Showing posts with label children. Show all posts
Showing posts with label children. Show all posts

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, Hibernation, Blessings and Motherhood


I feel like I have been hibernating for the past few months. Feeling sick all the time and not being allowed to drive can kick a once very independent, didn't have to rely on anyone kind of girl right in the pants!  


Although I knew I hadn't been feeling well enough to write a post on my blog, but didn't realize it had been this long! That bear says it all! I have gotten kind of chubby like him too!!


I was finally diagnosed a few months ago with Hyperadrenergic POTS, (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome)  I have been dealing with the symptoms for over two years and it is the reason I haven't been able to work.  I have a great doctor at the University of Washington Medical Center Neurology Clinic who knows about this condition and what to do to help manage the symptoms. Most doctors sadly do not know what it is or how to treat the condition. So I feel truly blessed to have been able to find him and that despite his busy schedule and patient load, he was still able to see me. 


During this time I have reflected on the important things in my life and those are my family and dear friends. Thankfully I have been blessed with both! 


I had a great Mother's Day, spent it with two of my sons, my hubby, daughter-in-law, grand-babies and extended family.  Once your kids grow up you start going to their houses and man is that relaxing!! No cooking or cleanup, can you say perfection?!! So empty nesting isn't all that bad!!!


Among some of my great gifts is a beautiful album my daughter-in-law made for me from Grace and Adia, my grand-daughters.  Grace is three and a half and Adia is almost one and a half. Here are some of the pages from the album:
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Album Cover
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Grace, Adia, Pancho and I
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Adia and I
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Grace and Andrew having some fun!
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Grace and Adia after their bath~
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Grace putting on my makeup!!
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Randy, Alyx, Grace and Adia
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Grace having some fun in the park!

Easter Time!

I have second guessed my decisions in life, have felt twangs of guilt while raising my boys as a working and single mom, and despite all of my mistakes I have been blessed again with great sons. They all have become great men and I am so proud of them all.  My son gave me a gigantic card with a gift card, but what he wrote inside made me tear up. He thanked me for helping him become the independent person he is today, that I am a great Mom, role model and the best Mom ever!


Why can we be so hard on ourselves? We do the best we can with the situations that are given to us and usually our kids still think we are the best!


When God Created Mothers

by Erma Bombeck

Mother’s Day column for May 12, 1974

When the Good Lord was creating mothers, He was into his sixth day of “overtime” when an angel appeared and said, “You’re doing a lot of fiddling around on this one.”
And the Lord said, “Have you read the specs on this order?
  • She has to be completely washable, but not plastic;
  • Have 180 movable parts... all replaceable;
  • Run on black coffee and leftovers;
  • Have a lap that disappears when she stands up;
  • A kiss that can cure anything from a broken leg to a disappointed love affair;
  • And six pairs of hands.”
The angel shook her head slowly and said, “Six pairs of hands... no way.”
“It’s not the hands that are causing me problems,” said the Lord. “It’s the three pairs of eyes that mothers have to have.”
“That’s on the standard model?” asked the angel.
The Lord nodded. “One pair that sees through closed doors when she asks, ’What are you kids doing in there?’ when she already knows. Another here in the back of her head that sees what she shouldn’t but what she has to know, and of course the ones here in front that can look at a child when he goofs up and say, ’I understand and I love you’ without so much as uttering a word.”
“Lord,” said the angel, touching His sleeve gently, “Go to bed. Tomorrow...”
“I can’t,” said the Lord, “I’m so close to creating something so close to myself. Already I have one who heals herself when she is sick... can feed a family of six on one pound of hamburger... and can get a nine-year-old to stand under a shower.”
The angel circled the model of a mother very slowly. “It’s too soft,” she sighed.
“But she’s tough!” said the Lord excitedly. “You cannot imagine what this mother can do or endure.”
“Can it think?”
“Not only can it think, but it can reason and compromise,” said the Creator.
Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek. “There’s a leak,” she pronounced. “I told You You were trying to push too much into this model.”
“It’s not a leak,” said the Lord. “It’s a tear.”
“What’s it for?”
“It’s for joy, sadness, disappointment, pain, loneliness, and pride.”
“You are a genius,” said the angel.
The Lord looked somber. “I didn't put it there,” He said. 
  

