Happy Birthday Daddy!

Today is my Daddy's birthday.  We are heading to the local pizza place to celebrate.  All the kids who live locally are going to be there.  Good thing they have a BIG back room!  Its going to be SO much fun!  We also have gotten him the best present but I will wait to disclose it in case Daddy's reading!

Dad was number 4 out of 5 and when he was growing up he was a little bit of a daredevil/juvenile deliquent.

He spent 8 years in the Navy, entering as soon as he graduated from high school.  Daddy has some war stories that he shares occasionally, some new ones that I hadn't heard growing up.

He chose to leave the Navy shortly after I was born (this is my older brother).  He wanted to be a dad that his children knew daily, not just at the end of a cruise.

This is the complete family.

I remember my Dad being a hard working man.  Mom stayed home with us kids.  I remember great vacations down the shore with the family and other friends.  Dad was always at the school functions and sports games.

And then he lost the love of his life.  But she was replaced by:

Jakes is only hours old here.  He helped to heal us.

We would meet every Wednesday for dinner.  We would get together and talk on the phone other times too but Wednesdays were set.  Dad would take pictures of Jakes, go home and print them and email them to everyone he knew.  He was SO proud of his grandson.

He told me that once Jakes was potty trained, he would babysit for me.  And he has!  Jakes still goes to his house everyday after school now.  They have the best relationship.

Dad healed a bit and met Renie.  She fit into the family easily.  She quickly became another grandmother for Jakes and makes Dad very happy.

My Dad is there for me when I need him. No matter what I am asking for, he tries to give it to me.  I am still Daddy's Little Girl.  I hope that I can always be that with him.

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

I love you!

Reading

I love to read.  Any chance I get to sit down with a book I take it.  I love being transported to another world.  Even growing up I was a reader.  Book reports for school were no problem because I could just whip through the book. 

Some of my favorite books growing up were Anne of Green Gables, Little House books, Sweet Valley High Twins, Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden stories.  I'm sure there were others but those are ones that stick out, ones that I read time and time again.

Jakes on the other hand is a completely different story with reading.  Getting him to read is like pulling teeth, bribery and yelling all at the same time.  Not fun at all.

His school has a problem called 100 Book Challenge where every semester they are supposed to read at least 100 lines (each line is 15 minutes of reading).  The parents are required to verify that the reading is done and sign off on it.  This year, Jakes is responsible for reading at least 5 hours EACH week!  The weekend is included in that time frame but he decided he doesn't want to read on the weekend.  OK, but its his responsibility to get it done.  This also means that he has to spend at least ONE HOUR every night reading.  Pretty cool for me because I am trying to make sure we sit down together and read at the same time. YAY for me!  I get to read!

Oh wait!  I got distracted.  Sorry.

Anyway, so far he hasn't fought me too much on that one.  He has met his goal each week so far.

One downside of all this reading is that he will be going through some books.  I have lots of ideas for books that I would love for him to read but they are "girl stories" which he doesn't want to read.  I have no idea of books to recommend to him.  He has read all the Diary of a Whimpy Kid books and the newest one is on order.  I have a trip to the library planned but we just haven't gotten there yet.

Can you guys suggest great books for an 11 year old BOY on a 6th grade reading level?  THANKS! 

Random Up!

Its Tuesday again!  Well actually its Monday and I'm just a bit early.  Keeley over at the Un Mom hosts this thing where we spew our random thoughts and link up with her.  Its great fun!  And mind clearing.

Can Wine go bad in the wine fridge?   Lately it seems that every bottle that I open tastes.....  well, weird.  Maybe its me......  I have to wonder if maybe because my wine fridge doesn't maintain a set temperature when the power goes out. Ok, let me babble explain.  If the power goes out, my wine fridge resets itself to a balmy 56 degrees and I like to keep it on 46.  I have whites in there after all!  So if I don't realize it, the wine gets warm.  Then I turn the temp down and it gets cold again.  Can that make my wine go bad?  OH I HOPE NOT!  If so, then the wine fridge is USELESS!  Maybe I just need to drink more.  As long as my job doesn't find out!  YIKES!

I put up 2, yes count them 2 ceiling fans this weekend!  Thanks Daddy!  you're the best!

