Adaptive Toys & My Poor Bobby!

Bobby got the ax Tuesday! There had been rumors for a couple of months. First they cut out overtime. Then they farmed out some of their deliveries to UPS, now they've finally laid off. I'm sad. He looked so cute in his little uniform. I didn't even get a picture of him in it, because he hadn't had them very long.

He's gone to Newport News today to some U-Haul headquarters with his friend who also got laid off, maybe something will come of it. It's another one of those "I know somebody deals" like this last job. That may be the only way to find a job these days, you gotta know somebody!

eBay has been good to me this week. Sales are up, and auctions are good. It's about time. I lowered my prices to where I originally started, and that's made some difference. I'll still probably lose my Powerseller status, but lots of people have lately. Sales just aren't that good.

I'm really getting tired of all the "stuff" around though. I think I'll just stick with jeans. I keep saying that, and all this other stuff keeps finding its way in somehow.

I have this obstacle in my diet. It's called MOM. Every time I decide I'm gonna be good, she wants to go out to lunch!! By the way, lunch was great Mom. I'm not really complaining! But she won't be here today, so I'll try once again to be good.

I found some pictures of "Modified Toys" and the such I thought some of you might like to see.



In case you're not familiar with these, this is a beach chair. You can rent them at the beach by the hour, day or week, depending on where you are. (Myrtle Beach, SC was by the hour, Nags Head, NC was by the week). You have to schedule it in advance, and they deliver it right to you. They are awesome!! The cost now is about $35 a day. We were able to roll Sarah up and down the beach, and they roll pretty easy. She could go out in the water too. They float, but you have to stay right with them, they'll tip over. Especially in the ocean.

Robert built this one for Sarah. Bless his heart, he worked sooo hard on it. It was great for taking out in the sound side of the ocean. Sarah could go way out in it. But, it didn't work as good as the "real" ones, so he broke it up and threw it away right after this!!

I can't remember who gave Sarah this Tricycle, some type of Organization. Robert thinks it was a charitable group through the C & P Telephone. I don't even remember how they found out about Sarah. It may have been through her school. Anyway, it had a hard plastic seat that was almost like a booster seat with harness straps to hold her in, and foot rests with straps, and the handles turned like pedals, so she "pedaled" with her hands. Here's a link to the newer models of trikes. This would be another great thing to try to get Civic Groups to help with, because they are very expensive, but so worth it.

This is one of those Ride in cars like lots of kids had, Robert just ran a wire from the gas pedal to the steering wheel with a little switch that Sarah pushed to go and let go to stop.

That's all for today. Have a great one!

It Snowed!!

Good Morning!!

We finally got some snow. Good News, right? Nope! Before the snow came the rain. We're remodeling, remember?

So here's what we woke up to.

Living Room's leaking.

Bobby's Room's leaking.

Sarah's Room's leaking.
Do I cry now or later? There's wasn't even enough snow to make it worth it!!!!


Anyhoo, I have pictures of Sarah's school days.
Notice by the calendar, it's 1992. Where has the time gone? This picture shows Sarah's aide, Dean Jenkins. What an Angel!!!! She was with Sarah all the way through Elementary School.
We wanted so bad for her to follow Sarah to Middle School, but they wouldn't let her. In the end, it was the right decision. Sarah learned to be a little more independent since she didn't have just one person taking care of her all the time, although Ms. Jenkins was great at making Sarah do whatever she could by herself.

In several of these pictures, you'll notice Sarah has something around her legs. She couldn't stand the way her legs would spread out to the side in her chair. She wanted a "lap", and didn't like the side abductors that came with the chair. They didn't work good enough for her. Sooo, her very talented Nanny figured out a way to make her happy. She took Terrycloth Towels, cut them to size and sewed Velcro on them. We would wrap those around her legs, and she loved them!! She had them in every color, to match every outfit of course! It's a girl thang!!! She could put them on and take them off by herself whenever she needed.

Waiting for the School Bus

In Preschool, they took the kids swimming once a week. Sarah hates the water to this day (lol). Honestly, it was really good for her. Nanny has a pool, and Sarah has learned to "walk" around the pool using her hands, and loves to loiter around the metal steps and lounge around the covered steps that go down into the pool!! Just don't splash her in the face, you'll get a tongue lashing the likes of which you've never heard, can I get an Amen from the family?

Sarah went on every field trip. Here they are riding the Amtrak train. The school (teachers) were always so good at making any adaptions needed for Sarah to participate!

