Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Play Date
Michael called to get dinner suggestions in BG. Then she decided maybe it would be McDonalds and then time at Kiwanis Park. I told her we would meet her there and our two little men could have their first play date. It took the boys a few minutes to warm up to each other. But boy they ran after they did. They played catch me. Good for both boys to make a new friend.
Audrie makes friends wherever she goes, but Connor doesn't. So it was really good to see.
The Girl's All Right
Yesterday we had a WIC appt. It was suppose to be recert for both kids, but the little man was down with his cold/allergies. So Audrie got weighed, 45 pounds, and height checked, 42 inches. She still falls in the 90th percentile for weight and height. Absolutely proportioned.
Audrie is my most picky eater. Makes her daddy look not picky at that age. I swear she is living on milk, juice, yogurt and goldfish. I offer her everything and she turns everything down flat. She does eat her lunch at care house.
The lady at WIC gave me some good ideas. However since she is growing so well and is so well proportioned I'm not really going to worry too much about it. She is obviously getting all the nutrition she needs.
It was Audrie's last recert. When the next six month check comes around she will have aged out of WIC at five. I can't believe it already. I am so thankful for WIC and all they do. And thankfully we get the WIC vouchers for farmer's market for her yet this summer. Maybe she will be enticed to eat fruit from there. :)
Audrie is my most picky eater. Makes her daddy look not picky at that age. I swear she is living on milk, juice, yogurt and goldfish. I offer her everything and she turns everything down flat. She does eat her lunch at care house.
The lady at WIC gave me some good ideas. However since she is growing so well and is so well proportioned I'm not really going to worry too much about it. She is obviously getting all the nutrition she needs.
It was Audrie's last recert. When the next six month check comes around she will have aged out of WIC at five. I can't believe it already. I am so thankful for WIC and all they do. And thankfully we get the WIC vouchers for farmer's market for her yet this summer. Maybe she will be enticed to eat fruit from there. :)
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Chickens Always Come Home to Roost
Don't have a lot of feeling about it. Tanya's two babies that she gave up for adoption have been given permission to contact her and they did so. The oldest will be 18 in Sept and the other one 17 in Sept. The oldest one already has a nine month old son. Dave is like....oh he is a great-grandpa. Maybe this will heal the hole in Tanya's soul, but I doubt it. And I can only imagine the story she will spin as to why she made the choices she made. She has already rewritten history at least once before.
Watching Elizabeth trying to deal with it. Glad I'm not in the middle of it.
Watching Elizabeth trying to deal with it. Glad I'm not in the middle of it.
Ebbs and Tides
In a lull at work. Working two days a week. Liz told me today though that heavy time is coming. Books will be coming for summer quarter and returns are taking place soon. She is trying to make sure I stay at around 60 hours a month since I stated that is my budget. I always like the ebbs and tides. Keeps me on my toes and keeps life from being mundane. The lulls give us chances to play more and see some stuff, like our trip to Bonneville.
Monday, April 28, 2014
Tourists
Since the kids enjoyed the fish hatchery the other day I thought we would make a trek up to Bonneville Dam and see some bigger fish. On the way we stopped at North Bonneville and played at the playground. The kids played with other kids and I watched some people straightening out fishing nets. From there we hit the dam. We saw some pretty good sized fish going up the fish ladders. We checked out the generators for our electricity. I'm pretty sure the littles didn't have a clue.
After that we crossed the river via the Bridge of the Gods. I hate that bridge. Even more than the Astoria bridge. We had ice cream in Cascade Locks. Went down to see if any boats were using the locks. Nope. So then we headed to the Bonneville Hatchery and saw the sturgeon. Now those are some big fish.
After that we headed back home. Briefly stopped at Multnomah Falls so Connor could see the waterfall.
It was a great day for the drive and the kids enjoyed it.
Sunday, April 27, 2014
Dreams
The little kids and I gave a ritual we do every night. Every night I ask what they are going to dream about. Trying to put it in their brains to have good dreams. And every night I tell them I want to dream about George. He is my safe spot. They usually say they want to dream about Minnie and the cows. Lately they like to tell me that I get Minnie because they are going to dream about George. Tonight Connor agreed that we could both dream about George. Wish that I would, but I don't think I am stressed enough to need to go to my safe place. I find them funny.
