I win
I got a call today from a "head honcho" of sorts from the Iowa D.O.T. They have now gone through the paper chase trail and it seems - I was correct. They are trying to re-educate their people to the new laws and such. He was very nice, I was very nice. They did ask if I could call ahead when I bring Will to test. They want to make sure no un-informed person deals with me. *grinning proudly*
Now, I can really concentrate on making the government wish they had never heard of me. Social security to be exact. Actually, the immigration people are where the paper chase ends with the new law. But, after years of peeking into their windows, I don't believe any real people really exist there. I fantasize that it is just a super computer like HAL of “A Space Odyssey”, that would be why you can only talk to machines. Machines are all that exists. Or, maybe, a more universal existence as in “Men In Black”. The immigration staff is so overwhelmed by the space travelers, we Earth-bound sorts are just a nuisance.
Supper time!

OW!OW!OW!
yeah, the Rascal would have helped
I SO over did it today! My day actually started out good. I was getting a lot accomplished. I was done with my basic floor work for the day. I was going to take a late lunch and then clean and organize in the fixture room (I was actually scheduled for this activity for some time this week) until time to go home. Just as I was going to lunch, my immeadiate supervisor says that one of my plano team members was having trouble with her set for the day. Could I swing by after my lunch and see what I could do to help? Why of course I would. It was in one of my old departments, so who better to help!? Six hours later, I was really regreting that helpful streak. There were serious problems with the entire set. And it wasn't human error on our side. Some engineer somewhere threw up on his desk. So they made copies and sent it to every store with the instructions "set this". I made it livable (shop-able and zone-able) but only for the time being and I even know exactly what to do to fix it. More than likely Target Corp. will send more instructions to "fix" the mess. These will only add to the confusion. I hope I can get a fix done yet this week, before anyone else touches it. And I really do want to clean the fixture room. It will make my job easier on a daily basis.
As for my pain, I worked 11.5 hours today, my Rascal is in the garage(Ineed an easy way to transport), I missed my physical therapy, and I hurt too much to even consider sleeping.
governmental red tape, again
A snafu has jumped out in front of Will's Target career. More problems relating back to the Child Citizenship Act of 2000. Government passes a law wheras all foreign children, adopted by US citizens are automactically given citizenship and considered the same as children born in the USA. This means Will could run for President. But since only we adoptive parents know about this law, Will can't get his driving permit (okay, the DOT will agree now he is a citizen, but won't accept a noterized Iowa birth certificate as proof I am his mother), Will needs a social security change of status (he is still considered an alien) and SS won't change his status without proof of citizenship; this law means that Will should no more have to provehe is a citizen than any other person born in the USA - there is no paperwork for these children - it just is!, and now - he can't work legally in the US. So I sent letters to all of our senaters and representatives, both state and national, and the govenor, and the state representative from Mass. who is also an adoptive father and helped to push this new law in. So far I have only heard back from the govenor's office. They agree this is a mess that needs to be fixed.
tomorrow
I have the day off. I was hoping to finally paint our bedroom. Instead, I think I'll take a Jeep ride to downtown and spend some quality time with the social security people. Will and I have decided we have to fix this for all the kids - who shall someday face the same mess we are in. So far, this new law doesn't feel like a privilege. It just feels like discrimination.
*time to go stand in a very hot shower for a very long time*(hope I can make it up the stairs)

my new wheels
My Rascal arrived yesterday. And to my good fortune - no media! (The black-out in the northeastern U.S. states helped me - I wasn't as big of a story.) It is a wonderful little scooter.
The Rascal has an ease of operation and is very quiet. I was very worried it would make some kind of a stupid, annoying humming noise. It is absolutely, completely quiet. Everything you touch has ease of control. Even someone with severe arthritic hands could easily operate this. Yesterday I was in quite a bit of pain. Sitting down on the Rascal was easy. The seat even rotates 360*, just in case you have trouble rotating. The vinyl seat has the feel of a fine, soft leather. It was a comfortable chair I could imagine spending some quality time on. I was able to stroll up and down our street several times. That's something I haven't done since the first summer we lived here. It almost felt unnatural. Being in so much pain, but, being able to move so easily. As the commercial says, "That's not natural."
Our first item of business is to get a ramp, so we can just drive the Rascal in the truck and Scrambler easily. It will break down and fit nicely in the trunk of the Prius. Fully assembled - you aren't going to pick it up and set it in our trucks. (We tried.) Breaking it down, the heaviest piece is only about 35lbs. I would rather not break it down for the trucks. And to get it into the house will take a ramp. So, I need a ramp. Electric Mobility does sell ramps, lifts and other such items, but I haven't been able to find a price list. I also hope to get a cane holder and cup holder accessories.
Last night I backed it into the garage and plugged it in. The Rascal will go 20 - 25 miles a day on 1 charge. All you need to do is plug it in every night.
feelings
This could definitely add to the quality of my life. I still harbor worries of being labeled disabled. I told my friend and neighbor, Angela, yesterday of my concerns. I said now everyone will know I'm disabled. Angela replied, it wasn't the great secret I wished and hoped it was. Everyone who counts - does know - that I'm not always "able".
Happy Birthday
Today is Sandra's 20th birthday. We'll do the cake thing later this afternoon. Rand had to work, of course. He will pick up the cake on his way home. She was born after a 10 month pregnancy and two previous failed attempts of labor (natural and drug induced). Labor was 14 hours of hard work. Delivery was 4 pushes in just under 15 minutes.
Willie
Will is spending the day on an outing for the Hoover student council members. He needs and fun and stress free day.
Who?
Rumors are that the strangers from Ames will put in an appearance today.
Camping
We are really sick of being home. We are quickly losing our great summer. Hopefully, next weekend (and every weekend after that) we can go.
A death in the family
This week we lost Boss Hog. We have no idea what happened or why. Kara had saw him the evening before. I played with him a bit before going to bed. The next day he was gone. We can only assume he went in his sleep.

