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28 février Thursday already?Well we were bombarded again Tuesday night -- more snow and then some more snow yesterday morning. It looks like it has all stopped for now, but they are saying more Friday. So much for my fond hopes that maybe this would be our last snowstorm. Hey - - a girl can dream can't she.
Today is Eric's 6 month evaluation at his school. Nichole already has read the speech therapist's report on Eric, as some of his speech sessions are at home. It estimates his language skills at about age 10 months. Personally I think he is closer to a 12 - 18 months. But hey -- I'm not the therapist. Either way that is good. Eric was not verbal hardly at all in the beginning of his therapy so that is showing progress. The rest of his evaluation is at the school today after his class. Nichole is so nervous that it will be decided that he no longer needs the Early Intervention Services, regardless of the staff's reassuance that he does. I have complete faith that the services will continue and our Eric will get all he needs and then some. I will be going to the evaluation with Nik and Daniel this morning so I'll keep everyone posted on results.
Daniel and Nikki took Eric out in the snow again while the shoveling was going on. He loves it so much. What a tantrum when it was time to come in. I'm so anxious for the better weather -- to let him run free in the yard, go for walks and play at the school's playground - OH - and to go for walks in the school stroller that we were able to raise the funds for. I'm especially happy about that.
I did write a nice thank you to all involved and sent it to the paper, but of course they didn't publish it. The other newspapers in the surrounding areas publish human interest and such thank you's all the time. But the only thing our newspaper is interested in is politics, who's building what and where, who's mad at such and such and crime. Figures - I had a feeling they wouldn't because I never see such things in it. I think I'll send it to one of the smaller community papers which I should have done in the first place. So many god people made the benefit possible.
On that note I must get ready for work. Enjoy the day!
23 février It takes me longer to think of a title than to type the blog..Here it is another 4:00 a.m. morning. Haven't had one of these in a long time. I guess laying in bed wondering where I'm going to find a reasonably priced washing machine (mine stopped spinning -- stupid washer) just wasn't helping me go back to sleep. I should have known the minute I put the word "savings" in writing (see previous blog) even if it was prefaced by "little bit of" that something would happen to bring them into full view. In truth, I really can't complain -- it's a very old washer and gets lots of use in this family. Still -- it heard me say that word "savings" and decided it was ok to retire. Bet the dryer heard me too and it's getting it's retirement savings in order as well.
Poor Nik had another wisdom tooth pulled yesterday. At least this time she was better prepared about what to expect. Sitting at work yesterday, she sent me a picture of her feet and the wall and said "this is what I've been looking at for a half hour".....funny Nik. She made me promise not to cook the salmon I bought until she could chew again. Soup, pudding and applesauce is her diet for today. Oh and milkshakes -- Daniel makes plenty of milkshake runs.
Come Monday morning I'll be driving Kevin over to Eris's school. He is the representative for the Bowling League to give the donation to the Director and teachers of Eric's classroom. I'll bring my camera. They will be surprised I bet. The donations have grown. On Thursday, some of the guys who couldn't make it to the Benefit gave donations, and now the total comes to $2,060.00. We are so thrilled to give it to them.
Well my friends, that's all I have for ya today. I know it's not much, but hey -- spring will be here soon, and I bet maybe Spaces will come back to life, along with my in a rut butt. Guess I'll see if the paper is here and grab another coffee. Take care everyone and have a nice weekend. 20 février Where oh where have we all gone??As ususal there is not much to update you about. The closer we get to Spring, the better I seem to feel - even though it's still cold and snow is predicted for this weekend, I can see a light at the end of the tunnel.
Today, I'm feeling fortunate. I have a secure, well paying job with very good health insurance, a nice house and a great family. I've been reading the paper and I'm seeing soaring prices, and people struggling just to get by. Forclosures, Bankruptcies, etc. And I know that at work, our customers paying habits have changed. Customers who usually are very prompt are struggling to pay our invoices, while their own customers are struggling to pay them - and so on down the line. It's a bit scary actually.
We have talked of renting the house in Delaware that we have rented in previous summers and everyone is thinking what a great idea it is. We haven't had a real family vacation in a few years. Mainly just summer get togethers at home. We may have to rethink that though - as things continue to get more expensive.
