Sunday Stealing: The Magical Mystery Tour Meme
1. Is there anybody you just wish would fall off the planet? yes
2. How do you flush the toilet in public? the same way I flush a toilet in private - with the toilet handle
3. Do you wear your seatbelt in the car? no
4. Do you have a crush on someone? no
5. Name one thing you worry about running out of. time
6. What famous person do you (or other people) think you resemble? when I was skinny and had long hair people thought I resembled steffi graf. Now I resemble no-one.
7. What is your favourite pizza topping? ham
8. Do you crack your knuckles? no
9. What song do you hate the most? La bamba
10. Did just mentioning that song make it get stuck in your head? no
11. What are your super powers? none
12. Peppermint or spearmint? depends
13. Where are your car keys? hanging on the key rack
14. Last song you listened to? something by five for fighting.
15. What's your most annoying habit? I don't know, it doesn't annoy me I guess.
16. Where did you last go on vacation? we haven't gone on vacation in so long I cant remember... San Francisco.
17. What is your best physical feature? my hands
18. What CD is closest to you right now? oh shoot. Probably one of maxies kindermusic cds somewhere.
19. What 3 things can always be found in your refrigerator? sour cream, milk, Worcestershire sauce.
20. What superstition do you believe/practice? I'm not hugely superstitious I don't think....
21. What colour are your bed sheets? we have all different colors... blue is probably in most of them.
22. Would you rather be a fish or a bird? bird
23. Last thing you broke? a fingernail?
24. What are you having to eat tonight? snacks.
25. What colour shirt are you wearing? purple
26. If you could be doing anything else today, what would you rather be doing? sleeping right now.
27. Do security cameras make you nervous? not at all
28. If you wrote a book about your life, what would the title be?
29. Last time you went to a cemetery? when I was in California and went to my great grandmothers grave.
30. Last concert you went to? hopefully the NEXT concert I got to will be U2
31. Favourite musician(s)/bands you've seen in concert? Indigo girls
32. Next concert you're planning to attend? U2
33. Do you talk to yourself? all the time and out loud
34. Have you ever adopted or purchased a pet? most of the pets I have ever owned have been adopted
35. Have you ever been present when an animal is being born? I was pretty close to being present when shorties kittens were born, Shel was there.
Friday, November 6, 2009
finally friday.....
Doing this nablopomo thing is making me try to get my creative juices flowing again to try and come up with creative things to post about and not just use meme's to fill the days. I do enjoy memes though so I will likely post a few this month. And I won't pretend for a minute that I am having any luck coming up with interesting ideas to write about.
In the meantime, I am glad it is Friday, I am glad I am done with work for the day, and I am looking forward to getting into bed with some books we got from the library last week. I have read four books this week - I feel almost human! (o.k. so they were the twilight series books so not anything deep or time consuming, bit it still felt good to read something from cover to cover!)
Unfortunately I have to be back to work on Sunday so I don't really get a whole weekend off. I am SPENT. There are not enough hours in the day for me to catch up on my sleep.
In the meantime, I am glad it is Friday, I am glad I am done with work for the day, and I am looking forward to getting into bed with some books we got from the library last week. I have read four books this week - I feel almost human! (o.k. so they were the twilight series books so not anything deep or time consuming, bit it still felt good to read something from cover to cover!)
Unfortunately I have to be back to work on Sunday so I don't really get a whole weekend off. I am SPENT. There are not enough hours in the day for me to catch up on my sleep.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
all messed up
Some things have changed in my schedule at work and for the first time in six years I am not working late nights on Thursdays, but on Wednesdays instead. There are some things I like about, but there is one thing in particular that I HATE about it. I cannot get used to the fact that when I go into work the day AFTER my late night it is NOT Friday. I am so accustomed to coming in to work just one more day after my late night shift and then having my weekend. I have been working this new schedule for almost a month already and it has messed me up completely. All day Thursday I think it is Friday and I am ridiculously sad to get up on Friday morning and realize I have to go into work because it is not the weekend. It also seems to "chop" my week into weird parts.... I don't get as much done in the week before my late shift and my two days afterwards feel like a hazy mess. It's a real mind f&^%.
When I walked out of the building tonight I said to two students "Have a good weekend" to which they responded "Oh - do you get the day off tomorrow?" I could have cried on the spot.
I am not a person who typically has any aversion to change at all, but this change has messed with my whole groove and I am struggling to get back into it.
When I walked out of the building tonight I said to two students "Have a good weekend" to which they responded "Oh - do you get the day off tomorrow?" I could have cried on the spot.
I am not a person who typically has any aversion to change at all, but this change has messed with my whole groove and I am struggling to get back into it.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
swine flu
I am working tonight and my spouse just called to let me know she things the swine flu has hit our home.
I should not be surprised, our boys get sick with EVERY bug that passes. Max has had an upset stomach today which is apparently one of the symptoms. He also has a fever and body aches. Shel asked him if there was any part of his body which "DIDN'T" hurt and he said no.
ARG
I should not be surprised, our boys get sick with EVERY bug that passes. Max has had an upset stomach today which is apparently one of the symptoms. He also has a fever and body aches. Shel asked him if there was any part of his body which "DIDN'T" hurt and he said no.
