tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42844613164530197042024-03-05T20:51:33.448-06:00House of SlothCrystal Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14515007357953712904noreply@blogger.comBlogger167125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4284461316453019704.post-56907838937905812572021-03-05T10:49:00.000-06:002021-03-05T10:49:49.371-06:00Letting That Shit Go <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY59e8VEzwDUd9mSJNcHf4S4sRyt3ZicZ7FTMABf2BulmESHzTOmXi1hSi3HaLAuz6XHjubbM5WUbqH2ity-15Q5xKDIADvWZ1T4_VXruLFCzC445nubhTQjZH9Lwa2UmHbLK9k-NxSqe-/s2048/CEBF0E49-4D30-4420-BF37-63DAB392FDA1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY59e8VEzwDUd9mSJNcHf4S4sRyt3ZicZ7FTMABf2BulmESHzTOmXi1hSi3HaLAuz6XHjubbM5WUbqH2ity-15Q5xKDIADvWZ1T4_VXruLFCzC445nubhTQjZH9Lwa2UmHbLK9k-NxSqe-/s320/CEBF0E49-4D30-4420-BF37-63DAB392FDA1.jpeg" /></a></div>This is my favorite coffee cup. (Followed closely by Bernie & his mittens). <p></p><p>I’m trying. I’ve been studying Buddhism (while I’m ranting, can I just take a moment to say how full of shit the fundamentalist Christian peeps of my youth were? They had me outright scared of something they probably knew nothing about.) Anyway, the yoga, the meditation, the looking for some peace has always been me, so it seems natural that I’d study it I recently added some books to my kindle & noticed that I had either already read or had marked to read many books on the history, practice, etc </p><p>Anyway... I’ve gone to an (online) temple service a couple of times. I missed last week because I was in a different time zone & there were grand babies. But I’m looking forward to a series of study they are offering for the next few weeks </p><p>All of this to say, I’m working on my stress and anxiety and depression. There have been some really bad & really dark days lately. Logic tells me that in addition to my shitty brain chemistry, it’s got a lot to do with COVID & the stress that it’s brought all of us who care about other people. And for me specifically, because I tend to be a justice seeker, I get really upset when people are purposely awful. I don’t mean the went to a restaurant, saw a friend, whatever people. I mean the ones who refuse to wear masks, who harass others for doing so, who cough on people in stores, go to Mardi Gras, have 20 people over (I don’t even like 20 people enough to do that 😬). It’s frustrating to me that they don’t care about anyone else. And I need to let that shit go because it’s not my battle. </p><p>It’s the same for the q cult. I can feel the physical pain of frustration when I see some of the batshit crazy & easily disproven things being circulated. As an academic type, former teacher, & seeker of new knowledge, I just want to bang my head on the wall when I see people denying science or being more outraged over a fucking toy potato than half a million dead Americans. Don’t even get me started on global numbers because it’s hard enough to get my fellow countrymen to give a rat’s ass about anyone but themselves, let alone someone from another country. </p><p>I’ve been trying though. I’m not engaging them. Every now & then, I’ll slip. But I’ve been trying to be at least nicer in my responses. Instead of “you wouldn’t know the meaning of that word if I smacked you in the head with an open dictionary” I’ve been trying to ask what they think it means, what policy or source they are referring to. Most of the time, that’s the end of it because they’re just looking for an argument. </p><p>I’m trying not to put anymore negative into the world, while simultaneously not taking anyone’s crap. I’m not very good at it, but please know I’m trying. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Crystal Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14515007357953712904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4284461316453019704.post-62801948438906024152021-01-22T10:20:00.002-06:002021-01-22T10:20:08.834-06:00Senate Seats 2022 <h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px;">GOP seats won with a margin less than 10 points </span></h2><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1">Rubio - Florida (it’s already rumored that Nepotism Barbie may run for his seat. I’m sure this is all potential indictments pending) at this moment @AllenLEllison is running on the Democratic ticket. </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1">Young - Indiana </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1">Blunt - Missouri </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1">Burr - North Carolina <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>(retiring) </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1">Toomey-PA <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>(retiring) *</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1">Johnson - Wisconsin (retiring. Probably to Moscow) *</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span class="s1">Other GOP seats up</span></h3><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1">Shelby - Alabama 28 points </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1">Murkowski - Alaska 15 points </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1">Boozman - Arkansas 23 points </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1">Crapo- Idaho 38 points </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1">Grassley - Iowa 24 points (1981. It’s time for him to go) </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1">Moran- Kansas 30 points </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1">Paul - Kentucky 14 </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1">Kennedy - Louisiana 21</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1">Hooven - North Dakota 61 </span><span class="s2">😳</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1">Portman - Ohio 20</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1">Lankford - Oklahoma 43 </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1">Scott-South Carolina - 23</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1">Thune - South Dakota 43</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1">Lee - Utah 43 (there’s a guy on Twitter, @AllenBGlines who has said he’s running against him) </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span class="s1">Dem seats up with less than 10 pt win </span></h3><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1">Kelly - Arizona *</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1">Padilla - California (Harris seat) *</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1">Bennet - Colorado *</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1">Warlock - Georgia *</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1">Masto - Nevada *</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1">Hassan - New Hampshire *</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1">* indicates a state that voted blue in the presidential election</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1">Source: </span><a href="https://ballotpedia.org/United_States_Senate_elections,_2022">https://ballotpedia.org/United_States_Senate_elections,_2022</a></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p>Crystal Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14515007357953712904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4284461316453019704.post-30235355041389459432021-01-22T10:03:00.001-06:002021-01-22T10:03:29.365-06:00The New House of Sloth <p> Ok, technically, it’s the 2nd new house since the last house, but I’m nit picking. </p><p>Since my 3 years ago post about my mom, a lot has changed. All but one of the Sloth children have grown. Cody & Sydney have both gotten married to wonderful partners. Cody & Emily have had babies. Grandsloths! (And Cody will be adding another in June). All but Cody’s family are now in Virginia- where I moved in 2018. Sydney is in the middle of a criminal justice degree. Cody is in the Army National Guard. Emily was in the middle of a CNA license & the week clinicals were to start, people in her school started getting COVID. Fia is finishing her last year of elementary. She’s really into cosplay & theater. I worked at a horrible place on as a government contractor for about 4 months after moving to the DC area. I now work for a different agency with a different consulting company & I really enjoy my job. My government client is great to work with. So, things are going well. </p><p>Ok, now that that is out of the way... the level of political awareness and involvement in my life has increased drastically over the last 5 years. And I am absolutely committed to continue to contribute in anyway I can (while following the Hatch Act, of course). </p><p>So, this morning, after taking a whole day off, I decided I wanted to make a list of Senate seats up in 2022. And my nerdy self started categorizing & making notes. So, I decided a good place to keep these things (& share them) would be here. </p><p>I guess that serves as your warning :) I won’t be offended if you stop unfollowing. But you don’t get to complain because you’ve been warned. </p><p>I don’t know everything that I’ll put on here, but I can promise you this: everything will have a source. I tend to follow this chart: <a href="https://www.allsides.com/media-bias/media-bias-chart">https://www.allsides.com/media-bias/media-bias-chart</a> as a guideline </p><p>Which reminds me, I made a tik tok about media bias. You can find me there @crystalsloth7 - I’ve had a couple of videos from some protests go viral. No I will not be doing the dances. :) </p><p>If it’s a rant that I’m posting, I’ll label it as that. But I really foresee this as being a guide for 2022 </p><p>Crystal </p><p><br /></p>Crystal Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14515007357953712904noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4284461316453019704.post-88912169275715843742017-12-22T12:19:00.000-06:002017-12-22T12:19:27.895-06:00Mom<div style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">I’d said to my sister Kayla, “One of these times is going to be the last time.” What I didn’t realize when I said it was that it was going to be the last time. I’d been through this before, more times that I could remember. I’d gotten numb to the calls; I no longer panicked. I’d distanced myself from it in order to protect my heart. </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">Loving an addict is hard. Watching someone powerless to the thing that is slowly killing them is excruciating. It’s frustrating. It’s maddening. It’s devastating. </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">My mom and I didn’t have the traditional mother-daughter r</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">elationship. She was just a child of 14 years old when I was born and in many ways, she never grew up past that. </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">W</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">hen I was a little girl,</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> as with most children, my mom could do no wrong.</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> As I grew up, though, it was obvious that our roles were reversed. I was the mother, she was my child. There were times that she resented that role. But despite that being the nature of our relationship, she always had a mother’s love for me. I could do no wrong in her eyes either. </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">There were a lot of things that happened to me as a child that I could have grown up using as a crutch to make excuses for myself. My mother was young. We moved. </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">A LOT.</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> There were many men in and out of her life. Many were very abusive to her. Some were to me as well. At nine years old, I found myself being largely responsible for the care of my two year old sister. Drinking and partying took precedence. But, as I said before, my mother ALWAYS loved us. She just didn’t have the skills to do the “mom thing.” </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">I knew that. I loved her just the same. And growing up the way I did made me into the person that I am today – good things and bad. </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">Mom let Kayla go to live with her grandmother when she was five. She let me live with my Aunt Marilyn off and on for three years, and then move to Illinois to live with my dad when I was fifteen. To someone on the outside, it may appear that she just gave up. But to me, especially now that I have my own children, I see that it was the most motherly thing she could have done. I don’t know what her thought process was when she made these decisions, but I do know that Kayla and I were both well taken care of and cared for, likely in a way that she never would have been able to do. </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">I know it wasn’t easy on her. She often questioned letting Kayla go. But ultimately, she did what was best for us. That’s a mother’s love. </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">I won’t sugar coat anything though. Just because she’s gone now, doesn’t mean that the truth isn’t still the truth. The last 20 years have been taxing. I </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">have made countless trips to both Indiana and Kentucky when she’s been sick, sometimes near death. I’ve taken her to the ER. I’ve </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">sat with her in the ICU. I’ve watched her go through detox. I’ve sat and listened as she lied to doctors telling them, “I only drink a little.” I’ve dumped bottles of vodka down her sink. I’ve bought her groceries to encourage her to eat. I’ve been supportive when she’d stop drinking and understanding when she started again. I wasn’t fighting her battle, so it wasn’t my place to judge. But it still made me angry. Sometimes it made me cold. Once, after she screamed at me in the Evansville hospital for “treating her like a child” I told her to walk back to Paducah and left</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> her alone in her room </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">for several hours. </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">But it was always in the back of my mind, “One of these times is going to be the last time.” But, it doesn’t matter if you know </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">it’s</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">coming, you can never be prepared. My mom was only 57. You don’t </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">expect to lose your parent so early when they are only 14 years older than you.</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> I will miss her terribly. But I won’t miss the worry – is she eating, how much is she drinking, is someone hurting her? </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">The last few times I’d gone to visit her, it was clear that things weren’t going well. It was heartbreaking, but I’d gotten to the point that I’d stopped nagging her about it. She was already trying to hide her drinking from me (at least the amount) and I didn’t want her to be ashamed of who she was. </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">She was an alcoholic. But she was also my mother, my child, and my friend - and I hate that I can’t pick up the phone and call her anymore. </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">This time was the last time.</span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">Kathleen “Katie” Vargocko Huffman</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">September 8, 1960-December 5, 2017</span></div>
Crystal Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14515007357953712904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4284461316453019704.post-39386683870064489622013-09-09T07:30:00.000-05:002013-09-09T07:30:00.885-05:00Torn & a Cat StoryI don't want to post on here for the sake of posting on here if I don't really have anything to say, but I don't really have anything to say.<br />
<br />I'm going to put up a post similar to last year's post about Emily doing the<a href="http://main.diabetes.org/site/TR?px=9380655&fr_id=9157&pg=personal" target="_blank"> Step Out Walk</a> for the American Diabetes Association again. I have some awesome friends - and she's already met her goal of $200 after only about a week of my incessant Facebook posting ;-) But, if you still want to donate, please do. She was at 300% of her goal last year. Would be awesome to do again.<br />
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Oh... I do have a story. A cat story. Many of you know about the woman down the block who stole my baby Oreo - then was told that she had them and she won't give him back. Well, a few weeks ago, Cody brought home a stray kitten. It was really skinny, but friendly. So, I left it on the deck and started feeding it. After about a week, I bought it a collar, as I figured it was here to stay. Last week, some kid had picked it up and was standing in front of the Oreo snatching woman's house with the kitten. Cody went down there and got him. Tonight, kitten comes inside (we let him in one in awhile) WEARING A DIFFERENT COLLAR! What the hell, people?<br />
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<br />Crystal Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14515007357953712904noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4284461316453019704.post-82711347499992974982013-08-07T10:59:00.002-05:002013-08-07T10:59:21.831-05:00Oh, Hey, I Remember You!I guess it's a good thing this is a Sloth blog since I seem to be holding up that end of the deal - at least on the blogging end of my life.<br />
