...and running out of blogging time this morning.
Made a really nice dessert - a mango mousse - yesterday that made me think of my Singapore Connection. Living in Singapore, and having tons of access to all the yummy fruits like mango, it just seemed to me to be something she would make. Will be curious to find out what she thinks...
I enjoyed it, as did hubby, but the boys - not so much. The A-man gave his dessert a few spoonful chances, but S decided it was a 'no go' right away. I saved the extra desserts, and let the R-man try it. He told me that it just seemed too sour, or something. His first comment was that it had tooo much lemon in it - there isn't any lemon in it! Maybe I didn't use enough of the yogurt cream to the mango ratio - not sure, since I have never made it before.
After the boys left the table, I realized that is probably the first time they have had mango! Funny considering how much I enjoy it, but I guess since it is such an expensive fruit, I tend to not share with those that just won't appreciate... ;o)
I was a "food prep" machine last night. Made a big pot of chili, then portioned them and put them in the freezer. Prepped up a few "omelet baggies" so that it will be faster in the mornings when Hubby or I want to make an omelet. Got the ole meat-slicer humming and then wrapped up a bunch of meats that can be used for lunches. PLUS I made the turkey patties we are going to have for dinner tonight!
S and the A-man were VERY good to clean up after dinner - even doing all of the pots and pans by hand - with no complaining what so ever! They wiped both kitchen and dining room tables off, AND all the counters - well, minus the stove-top. But that is still a pretty good job for them.
Hubby and I went and bought some new appliances yesterday. Geesh, what an exhausting job that can be! I never knew washing machines can be so technologically advanced. I simply want a machine that I can put dirty clothes in, and after a while, clean clothes come out! I wouldn't even have to be doing this if my current machine didn't seem to be having issues with the drainage. But, we have an older machine, and I have been saying for a while that I would really like to get one of those front-loaders that uses so little water, plus is energy efficient.
Just as we were getting ready to look at new washing machines, the dishwasher started it's 'big leak' again. We have tolerated this for quite a while - cuz it only happens 'sometimes' - but Hubby said, "Oh well, we are going anyway, might as well get a new dishwasher, too."
New washer AND dryer AND dishwasher will arrive on Wednesday. I'm still not quite sure who that man was in my husband's body...
Head is pounding and throat is burning. I hate it when I get sick.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Sunday again
Weekends just go by way to quickly. Had a great couple of days with Cuz, and was sad to see them leave early this afternoon. One positive thing, however - I am going to be heading to her house in three weeks time, so we will get to have another weekend of fun and merriment!
Did a wee bit of house tidy, and now I am trying to figure out what to do next. There are many things I SHOULD do, but so very few that I really want to do. Hubby just took the ATV out to see if the boys may be able to do some runs in the neighbouring famer's field, but I think the snow may be a bit too mushy for that.
The A-man has asked if he can go to the high-school dance on Thursday night. I will be going to the school for parent-teacher interviews, so I don't see why that would be a problem. I am thrilled that he wants to go - these sorts of things have never been interesting to him before. Of course S wondered if he would be able to go, but I think he was asking that question more to annoy his brother than anything else.
Think I am coming down with a cold - scratchy throat started last night, and it's feeling really thick and sore today. (sigh...) Always one thing or another, isn't it??
Did a wee bit of house tidy, and now I am trying to figure out what to do next. There are many things I SHOULD do, but so very few that I really want to do. Hubby just took the ATV out to see if the boys may be able to do some runs in the neighbouring famer's field, but I think the snow may be a bit too mushy for that.
The A-man has asked if he can go to the high-school dance on Thursday night. I will be going to the school for parent-teacher interviews, so I don't see why that would be a problem. I am thrilled that he wants to go - these sorts of things have never been interesting to him before. Of course S wondered if he would be able to go, but I think he was asking that question more to annoy his brother than anything else.
Think I am coming down with a cold - scratchy throat started last night, and it's feeling really thick and sore today. (sigh...) Always one thing or another, isn't it??
Friday, March 28, 2008
TGIF
I am so happy today! Cuz is coming for a visit!!!!!!! :o)
Got an email from her yesterday and it looked shaky for a little while - her hubby has been so ill, and, yet again, there is another kink in the plans. But, I got a phone call from her last night, and it turns out that he didn't need to be admitted to the hospital (thank heavens) but he is now on a heavy duty antibiotic to try and clean up the infection around his new pacemaker. Lately it seems like it's one thing after another, and it has both of them stressed out to the max. I'm feeling for them. So glad I'm going to be seeing you soon!