ARG
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
shake my head
In my profession there are always things cropping up that are unexpected. Some are funny, some are annoying and some are sad. Then there are the ones that just leave me shaking my head because I am simply baffled.
Today for instance, two female students came to the front counter. They are living in an apartment together and one bedroom unit is unoccupied. They were concerned that "someone" today had entered the third bedroom and turned on a light and left it on. We have had maintenance in the unit working on the heating system and thought it was possible (though unlikely?) that maintenance had let themselves into the bedroom. Still, stranger things have happened and so the office administrator went to the apartment to unlock the door and turn off the light. It turns out there was no light on in the bedroom, it was....THE SUN! Yup. The sun was shining through the window and a stream of sunlight was shining under the door and it freaked them out. I suppose it's true, we don't see much of the sun WAYYYY up here in the north. Unfortunately we were unable to turn it off for them. I'll bet that shows up on our exit survey.
"Office administrator unable to turn off the sun when it shone under the door." We have had complaints about the darkness you know.
Then there's the guy who comes in to make a payment plan and so I ask him what funding he is getting and why he needs to be on a payment plan. He asks ME what funding he is getting. That meeting got confusing very quickly. I am starting to wonder if I live in an alternate reality.
Unfortunately for me it was just "one of those days". I had to do a requisition for some new fire panels. So I do the requisition (in triplicate) and print it off without saving it, because why would I save something I just printed off three copies of? Then I open my email and see a quote from another company for a lesser rate than the one I just made out the requisition for. So I tear up ALL THREE COPIES that I just printed off and start to work on the new requisition and THEN realize that the email is about INSTALLATION of the panels, and the original requisition is for the panels themselves. Nice.
I decide I'm not starting on that lengthy project again this afternoon, I will just make a quick call to a vendor about getting some key tags. My call went through to a salesperson at the company and I made my request. I know EXACTLY what it is that I want. I have a catalogue in front of me and all I need to do is ask if the product comes in more than one color. She asks me "Why?" I should have known then that the three minutes I planned to take on this phone call just blew right out of the window. I was on the phone for over 20 minutes. Instead of her helping me, I spent the entire call tried to explain what I was doing to someone who had NO conception of the project and who was becoming more confused by the minute. She had some interesting suggestions for the project though - WHICH MADE ABSOLUTELY NO SENSE WHATSOEVER - and she ended up directing me to the website (which I already had used!)
CAN THIS DAY END? Where is my office administrator when I need the sun turned off?
Today for instance, two female students came to the front counter. They are living in an apartment together and one bedroom unit is unoccupied. They were concerned that "someone" today had entered the third bedroom and turned on a light and left it on. We have had maintenance in the unit working on the heating system and thought it was possible (though unlikely?) that maintenance had let themselves into the bedroom. Still, stranger things have happened and so the office administrator went to the apartment to unlock the door and turn off the light. It turns out there was no light on in the bedroom, it was....THE SUN! Yup. The sun was shining through the window and a stream of sunlight was shining under the door and it freaked them out. I suppose it's true, we don't see much of the sun WAYYYY up here in the north. Unfortunately we were unable to turn it off for them. I'll bet that shows up on our exit survey.
"Office administrator unable to turn off the sun when it shone under the door." We have had complaints about the darkness you know.
Then there's the guy who comes in to make a payment plan and so I ask him what funding he is getting and why he needs to be on a payment plan. He asks ME what funding he is getting. That meeting got confusing very quickly. I am starting to wonder if I live in an alternate reality.
Unfortunately for me it was just "one of those days". I had to do a requisition for some new fire panels. So I do the requisition (in triplicate) and print it off without saving it, because why would I save something I just printed off three copies of? Then I open my email and see a quote from another company for a lesser rate than the one I just made out the requisition for. So I tear up ALL THREE COPIES that I just printed off and start to work on the new requisition and THEN realize that the email is about INSTALLATION of the panels, and the original requisition is for the panels themselves. Nice.
I decide I'm not starting on that lengthy project again this afternoon, I will just make a quick call to a vendor about getting some key tags. My call went through to a salesperson at the company and I made my request. I know EXACTLY what it is that I want. I have a catalogue in front of me and all I need to do is ask if the product comes in more than one color. She asks me "Why?" I should have known then that the three minutes I planned to take on this phone call just blew right out of the window. I was on the phone for over 20 minutes. Instead of her helping me, I spent the entire call tried to explain what I was doing to someone who had NO conception of the project and who was becoming more confused by the minute. She had some interesting suggestions for the project though - WHICH MADE ABSOLUTELY NO SENSE WHATSOEVER - and she ended up directing me to the website (which I already had used!)
CAN THIS DAY END? Where is my office administrator when I need the sun turned off?
Monday, November 2, 2009
where the wild things are
I have always loved the book "Where the Wild Things Are". I haven't seen the movie yet but we plan on going and taking our little ones to it - their first movie in a theater. I suppose for them the theater will never play as big as role in their lives as it has in mine, just because we live so far from the theater.
My number one son is named Max. I'm thinking of getting a tattoo of the Max from Wild Things as my representation of my boy. Right now he is still not really interested in sitting in our laps and being read to - which makes sense if he can't hear us right? It bothered me a little that he would never sit in my lap and let me read to him because reading is SO much a part of our lives. Now that he is in the school program and they visit the library he seems a bit more interested in checking out books. I hope this book will be one of his favorites. I can't wait to read it to him.
