Today I started to move a pile of papers on the dining room table and felt a sharp pain on my finger. I lifted the pile and there was a BEE underneath the pile and it had stung me! Hello?! It is NOVEMBER! Why was there a bee in my house and what was it doing UNDER the papers? I smooshed it with the fly swatter. Weird!

The motor to our hot tub seems to by dying. This thing has been the biggest money-$ucking thing ever! Stephen loves it though so we'll just pump more $$ into it.

We had Cosmo Friday for the first time in about 2 months. It was fun although Ash told us that she had a breast biopsy yesterday and will find out the results on Wednesday. Scary!

I am planning to get a new cell phone tomorrow. Off to do some research!

Need to make a quick post for NaBloPoMo because our power has flickered a few times already tonight. Tons'o'rain and potentially a wind storm on the horizon for us. Winter is here!

A friend at my mom's club today suggested that Dex submit his photo in the PTA "Reflections" contest. I took a copy of the photo in today for a craft (mod podge the photo to a 6" square tile). I spoke to Dex about it when he got home today and he said he would like to do it. The theme this year is "WOW" and I think that photo is a definitely a WOW.

On Tuesday, I bought two new travel mugs from Co$tco. They are aluminum with plastic spill-proof caps. I was excited because my old one tasted like coffee which I hate (Stephen used it a few times for coffee when I wasn't looking). Anyway, these are aluminum so the coffee flavour should not leech into them.

However, the most exciting thing about the purchase I did not notice until I got home.


Do you see it?

The perforated line across the top of the packaging for easy opening.


Genius! However, it did not tear open as easily as I had hoped but it was a lot better than wrestling with the scissors that don't really cut that plastic open very well anyway.


That plastic packaging is so maddening and I always manage to cut myself! Never mind that I just imagine how much of that plastic (made from oil, mostly!) ends up in the landfills.

And funny enough, later that day I opened the newspaper and read an article about amazon.com working with manufacturers to reduce the packaging and "wrap rage" that ensues from plastic clam shells and the billion little twist ties.

In the meantime, I think the little things like perforated lines in the plastic will help. As will investing in little tools like The Plastic Surgeon.

Jax's 504 Review was yesterday. We now have it written in that he gets an "individual" desk and not one of the the double shared desks. Also, no teacher will use peanuts or peanut products in a lesson plan. If they have plans to they will contact us to work out a suitable replacement. The portable issue will have to wait because they do not know for sure if the 6th graders will be in portables next year. And no movement on the "buddy lunch" and peanut butter thing. We can't win them all, I guess.

Jax told his counselor tonight what happened last week. He mentioned that he was not sure that he liked his teacher anymore because of what happened and his counselor suggested that he might like to give her another chance. I really appreciated that he said that. Jax needs to hear things like that from people other than his parents before he will consider them.

And on another note...

YES WE CAN!

Tonight was a "Mom's Night Out" for my mom's club. A group of about 10 or 11 of us went to Eastside Baby Corner which is a local agency that collects and redistributes clothing and baby items to families in need. The service children up to age 12. The set up they have is so very cool. You get a bag with an age and size on it and then fill it with a certain amount of clothes for these kids. There were a ton of people volunteering there and it was amazing how quickly the work (and the clothes go). Our group was there for about an hour and a half. I filled up four bags of clothes for kids and then started sorting the new clothing donations that came in.

In the past, I have donated clothes to Goodwill but knowing that this place gives them away for immediate use is somehow compelling to me. I have told Stephen that from now on all of our children's clothing items will go there rather than to Goodwill. I am actually a little verklempt thinking about what a wonderful job this place is doing for our area.

Dex's appointment with the neurologist went well the other day. Well, other than the fact that I had to drag him crying out of his class Halloween party since it had just started. And he cried all the way to Seattle. I was so worried about being late that I was flustered and could not console him. I pulled into the hospital and headed down a ramp to the parking lot and wondered why they put a "DO NOT ENTER" sign at the top of the ramp only to find out that I was driving down the up ramp and head-on into cars exiting the parking garage. Yikes! At least I was not the only goof who did that as there was a car directly behind me on the ramp.

