Welcome To THE COUCH...Sit on Down and Get Comfy...
Ann Sweetness...NO baseball season is not over yet...another 10-15 days dear...
Congratulations to Damm and his Tigers...(OOPS ..you to Sueann...)... they look like the team to beat right now, as the Cardinals and Mets continue to beat up on each other.
Well...I think I found an apartment. I say think, because i can't get in until around the 2nd of November and I am still not sure the comapny will go for another 10 days in the hotel. If they say no, I have a second choice, but it is far distant in terms of what I want from the first.You can see the complex HERE.
There are many things I will allow...you can talk badly of me and I let it slide...you can do me wrong a few times and I will let it slide (but not forever)...One thing you can never ever do is get between me and my family.
Now, we can argue and disagree in private, but outsiders are NOT permitted to disrespect us.
This goes for all my family members...parents, siblings, spouse, cousins, neices, nephews, aunts, uncles, second cousins, etc. etc.
It is especially true about my son. My Matt.
He is going through a tough time right now after his accident. not physically but mentally. He is dealing with his responsibility for the accident and my leaving to come to Memphis and the other situations in our lives. he is handling them very well and I am extremely proud of him.
COUCH NOTE: it seems some people thought that the text message Matt sent last week which made me cry was not a good thing. Let me dispell that immediately...his words were kind and loving and that is why tears came to my eyes (and are again as I remember them).
This accident is not over for us. He did receive a ticket for reckless driving. He did hit another car. It may mean my having to go back home for a period of time to deal with it all...the lawyers...the courts...
I don't know how my employers will feel about that at this time, but that means nothing to me. If they accept it, then I will have a greater respect for them...if not then...well...as I said...FAMILY FIRST....Matt #1 on that list.
I have friends who never had kids and sometimes they don't understand this. Why didn't they...well my good friend decided he never wanted kids and went out and found a wife who agreed. A few years down the road he had begun to change his mind, but he had married someone who didn't...
Others, well, I guess you never know if it is a desire not to or a medical situation which didn't allow it. And then I know some who were married and got divorced and remarried to someone who already had kids and didn't want additional.
We all make decisions and whatever is right for one may not be right for another and that is why the world is not black and white....or grey..it is multi-colored.
But, the responsibility you have to your child is like nothing else in the world...NOTHING.
We would have liked another child, but God decided one was enough.
LOL...he was right...
Matt was not the easiest baby...we realized at about 3 he had blockages in his ear canals and he was 100% deaf in one ear and about 80% in the other. He was fitted with tubes and that helped.
We also found out he had learned to lip read and that is how he knew what we were saying. One day when he and Allyson were home she was talking to him and turned her head and he took his tiny hand and turned her face back to face him. She told me about this and we took him to the doctor and waited on the tests.
At the same time I had my experience with it. He was in his bed (he never fell asleep easily...NEVER), with his back to the door. I leaned in to tell him it was time for lights out. No response...louder...Matt..time for lights out. I screamed and he turned his head and I immediately knew he had not heard me the first two times.
This put him behind the other kids, as his speech was obviously hindered.
When he was about 7 he was diagnosed as ADHD (by a team including his pediatrician, a psycologist and his teachers), and we began medicating him.
Now, you have to know I was against it and insisted we could handle it...then I went on a business trip and came home a few days later and about 5 days after that I said to Allyson..."see he is calmer."
She began to laugh and told me Matt was on the medication from the day I left!
It helped him in school...he began to focus more, he was not as disruptive...and he was learning.
I traveled alot when we were in Massachusetts. It was part of the job. I probably was away 10 days a month on average, with 4 trips a year to Jacksonville that lasted anywhere from 7 to 12 days.
Matt tended to end up sleeping with Allyson a few nights a week when I was gone. When I was home he began sneaking into our room with his pillow and blankets and sleeping on the floor next to her side of the bed. he would not come to my side, as he knew if I woke, I would ship him back to his bed!
When we realized we had to break this habit we did it the efficient way.
Night one...our door was locked. He banged and banged and cried and yelled and it was difficult and no one got much sleep. He was outside the door when we awoke.
Night two and three...our door was locked. He banged for a while, cried a bit and yelled some...then it got quiet. When we awoke the next morning, he was asleep outside our door.
Night four...our door was locked. He knocked a few times, called our names...the next morning he was asleep in his bed.
Our door remained locked the next few nights, but there was no knocking and he slept in his bed.
