Head In A Book

If you have been reading my blog for a bit you know that I am dyslexic and M seems to have many of the same struggles that I had growing up. Getting M to do home-work or to just read a book was like pulling teeth at times. But I am happy to report that things have gotten better!

While M still has a lot of work to do, he has made such progress! M has become a "reading man" and it just makes me so happy. Home-work does not start with a fight every night.  His grades have greatly improved and so has his confidence. 

Is it too much to hope that he has learned the important life lessons that hard work pays off!?!

Class Meets Crass

While there are not a ton of pictures of me and the clothing I wear, I feel it is safe to say that most of you have guessed that I am a preppy dresser.  I also follow crazy outdated "rules" such as one should never wear diamonds (engagement ring does not count) before 6pm and a lady never needs a watch after 6pm therefore the two should never be wore together. 

I try very hard to wear clothing that is timeless not trending.  I feel that classic clothing is more flattering for me and I am able to wear dresses many years after I first buy it.  I still feel as thought Jackie O is a wonderful fashion role model.

But on the other hand I do love to have a good time with my girlfriends.  Which is why I hope to go see this gal in concert this summer...

Ke$ha is coming to an arena near us this summer and a bunch of us are going to try to get tickets. While her style isn't quite like mine I do enjoy her music. If we go to the concert I might have to finally shop at H&M or Forever 21. I might even go wild and wear glitter eye make-up! Or maybe I will just go as myself and seem ironic? Either way I can only imagine what Jackie O would think of Ke$ha's style! 

My Bum Knee

My right knee has been bothering me for a while now so I finally took the time to go have it checked out.  After letting it rest and four weeks of physical therapy I was not feeling any better. That led my doc to order some tests.  He gave me the result on Monday morning and I was not happy with the news - I have some cartilage loss which is causing the pain.

First off this news made me feel crazy old.  Second there is no real "fix". Third I have to say good-bye to my beloved StairMaster.  I know that it is not the end of the world and I can totally live with the pain as it is now. But it's a triple bummer if you ask me!

So now I am on the hunt for an elliptical that will stand up to many work-outs per week yet not break the bank.  I dare to dream that it is possible.  Do any of you have any suggestions?

Being A Parent Is Not For The Birds

For the past three weeks, I feel as though a lot of people in the "blog-world" have been talking about keeping things "real".  So here goes...I hated school!  It was never easy. In fact it was a lot of hard work on both my part and my parents.  As I have mentioned before I am dyslexic which made reading and writing seem impossible to me at times.  But we kept at it and I more than survived school.

For better or worst, M seems to be having some of the same struggles that I had with reading and still have with spelling.  As hard as it was for me in school it is simply heart-breaking to watch your child suffer.  In fact I have called my mother a couple of times just to thank her for all the hard work she put into my education, time-wise and heart-wise. I never understood that she and my dad were hurting just as much as I was.  And from time to time this school year I have thought that maybe my schooling was more heartbreaking for them than me.

Now I am on the other side of fence.  M and I have battled from time to time about homework.  I am sure that he thinks I am a close relative to the Wicked Witch of West.  I know that he comes close to hating me when he can't play with friends because he has to go to his tutor.  But I also know that he is making progress.  M is surrounded by a team of adults that are helping him and truly care about him.

If all goes well, someday M will be making the phone calls I have been making lately   "Thank you so much for all that you and Dad did.  I really had no idea Mom.  I am sorry for all the drama and tears.  As a child I thought you were being cruel.  Now I know how much you cared!"

Bad Spellers Of The World Untie!

I will let you in on a little secret - I am the worst speller in the world! (Note from Hubby- She tries but this is close to true. It makes reading the grocery list a challenge.) As a dyslexic writing has never come easy.  I fear writing anything and everything, from thank you notes to quick emails.  I think that is a big part of why it took me so long to start posting.  I did not want all my misspellings and poor word choices to be for all to see.  I hate being judged by my shortcomings. Don't we all?  That is why I am beyond grateful for my editor - Hubby!  Each night he reads my post for the next day and fixes all my mistakes.

http://www.verybestbaking.com/recipes/18470/libbys-famous-pumpkin-pie/detail.aspx

So today while all the kiddos were at school I baked a pumpkin pie for my editor.  Boring, tried and true Libby's pumpkin pie.  The recipe has been printed on Libby's canned pumpkin since the 1950's and I know that there are a ton of other desserts I could have made but it was not for me!  As always I did put my spin on Libby's classic.  Instead of white granulated sugar I use dark brown sugar.  I feel like it gives the pie a richer flavor.

Oh and just so you know, Hubby does have a day job and it is not free to proofread all my comments and emails.  I thank you in advance for understanding!