If you haven't read the book yet - you must. I love it. I hope the movie does it justice (but do they ever?)
Sunday, November 1, 2009
November already
Our beloved Tora is resting in peace now. She was a gentle soul and we all miss her desperately. October was a hard month for us all. With putting Tora to sleep and all the medical appointments for Max we were coming and going all month long.
Max has decided that he LOVES pumpkin carving. We carved a few together and he had a complete ball.
The farmer finished cutting down all the trees to the north of us leaving us completely exposed - and feeling it. It looks horrible and we can barely wait until spring to get new trees planted. I am sure it will make a difference, but it will never be the same.
I can't believe the month is already over. Maxie has been in school already for a month. He seems to be settling in - or he is just very excited every day to be picked up! The speech therapist said we should set a goal for him for the year of learning two words. His first word was "onion" which cracks me up. This week when I picked him up the teachers said he said "ball". We are super excited that he has already said two words because in one of his appointments this month the doctor said he was "profoundly" deaf and that the surgery in September for his ears didn't work.
Max has decided that he LOVES pumpkin carving. We carved a few together and he had a complete ball. 
The farmer finished cutting down all the trees to the north of us leaving us completely exposed - and feeling it. It looks horrible and we can barely wait until spring to get new trees planted. I am sure it will make a difference, but it will never be the same. Thursday, October 29, 2009
things boys do
Watching television together. One of them will smile for the camera!
Playing bedtime. He likes to `pretend`` its bedtime, but hates going to bed!
Going for rides in the bins.
Sharing a comfy seat.
Sitting under the table together...
Painting with Nyx for company
Paint IN the paint container
Painting
The finished painting product.
First you finish it, then you drive a truck over it!
Eating paint
Is it better to paint or play fort or a little of both
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
365/13 "Kid"
From HERE
Try this: make a list of 365 people whose names you remember and who were interesting to you. Even if you don't want to write 40 about each, at least try making the list. And then, if you can, write down a few words about each of them before they're gone from your memory. If you can't do this, it might be wise to spend the next 365 days meeting more people in person who are interesting to you. Learn their names.
It has been a while since I blogged anything that I consider to have "content". This 365 idea is one I started a while ago and one I am interested in following through with. I think I am gearing up for NaBloPoMo and trying to post every day of the month.
So here is something about "Kid" and why he was interesting to me.
Kid came into a group home type setting when he was under the age of twelve. We didn't get many kids that young unless there was some reason they were sexually inappropriate with the kids in the kid shelters. So without knowing a bunch about his background we knew there was some sexual stuff. It turns out kid was removed from the care of his mother when he was under the age of four. His step father and a series of mothers boyfriends had physically abused him so severely that when he was under the age of one he had bones broken. MANY bones broken. Does it go without saying how horribly sexually abused he was? He lived at first with grandmother but she had mental health issues and became homeless and they lived together in her car until they were reported and he was taken from her. He went to other family members and was accused of being sexually inappropriate and placed temporarily with us. I'm not going to sugar coat anything - he acted out sexually in mind boggling ways. He completely annoyed the female staff and for good reason. I will not know until the day I die why I connected with this kid. Everything about his behaviors were (and are) a "turn off" to me. And somehow I liked him. A lot. I liked him enough that if we had been able to be foster parents I would have taken him into my home - and I can't say that about any other kid but ONE in all my years of working with teens.
He went from our place to a young sex offender home (please don't get me going on THAT topic). To my knowledge he was never "out" of group homes until he aged out of the system.
I have kept some track of him over the years although we were never in contact after he left the place I worked. The last I heard of him he was being incarcerated for sexual predation in a public park. I read an interview by the father of one of the kids he lured. The man was livid (understandably) and completely vilified this sexual predator (understandably). I don't blame him one bit, and yet in the back of my mind - or closer to the front of my mind - was the fact that I knew this kid. I knew him when he was a little boy. I am so very sad for him and for the life he has lived on this earth. I know there are people who will hate my opinion. I know there are people who don't agree with me, and yet I still shed a tear, yes a tear, for the tiny tiny baby who had his arms and legs and collar bone broken, and wonder what his life would have been like if someone had cared for him.
one day while we were driving with him and other kids to go sledding, we were pulled over in the youth corrections van for going to fast, He was in the seat right behind the driver, by friend Louie. The officer wanted her to giver her name and address and phone number but she didn't want Kid to hear her giving her personal information so she was trying to whisper to the officer out of the window. Every time she whispered the officer said"WHAT" and made her repeat what she had just said. Every time she repeated herself, Kid leaned closer to her to hear what she was saying. I know she was not amused but I found it very funny. Finally she said her phone number loud enough for the officer - and Kid - to hear it and as the officer wrote it down, kid started to chant it. "seven seven threee....." He kept it up all day. no matter what he was threatened with he could not even get himself to stop. Since it wasnt my number, I thought it was hilarious, but I can see how infuriating it was to her. I just don`t know what I liked so much about this kid!
Try this: make a list of 365 people whose names you remember and who were interesting to you. Even if you don't want to write 40 about each, at least try making the list. And then, if you can, write down a few words about each of them before they're gone from your memory. If you can't do this, it might be wise to spend the next 365 days meeting more people in person who are interesting to you. Learn their names.