I always felt the ADHD was one of the main reasons he chose to be a catcher, where he was involved in every single second of the game...and he became a great catcher defensively.
His offense was good, but he could call a game..and did...without the coaches help. As a senior he was one of two out of the 14 catchers in his conference who called his own game.
COUCH NOTE 2: To those who do not know baseball well..."calling the game" means he gave the signals to the pitcher on what pitch to throw...it takes a keen knowledge of the hitters, the situation and the pitcher at that time in the game - most college catchers are not given that responsibility and there are even major league catchers who look to the dugout for the signal from a coach.
Over the years he has proven over and over that his heart is the size of the world. he has always looked out for younger children...taught his cousins and played with them gently...even while in the hospital...all he kept asking is "is the other driver ok"...well he KEPT asking because of the concussion and he couldn't remember the answer...BUT....LOL
So...don't stand in the way of me and my Matt...or make sure your life insurance is paid in full....
Thanks for sitting on THE COUCH, hope you enjoyed your stay.FIND AN OPPORTUNITY TO PAY IT FORWARD!
Keep that spark of insanity kids...It helps keep you an individual.
My, my, my.... what a oh so handsome sexy son you have there.... If only I was 20 years younger....... If only...... ;-)
I too know what it's like to have a child with ADHD.... Kaitlin was diagnosed in September 2005 and have been treating with medication since. I can definately tell a difference when she hasn't had her meds. But the meds did what they were suppose to do. She is doing so much better in school now. Make a world of difference.
When Daddy first went into the hospital back in June, my Matt went one Sunday before work to see him. The last time he looked at his schedule they had him scheduled to come in at 5:00 pm, or so he thought. Well, he got there at 4:55 and said "I barely made it"... his supervisor said "No, Your 3 hours late, give me your badge and cap." She fired him. To make a long story short, the girl had the NERVE to ask him, "What's more important your job or your grandfather." Guess what Matt said.... "My Grandfather"... he told the girl to kiss is ass and walked out. So..... you can talk about me all you want... I don't care... But DON'T YOU DARE TALK ABOUT MY FAMILY!!!! I'm with you every step of the way on that one Vinny.
Oh, the apartment.... Love It!!! Hopefully, the company will agree...
HUGS, GROPES & SMOOCHES!!!
Lee Ann
My, my, my.... what a oh so handsome sexy son you have there.... If only I was 20 years younger....... If only...... ;-)
I too know what it's like to have a child with ADHD.... Kaitlin was diagnosed in September 2005 and have been treating with medication since. I can definately tell a difference when she hasn't had her meds. But the meds did what they were suppose to do. She is doing so much better in school now. Make a world of difference.
When Daddy first went into the hospital back in June, my Matt went one Sunday before work to see him. The last time he looked at his schedule they had him scheduled to come in at 5:00 pm, or so he thought. Well, he got there at 4:55 and said "I barely made it"... his supervisor said "No, Your 3 hours late, give me your badge and cap." She fired him. To make a long story short, the girl had the NERVE to ask him, "What's more important your job or your grandfather." Guess what Matt said.... "My Grandfather"... he told the girl to kiss is ass and walked out. So..... you can talk about me all you want... I don't care... But DON'T YOU DARE TALK ABOUT MY FAMILY!!!! I'm with you every step of the way on that one Vinny.
Oh, the apartment.... Love It!!! Hopefully, the company will agree...
HUGS, GROPES & SMOOCHES!!!
Lee Ann
Turn reminded me of something....
If the Cardinals win it will be
DUCKMASTER vs. DUCK!!!!!!!!!
wooooooooooooooooooooooo
Duck vs DuckMaster.... bwahahahahahahahahahahahahaahaha
From the mind of Meribah:
You have a good-looking son there, Bond! I'm guessing he takes after his ol' man, eh? **wink** I sure hope you guys are able to work out all the problems caused by this accident and put it behind you. And I hope you get the apartment you've got your heart set on!
By the way, I would never dream of coming between you and your family! I know better! Don't want "the businessmen with a common goal" coming after me! ;) LOL
MERI: Guessing? Don't you see my picture? Of course he doesn't take after me!
And it is I you would deal with- no one else....
LOL
You're apt looks really nice. I hope you're able to get in it sooner or that your company will understand and pay the extra days. Matt is very lucky to have such great parents who are supportive of him. Just as you are lucky to have a son who cares so much. (not all men know how to express themselves, and i know that text means the world to you)
Great post and thanks for sharing your son with us! Who in the world would try to come between you and Matt? I knew from your writing that the message from Matt was something you cherished! Thank God Matt is okay.
