I Never Claimed To Be a Supermodel

Message left on my voice mail:

"Hi, this is your friend (who shall remain nameless, because, well it's just the right thing to do) I was wondering if you want to get together tonight, either at your home or at the library so I can shoot your family..."

There are times...

*disclaimer, my friend was offering to shoot a family photo for our homeschool yearbook, because, you see, I don't have one. Trying to coordinate everyone and make sure they are all in correct states of mind is like trying to nail jell-o to a tree. There isn't much point.

I tried to have a family member shoot the picture, but we took seven pictures, and not one is usable. Maybe we just won't exist in the program.

We don't really want to be remembered like this:

T, who didn't take her Senior high school portrait, either, and my mother is still bitter about it

If I'm Not Here In a Week, You Know Why

Argh, this makes my blood boil! This is crazy. With Big Business horning its way into the Blogosphere (Blogoverse, Introverse, you figure out what you want to call it), I suppose this was inevitable. But it stinks that little guys with big sticks can bully others, simply because they have more money than you do. To get the poop, click here:

The Bloggess

And, in solidarity, I would take off my skirt, but I have kids, and that's not cool. (besides, can you imagine the expression on the face of my 14 yr old? Almost makes it worth it.) Said skirt, is, however, definitely in a bunch!

Also, go and check out these brave and loyal women, trying to make the Blogging World a better place! Kirtsy is a social networking site for blogging women. Check it out, see what the brouhaha is about.

T, who really hates bullying

Technorati: rant, blogging

Ok, Maybe I Won't Sell Them To the Gypsies After All

My son heralding the arrival of "Queen Mommy"

This morning I was awakened by my daughter who said, "Both blood and tears went into your breakfast this morning." I said, "What, no sweat?" "I slaved over a hot stove, and so I guess that counts," my always quick-wicked daughter answered.

Turns out, my children got up at 7 a.m. and made me brunch. Mini fritatas with mushrooms and bell pepper, roasted potatoes with bacon. Two of the kids cut themselves on knives in the kitchen and I just slept on. Again, with the Bad Parent Award, here. J saved the day and helped them pull it together, and I was pretty much dead to the world. And my sneaky 14 yr old asked me last night,"So you want oatmeal for breakfast in the morning, right?" Guess she learned it from me. Subterfuge.

Look! Fooood!

I received some nice gifts, a Scrabble Game, a Clue Game and a favorite book, "Is Your Mama a Llama" for reading aloud. This is JBean's sign for me:

I also received this handmade card from my oldest. Yes, I cried. You have to click so you can see it big enough to read it. I know I write a lot about her, but she is one in a million, I really believe it.

click to embiggen

I also received an iPod dock for my car. I have really been wanting one, so I am excited! Can't wait to use it.

And I sent my mother this card, hope she likes it.

Don't send a lame Mother's Day eCard. Try JibJab Sendables!

T, who thinks bein' a Mama is pretty ok

Technorati: Mother's Day, family

Happy Mother's Day! Now, Show Me the Money!

Apparently, what I do is worth over 100K a year. I could have told you that. Come back when you have the check in hand.

On that note Happy Mom's Day. Any mom will appreciate this oldie:

T, who also says add in my private tutoring duty

Technorati: motherhood, funny stuff

A Hard Post To Write, So I Won't

I promised you all that I would write about the fire that happened with our family home over a year ago. And I will. Soon.

I'll write about how we turned onto the block, surprised to see the firetrucks on our small street. And about the horror when I realized, "Oh my god, that's our house!"

I'll tell about the sickening lurch I felt deep in my gut as we pulled over to talk to the firefighters as they broke the news that our house was on fire. The Fire Chief was holding my Daytimer, trying to find a number to notify someone that our life had just crumbled.

The agony when I was told that we lost my beloved "first baby" cat, Beleu, to the smoke. He was 14. I had adopted him as a kitten. We would later find out we lost all three cats: the 14 yr old, the 4 year old and the 4 month old.

