Unique Sofas

We're in the market for a new sofa.  Actually, we've been in the market for about 15 years.  We've been making do with the sofa that came with the house.  Really.  So, I've been online today looking for a unique sofa.  What do you think?

 This one sorta reminds me of an adult playpen.  Funny.

Shower Shuffle

It's not unusual to hear a bottle of shampoo hit the floor during a shower.  We don't have adequate shelf space for the 27 bottles of hair product, shaving cream, body wash and facial cleansers that Rachel likes to keep close to her, so many are precariously balanced around the sides of the tub and top of the shower-surround. 

But I wasn't prepared for the cacophony of shower bottle kersplats I heard last night.  I actually wondered if Mr. Rellim was having a seizure in the shower.  Thankfully, that was not the case.  What happened was one bottle fell on the temperature controller and turned the hot water to "full steam."  The subsequent falling bottles were the result of Mike's frantic attempts to avoid the hot water while fumbling to turn off the faucet.

I couldn't help but laugh.  And laugh and laugh and laugh.  Mostly because it didn't happen to me and nobody was permanently injured.

Elephant Balls

Quinn waited in his sister's car after school until all the buses had left.  That's when he found out that she was staying late for a capella try-outs.  So, he decided to walk home.  Fortunately, he was picked up by a friendly neighbor, who (by Quinn's report) was very excited about the giant elephant balls for sale at Wal-Mart.

"Mom," Quinn reported, "Mr. Coleman wanted me to make sure to let you know that the giant elephant balls will probably be sold out soon, so you'd better go get some."

"Are you sure he wasn't talking about elephant bulbs?" I asked.

Quinnpoleon Dynamite

He told me the other day:
"Mom, you know when I become a millionaire I'm going to buy you and Dad a lawnmower.  It will probably be the top-of-the-line model.  So, yeah, you can pretty much bank on that.  I don't know what Rachel will get.  But she probably won't become a millionaire, so I'll have to get her something.  But I doubt if it will be a lawnmower."

80/60

My blood pressure runs a bit low.  Could that be why I don't like mornings?

Again?

Sometimes, If a person would only keep his mouth shut, the embarrassment of his mistake will fade quickly.  Of course, by loudly shouting, "Oh my gosh!  I can't believe I did it again!" did draw the attention of many others in the movie parking lot.

So, we all got a good laugh at Quinn's distractability.  In his haste to get into the theater (and race his friend to the front door), he left the keys in the ignition.  With the car running.

That's why kids in Illinois are now required to log at least 50 hours of driving experience with a parent.  (I may need to get counseling.)

P.S.   Iron Man Three was spectacular!

Anything Goes

I met Mr. Rellim 27 years ago during the production of our high school musical by Cole Porter - Anything Goes.  I was Hope Harcourt and he was the Captain.  He played the role straight and strong and formally.

Tonight, we all enjoyed our local high school's rendition of the same musical.  I was particularly entertained by the performance of the Captain, who I thought had a spot-on Russian accent.  I couldn't believe how consistent it was.  During intermission, I asked a friend whose bright idea it was to give the Captain an accent.

My friend burst into laughter, then told me the Captain's role was being portrayed by the foreign exchange student from Bulgaria!

Adoption

I've written before about adoption.  At this time, we have the love in our hearts for another child, but no room in our house.  So we give monthly to an organization that directly helps orphans and families wanting to adopt.  Specifically, Show Hope, which recently opened an orphanage in China for babies with special medical needs.

You should now understand Quinn's comment:

ME:  Quinn, you need to be nice to your sister.  She's sad and a little broken.  You might have to help her with her bags and getting in and out of the car and such.

QUINN:  I'm not stupid!  She's not only my driver, she is also my only sister!  She could never be replaced by an Asian!

Knee-peat

Bad news.  Rachel tore the ACL in her left knee.  Again.  "Freak accident," said the orthopedic surgeon.  As "freak" as suffering a mallet fracture of her right thumb a couple years ago?  As "freak" as getting kicked in the head last month during a soccer game?  As "freak" as being sprayed with hydrochloric acid in chemistry lab by a student across the room?

