Pic of the week...and kindergarten fun

Thankfully we made it through another week of school. Wasn't sure we would, as Grace has some ventilator problems that kept us awake most of a couple nights.

The kindergarten class is so much fun. just love those little personalities. I got to read a book to the class yesterday, reminded me of how much I enjoyed teaching preschool. Just not sure I have the energy to do it anymore. There is one lil gal that has become obsessed with Grace's medical condition. She asked if Grace walks to school or drives, she doesn't believe me when I tell her we have an elevator in our van, I think she'll have a new question for Grace everyday until she's old news.

I must take a minute to proudly announce that Grace is officially a cougar. One day this week a lil guy from the K class looked her over and as sophisticated as a 5 year old can be said, "Hey baby!!!!!!!!!"  I don't know how Grace kept a straight face.

On the high school front, things have settled into a regular routine of, notes, homework, tests etc. This weeks pic was taken in the chemistry class. Of course it has absolutely nothing to do with chemistry, but we sit in the back of a very full room. During a lull one of the girls pulled out this guy, I called him Carlos, heaven knows why. If you move the paper just right it looks like he's talking. Not too many future chemists in the back of the class as you can tell. 



Have a great weekend  TGIF!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

What's with that Style?

Some people have asked why Grace she has the “style” that she does. Let me try to explain a bit. When she was younger she could walk and do most things. Her condition has caused her to lose abilities. Walking, eventually  became impossible. I can’t imagine how frustrating and scary that had to be for her. There were times that I also didn’t understand what was happening to her and felt she was just being lazy. I know I made many mistakes during those days.

Grace has had two very serious episodes with pneumonia. When you have weak muscles you don’t have the ability to cough strong enough to cough up all the junk in your lungs. She was near death both times, although God has been gracious and pulled her through, her body never bounced back. These illness’ caused her to lose even more physical strength and abilities.


So, you can see there are many things she has had no control of in her life. She has said that doing crazy things like the purple hair or wild hats and accessories gives her something she can be in charge of.

People often stare at her because you don’t always see someone her age in a wheelchair, ( I tell her it’s her beauty they’re staring at, but she’s not buying it). So she feels that if they’re going to stare she wants to feel her best at what they’re staring at. They just might be staring at the hair now and not the chair.  She knows she’s different from the “norm’ and has decided to be even a bit more unique.

She’s still that same gal under the hair color, just a happier gal for doing something she enjoys.

Strength and Imagine Inchies

OK it's once again Monday, I missed last week's inch of art so I played catch up this week. Here are my inchies for 'strength' and 'imagine'. Just quick drawings, as I was in a hurry.

When I think of strength I always think of my daughter. She's been through so much in her life and rarely complains. She endures pain every day and usually manages to not give up. She's also a speed demon, the reason for the flying hair.

OK, for imagine I drew Robert. Who's Robert? Very few people know him,but my mom would have remembered him. I was an only child for 8 years and had more imagination than any girl needed. Robert was my imaginary friend. He was the coolest kid in my little world. I always wanted a spinner cap so of course he would have had one. And he would have worn glasses too. I don't know what a shrink would say about my little friend. I just know that I played trucks in the mud and many hours of marbles with my friend Robert and he was always there for me. We all need someone like that now and then.  Happy Monday Everyone.

Photo of the Week

This Thursday Grace started going to a kindergarten class to work in for her first two class periods. I love that when the teacher introduced her to the class she said that there was something different about Grace and they said it was her purple hair. I just love that those younger children see beyond a huge wheelchair and notice exactly what Grace wants to be noticed for, her cool hair! I  know she will have so much fun in the K class. She doesn't realize how inspirational she is to just about everyone she meets. She has so much to teach everyone about integrity and determination. Although her physical body is weaker than most, her mind and spirit are so strong. I think her acceptance of being who she is shows and her inability to recognise that she is an inspiration after all she's been through, is what makes her so personable and fun to be around.

On another note, I just have to share this photo, it was taken in the student parking lot at the high school. we checked and the notes didn't say anything or spell out anything. looks like someone just decided to have fun(it's hard to see , but the side window is also noted). Grace and her BFF, Kayla, think an entire parking lot of sticky note cars would be something close to "art".



Happy Weekend everyone!!!

Thanks for the Ice Cream :)

Just as  I'm wondering if anyone really reads this silly blog, my sister shows up at my house ( OK she lives next door it wasn't a long trip) with a surprise for me.

Not exactly ice cream, but the next best thing. for those of you that have absolutely no idea why she brought me ice cream, just read yesterday's post and you'll understand. I'm willing to take ice cream from anyone else that will take pity on me :)

Thanks Wendy!!!!!!!!!!!!

I need some ice cream

If your kids complain about how much homework they have, buy 'em an ice cream. They need a little sympathy.

We are spending hours every night working on homework. Now, I know it takes us longer since Grace has to explain things to me and actually say everything she wants written down, but there still has to be a great deal of time spent on homework for the rest of the kids.

I guess we're getting in the thick of things now that the first week of school is behind us.

I am so glad to be married, I could never get all this work done if I were crushing on that perfect person across the classroom. And if I were playing a sport or in band or leadership or any other type of outside activity I'd really be a mess.

