anti establishment

Well this morning tested me to know end. I am very anti establishment and today I had to deal with it.

For all of the readers that have not followed me very long let me give you some background info.

I am very anti establishment and I will push the limits all the time. I am very anti "school" and anti "military". I have home schooled and unschooled. I believe that a real education does not happen in a class room. I love all of our guys uniforms. I am so proud of all of them, however I do not agree with the military being the worlds band aids.

This morning I had a meeting at Ryans school. The only reason Ryan is in school is because I needed a break and I was hoping that these "teachers" would be able to do a better job of educating him then I was doing. The key word there is hoping. If you want to see me shake just mention the letters IEP!

Well yesterday Ryan's teacher called me and said that I missed his IEP. What? I said "I called you on Friday to see what day you had rescheduled this meeting for and you never called me back, and now you are telling me that I missed it?" So we agreed to have it at 8 a.m. this morning.

For me that means I have to drag my bum out of bed, get dressed and do something with my hair, just so I can sit in a room full of people that I can't stand!

I arrive at the front office and the principal ( who I really like except when involves Ryan) says Mrs. Nelson we have you for noon. What? I said " Karen I called the teacher last Friday and she never called me back. Then she called me yesterday and said that we were going to do it today at 8:00 a.m. I am here."

So we were getting ready to go into the meeting when I heard them page Ryan up to the office. I looked at Karen and said "Why is Ryan coming?" Karen very nicely said "Well this is his IEP and now that he is in Junior high he has the right to be here." I just smiled and said "I am his mother and I don't want him here and I don't think you do either because I don't have very many nice things to say." Ryan was sent back to class.

After two hours of being with these "professionals" I swear I lost brain cells! I even asked Karen for a pillow so I could continue to bang my head against the wall. I did not take any shit from his teacher and she now hates me. Trust me I will not loose sleep over this issue.

Then Ryan's language art's tells me that Ryan is reading at grade level, but he is not understanding it all. Gee do you think? Then this teacher goes on to tell me that Ryan is going to join the military. I looked this man straight in the face and said "MY SON WILL NOT". The teacher then told me that I should not limit my child. O.K. dude you just struck a nerve in me. I could see my hands going around this guys neck and slowly choking the life out of this man. I looked at him and said "RYAN WILL NOT GO INTO THE MILITARY EVEN IF THEY FIND A MAGIC CURE FOR HIM". This teacher left the room thinking that I was a total bitch. Not that I really care.

I called Rusty and told him everything that happened. Rusty said that Ryan will not go into the military because he would come home in a body bag.

I will not sacrifice my children to the military. I have give my husband, my father and my father in law. They will not get my son. End of statement.

Oh I need a good pill.

The rest of the day has just been busy.

Lets see

I really did not do much this weekend. I really did not want to do much this weekend, so I sat in bed a lot! Yep. I parked my bum under the blankets, did some hand sewing and watched t.v.

Friday I got to meet the mom of the marine that was coming in. She is a doll! As always they were two hours late, so I was soaked and chilled to the bone, but it was all worth it! There is nothing like hugging someone that just came home.

Saturday I went and had dinner with another marine. It was nice to just sit and talk to him. We really have not had that much time together since he got home. I will be road tripping with this marine. He wants to go up to Edwards Air Force base and see all the air craft. So I was checking out the bases web page and I totally forgot that the shuttle lands there! I hope we are there when the shuttle lands. Anyway, I am not really into looking at air craft, but I have never been to that base and it will be something different, so that is cool.

Rusty is looking at another busy week. I swear there are times when I see less and less of this man. On Friday I am going to go down to Coronado Island with him. Rusty has a sale going on, but I am going to spend the day walking around the island. The Navy seals also train down there, so maybe I will be able to see some hard bodies training. I so hope I can see some eye candy! After Rusty is done working we are going to go celebrate valentines day, and do some shopping. We need a new computer and I also want to buy Nikki a new digital camera for her birthday.

