I'm thankful...

This week I am thankful for so much and am happy that The Considerer, Kristi and Joy have created this weekly remembrance.  A time to look back on the week that was and say, you know it didn't really suck.

10. School is officially out. Now, I know I will be singing a different tune next week. But to have no homework battles? Allie is doing the happy dance.

9. A night out with colleagues. I never go to business dinners. I usually make excuses don't have the time. But this week I went out to a nice restaurant with peers whom you would think outside of work we had nothing in common. Holy crap did we laugh. It was truly a beautiful night out, even if the Bruins lost.

8. I fit into my skinny shorts without having to suck in my gut, that much.

7. Remember that tent/tunnel system? Well guess who moved in...

Yup, Bailey discovered the tent

So I am thankful some one in the house is using it.

6. That while Allie did not get the BEST TEACHER EVER for fourth grade the one she ended up with she is not nervous about.

5. That Boo's summer program starts in just nine days. Please understand, her teachers and aides so deserve a break. I do not know how they do their job day in and day out with a smile on their face. But I am beyond thankful that they will be back soon. Even better her aide Sydney should be returning.

4. At a recent party there was a bounce house. Boo not only went into it willingly she loved it. The older kids ran all around and she laughed, jumped and was involved. This is huge from just a couple of months ago when the bounce house terrified her.

3. Kristi for letting me know how pet rocks came to be. It had been really bothering me for a long time. In all seriousness, Kristi's posts make my day. The fact that she took time out of her busy life to help me with a photo issue has not been forgotten.

2. I have two nieces due to be born within the next week. Kind of funny that they are being born so close together when they live a million miles apart. After a long time waiting to have children, my brother and step-brother's wives are due on the same day. I just hope they don't choose the same names.

1. That there are only 66 days left of hearing I'm bored summer vacation.

Happy Weekend everyone! I hope you take a moment to enjoy a glass of wine, a ray of sunshine and a quick thank you for making my days easier!

ABC's of blogging

Dana and Kate got on the ABC bandwagon last week and it was fun to learn more about them. Since I am such a dweeb and like knowing random facts about people- here are my ABCs of blogging…

I did it!

After two weeks of "training" I did it. I managed to run a 5k and not be the last one across the finish line. My husband ran it with me. He did not train at all. Which makes me extremely jealous, as he never got out of breath.

The race started with motivation from the 19 year-old who organized the race to raise money for Crohn's Disease. Mackenzie is a cool kid who has battled Crohn's for the past three years. When she had to postpone starting college due to the disease instead of sitting back and feeling sorry for herself, she organized a 5k.

She is an inspiration for all children not to let illness, disease or hardship to defeat them. As she finished her speech she informed us that this was an "easy" 5k with just one hill. Oh, but it was a killer hill with a cemetery at the top if anyone couldn't make it!

Updated rules

I don't know why people do not pay attention to rules. Rules make life more organized and enjoyable. There is also less mom-torture with rules. For example, if you do not give a child a toy that makes obscenely loud noises the mother may invite you to the next party.

My mother-in-law, whom I do love, enjoys flaunting the rules. She will give the girls a present that she is sure will be loads of fun. But she never thinks hey what will happen when they try to take it out of the box?

Boredom...

Summer vacation isn't even here yet and already I am hearing I'm bored. Allie Some people in this house might not survive until September. I offered some suggestions, but they were turned down.

And it confuses me. I thought I had some really great ideas. They included:

Painting the house.
Cleaning some one's room.
Giving the dog a bath.
Reading a book.
Playing in their room with a few million toys.
Playing outside
Playing in the basement
Riding a bike or scooter
Cleaning the bathroom
Sweeping the floors
Changing your sister's diaper

None of the above worked, so I took out the heavy guns:

If there is nothing in this house to amuse you, I will clean out your room with a trash bag so you are not bothered by all that "stuff".

It bought me 30 minutes of quiet. And a quick happy dance that there is still 2 days of school left.

This week I am thankful for

With the hurry, the worry and the well crap of the week it is nice to join Kristi and Joy in remembering that good things happen every week. Not that this was a bad week. Just a busy one where I got too caught up in juggling.

Rhythm

It is Friday and I am joining Lisa-Jo Baker for her 5-minute prompt. Ready, set and off we go...