Saturday, April 26, 2014
Columbia Springs Hike
Since we got rained out last weekend I made a concerted effort this weekend to make sure we got a hike in. We opted to go to Columbia Springs. There are trails there. First we looked at all the baby fish. The littles were fascinated with them. Then we moved over to the Biddle Lake where bigger fish were. Every time Audrie threw rocks in the lake the fish would swarm over thinking they were getting fed. As we walked the trail around the little lake there was a place to go down to a small stream. The first thing she did was get off the gridded planks and step in mud. Off came the shoe. Made me really happy that she wouldn't wear the tennis shoes I picked for her. We rinsed shoe and foot in the little stream and continued on our way. We had the stroller and at some point I decided it was easier to fold it up and carry it. We watched a heron take flight a couple of times and land in trees. Beautiful birds.
After we were done looking at fish and walking around the lake, we walked along Evergreen Blvd for a ways. Really weird going under the I-205 bridge. Saw some magnificent houses. It was a nice outing. I like it when we have good ones.
Chatting
Caught up with Tim again on facebook chat. It is so nice to talk to a man and not feel like it is pulling teeth and not waiting days for an answer. Not feel like I have to wonder what the truth is or the agenda is. And now I am wondering what his parting line meant...he's a nice guy with a little bad boy thrown in. Wait...what? I may have to ask him next time we chat. I'm sure we have different definitions of bad boy.
Friday, April 25, 2014
Back to the Puffin Cafe
Decided it was time to break bread with David again. We opted to dine at the Puffin Cafe. It is easy for him since he lives in Camas and doesn't get home till almost 5. We had our usual and it was good. I love a good fish sandwich. The only downside to our meal was the loud table we sat by. One of the ADS guys was there with five other people drinking it up and the more beer that went in the louder the noise level.
At least the food was good and the company better.
Earlier I went to storage unit auctions with Pat and Dale. Pat didn't bid today. So then we went back to his house and unpacked a few boxes from the unit he bought earlier in the week. I am still amazed at what people will pay to store.
At least the food was good and the company better.
Earlier I went to storage unit auctions with Pat and Dale. Pat didn't bid today. So then we went back to his house and unpacked a few boxes from the unit he bought earlier in the week. I am still amazed at what people will pay to store.
Thursday, April 24, 2014
Rose's and Haircuts
It is Mom's birthday today. So we decided to take her out to Rose's Restaurant for cheese blintzes. And the blintzes were divine. I saw Mr. Huddleston and was able to thank him in person for the lunch he bought for me back in Feb when he ran into our Friday lunch group. His son is in Barb's pre-school class. And he raved about her today. The only down side to our dinner was the little's dessert. The kids' meal was to include a cookie or a mini cupcake. The waitress brought normal cupcakes and charged us. When I pointed it out she commented they were out of the mini cupcakes. I commented back that that is what we thought we were ordering. I may have to send an email to Mr. Huddleston.
On the way to the restaurant Mom was commenting again on needing her hair cut. So after dinner we stopped at Great Clips and got cuts. They were on sale....always a good time to get a cut. Well Audrie wanted hers cut also. So I let her. And it is so cute. And her hair is so much redder now. Guess getting rid of all the sun bleached hair did that. Should be easier to take care of and look better through the day. She wasn't too keen on her long hair being braided or put up in a ponytail. Connor was looking shaggy and now looks presentable again.
It was a great evening. Happy birthday Mom.
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Reminders
Look how far I have come. Someone was reading old posts here and then I read old posts here. I loved when my littles were babies. I love that they aren't. So much stress and turmoil in those baby days. Every day I am grateful for the opportunity to take care of them and practice patience. Every day I am grateful for better lighter days. I am grateful to be healthier and happier than I have been in a very long time.
I had to remind myself often to breathe and practice ahimsa. I don't have to do that so much anymore. There are still moments but not daily and lots of them. So let this stand as my reminder for this year.
Breathe.
Practice ahimsa.
