The End Is Near

The end is near. Boarding passes are printed. Luggage is paid for. Have to do some laundry and pack this afternoon. In a way I'm sorry to leave but I also can't wait to get home. I'm missing my parents & everyone at home. I'm missing jaxon and the kitties.

And I'm looking forward to my trip to the beach with my girlfriends. Always a good time!!


AZ's couch has been lonely while I've been here. He's out here all alone and is having some health problems so his couch is his friend. We've gone shopping for his new dryer, we've cooked dinner and saw a couple of movies. He's done a couple of projects around his house and his mom wants me to stay another couple of weeks. As if I could!! Lol

Last night we stopped at Lucille's BBQ joint. It was SO yummy! I had BBQ tri tips that were so tender I could cut it with my fork. Melt in your mouth yumminess!


I've made arrangements with JF for Jakes to spend Christmas week with me. We agreed on a schedule and then left it up to Jakes. He said he wants to spend the week with me!!!! Yay!!!!!


My parents are going out of town for christmas this year. They are going to my brothers house in Iowa. I've never had a Christmas without my daddy. It's also going to be the first Christmas that my child hasn't woke up at home. I don't know how this is going to feel. Lonely, I'm sure. But we'll work something out. Ms. Kathy will be around for company as will the other members of the compound. It'll be good. A new tradition.



Ok time to get moving. Regularly scheduled programming will be back next week!

Sunday Check in - Paradise Not Found

WOW!  Has it really been a week since I checked in here?  Oh my!  But I've been having fun and relaxing.  The flights were on time and PACKED.  AZ was released from ER just in time for me to land and be picked up. Phew.

I'm sending you greetings from sunny Phoenix, Arizona.  I'm loving the weather, being in shorts and t-shirts.  I've taken lots of walks in the sunshine.  Today I realized that my lungs are missing something......... humidity!  There is no humidity here and I come from swampland Jersey where the humidity never goes below 95%.  I'm part amphibian, I think.

We've been enjoying our time together, with only one trip to ER which did not result in an admission.  Double Phew.  We went to see Breaking Dawn and both of us loved it.  Can't wait for the next one to come out.

The next couple of movies we want to see while I'm here is Edgar and Muppets.  I can't WAIT to see the Muppets.  I love Animal and Sweetums.  So lovable!

We cooked Thanksgiving Dinner at home just for us and between us, we make REALLY good cooks!  Still munching on leftovers. 

I think Jakes is missing me.  Before I left, he told me in a Tween way to stop texting him everyday.  Well, guess who's been texting me EVERYDAY!  YUP!  The attitude Tween!  But of course he won't admit to missing me.  Oh well, I'll take what I can get.  ;)

Dad and ESM have been sending pictures of Jaxon conked out on the couch.  Apparently, they have been running his little butt ragged with new toys.  Probably to keep him from gaining weight from all the treats they've been giving him.  They also have reported break-out from the house.  Shadow is lonely and everytime someone goes into my house, he runs out.  Of course, they are catching him right away cause he's looking for some lovin'.

So, all is good from Sunny AZ.  But while I've enjoyed myself here, its not my paradise found.  There are lots of reasons, good ones for being here but plenty of others for not staying.  Maybe to be disclosed one day here but most likely just in my diary.

We've almost got laundry done and will be heading out to see what kind of trouble we can get into!  Happy Sunday!

Sunday Check In

This time tomorrow I will be on my way to the airport and shortly after that, winging my way across the country to AZ.  My lengthy check list is dwindling.  I still have stuff to pack, mostly stuff I'll be using tomorrow morning.  I still have the cookbook to put together but ESM and I didn't have the right size binders.  Oh well, we'll get it done!

I still have to get Jaxon's stuff together and take it upstairs to Dad and ESM's house.  I think Jaxon knows I'm leaving, he's seen the suitcase and hasn't let me out of his sight today.  Poor baby!

I finished my craft project for my presents for the girls when I'm in OCMD after AZ.  Yikes, can I use any more prepositions?  After the weekend, I'll share it with you.  They came out very nice if I do say so myself!

Jakes and I have had a good weekend.  He helped me with the craft project and the cookbook.  We also chatted about his living with his father.  He likes it over there and he thinks it was a good thing for both of us.  He isn't mad at me and likes that we can get along better on the weekends.  That makes me SO happy!  OH!  And he's worried about his grades!  That's something that didn't happen here lately.  SO HAPPY!

Well, its time to finish the dishes, clean out the fridge and the litter box.

