Archive for Just for fun

ANYONE AND EVERYONE!!! Please critque my post! This is what I have SO FAR prepared for my talk at our Visually Impaired Family Gathering. Please leave me good and bad comments! Yes I’m begging. I totally do not want to make a fool out of myself! THANK YOU!!!

September 14, 2009 · Filed under Blind, Elijah, Family, Helping others, Just for fun, My Boys, Ranting, fustration, life, me, venting, visually impaired

Before I start, please let me add that it’s been a LOOOONG time since I’ve had to speak infront of a group of people. There will be approximately 30 people at this event and to me that’s ALOT of people to talk in front of. It’s a very relaxed atomsphere and I’m sure I’ll only be glancing at my paper now and then, but I just wanted somewhat of a format to go by.  Thanks TONS for those that put themselves through reading this!  Also, I moderate my comments, just because there have been some very stupid (to put it lightly) ones in the past. Let the “talk” begins…

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I think I may have been one of the only mothers out there that had been dreading the start of school. One because summer seemed just WAY TOO SHORT this year and totally flew by us. And two– HOMEWORK!! Homework can be a huge stressor at our house.

I have not been able to accomodate Elijah’s blindness at home. This is more devastating to me than hearing the doctor tell us that he was legally blind. We have the bear necessities to get by. He’s got magnifying glasses from 4X to 12X, lighted ones, pocket ones, even a dome one. He’s got his own desk with his special lighting. A large supply of erasable pens and bold lined paper. He’s even got 3 pairs of his “signature” sunglasses.

This summer we transformed our home into a dungeon. It was just too bright for him. We went out bought some good blinds, shades or darker curtains and now he can live inside without wearing his sunglasses. Ok here’s one area I was glad to see school start. I get to pull open the these shades and let the sunshine in during the day….well until he gets home that is.

But when it comes to some of his homework, his magnify glasses just don’t just don’t always do the trick. I find they work best with worksheets. Where what he reads and writes are on the same page. Bouncing from his math book to his paper doesn’t work so well. He looses the problem he’s on, misses pernent information like a decimal and he ends up getting very frustrated.

Reading has to be the worse. He’ll test out his different magnify glasses to see what works best with the font of the book. Then he gets upset because the magnify glass is getting all fogged up from his breathing. I try to tell him to just stop breathing, but he doesn’t find my humor in that. I would say it takes him anywhere from 5 to fifteen minutes to read one page in a book.

His school has a reading program he participates in. They need to read 15 minutes a night. It will take him well over a month just to read one book.

When the class is reading a book together and they have to do some independent reading at home. Such as reading to the end of the chapter, that could take him well over an hour at home.

Yes, I am home to help him most of the time. But, helping and doing are two different things. I can’t always sit down and read him his math problems. Read to the end of the chapter for him and help him with any other work he may have.

This year his teacher sent home a letter of what to expect in 5th grade. I found it very interesting when she wrote the criteria for homework is about 10 minutes per grade level. So, this year we are to expect 50 minutes of homework a night. He’s done 3 times that in the past.

Last winter I attended a classes held by Family Voices entitled Did you know? Now you know. How to be a parent advocate for you special needs child. The class went through everything from, daycare to IEPs to medical insurance private and Medicaid and more. I would encourage everyone to attend one of these sessions if at all possible. I learnt so much.  I am very glad I attended them. ( I did hand out the next few sessions in the Pier bulletin)

We’ve been dreaming of a CCTV for home use since the beginning of his diagnosis. He uses one at school, he loves it and definitely know the benefits of it. I was encouraged to make a claim to my private insurance and Eli’s Medicaid for a CCTV by the presenters of the Did you know Now you know sessions. I immediately had Celena HHHRIRHRIR from  ***** as my backbone for anything I needed.

So, I made my claim. Within minutes I was turned down. I asked for a reason. And stated that a CCTV can be considered a durable medical equipment and it is also known by the board of Opt….. to be a prosthetic device. Then I was asked to get a letter from his eye doctor supporting the need for one.

Eli’s eye doctor Dr. W fully supported my claim, I received a letter from him. I faxed his letter and the article I have given you written by Gregg Trapp. I found this article to be very encouraging. 

To no surprise to me the insurance company once again denied the claim. This time they gave me a reason. “A (my employer) was not making any home modifications at this time.”  As you can see in the denial letter, they listed examples of home modifications such as saunas, tanning bed and elevators. I had to laugh at how they put a CCTV under a home modification. Then again I had already shown them that it was a durable medical equipment and a prstethis device, so they had to think of something to deny me under.