And then;
Give because I can. Love because I do. Stand, create, grow. Walk, hike, play. Keep setting good intentions. Have faith.
I had to remind myself often to breathe and practice ahimsa. I don't have to do that so much anymore. There are still moments but not daily and lots of them. So let this stand as my reminder for this year.
Breathe.
Practice ahimsa.
And then;
Give because I can. Love because I do. Stand, create, grow. Walk, hike, play. Keep setting good intentions. Have faith.
Indecision
I have a four day weekend. I just know I am going to procrastinate long enough and then just stay home. Trying to decide between going to the beach or going to Seattle. If I do either I probably have to take the littles with as it is short notice for a babysitter. Maybe we will just do some local things and have fun. Cheaper that way. And I'm trying to save for MN.
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Cut and Dried, Black and White
My friend Michael took in her nephew at least on a temporary basis, hoping to get her sister to straighten up and get on with parenting. My whole take is do it or don't do it. If you do it, plan on it for the long haul. Because that is what it most likely will be. And 2 year-olds are a lot of work. I make no statements on whether her sister will or won't ever get it together. Not my concern.
I heard part of a conversation where advice was given to Michael about the future and was rather shocked. Every one is entitled to their opinion, but wow, some people should think before speaking. The advice given to her was her nephew needs to be given up for adoption because his mom didn't get it together in three weeks. It was opined that her sister no longer deserves to ever be in his life or have him in hers. Wait...what??? WTF. An addict she will always be, but that doesn't mean that she doesn't love her son. She may not be able to properly care for him, but that doesn't mean that she doesn't want good things for him. And he loves her.
I sat there, listening, being quiet. It changed my perspective. I came home that day and gave my littles a great big hug. They have me as their primary caregiver and parent. They have a mommy and a daddy who they love and who love them. Neither one can parent. I took it on and it is for the long haul. And I certainly would never ever ever make it so the littles can't continue to have some kind of relationship with their mommy and daddy. It is important for them to have it even if it is dysfunctional. And yes I live with the consequences of acting out while they process stuff. And I live with the consequences of all the choices made. We are family. And it is not cut and dried, nor is it black and white. And when people in my world make their cut and dried, black and white statements they are talking about my family and don't know what they really are talking about. Walk in our shoes and then tell me how addicts don't deserve anything because they are addicts. Lucky them who don't walk this path and can make heartless statements about us who are walking it.
I heard part of a conversation where advice was given to Michael about the future and was rather shocked. Every one is entitled to their opinion, but wow, some people should think before speaking. The advice given to her was her nephew needs to be given up for adoption because his mom didn't get it together in three weeks. It was opined that her sister no longer deserves to ever be in his life or have him in hers. Wait...what??? WTF. An addict she will always be, but that doesn't mean that she doesn't love her son. She may not be able to properly care for him, but that doesn't mean that she doesn't want good things for him. And he loves her.
I sat there, listening, being quiet. It changed my perspective. I came home that day and gave my littles a great big hug. They have me as their primary caregiver and parent. They have a mommy and a daddy who they love and who love them. Neither one can parent. I took it on and it is for the long haul. And I certainly would never ever ever make it so the littles can't continue to have some kind of relationship with their mommy and daddy. It is important for them to have it even if it is dysfunctional. And yes I live with the consequences of acting out while they process stuff. And I live with the consequences of all the choices made. We are family. And it is not cut and dried, nor is it black and white. And when people in my world make their cut and dried, black and white statements they are talking about my family and don't know what they really are talking about. Walk in our shoes and then tell me how addicts don't deserve anything because they are addicts. Lucky them who don't walk this path and can make heartless statements about us who are walking it.
Monday, April 21, 2014
Newness
So when the new year began I was going to quit deleting all my comments on facebook. That lasted all of a day. It is almost ingrained now. Randy has been gone long enough that I no longer need to worry about him harrassing my friends and I honestly feel like he did do me a solid.
As I am expanding my horizons and moving my boundaries I think it may be time to try again. I am moving my world to where I want it to be. And I don't like having to keep explaining to people why I do it. That doesn't let it rest in the past but keeps it in the present and truly it isn't worth taking up my time. That was a garbage period of time and it should stay at the curb.
