Children can be wonderful and joyous. They can bring you happiness and hope for the future. Watching your kids play, laugh and run can make a horrible day turn into something bearable. They can give you hope that everything will be alright in the world. There is also a tremendous sense of pride when your child accomplishes something great. Be it win an award or just being a good person.

On the other hand they can also bring about sorrow and frustration. Such as what both of my children have done this week.

Since Clone was a baby and not able to walk, whenever I would drop him off at daycare or school, I would give him a hug and a kiss on the cheek goodbye. This was our ritual for 6 years and 2months… until this week. On Tuesday when I dropped him off, he wouldn’t let me give him a kiss goodbye. I went to try and he squirmed away saying, “Dad, not in front of the kids!”

IÂ…Was... Devastated.

This was my little boy. The one IÂ’ve been raising. The one that sits on my lap when he is scared. The one that likes to hold my hand while walking in stores and parking lots. My boy that still thinks that I am an all knowing and all powerful being that can change the fate of the world with just a blink of my eye. A little piece of me died when he did that.

I think he saw that I was hurt, because after I put him down he leaned over and whispered, “But you can still give me one at home.” He’s just growing too fast. I don’t want to lose My Buddy, My Littleman, My Monkey. Inevitably he is going to grow up and no longer want the hugs and kisses from dad; I just always thought it would be in another 2-4 years.

Then last night Boopie went complete teenager. HeÂ’s not allowed to have the cell phone his biological father gave him at our house. Not because we want to be mean, but because he canÂ’t be trusted with it. He takes it to school and uses it during class time to send text messages and call friends. Since heÂ’s failing two classes, he doesnÂ’t need to be distracted all. WeÂ’ve told him he isnÂ’t even allowed to bring it to our house. Well he had it over and checking the info on there you can see that heÂ’s been using it while at school. To talk to friends and text his biological father.

When I was going through the phone I asked him if he understood why he’s not allowed to have it at our house. His response was, “Because you’re stupid.”

This was just the icing on the cake of his misbehaving. HeÂ’s been constantly testing boundaries and breaking rules. Because of him acting up in school and failing classes weÂ’ve grounded him from just about everything. I even sold his video game system last year. He is supposed to head straight home after school, do his homework and chores and thatÂ’s it. No, heÂ’s been going to friends houses and taking the long way home. HeÂ’s grounded from TV, but he sneaks it because he doesnÂ’t think weÂ’ll know. Even though heÂ’s called out on it every time.

If you remember I about threw him out of the house last November. Well his grades have worsened since then and his apathetic view of his life has really taken its toll on the family. My instinct is to send him to his dadÂ’s and just write him off. Yet, I canÂ’t do that. He is my son. I do love him and I know heÂ’s a good kid. I know heÂ’s struggling with his situation. He has structure and rules at our house, there are consequences to his actions. There arenÂ’t any at his biological fatherÂ’s.

I called his biological father and made him come over; I was originally going to send Boopie packing again. Again, I just canÂ’t do that. Especially since his father is one of the people he was calling and texting on his phone while at school. IÂ’m not sure what IÂ’m going to do with him. I wish I could afford to send him to one of those boot camps for troubled kids this summer, but I just canÂ’t.

After I calmed down I sat down and had a man to man talk with him. I explained the consequences of his choices right now. His choice not to do his school work, to fail classes and to not take the help that is offered to him. I explained what the difference is between getting a job when you have no high school diploma versus having one. The whole time I was trying to get him to understand that yes, school is hardÂ… but itÂ’s worth it. ItÂ’s worth the time and effort to get a HS diploma. ItÂ’s worth it to go to college, be it a community college or a university. ItÂ’s worth it to work hard, especially if you ever want to have a nice life. If you ever strive to have your own family in order to provide for them.

Children.

Heartbreak, sorrow and frustration.

Yet still, I canÂ’t imagine a better life then what I have with them.

Posted by: Contagion at 04:25 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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It's taken me a little bit to post about this, because I needed to let the whole gravity of the situation sink in. It appears that the boy has gone and gotten to know a girl rather intimately. OF course when this happens, there is the chance that there could be consequences. Well It appears we have one here.

Last weekend was Clones Birthday... wait, you didn't think I was talking about Boopie did you? Sorry! Anyway, He invited some friends from school and some boys showed up, but only one girl. Talking with her mother, she told me that the girl has had a crush on Clone for most of the year. Ever since she received the invite for the party, that's all she's been talking about. The girls mother works as a part time aid at the school, and she says that every day her daughter and Clone each lunch together.

