We have a large, loud fan in the bedroom to cover up snoring and other noises from the kitchen, etc. Its used all winter long. I have slept a lot better with it for some time. But after a while it no longer helped me stay asleep. Now, in addition to the fan, I wear ear plugs as a sleep aid. I think I started wearing them sometime in the winter. Maybe it started even before that. Maybe its been a year already. Probably.... They work fairly well to cover the snoring produced by my favorite person and the love of my life. I don't love the snoring! But the earplugs may have helped to save a marriage (haha).
This morning... well, every morning, one of the girls will come in around 7:30 to tap me awake because they didn't catch the bus and need a ride to school. This morning there were two girls tapping me. Weird. Wait a second. Why is it already 7:55? (School starts at 7:50). They are late before they've even come in to wake me up. Lizzy's ready. I'm told Jennah doesn't feel well and wants to go to school late (which means later than the "late" they are) and Caleigh is sitting at the kitchen counter still doing the homework she failed to finish last night.
AGHHH THIS HOMEWORK IS KILLING ME!!!! Yes ME! Somehow, my 5th grader just cannot do her homework on her own and she's very slow about getting it completed and she needs help on every freaking question and she needs someone by her side keeping her focused. It becomes a mama-yelling scenario almost every other night, but that doesn't seem to help anything change. I have reached the limit. She has reached the limit. She's burnt out on school. WHY ISN'T IT SUMMER YET????
I digress.
So, Lizzy goes to the car, but I can't find one of my flip flops. PEPPERMINT!!! She likes to take shoes outside. She's been fairly good about only carrying them and not chewing on them (um... unless they have heels). But I still cannot find my other flip flop. Grrrrrrr So Lizzy is waiting in the car and meanwhile, Caleigh is still sitting at the counter trying to finish her last 3 pages of reading. "Get in the car and read in there," I say in my scolding tone. "But I feel sick when I read in the car," she claims. "Too bad!" is my unsympathetic retort. When we get to school, a mere 4 minutes away, she doesn't get out but keeps reading. So I kick her out and tell her that from now until the end of school, no TV or breaks just to veg out until homework is complete.
Honestly though, I struggle with concept of young kids being in school all day long and coming home with homework which takes them all night to complete. Where is the imagination in that? Caleigh thrives in the creative things like art (which she doesn't have this year) and music and dance. She needs time also to practice and go to lessons. And then there's still homework. With all the ridiculous about of state testing and the pressure that comes with it, she thinks that she's not good at math. She thinks she's not good at science. And she thinks she's not good at social studies. Her grades are decent. So why are there meltdowns before every single test?? This bring me distress. I'm reevaluating (again) the education she is getting and the patterns she has been developing--the distaste towards learning new things. To me it seems like it crushes her spirit and because of the whining she gives me, I'm probably adding to it. So yeah. This is what I come home feeling like, after dropping them off.
Ten minutes later, Jennah is dressed and ready. "Mom, can you take me to school.?" OH COME ON!!!
After dropping her off, I get home and procrastinate for another hour. As I was cleaning up the dishes from last night AFTER THE KITCHEN WAS CLEANED UP, I inadvertently poured some frying oil down the kitchen sink, thinking it was water. AGH! Annoyed, I grab a cup of coffee and check FB for a while, trying to snap out of my bad attitude from the morning so far. I finally decide that I must make my way over to the Episcopal Church where I will be playing the organ this coming Sunday. I've not yet played at this church so I'm a little nervous about it. I'm sure it will be fine, but I've yet to play the organ. That's why I planned to head over there, to practice. I was warned however that I should come early so that I didn't interfere with any meetings. Well, apparently I missed the window. I can't practice then. Meanwhile, the week is zooming by and I still haven't touched the organ yet. To be fair, the organist led me through the entire service and all the ins and outs of the organ. At least I have that to go on. One time I played for a Methodist service cold turkey having never played on that organ before. That was a bit of a scramble. Actually, I've had several occasions of cold turkey organ playing. I'm not even an organist!!! And the Catholic Mass gave me great anxiety. Why do I get so distraught about these things?!
I guess Caleigh gets her propensity for meltdowns from her mama.
I'm noticing a lot more gray in my hair. Summer can't come quick enough. I need the sun to add some natural highlights to cover.
