I normally have back ups, I lose jewelry left, right and center. I lose o-rings too. I have hundreds of o-rings in different sizes, usually in my bag with me. I lose those fuckers that much.

You see, I had the back ups in. Actually, I had Michael’s back ups in, because I had lost mine. (It’s really a problem – I even lose jewelry that screws together, at least the o-ring stuff is cheaper.)

So I pick up a pair of 10G single flange eyelets. I get home, ready to put those fuckers in, and they are the wrong size. I didn’t even make it out of the bag. I looked at them and saw. *sigh*

I called Michael, told him not to call me a dumb ass (not that he would anyway) and told him I got the wrong size, and I’d bring 20$ in to buy a new pair (b/c once you buy jewelry it’s non-exchangeable, and I understand this).

I head down around 9 and tell John what I did and can I get a pair of 8G please. He got those for me and was just going to send me home with a taper (b/c he knows I’ll do it myself), but I said I could just do it there, no problem.

Fucking jewelry had been out long enough I couldn’t have fit a 14G in there without a fight. This is odd only because all of my cartilage piercings were punches, and the skin should not close down around them that fast. Crazy. My helix once went from a 2G to 10G (over time, of course, but again, a punch, no cartilage there to shrink).

So I get the taper in, and it takes me three tries to get the eyelet to follow it in. Three fucking tries.

My ear is swollen and red and I can’t wear my glasses right now.

Not exactly one of my better thought out piercings, although when they are healthy and not irritated my glasses don’t bother me at all.

That was my excitement for the day. I popped a couple of advil, as my entire head aches now.

Sunday we got up early as fuck, Michael got bagels, we ate with the boys before they went to Hebrew school, ate with Pam & Susie, picked up the boys from school, ate lunch, came home, decided not to go to the beach (it was very hot out), hit Target (whoohoo Target! totally warranted, my menfolk needed shoes), ordered pizza and came home to eat. We all hung out outback in between lunch & Target.

Today we went to the post, Michaels, then Festival. Picked up the boys, Michael is at the shop with the two of them so they can get some tattoos and I need to make dinner. Then we need to go *back* to Target so Pam can return something and so she can get something for the boys. We didn’t find anything for her to get them this morning. I say the don’t need more crap, but she gets them stuff and sees them so rarely… at least it’s stuff I don’t have to buy them lol Dor wants those Wolverine claws and Malachai wants a movie. Eshiva got jelly shoes last night (they’re still jellies, right?)

I just want to go to sleep. It takes a lot out of me to be in “company” mode, especially day after day. I crashed in the carpool lane at school and I’d like to go back to sleep.

Ok, my sexy beast of a man decided to get, well, beastly last night, so that didn’t help me in the sleep department (but it was much appreciated) but I still say company mode just drains me.

Eshiva just came up to me with a picture of Erin that is in a red heart frame.

She told me “Mommy, this is my love”

I asked if she knew who that was (of course not) and I told her.

She said “I love her, can I put this on the piano?”

I said of course. She’s carrying it around telling everyone she loves her, this is part of my love too. She’s a part of my family.

Malachai is telling her that she (Erin) is dead, and two people in our family are dead.

Eshiva is telling him she isn’t dead, she is a part of our family. T

They are going back and forth. It’s cute.

<3

Eshiva is named for Erin (for those who don’t know). She died in 03, Shivie never knew her (obviously) – I don’t know that Malachai even remembers her.

She just came up to me to tell me Erin is dead, but we love her and she is still a part of our family and we have a picture of her when she was alive.

A Seasonal Pass entitles you to admission** to Magic Kingdom® Park, Epcot®, Disney’s Hollywood Studios™, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park Except the following dates:
* March 15 – March 28, 2008
* June 7, 2008 – August 14, 2008
* December 21, 2008 – January 3, 2009

* April 4 – April 17, 2009
* June 6, 2009 – August 13, 2009
* December 19, 2009 – January 1, 2010
**Except for activities/events separately priced.

You also get:
* The exclusive “Mickey Monitor” Passholder newsletter
* Special offers on Walt Disney World® dining, merchandise, backstage tours, and much more!

When you order the Seasonal Pass, you will receive an exchange certificate in the mail. Redeem the exchange certificate for a Seasonal Pass at any Walt Disney World® Theme Park ticket window by presenting the exchange certificate and valid photo ID. The Seasonal Pass is valid for 365 days from exchange certificate redemption.

Proof of Florida residency is required — you must provide any one of the following:
* Florida driver’s license
* Florida state-issued ID card (must have Florida address)
* Florida voter’s registration card with corresponding picture ID
* A college ID for a Florida college
* Florida- based military ID

Passes are non-transferable, are only valid during regularly scheduled operating hours and exclude activities / events priced separately. No additional discounts apply.

http://tickets.disney.go.com/buy/TicketTrans#subcat2

(you can put in 32181 as a zip code – that’s mine!)

