Life Lesson #878

One should never scrimp on the quality of sheets you buy for your kids' bed.
Because, you never know when you'll find yourself sleeping there.

Yes, Hubby's cold is lingering and as is often the case...the coughing is worse at night.

For the past several nights, I have headed out in search of quieter surroundings.
Not necessarily as comfortable...but a tad quieter.

Get well soon, Hubby!

Stating the obvious....

This evening, we attended the last concert of the season in the plaza of our local mall.

Walking back to the car, Thing Two notes "Mom, some of those ladies should not have been jumping like that. Their things were going all over the place".

Yep, that's my boy...always looking, always thinking...and sometime even sharing those thoughts out loud...

If that's all it took

For YEARS we've struggled with Thing One and lunch time. An assortment of issues have plagued him: cafeteria is too loud, meds alter his appetitve, sensory issues. You name it. We've also tried a variety of solutions from begging, pleading, threatening, promising, bribery.

Finally, we agreed that if he'd at least eat the luncheon meat, drink something and nibble on some fruit, we'd call it good.

So that's what has been going in his lunch for the past few years.

Yesterday, he came home and announced "I need a sandwich tomorrow".

Really? Are you sure? Will you eat it? Why, what's going on? I asked.

Seems yesterday during lunch, Mrs. P (his homeroom teacher) came by and told him "you need to eat more in your lunch. How 'bout a sandwich?"

So, while I am tempted to be defensive about what was in his lunch and rant that she needs to stick with teaching and not checking lunch boxes....I'm going to hold off on that rant...

Because guess what? He's FINALLY going to eat a sandwich...all because his teacher told him to!

I think I"m going to like this mystery woman, Mrs. P. just fine...

Question of the day

Thing One: "Mom, how come that girl in gym today told me I shouldn't call our classes periods?"

Mom: "Um, let's go find your dad...."

Dreams: 12 yr old style

Recall a few weeks back, I was having some vivid dreams...I think related to the uncertainty and excitement that awaits me as I head back to school (starting on Tuesday).

 Thing One starts middle school on Monday and apparently he too is processing his feelings about all of this while he sleeps.

He reported to me earlier in the week, that he'd been having the same dream over and over...

Apparently in HIS dream he gets shoved in the locker (and while he's small, we're lucky that the lockers at the middle school are even smaller so that's not too likely to really occur), and in there with him is  MICHAEL JACKSON (and that of course is where mom would start to panic, if you know what I mean)...he finishes up with  "Mom, he turns into a werewolf.  Why couldn't he turn into a monkey or a moose?  Way better don't you think?!"

OK...there ya have it..it seems like my school anxiety is running a bit higher than his.  He's even said to me "What's the big deal, Mom?  It's only 6th grade"....to which I go running off in search of some Kleenex...yes, it is only 6th grade but by golly...it was just yesterday that I sent you to preschool!   

As always, he's ready...Mommy?  I'll get there...eventually!  

Summer Reading....

Like most of us, I've been blogging less frequently this summer. And I suppose if you asked my family, they would be sure to tell you it is because I have spent my free time playing with my children, blessing my home with my constant cleaning, and preparing scrumptious and hearty meals

Yeah, right, they would tell you I've been hanging out on Facebook and surfing the blog/message board communities.   Even still, I have occasionally stepped away from the laptop and found myself reading a few good books. 

Here's a sample of what I've read this summer..

Last night I finished this book, Sarah's Key by T. de Rosnay.  Maybe because it is the most recent book I've read, but I think it was the favorite of all that I've read this summer.  The first half is written through two voices:  one is that of an American journalist, Julia, assigned to write an article in honor of the 60th anniversary of the Veledrome d'hiver.  The other voice is that of Sarah, a young Jewish girl who finds herself in the middle of this Jewish  round up in Paris  that occurred in 1942. While I've read my fair share of books set during this time in history, I found this one unique in the perspective it took:  what about those who saw their neighbors being arrested and shipped off to camps...what did they do after the raids moved on and how did they share this piece of history with their descendants.  It's a quick read and yet one that will linger in your mind after you've finished the story...worth checking it out from the library and reading.  

Next up, was Sugar Queen by S.A. Allen...a fascinating story with a twist to the plot that I really didn't see coming but appreciated just the same.  Another quick story that is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth in terms of spending time with a good story and fun characters.

