Ceddie's family has returned and he seems not to be holding any grudges. When they first came in the door he was upstairs, and I called him down....he heard their voices and was completely overwhelmed. He stopped halfway down the stairs and just started sobbing! I looked and asked him what was wrong and he said "Well, I just missed those guys!". He was very happy to have everyone home again.
Steve and Beth and the kids will be here another week or so. I'm just plugging along taking each day as it comes. I'll have Ben and Ryann for 3 weeks in August. When school starts in Septemb er I'll have to completely regroup because I'll be on my own again. I'm hoping to get swim lessons set up for Ben and Ryann for the last two weeks of August. It would be really good for them. They can both get around a pool, but neither really swims, more of a dog paddle.
That's it for now. Not a lot to report. Today was the laziest Sunday I've spent in a long time. Tomorrow I will make a bigger effort to move more. :)
Monday, July 19, 2010
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Ceddie the Bully
Today Ceddie and I spent a good part of the day doing yard work...I made him stand and water the lawn where he is wearing a path, while I mowed. A little later in the afternoon we went back to the lake so he could work on his paddling in the life jacket.
He had a squirt gun that I bought for him and I cautioned him against shooting towards anyone since the water is cold and it may make for a cranky kid if someone were to get a watery surprise. I sat on the sand about ten feet from the waters edge as he began his assault on the water. I noticed three large kids (O.K...FAT kids) in the water a good distance away in tubes playing, but I didn't think much of that. After all they were a lot older than Ceddie. I had a book and read a little while often looking up to check on him. Suddenly I heard a mom screaming at the top of her voice. She was yelling at someone in the water about throwing a rock. Suddenly I realized that this screaming banshee was yelling at Ceddie! He was standing in water shivering as she yelled at him. I was stunned into silence for a moment while I processed the scene. She's standing there screaming so that everyone in the water and on the small beach can hear and this poor little boy is just as stunned as I am. She continued to yell and asked who he was there with and he said 'Grandma' and pointed to me. She turned on me and began to yell at me. Apparently what happened (as I reconstructed the problem) Ceddie had stepped on a rock and simply picked it up and chucked it a little further out in the water. Admittedly it was towards her kids, but the chances of hitting them and doing any damage was pretty small. She yelled at me that if the rock had hit one of her kids they might have gone down and drowned! (They could have stood up in the water...it wasn't deep)It was pretty clear to me that she was totally irrational and in a case like that, it has been my experience that the best course of action is to agree with the person. It will usually diffuse the situation.
I knew I had two ways to play my response. I could be the 'adult' and calmly accept her explanation at face value, and assure her it wouldn't happen again....or I could stand up and kick her butt in front of her fat kids, push her in the water and try to explain to the police who would surely be called what had happened. My natural instinct was to kick her butt, but I wanted to be a good example to Ceddie, so I spoke to her in a calm voice and told her it wouldn't happen again. Then I spoke to Ceddie, in an equally calm voice and asked about it. He told me the truth and I explained that there was no place for rock tossing when other people were around, regardless of the fact that hitting one of them was unlikely. Then I told him to go back and play and have a good time. The woman left and went back to her chair. The group left a few minutes later because the children seemed to be very embarrassed about the whole thing. I wonder why.
I went back to reading my book, trying to retain my dignity. A woman sitting nearby said quietly to me "I'm sorry that happened". I was a little surprised at that and said "Well, she surely got her point across, didn't she" and kind of laughed. She said "But she didn't have to alert the entire lake of it! How stupid she was.I have to say....you handled that with grace. I was impressed." I thanked her for her nice words and went back to my book, knowing I had done the right thing.
Ceddie continued to play and have a great time. Every once in a while he would call to me and ask if he was doing great in his paddling. I assured him each time that he was doing extra great and I was proud of him. The screaming banshee-woman was soon forgotten. After a little while he came out of the water and sat by me while I tried to warm him up. He put his head on my lap and said "Gramma...I love you." I got my reward for the day.
