Thousand Words Thursday

I saw this shirt at the football game last week.

I think it's pretty likely that a grown man didn't come up with the idea.

For more pictures that "say a thousand words," visit Jen's place, Cheaper Than Therapy :)

He's Sorry Now, Alright!

Finally, some closure for my friend Molly, who lost her son Ryan on October 27, 2008...

Green Bay Press Gazette Headline:  G---- sentenced to 15 years in prison

Published : Monday, 09 Nov 2009, 4:24 PM CST

Reporter: Robert Hornacek  [with my commentary]

GREEN BAY - When 19-year-old CG made his way into the courtroom where he would learn his sentence, He smiled to his friends and family. Those smiles quickly turned to tears as he addressed the court.  [You laughed in the face of Molly's grief for weeks, both figuratively and literally. I do not feel sorry for you in the least. You're a scumbag.)]

"I'd like to say sorry to the Rockstroh family for the death of Ryan. I can't imagine the pain they're going through emotionally and mentally over the last year," G said. [That's right; you can't imagine, because you have no heart.  You're a scumbag.] "I'd like to apologize to my family for the things I've put them through for the last 11 months." [I feel some pain for his family as well, but I do wonder what kind of parenting results in a young man as heartless as CG.]

In September, a jury found G guilty of first degree reckless homicide for supplying heroin to 17-year-old Ryan Rockstroh. Rockstroh died of a heroin overdose in October of 2008. [Just to be clear, I know Ryan is responsible for his poor choices.  That said, C's actions contributed to Ryan's death.]

At the start of the sentencing hearing, Rockstroh's mother talked about her son,

"He was loved and adored by so many and all of us are suffering terribly," Molly Rockstroh said. She told the court she wanted to forgive G for supplying the heroin that her son died from, but says she could not after she heard witnesses testify G continued dealing after Ryan's death. [It seems both C and Molly could use our prayers on this account.]

"The fact that you continued to sell this lethal drug to teenage addicts after one of them had already died is despicable and appalling," Molly Rockstroh said to G in court. "The fact that my son's death meant nothing to you, that you repeatedly refused to acknowledge your role in this terrible tragedy is unforgivable." [Sure, you say you're sorry now, but you are not sorry for the loss of Ryan; you're sorry that you're being held accountable for your actions. The time to be apologetic was the day Ryan died, but instead, you picked up the phone just hours from his death to call his parents and ask innocently, "How did he die?" Always CYA.  There's no covering it now, and I'm glad of that.]

The defense asked Brown County Circuit Judge Hon. William Atkinson to give G a three to five year prison sentence. [Because they are asinine.]  Instead, Atkinson went along with the recommendation of the district attorney's office and sentenced Gogos to 15 years in prison and 10 years of extended supervision.[God bless this man.]

"When a person sells drugs and then learns of a death because of that sale, and then sells again, that's evil," Atkinson said. "You're an evil person. You are without a conscience." [Judge Atkinson, you are my hero today.]

Besides being a punishment to G, Atkinson said he wants this sentence to send a message to other people who are selling heroin that if they're caught and convicted they will be spending a significant amount of time in prison. [It's a drug skyrocketing in popularity because of its affordability compared to Oxycotin and other drugs. Harsh penalties are just one way to send a message that our community won't tolerate drug dealers.]

Rockstroh's family left the courthouse without comment. G's lawyer and family declined comment. G will be back in court later this week on additional drug charges. [See, because you just couldn't quit.  How sorry were you the last time you did time for selling heroin, C?  Obviously, not sorry enough.]

On the bright side, maybe the verdict will provide Molly some closure.

To read the original story, click here.

Detention, A Cure for Gas?!

[The following is one of my favorite posts, originally published 10/07. The chuckle is worth the repeat!]

Yesterday, I wrote a referral for a 6th grade (female) student who just won't stop farting out loud in class. (Yes, I said farting. And female.) So, the principal gets wind of it (haha) and sends me a note, inquiring as to why I took such a drastic measure in response to a natural human function that is certainly not within the child's control. Here follows our email exchanges:

Me to The Boss:
In regard to the referral for Susie “passing gas on a regular basis,” “polite sounds only” are part of her Behavior Plan, given her desire to fit in socially. Sorry I forgot to add more detail to the referral. I’m trying to teach her to cope with her gas problem in a polite way (such as going to the restroom or stepping out in the hallway.) However, she doesn't make any effort to try my suggestions. On a regular basis, she stands in front of me (or her peers) and makes very loud, distracting “emissions.” She always follows it up with a big smile and “I knowwwww….” I phoned home, and her mom was fully supportive of the referral/detention as one thing to try, since other interventions have not worked. Last year, this behavior was simply ignored by her teachers. I’m just trying to address it. Detention may seem extreme, but I’m just trying it out. I’m not trying to toot my own horn, but I think it’s a good idea. Hopefully, she won’t make a stink in detention, and this will all be behind us.