At one point the girl wanted to sit next to Clone and eat a cookie, but wouldn't because she was too shy to with me around. She also had to have her picture taken with Clone. At the end of the party, all of the kids had left except her. I told Clone we had to leave and he needed to go say goodbye to her. I turned to say goodbye to her mother and when I turned back around, I couldn't find them. After a quick search I found them.... behind a statute of Ronald McDonald... Kissing.

My six year old son... kissing a five year old girl... behind a statue of Ronald McDonald.

I didn't know what to do.

I didn't know what to say.

I just stood there before yelling "CLONE!!! Time to go."

He comes out from behind the statue, and the girl just hid back there peaking around to see if they were caught. Of course I was too in shock to acknowledge it. We just left and Ktreva laughed at me the whole time because in the immortal squeaky words of me... "I DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT!"

So now Clone has gone and done two things that Boopie hasn't. Get a girlfriend and kiss her. hehehe, okay that was mean.

Posted by: Contagion at 06:13 PM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
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Well between the drama I've created over my Macktown review from a year ago, to Graumagus' triumphant return, I'm kinda tapped out.

Today we are having Clone's birthday part. His actual birthday was earlier in the week, but we are having the kid party today. Yay! A bunch of screaming 4-8 year olds! Now if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go get ready for the party.

Posted by: Contagion at 08:51 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Yesterday we got a call that Clone was sick. He had diarrhea and was "burping and it smelled funny". Sure enough, when Ktreva picked him up he was redecorating his shorts with colon paint. He was doing that all night long. This morning he was still at it. Thus I ended up taking the day off of work to take care of the poor kid.

I think the highlight of the day so far was around 7:00AM when he walked into my room to complain his throat hurt. Then he proceeded in puking all over the place.

Yea, sick kids are fun.

Posted by: Contagion at 02:21 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Monday night my mother called to ask if I could help her and dad move a recliner into the basement of their house. My mother had hurt her neck and the chair they had just wasn't comfortable enough for her anymore. She bought a new recliner and was getting rid of this huge white chair they had in the basement. She offered it to us. As soon as Ktreva heard mom was getting rid of the huge white chair, Ktreva was all over it.

She had coveted this chair for years. Now it could be all hers. The catch is that I had to come get it tonight.

I told Ktreva that if she wanted the chair, she would need to find a way to get rid of the couch. After a half day of calls, she discovered that the cheapest and easiest way to get rid of the couch is to throw it out in the trash, but we can't put it out until Tuesday.

I contacted Bruce and called in a favor. So tonight after work we came to my house and moved the blue couch out onto the front porch ala white trash. Went to my parents house, pulled the white chair up out of the basement. Took the new leather recliner into the basement.Then we came to my house and moved the white chair into the living room.

Of course the hardest part was moving the couch out. The thing weighs a ton. It has a metal frame and motors for the massagers. It barely fit through the door frames. IT was a pain in the arse to get out.

The new recliner weighed about 20 pounds and was easy to move. The white chair which is about the size of a small love seat, was right in the middle.

Of course afterwards I took Bruce to Old Chicago for Beer in appreciation.

Now I'm thinking it's time to get me my own recliner.

Posted by: Contagion at 08:10 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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Ktreva had what hopefully is her last surgery today. Everything went well and she's home already. There was a chance that it was going to have to be an inpatient surgery, fortunately everything went so well that she didn't even need the 23 hour observation. There were no complications or even difficulties what so ever.

Now there was a problem with her pain killer prescription. They gave her a prescription for percocet, but neglected to put the dosage on there. When we took it the the drug store to be filled, they couldn't. For the last 30 minutes we've been trying to get a hold of the doctor so Ktreva can get her meds. So far we've had no luck. The pain killers she was given after surgery are starting to wear off.

We also had the window closed on us being able to go to the Alafia in Florida this weekend. The doctor said in no way are we going to be able to go, Ktreva just won't be able to travel. To our firends that are going; I hope you all have fun, sorry we can't make it. We'll try again next year.

As for tonight's beer review, yea not going to happen because of all the above.

Posted by: Contagion at 06:17 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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KTreva and I always have a war of the thermostat every winter. I like it cold, and she likes it so she can bake muffin's in the living room. That's right, she wants to make it so hot in the house she can bake with out the oven. Of course if you ask her, I like to keep it so cold you can hang meat in the house. We finally have to agree on a temp of around 70 degrees. It's too cold for her and way too warm for my likes.