It has been a while since I blogged anything that I consider to have "content". This 365 idea is one I started a while ago and one I am interested in following through with. I think I am gearing up for NaBloPoMo and trying to post every day of the month.
So here is something about "Kid" and why he was interesting to me.
Kid came into a group home type setting when he was under the age of twelve. We didn't get many kids that young unless there was some reason they were sexually inappropriate with the kids in the kid shelters. So without knowing a bunch about his background we knew there was some sexual stuff. It turns out kid was removed from the care of his mother when he was under the age of four. His step father and a series of mothers boyfriends had physically abused him so severely that when he was under the age of one he had bones broken. MANY bones broken. Does it go without saying how horribly sexually abused he was? He lived at first with grandmother but she had mental health issues and became homeless and they lived together in her car until they were reported and he was taken from her. He went to other family members and was accused of being sexually inappropriate and placed temporarily with us. I'm not going to sugar coat anything - he acted out sexually in mind boggling ways. He completely annoyed the female staff and for good reason. I will not know until the day I die why I connected with this kid. Everything about his behaviors were (and are) a "turn off" to me. And somehow I liked him. A lot. I liked him enough that if we had been able to be foster parents I would have taken him into my home - and I can't say that about any other kid but ONE in all my years of working with teens.
He went from our place to a young sex offender home (please don't get me going on THAT topic). To my knowledge he was never "out" of group homes until he aged out of the system.
I have kept some track of him over the years although we were never in contact after he left the place I worked. The last I heard of him he was being incarcerated for sexual predation in a public park. I read an interview by the father of one of the kids he lured. The man was livid (understandably) and completely vilified this sexual predator (understandably). I don't blame him one bit, and yet in the back of my mind - or closer to the front of my mind - was the fact that I knew this kid. I knew him when he was a little boy. I am so very sad for him and for the life he has lived on this earth. I know there are people who will hate my opinion. I know there are people who don't agree with me, and yet I still shed a tear, yes a tear, for the tiny tiny baby who had his arms and legs and collar bone broken, and wonder what his life would have been like if someone had cared for him.
one day while we were driving with him and other kids to go sledding, we were pulled over in the youth corrections van for going to fast, He was in the seat right behind the driver, by friend Louie. The officer wanted her to giver her name and address and phone number but she didn't want Kid to hear her giving her personal information so she was trying to whisper to the officer out of the window. Every time she whispered the officer said"WHAT" and made her repeat what she had just said. Every time she repeated herself, Kid leaned closer to her to hear what she was saying. I know she was not amused but I found it very funny. Finally she said her phone number loud enough for the officer - and Kid - to hear it and as the officer wrote it down, kid started to chant it. "seven seven threee....." He kept it up all day. no matter what he was threatened with he could not even get himself to stop. Since it wasnt my number, I thought it was hilarious, but I can see how infuriating it was to her. I just don`t know what I liked so much about this kid!
happy birthday to me. What an awesome day
I had a great day. I worked, which I think should be banned, but other than that I couldn't have asked for a better day.My son picked out my balloon and my stickers (which he used). We all wore party hats - even the dog! and our bedazzled sunglasses. Maxie even went to bed with his sunglasses, cause you know, his futures so bright he has to wear shades.
My nieces and nephews sang to me. My office was decorated with balloons and streamers. What more could a person ask for?
My baby gets his first school photos
Today is the day my number one gets his first school photo. I don't think he is as excited as we are. Of course we purchased the most expensive photo pack, we are total suckers. We are going to have so many pictures we won't know what to do with - and don't forget the fridge magnet ones!
I am HOPING he looks at the camera, he doesn't really like to do anything by himself, so even sitting in the chair alone might be interesting. I will laugh if we get a picture of him and the teachers assistant!
When I picked him up they said he did fine. He even "kinda" smiled and they can retouch the pictures so his rash isn't so bad which is also nice.
We think he is beautiful no matter what, and even if he hadn't looked at the camera it's ok.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
if today is your birthday.... yup it is!
October 27 Birthday Horoscope
If Today is Your Birthday: October 27
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Year Ahead
Forecast for October 2009 to October 2010
If You Were Born Today, October 27: You are an energetic, emotional, and dynamic person. A study in contradictions, at times you appear reserved and quiet, and at other times bold and even reckless. Your inner restlessness can drive you to achieve much, as long as you learn to control your mood swings. Success is within your reach, largely due to your dynamism. You are enigmatic and passionate, and your powers of observation exceptional. Famous people born today: John Cleese, Emily Post, Sylvia Plath, Theodore Roosevelt, Marla Maples.
Your Birthday Year Forecast: A trine between the Sun and the Moon in your Solar Return chart this year is a fortunate aspect. It suggests that your domestic and career needs are not in competition with one another in the year ahead. Your inner needs tend to be mirrored by external events, and vice versa. This aspect is very powerful and rewarding. It suggests that you will be on top of your game this year, for the most part, and positive connections with others can be made fairly easily. A comfortable level of personal popularity helps to keep conflict to a minimum. With the ability to handle your emotions successfully, there is less stress on both your mind and body. Your self-confidence and positive attitude will reward you!
