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Friday, 13 November 2009

  • Punishment isn't fun?

    Who knew? I mean, I was always under the impression that punishment was like taking a trip to Disney World. (I would put my sarcastic smiley here, but they aren't working)

    A few days ago we had a situation that reached crisis level with one of the kids. In all honesty, it had been at this level for some time, but M and I finally reached an agreement that something had to be done. Grades were an issue as well as serious backtalking and general disrespect. In an effort to once and for all end this; we decided to lay down the law.

    The child in question was scheduled for a class trip to an amusement park on Wednesday. School was out for the holiday and the school had arranged the tour bus and a day up in LA. It was decided that due to the recent behavior, J was not making the trip. We had to do something to make our point, and other punishments just weren't working.

    The problem was, we had already paid for the trip and it wasn't cheap. The ticket was non refundable and non transferable. I would also be the parent left to tend to the child while his step sister went on the trip. M was working and this was a nightmare just waiting to happen. After much discussing back and forth a compromise was worked out. We would allow the trip, BUT, he would be made to give up all things electronics for one week as a result of his behavioral issues. This meant, no cell phone, no video games, no radio, no ipod, no computer, and no television. Well, Mr. Ten Feet Tall and I Don't Give a Damn, thought he was getting off easy and agreed immediately.

    It is now Friday and due to ongoing behavior issues, we are up to two weeks without electronics with a third week under debate at the moment. The third week came into play this morning. I came into the kitchen and discovered a clock radio sitting on the table. I asked oldest child why it was there. Well, I guess I had forgotten to unplug it in J's room and he had it hidden on his bed last night listening to music. A direct violation of the "no electronics" rule.

    When I asked him why he thought he could violate the terms of the deal his answer was; "It is all your fault. I am so flipping bored because there is nothing to do. You aren't fair. This punishment isn't easy and I didn't do anything but turn on the radio for three flipping seconds." My reply; "I hope it was worth it because now we have to discuss adding on another week."

    Apparently in J's mind punishment should be milk and cookies. He is in for a long hard lesson.

Thursday, 12 November 2009

  • For lack of anything better

    I am still sick and somewhere along the way, I have lost all abilities to type and spell correctly. I also seem to be having difficulty hearing things. So, for lack of anything better; here are some random things that either made me giggle today or made me angry.

    1. Caleb woke up this morning and said the following; "When I growed up I am going to be a cooker." Not that funny, but what I thought he said was; "When I growed up I am going to be a hooker." Oops.
    2. Emily has decided that the best time for us to bond is midnight. She likes to sit on my lap and stick her feet up in my face so I will kiss her toes. She happens to have adorable toes, but midnight is pushing it just a bit.
    3. Whitney sent me the following text message; I am going with Mandi after school for tabo might. Be home later. I sat there for ten minutes before I realized it was Thursday and "tabo might" was actually "taco night" at Mandi's house. Sheesh.
    4. Jake and I have become addicted to Arizona Southern Style Tea. Since starting our addiction, every store within a ten mile radius has been sold out each time I try to purchase more.
    5. I have started and deleted no less than five blogs this morning. I have lost my ability to make anything funny enough to blog.
    6. Josh woke up this morning with the ever vague "my stomach hurts" excuse. In a house full of people with the flu, couldn't you have come up with "my throat hurts" so I would have at least given it a seconds thought before I told you to get your ass in there and get ready for school? Dude, you didn't even register a normal fever. You are so going to school.
    7. H fooled me by calling from her old cell phone number. The hag actually got me to answer the phone. I swear this flu is weakening my senses to crazy people.
    8. Matt ended up working last night for what was supposed to be a "few hours" and then he was heading home so that he could help me today. He got home at ten this morning and promptly went to bed. Thanks for the help honey.
    9. The water is still shut off and I have never wanted to take a shower more than I do right now.
    10. The stupid mega blocks are taking over my living room and I am seriously considering calling in professional help. Does anyone know of a mega blocks exterminator?
    11. The front page of momaroo is seriously begging me to answer the "how do you handle mommy stress" question by saying; "tequila and duct tape", but I am afraid those crazy front page women won't get my humor.
    12. It is two weeks before Thanksgiving and the crazy people are suddenly remembering that they have children and are already calling to make their demands on when and where we (the two people actually raising said children) will be bringing the children. Seriously people, next time share the bucket of crazy with the others because you two drank way more than your share.

