I have recently ressurected my iPod (it had been sitting in the back of my closet for almost 2 years). I was inspired to do so, because I recently returned a very generous gift from my old company ($300 pen) to Neiman Marcus ["Needless Markup" as I have heard it referred to]. I bought the Bose iPod docking station from neimanmarcus.com . We also have a new computer so, being the techy that I am (haha) -- I managed to get everything working and get myself set up with iTunes. Yeah!!
The other night, JT and I added 4 songs to the iPod, including one that RJ likes. He is very much into trains and loves the song "C'mon Ride the Train" - they have been playing that and other dance songs at the daycare. Last night after LD and I returned home from her 18 month appt (for which she got very good marks from Dr. V) we popped the iPod in and all started dancing around the room. When RJ's "train" song came on, we pretended we were a train and ran around through the living room, the hallway and dining area in a circle. It was just some much fun (plus good exercise).
It is really fun to being able to dance and not really care what you look like or how good you are. Your kids don't care. All they care about is that you are having fun with them. The songs cost about $4 and it was the best $$$ I have spent.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Thursday, February 7, 2008
The Wooden Bowl
The following is copied from a forwarded email that my mother-in-law sent. It really makes you think...
The Wooden Bowl
A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year - old grandson. The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurre d, and his step faltered. The family ate together at the table. But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth. The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess."We must do something about father," said the son. "I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor."
So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There , Gran dfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner. Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl. When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction, sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food.
The four-year-old watched it all in silence. One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, "What are you making?" Just as sweetly, the boy responded, "Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up. " The four-year-old smiled and went back to work.The words so struck the parents so that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks.
Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done. That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.
On a positive note, I've learned that, no matter what happe ns, how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles four things: a rainy day, the elderly, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. I've learned that, regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life. I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as making a "life.."I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back.
I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you But, if you focus on your family, your friends, the needs of others, your work a nd doing the very best you can, happiness will find you I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.I've learned that every day, you should reach out and touch someone. People love that human touch -- holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.
The Wooden Bowl
A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year - old grandson. The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurre d, and his step faltered. The family ate together at the table. But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth. The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess."We must do something about father," said the son. "I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor."
So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There , Gran dfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner. Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl. When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction, sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food.
The four-year-old watched it all in silence. One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, "What are you making?" Just as sweetly, the boy responded, "Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up. " The four-year-old smiled and went back to work.The words so struck the parents so that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks.
Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done. That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.
On a positive note, I've learned that, no matter what happe ns, how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles four things: a rainy day, the elderly, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. I've learned that, regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life. I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as making a "life.."I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back.
I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you But, if you focus on your family, your friends, the needs of others, your work a nd doing the very best you can, happiness will find you I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.I've learned that every day, you should reach out and touch someone. People love that human touch -- holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.
Precious Jewelry
I work for a division of a major corporation that is manufactures watches for Versace. Yesterday, we heard that a famous singer bought one of our customs Versace watches for $37,000!! What a great sale! To some people a watch that is embedded with many jewels would be considered "Precious Jewelry", but to me it isn't.
This morning, I dropped RJ and LD off at daycare and on my way out the RJ's class he stopped me. He said, "Mommy, I have something for you." He pulled out a blue plastic ring with a big heart on it from his class "Mailbox" - quite like something you would get out of the toy vending machine. He told me that "I should wear it all day and that it will remind me of him."
NOW THAT IS WHAT I CALL PRECIOUS JEWELRY!!!
This morning, I dropped RJ and LD off at daycare and on my way out the RJ's class he stopped me. He said, "Mommy, I have something for you." He pulled out a blue plastic ring with a big heart on it from his class "Mailbox" - quite like something you would get out of the toy vending machine. He told me that "I should wear it all day and that it will remind me of him."
NOW THAT IS WHAT I CALL PRECIOUS JEWELRY!!!
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
My Name is Snickle DippinDunkin
MY NEW NAME IS IN THE SUBJECT.....DON'T LAUGH UNTIL YOU FIND OUT WHAT YOUR NEW NAME IS!!!
We all need a little stress-reliever! This only takes a minute. Please don't be a bore & ruin it. Send it on to everyone you know Sometimes when you have a stressful day or week, you need some silliness to break up the day. If we are honest, we have a lot more stressful days than not. Here is your dose of humor.....
The following is excerpted from a children's book, Captain Underpants And the Perilous Plot Professor Poopypants, by Dave Pilkey, in which the evil Professor forces everyone to assume new names...
