Tulsa, OK

Have I mentioned how much I hate being sick? Especially with these stupid head/chest colds that seem to linger forever. I must have gone through two rolls of toilet paper yesterday just blowing my nose. It’s crazy, and nothing seems to help.

Not to mention, at my age, every cough and sneeze is a potential leak. nlol  Oh well, what are you gonna do, live on the toilet until the cold goes away? Not likely, even for the worst OCD homebody. Although, I will admit to having been tempted to take a blanket and sleep on the loo during a particularly bad bout of the flu last year.

What I don’t understand is how the kids can bring the bug home and only be sick for a day or two. But when I catch it from them, I’m sick for a week. Or two. It’s crazy.

At least it’s the weekend and I can be lazy if I want. Hope you all have a great weekend and stay healthy!

friday, sick, colds, flu, virus, school, kids, loo, leaks, healthy, weekend

The one thing I hate about the kids being back in school - they bring home every virus possible, and I catch it. Blech. They’ve only been back in school for two weeks, and already both kids have had a stomach/cold bug, and passed it onto me. Joy.

Both are back in school today after having missed Monday and Tuesday this week.

Tuesday was Maegan’s second appointment with the psychologist. He gave her the TOVA test (Test of Variables of Attention). It was pretty bad, but she did really well, I thought. I think she concentrated better than I might have, actually. She is definitely ADHD though. Dr A (the psychologist) is supposed to mail her results and his recommendations to Dr G (medical doctor). Then Dr G will have us come in and discuss our options as far as meds are concerned. Dr A did give me a printout on this new med for ADHD (Vyvanse) and told me to try and get Dr G to prescribe it if possible. Apparently it has a longer duration than a lot of the older drugs. Which means only medicating once a day before school instead of several times a day which would mean Maegan taking medicine at school as well as at home. I’d rather not have to do that if we don’t absolutely have to.

school, virus, test, TOVA, psychologist, Dr, Vyvanse

While doing some research online yesterday, I ran across this: Kingdomality

It’s a personality profiler with personalities sorted into the different medieval vocations.
My results:

It’s a little funny, because according to the Keirsey Temperament sorter I’m a guardian.

Maegan has her second appointment with her ADHD therapist today. I’ve been doing quite a bit of reading online, and have a bunch of questions to ask this time.  I’m still not convinced medication is the best choice for Maegan, and I’m hoping the Dr will have some suggestions.

I know he likes the biofeedback stuff, unfortunately, he can’t get the insurance companies to pay him for that. I’m hoping he’ll agree with me on allergy testing and that together we can get her pediatrician to sign off on the testing. It seems to make more sense to test for any allergies before doing any drastic dietary changes. No point in making her give up milk and cheese if she doesn’t actually have a problem with it. Apparently some ADHD symptoms are actually food sensitivities or allergies. Might as well eliminate that possibility before starting Maegan on  stimulants.

I also want to talk to him about family behavioral therapy. I think it’s a good idea to make sure everyone is working from the same playbook when it comes to working with Maegan. I know that with 3 adults in the house, Maegan does get some inconsistency in the rules and discipline department. James is a brick wall, and Mom is a jellyfish (with occasional brick wall tendencies), and I’m consistently torn between the two. {lol, even if it isn’t really funny.}

On the positive side, I have found tons of information online. Including several books that I’m looking forward to getting from the library. Thank god we have such an excellent library system here.

After Maegan’s appointment tomorrow, I need to call her school and set up meetings with her teacher and the school counselor to discuss Maegan’s diagnosis and get any input they may have. The best thing for Maegan seems to be having a team working on improving her situation. As Mom, I get to be team leader and coordinate the efforts of her teachers and doctors, as well as our family.

Just when you think parenting can’t get any harder, it does. They’re worth it though.

ADHD, therapist, dr, treatment, books, teachers, counselors, testing, allergy, diet, teamwork

Maegan was officially diagnosed with ADHD last week. It totally sucks that we’re poor. If we had money, the doctor had plenty of options that he preferred. But since we have no money, drugs are what Maegan gets. That sucks. Damn It.

I guess I could be cynical and say that none of that alternative stuff would probably work anyway. Except, I don’t really believe that. But, we’ll never know, now will we?

