1 week(almost) down

   Preschool, 1st grade and Driving lessons.
   Er, um, who . . . um, don't you have at least 10 years to go before you have driving lessons at your house? 
    Nope, we aren't fast forwarding; we are going back some 20 odd years.  Jarrad started driving lessons on Tuesday!  It was, in his words, exhilarating. 
   We have been waiting 8 months for these lessons.  Ugh.  Just thinking about the process makes me want to cringe.  Needless to say, it has been a wait and we were told that it would be mid September before we could get the lessons.  But when Driver Rehab called and had an opening for the next 4 Tuesdays - we knew that we had to take it.  We rearranged appointments and for the next 3 Tuesdays, stay off the road from 10 - 3:30! 
    Ha! 
    Sorry, Sweetie! 
    Actually, the instructor said Jarrad did very well.  He needs to work on 3 point turns and backing up straight.  Not a big deal unless you can't turn your torso to look over your shoulder. 
    Try it.  Look over your shoulder but don't move your waist. 
     Yep, have to use the mirror for those blind spots. 
    Once Jarrad can do those 2 things smoothly (they are just a little jerky), he will go for his road test and get his endorsed license.  THEN we get a script and can get a modified vehicle.  The script is for the modifications - not the vehicle, FYI. 
    He said it went really well.  The instructor said that Jarrad was the closest to injury person he has ever trained.  Mostly, he trains folks who have had several years of not driving or have never driven.  The latter, I understand.  The former puzzles me a bit.  One of the things that we were told in acute rehab was to not wait and get this taken care of as soon as possible. 
   I don't think it can come soon enough! 
   That was the big guy's learning experience.  My other kids had great weeks so far too.  Emma has a great teacher that seems so nurturing.  She gave Emma a hug (shoulder squeeze) the first morning and told her she was so glad to see her.  That made me feel good.  And every day, I have a happy 1st grader getting off the bus. 
    Sam has really enjoyed his preschool mornings.  Tuesday, he woke up asking if he needed to get ready.  His favorite part is playing on the playground.  I pick him up there.  His teachers call him over and remind him that they have to be the ones to open the gate.  They ask each kid if the kid wants a hug or a high five.  Sam chose a 3rd option and gave his teacher a big kiss on the arm!  I think he enjoyed his first day! 
    He told me the other day that when he grows up, he wants to be a preschool teacher. 
    Awwww. . . wait for it . . .
   So that he can open the gate. 

1st Day

     (Yes, Sam has a huge bruise on his head.He was playing "timber" on his bed aka falling on it and hit his headboard. Yes, I should get rid of their headboards.) 

   Listen!  . . . Do you hear that?  . . . Yeah, nothing.  Nothing but my fingers hitting the keyboard.  I was up today at 5:45 because that is when Jarrad got up but I lay in bed for 45 minutes trying to calm my heart.  I felt . . . wistful? Nervous?  Sad?  Happy that I felt all of those emotions because it meant that I wasn't the crazy weird mom who was just happy that her kids were going to school - no, I am normal!  I actually miss the kids!  I am just like the "cool" moms!  Ok, a part of me is still happy (I got SO much done before 10 o'clock) but it is SO quiet.  Really quiet.  I miss them.  And I am happy.
   Ok, I am just weird.
   But let me tell you what I got done before 10 -
1.  Went to the elementary school and dropped Emma off.  She was happy and excited.  Her teacher seems great.
2.  Preschool - Sam went right in.  No problem.  Fingers crossed that the rest of the day went well!
3.  Hung out for Tea and Tissues - were you get to meet the PTO and talk.  Since this was the 3 day class, all of the parents are old hats at it - not much to talk about.  Left at 9.
4.  Library - drop off books
5. ACE Hardware - to return and purchase
6. Post office (James - expect your package on Wed.)
7.  Converting Hearts Thrift Store to drop off stuff
8.  The dump to get rid of some electronics
9.  Oh - and I got some breakfast in there too.
   And now, I am typing.
   And it is so quiet!
   What am I going to do?

I've got the power . . .

