This weekend, I had taken Saturday off, so I could help out at a benefit for friends of mine. We decided to have the sitter come, so we could make a day of it. The possibilities were endless! It is rare anymore, that I wear anything more than scrubs. On my non scrub days, there really isn't any reason to get terribly dressed up, so, it wasn't until I attempted to take the kids to Buffalo for the day on Friday, that I realized, I have NOTHING to wear. Nothing. No jeans, a few sweaters I have had since before Kaila was born, and some odds n ends from here and there over the years. How many mothers out there, when thinking about buying themselves something extravigant, like, say, socks? Immedietely think of at least 92 things the kids need? So, here we were, going to go go out, for the first time since last August, and before that, last March, and I have a pair of kahkis, and no jeans. Enough was enough. I bought some clothes. It was awesome. I was even happy, (Who am I kidding?? If I could do cartwheels and backflips, they would TOTALY have been done!) to see the jeans I tried on were LOOSE! This was the best day ever. (Except for all the other 'Best Days Ever'...). Anyhow, after a blessedly uniterupted lunch at our favorite Mexican place, we were off to the benefit, back in Franklinville. Rocking new jeans, AND earings!
The benefit was a huge success, and people were shoulder to shoulder, and having a great time. All night it was "HI!!!! I haven't seen you in FOREVER!!!!", and, "Where's George?" My voice still hurts. But that's okay, because, for a few scrub free, kid free hours, I felt like a person, and not just "Hey Mom!" and "Hey Nurse!". Kinda nice. Until after.
We had already recieved a text from the sitter; "When are you coming home?" Ugh. I swear, I have more guilt and restrictions over staying out late (All of 7:00 PM), now, then I did as a teen. I responded "Dunno." because, it was only 7PM! We were out, and kid free! The possibilities were endless! I even ran into my neighbor from across the street. After the usual, "HI! We haven't seen you in FOREVER!" It was inquired as to what we had done on this rare day off. "Oh my gosh!" exclaimed myself and the Captain Morgan swishing about inside me; "I bought NEW UNDERWEAR! You have no idea how epic that is. It's been YEARS!!! You have noooo idea, how exciting this is!" I probably would have still said it, even without the Captain Morgan. Lots of Moms out there will totaly understand.
After leaving the Benefit, we sat in the parkinglot, eating our Chicken BBQ from said Benefit. Mostly because, we knew that taking it home would decrease our chances of getting ANY of it, considerably. The kids would have totaly pounced all over that. The cold dinner conversation consisted of
"So, what should we do now?"
"I don't know. I cannot have anything more to drink, I have to work in the morning."
"Yeah. Me either. I have to get up with the kids in the morning."
(Okay, STOP right here. I had exactly 5 drinks, as did Jasin. Over a 6 hour period. Before I make us out to be irresponsible alcoholics...)
"How about a movie?" At this point, we both whip out our phones, to look up movies. Nothing till 10PM.
"Well, that's a long time to have to kill time. And, I have to get up at 4:45...."
"Yeah. So...... any other suggestions?"
"We just ate, so, there's no point in driving anywhere for anything to eat. The movies are too late. We have established we should not drink anymore....."
"It's only 7:30!!! We haven't been out in over 6 months! We have a sitter!"
"And new earings. *SIGH*"
"I know! How about we go to Olean to Tops, and go grocery shopping!"
"NO!"
"ANY suggestions at all?"
"Ummmmm. No. I got nothing." At this point, we are idling on the road in front of our house.
"Nothing? Because I really don't want to pull in the driveway right now. It will probably be another 6 months, before we can do this again."
"Nothing. I have no ideas at all. We cannot drink, I have to get up early for work, so we can't really go Buffalo way, I think the poor sitter wants to go home...."
"Hell. Fine. I will pull in."
We were home before 8PM. Upon entering, I handed George new underwear I had bought him. The kid was so overjoyed and excited, he could hardly believe it.Yeah, son, I completely understand......
Responsible adult that I am, I was tucked into bed by 10PM, with the realization that I will not have another opportunity to wear any of my new clothes until Tuesday..........
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Snowed in Shenanigans
My kids are on Winter Break this week. I was off Tuesday and Wednesday, and, wouldn't you know, the weather predictions weren't too wonderful. I probably COULD have taken them out and about, but, living half an hour from ANYWHERE, if I don't have to drive in the slop, I really don't want to. Tuesday, I went out, rented movies, and made popcprn. That seemed to tide them over somewhat. And, I am excited to say, I finally was able to use my new oven that night! (Little side note here, just to get it out of my system; I was NOT the first to use it. One of the babysitters was. You may all be upset for me now. The sympathy is appreciated.) After producing dinner, the nightly arguement with Joe began. He is stick skinny, not because I do not feed him, but, because he is pretty sure he hates everything I set in front of him.
"Mom, what's for dinner tonight?"
"Homemade pizza rolls."
"I HAAATE those!! Why do you have to always make stuff I hate?"
"I have never made them, Joe. You haven't even tried them before."
"Uuggghh!!!! Can't you hurry up and put a lab in here for me, so I can get started on my time machine??"
"What the heck do you need a time machine for?"
"Because, mom!" (in the tone of voice to suggest I have the IQ of a dead goldfish) "Then I could go ten minutes into the future, to see if I like it, so I know if I should try it or not."
"OMG, Joe. Just TRY it, for heaven's sake!"
"I neeeed a science lab, Mom!"
"I neeeed a new kitchen, Joe. Guess who's gonna win this one?"
It was decided that dinner was acceptable, and I was begged to make more, which entailed a quick trip down the road to the store to get more ingredients. It is the occasional meal that is tolerable, that my kids are still upright. Otherwise, they would eat more, and I would have way more disposable income, if I just let them eat cereal, toast and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
Wednesday, I awakened to the sounds of bickering, arguing and screeching, wafting up the stairs. By 9AM, I decided something had to be done, before we were all insane. At this point, the kids have been cooped up at home all week, and were sick of each other, the house, the TV, and George is still getting over a cold. His constant crying and whining were beyond bearable.
