Sunday, October 28, 2012
Yesterday
Yesterday was about as close to perfect as we are going to get in this house these days. Robert had a scout meeting first thing in the morning. Andrew dropped him off then headed off to help some friends move. I picked Robert up, and shortly afterwards began my massive errand running for the day. I dread running errands, and since I now have to run them on the weekends with the rest of the working folks, I dread it even more! I did score big at Kohl's though. I needed a new handbag, and between the sales, my Kohl's cash redemption, and my credit card discount I paid $4.81 for what had originally been a $49 handbag. Now, you can say that no one at Kohl's ever pays full price for anything and that is probably true, but no one can deny that less than $5 for a new purse is a bargain! Anyway, yesterday also happened to be my birthday, so Andrew made sure not to be gone all day, and I got home mid-afternoon from my errand running. And my dream day came true! No cooking, cleaning, or going anywhere, a glass of wine (or two) and victories by both Ohio State and Notre Dame in college football. We also sat and played a couple hands of dominoes (our new favorite family game) and I can't remember a birthday I've enjoyed as much as this one!
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Grandmothers
This post will give a glimpse into why I haven't had a chance to write much, although I'll post more about that another time as well!
A week ago yesterday was third grade grandparents day at Thomas's school. My mother was bringing down both of my grandmothers, and because of my mother's lack of mobility and my grandmother's health issues, I made sure they arrived plenty early because parking was a HUGE issue earlier in the week with other grades. The school secretary made the comment about what a blessing it was that I still had both of my grandmothers at my age. I completely agree! I was in Thomas's room visiting a bit, and it was VERY crowded. I gave my maternal grandmother a chair, and another parent gave a chair to my mother. My paternal grandmother insisted that she was fine to stand, and I whispered to her, "You are the able bodied one. I'm counting on you," and we both laughed about that. Honestly though, she is absolutely amazing. She is 81 years old and is literally one of the healthiest people I know.
The next morning I was heading to the grocery. I had just headed out of town when my mother called to tell me that my grandmother was being taken to the e/r in an ambulance. She said they would call when they knew more. I called my husband and let him know that instead of the grocery, I was going to be making a turn onto the interstate and heading north. I pretty much cried the entire way to the hospital. While I have some serious issues about the behavior of my maternal grandmother, I absolutely adore my paternal grandmother. I kept thinking that if something happened to her, the world just wasn't going to be as bright. I arrived at the hospital at the same time as my sister and my mother. Mom had talked Dad into staying home until we had a better idea what was happening, and that way he could conserve his strength until it was really necessary. My grandmother NEVER complains, and even on that day she was pleasant and chipper, in spite of her severe pain. They ran a very complete battery of tests, and decided that at worst it might be the beginning of shingles, but appeared to be nothing more than a virus. She was sent home with pain meds and anti-nausea meds, and I was astonished to learn that at 81 she takes no other prescriptions! In spite of her protests, I decided that I would stay with her over night. I just felt that it was important that someone be with her, especially since she's had some strange reactions to pain meds before. While she kept saying it wasn't necessary, I think she was also relieved to know that if she did awake during the night or the next morning with similar symptoms that she wouldn't be alone.
Fortunately, it seems as though it was just a virus. Of course there were about 1001 things I needed/wanted to be getting done at home, but as I went to sleep in her spare bedroom that evening, I kept telling myself that I was very grateful to be spending the night at her house keeping an eye on h er, rather than spending the night at home and planning her funeral. I also have to admit, getting to spend several uninterrupted hours with her was a very rare treat. I used to spend the night with her and Grandpa almost monthly as a child, and it was so nice to be able to spend a few hours visiting with her before I left for home. So while it messed up lots of plans for the weekend and I didn't get nearly as much done as I wanted, it was truly a blessing!
A week ago yesterday was third grade grandparents day at Thomas's school. My mother was bringing down both of my grandmothers, and because of my mother's lack of mobility and my grandmother's health issues, I made sure they arrived plenty early because parking was a HUGE issue earlier in the week with other grades. The school secretary made the comment about what a blessing it was that I still had both of my grandmothers at my age. I completely agree! I was in Thomas's room visiting a bit, and it was VERY crowded. I gave my maternal grandmother a chair, and another parent gave a chair to my mother. My paternal grandmother insisted that she was fine to stand, and I whispered to her, "You are the able bodied one. I'm counting on you," and we both laughed about that. Honestly though, she is absolutely amazing. She is 81 years old and is literally one of the healthiest people I know.
