Category Archives: family life

>Small Steps

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>Getting kids ready for school requires a lot of errands, a lot of preparation. Getting a teacher ready for school requires a lot of errands and even more preparation.

So far, I’ve talked on the phone with the principal and my partner teacher in fourth grade. We can’t get into the rooms yet because the cleaning service hasn’t moved the furniture in after the Big Summer Clean. I’m moving into a new room, so it’ll take them a little longer to move mine. For the time being, I’m stuck working on things I can do at home.

I renewed my professional membership to the state reading association so I can continue to receive (and contribute to) their journal.
I bought the materials for my reading grant aimed at motivating less able readers (J. P., eat your heart out. This is the real world of motivating readers).
I organized a collection of materials for cut-outs and collages.
On a trip to Party America store, La Petite helped me pick out a few additions to my classroom decor. The theme is Treasure Your Learning, with an emphasis on treasure maps.
Tested vocabulary words are difficult for a lot of my students, so I created puzzles to help them practice and review these terms.
While watching Packer preseason football and Olympic swimming, I punched out a collection of bulletin board letters. I’ve owned these for years, and they’re still useful, even in this day and age of computer generated banners and Microsoft Publisher.

And when the cleaning staff is done and the furniture is back in the rooms, I’ll get my real “first day of school.” I hope it’s soon; there isn’t much time left before the kiddos show up!

The topic “The First Day of School” is a suggestion by Parent Bloggers Network in conjunction with Hanes.
And don’t forget to check out MidCentury Modern Moms; we’re posting on the Back to School theme as well, and our kiddos aren’t little cuties in ruffle socks and buckle shoes; they’re more likely to wear Old Navy jeans and Converse All-Star Sneakers. Well, at least mine is.

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>Am I the PB or the J?

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>We are the sandwich generation. I mistyped that the first time, and it came up on the screen as “sand wish.” Maybe that was a Freudian slip; I wish this “new normal” would settle down some.

Husband’s father, my father in law, has been in steadily declining health. He is now on a pump for painkillers, uses a wheelchair when he can and a walker when he can’t, but needs essentially 24/7 assistance. That assistance, of course, falls to his wife, my mother in law.

Husband and his brother are working together to help their parents handle the move to a senior living place, a set-up where both can live and FIL can get more of the help he needs. We really want them living closer to us so we can help out in an emergency; they now live two hours away. They seem willing but they’re stalled, so Da Boys and their wives (me and sister in law) are diving in feet first to get the move, well, moving.

On the other side of the sandwich is school starting. Amigo needs to get ready for the start of his school year. His new backpack sits in its unopened package while the old one with the broken zipper sits in the hallway waiting to be shipped for repair. La Petite, on the other hand, needs to pack and move to her apartment before her semester starts. We anticipate this will take two trips: one with the majority of her belongings, and one final move with her rabbits.

Making the whole thing stickier (PBJs are always sticky) are our workloads. Our jobs, remember those? The occupations that bring in paychecks, pay the bills, keep us from becoming another statistic in this recession of ours. Yes, those jobs. Husband’s job gets crazier with the onset of football season, mine with school starting.

In conclusion, the timing is awful.

Add to that Amigo’s health and basic living chores such as laundry, cooking, cleaning, and maybe sleeping now and then….

We’re the sandwich generation, and sticky or not, we need to get used to this situation as our New Normal.

This post is my entry in MamaBlogga’s Group Writing Project for August. If you’d like to enter, the entry form is here. Her theme this month is “The New Normal.”
And don’t forget that Thursday is my regular post at MidCentury Modern Moms. This week is Back to School Week with posts about our not-so-little darlings and their often atypical needs.

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>Serenity or shoulds are once again bogus

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>Husband’s parents should move into a more accessible apartment.
Reality: FIL can’t handle moving chores physically, MIL remains in denial and won’t take any action until he “recovers.”
End result: Husband and his brother will end up shouldering the emotional burden while brother’s wife and I help out with the practical end of things.

The ‘rents should take the initiative and sign the papers on the senior condo.
Reality: Their denial has kept them from acting.
End result: We’ll have to confront them directly.

