California

I went to California.  Which I really need to blog about, but SOS, just finished and I feel the need to blog about it first.  I just didn't want you to think I was neglecting my most amazing time in California.  Not to worry, after I blog about SOS I will blog about California and give it the attention it deserves. 

My Life is Hilarous!!!

First of all Summer Break officially starts tomorrow and already my living room is full of, nerf weaponry and wooden swords.  What the HECK?  He's 15 now, when will this end.....wait, some of those weapons are my husbands so apparently this will never end!!  As I was typing that he walked in with this fancy guns.....it's a vintage Star Wars gun that belonged to Ron when he was a kid. 

It's like he knew what I was talking about.  So now it's time for CONFESSIONS OF A CULINARY GENIUS.  I love Tater Tot Casserole.  I've evolved many recipes into one I use often and it's become my own.  I always think about making Tater Tot Casserole when I don't have Tater Tots.  So the last 3 times I've gone to the grocery store with no list....I've bought Tater Tots, so we now have so many bags (3) they have to go in the extra freezer.  So last week I decide I'm going to cook dinner before I  went to work at 2pm, so Ron and P would have dinner when they get home.  (I am generally not that nice, but something came over me that particular day)  I procrastinated long enough that by the time I put the casserole in the oven I had enough time to shower and get to work.  So I put it in the oven and went to take a shower.  The timer went off 5 min before I had to leave.  I take the casserole out of the oven and was like.....ummmm...why does it look so short, and wierd....well it's because I FORGOT THE FREAKIN' TOTS that's why?  So it was totless Tater Tot casserole.  I declared it was the Holy Ghost reminding me a diabetic like myself doesn't need all those carbs.  I texted Ron and explained it was a new creation, it was "Add your own damn Tots, Tater Tot casserole.".  I personally ate it without the Tots, it was decent, but when you shouldn't have carbs, you crave them even more.  Sigh......

Summer Vaction Begins:

When I got home from work today I asked Perry what he was going to do on his first day of Summer Vacation tomorrow........He proclaimed....."I'm going to sleep really late and play video games all day....dont' judge me." Ha Ha Ha Ha.....Don't judge me, where did he ever hear that from. 

Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

preheat oven at 375

1 lb of Ground Beef

1 regular size bag of Tater Tots

1 can of cream of mushroom soup

1 onion

2 cups of shredded cheese

couple handfuls of Orgnaic frozen green beans

1 cup of sour cream

1/4 cup of milk

salt and pepper to taste

Brown ground beef with chopped onion, throw in the green beans when the meat is almost completely brown.  This will soften them up a bit.  Drain grease.  Mix in soup, sour cream, and milk.  Pour that into and 8x11 pan.  Top with half the cheese, put on the Tots, and another layer of cheese pop in the oven and bake for 30 min or until Tots are brown and crispy. 





 The man totally ate that totless casserole all week.  He never did add any tots. 

Mobile Blogging

I've had this ap for a while and haven't used it. So here goes blogging via the iPhone. So I didn't win the Mega Millions. Although that $1 ticket made for all sorts of fun dreaming and fun conversations.

Perry was being mean to me so I told him if I won he wasn't getting any. He quickly apologized. Then when we didn't win, he said "what do we need all that money for when we gave each other",and then he kissed my cheek.

I sure do love that kid!

Death?

I've been in desperate need to blog lately, but really have had no words.  In the past month I've had 6 different deaths that people close to me have been dealing with.  Crazy....there was another I learned of today, and decided, that's enough I'm stopping at 6, and I'm going to now stop counting.  The month isn't over.  Wondering has it always been like this and I just haven't noticed? 

No crazy kid stories to tell.  He did have to start putting on deoderant everyday last week.  He came home from school, and gave me a hug, and I was like "WHOA, DUDE......!"  You can not be that kid!  So I show'd him where his deoderant was, informed the man that, that simple hygene procedure would need to be put into their morning routine stat! 

I ventured to Cbus for my birthday and Abby made my favorite cake.  We had a nice time hanging out!

This is probably the lamest blog post I've posted in a long time, but I posted which is a giant miracle. 

Confessions of a Night Owl

I haven't written a good kid related blog post since Confessions of a Meat Hoarder, so here goes.  My precious child, has not missed a day of school since 3rd maybe even 2nd grade.  He's never sick, and if he is it's usually the sniffles, and can still go to school.  He's had perfect attendance for many years now. 