    Okay, I think I am done. Time to blow up clean the living room. With any luck, all the kids will be back in school tomorrow and I will finally have some normalcy back in my routine.

Wednesday, 11 November 2009

  • Black Friday

    Years ago when I was the mother of only two children, still married to my first husband, and living a very conservative lifestyle, I was known to hit the Black Friday sales. I would even head out with my sister on Thanksgiving night to the few stores that were open. We caught the sales, fought the crowds, and felt smug about the ten cents we saved on Christmas ornaments.

    I have not participated in Black Friday madness since I moved to California. I am unsure if it is the fact that I am now the mother of eight children and my second husband is always at work on that day, leaving me without that all important childcare; or if I have just outgrown the madness. Do I really want to stand in line for five or more hours so that I can save a few dollars on a DSi that will  most likely be sold out by the time I get there? Or the even worst scenario; another store will put it on sale days later at an even better price and I will be stuck either knowing I got screwed or fighting that return line.

    I think that my lack of participation most likely stems from my time spent in retail sales during the holiday season. I have never in my life seen more people act a fool than I witnessed my two years on the front lines of retail. Customers that I would see on an almost daily basis suddenly lost their damn minds all in the pursuit of a perceived "great deal". I saw my fellow workers gearing up for that holiday nightmare with the same preparation one would expect a soldier heading to war undergoes.

    List of "black" items? Check

    Radio to call for backup? Check

    Scanner gun for price checking? Check

    Advil for the headache you know you are going to get? Check

    Pepper spray when you are forced to tell people the item is out of stock? Check (okay I made that one up)

    Plans for after work at the bar? Check

    It was a nightmare that we dreaded for those weeks between Halloween and Thanksgiving. People were rude, they were pushy, they didn't want to wait and wanted you to know exactly how many items that were available back in electronics even though you had never set foot in electronics in your life.

    I mourned the day that Wal-Mart did away with their lay away policy, but I have to say that on some level I understand. The only thing worse than working the front lines on Black Friday was working in the Lay Away department on Black Friday. Lines literally ran through the entire store all the way out to the parking lot. For reasons that still make no sense to me, there were only about four people in the entire store that were "qualified" for lay away. This meant that only two people actually worked the front while the other two worked the back getting the boxes put into place. It was like putting a kitten in front of a stampede of elephants and expecting it to hold them off. Can you say impossible?

    The actual picking up of said lay away was almost as bad. Again, two people working the front while two searched the hundred or so trailers brought in to store merchandize. Seasoned shoppers knew to pack a lunch and arrange for the day off because it was going to take you all day.

    So, this has taken a completely different turn than when I started. How does that always happen to me?

    Do you plan on taking part in the Black Friday madness or are you going to just wait and see what happens the weeks leading up to Christmas? I think I will take the sit back and watch approach.

  • I survived

    I went to bed early last night feeling like I simply wanted to die. The Nyquil kicked in and I slept in a blissful drug induced manner. I actually woke up this morning feeling slightly better. My nose and head are still giving me trouble, but I don't feel the need to curl up in the fetal position and cry for my mommy. Yea for progress.

    I am a bit concerned about Emily. She has been fighting this for about a week and while she has shown signs of improvement, her cough is still lingering. I might take her in just to rule out any complications. Better safe than sorry. I need to call and find out if the office is open today. That will be my deciding factor. If only urgent care is open, we will just wait for tomorrow. Too often with urgent care I get people that want to focus on all the reasons we aren't there (her heart "murmur" that isn't there any longer, or her Down syndrome) because you know, Down syndrome is such a sickening thing. (Please note the sarcasm, my smiley faces are not working).