Then the appeals process began. This is the part that I could not have done without Clelna.  She is a hero in my book. She started throwing different organizations at me to contact. She was talking to people everywhere she went. She had never assisted with a visually impaired situation before so she was learning as she went too.

I talked to so many different organizations it was crazy. I was even goofing up names and who was from which organization. It ends up that currently I have Disabilty Rights/WI supporting my case. Sue  is my contact person. The appeal letter was sent out this summer and we are once again waiting for my insurance companies response. Sue is preparing her case by getting school records and information from the insurance company. We anticipate Medicaid denyingus too, but haven’t gotten that far yet.

I am so astounded how insurance companies don’t recognize the blind or visually impaired. Not one item have they covered for Eli’s disability. Well, they do cover 80% of his eye exam once a year. However they didn’t cover a dime when we had an extra visit one year because we were concerned about him seeing floaters. Medicaid did pick that one up though.

I find that if we as parents can’t afford the needed items for our children we have to rely on charity. And it’s wonderful that these charities are there. Eli has been very blessed with a portable CCTV the Sense View which he just received from the Kronenwetter Lions thanks to a referral made by his Vision teacher Karen. We can’t thank them enough. But I can’t stop feeling that insurance companies should start helping the blind and visually impaired more. If I brake my ankle they’ll help cover crutches, possibly a surgery, so that I can walk again. But, they won’t help my blind child read a book.

I’ve learnt that patience is the number one necessity throughout this fight. Nothing is going to happen tomorrow. Followed by determination and support from those around you. I can’t tell you the number of times I have broken out into tears only to wake up the next day to make more phone calls and retell Eli’s story to yet another person.

I don’t know what the outcome of this will be. Our dream is to have a CCTV sitting on Eli’s desk. Last winter I said I just couldn’t go through another school year of homework. I was drained, beat up, I hated homework. But, here we are at the start of a new school year and no CCTV yet.

 

 ETA-Within a short time of posting this I had a search engine bring someone here as they searched the question -”Why doesn’t health insurance cover the blind?” Come on people lets fight this battle! They can’t keep refusing the blind!

 

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Just Killing Time!

August 30, 2009 · Filed under Andrew, Elijah, Family, Just for fun, My Boys, life, me

Early Sunday morning at work waiting for the doctors to come in to give me some work to do. I’ve said for years that I should just sleep in on Sundays and they can call me ehtn the doctors decide to start working. BUT NO!! I’m here bright and early waiting and waiting and waiting.

This morning I could be sitting with the RNs chatting away, but ugh, I don’t care for their conversation, so instead I’m at my own lil work station typing away. Not too sure what I plan to write. Guess whatever comes out…is whatcha get!

One more day of summer break. :( I just can not believe how fast this summer went. Sad that we never went camping. Sad that I never got my bike fixed. Sad that we didn’t make it to the pool as much as we have in past years. PooWee really took to the water this year too. Although the weather was not very “summery” either. :(

Andrew will be starting his freshman year of college on Tuesday. I’m in shock! I officially have an adult child! I am so proud of him. And well maybe a little bit proud of myself as well. I did good. Having him at 17, raising him primarily on my own, though his father was always a part of his life we were not together. He’s going to do well in this world. I just know it!

His focus is still engineering. Though he is considering checking out some Psychology courses. I’ve always told him he would make a good social worker or councellor. He’s the “goto friend” when there’s a disagreement amongst his friends, when a friend is dumped by their girl/boyfriend, or when a friend finds out they are expecting a baby. He’s the mediator in his clan and good at it.

Whatever he chooses in life, I have no doubt he will excell and make me even more proud of him.

Elijah is a big 5th grader this year. He’s part of the big wigs this year at his school. Last year in Elemantary school. (Yes, I’m already freaking out about him going to Jr. High next year! But, that’ll be a whole nother post.)

We had his open house last week, dropped off his supplies and chatted with his teacher, Mrs. H.

We already know his desk will need to be moved to a darker location in the room. He’s a bit upset as it was right next to his friend. He’s hoping his friend will move too. :)

He wants to be a crossing guard. It’s just the “cool” thing you get to do in 5th grade. I’ve been telling him that I doubt he will beable to. The last assessment done two years ago said  he can see a moving car from approximately a block away. Not too good when your crossing kids across the street. Mrs. H said they would find an alternative job for him to do. Perhaps he can “man” the playground at recess. She mentioned he could be the “Good Citizen watcher” and award those kids doing well. He was very happy to hear he could still join the crossing gauard crew.