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So, my last entry was at the end of May. <br />
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Since then, well, the calendar says it's Summer, but it's really only felt like it for about a week. (Then again, I don't get outside much - which is the reason for the lack of blogging. All I do is work and drive to dance. ;-) )<br />
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We went to Fort Walton Beach for dance nationals/vacation. It was beautiful....even though it was like a scene from the Friends episode when they go to Barbados. It rained. A lot. The beach was closed 5 out of the 8 days we were there. There was flooding. But it was still better than Illinois.<br />
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The biggest news this Summer was that Andrew graduated from Basic in July. We are very proud of him! He'll graduate AIT in a few weeks -and is looking forward to his time to pass so that he can go full time. He really enjoys the Army life.<br />
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The news we don't want to talk about is that Cody and Melissa are about to start their senior years. That's all I have to say. I don't want to talk about it.<br />
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Sydney, Emily, and Sophia have August off of dance. It's kind of weird. I don't think we had a full month off last year. It's kind of nice. I think we're all exhausted. But in September, they all start back up. All three girls are on the team now (Sophia will be on the "mini-team" - just one competition, but she's very excited.)<br />
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That's about it. Greg and I are boring. We don't have anything to report. <br />
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For a "What I Did On My Summer Vacation" report, this is pretty dry. You can see all of my apparently annoying palm tree pictures on Instagram though. ;-)Crystal Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14515007357953712904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4284461316453019704.post-11539813640424645812013-05-27T11:06:00.002-05:002013-05-27T11:06:58.311-05:00Sloth Family Newsletter Updates:<div>
<br />Emmy:</div>
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She is doing fantastic with her pump. 90% of her sugars have been under 200 and I'd say that a good 75% are within target. As a result, I"m certain that my blood pressure has gone down. She just finished 6th grade. She missed nearly 60 days of school. I'm glad to put that year behind us. </div>
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She just had her first dance competition a few weeks ago. We got to put make up and eyelashes and dresses on her without complaint! Her team did a fantastic job and even scored a high gold on their jazz dance, which I thought was pretty darned impressive. They looked great!</div>
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Cody... is still 17. On those days that I want to just scream, I try to remember that we're in a way better place than we were a year ago. Now that the class of 2013 has graduated, I think that means he's a senior now. I'm not sure how I feel about that - but probably not for the reasons you think - the "baby growing up" stuff - I mean, yeah, there's that, but there's more. We'll just leave it at, I hope he grows up a lot in the next year. ;-)</div>
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Sydney just finished her freshman year. She'll start driver's ed in the fall. I think I may actually be looking forward to that though. With her dance schedule, she'll have her 50 hours of driving in by Christmas. She has one more competition this year (nationals), but has had a fantastic regional season. Her team is doing really well and her lyrical solo placed first in her division at 3 out of 4 of the competitions we've been to. She got a (partial) scholarship to Fuzion dance camp (ironically, from the competition where she did NOT place first lol). She also auditioned for the Rockette Summer Intensive and was accepted to that. </div>
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Fia is all four year old. Ornery and full of drama. She got to go to a mock preschool this Spring at the high school, so now she's super excited to start preschool in the Fall. She (and Sydney & Emmy) have recital next week, so she's very excited about that. </div>
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Melissa must be super busy, because I have no idea what she's been up to. ;-) I know she's taking vocal lessons at Millikin and was part of another Decatur Park District production this Spring. I missed it b/c of a dance competition and Greg missed it because of Snowpocolypse 2013. She's also going to be a senior and Greg doesn't want to talk about it. ;-)</div>
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Andrew is at basic training right now. He joined the Army Reserves on April 30th. We're very proud of him - and Greg cannot wait until he can start hearing from him more often. (He did get a letter a week or so ago. Made his day.) </div>
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Molly...well, she's always into the trash, but at least I don't have to spend 3 or 4 days a week chasing her down the street. ;-)</div>
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Crystal Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14515007357953712904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4284461316453019704.post-75676787201265808202013-05-13T10:41:00.002-05:002013-05-14T09:09:17.840-05:00Dance Recital Tips - Redux I'm reposting last year's REAL tips for recital without the forward because none of that stuff was related to recital, nor is it relevant this year. (Thank God!!)<br />
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So, here we go...<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">#1</span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> Your child is a preshush snowflake.</b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> We know this. So is the person's child beside yours. Remember that. Everyone wants to to see their child perform. As a result, please refrain from the following behaviors:</span><br />
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Stressing yourself out as if recital is an audition for the Joffrey Ballet. It's not. And even if it was, it's the child's audition. Not yours.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Yelling at your child and then yelling at them for crying because their eyes will be red on stage.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Standing in front of people during the performance, thereby obstructing the view of someone else's preshush little snowflake.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Talking during the performance. Just because you aren't interested, doesn't mean the person beside you isn't.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Criticizing another child. You don't know if their parents are sitting next to you.</li>
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#2 <b>Respect the dance teachers and staff</b>. </div>
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">They will be busy. Do not take this time to ask if Little Suzy did a good job or if there will be dance class next Thursday.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Do not ask the photographer (if there is one) to take special pictures for you. He/She is also very busy. There is a picture day for these kinds of requests.</li>
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">If you want to watch the dances, have a seat. Standing at the side of the stage is rude. It distracts from the dance, especially if your child is very young. Buy a ticket and sit down. Many parents have to run back and forth between costume changes. It's part of the experience. Embrace it. </li>
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#3 This relates to the first item. <b>The recital is more than your child's class</b>. There will be many, many numbers performing as there are many children involved. </div>
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Your child's dances will not be the first few numbers so that you can "get out of there."</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Allowing your child to watch the older kids will fill them with wonder and develop a deeper love for the art. (Trust me on this.)</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">If you must leave, do so quietly, without making a scene.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Yes, it may take 2-2.5 hours for the recital to be finished. Enjoy it. These children have worked hard for many months to put on a good show for you.</li>