I could tell you how I went on what I term Crisis Mode Autopilot, or CMA for short. Someone had to be strong for my children, pull it together and be their rock, the one they could cling to when they were drowning in fear.

How I walked blindly through the kindnesses of the American Red Cross volunteer as he found us a place to stay, and gave us some money for things I had taken for granted just that morning: toothbrushes, underwear, pajamas. We lost everything.

At some point, the firefighters finished doing what they do and gave us our house back. Though it would be many months before we felt we had our life back again. The air was dark, and smoky, and standing in the ruins of what was once the hallway, I vowed that we would be ok, no matter what. I did the only thing I could do: something. I went searching for the lovies my children depend upon: Pooh Bear for JBug. He has been at her side since she was 4 months old. JBear's "blah", the tattered satin blanket he sleeps with every night. Next came JBean's "baby Tigger", the animal she sleeps with, plays with, sings to. Everything reeked of smoke, and my hands were black with soot. It was like a war zone. Destruction was all I saw. And that, from me, there were no tears.

I have memories of walking through Walmart, like some undead thing, because that is all that is open just before midnight on a Sunday. Shuffling through with the rest of the deadbeats and the drunks, absently putting items into the cart: toothpaste, hairbrush, remnants of my life, when I had one.

I could tell you about holding my children, and hearing their small childrens' prayers as they thanked God for the firefighters and for Mommy and Daddy and that we were all safe and together. Their small arms clasped me to them as though they were afraid I, too, would disappear in a puff of smoke.

I could tell you that the tears didn't come then.

Or I could tell about how I spent the first night, the night we were effectively homeless,in a hotel with my face on the floor as my family slept, praying for their protection and God's mercy. And, then, after everyone else was sleeping, the tears came. I know what it is to pray through the night, and baptise my Bible in puddles of fear and confusion.

Looking back, if I had known the steps that were to come in trying to rebuild, collect from the insurance company and all of the decisions that were to be required, I am certain I would have sunk to my knees and never gotten up. Add in a layoff in the middle of the rebuild, and it was a recipe for a breakdown.

I have a strong marriage.

I could tell you all of this, but though it has been over a year, I am still not ready.

T, who needs to get this out soon

Technorati: family, faith

Bad Parenting 101

In retrospect, maybe it's not a good idea to tell my little one that no her dad cannot cuddle her, he needs to go to Starbucks and get me mocha so that I don't kill my children in their sleep.

She knew I was joking, but I asked her about it, anyway. Maybe I am too flippant for my own good some days.

T, who needs Starbucks and whose mouth hurts

Technorati: parenting, Starbucks,

Eighteen WHAT??

I have many friends with large families. I really envy their dynamic. The way they get along, share chores and play together is beautiful. In fact, I always wanted to have a large family, but because of our genetic challenges, realized that wasn't in anyone's best interest. The chances of another child with autism are very high, and just not what we chose to bridge for our family.

One of my friends even has nine children. As I said, it works for them. But I cannot, in my wildest dreams, imagine being the Duggars. They are pregnant with their EIGHTEENTH child! Can you even imagine? Besides the obvious l wonder what they will do about college for their children? I understand that they are financially well-off. They built their 7,000 sq. ft home, but they also did it without help from a contractor. I am not sure if they couldn't afford it, or what. Can you imagine feeding that many teenage boys?? It is hard enough to feed my three!

I have always wondered how it is to grow up in a home like the Duggars. The girls all do the inside chores and are responsible for cooking dinner and taking care of their "buddies", that is, the child they are responsible for . I wonder if there is enough time to play and be a child? I do know that not all large families run their homes this way, however. As I mentioned, I have friends who have large families, and the children are allowed to play and be children. They are not on constant baby duty. Don't get me wrong, I do think it is important to teach the older children responsibility. JBug watches her siblings at times, and cooks dinner. But it isn't every day, and she certainly has time to herself. She is a introvert, so time is built in over the day to herself. I make sure we all have time to ourselves throughout the day.

