March 31 Family Outing - Wildlife/Zoo/Aquarium

Just returned from the wildlife zoo and aquarium. Here are the highlights:

It didn't take much convincing...Bob escorted me on a log flume ride, that not only glided around the aquarium, but climbed up a very high slope before coming crashing down into the water. (it's higher than it looks from down below!) I was told that I had the best scream of the week. We didn't get that wet!! Very exhilerating.

Our feet literally skimmed the treetops during a chairlift ride around the Zoo. I was surpised that Alan wanted to do this. He convinced Bootie to go with him. Bob and I followed suit in the car behind them, and Pop Pop sat this one out, but took pictures of us from below. Having completed the log flume, I was a little cocky in proceeding forward with this, but was a little worried for Alan. He was fine, but I unexpectedly found myself in a panic as we took off. Bob was so supportive, and after a while, I loosened up and enjoyed seeing the sleeping kangaroos and black swans (who have the most precious bright red bills)

Playing with the sting rays probably was my favorite part of the day (it actually was my mission of the day!). We pet and fed them. They come sauntering up along side a large tub. You aren't allowed to touch their eyes or tails (which are de-barbed). At first, Alan just watched, but then joined me in the fun.

Now, Pop Pop and Bob are out exploring the area while Bootie makes dinner...Alan learned how to take pictures with a real camera, and is snapping photos everywhere.(just asked me where the garage was so he can take it's picture) That's all for now...after dinner, going to the pool.

March 30 PM

While Alan curled up on the couch for a late morning nap, we relaxed in the backyard, breathing in the sweet desert air. I felt grateful for a space of time which would enable me to finally tackle the second Twilight book, left abandoned (half read) since Christmas vacation. Then, after lunch Alan was a little relunctant to head to the pool, indicating that he didn't want to go under water. This was clearly anxiety, but with reassurance he in the end, swam like a fish along side the shallow end for more than an hour. He spotted a very attractive woman, and told me that she was the most beautiful lifeguard he had ever seen. When Bootie introduced him to one of her friends, he said, "I'm Alan Cactus Palm Tree", and laughed and then told the man his real name.

Bootie cooked a fabulous chicken barbeque dinner and then more relaxation. Now, Bob and I are about to head to the movies....I admit being a little tired. It's only in the 6pm hour in AZ, but my body still feels like 9pm, so I am feeling tired, but it will be fun to catch a movie with Bob. You can hear Alan's favorite opera coming from Booties bedroom, so no one will even notice we've left.....

One more note on this vacation. Though Bob feels like his hands need a break from playing music, I must admit that I am really missing having music in the house. (we didn't bring any stringed instruments, just Alan's Uke) No matter if it's a group of sea chantey singers, classic guitar, folkie traditional music or a Pete Seeger banjo retrospect, I will always appreciate him for the music that he brings to my life. Anyway, just random thoughts and now I am off to the movies! :)

March 31 AM

It's just after 9 AM, so jet lag is working in our favor, as we already have spent a wonderful morning in Casa Grande. Bootie and Alan made pancakes for breakfast, with my advice to add a little OJ to the mix. Yum. Then, while Pop Pop and Bootie went for a walk with Alan to look for Bun-Buns, Bob and I explored this desert community on bicyles with a mission to buy sunscreen, sunglasses and pool shoes. Now we are all relaxing as the pool isn't even open yet. I put my dad in charge of arranging the structure of the Diano scrabble tournament. I have flowers in my hair.

march 29th

Visiting Pop pop and Bootie. Great flight. Couldn't have gone better. Alan was as perfect as a 5 year old can be in such a situation....he drew pictures for the "go-pilots" and security guards and charmed the flight attendants. Loved watching him smile and laugh as the plane took off. He was a little nervous on the second flight which was a bigger plane, but just for a second. He also didn't like his ears popping, but loved how gum chewing helps alleviate that...(quick thinking!)