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#4 <b>Things that I shouldn't have to say</b>, but...</div>
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Please refrain from using profanity in front of the children. It may be ok for you, but it may not for the kid standing next to you.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Turn off your phone. No one cares that you're so important that you have to take a call in the middle of a performance. It's rude. And if you must take a call, go outside.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Applaud for everyone.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Thank the teachers for teaching your children.</li>
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Of course, they can't really put this stuff into a parent note. But it would make things easier on everyone if they could. ;-)</div>
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Crystal Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14515007357953712904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4284461316453019704.post-10554634174321937702013-04-25T13:43:00.001-05:002013-04-25T13:43:16.285-05:00PUMP!!!Emily and her dad went to the pump class in February...wait...let me back this up.<div>
<br />When she was dx last June, we were told she had to wait 6 months to get a pump. This is bullshit. Since then, I've connected with other parents of diabetic children who tell me their child left the hospital with one. That wasn't a doctor rule, that was an insurance rule. </div>
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In December, we started inquiring...it had been six months. She had an endo appt. in January. They also told us that the 6 month rule was bogus. (If you know anything of her struggles with this damned disease, you'll know why I'm pissed off.) Her dad took her to the pump info class in February. We had a pump selected. They needed 30 days of blood sugar logs...and then she went into the hospital. We'll call March a wash. But somewhere in there, I managed to send those logs to the pump company who then tells us that the insurance wants 30 MORE days...because they aren't sure if she's diabetic??? WTF...So...I send the 30 more days</div>
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THEN...the insurance denies it b/c they won't buy it directly through the company. We had to go through their distributor. So....they call me.</div>
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That rep calls back for my payment info. Um...no. Long insurance story short, it should have been covered 100%. I tell her how to fix this. She grumps about it, tells me she'll call on Monday. On Tuesday, I called her, she said "oh, they won't accept it." So, I told her to have a nice day, I'd be taking my business elsewhere. (She was wrong BTW...they could have and should have fixed this. She was lazy and didn't want to do her job.)</div>
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I filled out the paperwork for the 2nd choice pump. Within 24 hours, the rep was calling me. Told me the insurance issue would not be an issue. She emailed me files that I needed to return. I did. Within 48 hours...the pump is being shipped. (and covered 100%) Medtronic has excellent customer service. Excellent.</div>
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Emily has a saline class to learn to use it on May 10. She has to go back after that to do the insulin class. As she's been running over 400 all week with high ketones... I'm ready to do this. I think she needs continuous short acting insulin. I'm very excited. I hope that a continuous glucose monitor will be her next step. </div>
Crystal Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14515007357953712904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4284461316453019704.post-6344746651477389022013-04-23T10:30:00.002-05:002013-04-23T10:30:24.291-05:00I Really Suck At BloggingBecause...really... are any of you even still reading this? You know, besides the Russians?<br />
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<li> I missed <b>Emily's</b> birthday post. Um, sorry. She's 12 now though. </li>
<li>We're going back to the <b>doctor</b> for the 454,498th time today. High sugar, ketones. Oh...and her eye is red and swollen again. I don't even want to talk about it.</li>
<li>The <b>dog</b> doesn't get out a lot these days. She goes right to the van for a ride if she does anyway. She's <b>useless</b> for blog material.</li>
<li>Dance - well, I posted that rant on FB yesterday. Here's the summary: <b>Chill the hell out.</b> If you've even read 1/4 of this blog, you know that it's important in our family, but please... it's not life. And this is coming from a parent of a kid who'd like to try to dance in college/teach dance, etc. But these competitions are for fun. No one is going to give a rat's ass what you scored at <b>Podunk Regional</b> in the Intermediate Division at one of 231 competitions going on that weekend when you're interviewing or auditioning for a job. You can tell the neighbors or grandma whatever you want. Oh, wait, I wasn't going to rant again. Dammit. I need to chill the hell out too.</li>
<li>Oh... this is news. My<b> baby </b>is taking his ACT & PSAE today. The PSAE is required for graduation. Why we are even talking about THAT is beyond me. He's just in kindergarten. Or 11th grade. Shut up. I don't want to talk about that either. Of course, tonight, when he's acting 17... I'll be like, "why are you not grown and out of the house yet?" because teenage boys are <b>assholes</b>. I love him, but it's true.</li>
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That's enough for today.<br />
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*reminder - you have one month left to buy me pretty things for my birthday.<br />
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<br />Crystal Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14515007357953712904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4284461316453019704.post-55360319157298176412013-04-02T11:13:00.001-05:002013-04-02T11:13:37.589-05:00I Hate HospitalsAlthough, after the past few months, I'm not sure my sanity has remained in tact.<br />
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At the end of February, Emmy's face started getting red - on one side. Her eye was swollen. It was hot and hard. I took her to convenient care. With her diabetes, they didn't want to mess around, so they sent her to the ER. The ER said she had dry skin, gave her an antibiotic and asked us to follow up with the pediatrician.<br />
<br />We did. He said the oral wasn't working and gave her a shot of rochephin. She was to return the next day for another. When she did, he said it wasn't working and sent her to the ER. They admitted her. After 24 hours on IV rochephin, it seemed to be spreading, so they put her on clindamyacin. (oh, I'll probably spell all of this wrong... just deal with it. I'm too tired to look it up. ;-) ) I kept asking doc to call her endo. She was not concerned about her bg levels. After 4 nights/5 days, she was released on an oral antibiotic. She had not yet finished it when it seemed to be getting worse. (It was a 10 day course, we returned to the doctor after 7 days.)<br />
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She was sent back to the ER and admitted again. This time, they tried another IV antibiotic which I've now forgotten the name of. The doc on call this time was actually concerned about her high blood sugar (doc number 1, who was the same as doc #3 seemed unconcerned with readings over 300. Don't even get me started on HER.) However, this doc was in contact with her endo, so I felt a lot better. Again, after 4 nights/5days, she was released. She was sent home with oral amoxicillin. (Seemed awfully weak to me, given what she had been on.). That was a 7 day course. At the end of the 7 days, the redness was back. It was her check up from her admission - and they sent her right back to be admitted.<br />
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Now, I"m starting to get mad. Why aren't they fixing this? Why didn't they even draw blood at admission #1? She'd had a clear CT scan at admission #2 and no signs of infection on labs with admission #2. So, they start questioning whether we were giving her her meds? Are you even freaking kidding me? I understand they have to ask, to rule it out, but once it was confirmed that that was NOT the case...WHY would they not start looking at "maybe this isn't what we think it is." Again, I had to call her endocrinologist myself, because God-complex doc didn't think the high sugars were significant. They said minimum 7 days admission on IV vancomyacin. This is some seriously strong stuff. Well, after 2-3 days, she didn't look any better, her sugar was still too high - so we started talking transfer.<br />