"Minions, assemble!!"
"What, Mom. What do we have to clean?" They all asked miserably.
"I am going to the store, to get stuff. I will return."
"What stuff?"
"Whatever will shut you all up for the next 12 hours." They were good with that.
Off to one of the local dollar stores, I went. I bought stickers, Easter window clings, foam stickers, puzzles, trains, cars, tractors, nail polish, lip gloss, activity books, markers, games - whatever I could inexpensively find. I filled an entire cart up. Went home, set it all out, and told them to occupy themselves. It was wonderful. The house was an absolute disaster, but, they were so content! As I write this, I have neon pink finger nails, and neon orange toe nails, done by Kaila, as George took a nap in my lap. It was such a fun day. And, we made do-it-yourself subs for dinner, which met with Joe's approval. TWO DAYS IN A ROW!!! Maybe tomorrow, I can take them to do something fun. They need to get out.
In other news, I am completely thrilled that it is daylight again, when I arrive to work. That may not seem like anything special to some of you, but, for someone who arrives and departs in the dark, the walk from parkinglot to front door in the daylight is rather nice.
I have also (after 2 months, because, you know I work for the federal government, and 2 months is STAT, in their terms...and, that is how long the entire process has taken....) gained access to the fitness center, at work. Because, you all know, (well, most of us, not the fanatical workout, buff friends of mine out there), that, after a few weeks of half hearted, minimal effort, and the outrage over limiting chocolate and wine intake, weight loss results are expected at the approximately 45# range, and the jeans size at about 3 sizes smaller. I would like to think that I will be COMMITED! This time is IT! I am going to get up an hour early EVERY work day (LOL!!!!) and work out! And again AFTER work! There will be work out videos at home, elliptical workouts, and morning waks/runs/bike rides. I will look like a Barbie Doll - or, at least her mother, by June. Maybe July. Of next year. Or not. Either way, I decided if I cannot make it to a gym one floor below me, at the place I spend almost 13 hours a day at, then, no other membership will be worth the money. Otherwise, there will once again, be no pics of Moriah during any summer trips we make. Like hopefully Maine. Unless we re-do the kitchen. Because that really really needs to happen. Maine would be nice, too though. Lord knows we all need it. Until then, I am going to google recipies that will make me a size 6, and keep Joe happy....
"Mom, what's for dinner tonight?"
"Homemade pizza rolls."
"I HAAATE those!! Why do you have to always make stuff I hate?"
"I have never made them, Joe. You haven't even tried them before."
"Uuggghh!!!! Can't you hurry up and put a lab in here for me, so I can get started on my time machine??"
"What the heck do you need a time machine for?"
"Because, mom!" (in the tone of voice to suggest I have the IQ of a dead goldfish) "Then I could go ten minutes into the future, to see if I like it, so I know if I should try it or not."
"OMG, Joe. Just TRY it, for heaven's sake!"
"I neeeed a science lab, Mom!"
"I neeeed a new kitchen, Joe. Guess who's gonna win this one?"
It was decided that dinner was acceptable, and I was begged to make more, which entailed a quick trip down the road to the store to get more ingredients. It is the occasional meal that is tolerable, that my kids are still upright. Otherwise, they would eat more, and I would have way more disposable income, if I just let them eat cereal, toast and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
Wednesday, I awakened to the sounds of bickering, arguing and screeching, wafting up the stairs. By 9AM, I decided something had to be done, before we were all insane. At this point, the kids have been cooped up at home all week, and were sick of each other, the house, the TV, and George is still getting over a cold. His constant crying and whining were beyond bearable.
"Minions, assemble!!"
"What, Mom. What do we have to clean?" They all asked miserably.
"I am going to the store, to get stuff. I will return."
"What stuff?"
"Whatever will shut you all up for the next 12 hours." They were good with that.
Off to one of the local dollar stores, I went. I bought stickers, Easter window clings, foam stickers, puzzles, trains, cars, tractors, nail polish, lip gloss, activity books, markers, games - whatever I could inexpensively find. I filled an entire cart up. Went home, set it all out, and told them to occupy themselves. It was wonderful. The house was an absolute disaster, but, they were so content! As I write this, I have neon pink finger nails, and neon orange toe nails, done by Kaila, as George took a nap in my lap. It was such a fun day. And, we made do-it-yourself subs for dinner, which met with Joe's approval. TWO DAYS IN A ROW!!! Maybe tomorrow, I can take them to do something fun. They need to get out.
In other news, I am completely thrilled that it is daylight again, when I arrive to work. That may not seem like anything special to some of you, but, for someone who arrives and departs in the dark, the walk from parkinglot to front door in the daylight is rather nice.
I have also (after 2 months, because, you know I work for the federal government, and 2 months is STAT, in their terms...and, that is how long the entire process has taken....) gained access to the fitness center, at work. Because, you all know, (well, most of us, not the fanatical workout, buff friends of mine out there), that, after a few weeks of half hearted, minimal effort, and the outrage over limiting chocolate and wine intake, weight loss results are expected at the approximately 45# range, and the jeans size at about 3 sizes smaller. I would like to think that I will be COMMITED! This time is IT! I am going to get up an hour early EVERY work day (LOL!!!!) and work out! And again AFTER work! There will be work out videos at home, elliptical workouts, and morning waks/runs/bike rides. I will look like a Barbie Doll - or, at least her mother, by June. Maybe July. Of next year. Or not. Either way, I decided if I cannot make it to a gym one floor below me, at the place I spend almost 13 hours a day at, then, no other membership will be worth the money. Otherwise, there will once again, be no pics of Moriah during any summer trips we make. Like hopefully Maine. Unless we re-do the kitchen. Because that really really needs to happen. Maine would be nice, too though. Lord knows we all need it. Until then, I am going to google recipies that will make me a size 6, and keep Joe happy....
