Post Christmas

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas.
We sure did.
We celebrated with my family the Saturday
BEFORE Christmas because we all go
to our in-laws for Christmas.
Because I neglected to charge my camera battery,
here is the only pic I got - but it's a good one.
That is my ADORABLE nephew Carter.
He's 10 months old and just the best!
AND that is my MOM! She's doing great!

Christmas Eve day, Dylan and I ran around town doing
last minute shopping and decided to have breakfast
at Henry's, our local greasy spoon.

As we were being seated....I saw it first....and made sure I
wouldn't be facing it. What was it you ask?
Looked like THING to me.

.....shudder...........
Come one, would you want to eat with that mess
right in front of you?
No.
So I did what any caring mother would do....
I made my kid face it.

This was his view:

This was my view:


He thanked me by shooting his straw wrapper at me.

Christmas morning was great!
Check out these pics of Dylan getting his "favorite" gift - a Mac Book



His reaction was MY favorite Christmas gift.

I Think It's Coming Back!

I feel like gettin' crafty!

Dreams

Dream #!
-Paul, my gorgeous husband, was
discovered by Marc Jacobs and became an
international supermodel.....at age 50.
Marc Jacobs liked the fact that Paul was
a regular guy and decided to use that.
Paul's clothes consisted of tuxedoes covered
in glitter and the shirts were different colors.
When he wore the deep blue shirt his face was
painted blue to match the shirt - it was a concept
thing. And a curling iron was used to create
antennae looking things in the front of his head.
Paul was going to be a superstar. Not only was
he going to travel all over the world, but he
was going to lecture on being a "regular guy"
who modeled.
I was pissed because he had to be in Milan at
4pm on Christmas and that was going to ruin our plans.
I was also pissed because he was hanging out
with male and female models who were doing drugs.
He just wanted to model for a year to make a ton
of money for us.
I was sure he was going to leave me for life
in the fast lane.

Dream #2
-I'm working in an office.
Jan from The Office is my boss.
Obama also works in my office but he's not
the president or anything, he just worked there.
Jan thinks I'd be right for a position in NYC.
She sends me on an interview.
There are 6 of us up for the job.
One girl who already went on her interview told me
there was a uniform for the position which consisted
of a plaid skirt, a navy blazer with a patch on the pocket,
knee socks........and a helmet.
I took a handsome cab to the interview and the
driver asked me for my number and I gave it
to him hoping he'd call me for a date.
The interview, which was in the Citicorp
Center was held in a section of the
center where the Duggars - the one's with
18 children lived, in their house.
It as filthy. I had to go into the
bathroom to put on tights but the
door wouldn't lock.
Then I got a headache and woke up.

I relayed these dreams to Paul - my supermodel,
and he asked me, "are you sure you're not supposed to
be taking those pills anymore?"

Steroids

So I've been coughing since Halloween.
Seriously coughing.
Well, of course it would be serious if it's been
going on for over a month.
I called my doc and he prescribed a Z-pac.
Took it.
Still coughing.
I finally went to a pulmonologist - lung doc.
He took xrays, gave me breathing tests, listened here
there and everywhere.
Doesn't know what's wrong with me.
Prescribed Prednisone.
Prednisone is a steroid that is supposed to
prevent/constrict inflamation ie: clear up my
lungs that already look clear on the xray.
Whatever.
So I take it.
I've taken it before.
No problem.
2 weeks later.
Still coughing.
Prednisone for 2 more weeks.
Now I notice something.
I'm down.
So down.
Down
Down
Down
Sad
feel like crying for no reason
but the coughing is subsiding.
Why am I so down?
I'm happy that my mother is home.
I'm happy that it's Christmas.
I'm happy, right?
AREN'T I HAPPY???!!!!!!!
Why do I feel so sad when
I'M SO FREAKIN' HAPPY DAMNIT?
Oh, I'm also feeling hostile.
Hostile
angry
short fused
very hostile.
I almost yelled at a man in a parking lot
for taking two spots.
Dylan was like, "Mom, whoa."
BUT THE COUGHING IS SUBSIDING AND I'M
SO FREAKIN' HAPPY.....and hostile....
and I want to eat one whole wall of the house.
Ok, maybe 2 walls.
I drive to the store to buy a pint of Hagen Daaz
Chocolate Chocolate Chip ice cream to have for
dinner.
NO SHARING.
(that's where I almost yelled at the man in the parking lot)
So let's see....
I'M SO FREAKIN' SAD, HOSTILE AND HUNGRY.
What the hell is wrong with me.
Hello internet.
"Call Doctor immediately if you have any of these serious
side effects from taking Prednisone: SEVERE DEPRESSION.
yup, that's me.
Hello!!?????
I suffer from depression anyway (well managed I might say)
Why the hell would you give me this medicine that makes me
want to run over cats and dogs with my car??????
So I stop taking it.
Call the doc in the morning.
He says, "oh, yeah, you better stop taking that."
I need a new doctor.
And no, I didn't eat all the ice cream.
There's a spoonful and a half left for tonight.

