Riding for Miles (Miles for Miles)

Two of our favorite people, Clark (Uncle Dude) and Katie, are riding in the Best Buddies Ride in Washington, D.C. in Miles's honor.  If you love Miles, want to support the Best Buddies program, or simply have a burning desire to spend money, please visit their fundraising website.  Click here!

Please support Team Miles for Miles

In the dark

We are in the dark, going on day 3 1/2 without power. The house survived the storm with only minor damages, though we lost some huge limbs. As for us, we are doing okay. Irene greatly rattled Poppy, and she's been fussy since. We also think she's afraid of the dark, poor baby. Miles is loving all of the sticks and puddles- it's like little man adventure land. And Jesse and I have been locked in a serious ongoing Scrabble battle. I won last night with a 54 point word which u cannot share in this family forum- : ). All in all, we are feeling thankful, especially as we remember Hurticane Katrina this time of year.

It's the final countdown.

Tomorrow this time I will be setting up classroom. Sigh.

Tonight

Tonight I am grieving for some friends of our family.

Until now I thought a sudden death would be a blessing, no long drawn out illness, no time spent fearing all of the unknowns... Now I am feeling the pain of an unexpected passing, the pain of not getting to say goodbye. And that is truly devastating.

Back to School Thoughts while Going Blonder

Sitting here, head full of foils, counting down the seconds until I start my 6 year as a teacher. How 'bout them apples? That's amazing! This is also a landmark victory because I've made it past the typical 5 year burnout for special educators. Like I tell folks, I'm in special education life- in one capacity or another. Which brings me to another thought- if I weren't teaching, how else could I be as involved in the special education community in a professional sense? Teaching keeps me on the front line for all procedural and paperwork changes; it allows me to be our best advocate. I've always thought things happen for a reason, and my background definitely has definitely payed off in spades on terms of knowing and finding resources for Miles. So I guess I owe a huge AMEN and thanks for my school district for taking in me.

And I'm not the only one in countdown mode. Miles wanted to talk about his bus last night at bedtime. He's so ready. He misses his buddies, all of the fun activities, and of course, his beloved bus. I would pay (if I could) to get the same driver and aide for him. Miss Rita & Miss Carolyn truly loved him- and we couldn't have felt better sending him off each day- besides, they gave him the best hugs. I'm going to tear up soon- time to blame the bleach.

Updates: M & P

Miles is rebounding from two nasty infections. We had a double-header of strep and sinus infections come crashing down on him (and me) last week. After two rounds of two different meds, he's looking better. Still a bit snotty, but his energy and ability to cooperate (which disappears when he's sick) have returned.

Poppy has teeth, two beautiful (and Ginsu sharp) bottom teeth. The top two are begging to join the party, and they are hellbent on making an entrance as soon as possible. For the most part, Penelope is handling the matter with elegance and grace. Other times, she is gnawing my hand off in a non-verbal plea for some liquid Tylenol. God bless teething toys. Especially those that can be chilled. Amen.

Open

I'm officially open for suggestions. Like... go back to school and finish my needed course work in art (or philosophy, psychology, Am. studies... all the cool places my brain visited before joining the real world.) These past 24 hours have me thinking a change is needed. So, I am going to open-minded and see what the universe (and your thoughts) might be. Is it time to pick up the paint brush again? Write a novel? Explore the cultural influence of John Hughes films on shaping Generation X's approach to consumerism and identity in an ever-narrowing capitalistic market tinged with monopolistic rhetoric? Seriously, I need to stretch my proverbial "career" legs and take a look around. Maybe.

An analogy waiting to happen...

Red Leaves

The Japanese maple on my deck has recently sprouted red leafs. Much bigger than the existing green leaves. Fast and furious, they have crashed my little tree's house party, and they are looking to take over. Is there an analogy lurking in here? Something to do with the green and red leaves developing differently though they are from the same tree, that they will have to work together as they age- giving nutrients to the tree for a common good, as siblings they will be supporting each other, and... Naw, I was just checking to make sure you were paying attention.

But seriously, the maple is starting to turn red... and we are in the last, wheezing, gasping moments of my beloved summer vacation, or as this year will forever be known as, Toddler 'n' Teether 2011! Going back to work might actually be a bit easier than what I've had to juggle over the past few hot weeks. Middle schoolers vs. Thomas tiny tots... it's a toss up.

Is my heart breaking at the thought of not spending 90% of my days with Miles and Poppy? You bet your sweet bippy it is. Breaking into a million tiny pieces- oddly shaped like toy trains and binkies. Most of the time, my timing stinks. But Poppy's is spot on. She waited until June to truly come out of her shell, and I'd like to think she was saving it up for me. Thank God for this time because I've been able to bond with her. And we've been able to watch Miles fall in love with his sister, too. Case in point, I trucked the munchkins into school today- had to pick up my new laptop. The drive over couldn't have been cuter; they were taking turns making each other laugh. Think ridiculously cute and multiply that by 100, that's what it was like to be there.

As I am going to miss them once I'm back full time in the classroom, I know they will miss each other when Miles also returns to school. This might make me a bit sadder than as I before. Great. Back to those red leaves, I guess.

Achoo!

On today's agenda- cleaning and sneezing. Poppy's big move is underway, and I've already had my first dose of allergy medication. As has Miles- he woke up crusty and cranky. I don't think his OTC allergy meds are cutting it anymore. He and both suffer from arm bumps related to allergies. While mine are under control, his have erupted this summer. Little man now has to use a prescription lotion containing lactic acid- as thus far it's not helped. Our ENT is also an allergy wizard. Hopefully we will make to our October appointment without having to move it up.