Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Saturday, December 22, 2007
3 More Days. . .
"I think I'm going to die." That's a direct quote from my 5 1/2 year old Bug when I told him he had to wait 3 more days to open his Christmas presents. Between the small living room, big tree and train that wraps around the tree, under the loveseat and half the living room floor, we've resorted to stacking the presents up behind the couch. It's all I could do to stop him from sorting out the mountain of gifts already. Did I mention the stack of presents is almost as big as the couch! God Bless Grandparents! And that's only gifts from one set of grandparents. The others will come actually on Christmas Day.
So I've convinced him that he's not going to die if he has to wait 3 more days. Then I stepped out of the room for maybe 5 minutes. Seriously - it wasn't that long, but Bug constructed a "house" for himself - so we know he's got his father's building genes. Here's a picture of his "house". I just pray that it doesn't topple over and break anything.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Why?
I understand that Christmas is the season of giving, but why and how does it turn into the season of just giving without thinking? It's almost becoming like a competition. I have to give so and so something and spend so much - why? Why can't people - if they want to even give a gift - find something meaningful and put some thought into the gift rather than just spend the money wastefully? Case in point, we received a food gift the other day. It's a food that neither my husband or I like. The people we received the gift know us and have never, ever seen either one of us eat this particular food or say that we like it. So why then buy it for us as a gift - just to say they sent us something and spent the money? To me and my husband, it's a waste of money. I know this may sound trite and ungrateful, but this is an ongoing battle with the people that sent us this gift - to not waste their money just to say that they bought us something or did something for us. We would rather they save their money and just spend quiet family time with us, or do something charitable with it. It's been a conversation we've had time and again with them and seems to always fall on deaf ears. So we will continue to be gracious, and tell them thank you for the gift but it's not something we really like, ask them to not waste their money on us, have it fall on deaf ears, and sit down at Christmas dinner, only to have the whole scenario repeat itself on the next gift giving occasion.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Out of the Mouthes of Babe
We were sitting around the dinner table the other night having a conversation about how nice it was that Hubby had the weekend off since he's been working so hard. Especially around this time of year, when he has work he has to take it. So he's been keeping really long hours and working most weekends lately. Bug chimed in and said "I think you should have a thousands days off because you work so hard and so we can play together." Leave it to a five year old to put things in perspective for a 36 year old.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Disrespecting a Legacy
This is a letter to the editor of the New Haven (CT) Register that I sent off last night. I wanted to share it here as well for anyone that reads my blog on a regular basis. There's a whole complicated family situation that's been playing out for years like a soap opera. When I heard about and then read last week's front page article, I couldn't help myself anymore and I felt that I had to do something.
Letter to the Editor,
The November 28th issue of the New Haven Register, featured a cover story involving a potential tenant to Dell’Oro Plaza in North Haven. When I think of the American Dream, I think of my grandfather, Dino Dell’Oro. He came from Italy as a young boy, and as an adult started his own business in 1947 with dump trucks and progressed to fuel oil in 1952. What started as a modest business, turned into a family run home heating oil business that stayed in business for almost 60 years. My grandparents worked in that business; so did my aunts and uncles. My parents worked in that business; I grew up in that business and eventually worked there through high school and college. It was sad to see the oil business end a few years ago.
Anyone that knew my grandfather and my grandmother will understand that what’s breaking my heart, and I’m sure, making my grandfather turn in his grave, is the condition of a piece of commercial property he had. He made Dell’Oro Plaza. I remember as a little girl holding onto his hand for dear life and walking gingerly across a plank to get from the parking lot to the original building for fear of falling into the foundation during construction of the “new” part of the building. The plaza consists of just about a block’s worth of property – a strip mall flanked by two houses for commercial business and 3 apartments. Driving by that property now, the majority of it is vacant. Only three tenants occupy a space built to hold eight to nine commercial businesses. One of the houses was devastated by fire years ago. It remains a burned out shell; it’s boarded up windows framed by charred wood. If that wasn’t enough, I then find out the people that own and manage the property are further disrespecting my grandfather by allowing an adult bookstore/movie house to try to move into the plaza. My grandmother quit claimed the property to three of her daughters a year or two ago. This is a matter of public record. I am sure that in her current situation my grandmother is unaware of what’s going on with the plaza. It makes me sick to my stomach that the current owners of the property would have such disrespect for their parents to allow and even want this type of business in the plaza. If it’s money they are seeking to generate – as any business person would want – then I would think they would be better served to clean up the plaza and work towards filling the spaces to their capacity. Dell’Oro Plaza today in 2007 is a ghost of what it was when it was first built, even of what it was 15 years ago.
To me Dell’Oro Plaza is more than a fixture of my childhood; it represents my grandfather’s life – his hard work and dedication – his legacy to not only his children, but his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I would rather see it torn down and remember it as it was than to see the name “Dell’Oro” associated with certain types of businesses. I hope that the people of North Haven remember my grandfather and what he stood for. I hope that they know that what is happening is not something he, or my grandmother, would condone. I hope that the Town of North Haven wins its lawsuit. I hope that my grandfather’s legacy remains something that he would be proud of.