For years she would sit under piles of blankets in the house so she could watch TV. However, when she was on a computer it wouldn't work. The blanket would keep falling off of her shoulders. Then in early December, before all of the surgeries, she saw a commercial for Snuggies.

Blankets are OK but they can slip and slide, plus your hands are trapped inside.

The Snuggie™ keeps you totally warm and gives you the freedom to use your hands. Work the remote, use your laptop or do some reading in total warmth and comfort!

Snuggie™ is made with super soft, thick, luxurious fleece with roomy, oversized sleeves that let you do what you want while still being totally wrapped in warmth.

Dude, Totally!

Ktreva saw this and went nuts. She really, really wanted one. After much discussion, including some whining and begging, I finally caved in and ordered her one. Which means that with their deal of buy one, get the second free (not including shipping and handling), I ended up ordering two.

For four weeks she has been bugging me about, "When is it coming?"

Today it finally arrived. She was so excited, she had to send me a text message telling me about it while I was at work. Then when I got home, she is sitting there all cuddled up under the damn thing typing on the computer. Then she had to call her mother to brag about it.

Folks, let me tell you that a snuggie is really nothing more than a bathrobe being worn backwards. Its a little bit longer, and there is no collar, but if you take an oversized bathrobe and wear it backwards you get the same thing.

At least for now I get to have fun making fun of KTreva and her snuggie. That is until she gets mad at me and hits me with something.

Posted by: Contagion at 07:01 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
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1 Oh stop - you *know* that if Ktreva is happy YOU will be happy too, right?? Yay Snuggie!

Posted by: Richmond at January 06, 2009 08:25 PM (epR5V)

2 OMG you guys actually *bought* one... er... two of those things?? I was just making fun of it last night

Posted by: Shadoglare at January 07, 2009 07:42 AM (d4rgs)

3 I see those commercials all the time and I say the person that cant function just using a blanket has some serious issues or just needs to put on a heavy sweater.

Posted by: Quality Weenie at January 07, 2009 09:10 AM (nk1j5)

4 I happen to like my snuggie so kiss my boooooootay

Posted by: KTreva at January 07, 2009 11:07 PM (V7qLP)

5 We have tons of throws around the house because like Ktreva, I'm always cold. The best 2 are down filled. They are excellent and very warm... so I guess I don't need a snuggie. Heh. I'm glad Ktreva likes hers though - it's always good to be warm!

Posted by: Teresa at January 08, 2009 10:49 PM (ybEr8)

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I know this is a little late in the day, but I've been busy with those words that every parent hates the hear; Some Assembly Required. Well that and Clone got Mario cart for the Wii and we've had a morning of racing going on. Top that off with having to cook dinner tonight, I've just been remiss. So to make sure you all know how much I appreciate you all stopping by I have some gifts for all of you in the extended entry. more...

Posted by: Contagion at 02:48 PM | Comments (7) | Add Comment
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Monday I took KTreva up to the UW Madison for her consult. That's what everything went from normal speed to whirlwind. We get stuck in traffic on the way up, some really bad accident due to the weather conditions closed down a lane on the highway and slowed traffic to a crawl. I kind of figured something may happen because of road conditions, so we had left early enough as to not be hindered by any traffic problems.

At the clinic (in the hospital) the doctor that came in wasn't the one that the Doctor that removed the tumors made the appointment. That doctor was gone and this doctor was covering. He came in, took one look at KTreva's wound and excused himself stating , "I need to get my camera and talk to the other doctor on duty." He was a resident and wanted the attending to take a look at it. 30 minutes later they come in and start saying that they had scheduled her for a surgery on the 22nd. It was going to be inpatient and she would be in the hospital for four days.

Things just kind of devolved from there. First when I tried to ask questions they would get upset and just talk over me or cut me off. At one point when I questioned why it had to be a 3-4 day inpatient stay, the attending because very agitated and made the statement, "I don't know what the other doctors said, but this is what we do and we know what we are doing."

They left to give us some time to talk it over. Ktreva called the first plastic surgeon she saw in Rockford and asked her opinion. While she was on the phone the resident came in and when I told him that she's trying to get ahold of her other doctor he seemed really put out over that, but agreed to give us some more time. We decided that if they are going to have to do an inpatient stay, we wanted it to be someplace closer to home. We also decided that if it wasn't that urgent (Since originally they weren't going to see her until after the new year), we were going to wait until after Christmas so that she could spend it with the family.

