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

Creatures of Habit

I've had each of my kids at the doctor this week.  They have all had sore throats (one strep, the other two have colds). What I've realized is my kids cannot handle being away from home without me or my husband for more than two days.  I think they are such creatures of habit and any deviation throws them for a loop.  When my husband and I go away, they are always left with family and close friends that treat them like family, but I guess it's still not home.  My husband's worried they won't be able to go away to college.  Well, we used to worry that they would be wearing diapers or sucking on pacifiers until they went to kindergarten and all the worrying was for nothing.  I'll have to remain hopeful:)

NeuroticMom

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Does your family celebrate St. Patrick's Day?

Growing up (100% Polish) we always celebrated.  We always wore green.  And we always had corned beef and cabbage for dinner.  As a child I hated this dinner.  My brothers and I would protest: "but we're Polish!"  To no avail.  My mom is a sucker for a holiday.
Now, I married a mostly Irish guy and I now love me some corned beef and cabbage.  Yum-my!  I just don't make it.  I would be the only one in my house that would actually eat it.  So tonight I'm grilling a london broil, making a big GREEN salad and for dessert I'm serving the cutest most delicious (from a local gourmet grocer ;) leprechaun cupcakes.

top o'the mornin to ya,
technomom

Monday Morning Kickoff... Sort Of

My sentiments this morning...

It Can Only Get Better,
TechnoMom

Let the Sun Shine In

It's Friday, the sun is shining and the snow is melting!  What else could we ask for?  Hopefully the dark and dreary days of winter are behind us.  I'm looking forward to a nice weekend and having a lot of family time.  My son's high school is playing for the District Championship in basketball at Villanova.  Expecting a good game and plenty of fans to cheer them on!  The kids won't sit with us, but we'll spend a Saturday night together, sort of.

Have a great weekend,
NeuroticMom

A Few Good Reads

I finished two books this week.  It's rare for me to read this much, but I guess the weather had something to do with it.  I read The Help and The Virgin Queen's Daughter.  Totally different books but very entertaining.

Let me know what you think. 

Next on my list - Picking Cotton and The Lost Symbol. 

NeuroticMom