Monthly Archives for October 2010

Reading is FUNdamental

Toward the end of the last school year, Aliya finally started to love reading, and lately she’s been walking around with her nose stuck in various Judy Blume books.  I let her read my copy of “Are You There God, It’s Me Margaret,” which I had saved from way back when I was a pre-teen (yes, Aliya, we had books back then).  This photo is from last weekend, when we ran into our friends at Mad Willies and the girls got sick of waiting for the grown-ups to stop talking.  Hannah had the foresight to bring a book, Aliya and Chloe were reading the free papers out of the boxes on the street corner.

There’s an unforeseen benefit to Aliya’s love of reading, which I discovered a couple of weeks ago.  Now that she’s a little old for time-outs, I don’t always have a compelling punishment to threaten her with.  She’s normally pretty good, but one day she was giving me trouble while we waited for Adlani to come out of Taekwan Do, and I spontaneously took away her book.  You can tell by the video that I struck a nerve and she promptly transformed into psycho-kid.  My favorite part is when she says that I took a stupid pill, but you’ve got to wait until almost the end of the video for that.  Don’t worry…I confirmed with my psychologist-friend that taking away a book was an acceptable punishment and would not cause permanent damage.  I didn’t ask her about videotaping the tirade, but Aliya seems to have recovered.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5yZQzJ5i2g&fs=1&hl=en_US]

I’m Sensing a Pattern

“Dear Mom I was super cold and I do not have a comferter do you now of any comferters I can use wheel mine is being washed.  Love your best daughter Aliya (also signed Aliya).” 

Apparently we’re having some sort of a blanket shortage which could not be solved since I wasn’t home.  Tonight was a good night, actually, if you can stretch your mind to consider a meeting of the Door & Hardware Institute a good time.  I was on a panel to answer code questions, and we did really well.  More important, I HATE public speaking and I didn’t wet myself, faint, vomit, or any of the other things I worry about right before a presentation.  I actually kind of enjoyed it.  AND…I received the Award of Merit that I wasn’t able to accept at the DHI convention.  It’s kind of ironic that I received the award for a presentation, which I just finished saying that I hate to do.

I got a nice note about the award from my boss’ boss’ boss’ boss…

“Lori,

It is with great pride and admiration that I read the attached article of recognition for you and your fellow employees.  What a tremendous honor you have earned…this speaks highly of your contributions to both the Industry and Ingersoll Rand. At Ingersoll Rand we strive to be the place of choice for the best people in the Security Industry.  You obviously have distinguished yourself in the eyes of our industry and are a fine example of exactly what we want and need in our company.  Thank you for everything you have done and will do for Ingersoll Rand and Congratulations on this outstanding achievement. I look forward to congratulating you in person in the very near future.

Br, Tim”

Here’s the article Tim was referring to:

Security Technologies employees honored
by trade association for industry service

The Door and Hardware Institute (DHI), the leading trade association of hardware distributors and manufacturers in the Americas, recently honored Security Technologies employees Steve Hornyak, Lori Greene and Tony Boatman for their significant service and outstanding contributions to the architectural openings industry.

In late September at DHI’s annual conference and exposition in Chicago, Ill., the trade group presented its 2010 awards to individuals for their leadership and service to the industry. Of note was the fact that Ingersoll Rand was the only manufacturer represented among the association’s honorees this year.

“These honors recognize the hard work and dedication of Steve, Tony and Lori,” says Chuck Strauss, vice president, Regional Sales, Americas. “Their leadership within the security and door hardware Industry benefits both our customers and Ingersoll Rand, and we are pleased and proud of this recognition from DHI.”

A Fellow Award for outstanding service to DHI was presented to Steve, who is general sales manager with the Americas SSC Mid-Atlantic region in Wilmington, Del. He was recognized for his service to DHI, having been a national instructor for DHI for two decades. He also has been tireless in advancing the education of fire code enforcement organizations and fire marshals on a local and national level regarding architectural openings. He has been active with DHI for over 20 years, serving on its Board of Governors from 2004-2007, as well as being elected first vice president. Steve has been with Ingersoll Rand as an employee since 2001, and was a manufacturer’s rep of our security products for several years prior.

DHI’s Award of Merit was presented to Lori, specification team lead with the SSC of New England in Needham Heights, Mass., and Tony, electronic training coordinator/end user sales representative with the SSC Texas in Austin.

Tony was recognized for his exemplary advocacy for local education at his Lone Star South Chapter, which has conducted over 30 national courses for its local members. He has been involved with DHI for 30 years, earning the DHI designation of Distinguished Consultant in 2006 after receiving numerous other consultant certifications from the trade group. He also has served on DHI’s Board of Certification and its Education Council. Tony has been with Ingersoll Rand since 1999.