I was supposed to get educated on Understanding ADHD but the presenter got lost.  Of course when you consider the county where I live (Little Bit of Country) and the fact that they were coming from North Jersey its not surprising.  The surprise is that they called me 10 minutes after I left to say they were there. Great.  I was almost home by then.  (on country roads you can haul ass!)  I didn't turn back.  I went to Son's schools open house.

Which is another mini rant.  To me the definition of Open House is that you come in during a set time, wander around, talk to who ever you want and leave when you want.  Not at Son's school.  If you want to meet a teacher, you have to be there at a set time, when the teacher is lecturing about that particular class.  I missed hearing from all the teachers.  Oh well.   I have been emailing with 2 out of the 3 of them already.  Shoot 2 of them taught ME!

I might have upset the teacher.  He has been addressing me as Mrs.  Ok, DUDE, just cause I have a kid doesn't make me a Mrs.  If you call me Mrs, I look for my ex mother in law!  I tried to correct him gently in my emails back to him, signing them Ms.  But he just didn't get the hint.  Today, I asked him to address me by my first name or Ms.  Thank You Very Much.

A friend of my ex sent me some pictures of YEARS ago.  OMG!  I was skinny and blonde!  And that was the day we set the neighboring junk yard on fire!  Too funny now!  SCARY that day!  But that's for another post.  With the pictures.  See me on Friday......

Jaxon is bent on destroying all his soft toys.  Any stuffed animal (including Jakes stuffed animals) that come into the house, he thinks is his to destroy.  I have picked up SO much stuffing and little plastic eyes.  I should be grateful he's just pulling them apart and not eating them.  And happy that my Evil Step Mom (her nickname, not mine!) gets then cheap at yard sales!  Thanks ESM!

Halloween is coming.  Son wants to be a Whoopy Cushion.  Really?  Are you kidding me?  GROSS.  But since he is scheduled to be with his Dad that weekend, Have a blast!  not my year to wander the neighborhood with him.  I will be at an adult party!  Wooho!  As long as I finish my costume!  Got to get sewing!

I am a certified election worker for the State of New Jersey and we are having an election on 11-2-10.  I have been offered a chance to work the election but its a TUESDAY when I have choir practice.  Which is something I am LOVING being a part of.  But working the election is $200!  And easy boring $200 the month before Christmas.  Oh the Dilema!!!  I need to decide quickly so if I say no, they can get someone else with a little notice.

Oh.  My pictures don't really have anything to do with my post, I just wanted to add to my randomness! 

Speaking of my job.  Yes, I know we weren't really but follow me here.  Its coming into my busy time of year.  All the counties that we get money from are offering up new contracts that I have to write applications for.  That's SEVEN counties and they usually need one application for each service.  So if we are servicing adults AND adolescents, there is two applications for one county.  Then if the county is offering prevention monies, I have to write for that as well.  For ONE of the counties, I have to write 4 separate applications.  For the most part, its just copying and pasting from last years but I do have to update the stats (boring!) and the staffing. 

Ok.  Go see Keeley for more randomness if you are feeling brave!

Dad Update

Its been a while since I posted about my Dad's illness and how he is doing.  So, here you are!

Dad is doing well.  He has some energy but seems to be adjusting to taking it easier, especially in the heat.  The Dr is ok with how things are going and how he is feeling.  They are still adjusting some of his meds but I don't completely understand what's happening with them.  Dad does and that's all that matters.  Its something about optimizing the fish oil with another of his meds.  what ever!  Just do what he says daddy!

Thursday is Dad's birthday and the Dr wanted to give him a present so they are doing another echocardiogram to see how things are inside there.  This should show if his heart muscle is improving or not.

I will post another update on Thursday when we get the results!

For my Family and Friends who read my blog but are not on my Dad Update Email list, send me a message to add you.  I send out an email to his sisters and some others usually the same day he has his appointments but I don't regularly update my blog with his information.

Boxes

Kitters LOVES when I order stuff online.  He gets the boxes!

Isn't he the cutest?

Hope you had a great weekend!  Time for me to get ready for Monday Morning.

It's Autumn

Its Autumn and I have PROOF!

Autumn Morning.

Our geese are back and its a foggy morning.

I couldn't see Delaware when I was out taking this.

I am off to a meeting in Trenton today!  Have a wonderful weekend!

I Gave Away Chocolate!

I started a new diet.  I am sick of how much I weigh and how I feel being this big.  When I graduated high school, I was a size ZERO.  That was too skinny, I looked like a boy.  Over the years, the pounds have found me. 

