We we blessed with a wonderful spring like day yesterday. Temperatures were in the high 50s, and my children were outside in shorts. Mark was on the golf course, so it was a really great day for everyone. Being in St. Louis though, the weather typically doesn't stay any one way for long, and today we woke up with a 30 degree temperature drop. Mark got to take the day off to enjoy the unusually warm temperatures on the golf course -- of course, his favorite place.
Today we are back to normal, with the exception of Jacob being at home due to illness. I sent him yesterday, and I think it was too much for him. He was cranky and upset for most of the day yesterday. I am hoping that he will feel better on Monday with a long weekend.
I went to the rheumatologist yesterday. My Cymbalta was increased 30 mg. I am thrilled that my doctor felt sorry for me and gave me the medication. I was pretty happy with that, as it would have been an additional $45 co-pay. Not a good thing on my already strapped income.
Speaking of income -- it sure is hard with Mark being the only person bringing in money into the house hold. I am continually surprised that he stays with me. I have always loved him so much, but -- if it is possible at all -- I think that I love him more for understanding and standing bu when I know that it is so hard for him. It has caused us to focus more on what really matters and less on the things around us.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Mel's Mind, January 22, 2009
Again, President Obama is on my mind. I was thinking yesterday about what it was like for him on his first full day as President, surely a heady experience for him. I was thinking about his whole family, actually. I know that his girls did not have to go to school yesterday, but were expected to attend today. I praise President and Mrs. Obama for their attempts to maintain normalcy for them, even going to the extent of bringing Grandma to the White House in order to keep their life a bit sane. I can imagine their excitement. I wonder if 7 year old Sasha is old enough to realise the significance of her new home and her daddy's new job. At any rate, I hope they are beginning to feel a sense of the support that I believe the majority of the country sends them. I certainly wish them well.
On another note, Patrick is being home bound taught by my friend, Cathy. I am very excited about that. She has such a calming manner about her, and an ability to keep Patrick focused, even in situations that I know would be stressed and frustrated in. If that is her feeling, she certainly isn't showing it, and I am thrilled at the amount of work that they are doing.
Finally, my Mark gets to golf today. I guess I didn't realize until this winter time just how important his gold is to him. It helps to keep his boat stable even in rocky waters. He is just working for a few hours this morning, then he will come home in order to collect the golf clubs and heading out to the golf course as the temperatures soar today to almost 60 degrees. I am happy for him.
I guess that wasn't finally. Jacob is back at school today after missing yesterday. He missed Tuesday also. He has developed a cold, and wasn't feeling well enough to attend the last couple of days. He seems a bit better this morning so I sent him.
Speaking of attending school, Patrick is missing his friends. He and I talked yesterday about the fact that the same problems that were there before will still be there, it is him that has to change his feelings and reactions to those problems in order to be successful upon returning. We talked about the chance he has with his psychologist to work things out as he meets with him weekly while he is not in school. Patrick agreed.
On another note, Patrick is being home bound taught by my friend, Cathy. I am very excited about that. She has such a calming manner about her, and an ability to keep Patrick focused, even in situations that I know would be stressed and frustrated in. If that is her feeling, she certainly isn't showing it, and I am thrilled at the amount of work that they are doing.
Finally, my Mark gets to golf today. I guess I didn't realize until this winter time just how important his gold is to him. It helps to keep his boat stable even in rocky waters. He is just working for a few hours this morning, then he will come home in order to collect the golf clubs and heading out to the golf course as the temperatures soar today to almost 60 degrees. I am happy for him.
I guess that wasn't finally. Jacob is back at school today after missing yesterday. He missed Tuesday also. He has developed a cold, and wasn't feeling well enough to attend the last couple of days. He seems a bit better this morning so I sent him.
