~The Daily Grind~ 3/3/10

[ddavis860]

“housework done incorrectly still blesses your family.” ~ flylady
"you can do anything for 15 minutes!" ~ flylady



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~The Daily Grind~ 3/3/10

HUMP DAY!!! And my last working day this week. I have to work the weekend, but I'm off the next 2 days Tomorrow I'm going to the Philadelphia Flower Show with my BFF, and Friday DH wants to take a ride to the beach to check for damage, and we will stop for lunch

Today I have to finish the letter for DS18's senior retreat. They asked that both parents write a letter for the senior, to open at the retreat. I just finished reading DH's letter and I'm in a puddle. Last night when I was writting mine I was in a puddle... WOW, they better have tissues for those kids, there isn't going to be a dry eye in the house...


My list for today:

Caffeinate- this repeats everyday!!

Keep my word kinder

Keep to my points!

Work till 3p

Dis/ fb

Swish and Swipe...

Dinner- hopefully something DH makes...he's off....

Have a Great Day everyone!!

 

[StitchIsOurHero]

Good morning!! I hope everyone is off to a great day! I think my brain is broken. . .we are off on a 2-hr delay this morning. DH woke me at midnight to tell me. This am, when my regular alarm went off at 4, I could not figure out what time I was supposed to get up if it was a 2-hr delay, and what time DH should get up. So, I jumped in the shower, only to figure out that I had PLENTY of time and could've exercised before. OH WELL. . .I'll have to do that tonight!!

After all that rambling, here's my list:

1. Up
2. Caffeinate
3. Devotional
4. Pack DH's lunch
5. Do journaling cards if time before work
6. DS's stuff together
7. DS breakfast
8. DS to mom's
9. Work
10. Tan
11. Pick up DS
12. Wash/fold/PUT AWAY laundry--I've covered the top of the washer & dryer. Must put it away!!
13. 30 min exercise--can't lose my momentum for the month!!
14. WW soup for dinner
15. Watch DVR'd show
16. P365 2010 pic
17. Dust living room/front areas
18. Make chicken casseroles for tomorrow & bag up sausage balls
19. Go to sleep sort of early

I hope everyone has a wonderful Wednesday!!

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

Messed up with the appt yesterday. The dentist is really today. Not sure why I put it on the calendar wrong.

Exercise.
School duty.
Lunch.
Dentist duty.
Homework.
Dinner.

Swap/Laundry/Kitchen cleaning in there somewhere.

 

[PrincessNancy96]

Wow Debbie... they do "Kiss The Seniors Goodbye" at our HS.. kids can write 3x5 index cards to the seniors and they are bundled up and put on their chair to receive during graduation practice..... DD is helping host it this year (again)... it's very meaningful to her now that she has more than just friends going through this... She has already told DH and myself that we need to write something to him and she'll make sure it's put in his bag... yes, he is getting a bag... she has a list of things she is doing for him and has asked to get him a gift bag to take in.... His birthday was yesterday.. 19... and we all texted him... however, his mom and brother did nothing for him.. ;( He called last night and asked for me to make his cake and ice cream and he'd come over Thursday to celebrate (he has Musical practice all week)...
Yes, you all missed the news.. DsS19 is in a musical..can't sing or dance but tried out and made it... it will be fun next weekend!!!!

Today:
clean family room
kids up
kids gone
clean kitchen/dining room
cut/tie 3rd blanket
scrapbook
pick kdg kid up
grocery run for DsS19's request and essentials
lunch
clean
scrap
homework duty
pick up DS13 from school
snacks
dinner
scrapbook
cut and tie 4th blanket
dinner menu
grocery list


think that's enough for now... enjoy the day everyone!

 

[DisneyIsTerrific]

The arm is feeling better today, but I still can't straighten it all the way and it hurts really bad if I turn it at an angle so I just need to be careful how I use it for awhile. The doctor recommended an elbow brace to wear when I'm at work. I'm going to see if I can find one of those today so that I can go to work tomorrow.

