Our weekend was a huge success! Peanut and I picked up my mom Friday evening on our way home. The whole way there he repeated “Gamma” and ran into her house as soon as I got him out of the car. After supper, she hung out with him while Hubby and I started cleaning the house.
Saturday morning started early with more preparations. Peanut was into everything, full of too much energy for Gramma to handle. She started feeling lightheaded and had to lie down for a couple of hours, but it helped her feel better and kept her out of our hair. I’m used to Peanut following me around and “helping” when I clean. After I vacuumed, he pulled out his Dirt Devil and got all the spots I missed.
We played in the bounce house for a little while and had a ton of fun. The weather was so nice, we gave Peanut his t-ball set before the party. He looooves it and looks like he’s going to take after his southpaw momma…well, except I swing a bat right-handed.
He scarfed down lunch and started getting sleepy, so I put him in our bed and snuggled him till he finally zonked out about and hour before the party.
We were all about Elmo. The cake, the decorations, red balloons… Once a few folks arrived, Hubby retrieved Peanut who was sitting up in bed looking confused over the hubbub. The older kids spent most of the party in the bounce house, which was definitely worth the money. They did find time to drag out every single toy in Peanut’s room which looked like a trailer park after a tornado. Holy crap, those kids made a mess.
Once everyone left, we relaxed for a little bit, then I took Mom home. Peanut cried as we left. We told him Gramma would stay overnight again for Thanksgiving this week, but he did not care. It’s the first time he’s ever cried when she left and she felt horrible about it. Now she knows he really does love her.
I still can’t believe my little guy is two.
Monday, November 20, 2006
Friday, November 17, 2006
Tomorrow is the big party day! A moonwalk is rented (I know, he’s only 2, but he looooooved the one at our friend’s Halloween party. Maybe he’ll wear himself out and sleep in his own bed. One can hope.) The Elmo cake is ordered and Elmo/red decorations are ready to be set up.
Finding a moonwalk was an interesting ordeal. I ended up calling about 10 places.
The first was a local (as in the owners live in our neighborhood) small business: called several times, left 2 messages, never heard back. This scenario turned out to be the norm.
The local Moonwalk franchise seemed promising, but the manager was out recovering from surgery. She was professional enough to leave a message stating so. I contacted her via email, but had already found another place by the time she responded. I felt bad, so I wrote back to let and told her I’d keep her in mind for next time. Her prices aren’t as good as the deal I got, but aren’t bad, either.
The next 2 were large party rental suppliers. Both had real people answer their phones but charged exorbitant prices. #1 wanted $100 for 4 hours plus $50 for delivery. #2 wanted $125 for 8 hours and $70 for delivery. I declined, but kept their info in case nothing else panned out.
The best price was with another small business. I was ready to make the reservation when the call started breaking up and dropped (obviously the “business” phone was a cell). I immediately called back and it dropped again. I called later, got voicemail, left a message, and never heard back.
Another’s phone number went to an a/c repair business. So did the 800 number.
Finally, one of the places called back. They turned out to be the in-town location of the place that wanted the $70 delivery charge. $107 for everything: rental, delivery, pickup. Reservation made. Woo hoo!
Afterwards, I couldn’t believe I had to call that many places to find A) a business that actually existed and B) a good price. Maybe they do such brisk business they don’t bother with callbacks? Blowing off potential clients seems like an unprofitable way to run a business. But what do I know?
Finding a moonwalk was an interesting ordeal. I ended up calling about 10 places.
The first was a local (as in the owners live in our neighborhood) small business: called several times, left 2 messages, never heard back. This scenario turned out to be the norm.
The local Moonwalk franchise seemed promising, but the manager was out recovering from surgery. She was professional enough to leave a message stating so. I contacted her via email, but had already found another place by the time she responded. I felt bad, so I wrote back to let and told her I’d keep her in mind for next time. Her prices aren’t as good as the deal I got, but aren’t bad, either.
