Maximum Isolation

For one entire week our house was without tv, Internet and the landline phone. To make matters worse my cell phone reception is very spotty in the house.  It can really only be used by standing in the open doorway with your arm up in the air.  Not fun.  And not conducive to anything more than the most important and briefest of conversations. 

We lost electricity for a few hours on Monday morning.  When the power came back on, everything was working fine.  It was not until 5:00pm that night that we were in trouble.  Big Trouble with a capital "T".  After troubleshooting with Verizon and finding out that it would require a service call, we were told the earliest they would be able to come was Saturday.  WHAT!?!?!  Apparently we weren't in enough of a need to expedite a faster visit.  If you ask me, I thought we were in plenty of need.  But I guess our lack of life-support medical issues didn't constitute an emergency.  I get that.  And yes, it put it all in perspective.  But really, this 42 year old mom needs her tv.  She needs her Internet.  And she most certainly needs her phone.  As far as I was concerned, Verizon could have our electricity too.  What good was it if we couldn't connect to the outside world?

Can you imagine?  It wasn't pretty.  Quite ugly in fact.  Funny things happen when you can't be connected 24/7. Without "The Today Show" playing in the kitchen during my mornings, I lost all track of which day it was.  I put the trash out on the wrong day.  I had no idea what was happening in the world.  The only way I knew there was a two hour delay for school on Wednesday was because I got a text message from Fairfax County Public Schools.

I usually have the tvs on as background noise.  The silence was driving me crazy.  Coming home to a quiet house while the kids were in school was hard to take. 

Not a good combo - TV not working and a beautiful fire blazing in the fire place.

It seemed like I was the only one in my Toppall house that had an issue with the lack of Fios.  Jeff was gone at work at all day and had very little down time at home when he'd be watching tv.  The kids didn't complain at all that they couldn't watch tv.  Not one word was uttered from them during the whole entire week.  In fact, towards the end of the week they didn't even go downstairs to where the main tv is located.  The kids were very content to hang out in our living room reading and drawing/creating crafts.  How old school.  It was a bit refreshing to find out that Ian and Sam can easily take it or leave it, especially since we don't give any kind of limits on screen time.  But the person writing this blog was going through withdrawal.  Big-time!  I was waking up in the middle of the night with the shakes.  I had this list of everything I wanted to do as soon as I could connect again (pay bills, rsvp to evites, put a vacation hold on mail and newspaper, etc).  I didn't feel like myself.  It was like a part of me was missing.  I started sleeping with my cell phone on my nightstand, even thought I didn't have a chance of getting a signal.  Each day I would randomly turn on the tv and see if this bad nightmare had somehow resolved itself.  After 2 minutes, I'd be depressed all over again.

To help my situation, I did get a bit resourceful.  One night I went to Starbucks to use the Internet.  On Friday morning, I streamed the previous night's episode of "Parenthood" while working out at the gym.  That definitely helped me get my day off to the right start.   Overall the situation wasn't pretty.  I felt like we were living in 1985 and everyone else was in 2013.

Finally Saturday arrived and I knew I would make it.  Within 10 minutes of the Verizon guy walking in our house, our tv, Internet and phone were back up and running.  I ran around to each room and turned every tv on.  It was glorious hearing all the tvs working.  I picked up our phone and heard a dial tone while loading an Internet page on my iPad.  It was a beautiful thing to be connected again.

**Please take this blog entry for what it is -- a joke. While it was very challenging to not have tv, Internet or phone, I am fully aware that there are much bigger problems people face every day that don't go away as easily as service call from the Verizon tech.  I do have perspective and know how fortunate we were to have electricity during this Fios outage.  To have a roof over our heads and food on the table are the crucial things.  I get that.  :)

Snow day

Last week we had a few days of bad weather that kept the kids out of school.  We got approximately 3 (?) inches of snow.  It's been our most significant snowfall in some time.  Jeff got the kids sleds two Winters ago and so far they hadn't had a chance to use them.  Ian and Sam were very happy to see the snow fall and even happier that school had been cancelled.  From Monday to Wednesday morning (which resulted in a 2 hour delay) it was me and the kids 24/7.  Jeff made it to work each day without any problems.