So:- 1. Use the third letter of your first name to determine your New first name:
a = snickle b = doombah c = goober d = cheesey e = crusty f = greasy g = dumbo h = farcus i = dorky j = doofus k = funky l = boobie m = sleezy n = sloopy o = fluffy p = stinky q = slimy r = dorfus s = snooty t = tootsie u = dipsy v = sneezy w = liver x = skippy y = dink y z = zippy
2. Use the second letter of your last name to determine the first half of your new last name:
a = dippin b = feather c = batty d = burger e = chicken f = barffy g = lizard h = waffle i = farkle j = monkey k = flippin l = fricken m = bubble n = rhino o = potty p = hamster q = buckle r = gizzard s = lickin t = snickle u = chuckle v = pic kle w = hubble x = dingle y = gorilla z = girdle
3. Use the third letter of your last name to determine the second half of your new last name:
a = butt b = boob c = face d = nose e = hump f = breath g = pants h = shorts i = lips j = honker k = head l = tush m = chunks n = dunkin o = brains p = biscuits q = toes r = doodle s = fanny t = sniffer u = sprinkles v = frack w = squirt x = humperdinck y = hiney z = juice
Thus, for example, George W. Bush's new name is: Fluffy Chucklefanny.
We all need a little stress-reliever! This only takes a minute. Please don't be a bore & ruin it. Send it on to everyone you know Sometimes when you have a stressful day or week, you need some silliness to break up the day. If we are honest, we have a lot more stressful days than not. Here is your dose of humor.....
The following is excerpted from a children's book, Captain Underpants And the Perilous Plot Professor Poopypants, by Dave Pilkey, in which the evil Professor forces everyone to assume new names...
So:- 1. Use the third letter of your first name to determine your New first name:
a = snickle b = doombah c = goober d = cheesey e = crusty f = greasy g = dumbo h = farcus i = dorky j = doofus k = funky l = boobie m = sleezy n = sloopy o = fluffy p = stinky q = slimy r = dorfus s = snooty t = tootsie u = dipsy v = sneezy w = liver x = skippy y = dink y z = zippy
2. Use the second letter of your last name to determine the first half of your new last name:
a = dippin b = feather c = batty d = burger e = chicken f = barffy g = lizard h = waffle i = farkle j = monkey k = flippin l = fricken m = bubble n = rhino o = potty p = hamster q = buckle r = gizzard s = lickin t = snickle u = chuckle v = pic kle w = hubble x = dingle y = gorilla z = girdle
3. Use the third letter of your last name to determine the second half of your new last name:
a = butt b = boob c = face d = nose e = hump f = breath g = pants h = shorts i = lips j = honker k = head l = tush m = chunks n = dunkin o = brains p = biscuits q = toes r = doodle s = fanny t = sniffer u = sprinkles v = frack w = squirt x = humperdinck y = hiney z = juice
Thus, for example, George W. Bush's new name is: Fluffy Chucklefanny.
Money Really Can Buy Everything
I grew up in a fairly affluent town in CT. My grandparents raised me and provided a very nice and confortable life, for which I am very grateful. During my childhood, I was used to seeing extraordinary spending (16 year olds with BMWs, etc.), but I was totally taken aback while listening to the radio on my way to pick up the kids from daycare.
The DJs were discussing how there are people who are "renting wombs". Basically this means that you provide the egg and sperm and someone else carries your child (for $$$$) - this way you don't get stretch marks or have to endure the pain of child birth. I mean really people!! This is totally insane and beyond vain! I know that some couples must use this method because they are not able to carry a child on their own, which make sense - but to just pay someone else to do it for you is outragous.
Part of the joy of parenting is going through pregnancy. Yes, you are uncomfortable and you get big - certainly, childbirth is no trip to the beach either, but it is the start of the connection with your child from day one for both mom and dad.
Each day I am with my children is a gift, including the days I was pregnant with both of them. Although there are times that things are crazy, JT and I are amazed by RJ & LD each day and wouldn't trade it for anything.
The DJs were discussing how there are people who are "renting wombs". Basically this means that you provide the egg and sperm and someone else carries your child (for $$$$) - this way you don't get stretch marks or have to endure the pain of child birth. I mean really people!! This is totally insane and beyond vain! I know that some couples must use this method because they are not able to carry a child on their own, which make sense - but to just pay someone else to do it for you is outragous.