The next 2 were large party rental suppliers. Both had real people answer their phones but charged exorbitant prices. #1 wanted $100 for 4 hours plus $50 for delivery. #2 wanted $125 for 8 hours and $70 for delivery. I declined, but kept their info in case nothing else panned out.
The best price was with another small business. I was ready to make the reservation when the call started breaking up and dropped (obviously the “business” phone was a cell). I immediately called back and it dropped again. I called later, got voicemail, left a message, and never heard back.
Another’s phone number went to an a/c repair business. So did the 800 number.
Finally, one of the places called back. They turned out to be the in-town location of the place that wanted the $70 delivery charge. $107 for everything: rental, delivery, pickup. Reservation made. Woo hoo!
Afterwards, I couldn’t believe I had to call that many places to find A) a business that actually existed and B) a good price. Maybe they do such brisk business they don’t bother with callbacks? Blowing off potential clients seems like an unprofitable way to run a business. But what do I know?
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Back to Halloween…
Peanut had a great time. He wore his costume for a good bit of the day at daycare. He enjoyed it so much, they told him he had to take it off before he could eat lunch in order to get him out of it and without starting WW III.
Once we got home, it was another story. He wanted to play with Daddy’s airplanes and radio, dinner and Halloween be screwed. He never did eat dinner (which we later realized was because of his cold/cough/wheezing) and Daddy finally cajoled him into his costume after explaining trick-or-treating involves going outside and receiving candies. They made the rounds of the whole neighborhood, much to my surprise. Peanut wasn’t in the least bit scared and would happily notice things like shoes peaking out from under a scary costume. He was mightily impressed with one yard display including some scary thing or other with lighted red eyes. He loved it and told Daddy all about the red eyes.
After lightening our neighbors' candy loads, he had a great time helping me lighten ours. Each time the doorbell rang, he ran excitedly over to check out all the kids.
I only had a couple smartasses get mouthy over our candy quality/quantity. It’s funny how they’re always boys in the 10-14 age range. Nearly all the girls were polite and most said thank you. Anyway, the one little smartass told me he was to get 2 pieces of candy. I gave everyone at least 2 anyway. One of his candies was too small for his liking, so he told me he would get another. I smiled, told him he already had his 2 candies and when he started asking what I was going to do about it, I smiled again, told him good night and shut the door. He seemed surprised with my response. Whatever.
The best “rude” kid was a little pumpkin of about 18 months who looked at me, pointed at his candy bag, and blurted “Uhhhhh!” I cracked up and his mom apologized. Little dude was making sure I knew where to put the candy.
My dad inadvertently scared one of his trick-or-treaters. A group of kids came to the door and Dad doled out the goods. One little guy held back and after he got his loot he held out a UNICEF box and asked for change. Dad had no clue what it was for, assumed it was for a school sports team, and sternly told him “Candy only, no change,” chunked another handful of candy in his bucket, and closed the door. Stepmom filled him in on the purpose of UNICEF boxes.
Peanut had a great time. He wore his costume for a good bit of the day at daycare. He enjoyed it so much, they told him he had to take it off before he could eat lunch in order to get him out of it and without starting WW III.
Once we got home, it was another story. He wanted to play with Daddy’s airplanes and radio, dinner and Halloween be screwed. He never did eat dinner (which we later realized was because of his cold/cough/wheezing) and Daddy finally cajoled him into his costume after explaining trick-or-treating involves going outside and receiving candies. They made the rounds of the whole neighborhood, much to my surprise. Peanut wasn’t in the least bit scared and would happily notice things like shoes peaking out from under a scary costume. He was mightily impressed with one yard display including some scary thing or other with lighted red eyes. He loved it and told Daddy all about the red eyes.
After lightening our neighbors' candy loads, he had a great time helping me lighten ours. Each time the doorbell rang, he ran excitedly over to check out all the kids.
