April 12

This is a picture of my Dad playing with a game of Connect Four with Jayna. It was nice. My Dad has dementia ( as far as I know it hasn't been diagnosed as Alzheimers, but sometimes I am out of the loop with my parents) anyhow his short term memory is very poor- he will often repeat himself and will need told things over and over within minutes. It is sad to see, especially at this stage where he is very aware of it and it makes him very sad. His mom and Dad both had mental problems as they aged. I have tried to get my mom to check out a day program- I think it would be helpful to both him and her- he would have some socialization and something to do, and she would have a break. However, no luck there. It's hard raising parents! Anyhow connect four was a good choice- it takes some cognitive skill- the need to stay focused somewhat, but not too difficult. Jayna and Dad had a nice time playing and played several games. I must say with the family history it makes me worried about my mental state as I age.

Whitney got a trampoline for her birthday and her and Jayna have loved it! Even when it is cold they'll go out and get in some good play time. We had one years ago, but threw it out, it didn't have the foam padding around the edge or the net. This one makes me feel much better.

This is Jayna's Easter decoration for us!

The kids and I are both on spring break- Yay! School has been really stressful for me, but the first year is almost done! I think May 18th is the last day of classes, then later that month I have a clinical- it's only about 1 1/2 or 2 weeks though. I should be done before the kids are out for the summer. I've thought about working summer, but really think a break would be nice. We have planned a few fun things for spring break- Out to eat (Quaker Steak and Lube- all you can eat wings - Andrew), Bison's game ( I really love Baseball games!) and then we are going to Ohio to visit family and have an Easter egg hunt with the cousins. I've been trying to see my parents every other month since I feel like things are getting worse there, and Richard's Dad has just gotten out of the hospital after about 2 months. His parents have moved to Columbus , OH. So some fun and some crazy, but definitely a change of pace.

Reading? Well I've started a few things, but haven't really got going much on anything lately- except anatomy stuff and such!

And so it goes...

Cheat Code!

Well tonight for our family activity for family home evening we were playing "Sister may I" our version of "Mother May I", but Whitney has bronchitis and was laying on the couch and was the sister. We start at the top of the stairs, have to go through the kitchen and hallway and to the couch- whoever gets there first wins. After 1 0r 2 of us had taken a turn, Andrew asked "sister may I give you a dollar?" Naturally she said yes - Andrew was down the steps yelling "cheat code, cheat code" went through the kitchen, stopped off in his bedroom for a dollar, through the hall and gave Whitney a dollar. He was mighty pleased with his "cheat code". We didn't let Whitney keep the dollar, but did let Andrew use the cheat code to get out of playing the rest of the game- which included Dad doing ballerina twirls, and Mom crawling like a turtle. My kids are funny.

And so it goes...

No Baptist Church Here! ( No offense!)

When I was growing up I remember often pulling into the driveway and my Dad saying it looked like our house was a Baptist church- now I don't know why ( I don't think I've ever attended a Baptist church), but that meant that we had lots of lights on. (Do they have lots of lights??) The saying has stuck and I've thought it myself a few times- but no more at the Ashead house!! A month or so ago I was talking to my sister and was amazed when she mentioned how little her electric bill was- about $100 less than ours! How could that be??? Yes her house is a little smaller, and there is 3 people there instead of our 5, but that seemed to be such a huge difference that it was time to see what we could do about our electric bill. So Richard and I did some research and then talked to the kids. It seemed like a big $ waster was leaving our computers on when they weren't being used, knowing that someone would want to use them sometime- so that has definitley decreased, also sometimes the kids would leave their lights on when they left for school but I wouldn't know it because their doors were shut. Anyhow- we tried to get everyone on board to TURN OFF THOSE LIGHTS! and such- and the amazing happy result- we just got our bill and it is over $50 less than the previous month. Next bill we're waiting for- water. We put in a low flow shower head- what will the savings be???

And so it goes...

Feb.8, 2009

Things going on:

1. Started back to college- stress! It's a busy, intense semester. One foot in front of the other right?

2. Jayna has started piano lessons. She's taking them from a friend from church who is also the primary president. She seems way interested in them and has been diligent about practicing. We told her she could take them for a month, but would then have to decide whether to keep taking them or keep taking gymnastics, but we can only pay for one right now.

