the beginning. Megan swam the 200 back for a best time by milliseconds, then announced she hadn't really tried. This wasn't a surprise, because she had the 100 free coming up with a good shot of making another qualifying time. Kids were qualifying left and right for nationals, whether because of the new suits, or training, or just luck. So finally she was up, and she became the third on her team to qualify in that event today! Now she has three events for Nationals this year: the 100, 200 and 500 freestyles.
Then she swam the 1650 terribly. I was not too upset about that because that's a grueling race. You sit there and hope for them to do well and then wonder why in the world they are doing this awful race in the first place! But it was odd, we've always thought of her as more of a distance swimmer, but this weekend she definitely performed in direct correlation to the length of the race: the longer it got, the worse she swam it.
Overall it was a good result and she didn't end up having to go back tonight to swim in the relay, somehow something went wrong and her relay was scratched, which was just great for us to hear. Instead, she helped E color her hair!! I was out, and have yet to see the end result.
In other news, I cannot believe the big holiday is just a week plus away. I am not ready, not ready at all. I am working tomorrow but so far have no other days booked for the week. I feel my stomach expanding from all the restaurant food this weekend, and I don't know how I'll even fit into clothes over the holidays! E is struggling with the basketball team at school, not enjoying it so much, but not yet ready to give up, so we'll see how that turns out. Of course, it is easier for me if she doesn't do it, but I also want her to be involved in things with school. That's what the program is supposed to be all about.
Saturday was even worse, it seemed. Her coach got confused and almost missed her 500, in fact he missed most of it, and she was already off on such a slow pace, between her mood that day and the fact that she was by far the slowest in the heat, and stuck in an outside lane. She missed that time, too, by seven seconds.
But then I left and she got a best time in the 100 back, and then came home and we relaxed for the afternoon. I took E to the mall to shop for a while, then had Kevin take Brian to a party which turned out to be today instead. I had rushed around to get a gift and bake a quick cake, and then they got there and the hosts were on their way out the door of their dark and empty house! But it was fine, they left the cake and gift there and I got Brian back in time for the party tonight.
Today was quite a bit better at the meet - at least in the beginning. Megan swam the 200 back for a best time by milliseconds, then announced she hadn't really tried. This wasn't a surprise, because she had the 100 free coming up with a good shot of making another qualifying time. Kids were qualifying left and right for nationals, whether because of the new suits, or training, or just luck. So finally she was up, and she became the third on her team to qualify in that event today! Now she has three events for Nationals this year: the 100, 200 and 500 freestyles.
Then she swam the 1650 terribly. I was not too upset about that because that's a grueling race. You sit there and hope for them to do well and then wonder why in the world they are doing this awful race in the first place! But it was odd, we've always thought of her as more of a distance swimmer, but this weekend she definitely performed in direct correlation to the length of the race: the longer it got, the worse she swam it.
Overall it was a good result and she didn't end up having to go back tonight to swim in the relay, somehow something went wrong and her relay was scratched, which was just great for us to hear. Instead, she helped E color her hair!! I was out, and have yet to see the end result.
In other news, I cannot believe the big holiday is just a week plus away. I am not ready, not ready at all. I am working tomorrow but so far have no other days booked for the week. I feel my stomach expanding from all the restaurant food this weekend, and I don't know how I'll even fit into clothes over the holidays! E is struggling with the basketball team at school, not enjoying it so much, but not yet ready to give up, so we'll see how that turns out. Of course, it is easier for me if she doesn't do it, but I also want her to be involved in things with school. That's what the program is supposed to be all about.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
The No Power Hour
We lost all our power for over an hour last night! It was weird, we were sitting around and the lights dimmed but came back, then a minute later all went black. E got a text that power was out in the next town to the north, and then Megan texted that they were outside the Y in the next town south. That was huge. It was scary to not know why this was happening, Kevin was on the bus but didn't find anything out either. I put the car radio on because I couldn't find D batteries, but the announcer was just mocking the situation, saying "flesh will become food; homes will become caves; it's neighbor vs. neighbor with a baseball bat" so that wasn't much help. Anyway, then my battery abruptly died and we lost even that.
Eventually we learned that it was just a fire at a huge transformer that caused all the little stations to trip. Ours came back on just as we were pondering the setup of the generator. I took out the chicken I had been planning to cook and found that one of the packs smelled rancid. I had four good pieces, so I cut them up and we all had a smaller portion of food. This morning all is right in the world, except that Megan's practice got cancelled, and rescheduled for tonight, when she won't be able to go. She has to be at school for Spanish Honor Society. We emailed the coach twice last night but haven't heard back. The timing just stinks.
