Staying busy

 I finished up my Ombudsman training this week. In addition to my CASA cases, I advocate for residents in care facilities. It's been exciting and keeps my brain occupied. For the first time, I don't know how many years I feel like writing about some of the cases. I am considering starting an advocacy blog. I quit writing after I left Pioneer Valley. I am trying to remember having something published when I worked at SLRMC. It's crazy how much has changed. Writing for magazines is not a thing any more; it's all writing for media.

Play day

Steph had some spinal injections for her back pain, which caused an allergic reaction. We picked the kids up and took them out for lunch and to play. Connor didn't come. He had a cough.

Bird would run all the way up the slide. I didn't realize until Alika pointed it out on a video that she was whacking her head on the padded bar. It didn't seem to stop the silly girl.

 

Thanksgiving

 

I really didn't get any great Thanksgiving pictures. Brie came over and spent the night, and she and Sean went skiing first thing Friday on SnowBasins' opening day.

Kids played

We ate!

Random Silliness

Sean makes Vally jealous with his Hello Kitty shirt.

Bird's chapstick art. Alika thought it was a glue stick and told Birdie not to put it on her lips.

Connor dunked Mario. He took Mario and Luigi home, and the next time he came over, he asked, "Where's Mario and Luigi?" I said, "At your house," and he said, "Oh yeah."

 

Christmas Tree

We put the Christmas tree up early. Why? Because I wanted to.

Connor stuck Birdie's bird in the tree and then added his toy corn so it would have something to eat.

This picture cracks me up. They are recharging the bird so it will continue to chirp. Connor plugged the charger into the bird's butt, and he told Birdie, "It's recharging; it's dangerous, don't touch it." I'm still not sure what has happened to make Connor feel recharging is dangerous, but he is looking out for Biride. Connor's parent's don't know why he thinks it's dangerous either.

 

Bird Faces

Birdie is a character. She likes her hats and all things sparkly.

 

My Grandma would love to see Birdie wearing her jewelry. 

Elections

 I don't even know how to talk about this year's election. Over half the country thinks a pussy grabbing, misogynistic, evil felon is the better choice as a president for our country than an educated, scandal-free, proven leader who happens to be a black woman. It sickens me. I knew the election was close but hoped that sanity would prevail. I was wrong, and now I am left to wonder if we are the minority, the insane ones. Is a deranged dictator what we need right now. I do not believe so. Hitler had the majority of the country backing him as well. I did not watch the elections; I took a Klonopin and some THC and went to sleep. I have been no comfort to Carter or anyone else. I haven't wanted to talk about it. I told Alex to call Carter, and Carter texted me and said, "Alex made me feel better than you did." That made me smile. I've quit watching the news because I can't stand to see his face or hear his voice. I think about all the people in Ukraine and Syria who are getting up every day and getting on with their lives, and I'm trying to do the same. Somehow, we must get through the next four years and hope we still have a democracy. I have never had such utter contempt for someone as I do for him.