You know when you're watching a sitcom and the opening scene is your favorite character completely losing their mind, really going crazy on someone? Then, the story takes you back through out their day and you completely empathize with their meltdown? Yeah, that was me today.
4:03pm Bus arrives at the correct stop to drop Landen off. I stand on my porch every day to assist him verbally in crossing the street. The driver clears him to cross, he starts to cross when a white Toyota Celica speeding up swerves and slams its breaks to avoid hitting him.
I won't type what I started screaming at the D-Bag driver! But let me tell you, the bus driver, bus monitor, driver of celica and at least one neighbor got a one woman production staring Ms Crazy herself, Leah LoChiano.
I don't know entirely what led to this complete meltdown so, I'll start with bedtime last night. I've been watching Army Wives on netflix before bed. Last night, one of the main characters died. He was the son of one of the wives. I balled for 2 hours. I couldn't stop- it was unreal and I felt deeply for this loss as though I was reliving the passing of my actual family members. From then on, I didn't sleep. Toss and Turn, drink, walk around, repeat. So, today, I've been pretty much worthless. And still crying for apparently no reason. The girls and I have changed a few loads of laundry between movies though. Anyway, pressing forward- I have just been off today. Tried multiple times to talk to someone, but didn't really feel like anyone would care to hear my rambles of feeling sad yet again. Even ignored my mom's phone call because I am determined to prove I can handle my own kids without help from anyone seven days a week. (Luke works 8-8 Mon-Sat, 11-6 Sun). So, the girls woke up from a late nap and wouldn't stop crying. I saw Landen's bus approach, stepped outside and totally let loose a some stupid college kid who probably thinks I am totally insane!
sharing great deals, life lessons, struggles and blessings
28 September 2011
21 September 2011
a follow up to "A Letter to the School Board"
First of all, I have to thank so many people for their encouragement and support through out our transportation ordeal this year. Many of you gave me the courage and confidence to express my concerns and stand up for my child and I am greatly appreciative for all of your words, facebook messages and texts! I have an amazing group of friends/followers!
My post A Letter to the Board of Education, remains very popular. I felt a follow up was in order. I am very thankful for the Warrensburg School District. Their quick, effective response to my letter (and the popularity it was receiving) has assured me they honestly seek to achieve the mission they have set for their district.
The morning following my post and our last ordeal with Apple Bus, Mrs. Ginger Cochran called me. She is the principal at Landen's school and she was shocked and saddened to hear of our experience with the bus. She forwarded my letter to Dr. Scott Patrick, the Assistant-Superintendent of Student Services. Within, the hour, Dr. Patrick had called me. He was frustrated with the situation and thanked me for bringing it to their attention. We had a great conversation about Landen and his peers safety in the driver's care. The driver had not only had issues with me, but with another parent this year. She is now on a probationary period. He gave me his phone number and asked that I no longer contact Apple Bus with any problems, but contact him directly as he as a radio to speak directly with each bus. We came to an agreement on a safe, close bus stop as well. Dr Patrick and Mrs. Cochran made me feel as though they actually cared about our situation and the safety of all the students they are responsible for. That was the first time I had confidence in this district. I am very thankful to them.
I did not want to cause any problems for the driver. I just wanted her held to a high standard. I believe that has been done. We've had more interactions with her over the last few weeks and I think she has stepped up her game. She's always been very polite at pick up and drop off and most importantly, she knows exactly where Landen's stop is.
I am very happy with the current situation and I thank God that no harm came to Landen. I am very thankful that God blessed me with the ability to use my words to get a quick response. Thanks again to all of you who were there for us!
My post A Letter to the Board of Education, remains very popular. I felt a follow up was in order. I am very thankful for the Warrensburg School District. Their quick, effective response to my letter (and the popularity it was receiving) has assured me they honestly seek to achieve the mission they have set for their district.
