Off line -WW

I live near a Nuclear Power Plant.  Dad worked there most of my life.  He helped to build it.  Its still a major employer for the area.  There are occasional outages for repairs and such.  There is one way to tell.....

On Line and working......

Off Line

how can I tell they are off line?  No steam from the cooling tower.

Tidbit Tuesday

Life is chugging along here.  Huny and I had a Date Night last week.  We don't get a lot of Adult Time with just "us" so this was wonderful to get out.  We went to see a preview screening of "About Time".  It was a good movie.  I loved the concept of the time travel but there were parts that just hit too close to home and I ended up crying through most of the movie.

We also have a date night planned for this week.  Tomorrow we have free passes to see a preview of Last Vegas.  I can't wait!  The trailer looks fabulous!

Dad is doing pretty well.  He's tolerating the chemo regime pretty well.  I think his biggest complaint is that he's tired.  But that can be a combo of the chemo and all the weight he's lost.  And he's still loosing.  Dad and ESM have gotten together with his brother and sisters over the past couple of weekends.  Is he saying good-bye or just feeling sentimental because of everything?  Of course, I'm going to read into his actions and assume the worst! Bad Amy.

Work is ramping up.  Lots of grants to write.  My fingers are going to fall off! But it's that time of year.

Jakes is doing well in school and is "in love" with his girlfriend.  He wants her to come over to the farm with him.  He wants to show her off to his friends there.  I'm all for it and will work to make it happen.  Her parents are keeping a tight leash on her because of her grades.  I told Jakes to tutor her so she can go places with him.

Time to get back to typing.  How're things in your neck of the woods?

Creepy Pictures

I left my house a little early this morning in case I wanted to stop and get some pictures.  I'm so glad I did!

Creepy Fog

I came across some creepy fog over the river.  Creepy yet pretty at the same time.

More Creepy Fog

This was so pretty I couldn't resist taking the picture.

I was walking out to get some creepy fog pictures and I scared this out of his tree.

Bald Eagle

Isn't he just Majestic?  I was so startled I almost forgot I was holding a camera!

Fly Away.......

A New Do - WW

I got myself a new haircut.  I love it!

Nothing like a good hair day to make you smile.

Farm Drama

As I was on my way to get Jakes after work, I ran into one of the mom's from the farm.  She gave me a heads up that there was drama happening at the farm.  Okay.  She gave me the low-down on what she knew so I could give Jakes a heads up and let him be ready for whatever would happen on Saturday.

We got to the farm and checked in with Ms. Jill.  She didn't share details but then unless they affect me or Jakes, I don't really need to know about the details.  The two newest trainers had left the farm for another farm. Lots of kids are disappointed with the changes but they are staying at Jill's place.

Ms. Jill assigned Jakes a couple of jobs for the day and they were off and running.  It was a wonderful day at the farm, lots of lessons to be given even with being short-handed in trainers.  Jakes gave a lesson to Timmy on Brutis, Megan gave Jakes a lesson on Buttons.  All the kids worked together to make sure all the lessons were given and everyone was happy.  They even ran pretty much on time!

We have a standing joke with Ms. Jill that her little piece of heaven runs on its own time.  None of us parents mind it because the farm is such a relaxing place to be, we just expect to hang out under the tree and chat for a while.  Its lovely.

When Jakes got home to his fathers, he checked Facebook and was going to message his trainer only to find that she had unfriended him.  He called me SOBBING because she didn't want to be his friend.  He felt hurt and used by those two.  I validated his feelings and let him rant and rave about it.  I agreed that it wasn't handled appropriately.  I also reminded him that in time, he would be able to forgive them and move on.  I reminded him that Ms. Jill will forgive them eventually too, that it is the right thing to do.  But that he is entitled to be hurt.   

A while later, Jakes let me know that he was okay.  I thought it was all over and done with.  This morning, I was dragged into the drama.  sigh.

Jakes had sent a very appropriate message to one of the instructors who had just left, expressing his anger and frustration with the situation.  He also stood up for his friends who had been hurt by their actions.  I didn't have any problem with what he sent.  I was proud of his message and I hope it helped him to come to terms with the situation.

But the Instructor did and she messaged me to correct Jakes. I told her I didn't see anything wrong with what he wrote but that if she did, she could feel free to address her concerns to him or just block him on Facebook.  Well, then I got a message from her MOTHER, who was another instructor who left the farm.  I didn't bother to read it.  I don't have time for their temper-tantrums. I just need to get Jakes to block both of them and to move on.

Jakes had already blocked them and once Facebook got over its technical difficulties, I blocked them as well.  I can only hope we are done with the drama created by immature adults and that we can move on with the good life at the farm each weekend.

Parenting and Facebook

Jakes is old enough to have a Facebook account.  He won't be my friend.  But I have enough friends who ARE friends with him that are helping to keep him in line and report back to me anything that I might need to know about. Thanks, Suzanne and Gmom!  You're the best!

Anyway, I found out that he was playing some of the Facebook games, the games where you have to accept friend requests from total strangers in order to advance in the game.  OH NO!  That just doesn't sit right with me.

So the other day, I spoke with Jakes about the situation and explained my fears.  I wanted to talk with him as an adult.  He complains that I am too protective (I am!) so I am trying to back off and talk to him as I would an adult about certain things.  I asked him to change his privacy settings so that he wouldn't get requests from strangers in the games section.  I could feel his resistance, even over the phone.  I could feel him getting more and more resistant to everything I was saying.

