Unacceptable, Unsafe, Unthinkable, Unbelievable!

Well, I have a story we can all learn from.  It's a real eye-opener and something we probably wouldn't talk to our children about. 

My fifteen year old cousin - that's right, my uncle is only twelve years older than me - was walking in broad daylight Saturday afternoon.  He was by himself going from point A to point B and he stopped to make a phone call in front of a church.  As he was standing there, a van pulled up, several men jumped out, said they were the police and told him he had to get in the van.  They were not in uniform and did not show their identification.  He said "no" and started backing away, they persisted, and he took off running.  When they caught him, they threw him to the ground - he started swinging, they held a gun to his head and handcuffed him.  He started screaming "help me".

Finally a uniformed policeman approached, after he was on the ground, handcuffed with a gun to his head.  What the hell is going on?!  One of the several undercover detectives realized this poor kid thinks he's being kidnapped.  "Hello - why wouldn't he think that, you haven't shown him any ID?"

My aunt and uncle got a phone call that their fifteen year old son is at the precinct and being held for assaulting a police officer.  Imagine that phone call.

Fastforward - the police apologized for the way they handled the situation.  There had been some recent vandalism in the area and they thought he looked suspicious.  Realizing that they did not properly identify themselves, they let him go.

What would you do?  I would do something.  He was traumatized.  Will he get over having a gun held to his head?- HE'S FIFTEEN, MAKING A PHONE CALL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY IN A VERY NICE AREA!  What if that gun went off when he started swinging, thinking he was fighting for his life?  It could happen to anyone. 

We told our children, who do walk around town sometimes, - stay with someone and you do not have to go with anyone that says they're the police and haven't shown you ID.

Thankful and horrified,
NeuroticMom

Sick Again

My little guy has strep, again.  It's the second time in one month.  He's miserable, in bed, quarantined away from everyone until tomorrow.  Lysoled door knobs, light switches, etc.  I'm going to eat, make some chocolate chip cookies and watch the "Blind Side" with him.  The good news is - he usually feels perfect after one day of antibiotics.

To a better day tomorrow,

NeuroticMom

BLAH!

Have you ever been at one of your kids sports games and you're enjoying yourself, cheering for everyone and "BAM", Debbie Downer sits down right next to you?  I can't quite figure her out - there's one on every team, you can't get away from it.

Well yesterday it happened again.  I'm sitting with a lovely mom and we're enjoying the fresh air, cheering everyone on and then it was over.  Debbie Downer sat down, immediately started in on all of the little things:  kids are in the wrong positions, the coaches need to do this or that, etc.  I'm sorry but even if you think it, don't say it.  I find myself smiling, agreeing and  praying that she just shuts up.  What do you do?!

NeuroticMom

MASTERS 2010

The best man won!

No one was rooting for Phil Mickelson more than my family - well maybe millions of other fans!  What a great Masters.  I love it!

Go Phil,

NeuroticMom

Stolen.

Literally.  Stolen.

My dog's beds.  From the local laundromat.

2 old, stinky dog beds.    

I thought laundromat motto's were: wash, dry, fold.  Make that wash, dry, stole!                                            

I wonder what kind of person actually steals from a laundromat and what makes them choose the worn out dog beds over a dryer full of nice clean clothes?
Weird.

Puzzled in the 'burbs,
TechnoMom

Venting

Youth Sports.

It is so much fun to watch our children compete.  It is hard to watch them struggle with a loss.

Had I known my 10yo was going to only play a total of 4 minutes in his State Cup soccer game today I would have asked the coach to take him.  I missed my older sons lacrosse game for 4 minutes.

Had I known getting him to all the practices on time & prepared was going to lead to 4 minutes-- I might have said screw it.

Had I really listened to my son--I might have realized that his heart belongs to hockey and that he plays soccer to please us--I might not feel so resentful towards those 4 minutes (and towards myself).

Had my 10yo not had tears running down his face as he got to the car and spent the whole way home wiping away the tears wondering why he only played those freaking  4 minutes, and is questioning his own worthiness as a person and as a soccer player-- I might not feel like this:

I feel better now (too bad my 10yo feels like shit),

TechnoMom

p.s. Thank God he's only 10, after 30 minutes on the xbox he should be fine.