I am happy for the Duggars. They seem to be able to handle it. I know I would be at the hat factory with half that many children. Choruses of, "I did not! Did, too! Maaama!" and, what I call Sondheim Parenting fill my life, and I only have three.

What's that you say? What is Sondheim Parenting, you ask? Simply this: when you see a stage musical, part of the plot is that everyone sings over every one else, so you can barely hear anyone, and it melds together. Stephen Sondheim is especially known for this, so that is why I use his name.

I cannot imagine the cacophony of sound that results with eighteen children! I would have to buy stock in Advil!

T, who is D-O-N-E

Technorati: family, parenting

And Now For Something To Blow Your Mind

I've seen juggling. I have even seen good juggling. J juggles, though he isn't a professional by any stretch. So, when it comes to juggling, I probably ask the same question you do: "How many more can he hold?" Well, this video blew me away. It is a bit long, but if you stick with it, you will see things I have never seen before. This is beyond juggling. This is dance. This is art.

T, who can barely dribble a ball

Technorati: juggling, video

At least it wasn't 13 teeth

I just had oral surgery and had two teeth pulled yesterday. So I am taking a break this week on T13.

T, who should be able to think of 13 somethings, but can't

More Cool Mac Toys

A 17 year old created a touch table for the Mac. I WANT one. He lives in Utah. Wonder if he is homeschooled?

Don't You Want This, Baby?

What cool toy do you really want?

T, who loves toys

Technorati: tech, Mac, toys

The Living Camera

This never ceases to amaze me. JBear has incredible recall, as well. Not quite like this, but definitely better than mine. I can ask him what has changed (because I can often tell things change when I see it, but not what exactly it is that is different) and he can say, "Oh that bench was green a week ago." Bizarre. And yet, I cannot tell him a sequence of letters to spell and have him hold them in his head. Weird how the brain works. He can figure out what direction we are going with no problem. But ask him to spell "silver" and not only can he not do it, I have to repeat the letter combinations three times. Of course, that could also be the dyslexia, too...

T, who wishes I understood more about autism

Technorati: autism, kids

A Recipe I Could Actually Follow

I was reading blogs recently and ran into this gem over at I Write Funny. Go and give love, Internet, this one deserves it!

I didn't write this, I just loved it, and wanted to pass it, and the link on to you.

Cooks Illustrated Recipe: Boiled Water

by Cooky McKitchener

Like many people, I enjoy the moist aroma and sinus-soothing vapors from a pot of boiling water. But it is often difficult to get a roiling boil just the way you remember it as a child. In my quest to perfect boiled water I began by collecting a dozen different recipes ranging from family hand-me-downs to restaurant standbys. But none of these recipes produced a water boil precisely as I remember it. Some were too slow and too dilute while others were dense and tough. All of the recipes shared a few typical ingredients, such as water. But otherwise they had little in common.

In my first effort to produce a reliable boiled water, I began with a cylindrical steel container, or “pot” as often called for in traditional recipes. Placing the pot four inches away from the flame, the water did eventually come to a boil, but it took six hours. This might have been acceptable in our grandparents’ day, but many of us no longer have so much time to spare. I then moved the pot closer, a mere two inches from the flame. Indeed, the water boiled in just three hours – a big improvement.

Still, tasters said that the boiled water exhibited a “metallic” tang. I suspected this off-note might have been imparted by the steel container or “pot” itself. Next, I removed the pot from the equation, pouring the water directly into the flame. As I’d hoped, the water boiled almost instantly, exhibiting just the warm vapor I was looking for.

Although direct contact with the burner did boil the water quickly, testers found it difficult to get close to the liquid without having their faces burned off by the gas flame. Clearly I needed to find another way.

I then remembered a vessel I’d received as a gift from an ex-mother-in-law that has been kept in a remote storage locker for many years. I drove there in my car at a speed of 30MPH. After observing that it was taking a long time to get there, I increased my speed to 60MPH. This worked well and I arrived at my destination in half the time.

