Do you ever look at your family and just SMH?

I know at this point in my life that I should fully acknowledge the fact that there are times my family will still be able to amaze me, usually in their stupidity or unfeeling nature, and leave me to ponder whether I am indeed related to them.  Kind of like the other day when my liberal yet Jewish Uncle was trying to make Obamas stance on the Israeli Hamas conflict have a positive spin.  I am surprised that another family member has managed to land such a lob so quickly.  Man, we're talking twice in one week here folks!  Damn- I got off my antidepressants and anxiety meds why?  When I have to deal with this people on a regular basis.  WTF was I thinking?  OK, maybe someone should pass a bottle of wine.

So what exactly is triggering this response?  My mom came home from my sisters tonight and let me know that Bailey, my sisters puppy, is now wearing a shock collar.  Now the back story on this one if you really need to have back story at all other than its freaking inhumane is that many moons ago when my parents adopted Spot, our Dalmatian, (ok not an original name but she was deaf so the name wasn't used often anyway) she had a band around her neck that was open red raw oozing sores from where she'd been shocked repeated with a shock collar.  Oh yeah, its just a little buzz and won't hurt them.  BULLSHIT!  Now I'll be the first to say that Spot was a very stubborn and not well socialized dog when we got her.  Her bark was also piercing.  I admit all those things were problematic.  Don't you think that her previous owners could have clued into the collar not working before the dogs neck was a mess of sores?  So even if I'd been remotely on the fence about shock collars up until that point in time I was dead set against them after that.

Now my sister and her family adopted a pure bred yellow Lab that was born the day before Valentine's Day.  So for all intents and purposes this dog is still a baby.  My parents and I have been pretty against the way that my sister and brother in law have been handling the whole new puppy in the house routine.  They hired a "dog whisperer" who came in and helped with training.  Then about a month ago Bailey was dispatched to live at the dog whisperers house for a month of intense training.  Seriously??!!!??  Who in the bloody fu$% sends off a 5 month old puppy for intense training?  Yes my sister.  Whatever happened to schlepping your dog to obedience 101 and 201 and have a pretty well behaved dog?  Anyhoo- back to Bailey's story.  Bailey returned from the dog whisperer on Sunday.  Guess what?  Bailey is still a very hyper, active and extremely athletic puppy and my sister and brother in law are about to lose it.  HELLO!!!!  You picked a pure bred lab.  They stay puppies for a damn long time.  Certainly at 5 months old you can't expect otherwise.  Except that my sister does.  The first few days Bailey was back were a clusterfu$% in my sisters mind.  The dog whisperer was scheduled for training yesterday.  He spent some time there.  He was there again today.  Bailey is now wearing a shock collar. 

Um, I'm pretty sure this puppy whisperer sucks at his job.  I'm very sure that once again my sister had her expectations way too high and completely unrealistic.  I'm also very sure if my sister thinks that I'm going to use the shock collar while I'm baby and dog sitting she has another thing coming.  I'm also beginning to think that Bailey might be coming to live with us since she is obviously too much for my sister to deal with.  I'm very sure it pisses me off that my sister picked a certain kind of dog and can't deal with it.

So here we are and I'm shaking my damn head wondering how in the heck I'm related to these people. 

Technology tether

I will admit that a big majority of the time I am a technology junkie.  I love my smart phone and use it often.  I'll even admit if it was broken, lost or otherwise not accessible I would be a seriously unhappy camper.  All of that said I will also admit that it is still a convenience and there are times I willingly cut the cord so to speak.  Yesterday was one of those days that I decided to do a voluntary cord cut if you will.  You would not believe the reactions that happen when people can't get hold of you instantly.  My sister called to ask me something.  First words out of her mouth were "Do you know that your phone is rolling right to voicemail?"  Now I'm sure that she was trying to be helpful in case I didn't know that it was happening and perhaps my voicemail box was full.  Its just the fact that there was no "Hi.  How are you".  The next instance was from Princess Bears (PB) best friend.  Now I've mentioned before that more times than not this little girl rubs me the wrong way.  Perhaps this will give a bit of a glimpse into why.  I answered the house phone and this little girl is on the other end.  Here is how the conversation went.

