Two or Forty

Kate is always looking for a job. And no, she can't read the paper, but she looks for a job there! If you would see her schedule, you would be hard pressed to find 4 hours in a day that are consecutive to insert another activity.  We have always maintained that she will never be able to earn an income to be self-sufficient, so our job as her parents is to be sure she has the best life possible.  

If she needs money for an event, I always give her a couple of dollars out of the kitchen drawer.  I keep money in there in case we are going somewhere and don’t have any cash on us.

Her weekly activities include, but are not limited to: bowling, pool time at Jane’s and cooks out, working out with Megan, beach, bowling (again) drama, workshop (three mornings a week), basketball, community lunch, sports and rec, happy hour, water aerobics, meditation, Friday Night excursions and Saturday night socials.  Where would she fit a job?  

If you ask her why she wants a job she says for the money.  I tell her just ask if you need money, I will give it to you.   Or do some chores.  She asks.

Last Monday afternoon she was bowling with her friends from Our Place.  She gets Iced Tea from the concession stand there.  I know that and usually she will ask me for two bucks before she leaves in the morning.  For some reason this week I left the house before her.  She was waiting for her bus with her sister.  Apparently she didn’t ask her for money either.

I got a text in the afternoon from one of the workers at Our Place.  It said this:

“Hi! So Kate has shown up today with $40 (two $20’s) that she says she found in a secret drawer. Know anything about this??”

Two dollars or forty, apparently all the same to her.  Guess I have to find a new secret spot to stash my cash!

Because You Have A Good Time, I Have A Better Time

You will never guess where this picture was taken.  At church! (please don't be offended Pastor Manny, it wasn't because of your sermon.)  When she has to be quite, she usually falls asleep.  Wish I could do that. If she isn't sleeping at church, however, she is singing!

A couple of weeks ago - a girl who knows Kate, came up to me after church and said that Kate's behavior bothered her.  I was speechless.  After all - this was church!

I wish I was a better person and could handle these situations correctly, but I'm not.  I quickly go into the kid on the school playground who just wants to protect the kid being bullied. (I pounded two boys for picking on a disabled neighbor girl - but that is a different story) I know not everyone loves my Kate as much as I do.  And I get it that she can bother you sometimes.  I get that - really I do.  There are days you feel like your ears will bleed because she is so chatty.

My feelings were hurt, but the look on Kates face hurt worse.  I could tell she knew what was being said about her and she was - sad, hurt, shocked, sorry, confused all at the same time.  I put my arm round her shoulder to turn her away and walked away.  She crossed her arms in front of herself and put her chin down.  No tears, just a little "I'm sorry" was what she said.  I said to her, "don't worry about her Kate, she just doesn't get it."  And like always - she forgives and forgets and I struggle with these things.

This past Sunday, we went to late service at church.  We normally go to the early service, but this week it worked out that we were at the later service.  So we go in and sit near the rear, probably 4 rows in on the left near the isle.  Kate sits next to the isle then me then Art. The first part of our service is worship in song.  There is a worship team up in front that leads us and we sing.  We are told "stand as you are able" so up we go and the music starts.  Kate stands with us, but her head is on a swivel this whole time as she is looking for people she knows. But - if there is a word repeated in the song - like hallelujah- she will sing that - loudly and off key (genetics I'm afraid)- and if it is a lively tune her arms will be going high also.

The last song in the set was one such song and Kate was really into it!  After the last song we are asked to turn and greet your neighbors. A young women who I have never seen before came up to Kate and said, "Can I give you a hug? You made me so happy to watch how much you worship the Lord.  You are wonderfully made and I just love you honey." Kate gave her a big "awww" and a Kate hug (kind of a head butt with some patting of her hands on your shoulder).

I was crying again at church because of what someone was saying to my daughter.  But this week I will remember these kind words over the cruel ones of the week before.  Lessons to be learned... sleep when you can, sing even if you can't, forgive quickly and make a choice on what to remember and what to forget.  Thanks again Katie Girl for another life lesson.

This Is Why I Don't Drink

So today, Kate was up early, like before 6 a.m., dressed and ready to go to work.  Could be because it is the holiday season and she can’t wait for Santa... could be because she wasn’t stimulated enough yesterday and was full of energy... could just be because.

So I’m trying to open my eyes with a cup of coffee, make breakfast for four, lunch for one and 5 dogs fed four different foods.  All the while Kate is following me, talking nonstop.  I’m still not sure what I put in Art’s lunch – just hoping it wasn’t one of the foods for the dogs.

I thought I had shut a baby gate but Kate got through it and so did one dog who doesn’t like the other dog and that started a fight.  Not that they got to each other, but the adrenaline rises when the barking starts.

Sarah and Adrienne working on Solar Car

Senior Prom

4th Grade maybe?

Sarah had rented a car to go to upper Michigan, I mean more like southern Canada, and move her best bud Miss A home from college over the weekend.  The rental car had to be dropped off at 7:30 am before I took her to the train, before I went to work. Kate’s bus doesn’t come until 8:15 and we left at 7:25 with her promising to wait inside for the bus.  She watches TV in the dining room while she waits so I was fairly certain she would stay put.

On the way to work Kate calls to discuss her birthday – which isn’t until January.  After that conversation I don’t take a couple of calls from her until I get to work.  She then calls to tell me her bus is late.  By my calculations it was still not time for it to come.

After the 3^rd or 4t^h call from her I call and wake Patty up because if it is late, I will have to go get her and drive her to Our Place. 

Patty calls to tell me as soon as she got downstairs the bus came.  Now she is mad at me because she is awake for no reason.  Oh joy.

There is a long stretch between phone calls so I assume all is well... not.

I see a text from Art that says what is wrong with Kate.  I take the next call.  Kate is at the workshop – on a Monday – when she is supposed to be at Our Place.  Why the bus took her to the workshop is beyond me, but they won’t take her to Our Place even after she told them and believe me I bet that drivers ears were bleeding by the time she was done yelling at him that he was wrong.

I ask to talk to a worker and explain she should not be there and that I was on my way to get her.  I leave work and get in the car to go get her when the phone rings and it was Our Place looking for Kate.  I explained I was on my way and would be there within the hour. They said she called but they were not sure what she was saying – not surprised. 

By the way, Patty forgot to call yesterday to set up her bus so I have to leave work again at 2 to get her to work by 3.  I was supposed to have physical therapy today on my lunch hour but called to cancel that because I will spend that time driving children. 

This is why I don't drink,  I’m afraid if I started drinking I may not stop.

So I’m sitting here frustrated and the day isn’t even half over when the phone rings again – it is Kate.  All she says to me is “Hi Honey, you’re the best, Love Ya” and hangs up  ... sure hope she meant to call me.

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