Things really do happen for a reason

Today a wonderful, validating thing happened. First you'll need just a little backstory.

For the last two years my son has been in school, it has been a constant battle. He is diagnosed as bipolar and ADHD. The last two years have been a living hell dealing with the school district and trying to make them understand that he has an illness. He was just considered a "bad" kid. Since he isn't mentally delayed (quite the opposite actually), I was told that there wasn't really anything they (the school system) could do. Well finally I was given some awesome advice and now things are going much better. As of today, we finalized a behavior plan with the school which will give my son the opportunity to learn to cope with his problems and not for them to call me everytime. So all of the time I have spent with the school, counselors, psychiatrists, advocates, etc. has given me plenty of knowledge on how to deal with the school system.

Ok so the point of this story is that today I was able to use all the knowledge I have gained to help someone else. These people were desperate and wore completely out. I was able to give them enough information to get their grandchild what he needed from the school. His "behavior" was so bad, the school had told these people that their grandchild needed to be institutionalized. That is the LAST resort for any child. Plus this child had 3 or 4 diagnoses that would enable him to fall under the heading of special education. The school had not helped them at all.

Today was so gratifying. I honestly believe there is a reason for everything and this just helps prove that to me. I went through so much and yet was there to help these people and give them the information needed to solve some of their problems. I truly hope things work out for them and their grandchild. I have GOT to stop questioning why things happen to me and just go with it. If anyone reads this and needs information about the sort of things I'm writing about, I'd be more than happy to help you.

Oh and it was Administrative Professional's Day (formerly Secretary's Day) so I got gifts. Isn't that a fabulous way to get me out of my funk?! So to all you Administrative people out there, hope you had a great day!

Vacation time again

So we all know it's almost that time of year again. Time to dig out the swimsuits (and hope we fit in them) and go somewhere fun! I am having a terrible time figuring out where to go this year. I had just about settled on Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX area because there are so many things to do. Now I can't seem to make up my mind. Plus this will be the first time my son and I have gone on vacation by ourselves. Usually we go with friends or my sister and her family. It's a little scary. I hate driving in big cities. *sigh* Anyone out there actually read this and have any ideas for a kid-friendly (and mom-friendly) vacations???? We've been to St. Louis and Gulf Shores in the past and had a great time but I wanted to try something different this year. I still have a little while to make decision. Maybe I'll get it together by the time the summer officially rolls around. :)

Life is full of choices

My son's birthday was Monday. He turned 7 years old. This is the first year that I wouldn't let my mother speak to him on his birthday. To make a long story short, my mother is a severe alcoholic and occasional drug user. As of Christmas 2008, my middle sister and I decided we just could not subject our children to the kind of things she is doing. While we were visiting for Christmas, she decided it'd be a great idea to just light up a joint in the kitchen. Hell no. We don't allow our children around things like that. So anyway, this is the first time since he was born that he didn't get to see or talk to my mother for his birthday. She was PISSED! She called about 20 times. I felt horrible but also felt that I needed to stick to my decision. I'm hoping she will decide to straighten up b/c that is the only way she'll be able to ever see my son again.

I just really needed to let that out. I hate this. I really love and miss my mom but I could no longer handle the stress of dealing with her. She is so hurtful and mean. The world revolves around her and she will do anything to blame her actions on someone else. *sigh* I guess this is true of most alcoholics but how are the families of these people supposed to deal with their problems? I hate this and it's one of the hardest things I've ever done...

Just thoughts...

I am a 26 year old, fairly normal woman. I have a good job, great kid, mostly great friends, and most things are just all around good for me right now. So why in the hell do things keep falling apart for me??? And why is there always such childish drama around? I mean I thought at some point you grew up and things changed. Apparently, I am sooo wrong. Why do people you consider your best friends hurt you the most? I have GOT to stop letting people rule my emotions like I do. When will I learn that it's my life and who cares what everyone else says or does?

*And yes these are all rhetorical questions. :)

Weather people are overpaid

I think our weather people need some serious re-training. All I heard yesterday was about this HUGE ice storm we were supposed to have last night. People were attacking Wal-Mart so they would be prepared for it.

This morning, I wake up and look outside...nothing. I get my son ready for school and I get myself ready for work. He is actually waiting for the bus until I realized that we've been waiting for too long. I turned on the TV and every stinkin' school in a 50-mile radius is closed!

What is going on? There is more ice on my porch than on the road. I mean literally NOTHING was on the road. It was a perfectly fine day to go to work and school. Well when the public school is closed, my work is usually closed except for the office staff (which I am). I called my boss and she decides she isn't coming either...at this point I think that maybe everyone in my town is having a mass hallucination of ice or snow or something.

It turns out, the school administration was just being cautious. There was more weather predicted for later on in the day and they didn't want to take any chances. But still. Give me a break would ya? I cannot believe that I had to use a sick day from work for NO REASON. *sigh* And after all that, we didn't get anything after all...what would these people do in Michigan or Minnesota???

Pretend relatives

Apparently I have waaay too many pretend relatives. Since my real mom is crazy and my dad is dead, I have a pretend mom and a pretend dad (which by the way have never met). I also have assorted kids that call me their aunt. Today my kiddo (who is almost 7) asked me if one of these kids was his cousin. Hmmm. Good question. Technically no but kind of yes. So I told him it was similar to having a pretend Mawmaw and Pappy. He said "Ok, well maybe our whole life can just be pretend". *sigh* I guess this means I may need to lay off of adding anymore pretend relatives to our lives for a little while....

And here I was thinking I was making a pretty normal life for him.

an apology and movie trivia :)

So I guess my intention of writing all the time didn't work out. lol I'm going to start from today and see how it goes. How about I just do a little no brainer thing. I'm going to post some movie trivia. These are some of my favorite quotes. If anyone is reading this and needs the answers, leave me a comment asking me and I'll send them to you.

Bonus points for knowing the movie and who said it!

~What we've got here is failure to communicate.

~A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti.

~Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop sniffing glue.

~Don't knock masturbation. It's sex with someone I love.

~Insanity runs in my family. It practically gallops.

~Don't mess with the bull, young man. You'll get the horns!

~Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.

~If I'd been a ranch, they would've named me the Bar Nothing.

~I'll remember you, honey. You're the one that got away.

~Personally, Veda's convinced me that alligators have the right idea. They eat their young. (One of my favorite movies!)

~Chivalry is not only dead, it's decomposed.

~Snakes! Why did it have to be snakes?

~Are you gonna bark all day, little doggie, or are you gonna bite?

~Sometimes you gotta say, "What the fuck."

~All right, Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up.

~There's a name for you ladies, but it isn't used in high society -- outside of a kennel.

Good Luck!