yours mine ours theirs

Raccoon Revisted

2008-12-15T16:27:00.000-08:00

I was hoping to incorporate some holiday food traditions my current foster kids have....I asked C what kind of foods he normally has for Thanksgiving. I guess he normally goes to his Aunties and she cooks the holiday meals. He said they normally have mashed potatoes, vegetables, salad, and (wait for it) Raccoon.

I am not a vegetarian. I grew up with a step father who hunted most of the protein we ate as children. I am no stranger to venison, wild poultry, and even squirrel...but raccoon has never found it's way to my plate. I asked my step father whether he has ever ate raccoon. He admits to "eliminating" a few that were getting into his garbage, but never consuming one. This man has been known to eat worms. This man believes road kill is "good eats". He lives a few miles from a pheasant farm. Once one got out at was apparently clipped by a passing car. It wasn't on the road on his way into town, but it was on his way home ten minutes later. He pulled his truck over, and had that pheasant for supper that night. I am not sure it was legal, but I am sure it was gross. So I think if he hasn't eaten a raccoon I should probably not feel guilty, for not offering to serve it....

C also known as Mr. Symptoms has asked about the raccoon again. He wants to know if we can have it for Christmas. I gently tell him that raccoons are out of season in this area. He says it's ok, he saw chitterlings at the grocery store last week, those would be fine instead! ME and my big mouth!!!!!!!!!

Mr. Symptoms...Seriously strikes again!

2008-12-12T12:06:00.000-08:00

It is 9 degrees outside. I have no idea what the wind chill factor is but I am sure there is one making it feel even colder. N (2.5) was up last night, as was her partner in crime Z (21 months). There is only a half day of school today...yuck.

K the Controller (13) comes downstairs and announces she is sick. This doesn't happen often so I said ok. When I reminded her no one would be spending the night tonight she recovered quickly and got ready for school.

Mr. Symptoms (10) came down stairs with nothing to say about his health. He was sitting around and seemed to be dragging his feet about getting dressed. Finally I asked him just when he planned on getting ready...He told me he was ready- he said this with a straight face! Mr. Symptoms was wearing a black short sleeved tee shirt, black socks pulled up to his knees, black basket ball shorts and a black ski cap. He looked like a baby cat burglar. I toyed with the idea of letting him go like this. The natural consequences of frost bite and being laughed at were tempting me. I just really didn't want the DCFS hotline report that would have been my natural consequence of sending him.

This must have set the tone for the day for Mr. Symptoms. In only a half day of school he managed to get in more than a full day worth of trouble. Detentions were given and phone calls were made. Some one stepped on his coat and he decided to shove them to the floor. His teacher claims he gives impulsive a whole new meaning...I may have to change his name.

Mr. Symptoms...Seriously

2008-12-12T12:01:00.000-08:00

Mr. Symptoms (foster son age 10) gets in the shower last night (an area we struggle with) and comes out looking pretty dry. I ask Mr. Symptoms why his hair is dry. He says he never washes it (been here a month) as he is not sure which shampoo to use. Seriously? Mr. Symptoms is African American and has the one bottle of African American shampoo in the bathroom. I believe it is called African Pride and I believe he picked it out. He tells me he chose that shampoo for his sister and not himself Seriously? Send Mr. Symptoms back to the shower...but it's a no go, no computer time until he is clean.

THIS MORNING

Mr. Symptoms announced again this morning that he is not able to go to school as he is suffering from an earache, a sore throat and a raging headache. Then he asked, "Can you make me a bacon and egg sandwich, so I can go back to bed?" Seriously? Nope, this falls under the no fever, no vomit...no way your not going to school rule. Now go eat some cereal.

The Controller (Daughter 13) is furious this morning and threatening all out war against Mr. Symptoms. He has peed all over the toilet seat, not flushed and the sink is dry (she legitimately has OCD and monitors everyone's hand washing carefully). Now she is refusing to go to school on the grounds of being distraught. Seriously? No way, I will see you at 3 when you get home. She wants an extra vitamin to ward off his germs! Ok just this once and maybe I'll take an extra one too.

The Controller storms off and "accidentally" hits the door bell on her way out. Which set the hounds off...which woke the toddlers up (daughter 2.5) asks for the tv on, ok fine. The baby foster daughter (21m) is yelling, I go in open the door and she has removed her footed pj's and full diaper. Seriously? So glad The controller is gone. Get baby cleaned up. School calls Mr. Symptoms is in the office and wants to come home. Seriously! No fever, no vomiting, new symptom his back hurts. I tell them he had Tylenol at 7 so unless he needs the ER no way. He heads back to class.