Monday, August 17, 2009

Faulty Thermostat

Most everybody has a thermostat in their house. Although it doesn't keep the house at the precise temperature you set, it notes when the temp is off and makes minute corrections to bring it back. If you set it at 80 degrees



then the thermostat turns the air of furnace on when the temp reaches 81 or 82 and runs until it is 78 or 79 degrees.

Our bodies have thermostats also. This is centered in the hypothalamus (part of the brain) when we are too hot or too cold. What most people don't know is that fibromyalgia messes with the thermostat control.

Today, I woke up with a migraine. This is nasty in itself. Most people know about migraines, so I won't detail.

While suffering with this, I was laying or lying (I can never remember which is correct) on my bed, I had the fan on. This is always on, btw. Then the temperature problems started.

With probably minute cycles, I went from hot to cold to hot to cold, etc. I dealt with this by flipping the sheet on or off. It would be too much bother to get up and turn the fan off and on. As I'd get hot, I'd have the sheet off. I'd start sweating. The fan blew the sweat off. I got cold, really really cold. I'd flip the sheet on. I'd shiver. I'd get hot. Rinse and repeat.

It was like the thermostat set at 97 went to 100 to 94 and back, constantly overshooting the target temp.

As I said, this would cycle in minutes time, but went on for hours till I finally fell asleep. It was soooo frustrating! I remember yelling out, "Knock it off!" "Stop it already!" and various other expletives (all g-rated, I assure you).

I just wanted to share my (*&%*%#$&%&) day. Thanks for listening. Peace, out.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Cycling

No, not bicycling.

Part of this guaifenesin protocol is to keep a symptom journal. It helps you see trends that might otherwise go unnoticed. I keep weight, weather, meds I took, and how I felt or slept in it. Except, I didn't keep it out west. The notebook kept getting buried or used for scrap paper (:)). Then, I didn't start when I got home.

Today it was soooo hard to make myself swim. My legs ache. My sleep is not refreshing. While swimming anyway (just 3/4 of a mile instead of a mile), I thought that I felt like this yesterday. And on monday (when I only swam 1/2 of a mile). I can't remember Sunday.

OH!!!!! I am cycling my legs. That is what is going on. It won't be forever. I have cycled depression, sleep (many times), even migraines (like 6 in 2 weeks, then none). Now that I know what it is, I can deal with it.

Cycling, BTW, means that the fibro as it helps, works on different areas. They get better and worse. Eventually you will be done with that area. It can last a short time or a long time, but it is a sign that this protocol is working. Also, eventually, the good times are longer than the bad times.

Saturday, July 11, 2009

pests


We saw one (1) japanese beetle on the underside of a grape leaf. David crunched it. I bought a beetle trap. After only a few hours we had more than 30-40 beetles. Yuck.

Thursday, July 09, 2009

The beard




So, I don't like the beard. I really REALLY didn't like it. Besides making him look older, I had this strong repugnance. I finally figured it out. It makes him look like this guy
. This guy, who presented this (See #7).

The beard is gone.

Some Portland Pictures

This is Jacob. This is Sammy, getting ready for an overnight campout. They went fishing and he caught a crayfish and a trout. Ryan came home with all the makings for sword fighting. It reminded me of Kevin. Also of monty python: "I cut off your leg" "Tis only a flesh wound."

Home, Sweet Home

I know that you are aware that I got home on July 4th. I thought I'd send you a few pictures to illustrate my journey.



This is the Las Vegas airport where I spent nearly 3 hours. In case I was bored, the slot machines are everywhere. I did not partake.



When I got to Cleveland, this fellow was waiting in Baggage Claim. I am not sure what possessed him to meet me in full Scot regalia, but I was glad to see him.




Some of our bounteous garden--what the deer haven't eaten.

Friday, June 26, 2009

Airline/Airport/Airplane Ruminations

So the people watching was pretty fun traveling from Sacramento to Portland. These were the observations I made, in a stream of consciousness ala Holden Caufield, but without the swearing.