I LOVE food!  Food is good!  Neicy and I always are looking for good places to eat.

So I started Weight Watchers.  So far, so good.  I have stayed in my points range, added to it with activity points and haven't been hungry.  I also haven't weighed in yet.

I know that I will never get back to the ZERO but I don't want too.  I would loose my boobs!  I am setting small goals for now with a big goal of a weight in between my current weight and the ZERO.

Today in the mail, I received a little box with 3 pieces of brownies.  I am a chocoholic, I LOVE chocolate more than...  well, let's just leave it that I love chocolate!  Normally, this would have been heaven in a box!  But I was a good girl and checked the points value.  FIVE points for a little 1x1 square of chocolate. I decided that I didn't want to waste points on that little bit of chocolate.  So when I walked with Neicy this afternoon, I gave her my chocolate.

She reported back that it wasn't that good.  So glad I didn't waste my points!  Thanks, Neicy for taking one for me! I owe you!

Today I will take it easy.............

After my recent rant, today I will take it easy on myself. A while ago, I received that advice in my email “Thoughts for Today” and have been pushing it aside. I did print it out at the time and this piece of paper keeps coming back to my attention.  Its time to listen to what the universe is throwing into my face.

So, here goes:

Today, I will take it easy.

I will accept that I’ve made mistakes in the past. I will also accept that I did the best I could.

Maybe I wish I had made different decisions or handled things differently. But wishes don’t change the past. I can only begin making changes today. I will accept myself, knowing that I did my best. I did what I thought I had to do.

I am and have always been worthy of being loved the way I want to be loved.

This is sitting on my clipboard on my desk and is taped to my fridge. This is going to be my new affirmation.

Random Thoughts

I don’t have a lot of thoughts today. I’ve been hiding from them. You can check out others with better random thoughts at The Un Mom.

*****

I am tired of Drs Office; especially the female Drs Office. Why is it that all they want to do is put your legs over your shoulders? At least that’s what it feels like. And unfortunately, I’m not done with them. I have to go back for more checks even though they have found nothing wrong. WTH? Oh and I HATE cramps and Advil gives me indigestion.

*****

I am loving this cooler weather! I love to snuggle up under blankets and have missed that over the summer.

*****

I enjoyed my weekend without Son and was able to recharge my patience with him. Of course, I also have stopped being the helicopter for the most part. Not totally but I hover less than I did before our last therapy session.

*****

I am tired of every time I pick up my camera that the batteries are dead. I seem to charge them ALL the TIME! I’d be better off getting cheap ones from the dollar store. Now there’s a thought!

*****

I got an iPhone and I LOVE it! I can’t believe I didn’t get before this. It’s AMAZING! Of course, Son came home from his Dad’s and the first thing he said was “My dad has a Droid and he says they are better than an iPhone.” Shut up kid. I politely told him that they make all kinds of different phones because everyone likes different things. It doesn’t mean one is better than the other. See! I can be a good mom and not bash his father! HA.

 

Don't forget to check out The Un Mom and the randomness happening over there!

This is the one where I beat myself up. Tomorrow I will take it easy.

School is back in session and I am happy yet angry at the same time. Son and I are in therapy and things were going very well DURING the summer. When there weren’t responsibilities of homework and schedules were looser. In my zeal to make sure everything runs smoothly and gets completed, I turned into a tyrannical nag. Which of course Son didn’t like and fought me. Life sucks.

So at our last visit with the therapist, I let loose. I complained all about everything and how I was miserable and didn’t want to do this anymore. Son bounced right back at me, complaining about me and my nagging. It was like a married couple. I need to someone in my life! Ugh.

So Vickie told me that for the next 2 weeks, I am supposed to let him do things his way. I am to provide food, shelter and clothing. Nothing else. I am supposed to stop controlling everything he does, let him figure out how to get it done. If it doesn’t get done, he is to pay the price for it. If he doesn’t get ready for school on time to get the bus, he is supposed to walk there. I also am supposed to document the success and failures. I am good at documentation!

She wants to see if he really can handle things or if he needs other interventions. This is a test for him as well as for me.

This is hard for me. I am a control freak. I like to control everything around me. Its my security, the source of my strength. But I am trying to let him do what he has to do and not get upset when things don’t get done. Take tonight for instance, he got his homework done but didn’t write up his reading. I reminded him once that he had things to do still and left it at that. I reminded him once that he needed to get in the shower, which he didn’t but I just sent him to bed when it was time.