Today I wasn't scheduled to work until 1pm.  So I could sleep in.  Which I intended to do so.  Until I recieved a frantic phone call from one of Perry's teachers.  Perry had fallen out of his chair and layed on the floor and would not get up.  Sounds super scary.  I attempted not to panic, I said is he ok?  She wasn't sure as it wasn't in her class it was his other teachers class, she was going to head to the nurses office and see if he was ok.  She was going to call me back.  It was 7:30 am, not my favorite hour of the day.  So I got up, still not panicing, although slightly concerned.  Went into Perry's room to investigate, found his ipod and his iphone under his pillow.  These are the items that are suppose to be given up each night when he goes to bed.  I did not follow through the night before (parenting 101-fail) so therefor, no policing happened and I'm certain his illness is called SLEEP DEPRIVATION.  Wasn't certain of the diagnosis, until I went to the school and picked him up.  The school nurse called and said he was definately out of it.  So I went and got him, was greeted by his super concerned teacher.  Perry is well loved and his behavior is very predictable.  He is funny, very polite and well mannered and never gets in trouble.  So for him to just fall out of his chair and not respond was a bit concerning.  My diagnosis was spot on, the boy was exhausted, because he had not slept.  He came home and slept for 3 more hours.  His lack of sleep had truly made him sick.  He got up to the ultimate punishment, you could tell he was very tired, so he was forced to shop with me, with no ipod or phone, and guess what they are on lock down for an undetermined amount of time. 

This is his phone and his ipod both in there lockdown prison, AKA my dresser drawer.  Someone will be going to bed super early tonight.  I think I'll let the public decide.  How long should I leave these precious items in their prison?  Keep in mind he does not need his phone to communicate, we still have the house phone and he is not social so he is never without one of us.  He did however attempt to plead his case to get his phone back.  He said I sure hope I'm not lost somewhere without my phone.  I asked, where will you be lost?  He said the forest.......Ha Ha...cuz we here in the suburbs are surrounded by "the forest" that he is forever getting lost in. 

Perry being an only child he gets away with more than the average child, because I have nothing to compare it to, it's learn as you go parenting.  Funny todays Fairfield Middle School announcements email included an attachment warning about the risks of insufficient sleep.  I'm pretty sure they sent that right after I left the building. 





IKEA Life Improvement Project

In the summer of 2006, I was part of the United Way campaign with my place of employment, which was Ohio National at the time.  As part of the campaign we got to visit some of the facilities United Way supported.  One of those places we got to visit was The Stepping Stone Center.  I remembered the name Stepping Stone Center from when I had worked at Kings Island and I was in charge of their picnic when they came to Kings Island.  And I thought the name of the place was cool, but had no idea what they were about.  So with Ohio National we got to tour the facility and meet some of the people who got to take part in some of their programs. 

Fast forward to 2010.  I was approached by my boss at the time Shane at IKEA, that they were doing a contest for a nonprofit organization to win $10,000 dollars for their organization to use however they would need.  This is called The Life Improvement Project  Why me?  I thought.  The organization had to fit the IKEA values of helping kids, and could not be offiliated with a religious establishment.  This was a challenge for me as I am so involved with Boy Scouts (a scout is reverent) and my church, I had no idea of one that was not religious based.  It's who I am......Then I remembered......The Stepping Stone Center!  And so the investigation began.  They met and far exceeded the criteria for this project.  And so began the building of the presentation.  This was no easy task.  I recruited some work peeps to help, we arranged a tour of the facility, and then we had to write up a proposal using 500 words, and how we would spend the money.  Touring and hearing about all the work they do was the best part.  Meeting some of the kids and adults they help to learn basic life skills was humbling and rewarding.  As a parent of a child with special needs, I can appreciate the work that they do for kids with Autism, and behavioral problems.  I am fortunate to be in a school district that has programs to help kids with special needs and learning difficulties, and that Perry has learned to cope with his limitations that he's able to stay in a regular school.  Many kids don't have that priviledge.  Stepping Stone Center had programs who help kids who are unable to learn in a regular school enviroment.  They have teachers who are able to work with kids one on one to help them learn in a way that is most comfortable for them.  This is huge for kids with severe autism.  And what happens to these kids when they become adults?  It's hard for them to get a job, or learn normal everyday life skills.  Stepping Stone Center is equipt to help with these concepts.