He had a squirt gun that I bought for him and I cautioned him against shooting towards anyone since the water is cold and it may make for a cranky kid if someone were to get a watery surprise. I sat on the sand about ten feet from the waters edge as he began his assault on the water. I noticed three large kids (O.K...FAT kids) in the water a good distance away in tubes playing, but I didn't think much of that. After all they were a lot older than Ceddie. I had a book and read a little while often looking up to check on him. Suddenly I heard a mom screaming at the top of her voice. She was yelling at someone in the water about throwing a rock. Suddenly I realized that this screaming banshee was yelling at Ceddie! He was standing in water shivering as she yelled at him. I was stunned into silence for a moment while I processed the scene. She's standing there screaming so that everyone in the water and on the small beach can hear and this poor little boy is just as stunned as I am. She continued to yell and asked who he was there with and he said 'Grandma' and pointed to me. She turned on me and began to yell at me. Apparently what happened (as I reconstructed the problem) Ceddie had stepped on a rock and simply picked it up and chucked it a little further out in the water. Admittedly it was towards her kids, but the chances of hitting them and doing any damage was pretty small. She yelled at me that if the rock had hit one of her kids they might have gone down and drowned! (They could have stood up in the water...it wasn't deep)It was pretty clear to me that she was totally irrational and in a case like that, it has been my experience that the best course of action is to agree with the person. It will usually diffuse the situation.
I knew I had two ways to play my response. I could be the 'adult' and calmly accept her explanation at face value, and assure her it wouldn't happen again....or I could stand up and kick her butt in front of her fat kids, push her in the water and try to explain to the police who would surely be called what had happened. My natural instinct was to kick her butt, but I wanted to be a good example to Ceddie, so I spoke to her in a calm voice and told her it wouldn't happen again. Then I spoke to Ceddie, in an equally calm voice and asked about it. He told me the truth and I explained that there was no place for rock tossing when other people were around, regardless of the fact that hitting one of them was unlikely. Then I told him to go back and play and have a good time. The woman left and went back to her chair. The group left a few minutes later because the children seemed to be very embarrassed about the whole thing. I wonder why.
I went back to reading my book, trying to retain my dignity. A woman sitting nearby said quietly to me "I'm sorry that happened". I was a little surprised at that and said "Well, she surely got her point across, didn't she" and kind of laughed. She said "But she didn't have to alert the entire lake of it! How stupid she was.I have to say....you handled that with grace. I was impressed." I thanked her for her nice words and went back to my book, knowing I had done the right thing.
Ceddie continued to play and have a great time. Every once in a while he would call to me and ask if he was doing great in his paddling. I assured him each time that he was doing extra great and I was proud of him. The screaming banshee-woman was soon forgotten. After a little while he came out of the water and sat by me while I tried to warm him up. He put his head on my lap and said "Gramma...I love you." I got my reward for the day.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Deep Thoughts...by Ceddie Johnson
- Sometimes clowns wear birthday hats. I don't hate clowns.
- If you put medicine on a bullet before you get shot....will you still die?
- If you mix lemonade and 7-up you get 7-ade.
Ceddie and I went to see another movie today. We saw Despicable Me. He liked it a lot, but I thought it was only so-so. A little later I took him to a place to get his favorite bean and cheese burrito. It was cold and breezy today so we didn't get to swim again, but possibly tomorrow.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
The Mind of a Six-Year-Old Boy
I'm watching my grandson Cedric for a few days while his parents get away. His siblings have been farmed out to different relatives so its just him and me. It's only been a day and a half so far, but we are having a great time. We went to see Toy Story 3 yesterday afternoon. He spent most of the rest of the evening running a course in the front yard that he has established and being Ironman. The yard is sloped so if he takes off at a dead run from the high point he can get a good deal of speed built up to get him up another slope and onto the flat part of the yard. He will run this pattern for hours. He comes inside every once in a while to get a snack or a drink, but then he's off again...running....running...
He also has an ongoing commentary as he's doing this, complete with sound effects and threats to the evil bad guys. I can't exactly make out the details of his narration, but it must be compelling because he goes on and on. The sound effects are pretty awesome also. They range from gunshots to lazer beams and light sabres. He also supplies the screams of agony and cries for revenge from the bad guys. He's an all-purpose fantasy guy.
He's a great little kid. I'm glad I'm getting a chance to know him one on one. We went to the lake today. I put him in a life jacket and let him have at it. The area we were in was contained, but the water did get over his head in one spot and I didn't want to have to go in after him. He was having a wonderful time and kept saying 'this is GREAT!'...meaning the life jacket and his new ability to float. Of course I watched him every moment and made sure he was safe, but he was in his element. I think he's enjoying our time together also because he told me tonight he sure loves me. Of course...that comes on the heels of his comment about my being a really old lady.
Oh, and a post-script on the last post. The fellow who fell was released from the hospital after several hours and seems to be doing just fine. I'm glad for that.
