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28 novembre Changes comingWell the Christmas and Holiday season is upon us. Since all the leaves are gone from the trees, I guess it's time to do some re-decorating here. Yes, Melissa, I really do believe that decorating your Space does count as some holiday decorating. So my friends if you stop by and see some strange things going on here, just give a little chuckle and send geek wishes my way. I say geek wishes, cause I'm still learning everyday the in's and out's of "Pimping my Space" LOL!
Till later!
25 novembre Yep.... It backfired!You see, the only reason I did go out on Black Friday was to show Nikki what it was like. Then we could just overlook it next year. It was her first experience and she had heard so much about it from friends and such. A new experience so to speak Besides, on her very limited budget she wanted to take advantage of some of the sales. Especially the 50% off on alot of the toys. Daniel had alread been taken care of with the Xbox. She still wanted to buy for Eric, Kaelynn and baby Kevin. Her Dad and I (even though we told her she didn't have to), and my sister (Aunt Vicc) whose name she drew from our family gift buying. So I figured, lets go show her the madhouse it can be. Crowds, rude people, long lines, cold. Yep, it backfired. She loved it and actually saved quite abit of money, and we had a great time. Go figure.
We went to Kohls first - and only had to stand in the cold for 10 mintues. They opened at 4:00 and yes, it was packed. Nik grabbed onto my coat and I shoved my way toward the toys. Funny thing is -- no one was crabby or grabby because there was plenty. Nikki was looking for something she saw that she wanted for baby Kevin and when she yelled to me if I'd seen it, another lady directed her to it. Everyone was helping everyone else look for things. One man was there with his wife, and he was the life of the party - making all of us laugh. I heard him yell to his wife "Honey, we should do this everyday" -- Honey? where are you???" We heard her yell "I'm right here, turn left." To which he relied - "which way is left??"
After a bit more shopping around and grabbing stuff -- there was a cute fairy juke box I grabbed $28.00 retail, for $10.99 to go with Kaelynns Fairy book I had bought her. And Nik did find the thing for baby Kevin regualr price $29.99 for 50% off. Among other assorted things. I did forget about the lines though, and after winding ourselves around the store to find the end of the line, we luckily ended up at a shorter line which was for 5 items and less. We jumped on it and quickly did a count. After handing Nik one of my items to pay for we were set. The line went fast and we were on our way towards another place. MOM said -- "Whew Nik - so what did you think? Ready to head home?" NIk said-- That was fun mom -- no - not yet, but lets stop at Dunkin Donuts." (That's my girl! COFFEE!).
It was 5:15 and the mall didn't open till 6:00, so we headed to Old Navy which was on the way. I remembered the lines this time and the store was small enough, so I stuck Nik in line when we went in, and went to get what I was after, then I stood in line while Nik did the same. That made things a hell of alot easier. Then on to the mall -- and so it went. I only had to get mouthy twice at someone's lack of manners. Hopefully they remembered my scathing comments for later and didn't subject anyone else to their rudeness. It's people like that, that take the smiles and fun out of things. But we really did have a great time, mostly people were nice and were having fun too. And we saved WAY more money than I thought we would. But then again Nik and I always have fun when we shop. Nik said "When we go next year, I"m bringing more money". OMG -- what have I sarted. Did she really say next year?
So after a very lazy Friday, we had a productive Saturday and now we arrive at Sunday. Groceries this morning, Football in the afternoon with a few Budlights, another pot roast in the crock pot. (God how I love that crock pot). And we begin the Christmas season. Oh damn - I forgot about the decorating -- oh well, there's always next Saturday. Take care everyone! 23 novembre The Morning AfterAnd early morning at that. It's 2:16 a.m. and since Nik and I will be heading out at 3:30, I decided to get up and fortify myself with come good hot coffee. The wind is blowing like crazy and I know it will sure be a cold one out there. Yes, I know you all think I'm nuts, and for the most part I think I am as well. But I am looking forward to spending this time with Nikki, making another memory. More likely, she will never do this again for years to come, as she is not an early morning person. But I think if I pump her up with some Dunkin Donuts Hazelnut coffee, she'll make it. I fully expected her to tell me to forget it, as she and Daniel went to see some friends last night after the baby was down for the night, and she didn't get home till 11. I was in bed, but heard her come in when she came to turn off the baby moniter on my nightstand. She is still excited about going. Ahhhhhhhh, but she will learn.