 Heres a Group shot of us and some fo the Adults

Here is the Desk area in one of the program areas that could use some organization

Heres a Student in the school age building writting his name on the project board.

Last year we made it to the final round but did not win in the voting round, where only 5 projects were rewarded the $10,000 dollar grant.  This year we submitted our project again, and this year each of the 36 stores in the US get $10,000 for a project that wins at their store.  My friends and I have been feverishly begging for votes.  In creative ways......it's been 2 weeks, and I am just now posting to my blog.  Tomorrow is the last day of voting. 

Please help us win this year!

Text to: 62345

Message: Life97

Christmas 2011

What a truly blessed Christmas we had.  This was the first year that Perry looked so grown up.  I'm thankful he still got toys.  It will probably be our last year of toys for the most part.  I am happy to report no Legos in my home this christmas!!  Only a Lego sorter.  Maybe theres a end to Legos in my home?

1. All big boxes contain Clothes...ha ha!, 2. Perfect sign, 3. Marshmellow, 4. Lego HP 5-7, 5. P's excited about presents, 6. Perry got his first phone

My baby boy looks so grown up with his fancy iphone.  So far he's been quite responsible.  He's only had it for less than 24 hours, and when he's left the house he's been with us, sooooo, so far so good.  I've recieved numerous "wwwwaaaaazup" text messages, and he's let me know verbally each time he's sent me a text immediately.  "mom I sent you a text, did you get it yet, now send one to me."  Oh what fun we will have. 
CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS

1. Ornaments, 2. Abby and I, 3. Cookies at the Mugrages, 4. Niedermans Farm, 5. Opening Presents, 6. Making Breakfast, 7. Love, 8. Happy Birthday Baby Jesus, 9. Monster Cookies, 10. Candlelight Service, 11. Muffins, 12. Paul Youngs Nativity Scene

If you click on each tradition it will give you a more in depth description of each tradition.  I find that as I get older how important traditions are to me.  I enjoy sharing them with the people I love.  Love to everyone, and I am looking forward to exciting things in the new year!

Diagnoses

So on thursday, October 20th, I was diagnosed with Type 2, Diabetes.  What's that mean?  No more coca cola, no more McDonalds Sweet T, less food intake, definately less sweet stuff and bread!  I've been pricking my finger and testing my sugar for a month now.  I think I got a handle on this.  I watch my carbs, and sugar, and I can keep it in the normal range. 

When I was first diagnosed it was super scary as I didn't know what it all meant.  And would have to take shots, because that I wasn't down with at all.  The doctors office told me very little. She prescibed a few meds, that's I've been taking, I read a few blogs, and the Diabetes website.  It took me about 10 days to get my blood sugar in a normal range and I've been around normal ever since.  So far no shots, lets hope I can keep it that way. 

My official follow up visit is Black Friday, we'll see then where I go from here. 

Good-Bye Summer 2011

It's been quite the eventful Summer.  Perry and Ron started the summer with Summer Camp as they have for years.  This summer Perry was definately a full on teenager, so when we weren't off on some sort of adventure he was sleeping.  At the end of spring this year we had gone to Red River Gorge, which is a place we've always wanted to go and hike, and at the end of the summer we went to Hocking Hills which is another great hiking adventure.  Please see fun summer collage below. 

1. Big Bugs exhibit at Glenwood Gardens, 2. U2 Concert,  3. Ashtons graduations, 4. IKEA family picnic, 5. Swimming at Kristi's pool, 5. Hocking Hills, hiking old mans cave, 6. Perry attempting "owling" in Hocking Hills, 7. Connie and I sweating at U2 concert, 8. Kristi and I at Glee concert, 9. Ron and I at Hocking Hills, 10. U2

Now it's time for Fall......I've already had a pumpkin spice latte, so it must be time.  Geez time goes so fast!  Perry's now in 8th grade. 

Heres the boy getting on the bus on the first day of school.  He probably hates me for this.  The bus driver enjoyed it and said turn around so your mom can get a  picture.  Ha Ha....I'm sure he wanted to die.  As you can see it's super dark.  Why?  It was 6:40 am....ugh....why must they torture us?

OMG I saw U2!

