The Front Porch Swing

[Oldmomma]

I love books and knowing there was little access to books especially in English I started downloading free ebooks to my laptop before I moved here. 3000 books on just about any subject and I could get more but I have problems with my laptop and only keep a few at a time on my tablet. Im reading Game of Thrones and Enders Game right now. Its great when im stuck somewhere I can pick a book and read. Plus as my vision got worse I could increase text size and still keep reading. Ive got over 1000 books back h home waiting to be shipped. Best luck on your book.

 

[Triple Willow]

Hey guys due to the new computer I am Rolling on my book these days so I have been hiding now and then to write.  By my calculations the VERY ROUGH draft will be approximately 45,000 words.  I also have a boat load of illustrations to scan in and put in place too.

I am on the last Handwritten journal of a set of journals I have written in for the past three years. I am no up to 13372 words on journal five.  96 pages from a Journal transcribes into 34 pages in Word..  These are diaries that run about 200 pages give or take.  As soon as i am done transcribing book five I can write something new.  Because I am only half way done.... LOL

The push to get it all into the computer started when I lost Journal six when the car got stolen.  Thankfully it was only about a quarter filled.  Surprisingly loosing it was a blessing in disguise.  Because I started writing a time line... Which I sorely needed to do.  During that process I named several characters that had been going with "place holders" for some time. 

The lost illustrations will come back when I continue.   They are just line drawings.  I have a character that is a scientist in this book who is keeping a journal.  These will be her journal notes and illustrations.


deb

^^^ My friend Deb, she's a genius. ^^^
...and I had to look up how to spell "genius". ha! Go Deb go!!! Can't wait to read it.

 

[Tomtommom]

I don't read for that reason, Deb. I *have* to finish a book when I pick it up. I finish one in 2 days, tops. Nothing gets done if I have a book.

I read a lot of articles online instead.. always learning

It does give me some anxiety, the to-do list in my head is so great it's paralyzing, not knowing where to even start. And everything costs money

I'm anti-spending to the max.



I make only one pie: the best sweet potato pie EVER. None of that crap from a can, no ma'am... fresh sweet potatoes. I can swap out the sweet potatoes for pumpkin/squash and get a similarly good pie. I buy frozen pie crust

I don't like regular sweet potato/pumpkin pie.. only my own

I don't like sweet potatoes and squash all that much anyway.. something cloying about it, I don't know. I can usually eat anything 'because it's good for me', but sweet potatoes/squash require some serious gagging and choking down. I need a LOT of seasoning to eat the stuff.

Having a productive day today.. washed every bit of laundry in the house. Got mount wash-more on my bed now. Fun times. Been feeling a bit down the past couple of days.. post partum bla bla no doubt.

My son has been driving me batty, getting into EVERYTHING. I found toys in the washer, sticks in the air conditioner, food all over the house (he's not eating very well, rather shredding his sandwich and tossing it all over). He's been drawing on furniture with crayons and pencils (not a clue where he finds all this stuff). He fell off the porch the other day (tumbled down the steps) as I was putting his sister in the car. He bruised his cheek and eyebrow

This morning he fell off who knows what, I was feeding the baby and he starts screaming. His chin was red. He must've falled off my bed or desk or chair or *something*. He's tried running off with my phone, my pump... everything. He bit me yesterday on my arm, as I was putting his clothes on. He cried when his daddy yelled, not sure if he was scared or upset that he hurt me. He's going through the toddler rollercoaster of emotions right now.

We had an appointment on Wednesday, an hour drive from where we live in the 'big city'. Speech evaluation. This girl made me MAD. Halfway through she gets called outside, she comes back and she says "Oh, we have a scheduling conflict, we'll just finish some other time". Excuse me? We drive an hour to get there.. I have to drug up my son to do so (he gets carsick, anything past a 15 minute drive). On top of that she kept pushing about more speech therapy, which would mean I have to make that drive once a week. I tried to explain WHY that wouldn't work. She just made me feel like the world's worst mom for not moving heaven and earth to come to their center. By then my son is having a meltdown, because the dramamine makes him sleepy.

Yes... I will drug up my son on a weekly basis, so he can semi-attend speech therapy, where he will not cooperate because he's drowsy from the medication I gave him to get here. Oh, and I will bring my newborn too, who will need my attention. And while we're at it, I will bring my 6 year old too.. since it's summer vacation. Just no. Why do people without kids always seem to think parents make up excuses? I've been a babysitter at a young age. I've been a teacher. I've supervised kids in various settings. Being a parent is NOTHING like those things. Yes, I want my son to get all the care he needs, but there are limits as to what HE can handle. Driving an hour, paying attention for an hour and a half, then driving back an hour is NOT within the range of what he can handle. I try to explain we are pursuing a possible autism diagnosis, but in one ear, out the other. He's not like other kids. We get 45 minutes of special instruction in our home. It's basically play therapy. He's exhausted by the end of that. Why would he be able to handle 1 1/2 hours of therapy AFTER being drugged up and driving an hour? Just no.