Business Trip

*Warning:
This is possibly my dullest post ever.
You may just want to check back tomorrow for
something - anything else.



Oh, still here........
Hey - don't say I didn't warn you!


Thank you for all your votes about my
travel bag issues.

I am not a Vera Bradley type.
So yes, I even surprised myself when I
decided to look.

I chose Kensington.
It's being discontinued.
Fine, whatever. I don't need every single piece.

I chose:
-a large duffle
-a toiletry bag
-a jewelry bag
-a ditty bag
-2 makeup bags







As I said previously, I'd like some casual overnight
luggage. Come on, I'm due.
AND
I'm taking MY FIRST BUSINESS TRIP in March.
I want things that go together.
It's a summer camp convention, so
Vera Bradley will fit in just fine.

I like the pattern a lot.
AND IT'S ALL ON SALE!!!
I already picked up the duffle and ditty for Paul to
give me and I took Dylan to a store that has the rest
so he can show Paul what to get me.
Look, if I pick it out, we're all happy on Christmas morning, ok?
Who's with me here?

-and about that ditty bag.
What the hell are dittys?

Christmas.....for me.

So I was doing a little surfing and found these:


I really like the green bags and chose a funky monogram style with blue thread.
I also chose the jewelry roll.
I use a big Clinique free gift bag for my toiletries when I travel.
Come on now, I'm 42.
I deserve some grown up stuff, don't I?
So I put these items in my cart and showed it to Dylan so he
could show Daddy what to get me for Christmas.
Each day I checked the cart.
Each day there were 2 items in the cart.
Each day.
Until yesterday.
Dylan checked yesterday and the cart was empty!
We thought Daddy shopped, but alas someone else did
and they removed my saved items and they are now
NO LONGER AVAILABLE!
Pppppppbbbbbbbttttttttttt!
I really wanted those.
So I've been searching again.
What do you people think of Vera Bradley?
Should I venture into her world?
It's a dangerous world full of many, many items.
Here are the two patterns I like:


This is called Raspberry Fizz.
I was immediately drawn to it.
Love orange.
It's fun, cute.
Like it.

This is Kensington.
Now keep in mind, just about everything I wear is brown, orange or green.
This would go with everything.
It seems a little more sophisticated.
However, it's being discontinued.
That being said, it's on sale.
I want:
a large duffle for travel
a toiletry bag
a jewel roll
a makeup bag

So, what do you think.
Help me out here girls.
Thanks!

Homecoming!!

My mother is coming home today!!!
She's been doing so well in physical therapy
that they've decided she'll be okay at home.
She'll continue outpatient therapy at home.

Is my dad ready?
I'm not sure, lol.
He has to learn to care for her at home,
help her with the stairs etc.

Mom is in great spirits.
She's back to her old self.
She'll begin radiation and chemo
soon and told me, "That's when I'll REALLY get sick."
She's ready to tackle this thing and so are we.
I can't wait to have her home.

THANK YOU to everyone who continues
to send me emails and comments.
Thank you for your good thoughts and
prayers. I'm so lucky.
Thank you.

This and That

Wearing:





Wanting

Reading

Trying

(it's $4 - compared to the $17 I spend on my other gel!)

Driving (mom's car)

Listening To

I don't care what Dooce says - this is my favorite Christmas Album.

Feeling Better - thanks.

I subbed in a nursery class earlier this week.
Those little faces were just what I needed.
It was wonderful.

Well, I could have done without the art project.

Glitter + 3 year olds = Bad idea.

Yeah, glitter is the herpes of the art world.
You never get rid of it.

I will leave you with a snippet of a conversation
I heard in class that day.

4 three year olds:
"Let's play house!"
"Ok, I'll be the mom."
"I'll be the dad."
"I'll be the baby."
"And I'll be the monster!"

I love them!

....to tears.

I am overwhelmed.
I am overwhelmed by what is going on.
I am overwhelmed by the stress.
I am overwhelmed by the worry.
I am overwhelmed by the kindness.
I am overwhelmed by the concern.
I am overwhelmed by the love.
I am overwhelmed.

