Camouflaged Daydreams: December 2005Camouflaged Daydreams

Saturday, December 24, 2005

'Twas The Night...

The kids are all asleep and I'm soon heading to bed myself. In a few short hours our house will be filled with excited voices and the sounds of ripping paper.

I want to wish all my family and friends a very merry Christmas. We love and miss you all. Although we can't be with you this year, we will carry you with us in our hearts.

A very merry Christmas to all my blog friends.

To all our troops servicing far from home, I want to wish you a merry Christmas and offer up my prayers for your safety and a quick return home.

God bless us all. Wishing you all a very merry Christmas and a new year filled with blessings and happiness.

Friday, December 23, 2005

I'm On Vacation

I'm officially on vacation now. I don't go back until the 9th of January. And it's a paid vacation at that. I love this job!

I've spent some time coming up with some crafts for the kids to do while we're on Christmas break in hopes they won't get too bored...or drive mommy crazy. We've already made a ginger bread house and baked cookies and candies. I still have several activities left for them to do.

I had my first toilet over flow at work yesterday. Ugh, it was awful! I threw up but had to keep cleaning. I handled being peed on, and the time I cleaned up vomit. I've cleaned up more bloody noses and mouths than I can count. But this one, this got to me. It was the smell.

The stupid toilet would not come unclogged. I finally had to get help. It took three of us to get the toilet unclogged. The clean up was the worst. The child had even managed to poop on the toilet seat.

This all happen right in my last 15 minutes of work. Just when I thought I'd start my vacation after a pretty good day. Oh well, it's over and I survived it.

I got a few gifts from the children at work. I was so touched I actually got tears in my eyes when I opened them.

Working with children you get so caught up in it all you often begin to feel like a child yourself. Reading stories to them and leading them in silly songs. Helping them making crafts and listening to their views of the world around us. You often get swept back to your childhood.

It also takes a child to remind you how old you really seem to them.

Little 'Tommy'- "Miss Jenny. How old are you?"

"I'm thirty one."

Little 'Tommy'- "Wow!"

"Yeah, I'm old huh." Chuckling it off. I remember how old thirty something used to seem to me.

Little 'Tommy'-"Yeah! REALLY old!"

Oh gee, time to look into some new anti-wrinkle cream. When's the last time I dyed my hair...I hope my roots aren't showing...
No it's okay. I may seem old to him but I'm still young. Wasn't it just me who was just running with the kids on the play ground and pulling them in sleds? And wasn't it just a few days ago that I got carded buying some Rum. Okay, okay, it is their policy to card everyone, but still...

Little 'Tommy'- "Miss Jenny."

"Yes?"

Little 'Tommy'- "Are you a grandma?"

Sniff

Tuesday, December 13, 2005

My Week

This week has been so busy it's just flown by. I am so glad it's Friday. We had so many people out this week that I was rushing from one class to another.

Tonight we our having our work Christmas party. It's staff only so I get to go to dinner by myself. After the week I've had with my own kiddos I'm thrilled about having a little time to myself.

I got a call from the school nurse this week. She called to let me know Jr had eaten a sheet of paper. It had me thinking every mischievous thing I ever did as a child has really come back to kick me in the butt.

So why did he eat the paper? A dare? He was hungry and it looked good? Just acting silly? We still have no idea. Sometimes I just have no idea what goes on in the minds of my children.

Chase walked around all last weekend saying "dumb hat fat Troy. That means Happy New Year." At first I had no idea what he was trying to say but I was pretty sure he had it wrong.

I found out his class had learned how to say Happy New Year in Chinese since they are learning about holiday traditions around the world. And yes he had it all wrong.

I won a drawing at the commissary this week. I got the phone call right after I got the call about Jr eating paper. I won a back pack with school supplies in it.

Chase has been in a mood lately. I've had to leave him in his class kicking and screaming all week. I have no idea what has gotten into him. He normally loves school. His teacher told me he settles down within a few minutes, but it's still frustrating having to run out while they hold him. I've apologized about a dozen times to his teacher and the aides in his class.

We had our secret Santa exchange at work. I have gotten some really neat gifts. One day along with my other gift there was a stress ball. I laughed.

One day this week I was really having a day. I fell on the ice. I was at a gas station so I happen to fall in front of a ton of people. I'm a little bruised, and I twisted my ankle, but I'm okay.

Then I got to work and while stapling booklets together I stapled my shirt sleeve to one of the papers. An aide had to help me get it loose.

She was nice enough to try and control her laughter until after I free of the staple.

I also got a Christmas bonus this week. I was so excited. I had no idea it was coming. What a great surprise.

Speaking of Christmas I'm getting closer to being done. I've got most of my shopping done. I'm still trying to hunt down a couple hard to find gifts, but I'm starting to think I may actually finish.

One more week and then I'm off for Christmas break. I get about 2 and half weeks off. And I get paid for it! Woohoo!

Monday, December 12, 2005

Wrapping Up The Weekend

Thank you for the well wishes. I am feeling much better now. I made it back to work at the end of the week. Still feeling queasy but I made it the full day. They were happy to see me. We had two others out all week and a third out my first day back. Needless to say it was a bit hectic.