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Midnight Ramblings
The bug seems to have hit our home again. George seems to be hit the hardest. Getting up with sick kids every hour or so is bringing back memories of newborns in the house. Newborns, who would be quiet as soon as I started to feed them. George, however, becomes downright chatty. Three nights in a row now, we have been up more than asleep. Sometimes, he sits in his bed and cries. Others, he comes right to my bedside.
"Mom. Wake up. I am hot again. You need to take my temperature and it's time to give me more medicine. You should probably listen to my heart with your scope, too. Mom? Wake up! I am sick! We need to go downstairs. You should probably carry me. I am too sick to walk down all those stairs. Did you bring your scope in from your truck after work?"
"Uugghh. Do you think you will sleep through the night again, anytime soon, son?"
After he has been medicated and used the potty, and had a drink, and we have rocked in the chair awhile, the talking begins. We've discussed the ocean, possible visits to the ocean this summer, cracks in my bedroom ceiling and why houses settle, and what causes hairline cracks, the light on my dresser, shell collecting, Joe's legos, and where they might be hidden, where Lexi puts things she doesn't want him to find. He's told me he likes kisses, and snuggling on my pillow, why I have to go to work, why he thinks I shouldn't. My little doctor has given me his own plan of care - when he thinks he should receive medicine, and which one "I don't have a cough, so, not the cough medicine. Just the medicine that makes you not hot anymore. Don't you think you should take my temperature first, Mom? Not with your hand!!!!!! Use the thermometer! I probably need a drink. Where is your scope, now? You need to listen to my belly and heart." It's like being at work with a psychotic patient. Only, I cannot medicate him as such.
I finally got the little motormouth back to sleep around 4 AM this morning.
"One hour. I get to sleep for one whole hour before work. One beautiful, precious hour. Okay. I can do this. I am so cold. Lord. That overtired cold. Doesn't matter. I can still sleep. If I don't look at the clock, I won't panic because I cannot fall back to sleep. Sooo tired. And cold. What if the alarm clock wakes George back up again? Then what am I going to do? Don't care. I will worry about it in an hour. Actually, probably LESS than an hour now. That's okay though, because I can totally do this on an hour of good sleep. Wait. Was it an hour, or was it actually an hour and a half? Do I look, or just try to sleep till the alarm goes off? My throat hurts. I should have grabbed a cough drop. No. I probably would have choked to death on it. So.... if we do make it to Maine for our vaca this year; what if it rains the whole time? Locked in an RV for a week. Who is going to water all my flowers and feed the cat if we go? What if we just skip the vacation and re-do the kitchen, instead? We could just take the kids to Lake Erie for a day, and tell them it's the ocean.... and, we could pick a hot sunny day, that is guaranteed to be nice, instead of chancing a week locked in an RV in the rain. Bet I still have at least 50 minutes left....." Off goes the alarm. "Mom! It's time to get up for work! Your alarm is going off! Get up and get in the shower, Mom! I will just come downstairs with you, okay? You need to carry me though. I think maybe you should leave your scope home with me..."
At this point, this entire post is during a break at work, after 3 nights with no sleep, and with two more days of work left to go. I am too tired, even, to worry about my kids being sick. Because I am pretty sure they just have a bug, and none of them need an antibiotic. And that's about all a doctor is going to do that I cannot at this point. Joe has a bit of a cough, and is maddeningly whiny, and Kaila has a sore throat, and, as dramatic as she can be about ANY pain -(If the hysterics we have gone through over teeth coming out is any indication of her pain tolerance levels, I can only imagine child birth for her some day....)- she is pretty sure she is dying. However, they haven't been up all night as of yet. Just George and me. Either rocking in the recliner, or snuggled up in my bed. " I think I should probably stay in your bed for awhile mom. I might need to cry again, if I get hot. You need more kisses? I like kisses." You know, the germ infested ones? I sure as heck don't get this many when he isn't contagious. I will take what I can get, however. Have a good weekend, people. When I get some sleep, I am sure the whole 'guilt of being at work and not seeing my poor sick children for 4 days, OMG, what kind of mother am I?????' will kick in. Until then, they have been instructed to drink lots of tea and water, rest a lot, and bug their Father.
"Mom. Wake up. I am hot again. You need to take my temperature and it's time to give me more medicine. You should probably listen to my heart with your scope, too. Mom? Wake up! I am sick! We need to go downstairs. You should probably carry me. I am too sick to walk down all those stairs. Did you bring your scope in from your truck after work?"
"Uugghh. Do you think you will sleep through the night again, anytime soon, son?"
After he has been medicated and used the potty, and had a drink, and we have rocked in the chair awhile, the talking begins. We've discussed the ocean, possible visits to the ocean this summer, cracks in my bedroom ceiling and why houses settle, and what causes hairline cracks, the light on my dresser, shell collecting, Joe's legos, and where they might be hidden, where Lexi puts things she doesn't want him to find. He's told me he likes kisses, and snuggling on my pillow, why I have to go to work, why he thinks I shouldn't. My little doctor has given me his own plan of care - when he thinks he should receive medicine, and which one "I don't have a cough, so, not the cough medicine. Just the medicine that makes you not hot anymore. Don't you think you should take my temperature first, Mom? Not with your hand!!!!!! Use the thermometer! I probably need a drink. Where is your scope, now? You need to listen to my belly and heart." It's like being at work with a psychotic patient. Only, I cannot medicate him as such.
I finally got the little motormouth back to sleep around 4 AM this morning.