My day:
Make DH's lunch
DS up and off to school
Clean up kitchen
Laundry
Pay some bills
Go to Walmart
Go to Post Office
Call the gal from the scout troop who was supposed to come get this box of t-shirts on Monday. The box is still sitting by my front door and I'm ready to get it out of here.
Work on swaps
Dinner - lasagna hotdish & garlic bread

Have a great day everyone!

 

[WDWMom]

Busy, Busy day!!!!!!

15 years ago I became the mother of the sweetest little baby boy. I can't believe he is now 15 and a freshman in HS Lots of birthday stuff to do today

take boys to school
go get birthday dinner fixings
bake cake
start dinner - turkey and mashed pots
return gift to Best Buy and go buy at Target - on sale
clean main bath
sweep
tidy kitchen
tidy main floor
walk dog
rake snow - it's my exercise
wrap gift
shower and get ready after boys to school
make bed

I hope everyone has a great day!

 

[DisneyIsTerrific]

WDWMom, Happy Birthday to you DS!!!!! It's amazing how fast they grow up.

Nancy, your DsS is lucky to have you guys in his life. I can't believe his mother didn't do anything for his birthday. I'm sure he'll enjoy being with you guys and having cake and ice cream on Thursday. Good luck to him in the musical. My DS is in the spring musical at his school too. It'll open in a few weeks. It sounds hilarious, I can't wait to see it.

Pam, good luck today with the school. Lots of pixie dust to you!!!!!

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

Happy Birthday!


WDWMom's DS

PN96's DsS

 

[PrincessNancy96]

WDWMom, Happy Birthday to you DS!!!!! It's amazing how fast they grow up.

Nancy, your DsS is lucky to have you guys in his life. I can't believe his mother didn't do anything for his birthday. I'm sure he'll enjoy being with you guys and having cake and ice cream on Thursday. Good luck to him in the musical. My DS is in the spring musical at his school too. It'll open in a few weeks. It sounds hilarious, I can't wait to see it.

Pam, good luck today with the school. Lots of pixie dust to you!!!!!

Thanks Stephanie.. It's nothing that surprises me about his birthday being less than important... He texted me on my birthday...he wished me a happy 21st! LOL.. So last night, I told him we only had 2 more years till we could bar hop! His response was stellar! I'm excited for his musical because this is so OUT OF HIS ZONE!!! I've got batteries ready to go and DH said he would video tape it for the kids to see later.. We are using the event as date night for us.. dinner and a show! LOL

Thanks to all for the birthday wishes!!

WDWMom, Happy Birthday to your DS!! They grow up so fast!!!

 

[rlovew]

Good for your DsS19 Nancy!

Happy Birthday to WDWmom DS!

Good Morning!

Hope you feel better soon Stephanie!

Today:
register rest of team for Relay
call KS about rodeo/relay
work on relay album
work on swaps
prayer
wed night- potatos/green beans
bathroom floor
laundry- working my way through all the extra linens
salad/soup for lunch
exercise

Rebecca

 

[PinballFamily]

We're off - better prepared for this than ANY meeting we've ever been to in our lives!

The sad part - it probably won't matter. The school will find a way to dispute, stall, etc. and we will find ourselves at a hearing (just like a trial, with lawyers, witnesses, etc - ugh!) to get our kid the education he needs, deserves, and is entitled to.

Thanks - we're taking all of your energy and pixie dust with us!

Promise to report back when the dust settles...

 

[DisneyIsTerrific]

Thanks Stephanie.. It's nothing that surprises me about his birthday being less than important... He texted me on my birthday...he wished me a happy 21st! LOL.. So last night, I told him we only had 2 more years till we could bar hop! His response was stellar! I'm excited for his musical because this is so OUT OF HIS ZONE!!! I've got batteries ready to go and DH said he would video tape it for the kids to see later.. We are using the event as date night for us.. dinner and a show! LOL

Thanks to all for the birthday wishes!!

WDWMom, Happy Birthday to your DS!! They grow up so fast!!!

I know it'll mean a lot to him that you will be there to see him in the show. Sounds like you and DH will have a fun night!

 

[PrincessNancy96]

We're off - better prepared for this than ANY meeting we've ever been to in our lives!

