THEN and NOW!

THEN I had the perfect job...it was only one year ago today that I left the best job I had ever had! A year ago I started my day with a cup of coffee from the DONs office. I turned on my computer to the scheduler and checked what I needed to accomplish today. I checked the Activity Calendar and changed the dates on the board. Then I went to the official start of the day, the "stand up" meeting. After the stand-up, there would be some sort of other meeting. Perhaps a Care Plan, or a fall review or fall prevention committee, or a meeting for Quality Assurance, with doctors and the pharmacist, and all other department heads. Perhaps it would be the day to network with the other Activity Directors in the area, at 7:30 in the morning. Maybe today was a day to take the Residents to the mall, or a restaurant, or WalMart. Or maybe I was to decorate the room for an "indoor picnic"...(a themed lunch with outside food).

I probably did some one-to-one visits with Residents either reluctant or unable to attend group events. I most assuredly communicated with my staff my expectations of the day. Of course, in a health care center, "expectations" need to be kept flexible! Especially on the Alzheimer's unit...rarely did I come off that unit without a chuckle or two. Not that Alzheimer's is funny by any means...but reminiscing in a childlike manner can make the day memorable. As sad as this disease is, the fact that its victims seem to enjoy the simple things in life and accept everyone and most situations, does make dealing with it easier.

A year ago I took a potty break when I needed to. I took my lunch when I wanted to, for the most part. I used the phone uninterrupted. I wore nice clothing to work. I wore jewelry and make-up too. I took a walk around the property in quiet if I needed to think or meditate or pray. Or if I just needed exercise.I prepared reports on depression, quality of life issues, macular degeneration, Alzheimer's research, etc. I planned events for all occasions and made up a few when life seemed mundane. I talked to adults all day. Some of their stories sounded more like children, but they were adults...that was THEN...and I miss it sometimes.

NOW I have the best job in the world! I start my day with a smile from Baby Girl...sometimes an impish one, sometimes a broad one, but always a smile. Then comes Dora the Explorer, sippy cups, and diaper changes. And Breakfast messes, CF treatments, chasing half-naked toddlers with clean clothes in my hand and hunting for sleepyheads under pillows and blankets. We have school all planned...reading, math, science, social studies, crafts, Bible lessons, and organized PE...sometimes we add music and outings! I cannot believe an entire year has gone by...and I rarely took a potty break when I needed to...(NOW my bladder is even stronger!) I rarely ate MY lunch when I wanted to (but kids food is so tasty!) I NEVER talked on the phone uninterrupted! I wear old scrubs and shorts to work. I DO NOT wear jewelry...(Baby Girl wants to try it all on!...and her method of removing the items from my body to hers leaves much pain...) And I hardly ever wear make-up (I sweat too much!) I NEVER take a walk by myself around the property! (I really do not need the exercise any more! Try chasing 3 kids up and down stairs all day long!) I save my thinking and meditating for evenings and early AMs...and I pray constantly! "Lord, keep these kids safe from their own adventuresome antics, keep them from destroying the house and breaking something of value (like their arm or neck!) Help them to listen and learn...to obey, to read, to write, to be good people. Help me teach them what they need to know. Teach me how to handle the childish wiles, words, and wackiness they think up every day. And give me love and patience...as soon as possible, Lord. And just one more ting...keep me sane! AMEN!"

Yes, I miss back THEN, the "good old days". I miss the interaction of adults and the stimulation of the "professionals". But NOW I do not have to worry that the Quality Assurance lunch meeting with the doctors will end up with me spilling food all over myself, or being unable to give an intelligent answer to a doctor's inquiry of my report...the one that I had to read aloud to all present. Funny, how my own typing suddenly blurs in front of a group of professionals.

NOW, I am assured that I WILL have someone's lunch on me, usually Baby Girl's. But I also WILL know the answer to any inquiry little inquiring minds want to know...or at least where to hunt for the answer. I am the teacher, after all!

NOW I have the special privilege of hearing incredible stories of dreams and fantasies, of conversations full of questions and wonder, and the awesome opportunity to pour my wisdom and experience into lives yet untainted by fear and disillusionment of the realities of life. Instead of dealing with topics like depression and eye problems, I research what happens to bubbles when they disappear, and why frogs can jump so far, and I visit firemen and police officers in person...and frequent the library and craft stores.