He watched movies, listened to his CD and even said that the airline's food was "awesome". Read a few books....The last hour, he was a little ansy so I made up stories to keep him from going nutty. With my coaching, he greeted Pop Pop with a "hey zippy" and gave us all a good chuckle. He's bonding with Bootie right now chatting while listening to one of the meditation CDs.

ANYWAY, I feel very happy and proud of today. It was a challenge that I was nervous about, and we are here now and can relax!!!

March 28

Over fifteen years ago, the dean asked if I would be willing to provide input on a new student program called the "Emerging Leaders Program". My role was not only to provide feedback as a member of the advisory board, but to operationalize the relational leadership model by facilitating a community service project.

The theory behind this model has been the driving force behind my own personal and professional leadership style. In a nut shell, it's about being inclusive, purposeful, ethical and empowering. Instead of a hierachical win/loose mentality, envision spokes on a wheel driving forward with a common vision, goal, decision, etc...Sounds like good workshop material for new supervisors, right?

It actually takes a commitment and courage to actually carry out this approach to leadership. Of course I have had bumps in the road, but when working as a team, you always feel supported, and you learn and move on.

I am rambling...what was my point? Oh, that's why it felt soooo good to be validated as today's topic at our congregation was about relational leadership, underscoring so many of the same ethics as the Emerging Leadership program!

Anyway, the conversation expanded as tonight we also attended yet another fabulous dinner party at our congregation. We learned more about the history of the UU, since I am a newbie....Of course, the food was fabulous, (as were my chocolate covered strawberries again). I connected with more interesting people, shared my journey, and even made tentative plans to have a playdate with another mom who has a son that Alan really likes. Community!

On to the mundane...The rest of the day was spent on my usual weekend chores...this house is small enough so it doesn't take long at all, and with the invention of clorox wipies, throughout the week we clean as we go so to speak......what i need to spend time with is my office....it becomes sort of a dumping ground of sorts...from Alan's drums to papers all over....but for now, the dishwasher is humming, the shower curtain is freshly washed (it's so dainty!), bathroom sparkles...So I think my spring cleaning will have to include purging of old toys from Alan's room and coming up with strategies for my office (a work in progress Mom!)...and guess who didn't make it to the gym!!! Okay enough of this, I am falling asleep!!!

March 28th

The chocolate strawberries I made from scratch yesterday disappeared at a dessert party I attended last night. What a relaxing, interesting gathering which was hosted by a family from our congregation. Left with an even greater appreciation and connection with the Unitarians. I am excited about my new role of creating the monthly newsletter!

What else to report from yesterday? Scrubbed my bathroom and washed clothes. My friend Eileen walked over for a visit.....Love her! I also planted myself at Lox for about 90 minutes doing paperwork...I did get in about 2 hours of loafing...that is, playing guitar...tested out some new Beatle tunes.....

Guess what..I have another batch of chocolate strawberries to make, as tonight, we have yet another gathering with the UU folks. That reminds me...I need to get to the gym!!!

March 27

So nice to have the backyard cleaned up. The leaves are in a big pile next to the garden. It's also nice that I didn't have to lift a finger for that to happen, except maybe to write the check...LOL....actually, Bob is out there now building some sort of trench in my garden so that the leaves can be used as mulch/soil. Alan was out there this morning too, digging holes for the moles he said....He also has a new rule - no asteroids in the garden. LOL

March 24

Feels like an extravegance, but we just hired a landscaper/mower to do spring cleaning in the yard and we also hired this guy to mow our lawn on a weekly basis this spring/summer. We just don't have the time to do it ourselves. On the weekends, we want to have fun, and not worry about the yard...that time can be spent nurturing our garden...

I played a little guitar tonight...now relaxing on the couch watching the cars drive by....Tomorrow is a long 12 hour day, so I am doing as little as possible tonight....

March 21 Happy Spring!