Frazzled Friday

Can I get any busier? Probably not.  At work, I was killing myself to get an application completed when a contract renewal comes in and is due while I'm on vacation.  Since its a RENEWAL, that's almost guaranteed monies so I had to stop killing myself on the grant and kill myself on the renewal.  My poor fingers!  I had gone to headquarters to get all the signatures I would need for all the applications I'm submitting before I go but now I need signatures on the renewal.  And I cannot get them until MONDAY.  Guess who's working a half day Monday.  At least the plane doesn't leave until 5:00 pm.

I can do this!  And impress my boss with my dedication at the same time.

I've started packing but I don't know WHAT to pack. Do I pack shorts and t-shirts, pants and sweatshirts?  AZ says its cold there.  But his idea of cold and mine are completely different right now.  Guess I'll have to pack a little of everything, just in case.

One night this week, I sent Jaxon upstairs with the G-parents for a little while.  ESM came home and Jaxon attacked her with love.  He hugged her and kissed her and loved her all over!  She was thrilled.  I know Jaxon will be well loved while I'm gone.

Jakes texted me yesterday to find out what we're doing for dinner tonight when I get him.  He loves to eat out at a pizza place on the way home.  I was teasing him that we were going to eat at home.  He didn't like that idea.

I have a busy weekend planned with him.  We have riding lessons, Jaxon needs his nails clipped, I have to finish a cookbook for ESM, make ice cream for Ms. Kathy before I leave, and make presents for my girls weekend in OCMD when I get back.  OH!  And our Autism Center is having their annual bazaar so we have to check that out too.  I have plans of having Jakes help with the cookbook and the presents.  Should be some good bonding time for us.  Especially since I'll be leaving him for two weeks!

That's my only regret for going to AZ for so long; I'll miss my time with Jakes.  I need to find a way to bridge the gap between AZ and here.  Have to talk to AZ about it while I'm there.  :)

I know I haven't had time to read blogs recently, I'm hoping to catch up with you guys sometime!  I miss you!  While I'm in AZ, I don't know how much time I will be spending at a computer.  Probably not much!  I will be back though!  Love ya's!

They're ALL Mine - WW

Shadow loves to collect Jaxon's toys and tease him!

Check out other Wordless Wednesday Posts.

Its Tuesday

Oh yay!  Its Tuesday!  6 Days until vacation, 3 days until my weekend with Jakes. And 2 days to get these applications for work completed.  YIKES!

Dad went to the heart Drs last week and got a satisfactory report.  The Dr is ok with how he's been feeling, how the BP has been and all that good stuff.  As Dad says, "He said I have a heart."  Cute Daddy!  But I know where I get my sense of humor.

When Mom was sick, she worried that her cancer was hereditary and us kids would get it.  On my Dad's side of the family the women seem to get Alzheimer's.  I would tell Mom, "Don't worry about me!  I'll get cancer, then Alzheimer's and forget I have Cancer."  At first she wasn't amused by my attitude.  But you have to have humor when you're dealing with such serious illnesses.  Mom eventually came to accept my sense of humor about the illnesses.

In addition to all the applications I am typing for work, my ESM has me working on a cookbook for a club for which she is president.  I typed all the recipes over the summer and she finished reviewing and making corrections.  Her meeting with the club to discuss the cookbook is 11/28 when I will be in AZ.  So I have to make the corrections for her, get a mock up book read for her before I leave.  hummmmmmmm  At least its just a mock up and doesn't have to be perfect.

I get back from AZ on 12/1 which is a Thursday.  On Friday, I have to be packed up and ready to head to OCMD for my girls weekend!  NO JET LAG ALLOWED! 

I can't wait to see these wonderful women.  Its always a good time had by all.  Lots of laughter, fun and love.  We always exchange Christmas gifts when we go. This year I am going to attempt to etch glasses.  Over the weekend, Neicy and I found Irish Coffee mugs.  I have to figure out what I want to etch on them, probably something to represent the ocean and of course the love shared by all of us.  I think I'll get Jakes to help me with this project over the weekend.

I think my friend in AZ is getting excited for me to come out there.  He's been texting and calling more often.  We've made tentative plans to see a couple of movies while I'm there.  He's also going to cook Thanksgiving dinner for me.  :)   I can't wait!  Now to keep him out of the hospital while I'm visiting.....

Ok.  Time to get back to typing!  Happy Tuesday!

Sunday Check In - The Panic Attack

Have you ever woke up in the middle of the night with a panic attack about something at work?  I did just Saturday morning. I  realized that this is my last week of work before vacation and I have several applications still outstanding.  My part on 3 of them is complete, just have to print, collate and copy.  But there are 3 others that I am waiting for information from other people.

Of course, there is one application that hasn't been started and its going to take a lot of typing on my part.  Plus my boss still has to look it over and see if its worth doing.  I think I will be working some late hours this week.  And I am typing at home right now.  Or at least I will be in a few minutes......