Sincerely,Donna (Damm) Dognin, granddaughter of Dino and Velma Dell’Oro
Letter to the Editor,
The November 28th issue of the New Haven Register, featured a cover story involving a potential tenant to Dell’Oro Plaza in North Haven. When I think of the American Dream, I think of my grandfather, Dino Dell’Oro. He came from Italy as a young boy, and as an adult started his own business in 1947 with dump trucks and progressed to fuel oil in 1952. What started as a modest business, turned into a family run home heating oil business that stayed in business for almost 60 years. My grandparents worked in that business; so did my aunts and uncles. My parents worked in that business; I grew up in that business and eventually worked there through high school and college. It was sad to see the oil business end a few years ago.
Anyone that knew my grandfather and my grandmother will understand that what’s breaking my heart, and I’m sure, making my grandfather turn in his grave, is the condition of a piece of commercial property he had. He made Dell’Oro Plaza. I remember as a little girl holding onto his hand for dear life and walking gingerly across a plank to get from the parking lot to the original building for fear of falling into the foundation during construction of the “new” part of the building. The plaza consists of just about a block’s worth of property – a strip mall flanked by two houses for commercial business and 3 apartments. Driving by that property now, the majority of it is vacant. Only three tenants occupy a space built to hold eight to nine commercial businesses. One of the houses was devastated by fire years ago. It remains a burned out shell; it’s boarded up windows framed by charred wood. If that wasn’t enough, I then find out the people that own and manage the property are further disrespecting my grandfather by allowing an adult bookstore/movie house to try to move into the plaza. My grandmother quit claimed the property to three of her daughters a year or two ago. This is a matter of public record. I am sure that in her current situation my grandmother is unaware of what’s going on with the plaza. It makes me sick to my stomach that the current owners of the property would have such disrespect for their parents to allow and even want this type of business in the plaza. If it’s money they are seeking to generate – as any business person would want – then I would think they would be better served to clean up the plaza and work towards filling the spaces to their capacity. Dell’Oro Plaza today in 2007 is a ghost of what it was when it was first built, even of what it was 15 years ago.
To me Dell’Oro Plaza is more than a fixture of my childhood; it represents my grandfather’s life – his hard work and dedication – his legacy to not only his children, but his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I would rather see it torn down and remember it as it was than to see the name “Dell’Oro” associated with certain types of businesses. I hope that the people of North Haven remember my grandfather and what he stood for. I hope that they know that what is happening is not something he, or my grandmother, would condone. I hope that the Town of North Haven wins its lawsuit. I hope that my grandfather’s legacy remains something that he would be proud of.
Sincerely,Donna (Damm) Dognin, granddaughter of Dino and Velma Dell’Oro
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Thought for the Day
One of my aunts sent me this e-mail this morning. I thought it was a beautiful, inspirational story. We've all been there, or known someone there, at one point in our lives or another.
1960, I woke up one morning with six hungry babies and just 75 cents in my pocket. Their father was gone. The boys ranged from three months to seven years; their sister was two. Their Dad had never been much more than a presence they feared. Whenever they heard his tires crunch on the gravel driveway they would scramble to hide under their beds. He did manage to leave $15 a week to buy groceries.
Now that he had decided to leave, there would be no more beatings, but no food either. If there was a welfare system in effect in southern Indiana at that time, I certainly knew nothing about it. I scrubbed the kids until they looked brand new and then put on my best homemade dress, loaded them into the rusty old 51 Chevy and drove off to find a job. The seven of us went to every factory, store and restaurant in our small town. No luck. The kids stayed crammed into the car and tried to be quiet while I tried to convince whomever would listen that I was willing to learn or do anything. I had to have a job. Still no luck.
The last place we went to, just a few miles out of town, was an old Root Beer Barrel drive-in that had been converted to a truck stop. It was called the Big Wheel. An old lady named Granny owned the place and she peeked out of the window from time to time at all those kids. She needed someone on the graveyard shift, 11 at night until seven in the morning. She paid 65 cents an hour, and I could start that night. I raced home and called the teenager down the street that baby-sat for people. I bargained with her to come and sleep on my sofa for a dollar a night. She could arrive with her pajamas on and the kids would already be asleep. This seemed like a good arrangement to her, so we made a deal. That night when the little ones and I knelt to say our prayers, we all thanked God for finding Mommy a job. And so I started at the Big Wheel.
When I got home in the mornings I woke the baby-sitter up and sent her home with one dollar of my tip money--fully half of what I averaged every night. As the weeks went by, heating bills added a strain to my meager wage. The tires on the old Chevy had the consistency of penny balloons and began to leak. I had to fill them with air on the way to work and again every morning before I could go home. One bleak fall morning, I dragged myself to the car to go home and found four tires in the back seat. New tires! There was no note, no nothing, just those beautiful brand new tires. Had angels taken up residence in Indiana ? I wondered. I made a deal with the local service station. In exchange for his mounting the new tires, I would clean up his office. I remember it took me a lot longer to scrub his floor than it did for him to do the tires.