Our Thanksgiving turned out very, very nice. Just exactly as I wanted it. While the guys watched football, Nik helped me cook and we got everything on the table nice and hot and dug in. Eric was tired by then, as he rarely will take a nap, and wasn't too pleased to be sitting there watching us all eat. He decided to rebel because he couldn't get down and play, he wouldn't eat one little bite. Nikki had to feed him a bit later. There aren't many foods he will eat, as the color or texture puts him off, so we weren't surprised. But he does love sweet potatoes, and he wouldn't eat them either. Or the rolls. Cranberry sauce was a definate no-no. LOL! The faces that kid can make.
Kevin Jr. dropped by with the little ones for a quick minute. They were headed out for dessert at the other grandma's. We get them on Christmas night which is our big celebration with Kevin's side of the family. The Sunday before Christmas is the celebration for my side of the family. Jaime was working in Manhatten as their restaurant was fully booked for Thanksgiving. Charlie, Daniel, Kevin Jr and some other friends headed out at 9:00 a.m. for a quick football game which they call the Turkey Bowl.
Other than that my friends, not much else is new in my part of the world. After shopping I will put the Turkey soup in the crock pot and probably take a nap. Umm I love naps on cold windy days. I guess for now I'll jump in the shower and complete the waking up progress, and make sure I have all the coupons I was mailed in the last week, and clip out the Macy's one for $10.00 off over $30.00. I saw a gorgeous jacket there for $49.99 which the coupon will bring down to $39.99 and the discount for shoppers between 6 and 11 will bring it down to $32.99. And I do really need a jacket. My hoodies are simply no longer warm enough, and I'm not yet ready for my winter coat. Man - did I just utter the word Winter?
Have a nice weekend everyone! 20 novembre More early morning ramblingsWell since my regular paper guy is on vacation, and instead of coming at 5:15 my paper now comes at 7:00 a.m., I have time this morning to update. Bear with me as I am still a bit groggy. I am just sipping my first cup of coffee.
The weekend was very nice, especially since Jaime came up from the city for his high school reunion. It's hard to believe that I have a child old enough to attend his 10 year reunion. But we won't get into that. We spent most of Sunday talking and watching football. Kevin, Charlie, and Kevin Jr. were in a bowling tournament at five, so Jaime went over to watch for awhile before heading to a friends for dinner. The only sad part is that he will be working on Thanksgiving so won't be up again until Christmas.
You know what did drive me crazy though? On Saturday was the parade that is usually held to usher in the Christmas Season. Usually it's held on the Friday after Thanksgiving (commonly known as Black Friday). Both were always known, for as long as I remember, as the Official beginning of Christmas Season. Christmas shopping, and the parade. Nevermind the fact that all the stores have Christmas things out now before Halloween. That day made it official and just seemed right. Now they have it the Saturday before Thanksgiving and call it the Holiday Parade. The only reason I have read about, is that now they can have it at 5:00 so more parents can bring their children. And some people work the Friday after Thanksgiving which makes it hard for them to make it. Ok - I'm with that. Seven was a bit late for some of the really young ones who can get cranky about that hour. But why not just switch it to the Saturday AFTER Thanksgiving? And still call it the Christmas Parade? Ahhhhh, are some of you getting it now? Could it be that the word Christmas is the key here? I don't know for sure, but to me it's just another tradition gone by the wayside. I wonder if they still even have Santa in the parade. I'll have to find out.
So what are everyone's plans for Thanksgiving? We are having a small one this year with Daniel, Nikki, Eric and Charlie. Later Kevin, Jamie (girl) and the babies will be by for a visit, and dessert. I like it this way, as I don't get so stressed out like I do when we have company. I still make it nice, with special table settings and lots of food and such, but it's low key, as compared to the Christmas dinners and such. Christmas gets complicated because with the kids grown, they have relatives of their significant others to visit and scheduling is hard.
The flyer/catalog of Winter classes for our local Community College was in mail this weekend and guess what? They have a photgraphy class geared toward learning to use digital camera's. It starts in January and is on Monday evenings from 6:00 to 9:00. Perfect for me because Kevin bowls on that night. The class is $120. and I know I already have about $60.00 of that in my change jar. I'm excited because I really am having a hard time figuring out some of the settings on my new camera. What a waste that is if I cannot use it properly. Not to mention the fact that I love to take pictures.
Well the time has arrived for me to get my day started. Take care eveyone --- and I will get around to visit sometime today! 16 novembre Checkin In....So how has everyone's week been? I've had a good one I guess. With the slow weather an all, my life pretty much slows down as I am NOT a cold weather person. Add that to the fact that I am a homebody, and it narrows even further the things I can blog about.
