TV Catastrophe! Take 'Cover' as in (I need a blankee)

When I heard the news this morning I was going to run and hide in my foxhole.  It seems that good-sport husband who stays off my radar largely because he has what he needs... informed me that his beloved 'what he needs' blew up last night- and I'm not talking inflatable doll here... This sacred icon is his newish flat screen TV -- it made a 'pop' sound and it was then pronounced DOA.  I was frankly amazed by how calm hubby was with this declaration.  It was too early for wine so this calmness was kind-of-serene and reminiscent of a brewing perfect storm or could it be a tsunami coming (we'll see).    This is a man who normally has a blow-the-roof-off  tantrum when the kids have pressed the wrong buttons or worse yet, 'misplaced' the remote.  Anything ‘TV’ is on his list of things that send him into orbit.  Like most men the TV  is his respite – a place to forget the chaos that has engulfed his life.  I do respect that – like me, we both need to take a break from this life we have created.  So who is to blame for this calamity.... the storm last night, Comcast or Vizio?  Stay tuned!   I'm saving my strength and need to take a nap before I go to bed.  :)

xo

T.I.L.

Late Start Leads to 'Crack Up' On The Tracks ....

When a teenager volunteers for a job it involves more than just the opportunity to learn new things- front and center is the fact that it's yet another taxi dispatch job for overwhelmed Mom (ME).  This particular 'run' I am referring to is one of my scheduled standing assignments- it's been a process keeping an ADHD child 'on schedule', but my darling daughter knows the rules from having had 'jobs' like this since 11. Today she spent an inordinate amount of time on her own grooming regiment to then make taxi dispatcher (ME) wait & wait  :(   This 20 min. delay then led to my own barking lecture on obligation & responsibility (even if it is to only clean cages of exotic birds).  So the barking continues (ME) as I strategically determine the best route to navigate the many stop lights before me - afterall, I had time to make up.  As I forged ahead and  before we knew it, dead in front of us was the crossing gate for a very long freight train... so we could really be late.  Such an absurdity I just had to declare... 'Please tell me where the joy is in all this?' ... darling daughter is now breaking down and starting to laugh (her humor is pain-based) she then can't contain herself... cracking up at me (a rare occurrence) ... actual tears were running down her face.  I then had to add 'don't do this'  (parenting)...and 'I'll be too old anyway to enjoy grandchildren!'  more shaking laughter.... I guess we're bonding.  :) 
Sweet dreams, T.I.L.

ME (unfortunately)

Equal and Balanced Coverage - Murky Gene Pool 2

In an effort to write this blog with 'equal and balanced' coverage... darling son is next having come up through the ranks learning from the best, his older sister.  He has also along the way, developed his own techniques for destruction.  Beginning as a quiet terrorist-like scribbler ... bedroom walls, inside of my car (a black sharpie)... he then moved into paint. Once even taking rust-block paint made for grill repair and meticulously collaged gooey swipes on the side of my car.   Since I was nearby, (likely busy cleaning up another mess)  it was easy to conclude this kid was also very deliberate and swift.  Fortunately, my good neighbor friend came to the rescue with a big bottle of turpentine (for clean-up) not to drink.

Together they (my lovely children) worked as a force to perfect their 'talents' .... darling daughter was once hanging on a basement metal wrack in the basement to then find the TV on her head.  This idea then went upstairs to my four-poster bed that originally had a canopy top (what they call a 'tester')... good name, because together they were 'testing' the strength ... and before I could even imagine this scenario... I heard darling daughter  scream ...'Mommy... (nameless darling son) broke the bed' !! --- with further investigation, I learned that she applied her budding gymnastic skills to the top rail framing and as luck-would-happen it snapped when it was her brother's turn......   taa da

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A parenting reputation- from a murky gene pool

