Sign Language

Parenting is tricky. There are days you have to be creative, tell the occasional "white lie", and even pull the ol' "do as I say, not as I do"...Last week I had the opportunity to do all three in a matter of minutes (all before 6:45 am).

We were actually enjoying (relative) a nice ride to school when I realized one of the back car doors was not completely shut. I am not sure how I missed the glowing yellow light on my dash that said "door ajar", but I did and we will move on. Brylee Kate took the news fairly well and was prepared to open and close it at the next stop light. As we approached the light, it turned green. I told her not to worry, that I once I came to a stop, I would not move forward until she was able to shut it. She began to panic when the (impatient) gentleman behind me started honking his horn. I assured her that her safety was more important than him making the light and to open and close the door. His honking only became more frequent and my sweet southern patience vanished. Very dramatically, I pulled over, put on my flashers, shouted a word that I never use, and provided him with some additional signs indicating my disgust with him. My middle school daughter looked at me with amazement and said she had never seen nor heard me do that before. Initially, I was pleased with myself for being a model driver for her over the last 12 years; but then I felt some guilt because the other two would not share the same experience since I had just exposed them at such a young age. Brylee Kate shut her door then asked "never seen what before?" followed by Tucker's "what did you do mom?". This is where my creativity kicked in and my guilt then vanished. With a sweet southern smile (because clearly they didn't see it), I turned to them both and explained, "I just did sign language to the man that said I would be finished in just one minute." With that quick, creative response, Brylee Kate and Tucker will continue to think that I am the model driver that Allie thought I was until the morning of the "door incident". You may wonder if they asked what that sign was. They didn't. What they did ask is where I learned how to do sign language. With great pride I said "Mimi and Dramps" (my parents).

Just My Luck

"Ma'am, we are experiencing an extremely high call volume, it could be 90 minutes." Fantastic, I thought. I should be nice and friendly to your AAA man by 7:30pm sitting on the side of the road, with 3 children, after being up since 5:00 working all day, with what I thought was a popped front tire. "Thank you. We'll be here," was my actual response. I wanted to say so much more but with Random Acts of Kindness Day fast approaching, I decided to practice being kind. Besides, I really needed help and wasn't going anywhere without them.

That evening started with a great family picnic with my family, including my parents and sister. Chris left a few minutes early in his truck to go pick up the new bed for my youngest. Things were actually going pretty "June Cleaver" at this point. The first week of school was behind us, everyone loves their school, and we had just finished a fun family evening at the park. As we head home, I opt to take a more scenic route to avoid traffic. No one was fighting, we were talking about our day when.....POP! I had hit the same pothole my sitter did this summer when she popped her tire. As I pull over, I had to think who to call first...AAA, my dad, my husband, my sister, my best friend? I opted for my husband. I knew his ego would be crushed if he knew I called my dad first, but let's be honest, I really wanted to. Anyway, I followed marriage protocol and told my mechanically challenged husband. Since he was on a wild goose chase trying to find where he was to pick up the bed (I knew this would happen), he was delighted that I was willing to call AAA (and my Dad). I will not bore you with the details, but once we got the tire off, we realized that the tire was fine...it was the rim. Even better more expensive. As we (who am I kidding?..that would be Dad) got the spare on, we realized that it was (in fact) flat. About that time AAA arrived. Since my luck was getting better and better, I wasn't surprised to hear that his air compressor wasn't working at 100%. Eventually I arrived home to an irritable husband who didn't know which to be more upset about...the fact that the bed was way more difficult to put together than he had anticipated or the fact that we were going to have to spend a few hundred dollars on a new wheel. Where I pride myself with my ability to argue when I am the most exhausted, I (again) opted for the kinder approach and walked away. I cannot promise I didn't gesture anything as I turned the corner, but what he doesn't know won't hurt him.

If you are detail oriented, the side view mirror is from another incident for another post.

Just one quick picture before we take cover?

I couldn't resist it. Besides, how often do kids get the opportunity to have their picture taken with a tornado in the background? My guess is Olan Mills, The Picture People, and Sears do not have a tornado backdrop for formal family photos. I may have out done myself for this years Christmas family photo.

It was a beautiful summer day on Jekyll Island in South Georgia. We met up with some friends, who were also vacationing in the area, at Summer Waves. Chris had the older girls out and about in the park enjoying the "big kid" slides. My friend and I were talking gossiping about a little of this and a little of that while watching Tucker splash around in the kiddie area. Although a storm was imminent, we had yet to see a lightning strike, heard a clap of thunder, nor found any other reason to gather the troops and seek cover. Like many other parents enjoying a little sun time in a lounge chair, Lisa and I were praying that the storm would take a very sharp left (or right) and avoid the water park completely. *(There may have been a few parents panicking and fleeing the park; I can't remember.) As alarms sounded and warnings were being announced all over the park, I grabbed my phone and did it. I made them all stop and smile. I will also be honest and tell you, I took 2 pictures. They were not all looking the first time.