I need to get to the bookstore and stock up on reading material. I'm out of books to curl up with. I just finished reading "The Five People You Meet In Heaven". A great book, very different from what I thought it would be. Also, I'm considering joining that NetFlix thing for movies. I've looked in the stores for one of my all time favorite movies and while the stores didn't have it, Amazon does. It's the movie "A Star Is Born" with Kris Kristofferson and Barbara Striesand. I love it. I want to kick back one night with Nikki and lots of popcorn and a box of tissues. It's definately a chick movie. Anyone ever seen it. I saw it in the theaters when it first came out and the whole place was sobbing by the end of it.
There are alot of Craft Fair Advertisements around so maybe this weekend I will get out and check those out. I still want to find my dad's present and that's where I have the best bet of finding it. (I won't write what it is here, as my dad may read in. I'm not sure that he does, but I've given him the website address so maybe). You out there dad??
On Saturday, December 1st, Kev and I are headed to New Jersey to have dinner with my Jersey Buddies and husbands. We will make a nice weekend out of it and spend the night Saturday and on Sunday morning head to Brooklyn to take my oldest son Jaime to breakfast if he is around. It will be good to see the girls, and good to get away.
OMG - Snow flurry. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Go away!
Sorry I lost my head for a minute. It's gone -- like I said just a flurry. But it's inevitable. Snow is coming and there is nothing I can do.
13 novembre Busy few daysWell, my relaxing Sunday started out well till we got to the afternoon football part. Dallas and the Giants played. Now for many years I have had 2 Giant Fans and 1 Dallas Cowboy fan while my kids were growing up. Personally I am a Chargers fan, and last I remembered Jaime was a Dolphin fan. My two Kevins are the Giant fans and Charlie a die-hard Cowboy fan. Well.....guess where they decided to watch the game Sunday afternoon. And tagging along with them...various other Giant/Dallas friends. In between stuffing down subs and wings along with some other goodies, we had no lack of excitement. Gotta tell you, it brought back memories of Football Sunday when they were younger.
Last night was Nikki's Partylite Candle Party with all the young girls. Mom helped with brownies and such, made dinner and helped with Eric while Nik organized and picked up a few of her guests. Good news! She made her 250.00 requirement. So that means she gets $62.50 in free stuff and qualified for the special of $50 in free stuff for $9.95. (I also got the $9.95 deal because she booked her party off me). Also she had one booking and she gets another $9.95 deal when she goes to that party. So she's pretty happy I twisted her arm into doing it.
 It's absolutely beautiful here in Upstate New York today. High fifties and the sun is shining brightly. It's gorgeous shining on all the color leaves on the ground and the air is so fresh. Tomorrow is supposed to be similiar and then we will head for our winter freeze.
 So will anyone be going shopping on the Friday after Thanksgiving? I think I will grab Nik in the wee hours of the morning and head out. We can shop a bit and have a nice breakfast. I don't have much to look for in the way of sales this year. Just a few things, as gift certificates are the prevailing gift for my grown up children. I still would love for us all to go shopping the day after Christmas and meet for lunch or something. The Christmas sales will help those gift certificates go a long way, and I can use some time with the kids. Acually any chance I get. You know - new camera and all.
Well, on that note, I guess I'll get my tush back to work and see if I can't get a little visiting in as well. It's only about two so I still have a few hours to go. Take care till later! 8 novembre Rambles
I seem to have an obsession with stick people. When I was a kid, and sometimes even now, I was always doodling little stick figures. Now in this computer age, I can see them dance and do all sorts of stuff. Pretty cool.
Not much is new here. Kev and Charlie are bowling and Nic is giving Eric his bath and leading him into his nightime routine. (Actually bath is done cause a naked baby just ran by me). LOL! After bath it's jammies, a snack and he plays in his room for a bit and then the crib and some wonder pets. He had no nap today which is no big surprise so he is already yawning and rubbing his eyes.
I don't have much to ramble on about. I had a few minutes till the house is quiet and I thought I'd say hello and tell everyone thanks for all the encouragement, and kind words. It does a body good to hear them once in awhile. My friend Michele said it well, it it wasn't for all of you to lean on once in awhile I'd have a much rougher time of it. You all are my sounding board, my cheering squad -- my friends. Thanks... I was just sitting here wishing tomorrow was Sunday. During the fall and most of the winter, Sunday is my favorite day. Even if I know there is work tomorrow. I can get all my errands and chores done on Saturday, but Sunday is for doing whatever I feel like. Reading the Sunday paper over hot coffee, taking as long as I want. Family, football and junk food. Talking with my sister, Jaime or my dad on the phone, reading, or...well, you get the picture. Sundays are my comfort days. What about all? What is your favorite day of the week?