On Tuesday, once the roads were clear and drivable, I packed up the sleds and kids.  We made our way to this really cool hill at a local middle school.  When we first arrived the ground had a nice covering of snow. By the end of our time sledding, the kids were a bit of a muddy mess.  The temps started rising and everything was melting quickly.

Ian and Sam had so much fun!  

I had visions of having to trail behind Sam and carry her sled back up the hill each time she went down.  Not once did this have to happen.  She not only carried her sled back up, but she ran doing it each time too.  It was so great only being the photographer.  For over 1.5 hours, the kids were on a continual loop going again and again and again.

 

 

Ian and Sam can't wait for the opportunity to go sledding again.

Prime time!

I've been a huge fan of Amazon since the website was only selling books.  Remember those days?  Now that Amazon has expanded their store, it is my first stop for all things you buy online.  They have wonderful customer service, very competitive pricing and fantastic return policy.  Plus, you can shop while wearing your pajamas.  What's not to love?

I knew about Amazon Prime but never felt the need to spend the $80 annual fee for the privilege of what it can do for you.  Mind you, I never did pay for shipping to begin with.  I always easily had $25 in products I wanted to order (or could add to it with things I was bound to get anyway) and that alone gave me free shipping.  And I never really needed my stuff to arrive within 48 hours.  I felt like the regular shipping speed was plenty fast enough. 

About 6 weeks ago, I was finalizing a purchase on Amazon and somehow I inadvertently ended up with the free 30 day trial to try Amazon Prime.  I still don't know how this happened, because many, many times before when I was offered it upon checkout, I could decline and it was never an issue.  Looking back, I am pretty sure that I was snookered into the trial.  I don't think Amazon was going to let me continue being a loyal customer without trying Prime.  Whatever the case, I let it slide and decided to see what the hoopla was all about.  I think just about every friend I have uses Amazon Prime and raves about it.

Can I say that Amazon is a genius?  They certainly got me to change my mind.  In those 30 days of using the trial for Prime, I've become addicted.  I took my completely adequate amount of shopping on Amazon to crazy new heights.  Yowzer!  I can't stop!!!  After only one week, I told Jeff when the charge for Amazon Prime hits our credit card at the end of the month, its ok and totally worth it.  I can't stop ordering things!

Example - Ian comes in to our room one night and says he would like some slippers.  Before he could turn around and leave the room, I had them picked out and ordered.  You want slippers?  Bam!  You got slippers!  They'll be here in 2 days!!

Jeff's cell phone case broke.  You want a new cell phone case?  Bam!  You got a new one!  It will be here in 2 days!!

I was raking leaves one Saturday afternoon and ran out of leaf bags.  I need more leaf bags?  Bam!  I got more leaf bags!  They'll be here in 2 days!!  Oh, and while I was on the website, I couldn't help but also get some awesome gadgets to help with raking.  Because you know, they were in the same listing as the leaf bags.  Like I said, Amazon is brilliant!

This is just the beginning.  I am very embarrassed to let you know the full extent of everything I am ordering.  It is going to have to stay on the down-low between me and my delivery man. 

Amazon knew what they were doing when they made me sign up for the 30 day trial.  Oh yeah!

Sam can read. She could even read this. Or that.

Sam is very eager to learn to read. She is desperate to catch-up to what Ian can do.  She wants to be just like him.  Sam's kindergarten class has a goal of each child learning 100 sight words by the end of the year.  We are currently somewhere in the 40's of the number of words she knows. 

Beyond the sight words the school sends home, we've been working with Sam with beginning to read books and playing fun sight word games.  It is so exciting when she gets it. I am loving this time with her when it doesn't involve pulling my hair out to get her to do something.  It's actually pretty awesome sitting down with her and working on her reading. 

The other day I pulled out the first book in the series of "I can read" books we got her.  It is 11 pages long and each page has one sentence on it.  The sentences range anywhere from 3 to 8 words.  The key to these books is to take a few simple sight words and repeat, repeat, repeat.  Sam was able to read this book on the very first try!  Every page!  It was so cool.  I loved seeing her expression as turned the pages and she kept reading each line correctly. Her eyes got bigger and bigger.  She amazed even herself.  I teared up watching her read.  This is a pretty big deal for our household.  Ian wasn't reading until well into the first grade and even then I didn't think it was ever going to take.  It got so painful listening to Ian sound out each letter in every word.