The vessel is constructed with a layer of ceramic enamel enrobed over an iron core. It can hold about 8 quarts of liquid and weighs 400 pounds. I strapped the container to a trailer hitch and returned to the test kitchen.

Because of the vessel’s weight, I used a winch to lift it onto the burner. Once in place, I filled it with water and lit the stove. Voila! In just about ten minutes, there was a perfectly boiled pot of water. The steaming vapor had just the level of moisture I’d remembered, and because of the enamel coating, the boiled water did not take on any unwanted flavors.

BOILED WATER 1 heavy enamel-coated iron pot with winch 8 quarts of water

Lift pot onto burner and fill with water. Turn burner on high and wait ten minutes. Serve immediately.

T, who says next time I get take out

Technorati: funny, other blogs,

Candy Gram!

I was telling JBug about Land Shark and she was really confused, so I found it. Thought you might enjoy it, too, Internet.

T, who is old enough to remember this

Technorati: funny stuff, nostalgia,

I Think She's After My Job

One of the hardest things about being a mother is preparing meals. Keeping them interesting and not falling into a rut. And there are some challenges here. I have a 6 year old who is a bit picky. And I have a 9 year old that is on a special diet. He doesn't eat gluten (so no grains like wheat, oats, barley, spelt) and he doesn't eat dairy. Needless to say, sometimes I am really digging at the bottom when I try to figure out a meal everyone will eat.

JBug has been experimenting in the kitchen more and more. There is always a plate of brownies or cookies around, due to her dabblings. She asked if she could make the snack yesterday, and this is what she came up with:

Strawberry mice, coconut eyes, tortilla chip ears with string cheese tails.

Move over, Martha Stewart! She is starting to make me look bad, here.

T, who needs to up her game

Technorati: cooking, family fun

I'm Gonna WHAT?

I was driving home from band today with the kids, they were screaming, bickering, doing what they do. It was hot. The windows were down, because the cat (The one I HATE) peed on JBean's backpack and we didn't realize it until we were in the car for a while and there was nowhere to put it. Gah. My car isn't running right, so I can't use the A/C a lot, it makes the idle really rough. I need to get it in, but I can't coordinate when would be a good time with our schedule. And did I mention, my tooth really hurts?

So I popped in my Trace Adkins CD to find some peace, and "You're Gonna Miss This" started. As the first strains came in, I turned up the volume, swallowed the lump in my throat and said a silent prayer of thanks to God. We are all healthy. I have a car. And we have food, a place to live, and some money in savings. We have healthcare, so as soon as I schedule it, I can get my tooth dealt with quickly.

I came home, cuddled my daughter on the couch, put everything else on the backburner and just allowed myself to be in the moment. A few moments stolen for just us. And I emerged feeling refreshed.

So I present the video for you. Have tissues handy.

You're Gonna Miss This

She was staring out the window of their SUV

Complaining, saying "I can't wait to turn 18"

She said "I'll make my own money, and I'll make my own rules"

Mamma put the car in park out there in front of the school

Then she kissed her head and said "I was just like you"

You're gonna miss this

You're gonna want this back

You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast

These are some good times

So take a good look around

You may not know it now

But you're gonna miss this

Before she knows it she's a brand new bride

In a one-bedroom apartment, and her daddy stops by

He tells her "It's a nice place"

She says "It'll do for now"

Starts talking about babies and buying a house

Daddy shakes his head and saysAnd s "Baby, just slow down"

Cause you're gonna miss this

You're gonna want this back

You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast

These are some good times

So take a good look around

You may not know it now

But you're gonna miss this

Five years later there's a plumber workin' on the water heater

Dog's barkin', phone's ringin'

One kid's cryin', one kid's screamin'

And she keeps apologizin'

He says "They don't bother me.

I've got 2 babies of my own.

One's 36, one's 23

.

