Two days ago, I had my very first root canal. The Endodontist that performed it was an impossibly young and perky woman, who spoke at ten times the speed that most people talk, even for a New Yorker. Things progressed right along, while she chatted away on subjects I had no ability to add input to.
She remarked that I was "substantially infected" and that she was actually very surprised by the depth of it, but decided against antibiotics, because my body should take care of it for me. Because of the infection, she did what she had to do for now, and instructed me to come back in a few weeks to do it again and finish it up. Making a follow up appointment, I headed home again.
Because it was Ash Wednesday, and my mouth was still numb, I announced we had to go to church because sometimes, I don't really want to go to hell. If you go to church status post a root canal, it has to count somewhere, right?
In church, George watched the proceedings with a considering eye. Finally deciding, he turned to me and whispered "Mom. I know what the ashes are made out of."
"What are they made out of?"
"Bodies of really bad people." right about then, the numbing in my mouth started to wear off.
Anyhow, we made it through another foray into church with no lightning strikes, and headed home again.
Yesterday, I woke up and just knew the recovery was not going to go well. The pain was worse than I had been assured it would be. I made it through work in a daze, and made it home again, completely miserable. Nothing was helping the pain, and I decided that all six of my previous surgeries were a walk in the park compared to mouth pain.
This morning, I woke up and instantly knew my face was not as it should be. Sure enough, I was swollen from right under my eye, down the face, and into the neck. Lovely.
I had patients I really couldn't reschedule without inconveniencing lots of people, so, I went to work, figuring I would call the dentist later and ask for an antibiotic to be called in.
The day began with an email that became a string of emails that set the tone for the entire day. My face became worse, and a fever set in, and I was having a hard time even spelling correctly at this point. I finally had a minute to call the dentist. A receptionist answered the phone and put me on hold. When she picked up, in my nicest warmest voice used for melting even the toughest of my patients because I hate inconveniencing people, I explained the problem.
'Well, the Doctor isn't here today, so, there's nothing I can do about it."
"There was a number that she did give me, but, it specifies not to call unless it's after office hours. Are you supposed to call?"
"I can try, but, it's her day off, so, you will have to wait till she is here on Monday."
"My face is deformed, and I really don't think this can wait until Monday."
"Did you put heat and ice on it? Did you even take Ibuprofen?" she demanded like I was an idiot.
Deep breath. "I have tried all the usual remedies for this sort of thing, and it appears to be worsening. We were aware there was an infection when I was there Wednesday."
"Fine. I am not making promises, but, give me the name of the pharmacy you want something sent to."
So, I told her.
"I need the address and phone number." she huffed. Lovely. So, I googled it and gave her the information, at which she banged down the phone.
The email chain continued, and I was getting sicker by the minute. The more I saw these emails, the more aggravated I became.
Then the swelling made opening my eye and swallowing difficult. I called my doctor, and was told there were no openings until next week sometime. A few hours had gone by, and the emails continued, along with a request to travel to Manhattan in the near future to train staff there. "I can't get time to travel two hours away to train people on this side of the state, how am I going to do this??" I wondered in panic, trying to decide how I would handle my patient load and travel at the same time. Already wondering how I will train someone next week who will be coming to my clinic for training while I deal with a full panel of patients for the day at the same time.
Usually, I can handle everything without even thinking about it. Today was not that day, and a genuine panic was starting.
Meanwhile, I received a text from Kaila. There is a person on Facebook that makes things up for attention, and whose kids go to my kids' school. Kaila sent me a picture that directly contradicts a recent self righteous Facebook post, and I became even more irritated. "Kaila, I swear to God, if you ever start posting lies on social media for attention, I will beat the hell out of you." I snapped in my feverish and grouchy state. "Well, I suppose I will go to Heaven then, if you're going to beat the hell out of me." came to spunky reply. "Forget it. I will just throw cans of Red Bull at you. It gives you wings and all that." I retorted back. At which I was told I was like a cute angry chipmunk in my swollen grumpy state.
More irritating emails came, that indicated even more work on my already overfull plate. I sat and looked at it and decided on the spot that I wanted to go back to bartending. So, in a state that should have kept me in bed today, I fired back a response that even surprised my boss.
The face situation was getting dire, so I called the dentist office back. "Hi! I don't mean to be a pest, I was just wondering if - " "YOU NEED TO HOLD ON!" And, I was put on hold. Several minutes later someone came on the line "What do you need?" the voice demanded. "Hi! I called earlier to ask about getting an antibiotic called in and - " "YOU NEED TO HOLD." Okay. So, I held for several more minutes. Finally someone picked up again. "YOU were told this morning we would do what we can. The dentist is OFF today, what more do you expect me to do???" Screamed some female on the other end. In shock I paused, and ventured in my best soothing nurse PR voice "Hello! I am so sorry to be a bother, I just wanted to check the status of my earlier call, and see if anyone had been able to -" "I TOLD you, she is OFF! You need to wait until MONDAY! WHAT MORE DO YOU EXPECT ME TO DO???" She screamed in my ear.
"Okay, I understand that. The dentist had given me her cell number to call, should I call that? I did try to reach my primary care, but there were no appointments - " "LOOK. I don't know what you aren't understanding here! SHE ISN'T HERE! SHE. WILL. NOT. BE. HERE. UNTIL. MONDAY! She was here earlier and tried calling you, and YOU didn't ANSWER!"
"No, I have my phone right here. No missed calls..."
"WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO ABOUT IT??"
"I just would like to know if she called anything in?"
"I TOLD you, she isn't HERE!"
"You just said she WAS there... at this point, this infection is spreading alarmingly and I really -"
"I don't know what you expect me to do about it?" This girl continued to scream at me. I just snapped. I watched another email pop across my screen and just snapped.
"YOU LISTEN TO ME. This is the WORST customer service I have EVER had. It is unprofessional to speak to ANYONE, let alone a PATIENT this way. I have been nothing but nice and reasonable, but, getting screamed at is completely unacceptable. I would LIKE you to be CIVIL, because I do NOT appreciate being SCREAMED AT!" I yelled into the phone.
"Well, if you want to WAIT ten minutes I will try to BOTHER the dentist ON HER DAY OFF, BUT IF IT'S THAT BAD, YOU CAN JUST GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM. THIS IS NOT MY PROBLEM! AND I HAVE PATIENTS HERE AND THINGS TO DO!!!!" She screamed at me.
"I happen to be a NURSE. I also happen to have PATIENTS. And if I EVER spoke to one of them in this manner, I would be FIRED! This is absolutely the WORST treatment I have EVER had from a medical office, and I cannot BELIEVE you are screaming at me."
"YOU LISTEN TO ME YOU -" She began, in a full rage now
"NO. YOU Listen to ME. I am NOT continuing this conversation. We are done." and I banged the phone down.
Scowling at the latest email, I informed the sender what I thought of his email, as my phone rang again. It was the dentist herself.
Soothingly she told me she had called a prescription in, and invited me to text her in a few days to let her know how things were progressing. I mentioned that whomever I had spoken to had been seriously rude, and was told "I am not there, but maybe they are having a hard day at the office." Sighing, I thanked her for her call, and privately thought that I would be lucky to have a job if I screamed at patients every time I had a bad day. You know, like today. I managed to keep it to two "I am not dealing with this nonsense" emails and did not scream at anyone. Shortly after, I saw I had missed a call from the screaming receptionist, stating she had no idea why I had hung up on her, but that she had had the dentist on the other line while she was talking to me, and that if I had been reasonable, she would have told me the prescription had been called in. At which I swore heartily at my phone and the liar's message. I am sure her ears were ringing.
I then left early for the day, picked up my prescription and went home.
I did not scream at the woman who apparently had been parking in my driveway after picking her kid up from school nearly daily, and waiting for my kids to come home, and telling her kid to ask if he can stay at my house and play, but who refuses to speak to my kids. And who doesn't particularly seem to care how her 7 year old gets home in the dark, hours later, some distance away. (We drive him. He's a good kid.) I did make her roll her window down and told her I was in no shape to have extra kids today. She didn't seem happy with me, but, I didn't care. I did feel sorry for her poor son, who she seems eager to pawn off nearly daily. Who DOES that? Just parks at houses waiting for the occupants to come home, and then refuses to talk to them? But, I didn't scream at her.
Over dinner, Bearded Man told this story about his childhood and a ceramic crock that, by this arm dimensions was approximately 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide. The story continued and I finally said "I need to know where they got a crock that big, how it was cleaned and washed, and where they managed to keep something that big?"
"You don't believe me?"
"No. I don't believe you."
"I am telling you, it was THIS big!"