Part of the joy of parenting is going through pregnancy. Yes, you are uncomfortable and you get big - certainly, childbirth is no trip to the beach either, but it is the start of the connection with your child from day one for both mom and dad.
Each day I am with my children is a gift, including the days I was pregnant with both of them. Although there are times that things are crazy, JT and I are amazed by RJ & LD each day and wouldn't trade it for anything.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
A Good Doctor is Hard to Find
So after reading my good friend AmyBow's blog everyday - I have decided it is time for me to create my own.
A little background for those that do not know me....
I am a working mother of two gorgeous children (RJ - 4 yrs and LD - 18 mos). I just started a new job about 2 months ago, which I am really enjoying now (I didn't have the easiest time adjusting - but that will be another post). I have the best "hoos" ever (to quote AmyBow) - I will refer to him as JT. We have been together for 12 years and married for over 5. Like most of my friends, I am just trying to get through each day having accomplished something at work, and made sure that my family is taken care of. I am also trying hard to take care of me too, which I know is really important, but doesn't always happen. Which leads me to my topic of the day... "A Good Doctor is Hard to Find"
So after taking care of LD for the past few weeks who has been sick with various childhood ailments (eye infections, ear infections, wheezing, hives, coughing, etc.) I have finally gotten sick myself. It is not that I am celebrating this, I am merely annoucing it's inevitable arrival.
I knew that something wasn't right with my contacts on Sunday, so I took the left one out, rinsed it and put it back in. By the time I had finished all the Sunday night activities (cooking dinner, cleaning up, making lunches, getting RJ and LD to bed) I realized that maybe I should take the contacts out. Well----that when I released the "pink eye" that was hiding in there!! Not to mention that I have been stuffy, coughing, had a sore throat, etc. for weeks, but ignoring it. I end up going to bed early and having the worst night sleep.
In the morning, I decide that there is no way I can go to work and that I need to see the doctor.
So I call into work and then call the doctor to make an appt. I really have not made much on an effort to find a good doctor since moving 5 years ago. Previously I saw our family doctor for years and even worked for him. He is getting on in years and is just too far for me to go each time I am sick. I decided that I would find a doctor by location so I chose one that is on my insurance and close to home. Well, after yesterday, I will never go back to him again and the search continues.
Here's how it went....
I arrive at the Dr's at 2:30 for my 2:45 appt. Hoping to maybe be seen early (yeah what a joke!). I was not seen until after 3:30!!! After watching verious patients enter and exit with their prescriptions in hand, I got really irritated. All I wanted was to get my little slip of paper and walk out, since I clearly already knew what was wrong with me - yes, you gain the power of self-diagnosing when you become a mother.
After 2 trips to the front desk guy, he finally went back there to find out what was going on. Finally, I am taken back by the RUDEST nurse on the planet!! She doesn't even apologize to me, she just says "Are you still going to stay for the appointment? (with a nasty tone) - I tell her yes, I am sure that I have pink eye and I have two small children in daycare. She then replies, when do you need to be out of here? HONESTLY!! I tell her about 30 mintues ago - I need to pick up my kids!!! I tell her that I saw many people come and go in the waiting room - her response is "they are seeing specialist and they will just touch your stomach and send you on your way" (That really instill confindence in the practice - what a moron). So she takes my vitals and then walks out slamming the door!
The Dr comes in a few minutes later with no apologies - just some stupid nicey-nice voice that makes me want to scream. He asks "how long have you had these symptoms..." I tell him that I have "pink eye" - so leaves the room and comes back with this thing in a wrapper and tell me he want to do a "Corneal abrasion test", and that he has to numb my eye. I tell him that I have pink eye and didn't scratch my cornea. He says that he doesn't have all the stuff to do the test anyway so I can't have it. I wasn't letting this QUACK near my eye with some probe thingy.
I tell him that I have a sore throat and my ear hurt. He barely looks in my throat and doesn't even bother to look in my ears. He summarizes the appointment by triumpantly annoucing that I have conjunctivitis (pink eye) and an upper respiratory infection!! Score one for DOC - didn't I tell you that when I walked in here!
In the end I leave with my 2 slips of paper and I am off to Walgreens to get my meds. After getting the kids I go back to pick up the meds, only to realize that SUPER DOC wrote the script wrong for the antibiotic!! Thank goodness I mentioned in my appointment that I am allergic to penicillin - otherwise who know what would have happened.
