Survey Says…

We were sent 2 surveys in the mail today: What did we think of the life-flight that #2 took to S. R. Hospital and What did we think of the PICU stay?
It was very satisfying to recount the professional, kind, considerate episodes and name specific personnel. (I hope they all get raises!)
And I hope that one rude, ignorant witch of a nurse was only having a bad day. (I can’t even remember her name, thankfully.)
My only recommendation for improvement: that family not have to walk through the Sleep Room (where visitors can crash on fold-out beds) to get to the public bathrooms in PICU. Nope, there are no facilities for family/visitors in the patient rooms. I hope all those people I woke up with a flush will forgive me! (So embarassing!)

Americans: We like to give our opinions.

English

I have 8 English students in my morning class, 11 in the afternoon class, and 6 Am Lit students. 3 of them missed last week’s exam- with excuses from parents, so no biggie. The average grade for the other 22 was a 70.

There were students who scored 95, 85 and 84.

If ALL of the students had scored 70 or below, I would know it was me, that I hadn’t made something clear or put random material on the exam.

It’s not me. I ask Every Week “Are there any questions? Do you guys understand this material?” Very few questions. I volunteer to look over and help with homework exercises that are not the “required” exercises Every Week. About 4 students turn in their homework for me to check.

Every Time I give an exam, I begin announcing it 4 classes before. “You guys know you have an exam on this date. You should start studying you vocab this week. You should study your Lit questions next week.” One student told me he had taken that advice (he got the 95.)

The class before the exam, I hand out Study Pages. NOTHING is on the exam that is not on the study pages. Nothing new is on the study pages- it’s all material we’ve been covering for weeks. We go over the study pages in class before the exam. Then the students get another entire week (we meet once a week) to study, contact me about questions, call for help.

The classes are 1 1/2 hours long, and the exams are 3 pages. No student stayed longer than an hour to take the exam. It’s not that there isn’t enough time for them to finish. In fact, only a handful of students left anything blank.

I feel very angry with these students. I feel insulted. Because I have been insulted- the grades make it quite obvious that they aren’t paying attention to all the things I’m saying to try to help them. But I need to get over feeling insulted, and remember that last part- I am trying to help these students.

It really scares me to see the same attitude in my own kids: I don’t want to do the work, so I’m going to rebel, very quietly, and just not learn.

I read a book recently, Unchristian, that mentions that this generation is the most protected- bike helmets, seatbelt laws, airbags- ever. And they take the biggest chances. Sigh. There are behaviors for which there are no “do-over”. That is what I really need to help them learn.

Ramble

I wonder why WordPress doesn’t allow me to check “remember me” as I enter my username and password? It’s frustrating, especially since it HAS remembered me for the past 4 months at least.

Today we must homeschool. I would like to get out to the post office and mail pecans to my mom. She and her sisters make Christmas cookies with the pecans. When I send the pecans, I get a share of the cookies- it’s a good exchange, believe you me!

I may need to visit 2 post offices, which sounds like typical JerseyChick weirdness. After #2’s accident, we got a PO Box and a change-of-address form. We’ve been getting a couple of pieces of mail at the PO Box. However, we’re missing several things: the Netflix video, and a box from Aunt Joyce among the most important.

Besides getting a PO Box, Mr Wonderful also asked the Postmaster if the mailboxes in our neighborhood could be moved to the same side of the street as the houses they serve. Postmaster agreed, and our mailbox has been laying in our yard awaiting a post-hole-digger. The PO Box is at the branch closest to our house. The Main Branch may be holding some mail until we put the mailbox back in an upright position.

I may have to simper and grovel a bit with the Postmaster, but “The Four Feathers” is worth it, even if it was filmed in the 1930’s.

There is homework to grade and classes to prepare, linens to clean and carpets to vacuum, meals to cook and items to fix around the house. Mr Wonderful will be supervising detention tomorrow until at least 1 pm, so I’m on my own, and I’m tired. (Yes, I know I’m whining.)

