Thread: April's 2006 Journal

Kim, not to alarm you, but stupid LeRoy at work today told me a HORROR tooth story and that's what prompted me to go see the doc right away. He told me that he had a jaw tooth yanked and the dentist had left a few pieces in there because he had broken it trying to get it out. THREE MONTHS later, LeRoy was in Florida on vacation and he woke up to a blood-soaked pillow and went to the emergency room where they promptly packed it to stop the bleeding until he could get to a dentist. The dentist said that the pieces that were left in there were irritated and festering in the gum, and caused infection to start and it just erupted like a dang volcano.

I hated that story, so that's why I went to the doc today.

When you've got the time and money, you'd better have that taken care of. I mean, that's a serious thing if infection sets up. It could get into your bloodstream (perhaps....not a doctor here and don't play one on TV).

Just worried about you and that tooth!

One more pic, then I hafta hit the hay for tonight.

This one is of my beautiful Sarah when she was Abby's age. She was 11 here in this picture. She just turned 18 this past Tuesday. Wish I knew what she looked like now.

April,
I'm so sorry you are going through this. I only have one thing to say, FWIW...
Do NOT let this little girl know you are scared of what she will do or say to a school councelor. She will hold it over your head for the rest of your life and play games with you.

Hang tough with your decision. It sounds very much like a game of wills...and I would bet on you any day of the week!

(((hugs)))
Shelley

april, thanks for the info.. (read:scare) i will do something about it when i can.. we have plans in the works...

the picture is adorable..
she is beautiful now.. just like her mother.. ;-)

April...Sarah looks like you. When I first saw the picture, before I read the text, I thought it must be a picture of you as a child. She's beautiful.

Abby is an adorable girl as well.Thanks for sharing the photos.

Shells - what does FWIW mean?

I'm such a moron.

FWIW - for what it's worth.

I too thought Sarah looks a great deal like you. so I imagine she is still beautiful, and it would be like looking in a mirror.

I so hope that now that she is reaching adulthood she realizes that you need to be, and she needs you to be, part of her life. I am so glad you are part of ours.

April - Thanks for teh photos! 2 beauties! That story of John helping Abby had me laughing though I'm sure John was crying by the time the homework was done. LOL

I'm so glad to hear that John is now experiencing your frustration. I think both father AND daughter will benefit from this experience and it's good that you aren't the mean one for a change

I'm already having to almost FORCE my DH to be more involved in disciplining our little guy. I got tired of being mean ole Mama, and Austin is starting to just ignore me when I tell him to do something. I had to punish him almost every single day last summer and he was better for awhile, but he's getting to be real mouthy and backtalks and is sarcastic (where on earth did a 4 1/2 year old learn sarcasm? Oh yeah... from ME)

Your Sarah was a beautiful girl, and I'm sure that with you as a Mom, she is turning into a beautiful woman. I hope and pray that someday soon she will realize what she is missing by not having you in her life, and will seek you out.

Shells - no, I'd never let Abby know how I feel about that. Just like with animals, never let them know you're scared!

Kim - yeah, get that tooth issue resolved because the longer you wait, the more costly the procedure will be.

Vickie - I had three blond-haired children, and Sarah is my dark-haired child and she's beautiful. When she was born, her Dad looked at me as if to say, "Whose child is this, because she isn't mine!" Nice guy, eh?

MaryKay - your comment made me cry. Thanks for making me feel needed. Unfortunately, my oldest child -- Jamie -- has made it clear that he doesn't want to be a part of my life. He will be 20 years old in March. When he turned 18, I wrote a letter to him asking him if he is in college now so that I could tell the insurance comany to keep him on my health insurance policy, or not (I hafta pay their health insurance as well as child support). I got a nice tidy letter back from his attorney telling me, basically, "I don't have to tell you anything about my life, and I don't WANT to tell you anything about my life, and henceforth, LEAVE ME ALONE." Signed by my son and his attorney. So I surmise that Sarah feels the same way. I dunno. I cannot allow it to depress me ny further. I've wasted FAR to much energy on the entire situation. I've got a family here and now who want me and need me (Abby does...she just likes to dole out grief just because she can).