Thanksgiving with Mickey - Pt. 1

We went to Disney for Thanksgiving.

WHAT WERE WE THINKING????!!!!!!

Now, I know I am going to make a few enemies
with this next comment, but here goes.....

I NEVER HAVE TO GO TO DISNEY WORLD AGAIN.

EVER.

It all started out fine and dandy.
We left cold NY early Saturday morning
and arrived in sunny Orlando before noon.
There was a bus to take us to our resort -
everything was going smoothly.
Once in our room, I noticed I had my
gloves (remember, we just left cold NY)
in my bag.
Me: Paul, can I have my coat, please?
P: I don't have your coat.
Me: What?
P: I don't have your coat.
Me: Well, where is it?

IT'S ON THE BUS.

So I called the bus company thinking, "Oh, this is Disney.
They've probably already found my coat and happy little magical
mice are running around singing songs just waiting to return it to
the princess who lost it."
WRONG.
No coat found.
Uh oh.
And guess what - Orlando is not all that warm at night.
I found that out as I waited for a bus to take us from
a restaurant back to our hotel.
My teeth were chattering uncontrollably.
It was about 45 degrees that night.
I needed a coat.
So then next day, I broke down
and purchased a........
WINNIE THE POOH FLEECE JACKET.
-FOR $65.
Hang on a minute - I have to stop gagging.
.................................................................
Ok, ok.
I'm ok.
I don't know what makes me sicker - the price tag or
the fact that I was going to wear a
WINNIE THE POOH COAT.
I AM NOT a Disney wearin' kind of girl.
No way.
This coat was the best I could do.
Yeah it had a character frolicking around on it
but if you were standing about 50 feet away and
really squinted your eyes, and it
was dark, you might not see it.
I would take a picture of it for you but I'm
sure my camera would turn around and
slap me silly if I tried.

Black Friday

Happy Day after Thanksgiving.

We were away for the holiday.
It was hard to go away right
after my mother's diagnosis, but
everyone agreed it would be okay,
and it was. Well, all except for the
trip itself - more on that in the
next post.

We received mom's diagnosis on Friday
afternoon and set off on our trip
early Saturday morning.

Diagnosis - level 4 primary tumor
What does that mean?
Well, any tumor is bad.
There are 4 levels - 1=low, 4=high
Primary=first
Secondary=second

So, there you go.

Need Strength

Having a rough time of it today.
Edgy.
Jumpy.
Moody.
Not all that much fun to be around.
My neck aches.
It's getting to me.

Be strong.

Strength.

You Are Good People

You are good people.
I've received so many encouraging
comments and e-mails - many from
people I don't even know. Thank
you for taking the time so send
prayers and good thoughts. It's
greatly appreciated.

I'm not going to say too much
more about it right now.
I'm going to try to focus on
other things - at least on the blog.

Thank you again for your support.

Please send prayers.

Mother
brain tumor
cancer
Please pray.
Thank you.

Very Serious

I have a family emergency.
Please send prayers, good thoughts,
whatever you've got.
Thank you,
Kerry

Uhhhh.................

So I'm subbing in Pre-K.
4 year olds.
OMG are they cute!!!!
They're learning the letter D.
The teacher left a book for me to read,
Danny and the Dinosaur,
perhaps you read it as a child:




So we're reading about Danny's trip to the museum.
Things are going great. Danny is having a great day.
Then we get to this page.....

"DANNY SAW INDIANS."

"Mrs. M.? WHAT'S AN INDIAN?"

"R" is a little girl who just happens to be dressed in
an authentic Indian outfit because our school was having a
Diwali celebration that day. Diwali is the Hindu celebration of light.

So back to:
"Mrs. M? WHAT IS AN INDIAN?"

"R" pipes up - "I'm an Indian!"

Me - um......."Yes, "R" is Indian".
Now they're all looking at me like....., wait a minute,
"R" isn't wearing animal skins and she doesn't have feathers in her hair.

Me - "THESE Indians are the people who were the first
people to live in America. We call them Native Americans.

Blank Stares

Ok, no questions.
They accept my answer.
That was easy.
Let's move on.

Danny saw bears.

Danny saw Eskimos.

"Mrs. M? WHAT'S AN ESKIMO?"

Me: "OK, who knows what indigenous means?"

I HATE Danny.

Well, I was scared..........

So Dylan and I watched a movie yesterday.