The guys never did get my car fixed. I think this is week three without my car. Now my car is nothing great. It is 97 Chevy Lumina. The color is suppose to be white, but if I wash it I am scared that it will fall apart. I have milk shake stains all over the back seat, and the car still has a cassette player! However it is my car and that car can haul ass! I want my car back. I did mention to Rusty that if he does not want to fix it he could always buy me a VW micro bus. I have always wanted one of them! I am even going to paint it to look like the hippy mobile.

Last night Amber and Nikki were kinda enough to have a nice little shouting match. The they ended up duking it out. I asked them to take it outside so at least we can look like real white trash, but I guess they did not want to fight in the rain and the mud. Hell, I could have sold ticket's!

This messy house is calling me, so I better go get it cleaned up. Rusty will actually be home for dinner tonight, so I need to get something pulled out for dinner. Oh the joys of my life.

eco friendly Friday...blue jeans

Here is how I recycle blue jeans and it was mentioned by wonderful daughter that I finally tore the bum out of my jeans!

1. Find a pair of jeans that you love. One's that actually have hips and are comfy. For me that would be Levis 519.

2. Wear them all the time.

3. When they do stretch out a little bit then add a belt.

4. If you get a hole then you spend hours hand sewing some cool patch on. You must not use a thimble because your cat ran off with it and you have no idea where it is. When you are done with the patch then go get a bad aid to stop the bleeding on your finger.

5. wear the jeans even longer and don't worry if there is no color left in them.

6. When the bum starts to rip out just wear longer shirts to cover that hole.

7. When you are out pulling weeds and you bend over and the bum finally rips all the down.....cry.

8. Take the jeans off and place them on your dresser. They must be in sight so you can cry over them.

9.When your husband is about to go to sleep mention that you ripped the bum out of your jeans. You must show him the hole before you tell him that you are going to take them back and complain about the crappy craftsmanship that when into them.

10. Ignore your husband when he grabs the jeans and say "I can read the news paper through these jeans. Levis is not going to replace 10 year old jeans, so go to the store and buy some more!"

That is how I recycle jeans. I wear them until nothing is left left and then I pout until I get over it. I think I am going to cut the jeans up and make a jean scrap cat blanket out of them. Here are some other ways that you can reuse your old jeans.

1. An iPod pocket protector - Use the pocket area of your blue jeans to make a nifty little purse for small electronics like cell phones and iPods. It would also be perfect as a little snack bags for young kids. Get instructions here.

2. Use the legs to make a wall organizer perfect for sewing notions.

3. Stuff them with straw and use them to create a scarecrow for fall decorating.

4. Cut them into squares and make a quilt or cut them into strips and make a rag rug.

5. Make denim pot holders.

6. Use old jeans to make unique placemats...incorporate the pockets as part of the placemat to hold silverware in place

7.Use the legs from blue jeans to make two wine bags...sew the bottom closed, and hem the top leaving an opening on one side, or both sides, to thread through a golden cord drawstring. Leave plain or embellish with lace, buttons, ribbon, or small silk flowers. Tres chic! ( I am going to do this one for Christmas!)

8.Use a pair of overalls for this project. Cut the seams of the legs apart and then sew both of the front legs together and then both of the back legs together. Slip over you head for a great apron. You can also use as a great overall dress. Quick and easy.

As always please leave me your ideas.

For the record, I have not gotten any new jeans. I went into my closet and I looked at these jeans that I had that I think are totally cute, Anyway I use to save them for when we "out". No more I am now wearing them and I will wear them until the bum is gone. No more spending money on things I don't need.

I won!

Well here it is Friday morning and my busy week is almost over! I am so thankful for that.

Let me back up. I tell my children and the marines that you need to pick your battles carefully. If it is not a battle worth winning then don't fight it. I chose to fight the state on medical insurance because I feel that I deserve it and I was not about to sit and let illegals get medical insurance when I am a citizen of this country!

Yesterday I met with a gentlemen from the state review board. I spent a little over an hour in his office and here is what it came down to. Starting in March I will get free medical coverage until October or November. I do still have to pay $1,508 dollars as a delectable, but that will cover me until October or November. I can do that.

