SAYING GOODBYE TO MAY

Did May just fly by?  I feel like it was just April and now it is June.  It didn't help that it rained so much during May. 

I remember as a kid how much I wanted May to fly by so it would be June so summer would start.  Now I feel like the year is just flying by and I don't have time to catch up! 

Until tomorrow...

ANOTHER BOOK

I have been thinking of writing a book. I know I started a book before but I got to a point and I didn’t know where it was going next so I shelved it. I think this book should be about something I know about, being a foster mom. There are a lot of books out there written by therapists telling you to use this method or that method. I have yet to see a book that says what it is like to BE a foster mom.  Maybe I need to do more research but I haven’t seen one. Probably because if you are a foster mom you are too tired and don’t have a speck of energy left to spend writing a shopping list never mind a book!

Something to think about.

Until tomorrow...

JINGLING IN MY CAR

A couple of times in the past few days I have heard a noise in the backend of my car. At first i thought it was in the trunk but I realized it wasn’t.  I am worried it is the muffler. Since I have been driving a lot, I realized I better get it looked. Friday it is going in.

Until tomorrow...

MORE THERAPY

My doctor let me know that The-Insurance-Company-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named has given me more appointments.   I was supposed to end my therapy at the end of May and now I have more appointments.  I am so happy.

Until tomorrow...

CLEANING AND ORGANIZING

I spent the weekend cleaning and organizing a few cabinets.  I love the feeling when I can open a drawer and things don't fall out.  It drives me crazy when I open a cabinet and I can't find anything.

I am hoping this is just the start.  The first thing I want to do is clean out the freezer.  I think there are things in there that have been there for more than a few months.

Until tomorrow...

INDY 500

I spent the morning watching the Indy 500.  It is an annual thing I do and this year I could do it.  I usually do other things while I do watch.  Things like laundry or computer work.  It is a long race and there are slow spots.  This race had some weird things happen around the pit stops.

It is something I enjoy and it lets me know summer has started.

Until tomorrow...

THINGS NOT WORKING OUT

Sometimes things do not work out the way you thought they would.  You bake a pie and it burns.  You plant a garden and some of the plants do not produce vegetables.  You apply for a job and you don't get a call for an interview.

Today something I thought would happen one way, happened another way.  This made me mad and sad at the same time.  Mad that it didn't happen the way I envisioned it happening and sad that now it will be happening differently.

It may all still work out but now there is too much unknown,

Until tomorrow...

WHEN PLANS FALL THROUGH

Today I made plans and they fell through.  It was not anything super important but something I was looking forward to.  For me it is hard when plans fall through because I was looking forward to going to the thing.  Then it was cancelled and we were not going.  I get disappointed.

I am sure a new plan will be formed and this one will be just as fun. 

Until tomorrow...

LENTIL, KALE & QUINOA STEW

I made soup today.  I had some kale that was going to go bad and I had to use it or in a day it would have to go in the compost heap.  I thought it didn't matter if it was a day past it's prime in soup.  I had all the ingredients for Lentil, Kale and Quinoa Stew.  It is easy and super quick to make.  It comes out real stew like and makes a delicious meal.

I like having a meal prepared when I get home or for lunch.  I can just pop it in the microwave.

Until tomorrow...

DEPENDING ON PEOPLE

Have you ever had a time that you depend on someone and they let you down?  I mean really depend on someone and they just don't show up?

This week it happened to me.  I can't divulge the specific circumstances but it was so disappointing.

I can think of another time that someone didn't show up.  One time I had a dog sitter all set up and close to the last minute that person cancelled.  It really left me in a lurch.  I thought I would not be able to go on my trip.  I found a replacement and it all worked out but for those few days, I was quite upset.

Until tomorrow...

FIELD TRIP

The kid had his school field trip today.  I was going as a chaperone.  I was excited to go.  We were going to a local park.  The only part that was concerning was that it rained very hard the day and night before. 

The kid only had a pair of sneakers that we bought over the weekend.  He had no raincoat since he had not arrived with one and we could not find one on such short notice.  I got him an umbrella.  We all had to bring a bag lunch and drink. 

At the last minute I threw my boots in the car.  I was so glad I did.  I was the only person on the trip with boots on. 