Nora, Nora, Nora:  what can I say?  It has been  years since I've read anything by the talented(?) Ms. Roberts but this cover caught my eye.  It looked like a fun book for summer.  Yet soon into it, I was quickly reminded why I don't care too much for the works of Nora Roberts:  she writes in series and it quickly became apparent that this is book 1 of a quartet.  So, while this particular story was easy enough to read, I found myself wondering about other characters and parts of the story.  I'm sure by the time she writes all four parts, my questions will be answered but I  don't care for the way in which she ignores story elements and focuses on just a portion of the story as it pertains to that character.  And let's not get into how quickly her heroine catches the man, resolves her personal issues and hang ups and heads off into the sunset known as Happily Ever After.  My  final thoughts on this?  skip it...life is too short to spend reading so-so  mass produced chick lit!  :)
Now in terms of chick lit worth reading, I would recommend Very Valentine by A. Trigiani.  She creates a heroine that is likable, includes a love interest that adds to the story without being the central theme and always includes some realistic supporting characters.  And while she too seems to use a formula in her writing (I think in every book, there is a trip to Italy involved), she manages to resolve the crisis in a way that is a bit more realistic than other romance novelists.  I'd recommend this one..
The Gate House by N. DeMille picks up 10 yrs after the ending of The Gold Coast.  I'd read the Gold Coast years ago and forgot some of the specifics, but the author does a good job of adding refresher  type elements to this  story so I found myself diving into the characters rather quickly.  It's not one of my favorite DeMille books (without a doubt, that would be Charm School) but it was still a pretty good read and worth the time.    
James Patterson:  the ultimate vacation author.  His books are so quick to get into and for the most part, easy to put down when necessary.  The 8th Confession is part of his series involving the ladies in SF who work together to solve the crimes (you've got the cop, the reporter, the coroner and the assistant DA).  I wouldn't say it is his strongest work in this collection, but proved to be the perfect vacation book when you find yourself frequently interrupted with other tasks.    I go through his stuff way too fast to ever consider purchasing...but because his stuff is quick reads, one can always find a copy of his stuff at the library (with little to no waiting involved)
I think this was the first book that got me back in the groove of reading at the start of summer.  LOVED IT...First Family is just like D. Baldacci's  earlier works with a  plot that is  engaging and the characters are interesting.  Some of his more recent works haven't captured my attention so I had sort of given up reading his stuff for awhile.  I'm glad to re-discover a favorite author and might just give some of his other stuff another try. 

So, there ya have it...a collection of stuff that I've read this summer.  Next up...oh my....I have a long list of suggested titles to check out.  Unfortunately, starting next week, I fear my nose will be stuck in such classics as Bates,  Mosby and Lippincott (I'm assuming those are still the "bibles" of nursing?)    Good thing I made the most of my summer by reading...not just facebook thank.you.very.much!  

The makings of a great spouse

Yesterday morning I was rather worked up (read:  totally annoyed and po'd).  I started fussing (ok, ranting with a bit of cursing tossed in for good  measure).

I had totally forgotten that Thing One was still in the car with me (this one kid in school, the other not?  Yeah, still problematic for me, thank.you.very.much!).

When all of the sudden I hear his sweet voice

"Um, if you need to keep talking to yourself, I can close my ears!"

Yep,if he keeps this up and he'll be a keeper in the spouse department!  (next up:  getting him to master the lid lift and the pick up after yourself  skills and he'll be all set!)

On the road conversations....

Thing Two noticed that a recent construction project is just about finished.  "How'd that happen so quickly?" he remarked.

Wise older brother chimes in..."Brother, it's time you realize life is a lot easier and things get done quicker when you have a crew!"  (yes, he really said brother.  Just like he's been calling Hubby "Pa" lately.  Has he been staying up watching Little House on the Prairie reruns?)

Thing Two shouts up to me as I"m driving "Mom, can I have a crew?"

As I return to the world of health care...

School starts for me August 25th....gotta be "refreshed"....and given the current "political hot topic" being health care, I found this joke rather timely and humorous...

Doctors take on ObamaCare -

The American Medical Association has weighed in on the new health care plan being developed by the Obama Team.

• The Allergists voted to scratch it,
• but the Dermatologists advised not to make any rash moves.
• The Gastroenterologists had sort of a gut feeling about it,
• but the Neurologists thought the Administration had a lot of nerve.
• The Obstetricians felt they were all laboring under a misconception.
• Ophthalmologists considered the idea shortsighted.
• Pathologists yelled, "Over my dead body!"
• while the Pediatricians said, 'Oh, Grow up!'
• The Psychiatrists thought the whole idea was madness,
• while the Radiologists could see right through it.
• Surgeons decided to wash their hands of the whole thing
• The Internists thought it was a bitter pill to swallow,
• and the Plastic Surgeons said, "This puts a whole new face on the matter."
• The Podiatrists thought it was a step forward,
• but the Urologists were ****ed off at the whole idea.
• The Anesthesiologists thought the idea was a gas,
• and the Cardiologists didn't have the heart to say no.
• In the end, the Proctologists won out, leaving the entire decision up to the *******s in Washington

Dreaming

Last week: I had vivid dreams I was in the van and it tumbled over the side of the road, rolling and rolling and rolling. Finally landed upright, and I unbuckled and walked away.

This week: I had vivid dreams about writing the perfect cover letter.

Oh my.....if I were into dream analysis....do you think it's safe to say I'm just a wee bit anxious about this whole return to work thing?

At this rate, I'm sort of excited to see what next Monday's dream is going to involve....