Now this film scared the bejesus out of me when I was younger.
It was made in 1982 so I couldn't have been more
than 16 (yeah, do the math) when it came out.
I suggested we watch it early in the day in case he was
freaked out by it and wouldn't be able to sleep.
Well, was I wrong.
Not only was he NOT freaked out, he was laughing.
There would be some special effects and he'd turn and
look at me with raised eyebrows like, "are you kidding me?".

The part where the mom is running down the hallway at the end
still gets me, you know, when the hallway gets longer.
OK, Dylan thought that was cool, but when she opened the
kids bedroom and was lifted of her feet by the posessed
closet door - he lost it. He was hysterical - laughing, that is.

Oh well.

Much Better.............

My feet are A LOT happier today.

Note To Self:

When the new boots you're wearing are
ALREADY hurting your feet at 8:55am -
you're in trouble.

Here is a tiny picture of the culprits:


DAMN YOU, BUNIONS!!!!!!!!

4th Grade

We had a long discussion about the electoral college.
We talked about the election.
I asked:
"If something happened to the President and
the Vice President, who would become President?"

Answers:
-the treasurer
-the campaign manager
-the guy who didn't win
-the President's wife
-the secretary
-the loudest guy who works for him
-it's handed down to one of his children

I love my job.

MORE of the same.

So we went to the Oral Surgeon AGAIN yesterday.
Poor Dylan.
He re-injured his jaw.
What are the chances?
His soccer season is now over.
He's out of PE for 4 weeks.
Soft diet for 2 more weeks.
We go back to the doctor in 2 weeks.

No Way! Not Again!

So we went back to the oral surgeon on Friday.
Dylan got a clean bill of health.
He was thrilled, mainly because he was starving.
The "soft food" diet had run it's course.
He was so tired of it, he just stopped eating.
As we passed a McDonald's on the way home,
Dylan's head practically exploded so we made
a quick stop and 2 hamburgers later, he felt better.

Now cut to yesterday - Tuesday.
Clean bill of health, right?
Right.
Cleared for sports, right?
Right.
Soccer game, right?
WRONG!
HE GOT HIT IN THE JAW!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HE COULDN'T CLOSE HIS MOUTH AGAIN!!!
HE WAS CRYING BECAUSE HE DIDN'T WANT
TO EAT ANYMORE SOFT STUFF!!!
I was crying because I couldn't believe it.
As of this morning, he could close but he's in pain.
I'm calling the doctor.

-and no, that's not why I was annoyed.

Ugh!

I am so annoyed!

Jaws: Round 2

We go back to the oral surgeon today
to see if Dylan's jaw is back in place.
My poor little guy.
He is so sick of eating soft food.
"I just want a hamburger."
He's been living on a diet of:
-mac and cheese
-eggs
-milk shakes
-pancakes
-yogury
-pasta
He's so sick of eating this stuff that he'd just rather
not eat.
I hope the doctor gives us good news.

Jaws

My poor little guy had an accident at school yesterday
and now has a DISLOCATED JAW and a CONCUSSION.

He was playing Flag Football after school.
You know, that fun, NON CONTACT sport?
Well, the person he was guarding - a girl -
swung around and hit him in the chin with her arm.
His jaw got locked - OPEN.
He was in pain, dizzy, and couldn't close his mouth.
Thank God I was there. I was going to run a few errands
but decided to watch them play.
I ran out to the field, he was panicking.
They laid him down and I got him to slow his
breathing so he could calm down and hopefully close
his mouth. I called my dentist -WHOM I LOVE- and he called
an oral surgeon and said they were waiting for me.
Dylan was too dizzy to walk to the car, so I got the car
and off we raced. When I say raced, I mean it.
I really drove fast because all I could focus on was
Dylan crying in the back saying, "it hurts, it hurts".
I was not on my best game. I kept trying to call Paul
but I kept hitting the wrong numbers on the phone.
AND I HAVE THE NUMBERS PROGRAMMED!
For some reason I kept trying to dial.
They gave Dylan oxygen at the oral surgeon because he was
still dizzy. They took an X-Ray and thankfully his jaw was
not broken, but it was dislocated. Then we raced off to the
emergency room for a CT scan to see if he had a concussion.
No CT scan but yes on the concussion. They could tell from
his reaction to the injury.
So - exhale - he is fine.
Soft foods for a week and we go back to the surgeon on Friday.
My dentist called last night and today to see how D was feeling.
I LOVE MY DENTIST
and I'm not just saying it because his son reads my blog.
Anyway, when it was all over I felt like crying.
I was so shaken up by the whole thing. I'm surprised at myself.
I couldn't even fill out the papers at the surgeons.
Today, we're taking it easy.
Here are some pics of my boy enjoying a milkshake.