Showing posts with label the ridiculous. Show all posts
Showing posts with label the ridiculous. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 22
Tuesday, June 26
Government Run Healthcare???
I have been given the run around over the phone for the last few hours. I've been avoiding making the calls, because I knew it wasn't going to be an easy task, but O.M.G. THIS HAS BEEN SERIOUSLY LAUGHABLE!!!!!
New York Medicaid Choice is masterful at having staff who knows how to pass the call to someone else, because they don't have the answer. But that's what they all did today. Of course, no one ever passes along the call to their supervisor. Oh NO! They don't even inquire with their supe. That would be bad. No. They give you the phone number to an entirely different "sister organization" and say, "You need to speak with them. We don't deal with that particular aspect."
I began with Medicaid Choice because it was the only phone number I could find. That person said I needed to speak with my local social services and gave me the number. I called that and they said they couldn't help me with my questions and I needed to call my HMO. They gave me the number. I spoke with the HMO and they said I needed to speak with Medicaid and that "Medicaid Choice should have transferred me to the right department, but here's the number and I will transfer you." The transfer went through several automated steps and then announced that I couldn't be connected and I would have to call the toll free number again. Luckily, the last guy gave me the number before transferring me over. The person at Medicaid said I needed to speak with the local Social Services reimbursements Undercare Unit and gave me the number AND the address in case I wanted to send bills directly to them, plus she issued me a benefits card (which I hadn't yet received for Lizzy either). Then, I called the Undercare Unit and this person was the most helpful! She told me that I needed to call Medicaid Choice (that was my first call) and that THEY WERE THE ONES WHO WILL HAVE THE ANSWERS to my questions (HAH!), but I needed to get the "right" person on the line. She said to just keep asking for the supervisor anytime someone claimed not to know. She told me that things tend to be kept a big secret and new employees never really get to receive information about anything that would be helpful to their job if they knew. NICE! She also said not to call them until after 2 PM because they usually take lunch anywhere between 12 & 2.
So, now I've lost all motivation to even call back. They have had me chasing my tail for half the day and I'm tired of wasting my time. This is quite a ploy, isn't it? And this is what we get to experience from the state run level of health care. There is NO WAY I would ever believe that our federal government could ever run a health care system with any kind of ease, efficiency or honesty. Ridiculous!!! What a joke.
So the paperwork and hospital bills and questions continue to sit on my desk in a pile with lots of notes and questions and now a gazillion phone numbers, which are all equally unhelpful in answering any of my questions. The piles on my desk are paralyzing.
Its no wonder that hospitals, in many cases, won't accept medicaid. There is so much rigamarole that they probably don't get paid for months on end. EGah!!
I have better stuff for the next post.
New York Medicaid Choice is masterful at having staff who knows how to pass the call to someone else, because they don't have the answer. But that's what they all did today. Of course, no one ever passes along the call to their supervisor. Oh NO! They don't even inquire with their supe. That would be bad. No. They give you the phone number to an entirely different "sister organization" and say, "You need to speak with them. We don't deal with that particular aspect."
I began with Medicaid Choice because it was the only phone number I could find. That person said I needed to speak with my local social services and gave me the number. I called that and they said they couldn't help me with my questions and I needed to call my HMO. They gave me the number. I spoke with the HMO and they said I needed to speak with Medicaid and that "Medicaid Choice should have transferred me to the right department, but here's the number and I will transfer you." The transfer went through several automated steps and then announced that I couldn't be connected and I would have to call the toll free number again. Luckily, the last guy gave me the number before transferring me over. The person at Medicaid said I needed to speak with the local Social Services reimbursements Undercare Unit and gave me the number AND the address in case I wanted to send bills directly to them, plus she issued me a benefits card (which I hadn't yet received for Lizzy either). Then, I called the Undercare Unit and this person was the most helpful! She told me that I needed to call Medicaid Choice (that was my first call) and that THEY WERE THE ONES WHO WILL HAVE THE ANSWERS to my questions (HAH!), but I needed to get the "right" person on the line. She said to just keep asking for the supervisor anytime someone claimed not to know. She told me that things tend to be kept a big secret and new employees never really get to receive information about anything that would be helpful to their job if they knew. NICE! She also said not to call them until after 2 PM because they usually take lunch anywhere between 12 & 2.
