Monday evening I was standing in the kitchen making spaghetti for Kyle and waiting for him to arrive home from Spring training. It was getting to be a little past 6 and I just happened to walk into my bedroom, where I'd left my phone, and caught a call coming in. It was a call from Jonee (who we refer to as his other mother) and she was driving past my house to come and tell me that Kyle was in the training room with a concussion and John and I needed to get to the school ASAP!
At that very moment all I could think of was getting to him fast! I turned off the stove (thank goodness), threw on my shoes and bra (another thank goodness), gathered up John and called the trainer. She told me that Kyle was brought in by a couple of the coaches around 4:45 after they noticed him standing and staring into space on the line with no response and since that time he couldn't remember answers to simple questions (his birthday, what year it was, who the trainer was, etc.). Not a good sign!
On the drive to school, John said he now hated football and became angry, which isn't new since he seems to be angry at the world most of the time. All I could think of was that Kyle needed both of us and I needed him too, not his anger!
Why are women so much stronger than our counterparts? Men really can't handle circumstances that are out of their control! (Ok, maybe not all, but my man should have just stayed home).
So, we get to school and I practically run to the training room (John is taking his sweet time as usual) and find Kyle sitting with an ice bag on his neck and almost incoherent. Luckily, Jonee had gone back to be with him until we arrived and she stayed (she's an ER nurse at Baylor - Dallas). I decided to take him directly to Baylor for a CAT scan and with Jonee's help she'd get us right in and taken good care of. Kyle was getting very frustrated that he couldn't remember things and at this time I found out he'd been hit last week too but didn't tell anyone. He'd been having dizziness that I attributed to all his allergies and had mentioned to Jonee over the weekend that he was having some memory problems. Great! Now we're talking a concussion last week compounded by another hit Monday. Not a good thing.
We walked right into the ER and a room and a doctor saw us immediately. The doc and nurse couldn't believe that the trainer had kept him as long as she did with his symptoms, had no collar on him, ice on his neck and hadn't called me or an ambulance right away. The doc put a collar on him and began his exam (after I had to undress him, yuck! he was really stinky and smelled like a dirty locker room)and then whisked him away to the CAT scan. Luckily, when Kyle returned to the room he seemed to be feeling and looking better, plus he started remembering things and laughing!
After about an hour the results were back that his head was ok and we could go. Kyle can't play football or do any strenuous activity for at least 2 weeks but when we got in the car to leave he announced he would be quitting football. What? He said his brain is more important to him and his academics than hoping for a scholarship in football. He has more opportunities for academic scholarships since he's in the top 10% of his class. Well, looks like his brain is functioning fine and his father is happy about his decision.
His decision to quit football became even more clear upon his return to school the next day (yes, he went back Tuesday because of the TAKS testing) and got to football and the head coach didn't even say anything to him. Only the two coaches that took him off the field who have been there and know him best asked him how he was. He really got his feelings hurt and felt insignificant! Now, he just has to make it until the end of school and then tell the coach he's quitting. He is going to move to baseball. Sure, now he can get hit in the head with a smaller, faster, and harder ball! Ugh!
This incident has been a huge wake-up call to me and for anyone with children in sports that we really need to pay closer attention to how things are handled by the trainers and injuries. Kyle could have been seriously injured and he was left to sit in the training room for way too long with memory loss, etc. Kyle is lucky but will probably have some slight symptoms for a while. Get involved!
Thank you Jonee for all the attention and help you gave Kyle and me! I love you!
Homecoming 2010
Marina & Kyle
Mum Exchange
Friday, April 30, 2010
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Funny Stuff That Happens In My House
Saturday, April 10, 2010
The last few weeks have been filled with some fun moments in my world so I'd like to share a couple of them so I don't forget plus one of these days my son will read this and appreciate the fact I kept up on our activities. Of course, some of what I'm about to write about would not thrill him, but in my defense, it must be done!
I now laugh with the evil Cruella laugh!!! Ha! Ha! Ha!