**Note to self: write my story, sell it to a movie producer or book publisher for big bucks, and have the last laugh.

Rob - before I came into the picture, John was the one who helped all of the kids with their homework. He said that Jole (his ex) never had the patience for it (or a penchant for house-cleaning or laundry, so he did all of that, too). He said that helping her (doing it for her in the end) with that homework the other night just brought back bad memories, and he nearly begged me to help her from now on. I told him that I would ONLY if he would support me in my efforts. I told him that perhaps if there were TWO adults in the house being UNIFIED in this entire homework situation that she would, perhaps, think: "Hey. ALL parents are like this. April's not a wicked step-mother just getting in my business." He just nodded his head when I said that. We shall see...

Felonee - I don't punish these kids. I just let them know from the get-go that I won't tolerate certain attitudes from them. That's all I ask. Do your homework, and don't give me an attitude about it. I've told Abby time and again, "I don't make the rules. Everyone has their work to do. I'm just here to enforce the rules, so don't crucify me for doing my job."

Been tossing and turning in the dang bed since 3:00am. Strong, strong winds started blowing through here, bringing with it very cold weather. It was supposed to have snowed, but I looked out the window and don't see any. Philip is having his driving test today for his license. I hope he passes. His brother, Ben, didn't pass it the first time and it was wretched to see him cry about it.

Going to get more coffee now and start sorting the laundry.

April - If it was me I'd make a deal with John to share the helping with homework chore. And it does sound like a chore, right up there with scrubbing floors on hands and knees. LOL

April,
You are doing what is good and right. You are a good person! Stay the course.
Sending good thoughts your way.

(((hugs)))
S.

April, I have to agree..... Sarah is the spitting image of you.... quite beautiful! I just know in my heart one day you will see your children again....... Keep the faith my dear friend.

Hi April, stopping in with my first cuppa coffee. I have to say that Sarah is beautiful in that picture and does look so much like her Mommie. I'll bet she has a lot of you in her. I have this feeling that one day your children will want to make up the years. To see Sarah now, find the photos of yourself at her present age.

Abby is a very pretty little girl. I'm hoping that in combination with John's support, the homework and other issues with her for that matter, will take a more positive direction for you.

One of my DSs did not pass his drivers test the first time, nor did he the second time. I supposed I should clarify. In KY first you take a written exam for the driver's permit. Drive on that for six months before you take an actually driving test with a state official. So, DS passed written exam with flying colors, but he actually got the same woman both times for the driving test. She is wicked and mean, I'm being honest here. She has a reputation all over this city of loving to fail kids, especially boys. Every kid and especially boys, pray he/she doesn't get her on the driver's exam. She got it in for DS and knit picked him to death. Poor kid was so paranoid on the second try, it's no wonder. Third time was a charm! The male examiner that rode with him said he did a beautiful job! Passed him with almost a perfect score. Go figure. Best wishes to Philip today.

I think the movie is a GREAT idea! Have a good weekend April.

Rob - yeah, it's a chore. Other chorse -- like laundry -- don't talk back to you, however!

Shelley - thanks! I think I'm a good person, too. Things will simmer down at some point, I hope.

Rhonda - perhaps they will. Maybe they won't. I'll just keep expecting the worse, and hope for the best -- that way I won't be disappointed.

Susie - Philip didn't pass the driving test. He knocked over a cone. The thing that upsets him the most is that he'll hafta ride the school bus to school now. We've been without bus service for all high-schoolers since August, but a levy passed with the last vote and bus service starts again Tuesday. I've been taking him to school each morning -- we leave the house about 6:40am -- and I get back home just in time to get ready for work. So, his personal ride days are now over! He hasta be at the bus stop at 6:35am, and that just upsets him. OH WELL. I had to WALK to school when I was in grade school, and it was three miles there and three miles home. No kidding. He has an appointment for another test on Tuesday, the 24th.

I went to Borders and bought two books last night. I'm reading The Schwarzbein Principle, and The South Beach Diet. This new eating plan that John and I have been following is working wonderfully well for him. Since 12-29-05, he's lost 9 pounds. I initially lost 9 pounds, but have gained 4 of that back. So, it's working for him, but not for me. I'm going to read these two books and find a plan that will work for me now. The one we're following allows too much fruit for me, I do believe, and not enough fat, and leaves me feeling hungry. I lost more weight, more consistently, following Atkins' Induction for 23 months, but that was when I was still in my 30's. Now that I am 44 -- nearly 45 -- my metabolism has slowed, and things are different for me. I know now that I didn't do myself any favors by staying at Induction levels for that length of time, but I'm going to find something that WILL work for me NOW. I'll post updates.