Sarah "Hello?"
Little Girl (LG) "My mom text you and you haven't text back!" said in a very accusing manner.
Sarah "My phone is off.  I haven't gotten the text yet. Sorry"
LG "What are we doing today?"
Sarah "I don't think it can work today.  I have OT, we have to pick up PB's grandmother from work and PB has her school and horseback riding therapy today"
LG "So PB can't do anything today?"
Sarah "No LG I don't think it will work today"
Little girl then hangs up. 






OK let's take this from the top. 
- Little girl probably should have left this phone call to her mother that said she didn't.
-Little girl should have said "Hello Sarah.  How are you today?  Did you get my mom's text?"  That would have probably helped the way I perceived the entire phone call in a much better way. 
-One should always say goodbye.



Am I not being fair in my assessment of this phone call?  As I said this little girl drives me up the wall and her parents tend to try to use her special needs as a way of explaining her behavior.  I don't quite by in on that one.  I think she's a little girl who says whatever comes to her mind without filter.  A few times I've even asked her why she says things and she gets upset with me but won't answer.  That isn't a case of special needs then. 




I was discussing this phone call with my friend Renee and saying how much I like this girls mom but the kid just makes me crazy.  She reminded me that I have to take the good with the bad.  True enough.  I will also try to make it a learning experience for my child.  If I ever hear her being rude on the phone like that it will be a long time before she is allowed to use the phone again. 

It also taught me that perhaps I need to have even more voluntary cut the cord times from my cell.  I do it at home under the guise of whoever can leave a message and I'll get back to them.  I think it's time to start looking at my cell in the same light.  There is no rule that I have to be accessible 24 hours a day.  What to you think? 

Project Life and general ramblings

Ok- gotta start with the fact that I'm LOVING project life!  I loved the idea of scrapbooking to document special things in Princess Bears (PB) life.  The down side is that scrapbooking is not a cheap hobby.  Also I think you tend to only hit on the special events of life.  With Project life you commit to doing one page a week.  So you're getting the little things too.  So with Project life prompting me to document more of the day to day things and my lovely new cell phone helping out with great pics I'm a happy camper.  I'm sure in the long run I'll appreciate the little things I've captured more than the big stuff.

Yesterday I gave PB a Teenie Beanie Boo that I got in a Happy Meal (don't ask).  She was thrilled because she loves the little Beanies.  She then read his little tag.  Here's a look at it:

 

So here is a recap of the conversation that we had about Coconut after she read his tag. 

PB "I love him even if his legs are short!  Who cares! He's so soft!" And she wings him up into the front seat so I can feel him.
Sarah "Oh, he is soft!  So you don't care about his legs?" I love the way my daughter has such a child like innocence in the way she views such things.
PB "Nope!  I like him just the way he is.  That's just being nice, right?"

No precious little girl- that is what makes you wonderful!  So of course this little ditty went into this weeks Project Life page. 

Pillar to Post and banging my head.

I am beginning to think that I'm going to need a vacation to recover from Princess Bears (PB) vacation.  She has enough activities to keep herself busy and me slightly dazed and crazed.  She has art classes 2 or 3 times a week, tutoring 2x a week, OT, piano and horseback riding.  Add to that trips to the library, pool or bowling alley (usually one of these daily).  Swimming lessons start again tomorrow night.  Momma needs a nap, a long hot shower or a glass of good wine.  Maybe all three! 