Yesterday we went to Poet's Walk. Alan made it 2 1/8 miles. I carried him the last 1/8 mile, which is pretty damn good!! He fell asleep on the living room floor at 6PM. I was worried that he would be up at midnight, or 5Am....but he slept until 7:15this morning. This meant we could make the early 9am breakfast get-together with our pals at the UU. Afterwards, we came home, and I let him pump up the volume on the electric guitar. It was time to meet his Dad, so we left back to Kingston and I had my oil changes, and my bi-annual hair cut!!! Home now, and sorting what to do next! Have a great weekend everyone!! :) Toodles, Michelle

March 19 TGIF

.......Ka-Ching!!! Woo Hoo!!! Refund!! A big one too! The biggest one I have EVER had!!! Very Very HAPPY!!! Great meeting with our tax guy tonight. To celebrate,we went to Jolly Cow for ice cream!!! (peanut butter topping!)

When we came home, Paula showed us this great video of a 5 year old pretending to conduct an orchestra to Stravinsky. Alan connected with this, so we spent the rest of the evening making videos of him conducting....

Well as cliche as it sounds...TGIF...what a week!!! Tomorrow I shall make banana pancakes for breakfast, and plan on staying in my PJ's until at least 11AM. We were invited to go hiking with some friends....need to see what's blooming under the leaves out back which never got raked last fall!!! HAPPY HAPPY SPRING!

March 18

Well. it' actually March 19th, but here's yesterday's wrap up, written in warp speed....started with a restless night's sleep with a silly dream that I showed up late to a library board meeting!! Doesn't my psyche know that it's a Diano family trait to be extremely punctional? Plus, being a morning person and fueled with caffiene, I am at my best in the morning. Yet, I did wake up more tired than usual given the tossing and turning...but it always works out.....maybe it was the motivation of knowing that Lox's bagels would be HOT at 6AM. Anyway, it was smooth sailing all the way to P/NW BOCES in Yorktown Heights....the weather was spectacular...plus before I rode out of range, I had the opportunity to listen to the opening of Bob and Sheri's radio show which left me chuckling....

Great time at this school...I recall this happening last year too....the guidance counselors are so inspirational that on the way back to campus (while negotiating the narrow roads of the Taconic listening to WPDH), I found myself drifting in and out of daydreaming about becoming a guidance counselor....but then again, I love working in admissions!!!

...I was immediately pulled from this daydream when the music was interupted with an alarming breaking news report that a small plane crashed in Lagrange...I immediately worried that it might be one of our aviation students, and it didn't give the name or type of plane. (You may recall that I was just at the airport the other day)....It turned out that the flight did not generate from our airport....okay,..

Back to campus by 2pm, unloaded my car and stolled back to my office catching in the most glorious sunshine!!!

Picked Alan up from school and boy did we have a great time at dinner. I took him to the diner, and while we waited for our food, we played hangman (I actually call it pinata to be more sensitive to his age)....he chose the words Boo and Dad. I used Love, Pop Pop....I love watching him write and now read as well. Bob got him the "Bob" books to help with reading as well. We were having so much fun playing that game, and coloring superheroes and flowers, that I didn't want to uproot us...but I had to get to the library...

But first I drove across to Rhinebeck to drop Alan to his Dad's... Alan wanted to listen to Tchyskossky (can't spell, but he can certainly pronounce it)

Thanking the powers that be that last night's meeting lasted less than an hour - first time ever!!! Having been up at 5am, this certainly felt like a gift!!!! I arrived home shortly after 8:15....Bob and I caught up on the day's activities, and I was asleep probably by 9:30.

TGIF...and today is TAX DAY! I have everything prepared, and I am certainly hoping for a refund! Actually, the question is HOW MUCH of a refund? Paula is watching Alan tonight...this busy busy week should be over by 8:30 tonight.....Just like yesterday, I will pace myself. Grounded!

March 17 - Happy St. Pat's Day!

I am writing to you from a hotel room at the Kingston Holiday Inn. Alan just crashed Folkloric's gig and now we're eating pizza and watching TV. Having a blast but I must say that after two years of beig cable-free, there is still just crap on television. In a few minutes, I have a stack of quarters for the game room. Feels like a vacation, at least for the next 3 hours. (but probably not for Bob who has 3 gigs today!)