The Sun squares Mars in your Solar Return chart. Your energy levels run high this year, but you should watch for hasty or impetuous behavior. Remember that "haste makes waste". This year is likely to be especially busy. You could be rather wilful and impassioned, and it would be best to channel excess energy into healthy physical outlets. Others might find you temperamental. If you suffer from frequent headaches, it is likely that you are not dealing with your own anger or desire to take the lead appropriately. You feel a great need for action, but if you don't know where you're headed, you might take the wrong turn. As long as you channel the excess energy constructively, instead of wasting your time arguing or getting yourself into conflicts with others, you can accomplish much.
The Sun forms a sextile to Pluto in your Solar Return chart, and your attitude towards life is changing. What used to satisfy you may not continue to do so, particularly if your goals have been superficial or a poor reflection of your inner desires. You are no longer willing to make compromises in the important areas of your life, particularly with regards to career and your life path. You are more determined this year, and it�s an excellent time for getting rid of bad habits. This is a year in which to get your life back on track, as you have the willpower to do so. Others are bound to recognize your leadership skills and talents, or, at the very least, your potential. You want your life path and your objectives to reflect what you�re really about. You benefit from being more decisive than usual, and your ability to concentrate and focus help you to achieve what you set out to do. A new project or goal begun this year has a good chance of being successful and long-lasting.
Venus trines Jupiter, and you are likely to find yourself more accepting and understanding of your friends and lovers. Contentedness in love is likely to figure and to attract positive circumstances (and people) into your life this year. Legal affairs, education, and travel may be especially fortunate for you. Social opportunities might increase, and a boost in your personal popularity and magnetism is also likely. Others are looking on you favorably, particularly friends and lovers (or potential lovers). You are more friendly, optimistic, and big-hearted than usual. A cheerful and hopeful outlook increases your chances of gaining cooperation from others. This is a sociable, and perhaps self-indulgent, time when the pursuit of pleasure is one of your high priorities! You could find that you are more open and trusting of friends and lovers, and that you easily win others� trust. Healthy speculation is favored. Financial benefits may come your way. Some people fall in love under this influence.
This is a year of increased confidence for you--a great period in your life for discovering or rediscovering your talents. Realistic optimism is your main avenue to success, while impatience is a potential downfall. Social opportunities increase and an expansive, faithful attitude brings rewards.
If Today is Your Birthday: October 27
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Year Ahead
Forecast for October 2009 to October 2010
If You Were Born Today, October 27: You are an energetic, emotional, and dynamic person. A study in contradictions, at times you appear reserved and quiet, and at other times bold and even reckless. Your inner restlessness can drive you to achieve much, as long as you learn to control your mood swings. Success is within your reach, largely due to your dynamism. You are enigmatic and passionate, and your powers of observation exceptional. Famous people born today: John Cleese, Emily Post, Sylvia Plath, Theodore Roosevelt, Marla Maples.
Your Birthday Year Forecast: A trine between the Sun and the Moon in your Solar Return chart this year is a fortunate aspect. It suggests that your domestic and career needs are not in competition with one another in the year ahead. Your inner needs tend to be mirrored by external events, and vice versa. This aspect is very powerful and rewarding. It suggests that you will be on top of your game this year, for the most part, and positive connections with others can be made fairly easily. A comfortable level of personal popularity helps to keep conflict to a minimum. With the ability to handle your emotions successfully, there is less stress on both your mind and body. Your self-confidence and positive attitude will reward you!
The Sun squares Mars in your Solar Return chart. Your energy levels run high this year, but you should watch for hasty or impetuous behavior. Remember that "haste makes waste". This year is likely to be especially busy. You could be rather wilful and impassioned, and it would be best to channel excess energy into healthy physical outlets. Others might find you temperamental. If you suffer from frequent headaches, it is likely that you are not dealing with your own anger or desire to take the lead appropriately. You feel a great need for action, but if you don't know where you're headed, you might take the wrong turn. As long as you channel the excess energy constructively, instead of wasting your time arguing or getting yourself into conflicts with others, you can accomplish much.
The Sun forms a sextile to Pluto in your Solar Return chart, and your attitude towards life is changing. What used to satisfy you may not continue to do so, particularly if your goals have been superficial or a poor reflection of your inner desires. You are no longer willing to make compromises in the important areas of your life, particularly with regards to career and your life path. You are more determined this year, and it�s an excellent time for getting rid of bad habits. This is a year in which to get your life back on track, as you have the willpower to do so. Others are bound to recognize your leadership skills and talents, or, at the very least, your potential. You want your life path and your objectives to reflect what you�re really about. You benefit from being more decisive than usual, and your ability to concentrate and focus help you to achieve what you set out to do. A new project or goal begun this year has a good chance of being successful and long-lasting.
Venus trines Jupiter, and you are likely to find yourself more accepting and understanding of your friends and lovers. Contentedness in love is likely to figure and to attract positive circumstances (and people) into your life this year. Legal affairs, education, and travel may be especially fortunate for you. Social opportunities might increase, and a boost in your personal popularity and magnetism is also likely. Others are looking on you favorably, particularly friends and lovers (or potential lovers). You are more friendly, optimistic, and big-hearted than usual. A cheerful and hopeful outlook increases your chances of gaining cooperation from others. This is a sociable, and perhaps self-indulgent, time when the pursuit of pleasure is one of your high priorities! You could find that you are more open and trusting of friends and lovers, and that you easily win others� trust. Healthy speculation is favored. Financial benefits may come your way. Some people fall in love under this influence.