So here is to continuing the move forward, making new friends, reconnecting with some old ones, learning, growing, and letting myself back out into the world. Being who I am, not who some want me to be.
As I am expanding my horizons and moving my boundaries I think it may be time to try again. I am moving my world to where I want it to be. And I don't like having to keep explaining to people why I do it. That doesn't let it rest in the past but keeps it in the present and truly it isn't worth taking up my time. That was a garbage period of time and it should stay at the curb.
So here is to continuing the move forward, making new friends, reconnecting with some old ones, learning, growing, and letting myself back out into the world. Being who I am, not who some want me to be.
Sunday, April 20, 2014
Easter
We went out for Easter Brunch at the Red Lion Jantzen Beach. The food was really good even if there were no cheese blintzes. Pat reminded me that was why last year we went to the Vancouver Inn at the Quay. I had forgotten. Connor had a good time being a big boy and cutting his own food and eating it. Audrie ate a pancake. Good thing they were free.
Papa made them Easter baskets and they got those after brunch. They have been playing with their stuff off and on all day. Nana gave them the new Tinkerbell movie and we have watched it twice already. :)
Saturday, April 19, 2014
Shopping With Connor
All day we were in limbo waiting on the weather. And it rained most of the day. Finally got nice at dinnertime and by then I needed to go to the store for milk and then it is bath and bed time. So we went to the store and Connor did not want to ride. He wanted to walk and shop. And shop he did. He carried his choices all the way through the store. He had a box of cereal, a bag of nestle crunches, kool-aid and a lunchable. He put them up on the belt to be rung up and never seemed to be wiser about the fact that Nana did not pay for them. Nor was he wiser about the fact that they weren't in the bags when we got home. Guess he just needed to shop. I was amazed at how good he was while doing it though. He stayed right with me.
Tim
My friend Stacey suggested that I friend our old friend Tim on facebook. I'm like he will not remember who I am. But I sent the request anyway. And he did remember. We had a nice chat last night. It was so nice to just chat with a man without feeling like I'm pulling teeth or wondering if I'm being lied to. We are both grandparents which gives us a lot to talk about. ;P
Funny thing we both work at Clark in a part time capacity and have for almost the same length of time. He works down in the diesel building though and that is why we have never run into each other.
Funny thing we both work at Clark in a part time capacity and have for almost the same length of time. He works down in the diesel building though and that is why we have never run into each other.
Friday, April 18, 2014
Fabulous Friday
Sleeping in after a good night's sleep. Lunch with my friends. Playing at the playground with the littles. And then having a chat with another old friend on facebook. What a fabulous day.
Four Weeks
I've been doing the treadmill for four weeks now. Must be working. The treadmills keep track of your heartrate. My goal is to get my heartrate into the 130's and I did that by week two. This week working at the same level that it takes to do that my heartrate has dropped. Now I have to decide if I need to work harder.
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Coffee With a Friend
Stacey and I met up this evening for coffee. We haven't seen each other in a long time. Something like fifteen years. And yet we have that kind of friendship where we pick right up where we left off. I love that. It is rare indeed in this world.
We have aged but neither of us looks our age. She has great hair and I want to copy it. Her boys are grown and almost grown. She is so much exactly like she was when we were young.
We talked about people we used to know and ones we still do. We have a lot of history. We went to the same high school and graduated together. We worked together and have all of that. We attended each others' wedding. We celebrated our babies. And now we celebrate our futures.
Connections. Just reminds me that we all have them and sometimes when they lapse they can be reconnected. I think we won't let this happen again.
We have aged but neither of us looks our age. She has great hair and I want to copy it. Her boys are grown and almost grown. She is so much exactly like she was when we were young.
We talked about people we used to know and ones we still do. We have a lot of history. We went to the same high school and graduated together. We worked together and have all of that. We attended each others' wedding. We celebrated our babies. And now we celebrate our futures.
Connections. Just reminds me that we all have them and sometimes when they lapse they can be reconnected. I think we won't let this happen again.
