Chucky's B-day Bash

My brother-in-love Chuck turned 37 this past weekend. His lovely wife Kelli threw him a beer-tasting party at a couple of their friends home and she put out quite a feast. Appetizers, beer brats, hamburgers, green salad, potato salad, etc. and a HUGE cake. Chocolate, my favorite.


Joey and I left early, well late for Joe 9:00 PM, but early compared to everyone else. In fact my husband didn't make it home until 10:00 AM the next day, courtesy of Crystal. She too hung out until the party shut down a little after 2:00 AM. Then she was kind enough to wake all their hung over butts up over at Chuck's house and bring my hubby home. She was going to babysit so Larry and I could have a date, but I just wasn't feeling up to going out anywhere. We ended up just hanging out in the pool, and Larry grilled us up a meal of grilled fish with veggies and a green salad - YUMMY.


Here are a few photo's of the festivities. Well at least a few of the "clean" ones. The not so clean ones I'm withholding for possible blackmail use at a later date. I see a lot of free babysitting coming Larry and my way (lol).

Malana's Social Security Soap Drama

I swear I feel as though I'm in a soap drama as this kind of thing shouldn't happen in real life. As you know last month I did not received my benefits and so I trekked on down to my local Social Security office on 5/27 to find out what was behind it. Apparently they either didn't receive my letter and form stating that I wished to continue benefits during the appeal process or they lost it. Anyway I sat down with one of the agents and refilled out the necessary forms, as well as the forms to change my name from Krebs to Monson (I think this makes the fourth time I've endeavored to do this) and was told everything should be back on track.

Sure enough three days later a check was directed deposited into my account. The only odd thing was that it was higher than my usual amout by about $173. Figured they must know something that I don't. A couple days later I get a letter confirming that they'd sent me a check and that in future I would receive my monthly benefit on time and in the amount of $XXX.00 Well that threw my for a loop because I typically receive over a thousand dollars a month in benefits. So on 6/16 I called and spoke to another agent by the name of Mike who told me simply that it was an error in the correspondence only and that my benefit should come through just fine for June.

June 24th rolls around and no benefit money is deposited in to my account. To say I'm frustrated is an understatement. So I call on the 24th and speak to yet again another agent by the name of Twan who tries to tell me that I was already issued payement for June in the same direct deposit with my May benefits. I try to explain to him that that is not the case, that I was overpaid but no where near my actual benefit amount. I fill him in on my previous conversation with Mike, etc., etc. He puts me on hold for what seems like forever, several times, only to come back and tell me that because I'm in the midst of the appeal process that my benefits will be reviewed on a monthly basis and dispensation will take place when appropriate each month and for the amount they deem appropriate. I tell Twan very calmly that that is not acceptable and I would like to speak to a Supervisor. He tells me that he'd like to look into one more thing and can I please hold once more. I tell him "NO". I no longer wish to work on this issue with him and would like to take it to the next level, so could he please transfer me to his supervisor. He agrees, puts me on hold and then several minutes later tells me he can't locate his supervisor, nor the back up supervisor, that perhaps they're all in a meeting or something. He asks if they can call me back, and I say yes so long as it will be on the same day. He takes my name and telephone number and we say goodbye.

Needless to say I don't hear back from them on the 24th, nor the 25th, and at this point I'm beyond frustrated and am now angry. I contact a disabiitity lawyer and schedule an appointment at 3:00 PM on the 26th. Larry goes with me and while they can't help me per se as we're not yet far enough along in the appeal process, the attorny - Sharon, does give me some free legal advice and forms for my doctors to complete that are exactly like the ones the SS doctors utilize.

So again on the 29th I trek on down to my local SS office and settle in for the wait so that I can get my benefit reinstated at the correct amount. After three hours I'm finally seen by one of their claim managers, Mr. Galvez, and he looks at all my paperwork and says, "Yep, looks like their was a data entry error somewhere along the line and he can correct it that same day and my benefits will be direct deposited into my account within three days." He also went on to tell me that this should resolve the issue so that I won't have to go through this whole process again next month. But he also states he can't make any guarantees that won't occur again as they are a goverment entity and are only human after all. I leave hopeful that this has finally been resolved.