Start

I thought I found my rhythm. I thought I was going to be alone and ready to make a life-change/move out of my comfort zone. Then I met my husband and my rhythm changed from a single woman to a couple. Putting another's needs before my own. We added a dog to our little house and life was good.

My theme this week should be Barry Manilow

I have gone to quite a few concerts in my life.  Really, in my 30's before that and sadly after, I was not much of a concert goer. In my teens/20's it just wasn't something I did a lot of. Now in my 40's the cost of a babysitter combined with tickets? Forgetaboutit.

As a teen, I only went to two. One was Van Halen without David Lee Roth (disappointment) but my first ever concert was...

Why sometimes one child is so much easier

This sounds horrible, but when I had Allie I was one and done. I mean D-O-N-E. I didn't think I would ever love, like, have patience or stamina for another child.

Then along came a massive fire and Boo. Swear to God as any firefighter wife and she will tell you that fire = aphrodisiac to the Men that Are. Anyway, too much information but again there came Boo.

Rocking it School House Style

Today I am joining Kristi and Jen in their quest to make us recall songs from before we could change the radio station. Oh, I also checked to make sure that I am on the correct week. No silly stalker mix-ups this week.

Following what was I thinking...

Remember I said I would find 10 minutes and signed up for a 5k. If not you can read here to catch up. Okay if you are done laughing we can continue...

The other day I decided I had to start training for that 5k. Two weeks should be enough, right? Since the Bruins kept me up to oh-dark-thirty in triple overtime it wasn't happening before work. I decided to take an hour personal time before the Boo pick-up and take a practice run.

A 2.2 mile run/walk. What could go wrong?

Thanks for the week that was...

Two of my best-blogging buddies , Kristi and Joy, are co-hosting a hop this weekend thought up by the Considerings. It is probably the easiest one you will participate in all week. Being thankful. Come up with 10, just 10, things you are thankful for this week.
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Listen

On Fridays for 5-minutes I hop on the Lisa Jo Bandwagon and just write. Unedited, unrehearsed, just mind spewing to the keyboard.

Today's prompt: Listen


Listen to your gut. I hear so many parents of children who have special needs that do not follow their instincts. Do not believe just because some one has MD after their name it means they are smarter than you. You know your child from the moment you first feel them move inside you. You know when they first look at you. You know when they first hold your hand. You know when something is wrong before the doctors do. Listen and follow your mother's instinct to protect their young.

The Hardest Part of My Day

There are some days when all I want to do is give in to Boo. When I want to just give her a cupcake, okay a third cupcake. I know, in my heart, that the ABA therapies are working. That Boo is better with all the work her therapists do with her on a daily basis. Sometimes the work gets the best of me.

At workshop when Boo gets stubborn they wait her out. They make her do her work (I wish they could make Allie do her homework). But at home I struggle. If I ask Boo what sound a monkey makes and she doesn't answer we move on. After all there are dishes and laundry to do, hugs to be given and Allie's homework to be done. Concerts to be tortured enjoy. Oh and dinner to be made.

At school she HAS to answer. Now I know what you are thinking. Does it really matter if Boo answers OO AA for a monkey sound. Probably not. But if some one asks Boo her name she HAS to answer. Especially if she goes missing. Since she refuses to say her name that is an issue. And it all starts with OO AA.

Meet Boo's friend Zachary!

I’d like to introduce you to Boo’s friend, Zachary. Zach is a fabulous boy in Boo’s class who happens to have autism. Zachary was the first boy to hold Boo’s hand. It was so awesome, watching them walk into school together.

Like Boo, Zach is a frequent eloper. If your child has never eloped count yourself lucky. Boo has tried to escape us many times. Not on purpose or intent. She is just not aware that she is no longer with our group. We can be in the yard playing, blink for just a moment and she is gone.

It is a scary moment for any parent. But for a parent like Zachary’s mom, Laura, it is beyond terrifying. You see, at fiveryears old Zachary is considered non-verbal. He would probably not respond to calls of his name, nor would he be able to tell a stranger his own.  Zachary is always in motion. Like Boo, unless he is contained in a stroller he is off. He has no awareness of the danger. At home doors must be securely locked (even in the heat of summer) and windows must have a no-escape feature. He sleeps in a secure tent to limit the chance of him wandering while his parents try to sleep. Yes, I said try. Any of us with a child who has the need to wander sleep with one ear open.