I also suspect after a week with Ceddie I'll have several more stories to share. Stay tuned....
He also has an ongoing commentary as he's doing this, complete with sound effects and threats to the evil bad guys. I can't exactly make out the details of his narration, but it must be compelling because he goes on and on. The sound effects are pretty awesome also. They range from gunshots to lazer beams and light sabres. He also supplies the screams of agony and cries for revenge from the bad guys. He's an all-purpose fantasy guy.
He's a great little kid. I'm glad I'm getting a chance to know him one on one. We went to the lake today. I put him in a life jacket and let him have at it. The area we were in was contained, but the water did get over his head in one spot and I didn't want to have to go in after him. He was having a wonderful time and kept saying 'this is GREAT!'...meaning the life jacket and his new ability to float. Of course I watched him every moment and made sure he was safe, but he was in his element. I think he's enjoying our time together also because he told me tonight he sure loves me. Of course...that comes on the heels of his comment about my being a really old lady.
Oh, and a post-script on the last post. The fellow who fell was released from the hospital after several hours and seems to be doing just fine. I'm glad for that.
I also suspect after a week with Ceddie I'll have several more stories to share. Stay tuned....
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
This Sort of Thing Happens to Me a Lot. Wonder Why?
It’s been an adrenaline pumping morning so far. I woke up late, around 9:00 and opened the windows to the house as I usually do. I noticed that the red truck was still at the house across the street which seemed a little odd since I hadn’t seen anyone. I went about my morning routine and noticed a few minutes later that the back window of the truck was open. Hmmmm…that seemed a little odd since I hadn’t seen anyone. I guess my first thought was that someone was breaking in. So I watched a moment or so and noticed a man come out of the house. He was lurching a little and my first thought was “wow, kinda early in the morning to be hitting the sauce”. He appeared to be loading the truck, so I made the assumption that he was preparing to leave and went about my business. Something just didn’t feel right so I made it a point to look every few minutes. As I was looking he seemed to lose his equilibrium. He twisted somewhat and sort of took a few running steps down the sidewalk. I realize now he was trying to get his balance, but that was impossible on the steep sidewalk. As I watched he fell against the rock wall and dropped the things he has been carrying - they were flung all the way down the sidewalk. I waited a moment to see if he would try to get up. He seemed to be dazed and hurt.
I ran into my bedroom and threw on some clothes (I wasn’t going to go out in my nightgown) . I also put my cell phone in my pocket. and started across the street. I said “hey, what’s going on” he managed to say ‘Parkinson’s”. So I knew we had a problem. I looked around for help because I knew I couldn't get him up alone. The man (Dave) who lives on the other corner of the intersection we all live on had seen me run out of my house and came to see what was up. Between the two of us we got Rick (the man’s name) up and sitting on the wall. We were letting him gather his wits and I was accessing the damages. He was scraped up pretty badly and bleeding. I managed to get blood all over me. I ran home to get some paper towels and band-aids to stop the bleeding. We sat and visited while I waited to see how he reacted to things. Dave had to go to work, so he left. Rick and I talked a little while and I asked if he thought he could walk. He thought he probably could so I got him up. He immediately began to wobble and say ‘sit, sit’.
I managed to get him back down and he kind of collapsed. I told him I had my phone and would like to call the Lincoln City police to get someone to check him out. He agreed so I called. A few minutes later 2 big guys in an ambulance showed up with sirens blazing. I told them as much as I knew. Rick seemed to be coherent and they were about to leave. I asked them to check his blood pressure. It was extremely low. He didn’t want to go to the hospital so it seemed we had done all we could. I told the fellows I was just across the street if they needed anything and I left. They were attempting to help him to his car when he collapsed again so they decided to take him to the hospital because something was clearly going on with him besides the obvious issues with the Parkinson’s disease.
I saw him collapse from my window and started back over. I asked him to please allow me to call his brother (I found out during the conversation he was the brother of the owner of the house, Mike). He said “ok” so I called as they loaded him into the ambulance. I let his brother know what was going on and then closed up the house and truck while they took him away.
I came home and put my bloody clothes into the wash and cleaned up. It occurred to me I should have used rubber gloves as I cleaned him up, but what was done was done. I’m still from the old-school first aid glass. Back in the ‘old days’ we didn’t have to be concerned about blood-borne diseases.
Now I’m in the hurry-up-and-wait mode to find out how he is. I’m pretty sure he’s fine, he probably just got dehydrated or forgot to take some meds, but I’d still like to know for sure.