Today I go online and check my balance, hoping that the funds have been deposited and low and behold they have - only in the incorrect amount. They're only $1,500 off. I get on the phone, try to resolve it with very little success. I try to schedule an appointment with my local SS office but they can't fit me in until 7/9. I say forget it and now have to begin the process all over again tomorrow. This is just so exhausting. I'm tired. I'm ill. This is just stressing me out, making my symptoms flare up.

To make matters worse, this error has caused us to be overdrawn on our checking accounts, leaves us short on funds for rent and bills and so with head downcast we have to ask the in-laws for a short term loan. They're more than willing to help us out, and I really appreciate it but at the same time feel like an irresponsible ass for having to ask for this type of help. We're supposed to be grown ups, able to manage our budgets, etc. but just like a little kid when they get into trouble we go running to mommy and daddy for protection and help. What kind of example am I setting for Joe? Not a good one I'm afraid when I can't even help myself out of this stupid jam up. It just makes me cry.

It's my birthday and I'll cry if I want to

Well today is my birthday, 43 years old and I couldn't feel less like celebrating. I just got the news yesterday that one of my oldest friends, Terry passed away unexpectedly of a brain aneurysm. He's only a few years older than me. His sister Sherri and I were like sisters growing up, and therefore Terri was my older brother, that is after I got over my pre-teen crush on him.

What I'll remember most about Terri is his love of family. His easy smile and kind heart. His jokester side that always caught you off guard, but never hurt you in anyway.

I will miss knowing that he is a part of this world, but he will always remain part of my heart.

Camera Woes

Well wouldn't you know it, Larry, Joe and I went to a water play date our the Cordova Community Pool at Hagen Park and even though I kept telling myself over and over to take the camera out of my pocket once inside and after we'd gotten our blanket and junk set up do you think I actually did it? NOOOOOOO.

Larry got Joe going in the water while I took a quick rest and then I decided to join them and the other ladies from my mommy playgroup. I jumped into the babies pool, only 2 1/2 feet deep and after a couple of minutes of getting adjusted to the temperature yelled "Oh NO". They all turned to look at me as I anxiously grabbed the camera out of my pocket to examine it.

Too late... the water was sloshing all around inside. I tried to find a silver lining to this occurrence but couldn't come up with a thing. I calmly laid it inside my shoes and then went back to playing with Joey in the water. A little later I noticed him running towards my shoes and yelled "No Joe. Leave them alone, not for babies" but it had little if any affect. He grabbed the camera and chucked it into the pool. If there had been any chance of rescuing the mechanisms after I dunked it, I'd say those last chances were now lost to me. I couldn't even get angry with him because I created this little chucker monster by playing catch with him at home in our pool and besides I'd already pretty much demolished the camera when I took my dunking.

So now the search for the perfect carry around camera will have to continue. I think this time I'll look for one that can withstand water up to at least 10ft.

1:00 AM and yep I'm still up and awake

I've attempted to go to sleep twice already with and with out sleeping drugs, but I guess it is not to be.

I even went swimming with Larry and Joe this evening hoping it would help relax my body and tire me out a little, but nope that didn't seem to help either.

What's a girl to do I ask. Anyone out there reading this if you have any suggestions I'd be so very open to them.

I'm tired and cranky

Okay forget about saying Joe needs a nap, this time I do. I am so worn out - physically, mentally, emotionally. I am still having to hassle with social security to continue receiving my benefits. I am in the process of appealing and had filed my paperwork to continue receiving benefits during the process and last month I got a surprise because they just discontinued benefits, period with no additional communications.

I went down to there offices refiled the paperwork for a second time and was told that they would put a request through to reinstate my benefits until a reconsideration hearing could be scheduled. I thought cool... better late than never. Got my money direct deposited into my checking account a few days later.