  I love my dad.  I think he is great.  He has taught me so much and still does.  He enjoys teaching others.  It is so fun to see my kids come running up to me telling me that you can eat this or did you know that after they have spent some time with him.  He has a lot of fun doing that... too much I sometimes think but that is another story for another time ...  So when I recently had a discussion with a couple of friends who are in positions of  guidance to younger minds, he came to mind.  I listened to the legitimate frustrations expressed.  Now, I am a positive person and maybe not the most sophisticated but when I hear the stories told about these young (and not so young) adults, it really does make me want to get some signs made up. But it also reminds me of how I have watched my dad and others with glasses deal with some of these situations (not saying that I was ever on the receiving end either).  Maybe I just watched him more, but I would say my dad did it best.  Once I knew what to look for, I started to see it everywhere - the power of glasses. 
   Both of my folks wear glasses.  I guess I wasn't too surprised when I found out that I would have to get a pair.  Only once did I get called "4 eyes".  I remember just staring at the kid who did it.  I was shocked but I guess my face said something different because he kind of slinked off.  I didn't think too much of it until later that night when I was reviewing EVERYTHING I had done that day.  I played the scene over and over and realized that I had done something but didn't quite know what it was.
    So I put my new found sight to use and started observing others with glasses; in particular, my dad.  I noticed that those who wore glasses had a super power.  Add facial expressions and it is a powerful tool that could convey whole books of meaning in one gesture.  It saved time and words.  And it is this secret that I shared with my friends.  Very simple and if you think about it, you're going to have that "ahhh" moment.
   Allow me to illustrate . . .

    First, there is a reason why there is a stereotype of a teacher with glasses perched on the end of his/her nose.  In this position, you can look over the top of said glasses as if to get a closer look.  It also conveys disbelief to whomever you are looking at.  Frustration.  Annoyance.  The beauty is, you can't quite pin down the emotion so it just leaves whoever you are looking at unsettled.  It can force someone to slink away and think about whatever he/she just asked or did that upon further reflection, realize that he/she shouldn't have said or done for obvious reasons.  If said person, doesn't get it, well then, bless his or her heart.

    Pointing with your glasses is a good way to emphasize a point.  It is similar to pointing a finger without causing a defensive reaction to whomever you are talking.  You make points less hostile and more firm. Pointing a finger can ruffle the fur; pointing your glasses causes attention to be paid and sometimes, causes the tail to go between the legs.
   

 

   Pinching your nose, either with the glasses on the tip of your nose, top of your head or in hand conveys weariness with the situation.  It can convey that all possible situations have been considered and what is coming next while not ideal is the only possibility left.  Combine the pinch with either of the top two does also expresses frustration.  

    Just a few of the more overt examples of glasses as a secret weapon.  In all of these cases, the context will influence the connotation which in turn conveys what needs to be said in a much shorter time frame than it took to write this blog. 

It's the most wonderful time of the year. . .

See all of my lovely presents?  AKA - Emma's school supplies

  No, not Christmas.  SCHOOL!  Yes, school is starting in only a few short weeks and while a part of me is sad -babies growing up and all that -, another part feels like dancing through the house throwing petals into the air.  For one year, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning I will have a full 4 hours to myself.
   Ahhh!
   Next, year, I have to get a job.
   But for one year - one beautiful year - if I am tired, I can come home and take a NAP!  I can clean the house and it will stay clean (for 3 hours).  Dishes won't multiply every 5 minutes and NO ONE will be yelling for me for a grand total of 16 hours a week!
    Giddy giddy giddy!!!!

Sam's school supplies

It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

With the school bus honking
And parents yelling  "Be of good cheer"
It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
It's the hap -happiest season of all

With the mommies all smiling and daddies high five-ing

When the bus comes to call
It's the hap - happiest season of all!

2nd hand surgery

     Back in June, Jarrad had his first carpel tunnel surgery.  This past Monday he had his other wrist fixed.  Thank you Dr. Mithani!  He is doing great.  Much better than last time.  I put it down to the fact that he has really been working on strengthening his wrist so recovery is much better.  We are still taking it easy but he says it feels even better than the right one!  You can see what the scars look like.  I am amazed by this surgeon (and I feel like -between the 2 of us, we have had enough experience at this point to say that not all surgeons are the same with their "scar" work).
    The whole team was awesome.  The anesthesiologist (never met one that wasn't great by the way) did a local numbing instead of a block because a block would have made his arm useless - completely numb.  I really appreciated the thoughtfulness applied to our situation and the bedside manner in which it was delivered.   

      Look at that - pretty cool, right?  
     Traditionally, the surgery takes place on the palm where the "life line" is.  That is to minimize scaring - helps with flexibility too.  It is usually "open" which mean more stitches to close it.  Because of Jarrad's paraplegia and his need to use his hands, he had endoscopic surgery.  We did this because the surgeon was AWESOME and really seemed concerned with life after surgery.  This way, there is no scar tissue at all on Jarrad's palms that might cause discomfort with transfers and pushing.  Endoscopic also means less healing time.  There was always the possibility that something could have happened that they would have had to switch to open but it didn't.  As you can see the right (your left) wrist was done two months ago and if you look very closely, you can see the very tiny mirror image scar.  The left (your right) is what they did on Monday. 
    Definitely cool.