The doctors confirmed that it wasn't urgent and that they thought we wanted it done right away. They didn't even consult with us, they just scheduled it. When we told them of our decision, they were not pleased at all.

Then to make matters worse the resident told me that I was doing too much for the wound care and tried to show me how it "should be done". To save you the gory details, basically what the resident did and showed me cause Ktreva a lot of pain and discomfort. Needless to say we went back to doing what we were originally told.

The only good that came out of the day is that they did confirm that KTreva is cancer free. The biopsies are not showing any cancerous cells. She'll still need some followup and to have the wound closed, but they feel that she should be fine.

Posted by: Contagion at 03:00 PM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
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Well, off to take Ktreva to see the Doctor's again. Here's hoping for good news.

Posted by: Contagion at 08:49 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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I'm sorry about the tardiness on this update, but it's been a hectic day.

Ktreva came out of her surgery with no complications. They took more surface tissue off and again, the wound is open until the get the rest of the biopsies back. She's in a lot of pain right now. The area was already sensitive from the previous surgery and now the added procedure just compounded that pain. She's being a trooper about the pain.

However, she is still NOT following doctor's orders. She was told not to stretch, lift anything over a gallon of milk at the most, and to just rest and take it as easy as possible. Yea, well she's not doing any of the above. She stretched to hang up Christmas cards, has lifted suitcases and laundry baskets, attempted to put groceries away before I could get to them, etc. Yea, she's on the naughty list... and not the good naughty list.

Her stocking would be filled with coal, except I can't afford coal, and actually with the asking price, it's a pretty expensive gift!

Other than that, she's doing good. We are expecting to hear what else needs to be done with in a week. We know she'll have to have at least one more surgery, to close the wound. Hopefully that will be it.

On a bright side I did get some good news on my work situation. I'm pretty much out of danger from going to jail. Sarbanes Oxley (SOx) doesn't apply to my company. Even though we are voluntarily complying for with it's regulations. My company is a not for profit company and not publicly traded. SOx is designed to protect investors after the Enron and MCI Worldcom scandals. Thus, thanks to that loophole I'm clear of any unintentional or accidental wrong doing! Either way, I've amended how I sign off on the reports.

Now if you'll excuse me I need to go make sure Ktreva is sitting down and taking it easy.

Posted by: Contagion at 08:05 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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Right now as I'm writing this, I am sitting in the waiting room of UW Madison with Ktreva. They called us Friday to tell us that they had received some of the biopsy results back already and they didn't get everything. Instead of waiting for all of the results, they decided that, due to the nature of the cancer, they wanted to get what they knew needed removed right away.

This morning we got up early, and made the hour trek north to Madison, WI so she can have more surgery. We are pretty sure this won't even be the last. Maybe not even the last this week.

She was just called in to get prepped for the surgery. We'll see what happens.

Posted by: Contagion at 09:07 AM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
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1 Prayers are on the way, my friend. All the best to Ktreva.

Posted by: Wes at December 15, 2008 09:26 AM (1crE/)

2 Prayers coming from the whole family.

Posted by: Petey at December 15, 2008 11:14 AM (ptp86)

3 *hugs*

Posted by: Rave at December 15, 2008 01:26 PM (2M/UD)

4

Posted by: Shadoglare at December 15, 2008 04:19 PM (NK2Dj)

5 Here is hoping for FAST healing!!

Posted by: Richmond at December 15, 2008 04:58 PM (Bn2/I)

6 Again anything you both need let me know

Posted by: Bruce at December 15, 2008 07:05 PM (TnqnC)

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I was at work today when I received a call from Ktreva, she was being taken in for surgery.

SURGERY?!?!?!?!?

Then my world just kind of became a hectic swirl of activity...

This morning Ktreva left the house to go to Madison, to the UW Clinic for a consultation regarding her condition. The apparently the doctor decided after looking at her that he couldn't put of the surgery and had to do it today. Since this was supposed to be just a consultation, we decided I didn't need to go. Especially since someone had to take Clone to school and pick him up after.

So when I was at work gathering all the documentation and evidence to help cover myself for my little problem, I thought KTreva was just calling to tell me she was on her way home. When she told me she was having surgery I went into protective husband mode.