    We got notice yesterday that starting tomorrow morning we will be without water AGAIN for the entire day. I have a house full of sick people and there will be no water to wash our hands. Yea. I guess I should be thankful that at least this time we had some warning. The last FOUR times, the water has just been cut when a pipe burst up the road. We have had the opportunity to store some water for the day without. Thank goodness for small favors. I have a great excuse to just sit and relax tomorrow. Oh sorry, no water to wash the dishes or the clothes. Darn.

    The douchebag, aka Whitney's boyfriend, finally called to apologize for his behavior on Halloween. He actually didn't call, but sent me a text. He is still too chicken to actually speak to me. I raked him over the coals and have informed them both that if anything like this ever happens again; it is beyond over. Matt is still beyond angry and refuses to speak to him if and when he makes an appearance. I can't say I blame him, but I am playing good cop in this scenario.

    I am off to take Josh and Alyssa to meet up with their school. They are taking a day trip to Knotts Berry Farm. Alyssa has never been, so she is excited. Luckily, this bug has not bitten her quite as hard as the rest of us, so she is up for going.

    April and Sarah, martinis will be served at the usual hangout in a few hours. Proper notice will be sent, but get ready for some drinks.

Tuesday, 10 November 2009

  • Would it change the outcome?

    The other day I was asked if I ever considered pursuing a case against the hospital where Emily's two ultrasound were done. For those that have never heard the "ultrasound from hell" story; I will give you a brief synopsis.

    Matt and I went in for our first ultrasound. It was just a routine thing, more to find out the sex of the baby and to make sure he/she was growing normally. I was an "advanced age" pregnancy, so they felt it was necessary. We went in and had the ultrasound done. We were told we were having a girl and we went on our way. It took no more time than normal and I put it far from my mind.

    Almost a month later I received a call from a doctor at the hospital. Due to some measurement issues with one of Emily's kidney's, they wanted to do a follow up ultrasound. He told me that it could quite possibly prove to be nothing, but that we would need another ultrasound at 30 weeks just to be sure. I was terrified, but knew there wasn't much we could do but wait the other 8 or so weeks.

    The next ultrasound is now known as the "ultrasound from hell". It lasted well over two hours with me almost passing out more than once. The technician couldn't find the kidney issue, then she couldn't locate the fourth chamber of Emily's heart. By this time, Matt and I had come to the conclusion that this woman couldn't find her nose on her face and were just ready to end the entire thing. After more than half an hour of her searching for the fourth chamber, she called in her supervisor.

    He spent less than five minutes looking and declared the fourth chamber in place. Again, Matt and I had been through the ringer with the first tech, so we just assumed her inept. It would prove to be the worse assumption we have ever made.

    As you all now know, Emily was only born with technically three chambers. The two very large holes between the third and fourth chamber made for just one very large one. We discovered that about day six or seven. It all blends together now.

    I was more than angry that it hadn't been discovered, but I never thought about pursuing anything with the courts. It wasn't going to change the fact that Emily needed heart surgery. It wasn't suddenly going to close those holes and make her heart perfect. Matt and I knew that the best thing that we could do was focus on getting Emily healthy.

    It is a decision that to this day I do not regret.

    Emily had her heart surgery and has done wonderfully. I have come together with other parents of children with heart issues and have witnessed amazing progress in educating those in the medical field about the importance of catching heart issues in utero.

    I think our time has been better spent focusing on how to prevent this from happening to other families as opposed to trying to right a supposed wrong for our family.

    It wouldn't have changed our outcome, but perhaps through the work of organizations like Its My Heart we can make sure it changes the outcome for other families.

    It is the flu talking so if this makes no sense, blame that.

  • I.Hate.The.Flu.

    Mark two more down on the list of sick people at our house. Liz and Alyssa both woke up with the early symptoms of the flu. I will not go so far as to say this is the swine flu because frankly, I don't care which flu it is. It is kicking our collective asses.