Slamming my hands on the table, I shouted "NO! It was NOT! There is no way anyone has a ceramic crock that big!! I am DONE listening to people tell these stories and lies today! I am NOT putting up with it on FACEBOOK, EMAILS, DOCTORS OFFICES, OR MY OWN HOUSE! I CANNOT LISTEN TO THIS TODAY. SERIOUSLY. I. JUST. CAN'T!"
"Call my brother! He'll tell you we had one!"
"FOUR FEET ACROSS???"
"NO! It was about the size of a 55 gallon drum!"
"THAT IS NOT THE SIZE YOU INDICATED EARLIER. Does EVERYBODY think I'm an idiot?????"
"Oh my Gosh, you are the cutest little angry chipmunk ever." laughed Kaila
So. Now me and my angry chipmunk face are under a blanket, and I was handed ear buds to listen to music and not have to hear anyone else today. Honest to goodness, I think I am sick and burned out. Maybe this is the push I need to go back to school. I need to think about this when I am fully coherent again.
The name of this blog indicates I am not a perfect person, and am fully aware of that. I realize I am old enough to not throw tantrums and yell back at people. Maybe it's the recent uptick in watching the general population treat each other badly, as if it's a God given right? Possibly getting treated badly one time too many was just enough of a shove to finally make me lose me normal calm? Maybe it was the fever or the swollen face. Maybe I am just a jerk. Thankfully I have three days off to regroup. So, there. You see that I am not a terribly nice person at all - at least, today, anyway.
Friday, February 16, 2018
Tuesday, February 13, 2018
You Need to Think Big!
Written while the housework and laundry pile up around me. Honestly, I am not sure why I continue to keep up with either.
It was with a sigh of relief that I arrived at Sunday School this past weekend and realized that there is a two week hiatus and I just had to get through this week. Most of my students piled into the classroom, and I braced myself for the usual shenanigans. The kids weren't too bad this week, and, while I hold no illusion anything I taught actually penetrated thru the skulls of even one of those kids, Joe sort of amazed me.
There is this girl who occasionally wanders into Religious Ed and completely hates every minute of it. Having her cell phone confiscated every week does nothing to improve her opinion of the class. Actual quote this week: "I need to look at the phone, because I wanted to see the time."
"There is literally a clock hanging on the wall five feet in front of your face."
"You expect me to tell time on that???"
Anyway. When this kid does tune in, she doesn't like anything that is being said. With no phone and no one to talk to, she decided to argue whatever I was teaching. She asked a question I did not know the answer to, so, I hauled out one of my reference books, and read the answer to her.
"I still don't understand what you are saying, or why things have to be that way." she pouted. Unfortunately for her, she sits next to Joe every week.
"That's because you don't think 'Big' " said Joe.
"What?" She snapped crossly
"You don't think Big. I mean you want to think what you think, and you don't want to open your mind or your brain and think outside the box. You know; think "Big". You just heard the answer, but, because you didn't like it, you are saying you don't understand. You do understand, you are just refusing to think Big, or outside the box, and learn something that you don't want to, because it's not what you want to think. You will never learn anything if you are not willing to think Big, and think that maybe just because it's something you don't want to hear, that it's not the right thing. No one is going to change everything because you don't like it. So, open your brain and think!"
My mouth dropped open, as I listened to my kid sum up pretty much the general problem with society in one paragraph. Meanwhile, the girl glared at me and informed me Joe was weird, and to please make him shut up.
Sunday school was just a small part of this past weekend. Lexi turned 14! For her birthday, she wanted money and a trip to her favorite mall near Buffalo. Listening to weather forecasts that were calling for sleet and freezing rain, I took her up early in the day and proceeded to follow her twice around the entire mall. Upper and lower levels. It was exhausting.
While there, I took care of my once yearly foray into the makeup store. As usual, a very young and perky girl bounced over to me and, with the enthusiasm of a puppy who just found her very best friend, begged me to let her help me. Digging out last year's lipstick tube, I told her I was looking to replace this color, please. At which the poor thing became crestfallen, as, if I had just kicked her and hurt her to the core, and told me that they no longer carried that color. She did stand right there and excitedly help chose new colors though. Two lipsticks and an eye liner later, I was told with no small amount of excitement that I now qualified for three free items. I was dragged all over the small store. "Lotion! You need lotion!" she informed me happily. "No, I'm good. I just bought lotion over at the "Pink" store."
"Why would you DO that?? That stuff smells like chemicals. It's full of chemicals, too! Are you trying to die???"
"I will smell good when I go, I suppose. Let's look at something else."
"Makeup remover!" she bubbled, running over to another corner of the store. "Look! I will spray it here on my arm where we tested your lipstick, and it will come right off!"
"It doesn't appear to be coming off..." I pointed out.
"That just shows you how great our lipsticks are! They will last you all day! How about lip conditioner? It get's rid of gunk on your lips!" she said, rubbing it on her arm. "OW! Well. Maybe not. This hurts." she decided, putting it back.
We managed to find six things, and I escaped the store for another year.
I do have to say, taking my 14 year old shopping was this side of shocking. Most of the stores we entered featured clothes that were not particularly decent. Short shorts, half shirts, half sweaters, and skin tight everything seemed to be the general trend. My daughter walked into and then right out of most stores. If the clothing wasn't indecent, it was pre-torn. It seemed as if the current look is somewhere between the "can't afford nice things" and the "Most likely to post pictures of myself on social media that my mother can never ever be allowed to see."
Update on the dishwasher situation: It is now sitting on the front porch. If it isn't gone by Saturday, I have decided to take it to the local dump myself and be done with it.
Update on Kaila's car: it's still sitting dead in front of the house. However, she starts her first non babysitting job on Thursday, and is hopeful she will be able to fix or replace her car in the near future. Which would be a good thing, because, she will be taking my van on the nights she works, and I will be effectively without transportation on those days. I may as well get used to it. Lexi and Joe aren't terribly far behind the driving age.
Kaila decided she needed to get serious about a job shortly after I had her in a bar recently by accident.
One of my brothers also sings and plays guitar. He does a lot of "open mic" nights, and has been asking me to come to one forever now. Recently I agreed to make the hour long drive to open mic to see him, and, per his instructions, brought Kaila along with me, as, she's a singer too.
We arrived at a very small brewery/bar that was packed shoulder to shoulder. Hauling Kaila thru the crowd, we found my brother by the bar. "I'm the last singer, so, it's going to be a few hours" he shouted over the noise, and, wincing that it was a school/work night, and, that I had my kid in a packed bar, we settled in to wait. My brother mentioned maybe selling his beautifully babied and maintained SUV to Kaila, (who is dead broke) and Kaila decided on the spot that she needed to step up the job game and get either fix or replace her car. The night wrapped up with Kaila getting up to open mic and belting out a One Republic song. With a crowd of drunk people, and no one filming her, she figured no one would remember much anyhow, and really loosened up and rocked the song right out. On the way home, she told me she wants to do open mic again. And, that she couldn't wait to go to school and tell her friends that her crazy mother had her out late singing in a bar.
I didn't get a call from the school asking me to explain myself, so, she presumably didn't announce it too loudly. She was perfectly safe the entire time, and surrounded by my brother, his girl friend and myself. Memories and stuff.
That's about it. Tomorrow is root canal day. I kept sneezing today at work, and, when a coworker remarked upon it, I thoughtlessly said "Wonder what happens if you sneeze mid-root canal?" at which we both stopped in horror thinking about the possibilities. And now, it's pretty much all I can think about in regards to the root canal. I don't imagine it would kill me, but, I do think it could make things a little more interesting. Wish me luck!
It was with a sigh of relief that I arrived at Sunday School this past weekend and realized that there is a two week hiatus and I just had to get through this week. Most of my students piled into the classroom, and I braced myself for the usual shenanigans. The kids weren't too bad this week, and, while I hold no illusion anything I taught actually penetrated thru the skulls of even one of those kids, Joe sort of amazed me.
There is this girl who occasionally wanders into Religious Ed and completely hates every minute of it. Having her cell phone confiscated every week does nothing to improve her opinion of the class. Actual quote this week: "I need to look at the phone, because I wanted to see the time."
"There is literally a clock hanging on the wall five feet in front of your face."
"You expect me to tell time on that???"
Anyway. When this kid does tune in, she doesn't like anything that is being said. With no phone and no one to talk to, she decided to argue whatever I was teaching. She asked a question I did not know the answer to, so, I hauled out one of my reference books, and read the answer to her.
"I still don't understand what you are saying, or why things have to be that way." she pouted. Unfortunately for her, she sits next to Joe every week.
"That's because you don't think 'Big' " said Joe.
