Life as we now know it...

Yesterday I put in a comment trying to win a bunch of pregnancy products and I won! This is all thanks to typeamoms.net. I am so very excited.

http://typeamom.net/12-Days-of-Christmas-Giveaways/On-the-Tenth-Day-of-Christmas-Giveaways.html

My daughter had her first eval yesterday for her IEP. It was an educational assessment, done in a tiny room and it bothered me. Her IEP is going to be late and the pressure is really on right now. Caitlyn turns 3 Dec 20th and this whole process is upsetting me more and more.

After finding out that she will have to have a delay of approax 8 months to qualify for anything I got angry. Why would the county want her to regress? Why not keep providing services so she doesn't fall behind?

During this eval Cait did very well. At one point the administrator stopped asking her questions because they were in the 6 yr old range. Obviously my daughter is doing very well but I heard all the questions and honestly it is typical stuff that any 3 yr old should know.

My question is - How relevant are these tests? I know my little girl is smart but in no way has the intellect of a 6 yr old.

Hearing loss is hard because she really is "normal" when placed in programs that mainly deal with autistic children. This battle is not fun and I have a feeling it is only going to get worse.

Through this I am trying to keep a positive attitude but it is frustrating. Why don't they see this as a real disability? I can see that she has a hard time in noisy situations, a few problems with her articulation and even becomes shy in new environments becuase she doesn't always hear what is going on and knows that there is someething a little different about her.

Thanks for letting me vent. I am lost.

You Are a Bette!




You are a Bette -- "I must be strong"

Bettes are direct, self-reliant, self-confident, and protective.



How to Get Along with Me
* Stand up for yourself... and me.
* Be confident, strong, and direct.
* Don't gossip about me or betray my trust.
* Be vulnerable and share your feelings. See and acknowledge my tender, vulnerable side.
* Give me space to be alone.
* Acknowledge the contributions I make, but don't flatter me.
* I often speak in an assertive way. Don't automatically assume it's a personal attack.
* When I scream, curse, and stomp around, try to remember that's just the way I am.




What I Like About Being a Bette
* being independent and self-reliant
* being able to take charge and meet challenges head on
* being courageous, straightforward, and honest
* getting all the enjoyment I can out of life
* supporting, empowering, and protecting those close to me
* upholding just causes




What's Hard About Being a Bette
* overwhelming people with my bluntness; scaring them away when I don't intend to
* being restless and impatient with others' incompetence
* sticking my neck out for people and receiving no appreciation for it
* never forgetting injuries or injustices
* putting too much pressure on myself
* getting high blood pressure when people don't obey the rules or when things don't go right




Bettes as Children Often
* are independent; have an inner strength and a fighting spirit
* are sometimes loners
* seize control so they won't be controlled
* figure out others' weaknesses
* attack verbally or physically when provoked
* take charge in the family because they perceive themselves as the strongest, or grow up in difficult or abusive surroundings




Bettes as Parents
* are often loyal, caring, involved, and devoted
* are sometimes overprotective
* can be demanding, controlling, and rigid

So I went to the dermatologist for a follow-up appointment on my ear. 4 weeks ago they took a biopsy or a bad mole on my ear. A few days later I found out that they had to remove all the skin around it. It hurt like hell and just today the doc pulled out the last of the dissoluble stitches. When I was up the mountains last weekend the cold air really hurt my ear so hopefully the sensitivity will go away soon.

I figured today would just be a normal visit, checking the wound. I spent 45 min in the waiting room getting frustrated but what can I do. When I finally went back to be checked he took another look at my arms. There is a spot that hasn't healed very well in 3+ years (right arm, top, near bend-elbow) so he took a biopsy of that. The biopsy didn't bother me, he injected some stuff to make it numb and a minute later he took the punch out and did a punch biopsy. This took a deep chunk out of my arm about the size of a pencil eraser. It is crazy how much that bled! He stitched it up pretty fast and before I knew it he was attacking my left shoulder. So, right now both of my arms hurt. I have more stitches and I wonder what my future holds.

Feel sick to my stomach... gonna go to bed early.

Going there and kinda liking it... if only I posted more than I changed the appearance of this damn thing.

I seem to update facebook and twitter a whole lot more often so check them out if you really want to know what is going on in my life. Let me know if you want the links to either one of them... usually updated pictures on there.

Insomnia is really hitting me. I can't sleep well anymore. Not sure what is going on.

One thing I am excite about is Lake Wallenpaupack this weekend. Going with 13 fine ladies - the festivities will beign Friday night and end Sunday morning. While up there a few of us will be going hiking @ Bushkill Falls. I love being outside and seeing new things. Just need to remember to wear orange! Bow hunting right now. I have been kinda shot before but with a blow dart... hurt like hell. Got stuck in my ass. Gotta love military experiences. Bunch of drunken idiots doing stupid stuff. Maybe some of the stupid fun happenings will take place this weekend.

I am so hungry right now. I know it isn't good to eat this late so I am trying to ignore it.

It is after 11 and I should be going to bed but I know I won't be able to sleep.

What sense does it make to go up there and lay with my eyes open?