Why? - Every parent's nightmare. Or at least one of them.

Found out yesterday that a 15yo boy in Jerm's grade died of a drug overdose. He wasn't a friend of Jerm's really, but this is a small town and everyone knows everyone else. Jerm received texts, online messages and saw status updates on FB regarding this boy. From what Jerm has gathered, he and another boy from town both OD'd on amphetamines. B. died and C. apparently lived (as of this writing, I only know what Jerm's friends have shared regarding C. - B.'s obit was in the paper this morning).

My mind is a tempest over this and it has affected the hubby too. As a parent to more than one teenager, this stuff is REAL. Real & scary. I know that B's life was tough and he wasn't always the most likable kid. Jerm said that he could be a real jerk sometimes, but to know that he's gone? That is just unimaginable. I cannot for the life of me grasp what his parents must be going through. I try my hardest to put myself in those shoes and the amount of grief from just imagining it is overpowering and debilitating.

I had a chance to talk to Jerm about it alone yesterday in the truck. After he asked what would cause someone to die from an amphetamine OD, he said he thought B. & C. were so stupid and why would they do that? I tried to explain that most teenagers and young adults do not have a clear concept of their own mortality. I explained that teenagers tend to make impulsive choices. He bristled a bit at my stereotyping, but I explained that I wasn't trying to put a "bad" label on teenagers...just one that seemed to fit most. I told him that living life and growing older gives you a new perspective on things - teaches you about mortality - tends to make you more cautious. I also mentioned to him that one summer - I think it was between my Freshman & Sophomore years - a rash of teenagers died in my small town. They all had been drinking/doing drugs & driving. I had an older, out of high school friend who also happened to be a volunteer firefighter who had described to me in detail at least two of the accident scenes. Needless to say, I didn't ever drive after partying. It had hit close to home for me like I think this news of B. & C. has hit close to home for Jerm.

I don't think Jerm does drugs and I don't think he drinks on a regular basis. He doesn't really go anywhere and pretty much hangs out with his XBox 360. For all intents and purposes, the most trouble I have ever had with this eldest child of mine has been his mouthiness. He still likes to play basketball over at the church, plays school baseball and loves to throw a football around or get his friends together for a pick up football game in the snow, but I don't think he is into partying. I know for a fact that Jerm has tried marijuana (with his cousin) and he said he didn't think it was all that cool. He also got himself shitfaced drunk at home last New Year's eve while we were at a party up the street. He actually texted me to tell me at 2am. Needless to say, he hasn't over imbibed since praying to the porcelain goddess a few hours later that morning.

Honestly, by the time I was Jerm's age, I had already done all my partying as a teenager. I had already met DH and was settling down. My idea of a good time was Monopoly at my Dad's house with the hubby, my cousin & my best friend and a couple sixes of Michelob beer. Sometimes I worry Jerm's lack of partying now will resurface during college and that scares the living shit out of me. I can only hope and pray to my Heavenly Father that He keeps Jerm safe and that Jerm keeps his levelheadedness.

At some point, you realize that most of the teaching you do for your child is done in the early years and once they hit the tumultuous teen years, it is more about them finding their own footing in life and learning how to be their own adult person. That is not to say that there aren't teaching moments, but they aren't as plentiful as they were back when they were little children. Teenagers just aren't as "moldable" as little people are.

So if you pray, I ask that you pray for B.'s family and if you don't pray, please send some good thoughts/energy their way. I cannot even imagine how life goes on after something like this....

A Kid's Meme - Revisited

1. What is something mom always says to you?
D (age 4) - I don't know
D (age 7.5) - Clean your room
T (age 9) - I love you

2. What makes mom happy?
4yo - When I am being good
7.5yo - Laying in her bed
9yo - When we are behaved

3. What makes mom sad?
4yo- When I punch you
7.5 yo- When we don't like your cooking
9yo- When you and Dad fight

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
4yo - She does funny things
7.5yo - Asking me these questions
9yo - When she and Jeremy say funny jokes together

5. What was your mom like as a child?
4yo & 9yo- I dont know.
7.5yo - Sneaky.

6. How old is your mom?
4yo - 10
7.5 yo- 39
9yo - 37 or 38 - not sure

7. How tall is your mom?
4yo - 10
7.5 yo - Shorter than Becca
9yo - Not much taller than me
(Ummm, I think everyone knows I'm short now, don't they?)