7 novembre Blogger Block?So sorry I've been away lately. I seem to have developed a case of Bloggers Block. Everytime I sit down to update, my mind goes blank. *Nevermind all the smart aleck comments you guys.....
 ... Also, work has been busy and here I thought with the boss gone, it would be less hectic. But it seems I'm gettiing all his phone calls, and he has ordered all kinds of stuff, therefore I am seeing the invoices pile in.
Nic has been having a hard time with Eric lately. All the changes of starting school, learning new things. He's becoming attached to his mommy's hip lately. He crys so pitifully when she leaves him at school (nevermind he is fine 10 mins later). And last night he would't let her put him to bed -- he was crying so hard. The hour time change didn't help any either, as he is very attached to routine. He wouldn't even go to me, which is unusual. Poor little man. So many changes are scaring him. Nik knows that, but it's hard on her. She sat right down and cried last night. And that's hard for me to see.
I'm sure you all know that I have been such a sponge lately regarding Autism. Eric's diagnosis has completely changed the way I look at many things. My heart goes out to parents in states that have no programs or understanding of the special needs the children have. And to parents who cannot afford the enormous amounts of money to help an autistic child. Who cannot even afford to have a diagnosis, nevermind treatment. Can you imagine their frustration at not being able to help their own child? I know that I have many problems with the way NY does things, but their wonderful early intervention program is not one of them.
Watching my daughter with Eric gives me so much respect for parents who have a child on the Autism Spectrum. Long days and most times long nights. The constant worry and concern. There is rarely any room for anything else in their life. Their care of their child is first and foremost. And never again will I see a misbehaving child in a store or in public and think, that mom needs to take that child in hand. For that is not always the case.
Below is an excerpt from another parent of an Autistic child who wrote a publication called "Living with Autism": (I hope Sam's mom don't mind if I borrow it for here, from Sam's page)...
Quite often an autistic child, in the eyes of an uninformed person, would be seen as naughty and out of control. The fact is these children don't know how to be 'naughty.' They cannot use their brain to manipulate a plan to misbehave. What they are seeing is a child who has a complete fear of the world. They don't understand the world as we would. They don't understand that if they cross the road without looking they could be run over.
Anyone looking at Eric never would think - that child is Autistic. He looks like any other little boy. Only people close to him would know that he is special. Or if he is put in a setting with other two year olds. They would notice the difference. It's hard sometimes for me to figure out just exactly my feelings. If Eric were not Autistic he would be much different, and I so much love how he is. His laugh is genuine - straight from the belly and his smile lights up his face, so much that you cannot help but smile back. His eyes shine and the joy is a wonderful thing to see. He loves to play ball, loves cars and trucks (spinning wheels), loves water (bath, pool, hose), loves to jump. Yes, he has tantrums and yes, it is difficult for him to communicate and for us to communicate with him. He very rarely sits still even for a minute (although his school says he is doing better with that) and he is a very finicky eater.
Anyway -- I just wanted you all to know what it is that is taking up most of my thoughts and time nowadays. I know that Eric will adjust to his new schedule soon. We already see how much he is learning at school and are so excited for the future. We are helping to raise money for a stroller for Eric's class. The kids are taken for rides outside in wagons for fresh air and such, but it requires lots of work. This special stroller seats 6 and will make things much easier for the teachers. Kevin's bowling league is doing a fundraiser to raise the rest of the money for the stroller right after Thanksgiving, so we will be taking part in that. Cross your fingers we raise the balance of the money needed for the stroller. They are $1500.00
Other than that, things are quiet, fall is moving out and making way for winter. I heard the "S" word in the forcast last night, for Friday. *deep sigh here as all the leaves are still falling from the tress so raking will be double hard to get the last of them. Football goes on (I did terrible last Sunday). Errands and planning for the holidays are starting - my sister will be doing the family grab bag names.
Goodness I guess my bloggers block went away huh? LOL! I"m going to spend what time I have today visiting. Till later take care everyone!
Isnt' life great? 1 novembre Happy November??Anyway -- I added all the pictures I had of Eric yesterday to the photo album. He's a cutie and I hope you enjoy them. We didn't get to see Kaelynn and Kevin Jr., but their mommy is a photograper so I figure there will be pictures I can get eventually. I hope everyone had as much fun as I did yesterday. As you can see from one of the pictures -- I'm sending Kevin out with the rake this weekend. Leaves are falling faster than we can keep up with them. |
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