3. Andrew and Whitney are both preparing to be in the school musical this year. I'm looking forward to seeing it.

4. Enjoyed taking Whitney shopping at Old Navy the other day, then she went to the grocery store with me for a bit. I don't always get so much one on one time with the kids, and this was nice. She had earned $20 from a good report card and did some thrifty shopping- got 2 shirts that were marked down for $4.99 each and jeans on sale too. She likes certain things, but has also learned to look for the good deals too. It was just a nice time together. The kids are growing up so fast.

5. Had some nice family time yesterday and played a game after dinner with everyone- Family Fun Cranium. It's so nice when we can all enjoy some time together. I've been a bit of a bear lately because of a lot of stress- always nice to relax!

6. Alright, sounds a bit dry , but that's all for today. And so it goes...

Relaxing day and preparing for the next semester

I start classes again next Tuesday, Monday we are all off for Martin Luther King day. Richard had the day off today, so it was kind of a nice relaxing day before the rush of classes, homework and tight schedules start again. We went out to lunch at Olive Garden. It was so delicious- we did the soup, salad, breadsticks deal and shared a dessert. The chicken gnocci soup was great.

I'm a little nervous about how next semester will work out. Fall semester I had some days when I'd be home by noon and could get some stuff done before the kids got home. This time the earliest my classes are done is 2:10, letting me get home just about when Jayna will be getting home. I'm going to have to be a lot more prepared and take advantage of the time I have between classes at school. For a class over winter break I had to spend 30 hours onsite somewhere that is not a traditional OT setting. I went to Amherst Adult Day Services which provides supervision and activities to mentally or physically impaired adults or those who may need socialization. It was a good experience and got me even more excited for the field I'm entering.

Reading now: The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis
To love what is: a marriage transformed by Alix Kates Shulman- this is a great ture book, it is about how a very independent woman becomes caregiver to her husband who has an accident and suffers brain injury. It's interesting because it relates a bit to me as I observe my own dad with dementia and my mom caring for him, but also as someone interested in Occupational Therapy. Also, to me the title of the book can be key to so much more, - to accept and love what is- even if it's not what you had planned. Another thing I appreciate is the fact that the author is so much different than me- atheist, strong feminist, adventurer, but I can really appreciate her in this book and I think that is something always to remember- we don't have to agree with or be like someone to learn from them.
The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey

And so it goes...

Snow Tubing

Tubers coming down the hill.
Richard, Andrew and Jayna with their tubes.
Whitney warming up
Andrew getting ready to ride up

Every month we plan a "family fun" activity- this month the activity that won the vote (yep, there's a process at this home!) was snow tubing. We had never gone before, it was fun to try something new. You get a tube and then ride up to the top- picking a chute (hill) to go down-various levels available, go down and then can ride back up to the top. You can go down as a big group too. My coordination made me think I was crazy to think that I could actually try skiing again someday! My first try: I fell off the tube as it was going up, then had difficulty getting off the tube at the top- there's a spot where you're suppose to get off- the man was yelling at me "bail, bail!" Then later a worker was helping Jayna and I get ready to go down together and he hit me in the mouth hitting my teeth! Anyhow it still was an overall fun experience. I was really surprised how fast even the smallest hill was. Jayna, Andrew, and Richard really loved the experience. Whitney got cold pretty fast and thought it was okay. Even the little hill made me a bit nausea, but I thought it was fun too. I always just like trying new things.

The Ashead Year in Review

Happy New Year Everyone! A brief blip of our year in Review:

Richard- Lost lots of weight and is off of medication for high cholesterol and blood pressure. Bought a motorcycle and loves it.

Sue- Lost weight, truthfully I've gained some back, but am still a good bit less than last year at this time. Started college, what a huge step. Have completed my first semester in my program to become a COTA (certified occupational therapist assistant) Also loves riding the motorcycle with Richard

Andrew- Last year in the middle school, started and continues a newspaper route delivering papers on Saturday, multiple girlfriends throughout the year, musical theater, bought a drum set

Whitney- Started middle school, spent tons of time with her friends, continues gymnastics

Jayna- 1st grade and started speech- Yay- she has really progressed, joined Brownies, continues gymnastics

Muffy- remains adored by many family members

Family Vacation- visited Hershey, PA and Philadelphia ( and our friends the Janes')

And so it goes..