The A-man didn't get to have his toe procedure yesterday, after all. There is still infection around the site, so our family doctor has put him on another dose of antibotics, and scheduled some time in amblatory care at the hospital for the removal of the wedge of toe nail. Doctor gave a pretty stern lesson on the proper care of nails - both toes and fingers - and I am hoping the A-man actually got it. I've been telling him the same thing for years, but I am just a nag...
Yesterday was Grade 10 literacy testing day across Ontario, so the A-man only had school in the afternoon. Half an hour for each class. Apparently most of his friends were not at school yesterday, but his English teacher (smart lady) told her class that they would be doing the first half of their test, and only a doctor's note would be accepted as reason for not being at school.
The A-man has been asked by a friend to tutor him in math. The boy is in applied Math, and is currently getting a very low mark in the class. The A-man is in acedemic Math, with a 95%, so I guess it was pretty smart to ask him for help. A-man went to the school library to meet the boy - as arranged - and the boy didn't come to school! The A-man said it was okay, because he just used that time to study for his test. Sometimes I still wonder if this is the same child I lived with 2 years ago...
Not that I am complaining!!
S has been having a really good week in school, too. There have been a couple of notes in his agenda saying that he has been staying on task, completing his work, etc. I love it when I get those notes!
I was actually surprised to realize that I have no idea what is happening in S's school right now. I used to be SO involved in the school - both as a volunteer and because I was often in the Principal's office for a meeting about one or the other child - but now, I am there so very rarely. This year I have not received that many phone calls, and, well, things have simmered down quite a bit. Huh - once all of the supports are in place, it's amazing how well the boy can do! The last suspension from last year should be exponged by the end of Grade 8! (Not that I am bragging, but I knew it would be once the bully was dealt with, and the learning issues were too!)
And...off to work!
Got an email from her yesterday and it looked shaky for a little while - her hubby has been so ill, and, yet again, there is another kink in the plans. But, I got a phone call from her last night, and it turns out that he didn't need to be admitted to the hospital (thank heavens) but he is now on a heavy duty antibiotic to try and clean up the infection around his new pacemaker. Lately it seems like it's one thing after another, and it has both of them stressed out to the max. I'm feeling for them. So glad I'm going to be seeing you soon!
The A-man didn't get to have his toe procedure yesterday, after all. There is still infection around the site, so our family doctor has put him on another dose of antibotics, and scheduled some time in amblatory care at the hospital for the removal of the wedge of toe nail. Doctor gave a pretty stern lesson on the proper care of nails - both toes and fingers - and I am hoping the A-man actually got it. I've been telling him the same thing for years, but I am just a nag...
Yesterday was Grade 10 literacy testing day across Ontario, so the A-man only had school in the afternoon. Half an hour for each class. Apparently most of his friends were not at school yesterday, but his English teacher (smart lady) told her class that they would be doing the first half of their test, and only a doctor's note would be accepted as reason for not being at school.
The A-man has been asked by a friend to tutor him in math. The boy is in applied Math, and is currently getting a very low mark in the class. The A-man is in acedemic Math, with a 95%, so I guess it was pretty smart to ask him for help. A-man went to the school library to meet the boy - as arranged - and the boy didn't come to school! The A-man said it was okay, because he just used that time to study for his test. Sometimes I still wonder if this is the same child I lived with 2 years ago...
Not that I am complaining!!
S has been having a really good week in school, too. There have been a couple of notes in his agenda saying that he has been staying on task, completing his work, etc. I love it when I get those notes!
I was actually surprised to realize that I have no idea what is happening in S's school right now. I used to be SO involved in the school - both as a volunteer and because I was often in the Principal's office for a meeting about one or the other child - but now, I am there so very rarely. This year I have not received that many phone calls, and, well, things have simmered down quite a bit. Huh - once all of the supports are in place, it's amazing how well the boy can do! The last suspension from last year should be exponged by the end of Grade 8! (Not that I am bragging, but I knew it would be once the bully was dealt with, and the learning issues were too!)
And...off to work!
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Reflecting
When I arrived home yesterday afternoon, the boys were outside - in the very deep snow - playing baseball. After that they got in to a rousing game of football, which was interesting considering the amount of snow they were trying to run through. I know Spring must be close when I see my children actually going outside - on their own accord - to play. The temps were just above freezing, but yesterday had been so sunny, it almost seemed tropical. (Notice that I said "almost")
Not sure what is going to happen today at work - Boss gave assistant a bit of an ultimatium. I may be looking for another assistant before too long. (sigh)
I went to an information session for the ADHD association last night. What a great session! We had a number of new faces at the meeting, and you could just tell that they were brand new to the whole "Special Education" world. Boy, do I ever remember being in their shoes!