So, now I've lost all motivation to even call back. They have had me chasing my tail for half the day and I'm tired of wasting my time. This is quite a ploy, isn't it? And this is what we get to experience from the state run level of health care. There is NO WAY I would ever believe that our federal government could ever run a health care system with any kind of ease, efficiency or honesty. Ridiculous!!! What a joke.
So the paperwork and hospital bills and questions continue to sit on my desk in a pile with lots of notes and questions and now a gazillion phone numbers, which are all equally unhelpful in answering any of my questions. The piles on my desk are paralyzing.
Its no wonder that hospitals, in many cases, won't accept medicaid. There is so much rigamarole that they probably don't get paid for months on end. EGah!!
I have better stuff for the next post.
Tuesday, June 5
Parenting... Humor... and the Super Christian
If any of my kids EVER drive the car into the pool I WILL BE COMMENTING ABOUT IT ON FB!!!! I will also probably comment (and I have) if they mistakenly leave the sunroof open while they go to work and it POURS RAIN during that time. Hey, I can be pretty darn funny about the annoying and ridiculous things that happen in our family circus. I am one of those lucky ones that has been blessed with a sense of humor. And as for my offspring, I don't really have one serious kid in the bunch. They all like to joke and play around and laugh, even at themselves.
Its not all fun and games. I have been annoyed lately about the amount of stuff they keep leaving all over the house and the lack of help they've been giving because of their own personal busy schedules, while I sit here on Facebook and Kool Daze, doing nothing all day... just waiting for them to come home so I can yell at them again. (That was all for you, Mel).
So maybe you are wondering what this is all about. Yea. I got a private message on FB last night that just so happened to get my pants all in a bunch. This is the second time that I've been chastised via a FB msg. Both times is was by a different christian friend, neither of them having held a single conversation with me for years. This latest one claims that she can't remember EVER having a conversation with me and wasn't sure why we were even friends on FB. Baaahahahaha!!! (She has known me before and was the one who friended me, but for some reason she doesn't remember, and even so, felt the need to send me a rebuke about my posting on FB the mistakes my children make. ????? Did she mean about the sunroof and my soaked behind???). These two ladies both knew me 10+ years ago, maybe, when my kids were all little and I was super spiritual... pastor's wife, homeschool mom, worship leader in the church, youth group leader, prayer warrior, full-timer in ministry, back when I only had christian friends, and never even had time to make friends outside of the church. Since then my life has changed... a lot. I am still the spark plug I always was, competitive, fun-loving, having a hankerin' for a good time, but everything else has shifted.
When my kids got to a certain age and we experienced some very difficult times in our church experience, we got out of the full-time ministry. Took a sabbatical to get our heads back. We got a taste of the world outside of church life and knew that outside the four walls was where God wanted us to be. Its actually much safer outside, if you want to know the honest truth. We still love our church family and we remain involved, but our lives are not all consumed with nothing but church life. Our kids can breathe without being watched like fish in a fishbowl. I don't think I could have survived the judgment on our parenting during those super challenging teenage years. Holy Moley. Our kids should totally thank us!!!
And yet, the residue of that judgmental world still comes back at times. And it triggers me!! It triggers the anger and frustration I have towards religiosity and towards that controlling environment that we bought into for a season of our lives. That we (ashamedly admit) promoted for some of our younger years. We've now bought into being like Jesus in the non-religious way... simply loving people; Having fun with our kids and enjoying them; Hanging out with unchurched people; Spending our time with those who would never "make it" in a church setting, because they don't know, don't care, don't believe in the religious rules of the super spiritual ones inside the church; Enjoying our friends even when they swear a lot, or drink a lot, or GOD FORBID like to laugh and have fun. We actually go on vacations with these friends and have authentic relationships. And they enjoy us as much as we do them. Its genuine. Its God-given. And imagine this... none of the friends who really know me sit around examining my every word on FB to make sure its completely uplifting and scriptural and encouraging. They laugh with me when I'm being sarcastic and venting a frustration, and we are all endeared to one another. For me its about relationship, not rules and regulations or about abiding by some other human's standards of godliness. Jesus really didn't fit the religious standards of his day either.
