I managed to clean a good portion of our bedroom today. This has been a total pigsty and seems to be forever the depository for EVERYTHING! It looks so much better now that we can see the floor. Go me!
Tomorrow I'm hosting the first meeting of a playgroup I joined just for MOMS Club members for J. I'm very excited. When I first joined MOMS Club and we started age based playgroups, I wasn't too interested mainly because I wanted to see lots of different moms, not the same ones over and over, and I thought by not joining I would keep my options open. But, unfortunately, almost everyone who was active joined one, and little by little, attendance at open playgroups dropped significantly. In August (or maybe July) I had hosted two events and NO ONE RSVPed. Gee, I didn't feel like a loser at all. :) Okay, maybe a little. I know, I know, it was summertime, a lot of people were away, blah, blah, blah, but still. In any case, it certainly seems that in our chapter, one of the ways to develop close friendships is to join an age-based playgroup. I've heard of playgroups doing their own Moms' Nights Outs (something that the chapter has for everyone once a month but is often poorly attended) in addition to their twice a month playgroups and then some. Bottom line, obviously I have decided if you can't beat them, join them.
And one more thing: had my friend Heather and her kids over yesterday and we played in the back yard. Even though I thoroughly sprayed myself with bug spray, I was clearly eaten alive. I'm going nuts over here!!!
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Organization or Chaos?
I watched Wife Swap last night and have a question for all of you: do you feel better when your house is in order or when it is in chaos?
I opted to stay home from the gym today (I'll still get in my three days this week - yesterday, Thursday, and Friday - now that I figured out that I don't always have to do the (9:30 - 10:30 class that I love but CAN do the express woman's circuit workout) so I can get some stuff in order. DN-J went down for a nap as soon as we got home. I did another load of laundry (finally caught up), balanced the checkbook, and am now about to tackle my bedroom (it's bad, really bad). I'm striving to have a big obvious difference before DH gets home. Not only will he be thrilled, I'LL be thrilled!!!
On Wife Swap's season premiere, they had a woman who is a professional organizer, and EVERYTHING was super organized and had a place inside her house. Now I'm not saying that I would make my family work on cleaning ALL the time, but I really liked seeing her labeled containers for everything, and her labels even in the refrigerator and cabinets so EVERYONE knew where groceries should get placed (that would help a LOT!). I didn't quite get the other mom's reaction that she needed to bring chaos into this world. So what about you?
I opted to stay home from the gym today (I'll still get in my three days this week - yesterday, Thursday, and Friday - now that I figured out that I don't always have to do the (9:30 - 10:30 class that I love but CAN do the express woman's circuit workout) so I can get some stuff in order. DN-J went down for a nap as soon as we got home. I did another load of laundry (finally caught up), balanced the checkbook, and am now about to tackle my bedroom (it's bad, really bad). I'm striving to have a big obvious difference before DH gets home. Not only will he be thrilled, I'LL be thrilled!!!
On Wife Swap's season premiere, they had a woman who is a professional organizer, and EVERYTHING was super organized and had a place inside her house. Now I'm not saying that I would make my family work on cleaning ALL the time, but I really liked seeing her labeled containers for everything, and her labels even in the refrigerator and cabinets so EVERYONE knew where groceries should get placed (that would help a LOT!). I didn't quite get the other mom's reaction that she needed to bring chaos into this world. So what about you?
Monday, September 18, 2006
The Secret Ingredient
Sunday we had my grandfather's unveiling. For all of you non-Jewish readers, an unveiling marks the end of the official mourning process. My grandfather died in January, and we selected yesterday for the family to get together again at the cemetary and "unveil" the gravestone for all to see. We talked about him, said some prayers, and then went back to my parents' and, like in all Jewish events, ate!
One of my jobs to prepare for the day was to make sweet and sour meatballs. Saturday I sat at my table and made up five pounds of meatballs. I used my family's special recipe. It has been kept secret for years and years, but I will share it with you now: two cans of tomato soup for every one can of whole berry cranberry sauce. There you go. I know, really complicated.
Anyway, despite a minor problem in the beginning stages of cooking, they simmered for the rest of the day and were delicious.
As we were all sitting around eating lunch on Sunday, my relatives all asked me what was different, what did I add this time that made it so special. What was my secret? I finally sat them all down and told them:
Once all the meatballs and sauce are in the large stock pot, turn the burner on high and walk away. Make sure you stay away for five minutes longer than you really should, long enough for the bottom to burn. THEN and only then is it okay to lower the temperature to low and let the meatballs simmer.
And there you have it - the secret, special ingredient to give it that smoky taste. Delicious!
One of my jobs to prepare for the day was to make sweet and sour meatballs. Saturday I sat at my table and made up five pounds of meatballs. I used my family's special recipe. It has been kept secret for years and years, but I will share it with you now: two cans of tomato soup for every one can of whole berry cranberry sauce. There you go. I know, really complicated.
Anyway, despite a minor problem in the beginning stages of cooking, they simmered for the rest of the day and were delicious.
As we were all sitting around eating lunch on Sunday, my relatives all asked me what was different, what did I add this time that made it so special. What was my secret? I finally sat them all down and told them:
Once all the meatballs and sauce are in the large stock pot, turn the burner on high and walk away. Make sure you stay away for five minutes longer than you really should, long enough for the bottom to burn. THEN and only then is it okay to lower the temperature to low and let the meatballs simmer.
And there you have it - the secret, special ingredient to give it that smoky taste. Delicious!
Friday, September 15, 2006
Thursday Thirteen
 |
1. I have to make meatballs tonight for my grandfather's unveiling, which means I have to go out and buy the ingredients for the sauce. Five pounds worth should be enough. 2. Need to do more laundry. 3. I have to create a chart to try to find a baseline of when A goes to the bathroom in his pull-ups so we can start trying to "habit train" him. 4. I also need to create a "Get up and go" chart and a "Going to bed" chart for him. 5. I have to look over A's IEP and make sure he's getting the services he is supposed to be getting. 6. I have to look into reconvening A's IEP team so we can get goals on there for potty training and for all of his sensory issues. 7. I'm really tired. 8. Weighed myself today on the new digital scale I just bought. I never owned a scale as an adult since I used to have an eating disorder and was totally obsessed with the numbers. But since I'm definitely overweight now, I don't think it's a problem. I need to lose 22 pounds. It was 24 pounds before I worked out, so I'm defintely going to get in the habit of weighing myself AFTER I work out. 9. J is all of a sudden having a hard time separating from me. 10. I went back to the gym today and HAVE to work going regularly into my schedule. 11. Did I mention I'm tired? 12. The house is a MESS. 13. I have to figure out a way to get the rest of the summer's projects accomplished before NEXT summer. On the plus side, my sister is taking the kids tonight for a sleepover. DH isn't really up to doing too much, so we might not even go out, but woohoo!!! Links to other Thursday Thirteens! |
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Who Would Have Guessed It?
My boys were 2 1/2 when I took them to preschool for the first time. J was six months old, so I carried her into their room in her carrier and watched while the boys ran into the room and began playing immediately, barely looking back. They were so excited to start school.
My nephew was 2 when he started school. He was already used to "school" since he had attended daycare twice a week when J was very young because I couldn't handle him four full days a week yet. Again, he barely looked back as he entered the room, mainly because we had already dropped the boys off down the hall in their classroom. Plus, we were at the boys' classroom from last year - how exciting! All year last year, we had to pull J out of both the boys' classroom and DN-A's classroom. We joked about how ready she was to start school.
So who would have guessed that out of all four kids, J would be the one to cling to me and tell me not to leave?!!
Okay, all four kids are at school. DN-J is sleeping. DH is still home (recovering from his surgery) and is now self-sufficient. It has been a tough week, but luckily I FINALLY got a good night's sleep last night (out of sheer exhaustion) and am feeling ready to go today. I've already gotten a load of laundry washed and it's in the dryer and another one in the washer. I chose to stay home today (instead of hitting the gym) in order to clean (woohoo) and, of course, to update my blog so I won't get accused of slacking again. I'm going to try to do a "crisis cleaning" because I will feel so much better when I can get everything cleaned up! All right, here goes!
My nephew was 2 when he started school. He was already used to "school" since he had attended daycare twice a week when J was very young because I couldn't handle him four full days a week yet. Again, he barely looked back as he entered the room, mainly because we had already dropped the boys off down the hall in their classroom. Plus, we were at the boys' classroom from last year - how exciting! All year last year, we had to pull J out of both the boys' classroom and DN-A's classroom. We joked about how ready she was to start school.
So who would have guessed that out of all four kids, J would be the one to cling to me and tell me not to leave?!!
Okay, all four kids are at school. DN-J is sleeping. DH is still home (recovering from his surgery) and is now self-sufficient. It has been a tough week, but luckily I FINALLY got a good night's sleep last night (out of sheer exhaustion) and am feeling ready to go today. I've already gotten a load of laundry washed and it's in the dryer and another one in the washer. I chose to stay home today (instead of hitting the gym) in order to clean (woohoo) and, of course, to update my blog so I won't get accused of slacking again. I'm going to try to do a "crisis cleaning" because I will feel so much better when I can get everything cleaned up! All right, here goes!
Monday, September 11, 2006
Decisions, decisions
School is such a wonderful thing. I forgot how nice it was to have relative quiet time at home during the day. J, DN-J and I came back home after dropping the boys off for their first day of school. DN-J went down for a nap, and J started coloring. I was able to get a load of laundry folded and put away, gather up another load, even put all their sandwiches on their plates with cut up fruit. So nice!
Tomorrow DH has surgery to correct his sleep apnea. It's same day surgery, though we won't know what time it's scheduled for until 3:00 when he calls. I'm having such a tough time figuring the logistics of this all out. He wants me to go to the hospital with him in the morning. I totally understand that, but what do I do with the kids?!! They will all (except for DN-J) be in school from 9 until 1 (I'm paying for them all to have lunch that day), so at least that part of the day is covered. My concern is what do I do if DH needs to be at the hospital BEFORE 9? DH's parents will be meeting him at the hospital and will be with him all day, but he wants me there too. Oh, this is so hard. The really tough part is that tomorrow is J's very first day of school. This is a huge deal, and while I doubt sincerely she will have a hard time, but I want to be there! And I want to be there with DH too. I'm so torn. How do you choose between your children and your husband?!!!
Tomorrow DH has surgery to correct his sleep apnea. It's same day surgery, though we won't know what time it's scheduled for until 3:00 when he calls. I'm having such a tough time figuring the logistics of this all out. He wants me to go to the hospital with him in the morning. I totally understand that, but what do I do with the kids?!! They will all (except for DN-J) be in school from 9 until 1 (I'm paying for them all to have lunch that day), so at least that part of the day is covered. My concern is what do I do if DH needs to be at the hospital BEFORE 9? DH's parents will be meeting him at the hospital and will be with him all day, but he wants me there too. Oh, this is so hard. The really tough part is that tomorrow is J's very first day of school. This is a huge deal, and while I doubt sincerely she will have a hard time, but I want to be there! And I want to be there with DH too. I'm so torn. How do you choose between your children and your husband?!!!
Friday, September 08, 2006
I'm tired
I have been so tired the last two days I don't know what to do.
This morning I even was a "Bad Mommy" and laid down while my three watched tv. It was their regular tv time, so it's not like I feel anything's wrong with them watching tv once in a while. I actually fell asleep for an hour or so, interrupted numerous time, of course. I did eventually take the kids to the library (since I only have my three today, it wasn't too bad) so I could at least DO something with them. In a little bit we're headed to the mall to attempt to get our family portrait taken. Keep your fingers crossed that we get something we can use!
I can't figure out why I'm so tired all the time. It could be the new anti-depressant, it could be my thyroid (need to get my bloodwork done), it could be I'm getting overwhelmed by all I need to do. I don't know - I guess I need to start with the medical causes and see if that might be the reason. And maybe I'll go to bed before 10.
Okay, time to brush the kids' hair and get them into the car!
This morning I even was a "Bad Mommy" and laid down while my three watched tv. It was their regular tv time, so it's not like I feel anything's wrong with them watching tv once in a while. I actually fell asleep for an hour or so, interrupted numerous time, of course. I did eventually take the kids to the library (since I only have my three today, it wasn't too bad) so I could at least DO something with them. In a little bit we're headed to the mall to attempt to get our family portrait taken. Keep your fingers crossed that we get something we can use!
I can't figure out why I'm so tired all the time. It could be the new anti-depressant, it could be my thyroid (need to get my bloodwork done), it could be I'm getting overwhelmed by all I need to do. I don't know - I guess I need to start with the medical causes and see if that might be the reason. And maybe I'll go to bed before 10.
