Sweetie has a cold - she came down with it this past Saturday afternoon. But she's okay - she's always been able to handle sickness well, thank goodness.
I have a cold too - I came down with it yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon. I think I'm also handling it well. It's just the evenings and mornings that really stink.
Hubby (you guessed it) also has a cold. Or so he says - haven't seen much of him lately. But he, like me, is pretty okay with it all except for the beginning and ending of each day.
But what I'm really sayin' here is that I'm done. Sweetie's sleeping, nothing's on T.V., the dishes are done, and I feel yucky. I've got to go catch some zzzzz's.
In the meantime, don't forget about my other blog posts over at Disaboom and New England Mamas. I blog several times a week at the former, and once every other week at the latter. In both cases, I've posted as recently as a day or two ago.
Feel free to comment on my - or anyone's - posts at either sites. NE Mamas is open for anyone to post comments. Disaboom commenting is for members only. But registration is free and takes, literally, only seconds to do. Please don't feel shy about registering there - it's not only a site for the disabled community, but one for friends, family, caregivers or anyone at all who's interested. Everyone is welcome, so come on in! (no spamming either, which I know is a concern for many).
Okay. Goodnight. I hope to feel better real soon.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Monday, October 29, 2007
Mama Monday #81
Theme: Legacy
Sweetie's Sundress, July 2007
Sweetie's sun dress, made by her Nana, with material from a sun dress my paternal grandmother once owned, then passed on to my mom.
----------------------------------------
Unknowingly, Oh, The Joys posted a lovely entry on this week's theme. Check it out and send her some love.
---------------------------------------
So, what's your take on this week's theme? Submit your entry today.
Sweetie's Sundress, July 2007
Sweetie's sun dress, made by her Nana, with material from a sun dress my paternal grandmother once owned, then passed on to my mom.
----------------------------------------
Unknowingly, Oh, The Joys posted a lovely entry on this week's theme. Check it out and send her some love.
---------------------------------------
So, what's your take on this week's theme? Submit your entry today.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Sweetie Saturday #80
So last week y'all saw Jack's Story. But I didn't get a chance to tell you some other details of the day:
When Sweetie and I first got home that evening, she took off like a shot for parts unknown (well, okay - she took off towards the bathroom). Good! It gave me time to set up the Jack scenario and take some pictures.
Finally, I called to Sweetie:
Sweetie? Where are you?
Hiding!
But you've got to come here. You have a special letter waiting for you.
At that, Sweetie came out of hiding - completely, 100% naked.
See, she was excited to take a bath in our new bathtub. New in that, just the day before, Hubby had the pleasure of spending many, many hours with and many, many dollars on the nice plumbing and heating guy who replaced pretty much all the plumbing and fixtures in our downstairs bathtub.
Anyway, at the time Sweetie was much more excited about her impending tubby than her letter from Jack. But after the bath, that's when she started to get into it.
She was somewhat confused.
But, pumpkins can't write.
Well, apparently this one can.
But, he doesn't have any arms.
Maybe Noki (one of our cats) helped him write the letter.
Noki can't write either!
Then, a minute later, she's talking directly to Jack:
Jack - did you write the letter? How'd you do that? I love you, Jack. (accompanied by a big squeeze)
----------------
Later that day, at Pumpkin Day, Sweetie was bumped a little when we left the snack shop. I heard the college-aged guy who ran into her say,
Excuse me, little man.
Uh oh.
Not only did I hear him call her a "little man", but Sweetie heard him too. So she did what she had to do - she followed after him.
Excuse me, she said when she reached his side. I'm a girl.
The college kid was apologetic and admitted he didn't even really look at her. It's all good - Sweetie wasn't mad - she just felt she had to set him straight.
---------------------------------
A couple weeks ago Sweetie was all instred (interested) in lots of things. This past week, she's been realizing lots of things. Actually, she's not been realizing things:
I didn't realize that Noki walked behind me while I played the clock game.
I didn't realize that you changed the channel.
Hi, Mommy! I didn't realize you were already here to pick me up!