    Ironically, the only one besides Whitney (who has been at her friend's house for the past week)  in the house not sick is Josh. That child never gets sick. Jake and I think that even the germs are afraid of him. I will say he had somewhat of a cough last week, but nothing like what we are facing.

    Emily is on day six, I believe, of the bug. I am hoping that she will start to show improvements over the next few days. Caleb woke up this morning and when I asked him how he felt, he said in his most pitiful voice; "Not so good, Mommy". He is just too cute. He seems to be feeling slightly better at the moment, he is listening to "Poker Face" in the living room. Yes, my four year old has a huge love affair with Lady Gaga, what can I say?

    Matt, in a rare act of compassion, actually left work early last night so that I could go to bed early. That was wonderful except I was totally unable to fall asleep. I laid there from six until almost eleven. I finally chugged the last little bit of nyquil we had and begged for mercy. It worked because I fell asleep just in time for Emily to wake up. She had fallen asleep at six and at midnight was up feverish again. Thankfully, she went back to sleep fairly easily.

    I spoke with Whitney this morning and have pretty much told her this house is quarantined and she needed to stay at Mandi's until we were over this stuff. She has yet to succumb and I really don't want her missing any more school than necessary.

    All the hard work that Jake and I did yesterday was quickly destroyed and frankly, I don't care. I am too sick to worry about it at this point.

    Emily is scheduled for a developmental evaluation next week, but I think I am postponing it until a later date. It is just a formality she has to go through in order to see if she still qualifies for services. My smartie pants is counting to three with her fingers as she says "one, two, three". I am pretty confident that she will not qualify for services due to developmental delays. However, because of her Down syndrome, she will qualify under another criteria. I am not exactly overly concerned either way. Emily is making great strides and I have no doubt that she will continue in this manner.

    That is all from my (oink oink) flu infested house.

    Later!

Monday, 09 November 2009

  • I really suck at this

    I woke up feeling sick. I promised myself a day of rest. Of course I had to clean first. Jake is home sick too, so together we hit the living room hard and then I proceeded to begin the three loads of laundry.

    I put up a quick blog to let you guys know I was down for the count and then I hit the couch. I think I stayed there five minutes before Caleb needed juice. It was on the way to the fridge that I noticed that I hadn't washed the morning dishes.

    Dishes done, Caleb given a fresh cup of juice; back to the couch I go. It was Emily's turn for juice. Back I go to  the kitchen; oh my, is that crumbs on the floor?

    Kitchen floor swept, Emily with a fresh cup of juice; back to the couch I go. Damn, was that the dryer going off?

    Dryer empty, clothes folded; back to the couch I go. Oh hell, who is calling me now?

    Phone answered, appointment scheduled for Emily; back to the couch I go. Caleb needs lunch.

    Lunch made, wrists slit; back to the couch I go. I dare them to try and get me up again.

    Okay, not really. My mother would be far too happy if I offed myself and I make it my lifes work to never make that woman happy.

    My day has been busy, that much is true. Caleb seems to be on the mend. Emily is still battling this, so she is cranky at times. Jake and I both wish that we could just take our noses off and throw them somewhere.

    Matt did call with potential good news. Nope, not sharing it until I am positive. Don't want to jinx it.

    With Jake home I can leave the kids while I go make the rounds to the schools for the other kids. I am hoping that we can keep Emily from taking a nap and I can go to bed at a decent hour tonight.

    I am off to make the rounds and hopefully find a cure for what ails me. I am thinking tequila because tequila cures everything.

    Later!

  • Off day

    I should have known this was coming. Emily was the first to get sick. Caleb followed a few days later. Matt came home sick Saturday and Jake started a sneezing fit last night. This morning I woke up and I.Am.Sick.

    I am taking the day off and trying to organize the house. It always seems to fall apart while I am sick, so I am hoping that before I get really sick that I can put some order into place.

    So, miss me today. Play nice with one another and I hope to be back tomorrow.

