tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40394949266794689132012-02-14T09:32:48.083-05:00Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.comBlogger6811100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-66709073527372339562012-02-14T09:24:00.000-05:002012-02-14T09:32:48.089-05:00

Came home to a busted pipe, the other night, that was spewing water everywhere. The very pipe that was replaced a year ago. I forgot about it until now because we were able to turn off the water, clean up, and go on with our lives.  But now I have reached out to a new plumber, a recommendation from Dot. I've been told he's the best. I also found out that he was the previous owner of the house

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-8563140388428547162012-02-13T19:59:00.001-05:002012-02-14T09:11:14.954-05:00

I looked over Jake's shoulder. What do you mean "peace is also something that when you are so close to it, it normally flits away like a bird?" It sounded so depressing. Well, he explained, something always interrupts that feeling. Something always happens! Maybe you could explain it, I suggested cautiously. I really try to stay out of his writing process. As a 5th grade student, he is encouraged

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-65173624663041948822012-02-12T21:23:00.001-05:002012-02-13T08:28:20.702-05:00

Saw some animated shorts tonight. It was a treat. The kids shared popcorn and were very interested. Belac sat on the very edge of his chair. Some were very good. A couple were a little scary. On the way home, we discussed our favorites. I think I'm going to have a nightmare, can we all sleep together? Jake asked. One of the things we have reinforced all year is no video games after dinner. Also,

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-16911247156121317752012-02-10T10:06:00.001-05:002012-02-10T16:56:11.065-05:00

The chair of the Sunny Patch education committee, the mom of a violin student, called to tell me that she really believed I must go to the Superintendent and speak up about my boys' experience in the schools. There are a lot of complaints about the quality of the middle school, right now, that are pretty much falling on deaf ears. Gimky, I also heard the superintendent tell another kid's mom in

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-74828393608708294312012-02-09T08:50:00.001-05:002012-02-09T09:12:33.080-05:00

This morning, Jake practiced piano. As I helped Belac get his stuff together, I heard Jake playing pieces far beyond where I had assigned him in his book. I almost said something before catching myself. I walked out with Belac, down our drive, and watched him continue by himself along the sidewalk. He arrived at the corner and crossed with Ron's help. Ron then turned back to me as usual and we

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-48776359286136794412012-02-08T14:33:00.003-05:002012-02-08T14:37:02.021-05:00

If my mom and dad die, will you be my mom? Of course I will. But you know, Izzy, it will probably never happen. Where would I sleep? Well, I'd probably give you the guest room. Or I'd sleep on Belac's bottom bunk? Yes. But you know what, Izzy, it's probably never going to happen. You shouldn't worry about these things. I don't want my parents to die. They probably won't for a long time.

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-25748598191510941192012-02-07T20:42:00.003-05:002012-02-07T20:45:35.875-05:00

There has been so much emphasis and concern about Belac's concentration, this year, and specifically as it pertains to English Language Arts. He is in 3rd grade and must take a NY State examination in April. It means that, this year, they are really teaching to the test. I have been working on math with Belac, every single day, and he is doing well. But in English Language Arts? It's like pulling

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-78218289842070839262012-02-07T14:19:00.000-05:002012-02-07T14:20:08.106-05:00

It has been a different kind of few days for Jake. First of all, he has been ice skating and playing tennis for the past 3 weeks and it's been great for him. Over the week end, he slept at a friend's and managed to stay all night. First time in a year he didn't end up home. He improved on his Peace essay, even though he already turned it in. Had one-on-one time with dad over the Super Bowl.

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-65387617305690548632012-02-06T19:16:00.003-05:002012-02-06T19:18:55.939-05:00

I zoomed to the media arts lab to pick up the boys after teaching. And as Belac paced around and got his jacket on, I introduced myself to the teacher. I'm Gimky and I'm so glad to meet you... I hope the director shared my letter with you! She did, thanks so much for reaching out to us like that. It helps us so much! Well, he's very motivated and -- Yes he is. He told me he wants to work for

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-63558045756607465322012-02-05T12:09:00.000-05:002012-02-05T12:32:03.389-05:00

At 9:20 this morning, Dot called me. So sorry about last night, she told me. Listen, I have dealt with every kind of sleep issue in this house and it's okay. I really love your son and he is welcome any time. This could happen the next dozens of times he comes over and it is seriously okay. She burst into tears. Dot... I murmured, speechless and listening for the longest while. Look.... Your

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-15715687537428359042012-02-04T14:03:00.000-05:002012-02-04T15:28:12.510-05:00

Belac 2/2012 It's almost 2pm and I feel the need for coffee. I don't normally have at this hour, but I've been prepping all day for Belac's birthday sleep over. The house is clean and the bathrooms freshly scrubbed. The table is set with balloons tied to each chair. And I just made up and printed out the new treasure hunt. My poems are lopsided and laughably bad, but the boys didn't seem to

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-52621997238736676352012-02-03T08:41:00.001-05:002012-02-04T15:29:16.486-05:00

Hubby and I again ended up talking about the future, last night. And it still keeps coming back to if raising our kids in Sunny Patch is the right thing. If we're not going to look back in 1o years and regret it. He pointed out to me that wherever we go, the kids will not exactly fit in. But if we stay here, all of this effort for what? I had a hard time as a kid, I grew up in Sunny Patch....?