Thursday Hubby broke his hand. Poor guy, it looks so awful. It is a hairline fracture but apparently it's at a funny angle. He has to go back in two weeks for another x-ray. If it breaks all the way through they will have to do surgery.

Friday we had another Christmas party. We were all feeling quite a bit better so we went. Hubby showed up in his splint. The party went well and I'm happy to report no one got sick and no one threw up on me this time.

This weekend I did some more Christmas shopping. Then we spent the rest of the weekend trying to catch up on housework and shoveling snow. With all the sickness and broken bones we got very little done during the week. The house is now shining and that alone makes me feel a lot better.

We've continued to have warmer weather. We've hit the 30's a few days. Today is supposed to have a high of 15 above.

The sun is continuing to set earlier and rise later. It doesn't rise until around 10:30 a.m. I believe. And it sets while I'm on my way home for work. That may not seem all that unusual until you consider the fact I get off work at 2:30 p.m.

We will continue to lose about 6 and half minutes of daylight a day until sometime next month I think I've heard it is.

Today we start a secret santa gift exchange at work. We drew a name and will give small, cheap gifts all week. Then Friday we will have our staff Christmas party and will exchange a bigger gift. I have my gifts bought for the weekly exchange but I'm still racking my brains for an idea for the larger gift.

For our party we are going out to eat. We're having Mexican food, yummy. It's staff only so Hubby will get off early to watch the kiddos.

I better get going to work. It's supposed to snow all day so I better hit the roads early.

Wishing everyone a happy Monday!

Wednesday, December 07, 2005

My Friend The Toilet Bowl

Our poor toilet bowl has been put through hell over the past week. I have now come down with the virus, bug, or whatever it is that makes your insides feel like jelly. Chase, Missy, and Hubby have all been through it. Last night it was my turn.

Yesterday I had a good day at work. After coming home I cleaned my car - I even cleaned under the seats!- and picked up around the house. I cooked dinner and all was fine. It wasn't until I was putting the kids to bed when I started to feel a little sick.

Sure, fighting with my kids at bedtime is enough to make anyone sick, but this was a different kind of sick. That is when the first round of vomiting began.

I was still very ill this morning. I knew there was no way I was making it to work. I let Chase know this when he woke up and wanted to get ready for school. Then, as if my body wanted to prove my words right, I had to throw up again.

Chase ran after me saying "mom, are you okay?" He stood at the doorway and got his answer since I was unable to speak at the time.

He sat watching me and then said "eeewww. That was sooo gross!"

Apparently he's forgotten about throwing up all over me on Friday. The day that will forever have me labeled as the woman covered in puke at the Christmas party.

As luck would have it, I missed being outside on the warmest day in quite some time. Not only did we hit 22 above like the weather people promised, we passed it. At one point it was 35 degrees above. Compared to last Saturday's 36 below, it was almost balmy. I had to turn our heaters way down this morning.

I am starting to feel slightly better this evening. I haven't glared at the inside of the toilet bowl in a few hours. Just when I had begun to memorize every inch of the toilet. I think I had even come to enjoy the soothing sounds of the flushing water.

Monday, December 05, 2005

Monday

I've survived this Monday. That's about all I can say about today. Three and half more hours and it's a new day.

Nothing really bad happen, I was just so tired. Missy and Hubby got sick yesterday. I got very little sleep. All I did at work today was count down how many more hours until I could go home and take a nap.

And nap I did. On the floor. With the TV on. A light on. And kids playing around me. Don't worry Hubby was keeping on eye on them.

I'm not trying to throw a pity party. I'd rather be this tired than be as sick as the rest of the family has been. And no one threw up on me this time!

I did have a bit of good news. I had one of my humor articles posted somewhere out there in cyberspace. I was thrilled. I won't say exactly where because I use my full name and I still want to keep a bit of anonymity. You know, safety and all.

By the way, we hit 36 below zero on Saturday. Did I stay indoors? Heck no, I went shopping. What in the world was I thinking?! I have never experienced such cold in my life. My chest hurt just breathing in the bitter air. We're all excited because it's supposed to hit 22 degrees on Wednesday...as in 22 above zero. Woohoo!

I never thought I'd see the day when I do a happy dance each time the temperature is above zero. This weather is just crazy here.

Night all. I'm going to find the nearest pillow and crash.

Saturday, December 03, 2005

Laughing The Tension Away

Work the last couple of days has been good if not interesting. There has been some tension because we are waiting to here the announcement of our new boss. I can't go into too many details, I can only say it's caused a lot of anxiety.

Because of this I think we've all cracked under the pressure. I think we've lost our minds because the last few days all we've done is laugh. At any given point of the day you can hear hysterical laughter coming from one point or another of the school. I think we've all battled the growing tension with humor. Laughter is the best medicine after all isn't it.

We've had plenty of material of late to keep us amused. I have to say I'm more cautious than ever about what I say around my own children. After hearing the things that come out of the students mouths at work I'm even more paranoid about what my own children my be saying at their schools.