In a letter Mrs. H sent home for parents stated the years expectations. She stated that as a guideline there should be 10 minutes of homework for each grade level. Leaving Eli to expect 50 minutes of homework a night. HHMMM…he sat for HOURS sometimes last year. Yes, his work takes him longer than the “normal” sighted child. I’m already planning on talking to her about what we should expect from him.

I know I’m not going to make him read lengthy readings anymore. I have come to the conclusion that it is just too hard and stressful on him. I am well aware that his teachers are concerned about him falling behind with reading. But as I look at it…there will be a point when he falls behind and can’t read to grade level. HE’S BLIND PEOPLE!!!! Lets start focusing more on the alternatives to reading that are out there for him. I will INSIST that his (chapter) books are on tape. I will not put him through an hour of straining his eyes, and ending up with a headache because he had to read 15 pages in a small font book! First of all, where’s his large print that should have been provided for him?

I’m increasing my expectations of the school this year. Not necessarily the teaching or the teachers themselves, but the services/equipment that will provided for him. I’m not excepting the excuse, “well this is all we have to offer.” Nope!

We are still in the CCTV battle with my insurance company. Actually, things are just getting started. My case was put on hold for awhile as other cases were finishing up. 

I am aware that the organization that is helping me is also planning going after the school as well to provide newer and better technology for Eli. Yes I am excited for Eli, but for the whole visually impaired program as it will help all. Eli’s CCTV at school is a great asset to him, it’s old though. It’s not even in color. Try coloring a map in black and white, but you are using colored pencils. Yes he’s colorblind as well, but that doesn’t mean he can’t see color.

It’ll be interesting to see what comes about. I never wanted to be too aggessive with the school system. But it’s looking like that’s the only way things will improve.

At the conference we attended earlier this summer we learnt that kindergarteners are using newer technology than he is. They are learning how to use this technology and how it benefits them. I want that for Eli. Iwant him to know whats out there and how these items can help him.

Again, I could go on FOREVER about the E-man. There truly is just always something going on with him. Raising a special needs child is so much different than raising an “average” child. (Sorry for the lack of wording there!) There is so many different issues that arise, different needs physically and emotionally. And then spreading yourself among all your children equally is so hard. I’m surviving though and will fight for all my kids…no matter their needs.

Raising Eli has given me so much more respect for my mother. I have a mental challeged brother. He has been living on his own now for over 15 years, but he was about 30 before he was able to. She still needs to watch over him and give him rides. Along withhim she raise 5 other children. And at times she was a single parent as well. My mom deserves the world!

THE POOMAN!!!!! Oh what a joy he is! I’m planning on starting our own lil school sessions with him this year. Just a little bit each day, we’ll sit down and have school. It’ll be fun! He can connect with Eli and tell Eli all about what he did in school each day.

He started speech therapy twice a month this summer. He LOVES it! His therapist comes to the house carring her bag full of fun toys. He cries everytime she leaves. He’s good at making you feel guilty for leaving him.

He actually didn’t qualify for therapy (again). Do to him being “too smart” for his age STILL. :) But, they got him in as they didn’t want him to fall farther behind in language.

He talks up a storm, nonstop, but the pronounciation just doesn’t come out. I’m sad to say he has inherited mine and my father’s speech problem. I was in speech therapy until 4th grade. I would (want) to say “car”, but it came out “cow”. How sad it was! And all the teasing I endured in my early school years breaks my heart. I am praying we are able to help PooWee enough before he enters school so he can escape the teasing and harrassment.

He is so cute though. Eli is determined to get PooWee to say “Elijah” good.

Elijah to PooWee – Say EEEEEEE

PooWee- EEEE

Elijah – Say LLLLL (long) IIIIII

PooWee- LLLIIIII

Elijah-JA(short a sound)

PooWee-JA

Elijah-say EEE LLLLIII  JA!

PooWee-AAAHHHWWWWAAAA!!! :)

He loves his Ah-Wa! He actually sings AH-WA, AH-WA, AH-WA to the tune of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star! Sneaking a “Momma in there now and then. It’s so cute!

His favorite toy(s) right now are puzzles. HE LOVES THEM. No more wooden puzzles for him though. He is mastering  24 piece puzzles and actually does fairly well on his own with a 60 piece one as well.