The Boss's Reply:

Barb,

Thank you for the explanation. I thought something smelled a little funny with that referral. I hope I am not the butt of any jokes regarding it.

The Boss

My Response:
Don’t worry. I would never make fun of an old fart.

His Reply:
I’m glad you’d PASS on that!

Me: I'd better quit farting around and get back to work!


Teaching middle school is such a gas!

P.S. Update: After this student served this detention, she never committed such a foul again! In light of the fact that this was a pattern the previous year (at her other school), I am quite pleased with the result. Guess someone just needed to put and end to it!

Eye-Openers, College Style

Our campus visit to U.W.G.B. last month was an eye-opening experience:

*Twenty years changes things. A lot. For my first semester at UWGB, I wrote a check for $495.  Kyle's tuition for his first semester (assuming he for-sure chooses G.B.) will be approximately $3,300.

*Walking ten minutes (from dorm to classroom) is beautiful on a nice, fall day. I'll bet it's a beotch in February. Note to Kyle: Purchase parking pass.

*At one point, someone in our tour asked how much the parking pass at UWGB costs. The admissions rep replied, "How much to you pay for parking now [at your high school]?" and the answers varied dramatically. For example, Kyle said, "Ten bucks a year." A young man from Eden Prairie, Minnesota said, "$350," and his dad confirmed. Seriously?! They pay $350 per year for their kid to park a car at his high school? Is it me, or is this absolutely insane?!

*During the tour, we visited my former place of employment, the UWGB library.  I couldn't resist telling Kyle that Mr.4444 and I had a "really good time" (once) in a private study room at said library.  Since I never talk this way, he was taken aback and severely traumatized. (I LMAO!)

I've learned a lot through the process of college applications, etc. If you ever have questions, feel free to ask me, but the person I went to is Chris, Dad of Divas, because he really knows his stuff!  Thanks, Chris!

Weekly Winners/Sundays in My City

Sundays in My City is a weekly meme hosted by Unknown Mami, who happens to live in San Francisco and always had plenty of pics to share.  Visit Sarcastic Mom, too, for photo favorites from this week.

All of my shots took place on Saturday, which was a very busy day!  It started with veggie cutting at our house--we host this important step in making our bi-annual Boy Scout Booyah fundraiser.  Scouts and their dads showed up to help cut vegetables for the booyah, which is a regional chicken soup of sorts. [For more about booyah, read this post.]

The boys worked hard for two solid hours and did it with smiles (even the clean-up).

In the afternoon, I headed to Tinytown, where our high school football team played a division playoff game!  I got there in time to catch the tail end of the tailgating, which included a live polka band and dancing. Of course, the kids always have a great time....

I think Lady Gaga would have enjoyed this little "polka face!"

Get it? Lady Gaga....polka face?  (I crack myself up!)

The energy was very high, of course, and there was plenty of school spirit.

The Seniors knew how to make the most of the occasion...

Kyle had a "press pass," as he is a sports editor for the Tinytown News...

Unfortunately, this was my view of the game (from the Sports Boosters concession stand)

which was okay, because I had fun...

...and we didn't win :(

Score:  42-21  (On the bright side, we were playing the defending State Champions.)

Hope you had a winning weekend.

Visit Unknown Mami for other Sundays in My City scenes from cities across this country (and beyond) and Sarcastic Mom for more Weekly Winners.

What I Know Now...

"Wipe that look off your face!"

Every time Dad said this to my child self, it struck my heart with fear, because I really and truly had no idea what he was talking about.  I was scared shtless at those times. Today, I know he didn't like me looking at him like he was some kind of monster; he didn't like the fear in my eyes.  Back then, though, I was completely bewildered.

And, of course, he blamed me for looking at him that way, when he could have easily put an end to it by ending his tirade, taking me in his arms, and apologizing. I loved him and would have forgiven him. Instead, I was left to search my mind for other faces to wear, finding none that fit. It was like running for cover in a hailstorm but finding none.

Other times that Dad was angry, I remember the look on his face; like he was incredibly frustrated with how inadequate I was. His scowl matched his words, "What the hell's the matter with you?!" Sometimes, I understood his complaint; what was wrong with me?