I wanted so share an amusing story from my visit with Jakes this weekend.  I only had him from Friday evening until Saturday afternoon.  Jakes seemed to think he father would get him around 3.  So we made plans to go bowling with the autism center.  JF texted that he'd get Jakes around 2.  I asked if I could keep him until 3:30 because of the bowling.  JF said no.  When I told Jakes he had to leave at 2, Jakes seemed to think it was all my fault!  Um, how is it my fault?  Your father wants to get you at 2 and I asked to keep you longer.  So Jakes was mad at me because he had to leave at 2 and couldn't go bowling.

Love the way he thinks!  I just laughed at him being mad at me.  Eventually, Jakes did realize that it wasn't my fault and he apologized.  Lots of hugs and kisses before he went home.

Ok.  Time to get typing so I can go on vacation in 8 days!!!!

Thursday Thoughts

Its been about two weeks since Jakes moved to his dad's.  The first week was kinda hard for me to adjust to.  I was lonely after work, no one to argue with or nag to get things done or to hide from.

In the middle of the week, he got his phone and would text me throughout the days.  Such a little thing made me so happy!  I didn't miss him as much.

Then the weekend came and it was my time with him.  While we still argued a little and his still has a mouth on him, it was an enjoyable time. I WANTED to spend time with him.  I WANTED to play video games with him.  We were much more relaxed with each other and able to joke around and tease each other.  When it was time for me to say goodbye at the end of the weekend, I was ready for him to go but not in a bad way.  I was coming to realize that this might just be The Right situation for Jakes and me right now.

This past week has been a busy one for me, with traveling for work and election day in the mix and Jakes started school so he hasn't had as much time for texting.  But its ok.  I know he loves me and he knows I love him.  We both know that I'll be there on Friday to get him again.

Last night I went to dinner with my parents and on the way home, I said how much better I've been feeling.  So much less stressed and even happier.  EMS said the same thing.  She said she noticed that I've been laughing much more.  Like at dinner, we were teasing Dad about things and being rowdy in the diner.

Jakes seems to be doing well over at his dad's also. This is his first week of school and he said its ok.  He seemed to have a lot of homework to do.  It will take some time for things to settle in over at his dad's.  I imagine Jakes is on his best behavior and won't argue as much with his dad as he has with me over the years.  Once the "Honeymoon" is over, there might be more troubles in their household.  I hope not, for Jakes sake.

I did everything I could to make things work between Jakes and myself over the years.  I have always believed that a child should be with their mom's, in my way of thinking that was the traditional way of life.  I am coming to realize that there are many different families.  It all depends on what is best for the child.

I think having Jakes out of my home is best for ME.  I can only wait and see if its what is best for him.  But as any good mother will do, if this doesn't work for him, I'll fight to make sure we find a situation that WILL work for him.  Jakes comes first! But right now, I'm at peace with my decision.

13 Days Until Vacation & Other Silliness

Why is it that some people have the ability to absolve themselves of any fault or part of a situation?  They can take ANY situation, no matter how much or how little involvement they had in it and turn it around to be someone elses fault.  How can you do that?  How can you live with yourself by doing that?

Its pretty darn frustrating to be on the end that is getting heaped all the blame.  I tried to do what I thought was best and still I get the blame for everything in the situation.  Some people are just a$$holes I guess.  I hate people like that!

I've been a baking fool!  I made 3 loaves of bread and rolls, a batch of Cinnabons and a failed attempt at Monkey Bread.  All last night and this morning.  Its all yummy, except the Monkey Bread.  oops.  I also have to clean my oven now.  UGH.  But it made my parents happy!  

They host the local political clubs' luncheon on election day.  Daddy makes his AWESOME crab soup and I make bread.  I decided to add in breakfast since some of the workers would be at the polls starting at 5:30 in the morning.  OUCH.  I will be sitting at the polls this evening.

{Imagine me dancing while I type this....}  

13 days until vacation!!! 13 days until vacation!!! 13 days until vacation!!!  I am SO looking forward to heading to AZ again!  I think its going to be avery good visit!  13 days until vacation!!! 13 days until vacation!!! 13 days until vacation!!!

I'm typing my fingers to the bones to get my work done so I can go out there.  If my applications are not completed, I won't be able to go.....   waaaaahhhhhh!  I'll get them done!  I have plenty of time left.  13 days to be exact!

Ok.  Time to start typing my fingers to the bones again!  Happy Tuesday!

My Weekend

Friday around 3, I started bouncing in my chair with excitement that I was getting Jakes in a few hours.  He'd been texting me off and on all day as he was excited too.  He sent me a text that said "I miss you super much"  awwww!  How sweet!