It was so slippery and muddy when we hiked up a hill through a forest.  There were people falling all over the place.  I think most of the kids had fun and many had never been in a forest before.

The kid was well behaved and had a good time. 

Until tomorrow...

HELPFUL STRANGER

Today was a difficult day.  When you have had a difficult day have you ever had an angel come into your life?  A helpful stranger.  A person that just comes along the perfect time and helps you. 

I had one of those angels today.  I can't tell you the situation but that person was my angel. 

Until tomorrow...

MUSEUM AND FAMILY

Today was a busy day. We went to a museum with a friend. It had some interesting art. Two of the pieces were thread intertwined to make what looked like a giant pink and blue throw rugs.

After the museum we went to have lunch and found the cutest little place. They actually had vegan brunch food! The kid had a burger, I had stir fry and home fries and my friend had eggs. Everyone was happy.

A few hours later my dad and stepmom came for a visit. After a bit of chatting and getting-to-know-you, we headed off to dinner.

It was a busy day. Now a bit of Game of Thrones.

Until tomorrow...

LIBRARY AND DANCING

I took the kid to the library.  To my shock he liked it very much. Once the librarian showed him where the books he liked to read were kept he was so happy to look at them and sit and read a bit.  He also checked out some CDs to listen to in his room.  He got some books for us to read to together and some for him to read on his own. 

I make him walk to the library.  He is used to being driven everywhere so it is good for him to get out in the fresh air and get some exercise.  It is not a super long walk but about 12 blocks.  He is good the way to the library but on the way home there is no incentive so he tends to whine and complain.  This day he walked about 1/2 way then he decided he wanted me to get an Uber.  I don't Uber so that was not going to happen.  Then he wanted me to pay for him to ride the bus.  I said no we are walking.  It was overcast and the weather report said it was going to rain.  He said he was going to sit on the stoop until it started to rain and then I would get an Uber. 

I needed to stop this so I turned my phone to his music and started to dance right in the middle of the sidewalk with people walking by.  He was mortified.  He begged me to stop.  He said I was embarrassing him.  I told him to get up and move and I will stop dancing.  It took him about 30 seconds before he got up but he got up.  He walked a few blocks and sat down again.

I was prepared and knew that would not work again.  I turned to my phone again.  I had downloaded a Netflix show a few days earlier.  I started watching it.  No headphones.  He could hear it but could not see it.  He was annoyed.  He wanted me to turn it off since it was "bothering" him.  Get up and move and it goes off.  He got up and started walking again.  We made it home eventually.

Until tomorrow...

MIDDLE SCHOOL POTLUCK

This evening we went to a potluck at the kids school. When we walked in the room, I thought we were in the wrong place because it was almost all teachers and administration. I was told that since it was the end of the year a number of people didn’t come plus the basketball playoffs was that night.

It was super fun. I got to talk to all the teachers who were there. The kid liked the food after an initial “yuck!”

Until tomorrow....

HIPS AND PAIN

I haven't had a bad bout of pain for a while now.  I mean a bad bout of pain.  One where I find it hard to do every day things.  Of course I had my most recent accident and I had pain then but that didn't count because that was "accident" pain not RA pain.

I am having horrible pain in my hips.  It started like a little twinge in one hip but now it is in both hips and it is hard for me to walk or go up and down stairs.  The stairs especially are excruciating.  Even sitting is starting to hurt.

I have not been on any RA drugs but Prednisone for more than three years now ever since I had meningitis and had to stop taking Enbrel.  I have been trying to get on a different drug for probably 6 months now.  My new RA doctor is less than aggressive when it comes to insurance companies and gets annoyed when I get involved. 

Since I got the kid, I have been unable to spend much time doing follow up on whether the doctor is doing his job dealing with the insurance company.  Now I am having a flare and I am only taking Prednisone.  I have a strict personal policy that I will not increase the prednisone even for a short time because it took me SO long to decrease to the 4.5 mg that I am taking now.  I will not go through the decreasing process again if I can at all help it. 

I think tomorrow I will take a long, hot bath. 

Until tomorrow...

SHOULDER, CLUB, AND HAPPI

A few items to  write about:

My shoulder is hurting more since my physical therapy appointment.  The therapist is working on breaking up the scar tissue. 