Tonight we had dinner with my Uncles and cousin Jenny.  Jenny lives in CA and is here for just a few days.  PB LOVES Jenny and insisted that we had to visit this trip.   Jenny is coming back in November and I thought that it would be a better time to visit but no suck luck on that one.  So my parents, PB and I met them all at a local restaurant. Jenny's dad and I used to be very, very, very close.  No so much in recent years.  Tonight was a pretty good example why.  First a bit of back story.  In my young and stupid youth I was very liberal.  Think Hillary Clinton kind of Democrat.  Yeah- I know you're shaking your head and asking yourself "Really?  No way.  Couldn't have been".  I was.  My Uncle is pretty much the same way.  So about the same time I started reconsidering my liberal views my relationship with my uncle started getting dicey.  Of course there is more at play than that but that is the biggest reason we're not as close.  I just can't buy into the bullshit or keep my mouth shut.  Also as a bit more back story my uncle is Jewish.  OK so you've got the dynamics that are about to go down here right? 

My dad and uncle start discussing the escalation between Israel and Hamas.  My uncle is not understanding why it has to be like this.  He understands that there was no Palestinian state before Israel so they have nothing to stand on but he doesn't understand why the fighting is happening when there is really no end game in sight.  OMG!!!!  Someone please point out where the bulls eye mark on the wall is so I can go beat my head a little.  I also asked him how he felt about the oh so great Obama calling  Benjamin Netanyahu to tell him that he's gravely concerned about the situation.  My Uncle actually sat there and tried to explain to me why Obama had to make that call and why my Uncle was ok with that.  I don't understand being Jewish and not supporting Israel or being outraged at Obama's lack of support.  I'd like to say that I'm missing some piece of the puzzle that would somehow make it all clear but I just can't imagine what that is.  

I did manage to stay calm and not incite so I guess that's all kinds of happy.  I just find it so difficult to play nicely when I want to take someone and hit them upside the head until some sense fills the gray area.  I remember once, many many moons ago, a dear friend looked at me and assured me that as I aged my temper would settle down.  Yeah, not sure it its the red hair factor or what my the temper hasn't simmered!  Oh well I guess there are worse things than being extremely passionate about what you believe in!  I just have to keep on reminding myself that you can't always make others see reason.  The good old you can lead a horse to water yada yada yada.

Amensty

OK- this will probably be the last political rant....for a little while.  Amnesty.  What do you think about it?  Personally, I think it is complete, total and utter bullshit.  If you want to live in the US good on you!  Really.  Just do it legally.  Don't come in through the back door while no one is looking and think its all good.  I'll be the first to say that the security at the border is basically non-existent.  That's a huge freaking problem folks.  We MUST secure our borders.  It's a matter of safety on so many levels.  Safety in the most basic sense of who don't know who is here and whom they pay alliance too.  We have no idea of their basic health and mental status.  Hello Boston Bombers.  We don't know if they are in or associated with drug cartels or al Queda.  THIS IS A PROBLEM FOLKS!!!!  I'm not saying this to be mean or cruel to those who are trying to escape horrible living conditions.  I'm just saying that truly why should we want to trust someone who can't even follow our laws to enter the country?  If they start off like that why should we expect anything different? 

Now there was the last big push for Amnesty in the mid 80's.  1986 to be exact.  We were told that there would never be the case for another mass amnesty because the border would be secured.  Yeah, so far the border is anything but secure.  I think Harry Reid is the only person in this country that can say the border is secure.  So obviously good old Harry is off his damn rocker or his meds.  I think this is another instance of trying to be PC and it has come back to bite the country on the proverbial a$$.  I really don't care how much it initially costs or how freakin' ugly the thing is but a huge not to be messed with fence (cinder block anyone?) needs to go up.  I digress.  The country was promised that the border would be secured and there would never be another push for Amnesty.  Yeah, it's kind of like hope and change.  How did it would out for you?  You can read more about the Regan Amnesty Legacy HERE. 

Also we could discuss the 52,000 unaccompanied minors that have crossed our border since last October.  Yeah, that was 52k.  That is a butt load of unaccompanied minors that are here.  Its interesting that the Obama admin says they knew nothing about the influx of minors coming but as far back as January of this year the government was looking for transportation and logistical help to help with the influx of kids.  We can talk about the health issues that are going to create huge problems due to this kids crossing the border, getting stuck in shelters which become a petri dish of ick that is then released on the unsuspecting communities that take these kids in.  When people come into the country legally there are vast medical tests they must comply with if they want to be granted citizenship.  Now we have huge numbers of kids pack liked sardines spreading the germ wealth and getting fast tracked amnesty.  Please tell me I'm not the only one seeing a problem here.  I haven't even touched on the topics of who is going to be responsible for clothing, sheltering, feeding and tending to these unaccompanied kids. 