The day started out pilfering through the trunk of my car searching through plastic bags of clothes donations....I knew that's where Alan's kelly-green t-shirt could be found! It was a little short, but with a long sleeved shirt underneath it, it worked.....I offered him the gaudy necklace with the shiny shamrock, but he said necklaces are for "girls", but then became irritated that I didn't have a better "gift" for him...(excuse me?).

Turned out that the teacher had set something up that leprocons hide gifts for kids? ANYWAY, I don't think he got that quite right, but we processed that in the car on the way to school. As I dropped him off in the classroom, I noticed tiny green footprints...then one of the children ran towards me and almost ratted me out...."Hi! I saw you at the parade!"....(I had told Alan that it was cancelled because of the rain)..oops..I'm hopin that playing with Bob at a real gig just now will make up for that one.

After that, I had a morning "Transitions" conference in which I represented DCC for the student disabilities office. No presentations, just tabling. But I did host a school apart from this that I spent extra time with.

Next 2-3 days will be VERY busy, and I may not have time to blog. Tomorrow morning, I have to depart promptly at 6AM for a presentation at Northern Westchester/Putnam BOCES. And this happened last year too, but this also coincides with library night. So I won't be getting home until 10PM. I was hired as their Board's recording secretary amost two years ago when I was working from home as a freelancer. Finances are solid now (money socked away too!), so I don't necessarily need the extra cash, but I still enjoy working with this group, and haven't wanted to give it up. I love being a fly on the wall, just recording what is happening without the pressure of making decisions...(how often does that happen in life). Plus, I always learn something new which has been helpful for Heritage Folk Music, the organization that Bob created which has been very successful.

When the library check comes in the mail ($75 and usually arrives on a Saturday), I love using that as my "mad money" and always seem to spend it happily with such irresponsibly..Listen, the way I look at it, I don't spend money on monthly hair dye bottles, nail manecures at the mall, cable, video games, or whatever the lastest craze ....So on one of those Saturday's, I like to sluuuuuuuuurge...on whatever or whereever the wind takes us....usually on creative projects like paint, glue sticks...or now that I think of it....LETS GO TO THE GAME ROOM!

HAPPY ST. PAT'S DAY!!!

March 16th RAMBLE ON

Thankful for the oversized windows in my office today which flooded me with sunshine all day long! No wonder why I had so many visitors popping in today! LOL…that, along with our office’s daffodil delivery, you think that all of the smiling was due to spring coming or for the anticipation of our Thin Mint/Tagalong order… LOL….but for me, my smile was due to a new project that I successfully tackled that involved some pretty sophisticated technology that in essence will connect us with students in a new and meaningful way. I feel so lucky (grateful?) to have a position which uses all of my skills including student advising/counseling as well as marketing/public relations expertise. There is truth to bolstering one’s self esteem by learning a new skill, it certainly brightened my day! Hmmm, am I gloating?

Thankful for Alan's school. Great communication with the teachers today who updated me on everything. In a minor matter, we debriefed about the picture of heaven that he drew for me this morning that described a dream he had. He had brought it to school, and wanted Michelle to look at it. Because the main theme dealt with water, I look forward to sharing it also with our reverend as she would love the theme of water as it deals with spirituality. We have a sweet, intelligent, special, and now a very spiritual boy on our hands here. He offers so many suprises each day.

TWO TRICKS (one worked and one didn't tonight)
1) I told Alan that for Saint Patrick's Day, that the Pirate Bootie was colored green!! (Veggie Bootie)....DIDN'T WORK

2) I told Alan that if he put on his pajamas and brushed his teeth all by himself by the time I got out of the shower, that he could stay up 10 minutes past his bedtime (he can't tell time)....WORKED (Like a charm!)

THE BIG VOTE

Today is the big village election. Everyone was out to cast their vote. Chatted with neighbors and friends. The girl scouts were out front selling goodies. I real slice of americana. Love it.

