Grace, Not Karma

Dear Doris and Elizabeth,

You are the thorns in my rose garden of deals, the burnt chips in my bag of bargains, the poo in my swimming pool of savings. As cashiers at my favorite coupon stomping grounds, we've had many interactions - none of them pleasant. You are both rude, unhelpful and act like my coupon use is a direct attack against you and your job.

No...More.....COUPONS!!!!

But this week I noticed something. You get talked down to a lot yourself. People aren't very nice to you and really let you know when you mess up. So instead of being rude to you, I will try to be kinder than necessary. To paraphrase my friend Myra, I will respond with grace, not karma. Who knows, maybe you'll even start being nicer to me.

Thanks,
The Curly-Haired Girl Just Trying To Save a Buck

Do You See What I See?

We've known for a while now that Grace has vision issues. She started seeing a pediatric opthamologist when she was about five months old. At that time, we were told that she had significant nerve damage from the fluid pressure in her brain. We know that Grace can see. She can tell light from dark and can see big objects. Since her condition (optic nerve atrophy) affects the way the images are sent to her brain and not the way she actually sees them, glasses will not help.

We recently met with a representative from the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired to get more information on how to help Grace. Annie is a very quirky and kind woman who has a passion for helping visually impaired children. Her visit was incredibly educational. We talked about Grace reading with braille and having to have a special helper in her classrooms to help the teacher adapt to Grace's vision problems. She may need an Orientation and Mobility therapist to help her learn how to navigate safely using her other senses.  I don't want these things for my daughter, but I'm trying to remember to focus on what Grace can do instead of what she may not be able to do.

So how do you parent a child with a visual impairment? Will I have to learn braille? Will she be able to drive someday? I don't know the answers to these questions. Until then, we take it day by day and celebrate every small step forward.

Bird is the Word

I went to fire up the grill last week and I'm glad I opened it up first. This is what I found:

A huge nest with four tiny blue eggs!
(Update - I just looked again and there are now six eggs! And they are getting bigger!)

Looks like we will not be doing any grilling this year!

Best Day Ever

(The inferior original version)

SpongeBob SquarePants
Tags: SpongeBob SquarePants Episodes,SpongeBob SquarePants,SpongeBob SquarePants Games

knowing me, knowing you

I saw this on Merry's blog and loved it! So I'm going to participate and link up at The Fairy Blogmother. You should too! Here goes...

Does this mustard make me look fat?

1. What was your wedding song?

It's Your Love by Faith Hill and Tim McGraw. Possibly one of the most overused wedding songs, but it's so sweet!

2. If you could guest star on any TV show which one would you pick?

GLEE! I would be Kurt's super cool, hip aunt. Mr. Schu, Finn and Puck would all fall madly in love with me. I would have to publicly break their hearts on Brittany's internet show "Fondue for Two" by announcing that I was running away with Dr. Carl.


Not that I've thought about it or anything. *ahem*

3. What is your favorite children's book?

Growing up, I loved the Ramona Quimby books. I also read all of the Babysitter's Club and was so proud that I could write just like Stacey.  Now my favorite book to read with the kids is "Wiggle" by Doreen Cronin.

4. Did you watch the Royal Wedding?

I watched the kiss on the balcony. So sweet - Kate was so beautiful!

5. What is your favourite thing to have off the barbecue?

I LOVE BBQ food! My favorite is probably burnt hot dogs slathered in mustard. Mmmmmmm...

(This was fun!)

Tee Ball Love

Captured this moment tonight at Riley's tee ball game. Turn up your sound! (I don't remember hearing that buzzing noise during the game, but we sat with a friend who has a very active baby. I'm guessing it was her.)

I Love You, Chick-Fil-A

Tuesday after Gracie's procedure, we decided to celebrate with dinner at Chick-Fil-A. I had a migraine all day and my throat was really starting to hurt (strep throat kicking in full force) but I LOVE Chick-Fil-A and couldn't bear the idea of not stopping. The instant we walked in it was like all Hell broke loose. People were EVERYWHERE. Clowns making balloon animals. Kids running around with no shoes on. People from Lowe's doing crafts with lots and lots of tiny hammers. Do you know what doesn't help when you have a migraine? KIDS POUNDING LOTS AND LOTS OF TINY HAMMERS.

You keep pounding that hammer sweetie and I'm going to knock you into next week.

We had stumbled into Family Night. Yippee. And that's when my mood when from semi-crappy to "Look at me again and I will stab you with this straw". I couldn't eat my favorite foods or drink their sweet nectar of life lemonade because of the demons stabbing me in the throat. Grace was crying, Riley and Brenna were going crazy because they wanted a balloon animal from Creepy the Clown and the laser beams I was trying to shoot from my eyes to shut everyone up weren't working. So since I couldn't eat anyway, I stood in line and waited patiently for balloon animals for the kids. The clown was nice enough to notice the screaming baby and stabby look on my face and let me cut to the front. (To the little boy who complained that he was next to get his monkey - you may have been next in line, but I'm an adult and you pick your nose. Life's not fair Boogers.)

All in all it was disappointing, gross, loud and probably the worst dining experience ever. And we'll probably go back next family night. What can I say? Kids eat free and I'm a sucker for the lemonade.

(p.s. after coming home and downing a ton of ibuprofen, I got to eat the best chicken salad sandwich known to mankind. God Bless Chick-Fil-A.)