I”m raising a future computer geek! He is addicted to the computer and will fight with all his might to be on it whenever and for as long as he wants. Oh yes, we are learning who is in charge…and he’s not winning. :)

Since Andrew has moved out he has grown a little of an attitude towards him. He adores seeing him come to visit. Runs up to him gives him a big hug and plays with him. BUT, when Andrew leaves he refuses to give him ahug and kiss bye-bye. He’s even swung his arms to stop Andrew from getting one. Yet he loves watching Andrew leave on his motorcycle. We walk to the end of the driveway and watch him until he’s out of sight.

Andrew is so cute too. He’ll text me to let me know that he is on his way over and to make sure PooWee is there and awake. He misses his baby brother! :)

Well, time to actually work. Doctors have arrived!

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I’m Living In A Dungeon

August 6, 2009 · Filed under Blind, Elijah, Just for fun, Parenting, life, me, visually impaired

It was due time I block the sun from shining in my home. I love the sunshine and welcomed it every morning. However, poor Elijah’s eyes can not tolerate it. He’s been wearing his sunglasses in the house to prevent headaches. He shouldn’t have to deal with headaches if they can be prevented. And why should I make him wear his sunglasses in the house?

I’ve held off as long as I could. I was looking at buying a home, so why improve this one. But, honestly, I like calling my landlord up and having him fix whatever is broke. Last winter my fridge broke. One five minute phone call and three hours later I had a brand new fridge. I like that! I just don’t think I want the responsibilities. My landlord rocks, very nice and understanding guy. The girl that lives in the other apartment is great as well. So…why move?

Eli has been making his own sun blockers. Blankets were getting tossed up on the curtain rods. The rods just couldn’t take that anymore and are all bent out of shape. Not to mention how funny a dinosaur blanket looks from the outside hanging in the window.

So yesterday we ventured to the “home improvement” store and bought vertical blinds for the living room and shades for the kitchen. Me, myself and I put up the blinds. I was impressed at how easy they were. My friend, D said he would do it for me if I wanted him to. I told him if I started swearing I’d give him a call. To my surprise I didn’t have to call him. Although it would have been nice to see him. The hardest part was keeping the electric drill/screw driver away from PooWee.

I went with shades in the kitchen because there are already brackets up from some other tenant(s) in the past. So, I took full advantage of them.

The office also got a window make over. I was able to use the previous living room curtains. I folded them in half making them thicker, so they block out pretty much all the sunlight. Works well and doesn’t look bad either.

The boys’ bedroom curtain are already good, so nothing done in that room. My room allows the most sun in, but it is still quite dark. Eli can go in there without problems. So no fix needed there as well.

I’m going to miss the sun shining in my home. But it was a fix that was needed to help Eli. If I go through any withdrawals the plan is for me to goto my room and pull my curtains wide open. Eli called it my “Sunshine Time-Out”. I’m thinking I could take FULL ADVANTAGE of that! :)

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I Can Handle It!

August 1, 2009 · Filed under Blind, Elijah, Family, Just for fun, My Boys, PooWee, life, me, visually impaired

I just couldn’t handle not hearing anything from Occupaws on the Visual Companion dog for Elijah. I broke down and emailed.

I got a response within an hour. She apologized for the delay and stated that it has been difficult for the board to meet due to vacations. The board meeting is scheduled for Tues. 8-4. She did mention her concerns on PooWee’s age and my small yard, but added that the entire board would decide what was right for Elijah and the dog.

I keep having dreams that they are announcing who gets a dog. The “first” dog goes to someone else. I always know there is another dog. I’m waiting to hear who that dog is going to, but I wake up! This has happened about 6-8 times. They are different dreams, with the same “story line”. I haven’t quiet figured it out yet.

I fear I will be giving Elijah the sad news. (He did very well with the art contest turn down.)

I know the president feels I am taking on A LOT of responsibility all on my own. If it weren’t “just” me here, she may feel different. I just want to yell to her, “BRING IT ON!!! I CAN DO IT! If it benefits my child I will sacrifice myself to help him/them.” (Gee-I needed this attitude when I was pregnant with the PooMan-ah?!)

I’ve stressed over and over again to Eli the responsibility he would be taking on . He whines now about having to get up in the mornings. I’ve told him, he would have to get up even earlier to care for the dog before we left the house. He says he will. I’m sure I’ll have to be a drill sargent on somedays, but I think he wants this so badly he would do it.