The parental units, as the situation gets more and more dicey, should prepare power of attorney with at least one of their sons.
Reality: Denial.
End result: We plan to sit down with them and ask some hard questions and push for answers, including papers. They can revoke these powers after the move if they wish, but for now at least, it would make paperwork and downpayments much easier.

We can’t control their actions or attitudes.
We can control our own reactions.
We can work together, brothers and wives, to come up with a plan, but we can’t control the parental units’ reactions to it or their choices. Here’s where the wisdom to know the difference will come in handy.

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>waiting, waiting, waiting

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>We looked at cell phones for Amigo at the AT&T store. The new Jitterbug would be suitable, but expensive. we found a couple that would work and then talked to the folks at the store about adding him to our family plan. Then husband went on to other topics, such as the new television and phone (landline) services. I didn’t need to hear this and I was tired of waiting, so I went next door in the mall to (fanfare) Famous Footwear!! I tried on five pair, bought two, and then headed back to the store where Husband was still looking at the details of the new television service. He looked at my bag and realized he was taking too long. Heck, the shoes were on clearance!

The next day we found ourselves heading along the highway to Milwaukee for Amigo’s appointment with the tummy doctor (the GI specialist). Two hours on the road and I admit it, I was dozing in the passenger seat. Traffic was smooth, so we actually arrived early.

The waiting room would rate low on my quality scale. No toys, a few children’s books, a TV set to public television (with an elderly exercise program on when we came in), aquarium in one corner with a few fish. No adult reading material whatsoever: no books, no magazines, not even a stack of health-related handouts. Cell phones are a no-no in this major medical building, so texting La Petite was out.

We coped. Amigo put on his headphones and listened to radio. I sent the restless Husband in search of a newspaper. While he was gone, I made lists.

To-do List #1: must-do priorities for moving into new classroom
To-do List #2: phone calls and appts. to make
To-do List #3: Power Point plan for Open House
To-Do List #4: Power Point plan for students, first day of school

At about that point, Husband handed over a section of the newspaper, and the paper kept us occupied until Amigo’s appointment.

Next time I’ll bring a book. Actually, the next appointment is in October, so I’ll probably have stacks of papers to correct and lessons to plan. Next time, I’ll bring my schoolbag.

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>Crock Pot Leftover Chili

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>I discovered A Year of Crockpotting (is that really a word? It is now) and I’ve checked her out every day since. I’ve copied a few recipes to keep in my file, and I’ve left a few comments. I’m not as dedicated as Stephanie, who is using her crockpot every day for a full year. I use mine about once a week during the school year, a little less often in the summer when I’m home to cook.

She had me at the title for this one: Clean Out the Pantry Crockpot Chili. My chili has a basic formula, but if I’m honest I’ll admit it’s never the same twice. Leftover taco meat? Meatsauce from spaghetti? Chunky spaghetti sauce with veggies from the garden? All of the above works in a crock pot full of chili. Last time I made chili in my crock pot, it turned out something like this.

Clean out the Fridge Crock Pot Chili by Daisy

Add to crock pot in this order:
1 can chili beans
1 can dark red kidney beans
1 can diced tomatoes
leftover sloppy joe meat
leftover meatballs (chopped beyond recognition)
a few leftover vegetables
1-2 teaspoons chili powder
1 green onion, diced
2 spinach leaves, diced (I’m not opposed to adding green veggies when the kiddos don’t know it)
leftover spaghetti sauce

Turn pot on low for 4-6 hours. About 1 1/2 hour before serving, add leftover spaghetti or egg noodles. Turn pot to high.

Serve with grated cheese (optional).

Enjoy!

(Hey, family? My crockpot has seen better days. When you’re out shopping for a rain barrel, you could scout for a replacement.)

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>Take me out to the ball game!

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>Baseball! The weather was nice, it was Saturday night, so we decided to take in a minor league baseball game.