"What?" She snapped crossly
"You don't think Big. I mean you want to think what you think, and you don't want to open your mind or your brain and think outside the box. You know; think "Big". You just heard the answer, but, because you didn't like it, you are saying you don't understand. You do understand, you are just refusing to think Big, or outside the box, and learn something that you don't want to, because it's not what you want to think. You will never learn anything if you are not willing to think Big, and think that maybe just because it's something you don't want to hear, that it's not the right thing. No one is going to change everything because you don't like it. So, open your brain and think!"
My mouth dropped open, as I listened to my kid sum up pretty much the general problem with society in one paragraph. Meanwhile, the girl glared at me and informed me Joe was weird, and to please make him shut up.
Sunday school was just a small part of this past weekend. Lexi turned 14! For her birthday, she wanted money and a trip to her favorite mall near Buffalo. Listening to weather forecasts that were calling for sleet and freezing rain, I took her up early in the day and proceeded to follow her twice around the entire mall. Upper and lower levels. It was exhausting.
While there, I took care of my once yearly foray into the makeup store. As usual, a very young and perky girl bounced over to me and, with the enthusiasm of a puppy who just found her very best friend, begged me to let her help me. Digging out last year's lipstick tube, I told her I was looking to replace this color, please. At which the poor thing became crestfallen, as, if I had just kicked her and hurt her to the core, and told me that they no longer carried that color. She did stand right there and excitedly help chose new colors though. Two lipsticks and an eye liner later, I was told with no small amount of excitement that I now qualified for three free items. I was dragged all over the small store. "Lotion! You need lotion!" she informed me happily. "No, I'm good. I just bought lotion over at the "Pink" store."
"Why would you DO that?? That stuff smells like chemicals. It's full of chemicals, too! Are you trying to die???"
"I will smell good when I go, I suppose. Let's look at something else."
"Makeup remover!" she bubbled, running over to another corner of the store. "Look! I will spray it here on my arm where we tested your lipstick, and it will come right off!"
"It doesn't appear to be coming off..." I pointed out.
"That just shows you how great our lipsticks are! They will last you all day! How about lip conditioner? It get's rid of gunk on your lips!" she said, rubbing it on her arm. "OW! Well. Maybe not. This hurts." she decided, putting it back.
We managed to find six things, and I escaped the store for another year.
I do have to say, taking my 14 year old shopping was this side of shocking. Most of the stores we entered featured clothes that were not particularly decent. Short shorts, half shirts, half sweaters, and skin tight everything seemed to be the general trend. My daughter walked into and then right out of most stores. If the clothing wasn't indecent, it was pre-torn. It seemed as if the current look is somewhere between the "can't afford nice things" and the "Most likely to post pictures of myself on social media that my mother can never ever be allowed to see."
Update on the dishwasher situation: It is now sitting on the front porch. If it isn't gone by Saturday, I have decided to take it to the local dump myself and be done with it.
Update on Kaila's car: it's still sitting dead in front of the house. However, she starts her first non babysitting job on Thursday, and is hopeful she will be able to fix or replace her car in the near future. Which would be a good thing, because, she will be taking my van on the nights she works, and I will be effectively without transportation on those days. I may as well get used to it. Lexi and Joe aren't terribly far behind the driving age.
Kaila decided she needed to get serious about a job shortly after I had her in a bar recently by accident.
One of my brothers also sings and plays guitar. He does a lot of "open mic" nights, and has been asking me to come to one forever now. Recently I agreed to make the hour long drive to open mic to see him, and, per his instructions, brought Kaila along with me, as, she's a singer too.
We arrived at a very small brewery/bar that was packed shoulder to shoulder. Hauling Kaila thru the crowd, we found my brother by the bar. "I'm the last singer, so, it's going to be a few hours" he shouted over the noise, and, wincing that it was a school/work night, and, that I had my kid in a packed bar, we settled in to wait. My brother mentioned maybe selling his beautifully babied and maintained SUV to Kaila, (who is dead broke) and Kaila decided on the spot that she needed to step up the job game and get either fix or replace her car. The night wrapped up with Kaila getting up to open mic and belting out a One Republic song. With a crowd of drunk people, and no one filming her, she figured no one would remember much anyhow, and really loosened up and rocked the song right out. On the way home, she told me she wants to do open mic again. And, that she couldn't wait to go to school and tell her friends that her crazy mother had her out late singing in a bar.
I didn't get a call from the school asking me to explain myself, so, she presumably didn't announce it too loudly. She was perfectly safe the entire time, and surrounded by my brother, his girl friend and myself. Memories and stuff.
That's about it. Tomorrow is root canal day. I kept sneezing today at work, and, when a coworker remarked upon it, I thoughtlessly said "Wonder what happens if you sneeze mid-root canal?" at which we both stopped in horror thinking about the possibilities. And now, it's pretty much all I can think about in regards to the root canal. I don't imagine it would kill me, but, I do think it could make things a little more interesting. Wish me luck!
Wednesday, February 7, 2018
Therapy Brownies
I am going to knock this one out quick while the "Therapy Brownies" cool.
Every year at this time, according to my social media memories, I get sick. Not the cute "curl up in coordinating jammies on the couch delicately dabbing my nose with a tissue while sipping tea" sick. I mean, the "OhMyGodIAmGoingToDieAnyMinuteNow Nothing cute or loveable about it sick, sick.
This year, I have the added bonus of a tooth that keeps infecting, as well as a "stress ulcer" on my gum that was huge, and, according to the dentist: "Wow! People get those when they are really stressed in life! What is going on??!!!" "Oh, you know. Stuff."
Anyhow. My root canal is scheduled for Valentines Day. And, I nicely scheduled it for afternoon, so I could work half day and then drive an hour and a half to the dentist, so as to not inconvenience lots of people. Because I am an idiot.
Anyhow, it must have all caught up, because, even after ten hours of sleep last night, I found myself getting unreasonably irritated at an email signature that was ridiculously, pompously long today. It even included the email address of the email sender in the email signature.
It wasn't even from anyone of any significant position.
The more I looked at that email, the more irritated I became. I realized I should probably walk away from my desk, because I was obviously in need of a breather, and that these are not things anyone has any business getting that worked up about.
I would have come home and poured a Therapy Drink, but, Wednesdays are also "GI/Liver Doctor" day, and, I spent all morning with patients that were largely sitting in my office because of too much therapy drinking.
The kids came home from swim night at the school, and commented that the house smelled delicious. I explained it was Therapy Brownies. It seems they all had reasons to need Therapy Brownies too.
"I have to sit with a 7th grader at lunch, who eats paper. Including his homework."
"The High School Principal came to our class today, and, since too many kids have been out of school for whatever reasons: we have been told we can only be out three days between now and June 6th, or, we will not be allowed to go to the Prom or Jr./Sr. Banquet." (Just what I want to hear from my daughter with the chronic health issues...)
"There was a bunch of girls from Lexi's class who kept picking on me today."
"I just like chocolate."
So. Super Mom here is being a terrific example, and, we are all going to drown our stress in Therapy Brownies tonight.
The "up" side of being sick, was, I did get a break from Sunday School this week! With no voice and a cough that began in my toes, I had to send in the Bearded Man to deal with it. Everyone survived, I am told. But, he was so exhausted that he came home and slept all afternoon.
Which brings me to the dishwasher.
Recently, a friend of mine was re-modeling her kitchen, and selling all her appliances. I asked her if she planned on replacing her dishwasher as well, but she had already given it to her mother. She did let me know of someone else who was getting rid of a dishwasher, so we decided to go take a look. Honestly, I have four dishwashers, but, every so often I think about getting a working dish washing appliance that I haven't given birth to, and which would get the job done without me personally being responsible for the entire village of Franklinville's yearly employee bonuses because of my water bill.
Approximately 4 weeks ago, we went and got the dishwasher. We hauled it home and before even thinking about installing it, realized it had issues. So, there was no point in replacing the non working dishwasher with an updated version of a non working dishwasher.
It's been nearly four weeks, and that dishwasher is still sitting in the kitchen. Bearded Man has sworn he will take it to a guy he knows, who accepts these things as scrap, but, whenever there is time, Bearded Man sees the "nagging glint" start to shine in my eyes, and manages to need to be elsewhere.
So. I threw a table cloth on it, and decorated it with a plant, a tea pot and a pumpkin from October that hasn't died yet. Bearded Man ignored this. Yesterday, I cut out all different colored hearts and we decorated it for Valentine's Day. Which has also been ignored. I figure I will eventually have to fold down the seats in my van and just take it to the local dump and be done with it. I can't deal with this thing in my already too small kitchen. Or, I will decorate it for St. Patrick's Day next. It could go either way at this point. Which is just another reason to consume Therapy Brownies.