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-1305487352886706252012-02-03T08:32:00.000-05:002012-02-03T08:54:19.283-05:00

Mom, I have to go! Jake told me as he abruptly left the kitchen. But you're not done eating and it's only 7:3o! I was 2 minutes late to PE, last time, he told me as he stuffed his lunchbox in his backpack. I can't be late again. You were late? Were you ever late before? No. Bye, mom, I have to go! See ya.... he called over his shoulder as he ran out the door. What just happened? Really...?

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-30705212050375022472012-02-02T20:27:00.000-05:002012-02-03T07:46:18.659-05:00

This is an assignment Jake's been working on. He loves our old backyard, too! My peace symbol by Jake Snowflake Before we moved to Sunny Patch, we had a big apple tree in our backyard. This apple tree was very suitable for climbing because its limbs were very low. The apples it grew were as sweet as honey and its leaves were as green as grass. In that tree I felt peaceful. I would stay in

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-38146339724429863982012-02-01T21:33:00.003-05:002012-02-02T09:29:35.416-05:00

Tonight, we went to the boys' favorite restaurant for Belac's birthday: the Cheesecake Factory. My husband's office used to be around the corner, and it was once easy for all of us to meet there when there was something worth celebrating with the boys. All was fine and dandy as we were ushered to a long booth, but then who would be coming to the table to serve us? Someone who was let go 4 years

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-9381632796996494892012-02-01T08:31:00.001-05:002012-02-02T11:52:52.534-05:00

Do you want me to walk with you today?  I asked, as we looked out the window to make sure the guard was there. No, Belac insisted, I can go by myself! I watched Belac run along the sidewalk. There was a lot of traffic today. I saw him arrive at the corner, stand and wait. A driver stopped, in the middle of a left turn, waiting for Belac to cross before her. Another car in the opposite direction

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-75942513597284376162012-01-31T08:49:00.001-05:002012-01-31T21:11:10.282-05:00

Belac 1/2012 Zipped up Belac's jacket while reviewing his route to school. Walk to the corner. Stop! Say hi and ask, is it okay to cross? When Ron says yes, then you can go. Wait, my husband stopped as he was rushing off to work, he's going by himself? Lately, I've been bringing Belac to the corner and letting him go the rest of the way. You can do it by yourself today, right, Belac? Yes I

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-88475752217965425502012-01-30T12:31:00.001-05:002012-01-31T20:17:47.876-05:00

Didn't have to teach this morning, so confined myself in the basement to deal with messes piling up. Also opened up a few non-descript boxes that we've been lugging around for I don't know how long. Found plenty of pencils, random papers and my kids' old school photos. They were so cute and happy looking! And then pulled out a folder with a picture of our old house on the cover. Inside was the

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-56873606035627206402012-01-30T08:51:00.005-05:002012-01-31T21:12:28.293-05:00

I agree. Words matter. But let's be crystal clear. Actions matter much, much more. No one tried to identify or locate that 1o year-old boy or find out what really happened. Not even the adult who saw the child being raped. That 1o year old could have easily been my kid. That 1o year old could have been your kid. No one that should have or could have followed up during the 1o years that passed

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-32451062878630100672012-01-29T12:05:00.002-05:002012-01-29T14:30:43.771-05:00

Jake is definitely going through growing pains or something. Read this article about the therapeutic benefits of blogging. It is certainly consistent with my own experience and I never thought about it for younger writers. Jake writes very well. Maybe it's something for him.

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-17551312271690096892012-01-29T11:26:00.003-05:002012-01-29T11:59:20.652-05:00

Dot's son is here. We have gotten into the routine of bringing him home after Hebrew School and returning him 2 hours later when his sister is done with her class. It's a short and sweet play date. Perfect, actually. They build marble runs and tinker around. It's amazing for Belac, who engages with him over shared interests. And I think it's good for this kid, whose parents recently divorced and

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-5228939029904311082012-01-29T10:34:00.000-05:002012-01-29T11:54:00.393-05:00

The kids were immediately off and running. But for at least a very long 1o seconds, as I sat with the Lily's parents after they first arrived, I literally had nothing to say. Me! I'm not sure that has ever happened before. It was my husband that came to the rescue when he came back and poured some wine.... 45 minutes later, the chicken, a reliable crowd pleaser in the past, came out of the oven

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-90717379295921849962012-01-28T08:46:00.000-05:002012-01-28T15:14:32.792-05:00

Lily's family is coming for dinner today. We like to have people over. I like to cook. But this invitation makes me nervous because it's different from all the others. Next week end, Belac is having a birthday sleepover. A mom called to tell me this would be her son's first ever sleepover. She told me he had been invited to others before but she never felt comfortable allowing him. She also

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-438328739591658022012-01-27T15:23:00.001-05:002012-01-28T08:34:32.010-05:00

Saw Belac's class play this morning. Arrived to see that Kati had saved my husband and me seats, and then saw that my new friend, Dot, had arrived with her daughter and pulled them in next to me. And so there I was, in between two of the kindest people, who know all there is to know about my son, watching all of our kids in the play. Before the curtain opened, Dot and I had a few minutes to chat

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-52728108956790698722012-01-26T09:14:00.002-05:002012-01-28T10:05:52.623-05:00

From just the right angle from the kitchen window, I can see the kids walk to school and the crossing guard help them across. This morning, I saw Jake with his arm draped around Belac, which was both unusual and sweet. This morning, we had talked about it again. Cross together. Do not run as you near the corner. Do not cross until you say "Hi, Ron! Can I cross?" and he says "Yes!" Are you clear