Lori was honored for her outstanding leadership and results on behalf of DHI’s 2008 Conference Host Committee, developing and delivering a seminar that attracted a record-breaking 100 architects as attendees. She has been active with DHI for over 20 years, and maintains a popular architectural hardware blog, www.idighardware.com, for the industry. Lori has been with Ingersoll Rand as an employee since 2001, and had been a manufacturer’s rep of our security products since 1994.

Steve Hornyak, winner of the Door and Hardware Institute’s Fellow Award in 2010.

Tony Boatman, winner of the Door and Hardware Institute’s Award of Merit in 2010.

Lori Greene, winner of the Door and Hardware Institute’s Award of Merit in 2010.

 

I think I’ll go to bed early to celebrate.

Back to Reality

I have put off so many things over the last few weeks, that I’m now 10 times as overwhelmed as I usually am.  I have a ton of stuff to post on the blog but I’ve got to put out the fires first.  I guess all I can do is start with today and go forward, and fill in the stuff I missed as I have time.

So here it is.  Sometimes I can’t believe that this is my life:

 
In case you’re having trouble reading the white board, it says, “Dear Mom I’m sleping in your bed because I just noticed there was something brown and stinky on my comforter  I think its Henry’s poop.  Love Aliya”  I guess I’m supposed to check the appropriate box – whether it’s ok for her to sleep in my bed or not ok.  Based on the fact that she tosses and turns, crowds me, kicks me, and pokes me all night, AND she talks in her sleep – often in Spanish, it’s NOT OK!!! 

Henry’s the cat, by the way.  How his poop got in Aliya’s bed, I don’t know, and I don’t want to know.

If you’re here to find out how Norah’s doing rather than to read about our pet issues, Norah is doing really well.  She kept up with all of the family activities over the weekend, and she went back to school on Tuesday.  She has been a little more tired than usual, but until we get her thyroid dosage just right it’s possible that she’ll feel some symptoms of hypothyroidism.  I’m sure her body is wondering what the hell just happened. 

She started her thyroid hormone replacement on Saturday, and her thyroid levels will be tested once per month until the docs are satisfied.  She is also taking calcium and vitamin-D, and that will be monitored weekly until the levels are stable.  We are headed down to Yale to see Dr. Breuer for a post-op appointment on Monday and then we’ll be going back to Children’s for future endocrine appointments.  Hopefully Norah’s on the road to recovery!

In the Garden

After Norah’s 10 a.m. blood draw we had about an hour to kill while we waited for the results, so we went out to the absolutely gorgeous healing garden on the 7th floor of the Smilow Cancer Hospital.  It’s connected to the Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital by a glass bridge on the same floor as the PICU.  It’s such a peaceful, beautiful space, and the weather was perfect. 

After spending some time in the garden, we went to the playroom in the PICU and hung out with Woody (a volunteer), and a woman from the Child Life department.  The Child Life specialists do all kinds of things to make the kids less worried, less bored, whatever they need.  Our Child Life specialist, Leah, brought movies, games, and craft projects to keep Norah occupied yesterday, which was a huge help.

We got the great news that Norah’s calcium had risen slighly, along with the bad news that she had to have one additional blood draw.  We had promised Norah that the previous draw would be the last and it’s her least favorite thing to do, so it was a tough one.  Our PCA (patient care assistant), Rosa, helped out and then took Norah to the toy closet and let her choose a toy to take home.  She picked a tea set.  Rosa was really impressed with Norah’s Spanish and tried to distract her during her blood draws by asking her questions in Spanish.

We finally headed out around noon.  As we said goodbye to all the staff in the PICU, I jokingly said, “I hope we never see you again!  Or maybe Norah will see you when she’s here for med school!”  Norah keeps saying that she wants to be a doctor at Children’s in Boston.  After seeing up close the hours our doctors keep and the dedication to their work, I’m not sure I’d choose that life for her, but I guess I don’t get to choose. 

Norah’s teacher, María, came over for a visit this afternoon, and Norah is almost back to normal.  I am exhausted.  Nightie-night.

Click here to start at the beginning and read the first post about Norah’s thyroid.

What a Difference a Day Makes

It was a long night, only because Norah had to have blood draws and Tylenol every 4 hours, so I didn’t get a lot of sleep.  All 3 calcium tests came back with a level over 8, and they were supposed to be at least 7.5.  I don’t know what that value means, other than that we can go home.  She was able to finally eat this morning because the riskiest time for bleeding has passed and she won’t have to go back to the O.R.  She will have one more blood test at 10 a.m., and as long as she’s still over 7.5 we’ll be able to leave. 

This is a great hospital and our stay has been terrific, great staff, lots of little touches to make it easier for us, but we’re ready to go.  We’re just keeping Norah from jumping on the bed or running in the halls until 10, then we’ll go for a walk around the 7th floor until the test results come back.  Keep your fingers crossed!

Click here to read the next post about Norah’s thyroid.

Click here to start at the beginning and read the first post about Norah’s thyroid.