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Sunday Stealing: The Time Traveler Meme

Today we ripped this meme of a blogger known as Emily Barton, the Queen 'o Memes at Telecommuter Talk. We were lucky to find this meme. Emily actually wrote it herself (when do we find that? We'd guess maybe once a year.) We have told Emily that we stole it but we've already been given permission. Emily wrote, "Are you reading this? Then the Queen has tagged you. Get on with it." Thanks, Your Majesty! Link back to us at Sunday Stealing!
Cheers to all of us thieves!

Sunday Stealing: The Time Traveler Meme

Emily's Rules:

1. Depending on your age, go back 10, 15, 20, or even more years.
2. Tell us how many years back you have traveled and why.
3. Pretend you have met yourself during that era, and tell us where you are.
4. You only have one "date" with this former self.
5. Answer these questions.

Okay, as we start, what year is it and how old are you?

It is 1968 and I am 10 years old, we are traveling for the first time to Puerto Rico, where we moved to five years later.  It will be the first time we fly on an airplane.  We flew with Eastern Airlines, and flying over the Bermuda Triangle terrified me. Seeing the island as we were flying in was awesome.  I could see the palm trees blowing in the wind and the ocean waves hitting the coast.

1. Would your younger self (YYS, from here) recognize you when you first meet? 

I think so since I look like my mom.

2. Would YYS be surprised to discover what you are doing job wise?

No I don't think so.  We all knew that I was supposed to be a nurse.  However, maybe my YYS would have wanted me to be the writer and painter I always wanted to be.

3. What piece of fashion advice would you give YYS?

It gets better, you won't have to wear Mom's handmade outfits for much longer and not to buy so many platform shoes!

4. What do you think YYS is most going to want to know? 

Who I married and how many children I have.

5. How would you answer YYS's question? 

I would tell her that I did marry and have children, but I wouldn't give any details.  I wouldn't tell her that we got divorced, or that our first daughter Alexandra Christine died at birth.  Although our marriage failed, my children are my life and I wouldn't want my YYS to miss out on meeting them. 

6. What would probably be the best thing to tell YYS? 

The life is a blast and not to miss out on anything.  To stop worrying and to continue writing and drawing.

7. What is something that you probably wouldn't tell YYS?

I wouldn't tell her that our mom died in 1993 of cancer.

8. What do you think will most surprise YYS about you?

That all my kids are grown and moved out and that we live in Seattle, WA.

9. What do you think will least surprise YYS? 

That I am a nurse.

10. At this point in your life, would YYS like to run into "you" from the future? 

I think so.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Celebrate World Teachers' Day- October 5, 2010

Whether you Homeschool your children or you send them to school, we can all celebrate the teachers of our lives.   I grew up in Sloatsburg, NY back in the 60's and early 70's.  I will always remember two of my teachers, Mrs. Judson from the first grade and Mrs. Seaman from the sixth grade. 

I have vivid memories of both classrooms.  It feels just like yesterday that I was sitting at those desks with my head full of dreams and excitement.  I wanted to become an artist and I loved to draw and write.

Both teachers were amazing women.  I remember at such a young age what Mrs. Judson would do.  We had a little girl who would sometimes have accidents and because she was so poor would come to school a little disheveled.  It broke my heart, but Mrs. Judson had it all under control.  She had extra clothing just for her in a back closet.  She would clean her up and put fresh clothes on her. It was amazing to see the transformation, she would walk into the classroom, sad, with her head down and once Mrs. Judson was finished, her whole personality and stature changed!