Wow! Time flies when you're not having fun too!
Haven't been camping since my last update. That is a very sad thing. We have been very busy around here with various chores, cleaning and re-organizing, and such. Sandra is now in the room upstairs and we turned the north end of the west side of the basement into a nice "dressing area" for her.

the new toy
My rascal scooter is being delivered this Friday at 1:pm. I’m supposed to be surrounded by family and friends for support during this awesome presentation. I doubt anyone will be here - except for me. And probably Sandra - seeing how she is trapped here. The sales rep hinted this might be a “media event”. This is considered a to be a very big thing on a national level. I’m a bit worried about all of this and still haven’t completely convinced myself this “sitting down” is a good thing.

OW!
I'm still doing physical therapy 2x a week. I can tell I'm a little better, but Scott assures me I have a long way to go. Still using my cane and shopping carts to keep me going at work. My therapy is still the same. Move a little, hurt a lot, and an electrifying - very warm - nap.

speaking of work
I have been training for the price change team. No, I'm not switching areas. They just want me trained so I can help out when necessary. Like this week - when they are way behind and we (the plano team) are way ahead. Target is getting another Glazebrook. Willie was hired this week. They will be training him to work on the sales floor in hard lines.

I end on a serious note
This past year Willie lost his best friend from Murray, Curtis. Curtis was killed in an accident involving his 4-wheeler. This past Monday Will went to the funeral of another friend's father. Tomorrow he attends the funeral of a fellow classmate Dustin. Dustin was also on the swim team with Willie. The swim team boys are more than team mates and/or friends. I have always felt they were more like brothers. They hold each other up in all things in life. They help and encourage each other in their pool pursuits. They had regular study groups to ensure each boy was during their best in school as well as the pool. Several of them, Willie included, also worshipped together. They meet and have Bible studies to encourage each other in to become the upstanding Christian man that God desires for all of His “sons”. Will is taking all of this pretty hard.

Wow, it's August already!
Either - not much has been happening or - too much has. I guess we can figure out which it is together.
Camping
Rand and I managed another camping trip to Timberline last weekend. We were the most popular kids in the pool. Not too many parents get in the water with their kids. While we are enjoying our time without our kids; we still end up with kids. It was very hot. We closed the pool on Saturday night with about 20 kids.
soapbox
My letter was published in the Des Moines Registar. They choose the shorter version. I figured they'd be more likely to publish it that way, but I still got the luxury of getting it out of my head and "on the page". I always feel better after a good writing session.
kid count
Kara has just left with the last of her belongings. (I cried a little) Willie is helping with the move and Sandra just went over as well. They will be spending the night. And in case you’re wondering - I cry after every kid leaves. And when they come back. And when they leave again. And yet again, when they come back. Sandra will be moving in to the upstairs bedroom. Willie just got back from a church leadership training week in Colorado. And Rob actually emailed me this week so - despite rumors to the contrary, he still resides on this planet. Kizzie has finally received her summer haircut. She is pretty excited to see everyone again. Girlfriend is suitably jealous.
it hurts when I do this
I'm still hobbling around on a cane. My knees will not finish healing on the inside. Doc decided to put me in physical therapy. I go 2x a week. I specifically asked for the same therapist (Scott) I had last time (following my ISU fall). It is much easier with someone who knows my medical history. I get to do some very light, very few, precise movements that prove to me I'm a long way from okay. It is amazing how our bodies can compensate for this. I work on my feet all day and yes, it hurts and I can barely move just a few hours into it. But these tiny movements I do in PT leave me just as sore. Then I get to lay around with electrodes passing electricity through my knees with lots of heat on for about 20 min. I refer to that as 'nap time'. My ligaments and tendons are very angry. The reason my right knee is so very sore and has an egg-like lump on it? It is a bad bone bruise that is healing very slowly. My arms are really starting to feel it. I walk around using my cane and a shopping cart like a walker.
my toy
My Rascal isn't here yet. I have had to sign and claim and all the good stuff that it takes. A representative should be contacting me shortly to set up a time to discuss "my needs".

I'm sure there is more, but it is Friday. My brain and body are done.