First I had to get to Madison, but I couldn't drive up there because I would have to drive her van back. That meant I needed to find someone to give me a ride. The problem is that Ktreva had my cell phone. She needed it for the nav system to find her way to the clinic. My cell phone is my address book. All of my numbers are in it. Using the internet to the best of my restricted ability at work I found what numbers I could to call for help. Which was only one active number for Wes. HE offered to help, but he had obligations he had to do that were a direct impact on his family so I decided to see if I couldn't find another option.

Thankfully my Dad was able to give me a ride and my mother was able to pick up Clone from School.

Then I had to finish getting some stuff at work to cover my arse. I'm afraid that the cleanup is going to start and I needed back ups of as many documents, e-mails and memos as I could. Fortunately I was able to get 80% of what I needed.

When I get up there Ktreva is waiting in the lobby. She had one surgery, but they where going to do another, deeper, surgery. Before anyone flies off the handle (much like I did), what she is having done is outpatient and didn't require any special outpatient followup other than take it easy. When they finished with the second surgery they called me in to explain what was going to be required of me.

A nurse explained to me that because they need to follow up in a week or two they can't close the wound, so they packed it and put a bandage on it. The nurse had to change the bandage and wanted me to see what I was going to need to do to help her, since Ktreva has limited use of her left arm right now. Before she uncovered the wound she starts describing what I'm going to see, so as not to surprise me.

The whole time she was talking, I kept thinking that I've assisted on autopsies, pulled bodies out of rivers and been to fatal automobile accidents... nothing is going to get to me. The she removed the bandage, and there on my wife was a HUGE gaping wound. I'm talking it is about 3 inches long, 2 inches wide and about an inch deep. Seriously, it looked like something took a huge bite out of her. I could see muscle and sinews. Folks, I about screamed like a little girl when I saw it. I've seen worse... just not on my wife. I didn't react at all mainly because I didn't want to concern Ktreva.

They gave me all the directions and care tips, and I watched as they rebandaged the wound. It was packed with a substance that, honestly, looked like the fake snow they spray on windows. To be honest, it was kind of festive for the time of year... if you where decorating a wound.

Right now Ktreva is home and fighting with me. She is supposed to take it easy and try not to move her arm too much, including no stretching, reaching or lifting anything. Anyone that knows my wife knows that she is anything but complacent with doctor's orders. She's doing fine, a little loopy on the pain meds, but doing fine.

Posted by: Contagion at 08:30 PM | Comments (12) | Add Comment
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1 Holy crap. What a day. Sending prayers for a speed recovery and a successful result. If you need anything, just let me know.

Posted by: Petey at December 11, 2008 10:50 PM (TFKVi)

2 Hope she gets well soon!

Posted by: oddybobo at December 12, 2008 08:00 AM (qUnme)

3 She called this morning and I about SHIT when I heard what happened. I'm just so sorry I wasn't/aren't there to help in some way...... Oh, and tie her ass to the golden throne if you have to!

Posted by: Tammi at December 12, 2008 09:50 AM (pWX3U)

4 I know the trouble my wife had with me trying to restrict my movement after I had the rotator cuff shoulder surgery back at the beginning of October. Are they restricting her to only sponge baths until after the closure surgery? That can be a pain. Showering while on pain meds can be a pain also. Please tell her that there are many of us pulling for her and that she does have to take it easy just for a bit, or the Doctor will be very unhappy. The closure surgery is enough, she doesn't need to add other surgeries just cause she won't give it a rest to heal.

Posted by: The Thomas at December 12, 2008 12:06 PM (pe9DT)

5 She called the Red one this moring{ Dec 11) and told her what was going on. It sounds like her wound looks like; dare I say it, a ZOMBIE BITE!!!!! You know what that means. LOL Anyway it sounds like me shaving my head in support of ktreva is on hold for now, hopfully, permenat. Take care see ya soon.

Posted by: wil at December 13, 2008 05:06 PM (i9qka)

6 *hugs* to you and your family and my prayers. Good luck.

Posted by: vw bug at December 13, 2008 07:39 PM (FPOeI)

7 So, between this post and the last one, you aren't having a good week. Imagine me sitting around with my fingers crossed.

Posted by: Peter at December 13, 2008 07:56 PM (NQ1fw)

8 *hugs* Keep her drugged. Just so you know, Ativan is completely tasteless in vodka. Just sayin...