Besides feeding, grooming, playing and walking, the dog also needs his obediance training daily. Perhaps I can train him/her to pick up toys and fold laundry. :)

Winter walks are my struggle. My outside adventure(s) in winter consist of walking from my car to the house or store. We would be fortunate to be able to take the dog into all public places, so heading to the mall for our daily walk is an option. (Oh, I despize the mall! I would do it though. Eli would need to be trained that we are NOT going into the game store everytime though.) I guess my life could use a change and why not start with the winter months. Heres to more walks in the winter and more layers of clothing.

Oh and PooWee would just love the dog too. He’s so cute when we do see other dogs out and about. He stops about 5 feet from the dog, squats down, looks at the owner and says “PaaAase” (Please) and does his sgning for please and gentle.

Elijah had the suggestion that we make a saddle for the dog and PooWee could just ride the dog. Hey, then there would be no worries about him running away from me.

I think the PooMan will do great. He’s your typical two year old. Wait that’s 2 1/2 already! He’s learning when and where he can venture on his own.

He does hate the shopping cart though. Oh my, this is something he hasn’t liked since he came out of his infant seat. I don’t think he’ll ever like them. I am the one in the store with the screaming kid because he doesn’t want to sit in the cart. Recently, I’ve started letting him walk. he can 1- hold my hand, 2- hold Eli’s hand, or 3 hold the cart (help push). If he lets go and wonders off, (he gets tothe count of three) he’s in the cart for the rest of the shopping trip. Which tends to end when he gets in to the cart, due to him announcing to the entire store how unhappy he is about being in there. Is there therapy for a shopping cart phobia? Shopartobia???

Let’s not forget about the doggie poo poo that would need to be cleaned up. Great thing is the dog is trained to go only when on a leash. So, they eat, you take them out, they do their thing and then you pick it up. Elijah insists he’s not “touching” it with a plastic bag. He’s all about the poopy scooper. As long as he does it. Though I’m quiet sure we won’t ALWAYS have the scooper with us. 

Food and vet bills really aren’t my worry. Heck, Andrew ate and ate and ate, I’m told the dog food is about $50/month. That’s looking good for me! I can handle the annual vet visits. Anything major, I have an awesome vet that allows me to make payments. I did well with Mooses surgery, so I’m sure they would allow me to make payments again if needed. Plus Occupaws will visit the vet and try to get a discounted rate for me seeing it is a therapy dog.

I think Elijah could use the positive encounters from friends and strangers in the stores and other places.  

Elijah can’t see his friends as he passes them in a store. He hears the voice say, “Hi Elijah”, but if he doesn’t know their voice he tends to barely lift his hand and says, “Hi” so quietly I can hardly hear him. His excuse….”Well, I don’t know who it is!” With a dog at Elijah’s side, he will encounter more and more people approaching him that (hopefully) he becomes more comfortable with talking to any “blurry blob” that says, “Hi” to him.

My positive list outways my negative list. It’s just so darn hard to wait and then to think that we may not receive one. So, my thought is….if we don’t receive one I will focus on not having to go for a walk at 8 pm in 15 below weather. (Verses no dog :(  .  )

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Always Something To DO

June 29, 2009 · Filed under Andrew, Blind, Elijah, Family, Just for fun, My Boys, PooWee, life, me, visually impaired

Busy, busy, busy….that is what we are! I can’t believe how much we have got going on. I haven’t had a chance to sit down at the computer for more than 20 minutes. I seem to check the emails and that’s it. Went to my Google Reader today, I don’t think I’ll ever catch up on the blogs. Some had 20+ posts! UGH!

So our lives have been filled with…

-rearranging the home. Andrew went to his dad’s for the summer. Plans on getting an apartment in August with some friends, so he has officially left the nest. :( Eli and PooWee are sharing Andrew’s old room. Eli’s room got changed into the computer room (aka: Eli’s office. Has his desk with all his vision goods in it as well.) I got my dressers back that Andrew used in his room. Living room got rearranged when the computer got taken out. Kitchen got emptied when Eli’s desk got taken out. Yes, every room was affected with this room change. Place looks GREAT! And after a month it’s still VERY CLEAN! This entire rearrangement took me a full week. I could have moved.

-Eli had his blind athletes camp. He had a GREAT time. While we were in Milwaukee for that we stayed two extra days. Went to the zoo and a childrens museum. SUPER TIME!!!

-Eli’s soccer season has started. He practicing twice a week. PooWee takes his ball and practices as well. He’s pretty darn good at dribbling that ball!

