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- Crazy Week -
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Tuesday, March 28, 2006
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Ok, so I haven't really updated like I've been wanting to (or telling myself to) but it's just been such a crazy past few days.
First, someone from my past (like waaaay past, 10+ years ago) and I came in contact, through email. It was the craziest thing ever, not only because I wasn't expecting it, but well, because I wasn't expecting it. Considering the circumstances, a pleasant conversation took place, just awkward. After explaining this situation to a very good friend of mine, getting a "guys" point of view, he told me to steer clear of the situation at all costs. After filling in most of the details and giving him a brief history, he told me his take on it. Basically it goes something like this... You're a recovering alcoholic. You been sober now for at least 8 years and though the road to recovery hasn't been an easy one all the time, it's been worth it. Look how far you've come! When you go home, look around you. Did you see any of that 10 years ago? If you did, that dream you had became reality! Kel, all it takes is that one drink for you to relapse. That one drink will bring to the surface so many different feelings and emotions, some good, some bad. Do you really think your body can handle that? Think about it.
I thought about it. I gave in and took that drink, so to speak. That drink of course sparked some curiousity, which led me to take another. I think I'm able to break away from that poison again, answering a couple of questions, but not coming out ahead nor behind.
In a way, I'm glad I answered that email. My friend's advice was good and I will take it into consideration. Oh, just for the record, this isn't anything illegal, immoral or irresponsible. It's just strickly an email. (I know how our minds like to wander sometimes!)
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- The craziest thing just happened -
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Wednesday, March 22, 2006
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I was talking to my friend Samantha (who just happens to work at a local bank that is about 1 mile away) on the phone when all of the sudden I see two of our undercover detectives run out of the building to the parking lot. Well, considering the fact that these detectives rarely do anything that constitutes as "work" (IMHO), it was quite a shock to see them running and not even chasing anyone or being chased. As I give Samantha the play by play, I look at our dispatch screen to see exactly what was going on, when I see there is a call that was just dispatched for a "Robbery/Holdup". As I'm looking at the address, the location is becoming much more familiar. Then I see the bank it came from...the same bank that Samantha works at. Now, why I do this I'm not sure, but I lower my voice (like the bad guy could possibly be in my office or something) and tell her the screen is showing that her bank is in the process of being robbed. She says "WHAT"!? I reitereated that she can't say anything and continue to tell her the detaisl. She then tells me that there's nobody even in the bank, so how could they be getting robbed? At that point I had no idea, maybe it was a robbery to a person outside or at the ATM, but half of our major crimes section is heading out the door, so I tell her I'm on my way (because where there's a crime, there's a victim). I get there, see what an awesome job everyone has done of blocking off the intersections and start pulling people aside and pretty soon find out that it is across the street, not actually at the bank. Apparently someone who has an office at the upstairs of the bank saw two people across the street, one apparently having some type of gun in his hand point it at the other's head. Well, it actually turned out to be two kids playing laser tag, enjoying the nice spring day in their back yard.
Nice adrenaline rush for the day!
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- I promised not to laugh...out loud -
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Friday, March 17, 2006
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Conversation between me and my friend Mickey:
Mickey: I'm going to tell you something funny, only if you promise not to laugh at me...because I'm not in the mood to be laughed at.
Me: Ok...I promise
Mickey: I just picked up my personal cell and attempted to call you...but instead I accidentally called my work phone.
Me: Okay????!!!!!
Mickey: But, I didn't realize it was me calling my work phone, so I picked it up and answered it...then I heard myself echo in my ear. It wasn't funny.
Me: Trying everything I can not to start hysterically laughing out loud....NIIIIICE! I know, I promised not to laugh....gotta go now....click. HA HA HA HA HA (out loud).
This was probably funnier having him tell it, but I got a chuckle!
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- Why I love St. Patty's Day -
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 Nope, it's not green beer or corned beef & cabbage. It's McDonald's Shamrock Shakes. YUMM!
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- I stole this idea from Crime Dog -
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Friday, March 10, 2006
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The Music Game!
You have to pick an artist, and answer the following questions using only that artist's song titles. Crime Dog picked Buffett, but I'm going to also--just changing the answers around a little bit!