In the airport:
Wonder what the protocol is for where one sits while waiting. Usually, one tries to leave a seat between you and anyone else. Do you respect a piece of luggage or a purse guarding a seat?? Stay away from freaky looking peeps. Or ones who don't look like they've had a bath in a while. I thought all those peeps were at the greyhound station. What about eye contact?? Man, I feel sorry for the moms with a toddler who is tired of traveling all day and can't feel comforted. Maybe it's because I have been there before, but I don't get upset, I just feel sorry for them. I made eye contact and commiserated. Is the gray haired lady traveling with her 10 year old granddaughter or is she prematurely grey?

About the airline:
Yes, I got a good fare, but the threats of death and dismemberment if you have ANYTHING more than 2 pieces of carryon are old. I realize that sometimes people really abuse this, but c'mon already. Is the dayplanner a third item? How about the water I am carrying? The woman who is carrying a baby? does she have to send the kid to the cargo??

The airplane itself:
A 737. Didn't I hear once that these guys had problems?? Oh, well, too late now. God knows when I am gonna die so worrying about it won't help. Oh oh, looks pretty crowded. Normally people sit in the aisle seat or the window seat. Looks like we are going to have to use the middle seat. So, who looks like they won't take up 1 1/2 seats? Who looks non-scowly (yes, I made up that word)? Okay, here's a couple taking up the window and middle seats. She is all over him, so maybe I can have 2 armrests. Oh, and they look older than me. I wonder if they are newly married--her head on his shoulder, holding hands, other hand on upper inner thighs of the other person. Hmmm, she has a wedding ring but he doesn't. Maybe they are on their honeymoon. Maybe he doesn't believe in wedding rings? Some older guys don't. Oh WAIT!! Maybe she's married to someone else and this is a rendezvous with her LOVER!. Oooh, yuck. Well, if it gives me more seat, I can just ignore their goo-goo eyes.

Here comes a mom with a daughter and a small (say 2 month old) on her shoulder. Poor mommy. As she comes by me I notice that there is another baby IN THE BAG she's holding in front of her! Oh, wait, that's a doll. Pheeeww.

Look, the guy two rows ahead is wearing a redsox cap. Maybe he knows Ryan? No, that is just dumb. The sox have lots of fans. The two little redstockings on the back are cute.

I think this flight crew is tired. I have never heard the warning spiel so quickly done. I know not many people listen, but the words should be comprehensible.

The captain just made an announcement. Is it dad??? I can't even hear him. Hope it wasn't something I needed to know, like, say, THE PLANE IS CRASHING!! Repeatedly he makes announcements that I can't hear. He must be tired.

Who uses airplane bathrooms? Doesn't everybody watch their liquids and go in the airport just before getting on?? It's only a 90 minute flight. Well, most of them were men, for whom peeing at a hole in the plane is no different than peeing at the airport. Still, there were some women. Maybe the older woman needs to have the Detrol discussion with her dr? And I could understand if a woman was pregnant, or if someone had a bladder infection, or took a diuretic just before boarding (but who would do that?), or had high sugar.

That guy diagonal to me is drinking beer. He looks too young. Wonder if they card on airplanes. Sorry to stereotype, but Asians tend to look young for their age.

The 3 girls in the row opposite mine are discussing getting a master's degree. One really likes Ohio. But no one knows where Ohio is. It's in the midwest, I think. It goes Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, I think. Maybe Jenna can help them. Even with the napkins from the flight attendant with the states outlined on them doesn't help. And they wanted to go somewhere where they won't have to take the G.R.E.---Or did they actually say M.R.E.??

They are offering peanuts for a snack. Who does that anymore since the peanut dust carries all through the plane and so many people these days are allergic to peanuts. I mean, anaphylactilly allergic. I look in the seat back in front of me. I see a bag of peanuts and a bag of wheat thins. Wonder how long they have been there?? Last flight?? All flights today?? Last month? When they collect trash, I throw them out as my good deed for the day. When they are collecting trash, I see a kid up ahead give the flight attendant some origami. Makes me think of David. And Ryan.