I was also informed that my case worker and the social worker from the hospital have been "corrected". It seems that my case worker knew about all the loop holes and the different type of insurance and he did nothing to help me. The social worker at the hospital who was suppose to get my birth certificate has also been corrected. It turns out that she was suppose to get it for me and get it for free!

Amber went with me yesterday, and she asked this gentlemen if she could pull up her medical and see when it ends. It turns out that not only is there no end in sight for that but that the girls have insurance from their sperm donor. Really? I never knew that. Child support services has been contacted and I will be getting all of that information soon.

Before we got to this gentleman's office I got a phone call regarding Ryan. We are jumping through all the hoops right now and we just seem to be hitting dead end after dead end. The gentlemen told me to finish jumping through the hoops and then call him. He will go back and correct everything for me. He also told Amber to contact social security and find out what classes she needs to take to be Ryans care giver. Amber and Nikki both want Ryan to live with him, so this gentlemen suggested that if they take certain classes then social security will pay them to have him live with them!

I am going to tell everyone a few other things that I learned yesterday, so spread the word. First you must apply for public aid and then be rejected. Then you flip that rejection paper over and you file for a hearing. Once you file for a hearing you will get another piece of paper that will tell you to contact a worker, or just show up in court. GO see the worker! Here is why.

1. If you see the worker they will help you, but if you take it to court they will hammer you.

2. There is a lot of very special type of state insurance. You can get insurance to just cover your insulin, your dialysis or whatever.

3. If you can't afford your meds then you need to contact the drug companies direct. They will give you the meds!

4. The hospitals have what they call charity cases. If you have no insurance, and you don't "qualify" for state aid then you can ask for a charity case where the hospital will write it off!

I said that I am going to start asking for charity and then if they say I don't qualify I am going to scream discrimination! LOL

Yesterday I also took Amber to the court house to get all the papers to change her last name. I saw that they courts have a fee wavier, so I made Amber fill out the forms! I said you are 18, so that makes you an adult, and you are unemployed, so fill out those papers and get it all done for free! We ended up bringing all the papers home and we are going to fill them out. Amber is so excited to finally get her last name changed.

I finally called my mom last night. I had to share my good news with her. I did not mention the custody battle or anything else. I made it all about me. It was nice to talk to my mom, but I just don't want to talk about anything else that is going on.

Life is good

what not to wear

Amber sent this e mail into what not to wear. For the record mt robe is blue.

Hi Stacy and Clinton
My name is Amber Penrod I am writing you because my mom needs your help. My mom’s name is kelli she is 38 going on 39 this year. She is 5’5 between 130 and 140 pounds. Mom wears over sized and too small clothes. Her pants range from 4 to 10 and shirts from small to extra large. Her favorite thing to wear is pajamas and she does everywhere she goes but to make thing worse she wears her dingy green robe everywhere also. If she isen’t wearing pajamas she is wearing outdated 1980-1990 clothes. Her favorite pants split open today right in the butt and her favorite shirt is a USMC wife shirt. It’s so old you can see through it. She tries to look cute and fit in the California look. Moms personality is crazy she is an eccentric loving cat lover. She is also the most giving person I know. Every weekend we have so many people at my house, Mostly marines. She loves having them here. After my step dad had his heart attack she nursed him back to health. She spent all her time helping him get better. My mom’s friend of 20 years or so told me a story about my mom. She had to buy a dress for a wedding. So my mom and her friend jenny went shopping. My mom tucked the tags in on the dress and wore it to the wedding. Needless to say she returned the dress a few days later. This story is just a little glimpse into how cheap my mom is and how much money she does not spend on herself. She spends all her money on us 3 of us kids. As I said earlier my mom is turning 39 this June and I would really appreciate your help in making this the best birthday ever for her this year.
Thank you so much for your time and please Stacy and Clinton help my mom.

oh the joys

Yesterday was actually a real good day! First thing in the morning I went and coffee with a fellow blogger. It is always nice to sit and talk with another adult. Oh and she gave me a bag of avocados, which Nikki will love and she gave me a shirt that I told her I liked!

