Well, it is no secret that I am not a man. I have given birth. I do not grow facial hair, my voice did not drop during puberty, and I DO NOT understand what is so funny about bathroom words and sounds. Perhaps it is the student nurse in me, but talking about diarrhea (I know how to spell that correctly thanks to nursing school!) is just not a topic of conversation I choose for fun. I have seriously detailed conversations about it with clients 'at work.' Nor do I make fart noises and laugh hysterically if someone or something does.
However, my son and husband think this is all hysterical. I never noticed my husband getting a kick out of it until our 6 year-old son did. So in his defense, he is likely reverting back to childhood humor. But now our evening conversations are consumed with 'did you just fart?!' *fart sound with mouth* or 'quick! i'm going to have diarrhea!' *more fart sounds with mouth* Heaven forbid someone sits on a wooden or leather chair that creaks the wrong way.
I actually get aggravated by how humorous they find it....I don't know if I am truly annoyed, or just jealous that something so simple and natural can provide so much entertainment?! If only PMS were this hilarious...at least I would have my very own private joke to laugh about every 28 days or so!
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Enough
I have had to explain death to my child too many times in his 6 years...especially recently. Death does not really make sense to any of us, and it is alway sad. But for us recently, it has been a young cousin taken too soon, and just this past week the father of a child in his class. Why? We've had enough.
We raise our child very openly with very open and broad beliefs. I will not and cannot explain something that I do not know as a fact, so death is particularly hard to deal with. Even if you tell a child someone has gone to heaven, that is so abstract. And I have the child who wants to know exactly where, how you get there, what the accommodations are like...OY!
This is not about comfort on my part. I am open and willing to explain whatever he wants to know....but I don't have the answers to this one...nobody does. I do not want him to fear dying or death of those around him, but at the same time it is a harsh reality that has been pounded repeatedly into our thoughts.
As a former educator, I experienced several parents' passings, and the aftermath wreaked upon the community. The sadness, the terror....even worse, I have experienced the loss of children...a child attending another child's funeral is just about more than I can handle...I hope I will prepare and comfort him enough for his class's circle discussion tomorrow morning about the loss of a child's parent...but I also realize that he will form his own theories, thoughts and beliefs. This is one of those moments where I have to let him go a little bit more....each time we let go a little, they grow a little...I just wish he didn't have to grow in this way so quickly...
We raise our child very openly with very open and broad beliefs. I will not and cannot explain something that I do not know as a fact, so death is particularly hard to deal with. Even if you tell a child someone has gone to heaven, that is so abstract. And I have the child who wants to know exactly where, how you get there, what the accommodations are like...OY!
This is not about comfort on my part. I am open and willing to explain whatever he wants to know....but I don't have the answers to this one...nobody does. I do not want him to fear dying or death of those around him, but at the same time it is a harsh reality that has been pounded repeatedly into our thoughts.
As a former educator, I experienced several parents' passings, and the aftermath wreaked upon the community. The sadness, the terror....even worse, I have experienced the loss of children...a child attending another child's funeral is just about more than I can handle...I hope I will prepare and comfort him enough for his class's circle discussion tomorrow morning about the loss of a child's parent...but I also realize that he will form his own theories, thoughts and beliefs. This is one of those moments where I have to let him go a little bit more....each time we let go a little, they grow a little...I just wish he didn't have to grow in this way so quickly...
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Rich and famous
We had the opportunity to take a spring break vacation this year, and chose to hit up Aspen, Colorado. The events of these past few weeks, including the tragic loss of a young cousin of ours, made the idea of getting away so much sweeter.
But that is not what I am blogging about. I am blogging about the incredibly rude and ignorant parenting we witnessed among the wealthy Apsen vacationers....Holy wow!!
Apparently, putting your kid in the best, priciest purchased ski gear is the only way to go. While our kid had a fancy-schmancy snowsuit (that I purchased off-season at 50% off,) his rented equipment made him stand out in the crowd. Why would one purchase their growing child ski equipment?? It will last them months at best, and guess what? They lose EVERYTHING!! A kid in our kid's class lost his helmet...how does one lose what is attached to their head?! So his parents bought him a new one?!?!