As I was explaining my fears to him, he just FLIPPED out.  He yelled at me and bad mouthed me.  I tried to be calm and collected. I  tried to calm him down. I finally told him that if he didn't change his settings, I would involve his father in this. That set him off even more.  I ended up hanging up on him and walking away from him.

10 minutes or so later, I rec'd a text from his father that he had addressed the Facebook issue.  Apparently, he was home and hear Jakes flip out and investigated.  When Jakes was allowed to have a Facebook account, rules were established and agreed upon by Jakes and his father.  Jakes was breaking those rules.

I didn't know about those rules, I was just acting on my motherly protective instincts.  Fortunately, his father is on the same page as I am.

But I haven't heard from Jakes since the incident.  I did text him that he shouldn't be angry with me, I didn't tell his father, he did by yelling.  

I'm sure I'll hear from him soon.  He wants to go to the farm this weekend.

Poor Gimpy Baby

Jaxon is getting better and its getting harder to keep him off his little paw.

Poor baby wouldn't even let it touch the ground when he was sitting.

We gave him his tennis balls back last night and all he wanted to do was chase them around the house.   Maybe today we'll let him play.

Tidbit Tuesday

Yes, I'm still here.  things are the same for me.  Work, home, Jakes, Dad.  Rinse, lather, repeat.

Dad is doing ok.  He feels ok, just tired.  He's still loosing weight, although he is eating more.  Its time to get him to start eating good for him food, not just junk food.  He needs some protein and other good for you food to start building some muscle again.

Jakes is doing well in school and is in love with his GF.  He wants her to come with him for his weekend with me this coming weekend.  I don't know how HER parents feel about this but we'll see.  He wants his GF to come to the farm with him and see what he does there.

Jaxon spent the weekend in lock down.  He was playing ball Saturday morning and came back on the deck limping.  He wouldn't put any weight on his one paw.  Poor baby.  We kept him off it as much as possible.  Finally, yesterday, he started walking on it a little more.  I still want him resting today but as he feels better its getting harder and harder to keep him down.  

That's about it around here.  Same ole boring stuff!  How's things in your neck of the woods?

He'll Always Be My King

As I said before, Jakes was nominated for Homecoming King.  He didn't win this time.  BUT he was okay with it.  He was happy to have been nominated and to be able to go to the dance with his girlfriend!  What a fabulous attitude from my kid!  Love it and him.

The Handsome Couple

I told him he'd always be my king, no matter what!

"MOoooooom!!!!"  he responded.  "stop embarrassing me!"

HA!  That's what Mom's of Teenagers are supposed to do!  Embarrass their kids!

giggle

Weekend Round-Up

I had a pretty good weekend.  Time spent with old friends and current ones.  Memories and stories shared.  Hugs given and received. Love you Kimber!

Birthdays celebrated.  Laughter shared.

And then there was CHOCOLATE!

My BFF, Janet and I got together Saturday evening.  She'd had minor surgery this week and I thought she needed some girl time, with chocolate and alcohol, to make her all better.  We had a good time!

Cherry Coke and Caramel Apples were enjoyed

These pretzels were turned into yummy creations

We decorated the pretzels with Rolos.  Warmed them a bit

And topped them with M&M's!  So yummy!  Of course, we enjoyed cocktails and girl talk while we worked.

But we still had pretzels left over so we hit her Velata stash....

A little Milk Chocolate, Dark Chocolate and Caramel Milk Chocolate.  Again, warm a bit....

Top with Reese's Pieces.  Oh yeah!  YUM!

Silly movies and puppies made for a perfect ending of the night.
Thanks, Janet!

This Kid Will Be King

Homecoming King, that is.


This kid:

MY Kid

and his GirlFriend have been nominated for Homecoming King and Queen for the freshman class at his school!  They are so excited and I am too.  I am also SO proud of him.

I made sure he has a nice outfit planned and will also make sure he has the right dance moves ready to unleash.

Jakes started High School with no IEP, Special Education supports, just a normal High School Freshman.  He seems to have a good group of friends, I haven't met any yet, but they seem to treat him well.  I've spied (Shhhh! Don't tell him!) on his Facebook page and some private messages on there and he seems to be doing well.

I am SO proud of my son for working hard to overcome his Aspergers and to fit into "normal" society.

I also can't wait to hear if they win King and Queen!  Come one Saturday!!!!

Chemo Buddies

Dad's got a chemo buddy.  ESM goes with him each time.  But he's got another buddy.

Chemo Buddy

And we want to make sure this buddy stays awake and counts everything its putting into Dad's body correctly.  Dad is feeling pretty good and is eating like a horse, thanks to a medication the Drs have given him.  He needs to put a little fat on them bones before winter.

Dad and ESM went away for the weekend and I got to watch Oscar.  He's a lummox.  But a love bug.  He has to be touching someone.  Sitting in a lap is even better.  While Jaxon was a good boy and shared, I could tell he wasn't happy about it.

Oscar the Snuggle Bug

Lummox aka Oscar did his share of damage this weekend.  He doesn't seem to see the screen door.  And this is not the first door he has torn through.  He just plows through without any regard for the door.

Oops!

Oscar then had free rein to come and go as he pleased.  Jaxon still waited for us to open the door for him. They did love being out in the sunshine.

Good boys!