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On day 4, Emmy was given an ambulance ride to the Children's Hospital where her endo works. They also had a pediatric infectious disease doctor there. I had to take the four year old with me - 24/7, so that was fun. However, we were given a space at Family House, so at least we didn't have to sleep in the van.<br />
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Less than 24 hours after our arrival, the ID doc comes in and says he doesn't think she ever had any infection. WHAT?????? And that he thinks she has an allergy. He took her off of the antibiotics (they were giving her the vanco and another on top of it.) and put her on Zyrtec and Flonase. Again.... ARE YOU KIDDING ME?<br />
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She was released the next day.<br />
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So, that's where we are now. I'm not sure who to believe or what to believe. BUT.... her blood sugars have been within normal range 90% of the time since Saturday night. This has not happened in a long time.<br />
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She goes to the pediatrician tomorrow. I will be demanding an allergy panel.<br />
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Other than that, I'm exhausted and I need time to clear my head and catch up on work.<br />
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I just needed a place to record this. So...um, thanks for reading.Crystal Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14515007357953712904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4284461316453019704.post-8955751984032411642013-02-26T14:42:00.003-06:002013-02-26T14:42:32.238-06:00Seventeentoo fast<br />
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<br />Crystal Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14515007357953712904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4284461316453019704.post-46551655258053257972013-01-17T20:05:00.000-06:002013-01-17T20:05:16.167-06:00Spoiler: The Tornado Didn't Kill Us<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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April 2010. St. Louis, well, Collinsville. We were having lunch at a Denny's before Sydney's dance competition. The sky was growing dark, but we only had to go across the street. Fia and the boys were at my mother-in-law's house. Emily was in St. Louis at the City Museum with her aunt. My stepdaughter, Melissa, was with us, as was, of course, Sydney.<br />
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We drove across the street to the Gateway Center. Once we got out of the car, the sirens started. Tornado sirens. The sky was...angry. We were herded into the building by security guards. The girls were starting to panic a bit. They filed us into rooms, kitchens, maybe for the convention center - behind the convention/meeting rooms. We'll ignore the fact that these were nothing more than aluminum rooms, with nothing but garage doors protecting us from the approaching tornado because once we got settled into our spots, we kind of forgot that we were under a tornado warning.<br />
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Now, anyone who has ever seen a dance recital, competition, or that show... has seen the costumes. So, when I make this next statement you'll understand the severity of my laughter. I saw some people..some younger kids, some that looked a little old to be in a dance competition in...costumes. Really inappropriate costumes. Like...leather underwear, with a lion tail...and a studded bra top..and belly rolls hanging out. I thought..not only is that one crazy-ass studio owner who chose those costumes, but that girl is out of shape to be a dancer. And then I saw more. And more. I hadn't yet perfected the art of secret picture taking, so I only got one back there in our "shelter" and I can't find it.<br />
<br />Little did I know...they LOVED having their picture taken. In fact, they encouraged it. And, yes, we were probably out of the shelter for an hour before I finally figured out, the center had booked an Anime convention AND a dance competition on the same weekend.<br />
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It was quite the weekend. There was security put in place (because they kept trying to come into our dressing rooms and the room where they were performing.) Our hotel offered us a free stay because...well, they were quite a riot. Doors were taken off hinges, toilets broken... and leaving the convention center that first night, I had to cover my kids' eyes because, well, get a room, people.<br />
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However, it was definitely one of the more memorable competitions we've ever been to. Unfortunately? we'll miss them by a week this year.<br />
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<br />Crystal Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14515007357953712904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4284461316453019704.post-25039503162397441612013-01-15T23:35:00.000-06:002013-01-15T23:35:05.376-06:00Why Our Dance Studio Will Never Be On TVYeah, I watch Dance Moms. It's ridiculous. It's kind of like watching a train wreck. The editing is horrible. The scripted fights are even worse. And, because I've had a competitive dancer for about a billion years, I know things...things that the average "TV trainwreck" watcher might not catch.<br />
<br />For example, "the highest scoring junior lyrical solo goes to..." That's not first place, as the show would have you think. It means that she scored highest in lyrical. Maybe the kid next to her scored highest in jazz. That's not an overall category. Not that this matters, but I catch it. I also catch when they say girl A beat girl B, but they're in different age groups. I also notice when they read the scores off at awards that they're good, but they're platinum scores, either.<br />
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Anyway...I know that a lot of it is editing. And it's scripted, but there's no way our studio would ever be on a t.v. show like that. Sure, people at our studio get mad at each other. Occasionally people snap at each other. When you spend as much time as we all do together, it will happen - just like any family. But I've never witnessed anything even remotely close to the screaming and verbal abuse that I see on T.V.<br />
<br />But because that show puts such a negative spin on the competitive dance world, I want to write about the wonderful things I've seen at ours.<br />
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<ul>
<li>We arrange carpools. (I don't get to participate this year, but it's still awesome.)</li>
<li>No one ever goes hungry, even if their mom forgot to pack them a lunch on a 12 hour workshop day.</li>
<li>When someone has a family crisis (death in family, accident, illness, etc.) our dance family is there for each other - posts, hugs, flowers, whatever they need. For example, when Emily was in the hospital after being diagnosed with diabetes, several parents called or sent texts and offered help, meals, rides to dance for Sydney - anything we needed.</li>
<li>If someone has a flat tire, they'll help you change your tire. And if your tire can't be changed, they'll wait patiently with you for the tow truck guy to replace your tire. (Or...they'll take you to their car right before the Pacers game to get you jumper cables because you have the worse luck ever.)</li>
<li>We recently had a wedding in our dance family and everyone that could attend, did. </li>
<li>One of our moms had a baby about a year ago. We had a shower for her and many dance moms attended and wished her well.</li>
<li>When I broke my ankle, three families offered to take Sydney to nationals for me.</li>
<li>If someone is having trouble with hair or make up, someone is always happy to help. </li>
<li>When kids perform with their school teams, other parents (and coaches) go and watch them and cheer them on.</li>
</ul>
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I could list examples of the kindness and compassion I've seen from this family of ours for pages and pages. And I know that we've been with the same people for over ten years - but I know that this is closer to the norm than what is depicted on that show. When I say I love those kids there (and I've written about them before), I really mean it. Their parents too. I don't get that feeling between those people on T.V. I know, we wouldn't get very high ratings by sitting in a lobby talking about blue crayons and oddly placed rhinestones. Most of us are there because our kids love to be there - and gaining a new family out of it is just a bonus. </div>
