Monday, December 8, 2025

Parent Fail

Hello,

We're in the middle of an 'Atmospheric River.' A constant flow of rain coming all the way from the middle of the Pacific. The forecaster said it started almost near Japan. So we're expecting heavy rain for quite a few days which usually leads to river flooding, down trees and power outages. Thankfully we're not in a flood zone and even though we're surrounded by huge evergreen trees, we've never had one fall. Only by God's grace.

December 2022



Beth and I were sitting at the table last week waiting for her bus. We waited and waited but it never came.

Come to find out her eligibility had expired. Every few years we get a large packet in the mail of paperwork to fill out but I guess this year they just sent a small postcard reminder. 

Our fault, we somehow just missed it.

So she's at the table, ready and waiting and I had to tell her she couldn't go. Karaoke day. (I thought about driving her myself but at that time of morning it would have taken an hour or more to get there and I would have had to take the day off work.) I apologized and told her what happened. She just sat there. I apologized again and asked her if I could give her a hug. She nodded. After a couple minutes she picked up her backpack and jacket went back downstairs. I felt horrible!

Plus, she's needed a new phone case so we looked at new cases on-line and she found one of her favorite designs! Chuck ordered it and told her it would be delivered the next day. That was the day her bus never came.

I came home from work and saw the package on the porch. When I brought it to her she was so excited! She opened it and pulled out the new protective covers for my phone and that was it. I asked her if there was anything else in there and she said no. It hadn't come! 😭 She just put the package on the table and went downstairs. She was so sad! Twice in one day! I felt so bad!

We did get an email explaining why the package was late, but I'm not sure it helped.

Well, it's been a week now and we've worked out a plan with DART. We need to get the paperwork done (including a letter from her doctor verifying she is unable to use regular public transportation) by the end of the year and they will continue to pick her up until then. Whew! 

And, her phone case arrived the next day.


All is well again.

Last night she and I made some chocolate chip cookies. She helps with the brown sugar, eggs and mixing. Then she puts some cookies on the tray. 



She's never mastered using an oven, or the stove either. She doesn't like turning the gas burners on but will stir something that is already cooking. She does like to cook, but only with help.

That's about all for now. I hope you have a great week!

5 comments:

Jeanie said...

I may have missed something but I hope all her tests you referred to earlier were OK. Sometimes life like that happens. I like to think of it as learning experiences but somehow you can never pull that off at the time!

ellen b. said...

We've noticed there are lots of things that don't come in the mail the way they used to. Sorry about the mix-up for her bus service. Looks like a fun time in the kitchen!

Visits With Mary said...

I'm sorry sweet Beth had those sad moments! But it looks like all is working out and I loved her smile. Your header picture is so sweet, I have 3 girls too. Daughters are so special.

Jenny in WV said...

I'm kind of afraid of gas stoves too! Has Beth ever tried using an electric or glass top stove? Maybe an electric hotplate with a single burner would be less intimidating?

Betsy said...

I'm sorry. I'm sure you felt awful and none of it was your fault. These things happen. You can't control packages and I've had the paperwork type thing happen before too. Although I am sure things affect her so much more.
You're a great Mom and she knows it. I love how you cook together. Fun times. I'm going to bake cookies with my 3 year old granddaughter this month for the first time. I'm so excited.
Blessings,
Betsy