Posted by: Rave at December 14, 2008 10:05 AM (2M/UD)

9 Man, what some people will do to get pain meds. I just buy mine off the internet from unlicensed Chinese doctors. Meanwhile... *lights vigil candle*

Posted by: Harvey at December 14, 2008 10:14 AM (bz4Bu)

10 In our prayers as always.

Posted by: og at December 14, 2008 12:57 PM (3ijkz)

11 My thoughts are with you guys.

Posted by: Spurs at December 15, 2008 09:14 AM (mCGYr)

12 Good grief! I'm so sorry. I knew things were screwed up in my little world, but had no idea so much was going on for you. {{{HUGS}}} to both of you (and don't you dare tell me you won't take 'em). Praying hard out here that everything goes much better from now on. Holy crap.

Posted by: Teresa at December 15, 2008 05:36 PM (smhqn)

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This evening I took the family to the annual Lutefisk Dinner at my parent's church. Just as a reminder as to what lutefisk is, read these posts. The lutefisk this year was particularly good. Heck, even Ktreva ate it and liked it. I'm thinking those DNA injections might be taking hold. (ducks frying pan)

This year I decided to get a before picture so that you can see what the cooked product looks like.

Now the lutefisk in the picture has the white sauce on it. They put the sauce on mine before I had a chance to tell them I wanted it plain.

Of course the other Scandinavian delicacies were available, real swedish meatballs, Korv (Swedish christmas sausage) pickled beets, rice pudding, real rye bread, etc. They didn't have any Lefse this year, but thanks to my friend Wench (She labeled herself!) and my mother I've had lefse multiple times this year already.

I love Lefse!

Posted by: Contagion at 09:02 PM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
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1 Again, thank Gott I live in Hunky land. We eat meat, peirogis, meat, potatoes, meat . . .

Posted by: oddybobo at December 05, 2008 09:40 AM (mZfwW)

2 Dude, I'm sorry but it still looks like a bowl of snot...

Posted by: Wes at December 05, 2008 02:57 PM (1crE/)

3 Reminds me of Hollandise sauce

Posted by: BloodSpite at December 05, 2008 06:50 PM (M9/hi)

4 Dude, That would totally clog an artery. Maybe even a garbage disposal.

Posted by: Jerry at December 06, 2008 09:50 PM (91ktS)

5 If you would answer your phone you might have more Lefse.

Posted by: gsharper13 at December 08, 2008 04:24 PM (cx97k)

6 I did not label myself - I was gifted with the name by Wolfy and Buzzard

Posted by: Wench at December 09, 2008 06:51 PM (cx97k)

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I just received some news that wasn't all that pleasant. I'm really rather upset over the whole thing. Ktreva's surgery wasn't a success at all and they have found other areas that are even more problematic. She may have to undergo some really aggressive treatments.

Fuck doctors.

Posted by: Contagion at 10:42 AM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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Sorry this is so late, but the family and I went for our annual family photos. We do this every year. It's always a bit of an ordeal as it's almost impossible to get the boys to both smile nicely at the same time. Usually one is smiling nice, the other is making some goofy face. In fact we are more likely to get a picture with both boys looking like they are trying to push out a log while being constipated.

Yea, I know, but it's the only way to describe the look on their faces. Anyway, we we were able to get some good ones with everyone smiling and eyes in the right direction.

That task is done for one more year.

Posted by: Contagion at 10:40 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Ktreva had her surgery today. Everything went well. We won't find out for another week whether or not they were completely successful.

Right now she is resting, but that's only because I had to yell at her to stop doing the laundry... stubborn, mule-headed, Irish woman.

If anything changes, I'll let you all know.

Posted by: Contagion at 07:25 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
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Tonight Ktreva and I decided to take Clone to see Quantum of Solace. At the age of five he actually will sit through a movie. This is his first James Bond movie, in the theater. He liked the action scenes, but didn't really care for the slow parts.

Me, I liked it. I think that Daniel Craig makes an excellent Bond, in fact he's my second favorite Bond, behind Sean Connery. It's kind of different seeing Bond with blond hair. Other than that, he does a really good job. I like his take on Bond, the way he portrays him and his overall presence.

Now I have to say I'm a little upset by the Bond girls in this movie, we had Camille played by Olga Kurylenko and Strawberry Fields played by Gemma Arterton. Neither one of them brought either a real sexiness to the roll nor the femme fatal. They are both beautiful women, it's just that their acting wasn't up to par for the roll.