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-16362805112812241852012-01-25T13:03:00.001-05:002012-01-25T14:24:43.121-05:00

Camp registration for the summer has begun and we've decided that the boys will do something new. We are enrolling Jake to sleep away camp for a couple of weeks. It's a place where the kids are in the very rustic outdoors. He'll hike, swim and kayak in a lake, everyday, and do the kind of outdoor activities that he loves. We think it will be great for him to be immersed in nature and part of a

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-41899451633614604092012-01-24T19:08:00.001-05:002012-01-25T09:50:35.606-05:00

Jake was hit with an ice ball today on the playground. I saw that he was stunned and blinked away tears. The ball had came out of nowhere and smacked him from close behind and the thrower ran far away. And what did I do? I marched the one hundred paces right to the boy and suggested he apologize. It's exactly what I would have done if Jake had been the thrower. The kid came unwillingly but

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-54737769411984737202012-01-23T09:09:00.000-05:002012-01-23T10:04:33.539-05:00

WHAT??? Don't tease me! I responded in a text to Kati before immediately calling anyway. They are staying in NY. Her husband is transferring back, taking over some east coast clients and helping the company start a NY office. OH MY GOD! Kati and I kept saying to each other. I'm shaking and want to scream, she told me, I can't believe this! I was crying. Friday night the whole family came over.

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-21697717929172986472012-01-22T18:33:00.003-05:002012-01-23T08:36:28.605-05:00

I really cannot describe Belac's situation better than Lori Warner, Director of the Hope Center at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan. She understands not only the very real struggle of high-functioning autistics but also their potential to contribute to society with the right kind of guidance and education. You can read her comments here. By the way, I must say that ABC news does a

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-11044989354476556292012-01-22T09:45:00.000-05:002012-01-22T11:36:36.231-05:00

Walked up my driveway after shoveling, only to first hear Belac wailing his head off and then walking to our house with snowpants in hand. He was being told to leave my neighbors house and the door was still open. "He was not behaving well, so I am sending him home," she called out unapologetically from her side door. What horrible thing had happened? Not having been forewarned, this appeared

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-1392144506549403342012-01-20T10:49:00.006-05:002012-01-22T09:36:45.291-05:00

Today's article in the NYTimes: New Definition of Autism Will Exclude Many, study suggests. Exactly what I have been worried about as Belac ages and we plan for the future. We are lucky he is high-functioning, but it is a double-edged sword in a way. It means that the burden is going to be more and more on my husband and me to make sure he gets what he needs and especially that he is provided

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-5959778155476065432012-01-19T23:31:00.002-05:002012-01-20T07:10:37.515-05:00

Dear Folks, The time has - again - come and I am thinking to end this blog. I did this before, you know, and came back after a few months. But this time, I think I really ought to come back under other names and not tell a soul but my sisters - and maybe Ella and her sweet family - about it. Someone said a few things to me the other day. It had indirectly to do with my son and it truly upset me

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-48485630825516339352012-01-18T08:50:00.000-05:002012-01-18T09:52:36.462-05:00

Just took a peek at Jake, who I found reading in bed. I pulled his blinds down, then took his glasses and book. Look, I told him, you can read later but I want you to rest. Plus, you're going to have to come with me to pick up the car. I am? he asked. Yup! I don't want you at home by yourself.... I felt his forehead, now perfectly unremarkable to the touch. I had sent him to bed right after

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-69967139876182196862012-01-17T22:02:00.000-05:002012-01-17T22:04:41.719-05:00

My leg is killing me, tonight. I have it propped up on pillows as I lay here, trying to figure out what I did to make this happen. I have inspected, there's no bruise and it's not swollen.  Can't remember a collision with anything and I've been limping around for most of the day only for it to get worse. What if it's because of something horrible? I ask. Gimky! my husband rolls his eyes as he

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-40928782538568475522012-01-17T11:55:00.001-05:002012-01-17T13:25:14.138-05:00

It's hard to write when you let a few busy days slip by without logging on. There's a lot to sort through. Do I write about how I yelled at Jake this morning and he cried? Was my behavior that wrong? Maybe not given the circumstances, but as I dropped him off at school, I felt terrible. I certainly didn't help matters. And just last week, I watched him barely escape the path of a speeding

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-71445724039767667812012-01-13T10:12:00.003-05:002012-01-13T10:33:39.158-05:00

5 years ago, we had the kids in private school and bought a minivan so we could car pool with another family. We traded in our reliable and perfectly good Honda for a Kia Sedona. It was the cheapest van we could purchase new and it had the highest safety ratings. Our plan was to drive this beast to the ground. The thing is, after a few years, the van began having multiple problems. Once, the

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-67086283175069090152012-01-12T12:01:00.001-05:002012-01-12T12:15:32.405-05:00

Imagine losing your legs at age 1. All the parents might hope is for their kid to live as normal a life as possible and participate in as many everyday activities as possible. However, this particular girl grew up to become an athlete of all things. Look at this stunning photo of this girl, proudly running on the beach in bikini. You wouldn't catch me in a million years doing that and I have both

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-49042159665364204602012-01-11T09:06:00.001-05:002012-01-11T09:32:33.423-05:00

All I need to do is walk Belac to school and continue on with the dog around the block to know that everyone has something. Nothing is exactly 'fair' for anyone. There is my next door neighbor who is now in her 7os. She has lived here since she was 22 and now has children and grandchildren in town. But her husband wants to move to White Plains, where they can get a condo and not have to deal

