Free at Last! Free at Last!

The school day came and went, finally.  Spring Break!!!!!!  The children are with their father for a couple of days.  I took a nap after school!!  Haven't been worth much this evening, but I did strip the bed in order to wash the sheets and pillow cases that had chocolate on them.  Also found Robin's special "stash" spot in my room that contained her missing shoes, sock, and a pair of jeans.  Now, if we could just find the case for the video that has to go back to the library...

Am making a to-do list so the week doesn't escape me.  We'll see how things go!

 

 

Poop Floats

I awoke this morning to the sound of the alarm clock ringing in my ear.  Stumbled out of bed to head to the "head" <--(that's Navy talk for bathroom), and almost stepped on a poopy diaper that the dawg had taken out of the bathroom trash and shredded.  Then almost stepped on a pile of poop that the dawg had graciously left for me to maneuver around in the dark.  Thank you, Frodo!

Okay...so I departed for the workplace in the dark.  Most of the day went okay, but at the beginning of 5th period, one of my students told me that another of my young ladies was in the hall, crying her eyes out.  I went to the hall.  Indeed, there she was, surrounded by three of her buddies--all late to class--weeping piteously.  "What's wrong?"  She launched into a story about what had just happened in the previous class.  One young man had hit her in the arm (leaving quite a red mark, I might add), and her boyfriend wanted to retaliate in defense of her honor...but since he would be expelled if he got in a fight, another of the young men (who happens to live with her boyfriend) decided HE'D do the honors.  He lit into the offender and beat him up.  "So why are you crying?"  "I've never seen a fight before!"  (I find that hard to believe...)

My colleague managed to get the boys separated, but the attacker went back for another round.  The teacher called in the troops, and all perpetrators were spirited to the principal's office for the last three periods of the day.  The last big event that happened--a drug deal--happened in the same teacher's classroom.  I asked her today, "Why does all the good stuff happen on your watch??"  She decided to tell the kids, "The next time you want to fight or take drugs, go to Mrs. McNary's room!

As soon as the last of the students were booted to the buses at the end of the day, I headed home.  Meg and I had already decided via IM that we would go out for a bite to eat this evening.  (Doesn't happen often!)  Then go to Aldi's for groceries.  Both children sported new bite-marks from earlier attacks on each other.  The kids were relatively well-behaved at the restaurant, but that soon went downhill. 

At Aldi's, I ran into the parents of one of my students.  The dad is a teacher, too, at Northwest High School, and both of them have a neat sense of humor.  I've now had all four of their sons in class through the years.  At the beginning of the appropriate years of their sons' attendance in my classes, they walk in on Back to School Night, and I always say, "Not you again!"  Aldi's wasn't crowded, so we traded interesting stories as we shopped.  The father commented on the "junk" we had in our cart, while he said that the bag of junk chips he had in his hand was dinner for three nights.  Our order was going to take two cards at the checkout--Meg's for food stamps, and mine for what the stamps don't cover.  Just as we approached the check-out line, Ryan announced that he had to go to potty.  I worried about leaving to take him without giving Meg my debit card.  No problem, she said...just go.  So I did.  I am standing in the bathroom helping Ryan go pee-pee when there is an explosion in the hallway.  It is Robin.  "Grandma!  Grandma!  Where is Mommy's card?  GRANDMA!!!  GRANDMA!!"  I managed to get Ry's pants pulled up in time to open the door and rush out.  Mr. Burns (the parent) was right behind Robin, yelling "Grandma! Grandma!"  Thank GOD I wasn't the one going to the bathroom!  How embarrassing!

Emerged from the bathroom and gave Meg my card so the transactions could be completed.  In the meantime, the children started running amok.  They were totally out of control--embarrassing both Meg and me--so I took them to the car while Meg bagged up the groceries.  We had another stop to make at Wal-Mart.  Things weren't going well so far, but we decided to go for broke.  Wally-World wasn't quite as bad--largely because the children were wearing out.  (Not to mention Mommy and Gramma!!)

After returning home, there were a few moments of playing in the back yard with the new balls that the children got, but there was also still strife.  Bathtime!  Ryan first.  Robin had been such a skunk that her mother ensconced her in the bedroom until story time.  I folded laundry.  I heard Megan say, "What do you mean, something is in the bathwater??"  Then a cry of dismay.  As it happens, Ryan had to "poop" while in the bathtub.  He got out, did his business, was wiped, and put back in the tub...but...well...apparently he wasn't done.  There was poop floating in the bathtub!!  We yanked him out, drained the water, cleaned up the mess and bleached the tub.  Ugh!  Put him back in to finish the cleaning.  And now, I THINK everyone is asleep.  (Not sure about Little Miss Robin.) 

Hope you had a non-poopy day!  Wish I had!