Then there were the parents who would only have their child in a private lesson. I can see both sides on that one, but why pay for a private lesson when your child is only going to cry and refuse to ski??? You just paid good money for a qualified ski professional to print out sheets for your kid to color in!
Then the best part....the parents who picked up their kids when ski school was over, did not pay for extended care, and instead let their kids run amok in the outside perimeter of the bar while they enjoyed their pitcher of beer and tequila shots. Seriously?! Keep it classy, people! We brought our kid into the bar with us and bribed him with candy while we chugged our brews ;)
My husband and I are far from perfect, but puh-lease! If you are going to ignore your children, leave them at home. Or hire a babysitter...I met a nanny of a tiny little Brazilian baby whose parents hired her for the week....that's right, I roll with 'the help.' I am fascinated by people with nannies. Put your infant in a Bugaboo Chameleon in a fancy fleece bunting, and hit the slopes worry -free...NICE!
The highlight of my week though, was when we were sitting by a fire pit. We saw a kid get burned by the heat, and when another came to take his place throwing rocks into the flames I said, 'hey buddy, be careful it's really hot over there.' He winced in pain from the heat, told me I was not in charge of him and continued to bask in the scalding heat simply in order to disobey my comment. Wow. Just wow. The kid would rather get burned than take heed from a well-meaning adult.
We did have fun, and my kid has his share of gems too....like when he loudly announced in a swanky steakhouse that he was not going to vomit but he really needed to poo...I can only hope we provided fodder for some other hopeful blogger this week ;)
But that is not what I am blogging about. I am blogging about the incredibly rude and ignorant parenting we witnessed among the wealthy Apsen vacationers....Holy wow!!
Apparently, putting your kid in the best, priciest purchased ski gear is the only way to go. While our kid had a fancy-schmancy snowsuit (that I purchased off-season at 50% off,) his rented equipment made him stand out in the crowd. Why would one purchase their growing child ski equipment?? It will last them months at best, and guess what? They lose EVERYTHING!! A kid in our kid's class lost his helmet...how does one lose what is attached to their head?! So his parents bought him a new one?!?!
Then there were the parents who would only have their child in a private lesson. I can see both sides on that one, but why pay for a private lesson when your child is only going to cry and refuse to ski??? You just paid good money for a qualified ski professional to print out sheets for your kid to color in!
Then the best part....the parents who picked up their kids when ski school was over, did not pay for extended care, and instead let their kids run amok in the outside perimeter of the bar while they enjoyed their pitcher of beer and tequila shots. Seriously?! Keep it classy, people! We brought our kid into the bar with us and bribed him with candy while we chugged our brews ;)
My husband and I are far from perfect, but puh-lease! If you are going to ignore your children, leave them at home. Or hire a babysitter...I met a nanny of a tiny little Brazilian baby whose parents hired her for the week....that's right, I roll with 'the help.' I am fascinated by people with nannies. Put your infant in a Bugaboo Chameleon in a fancy fleece bunting, and hit the slopes worry -free...NICE!
The highlight of my week though, was when we were sitting by a fire pit. We saw a kid get burned by the heat, and when another came to take his place throwing rocks into the flames I said, 'hey buddy, be careful it's really hot over there.' He winced in pain from the heat, told me I was not in charge of him and continued to bask in the scalding heat simply in order to disobey my comment. Wow. Just wow. The kid would rather get burned than take heed from a well-meaning adult.
We did have fun, and my kid has his share of gems too....like when he loudly announced in a swanky steakhouse that he was not going to vomit but he really needed to poo...I can only hope we provided fodder for some other hopeful blogger this week ;)
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Grief
I don't have the words. I so badly want to blog about what I have been experiencing, but I just can't. It is either too personal, too much information, or just not my story to tell.
My heart goes out to my husband's aunt, uncle and cousins as they prepare to lay their son and brother to rest. Sudden health-related death at 24 years-old...too shocking to comprehend. He was just getting started. Everyone whose life he has touched is devastated. How can this be? Why him? He was healthy, athletic, made good choices, did everything right....he was his high school class valedictorian, had an advanced college degree and was a known up- and- comer in his career field...