Here are a couple of things that happen this week. Names have been changed to protect their privacy and pretty much to cover my own behind.

Little Ricky- Miss Olivia, My dad said Jesus last night!

Olivia- He did?

There was a pause while Olivia mulled this over. Was he having a spiritual moment?

Olivia- Was he praying?

Little Ricky- I don't know. He said 'Jesus Ricky, you're up awake again?!'

~~~~~~

The funny things you hear coming out of the kids bathrooms at any given moment.

Lisa- No! Don't put it in the toilet!...No! Don't shake it!

It took a few minutes to get to the story behind this one. The passers by had to stop laughing and gripping their sides to relay what they had heard. And Lisa was a bit shaken when she came out of the bathrooms. Apparently a child had an accident-the worst, messiest kind of accident a child can have. He was trying to wash his underwear in the toilet and then shaking them out all over the bathroom.

I was soo glad I was no where near the bathrooms when this one happen!

~~~~~

I was walking down the hallway Friday and saw a teacher taking art work off the wall. I started to help her. My five feet four inches self was having difficulty reaching the thumb tacks at the top. Underneath the artwork is the students hooks where they hang their coats and backpacks. I had to lean against it trying to reach the upper thumb tacks.

When I did this I heard this awful noise! EEEEEEAAAAHHHHH

"Holly Crap!" I jumped back and put my hand over my heart which was pounding furiously.

Normally I wouldn't say crap in the school but I was really shaken. Actually I was relieved I didn't yell something worse.

"What...What in the-"

I looked from the row of backpacks and coats to the teacher I was helping. She was bend over at the waist laughing. She tried to explain but was laughing so hard she couldn't get out a full sentence.

It suddenly hit me what I had heard. I had heard that creepy noise before and remembered where. Furbies. Some child had a Furby in her backpack and when I leaned against her backpack it went off. I don't think I'll ever look at one again without thinking of my scare.

~~~~~~~
Christmas Party

(Warning the following contains explicit details. May not be suitable for younger audiences or those with weak stomachs)

Friday night we had a family Christmas party at Hubby's work. The kids were very excited. Santa Claus usually makes an appearance at the party and most of the time gifts are in involved.

I was a little less enthusiastic. It wasn't that I did not want to go to the party. It was the fact that I would have to rush straight home from work, pick up Jr and Missy from the youth center, turn around and head straight back in the direction I just left, that had me Bah Humbugging. But hey, they were going to have food so at least I could check cooking off my list for the night.

Chase was so excited he didn't nap at all in the car. I think he was more excited about going to daddy's work than the actual party. He kept asking if he would get to see any 'hell-a-coppers'.

The place was really decked out. Whoever decorated did a great job. We mingled among the large crowd and waited for the festivities to start. Chase spotted Santa Claus. Unlike his brother and sister who were terrified of Santa at that age, he was thrilled. He ran right over to him and talked to him. He assured Santa he was "trying to be a good boy".

After his chat with Santa Claus Chase tugged on my arm. "You told me Santa Claus was watching me. You was right mom."

The festivities started with a small speech and a prayer. Then the food was served.

After we ate we joined the crowd forming around the podium. It was just announced that they would begin drawing tickets for gifts. Everyone, even the kids, were given tickets in the food line.

Chase had gotten sleepy and wanted to be held. I hoisted him on my hip and he put his head on my shoulder. Jr and Missy were clutching their tickets excitedly and eyeing the gift table. Then all of a sudden it happen. Chase suddenly got sick. He vomited so quickly and violently I had no time to react. Hubby later said it looked like a scene from the exorcist. That was exactly what went through my mind at the time too.

I stood there, both of us covered in vomit, and tried to remember where they said the bathrooms were. Hubby told Jr to show me since he was starting to feel a little queasy at the sight he had just witnessed.

I started to follow Jr then Chase vomited again. I reached out my sleeve of my sweater, that was already soaked, trying to catch it so it wouldn't be all over the floor. It was no use. When he vomited again in front of the buffet tables I started to run as fast as I could carrying him and moving in my high heeled boots. I cursed myself for trying to look nice for the party.

He vomited two more times before reaching the bathrooms. And then we spent some time in the stall itself. The poor thing. By the end of it he was shaking and crying.

If I wasn't so worried about him I might have been in tears myself. I tried to clean us both up but with little effect. The bathrooms had nothing but a couple of rolls of toilet paper. I stripped off my sweater but the shirt underneath was also soaked.

Hubby knocked at the door. He had brought us our jackets so we wouldn't have to walk across the party to retrieve them. We bundled Chase up and left as quickly as we could.

The kids weren't too upset about having to leave the party so early. Chase was too sick at the time to care about anything. Jr got to eat and to him that is the most important part of any party. And Missy was too disturbed and embarrassed at the whole scene to care about anything else.

We got Chase home and the poor baby continued to get sick the rest of the night. Hubby and I got very little sleep. We were so worried about him.

Chase is doing a little better. He has stopped vomiting and last night we were able to get him to eat a little.

Camouflaged Daydreams