Blogs That are Better Than Mine, Continued

This post made me laugh so hard, I cried.

I'm still crying. The tears are running down my cheeks right now. I have to blog this, people! I can't stop for frivolities such as tear-wiping!

That said, here's the post. OMJ.*



*Oh, My Jeezy

Blogs That are Better Than Mine

It's most of them, yeah?

So anyway, I went for coffee and conversation today with my friend Kitt. Her blog is better than mine, for starters, because of her prolific use of photos and snappy wit.

She told me about this other blog, though, which has me in tears. Tears of Snarky Laughter and Joy. Absolutely hilarious.

Go to The Psychopedia. Go now! The link is an example that is close to my heart, as I am self-published. Hee.

p.s. I do not wear costumes in my author photos. Much.

What Do You Want?

A friend and I are considering starting a Yahoo group, for women who want to be self-employed. After our chat this morning, it became apparent that I am the one who needs the support. I can visualize myself as self-employed, but it feels like a fantasy, not reality.

But then I think, why not dream big, if yer dreamin'?

And then I think, don't call it a dream, because dreams aren't real. Call it your vision for the future.

And then I think, I need a beverage.

Liquid Soap!

I have a great friend, Laurie, who agreed to teach me her way of making liquid soap. She has more than a few tricks up her soapmaker's sleeve, let me tell you.

Of course, I know the basic soaping process, but liquid soap is more than a bit different. It takes a lot of cooking, and mixing, and waiting, and waiting, and waiting. But the result is awesome! I now have some lovely liquid soap.

Whatever shall I do with it?

Flood of 2008

I am from Iowa, so I am very interested in the flood news. In case you didn't know, Iowa is under water. Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is almost completely devastated--a city of 100,000 people. The Paramount Theatre is pretty much destroyed, for those who understand that statement.

My hometown, Amana, is out in the sticks. I did a search today, and found this video. The highway they are standing on is very close to my parents' house, where I grew up. When they pan left, just briefly you can see a line of trees--their house is over there. To give a little perspective on the video, know this: NONE of what you are seeing is "supposed" to be under water. It's all cornfield and highway, usually. Now it's running water.

Absolutely insane.

Summer project

I would love to be an urban prankster. Someone email me and we'll do it.

The perils of a small bathroom.

So I was taking a bath this afternoon, to relax. I like to read when I'm taking a bath. It's pretty much the only time I take to sit and read, anymore.

Well, it was about time to get out, and my eyes were getting tired. My husband had recently come in to use the toilet. I hate this for obvious reasons. It will become apparent why this is important in a moment.

I closed my book, placed it on the toilet, and started to push myself up and out of the tub. What's that? Out of the corner of my very nearsighted eye, I saw my book take a tumble. Dang it! It fell on the floor. I took a closer look.

Um. Whoops. I threw it right into the open toilet.

I don't understand

I don't understand myself. That thing with the dentist the other day has put me in a tailspin. I am depressed. I feel sad whenever I think about my daughter there. I suppose I feel like I have failed her.

She was not harmed. She's fine. I was more harmed than she was. Emotionally harmed. But how can I get over it?

I think filing a complaint with the state board will help.

Open Letter to My Daughter's Former Dentist

Dr. S,

After our interaction today in your office, I have decided to fire you. These are the reasons why:

1. You were offended because I asked my daughter a question. I should be able to ask my child whatever question I want. I’m her mother. If you are offended by it, then it’s your job to get over it. I’m the client.
2. You expressed your offense by cornering me physically in your office. Do you know that when you scoot your chair down close to that parent chair, that parent has no means of egress? The way was blocked by machinery and your assistant, who was aghast at the proceedings. Furthermore, my first reaction to your demeanor and physical presence was fear. How can I bring my child back to a person who made me fear for my safety, even for one instant?
3. You became more incensed when I attempted to explain myself. I was not only explaining myself, I was advocating for my child. I will always do that.
4. Your office threw away my daughter’s file for no reason. Had that not happened, her history would have been there for your review. Instead, I got admonished for asking a question, and feared for my safety when you and your anger moved your chair to corner me like an animal.
5. You made me cry. What an ass.
   

Because of my shock at the entire thing, it has taken me a while to pinpoint exactly what angered me the most. In the end, there are many points, and not just one. I began crying when you talked to me while I was leaving, not only because of my anger at having been made fearful, but because I knew I would have to advocate for my daughter the way I did with you, over and over and over. Parents of children with disabilities deserve to work with people who are not only educated about these kids, but also care about their welfare.

I don’t believe you care. In fact, I now believe this is your way of being rid of one child with disabilities. You can’t discriminate openly, of course. But you can make parents feel really uncomfortable, can’t you? You’re good at it.

Unfortunately, being good at that means you will not have the opportunity to work with my daughter ever again. To do that, you would have to publicly get on your knees and beg my forgiveness. I don’t ever see that happening.

Do you?