The Reflex

Yeah... as if!  LOL

All kids were asleep by 1 pm ish.  I go to sleep.  Then, Fuzzy decides to get up at 2am and basically tortures me every 15 minutes until 3:30pm, until Hubby gets up and lets him get in bed with me.

Hubby went to the couch.  Yeah, neither of us were particularly happy. <sigh>

I got up at 11am, and made all the kids breakfast stuff.  Nothing fancy, just toaster oven or microwaveable things.  The kids woke up at various intervals between 9 and 10am. 

They let my sleep the extra hour, which was nice.

I think everyone will be going to bed early tonight! 

My dad is making his homemade sauce with ground sausage and ground beef, fresh garlic, tomatoes, and seasoning, over orrichetta (little ears or hats).  Yummy!   The house smells so good. 

Hammer is working hard on his Nuclear Science badge for Scouts today.  I am very proud of him.  I just got a new program for him to use over the next 2 years of high school.  10 discs, all the subjects, with 100's of lessons and exercises for him to do, and a tracking system for me!  Yay!

We don't 'officially' start homeschooling until Fuzzy and Pumpkin head back to school.  Hammer really needs the quiet, so it works best. 

That reminds me... Heather left this comment yesterday:

A comment has been posted to the Journal:
Carpe Diem - Seize the Day
Sharp Dressed Man
Comment from: hsauls
"Dressing an aspie boy is a trial that only mothers of aspie boys can truly understand. We had a kohl's meltdown a few weeks ago because Austin was SURE he still wears a size 8. He refused to try the size 14 or 16 that he actually needed... until I got him into them and he found out they felt so much better and had MORE POCKETS. At least we're past the "no sock" stage. That went on until he was 11. He could not STAND socks on his feet EVER. Just wanted to let you know... I know what you're dealing with my Kcup drinking, aspie raising friend!
*Hugs*
heather"

Oh yes, we totally have that in common!  As I mentioned, Hammer is very relieved about not having to deal with dressy clothes for the wedding.

Hammer had about 3 years where socks were just an awful experience.  Unfortunately, it was prior to us knowing, but he did learn to cope with them.  However, each summer, he gets used to not wearing socks.  Then, in the fall, it does take him about 2 weeks to get used to it all over again.  Such are the trials of Asperger's.

The same thing with his Boy Scout uniform.  At first, he complained and hated it.  He suffered through it, but it was very obvious that Hammer was uncomfortable.  Now, it doesn't seem to bother him at all. 

In the beginning, when he was so resistant at first to trying Scouts, and would only agree to a 'trial' go of it, I think that it was the uniform issue that actually was the thing he was avoiding! 

Hammer NEVER complains about having Asperger's Syndrome.  He will always tell me and anyone he can, that it is a gift.  He just accepts the bad with the good.  A lesson that I am trying to embrace, as well.

be well,
Dawn

Tags: asperger's syndrome, coffee, kids, school

Wild Wild West

Tonight has been a little bit like herding cats, but all in all, not bad!  lol

It was louder than usual with five kids, and I had to remind them to be quiet so they don't wake grandma and grandpa upstairs in their house, but it was really fine!  (both my parents have work in the am)

The boys are upstairs in my boy's room, settling in for the night.  I don't expect to hear from them again.  They looked pretty tired!

The girls have decided to sleep down here, in our play room.  It is right next to our bedroom, but that is okay.  The girls have the tv on low, and are snuggled under blankies.  They might eek out another hour and one more potty trip, but maybe not, they looked tired, also!

Hubby just went to bed.  I am making myself a snack so I can take my plaquenil.  My stomache and my whole body seems to cope better when I take with food.  So, I am trying! 

Every once in a while, I get overcome with a wave of nausea or dizziness, but it has gotten much less frequent.  Only 2 times today at all!  Yeah! 

Okies, time for a meme.

I saw this on technorati, but I tweaked it and made my own! 

Using the letters of the alphabet, alternate between three word statements beginning 'I am...' and 'I like...' with the next word beginning with the consecutive alphabet letter. (x='ex')

Begin with the statement of your choice.

A -  I am abstract.

B -  I like bubble baths.

C -  I am caffeinated.

D -  I like dancing.

E -  I am emotional.

F -  I like fireworks.

G -  I am grateful.

H -  I like history.

I -  I am introspective.

J -  I like java!

K -  I am kindly.

L -  I like licorice.

M -  I am mommy.

N -  I like naps!

O -  I am out-reaching.

P -  I like pasta.

Q -  I am quixotic. (idealistic) 

R -  I like restaurants.

S -  I am sentimental.

T -  I like travel.

U -  I am unfinished.

V - I like validation.

W - I am well-read.

X -  I like expectations.

Y -  I am youthful.

Z -  I like Zeppelin.

