If you thought I was going to write about my first foray into 'organized' sports in 5 years...you would be right.

I played in my alumni volleyball tournament last weekend. It was fun. Made even more fun because of the great ladies I was playing with. They were forgiving of my passing transgressions, and the fact that I can't remember how to hit right side or serve overhand or rotate properly (sometimes).

But earlier this week I was using my laundry basket as a walker because my knees hurt so badly. I'm afraid I'm going to be one of those 45 year old patients in the hospital getting a knee replacements.

And also, I got the 'formal' job offer to work in surgery! I am extremely excited because my desire to work in surgery is really the reason I went to nursing school in the first place.

My only reservation is if I ever have to have knee replacement surgery and I have it there, all my coworkers will see me naked!

It will be like that dream where you go to work and realize you are naked. Because you are!

I could never figure out how people have babies in the hospital they work in either.

Weird.

I guess I will cross those bridges when I come to them.

For now:Excited.

I don't talk about this very much because most people don't want to hear it. But today I'm going to do it simply because I was just reading an article about it online at Kiplinger's magazine.

Whenever I (or we) talk to people about becoming debt free and not using credit cards this is what I hear...

"But I get cash back on my credit card purchases," and then they attempt to convince me that they are getting a good deal. So here it is for any of you that might possibly be able to be influenced about the use of rewards cards for purchases:

"The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago looked at the spending habits of people
before and after they were enrolled in a cash-back rewards program. The study
found that spending and debt increased by $79 and $191 a month, respectively,
with an average cash-back reward of $25. And 11% of cardholders who didn't use
their cards during the three months prior to enrolling in the cash-back program
spent at least $50 in the first month of the program.".

In the interest of full disclosure I have to tell you that when we relocate I
am looking at houses we cannot afford in cash and will probably take out a
mortgage. Although 30 years sounds like an awful long time for 2,200
square feet of living space. I wonder if it's worth it?

And also, the other day my dear son took my husband's debit card out of his
wallet and was pretending to pay for something. With plastic. I'm
going to have to go back to cash-only. My lack of commitment is
manifesting itself in my child's attitude toward money.

And he isn't even three yet!

You thought I would leave you with such a vague description of what is going on with my dear son? I won't, but I also won't claim to be an occupational therapist although I am interested in the profession.

He has OT/PT scheduled to come to the house on Monday so we shall see. Here are the contents of an email I sent to my husband the other day.

Sound like anyone you know?

Sensory seeking tactile symptoms may include:
• Frequently craves touch, tickles, back massages, and hugs
• May engage in self injury, such as biting, pinching, or head banging
• Need to touch and feel everything in the environment that other children understand not to touch
• Twirl hair in fingers
• Seeks activities that involve messy play
• Likes to touch soft or smooth surfaces
• Likes the feeling of objects that have vibration
• May cram food in mouth when eating
• High tolerance for heat and cold temperatures
• Prefer spicy food
• Frequently remove socks and shoes

I have no idea how it took me this long to call the doctor. I don't feel guilty, just glad that we might all feel better soon! If you want more info look up sensory integration disorder.

Although the occupational therapist hasn't seen him yet, Dr. Google has.

Hope you're having a good Sunday.

Growing Pains

Whew.

My dear son officially started early intervention services with the state today. I have had several concerns about his sensory processing and hyperactivity and brought them up with his doctor who suggested the "full workup" with early childhood development, SLP (speech language pathologist), OT (occupational therapy), and PT (if needed--which he really doesn't).

When I went through the list he had a quite few in each category (sensory processing disorder and ADHD) so we'll see if I'm totally a helicopter mom and paranoid or if we will actually be helped by some sort of individual family education plan or IEP for him. Perhaps we will all get some rest in our house.

He is so sweet and I just want him to be able to get some rest. We talked about maybe having a sleep study done on him as well (wouldn't it be great if it was something that could be corrected physiologically? I find that sort of thing much easier to deal with).

On to me.

Have had several job offers. Wondering if the old adage about marriage holds true for career.

"It's just as easy to fall in love with a well paying job as a poorly paying one."