OK I'll admit it, most of my tiredness probably has more to do with age. Declining hormones instead of raging hormones. Oh well.

By the way, someone should buy me an ice cream too. :)

Strange things at High School

I always see some strange things in high school. For one thing my daughter has blue and purple hair. Aside from that, I think the strangest thing at school was .... well..... ME!

Seems that sleeping whenever I wanted over the summer break has finally caught up with me. I am like a newborn that hasn't learned when it should sleep. I might be getting three hours of sleep at night, but only in shorter intervals. By the time Friday rolled around I was sitting in class with only one hand of polished fingernails, I think I went to bed before I remembered to paint the other hand's. Also, during the last class of the day I noticed that my clothes didn't match at all. I thought I was wearing one color pants but wasn't. When I said something to Grace she said that she was wondering why I was dressed like a Christmas tree.

I had plans for Friday night and Saturday. I decided to skip my Friday night bunko outing so I could attend Saturday's Art play day. Unfortunately, I didn't sleep much Friday night and stayed home Saturday. The plan is for me to sleep tonight. A blissful, six hours would be wonderful.

I was just thinking, ( probably not recommended in this sleep deprived condition) Grace should check all the notes I took for her Friday, no telling what the "One Polished Hand, Walking Christmas Tree " wrote.

Sweet Dreams.

First day of School

Today was the first day of school for the 2011-2012 year. It sure felt like the longest day ever. The campus seemed much busier this year, crowded or something.

Of course Grace has homework already, not just the get syllabus' signed and returned, but of course MATH homework. I've never understood the concept of giving a ton of problems in math, it must be the "practice makes perfect" approach. But there's always the flip side of that concept, "if you don't know it ;doing it wrong 40 times wont make it right". At least it's just one class, it'll be a tough one, but Grace had two previous math teachers offer to help her anytime she needs it. So nice of them both to be generous with their time.

So, what do I expect to learn this year? Let's see...........umm......... oh well, there's algebra which I wake up every morning wishing I could use. Chemistry might be interesting, I didn't take it in high school so we shall see. Will probably learn how to write a better English paper, ( none of which you'll notice in the writing of this blog) and I expect the class I will actually enjoy learning the most about is US History. Seems history is the subject I find myself always thinking "I didn't know that" about and actually caring to understand more. Probably comes with age. Which, by the way, I am feeling every year of today. I'm just not 16 any more I'm old and pooped!! Only 16 more school days till a 3 day weekend!! Hey it's those short term goals that gets a mom through life. Here we go again!!

Rust Inchie Challenge

It's Monday again, Inchie Monday for me. This week's challenge was "rust". Now I just have to say, the if it's rust in our house it belongs to my husband. As I thought of the rusty things he calls "patina" to make me think it's not rust I knew it would all be too large for an inch of art.

My next thought went to my button jar ( usually does). Most of the buttons in my jar came from my sweet mother-in-law. She wasn't like me in her reason for having a button jar. I just like buttons, she on the other hand actually used hers for their intended purpose, mending clothes. She survived the dust bowl and depression, so nothing was wasted, she clipped buttons off clothes before tossing them into her ragbag. I'm thinking we could learn from that great generation of survivors.

So, back to my inchie. way down at the bottom of my jar was this gem, a true rusted button. No telling how old it is, but I can almost bet it came from a coat or something from the rust lover I eventually married. I just placed it on some paper that had been color misted, added a few beads and fibers. There you have it my "patina" oh, I mean rusty button inchie.

Countdown to Juniorism

The countdown till school starts has begun. Yesterday was the Junior roundup. Grace got her schedule and we managed to get it changed so she and her friend have most of the same classes. Not for the obvious they want to be together reason. At Grace's last IEP we discussed finding someone that Grace could have most of her classes with that could be our lifeline when Grace misses school. Someone we can count on for notes, etc.  Kayla's mom didn't mind and even sent her with a letter agreeing to this arrangement. It took some time, but it was finally worked out.

Looks like this will be Grace's "fun" year. Her first two class periods will find her at her old elementary school working in a kindergarten class. She and the K teacher have been looking forward to this year. Grace had to wait till she was a junior. She worked in this class during her 8th grade year and made some life long friends.

As for the more "unfun" portion of her days, she'll have yearbook, (OK that's a fun one), Adv. Algebra, Am. Lit/Adv comp (aka English of some type) Chemistry, and US History.

I'm sure there will be plenty for this old dog to relearn or learn for the first time. It will be more learning for the first time as i don't remember having these classes. I know I had US History, but somehow they've changed history since I was in school. You'd think the old stuff would be the same, but it's spun differently now. The old way was probably hurting someones feelings.oh don't get me started so soon. I'm looking forward to a great year, and hope I don't have to drag out my soapbox too many times. here we go ........again.

Sunset Inchie Monday

Monday has rolled in once more. Don't know where our summer went! School starts again next week. Being Monday it's inchie time in my world. This week's challenge was "Sunset" Oh how I'd love to be lounging on a nice beach watching the sunset.............hopefully soon :) Happy Monday.