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
4yo - go somewhere
7.5yo- exercise
9yo - play on the computer w/friends or play kickball in the yard with the family

9. What does your mom do when you are not around?
4yo & 9yo - I don't know
7.5yo - She lays down

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
4yo - You're going to be fired if you do that.
7.5yo -Exercising
9yo - Being the best Mom

11. What is your mom really good at?
4yo - Nothing.
7.5yo - Telling us what to do.
9yo- Taking care of everyone

12. What is your mom not so good at?
4yo - I don't know
7.5yo - Making us hush up
9yo - Basketball

13. What does your mom do for her job?
4yo - Nothing
7.5yo - Taking care of the house
9yo - Taking care of us and making sure no one gets hurt

14. What is your mom’s favorite food?
4yo - Mackee-oh-nee pizza (silly giggle)
7.5yo - Lasagna
9yo - Chocolate covered strawberries

15. What makes you proud of your mom?
4yo - I don't know.
7.5yo - She's a good cook
9yo - Taking care of everyone when Dad's not around.

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
4yo - Caillou or Patrick
7.5yo - Mighty Mom from Fairly Odd Parents
9yo - Pink Panther

17. What do you and your mom do together?
4yo - Go buy pizza
7.5 yo - Cook
9yo- Play kickball or catch

18. How are you and your mom the same?
4yo - I don't know
7.5yo - We both have brown hair (apparently he doesn't believe my hair is naturally pink...hahaha)
9yo - We have fun playing sports as a family

19. How are you and your mom different?
4yo - I just don't know (said in a "why are you asking these questions" type whine)
7.5yo - She is a girl & I am a boy
9yo - She likes strawberries and I don't

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
4yo - No answer
7.5yo - She cooks for me
9yo - She feeds & takes care of us and she makes sure we behave and don't get hurt


Very Interesting....

Two more things

1.) We are definitely going on vacation. We are leaving for the very northern tip of NH on Wednesday. I am excited for 4-5 days of not being here. I think the kiddos are too.

2.)Em peed on the potty before her bath today! She has been sitting backwards on the pot before her tub for months and months, but today was the day that she actually had to pee. YAY! I think maybe once the kiddos are back in school that we may try to get her PT'd. ::fingers crossed::

That is all. :)

For Rach - our weekend

I'm not sure I have a whole lot to blog about, but since you asked... ;)

Jeremy went for his barium swallow chest xray series on Thursday. We have the films in the truck waiting on the Sept. 2nd appointment w/the cardiologist. The techs never tell you anything and I really haven't pulled them all out to look at them. I did pull one out and I could see the barium gliding down his middle. YUMMMM...he loved it. NOT!

After he was done, I stopped to see hubby at the shop and then we headed to my favorite coffee shop where I treated him to a slushy coffee drink and an apple fritter. I was good and had a spinach bagel, but of course I had them put some chive cream cheese on. Oh well, it was yummy! I rested for a bit and then decided to get out and weed the garden. It was getting WAY out of hand. So after about an hour or two, I had the whole garden done and felt pretty good about it. I also was happy to see a MESS of roma tomatoes on my tomato plants. They are still green, but they were planted from seed directly into the garden and I didn't think it would work. Here in CT you are supposed to plant certain seeds indoors around February, slowly "harden them off" outside and then plant into the garden once the chance of frost is over. I'll know that for next year. ;)

Friday I woke up sore from the weeding, but I had to clean the house. It really wasn't too bad as I was pretty good about keeping it up during the week. The floors are always filthy, but that's what happens when you have 6 kids, 2 dogs and a gravel/dirt circular driveway. I tried to have the little boys clean their room, but after 3 hours and not much progress, I sent them outside to play. I get very frustrated with them and I think that once school starts I will have to go in there and overhaul the room myself. They just don't take care of anything and I'm not sure how to go about getting them to understand that they have to. Sometimes I think that having so many things makes them unappreciative, but even when we've taken just about everything away, they still don't care. Sigh.

Saturday started early. I had to get to Sams Club as we were out of EVERYTHING. You know it is bad when only the 4lbs of pretzels are left in the snack closet. I woke Becca up at 6:40am and we were out of the house before 7am. Took us about 2 hours at Sams from start to check out and $916 later, we were out the door. I texted hubby the amount as I always pay with a business check. This is what my text said, verbatim: "Don't shit a brick. 915.46 for Sams" I told Becca that I was glad I didn't have to tell him that in person! He did eventually text me back and then call me. I told him to shit gold bricks if he had to because then we could pay for all the food the kids eat. Thankfully I got a chuckle out of him. :)

After getting all the food put away and finagling all the frozen goods into the freezer, I decided to use the treadmill since I hadn't been to the gym since Wednesday. I got an hour in, but of course not without 4 or 5 interruptions from the kiddos. That is why I prefer the gym, I think. I can focus on just the exercise and nothing else.

