Dreaming What Ifs...

NaBloPoMo #30 - Finale

Whew. 

I made it through a whole month of posting.  It wasn't so bad (especially when you can cheat and schedule several posts in advance).

And now back to my irregular posting.  or not.

NaBloPoMo #29 - Night Terrors

Whenever Jammin', my ten year old, has a fever, he suffers night terrors.  I think it is more frightening for me than him. 

Last night he was not feeling well.  Within an hour we heard him screaming.

"Jammin', you're having a bad dream."  I said, rubbing my hand across his back.

"AAAAACK.  It's coming at me."  He screamed, his eyes wide open, seeing nothing.  I gently try and sooth him, wishing I could wake him up.

He gripped a hold of my arm and cried out, "I want to wake up, I want to wake up."

I felt his burning forhead and quickly found the Tylenol and a glass of water.

He pointed across the room and screamed again, "It's coming to get me.  It's too fast."

Dave gently rocked him, "You are safe.  There is nothing there."

"It's the world, it's the world.  AAAAAAGH".  Jammin' closed his eyes and buried his face into Dave's chest.  

"You are dreaming."  I said again.

He shook his head.  "I'm not going to survive the night." 

I looked at Dave.  He had nothing.  We simply rubbed Jammin's back and offered soothing words, trying to distract his brain from whatever roller coaster it rode.

Finally, after a solid 20 minutes Jammin' relaxed.  His heart beat slower, his breathing normal. 

"I've had that dream before."  He whispered.

"Yes, we know."  I said and gently kissed his forehead before tucking him back into the bed.  "Get some rest now."

He was already asleep before Dave and I slipped from the room.

"I don't know what to do for him."  Dave sighed. 

Neither do I and that is why I'm frightened.

NaBloPoMo #28 - EXCUSES

There was no NaBloPoMo #27 post.  I have a very good excuse for not posting yesterday....  it involves goats.

We spent the weekend in Portland visiting Dave's mom, Max.

On Sunday, we were just about to step out of her house and head for home when the phone rang.  A hysterical woman was on the other line.  We managed to make out a few words, "goat", "Dead", "Missing", and "I don't know what to do."

Apparently, a neighbor was feeding Max's goats and found one dead. 

So, Dave and I dropped everything and rushed over to the goat pen.  When Dave's dad, Al, was alive he took in a couple of goats and figured they'd be good for keeping blackberry bushes and grass down in the "back acreage".  The two goats quickly turned into four goats which quickly turned into eight goats which finally ended with about twelve goats.  After Al passed away, Max worked hard at getting rid of the goats; giving them away to farms and other people.  She was down to her last three female goats.  They've been keeping the grass down while she plans the future of the "back acreage".

Dave and I found the white goat laying in the mud.  It's throat was gone.  The other white goat followed us around, crying.  The black goat was missing.

For the next two hours, Dave and I searched the back acreage in the pouring rain.  **As the sun set, I slogged through the mud looking and calling for that black goat.  I walked along the creek bank checking bushes, reeds, and fallen stumps.  I trudged along the fence line scanning for holes or weakness a black goat could get through.  All the while, talking to the last lonely goat, asking her to show me where her friend could be....

And finally, with my flashlight, I watched as Dave, soaking wet, dug a hole in the rain.  We covered the goat and slowly walked back up the hill to the house where dry shoes waited.

As we drove home, Dave smiled, "Well, that's two less goats she has to worry about now."  But I wonder....perhaps that black goat is out there hiding somewhere.  She might show up yet.

 

** - Sun sets ~4:30pm now days.  It gets dark very early.

NaBloPoMo #26 - Wisdom of a Three Year Old

Lately, the Caboose has been thinking deep and saying some pretty astute, yet weird, things.  So, I decided it was time for an interview.  (I've posted interviews with my older kids in the past so figured it was high time I did one with The Caboose!)

Why Are There Mothers?

Um...um...cuz they love kids. 

Why Are There Fathers?

Because they love people.

How are Mothers Made?

They are made of sparkles.

How are Daddies Made?

They are made of magazines. (giggles)

Why do You have a Mom?

Cuz she loves me.

Any other reason?

no.

What kind of little girl was mommy?

You were like a hairy boss.

WHAT?!

(giggles) Yeah, momma, a hairy boss.

What was daddy like when he was little?

He was a kitty cat when he was little.  (giggles)

Now you are just being silly.  Who is the boss at our house?

MOMMA!  Daddy isn't the boss.  Why are you the boss, mommy?

I don't know.  You tell me.  Why am I the boss?

(shrugs his shoulders)  You can't spank people when they are silly.

What is the difference between mommy and daddy?

I don't know....He's the daddy, your the mommy.  I'm a big boy.

What does mommy do when she's home alone?

Um...cry cuz you are all alone....You are lonely.  I don't want you to be lonely, mamma.

Don't worry, I'm not lonely.  Is there Anything else you want to tell me?

(giggles) I don't want to tell you. (giggles) I love daddy.

NaBloPoMo #25 - Why?

Oh why did I eat that last piece of pie?

My plate was already piled up way too high.

But the blueberries were screaming

The pumpkin was too

And so was that infamous sugary goo.

And now I am hanging my head down in shame

for eating that pie and this poem so lame.

 

NaBloPoMo #24 - I am Thankful....

 

 

NaBloPoMo #23 - RIP Anne McCaffrey

She helped me fall in love with dragons.  She created an incredible world of Pern with strong feminine heroes.  Her imagination, creativity, and talent will be missed.   

thanks to Janice's Library for the image....

NaBloPoMo #22 - Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon revisited

A few years ago I asked my readers to play the "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon" game with me.  I wanted to know who could get closer than my somewhat convoluted steps.  I don't think anyone could.

THEN:

1 - I went to high school (we had Spanish class together) with Drew Bledsoe (former NFL QB)

2 - Drew Bledsoe played against Tim Hasselbeck

3 - Hasselbeck is brother-in-law to Elizabeth Hasselbeck

4 - Elizabeth Hasselbeck works with Barbara Walters

5 - Barbara Walters has interviewed Kevin Bacon. 

Well - all this has changed folks.  This my NEW shorter step to Kevin Bacon

1. My newphew, Will, has met, partied with, and had classes at college with Travis Bacon.

2. Travis Bacon is Kevin Bacon's son.

TWO STEPS! 

Isn't that impressive?  I think so too.

NaBloPoMo #21 - 3 year old games

 

If you pretend to be dead, mom will cry really hard, grab your body and toss you up and down in her despair until you giggle and scream, "I'm alive." 

And then mom will cry and clutch you harder and yell, "I'm so glad you are alive!" as she spins you around in a circle.

But, then if you pretend to be dead again, mom will cry really hard and almost drop you, in her grief, onto the couch.  This is a good time to yell, "I'm alive."

And then mom will grab you in joy and spin you around again while planting kisses on your face.

Obviously, this is the time to declare you are dead again.  The cycle will be repeated until mom says she is too tired and leaves the room. 

NaBloPoMo #20 - Nothing Like a Heritage Turkey

Before running to the store to purchase a big old Butterball this Thanksgiving - please read this article and consider purchasing a local Heritage Turkey.  (if it is too late this year, remember for next year!)

Something to be Thankful for:  Real Turkeys Make a Comback

Dave and I may just be adding baby turkeys to our spring chick purchase this coming year.  And this was BEFORE I read the article!