He called and talked to me on the phone today. He wanted to tell me Come ON and was I home yet. He did tell me that he loved me and that I should go home. By the way, he was not home either. I got home first and we made cookies along with cooking a steak on the grill. It was nice being home after working today. Last night I had to teach during the day, stay to work on schedules with parents at night and go straight to the University. It was a tough night. It was much better being home tonight.
Today, Sheridan got a new a video tape and watched it in a unique way tonight. He played hard and then slept hard. Good night sweet little one.
Last night, Magoo stayed up after MaMa went to bed. I was checking mail and cleaning out the junk that had polluted the inbox this week. Email needs constant attention as it gets cluttered quickly with spam and other useless messages. It is so convenient and also such a black hole of waste. I decided to head to bed and he was still up. He finally went to bed after the lights were off and both parental units were collapsed.
This morning was filled with conference sessions. On speaker talked about race and while informative it also was a little condescending. The other speaker spoke about teaching ELL students. She mentioned that lectures are death to them. She should have followed her advice. She lectured us for 90 minutes and was BORING. While she was a published author, she had NO STAGE PRESENCE. SHe was very poor in her presentation skills and the presentation itself could have been done by a 10 year old. YIKES.
Each of the presenters had technical troubles with the equipment setup. This is one of the reasons that I am on the conference committee. We did solve both problems and that was not an issue. I had to use my computer for the ELL presentation as she brought a MAC and it was not compatible at all.
MaMa and Magoo went into to town to walk around and see the sights. Yesterday, they took a tram ride and Magoo went to sleep on the tram. Today, they caught the river taxi to River Street and walked around the river. Later they took a horse and carriage ride. He kept asking where the engine was. One of the guys on the carriage ride told it was powered by two horse power. It took the whole trip for this to sink in. At the end of the trip, the same fellow asked Sheridan where the engine was. He looked at the fellow like he was crazy and replied that it was powered by two horse power - waving his hand to show the horses.
In the afternoon, I spent time looking out on the river talking with a friend and her mother. It was a nice peaceful way to pass the afternoon and a great way to catch up on news.
Tonight, we had a fine dinner at the Pink House in town. This house was built in 1771. The meal was really nice, relaxing with great food and service. After dinner, MaMa and Magoo went back to the room. I went to Kevin Barry’s Irish Pub on Riverstreet. I made the stop here last year when in town for the conference. I really enjoyed the traditional Irish Music (TRAD).
I had a wonderful night listening to a lad from Gallway signing trad in the pub. I wrote a little while enjoyed the music. This was a nice way to relax and enjoy the tunes.
Sheridan is with us this weekend at the fall teacher conference in Savannah. This is his second fall conference and we enjoy taking him with us when I have a professional obligation. It makes for a working vacation. He came to lunch with us when we arrived and didreally well as he used the manners that we have worked with him to learn. He is quite good at saying yes sir or no mam and thanking people. MaMa has also worked with him to answer questions and to respond to adults when they engage him in conversation.
Tonight, he got to practice these vital skills again with a larger group. We went to the dinner banquet with a speaker. Dinnner was later than usual for him, but he did get appetizers before dinner. He sat through the various courses - soup, salad and a sorbet (to cleanse the pallett). He was alittle confused as were some of the adjults when the sorbet came out as he thought it was desert. Finally, it was time for the main course, filet mignon and shrimp. The shrimp were really large and the boy does love shrimp. He had a good time with his dinner and left before the speaker.
One of the gentlemen at the table said to me when I left — thank you for sharing Sheridan with us tonight. What better compliment can you receive about your son? The comment was a perfect ending to a good night.
We are on the road again and I have caught what MaMa has. I got the croop on Monday and by Tuesday night could not function well. I cancelled my classes on Wednesday and Thursday since I could not lecture. I made it through the high school day and continued to take medication each day.
I would come home and was dead tired for exhausation. On Thursday, we left for Savannah and a conference for teachers where I am on the planning committee. MaMa drove and I languished in the passengar seat in and out of sleep on the way down to where we would stay the night. We made our stop in time to get dinner and sleep in a really soft bed. We would make the last leg of the trip in the morning.
Sheridan had a hard night. He had a long night of night terrors. He was calling for MaMa even though she was next to him in bed. His grief was inconsolable and finally got to sleep about 5am. It was along night for him and for MaMa. I tried to help early in the night, but when I fell asleep, I did not wake again. I was in the sleep state near coma from the croop and weariness of being sick. It was a hard night, but he awoke in his normal friendly manner. MaMa was tired, but she did sleep a little in the morning before breakfast. This was a really great hotel and the breakfast was top notch. One of the best LaQuintas we have stayed in for a long time.
I awoke on Wednesday to the historic news that we had elected our first black president in the history of our country. I have prayed about this election and continue to pray as our nation is facing many deeply challenging problems that must be solved.
Today, I make the choice not to Fear.
I will not let False Evidence Appear Real.
I did not vote for the new President. I still do not believe that he is the best choice to lead our nation. However, the choice has been made by all of the people.
I pray that he makes wise choices in those who will be in the new cabinet.
I pray that he makes wise choices for the welfare of all of our country.
I also pray that he governs like President Clinton in terms of policies moving to the center.
I pray that he unites our country.