ADHD, options, treatment, drugs, therapy, money

Found this lovely painting by Jean Vadal Smith on ebay. Too bad I can’t afford to buy art even from ebay. At least it’s still free to look. And I’m pretty sure the artists won’t object to a little free advertising. So, on that note, here are a few more pieces of art I found on ebay:

Teresa O’Neill “Small Town After Supper”

Richard Wallich “Tiger Study”

Sharone “A Touch of Heaven”

Claude Marshall “City Storm”

Another Jean Vadal Smith “Winter Snow Tree”

Bergmann “Garden House”

The State Fair here in Tulsa is great. We love to go, but rarely have the money. Let’s face it, with $8 ticket prices, it costs nearly $40 just to get in. After your through the gates, there’s the cost of food, because you have to eat while at the fair.  The kids are going to want to try the rides. Hell, I want to ride the rides. So it’s pretty easy to spend way too much money at the fair. Some of us just don’t have that kind of money to just through away like that. The $100 we would spend at the fair, keeps the five of us fed for two weeks.

With that said, I have discovered a way to earn tickets to the fair. It doesn’t completely solve the problem of paying for food or rides, but it will get one through the gates.

It seems the Fair needs volunteers, and gives their volunteers: adult admission (ticket amounts are based on number of hours volunteered), food coupons, a t-shirt, and invitations to a VIP party.

They started accepting volunteers back in July. They gave the first workshop for fair volunteers to help them determine what part of the fair they wanted to volunteer to work. There is only one workshop left for this year, September 8 at 10am in the Expo Cafe. I don’t know if I’ll get a chance to make it this year, but hopefully some of you can.

Contact Penny Rose, volunteer coordinator: onecentrose2003@yahoo.com

or Teresa Courtney:  tcourtney@tulsastatefair.com 744-1113 ext. 2045

Tulsa State Fair , volunteer, costs, workshop, admission, food, rides

Scott came up from Dallas to visit and help us make a few repairs. Seems that when Chris and Suzi were down visiting from Ohio, Austin deemed it necessary to flush a plastic soap dish down the toilet. We tried everything to get it out. Scott wound up having to replace the toilet bowl completely because the soap thing was totally unremoveable. Toddlers are just sooo much fun.

Mom and I were hoping to make it the the Just Between Friends sale, and didn’t. However, it does last all this week and next weekend too. Maybe we can still make it before everything is gone. Here’s the schedule:

Tulsa’s Fall Event set for
August 19th-26th, 2007
Trade Center at Expo Square

Sunday, August 19th 1:00-7:00pm
Monday-Sat., August 20th-26th 9:00am-7:00pm
Wed (new merchandise) Fri-Sat (25% off)
Sunday, August 26th 1:00-7:00pm (50% off)

repairs, toilets, soap, toddlers, Just Between Friends

As you may know, Mom and Morgan had a rough trip home from Ohio. If you’ve read what she posted here, you know the trip was more expensive than planned, and a little scary as well. At least I find it frightening to have my wheel fall off while I’m driving. But they made it home safely, and all’s well that end’s well, right?

Speaking of ending well, we just found out that the tire shop that made the initial repairs in Marion,OH has accepted full responsibility for the problems. Which means they are completely reimbursing Mom for the repairs, the motel, and meals while they were stuck in Rolla, Mo. And they even apologized. I love it when people are mature and responsible enough to say “I messed up and I’m sorry”. Too bad more of us aren’t that nice.

I would just like to say thank you to Logan Tire Sales and Service in Marion, OH for being such a nice, responsible business that remembers to put customers first. (We’re sorry you gave us all your beer money this month, but, hey, at least the month was already half over before you had to give up your drink fund. lol)

If you happen to need wheel work done while you’re in Marion, stop by Logan’s, they’ll do right by you.

honest mechanic, reimbursement, tires, repairs, responsible business owners, Marion, Ohio

The tow truck driver was very friendly and assured me that the owner of the repair shop was reasonabley priced and would do a good job. However, he wouldn’t be in until 8 am on Monday. Imagine, a mechanic that doesn’t work on Sundays. Nothing we could do but wait. My 5 day trip would now take at least 10 days.

Once I knew the name of the Motel, I called my daughter-in-law, Suzi. She then booked a room for us on the internet, and saved us a little money.

When we carried what we needed from the car; ice chest, clothes, medicine, etc., we were totally exhausted, hot and sweaty. While Morgan took a cool shower, I called Candy and both sons to let them know we were safe and where we were.