I seriously considered calling RJ and LD's pediatrician to see if they could just see me. Their office is so efficient and the Dr's are great - why is it so hard to find a good adult Dr???
If anyone has a good one to refer - please let me know.
My next blog promises to not be so long!
A little background for those that do not know me....
I am a working mother of two gorgeous children (RJ - 4 yrs and LD - 18 mos). I just started a new job about 2 months ago, which I am really enjoying now (I didn't have the easiest time adjusting - but that will be another post). I have the best "hoos" ever (to quote AmyBow) - I will refer to him as JT. We have been together for 12 years and married for over 5. Like most of my friends, I am just trying to get through each day having accomplished something at work, and made sure that my family is taken care of. I am also trying hard to take care of me too, which I know is really important, but doesn't always happen. Which leads me to my topic of the day... "A Good Doctor is Hard to Find"
So after taking care of LD for the past few weeks who has been sick with various childhood ailments (eye infections, ear infections, wheezing, hives, coughing, etc.) I have finally gotten sick myself. It is not that I am celebrating this, I am merely annoucing it's inevitable arrival.
I knew that something wasn't right with my contacts on Sunday, so I took the left one out, rinsed it and put it back in. By the time I had finished all the Sunday night activities (cooking dinner, cleaning up, making lunches, getting RJ and LD to bed) I realized that maybe I should take the contacts out. Well----that when I released the "pink eye" that was hiding in there!! Not to mention that I have been stuffy, coughing, had a sore throat, etc. for weeks, but ignoring it. I end up going to bed early and having the worst night sleep.
In the morning, I decide that there is no way I can go to work and that I need to see the doctor.
So I call into work and then call the doctor to make an appt. I really have not made much on an effort to find a good doctor since moving 5 years ago. Previously I saw our family doctor for years and even worked for him. He is getting on in years and is just too far for me to go each time I am sick. I decided that I would find a doctor by location so I chose one that is on my insurance and close to home. Well, after yesterday, I will never go back to him again and the search continues.
Here's how it went....
I arrive at the Dr's at 2:30 for my 2:45 appt. Hoping to maybe be seen early (yeah what a joke!). I was not seen until after 3:30!!! After watching verious patients enter and exit with their prescriptions in hand, I got really irritated. All I wanted was to get my little slip of paper and walk out, since I clearly already knew what was wrong with me - yes, you gain the power of self-diagnosing when you become a mother.
After 2 trips to the front desk guy, he finally went back there to find out what was going on. Finally, I am taken back by the RUDEST nurse on the planet!! She doesn't even apologize to me, she just says "Are you still going to stay for the appointment? (with a nasty tone) - I tell her yes, I am sure that I have pink eye and I have two small children in daycare. She then replies, when do you need to be out of here? HONESTLY!! I tell her about 30 mintues ago - I need to pick up my kids!!! I tell her that I saw many people come and go in the waiting room - her response is "they are seeing specialist and they will just touch your stomach and send you on your way" (That really instill confindence in the practice - what a moron). So she takes my vitals and then walks out slamming the door!
The Dr comes in a few minutes later with no apologies - just some stupid nicey-nice voice that makes me want to scream. He asks "how long have you had these symptoms..." I tell him that I have "pink eye" - so leaves the room and comes back with this thing in a wrapper and tell me he want to do a "Corneal abrasion test", and that he has to numb my eye. I tell him that I have pink eye and didn't scratch my cornea. He says that he doesn't have all the stuff to do the test anyway so I can't have it. I wasn't letting this QUACK near my eye with some probe thingy.
I tell him that I have a sore throat and my ear hurt. He barely looks in my throat and doesn't even bother to look in my ears. He summarizes the appointment by triumpantly annoucing that I have conjunctivitis (pink eye) and an upper respiratory infection!! Score one for DOC - didn't I tell you that when I walked in here!
In the end I leave with my 2 slips of paper and I am off to Walgreens to get my meds. After getting the kids I go back to pick up the meds, only to realize that SUPER DOC wrote the script wrong for the antibiotic!! Thank goodness I mentioned in my appointment that I am allergic to penicillin - otherwise who know what would have happened.
I seriously considered calling RJ and LD's pediatrician to see if they could just see me. Their office is so efficient and the Dr's are great - why is it so hard to find a good adult Dr???
If anyone has a good one to refer - please let me know.
My next blog promises to not be so long!
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