#2 is finally sleeping past 6 a.m. I’m thankful for that. The occupational therapist would like to see her develop more hand and finger strength over the next month. I’d like to see her energy and strength come back, too, but not so much that I want her to be awake before I am.

I see I’m struggling with selfishness and not winning this morning.

Morning!

The best way to start the morning, in my humble opinion, is with a cup of Ethiopian coffee (thanks, Elle!) and a hot organic waffle.

Suddenly, we have a physical therapy appointment for #2 tomorrow. So, one student is meeting with me this morning, the school principal is picking up materials for the tests ALL my other classes will be taking tomorrow, and I’m looking at Mapquest for an hour’s drive each way.

Why is it, with Thursday being the ONLY day of the week I have to be somewhere (teaching), Thursday is also the ONLY day the PT is open?
(whine)

If I were already on my 2nd cup of coffee, I’ll bet I would just be thankful that we have a PT so close, and dear friends willing to cover my other bases.

If I were a more gracious person, now that I think of it, it wouldn’t take a cup of coffee to be thankful. I’d just be thankful. I think I’ll go try that.

What are you trying today?

Carousel

Rootie came to visit. She’s an awesome friend. I cried when she left, although I understand that it was the right time for her to get back to her own family.

Things seem almost normal here, in a getting-over-a-minor-problem sort of way.

#2 is doing better physically- she hasn’t even had pain meds since she’s been home. Her last scrapes are looking better each day.

She definitely needed ‘Mom Time’ this morning, though- emotionally, she’s still in the middle of grasping that she was hit by a truck.

I’m tired of adventures. Job interviews in Puerto Rico, an 18-wheeler pulling the electricity out of our house for a week, my dad dying in the spare bedroom. Now #2 hit by a truck. Just over it, peeps.

Tomorrow los kiddos and I are heading to the post office. Must buy stamps, mail a used book sold on amazon.com, check the box. Then home to 6 hours of Pride & Prejudice and grading English papers. #1 and #3 will clean their rooms. No more excitement than that, thankyouverymuch.

May you have a placid, uneventful day, too.

We Return to our Previously Scheduled Program

OK, #2 is well enough to walk into AWANA and be hugged for 30 minutes. She is well enough to be carried down to the back yard (knee injuries) for a photo shoot with the local paper, but walk back up the stairs herself.

Today, a registered nurse from our church is coming to spend the day with #2 whilst I spend the morning in class.

Mr Wonderful will be here, also- his last day “off”. Did I mention he was in a car accident 3 days before #2’s getting hit? We are 2 payments away from paying off the little red car, and it’s about to be declared ‘totalled’. So, insurance, car shopping, etc.

Mr W has also been completing the project to have our roof repaired. Hail damage from, what, 3 months ago? We have a roofing estimator at church who helped Mr W shuffle through estimates, insurance checks, etc. Did I mention we have a helpful church? Anyway, Saturday ‘things’ will be flying off the roof, and it should all be repaired in 4-5 hours. Amazing.

Another project: Mr W is in the process of getting his master’s degree in French Education. There was a chance he could spend 6 weeks in France to cover 1/2 the requirements, but he has discovered that is for undergrads only. He will get credits for presenting a paper in Savannah in February, though, so he has been keeping on top of that.

As I’ve been watching all of Mr Wonderful’s activity this week, my favorite has been this: he’s In Time. #2 is supposed to drink 1/2 cup of water an hour, take her antibiotic and have her dressings changed 2x per day, and nibble 5-6 meals. Mr W has made sure that happens. A good part of her fast recovery is a credit to his time sense.

Me? I start to unpack, get a phone call about groceries, hug #1 for a few minutes, thank the folks who brought her home, and suddenly 3 hours have passed by. I’m up at 6 and swallow a waffle by 8, then I blink and it’s 3:30. People mention the wonderful thing that happened Friday (I think it was her talking?) and I don’t remember Friday.

The surreal quality of this week does increase my enjoyment of poetry, however. (Thanks, Magistramater- liked the Macdonald poem!)