I was now working six nights instead of five and it still wasn't enough. Christmas was coming and I knew there would be no money for toys for the kids. I found a can of red paint and started repairing and painting some old toys. Then hid them in the basement so there would be something for Santa to deliver on Christmas morning. Clothes were a worry too. I was sewing patches on top of patches on the boys pants and soon they would be too far gone to repair. On Christmas Eve the usual customers were drinking coffee in the Big Wheel. These were the truckers, Les, Frank, and Jim, and a state trooper named Joe. A few musicians were hanging around after a gig at the Legion and were dropping nickels in the pinball machine. The regulars all just sat around and talked through the wee hours of the morning and then left to get home before the sun came up.
When it was time for me to go home at seven o'clock on Christmas morning, to my amazement, my old battered Chevy was filled full to the top with boxes of all shapes and sizes. I quickly opened the driver's side door, crawled inside and kneeled in the front facing the back seat. Reaching back, I pulled off the lid of the top box. Inside was whole case of little blue jeans, sizes 2-10! I looked inside another box: It was full of shirts to go with the jeans. Then I peeked inside some of the other boxes. There was candy and nuts and bananas and bags of groceries. There was an enormous ham for baking, and canned vegetables and potatoes. There was pudding and Jell-O and cookies, pie filling and flour. There was whole bag of laundry supplies and cleaning items. And there were five toy trucks and one beautiful little doll. As I drove back through empty streets as the sun slowly rose on the most amazing Christmas Day of my life, I was sobbing with gratitude. And I will never forget the joy on the faces of my little ones that precious morning. Yes, there were angels in Indiana that long-ago December. And they all hung out at the Big Wheel truck stop.... THE POWER OF PRAYER.
I believe that God only gives three answers to prayer: 1. "Yes!" 2. "Not yet." 3. "I have something better in mind." God still sits on the throne, the devil is a liar. You maybe going through a tough time right now but God is getting ready to bless you in a way that you cannot imagine. My instructions were to pick four people that I wanted God to bless, and I picked you. Please pass this to at least four people you want to be blessed and a copy back to me. This prayer is powerful, and prayer is one of the best gifts we receive. There is no cost but a lot of rewards. Let's continue to pray for one another.
Here is the prayer:.... Father, I ask You to bless my friends, relatives and email buddies reading this right now. Show them a new revelation of Your love and power. Amen.
1960, I woke up one morning with six hungry babies and just 75 cents in my pocket. Their father was gone. The boys ranged from three months to seven years; their sister was two. Their Dad had never been much more than a presence they feared. Whenever they heard his tires crunch on the gravel driveway they would scramble to hide under their beds. He did manage to leave $15 a week to buy groceries.
Now that he had decided to leave, there would be no more beatings, but no food either. If there was a welfare system in effect in southern Indiana at that time, I certainly knew nothing about it. I scrubbed the kids until they looked brand new and then put on my best homemade dress, loaded them into the rusty old 51 Chevy and drove off to find a job. The seven of us went to every factory, store and restaurant in our small town. No luck. The kids stayed crammed into the car and tried to be quiet while I tried to convince whomever would listen that I was willing to learn or do anything. I had to have a job. Still no luck.
The last place we went to, just a few miles out of town, was an old Root Beer Barrel drive-in that had been converted to a truck stop. It was called the Big Wheel. An old lady named Granny owned the place and she peeked out of the window from time to time at all those kids. She needed someone on the graveyard shift, 11 at night until seven in the morning. She paid 65 cents an hour, and I could start that night. I raced home and called the teenager down the street that baby-sat for people. I bargained with her to come and sleep on my sofa for a dollar a night. She could arrive with her pajamas on and the kids would already be asleep. This seemed like a good arrangement to her, so we made a deal. That night when the little ones and I knelt to say our prayers, we all thanked God for finding Mommy a job. And so I started at the Big Wheel.
When I got home in the mornings I woke the baby-sitter up and sent her home with one dollar of my tip money--fully half of what I averaged every night. As the weeks went by, heating bills added a strain to my meager wage. The tires on the old Chevy had the consistency of penny balloons and began to leak. I had to fill them with air on the way to work and again every morning before I could go home. One bleak fall morning, I dragged myself to the car to go home and found four tires in the back seat. New tires! There was no note, no nothing, just those beautiful brand new tires. Had angels taken up residence in Indiana ? I wondered. I made a deal with the local service station. In exchange for his mounting the new tires, I would clean up his office. I remember it took me a lot longer to scrub his floor than it did for him to do the tires.
I was now working six nights instead of five and it still wasn't enough. Christmas was coming and I knew there would be no money for toys for the kids. I found a can of red paint and started repairing and painting some old toys. Then hid them in the basement so there would be something for Santa to deliver on Christmas morning. Clothes were a worry too. I was sewing patches on top of patches on the boys pants and soon they would be too far gone to repair. On Christmas Eve the usual customers were drinking coffee in the Big Wheel. These were the truckers, Les, Frank, and Jim, and a state trooper named Joe. A few musicians were hanging around after a gig at the Legion and were dropping nickels in the pinball machine. The regulars all just sat around and talked through the wee hours of the morning and then left to get home before the sun came up.