Breakfast for a Month

Dylan and I have to be out of the house by 7:30am.
As much as I would like to prepare a nutritious, healthy
breakfast for the kid, it's just not happening. The way our
schedules work out, he enters the kitchen just as I'm about
to begin the great transormation from morning hag to
beautiful, gorgeous, I can't believe she's over 40 mom.
(ok, so I'm stretching it, but you get the idea - makeup time)
Yes, he can get himself a bowl of cereal.
He can even make scrambled eggs.
I used to buy frozen waffles.
They fall into the category of what I call "Stupid Food".
Also in that category are:
-frozen pizza
-chicken nuggets
-bagel bites
Once a child is eating what you're eating, you have
to stop buying that garbage.
Cook one meal for the family, everyone eats it or they don't eat.
Anyway.....
I decided to make my own "stupid food", but it's made with real
ingredients so it's not stupid.
AND since I make a lot of it and freeze it so Dylan can just
pull it out of the freezer in the AM and pop it in the microwave,
I like to call it Smart Food - not to be confused with the pop corn.

So here we go, lots of pancakes and french toast.


Now you need a piece of wax paper.
Come on, I know you have some in your pantry.
You probably have the first box you ever bought,
you know, when you first got married and moved into
your new house?
Place a piece of french toast on the wax paper at a diagonal
and fold the corner over.


Put another piece on top. Each of my little packages
has two slices of french toast or three pancakes.



Fold the sides in so they overlap.


Now, my favorite part, which I think is pretty clever.
Yeah, I know, I need to get out more.
Take that tail piece that's sticking out......



.....and tuck it in between the two slices!
(Kerry is a giant loser)



And Voila'! You have a nice little packaged breakfast.


Breakfast for a month.


You know that he had a bagel this morning and cereal yesterday, right?
Why do I bother??

I'm back.

Hi.
I'm back.
Just took a little breather.
I really didn't intend to, just happened.

Updates:

Work is GREAT! I LOVE MY NEW JOB!
And no, I don't really have a home yet, but
I've adopted one. We'll see what happens.

The overnight was a lot of fun. The headmaster
and I won the "Wrap the student in toilet paper" contest
thank you very much.
- I had a lot of practice papering cars this summer.
(how old am I???)

I haven't scrapped a darn thing.
Nothing.
Nada.
Zilch.
I've been too busy with school and running Dylan all over town.
My last publication was in last issue of Paper Trends.
I have two things out and have no idea when they'll be pubbed.
It's nice to be surprised.

Ok, off to make dinner.
I'll be back.
Promise.

Upper School Camping Trip

I'm going on an overnight with the upper school.
I'll be with 5th graders.
It will be fun. It's their first time going - mine too!

Dylan is already there.
They left yesterday.
I'm going to try to avoid him so he
won't be the
KID WITH HIS MOMMY HANGING AROUND.

We leave this morning.
Wish me luck.

Nomad

Well, here is an update:
I still don't have a place to call my own.
I JUST WANT A DESK FOR GOODNESS SAKE!
I just want a place to put my stuff.
I know it will work out but I'd like to
to work out NOW.

I was in the nurse's office yesterday and
a student walks in.
His stomach hurt.
Nurse: Did you have breakfast?
Kid: Yes.
N: What did you eat?
K: You know those sausage, egg and cheese things
at Burger King? .......I had two of those, I had some
of those apple fritter things which were really good
and two croissants.
N: Oh. Do you think that's why your stomach hurts?
K: Hmmmm........... nah.

Homeless.

They have no home for me.
No place for me to go.
No place to put my stuff.
I was able to put my bag in an office today,
but I'd like to have a home -
I was told I'd have a home.
I need somewhere to display
my cute Post-It Notes!!

Where Did She Go??!!

Hi.
I'm here.
Just took some time off.
I was on "vacation" - camp was over, school
hadn't started yet. I really didn't have much to say.

So what have I been up to?
Sunning.
Shopping.
Getting ready for school.
I have to go back today for a meeting.
I start my new position this year as
PERMANENT SUBSTITUTE TEACHER.
I'm really looking forward to it.
I just hope they find a home for me -
an office, somewhere to hang my hat.
I guess I'll find out today.
Wish me luck!