What an interesting season we’re having! How has your week been?

Captain’s Log

Saturday, October 17: JerseyChick family gathers around the Blessing Chart (doorposts.com) to discuss how each kiddo has shown good character the previous week. #2 was diligent, so she reads what the Lord promises the diligent (Proverbs 10:4, 12:24, and 22:29) and chooses a reward: 1 hour of Parent Time.

Monday, October 19: Mr Wonderful comes home from work to a contented family and a crockpot of ham-bean soup. After everyone eats dinner, JerseyChick asks #2 if she’s like her hour of Parent Time in the form of a trip to the bookstore. #2 eagerly agrees.

Moving to the front yard, JerseyChick hands #2 the Netflix video to be returned and asks #2 to take it across to the mailbox. JC turns around to put her purse in the van.

Screech of tires. Sound of impact. A Toyota Tundra has struck #2 and thrown her 25 feet up the road. #2 lands on the asphalt. By God’s grace, all traffic stops immediately without further catastrophe.

JC turns around, doesn’t see #2. Sees a brunette lady with a cellphone who is screaming, “I’ve got 9-1-1. I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry!” (Her husband was driving. Her 2 kids were in the back seat and saw the hit. PLEASE pray for all of them!)

JC is stroking #2’s hair as she regains breathing and pulse.

15 minutes later, the ambulance arrives and takes #2 down the road to the field where the helicopter flies her to a Children’s Hospital on the Northside of Atlanta. She has obvious head injury.

Trauma team in the ER notes a flesh wound on her lower trunk, lacerations on #2’s liver, a hairline skull fracture, and 2 brain bleeds. They sedate, put in breathing and stomach-clearing tubes, a catheter. 7 stitches on the flesh wound, moving that would out of “critical”. Then #2 goes to PICU.

(Meanwhile, neighbors and friends have started praying, gathered #1 and #3 up and taken them to comfort and safety, and called for more prayer to churches around the world!)

Doctors monitor liver and brain for further bleeding/infection/trauma. 24 hours pass, moving #2 out of the “critical” zone for those injuries.

2 days later, #2 regains consciousness, but not speech.

About 12 hours later, PICU nurse awakens JC, who is sleeping beside #2’s bed- “She’s talking”! #2 says 6 clear words and falls asleep.

Wednesday, October 22, PICU begins to wean #2 off of oxygen support. She does well, only needing light oxygen at night for the next 2 nights. Stomach-clearing tube is also removed.

Friday, October 23-#2 is moved out of PICU to a “regular” room. Doctors are pleased that there is no pain at the liver and CT scans show head injury is recovering well. #2 has little short-term memory, which is to be expected, and complains of severe neck pain about every 3 hours. Morphine and Tylenol with codeine are used to control the pain.

That afternoon, a physical therapists discovers that #2’s neck pain occurs only when her head is unsupported. CT and x-ray confirm no spinal injury on Saturday.

Sunday, October 25, we rest. #2 is ordered “complete bedrest” for 24 hours.

Monday, October 26, MRI shows no deep muscle damage, and no ligament damage. The recurring pain (which lessens in frequency but not severity) is almost certainly muscle spasms, stress, and shock to the muscles. (aka, “a bad case of whiplash”)

3 departments must give the “ok” for #2 to be discharged from the hospital: Dr Pitt (who deals with everything around the stomach, including the liver), Dr. Boydston (we call him Dr Brainstem amongst ourselves, since he deals with neurosurgery) and Physical Therapy. Mr Wonderful calls the PT lady “Helga”, but JC calls her “Hero”, since she was the only medico who noticed the neck pain occured when #2’s head was unsupported. As of Stardate 9-10-27 (Tuesday October 27), Brainstem’s team has ok’d discharge. Probably Pitt’s has also, since they ordered the MRI and gave the official reading of “no damage”, but I’ve been home catching up with #3, so I didn’t hear all Pitt’s news.