There has been very little fighting and most things are getting done. He will be staying in for recess tomorrow because he didn’t bring home some homework.

I have been kicking myself since our meeting. I feel like I have failed at this mother thing, feeling like I can’t handle this mothering thing. Does it really matter HOW things get done? Do they REALLY have to go according to MY plan or can his way work too? Besides, if I let him take responsibility for himself, won’t I have more time for ME? Plus the added benefit of less stress and conflict. Do I really need to control everything in his life?

The answers to these questions are what I have to work on accepting, for my sanity and the health of my relationship with my child. Plus, it will probably benefit my future relationships.

So I still have work to do on myself. Lots of work.

Missing in Action

I haven't really been able to get back into blogging since vacation.  I mean my vacation in July!   We've been busy living and enjoying life.  That doesn't leave a lot of time for reading and writing blogs.  I feel like I have not been a very good friend of late.  And I don't know if I feel like reading and writing blogs at the moment.  I don't even feel like doing this one but I need to let ya'll know what's up.

I am heading into a busy time at work so that cuts into my blogging time as well.  I will be around.

I am taking care of myself and my Son but its rough going right now.  We are working through things with the therapist but I can't help but feel as though I have failed at something.  I can't name what yet, I just have that feeling.  Over time I will figure it out.  Maybe.

I hope everyone has a great weekend.  The weather here promises to be wonderful and I have a couple of good books to preuse by the river.

It's Okay Tuesday!

I am stealing this from Amber over at Airing My Dirty Laundry One Sock At a Time. She got the idea from Glamour magazine, which has a section called “Hey, Its Okay” and lists a bunch of things to be okay about. Amber has been doing this on Tuesdays for quite a while now and they are always great!

Since I am in a funk and need some positive reinforcement, I thought I would play along with Amber today. Here goes:

Hey It’s Okay….

To be frustrated beyond everything with Son and his school.

To not want to share my chocolate, especially when I am PMS-ing.

To agree with Amber about hating that everything is in 3D these days. I like my personal space, thank you very much!

To be excited that Son is going to his fathers and my parents are leaving for the beach this weekend, leaving me ALL alone!

To be excited that my 40th birthday is coming. I have a plan to celebrate!

To wish that Son would stop arguing with me over EVERYTHING.

To be happy that Neicy and I have a great day planned for Thursday! Can’t wait.

To wish the school year was over and it was summer vacation again.

To wish the school child study team would do their job without me having to nag them.

To be happy that my iPhone is going to be delivered today! Excitement abounds!

 

If you want to play along next week, let me know and I will make a McLinky thingy for us!

Remembered Love

Jess sat on the beach, baking in the sun. She watched the waves roll into each other and eventually the sandy beach. Wave watching was soothing and it didn’t take long for her mind to empty of daily worries. No worrying today about the kids, the house, money, or her job. She was just relaxing on the beach with the sound of the waves and the occasional seagull. Instead she let her mind wander to her first love, Jon.

They had been in love during high school, dating for about 2 years. Different memories flashed through Jess’s mind. Most brought a smile to her face but there were some that brought a frown.

Jess remembered the day Jon walked her to homeroom (he did that every day but still) and kissed her good bye right in front of the teacher. And what a mean teacher she was! She gave them both detention, not that either of them served the time.

She remembered sitting in science class, paying more attention to watching the back room where Jon might be working on an experiment for another teacher. Jess remembered how her heart would race and her whole body would tingle when she saw him. God, she missed that feeling!

The time they went to the Candy Stripers Ball with her best friend Cassie and her boyfriend. They were all dressed up, with great friends, loud music and the perfect excuse to be in each others arms. Fast or slow songs, it didn’t matter, they were together.

Jess could skip around in her mind to all the different Friday and Saturday nights spent at one house or another. She thought about all the make-out sessions in the hallway with his mom sitting in the driveway waiting for them to get finished saying good bye. Hours later would find them on the phone missing each other. They shared all their thoughts, dreams and hopes for the future until one or both fell asleep.

Then Jon got his license, a car and a job to support the car. This changed things between Jess and Jon. Because of his job, there wasn’t as much time for him to spend with Jess. Jess didn’t mind too much, she just missed him. They did spend as much time as possible with each other in school and out.