My grocery bill has climbed into the statosphere (Jane told me what that means, so I feel it adequately descibes my grocery bill). Milk at $4.00 a gallon (we go through alot of milk) -- and eggs used to be $.99 on sale and now when they are on sale they are $1.68. I used to feel so proud of myself, feeding my family on what I thought was a reasonable grocery bill. Now I am stunned whenever I get to the checkout. It's not that I have more mouths to feed, or I buy anything extravegant -- quite the opposite.
You all know that we will be getting tax rebate checks. I had thought to use a little bit of that for Delaware and put the majority of it towards our credit card bills. I want to try not to use them unless an emergency arises such as new dryer, car repair or such. It makes me nervous should any of those things happen and I'm not prepared. We used our savings, back when Kevin was out of work for those 3 months, and haven't been able to put back much to them.
I also feel badly for young couples starting out. I know that Nik and Daniel would like to have their own place, but honestly I don't see how that is possible right now for them. They give me money weekly towards utilities and food and such, and they buy their own snacks most of the time along with Eric's food and needs. Along with their car and insurance payment -- that pretty much eats up everything. Nik is unable to work because Eric only has school 2 hours a day. His Autism keeps her on the go all the time and finding daycare or such is simply not an option. I happened to be looking in the classified the other day and was shocked by the price of apartments in our area. What used to cost $550 (2 bedroom) is now more like $700. per month. Utilities not included. Actually before we bought the house about 12 years ago we paid $595 for a 3 bedroom. With a security deposit and such - how do young people with families manage? And I am told it's getting worse. How can this ecomomy get much worse?
Anyway -- not much else in new here. I notice Spaces has been very quiet lately, myself included. I just have no inspiration lately and when I do sit down to update, my mind remains blank. There are only so many times I can report the weather or tell you all how down in the dumps I feel, or how much I hate winter. No wonder nobody visits anymore. LOL! Well, I guess I"m guilty of the same -- I haven't been around much either. So -- guess I'll try that and come say hello to you all.
Have a great Wednesday!
P.S. Grace I cannot get on your space -- but I'll keep trying!
18 février It was a fantastic nightEveryone had a great time, the band was fabulous and everyone was in a happy mood. Our goal for the night was $1400 and we received a little over $1800. Kevin, Nikki and Charlie sold raffle tickets and 50/50 tickets. I sat at the door for awhile checking people in.
They had some fabulous things being raffled off and I actually won a gift certificate to Gabriels Market. I wanted the NY Yankee neon light, but oh well - someone else got to have that. Even Kevin got in on the bowling. I sure the school will be so excited to get the stoller and have a little extra for anything else they need. I've put up some pictures so check em out.
Saturday was the MDA Bowling tournament that the boys bowled in. Kevin went along to watch, while I did the grocery shopping. On Sunday, everyone was lazy, so we just hung around the house - watched tv and I made Cheeseburgers and fries for dinner. I kept telling Kevin I missed the football games. I truly enjoyed my Football Sundays.
Other than that my friends, it's been just routine as usual. Jaime is getting restless, I can tell. He filled in for a previous employer here Thursday and Friday - but has found nothing concrete as far as work is concerned, until he leaves for Cali. Eric has the week off school for some break - I don't know, there are so many school breaks nowadays I never know which one it is. Winter break (I thought that was around Christmas or Spring break (I thought that was around Easter).
It's supposed to be 55 degrees today, and I would be surprised it it's that already. It's so foggy out - must be the warm air and the snow on the ground cause the fog. But it's nice to have the higher temp - even if it is just for a day and some rain comes with it.
So have a good week everyone and enjoy the pictures. 13 février What's up?Yesterday, the weatherman started out predicting 5 to 10 inches of snow would fall last evening. Thank heaven it was downgraded to a few inches as the day wore on, and ended up being just a few inches with ice and sleet. Rain is predicted for today. Hopefully it will warm up a bit as it's been so cold it's hard to breathe when you go outside.
Jaime arrived Sunday evening and is settling in and looking for something to supplement his income and keep him busy while he waits to head for California. It's pretty hard to get any work when it's only temporary so he headed out last night to see a previous employer who does quite a bit of catering to see if there was an opportunity for him there. He's my restless child and doesn't do well with lots of time on his hands. He needs to keep busy.
Friday is the benefit for Eric and the family will be heading out to that. We've collected some donations from family and friends who aren't able to attend. It looks very good that not only will Eric's class get the stroller for the little ones, but will have extra and with spring coming can use the extra for the playground for them. Eric's class is the littlest ones at the school (they start at age 2). They have a special playground for them that they began last spring. Eric loves outside and we can hardly wait to see him learn to interact and play outside with the kids he shares the class with. He's doing so well at the school and making such great progress in his communication skills.