Zach’s awesome parents are turning to 4 Paws for Ability, a non-profit organization that places certified service dogs with children of various disabilities. In Zachary’s case, his dog would be trained to provide sensory input, interrupt dangerous behaviors, calm meltdowns and most importantly the dog would keep Zachary safe. The dog would be trained, in the event that Zachary did elope to find him. The dogs are trained to follow his scent and locate him within minutes.

What more could a parent ask for? Well, the money to provide their child with the security he deserves. A certified and trained dog costs $13,000. Parents of children with special needs do not have discretionary income. Our children cost more than the typical child. Our incomes are lower than before as we need to take more time off of work for therapies, doctor’s appointments and other activities to assist our children. Our free money gets spent on sleeping tents, door alarms and adaptive equipment.

To have $13,000 to spend on anything would be huge. To have the money needed to provide safety for our child would be a miracle.

I asked Laura if I could share her story to spread awareness. Last month two families lost their child to autism. Yes, I went there. Autism was the culprit in their death. A child who eloped for less than 20 minutes from her grandmother’s house and was not found alive. This is a tragedy.  If it only takes a dog that can locate a child within minutes and save a child I am all for spreading the word.

I am also hoping to help Zachary in his fundraising efforts. They have currently raised $2,400 towards security. If everyone who reads this blog donates $13 then forwards this post to 20 of their friends who donates another $13 it would only take a thousand readers to provide Zachary with a safety friend.

And allow his mom and dad to sleep a little more soundly.

To donate please visit http://www.razoo.com/story/4-Paws-For-Zachary or you may mail a check with his name on the memo line to: 4 Paws for Ability, In Honor of Zachary Fiorillo, 253 Dayton Ave., Xenia, Ohio 45385. (If you do send a check, please remember to add Zachary’s name!).

To learn more about Boo’s amazing friend, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/4PawsForZachary

How not to get the mom of the year award.

No, this is not a post a poor me post. There are days when I know I am not being superwoman.  There are only so many balls I can juggle. Between mom, therapist, doctor, worker and wife.

There are days when I forget to put a sandwich in the lunchbox. Yes, I did, not this morning but recently. I have sent Allie to school three days in a row without bathing her. No she didn't stink. At least I hope not. I have tried to convince Allie not to attend her school social events and forgot to feed them lunch on the weekend. Unless cookies and yogurt count.

On Monday I seriously took the cake of so-not-mom of the year. Okay, I ate the cake that I had hidden from the girls. In the closet. But I digress.

Boo had a field trip. After the last field trip there was no way I wanted to go and work provided a handy excuse. Since I was already taking time off this week for another of Boo's appointments I could not justify being out of the office. Of course as so often happens, husband was also working.

I sent Boo on a field trip by herself. Okay, not herself, she was with her aide. I did have her tag pinned to her back letting anyone who may find her, if she wandered, what to do. I was a nervous wreck. But I left her anyway. She may have been the only preschooler without a parent there and she couldn't care less. From what I am told she had a fabulous time. I still worry that I have scarred her by not being there.

As we got ready for the day my husband and I were talking about how we couldn't go with Boo and how nervous we were. As I dropped Allie off at the bus stop she said:

Why are you so upset about not going on Boo's field trip? It's not like you have ever gone to any of mine.

Yup, not only is Allie the master of the understatement she is also the master of Mommy Guilt. Her revenge?

The Spring Concert. Tonight we are attending the grades 1-4 Spring Music Concert. As Allie is in 3rd grade that means we have to sit thru two grades singing two songs each and then the intermission. Did I mention the Bruins first Stanley Cup game is tonight?

The one upside to not winning mom of the year is that I won't have to dust the mantle for display purposes.

Filing under what the heck was I thinking?

Attention: Anyone in your 20's this might not be the post for you. See, right now you have a rockin' bod. A bod to die for that you don't have to do any real work to maintain. Oh you also have time for the gym. 

Anyway, I am  22 years past the prime of the 20-year old. And I put on a bathing suit for the first time this year. It was not pretty. I am sure that the pasty white skin didn't help the image. And yes, I could use a little self-empathy.

I asked the always reliable husband: Do I look fat? Ladies, especially, those in your 20's do not in your 40's ask a man you have been with for too long to remember for his "honest" opinion. He will give it to you.

"Well," he said without a moment's hesitation, "If you are asking me if you have put on weight in the past 3 or 4 years, yes. But you are not fat you just have a pouch and flabby legs".