"One hour. I get to sleep for one whole hour before work. One beautiful, precious hour. Okay. I can do this. I am so cold. Lord. That overtired cold. Doesn't matter. I can still sleep. If I don't look at the clock, I won't panic because I cannot fall back to sleep. Sooo tired. And cold. What if the alarm clock wakes George back up again? Then what am I going to do? Don't care. I will worry about it in an hour. Actually, probably LESS than an hour now. That's okay though, because I can totally do this on an hour of good sleep. Wait. Was it an hour, or was it actually an hour and a half? Do I look, or just try to sleep till the alarm goes off? My throat hurts. I should have grabbed a cough drop. No. I probably would have choked to death on it. So.... if we do make it to Maine for our vaca this year; what if it rains the whole time? Locked in an RV for a week. Who is going to water all my flowers and feed the cat if we go? What if we just skip the vacation and re-do the kitchen, instead? We could just take the kids to Lake Erie for a day, and tell them it's the ocean.... and, we could pick a hot sunny day, that is guaranteed to be nice, instead of chancing a week locked in an RV in the rain. Bet I still have at least 50 minutes left....." Off goes the alarm. "Mom! It's time to get up for work! Your alarm is going off! Get up and get in the shower, Mom! I will just come downstairs with you, okay? You need to carry me though. I think maybe you should leave your scope home with me..."
At this point, this entire post is during a break at work, after 3 nights with no sleep, and with two more days of work left to go. I am too tired, even, to worry about my kids being sick. Because I am pretty sure they just have a bug, and none of them need an antibiotic. And that's about all a doctor is going to do that I cannot at this point. Joe has a bit of a cough, and is maddeningly whiny, and Kaila has a sore throat, and, as dramatic as she can be about ANY pain -(If the hysterics we have gone through over teeth coming out is any indication of her pain tolerance levels, I can only imagine child birth for her some day....)- she is pretty sure she is dying. However, they haven't been up all night as of yet. Just George and me. Either rocking in the recliner, or snuggled up in my bed. " I think I should probably stay in your bed for awhile mom. I might need to cry again, if I get hot. You need more kisses? I like kisses." You know, the germ infested ones? I sure as heck don't get this many when he isn't contagious. I will take what I can get, however. Have a good weekend, people. When I get some sleep, I am sure the whole 'guilt of being at work and not seeing my poor sick children for 4 days, OMG, what kind of mother am I?????' will kick in. Until then, they have been instructed to drink lots of tea and water, rest a lot, and bug their Father.
Monday, February 11, 2013
Weekend Adventures
Yesterday was Lexi's 9th Birthday. We do not take Birthdays lightly in our household. And, somehow, I managed to have an entire weekend off, so, Lex took complete advantage of this. Beginning with a sleepover after school on Friday. Carrie, the little girl who spent then night, was a complete sweetheart, and seemed to roll with the craziness in our household - esp when my sister and her kids came over. I had the brilliant Pinterest idea, of having a bunch of kids over, to decorate cupcakes. In the Pinterest pictures, all these little girls in cute dresses and hair bows and aprons, are smiling charmingly as they decorate perfect little cakes. How cute is THAT? I could do this. So, 8 children, 2 dozen cupcakes, several different colors/flavors of frosting, and assorted sprinkles later, we were ready to begin. The kids couldn't wait. It was a fiasco. Frosting and sprinkles were flying, fingers and knives were in mouths, arguing over toppings ensued. Cross that off the list of things to ever try again. Curse you, Pinterest.
The morning after the sleepover, I had my first home care case, for my second job. I had my homecare nursing bag ready to go, scrubs on, and directions professionaly written on a paper towel. The directions to this home seemed clear enough. So, I confidently set out 15 minutes early, promising I would be back home in no time. This house was nowhere. It was supposed to be on a main road, and even my GPS was stumped. Where it SHOULD have been, was vast fields. So, I Googled the patient's name and address - OH! The address was off a number! Okay, I knew which house it was. So, I arrived at this house, which seemed earily quiet. Ummmm. Okay. In orientation, we were told to just knock and walk in. I had also been told there was a dog at this house. Well, there was a dog. So, I knocked and walked in. "Hello! Anybody home?" Nothing. There was nothing. No sounds anywhere. Just a dog, who seemed anxious to give me a full tour of the home, and show me where any silver and valuables might be. I stood there awkwardly, calling out, and almost positive I was in the wrong place. But, what if I wasn't? What if I was? What if some outraged homeowner came charging thru the door, brandishing a shotgun and threats of arrest for illegal entry? What if my patient was actually sleeping in bed, and I needed to wander around and find this person? What if this was the wrong place? What if it wasn't? The dog didn't seem to know, either. I stood there for a fews moments and pet the dog, and decided this was probably not the right place, and I should probably leave, and hope I didn't get stuck in the driveway.
After 30 minutes of searching for this home, I finally called the agency I work for. They called the patient's home, and then myself, and I discovered I had been next door to the home I needed to be at. You know, the one with NO house numbers? Right between two homes with COMPLETELY different numbers? That one. Okay. So, I finally get to this house, and a very nice lady comes out and tells me to 'park over there!', so I park over there. Then she tells me to 'park over there now, instead.'. Which puts me off the driveway, and completely stuck. This first job was totaly not going well. I get out of my truck, and I was informed, "Oh my goodness! Are you okay? You look exhusted!" (I get that a lot lately. WTH? People look at me regularly and tell me how awful I look. How do I change the way I look?) In I go, where I have the sweetest patient and family, who are all just so nice, and another dog to pet, and it went well. My patient says to me after; "I hope you can go home and rest a little. You look so tired!" Sigh.
When I went outside, in the hopes I could unstick my truck, the patient's family had dug it out, and put ashes under the tires, and it pulled right out. I could not stop thanking them. At this point, I felt like such an idiot. Lost, breaking and entering, stuck, late. I was awesome. One of the family members came to me and said, "Whenever I have needed help, the Lord has always provided me with someone to help. Glad I could pay in forward. And, you look like you could use some help. May the Lord be with you - you really do look like you could use His help." I gulped back tears at this point. I must really look pitiful and exhusted.
Sunday, the actual day of Lexi's birthday, kicked off with the Birthday cake for breakfast tradition, followed by church. Growing up Catholic, we went to church every weekend, and some of my best childhood memories were of Saints' Peter and Paul Church, in Arcade. We go to Saint Philomena's in Franklinville now, and this church has some pretty strict requirements for the kids' religious ed program, and one of them is that the kids have to be in church EVERY weekend. Which usually falls on Jasin, as I happen to work just about every weekend. "Now you will see how bad they are in church!" he informs me. Well. They really weren't all that bad. "How did you keep George so good?" "I told him to behave, and I would buy him M&M's."