Jaime will be filling in on Charlie and Kevin's bowling league on Thursday evenings. Since little Kevin also subs on those evenings, the four of them will make quite a showing. They all have over 200 averages and make quite a team when they are together. I think I'll head over there some one of these Thursdays, just to enjoy the show. I love the quiet and having the house to myself, but a little adventure in this long boring winter is definately called for and they are just plain fun to watch.
Kevin, Jamie (girl) and the kids will be arriving home from Florida this evening and we are all anxious to see pictures and hear of their trip to Disneyland. Poor things just don't know what they are flying into. It's a darn mess outside.
On that note, I guess I'll head out and do some visiting. Take care all......
7 février Another Day in the land of the frozen TundraI just opened my newly arrived utility bill and SCREAMED really loud. Then I proceeded to run around the house making sure no one was using anything unnecessary. What on earth is going on here? My grocery bill has moved into the stratosphere (what is a statosphere anyway?) -- and why on earth do I need a cell phone with taxes on it that are more than the actual bill itself? Only Nikki ever calls me. I don't watch half of the channels on Cable TV, (but try watching TV without it nowadays). I don't get it. How is everyone even surviving these days? The harder I try to keep up, the further behind I get.
Anyway - it's snowing again. You all would have laughed this morning to see me outside with a spatula triyng to chop the ice that was freezing my car doors shut. The ice-scaper just had to be inside the car right? Couldn't have hopped out and laid itself in the driveway for me now could it? Nik says I looked ridiculous - but hey it worked. Then I tried putting the trash cans to the end of the driveway cause it's collection day. They were frozen to the ground. Yep, the good old muscles got a workout today.
We had some bad news Tuesday. Daniel's brother in law, Kevin passed away suddenly and we are all pretty much shocked. It's a very hard thing to handle, having something like that happen that way. It scares me. No one ever thinks something like that could happen to them and then it hits a bit close to home and gets everyone thinking about how much we sometimes take our loved ones for granted. My God, how would I stand it if something happened my loved ones. It is my greatest fear. For me, this is a wake up call to be more aware of my actions and words to my loved ones. It brought back memories of my mom's sudden death and the helplessness of wishing I could have made sure she knew I loved her. In my day to day living, I never think a thoughtless word or gesture may come back to haunt me someday, but it's times like these I am so very aware of it.
Well I'm off to eat a late dinner. Kevin and Charlie are bowling, the house is quiet. I'll do some visiting for awhile and call it a day. I hope you all have a great weekend - and remember - I love ya all my friends. You mean alot to me. Take care!
5 février StuffHey everyone - how about those Giants? I'm a Charger fan but it was a great game to watch. Yep - we New Yorkers are still talking about it.
Let's see, in other news, we have been busy with Eric's Class benefit. It's coming together great. Only problem is finding someone to keep an ear out for Eric. It is a Rock & Bowl Event and begins at 10:00 pm in the evening. Eric will be in bed sound asleep by then. And of course everyone we know wants to go. I'm working on it, but if need be I will make an appearance briefly then come home and let Nik and Daniel attend. Kev Jr. and the family leave today for Florida. And what a great day to do it. It has been raining all morning and shows no sign of letting up at all. The sky is gray and dark. On the good side (and there usually is a good side with me) it's melting all the dirty snow. Jaime is back in NY for the week, working his last week at Aureole and saying goodbye to friends. He brought a friend home with him and although it was a short visit we had fun. He was wearing a shirt saying "This is not my girlfriend"...LOL! I wish she was though. Her name is Laura and she is from Mississippi. I love her southern accent. She is down to earth, friendly and like me loves taking pictures. She sent me a bunch she had taken of Jaime and I think I will do a collage. She is very artistic.
Not his girlfriend ... just good friends... Take care all! 1 février What's that saying?When I was very little (a long, long, long time ago), I used to hear my grandpa say "Red Sky in the Morning, Sailors take warning, Red Sky at night, Sailors delight" -- Anyone know that saying. Here is what our sky looked like this morning at about 7:05 a.m. when I went out to start the car to warm it up:
Isn't it pretty? But I guess we better get ready for a storm huh? Have a great weekend everyone! |
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