Project 1: Can You Take Water Out of the Air?

Welcome to the first project of the Saturday/Sunday Science Project. The project that our readers chose was: Can You Take Water Out of the Air? As a family we performed the experiment this afternoon and this is what happened. 

Intro (from the book)

Putting water into the air is something you have done often. For example, when you wash your hair, the water doesn't stay on your hair. It evaporates. But have you ever taken the water out of the air? Water vapor is in the air. When water vapor is cooled, it collects into water droplets. Here is a way to change water vapor to liquid water.

Materials                                             

• Empty metal can
• Water
• Ice cubes
• Spoon
• Paper towel
• Food coloring

Procedure

1. Fill the can halfway with cold water. Put in 3 drops of food coloring and stir. 

2. Add the ice cubes. Wipe the outside of the can with the paper towel. Make sure the can is dry. Wait a few minutes. 

Drawing conclusions (our answers are in green)

1. What forms on the outside of the can? Water droplets. What color are the drops? Clear.

2. Did they come from inside the can? How do you know? Previously speculated they had, but ultimately determined that they couldn't have possibly come from the can as the water in the can was blue and the water droplets were clear.

3. Where else have you seen water droplets collect? Lots of places, windows, soda cans, glasses, bathroom mirrors.

Two terms that the kids learned today, evaporation and condensation. 

Don't bother me, I'm hypothesizing!

 The kids had a great time doing this experiment, and we all learned about condensation. When I say we all learned, I include myself, as you can see if you watch the video we posted, I make a big mistake about where the water vapor came from. I have since corrected myself and informed Darren that he was right, that the water vapor was already in the air. As someone who loves science, it's embarrassing to admit that I missed something so basic, but now we know, and knowing is half the battle! 

Before our experiments this week, I found these great science experiment notebooks at the Learning Store we frequent, I figured they'd be a great way for the boys to document their experiments.

UPDATE! The Wheelchair Has Been Found!

Just received a call from Disneyland, apparently my wheelchair has been located! They were contacted by a couple in Fresno, who for some reason are just now figuring out that they have the wrong wheelchair. I still don't understand how that's possible, but I don't care, I'm getting my wheelchair back! Within a week it will be making the trip from Fresno to Disneyland, and I'll be picking it up as soon as they get it in. I'm also going to be investing in stickers, bumper stickers, and a chain with a lock to distinguish and protect my wheelchair from further instances of mistaken wheelchair.

You Get to Decide the Project!

Yes our few faithful readers, you will get to help us choose our science projects! Each week I will post a poll on what science project should be performed that week, and you will have a few days to vote for what you'd like to see us do. So what are you waiting for? Vote now!

Oh and here's a quick update on my knee. At my follow-up appointment today I learned that my ACL is also torn. Guess who's going back in for more surgery? This girl. 

Also as many of you are aware, today is the day of the largest internet protest in history. This protest is against the alleged "anti-piracy" legislation known as SOPA and PIPA. While you're exercising your right to vote for our projects, you should exercise your right to join the many voices in the protest. If you haven't already, please sign Google's Petition to End Piracy, Not Liberty. 

Brand New Day

It's a brand new day! Not to be confused with the song from the awesome "Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog," which I've been watching and singing along to a lot lately.

Last night as I went to bed, I started crying, the stress finally overwhelmed me, and depression was setting in. I've been fighting these negative feelings for a few months now, but the theft of the wheelchair finally broke my spirit. TJ, ever my knight in shining armor, held me and listened to me cry about the stresses in our lives and my frustration with our recent rotten luck. Afterwards, as I was trying to fall asleep, I was trying to figure out how to find some positive perspective in my life and find something positive to write about. Today I woke up, got through most of the day without my pain meds, and even went on a job interview (ironically for the State Disability office). After I got home my boys (TJ included) were waiting for me and we decided to run a few errands.

