Amber

I have been through a number of "Samcare" providers so far this year.  I have lost them to everything from better job offers to hospitalizations to chronic tardiness.  One person has hung in there and done a wonderfully, reliable job.  That would be Amber.

Today I had to text her that the woman residing (court ordered) in the mental health facility is calling again.  It's okay if she doesn't answer the phone.  She just said ok.  If you can tell a sitter that on Halloween and she doesn't go running, she is a keeper!

Amber, thank you for being such a reliable and excellent caregiver!

Oz

The great and powerful....just helped me tremendously.  She is an amazing woman I work with who knows more about everything than I do.  I'm lucky that she helps me out at work and with my kids.  She does make my life just a little easier!

Karen

Tonight, I had to do conferences where I work.  Mom had tickets to the theater.  My scheduled sitter's grandma died.  Can you say "stress."  Luckily, Sam's aid from another school generously offered to help.  I could tell he was happy to see her.  I was happy to have somebody who speaks Sam.   Turns out, she even knows my nephew's girlfriend.  She is practically family!

Thanks Karen for watching Sam.

Josey

Packed my lunch and wrote the sweetest note.  Thanks to Jojo for brightening my day.

Kelee, Matt/Mitch, Rose

I went out of town on Friday.  I was thankful, but had no computer, notecards, or time to sit.  So this is a three way, three day thank you.

First, my girl Kelee......I have known her since we were about 11 years old.  We have loved, lost, laughed, cried, PMSed, and several other things I won't mention through 32 years of friendship.  THIRTY TWO YEARS!!!  She invited me for a lovely visit where I had no repsonsibilities, only time to do nothing.  We stayed up laughing, talking, and crying (while watching ALF of course) until 2:30am Nashville time.  Kelee is a truly amazing person.  I am proud of her for so many things.  I hope my daughter grows up to have her perseverance and strength.  Thank you Kelee for opening your home to me.

Aside from being superwoman, oops, I mean spider woman, Kelee is a fantastic mom.  That was evident from watching her sons who are wonderful young men.  They were polite and welcoming.  I got to see them both play sports and they displayed good sportsmanship as well as team spirit.  Thank you Matthew and Mitchell for sharing your weekend, home, and mom with me.

Last, but not least, is Rose.  Rose stayed at my house with my kids so I could have a little down time. Sam was thrilled to see her.  Josey enjoyed hanging out too.  Even Max came out of his lare to help and socialize.  Rose is so on it, I honestly didn't worry about anything all weekend except for what I would eat next and how late could I sleep.  Thank you Rose for hanging with the kids.

Class

This is a person, not a group of people. 

I am just going to admit to this right now.  I started this entire little project because I was woefully unhappy last January and was really not sure why.  What I was not acknowledging was that I was very unhappy with my job.  At the time, I had serious concerns that I had laid out a lot of money to a degree in a field that I hated.  It had not occurred to me that maybe it wasn't the career, it was where I worked.  I gave notice and headed for what I hoped would be greener pastures.  I have just completed my first quarter.  It is now crystal clear that I like my career, grad school was money well spent, and that in my world, job satisfaction equals life satisfaction.  I hate to say anything that might jinx me....but I really like my job this year.  That is the first time I have been able to say that since I graduated.  The people I get to work with every day are a big part of that.  So just get ready to read about them on a regular basis, because I have a lotta thankin' to do!  Here is goes....

You know that saying, "Misery loves company"? I am starting to think that there is nothing that gives me more misery in need of company than raising a square child in this very round world.  What makes it hard is that sometimes it feels like not matter what you do, it's wrong.  I believe that children who aren't taught responsibility and consequence do not develop the skills necessary to be good citizens or content adults.  I know that you are all shaking your head and saying "Amen!"  But I also know that many people who shake their head and say "Amen" only agree with the concept and not the actual follow through.  The last two months have been the most difficult stretch I have had as a parent...EVER!  (That would be the misery part.)