The next morning I was heading to the grocery. I had just headed out of town when my mother called to tell me that my grandmother was being taken to the e/r in an ambulance. She said they would call when they knew more. I called my husband and let him know that instead of the grocery, I was going to be making a turn onto the interstate and heading north. I pretty much cried the entire way to the hospital. While I have some serious issues about the behavior of my maternal grandmother, I absolutely adore my paternal grandmother. I kept thinking that if something happened to her, the world just wasn't going to be as bright. I arrived at the hospital at the same time as my sister and my mother. Mom had talked Dad into staying home until we had a better idea what was happening, and that way he could conserve his strength until it was really necessary. My grandmother NEVER complains, and even on that day she was pleasant and chipper, in spite of her severe pain. They ran a very complete battery of tests, and decided that at worst it might be the beginning of shingles, but appeared to be nothing more than a virus. She was sent home with pain meds and anti-nausea meds, and I was astonished to learn that at 81 she takes no other prescriptions! In spite of her protests, I decided that I would stay with her over night. I just felt that it was important that someone be with her, especially since she's had some strange reactions to pain meds before. While she kept saying it wasn't necessary, I think she was also relieved to know that if she did awake during the night or the next morning with similar symptoms that she wouldn't be alone.
Fortunately, it seems as though it was just a virus. Of course there were about 1001 things I needed/wanted to be getting done at home, but as I went to sleep in her spare bedroom that evening, I kept telling myself that I was very grateful to be spending the night at her house keeping an eye on h er, rather than spending the night at home and planning her funeral. I also have to admit, getting to spend several uninterrupted hours with her was a very rare treat. I used to spend the night with her and Grandpa almost monthly as a child, and it was so nice to be able to spend a few hours visiting with her before I left for home. So while it messed up lots of plans for the weekend and I didn't get nearly as much done as I wanted, it was truly a blessing!
Saturday, October 20, 2012
My favorite job
I truly wish that I could get on here and post more than once a week. Reality is what it is though, and frankly there just aren't enough hours in the week right now.
I've got twelve more school days of my long term sub job. I am going to miss the kids TERRIBLY when my time is done, but it will be time. First grade is a little rough this time of year, although I've so enjoyed seeing the progress these kids have made in just a short period of time. The part of the job I'm NOT going to miss is the fact that even after being at school from 8 until 5, I still have work to do when I get home. Not my things at home of course, but more school work (if I'd had less sleep I'd take this opportunity to do a rant on how lots of people like to complain teachers are overpaid because they don't "work" as much as everyone else since they have summer and holiday breaks). Because I know that I must stay up on sleep in order to not get sick OR become a raving lunatic to my family, I feel like I'm missing out on my children's lives. Some might feel I'm over reacting, but that is my favorite job in the world, and I don't want to miss out on that. So while I know that I'll still be very busy with "regular" subbing, I'm looking forward to getting to be just "mom" again in the evenings!
I've got twelve more school days of my long term sub job. I am going to miss the kids TERRIBLY when my time is done, but it will be time. First grade is a little rough this time of year, although I've so enjoyed seeing the progress these kids have made in just a short period of time. The part of the job I'm NOT going to miss is the fact that even after being at school from 8 until 5, I still have work to do when I get home. Not my things at home of course, but more school work (if I'd had less sleep I'd take this opportunity to do a rant on how lots of people like to complain teachers are overpaid because they don't "work" as much as everyone else since they have summer and holiday breaks). Because I know that I must stay up on sleep in order to not get sick OR become a raving lunatic to my family, I feel like I'm missing out on my children's lives. Some might feel I'm over reacting, but that is my favorite job in the world, and I don't want to miss out on that. So while I know that I'll still be very busy with "regular" subbing, I'm looking forward to getting to be just "mom" again in the evenings!
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Trying to catch up
Another weekend has arrived in our house, and I'm so very grateful. October is proving to be just as crazy as September, but then the holidays are right around the corner...sounds like a dream!
