As an inherantly honest person, it never fails to astound me when people lie. And people who can lie spectacularly can usually totally snow me. Because, well, I just wouldn't think of lying. So I believe them. In my job, this is not always a great quality. The plus side is that those people who made poor choices in the past--well they get that fresh start with me. The down side is that every so often I get kicked and look pretty darn stupid.
Like the year that an elderly resident told me she was returning to her homeland for a visit. I helped line up security to watch her apartment in her absence, reminded her about the heat settings, checked to see if her mail had been taken care of . . . only to find out that she was actually a guest of the commonwealth for 90 days. Seriously, you say "homeland" when you mean the pokey???? And you didn't think about the return address on the envelope when you mailed something to me?
That is actually funny to me now. Then, not so much. Today I had a somewhat similar but more tragic situation. Tragic because the lying to me by the tenant's family was unnecessary. I would have helped not judged. People assume that a landlord will take a hard tack always and that isn't the case, at least where I work. But my belief is that what you do will come back to you three fold. Well, those that lied, got lied to by their own family member. They are now devastated and can not believe that the person that they fabricated this ruse for didn't tell them about the life growing inside her. I just worry for the life that child will face. I see what drugs and alcohol do. Truly, it makes me cry.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Fiona calls
Fiona called tonight. She did not call last week and I was worried because I did not hear from Jane, nor did she respond to my email. Despite vaunting my Pollyanna outlook, with Fiona I am more likely to start fretting. Too often it hasn't just been a staff member absent or forgetting to help place the call. Too often it has been hospitalizations, arrests and worry about self harm.
Thankfully, it was NONE of those. The call was missed last week because the storm delayed Jane's return flight and she was not there to place the call. Floor staff, probably busy to the max, forgot or did not know. (note: I do not have a call number so it isn't like I can call in when she doesn't.)
Fiona had a great Christmas. I think her birthday was downplayed but that is okay because we were there a couple days before and made a great big deal out of it. She loved her Hannah Montana lamp and the porcelain doll she had asked for. In fact, she said she loved everything we got her.
The school has changed their policy on how the students attain levels and I think the new system will work better for Fi. The higher your "level" the more autonomy and privileges you have. The trouble for Fiona is that in most placements this is decided on a weekly aggregate of behavior. For someone with poor memory, a difficult time with cause and effect, and an only newly emerging sense of time, this has always been tough. This is the first time in her life that she has begun to grasp the concept of a calendar, so saying good behavior for a week gets an off campus shopping trip was not something that had impact.
Must be a lot of kids there like Fiona, because now they achieve their levels daily. I assume they start at a high level and it goes down according to behavior issues but I am not sure. At any rate, with the new system she has been level 4 several times. I think with this type of system she can see more readily that if she does X she gets to do Y by herself.
KC could not wait to tell Fiona that he was wearing the outfit she gave him. In truth he rarely takes it off. I am surprised--it is a very tangible sign of his love for her, because the motif on the outfit is pirates. Pirates are not super high on his list of things as he tends to be my timid guy and pirates don't mix with timid all that well. But he wears that skull and cross bone shirt and pants three times a week at LEAST! LOl
Lissa was joking with Fiona as well and Rob seemed more relaxed than he has been in a while. He was also noodling on the computer while he talked and i could not decide if that was a good thing or a bad thing. Kids multi task in that way a lot--but I have reservations. But for tonight I let it go.
At any rate, Jane and I need to kick around some potential dates for the next visit but it was a great start to the new year for Fiona and I feel so happy for us all.
Thankfully, it was NONE of those. The call was missed last week because the storm delayed Jane's return flight and she was not there to place the call. Floor staff, probably busy to the max, forgot or did not know. (note: I do not have a call number so it isn't like I can call in when she doesn't.)
Fiona had a great Christmas. I think her birthday was downplayed but that is okay because we were there a couple days before and made a great big deal out of it. She loved her Hannah Montana lamp and the porcelain doll she had asked for. In fact, she said she loved everything we got her.
The school has changed their policy on how the students attain levels and I think the new system will work better for Fi. The higher your "level" the more autonomy and privileges you have. The trouble for Fiona is that in most placements this is decided on a weekly aggregate of behavior. For someone with poor memory, a difficult time with cause and effect, and an only newly emerging sense of time, this has always been tough. This is the first time in her life that she has begun to grasp the concept of a calendar, so saying good behavior for a week gets an off campus shopping trip was not something that had impact.