Years ago when I was at the cross roads of figuring out the 'label' of ADHD - (a title that was bestowed upon my darling daughter even before she was 3) --  Many (myself included), looked at this idea as a horrifying proposition.  I really didn't need a 'label' I was just looking for some sleep.  These were hair-raising days with uncontainable energy/impulsively- and curiosity.  At first it was 'cute'... then exhaustion set in.  We always thought the gene pool was a result of two driven Type A-personalities - and not a surprise, her parents were, curious, fun and energetic .... notice the emphasis on  'were'...   When your toddler is whirling through life touching, experimenting-with- everything including putting unknown objects in her mouth, it is a challenge.  I had found her chewing asphalt (thinking it was gum) and drinking a random urine sample at my doctor's office (delicious apple juice?) Her Aunt once watched in awe as she made her own clay using a hose and  grill ashes.  This kid was inventive, determined.... and very swift- needing adult supervision 24/7.  

I knew she was running wild in the neighborhood- but I truly believe looking back,  if I had 'leashed her' to a tree she would have cleverly figured out a way to free herself.   In reflection, it is pretty embarrassing ... 'ADHD' had not yet gone 'mainstream' -- even my own Mother watched in judgement concluding I wasn't tough enough!  My now good friend and neighbor who was also in mouth-dropping judgement of my little darling,  recalls one of her first encounters.....  At 4,  my angel  appeared on her doorstep one bright Sunday morning in her underwear with an armful of water balloons inquiring whether the 9 month old of the house could 'play' ... and I didn't even know she was outside ....  I know bad bad... but until you slog around in my shoes you can't imagine what it's like.  After all, at that time, I was dealing with her prodigy - her younger ADHD brother.  

My Little Corner of Heaven- the laundry room

 For those who may wonder about the origin of the name .... 'The International Laundress'... this began when tired overwhelmed mother.. (ME)  was day dreaming about the glam life.. working pre-kids and jetting off to fab places around the world for a PAID JOB-- that's a fact, but what was also a 'fact' post-kids was when I lamented this particular daydream to my son who was 8 at the time... I was folding laundry telling him about my past life...saying 'I used to do my work all over the world'... and naturally because that idea was unimaginable to him.. darling son applied his scope of experience... and proclaimed 'THAT?' (laundry folding) hence, the name.  So with this new title, I decided I had earned a 'special' room to carry on my duties and I decided to paint a beautiful shade of green and add a few creative accents... like a chandelier with pearls and other colorful accouterments! I do love this place and when I found a bird to match I couldn't resist   meet 'Tutu'.  

Sweet dreams,

xo

The International Laundress

Can I go to bed yet?

Sometimes I remind myself of a whiny kid on a car ride who keeps asking ‘are we there yet?  I find myself thinking …. ‘can I go to bed yet?’   It’s probably pathetic to say, but lately, with stress at a high- pitch...sleeping has become the best part of my day! When days are long like they have been for the past 16 years, it really is a relief that I am able to find a quiet place to relax.…   In my home, my ‘bunker’ from the extreme chaos is my big four-poster bed….. I enjoy being ‘embedded’ in our ‘green zone’ -  ironically our bedroom happens to be painted a calm shade of green (a subliminal color selection to be sure) … For me, bed-time is usually ‘earlier-the-better’… oh, the simple things in life … a good reading light, lots of pillows, scented candle, my comfortable goodnighties jammies and my industrial-grade ear muffs!  With our one-eyed cat ‘Winky’ who is also cuddled in, we are a real pair at bed time… tooth guard, wrinkle cream, goofy socks on the tips of my feet and my big heavy ear covers to block out the world while I am reading.   These ear-muffs I have to say, were one of my better investments in my mental health.  After extensive research, I learned these are the kind that jack-hammer construction workers use or employees directing aircraft to terminals.   Good-sport husband is used to this spectacle… doesn’t even notice, he is usually also in a zombie-like-state watching a learning channel or an old movie.  With the door locked we feel safe.  Later in the evening, hubby will do a walk-through for collateral damage and I can’t even hear the machine-gun fire of expletives as he flushes toilets, shuts off lights, TV’s and open doors in other parts of the house!      

Essential evening mental-health accessory

'Winky' our cuddly one-eyed cat