Today didn't get much better. I really didn't want to get up this morning and Nicole didn't make me want to do anything other than curl up in my blankets and continue sleeping.
I have to say that we have had so much rain I better not hear anything about Maryland being in a drought again for a very long time. According to WJZ, Annapolis had 6 inches of rain drop by 2pm this afternoon. I was surprised that it seemed like a wind storm had also come through, there were a lot of branches down and lots of broken limbs on all of the roads coming home.
I got a phone call from the school at around 9am. In the middle of one of the heaviest rain falls I get a call that MAC has been throwing up. Apparently she got on the transfer bus and threw up and then threw up a few more times at school. The nurse called and asked that we come pick her up right away.
When I called Hubby I had him on one line and the school on the other. My office is in a dead zone so I had to hang up on him and finish talking to the school. After I hung up with the school I tried to call Hubby back but he didn't pick up again.
I called the "talk" therapist’s office and cancelled the appointment for today, I scheduled the next appointment with the "talk" therapist, I called the church to tell them about Grandma, I called my RenFest boss and let him know what was going on, and I did some actual work today. I didn't go to band practice at work today or PoP Music tonight, I just didn't have the energy. I am hoping that I will start feeling more like myself tomorrow.
MAC took the news of Great Nana's death better than I expected. She was sad but continued to get herself ready for school. She did ask if there was going to be a funeral and said that she would like to talk to the "talk" therapist about her sad feelings. She was very quiet in the car and didn't want to play our usual hangman game but she did say she loved me as she left the car this morning.
I know I don't say it often enough but a death always makes me want to remind those I care about: I love you. I'm glad that we met and that you are a part of my life. Thank you for all your well wishes and prayers.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
My Grandma
I had one of the roughest mornings I can remember today. Somewhere between waking MAC up and getting up myself I fell back asleep. I even remember calling to MAC and saying "Don't turn on that TV you have reading to do!" and her answering me with, "Right." I know I did this! The next thing I remember is Marty Bass saying that today's "coffee with" was an interview with Bruce Bridegroom and knowing that meant that it was 6:45am and YES that meant that I had to get out of bed NOW!
MAC was up and had gotten her shower and was downstairs reading, or so I thought. When I got downstairs the TV was on and she was watching Family Matters and drawing. No she had not eaten any breakfast, no she had not started her 20 minutes of reading, no she had not taken her morning pills, no she hadn't gotten her lunch together (or even put her lunchbox where I could find it to put things in!) I was not happy.
When we finally left the house and I looked at the clock it was 7:18am. The bus has been arriving at 7:20. I sped all the way to Aberdeen and Riedel where the stupid stop light caught me. I watched the school bus as it passed us on its way to CES. Of course these are the days when you get stuck behind the slowest person on the road too! We got to the bus stop as the bus was pulling in to pick up. MAC was in a hurry and jumped out of the car and ran accross the street to CES so she could catch the bus before it pulled away.
The rough morning turned into a rough afternoon and evening. When I got in to work I got a phone call from my Mom. She wanted to tell me that my Grandma was not doing well and although she and Dad had planned to come up and visit for the weekend, they thought they were going to change plans and go visit Grandma in Tulsa.
About 2 hours later she called again to say that they were going to Tulsa and she would call later with news.
In the meantime I went and picked MAC up from school for her appointment with the "Prescribing doctor". It started well, she even like the snack that I had for her. Half way through the appointment she got mad and stopped talking to both the Dr. and me. I couldn't get her to talk again until we got home when she asked if she could just go upstairs and sleep.
While I was out this evening I got a phone call from my Dad. He said that he had just gotten a phone call from my Aunt and that Grandma had passed away. I have never seen a montage but I suddenly saw the last time we were together: looking through the photo album, going to church with her, having lunch with her at my Aunt's house, and giving hugs and kisses.
My Grandma was a teacher for years and I still remember her retirement party. There were so many people who were there to wish her well in the next phase of her life. I know seeing all her students helped me to decide to get my teaching degree.
I remember going to the library where she was volunteering. I love books and I thought it was great that she got to work with books everyday.