Yep that's me and Connie, at the U2 concert in Nashville, TN.  This was before U2 arrived and did their thing.  Which was so so amazing.  There are things in life you think, "oh that will never happen".  You think, they'll never come to Cincinnati, and you think when you are a teenager, I will never in my life be able to afford to go somewhere else and see them ever.  Or my life will be too busy that I won't be able to break away and see U2 in concert.  Well all of that just totally happened!  We took a little road trip to Nashville and Saw U2 in concert! 

Funny how the minute you are pegged as a U2 fan, everyone has an opinion about Bono, unless they don't know who he is, which hello that's kind of wierd.  I've had a mix of haters and lovers, which is kind of fun, I welcome a friendly argument to be able to convince the world my love for all things Bono.  It will be very hard to top that concert, I'm certain it will be impossible.  Unless I see them again, which is not an impossibility!

Now What do I do?

For the 2 years I was a stay at home mom, 4pm was nap time, and then Oprah and I spent time together.  Then I began working again, and couldn't watch Oprah.  So on the days I was hope sick, or had a day off during the week, I look forward to spending an hour with Oprah.  Now in the days of DVR, I wait until everyone goes to bed and spend time with Oprah, or I wait until 1am (I am a night owl) and I'll watch her in bed as I fall asleep.  I love that during her last show she gave props to God...the one and only God, and she made that perfectly clear. 

I have been inspired often by Oprah.  I've been inspired to lose weight, (I gained and lost over the years just as she did) I've been inspired to read a book or 2.  I've watched many a movie because she said it was good.  She in so many ways made the world a better place.  I love that she gave back as much as she's recieved.  I wish Oprah much success with her network, but will miss my daily dose of sitting down with Oprah.  I love how beautiful she looks for her last show, and I love that her last words were "to God be the Glory."  Love you Oprah!

Strange shift

So I was off today.  I ventured out to the scout shop to get P a new pair of scout pants since he's grown like 6 inches so he needed new paint.  The scout shop is near Kenwood, and I had a certificate for a free dozen bagels from Marx Hot Bagels.  Anytime I go to Kenwood I always go to Stamp Your Art Out.  I love rubber stamps, I just rarely use them.  I have a large collection.  Creativity seems to be lost on me, and has been for a while.  I went to Benchmark instead, because all things hiking seem to make me happy.  I don't do that much hiking, I just love all that outdoor gear.  I did go on a 5 mile hike in the Red River Gorge, a few weeks ago, and (sarcastic) nearly died....way way way out of shape and illprepared for that craziness, but I survived.  And would like to do it again soon. 



Giant Rock with great overlook

So it was strange to me that I had no desire to go to the stamping store, and felt like I was in heaven when I was in the hiking store.  So maybe now instead of when I'm stressed I feel like being creative, maybe I'll go for a hike.  And if I can get me some sweet shoes for all this hiking I'm gonna do, it'll be worth it.   I'd really love to have these fancy shoes.  They even make socks to go with them.  Bet they'd be awesome to hike in. 

I just love funky shoes in general.  I like any shoes actually except heels. Don't really care for heels at all.  I did buy some shoes today.  I got some new vans, funky yellow ones.  I got P a pair of blue ones just like them.  The laces are silk screened on so they look like shoe laces but they actually aren't they are just slip ons.  Works awesome for P since he doesn't like to tie his shoes. 

Easter Sunday 2011

We had a fabulous Easter Sunday.  It was great to not have to work.  After being sick for like 3 days, I am still recovering, but I had a great day anyways.  Oddly there are no photo's of me from this year.  Which is totally fine since I need my hair cut!  Went to a Sonrise service in Middletown with my friend Kristi, it was definately something different than what I am used to, it was a cool service.  Then we went to church as a family at our home church, VCC.  We prepared ourselves for it to be crazy crowded at the 10:30 service, it really wasn't at all.  It was pretty cool, they did baptisms during all the celebrations, and even offered for folks who may have made a decision to follow Jesus right then to get baptised, very cool. 

After Church we went spent time with Family at Larry and Jodi's for Easter Brunch.  I prepared eggs for the egg hunt.  Once again I neglected to count the eggs, so Larry may find eggs for the weeks to come.  It was fun to watch all the kids hunt eggs.  Ecspecially Keaton as she experienced her first egg hunt, she was quite the pro.  It was really nice of Mother Nature to stop the rain long enough for us to hunt eggs and get home and then it started raining again. 

1. Keaton's First Egg Hunt, 2. Easter Sunday- Age 13, 3. Maddie Empty's her Eggs, 4. Perry, Maddie and Bailey

I hope everyone had a blessed Easter.  Heres to a great Spring and a crazy busy summer!

