Is Anyone Out There

I was working on a Down syndrome awareness post for the day and had a couple ideas in the works but started wondering if anyone would see it?  My stats have been a little low lately and comments, too.  I'm thinking everyone's busy; vacation, summer activities, etc.  I get it.  I have days where I don't have time to blog or visit, also.

I thought it would be fun to have a shout-out today: HELLO!? Is anyone there?  Let's have a chat! Leave me a comment and tell me what you've been up to lately.  Rant a little if you need to.  Share a pet peeve.  Whatever's on your mind.  Follow my blog (right up there on the left hand side.) Follow me on Twitter (deb_opks) or Facebook.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

WW & SEW - Pizza Delivery

Childhood Memories

Some of my fondest childhood memories are from visiting my grandfather's farm.  My grandfather had several hundred acres in mid-Missouri near Boonville, Missouri, where he raised livestock and grew crops.  Many acres were wooded, as well.  I never really saw much of the farm except for the area closest to the house, but it was a magical place.

I can remember like yesterday driving down the blacktop county road as it turned and curved.  Up one hill and down another.  We knew we were getting close when we took a large curve to the left and could look down on my aunt and uncle's farm.  A few turns later and we turned onto the gravel road.  The first hill was huge.  We always begged our dad to drive fast, but he never did.  Sometimes he would slow and turn up to my aunt and uncles' before continuing on to my grandfather's house.  Other times we would continue on, knowing we would visit later.  We would pass the trailer where my cousin lived and a farm on the left who I didn't know, but I'm sure my mom did.  I was always fascinated that they didn't have a gate on their drive, but an open grate that kept the cows from crossing and getting out.

Eventually we came to the small creek that the area was named after.  A road to the right would take us down to a favorite fishing and swimming hole and a large flat rock you could drive several cars onto. Dad would always stop on the old truss bridge and we would take a few minutes to see how high the creek was and watch the water flow down the small fall that looked more like a wide slide. 

Then we were off again, curving to the left and then right.  A large hay barn was on the left with old farm equipment nearby.  On the right were crops; sometimes corn and other times hay or soy beans.  Finally we would come to the "T" in the road with the mailbox mounted on a wagon wheel and we would all take notice. It was not much further now. 

Turning right and then curving to the left, another farm down the hill belonged to a relative of my mom's.  Next was my grandfather's house.  Dad would stop and mom would get out to move the gate.  It was a simple tree post with two fence wires running the length.  Mom would carry the post to the side so dad could pull through.  She would then replace the post and get back in to drive down the long gravel driveway to my grandfather's house. 

We had gone back in time.  To a simpler life and adventures to be found at every bend.

Note: This is the first of a series of posts about my childhood adventures.

Reality Check

Lately I’ve been thinking about the future. I know I shouldn’t do this too much. I’ve been told, and firmly believe, you should not concentrate on anything more than 3 years out with our kids. Anything more than that will just cause additional and perhaps needless worry. However, some things I have read and heard recently have gotten me thinking.

When Peanut was born my first thoughts were about how intellectually disabled she would be. I thought perhaps she would always be a “child” and never live on her own. We quickly learned this may not be the case. Many adults with Down syndrome get married, move out and even have jobs. I grabbed on to these promises and held tight. I was a little saddened because I had already decided it would be nice to have my “child” with me forever. Which of us don’t get a little sad when our children continually grow and mature? But, I was happy to know she had a bright future like her sisters.

In our day to day lives, I sometimes get so caught up on what is happening now, that I forget that my little girl is different. That she is (most likely) intellectually disabled, although she has never been given an IQ test. That although I learn so much from her and her innocent love and acceptance of others, she also has difficulty understanding certain concepts.

For instance, paper money can be a difficult concept for people with Down syndrome to understand. It all looks the same to them and a dollar bill seems to have the same value as a $20. This means my daughter has a greater chance of being taken advantage of as an adult. Although many people would help an intellectually disabled person, there are many more who would take advantage of this situation.

It is one more reminder to me that Peanut IS different from her sisters. Even though I hope she will one day live on her own, what does that really mean? Most likely she won’t be renting her own apartment without some level of assistance. If she goes to college, will she go to MU like her sisters (if my husband gets his way)? Probably not.

As I strive to give my daughter all the help I can get her so she can have the life SHE wants, I sometimes have to stop and take a reality check. I have to remember she will have challenges. One day she will not be the cute little girl that some may not even realize has Down syndrome and people may stop and stare or shy away from her. Will she notice, and if so, will she care?

The future is a mystery and at times, a little scary.

Mostly Wordless Wednesday - Our Fishing Troll

I've been informed it's called a Trolling Motor.


(and thus ends the extent of my artistic abilities)