I don't really care if a person is a specialists in educating parents and giving seminars across the country, or if they published a book or happen to remember the Karen they knew a decade ago as being a much holier, godly example for young people than what they see now. I am who I am. I've had my experiences along the way that have shaped me and in some cases hardened me, but one thing I do know... I'm not interested in the people who stand at a distance, reading my FB or Blog with their misconstrued judgments only to decide to confront me based the leading of the Holy Spirit or their profound wisdom. Yah. They can just keep their little "pearls of wisdom" to themselves. And I don't believe they are hearing from the Holy Spirit. Honestly, I think they like to hear their own prayers more than they like to listen to God.
Tuesday, April 24
I'm Tired
Today was much more than I thought it would be. Funnily enough the school nurse called to ask about Lizzy... as in,
OK. This is the nurse from the same school that hosted an entire 7-12th grade assembly just to talk about Lizzy's diagnosis and to give her a special handmade crown, scepter, and throne. And then, a few weeks later, ordered two huge sheet cakes just to send her off wishing her good luck with the surgery. YAH!! So, this request from the nurse just hit me all sideways, plus an earlier conversation with her that also hit me all sideways, a few weeks back, when she brushed off Lizzy's tumor as if it was no longer a big issue now that it wasn't cancerous. She has a true gift for saying the most needling things and doesn't even realize it. So, her phone call today was annoying for me, that, and the fact that I haven't slept well in weeks and this morning got up a 5:30 to take care of an unexpected job-related issue that wasn't even an issue when I arrived at the building. Grrrrrrr!! But anyway, I'll get a doctor's note for the school nurse on Monday, when we go back for Lizzy's follow-up. Should I have the doctor list all the absences, too, so they can all be accounted for?
Wouldn't you feel ridiculous asking the doctor for a note, immediately following a surgery where he scraped about a liter of tumor out of her bones!!! It was one of the last things on my priority list (even though I actually did think about it when we were discharged from the hospital).
Don't get me wrong. The school has been incredible. The teachers have been great, but we have a few by-the-book legalists at the school who have a hard time making a common sense judgments on things--things that you would think would be so easy to balance out. For instance, if you think about a 14 year old girl, who never had a clue about why her back hurt, only to find out it was a tumor, then be told she would need chemo for a year as well as surgery to get rid of this bone cancer, then go in for a biopsy and have her very first overnight in the hospital to find out it the glorious news that it wasn't cancer, but then to have two surgeries scheduled only 2 weeks later to remove the tumor... this is a girl who has never had any kind of medical emergency in her life... well she's probably not going to be able to produce 4 essays for gym credit during those few weeks, she's probably not going to be able to concentrate on any kind of homework to speak of for a few weeks... but the least of her concerns being gym class. SERIOUSLY???
Regardless of these petty complaints I'm sounding off, we had a victory today. Lizzy darkened the doors of the school. We spoke with the principal to set her up for the next few weeks, easing into her classes again and getting caught up. She's going to try things for a few hours tomorrow thru Friday and then we can reevaluate for the next week.
In the meantime, Anika asked to come home early after experiencing a panic attack about her senior class trip. Egah. And Caleigh came home off the bus bawling her eyes out in total fear about the State Math Tests which begins tomorrow. Her teacher literally deflated any confidence she had today, after they did the practice test. Caleigh made a few silly errors and didn't score so well for the practice exam. When Caleigh asked the teacher if she could stay after school for extra help, her teacher said no because she was going to spend some time outside after school. These blasted state tests make the teachers and the atmosphere of the school so anxiety ridden. And that gets passed on to the more susceptible kids, like mine for instance. Sheeeesh!!
Deep cleansing breaths for me. Deep cleansing breaths.
Nurse: Lizzy's not in school today.
Me: (Duh). She's here.
Nurse: I know she's home from the hospital now.
Me: (Yeah... and?). Um-hm. (Its pretty common knowledge)
Nurse: Do you have any idea when she'll be returning because she needs to have a doctor's note.
Me: I don't have a doctor's note.
Nurse: Because I'm going to need it for her files and to excuse these absences.
Me: (HAH--seriously?). Well, she has an appointment on Monday. I can get one then.
Nurse: I'll also need a note for any medications.
Me: Oh I know, but she's not taking anything, only tylenol occasionally.
Nurse: Well, I will need a doctor's note for that, too.
Me: Why? You've only ever needed my parental consent in the past??? (My voice raising, getting more annoyed at the stupidity). Never mind, she can just take it before school or after. Its not necessary to get another note from the doctor about tylenol (ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME?!!!).