Final Week

So, today begins my final week of camp.
It flew by, can't believe it.
Now, for those of you who know me
I know you're still thinking....
"How the hell can Kerry be working at
a day camp all summer???"
I know.
I hate heat.
I hate the outdoors.
I hate not wearing make-up.
I could go on.......
But I just love this place and this job.
Go figure.

Last Thursday was my favorite day.
We had the Senior Sleep Over.
All of senior camp (ages 8-12) are
invited to stay until 8pm for games,
swimming, dinner, and a slide show.
Then the 8-10 year olds go home and the
rest are invited to sleep over.
Yeah, so are the counselors.

I.
HAD.
A.
BLAST.

We had a counselor hunt - I was laying down at the bottom
of a stairwell among spider webs and who knows what else.
Was the 3rd to last to be found thank you very much.

We had a bonfire and told scary stories. Even I let out
a yelp when the "werewolf" ran by.

I led the girls on an all out pillow assault on
the unsuspecting boys.

I toilet papered my boss' car.

At 3am some girls woke me up to tell me that my
boss was "going crazy" and doing stuff to my car.
Yeah, he was getting me back....so I hid his sleeping bag.

HOW OLD AM I???????

I slept maybe 3 hours and even those were broken up.
Had to work the next day with the same kids who kept me up.

Would I do it again?

In a second.

Loved it.

Thank You!!!!

Thank you for all the birthday wishes.
Had a GREAT day!
Came home from work to find three loads of
laundry done and dinner ready to go.
I have the best husband.
My parents came over with cupcakes.
Very nice day.

Had a great weekend.
Paul planned a golf outing for his
50th bday for Saturday.
One problem, the club was closed due
to all the rain we had. The course was flooded.
Paul scrambled and was able to get T-times
at another course and I made reservations at
a nearby restaurant. What looked like a near
disaster turned out to be a fantastic day.
Dylan was one of the 12 golfers (along with my boss!)
I joined them for dinner and we didn't get home until
1:30 AM.

We took it easy today, got some sun, slept.
It was a great weekend.

Birthday

Today is the 13th anniversary
of my 29th birthday.

Shit

Yesterday my two all time favorite campers got
into it......and not in a good way.
I love these two.
They are always getting into trouble but not because
they are sneaky, nasty or mean.
They're just little guys and they're funny.

Matt: Kerry, he said "shit" to me.
Mitch: Kerry, he said "shit" first.
Matt: No, you said "shit" first.
Mitch: No, you said "shit" first.
Matt: I wouldn't have said "shit" unless you said "shit".
Mitch: Why would I say "shit" if you didn't say "shit"?
Matt: I only said "shit" because you said "shit".
Mitch: You said "shit" before I said "shit".
Matt :Kerry, he said "shit" before I said "shit".
Mitch: No I didn't. He was the first to say "shit". Then I said "shit".
Matt: But you kept saying "shit" so I kept saying "shit".
Kerry: STOP!
Matt: But he said "shit".
Kerry: I SAID STOP! Mitch, did you really say that?
Mitch: But he said "shit"....
Kerry: IS THAT WHAT I ASKED YOU?
Mitch: But he said "shit"....
Kerry: STOP IT! Matt.....
Matt: Kerry, he said "shit" then I said "shit".....
Kerry: SSSTTTTTOPPPPPPPP! Just go play and don't say it anymore.
Matt: (smirking) Okay, we won't say "shit" anymore.

Love him.

Aaaahhhhh, the weekend.

>
I really earned this weekend.
This week was tough.
My boss was on a camping trip so
I was in charge of senior camp this week.
I can honestly say I'm ready for ANYTHING
they throw my way now.
A week of dealing with:
-foul language
-physical abuse of staff
-unwanted "touching"
-crying staff
-major phone calls to parents
.......will do that to you.