When it was time for me to go home at seven o'clock on Christmas morning, to my amazement, my old battered Chevy was filled full to the top with boxes of all shapes and sizes. I quickly opened the driver's side door, crawled inside and kneeled in the front facing the back seat. Reaching back, I pulled off the lid of the top box. Inside was whole case of little blue jeans, sizes 2-10! I looked inside another box: It was full of shirts to go with the jeans. Then I peeked inside some of the other boxes. There was candy and nuts and bananas and bags of groceries. There was an enormous ham for baking, and canned vegetables and potatoes. There was pudding and Jell-O and cookies, pie filling and flour. There was whole bag of laundry supplies and cleaning items. And there were five toy trucks and one beautiful little doll. As I drove back through empty streets as the sun slowly rose on the most amazing Christmas Day of my life, I was sobbing with gratitude. And I will never forget the joy on the faces of my little ones that precious morning. Yes, there were angels in Indiana that long-ago December. And they all hung out at the Big Wheel truck stop.... THE POWER OF PRAYER.
I believe that God only gives three answers to prayer: 1. "Yes!" 2. "Not yet." 3. "I have something better in mind." God still sits on the throne, the devil is a liar. You maybe going through a tough time right now but God is getting ready to bless you in a way that you cannot imagine. My instructions were to pick four people that I wanted God to bless, and I picked you. Please pass this to at least four people you want to be blessed and a copy back to me. This prayer is powerful, and prayer is one of the best gifts we receive. There is no cost but a lot of rewards. Let's continue to pray for one another.
Here is the prayer:.... Father, I ask You to bless my friends, relatives and email buddies reading this right now. Show them a new revelation of Your love and power. Amen.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Down Time
Whew! Everyone's gone home; Thanksgiving dinner is over and every thing cleaned up and put away; Itty Bitty's baptism went smoothly - the left over cake stuffed into the frig with the rest of the left overs. We all slept into today until about 8:45 a.m. I can't remember the last time I slept that late. Even the kiddos stayed in bed. Itty Bitty was very worn out from having extra family at the house, then the baptism and party yesterday. She slept through the night from about 11:30 p.m. until 8:30; she didn't even really wake up during the night to nurse. When I looked at the clock this morning, I started even worrying a little bit. But as soon as she woke up enough, she ate like a champ. And has been making up for it with nursing a lot during the day today. She's still worn out - sleeping a lot, but we all are. Unfortunately, hubby worked today to make up for the days off with the holiday. But Bug, Itty Bitty and I have been bums today. I've been catching up on laundry and putting the extra table and chairs away but other than that we've been dozing off and re-energizing ourselves for another full week of school for Bug, and volunteering, working and shopping for Mommy, and being dragged along for Itty Bitty. I'm not even going to the grocery store today. Just the thought of taking both kiddos into the grocery store is making me tired. I hope everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving!
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Where did the time go?
Has it really been almost a week since I last posted? Itty Bitty has has the sniffles and it's been a busy week at Bug's school. Next week will be busy, too. Short school week but lots of activities - modified schedule on Monday; Thanksgiving Feast with the kindergarten and fourth graders on Tuesday; mini-concert and prayer service, then early dismissal on Wednesday. That's just Bug's schedule. Then we have company coming for the holiday so I cleaning to do not only in the house, but need to double check the camper since some people are staying out there. Then there's the cooking to start doing for Thanksgiving itself, not to mention making sure everyone has a nice outfit to wear for Itty Bitty's christening on Saturday. Then, of course, there's making time to do some freelance work, too.
I thought giving thanks each day for something would be easy. It's not. The truth of the matter is I'm very thankful overall. I know even on my worst days that things really aren't that bad. I'm fortunate enough to be able to stay home and care for my children, work with my husband, and do freelance work from home. We're all in relatively good health. Our parents and my siblings are in good health. This time last year we were dealing with my dad's cancer and treatment; the year before my father-in-laws. This year - knock on wood - every thing seem to be going well. We have a rough over our heads; food on the table every week. There are no debt collectors calling at all hours. My husband's business is going well; and that's a double blessing going into the holiday season not to mention the winter. I may be stressed out and not in a good mood all the time, but deep down I know things could be much worse. I'm very thankful for my life right now!
I thought giving thanks each day for something would be easy. It's not. The truth of the matter is I'm very thankful overall. I know even on my worst days that things really aren't that bad. I'm fortunate enough to be able to stay home and care for my children, work with my husband, and do freelance work from home. We're all in relatively good health. Our parents and my siblings are in good health. This time last year we were dealing with my dad's cancer and treatment; the year before my father-in-laws. This year - knock on wood - every thing seem to be going well. We have a rough over our heads; food on the table every week. There are no debt collectors calling at all hours. My husband's business is going well; and that's a double blessing going into the holiday season not to mention the winter. I may be stressed out and not in a good mood all the time, but deep down I know things could be much worse. I'm very thankful for my life right now!