Where the ramp met the garage exit, there was enough room for me to do a 27-point turn and headed back up (the other guy just drove up backwards) and drove around the block around and came back down the correct ramp. I circled around and around the garage until we found parking then Dex, Jax and I rushed to the appointment only to find out that he was running *45* minutes behind! Oh, if I had only known Dex could have stayed for his party!

So, we went for a walk around the hospital and bought tea/hot chocolate/Pepsi and hung out. After 45 minutes, we headed back up for the appointment and it was another 30 minutes before we were called into to see the doctor.

We discussed medication so now we know what we are dealing with if we went that route. We've decided that we'll only medicate him of the tics continue to bother Dex (he doesn't really even notice them anymore) or if he is being teased (he says only a couple of people have asked him about them). The neurologist also taught Dex a way to try to "trick" his brain. When he feels the tic coming, he grabs a spine of a koosh ball (I need to buy one) and pull on it 10 times until the urge to do the tic goes away. The next week he does it 5 times, then 2 times then 1 time and by then hopefully the tic has gone away. Dex sat there glowering at the doctor the whole time (this guy made him miss his Halloween party AND interrupted his Nintendo DS game that he had been happily playing in the waiting room).

And of course Dex did not do his tic once during that whole appointment. He did it immediately before and after but not during the appointment. :\

After we left, Dex said he wanted to try that "trick" and he explained how he gets a feeling like a bubble in his brain that gets bigger and bigger then he has to do his tic to make it go away. Now why did he not explain this to the doctor instead of pouting and making dagger eyes at him?!

Dex said he'd like to try to trick his brain so I've ordered some small koosh balls (they don't really sell them anywhere anymore - at least I could not find them). While we wait for them to come, Dex will try squeezing a little stress ball.

And let's hope the tics go away soon so we don't need the meds after all.

NaBloPoMo

I am participating in NaBloPoMo again this year. I hope I can post everyday. Ok, of course I can because I do mostly anyway. :)

It was one year ago this weekend that we moved into our new house. I cannot believe it has been a whole year already. It was a great move for us and even though the housing market is shaky and we've lost some equity, it was still the right decision. Sometimes I wonder how we lived all crammed in that other house.

So happy house anniversary to us!

Halloween, Chocolate and Cosmos

The kids had a great time trick'r'treating. We went up the hill to our old neighbourhood. The first house we went to was our old house. Stephen was skived out but it was fine. She had her house all decked out and it looked great.

We went with Spy's kids (and her dh) then Ash's family joined us. The kids had so much fun! It pissed rain all day then about 4:30 it stopped and there were actually some blue patches of sky before the sun set. It was mild so no big coats for the kids.

Afterwards, Ash's family came back for a bit (Spy's son has a very early morning hockey game so they had to head home). We had an impromptu Cosmo Friday. Not official since Spy wasn't there (and dh and Ash's dh were there). It was the first Cosmo Friday since the first Friday in September.

After Ash's family left, we sorted through the candy and took away all the peanut stuff. Stephen will take it to work on Monday. Anyway, my kids did not even care that much about me replacing what I took away. They were just so excited to go out. Halloween really is a fun holiday.

Here are some pictures:


Two pumpkins that Cars designed. I had him design the big one on a piece of paper first. The second he drew right on his pumpkin patch pumpkin.


Jax and Dex's pumpkins. Degutted, designed and carved by them. A little rough but I am proud they did it all by themselves!


The kids in their costumes. Jax's evil jester mask totally freaked me out. I cannot look at it! Cars is a Clone Trooper and Dex is a Swamp Monster.


Ok, so this pumpkin looked like Sarah Palin to us. Square winking eye. Looks like long hair on the side. We asked the lady whose house it was at and she was seriously offended because she is an Obama supporter.

A little cheese to go with this whine...