Also let me say that I'm not against people getting citizenship here in the good old US of A.  I'm all for it.  As long as you do it legally.  Oh- and learn how to speak English.  Let's go back to citizen ships being taken in English only. 

Let's talk about Israel

I do believe I warned y'all a few posts back that there were going to be some political and very un-PC posts coming up.  Guess what?  What of them is here.  I really didn't know whether I wanted to go with Israel first or the crisis on the border (by the way is Harry Reid off his freaking rocker or just his meds???).  Since I've made no secret of the fact that I'm a pretty staunch supporter of Israel and the proposed ceasefire is going down I've decided to look at that.

First things first take a look at this video.  This is what a true leader sounds like.  If you can't be bothered with the whole version watch the first 2.5 or 3 minutes.  It really isn't long though.  It is Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Fox News Sunday.  Less than 10 minutes.  Amazing what a real leader sounds like after the constant BS and drivel coming out of DC. 

"We have to defend our people and that's what we'll do." Amen. So here is the video:





This is a glimpse of everyday life in Israel. Imagine if this was your wedding.

Also for those of you who want to question why Israel matters let me share this Wiki article with you:

 Here's a breakdown from Wikipedia explaining the US Israeli relationship.  Bilateral relations have evolved from an initial U.S. policy of sympathy and support for the creation of a Jewish homeland in 1948 to an unusual partnership that links a small but militarily powerful Israel, dependent on the United States for its economic and military strength, with the American superpower trying to balance other competing interests in the region. Others maintain that Israel is a strategic ally, and that U.S. relations with Israel strengthen the U.S. presence in the Middle East.[1] Israel is one of the United States' two original major non-NATO allies in the Middle East. Late Republican Senator Jesse Helms used to call Israel "America's aircraft carrier in the Middle East", when explaining why the United States viewed Israel as such a strategic ally, saying that the military foothold in the region offered by the Jewish State alone justified the military aid that the United States grants Israel every year.[4] Currently, there are seven major non-NATO allies in the Greater Middle East. You can find the rest of the wiki article HERE 


Here is an absolutely brilliant article on why Israel is important to the US.  Find it HERE  The article discusses the many intelligence and military aspects that Israel has greatly impacted the US with.  Please don't forget the medical and agricultural aspects. 

 I could go into the difference between Israel defending itself and how Palestine tries to defend themselves but you should do your own homework on that. You don't see Israeli citizens doing suicide bombings.  You don't see Israelis hiding behind children.  Just something to think about.   Do take a look at this flyer that was distributed far and wide pertaining to the current ceasefire.  This was not distributed by a country that is trying to systematically kill all the citizens of another country.  Rather it is just a country trying to defend itself. 

I hope you do some of your own digging around and look into why it's a good idea to support Israel. Look into what Israel has done for the US. Check on Israeli technology and medical research a starting point.

TV musings other than Farm Kings

One of my other favorite TV shows is Criminal Minds.  I love the premise of the psychology behind it.  I've often said that if I could have any job in the world that I would be a psychological profile expert.  At one point Mason was encouraging me to go back to school and do that.  I have a ton of psychology credits and he always is encouraging me to pursue what will make me happy.  What a man!  Back to Criminal Minds.  I've watched the show since the second season.  While I do admit the show is rather "dark" there is no way to pull off the show any other way.  In addition to loving the premise of the show the eye candy isn't bad either!  Right?

 

  

 Right.