Stress Center?

No, thanks.  I don't need to go to a center to get stress!  There is plenty here to go around!

Meg is catching my cold, so she felt run down and out of sorts today.  Being at home all day with two pre-schoolers can get wearisome, anyway.  Ryan got into the salt shaker again today, and Robin was moody.  By the time I got home from school, they were ready to do something special, but the two adults were "tard".  We had a decent supper, and Meg took the kiddos to the park...only to return 30 minutes later with one child with wet pants.  They got plunked in the tub, jammed into their jammies, and spirited off to bed soon after, long before dark.  (Don't feel sorry for Robin.  She is still awake and up to her bedtime tricks!)

The only real tragedy of our new lifestyle is that it's hard for me to get my after-school nap.  I'm amazed at what a difference it makes in my level of fatigue!  I like coming home to Meg and the children, and I know they like having me home...but I'm going to have to beg for a 30-minute snooze just to make it through the rest of the day!  It doesn't help that I have a stressful job.  (And if you think otherwise, I invite you to trade places with me for a day.  Just one!) 

In any case, we are doing just fine.  The children have planted flower seeds in a pot.  We'll see how that goes.  They are each going to have their own flower pot on Gramma's patio.  The grass is growing back there.  Will need to be mowed soon!

Ever onward and upward.  Two more days before spring break!!!!

 

Happy Birthday, Dear Meggy

On Sunday morning, March 25, 1979, I was lying in a hospital bed and marveling that I had just met the greatest physical challenge of my life.  Megan Elizabeth McNary was born in the early morning hours, four weeks before she was expected, but clearly not "premature".  She was a beautiful baby!  (She still is!)  Happy Birthday, Meg!

Peppermint Snots

Oops!  I guess that should be "schnapps".  In any case, I caught cold yesterday, and the runny nose coupled with the cough has been most exhausting.  After school today, I poured myself a sip of peppermint schnapps to burn the cough away.  Better than cough medicine!

The week with my students has been tenuous, at best.  They are ready for spring break, and so are the teachers.  My patience with noise and immaturity has gone way down.  I told a kid today that he was talking just to hear his own voice, and the rest of us were tired of it.  His response was to talk more.  Ugh!

I was up at 5:00 AM (which is responsible for part of the reason my patience has flagged today) because I was trapped in my own bed.  Robin has her side.  No problem.  HOWEVER, when I woke up this morning, the dog was sleeping on top of the covers in between my legs.  I couldn't move without a major shove to dislodge her, and she wasn't budging.  Methinks El Poocho is going to have to find other sleeping arrangements.  I can't spend too many more nights in one position all night!

On a personal note, I guess I should be taking personal inventory.  For many years, I have been the caregiver (a fault of mine) and the closest one to family, etc....and for a number of years, I found myself on the firing line as the person that "family" wouldn't talk to.  It is happening again, in a relationship that will remain nameless.   Suddenly, I am persona non grata.  And you know what?  Considering the circumstances, I don't care!  I feel that I didn't do anything wrong and I'll be darned if I'm going to apologize when all I have ever done was help!  Stubborn?  You betcha!!

Time for bed. A demain!  <--That's French for "See ya tomorrow."

 

Tired!

The week has finally caught up with me.  I'm pooped!  Because it was a somewhat rainy day, the children didn't get to do much fun, so Meg took them to story time at the library tonight, and they were less than good...and we are all out of patience.  Robin told me tonight that Mommy and Gramma didn't like her and had been mean to her "all day".  I haven't even been home all day!

Meg's birthday is this weekend (Sunday).  We will try to make it a special day by decorating a birthday cake and making birthday cards.  Let's hope the weather cooperates!

St. Patrick's Day

Did you wear green?  Since St. Patrick's Day was on a Saturday this year, I didn't have to deal with students thinking they could pinch people, but on the radio, I threatened to pinch anyone not wearing green at the severe weather spotter training class I went to.  I think I heard one "Oops!" and a "Depends on where you're going to pinch."  Everyone's a comedian!

The grandchildren went to Muncie yesterday to visit their father and are supposed to come home this afternoon.  Meg and I launched into cleaning out a closet and drawers in order to make room for things.  The closet in the guest room (Meg's room) was full of stored clothing (mine) that had been there, outgrown, for years.  I filled four garbage bags with clothing to take to Goodwill today--and there's more where that came from!  This is stuff that is not only too small for me, but also out of style (although I never let style stop me before).  In any case, this is something that has needed to be done for awhile.

Today, some friends of mine who are new grandparents are stopping by to pick up some baby things that have been cluttering up my garage.  I'll fix 'em right up!  Lots more work to do:  dishes, laundry, purging closets and drawers.  And then I get to go back to school tomorrow!  Two more weeks until spring break!