So did a few thousand other fans. I couldn’t get tickets in the “good seats” that we like best. I couldn’t get three, so I tried two, and the web site still told me “No, try fewer tickets or another section.” I gave in and bought bleacher seats on the third base side toward the outfield. Amigo was okay with that, as it meant there would be a good crowd.
He wasn’t kidding; the park was packed, and it was great. Watching people watching baseball is a lot of fun, too.
In front of us, the young mom made friends with Amigo as he sang along with each and every song on the PA system. She called him “Mr. Jukebox.” We knew that; he has an amazing memory. If only he’d use it to do better in school…but I digress.
Off to the right and a few rows ahead we noticed a family that must have been at their first game ever. Everything was new and exciting. The husband excitedly filled the memory card on his camera with game shots, pictures of the young boy behind him stuffing his face with a soft pretzel dipped in cheese, and Fang, the mascot, dancing on top of the dugout. They joined in doing the wave, smiled at the crowd singing “Take me out to the ballgame,” and in general, seemed to enjoy immersing themselves in this piece of Americana.
To our left was a large group of teenagers talking, laughing, and cheering loudly, seemingly in constant motion. The young man next to me kept apologizing for bumping into me, and made me laugh as he and his friends pushed the rest of the teens in his row into the smallest space possible. When I teased him about avoiding me because I’m a teacher, a younger one (his brother, perhaps?) begged me to give out detentions! This crew was most fun when the PA system played a song that none of the adults knew, but caused every teen in the park (including Amigo) to jump up and dance. Cha-cha, slide, jump, and what else? If anyone at the game was grumpy, they couldn’t be after that. Contagious energy, near-spontaneous fun!
A foul ball sped into the crowd behind us hitting a spectator’s hand so hard she couldn’t hold it, causing at least one nearby fan to spill his beer. No serious injuries, fortunately, and the stadium staff was on the scene immediately.
Husband and I shared a funnel cake (ah, how romantic), and fought off the cool wind by sitting close together. It was a cool, cool night for August!

After a week that included a trek to a Milwaukee clinic, too much time spent gathering lab samples, an endodontist appointment, the Favre saga, and more, this was the perfect ending to a stressful week.

Take me out to the ball game anytime!

By the way, the home team won, 2-1, in the eleventh inning.

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>Leftovers again?!

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>It was a good day for cooking from scratch. I harvested and cleaned ingredients from the garden. Prepared a balanced meal that would taste great. Set the table, even made a fresh green salad.

No one came home.

Amigo was at camp, so he was excused. La Petite had to work, and her job hours are unpredictable. Husband usually gets home within a predictable range of time. I thought I’d wait until one or both of them turned up before I began actually cooking.

5:00 – Husband called, said he had to run but wanted to tell me he didn’t know when he’d be home because he had to go out with a crew to cover breaking news.
5:30 – I started cooking anyway. Maybe La Petite would arrive and be hungry. Who am I kidding – she’s always hungry!
5:40 – I opened a Mike’s Hard Lemonade, Pomegranate flavor.
5:45 – Meatballs finished. Set aside.
5:50 – Pasta looked done, started sauce.
6:00 – Ate a delicious dinner alone, in front of Jeopardy.
6:30 – La Petite came home, hot and sweaty from working, and (thankfully) hungry.
6:35 – Husband called to say, “Elvis has left the building!” But he wasn’t hungry; they’d been working at a venue with a free taco bar, and he’d grazed quite a bit.
6:40 – Put the rest of the food away in the refrigerator. Cleared dishes, ran dishwasher.

Everyone had an alibi – not just an excuse, but a real reason not to be home. I’m glad I’m not dependent on this kind of family approval to keep on cooking. It could be rather depressing. As it is, I felt somewhat put out that I’d taken the time to plan and cook a decent meal for no one. When school starts and I’m cooking simple thirty minute meals again, they’d better not complain.

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>Check the Poo

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>How much to say without putting up a totally disgusting post? There’s a reason for the acronym TMI; Too Much Information can be just that.