As was presented in a sentiment from his funeral director when speaking of the question 'why?' His response was 'all that love could do was done.'
All that is left to do is help lay him to rest. Rest easy, Michael...for you are loved.
My heart goes out to my husband's aunt, uncle and cousins as they prepare to lay their son and brother to rest. Sudden health-related death at 24 years-old...too shocking to comprehend. He was just getting started. Everyone whose life he has touched is devastated. How can this be? Why him? He was healthy, athletic, made good choices, did everything right....he was his high school class valedictorian, had an advanced college degree and was a known up- and- comer in his career field...
As was presented in a sentiment from his funeral director when speaking of the question 'why?' His response was 'all that love could do was done.'
All that is left to do is help lay him to rest. Rest easy, Michael...for you are loved.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Pizza
I left my house before 6am this morning. Put in a 9 hour day on the psych unit and discussion of my patients, raced to be in time for the kiddo's violin lesson, and made the 35 minute trek home, knowing I had a couple of hours of school work waiting for me later in the evening.
Nothing extraordinary here, just the day in the life of a working parent. My story leads me to the moment of panic I felt after I called my husband and asked him to pick up a pizza on his way home....today is Tuesday...pizza day at school...I am going to feed my kid pizza twice in one day!! Oh, the horror!! While I realized after a moment of clarity that he would indeed survive and may even not complain about what's for dinner for a change, I felt panic-stircken in that initial moment.
It then made me think, what DID I/we do for our child today? Husband took him to school since I went in too early to do drop-off, he had a great day in school and got to create a clay animal in art class, got to play outside with friends after school, and got picked up only to head to a violin lesson. He even got to taste a faschnacht in extended care. All while his dad went to work hard all day at his job, and his mom was at school furthering her education.
This is a far cry from horrid. We all came home, ate dinner together as a family and he is now relaxing on the couch with a couple of TV shows. While I would prefer my child to have a healthy, well-balanced diet, I'd say he had a pretty damn good day today while his parents worked to provide for his well-being. It's ok to have pizza for lunch AND dinner. I'll cook tomorrow night...
Nothing extraordinary here, just the day in the life of a working parent. My story leads me to the moment of panic I felt after I called my husband and asked him to pick up a pizza on his way home....today is Tuesday...pizza day at school...I am going to feed my kid pizza twice in one day!! Oh, the horror!! While I realized after a moment of clarity that he would indeed survive and may even not complain about what's for dinner for a change, I felt panic-stircken in that initial moment.
It then made me think, what DID I/we do for our child today? Husband took him to school since I went in too early to do drop-off, he had a great day in school and got to create a clay animal in art class, got to play outside with friends after school, and got picked up only to head to a violin lesson. He even got to taste a faschnacht in extended care. All while his dad went to work hard all day at his job, and his mom was at school furthering her education.
This is a far cry from horrid. We all came home, ate dinner together as a family and he is now relaxing on the couch with a couple of TV shows. While I would prefer my child to have a healthy, well-balanced diet, I'd say he had a pretty damn good day today while his parents worked to provide for his well-being. It's ok to have pizza for lunch AND dinner. I'll cook tomorrow night...
Monday, February 20, 2012
Conquer
For some reason, today I am feeling especially thankful to be someone who does not give up, give in, or take no for an answer. Part of it comes from the fact that I am SO OVER being in nursing school. Every morning I wake up lately, I feel like 'WHY DID I CHOOSE THIS FOR MYSELF???' But then I make myself think of my alternatives....sitting home day after day being bored, or working at a job I didn't enjoy....I would be miserable with no way out....at least being in school, I can look forward to the day (less than 3 months from now!!!) when I can say I accomplished what felt impossible.
Some day this will all be worthwhile, and I will say 'remember when...' rather than 'I wonder if I could have...' I am so thankful to know that not only did I try, but I succeeded. Every day I stumble a little and even feel like giving up...but I haven't yet. I have learned so much about myself these past 2 years. I can handle more than I thought I could, I learn well under pressure, I love working with people, and if you believe in the impossible, you can make it happen....