Eshiva & Malachai had 9 AM appointments at the dentist. Eshiva was getting a crown, and Mal was getting a quick look-see.

Malachai was finally seen at 10:10AM and was done by 10:30ish. Remember, our appointments were for 9? Yah. Anyway, he more or less cooperated with getting a quick check out, nothing else. He has an appointment for March 5 at 8AM and he will be given a liberal dose of Benadryl (by the dentist) and wrapped up in a papoose and will have his front two teeth removed. I need to talk to our ST about this today.

At 11AM I demanded a new appointment and told them we were leaving. The receptionist assured me we were next, but she had been assuring me of that since 9AM. There was another lady who had been there since 8. My kids hadn’t eaten yet and Michael had to get to work – we left. Eshiva has a new appointment for next week. If she isn’t seen within fifteen minutes we’ll be getting yet another new appointment.

The dentist was awesome today with Malachai, and usually we only have a 15 – 20 minute wait. Two hours, and they still had no clue of when we’d be seen? Why bother making an appointment at all?

Mal got a tee for being so awesome at the dentist (seriously, I can’t even get him through the door to the back area, let alone in the chair) and I don’t know what I’m going to do on the fifth. Well, I do know. Michael is taking him. Don’t judge – I take the other two back. I just have a soft spot for Mal.

The dog pulled down our new (used) PS2. Thank goodness it still works – I refuse to buy another one. We just bought that one to replace the one he broke.

I realized last night that the reason my “TANSTAAFL” didn’t look right when we tried to do it last is that I wanted to put “GROK” in that spot. “TANSTAAFL” will have to find a home on the other wrist. Which kicks “Be Remarkable. Do The Impossible.” out, but that can go elsewhere too. I am a Heinlein whore. Absolutely.

Today has not been a great day, and I was yell-y this morning. I am feeling better now.

But my baby turned four. She is right around the corner from not needing me home all day long. She is far from not needing me, I am aware of that. It’s just different with her than it was with the boys.

I know she is the last one. I enjoyed her babyhood more. I wasn’t chasing after a toddler, or missing out on toddler things because I was looking after a baby. I was not looking after someone who was sick and/or dying. I wasn’t moving (ok, we moved a few times) or packing/unpacking for months at a time (we stored the unpacked boxes).

I didn’t do anything for this birthday. We have no friends with young children (indeed, we have no friends) and she isn’t in any programs and therefore had no little friends to invite. My dads mom and sister came over. My moms parents were in Naples – we’re going to go see them next weekend. We had steak and knishes and salad and trifle and cake. We took her out to sushi the next day, because the plumber was here on her actual birthday.

I convinced her she really is four, and today convinced her that her birthday is over, but she is still four. I took some photos (which I haven’t unloaded).

And that was that.

Next year, school? Maybe, maybe not. Apparently VPK is only a 3 hour day through the public school. What a waste of time. I may keep her home. She doesn’t make the cut off for K next year.

Just spreading a little fantabulous news, Malachai had his therapy evals last week, and he is done with PT! This is amazing, because not six months ago he would fall over standing still. No joke. Now he can balance on one leg so long he can’t count that high (ok, maybe he can, but it’s a long time!)  He is still in speech and occupational therapies, but those are improving too. They will re-evaluate him in another six months. Maybe in the next six months he will learn how to sit in, and stay in, a chair

Not only is therapy going well, but he only missed one word on his spelling test today (out of ten words) and he has been helping me read Coraline at night. His speech therapist suggested I talk to the school and see what kind of literature we can tie into his daily work to keep him interested. He reads like crazy for her, not so much for me. Apparently, I just hadn’t picked the right books. We’re reading The Tale of Despereaux next (Dorian’s choice). I think I will be moving a bunch of books down the shelf for Eshiva, and finding some more appropriate books for Mal & Dor.

Speaking of Dorian, he is doing basketball after school once a week and he loves it. I think we’ll continue to do it once it’s up. It runs in five week sessions and he started last week. I looked into the local rec center for something for both the boys to do, as our PT suggested Mal do some type of sport. I don’t know what, but we’ll find something. I think they are looking into karate (ok, I am pushing karate) but I am not going to push it if he’s really not into it. We were also thinking bowling, but the PT specificaly said sports that work the entire body. We need to increase (and maintain) his muscle tone, as it’s significantly “below age level.” Eshiva is going to be taking a dance class once a week in the mornings, and she is uber-excited about that. She wont stop talking about it, in fact.