It's definitely become fall here. The leaves aren't quite as colorful as years past because of our drought, but it's still rather pretty. The temps have also dropped quite a bit, although a slight rebound is predicted for our weekend. Everyone is still trudging through school, and I have 3-1/2 weeks left in my long term sub job. I love the kids in the classroom, but I don't love the fact that I don't feel like I'm doing a very good job of being "mom" at home. We are all working on adjusting, and I'm hoping that we can take the kids and do something fun for a little treat after this is over. They've been Catherine and Thomas have been a tremendous help at school when I needs packets put together for my classroom, but to be honest, their assistance at home as been less enthusiastic. They've both been enjoying scouts, but we've kind of taken a slight break from karate. It seems as though Robert has joined every club that he can at the middle school, and we love watching him be so happy at school. Last weekend he attended a birthday party of a friend from his baseball team and ended up spending the night. I'm grateful that his confidence he's found at his new school is able to carry over to other aspects of his life. He's still doing youth group and there are at least two more fall baseball games scheduled, but he's taken a break from early Saturday morning scout meetings while football season is happening. My in-laws arrive later today and we haven't seen them in over two months. My father-in-law no longer wants to make the drive here, and at 77, I do understand that it's out of his comfort zone. Of course, he has no problem getting on a plane flying to Vegas or the ocean a couple of times a year. I know it's the driving, but honestly they could occasionally fly if they wanted to do so...or even take a bus. They are willing to take a bus the same distance to visit D.C., but somehow it's not the same to come visit us. The issue is that as the kids get older, it becomes increasingly more difficult to visit them...right now we are barely able to find time together with the five of us!
Sorry if this seems a little rambling and disjointed. I was up at 2:30 this morning and couldn't sleep, so I got up and cleaned before going back to bed at 6:30. I was able to get another two hours of sleep, but I can tell I'm just not totally with it today!
It's definitely become fall here. The leaves aren't quite as colorful as years past because of our drought, but it's still rather pretty. The temps have also dropped quite a bit, although a slight rebound is predicted for our weekend. Everyone is still trudging through school, and I have 3-1/2 weeks left in my long term sub job. I love the kids in the classroom, but I don't love the fact that I don't feel like I'm doing a very good job of being "mom" at home. We are all working on adjusting, and I'm hoping that we can take the kids and do something fun for a little treat after this is over. They've been Catherine and Thomas have been a tremendous help at school when I needs packets put together for my classroom, but to be honest, their assistance at home as been less enthusiastic. They've both been enjoying scouts, but we've kind of taken a slight break from karate. It seems as though Robert has joined every club that he can at the middle school, and we love watching him be so happy at school. Last weekend he attended a birthday party of a friend from his baseball team and ended up spending the night. I'm grateful that his confidence he's found at his new school is able to carry over to other aspects of his life. He's still doing youth group and there are at least two more fall baseball games scheduled, but he's taken a break from early Saturday morning scout meetings while football season is happening. My in-laws arrive later today and we haven't seen them in over two months. My father-in-law no longer wants to make the drive here, and at 77, I do understand that it's out of his comfort zone. Of course, he has no problem getting on a plane flying to Vegas or the ocean a couple of times a year. I know it's the driving, but honestly they could occasionally fly if they wanted to do so...or even take a bus. They are willing to take a bus the same distance to visit D.C., but somehow it's not the same to come visit us. The issue is that as the kids get older, it becomes increasingly more difficult to visit them...right now we are barely able to find time together with the five of us!
Sorry if this seems a little rambling and disjointed. I was up at 2:30 this morning and couldn't sleep, so I got up and cleaned before going back to bed at 6:30. I was able to get another two hours of sleep, but I can tell I'm just not totally with it today!
Thursday, October 11, 2012
It's not just me
From the other blogs that I follow, I am apparently not the only one lacking time to blog. In fact, even before this my blog was more updated than some others. Alas, this is not a long post, just a quick one and really nothing of substance. The in laws are arriving in about 43 hours (give or take an hour) and I've got way too much to get finished between now and then! Hope all is well!
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Changing it up
I've decided to go with new names for all of us because I'm tired of initials and "wonderful husband". So from here on out, JR is Robert, JC is Catherine, and HT is Thomas. My husband is Andrew, and if any of you know us well you will realize I was not the least bit creative here. I mean after all, I had to be able to keep track of us as well! But under no circumstances will I jeopardize the safety and put real names on here...so this is what it is!
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