The sad part - it probably won't matter. The school will find a way to dispute, stall, etc. and we will find ourselves at a hearing (just like a trial, with lawyers, witnesses, etc - ugh!) to get our kid the education he needs, deserves, and is entitled to.

Thanks - we're taking all of your energy and pixie dust with us!

Promise to report back when the dust settles...

Go get 'em tiger!!! I like to tag team so if you need extra help let me know.. I'll fly out!!!

I know it'll mean a lot to him that you will be there to see him in the show. Sounds like you and DH will have a fun night!

Thanks... We'll keep you posted..the Musical is called "Shake, Rattle & Roll" based in the 50's.... and written by a former art teacher in our high school... DsS is a "grease monkey"... I think he is a mechanic because that is the only term I could think of when DH said he was a grease monkey...

 

[LindaBabe]

[HUMP DAY!!! And my last working day this week. I have to work the weekend, but I'm off the next 2 days Tomorrow I'm going to the Philadelphia Flower Show with my BFF, and Friday DH wants to take a ride to the beach to check for damage, and we will stop for lunch

Ummm! I want to spend the next couple days with YOU! Philly F&G is one of my DREAMS!

We're off - better prepared for this than ANY meeting we've ever been to in our lives!

The sad part - it probably won't matter. The school will find a way to dispute, stall, etc. and we will find ourselves at a hearing (just like a trial, with lawyers, witnesses, etc - ugh!) to get our kid the education he needs, deserves, and is entitled to.

Thanks - we're taking all of your energy and pixie dust with us!

Promise to report back when the dust settles...

YUP! THey squeeze that money like it was their own. They treat parents and kids like adversaries rather than partners. It's too darn bad the kids have to suffer for it.

Gym & pool, done
breakfast made and eaten
dh out skiing
figure out accompaniments for dinner (Smoked pork chops)
Start planning scrapbook work for Crop.


Happy Day, everybody.

 

[tinkryansmom]

Happy Birthday to DIS DS's!!

I bet the musical will be the BEST!!! Enjoy that family moment!!

Pam - Pixie Dust to you today!

Wednesday

DH is up and out today
DD is up and out
Little One is dressed and out blowing bubbles with the dog
DIS/FB
coffee in
vacuum vinyl - I so hate that gritty feeling when walking around -
brace for more rain!
make grain packets
deliver grain packets to barn for horse
PU pics for DD at Costco
PU garbage bags at Costco
Attempt to not break the bank at Costco
Head to JoAnns for inspiration on Pluto and Mulan letters
Update 4H leaders notebook
Pack for 4H scrapbooking meeting
Dinner....hmmmm....Thinking mac n cheese
Need a few things for mac n cheese
Find Asian Grocery for an ingredient I need ?? not for mac and cheese
Paper Clutter
Schedule Mammo - have put this off long enough I guess

 

[PinballFamily]

We're back -

The good news is that the school didn't even attempt to dispute the independent testing results.

The bad news is that they aren't exactly falling all over themselves to (yet) increase any services in light of the situation. They are increasing by 30 minutes a week the amount of time the (underwhelming) reading teacher spends talking to the (ditto) classroom teacher on ways to help our son's reading comprehension. Not holding our breath that any magic is gonna happen, here!

We did get them to agree to do and pay for an independent reading evaluation. ASAP. (They actually had no choice but to agree and pay - it's the law - but we'll let them think they "gave in" on this one.)

So, now we wait (again and still!) for that to happen, the report to be generated, us to all come together again to discuss it and in the meantime, he'll just keep slipping further behind his classmates.

The sad part of this is that we are already spent $1k just for this meeting and to bring this issue to the table, between the testing and our time with the educational advocate. (The neuropsych testing alone is $3k, but our insurance covers most of it.) Otherwise, the school would just keep cruising along, merrily promoting him from grade to grade and now on to middle school when he is reading on the 2nd grade level. WE were the ones who uncovered this mess through the work we've been doing and the neuropsychogical testing WE'VE been paying for. What do parents do when they don't have this time, energy, or $$$? If this goes to hearing (if we agree to disagree on where we go once the new report is in) that $1K will be a tiny drop in the bucket - with legal fees of $300+ an hour, etc. The system is so broken, it isn't funny.