Aside form working with people who are good at what they do and truly care about their students (stuff I'll talk about later, I'm sure) I'm lucky that I get to connect with them on a more personal basis too.  It's nice to have that social connection.  It's nice to come in to work feeling drained from making a hard decision and have the first person you talk to reinforce that choice.  Especially on days when the world seems to be determined to undermine your efforts. 

Class, thank you for being the best company on my most miserable of days.  Is that an honor or what??????

Lydia

I love to take pictures of my kids.  Unfortunately, they hate when I take pictures of them.  The Taylor children on the other hand love to have their picture taken and are only too happy to oblige.  I found at the last cross country meet, that if I take a picture of one of them, my daughter will photo bomb it.  Lydia is now the bate I use to get good pictures of Josey.  FYI, she is a cutie pie to boot....inside and out.

Thank you for posing with my girl Miss Lydia!

Mr. B

This week is conference week.  Not just at the school where I work, but also at the school where my daughter attends.  I was looking forward to Josey's conferences.  She is the alien in the house who writes lists, cleans her room without being told and doesn't like fast food because it isn't healthy.  The rest of us are disorganized slobs by comparison.  I'm sure there are things i could do to screw her up, but for the most part, she is really pretty low maintnance.  I felt I was being ripped off because I can't make conference night.  I want my accolades!!!  I emailed all the teachers so I could get a little feel good feedback.  Most of them emailed.  One called. 

Back when I was "just" a parent studying to be a school person, other school people told me that once I was a professional I would "get it."  Many of them meant that I would understand that I should lower my expectations of school personnel.  Just started my third year....hasn't changed my expectations.  It has made me appreciate when somebody goes over and above....like calling an hour after the schoolday is over to give me my conference time.  Love it!!!!!   So that is thank you número uno!  But many teachers call at any hour with bad news.  Trust me on that one.

What working in the field has made me realize is that there are many kinds of students.  Today I had one myself that is a bit of a stinker, but I love 'em anyway.  Having said that, it is nice to occasionally have that student who is polite, efficient, hardworking, respectful and kind.  It is even better when you hear from somebody that your child is THAT student.  As a professional, we sometimes only get time to put out fires and call the parents of problem kids.  I now know it takes extra effort to make time to call with good news.  That is thank you número dos.

Mr. Bemmes, thank you for calling me about Josey.  Phone calls from teachers are usually not good, so it was extra nice to hear such wonderful things about my daughter on an otherwise hectic day!  

Josey

Thank you for helping with the chores today

Rob or John or Steve or whoever @ A&E

I hate scraping snow off of my car.  I hate loading my car in the rain.  These are the reasons a garage was a must when I bought my house.  My little neighborhood has little houses which don't all have garages.  In some cases, the garages are placed in such a way that they are really just for storage of stuff and not for actual cars.  I was very happy to see that my house's garage could actually be used as a garage for a car.  The first thing I did last year was have a garage door opener installed.  Well, enough time has passed that the warranty ran out so of COURSE it quit working....right after I had bought groceries that I store in the extra fridge in the garage.  Yeah me!

The first guy that came out said that it was the board because it had been struck by lightening.  Hmm.  On a sunny day when there are a several building and a metal fence that all sit higher than my garage....whatever.  Just want it fixed.  New board installed....still not working.  Next time it was that the garage door had been painted shut.  Pretty sure that I did not paint my garage between getting home from work at 5 pm one night but before I left at 6:30 am the next morning.  I had painted it a few months ago...but had also opened and closed the door multiple times a day since without issue.  Called A&E and voiced my extreme frustration. 

The clouds parted....the angels sang....and somebody whose name I can't remember said he would send out a senior tech AND leave me a gas card for my troubles.  The next day.....my garage door worked wonderfully and I am now tootling around town with some free gas in my tank.  Here is what I am thankful for....

Thank you to whoever called me back and apologized for my inconvenience and gave me the gas card.  Things go wrong.  People make mistakes.  I know this because I have a job and I make mistakes.  Perfection is impossible.  What I appreciate is somebody apologizing and acknowledging my frustration.  The service I have received from this company in the past (3 houses) has been very good.  I'm sure this was just one of those things which is why I will continue to use their service.