Sunday, November 11, 2007
The Man in My Life
I don't talk about him much but I do have a husband. He works very hard - he has his own business. So we - Itty Bitty (our 2 month old baby girl) and Bug (our 5 1/2 year old son) - don't really get to see him much. I guess that's the sacrifice so that I can stay home with Itty Bitty and volunteer at Bug's school. The Hubby and I have had trouble re-connecting since the Little Bitty joined the family. It feels like neither one of us has had time to breath since she was born. He's been working so much both on client projects and on our own construction project. I've been trying to keep some semblance of order in the house, taking care of the kiddos and coordinating various school and social events. Unfortunately, that doesn't allow for much one on one time. And right now date nights are hard because Itty Bitty is still nursing round the clock every 3 hours or so. And although she'll take a bottle if push came to shove, that still doesn't do much for me. I mean come on- how come they can make a diaper that lasts overnight but they can't make a nursing pad that can last an extra hour or two? Any way I digress. Even though we really need a date night, I decided to take some advice posted on other blog I read and the blogger happens to be an on-line buddy, and I got Hubby something he really likes - an appointment for a massage. Now you may think - yeah that's really a guy thing! But when you work your body as hard as Hubby does doing construction it's really therapeautic to have a professional massage. (Besides I've found that when I make the appointment for him, he comes home relaxed, not as stressed, and then suggests that I go the following weekend.)
Owe 2 days of giving thanks - my new garage (thanks Hubby), with winter coming this is a blessing; garage door openers - a frivolous feature but very much appreciated especially since the garage has nine foot doors on it!
Owe 2 days of giving thanks - my new garage (thanks Hubby), with winter coming this is a blessing; garage door openers - a frivolous feature but very much appreciated especially since the garage has nine foot doors on it!
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Days 9 & 10 Giving Thanks
There are just not enough hours in one day for a busy mom! So I owe 2 days of what I'm thankful for. I'm thankful for friends. Friends that I see everyday; friends that are only on-line; and friends that I have known for 20+ years. Friends have laughed with me, cried with me. Friends have supported me and argued with me. Friends have kept me sane and been crazy with me. Thank you for my friends!
As a busy mom, I'm thankful for cell phone technology. Unlike my husband, my cell phone is not my "business" phone. But I am glad to have one. Most times it's just my safety net. You know the "just in case" something bad happens scenario. But there are times, with the running around that I just can't do everything. The cell phone allows me to keep in touch with people and multi-task with the various errands I have to do each day for my kids, myself, and my husband's business.
I just got finished snuggling with both my kids, and we watched a video. Not just any video but a video from my wedding. It's not a professionally done video. One of my husband's aunts did the filming. And after transferring it from the European format to VHS, and nine years of age, it's grainy, but it's still a beautiful reminder of a beautiful day. I endured the numerous questions from my son and inquiries into "who's that" and "I don't know that person". I love his curiosity. I hope and pray he never loses that. And I hope my daughter is just as inquisitive. It was a short video and after it ended, my son said "Oh, it's over. I was getting into it." He then rolled over and fell fast asleep. And then I looked down and my little daughter was fast asleep snuggled into my neck. God - thank you for my beautiful family and life. May I never forget moments like this.
As a busy mom, I'm thankful for cell phone technology. Unlike my husband, my cell phone is not my "business" phone. But I am glad to have one. Most times it's just my safety net. You know the "just in case" something bad happens scenario. But there are times, with the running around that I just can't do everything. The cell phone allows me to keep in touch with people and multi-task with the various errands I have to do each day for my kids, myself, and my husband's business.
I just got finished snuggling with both my kids, and we watched a video. Not just any video but a video from my wedding. It's not a professionally done video. One of my husband's aunts did the filming. And after transferring it from the European format to VHS, and nine years of age, it's grainy, but it's still a beautiful reminder of a beautiful day. I endured the numerous questions from my son and inquiries into "who's that" and "I don't know that person". I love his curiosity. I hope and pray he never loses that. And I hope my daughter is just as inquisitive. It was a short video and after it ended, my son said "Oh, it's over. I was getting into it." He then rolled over and fell fast asleep. And then I looked down and my little daughter was fast asleep snuggled into my neck. God - thank you for my beautiful family and life. May I never forget moments like this.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
My Baby Sister
Today I'm thankful for my sister, Claudia. She called me today - just to say "Hi" - she does that alot. And I probably don't tell her often enough that I do enjoy that someone calls me just to say "Hi" and not complain about something or tell me about a problem. There's something you have to know about me and Claudia - we're 15 years apart. When she was born, I was a freshman in high school. Now she's preparing to graduate from college! Our conversations are usually long, sometimes about nothing at all and sometimes about everything. We share a lot of the same views about life, love and family. And even though we're 15 years apart (please don't do the math), she has a lot of good insights and offers a fresh perspective on things. She reminds me a lot of what I was like at her age. I'm proud of her and thankful to have her as my "baby" sister.