----------------------------------
More Big Girl vocabulary and thought processes of the week:
After taking the bagged leaves to the door, Sweetie discovered a large hole in the bag. Telling me about said hole, she then asked - You can handle this, right?
After discovering that her "map" had been folded and crumpled, Sweetie cried - But it's all folded up! It's folded diangolly!
After seeing a commercial for a tattoo removal cream - Actually, Mama. Ummm... I was wondering... what is a tattoo anyway?
---------------------------------
On the spelling front this week:
Hubby brought home a gingerbread cake the other day. As we ate dinner, we told Sweetie about the cake we could have for dessert. But, in order for her to have a slice, we told her she not only had to finish her dinner but she also had to spell "cake".
I even gave her the unsolicited hint that it ended with a silent E.
Several minutes passed while she ate, and I asked her a couple times if she was ready to spell the word yet.
No - not until I'm done with my ravioli.
Okay. That's fine. Whatever.
Several more minutes passed. Enough time, anyway, that I pretty much forgot about the whole spelling requirement part of the evening. So it was especially exciting, impressive and cute when, all of a sudden, Sweetie was singing the letters C-A-K-E.
Very good, Sweetie! Now we can have cake and eat it too.
--------
On another evening, we three were chillin' in the living room when Sweetie was looking at the cover of my latest Reader's Digest. Completely out of the blue, she read the subtitle of the lead story - 10 Not to Take.
As Hubby and I gaped in impressed awe at each other, Sweetie beamed proudly, telling us,
Now you say, "Very good, Sweetie!"
Yes - very good indeed. You're the best!
When Sweetie and I first got home that evening, she took off like a shot for parts unknown (well, okay - she took off towards the bathroom). Good! It gave me time to set up the Jack scenario and take some pictures.
Finally, I called to Sweetie:
Sweetie? Where are you?
Hiding!
But you've got to come here. You have a special letter waiting for you.
At that, Sweetie came out of hiding - completely, 100% naked.
See, she was excited to take a bath in our new bathtub. New in that, just the day before, Hubby had the pleasure of spending many, many hours with and many, many dollars on the nice plumbing and heating guy who replaced pretty much all the plumbing and fixtures in our downstairs bathtub.
Anyway, at the time Sweetie was much more excited about her impending tubby than her letter from Jack. But after the bath, that's when she started to get into it.
She was somewhat confused.
But, pumpkins can't write.
Well, apparently this one can.
But, he doesn't have any arms.
Maybe Noki (one of our cats) helped him write the letter.
Noki can't write either!
Then, a minute later, she's talking directly to Jack:
Jack - did you write the letter? How'd you do that? I love you, Jack. (accompanied by a big squeeze)
----------------
Later that day, at Pumpkin Day, Sweetie was bumped a little when we left the snack shop. I heard the college-aged guy who ran into her say,
Excuse me, little man.
Uh oh.
Not only did I hear him call her a "little man", but Sweetie heard him too. So she did what she had to do - she followed after him.
Excuse me, she said when she reached his side. I'm a girl.
The college kid was apologetic and admitted he didn't even really look at her. It's all good - Sweetie wasn't mad - she just felt she had to set him straight.
---------------------------------
A couple weeks ago Sweetie was all instred (interested) in lots of things. This past week, she's been realizing lots of things. Actually, she's not been realizing things:
I didn't realize that Noki walked behind me while I played the clock game.
I didn't realize that you changed the channel.
Hi, Mommy! I didn't realize you were already here to pick me up!
----------------------------------
More Big Girl vocabulary and thought processes of the week:
After taking the bagged leaves to the door, Sweetie discovered a large hole in the bag. Telling me about said hole, she then asked - You can handle this, right?
After discovering that her "map" had been folded and crumpled, Sweetie cried - But it's all folded up! It's folded diangolly!
After seeing a commercial for a tattoo removal cream - Actually, Mama. Ummm... I was wondering... what is a tattoo anyway?
---------------------------------
On the spelling front this week:
Hubby brought home a gingerbread cake the other day. As we ate dinner, we told Sweetie about the cake we could have for dessert. But, in order for her to have a slice, we told her she not only had to finish her dinner but she also had to spell "cake".