Okay, time to brush the kids' hair and get them into the car!
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Thursday Thirteen
 |
I'm too tired to think of some creative topic, or even think of things I like about myself (see Shannon's contest if you're interested), so here are the random things running through my mind right now. 1. A just brought me a videotape. When I told him we're not watching anything in my room, he said, "I thought you wanted to watch the Wiggles." Yeah, that's right, Mommy, it's for you. Yeah. 2. I took all five to school today to meet their teachers. J was SOOOO thrilled to finally be going to school. Every time I mentioned anything about today, her whole face lit up. She will be going T/Th mornings and all three boys will be going all five mornings. What will I do with myself? Don't worry, that is purely a rhetorical question. 3. I'm tired. 4. I have to go to bed EARLY tonight. Being this tired during the day is NOT okay! We have too much to do. 5. Religious School starts Sunday, Hebrew school starts (for me) Tuesday with a different level that I'm teaching on Wednesday. I have a LOT of planning and prep work to do!!! 6. I think I have a mother's helper for Saturday to come with me so I can scrap with a bunch of friends for a few hours. There is a nursery in the church we meet in and I can let my kids play there with the 13 year old girl. I'll be available to help. I'll call her when I'm done - she should be home from school. 7. I had Hebrew orientation Tuesday night and Religious school orientation Wednesday night. Very excited to begin the new school year. I have LOTS of new ideas to try. 8. I would LOVE three uninterrupted hours to plan. It's not going to happen before Sunday, but I would LOVE it!! 9. When am I going to get the time I need to plan out the year and make detailed plans for at least the first week for each of my three classes?! 10. DH won't be home until 6 tonight. He left his cell phone here by accident so I can't even call him. I was out at the orientations the last two nights. Think he'll go for me going out as soon as he gets home to go plan? Hmmmm... 11. We're getting our family picture taken tomorrow afternoon (trying to make that a yearly tradition around this time). 12. What a great way to make a first impression with the other moms in J's class: "Umm...by any chance do you have a tampon or pad?" 13. Some days I can look around the house and see the various places where I've done a great job organizing. Most days, I look around the house and see all the crap that still needs to get done. Guess what kind of day this is. Links to other Thursday Thirteens! |
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Updates
Thanks, M-J, for the simple update idea!
Transitioning back into the "back to school" mentality, being in charge all day, every day - it's tough! I'm tired!!! Have to set up that darn TiVo I got because I KNOW that will help get me in bed earlier than I did last night.
Last night had our Hebrew School orientation. This was the first time Hebrew School was separate from religious school for the orientation, so we had to time to delve into specific teaching ideas to help the kids gain more understanding of each prayer that we work on.
I have a whole blog post to write about faith and Judaism and religion. I'm not up for it now, nor do I have the time, but I have lots of thoughts about the subject and am not sure how to write them in a way that won't put some people on the defensive. Guess I just need to go back to the fact that this blog is first and foremost for me, a place to put down my thoughts. More to come on this topic.
I have Religious School orientation tonight. I had picked up a bunch of books from our education director on teaching Hebrew in the context of prayer yesterday, all that I had learned about from a workshop I went to last week. Today I have to remember to actually pick up all my text books/teacher guides so I can start planning. After all, school starts on Sunday!
I have some exciting new ideas that I want to implement in my Hebrew School classroom. But as usual, everything takes time that I don't have to set it up. I'll figure it out. I have to!
I better go. I have to send out an e-mail to begin fundraising for the 5K walk for Cure Autism Now. We created a family team - have to make sure all the family registers and starts raising their own money, too.
Transitioning back into the "back to school" mentality, being in charge all day, every day - it's tough! I'm tired!!! Have to set up that darn TiVo I got because I KNOW that will help get me in bed earlier than I did last night.
Last night had our Hebrew School orientation. This was the first time Hebrew School was separate from religious school for the orientation, so we had to time to delve into specific teaching ideas to help the kids gain more understanding of each prayer that we work on.
I have a whole blog post to write about faith and Judaism and religion. I'm not up for it now, nor do I have the time, but I have lots of thoughts about the subject and am not sure how to write them in a way that won't put some people on the defensive. Guess I just need to go back to the fact that this blog is first and foremost for me, a place to put down my thoughts. More to come on this topic.
I have Religious School orientation tonight. I had picked up a bunch of books from our education director on teaching Hebrew in the context of prayer yesterday, all that I had learned about from a workshop I went to last week. Today I have to remember to actually pick up all my text books/teacher guides so I can start planning. After all, school starts on Sunday!
I have some exciting new ideas that I want to implement in my Hebrew School classroom. But as usual, everything takes time that I don't have to set it up. I'll figure it out. I have to!
I better go. I have to send out an e-mail to begin fundraising for the 5K walk for Cure Autism Now. We created a family team - have to make sure all the family registers and starts raising their own money, too.
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Thursday Thirteen
|
This time of year is tough. DH started back at school on Monday, and now I'm left with all of the projects that I wanted to accomplish and no way to do them. Plus he just told me that he'll be having Saturday rehearsals all day every Saturday. I used to get Saturday mornings to myself to do whatever (and he got Friday afternoons). I'm REALLY going to miss that. PLUS that means that I can't get together with friends one Saturday a month to scrapbook, something I had really really really liked doing! Anyway, I had trouble going to sleep last night (and therefore feel tired today, even though I had two great friends over for a playdate and lunch this morning) because I have so many things I want/need to do running through my mind. This is the list: 1. Create visual schedule for A (my son who has Asperger's) 2. Create stop signs to put on things he's not supposed to open 3. Figure out how to get an advocate for him (I know there are lots of you who read this who might have this info) 4. Apply for medical assistance 5. Find out about our rights regarding an issue we're facing with him (don't know who involved with this might be reading the blog, so I'll stay discrete until we try to deal with this on our own) 6. Begin sending out e-mails to fundraise for WalkNow, raising funds for Autism research (Asperger's is on the spectrum) 7. Get A's physical therapy scheduled. 8. Contact the IU to set up a meeting with the Occupational Therapist, who we're supposed to be consulting with once a month 9. Read the new potty training book we just got in the mail so we can begin to implement the strategies 10. Contact the mom of the other child in A's class who has autism (much more severe, also has a full-time aide) to have her over and "pick her brain" 11. Create some "social stories" for A to read to him (and the other kids) about personal space and even about using the potty 12. Create a "Get Up and Go Chart" (Yes, I watch SuperNanny!) for all the kids (but really for A's benefit since the other kids don't seem to need this, though it won't hurt them) that spells out what has to happen in the morning and then at night before the go downstairs or go to bed. 13. Try to find a good support group in the area for parents of kids with Asperger's so I can bounce ideas off people. Wow, and that's just A. I also have lots to do to prep for a new year in Hebrew School (LOTS of great new ideas!), Sunday School, and Yaldai Sholom (the Friday Preschool Shabbat program I run); personal stuff for myself like figuring out the basic new diet that my fabulous friend figured out based on all the info on line from the Mayo Clinic; household stuff like trying to finish the projects that are complete yet; etc., etc., etc. . . . . AARGH! Okay, enough whining, just gotta do it! Links to other Thursday Thirteens! |
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
My update so you can all get your heads out of the gutter
To get Heather's head out of the gutter and so I won't be accused of slacking again by one of my favorite lurkers (you know who you are!) I better update my blog!
Yesterday was an off day for me. I was up too late the night before (no details are going to be shared about that - you already know way too much about my sex life!) and DH went back to work, which meant so did I. That would have been fine, but I spent ALL day Sunday finishing the living room walls (which look incredible, thank you!) and some other painting. I just couldn't get my butt in gear. Plus, we had nothing planned for the day. I find if I don't plan something (a playdate or an outing of some kind), get something on the calendar for us to do, we barely do anything. I literally was on the couch most of the morning reading and referreeing as needed. Bad Mommy. And I know I'm entitled to these kinds of days once in a while, but I don't feel so good about myself when I do.
So since I clearly needed a pick me up, as soon as DN-A and J were napping, DN-J was playing in her exasaucer (whoever invented that is a genius!) and the boys were having "quiet time", I made myself a cup of Chai tea with lots of sugar and that perked me up enough to get moving.
Therefore I didn't go to bed last night until I had breakfasts prepped (cereal in three bowls with lids, nothing complicated), lunches made for each of the kids AND for me (a sandwich for each of them, but of course they were all extra hungry today and needed TWO sandwiches), and dinner in the crockpot. Just doing that makes a HUGE difference the next day.
I'm starting my diet again today. I have just been too out of control with my eating to not monitor what I eat. Making my lunch the night before helped sooo much since usually I end up grabbing the fastest thing I can so I can eat my lunch before they need me again. I'll have to make sure to do that again tonight.
Since obviously I do better when we have scheduled activities to look forward to, I got on-line and started e-mailing various people to set up stuff for the rest of this week. My fabulous friend was able to come over today and even took some GREAT digital picture of me with the kids that she is going to fool around to make my blog look nicer. Cannot wait to see what she comes up with!
Before I go get J who just woke up from her nap, these are some funny things heard around our household recently:
B: (matter of factly) Daddy, I'm going to say it one more time. I need you to make me another sandwich or I'm going to cry. You don't want me to start quiet time hungry.
J: Hi, Angry Mommy (in case you missed it last week)
A: Yeah, Baby!
Yesterday was an off day for me. I was up too late the night before (no details are going to be shared about that - you already know way too much about my sex life!) and DH went back to work, which meant so did I. That would have been fine, but I spent ALL day Sunday finishing the living room walls (which look incredible, thank you!) and some other painting. I just couldn't get my butt in gear. Plus, we had nothing planned for the day. I find if I don't plan something (a playdate or an outing of some kind), get something on the calendar for us to do, we barely do anything. I literally was on the couch most of the morning reading and referreeing as needed. Bad Mommy. And I know I'm entitled to these kinds of days once in a while, but I don't feel so good about myself when I do.
So since I clearly needed a pick me up, as soon as DN-A and J were napping, DN-J was playing in her exasaucer (whoever invented that is a genius!) and the boys were having "quiet time", I made myself a cup of Chai tea with lots of sugar and that perked me up enough to get moving.
Therefore I didn't go to bed last night until I had breakfasts prepped (cereal in three bowls with lids, nothing complicated), lunches made for each of the kids AND for me (a sandwich for each of them, but of course they were all extra hungry today and needed TWO sandwiches), and dinner in the crockpot. Just doing that makes a HUGE difference the next day.
I'm starting my diet again today. I have just been too out of control with my eating to not monitor what I eat. Making my lunch the night before helped sooo much since usually I end up grabbing the fastest thing I can so I can eat my lunch before they need me again. I'll have to make sure to do that again tonight.
Since obviously I do better when we have scheduled activities to look forward to, I got on-line and started e-mailing various people to set up stuff for the rest of this week. My fabulous friend was able to come over today and even took some GREAT digital picture of me with the kids that she is going to fool around to make my blog look nicer. Cannot wait to see what she comes up with!
Before I go get J who just woke up from her nap, these are some funny things heard around our household recently:
B: (matter of factly) Daddy, I'm going to say it one more time. I need you to make me another sandwich or I'm going to cry. You don't want me to start quiet time hungry.
J: Hi, Angry Mommy (in case you missed it last week)
A: Yeah, Baby!
Saturday, August 26, 2006
Woohoo!
If you are a family member or an IRL friend, you may not want to read this. I'm going to talk about... sex. Your choice, but don't read if it will make you feel weird. I use this as journal for myself, but truly don't care who reads it.
Still here?
Okay, you've been warned!
Sex used to hurt.
A lot.
After DH and I were married for about a year (we'd been together for four years before we got married), it gradually started to hurt. It didn't matter how I felt before hand, it was really painful. We tried everything we could think of, but really didn't know what was causing the pain. What made it even tougher was around this time we decided to begin trying to get pregnant. It wasn't until YEARS later that the pain was finally diagnosed as an actual disorder known as vulvadynia. We tried reading all about it, saw a specialist (yes, there IS a specialist in this), actually had physical therapy to correct problems with the pelvic floor which apparently went along with this. All the treatments eventually worked, on their own or in conjunction with taking acidophulus at the suggestion of one of my midwives. What a relief!!!
Through all this, we were seeing a fertility specialist for a couple years to try to get pregnant. Oh, all those internal ultrasounds hurts so bad! And I had to deal with so many of them. Eventually, five years after we started, I became pregnant with the boys. Sex was one of the last things on our minds. And then after the boys were born and I had lots of complications due to my eight weeks of bedrest and my bladder ruptering during my emergency c-section, and then dealing with premature twins, sex dropped even lower on our list of priorities.
So then throw depression into the mix.