Then I had to run to wal crap and pick up a few items. A very nice night gown caught my eye. It had dragonfly's on it, so I bought it. I can't remember the last time I bought myself something new. Now I will have to get rid of one of my old night gowns. That should not be to hard since you can read the news paper through most of them. The girls said that it is not a very sexy night gown, but I told them that if I want sex I just crawl into bed naked.

I found out yesterday that the marine that just home got two purple hearts. I am not suppose to know this. What? he got shot twice? I swear to you that when I see him I am going to ask him what the hell. Why didn't he tell me. I know why, because he would not want me to worry, but I am the mother hen. I am suppose to worry. That is my job.

Then another marine called me complaining that she was sick and that she did not feel good. O.K. let me get this straight, you have free medical. You can go to the doctor anytime. I am sitting here gathering up $10,000 worth of medical bills. I am sorry but you are not getting sympathy from me, not to mention that I don't do pity parties anyway. Stop complaining or go to the doctor. I don't care which.

Amber also got on my last nerve yesterday. I had to finally tell her to get off her ass and move on with life. I was so sick of her complaining about not having a job. Then she complained because she could not get her computer to work right, and her computer class is to hard...Blah Blah Blah! That's it. I finally said "Get off your ass and figure all of this out. Your computer isn't working right? Then play the dumb blond and call geek squad. Your having trouble in your computer class? Then go get a tutor. You don't have a job? Then go find a way to make some money another way. Get off your ass and stop having a pity party for one."

Well, Amber did get off her ass. She got the computer thing figured out and she thinks she has the homework figured out now. She went and registered at some place on line, and she has a babysitting job on valentines day. Amber said I know it is not much but at least it is money. Finally, she is getting it. Life is tough, so she needs to be tougher.

This morning Nikki asked me where the envelope was that had her mission trip money in it. It seems that Nikki has some how come up with $20 to put into her account. I am very proud of her. I am not sure how she came up with that money because she only works a few hours a week, and is struggling to make her phone bill. I am proud of her for setting money aside to help pay for her trip.

My car has been over heating, so I have been driving Amber's car, but today I will have to drive my car. I just hope that it gets me to and from the store. Last weekend I asked the guys to fix my car. It is not fixed. I had a bunch of guy's standing around looking at it and debating what was wrong with it, but it never got fixed. They need to fix my car!

Life is good.

father of the year

So here I sit with my head clogged up. I feel like my head is huge! I at this change of weather, because now I am sick.

Saturday I got a call from a strange number. I answered the phone and the person on the other end said "Mom it Dustin, and I am at March I will be at Pendleton in just a few hours." I did the best happy dance that I could considering my head hurt.

I jumped in the bath and got dressed. It does not matter how bad I feel, one of the marines was coming home and I would be there come hell or high water.

Then I hear one of the marines yell "Hey mom do you want to ride bitch?" Hell yes I do! I was not about to pass up the chance to ride on a Harley with a good looking guy!

That was not the smartest thing I could have done. Going 80 miles an hour down the freeway with a cold and being pelted by gravel, but it was worth it.

I was standing right in front of Dustin when his First Sergent said Marines attack your families. I ran up and jumped on him. My farm boy was home!

Over the weekend the girls found someone giving away a tanning bed. Rusty went and got the bed for the girls and even help set it up for them. He told the girls that on payday he would go buy them a transformer so they can tan. The girls were on cloud 9 all weekend! Rusty said "I don't understand why they need a tanning bed since we live in southern California, but heck I just won father of the year!" Yes he did.

Today I am going to try to get some stuff done around here. I so do not feel good, but life moves on and so must I.

I did finally call my uncle. It was kinda strange talking to him, but it was good to finally speak to someone in my family. We exchanged e mails and he asked if he and his new wife could come for a visit. I said yes. I am really interested in getting to know my uncle. One thing that I find strange is that my uncle's youngest daughter is in her third year of college. That means that she is not much older then Amber!

Well it is another sunny day here in the socal. So I should get moving. I may even go sit in the sun for a while. Maybe getting some sun will make me feel a little bit better.