Thanks for everything - I sure felt all of your energy behind me! DH said I was appropriately angry, but not belligerent, succinct in our viewpoints, and very matter-of-fact and controlled. His graphs/charts were amazing and crystal clear - we led off with those and they put everyone on notice from the first minutes of the meeting that we meant business!

DH and I did get to go to our traditional "post-meeting" Chinese food buffet lunch! Usually I am a weepy, angry basket case after the meetings, and eat, then come home and collapse, physically and emotionally exhausted, on the sofa for hours. But, today, I feel much more in control and "with it" and not drained. Maybe I'll turn my energy to the MK swap!

Thanks again, everyone!

P.S. Debbie - I am so JEALOUS you are going to the Philadelphia Flower Show! I grew up going to that show annually and it is truly the best in the world. Even after moving to New England, some years I would frequently fiy down to Philly just for the day to attend! It is that good! Have a great time - maybe I'll be able to plan/budget for it for next year...!

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

Pixie Dust that the testing is very soon and the results are prompt.

 

[LindaBabe]

Thanks for everything - I sure felt all of your energy behind me! DH said I was appropriately angry, but not belligerent, succinct in our viewpoints, and very matter-of-fact and controlled. His graphs/charts were amazing and crystal clear - we led off with those and they put everyone on notice from the first minutes of the meeting that we meant business!

DH and I did get to go to our traditional "post-meeting" Chinese food buffet lunch! Usually I am a weepy, angry basket case after the meetings, and eat, then come home and collapse, physically and emotionally exhausted, on the sofa for hours. But, today, I feel much more in control and "with it" and not drained. Maybe I'll turn my energy to the MK swap!

GOOD JOB, MAMA! You are becoming more powerful!

I know two single moms who have had to fight for their children without many financial resources. They basically learned to advocate for themselves, took friends for back up, enlisted the aid of their doctors, and only as last resorts hired advocates.

One, a cancer patient, took on the Salt Lake city school board. They stalled as long as they could, hoping she'd go ahead and die so they wouldn't have to resolve the case. Little did they know she was too damn stubborn to die. Ultimately, they paid for the young lady to attend the Riverview School on Cape Cod. She has now graduated and has a job.

The other wound up moving to a different state with better services, and taking up the fight there. In the mean time, she has acquired a MSW and works in the field, and her daughter is now at a very well regarded school for children with Autism (one of her many diagnoses).

You *CAN* win. Document, document, document. And PERSIST.

 

[PinballFamily]

One, a cancer patient, took on the Salt Lake city school board. They stalled as long as they could, hoping she'd go ahead and die so they wouldn't have to resolve the case. Little did they know she was too damn stubborn to die. Ultimately, they paid for the young lady to attend the Riverview School on Cape Cod. She has now graduated and has a job.

The other wound up moving to a different state with better services, and taking up the fight there. In the mean time, she has acquired a MSW and works in the field, and her daughter is now at a very well regarded school for children with Autism (one of her many diagnoses).

Amazing, isn't it? Living through these shenanigans really coarsens one's viewpoints of humanity, school "professionals", and elected officials. Most typical people have simply no idea how evil some of these folks can be. (And we've had it not-so-bad compared to others in our community and your Salt Lake friend...!)

Actually it is funny (in a gallows humor sort of way!) - the first thing our son's neuropsychologist said to us five years ago was "Move." Many families we know have done just that and some are still struggling with obtaining services - and underwater mortgages in "wealthy" neighborhoods. We didn't move - for many reasons - but it is incredible that these petty administrators make families even consider taking such drastic steps. We all know that school budgets are strained to the breaking point, and the number of kids diagnosed with autism and other disabilities is exploding, but the fragmented, piecemeal approach of throwing the PITA parents a bone to shut them up, and letting the rest of us settle for the $$$ crumbs left for OUR kids is crazy!

 

[DisneyIsTerrific]

Pam, good for you and your DH on continuing your fight for your son's education. The school system is for all children, not just the easy ones who don't need as much personalized attention. I hope the testing gets done quickly and the results help get your DS the help he needs.