I've suffered from major clinical depression on and off for YEARS. That's a whole other post that I will write someday. Throughout the whole inferitilty challenges, I'm sure it's no surprise that it came back full force. Surprisingly, the depression went away during both of my pregnancies and the post-partum period. In fact, while my hormones were clearly affected by nursing, I felt fine. Literally the month the boys weaned, I somehow became pregnant with J. What a shock that was! No interventions at all! But once she weaned completely, that was it - the depression was back.
Major clinical depression has a whole checklist of symptoms. I could check yes for each of them, including lack of libido. I began medication which helped the depression. But the libido did not come back. At all. Not even a little. Just wasn't worth the effort was my general attitude.
So recently I switched anti-depressants. It was a bitch to go off the one (Effexor), but I felt much better as soon as I started the new one (Celexa). And I'm thrilled to declare that my libido is completely back, and this time, there is no pain at all. Such a change for me. We've been married over eleven years. While we have had some good stetches, due to both the vulvadynia and the depression affecting my sex drive, it's been almost ten years since I have felt like this.
In addition to writing this blog for myself to serve as my memory and to give me a place to write my thoughts, I write this blog to connect with other moms out there. I know that every time I read something that I can identify with on someone else's blog, it feels like a validation for me, relief that someone else feels the same way. I recently found someone else who is currently suffering from Vulvadynia. I had NEVER met anyone else who had even heard of it, and I was thrilled to be able to share with her that it's possible to have a full recovery. I hope that this post may help someone else, whether someone suffering with pain or loss of libido, to know that help is out there, and you don't have to live with it.
As for me, I'm back, Baby! :)
Still here?
Okay, you've been warned!
Sex used to hurt.
A lot.
After DH and I were married for about a year (we'd been together for four years before we got married), it gradually started to hurt. It didn't matter how I felt before hand, it was really painful. We tried everything we could think of, but really didn't know what was causing the pain. What made it even tougher was around this time we decided to begin trying to get pregnant. It wasn't until YEARS later that the pain was finally diagnosed as an actual disorder known as vulvadynia. We tried reading all about it, saw a specialist (yes, there IS a specialist in this), actually had physical therapy to correct problems with the pelvic floor which apparently went along with this. All the treatments eventually worked, on their own or in conjunction with taking acidophulus at the suggestion of one of my midwives. What a relief!!!
Through all this, we were seeing a fertility specialist for a couple years to try to get pregnant. Oh, all those internal ultrasounds hurts so bad! And I had to deal with so many of them. Eventually, five years after we started, I became pregnant with the boys. Sex was one of the last things on our minds. And then after the boys were born and I had lots of complications due to my eight weeks of bedrest and my bladder ruptering during my emergency c-section, and then dealing with premature twins, sex dropped even lower on our list of priorities.
So then throw depression into the mix.
I've suffered from major clinical depression on and off for YEARS. That's a whole other post that I will write someday. Throughout the whole inferitilty challenges, I'm sure it's no surprise that it came back full force. Surprisingly, the depression went away during both of my pregnancies and the post-partum period. In fact, while my hormones were clearly affected by nursing, I felt fine. Literally the month the boys weaned, I somehow became pregnant with J. What a shock that was! No interventions at all! But once she weaned completely, that was it - the depression was back.
Major clinical depression has a whole checklist of symptoms. I could check yes for each of them, including lack of libido. I began medication which helped the depression. But the libido did not come back. At all. Not even a little. Just wasn't worth the effort was my general attitude.
So recently I switched anti-depressants. It was a bitch to go off the one (Effexor), but I felt much better as soon as I started the new one (Celexa). And I'm thrilled to declare that my libido is completely back, and this time, there is no pain at all. Such a change for me. We've been married over eleven years. While we have had some good stetches, due to both the vulvadynia and the depression affecting my sex drive, it's been almost ten years since I have felt like this.
In addition to writing this blog for myself to serve as my memory and to give me a place to write my thoughts, I write this blog to connect with other moms out there. I know that every time I read something that I can identify with on someone else's blog, it feels like a validation for me, relief that someone else feels the same way. I recently found someone else who is currently suffering from Vulvadynia. I had NEVER met anyone else who had even heard of it, and I was thrilled to be able to share with her that it's possible to have a full recovery. I hope that this post may help someone else, whether someone suffering with pain or loss of libido, to know that help is out there, and you don't have to live with it.
As for me, I'm back, Baby! :)
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Thursday Thirteen
 |
1. J is driving me nuts! I swear, I don't remember the boys being like this at 2 1/2! This morning she purposefully took her sippy cup of milk to the new area rug and started shaking it out onto the rug. I took her cup from her and gave her a washcloth to clean it up, but she refused. I told her that I was very angry with her and "helped" her clean it (took her hand on the washcloth and wiped it up with her). Five minutes later, I walked into the playroom where she was playing. She looked up at me, smiled, and said, "Hi, Angry Mommy!" 2. Not fair. I went to bed on time two nights ago. The kids all slept fine. Last night I fell asleep a half hour later than I should have and BOTH J and A had a really rough night, taking turns keeping us up for about 2-3 hours. 3. DN-A and DN-J are late. Wonder what's up with that. 4. Monday we went to the train museum. It was fabulous! DH was going to take them himself and I would stay behind and paint some more, but then I decided that I would kick myself if I missed out on this great family time. Really glad I went! 5. DH is in school today and yesterday for training on this new computer system. So it was back to work for me too. Big change to go back to not having any other adult to rely on during the day. 6. Took the kids (yes, all of them) to the bowling alley for a playdate yesterday. It was great seeing the other moms, but man, even though the kids were pretty well-behaved, it was still so tough! "Put that ball down, DN-A! B, that's not our lane! A, don't touch those buttons! J, stop poking the baby! Okay, whose turn is it now?" I am usually up for just about anything with the kids, but I don't think I'm trying that again until the boys are at least six. 7. Did a good job sticking to my personal schedule yesterday. 8. So far, today is looking good too! 9. The library is having some kind of "Read for the Record" storytime today, trying to break some record for something or other. Don't really get it, but don't care - an outing with the kids - woohoo! 10. DH is taking the kids all day Friday. What to do, what to do. 11. I think I will try to convince him to go OUT with them. I want to (read: NEED to for my own sanity) finish the painting! One more (I hope) coat in the dining room, the top coat in the living room, one more coat on the wardrobe - ambitious for one day (to say the least) but would LOVE to get it done once and for all! 12. DN-A and DN-J just got here (about an hour later than usual). Put the baby down for a nap right away because I plan to leave the house in about 45 minutes. Hopefully she'll fall asleep right away. 13. Amazing how the addition of DN-A with the rest of my kids changes the dynamic immediately! Leave your link if you also have written a Thursday Thirteen! I love reading comments! |
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Works-For-Me Wednesday
The phrase "I'll be so surprised . . ." can be heard a lot around our house these days. A has never been very responsive if simply requested to do something. In fact, when he was around a year and a half, we actually go his hearing checked to make sure nothing was wrong. He was fine, just ignoring us. Now that we know he has Asperger's, we're learning that there might be another reason why he doesn't come if we call him.
However, if we phrase a request as "I'll be so surprised if A _____ before _____" not only will A do it quickly, no one ends up angry. And he loves doing it, whatever it may be, before our time limit, and then yelling, "Surprise!"
Works for me!
Everybody's going back to school but me
I'm usually really content with the choices I've made in my life.
I really do enjoy being home with my kids, and can't imagine arranging my life so that someone else would raise them (not that I'm knocking that for other people, it's just not for me). That being said, this time of year is always tough for me.
Before kids, this was a crazy time for me, filled with anticipation and new ideas as I got my classroom ready for a new year. For the most part, I don't have that anymore. I'm trying to get excited about some new ideas I have for Hebrew School (which I will be teaching both on Tuesdays AND Wednesdays), but it's not really the same since each class only meets for an hour and a half once a week. And I'm planning out all the projects for the year for Yaldai Sholom, the preschool parent/child Shabbat program I'll be running again, and I'll be searching for new ideas to try with my Kindergarten Sunday School class. I really enjoy all the part time teaching I do, but it is not the same as being a full time classroom teacher.
Most teacher colleagues I know take the year off that they have a child and then start back to work. I wonder how things would have been if I had chosen to do that. I guess that's part of life, second guessing your choices at times. But ultimately, being satisfied with what I'm doing, the compromises I have made so I can teach a little and still be home with the kids, that is the most important thing of all.
Of course, it doesn't help that I STILL have back to school nightmares this time of year! Last night it was that I went back to school to teach and I had apparently forgotten to go for the last three weeks. Everyone was somewhat put off by that (understandably) so I just tried to ease back into teaching my class even though everything was really off. Very disturbing dream, and not too hard to interpret.
Alright, the kids' tv time is almost done. Let me go downstairs and do something educational with them.
I really do enjoy being home with my kids, and can't imagine arranging my life so that someone else would raise them (not that I'm knocking that for other people, it's just not for me). That being said, this time of year is always tough for me.
Before kids, this was a crazy time for me, filled with anticipation and new ideas as I got my classroom ready for a new year. For the most part, I don't have that anymore. I'm trying to get excited about some new ideas I have for Hebrew School (which I will be teaching both on Tuesdays AND Wednesdays), but it's not really the same since each class only meets for an hour and a half once a week. And I'm planning out all the projects for the year for Yaldai Sholom, the preschool parent/child Shabbat program I'll be running again, and I'll be searching for new ideas to try with my Kindergarten Sunday School class. I really enjoy all the part time teaching I do, but it is not the same as being a full time classroom teacher.
Most teacher colleagues I know take the year off that they have a child and then start back to work. I wonder how things would have been if I had chosen to do that. I guess that's part of life, second guessing your choices at times. But ultimately, being satisfied with what I'm doing, the compromises I have made so I can teach a little and still be home with the kids, that is the most important thing of all.
Of course, it doesn't help that I STILL have back to school nightmares this time of year! Last night it was that I went back to school to teach and I had apparently forgotten to go for the last three weeks. Everyone was somewhat put off by that (understandably) so I just tried to ease back into teaching my class even though everything was really off. Very disturbing dream, and not too hard to interpret.
Alright, the kids' tv time is almost done. Let me go downstairs and do something educational with them.
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
So Much To Do . . .
Just for the record, I am NOT PMSing this week. Not that I don't feel the whole standing on the sidelines looking in feeling that I alluded to in my last Thursday Thirteen, but I have a bunch of great friends who left comments on my blog or e-mailed me to point out that they feel the same way and that they are indeed my friend. Plus, my incredible support group (the local FLYladies) set me straight when I suggested an impromptu "coffeefest" (everything we do is a "fest") and a bunch were able to join me. As we all sat around a long table at Denny's enjoying each other's company, someone pointed out to me quite sarcastically that it sure is a shame I don't have any friends. Okay, okay, point taken.
In any case, I am fed up with the state of my house. I'm trying to focus on all that we have done so far this summer, but what we HAVEN'T yet accomplished (that I still am trying to squeeze in before DH goes back to work) and the general piles of CRAP that are everywhere I look are driving me crazy!
Okay, focusing on the positive, here is what we have accomplished this summer:
1) New shed
2) Designated area for trash cans using slate and gravel
3) Painted hallway and stairwell (the only painting job that is 100% complete)
4) Widened archway between living room and dining room
5) Redecorated bathroom with shower curtain I actually LIKE, plus over the toilet cabinet and matching rug and hand towel
6) Carpet removed, hardwood floors finished in LR/DR
7) Got rid of my old dining room furniture, got new stuff that's just right
Not that that isn't a lot, I know it is, but it's far short of what I planned.
Here is what still needs to either get finished or that I had hoped to accomplish:
1) Top coat of paint in living room
2) Finish painting wardrobe
3) Final coat(s) of paint in dining room (It's taking 400+ coats so far!)
4) Additional coat of magnetic paint in playroom, mural to be painted on top
5) Vinyl tiles in kitchen
6) Painting cabinet doors/drawers in kitchen, new knobs on said doors/drawers
7) Shelves in downstairs hall closet
8) Install threshhold over exposed flooring when archway was widened
9) Rehang pictures
10) Touch up ceiling and baseboards
11) Paint and install 1/4 round to baseboard in LR/DR
Plus I just want to go through the house and clean/declutter from top to bottom.
Aargh!
DH is doing a training for school all day tomorrow and Thursday. He is taking the kids all day Friday and Sunday (he's working Saturday as well). Then he starts school on Monday.
Hmmm...think it's possible to do all of my list in those two days he's in charge of the kids?!!
In any case, I am fed up with the state of my house. I'm trying to focus on all that we have done so far this summer, but what we HAVEN'T yet accomplished (that I still am trying to squeeze in before DH goes back to work) and the general piles of CRAP that are everywhere I look are driving me crazy!