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-48254432764818908062012-01-10T12:50:00.001-05:002012-01-10T17:03:15.992-05:00

Oh my God, this is awful! The aide is beyond terrible and the child who looks most like Belac is missing everything. She barely has a pulse and might as well not be there. How could they think I would ever approve of moving Belac in there...? The main teacher seems fine enough but is bursting from the seams. She's 11 months pregnant and looks ready to give birth any second. She will soon be gone,

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-40544325013480279722012-01-09T09:39:00.000-05:002012-01-09T10:29:02.598-05:00

He's perfectly normal! my friend exclaimed as she hugged me goodbye. She and her family had come to Sunny Patch to take a breather from the city. Our kids ran around and played like not a day had passed since four years ago. Only thing about perfectly normal, is that he's really not. Had a meeting at 745am with Belac's teachers, this morning. He's struggling in the classroom, even with the aide

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-62467375743854448612012-01-06T12:52:00.001-05:002012-01-06T17:02:15.008-05:00

8. The view from my kitchen window tonight. No conviction to write today. So I compose a list of things to be grateful for: 1. My dishwasher, running as I write. I didn't have one for most of my adult life. What a luxury! 2. My health, knock on wood. Though I clearly see how frumpy I appear in the Taiwan pictures and must get off my butt NOW. 3. A new violin student, an adult, who can come

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-42116374575782906592012-01-05T21:01:00.000-05:002012-01-06T09:01:42.931-05:00

These are so interesting and beautiful. Reminds me that time is not stopping and the best times are now!

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-67442548364847472182012-01-05T05:02:00.001-05:002012-01-05T05:25:18.954-05:00

Got a phone call today from Sunny Patch. It was the school psychologist from Belac's school wondering if I could come in next week. It was all fine until she said, very casually, we want to explore the possibility of putting Belac into another class. My heart sank. At pickup, I pulled aside Belac's aide and picked her brain, all the while wiping away tears from my face that I tried hard to

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-6269458004648956452012-01-04T13:36:00.001-05:002012-01-04T13:38:32.855-05:00

I only came to know the degree of my friend's money troubles recently. I thought because her husband had finally found work that things were on the mend. But even now, what money they have is being juggled around to pay certain bills first. Her husband had been out of work for almost 2 years. They pieced together an existence over odd consulting jobs as she studied (and earned) her license and

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-42950938631741505362012-01-04T08:52:00.001-05:002012-01-04T08:52:06.943-05:00

Jake had his first session with Mr. Spade, yesterday. I came through the kitchen now and again and listened. Mr. Spade obviously knows the material and how to offer clarity. And most importantly, he was so nice, calm and encouraging. There was absolutely no drama and it dawned on me that this is really what Jake needs to work most productively. Not a mom that's going to get emotional over every

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-62275749036577654362012-01-03T09:05:00.001-05:002012-01-03T09:23:18.066-05:00

Walked with Jake to school, today, and carried his sax. He was shivering and his teeth were chattering. He was wearing his hoodie and fleece, but it wasn't enough to keep him warm on this frosty morning. It's cold isn't it? I told him. Walk fast coming home, okay? I don't want you getting sick.... Okay, he nodded. We sure didn't have this kind of weather in Taiwan, he sighed. I know! And

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-91508217094324438542012-01-03T04:18:00.001-05:002012-01-03T11:56:08.851-05:00

Hubbie and I laid in the dark for hours, talking and unable to sleep. Then a few minutes ago, Jake arrived.  No nightmare, no night terror, no drama, just...  Mom? Dad? I can't sleep. I'm also lonely. Interesting that in our 11 nights away, there was not one sleeping incident with Jake. We were far, far away in a strange place where the time difference and language barrier were unsettling, but

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-88335032030703475062012-01-02T18:27:00.000-05:002012-01-03T09:07:22.187-05:00

Just made a chopped salad. Making enough rice so I can pack fried rice for lunches tomorrow. Loads and loads of laundry washed. Dining table unearthed under piles and piles of stuff. Jake spent a couple of hours and finished his science project. Thank God. This time I did not oversee the writing. Packed up his bag for him and took a peek. His 2 pages of writing were full of details in clearly

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-19523562192638133932012-01-02T10:59:00.001-05:002012-01-03T09:06:55.614-05:00

Slept til after 10. Belac up since 345, but he obediently stayed in bed until 6. He came in to tell me he was hungry at precisely six. There's leftover pizza in the fridge, I told him. At 1030 I followed the trail of lights into the kitchen and other places and saw that he had taken the pizza box out, helped himself to a slice, leaving crumbs on a plate, and that he had had some water out of a

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-9585054540058740242011-12-30T22:51:00.001-05:002011-12-31T09:49:20.907-05:00

Day 10 of trip, last full day in Taipei and the first family squabble. I was not directly involved but witnessed. It involved a sibling, my mom going for a "walk" despite not having her purse and my father following close by without jacket. The problem always begins when you measure up someone next to your mind's ideal. What should be if only.... I have run into this problem at some point with

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-36225566849797294432011-12-29T23:00:00.001-05:002011-12-30T17:55:05.147-05:00

Woke up in the prettiest hotel with the prettiest view, courtesy of my parents. What an amazing trip. About to leave for a boat ride and will return to Taipei tonight. We were so far away from everything these past 10 days. I never once thought about sunny patch. Jake sat on my lap during dinner the other night proclaiming how tired he was. He lay back and I wrapped my arms around him. You're so