Katy

Always nice when someone offers to drive so you don't have to go out in the cold yucky rain.

Tasha

Several months ago I went to NY & Co to buy some new pants.  It was a buy one deal and of course they didn't have my size.  So I ordered them on line instead.  Did you know that there is a time limit on returning things even with a receipt there?  A limit that is less than 62 days?  Me either.  That was frustrating since I had pacific ally said it was difficult to make it out to stores.  That was my complaint today.  Something came up as Sasha was making the return for me.  It was an advantage to me and she let it go which made me less frustrated with the situation.  When so many people just phone it in or enjoy telling the customer no, it's nice to receive some very good customer service over something that was not her fault.

Thanks Sasha.

Mom& Dad

Stomach virus.  Mom and dad fed kids.

Josey

Found this in my lunch bag today.  Need I say more?

Mom

She yelled at my kids, begged the garage people to actually fix my door, and scooped up Sam on a two 3s day.  It was nice to have a day off from running things and only have to work.

Matt

It has been a long week.  My little project that would give me more room for my much needed new washer turned into the replacement of all of my cast iron plumbing with PVC, including the stack and vent that goes through the roof.  If you didn't gasp, you don't know what a stack is or what it takes to replace the vent.  Finally in the home stretch.....I didn't have a cord for my new dryer.  Well, I actually did have a cord, but it was from the o,d dryer which would void the warranty on the new dryer (something the sales person forgot to mention but the delivery guy did.). Got a new cord, but the tools were locked inside my garage that has 2 windows and a garage door that became inoperable a few days ago.

My home improvement project are like those books "If you give a Pig a Pancake" or a Mouse popcorn...or Carol a home improvement idea.....disaster and mayhem are sure to follow.  But unlike the Mouse, pig, moose or dog....I have a brother in law.  Who had the right tool to attach my cord so I can do laundry.

Thank you Matt....you are far better than any freckle faced boy or girl with tap shoes!!!!

Mom

When I was getting ready to go back to work after being home for many years, some man told me that I would see how I really did nothing all those years I stayed home.  This is my 3rd year working, and I still think I did a lot when I stayed home.  It's the little things you don't think about.  For example, my washer was probably 20 years old when I bought my house.  It was good to put off buying a new one  for a year or two, but the time had come to replace it.  Of course they don't deliver on a weekend.  Or after 5.  They won't even tell you until that morning what the 2 hour window is when they might show up.  I use to be the person who waited for the repair man.  Was it the most mentally challenging thing I ever did? No, but somebody had to do it.

Somebody still has to do it.  It just can't be me.  I guess some people have to pay a concierge service to do it.  Or beg a stay at home mom that they have not offended by insinuating that they don't have anything else to do (which I never remember being the case when I was home.)  I am lucky enough that my mom is doing it for me.  

Mom, thanks for making sure I'm covered.

Sam

Today was a 5k run at Jojo's school.  Sam was good enough to get up at 7am so he could help hand out water to runners and pick up the cups.  He is a good big brother.

Ashley

Today was a professional development day.  That is day when a bunch of speechiness spend an entire day in a room that is either way too hot or way too cold learning about a specific topic.  The speaker was dressed in a super cute outfit, had a stylish haircut and was fit and trim.  What does that have to do with my thank you?

I saw Ashley (sat behind me in room 144 for an entire year of grad school) on the way to the bathroom.  She said she was thinking about me because the speaker reminded her of me.  Huge compliment, thank you Ashley!

Dad

I need a new washer.  Luckily, my dad taught me the importance of consulting Consumer Report.  Even luckier, he has a subscription so I don't have to have one.  Yeah dad! And thanks.

Wendy

Wendy makes me laugh.  This is my favorite post of the month, maybe year, on Facebook.  I am thankful she is my Facebook friend and entertains me daily.  She also championed service dogs in schools so those of us whose children have one can quote Department of Justice time stuff.  Yep. Yep.  She's my hero on many levels.

Wendy....thanks for the laugh.