We had promised we would take Lexi ice skating. She has been on this ice skating kick since before Christmas. I had my doubts about how we would all fare thru this. Althletes we are not. I like reading, gardening, nice walks, occasional bike ride. Jasin likes naps.... kudos to the parents who have kids in every sport, activity, class and social activity ever. Athletics has just never been our thing. Nor has balance or flexibilty. I really was mentaly prepared for at least one injury.
After lacing everyone up in skates, we wobbled out. George and I lasted less than one minute, before we decided this was not even a little feasable. When I was 15, I went skating once. I glided around with minimal issues. 20 years later, and this was the arena of death. George and I stood on the sidelines, sharing a bag of Skittles, and watching people fall. It was the most completely entertained I have ever seen him. Little bodies were constantly slamming into the glass seperating us from the ice, as frantic little kids with terror stricken faces, skated out of control, with no idea or ability to stop until they hit walls and ice. "Look Mom! Here comes another one!! Are you okay kid?" He would yell. It was awesome. And, Lex had a good time, too.
The next stop was shopping. And, here is where I get aggravated. We so rarely get to all go anywhere as a family anymore, due to work schedules. There are 6 of us. This is NOT an obcene number! So, the glares and the looks, and the eye rolls we recieve, when people see us, is getting old. Especially when it us employees of businesses we are at. At the checkout at Wal Mart, our cashier was so put out, because we were in her line, with a cart load of groceries and all these children. She did everything but throw our bags at us. We have this excited little girl, who announces it's her birthday, and is thrilled she has a handfull of money that she is spending on dolls and accessories, and the cashier was beyond rude. We had the same service at dinner, as well. When did kids become such a trial? I hear other parents mention they have this problem in public, too. Ah well. Overall, it was a nice weekend, and Lexi seemed to enjoy her 3 day bash.
On a personal note, I am so thrilled to announce I ordered a new stove! Can you say 'Hellooo 5 burners??" So excited! Now, if I can just save enough to re-do the entire dreadful kitchen......
Also, I type this as I continue to fight the conflicting guilt and excitement of a trip to NYC in April with a friend, to go see The Phantom of the Opera. I am such a huge fan, and really needed to go see this show. It's a one day trip by bus, and, I am hoping, worth the guilt of being away from home non-work related, as I am gone so much as it is, and the further guilt of mentally listing all the things the money could have been better spent on. And then I recall the sheer length of time that I haven't had a break of ANY kind, and, I try to justify it that way. It's going to be a crazy day, in which we spend approximatley 9 hours actually IN the city, and almost 16 hours just traveling round trip - but, I will be responsible for no one. No kids, patients, driving, telephones, laundry, meals, housework, paperwork - nothing. Throw in some wine, and it will be perfect :-)
Have a great week!
The morning after the sleepover, I had my first home care case, for my second job. I had my homecare nursing bag ready to go, scrubs on, and directions professionaly written on a paper towel. The directions to this home seemed clear enough. So, I confidently set out 15 minutes early, promising I would be back home in no time. This house was nowhere. It was supposed to be on a main road, and even my GPS was stumped. Where it SHOULD have been, was vast fields. So, I Googled the patient's name and address - OH! The address was off a number! Okay, I knew which house it was. So, I arrived at this house, which seemed earily quiet. Ummmm. Okay. In orientation, we were told to just knock and walk in. I had also been told there was a dog at this house. Well, there was a dog. So, I knocked and walked in. "Hello! Anybody home?" Nothing. There was nothing. No sounds anywhere. Just a dog, who seemed anxious to give me a full tour of the home, and show me where any silver and valuables might be. I stood there awkwardly, calling out, and almost positive I was in the wrong place. But, what if I wasn't? What if I was? What if some outraged homeowner came charging thru the door, brandishing a shotgun and threats of arrest for illegal entry? What if my patient was actually sleeping in bed, and I needed to wander around and find this person? What if this was the wrong place? What if it wasn't? The dog didn't seem to know, either. I stood there for a fews moments and pet the dog, and decided this was probably not the right place, and I should probably leave, and hope I didn't get stuck in the driveway.
After 30 minutes of searching for this home, I finally called the agency I work for. They called the patient's home, and then myself, and I discovered I had been next door to the home I needed to be at. You know, the one with NO house numbers? Right between two homes with COMPLETELY different numbers? That one. Okay. So, I finally get to this house, and a very nice lady comes out and tells me to 'park over there!', so I park over there. Then she tells me to 'park over there now, instead.'. Which puts me off the driveway, and completely stuck. This first job was totaly not going well. I get out of my truck, and I was informed, "Oh my goodness! Are you okay? You look exhusted!" (I get that a lot lately. WTH? People look at me regularly and tell me how awful I look. How do I change the way I look?) In I go, where I have the sweetest patient and family, who are all just so nice, and another dog to pet, and it went well. My patient says to me after; "I hope you can go home and rest a little. You look so tired!" Sigh.
When I went outside, in the hopes I could unstick my truck, the patient's family had dug it out, and put ashes under the tires, and it pulled right out. I could not stop thanking them. At this point, I felt like such an idiot. Lost, breaking and entering, stuck, late. I was awesome. One of the family members came to me and said, "Whenever I have needed help, the Lord has always provided me with someone to help. Glad I could pay in forward. And, you look like you could use some help. May the Lord be with you - you really do look like you could use His help." I gulped back tears at this point. I must really look pitiful and exhusted.