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-11532456767651975812011-12-28T10:30:00.000-05:002011-12-28T21:56:31.028-05:00

Met a dear friend the other night in Kaohsiung. We went to Juilliard together. We played in Carnegie and in Detroit together. I always practiced my Taiwanese with her back in NY before she moved home, right before september 11. I waited in the hotel lobby for her to drive the two hours to meet me. I watched the door and saw one skinny, black haired girl after another come in. I wondered if she

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-46562088993173522392011-12-28T06:51:00.001-05:002011-12-28T06:58:22.615-05:00

Surreal to be here and speaking with Taiwanese natives, thousands of miles from home. Strange to think that my Taiwanese is really no better than it was since my last visit, twenty years ago, maybe even worse for lack of any real practice. But this time around, I talk and converse far more easily and meaningfully with others. It underscores what I have learned from trying to help Belac during his

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-89146083364674014762011-12-26T17:42:00.001-05:002011-12-28T06:10:07.071-05:00

Went to a singing concert at an aboriginal community, which we drove hours to hear, yesterday. We were far south, off the beaten path and in the middle of nowhere in lush, tropical surroundings. The music was soulful and had passion and so much energy. Loved the womens' voices. The songs were like negro spirituals, I was so shocked and moved. I also stared at one man the entire time he was up

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-49684912546201645312011-12-24T11:30:00.000-05:002011-12-26T18:40:21.199-05:00

On the train from Hualien, home of the Mua chii, to Tainang, home of the hot spring. If I am like my grandmother, without even being taught, the way I smile, the way I laugh and the way I am with people, without even having been around her, despite my strongest daily role model having withdrawn most of my life, and was so much not this way instead hot tempered and unreliable, then who am I to

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-85954290448752267672011-12-23T16:52:00.001-05:002011-12-23T16:52:02.693-05:00

My dad, older sis and I were the only ones who made it past 8:30 pm last night. We sat at the hotel bar nursing drinks and noodle soups. Belac looks like he's doing okay, my dad mentioned. You think so? I asked, I am not so sure. He was quiet, my sister sipped her glass of wine. The difference between Jake, Zee zee and Belac, is that Jake and Zee zee have a desire to please people. Whatever

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-18393992277811619632011-12-23T12:54:00.000-05:002011-12-23T17:00:55.053-05:00

We all met my dads eldest sister for lunch at a Japanese steak house. She ordered us a private dining room, where we had our own washroom and the kids could roam around. Afterwards, we had coffee in the cafe part of the restaurant and I sat myself next to her. You know, I told her, it's been 20 years since I was in Taiwan and last saw you. And it was 32 years ago when I last visited your house.

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-49795968598903159492011-12-19T16:59:00.000-05:002011-12-20T08:22:25.616-05:00

As I prepare for our trip to Taiwan and sign off for the rest of the year, I want to express my gratitude for the cards I've been dealt and the people in my life. I'm lucky to be married to a good guy, the best, actually. I'm lucky for my 2 kids, both who have demonstrated the ability to love deeply and be kind. I am lucky to still have my parents in my life. I'm lucky to be close to my sisters.

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-32685764203006328722011-12-19T11:47:00.000-05:002011-12-19T21:04:26.302-05:00

Once you start, it's hard to stop and boy, do we have quite the army. $10 Dunkin Donut cards to Jake's 6 teachers: Science, Counselor, PE, Band, Chorus, Librarian $25 BB&B card to Jake's homeroom teacher $10 DD cards to 2 crossing guards $10 DD cards to 2 school monitors at Belac's school $10 DD cards to Belac's 4 teachers: Science, Music, PE, Art $25 Visa cards to Belac's IEP help: Reading,

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-78058056840382230202011-12-17T13:34:00.002-05:002011-12-17T15:37:44.626-05:00

The allegations against Sandusky disgust me.  Even more upsetting is that no one went to the authorities, not even the person who claims to have seen a child being raped. No one investigated. No one defended these vulnerable boys and no one put a stop to what was happening. No one did anything but protect this sick man and spare themselves the inconvenience. All because he was a football coach?

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-41472397846528109632011-12-16T10:05:00.000-05:002011-12-17T00:17:02.529-05:00

Ipad arrived, yesterday. It was sitting in a box all day and hubbie went right at it upon coming through the door. He registered for this and that, fussed with the settings, all was fine. Then I saw him downloading PacMan.... Look, we aren't using this for games! I told him, the kids are going to use this to learn stuff. Gimky, we're going to be on a plane for a long time.... I pushed

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-33017422199935510432011-12-15T09:38:00.000-05:002011-12-19T21:08:34.539-05:00

Had 30 minutes with just Jake, this morning, and we whizzed through his flash cards for his tests tomorrow. I re-laced his shoes with longer laces. He packed his bag. Do you know where my fleece is? he asked. Check the hooks outside your room, I suggested. Not there. I thought about it. I know where it is! I saw it in the trunk of the car! What? Jake asked, in the trunk? I think

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-80828665088559921012011-12-14T13:21:00.003-05:002011-12-14T14:32:29.353-05:00

Stopped by Target to pick up a few things. 203 dollars later.... How in the hell does this happen? A few luggage tags, disposable travel sized items for all, a few pairs of gloves out of the dollar bin, some clothes off the clearance rack for the kids, office supplies, and voila! 200 bucks down the drain. And this after I went to Citibank and complained in person. We made our first contribution