I remember the last time she came out to Maryland. It was sad and happy at the same time, Christmas is always a happy time for me but knowing that it was her last trip out was sad.
When I told MAC that Great Nana was not doing so well this afternoon, she asked if we were going to go visit. I had to say no. We talked about the last time we saw Great Nana and how wonderful it was to remember the hugs and having lunch. We talked about it being ok to be sad and that she could talk to her "talk therapist" tomorrow or me if she wanted. I hope that I can convey the fact that Grandma is in a better place tomorrow when I tell her that she has passed away.
This was us just a little over a year ago for Grandma's 90th Birthday.
MAC was up and had gotten her shower and was downstairs reading, or so I thought. When I got downstairs the TV was on and she was watching Family Matters and drawing. No she had not eaten any breakfast, no she had not started her 20 minutes of reading, no she had not taken her morning pills, no she hadn't gotten her lunch together (or even put her lunchbox where I could find it to put things in!) I was not happy.
When we finally left the house and I looked at the clock it was 7:18am. The bus has been arriving at 7:20. I sped all the way to Aberdeen and Riedel where the stupid stop light caught me. I watched the school bus as it passed us on its way to CES. Of course these are the days when you get stuck behind the slowest person on the road too! We got to the bus stop as the bus was pulling in to pick up. MAC was in a hurry and jumped out of the car and ran accross the street to CES so she could catch the bus before it pulled away.
The rough morning turned into a rough afternoon and evening. When I got in to work I got a phone call from my Mom. She wanted to tell me that my Grandma was not doing well and although she and Dad had planned to come up and visit for the weekend, they thought they were going to change plans and go visit Grandma in Tulsa.
About 2 hours later she called again to say that they were going to Tulsa and she would call later with news.
In the meantime I went and picked MAC up from school for her appointment with the "Prescribing doctor". It started well, she even like the snack that I had for her. Half way through the appointment she got mad and stopped talking to both the Dr. and me. I couldn't get her to talk again until we got home when she asked if she could just go upstairs and sleep.
While I was out this evening I got a phone call from my Dad. He said that he had just gotten a phone call from my Aunt and that Grandma had passed away. I have never seen a montage but I suddenly saw the last time we were together: looking through the photo album, going to church with her, having lunch with her at my Aunt's house, and giving hugs and kisses.
My Grandma was a teacher for years and I still remember her retirement party. There were so many people who were there to wish her well in the next phase of her life. I know seeing all her students helped me to decide to get my teaching degree.
I remember going to the library where she was volunteering. I love books and I thought it was great that she got to work with books everyday.
I remember the last time she came out to Maryland. It was sad and happy at the same time, Christmas is always a happy time for me but knowing that it was her last trip out was sad.
When I told MAC that Great Nana was not doing so well this afternoon, she asked if we were going to go visit. I had to say no. We talked about the last time we saw Great Nana and how wonderful it was to remember the hugs and having lunch. We talked about it being ok to be sad and that she could talk to her "talk therapist" tomorrow or me if she wanted. I hope that I can convey the fact that Grandma is in a better place tomorrow when I tell her that she has passed away.
This was us just a little over a year ago for Grandma's 90th Birthday.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Another Call
I know I said I wouldn't count the number of phone calls from the school any longer but I got another one today. There is nothing quite like knowing the school's phone numbers as soon as they came up on the caller ID.
Yes another call came from the guidance counselor today. I was worried that something else had happened today and I was being called to the school to pick her up. The counselor talked about how MAC was doing and got me to check my ParentConnex account before telling me that the call was not about a behavior issue, but about the parent/teacher conference next week.
You could almost hear me let out my breath when she said that the reason she called was that she needed to change the time of my conference next week. I was very happy to change the time, she made it later so I will even be able to work a little longer. The counselor suggested that perhaps MAC might even want to join us in the conference for a little at the end of the day.
I think, for this meeting, that I am actually looking forward to having a good sit down and discussion with these teachers.
Yes another call came from the guidance counselor today. I was worried that something else had happened today and I was being called to the school to pick her up. The counselor talked about how MAC was doing and got me to check my ParentConnex account before telling me that the call was not about a behavior issue, but about the parent/teacher conference next week.
