Flaming June's Love

Here is our boy in front of George Washington on Liberty Square. I told him about the first president, and the "Birthplace of America". Where America discovered it could be independent from a King in a faraway land. This is where brave men came over 200 years ago to do what was thought to be impossible. He got some of it, most was surely, "bloah blah blah" Mom words. But I said it and we did it and we enjoyed it. We took the duck tour of Philadelphia and the Delaware river.  He loved to Duck part, and quacking at people on street.  I enjoyed the history and people watching. There was also a rally in Liberty square filled with nearly 10.000 people joined to "Keep God in Politics." Pat Robertson was there, along with representatives of the Muslim faith and Jewish faith. Of course plenty of Christians gathered singing prayerful songs and handing out pamphlets with repulsive pics of aborted fetus's. What makes anyone of any faith think its ok to...

So here I am. If I didn't know me I would say-"She looks like a nice person." The green sweater a hand me down from my cousin Molly, who loves to shop-therefore-I get new stuff!  The scarf is Allies, a bright yellow, green, orange.  Goes with everything and handy when I want cover my scar.  I am smiling because at the time I didn't hate my husband.  He was telling me to smile as if I was in LOVE with him for the first time.  Sometimes that is not hard to do.  He can be so loveable.  He can also be so difficult.  But that smile, I believe is brought to you directly from Andy, the most aggravating, annoying man that I love.  My hair is getting very long.  it remains curly and I am not the greatest at keeping it colored.  So my greys are peeking out at the temples.  I think I should just let it happen and go gray. This pic is a great example of why I Love/Hate my husband. we had been driving,(driving driving driving) through...

People that know me know that I usually go with the flow, and keep the peace. People that know me also know that when I am cranky and pissed off, It is just going to be a bad day all around. Someone asked me about our getaway to Vermont, I reported, TRUTHFULLY, "AHHHHH?" It was beautiful weather, beautiful scenery, we did some cool things with Jack, he loved the adventure walk and bike rides. BUTTTTTT It was a 7 hour drive, with a 7 yr old, to an adult destination. I saw my old dear friend Amy from the farm.  MARVELOUS!!! What a sweet reunion we had,even if it was only an hour long. We did alot of driving, excessive driving. So truthfully by the end of Sunday I could have hid under the wheels of the nearest 18 wheeler. The observer said, "OH from your facebook posts it appeared to be perfect." Well, I guess it did, I try very hard not to complain in public. I guess that is dishonest? I should say more, or less?  Nothing? I post pics of the boy, who I ...

Back in that place again. A much brighter spot than last year at this time, but still the same questions. Jack has been adjusting to first grade.  According to all accounts he is doing well.  His TSS worker reports that he is easily distracted, disorganized and has a hard time concentrating. BUT... He is much more social, has been interacting with the other children and his actual WORK is above average.  So we have a very smart child that cant sit still long enough to do his work. His work is messy, but correct. He speaks out of turn, interrupts and has difficulty staying on task. Now here is the question of the ages.... To medicate or not. We have been down this road before.  We tried stimulants once before and he was moody and started grinding his teeth. That was 18 months ago. Now we meet with the Dr again tomorrow.  After our visit to Philadelphia this summer they suggested a stimulant for first grade.  Here we are. I truly hate to do this....

As Buddha says: live like a mighty river. And as the old Greeks said: live as though all your ancestors were living again through you. A friend of mine sent me a link this evening with some amazing thoughts to ponder enclosed. The above are just the conclusion.  I am totally in love with the idea of our ancestors living through us so make it GOOD! When we named Missi, Melissa Sara Bailey we chose her middle name after Her great grandmother Sara.  She died at 21 giving birth to her son Eugene, Tims Father. At the time of Missi's birth I was just 25 and had a 2 year old.  I was a child in many ways myself.  I may not have adapted all that well to a cooking and cleaning stay at home wife, BUT being a Mom was definitely my thing. I loved those girls, and still do like nothing else in the world. As Tim and I chose both of our daughters names we chose names that would be cute as a child, strong as a woman, and had some family tie to their past. Allison Elizabet...

Today was one of those days. Today was a day I expected little and was rewarded beyond words. I was asked to accompany a group of my students to volunteer at the Veterans Hospital for an appreciation party.  They asked for volunteers to escort the residents of the veterans nursing home to a bazzar type event followed by picnic food and a dj.  I was so proud of 15 of my students to attend on a Sunday.  I peddled the event as a "resume improvement"  to the students. I KNOW we all got so much more than that. When we arrived we were told that each student would be assigned a resident to push their wheelchair, or walk with them throughout the event and then bring them back to their rooms. I so wish I could have taken pictures of the students interacting with these men. I spoke to two students that cried at how affected they were to spend time with our Vets. One student had never been in a nursing home, and cried for their apparent loneliness.  I cant tell you ...

The cursed soccer Mom. Close your eyes. (ok open them so you can read what I've got in my head...) Imagine the perfect soccer Mom. She is pretty, smiling, well dressed, but not over done.  Makeup on, but not too much. Car is clean, or should I say the minivan is clean. Knows everyones schedule, all five of her children are fed, washed, homeworked and eager to practice. She knows all the other Moms that walk on, near, or across the field. Everyone wants to be like her, or near her, or share coffee with her.  Because she has it all together. After years of running my girls around all of Wilkes Barre for softball, and soccer, and cheerleading and 6am swimming practice, I have the driving to Godawful places and crazy hours down pat. I never totally got the SOCCER MOM THING. I guess I was in self preservation mode at the time since I was a young, divorced, single Mom of two teen girls that were attending Catholic HS. I was a pariah. Then as I was driving my gals aro...

I have an amazing dog named Honey.  She is a beautiful, calm, friendly Lab/retriever mix.  When Tim moved out and our black lab Petey boy died, I felt I OWED it to the girls to get another dog. They used to make up songs about the dog they wanted before we even got her. "We love you honey, you are so funny, and we will love you more than a bunny. You'll be so pretty And when you shittty we will clean it up." Well it was a totally convincing song and they were so darn cute, and heartbroken, and I would have done ANYTHING to fix them. So we went to the pet store and I bought the dog they wanted. Needless to say they love her, she is so pretty, much cuter than a bunny. But they DO NOT PICK UP DOG POOP. Here is where the title of this post comes in ANDY. We got Honey the Dog and Andy the same year. I picked up Andy online in January and we got Honey in March.  So they came together. Guess who picks up the dog shit?  ANDY. I often say to Honey, wh...