Around here, we are all pretty much sick of the snow. I am of the firm belief that, the only time feet should be wet is when they are in the shower, walking thru the surf of the beach, or, willingly during the summer when watering flowers or dangling them into the local town pool. Anything else isn't tolerable, really. That being said, we all slopped our feet to work and school today and lived through it, but, the snow is just anther reason for therapy brownies. Even George is wishing for green things to grow again.
Hopefully Springtime will arrive sooner rather than later, and we can spend more time outdoors and on the porch. Which is even nicer than therapy brownies!
Every year at this time, according to my social media memories, I get sick. Not the cute "curl up in coordinating jammies on the couch delicately dabbing my nose with a tissue while sipping tea" sick. I mean, the "OhMyGodIAmGoingToDieAnyMinuteNow Nothing cute or loveable about it sick, sick.
This year, I have the added bonus of a tooth that keeps infecting, as well as a "stress ulcer" on my gum that was huge, and, according to the dentist: "Wow! People get those when they are really stressed in life! What is going on??!!!" "Oh, you know. Stuff."
Anyhow. My root canal is scheduled for Valentines Day. And, I nicely scheduled it for afternoon, so I could work half day and then drive an hour and a half to the dentist, so as to not inconvenience lots of people. Because I am an idiot.
Anyhow, it must have all caught up, because, even after ten hours of sleep last night, I found myself getting unreasonably irritated at an email signature that was ridiculously, pompously long today. It even included the email address of the email sender in the email signature.
It wasn't even from anyone of any significant position.
The more I looked at that email, the more irritated I became. I realized I should probably walk away from my desk, because I was obviously in need of a breather, and that these are not things anyone has any business getting that worked up about.
I would have come home and poured a Therapy Drink, but, Wednesdays are also "GI/Liver Doctor" day, and, I spent all morning with patients that were largely sitting in my office because of too much therapy drinking.
The kids came home from swim night at the school, and commented that the house smelled delicious. I explained it was Therapy Brownies. It seems they all had reasons to need Therapy Brownies too.
"I have to sit with a 7th grader at lunch, who eats paper. Including his homework."
"The High School Principal came to our class today, and, since too many kids have been out of school for whatever reasons: we have been told we can only be out three days between now and June 6th, or, we will not be allowed to go to the Prom or Jr./Sr. Banquet." (Just what I want to hear from my daughter with the chronic health issues...)
"There was a bunch of girls from Lexi's class who kept picking on me today."
"I just like chocolate."
So. Super Mom here is being a terrific example, and, we are all going to drown our stress in Therapy Brownies tonight.
The "up" side of being sick, was, I did get a break from Sunday School this week! With no voice and a cough that began in my toes, I had to send in the Bearded Man to deal with it. Everyone survived, I am told. But, he was so exhausted that he came home and slept all afternoon.
Which brings me to the dishwasher.
Recently, a friend of mine was re-modeling her kitchen, and selling all her appliances. I asked her if she planned on replacing her dishwasher as well, but she had already given it to her mother. She did let me know of someone else who was getting rid of a dishwasher, so we decided to go take a look. Honestly, I have four dishwashers, but, every so often I think about getting a working dish washing appliance that I haven't given birth to, and which would get the job done without me personally being responsible for the entire village of Franklinville's yearly employee bonuses because of my water bill.
Approximately 4 weeks ago, we went and got the dishwasher. We hauled it home and before even thinking about installing it, realized it had issues. So, there was no point in replacing the non working dishwasher with an updated version of a non working dishwasher.
It's been nearly four weeks, and that dishwasher is still sitting in the kitchen. Bearded Man has sworn he will take it to a guy he knows, who accepts these things as scrap, but, whenever there is time, Bearded Man sees the "nagging glint" start to shine in my eyes, and manages to need to be elsewhere.
So. I threw a table cloth on it, and decorated it with a plant, a tea pot and a pumpkin from October that hasn't died yet. Bearded Man ignored this. Yesterday, I cut out all different colored hearts and we decorated it for Valentine's Day. Which has also been ignored. I figure I will eventually have to fold down the seats in my van and just take it to the local dump and be done with it. I can't deal with this thing in my already too small kitchen. Or, I will decorate it for St. Patrick's Day next. It could go either way at this point. Which is just another reason to consume Therapy Brownies.
Around here, we are all pretty much sick of the snow. I am of the firm belief that, the only time feet should be wet is when they are in the shower, walking thru the surf of the beach, or, willingly during the summer when watering flowers or dangling them into the local town pool. Anything else isn't tolerable, really. That being said, we all slopped our feet to work and school today and lived through it, but, the snow is just anther reason for therapy brownies. Even George is wishing for green things to grow again.
Hopefully Springtime will arrive sooner rather than later, and we can spend more time outdoors and on the porch. Which is even nicer than therapy brownies!
Friday, January 26, 2018
Blog From Home
I finally broke down and bought myself a laptop for home use. I've been unable to update my blog at work - partly because I am entirely too busy to take a break, let alone type a blog, and, partly because I no longer have access to write or post them anymore at work.
I walked into the mall on a mission today. I was determined to buy a laptop, and a purse.
It took me approximately 15 minutes to annoy a very young man and purchase a laptop after grilling him with questions he didn't seem to find to be relevant. He sort of reminded me of Joe, except this guy has to stifle his overpowering urge to tell people they are idiots, or he will get fired, and Joe has no such filter. I deposited the laptop into the van, and headed back in on a purse mission that took over an hour. I am still not entirely convinced that I like the purse I ended up with.
Not sure that finding the purchase of a purse more traumatic than the purchase of a laptop says much about my ability to look or be terribly put together in public, but, I suppose it will serve it's purpose either way.
So what's been going on since before the Holidays? I don't even know. It all seems to be mostly a blur, truthfully. Shortly before Christmas, Kaila passed her road test! She had put lots of money into her car, and, on New Years Eve, approximately 24 hours after she had it on the road in running condition, it died on the side of the road. While we wait to get it fixed again, she has mostly driven my van when she needs to go someplace. We had to have a discussion regarding the difference between calling it "THE van" and "YOUR Van" as in she may call it "THE van" when she begins to contribute to the payment of "The Van" as well as fuel and maintenance. Otherwise, it needs to be referred to as "Your van" as in, "May I borrow YOUR van". At which she nicely told me that the same may also be said for my constant use of her phone charger. Which triggered the reply that her charger is connected to my electric. Anyhow. Kaila is driving now. It is frankly terrifying, to watch your kid drive away alone.
Joe and I were both home sick the other day. Sitting and listening to Joe talk is never dull. I discovered that the Jr/Sr high school has recently blocked access to You Tube for the 7th grade. Joe had figured out ways around all blocks by the end of the school day.
Joe, who has always planned to be a Scientist, has joined the "Youth Court" at school. Youth Court is where school kids form a full court, including judge, defense, prosecution and jury, for real cases involving other kids in our county. Joe appears to have memorized most of the law book they were given, and is able to recite laws for various offenses without even thinking about it. Should that kid ever change career goals, and head into law, I imagine he will be a brilliant attorney.
One week ago, we celebrated keeping George alive for eight years! For the rest of my kids, we celebrate birthdays as birthdays. For George, we celebrate keeping him in one piece for another year. George spends as much time as possible outdoors, but, he is still cooped up more than either he or the rest of us are happy with during these winter months. Shout out here to the neighbors across the street who gifted us with their Wii recently. It has managed to keep George active and occupied when he gets sick of remote control cards, nerf guns and legos. Seriously. I am still trying to think of an appropriate way to thank the neighbors, that would somehow convey how handy that Wii has been for cooped up kids. I am overall anti electronics and video games in my household, but, this Wii has been a Godsend.
I am finding that, writing this blog at home has garnered sudden input from my children. Joe has mentioned that I could write about how wonderful they are, but, then he thought about it and decided it wasn't nice to lie. Lexi is currently playing sad music because I am clearly writing about her last, so this must mean I like her least. That being said, before they began to interrupt with Blog content suggestions, I was getting ready to mention that Lexi is on what she calls the "Nerd Squad" at school, with three other kids from her grade. Next weekend they will compete with other schools in some sort of trivia competition? Honestly, I am not even entirely sure what it's about, because, Lexi hasn't talked about it nearly as much as her flute solo for solo fest tomorrow. I might learn more about Nerd Squad after the flute solo trauma settles down tomorrow. She is currently a complete mess over the flute solo and subsequent grade.
I think maybe sorcerers moved in next door. Our old neighbors moved out for good last week, and a few days later, we noticed that the house seemed to be occupied again. There were no signs of any moving in. No trucks, trailers, people, movers, vans. Just, suddenly lights were on, and the kids mentioned that there are two new dogs outside sometimes. Anyone that can move in with no signs of moving in are obviously sorcerers, so, I decided we should probably get on their good side, because, not only would it be handy to be on the good side of magic, but, it would probably not be terribly good NOT being on the good side of the next door sorcerers. I am not entirely sure how one goes about befriending such entities, but, I am sure we'll figure it out somehow.