Crystal Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14515007357953712904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4284461316453019704.post-45102658083782915892013-01-10T11:12:00.000-06:002013-01-10T11:12:24.580-06:00These Are Not My ChildrenMy kids do things that not only would I never have done, but quite frankly, give me anxiety attacks if I think about putting myself in those situations.<br />
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No, they don't jump from airplanes or go SCUBA diving. (Both of these things decidedly NOT on my to do list.)<br />
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They're...well, outgoing and social. I don't understand it. And what's more is that the girls like to perform. In front of...PEOPLE.<br />
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Cody, ever since he was little, didn't have a problem with walking up to a stranger and just TALKING TO THEM!!! He would make new friends wherever we went. He wasn't so much with the performing though. When he'd have a performance for school or VBS at church where they had to sing, he'd either sit down or stand there pretending to yawn. That's my boy.<br />
<br />Sydney, however... well, she wouldn't speak to someone she didn't know. She'd hide behind my leg if someone addressed her. And, well, if you ever read this blog, you know she dances - started doing duets at age 8 and solos...SOLOS at age 9. All by herself. On stage. And not just in front of people, but people who were judging her!!! Most recently, her team performed at an Illini game with over 15,000 people in attendance. I don't know how she didn't pass out.<br />
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Emily, well she's never been exceptionally shy (except when she was a baby) or afraid to perform. She's always excited to do skits, make videos, participate in plays, etc. Now that she's in 6th grade, she's in the choir. She told me last night that she plans to sing a solo at one of their contests. I think Emily might just take the cake there. A solo. Singing. In front of people.<br />
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I have no doubt that Sophia will probably take from each of these kids as she's not shy about talking to other children at the playground, she loves to sing, she loves to dance. And she LOVES to be in the spotlight - the center of attention.<br />
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Is it possible that all four of my babies were switched at birth?Crystal Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14515007357953712904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4284461316453019704.post-38313623295025254682013-01-08T11:49:00.002-06:002013-01-08T11:49:30.767-06:00I Cannot Order Shoes OnlineSydney has been dancing for...eleven years. (I once figured out that if Sophia stays in dance until she's a senior, I will have been doing this with my kids for TWENTY FIVE YEARS! - carp!)<br />
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Anyway, since she started on a competitive team at age 6, I've been ordering shoes online. I've also been returning shoes that I order online because ordering dance shoes is even more complicated that trying to figure out the rules between the different competitions.<br />
<br />
Some brands want you to order 1-2 sizes up or down from street shoe size (companies: 1-2 sizes is a big difference.) Some want you to order street shoe size. Sometimes, a company *coughjustforkixcough* will tell you over the phone that such and such size is the right one and then you get the shoes and they are too big (this totally didn't JUST happen or anything.) Sometimes, you'll order the correct size and style and they send you the WRONG SHOE.<br />
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It's no wonder the kids are dancing in socks these days. Their parents are probably rocking back and forth in a corner from the trauma of dance shoe ordering. Oh...just me? Well, then.<br />
<br />
So, now I'll go and return the awesome sparkly jazz shoes that I just bought (well, actually, bought in September and then waited 3 months while they were on backorder only to find that they are 1 - too big, 2 - insanely slippery - and 3 - not very comfortable. Also...the slip says they can be returned 60 days from ship date - which was last week sometime, yet my invoice says 9/12/12 AND... I had to cancel my debit card yesterday (thank you Norton scammer lady), AND I have to pay to ship their crappy shoes back.<br />
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Do you think by the time Sophia is 14, I'll have this process down? Yeah, me either.<br />
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<br />Crystal Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14515007357953712904noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4284461316453019704.post-80494971845846845212013-01-02T22:53:00.002-06:002013-01-02T22:53:19.418-06:00Sloth ResolutionsTwo years of semi-regular postings...not bad for someone as easily distracted as, I'll be right back. I forgot to turn off a light.<br />
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So... last year,<a href="http://houseofsloth.blogspot.com/2012/01/i-resolve-nothing.html" target="_blank"> I Resolved Nothing</a> I did pretty well with it. I kept up that resolve all year long.<br />
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This year, I decided to not necessarily resolve things (though I did turn my determination to eat more raw foods into an excuse to eat cookie dough) - but I did decide (a few months ago, I'm an overachieving sloth, what can I say?) to stop letting people (four, to be exact) who make me crazy just because I have to live on the same planet as them. My frustration at what I perceive as their lack of common sense and unwarranted arrogance is not directly related to me or my happiness. (And no, don't ask because I will NOT tell you who any of these people are. That would be rude.)<br />
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Apparently, I'm also setting a goal to overuse parenthesis.<br />
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Anyway, Happy New Year and stuff.<br />
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<br />Crystal Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14515007357953712904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4284461316453019704.post-66416521951640744572012-12-21T21:56:00.001-06:002012-12-21T21:56:22.581-06:00Too Cold For ReindeerWe left the house today with the intention of going to the reindeer ranch. I didn't make it to my van before I changed my mind. It was about 20 degrees and windy as heck. No thank you.<br />
<br />Instead, we did something even more crazy. We went to Kohl's and the mall. Later, I drove to the Wal-Mart parking lot and turned around.<br />
<br />
This, my friends, is why I do 90% of my shopping online.<br /><br />You think I'm crazy for shopping on Black Friday? Black Friday looks like a walk in a meadow compared to Dec. 22 shopping and it was a FRIDAY. I don't even want to know what it will look like for the next three days.<br />
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Consumerism at its best.<br />
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<br />Crystal Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14515007357953712904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4284461316453019704.post-20589868855157124912012-12-16T23:05:00.002-06:002012-12-16T23:06:18.313-06:00I Have No WordsMany of my blogging friends are choosing to express their grief through writing. I totally get that. I want to, but it seems so permanent right now -- too concrete and what I'm feeling changes so fast that I can't force myself to make those words part of the permanence of the Internet. -<br />
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I did see a Tweet from a person who condemned bloggers for writing posts about this tragedy for the visitor hits. I can assure you that that is not the case with me (I doubt that it is for most) because, #1 I get no benefit from blog hits - my blog is not monetized and #2, I won't be posting the link on Facebook or Twitter as I normally do.<br />
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I just need to say what I need to say & it's that I'm drained. As a teacher. As a mother. As a human. I'm tired. I'm sad. And I grieve for the people of Newtown. And as much grief as I carry, it can't touch the abyss that has been created there. I can't even fathom it.<br />
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And I think that that is all I want to put into the concreteness of a blog post right today. My heart hurts.<br />
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God bless those of you directly affected by this awful, awful tragedy.Crystal Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14515007357953712904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4284461316453019704.post-39936482192686939572012-12-13T23:04:00.000-06:002012-12-13T23:12:35.412-06:00The Sloth Family Holiday LetterantGreetings, Sloth Followers.<br />