Later that night, we skyped with my sister.  Ben's mom was in town and they had the whole family over for dinner and to visit.  Sam ran and got her book.  She held it up for everyone to see what she was reading them and did it.  After each page the Florida crowd cheered and clapped.  I loved their reaction.  And so did Sam.

Sam may not be a big fan of school, but she is getting A's in my book for her enthusiasm to want to learn to read.

It's time for a tale from the crypt

I know its been awhile since I've reported on my encounters with The Crazy Man.  He is crazier than ever, but I think part of me is getting very used to him.  When I can anticipate some of the calls, letters or research I'll be doing, I know I've been working for him for a long time.  It will be two years in January!

Here's a little gem that happened about 2 weeks ago.  I still chuckle at the thought of it.  All names used in this story have been changed. 

A little background:  When you call The Crazy Man's primary care doctor and hit "0", Jose is most likely the person who answers.  I am not exactly sure what he does at the doctors office, but The Crazy Man thinks the world of Jose.  Now the nurse who is actually able to answer questions specific to The Crazy Man's situation is not such a valuable asset to The Crazy Man.  He feels that she is too young to be knowledgeable.  I, however love her because she takes our phone calls and gets back to us promptly.  This customer service is HUGE in my book.  A lot of the doctors offices we deal with (and believe me, we deal with MANY!) don't have nurses that take our calls.

The Crazy Man:  I need to you to call Jose at Dr. X's office.  Ask him which foot has the fungus on it.  I don't remember.

Me:  (WHAT!?!?!?!  How in the world do you not know which foot has the problem with fungus?  And, ewwwwwww by the way.)  Um, ok.  I will find out.

The Crazy Man:  Dr. X diagnosed me with the foot fungus on my last visit.  Ask them if it is the left or right foot.  Make sure you speak to Jose. 

Me calling Dr. X, pressing "0" and Jose answering the line:  Hi Jose.

Jose:  Hi Robyn.  It's been awhile.  How are you?

Me:  I'm good, thank you. Do you have access to The Crazy Man's file?  Are you able to answer a specific question regarding his last visit?

Jose:  I can try.  What does The Crazy Man need?

Me:  He would like to know which foot has the fungus on it.

Jose:  (Once he finishes laughing starts to go through the electronic file.)  I see when he was here, but it doesn't say anything about his feet.  Let me put you through to Cindy (nurse). 

Me:  Thanks Jose.  That would be great.

Cindy:  Hi Robyn.

Me:  Hi!  Thanks for taking my phone call.  The Crazy Man would like to know which foot was diagnosed with the fungus.

Cindy:  (once she finishes laughing, she starts to go through the electronic file):  I'm sorry Robyn, it doesn't mention specifically which foot it is.

Me:  Ugh.  What in the world should I tell The Crazy Man?  He is not going to be happy with that as an answer.

Cindy:  Tell him that he should use the medication on both feet.  Tell him it is highly spreadable and he'll be better protected this way. (By the way, Cindy correctly assumed this is why The Crazy Man needed to know which foot it was.  I didn't find this out until later.)

Me:  Great answer Cindy. Thanks!

Me telling The Crazy Man:  The drs office said to use the medication on both feet because it is highly spreadable.

The Crazy Man:  Those stupid asses!!

Um, yeah, they're the stupid ones.  :)

Hanukkah - that's a wrap!

The 8th and final night of Hanukkah.  All candles lit.
We have a gazillion Menorahs.  Each year the kids pick the ones they want to use.
The Menorah on the left is all shoes, given to Sam by Grandma & Grandpa Toppall.
The Menorah on the right is a plane, given to Ian by Mom-mom and Pop-pop Jim Velicoff.

Hanukkah came so early this year.  It was hard to achieve a high level of anticipation and excitement waiting for the holiday to arrive.  And with all the hoopla of Thanksgiving being the 2nd night of Hanukkah, before you knew it, our 8 nights were over and done with.  It came and went in our Toppall house with a small roar.  By the time Christmas hits, Hanukkah will be a distant memory.