OK, the last one had nothing to do with playing sports, but the main theme I'm picking up from these events, is that perhaps my daughter should be bubble wrapped.  The family photo will still be nice because Quinn can be in his bubble right next to her.  No sneezing.  No accidents.

We've been watching the sports door slowly close.  Now we are trying to find the point of light that is the window being opened.

Quinn is Driving

His first few weeks of driving were mostly tentative, with longer-than-necessary stops at 4-ways and cautious review of his surroundings.  This past week, there has been a change in his driving presence.  He is suddenly trash-talking other drivers, urging them to "go faster or get outta my way!" and such.

He mentioned that his driving instructor seems really controlling and that "she has this brake thingy on her side and she's like stepping on it all the time!  She has this thing about going only 55 miles per hour and it's really annoying me!"

Yes, son, that "thing" is called a law, and you had better learn about it.

No Emily (or Emil) Post

1.  At McDonald's I discreetly pointed out some food on either side of Quinn's upper lip.  So, he used his cheeseburger to wipe both sides of his mouth.

2.  As we pulled into the driveway, he released a surely-venomous gas bomb from the utter depths of his bowels.  When his sister loudly complained, he stated:  "If you knew how long I've been holding that in, you'd give me an Academy Award!"

3.  And finally, I received a love note from my daughter.  A small sticky-note on my cell phone read:  "Dear Mom, Sorry for being an a$$wipe yesterday.  Love, Rachel."

Boothstache

I hate to look a gift horse in the mouth, but I am.  My special education director purchased iPads for all the SLPs in the district and I've never been an Apple person.  My efficiency with the device is quite poor.  But I did find an app that creates a mustache for you.  Now to figure out how to use it to enhance therapy.

Happy Easter

Taken while the two were bouncing on the couch.  Quinn is actually taller, but Rachel got the bounce, I guess.  It was a nice day so Mike and I worked in the yard after church while these two did homework. 

Complaint

I just sent an email to my son's teacher to complain about an article that he was asked to read for a "Current World Issues" high school class.  The article contained fairly graphic descriptions of a sexual assault, including the term "digital penetration."  I hypothesized that the teacher either didn't read the article himself or he thinks the term has something to do with an iPad app.

I hope I didn't really say that in the email.  But somebody should!

Fifteen

Quinn is fifteen years old today.  Tomorrow we will go to the DMV to get his driver's permit.  Today he is lounging in the living room watching this episode of Looney Tunes.  And giggling.
I love that kid.
Happy birthday, big guy.

Spelling

I am a pretty good speller, so my chiropractor was a bit shocked that I didn't understand his question the other day.  You see, I've been dealing with tailbone pain for about ten months and he was ticking down a list of questions:  any problems with bowel?  bladder?  leg pain?  numbness?  tingling?

He said that he was curious about possible involvement of S2 or pedandal nerve or sacroilliac joint or . . .

Then he asked, "Any problems with 'esseyex?'"

"What's the 'esseyex?'" I asked.  I had no idea what he was talking about.

His eyes got big, he almost blushed, then he asked, "Are you messing with me?"

A Few More Pics from NYC

Top the Rock

Rachel snapped a picture from The Top of the Rock - an observation deck at the summit of 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York City.

Fifth Avenue

Rachel and friends at Rockefeller.  She and Mike near Fifth Avenue.  Or is that the Rock again?  Anyway, I'm sure whatever is in that shopping bag must be for me.

Not Impressed

Rachel was not impressed with the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall.  But, she sent me a picture of a painting from the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  Maybe she misses me - just a little bit?

Snazzy

Mike and Rachel dressed up for dinner at BB Kings in NYC.  And the word is that Newsies was spectacular.

Cathedral Performance

The CHS Advanced Choir performed today at St. John the Divine.  I hear the music was magnificent!