After my shower, I decided to wash the truck. David helped. I had to remind myself that he was 4 quite a few times, but I never yelled or got uptight and was proud of myself because he really had fun doing it and asked if we could wash the truck every day. Go Mommy :)

Chris pretty much worked ALL day. He is working on a new business venture with someone. I really hope it all pans out because it will mean good money for all parties involved without the back breaking labor he is used to. He is in the beginning stages and still working on the product development, but the small product sample they showed me on Saturday late afternoon was VERY promising. I pray that God will make their paths straight if it is meant to be.

After we sat down and ate dinner, I pretty much went to bed. Unfortunately, all the weeding, truck washing & the treadmill workout made a sore spot ALL over me and I couldn't sleep even though I was SOOOO tired. I ended up taking a couple advil and a couple of benedryl. I soon was feeling warm & fuzzy and went to sleep.

Sunday I woke up feeling like my head was in a fog. I couldn't think straight and felt awful. I didn't even go to church even though I had planned to. I tried drinking my coffee and had some breakfast. Still no change. I took a shower and hubby and I went for a ride. I just felt like I was carrying around a ton of bricks all day and by the time we came home from our ride, I laid down and took a nap. I awoke around 5 and hubby and the kids were shucking the corn for supper. I found the lobster pot for the corn, sliced up some fresh garden tomatoes (our neighbor is overrun with tomatoes & I happily helped him out by taking a bunch) and hubby grilled. I felt so much better.

After supper I cleaned up the (Sundays are my only clean up night) and then met hubby and the other children next door at the church for some basketball. We were joined by the niece of our across the street neighbors. She is visiting for a few weeks from Germany and is 16. We played guys against the girls (Chris & Jerm against Bec, T & I). The girls kicked butt, but of course, I cheated and that's ok because I was at least 2 feet shorter than everyone else. I also bowed out a few minutes early as Davey & Em were covered with dirt from head to toe. After I got them bathed & settled in bed, I headed across the street and visited with the neighbors in front of their bonfire. They are such nice couple and I'm so glad they moved in. L. (the male half of the couple) has promised to try and get Jerm out of his shell and help him with his German homework. He's a really neat guy (was a carpenter back in Germany and is a computer programmer here) and I know Jerm would enjoy hanging out with him. He mentioned maybe riding together (L. likes to bike it) and I told him if Jerm gets the all clear from the cardiologist in a few weeks, that would be cool.

So that was my totally boring weekend.

I am hoping that the next time I blog, it will be to tell you about our vacation. Fingers crossed that hubby is able to ditch work for the last half of the week so that we can head to NH. I just need to get out of here in a bad way and NH always soothes my soul.

Did I mention how angry I am with the MPAA?

Ah yes - the Motion Picture Association of America.

Did you know that if you walk into a theater, buy your 16 1/2 year old a ticket to an "R" rated movie (The Pineapple Express) and then try to send him in on his own, you will have some short, silly looking woman who works for said theater tell you that he cannot watch the movie? Even when you tell her that this child is YOUR son and is just months shy of 17 and you have NO problems with him seeing the movie?

Holy Age Restrictions, Batman!

I am flabbergasted. I understand the ratings. I understand about rules, however, I am the child's parent and if I say he can go watch some stupid "R" rated movie then MPAA be damned. He doesn't need me to hold his freakin' hand while he watches it. Yet, that is exactly what I had to do.

My plan was to watch Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 w/Bec & her friend, C. What ended up happening is me sitting in a theater with a bunch of teenyboppers (who really didn't ALL look 17 or accompanied by their parents) watching a movie about smoking maryjane & friendship.

Now either way, I realized I was going to be sitting watching some kind of teenybopper movie, but I was looking forward to a chick flick (which is usually SO not my style). I also got a bit miffed that it was ok to leave my 13yo *ok, almost 14yo* in a theater alone because I was required to sit with my 16 1/2 yo according to the MPAA. On the way home, while I was still spitting nails at the stupidity of it all, I wondered aloud if the MPAA has police and if they randomly target movie theaters across the country and bust all the under 17's in "R" rated movies? I mean seriously...unless that's the case, I don't understand the total adherence to the "under 17 must be accompanied by adult" rule. And apparently from the looks of the theater, they didn't care about anyone, except for Jerm, not getting in.