Speaking of attending school, Patrick is missing his friends. He and I talked yesterday about the fact that the same problems that were there before will still be there, it is him that has to change his feelings and reactions to those problems in order to be successful upon returning. We talked about the chance he has with his psychologist to work things out as he meets with him weekly while he is not in school. Patrick agreed.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Mel's Mind, January 21, 2009
I was so excited yesterday -- I was glued to the TV and had a difficult time pulling myself away. I am so pro Obama/Biden anyway -- and it was thrilling to see them take command of our country. I think we are in for some big changes in the next couple of years; I am sure that some of them will be really difficult for us, but necessary. I look forward to the draw down of the troops in Iraq. I think it is senseless that we are still there. I don't think we are helping the citizens of that country; I do think that we are creating a sort of helpless dependence on the soldiers there.
I often wonder if the President Bush really thought that there were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. I sometimes think that it was a sort of revenge for his father's failed mission there. I know that when it was discovered that there were no weapons of mass destruction, the troops should have begun a draw down, but there wasn't. I would like to be inside of Bush's head to understand why he made some of the decisions that he made. When he left DC yesterday, I thought he was looking old and tired. I felt a twinge of sympathy for him and Laura. I guess history will tell what sort of president he was.
In the same vein of thought, we face a new commander and a new force of power. I heard a comment on the news that President Obama was concerned that he would lose the man that he was before the election. In some ways, it is inevitable that he will change -- I don't know that he will lose that man, but I know he will change. I hope he does keep his ideals though. Power can corrupt if you don't wield it correctly.
I am sure that others have high hopes for the future too. I know that I do.
I often wonder if the President Bush really thought that there were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. I sometimes think that it was a sort of revenge for his father's failed mission there. I know that when it was discovered that there were no weapons of mass destruction, the troops should have begun a draw down, but there wasn't. I would like to be inside of Bush's head to understand why he made some of the decisions that he made. When he left DC yesterday, I thought he was looking old and tired. I felt a twinge of sympathy for him and Laura. I guess history will tell what sort of president he was.
In the same vein of thought, we face a new commander and a new force of power. I heard a comment on the news that President Obama was concerned that he would lose the man that he was before the election. In some ways, it is inevitable that he will change -- I don't know that he will lose that man, but I know he will change. I hope he does keep his ideals though. Power can corrupt if you don't wield it correctly.
I am sure that others have high hopes for the future too. I know that I do.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Inauguration Day
I am so excited today. I hope everyone can watch the inauguration of Barack Obama. I will actually be with Patrick at a therapy appointment, but I am going to record it. I will definitely watch when I return home. I think the historic ramifications of this are just overwhelming. Do you know that Mr. Obama will use the same bible that Pres. Lincoln used? And just think that he will be residing in a building that was built with partial slave labor. Just boggles my mind.
I heard on tv that the mall in DC is almost to capacity, and that was at 7am. Even if you aren't an Obama supporter, I don't see how you can not be excited by the historical significance of this event.
I heard on tv that the mall in DC is almost to capacity, and that was at 7am. Even if you aren't an Obama supporter, I don't see how you can not be excited by the historical significance of this event.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Mel's Mind, January 19
Patrick's homebound teacher started today. She is really doing well with him. I would be so frustrated with him by now, because he is really testing the waters with her. Fortunately, she has a good sense of humor and a strong will. I really appreciate that someone else is working with him. He and I have been at each other's throat lately when it comes to school work. I just don't know what to do most of the time. It is just us crabbing at each other.
His teacher is my friend Cathy. I am so glad that things got worked out with Special School District, and she could work with him. I am hoping that between her and I, he doesn't fall too far behind or make poor grades.
I really appreciate how she is keeping him on track. I really appreciate everything she is doing with him, and it is just day one! I hope our friendship continues to be strong through this -- I know Patrick can be really difficult sometimes.
His teacher is my friend Cathy. I am so glad that things got worked out with Special School District, and she could work with him. I am hoping that between her and I, he doesn't fall too far behind or make poor grades.
I really appreciate how she is keeping him on track. I really appreciate everything she is doing with him, and it is just day one! I hope our friendship continues to be strong through this -- I know Patrick can be really difficult sometimes.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)