On the way home, I stopped at Mother Earth, and I was approached by an elderly woman who recognized me (but I didn't know her)...she knew my grandmother (deceased), and my Uncle Angelo (age 95). This took me by surprise since that family lives an hour north in Schenectady. She recognized me from photographs and apparently I had met her at a wedding some years back. Turns out that she's my great uncle's wife's sister. (got that). Anyway, anyone that knew my grandmother is special to me, and I pulled from my wallet old photograph of me an my grandmother. She enjoyed that. Miss you Inglanta Carmella Tagliaferro...

TWO Surprise Strawberries (one with chocolate!)

1) While I was in the shower, praising my son for having shown that he could put on his own PJ's, I could hear some commotion going on. He popped his head in the bathroom to tell me that he was sneaking something. Thoughts of how last week he hoisted himself up to pick out the M&M's from Bob's trail mix went through my mind, but before I could say anything he said he was going to "sneak" one carrot and strawberries. He made sure to underscore that he wasn't exactly sure how many strawberries. Is this MY son?

2) After Alan was a sleep (actually just moments ago...I write fast)...Bob said he had a suprise for me....he went downstairs and came back with 2 chocolate covered strawberries. Thankful.

March 15th, nothing exciting to report....

Nothing really exciting to report today.....it was a little rough adjusting to the time change, but the good news is that Alan fell asleep at 7:30, which two days ago was really 6:30, so we should be back on track tomorrow. I felt bad because I purchased blank cassette tapes (yes they sell them still!), but the radio that I have didn't seem to be able to record. He so badly wants to record his music!! Plus, I bought him a new set of ear phones so he can blast his electric guitar without blasting our ear drums (you would think he was 13 or something). However, he fell asleep before we got around to that....

What else? Oh! The president of the UU asked me to be the chairperson for the congregation's communication's committee. I agreed, and look forward to learning the details of this. I imagine it will be PR, etc....The minister had asked me a while ago to create flyers each month for upcoming events, so this new opportunity falls in line with that. This will enable me to keep my foot in the field of public relations while also making a contribution to the UU.

Work was great today as well. I brought in bagels and cream cheese for the staff. I was desperate for coffee, so I called on my friend Dominic and he hooked me up with some caffeine...

Looking forward to tomorrow's sunshine!!!

March 14-15

...more rainy days should be as good as yesterday. Nurtured my soul in the morning with our minister who presented on the topic of "Failure". On the surface, it doesn't seem so uplifting, I even admit to going into service with some trepidation....who wants to be reminded of one's failures? But she is so amazing to take what might be a gloomy topic and turning it into something inspirational. Expectations, goals, learning from mistakes....etc...I can never be as elequent in a fast blog posting LOL...Anyway, It was probably one of the best services I have been to! We need to support each others dreams and goals.

I wanted to stay and talk more at the UU, but I needed to make a decision as to whether or not to participate in the parade....GLAD I DID...

Between Jim, Ira and Bob, the three men of Folkloric, I think you would have the three SWEETEST men on the entire planet. All together, they are the funniest, sweetest, most geniune people I have ever met!! They only play music together once a year for St. Pat's day, and they never need to rehearse, because they are such great musicians, and are in-tune with each other. All three are positive people, even Ira who came home from Florida with his car buried in the snow, who was updating me on his life, is SSOOOOOOOO positive. Jim too!!! He knows everyone in Kingston (more than Bob), and being with the 3 of them is such a HOOT! With hail, rain, wind, and a few drunken float riders, they roll with the punches!!! They certainly were crowd pleasers!!

For me, waving and smiling at people (which is easy for me to do) on the float listening to Folkloric was the highlight of the weekend. I was in a good mood to begin with (albiet, a little sniffly), but left feeling like a made the right decision to attend, and didn't get any sicker from that decision. The only thing which would have made it better, would have been if Alan, Beth, Scott and Sumner were with me. I had cancelled Alan's parade-riding because of his bronchitis, and left it up to the King-Barras as to what they wanted to do....NEXT YEAR!!!