Jax is home sick today for the second day in a row. Yesterday is was an inconvenience though I did leave him at home alone for an hour and a half while I went to get some blood work done (I have a nice 3" bruise on the inside of my elbow to prove it!) and to buy some groceries. Today it is a hassle that he is home (nice mom, eh?). He is sicker today. He has a higher fever, body aches and sore throat - yesterday it was just fever and body aches. I was supposed to help run Cars' class party this morning (Halloween as the kids have no school tomorrow). I just ended up dropping off the donuts and leaving.

I am also supposed to run a craft for Dex's class party later this afternoon but I will just have to drop off all of the supplies. I was going to need to leave early anyway because Dex has an appointment with the neurologist to discuss meds. :'(

Jax's class has planned their own party with no parent involvement. We did drop off what he needed to provide - Cheez Its, two boxes and ballots for voting for best costume and best dancer as well as a prize for best costume (a wig and fake nose/glasses <- his idea).

We de-gutted three pumpkins last night then ran out of time to carve the faces because I had to run to Krispy Kreme to get the donuts. The kids are upset because we won't have any fancy pumpkins this year because the Master Carver has been in Los Angeles all week and does not return home until tonight. I told them Jack'o'Lanterns only this year. Not that it matters if we even have them because I don't imagine there will be any trick'r'treaters around here.

My cable box died on Wednesday night so I had them replace it yesterday. The cable guy tracked MUD across the carpet. He is the only cable guy who has ever come into the house without putting on those little blue bootie things. Aargh! So, we lost all of our recorded shows.

Then my internet connection was out until about an hour ago. *pout*

This has been a long friggin' week.

On the plus side:

1. The kids have the day off tomorrow are we are going to a party if everyone is healthy.
   
2. A 504 Review meeting for Jax on Monday after school. I am glad that is was scheduled quickly.
   
3. I've lost 7 pounds. I need to mention that now before I get into the Halloween candy.
   
4. I bought myself some cashmere socks at Costco last week and they are wonderful.
   
5. Spy rocks as she will watch Cars after school today.
   

Cars took a photo of me the other while I was plucking away at "Molly Malone". Notice my very fancy music stand.

I am so excited because now I know all of the notes to also play "Amazing Grace" and "Yesterday". I'll be touring before I know it!

Today, I went for a physical therapy appointment to finally treat Thoracic Outlet Syndrome that I was diagnosed with in January '04! The vascular surgeon told me to get PT and I never went. I had no time! For my "vacation year" this year I am finally making the time for me. And also I have noticed it is getting worse and I have a really hard time lifting any kind of hand weights in the circuit training class because my arms go almost immediately numb when I lift them over my head.

Yeah me for taking care of myself!

Jax's teacher emailed me today because the kid who sits next to him (they share a 2-person desk) had a pb sandwich for lunch. WTF is going on?! It is almost like some sort of conspiracy. Anyway, Jax was very agitated so the teacher asked the other kid to move but told me she could not do that again. She then suggested that she look for a single-person desk to have brought into her room for Jax. She was able to locate one and it is all set up for him for tomorrow (though he probably won't go to school because he has picked up some sort of virus and has a fever and body aches).

I also sent an email to the principal asking for the 504 coordinator info (the dipstick from last year has left the school). We need to get in his plan accommodations for shared desks, pb used in lesson plans and now I am looking ahead at next year when he will be in a portable with no running water. How will he wash his hands?!

We had another peanut issue at school on Friday but I am too weary to write about it. Jax handled it superbly however, the only casualty is his attitude towards his teacher. I explained to him that while her judgement may have been poor, this is nothing like the case with the music teacher. He is not convinced. I fear this will completely affect his school work. He is having a fantastic year so far. He's won an academic award (they are given out pretty freely, IMO, but it was nice that he was recognized), he is doing well on all of his tests and assignments. He genuinely has been interested in school which is refreshing after last year. I hope he can shake off these feelings towards her.