Unfortunately my plan to do a small family getaway (at some point during the coming months) instead of getting the kids presents for each of the 8 nights did not happen.  I had a dream of going to New York City for 2 nights during the Teacher work days at the end of January.  I absolutely love NYC and am very eager to show the kids what a magical place New York can be.  I put more value in the family doing some kind of experience/trip together than getting them things they will lose interest in after a few weeks.  And I hate the idea of getting them something just because you have to get them something.  I much rather bring home surprises throughout the year when I see something they would love to have.  However, when I priced out going to NYC, it was more money than Jeff and I felt comfortable spending. 

With no trip in lieu of gifts happening, I had to hit the stores and come up with some things for the kids to open.  I carefully selected a few presents for each of the kids and made a very concentrated effort to not go overboard.  Between the grandparents (3 sets!), Aunts/Uncles (another 3 sets!), and the gifts Jeff and I came up with the kids made out pretty well.

The night before Hanukkah began Jeff whispered to me, "Let's be the 'fun parents' and let the kids open a gift now."  He was having a hard time seeing the pile of wrapped gifts and not letting the kids start opening them.  Mind you, the kids were fine with it.  Jeff, however, can't keep anything under wraps.  I said "Sure."  The kids each opened a gift and was very happy.  Jeff was ready to let them open all of the presents right then and there, but I had to put an end to the madness.  We needed to leave something for the holiday. 

The kids loved everything they got.  My dad, stepmother and sister Meghan gave Ian money.  He really wanted to get some collectible baseball cards and used the money to pick them out. Ian was so giddy seeing all the great players' cards he was able to purchase.  The manager of the store was extremely impressed with Ian's knowledge of baseball (both current and very old school teams) and offered him a job when he turns 16.  He said he's never seen a kid of Ian's age have this much knowledge.  That alone made Ian's day.  He tells everyone he sees now that he has a job waiting for him. 

Ian with 2 of the many baseball cards he was able to get.
Please don't look at the hair, we he is still growing it out. :)

And just like that, Hanukkah is in the rearview mirror and we are driving towards New Year's.

A new kind of ornament.

The preschool I work at is doing a holiday lunch with the staff in a few weeks.  I am excited to be a part of this great group of women and look forward to joining in the festivities.  During the lunch we are going to do an ornament exchange.  Even though I don't celebrate Christmas, I thought it would be fun to participate in the ornament exchange. 

Just one hitch.  I had never bought an ornament before.  I wasn't sure where you even get one that would be a little special, not too costly and something unique that my fellow Preschool co-worker would want to hang on her tree. 

The other day after an impromptu lunch with a few of the women I work with, I made an announcement I was about to go ornament shopping and asked if Target would be a good place.  Instantly I was given the inside scoop that even though Target is wonderful for many, many things, ornament shopping it is not ideal.  Given we were just doors away from "The Picket Fence" (a cute gift shop), it was recommended I head down there.  Tami said she was going to Giant and would walk part of the way with me.  Upon entering shop, I started walking around and noticed many, many different kinds of ornaments.  They weren't located all in one spot.  The ornaments were scattered about the store in different displays.  I liked so many of them.  What would make a good selection for the gift exchange?  Should it be ornate?  Silly?  Classic?  A cool shape?  How could I chose?  I was feeling overwhelmed and decided to call Tami on her cell phone and catch her before she left the shopping center.  Tami (who is quite wonderful by the way) said she would be right over.

I took Tami through the store and showed her some of my favorites ones I had seen.  When we got to this one basket, I picked up a colorful beaded design and told her this was a strong contender in my decision.  It looked like a very pretty wreath. 

Tami leaned in close to me and whispered, "That is a napkin ring."
WHAT?!?!? 
"No way," I replied to Tami. 
Tami then said, "Really.  How in the world would you be able to hang that from the tree?" 
"Easy", I said. "It has a big whole in the middle.  It just slides right on a branch."  

Um, no.  It was indeed a napkin ring.  Oops!

Obviously I am an amateur when it comes to celebrating Christmas and decorating a tree.  Now if there was a shoe exchange, that would be a different story! 

Just for the record, the ornament I did end up selecting is so awesome that Tami is hoping she gets it in the exchange. Clearly it was worth it for her to come back and rescue me or else she could've potentially been the one to end up with a napkin ring.  And not a whole set either, just one.