When we are descending to Portland International, for some reason the pilot keeps rolling the plane like a new driver overcorrecting. I am getting seasick. I don't think I will look out the window anymore. It keeps up. I think I will just assume that there is a lot of turbulence rather than a new driver. Whoa, that was bad. Then comes the landing. Pretty rough.

Let's do this again in 9 days or so.

love to ya guys.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Learning at my age

I just started using Mozilla Firefox.  Braden is giving me lessons.  Here's a link to lds.org and facebook.com

Friday, June 19, 2009

Katie

I don't know why this picture is sideways--it isn't that way in "my pictures". Katie has the cutest high watt smile. Her face just lights up.



In the bath this morning.


Recognize the doll?


During her crawling around she got entangled in this styrofoam puzzle. It looked pretty funny.





My goal has been to initiate Katie to solid foods while I am here. By today, she was lunging for her oatmeal, and opens her mouth ready for it. Success. But messy.


You have to kind of look close in to see the mess.

Of course my other goals have been to assist in the move and spend time with the kiddos. Success there, too

Jenna

Jenna has this funny expression of complete bemusement and surprise. I was trying to get her to replicate it for me. Note the crazy hair in the face.



Okay, got the hands up anyway.



This is almost it---but has a "Home Alone" aspect to it.



Jenna trying some oatmeal after seeing me feed Katie some (pics to follow). She only took a couple of bites. Yea! for the haircut. Now you can see how cute she is.



I tried to clean Jenna's high chair, since the outer covering looked dirty. I got the cover off to reveal an encrusted black padding. I managed to remove that and wipe it down only to discover below THAT layer was this:



So that's where all the food went!!

The thing I love about these particular grandchildren

is that they act like sitting in Grandma's lap is the best thing that could ever happen to them. While it is annoying to not be able to sneak a potty break (or some ice cream) without hearing, "What doing grandma?", I have to admit that having a fan club is kinda neat.

Katie Beeyah

I love learning new languages. I am presently being schooled in Toddler. One of my favorite words is beeyah. or beeiah. It means spit-up. Jenna coined this when Katie was born. Whenever she saw spit-up she got very upset and yelled "Katie beeyah!!"

So now all of us use it. when we hear Katie beeyah, we come running with a burp cloth. Or is it a beeyah cloth??

Sunday, May 31, 2009

Anal Southwest Airline Employees

Why will you not absolutely cannot let me board if I have a carryon, a computer, and a small purse, but will let me if I put the computer and purse in a giant, and I mean GIANT macy's bag??

Washington

So, hopefully this is the last time I have to fly into Seattle. I am here to help Kerry and Braden move to, as Jenna calls it, "Caifohna Sacamento nussy". That is the nursery that she keeps talking about. Whenever anyone leaves, she has to cry the above so she doesn't get lost or left behind.

Jenna remembered me pretty well, although it didn't hurt to bring her birthday present. After a little shyness, she now is my shadow and cries if I leave. Katie hasn't hit the stranger anxiety yet, so that is nice.

I am babysitting while Kerry and Braden go to dinner with his cousin. They are so excited t have a real DATE.

I asked Jenna if she wanted some milk, cause Katie was having some milk, and it IS 7pm. She kept mumbling something till I got it: peabutt caca. Or peanut butter and crackers for those who don't speak toddler. I am getting better at it.

Not sure when I will get back...thinking july 4.

love you'uns

Thursday, May 07, 2009

Asperger's is a ninja.

I saw this somewhere and just was enthralled. I wish I had no need to understand Asperger's. I sure see a lot of traits in my children. Maybe that's why Amy has it.

Friday, April 24, 2009

Picnic Table

Our poor picnic table was made long, long ago when all the kids were still at home, I think. I don't recall any waterproofer being applied, but dad thinks he did it once...though not till already damaged.