Sunday, the actual day of Lexi's birthday, kicked off with the Birthday cake for breakfast tradition, followed by church. Growing up Catholic, we went to church every weekend, and some of my best childhood memories were of Saints' Peter and Paul Church, in Arcade. We go to Saint Philomena's in Franklinville now, and this church has some pretty strict requirements for the kids' religious ed program, and one of them is that the kids have to be in church EVERY weekend. Which usually falls on Jasin, as I happen to work just about every weekend. "Now you will see how bad they are in church!" he informs me. Well. They really weren't all that bad. "How did you keep George so good?" "I told him to behave, and I would buy him M&M's."
We had promised we would take Lexi ice skating. She has been on this ice skating kick since before Christmas. I had my doubts about how we would all fare thru this. Althletes we are not. I like reading, gardening, nice walks, occasional bike ride. Jasin likes naps.... kudos to the parents who have kids in every sport, activity, class and social activity ever. Athletics has just never been our thing. Nor has balance or flexibilty. I really was mentaly prepared for at least one injury.
After lacing everyone up in skates, we wobbled out. George and I lasted less than one minute, before we decided this was not even a little feasable. When I was 15, I went skating once. I glided around with minimal issues. 20 years later, and this was the arena of death. George and I stood on the sidelines, sharing a bag of Skittles, and watching people fall. It was the most completely entertained I have ever seen him. Little bodies were constantly slamming into the glass seperating us from the ice, as frantic little kids with terror stricken faces, skated out of control, with no idea or ability to stop until they hit walls and ice. "Look Mom! Here comes another one!! Are you okay kid?" He would yell. It was awesome. And, Lex had a good time, too.
The next stop was shopping. And, here is where I get aggravated. We so rarely get to all go anywhere as a family anymore, due to work schedules. There are 6 of us. This is NOT an obcene number! So, the glares and the looks, and the eye rolls we recieve, when people see us, is getting old. Especially when it us employees of businesses we are at. At the checkout at Wal Mart, our cashier was so put out, because we were in her line, with a cart load of groceries and all these children. She did everything but throw our bags at us. We have this excited little girl, who announces it's her birthday, and is thrilled she has a handfull of money that she is spending on dolls and accessories, and the cashier was beyond rude. We had the same service at dinner, as well. When did kids become such a trial? I hear other parents mention they have this problem in public, too. Ah well. Overall, it was a nice weekend, and Lexi seemed to enjoy her 3 day bash.
On a personal note, I am so thrilled to announce I ordered a new stove! Can you say 'Hellooo 5 burners??" So excited! Now, if I can just save enough to re-do the entire dreadful kitchen......
Also, I type this as I continue to fight the conflicting guilt and excitement of a trip to NYC in April with a friend, to go see The Phantom of the Opera. I am such a huge fan, and really needed to go see this show. It's a one day trip by bus, and, I am hoping, worth the guilt of being away from home non-work related, as I am gone so much as it is, and the further guilt of mentally listing all the things the money could have been better spent on. And then I recall the sheer length of time that I haven't had a break of ANY kind, and, I try to justify it that way. It's going to be a crazy day, in which we spend approximatley 9 hours actually IN the city, and almost 16 hours just traveling round trip - but, I will be responsible for no one. No kids, patients, driving, telephones, laundry, meals, housework, paperwork - nothing. Throw in some wine, and it will be perfect :-)
Have a great week!
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Dino's and Monsters and Ghosts, Oh My!
We had a meeting yesterday, regarding one of the kids, at school. No worries - it was a GOOD meeting! We are delighted to report, that the school loves our kids, and they are all doing wonderfuly. Amazing grades, amazing kids. We were told that it is obvious they come from a good home with good parenting. I told them it was mostly dumb luck, and we truly have no idea how we ended up with these exceptional children. If there is a magic formula, I haven't found it. I yell sometimes. I threatan to beat them a lot. (But I don't actually beat them. Not even George.) I veto most extra curricular school activities, and make them play outside. It keeps the house cleaner. I make them do dishes. Mostly because I hate doing dishes. And, as I tell them all frequently - "You need to learn how to do these things now, and be independant. The ability to take care of yourself and get things done, does not magically happen, the day you move out! And, you certainly aren't staying here forever. We have plans for your bedrooms." Lexi accuses me of already having plans for the "The Kids Are All Moved Out!!!" party. Truthfully, I am sure I will cry very hard, the day the last one moves out. I will sob uncontrolably all over the cruise planner's desk. In all seriousness, I cannot imagine the house with no children. But, those years are a long long way off yet.
Meanwhile, after the meeting at school, we decided to go to Sears, on a quest for a new oven. It is a neccesity at this point, and I really cannot nurse the current stove along for much longer. Not going to lie - I cringe a little, when I hear it finaly "WHOOSH!!!" to life, after an hour of begging it to light. I half expect to blow up each time. It needs to go. I may need to buy a new teapot for the top of the new stove. Just because. And, I saw cute teapots at Target, and any excuse will do.
We had George with us, on this treck 25 miles away to Springville. And, as Jasin pulled onto the road to go to Sprinville, we hear from the back; "This is not good. This is going to be bad. Dad's going to flip this truck." At which I snickered a little. "OH NO! There's a hill! DAD! Don't drive over the hill! We're going to go off! Great. He's driving very fast, up the hill. This is very bad." (head in hands, shaking it in resignation.) "Dad! You're going to flip the truck over! This is not good! We should just go home."
This went on for miles, and I was laughing hystericly. The kid was sure we weren't going to make it.
"This is YOUR fault!" Jasin glares at me.
"Of course it is. Cannot wait to hear how."
"Because you hate my driving, and the kids know it."
"Pay attention to the road, before you flip the truck, Jasin.
"AAHHHH!!!!!!! THE DINOSAURS ARE GOING TO GET US!!!! DRIVE FASTER, DAD!!! They are EVERYWHERE!!!"
Several miles of getting chased by dinos later, even I was convinced they were out there. It was very realistic. Luckily we turned onto a different road, and breathed a sigh of relief, as the dinosaurs evidently stayed on the other road.
"Oh no!!" moaned the little back seat driver. "The monsters are after us now. Big, scary ones." He sounded so resigned to certain demise. "WHY did you have to drive this way, Dad?"