I took the kids to the skateboard park today then we walked around the city center commons. It was a glorious day.

Sorry?

We are watching The Last Starfighter tonight. Jax asked me if it were made in Canada. I said it was not and why did he ask.

Jax: Because his mom said "Sorry"
Me: "Sorry"? What's wrong with that?
Jax: Because here we say "Saw-ry"
Dex: Yeah, only people from Canada say it "Sore-ry"
Me: The word is Sore-ry, not Saw-ry so make sure you pronounce it correctly!
Jax: ~eye roll~
Dex: ~eye roll~

I have had a conversation about Sore-ry/Sawry before with Spy. And in the "How I Met Your Mother", the "classic" video of Robin singing "Let's Go to the Mall", she really emphasizes "Sorry" (her character is from Canada). See video here. ("Sorry is about 23 seconds in).

By the way, I looked it up the the mom in "The Last Starfighter" is not from Canada but from Pennsylvania.

So, do you pronounce SORRY, like SORE-RY or SAW-RY?

This week I have received four Christmas catalogues in the mail. Ugh! I don't want to think about it yet!

My kids have been talking about Christmas already too. They have mentioned starting lists. It is going to be an interesting year because this is the first year that I am certain that Jax does not believe in Santa Claus.

How do I know this? Well, a few weeks ago at school, the new counselor came in to the class to talk to the kids about kindness and compassion. She asked for an example and one boy raised his hand and said something along the lines that kindness is still pretending to believe in Santa Claus so you don't ruin it for younger kids. Oops! I know that Jax was not the only one in the class who still thought there might be a Santa Claus (I heard this story from Spy, btw, whose dd told her about it. Jax has said NOTHING!).

Anyway, Jax has not yet said anything about asking Santa for such-and-such a gift. Dex and Cars have both said something about it. I wish Jax would say something to me. I'll have to bring it up to him the next time we are alone. I have always said in our house that if you believe in Santa, he'll bring you a gift. I wonder if that is why Jax is not saying anything.

I also hope that he does not say anything to Dex or Cars. I can totally remember trying to show off my knowledge and how grown-up I was by telling my youngest brother, Wally, that there was no such thing as Santa Claus the year that I found out (I was 9). My brother was devastated and devised a plan to find out if it were true. Wally refused to tell my mom and dad what he wanted for Christmas and said he was only going to tell Santa when we went to visit him at the mall. Fortunately, one of my older brothers, JP, managed to find out what it was that Wally wanted so JP told my mom who was able to get the gift. Wally was so delighted on Christmas morning to know that there was indeed a Santa (at least for that year).

I can totally see Jax doing what I did. And I would be so disappointed if he did.

I am so tired of election ads on television! Not necessarily the ads for President (but I am weary of seeing those too), but the WA State ads for Governor are making me sick. The Republican candidate's ads are slimy and the Democratic ones are ludicrous. I cannot wait until the election is over.

That said, I will say that I have a sign in my front window for my choice for President. I wish I could vote!

I read Doonesbury today. The character (sorry, don't know his name because I do not read that strip daily) refers to bloggers as "narcissists".

Is that what bloggers are?

Is that what I am?!




I am editing this to add that I don't actually expect an answer, especially a "no you're not" one. Those were rhetorical questions. I know why I started this blog (help overcome ppd and not wear out my welcome at the SAHP forum I used to go to) but I have to admit that I am overly concerned with how many readers I have on a daily basis and I look to see how they arrived at my blog using sitemeter.

I don't think I am a narcissist but I know I want people to like me (Sally Field syndrome?). I am a people pleaser and that totally bugs the shit out of me. I often do (or don't do) things because I worry so much about what others will think or because I know so-and-so will or won't like it.

Now I have to worry about people thinking I am narcissistic for having a blog. Why do I even care?! If they don't like, they don't have to read it, right? I like having one. I like writing about my life. I like having my say!

And now I hope that did not come across too vain.

Today was my day to be Dex's advocate.