-Went to a vision conference in Green Bay. AWESOME! Oh, I so want to hold an IEP in the beginning of school. School SO NEEDS to start upgrading their technology and teaching our VI kids how to use this stuff.

-We had our home study done for the Visual Companion dog for Eli. Went well, but I down in the dumps since then. Our yard is small. That was a turn off for them. I am aware we need to go elsewhere for exercise. And they were concerned about me keep “order” of the dog and PooWee. I can not let go of the leash to chase a two year old. All understandable. I figure PooWee will need some training as well. I was never a big lover of those toddler harnesses, but perhaps one would work to make sure PooWee stays by us and the dog. One of the trainer also mentioned that the dog may be a good thing to keep PooWee by us. PooWee two…he holds your hand one minute and just as you loosen the grip and he finds his chance he dashes for that toy on the store shelf. I just really hope that if they feel it’s not an appropriate time for us to have a dog because of PooWee’s age, that Eli doesn’t hold a grudge towards him.

Check out these two article on the two boys that have a companion dog. Now any of you that know what terror Eli goes through with being alone and his nightmares, I’m sure would agree a dog could be his best friend!

First article and the second article.

I can’t keep my mind off this right now. I’m so stressed about their answer. I truly hope it won’t take too long before they get back to us.

Well, those are our major events. In between time we are swimming, going for walks, at the park…all the fun summer stuff.

No biking so far this year. My bike is broke and haven’t gotten around to fixing it. Plus, I worried about taking Eli out. I feel his vision has worsened. :( A visit to the eye doctor is due. Calling today.

PooWee sure wants to hop in his seat and go though. I’ve walked my bike with him in the seat a few times for him. That doesn’t completely satisfy him though.

Eli heads off on Sunday for his two week camp at the school for the blind. This year he has a cell phone to take with him, so I’m sure I’ll get a call everyday.

Then one day home and then it’s off to the Lion’s Camp for a week.  I sure do miss him when he’s gone!

Well, boys are waking up and it’s time to decide what we are going to do for the day.

Hope everyone is having the greatest summer like we are!

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We Are Still Here!

May 26, 2009 · Filed under Andrew, Elijah, Family, Just for fun, My Boys, Parenting, PooWee, life, me

There’s so much going on here. I’m ready for a day where I can stay in my jammies all and just sit and knit. Oh, I’ll be waiting awhile!

Andrew

His last day of high school is Thursday. Graduation is on Monday evening. WOW OH WOW OH WOW! My lil baby boy is NO LIL BABY BOY! I’ll be sure to post a picture of him in his cap and gown!

He’ll be packing his things up and heading to his father’s home until he turns 18 in August. Then he plans on getting an apartment with his friend. If he doesn’t go with the apartment he will stay at his father’s house. I don’t blame him for this decision. He has the entire basement. His room a rec room and his very own bathroom. Why would he move back by me where he only has his bedroom. I worry though because his father and him “clash” quite often. Their personalities are the exact same and that gets them into trouble often. Of course he’s always welcome here.

His father called today and he’s going out to get Andrew’s Graduation present from us. The two of us went in on a laptop for him. He knows that was our plans and has been whining for it for MONTHS!

I’m also knitting him an afghan as a more personal gift. He better have it for life. (I still have one that my mom made me when I was in preschool. Holes knots and all!)

Funny thing is I started this afghan 5 years ago on our way to Disney. I had full intention to give it to him for Christmas that year. Yeah-well…that didn’t happen. And yet today I am knitting like mad to get it done. I probably have a good three feet to do yet. I want it to be BIG!

Elijah

Newest news with Elijah is we are applying for a Children’s Visual Companion Dog for him. Chances of getting one we are sure are low. But, we are giving it a chance.

I believe one will also assist with his insecurity, and fear of being alone “issues”. Wouldn’t it be completely AWESOME if he could look at toys and I could  go shopping for a new bra, without him whining about being in “that” section.

Other than that, Elijah is just well…he’s Elijah! Keeping me on my toes. Trucking along with therapy. Constantly has his guitar in hand. (I just wish the amp would BREAK!) When Elijah’s home the neighborhood knows. :)

PooWee

My lil monkey! He’s doing great! He’s such a smart lil man.

Now that the weather is nice he is practicing his temper tantrum when it comes time to going in the house. He loves skateboards. Rides them on his belly. Loves to play tennis, well…try to play. His swing is getting pretty darn good!

He rebels the shopping cart. I believe he feels he should be totally unsupervised in a store and be able to do as he pleases. THANK GOD for Grandma. She will often take him so I can get my errands done.