Okay, focusing on the positive, here is what we have accomplished this summer:
1) New shed
2) Designated area for trash cans using slate and gravel
3) Painted hallway and stairwell (the only painting job that is 100% complete)
4) Widened archway between living room and dining room
5) Redecorated bathroom with shower curtain I actually LIKE, plus over the toilet cabinet and matching rug and hand towel
6) Carpet removed, hardwood floors finished in LR/DR
7) Got rid of my old dining room furniture, got new stuff that's just right
Not that that isn't a lot, I know it is, but it's far short of what I planned.
Here is what still needs to either get finished or that I had hoped to accomplish:
1) Top coat of paint in living room
2) Finish painting wardrobe
3) Final coat(s) of paint in dining room (It's taking 400+ coats so far!)
4) Additional coat of magnetic paint in playroom, mural to be painted on top
5) Vinyl tiles in kitchen
6) Painting cabinet doors/drawers in kitchen, new knobs on said doors/drawers
7) Shelves in downstairs hall closet
8) Install threshhold over exposed flooring when archway was widened
9) Rehang pictures
10) Touch up ceiling and baseboards
11) Paint and install 1/4 round to baseboard in LR/DR
Plus I just want to go through the house and clean/declutter from top to bottom.
Aargh!
DH is doing a training for school all day tomorrow and Thursday. He is taking the kids all day Friday and Sunday (he's working Saturday as well). Then he starts school on Monday.
Hmmm...think it's possible to do all of my list in those two days he's in charge of the kids?!!
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Works-For-Me Wednesday
Painting Party!
For those of you that read my blog regularly, you know that this summer has been devoted to improving my house. I had gone back and forth over the last year or two on whether we should move or whether we should commit to staying in the house we currently own. We decided to stay for a variety of reasons. I declared this the "Summer of the House" and one of the big improvements I wanted to do was to paint virtually every room. Nothing makes a bigger visual difference than a fresh coat of paint.
So two weeks ago we threw a painting party. I sent out an Evite to a bunch of friends saying we would be willing to return the favor to anyone who helps us. I hired a babysitter to play with all the kids in the yard and we ended up with a bunch of parents (and their kids) in the AM and one trooper friend who stuck around for the afternoon.
The goal was to paint the dining room, the living room, the stairway/hallway, one wall in the playroom, and the wardrobe armoire. We were doing lots of dark, bright colors which took lots of coats, so nothing ended up getting 100% finished. My other WFM tip is how to finish everything: last night, after the kids went to bed, I worked on the finishing coats of the hallway. I've decided to do a little bit every night. Looking at everything that needs to get done is overwhelming - break it down into manageable chunks. That's what is currently working for me!
Go on over to Rocks in my Dryer for more tips.
For those of you that read my blog regularly, you know that this summer has been devoted to improving my house. I had gone back and forth over the last year or two on whether we should move or whether we should commit to staying in the house we currently own. We decided to stay for a variety of reasons. I declared this the "Summer of the House" and one of the big improvements I wanted to do was to paint virtually every room. Nothing makes a bigger visual difference than a fresh coat of paint.
So two weeks ago we threw a painting party. I sent out an Evite to a bunch of friends saying we would be willing to return the favor to anyone who helps us. I hired a babysitter to play with all the kids in the yard and we ended up with a bunch of parents (and their kids) in the AM and one trooper friend who stuck around for the afternoon.
The goal was to paint the dining room, the living room, the stairway/hallway, one wall in the playroom, and the wardrobe armoire. We were doing lots of dark, bright colors which took lots of coats, so nothing ended up getting 100% finished. My other WFM tip is how to finish everything: last night, after the kids went to bed, I worked on the finishing coats of the hallway. I've decided to do a little bit every night. Looking at everything that needs to get done is overwhelming - break it down into manageable chunks. That's what is currently working for me!
Go on over to Rocks in my Dryer for more tips.
Monday, August 14, 2006
Fresh Start . . . Again
As I usually do every couple months, today I began a fresh start. I'm trying to do a sensible eating approach to my diet, trying being the opperative word. I'm going to focus on serving sizes, and on sticking to 3 proteins, 2 milks, 3 fruits, and here's where I'm kind of unsure, but I think it should be 6 bread servings (whole wheat if possible). Basically I'm looking at the food pyramid/old Weight Watchers approach. I have a white board in the kitchen, so I think I'm going to write the categories that I'm shooting for in permanent marker on it and cross it off with a dry erase marker as I eat each one. Then I can clean it off each night. So that's the plan, the way I am going to keep myself accountable, starting tomorrow. If any of you think the amounts I'm shooting for aren't accurate, please let me know!
Tomorrow I will get a chance to box up all the paperwork I have to do and take it to Border's. Hopefully I can get everything sorted out and paid and completed.
I have a HUGE list on the white board on my computer armoire. HUGE. I feel the summer ending rushing up with DH going back to work and my spare time ending, and feel like I have to get everything accomplished or I won't get another chance until next summer! I'm trying to divy it up over the remaining days, so hopefully I can get most of it done.
Well, off to make my list for tomorrow.
Tomorrow I will get a chance to box up all the paperwork I have to do and take it to Border's. Hopefully I can get everything sorted out and paid and completed.
I have a HUGE list on the white board on my computer armoire. HUGE. I feel the summer ending rushing up with DH going back to work and my spare time ending, and feel like I have to get everything accomplished or I won't get another chance until next summer! I'm trying to divy it up over the remaining days, so hopefully I can get most of it done.
Well, off to make my list for tomorrow.
Friday, August 11, 2006
Thanks for noticing I'm alive
I was so thrilled to get such supportive comments yesterday - really made my day to see that I was not alone in FEELING alone! :)
Took the kids to the park today (what a fabulous day!) to meet up with other moms from my Mother's and More group. J had brought her dinosaur flashlight with her. I lowered my dashboard mirror so I could watch her while I drove. I tried giving her lots of attention and complimented her a lot about remembering not to touch Baby DN-J and she did much better. I kept telling her to either hug her dinosaur or sit on her hands. So no hitting for this car trip. She pinched DN-J hard enough yesterday that she left a mark, leaving me to realize that I just cannot leave her alone with Baby DN-J even for a second until she gets over this stage. Not the easiest thing in the world. I'm also trying to give J lots of positive attention whenver I can. Hopefully all of this will work!
All the friend stuff that I was writing yesterday reminded me of high school. It's amazing, even when you think you're over all that stuff.... Anyway, I had mono in tenth grade - really bad. Didn't help that I was severely underweight (that will happen when you're anorexic for four years prior). I ended up being homebound for about half the year. I don't remember anyone calling or stopping by at all. Maybe they did - I have a bad memory - but I don't really remember it at all. Made me feel really invisible. Like I could just disappear and no one would even miss me. When I stopped working to stay home with my boys, the same kind of thing happened with all my work colleagues. I realized that they weren't really friends, just people that I saw day in and day out. But again, that same feeling about disappearing and not even being noticed sprang up again.
I don't even really know what my point is. I mean, of course I'm important to my family, but all these thoughts I've been having were making me feel that if I disappeared no one else would really miss me. That's a sucky thought! It really helped to be reminded of all the people IRL that do care about me, plus all the people in the "blogosphere" who care about me too.
Took the kids to the park today (what a fabulous day!) to meet up with other moms from my Mother's and More group. J had brought her dinosaur flashlight with her. I lowered my dashboard mirror so I could watch her while I drove. I tried giving her lots of attention and complimented her a lot about remembering not to touch Baby DN-J and she did much better. I kept telling her to either hug her dinosaur or sit on her hands. So no hitting for this car trip. She pinched DN-J hard enough yesterday that she left a mark, leaving me to realize that I just cannot leave her alone with Baby DN-J even for a second until she gets over this stage. Not the easiest thing in the world. I'm also trying to give J lots of positive attention whenver I can. Hopefully all of this will work!
All the friend stuff that I was writing yesterday reminded me of high school. It's amazing, even when you think you're over all that stuff.... Anyway, I had mono in tenth grade - really bad. Didn't help that I was severely underweight (that will happen when you're anorexic for four years prior). I ended up being homebound for about half the year. I don't remember anyone calling or stopping by at all. Maybe they did - I have a bad memory - but I don't really remember it at all. Made me feel really invisible. Like I could just disappear and no one would even miss me. When I stopped working to stay home with my boys, the same kind of thing happened with all my work colleagues. I realized that they weren't really friends, just people that I saw day in and day out. But again, that same feeling about disappearing and not even being noticed sprang up again.
I don't even really know what my point is. I mean, of course I'm important to my family, but all these thoughts I've been having were making me feel that if I disappeared no one else would really miss me. That's a sucky thought! It really helped to be reminded of all the people IRL that do care about me, plus all the people in the "blogosphere" who care about me too.
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Thursday Thirteen
|
1. We had our hardwood floors finished yesterday. They had been covered with stained gray yucky wall to wall carpet. The "Sand Free" company moved the furniture, pulled up the carpet and staples, and then did all kinds of stuff to the floor to finish it without sanding. 2. I thought we would be able to go upstairs without going through the living room and dining room, but the furniture from those to rooms was blocking our way. 3. I decided that it would be easier for A to sleep at my parents' instead of seeing the house all mixed up, so the kids and I spent the night here. 4. I woke up with no voice at all. It takes so much effort to communicate to the kids using only a whisper and body language! 5. I'm hosting a playdate in my backyard at 9:30. Wish I had just cancelled it - love having people over, but I feel miserable now. And I don't have a voice to call them up and cancel! 6. I think I'll have DH call my tutoring student and cancel today's session. Kind of hard to give one on one instruction like this!!! 7. I can't wait to get home and see how the floors turned out, even though the furniture won't be moved back until this afternoon. 8. I feel like crap. 9. Why is it that I'm friendly with lots of people, but don't feel like I really have any friends? 10. I see other moms talking about getting together, or going out - why am I never included? I do make the effort once in a while to invite people to get together, but it's not usually reciprocated. 11. Many moms joke that I'm some "Supermom" - is that what distances me from them, or am I acting in some way that make them distance themselves from me? It's actually one of the reasons I started this blog, so people could see that I'm normal!! 12. I shouldn't feel this way - like I said, lots of moms are friendly towards me, and I have a few groups of people that I could turn to if I needed help, but I would love to be included more. 13. Why do I still feel like I'm in high school with all this crap?!! |
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Works-For-Me Wednesday - NOT
Okay, I'm cheating a little bit. This isn't truly what works for me - it's just we're so desparate I was hoping that any of the wonderful people who come up with such great ideas at Rocks in My Dryer's meme will have some solution to help us out. Here's the situation:
My daughter J is two. Definitely going through the terrible twos, I guess to get us back for the fact that our twins never did and we thought we were so lucky. When we go for a car ride, she cannot keep her hands to herself. She sits next to the my seven month old niece! Lately she has been pulling at my niece's hands and hitting her on the head. There is no where else to move her - the back has three car seats/booster across the bench. When we tried putting her in the car seat in the middle (her brothers on either side of her) she hit them. We've tried reminding her ahead of time, threatening her with loss of privelages, even yelling at her to stop as we're driving. Nothing has worked so far.
At home, when she hits or pinches, she automatically goes into time out and then must apologize. She still is going into time out quite a bit (at least three-four times a day), but she is clearly unhappy in time out, so I'm hoping that being consistent will eventually eliminate the behavior. But I can't figure out how to give her a time out in the car!!!
PLEASE - any suggestions are welcome!!!
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Boot Camp Bit the Dust
We started yesterday all so gung ho about our potty training boot camp, but as the day went on, A became more and more resistant to the idea. Big time. So . . . we wimped out. Is that what I should call it? Neither one of us wants A to think of going to the potty as a negative thing. He did ask to go to the potty twice today, and sat there for a while with his "special potty toys", so that's at least something. I ordered a book on teaching kids on the Autism spectrum how to use the potty and a special adaptive potty to give him more support while he's sitting. The OT had suggested giving him something with handles or bars to hold on to while on the potty, so this seems to fit the bill. They should both be here in a couple days, and after I read the book I'll go from there.
Monday, August 07, 2006
Potty Training Boot Camp
Today has been the first day of our boot camp, our attempt to help A learn to use the potty. A has Asperger's Syndrome (on the Autism Spectrum), and one aspect of that that is particularly tough for this situation is he really does not seem to be aware of his bodily functions, which makes it very hard for him to learn to do anything in the toilet. After researching many different methods and talking with other moms of kids with developmental delays, DH and I decided to implement a behavior plan for him now, while DH is still home and can help.