If there's one thing I'd like to stress, it's let your kids try whatever they want. If there's any way for them to participate, let them. They will benefit so much from it. Sarah was in Daisy's, Brownies, School and Church Choir, Drama Club, Cheerleading, etc. If she wanted to do it, we found a way to make it work!! We've transported and chaperoned the youth at our Church during Lock-ins and Christmas Parties and trips to Youth Rallies in Pennsylvania and Tennessee so Sarah could be a part of it. We've gone on trips to College's with the School Choir during a snow storms and been shut up in our rooms, all so Sarah could participate! We even took her back and forth to Harrisonburg for weekend visits with her Boyfriend and family! Now that's love, you know Sarah?

We've had some hilarious experiences with these things, but they've made some great memories! Like the time I rolled Sarah to the Football field, tipped her chair over, and fell on top of her! Or all the times her sweet Uncle (yep, the same one who took her to all of her school dances) would run out onto the field during half-time, roll her across to the other side and hide behind her chair while they cheered for the opposing audience, then roll her back across!

I'll talk more later about going off to Spina Bifida Camp, going to Independant Living classes, and going away to school at Woodrow Wilson Rehab after graduation, all wonderful learning experiences for Sarah!

Sarah's Daisy Troop

Daisy's in the Christmas Parade!!

Next time I'll have more school pics and a couple of adaptive toys. I've just run out of time for today.

God Bless,

It's Monday Morning, the first week in February. Let's see how those New Years Resolutions are going!!

1. Lose Weight: Lost 5 pounds!! Yay, Happy Dance. Gained 5 pounds. Sob. Eat another cookie.
2. Don't work nights: Did great most of the month. Worked 3 nights last week, much to Robs dismay!!
3. Read Bible every day: Okay, this one I've got down. Doing great!
4. Keep on top of my Prayer Life: This one is still hard. I'm Praying a lot more during the day, but still fall asleep trying to pray at night, Urgh!!

Well, it seems the greatest problem right now is weight. Do you ever get so miserable you don't even want to put on clothes? No, well aren't you just the lucky one! I've been living in sweats all winter, and when I do put on a pair of jeans, Mom and Robert tell me I look so much smaller. Well you would too if you were squeezing 10 pounds of lard into a 5 pound sack!! Give me a break, one of these days those jeans are gonna blow, and trust me, you don't want to be around when that happens. Gonna be some injuries for sure!

Soooo, once again today, I'll start all over. Except that I already had a cookie that Bobby and Kate made last night with my coffee this morning. Good thing they burnt em slam up. One's about all I can handle!

My Wittle Bobby and His Wittle Kate!

Now, here's what happens when you start a blog about an adult child of yours: She's starts a blog of her own to dispute everything you say, haha! Sarah has started her own blog!! At least she can do much of it herself. All I did was set up her account. After all, she's an old MySpace Pro, so she can teach me a thing or two!! Check it out if you'd like. You can get to hers by clicking on her picture on my blogs followers.

I had a great weekend with eBay. Sold quite a few things. Got lots listed. Got lots scheduled for auction. Every time I think I'm getting caught up, I get more "stuff". Bobby cleaned out his room again this weekend, and gave me lots of "Almost Brand New" things he doesn't want. Why does he buy this stuff and then not use it? Well okay, he's just like me!!

I plan on working on Sarah's school pictures today, but first, I just had to post pictures showing that she really did USED to love her brother, and actually got along with him!

Awe, they were so sweet and innocent back then!

This would NEVER happen today


Or this

Back then they called this fun, now they call it torture

Precious little Bean Snappers!!

I just found out the the Spina Bifida conference is at Disney World this year! That figures! It finally gets close enough to where we could possibly go, and it's at the worst possible time. Too many renovations left to work on, not enough time or money! Such is life.

On a sad note: The Cardinals lost the World Series. I mean the Super Bowl. Whatever!! It's just a dumb game with a ball and boys in leotards!

Hi Everybody,

I have lots of Kitchen modification pics to share today, but first:
Here is the picture I couldn't find yesterday. This is the table Sarah's PaPa made for her to use with her standing frame and braces. He cut PVC pipe insulation and added it to the inside of the table and it acted as a cushion to made it more comfy!! (Now that's using your noggin!!)