Today I took the kid to the Boys and Girls Club to check it out.  I was super impressed.  I was at their facility years ago and it was nice then but it is really nice now with 3-D printers and brand new game room.  They have an amazing art program.  The art director was a super nice guy who really connected with the kid.  I am hoping the kid wants to spend the summer at the Club after summer school.

I started feeding Happi the regular food two days ago.  I don't think it is going to work out.  She has been peeing like crazy.  When she pees like this, it usually means her stomach is upset so she drinks more water and then pees all over the place.  Now I have a quandry.   She needs to eat more food so she stops crying all the time but the food is making her stomach hurt so she drinks and pees all over the place.  Do I stop feeding her the new food and go back to the old food?

Until tomorrow...

MAKING BUTTERNUT SQUASH SAUCE

The kid hates tomato pasta sauce.  He loves pasta but hates pasta sauce.  This makes it hard for a vegan household since pasta sauce is a staple especially for kids.  When he came to visit the first time, his current parents sent him with a jar of butternut squash pasta sauce from Trader Joe's.  It was vegetarian but not vegan.  I allowed it because I was told he was super picky and would get upset if he didn't have his sauce.

Once he moved in, he and I talked about what being vegan was and why he could not have that sauce anymore since it contained milk.  We bought two other jars of different brands of butternut sauce but they didn't taste the same so they were tossed out.  I didn't even like them.

About week two I told him I am a very good cook.  The kid didn't believe me.  Then I made him vegan pancakes. He loved them.  Then we made tofu bites and he loved them.  Then we made vegan chocolate chip cookies and he gobbled them up.  Then I made barbecue tofu and he asked for seconds and yesterday asked me to make it again! 

I told him just wait until I can get a butternut squash and I will make the sauce and it will taste just the same (or at least close since I never tasted it).  He didn't believe me.  So today I made it.  He barely wanted to taste it because he was scared.  Then he tasted it and VOILA!  He wanted seconds.  I guess I nailed it.  Again!  I made enough that I can freeze some for another week since he only uses a small bit (not like how most kids use pasta sauce where they soak the pasta) and we will have some for a few weeks.

Here is a photo:

It is nice and creamy and sweet.  I enjoyed it very much.

Until tomorrow...

MY VERSION OF INSTANT FAMILY

That movie Instant Family makes this foster/adopt thing look so easy.  It made it seem like the kid would defy the order to not get in the car and then a few hours later something would go wrong and the kid would need the foster dad and call for help and he would come running to save the kid.   Disney!

What they don't show you is the real stuff.  The hours of playing a game you don't like because the kid loves it and you need to bond with the kid. Hours of watching a TV show you have never seen before and the kid getting upset that you have no interest in it because you have never seen it before but their previous foster person liked it and watched it with them so why don't you like it??  The times the kid says they hate you because you are not the person they want you to be.  The times you have to tell the kid to do something because they don't want to do it, and why do they have to do it, you are not in charge of me?  They never had to do it in their last home?  Why do I have to go to bed this early on a Saturday when my last home let me stay up as late as I wanted?  Why do I have to clean up my room?  When is the cleaning lady coming?  Why do I have to eat this food?  Why can't we eat out? Why can't I watch TV? Why? Why? Why? Why?

That is the part they left out of Instant Family.  No offense to anyone but if I hear one more person reference that Disney movie as something even close to reality, I am going to scream.  It is nothing close to reality.

Just my opinion.  I knew what I was getting into.  I did not have any rose colored glasses on. 

Until tomorrow...

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

Today was my first Mother's Day with a child.  I won't say it was all unicorns and rainbows but it was nice.  After a visit from the social worker and a quick trip to the supermarket (I had to make pancakes with juice instead of cashew milk because we ran out of milk the way my mother made them for me when I was little) to buy some much needed food.

A lady from the carnival yesterday sent me a text wishing me a Happy Mother's Day and asked when our kids can get together.  Yippee!

Then we ate some lunch and went to a science museum.  It is really cool.  It turns out the kid had been there before and knew where everything was located.  We saw a rainforest with butterflies and birds, a bunch of penguins, an albino alligator, tanks and tanks of fish and a movie about the state of nature and climate change shown in a planetarium.  In all it was a nice day.