Ah well, like I told Jerm - few more months and this won't be an issue anymore. He was only angry because he knew I was looking forward to the Sisterhood movie, but truth be told, it wasn't a hardship to watch a movie with him. And let's face it, it's pretty cool that my 16 1/2 yo is totally cool with me watching a movie with him. In fact, we spent the whole afternoon together yesterday (including a late lunch out) and I enjoyed it immensely.

Oh and as an update on said Jerm...He is due at the imaging center Thursday morning for a barium swallow chest xray series and then sees the pediatric cardiologist on Sept. 2nd. While I hope they don't find something awful, I am hoping they find something that explains his episodes. He also had his physical yesterday and he is 6' tall and 139.5lbs. Tall and lanky. I cannot believe he is only 6' because he looks taller to me - well except when he stands next to his Dad and then I can tell he is about 3" shorter. :oP

Life is good even if there are snotty ticket takers at movie theaters policing for underage watchers who are actually OK'd to be there by their parent.

TGIF

Thank God it's Friday....
Why?

I think this term was made up for people who work outside of the home AND who do not ever work weekends. Seriously. What the heck is so good about Friday? I mean, they even named a restaurant TGIFridays...WHY?

When I worked outside of the home back when my two eldest were little, Fridays were good because I knew I had the weekend off, but I was TIRED from working the whole week. Saturday was a MUCH better day and led to a much fresher faced Di. Truth be told, Saturday nights were always the better night to go out and have fun.

Now that I've been retired from Accounting for over 13 years, Fridays aren't anything at all to me. It's just another day. No break. Sometimes even Saturdays don't feel like a break because my darling husband still has to work. I mean, during the school year it just means the little ones will be under feet for the next two days and begging to play Nintendo DS or the big ones will be asking which friend they can have over or go somewhere with.

I actually love Sundays, truth be told. They are a day where we all are together. No one works. Usually half of us go to church (which is next door, btw - no real hardship to get there) and we're out by 11. Sundays during the winter months are usually the best for me. I cook a little and then take nice leisurely naps on the sofa in front of the TV. Ahhhhhh...niiiiiiiiccccccce. It is like my own little slice of heaven on earth.....

So yeah, today is Friday and nothing is different from the four days that came before it. I'm doing laundry and cleaning the house. Can't wait for Sunday though....... :)

So far this week...

I used my treadmill at home.
I said good bye to my nephew who leaves for Marine boot camp in 5 days.
I didn't cry even though I wanted to.
I spent time with my ILs.
I received some funny texts from a friend named Jenn (I love you an envelope!)
I've been to the gym two days in a row.
I plan on making it three days in a row.
I've stepped up my cardio workouts.
I've lost 5 pounds.
I have about 30 more pounds to go.
I cooked a meal that included all the veggies I could pick from the garden (except that lone string bean off of David's school plant - I ate that raw.).
I went and had an ice cream cone by myself at my favorite homemade ice cream place (butter pecan on a sugar cone).
I chose the ice cream over french fries from the burger stand up the street.
I figured ice cream was dairy and good for me.
I broke my washing machine.
I haven't done any laundry.
I'm scared that the laundry monster will come and eat us all alive if my washing machine is not fixed soon.
I spoke to the repairman and he promised it would be fixed in a couple of days.
I hope so.
I cleaned up vomit from my girl & her carseat - twice - on a ride we took.
I decided that rides were better without most of the children.
I also decided that maybe my girl gets carsick.
I've missed my LFFs and wished we all lived closer.
I've gotten irritated with someone from HTs and have decided that it is best I do not respond to her any more.
I watched Dirty Jobs on the boob tube.
I saw a picture of me from Sunday and realized that I really am tired of the way I look.
I am able to do a mile in under 16 minutes on the treadmill now - please don't mind my wheezing.
I've done crunches on my exercise ball - only 10 at a time.
I've found out that crunches hurt my tummy.
I noticed that my tummy muscles laugh at me when I'm not looking - slackers.
I had some icky man choose the treadmill next to me even though there were at least 25 others open.
I was weirded out and didn't look anywhere, but forward, until he left.
I was told we are taking a vacation in two weeks.
I am not holding my breath.
I am wishing that it was not raining and that the children could all go outside and play now.
I am done blogging for now.