Hmmm...I'm not sure it works. Perhaps I should ask the teachers and social workers out there if this is true? Ha. All meant in jest, mostly because I know a lot of great teachers who love going to work every day. I'm not sure any of them would love a corporate job that much.

But I digress.

Only other news is that my transmission has to be rebuilt to the tune of $1800.

So to recap, decisions to make today:

Relocate, do not relocate?

Sell house, do not sell house?

Buy new car, do not buy new car?

Admit that I'm having difficulty parenting my child, or do not admit it?

Paint bathroom, or play outside? (this one is easy)


Like I said: Whew!

Within the last hour I have:

Walked into the living room/kitchen and found a carton of broken eggs on the floor, my son with a bowl and a fork whipping one egg to "make eggs" for himself. It was cute, but messy.

and

Walked into the living room after aforementioned child was in bed and found my dog standing in the middle of the coffee table.

Both unrelated, but both out of the ordinary.

First, I drove 45 miles to find a deserted parking lot at my school.

Should have checked the website, but the roads were clear!

Then I called my dear husband. I set out my proposed plan for the day.
Work out. Do homework. Do absolutely nothing.

Then he gently suggested that perhaps I do "some" laundry since I have the day off.

LMAO.

Great Legs

Hello again.

After bragging extensively about the great side table I found for my bedroom I take it all back.

This time I found two great side tables that match! Solid oak! Look at those legs! $10 each.

And I didn't even go to the auction. After driving about 20 minutes North I decided to take a left instead of a right and go to the birthday party after all.

How many times does a loved one turn 83? And how many more birthdays are there after age 83? It was a beautiful drive and a beautiful day to be out on the farm.

Makes me want to buy one. More on that topic later.

Peanuts

I have had the whole weekend to myself! Aside from feeling like a pretty bad granddaughter-in-law because my hubby and child are at my grandmother-in-law's all weekend for her birthday it has been pretty great having some time to myself where I don't have to do anything I don't feel like doing.

However, I have to tell you that I really probably should be doing laundry because this morning all I had left in my drawers were thong underwear. Which I haven't worn since before I had my dear son. I'm sure all you family members who read this really wanted to know that.

Secondly, I have to tell you about this product I found that you should try if you are so inclined. I haven't been telling you about it because they only sell it two places and I wanted to keep it all to myself.
Honey Maid S'mores cookies.
You can purchase them at Super Target or HyVee.
You're welcome.

And thirdly, I have been buying bags of circus peanuts, which may only be explainable by my family history. (And sugar addiction).

I will not do laundry today. I will not clean the house today. I will go to an auction and spend the entire day there just for the thrill of finding a good deal.

And I'll probably be wearing a thong tomorrow, too.

Two years

When I first met the woman I now refer to as "my therapist" I told her a brief synopsis of my life during the first session. During the second session she started with,

"I've been thinking about your life, and I just want to ask you--do you see an end to all the stress you are currently experiencing? I mean, is there a time in the future when you can say: Yes, all this stress will be over.?"

I teared up and said,

"I wish I could say that. Maybe in two years?"

Well I'm here to tell you, the two years is almost up. And I was right. The stress did not end for the whole two years--BUT.

Only 9 short weeks left and I will be walking at graduation. Neither of my parents will be there, but my adorable son and doting husband will be sitting there cheering me on. And the following week I will be sitting in the crowd as my husband is handed his Bachelor's degree after a grueling 5 years of work for him (and me).

I had an interview this week for a position. The wonderfully kind interviewer started the conversation first with weather and then asked me if I knew the hospital at all. I vaguely said yes, I had been here with family and she said,

"I hope everything turned out well."

Hmmmm..

"It didn't, but it was a few years ago."

Not a promising start. Why don't you start off your interview telling a random stranger that after a long battle with cancer at insert hospital name here he died in 2009.

Luckily, out of the blue she started talking about how her dad had died in December of 2009.

"It was a rough year." She said as we walked onto the elevator.

"Yes, my dad died on December 7, 2009."

She looked at me,

"He must have been pretty young. How old was he?"

"53."

She knitted her brows together,

"That's how old I am."

The elevator door opened, we walked to her office and I spend an hour and a half interviewing for the position.

They offered me the job today.