Must be a lot of kids there like Fiona, because now they achieve their levels daily. I assume they start at a high level and it goes down according to behavior issues but I am not sure. At any rate, with the new system she has been level 4 several times. I think with this type of system she can see more readily that if she does X she gets to do Y by herself.
KC could not wait to tell Fiona that he was wearing the outfit she gave him. In truth he rarely takes it off. I am surprised--it is a very tangible sign of his love for her, because the motif on the outfit is pirates. Pirates are not super high on his list of things as he tends to be my timid guy and pirates don't mix with timid all that well. But he wears that skull and cross bone shirt and pants three times a week at LEAST! LOl
Lissa was joking with Fiona as well and Rob seemed more relaxed than he has been in a while. He was also noodling on the computer while he talked and i could not decide if that was a good thing or a bad thing. Kids multi task in that way a lot--but I have reservations. But for tonight I let it go.
At any rate, Jane and I need to kick around some potential dates for the next visit but it was a great start to the new year for Fiona and I feel so happy for us all.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Party in the USA!
I have yet more proof that I am immature. Well, young at heart sounds better. But immature is probably what is more honest. LOL
Yesterday I exchanged the hoodie Chet gave me for Yule (sized 2X) for one that would actually fit. (jr medium) I found a really pretty lavender one that will go with my Zumba clothes for my work out night. I thought the zipper pull had a funny symbol on it but didn't think much of it at the time. It fit, it was pretty. I bought it.
Today I decided to wear it to church with my funky mini skirt that will no longer be allowed at work because our new company's dress code says all skirts can be no more than 2 inches above the knee. This is probably 3 inches above. So I wore it with the funky skirt and a lavender top in a lighter shade than the hoodie and my fingerless gloves so my hands wouldn't freeze.
And when I went to put it on, I saw that inside the hoodie was the name of the clothing line. . . Miley Cyrus.
Seriously? I didn't know Miley Cyrus HAD a clothing line. But now I have to make sure that I never leave my hoodie inside out when I am hanging out with adults! LOL
Yesterday I exchanged the hoodie Chet gave me for Yule (sized 2X) for one that would actually fit. (jr medium) I found a really pretty lavender one that will go with my Zumba clothes for my work out night. I thought the zipper pull had a funny symbol on it but didn't think much of it at the time. It fit, it was pretty. I bought it.
Today I decided to wear it to church with my funky mini skirt that will no longer be allowed at work because our new company's dress code says all skirts can be no more than 2 inches above the knee. This is probably 3 inches above. So I wore it with the funky skirt and a lavender top in a lighter shade than the hoodie and my fingerless gloves so my hands wouldn't freeze.
And when I went to put it on, I saw that inside the hoodie was the name of the clothing line. . . Miley Cyrus.
Seriously? I didn't know Miley Cyrus HAD a clothing line. But now I have to make sure that I never leave my hoodie inside out when I am hanging out with adults! LOL
Family donation Vote
It is important to me to teach kids about money. As in saving for things they want or need. But also as in being empathetic, giving human beings who reach out to those who are not as fortunate. I try to make sure that we model this in a number of ways, through service as well as through charitable donations. But the way that seems to bring it home best to the kids is our family penny jar.
Now each of the kids has their own piggy bank which they use for their immediate spending. Sort of a place to park a modest amount of money that they want to bring with them on a field trip or when we go camping. They have passbook savings accounts where we put their allowances every Saturday morning. This is their long term savings. It is also where most of monetary gifts go that are over $5.00. And then there is the family penny jar.
It was initially borne of my desire to have people stop fighting when one child found a coin on a walk and the other 3 did not. And it solved a problem with one particular child who periodically had a bit of a "sticky fingers" thing going where money was concerned. So the rule became that we as a family would put our small change after purchases (think fifty cents or less) and any money found on walks,hikes and playing at hte park, in the family money jar. It has an auto count thingy at the top so they know how much they have in there. At the end of the year, we have a family vote and decide where to send the money. Last year they sent a flock of chickens to someone via Heifer Project. I think that was around $30.00 or so. This year we have saved $28.41 and they have chosen to send it to the ASPCA. I love doing this because in addition to the saving and the giving there is also the discussion of where the money should go and why.