THEN, afterwards, it was time to focus on getting chores completed. I must have a clean and organized abode,and the week of illness left me behind on such tasks....After food shopping at Adams, I met Roger and Alan at Burlington Coat factory where we selected shoes for Alan and chuckled about shiny pants LOL. Then, Alan helped me fold clothes. I washed floors, dusted, put away clothes, etc. Even got this cup of coffee ready for the morning, and our lunches, clothes, etc. I planned ahead for this morning given the time change.

ALL IN ALL, to sum it up, this weekend was a nice combination of relaxing from illness, spiritual renewal with friends, playtime at the parade, and work/chore activities.

For today, I need to follow-up with my friends who also had illnesses/injuries from last week. It will be a busy work week as well. It's already 7:19 AM, need to finish this cup of coffee and get ready for work :)

...one more thing....

If you are on my facebook page, remember that day I listed all of the questions that Alan asked me? I think I posted them here as well...Well, I decided today that it would be interesting to ask HIM the same questions that he asked me to see what he would answer.... Go to facebook and scroll to the original status update, and at the end I posted his answers. Kids are soooo funny!!!

March 13

....just a couple of notes to record the activities of the day....first, with the rain and illness, the party/parade free-for-all weekend hasn't become a reality....but that's totally fine. I'm still keeping the sun a-shining in this household! Lots of TLC and extra hugs. :)

Alan loves his umbella, so we walked through the village and had a pancake breakfast at the diner. Returned home, played all sorts of music, and I made a pot of chilly for lunch. After that, things started to get a little tense, and I was getting stir crazy. Alan became a little bossy with the drum/guitar jam, so after a time out, he pulled himself together and painted me a most beautiful picture frame (with a mishy flower)....Then he convinced me to go on yet another walk (this time down hill). The fresh air did us good. Then when we returned home, I filled the tub with extra bubbles, and had him take a long bath to warm up.

Pajamas were on by 5pm....and I introduced him to Jimi Hendrix. Seconds after a few guitar licks of Purple Haze, he could hardly contain himself and asked Bob to set up his amp to the electric guitar. He was very patient, and within the hour, we were playing "cold shot" by Stevie Ray Vaughn together. Alan certainly rocks! The fun was cut short by some cranky behavior, (can't remember, must have blocked it out)...so he had another time out. But the night ended on a very positive note with "Frieda Fuzzypaws" read to him about 5 times, and more extra hugs (and kitty kisses...YUCK!). He fell asleep to Krishna Das. All in all, a wholesome day.

Tomorrow is the parade, and I am still not comfortable bringing Alan given his bronchitis. He has a visit with his Dad, and if I am feeling better, I will float along with Folkloric. Last year, someone on our float had too much to drink, and flipped over the side of the float. He was so intoxicated (bleeding profusely), that he fought with the authorities, because he wanted to get back in the float! I am not an expert at all on alcohol problems (nor is alcohol my thing), but this incident certainly illuminated the denial or "lack of insight" that people have regarding the affects of alcohol. I wonder if this person will be drinking green beer again this year?

ANYWAY...........

March 12th TGIF - Good morning

Thank you Nyquil!!! Slept really well last night. Alan is still asleep too. Enjoying a morning coffee. Morning presentation at a high school...Alan will be at his Dad's today....Think we'll be cancelling most of the weekend activities....we need to get ourselves healthy for our trip to Arizona in 2 weeks. Hopefully we won't get reinfected by the airplane's recycled germy air.

So many kind wishes throughout the week from friends and family!! It's been a challenge, but we're plugging through! Wish I could have been there for 2 other friends this week who also had health issues happening....I'll make it up to them!!!

March 11th

...oh what a day.....I was successful in making it to a morning presentation at a local high school. Because I was sick yesterday and out of the office, I didn't have my presentation notes. I wrote some notes on some scrap paper, and with the help of a capable intern, I made it through! The teacher gave me a potted plant with spring flowers, so I was very satisfied and happy. Tomorrow I go back again!