Later, in Time Square, there was the Naked Cowboy sighting.  I'm uncertain about the rhinestones.

After dinner at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill, the group is off to the theater district to catch a Broadway show of Newsies.

I Heard

I heard my phone receive a text message at 12:31 am this morning.  It was Mike to let me know the relief bus driver was good on the straight roads, but "jerky" on curves.  They were well into WV and headed through the Appalachians.  I felt nauseous for them all. 

Rachel sent this picture about 7:00 am.  She hadn't done much sleeping and couldn't find her toothbrush and some guy took 35 minutes in one of the two changing rooms at the hotel in NJ.

Mike texted at about 10:00 am to let me know they were waiting in blizzard-like conditions for their one-hour harbor cruise.  I apologized for taking his winter gloves out of his coat.  Here are a couple pictures of Brooklyn Bridge and Lady Liberty.

Choir Departure

Rachel is the blonde waaay in the back on the right.  Exactly where I told her not to sit - next to the latrine.  Mike is in the front seat behind the camera.  I guess the choir director knows she ought to keep an eye on him.

Question:  I'm following the trip through Mike's FB page.  I don't have one of my own.  How funny would it be for me to post, "Has anyone seen Danny?  Seems we lost him at the stop for supper."

She's Back!

I have a friend with a blog titled "Life Gets in the Way of Living."  For me, life has certainly gotten in the way of blogging.  Working full time (albeit an academic schedule) is kicking my butt!  Rachel has moved from basketball to soccer.  Quinn is on the tennis team.  I volunteered Mike to chaperone the Advanced Choir trip to New York City.  He and Rachel just left a couple hours ago and now I don't know who's going to wash dishes for the next five days.  Crunch time is on the horizon at work, with annual IEP meetings breathing down my neck.  Quinn had some mysterious rash for about seven days with the only possible antecedent being the trying on of a wool coat with stray cat hairs.  Also, I think his left lateral incisor has shifted somewhat since the removal of his braces in May.  Rachel is on a 2-week break from running since having significant pain in both knees at the end of bball season (go figure).  The follow-up with the orthopedic surgeon is Tuesday, immediately following her EKG, which is to determine whether or not her body could tolerate methylphetadine (or something like that) for the treatment of possible attention issues.  Of course she has attention deficit!  Just take a gander at her family . . . and her room . . . and her mother's stream-of-consciousness blogging!

I'm looking forward to receiving pictures from Rachel soon.   That was part of the deal when we made the purchase of a new smart phone for her yesterday.  I figure with 54 people on the charter bus for the next 15 hours, she ought to  meet someone who can teach her how to use it!

Notes to Self

1.  Next time say, "Quinn is playing PS3 games."  Do not tell the neighbor, "Quinn is in his room killing people."  Not everyone has the same sense of humor or even understands sarcasm regarding video game violence.

2.  Next time say, "Yes, the Bible does have something to say about that.  Would you like me to read it to you?"  Do not stand at the front door and loudly read ten verses from the first book of Romans while attempting to block your teenage child from leaving the house.

Darkness Rising

Not as fantastic as Frank Perretti's novels, but still - angels and demons, mystery and murder - a very good attempt at the supernatural.  I would recommend Darkness Rising.  But read the first book in the trilogy first.

Get to the Point

My dad officiated a graveside service on Saturday.  I asked him who it was for and his answer started like this:  Remember those girls who lived in the big, blue house on the corner?  They had horses and the black dogs that always barked?

Me:  Yes.  Oh no!

Dad:  Well in the house next door, lived an older couple and  . . .

Social Skills

I love working with kids - typical or not.  My friend, Whitney works with middle school aged kids who a little extra help.  Usually, it's with pragmatic skills.  This one looks like he might need a biology lesson.  She tells the funny story here.