All day today, we have been setting the timer for thirty minutes. Whenever it goes off, either DH or I takes A up to the potty where he sits and plays with special toys and books we bought that he can only play with and read while on the potty, all while the other one of us takes over for the other four kids. Our goal is to keep him on the potty each time for 10-20 minutes, hoping that at least one of the times there it will just happen and he'll get the sense of what it feels like. That hasn't happened yet, but after sitting for 15 minutes on the potty at 1:15 with no results, he came downstairs and began playing with something, only to stop in a moment and announce that he just peed in his pull-up! You have to understand, A is 4 1/2 and this is the FIRST time that he has been able to make the connection about how it feels to pee, that the wetness you then feel means you peed. This a HUGE milestone!!! Hopefully it will translate into peeing on the potty, and hopefully he will not become too resistant about going up the bathroom so often. But if nothing else, that was a big hurdle!!!
All day today, we have been setting the timer for thirty minutes. Whenever it goes off, either DH or I takes A up to the potty where he sits and plays with special toys and books we bought that he can only play with and read while on the potty, all while the other one of us takes over for the other four kids. Our goal is to keep him on the potty each time for 10-20 minutes, hoping that at least one of the times there it will just happen and he'll get the sense of what it feels like. That hasn't happened yet, but after sitting for 15 minutes on the potty at 1:15 with no results, he came downstairs and began playing with something, only to stop in a moment and announce that he just peed in his pull-up! You have to understand, A is 4 1/2 and this is the FIRST time that he has been able to make the connection about how it feels to pee, that the wetness you then feel means you peed. This a HUGE milestone!!! Hopefully it will translate into peeing on the potty, and hopefully he will not become too resistant about going up the bathroom so often. But if nothing else, that was a big hurdle!!!
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Thursday Thirteen
 |
1. Effexor is a BITCH to wean off of. Man, I'm STILL not 100%! 2. I just spent 30 minutes trying to link to Monday's post so anyone who was curious to know more about the first thing I listed could just click there but I still couldn't get it to happen. AARGH! 3. We are planning to start a more intense behavior plan to get A to go in the potty at least once this summer. We will be setting the timer for every thirty minutes, keeping him on it for 5-10 minutes at a time. This starts on Monday. I hope this helps. He's four and a half and still does not seem to have any mind/body connection with regards to his bodily functions. Please pray that this is the answer. 4. DH has been in charge of the kids all week as my birthday present this year. Ha ha ha. :) He has already said to me that he just had no idea how tough it was to do this day after day after day. He's doing an incredible job with them, but it's so nice to hear that he has a "new found respect for what I do." 5. Our painting party is on Saturday. Yes, we found eight incredible friends who are willing to come help us paint our house. Woohoo!!! 6. Today I will clean the walls that will be painted with something called TSP, a product I read about in a do it yourself magazine that had an article about (can you believe it?) painting! 7. I got a quart of the each of the colors I will be using yesterday and will try them out on the walls today just to be sure I will really like them. 8. The living room will get a base coat of a cheery yellow and then another coat of a golden color over top, which I will run a new wisk broom over top of to make lines through. Hopefully that will create the effect I see in my mind! 9. The dining room will become a bright red. The color is actually called "Boing!" 10. The stairway and upstairs hallway will become a blue-green teal kind of color. I had wanted bright, electric blue, but couldn't find it on any of the sample cards. I started getting concerned that the color I want will just be too dark for such an enclose, small space. I really hope I like this color! 11. I'm going to try the same color in the bathroom. I think it will go well with the new shower curtain I bought. 12. We hired a financial planner yesterday. We actually took all five kids with us to the office when we met with them to go over all our financial stuff. They were so good! It seems so funny to me that WE would benefit from a planner, especially since we don't really have that much money. At all. Our first goal is to figure out how to create an emergency reserve of at least three months of expenses. Then we'll figure out other stuff like how to start saving for retirement. The planners are going to look at stuff like making sure we have enough insurance and adjusting our withholdings so we don't get that huge tax return check. Right now we have no disability insurance for either of us, and no life insurance for me. We would be so screwed if DH got hurt on the job - we should have insurance for that scenario. And it would be great to get more money each check instead of that big return (though that big check is nice). It feels great knowing that someone is working on all this stuff for us and that in two weeks when we meet again, he will give us a binder with all his suggestions on how to implement everything. 13. I stayed up way too late last night (dumb!!!) so I'm really tired right now, but need to ignore it and get to work taking everything off the walls so I can start cleaning them. Fun. Links to other Thursday Thirteens! |
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants
Monday, July 31, 2006
Blech!
Just started a new anti-depressant. Which meant I had to wean off of my old one. Big mistake. Oh man, was I sick!!! Even following the doctor's suggestions, I got so sick this weekend. I was a little dizzy/nauseuos Saturday (my first day off the meds altogether) and then really bad all day Sunday. I started the new med this morning around 10:30 and gradually started feeling better this afternoon, but even now I can't stay on the computer long. Moving my eyes made me feel as if my brain was two steps behind. I spent all of Sunday on the couch because I couldn't move my head. I started feeling what I called brain spasms (like muscle spasms but in my brain) - electic shock-like feelings that started in my brain and made my whole body jump and feel tingly (and not in a good way). This morning it was to the point that I would feel that up to two or three a MINUTE!
For the record: Effexor is not fun to wean off of.
Have to get off the computer now before I throw up. Will be back on later after I lay down.
For the record: Effexor is not fun to wean off of.
Have to get off the computer now before I throw up. Will be back on later after I lay down.
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Thursday Thirteen
|
1. Cleared off my computer armoire 2. Moved the computer and armoire upstairs into our bedroom 3. Cleaned out the hall closet (didn't really had a choice - had to empty it out when moving the armoire so we could make it up the stairs) 4. Set up all the organizers in our new shed and put stuff back in (okay, DH did MOST of this, but I helped!) 5. Rearranged the backyard stuff so it looked a little nicer with our new purchases in it. 6. Cleaned out the dining room furniture (a friend was able to use it so she picked it up - yes!) 7. Found someone to take our LARGE mirror that we no longer wanted (it was five feet by six feet - and I actually found five different people on Freecycle that wanted it!) 8. Went to Ikea (with DH and all five kids - can't get over how many times we got asked, "Are they all yours?!!" I guess that's because they're all so young, and my niece and nephew are clearly biracial, but the looks of shock get old after a while.) to get the new furniture for the dining room and entranceway that we are creating. 9. Worked with DH to put together said furniture late into the night. I have been really doing well getting to bed at a decent hour (well, at least for two nights in a row), but that was shot to hell last night - but the dining room table, six chairs, large bookcase, and coat closet/wardrobe are all together and look great). 10. Brought numerous boxes of stuff to local thrift store. 11. Ordered a laptop on-line at Best Buy (but now have to figure out how to return it or cancel the on-line purchase since I found a better sale price at Circuit City). 12. Cleared out three laundry baskets worth of accumlated junk from various stash and dash runs around the house before company came over. 13. Met with financial planner (free initial consultation) to discuss best ways to begin saving for retirement, kids' education, emergency funds, etc. Not too shabby, eh? It's great splitting the responsiblities with the kids over the summer! And next week is best of all - DH will be in charge of all five kids all week!!! This was a gift to me, and I'm gladly accepting it. :) Now I just have to make sure I make really good use of it. The house is still in a state of flux, and there's a lot more that I want to do to it. I feel (rightfully so) like the summer is the only time that I can really get anything accomplished so I need to make the most of it. I have not been checking in to different blogs as much as I'd like, though tried to get to a bunch of the Works for Me Wednesday posts as I could on Rocks in my Dryer. I'm thrilled that my friend at Chaotic Home is finally getting a chance to blog again. I now have all my blogs up on bloglines and am loving being able to see at a glance which of my favorite blogs have new posts. Alright, have to get ready to go tutor this afternoon. I'm tired. Maybe I should take a quick nap first? That always just makes me feel more tired. Hmmm...what to do? Probably just take a nap. Story of my life, end up doing what feels good first instead of what's good for me. I'm working on it - but right now I'm just really tired! |
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Works-For-Me Wednesday
My daughter J had her first bad dream a few weeks ago, and it so traumatized her that she couldn't fall asleep for several days, and once she did, she couldn't stay asleep. We ultimately found a cure that allowed her to relax enough to go to sleep. Grabbing a can of room deoderizer spray, I told J that I found a can of "No Bad Dream spray." Each night before she goes to bed I spray the No Bad Dream spray right by her crib as she says "No bad dreams." That protects her from any bad dreams that might pop into her mind. I also had her select a stuffed animal that she could keep next to her (she chose Simba from the Lion King) just in case a bad dream does scare her - Simba will scare it away.
My four year old boys liked the idea so much I now have to spray the No Bad Dream Spray in their room before they go to bed, too.
Hey, whatever works, right?!!
Check out more great ideas at Rocks in Her Dryer.
Monday, July 24, 2006
Fresh Start
I just sometimes feel like in the middle of chaos and stress, we just need a fresh start. So today is mine.
We now have the computer armoire and computer up in our room - wow, that sure made the playroom look a lot bigger - so I'm able to do some work without the kids literally hanging on my arms. That's nice. I have a lot to do, since DH is in charge of the kids all day Monday and Wednesday (I was in charge last week for those two days, so now it's his turn), so I want to be sure to get it all done.
Part of what I need to do (and I've said it before) is get to bed on time. It's hard to get caught up in doing stuff and then realize that it's after 11 and to "start fresh" as you had intended the next day you would need to get up by 7 and you MUST work on getting at least 8 hours of sleep.
My friend came to get the dining room furniture yesterday afternoon, which is great because now I can go get our new DR furniture, but it meant that I had to quickly unload everything still left in and on the old furniture. I know, I should have had it totally cleaned out already, but I didn't. Yep, I'm the Queen of Procrastination. Ellen should dub me that to make it official. Anyway, because I ended up having to do a rush job on that, I then needed extra time (and lots of it) to sort through it all. Thus I ended up awake for a long time, boxing up stuff to take to a local thrift store, throwing stuff away, and finding new homes for other stuff. It was a lot more stuff than I realized, and I had already gone through a lot! I didn't get to bed until 12. Dumb.
So here's my plan for the day:
1) Bring LOTS of boxes to the thrift store to get them out of the house. And I do mean lots. I believe I counted ten, plus a few things that wouldn't fit. Woohoo!!!
2) Go to IKEA (my favorite store) to get the dining room table, new bookcase, and coat wardrobe to be delivered hopefully tomorrow. Once we set up the bookcase and the wardrobe I can put the things that belong in there away and out of the temporary places they now are. That will feel great.
3) Buy a laptop for downstairs. Poor A has been asking since Saturday morning if it is here yet - he is clearly going through computer withdrawal. I hate to be there when he finds out that we're not hooking it up to the internet anytime soon. Should be fun.
4) Work in the bedroom at sorting through all the papers and crap that I cleared off my computer armoire when I brought it upstairs.
5) And this is the most important one = GO TO BED BY 10!
We now have the computer armoire and computer up in our room - wow, that sure made the playroom look a lot bigger - so I'm able to do some work without the kids literally hanging on my arms. That's nice. I have a lot to do, since DH is in charge of the kids all day Monday and Wednesday (I was in charge last week for those two days, so now it's his turn), so I want to be sure to get it all done.
Part of what I need to do (and I've said it before) is get to bed on time. It's hard to get caught up in doing stuff and then realize that it's after 11 and to "start fresh" as you had intended the next day you would need to get up by 7 and you MUST work on getting at least 8 hours of sleep.
My friend came to get the dining room furniture yesterday afternoon, which is great because now I can go get our new DR furniture, but it meant that I had to quickly unload everything still left in and on the old furniture. I know, I should have had it totally cleaned out already, but I didn't. Yep, I'm the Queen of Procrastination. Ellen should dub me that to make it official. Anyway, because I ended up having to do a rush job on that, I then needed extra time (and lots of it) to sort through it all. Thus I ended up awake for a long time, boxing up stuff to take to a local thrift store, throwing stuff away, and finding new homes for other stuff. It was a lot more stuff than I realized, and I had already gone through a lot! I didn't get to bed until 12. Dumb.
So here's my plan for the day:
1) Bring LOTS of boxes to the thrift store to get them out of the house. And I do mean lots. I believe I counted ten, plus a few things that wouldn't fit. Woohoo!!!
2) Go to IKEA (my favorite store) to get the dining room table, new bookcase, and coat wardrobe to be delivered hopefully tomorrow. Once we set up the bookcase and the wardrobe I can put the things that belong in there away and out of the temporary places they now are. That will feel great.