I received a lovely Mother's Day card and a big hug.

Happy Mother's Day!

Until tomorrow...

MIDDLE SCHOOL CARNIVAL

Today after a bit of light house cleaning, we went to the kid's middle school carnival.  It was cute.  It was fun to meet some of the teachers and some of his friends.  They had human hamster balls, bounce house type thing, face painting, photo booth, cake walk (whatever that is), and a dunk tank.

The kid loved the dunk tank.  He was the first kid to dunk a very popular teacher.  He was so proud and he came over to high five me.  This got him motivated and he ended up dunking two other teachers.  Boy those teachers were good sports.  It was not an incredibly hot day and that water did not look very clean.  You would not have gotten me in that machine.

I met another boy and his mom and she wants to set up a play date.  I am happy about that.  Her son seems very polite and quiet.  And he is not scared of dogs.

Overall it was a fun day.  I got to be a mom for the first time in public.

Until tomorrow...

POLIOSIS

Today I was reading one of those weird Twitter articles that comes across your Twitter feed.  It was titled something like Rare Genetic Things People Have.  I thought I have time to kill while my son is watching a show called She-Ra and the Princess of Power (don't ask).  I was reading down the different things people have: elf ears, 6 fingers, missing thumbs.  Then I got to poliosis.  What is poliosis?  Funny you should ask.  I had no idea either.

Poliosis is not harmful.  It is a condition that causes a white patch to appear in a person's hair.  If you have seen me, I have had a patch of white hair since I was in my twenty's.  The website says while poliosis is not a harmful condition it is associated with various other medical issues.  Shocking that autoimmune disorders can be the cause.  Also thyroid disorders can be the cause.

I always just thought Bonnie Raitt and I had a special bond.  Turns out we have the same disease.  It won't do anything to me so leave it alone.  It is just kind of funny.

Until tomorrow...

WRIST

My wrist is worst than originally thought.  I think had I seen the wrist expert sooner things might have been better.  There is more than just a fractured hamate.  The fracture to the hamate is on the backside of my hand.  This is not the usual break.  The usual break is in the front on the palm side.  She told me this is an unusual break.  I have fluid on the bone. 

I also have some other stuff going on that I didn't quite understand.  It didn't sound good but not terrible.  It will take time for this to heal.

I got a steroid injection that will last 4 weeks to 6 months.   My wrist hurts more now than before the injection.  Let's hope that subsides quickly.

I also have a wrist brace (in the correct size this time) that I am supposed to wear.  I will be continuing Occupational Therapy to work on the stuff I didn't understand. 

Until tomorrow...

8TH ANNIVERSARY OF BLOG

Today is the 8th anniversary of this blog. I have been writing this blog continuously for 8 years.  Some days I try to write and don't get to post right away and some days I get a bit behind but I have a post for each day.

Tonight a friend took the kid to a kitty cafe.  I am allergic to cats.  The thoughts of being in a room with 19 cats sounds like some sort of crazed torture for me.  Not to mention I am not too fond of cats.  I am most definitely a dog person.

Anyway, this friend took the kid to a cafe that has cats who are up for adoption and serves tea.  From what I could figure out, you arrive and drink some green tea then you go into the cat room and play with the cats.  All 19 of the them.  The kid had a blast.  So much so he forgot to get his dessert from the cafe.  He was supposed to get a s'mores chocolate chip cookie. 

They both had a blast and I had almost 2 hours of peace and quiet to clean up the kitchen and watch an episode of Survivor and just have quiet. 

Physical Therapy:  I had my first PT since the MRI.  He thinks we can work to make my shoulder less painful. 

Until tomorrow...

MRI RESULTS

Today I got the results of my MRI for my shoulder.  Here are the results:

1. Moderate biceps tendinosis and moderate rotator cuff tendinosis
2. Superior Labral tear
3. Moderate inferior capsular thickening and increased signal suggesting adhesive capsulitis

SLAP is an acronym for "superior labral tear from anterior to posterior". A SLAP tear is an injury to the labrum of the shoulder, which is the ring of cartilage that surrounds the socket of the shoulder joint.  It is a small tear but it will take time to heal.  He doesn't suggest surgery.  He offered a steroid shot and physical therapy or just physical therapy.  Well, you know how I feel about increasing steriods. I said I would take the physical therapy.  I already have an appointment tomorrow morning that I didn't cancel in anticipation that this is what he would say.