I have some funny stories to tell this week:
1.  A student told me that she is going to be a cat when she grows up.  I told her, "Good luck with that."
2.  I encouraged one student to use The Force to get his friend to walk in the hallway.  Better than Darth himself, this little man got his friend to walk like a soldier with just the wave of his hand.
3.  While sitting around a small table with two young boys, one tried to pick his nose while no one was looking.  (Pretty much someone in such a small group is always looking.)  He ended up sitting there with his pointer finger in the air, waiting . . . waiting . . . waiting... and POKE!  "Ouch!" he shouted.

Attentiveness

Quinn said he sat at lunch with someone new, but he couldn't remember her name.  What did he remember?  She has scoliosis, small handwriting and big eyes.

Further into the dinner conversation, I asked Rachel if all Juniors would be taking the ACT soon.  Quinn remarked, "Rachel is a Junior?"

Overheard in the Backseat

Rachel:  When did I stop eating meat?
Mike:  What?
Rachel:  When did I stop eating meat?
Mike:  What?  When did you stop being mean??
Me:  (after much laughter)  You were about six years old.
Mike:  What?

Detention

Quinn served a detention after school today for breaking the rule about cell phone use during class.  He insists that he was just checking the time, but I'm pretty sure the high school still has funding for clocks - even though much of the student body doesn't really know how to tell time unless the reading is digital.

Funny thing is, he didn't know what to expect (based on his subtle questioning last night).  So, to ease his fears, I told him to keep his wand handy and not to submit to writing lines with any "special" ink pen.  He didn't think that was funny.

Bling

Mrs. Bickerson, why didn't you stop me?!  I couldn't help myself and had to choose a selection from the "Water Library" in our room at Trump Towers.  Bling Water H2O.  Seriously?

I told myself that it would be a special gift for Rachel for her birthday next month.  But how does one drink a twenny-five dolla bottle of water?  Slowly, of course, but with shot glasses or what?  I suppose I rationalized this expense since I did not eat the $45 hamburger for lunch.  And I ate leftover pizza for breakfast instead of the $27 pancakes.

What a fun time we had!!  Thanks for the invite, Whitney.

Another Trump Thought

This is a suggestion for Sarah Palin, in case she ever reads this blog.

If you have another child, may I suggest the name Trump?  Goes along nicely with Track and Tripp and Trigg.

Trump

I just got home from a night in Chicago with a girlfriend from graduate school.  Her brother paid for a room at the Trump Hotel.  Thanks, Bro!  Anyhoo - I'm testing my theory that the white Trump slippers are complimentary.

So many amenities, so little time.  There was even a Pillow Menu.  You called the "attache" on the phone and ordered the type of pillow (scented, down, feather, synthetic, etc) you desired for the night.  "Free" shoe shine service.  Twenty-four hour concierge.  I wish Will Ferrell's Elf had been in the room with us.  He would have really had a good time.

One of the services included having breakfast made for you in your room and then being served to you while you lounged.  Only $500.00 per couple.  We politely declined.  But we did accept the card that entitled us to priority seating and free bread sticks at Gino's East.  I felt sorta badly for the commoners who had been waiting in line outside in the cold.  But when you are staying with the Donald, there are privileges.

As If

As if there aren't enough "That's what she said!" jokes in this world . . .  But this one is too funny to keep to myself.

Mr. Rellim was enjoying a brownie with pecans.  Quinn is allergic to tree nuts.  A heated discussion began in which Quinn spoke to his father in a very tense tone of voice and in close proximity to his face.  Mr. Rellim shouted, "Back off!  Can't you see I have nuts in my mouth?!"

Tacky

I was reading Tacky the Penguin to a group of Kindergarteners:

I really like Tacky.  He's an odd bird, but a very nice bird to have around.  He wears Hawaiian shirts, eats his fish on bread, does splashy cannonballs and sings dreadfully.  While other penguins sing sweet songs like "Sunrise on the Iceberg," Tacky likes to sing songs like "How many toes does a fish have?  How many wings on a cow?"

Suddenly, from the small chair at my left came the sweetest little voice answering in song, "Twwwooooo!"