OK. This is the nurse from the same school that hosted an entire 7-12th grade assembly just to talk about Lizzy's diagnosis and to give her a special handmade crown, scepter, and throne. And then, a few weeks later, ordered two huge sheet cakes just to send her off wishing her good luck with the surgery. YAH!! So, this request from the nurse just hit me all sideways, plus an earlier conversation with her that also hit me all sideways, a few weeks back, when she brushed off Lizzy's tumor as if it was no longer a big issue now that it wasn't cancerous. She has a true gift for saying the most needling things and doesn't even realize it. So, her phone call today was annoying for me, that, and the fact that I haven't slept well in weeks and this morning got up a 5:30 to take care of an unexpected job-related issue that wasn't even an issue when I arrived at the building. Grrrrrrr!! But anyway, I'll get a doctor's note for the school nurse on Monday, when we go back for Lizzy's follow-up. Should I have the doctor list all the absences, too, so they can all be accounted for?
Wouldn't you feel ridiculous asking the doctor for a note, immediately following a surgery where he scraped about a liter of tumor out of her bones!!! It was one of the last things on my priority list (even though I actually did think about it when we were discharged from the hospital).
Don't get me wrong. The school has been incredible. The teachers have been great, but we have a few by-the-book legalists at the school who have a hard time making a common sense judgments on things--things that you would think would be so easy to balance out. For instance, if you think about a 14 year old girl, who never had a clue about why her back hurt, only to find out it was a tumor, then be told she would need chemo for a year as well as surgery to get rid of this bone cancer, then go in for a biopsy and have her very first overnight in the hospital to find out it the glorious news that it wasn't cancer, but then to have two surgeries scheduled only 2 weeks later to remove the tumor... this is a girl who has never had any kind of medical emergency in her life... well she's probably not going to be able to produce 4 essays for gym credit during those few weeks, she's probably not going to be able to concentrate on any kind of homework to speak of for a few weeks... but the least of her concerns being gym class. SERIOUSLY???
Regardless of these petty complaints I'm sounding off, we had a victory today. Lizzy darkened the doors of the school. We spoke with the principal to set her up for the next few weeks, easing into her classes again and getting caught up. She's going to try things for a few hours tomorrow thru Friday and then we can reevaluate for the next week.
In the meantime, Anika asked to come home early after experiencing a panic attack about her senior class trip. Egah. And Caleigh came home off the bus bawling her eyes out in total fear about the State Math Tests which begins tomorrow. Her teacher literally deflated any confidence she had today, after they did the practice test. Caleigh made a few silly errors and didn't score so well for the practice exam. When Caleigh asked the teacher if she could stay after school for extra help, her teacher said no because she was going to spend some time outside after school. These blasted state tests make the teachers and the atmosphere of the school so anxiety ridden. And that gets passed on to the more susceptible kids, like mine for instance. Sheeeesh!!
Deep cleansing breaths for me. Deep cleansing breaths.
Wednesday, April 11
It's Rather Exciting and Adventurous
We are considered "self-pay" in the medical field of billing, because we are members of Samaritan Ministries. Its not traditional insurance. Its a "co-op" where the 20,000+ members share medical bills and prayer needs together. We have the family plan, so we send $320 to a different family each month who has a medical financial need. We pray for the other members who have needs posted in the monthly newsletter. We pray for the individual to whom we send our support to each month and send them a note of encouragement. And now that we have some needs of our own posted, we have the members praying for us, sending us notes, and helping with our medical expenses by sending their monthly contribution to us until our bills are (mostly) covered. Its pretty cool, much more personal, sincere and pure than insurance companies who are out to make a buck. Check out Samaritan Ministries here if you are interested!
Oh. And if you decide to join, please tell them Terry and Karen Hochstedler sent you, because we will get a discount on our yearly membership, which is about $180. We could use that discount (LOL) and its great to get additional members to join our "co-op" as well.