I haven't been to my sister's salon since before Christmas. When last I entered her lair, she informed me that she hated my hair and my hair color, and it was all wrong, and was going to be changed completely. I left with a sort of red/purple look that I really loved. I have found that it has faded enough to have a very spring like pink and lavender hue to it under the florescent lights that I spend most of my work days in. So, it has worked for two seasons! She is nothing short of brilliant. As we were wrapping things up last time around, a woman came in for a haircut.
"So?! How is she? How is the baby??" My sister asked as soon as the woman walked in.
"She's at the hospital now, finding out."
"Crazy that she didn't know she was pregnant for five months!"
"I know!"
"Is, you know, her husband the, you know, father?"
"Yep! Definitely."
"And, the baby is okay?"
"I know she is! The spirits told me. I was talking to them last night."
"Oh! And things were good, then?"
"The spirits were with the baby when I was talking to them. They said she is fine. And that it's a girl. And, I know they were right, because even the doctors agreed that they are fifty percent sure it's a girl too!"
"Awww! a GIRL! I bet they are so excited about that!"
"I think so! They are at the doctor's now making sure everything is okay, and confirming that it really is a girl, but, I already heard all that from the spirits, so, they are pretty much just confirming it all."
I never did hear if the spirits were right, because I had to leave then. I should probably ask my sister for an update.
Update on Sunday School. It's pretty much the same. The one other teacher who is the nicest, sweetest and probably one of the most genuine and beautiful people I know, continues to smile kindly at me, even though I always seem to be at my absolute worst around her. Things worked out with that student months ago, who was having anxiety about moving up and into my class. That student seems okay now, and, I think is mostly fascinated enough by the insanity of my teaching style that she stays to see what will happen next.
Last Sunday, however, I managed to be a monster again. Joe had been having headaches the few days before Sunday. Sunday morning, he seemed fine, so, we headed off to church. Upon arrival, he announced he was going to be an Alter Boy this week, and headed off to get ready. I am not sure when I began to notice Joe on the alter, but, I was positive he was going to be sick. Once I began to notice, I couldn't stop watching his apparent distress. He made it through church, and we all headed down to Sunday School. The nice teacher noted Joe wasn't looking too well, because, Joe was loudly announcing he didn't feel good, and his head was hurting again. (He inherited the migraine gene from my side of the family, unfortunately...) Anyhow, Nice teacher smiled kindly and told me Joe wasn't feeling too well, and I was distracted, and said "He's not going to die." which is my standard phrase for pretty much all ailments in my household, stolen directly from a GI doctor that I work with every Wednesday morning. Nice teacher was suitably horrified, and I closed my eyes in resignation that my monster status was still intact. I ushered my students into the music room, and excused Joe and his migraine from music this week. Upon re-entering my classroom a short time later, I found Joe with his head on the table and a message on the white board reading "Please be quiet because Joe has a migraine".
Once we were home, he took Tylenol, rehydrated, and was just fine. I left to go grocery shopping once he seemed stable, and, lo and behold, there was the nice teacher at the grocery store. I marveled how she managed to do her shopping in high heeled boots, especially having been on her feet in those boots for the last two hours, and thought about approaching her to let her know Joe had decided to remain with the living, but, I just knew I would make it all worse once I opened my mouth, so, I didn't.
There's your updates for the last month that I was Blog-less. Hopefully I will be better able to keep up again! I'm finding it's harder to write this blog at home, than it is during the relative peace of occasional breaks at work!
I walked into the mall on a mission today. I was determined to buy a laptop, and a purse.
It took me approximately 15 minutes to annoy a very young man and purchase a laptop after grilling him with questions he didn't seem to find to be relevant. He sort of reminded me of Joe, except this guy has to stifle his overpowering urge to tell people they are idiots, or he will get fired, and Joe has no such filter. I deposited the laptop into the van, and headed back in on a purse mission that took over an hour. I am still not entirely convinced that I like the purse I ended up with.
Not sure that finding the purchase of a purse more traumatic than the purchase of a laptop says much about my ability to look or be terribly put together in public, but, I suppose it will serve it's purpose either way.
So what's been going on since before the Holidays? I don't even know. It all seems to be mostly a blur, truthfully. Shortly before Christmas, Kaila passed her road test! She had put lots of money into her car, and, on New Years Eve, approximately 24 hours after she had it on the road in running condition, it died on the side of the road. While we wait to get it fixed again, she has mostly driven my van when she needs to go someplace. We had to have a discussion regarding the difference between calling it "THE van" and "YOUR Van" as in she may call it "THE van" when she begins to contribute to the payment of "The Van" as well as fuel and maintenance. Otherwise, it needs to be referred to as "Your van" as in, "May I borrow YOUR van". At which she nicely told me that the same may also be said for my constant use of her phone charger. Which triggered the reply that her charger is connected to my electric. Anyhow. Kaila is driving now. It is frankly terrifying, to watch your kid drive away alone.
Joe and I were both home sick the other day. Sitting and listening to Joe talk is never dull. I discovered that the Jr/Sr high school has recently blocked access to You Tube for the 7th grade. Joe had figured out ways around all blocks by the end of the school day.
Joe, who has always planned to be a Scientist, has joined the "Youth Court" at school. Youth Court is where school kids form a full court, including judge, defense, prosecution and jury, for real cases involving other kids in our county. Joe appears to have memorized most of the law book they were given, and is able to recite laws for various offenses without even thinking about it. Should that kid ever change career goals, and head into law, I imagine he will be a brilliant attorney.
One week ago, we celebrated keeping George alive for eight years! For the rest of my kids, we celebrate birthdays as birthdays. For George, we celebrate keeping him in one piece for another year. George spends as much time as possible outdoors, but, he is still cooped up more than either he or the rest of us are happy with during these winter months. Shout out here to the neighbors across the street who gifted us with their Wii recently. It has managed to keep George active and occupied when he gets sick of remote control cards, nerf guns and legos. Seriously. I am still trying to think of an appropriate way to thank the neighbors, that would somehow convey how handy that Wii has been for cooped up kids. I am overall anti electronics and video games in my household, but, this Wii has been a Godsend.
I am finding that, writing this blog at home has garnered sudden input from my children. Joe has mentioned that I could write about how wonderful they are, but, then he thought about it and decided it wasn't nice to lie. Lexi is currently playing sad music because I am clearly writing about her last, so this must mean I like her least. That being said, before they began to interrupt with Blog content suggestions, I was getting ready to mention that Lexi is on what she calls the "Nerd Squad" at school, with three other kids from her grade. Next weekend they will compete with other schools in some sort of trivia competition? Honestly, I am not even entirely sure what it's about, because, Lexi hasn't talked about it nearly as much as her flute solo for solo fest tomorrow. I might learn more about Nerd Squad after the flute solo trauma settles down tomorrow. She is currently a complete mess over the flute solo and subsequent grade.
I think maybe sorcerers moved in next door. Our old neighbors moved out for good last week, and a few days later, we noticed that the house seemed to be occupied again. There were no signs of any moving in. No trucks, trailers, people, movers, vans. Just, suddenly lights were on, and the kids mentioned that there are two new dogs outside sometimes. Anyone that can move in with no signs of moving in are obviously sorcerers, so, I decided we should probably get on their good side, because, not only would it be handy to be on the good side of magic, but, it would probably not be terribly good NOT being on the good side of the next door sorcerers. I am not entirely sure how one goes about befriending such entities, but, I am sure we'll figure it out somehow.
I haven't been to my sister's salon since before Christmas. When last I entered her lair, she informed me that she hated my hair and my hair color, and it was all wrong, and was going to be changed completely. I left with a sort of red/purple look that I really loved. I have found that it has faded enough to have a very spring like pink and lavender hue to it under the florescent lights that I spend most of my work days in. So, it has worked for two seasons! She is nothing short of brilliant. As we were wrapping things up last time around, a woman came in for a haircut.
"So?! How is she? How is the baby??" My sister asked as soon as the woman walked in.
"She's at the hospital now, finding out."
"Crazy that she didn't know she was pregnant for five months!"
"I know!"
"Is, you know, her husband the, you know, father?"
"Yep! Definitely."
"And, the baby is okay?"
"I know she is! The spirits told me. I was talking to them last night."
"Oh! And things were good, then?"
"The spirits were with the baby when I was talking to them. They said she is fine. And that it's a girl. And, I know they were right, because even the doctors agreed that they are fifty percent sure it's a girl too!"