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And happy whatever you celebrate 2012. I'd better get this letter out of the way before all of the morons who do not subscribe to logic (and believe that <strike>foosball</strike> science is the devil) start posting about the Mayans on Facebook and I have to destroy my Internet connection.<br />
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Let me first get started on this holiday greeting thing. Seriously, stop posting "Why can't we say Merry Christmas " Because??? Who said you can't? Have you moved to another country? Pretty sure we can say whatever we want - and that includes greetings of other celebrations. I don't know anyone who has been publicly flogged for saying, "Merry Christmas." Me? I just mumble uncomfortably and say, "you too" when someone greets me, because...you public. talking. strangers. etc. But, if someone chooses to say "Happy Holidays" it doesn't mean they have a goat strung across a pentagram in their basement.<br />
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I had originally intended to make this a spoof-letter, telling you how Sydney has come home from the crack house and that Sophia's infected tattoo is healing nicely, but I think I like the ranting direction that we're taking here. It's therapeutic.<br />
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And finally...the war on X-mas. Do you people just jump on whatever bandwagon happens to be passing? Is it an energy saving thing...like carpooling? Come on. While I agree, that most people use it to avoid writing or typing out ALL. THOSE. EXTRA. LETTERS. the origin of the word/symbol... hey, I'm not your mom. (Unless this is one of my kids reading this, in which case, yes, I am your mom. Calm down. But you can read on your own, for Pete's sake.) Read here: <a href="http://hotword.dictionary.com/xmas-christogram/" target="_blank">Helpful Link That I Googled </a> It means <i style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">Χριστός or Christos</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"> I'll let you figure out the translation. </span><br />
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Do you know what I do like on Facebook these days? Grumpy Cat. Grumpy Cat is the best meme going.<br />
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But seriously, Merry Christmas Happy Hanukkah (I Googled that so I wouldn't spell it wrong), Joyous Kwanzaa (Googled that too), Seasons Greetings, Blessed Solstice, and Happy Festivus. I've already taken care of the airing of the grievances, bring on the feats of strength!<br />
<br />Crystal Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14515007357953712904noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4284461316453019704.post-82692954968302295352012-12-05T18:46:00.001-06:002012-12-05T18:49:43.677-06:00Sloth Carols <span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">Crystal the Red-Nosed Sloth-deer </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">Had some very shiny shoes, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">And if you ever saw them, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">You would want a pair of your own. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">All of the other sloth-deer </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">Used to laugh and steal her drinks; </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">They never let poor Crystal-Sloth </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">Join in any sloth-deer games. </span><br />
<br style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">Then one foggy Christmas Eve, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">Santa came to say, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">Crystal Sloth with your shoes so shiny, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">Won't you take me to buy some wine-y?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">Here comes Crystal Sloth,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">Here comes </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">Crystal Sloth</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">Right down </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">Crystal Sloth</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"> Lane,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">Cody and Sydney and all her sloth-deer </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">Gratin'' on her nerves. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">Bells are ringin', children screamin', </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">All is merry and bright. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">So hide your bacon and say your prayers, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">'Cause Crystal Sloth comes tonight. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">Deck the sloths with boughs of bacon, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">Fa la la la la, la la la la. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">Tis the season to be shakin' , </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">Fa la la la la, la la la la. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">I'm dreaming of a white Sloth-mas </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">Just like the ones I used to know </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">Where the maple glistens</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">And tiny sloths listen </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">To hear bacon cooling in the snow </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">On the first day of Christmas </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">My true love gave to me: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">A sloth in a Cecropia tree.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">On the second day of Christmas </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">My true love gave to me: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">Two pans of bacon and </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">A sloth in a Cecropia tree. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">On the third day of Christmas </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">My true love gave to me: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">Three french breads </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">Two pans of bacon and </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">A sloth in a Cecropia tree. </span><br />
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<span class="b-lyrics-from-signature" style="color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.5em;">[ Lyrics from:</span><br />
<br />Crystal Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14515007357953712904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4284461316453019704.post-74536469616668691582012-12-05T18:21:00.002-06:002012-12-05T18:21:45.251-06:00Loopy SlothSaturday morning started off as I expected. The kids and I got up early-ish to go to "Breakfast with Santa" - which turned out to be "Breakfast adjacent to and at least 50 feet away from Santa." So, basically, we had some donuts and Fia and Emmy got presents from the table.<br />
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We came home and started getting ready for our friend's wedding. I had bought some shiny, glittery shoes, and some of those no-show socks to go with them. We were all dressed and ready. I had to adjust those stupid socks. When I bent down to do so...it really, really, REALLY hurt when I stood up. Ok, so, I laid down on my bed for awhile. I couldn't get up. I've had some issues with that area of my back for several months now, so I took my prescription anti-inflammatory and a pain med that doesn't make me talk about purple squirrels and rainbow puppies.<br />
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Once I managed to get into the car, I drove the kids to the gas station to get drinks (leaning over at a drive through window was not an option.) I sat in the car crying because I didn't think I could do it. Somehow or other, we made it to the wedding without crashing. However, I didn't stand, kneel, or otherwise through the Catholic wedding. My friend, Lacy, looked beautiful as she walked down the aisle, but there was no standing in her honor or I would have cried.<br />
<br />
I remained seated throughout the reception, although we didn't stay long.<br />