We've gotten the first wave of bills from Memorial Sloan Kettering. HOLY CRAP!!! sorry, but wow. For the first biopsy/surgery, one overnight and the few visits leading up to the surgery, including everything... its already billed at $32,400. Tomorrow's surgeries (two of them) and the inpatient stay of five or more days will probably be five or six times as much. I'm completely new to this kind of expense. I'm not worried, just confounded. Samaritan sometimes covers 100% and other times must pro rate the amount of needs to be covered because some months have a lot more needs being posted than other months. This month was prorated at 80%. This is where we will try to negotiate with the billing departments (in which there are three) to accept a percentage of bill and call it good. We could use some prayers in this arena--provision for all the financial needs and favor with the billing departments to receive some discounts equal to what cannot be covered by our group. Otherwise we may have to sell a few of our children. haha. Nah. It will all work out. We're also applying for emergency medicaid just for Lizzy. Maybe that will work out.
Its funny how oblivious I've been of what others go through, even my parents and other family members, with this kind of stuff. I think that's why I tend to share it so openly. Maybe it will help others who have been like me--oblivious--in understanding these things. And letting people into the picture can be rather helpful. Yes, there are risks (and every-once-in-a-while stupid people with stupid comments) but all in all, people are very compassionate and loving and prayerful. I place a high value on prayer!
Yup. Its just another day in Karen's Kool Daze! BJ, Lizzy and I are off to NYC tonight and my girl and I will be shacking up at Memorial Sloan Kettering for the next little bit for a mere $4000 a night. LOL. At least the room service is good. And Lizzy will be a little lighter and without Ketcha--that's what Jennah named Lizzy's tumor. We are having a going away party for Ketcha!!
Please keep me entertained!!!!
Oh. And if you decide to join, please tell them Terry and Karen Hochstedler sent you, because we will get a discount on our yearly membership, which is about $180. We could use that discount (LOL) and its great to get additional members to join our "co-op" as well.
We've gotten the first wave of bills from Memorial Sloan Kettering. HOLY CRAP!!! sorry, but wow. For the first biopsy/surgery, one overnight and the few visits leading up to the surgery, including everything... its already billed at $32,400. Tomorrow's surgeries (two of them) and the inpatient stay of five or more days will probably be five or six times as much. I'm completely new to this kind of expense. I'm not worried, just confounded. Samaritan sometimes covers 100% and other times must pro rate the amount of needs to be covered because some months have a lot more needs being posted than other months. This month was prorated at 80%. This is where we will try to negotiate with the billing departments (in which there are three) to accept a percentage of bill and call it good. We could use some prayers in this arena--provision for all the financial needs and favor with the billing departments to receive some discounts equal to what cannot be covered by our group. Otherwise we may have to sell a few of our children. haha. Nah. It will all work out. We're also applying for emergency medicaid just for Lizzy. Maybe that will work out.
Its funny how oblivious I've been of what others go through, even my parents and other family members, with this kind of stuff. I think that's why I tend to share it so openly. Maybe it will help others who have been like me--oblivious--in understanding these things. And letting people into the picture can be rather helpful. Yes, there are risks (and every-once-in-a-while stupid people with stupid comments) but all in all, people are very compassionate and loving and prayerful. I place a high value on prayer!
Yup. Its just another day in Karen's Kool Daze! BJ, Lizzy and I are off to NYC tonight and my girl and I will be shacking up at Memorial Sloan Kettering for the next little bit for a mere $4000 a night. LOL. At least the room service is good. And Lizzy will be a little lighter and without Ketcha--that's what Jennah named Lizzy's tumor. We are having a going away party for Ketcha!!
Please keep me entertained!!!!
Tuesday, September 13
POST 1,001
I missed my 1,000th post. I could have celebrated. I could have started a round of 999 bottles of beer on the wall, or something... oh well. What's done it done. The 1000th post has already been posted. Now I'll have to wait for the 2,000th post to make a big hooplah. Twenty years later... with my 20 faithful readers (although its really more like 12).
Anyway...what does that even mean? 99 bottles of beer on the wall? It makes no sense. I don't put beer on the wall. Do you? According to the blurb on wikipedia those words really has no significance! Its just a repetitive song that's great for road trips and what not. So why bring it up, you ask? Well, there are a variety of reasons... one of them being a particular conversation I had recently with my eldest son, today, who happens to be a Theta Gamma Theta brother. Its a fraternity. (I wonder if they've ever sung that song).