"Awww! a GIRL! I bet they are so excited about that!"
"I think so! They are at the doctor's now making sure everything is okay, and confirming that it really is a girl, but, I already heard all that from the spirits, so, they are pretty much just confirming it all."
I never did hear if the spirits were right, because I had to leave then. I should probably ask my sister for an update.
Update on Sunday School. It's pretty much the same. The one other teacher who is the nicest, sweetest and probably one of the most genuine and beautiful people I know, continues to smile kindly at me, even though I always seem to be at my absolute worst around her. Things worked out with that student months ago, who was having anxiety about moving up and into my class. That student seems okay now, and, I think is mostly fascinated enough by the insanity of my teaching style that she stays to see what will happen next.
Last Sunday, however, I managed to be a monster again. Joe had been having headaches the few days before Sunday. Sunday morning, he seemed fine, so, we headed off to church. Upon arrival, he announced he was going to be an Alter Boy this week, and headed off to get ready. I am not sure when I began to notice Joe on the alter, but, I was positive he was going to be sick. Once I began to notice, I couldn't stop watching his apparent distress. He made it through church, and we all headed down to Sunday School. The nice teacher noted Joe wasn't looking too well, because, Joe was loudly announcing he didn't feel good, and his head was hurting again. (He inherited the migraine gene from my side of the family, unfortunately...) Anyhow, Nice teacher smiled kindly and told me Joe wasn't feeling too well, and I was distracted, and said "He's not going to die." which is my standard phrase for pretty much all ailments in my household, stolen directly from a GI doctor that I work with every Wednesday morning. Nice teacher was suitably horrified, and I closed my eyes in resignation that my monster status was still intact. I ushered my students into the music room, and excused Joe and his migraine from music this week. Upon re-entering my classroom a short time later, I found Joe with his head on the table and a message on the white board reading "Please be quiet because Joe has a migraine".
Once we were home, he took Tylenol, rehydrated, and was just fine. I left to go grocery shopping once he seemed stable, and, lo and behold, there was the nice teacher at the grocery store. I marveled how she managed to do her shopping in high heeled boots, especially having been on her feet in those boots for the last two hours, and thought about approaching her to let her know Joe had decided to remain with the living, but, I just knew I would make it all worse once I opened my mouth, so, I didn't.
There's your updates for the last month that I was Blog-less. Hopefully I will be better able to keep up again! I'm finding it's harder to write this blog at home, than it is during the relative peace of occasional breaks at work!
Monday, December 11, 2017
Memories and Stuff
Another Sugar Cookie Day has come and gone. It wasn't quite the mess it usually is. Mostly because there was limited participation by the seven children involved. Mostly, they spent the day arguing or looking at various electronics. Usually, we confiscate the iPads that the school sends home, (which have become the bane of my existence) for the weekend, but, I forgot this weekend, and, they were out in full force.
Occasionally a child would come into the kitchen to assist. One of my nieces fashioned a sugar cookie head stone for my sister, because, "Smoking kills, Aunt Bri."
Mostly they argued all day. About who got which sprinkle color. (Next year, I am just going to have everyone just bring their own. This was traumatic.) About who got which frosting color. About this kid not playing with that kid. This kid said something mean to that kid, so, that kid said something mean back, and now this kid is crying, and everybody is mean. Mostly we told them to get out of the kitchen and stop interrupting. Because we were in the kitchen, we apparently missed fights over who got to sit in my recliner, who got to play video games next door, and, the very best: who got to play with legos in the boys room.
Bearded Man was out hunting most of the day. He was pretty exhausted by it all, so, he came home and took a nice long refreshing nap, to recover from a day in the woods. He missed most of the fighting happening right outside the bedroom door. He must have been very tired.
Just getting to Sugar Cookie Day was traumatic. The day before, when I should have been happily whipping up nine batches of sugar cookie dough, I was battling a horrific 2 week long migraine. (Today is 17 days and counting. It happens.) and a ridiculously painful toothache. Like, seriously, I was in tears over a toothache. It was awful. Anyhow. I also learned last minute, that Lexi's flute needed to be fixed, and, it needed to be repaired soon, as, she needed it for the school concert and to practice for upcoming solo fest. So, home from work I went, Lexi and her flute hopped into the van, and 30 minutes right back to the same area I work, we went. We dropped off the flute, which took less than 5 minutes, and headed the half hour back home. Where, I commenced cookie dough making.
During the mixing of the first batch, my hand held mixer, with me for at least the last 3 or 4 years, seized up and died.
Bearded Man offered to run to one of the local Dollar stores and pick up a cheap mixer to get me through the rest of the dough.
I hooked it up and plugged it in, and the kids all stood around watching. I had it for less than three minutes before I tiredly said "Jasin. I think it's on fire." Everyone stood there in horror, as, smoke billowed out of the mixer, and the smell of burning plastic took over the sugar and vanilla scents previously perfuming my kitchen.
"I am returning this! It lasted less than five minutes! I want my ten dollars back! Save the beaters, because I am taking it back."
"While it's on fire??? Get it OUT of the house!"
"Seriously! Lasting less than a few minutes is ridiculous! I am not swallowing the cost of this! I am taking it back!" He yelled in outrage, waving the smoking appliance around
"GET IT OUT OF THE HOUSE FIRST!"
"Seriously! Ten dollars could buy - "
"JASIN! GET THE MIXER OUT OF THE HOUSE, BEFORE IT REALLY DOES BECOME MORE THAN SMOKE! PUT IT OUTSIDE!"
"Make sure you save the receipt!"
"Get. It. Out."
"Get your coat on. We are going to Wal Mart and getting you one a stand mixer. I am not playing around with this anymore."
Not one to let an opportunity for a new kitchen appliance go to waste, me and my headache and toothache tugged on boots and threw on a coat and hopped in his truck.
We are now the happy owners of a red stand mixer, and my cookie dough was made in short order.
The day after Cookie Day was another Sunday School Day. I nearly dread them anymore. Anyhow, this week's lesson was the 4th and 5th Commandments. We had gotten to number 5 - "Thou Shalt Not Kill" and, as soon as I read that off, Kaila, who was sitting in the corner, reading, looked up and sighed "Well, great. There goes my weekend plans." and it went downhill from there. During this lesson, the discussion came up that talked about how violence begets violence etc, and, how a calm reaction can stop a violent outcome, or something along those lines. Respect and all that...
"For instance" I began "I have a coworker that I love to itty bits. But, she's a smoker, and, when she comes in from smoking, she sprays fabreeze, or whatever, all over the place. It causes terrible headaches, and, sometimes, it's really hard to deal with it. I've talked to her about it, but, she gets a little touchy about it, and really doesn't stop. How do you think I could deal with this in a kind way, to try and get someone I really do like, to stop this? Can any of you think of a solution?"
"You tried being nice. That didn't work. You really need to get mean at this point." One student began.
"Take one of those aerosol cans of room spray, and, right before you leave for the day, tie a zip tie around the trigger handle so it won't stop spraying, and throw it in her room and run out of the building!" advised another.
"Write her up!"
"Turn her in to the boss!"
"Steal it while she's outside smoking!"
"You guys!!!!!!" I gasped in horror, "Did you learn NOTHING today?????"
"Nice guys finish last!"
"Wear a face mask."
"Get a new job?"
"Okay. Your homework this week, is to come up with a KIND and PEACEFUL solution to this problem, that will not cost me my job or a friendship!"
Anyhow. Next week is the Christmas party. That shouldn't be too traumatic. I plan to fill them up with junk food, and park them in front of Charlie Brown and Rudolf. Merry Christmas to me!!!!!
I am going to go down in history as the worst Sunday School teacher ever.
Alrighty. Breaks over. Till next time!
Occasionally a child would come into the kitchen to assist. One of my nieces fashioned a sugar cookie head stone for my sister, because, "Smoking kills, Aunt Bri."
Mostly they argued all day. About who got which sprinkle color. (Next year, I am just going to have everyone just bring their own. This was traumatic.) About who got which frosting color. About this kid not playing with that kid. This kid said something mean to that kid, so, that kid said something mean back, and now this kid is crying, and everybody is mean. Mostly we told them to get out of the kitchen and stop interrupting. Because we were in the kitchen, we apparently missed fights over who got to sit in my recliner, who got to play video games next door, and, the very best: who got to play with legos in the boys room.
Bearded Man was out hunting most of the day. He was pretty exhausted by it all, so, he came home and took a nice long refreshing nap, to recover from a day in the woods. He missed most of the fighting happening right outside the bedroom door. He must have been very tired.