I only had a couple smartasses get mouthy over our candy quality/quantity. It’s funny how they’re always boys in the 10-14 age range. Nearly all the girls were polite and most said thank you. Anyway, the one little smartass told me he was to get 2 pieces of candy. I gave everyone at least 2 anyway. One of his candies was too small for his liking, so he told me he would get another. I smiled, told him he already had his 2 candies and when he started asking what I was going to do about it, I smiled again, told him good night and shut the door. He seemed surprised with my response. Whatever.
The best “rude” kid was a little pumpkin of about 18 months who looked at me, pointed at his candy bag, and blurted “Uhhhhh!” I cracked up and his mom apologized. Little dude was making sure I knew where to put the candy.
My dad inadvertently scared one of his trick-or-treaters. A group of kids came to the door and Dad doled out the goods. One little guy held back and after he got his loot he held out a UNICEF box and asked for change. Dad had no clue what it was for, assumed it was for a school sports team, and sternly told him “Candy only, no change,” chunked another handful of candy in his bucket, and closed the door. Stepmom filled him in on the purpose of UNICEF boxes.
Monday, November 06, 2006
Hubby burned a group of cd's for me this weekend. As I was looking at his writing, something made me think of Brian and gave me an uncomfortable feeling. Maybe because Brian and I used to make mix tapes for each other. I don't like to associate Hubby with the immature and fucked up high school relationship Brian and I had.
He popped into my head several times again today. Disquieting. Then I realized it's fall, it's November. He was killed in the fall - November, I think. I've long since forgotten the date. Every year around this time memories surface. It's odd how certain objects, places, smells, songs can dig long-forgotten things out of dusty corners of the brain.
He popped into my head several times again today. Disquieting. Then I realized it's fall, it's November. He was killed in the fall - November, I think. I've long since forgotten the date. Every year around this time memories surface. It's odd how certain objects, places, smells, songs can dig long-forgotten things out of dusty corners of the brain.
Friday, November 03, 2006
I would love for things to slow down to normal. Yesterday morning Mom's pharmacist called. Mom was there picking up meds and asked her to call an ambulance because her ongoing abdominal/chest pain had gotten so bad. A slew of tests revealed nothing (as usual), the doctors think it's related to her fibromyalgia, but she's also depressed because of the chronic pain, so she was transferred to the psych unit today. She and her shrink agreed that living alone is not the best plan (again, something we've hashed out before) and she's going to look for an affordable assisted living facility once she's released. I'll remind her again to get help from the social workers so she doesn't end up back in the place she went to before. It was a dive, but the only one her disability check could cover. And it was recommended by the less-than-stellar social worker she was assigned. (I later contacted the social worker and suggested she rethink referring people to that facility) Maybe the social worker can get medicare or some sort of state assistance so she can go someplace that doesn't have chronically broken bathrooms, sinks backing up in the kitchen, roof leaks, questionable practices when doling out meds, nary a fresh fruit or vegetablein sight, and that doesn't serve leftovers (spaghetti)multiple times per week. I called the state on them while she was there, and they had multiple violations.
Peanut is back on nebulizer treatments. His cold and cough developed into a wheeze, but thankfully not pneumonia. The little stinker has been acting fine, so we waited until he had a cough for at least a week before taking him to the ped. Our only clue that something might be up was a couple days of crappy eating. He's been a doll about the neb and likes to hold the mask up to his face during treatments.
And carries it around exclaiming "mine!" in between. I'm so glad we don't have to wrestle him down anymore. I didn't get his chest X-ray results until late this morning, so we stayed home. After a trip to the park to feed the ducks and play on the big slide we came home and he zonked during the noontime neb session. He slept 3 1/2 hours and had a very late lunch. It was a beautiful day to be home. The temps started dropping this afternoon and we had a pleasant walk around the neighborhood with one very excited Lily. I finally got her a new pinch collar and what a difference it makes. Maybe I'll start taking her for regular walks again.