Now each of the kids has their own piggy bank which they use for their immediate spending. Sort of a place to park a modest amount of money that they want to bring with them on a field trip or when we go camping. They have passbook savings accounts where we put their allowances every Saturday morning. This is their long term savings. It is also where most of monetary gifts go that are over $5.00. And then there is the family penny jar.
It was initially borne of my desire to have people stop fighting when one child found a coin on a walk and the other 3 did not. And it solved a problem with one particular child who periodically had a bit of a "sticky fingers" thing going where money was concerned. So the rule became that we as a family would put our small change after purchases (think fifty cents or less) and any money found on walks,hikes and playing at hte park, in the family money jar. It has an auto count thingy at the top so they know how much they have in there. At the end of the year, we have a family vote and decide where to send the money. Last year they sent a flock of chickens to someone via Heifer Project. I think that was around $30.00 or so. This year we have saved $28.41 and they have chosen to send it to the ASPCA. I love doing this because in addition to the saving and the giving there is also the discussion of where the money should go and why.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
New Challenge
OK, so I said I don't really often do resolutions and that is true. Though because I am goal oriented, if I make one, I tend to work like the devil to achieve it. But I thought I'd cut myself some slack this year. . . then my wife said "hey did you hear about the picture photo challenge thingy?" Turns out I had, a year or so ago but it had faded from my thoughts.
365 challenges you to take a picture a day for (gulp) a YEAR! I jumped in before I had a chance to talk myself out of it. I love photography and always have. I have only got a digital point and shoot but it still seems like it would be fun. So, I'm in. Kirsty's in. I wonder what the year in pictures will look like next December 31?
365 challenges you to take a picture a day for (gulp) a YEAR! I jumped in before I had a chance to talk myself out of it. I love photography and always have. I have only got a digital point and shoot but it still seems like it would be fun. So, I'm in. Kirsty's in. I wonder what the year in pictures will look like next December 31?
Saying Hi to Dee
So tonight I was on FB checking stuff and saw that Rob's brother Dee was on line. Unlike October 30th, I actually calmly said hello on the IM and reminded him of who I was. LOL He had a good holiday and I grabbed Rob and told him he could use my account to chat w/ him. I know Dee does not see to have regular access to a computer so when ever I see him on, I try and say hello. He's such a nice kid. I wish we had more contact and have absolutely no idea how to facilitate that. I hate that he is back in foster care, that he got moved from where he was happy. He seems to still be very involved in dance though and that is a plus as I know he really loves that. Maybe 2011 will bring us all closer.
Happy New Year!
The first thing the kids wanted to do this morning was to see if our boats had sunk during the night so that their new year wishes would come true. LOL I am happy to report that every boat was consigned to the blue depths of the punch bowl and the flowers were floating rather beautifully on the top.
Other than our Brazilian celebration New Years Eve was quiet here. Rob and I watched a movie--The Other Guys, which was really funny. Rob enjoys being the guy to pick the movie for us, and we both like Will Ferrell a lot. I confess that I laughed so hard the year we went to see Elf that I was afraid they were going to throw me out of the movie theater. So it was a great night and I was in bed before midnight. Which is also good because today we finish de-Christmassing our house. Yesterday we took down lots of the things but today we do the tree and organize the stuff in the attic. We have so many decorations (think 11 boxes of them!) that they are catalogued in the attic so we know what is in each box. We should be done by 10 and then the day is ours for fun and family.
I am not one much for new years resolutions. I do them some years and not others. Always with very varying success rates. This year, I don't feel so moved, so we will see.
Other than our Brazilian celebration New Years Eve was quiet here. Rob and I watched a movie--The Other Guys, which was really funny. Rob enjoys being the guy to pick the movie for us, and we both like Will Ferrell a lot. I confess that I laughed so hard the year we went to see Elf that I was afraid they were going to throw me out of the movie theater. So it was a great night and I was in bed before midnight. Which is also good because today we finish de-Christmassing our house. Yesterday we took down lots of the things but today we do the tree and organize the stuff in the attic. We have so many decorations (think 11 boxes of them!) that they are catalogued in the attic so we know what is in each box. We should be done by 10 and then the day is ours for fun and family.
I am not one much for new years resolutions. I do them some years and not others. Always with very varying success rates. This year, I don't feel so moved, so we will see.
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