Perspective

For Mr. Rellim's birthday, my mom created a candy bar bouquet by using packing tape to secure candy bars to wooden shish-ka-bob skewers.  By the end of the meal, Quinn had eaten one of the candy bars and was playing with the skewer.  My mom (obviously thinking about something she would like to dislodge from between her teeth) asked, "Oh!  Where did you get that toothpick?" 

We all laughed a hearty laugh as she realized her mistake.  I guess you had to be there.  And maybe this story could go along with the scripture about removing the log in one's eye.  Or maybe not.

New Rules

1.  I learned that students in area school districts will no longer be sent home if they have lice.  Even if there is an active infestation of lice.  Instead, the parent will be called and informed that their child has lice and encouraged to treat the head lice.  What jenious sighentist administrators came up with this new policy?

2.  It is now against school policy to include a child's name in any email.  And I learned that administration does not think it's funny to change Johnny's Name to Nonny Jame or Onn-jay Ame-nay or ynnhoj eman.  Oh!  And it's also not OK to call him by any name that rhymes.  or any defining emotional, educational or physical descriptors.  Students may only be referred to by their initials in emails.  (J.N.)   Does no one have a sense of humor?

3.  So . . .  don't be surprised when Jamie Nice's mother is inadvertantly called and informed that her child has head lice.

Honesty

In the elementary school building where I work, we have a Virtue Word of the Week.  At least we used to have them.  I think someone figured out that the virtues are actually moral characteristics that one should aspire to acquire and that their basis is found in the Bible.  Now we have Virtue Words that aren't officially talked about.

Anyway, I was in a Kindergarten classroom today and having a difficult time keeping the kids' attention.  They were squirming and talking instead of fully participating with my activity.  As I prepared to leave, the teacher told the students that she was disappointed in their listening behavior.  One of the cutest, loudest, squirmiest little boys shouted, "Like me!  I wasn't listening or paying attention!"

Who said virtues are a thing of the past?

Irony

And I guess that's why they call it the blues.

One more payment and it's mine.

It was raining when I picked up Momma from jail in my truck.

It was the best of times.  It was the worst of times.

Squirrel!! (from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation)

None of the above really fits, so I guess I'll have to make up a country song.  The song will be about getting a Christmas bonus, using it to pay off the loan on Rachel's truck, then towing the truck to the salvage yard two days later.  It will be about lessons learned - like wearing winter coats in the winter and keeping a cell phone with you and not running home in the dark on slippery roads while wearing flip-flops without a winter coat.

The chorus will go something like this:
And since nobody's dead, it's all kinda funny.
 

Overheard

Quinn:  I'm not going and you can't make me!

Rachel:  Quinn, It's useless to struggle.  Just get in the truck.  You need to pick your battles.

Quinn:  I pick this one!!!!!!

Risky Business

Usually it's something I say that I imagine could put me on the naughty list at school.  Today it's what I'm wearing.  Jeggings.  I'm twenty years too old for them.  But I'm wearing a long jacket to hide my assets and have had enough caffeine to bolster my courage.  Maybe, maybe I'll post a picture of this later.  Must get high school daughter's opinion before stepping out of the house.

Resolution

I haven't made a New Year's Resolution - yet.  Maybe I'll embrace this one.

Ice Cubes

My friend Polly sent me the link for this common recipe.  I'm certain that you will enjoy reading the reviews!

Got Happy Haiku

Complain.  Argue.  Grump.
Caught huge snowflakes on my tongue.
Warmed up with some soup.

Sounds like a commercial, I know.  But I was caught up in the holiday blues this morning.  A little time out "snowflaking" helped change my bad attitude to gratitude.

You Gotta Get Up!

That's what we were telling ourselves on December 26th and 27th after the attack of the Christmas Stomach Virus.  Thankfully, we had nowhere to go and nobody to see.  We all had our first post-Christmas meal on the 28th.  Too bad our adult fitness center weigh-in isn't until next week.  Mike and I would rock those scales today!