3) Buy a laptop for downstairs. Poor A has been asking since Saturday morning if it is here yet - he is clearly going through computer withdrawal. I hate to be there when he finds out that we're not hooking it up to the internet anytime soon. Should be fun.
4) Work in the bedroom at sorting through all the papers and crap that I cleared off my computer armoire when I brought it upstairs.
5) And this is the most important one = GO TO BED BY 10!
Friday, July 21, 2006
I'm Rubber-Mom!
I'm feeling like I'm being pulled in so many different directions that I have bolted my feet to the ground and am not moving anywhere.
Is that a picture or what?!
This happens a lot with me. I just get overwhelmed and shut down. Distracted by all the numerous things I need to do I end up doing nothing at all. ARGH!
And I know what to do about it. Make a list, set the timer for fifteen minutes, and work my way down the list. Blah, blah, blah. And when I'm done this post, that's what I'm going to do because otherwise I just can't cope. And I know there's a lot going on right now. But there's always a lot going on. And I know of many other people who have it worse off than me. And many of the things that are pulling me are really good things, but they are still things I need to/want to/feel like I should do.
I was given specific things to implement for A last week. One of them is a visual schedule with very specific things listed so he can check them off. For those of you that follow FLYlady this would be like a mini control journal for both daily chores broken down, things like "Get Dressed" with steps written underneath ("Get naked", "Put on shirt", "Put on pull-up", etc.). This would probably be best in laminated sheets for each upstairs job held together with a ring. I'd say use this with a dry-erase marker for him to cross off as he goes, but he's likely to color the walls and himself with it, so that might not work. Plus, if I make something like this for him, B and J will want one for themselves so they don't feel left out, so I need to make one for them. I was originally planning on making a poster to put on the wall with our daily routine, each thing velcroed on so it can be moved around. I might still do this. The indecision is making it difficult to move forward.
I am trying to clean out two different areas in the kids' playroom to free up space. With both of them I'm kind of at a loss as to where else to put the stuff, so I'm frozen there. I know that I can't organize clutter, and I'm trying to get rid of as much as I can, just have to sort through it all to do that.
We just got a new shed and large wooden pirate ship for the kids in the backyard. I'm THRILLED about that, but now I feel that I need to work some in my backyard to make sure things get moved into a logical, nice looking spot. As I write this, DH is digging up a small bush so he can move some large stone slabs that were found under the old shed (probably being used for a foundation) in one spot where we can put our trash cans. He also just laid some down for the BBQ. This morning he hung up hooks in the shed and put back all of our gardening tools so they were off the ground - they look great. I'm trying to focus on the inside of the house this summer but there are so many things outside that need to get attended to as well!
If you saw my Thursday Thirteen list from yesterday you read all the different projects I'm attempting to complete in the next two weeks. Enough said about that!
And then there's just the regular daily stuff that has to get done here, like the laundry, the cooking and clean up, the balancing of the checkbook and the paying of the bills, the vacumming the DR/LR so the food crumbs/chunks don't take over the house - the boring never-ending stuff that has to get done whether we like or not!
I have to make a list, prioritize it, and figure out how to do it. But I feel like that's as far as I get every day! So here goes....
Is that a picture or what?!
This happens a lot with me. I just get overwhelmed and shut down. Distracted by all the numerous things I need to do I end up doing nothing at all. ARGH!
And I know what to do about it. Make a list, set the timer for fifteen minutes, and work my way down the list. Blah, blah, blah. And when I'm done this post, that's what I'm going to do because otherwise I just can't cope. And I know there's a lot going on right now. But there's always a lot going on. And I know of many other people who have it worse off than me. And many of the things that are pulling me are really good things, but they are still things I need to/want to/feel like I should do.
I was given specific things to implement for A last week. One of them is a visual schedule with very specific things listed so he can check them off. For those of you that follow FLYlady this would be like a mini control journal for both daily chores broken down, things like "Get Dressed" with steps written underneath ("Get naked", "Put on shirt", "Put on pull-up", etc.). This would probably be best in laminated sheets for each upstairs job held together with a ring. I'd say use this with a dry-erase marker for him to cross off as he goes, but he's likely to color the walls and himself with it, so that might not work. Plus, if I make something like this for him, B and J will want one for themselves so they don't feel left out, so I need to make one for them. I was originally planning on making a poster to put on the wall with our daily routine, each thing velcroed on so it can be moved around. I might still do this. The indecision is making it difficult to move forward.
I am trying to clean out two different areas in the kids' playroom to free up space. With both of them I'm kind of at a loss as to where else to put the stuff, so I'm frozen there. I know that I can't organize clutter, and I'm trying to get rid of as much as I can, just have to sort through it all to do that.
We just got a new shed and large wooden pirate ship for the kids in the backyard. I'm THRILLED about that, but now I feel that I need to work some in my backyard to make sure things get moved into a logical, nice looking spot. As I write this, DH is digging up a small bush so he can move some large stone slabs that were found under the old shed (probably being used for a foundation) in one spot where we can put our trash cans. He also just laid some down for the BBQ. This morning he hung up hooks in the shed and put back all of our gardening tools so they were off the ground - they look great. I'm trying to focus on the inside of the house this summer but there are so many things outside that need to get attended to as well!
If you saw my Thursday Thirteen list from yesterday you read all the different projects I'm attempting to complete in the next two weeks. Enough said about that!
And then there's just the regular daily stuff that has to get done here, like the laundry, the cooking and clean up, the balancing of the checkbook and the paying of the bills, the vacumming the DR/LR so the food crumbs/chunks don't take over the house - the boring never-ending stuff that has to get done whether we like or not!
I have to make a list, prioritize it, and figure out how to do it. But I feel like that's as far as I get every day! So here goes....
Thursday, July 20, 2006
To the Rude Man at the Library Today
What were you thinking when you interrupted my tutoring session to ask my student if he needed a lawyer? Did you think this was cute? I thought you were joking at first. After all, it takes awhile for this particular student to loosen up each lesson, so I do tend to ask a lot of questions in the beginning and get minimal response each time. But no, you soon made it clear that you were not joking when you replied that it sounds like an interrogation and that I needed to "lighten up." Are you a teacher? Do you understand the idea of having a student reach a conclusion by leading them towards it through questioning? Did you realize that I was not accusing the child of "cheating" as you declared but merely trying to get him to explain how he did his revisions since I didn't see them? Were you having a bad day? Had you recently been accused of cheating and now see it everywhere you go? I am trying so hard to understand why you felt the need to confront me while I was TEACHING but I'm really drawing a blank. In any case, as I said to you as you walked away, cursing my teaching ability, thank you for your opinion. In the future, could you please write it down and pass it to me AFTER my tutoring session? You see, I'm trying to encourage this particular student to write, so I want him to see how writing can and SHOULD be used in the real world. So next time you feel so inclined, please put your criticsm in writing and I'll get to it as soon as I can.
Thank you,
The Teacher you tore into this afternoon
Thank you,
The Teacher you tore into this afternoon
Thursday Thirteen
|
Since my wonderful husband is home over the summer, I have more time than I do during the school year to get some things accomplished at home (since we share the responsiblibity of watching all the kids when he is home). As a birthday present DH gave me a full week to do whatever I wanted and I'm using it the first week of August. So....since I have declared this to be the summer of the house, here's what I plan to get done: 1. Clear out scrap area in playroom to ultimately put laptop there for kids to use. 2. Purchase said laptop. 3. Find and buy suitable chair for that area. 4. Move computer and armoire upstairs to our bedroom. 5. Clean off top of computer armoire to prepare for that move. 6. Find and buy appropriate organization system for our brand new shed (woohoo!) 7. Rearrange backyard furniture and toys. 8. Decide upon colors and purchase paints and supplies for painting party on August 5th (there's still time to RSVP if you're local and want to help - just let me know!!!). 9. Spackle and prime dining room (need to cover dark green paint currently on there). 10. Clean out downstairs hall closet so handyman can install shelves. 11. Clean out pantry so handyman can install additional shelf. 12. Find and buy new kitchen cabinet and drawer handles. 13. Take off kitchen cabinets and prep for paint (clean and fill holes from yucky handles). How sad is it that I still have a ton more that I could add to this list? Okay, that is alright. I need to continue my basic daily routines at the same time so the house doesn't fall apart completely while I'm improving it, so if I have too many things I'm trying to get done ultimately nothing will get done. |
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Works-For-Me Wednesday
Always dieting (or so it feels) I often find myself craving a substantial snack between lunch and dinner. I found one that I love! I took a fat-free yogurt and stuck it in the freezer. Poof - a cup of frozen yogurt. I know, seems pretty obvious, and many of you may have already figured this one out, but it was new to me! It took a while to eat (definitely a plus for me) and tasted similar to ice cream (well, I can pretend). Hope you like it!
Go check out more ideas at Rocks in my Dryer.
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Tuesday To Do
One of the strategies we came up with at A's IEP was to have a very specific schedule posted so he could clearly see things like when he was allowed on the computer so he wouldn't ask us about playing on the computer twenty times a day. I had created a schedule last year that I had in a pocket chart, each task on a separate card so we could move them around as needed, but I haven't really been keeping it up-to-date. This one is going to be velcroed (making it harder for Miss J to knock the cards out) and laminated (making it harder for the boys to fold up each card as the mood hits them. I think it will be really good for each of us. So that's something I plan on working on today.
We ordered a new, much larger shed back in May and the guys are here right now to 1) tear down the eyesore of a shed that is there now (that my wonderful husband emptied yesterday in the heat) and 2) put down the stone foundation in preparation for the new shed to arrive tomorrow. We also got a wooden pirate ship for the kids to climb on, and they are both arriving tomorrow. Cannot wait!!!
I actually went to the gym yesterday AND watched what I ate all day, and this morning actually saw a difference when I took my clothes off to jump in the shower. I'm not saying I looked incredible all of a sudden, but I could see (and feel) a difference in my body. It should have inspired me to get to the gym again this morning, as I had planned, but J was up a lot again last night ("I have to pee!" "I want to sleep in your bed!" "Will you rock with me?") and my period started today (sorry if it's TMI, but it played a big part in my decision) so I decided to hold off until tomorrow. My head hurts a lot from lack of sleep and my body isn't feeling that great from cramps. But I DO plan to go tomorrow.
Ooooo - they just knocked over the whole shed. So cool!
Okay, I'm going to go fold laundry and then rearrange my bedroom furniture (the boys are at a two hour art camp for the week and the baby is sleeping, so with just J around I should be able to get a lot done!) to accomodate possibly bringing our computer armoire upstairs to free up more space in the playroom for the kids to play. J is happily playing with the playdough, loving the fact that she has all the playdough toys to herself ("I need the rolling pin because I need it!"), so I should be good for a little. Here goes!
We ordered a new, much larger shed back in May and the guys are here right now to 1) tear down the eyesore of a shed that is there now (that my wonderful husband emptied yesterday in the heat) and 2) put down the stone foundation in preparation for the new shed to arrive tomorrow. We also got a wooden pirate ship for the kids to climb on, and they are both arriving tomorrow. Cannot wait!!!
I actually went to the gym yesterday AND watched what I ate all day, and this morning actually saw a difference when I took my clothes off to jump in the shower. I'm not saying I looked incredible all of a sudden, but I could see (and feel) a difference in my body. It should have inspired me to get to the gym again this morning, as I had planned, but J was up a lot again last night ("I have to pee!" "I want to sleep in your bed!" "Will you rock with me?") and my period started today (sorry if it's TMI, but it played a big part in my decision) so I decided to hold off until tomorrow. My head hurts a lot from lack of sleep and my body isn't feeling that great from cramps. But I DO plan to go tomorrow.
Ooooo - they just knocked over the whole shed. So cool!
Okay, I'm going to go fold laundry and then rearrange my bedroom furniture (the boys are at a two hour art camp for the week and the baby is sleeping, so with just J around I should be able to get a lot done!) to accomodate possibly bringing our computer armoire upstairs to free up more space in the playroom for the kids to play. J is happily playing with the playdough, loving the fact that she has all the playdough toys to herself ("I need the rolling pin because I need it!"), so I should be good for a little. Here goes!
Monday, July 17, 2006
I'm Baaa-aaaack!
Did you miss me?
In my car ride home by myself from the Jersey Shore today (about two hours), I decided that I need to express when I'm proud of myself in addition to when I'm having pity parties. So...here are a couple things that I'm really proud of myself about:
1) I made the drive down the shore and back by myself. I have never really done a long car trip like that by myself before. I did it and I didn't panic or feel weird. It was actually kind of fun.