I made the mistake of getting him a Strawberries and Cream Frappicuno at the “lovely coffee shop”! Anytime we pass it he says and does the more sign. What’s he think…money grows on trees?! :)

He’s going to be having another speech assessment soon. I’m looking forward to just seeing him get all excited about the therapists visit. He LOVED her big bag of goodies. He had a blast last time. I know it’s a good thing when he didn’t qualify, but I was disappointed too. Just because he did enjoy the visit. It was FUN! He’s trying to talk more, but it’s just not coming around. I grew up with a speech impairment. graduated from therapy when I was in fourth grade. My father had a stuttering problem. So who knows!

He’s at daddy’s right now and I so should be doing some housework. It’s not often that his dad takes him during the week. Usually it’s on the weekends when I’m at work.

Me

Trying to keep one step ahead of the laundry and dishes. Knitting til the wee hours of the night to get that darn afghan done.

Trying to keep all of Elijah’s vision stuff straight. From his CCTV battle to his IEP to the new application of the dog. (13 page application!) Then there’s his name change process. Oh and yeah, we’re still going through therapy. I’m not even going to go into details with that one.

I’ve got to get the car fixed (tire alignment) and oil change pretty darn soon. Elijah goes to his first camp June 19th. Plus, we would like to go to a Vision Conference June 15th and the 16th out of town. UGH!

PooWee, Elijah and I planted our flowers yesterday. They look lovely.

I’ll get a pic of the new hair do up soon. I like it. I actually could go even shorter and probably will next time.

Well, gotta get to that housework!

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Andrew’s Prom

April 30, 2009 · Filed under Andrew, Family, Just for fun

Andrew had his Senior Prom this past weekend. He went with his friend, ex-girlfriend Brooke. (They have been an on again off again couple and have decided to just be good friends.)

Here some pictures of my handsome son and his beautiful date.

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2009_04270005

They had a really great night. After prom a friend had a party that they attended. (That poor mother had about 30 kids at her house. UGH!) They stayed up until 6am.

Next big event is his Senior Trip and then Graduation! OMG! This is real isn’t it?!

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I did get my haircut. I will post a picture at some point. Andrew took the camera to school for his Lacrosse game tonight. I didn’t like how the girl styled it yesterday, so I didn’t snap one then.

I actually would have gone shorter than what she cut it. To me it looks a bit like a bob cut and I don’t care for that. I figure next time. I like it though.

I have come to the conclusion that short is better on me. Never thought I’d say that. :)

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I Need A Haircut

April 29, 2009 · Filed under Just for fun, me

It is time for a haircut. Actually, I’m over due for a haircut, my ends are horrible.

After cutting my dreads off :( (I kinda miss them) I had to go short. I liked it. BUT I did not like having to cut it so often. I began to grow it out. I do not the process of growing hair out. Especially the period where there is nothing you can really do with it.

So, here’s I sit ready for a cut and I am debating going short again. I’m somewhat thinking I look better with short hair. Long hair seems to make my long face look longer.

Long hair is easier in that I can just pull it back and I’m done. Short hair needs some styling.

I just don’t know what to do! So you all have to help! I am being VERY brave here and posting pics of me with short hair and long hair. What should I do?

mom-short-hair12009_042700362009_04270035

There you have it…now tell me what to do. This is just one decision I can’t seem to make on my own.

If I go short, I’m thinking of a style similar to this.

maaa

mmmI don’t plan on highlighting or coloring my hair though.

*Sorry about the short haired picture taking up so much space. I had to scan it and scanned it wrong. Then my scanner wasn’t cooperating, I tried editing….nothing was in my favor. I gave in!

ETA-Going out to lunch with my mom, step-mom, step-sister and two aunts. Afterwards…I’m just going to do it! I’m chopping the hair off! If it’s “showable” I’ll post a pic! :)

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Friends Forever

April 23, 2009 · Filed under Just for fun, life, me

Bryan responded Tuesday evening.  It was a short reply as his computer has a virus and is getting fixed, so he was at a friend’s borrowing theirs.

I lost count how many times I checked my email to see if he had responded yet. I think I have read his response atleast 50 times already. Each time practically brings me to tears.

It feels really good to be back in touch.

I wrote another friend who I’ve been also been out of touch with. It’s nice to reconnect. Letting time separate you from the ones you love is sad. I feel good.