This is a year of increased confidence for you--a great period in your life for discovering or rediscovering your talents. Realistic optimism is your main avenue to success, while impatience is a potential downfall. Social opportunities increase and an expansive, faithful attitude brings rewards.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Diski Dance
World Cup 2010 is in South Africa. I am a HUGE fan of football (soccer) and I wish I were able to visit my parents in SA while the world cup is being hosted there.
Check out this dance that is based on football moves and has been developed in SA.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
words
I've written quite a bit about my oldest boy and some of the challenges he faces. We recently enrolled him in a program called "stepping forward" where he goes to the elementary school and they work with children with all different kinds of developmental delays. They have a speech therapist, an occupational therapist and all kinds of intervention programs they use with the kids. It is a small group of children (less than ten) and there is a teacher, a teachers aid, and all of the other people who work with the kids. It is a great program and we are happy he is enrolled and getting access to some of the services he needs.
Last week he and I met with the speech therapist. We met for an hour and basically did an "intake" and she asked if I had any questions. I asked what we could expect, what we could work towards as far as goals for speech for him. I have always thought that his speech delay is directly linked to his profound hearing disability (which we hope has been corrected by his surgery), but I really thought that once he was done with his surgery he would start talking fairly quickly. I was wrong. We have a LOT of work to do with him and she said she thinks he a realistic goal for him would only be to say two words by the end of the school year in June.
He says things like "ma" and "ya" but she said those are not words as much as they are "sounds" and we can't really count them.
So I tried to talk myself down from my high expectations, still HOPING he would say more than two words by the end of the year.
Yesterday I picked him up and we drove home together. When we got home I asked him to help me to carry the grocery bags into the house. As he picked up a bag two onions fell out onto the floor of the truck. He put down the bag and picked up the onions. I asked him if he was going to carry the onions inside instead of the bags. He looked at me, looked and the onions and said "onion". I was shocked and thrilled and told him to go inside and tell his mom what he just said. He went inside and said "Ma. Onion!" We were both so thrilled we did a happy dance and tried to get him to say it again. He isn't so interested in being our object of amusement and so he put the onions down and went back outside to get grocery bags.
I am still ecstatic that he said his first word!
I think I'm going to get a picture of an onion for his bedroom wall - and now we only have to get him to learn one more word and we have reached our goal for the year!
Last week he and I met with the speech therapist. We met for an hour and basically did an "intake" and she asked if I had any questions. I asked what we could expect, what we could work towards as far as goals for speech for him. I have always thought that his speech delay is directly linked to his profound hearing disability (which we hope has been corrected by his surgery), but I really thought that once he was done with his surgery he would start talking fairly quickly. I was wrong. We have a LOT of work to do with him and she said she thinks he a realistic goal for him would only be to say two words by the end of the school year in June.
He says things like "ma" and "ya" but she said those are not words as much as they are "sounds" and we can't really count them.
So I tried to talk myself down from my high expectations, still HOPING he would say more than two words by the end of the year.
Yesterday I picked him up and we drove home together. When we got home I asked him to help me to carry the grocery bags into the house. As he picked up a bag two onions fell out onto the floor of the truck. He put down the bag and picked up the onions. I asked him if he was going to carry the onions inside instead of the bags. He looked at me, looked and the onions and said "onion". I was shocked and thrilled and told him to go inside and tell his mom what he just said. He went inside and said "Ma. Onion!" We were both so thrilled we did a happy dance and tried to get him to say it again. He isn't so interested in being our object of amusement and so he put the onions down and went back outside to get grocery bags.
I am still ecstatic that he said his first word!
I think I'm going to get a picture of an onion for his bedroom wall - and now we only have to get him to learn one more word and we have reached our goal for the year!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
things I am thankful for... and not
Yesterday here in Canada was Thanksgiving day. For most of the day I was at work, cooking a meal for the students who don't go home over the long weekend. While I was away my spouse cooked up a dinner for us.
We have a tradition at the thanksgiving table to take rice grains from the bin and for every rice kernel we take we say something we are thankful for. The rice (not so mysteriously) got mixed in with sunflower seeds earlier in the week and ended up as bird food and so we had no rice kernels last night.
A few weeks ago my boy Max had surgery on his ears. He has had profound hearing loss since birth and although he is three, he doesn't speak. He does have a few words in his repertoire (like "ma"and "ya") and so I thought I would test out his hearing skills and ask him what he was thankful for. Our conversation went something like this:
Me:"Max, are you thankful for mashed potatoes?"
Max: "Ya"
Me: "Max, are you thankful for mom?"
Max:"Ya"
Me" Max, are you thankful for your cd player?"
Max: "Ya"
Me: "Max, are you thankful for your little brother?"
No response.
So I figured he was just tired of playing the game, but thought since he was digging his mashed potatoes I would try again.
Me: "Max, are you thankful for mashed potatoes?"
Max: "Ya"
Me: "Are you thankful for your gravy?"
Max: "Ya"
Me: "Are you thankful for your little brother?"
Crickets chirping.
Apparently in our house, spuds and gravy trump little brothers!
We have a tradition at the thanksgiving table to take rice grains from the bin and for every rice kernel we take we say something we are thankful for. The rice (not so mysteriously) got mixed in with sunflower seeds earlier in the week and ended up as bird food and so we had no rice kernels last night.
