Trains, trains, & MORE trains

This summer my family had the pleasure of visiting the Crossville Model Railroad Club  in Crossville, TN.

 

We were traveling to Nashville and had heard about this incredible train display that was en route and KNEW we had to see it since there are TWO little train fanatics in our house (3 and 4.5 at the time).   It is in an outlet mall and is a whole storefront FULL of different size model train layouts.  Only problem was that we would be driving through on a THURSDAY afternoon, a time when they are usually not open.  I contacted a club member via e-mail about a week ahead of time and inquired about setting up a private train viewing.   His response was very kind, and he said normally they do not do private viewings for anyone but groups.  He continued on to say that they usually have some folks working on the displays almost every day, and if we wanted to stop by in the hopes that we caught someone there they would be more than glad to show us around.
 
*SIGH*.   After a LOT of careful thinking about what to say, here was my response:

Thank you for writing me back! Is there any possible way that, without inconveniencing anyone,  I can be sure that someone will be there that day? I have 2 sons with special needs and I would hate to set them up for disappointment. The reason we want to come see your exhibit is that a family member of mine who was there recently was VERY impressed and knew that my boys would be enthralled. For some reason children on the autism spectrum are overly fascinated by trains… especially Thomas. Our house is full of toy trains. I think it has to do in part with the rhythmic motion of the wheels.  It would mean SO much to them to see it, but I can’t change our travel plans to come there unless I know we can enter the exhibit. Travel with small children is hard enough, even more so with special needs. If it doesn’t work out I understand, but I thought I would check into the possibility.  Any help you could give me would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you so much for your time-

Well, without hesitation he responded that if I called him when I was about an hour away he would meet me there personally & show us around.

When we got there my 2 boys acted like they were walking into Disneyland (cue heavenly music)…

 
 

Especially when they saw THIS…

 

IT’S THOMAS!!!

And Percy! And James! And Harold!!!

The 2 children wearing the train shirts are mine. We edited out their faces for security, so unfortunately you miss out on seeing the look of utter & complete JOY on their little faces.  Believe me when I say they were THRILLED.  Every time a train rolled by they squealed, “HI, PERCY!”, or, “HI, JAMES!”, or, “HI, THOMAS!!!”  They stood at the Thomas table alone for more than 10 minutes~ a LOOONG time for kids with short attention spans.

Turns out our e-mail friend had filled some of the other club members in on our family’s situation.  There were several other individuals there when we arrived and they were ALL incredibly welcoming & kind & friendly & went out of their way to help us enjoy the exhibit and to make us feel comfortable.  I think they were also excited to have such passionate little train enthusiasts to appreciate their displays.  I was so incredibly overwhelmed by the effort they put into talking with us & showing us around.  Come to think of it, they are probably that way with everyone who walks in the door, but it still made me feel special.  Especially when the female member of the club asked me, “I don’t know a lot about Autism. Could you please help explain it to me?”  I could have hugged her.  For her to take the time to ask and try & become more educated showed a level of compassion that was deeply moving.  I LOVE it when people are so open and caring and say, “I don’t understand~ can you teach me?”  The alternative is far worse- those who are made uncomfortable by that which they don’t understand so they say NOTHING & walk away. (See “Silence is not always golden”)       

My children spent a very long time exploring each and every detail of this glorious train land.  They were VERY sad to leave, especially since there was also a Thomas Wooden Railway train table to play with.  I think they could have stayed there forever.  A FABULOUS time was had by all. 

Thank you, THANK YOU, Crossville Model Railway Club, for giving my children such a treat… and for giving their Mom & Dad a special gift with your compassion and generosity.  There are good people in this world.  Just go to Crossville. 

Check out their website! Their hours are Fridays 12-4, Saturdays 10-5, and on Sundays from noon-3pm~ OR by appointment, if you say “pretty please”.  They’re awesome like that.

Hooray! It’s “Give Someone a Genuine Compliment Day”!

I am so excited that today is “Give Someone a Genuine Compliment Day“!  Haven’t heard of it?  Maybe that’s because I invented it.  Yeah, that’s right, I made it up… so what of it?  Today still ROCKS! 

This day is in part inspired by my 4-year-old, Thomas, who declared- “We love each other on Valentine’s Day!”   And then I started thinking… how often do we take time to REALLY love each other?

“Give Someone a Genuine Compliment Day” is also a positive alternative for those of you who HATE Valentine’s Day.  I have a few friends, single AND married, who were dreading today.  They HATE it.  I get that.  Single people who don’t want to be single are made to feel extra lonely on Valentine’s Day, and coupled people are under all this pressure to create the the perfect day and feel/be overtly romantic.  A woman is set up to be disappointed, and her man is set up to fail to meet her lofty expectations.  Feh.  Don’t get me wrong, I think romance is good and necessary.  But I also think romance operates better when it happens freely and spontaneously, and not under so much duress and expectation.