Since I haven't been out much, especially the past week, I decided we should stop by the Learning Store to look around. I love these stores, I could spend a fortune in there on fun science stuff, arts and crafts supplies, and teaching tools. I swear these stores are science nerd crack. Anyways, while we're browsing through the store, I come across the Science Fair section. I'm unsure if the boys will be required to do a project, but I decided to check it out anyway. I found these great little books with simple science projects, and I began to think how much fun it would be to do these with the kids. As I continue to browse through the store, I think more and more about how this could be a positive thing for me, not to mention the time spent with the kids. It would also give me something positive to write about, and bring this blog back to it's nerdy roots. For a while it seemed like the "Things or people that annoy us" blog. So science will be my therapy, a cathartic outlet for my frustrations.

The Saturday/Sunday Science Project

One day out of the weekend, we will do a science project as a family, and post our findings on here. I'll even try to get some pictures and video on here of our endeavors. We will be using the book: Steck-Vaughn Science Projects Grades 3-4

Darren holding our new project book

Update: The wheelchair is officially stolen

Here's my pathetic update, called Disneyland, my wheelchair was not turned in and is considered stolen at this point. Filed a police report, and complained all over the internet. Now to sit back and lose faith in humanity and fight the urge to throw myself a pity party.

And I thought people who are rude to those in wheelchairs were bad....

I really want to post a positive story on here, really I do. Apparently my luck just really sucks lately. If you read the blog regularly, you've read about my disdain for people who are rude or inconsiderate to those in wheelchairs, on crutches, etc etc. Many people who have spent time in a wheelchair or in need of physical assistance truly understand how hard it is, and would never knowingly hurt someone in a wheelchair. Or so you'd think, right?

Wrong. 

We normally spend Sunday mornings at Disney as a family (apparently we worship a mouse), and today was no exception. Today was extra special as my sister and her fiance joined us for our Disney fun. We were having a blast! Sure, my knee was killing me, but my sister and I had a great time cracking jokes throughout Indiana Jones and Pirates, and TJ and I kept screaming like the Twihards behind on us Space Mountain. We even checked out the new Jolly Holiday cafe, complete with stained glass penguins. Our only annoyance for the day at that point was the fact that we were tired of going to Kashyyyk (Wookie planet) and Naboo whenever we went on Star Tours (I'm dying for some Hoth). Anyways, we decided to ride Pirates, and as I'm still using my wheelchair for excursions like Disney, we used the wheelchair accessible entrance, parked our wheelchair and boarded our ship. As soon as we got off the ride, something was irritatingly wrong. My wheelchair was gone. We checked the area twice, but sure enough, it was gone. There were a few wheelchairs, one of them similar (but not really) to mine, and the rest totally different. We notified the cast members, who notified security, and tried to stay calm. 

At this point I'm thinking, "I'm sure they'll be back any minute, all embarrassed and saying 'whoops' and 'I'm sorry' and we can switch chairs and be on our way." By the time security had shown up, still no wheelchair. The very kind officer took my report, listened to me worry and fret a bit, reassured me it will be okay, and arranged for me to have a complimentary wheelchair until mine is found. In perfect timing, Pirates breaks down and every wheelchair is claimed but the one sort of resembling mine. Really, the only things our chairs had in common were the color and the small transport wheels. The other chair was thinner than mine, lacked the side satchel that hangs over the left arm rest, and had a different style of arm rests. Not to mention it was fairly old and used and mine is still new and shiny (oooh shiny). This brings a temporary relief, because we all assume that it was just a case of mistaken wheelchair, and that they'd be turning my wheelchair in at any time now. Just in case though, the officer takes me to Lost and Found to file a report, and I'm sent back into the park to try and enjoy the rest of my day. 

I tried, really I did. However, I spent most of my time there looking for my wheelchair, stalking people in burgundy wheelchairs, and hanging out near wheelchair access lines. After six hours and no wheelchair, I gave up. I spoke with security one more time and there are three things that may have happened. 

1. My chair was stolen. These people may have seen my chair as a free "upgrade" and I am now out a chair. 

2. They are not very bright, and may not be aware that they have the wrong chair. 

3. They know they have the wrong chair, but are too lazy and may dump it somewhere in the park sometime this evening. 

So now I wait. I will call Lost and Found tomorrow and see what has turned up. If it's there, I'll be relieved, though still incredibly annoyed I had to deal with this. If it's not, I have to file a police report, and hope I can get it replaced. 