Last Tuesday I didn't get home from work until 9:30 pm because I was working the "Taste-n-Trade" of Mesquite and Panera had a booth set up that I was in charge of working so we didn't wrap up until late. Since I'd been at work earlier that morning, I was tired and just wanted to take a shower. Upon walking into my bathroom, I discovered a countertop and sink full of cut hair. I figured Kyle had trimmed his hair and didn't clean up so I interrupted his video playing to ask him why and what he'd done in my bathroom. He motioned to his neck as if to say he'd trimmed his whiskers under his chin. OK, as a mother of a 16 year old, he doesn't have a long beard, if much beard at all, so where did all the hair come from. He was annoyed that I had the audacity to ask that he clean up his mess if he wishes to use my bathroom as a barber shop. Off to my shower I went and after I finished I took a towel and wiped off my counter and sink but on my way to the washer I stopped once again to talk to Kyle and something drew my eyes to his legs that rested on the coffee table and were as soft as a baby's bottom! What the hell? Where was all his hair (besides in my sink)? He shaved his legs, he really did it and I was a little shocked at first and then decided to save face so he wouldn't feel insecure about it. He had mentioned to me a few days prior that some of the other guys in football shaved theirs and had thought about it, but I didn't think he'd go through with it! Apparently, it will help his speed. Of course I was thinking it was so if he got his legs taped up it wouldn't pull his hair out because it's not like he's at the professional level and he's going to become "grease lightning" due to shaving! On the inside I was cracking up just thinking about how much trouble it was going to be to keep those legs smooth. I know how we women can't stand to have to always be shaving so why would he even WANT to. Oh, thank goodness he doesn't have a girlfriend because if I felt stubble on my boyfriend’s legs I'd think, Eeekk!! Lastly, I did jokingly ask him what else he shaved? Ha! I couldn't resist!
My second funny was last night with John and Kyle. The two of them are constantly playing video games on the new tv and sometimes get irritated if I walk by to go to the kitchen and mess up a "shot" so a couple of times while Kyle was engaged in his game I stopped in front of him and held my arms out and spun around saying, "Black Hawk Down, Black Hawk Down!". Kyle finally laughed! Minding my own business and coincidentally trimming my whiskers (yes, as we age hair tends to appear out of nowhere and in strange places so don't laugh) with my electric razor John jumps into the doorway of my bathroom (landing a ballet move) and sings, "Puccini Opera!". I'm laughing now as I'm visualizing him because at the very moment he did that, he scared the "shit" out of me and made me over shave my lip area causing a nice irritation. As I chased after him to the kitchen he landed an arabesque (ballet move) thru the doorway into the kitchen. It was the funniest thing and where on earth did he come up with Puccini? He really surprises me!
I'm so grateful for laughter in my house and that we can all make fun of each other and ourselves! Laughter is Healing!
The last few weeks have been filled with some fun moments in my world so I'd like to share a couple of them so I don't forget plus one of these days my son will read this and appreciate the fact I kept up on our activities. Of course, some of what I'm about to write about would not thrill him, but in my defense, it must be done!
I now laugh with the evil Cruella laugh!!! Ha! Ha! Ha!
Last Tuesday I didn't get home from work until 9:30 pm because I was working the "Taste-n-Trade" of Mesquite and Panera had a booth set up that I was in charge of working so we didn't wrap up until late. Since I'd been at work earlier that morning, I was tired and just wanted to take a shower. Upon walking into my bathroom, I discovered a countertop and sink full of cut hair. I figured Kyle had trimmed his hair and didn't clean up so I interrupted his video playing to ask him why and what he'd done in my bathroom. He motioned to his neck as if to say he'd trimmed his whiskers under his chin. OK, as a mother of a 16 year old, he doesn't have a long beard, if much beard at all, so where did all the hair come from. He was annoyed that I had the audacity to ask that he clean up his mess if he wishes to use my bathroom as a barber shop. Off to my shower I went and after I finished I took a towel and wiped off my counter and sink but on my way to the washer I stopped once again to talk to Kyle and something drew my eyes to his legs that rested on the coffee table and were as soft as a baby's bottom! What the hell? Where was all his hair (besides in my sink)? He shaved his legs, he really did it and I was a little shocked at first and then decided to save face so he wouldn't feel insecure about it. He had mentioned to me a few days prior that some of the other guys in football shaved theirs and had thought about it, but I didn't think he'd go through with it! Apparently, it will help his speed. Of course I was thinking it was so if he got his legs taped up it wouldn't pull his hair out because it's not like he's at the professional level and he's going to become "grease lightning" due to shaving! On the inside I was cracking up just thinking about how much trouble it was going to be to keep those legs smooth. I know how we women can't stand to have to always be shaving so why would he even WANT to. Oh, thank goodness he doesn't have a girlfriend because if I felt stubble on my boyfriend’s legs I'd think, Eeekk!! Lastly, I did jokingly ask him what else he shaved? Ha! I couldn't resist!
