Sometimes it's better not to share

This evening I think it is probably good I didn't disclose to the realtor why I was late in returning his call. The conversation I did not have, but could have, would've gone like this.
"Oh, Kris, I am sorry it took me so long to get back to you. I am home with my kids who were on their fourth hour of tv while Granny, who has Alzheimer's, was on her second glass of sherry. Aunt Dolly from Boisee called. I last spoke to her 10 years ago. She is married to Granny's brother who is in his late 80's and is much further along in his Alzheimer's. I guess he only eats purreed food now and doesn't recognize anybody or talk. Seems she called to find out how Granny was doing. and bla bla bla. Dolly had a lot to say. Anyway, I guess Uncle James (the youngest of the 4 siblings) was up visiting and he couldn't remember or keep straight any facts about how my Mom is. Seems his Alzheimer's is also progressing quickly. She asked if my Mom was still talking and moving around. I assured her she was, but that her memory was quite impaired. Dolly asked to speak to Mom. So I put her on, only to see Mom become quite confused by a blast of bla bla bla. Evidently Dolly was relaying to her about how cousin Bobby (James son who lives in Boisee) had been charged with child molestation and had violated his parole. When Uncle James came up to take Cousin Bobby back to CA, he was not able to do so because of this recent violation. She wasn't sure if he had just violated parole or committed a new offense. I reminded her that he did have a mental illnes diagnosis, not tht it made any of this okay. bla bla She was the only one Cousin Bobby could call ..... I took the phone back from Granny and I got the whole story. Then it just got loud at home as Granny and my son, who has special needs, started arguing in the background about the tv. Thank goodness for cordless, because I could still run to the living room and motion wildly for Granny to just leave the room occupied by my grouchy son. Of course he had a right to be grouchy as I guess he got into a fight at camp today. Then the 2 labs started barking to try and get Granny to take them out to play fetch. Dolly didn't seem to notice the rukus and just kept talking bla bla bla. I tried a warmly worded parting. But Dolly just continued. Granny put the dogs out front so it would be quiet. Java proceeded to wildly scratch the front door. In an effort to save the paint on the front door, I waved wildly at Granny to let the dogs back in. I tried again to wind up the conversation. After about 20 efforts to end the conversation, Aunt Dolly blessed me for taking care of my mother with Alzheimer's and 2 youngish kids. I was gonna tell her that one has special needs and that I work. But I thought that might be TMI for her. Anyway, when I got off the phone, Granny couldn't remember exactly who I was talking to or how they were related to her. The kids did get in the tub okay-but they didn't make it through with out the obligatory screaming fight. Anyway, so Kris, that is why I am late in returning your call. How are you? Now that you know all about me and my family, do you still want to rent to me?"

The big leap

I spoke to realtor again tonight. Pops and I have talked and crunched numbers and decided to go ahead with renting the office space I have been looking at. We have gone back and forth with the realtor and owner on price and carpet the pay for, carpet we pay for bla bla bla. And we are jsut about settled. Plan is I "commence" renting (which sounds like graduating to me) on Sept 1. I get free rent one week priorto that to allow me to move in. Works out perfect as I took off the last 2 weeks of Aug. I told kids today that I would be moving my office out of the house. "What do you think we should do with that empty room??" I asked them.
Ki said, "It can be my room!" (remember the 2 kids have been in our room for 2 years since Granny moved in and took the 3rd bedroom).
"What about Aj? CAn he share the room with you" I queried.
Ki, "Yeah, I guess?"
"How about we get some bunk beds?"
"YEAH! We can go to Ikeaa!"
"Well actually, I have soemone we are going to get them from."
"Doubletrouble?" asked Aj.
"Well no-the boys are still sleeping in those. But when Leslie and her family move we are going to buy Zen's bunkbeds."
Ki, "Are they cool?"
"Oh yeah!"
"Can I sleep on top?"

So later tonight I relayed to Pops that I had spoken to the realtor and confirmed our plans. I then relayed the conversation above. Poor Pops is experiencing Renters Remorse. He asked me, "Please tell me we are not renting that space just so you can get those bunk beds that are available in August."

Its a beautiful day in the neighborhood

I am having a great day!
PART ONE:
I looked at an office space this am with Pops. It is PERFECT for my business. Close by, close to a store, beautifully newly painted, will have new carpet. It is in a building that has priamrilly medical, so good fit. Waiting area, reception area, storage and 3 small offices for therapy. Location is GREAT. For the locals-Woodside at Alameda adjacent to Woodside Plaza. Okay-so the Lucky's nearby has a Starbucks in it.
It is a space I would like to grow into (by adding staff). But it will be a big financial commitment to take this on. Anyone out there interested, or know someone, who might want to sublease one of the small offices???

PART TWO:
I had my intitial treatment session with a 6 year old who I am seeing for feeding issues. He has a limited self-selected diet often characterized by preference of one particular brand for foods. ex he will eat chips, but they have to be Tostito's white corn chips.
Well today was my 1st session with this darling, anxious little guy.
I got him to eat a new food!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He ate some Pirate Cannon Balls (like a big round, white CHeeto). AND he he was excited to take his new "surprise food" home to share with his family. Is that not cool??!!
I am using the Food Chaining approach. This is an approach created by an SLP, OT and dietician. Most of all the SLP seems to be a fabulous Mom, which is priceless in terms of creative thinking. You can check out website of same name.

PART THREE:
Off to have dinner with the Hot Mama who is in the hospital on bedrest, as her twins have been trying to make an early escape. Good news is she is still holding on.

AJ having a rough time of it, but I will not let that interfer with the joy of this post.

Aj ism

"Aj you keep going to the bathroom. Do you feel okay?"

"My bottom keeps throwing up."

I need to get that definition of diarrhea into wikipedia.

"Positive Shooting"

That is the title of the book Pops was reading at our local community pool run by an extreme right wing church (AKA Satan's pool by Squid). I am sure that got some looks. Especially when in combination with the Disneyland baseball hat he wore.