You have SO many questions, and you hear all these acronyms and terms, and you have NO idea what any of it means... it can be daunting for even the most willful of people.
The part that I find most effective in these sessions is the second hour - the hour that is 'open forum' where people get to just discuss what is important to them.
Some people rant - gosh it's nice to be with others that really, truly understand.
Others want advice - my son is lying all of time...how can I get him to stop?" (So typical of the ADHD child...)
And others are just there to help share their years' of experience with the ADHD child. They have 'children' that are in their late teens - these are the true battle veterans that have "been there, done that."
Although the organization may not be very large, it DOES help people understand this often confusing disorder known as ADHD. I just wish we could reach more people! We have a very good board, and we are doing our darndest to get our information out there, but I have found the stigma associated with ADHD is not always the best. Gotta love the media.
Mind you, with jerks like "The Tourette Guy" on the internet, that disorder doesn't get very positive attention, either. Come to think of it, most of the disorders that affect either one, or both of my children, have some pretty negative stereo-types attached to them... Gee, no wonder I felt like a failure as a parent for so many years. At least now I know that I dealt with the cards I was dealt in the best way I could, and now, my kids are pretty darn awesome! :o)
Not sure what is going to happen today at work - Boss gave assistant a bit of an ultimatium. I may be looking for another assistant before too long. (sigh)
I went to an information session for the ADHD association last night. What a great session! We had a number of new faces at the meeting, and you could just tell that they were brand new to the whole "Special Education" world. Boy, do I ever remember being in their shoes!
You have SO many questions, and you hear all these acronyms and terms, and you have NO idea what any of it means... it can be daunting for even the most willful of people.
The part that I find most effective in these sessions is the second hour - the hour that is 'open forum' where people get to just discuss what is important to them.
Some people rant - gosh it's nice to be with others that really, truly understand.
Others want advice - my son is lying all of time...how can I get him to stop?" (So typical of the ADHD child...)
And others are just there to help share their years' of experience with the ADHD child. They have 'children' that are in their late teens - these are the true battle veterans that have "been there, done that."
Although the organization may not be very large, it DOES help people understand this often confusing disorder known as ADHD. I just wish we could reach more people! We have a very good board, and we are doing our darndest to get our information out there, but I have found the stigma associated with ADHD is not always the best. Gotta love the media.
Mind you, with jerks like "The Tourette Guy" on the internet, that disorder doesn't get very positive attention, either. Come to think of it, most of the disorders that affect either one, or both of my children, have some pretty negative stereo-types attached to them... Gee, no wonder I felt like a failure as a parent for so many years. At least now I know that I dealt with the cards I was dealt in the best way I could, and now, my kids are pretty darn awesome! :o)
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
It turns out The A-man lucked out - one of the tests he was supposed to do yesterday has been delayed until Friday. He had a 'take home' Math test yesterday for homework. At least that is one subject that I am not required to help him with very much - not that I would have a hard time with that. Oh no, he needs help in subjects like Science - where I am just so NOT effective...
S brought home some Geography homework last night. I guess he knew that I was justifed in being upset with him yesterday morning, because that was the first thing he said to me when I got home last night. "Hi Mom... I only have Geography homework tonight. How was your day?" Too funny.
I have an information session tonight with the ADHD group. It's a session on "How to read your child's physco-educational assessment," and although I think I have a pretty good grip on this, I will still go to the meeting for a number of reasons. One - it's always good to learn more. Two - I"m on the board of directors, so I need to support the monthly meetings, and Three - I have suggested to a couple of parents that they should consider coming, and I am curious to see if they do.
The one Mom is the lady that I was helping at the beginning of the school year. The Board has actually started a full physco-educational testing on her daughter, and I think it would be very good for her to hear some of the terminology prior to getting that report. Heavens knows, Hubby and I were very confused when we received S's.
Off to the grind...
S brought home some Geography homework last night. I guess he knew that I was justifed in being upset with him yesterday morning, because that was the first thing he said to me when I got home last night. "Hi Mom... I only have Geography homework tonight. How was your day?" Too funny.
