WOW! What a roller coast ride - and it ain't done yet!

Well, I hope everyone's Thanksgiving was great. Ours was pretty good, at least the day was anyway. Steve, DAve, Angie, MomB and I went out traget shoting before dinner up in Viola. I havn't shot my guns since before Conner was born and forgot how much I enjoy it. Steve just bought a new handgun and wanted me to practice with it for safety sake. I did pretty good, if I do say so myself. I hit the target or right next to it most of the time anyway.
We have some sad news at our house though. We've lost both of our older cats in the last month. Chaos passed away the Monday before Halloween and he was the hardest. Steve and I stayed up with him most of the night, the poor baby kept going into seizers and we thought we lost him a couple of times during the night. It was just too late to take him to the vets - it was a REALLY hard night for the whole family. Then a month later, the Satruday after Thanksgiving, Cleo started to shut down with kidney failure. Conner and I took her to our vets and had to have her put to sleep. Our home seems so empty now with out our first two babies around. Jake is really lost and has become alot more clingy lately. We've talked about getting another cat but thought it might be better to wait until after Christmas.
So, now we've had the Diagnostic Center come up from Richmond and do some more testing on Conner at his school. The ladies that came up were very nice and Conner really enjoyed working with them. So, now they're saying that although he has autistic-like characteristics, he's not really in the autism spectrum. He's not PDNos, or Asperger either. Conner is just unique. He does have learning disabilitys, especially with audio coordinating skills, social skills, etc. He also has some sort of neurological problem where his synapsis don't meet or something, this makes it hard for him to do any task that requires the use of both hands at the same time. ie cutting his own meat, sweeping the floor, raking leaves, spreading butter on bread, etc. etc. Conner has a hard time with tasks that "cross his mid-line". So, I now have an appointment with our doctor today to see if we need neurological testing done. I have a meeting with his service coordinator w/Far Norther next Wednesday and hopefully a meet with his occupational therapist soon to coordinate activities to help Conner with his gross and fine motor skills. Tired yet? I am. Wish us luck :-)

ever feel like your head's about to explode??

or better yet, like your body is being pulled apart with one person at each limb wanting your attention to do "something" NOW! YOu would not believe how incompetent the guys I work with are! It's getting harder for me to get my work done because I spend so much time cleaning up &/or correcting their mistakes. And doing the things that they don't know how to do - never mind that I've shown them how to do it. They still can't figure it out. AAAARGH! I've even got people from other plants and sales offices calling or emailing me to do this, fix that, etc. etc.
This doesn't even touch the personnel stuff I've got going on. I really feel like I'm going to implode or something. It's starting to manifest in acutal physical ailments now. heart palpitations, panic attacks, severe pain, upset stomach, etc. etc. I really feel like sh..
Oh well, who wants to listen to a whiner, right? But I figure since this is my blog I can whine if I want to . LOL At least it lets me get some of this out without spilling sh** on other people. I hate when that happens...

Golden Gate Faire

Well, we finally made it to faire this summer! Yeah!!!! And it couldn't have been a better one to start with. Kallen and I had a great time in our booth. The magic that seems to have been missing from faire for the last couple of years was back in force last weekend. We had the best time playing with the crowd - the energy was really high.
I loved the "epic sea battles" that the Brothers of the Black Flag waged - marshmellow cannons blazing!!! The crowed really got into it and the gig on Sat. must have lasted over an hour.
Hail to Jeff who was bombarded by flying marshmellows on Sunday!
And I can't forget my leather-clad friend, Robert...Whew!!!!!
(excuse me while I get some ice water - grin)
All in all, it was a pretty good weekend. Marti and Bill did a fantastic job and I can't wait until we get to play again in Anderson.

vacation!!!!!