Last night....no wait, 4:00 am is technically morning, Scooter Givens was listening to screaming babies on YouTube on his iPad. Not wanting to get up but wanting the noise to stop, I was inspired. I grabbed my iPad and using the find my iPhone app I was able to lock his device and send him a message. The message simply said. " Turn it down. From Santa" I heard a yelp and then sweet sweet silence for the rest of the night. Bring on the season of fear and manipulation! — feeling smart.

Patty

Today I received the nicest e-mail ever today.  Matt's mom said that she was glad I am with her son.  She then went on to say how as much as she loves her grandchildren, she is a mom first.  Which quadruples the original compliment.  There is no higher honor than the mom stamp of approval.

Thank you for the high praise Patty.

My Dad

One thing that kind of stinks (ok, SUCKS) about being the only parental participant in these parts is that I cannot be everywhere at once.  Like today, there was one kid in need of supervision and another at a cross country meet.  I would be wallowing in guilt over not making the cross country meet where my little Miss  Josey FINALLY beat her personal best.  Luckily, Grandpa went to cheer her on.  As far as Jojo is concerned Grandpa is as good as mom any day of the week.

Thanks for getting it covered for me Grandpa.

Max

If I hadn't taught Sunday school and learned that God told Noah he would never flood the Earth again, I would be a little worried right now. My back yard is a lake.  Max helped me pump out the dry wells which took almost an hour.  He cleaned both bathrooms, including the showroom and tub.  He even did the dishes a couple of time.  He is a good boy and deserves a great big thank you.

Sam

Tonight, Sam helped sort the laundry.  I wouldn't say he loved doing it, but he did it.  Then he got up from a dead sleep to get Max from work.  He is a real trooper.

Patrick B

Typically, I would not think severe autism and a loud, crowded, Homecoming high school football game would be compatible.  I'm not sure if Sam has heard about the football games on the morning announcements, or if he has just matured enough that he enjoys age appropriate activities.  Either way, Sam is lovin' himself some Aviator football this year.  We arrived over 30 minutes before the game started.  We actually stayed for the post game marching band performance.  Then we stayed to chat with Sam's teacher from last year.  He enjoyed the entire thing.  Totally amazing.  Although there have been many years of hard work, sweat, and tears.....lots and LOTS of tears....there is one very specific thing that made tonight possible.

After a pre game performance, a Diet Coke and 3 quarters....it was time for a restroom break.  There are no family restrooms at the stadium.  There were too many people for me to feel good about sending Sam totally alone.  Fortunately, I saw a responsible dad I knew.  While I very much appreciate Karen loaning her husband, I have to thank Mr. B for making sure Sam got in, found a stall, took care of business and made it back out in a timely manner.  Otherwise....it would have been Game Over.  Thank you Patrick!

Mom

I found a wonderfully reliable girl to get Sam on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  I found what turned out to be a totally unreliable girl for Tuesday and Thursday.  First, she was supposed to cover a period of time, but then went back to school and ended up coming this week only.  Then today, she called and said she was stuck in traffic because there was an accident by her house.  Instead of calling while still in her neighborhood, she waited to call until 9 minutes before the bus arrived.  My mom lives more than 9 minutes away, so you can see the problem.  My mom was able to get here before the bus had to leave and take Sam to parts unknown.  If she hadn't, I'm sure Sam would have been infuriated that he didn't get his Diet Coke and chips.

Thank you mom.

Kim

Also known as the Great and Powerful OZ!!!!!

One of many wonderful people I get to work with this year, who jumps in to lend me a book, a popper car, or $10 bucks for a cool T-shirt.  She is also super smart about pre-schoolers who are sometimes just a little scary.  Some people are intimidated by someone who is extremely knowledgeable.  I am not one of those people.  I am very thankful that I get to work with somebody who can push me and teach me so I can be a better SLP.

Kim, thanks for being my personal librarian and so much more.

Noah

Noah is the son of somebody at work.  I was teasing him saying I wanted a piece of birthday cookie.  He brought me some today.  Thanks Noah.