Yes, THEN I HAD the best job I had ever had... but NOW I HAVE the BEST job EVER, for it affects the future of America. And I wouldn't trade NOW for THEN even if I could! Hooray for Handsome, Hunky, Baby Girl, and TDH and Jomo too...and little Mr. Boo who I saw tonight on skpe! Kisses and hugs to all! Hooray for being a grananny! or grannypro!

I Wish I Could Make CF Go Away!

Handsome is coughing a lot again. He really does try to focus in school more than it appears at times. Between additional treatments and extra meds right now, it is a marvel that he is capable of the kind of focus he has. And yet, some times I wonder just how much he is "getting." Sometimes he remembers things from the lesson that I did not emphasize. Other times it seems he has difficulty remembering the basics. He is very intelligent and capable. He can build just about anything and figure how most things work. He just doesn't like writing his numbers or words. He likes learning new words, just not writing or spelling them. Reading could be left to others too, if he had a choice. But he thrives on science experiments and adventures. Unfortunately, this new medication means he cannot be exposed to sunlight much at all. He loves being outdoors. He can even tolerate heat that most Arizonans would shun. But not right now. He must be careful. So, we focus more on the fun side of learning to read better. This new program is the best I have seen. We recently purchased the lower level for Hunky, and as a review for Handsome. It has a plan to help the children not get their letter reversed as in "b" and "d", etc. Handsome still sometimes makes those errors. So, by helping Hunky learn the alphabet and letters, he is, in fact, reviewing and retaining himself. This program has a unique way of explaining all that the letters do and say. Very creative! It uses videos, books, games, and activities which really make learning fun.

Both boys are counting to 100 daily, but still need help. When Handsome can remember all the numbers without help, we are going to a movie! That should be next week, I think!

We did go on a ten minute nature walk yesterday as part of his Apoligia Science study. We found about one-third of the scavenger hunt items the book had suggested. We will search for the others when it is cooler and he is off this medication. It is only temporary!

So, we are laying aside the "flying creatures" studies for a few weeks and going with a hands-on physcial science, studying light and magnets. Then we will pick up on the birds and bats in time for fall. If I can kkeep up MY energy to prepare all of the creative and fun ideas from these teaching books, and fill in with some of my own as well, we should have a great autumn and winter! I tried to plan further ahead than that, but I got a little overwhelmed. First of all, all of the programs we bought tell you to teach at the students own pace, challenging, but not boring them. Yet, there are certain subject amounts to cover within the school year as well. I am not concerned at all about science and only a little about math. And with this reading program, I have little concern over the reading...in the end of things. Handsome has spurts of cooperation and spurts of resistance. I don't know for sure, but I do think the treatments affect his attitude somewhat.

Well, we have gone fishing for vowels, had a vowel stomp, learned about scared and brave vowels sounds and counted to 100 by ones, twos, fives, and tens, so many times this week already, that I am getting exhausted! Just kidding!

Now the boys want to bake something...I guess that is a good indoor activity...they would rather be outside! Oh, for a cure for CF!

TGIS

I know, it is supposed to be TGIF for Thank God It's Friday....but today is Saturday...and I am thankful to God for that! TGIS could also stand for "Thank God I'm Sane!"...at least the last time I checked!

Homeschooling Handsome is a lot of fun and rewarding. But it has its challenges as well. There is a lot more preparation this year than last. I think some of that has to do with the curriculum we chose. Now that I know Handsome's learning style and how to keep him connected and focused, we are truly having fun and learning. But in order to keep both of us from boredom, we have an active/passive/active type of schedule. And we need some surprises here and there. And that is partly where the "Thank God I'm sane" comes in.

We did manage to make it to the police station yesterday for a tour. We got to see all of the vehicles the police use: bicycles, motorcylces, cars, SUVs, pickups, and unmarked cars with special features. The big city police, and the Sherrif also have horses, but not in our area. We got to see their work-out room, their training and briefing room, and their break room. We also saw the in-take room for juveniles, and the evidence holding room. Hunky was full of questions. Even Baby Girl kept saying "Whatsthat?" She, of course, was referring more to lights and noises, but hey, it all fit in. We saw ourselves on surveilance cameras and Hunky identified most of the cameras throughout the facility, once shown what they are. They were all given a neat lunch bags,filled with cool stuff like bubbles, puzzle blocks, badges, and a first aid kit with sunscreen and bandaids. We had a good time.