Let’s think beyond romantic love today.  I think it is also wonderful, and SO important, just be LOVING!

“You know, from this angle you kind of look like Polamalu!”

Last night was quite eventful for for our household.  The Steelers won the Super Bowl!!!!  Mapman was born in Pittsburgh so he was VERY excited!  Go here to see pictures of our cheering section.  Oh, my 4-year-old, Thomas, said that the “HICKS-burgh” Steelers were playing, so CUTE.  Well, I thought it was cute, anyway.  Mapman was VERY intent on correcting him.  Yeah.  Hardcore fan.  Let me give you a glimpse into what the rest of our evening was like… 

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Goldie:  “You know, it really would  be a great American story if the Cardinals won, seeing as how they have NEVER been to the Super Bowl and are such the underdogs.”

Mapman:  “No it wouldn’t!”

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Goldie:  “Hon, can you please record the game?”

Mapman:  “I could, thanks, but I don’t need to.  They’ll show highlights of the game later.”

Goldie:  *confused pause*  “No… I mean for me…  for the COMMERCIALS.”

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Goldie:  “Which commercial did you like the best?  The Pepsi one with the “I’m all right” dudes, the Potato Head one, or the one with the Transporter guy?”

Mapman:  “The Dorito’s one where the girl’s dress got ripped off.”

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He did like the Potato Head commercial, though.  He laughed a little too hard when her lips fell off and she couldn’t talk anymore. 

Before the game I had let my long-ish brown hair air dry all wavy and was wearing black & gold.  My husband walked by and said, “You know, from this angle you kinda look like Polamalu!”    NOT exactly the look I was going for.

Man, that 100-yd interception touchdown had me SCREAMING!  Mapman kept trying to shush me because he was afraid I was going to wake the baby AND he wanted to hear the announcers.

And can someone please go get the shock paddles, STAT?  Because I still don’t think my husband has recovered from the heart attack that he had during the 4th quarter.  Now THAT was some football!!!!

He was really happy, INCREDIBLY happy, when his team won.  It made me happy to see him happy… although it made me sad to see Kurt Warner sad.  I REALLY like Kurt Warner.  I think he is an awesome person and a great Quarterback.  But I like my husband even better than Kurt Warner.  So congratulations Pittsburgh!  Here we go, Steelers, here we go!!!!!!!!!

PS:  OH  my goodness, I can’t believe I forgot to mention Jennifer Hudson!!!   I was totally rooting for her.  This was her first public performance since her sad family tragedy, and she knew everyone knew it.  She looked SO nervous, took a deep breath… and KILLED it.  Home run.  (I am such a gooof!  Wrong game…)  TOUCHDOWN.  You GO, girl!!!   Dare I say a better National Anthem than Whitney?  I know you made your Momma proud.

My family and I rose for the anthem (I insisted), and as we stood there together, holding each other, I cried.  For her, but even more so, for my awesome Country.

Super Bowl Sunday is coming! GO STEELERS!!!!

Our cheering section!

Super Bowl Sunday is on its way!  I have a VERY happy family.  You see, I married into a frenzied mob of ardent Steelers fans.  My husband, his sister, their parents, and the majority of their family are all from Pittsburgh.  And I was born in CLEVELAND.  The things we do for love!

We traveled out of town the other week to stay with Mapman’s parents & watch the Championship games.  It was amazing how my husband’s demeanor changed after the second game began.  He and his parents were SERIOUS.  There was a lot of emotion in the air.  I don’t think I would be able to handle watching the Super Bowl with them (we can’t anyway).  So much tension, so much drama!  Plus I tend to talk too much during sporting events, and serious sports fans don’t usually appreciate that.

 By the way, as serious as my husband is about football, he still fell asleep at the end of the AFC Championship.  FIVE minutes to go, not sure if they can hold off the Ravens, and he is falling asleep.  Cleveland-born little me was yelling at the screen and cheering with HIS parents, and his head was nodding!  *shakes head* What an old man! 

I honor of the Steelers’ AFC Championship win I spent over an hour (when I should have been doing other things) in the attic rummaging through old baby clothes to find the Steelers outfits my 2 boys wore as babies.  *Sniff* Memories!  I then dressed up their Teddy Bears in their old outfits so that they can help cheer for the team on Sunday. 

 

My sons' bears are now wearing their old outfits. AWWW!

I haven’t been able to find our Steelers flag since we moved… THREE YEARS ago!  Maybe I should finally finish unpacking?

In other random (and humorous) news, there is now a Facebook group called “SUPER BOWL SUNDAY SHOULD BE MOVED TO SATURDAY, OR MONDAY SHOULD BE A HOLIDAY”.  Amen to that!