I even gave her the unsolicited hint that it ended with a silent E.
Several minutes passed while she ate, and I asked her a couple times if she was ready to spell the word yet.
No - not until I'm done with my ravioli.
Okay. That's fine. Whatever.
Several more minutes passed. Enough time, anyway, that I pretty much forgot about the whole spelling requirement part of the evening. So it was especially exciting, impressive and cute when, all of a sudden, Sweetie was singing the letters C-A-K-E.
Very good, Sweetie! Now we can have cake and eat it too.
--------
On another evening, we three were chillin' in the living room when Sweetie was looking at the cover of my latest Reader's Digest. Completely out of the blue, she read the subtitle of the lead story - 10 Not to Take.
As Hubby and I gaped in impressed awe at each other, Sweetie beamed proudly, telling us,
Now you say, "Very good, Sweetie!"
Yes - very good indeed. You're the best!
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
One Too Many Coconuts Boppin' Me On The Head
Sweetie read Chicka Chicka Boom Boom to herself on the car ride home from Nana's this afternoon. Only a handful of words made her pause, asking me for help.
Mama, what's this next word?
I don't know. How do you spell it?
t-h-e-i-r
their.
Oh. Okay. Thank you, Mama.
This went on for awhile and I was impressed with how infrequently she stopped to ask me about other words. But there were others:
Mama, what's this word? s-k-i-n-n-e-d?
"skinned". Like you skinned your knee.
Oh.
30 seconds later....
What's this word? k-n-e-e?
k-n-e-e?
Yeah.
Nothing. That's not a word.
Yes it is! What is it?!
Oh! Knee! That's the word "knee". Sorry about that, Sweetie.
Come on - give me a break. It's hard to drive and spell at the same time.
Mama, what's this next word?
I don't know. How do you spell it?
t-h-e-i-r
their.
Oh. Okay. Thank you, Mama.
This went on for awhile and I was impressed with how infrequently she stopped to ask me about other words. But there were others:
Mama, what's this word? s-k-i-n-n-e-d?
"skinned". Like you skinned your knee.
Oh.
30 seconds later....
What's this word? k-n-e-e?
k-n-e-e?
Yeah.
Nothing. That's not a word.
Yes it is! What is it?!
Oh! Knee! That's the word "knee". Sorry about that, Sweetie.
Come on - give me a break. It's hard to drive and spell at the same time.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Mama Monday #80
Theme: Divided
Hubby and I may disagree, fight and become frustrated with each other. We have before, and we will, undoubtedly, again. But, through hard work and determination, we will never be divided.
Years ago, when Hubby and I were dating - possibly after we were engaged - a mutual friend of ours who happened to be big into astrology told us something about our relationship.
He told us something we actually already knew, but had never really thought about - that we tend to approach things from completely opposite directions, but ultimately want the same outcome.
We've witnessed for ourselves that this is the case for us time and again.
Keeping this info in the back of our minds has been a real life saver for us. When things begin to get heated we are often able to take a breath, calm down, and restate our positions until we can each understand what the other is saying. And more times than not, it's true - we see we're arguing for the same conclusion.
When it comes to parenting, Hubby and I a strongly united front. No division of parental positioning here. He and I both want the same for Sweetie, both agree what is Right and Not Right for her to do, and we do not bend the rules for Sweetie when the other of us is not looking.
Arguments, disagreements and frustrations of marriage and family do come and go. But a complete division, for us, is simply not an option.
Marriage takes work. So does raising a child. Through it all, Hubby and I know we must always work - and sometimes fight - to maintain unity. For when you stop caring enough to fight for something - division is surely not too far behind.
----------------------------------------
So, what's your take on this week's theme? Submit your entry today.
Hubby and I may disagree, fight and become frustrated with each other. We have before, and we will, undoubtedly, again. But, through hard work and determination, we will never be divided.
Years ago, when Hubby and I were dating - possibly after we were engaged - a mutual friend of ours who happened to be big into astrology told us something about our relationship.
He told us something we actually already knew, but had never really thought about - that we tend to approach things from completely opposite directions, but ultimately want the same outcome.