We know Helga/Hero is going to be looking for #2 to walk without wobbling, and possibly climb 3 stairs (especially since there are 3 into our house) before they ok the discharge.

#2 will also probably be visited at home by a physical therapist and a speech therapist to be certain the short-term memory and neck weakness do not persist. But that’s another posting…

Oh, joy- I get to close with this image again. Isn’t that special? Srsly, we’re thankful to God for so much- the quick recovery, no permanent damage, our church, neighborhood, and family communities who have done and prayed so much, the fantastic medicos at Scottish Rite: all praise to God!

MIA

I haven’t posted in a while. My 10-year-old daughter was hit by a Toyota Tundra last Monday night. She’s doing fine, except for a sore neck, and may be home in a couple of days. I’ll answer questions if you want details, or just pick up on regular life at that point.

Now, That’s What I’m Talkin’ About!

Just before noon on a Monday morning, los kiddos are enjoying C.O.R. lunch. C.O.R. is my mom’s anacronym for Clean Out Refrigerator. We have chicken noodle soup, stir-fry, and ham-bean soup to choose from. Since it’s in the mid-50’s, the hot soup is getting lots of votes.

#1 and #2 are done with their schoolwork, except #2 is strenuously avoiding her math. #3 has a reading and a science quiz. The laundry is 1 load of 3 finished.

I don’t even feel guilty about missing whatever appointment we were supposed to keep at 11:30 this morning. I wrote “dentist” on the calendar, but when I called their office to confirm, they said they didn’t have a record of it. I tried the orthodontist’s number immediately afterward, but there was no answer after 20 rings. Since the appointment was for #1, who has a small cavity and a retainer, neither condition is an emergency anyway. Nope, neither office called Friday to confirm, so I’m guessing the whole appointment thing was just a dream on my part. See? No guilt.

Los kiddos cheerfully helped save our rep with the neighbors by getting the LOUD rooster into the coop after he had some breakfast in the back yard.

A Netflix video is due this afternoon: Volume 1 of “Jacob’s Ladder”, a lighthearted series of pre-teen-targeted Bible history and application. Angie, I recommend it for your family, BTW…

Dinner is taco salad, I’m further ahead in my American Lit prep work, and when AmLit is finished, I can turn off “teacher brain” until Thursday morning.

Nice!

We Interrupt this Message…

My poor kiddos- I’m losing it this morning. Interruptions are pushing me over the edge- and I’m not doing a very good job of hanging onto God for help!
It took me an hour to mix the oatmeal bars for next week. Now, this is the eleventy-upteenth time I’ve made these things, because we all like them so much (thanks, Angie!), and since I’m OCD the ingrediants are actually close to each other in order in my pantry. So it should take 10 minutes, tops.

Only Mr Wonderful was heading off to a gig with #1 at the same time. He’s visiting a college buddy afterwards, so they took snacks. #1 noticed how wet the trash bag was, so she opened the cabinet under the kitchen sink…..

and discovered the THREE leaks that have been soaking the wooden cabinet since Mr Wonderful fixed the faucets.

Stop mixing, mom! Grab a towel!

As I was pulling out cleaning supplies, I found a can of flea spray. We’ve been needing to spray the livingroom furniture, so I set #2 (who is already done with her schoolwork) to reading the label…..

and discovered that all the cushions need to be removed (easy for #2 to take that task) and ALL the foodstuffs need to be covered.

Stop mixing, mom! Get the coffeepot put away! Get the dough cooked so the oven is free for the oatmeal bar mix!

Did I mention I was monitoring #3’s schoolwork at the same time? He was down to scrubbing the tubs and studying a song for science. (The Rodent Song. You probably don’t want to know.) I hadn’t heard anything for a few minutes, however, so I stepped over to check that #2 had laid the cushions as close as possible, continued down the hall….

and discovered #3 needed Immediate Negative Reinforcement (aka a spanking), since he was sitting on the floor of his room, playing with a toy.

And it’s not even noon. I am looking forward to worship and re-aligning my thinking tomorrow, to put it mildly.