In closing, as I prepare to return the mountain of work in front of me...an 8+ hour day behind me and two 9 hour ones ahead....I am going to conquer this. And I am going to conquer it with pride. I am going to hold my head high and roll with the punches...I may not do it all without a whining cry for help, but I WILL do it!
And for all those little people in my way, trying to bring me down....to you, I say good luck...because if I go down, it won't be without a fight :)
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Sharing
After a post on facebook the other day outlining the details of a horrific tantrum my kid threw that spanned 3 locations and at least an hour of time; I have had several people say to me in person that they enjoy my posts and that I am real.
I pride myself in my reality, and sharing is an outlet for me. Perhaps my healthiest outlet. While some (or many) may disagree and say I overshare, or are irritated by my stories, I feel that they are shared in such a way that nobody is forced to read. If you don't want to hear it, block or unfriend me.....NO OFFENSE TAKEN!!
One thing I have learned through my facebook sharing and blogging, is that many people walk in my shoes. Not in the same ways necessarily, but we all carry our own burdens. Whether they be through stress related to finances, work, school, child-rearing, dealing with friends and family....we all have our own row to hoe and it is sometimes therapeutic to realize we all have burdens.
I never pretend to be any worse off or even close to sharing the same burdens those around me carry. Most of my struggles are relatively light and airy. But they still weigh me down in a way that sometimes keep me up at night. I am interested and intrigued by the lives of those around me, and hope they feel they can share with me as well.
I am all about keeping it real. I cannot stand those who hide behind a false facade....and I hate to tell you, I can generally sniff those people out from miles away...I am not a hopeful psych-nurse-to-be for nothing. I love to read people and see if I am right. I am famous for being the one who wasn't sold on a person and those around me think I am being cynical. Then one day that person pulls a stunt seemingly out of left field and I am left grinning, holding back the 'I told you so!' I am also proven wrong sometimes, and one of my favorite things is when I do not give somebody the benefit of the doubt and they totally prove me wrong. I have had situations like that where that person has become one of my dearest friends (due to my open nature, you totally know who you are if you are reading this.)
Please do not read this and avoid me thinking I am reading you. I am not. I am talking about first impressions....and often times, I will tell a person what my impression was of them if they threw me a curveball. I have had friends ask me if I am going to blog about them (you know who you are too.) If I am blogging about you, you will know it. I don't beat around the bush. This blog is not about you, lol! ;)
I pride myself in my reality, and sharing is an outlet for me. Perhaps my healthiest outlet. While some (or many) may disagree and say I overshare, or are irritated by my stories, I feel that they are shared in such a way that nobody is forced to read. If you don't want to hear it, block or unfriend me.....NO OFFENSE TAKEN!!
One thing I have learned through my facebook sharing and blogging, is that many people walk in my shoes. Not in the same ways necessarily, but we all carry our own burdens. Whether they be through stress related to finances, work, school, child-rearing, dealing with friends and family....we all have our own row to hoe and it is sometimes therapeutic to realize we all have burdens.
I never pretend to be any worse off or even close to sharing the same burdens those around me carry. Most of my struggles are relatively light and airy. But they still weigh me down in a way that sometimes keep me up at night. I am interested and intrigued by the lives of those around me, and hope they feel they can share with me as well.
I am all about keeping it real. I cannot stand those who hide behind a false facade....and I hate to tell you, I can generally sniff those people out from miles away...I am not a hopeful psych-nurse-to-be for nothing. I love to read people and see if I am right. I am famous for being the one who wasn't sold on a person and those around me think I am being cynical. Then one day that person pulls a stunt seemingly out of left field and I am left grinning, holding back the 'I told you so!' I am also proven wrong sometimes, and one of my favorite things is when I do not give somebody the benefit of the doubt and they totally prove me wrong. I have had situations like that where that person has become one of my dearest friends (due to my open nature, you totally know who you are if you are reading this.)
Please do not read this and avoid me thinking I am reading you. I am not. I am talking about first impressions....and often times, I will tell a person what my impression was of them if they threw me a curveball. I have had friends ask me if I am going to blog about them (you know who you are too.) If I am blogging about you, you will know it. I don't beat around the bush. This blog is not about you, lol! ;)
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