Not like the wheelchair thief is going to read this, but if by some slim chance they could, here's what I'd say:

To the assholes that messed up my day, screw you. Sure you may have been confused and picked up the wrong chair at first, but seriously did you think the side bag appeared out of nowhere? Did you think your chair had magically widened? Or that someone had shined up your chair for you as a courtesy? Really? Or if you knowingly took it, why? I'm not riding in a wheelchair for shits and giggles, I need it! Of all people I think you would understand how important a wheelchair is to someone who uses it! I'd like to think maybe you needed it, but no, I need my chair, and you already had one. You know what you need? A conscience. Thanks for messing up my family's day. When I could have been enjoying rides with my family, I had to fill out paper work and give statements. Not to mention the great deal of stress and grief you brought my family today. I hope it was worth it, because I'd hate to be you when karma catches up to your ass.

The last picture of me in my chair. I miss my chair.....

Updates from the Couch

Hi everyone,

Not going to lie. Nothing extraordinary happened this week. So I'm just going to give an update about the knee surgery and submitting proof that my family does indeed have the worst luck ever. 

When we last wrote, we were preparing for my knee surgery (arthroscopic meniscal surgery) and being generally optimistic about the new year. My surgery was originally scheduled for January 10th at 11:45 AM, but the day before ended up being bumped up to 9:00 AM. This actually worked out a lot better, given that the boys would be in school during the whole procedure and post-op recovery. Sure enough though, things never work out the way they're supposed to. 

We went to bed around 11:00 PM, trying to fall asleep, which was difficult as I was as excited as a kid on Christmas eve. Finally though, we slept until we heard retching sounds in the kids' bathroom at around 3:00 AM. Next thing we hear is a pitiful sounding Darren saying, "Mom....TJ....I'm not feeling good."

I'm sure wherever you're reading this from, that there have been nasty stomach bugs going around. According to my Facebook feed, many of my friends from all over the country have been hit with these nasty viruses, and sure enough just hours before my surgery, my son had been hit with it too. 

TJ decided to let me sleep so he could care for Darren and eventually they were both able to sleep. We were hoping that Darren would be feeling up to going to school when he got up, and figured that we didn't need to panic just yet. At 6:00 AM that all changed. As we got up to get ready to go to the hospital and get the kids ready for school, we realized that TJ was now sick with the stomach virus. We began to panic and tried to figure out how to get through the day. We called for reinforcements (both of our moms) but with the morning traffic they wouldn't arrive in time to help. The kids made it off to school, though poor Darren had a rough day since he was still recovering and also very worried about my surgery. TJ was such a trooper and stayed by my side, even though he wasn't feeling well himself. As they were getting my IV into place, TJ almost passed out, and for a little while, he was my neighbor on the gurney next to me.

After joking with my geeky, yet fun anesthesiologist, I was finally ready for surgery. Next thing I know, I woke up, and in a great deal of pain. I have a resistance to pain medication, and it took three different pain medications to finally dull the pain. This became quite an issue later as I battled with my doctor (who couldn't even grace me with his presence) over the pain medication prescription, I lost. As far as the surgery, I'm assuming it went well, as I mentioned before, my doctor didn't take the time to speak with me or TJ, so I'm sure I'll find out more after my appointment on Wednesday. 

The recovery is going well so far, it's painful and the recovery is slow, but I'm able to bend my knee as I walk, and I can walk on my own for up to 5 minutes at a time. I'm still stuck on the couch more than I'd like to be, however I've made a discovery that will make this recovery far easier. Netflix has Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis, as well as every Star Trek episode ever made!

So there you have it, we survived the day of the surgery, and I'm on the road to recovery, hopefully we'll have more exciting and fun things to share in the future, until then you have to deal with the updates from the couch. 