We decided to cover the top with vinyl (flannel on the other side) material. I remembered my 50% off Jo-Ann's coupon, so it cost about $15, as opposed to totally replacing the wood, which was dad's idea. That would have been significantly more money and effort. I got enough fabric to cover the benches also but we are waiting for dad to bring foam scraps home from work. Might as well make it softer as well! It took about 10 minutes to attach. There have been a number of rainy days, too, and it still looks good.





And might as well eat out as long as the weather was so nice and the table could be eaten at without giving you splinters. Have you guys seen the gas grill we got last year?

Trying new things

I had to cut some lilac shoots when I covered the ground with weed block material. So, I thought I'd see if I could save any. Maybe they can go to my "living fence". :D Online, it said just plant them in dirt. Only maybe one had any roots, but a week later, all but one look still alive. I take them in in the evening and out for sun and water in the morning.

I am also trying to start some veggies from seed. There are some that are growing. It's a miracle!!

Blonde

Okay, Carolyn. Look at the haircolor, not the face.

Garden, 2009

The first two pictures are of the "Living Fence" that I have been trying to grow for about 5 years. Only the forsythia on the west edge are doing well. The rest are just barely hanging on.






This is the front garden. The bachelor buttons have spread all over. The original came back (perennial), but also spread nearby. I love these flowers, which, if you deadhead, or take off blooms when they are finished blooming, keep on coming on.










Looks like something has been eating these tulips.








Lilacs




Strawberries



This is where the raised gardens will go. They will be 8' by 4'. We will put up two this year, one that is 12' high and one that will be 14' high (for carrots, etc.
The first picture is of where I was waterproofing the boards. Dan, that is the wagon I was talking about.




If you look closely, you can see where the porch will be added upon. It has crushed limestone for its outline.


OOPS!

I have recently noticed a large spike in the number of gray hairs. I accept that I am getting older, but thought I'd mess with it a little. I meant, A LITTLE!!
If you could see me in good lighting, it would be much more dramatic. I'm, um, blonde. a lot. oops.






Oh, and I have raccoon eyes, too.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

twitter

yeah, that's pretty much it.

You make me proud

Let's hear it for Susan Boyle. Let no one underestimate a middle-aged woman again. Look inside the book, don't judge by the cover.

UFO

A UFO has been spotted in the Cleveland sky. Some say it is the sun. So THAT'S what it looks like.

Birthday Greetings

I know you are all dying to know about my 29th birthday last monday. First, how can I have a 33 year old son and a 31 year old daughter?? Must be the space/time continuum. Must talk to star trek about this.

I had a lovely dinner of beef stroganoff on Tuesday. We couldn't do it on Monday because it was too late by the time I finished swimming and rescuing David, who locked himself out of the car at the Cheesecake factory. HMMMM. Of COURSE I'll pick you up. I had asked for a 7 inch chocolate mousse cheesecake, so that is what he got me. I love when husbands actually take the hint and run with it. Then I talked to Carolyn as I was driving there, and it was the GODIVA cheesecake that was so scrumptious. So I called him and asked if he could exchange it. They wouldn't take it back, which I thought but was worth the try. Boy, was it worth the try...they gave him a free slice of Godiva!! So, I got both. Yummmmmmmm.



I asked for a raised garden for my birthday, so Saturday we shopped. At the greenhouse advertising it they were $130. So we got the stuff individually at LOWE'S and for that price I am getting 3 of them, 2 that are 8 inches high and one that is 4 inches high. Today, I planted seeds in peat containers. I have never grown from seed before--I always got stuff from the nursery (or walmart) already sprouted. We will see. If they don't germinate, the nursery option is still open. I planted seeds of green beens, peas, carrots, radish, spinach, corn, kale, zuchini, and yellow squash. They also say that you can train your squash to grow up a trellis or a tomato thingie (how specific).



They say that you can grow things closer together in a raised bed. Probably because you only put GOOD soil in it.

Tuesday, April 07, 2009

Headaches

I hate them. People who don't get headaches don't realize how debilitating they are. My migraines had spaced out to about 1 per month. Now, today, I am having the third migraine in less than a week. Gotta stop, I tell you!! How can I celebrate Dan's birthday with a headache???