Day Seven Giving Thanks
I did mean to post yesterday really I did. But something about working all morning, then taking 2 kids out to lunch and then shopping really did me in. I did mentally give thanks even though I didn't post it. But yesterday during our lunch/shopping adventure - my 5 year old is really making taking him any where these days an adventure! - I had the pleasure of crossing paths with some very nice people. I don't know their names but they were the men and women who took pity on me. I'm usually the type of person who says "no problem" and "I've got it; I can manage". Well, I guess right now I don't have it all that together or just look really, really tired, but these kind souls really helped me in their own little ways. The gentleman who stopped traffic so we could cross the parking lot at McDonald's; the women with their own kids in tow who kept an eye on my 5 year old while I went to the counter to order his lunch; the numerous customers and associates at Wal-Mart who told me where he was hiding every 5 minutes; and the associate who helped "talk him down" when he threw a fit because I wouldn't buy him Aqua Dots. So thank you to all the anonymous people who in their own ways perform good deeds every day.
About that Aqua Dots thing. I am so glad I didn't buy it and the associate did say something about a possible recall coming. I saw the news last night and heard about the recall. http://www.wfsb.com/family/14536526/detail.html What's up with all these toy recalls? Isn't there someone that overseas these toys and games that are imported into this country for our kids? I was thinking about getting that toy for him for Christmas, too. But no way now. What ever we end up getting the kids for Christmas, you'd better believe that I'm going to research and review toys like never before, especially now with an infant in the house again!
About that Aqua Dots thing. I am so glad I didn't buy it and the associate did say something about a possible recall coming. I saw the news last night and heard about the recall. http://www.wfsb.com/family/14536526/detail.html What's up with all these toy recalls? Isn't there someone that overseas these toys and games that are imported into this country for our kids? I was thinking about getting that toy for him for Christmas, too. But no way now. What ever we end up getting the kids for Christmas, you'd better believe that I'm going to research and review toys like never before, especially now with an infant in the house again!
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Thankful for. . .
I'm on the fence some days about doctors and the whole health care system. But I am thankful for the marvels of modern medicine. Both my father and my father-in-law are cancer survivors. My daughter was a preemie. We've had our fair share of experiences with doctors and hospitals just within the past 3 years. When I think about things that have transpired in the past - 15, 20 years ago - I'm amazed at the advances in medicine. Some of what we've been through these last couple of years probably would not have had such good outcomes 15, 20 years ago. Watching the tiniest of tiny babies in the NICU for a week while my daughter was there, I felt truly blessed and thankful for the doctors, nurses and technology available these days.
Monday, November 5, 2007
On the 5th Day of Giving Thanks
Today I want to say "thanks" to a particular worker at the post office in my town. I didn't plan things very well, and walked into the post office Saturday with 5 packages to mail, with my newborn and 5 year old in tow. My 5 year old was being his usual 5 year old self, and my newborn was wailing at the top of her lungs. I'm trying to juggle holding onto the baby in the car seat, wrangle my 5 year old from taking all the packaging materials off the display shelves, and hold onto the items that I have to mail out. We finally made it to the front of the line and all I did was put everything on the counter, even the items that weren't yet in a box, with the labels, and before I could say, "Luke, put the Mickey Mouse mailing box away" for the twelve time, the worker had everything packaged for me, labeled, and postage printing away. So "thank you" to "Joe" and the other postal workers who don't run and hide when they see me coming in with my son, baby and miscellaneous stuff in tow, but then breath of sigh of relief (I know they do) when we leave.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Bow to the Coffee Gods
I can't remember the last time I got more than 3 hours of sleep at a time. So my "thanks" for the day goes to coffee, java, café, kaffee. Pretty lame thing to be thankful for I know, but I don't know how I get through some days without it. Since having kids I've cut back dramatically. It used to be I'd drink anywhere between 3 and 4 huge mugs (not cups) a day. Now I'm down to 1 mug. I tried cutting it out completely while nursing, but the headaches and falling asleep while driving my son to school in the morning really weren't worth it. I have a whole month worth of being "deep" in giving thanks, so for today thanks goes to coffee.
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Day Three of Giving Thanks
I'm thankful for my husband. Although I may complain sometimes, and I may not always show him, I do love him and I'm thankful that he is part of my life. It's because of him that I'm able to be a WAHM. He has an extreme work ethic and provides very well for us. If it wasn't for his hard work with his business, I wouldn't be able to be home with my children. I've known Adrian for almost 12 years; we've been married for 9 years. Neither one of us is perfect (though we think we are sometimes) and we butt heads quite often, but if/when push comes to shove we would move heaven and earth for each other. The only time I've seen him somewhat speechless and even near tears was during the births of our children, and even more so with our daugther who was 6 weeks early and needed to be in the NICU for a week after her birth. Both deliveries were c-sections, and both times he was there with me stroking my hair and keeping me calm during the surgery. Both times he went with the nurses and counted all the fingers and toes. And then both times he showed up in my recovery room with food for himself, even though I needed to wait to eat solid food. As much as he does things that can irritate me, I know I do just as many to irritate him. I don't like to think of my life without him in it, and I hope I won't have to for a very, very long time.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Out of the Mouthes of Babe
Day Two of giving thanks. I'm thankful for my children. And here's why. Last night during dinner, I was talking to my 5 year old son, Luke, how his day was at school. He goes to a Catholic school so we were talking about his religion class. In particular we were going over the prayers he's learned so far. He's learned how to say grace before a meal, the Our Father, and in his own words, the "Harry Mail". I asked "Did you mean Hail Mary?" He said, "Yeah, the Harry Mail." At which point, the water I was drinking came out of my nose and I started having a coughing fit.
