Random bits of blubbering (or "poor me")

My dad's been having some ups and downs with the lapband--some days are good, some days are bad, and some days just scare the crap out of me.

I am sick, my first cold of the season, and have lots of work to do before October. I freelance to help make ends meet, but my contributions are eaten away by medical expenses, and the debt is still accumulating like an infection under the skin. I often think I should return to work fulltime, but there is too much to love and manage here at home. And financially, it wouldn't make much sense in the long run, at least not right now

It has not been a pleasant return to school for Bubba. Moose is adjusting to going to preschool in the mornings, but I am not adjusting to his return in the afternoons. It appears I will have two children that try to hold it together at school and then let it all out (ALL of it) when they get home.

But we got a kitty, and that makes me happy. Bubba named her Silly Sally. Hubby is allergic, but he only has a reaction (itchy nose, watery eyes) about once a week, so I think he may let us keep her.

I have posts started about all of this, but just haven't had the energy, motivation, or desire to complete them.

For now, watch this, and know that if an eighth grader can figure this out, so can you.

Think about it

I am working on something in my head and in my journal that further explores the words I have on the right side of my blog, but until then, watch this and this.

Invisible Disability

My boys are very good natured, compassionate, accepting, and honest...they just don't have a lot of tact. This often leads to a lot of "kid's say the darnedest things" moments and some pretty funny situations.

We were at a family reunion yesterday when Hubby's mom introduced a little girl whose arm did not develop past her elbow. Bubba immediately went up, grabbed her arm, inspected it, and asked incredulously "Do you have an invisible arm?!?!?!" He started to go for her shorts to look for it.

The girls grandmother was speechless. I, just approaching the introduction, lightly pressed my hand on Bubba's shoulder and reminded him that he shouldn't touch people without their permission. Bubba's grandma had a knee jerk reaction and quickly delivered: "He has brain damage--like a stroke." Apparently Bubba gets his lack of tact from his grandma.

Later I pulled Bubba aside and we talked about the little girl's disability in the context of his disability (she was born without part of her arm, he was born without his corpus callosum). We discussed how he didn't need to worry about any differences and that it wasn't nice to point out the differences because it might make people feel uncomfortable. When he brought out his cars and she asked to play, he stood nobly and stated "Yes you can play with my cars. And I don't care what happened to your arm!" And that was that, and they played happily until it was time to eat.

Thumbs Up

Dad didn't get in a room until 7PM, but all went well. It was difficult seeing my dad so vulnerable, pale and in pain. Let's hope that he gets the motivation he needs to get healthy so I don't have to see him like this again!

That being said, it felt good to be able to be there for him and my stepmom. He balked about me and Hubby being there since it was "no big deal." But his eyes said otherwise when we walked in. And I was glad my stepmom didn't have to sit in the waiting room for 8 hours by herself. We had some decent conversation, which was good.

Dad having surgery

Sorry for not posting much lately...too much to do! (Not that I don't have a gob of half-written posts!)

Anyhow, my 60-year-old dad--the one who is diabetic and seriously overweight who drinks regular soda like it is his life blood (rather than the death sentence it is)--is having Lap-Band surgery today.

I love my dad, but am not happy about this decision since he is having this surgery thinking it will be his "magic bullet." Never mind that he hasn't tried sticking to a healthy diet and exercise plan for more than 1 week. He thinks this will force him to lose weight. Maybe it will. Idunno.

All I know for sure is that he is a food addict and he is going to be damn crabby for a long long time. And he isn't a rationale person when he is crabby.

This is supposedly a minor operation, so I just pray for no complications.

The word is getting out

Regarding restraint and seclusion in Missouri schools: Alliance Newsletter, see page 2.