Huh, it's hard to believe, but...

You're gonna miss this

You're gonna want this back

You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast

These are some good times

So take a good look around

You may not know it now

But you're gonna miss this"

T, who needs a reminder sometimes

Technorati: music, family

Oh Good, I Was Worried There Would Be An Intervention

But it looks like I am safe for now. I am not quite in the 90's....

82%How Addicted to Blogging Are You?

T, who still has room to grow and things to blog

Technorati: blogging, quiz

This Blog Has Been Brought To You Today By the Letter T and the Number 13

T is for "TLC" and for...

1 talkative... I always have something to say, but I can also listen

2 tenacious... We call this persevering in my house

3 talented ... can you hang a spoon on your nose or make up parodies of songs on the fly?

4 torrid... dh said I had to include this, and you don't get an explanation

5 teacher... I homeschool my 3 children, and I am naturally a teacher, in everything

6 trustworthy... If you choose to confide in me, know that you are safe

7 truthful... don't ask if you don't want the truth. I am able to be tender about it though

8 twisted... I love Monty Python and dry humor. Puns are a specialty

9 tuneful... I always hum or have a song to sing

10 tired... too many late nights spent talking to you, O Internet

11 toothache... seriously, right now that is all I can think about, have to get a tooth pulled and I am terrified (hey another T word, for free!)

12 thoughtful... I am constantly in my head, thinking, figuring out and improving

13 tempermental... the mark of genius? not sure, probably just PMS, or the toothache

T, who wants her tooth to stop hurting!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others' comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Technorati: Thursday Thirteen, fun stuff

The Weed Fairy Came To My House

The other day, I got up at 8 and my 14 year old, JBug, was already up. Apparently, she had been up for quite a while. She had fed the kids breakfast, cleaned the bathrooms and loaded the dishwasher. But that wasn't the half of it.

She also had cleared one of the flowerbeds of the weeds that were residing there.

Why? Just because. She felt it would be helpful if she got up to do these things. I have no idea why, but I am not complaining!

We found out because the alarm she had set for her little sister played the buzzer instead of music. This made JBean upset, and one of the things she does when is upset is lie in bed and whine. It is very annoying, and no one can sleep through it. So, J arose, like a bear through the woods. He was very upset and wanted to know why Jbug wasn't responding to her little sister's calls to her. J thought she was beng teenagery and ignoring her poor little sister. But no, it turns out she was outside.

Pulling weeds. Who knows what lurks in the deep recesses of a teenager's brain? Why did she choose to do this? Probably to keep me off balance!

In all seriousness, she is a great help. I wish I could clone her. But then I would have to feed more kids! I know she helps around the house more readily than I did at her age. I like to think it is because we have such a good relationship being as I am so cool and all. That's right, I can make anything all about me, just give me time.

T, who hopes more fairies come to visit

Technorati: family, teens,

Now I Can Get That Boob Job

This book is preparing to be released next month. And we wonder why girls' self-esteem is in the toilet? If mommy ain't happy with herself, how can she expect her daughter to be happy with what she is? It was written by a plastic surgeon to help parents explain why mother's face and body have changed drastically and why the child should nor fear that body snatchers have come in the night, replacing Mommy with a Desperate Housewife. This trend scares me. Why can't we all just age, if not gracefully, at least, with aplomb?

T, who thinks wrinkles give her Character

Technorati: feminism, family,

On Ducks, Marriage & Autism (not necessarily in that order)

"So what is the rate?" She inclined her head towards me. I swallowed, stalling because I didn't know. I knew it was high. I looked at her and said, "Not sure, but I know it is higher than the national average. That's just over 50% now." So I decided to come home and google up some actual figures. There is no question that raising a child with autism, even high-functioning autism, is a challenge. It is a challenge financially, emotionally, spiritually and attitudinally. It is an entire paradigm shift. Like living with a duck who wants grapes...all the time. It isn't hard to feel at your wits' end ..often. Many times J comes home and I just have nothing else to give. I am spent. Absolutely worn out, and not able to give to one more person. And who gets the short end of the stick? You guessed it: J does. And yet he rarely complains.