We've witnessed for ourselves that this is the case for us time and again.
Keeping this info in the back of our minds has been a real life saver for us. When things begin to get heated we are often able to take a breath, calm down, and restate our positions until we can each understand what the other is saying. And more times than not, it's true - we see we're arguing for the same conclusion.
When it comes to parenting, Hubby and I a strongly united front. No division of parental positioning here. He and I both want the same for Sweetie, both agree what is Right and Not Right for her to do, and we do not bend the rules for Sweetie when the other of us is not looking.
Arguments, disagreements and frustrations of marriage and family do come and go. But a complete division, for us, is simply not an option.
Marriage takes work. So does raising a child. Through it all, Hubby and I know we must always work - and sometimes fight - to maintain unity. For when you stop caring enough to fight for something - division is surely not too far behind.
----------------------------------------
So, what's your take on this week's theme? Submit your entry today.
Friday, October 19, 2007
Sweetie Saturday #79 - "Jack's Story" Edition
Hi (Sweetie),
I need a face for Pumpkin Day. Will you please draw some for me? I'll pick my favorite one.
Thank you.
I'll see you tomorrow.
Jack
I never got a letter from a pumpkin before!
--------
Good morning, Mama. It's 7:00.
Come here.
No. I'm going downstairs to see what my pumpkin looks like.
...(gasp!)...(back up the stairs)
What's he look like?
He looks like the first one I drawed! But... he doesn't have eyeballs.
--------
Pumpkin Day (addendum)
Awwww.... I hear Jack calling me. He misses me.
Yeah, but he's with all his pumpkin family now.
But those are all his pumpkin party family. He loves me.
---------
Don't know the official count, but Jack had several thousands of pumpkiny brethren to keep him company all day long.
Oh Jack, we hardly knew ye. But we loved you just the same.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Smart IS Beautiful
Upon switching the channel last night from Cavemen to Beauty and the Geek (neither of which, I realize, was appropriate viewing for Sweetie, but there ya go....)
Me: This is a show with pretty girls who aren't very smart and smart boys who aren't very pretty. But they're helping each other to be smarter and prettier. Which do you think is more important - to be smart or pretty?
Sweetie: Pretty.
Hubby and me, in unison: WRONG!
Oy. So much for all my Smart Sweetie talk.
Of all the things to think, Sweetie! That is the one thing you've got completely WRONG!
(Well, that and your erroneous idea that you can't be a builder when you grow up because only boys are builders.)
Be who you are, Sweetie. Be who you want to be - whatever path that may take you down. But most of all, be smart. Your natural beauty will undoubtedly shine throughout your life when you speak your mind, speak from your heart, and apply your intelligence to further both yourself and the world around you.
Me: This is a show with pretty girls who aren't very smart and smart boys who aren't very pretty. But they're helping each other to be smarter and prettier. Which do you think is more important - to be smart or pretty?
Sweetie: Pretty.
Hubby and me, in unison: WRONG!
Oy. So much for all my Smart Sweetie talk.
Of all the things to think, Sweetie! That is the one thing you've got completely WRONG!
(Well, that and your erroneous idea that you can't be a builder when you grow up because only boys are builders.)
Be who you are, Sweetie. Be who you want to be - whatever path that may take you down. But most of all, be smart. Your natural beauty will undoubtedly shine throughout your life when you speak your mind, speak from your heart, and apply your intelligence to further both yourself and the world around you.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Mama Monday #79
Theme: Virgin(ity)
Yesterday Hubby and I had a fight. A stupid, angry fight. Yelling (both of us) and crying (me). And Sweetie heard it all. She came to silently stand in the corner of the room we were in - tears down her face and sadness in her eyes.
After a two hour separation, Hubby and I each stewing (I mean, getting over it) in different rooms, all was fine. It really was a stupid fight over a stupid misunderstanding. It's not even the type of thing I'd normally bring up here, or anywhere, at all. My only point in writing about it is the effect it had on Sweetie.
When Mommy is sad and crying it makes me feel like I want to cry too.