They were in Drama Club together and worked backstage to help put on the plays. Jess remembered hiding in the catacombs of the theatre, making out with Jon during practice and the actual plays.

They were young and inexperienced in sex. They were finding their way together. Jess was an innocent but loved Jon and all he did to make her feel wonderful and loved.

Jess remembered the many times on the way home, they would stop for a make out session and more. She remembered the first time he kissed her breasts and her first orgasm from him. The feelings in her body were new and wondrous. She knew Jon loved her and always would.

Jon wasn’t the only one with a job. While Jess was still more than a year from getting her license, she was saving up for her car and all the support it would need. She would baby-sit for her cousins and a friend of the family. Jess would baby-sit until the early morning hours and Jon could stop by on his way home from work to visit with Jess. It was at such a visit that Jon and Jess first made love to each other. They had spent hours talking about it, making sure that each was really ready to be with the other and knowing it would be the ultimate gift for each other. While some things were not as Jess had expected, she loved Jon. She knew that she always would.

One thing Jon still doesn’t know to this day is that Jess’s father rode past the house where they were “babysitting”. Jess was grounded for a week or so because of it. That’s protective parents for you!

A shrill whistle from the life guard shifted Jess' train of thought and she tried to remember what went wrong between her and Jon but couldn’t really come up with the reason they eventually broke up. She couldn’t remember who did the breaking up but thought it might have been her. She remembered seeing Jon around school and being sad and uncomfortable around him when they were backstage or when they were with their group of friends.

Jess remembers that she dated someone else for a while and when that didn’t work out; she tried to make friends with Jon again. She actually wanted to be more than friends with him. She remembered the day they sat in his car outside the school, him telling her that he just wanted to be friends, that he didn’t want to be her “fall back guy” for when things didn’t work out for her with someone else. He felt he was in a good place in his life as he was getting ready to graduate and leave for college. He didn’t want to go through that hurt again.

Jess remembers that day very clearly for some reason. After all these years, it doesn’t matter why. Not when Jon and Jess have both moved on to other relationships, other loves, other lives.  Fate has taken them in their separate directions.   Maybe their paths will cross again or not.  Only time will tell.


This Story is a part of Theme Thursday.  They Post a Theme and you create a post around that theme.  Check out the other creatives over there!

Singing My Heart Out

I am on Cloud 19!  This evening was SO.MUCH.FUN.  I am floating, no I'm flying!  STILL!  I knew NO ONE there.  Yet, they made me feel welcome and accepted.  They are an amazing group of people!

Tonight was my first choir practice.  My first impression upon entering the room was "do I really want to be around all this white hair?"  then I mentally kicked myself.  Who cares?  I am there to sing and have fun.  Even with white hair.  And then the younger crowd started coming in.  Its a good mix of ages and different people.  Tons of laughter, teasing and chattering.  Then the conductor steps up and introduces some of the newbies (me!).

I had taken an empty chair , just any old chair.  One of the ladies there started talking, giving the low down.  The soprano's sat in the red chairs, alto's in the maroon and so on. When I was introduced he assumed I was soprano because of the red chair I occupied but I corrected him.  The lady I was talking to shoo-ed me over with a smile on her face.  I retored that the Alto section looked like more fun anyway.  We both laughed!

We are singing Christmas songs, getting ready for the Christmas Concert.  I can't WAIT!  I'm sorry that I will have to miss next week for Son's therapy but that's more important right now.  One of the songs has a soprano solo which will be auditioned out but one woman took it when we got there and it was BEAUTIFUL!  What a voice she has!  Again, I was reminded of the amazing people in this room with me, amzing people in so many ways!

We finished going through all the songs for the concert, we need to work on LOTS of parts of them but it will be fun!  I know it will be!  And we adjourned for the night.  Again, lots of teasing and laughter on the way out.  I can't wait for the next time!

On the way home I stopped for gas and my cell rang.  It was HS!  I haven't heard from him since he went back to AZ in July.  He'd been sick and started a new job and just didn't have time or feel like calling/emailing/fb-ing.  But his pocket called me!  I like pocket calls!  What a topper to an already great night!  Sending a special thanks to HS's pocket! 

I also should thanks HS for putting the bug in my head about choir when he visited.  Thanks!  I also need to thank you guys for your encouragement to do this! THANKS!  And thanks to Dad for watching Son tonight and the rest of the Tuesday nights!  Love you Daddy!