Lessons from Disneyland: Kindness and Courtesy to Disabled Guests

I've actually learned a lot about people by going to Disneyland. Sounds crazy but it's true. Ever since my knee injury in November, I've been on crutches, and for longer excursions to the mall and Disneyland, we invested in a small transport wheelchair. 

I know some Disney fans out there may be thinking "Sweet! You get to use the Guests with Disabilities line! Shorter lines! No walking!" And I'm here to tell you, it's not all it's cracked up to be. To begin with, in the bathrooms there are only one or two stalls for those with disabilities, and sadly I've had to wait quite a few times while a mom uses the bathroom as her private changing room for her kids. Another downside is the looks of disgust and hate from guests in the regular line as I roll up. These looks are probably for two reasons, one, most of the time I did not have to wait as long as they did; and two, most of the time they have to slow the ride down so I can get on safely. I've also heard a few rude remarks about me, "She doesn't look like she belongs in a wheelchair! I'm sure she's fine! Why do people in wheelchairs get priority over everyone else?" Sadly, I've heard the last comment a lot. Which is downright depressing that people think those who are disabled (either temporarily or permanently) are second class citizens.

If anyone reading this has ever been in a wheelchair or has had to push one, you know that they do not maneuver very well in crowds, and yet people expect to go right through us and have ran into the chair (both moving and stationary). I've also witnessed people trying to cut ahead of us in lines for things like elevators, bathrooms, and food. This wheelchair may mean I'm disabled in my knee, but not disabled in the mind. 

Another classic thing I've seen happen not only to me, but other guests in wheelchairs are people trying to block our view of shows, fireworks, and parades. They will literally stand in front of us, which leaves little recourse other than to politely ask someone to move. Many people are surprisingly rude about it, and a woman attempted to start a confrontation with TJ over it. 

There's also the case of not being aware of those in wheelchairs, I can't tell you how many people have crashed into me, almost fallen on me, whacked me in the head with a bag or elbow, or run out in front of us as we're moving. I've seen so many small children almost get run over by us, because their parents were not holding on to them, and most of the time, we get the dirty look, as if we're gunning for rogue children. Perhaps I should start adding hash marks to the side of the wheelchair for every hit we get?

Finally, something I've seen both in Disneyland and out of Disneyland, are people standing idly by as someone in a wheelchair, on crutches, or using a cane or walker, struggles to get through a door, or needs assistance in another way. Thankfully, there are people who will rush to the assistance (a very kind man that rushed through half of Starbucks to open a door for me comes to mind), but most of the time I struggle through the door as people watch in amusement. 

I can't wait for my time as a temporarily disabled person to end, and I'm thankful it will end, and when it does, I'll make sure that I extend kindness and courtesy to all I encounter as I've rolled a mile in their wheels and understand the frustration and rudeness they experience.

2012 Reflections and Resolutions

Happy New Year everyone! Hope the first day of 2012 has been good to you! These are our annual R&R's aka: Reflections & Resolutions. Here we go!

Nicole's R&R

This year I learned to take a step back and look at things from a different perspective. This was incredibly useful when dealing with conflicts or disagreements. I also learned to back up everything I say, and how to properly discuss and debate. I learned to keep my head up and keep moving forward, no matter how hard things got. I learned to ask for help and depend on others, and how pride isn't necessarily a good thing. 

My resolutions for the year are to get through my surgery and work towards strengthening my knee after it is repaired. I want to get back my stamina and be active again. I hope to complete some hikes this summer, if my knee is ready. I also resolve to continue my education, as well as assist in the education of my children. I also would like to become more "crunchy" and be more aware of my carbon footprint. I resolve to continue volunteering in various organizations to help make a difference. My final resolution for the year, is everyday tell TJ  how special he is to me, and how much I love him.

TJ's

2011 Reflection:
Well after having a rocky start (first half (ok 2/3)) I find myself building back up again. The last year was tough but with support from the ones who love me I made it through. I can honestly say that I would not want to go through last year without the one I love.

2012 Resolution:
This year I want to continue building, make new friends and keep being the awesome (so I'm told) person I am.