Cherry Juice, Blood, and Other Good Liquids...

I had a jar of maraschino cherries in the refrigerator.  The other day, I promised the grandchildren a banana split...and of course, it had to have a cherry on top.  Well!  Once the children discovered that I had cherries, the cherries became a snack item--especially when trying to appease hungry children before dinner is ready.  So today, when we got back from the park (because it was in the 70's again), all Ryan wanted was a cherry.  Robin jumped on that bandwagon, too.  So the cherries came out...and Gramma forgot to put the lid back on the jar as it sat on the counter.  You can guess the rest.  The jar of cherries got "upsot", and the blessed red juice went everywhere.  Fortunately, it stayed on the counter and didn't hit the floor (although I'm not sure why that would matter.  The kitchen carpet is filthy!).  Finally got that sticky mess cleaned up late this evening.

At bedtime, Ryan was horsing around on the bed and managed to bite his tongue.  He took a pretty good chunk out of it.  That's going to hurt for awhile!  So along with cherry juice, we were dealing with blood.  (Robin was hugging and kissing him.  Apparently blood is reason to love her brother, while other times, she can hit, kick, and bite without a conscience.) 

I mentioned the park.  Did I mention that yesterday's venture to the park was climaxed by wet pants for a little guy?  (Guys have special plumbing that resulted in not only wet pants, but a wet shirtfront, too.  How does that happen??)  I gave him thunder for not telling me that he had to go because "the potty is right over there".  Turns out, however, that the potties won't be unlocked until April 1st...  So today's venture to the park was fraught with "You tell Gramma if you have to go."  He did.  I helped him water a tree.  (There was no one else at the park, so who knew??)  I love it when a plan comes together!

What little routine I had around here has been totally disrupted.  My routine was:  open a can of something for supper when I got home from school, watch what was left of Dr. Phil, watch Oprah, take a nap for an hour, get on the computer and play Free Cell until bedtime.  Oh...with a few activities in between.  Now, I don't get to see TV and spend my after school hours with the grandchildren and/or cleaning up messes.  There is: dinner (Meg is a good cook!), activities (like the park or the library), videos, baths, and bedtime.  Whew!  Daylight Savings Time has done a number on me this week!  Can you guess which I prefer??  I'm tired, of course...but family is everything to me.  Until Meg can get on her feet, I'm glad they are here.  We are managing.  It ain't the Ritz, but it's better than the streets!

Is it Friday yet??

 

 

 

Lovely Weather!

I went to school in a somewhat decent mood this morning, in spite of the fact that Daylight Savings Time has put us back in the dark during my commute.  It didn't take too long in the classroom to make me snarly and surly.  The kids have been totally disrespectful.  The last two/three periods of the day, I had to be mean.  I am prepared to be mean the entire rest of the year!

Meg spent most of the day preparing resumes and applications for jobs.  When I got home, the children and I went to Swinford Park so they could play on the equipment they love.  Ryan likes  riding on "Neigh" on the merry-go-round.  Robin adopted a yellow horse and named it "Goldie".  They were happy campers.

Robin got to talk to her beloved Daddy tonight.  It energized her.  She drew a mega-picture for him.  It will be in the mailbox this evening for Muncie.  There hasn't been a single negative word spoken about him in this house....and won't.  The children seem to be okay.

Time for Gramma to hit the sack.  <sigh>  Another long day tomorrow...

Busy Weekend

I'm getting old!  One forgets just how much work preschoolers can be until surrounded by them.  Whew!

Let's see--we did Snack and Craft at church on Friday night, did grocery shopping and cleaning on Saturday, plus took a trip to the library.  Today, Meg took the children to church and to ride their bikes at the park while Gramma cleaned and had a nap.  Meg also cleaned out her car (which really needed it!).  The washing machine goes endlessly, and we stay ahead of the dishes as best we can.  The children amuse themselves with toys and videos and art projects.  They sure are busy!

Three more weeks until Spring Break.  Hope I can last that long!  The weather this weekend was a nice taste of how lovely it can be to get out of doors and away from the dust mites.  Come on, spring!

From the Ridiculous to the Sublime

Meg and I try to do something a little special with the children every day.  Monday, we went to the library.  Last night, we took them to Chick-fil-A (I HATE that name!) for supper and Family Night.  This afternoon, Meg took the kids and the dawg on a walk around a couple of blocks.  Who knew the dog would come back totally muddy??  After a paw-and-underbelly bath, and towels on the couch, we got her settled back in.  Geez!!  (By the way, she huffed and puffed for a half hour afterward!) 