There was some great fight scenes, an awesome car chase, and really cool boat chase and a very interesting foot chase. Yes, there was a lot of chasing.

Also, only James Bond can make a Walther PPK look cool. In any other guys hands it just looks like a toy. Trust me, Ktreva has one.

Posted by: Contagion at 10:37 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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I haven't blogged about Boopie in a while, and that's because I really didn't want to bring people down. Tonight I reached a breaking point.

Boopie had two D's and an F on his last report card. His attitude has gone downhill, he's been back talking Ktreva and I. His been slacking off, breaking rules and just seriously becoming a real jerk. Some days he is good, others he's like he's straight out of Juvie. Most the time he's a problem child.

Things came to a head when he punched Clone.

I kept my calm and cool collective when I first addressed it. I told him that there is no excuse in hitting someone that is that much smaller than him. I gave him the whole size differential speech and then left the room, but then Ktreva was talking to him regarding a lot of the bad decisions he made, when I heard him yelling at her and throw something. So I stormed into the room and gave him a demonstration on size differential by pulling him across the room by his ankles.

Then I let into him verbally. I explained that he makes all of his choices and the fact he has no TV, no video games and is grounded is because of his grades, behavior problems and the fact that he'd been lying to us. That I was tired of him, his attitude and his lies. I'm also tired of dealing with his bullshite. He chooses poorly and then blames everyone else for the consequences. He hates it at our house because we have rules and structure, at his loser father's he can do what ever he wants.

So I kicked him out. I told him to get the F#*k out of the house. I told him that I was tired of it, I was tired of him, and I was tired of the bullshite. He could call his father and come and get him because I wasn't putting up with it in my house anymore.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I've failed the boy miserably and at this point I don't see how I can correct the problem.

Posted by: Contagion at 07:47 PM | Comments (7) | Add Comment
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1 I'm sorry you are going through that. It seems that we are getting closer and closer to where you are....and Little Man will be 18 in February, yet acts like a 12 yr old sometimes. Hubby and I were talking about Little Man's behavior, and she said something that struck me--maybe it might you, I don't know...(and she said this to Hubby) as her boys are older than ours... She said, "You're treating him like a child, the gounding etc.. If he wants to act like a man, and bow up on you, let him. Then pop him one, man to 'man.' It seems that all young boys must go through this before they realize they are not yet a man." Unfortunately, in your case, Boopie has a bio father. That's tough. I wish you well, and Ktreva, too.

Posted by: Rave at November 10, 2008 08:59 PM (2M/UD)

2 We were talking to a friend....just for clarification...

Posted by: Rave at November 10, 2008 09:00 PM (2M/UD)

3 You were also fighting against what his father is doing to him. He will learn, eventually, but he will learn and it's going to be the very hard way. Sometimes things like this has to be done in order for him to see the light.

Posted by: Quality Weenie at November 11, 2008 08:01 AM (BksWB)

4 You're not failing him. The two of you are doing plenty to help him see the error of his ways. He's really failing himself. He's old enough to see that his actions have consequences, and if he chooses to be in denial about that, it's his problem. The unfortunate part is that you love him and it hurts to see him fail.

Posted by: caltechgirl at November 11, 2008 01:07 PM (IfXtw)

5 Oh shit. Hang in there... And remember - protecting Clone and Ktreva are a priority. I feel for all of you guys...

Posted by: Richmond at November 11, 2008 03:23 PM (M6+VC)

6 No from what I've seen you & ktreva are excellent parents.It just that the boy is living in 2 differents homes with different values. He is going through the teen years and someday he'll wake up and realize that he needs to change his ways. Our marine wasn't quite as much of a hassle, but we kind of went down that road with him. He actually started changing his senior year in high school & joining the marines really made him look at his future. So hang in there, it will get better.

Posted by: red at November 12, 2008 06:53 AM (i9qka)

7 Everyone else has already said it. I'm so sorry you all have to go through this. :-( I wish there was some magical way to make it all go right. *sigh*

Posted by: Teresa at November 12, 2008 11:28 PM (mMa3+)

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Tonight the boys and I carved our pumpkins. We started at 7:30 and Boopie is still working on his. Now, I've seen some cool pumpkins out there, ones that have some great designs. None of ours look like these:

I'm not sure who carved all of these, but they are impressive.

Posted by: Contagion at 08:27 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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