Mrs. Seaman was strict but an awesome teacher.  I learned so much from her.  I remember the day that one of my classmate's mom passed away.  He was heartbroken, but Mrs. Seaman was there for him during that time of loss.  She pushed us beyond our comfort zones.  I was pretty shy and for some reason I was chosen to be one of the Valedictorians at our 6th grade graduation!  Although normally that would have made me physically ill, she gave me the confidence I needed to pull that off!

I will always remember my teachers, but especially Mrs. Judson and Mrs. Seaman.  I wish I had visited them at least once after I left the school.  I should have thanked them and let them know how much they touched my life. 

Do you have a special teacher that you remember?  What did he or she do that helped you?  I would love to hear your stories. 

Here is a nice video that I would like to share from Simple Truths, to honor all the teachers in our lives!


Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Take Your Children for Story Time to FAO Schwarz, Manhattan



The Barefoot Books Boutique at FAO Schwarz, Manhattan

Our colorful upstairs boutique showcases our complete range of books, CDs, puppets, and puzzles in a way that delights both children and adults. Don’t miss our daily story times at 11am, 1pm and 3pm at our magical storyteller's throne!

767 Fifth Avenue, Second Floor
New York, NY  10001
(212) 644-9400 Ext. 3125
Hours are seasonal – please visit www.fao.com for current store hours.



Your September Calendar of Events at the Manhattan Boutique!




















Or you can shop online here At My Store

Monday, September 6, 2010

Back to School Tips for Parents, by Kathryn White, Author of "Ruby's School Walk"

My children are all grown now, however I remember the first day of school for each of my sons. They were all so excited and seemingly grown up! I would walk them each to their classrooms and they all ended up saying, "Okay mom you can go now"! Of course I was devastated, now I can laugh, but back then I would just sit in my car and cry!!



I would love to hear some of your stories of when your children went off to school for the first time. Enjoy the article!~Lisa



"It happens every autumn. Millions of young children start school for the very first time. They carry backpacks, lunchboxes, pencils, sometimes a grin on their face, but more often, a look of trepidation about what school will really be like. They wonder: Will my teacher be nice? Will I have friends? What if I can’t find my way? Who will sit with me? What will I do? What if I don’t like it? What if I miss home? What if it’s too hard?



As parents guiding our children off to start school for the first time, or to begin a new school year, we want to do all we can to ensure that they have a great experience. At the same time, we want to encourage their independence as they set off on a new journey in their development.



Kathryn White, author of Ruby's School Walk, early educator and mom of five children, shared her tips to ease children's start-of-school anxiety and make this an enjoyable milestone:



* Read with your child and talk about the school experience. Share with them stories about your memories of school, both the good and the less so. School is an adventure, and like all adventures, it has its ups and downs.


* Help spark your child’s imaginations about school to encourage them to talk about their concerns and face their fears. You can do this through stories, books, drawings and other art forms. Ask them questions such as what they think school will be like, what they are excited about and worried about, what they think they will learn, etc. These conversations can also be had with grandparents and other favorite people in your child’s life.


* Build a community in your neighborhood. It is amazing what a familiar and friendly face can do to help a child overcome their fears about going to school. As your family journeys to school each day you might see this friendly neighbor, or only see them occasionally, but it will help your child feel comfortable and safe on their trip to school.


* Sit down together and create a fun map to school. Note interesting landmarks and have your child color them in or place numbers at each point. On that first morning to school, your child will be preoccupied with checking off the landmarks on their special map. The school can be drawn with welcome signs, making it a great triumph upon their arrival.


* Walk with your child to school whenever possible. If you don’t live nearby, take public transport, bike or drive and get out a few blocks away and walk together. The walk will become a meaningful way to spend time together and help get the day off on the right foot.


* Create traditions. Take pictures of your child in front of your home or on their way to school. Each year you can reflect back on these first day of school photos and see how much your child has grown in every way.


* Know that if the first day went well or didn’t go well, there are many more days of school throughout the year and peaks and valleys along the way.



We hope your child’s first experience with school is part of their magnificent journey of growing up!"



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