Wednesday and Thursday were fun too.
We invited a city camp to use our campus
after hours.
They came on two different days because they
are a very religious Jewish camp: boys and girls
have to be separated.
Well, that's fine, but our counselors aren't kept separate
so we had to figure out how to work with them while
respecting their beliefs.
Wednesday the girls came and it wasn't a problem.
I was in charge of putting the harnesses on for
the bungee jump.
Thursday we had double the number of boys.
Since I wouldn't be able to do the harnesses
(I couldn't touch the boys)
I was asked to actually run the bungee jump.
Now let me describe it:
4 trampolines
each trampoline has a bungee hook up which attaches
to the harnesses.
Here, I found a pic:
I'm supposed to stand on the side of the trampoline
and work a hydrolic lift thingy so the kids are
lifted just off the trampoline and then jump
and then they do flips and all that junk.
I AM AFRAID OF HEIGHTS!!!!!
Ok, so the trampoline is only 4 feet off the ground.
BUT here I am trying to balance, watching the kid
jump, I'm getting bounced around and I can't hold
onto anything.
Couldn't do it.
I couldn't get my bearings.
Ugh.
So I then moved to the zip line.
I am proud to say we have the longest zip line
on Long Island. I have to take their word for it
because there is NOT A SNOWBALLS CHANCE IN HELL
that I would EVER get up there.
Now, since I again cannot put the harnesses on the boys
I am left to put up the 8ft ladder each time the boys
zip past me. Then, as they zip back in my direction I
am to GRAB their legs to stop them, pull them to the ladder
which they will then climb up a step or two to the top
be unhooked and I help them down.
(Yeah, I know, can't put on harnesses but I
can grab their legs - whatever.)
*yes, take a minute to picture that scenario.
*go ahead.
Now stop laughing.
Yeah.
Now add a temp of 90 degrees.
Ok, now add humidity.
I really earned this weekend.

Little Boys

Ahhh, little boys.
I am responsible for about 12 of
them this summer.
12 8 and 9 year olds.
10 of them are great!
1 is struggling, but he's trying.
1 is trouble.
Not bad trouble, but trouble.
He gets into trouble each and every day.
The latest was throwing rocks.....
at the camp director's office windows.
Bad move.
WHY, WHY WHY????
Shouldn't he know that throwing rocks is wrong?
He's not a stupid child.
He's pretty bright, has an excuse for everything.
UGH!
Yeah, I guess he's just a little boy.

Hey - are you lurking???

Dana?
Donna?
Kim?
Jodi?

I know you're visiting.
Leave me a "hello".
It's easy.
Just register with blogger.
You don't have to have a blog.
I'd love to hear from you!

Boy Scout Camp

Dylan was away all last week.
The entire week.
One whole week.
I missed him so much.
What am I going to do when he
goes away to college??!!!!

Well, HE had a great time.
Not that he called us even once
to tell us.
Nope.
Didn't hear from him one time.
NOT ONCE.

He earned 6 merit badges.
And now he wants a mountain board.
Mountain board?
It's like a snow board but with wheels.
Don't ask me......

Well, he's back and our family is back to normal.
I missed him so much.

A new favorite.

Andy.

He's 8.

He likes to talk about Pokemon.
"Kerry, which is your favorite Pokemon?"
"Um, Charzard I guess."
"Kerry, Pokemon are gay."

He's not a great athlete.
"Andy, how was baseball today?"
"Great except I got hit in the nuts."

He's lacking in diplomacy.
"Andy, I know you said that Billy spit in
your face, but you didn't tell me you
spit in his face first."
"So?"

I just like this kid.

Remember Him? Well.......

Remember this little guy from last summer?

Monday, July 23, 2007

Mitchell

Kerry?
Kerry?
Kerry?
Kerry?
Kerry?
Kerry?
Kerry?
Kerry?
Kerry?
Kerry?
Kerry?
Kerry?
Kerry?
Kerry?
Kerry?
Kerry?
Kerry?
Kerry?
Kerry?
Kerry?
Kerry?
Yes, Mitchell?
Kerry?
Yes?
What are we doing now?
We're not talking, Mitchell.
Oh.
Kerry?

Well, he's back.
I love him.
HOWEVER.....
He has a new tool in his arsenal.
I wish I could record it for you.
I'll do my best to describe it.
Imagine a sitcom or game show from the 70's.
Imagine something goes wrong.
They play this sound effect;
Waaaaa Waaaaaa Waaaaaaaa Waaaaaaaaa.
Now, for each Waaaa, stress the W sound and
really drag out the aaaaaaas and make sure
you drop the second Waaaaaa down a few notes,
do the same with the third and fourth.
Really drag out the fourth one.
Now make sure you do this REALLY LOUDLY
in someone's face.
THAT is Mitchell's "new thing".
Very enjoyable.

Totally.......

exhausted.
I spent most of my day teaching
dance moves to kids who....how shall I
put this....well, they are not dancers.
BUT - they shall become dancers!
...unless they kill me first.