Yes he lived. Because, well, he was right. I haven't run in over a year and the only aerobic activity I have done since Boo's birth look like this:

Now friends, in the interest of honesty, I know I am not fat. I do not really have a weight issue. Things just aren't where they used to be. I am in no way trying to be dismissive of those who struggle with their weight on a daily basis. But I am not happy with the "pouch". So I did two things...

I signed up for a 5K with only 2 weeks to train. I'm an idiot like that. I outted myself on Facebook for accountability and I asked my nephews if they thought that was time enough to train. One replied, of course. The other one said: sure if you put down the wine. Guess which one is my new favorite?

Next, I contacted the always reliable and exercise-aholic Tia. She agreed that the 40's have not been kind to our bodies. She then recommended the on-demand videos that are 10 minute work-outs. Surely I can find 10 minutes, right?

Well, the last time I tried a video workout I ended up watching it on the couch with some Gelato and a glass of wine. But this time I was going to do it. I could find 10 minutes,  I will, I will.

The other night I picked Allie up from school, ran errands and made it home before Boo and hubs (he had therapy duty, yay him). Started dinner and said, hey wait I have 10 minutes now.

Choose the cardiac dance video and proved once again why Allie thinks I cannot dance. Marching, I did that step perfect. The slide, yup got that down. Then they moved onto something and I, well, mis-stepped. I have no idea what move I was trying to make but I landed on the floor. Then with perfect timing, Allie comes in...

Allie: Mom what are you doing?

Me: I am exercising

Allie: I don't think that is what exercising is supposed to look like.

Yes, she lived. Because she was right. But I got up and finished the last 7 minutes of the workout. Yes, friends, I fell in minute 3. As soon as you stop snorting wine you can finish reading....

Oh you are back!

This morning I got up and found another 10 minutes. So I did the Thin-in-10 core work out. Twelve years ago I did Pilates and Yoga 3 times a week. This should be a breeze. Let's forget that the last Pilates/Yoga work out was 12 years ago.

I could not do a sit-up. Not one without heaving my legs off the floor for momentum. I did manage to some of the other torture moves. Thankfully there were no witnesses.

But I am determined to carry on. I will find 10 minutes every morning/evening and find time to train for the 5k.

Because I will wear a bathing suit this summer and I want to tan my pasty white skin.

And if you haven't had a chance yet and feel bad for me and my pouch please take a moment to "like" me! I am nominated for the Best of the Blogs. Just visit this link and "like" with Facebook.

http://www.babble.com/mom/a-letter-to-new-special-moms/

You can only like me once, though. So thanks to everyone who already likes me!

 

A moment to say WOW

I know that Boo is so incredibly lucky. Yes, she struggles. However she struggles so much less than other children. And here is why:




Boo you see has the best, ultimate best, village. Not everyone of her village is shown in this photo. The people above dedicated Sunday to walk with Boo in the NSTAR Walk for Children's Hospital. We formed our Brigade 5 years ago to show how much our family was indebted to the Saviors who saved Boo's life and our sanity.

Five years later, CHB continues to care for the best hugger in the world. However we do not owe Boo's advances to just CHB. She owes her growth to the friends, family, therapists and teachers who interact with her on a daily basis.

I read so many blogs where I am saddened that they do not have a village. So many moms feel isolated, alone and afraid. Too many parents of children with special needs become loners. Their lives are centered around their child, leaving them little choice.

Maintaining a village is not easy for a lot of us. We are pretty out there with Boo and have been since her birth. I know the present is the easy period. As she gets older life may become harder. I think that is why our family is so grateful for our village. 

Boo's teachers, aides and therapists have become extended family. Our friends have become watchful guardians when they see Boo in school or at a party. Everyone we know have invested themselves into our beloved child.  Recently I was at the Supermarket and a teenager came up and said hi to Boo. I had no idea who she was, but her friendliness touched me.

So I am taking a moment (or two) of your day to express my gratitude to Boo's village. Those who walked 7-miles on Sunday and those who cheer her on every minute of the day. Those who read my blog and cheer us on. Those who I work and live along side. The countless people who reach out and hold our hands through this unsuspected life.

Thank you to all of you who share our heartache and joy.

From the bottom of my soul, thank you.


