Yesterday, whilewaiting for the bus from the induction center, I noted a few young high schoolstudents waiting as well. These girls were obviously, clutching theirinduction-center bus passes, finishing a morning of processing at the center. One was laughingwith her friend, making a TON of noise. Read More »

Today I took her papers to the induction center, without the needed stamp (because the court clerks WERE striking), and very quickly (and in a friendly manner) the lady soldier there took care of the entire matter. I KNEW that there wasn’t REALLY a problem, so why did I obsess about it…….. Read More »

[image: Israeli ID card.] The first step in tackling Ricki’s army deferment was to obtain an identity card for her. AllIsraelis have one (except children, who are listed on their parents’ card). Ihad actually filled out an application form with Ricki once, simply to give herexperience in working through official papers. Read More »

Prolog: In Israel, the draft is mandatory. Sosure enough, Ricki received her draft notice about half a year ago, and I tookit to her school. The girls in her school routinely receive a deferment, notbecause of their disability, as you might expect. Read More »

I mentioned about two weeks ago that Ricki was “on strike” and not going to school. (See HERE ) It took us about a week to get her back into attending classes, but in order to do so we unfortunately had to reach a compromise with her that allows her to take a bus to school, rather than walk the three and a half blocks. Read More »

The new nutrician guidlines are out… see HERE / You will find there available for download and /or printing, the new “my plate” nutrition plate, as well as resources relating to the newer type of nutrition pyramid. Personally, for a full-day’s recording and planning I prefer the OLD pyramid, simply because you can divide it up any way. Read More »

Today is my turn to host Haveil Havalim, a roundup of posts from the Jewish blogsphere, carnival style. I really received very few submissions so I added in one or two that I found as well…. Read More »

Last night we had a family meeting. I think that I wrote, ages ago, about our family meetings, but was not able to conjure up the post via the search tab. Read More »

A lot has been written lately about the frictions and diversity of different groups in Israel. But one group has truly been the victims of intolerance and blanket generalizations : those with intellectual disabilities. If a person with intellectual disabilities gets on a bus, chances are big that the seat next to him will remain unoccupied. Read More »

My son who is currently living in the US has come for a visit, and the army graciously allowed “Y” to come home for a few days to visit with him. (“D” is already home, as he is basically finished with his regular army service. Now he will only need to serve occaisionally, as a reserve soldier. Read More »

Ricki is on strike- or so it seems. Today was the fifth day in a row that she has refused to attend school. One reason is because it is cold outside, and she doesn’t enjoy the walk to school*. Secondly there is a new girl in her class that she has issues with. Read More »

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After having visited the specialist in the hospital on Tuesday, I needed to take the consultation and recommendations that she made to Ricki’s pediatrician on Wednesday. There was no need for Ricki to accompany me, so I left Ricki in care of her father while I popped next door (a 2 minute walk) to the doctor’s office. Read More »

Yesterday I took Ricki to a check-up at one of the local hospitals. I checked online the evening before to ascertain where and when I could catch the bus, but in the end we missed it due to extreme dawdling on Ricki’s part. She was “cold” (yes, it WAS a bit windy), and kept ducking into the entrance of buildings on our way to the bus stop. Read More »

Sunday evening I think I received more compliments in the space of two hours than I have in any other two-hour period! I was at a function where several of my friends who HAVEN’T seen me for at least a year and a half where present. So comments on my weight loss came thick and fast. Read More »

I had a class I wanted to attend the other evening. Ricki’s Dad was home, so she was not alone, but she would need to entertain herself. So before I left I gave her a work booklet on the topic of “The Sabbath”, so that she would have something to do. On my return, Ricki showed me the work she had done. Read More »

[image: Ricki along with craft work done over Hanukkah: ] Here is Ricki proudly showing off her work….(By her right hand, by her head, and on the clear window also.)You can find more of “Special Exposure Wednesday HERE . Read More »

So, after what happened yesterday, I sat down with Ricki and had a long discussion with her. The topic is not a new one, but perhaps her willingness to listen was. First we talked about what people value in others, and how true worth comes from one’s actions. Read More »

This morning as I was nearly sprinting down the street (it WAS downhill) on my aerobic walk, a couple obviously from out of town stopped me. “Where is the bus to Jerusalem?” I inwardly groaned; this stop was going to kill my aerobic count on my pedometer, as I had left Ricki’s school about 5 minutes before. Read More »

I was looking through some old photos and suddenly I SAW myself from exactly 3 years ago. I was agast! And pleased that today I am only 10 kilos more than half of what I once weighed.[image: Rickismom: left in January 2009, right in Late December 2011) But I kept the same smile…. Read More »