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-13605801560534219082011-12-13T11:10:00.001-05:002011-12-14T09:16:27.423-05:00

I went to math night, last night. All of the 5th grade teachers at Jake's school held a meeting to discuss the new Singapore math method. There are 160 students in his grade. About 30 parents showed up. More than half of those parents? From Jake's class. The problem is so obvious to me. His teacher is not strong. Each teacher got up to present a concept and only Jake's teacher was obviously

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-40170058238242304222011-12-13T09:04:00.005-05:002011-12-13T09:16:39.474-05:00

I have some growing concern about being discovered here by people I don't want reading me. A few weeks ago, someone in Sunny Patch complimented my husband for his piano playing. They had seen youtube clips of him that another unnamed Sunny Patch resident had told them about, and now, apparently, the whole family was watching. It means that my husband was googled and found. It means that my

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-70162246491102115792011-12-13T08:33:00.002-05:002011-12-14T08:19:38.948-05:00

Nobody loves me Nobody cares Nobody picks the peaches and pears Nobody helps me when I get in a fight Nobody does my home work at night When I awake from my night's sleep I reach out to where Nobody stands I run a round looking for where nobody was and found somebody each place that I looked I looked in the closet and down the stairs and I pretty much almost looked every where. I wouldn't believe

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-13157289931062039412011-12-12T08:29:00.000-05:002011-12-12T20:07:41.393-05:00

All week long, there have been fruit flies in my house. Only problem is, I didn't have any food out. I bleached the garbage can. I scrubbed the floor. But the flies wouldn't go away and the problem just kept getting worse. In the back of my mind, I suspected the problem wasn't in the kitchen, but I couldn't figure it out. Then, yesterday, I grabbed a backpack on my way out for a hike. I saw some

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-9980342641898388962011-12-11T09:11:00.001-05:002011-12-11T20:26:03.218-05:00

Beautiful article in the NYT today about listening and remembering that we have 2 ears and just one mouth. Knowledge and information are not the same!

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-18021554422624572142011-12-10T11:13:00.000-05:002011-12-10T11:38:15.324-05:00

Last week, my husband wrote me an email out of the blue. He wanted to buy me a gift and thought I'd want an i-pad. What kind of trouble have you gotten yourself into? What are you feeling guilty about? I teased. By the way, I don't even know what one is except something people waste time playing games on, so don't you dare!! My husband will tell you that I'm a horrible person to buy anything

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-55071978937447576472011-12-09T21:59:00.000-05:002011-12-10T10:04:42.872-05:00

My friend Soo believes that her son is autistic because she's paying back for something in a previous life. My brother-in-law believes in earning points towards a good afterlife. These are the things people tell themselves to cope. What is my story? I would really like one I could believe in, but the truth is, I don't have any rationalization for the cards I have been dealt. I think it's random

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-91721126792893091122011-12-09T09:25:00.001-05:002011-12-09T10:53:35.544-05:00

Went to the 5th grade concert, last night. The band and orchestra were endearingly awful, but the chorus was something else. Magical, actually! There's really nothing more expressive than the human voice when it comes to music, especially at this level. I loved the choral director who had an easy, happy and enthusiastic way about him. He had 144 kids up there, exuberantly singing and moving....

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-75397475839362980562011-12-07T21:18:00.001-05:002011-12-09T07:07:40.968-05:00

Don't go! Jake begged and grabbed my arms harder than usual. He kept not letting me go and finally after a lot of tries, this game ended and I pulled myself free. But then I just stood there wondering, trying to see his face in the dark. What is going on...? I went back to sit on his bed. Jake? I need you to promise me that if anyone does anything bad to you, you have to tell me. Okay. Even if

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-65944311603489634532011-12-07T16:35:00.000-05:002012-01-06T17:11:38.730-05:00

I can understand why people pray and pop pills. When you feel there's nothing else you can do and you've tried everything, what else is there but to turn to some higher power or pychodrugs. Problem is, I don't believe in prayer and that some higher power is looking out for me. I also won't take an ibuprofen for even the most legitimate reasons.... My husband and I had a serious talk last night.

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-75291325949753055422011-12-07T08:23:00.001-05:002011-12-10T10:11:39.532-05:00

It's pouring and I'm down. As I said goodbye to my kids this morning, I felt overwhelmed with worry for them. Jake came home, yesterday, holding back tears. We talked a little but it took an email from his teacher for me to understand what happened. A story for another time. At pick up, I was pulled aside. Belac has been very distracted these past few days, so much so, that even when redirected,

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-1745513328258116602011-12-06T14:22:00.001-05:002011-12-06T16:32:09.955-05:00

Up at 4:30, preparing for a meeting I called with the Middle School Principal and Jake's teacher. As per the CEO's brilliant suggestions, over the week end, I forwarded a list of my questions and concerns in advance to the Principal. I also told the Principal she could invite Jake's teacher if she thought it would be helpful, which she did. Be totally transparent about your concerns, the CEO

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-32599832551060732762011-12-05T09:45:00.000-05:002011-12-05T10:26:52.264-05:00

Spent Saturday at a bar mitzvah and party. Found myself first at the cocktail party and stuck talking to a couple. I couldn't politely break away. I was also the only one without a drink and no one noticed. In those few minutes, I heard she was CEO of her own company. That she and her husband owned 10 acres of ocean front property and a summer house somewhere else... That she had 2 kids, one at a