The morning following my post and our last ordeal with Apple Bus, Mrs. Ginger Cochran called me. She is the principal at Landen's school and she was shocked and saddened to hear of our experience with the bus. She forwarded my letter to Dr. Scott Patrick, the Assistant-Superintendent of Student Services. Within, the hour, Dr. Patrick had called me. He was frustrated with the situation and thanked me for bringing it to their attention. We had a great conversation about Landen and his peers safety in the driver's care. The driver had not only had issues with me, but with another parent this year. She is now on a probationary period. He gave me his phone number and asked that I no longer contact Apple Bus with any problems, but contact him directly as he as a radio to speak directly with each bus. We came to an agreement on a safe, close bus stop as well. Dr Patrick and Mrs. Cochran made me feel as though they actually cared about our situation and the safety of all the students they are responsible for. That was the first time I had confidence in this district. I am very thankful to them.
I did not want to cause any problems for the driver. I just wanted her held to a high standard. I believe that has been done. We've had more interactions with her over the last few weeks and I think she has stepped up her game. She's always been very polite at pick up and drop off and most importantly, she knows exactly where Landen's stop is.
I am very happy with the current situation and I thank God that no harm came to Landen. I am very thankful that God blessed me with the ability to use my words to get a quick response. Thanks again to all of you who were there for us!
03 September 2011
Blended Cooking ::Gluten-Free Chicken Pot Pie::
I can only imagine how rough it is to have a blended family. I am very fortunate to not have had that experience. Sometimes, I feel stress, pain and frustration that I assume one would have in a blended family when I am cooking. Yes, cooking. For 16 months now, I have been working really hard at making my blended cooking work. It's stressful, frustrating and can be painful for my little gluten-free girl if I mess up. It is not possible financially for our family to go 100% gluten-free. And it would be hard for my Italian husband to deal with, quite frankly. I have become pretty good at blended cooking- making a meal that allows us all to have the same menu item on our plates with C's being 100% gluten-free. This take planning but it's one of the most important things to me- I never want Cecilia to feel like she's different in a bad way. I make every effort possible to keep our family dinners the same.
One of my absolute favorite dinners to make it my mom's homemade chicken pot pie. Anyone who's ever had a baby in our church has tasted it! And that means, I have made this pot pie many times in the last 16 months. I have yet to make it for our family though because I was very nervous about trying a GF version of my favorite dish. Well, I got up the nerves because it's September and fall means chicken pot pie!
I knew I could make gluten-free crust and I knew the rest would be fairly simple- but the part that worried me was the cream of potato soup base. Its been hard for me to get a great consistency for cream soups with GF flour. And with Chicken Pot Pie, it's gotta be great!
After I finished the GF pie crust, I threw left over potatoes, chopped up, GF chicken bouillon cream, 1/4c Domata Living Flour, 1/4c Lactaid whole milk, salt and pepper in my stand mixer. I whipped it up beautifully and let it sit for a few minutes. By some total miracle- it created the perfect consistency. So perfect in fact, I might stop using the canned soup for the regular pot pie. I mixed in a few more cut up potatoes, veggies, thyme.
I then assembled the regular version and they were both ready to pop into the oven @ 350 for 30mins for the GF (b/c it was smaller) and 60mins for the regular.
One of my absolute favorite dinners to make it my mom's homemade chicken pot pie. Anyone who's ever had a baby in our church has tasted it! And that means, I have made this pot pie many times in the last 16 months. I have yet to make it for our family though because I was very nervous about trying a GF version of my favorite dish. Well, I got up the nerves because it's September and fall means chicken pot pie!
I knew I could make gluten-free crust and I knew the rest would be fairly simple- but the part that worried me was the cream of potato soup base. Its been hard for me to get a great consistency for cream soups with GF flour. And with Chicken Pot Pie, it's gotta be great!
After I finished the GF pie crust, I threw left over potatoes, chopped up, GF chicken bouillon cream, 1/4c Domata Living Flour, 1/4c Lactaid whole milk, salt and pepper in my stand mixer. I whipped it up beautifully and let it sit for a few minutes. By some total miracle- it created the perfect consistency. So perfect in fact, I might stop using the canned soup for the regular pot pie. I mixed in a few more cut up potatoes, veggies, thyme.
I pressed the GF pie crust into a creme brulee dish.
Poured in the potato/veggie mixture, layered shredded chicken.
Then covered in more GF pie crust. It was beautiful!
I then assembled the regular version and they were both ready to pop into the oven @ 350 for 30mins for the GF (b/c it was smaller) and 60mins for the regular.
Finally, my favorite dinner awaits us!
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