Wow!  That was fun!  I actually found myself feeling silly at first and then getting very 'introspective'!  LOL

Give it a try... and let me know, so I can check it out!

be well,
Dawn

Tags: sleepover, kids, fun, plaquenil, pain, lupus, brain tumor, meme, play

Fun, Fun, Fun

Guess what?

Yep, having a sleepover again!  LOL

Bob, of Bob and Ilene, threw his back out today doing home repairs.  We all were together at the pool today for a while.  The girls, their Peanut and my Pumpkin, wanted a sleepover... how could I not have their DogBoy, too? 

Hubby just drove all 5 kids to the Stop n Shop to get snack foods for the evening's festivities! 

The plan is a movie, 'Unattended Minors'!  I think Hubby and I may watch Zodiac, on the living room tv. 

I will be back later with tales from the sleepover, and maybe a meme!  LOL

be well,
Dawn

ps... Still occasionally getting numbness in my face... dang brain thingy!

Tags: sleepover, snacks, movie, fun, kids, brain tumor

Sharp Dressed Man

Late this afternoon, we headed back to Kohl's on a quest to buy Fuzzy's attire for the wedding!

We decided to skip the jackets, as they are so expensive!  Fuzzy is in men's sizes!  So, instead, we got Fuzzy a lovely pair of dress pants, a smart Arrow dress shirt, and a lovely silk tie.

Here is the result, so far:

Fuzzy picked the shirt color.  He likes to make a bold statement, as you can see.  You cannot tell as well in the pick, but the tie is shimmery, and has the blue in the shirt, and lighter hues, mixed with a whole range of beiges.  Really smart looking!

We need to address shoes with him.  I will save that for another day!

Hammer found a Transformers tee shirt at Kohl's.  He was thrilled, and he is soooo happy he doesn't have to go to the wedding and get dressed up.  He thinks the dress clothes would have bothered his Asperger's sensitivities.  Honestly, he is probably right. 

Everything always works out for a reason, I always believe.

We had a nice dinner at Chili's!  Yes, Chili's again!  The food is good and reasonable, and now that the kids eat adult sized meals, that is an important variable!

Libby is being so silly tonight!  She is barking at everything!  Usually, she only acts this way when Hubby is out!  She really isn't a barker at all, so when she gets like this, it is so unusual and annoying!  LOL 

Oh, I have to make a correction!  Earlier today, I said Fuzzy was doing his rifle badge, I was wrong.  He was working on his 'shotgun' badge.  Apparently, they are two different badges!  LOL

He did great!  In order to earn the badge, you need to shoot 24 out of 50 clay skeet targets.  According the woman who has run the range for almost 25 years, very few boys get more than half way on the first try...

Fuzzy got 21 out of 50!  He only missed the badge by three!  Hubby, the other ass't scoutmaster, his son, and the range lady were so proud of him!  And, of course, all of us who were home were proud, too. 

And, now....

Thank you so very much!  I can't believe how many wonderful people have decided to do Pumpkin's Meme!  You've made her giddy with delight, as she reads and responds to each one! 

And, you have all really touched my heart!  Thank you, from the bottom of it!

Enjoy your Sunday tomorrow!

be well,
Dawn

Tags: dress clothes, Pumpkin's Meme, shotgun badge, Chili's, thank you

Material Girl

What a fun day! 

Pumpkin, my mom and I went shopping to get Pumpkin's dress for my cousin's wedding in Indiana, and of course, shoes to go with!

We found 2 dresses!!  One dressy for the wedding, and one just 'because'!!!  And, it was just $53 for the two!!!  Wooohooo!!!!  I love a bargain!

Here are the dresses:

  Cute huh?  And, they fit great!  We thought the 'fancier' one might look 'too grown up' but it really looked great on Pumpkin!  The wedding is very formal, so it will fit in great!

Next, the shoes!  Very exciting, Pumpkin's first pair of heels!!!!

Here they are...

Nice, huh?

And, they were a bargain also!  Grandma treated and they were just $24!!!  Half price sale at Famous Footwear!!!  Yay!

Hubby and Fuzzy went to do Fuzzy's skeet shooting/rifle badge at a range with another assistant scoutmaster and his son.

Hammer is not interested in doing this badge, so he stayed home and had a relaxing afternoon on the computer reading his Transformers fanfic and RPG (role playing game).

After us gals were done shopping, we went to Panera for a light late lunch.  I had a half Caesar salad, Pumpkin had a soup, and mom had a bear claw pastry, that mom said was the best she ever had!

And, now I have been reading my alerts and email and doing this entry.  Yup, life is good.

Nope, I am not feeling that great, but I am in the 'ignoring' it mode.  I amgoing to take a 1/2 a vicodin now, because later, Hubby will be driving. 

We are going to go back to Kohl's where I got Pumpkin's dresses, to look for a blazer, pants, shirt and tie, for Fuzzy! 

Wish us luck!

Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!

be well,
Dawn

ps...  It is still Caturday, so here is another cat pic!  All the ladies who took dance class, or mom's with girls that take dance will get a chuckle from this one!!!