I think the presentation took a lot out of me, so I was feeling pretty out of it, but I made it to Alan's doctor's appointment across town, which I thought would be just a routine appointment. Turns out he has bronchitis!!! I have never had this, so I didn't even notice the symptoms. I know he was sick and I kept him out of school on Monday, but I was surprised by this. It was highly recommended for him to be put on antibiotics and to stay out of school the rest of the week. I feel so guilty that I didn't notice this. He does have a cough, but it is not happening very often....but when it does, it is pretty deep. It's so hard to know what to do in these instances. I would have just sent him to school today had he not had this appointment.

Listen blog readers, if you are still with me here, then you must really love me to continue reading about all of this....so in the end, I was feeling really ill, and so I just used this as an occasion to go home and recoup.

Upon arriving home, I had forgotten that the violin we had gotten Alan was on the couch (he was supposed to be at his Dad's tonight)...so you can imagine his excitement. We were planning on giving it to him on Friday...anyway, he opened up the case and started playing as if he had been born with a bow in his hand. He was getting good sound out of it.....

What to do with a sick child other than play music, watch movies, read books? We made Lasagne!!! What else? I couldn't taste any of it though with this damm cold.
Still with me? ANYWAY, it's getting late, and I have to start the bedtime routine....(so that I may get into bed too!)

March 10th

...don't know how I made it through work yesterday. I tried again this morning, but decided to keep my germs home today. I feel SOOOOO lousy!! Good news is that Alan is feeling better as he was home sick on Monday.

I need to feel better SOON! We have a big weekend planned - we're attending a St. Pat's day party on Saturday, and will be in the float for the parade on Sunday!!! We are REALLY looking forward to the weekend, so I HAVE TO FEEL BETTER!!! I will....just resting....drinking water, resting, etc....

March 8th

Just a quick note - I certainly was picking up signs that Alan was on his way to being sick. Though he wasn't into the slot car racing at the birthday party, he did seem a little out of it....he started to cough, etc, and I warned his father, and sure enough, he was very sick yesterday....I am on my way in a few moments to pick him up, then it will be a sick day in Saugerties.....I need to find some new DVD's for him to watch - we are going on almost 2 years without television - sick days are the only times I wish we had TV.....I can only watch "Elf" so much!

I too felt a little under the weather. I returned from church around 1pm, and I was in and out of conscienceness till about 6pm....finally pried myself out to eat and went to go see Shutter Island....A bit much on the violence. It was nice to walk through the village at night.....definately feel Spring in the air...

ANYWAY, need to get going...will have to juggle a lot today...need to get a few things done work-related from home while also tending to the little guy. Wish me luck and good health to my boy!!! Have a great Monday!!

March 5th

When I was 17, I was grateful to drive to the local taco bell in the dark without hitting anything. Today I spent the morning with student pilots, namely high school juniors and seniors from their school's aviation program....One told me that he attained his pilot's license before he could drive a car!!! I was so impressed with these amazing kids...(and their teacher & guidance counselor!) It was a fun outing! What an adventure these students have before them! And don't forgot --- take MATH your senior year!!

After work, I took Alan out for pizza (I wasn't hungry, and I had pizza for lunch....so I just watched him eat)...then took him to get some clothes since he is GROWING SO FAST!!!! He wanted a shirt with planets...so we are in the midst of another project...I talked myself into buying fabric markers...Alan came home and already completed one with planets, stars, etc. I am thinking of making one with "Mishy flowers" all over it! :)

All in all it was a challenging week, but I survived!!!

Oh March 3rd

Tonight I had a much needed cathartic cry which lasted ALL the way home (and beyond). It was Parent Night/Orientation for Kindergarten. Feel a little better now...Just took a hot shower, and in my comfy flannel PJ's. I have a morning presentation in an 8th grade class, so I need to feel rested. Goodnight.

...almost March 2

...remember WPDH? When scanning for music, they always have the best songs!! Sure did keep me company on the LONG ride home tonight. (school presentation all the way in Westchester county!!) Skipped dinner mainly because I literally rode for miles in the country unable to find a place to eat (or even a gas station!)....luckily I raided Alan's snacks in the car before my presenation and just polished off 2 slices of cinamin toast. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