You could almost hear me let out my breath when she said that the reason she called was that she needed to change the time of my conference next week. I was very happy to change the time, she made it later so I will even be able to work a little longer. The counselor suggested that perhaps MAC might even want to join us in the conference for a little at the end of the day.
I think, for this meeting, that I am actually looking forward to having a good sit down and discussion with these teachers.
Monday, September 27, 2010
The day started like any other Monday. Wanting to stay in bed, snuggling under the covers for a few extra minutes, the mad rush to get lunches together, and then pushing each other out the door trying to make sure we don't miss the bus.
We did make it to the bus stop and she got to school on time. I walked in to an e-mail from her Italian teacher and crazy busyness at work. Today was the last day to reconcile all purchase card transactions. Actually it needed to be done by 1pm. I had 4 employees who needed to have their credit cards reconcilled as well as mine and the FedEx card. Everything was reconcilled by 12:30 but it was also a time card day so after my 1/2 hour lunch I went right back to working on time cards.
MAC called me at 4. She was looking forward to meeting a friend of ours when she got to R's house. Unfortneately our friend KB was running a little late. I told her to do her homework. She said, "yes mom" in the tone that says, "I'll tell you what you want to hear so you leave me alone". When I got to MAC at 5 she still had not done all of her work.
By the time KB got to the house at 6 MAC had finished three of the four core class' homework. MAC has been looking forward to seeing KB for over a week now and it was wonderful seeing her hop out of the car to give KB a hug when she got there.
We took a run to a New Age store where MAC loved looking at the crystal balls, necklaces and the Poke'mon cards. Dinner was very late and she got to bed a little over 2 hours late so tomorrow morning will be interesting.
It was great listening to the two of them laugh and laugh. If you want to say something random try, "Talk to the weasel" each time I said it it sent the two of them into gales of laughter. All three of use did a little car dancing tonight!
We did make it to the bus stop and she got to school on time. I walked in to an e-mail from her Italian teacher and crazy busyness at work. Today was the last day to reconcile all purchase card transactions. Actually it needed to be done by 1pm. I had 4 employees who needed to have their credit cards reconcilled as well as mine and the FedEx card. Everything was reconcilled by 12:30 but it was also a time card day so after my 1/2 hour lunch I went right back to working on time cards.
MAC called me at 4. She was looking forward to meeting a friend of ours when she got to R's house. Unfortneately our friend KB was running a little late. I told her to do her homework. She said, "yes mom" in the tone that says, "I'll tell you what you want to hear so you leave me alone". When I got to MAC at 5 she still had not done all of her work.
By the time KB got to the house at 6 MAC had finished three of the four core class' homework. MAC has been looking forward to seeing KB for over a week now and it was wonderful seeing her hop out of the car to give KB a hug when she got there.
We took a run to a New Age store where MAC loved looking at the crystal balls, necklaces and the Poke'mon cards. Dinner was very late and she got to bed a little over 2 hours late so tomorrow morning will be interesting.
It was great listening to the two of them laugh and laugh. If you want to say something random try, "Talk to the weasel" each time I said it it sent the two of them into gales of laughter. All three of use did a little car dancing tonight!
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Reading
This morning was nice and relaxing. For the first hour after I woke up.
Hubby and I woke up around 7 this morning. We just lay in bed saying that we didn’t want to move. Of course I did not want to get out of bed. As hot as it had been yesterday it was cold this morning! At 8 I said that I should get out of bed. At 8:15 I said the same thing. Hubby didn't want to go this morning and I had said sure. At 8:20 I finally got moving. Half way to church I realized that MAC was supposed to read the New Testament scripture this morning and they would have to come.
I felt bad as I had to call them and say to get dressed really quickly because MAC had to be at church. Neither one was too happy about it. They did make it though, and she had a whole 5 minutes to read and practice in the PoP narthex.
I am happy to say that the reading went well. It was a long passage and I was thrilled when she got 90% of the hard words and put expression into the reading. If nothing else I know that MAC is a natural born actress!