About a week after that I get a letter telling me they're sending me a check for the amount owed me (by this time it was already in my account), and that I would be receiving a check each month for $xxx.00. Well that amount was shy a zero so back to the phone I go. On the 16th I finally get through to a live person who puts me on hold forever to research my case. He finally comes back on and tells me it was just a type that I'll be receiving the same amount I always do. No worries, right? Wrong.

I should have received my benefit payment today via direct deposit. Nothing wired. Checks bouncing left and right. I again get on the phne with Social Security, speak with Twan. He tells me that my account is sort of frozen until my appeal is heard. I explain everything I've already gone through, that my benefits were supposed to continue, ya-da, ya-da, ya-da. He again puts me on hold for several minutes. He comes back and tells me my benefits will continue but he's not sure for what amount and it is considered special dispensation so he's not sure when it will be processed for this month, or next. I'm finally fed up and tell him that's not acceptable and I want to speak with a supervisor. He back-pedals and says that maybe there is one more thing he can "look into". I say calmly, "Twan you're not understanding me... I no longer wish to speak with you about this matter, I want to speak to a supervisor as my status as you call it is unacceptable to me and without benefits I could be out on the street. Please pass me through to a supervisor." He again puts me on hold for six more minutes. When he returns he notifies me that he can't locate his supervisor, or his back-up supervisor, perhaps they're in a meeting upstairs. Can he take my name and number and have them return my call? I ask if they'll be returning it today and he replies, "what time is it?" We simutaneously say the time and he tells me that yes they'll return my call today.

It's now after 4:30 pm and I have yet to speak to anyone from SS, let alone a supervisor. Needless to say I am frustrated, stressed out and more than a little tired. This whole process has just make me crazy, or should I say more crazy. Sleeping less, increased flare-ups with my pain, gums bleeding from the increased stress.

After consulting with Larry, I've scheduled an appointment with an attorney to assist me with this process. I just don't have the energy to do it solo and obviously I don't know how the system works since I keep doing everything they request of me, and they don't do anything they state that they'll do on my behalf.

Daddy Day Celebrations

Well we just got home from having breakfast with my Father-in-Love and the rest of the Monson Clan. We went to the Sutter Creek Grill in Old Folsom and got there at 7:30 which turned out to be the perfect time since by the time we left there were people standing in line outside waiting to get in.

They make this wonderful french toast out of fresh baked cinnamon rolls with pecans and an icing glaze. It is so delicious that there are no words to describe it adequately. Let's just say it's yummy and will definately put you in sugar shock mode.

Joey and I got Larry some brewing materials so that he can make a mead and a beer batch for the upcoming No. California Home Brewers Festival in September. Plus I picked up a couple of tennis rackets and some balls so we can have an occasional love match (ha ha). Oh yeah and just to brag a little, Larry's graphics got chosen for this years festival and so his design will appear on the beer tasting glasses, shirts, and all flyers and correspondence. How cool is that - he is so talented and I am so proud of him for winning this honor. He's thrilled to be chosen as well, and he gets to go to the festival free of charge this year.

We got Larry's dad a pool cue so that they can have some father and son time together, and knock some balls around. Joey and his cousin Elsa made grandpa a shirt with their handprints on it. It turned out to cute. While we were at it, Elsa also made her Daddy a shirt and Joey made one for Larry. I think they all liked them well enough.

Larry got some wonderful cards and gifts from his family and I know they made him feel pretty special. I think he's pretty special too and a wonderful Daddy to Joe. And me, well I feel special too because I ended up getting the best Father-in-Love a girl could ask for.

Swimming lessons down the drain

Well, Joe and I only ended up going to 2 out of 8 lessons. The water was absolutely freezing and I felt that they weren't really teaching him anything he didn't already know, so why torture myself. I have made it up to him by participating in a couple of water play dates that were awesome. Lots of little ones to play with, warmer water, and at one location all kinds of fun water features in the beach pool for them to explore.