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-59475064190018433172011-12-04T19:33:00.000-05:002011-12-04T20:23:58.357-05:00

I don't mean to censor you, but... do you know who's reading you? Hm. I think my sister must have just read Pathology from a few days back. No one is reading me, I reassured her. You're sure that Rose is not reading you? You're sure that no one in your husband's family is reading you? Didn't you make an announcement about your blog at one point? Never! I exclaimed. But thinking this over,

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-83576534373019151962011-12-02T08:49:00.001-05:002011-12-02T13:31:12.187-05:00

It was 7:47am when Jake and I hopped into the car. He was late to his 7:45 class and I would spare him a few minutes if I zoomed him there. We had all overslept, but I still had him eat a substantial breakfast and solve 2 word problems before school. As I pulled out of the school drive, I had to laugh as I saw the crazed expression on a friend's face as she, too, zoomed around the corner with her

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-66949673194545839852011-12-01T20:40:00.001-05:002012-02-13T08:25:40.064-05:00

1) A container of glue and 2 staplers cost $20. Three containers of glue and 2 staplers cost $28. Find the total cost of 1 container of glue and 1 stapler. 2) Sarah and Molly had the same number of lollipops. After Sarah sold 16 of her lollipops, Molly had 4 times as many lollipops as Sarah. How many lollipops did each girl have to begin with? 3) A carton with a dozen oranges has a mass of 3105

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-11106508199153247662011-11-30T08:23:00.001-05:002011-11-30T12:19:42.944-05:00

Jake was fitted with a palate expander a couple of weeks ago. It will remain there for the next 9 months. Then in January, he will get braces. His remarkable front tooth, the one that grew in perpendicularly rotated, will likely be straightened out in just a year. He still has 12 baby teeth to lose so they will have to attach the braces to his baby teeth. It's an early intervention case obviously

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-76187276637995245302011-11-29T19:25:00.001-05:002011-11-30T09:19:11.071-05:00

As I was talking to Belac's aide at pick up, I noticed Lily and her mom standing nearby out of the corner of my eye. They seemed to be waiting for me.  Hello!! I exclaimed, I feel like we haven't seen you forever, Lily!! She nodded. Do you want to come over for a play date? Yes! she said, jumping up and down. And that's how we came to have Lily for a couple of hours, today. The kids had

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-69231935178144354102011-11-29T08:19:00.001-05:002011-11-29T14:42:35.051-05:00

Had the house to ourselves, last night. My husband and I went crazy and stayed up to watch a movie. It was called Crazy. Stupid. Love. or something like that, the perfect fluff for someone half-comatose. And then it suddenly occurred to me, half-way through. Don't you think my cousin would be happier with a woman? That's an interesting thought, my husband remarked as he clicked pause. I

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-69941899669577024472011-11-28T20:58:00.001-05:002011-11-29T08:12:40.373-05:00

What an insane week. I am exhausted but happy. Just folded a load of towels and the last of all the laundry my family did this morning while I was away teaching. Just saw that someone made our bed with clean sheets and literally jumped for joy at the thought of just brushing my teeth and simply falling into bed. I hugged and kissed my mom, my dad, my sister, her husband and my nieces at LGA.

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-63524598225260075552011-11-27T22:40:00.001-05:002011-11-28T08:22:44.144-05:00

My family and I were walking around Bear Mountain, today, when my husband received an email. His sister-in-law's dad had just died. It made us stop in our tracks. Her dad had been sick for a year with cancer and had seemed to be doing okay. But then he didn't feel well a couple of days ago. Thankfully, his entire family could gather round him and be with him in his last hours. He was only 61

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-54115763823205588082011-11-27T08:36:00.001-05:002011-11-27T21:29:06.463-05:00

Wednesday night dinner for 15, followed by Thanksgiving dinner for 20, followed by Friday night dinner for 27, followed by Saturday night dinner for 17. At the height, 19 people slept under one roof and the shower was always running. Now it's just an easy 11 of us tonight and tomorrow we will be back to our 4. Two lessons learned: 1) I need to hire someone to help wash dishes every night. 2) It

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-29036286256107916062011-11-23T13:44:00.001-05:002011-11-23T14:26:09.666-05:00

Kids to school. Drove through beautiful country with my dad to pick up turkey. Hubby back at LGA to pick up my sister's family. Turkey brining, roast rubbed up with herbs, dinner prepped, beds made, family off shopping or sleeping, watching baby nap in pack and play as I sit by the fire and wait for everybody. I love this holiday. So do you think there's going to be a fight, this year? my

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-82543142628535549602011-11-22T18:02:00.001-05:002011-11-22T18:31:08.784-05:00

Hubby took the day off. Picked up my parents from LGA. On the way home, they bought all the wine and champagne for the holiday and took advantage of my parents' senior citizen's discount. Volunteered all afternoon in Belac and Izzy's classroom. Came home later to find Kati explaining her aerobeds and space heater to hubbie and returning our car she borrowed. Jake forgot homework and good thing.