God bless Ryan Holly (KB9RAF)!  He gave up yet another of his days off to come here and help solve problems.  Meg's car (my old Taurus) got her down here with a battery charge that her husband said would fix things.  It didn't.  Ryan took the battery to AutoZone for testing.  It tested bad.  (I am plenty ticked about that because I sent a check up to Nathan to have the battery replaced, which he didn't do.)  And then the coolant tank sprang a leak...so that had to be replaced.  The alternator was replaced just before I donated the car to Meg two or three years ago.  I'm hoping that isn't the reason for the battery drain. Rayn was gone when I came home from school, but probably 50 mini-cars/trucks weren't!  Big Ryan brought his adult son's once-collection of little vehicles for my grandson Ryan to have.  Wow!  That little dude was a happy camper!  I hope Big Ry's wife doesn't hate me for drawing her husband away, yet again.  Thank you, Bonnie.  And thank you, Ryan!  I don't know where I would be without my ham friends...

My world is very small.  My house is small.  My circle of friends is small.  With three extra people in the house, I would normally be bent out of shape.  As it is, I am better off knowing where Meg and the children are and what is happening to them.  This isn't Happy Valley for any of us, but we are making it work...because we have to.  At issue is Meg's marriage.  I am doing my best to stay out of things, while giving my grandchildren a place to stay until their parents figure things out. 

Robin doesn't have and OFF button.  I can hear her talking in the bedroom to her mother....endlessly.  She is such a busy little bean!

More as I can.  Thanks for hanging in there with me! 

Company

My daughter and grandchildren came for my birthday on Friday...and stayed.  We are settling into something of a routine.  While I am gone to school, Meg and the children survive however they can with no working vehicle.  (Don't ask!)  When I got home today, they had all picked up the living room and kitchen floors.  You could actually see the floors in both rooms.  Yay!  We had a good supper, and Meg took the children to the library thereafter for books and videos, and even a computer game. 

I've been working just a little teaching Robin to read.  She is ready but is somewhat willful.  In other words, you have to catch her in the mood...or there is no point to trying. 

Will keep this short since it is late and I'm beat.  Just wanted everyone to know I am still alive!

Birthday x 60

 Many thanks to those who remembered me on my 60th birthday.  I spent a quiet day at home; then my daughter and grandchildren came down in the afternoon to join me for a home cooked meal of my favorite foods and some yummy cake.  My sister called, and my brother-in-law got on the extension to say he was talking to "two old farts" on the phone.  Well!  I have to admit that 60 sounds pretty old to me now.  I should have stopped having birthdays at 59!

In the process of preparing to cook our steak on the grill, I discovered that the grill (another OLD thing) has pretty much given up the ghost.  I couldn't get it lit, and I can see daylight through the bottom of it.  It doesn't owe me anything.  It was here when I bought the house 15 years ago...  The problem, of course, is that it is tied to the gas line of the house.  I will have to save my pennies and see what can be done about replacing it. 

My family is all still in bed.  When everyone gets up and moving, we will have to decide what we want to do with the day.  There is a dusting of snow on the ground.  Where did that come from????

Conner Prairie

There is a state park up in Fishers, IN, called Conner Prairie.  It is an interactive, "living" museum/community that is "frozen" in 1836.  The social studies teacher on my team has arranged for the 8th grade to take an April field trip to their program called Follow the North Star, which is about the Underground Railroad in Indiana.  It is a role-playing situation where students are fugitive slaves trying to reach freedom.  Conner Prairie staff provide the realism.  Because of the nature of the experience, teachers/chaperones are required to go to a training session/walk-through of the event.  We did ours today.

Did I mention that it was a really cruddy weather day?  We were told to wear boots and other outdoor clothing...and I'm sure glad we did!  We were outside for about 1 1/2 hours, trudging in the wind and rain, through ice, slush, snow crust with water underneath, mud, muck, and animal manure.  Yee-haw!  At one point, we walked about 1/8th of a mile in 6 inches of unmelted snow crust (tough walking!) followed by a steep uphill climb.  This ol' lady was a-huffin' and a-puffin', but I made it!  The rest of the walking was in rather serious mud and snowmelt.  I hope the students appreciate what we went through for them today!  I've been totally worn out tonight...

We stopped at Boston Market on our way back to school...and made it back just as the buses were loading at dismissal.  I went in to prepare lesson plans for tomorrow because I decided to take the day off--for me.  (Long story.  I hope it has a happy ending!)

My daughter and grandchildren are coming down tomorrow afternoon for my 60th birthday.  None of us has any money for celebrating, so I'll probably cook us a steak on the grill and just enjoy their company, even if everyone is sick! 

We had a major snow melt today.  Most of the stuff is finally gone, except for the big piles...leaving everything wet and yucky-looking.  We had a thunderstorm this morning.  Went to school with lightning--first of the season.  Tragedy in Alabama with a school getting hit by a tornado.  God deliver us from such a fate!