My second funny was last night with John and Kyle. The two of them are constantly playing video games on the new tv and sometimes get irritated if I walk by to go to the kitchen and mess up a "shot" so a couple of times while Kyle was engaged in his game I stopped in front of him and held my arms out and spun around saying, "Black Hawk Down, Black Hawk Down!". Kyle finally laughed! Minding my own business and coincidentally trimming my whiskers (yes, as we age hair tends to appear out of nowhere and in strange places so don't laugh) with my electric razor John jumps into the doorway of my bathroom (landing a ballet move) and sings, "Puccini Opera!". I'm laughing now as I'm visualizing him because at the very moment he did that, he scared the "shit" out of me and made me over shave my lip area causing a nice irritation. As I chased after him to the kitchen he landed an arabesque (ballet move) thru the doorway into the kitchen. It was the funniest thing and where on earth did he come up with Puccini? He really surprises me!
I'm so grateful for laughter in my house and that we can all make fun of each other and ourselves! Laughter is Healing!
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Food Revolution
By now, everyone should have heard of the "Food Revolution" started by Chef Jaime Oliver and if you haven't check into it!
Congratulations! Jaime Oliver for taking on the school districts and this country’s bad eating habits!
I can now understand, as an adult, just what my mother was trying to do all those years ago when my sisters and I were in school. Yes, she embarrassed us by coming into our school and confronting the administration about how they could allow soda machines to be placed in the schools for KIDS to drink all that sugar at will. But, guess what? She was right! After she made her stance, the machines were filled with only juices, no sodas! So, she didn't make it all the way to the crappy food being served but she did make progress way back then in one area!
Growing up, in my family, health was a huge priority. My mother was and still is athletic, in great shape, and watches what she puts into her body so my sisters and I were introduced to healthy eating habits all our lives. Ok, we didn't eat breakfast but my mother always made dinner every night that included lots of vegetables, grains, chicken, fish and pasta (she would make our lunch for school too, embarrassment again!). Rarely did we eat meat and potatoes with gravy and rolls and to this day I have never eaten a meal of chicken fried steak, smothered in gravy with a side of potatoes (so, why am I overweight? Duh! All the other crap I began to eat after I stopped dancing and living at home!). It was a special occasion if we had fast food and if we ate out, lets say at a Mexican restaurant, she wouldn't let us fill up on chips and salsa! Hey, don't get me wrong, my sisters and I ate plenty of the cafeteria food and liked it, mostly because it was bad for us!
So, you ask, why and how did I lose control? Well, after all those years of not being able to eat what I wanted and not having to sneak it, once I moved out on my own and was working and partying, I just went NUTS! I have drifted back and forth from healthy eating to bad habits but I do know what healthy eating is and have tried to instill that in my son (not so much in my husband...he's a lost cause!). Luckily, I was raised with proper eating habits and a mother who cared about what my sisters and I put in our bodies so the foundation was set!
Now I'm sure you're asking, "Why she is rambling on about this and what is her point?" My point is that Jaime Oliver is correct in conquering the bad habits we have all grown accustomed to in this country with eating fast food that is unhealthy for us and then allowing our school districts to serve it to our children every day of the school year. What really gets in my crawl is that WE, the parents, have allowed it to happen!
I worked as a "cafeteria lady" for over a year in my son’s elementary school and saw first-hand what kind of food is served, how it is cooked and what it looks like when it comes in off the truck. Let me tell you, that food is not healthy and really shouldn't be eaten! All the proteins came in processed and frozen, the vegetables were either canned or in bags as well as the fruit. There was no prep to cooking this food just putting it in the oven or deep fryer!