I truly am blessed tonight!  Still flying high! 

Happy Wednesday everyone!

tuesday randomness

Keely over at the Un Mom does this Random-Hook-Up thingy.  You get to spill all your random thoughts and feelings in one post.

Check her place out.

 

Check out the new button!  Great Job Keely!

School Days!  School Days!  I have never been so happy for School Days!  Son starts school today and I am SO happy!  Not only will it be good for me and for Son but for my pocketbook as well.  See, I was paying over $200 weekly for his summer camp.  My savings account is depleted and I need to get it built back up.  I console my accounts with the fact that Son enjoyed it!  School days!

*****

Last week I was on vacation.  Yes, again.  I get over 20 days per year just for vacation and I have to use it or loose it and I don't like to loose it.  September 6th was the start of my 8th year with the company and that means that I now get 24 vacation days.  That doesn't include personal/sick days, religious holidays, regular holidays and floating holidays at Christmastime.  I think I have more time off than I actually work!  The perfect job.

*****

While on vacation, Son and I spent time together in the River and at the beach.  We relaxed and argued.  We visited with an old friend for the day.  I cleaned the house, I mean REALLY cleaned!  He got to be Sailor For A Day on the AJ Meerwold.

*****

Dad, Renie and Kathy had a great trip to Tennessee this past week.  They drove there to visit Kathy's daughter and her family.  They also brought back presents!   I think Jaxon got more presents than Jakes and I put together.  Pretty Funny.

*****

Note to Self:  Don't drop a full wine bottle on your foot. One or the other might break.  Fortunately for me, neither broke.  My foot is only bruised.  And I am planning my revenge on the bottle.  I'm going to drink it!

*****

Thank you to everyone who urged me to go singing!  I appreciate all your views and I am going to go singing tonight!  I am excited.  I loved choir in high school and love to sing when I can.  I am not saying I am GOOD, its something that I enjoy.  I will have to let them know I will be there every other week until Jakes is finished with Therapy.  Hopefully that will not interfere.

*****
I just looked around me and I am surrounded by the animals.  Kitties on each side and the dog at my feet.  When did I get do loved?  Do I have food in my pockets or something?

*****
Son set his alarm for 6, which personally I think is too early.  This will cut into my "me" time in the morning but we will work this out.  I got woke up at 5 with Jaxon barking in his cage.  Normally when he needs to go out, he whines and scratches the cage, not barks like someone has invaded the house.  He was barking at Jakes whose alarm had just gone off.  Guess we have to make suer his clock is set for the correct time as well.

*****
6:42 am - Son asks to start walking to the bus stop.  The bus doesn't come until 8 am or so.  He's not excited at ALL!

Home Depot

Son's therapist and I have been brain storming ways to socialize him without putting him in the Autistic Group, which we both think he is too high functioning for.  (can I get anymore Run-on with that sentence?!?!?)

 One suggestion that she had was Home Depot. 

Huh?  On the first Saturday of each month they have a clinic for kids.  No registration required, just show up between 9 and noon, they provide the child with the project and an apron.  Best thing:  IT'S FREE!  .

Yes, I said FREE!

We showed up for the August clinic and Son loved being able to build the project.  I wasn't allowed to help him but the Home Depot Girl could.

Some Glue, nails and hammering

Some SERIOUS concentration!

And Son walked away with a school bus pencil holder

and a certificate.

We are hoping to go back in September to build a football holder.

Home Depot definitely gets my seal of approval!

Thanks Home Depot!

What's your opinion..............

When my friend (HS) from High School visited this summer, we reminiced about high school when we were in the theatre club and how much we liked it. While I liked theatre, I loved being in the band and singing in the chorus.  Every once in a while I get my flute out to see if I still remember how to play.  I do!  And there's nothing like singing  in the car to the radio! One of the things HS said he would like to do is find something like our high school theatre club where he lives now.  That got me to thinking the same thing for me, but maybe musical in nature instead. 

In the local paper today there was an article where the community college singing group is looking for members!  There is no fees and no auditions, just weekly practices on Tuesday evenings and there is a Christmas concert.  Sounds like fate is telling me to go for it, right?  It would be great fun!  A chance to meet new people and do something I enjoy.  It would be a great Mission for Me.

As you know, I have an 11 year old son with Aspergers who is currently in therapy every other week, you guessed it, on Tuesdays.  The therapist is working with us toward discharge in the near future but Son still has some work to do. 