I’ll keep you posted.
I ran into my bedroom and threw on some clothes (I wasn’t going to go out in my nightgown) . I also put my cell phone in my pocket. and started across the street. I said “hey, what’s going on” he managed to say ‘Parkinson’s”. So I knew we had a problem. I looked around for help because I knew I couldn't get him up alone. The man (Dave) who lives on the other corner of the intersection we all live on had seen me run out of my house and came to see what was up. Between the two of us we got Rick (the man’s name) up and sitting on the wall. We were letting him gather his wits and I was accessing the damages. He was scraped up pretty badly and bleeding. I managed to get blood all over me. I ran home to get some paper towels and band-aids to stop the bleeding. We sat and visited while I waited to see how he reacted to things. Dave had to go to work, so he left. Rick and I talked a little while and I asked if he thought he could walk. He thought he probably could so I got him up. He immediately began to wobble and say ‘sit, sit’.
I managed to get him back down and he kind of collapsed. I told him I had my phone and would like to call the Lincoln City police to get someone to check him out. He agreed so I called. A few minutes later 2 big guys in an ambulance showed up with sirens blazing. I told them as much as I knew. Rick seemed to be coherent and they were about to leave. I asked them to check his blood pressure. It was extremely low. He didn’t want to go to the hospital so it seemed we had done all we could. I told the fellows I was just across the street if they needed anything and I left. They were attempting to help him to his car when he collapsed again so they decided to take him to the hospital because something was clearly going on with him besides the obvious issues with the Parkinson’s disease.
I saw him collapse from my window and started back over. I asked him to please allow me to call his brother (I found out during the conversation he was the brother of the owner of the house, Mike). He said “ok” so I called as they loaded him into the ambulance. I let his brother know what was going on and then closed up the house and truck while they took him away.
I came home and put my bloody clothes into the wash and cleaned up. It occurred to me I should have used rubber gloves as I cleaned him up, but what was done was done. I’m still from the old-school first aid glass. Back in the ‘old days’ we didn’t have to be concerned about blood-borne diseases.
Now I’m in the hurry-up-and-wait mode to find out how he is. I’m pretty sure he’s fine, he probably just got dehydrated or forgot to take some meds, but I’d still like to know for sure.
I’ll keep you posted.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Another day, another ending
I've been in Vancouver, Washington all week watching Ben and Ryann. I couldn't watch them at my house because they have summer soccer camp in the evening, so here I am. I haven't been home for more than a minute or two in weeks and that seems to be working fine for me.
It's really amazing how little a person can get done when they aren't in their own home. I did my laundry yesterday but otherwise I've been footloose and fancy free to watch tv or read all I want. I've been watching the old Roswell series about teenage aliens set in the late '90's. I had seen the series when it was broadcast but I'm amazed at how much I forgot. I think I have a crush on an alien. It's been fun to watch, and I'm on season 2 now. I think it only ran 2.5 seasons, so my fun will soon come to an end - as all things must.
I also finished a book Kevin and Stephanie got me for my birthday. It was about 2 best friends and all the ups and downs of friendship. In the end the 'good' friend dies and the selfish one steps up to the plate. It was a good story and had me bawling my eyes out, hoping no one would hear me sobbing. It really touched a nerve. The good friend ends up with cancer and fights the good fight all the way to the end. Even after death her essence lingers on. I think any essence I have left will go with me when I go.
Sophie and Jubie will be here in Vancouver this afternoon. They have been staying with Steph's parents while Kevin and Stephanie are in Austin, Texas checking out the area for a possible job/move. Her parents are leaving for a trip, so I'll have the girls here with me for a day, then I'll take them back to their house on Friday afternoon. I'll probably stay there Friday night since Kevin and Stephanie aren't expected home until late. Saturday morning I'll probably check for mail in Salem, then head back out to the beach.
I have all my painting supplies with me, so perhaps I'll do some painting next week. I've been looking for some inspiration, but I haven't found any. Summer at the beach is a little different than the rest of the time because of the constantly changing faces of the tourists. Traffic is bad, especially on weekends, so my errands will have to be walking ones unless I decide to face the masses. The walk to the library is about a mile, so its a nice jaunt. And of course there is always the beach to walk. I like to put an audio book on my ipod and just walk and walk.
I seem to be rambling a lot, so I guess I'll close this for now.
Friday, June 11, 2010
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