A nice room, air-conditioned with a tv, ice box, and two comfortable queen-sized beds. After my turn cooling off in the shower, it’s off to bed for both of us.

The next morning it was back to the car for the things I’d forgotten. I was very glad I had refilled my medications and gotten a box of syringes for my insulin. After retrieving those things it was off to breakfast.

Back in our room we watched tv and napped most of the day. Then out again for supper. After supper, Morgan opted for a swim, and since the pool was right outside our door where I could keep an eye on him, I couldn’t see why not.

Next morning (Monday) we repacked our stuff in the car and waited for the mechanic. He didn’t arrive util 8:30. He told me he almost didn’t come in, as he was very sick. “But I’m glad I did,” he told me. In 10 minutes, he and another mechanic had an estimate for me. Less than $100. Wonderful!

Morgan and I walked down to the Waffle House for breakfast and let the mechanics get to work. They were nearly done by the time we got back. They checked all the wheels, all the fluids, and the brake lines. We were ready to go.

The remainder of our trip was uneventful and we made it home by 3pm, safe and sound.

If you’re ever in Rolla, MO stop and say hello. And if you need emergency repairs, call AAA and tell them you want to go to Tom’s Auto Service on King’s Highway.

And thanks to my daughter Candy for letting me use her space here at 451press to tell my tale.

Well, here we are 106 miles from Springfield, MO, more than 200 miles from home. We are slowly pulling off the highway into a rest area. We are very glad to do so, as the trucks (18 wheelers) have been running up so close to our bumper before changing lanes that I’ve been afraid of being run over for hours now.

We are halfway up the off ramp when the rear end of the car drops and the most terrifying noise erupts. At first, I’m afraid we’ve finally been hit. But a look in the rear view mirror reveals we’re alone.

My 12 year old grandson, Morgan, and I get out to check the damage. We were shocked. There is no wheel on the right rear axle. The wheel is about 50 feet behind us.

While Morgan goes to retrieve the wheel, I call Chris, my son. He’s not supposed to have his cell phone on at work, but he’s worried about us, so he keeps it on anyway.

“God, Mom. Are you guys ok?” are his first words to me after I give him the latest disaster report. Once I’ve assured him we’re off the highway, he tells me to stay put, they will come and get us. But, it will take them 9 to 12 hours to get there. I call my daughter to tell her we’re going to be late.

Morgan and I settle down to wait. 9-12 hours in the dark, in the heat, alone. Not a relaxing way to spend the night. Actually, I wonder if they’ll find us alive or at all. But, I don’t tell Morgan or anyone else how scared I am.

A truck driver pulling into the rest area sees we’re in trouble and walks back down to see if he can help. Nope! But, he does reassure us that the car can be repaired, and he tells us why the wheel came off the car. Apparently, the guys who rotated the tires forgot to torque down the lugnuts. And, as they came off it caused a vibration that ripped off the studs.

Then Chris calls us back on a 3-way conference call with my oldest son, Scott, in Dallas. I’m told neither can get to us in less than 12 hours. And Candy, who is the closest, can’t come and get us. She’s still reovering from a bad car accident, and doesn’t have gas money to reach us. So, the boys are my only hope.

They want to know exactly where we are to see if they can get a tow truck to us. All I can remember is the last sign I saw said 106 miles to Springfield.

“Mom, that’s not much help.” Like I don’t know that. But, “Oh, wait, there’s a sign not four feet in front of us with emergency numbers for the highway patrol.”

“Mom, call them, get towed in, check into a motel, then call us back and we’ll work from there, once we know you’re both safe.” My oldest son never panics, and always has an answer even when the rest of us are scared out of our wits.

(Note from Candy, remind me to tell you all about Scott saving my life sometime)

I call the number, and the tow truck driver is there in 15 minutes. I kid you not, 15 minutes. There’s a motel next door to the repair shop he works out of along with several places to eat.

Safe for the night. I’ll give you the rest of our journey home story on Monday. Have a nice weekend and stay safe.

Everything is great as we bid a tearful farewell to my son in Marion, OH. Then as we get to Columbus we miss a turn. A quick call to my son, Chris, and we’re back on track.