Hubby and I woke up around 7 this morning. We just lay in bed saying that we didn’t want to move. Of course I did not want to get out of bed. As hot as it had been yesterday it was cold this morning! At 8 I said that I should get out of bed. At 8:15 I said the same thing. Hubby didn't want to go this morning and I had said sure. At 8:20 I finally got moving. Half way to church I realized that MAC was supposed to read the New Testament scripture this morning and they would have to come.
I felt bad as I had to call them and say to get dressed really quickly because MAC had to be at church. Neither one was too happy about it. They did make it though, and she had a whole 5 minutes to read and practice in the PoP narthex.
I am happy to say that the reading went well. It was a long passage and I was thrilled when she got 90% of the hard words and put expression into the reading. If nothing else I know that MAC is a natural born actress!
Friday, September 24, 2010
And the Grocery Shopping is done
So as most of you know I am working at the MD RenFest this season. This makes it a little difficult to get the things that I usually do on the weekends done. This includes the laundry and the grocery shopping for the week.
Hubby would rather go through a full dental cleaning than go into a store of any kind. For the first 3 years of our marriage the three of us would go grocery shopping together. For the last 10 years I have been doing mostly by myself. Hubby will come to the car and help to unload once I/we get home but really doesn't want to go to the store. I have talked MAC into going with me the last few times by promising her a Caribou Cooler.
Tonight Hubby and MAC had her first group appointment. I thought it started at 4:00 but it started at 4:45 instead. So I got home dropped off my bags and then headed to the Korean market. I picked up some food there and brought it home and had dinner before I went to the organic market. I just got back from the organic market and can say, "The grocery shopping is done!"
Group went well. MAC said that it was worth staying for and that the other girls "were like her". I'm glad that she liked it and has said that she will go back next week. Yeah Friday!
Hubby would rather go through a full dental cleaning than go into a store of any kind. For the first 3 years of our marriage the three of us would go grocery shopping together. For the last 10 years I have been doing mostly by myself. Hubby will come to the car and help to unload once I/we get home but really doesn't want to go to the store. I have talked MAC into going with me the last few times by promising her a Caribou Cooler.
Tonight Hubby and MAC had her first group appointment. I thought it started at 4:00 but it started at 4:45 instead. So I got home dropped off my bags and then headed to the Korean market. I picked up some food there and brought it home and had dinner before I went to the organic market. I just got back from the organic market and can say, "The grocery shopping is done!"
Group went well. MAC said that it was worth staying for and that the other girls "were like her". I'm glad that she liked it and has said that she will go back next week. Yeah Friday!
Thursday, September 23, 2010
New Day, New Group
I am very excited about MACs new group which starts tomorrow. It will be a group of other girls who are like her and it will be a new place where she will be able to feel safe and hopefully will learn some new coping skills. I have spoken with both her "talk therapist" and with the doctor who runs the group. They are both fairly certain that this is the right place for her.
It is awkward trying to make friends at the best of times when you know how to read the "signs" other people send out. Trying to make friends when all of the signs look the same to you makes the keeping of friends almost impossible. After talking with the doctor who runs the program, she is hoping that instead of making this just a "middle school" group these girls will bond and will continue with each other as a group through high school.
I don't know if she is looking forward to the group but I hope that she will at least give it a chance. I know that when everything happened at the end of last school year I was worried about where we would end up, and I think that MSA is the best place that could have happened to us. Hubby is not so thrilled with the "prescriber" but the practice is all about the children and I appreciate that! Let's keep our fingers crossed that the new day and the new group are wonderful!
It is awkward trying to make friends at the best of times when you know how to read the "signs" other people send out. Trying to make friends when all of the signs look the same to you makes the keeping of friends almost impossible. After talking with the doctor who runs the program, she is hoping that instead of making this just a "middle school" group these girls will bond and will continue with each other as a group through high school.
I don't know if she is looking forward to the group but I hope that she will at least give it a chance. I know that when everything happened at the end of last school year I was worried about where we would end up, and I think that MSA is the best place that could have happened to us. Hubby is not so thrilled with the "prescriber" but the practice is all about the children and I appreciate that! Let's keep our fingers crossed that the new day and the new group are wonderful!
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