<br />I managed to get myself back into the car the next day to return for the girl's Christmas performances. Again, I sat the whole time. I felt like a slug, not carrying chairs or helping corral kids...but I couldn't move.<br />
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I drove home, dropped off the younger girls and took Sydney with me to the ER. I knew if I just went to convenient care, they'd offer pain meds and send me home. I wanted them to find out what was wrong. Well...apparently, the ER decided all I needed was medication (and to stretch to work through the pain, at which point, I wanted to kick the doctor, but I couldn't lift my leg.) They couldn't give me a shot of whatever it was because I was driving. So, I left with a prescription that I couldn't fill b/c I couldn't find an open pharmacy.<br />
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Monday and the pain is getting worse. I got into my doctor, who actually examined me, had me try some movements (none of which were possible), ordered an x-ray, and wrote the appropriate prescriptions, including prednisone, which I know will help, but I'll be turning in to a raging bitch in 3, 2, ...1. (Shut up...more so than usual, I mean.)<br />
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It's now Wednesday. I tried to go all day with no meds (except the steroids) because I wanted to take the girls to dance. No go. Meds- can't drive. no meds, can't move.<br />
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Regardless, once we made the decision not to go, I took the medicine and now I'm better, but the ceiling fan looks like a very dirty octopus.<br />
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<br />Crystal Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14515007357953712904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4284461316453019704.post-67962834757721850682012-11-25T22:49:00.003-06:002012-11-25T22:49:57.637-06:00Hey, Remember When I Posted On Here?yeah, me either<br />
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However, I'm gonna be super lazy because my Twitter friend @jillsmo said what's on my mind tonight much better than I could (as is often the case.)<br />
<br />
So, here... go read <a href="http://yeahgoodtimes.blogspot.com/2012/11/social-media-tips-from-jillsmo.html" target="_blank">HER post</a>.<br />
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And then follow her advice. She's a wise one, she is.Crystal Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14515007357953712904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4284461316453019704.post-60059061444493464112012-11-13T21:39:00.000-06:002012-11-13T21:39:43.434-06:00A Sloth Visits the MechanicI went to the dealership to get my oil changed today. I had a few items on my list: oil change (obviously), wiper blades (as Cody had started my car for me--wipers still on, ice on windshield,) tail light (has been out for a LONG time...oops). I figured... $50.<div>
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I left writing a check for $150 -and finding out that I need $700 worth of other stuff. Now, before you go all "highway robbery" on me...my dad is the shop foreman. I'm pretty sure he's not running up my bill. As a matter of fact, he probably tells them, "this is my kid's car...make her safe."</div>
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So, as part of the oil change package, they look at various parts of the vehicle to make sure...well, that you're safe and not going to break down on the way home. My battery failed the load test. Like, "Crystal Taking Advanced Trigonometry" failed. So, I had to buy a new battery. As I'm about to trek to Chicago, I was ok with this. I don't really want to break down outside of Joliet prison. (Not that I plan on visiting there, but that would be my luck.)</div>
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That was the first time my dad came into the waiting area. $ The next time, he told me I needed new tires. $$ He left, came back, and told me I needed a new water pump. $$$ Oh, and also, a lower intake manifold. $$$$ (I totally made that up based on the words on my invoice... I honestly have no idea, other than it's leaking coolant, but it shall hereafter be referred to as the thingamajigger.) </div>
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He also told me that the water pump and thingamajigger need replaced ASAP. The tires can probably wait a little while, but not too long. He made some comment about how I drive a lot. (I don't even come close to three months between oil changes.) BUT there was good news... He wants me to keep a jug of coolant in my car - just in case - and it's supposed to be pink! I didn't ask if it came with glitter. He probably wouldn't have seen the humor in it. My radiator probably wouldn't either, but I think the thingamajigger would totally hold out on me for a few more months if I dressed it up with some glitter and made it feel pretty.</div>
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So...instead of an iPad for Chirstmas, I get a water pump. I hope they'll give me the box it came in so I can at least wrap it up.</div>
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Crystal Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14515007357953712904noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4284461316453019704.post-10450751673238729132012-11-07T12:54:00.001-06:002012-11-07T12:59:59.041-06:00I'm Going Somewhere. Be Patient. Very Patient.The combination of having an enormous amount of items on my to do list and possessing the attention span of a gnat makes now seem like a good time to write a blog post.<br />
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I've started three different topics and keep erasing them because I either don't want to open cans of tube-shaped, segmented animals on this blog or well, there's a squirrel that keeps knocking on my patio door. (NOT EVEN KIDDING!) Also, my fingernails are really brittle and that's distracting, guys. For real.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuZfX1tZKTghC3lFJJy9T5CWrQiEVWPjOhxNXukiwVDaOfN_0C1cXSVfBZIiHTgDyoOnRded683MBvOLNNhcB6DhoSK1zJknXkXZot5YgzK_9e16p_i0FKhZLEjU-39LuGmUctAeSmMNvM/s1600/family-circle-1960-knox-ad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuZfX1tZKTghC3lFJJy9T5CWrQiEVWPjOhxNXukiwVDaOfN_0C1cXSVfBZIiHTgDyoOnRded683MBvOLNNhcB6DhoSK1zJknXkXZot5YgzK_9e16p_i0FKhZLEjU-39LuGmUctAeSmMNvM/s1600/family-circle-1960-knox-ad.jpg" /></a><br />
Seriously, what can I do to strengthen my nails? My grandma used to soak hers in clear Knox Gelatin. Did anyone else's grandma do that? Oh, wait, now that I <a href="https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&sugexp=les%3B&tok=JpiZ0pHxfbFuxGXLM4OA9w&pq=knox+gelatin&cp=14&gs_id=14&xhr=t&q=knox+gelatin+nails&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&bpcl=37643589&biw=1366&bih=653&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=RaqaUP7uIoK5qQH4j4CABw#um=1&hl=en&tbo=d&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=knox+gelatin+&oq=knox+gelatin+&gs_l=img.3..0j0i24l9.5040.6614.0.7300.9.9.0.0.0.0.165.1113.0j9.9.0...0.0...1c.1.deKYZx6jD7M&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&fp=c22b918973740a11&bpcl=37643589&biw=1366&bih=610" target="_blank">Google</a> it, I see that maybe she just drank it. I don't know. I never really saw her do either. I just know that she had a box of if it her cabinet at all times and it had a pictures of hands on it. Or maybe it didn't. Now all of these Google images are messing with my happy memory of Grandma protecting me from eating nasty, unflavored gelatin.<br />
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My grandma did let me eat pudding though. But I think I already blogged about <a href="http://houseofsloth.blogspot.com/2009/11/remembering-grandma.html" target="_blank">that</a>. Obviously, my nails were in good shape when I wrote that particular post. There is no mention of gelatin. Does pudding strengthen nails? I don't know. Maybe I should do an experiment. I'll need a control group though. Who's in? Surely we don't have to use unflavored pudding, do we? Do they even make that? That sounds gross.<br />
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I'd like to try tapioca, pistachio, and chocolate. I'll need some volunteers though because I only have two hands and that's three kinds of pudding. Step up, people. Oh, but now my head is swimming...do we use sugar free? Fat free? Instant or cooked? Oh, I'm gonna need a spreadsheet. And probably a research grant because that's a lot of pudding to buy. Not to mention, we're probably going to need some paper towels to clean the pudding off our hands - unless you're the "lick it off" type - in which case, um... only your own hands, ok?<br />
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<br />Crystal Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14515007357953712904noreply@blogger.com2