Tags: caturday, saturday, shopping, bargains, dresses, first pair of heels, dance

Momma Said There'd Be Days Like This

Thank you, everyone who did Pumpkin's Meme, and those who said they would do it soon...  Today, we visited blogs and read the meme's together and she was soooo thrilled!   She thinks she is famous now!  LOL

Yes, Lori, she is a little Mini Me!  I see my mom in her, but most people see me! 

Hubby decided to stay home today, and he was truly wonderful.  He got up around 9am and did some work calls, and then woke me and the kids at 9:45am. 

It was raining steady outside, which was not fun, but we all headed out to our little townie luncheonette for breakfast!  Yum!  It was really nice!  Good food, good company!

The plaquenil is still 'taking the mickey out of me' which is 1940's speak for making you feel like poop.  I have a group of email loopies, friends with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus that I have emailed with for just over 5 years.  Many of them are on, or have been on plaquenil, and told me the same as the rheumy, that it takes about a week to ten days, and then your body gets used to it and you feel better. 

After breakfast, Hubby started the laundry, and Kathy and J arrived for the day.  We had about an hour until we had to leave for the movie, and Kathy and I sat and talked while the kids played. 

Seeing how tired I was, Kathy offered to take the kids to UnderDog without me, and I could sleep or rest, and hopefully, feel better for later.  I was so relieved, I couldn't wait to crawl back into bed. 

Hammer and Pumpkin took the news in stride, Fuzzy, as usual, not so well.  He yelled and cried and basically attacked me, since you can't attack the disease. 

Eventually, he settled down, they went, and had a great day.  As it turns out, that showing was sold out due to a day camp of about 100 kids atthe theater.  Kathy and the kids walked around the mall the theater is attached to instead, ate and shopped.  Fuzzy and Pumpkin were treated to new books today, too.

Thanks again, Kathy.

We ordered in pizza and had a nice dinner altogether and hung out until about 8:30pm, when Kathy headed home. 

Fuzzy did apologize, but I can't lie, it still hurts.  I hate seeing him upset, but I also am so frustrated because I feel like somehow I must be failing him.  His sister and brother are so understanding, so able to cope when issues with my 'illnesses' pop up.  Why can't he?  What am I doing wrong?  What am I missing?

We've thought about family counseling before, and we may have to revisit that again.  I am not too proud to ask for help when I need it.  <sigh> 

Keep me in your thoughts and prayers... if you don't mind!

Happy Caturday!

be well,
Dawn

Tags: sick and tired, lupus, brain tumor, caturday, icanhascheezburger.com, kids, frustration, coping

She's A Beauty

This entry tonight is for my giggle-puss pictured above, my daughter.

Pumpkin made a meme of her own and made me promise to put in my journal. 

She would also be very excited if some of you do it, too.  It is only 10 questions.

Here goes:

1   What's your favorite movie???

It is so hard for me to pick just one, and my favorite's tend to change, but today I going to say 'See Spot Run', which is a favorite comedy of mine.

2    What's your favorite color???

Again, this tends to change for me... when I was a kid it was blue.

3    What's your favorite ice cream flavor???

Lately, I am hooked on Ben & Jerry's Cinnamon Bun or Haagen Daas Dark Chocolate and Chocolate Ice Cream bars.

4    Where do you want to go on vacation??

Right now somewhere with little to no rain, how about Aruba!

5    What's your favorite animal???

Mountain Lions... just like large kitties!

6    What's your favorite T.V. show???

CSI...  the original.

7    What's your fav. drink???

Coffee, of course!

8    What's your favorite flower???

White roses.  The very whitest you can find.

9    What's your favorite pet???

Cats are easier than dogs, but Libby is a one in a million lovey lab!

10   What's your favorite book???

That is really tough, but the Harry Potter series definitely ended on a high note, book 7 was phenomenal.

      *******************************************************

Okay, now don't break a 10 year olds heart, someone else please do this meme!  LOL

Is any one else hooked on 'Cash Cab'?  It is a new trivia game show that happens inside a NYC cab, that airs on the Discovery Channel!  Hubby, the kids and myself, have been really enjoying it this summer!  We all love to play along and see if we would do as well, or as badly as the people on the show!

If you haven't had a chance to check it out yet, please do, you won't be disappointed!

Tonight, after we watched a recorded 'Cash Cab' we watched the new 'Mythbusters' together!  They did a bunch of baseball myths, and it was really educational as well as fun! 

I think the weather is going to be rainy tomorrow, so Kathy and I are switching to Plan B, going to see 'UnderDog' at the movies.  J wants to see it, and my kids have not all gone to a movie with J, so this will be fun!

I also have convinced Hubby to head to work a little late, and to have breakfast with us.  At least, I think I have convinced him!  LOL  I guess I will know for sure when I wake him in the morning!

be well,
Dawn

Tags: meme, kids, Cash Cab, Mythbusters, Discovery Channel, trivia, movie, Underdog