I had to turn down a job for today! I have to get Brian to school now, start a crock pot roast, take Molly for her bath, get the house ready for the cleaner tomorrow, and then pick up Brian at school to get him to the PT evaluation by 3. And somehow find out what time Megan can get to the Y and swim, hopefully before the induction ceremony, since we don't know what time she will get out, but it could be as late as 9.
I have work tomorrow, not the job I thought, I guess she hadn't called it in yet, but at least I have work. Then there will be Friday, when we head up to the big meet. But more to follow on that after the weekend.
In other news, big rain is in the forecast for today. It's already warm like a spring day, and they said it could get up to 70! That will make it hard for me to stay focused. I have so much clutter to get rid of, and I know I will be very easily distracted after being on my feet in uncomfortable shoes all day yesterday. Brian is stalking me to take him to the bus now, so I will cut this short without proofing. Disclaimer.
Eventually we learned that it was just a fire at a huge transformer that caused all the little stations to trip. Ours came back on just as we were pondering the setup of the generator. I took out the chicken I had been planning to cook and found that one of the packs smelled rancid. I had four good pieces, so I cut them up and we all had a smaller portion of food. This morning all is right in the world, except that Megan's practice got cancelled, and rescheduled for tonight, when she won't be able to go. She has to be at school for Spanish Honor Society. We emailed the coach twice last night but haven't heard back. The timing just stinks.
I had to turn down a job for today! I have to get Brian to school now, start a crock pot roast, take Molly for her bath, get the house ready for the cleaner tomorrow, and then pick up Brian at school to get him to the PT evaluation by 3. And somehow find out what time Megan can get to the Y and swim, hopefully before the induction ceremony, since we don't know what time she will get out, but it could be as late as 9.
I have work tomorrow, not the job I thought, I guess she hadn't called it in yet, but at least I have work. Then there will be Friday, when we head up to the big meet. But more to follow on that after the weekend.
In other news, big rain is in the forecast for today. It's already warm like a spring day, and they said it could get up to 70! That will make it hard for me to stay focused. I have so much clutter to get rid of, and I know I will be very easily distracted after being on my feet in uncomfortable shoes all day yesterday. Brian is stalking me to take him to the bus now, so I will cut this short without proofing. Disclaimer.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Back in the Saddle (for now)
My strategy paid off. I called the new sub caller yesterday afternoon, and told her that I can't work Wednesday and Friday but that I am free and would like to work the rest of the week; I also mentioned my fondness for my usual school. She called last night and gave me a morning there and then later in the evening also added an afternoon. It was perfect.
At school, I had two teachers tell me they had requested me and gotten someone else, and three asked if I would work for them this week. This never happens in those random schools they've been sending me to. I had to tell one no, but the others should book me for tomorrow (which she did) and Thursday (still waiting on that one). For some twisted fateful reason, I seem to have bad luck with actually connecting with this sub caller on the phone. But since I keep calling and leaving her messages, I think she is beginning to understand that this is circumstantial and does not correlate with reliability! At least I hope so.
So tomorrow I am doing art class all day. Should be fun. Those classes are always loud and fairly out of control. But the day also goes reasonably quickly. A lot of kids are sick, and a lot of teachers are having to stay home to care for their kids. I'm not even sure if the one I covered this afternoon might have to be out again, she had left because her son was not feeling well today.
I forget if I mentioned Molly and her giant mutton leg hot spot. I finally gave in and took her to the vet the other night because she was trashing her leg so badly. He shaved off a bunch more hair and although she looks ridiculous, she seems to have gotten some relief at last. All she needs now is the bath she is scheduled to have on Wenesday, and she will be set for the holidays!
In other news, we're gearing up for the meet this weekend. Megan continues to cough, but I continue to keep my fingers crossed that it won't progress. The suit is going to make the meet interesting, as any suit that takes half an hour to put on (dry) will do. One of the coaches was mentioning that despite the high price tag, this suit is not the most durable, and it may be wise to have a friend stand at the edge of the pool with a cover-up at the end of each race, you know, just in case. Brian has the orthodontist tomorrow and physical therapy evaluation on Wednesday, although I made the PT appointment for Tuesday, and wrote it on the calendar for Wednesday. They called today to confirm for tomorrow and I felt like the biggest idiot, which I probably am. But more on that another day.