I also have a mild frozen shoulder.   The physical therapy should fix that too.

Until tomorrow...

WHERE IS THE HUMANITY

Today I was sitting in my car at a stop light and a woman was crossing the street in front of me.  She was about 60 years old and was carrying two bags.  In a flick of an eye she tripped and landed on one knee.  The reason I am telling you this story is that standing on the corner not 7 feet from her was a 25-30 year old guy watching her.  He didn't move to help her.  He didn't say a word.  He just stood there as this woman hit the ground.

I could not have gotten out of the car fast enough to help her plus I was in a turn lane and the light was about the turn green, otherwise I would have gotten out to help her.

What has happened to humanity?  That a woman falls on the ground and a person (not to mention a man) doesn't go over to see if she is okay and at the very least help her up and help her pick up her bags.  I guess I am very lucky that when I fell I had four people come running and help me up and assist me.  I even had people walk me to the seats in the pharmacy to sit down and get ice.  Then get me home and check in on me.  I feel charmed.

I hope she is okay.  She walked off so I assume she is okay.

I had my yearly breast check with the breast doctor.  No lumps found.  Good news!

Until tomorrow...

VEGAN FOOD SHOPPING

After the weekly social worker meeting, we went food shopping.  Kids eat a lot of food.  This kid eats a LOT of food.  I on the other hand have been losing weight.  I am down 5 pounds.

The kid is okay with most of the vegan food.  He really likes the "chickun" patties and nuggets from the store. He likes the "meatballs".  He also liked the barbecue tofu and tofu nuggets that I made.  So far the only item he doesn't like is one brand of vegan "burger".   We bought a new type of  "burger" to try.

Then we had a decision making discussion about what to do with the rest of the day.  We ended up not coming to a consensus so we didn't do much.

Until tomorrow...

AVENGERS

We went to a matinee of the Avengers.  I took my friend's kid and my kid.

Do you remember when the cost for the movies for three people was not the same as your car payment?  By the time I bought the tickets (plus processing fee), popcorn and soda for two boys and paid for parking I was wiped out.

We did have a good time.  Before the movie we went to an arcade and the boys played a driving game where they each chose a car and city and drove through the city on a "track".  It is fun to watch the difference between 13 years old and 17 years old.  The control that occurs in those 4 years is amazing.  The 13 year old was hitting everything in sight and thought he was driving well.  The 17 year old was so careful not to hit anything on the "track".

The movie was long and fun.  I told them both to hit the bathroom before it started because it was going to be a long stretch.  The 13 year old drank his soda very quickly despite me telling him to pace himself.  I could hear him slurping the bottom of the cup during the movie.  I told him before the movie, if he wanted more to drink, there was a faucet in the bathroom.  He could get water there.  He was the only one to take a bathroom break in the middle of the movie.

Until tomorrow...

SHOWED UP AT THE WRONG OFFICE

I am tired.  Super tired. 

So tired that I showed up at the wrong doctor's office.  I thought it was my breast check but I was supposed to be at my dermatologist's office.  So I rushed a crossed town to get to my dermatologist office.  I was told to use more moisturizer and sun screen. 

Then I went a crossed town to go to my MRI on my shoulder.  I fell asleep in the machine. I get the results on Tuesday. 

Until tomorrow...

NUTRITIONIST

I was late for my nutritionist appointment.  The kid didn't want to go to school so he made me late for my appointment.  The kid finally went to school and I got out the door.  My nutritionist was understanding.  He helped me try to figure out ideas for food for the kid.  It was helpful.

The kid has very picky ideas about food (even before the vegan issue) so I am trying to figure out what to feed him other than the menu we already have that he likes.

Until tomorrow...

MAY DAY

Today is the day the kid has an early day at school.  I thought I would be able to get something done.  No such luck.  I spent hours on the phone and in person with therapists and counselors and next thing I knew, he was home. 

I need to learn to schedule my time better.  The times the kid is away is precious time and I need to use that time wisely.

It is the first day of May.  The summer is just around the corner.  Yikes!

Until tomorrow...