 

Thankful

Two of my best-blogging buddies , Kristi and Joy, are co-hosting a hop this weekend thought up by the Considerings. It is probably the easiest one you will participate in all week. Being thankful. Come up with 10, just 10, things you are thankful for this week.

1. My husband. I know, corny. But this week not only did he work overtime he made sure the house was stocked with wine. Oh he also stayed up until 12:20 AM with me to watch the Bruins game after my nephews and brother-in-laws went to bed and left me all alone to watch the game.

2. Everyone who is walking and/or donated to Boo's Brigade. We are walking this Sunday in the NSTAR Walk for Children's Hospital. So far we have raised almost $4,500 for the Hospital that saved Boo's life. All of my friends and family will be glad when the weekend is over and I stop asking them to participate.

3. Dana for agreeing to take Abby in during her teenage years where she will learn not to dress like a hooker. Oh and she will serve us beautiful drinks in her new kitchen. If you haven't checked out her blog you are missing a great part of your day. She has awards to prove it.

4. The Boston Bruins. I cannot believe how well they are playing, but they bring me such joy. And not because this is the only time of year my nephews text me 100 times a day. I hope they bring me joy tonight. I would be even more thankful.

5. The Our Land Series. A world where empathy and wonder reign. I just wish I had empathy for the jerk who made my friend Kerry sad.

6. That Boo has a fantastic aide that will be chaperoning her on a field trip next week. I just wish it didn't make me feel like the most horrible mom in the world for not taking the time off of work.

7. The friend's daughter who stopped by this week to pick something up and spent a half hour doing Allie's homework with her so I wouldn't be tortured,  have to make her cry do it for her.

8. Gelato. Yes, gelato. I hide it is the freezer from the children and husband. I was going to say wine but you already knew that, right?

9. My crafty sister-in-law who did not trust me with the T-shirts for this weekend's walk. I didn't even have to beg that hard for her to take over.

10. All of you who read this blog and leave such heartwarming, supportive and positive comments. I know, sappy again. But if I am really being thankful I have to thank those who make this life easier.

Your hosts

A Fly on our (Chicken Coop) Wall, A Woman's Place, Bringing the Sunshine, Considerings, Finding Ninee, i can say mama, Shoved to Them, Steps into Parenthood, The Wakefield Doctrine

 

So what are you thankful for, just one thing, this week? 

 

Fall

It is Friday and that means I take 5 minutes to write, just write, with a one word prompt from Lisa Jo Baker. Ready, set and start.

Fall

I fall in love a little more each day. First love is easy, but to stay in love is tough. There is laundry, diapers and life getting in the way of love. There is work, stress and a million things that I put over falling in love with my family.

I love them all quite differently.

I love my husband for his sense of humor, his steadfastness and even the things that drive me crazy. Like when he thinks he knows it all. Eighteen years later I still don't know what trick he might pull on me. I love my husband for the security he provides and for the love he shows our daughters. The hunter who expected to be taking his sons fishing and target shooting has been seen (not photographed) playing Barbies and tea parties.

I love my Allie for her take on life. Her utter honesty, the way she sees the fairies in the yard. The fact that I love her in spite of her ability to make my ears bleed with her never-ending stories. I love Allie for her imagination. When she takes two hours setting up the scenario before she starts playing with her dolls and horses.

I love my Boo for the way she hugs. This morning she woke up at the butt crack of dawn. As we laid back in bed, her arm snuck around my neck as she settled in. My heart broke and I fell a little more in love with this child of joy. I love Boo's belly laugh, how she puts her entire body into the expression of happiness. I love how Boo's hug can make some one's day. How she screeches her joy. I love how Boo says AYAAAYYYYYAAAAA as she calms herself to sleep.


Falling in love is simple. Staying in love is work. Being able to fall in love a little more each day with my family makes staying in love easier.

END.

I hit a turning point in my life when I…

Growing up sometimes sucks. You have to grow up at different points in your life. First you have to learn to tie your shoes and you learn you can no longer depend on your mom doing everything for you. As you get older you learn there are times to lean, times to cry and times to put your big girl panties on.

I hit a turning point in my life when I accepted Boo's undiagnosis (yes, I just made up my own word). When Boo was first in the NICU we didn't really think past let our baby live. It was on her second admission at just a month old that I began asking, "what was wrong with my child".

I wanted to know the why so I could know the outcome. I needed answers so I would know how to "fix" Boo. I wanted a manual on how to make her "better". I felt it was "unfair" that she had some unknown genetic abnormality. That she didn't fit the mold of any diagnosis, disease or syndrome.