Today we are having breakfast with my husband's sister, her hubby, her daughter and baby, her son and wife and two babies...but they eat much later than we do and so I am snacking on a hard-boiled egg and coffee. The daughter lives here and lost her husband in the Iraqi war. Their son was less than one when it happened. He is like a year and a half or so now. He is cute. It will be nice to see them all again. We do get to visit with the daughter and baby more now that she lives here. Everyone else lives in California.

Well, another point of being thankful for sanity is that I still have to finish getting the house back to normal from that party two weeks ago. Last weekend was Hunky's birthday and we spent Saturday doing business needs, and shopping, and Sunday at Hunky's party after church. So, here we are once again...another weekend...with people and places to go...The luau leis are still in a basket on the buffet, along with the bag of cards and a couple of centerpieces. Oh well, last week the tables were lined up there also...I guess I am making progress!

Have a great weekend to all who read this, and keep smiling...people might think you know something they don't!

A Big Hunt

Today we went on a BIG hunt! Handsome's reading curriculum suggested looking for vowels in newspapers, magazines, etc. But I could NOT resist the BIG magnifying glass I found at the dollar store! So, it has now become our "letter finder". We spent almost a half an hour searching the house for vowels. Handsome found lots and lots of them and concluded (as planned) that ALL words must have vowels in them! I assisted in the hunt, wearing gigantic sunglasses which often obscured the vowels. Handsome had to correct my "vision" and assure me what were A's and O's, etc. He thought he was having a great time helping his teacher get the right "find". Of course, teacher blamed the glasses and resorted to wearing them on the tip of her nose. All of this was planned, of course, but Handsome did not catch on! And lest anyone should be appauled that I deviated from the curriculum, let me assure you that: 1.I met the objective of the lesson, 2. Handsome looked in more books for vowels than he would have the other way! , and 3. We will still do the magazine exercise. But, instead of his just pointing them out or circling them, we are going to "stamp" the words with more than one vowel with his special stamp...makes for a more colorful activity, and page! (We actually already did a vowel hunt with ads!)

This week we are learning about police officers. Last week was fire personel. We visited a fire station, and got to sit in the truck and have a "real" alarm go off. The boys and Baby Girl all got fire hats and color books. We also saw their weight room and kitchen and bedrooms, etc. We had a family meeting to discuss fire escape routes and fire safety issues. We are finding that learning is fun! We hope to go see a police station this week and then a post office.

Our science is teaching us about winged creatures, flight, drag, airfoil, etc. Even I am learning things long forgotten, or perhaps, shhhh...maybe NEVER known! So far, we have had two experiements: one with two straws and a cup of water to demonstrate air pressure! And one with two gliders we made with straws and cardboard, tape, and clay, to demonstrate wing-span and lift. Now we are learning about habitats.

Every day we count to 100-by ones, twos, fives, and tens. I try to make it more fun by having them jump up or raise their arms or make a noise, etc. when we get to certain numbers (or number family). Sometimes we count pennies, or chocolate chips, or straws, or jumps on the trampoline...other days we just count! I figure Hunky, who just turned four yesterday, will pick up some of this and be ahead for Kindergarten. He likes to count. Handsome is doing simple addition, even when he doesn't realize it. He informed Hunky that when Hunky is six, he will be nine. We talked about how he figured that out and that is what addition is all about. He was rather impressed with himself. Our current math program is much better than the one we used last year and we are having to do some catch up...but Handsome excels in math, so that is no problem. I use Hunky as the excuse to review, when I feel a need for such.

Hunky wants to know when we can bake cookies. I told him "soon". I will use it as some incentive for study and work counting chocolate chips into the fun.

Oh yes! We are working on character building as well. I obtained some material from a public school teacher on this subject, as well as some biblical curriculum. This week it is on Obeying. That fits in well to our study of the police, as well. We can talk about obeying laws and safety right along with obeying your parents and teachers, etc. Next week is about doing the right thing...

We are trying to find a sport that Handsome can handle with his CF. After the Olympics and a day at grandma's, I wonder about gymnastics...(see picture)

Well, I have rambled on and on and now am being told Handsome is hungry. It is time for snacks, so I shall go do the right thing and prepare some! Yum! Yum!

Oh yes, Baby Girl's promised "time out" picture! No one told her to put her nose in the corner! Looks like she is kissing the wall! She is so cute! (picture)

A Party,a parting, and a quandry

I think I shall start with the quandry. Every day I pass by a piece of land that apparently is considered somewhat prime property. Today, a farmer was baling hay on it. It smelled of freshly mown hay and the bales gave the feeling of a peaceful countryside. However, only months ago, it hailed a lovely brick home with a pool. That home was torn down. Soon after, a sign went up that stated it would soon become a community park. The same sign was erected on the side street. (It is a corner property). However, shortly after that sign appeared, another sign stated it is soon to be a shopping center. Both signs are still there...on both streets. I do not know if there is a zoning issue, or if the community is at odds or if there is room for both the shopping center and the park.

