Approaching Glory

Help, Helpers, and Helping

Max has become my computer "helper".  Every once and awhile he wakes up and comes over for a kiss or two.  What he really wants is for me to hold him, but for some reason I can't seem to type and do that at the same time.

I woke up this morning for an early morning session with Jbird - because I wanted to "help" him study for a test today.  Let's just say that it was less than productive and I did well to hold my temper.

Jen has let me borrow her digital camera and I went to Best Buy where they were very good at "helping" me get the memory card reader I needed.  Another one of those moments when you feel old and out of step with current technology.  This unit is adaptable to the sd card that fits the camera as well as the one that I use in my cell phone.  Cool beans.

Then I went and spent a few hours visiting with my friend.  Nice day - relaxing.  Just what I need right now.

Meet Mini

Sorry about the quality of this one.  Jen is lending me her camera - I just have to get the cord that uploads to my computer.  Anyway - this is Mini.  So called cause - she's SO little. A very short haired tortoise kitty,  Mini likes to be held but she is not a talker or cuddler.  She loves to play and jump and attack Max (who has finer, softer fur and a big swishy tail).  Got to love a tiny female who isn't afraid to take on the big guys - lol!  However, you'll most often find them both wrapped around each other in their bed washing each other or snoozing away. (after I've spent a good part of my day chasing them around with a squirt bottle of water)

Meet Max

Finally found a way to get some recent pics up - still don't have a camera yet though.  This is our new male tabby cat - Max.  You can't tell in his pic, but he has huge paws and he's gonna be a big cat.  He's a talker and a lover.  Max enjoys cuddling.  This little kitty has let the dog know that he now rules the roost.  Poor Tango.

Rear-Ended

Son calls from college - hands are swelling and breaking out.  I'm kind of wondering how serious this is or if he is attempting to avoid classes.  So I tell him he needs to go see the doctor then he needs to make his own appointment.   And he did!  Wow - shocked me.  He comes home, I'm driving, and we get rear-ended.  The guy behind me almost hit me at three stops and then... he finally did.  Thankfully, no damage to the car - just my nerves.  Jbird is on meds for a histimine surge and a change with his other meds.

College,Teens, and Responsibility

I should have a t-shirt that says, "Be kind to me - I have two teens/college students who live with me."  The only place I really want to be today is in bed with the covers over my head.  Really - it is a beautiful fall day out and where I'd like to be is on a road trip.  However,  here I am with a bunch of stuff to attempt to get accomplished before next week comences.

BTW, Hubby woke up this morning fighting a fever, sore throat, sick stomach, and sneezing.  Right.  From J to me to Hubby.  Jbird is feeling cruddy and I feel weaker than yesterday.  Please don't let Jen be next.  Add in two kittens who rank up there with having toddlers - well - I'm a little testy today.

MY plan is to continue to try and go over the material that Jbird doesn't understand.  Remember - this is a disabilities student and he learns his own way (which is rarely the way things are taught).  So I am learning music theory (think circle of fifths, diminished and augmented chords).

But today's plan goes out the door because I find out that Jbird has an assignment that he hasn't even begun and it requires research down at the college.  Right.  It appears my son has adopted my procrastination.  But it is not JUST procrastination - it is truly that he has difficulty understanding directions - knowing what the assignment wants from him - and he is at the stage where "I want to do this by myself" and doesn't want to have to ask anyone for assistance (which includes the parents, the disability services, the campus counselor, or other support services they have in place)  This is definitely not a good thing considering all his other challenges.  Which includes a funky immune system that allows him to catch and recatch everything that comes down the pike.   And I must admit I lost it with him - which is also never a good thing because he can take an argument and turn it around real fast.

College is definitely different from when I attended.  If you had an assignment and you didn't get it in -you got a zero.  Get this:  an assignment that Jbird was given wasn't completed by over half the class (they didn't understand the assignment  - or so I was told by J) so the professor sends an email extending the deadline and the rest of the email sounds like something a teacher would say to elementary kids who need to get their rear in gear.  It appears the same lack of responsibility that my Hubby sees and I had begun to really see when I taught over ten years ago - goes up the chain.

And the child wonders why I've decided to attend a family support group at NAMI.  One of the ladies in my painting class has a child who came back from his service time with mental health issues (which our government acknowledges is their fault but won't tell the family what happened - thankfully the gov is taking full financial responsibility).  Anyway - she told me how much they have helped her.  I remember Jbird's pediatrician telling me years ago that when J reached this age it would be really difficult and that we all might need some counseling.  I guess he was right.

Well - if you've read this far - thanks for hanging in there.  When I get my stamina back I'll be in better shape to handle the daily challenges. :)

Returning to Home Base

Several things have happened around here.

1. 1.  I joined Facebook and I have spent some time getting accustomed to it.  I'm slowy but surely warming up to the idea - maybe - could be.
2. 2.  Still making adjustments to two teen's college schedules.  I'm definitely getting old - it is taking me quite awhile to figure this all out.
3. Jbird got the flu (thankfully not swine variety).  He then gave it to me (thank you very much) and we battled it for two weeks.  Jbird lost an entire week of college - not a good start to this semester.
4. Upon getting rid of said flu, I came down with a nasty case of sinusitus.  I am currently taking antibiotics and decongestants to kick this out.  I'm very weak and tired - but slowy returning to normal.
5. I missed my Typepad birthday.  Let's see now - my blog is now officially six years old!  Wow - that's awhile to write.
6. We are now the owners of two (yes count them) two kittens.  The Humane Society went up on their price per kitty (from $70 -$100).  On the day we were there they had a 2/1 special - at which my "that's a bargain" Hubby jumped.  Fine by me - I knew the kitties would keep each other company.  Max and Mini are now the rulers of our house and dog.
7. My digital camera died.  Somehow posting without pics doesn't really cut it with me.  Besides which, you need to see the kitties, my progress in knitting, and my new art work - right?
8. I am still looking for a job - nothing yet.  I am working very hard on not getting overtly sensitive about this - but it is barely working.
9. I am considering going to a college and begging for a scholarship. For me.
10. We have been inundated with water for over ten days now.  The tomato plants have drowned.
11. I have been bad and done something horrible and I will confess next week.  Maybe  Could Be  Hmmmm.....

I'm learning to like you Facebook - but there's NO place like home.