At 4:15 he called me to tell me he was out of his seizure medicine and needed me to get him more.  I told him to call his father.  HA!  I loved that!  Except that my kid needed his medicine and I wanted to help him get it.  So I called him back and told him that if his father gave Jakes the insurance cards, we could refill the Rx over the weekend.  Jakes told me that his father said he'd be ok without it until Sunday.

WHAT?!?!?!?!?!??!?!?!???!?!?!?!

I didn't scream at Jakes.  Or his father.  On the way home from getting Jakes, we stopped and I bought out of pocket (no insurance for a BRAND NAME medicine) 4 pills to take us through the weekend.  OUCH.  But my child had the medicine that he needed in order to insure he didn't have a seizure while in my care.

I have been composing a parenting-fail email in my head all weekend but I haven't sat down to actually DO it because my email will be completely unproductive.  I am going to try and compose a nicer version today, just so that I can have a record of the fact that he sent Jakes without his medication and without a plan for getting the medication for the weekend.  I might have to start with the bad email, just to get it out of my system, then tone that down.  We'll see.  But I need to document that Jakes didn't have his medicine.

The weekend was a pretty nice one with Jakes.  He still has attitude and mouth towards me but not as much.  Of course, there wasn't as much in the way of schedules and things that HAD to be accomplished this weekend.  It was mostly about Fun Stuff.

We had riding lessons on Saturday Morning, brrrrrrrrrrrr.  He's doing so well with the horses.  He seems to be able to take any horse they put him on and communicate and maneuver all over the ring.  Jakes seems to be afraid to trot the horses, but if they are walking around the ring, he's exceptional.  And that's not just Mom saying that, the teachers are all pleased with his abilities.  Last week, he was on a stubborn horse and still was able to get the horse to follow his commands.

In the afternoon, we delivered political flyers around the neighborhood for my parents.  Walking around with Jaxon and teasing Jakes, it was a good afternoon.

Sunday, we lazed about in the morning and finished delivering political flyers in the afternoon.  The best part of the weekend was that I wanted to be around my son.  I wanted to snuggle up and watch a movie.  I wanted to play video games with him.  I wanted to walk around the neighborhood chatting with him.

And Sunday when it was time for him to leave, I wasn't sad to see him go.  I wasn't glad, more resigned that this is the way things have to be right now.  This is the way it has to be.

Friday Fragments

Its going to be a good day!  Its going to go quickly and before I know it, I'll be on the road to pick Jakes up for the weekend.  He wants me to bring Jaxon with me.  I think Jaxon is missing Jacob.  Whenever I'm home, Jaxon is right there with me and when I sit down, he's jumping in my lap.  Yesterday, I let Jakes talk to Jax on the phone and Jax went NUTS when he heard Jakes voice!  I can't WAIT!

That's all I got.  So much for fragmented! 

Have a great weekend everyone!

Gadgets

Its been a rough week for me.  Starting off the week without my son in the house was not pretty.  Then there was the site inspection at work, which we ACED, thanks to my excellent P&P manual!  Woo ho!

I had to go to headquarters yesterday to train someone for Accounts Payable.  And I had to make my first child support payment.  But that hurt only my bank account.

I have loved my cell phone.  Last year I upgraded to an iPhone and I LOVE it.  I don't go anywhere without it and I cry when the battery dies on it.  I know, I know, plug it in.....

I have a new appreciation the texting and the cell phone Gadgets.  My Jakes called and texted me yesterday!  Its the first I heard from him since he moved on Saturday and I was really missing him.  I have been bouncing off the walls and smiling since last night. I couldn't sleep because I was so happy!

Then this morning, I got another text from him telling me to have a good day and that he loved me!  Woo ho!  Love those Gadgets.

This was written with Theme Thursday in mind.  Head over there to check out the other Themers.......

I've Melted or Have I? - Wordless Wednesday

I've Melted.  Or HAVE I???

Tunes from the Crypt

Friday night was a busy time for us.  Jakes and I went to riding lessons, then headed back to our little town for Tunes from the Crypt.  A wonderful artist comes to a historic church every year and plays different Spooky tunes for Halloween.  After the Tunes, there is a Ghost Tour of the historic district.  Some of the stories are really and some are exaggrated.

ESM and I always dress up for this event.  Usually she is in charge of taking pictures as she works for the tourism department of the county.  This year, she was able to just dress up and enjoy the evening.  I took some pictures of the evening........

It was a packed church for the Tunes
There were some "different" people in the audience.

Sock Monkey



Sock Monkey and PinHead



Jakes went as a Moody Teen.