As I grew older, I carried these experiences in a heavy "suitcase" that I took everywhere with me. It was heavy, wheels were broken, and whenever I opened it, items spilled out.  And what I learned about that was that although the suitcase was invisible to me, many other people could see it. (Thankfully, one of those people was a good therapist, who taught me how to unpack and decide which items fit me best and which could be discarded.)

While I have these memories and they are a part of who I am, I have never let them weigh me down. Instead, I've used them as something that lifted me up. I'm not sure when I knew it for sure, but I knew that it was not about me; it was his own personal demons that caused Dad to lash out so.  Eventually, I stopped valuing Dad's opinion of me and instead adopted that of the many other people in my life who loved me.  (Of course, I didn't learn this without some therapy and hard work years ago, and that therapy only came after lots of poor choices on my part, as well as some painful relationships.)
Today, the baggage I carry fits in one of those lightweight, drawstring bags and is barely noticeable to me or anyone else (I hope.) And I've even become a travel agent of sorts, helping others plan their own journeys.

Who knew that Dad was a career builder?! :)

These experiences are part of my foundation, and I really believe that without them, I would not be the parent I am today. I know the precious gifts that my children are and feel nothing but empathy for my dad.

He was a man with baggage of his own.

Friday Fragments

So many fragments, so little time....Welcome to the happiest place on earth come Friday--the place we unload all of our random thoughts/worries/observations/bits of wisdom from the week so that we can relax and enjoy the weekend. I'm ready to let 'er rip. How about you?  (To learn more about Friday Fragments, click on the green button above :)

***Grrrr. I hate it when the last minute or two of a show is cut off when DVR'd. I'm sure it's deliberate, and I do not appreciate it!

***If you like a challenge, you will either love or hate this game...Tic Tac Toe

***Weaselmomma doesn't fragment often, but when she does, it's good. This one made my FFF this week!

"I am used to being asked, "You lip, too?" every time I get my eyebrows waxed, but now, to have, "You toes, too?" added to the list hits below the belt." 

Poor Weaselmomma. At a certain point, we just can't get the hair to grow in the right places, can we?

I also enjoyed Gladys's comment about her annoying dog:


"You know what I hate? Is when my dogs bring something dead up to the house and I can’t distinguish what it is. This morning I swear they were chewing on a part of a human skull that still had its hair on it."

Can't you just picture that?! Yikes! I decided to give the Favorite Friday Fragmenter award to you, too, Gladys.  (And next time, choose a better place to bury your ex-husband. :)




***Got pumpkins to get rid of? Trying making my yummy, unusual Sweet and Salty Pumpkin Seeds!

***BlueViolet, of A Nut in a Nutshell is having a giveaway with lots of chances to win The Encyclopedia of Immaturity, Vol. 2.  (And who doesn't know someone who needs that book for Christmas?! Go for it!

***And speaking of Giveaways, have you entered mine?  Amon Maternity is offering a $50 merchandise credit, which is awesome, because you'll be able to buy more than one item with that, so you can get your own belly under control and even help a jelly-bellied friend in the process! (no pregnancy necessary)  It's simple to enter, and your chances of winning as of Thursday evening are 1 in 14, which is pretty danged good!


***I helped my mom by handing out Halloween candy at her house last Saturday.  She gets about 100 trick-or-treaters each year, so she figured buying a big bag of 200 pieces would be fine.  It would have been, too, if the Tootsie Rolls in the bag had been bigger than Tic Tacs. When the bucket was half empty, Mom told me to "back down to one each." Seriously?!  Mom, sorry; I was not going to offer a 13-year-old kid with a chainsaw a 1-inch Tootsie Roll and a smile. I ended up cleaning out her candy bar dish from the table for the teenagers and defied her order and gave TWO to each little tyke. It all worked out nicely, and her windows are perfectly free of soap.

***I cannot tell you how EXCITED I am about the fact that our choir teachers have hatched a brainstorm of an idea:  the first-ever Tinytown Community Christmas Concert!  That means anyone in the community may join the choir and sing in a concert on December 22nd!  I have been whining for years about how I wish we had a community choir in our school (Heck, I'd settle for someone's garage!) I just want to sing, and now I will have the chance! Also, Kendall is joining, too!  That means we are going to be singing together, and I get choked up just thinking about it.  Stay tuned...

***I think it's rude to not have a clue what Friday Fragments are but link up your non-FF post AND not even leave at least a comment. Hello?--Read the directions referred to at the top of the page. (I know that's not very gracious of me, but come on; I hate that.)  (Don't worry--I deleted the links.)  Link up your FRIDAY FRAGMENTS post here--The more the merrier!