I was always shocked when I'd start a conversation about how unhealthy the food was and the response from admin and managers was that this is what the kids will eat!
Since when are the KIDS IN CHARGE? And if some of these kids are getting their only meal at school shouldn't THAT MEAL be the healthier one of the day?
It is high time someone stands up and shows the world what all our children should be eating if parents and the school administrations are NOT going to! We entrust our children's lives and well-being with the school system for at least 13-14 years of their development so why shouldn't they be held partially responsible for what goes in their mouths?
Please note, I said partially! I am guilty of allowing my son to eat the crap they serve but I have also given him a somewhat healthy foundation to work from and I prepare healthy meals when at home unlike some of the underprivileged children who may not get the same at home.
We should all ban together to begin to change the system for the better and join in the "Food Revolution" to ensure our children live healthier and longer lives! They are our future!
Congratulations! Jaime Oliver for taking on the school districts and this country’s bad eating habits!
I can now understand, as an adult, just what my mother was trying to do all those years ago when my sisters and I were in school. Yes, she embarrassed us by coming into our school and confronting the administration about how they could allow soda machines to be placed in the schools for KIDS to drink all that sugar at will. But, guess what? She was right! After she made her stance, the machines were filled with only juices, no sodas! So, she didn't make it all the way to the crappy food being served but she did make progress way back then in one area!
Growing up, in my family, health was a huge priority. My mother was and still is athletic, in great shape, and watches what she puts into her body so my sisters and I were introduced to healthy eating habits all our lives. Ok, we didn't eat breakfast but my mother always made dinner every night that included lots of vegetables, grains, chicken, fish and pasta (she would make our lunch for school too, embarrassment again!). Rarely did we eat meat and potatoes with gravy and rolls and to this day I have never eaten a meal of chicken fried steak, smothered in gravy with a side of potatoes (so, why am I overweight? Duh! All the other crap I began to eat after I stopped dancing and living at home!). It was a special occasion if we had fast food and if we ate out, lets say at a Mexican restaurant, she wouldn't let us fill up on chips and salsa! Hey, don't get me wrong, my sisters and I ate plenty of the cafeteria food and liked it, mostly because it was bad for us!
So, you ask, why and how did I lose control? Well, after all those years of not being able to eat what I wanted and not having to sneak it, once I moved out on my own and was working and partying, I just went NUTS! I have drifted back and forth from healthy eating to bad habits but I do know what healthy eating is and have tried to instill that in my son (not so much in my husband...he's a lost cause!). Luckily, I was raised with proper eating habits and a mother who cared about what my sisters and I put in our bodies so the foundation was set!
Now I'm sure you're asking, "Why she is rambling on about this and what is her point?" My point is that Jaime Oliver is correct in conquering the bad habits we have all grown accustomed to in this country with eating fast food that is unhealthy for us and then allowing our school districts to serve it to our children every day of the school year. What really gets in my crawl is that WE, the parents, have allowed it to happen!
I worked as a "cafeteria lady" for over a year in my son’s elementary school and saw first-hand what kind of food is served, how it is cooked and what it looks like when it comes in off the truck. Let me tell you, that food is not healthy and really shouldn't be eaten! All the proteins came in processed and frozen, the vegetables were either canned or in bags as well as the fruit. There was no prep to cooking this food just putting it in the oven or deep fryer!
I was always shocked when I'd start a conversation about how unhealthy the food was and the response from admin and managers was that this is what the kids will eat!
Since when are the KIDS IN CHARGE? And if some of these kids are getting their only meal at school shouldn't THAT MEAL be the healthier one of the day?
It is high time someone stands up and shows the world what all our children should be eating if parents and the school administrations are NOT going to! We entrust our children's lives and well-being with the school system for at least 13-14 years of their development so why shouldn't they be held partially responsible for what goes in their mouths?
Please note, I said partially! I am guilty of allowing my son to eat the crap they serve but I have also given him a somewhat healthy foundation to work from and I prepare healthy meals when at home unlike some of the underprivileged children who may not get the same at home.
We should all ban together to begin to change the system for the better and join in the "Food Revolution" to ensure our children live healthier and longer lives! They are our future!
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