As I write this, he has sallied-forth on a mission of mercy. Yes, the kids are tucked into their beds, and he has gone to procure Starbucks mocha, the nectar of the gods. He knows foreplay. Or maybe he just knows how to keep me sane. Since life can

often be a war zone, and I, crawling over enemy lines without hesitation (okay, maybe there is a little hesitation) a medic on duty is necessary. That's where J comes in. I guess it works because we take care of each other. We get along well, and well, we don't really have to work at it. Which is good, because there isn't much time to work on much of anything in this house, not the way the littles behave. We can't take on anymore.

There is a reason we have cats. Cats are independent, don't mind if they aren't the center of attention and often prefer not to be. We don't have a dog, though I would love one, and maybe someday soon, we may take the plunge. But I don't have the time to devote to puppy training and walking and just being generally slobbered over and followed around. I get that enough. We would probably kill a fish, forgetting to feed it. And you don't want to see my yard. When we moved back home after the fire, we decided to do our own gardening. But me, in my infinite wisdom decided that we would do the Green Thing and not use poison on the lawn to kill the weeds. And, did I mention that I now use a rotary mower to save the environment? Unfortunately, it is now my lawn that needs salvation.

Lacking time, I haven't done the requisite internet search for nematodes and other magic organic fixes to protect my lawn from the weedie beasties. Consequently, my lawn, which of course, someone forgot to water, is now brown with green things bobbing in not quite a sea of crabgrass. We do manage to get it somewhat mowed, but it seems to be a losing battle. The flowerbeds are overgrown, and all good intentions to clear them and plant something gave way to a brochure left on our front stoop about code enforcement and happy neighbors. We don't know which one of the wonderful residents of our 'hood left it for us, but there it is.

And my answer? You try mowing the lawn when you have a 6 yr old in the middle of a screaming fit for who knows the reason (sometimes, there are no reasons) and a 9 yr old being defiant and refusing to do anything except repeat, "Can I have a cookie? Can I have a cookie? Can I have a cookie?" And this after being told, as I am wont to do: "Question asked and answered," ad nauseum. And amidst this, I will take time to mow the lawn? What planet does the anal neighbor with the perfect yard and the perfect teens (only they aren't because I see them on the corner) who mows his lawn and trims his plants nearly every day...what planet is he from?

So, there is little time left to work on things like marriages, or dinner reservations or breathing. So it is a very good thing that my marriage is usually so easy. We figure we survived the fire, when the house was completely smoked out, everything was destroyed and we had nothing but each other. We survived the insurance settlement and the rebuilding process and the redecorating and even the relocating. Autism after that? Cake.

In any case, I came home and found the figures. According to a few online sources, it is over 80%. Dr. Phil even pegged the rate at 86% if you can believe it. 86% of marriages amongst couples who have a child with autism end in divorce. So, since we have two children, does that make our rate higher? In fact, statistically, we aren't married at all! Yay, we are living in sin, and have been for almost 18 years! (Then why aren't we having more fun?)

T, who feels very lucky

Search Me:

Technorati: autism, family,

All My Bags Are Packed...

13 Places I Have Been, or Wish I Could Go (you figure out which is which)

1. San Francisco. Love the vibe there, so funky and open.

2. Ireland. Maiden name is Irish and there is a reason I love Guinness.

3. France. The places that Anthony Bordain goes on No Reservations. I am not a tourist person, I want to experience the local flavor.

4. Disney World. Just to say I did.

5. England. I love me some accent!

6. Washington D.C. So much to see, so little time.

7. Sardinia. Have you seen the color of the water?

8. Hawaaii. Duh!

9. Greece. History is soooo cool.

10.Africa.Because really, doesn't everyone want to see a lion?

12.Canada. I know, eh.