Coincidentally, the park has two rides called Nature's Revenge; one is the Hurricane and the other the Tornado. Had we encountered a hurricane, I doubt the picture would have been this clear since there would have likely been a lot of wind and rain ahead of the storm.

Mother's Day Tea

"The note that explains that each child should bring a lunch today, was put in his backpack on Tuesday." This was said by my son's preschool teacher in the company of 10 other mother's at the Mother's Day Tea. It was her response back when I thanked her for providing a lunch for Tucker. Defending my "choice" to not send a lunch, I tried to explain that I had intended on taking him out to lunch after the event. I then looked at another mom and commented that I wasn't quite sure where the book bag was. (Quite honestly, it is likely still wherever it landed on Tuesday.) The mom ever-so-politely looked at me, smiled, tilted her head, and said "If that is not enough food for him, I am sure my son will share part of his lunch."

Towards the end of the tea (which was precious), another parent asked if I was the mom who volunteered to plan the End of the Year party. I chuckled a bit and told her no. About 15 minutes later, Tucker's teacher thanked us all for coming, and told everyone that all the boys and girls were looking forward to the End of the Year party Tucker's mom was planning. Fantastic. In fact, I DID sign up for that. Apparently I signed up for this about the same time Chris and I were watching documentaries on the Apocalypse of 2012.


Update:

The morning started with Tucker telling me not to worry. He said they would not be singing "Sexy and I Know It" at the party because his teacher said no. I didn't really think it was important on how he knew this. I just said, "oh good."

One of the teachers was going to be waiting for me in the parking lot at 10:45. As I pulled in at 10:59, I was trying to decide if I should take the inevitable lecture for being late or be straight up and tell her that I had to explain to a child that the "f-bomb" is actually not a good way to defend yourself. Considering that Tucker attends a private church school, and she may not find the humor in the child's remark, I opted for the lecture. The lecture was short; likely short due to the fact that my tardiness took time away from the party, but short none the less. I took it like a champ. What she did explain was that had I told them a month ago what my plan was, we would not have to celebrate in the same grassy area that the farm animals enjoyed a few weeks ago. (Clearly I played off the "OMG, I signed up for what?" expression at the Mother's Day Tea. Which, mind you, was only last week.) In true Keeli fashion, I smiled, put down the picnic blankets, set up the table, and commented that hopefully the rain washed away whatever the farm animals left behind. As she walked away, I was tempted to "defend" myself (most certainly not in the same nature as the student did who caused me to be late), but I did decide to make myself a promise...I promised myself that I would never sign up for anything again without calling my best friend first (just to be sure I was in my right mind) AND celebrate that I was actually able to pull it off.

The party was a success. In his most precious lisp, Tucker said "that party was awesome!" That was all I needed.

I'm Versatile!

I was so excited when Katie at

http://tutusandtantrums.blogspot.com/

awarded me with the
Versatile Blogger award!


The Versatile Blogger award is awarded by your fellow bloggers and is a way
to recognize newer blogs that you really like.
And it's a great way to share those blogs with your own followers!

Thanks Katie! 

I have to share 7 things about myself
and then
I get to award the Versatile Blogger award to 7 of my fave and growing blogs!




So 7 fun things about me:

1. I do not eat meat off of a bone.

2. I do not eat meat at mexican restaurants.

3. I do not eat mushrooms. Pee Wee Herman used to make snacks on his show. One time he pretended to eat a poisonous mushroom. Because of this episode, I get nervous that if I eat a mushroom, it may be poisonous.

4. By the time I graduated from high school I had attended 13 different schools.

5. When I am folding laundry, I have to get all the socks out first. If I start to fold a shirt and see a sock, I immediately put the shirt down and get the sock out. Seriously.

6. I interned as a probation officer for a short time just out of college. When a giant man reached across my desk to (likely) put his hands around my neck when I told him he was to be drug tested, I never went back.

7. I am VERY organized at work to the point that people think I have OCD. I am the EXACT opposite at home. My house is not organized nor clean.
(Well, maybe for an hour after the cleaning people come.)

  

I am awarding the Versatile blogger award to the following great blogs:

1. Katie at http://www.tutusandtantrums.blogspot.com/

2. Keisha at http://morrismommy.blogspot.com/

3. Kasey at http://dieps.blogspot.com/

 4. Erica at  http://teamt2e2.blogspot.com/
5. Jamie at http://jamiegoodwin.wordpress.com/
6. Jaime at http://twoboysandachinadoll.shutterfly.com/
7. and Sandi at http://sunshineandsmilesphotography.blogspot.com/ 
(Although Sandi's isn't an ongoing blog, she is an amazing
photographer and I love seeing her work!) 