One of the mom's in my mommy group has a contact that lives and teaches swimming right out here in Rancho Murieta and so I'm going to give her a call, see what she has to offer and what her rates are. She does a group session and/or one-on-one training. And she guarantees your little one will be swimming across the pool in just two weeks time. I'm all for that since Joe will not stay out of the water.

Just today Mom and I took him swimming in our back yard and after two and a half hours I was totally done in so I got him out, stripped him naked except for his water shoes and dried him off. Then I started to dry myself off and wouldn't you know it he says "jump" to me and I say "NO" and he goes right ahead and jumps in anyway and I had to go back in to get him out. He's such a little rascal, but so cute when he's being naughty that I have a hard time reprimanding him through my laughter. I can't fault him for his love of water because it's one of my favorite places to be too.

Lunch with the Cousins

Mom, Joe and I met with Crystal, our cousin Mona, and her grandson Mason today at Apple bee's for lunch. It was so nice to catch up on all that had been happening and to see how much Mason has grown. He was born a month before Joey and we haven't seen him since they were around 3-4 months old.

Mona's down visiting her son Tyson, a Sacramento Police Officer who last month was shot three times during a routine traffic stop, and somehow managed to squeeze time in to visit with us as well. (By the way Tyson is recovering nicely though he has a long road ahead of him with regard to physical therapy and just plain ol' recovering from his injuries and the resulting surgeries. Your positive thoughts and prayers for his recovery would be much appreciated.) While she's here she helping where she can, and of course spoiling her grandson at every opportunity. Can't say as I blame her as he is such a charming little guy.

Anyway to go on with the details of our lunch.... it was really fun to watch how both boys love cars and trains and played together at the table. They both love to dip their food in ketchup - well in Joe's case he'll dip in anything and thinks nothing of dipping in say spinach artichoke dip, then salsa, and ending with marinara all in the same bite. I think they both ended up wearing as much as they managed to get in their mouths, but looked totally adorable during the process.


Even though Mason is a month older, Joe is probably a head taller than he is but other than that they are very similar - both totally cute. Not like I'm biased or anything. Check it out for yourself.

Our lunch was much to short, but then again some time is better than no time at all, so we'll take what we can get. Hopefully we'll be able to connect again with one another in the near future, and Joe and Mason can have some more "cousin" time to get to know one another better.

I love parks with WATER!!!

Swim Lessons as easy as 123

Well Joe and I began his swim lesson session this week and let me tell you was that water ever cold. I thought I had read that the water would be at a constant 84 degrees, but unfortunately that was for a different program than the one I actually enrolled him in. The water temp, combined with our current cool weather has made for a not so good time, at least for me.


Joe was so excited to be at a pool that he could just wade on in to that he began his lesson 10 minutes earlier than everyone else. This came as no surprise to me since I know of his love of water, but the instructor and the life guard got a kick out of his eagerness since most of the students have to be coaxed to get them to go in past their knees.

We're supposed to go Monday thru Thursday for a 45 minute lesson, but I only managed to go on Monday and Wednesday this week as the cold water made me have a flare up with my Fibromyalgia. I don't think it's that big of a loss since the goal of the glass is to get the kids acclimated to being in water, learn to blow bubbles under the water, and how to float and kick their legs.

So far Joe is already acclimated to water and in fact I have a hard time keeping him out of it as most of you already know from my earlier posts. He can kick but only when he want to (lol), we're working on blowing bubbles although he'd much prefer just to drink the water and I'm hoping that next week the instructor will be able to instruct me on how to teach him the best technique for floating. My goal is to go at least two days next week, if not to all four days as scheduled. All depends on how this old body holds up to the cold.

Mom went with me on Wednesday and got to cheer Joe on which was nice. A lot of the grandparents attend just to watch the kiddo's have fun. Joe loved having her there with him.