Yea. When he was at college he pledged to this fraternities and ended up moving into the frat house his second year. He was even an officer. WOW!! [tongue in cheek, people, tongue in cheek]. He was in charge of the audio programing in the house i.e. music and sound system. He "hooked it up" for parties and all which is definitely his passion. We can hear him coming home from work each day when he's yet 5 miles off [boom boom boom boom]. Anyway, Luke took a 12-hour drive up to the frat house to retrieve the rest of his belongings that he left behind over the summer, and he was telling me how much fun he had this weekend while he was visiting. He filled me in on some drinking games he played. Just what a mother wants to hear. :-/ He said it was the beer olympics weekend. Nice. He was super excited about it because he is a fierce competitor. And actually they seem to be very creative with their game planning. Well thought out. har har. But I'm not so stuffy that I can't hear about his fun times and laugh with him.
Meanwhile, the conversation has gotten me thinking about certain groups of friends I've been around; groups I'm new to; groups which have given me an education about things people are doing when they get together (I'm being selective with my words). The spectrum has been extremely wide!!!! And I think I fall somewhere in the middle of the fun times. I'm uncomfortable with the wilder side, not because I'm clueless about any of it, but its been about 30 years since I've been in those "party game" circles and all I ever remember playing was quarters. I was a teenager then. What's this "keg stand", and jello shots (ok I've been introduced to jello shots at my own house), and flip cup stuff (learned about that one in Mexico)? Its not that I really want to know what the younger party people are doing these daze, but I've had the opportunity to join a few other circles over the past couple of years and because I like these people, I've ventured out of my comfort zone to hang out with them... to see what other groups like to do for fun... to see if any of the friendships click and stick. (I just made that up).
BUT HOLY COW!!!!
I like my group of friends best!!! We have soooo much fun just laughing with each other and talking crap about each other, just for fun. We like going bowling and mocking one another and taking trips to places like Vermont and Jamaica. We like have parties for whatever reason we can come up with, and putting each other through the spanking machine when a birthday comes around. We enjoy cheering each other on in accomplishments and attending performances and/or fundraisers that someone from the group may be heading up or performing in. Its funny, after hanging out with some other crowds here and there, its very obvious to me that the Clique would never get their kicks from a drinking game. Its actually more entertaining for us to just hang together and spontaneously come up with something crazy to do for laughs. Our group is varied in ages, marital status, religious preference and ethnic background. That's what makes this group of friends soooo unique. We've eaten a lot of food together. Some of us drink and some of us don't. No one has ever smoked the funny stuff at any of our get togethers and there's never been a fight between us. No one cares what anyone else is wearing or ever thinks about appearances or gossip. Its just us. And we care about each other a lot. But we also aren't really interested playing drinking games because drinking has never been our focus. The whole idea of getting together with drinking being the center focus of the gathering would ruin everything!! Seriously.
I'm coming to terms with the fact that a lot of folks (and I don't mean kids) can't imagine anything else but getting together to drink or get high or something else to alter their state of mind. Its so very juvenile. The games and competitions actually are fun and I do like that part of things, but what's the point in using a game to try and get everyone drunk? I'm not judging. I just don't prefer it. OK. I think its really stupid, actually!!!
On the other side of the spectrum, I don't like getting together with a group that doesn't really know how to have fun together... to be crazy and random just for laughs ...to be creative ...to forget about appearances and just be genuine with one another. For me, this doesn't require anything but one or two other people who are willing to not care so much about being "conservative" in behavior. I've always been this way. I want to enjoy the company I'm with and for them to enjoy me. I like to be loud and yell and cheer and laugh until my sides hurt.
You know what I like best... after laughing... I really enjoy having heart to heart talks. I think that's what I value most. Sometimes it takes being silly and crazy together to allow the deeper things of the heart to eventually come out. It doesn't really happen in the big group settings, but in car rides or after most have left a party and a few linger to talk, or meeting up for coffee, or on the beach for a walk. Terry and I have had some great conversations and heart to hearts with almost everyone in our little group of friends. We are who we are. We aren't ashamed and we aren't afraid to be friends with people who think differently than us. I'm grateful for my local friends! I hope we can continue our friendships and support of one another for a long, long time.
Cheers to post number 1001!
Anyway...what does that even mean? 99 bottles of beer on the wall? It makes no sense. I don't put beer on the wall. Do you? According to the blurb on wikipedia those words really has no significance! Its just a repetitive song that's great for road trips and what not. So why bring it up, you ask? Well, there are a variety of reasons... one of them being a particular conversation I had recently with my eldest son, today, who happens to be a Theta Gamma Theta brother. Its a fraternity. (I wonder if they've ever sung that song).