My good friend at work is going through her own pile of shit. Her brother passed away 2 weeks ago and no one from work, other than Hubby and I, did anything for her. Her boss never put out a notice, so most people didn't even know what happened and thought she was away on vacation. She's from a huge family and was the only sibling whose work didn't send flowers or any sort of recognition. She felt completely let down. On our way to lunch Wednesday we stopped by her house and it had been ransacked. The thieves took her laptop, a custom-made pendant her husband just gave her for their 30th anniversary, and other easy to pawn stuff. She's taking a distance-learning grad-level course and will probably have to drop it. She doesn't have reliable access to any other good computers and had homework and notes saved on it. On a lark they decided to check to local pawn shop later that afternoon and did recover her husband's dvd's. Funny that the local PD didn't do it first. The dvd's are of an uncommon genre and were in a distinct crate which the shop owner remembered. She has gotten in touch with the person in charge of pawn fraud, so all the local shops are on notice for her stuff as well as the suspect. Anyone pawning goods has to give photo id, a thumbprint, and an address, so the police know who at least one of the suspects is. Thank g-d for stupid criminals. As Hubby says, if they were smart they'd be in another line of work.
Hubby's got 45 or so hours of overtime in this pay period so far. 2006 has already seen twice as many homicides as '05 and the trend doesn't seem to be dwindling. Who knows if he'll even be home this weekend. We were planning a trip to visit his family next weekend, but now it may be cancelled. I hate having my life controlled by his job. It truly bites ass.
I'm trying to see the positives. Mom is in a safe place. Peanut is getting better. The overtime money will be nice. Hubby managed to be home for Halloween and he and Peanut had a great time trick or treating (more on that later.)
Peanut is back on nebulizer treatments. His cold and cough developed into a wheeze, but thankfully not pneumonia. The little stinker has been acting fine, so we waited until he had a cough for at least a week before taking him to the ped. Our only clue that something might be up was a couple days of crappy eating. He's been a doll about the neb and likes to hold the mask up to his face during treatments.
And carries it around exclaiming "mine!" in between. I'm so glad we don't have to wrestle him down anymore. I didn't get his chest X-ray results until late this morning, so we stayed home. After a trip to the park to feed the ducks and play on the big slide we came home and he zonked during the noontime neb session. He slept 3 1/2 hours and had a very late lunch. It was a beautiful day to be home. The temps started dropping this afternoon and we had a pleasant walk around the neighborhood with one very excited Lily. I finally got her a new pinch collar and what a difference it makes. Maybe I'll start taking her for regular walks again.
My good friend at work is going through her own pile of shit. Her brother passed away 2 weeks ago and no one from work, other than Hubby and I, did anything for her. Her boss never put out a notice, so most people didn't even know what happened and thought she was away on vacation. She's from a huge family and was the only sibling whose work didn't send flowers or any sort of recognition. She felt completely let down. On our way to lunch Wednesday we stopped by her house and it had been ransacked. The thieves took her laptop, a custom-made pendant her husband just gave her for their 30th anniversary, and other easy to pawn stuff. She's taking a distance-learning grad-level course and will probably have to drop it. She doesn't have reliable access to any other good computers and had homework and notes saved on it. On a lark they decided to check to local pawn shop later that afternoon and did recover her husband's dvd's. Funny that the local PD didn't do it first. The dvd's are of an uncommon genre and were in a distinct crate which the shop owner remembered. She has gotten in touch with the person in charge of pawn fraud, so all the local shops are on notice for her stuff as well as the suspect. Anyone pawning goods has to give photo id, a thumbprint, and an address, so the police know who at least one of the suspects is. Thank g-d for stupid criminals. As Hubby says, if they were smart they'd be in another line of work.
Hubby's got 45 or so hours of overtime in this pay period so far. 2006 has already seen twice as many homicides as '05 and the trend doesn't seem to be dwindling. Who knows if he'll even be home this weekend. We were planning a trip to visit his family next weekend, but now it may be cancelled. I hate having my life controlled by his job. It truly bites ass.
I'm trying to see the positives. Mom is in a safe place. Peanut is getting better. The overtime money will be nice. Hubby managed to be home for Halloween and he and Peanut had a great time trick or treating (more on that later.)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
