The Dock at PK

For my B-day today I went to lunch with my girlfriend, Rhonda, that I have known for a very long time and she gave me this book called "Dance While You Can by Lance Wubbels."

As I was reading through the book this afternoon (little short inspirations with photos) - I came across this one inspiration that I want to share and comment on.

I can't believe this photo reminds me of us. We always do this when we are out at PK - for years we have done this...so touching it makes me want to cry. Rhonda, did you buy this book because of this one page???

I know you can't read the inspiration and wording to the left, please find that as follows:

To Dance....

I will measure my words ever so carefully

and make certain I speak the truth in love.

I will suppress the urge to win arguments and prove I'm right.

Great inspiration, for friends or with family members!!

Thanks Rhonda for such a great b-day lunch and nice day today...hope we share many more!!

Low Diastolic Blood Pressure

I know I'm having a bad flare-up now. In my post a couple of days ago I was talking about having numbness in my arms and pain in my nails and such. Today I had my treatment and my diastolic blood pressure (BP) was significantly low....during the 7 hours I was receiving my treatment - the nurse checks my BP every 30 mins and the average of my BP today was... 99/49 - 101/54 (my normal ranges 120/90), after my treatment it went up to 110/64..guess it knocked down some of the inflammation. I can't imagine what this number gets like when I sleep!!! No wonder my arms go numb...I'm not getting a sufficient amount of oxygen and blood....no wonder I've fainted on several occassions!! Hey, it could be much worse..I'm doing much better with these treatments!!

Carpe Diem

The Helicopter Mom

The “Palmer Drive - Bree Austin Household” has been a similar scene to the “Hysteria Lane - Bree Van De Campe Household” this week. Surprisingly inspired and caused by Bree Austin!” It wasn’t me this time…I promise!!!

My daughter, Brittnee, is in Pre-AP Language Arts and she had this 324 page novel “Anne of Avonlea” to read over a course of 3 weeks. The project counted as 3 test grades which could make or break her grade.

Scared and upset, my daughter approaches me on Sunday morning and tells me, “Mom, I haven’t read the book and I have a test on Tuesday…I’m in so much trouble, can you help me?” I should have asked her, “Who are you asking, Bree Van De Campe - the OCD Helicopter MOM or me?” Even though the thought did cross my mind… I wished I could be that “Mean Spirited Individual,”…. it’s just not who I am. I did the predictable and lectured her about the procrastinated predicament and the consequence of her actions that could transpire and will transpire if she pulls this dumb stunt again.

Carpe Diem

After the lecture, instead of being mad and upset with this whole situation, I started to reflect back when Bree was little and how I enjoyed reading to my little girl. It has almost been a decade since I last read to her. So, I don’t have to tell you what I was thinking when she come to me….but I didn’t let her know that!

A carpe diem opportunity had presented itself to me and I quickly recognized my chance to spend quality time and have control of a situation and her teenaged monopolized time once more.

The Book

If anyone hasn’t read “Anne of Avonlea,” it is a good book. The beginning is a little difficult, because Anne is a teacher in a community (Avonlea) and therefore, there are various characters with different personality types that have to be established at the beginning of the book before the action starts and the use of slang is a bit annoying because it took place a long time ago making it challenging to read out loud. But once you get through it…it’s a fun read.

In a previous post, I have talked about my thoughts and feelings on spanking kids. There is a young boy named “Davy” in this book he is just a pill…he does all sorts of colored things. Hilarious and funny - one situation where he is in the church and does something to a little girl…took me back to a time when I was in church with my brother and he was committing mortifying acts against people that were sitting in front of us…I guess some things never change. Davy was definitely my favorite character, but he did deserve a spanking on several occasions.

With that being said, I’m glad I read this book, I think it’s a good idea that, as parents, we investigate what our children are having to read in school because it helps us to understand where our kids are coming from when you react a particular way as a parent and your son or daughter tells you you’re abusive because you hit them on the leg with a mere flimsy flip-flop….as responsible parents, we should make it our prerogative to know where this type of thinking is coming from! This teacher feels that spanking is a result of anger and therefore hitting is teaching your child to react violently out of anger. I thought this was a great way to explain it.

Success

I happen to agree with this sentiment to an extent…I believe “Children” need to be spanked in moderation up to a certain “Age.” Then you must change your approach – learning how to leverage with them… teaching them how to be good communicators is the key to their future and creates a more defined controlled path or a guide in relationships resulting in a more successful happy life.

Brittnee said on her test there wasn’t a question she wasn’t 100% percent certain of the answer and she was most grateful for what I had done to help her…I’m glad this “Helicopter Mom Moment” propelled a successful outcome for now!

Pain In The Nail

My Nail beds hurt so bad..

Read this - half and half Nail in Behcets

• I guess I'm still having flare-ups! Although not as bad but there still occuring. A couple of days ago, I was up at night because my arms and legs were going numb and then the next day I had changes in my nail beds and pain...this is why I can't get fake-nails...they would just lift off because of the inflammation. They hurt so bad. I can't stand it! And my leg is driving me nuts!!! I think it's the nerve endings. It's like I have the shingles...all the time!!!
  

Another Sore on my leg! Hurts, itches and stings!

Happy B-day Mikey!

Today my husband has finally caught up with me...... in age - he is now 38 for a really long 11 days till I'm older than he is again...dang-blast (I love this emotional word my bff Nancy uses it...I had to use it). Why can't this be the other way around? I don't like being the older one in the relationship...I can't tease him about it!

Happy B-day Mike, I hope your day is as special as you are! I love you and I wish all the best for you - except for being younger than me...HAHA!

Sending My Brittnee Off To School This Morning

First Day of School

I will never forget the first day my daughter, Brittnee, went off to kindergarten I was so particular with how she was dressed, what she eat for breakfast and if she remembered her lunch, but most importantly – I was concerned if I had fully prepared and equipped her socially for how she would behave away from home; do not hit others, be respectful of others, listen when your teacher or someone else is speaking to you, don’t talk about people - view people through your own eyes and not others, etc....

First Day of School - Into the Transitional/Non-traditional New America

8 years later I find myself with similar anxious feelings and having to give another lecture to my 14 year old daughter this morning before she left for school, “Brittnee, today you may witness and be involved in discussions about our new president-elect...some conversations could turn quite negative and may even spin out of control. It’s very important to diffuse any negative talk. We have evolved as a country and it’s important to be supportive and hold your head high. Be a good role model and express your happiness for such a long awaited accomplishment that has happened here in America.”

Practicing What Our Mother's Have Preached

After telling my daughter this, I come to the realization we must teach our children to be positive, supportive Americans..even when the outcome may not be in our favor. Therefore, as adults, it’s equally important for us to apply the same historically taught social approach.

Hope

I’m very happy America has come this far and I hope and pray that Obama leads our country into a new positive direction.

The Future

It's amazing, in the next election, Brittnee will be old enough to vote!!

Pep Rally

Uploaded on authorSTREAM by jenece