But before the attack, we had a nice family get-together and enjoyed a candle light Christmas Eve service at Living Word Church.  Here are a couple pictures of us and the kids with a few cousins. 

She's Back!

Move over Bionic Woman.  Rachel's back on the basketball court with her $35,000.00 knee.  Her coaches are being cautious - playing her only a couple minutes at a time - but that is about all this heart can take anyway.  We are so proud of her!

Household Tip

The dishwashing tablet must be unwrapped for the dishes in the dishwasher to be properly cleaned. 

Baking and Pinterest

New Cookie

Brown butter oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. HERE!  Need I say more?

Zombies

Rachel and Mr. Rellim watch that zombie show on TV.  I can't stand even listening to it.  But on their Christmas gift lists for my mom, I wrote "Zombie Apocalypse Supplies."  I met her at the mall today and she had a couple Zombie Apocalypse video games in her hand.  We laughed when I explained that I meant for her to buy bottled water, canned tuna, flashlights and walkie-talkies.

Grandma Thoughts

I've been thinking about my grandma today.  She had red hair before it turned gray.  She sang first soprano with the Stephen Foster Singers in high school and had a chance to travel and sing to entertain the troops during WWII.  I'm not exactly sure why she did not take that opportunity.  She married a WWII vet, a first-generation German American, and had five children.  At age 35 she was widowed and moved her family across the country to live close to her mother (also recently widowed) and worked in a variety of desk and retail jobs to support her family. 

Grandma was a big part of my life.  She came to every birthday party and church program and school concert and high school musical.  She visited Mr. Rellim and me when we were newlyweds and drove hours to visit her great-grandchildren when they were young.  I used to call her on my days off and use my headset phone and clean the house while we talked. 

At age 76, she married again and I took photos documenting the joy on her face.  Within a couple of years it became apparent that her short term memory was failing and her husband Russ made the difficult decision to move her to a nursing home.  Grandma was just no longer safe in her own home.

I've visited Grandma at the nursing home a handful of times and it's heartbreaking to observe her cognitive and communication deficits.  I'm not even sure that she knows it's me.  But I'm sure she knows that it's someone who loves her.  It's so strange to be sitting next to her, yet overwhelming be feeling how much I miss her.

Communication

Communication - it's what I try to facilitate all day long.  Here is a great example of two people having some communication breakdowns and the importance of using vocabulary specific to the situation.  It also sorta reminds me of the type of instruction I have received from my superiors in the workplace.

Everyday Application

Last night I served as one of three women who performed dramatic readings of the scripture.  There were times when we read separately and sometimes in unison.  Often, the unison portions were mid-sentence.  After many practices, I had an idea of how it should flow, but the others just weren't in sync with me.  It wasn't horribly off, but consistently not-quite-right.

Before the actually performance, we had a quick run-through that sounded the best ever.  The difference that time?  I decided to listen and follow.

Listen and follow.  Trust and obey.  Why don't those ideas ever occur to me the first time?

Christmas Dancing

This is a quick video of my niece, Evelyn, dancing to a Christmas story songbook that we recorded for her.  I miss the cute performances of toddlers.  I don't miss the diapers, however.  And it is nice when kids can bathe themselves.

Rachel and Quinn attended the Christmas concert at church tonight and their enthusiasm toward my singing was also positive, though no interpretive dance was interjected.  Quinn said, "It wasn't all torture."  Rachel told me my (eight measure) solo was "Banging!" and "the dude's solo was ballin'!" I'll pass those along as compliments.  And the final choral number In the First Light was "REALLY GOOD!" per her handwritten notes in the margins of the concert program.

No Arrest Required

I was shopping at a local antique store with my niece, Evelyn, who is 20 months old.  With my hands full of a darling little princess, I wasn't able to hold the small bowl that I had selected for purchase.  So I put the bowl at the top of my purse so it would stay safe and I could pay for it before we left.