Just getting to Sugar Cookie Day was traumatic. The day before, when I should have been happily whipping up nine batches of sugar cookie dough, I was battling a horrific 2 week long migraine. (Today is 17 days and counting. It happens.) and a ridiculously painful toothache. Like, seriously, I was in tears over a toothache. It was awful. Anyhow. I also learned last minute, that Lexi's flute needed to be fixed, and, it needed to be repaired soon, as, she needed it for the school concert and to practice for upcoming solo fest. So, home from work I went, Lexi and her flute hopped into the van, and 30 minutes right back to the same area I work, we went. We dropped off the flute, which took less than 5 minutes, and headed the half hour back home. Where, I commenced cookie dough making.
During the mixing of the first batch, my hand held mixer, with me for at least the last 3 or 4 years, seized up and died.
Bearded Man offered to run to one of the local Dollar stores and pick up a cheap mixer to get me through the rest of the dough.
I hooked it up and plugged it in, and the kids all stood around watching. I had it for less than three minutes before I tiredly said "Jasin. I think it's on fire." Everyone stood there in horror, as, smoke billowed out of the mixer, and the smell of burning plastic took over the sugar and vanilla scents previously perfuming my kitchen.
"I am returning this! It lasted less than five minutes! I want my ten dollars back! Save the beaters, because I am taking it back."
"While it's on fire??? Get it OUT of the house!"
"Seriously! Lasting less than a few minutes is ridiculous! I am not swallowing the cost of this! I am taking it back!" He yelled in outrage, waving the smoking appliance around
"GET IT OUT OF THE HOUSE FIRST!"
"Seriously! Ten dollars could buy - "
"JASIN! GET THE MIXER OUT OF THE HOUSE, BEFORE IT REALLY DOES BECOME MORE THAN SMOKE! PUT IT OUTSIDE!"
"Make sure you save the receipt!"
"Get. It. Out."
"Get your coat on. We are going to Wal Mart and getting you one a stand mixer. I am not playing around with this anymore."
Not one to let an opportunity for a new kitchen appliance go to waste, me and my headache and toothache tugged on boots and threw on a coat and hopped in his truck.
We are now the happy owners of a red stand mixer, and my cookie dough was made in short order.
The day after Cookie Day was another Sunday School Day. I nearly dread them anymore. Anyhow, this week's lesson was the 4th and 5th Commandments. We had gotten to number 5 - "Thou Shalt Not Kill" and, as soon as I read that off, Kaila, who was sitting in the corner, reading, looked up and sighed "Well, great. There goes my weekend plans." and it went downhill from there. During this lesson, the discussion came up that talked about how violence begets violence etc, and, how a calm reaction can stop a violent outcome, or something along those lines. Respect and all that...
"For instance" I began "I have a coworker that I love to itty bits. But, she's a smoker, and, when she comes in from smoking, she sprays fabreeze, or whatever, all over the place. It causes terrible headaches, and, sometimes, it's really hard to deal with it. I've talked to her about it, but, she gets a little touchy about it, and really doesn't stop. How do you think I could deal with this in a kind way, to try and get someone I really do like, to stop this? Can any of you think of a solution?"
"You tried being nice. That didn't work. You really need to get mean at this point." One student began.
"Take one of those aerosol cans of room spray, and, right before you leave for the day, tie a zip tie around the trigger handle so it won't stop spraying, and throw it in her room and run out of the building!" advised another.
"Write her up!"
"Turn her in to the boss!"
"Steal it while she's outside smoking!"
"You guys!!!!!!" I gasped in horror, "Did you learn NOTHING today?????"
"Nice guys finish last!"
"Wear a face mask."
"Get a new job?"
"Okay. Your homework this week, is to come up with a KIND and PEACEFUL solution to this problem, that will not cost me my job or a friendship!"
Anyhow. Next week is the Christmas party. That shouldn't be too traumatic. I plan to fill them up with junk food, and park them in front of Charlie Brown and Rudolf. Merry Christmas to me!!!!!
I am going to go down in history as the worst Sunday School teacher ever.
Alrighty. Breaks over. Till next time!
Wednesday, December 6, 2017
I Have No Idea Why the Neighbors Keep Moving!
We made it through Thanksgiving! The high point being when I had to explain to my very full dining room that Joe was trying to put salt on Lexi because he had decided she was a slug, and, that's how you kill slugs. Something we had only discovered the evening before, when she started yelling at him for shaking salt in her hair while she sat at the kitchen table. Honestly, I am not sure if it was that I actually found it that funny, or, if I was really over tired, but, I laughed so hard I couldn't breathe during the telling of it.
You know. Warm holiday memories and stuff. Why wouldn't Joe be throwing salt at his sister?
While family arrived, my sister was watching "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" on TV. The similarities to the Griswold Family and the Dick Family were remarked upon. "Yeah. You'll notice that the house next door is up for sale again. This will make the forth time it's been for sale since we've lived here... Honestly, I think we bypassed the Griswolds, and are more along the lines of the Brother in Law..."
The neighbor's house actually sold the other day, so, within the next few months, a new family will be moving in. I suppose they will figure the craziness out eventually. And, either join us or hate us. These things could go either way.
Oh, let's see. With Christmas right around the corner, there has been some Christmas related activiy or other every single day since last Saturday so far. The other day, it was "National Cookie Day", and I had to stop at the store on my way home anyhow, so, I grabbed two trays of cookies for the kids, "just because". I did not realize that one entire tray was full of nothing but coffee flavored cookies. I didn't even know that was a "thing". Long story short: maybe cookies made primarily with coffee is not the best thing to give your kids only hours before bedtime. Or, anytime, really.
Speaking of cookies, this approaching weekend is the yearly "Sugar Cookie Day" at my house. Which is what everyone excitedly calls it. My nephew wrote a paper about it for school. I tend to think of it as "The Day my House gets Trashed, My Feet Hurt, and, the Beginning of the Two Months it will Take to Clean all the Sprinkles" Honestly this tradition started before we even had kids, and my sister would come over to my first appartment and we would make cookies right before Thanksgiving every year. It's lasted 20 years now, and, we've only missed a few years! I have already informed my kids that I fully expect to kidnap my Grandchildren for this some day.
I am taking a vacation. Seriously. Eleven whole days of not going to work. I almost didn't. I actually thought about just canceling my time off request, and saving the time off for emergencies. But, the thought occured to me - I haven't had any real break since I started my current position over four years ago. (The yearly trip to Black Lake does not count. That is NOT a break, and, as I told Bearded Man the other night, I actively dislike him by the end of Black Lake week every year.)
Anyhow, I think burn out is pretty much settled in. So, I am taking the eleven days off, and I plan to spend as many of them at home, not leaving the house, as possible. I cannot wait.
With the Christmas season, come Christmas lists. "George, have you made your list for Santa yet?" I asked the other day.
"It's secret."
"What do you mean, it's secret? What are you asking Santa for this year?"
"It's secret! I am not telling anybody."
I eventually happened upon him studiously writing a list. It consisted of:
- A Four Wheeler
- Pokemon cards
- Beer cans
- Venison jerkey
Bearded Man and I did some shopping last weekend. There was no beer or four wheelers bought, just so we are all clear on that.
Bearded Man also had his first foray into Sephora. For someone in his line of work, who deals with all things gross all day, I was slightly shocked at his reaction to the chemical and overpowering heady scents that made breathing difficult, emitting from Sephora. Gasping, he stood at the check out, while I nicely informed him that our all about make up kid, Kaila, cannot wait until she turns 17, and is able to work there. He couldn't get out of that store fast enough. There were several comments about the clear lack of safety, working in such a terrible place. I figured he had pretty much hit his breaking point by then, and we went home shortly after the trauma of Sephora.
Oh, what else. Sunday School continues. I have a few students who pretty much do not want to be there, and, make life as miserable as possible for the entire class. I find that I dread Sunday School, and, I don't believe any learning or any good has come from it at all this year. It is mostly spent trying to get a select few to behave. One in particular. I suppose there is the chance that he will grow up to become a priest, but, the odds aren't terribly good so far. Ah well. My entire class moves up next year. Maybe there's hope for the next class. I suspect this will all come back to haunt me on judgement day. "Ummm, Moriah, is it?" "Yes, St. Peter" "And, did you really threaten to beat one of your Sunday School kids with his own hockey stick if he didn't knock it off immedietly?" "Well, in my defense, there was no actual hockey stick present, sir." Will be my last words before the button is pushed, and I am sliding straight into hell.
Ah well. That's pretty much all the excitement for now. If I don't knock out another one of these things before Christmas, hopefully everyone has a great whatever they celebrate!
Wednesday, November 22, 2017
Quick Update
Boy, has it been awhile! Mostly, I have been working through my lunch breaks, but, being a holiday week, things are a little slower at work, and I can quick knock out an update.