A few weeks ago my boy Max had surgery on his ears. He has had profound hearing loss since birth and although he is three, he doesn't speak. He does have a few words in his repertoire (like "ma"and "ya") and so I thought I would test out his hearing skills and ask him what he was thankful for. Our conversation went something like this:
Me:"Max, are you thankful for mashed potatoes?"
Max: "Ya"
Me: "Max, are you thankful for mom?"
Max:"Ya"
Me" Max, are you thankful for your cd player?"
Max: "Ya"
Me: "Max, are you thankful for your little brother?"
No response.
So I figured he was just tired of playing the game, but thought since he was digging his mashed potatoes I would try again.
Me: "Max, are you thankful for mashed potatoes?"
Max: "Ya"
Me: "Are you thankful for your gravy?"
Max: "Ya"
Me: "Are you thankful for your little brother?"
Crickets chirping.
Apparently in our house, spuds and gravy trump little brothers!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
this one goes out to the ones I love
Yesterday we put to rest the three oldest members of our animal family.
These members of the family were part of "us" even longer than I was. They have been with Shel and I as long as we have been together. Sadie, Gina and Angel were the three remaining cats from the family I joined when I met Shel. I joke about the first "big" fight that Shel and I had and how I told her that she needed to pick between me or the cats (at the time there were Buddy, Sadie, Simon, Gina, Georgie, Angel, Tiger and Foxie). She said "see ya later" to me so I left and slept in the front seat of tinkey winkey for the night. (That tells you how long ago it was because there is no way I could fit my fat body onto the front seat of tinkey for the night now!) After a night in the truck I reconsidered my position and withdrew my ultimatum because it was made painfully obvious to me that Shel was not going to part with the feline members of the family, even for me. (and I like to think I am somewhat of a "prize!)
We have moved more times than I care to remember and before they met me they moved a few times as well. They started out their lives in sunny Southern California and went from there to Utah and from Utah to Canada. When they arrived in Canada in November of 2003 I think they must have thought we were out of our minds because the temperature that balmy day was -26 degrees Celsius. Since we have been in Canada they have lived in three different homes and put up with the additions over the years of four dogs and two additional cats. They have outlived two of our dogs and five of their litter mates, so I am sure there was quite a reunion for them as they passed to the other side.
I know they have had wonderful lives. This summer in particular they spent a lot of time outside and we were even able to lure Sadie out of doors a few times. One by one we have said goodbye to other members of the family and not one farewell has been easy, but we have never said goodbye to three at once and that made things extra hard. Shel made sure they ate like kings for the last few days and we emptied more than one grocery shelf of tuna on their behalf. One by one yesterday morning Shel held them as they crossed over and we took them home to be buried next to Shiloh.
We knew the weather was changing so we wanted to be sure to get them buried last night. After the kids were in bed we went outside to dig their grave. By this time it was pitch black out and so we dug by the hole with the aid of the van headlights. Though the moment itself wasn't particularly humorous I am certain the whole herd of them were laughing at us as our bodies blocked the headlights and we tried to dig a hole we couldn't see!
We buried them with the items they were dragging when the day started, because what would their journey to the other side be like if they didn't have a pair of my underwear pulled behind them. Underwear, socks and a slipper went with them and I finally was able to let go of my Muk also. I am certain people think I am a loon, but I have had the ashes of my beloved Mukiwa with me in Tinkey Winkey since she passed. Now she is at rest with the rest of our original family, with the cats that raised her.
Travel well my friends. Thank you for accepting me into your lives. You are already missed more than you will know.
I don't have a lot of hope in things, but I do have hope you will all be waiting for me when it is my turn to cross the great divide.
P.S. Just so Shel won't miss you so much I promised to drag my clothing around the house and make loud mewling sounds when everyone was asleep.
These members of the family were part of "us" even longer than I was. They have been with Shel and I as long as we have been together. Sadie, Gina and Angel were the three remaining cats from the family I joined when I met Shel. I joke about the first "big" fight that Shel and I had and how I told her that she needed to pick between me or the cats (at the time there were Buddy, Sadie, Simon, Gina, Georgie, Angel, Tiger and Foxie). She said "see ya later" to me so I left and slept in the front seat of tinkey winkey for the night. (That tells you how long ago it was because there is no way I could fit my fat body onto the front seat of tinkey for the night now!) After a night in the truck I reconsidered my position and withdrew my ultimatum because it was made painfully obvious to me that Shel was not going to part with the feline members of the family, even for me. (and I like to think I am somewhat of a "prize!)
We have moved more times than I care to remember and before they met me they moved a few times as well. They started out their lives in sunny Southern California and went from there to Utah and from Utah to Canada. When they arrived in Canada in November of 2003 I think they must have thought we were out of our minds because the temperature that balmy day was -26 degrees Celsius. Since we have been in Canada they have lived in three different homes and put up with the additions over the years of four dogs and two additional cats. They have outlived two of our dogs and five of their litter mates, so I am sure there was quite a reunion for them as they passed to the other side.