And four years later, I still feel guilty for my poor choice of words.
 
From her pediatrician to her neurologist to her genetics physician I would demand answers and be told: you may never have the answers. Just keep doing what you are doing, eventually the science will be there to help Boo. Notice they said help, not fix.

I don't know when exactly, I put my big girl panties on and stopped focusing on "why" or "fixing". It took too much time and too many admissions. Boo was put through so much testing. Necessary, but painful testing. Heartbreaking testing that gave us more questions than answers.

At some point I hit a turning point and I just accepted Boo's undiagnosis. I stopped using Google as a diagnostic tool. I began accepting this life as a mom of a special child. I still carry on with doctors, therapy and special programs. I advocate for awareness. I have Boo "on display" so others will be invested in her life. Because someday the science will be there to tell us why Boo works harder than most children.

Yes, the why is still important but not the most important detail of my day.

And when I hit that turning point? That was the day I began living life to it's fullest with Boo.

This is how I hit a turning point in my life to Finish that Sentence Friday. What was your turning point?

 

  



The day we tortured Boo

We are surrounded by the ocean/beach. How we had Boo, a child terrified of sand and all that is beach is still a mystery to us. But we are determined to make her a beach bum. Every summer we take her and in the beginning it is horrible. But last year for the first time Boo stood on the sand! It took crocks, socks and a pretzel stick. But she did it!

It took a lot of work for her, but we were all so proud. This year Boo walked on the grass so I (mistakenly) thought she was ready for the beach. Sure she freaked out at home when I took her socks off and made her walk barefoot. But it will be great, right? We put the girls in the jeep and drove onto the beach.

Big mistake. I swear it was the windiest day of the year. Boo did not handle it well. The poor thing whimpered for an hour. We tried everything. Including hiding her under a blanket.

Unfortunately we choose the windiest day of the year for her first attempt. It was so bad a friend left because her husband was being so cranky! At one point we looked down the beach and thought it was fog, but nope it was sand from the dunes.

You can see her trying to be brave. She was watching Allie have fun and but didn't realize Allie was having fun. She thought the waves were hurting her sister.

But in the end, after about an hour, we finally gave in and packed up to go home. All we heard was "I no like" (hey a sentence). Once in the jeep life was calmer. For the first time she didn't panic in the jeep at the beach.

So progress was made.

Then today we got the notice that the beach is closed through most of July due to some endangered birds. Apparently birds take precedence over summer fun.

I think if Boo realized the reprieve the birds gave her she would do a happy dance.

This one is for Syd....

Boo has the most terrific aides at school. All of them, quite honestly, are the best of the best. She has transitioned to as new staff come on board. She has not had one bad aide yet.

Today she is missing one of them though. Syd has been out of school for almost a month. She is one of the nicest, funniest and caring people we know. She recently told me that reading the blog makes her day since she cannot see her kids every day.

So, Syd this is for you!

Here is wishing Syd a speedy recovery and get well sooner rather than later. Your Boo needs you :)

Oh and this once again proves I am not crafty, right? But I am still going to ask you to vote for me. It is super easy. All you have to do is hit the link below and then click "like" with Facebook.  If you have already "liked" me, thanks. Sadly, you can only like me once.

http://www.babble.com/mom/a-letter-to-new-special-moms/

Yard work sucks, wine is better

I hate yard work. Not hate as in wow I really would rather sit with a book kind of hate. But H-A-T-E yard work. If I had my way I would have either woods or a concrete yard. Since when they were putting in our septic they took our woods I have a yard.

I hate the yard.

First there is grass. Okay, not grass. Weeds that are green and look like grass. Except when you mow and then you kick up dust and rocks. Oh and lets not forget the dandelions, that Allie swears are fairy flowers and please stop killing them MOM!

Why am I mowing, you ask? Because Hubs is on another triple and the grass weeds are high enough that I might need to borrow the neighbor's goats over for dinner. I hear dandelions are good for goats.

Back to my point, yes I have a point. And yes, I have a neighbor with goats. As in plural. She also has sheep and a sheep dog that is afraid of the stairs and the sheep. But I digress.

My point is I hate, HATE, yard work. But there I was on the first hot day of Spring (or in New England summer that began after the last frost) mowing the weeds. Since it is a hot and humid 75 degrees I am wearing the least amount of clothes possible. Much to my neighbor's dismay.