Yea. When he was at college he pledged to this fraternities and ended up moving into the frat house his second year. He was even an officer. WOW!! [tongue in cheek, people, tongue in cheek]. He was in charge of the audio programing in the house i.e. music and sound system. He "hooked it up" for parties and all which is definitely his passion. We can hear him coming home from work each day when he's yet 5 miles off [boom boom boom boom]. Anyway, Luke took a 12-hour drive up to the frat house to retrieve the rest of his belongings that he left behind over the summer, and he was telling me how much fun he had this weekend while he was visiting. He filled me in on some drinking games he played. Just what a mother wants to hear. :-/ He said it was the beer olympics weekend. Nice. He was super excited about it because he is a fierce competitor. And actually they seem to be very creative with their game planning. Well thought out. har har. But I'm not so stuffy that I can't hear about his fun times and laugh with him.
Meanwhile, the conversation has gotten me thinking about certain groups of friends I've been around; groups I'm new to; groups which have given me an education about things people are doing when they get together (I'm being selective with my words). The spectrum has been extremely wide!!!! And I think I fall somewhere in the middle of the fun times. I'm uncomfortable with the wilder side, not because I'm clueless about any of it, but its been about 30 years since I've been in those "party game" circles and all I ever remember playing was quarters. I was a teenager then. What's this "keg stand", and jello shots (ok I've been introduced to jello shots at my own house), and flip cup stuff (learned about that one in Mexico)? Its not that I really want to know what the younger party people are doing these daze, but I've had the opportunity to join a few other circles over the past couple of years and because I like these people, I've ventured out of my comfort zone to hang out with them... to see what other groups like to do for fun... to see if any of the friendships click and stick. (I just made that up).
BUT HOLY COW!!!!
I like my group of friends best!!! We have soooo much fun just laughing with each other and talking crap about each other, just for fun. We like going bowling and mocking one another and taking trips to places like Vermont and Jamaica. We like have parties for whatever reason we can come up with, and putting each other through the spanking machine when a birthday comes around. We enjoy cheering each other on in accomplishments and attending performances and/or fundraisers that someone from the group may be heading up or performing in. Its funny, after hanging out with some other crowds here and there, its very obvious to me that the Clique would never get their kicks from a drinking game. Its actually more entertaining for us to just hang together and spontaneously come up with something crazy to do for laughs. Our group is varied in ages, marital status, religious preference and ethnic background. That's what makes this group of friends soooo unique. We've eaten a lot of food together. Some of us drink and some of us don't. No one has ever smoked the funny stuff at any of our get togethers and there's never been a fight between us. No one cares what anyone else is wearing or ever thinks about appearances or gossip. Its just us. And we care about each other a lot. But we also aren't really interested playing drinking games because drinking has never been our focus. The whole idea of getting together with drinking being the center focus of the gathering would ruin everything!! Seriously.
I'm coming to terms with the fact that a lot of folks (and I don't mean kids) can't imagine anything else but getting together to drink or get high or something else to alter their state of mind. Its so very juvenile. The games and competitions actually are fun and I do like that part of things, but what's the point in using a game to try and get everyone drunk? I'm not judging. I just don't prefer it. OK. I think its really stupid, actually!!!
On the other side of the spectrum, I don't like getting together with a group that doesn't really know how to have fun together... to be crazy and random just for laughs ...to be creative ...to forget about appearances and just be genuine with one another. For me, this doesn't require anything but one or two other people who are willing to not care so much about being "conservative" in behavior. I've always been this way. I want to enjoy the company I'm with and for them to enjoy me. I like to be loud and yell and cheer and laugh until my sides hurt.
You know what I like best... after laughing... I really enjoy having heart to heart talks. I think that's what I value most. Sometimes it takes being silly and crazy together to allow the deeper things of the heart to eventually come out. It doesn't really happen in the big group settings, but in car rides or after most have left a party and a few linger to talk, or meeting up for coffee, or on the beach for a walk. Terry and I have had some great conversations and heart to hearts with almost everyone in our little group of friends. We are who we are. We aren't ashamed and we aren't afraid to be friends with people who think differently than us. I'm grateful for my local friends! I hope we can continue our friendships and support of one another for a long, long time.
Cheers to post number 1001!
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