Personally, I wish it could remain a hayfield. The mixture of country and suburbia is one of the attractions of the area. Besides, I cannot imagine why the area would need another shopping center. True, there are no grocers within walking distance of the housing properties, but it is only a short drive (like less than a mile) to grocery stores, restaraunts, and lots of other shops. As far as the park...well, the newer housing developments in the area sport their own parks. The older homes communities may or may not really use it. More than likely, it would attract youth looking for something to do. And that could be a good thing...or not. It would most likely also attract some homeless people, perhaps giving them some shade. They already use the property on the side where the house used to be. I've seen some local truckers use it for a lunch break as well...or a place to hide out...whatever...maybe this is good...maybe not.

I wondered if the farmer who had lived there lost the property or the home, due to business decline, or to "imminent domain", or if he sold it to save his future. Or maybe he passed on into Eternity. Someone continues to farm it while the investors and community decide what it is to become.

In the meantime, I wonder, and I celebrate that my husband has good friends who shared in our luau party yesterday. I have included a picture of his cake and him...you make the connection...and a few candid shots...

As for the parting, well, we are changing our place of worship after more than ten years. It is not easy. It was not an easy decision, but one we both felt very needful in our lives at this time. It would have been easier if there were things we were disillusioned about at the church, or if we were upset about specific things. But that is not the case. The truth is we feel like we are to do this for a season, as a new thing in our lives. It was a sad parting, but an exciting beginning...

Yes, there are changes in our lives once again. We are getting older, we are trying new adventures, and we are wondering if there will be any hayfields left in the near future!

Another day and its challenges!

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Well, I had hoped to start today on a funny note. I am having an Hawaiian-themed party for my husband's birthday on Sunday afternoon. His birthday is actually next Wednesday, but Sunday worked better for a party. The funny thing for today is that I found a really funny candle for his cake. It is of a frumpy overweight man in an Hawaiian shirt and shorts looking like a beach comber. I couldn't resist although it cost more than the average cake candle. I shall add the number 55 with number candles as well. I plan to make the cake look like a beach and island...hopefully it will come out cute.

On a not-so-funny note, my husband did not make it to work in his car this AM. The good news is that it was not because of an accident. It sort of blew up. It is officially beyond repair now and not worth the trouble. But we are maxed out on our budget and have no room for a car payment. This is quite a dilemna! But we will find a way. We always do. I have been given 3 cars in my life and 2 of them were really pretty good cars. But we do not expect a free car to come into the horizon. However, we would not turn one down if it did!

The rain left LOTS of puddles and imitation "lakes". Before 8:30 AM today, I find Handsome and Jomo missing in action. Upon investigation, I discover that they are in the back yard "fishing" in the "lake". They managed to get Jomo's shoes soaked and retrieve a golf ball from the puddle. Handsome was barefooted and in his jammies with the blue golf ball in his hand. What a day this should be!

Baby Girl is in her "princess" mode, expecting everyone to cater to her desires. She puts on such a smile and cute antics that it is difficult not to respond to her wiles. I confess, I do a lot of the time. But, she is learning that she is not quite the Queen Bee just yet...although that is probably not far off!

I shall download a picture of her first "time out" a bit later. It is still in my camera. I hope you enjoy the pictures I post. I really wouldn't mind some comments back...get the hint?

Mr. Boo and Me too!

I have been corrected! I have found out that little Elijah, whom I dubbed Big Boy, DOES have a nickname from mom and dad. HE is Mr. Boo! And since he responds to that name, I shall not be detering from it. I saw Mr. Boo on Skypes the other night. He was crawling and pulling himself up and under a chair. He was grabbing at the computer screen and microphone because he could hear me but not see me. I do have a microphone on my computer, but not a webcam yet. I look forward to the day when I shall have one, but even more to the day when we can visit Mr. Boo in person. They recently moved from San Diego to another beach town so Mr Boo's daddy can be a doctor and work at a hospital and make people all better! So, Grandpa Steve and I are planning a trip soon to see Mr. Boo. Mommy and Daddy will be there too, I think, but as long as Mr. Boo is there, we will be fine!