Some of these were scanned from old Polaroids, so the quality is not that great, and they were before we finished the woodwork, so I apologize. The first picture is of the sink that was installed. It moves up and down with two buttons on the right that (oops) hadn't been installed yet in the pictures, and neither had the wood panel that covers the pipes below!!
This picture is of the cook-top that was lowered, and open underneath for Sarah to get close enough to cook. Unfortunately, I think that was the ONLY time she ever attempted to cook. She was scared to death of the stove!! So.... When the Cooktop cracked and had to be replaced, I decided to get a full size stove with oven to replace it. Since I have to do all of the cooking, and we have all Holiday Parties at my house because of accessibility issues, I really needed the extra oven anyway!! All of the cabinets have pull out drawers on the bottom, so Sarah can reach everything she needs to cook (I mean microwave, haha). These pictures show the other Wall Oven. There is a glass lined flat surface that pulls out to put the hot dishes on when they come out of the oven. Sarah does use this surface all the time to prepare her food. She keeps her plates, cups, and favorite foods (Peanut Butter, Deviled Ham and Vineeny Sausages and Ranch Dressing, lol) in the the drawers beside this "table". The oven opens to the side to be able to get closer. This area started out as a place for Sarah to prepare the meals, and she has used it to make cookies and the such, but now we have a shelf under there and use the bottom more for storage, but she can still use it when she needs to. This is the COOLEST thing we added. A pull-down shelf for snacks (well, that's what we use it for!) There is a handle that you pull out and down and voila.......... It comes down so Sarah can pick her own goodies!!!

We had a local Cabinet Maker do the cabinets with the equipment we bought from AD-AS. Here's the link to their website:
Accessible Designs, Adjustable Systems, Inc.


Just an interesting note (to me anyway!):


Bobby had Rascal Flatt's trailer truck in his shop today! Not sure if something was wrong with it or just needed inspection, but he snapped this pic (at my request of course!) and sent it to me. They are in Charlottesville for a concert.

Since Gary, Jay and Jo Don were just sitting around waiting at the COLD shop, I invited them to my house for dinner. We ate Lasagne and Salad, and they told me I was an EXCELLENT cook (despite what my kids say). I showed them pictures of the time me and "The Girls" went to see them in concert at the State Fair, and told them that between me and Bobby we have every CD they've made, and they were so appreciative they sang a few songs for us right their in my living room !! It was incredible!!!!

Ok, that's enough fantasizing for one day, I've got laundry to do.

P.S. I REALLY DID consider for one quick nanosecond about hiding in the back of that trailer and rolling on to Charlottesville to to try to meet those Flat Rascals!!

Long Term Care Waiver Update

I finally made it to my Aunt Claudine's house yesterday to fill out the application for Medicaid so she can receive the waiver. It was a lot easier than I thought it would be. In her case anyway, because she doesn't have much in the way of income or assets.

The first three pages look overwhelming because you have to list every little detail about every person living in your home, but when you get to reading it, it's pretty simple stuff like name, DOB, SS#, school info, etc .

The next section was on resources. This was the only tricky part for me. Here you have to list Checking Acct info, Stocks or bonds, Questions about personal property, vehicles owned, health insurance, and life insurance. I didn't understand the stock section, but hubby helped me with the one part I couldn't figure out.

The third section is on income. This is where you have to list ALL sources of money coming into the home, that was easy since all she has is Social Security and Retirement.

All in all it was fairly simple. It took us about 1 hour to complete, mostly because she had to keep getting up to find information, and she's not moving so fast these days. Of course, she's the only one in her household, and she doesn't own much, so anyone with a family could expect to take a little more time since you have to list every family member.

I will mail the form back today, and we'll see how it goes from there. I'll let ya know!!

eBay News:

Wow, I sold 5 things yesterday, and got up this morning and had sold 2 more things overnight! Praise the Lord! I think I'll keep at this a little longer!

I was sooo disappointed that we didn't get snow the other day, but no worries, one of my customers from CT told me she would mail me some cause they had a blizzard there!! Now there's an idea for some of you eBayers. Mail order snow. I bet you could make a killing!!!!!!!!!!!

Have a great day :)

Good Morning,

I have a few pictures of Sarah's first pieces of Equipment.


Ok, so these first two pics aren't technically MEDICAL equipment, but they worked great for stability! She felt safe and secure in a laundry basket, and she loved them, as you can tell.


This picture is of Sarah's first "Rolling Chair". It was made by the father of a girl I worked with at the time. He was a welder, or sheet metal worker, or whatever, and he designed it to be low to the floor so she would feel safe, but also had wheels she could roll herself. (This was before her latex allergy became known).

I know you can't in most circumstances get one of these made, but I wanted to include it to show you how people who don't even know you will step up and help out. (He met Sarah once.) There are some AMAZING people in this world. Don't be shy about accepting help wherever you can get it. Trust me, it can come few and far between.