Shivie is a little chatterbox, and thinks she’s a princess. She recently discovered dinosaurs (and I wish we lived closer to DC, because there are no decent dino exhibits around here that I can find) and barbie. She turns four on Feb 10th and woe be unto you if you try and tell her she’s three.

Everyone else is well. Dad and Michael and still employed (yay!) and I am still getting enough work to buy fun stuff by freelancing (also yay!). Michael and Sara are looking into the SAT and making plans and doing all that fun 17 year old stuff.

Ah… I think that wraps us up! I’m sure there is more, but it’s daily stuff. I was just so excited about Malachai! He is still having troubles, but there is a light.

and I posted this to PM’s yesterday:

Michael was given written notification today that the therapy place we go is closing on Friday.

Fucking economy.

They are going to try to farm everyone out to other locations, and we may be able to keep our OT if the other place she works can fit him in (and if they take our ins and if it’s in a reasonable drive). Our ST was an intern.

What really stinks is I really, really like our ST, and WTF giving us one weeks notice?

I know we can find someplace else (hell, maybe the place a few blocks down the street takes our ins and offers what we need) but this still stinks.

and I posted this today as a follow-up:

Yay!!! Our rockin speech gal called me up this morning and told me that she interviewed this morning at a place that is even closer and they are working their hardest to absorb all of the speech therapists AND their clients AND keep the same schedule!

She gave me the number of the new place, and I left a message around 10AM. She phoned me back around 5:30, apologized for it taking so long to get back to me, and told me what was going on. They do take our insurance, and are working to have the approvals transferred to them from our current place. She is hoping to start Monday!

We see Courtney tomorrow and Thursday and I am just thrilled it sounds like we won’t have a lapse, at least here.

I still need to find out where the place our OT works is located (she was split between the two places I guess), if they take our ins, and if we can fit in over there. I really like our OT as well – not like I like our ST, but she is awesome with Malachai. I’d hang out with our ST, not so much with our OT.

But wait, there’s more! We’re adopting a new puppy!

So, we’ve been thinking about getting a companion for Malachai for a while now. Therapy dogs are quite expensive, and the “free” ones take a lot of paperwork and legwork. No doubt they don’t deserve it, but it was more than we needed. It’s not like we were looking for a seeing eye dog or anything, you know? So, we found this little guy! We’re picking him up either Thursday or Sunday.

He’s been there for a year! I can’t imagine why someone didn’t want to take him home, but I am glad they didn’t! We drove down to Ft. Lauderdale on Monday and went back to meet him. He is so friendly, and energetic and playful. He jumped up on Eshiva, but did not knock her down. The gal who showed him to us said he gets along with all the other dogs/cats in the rescue, have never bitten anyone, and is healthy. Apparently he was purchased from a pet store, and then got sick. He had demodectic mange (yes, just like our Yorkie) but his fur is full and thick and I didn’t feel any scabs or anything on his body. They said nothing about meds or anything else, and he is neutered. This is good, because Sasha is so sick, putting her through surgery to spay her would be too taxing on her immune system (so says the vet).

He is a year and a half old, and is the perfect size. Yay!

From the rescue site:
More About Patches/Atos: Patches was purchased from a puppy store. He is a sweet fellow who is good with other animals including cats. He is waiting for a forever home with lots of playmates or toys. Walks in the park or just around the block. Nice yard to play in but not totally necessary. Patches loves his toys!

Oh, he’s a beagle/basset mix. Cuteness!

Anything else? Probably not. I am sticking with good news right now.

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Sorry for the blur – but red!

I’m not really this pale (I don’t think) – I busted the front screen on my phone and I think it busted my camera too

There is actually red, pink and orange, but it’s still wet and you can’t really see it yet.

• Eshiva, because she just told me “Yay Mommy! Yay Mommy! You opened it!” because I opened her bagel. Then she told me I am a genius, for the same reason.
• my new jeans from Old Navy, because they aren’t “low-cut” and I don’t feel like a fat ass in them
• my new dog, because she really did “come” paper trained (unlike the last one we had that was supposedly trained)
• my laptop (ok, this is my favourite everyday) because I can work from bed. Naked!
• our Wii, because it has everyone in the living room playing together, which is pretty cool (unlike the other gaming systems we have/have had in the past)

I really think #1 wins lol What’s on your list today?

I have to take the twins to the doctor this morning, then run their forms over to the high school to get S registered.

Michael is going to take the dog to the vet (along with the kids… maybe I will take one of them with me…) if I am not home in time to do it myself.

I have some work to do today. I want to spend some time with the kids too. I feel like I am already running behind, and it’s barely after 8.