13.Egypt. The library of Alexandria. Because I love libraries.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others' comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

T, who wants to be anywhere but here

Technorati: Thursday Thirteen, travel,

SAY WHAT??

This is one of the funniest things I have seen in a long time. Yeah, so it is old, I am behind in my reading, so sue me.

Stupid Decisions Made When Drinking

T, who laughed so hard I snorted

Technorati: funny stuff

Geeks of a Feather

They say a picture is worth a thousand words...

T, who knows it's genetic

Technorati: geeks, family,

Happy Earth Day!

Another reason I love to homeschool: field trips! We celebrated Earth Day : the kids and I went to a local organic farm and picked strawberries! It was so much fun. When I first started homeschooling, we went on this field trip. That was almost 3 years ago. At that point, it was just my youngest two who went. This time, my oldest went, too.

We took a ride in a wagon pulled by a tractor through the fields. We tried the best organic vegetables. Did you know that fresh broccoli is really sweet? And it is huge, too! The kids also tried maui onions and carrots and lettuce, and of course...strawberries!

Now we have 4 cartons of strawberries to eat. Too bad none of us actually like them! (kidding, we will make short work of them, I am sure!)

The funny thing is, I grew up in the Salinas Valley. Migrant workers get paid to pick berries. It is hard work, and not at all glamorous. And here? We spend money to bend over in the hot sun, to stand in mud and fill those baskets. Life is weird sometimes.

I just like the idea of my kids understanding where food actually comes from. Because food doesn't just materialize in the grocery store. It is good for them to see the origin. And I learned something, too. I never knew that broccoli was so large!

T, who is amazed that in Southern CA you PAY to pick strawberries

Technorati: homeschool, kids,

One More Reason I Homeschool

Apparently a 13 year old was busted for purposely putting peanut butter cookie crumbs into a classmate's lunchbox. The classmate was life-threateningly allergic.

Can You Believe This?

T, who never ceases to be amazed

Back again and this time for good?

I finally got back in! The negative side of tech...too many accounts, too many email addresses and I was locked out of my blog. Of course, after the fire, I didn't much feel like keeping it up. It has been a year since my last post, and I am ready now to begin anew. Besides, I am procrastinating about cleaning house.

We have settled completely with the insurance company, and while it wasn't an easy process, or a painless one, it is finally over. We ended up with a brand new rebuilt house, brand new furniture, brand new everything. And we are getting back to normal now. We moved back home in July of 2007, and we are truly home.

I have two suggestions for anyone who is worried about a fire happening to them. First of all, make sure to have an item by item inventory done and available for your home. Keep receipts of all big purchases, and store off-site. Back up all data and again, store off site. Keep birth certs and other important things stored...you guessed it, off-site. This is to prevent insurance messes, when they say you didn't have a $1000 bed, and how do they know it was truly what you said it was??

My other suggestion? Hire a public adjuster. Yes, I know, you think they are worse than those ambulance-chasing lawyers that advertise on late night tv, but they have some advantages you do not. First of all, they know the system, you do not. Insurance is complicated, and confusing; they design it that way. Secondly, adjusters work for a portion of the settlement. So, they don't get paid if you don't. And it is to their best interest to get the most for you they can, so they get paid more. Throughout the process, they probably won't do things as quickly as you want them to, or call you back as often, but in the end, it works out. As I said, we have our house rebuilt, with many upgrades. Some we paid for on our own, some were paid for by insurance. We have all brand new furniture, clothing, toys, belongings, everything. It is a heck of a way to purge, though. Not what I would suggest.

Beyond all of this, we are fine. We emerged stronger, wiser and believe it or not, better off for the tragedy. I will always miss my cats. But we worked so hard to make decisions for a home we could be comfortable with, and it really paid off.

I hope you never go through this, Internet. But if you do, know that I understand, and would love to help with what I have learned. In the next weeks, I may post more about what I learned, and pictures, if I am ever able to upload them!

T, who learned a lot through "trial by Fire"