You also know that I don't so much for myself.  I work, I take care of Son, I take care of the house and my parents but I don't have very many hobbies of my own.  I feel guilty when I leave Son with a babysitter to enjoy some time with my girlfriends and I try to schedule my "Me time" when Son is with his father.

I would LOVE to join the chorus group but for now I would only be able to attend every other Tuesdays.  On the other Tuesdays, I would have to ask my parents to watch Son and get him ready for bed.  I am fairly sure they wouldn't mind, they are not home yet for me to ask.  I just don't know if I would be ok with doing something for ME on a school night and missing that time with Son.  I am totally on the fence about this idea.

What's YOUR opinion? Would you do this for yourself?  If you would do this for yourself, do you feel guilty leaving your child(ren) for the evening on a school night?

Hurricane Earl

Tuesday I was shocked to hear that a hurricane was probably heading up the East Coast.  I don't pay attention to the news very much, only what makes headlines on my Yahoo home page.   So Tuesday was when I first started tracking the storm.  See, Son was suppposed to sail on the AJ Meerwold on Wednesday, with me spending the day at the beach.  Plus my parents and neighbor, Kathy are in Tenneessee and supposed to travel home sometime at the end of the week.

Hurricane Earl - Sept 2010

At one point I heard that Earl would pass within 150 miles east of Atlantic City on Friday.  I am about 70 miles WEST of AC right on the Delaware River. That path would have put me within 200 or so miles of the hurricane.  Not a place I want to be if there is to be lots of rain and a storm surge!

Wednesday after the trip to the beach, Son and I battened down the hatches around here just to do our part to ensure Earl stayed even further East of us.  I also advised my parents of the current forecast and they decided to stay in Tennessee for another day, just to avoid any potential problems from the storm.

Fortunately for us, Earl stayed WAY, WAY east of Atlantic City.  So far East we didn't even get any desperately needed rain!  We did get a pretty high tide this evening.  A ship went by and when the wake hit the bulkhead, we had major waves!  And poor Jaxon was playing by the bulkhead got soaked and scared.

My thoughts and prayers are with the people in North Carolina, Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard and further north as you deal with Earl.  Hopefully, your clean up will be quick and plain-less!

Sailor for a Day and The Beach

This week, Son went on the AJ Meerwold which is NJ's Tall Ship.  He was Sailor for a Day.  Its a day camp where kids ages 10-16 get to sail the boat for the day with the help of the crew.  If you remember, back in May we watched her sail past our house and also took a sunset cruise on her.  It was lovely!

This is from May when she sailed past our house.

Info about the boat

Son waiting patiently to board.

The Boat sailing back into port at the end of the day.

While Son was on the boat, my friend Janet and her daughter and I went to THE BEACH!  It was a HOT, heavenly day on the sand.  We stopped for breakfast before hitting the sand.  YUM!  Nothing like pancakes and bacon to start your day!

Here's our little spot on the beach.  We ended up moving back when the water chased us.

The view from my chair.

My beach buddy, Janet.  She is great!  I called to say, let's go and she showed up at my house before 7 to make sure Son got to the boat on time!  AND she didn't worry about hanging out at the beach ALL day until the boat came back in.  She's the best beach buddy!

We went back to the marina to get Son and as expected he chatted all about his day.  I think Janet and I tuned him out because at one point in the ride home, Janet realized that it was quiet in the backseat.  This is what we saw:

Tired Son!  I guess it was a great day!

Gone Fishing.......... Theme Thursday

We live on the Delaware River and since Son was a little fellow, he and G-Pop have been fishing together.  They still can be found out front with rods in the water Saturday mornings.  Heck, I probably have worms in my fridge right now.  YUCK!

My Boys.

Son was about 3 in these pictures.

G-pop ALWAYS held onto Son's life jacket.

Son was such a cutie!

Buddies to the End. :)

BIG fish that was caught 2 houses down from us.

This fish won a competition for being the biggest caught.

WOW!

This post was brought to you by the vacationing Theme Thursday!  There is no linky this week but I wanted to share this fishy story.

Kitters

Jakes is on the Sailor For A Day today.  And I will be on a beach while he is sailing!  Pictures of the Sailor to come later!  But I will leave you with some pictures of Kitters.  He sprawled out on the chair over the weekend.

Ultimate Sweetness!