So even though I basically have to rant and rave to get to go to the bathroom alone, I do love and am very thankful for my kids because, well, they keep life interesting and entertaining!
So even though I basically have to rant and rave to get to go to the bathroom alone, I do love and am very thankful for my kids because, well, they keep life interesting and entertaining!
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Giving Thanks Challenge
It's November 1st. The summer like weather is definitely over. Time to start thinking about the holidays. I love this time of year. Family, friends, food, laughter - good times; good memories. I've even started seeing Christmas ads on tv; and I thought my son was going to bust with excitment when the Toys 'R Us toy book came in the newspaper last weekend. But before Christmas, comes Thanksgiving. I think it some times gets overlooked. In an effort on my part to not overlook it, I'm going to challenge myself to remember each day something that I am thankful for.
I don't subscribe to many magazines - two to be exact. Both of them this month had articles regarding "giving thanks". So I figure if I can give thanks for something every day this month, then maybe if I'm having a rough day it will make it a little easier; a rant will turn into something truly positive; a frown turned upside down - that type of thing.
So since today is November 1st - All Saints Day in the Roman Catholic church. A day when we remember the deceased. I am thankful for my grandparents. Though most of them have past now, I have wonderful memories from my childhood of spending time and vacations with them. And I know that they are in heaven watching over me and my family now.
I don't subscribe to many magazines - two to be exact. Both of them this month had articles regarding "giving thanks". So I figure if I can give thanks for something every day this month, then maybe if I'm having a rough day it will make it a little easier; a rant will turn into something truly positive; a frown turned upside down - that type of thing.
So since today is November 1st - All Saints Day in the Roman Catholic church. A day when we remember the deceased. I am thankful for my grandparents. Though most of them have past now, I have wonderful memories from my childhood of spending time and vacations with them. And I know that they are in heaven watching over me and my family now.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
I'm Amazed
Okay - so I've got a premature newborn at home and the pediatrician keeps on me about getting everyone in the house to have the flu shot this year so that she's a little bit more protected from infant RDS. They've been on me since she was born in August. So where's the vaccine? Every time I called the peds office and my own doctor's office, I keep getting told it's coming, it's coming. It's been coming for a month. It's worse than "the check's in the mail." And who decides which category of the public take precedence over another - why do they make sure the 65+ older group get the vaccine first? I'm prone to asthma when I get really sick, and have a premature newborn in the house. What's make's an older person's health more important than mine or my child's? (No offense to anyone over 65.) I'm also tired of being told that if the doctor's office runs out they have lots of other clinics they can refer me to. Well, last year, the doc's office kept me hanging so long before they told me that they were out and weren't getting anymore that I missed all the clinics. And besides, why should I have the additional hastle of having to submit the claim to my insurance company, when the insurance would pay for it directly if I received it in the doctor's office? I really do believe in the vaccine. When I used to work for a (gulp) health insurance company we got the shot for free, and I never really got more than a cold during the winter. That was 3 years ago. Now I have to plan way ahead of time and basically harrass the doctor's office, and if I don't get it, I usually end up sick for weeks on end. I'm just amazed that our health care system can't get it together enough year after year!
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Too Much To Do
I've been feeling a bit overwhelmed lately. Some people think it's so easy being a WAHM - you can do laundry while you're working, do things with your kids when you want, not worry about dressing up, or even getting dressed if you don't want to. I don't know about other WAHMs but some days I miss the routine of dropping the kids off at daycare and going to a traditional job. At least I got to "leave" or "forget" about things for a while. I didn't have to stare at the laundry piling up because I'm trying to catch up and not miss deadlines for work. Or obsess about the dirt trail every time someone walks into house because we're doing construction. Or, God help me - and please no one take this the wrong way - get a break from a baby who has cholic and reflux, and just never seems to be content, even in her sleep she fusses most of the time. I love my kids - I can't imagine my world without them. But I just want a break every now and then. It's not easy being home. Between the baby and work the only time I really get out of the house is the drive to and from school for my son. And there's always someone crying, or asking me for help with homework, or asking me when dinner's going to be ready, or double checking me that I paid all the bills that need to be paid, or telling me that the baby's crying and I need to take care of her.
I know I'm just overtired and venting. I'm truly not on the verge of doing anything drastic. I think tomorrow weather permitting I'll bundle the baby up and we'll go over to the park for a walk. If not the park, maybe we'll just go to the mall and walk around, window shop, exchange a few outfits that she got - just something to get out of this house, and away from the usual routine, just a break.
