Lazy blogging Bullet point posts seem to be popular today. I always like to do what the cool kids are doing.
- I am currently
forcingcampaigning for Mr. A to complete his own 30 Things to Do Before I Dies list. I am thinking it would be a good exercise for us to compare lists and see what changes we can make to help make some goals a reality sooner rather than later. My list, for reference.
- Squirrels have chewed giant holes in one of our pumpkins. Fortunately, we hadn’t yet carved it, given it an emotion or a name, so M is not too upset. Every day she makes us look at the ever growing chunk and marvels at the teeth marks. Gross.
- It is raining today, so there has been no progress on the steps of doom. I hope we get them fixed before trick or treating, so no small children get swallowed by the under-step abyss.
- One of M’s good friends at preschool was recently diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. I don’t know her family very well, but I keep thinking about them and how difficult this must be for them. Again, the only thing I can think to do is to offer to bring dinner and some gifts/treats for her to use in the hospital. Even from my position as a distant bystander, I am outraged by the unfairness of it all.
- I am starting my Xmas shopping now. It is my solemn vow that I will not enter a mall after Thanksgiving. So far, M’s list includes only the following items: Diego puzzle. Diego stickers. I think we can handle that.
- I am very tired. This is probably due to the approaching fall and shorter daylight hours. I also have a chronic problem with my bedtime slipping later and later. I would function very well if I went to sleep around 11:00pm each night, but often I don’t go upstairs until around 1:00am. (Damn that internet.) A few days with the Magic Light would probably sort me out, but it seems very early in the fall to start using that as a crutch. On the other hand, it wasn’t too much later that I started using it last year. I am really not looking forward to the end of daylight savings time.
- Speaking of fall, I am looking for a good soup cookbook. Anyone?
Wintertime. I go into hibernation mode; eat more, sleep more, less energy. You’ll have to dig out your magic light box and tell us how it works for you.
The cancer? That sucks. These days, if I even start *thinking* of something like that happening to the dotter, my mind skitters off from the thought *immediately*. Unfair is more than inadequate to describe it…my thoughts are with her family.
Twelve Months of Monastery Soups (Paperback)
by Victor D’Avila-Latourrette
Bernard Clayton’s Complete Book of Soups and Stews-I have others, but have been using this for 20 years and love it.
My book group JUST left, so I get the getting to bed later thing… ~lmc
A goody hospital bag for the kid wouldn’t be a bad idea (coloring book, crayons, stickers, tiny stuffed animal, etc.) and I’m sure the parents will appreciate the gesture (plus something easy to grab if heading off to the hospital) and/or a gift certificate for a local restaurant near the hospital. A prepared casserole (sp.?) wouldn’t be bad either. Breaks my heart to hear of little ones going through something like that…ugh!
I too am very tired and have been pushing my bed time further and further but handn’t made the connection to less light outside…humm…let us know how that light works for you.
When I used to work in peds oncology, here are some of the things I found that parents needed the most:
-Babysitting for siblings was a huge need, even if it is just taking the siblings to the hospital playroom or to a cafeteria or a walk.
-Food/drink that could be stored in the hospital room and easily eaten right away and heated up in the microwave. (mostly for the parents, who never eat). Coffee, teas, canned soup, oatmeal packets, snacky stuff. (they might have some fridge options, so also, raw cut up veggies, or other nutritious but easily grabable food.) Parents never often want to eat big meals, or at all, so any little thing they can grab gets them through the day.
-crafts/ coloring/ small toys and games, activities that the kids can do while waiting in waiting rooms or in their room.
-stuff for the parents to do, magazines, books on tape, books, crossword puzzles, knitting stuff if applicable. DVDs
-Some one to go to appointments with them and take notes
-someone to help them research treatment options.
-someone to sit with them and keep them company
-if appropriate, visits from kids the childs age to keep them distracted and give them something to do. (often the kid’s friends flee. Unless there is a major immunosuppression problem, kid visitors are usually a big highlight. but call and ask first.)
You might not be in a position to offer all of these, but I jotted them down in case anyone was interested. Kid cancer sucks.
I’m glad you listed that golite link again..I was just thinking last night about asking you about it.
Feel no shame– I busted out my GoLite last week, and I feel loads better (and I’m keeping better hours).
I don’t have a soup cookbook but if you want a delicious butternut squash soup recipe I’ll hook you up (it involves cardemum, curry, cinnamon, cloves…that sort of thing.).
Nice little toiletries in a carry case, slippers for all with wipeable bottoms, a quick dry washcloth or mini-towel, a nice robe for the kiddie, permission to acknowledge how much it sucks. FYI: LLBean just came out with cute tiny-sized adventure duffels perfect for little hands.
spray the pumpkins with hairspray and the squirrils won’t so much as look in their direction.
The Daily Soup Cookbook