Luckily, we survived the monsters, did not flip the truck, or drive off a hill, and the dinos never caught up. We even made it past the ghosts on the next road. It was exhusting. But, totaly worth the possibility of a new stove. I am hoping to have it within a month. Maybe a kitchen redo this year, as well? That also, needs to happen.
In other news, Lexi turns 9 this coming Sunday. Not sure how it happened, as I usually work every weekend, but, I have Friday thru Sunday off! All of which, Lexi has planned a 3 day Birthday celebration. Beginning with a sleepover, and decorating cupcakes. Ending with ice skating on Sunday, shopping and dinner out. (If my children were blown away by dinner via delivery, I can only imagine what a non- McDonalds dinner out will do to them.) The ice skating should be interesting. The entire family of 6 of us, will be wandering out onto the ice, with myself being the only one to ever don skates. Once, when I was 15. So, dinner is contingient upon all of us making it thru the skating intact. I figure we still could hit up Burger King on the way to the ER, if neccisary. And, I am ashamed to admit, I may have voluntarily bought her a Justin Bieber CD. The thought of the what the cohabitant of her bedroom, and owner of the Carrie Underwood CD is going to think of this makes me cringe.
That mostly sums up the exctement in our household for now. It's rarely dull, so I'm sure there will be another update soon. Have a great weekend!
Meanwhile, after the meeting at school, we decided to go to Sears, on a quest for a new oven. It is a neccesity at this point, and I really cannot nurse the current stove along for much longer. Not going to lie - I cringe a little, when I hear it finaly "WHOOSH!!!" to life, after an hour of begging it to light. I half expect to blow up each time. It needs to go. I may need to buy a new teapot for the top of the new stove. Just because. And, I saw cute teapots at Target, and any excuse will do.
We had George with us, on this treck 25 miles away to Springville. And, as Jasin pulled onto the road to go to Sprinville, we hear from the back; "This is not good. This is going to be bad. Dad's going to flip this truck." At which I snickered a little. "OH NO! There's a hill! DAD! Don't drive over the hill! We're going to go off! Great. He's driving very fast, up the hill. This is very bad." (head in hands, shaking it in resignation.) "Dad! You're going to flip the truck over! This is not good! We should just go home."
This went on for miles, and I was laughing hystericly. The kid was sure we weren't going to make it.
"This is YOUR fault!" Jasin glares at me.
"Of course it is. Cannot wait to hear how."
"Because you hate my driving, and the kids know it."
"Pay attention to the road, before you flip the truck, Jasin.
"AAHHHH!!!!!!! THE DINOSAURS ARE GOING TO GET US!!!! DRIVE FASTER, DAD!!! They are EVERYWHERE!!!"
Several miles of getting chased by dinos later, even I was convinced they were out there. It was very realistic. Luckily we turned onto a different road, and breathed a sigh of relief, as the dinosaurs evidently stayed on the other road.
"Oh no!!" moaned the little back seat driver. "The monsters are after us now. Big, scary ones." He sounded so resigned to certain demise. "WHY did you have to drive this way, Dad?"
Luckily, we survived the monsters, did not flip the truck, or drive off a hill, and the dinos never caught up. We even made it past the ghosts on the next road. It was exhusting. But, totaly worth the possibility of a new stove. I am hoping to have it within a month. Maybe a kitchen redo this year, as well? That also, needs to happen.
In other news, Lexi turns 9 this coming Sunday. Not sure how it happened, as I usually work every weekend, but, I have Friday thru Sunday off! All of which, Lexi has planned a 3 day Birthday celebration. Beginning with a sleepover, and decorating cupcakes. Ending with ice skating on Sunday, shopping and dinner out. (If my children were blown away by dinner via delivery, I can only imagine what a non- McDonalds dinner out will do to them.) The ice skating should be interesting. The entire family of 6 of us, will be wandering out onto the ice, with myself being the only one to ever don skates. Once, when I was 15. So, dinner is contingient upon all of us making it thru the skating intact. I figure we still could hit up Burger King on the way to the ER, if neccisary. And, I am ashamed to admit, I may have voluntarily bought her a Justin Bieber CD. The thought of the what the cohabitant of her bedroom, and owner of the Carrie Underwood CD is going to think of this makes me cringe.
That mostly sums up the exctement in our household for now. It's rarely dull, so I'm sure there will be another update soon. Have a great weekend!
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Dashing Through the Snow
I hate driving in the snow. Every single person from here in good 'ol Western New York, touted far and wide as "Home of the Lake Effect Snow Belt", will tell you to suck it up. We are all aware of the weather here, and should all be able to drive in it. I can drive in it; but I sure don't like it. And, I blame my parents. They willingly moved here, from New Jersey and Pennsylvania, respectively. On purpose. To the "City of Good Neighbors" (As the politicians and tourist industry refer to it.) I suppose, aside from the alarming number of shootings pretty close to where I work, the people seem nice enough. But, had my parents picked anyplace else to move to and live and meet; I would not currently live here. I guess I could move now, but, the thought of packing up my house and kids is exhausting. I digress. I was talking about driving through the snow. And how much I hate it. Because, I really really do.
This is the part where anyone reading this points out very nicely that I am not forced to work so far away from home, and that I was completely aware of the drive and the weather patterns of this area, when I applied for the position. And, I really do love my job. The thought, however, of making this insane commute for the next 30 years or so, is seriously daunting.
Over the last week, I called in on Monday, after driving 15 miles through snow/ice/rain/sleet/slush and misery. I was heckled a little from my older sister, (Whom, I need to point out, lives an opposite direction, and drives completely different areas and roads....), and from a childhood friend, who both successfully made the drive. I just could not. The recent dream of my autopsy was still too fresh, I was still getting over the flu, I have 4 kids to think about, I refuse to die to a bad song - ex; anything by Taylor Swift, and, there were numerous reports of accidents between myself and work. I pulled over, called the boss, and went home. Where I was greeted by George. Who told me that I needed to be a Super Hero Good Guy. Because he is NOT a Good Guy, and needed someone for the Bad Guy, (Himself), to fight. We wore sweats, made cookies, snuggled in my chair, took lots of self portraits, because he loves to sit in my lap and pose for pictures.