At school, I had two teachers tell me they had requested me and gotten someone else, and three asked if I would work for them this week. This never happens in those random schools they've been sending me to. I had to tell one no, but the others should book me for tomorrow (which she did) and Thursday (still waiting on that one). For some twisted fateful reason, I seem to have bad luck with actually connecting with this sub caller on the phone. But since I keep calling and leaving her messages, I think she is beginning to understand that this is circumstantial and does not correlate with reliability! At least I hope so.
So tomorrow I am doing art class all day. Should be fun. Those classes are always loud and fairly out of control. But the day also goes reasonably quickly. A lot of kids are sick, and a lot of teachers are having to stay home to care for their kids. I'm not even sure if the one I covered this afternoon might have to be out again, she had left because her son was not feeling well today.
I forget if I mentioned Molly and her giant mutton leg hot spot. I finally gave in and took her to the vet the other night because she was trashing her leg so badly. He shaved off a bunch more hair and although she looks ridiculous, she seems to have gotten some relief at last. All she needs now is the bath she is scheduled to have on Wenesday, and she will be set for the holidays!
In other news, we're gearing up for the meet this weekend. Megan continues to cough, but I continue to keep my fingers crossed that it won't progress. The suit is going to make the meet interesting, as any suit that takes half an hour to put on (dry) will do. One of the coaches was mentioning that despite the high price tag, this suit is not the most durable, and it may be wise to have a friend stand at the edge of the pool with a cover-up at the end of each race, you know, just in case. Brian has the orthodontist tomorrow and physical therapy evaluation on Wednesday, although I made the PT appointment for Tuesday, and wrote it on the calendar for Wednesday. They called today to confirm for tomorrow and I felt like the biggest idiot, which I probably am. But more on that another day.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Blog Neglect
Well, I guess I have been neglecting the blog. Things haven't been too exciting, which I suppose is a good thing. School for the kids, work for Kevin, and infrequent and last minute work days for me with this yet another new sub caller. This one has only sent me twice (albeit in one week but they were only half days) to a school that I have been to only three times in seven years, now I have been there three times in a couple of weeks and I miss my old school and the familiarity. I feel like I just take up space at this other one, teachers don't leave me with anything of substance to do, as a sub, and I end up babysitting a bunch of kids who don't always behave.
Swimming chugs along, we're getting ready for the big meet in the special suit on Friday. Megan's cold, or whatever it is, is creeping back day by day, and I'm just hoping it's a new one that will pass by the weekend and not the sinus infection rearing its head again because it wasn't treated long enough the first time. If she is worse by Tuesday I'll take her back in, that's the day the regular doctor is in the office, I think.
Someone mentioned Brian's hand tremor to me the other day and I was particularly sensitive because it was the five year anniversary of that first visit to the neurologist, where we found out that he was going to be tested for strange and mysterious ailments of the brain and spinal cord. So I stopped in at a local physical therapy place to inquire about helping him build some upper body strength, scheduled an evaluation for Wednesday, and later found that insurance will cover him for unlimited sessions, as long as they 'precert' after every five visits. So he's going to to have that done, and hopefully this can help him to put on some muscle. The swimming has helped him a lot with his legs and overall endurance, but he still needs something more for strength and flexibility, and I can't let him lift weights at a gym. His pediatrician wrote out a script for him, so I don't even have to bother the neurologist in between regular visits.
E has stuck with basketball so far, and they had their first scrimmage yesterday, so we went to watch. She has missed a few practices, so she wasn't put in the game for a while, and just as she was about to go in, the ref got involved and we realized she wasn't allowed to go on the court with this little fabric wristband that she never takes off! I knew she would never cut if off to play for 2 minutes in a JV scrimmage, and she sat back down. They have to find some creative way to cover it up in future games. It's her link to home right now, and I'm sure she won't cut it off, which is the only way it can be removed.
In other news, we went to another exchange student party last night, so that was interesting. There were quite a few that we hadn't met before, and their siblings as well. But we got there late, a couple left early, and then it started to snow and we had to leave before the roads got really scary. But we made it home. Also yesterday, we went and had the tree cut down that we had picked out last Sunday in the rain. So that's on the deck now, covered in snow. I don't know when we'll bring it in. Next weekend is going to be hectic with the swim meet. Finally, our school football team lost by one touchdown, even by an interception, in the state finals last night. But it was good for them that they made it there. The other team was 10-0, and they did give it a good run. They have a ways to go to make it back to what they were three or four years ago when they had a bunch of headliner superstars. Maybe next year.