I have an information session tonight with the ADHD group. It's a session on "How to read your child's physco-educational assessment," and although I think I have a pretty good grip on this, I will still go to the meeting for a number of reasons. One - it's always good to learn more. Two - I"m on the board of directors, so I need to support the monthly meetings, and Three - I have suggested to a couple of parents that they should consider coming, and I am curious to see if they do.
The one Mom is the lady that I was helping at the beginning of the school year. The Board has actually started a full physco-educational testing on her daughter, and I think it would be very good for her to hear some of the terminology prior to getting that report. Heavens knows, Hubby and I were very confused when we received S's.
Off to the grind...
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Back to school again
I completed one of the nastiest tasks last night - cleaning the refrigerator. How can it get so, so, ICKY so quickly?? I shudder every single time I think about it. Now, though, I just want to open the door and say to everyone, "Look at this - doesn't it look great?!"
Over the weekend I went out and bought - and even installed - black out curtains and normal curtains for The R-man's room. He told me that he's not shy, and pretty sure that with the amount of snow, and being at the back of the house, no one will look in his window. Still - he just got off his first "over-night" shift, and I wanted to know that he would have a way of darkening the room so that he could sleep today. I thought the window was more narrow than it is, but for today the one curtain and one black-out curtain should work well enough. I will stop and get two more panels on my way home tonight.
The A-man has a double English test today, since he didn't go to school on Thursday. He finished up a bunch of homework yesterday, both through the day and in to the evening. S didn't have any homework over the weekend.
Hubby and I had to go in to the near city to pick out new reading glasses for Hubby, and S came with us so that he could get his hair cut. He kept the lady laughing the entire time she was cutting his hair. He can be such a card.
~~~
I just left the computer for a while - got S all squared away for going back to school. As I was putting his lunch bag in to his backpack, I pulled out his agenda to see what has been happening and why he hasn't had much homework. Turns out he has had homework - he has just noticed how hectic our lives have been, and going the on the hope that I wouldn't check his agenda. Which I hadn't. I feel like I am a horrible parent.
I insist that the EA take more time to write in his agenda, and then I get so caught up in other things I don't look at the agenda. Horrible, horrible parent.
Guess I will have to make the checking of the agenda a priority every day. Geesh - just when I thought he was getting better.
Over the weekend I went out and bought - and even installed - black out curtains and normal curtains for The R-man's room. He told me that he's not shy, and pretty sure that with the amount of snow, and being at the back of the house, no one will look in his window. Still - he just got off his first "over-night" shift, and I wanted to know that he would have a way of darkening the room so that he could sleep today. I thought the window was more narrow than it is, but for today the one curtain and one black-out curtain should work well enough. I will stop and get two more panels on my way home tonight.
The A-man has a double English test today, since he didn't go to school on Thursday. He finished up a bunch of homework yesterday, both through the day and in to the evening. S didn't have any homework over the weekend.
Hubby and I had to go in to the near city to pick out new reading glasses for Hubby, and S came with us so that he could get his hair cut. He kept the lady laughing the entire time she was cutting his hair. He can be such a card.
~~~
I just left the computer for a while - got S all squared away for going back to school. As I was putting his lunch bag in to his backpack, I pulled out his agenda to see what has been happening and why he hasn't had much homework. Turns out he has had homework - he has just noticed how hectic our lives have been, and going the on the hope that I wouldn't check his agenda. Which I hadn't. I feel like I am a horrible parent.
I insist that the EA take more time to write in his agenda, and then I get so caught up in other things I don't look at the agenda. Horrible, horrible parent.
Guess I will have to make the checking of the agenda a priority every day. Geesh - just when I thought he was getting better.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Update
It snowed again last night. >:o} ENOUGH already.
The boys have another day off school today. I'm going to have to leave a note with some reminders about things they will need to get done, I think.
I'm so excited! Cuz and her hubby (my 'blood' relative...) are going to come for the weekend next weekend!! I haven't seen her in FAR too long. During the winter months, I usually get down to her place at least twice, but that has not happened at all this year. I was really happy when she said they were going to come. :o) (almost makes up for the snow falling...)
Not really much to report since I wrote so late last night. Guess I should get ready for work...
The boys have another day off school today. I'm going to have to leave a note with some reminders about things they will need to get done, I think.
I'm so excited! Cuz and her hubby (my 'blood' relative...) are going to come for the weekend next weekend!! I haven't seen her in FAR too long. During the winter months, I usually get down to her place at least twice, but that has not happened at all this year. I was really happy when she said they were going to come. :o) (almost makes up for the snow falling...)
Not really much to report since I wrote so late last night. Guess I should get ready for work...
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