First, I helped plan the Halloween party for his class. I chose activities that I thought Dex would really like. And I did push for things to be completely peanut-free (there are two PA kids in his class). This helps Dex too because he does not being around peanuts because of Jax's allergy. He's so kind-hearted.

After school, I visited with Dex's teacher today to discuss his reading. Of course today he passed an AR test and moved up a level in SRA because he finished two SRA tests this week! So, I think the reading thing is really a non-issue. He is feeling better knowing that he has moved up an SRA level and has passed his AR test.

Also, I spoke to the neurologist's office today. The doctor wants to see Dex again to talk about medication to control the tics. Yikes! Of course the appointment date they gave me was December 29th! I told the nurse (I think she was a nurse and not just a receptionist because there is another person in the office to handle appointments) that my concern with that was by the time we get in, the tics will be gone and there is no way I will accept any meds for him without the doctor witnessing the tics. She said she'd talk to the doctor. She called back a while later and said the doctor did want to see him sooner so they were able to schedule an appointment in two weeks' time! I am still very unsure about medication for his head-shaking tics (they are very severe though) so I need to know more about the medication, how it works and how long he'd have to be on it.

The one sad thing for Dex is that the appointment time conflicts with his class Halloween party. That totally sucks but it is what needs to be done.

I told Dex that I was taking him back to the neurologist. He really wants help with his tics. He gets frequent headaches from them and he himself has noticed that the head shake is starting to be a head and shoulder shake. :(

Misc Stuff

Cars' last day of soccer is tomorrow. Hopefully we can go back to Cosmo Fridays after that. Oh, wait, it will probably have to wait another couple of weeks as Spy cannot make it on the 24th then it is Halloween. I can't remember the last time we had Cosmo Friday. It was at Spy's house but I don't recall if it were before or after the school year started.

I had my guitar lesson today. I am still on Lesson 3. I am having a hard time progressing past the notes on 3 strings. Hopefully I will get better as I am getting frustrated. I guess it is a good thing that I can read music else I would be struggling with that too. I just cannot get my fingers to do what I want them to do.

Dex is down on himself about school because he cannot seem to pass any AR tests. Actually, he has passed one. He is ploughing through books but apparently not retaining any information. The teacher is not concerned as he is doing well on SRA (anyone else remember doing SRA in Grade 3? You know, the little books with the coloured levels - brown, lime, aqua, etc). He just needs to stop being so hard on himself, I think.

I finally bit the bullet and called the neurologist today. I just left a message since it went right to voicemail but no one has called me back yet. His head-shaking tic has lasted almost seven weeks now and it does not appear to be abating. :(

I went to Sears today to buy new winter coats for the kids. I ended up ordering Lands' End coats for Jax and Dex (shipping is free if you order at Sears). The coats will be here soon and I hope they like the coats because it is starting to get cold! I am also concerned about the sizes. According to their size chart, Jax and Dex should be wearing the same size!

I pulled out two size 5/6 coats from the closet for Cars to chose from. He says he is sure it is going to be very cold tomorrow because he wants to wear the coat he chose. Nevermind that today he insisted that he would not be chilly with an unzipped hooded sweatshirt. He also asked me to find him some mitts. This time of year is so funny because it can be very chilly in the morning but then warm up (today it was about 60F). People are all over the map with what they are wearing too - shorts, t-shirts and others in parkas with fur collars - all on the same day!

Anyway, Cars' coat is ready for him to wear tomorrow if he wishes. I forgot to dig out the mitts so he'll have to settle with his pockets.

A few photos from our weekend away.

Cars was very perturbed that Lola would not look into the camera so he thought he'd help


Someone was very tired while we waited in the long line to cross the border back into the USA. He slept for about 40 minutes like this. Heehee!


Guy selling ice cream and water while we wait our more than hour and a half to cross.


I realized I had forgotten to take a picture of the mirror before this point so I took one as we were approaching the US border in stop and go traffic. I guess I could have gotten out for a better shot.