Migraine inspired blog post

So today is my day off.  I slept in.  Sleeping in to me is sleeping until you officially wake up on your own with no alarm.  I know I woke up at 8:30 am and felt that was way too early so went back to sleep.  I then woke up at 11 am, and I had a head-ache, which quickly developed into a migraine.  Dragged my super heavy head to the kitchen to see if some kind of food might make it feel better.  Nothing looked good.  Quickly decided I needed chicken salad.  Arby's used to have the best chicken salad.  They don't have that anymore!  So I recalled The Daily Grind  had some decent Chicken Salad, it wasn't Arby's but it would do.  So I devised a plan to get out of the PJ's and into clothes I could go out in public in.  And headed to the Daily Grind, praying they were #1 still open and #2 had chicken salad.  The place literally looks like it's going to fall down.  The awnings are completely gone now.  The drive-thru menu looks like it has to have scotch tape added on the daily to keep the menu on the drive thru.  It has wierd daily special signs taped in the window, but they were open and they had chicken salad.  I got it on a croussant, with a sweet tea.  It came with lays potato chips (for the record I hate lays because they are greasy).  All of this for 4.75, that's super cheap!  I cautiously ate in, in hopes that I would not barf.  This is what happens when you have a migrain, you barf.  Did not barf, and within 15 minute migrain had subsided and I had energy to write a blog.  Tada!  I also had taken tylenol 30 minutes before.  So I am sure those who do not have migrains, are wondering......."what's the difference between a head-ache and a Migraine???  Migraines suck first of all. Click on the link for a medical discription.  My discription would be it feels as though someone wacked you in the head with a hatchet and is now pulling your head into 2 pieces.  Light makes it worse, noise seems to be piercingly loud, and any movement makes you sick to your stomach.  So the good news is the chicken salad, tylenol, sweet tea combination did the trick.  I have now written a blog entirely about a migrain headache.  Here is a picture of Perry at the Cincinnati Art Museum on Saturday.  You can kind of see how much he's growing up, but in this photo is more subtle which I like.  Love this picture!

Please stop Growing!

Troop 969 2011 Mulch Sale

 

Premium Hardbark Mulch

Twice shredded and processed Hardwood mulch.

Rich, dark brown color

2 cubic ft. bag @$3.75 ea.

 

Rosewood:

All natural shredded pine,

no pallets, no nails.

Reddish in color lasting

up to 2 yrs.

2 cubic ft. bags @$3.75 ea.

 

Cypress:

All natural and light in color

with a medium texture. Whole cypress logs ground up.

2 cubic ft. bags @ $4.25 ea.

 

AFTER DELIVERY

WE WILL SEND A TEAM

TO SPREAD IT!

Just show us where you want it spread and we will do

the dirty work

and clean up the mess!

ONLY $1.50 PER BAG!

 

 

 

FAIRFIELD TROOP 969 ANNUAL MULCH SALE

 

3 PREMIUM

MULCH SELECTIONS

 

OPTIONAL SPREADING

(FOR A SMALL FEE)

 

SIMPLY COMPLETE

THE ORDER FORM

 

ORDERS SHOULD

BE RECEIVED BY 3/25/2011

 

PLEASE NOTE ANY SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

 

12 Great reasons

To buy your mulch

From a scout....

 

The Boy Scout Law....

A scout is trustworthy,
loyal, helpful, friendly,

courteous, kind,
obedient, cheerful,
thrifty, brave, clean
and reverent.

 

Your mulch will be
delivered by cheerful scouts
earning their own way so
they can go to summer
camp, high adventure

& many other
scout activities.

 

This year's summer camp

is at Camp Crooked Creek KY.

and our high adventure will

be a canoe trip to the Boundary Water's in MN.

 

Delivery will be
April 9^th & 10^th

and April 17^th & 18^th

 

Orders should be received

By March 25^th, 2011

 

Contact will be attempted

prior to delivery and spreading

for any special instructions.