This is Sarah's first standing frame. She really hated it, but her grandpa made her a round table with a hole in the middle, and we would put her in there and she would turn and play all around that table. It really was neat, and I know I have a picture somewhere, but I can't find it right now. (I'm sure she's telling me in this picture: You put that camera down and come get me out of here RIGHT NOW!!)
Here is her first set of braces. If she hated the standing frame, she hated the braces ten times worse!! She would throw a fit when she had to wear them. She never really was able to walk with them, and we eventually gave up on the idea. (But Sarah was really into "Reading" the Bible!!)
Here is her second standing frame. She liked this one a little better because she could lean forward or stand straight, and she could play on the table. It was also all one piece which made her feel more secure. The school bought her an even nicer one to use there. I'll show that one in her school photos.

Next time I will post pictures of our Kitchen Modifications, then school pics and Bathroom modifications.

Meanwhile.......

Previously in the the Jeffreys Household:

Bobby’s Home!

Bobby comes home from work.

Bobby: Mom, what’s for dinner?
Me: Chicken & Rice
Bobby: Eeewwwww

Next Day:
Bobby: Mom, what’s for dinner?
Me: Pork Chops
Bobby: Grosssss

Next Day:
Bobby, Mom, what’s for dinner?
Me: Shrimp
Bobby: COME ON MOM, why don’t you ever make anything I like?

Me: Uh, cause you don’t like anything but Pizza Rolls and Hot Pockets!

Fine, from now on I’ll only make things Bobby likes so he’ll eat at home instead of at Sonic!

Next Day:

Bobby comes home from work.

Bobby: Mom, what’s for dinner?
Me: Hot dogs and Homemade Chili
Bobby: Ooooooooh, okay!!

Robert comes home from work.

Robert: What’s for dinner?
Me: Hotdogs
Robert: Gross, nasty, heartburn, are ya trying to kill me?
Me: Urgh…..

Next Day:

Bobby: Mom, what’s for dinner?
Me: Fish Stick Sandwiches
Bobby: Aiiight!!!

Robert: What’s for dinner?
Me: Fish Stick Sandwiches
Robert: Who in their right mind would eat a Fish Stick sandwich?
Me: I’m gonna lose it here real soon!

Wait, I think I have the answer. Something I KNOW they both like!!

Next Day:

Bobby: What’s for dinner?
Me: Rosa’s Pizza
Bobby: Oh yea, I been wanten me some Rosa’s Pizza!!
Robert: What’s for dinner?
Me: Rosa’s Pizza
Robert: Okay (he’s excited, trust me)
Me: I’m good, I’m good I’m really really good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sarah comes in

Sarah: Mom, what’s for dinner:
Me: Rosa’s Pizza
Sarah: I just don’t like Rosa’s Pizza anymore.

I take a Valium and thank the Lord that I haven’t lost my everloven mind!

Yet……..

eBay:

I finally finished listing the last 15 girls bathing suits last night. I said I wasn't going to do eBay at night anymore, but Rob went to bed early, and Biggest Loser was on, and I couldn't just sit in front of the TV and do nothing. So I got it done, and I'm soooo glad it's finally over! 5 more boys suits and i'll be done with bathing suits for good. I can move on the the HUGE bucket of shorts that have to list next :(

Was That You, God?

I’m not sure if it was a divine message from God, or a subtle message from my son, but I GOT THE MESSAGE!!

Yes I admit it’s been a while since I’ve cleaned my toilet. The main bathroom stays clean cause Mom cleans it after she gets Sarah out of the shower several times a week, but the little porcelain throne in my room sometimes gets a wee bit neglected. When I was following FlyLady, my pooper got swooshed every morning, but Robert made fun of my relationship with THA FLY, so I gave her and all of her routines up!!

Mind you, it doesn’t have black things growing in it or around it, or that little orange ring that’s visited me in the past, it’s just a bit stanky.

So, imagine my surprise when I go to take my shower this morning, and there, on my little porcelain pot lid, is a SCRATCH & SNIFF sticker!!!!!!!

What up with that? I know I’ve been praying for God to show me what he wants me to do, but I meant like real, important, life-changing things. Surely he wouldn’t tell me to clean the toilet?

But I’m trying to be a good little Bible reading, always praying, do what I’m called to do Christian, so I’m gonna get down on my knees, with a song in my heart, and SCRUB that little sucker till she shines!!!!

But what I’m really hoping is that Bobby just removed the sticker from his new bottle of soap and tossed it over the shower door, and it ACCIDENTLY landed on the toilet, cause surely God’s not called me to be a JANITOR?

Right?