lenten promise

Even though I am a failed catholic and a failing episcopalian, I am going to try with lent this year. At least with the lenten promise, don't ask me to fast or abstain from meat (I don't eat that much meat anyway.)

My lenten promise this year is to NOT buy any books or music albums or dvds. OK, the dvds are easy, I haven't been buying any. But the books and music? Oh, let's throw in magazines as well. Wish me luck.

walked: 1.89 miles

Yes, I know it's not much but you have to start somewhere. Progress, not perfection.

i walked today

forever in blue

Forever in Blue: The Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood by Ann Brashares

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars

I did enjoy the first book. And I had to read the rest. But it wasn't a strong pull since it took me years to finally finish them. I think I may be too old or something which is why I could really relate to them. None of the family situations were familiar and I did not have close friends like that.

The books starts out after they have finished their first year of college. Each girl has plans but not much is mentioned of them. Why was Bee going to Turkey? It felt there was a chapter left out.

But things were wrapped up nicely at the end, sort of. Though some things were left open enough that you can bet Lena and Kostas get back together someday. And Bee with keep Eric though I am not sure she deserves him. She seemed a bit skanky in Turkey. And how come Carmen never had a boyfriend? But I was very glad to see Tibby come to her senses and get back with Brian.


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when kids with autism get sick

It's not fun when kids get sick. When kids with autism get sick, well, it's even less fun. They let the snot run down their faces or better yet, wipe in anything that is close like furniture, wall, the dog or you. When they are stuffed up and can't breathe, they will either gasp for breath or snort until they are clear. They cough and sneeze over everything. Constant reminders to cover their mouths and noses cede only minimal results.

You could try some cold medicine but chances are they won't take it. Even worse if you try to force the issue and they get so upset that they vomit. You could try to slip into their drink. But they would probably taste it and refuse to drink anything again. Yes, they are that stubborn.

Vomitting brings up even more frustrations. Kids don't know how to express themselves well. Kids with autism just puke where ever and whenever they need to. Most of us know to puke in the toilet. Unfortunately, kids with autism have issues with the toilet. They are late to potty train. Trying to make them to stick their face into a place where they defecate just does not make sense to them. Try a large bowl, a bucket or even a towel. Plan on washing lots of laundry.

Remember when you were sick and were fed toast or chicken soup? They don't eat those things on a regular day, no way will they even get close to them while they are sick. The same with drinks. You grew up sipping flat coke or ginger ale. Kids with autism have their preferred drink(s) and will not alter. Milk is not a good thing to drink when one has gastroenteritis, but dehydration is worse. The other child walks around with his juice but won't drink. He wants it refilled as the ice melts. Perhaps the sound of the ice tapping the plastic is soothing to him?

Lord help you if they get sick enough to need to visit the doctor. They don't like the doctor in a regular visit, why would they like the doctor when they are sick? And if they do require antibiotics, expect lots of struggles taking the meds. The syringe type dispenser can be helpful.

In other words, we just went through 2 weeks of the plague in our house. The boys are fine now and are finally eating and drinking as they regularly do.

the decision

I never had any intentions of going to Poland. I was planning on going to Italy as part of the school program. I mean, really, which would you choose; communist Poland or Italy?

Then Carol asked me to come to the meeting. She and her boyfriend were planning on going to Poland. OK, I'll sit in the basement classroom and listen to the spiel. Funny thing happened, I wanted to go. Huh? Why? Was it because Carol was planning on going? Did Tony do such a good job selling the trip? Was it finding out that Fred was going to be the professor? I dunno, I can't recall.

Anyway, I left that meeting thinking that I needed to find a job so I could pay for the trip and in a couple of weeks, I had an interview at SVM. After the Saturday meeting with Steve, I drove home to tell mom of my plans. I smile when I think back to it. I told her, I didn't ask. Carol asked and was told she could not go.

I got the part-time job and spent the next weeks preparing for the trip; getting my passport, planning for my month of travel after school ended in May. Unsurprisingly, my grades remained high as I do better when I am forced to manage my time.

Prague

Prague: A Novel by Arthur Phillips

My review

rating: 2 of 5 stars
So I got suckered in by the comparison to Kundera. Wrong! This book was a struggle to get through and maybe I should have quit was back in the beginning but I have this thing about finishing. I have to finish what I start. (Which is why I don't start unless I know I can finish.)



Anyway, this book was NOT about Prague but about Budapest. So why title it Prague? I guess the author was being clever. Too clever for me because I was half way through and re-read the review to realize John Price was the protagonist. Really?



It seems like this book was trying to be and do too many things as once. The narrative was all over the place. It was tedious and esoteric. One I am glad to be done with and will not read again.


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splash shopper

I started using Splash Shopper years ago on my Palm. I love using it. If I run out of something, I go to the list, click it and it adds it to the need list. When I am planning on going to the store, I scroll through the list and it jogs my memory of things I will probably need, things I should buy every week but sometimes forget.

At the store, I click on need and see only the items I need to buy. I click on each item as I put it in my cart and the item disappears. If I stick with the list, I save money.

You can do more than grocery lists. You can set up lists for books, music & videos, gift ideas, vacation planner and to dos. There is even a default emergency list reminding you to check smoke detectors and give your neighbor your emergency contacts.

This new version has the ability to email your list. You can send your list to your husband while he is at work. Or make up a wish list and send it your friends before your birthday.

no more music, no more books

I am on a hiatus from buying. I have too much I haven't heard and too much I haven't read.

I can look and add to my wish list buy NO buying.

How long? I don't know. Easter? Maybe longer. I think I will try for no new music through May. And books? Until I read and get rid of a couple of shelves' worth.

What about magazines? Can I limit them to one a month when the boys get their hair cut and we go to the bookstore as a reward?

I haven't even posted this and have failed. I was at Barnes & Noble on Thursday and got a book and a magazine. Then was back at B&N on Friday with the boys and got 2 more magazines. And I purchased one $.99 tune from iTunes. ugh

Isn't typical that when you cannot have something is when you crave it most. I saw LOTS of bargain books I would love to have. sigh

rules

Why do some people think rules don't apply to them? I saw a woman at Bed, Bath & Beyond and she had a handful of discount coupons. She had 3 items and pulled out 3 coupons. I heard the cashier say, "We generally only accept one coupon per purchase." If the customer said anything in reply, I didn't hear her. As the cashier just happened to be a manager all 3 coupons were accepted and applied. Not only that, 2 of the coupons had expired. I asked about the expired coupons and was told that they do not expire. Then why put the expiration dates on them?

If those that make the rules don't follow them, then why should the rest of us. I guess rules really were meant to be broken.