It should be an interesting game.  Too bad it couldn’t be Philly vs Pitt though, that would have been COOL!  Although, *whispers* I actually like Kurt Warner.  Am I allowed to say that?  But I am still rooting for the Iron City.

I am also looking forward to the commercials, of course.

Super Bowl Sunday, HERE WE COME!!!  Go Steelers!   Come on, everybody do the Pittsburgh Steelers Polka!

LOST is back, baybee!!!

 

The LONG wait is over.  LOST returned to TV this past Wednesday.  It was gooooood.

I am talking about the Season 5 PREMIERE so if you have NOT seen it yet, STOP READING!!!! Here are some of my random thoughts (do I have any other kind?): 

I got dizzy from all the flash-backs, flashforwards, AND present time!  I actually don’t know now which time they are supposed to be in.  I think that was the point… a personification of what the island is experiencing as it jumps through time.

Who else thinks Sawyer & Juliet will hook up?  Sawyer… mmmm.

And anyone else think Daniel Farraday is starting to look kinda sexy as he mans up and is acting all tough & stuff?

I cracked myself up because a few times I actually guessed ahead of time what the next line was about to be.  Like when Charlotte & Daniel were talking about her bloody nose, and she said, “Daniel!?”  I said, “Do you know what is happening to me?”  SCORE!

(HEY!  Don’t stop reading now, or you will miss an AWESOME clip at the end!)

My secret is out!

I feel VICTORIOUS!!!!  Anyone ever visit PostSecret?  I had a flash of inspiration on Monday, mailed my secret in on Tuesday, and my postcard showed up that very SUNDAY!  Which would be today, yes.  I SO rock– they posted my secret immediately!  It was the first time I had ever mailed in a secret, too! 

This experience has made me giggle.  I needed a giggle today.  Guess which secret is mine?  I’ll give you a hint… think green.

 

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12/19/2008: 

Want to know my secret???   (drumroll please)

A very sensory birthday party

I LOVE the Dollar Store!

I just survived (barely!) hosting my first childrens’ “Friend Party”.  Now I understand why people shell out a couple hundred bucks to have it NOT AT THEIR HOUSE!  I am still proud of how the day went, and wish to announce that Martha Stewart ain’t got nothin’ on me!

My firstborn Thomas turned FOUR years old this week  (SO big!).  He has recovered nicely from his pneumonia and was well enough to celebrate his birthday with 8 other children.  And can I just say that I am officially glad the other 3 weren’t able to come?  I love them, but it would have added a whole new level of chaos to the chaos.

It was a dinosaur party, and I was able to get most of the supplies, even for treat bags, at the Dollar Store.  Throw in a few plastic dinosaurs from Target, some balloons from Party City, and -BAM-  Dino-party!!!  Thomas has been waiting for this for MONTHS and was so very excited.  He has also been asking every day for over a month, “Am I 4 yet?  Am I 4 now?  How ’bout NOW?”

I had a little trouble with the writing!

Thomas has some mild sensory issues (like oral & tactile sensitivity) and doesn’t “do” birthday cake.  He doesn’t like the texture of cake, and icing makes him uncomfortable because he says, “It might get my hands all dirty!”  So I had a moment of brilliance and decided to make a Rice Krispie cake!  He eats those! (although I have no idea why!) 

He loved his “cake”.  (I had yummy brownies for the Mommies!)  I had to of course give him one of the squares with NO writing.  I thought I was all brilliant, the most resourceful sensory mom ever, offering this alternative.   Well, turns out there are some other creative moms out there who have devised similar “alternative birthday cakes” (like cinnamon rolls!).  Aren’t we all so clever!!! (and terribly humble)

Happy Birthday, Thomas!!

Thomas, my firstborn, turns 4 this week.  FOUR.  Before my eyes my adorable preschooler is slipping away forever and he is turning into a BOY.  I am so excited to see him grow, and so proud of the boy he is becoming, but I would be lying if I said I wasn’t also a little sad.  In honor of his birthday I post this video with the Thomas the Tank Engine theme song… AND a Happy Birthday serenade by 50 Cent.  I stumbled across it on YouTube and it cracked me up.  Some people have waaaay too much time on their hands!  I also would like to take this opportunity to share some of the latest “Thomas-isms”.  If I don’t write them down, I forget.  We think we won’t ever forget those precious memories, but believe me, we do. 

He has been really making me laugh lately with the way his little mind works.  For example, I was fixing his hair and commented on his cow-lick.  Confused, he asked, “What’s a cow-lick?”  And when I told him, he responded, “Ohhhh… why not a PIG-lick?”

LOL

Three TV commercials have made me laugh out loud this week.  One I can’t find (it was for soup, “Who’s ‘Num Yummy?’ “, another I can’t remember… but *tadah* here’s the third!!

 

Poor Paramus

For some reason this struck me as funny today.  Talk about random!

 

Not available in Utah or Paramus, New Jersey.