Make sure that you pass this on to blogs that you love :) 

 

Glasses

"Keeli, I just wanted to let you know that Brylee Kate failed her vision screening again. You may just want to follow up with an eye doctor." This was an email I received from the guidance counselor, also a good friend, about Brylee Kate's screening at school. The screening that Brylee Kate requested, not me. The screening that along with my signature giving permission, I wrote "Brylee Kate is requesting this, not her mother." I wish I could say I made that up, but I am not. I actually put something in writing that will haunt me forever.

With some lingering skepticism, I scheduled the appointment.

Throughout the appointment Brylee Kate was asked to read various things. I nearly had a heart attack when giant five foot letters (slight exaggeration) were displayed on the board and she read every letter except the letter displayed. It took every bit of willpower not to correct her; explain to the doctor that in fact she is reading above grade level and must be making it up; or even sign the letters to her, prompting the correct response.

Less than a week after the appointment we went to pick up her new glasses. As we are driving away from the eye doctor, Brylee Kate is grinning from ear to ear pointing out several things she had "never seen before".

June Cleaver

"I really wish I had one of those safe can openers that Pampered Chef sells." This was the last thought that went through my mind before the thought, "oh no, not again".

I am no June Cleaver. I do not clean unless I think someone is coming over. I do not iron if I have time to run my dryer to get the wrinkles out. I also do not cook, nor do I claim to. With that being said, I woke up a couple of Sundays ago with an incredible imagination (reflecting on the day, I think the word imagination is the best choice). I woke up as June Cleaver. I immediately started laundry, did my weekend couponing, mealed planned, and executed my shopping all before 4:00. I was so proud. I was so proud, in fact, I didn't tell Chris (he was on duty). I wanted to surprise him. I was actually ready to tell him that I had become the domestic goddess he didn't marry. This all came to an abrupt end around 5:00. Forget not being able to toast a piece of bread without burning it, I clearly have no business opening a can either. I sliced my finger so bad that you would have thought I hit a major artery. It was nasty.

Naturally, Chris was on duty. A year and a half ago when I released a monkey ladder on my foot, broke a couple bones, and required stitches (hence the "not again" thought), he was also on duty. 2 months after that when I slipped and fractured my ankle, he was on duty. Why would it be any other way? Anyway, just like the foot mishaps, my incredible neighbors were there to save the day. They took all 3 of my babies. They fed them and even bathed them for me (along with their 2).

Although my neighbor offered to take me, I decided to take myself for the stitches. This was clearly not one of my better ideas since I had cut the artery in my right hand in which I write with. Who knew the 12 year old at the desk would not sign me in? Who knew the 12 year old at the desk could not transfer the information from my licence and insurance card she copied on the 25 pages of paperwork? Who knew my sweet neighbor would have to come down anyway to fill out my address because the 12 year old wouldn't? I would love to have a picture of the look on my face when she told me to "let her know when I contacted someone to fill out the paperwork for me". I cannot imagine that one of her strengths is reading facial expressions since she still didn't offer, but maybe I am wrong. Maybe my face didn't express my true feelings. None the less, my neighbor came to write my address and insurance information for me. Seriously.


I cannot even begin to tell you everything I witnesses, overheard, or speculated during my four hour visit; but trust me, it was more than I could have ever dreamed of. Although they have rooms there, I am not sure they are used for anything other than triage. After they do all the initial check in stuff, they put you in a back room where only curtains separate you from other patients. Where I am thankful this is not the setting I birthed my children, I do admit, I enjoyed this setting for something much less exciting. I was able to hear lab updates, patient information, and even treatment plans of/for particular patients without breaching confidentiality (well, I couldn't see them and I didn't know their names). Luckily, I do not have a weak stomach, but when the lady with the stomach flu entered, I questioned this. After listening to her vomit multiple times, I started to giggle a little thinking "this cannot be happening to me". When she explained that her suppository would not stay in, I lost it. I started laughing and could not stop. I was trying so hard to keep it contained that I was crying. As luck would have it, the doctor walked in. I think she thought my tears were those of sadness, but I made up some comment referencing a text and she said "I understand". She returned shortly there after to stitch me up. During this time we had a nice conversation with an occasional pause as my suite mate continued to vomit.


Where I would have loved to have seen my one day as June Cleaver come to fruition, I have to admit, I really did enjoy my stay at Urgent Care. It brought me endless entertainment, a lot of laughter, and as most mothers would likely agree...a few hours of "me" time.