2) I went to this fabulous weekend of scrapbooking knowing no one else who was going to be there. I had met the consultant who was hosting once before, and know others who know who well, but that was it. This is a feat that would have been literally unimaginable before I had kids. Before kids, entering a room of people by myself - even if I KNEW most of them - was so difficult I would become almost physically ill. I had a great time getting to know the three other women there this weekend and did not even awkward or weird - it was very relaxing and fun!
That being said, I did something very stupid when preparing for my weekend. I forgot to pack my pills (anti-depressants). When I miss a dose, I know by the afternoon because I begin to get dizzy. It gets worse as the day goes on. So by Saturday afternoon I was not feeling so great. I had to drive home on Sunday like that. It was okay with my eyes facing forward but kind of nauseating when I had to look around a little. I did make it home okay, took a pill, and laid down on the couch until the kids and DH got back home.
They were all so excited to see me (luckily J did not stick her nose up in the air to show how mad she was that I left her for the weekend). We sat down and I showed the book for 2005 that I finished while there - they loved it! It was so nice to get such incredible appreciation for the time I put into the book.
So I'm home and ready to start a new week. I had lots of time to think while driving and I am recommitted to losing weight. Fresh week - here we go!
In my car ride home by myself from the Jersey Shore today (about two hours), I decided that I need to express when I'm proud of myself in addition to when I'm having pity parties. So...here are a couple things that I'm really proud of myself about:
1) I made the drive down the shore and back by myself. I have never really done a long car trip like that by myself before. I did it and I didn't panic or feel weird. It was actually kind of fun.
2) I went to this fabulous weekend of scrapbooking knowing no one else who was going to be there. I had met the consultant who was hosting once before, and know others who know who well, but that was it. This is a feat that would have been literally unimaginable before I had kids. Before kids, entering a room of people by myself - even if I KNEW most of them - was so difficult I would become almost physically ill. I had a great time getting to know the three other women there this weekend and did not even awkward or weird - it was very relaxing and fun!
That being said, I did something very stupid when preparing for my weekend. I forgot to pack my pills (anti-depressants). When I miss a dose, I know by the afternoon because I begin to get dizzy. It gets worse as the day goes on. So by Saturday afternoon I was not feeling so great. I had to drive home on Sunday like that. It was okay with my eyes facing forward but kind of nauseating when I had to look around a little. I did make it home okay, took a pill, and laid down on the couch until the kids and DH got back home.
They were all so excited to see me (luckily J did not stick her nose up in the air to show how mad she was that I left her for the weekend). We sat down and I showed the book for 2005 that I finished while there - they loved it! It was so nice to get such incredible appreciation for the time I put into the book.
So I'm home and ready to start a new week. I had lots of time to think while driving and I am recommitted to losing weight. Fresh week - here we go!
Friday, July 14, 2006
The IEP
A's IEP went great. It took us two hours, but we came away with something that will provide him with an itinerant teacher in his classroom twice a week, forty-five minutes each time, physical therapy once a week to work on gross motor skills, social skills group once a week, and an OT that will consult with both his teacher and us on how to help improve his sensory issues both at school and at home. We got information on how to make social stories to teach him appropriate behaviors (ie. it's not okay to go up to strange woman and grab their breasts), and advice on how to make the various schedules and chore charts we've been trying even more effective for A. The only thing we couldn't get written in is the potty training. They gave me some new stategies to try out (observe him for a week to figure out how often he pees/poops and when to get a baseline and then work on bringing him to the potty at those times, provide him with support while on the toilet with handles or something for him to hang on to so he has more stability while sitting) but told me that it's not something they can help with directly. They did tell me that he won't be turned away from Kindergarten if he is still in diapers (uh, great, but I want this resolved before then!) and that if we qualify for medical assistance (which is simply because he has a disability) it should pay for his diapers.
Bottom line, I think it was an extremely productive meeting and I feel really good about it. I will be receiving weekly updates as well as quarterly reports, so we'll see how he's progressing.
As for me, I have to get off the computer so I can start getting ready for my scrap weekend at the shore. Are ya' jealous?!! I'm quite excited!!! I'm taking the kids to the gym in a little (the boys first time there) so I can work out for a little bit (I'm REALLY tyring to get back into that being a habit) and them I'm taking them all with me to A.C. Moore (a local craft store) so I can stock up on stuff I need. Hopefully the kids will behave there!
I'll be back on Sunday. Hope everyone has a great weekend!
Bottom line, I think it was an extremely productive meeting and I feel really good about it. I will be receiving weekly updates as well as quarterly reports, so we'll see how he's progressing.
As for me, I have to get off the computer so I can start getting ready for my scrap weekend at the shore. Are ya' jealous?!! I'm quite excited!!! I'm taking the kids to the gym in a little (the boys first time there) so I can work out for a little bit (I'm REALLY tyring to get back into that being a habit) and them I'm taking them all with me to A.C. Moore (a local craft store) so I can stock up on stuff I need. Hopefully the kids will behave there!
I'll be back on Sunday. Hope everyone has a great weekend!
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Thursday Thirteen
|
1. After waiting and waiting and waiting, we have A's IEP meeting today. I hope we are able to agree on good goals for him and are able to get all of his needs addressed. 2. I will be leaving tomorrow afternoon for a scrap weekend down the shore!!! The consultant who is running it will be making all of the food, we will be staying at her beach house which is across the street from the beach, I will have my own room - it sounds perfect! 3. My husband is home for the summer. 4. My husband agrees that watching the kids is a full-time job. 5. After being in charge of all five kids all day, DH expresses exhaustion and amazement that I do this every day. Hee hee hee. Glad he feels that way! 6. After describing all the different jobs I do around the house in addition to watching the kids, DH and I are working on different things each night to make the next day easier. I'm in charge of prepping the next day's dinner and he's now in charge of making the kids' breakfasts and lunches for the next day. And he's doing it without me nagging - sweet! 7. DH and I are on the same page with disciplining the kids. B just knocked over DN-A's Lego creation (we've been working on the rule that the kids are not allowed to knock over other people's stuff) so I sent him to time out. When he trudged into the living room where DH was sitting, he instructed B to sit down on the chair without missing a beat, even though he didn't even know what B did. 8. J is potty trained. 9. So is B. 10. We have A's IEP today and MAYBE will get some help written in with his potty training! 11. We got an appointment for a developmental pediatrician for A that is only three months away. 12. The archway between the living room and dining room has been widened and gives us a lot more room! 13. I went to my first Mothers and More meeting last night as co-leader - I LOVE that the position is CO-leader and that the other co-leader has been doing this for six months already. Very nice. |
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Asperger's, Twins, Emotional Eating, and Banishing Nightmares
So I couldn't think of a real good title - that about sums it up!
Read a book last night called Eating an Artichoke: A Mother's Perspective on Asperger Syndrome by Echo R. Fling. Could not put it down. I identified with so much in the book. It made me realize how lucky we are that A has a twin. He would be that kid on the playground hanging out with the grown-ups or playing by himself if not for B. While A rarely initiates pretend play, he will do it if B pulls him into it. And he has learned so much socialization just from having another kid the same age always there.
But the book also left me feeling kind of numb. Kind of sad. Kind of seeking out food (yeah, I'm an emotional eater).
We have A's IEP tomorrow at 11. I cannot wait to get the ball rolling on this! I contacted CHOP (Children's Hospital of Philadelphi) which on its web site has an incredible description of all they could do. Unfortunately, not only do they have an EIGHTEEN MONTH wait, they have an age cut-off of no older than 3 years, 11 months. A missed that deadline by five months! Luckily I received a return call from another highly recommended Developmental Pediatrician for an October appointment. Since the appointment we got at DuPont isn't until January, I'm jumping on this one! Who knows - maybe I should keep them both to get two more opinions?
Okay, need to get to bed.
And for anyone who's curious - J slept through the night completely last night. The "No Bad Dream spray" along with her small lamp being turned on along with her large stuffed Simba in her crib by her head to protect her apparently did the trick. Of course, she refused to nap today, but that's another story . . .
Read a book last night called Eating an Artichoke: A Mother's Perspective on Asperger Syndrome by Echo R. Fling. Could not put it down. I identified with so much in the book. It made me realize how lucky we are that A has a twin. He would be that kid on the playground hanging out with the grown-ups or playing by himself if not for B. While A rarely initiates pretend play, he will do it if B pulls him into it. And he has learned so much socialization just from having another kid the same age always there.
But the book also left me feeling kind of numb. Kind of sad. Kind of seeking out food (yeah, I'm an emotional eater).
We have A's IEP tomorrow at 11. I cannot wait to get the ball rolling on this! I contacted CHOP (Children's Hospital of Philadelphi) which on its web site has an incredible description of all they could do. Unfortunately, not only do they have an EIGHTEEN MONTH wait, they have an age cut-off of no older than 3 years, 11 months. A missed that deadline by five months! Luckily I received a return call from another highly recommended Developmental Pediatrician for an October appointment. Since the appointment we got at DuPont isn't until January, I'm jumping on this one! Who knows - maybe I should keep them both to get two more opinions?
Okay, need to get to bed.
And for anyone who's curious - J slept through the night completely last night. The "No Bad Dream spray" along with her small lamp being turned on along with her large stuffed Simba in her crib by her head to protect her apparently did the trick. Of course, she refused to nap today, but that's another story . . .
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
J's Update
So sorry, Kathy! :)
J had a much better night, though not good yet. She did wake up four times. Each time as soon as one of us went in, we told her to lay down and she did, instantly and with no complaint. After tucking her back in, she went to sleep almost immediately. By the fourth time, we didn't even need to say anything - she laid down as soon as we opened the door.
Hopefully she will sleep through the night tonight, especially since last night was so much better.
The "No Bad Dream" spray seemed to do the trick!
J had a much better night, though not good yet. She did wake up four times. Each time as soon as one of us went in, we told her to lay down and she did, instantly and with no complaint. After tucking her back in, she went to sleep almost immediately. By the fourth time, we didn't even need to say anything - she laid down as soon as we opened the door.
Hopefully she will sleep through the night tonight, especially since last night was so much better.
The "No Bad Dream" spray seemed to do the trick!
Monday, July 10, 2006
Keep your fingers crossed!
Just shut J's door.
So far so good.
She's in bed early (refused to sleep at nap time - after being up/dosing most of the night, can we say over-tired?) having had a bath around 5 and getting changed into her pjs then. I gave her a dose of Benadryl (hey, she tried a new sunscreen today and has a rash - really!) which hopefully will add to her tiredness. We sprayed around her crib with Glade, I mean, "No Bad Dream Spray" and we changed "No bad dreams" together three times. I rocked with her while singing her current favorite song (Puff the Magic Dragon). When I laid her down I foolishly reminded her that we sprayed the magic spray so therefore she won't have any bad dreams (yes, I did say that, reminding her what she's scared of - DUH!), so she immediately started crying. I helped her think of a stuffed animal that might help keep her safe too, and she chose B's Simba, which she now has right by her head, her "Mine" in her other hand (the bear/blanket she has slept with since birth).
Oh, PLEASE go to sleep (1/2 the problem) and stay asleep (the other half).
In other news . . .
I went to Border's this afternoon since DH was in charge of the kids and there was no way I wanted to stick around J's overly-tired-no-way-am-I-taking-a-nap mood. I gathered up all the papers from around the house, put them all in my "To Do" box, and away I went. I managed to sort through every piece of paper, made a master to do list to work on some tomorrow, and got rid of over five inches of paper (yes, I am that much of a dork that I estimated how much paper I was throwing out - whatever works!). Feel great that I got that much done (though I'm sure the Chai Tea that I had there, with all that caffine, isn't adding to that feeling at all) and am motivated to work hard tonight too on a) prepping dinner, b) clearing out my scrap area, and c) going to bed EARLY!!!
Hopefully I will get more sleep than the few interrupted hours I got last night!
So far so good.
She's in bed early (refused to sleep at nap time - after being up/dosing most of the night, can we say over-tired?) having had a bath around 5 and getting changed into her pjs then. I gave her a dose of Benadryl (hey, she tried a new sunscreen today and has a rash - really!) which hopefully will add to her tiredness. We sprayed around her crib with Glade, I mean, "No Bad Dream Spray" and we changed "No bad dreams" together three times. I rocked with her while singing her current favorite song (Puff the Magic Dragon). When I laid her down I foolishly reminded her that we sprayed the magic spray so therefore she won't have any bad dreams (yes, I did say that, reminding her what she's scared of - DUH!), so she immediately started crying. I helped her think of a stuffed animal that might help keep her safe too, and she chose B's Simba, which she now has right by her head, her "Mine" in her other hand (the bear/blanket she has slept with since birth).
Oh, PLEASE go to sleep (1/2 the problem) and stay asleep (the other half).
In other news . . .