Orders exceeding

25 or more bags

receive a $0.25

discount per bag

 

Detach this portion for your records

& mail completed order form

TO: TRACY BRAUM

5587 CHESAPEAKE WAY

FAIRFIELD, OHIO 45014

PH# 513-205-7161

 

PAY BY CHECK OR CREDIT CARD

 

Checks deposited when received

 

 

 

    

Order Form

Name____________________________

Address_________________________

City____________________Zip______

Phone___________________________

e-mail____________________________

 

QUANTITY COST

HARDBARK_____x 3.75 = $_______

 

ROSEWOOD____x 3.75 = $________

 

CYPRESS ______x 4.25 = $________

 

SUB TOTAL = $_________

 

SUBTRACT DISCOUT FOR ORDERS

OF 25 BAGS OR MORE

# OF BAGS_________X 0.25 = $____________

SUB TOTAL$_________

OPTIONAL SPREADING

(# OF BAGS)_______ X 1.50ea. = $________

Total cost of order $ ________

 

Any special instructions:______________

________________________________________

________________________________________

MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO:BSA TROOP 969
WE ACCEPT VISA, MASTER CARD OR DISCOVER

NAME__________________________________________

CARD NUMBER________________________________

EXP. DATE______________________________________

I'm Still Alive

Blogging is just not happening. I'm not going to shut it down I promise. A lot has happened since I last blogged. Most recently, I got me a fancy new Pink Laptop. Pink makes everything better. It's nice to have something new and fancy. Our PC is super slow, and the laptop we scored for $100 from Ron's work, finally bit it. So I was the lucky one who got the new laptop. The man will get one too in a few weeks.

Even more exciting. My dad's gonna get me a laptop bag for my birthday. Nothing other than a fancy pants Vera Bradley bag, because I am fashionable like that. In other news.........

I have become a full on Lego Harry Potter Addict! It's bad. Ron Got it for the Ipod touch, intending it to be for Perry's Ipod, but Perry's Ipod is too old and couldn't suppor the game so I put it on my Ipod. Well I began to play it and was completely obsessed and played it until I finished it. That wasn't enough so we got it for the Wii and it's a whole new game. Now the whole family is playing. We are having loads of fun.

Holiday Madness!

It's the week we try to get as much holiday stuff done as we can. Starting to feel a little more caught up. If you aren't on the Christmas Card list, the photo collage below is what we're sending this year. You can sure see we are quite involved in scouts as most of our pictures are front scouting events.

We've had a great week. I was awarded Coworker of the Month, and recieved a bike from IKEA for Christmas all on the same day. Kind of a big deal. Nice to be recognized and my boss said a whole lot of really nice things about me. I'm blessed to have a job I really enjoy and one that challenges me everyday. Still have cookies to make, and cards to assemble. Merry Christmas everyone! Be Blessed!

Confessions of a Meat Hoarder

Heres the angel, picture on the left is his 1st grade first day of school on the right is 7th grade.
So I've owed my fans this story for sometime now. The story is nearly 2 weeks old and feel I have let my blog readers down. Someday my child will read my blog and probably run away immediately for all the stories I've told on him. So I must first say, Perry I love you as much as a mother can love a child, and probably even more than that. You antics bring great joy to my life and many others. So please don't hate me!

So you say you've never heard of meat hoarding? Me either, so I made it up I'm pretty sure. So my child never is willing to go to bed when he's told. It usually starts at 9:30 pm, the bedtime ritual. The question starts, "mommy if I go to bed right now can I watch TV?" If it's truly 9:30, and not closer to 10 I'll usually say yes. The he'll get up cause he's thirsty. Sometimes he'll want popcorn at bedtime, it literally is nonstop nonsense until like 11pm, no joke. So the night in question I was in the basement doing laundry, I had just told him to go to bed, and hear the pitter of patter of no so little feet going from his room, to the kitchen. I lacked the energy to investigate and assumed it was for water consumption. So I came upstairs and I was in my bedroom. At this point it was lights out and closer to 11, and one should be well on his way to dreamland......not so much....I hear a drawer open and close, not ever a good sign either he's setting up clothes for tomorrow (highly unlikely since that's never happened) or he's hiding or doing something he shouldn't. I had, had enough this particular night so I stormed in his room threw on the light and yelled "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" He was unable to respond as he was in shock, and he was chewing. "Sweet Lord Jesus, WHAT ARE YOU EATING??" To which he responds quietly, as if it's NORMAL, "salami".........of course.......to which I respond, because I know my kid, "wheres the rest..." he calmly points to his desk drawer which is right next to his bed. I yell get it out. He doesn't hesitate, as this is seemingly normal to him. He reaches into his drawer where he keeps pencils drawing, and other desk items, and pulls out a half inch stack of thinly sliced SALAMI....ya heard...SALAMI. The worlds greasiest meat. Did he have it sealed nicely in a baggie, or wrapped gently in a papertowel of sorts??? NO! Just placed nicely IN HIS DESK DRAWER, as if that's where you keep salami. I inspected the meat from where I stood and could tell this just happened and it was clearly still chilled. I yelled please go put it back before I kill you. I'm not sure I'm going to survive the teenage years.