 Criminal Minds is one of the few shows that I follow on Facebook. I follow entirely too much crap on there and don't need to clutter it with TV shows as well. So in the past week or so Criminal minds has had a few Facebook posts that have left me shaking my head and saying "wtf".  First off- the show isn't returning until October.  Remember when shows would have a finale in late May and would return in August?  The only other hiatus that sucks more is the 9 months that Sons of Anarchy takes!  So no Criminal Minds until October.  Grumble grumble but okay.  Then comes the post saying that Jeanne Tripplehorn's character departure is going to be filled by Jennifer Love Hewitt.  Seriously???? Now I know every male fan of Criminal Minds is loving this announcement because in reality Jennifer Love Hewitt is very pretty and has a huge rack.  Facts are facts kids.  The only problem here is that Jennifer Love Hewitt isn't much of an actress.  I'm not seeing this as a positive move for Criminal Minds.  Damn.

Started OT today

Today was my first Occupational therapy session since breaking my hand.  First visits are always getting lots of information, poking and prodding and getting some baseline information.  Then the Occupational therapist is supposed to come up with a therapy game plan.  I know this from having the carpal and cubital tunnel surgery and my mom is still certified as an Occupational Therapist Assistant.  My mom got in touch with a physical therapist at the same location and asked what therapist she would want to use and that's who I saw.  Ummmm...not sure if the guy is any good get but he's a closet sadist!!!!!!  Seriously!!!  He started squeezing down exactly where the bone broke.  HELLO!!!!  Really not sure that was necessary.  So I was sent home with a home program to help with pain management as well as getting back some strength.  The good news is that I have great range of motion in the hand.  I'll take that as a plus! 

Other than that it was just one of those run from pillar to post and repeat!  Princess Bear (PB) had Passport to Imagination at Michaels today.  Then we ran home so my friend Mike aka the computer guru could try to figure out why my cell won't hook into my router correctly.  I have been burning through the data allowance because of this.  Then it was OT.  After that it was a drive across the river to the stable to see about starting PB in riding therapy again.  Her back is really hurting her and I really want to get her riding with Emma again.  Then it was time to hit Target for back to school supplies and Walgreens.  Once we landed at home PB and I spent some time weeding the garden.  So that is the story here and I'm so ready to put this day to bed and get some sleep!

Etsy

I love Etsy!  I mean I really really love Etsy!  You can find ANYTHING on Etsy!!!  A few weeks ago I was looking for a different version of the stick family car decal for my sister.  Check out what I found!!!  (find it HERE)

This is perfect for SO many reasons. First and foremost my nephews and my brother in law are all hardcore Star Wars freaks. Then there is the fact that my youngest nephews name is Luke. First thing I ever said to him was "Luke- I am your father". It was the first time the line had ever been laid on him (he was just a few hours old) but certainly wasn't the last!  How freaking cute is the little Boba Fett!!!

Then there was this cutie that I want to get for both my dad and myself. We're big Sherlock Holmes fans. The books. Not the show. Haven't checked that out yet. Although a person whom I think has rather good taste is a big time devotee so I really do need to give it some consideration!  (find it HERE)


 LOVE IT!!!! I keep on trying to convince my dad it's his fault for handing me the complete works for Sherlock Holmes and the fact that I have had an unwavering desire to own a Mastiff!


 I'm thinking this beauty will be making it on our Disney vacation if the shop owner can make it big enough for Princess Bear. She's slightly Frozen obsessed!   (find it HERE)



 This will also be trekking to Florida with us!   Find HERE



 Find HERE


I've also started doing some Project life scrapping. After the recent health scare with Princess Bear I realized how very precious time is and that nothing in life is guaranteed.  I came to the conclusion that I wanted to document more of our day to day life together.  Someone mentioned Project Life to me and it really fits the bill.  I'm completely going crazy finding as much free PL stuff as I can online.   I plan on having one mini album for the holidays since we go so Christmas crazy around here. Check these out:


Find HERE
  

Find HERE

 

General rambling

I finished the Janet Evanovich book last night.  I NEVER takes me 2 days to read one of them.  I just fell out early Tuesday night.  If you haven't read the Stephanie Plum books consider giving them a try.  They really are laugh out loud funny.  I'm still kind of chuckling over the whole Grandma wondering into the bathroom while Ranger was showering.  I'm a Ranger gal. 