The Tale of the Wallet
I was driving to work. Drove over what looked like a wallet and thought that was strange. It was in the middle of the road. I had outgoing mail to drop at the post office so did that and then went back. Sure enough there was a wallet in the middle of the road.
Debated about what to do. When I got to work I put up a craigslist ad. There was no ID in the wallet and that always makes me wonder. In my world it means the drug dealer has it as collateral. This wallet had money in it though. It had bank routing numbers and that seemed weird. Anyway I put it away for safe keeping.
I am amazed at how many people lose their wallets. I got many responses. More men than women. All my responses came from Portland. I relayed the bad news to all of them with a good luck on finding their own wallet. Never heard from the guy whose wallet I found.
Debated about what to do. When I got to work I put up a craigslist ad. There was no ID in the wallet and that always makes me wonder. In my world it means the drug dealer has it as collateral. This wallet had money in it though. It had bank routing numbers and that seemed weird. Anyway I put it away for safe keeping.
I am amazed at how many people lose their wallets. I got many responses. More men than women. All my responses came from Portland. I relayed the bad news to all of them with a good luck on finding their own wallet. Never heard from the guy whose wallet I found.
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Exploring
Today was a day of exploration. We drove over to Cascade Station and caught Max. Rode it downtown Portland to Old Town. We checked out the fountains and the littles mostly listened to me when I told them they did not want to get wet. Wasn't warm today and we had a long trek back that would be uncomfortable. They loved the fountains though. Then we walked up the river watching boats and geese.
I did not know you could cross the Steel Bridge on foot. That was my favorite part. Once we had crossed we decided to work our way back up to the Moda Center and catch Max back to our car. They played, laughed, blew dandelion seeds, and checked out lots of things. We met some great dogs.
We had a late lunch at Panda Express. I had Kung Pao Chicken and it was pretty spicy for us. I was laughing pretty soon. I told Connor it was spicy and naturally he had to eat some. Then the fire hit and he needed a drink. After his mouth cooled he grabbed some more. Took three bites but he found some more fire and cried, wiping his tongue on his jacket. Then he did it again and again. Almost like it burns so good.
We all agreed it was a great outing and Audrie said it was fun.
School
I read a comment about a kindergartner who was sad, disappointed to have to go back to school after spring break. And it made me sad. To think a six year-old already dislikes school enough to no longer have that excitement about going. It could be understandable if it had been a great spring break vacation and the sadness was for that ending. But this wasn't that. It is going to be a long long long school career for that kid who already dislikes school.
What I hope for my littles is that they don't lose that excitement about learning. They don't lose that excitement about playing and stretching their boundaries. I hope I give them a good role model about enjoying life. Life isn't same old same old. Every day is something new and exciting even when it is just routine. There is always something to be learned and enjoyed.
The alternative is just marking time waiting to die. And I sure don't want that for my littles or myself. Grateful for every day and every experience, and hoping that we all keep that in our hearts and minds.
What I hope for my littles is that they don't lose that excitement about learning. They don't lose that excitement about playing and stretching their boundaries. I hope I give them a good role model about enjoying life. Life isn't same old same old. Every day is something new and exciting even when it is just routine. There is always something to be learned and enjoyed.
The alternative is just marking time waiting to die. And I sure don't want that for my littles or myself. Grateful for every day and every experience, and hoping that we all keep that in our hearts and minds.
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
More Thoughts
Since the weekend was a down weekend my Sunday work moved to Monday. Got Mom's house done, her pill box done, an extension filed for her taxes and found out I can do her back taxes...no need to spend good money on an accountant. Yay!
Dave bought a new bigger television and gave us his (our) old one. It is a 42 in to replace our 32 inch. Going to move the small one into my bedroom. Need a dvd player for it, but no hurry.
Audrie and I stayed out late with the neighbor guys watching the moon. It was the eclipse. She totally missed it as she got tired. I saw the beginning of it. Kind of cool cloud things kept happening. Nice night with the guys.
Dave bought a new bigger television and gave us his (our) old one. It is a 42 in to replace our 32 inch. Going to move the small one into my bedroom. Need a dvd player for it, but no hurry.
Audrie and I stayed out late with the neighbor guys watching the moon. It was the eclipse. She totally missed it as she got tired. I saw the beginning of it. Kind of cool cloud things kept happening. Nice night with the guys.