Why did I choose this day to mow the lawn what passes for our lawn? Because I live on a small road with perfect lawns. Well, perfect except for ours, and I was having a moment of lawn insecurity. Truthfully I have another neighbor, but her lawn is hidden behind the best sledding hill in the state. So I wasn't feeling inferior there, but the other two?

Not a freaking weed on theirs!

I put the girls in front of the TV, well Boo with her IPAD that is only now used for Austin & Allie at home (she uses it for the real purposes at therapy and school I SWEAR) and did yard work. Freaking yard work.

One neighbor drives by, the one with the hidden yard, we wave and say hi. We chuckle over the fact that our husbands are always "working" so we get stuck with the manly-jobs. Then another neighbor stops and comments on how the beast from hell yard is coming along. Then she says: Don't you just love yard work? I love being in the garden. She of the perfect lawn, garden and flower yard. If she wasn't so freaking nice I might hate her. Instead I just envy her lawn.

Me? Nope, I would rather relax with a nice glass of wine.

Instead I am hot, sweaty, dirty, dear God is that a tick on me???? With snot hanging down my nose because hello pollen. Holy crap that was a spider crawling on my arm. Why do there have to be all these bugs? What was God thinking when he created the slug?

But I carried on. I put in the effort. Tried to make something out of weeds then just covered it in mulch. Mulch is good, right? This is what I ended up with: a mowed weed, I mean lawn and some replanted trees in a 2x2 area.

Yes, that is Bailey. The crazy now destructive toddler, no longer a puppy, who is defecating on all my hard work. I gave up at that point and took a shower with a glass of wine.

Yes, I took the glass of wine with me. Because I hate yard work.

You might be a stalker if....

Have you seen the very inappropriate, non-politically correct, 80's movie I'm Gonna Git You Sucka? In that movie we learn a true hero brings his own theme music, he also wears platform shoes with goldfish in them.

Apologies, Friday's favorite movies are still on my mind.
they should probably do a list of the worst movies of all time

Just as any hero should bring his own theme music, so should a stalker. If I was stalking you this is what might be playing...

Rockwell's Somebody's watching me because, well I would be watching you.

Little Monsters' Little Talks not only is that song kind of creepy it makes me think of Patrick Swayze in Ghost stalking Demi Moore. Since I want Demi's hair and a side of Patrick back then wouldn't be a bad thing, I would definitely stalk you with Little Talks.

Miranda Lambert's Crazy Ex Girlfriend. You leave me, I stalk you. If that doesn't work...I wouldn't give it a second thought to being thrown in jail. Because to a hammer everything looks like a nail.

Skid Row's 18 and Life because once I was arrested for any of the above that might be what I am looking at.


Stalker songs: You might think I am a stalker but you just don't know how much you love me. A Twisted Mix-Tuesday brought to you by two lovely stalkers, Jen and Kristi. Be sure to visit them and share the twistedness.

Oh and when you go over to check them out you will see that I once again chose the wrong week to comment about. Yes, I am a blog-hop idiot.  So I posted about yard work instead. Then I contacted Kristi to tell her I wrote this awesome post but couldn't use it. Especially since it was a topic from about 10 weeks ago.

But she gave me the blessing to post it anyway. Not so much a blessing but a demand. So here I am and now...


Now summer has officially arrived, I am going for a Twisted Lemonade.

Semper Fidelis

Diane at On the Border recently gifted me with the Semper Fidelis Award.





Thank you so much, Diane. It means a lot to receive notice from another blogger. Especially one who can tell stories much more eloquently than I ever could!



Of course, there are rules.

1. Add the award logo to my blog (done, it took some work, but it's done)

2. Thank the blogger who nominated/gifted me and link back to their blog. Done but again, thanks Diane oh and go check her out at On the Border!

3.  Nominate five bloggers whose loyalty and friendship you value and who you consider being part of your 'wolf pack'.
 
4.  Post something special for each one of your nominees and dedicate it to them such as a quote, picture, poem, saying etc....something you think pertains to that person.
 
5.  Let your nominees know that they are nominated.

And drum roll, please.....

Semper Fidelis, in Latin, means "always faithful". I count on the following ladies below who I not only faithfully read, but the ones I feel a connection. In addition, their blogs are what get me through the day. I can count on them for their honest opinions, support and friendship.

