I have been hosting the monthly parties for my "group". The next one is Superbowl Sunday. I want to have a great party. It is held in our clubhouse. Usually about 20 - 40 people attend these potluck parties. I usually have some door prizes also. I want some great ideas for: (1) games to play (we are having 3 football pools and I have a trivia question game.) I would love some other games that would keep people interested and entertained. Does anyone have any halftime games or commercial games? Also, what do you think is the best food to bring? I am thinking of one of these (but am open to new recipes): meatballs, chicken wings, Mexican dip.
(2) I need good ideas for prizes or door prizes (I have a limited budget however).
I am out of ideas, please leave comments quickly.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Sunday, January 31, 2010
I'm Back! Catch-up time
Wow! I haven't posted since Oct. Can't believe it has been that long.
What's new? Our two trips to Chicago for the medical study went well. The AIT (Auditory Integration Therapy) actually seems to increased his reading level some. In the next two weeks they are supposed to send us some kind of computer program that lasts about 20 minutes a day for 10 weeks. This should boost the level even more. Keep your fingers crossed.
Christmas and New Year's went great, although none of the family could come, due to the blizzard we had in Oklahoma. But the three of us enjoyed the stress free time.
Update on the kids: 3 of the older 4 got laid off over the last year. None of them have been able to find a new job. Nathan (the welder) left Oklahoma for Texas and tried to find a job there. None found and he returned last Wed. He's going to try in Tulsa again.
Our insurance keeps going up, even though we are on a fixed budget. I just got our yearly w2's and for the three of us, more than 40% of our pay went to insurance. That's before the new amount. Not only did the insurance itself go up, but all the ancillary things also, the co pays for the Dr. and the co pays for the drugs. Patrick's three medicines went from $50 per prescription to $60, is just one example.
What happened to food prices. Is anyone else noticing the difference (going up) at the grocery store? I try to make weekly grocery lists, eat frugally, have each thing I make last for two or more meals, etc. and yet I can't get out of the grocery store for less than $175.00 per week! Usually more than that. What is going on? And I am not buy expensive cuts of meat and other items either.
Well, it is good to be back on. I'll try to get back on more now. Hopefully, I can get more interesting than today's post. I have some new ideas that I will start trying out next time.
What's new? Our two trips to Chicago for the medical study went well. The AIT (Auditory Integration Therapy) actually seems to increased his reading level some. In the next two weeks they are supposed to send us some kind of computer program that lasts about 20 minutes a day for 10 weeks. This should boost the level even more. Keep your fingers crossed.
Christmas and New Year's went great, although none of the family could come, due to the blizzard we had in Oklahoma. But the three of us enjoyed the stress free time.
Update on the kids: 3 of the older 4 got laid off over the last year. None of them have been able to find a new job. Nathan (the welder) left Oklahoma for Texas and tried to find a job there. None found and he returned last Wed. He's going to try in Tulsa again.
Our insurance keeps going up, even though we are on a fixed budget. I just got our yearly w2's and for the three of us, more than 40% of our pay went to insurance. That's before the new amount. Not only did the insurance itself go up, but all the ancillary things also, the co pays for the Dr. and the co pays for the drugs. Patrick's three medicines went from $50 per prescription to $60, is just one example.
What happened to food prices. Is anyone else noticing the difference (going up) at the grocery store? I try to make weekly grocery lists, eat frugally, have each thing I make last for two or more meals, etc. and yet I can't get out of the grocery store for less than $175.00 per week! Usually more than that. What is going on? And I am not buy expensive cuts of meat and other items either.
Well, it is good to be back on. I'll try to get back on more now. Hopefully, I can get more interesting than today's post. I have some new ideas that I will start trying out next time.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Back From Chicago (For Now)
We returned from Chicago on Saturday. If things go well, we will go back in about two weeks for two weeks. Everything went well except Patrick got a cold the day we left and that interfered with the audiology exam. He didn't pass it on the high tones or the low tones. We are hoping this is because of fluid from the cold. They are going to have us go to an audiologist in our area in about a week to redo the test. If his hearing isn't improved, I'm afraid this will be the end of the line as far as the study goes. We are keeping our fingers crossed that it is the cold and not hearing loss.
I'll keep you informed.
On a second topic: Even though we are sure that Patrick had H1N1, he didn't get it officially diagnosed (by a test). Because of this, the Dr. still wants him to get the vaccine. However, we can't find any place to do this here in our part of Oklahoma. This is very frustrating for us. Anybody else having the same problem?
I'll keep you informed.
On a second topic: Even though we are sure that Patrick had H1N1, he didn't get it officially diagnosed (by a test). Because of this, the Dr. still wants him to get the vaccine. However, we can't find any place to do this here in our part of Oklahoma. This is very frustrating for us. Anybody else having the same problem?
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Off to Chicago!
Monday we leave for Chicago. My son Patrick (14 with Williams Syndrome) is involved in a study. He will be having several tests. These tests relate to his medical diagnosis and will include specialized auditory testing along with neuropsychological, behavioral, and cognitive testing. Additionally, Patrick will be receiving a series of Magnetoencephalography scans. Magnetoencephalography is one of the most accurate and highly technical instruments for evaluating abnormal activity in the brain. Commonly this equipment is used for the clinical applications of epilepsy, seizure activity, AVM, and brain tumors. But there are participants in additional studies outside of the clinical applications, in which Patrick is included.
We are so excited to get these tests. We would never have been able to afford these on our own. Of course we have to stay in Chicago for the week. And, we have to return for two more weeks, not yet scheduled. During those weeks they will do some music therapy that will supposedly increase his comprehension and reading. I sure hope so, because he is only reading on about a 3rd grade level.
The down side of this was he had to have his braces taken off (interfere with the MRI and MEG) He will get them back on once those tests are completed. Our orthodontist really has been on board with us and can see how helpful this study might be.
We will return on Saturday.
We are so excited to get these tests. We would never have been able to afford these on our own. Of course we have to stay in Chicago for the week. And, we have to return for two more weeks, not yet scheduled. During those weeks they will do some music therapy that will supposedly increase his comprehension and reading. I sure hope so, because he is only reading on about a 3rd grade level.
The down side of this was he had to have his braces taken off (interfere with the MRI and MEG) He will get them back on once those tests are completed. Our orthodontist really has been on board with us and can see how helpful this study might be.
We will return on Saturday.
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