----------------------------------------
Yesterday evening we had AFV playing on the T.V. Not a show that we usually watch, but it seemed to be the best option at the time.
Watching Sweetie watch this, I wondered if she'd think injury-inducing "comedy" would be funny to her or make her upset to watch. But my curiosity was relieved after a couple different "ouch!" videos made her only giggle a little bit - because she didn't quite understand just how painful the accidents could have felt to the recipients.
----------------------------------------
Next we all sat on the couch to watch the latest episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. We three watched as the opening video ran, showing the incredibly heart-wrenching difficulties the family in need suffered through, bringing them to the point of desperately needing a new home. This family had dealt with it all - flooding, fire, theft - really too much for one family to have to go through.
After the description of their fire, Sweetie asked me,
What's a fireball, Mama?
Oy. This. All of this = NOT. GOOD. Danger, Will Robinson. Warning ahead - be on the lookout for rampant nightmares tonight for one little Sweetie girl. (which - surprise! - she did have. Although she tearfully informed me that she simply couldn't sleep - it wasn't a bad dream).
In the following few minutes of the show, Sweetie was whimpering a bit, rubbing her eyes, and cuddling into me.
Oh no.
I wish..... I wish.....
What is it, Sweetie? What do you wish?
I wish.... I wish that my birthday was going to come sooner days than it is.
-------------------------------
Dear Sweetie -
You know what I wish? I wish that you could always keep your incredible empathy for others while never having to go through any personal difficulties in your own life. And I wish that you could always keep your youthful virginity regarding all the tragedy and despair that exists in this big, sometimes frighteningly bad world of ours.
May your life be full of many, many happy birthday wishes and peaceful blue sky days.
Love,
Mama
----------------------------------------
So, what's your take on this week's theme? Submit your entry today.
Yesterday Hubby and I had a fight. A stupid, angry fight. Yelling (both of us) and crying (me). And Sweetie heard it all. She came to silently stand in the corner of the room we were in - tears down her face and sadness in her eyes.
After a two hour separation, Hubby and I each stewing (I mean, getting over it) in different rooms, all was fine. It really was a stupid fight over a stupid misunderstanding. It's not even the type of thing I'd normally bring up here, or anywhere, at all. My only point in writing about it is the effect it had on Sweetie.
When Mommy is sad and crying it makes me feel like I want to cry too.
----------------------------------------
Yesterday evening we had AFV playing on the T.V. Not a show that we usually watch, but it seemed to be the best option at the time.
Watching Sweetie watch this, I wondered if she'd think injury-inducing "comedy" would be funny to her or make her upset to watch. But my curiosity was relieved after a couple different "ouch!" videos made her only giggle a little bit - because she didn't quite understand just how painful the accidents could have felt to the recipients.
----------------------------------------
Next we all sat on the couch to watch the latest episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. We three watched as the opening video ran, showing the incredibly heart-wrenching difficulties the family in need suffered through, bringing them to the point of desperately needing a new home. This family had dealt with it all - flooding, fire, theft - really too much for one family to have to go through.
After the description of their fire, Sweetie asked me,
What's a fireball, Mama?
Oy. This. All of this = NOT. GOOD. Danger, Will Robinson. Warning ahead - be on the lookout for rampant nightmares tonight for one little Sweetie girl. (which - surprise! - she did have. Although she tearfully informed me that she simply couldn't sleep - it wasn't a bad dream).
In the following few minutes of the show, Sweetie was whimpering a bit, rubbing her eyes, and cuddling into me.
Oh no.
I wish..... I wish.....
What is it, Sweetie? What do you wish?
I wish.... I wish that my birthday was going to come sooner days than it is.
-------------------------------
Dear Sweetie -
You know what I wish? I wish that you could always keep your incredible empathy for others while never having to go through any personal difficulties in your own life. And I wish that you could always keep your youthful virginity regarding all the tragedy and despair that exists in this big, sometimes frighteningly bad world of ours.
May your life be full of many, many happy birthday wishes and peaceful blue sky days.
Love,
Mama
----------------------------------------
So, what's your take on this week's theme? Submit your entry today.
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