November 24, 2008

• A Nice Crispy, Cold Monday!

  So much to write.  I’ll try to be brief – a talent I’m desperately trying to acquire, and practicing, without much success!

  The home study lady, Karen, came out (on time) Saturday to finish our interviewing process.  The little ones and JanaLyn were at the table busy with Thanksgiving art projects, after eating a barbecue beef sandwich for lunch.  So they were fed AND occupied and that means everything went smoothly – right?  Of course NOT RIGHT!  This is *MY* life, not a normal person’s life!

  Luci had one of her major meltdowns.  I guess you can call the whole episode providential, as Karen is also a counselor!  She watched with interest as I “handled” Luci.  Luci was whining and griping about everything and how unfair the other girls were and how their crayons were better than hers and how . . . Well, you get the picture.  I decided she needed a nap and told Karen, most likely you will get to see a fit close up and personal.  She did. 

  Luci had to be “guided” (dragged) back to my bed and the volume of her screaming almost awakened the dead.  After leaving the bedroom and closing the door, I sat back at the dining room table with Karen.  Luci came out 3 or 4 times saying she was over her fit.  I explained she wasn’t sent to bed because of a fit; but, because she needed a nap and I asked her to please not come out again.  Of course, she kicked screamed and pleaded, BUT she *did* return to my bed unaided.
  Karen noticed the fact Luci obeyed me & applauded me for having gained Luci’s respect.  (  huh?)  We continued with the interview amidst the screams and threats made against my life – all heard loud and clear from the bedroom.  So apparently I *AM* in control and Luci recognizes that.  I suppose that’s a “good” thing???

  Luci continued to scream from the room such things as “You have made me VERY aaaaaaannnngrrreeeeeee!” and “I’m gonna tell Daddeeeeeeeeee what you’ve done to meeeeeee.  You’ll be sorreeeeeeeeee!”  At that point Karen remarked, “She certainly expresses herself well!!!”  (I guess that IS something positive to gain for the whole experience!!!)  We talked about how hard it was to find a way to handle Luci’s outbursts and she was interested in what I had to say and how I “did it”, since she counsels parents with children like Luci. 

  ANYWAY, we covered “Luci” and then talked about holidays and how we celebrate or don’t celebrate them.  She asked about what school district we are in and a bit about Luci and Annamarie having attended the public schools for a short time.  She asked HOW I homeschooled.  After that our house and it’s safety features were discussed.  She was kind enough to include the girls by “interviewing them” and even included JanaLyn.  She praised us, again (maybe she should come weekly!  she’s good for my ego!)  I asked her what she wrote when she came to houses that were sub-standard.  She said she writes what she sees.  If it’s a filthy home with “debris”  (wondering here if my constantly cluttered bar would fall into that category!!!), she reports it.  If she sees a functioning house that is exceptional “like yours” (yes, she said that), she writes a glowing report.  She said since our caseworker didn’t send his interviews with our references, she’ll be calling them again.  Mainly Stephanie, Jesse’s sister JoAnn, and our Pastor C.J. will be called AGAIN.  All she had was Lori K’s and (Jesse’s friend) James G’s references  (rolling my eyes).  She had everything else she needed to finish the report, will write it, and come back on the afternoon of Dec. 3rd for Jesse and I to read it and sign it.  THE END  (or, so I’m told)

  We went to church yesterday morning, bundled up in warm dresses and wearing our winter coats.  Jesse had intentions of going out to eat but every place was crowded (as usual) and I didn’t want any more “buffet places.”  We came home and I fixed grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup.  Gone was the Chili’s burger I had been craving. 

  THEN (don’t know what’s up with me lately), I climbed onto our bed to watch TV with Jesse and the girls and FELL ASLEEP FOR 2 1/2 HOURS!!!!!  Is it my age, do you think????

  After the “nap,”  I put my headcovering and shoes back on and we went to the hospital to see Jesse’s mom, who needed a few items we had picked up for her.  We visited for about 45 minutes and left.  The desire for a Chili’s burger was gone and we stopped (can you believe “by choice”!!!!????!!!!) at McDonald’s for burgers and fries and brought them home to eat! 

  I was worried my long nap would prevent me from falling asleep.  I barely made it past the weather report at 10:15pm!!!

  Now for the pictorial part of my “short” (yes, I’m laughing at my lack of success, again) blog!

  This weekend, FALL finally FELL. (literally fell onto our property)!
    
  My tree’s leaves finally let go and fell right down onto my front porch and walkway!!!!  I guess this will be the end of your having to watch my tree’s progress through fall.  At least not until it begins to revive itself in spring!!!  Then you can watch it “blossom” again!

  Speaking of “blossoms” . . . I woke up this morning to strange little blossoms all over the dining room and formal living room floors!  What in the world?  They looked familiar and I checked out the dining room table floral arrangement . . .
  
  The once occasional “stick” has become MANY sticks no longer containing flowers!

  Who was the culprit?  Hummmmmmmmm . . .
    
  

  
  Surely not my precious Stormy?  I have a feeling she is more guilty by association!  And, I believe the flower in her mouth wasn’t taken from the table arrangement by her, more likely from the floor!  But, “GUILTY” nonetheless!!!!

  The little honeys slept hard and woke up in different shifts.  And, staggered, one by one, to the den!
  

    
  First Luci, then Annamarie.                                                  The last was Rissy.

  Trust me.  They are no longer this sedentary or quiet!

  I caught my dear husband pouring himself a cup of coffee “to go” before he headed out the door to go to work.
   
  Look at all those candles needing to be burned.  Those are all last years candles and range from chocolate, to oatmeal raisin cookie, to butter cream, to mulled cider.  That’s a fresh apple candle in the basket of red apples.  All of them smell like I’ve been more productive in the kitchen than I have been!

  My To Do List:
  *  Call Luci’s prescription refill in (done)
  *  Call about Jesse’s clinic appointment and prescription (done)
  *  Laundry (Luci wet the bed yesterday, so I’m behind on towels, etc.)
  *  Put sheets back on girls bed (I only dried the mattress pad and waterproof sheet)
  *  Clean kitchen (some large pots need to go to the garage)
  *  Teach school (will try to make these last 2 days more exciting)
  *  Make list of what I’m cooking for Thanksgiving (necessary at my age, so nothing will be forgotten!)
  *  Finish picking winter clothes out of bins and place summer/spring clothes into the bins)
  *  MAYBE (I’m really wanting to) hang evergreen garlands with mini-lights in our interior doorways

  Doesn’t sound like much, does it?

  Be blessed  ~
  

  • 12:05 pm
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