Sunday, 08 November 2009

  • Sesame Street and Fox News

    Put this one under the the "you can't make this stuff up" file.

    Apparently Fox News fans are in a slight uproar over what they view as a diss to Fox News. Link

    According to the article, Oscar the Grouch is playing the part of a newscaster. His girlfriend gets disgusted over some outpouring of positives and threatens to change the channel to "Pox News" further saying; "Now there's a trashy news show".

    It seems that some fans of Fox misunderstood and felt that the show was being unfair to Fox News. Surprisingly, the PBS Ombudsmen Michael Gelter agreed and said that while broadcasters had the right to tell parents how they felt about Fox News, it was inappropriate to use the kids for that message. (I am paraphrasing his statement). Now, as my son pointed out, "trashy" in grouch terms is actually a good thing. Perhaps the Fox fans missed that subtle clue.

    I say, have you not been watching other "children's" shows lately? Parodies are done from Spongebob to Rugrats. Does anyone else remember the Shrek movies? The underlying adult themes they placed throughout were what kept me watching and laughing.

    So, do you guys think that Sesame Street crossed the line with their "Pox News" comment, or are there some people that just need to get over themselves?

  • Random thoughts

    The house is being overtaken by sick people and I am too tired to come up with anything. I decided to just throw out some of the random thoughts that are swirling through my brain.

    Why does Matt always get sick the night prior to his one day off for the week?

    Do Caleb and Emily have just a cold or could this be the swine flu?

    Is it worth taking them all the way over to the doctor to find out that in fact it is just a cold and there is nothing they can do for them?

    Who enters my house after I go to sleep and destroy all the work that I have done?

    Is there really such a thing as too much tequila?

    If I just stopped doing laundry, would any of the kids even notice?

    Am I ever going to get those videos of Hayven that the dumbass promised me last week?

    How hard is it to send an email anyway? Caleb can do it and he is four. You would think a 42 year old man could figure it out.

    How much longer can I sit on this package for April before she thinks I forgot about it? (I haven't, I just hate the post office)

    Why don't they make a drive thru post office? I know that mothers of small children would stand up and sing if they did.

    Did Spongebob and Sandy really get married or was it just a stunt for November sweeps?

    Are the women on the Bridezilla show really that bitchy?

    If they are, how do they have any friends?

    If the coyotes actually come up and snatch Caleb or Emily off our porch will the animal control finally respond to our calls?

    Why do I break the same toe over and over again?

    How much longer is my mother going to allow my grandmother to control the situation before she takes matters into her own hand? Hey Mom, just pretend it is me and run roughshod all over her.

    Where in the world did my sister find a pig chandelier?

    Furthermore, what possessed her to put it up in her front entryway?

    Should I even take the moment to dream that this Thanksgiving holiday will be any different than previous years?

    How many times will I endure the statement; "Oh Caleb would look so much cuter with his hair cut shorter"?

    How many more times will the kids change their minds about what they want for Christmas?

    When will I finally tell them it is too late, the presents are here and you are out of luck?

    How in the world did I catch April's stomach bug when she lives 3000 miles away?

    Does the guy that does the transformer toy reviews on youtube have a real job?

    Does he date much?

    Will I have the courage to register for school in a few weeks knowing that it is going to cause major upheaval in my life?

    Is it really possible for me to achieve those dreams that I buried years ago?

    Why did Momaroo asked my permission to post two of my blogs and yet never did?

    Okay, my brain has run dry. I am off to try and get the laundry done. Happy Sunday!

Pulse

gwacemom

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About Me

  • I am a mom to eight. 5 by birth, 3 by marriage. I am trying to rediscover myself. Writing has been a big help. I am passionate about Down syndrome awareness as well as CHD (congenital heart defects). Have a question about either, feel free to ask. If I don't have the answer, I will by nightfall. The beautiful girl in the picture is why I am so passionate about the two subjects. She is the face of Down syndrome. Not what you expected, is it?

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