I went to Border's this afternoon since DH was in charge of the kids and there was no way I wanted to stick around J's overly-tired-no-way-am-I-taking-a-nap mood. I gathered up all the papers from around the house, put them all in my "To Do" box, and away I went. I managed to sort through every piece of paper, made a master to do list to work on some tomorrow, and got rid of over five inches of paper (yes, I am that much of a dork that I estimated how much paper I was throwing out - whatever works!). Feel great that I got that much done (though I'm sure the Chai Tea that I had there, with all that caffine, isn't adding to that feeling at all) and am motivated to work hard tonight too on a) prepping dinner, b) clearing out my scrap area, and c) going to bed EARLY!!!
Hopefully I will get more sleep than the few interrupted hours I got last night!
Long Night
So tired.
J had a really rough time going to sleep. She had some kind of nightmare the night before, something about a teddy bear coming into her crib, and obviously she was scared to fall asleep again. She wanted to sleep in the boys' room, so I let her try, but none of them were falling asleep, so I put her in her room. She kept crying, so finally I grabbed a book and sat right outside her door so she could see (and so could A, who was also having a tough time falling asleep). That worked, kind of. A eventually fell asleep and J got quiet. Every time I tried to leave, J started crying. Eventually she fell asleep and I crept downstairs. Thought I was homefree, but she started crying again.
DH's turn. He tried for a while, but she kept screaming. He thought she was saying "Because it hurt me" and he was trying to figure out what she was talking about. I listened for a little and asked her some questions and finally figured out she was saying "Be close to me!" So I sent DH back downstairs and put the now hysterical J onto my lap and rocked her. It took so long before she stopped taking that awful gasping breath that a truly hysterical child takes. I rocked her longer and eventually put her still awake into the crib but sat back down in the rocking chair and rocked for another half hour or so, leaving only after she was sound asleep, around 9:15, over two hours from when we first started.
You have to understand that out of all three kids, J has been the child that we have NEVER had any sleep problems with. We learned from our mistakes from the boys. We put her down awake within her first two weeks and she went to sleep on her own, no complaints. She even slept through the night early! So this is all totally foreign territory for us with her.
Around two, J woke up screaming. I went in and got her to lay down on her own, but within a few minutes she started again. DH went in (we always take turns in the middle of the night), planning to lay down on the floor and just sleep next to her crib for awhile. It has always worked for A. Well, it didn't work for J. She would sleep for a little, then scream. Since DH was asleep by then, he didn't respond right away, so it would escalate. Eventually I went in and sent him to bed. That was around 3. I rocked in her chair until the sun began to rise this morning. That girl never totally allowed herself to go to sleep, but everytime I stood up or moved, she would quickly turn towards me to make sure I wasn't leaving. I finally did leave after the sun started coming up only because my body was so sore from sitting in the chair for so long. She started crying, but I told her that I would come back in soon and that she had to stop crying. I guess it worked, because she's still asleep now at 8. And I'm just SOOOOO tired!
Suggestions, ANYONE?!!!
J had a really rough time going to sleep. She had some kind of nightmare the night before, something about a teddy bear coming into her crib, and obviously she was scared to fall asleep again. She wanted to sleep in the boys' room, so I let her try, but none of them were falling asleep, so I put her in her room. She kept crying, so finally I grabbed a book and sat right outside her door so she could see (and so could A, who was also having a tough time falling asleep). That worked, kind of. A eventually fell asleep and J got quiet. Every time I tried to leave, J started crying. Eventually she fell asleep and I crept downstairs. Thought I was homefree, but she started crying again.
DH's turn. He tried for a while, but she kept screaming. He thought she was saying "Because it hurt me" and he was trying to figure out what she was talking about. I listened for a little and asked her some questions and finally figured out she was saying "Be close to me!" So I sent DH back downstairs and put the now hysterical J onto my lap and rocked her. It took so long before she stopped taking that awful gasping breath that a truly hysterical child takes. I rocked her longer and eventually put her still awake into the crib but sat back down in the rocking chair and rocked for another half hour or so, leaving only after she was sound asleep, around 9:15, over two hours from when we first started.
You have to understand that out of all three kids, J has been the child that we have NEVER had any sleep problems with. We learned from our mistakes from the boys. We put her down awake within her first two weeks and she went to sleep on her own, no complaints. She even slept through the night early! So this is all totally foreign territory for us with her.
Around two, J woke up screaming. I went in and got her to lay down on her own, but within a few minutes she started again. DH went in (we always take turns in the middle of the night), planning to lay down on the floor and just sleep next to her crib for awhile. It has always worked for A. Well, it didn't work for J. She would sleep for a little, then scream. Since DH was asleep by then, he didn't respond right away, so it would escalate. Eventually I went in and sent him to bed. That was around 3. I rocked in her chair until the sun began to rise this morning. That girl never totally allowed herself to go to sleep, but everytime I stood up or moved, she would quickly turn towards me to make sure I wasn't leaving. I finally did leave after the sun started coming up only because my body was so sore from sitting in the chair for so long. She started crying, but I told her that I would come back in soon and that she had to stop crying. I guess it worked, because she's still asleep now at 8. And I'm just SOOOOO tired!
Suggestions, ANYONE?!!!
Sunday, July 09, 2006
Disappointed
I'm really disappointed with myself. I wasted Friday and Saturday, two days that I had the opportunity to do so much around the house. Friday I had 8 until 1 that DH would be in charge of the kids. What did I do? Sleep and read. That pretty much sums it up. Saturday I had the whole morning. We were having friends come over for dinner and I needed to make burgers and straighten up. What did I do? Sleep and read.
Now today I have a good reason to sleep a lot - J apparently had a bad dream. She woke every ten minutes between 2 - 3, at which time I told her that Mommy and Daddy weren't going to come in anymore. She freaked and begged to sleep with us. She'd never done that before, so I agreed. She finally fell asleep at 4, after poking me and touching my face, very sweet but NOT AT 3 IN THE MORNING!!! At 5 when she woke up DH put her back in her crib and she slept longer until 9. I tried something this morning with the boys that I had never tried before. I got them their breakfast, put on a DVD, and told them if they needed me to come get me. Then I went back to bed. I was tired!!!
But my point is, I had no such excuse on Friday or Saturday. I was just being lazy. And I'm pissed! DH takes over with the kids at noon - I better put the time to good use!!!
Now today I have a good reason to sleep a lot - J apparently had a bad dream. She woke every ten minutes between 2 - 3, at which time I told her that Mommy and Daddy weren't going to come in anymore. She freaked and begged to sleep with us. She'd never done that before, so I agreed. She finally fell asleep at 4, after poking me and touching my face, very sweet but NOT AT 3 IN THE MORNING!!! At 5 when she woke up DH put her back in her crib and she slept longer until 9. I tried something this morning with the boys that I had never tried before. I got them their breakfast, put on a DVD, and told them if they needed me to come get me. Then I went back to bed. I was tired!!!
But my point is, I had no such excuse on Friday or Saturday. I was just being lazy. And I'm pissed! DH takes over with the kids at noon - I better put the time to good use!!!
Friday, July 07, 2006
Hmmmm....
Should I be proud that B read an entire video title by himself, or slightly disturbed that he is now begging to watch the movie Day of the Dead?
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Thursday Thirteen
|
1. DH is home for the summer. 2. We are able to communicate and listen to each other. 3. When we fight, we're able to take a break and come back to the discussion after we've had time to think about it, as we did today. 4. I'm making progress around the house! 5. I cleaned out J's room on Monday and it still is cleaned out today! 6. I've had some of my friends respond to my painting party evite that they can come on August 5th and help (we plan on painting EVERYTHING!) - if you are reading this and live in the area and did NOT receive an evite, let me know!!! 7. I was able to plan out when I can fit in various house projects for the next few weeks. I'm feeling really motivated - let's hope it keeps up! 8. I was able to come up with a system that DH and I think will work to make sure we both are helping equally (somewhat) around the house. 9. DH gets up with the kids tomorrow! 10. I'm going to a scapping weekend down the shore next weekend - woohoo! 11. A's IEP is next week - cannot wait to start therapies for him. 12. America's Got Talent was on last night - DH's and my guilty summer pleasure. 13. We chose not to go to a BBQ on July 4th, instead walking through IKEA together as a family and agreeing on lots of different things that we will be purchasing by the end of the summer. AGREEING is the key word in that sentence - so glad we were on the same page with all this stuff! Links to other Thursday Thirteens! |
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants
Works-For-Me Wednesday
I've tried to do Once a Month Cooking before and it has worked really well, but I usually am not able to make the time to do the whole months worth. One of the things I took from reading about this is a great trick that I use all the time - making a ground beef mix to use in lots of different recipes.
Most recipes that call for ground beef tell you to brown the beef with onions and peppers. Any time I made something that calls for this, I just pull out a serving of ground beef mix which cuts down my cooking time tremendously. To make it, I buy the big family packs of meat. In a large soup pot I boil all of it. Once it has boiled and is no longer red, I pour out the water carefully and add cut onions and peppers to the mixture, mixing it all up and letting it simmer with the lid closed for awhile. When the veggies are cooked I let it cool and then scoop 2 cups worth (about a pound of meat) into ziploc freezer bags. Seal them flat, pushing all the air out of them, laying them down like a record. The bags go in the freezer, stacked one on top of another. And then they ready for me to pull them out as I need it.
Enjoy!
If you're also participating in Works-For-Me Wednesday, leave your link below. If not, you can still leave a comment (hint hint)!
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
The Summer of the House
Now that we've decided to stay instead of move, I'm focused this summer on doing tons of projects around the house. Last week we had contractors widen the arch between the living room and dining room and that makes a huge difference! We're going to IKEA this afternoon (I LOVE that store!) to get some other things I saw that I'm really happy with: a new rug for the living room (going for a whole new color scheme), a wardrobe for the entranceway that I'm trying to create, a desk so we can move our desktop computer upstairs to our room to give the grown ups a place to work without kids hanging on us (we're going to get a laptop for downstairs which we can fold up and put up high when we're done with it so our computer genius doesn't do damage to it). Our current dining room furniture (handed down from my great uncle) will be picked up on Friday by a group called Second Mile that benefits the homeless. Once it is we're having the nasty stained wall to wall carpeting pulled up (finally - I've hated the gray color since we moved in!) and the floors done (the wood looks like it's in good condition underneath). And we're having a painting party August 5th to paint the Living Room, Dining Room, Playroom, Kitchen cabinets, Wardrobe, and Hallway. Too ambitious? I'm also looking for a handyman to hire to put in shelves in our hall closet and a bunch of other small things. Can you tell I'm a little excited about all this?
Today the boys and I marched in the local parade with my MOMS Club (well, I marched, they sat in the wagon that I lugged behind me in this heat!). J wanted to go with us, but we still haven't found a sunscreen that doesn't make her break out into a rash all over, so we convinced her to watch us with Daddy. When we got to our street (towards the end of the parade) I let her join us. She waved like a pro and told me proudly, "I a big girl now!" She kept her two ponytails in and looked adorable! DH let me take a nap when I got home (Thank you!), so I'm now returning the favor, and as soon as J (and DH) get up we're heading to IKEA. Woohoo!
Yesterday the kids and I went through everything in J's room and purged/cleaned as much as possible to give her room to dance and play in her room. It was a heck of a job, especially with all the "help" I got from the kids, but the end result is incredible. I started on the boys' room. Guess I should go work on that some more since I have a little time right now. The kids were so thrilled with the extra space we have between the living room and dining room, stating that they now had so much more room to dance, that I knew I needed to jump on that feeling and attack their rooms while I could. Alright. Very tired, but better get moving while I can. In 3...2...1.......
Today the boys and I marched in the local parade with my MOMS Club (well, I marched, they sat in the wagon that I lugged behind me in this heat!). J wanted to go with us, but we still haven't found a sunscreen that doesn't make her break out into a rash all over, so we convinced her to watch us with Daddy. When we got to our street (towards the end of the parade) I let her join us. She waved like a pro and told me proudly, "I a big girl now!" She kept her two ponytails in and looked adorable! DH let me take a nap when I got home (Thank you!), so I'm now returning the favor, and as soon as J (and DH) get up we're heading to IKEA. Woohoo!
Yesterday the kids and I went through everything in J's room and purged/cleaned as much as possible to give her room to dance and play in her room. It was a heck of a job, especially with all the "help" I got from the kids, but the end result is incredible. I started on the boys' room. Guess I should go work on that some more since I have a little time right now. The kids were so thrilled with the extra space we have between the living room and dining room, stating that they now had so much more room to dance, that I knew I needed to jump on that feeling and attack their rooms while I could. Alright. Very tired, but better get moving while I can. In 3...2...1.......
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)