HAPPY 25TH VCC!

Say what you want about a mega church. I personally love it, and it's all I've known for 22 years. Well not necessarily all I've known as I went to 2 churches almost every sunday for many years until the early 90's. When I first started going to the Vineyard in 1988, I was in college, and this dynamic guy (Steve Sjogren) came to our BSU (Baptist Student Union) meeting on a Tuesday. We did bible study on Tuesdays during lunch. Tanny our president already was attending his church and invited him to come and share with us his vision.

He came, I went with my cousin. And the rest is 22 years of history. For a few years I attended the methodist church I grew up in and the Vineyard. Eventually I attended just the vineyard. My first our reach was called a Big Fun Bus Run, where there was shelves for groceries built into an old school bus. We bagged up some groceries and delivered them door to door in Lincoln Heights. We offered to pray for folks and they accepted. It's shockingly easy and it worked.

So I called up my cousin Susan and say hey lets go check it out. When I started attending the Vineyard (called Vineyard Christian Fellowship) There was close to 100 folks at Diamond Oaks, it quickly grew to 300 there I believe and just kept growing steadily, we are now at over 6,000. It was overwhelming to see all that God has done with everyone all in one place.

Hi, I'm 13, I'm in 7th Grade and I have an Attitude!

So we've hit middle school big time. It's only day 4 but I have some thoughts already that I need to share, and not sure if I want to be that parent or just wait it out to see if anything gets better. Soooo a little background. Perry has been in a resource room since 2nd grade when he was officially diagnosed by Cincinnati Childrens Hospital with a language based learning disability. His 3rd and 4th grade years have been by far his best 2 years of school so far. Both years he had great teachers who worked with his abilities and gave him the room and the help to learn at his own pace. It was 2 years of passionate teachers who were excited about milestones Perry would reach. Then the dreaded intermediate school. His teachers were fine, but it was then I started to be uncomfortable with the whole "resource room" concept. Now the kids are majorly segragated from the rest of their peers. They are not integrated really at all that I can see, his curriculum seemed almost too easy, but if it was to be made any harder he'd become frustrated and not succeed really. So we suffered through. I will say his reading got way better, he seems to like Math a little more, and he made it through the prison type school building really unscathed.

Now we are in a new building. His main class is not after all in the trailer out back. He does have 2 class's out there but he doesn't spend the majority of his day in a trailer out back. So I pick up his schedule, and see he's part of the Heroes team. See others who pick up their schedules and they too are on the heroes team and I think oh cool, maybe now they will be a little more integrated. Then I go to Open House, and they direct us to a room where all the Heroes team is meeting to meet teachers and hear about curriculum. So we go in there not a single teacher is Perry's teachers, and they go over curriculum that I know won't be anything he'll be learning, and if he was required to meet the expectations they are speaking of he'd be doomed. Although the Science Fair sounds like a good time, and some of the other projects they discussed sounded like a fun way to learn. Oh but wait he don't get to do that. We make our way to his homeroom after the lengthy schpeal that did not pertain to us AT ALL (great idea). Meet his 2 teachers, get a breakdown of his curriculum, that doesn't involve any text books or projects see his locker and leave.

So on day 4 of year 3 of school that is no longer the elementary school, I find myself questioning Fairfields resource rooms after elementary school. Or really after 3rd grade since Perry's 4th grade year was not typical, but turned out way better than it would have been. So even though they are special needs does that mean they don't get the excitement of covering a new textbook with a grocery bag, or get to have their parents help them with a science project? Understandably most of the kids in his class would lose the textbook on day 2 or would have to have 2 of them one for home and one for school. But why on earth are they part of team of other students they will never see, with teachers they will never be instructed by. Not only that but the teachers he has are on different teams??? Whaaaa? I'll give it a week or 2 more and then maybe if I still feel they could do better maybe I'll make them? Discuss.....your comments are welcome. And just like the trailer education Perry could care less about any of it, he doesn't know any different.