1. Kristi at Finding Ninee. Kristi is the first person who reached out on a personal level through the blogging world. She made me feel a part of this 'wolf pack'. But not the type of wolf pack from the Hangover. I do not think she would leave me on top of the hotel roof. However I do think she would get me drunk and let me marry a stripper.

2. Joy at I can say Momma. Another compatriot in the world of an undiagnosed child. Where I feel frustration and snarky humor, Joy finds the beauty in every moment. What amazes me about my friendship with Joy is that when we take on a 5-minute challenge our brains usually have the same take on the word.

3. Dana @Kiss My List. When Allie is a teenager I am sending her to Dana's house. Dana has the best stories. From kitchen remodeling to traveling to shopping. Oh and shoes. She did a whole vacation from the viewpoint of her shoes! More importantly she will never let Allie leave the house looking like a hooker.

4. Bron at Big Brother, Little Sister and the Baby. I want to be Bron when I mature. Notice I did NOT say grow up as I am a older than Bron. Where I make excuses of why I cannot do things, Bron lives life to the fullest. She doesn't seem to fluster. She travels, does triathlons, is a mum to three great kids and still remembers to be a wife. Frankly I don't know how she does it. Which is why I want to be her when I mature.

5. Rachel at Tao of Poop. Rachel is peace. Seriously, even her husband agrees. She is mom to Claire and it navigating the world of the two-year old. Not the easiest time when your child is still a baby but testing you in a bid for independence. Rachel sees the utter beauty in the moment. I tend to see the tantrums.

There are many, many more of you out there. But I had to limit the list to 5. Thanks, again, to Diane. Keep giving us your family stories, they are not only important they are inspiring!

 

First impressions

I admit it, I am totally one for first impressions.  In random order here is what I tend to notice:

1. Their hair. Only because mine looks like this:



            When I really want it to look like this:

Okay, if I looked like Katie Holmes'
I would be super happy too.

2. If I am in "the" Wal-Mart I notice that people do not have my issues with self-esteem. They will leave the house wearing anything and sometimes not enough anythings.

Am I the only one concerned that this woman

seems to have posed for this picture?

3. Piercings, now don't tell me I am all stuff. I used to have a belly piercing myself. Until I had Allie and two things happened. One, I didn't want a toddler pulling it out and two, my belly is no near back into shape to show it off! I just don't get how we went from the 80's with two piercings in our ears to, well, this...

If Allie comes home with this guy

hubs might have an issue. Forget might

he will probably need bail money

4. Their feet. Pre-children I wore the best shoes, had the prettiest pedicure. Now I am either in sneakers or flip flops. Nail polish might be on the toes but it might be hard to find. And no, I am not going to gross you out with feet pictures. The piercing picture was enough, don't you think?

5. Their children. I am in awe of the families in Mass whose children sit so quietly in the pew. Mine? Boo is usually snorting or screaming "hi" at people. Allie is usually drawing, while laying across the pew so no one can see her. She does, however, stand and kneel when appropriate. I think the perfect families must use some witchcraft to make their kids behave.

6. Their hair. yes, it is so important to me I must count it twice.

7. Their ability to coordinate their outfits. I am usually a wrinkled mess that may probably not have been current this season. I know it is possible though to look like you stepped out of a Ralph Lauren Catalog. I have this great friend and she (and her daughters) are always perfectly dressed. Oh how I envy them. I want to leave the house looking like this...

and end up like this..

I wasn't kidding about the hair...

8. Their accent. You maybe thinking, how can their accent be the FIRST thing you notice about some one? I ask you to think of the last telemarketer or help-hot-line number you called. Enough said.

9. Their spouse. I always wonder how did she/he end up with him/her. Oh come on, you have wondered the same thing!

How on Earth did a TV reporter end up with the guy from the Federal Reserve? I bet it was E-harmony.

And last but not least (remember no particular order)...

10. That the woman on the airplane is reading 50 Shades of Grey in hardcover, without the jacket removed. Didn't she realize that if it was on her Kindle no one would know that she is reading lady-porn?


This list of first impressions has been brought to you by the Good Life.

 

Happy Monday Everyone!

Blast from the past

Today one of my older posts was chosen to promote awareness of Mental Health issues...please go check me out
http://thoughtsfromparis.com/blog/on-display-bandbacktogether-blogathon/