Hope the apartment works out the way you want it!
Hugs,
Sue
Oh boy, do I ever understand this post. You know that the baseball ones are written in gibberish as far as I'm concerned, but kids? Heck, yeah, I understand about kids. And I know all about appreciating them for their own sake. And I don't guess I need to tell you that I concur with all my heart about your child coming first, do I? What would I do for my son? Whatever it takes. And Vinny? I respect and admire you all the more for the way you feel about your Matt.
Sheesh...Bethany has slept with me since she was born...
Bond-
Ashamed to admit that this was my FIRST time with you! *ahem*
But I will be back to cuddle up on the couch.
And thank you for linking to my lame-ass blog!
A new member of the Couch Club-
Lynn
Congratulations on raising such a fine young man.
I made a choice not to have kids. Then it became medically impossible for me. I don't regret my choice or my condition.
Some are meant for it and others aren't.
AMANDA: You certainly know about strong supportive parents. Yes, I am so glad he got the Italian emotions....LOL..I still kiss mty dad, and my brother..always have...always will
SUE: Your opening up certainly has helped me to open more...
COCO: I knew you would understand and know you are stronger today then last week..and if something occurs again...well god help whoever approaches you.
DANA: LOL - well there will come a time when she can't
LYNN: My pleasure yto link you and welcome to THE COUCH..all are welcome! OH, and your blog is nothing near lame-ass
TRAVIS: Thank you sir... and our decisions are personal and you are correct... which is why I love the world..because we are all different..yet so much the same
Wow - a lookalike Bond. The resemblance is amazing, really.
At some point, I'll do a post for each of my three. There are some great memories in this entry...thanks.
FRED: And he has a whole lot of his mom too...Glad you enjoyed the memories.. I have learned of your three over in your World
Sitting back eating, snoozing, reading a book, watching the UM fight, yawning….when does this World Series thingy start?
BRING IT ON DIXIE!!!!!!
p.s. you should be a proud papa Bond:)
DUCKMASTER vs DUCK.....YOU GOT IT BUD!!!!!! ;-)
p.s. I found a "extra special" Duckmaster Kit that I'm going to get today..... ;-)
Hey as long as the hockey season has started.. I don't mind baseball...
I know Vince.. mess with my daughter or another member of my family (which includes my close friends like you) and there's hell to pay.
I know that Matt will appreciate having dear ol Dad's support... besides.. at the end of ones life.. no one ever says 'I wish I'd spent more time at work...'
You're a good father Vince... and a wonderful friend.
I know what you mean about one being enough.. I think God crammed all the energy he could into my sweet Chicklet.. and I wouldn't have her any other way!
Duck vs Duckmaster eh?! Wait, this baseball thingy may have a good side ;)...
DAMM: I just hope the long lay-off does not make the Tigers lose their edge...because no matter what, I am an American league GUY! Sorry Dix..I truly am....
DIXIE: Still sorry about the above comment...Why do i shudder when I hear her say she found an "extra special" Duckmaster kit????
ANNDI: Hockey? Wuts Hockey...LOL
Thanks for the kind kind words.... AND Baseball ALWAYS has a good side!
It's ok Snugglebritches - I won't hold it against you that your an American League guy... I truly won't...
Now 'bout that "extra special" Duckmaster Kit..... ;-)
From the mind of Meribah:
**compares pictures of father and son again, gets out magnifying glass, squints** Hmmm, I still see a resemblance! I think he looks most like you in the pictures of you as a kid.
By the way, nuthin' like slowly torturing your enemies yourself, eh, Bond? LOL **big smirk**
DIXIE: AH ty so very much...
MERI: I didn't say he looked ALL like his mom... but he does have many of her features...
Baseball always has a good side... you mean it ends?? LOLOLOLOLOLOL
Bwahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!
'extra-special' Duckmaster kit??? Where does one go to purchase said accoutrement? does it come in assorted colors?
A tiger vs a cardinal... um... the duck really should stick to feathered friends shouldn't he???
I HELPED VINCE OPEN UP MORE...AND SHOW HIS FEELINGS..."DOIN THE HAPPY SHOW YUR FEELINGS DANCE"!....I am humbled by your words, as always. YOU know how I feel about all children, and your devotion to your son is well....something I have always admired!
Hugs,
Sue
Thank you Sue