Amigo’s digestive system gave hints already in January that it was going to be troublesome. We made excuses and brushed it off, and he seemed to be fine. Then came flu season.
After a bout with the basic upper respiratory flu followed by a stomach ailment, he just couldn’t seem to recover. The pediatrician greeted him one day with a joke about “frequent flyer miles” because he’d been in so often. That was also the point at which she decided he needed to make an appointment with a specialist at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin in Milwaukee.
Four months later, we got there. Since it takes that long to get on the schedule, we hoped that maybe Amigo would get better in the meantime or develop symptoms that would make the whole thing obvious.
No such luck. He needs to submit at least four more lab samples (hence the post title stolen from Scrubs, the Musical) and then get a pair of procedures done under general anesthesia.
At the moment, I’m feeling as much stress as the kid is. I’ll end up gathering the samples, making sure they get to the right lab at the right time, and scheduling the procedures at Children’s (two hours from home by car on a good day, by the way) to occur some time during early October. Add to that the “prep” day before he goes and a potential recovery day after… but October? For a teacher, that’s a killer. And since it’s football season, Husband doesn’t have much flexibility, either. His work schedule is printed in green and gold at this time of year.

We’ll make it through. For Amigo’s sake, I hope we find some answers – even if the answers are in the poo.

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>Savory meatballs, spaghetti, and chunky spaghetti sauce

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>Ellen Degeneres had Heidi Klum on as a guest to make meatballs. Of course! That’s what Heidi Klum does best, right? When I looked up the recipe, I said to myself, “Self, these are almost exactly the meatballs you already make. The only major difference is that Heidi uses half beef and half pork.” I had about a pound and a half of ground sirloin (on sale last weekend!), so I decided not to tarnish it with pork, but to make incredibly delicious meatballs Daisy style and top them off with a chunky marinara sauce.
I cheat on the sauce – a little. I use spaghetti sauce in a jar. But to make it chunky, my garden coughs up a few goodies. I wash off the garden ingredients, saute them, and add them to the jarred sauce.

Daisy’s Home Style Meatballs
1 lb. to 1 1/2 lb. ground beef (or turkey or pork, if you wish)
1 egg
1 slice of bread, cubed
assorted herbs, fresh (I use basil, thyme, and rosemary)

Mix bread, egg, and herbs. Let sit until the bread absorbs the liquid.
Add ground beef. Mix with hands or forks until the bread and egg mixture is thoroughly absorbed.
Let sit in refrigerator until ready to cook.
Use spoons or small scoop ( I love my small scoop for meatballs and cookies and more!) to drop into pan. Turn frequently until done.
Serve with spaghetti and chunky sauce with a salad on the side.
Oh, the sauce ingredients? That varies with the season. This week it was green pepper, green onion, and spinach. Yes, they ate it and pronounced it good.

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>Where’s the tooth fairy when I need her?

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>I just got back from the dentist’s office. At my routine cleaning a few weeks ago, we spotted an abscess at the root of one tooth. Dr. DDS was on vacation, so the support staff set aside the notes and records for him. Now that Dr. DDS is back in the office, he reviewed the X-Rays and photos and called me for a consultation.

Next step: endodontist. The tooth that has an abscess has already been treated – root canal, crown. There are two possibilities: either there is another root that needs to be sealed, or there is a fracture somewhere in the tooth or root structure. If it’s the first, they’ll seal it. If it’s the second, they’ll pull the tooth.
If the tooth has to be pulled, there will be two options: implant or bridge.
So at this point, I’ll wait for the appointment with the endodontist.

The strangest thing about the situation is this: I feel mild discomfort, but no major pain. Here’s the history, perhaps. I called our family doc in late April for treatment of my Annual Spring Sinus Infection. The pain was worse than usual, and it took two rounds with antibiotics to get it treated. The antibiotics probably also took care of any infection in the tooth. Who knows? The tooth may have been the reason for the additional pain in the same area as the sinus infection.

In the meantime, I’m thinking these crazy thoughts that teachers think at this time of year. How soon will I know which problem is the problem? Can I get the treatment done now? I don’t want to wait until the end of August when I’m setting up my classroom and getting ready for the new year to start. And if it needs to be pulled, what next? Do I need antibiotics now, or wait until it’s sealed/pulled?

Too many questions without answers. I think I’ll make coffee. And wonder what the going rate is for a grown-up’s fractured, root-canal treated tooth on the Tooth Fairy market.

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