A detour in Indianapolis doesn’t slow us down at all. Then we stop for lunch. OK. Then back into the car. Only, no A/C, and it’s now 100 degrees fahrenheit outside. Lovely. Better yet, only one window will roll down.

Cool water, Gatorade, and a cool cloth on the back of my neck get us all the way to St. Louis. Then real trouble hits.

There we are, driving down the highway at 70mph, and there’s a big bang and the car starts to vibrate. Not good. Thinking it’s a flat, we pull over and check the tires. No flats. Hmmm…

I call my son again. He thinks, “maybe it’s the balance”. So, we go on at 55mph. Over the next few hours we get more bangs, more vibrations, more checks and lower speeds.

Another call to Chris and he thinks maybe a lug nut or two have come off. So at the next rest area we pull off the highway to check. Well, we didn’t quite make it.

More on our journey home next time…

cars, road trips, tires, vibrations, Ohio, Marion, Columbus, Indianapolis, St Louis

As anyone who has ever owned or needed to repair an old car can tell you, as soon as you fix one thing another breaks.

That was the situation when I arrived in Ohio. My son was sure it would only take a couple of days to have the car ready. He put on new brakes and a new radiator. Then off to the mechanic to fix the brake line, and a tie rod. Next is the tire shop to have the tires checked and rotated. So far so good. But, we are now a day late in leaving. Not too far off schedule, so no big deal.

My son then recharges the A/C, but the compressor starts smoking. A call to the mechanic and another trip to the shop. Not so fast! The starter decides to give up the ghost. Joy, more repairs.

After years (48) of dealing with old cars, I’m convinced they have minds of their own and a vicious sense of humor.

So, after we replace the starter, it’s back to the mechanic. Next day we get the car back. 2 days late. On Saturday we pack up and start home

Next time, The Journey Home.

old cars, repairs, mechanics, Ohio, starter, A/C, home

O’Hare isn’t a bad airport, just big. After disembarking from the flight from Tulsa, I had to walk nearly half a mile to the gate for my next flight.

They had 2 flights on to Columbus,OH and 1 to Kalamazoo. The first flight left on time, no problem. Then my flight is delayed 30 minutes, I’m still ok so far.

Next, they announce 5 people scheduled on the Kalamazoo flight will have to wait and catch the next flight — the next day — a 24 hour delay, yikes.

My flight? The plane still hasn’t even arrived at O’Hare.
It finally arrives, by our original scheduled departure time . 30 minutes later they announce 2 people will have to wait until the next day to fly on to Columbus. Fortunately, I am not one of them.

Finally, I’m on the plane to Columbus. A short flight and I’m meeting my daughter-in-law in Columbus at long last. We go down to baggage claim, 2 cases are on the carousel, neither of them are mine. We think they haven’t completely unloaded the plane yet. Then the carousel stops,we’re confused and not alone. There are other people from my flight waiting on luggage too.

Then a security person asks us what flight I came in on. I tell him, and he has us follow him to security. I’m really confused now, and a little worried. But sitting right outside of security is my suitcase. It seems my luggage and that of several other passengers came on ahead of us on an earlier flight.

What happened? I thought luggage was not supposed to go on a flight unless the owner of said luggage was on board too. So much for homeland security. They are more worried about a bottle of water, a candy bar, or a baby’s bottle than anything that could be packed in a suitcase.

Next: Getting the car ready to drive home.

O’Hare, flight, delays, lost luggage, airports, homeland security

Catoosa schools start August 16, and I am so ready. It has been one long, hot summer and I’m more than ready for school, and fall.

Open House for Catoosa Public Schools is Wednesday, August 15th from 5 to 6:30 pm. Maegan is thrilled to be starting 1st grade this year. I hope there are more girls in her class this year. Last year, it was more than 2 to 1 boys to girls, and she was not a very happy camper.

Morgan starts 7th grade this year. He isn’t quite as excited as Maegan is, go figure. School is old news to him, lol. He is looking forward to seeing all his friends again. He isn’t thrilled with getting Spanish, and I think he may change it. I always liked languages, and kinda hope he changes his mind about the spanish.

I’ll be happy as long as he likes what he does decide to take, and does well in it. His Dad took Spanish a lot when he was in school, and he offered Morgan help if that is what Morgan does take this year. With as many hispanic people as there are in the country now, I think it’s not a bad idea to at least have a little knowledge of the language.

back to school, open house, catoosa, public schools, spanish