1. Name of band/artist: Jimmy Buffett
2. Are you male or female?: Girl Gone Crazy on Caroline St.
3. Describe yourself: Makin' Music for Money
4. How do you feel about yourself?: The Weather is Here, Wish You Were Beautiful
5. Describe your ex girlfriend/boyfriend: Incommunicado or WDWGDAS
6. Describe current girlfriend/boyfriend: Perfect Partner or Frank and Lola
7. Describe where you want to be: Lovely Cruise
8. Describe how you live: Growing Older but not Up
9. Describe how you love: Happily Ever After
10. What would you ask for if you had just one wish?: If I Had A Million Dollars (oh wait...that's not Buffett...) Diamond as Big as the Ritz
11. Share a few words of Wisdom: (with a little) Love and Luck (you will get by)
12. Now say goodbye: Changing Channels
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- A year ago today -
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Sunday, March 05, 2006
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A year ago today my mom was diagnosed with Lung Cancer. I never blogged about this before, but not really for any particular reason. She's in remission now, and has been for about 8 months. She was diagnosed while here in Florida and did most of her treatments and chemo here, finishing up in Michigan.
It will never cease to amaze me why people who smoke continue to do it, knowing the heath risks involved. I understand that it's an incredibly hard habit to break, not only because of addiction, but also because it's simply that...a habit. I rank smoking right up there along the same lines as suicide. I hate it. Suicide might be great for the person contemplating it, but it destroys everyone and everything around them. Smoking does the exact same thing, only on a different level. Suicide is usually quick, often times painless for victim (if that's what you choose to call it), but also for their loved ones and friends. Smoking is lifelong. Everyone knows how dangerous it is. Family, friends and loved ones are faced to watch the smoker's suicide. Every day, day after day, year after year. Until finally, that day comes. That day could be a life sentence of cancer or worse. A life sentence of death. Mostly both.
Ok, because I'm starting to get frustrated and incredibly annoyed I'm going to stop blogging about this for now. Maybe later I'll continue.
Oh--for the record, I'm not comparing smoking to drinking or other drugs for justification purposes. I know they're all equally dangerous.
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- So there is hope? -
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Friday, March 03, 2006
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Household Havoc
By PsychologyToday
In June of 1982 I gave birth to my first son, Chris. At the time I thought I had all the patience, knowledge and expertise necessary for raising a child. After all, I had worked in an intensive care unit, emergency room and as head nurse of a Mental Health Clinic. I was also the oldest sister of eight siblings.
I couldn't have been more wrong.
I was not even remotely prepared for what I was about to face as a mother. My dream of a little house with a white picket fence was quickly replaced with an emotional roller coaster. My son, though intelligent and articulate, was also very easily distracted and incapable of sitting still and staying on task. No matter what I asked him to do, his answer was a defiant, “No.” He was verbally aggressive and yelled at me routinely. During his fits of rage, everything but the kitchen sink came out of his mouth. And every time, it felt like someone was putting a knife in my heart.
Until Chris was 8 years old, I fought to understand why motherhood was so different for me compared with other women. Then he was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) along with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), which co-occurs in about 40 percent of those diagnosed with ADHD. But my story is not about ADHD. It's about learning to cope with the emotions I faced firsthand during both the years before Chris was diagnosed and those following while raising a child with special needs.
Chris and I weren't the only ones having a hard time communicating. The constant stress also took a toll on my relationship with my husband and my younger son. I yelled a lot, my husband was certain I was being an inappropriate mother, and Chris was confused about the level of respect between his mother and father. We were a family falling apart.
Thankfully, things started to change when Chris began receiving appropriate treatment. With help from professionals, I was finally able to let go of the blame and judgment I felt from others. Then I sought out other parents who were experiencing similar issues. My husband and I began attending regular educational forums and conferences, soaking up support and knowledge to design an effective plan of action for Chris' treatment.
We went through every type of treatment possible; when one intervention didn't work, we tried another. Adderall, a psycho-stimulant, increased Chris' ability to concentrate and calmed his defiance, but medication is a short-term solution to a 24-hour-a-day problem. Behavior modification charts were extremely useful. I combined them with positive reinforcement to enforce agreed-upon rules, and each chart was age-specific and used until the desired behaviors had become automatic.
Today, Chris is in his twenties, and his condition will likely be a lifelong struggle for him. But he is learning to accommodate his needs and I have learned to pick my battles wisely.
Recently, I had the opportunity to speak at a workshop sponsored by the Center for the Advancement of Child and Adolescent Mental Health on this very topic. It reminded me of the importance of parental networking, and that early intervention is key in both taking control of the disorder and alleviating family stress. I hope my story will help others who feel alone in confronting ADHD. And I'm looking forward to a loving future with my own family, and to enjoying our lives together.
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