One Week Down

Okay, I finished my first week of camp.
How did it go?
Well......
First - G.
He gets picked up early every day.
The second day of camp, it's time for
him to go to the office to wait for mom.
Where is G.
Can't find G.
Hmmmm.
"G"
"G!"
No G.
Now, all of senior camp is in the
same area having ice cream.
There are roughly 150 kids.
"G!"
So I enlist the help of my fellow
group leaders to find G.
Since it's only the second day, they don't
really know what he looks like but I told them
he was wearing an orange shirt.
Well, my friend Brian, who is a phys. ed teacher
at our school, is over 6ft. tall - he's huge.
He starts going up to every boy in an orange shirt,..
"ARE YOU G?!" "ARE YOU G?!!!!"
He was great but he kids were shaking it their boots
like, "No, I'm not but if you want me to be I will. "
Then I see G's mom drive in.
SHIT!
Where is G??????
Then I get an idea.
I run to the area where the intermediate campers
are having their snack. You see, my kids, who are now
senior campers were in intermediate camp last
year.
So I run up there and who do I see having a great
time eating his ice cream.....
G!
Forget that none of his friends are there.
Forget that none of the counselors he knows are there.
He's having ice cream and he's happy and he's where
he should have been.....LAST SUMMER.
I did not get mad.
I was so happy I found him and he was safe.
And let's face it, he's an 8 year old.
He remembered where to go, a year late.
So I gave him a hug, talked to him about his
NEW snack area and walked him to mom.
The next day I quizzed him a few times about
where senior camp snack was held.
He smiled and gave the right answer.

It's Really Summer

Guess what....no headache (knock wood)
-and that's all I'm going to say about that.

Camp started yesterday!
I know it sounds crazy but I love working at camp.
I have 8 and 9 year olds again.
Last year I thought they were going to kill me.
This year I wouldn't want any other group.
I do have one "live wire" in the group.
He has a great personality so it's hard to
get angry at him.
Not only do I reign over this group of 24, but
I also run 3 workshops:
Drama - we're doing Annie
Kerryoke - notice the name
Actors Workshop - theater games.
These next 8 weeks PROMISE to
deliver some great stories.
Stay tuned.

I Just Want To Cry

Woke up with a headache.
I just want to cry.
Not because of the pain -
because I am so sick of this.

Jinx?

I am probably jinxing myself by saying this but....
my migraine is gone.
It's been a few hours now and nothing.
Finally.
I told myself that I will not
have a headache today.
I just refuse.
Let's see if I listen.

Thank you again for all the
kind comments and e-mails.
Thank you.

I. Give. Up.

Migraine - approaching hour 71.

They can last as long as 72 hours, right?
RIGHT????

I'm calling the MD again if it's still
here in the morning.

It's baaaaaaack.

Migraine - hour 57

Just woke up.
It's back and apparently has a bone
to pick with me.
How dare I try to get rid of it!
-look, you need a sense of humor
in times like these.

I've read that migraines can last for 72 hours
so there is an end in sight, right?

Hey, just trying to be positive.

On The Mend

Migraine - hour 48

Feeling better.
Finally.

Doc called in the meds.
I took one fully ready to feel sicker.
Guess what - didn't feel bad at all.
Well, didn't feel worse.
Gradually, the pain subsided.
It's still there, but I have to think
about it to "find" it.
Hopefully, tomorrow will be
a GREAT day.

I want to thank you for all your
comments and emails.
You are good people.

Relief In Sight

Migraine - hour 43

Doctor finally returned my call.
Wants to see me, but in the meantime
is calling in a prescription for something
I've taken before. I stopped taking it because
I didn't like the way it made me feel.
However, if it will make the pain stop
I'll take it. I'll take it and crawl into bed.
I think I'll be okay.

Enough Already

Migraine - Hour 34

While this is not the worst headache I've
ever had, in terms of total debilitation,
this is the longest I've ever had a
horrible headache. I've taken everything
in my arsenal. Three Motrin seem to cut
the pain somewhat, but it comes back.
I believe this is called rebounding.
I don't care, I need some relief.
My plan for today is to drink lots
of water and caffeine and call the
doctor, and possibly put my head
in a vice, we'll see.

24 Hours

Migraine - hour 24

Ugh

18 Hours

Migraine - hour 18.

-whimper-

Info Update

I've gotten 8 emails asking about my
water bottle and/or my paisley skirt.

I picked the water bottles up at
a store my son thinks is
run by evil, demented people
bent on ruining his life.....




They had a small selection of the large water bottles
I have and a larger selection of smaller bottles
for kids. Try Googling Sigg Water Bottles to
see the different designs.

My paisley skirt is from
Coldwater Creek.
I tried to find it in the store, but they
told me it was only available online.
Be warned, it is a skort.
I've determined that a skort is like
a mullet:
Business in the front,
Party in the back.