I'm sooo excited - Steve was finally able to get more than a day at a time off so we both took next week and are going up to Oregon, camping! I really need the "beach time" We were able to get reservations for one of the yurts at Bullard's Beach, (near Bandon). My sister stayed in one once and said she just loved it. Anyway, we're planning on leaving Tues and wont be back here till Friday - weather says it's going to be around 70-71 deg. and sunny...are you jealous yet? I hear it's supposed to be triple digits here again next week. (smile)
So, we'd thought we'd spend one day going to the wildlife park and exploring Bandon and the rest of the time lazing around and playing on the beach. I am SO looking forward to this!
Almost had a hitch in our plans though. I got summoned to jury duty yesterday and wound up making it all the way through to jury selection (a first for me - usually I don't get past the "call back" or "waiting around" stage). I got dismissed though by the judge - I mean, it was caught on tape so it's kind've hard for me to be impartial. (I didn't try too hard either - 'cause......hey COAST TRIP!) lol
Anyway, I had a moment and thought I'd share the joy.
Hope all my friends are having a great day!!!!
Rie

UGGH!

You ever have one of those co-workers that lives for cotraversy? You know the one who loves to "stir things up?" They're so superior, etc. etc. One minute they can be really nice, they next they have to have things their way. They have to point things out whenever they think you've dropped the ball. Always have gossip. Ya, you know the one!
It just drives me crazy that I feel like I have to take care of everything in this office! If I let down my guard and let something go, doesn't matter how small, I hear about it.I mean, there is 5 other people here in this office, but do you think someone else could see that the mail isn't done yet, or an order needs to be filed and maybe I'm busy so of course they don't even think about helping out. Never mind that it's not really my job to do or that it's something that anyone in the office should or could do. If it's not done, I should have done it! How many jobs am I supposed to handle? I already have to run herd on my boss and manager because they don't know how to do stuff and I'm the senior employee. I try to ask for help and I'm whining; I don't and I'm a martyr!
I can't win for losing.
To top all that off, I'm still trying to understand what I'm supposed to do for Conner. All I hear is that it's up to me to make sure he gets everything he needs; academically, socially, etc. I've been trying to get him in these programs but so far they've been pretty full up. I'll keep trying though.
Is it wrong for me to be kindn've embarrassed when he does things in public? lIke pick his nose, etc. We keep trying to get him to stop but havn't had much luck yet. It's just that I hear about it from his teachers, and some of our friends....
He still doesn't know how to swim yet. I've had him in swim lessons since before kindergarten but we can't seem to get him past the "trust factor" the point where he lets his feet up off the floor of the pool and "trusts" that the water will hold him up or that the adult with him will keep him safe. He's the only kid his age screeming at the pool and I'm afraid his teachers will give up on him.

oh well....life goes on

Well, it's been awhile since I posted anything. We've had a lot of stuff happen in the last couple of months. Conner is now officially diagnosed as having (being?) "high functioning autistism". I've just met with his service corrdinator through Far Northern, who seems to be a very nice man. He assured me that Conner would be eligible for help from now till death. That's kind've depressing, in a way. I mean I guess it really hit me when he said that. That this is something Conner is going to have to deal with the rest of his life. Don't get me wrong, I know it could be a lot worse. For the most part, Conner is a normal, healthy 9 year old boy. he just has some problems socially and academically and we're trying to get him the help he needs to go through life. Sometimes though, like when his teacher is looking at me intentlly and saying "it's going to be an uphill battle" and "you're really going to have to fight to get him what he needs." The school system wont want to give him the extra help, I have to fight and bully my way to get it! Those of you who know me, know that I'm not a very aggressive person. But now I'm going to have to go toe to toe with the education system just to make sure Conner has a chance. It scares me sometimes. What if I'm not strong enough? Steve's willing to do what ever it takes, but the reallity is, I'm more accessable. So I'm the one who has to talk with all the teachers, therapists, etc. etc. Whew!! I guess we just take it one day at a time. Conner is such a wonderful boy! I'm just lost sometimes at how to help him.
Meanwhile, I also just found out that my Dad has Parkinsons. Steve's Dad died of Parkinsons just last year and now my dad is going through the same thing. Mom is strong and just taking it one day at a time. But I know that she is preparing herself for his death as well. I just hope I can be strong for her and him and help them where they need it.

