September 23, 2008
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Renewed Energy
Well (of course!!!), despite my new scheduling book for homeschool, and the list I made of “to do’s” for Monday, nothing turned out the way I had planned. Very little turns out the way I plan, so the fact Monday was “different than expected” was really NO surprise, I guess!
The man (Don) showed up to start painting yesterday morning. He’s starting with the white trim work. I guess working from the top down. The garage doors and some of the front of the house trim is painted a fresh white. I didn’t even know you could paint aluminum garage doors. Learn something every day!
While he was painting, I took Stormy and Chirper to the vet. Many people were there before us and when we finally DID get to an exam room, I was ready to go home and wondering if all this was necessary. I try not to go on Monday’s because it IS one of their busiest days. He checked Chirper quickly (he’s gained another 2-3 ounces) and clipped his nails. He said when he saw our card, he assumed Chirper had a problem and mentioned to me (more than once), “Gosh, he looks great!” PRAISE GOD!!!!
Stormy, on the other hand had a 104+ degree temperature. I usually know when my pets are “sick” or just not “feeling well” and I was glad I brought her in and waited so long to *get* in. Everything she eats runs through her (literally) and she’s lost a few ounces of weight. It’s been going on for around 2 weeks. Sunday and Monday she was hunched over and her fur was standing on end. I figured she either had stomach cramps or was chilled. Poor thing, it was probably both. The inside of her ears felt warm to me but I had no idea she had that much of a fever. He gave her some pro-biotics to help restore her digestive system, an antibiotic injection mixed with vitamin B, and sent me home with the pro-biotics and an antibiotic. He said she should be remarkably improved by Wednesday. Of course, she hid last night and I couldn’t give her her antibiotic! She ate better this morning and I was glad.
He also said I could give them 1/4 tablet of Imodium to stop the runs AND, if neither cat is lactose intolerant, they could eat Activa yogurt to help maintain good bacteria in their intestines. More info I didn’t know about!The painter still hasn’t arrived. He said he’d be here at 7:30am and I forced myself out of bed at 7am It’s almost 9:30am, so no telling where he is. At least he isn’t paid by the hour!
My goal is to paint SOME of the guest room today: mainly, so I can say I painted today!!! And, we need to catch up our schooling. I’ll probably hit all subjects instead of doing it by alternating subjects daily.
I sent an email to our caseworker Sunday, telling him we’d finished classes. He called back yesterday morning (before we went to the vet) and said someone would definitely be calling us. (rolling eyes) Still haven’t hear from anyone. He explained something about someone WAS lined up for us and this, that, or the other thing changed. Anyway, still no home study, and that may be why I lack motivation for painting the guest room.
I’d like to finish most of our home school books by the end of October so I can order the next grade up. We zip through some stuff and take longer on spelling and math. That means I’ll have to be more serious about scheduling time for school over this next month. Too many things keep happening to side track me. I’m going to have to make school more o a priority.
I’m making a double batch of spaghetti tonight and taking the leftovers to our pastor friend tomorrow. His wife is still having some physical problems being on her feet. I think it might be helpful to have a nice dinner to warm up after Wednesday night’s service (we don’t attend) and, if not, it will be there for them on Thursday.
I stayed up too late last night. Rissy and I were singing, “Don’t Cry for me Argentina” right before she went to bed. My curiosity was piqued about why this song was written and its meaning. So, I looked up Eva Peron and spent the next hour (+) reading about her short life. Wow! I had no idea how she had been such a strong political figure and had helped so many women and children. I must live with my head buried in the sand!
Fortunately, I fell asleep before 11:30pm and don’t feel sleep deprived today.
I must go, hungry girls want breakfast and I need to get the school work done so I can paint this afternoon. Not going anywhere today, so the shower can be done AFTER I paint. I may try coating my exposed skin with Vaseline before I paint. Maybe it will roll off of me in the shower instead of my having to scratch the paint off – leaving me in pain!