Since we last caught up, I have gained yet another minivan. On the way to work one day last month, I had an unavoidable collision with a nine point buck that effectively killed both the van and the buck. I was okay. My first thought when I saw the inevitable happening was: "I am not going to make it to work." Followed by "OMG, I have nineteen patients scheduled today." so, I called my boss first and let her know. Priorities and stuff.
Anyhow, we were already in the middle of buying Bearded Man a new truck, and the dealership was delighted to add another vehicle sale to the mix, and, two days after I totaled my last van, I drove home a newer model of the exact same thing.
I tried. I looked at a few SUVs, but, realistically - they wouldn't have worked. So, it looks like my minivan days are to continue for a few more years.
The kids were more than happy to name the new van for me: We now have "Felicia", so the kids can yell "BYE FELICIA" at me, every time I leave.
On to other things. For most of September and October, our lives were pretty much ruled by the school play. It was rough toward the end, but, it was a successful play. Honestly, the last two weeks of practice were intense for the entire family. It was during this, that the van was totaled, and, we had to haul George all over Western New York three days in a row, way past bed time, to deal with cleaning the old van out, picking up the rental, going to the dealership to look at new vans, and then going back there the next night to pick it up. (The new van wasn't actually at the dealership the night I picked it out. I literally looked at the online picture, the carfax and, the mileage, and the color of it, and decided on that one. I didn't even see it before I bought it, let alone drive it...)
Now that the play is over, we are somewhat back to normal again - meaning - the time changed, and it's dark shortly after I get home from work, and George, who is not an indoor child by any means, is driving us all to distraction with his pent up energy with very little outlet. Don't even start sending me suggestions. We've done it all. The extended bathtimes. The legos. The dancing. Work outs. Games. Painting. Scouts. Go outside and play in the dark. (That one is kind of scary, because, we have a hard enough time keeping track of him in the daylight....) I am thinking about contacting a relatively new karate place in town, and seeing what it would cost to put the child in marial arts a few evenings a week. On the other hand: that would just give him new ways to torment his brother.... we'll think of something, I imagine.
With the holidays approaching, we have spend the last week baking and getting things done around the house. Normally, it's not that big of an issue. I can knock out a meal large enough to feed a crowd without even thinking about it. (One of the perks of growing up in a large family. Some day, I will not have a crowd to cook for, and am going to be seriously confused as to how to cook small portions of anything.)
With all the craziness though, possibly my subconcious was wondering how I was going to get things done this year, because, I had a dream that I announced to a rather large crowd of people that Thanksgiving Dinner was ready, and then realized that: I had only cooked a turkey and some peas. And that I hadn't even cleared the dinner table off. We've been baking all week though, so, there will be a regular dinner on the table tomorrow.
This year, the older kids have wanted to help out, so, it's been a group effort, getting things done. I even learned how to use a power drill the other day, as the kids and I put together a new storge unit for the laundry room. I absolutely had to You Tube how to get the bit in, and I am still not convinced that I had it in correctly, but, whatever I did to it seemed to make it work for the most part, so, we put it together. Nevermind that I stripped a few screws. We just used the hammer and pounded them in the rest of the way... It was a learning experienc for all of us.
A few months ago, I cleaned out the refrigerator and was absolutely aggravated by the wasted produce I was throwing away. So, I began the "Produce Chopped Challenge" for the kids. The latest challenge was Dragon Fruit, which netted three very different smoothies. It took off in an unexpected way though - the kids are really utilizing everything in the kitchen, and have come up with some pretty interesting dishes. Joe being Joe - has whipped up some pretty incredible stuff - but conitnues to refuse to eat any of it. He will taste what he's working with enough to figure out what he wants to do with it, but, that's about it. Still! I can't believe the kitchen skills this really has taught.
Honestly, I can't think of a single thing to write. It's been so hectic between work and the school play, that, until a few weeks ago, I hardly ever saw the kids. The night before the play, they didn't have any practice, and we took them all out to dinner. It was so so nice to have everyone in one spot again! It occured to me - three of the kids will be graduated within the next 6 years. The days of a house full of kids are dwindling faster than I am okay with. While going through all the Holiday prep lately, I've thought about what life will be like when the kids begin heading out on their own, and starting their own families. I suppose we greet each stage as it comes, but, the older they get, the faster time flies.
I know this is fairly short and not terribly exciting - hopefully next time around I can whip up something a little more fun! Have a great Thanksgiving everyone!
Since we last caught up, I have gained yet another minivan. On the way to work one day last month, I had an unavoidable collision with a nine point buck that effectively killed both the van and the buck. I was okay. My first thought when I saw the inevitable happening was: "I am not going to make it to work." Followed by "OMG, I have nineteen patients scheduled today." so, I called my boss first and let her know. Priorities and stuff.
Anyhow, we were already in the middle of buying Bearded Man a new truck, and the dealership was delighted to add another vehicle sale to the mix, and, two days after I totaled my last van, I drove home a newer model of the exact same thing.
I tried. I looked at a few SUVs, but, realistically - they wouldn't have worked. So, it looks like my minivan days are to continue for a few more years.
The kids were more than happy to name the new van for me: We now have "Felicia", so the kids can yell "BYE FELICIA" at me, every time I leave.
On to other things. For most of September and October, our lives were pretty much ruled by the school play. It was rough toward the end, but, it was a successful play. Honestly, the last two weeks of practice were intense for the entire family. It was during this, that the van was totaled, and, we had to haul George all over Western New York three days in a row, way past bed time, to deal with cleaning the old van out, picking up the rental, going to the dealership to look at new vans, and then going back there the next night to pick it up. (The new van wasn't actually at the dealership the night I picked it out. I literally looked at the online picture, the carfax and, the mileage, and the color of it, and decided on that one. I didn't even see it before I bought it, let alone drive it...)
Now that the play is over, we are somewhat back to normal again - meaning - the time changed, and it's dark shortly after I get home from work, and George, who is not an indoor child by any means, is driving us all to distraction with his pent up energy with very little outlet. Don't even start sending me suggestions. We've done it all. The extended bathtimes. The legos. The dancing. Work outs. Games. Painting. Scouts. Go outside and play in the dark. (That one is kind of scary, because, we have a hard enough time keeping track of him in the daylight....) I am thinking about contacting a relatively new karate place in town, and seeing what it would cost to put the child in marial arts a few evenings a week. On the other hand: that would just give him new ways to torment his brother.... we'll think of something, I imagine.
With the holidays approaching, we have spend the last week baking and getting things done around the house. Normally, it's not that big of an issue. I can knock out a meal large enough to feed a crowd without even thinking about it. (One of the perks of growing up in a large family. Some day, I will not have a crowd to cook for, and am going to be seriously confused as to how to cook small portions of anything.)
With all the craziness though, possibly my subconcious was wondering how I was going to get things done this year, because, I had a dream that I announced to a rather large crowd of people that Thanksgiving Dinner was ready, and then realized that: I had only cooked a turkey and some peas. And that I hadn't even cleared the dinner table off. We've been baking all week though, so, there will be a regular dinner on the table tomorrow.
This year, the older kids have wanted to help out, so, it's been a group effort, getting things done. I even learned how to use a power drill the other day, as the kids and I put together a new storge unit for the laundry room. I absolutely had to You Tube how to get the bit in, and I am still not convinced that I had it in correctly, but, whatever I did to it seemed to make it work for the most part, so, we put it together. Nevermind that I stripped a few screws. We just used the hammer and pounded them in the rest of the way... It was a learning experienc for all of us.
A few months ago, I cleaned out the refrigerator and was absolutely aggravated by the wasted produce I was throwing away. So, I began the "Produce Chopped Challenge" for the kids. The latest challenge was Dragon Fruit, which netted three very different smoothies. It took off in an unexpected way though - the kids are really utilizing everything in the kitchen, and have come up with some pretty interesting dishes. Joe being Joe - has whipped up some pretty incredible stuff - but conitnues to refuse to eat any of it. He will taste what he's working with enough to figure out what he wants to do with it, but, that's about it. Still! I can't believe the kitchen skills this really has taught.
Honestly, I can't think of a single thing to write. It's been so hectic between work and the school play, that, until a few weeks ago, I hardly ever saw the kids. The night before the play, they didn't have any practice, and we took them all out to dinner. It was so so nice to have everyone in one spot again! It occured to me - three of the kids will be graduated within the next 6 years. The days of a house full of kids are dwindling faster than I am okay with. While going through all the Holiday prep lately, I've thought about what life will be like when the kids begin heading out on their own, and starting their own families. I suppose we greet each stage as it comes, but, the older they get, the faster time flies.
I know this is fairly short and not terribly exciting - hopefully next time around I can whip up something a little more fun! Have a great Thanksgiving everyone!
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