Monday, April 14, 2014
Televisions
The television we have is the one I bought for the bedroom of the house. Works great. It is a little on the small side and sometimes I think about upgrading. But I just can't quite justify it, so it isn't high on my list of priorities.
So Dave and I were talking about televisions. Upgrades, sizes, etc. he has decided to get a new one so I can have his old one. I'm not stupid and I'm going to take it, but seriously? What a great reason to buy a new one.....my ex-wife needs a bigger one so can have my old one. Same old same old I guess.
So Dave and I were talking about televisions. Upgrades, sizes, etc. he has decided to get a new one so I can have his old one. I'm not stupid and I'm going to take it, but seriously? What a great reason to buy a new one.....my ex-wife needs a bigger one so can have my old one. Same old same old I guess.
Ack
Audrie spent all day Saturday down with a tummy bug. She insisted on drinking milk and it never stayed down. She finally stopped and then water stayed down. She was feeling left out when Connor went to the playground, so she grabbed her blanket and went. I found her sleeping on the sidewalk next to the playground. I carried her back home and she slept on the couch.
After I ate I didn't feel too good. Just kind of lethargic and the food just lumped in my stomach. Oh no. The next morning I felt drained and headachey. Took a couple of pills and rested on the couch while the littles destroyed the house. It went away, but ack.
So then the little man threw up in the middle of the night. Just once because I wouldn't give him any more milk. Made him have a sip of juice. Hopefully he feels better when he wakes up.
But what a way to make a great weekend a down weekend. Time for us to all be well and be over being sick in some form.
After I ate I didn't feel too good. Just kind of lethargic and the food just lumped in my stomach. Oh no. The next morning I felt drained and headachey. Took a couple of pills and rested on the couch while the littles destroyed the house. It went away, but ack.
So then the little man threw up in the middle of the night. Just once because I wouldn't give him any more milk. Made him have a sip of juice. Hopefully he feels better when he wakes up.
But what a way to make a great weekend a down weekend. Time for us to all be well and be over being sick in some form.
Saturday, April 12, 2014
Blu-ray
Wow. I'm impressed. On our trip to Georgia we watched a movie on Doug's blu-ray player. I got it in my head I wanted one. Waited until my birthday and had Mom get a player for me. We watched a few movies on it as it was set up in the bedroom. I knew in my head that it was good. But never really thought about it.
So we have been watching "Cars" quite a bit but the movie we have isn't blu-ray. Still looks pretty good played on the blu-ray player and the flat screen TV. Disneyrewards sent us a blu-ray copy and Wow the difference is pretty amazing. I wouldn't really have a comparison if we hadn't been watching it so much already. Definitely impressed.
So we have been watching "Cars" quite a bit but the movie we have isn't blu-ray. Still looks pretty good played on the blu-ray player and the flat screen TV. Disneyrewards sent us a blu-ray copy and Wow the difference is pretty amazing. I wouldn't really have a comparison if we hadn't been watching it so much already. Definitely impressed.
Friday, April 11, 2014
Jorge's Tequila Factory
Had the night free. So Pat and I went out for dinner at Jorge's Tequila Factory. It is a Mexican restaurant downtown Vancouver. Very nice food. We each had a margarita, mine being strawberry. Pat couldn't believe that I went to a Mexican restaurant and had nachos. To be fair I had chicken nachos, but only because it was a mistake. I had ordered ground beef. Anyway it tasted just fine and it was what I wanted. It was a nice dinner out with my brother. Thanks for joining me Pat.
Thursday, April 10, 2014
Thoughts
If I had been thinking....since I seem to be sharing my bed with the littles....wish I would have gotten the king size. It probably wouldn't have mattered because they still would be cuddle bugs.
I have been at the bookstore for fifteen years already. Where did that time go so fast?
I'm so grateful for the support of my community. One of me neighbors told me how much healthier I am looking as opposed to when I first moved here. What a great compliment.
Audrie informed me she likes care house now. I asked her what changed and she said they get to go outside now. Ooohhhhh. Think she was getting tired of being cooped up.