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-88350280859410084952011-11-22T07:57:00.001-05:002011-11-22T11:25:43.345-05:00

Chopped up all of the leftovers in the fridge and mixed it into eggy rice for dinner last night. Mom, Jake asked, is there going to be enough leftover for my lunch tomorrow? You want this fried rice for lunch? you mean to bring to school...? Yeah. When I was little, I remember bringing a lunch to school once. It was a tupperware of fried rice. But I refused to eat it. I was surrounded

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-70055147452533006582011-11-21T14:36:00.001-05:002011-11-21T14:47:51.954-05:00

Jake has a 529 plan, a tax-free savings account for college.  Belac, however, does not. I certainly hope he goes to college, but his trajectory is a bit of a wild card and we've been hesitant. Up until recently, we weren't saving money, anyway. We were just trying to keep up with expenses. The expenses of selling our house at a loss so we could get to a better public school district. Recovering

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-91478229385557834212011-11-21T10:15:00.001-05:002011-11-21T11:56:03.811-05:00

So Jake gets a very good report card. Now he has a chance to retake a math test. Good thing because that 'D' would otherwise be mixed into this second marking period. So here we are and Jake has a clean slate, again. Same kind of challenges, same kind of sweat to now just keep up with what has begun.... So Belac is doing much better in general. But he did slug a kid on the playground a few

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-72237173309563763012011-11-19T22:33:00.000-05:002011-11-20T10:33:14.542-05:00

Kissed Jake good night and stroked his head. He was sleepy, tonight, and his eyes were already closed. Mom, can you stay awhile? Okay. I sat for a few minutes in the dark with my hand on his shoulder. Then I heard him say, I love you Mom. We've been through a lot, together, I realize. I don't remember the last time he said this first or repeated the same thing back. I love you, too!  I have

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-41887195378622722832011-11-19T10:30:00.001-05:002011-11-19T15:20:59.270-05:00

We are now in over drive in prep for Thanksgiving. Last year was our first Sunny Patch Thanksgiving and we were 26. This year, it has grown to be a 2 day eating event. We have 24 people for Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday. Some then go home and others arrive from Boston. On Friday, we will be 27 for dinner. Most of the week, we are sleeping 17 under this roof. I have borrowed 5 aerobeds and a

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-42291454579623005252011-11-17T19:19:00.001-05:002011-11-17T19:30:21.088-05:00

So Jake got up a couple hours later. Quizzed him for the science test, tomorrow, and boy, did we laugh our heads off at some of the absurd multiple choice options the science teacher included on a study guide. We reviewed a little math as usual. How are you feeling? Fine, he replied. You mean like your usual self? Yeah. Do you know what depressed means, Jake? It means sad, right? Yup, but

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-87638927078327871272011-11-17T16:36:00.001-05:002011-11-17T17:08:46.969-05:00

Jake had dinner, bathed, and went to bed, all before 4pm. He arrived home and told me he had a stomach cramp all day. He looked like something the cat dragged home. I gave him a little mylanta, which didn't seem to help. Mom, I can hardly keep my eyes open, he told me as he ate some rice. Let's get you into bed! I told him. I'm depressed, he told me as he lay in bed and I rubbed his stomach. I

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-13225104691803144172011-11-17T07:45:00.001-05:002011-11-17T08:53:51.511-05:00

Nudged Jake up at 6:30 this morning, earlier than usual. Hey, sweetie, it's time to get up. I'm tired.... I know, but I'll make you noodles while you finish your homework. Oh, yeah.... Plus, I have something to show you. What? he asked, rubbing his sleepy eyes. Something came in the mail.... Tell me. Your report card arrived. Report card? I know. I had no idea you were getting one so

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-30730094653781677272011-11-16T10:37:00.001-05:002011-11-16T11:50:43.030-05:00

As I looked over Jake's binder, last night, I realized that he didn't have one of his homework sheets. This is the kind of thing we should have known earlier so we could go back to school, I told him. You need to do just 3 things before you come home everyday! Check your mailbox, empty your desk of papers, and make sure you copied all the assignments off the board! He nodded and blinked back

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-72488852990652494072011-11-15T15:43:00.001-05:002011-11-16T07:49:26.668-05:00

"Let me read or I'll punch you in the face!!" He yelled what? I asked his aide in horror. To his... teacher? In the middle of class? I found Belac's teacher and we talked. She had already suggested that we meet on Monday to talk about his difficulties in reading comprehension. Now we spoke solely about behavior. We agreed about getting him to articulate his feelings better and earlier so he

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-26852471682236072762011-11-14T18:42:00.001-05:002011-11-15T14:05:47.549-05:00

P.S.  An A on his Science test. And you want to know why? Fine, Jake likes science, but his teacher is also male, funny in a geeky way, and owns 400 tacky ties he models everyday. He also sends the kids off with "Don't Worry, Be Happy" at every dismissal by pushing a button on his desk. A colorful, enthusiastic teacher makes all the difference!

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-83566403295980880632011-11-14T14:06:00.001-05:002011-11-15T17:21:37.065-05:00

Plopped right back into the craziness of life. Everyone showed up to fix things at the house today. Again, our stove is not working properly and I'm cooking for 25 next week. The high hats and other switches that never worked when we moved in are finally getting fixed. Garborator broken and just replaced. Cracked window panes replaced and several windows fixed and sealed.... you get the picture.

Gimkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228252770123863296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4039494926679468913.post-53774875383989847202011-11-13T08:43:00.001-05:002011-11-13T16:57:00.649-05:00

The other pianist in my group is someone I have always admired. Her playing is full of life and everything under the sun, nothing is taken for granted. She also has a huge, beautiful smile that lights up a room and is simply the nicest person. In having a few moments to catch up, yesterday, she told me things about her life that made my mouth drop. Oh my God, how long have we not spoken? I sat in

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