Swimming chugs along, we're getting ready for the big meet in the special suit on Friday. Megan's cold, or whatever it is, is creeping back day by day, and I'm just hoping it's a new one that will pass by the weekend and not the sinus infection rearing its head again because it wasn't treated long enough the first time. If she is worse by Tuesday I'll take her back in, that's the day the regular doctor is in the office, I think.
Someone mentioned Brian's hand tremor to me the other day and I was particularly sensitive because it was the five year anniversary of that first visit to the neurologist, where we found out that he was going to be tested for strange and mysterious ailments of the brain and spinal cord. So I stopped in at a local physical therapy place to inquire about helping him build some upper body strength, scheduled an evaluation for Wednesday, and later found that insurance will cover him for unlimited sessions, as long as they 'precert' after every five visits. So he's going to to have that done, and hopefully this can help him to put on some muscle. The swimming has helped him a lot with his legs and overall endurance, but he still needs something more for strength and flexibility, and I can't let him lift weights at a gym. His pediatrician wrote out a script for him, so I don't even have to bother the neurologist in between regular visits.
E has stuck with basketball so far, and they had their first scrimmage yesterday, so we went to watch. She has missed a few practices, so she wasn't put in the game for a while, and just as she was about to go in, the ref got involved and we realized she wasn't allowed to go on the court with this little fabric wristband that she never takes off! I knew she would never cut if off to play for 2 minutes in a JV scrimmage, and she sat back down. They have to find some creative way to cover it up in future games. It's her link to home right now, and I'm sure she won't cut it off, which is the only way it can be removed.
In other news, we went to another exchange student party last night, so that was interesting. There were quite a few that we hadn't met before, and their siblings as well. But we got there late, a couple left early, and then it started to snow and we had to leave before the roads got really scary. But we made it home. Also yesterday, we went and had the tree cut down that we had picked out last Sunday in the rain. So that's on the deck now, covered in snow. I don't know when we'll bring it in. Next weekend is going to be hectic with the swim meet. Finally, our school football team lost by one touchdown, even by an interception, in the state finals last night. But it was good for them that they made it there. The other team was 10-0, and they did give it a good run. They have a ways to go to make it back to what they were three or four years ago when they had a bunch of headliner superstars. Maybe next year.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
and the Black Cloud lingers...
Sometimes things just don't go my way. This was one of those days. My cell phone was dying so I turned it off last night while I was out, to conserve battery for when I needed it. I turned it on around 8:15, got a call from Brian and went to get him at the Y. When I got home, I found a message from the new sub caller. I called her back, but already two hours had passed, so I wasn't surprised to not hear back. E had texted me, but the text didn't come through until after I got home.
This morning, of course, is when I did get the call. So I accepted a half day assignment teaching health, and then the series of unfortunate events began. First, my schedule was wrong, so I initially appeared in the wrong classroom and had to go find out the correct schedule from the principal.
Immediately upon entering the correct classroom, I was told that I needed to call an extension. I didn't know what this might be, but they said it was the sub caller and she wanted me to go to another school in the afternoon. But I thought E was staying after school, and I had to come home and pick up Megan's swimming things to take to her meet so I could get her over to her Y practice in time. There was no way I could do that if I worked till 3:15 on the opposite end of town, so I had to turn it down. I felt bad, but it just couldn't be helped. I really hate when they ask me to stay an extra half day. I would rather be called at home and asked to come in for an afternoon.
I survived the first class, and went to the next. This was a restless and difficult class, and as is par for the course these days, I made a child cry by writing down his name. These kids are always perfectly happy to act up and annoy ME, but all I have to do is write their name down, and I become the cruelest person in the universe. Anyway, towards the end of this class, again the phone sqauwked for me. They wanted to know if I had called, I guess the sub caller had called the school twice looking for me, but they didn't know where I was, because I was missing. So, I felt even worse.
I managed to get through the rest of the morning with my head pounding, and came home to find that Molly had puked up the fur she ripped off her thigh yesterday. Her hot spot has grown to about an 8" diameter, and she spends all her free time with her red helmet on. I nearly lost it myself while cleaning up this particularly disgusting mess, and now the dog stinks like death. I made her an appointment for next week to be groomed, and put some frontline on her in case she's being bitten by fleas. If I can't get a handle on this, she'll have to go to the vet yet again. My dog is emo, she self-mutilates.