As for things here in AZ---the kids continue to be challenged by the heat and humidity, having to stay inside a lot. Today we did venture onto the patio and set up a little pool to splash around in. I got rather soaked just sitting on the sideline watching. But in this weather, one does not stay soaked long. We had what I called a school-prep week. We did some remedial, refreshers, and readiness skills tests and paperwork. So far, both boys are doing well. It is helping to get them back on a more structured schedule. Hunky is adament that he is in school now since I told him he was starting Pre-K. He actually is ahead of the subject books in his colors and shapes, and on target with letters and numbers. He still needs to work on his critical thinking areas. Handsome has to work on his math only because the program we choose this year is different from the one last year and apparently, that particular program went a bit further in the kindergarten curriculum than the one we used did. Oh well. Handsome is good at math! He likes it.

I wish I could entertain you and myself with funny stories of the week, but honestly, after that bout in the hospital, I can't think of any! Not that there haven't been moments this week of laughter and hysterical comments, but I do not recall so well right now. For one thing, it is pouring down rain with lightning and thunder and we are still watching the kids at 9:00 PM. I am just tired and confused right now. Perhaps I will write tomorrow with a better mind...

PS--the picture is of Mr. Boo and me, too! It is at Mr. Boo's daddy's graduation from medical school...now he is "Dr. Daddy"!

The Day the War Began...

That would be Wednesday! We had the troops over the weekend, from Sunday afternoon to Wednesday night. We spent Monday and Tuesday nights at their house. Soooo, I wake up Wednesday morning to ants! Someway, somehow, those pesky little vermits got into the house! (I suspect they may have some sort of alliance with the flies!) Anyway, over concern that the children would get germs from any poison I laid down, I tried drowning them with Lysol. Well, it at least made them very very drunk. But as they lay in their stupor, I swept them up and dumped them OUTSIDE, far away from the doorway. I had to repeat this several times. I finally vacuumed the remaining ones into the land of dustville. I am quite sure I sufficiently suffocated them!

The next declaration of war went towards the "hoppers", more scientifically called "crickets". Even though I have great admiration for the accomplishments of Jiminy, I do not want to entertain his entire relatives in the house! They, however, did not seem to have the same pension towards drunkeness, so I had no choice but to call a "stampede". I think most of them got the point...or the heel, as it may be...

The third war tactic was aimed at the Clutter room~aka the playroom or classroom. We use the hallway with a built-in cabinet and desk for the official classroom, but this room doubles as classroom and playroom. Therefore, it had succumbed to the summer time blues. I packed up at least 4 boxes of rarely used toys and sent them packing to the garage. Then I labeled each and every bin and grouped them. This way, I figured, the boys could learn to read and identify letters and colors of the bins and even associate them with the toys. For example, all the kitchen and play food items are in "green" bins, since food is grown. All the cars and "things that go" are in red bins, since they are "charged" with power! ETC. I also labeled the crates larger items as to where they should be located in the room. I cleaned the school supply closet and labeled all of the boxes and bins in there as well. We are one organized household! And the kids responded well over Thursday and Friday, actually looking at the labels to find where the items went. They earned all of their stickers both days!

Friday the war continued...but not with the boys or the ants or hoppers or clutter! My body decided to be a rebel. I started experiencing chest pains and weakness in my left arm. Well, you all know the warnings about such things. I eventually ended up in the ER compliments of my daughter. And I spent all evening there and most of today..well, up in a room in the hospital. The hospital is new...less than two years old and very nice...except for the food...yuck! Tbey withheld it from me for a long while due to tests and "precautions". I couldn't believe, when I actually got some, that I had begged for this...stuff...The very first thing I did upon arriving home was EAT! Well, all is well that ends well...

I believe I won the war on the ants and crickets. It appears that the playroom is fairing very nicely. I won the war with the doctors who wanted to keep me and keep doing tests, even though they had already concluded it most likely, almost for sure, was NOT my heart. They did, however, make me promise to get one more test as an out-patient and return to the cardiologist next week. They also concluded that it may all be related to both my gastrical issues and GERD...however, they did not offer any antacid until late today. Geesh!

But, life goes on...the stay at the hospiital cost me my writer's group meeting and a breakfast meeting with friends we had planned. I guess I lost that battle! Speaking of battles, the ONLY doc (NP actually) who had the nerve to address the battle of the bulge was a female...about my age...who knows how to shoot from the hip, so to speak.

Thankfully, this week's wars are over and I remain victorious!