I’ll call her K-lady on here. It a shortening of a nickname I use to call her way back in out elementary school days. I met her in 4th grade when I had changed schools. We also went to the same church. I stand by my words, “We were not the ones shooting Skittles off of the balcony during church service.” (Ok so maybe we were, but that was a long time ago!) LOL

She too went too camp each summer. Honestly, camp is one of my fondest memories from my childhood. I can almost picture the whole campground as it was back then. The lake, the cabins, the woods and Vesper point. I loved it all.

K-lady was always faithful in sending Christmas cards and birth announcements of her children. I never answered any of them back. As I told her, I wanted too, but I didn’t feel my story was all that great to tell. I know it shouldn’t have mattered. K-lady never would have judged me, as Bryan never would have.

She is married to her high school sweetheart and they have three beautiful children, two boys and a lil diva.  I know she’s an awesome mommy. She always loved kids. She was the favorite sitter on the block. I always pictured her as having a bundle of kids.

Bryan and K-lady are very special people from my past. This time…I’m not going to let them slip away!

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My Andrew is All Grown Up!

April 16, 2009 · Filed under Andrew, Just for fun, life, me

It’s really starting to hit me that my first born child is getting ready to leave the house. My Andrew is ready to begin his adventure.

As much as I hate the thought of not having him home at night, I am excited for him. I am so proud of him. Throughout growing up I told him of my many mistakes, and that he could learn from them too. He’s done very well. When I look at him lately I can’t help but think, "Man, when I was your age I was taking care of you."

I realized today that I never shared his Senior portraits with all of you. There must have been 200 that we had to choose from. It took him and I over two hours to decide. Here, are our final choices. Personally, I like the ones he is smiling in. (I paid for those teeth! He better show them off!) :)

http://www.laurajstudios.com/AndrewD/

He’s a pretty cute kid, isn’t he! His curfew got earlier after these pictures. Just kidding-LOL

I never experienced my Senior year. Andrew was born two weeks before it started and I just never ended up returning. Wow, I never really realized how busy and expensive it was.

He’s definitely broken the bank this year more than once. Whether it’s his large lunch bill, a senior trip, senior portraits, graduation cap and gown, class shirts, sports fees or just going out with friends. I had to start putting him to work for some of this extra money. My house gets pretty clean now and then. :) In two weeks is Senior Prom. $100.00 (for tux) is getting my window sills cleaned, windows washed, mop boards scrubbed and whatever else I don’t feel like doing. (Oh I am so mean!)We all know it’s not going to end at the $100.00, he’ll need more in the end.

My biggest problem with him this year is keeping on track. He just wants to be done with high school. His grades are the worst they have ever been. It’s rather disgusting how much the dropped. In fact, his butt is grounded for them. He also needs to give me study time each night. He despises that as he has never studied throughout his school years. He never saw a need, his grades were awesome without studying. And of course no one could get it through his head that 30 minutes of studying now and then could give him straight As.

I’m getting all worked up with everything he needs to do to prepare for college. He needs to do his placement testing, there’s a parent night coming, he has new student orientation, and whatever comes in the mail next week. He’s so layed back and doesn’t do anything until last minute…it’s DRIVING ME NUTS!

He was very upset with me yesterday. For months I’ve been telling him to sit down and do his taxes. I’ve taken his tax forms and taped them to the computer time and time again. “Yeah, I’ll do it later!”

Last year I ended up staying up late on the 14th with him falling asleep on the floor next to me, doing his taxes. NOT THIS YEAR!

He waited until Monday night to do them. Then he couldn’t find his forms from last year, so he could electronically file. Nor did he feel like going into the basement into his storage tote to see if they were there. He decided he would just send them in. Of course he also chose NOT to mail them. Morning of the 15th he asks me to do him a favor. "Oh NO I told him! Guess you’ll have to be late to Lacrosse practice. I’ve warned you for months. NO WAY!" Of course it was just awful that I wouldn’t do him ONE LITTLE favor. Oh I chuckle. He got over it fast when we started talking about what he all needed for prom.

He’s still planning on moving out this summer. It’s sad, but I totally understand him not wanting to hang out here anymore. I tease him and tell him he’s still going to need his mommy now and then. He’s like, "No Way!" Then I ask him when he’s out of money and needs gas, where’s he going to go? When his cupboards are empty and his belly is growling, where’s he going to go? Or how about when he doesn’t do his laundry and ends up with a huge pile, where’s he going for the free washer and dryer? He starts to laugh, cuz he knows…he’ll still need his mommy! :) And I love that feeling!

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