Oh, and so today was the first high school meet of the season, but the other team was just really not good. The only individual event Megan swam was the 200 IM and although one girl thought she had a chance in the butterfly, once the rest of the strokes rolled around that hope went out the window for her. I'm sure we won, but I had to take her out early, as I said before. Then when I got her to the Y, we realized that neither one of us had brought her swim bag, each thinking the other had done it. So I had to drive home and pick it up, again in heavy local traffic.
The only consolation was that, while stuck at the omnipresent railroad blockade, I saw our former landscaper and rip-off artist get pulled over by a state trooper. I'm not sure what he did, but I suspect an illegal turn when the no right turn light was illuminated. :-) The trooper was on my side of the gates, and when they went up, he crossed into the other lane, held up his hand, and made the truck turn into the parking lot where he had his trooper SUV. That's when I realized who it was and felt that small sense of justice that the day provided.
Anyway, in other news, Megan got her PSAT scores and she did pretty well. About average-high I would say. There are three sections now, and she scored highest on the writing, which isn't writing but more of sentence structure. She scored lowest on critical reading skills aka comprehension; no surprise there. haha. Also, 'tis the season. I have taken two tags off the giving trees at the Y and one of them seemed so simple: a dora playhouse. Well, come to find out there is no simple thing, only an $80 doll house! But I felt bad, so I got it and the furniture kit to go inside. To ease the pain, I opened a credit card with amazon to save $30. I hope this little girl will get good use out of it. I have to work a day and a half to pay for her present!
This morning, of course, is when I did get the call. So I accepted a half day assignment teaching health, and then the series of unfortunate events began. First, my schedule was wrong, so I initially appeared in the wrong classroom and had to go find out the correct schedule from the principal.
Immediately upon entering the correct classroom, I was told that I needed to call an extension. I didn't know what this might be, but they said it was the sub caller and she wanted me to go to another school in the afternoon. But I thought E was staying after school, and I had to come home and pick up Megan's swimming things to take to her meet so I could get her over to her Y practice in time. There was no way I could do that if I worked till 3:15 on the opposite end of town, so I had to turn it down. I felt bad, but it just couldn't be helped. I really hate when they ask me to stay an extra half day. I would rather be called at home and asked to come in for an afternoon.
I survived the first class, and went to the next. This was a restless and difficult class, and as is par for the course these days, I made a child cry by writing down his name. These kids are always perfectly happy to act up and annoy ME, but all I have to do is write their name down, and I become the cruelest person in the universe. Anyway, towards the end of this class, again the phone sqauwked for me. They wanted to know if I had called, I guess the sub caller had called the school twice looking for me, but they didn't know where I was, because I was missing. So, I felt even worse.
I managed to get through the rest of the morning with my head pounding, and came home to find that Molly had puked up the fur she ripped off her thigh yesterday. Her hot spot has grown to about an 8" diameter, and she spends all her free time with her red helmet on. I nearly lost it myself while cleaning up this particularly disgusting mess, and now the dog stinks like death. I made her an appointment for next week to be groomed, and put some frontline on her in case she's being bitten by fleas. If I can't get a handle on this, she'll have to go to the vet yet again. My dog is emo, she self-mutilates.
Oh, and so today was the first high school meet of the season, but the other team was just really not good. The only individual event Megan swam was the 200 IM and although one girl thought she had a chance in the butterfly, once the rest of the strokes rolled around that hope went out the window for her. I'm sure we won, but I had to take her out early, as I said before. Then when I got her to the Y, we realized that neither one of us had brought her swim bag, each thinking the other had done it. So I had to drive home and pick it up, again in heavy local traffic.
The only consolation was that, while stuck at the omnipresent railroad blockade, I saw our former landscaper and rip-off artist get pulled over by a state trooper. I'm not sure what he did, but I suspect an illegal turn when the no right turn light was illuminated. :-) The trooper was on my side of the gates, and when they went up, he crossed into the other lane, held up his hand, and made the truck turn into the parking lot where he had his trooper SUV. That's when I realized who it was and felt that small sense of justice that the day provided.
Anyway, in other news, Megan got her PSAT scores and she did pretty well. About average-high I would say. There are three sections now, and she scored highest on the writing, which isn't writing but more of sentence structure. She scored lowest on critical reading skills aka comprehension; no surprise there. haha. Also, 'tis the season. I have taken two tags off the giving trees at the Y and one of them seemed so simple: a dora playhouse. Well, come to find out there is no simple thing, only an $80 doll house! But I felt bad, so I got it and the furniture kit to go inside. To ease the pain, I opened a credit card with amazon to save $30. I hope this little girl will get good use out of it. I have to work a day and a half to pay for her present!
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