Sneezing, Itchy Eyes, Puffing Up...

That's right - it's allergy time.

My youngest is really suffering.  He gets hit hard this time of year.  My goal this year is to keep him off of Asmanex.  It works great, but it's a steroid that I'd prefer he not take.  So we started allergy meds earlier than usual and he was doing pretty well until Wednesday.  He was at school for 10 minutes, maybe, and I got a call to bring the eye drops.  The poor little guy was red and swollen with blood-shot eyes.  We've prevented the breathing issues, but we can't prevent the eyes and stuffy nose with his allergy meds.  Oh well - he'll suffer through it for a few more weeks.  I keep Benadryl in my pocketbook and hope we don't need to use it.

BTW - my same son suffers from being struck with poison ivy, oak or whatever everytime he goes in the woods - which is a shame because he loves nature and animals.  We were away for Easter and did an Easter egg hunt outside.  By Monday morning he had a rash on his arms and some spots on his legs.  I've tried many things over the years because he usually has to go on prednisone when it spreads to his face, which it always does.  Well, this time I used Zanfel!  It's a wonder cream.  Rub it on the area that is looking like poison something and voila (not sure how to make the little mark over the a).  It was gone after a shower and good night sleep.

NeuroticMom

Their Heeerrreee! @#$%^&*):

Lice.

My sister called from NY and these persistent little creatures have found a home in her house.  She has four children, 2 boys and 2 girls with long, curly hair.  Yikes. 

If you make it through parenthood without encountering these tiny creatures, consider yourself lucky.  One of my kids had it five years ago and I almost had a nervous breakdown.  Literally! - I had to go on anti-anxiety meds for 10 days.

I feel my sister's pain right now. I'm itchy just thinking about it.

If you follow a list of guidelines and are diligent, hopefully you will do the first treatment and never see another nit.  But you must vacuum until you wear the vacuum out, bag any stuffed animals and comforters (I did for three months - way over the top), check everyone daily for weeks and change sheets daily for anyone who was infested.  It's awful, but my husband kept telling me, "no one is going to die from this."  True, but it may drive you insane!

If you need help, here's one of a thousand websites: http://www.headlice.org/.

Good luck - hopin' you never have to fight the "Lice Fight"!
NeuroticMom

Under the Weather

Isn't it the worst when the weather is beautiful and you're not feeling well?  We've all had some sort of virus (sore throat, which turns into a nasty cold, a day or two of chest tightness and a cough).  Now that we're getting over that, the allergies have set in.

It is wonderful to see the trees starting to bloom at least.

Hope you're feeling well wherever you are,
NeuroticMom

Houston - We Have a Problem!!!!!

Scary incident yesterday.  I was home with my youngest and it was a beautiful, warm day.  The garage was open because I just got in from running errands.  I am in the middle of changing clothes over for the kids and he's doing some homework before he can go out and play.  I'm upstairs and he's downstairs.  The doorbell rang and thank goodness I had just looked out the window.  It was a man going around the neighborhood for something.  I never open the door to anyone unless they are expected or my husband is home (he wasn't).  My children always run for the door because it's their friends 99% of the time.  We live in a small development (22 houses and secluded).  You don't worry about the kids running around the development.  Neighborhood friends come in and out in all of our houses. 

Anyway, as soon as the bell rang I ran for the stairs and yelled for him not to open the door - it was someone we don't know.  He didn't and ran up the stairs, a little scared since I had adamently told him not to open the door.  "Why, what's going on?"  "It's a stranger, and we don't open the door to strangers."  He watched the man from the upstairs window and started in on me.  "He looks nice, just open the door if he comes back."  "No, he's a stranger."  "What's the big deal?"  Are you kidding me??????????

I spent the next few minutes explaining that dangerous people usually look nice and that's how they gain your trust.  After having a lengthy conversation he still said we should answer the door.  We've gone over this stuff so many times, I am flabergasted that he's still questioning it.  He agreed that if he was home alone or with his brothers, they wouldn't open the door, but he doesn't quite comprehend why I wouldn't open it on a beautiful day since I'm the parent.  I'll keep trying to explain it without making him paranoid.  Boy did I learn a lesson.

NeuroticMom