Comments (8)
Dear Cherylyn,
Do you enjoy the homeschooling? As my twin grandsons had learning difficulties, my daughter finally made the decision to homeschool her children. I helped her some with reading, math, and a couple of subjects the boys took on the computer. I loved teaching! It was so rewarding when it seemed the lightbulb finally came on and the student understood the concept!!
Blessings on your day!
Love,
Judy
Glad Chirper is doing so well! Hopefully Stormy will be recuperated soon.
@jacsnews -
Judy,
I love to teach, but must admit, teaching children with L.D. problems is more of a challenge. Annamarie was in public school for almost a semester and only received 25 minutes a day of specialized instruction. I feel I can give her a couple hours a day of specialized insruction, which is more than the public school system can do. Luci had been EXPELLED (not suspended) from PreK because they couldn’t handle her. I can. So, Luci and Annmarie are doing kindergarten work (Annamarie knows how to write her letters and numbers, Luci is leanring) and we do first grade science, health, American history/geography, and community helpers as a 3 student class. Luci isn’t expected to divide words and tell me how many syllables are in a word. But, the same info is going into all of them and I don’t feel Luci or Annmarie will have to repeat the same books. That makes it much easier. Rissy is rusty in math and spelling, so we are spending more time on those 2 subjects with her.
I’m a natural born teacher, so it comes naturally to me and the light going on is a great feeling of accomplishment – knowing you were instrumental. With someone like Annamarie, the light goes on and then off so often, but I don’t let it bother me. I know it’s HER problem and not my method of teaching. She’s doing much more advanced work than those who tested and diagnosed her said she would ever be capable of doing – so, I’m satisfied.
@cherylyn_p - My twin grandsons were the same way. When they were tested by the county, they were found to be on an IQ level of being unteachable. The lady that did the testing even asked my daughter if she wanted to get a check started for them. Especially in Math, it would seem that they would have one concept down pat, and then the next day, it would be like they never heard of it before. However, they are very good with social skills. They are grown, married, have children of their own, and are holding down jobs that use manual skills. I am so thankful. My brother, who is a Christian school administrator, said that to interact with my grandsons, one would never know they had a learning disablilty or so low an IQ. I don’t think they ever progresssed much past 3rd to 5th grade work. So, just be encouraged! I’m sure you are doing the very best for your children that could possibly be done.
@jacsnews -
Well, they have Luci pegged as going to prison and Annamarie never being more than a greeter at Wal-Mart (IF she holds that job). And, if I don’t try, they never *will* be more. I never stay down long and look for a way around almost everything. When it comes to children being left behind because they “never will” . . . my try-hard rears it’s ugly head and I try even harder to teach them.
What wrong with being a walmart greeter? Reegan’s ideal job is to be a checkout lady !!! Thats my girl … high aspirations!!!!;) I guess it must help to be a born teacher, not really a born leader. I couldn’t teach my kids unless God really overhauled my patience capacity, which I know he can do. So I admire anyone that can, reach out and teach a child!
@The_Carpers -
What’s wrong with being a Wal-Mart greeter is . . . they said “maybe” – like they doubt she can smile and say hello to people and put a sticker on returned items. They meant it as a demeaning position. But, our Wal-Marts have lots of seniors as greeters who want to be around people and pick up a little salary – no mental disabilities. They said, in the same breath, “she’ll probably have to live in a group home because she won’t have the ability to take care of herself or meet the basic financial needs all people have.” Even MORE reason and energy behind my teaching her to the best of my ability.
When you tell me something/one “can’t” my immediately brain starts to thinkin’ “Oh yeah? But, what if . . . ” Then there’s no stopping me!
@cherylyn_p - A little competative are we ?=D I have to agree with you… how demoralizing. Sometimes I wonder how those state workers ever got their job! I personally think that how you treat a person/child that is all they will ever asspire to do/be! So go for it and prove them wrong!!!!!