Connor finally seems over all his ills. Thank goodness.
I have been at the bookstore for fifteen years already. Where did that time go so fast?
I'm so grateful for the support of my community. One of me neighbors told me how much healthier I am looking as opposed to when I first moved here. What a great compliment.
Audrie informed me she likes care house now. I asked her what changed and she said they get to go outside now. Ooohhhhh. Think she was getting tired of being cooped up.
Connor finally seems over all his ills. Thank goodness.
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Twice
Wow. Twice this week I have been called on my name tag. The first was Monday when this gal was regaling us about something and in the middle blurts out "your name is not Nathan". I disagreed with her and on she went saying that is wasn't and then she finished her tale. Too funny.
Then today some guy says um Nathan and then asked a question after I said what. You could see he really wanted to say something but probably just had too good of manners to do so.
I haven't had a student comment on it since Cubby and that was at least three years ago. I was beginning to think students just don't pay attention anymore.
Then today some guy says um Nathan and then asked a question after I said what. You could see he really wanted to say something but probably just had too good of manners to do so.
I haven't had a student comment on it since Cubby and that was at least three years ago. I was beginning to think students just don't pay attention anymore.
Monday, April 7, 2014
Verbage
First day of spring rush. We got a helper from the textbook department to help in bag check for a couple of hours. When she got there I told Spencer to explain how it works with the numbers. She looked around and said the backpacks were all black and looked alike so how did we tell them apart. I commented that was what the numbers were for. Of the 80 backpacks sitting there about 70 of them were black.
None of us realized how offensive it was to the black man retrieving his backpack. I apologized and moved back to my post at security. He followed me and asked who he could lodge a complaint with. I told him the manager and asked him if he would like me to get her. He did and so I did. He made his complaint.
I have no idea what, if anything, Monica will do. She listened to him and thanked him for bringing it to her attention. In his circumstance it was offensive for him. We just weren't thinking and we were talking about the backpacks. Gives us something to think about in how we say what we say. Any other moment and it would have just passed into nothingness.
I knew it wasn't going to be just another Monday.
None of us realized how offensive it was to the black man retrieving his backpack. I apologized and moved back to my post at security. He followed me and asked who he could lodge a complaint with. I told him the manager and asked him if he would like me to get her. He did and so I did. He made his complaint.
I have no idea what, if anything, Monica will do. She listened to him and thanked him for bringing it to her attention. In his circumstance it was offensive for him. We just weren't thinking and we were talking about the backpacks. Gives us something to think about in how we say what we say. Any other moment and it would have just passed into nothingness.
I knew it wasn't going to be just another Monday.
Tequila
Top Shelf. Patron. It's the one from music. And I really didn't care for the smell or the taste of it. I thought my friend David had to be crazy when he said he didn't care for it. Anything has to be better than Jose Ceurvo. Maybe next time my brother wants to make us margaritas I will buy a bottle of 1800 silver. Now I never drank any of that, but it has the most divine smell and David said it was pretty good.
Sunday, April 6, 2014
Family Dinner Again
Pat cooked dinner for us tonight. He made chicken marsala and it was delicious. He tried to make us margaritas since we had been talking about them. It wasn't a totally successful venture. He wasn't used to his new blender and whatnot. I think he learned some things and I'm sure he will try again. Whether he shares with us or not remains to be seen. :p
Saturday, April 5, 2014
Every Body is Ready, But Me
Dave got one of those stupid invitations in the mail for married couples to come have a free dinner and high pressure sales talk. He offered it to me and a date. Wait....what? Yeah I don't know where that came from. First the invitation is for couples.....not dates. Makes me wonder what the littles may be saying and what he may be interpreting from it. Or maybe he just figures it is time. Or maybe he is thinking about dating. Who knows, but it sure threw me for a loop.
Coloring Eggs
Audrie wanted to do eggs at Papa's house. She was suppose to spend the night but changed her mind. But we did have dinner and do eggs. Connor took the whole thing very seriously. He carefully did his eggs and he very carefully put stickers on them. Then he broke them. Decided he was going to eat one of them. Knew that was going nowhere as he doesn't like hard boiled eggs.