OK - here we go again

OK, so Steve and I have been talking to Conner's teachers, reading books, looking things up on the web. The mystery of Conner goes on. He's such a wonderful kid, so smart & sweet, but he's still having problems at school. Anyway, we heard back from Far Northern and they are going to contact his school to see about observing him or what ever. The new buz word is Asperger Syndrom, or high functioning autism. Did you know that the government did a study and they say that 1 out of every 150 kids have some sort of autism? 1 out of 92 in Brooklyn (imagin that!) Anyway, Conner still has problems with math and writing, etc. His teachers are worried about him socially as well. He just doesn't quite fit in with his peer group.
So, the school has him in adaptive PE and he has an occupational therapist that he see's once a week now as well. Now, we have someone from Far Northern to checking on him and no one seems to know anything. It's just a shot in the dark I guess.
Anyway, wish him luck. I'm hoping that once things settle down a bit, Conner will get the help that he needs.

Fair Oaks

Well, what can I say? It has HOT! We were so lucky to get a spot under the trees and near the stage though!
Steve and I had a great time playing with our girls. Erin and Kataya are always so much fun and helpful. And I'm so glad Ann was able to come and enjoy fair with us. I'm hoping to convince her to come to Golden GAte with us - then we'll have some REAL fun since I know that Sara and Abby will be there as well.
I can't wait to dance with them again. I miss it so much!
Anyway, other than the numbers being down because of the heat (hey! I'm a merchant, I gotta worry about the $$) we had a really good time. The energy was pretty low on Saturday, but we started to see some of the usual playfulness Sun. morning that I've come to expect at Fair Oaks. Hopefully next year will be back to normal so we can have the fun and games that everyone loves so well.

after the meeting....

OK, so the meeting wasn't so bad, this time. I think the school has finally stopped trying to squeeze Conner into a set mold! The new physical ed teacher/therapist, whatever still wants to work with him next year but that's ok. They finally see his ablilty to draw and see in 4 dimensions as a good thing. Now instead of hearing words like ADD, autism, etc. they're saying talented and gifted. The fact that he is amberdexterous isn't so much a concern now as it once was and they are very impressed with how sweet, polite and smart Conner is.
It was funny walking into the meeting thought, seeing as Steve and I had just finished a demo for Conner's class and we were still dressed in garb when we attended. Maybe the school's new positive outlook had something to do with the 2 swords and the dagger Steve had with him...? ;-) Anyway, it's hard to point out a child's imagination and creativity when his parents show up in costume!
We plan to work on his math and writing skills this summer so that 3rd grade wont be too hard. It's our hope anyway!
Well, better go. lunch's almost over.

KIDS AND SCHOOL

OK, So we got "the letter" yesterday in the mail. YOu know the one from the school that says they want to meet with you to go over your child's progress? I really like the school Conner goes to, but I get so frustrated with the way they try to fit him into some kind of mold! It all started with his 2nd kindergarten teacher. Conner had no problems with his first teacher, but she was just helping out while the 2nd teacher was on sick leave. She comes into the classroom and all of a sudden my son is ADHD and we need to have him tested, yadda yadda. Well, we did some checking, talked with other teachers and his pediatrian, etc. & guess what? He's not ADHD! Not even close! So, he has a new teacher in 1st grade and everything is going fine until we have to meet with this council at the end of the year and now they think, maybe he is slightly autistic. hum, maybe? Have you ever been in one of these meetings? You have to sit with 6-7 other people, teacher, principal, therapists (speach, physical ed, etc) phycoligists, etc. OUt of all these people the only ones who really know your child is you and his teacher but they feel that they are qualified to tell you that your child is "lacking" or that they have "concerns". Why? because Conner interacts better with adults and younger children than to his own age group and because he can't throw or catch a ball! Well, gee, do you think it could be because he has spent 95% of his time before school with adults and that neither his father or myself are "physical - sports minded" type people? All of his teachers say how sweet he is and how smart. Yet they have concerns because he uses his imagination. He makes up stories and draws pictures! So what! Conner is solid acedemically so leave him alone! Anyway, now we're supposed to go to another meeting (mind you, this is at the end of the year, not during when something more can be done) and find out what new name or condition the school is going to give him. Wish us luck! It's time we go into battle!