But, being all weepy, that appointment sent me straight to "I'm the worst mother in the world" land (in my mind). Grmblgrmbgrl.... And then he fell on his head the next day. Yup.... not winning any prizes here.

 

[Blooie]

Hey all! Stopping by for a few minutes before the littlest one's second birthday party this afternoon! Her birthday isn't until Monday, but the older kids actually have school Monday...

Been busy this morning, getting house cleaned, food ready ect....

Everyone have a wonderful, blessed weekend!!!!

Oh, and is Bee still having computer problems?

Oh, Happy birthday, and hugs! Hope your weekend is wonderful as well!

You are welcome. I have been writing on this book for more than thirty years. on again off again sort of deal. It got shelved about the time I was pregnant with my son and I didnt pick it up again till three years ago when mom had to go for a lumpectomy. I dont do hospitals well so in order to keep from passing out or having a panic attack I started writing it from scratch.

I am hoping to ePublish eventually.

deb

I gotta get back at mine too. You inspired me, Deb! Um, my problem is that every time I turn on my computer I end up here!

I don't read for that reason, Deb. I *have* to finish a book when I pick it up. I finish one in 2 days, tops. Nothing gets done if I have a book.

I read a lot of articles online instead.. always learning

It does give me some anxiety, the to-do list in my head is so great it's paralyzing, not knowing where to even start. And everything costs money

I'm anti-spending to the max.



I make only one pie: the best sweet potato pie EVER. None of that crap from a can, no ma'am... fresh sweet potatoes. I can swap out the sweet potatoes for pumpkin/squash and get a similarly good pie. I buy frozen pie crust

I don't like regular sweet potato/pumpkin pie.. only my own

I don't like sweet potatoes and squash all that much anyway.. something cloying about it, I don't know. I can usually eat anything 'because it's good for me', but sweet potatoes/squash require some serious gagging and choking down. I need a LOT of seasoning to eat the stuff.

Having a productive day today.. washed every bit of laundry in the house. Got mount wash-more on my bed now. Fun times. Been feeling a bit down the past couple of days.. post partum bla bla no doubt.

My son has been driving me batty, getting into EVERYTHING. I found toys in the washer, sticks in the air conditioner, food all over the house (he's not eating very well, rather shredding his sandwich and tossing it all over). He's been drawing on furniture with crayons and pencils (not a clue where he finds all this stuff). He fell off the porch the other day (tumbled down the steps) as I was putting his sister in the car. He bruised his cheek and eyebrow

This morning he fell off who knows what, I was feeding the baby and he starts screaming. His chin was red. He must've falled off my bed or desk or chair or *something*. He's tried running off with my phone, my pump... everything. He bit me yesterday on my arm, as I was putting his clothes on. He cried when his daddy yelled, not sure if he was scared or upset that he hurt me. He's going through the toddler rollercoaster of emotions right now.

We had an appointment on Wednesday, an hour drive from where we live in the 'big city'. Speech evaluation. This girl made me MAD. Halfway through she gets called outside, she comes back and she says "Oh, we have a scheduling conflict, we'll just finish some other time". Excuse me? We drive an hour to get there.. I have to drug up my son to do so (he gets carsick, anything past a 15 minute drive). On top of that she kept pushing about more speech therapy, which would mean I have to make that drive once a week. I tried to explain WHY that wouldn't work. She just made me feel like the world's worst mom for not moving heaven and earth to come to their center. By then my son is having a meltdown, because the dramamine makes him sleepy.

Yes... I will drug up my son on a weekly basis, so he can semi-attend speech therapy, where he will not cooperate because he's drowsy from the medication I gave him to get here. Oh, and I will bring my newborn too, who will need my attention. And while we're at it, I will bring my 6 year old too.. since it's summer vacation. Just no. Why do people without kids always seem to think parents make up excuses? I've been a babysitter at a young age. I've been a teacher. I've supervised kids in various settings. Being a parent is NOTHING like those things. Yes, I want my son to get all the care he needs, but there are limits as to what HE can handle. Driving an hour, paying attention for an hour and a half, then driving back an hour is NOT within the range of what he can handle. I try to explain we are pursuing a possible autism diagnosis, but in one ear, out the other. He's not like other kids. We get 45 minutes of special instruction in our home. It's basically play therapy. He's exhausted by the end of that. Why would he be able to handle 1 1/2 hours of therapy AFTER being drugged up and driving an hour? Just no.

But, being all weepy, that appointment sent me straight to "I'm the worst mother in the world" land (in my mind). Grmblgrmbgrl.... And then he fell on his head the next day. Yup.... not winning any prizes here.

Anyone who can make the world's best sweet tater pie can't be "the worst mother in the world!" Besides, kids can find more ways to hurt themselves and make moms feel guilty than folks give 'em credit for!

I guess we're pretty lucky here. Even before we had the autism diagnosis for Katiebug we knew something wasn't right. So we contacted Children's Resource Center in Lovell (6 miles away) and they started working with her. She was about 14 months old then, not officially diagnosed until a little past 2. They came to the house on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays...her physical therapist, her speech therapist and her occupational therapist. It's been the same with Kendra. When Jenny was working they came to my house. Can't imagine having to go through what you are for therapy 3 days a week. I'm sorry it's so difficult for you and your kids.