I know I'm just overtired and venting. I'm truly not on the verge of doing anything drastic. I think tomorrow weather permitting I'll bundle the baby up and we'll go over to the park for a walk. If not the park, maybe we'll just go to the mall and walk around, window shop, exchange a few outfits that she got - just something to get out of this house, and away from the usual routine, just a break.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Thoughts on Freelancing/Working from Home
Let me just get it right out in the open. The biggest hurdle I've found to being self-employed/working from home is that people in general think that just because you're home you're not working. Not true my friends! In fact, it's the exact opposite. Between working with Adrian, doing freelance work, managing my Avon business and normal, taking care of a newborn and a 5 year old, and just everyday work with the family and house, I don't remember ever being so busy. I may go to bed at 9:00 p.m. , but I don't fall fast asleep. I take a "nap" until 12:00 for a feeding. Then another nap until 3:00, and then if I'm lucky another one until 6:00 or so. Then my day begins.
The difference now is I choose how much I want to work, when I want to work, etc. So if I want to chaperone a preschool field trip, or have a sick child, or want to go visit family, I don't feel as guilty as I did when I worked a traditional job. I know I have to answer ultimately to people I have contracts with but I have more freedom and flexibility to work as I want to work. I decide when I work and how much I want/need to work. It's working out for me and my family and I'm loving it!
The difference now is I choose how much I want to work, when I want to work, etc. So if I want to chaperone a preschool field trip, or have a sick child, or want to go visit family, I don't feel as guilty as I did when I worked a traditional job. I know I have to answer ultimately to people I have contracts with but I have more freedom and flexibility to work as I want to work. I decide when I work and how much I want/need to work. It's working out for me and my family and I'm loving it!
Thursday, October 18, 2007
New to This
Okay - so I've gotten addicted to reading one blog in particular. So much so that it's inspired me to write my own. I don't know how entertaining this will be for anyone else, but I'm doing it more as an outlet for me. If you find it humorous or insightful, that's great. If you agree with my opinions, that's great; if not, that's fine, too.
Every mom has been there at one time or another. Picture this. . . it's 6 o'clock. You're trying to get dinner on the table. Your 5 year old is crying that he's hungry; your newborn is crying to nurse. The phone is ringing. You haven't been able to find time to even pee all day. And then a full glass of milk ends up on the floor, that you just cleaned earlier that day. Mount St. Mom is about to errupt. But instead of screaming at the top of your lungs, or grabbing your purse and running from the house screaming, or breaking all your Pyrex dishes, you need to step outside yourself. It's like a scene from your favorite family sitcom on TV. But it's really your life. It's not perfect. Chaos seems to run rampit from time to time, or all the time. So what's a mom to do? The best she can. You turn the burners a little lower, pick up the newborn to calm her crying, grab a handful of papertowels and help your 5 year old clean up the milk. Then you grab a handful of goldfish crackers for him to munch on while you finish up dinner, all the while doing the mommy bounce to keep the newborn from going horse. You then plate up the older child's dinner, give him a new glass of milk and sit down with him at the dinner table to nurse your infant while he eats dinner. When do you get to eat, hopefully at some point after both the kids are fed and content (are they ever really?). And where's darling hubby during all this - dealing with his own trials and tribulations of owning his own business and working 60+ hours a week - all so you can stay at home with the newborn and not have to put her in daycare. So what are parents to do? They best they can. At the end of the day, if there are no broken bones, tummies are full, faces are clean, it's been a good day. You've done the best you can - that's all anyone can ask.
Every mom has been there at one time or another. Picture this. . . it's 6 o'clock. You're trying to get dinner on the table. Your 5 year old is crying that he's hungry; your newborn is crying to nurse. The phone is ringing. You haven't been able to find time to even pee all day. And then a full glass of milk ends up on the floor, that you just cleaned earlier that day. Mount St. Mom is about to errupt. But instead of screaming at the top of your lungs, or grabbing your purse and running from the house screaming, or breaking all your Pyrex dishes, you need to step outside yourself. It's like a scene from your favorite family sitcom on TV. But it's really your life. It's not perfect. Chaos seems to run rampit from time to time, or all the time. So what's a mom to do? The best she can. You turn the burners a little lower, pick up the newborn to calm her crying, grab a handful of papertowels and help your 5 year old clean up the milk. Then you grab a handful of goldfish crackers for him to munch on while you finish up dinner, all the while doing the mommy bounce to keep the newborn from going horse. You then plate up the older child's dinner, give him a new glass of milk and sit down with him at the dinner table to nurse your infant while he eats dinner. When do you get to eat, hopefully at some point after both the kids are fed and content (are they ever really?). And where's darling hubby during all this - dealing with his own trials and tribulations of owning his own business and working 60+ hours a week - all so you can stay at home with the newborn and not have to put her in daycare. So what are parents to do? They best they can. At the end of the day, if there are no broken bones, tummies are full, faces are clean, it's been a good day. You've done the best you can - that's all anyone can ask.
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