I just realized today that I did not take thyroid medicine Sat, sun and yesterday. I also stopped my guai yesterday, as I realized that the mouthwash the dentist gave me for my sore gum has mint in it--I can taste it, not that it is on the label. Mint keeps the guai from working, so why waste the guai if it isn't gonna work. Maybe these 2 factors are complicit in the migraines.

Staying alive with the capitol steps

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Trip to Detroit to see Kevo

Kevin getting ready to go on his birthday kilt walk with dad. The world famous leg kick. Groesbeck highway. Now Kev will always remember us. Oh, sorry about the rain spot on the lens...it started to rain. Side vies of Debra's house. There is an add on porch where we spent most of our time.

Dan's new car

Oh, and Carolyn's also. The Miller Farmhouse Vehicle.

When I was visiting, they said that when the van finally dies, they would have to get a 15 seater van. Cause if they had just ONE more baby, they wouldn't fit.

Now, I have seen 15 passenger vans---at the children's home. I thought that D&C deserved better. And then I saw it. Check it out.

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Happy Pi Day!!!

Hope I'm the first. With Ryan 3 hours behind me, I may just pull this off.

Today we are headed up to Roseville (detroit) Michigan to see Kevin and take him out to dinner for his birthday. I mean, 21 is special, right??

Thanks to Kerry, I was looking up Baker's Square in honor of said holiday, but I guess they don't exist in MI. Their loss.

My lights came on at 6:10 this am. I usually use the time to pray. Then dad woke up at 6:30. How often do I wake up before him??? And I even stayed up. Did you know that Walmart is virtually empty at 8 in the morning?? Neither did I.

I love all my peeps!!! Jenna, get well soon!

Saturday, February 28, 2009

long overdue

I just love reading all your blogposts!! Sometimes I even bop out of reader to the actual page to leave a comment. But I keep forgetting that I should be posting also.

I have swum/swam 5 miles in each of the last 3 weeks!! Wow, I impress myself. This week was particularly hard, as I went to the temple wednesday which is one of my swimming days. I was determined I was going to do the 5 miles anyway. Monday, I swam 3 miles. It made me get my 5, but I don't think I should ever do that again. I swam 2 miles yesterday.

I think that I should cut my swimming to 3 miles per week so that I am not so trashed on the day after. I also have other temple trips scheduled. I want to try to do some other form of exercise on the alternate days (richard with the 75 year old silver foxes that I can not keep up with) either a dvd or yoga or something. Now, I am so wasted on T/TH that resting is about it.

I love being able to skype with my peeps.

Speaking of peeps, I have seen easter peeps in the stores already. Didn't we just do mardi gras, or fat tuesday, and ash wednesday??? They must store well. And it made me think of Ryan and the peeps for academic tounaments. Did you burn them, Ryan?? or what did you do with them for luck??

I saw my old friend Vicky Shackelton at the temple on wednesday. That was nice. She told me she keeps up with me on my blog. Hi, Vicky! I had no idea she was reading. But when I came home I wondered, yeah, but how do "I" keep up with "you"??

I finally installed this software and a little bit of hardware on my computer that lets me make DVDs out of my VHS tapes. I did Princess Bride and Richard Simmons "Sweating to the Oldies". Dad and I watched Princess Bride for our date. The picture was so good. But about 1/2 way into it, suddenly the voices didn't match the lips, which was annoying. By the end the lips were a whole sentence behind, not to mention the sound effects. Door slams in sound.....wait....wait....the door closes onscreen. Makes me wonder about Richard (Sichard). Do I move to the screen or to the sound???

I played a little sims2 the last couple of weeks. Of course, the new comp has vista which doesn't like it. I have to start it from the disc in My Computer. I made all my kids with families. I had to make Kennedy and Jenna kids in order to let Ezra and Katie be toddlers. I made my own standard family from the original Sims, Prince and Claire Charming. This is who I play so that none of the others grow up. I can't play too often, I think I played 3 or 4 times max. Otherwise, I get lost in the game and my butt and back hurt and nothing got done at home.