I pray that he works with both parties to solve our problems and not to point fingers of blame.
I pray that we finally can move beyond the color of one’s skin or one’s heritage or religion in how we see each other.
I pray that he builds consensus within our country and lives up to his potential to unify and inspire our nation with his oratory skills.
Finally, I pray that we avoid the disastrous times and troubles and ineptitude that marked Jimmy Carter’s difficult and failed term in the White House.
Sheridan and I took off to vote this morning about 9:45. I told Sheridan that the line would be VERY long and he would have to be good and not bother other people. So we pull up to the high school to vote and there was NO line. (People in our county waited over 4 hours last week to vote early.) As soon as we walked in, a young poll worker asked if Sheridan would like to vote. YES! Off Sheridan goes and I am able to check in and finish my ballot with perfect timing. Sheridan comes out of his voting booth (room) just as I am finished. We both got our stickers and were outta there!!!
Someone was a genius to allow children the chance to go with a poll worker and see how voting actually happens and thus, allowing the parent a chance to vote without constantly saying, “Don’t push that button, computer screen, etc.” A true lifesaver!
Times they have changed. Roadtrips in the car used to be about stopping at a gas station for gas, and a potty stop. Well today it is stop at a McDonald’s for a potty stop and some refreshment and then making the gas stop at a Racetrac, Pilot, or QuikTrip.
That is just one change. The other is that Stuckey’s has vritually disappered from the road side stops along with Mom and Pop Gas Stations. The other big change is that comic books have disappeared from the car trips. I used to get and read comic books as a kid when we went on trips. Today, the DVD player has replaced comic books as the favorite trip diversion.
It tugs at your heart to see the little guy upset. He got a little over tired tonight. Magoo was hard to put to bed tonight. It had been an exiciting weekend full of a lot of different changes. We both sat in the bedroom and talked with him to get him settled. I told him that it was hard to get yourself back under control even for big folks. It is nice to try and teach him some of the things that he will need when he gets older.
Well here is the request — BaBa stay home tomorrow. How do answer that when you really would like to stay home with him and to experience each day with him. There is no answer that really works. I told that I go to work so that he can have the things like his DVD player, his room and food. Most of all I work so that MaMa can stay home with him each day. I work so that we can spend time together on the cruise ship and to go to Minnesota to spend Christmas with his sister.
This is a hard question to answer and one that tears at my heart. I want to see those responsible for this business credit problem put in jail. Their greed and and irresponsible behavior have cost our country a great deal. They have also cost our family the opportunity to retire 3 years early. This hurts when you are asked several times to stay home and be with the little guy. I miss him and spending time with him and MaMa.
I do have this to look forward to — I cannot wait to see this experience through his eyes. Soon we will be sailing away and I cannot wait to see him and experience a cruise ship with him for his first sailing.
We returned from our trip to Louisville. Last night we stayed in Nashville and went to Opry Mills outlet mall to shop after we got in to town. We had a really nice night walking around the mall and shopping. We found a good sale at Children’s Place and picked up some clothing for next summer and a couple of items to take with him on the cruise.
We had a restful night and then made our way home. We arrived in Nashville too late to get MaMa to the minute clinic for some medicine to cure her sinus problems. So we decided with the time change and an early rising Magoo, we headed home.
It was an esay drive home and we arrived in time to run an errand. We got to the minute clinic and then when to Best Buy to check out the DVD players. We found a wonderful Phillips that is compatible with your iPod and will also accept SD cards so that you can show your pictures. It was on closeout more than 50% off. It could be that it was Susan Koleman tagged item to support Breast Cancer Research (no it is not pink).
Donna got a Treat today when she thought that she had received a trick. Her early morning post lamented about it being day 100 and no LOA. Later in the day, her LOA was there and so the Trick turned into a Treat. Congratulations to the Straight Family and soon the newest Straight will complete the inside Straight of 6.
Today is Halloween and Magoo has already celebrated it last weekend doing his Trick or Treating at the local park in our community. He had a blast doing this. He also got to wear his costume to a playgroup Halloween and by the time his Chinese Playgroup met, he was over Halloween.
We are out of town at a conference today for Business Teachers. So it is just as well that he is over Halloween. I presented two sessions today in Louisville and then had the evening and rest of the weekend to spend with the family. It is nice to get a mini vacation out of this weekend.
Mama and Magoo went to the zoo in Louisville while I was in town presenting the sessions. Tonight, we had dinner and spent a little time in Louisville. Tomorrow, we head back toward home with a stop at Mammoth Caves. We will also determine where we are going to stay the night and what we will do on Sunday.
Next week is also a little easier on the workload as school is out on Tuesday for the election and next weekend we head to Savannah for another conference. This will leave us two full weeks before the Thanksgiving break and then 1 final week of University classes before I can be home for December and our trip to Minnesota for Christmas with our daughter. We are beginning to see the end of this long semester an to that, we can say Thanks.
Mama and Magoo went to the zoo in Louisville while I was in town pres
We have been married for 26 years, and have been blessed with our youngest son from China. Our oldest son is from Nicaragua. He and his wife have given us two outstanding grandchildren. Our daughter is Thai and is married to a wonderful son-in-law.
This is the chronicle of our adventures as a family with Sheridan.