Raindrops keep falling on my head

It was so much fun to watch Joe experiencing rain for the first time. He's been aware of it, watched it through the window, etc. but this past weekend they were having quite an assortment of weather occurring while we were in Reno and so he got to experience it up close and personal.

At Uncle Jake's we were all just sitting around outside under the awning talking and having snacks while Joe ran around and played with his cars. Well first game the lightening, pretty cool in my mind, didn't even get Joe's attention he was so wrapped up in his cars. Then came the thunder. It got all of our attentions and fast as it was so loud and seemed as if the angels were bowling right over our heads. Joe looked up and then began moving pretty fast in the direction of Mommy and Daddy - whomever he could get to first. The thunder and lightening went on for about five minutes before dissipating into rain. Then the fun really began.

Joe edged out from under the awning to watch the rain hit in the animals water dish. Then he realized it was hitting him on his head to and turned to look up and see where it was coming from. He looked at me, I smiled, and he took this as a sign that it was okay to edge out farther into the rain. He must have stood there a good five minutes just enjoying the sensation. Then he noticed that little pools of water had appeared here and there on Uncle Jake's driveway and had to investigate them, making the water swirl with his fingertips, splashing them with his shoes. He was having a great time, until the thunder and lightening made a reappearance and then he was pretty much glued to our sides.

For the rest of the weekend he wanted to splash in any puddle he found and whenever it rained, be it sprinkle or downpour, he wanted to be out in the middle of it. It was just to cute and a memory that will stay in my mind for a very long time.

Time to catch up

We've been pretty busy of late, fighting with social security, trying to stay on top of family obligations, getting Joe on a more regulated schedule and needless to say I've let my blog lie dormant for a couple weeks.

My appeal on my disability goes on, and on, and on. They were supposed to continue my payments during the appeal process but someone on their end didn't do their job and so I did not receive any income from them this month. They're supposed to be working on correcting that oversight now but it could take 1-2 months, months that we can ill afford (and yes the pun was intended).

Larry's father held his first family reunion in 25 years and Joe got to meet some of his 2nd and 3rd cousins. It was a great turnout for the picnic with about 92 people in all. We made a camping weekend out of it with some of the close family members, Larry's siblings, Crystal and Jeff joined in, Mom, my sister-in-law's sister Christi and her daughter Shelby, plus one of Larry's uncles and his extended family. It was fun, but exhausting. Joe didn't fair to well as it was his first time camping and he just didn't want to sleep. We actually snuck out the second night and he, mom and I slept at home in our own beds. My Larry was a champ - cooking tri tips for everyone, helping to host the picnic and breaking down our camp site. I was so proud of him.

This past weekend we took mom up to Reno so she could have a visit with her brothers - Armas and Jake. They both looked really good. Mom stayed at Uncle Jake's and Larry, Joe and I stayed at a Travelodge about 4 miles away. It turned out to be quite the dive. The beds were broken, the pool out of order, and they we're in the middle of renovations so woke us up bright and early with hammers and saws. I can definitely say that we wont ever stay there again. But the visit was nice and it was great to catch up with the two of them. Mom got to get a little gambling in to top of the weekend, so everyone ended up having a great time.

Joe got even more off schedule as a result of the past two weekends, as did I, and so now we're both working to get our schedules back in order. He had an awesome day at Daycare today, no crying or fussing, played great with the kids, rode on the toys and such, and then came home and took a long nap for mommy YEAH, so mommy got a rest too. He'll go again Wednesday and then be off for two weeks while he takes swim lessons, so he'll have to get readjusted all over again.

I've also decided to have him attend on Mon/Wed/Fri, primarily for 1/2 days so that I can have time to regenerate myself while he gets to work on his socialization skills. Win win for both of us, or so I keep telling myself, though I hate to miss out on any time with him but the honest to God truth is I have been feeling so physically bad lately that I need the down time to keep up with him he rest of the time he's with me. He's growing so fast it's hard to remember him when he was just a little blob, content to lay on my chest and snuggle, now he wakes up and it's "Bye bye" always wanting to be on the go. I love him so much.