Well, I found the bowl at the bottom of my purse the next day.  Oops.  Fortunately, the shop owner readily accepted my apology and cash.

Believe

I believe in guardian angels.  And I believe that Mr. Rellim just ground one up in the garbage disposal tonight.  I'm not even sure why he turned it on while he was feeling around for a small pork chop bone.  I do know that I haven't seen him move that quickly for a while.

I'll try not to think about it anymore.

Apologies

This afternoon during forced family togetherness, everyone signed cards and helped me stuff Christmas envelopes.  In passive-agressive protest, many of the letters have five folds or more.  So sorry.  I hope the post office sends them through.

Casualty, Pew Four

Our pastor asked us to consider which war in the entire history of the world has produced the most casualties.  I don't remember the answer.  I do know that Mr. Rellim leaned over to Rachel and whispered, "Zombie War?"  Rachel's reaction was intense and unexpected, and we later learned she thought he said, "Stop being a whore."

Of course she did.  We often speak to each other like that.  Especially during the sermon at church.

Saliva

Quinn asked me to report that the double bacon six cheese pizza caused him to salivate so much that he actually choked on it a little bit.  You can order one from Papa John's too.

Reason #37 for Wearing Eyeglasses

I've been drinking decaffeinated coffee all week.

I apparently purchased the coffee at the grocery store without wearing my glasses and have been preparing the coffee in the mornings without wearing my glasses.

Stupid decaff coffee.

Family Sing

At dinner tonight, I shared my favorite Christmas Song and began to sing, "Ring Christmas, Bells Merrily Ring, Tell All the World Jesus is King!"  Rachel started singing the harmony, "Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas!  Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas!"  Mr. Rellim (with a bit of spaghetti sauce on his cheek) bellowed the bass line, "DING!  DONG!  DING!  DONG!"  It was a different key than expected and we all started laughing. 

"What?!" asked Mr. Rellim, "Don't you like my 'DING!  DONG!'?"

Life is what happens at the dinner table.

Again?!

I didn't anticipate a loss for Romney.  I've been feeling blue all day.  Got my daily email from the Family Research Council and began to cheer up a bit.  Here is an excerpt:

"Until then, our mission is as critical as ever. It's time to get up, dust ourselves off, and trust in God's ability to work in dire situations. "Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation," writes the Psalmist, "When his breath departs he returns to earth; on that very day his plans perish. Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord ..." (146:3-5). We do not serve victory; we serve God. And to Him, in these anxious times, we turn."

Anxious times, indeed.  Especially for those of us who look forward to decreasing take-home pay beginning January first.  Especially for those of us who anticipate increasing health care premiums.  Stop.  I could rant for the next four years.  Instead, I will despair briefly, but not disengage.  America is not beyond repair.  The restoration must come from a transformation of individual hearts and minds.

Sandy's Lessons

I have to agree with Bill on many of his points.  I'm a fan of self-reliance v. dependence.  I'm a first-born.

Cat Woman

Mike was so disappointed in my "Catwoman" costume.

Sharing

Again, with another group of first graders today, the therapy probes were not going well.  We were practicing "social smarts" - thinking about what the group is learning and staying on topic.

Out of the blue, one of the students said, "Look at my bandaid!  Here, let me show you what's underneath - it's from a skito.  A TEN POUND skito!  A TEN POUND GERMAN skito.  It just bitted me and now I have this mark.  Have you gotted a bite by a ten pound German skito?"

Student two replied, "Look at my bandaid!  Let me show you my ringworm.  See?  It gotted two creams and one bandaid.  Wanna touch it?"

Me:  "NOOOO!"

The session wrapped up so we could all go to the bathroom to wash our hands.

Questions

I was working with a group of first graders on proper question formulation.  It was not going well.  I kept giving them example after example of proper question formulation.  They kept answering my questions instead of imitating the proper grammar.  My favorite exchange:

Me:  "Who likes Halloween candy?"
Student:  "Mexicans!  My dad likes candy."
Me:  "Is your dad Mexican?"
Student:  "No, he drives a truck."