Today my sister and I were discussing a friend who had a preemie baby and the baby seems to have some developmental issues.  I'm talking about even factoring in the whole preemie issue.  The pediatrician has made some other random calls and we're more than a bit concerned about the baby.  Unfortunately there is no easy way to look at new parents and say "hey- something is wrong here.".  One of my closest friends is a nurse anesthetist.  She was watching Princess Bear (PB) when she was just a few months old.  At that point PB still had random medical issues popping up with a fair amount of regularity.  Anyhoo- Monika was watching PB for me because my dad had been admitted into the hospital and I couldn't drag a baby down there.  I remember when I got to her house to pick up PB she looked really funny.  PB had had a focal seizure while she was there.  Frankly if Monika hadn't noticed it G-d only knows when the issue would have been noticed.  (Note: Focal seizures are not like Grand Mal seizures.  In a focal seizure the person just kind of spaces out and doesn't respond to any outside stimuli.  It just looks like the person is gazing off).  Monika was so scared to tell me what she noticed because she didn't want to upset me.  Better that I am upset and can address the issue than not deal with the issue.  I understand as a parent that you never want to think that something is wrong with your child but you can't stick your head in the sand and hope that things all end up peachy keen.  So we're kind of scratching our heads and trying to find a way that the parents will look at the information we want to share with them in a positive light and get some help for the child. 


In PB news she's having a very hard time accepting the fact that her overheating issue is a deal breaker in some activities.  The other day we went bowling and she did great job.  Now she was using bumpers so that helps a lot.  I told her that if she worked on her aim and ball release and continued to do well that we'd get rid of the bumpers.  I mentioned that if she did well without the bumpers that we'd be able to put her in Special Olympics for bowling.  Initially this made her all kinds of excited.  Then she decided that she really wanted to be like Gracie Gold.  I tried explaining to her that she couldn't do anything as physically demanding as competitive ice skating.  I tried explaining that it was a punishment that she just had to consider the physical aspects of things and the likelihood of her overheating or not.   That didn't soothe her soul at all and she completely broke down sobbing.  I freaking hate seeing my daughter cry almost more than anything.  With tears streaming down her face she told me she was trying to be responsible with her like and step it up to be like Gracie Gold.  G-d bless her little heart.  She truly thinks that she is capable.  I hate it when I have to burst that bubble.  It's times like that it's very hard not to get mad at G-d and the powers that be. 

Healing

Yep, still alive and kicking!  The cast is finally off my hand.  It had to stay on for 8 weeks total since the bone was showing any signs of healing in the x-rays taken at 6 weeks.  They don't like doing that since you start to permanently lose muscle tone but felt that I still needed the protection of the cast.  The bone is still broken but now showing signs of healing in the x-rays.  So the cast is off and I'm waiting to find out how soon I start OT.  Having never broken anything other than a few fingers and toes I mistakenly thought that ok you break something, the Dr. puts a cast on it for awhile & you're good to go.  At my last appointment the Dr. told me that I will mostly likely experience pain for 12-18 months and that there is a good chance that I could break it again based on the location and the fact that it's healing so slowly.  Seriously????  Wtf!!!

Enough about the hand for now.  I was considering get political or doing a WTF is wrong with mankind but opted not to do that tonight.  Basically because I just don't have the energy at the moment!  Princess Bear is keeping me very busy chauffeuring her back and forth to all of her summer activities.  She is doing the Michael's Passport to Imagination a couple of times a week, she is doing Kids bowl free anytime she can talk me into it.  Ditto for the pool.  Then there are the usual weekly appointments for OT and piano.  2 weeks ago she had vacation bible school which she always loves.  This week it is private swimming lessons.  The kid is a natural swimmer but I wanted her to have some one on one to make sure that she was safe in the pool.  I'm rocking a lovely sunburn now.  Looking a bit like Rudolph! 

So that is the story around these parts.  I'm going to go curl up with the new Janet Evanovich Stephanie Plum novel.