Friday, I had to work only 8 hours. The drive in was okay - not wonderful, but, okay. The ride home, was a 2+ hour nightmare.
Saturday, I found that, in addition to my 4x4 needing to be fixed, I now need new brakes. I found this out, when, after slipping and sliding down the road the hospital is on, past the entrance, I wiped out in front of a bus. Some seriously amazing driving took place right then.
If you can drive through a snow storm with iffy brakes and no 4x4 for long distances, (besides being a moron), you're an awesome driver, in my book. It still doesn't mean I like it. My self conversations go as such:
"You cannot crash today - you just put $90.00 in gas in this beast."
"I refuse to die to this song, so, I cannot crash here."
"I am not wearing my pretty underwear, I cannot crash today."
"You promised Lexi you would make her cupcakes for her Birthday sleepover on Friday. You absolutely cannot crash until next week."
"If you crash, you might not be able to work, and then you won't get get a new kitchen."
"I cannot crash, every single one of my brothers, and evidently my older sister as well, will never ever stop picking on me."
"Why do people who are perfectly aware that I am driving through white-outs and cruddy roads insist on calling me?!?!?"
"If I crash here, it will cost entirely too much to tow it anywhere."
"I cannot crash here, I will have to wait FOREVER for roadside assistance."
"I absolutely cannot crash until I renew the AAA."
"I cannot crash - the truck is almost paid for, and I do not want another vehicle payment!"
"How will anyone know which number in my cell phone is the one to call, to get to someone, if I am unconscious?"
"What if they say my name on the news?!?! Then everyone will think I am a bad snow driver. Not just my sister and the guy I have known since I was 7-ish."
"I cannot crash fatally. Not until I draw up a will specifying who will never ever get custody of my kids, and specify what pictures Jasin may hang up at the funeral home." (Specifically - none.)
I have always, and will always, hate driving in the snow. I am ready for drinking tea on my patio in the morning, while wearing my housecoat, planting flowers, building new flower beds, rocking in the chair on the porch, leaving windows open at night, smelling lilacs, walking through the grass in bare feet, scrubbing off filthy children, after days spent outside, sitting on the porch steps, visiting with neighbors, and safe driving. I am aware that I live in the middle of snow country. And I am aware that I have to drive in it. But, I'm ready to be done for the season. Gonna go price tropical vacations now.
This is the part where anyone reading this points out very nicely that I am not forced to work so far away from home, and that I was completely aware of the drive and the weather patterns of this area, when I applied for the position. And, I really do love my job. The thought, however, of making this insane commute for the next 30 years or so, is seriously daunting.
Over the last week, I called in on Monday, after driving 15 miles through snow/ice/rain/sleet/slush and misery. I was heckled a little from my older sister, (Whom, I need to point out, lives an opposite direction, and drives completely different areas and roads....), and from a childhood friend, who both successfully made the drive. I just could not. The recent dream of my autopsy was still too fresh, I was still getting over the flu, I have 4 kids to think about, I refuse to die to a bad song - ex; anything by Taylor Swift, and, there were numerous reports of accidents between myself and work. I pulled over, called the boss, and went home. Where I was greeted by George. Who told me that I needed to be a Super Hero Good Guy. Because he is NOT a Good Guy, and needed someone for the Bad Guy, (Himself), to fight. We wore sweats, made cookies, snuggled in my chair, took lots of self portraits, because he loves to sit in my lap and pose for pictures.
Friday, I had to work only 8 hours. The drive in was okay - not wonderful, but, okay. The ride home, was a 2+ hour nightmare.
Saturday, I found that, in addition to my 4x4 needing to be fixed, I now need new brakes. I found this out, when, after slipping and sliding down the road the hospital is on, past the entrance, I wiped out in front of a bus. Some seriously amazing driving took place right then.
If you can drive through a snow storm with iffy brakes and no 4x4 for long distances, (besides being a moron), you're an awesome driver, in my book. It still doesn't mean I like it. My self conversations go as such:
"You cannot crash today - you just put $90.00 in gas in this beast."
"I refuse to die to this song, so, I cannot crash here."
"I am not wearing my pretty underwear, I cannot crash today."
"You promised Lexi you would make her cupcakes for her Birthday sleepover on Friday. You absolutely cannot crash until next week."
"If you crash, you might not be able to work, and then you won't get get a new kitchen."
"I cannot crash, every single one of my brothers, and evidently my older sister as well, will never ever stop picking on me."
"Why do people who are perfectly aware that I am driving through white-outs and cruddy roads insist on calling me?!?!?"
"If I crash here, it will cost entirely too much to tow it anywhere."
"I cannot crash here, I will have to wait FOREVER for roadside assistance."
"I absolutely cannot crash until I renew the AAA."
"I cannot crash - the truck is almost paid for, and I do not want another vehicle payment!"
"How will anyone know which number in my cell phone is the one to call, to get to someone, if I am unconscious?"
"What if they say my name on the news?!?! Then everyone will think I am a bad snow driver. Not just my sister and the guy I have known since I was 7-ish."
"I cannot crash fatally. Not until I draw up a will specifying who will never ever get custody of my kids, and specify what pictures Jasin may hang up at the funeral home." (Specifically - none.)
I have always, and will always, hate driving in the snow. I am ready for drinking tea on my patio in the morning, while wearing my housecoat, planting flowers, building new flower beds, rocking in the chair on the porch, leaving windows open at night, smelling lilacs, walking through the grass in bare feet, scrubbing off filthy children, after days spent outside, sitting on the porch steps, visiting with neighbors, and safe driving. I am aware that I live in the middle of snow country. And I am aware that I have to drive in it. But, I'm ready to be done for the season. Gonna go price tropical vacations now.
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