Lunch

Quinn has eaten his lunch in the parking lot of the high school a couple of days now.  He just sat in the truck and ate.  I was worried that there was a problem or that he was being teased or bullied.  Angrily, he responded, "It's open campus, Mom!  It's a free country!  I want to try new things!  Is there a law that says I can't sit in the truck and eat my lunch?!"

I still think there might be something else going on, but he seemed pretty confident.  I'll keep you posted.

Could It Be?

I've heard that you shouldn't eat sushi from a truck stop.  Duh.

Mr. Rellim is wondering if the ham salad sandwiches from the gas station could be causing his gastrointestinal upset this evening.

Back in the Day

Speech/language delayed days, that is.

Does anyone know how to email a Power Point presentation?  Please help!

The Rumble

It's what I'll be doing on Saturday night.  And it's why Al Gore invented the internet.  You should really check it out.  Should be a good time!

'Twas Homecoming

Quinn had a date (She is a friend of Rachel's.), Rachel invited another girlfriend, and they all braved the dance together.  Yes, I know her dress is short.  Sometimes it's hard to be the tall girl.

Hadn't Thought of It

"Mom, do you think "Johnny" will invite you to his funeral?"

and then later

"Dad, who will you invite to your funeral?"

made me start to wonder if I should start an invitation list

Cleft Palate Team

After many years of enduring what I considered to be sub-par cleft palate team evaluations, we finally were able to switch back to St. Louis Children's Hospital.  Quinn and I spent the day there today and he actually was evaluated by the various professionals.  Where we were obliged to go the past eight years (due to insurance restrictions), it seemed as though I would provide reports of medical tests/procedures/appointments and they would spend about ten minutes with Quinn, then dictate a team report summarizing the information that I had provided them.

Today, Quinn was evaluated by otolaryngology, audiology, speech-language pathology, orthodontics, plastic surgery, nursing, and child psychology. 

Toward the end of the day, Quinn started to get a bit punchy.  He mentioned to the child psychologist something about how his family tortures him and how we even have a torture chamber.  I reminded him that all the employees are mandatory reporters and that he probably doesn't want to spend the night with a foster family just because someone didn't understand his sarcasm.

He asked me how to spell "murmur," and I told him that he no longer has a heart murmur.  He said, "No!  Like murmurs that you hear.  You know?  Like how I hear murmuring all the time.  I should write that down on this questionnaire."  On the way home I asked about the "murmurs" and he said, "Kids are always murmuring things in class and I'm tired of hearing it.  'This teacher is dumb.  I hate homework.  I hope this class is over soon.'  Stuff like that." 

One of the questions was, "Do you think about sex too much?"  Quinn loudly asked in a surprised voice, "Is it bad to think about sex too much!?"  I told him it was only bad if it was interfering with his homework.

I'm certain the child psychologist is still writing up her findings on our interactions today.  But she did let us leave for home.  That's a good sign, right?

Kindergarten is Funny

A Kindergartener asked me if he could use the bathroom.  I nodded and he quickly walked to the in-class restroom, gently closed the door, then LET OUT A SHRIEK OF LIVING DEATH. 

I walked over to the bathroom door just in time for "Johnny" to exit.  I asked him if he made that noise in the bathroom.  He nonchalantly said, "No."  While he was washing his hands, his teacher said to him in the calmest, sweetest, most patient voice ever, "Now, Johnny, remember we've talked about this many times before - we can hear you when you are in the bathroom."

I couldn't hold it together and had to step out of the room.  I was laughing so hard that tears were in my eyes.

Fender Bender

Rachel was in the left turn lane when someone pulled out in front of her, attempting to cross all four lanes of traffic.  No injuries, just some muscle soreness.  Poor Little Red.  I feel badly asking that person's insurance to pay.  Maybe I'll just ask for a couple bungee cords.