 

[Blooie]

Had a little excitement in Cowley today, and there's going to be hell to pay at the next council meeting! Sirens went off, and this was spotted heading for town. It was actually bigger and darker than this at first - I didn't get a picture then but my neighbor did. Have to see if I can get hers to post too. Tam and Jenny both called frantic - "Where do we shelter?" I told them to calmly go to the elementary school because that's what I had been told last year when I asked at a council meeting. They loaded up the little ones and beat feet...nobody there. So they went to the high school, same story. I am FURIOUS! Jenny, Kendra and Katie live in an older mobile home like mine, and Tam lives in a duplex with no basement either. I WILL get answers and I WILL get a plan in place before the end of the next meeting. COWLEY, YOU'RE ABOUT TO GET BLOOIED!!!

 

[Triple Willow]

Sending a prayer up for Tomtommom and family. Hang in there! Big hug to you. I would guess that you are a great mom, seriously.

 

[Blooie]

Yikes....lived here 17 years and never saw this! Grew up with them in South Dakota, had them when we lived in Mississippi, Tennessee, and Illinois, had one in Billings on Father's Day a couple of years ago, but never saw one this close to Cowley. For some perspective, the garage with the Ty-vek ripped off is a block down and across the street from me and just about a block down from Jenny's place. (Storm didn't rip the Tyvek.....the guy started this project 3 years ago and has never finished it.)

 

[lazy gardener]

Tomtommom: Stick to your guns... and no... your little boy falling and getting bruised does not make you a bad mother. If I could tell you half of the foolishness that my son, and then my grand son have survived, it'd make you wonder how little boys ever grow up to be men! But, some how, most of them succeed! I do believe that given the difficulty of you getting your little one to a ST appointment would qualify you for in home ST services. Not sure if there is an agency in your area that would be able to profide that, and there might be a bit of a wait. But, if I were in your shoes, that's what I'd push for.

 

[lazy gardener]

Tomtommom: Stick to your guns... and no... your little boy falling and getting bruised does not make you a bad mother. If I could tell you half of the foolishness that my son, and then my grand son have survived, it'd make you wonder how little boys ever grow up to be men! But, some how, most of them succeed! I do believe that given the difficulty of you getting your little one to a ST appointment would qualify you for in home ST services. Not sure if there is an agency in your area that would be able to provide that, and there might be a bit of a wait. But, if I were in your shoes, that's what I'd push for.

Ok folks, here's the solution that none of you have been asking for: (weedy strawberry patch... the lazy gardener way) I let my strawberry plants grow willy nilly between the blueberry bushes. They're heavily mulched with pine needles. Both plants like acid, so are happy to share space. The strawberries will ripen first, and get picked first. By the time the blueberries are ripe, the strawberries will be done, and be sending out runners. I don't really care if I step on the plants... if there are a lot in the way, I might thin them out a bit, or just throw some more mulch on top of them. And if they get stepped on, they don't really seem to mind, and it doesn't affect next years crop. Granted, there is not as much production as I would get from a patch dedicated to strawberries, but then again, I don't have the room for a dedicated patch either. (and I get some ripe strawberries with not a bit of work dedicated to them.) Some folks successfully rotate strawberry beds with corn: plant your corn adjacent to your strawberry bed, let the runners sprawl into the corn rows. Cut the corn plants to the ground as you harvest them, and next year's strawberry bed is on fresh weed free ground, and is not spending a year taking up space that won't be productive.

 

[lazy gardener]

Tomtommom: Stick to your guns... and no... your little boy falling and getting bruised does not make you a bad mother. If I could tell you half of the foolishness that my son, and then my grand son have survived, it'd make you wonder how little boys ever grow up to be men! But, some how, most of them succeed! I do believe that given the difficulty of you getting your little one to a ST appointment would qualify you for in home ST services. Not sure if there is an agency in your area that would be able to provide that, and there might be a bit of a wait. But, if I were in your shoes, that's what I'd push for.

Ok folks, here's the solution that none of you have been asking for: (weedy strawberry patch... the lazy gardener way) I let my strawberry plants grow willy nilly between the blueberry bushes. They're heavily mulched with pine needles. Both plants like acid, so are happy to share space. The strawberries will ripen first, and get picked first. By the time the blueberries are ripe, the strawberries will be done, and be sending out runners. I don't really care if I step on the plants... if there are a lot in the way, I might thin them out a bit, or just throw some more mulch on top of them. And if they get stepped on, they don't really seem to mind, and it doesn't affect next years crop. Granted, there is not as much production as I would get from a patch dedicated to strawberries, but then again, I don't have the room for a dedicated patch either. (and I get some ripe strawberries with not a bit of work dedicated to them.) Some folks successfully rotate strawberry beds with corn: plant your corn adjacent to your strawberry bed, let the runners sprawl into the corn rows. Cut the corn plants to the ground as you harvest them, and next year's strawberry bed is on fresh weed free ground, and is not spending a year taking up space that won't be productive.