I know they have had wonderful lives. This summer in particular they spent a lot of time outside and we were even able to lure Sadie out of doors a few times. One by one we have said goodbye to other members of the family and not one farewell has been easy, but we have never said goodbye to three at once and that made things extra hard. Shel made sure they ate like kings for the last few days and we emptied more than one grocery shelf of tuna on their behalf. One by one yesterday morning Shel held them as they crossed over and we took them home to be buried next to Shiloh.
We knew the weather was changing so we wanted to be sure to get them buried last night. After the kids were in bed we went outside to dig their grave. By this time it was pitch black out and so we dug by the hole with the aid of the van headlights. Though the moment itself wasn't particularly humorous I am certain the whole herd of them were laughing at us as our bodies blocked the headlights and we tried to dig a hole we couldn't see!
We buried them with the items they were dragging when the day started, because what would their journey to the other side be like if they didn't have a pair of my underwear pulled behind them. Underwear, socks and a slipper went with them and I finally was able to let go of my Muk also. I am certain people think I am a loon, but I have had the ashes of my beloved Mukiwa with me in Tinkey Winkey since she passed. Now she is at rest with the rest of our original family, with the cats that raised her.
Travel well my friends. Thank you for accepting me into your lives. You are already missed more than you will know.
I don't have a lot of hope in things, but I do have hope you will all be waiting for me when it is my turn to cross the great divide.
P.S. Just so Shel won't miss you so much I promised to drag my clothing around the house and make loud mewling sounds when everyone was asleep.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got till its gone...
As I drove down the road today and approached the house my heart just dropped to the pit of my stomach. The farmer who purchased the land surrounding us has proceeded with his plans to remove the trees. This has left our home completely visible to the road. Anyone driving south down the dirt road can can now see DIRECTLY into our yard.
I am absolutely devestated. I suppose we never ever should have purchased a property without being fully aware that we had no control over the land that wasn't ours.
In addition to having our home now completely exposed to the road - and being so visible - the trees provided a natural wind break from the winds coming from the north. So now we are also exposed to the wind.
I am so very sad. Now even the place that I come to "escape" has been laid bare. Decimated. (the photo is not the FINAL result of tree removal.. I still need to find a good one to upload)
I am absolutely devestated. I suppose we never ever should have purchased a property without being fully aware that we had no control over the land that wasn't ours.
In addition to having our home now completely exposed to the road - and being so visible - the trees provided a natural wind break from the winds coming from the north. So now we are also exposed to the wind.
I am so very sad. Now even the place that I come to "escape" has been laid bare. Decimated. (the photo is not the FINAL result of tree removal.. I still need to find a good one to upload)
end of September
I cannot BELIEVE that it is the end of September. With every passing day I feel as though I am in some kind of time warp that is jetting me into the future and that I am moving faster and faster.
I have so many things to write about I almost think it would be better to wipe the slate clean and start over than to try to go back to capture some of the things that have passed... we shall see.
I have so many things to write about I almost think it would be better to wipe the slate clean and start over than to try to go back to capture some of the things that have passed... we shall see.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Final countdown
We are in the hotel room, Maxie is tucked away and actually sleeping. In less than 6 hours we have to be up and at em and on our way to check in at the hospital. We had a great drive down and he was super in the vehicle and had a blast in the hotel room for a good three hours before he crashed finally on the bed. This is the first time he has slept on a "real" bed so I hope we make it through the night without picking him up from between the wall and the mattress!
I said to my spouse on the way down here tonight that I am really feeling "OLD". I have face wrinkles (which she laughed at me for) and this summer I got a crack in one heel wearing my Birkenstocks all summer (which she scoffed at me for because she gets horribly cracked heels and cares for her feet endlessly and I do absolutely nothing to my feet and I had a teeny crack which is already gone), but mostly I feel "parenty" -- which to me feels like what "old" is.. I have been absolutely sick to my stomach all day worrying over this surgery for my man tomorrow. When i took the baby to the babysitter I felt guilty leaving him - not because I don't trust the babysitter, but because I want to be with him all the time. I am shocked at myself a bit over the "parenty" feelings - not because I don't love my kids, but because I never pictured myself as a worrier parent, but just a fun, happy go lucky, live and let live parent, and I'm turning into a bit of a "concerned" parent. (I always thought concerned parents needed to "let go" a little!)
I hope I can get some sleep tonight because heaven only knows there are not enough fields in all of farmtown to keep my mind off my boy if I am up all night.
I said to my spouse on the way down here tonight that I am really feeling "OLD". I have face wrinkles (which she laughed at me for) and this summer I got a crack in one heel wearing my Birkenstocks all summer (which she scoffed at me for because she gets horribly cracked heels and cares for her feet endlessly and I do absolutely nothing to my feet and I had a teeny crack which is already gone), but mostly I feel "parenty" -- which to me feels like what "old" is.. I have been absolutely sick to my stomach all day worrying over this surgery for my man tomorrow. When i took the baby to the babysitter I felt guilty leaving him - not because I don't trust the babysitter, but because I want to be with him all the time. I am shocked at myself a bit over the "parenty" feelings - not because I don't love my kids, but because I never pictured myself as a worrier parent, but just a fun, happy go lucky, live and let live parent, and I'm turning into a bit of a "concerned" parent. (I always thought concerned parents needed to "let go" a little!)
I hope I can get some sleep tonight because heaven only knows there are not enough fields in all of farmtown to keep my mind off my boy if I am up all night.
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