Since Audrie had changed her mind Connor got to spend the night. He is going to have two nights in a row as his allergic reaction rash still looks too strong to go back to day care and Monday is my long first day of spring rush.
The Joys of Little Boys and Medicine
Every day is a challenge. Some times Connor will take his meds like a trooper and other times he fights with all he has. I might be like that too if I had been on something for the last couple of weeks straight. I think maybe he is tired of being sick and not feeling well also. Benadryl is suppose to be given to him every four hours which is twice as much as the antibiotic was. So we get to go through the struggle four times a day. Yippee again. :p Poor little guy.
Friday, April 4, 2014
Looking Up
The Benadryl seems to be working. Stopped the hives/rash from getting any bigger. Never got to the point that Audrie did. His diaper/yeast rash is definitely getting better. I think he is going to be okay. Now we keep doing what we are doing and hope that he got enough antibiotics in him to get rid of the ear infections. Here's to looking up.
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Oy. Again.
My only comment had been that the only thing left was for Connor to have an allergy to Amoxicillan. Afterall Audrie does. She was teething which gave her ear infections, which gave her diaper rash and then yeast set in. And then the hives. She was one big hive.
So this morning I get a call from daycare that Connor has a rash. I'm like "duh", diaper rash. Nope it was going all the way to his hairline. I called Papa and he picked him up. Papa has really stepped up to the plate the past couple of weeks with all the sickness. Yup Connor is allergic to Amoxicillan. His hives look just like Audrie's did, just not quite as pronounced. At least not yet. I finally managed to get some benadryl in him this evening. Looking forward to the next several days of trying to get more medicine in him when he was already so done taking medicine for the seasonal allergies, the ear infections and the diaper/yeast rash.
So this morning I get a call from daycare that Connor has a rash. I'm like "duh", diaper rash. Nope it was going all the way to his hairline. I called Papa and he picked him up. Papa has really stepped up to the plate the past couple of weeks with all the sickness. Yup Connor is allergic to Amoxicillan. His hives look just like Audrie's did, just not quite as pronounced. At least not yet. I finally managed to get some benadryl in him this evening. Looking forward to the next several days of trying to get more medicine in him when he was already so done taking medicine for the seasonal allergies, the ear infections and the diaper/yeast rash.
Not Having Fun
I did not especially have fun taking Mom and the littles to the zoo. I have the great story of Connor and the lions and I think the littles had a good time. I need to find a new frame of mind though because Mom isn't going to get any better. She got pretty wore out and I don't think she had a good time. Too much whining and not enough entertainment. She doesn't have a lot of patience with the littles (not that I do either but I'm always working on it). Hopefully our next outing will be more successful. Guess I need to find something less adventurous.
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Trip to the Zoo
Our membership to the zoo is about to expire, so we thought we would take one more advantage of having it and go play. My mom came with us as she keeps telling us how long it has been since she has been to the zoo. Let me say right off the bat if I would have had to pay our way in today I would not have been happy. There is a lot of construction and we did not get to see many animals. That said......on with the story.
We had ice cream and have never done that before. It was tasty. Lily the baby elephant does not seem to have grown much since we saw her last summer, but it may be hard to judge since we were so far away from where we could see her. The zoo has taken some hits since we were there last. They lost the zebra, a sea lion and a tiger.
They gained three lion cubs. They were great and awake and playing. Connor slipped through a hole in the fence and placed himself right at the plexi-glass. He is not suppose to be there and I was told that. I could not reach him to get him out and he was not going to listen and move to the fence by himself. A man had a cane and let us borrow it to corral him. While all of this is going on you could see one of the cubs and the mama lion paying close attention to this little interloper by the plexi-glass. Wonder if they were thinking "snack". Anyway we got him out, no harm no foul. Really they should have fixed the fence whenever the missing link went missing.
Audrie's favorite today was the hippo. My favorite was the baby lions of course. Connor just liked it all. Mom got tired.
Treadmilling
Six days of working and it feels like it is part of my routine. I found my groove and where I need to work for it to be effective. I just checked the spring quarter schedule and I am free and clear to work out every day I work. That is nice.
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