Well, it is almost time for my lights to end so I will close. Just remember I love you even when I don't post. But you guys all HAVE to post :))

Saturday, February 14, 2009

as long as I have meme'd once

Here is my 25 things. Nobody is tagged. I don't do that as well as I don't give names for tupperware hostesses or life insurance sales.

1. My first career choice was acting.

2. When I went to college, I changed majors 4 times.

3. One change was before I even got to college.

4. I want to learn lotsa lotsa languages, including arabic, hebrew, mandarin, french, spanish (better), german.

5. I didn't know that my serial depression was PMS related until after I was divorced. So, maybe 28-29?? It explained so much.

6. I would like to have had more children. Only I want them as adults. now.

7. I want to live near all my children and grandchildren. Okay, so you already knew that one.

8. I hate the texture of mushrooms. It's not the taste, it's the texture.

7. I love my vita-mix. I'd buy one for all my children if I could.

8. My brother Dave and I used to sing show tunes in the dining room while listening to records. I think we were best at Peter Pan and Mary Poppins.

9. Dave was going to come with me when I was going to run away from home when I was about 5. He was 2. He had a soggy diaper that hung down to his knees. My mom said, "see ya".

10. I would have made a darn good excellent midwife. I still have sorrow about not getting to practice.

11. One of my first purchases after my divorce was my king size waterbed. We still use the frame, only now it has a real mattress.

12. Peanut butter and chocolate: a heavenly duo.

13. I loved driving my van, both the VW and the caravan. I'd like to buy a Sienna or Odyssey.

14. Truly, I am a blonde. Why my hair won't cooperate is beyond me.

15. I swam 5 miles this week. 1 mile on Wednesday, and 2 on both friday and monday.

16. Fettucine Alfredo is nectar to the gods. Esp with chicken and/or shrimp.

17. I want to move to somewhere sunnier. But I also would hate leaving friendships of over 20 years.

18. I really love my grandkids. I miss them. I hate not being a bigger part of their lives.

19. I am married forever. I love my husband. He is just right for me. Hope he feels the same.

20. I am so happy to look at Dan now and know he GETS it about LDS. I wasn't so sure growing up.

21. I have a secret (well not very well kept) adopted son in Canada.

22. I quit drama club in my senior year in high school because the advisors insisted on producing "Our Town". I maintained that this was an English teachers' pick and that it was one of the most boring shows known to man.

23. I am great at Texttwist. Textwist II is harder and I don't like it as much. No hints about the big word by the words you already guessed on the side.

24. I was the Monopoly champion of our neighborhood. No one wanted to play with me.

25. I have a baby pillow since I was pregnant with Dan. They have had various incarnations, but I alwasy sleep with one still.

26. To make up for #7. I went to Perus as an exchange student in high school for 9 weeks. We went with another larger group of exchange students to Cuzco/ Machu Picchu. We all got altitude sickness, and convinced our chaperone to stay an extra day to make up for the sick day. While eating at an outdoor place, we saw the plane carrying the entire other group of exchange students crash into the mountains. No survivors.

Economy

two good reads:

this and this.



Watching the news at 6 adn 6:30, I recognize all the commercials.

I am actually doing a meme

How long have you been together?
almost 27 years, married for almost 26

How long did you know each other before you started dating?
I met him at tithing settlement (he was the clerk). We started "dating" in March or April

Who asked who out?
He asked me. To see his kites he made at his home. And his parents were GONE.

How old are each of you?
I am old. He is a babe at 55.

Whose siblings do/ did you see the most?
Now it seems like my fam. We do the whole condo thing with his fam every 2 years.

Do you have any children together?
2 together and 2 together in the temple and by love. makes 4.

What about pets?
Die, Die, Die.

Which situation is the hardest on you as a couple?
when we are both depressed at the same time. or when a decision is needed and he needs to make it but I can't stand to wait and i bite my tongue waiting for him to make it but he doesnt........etc. etc. etc.

Did you go to the same school?
nope

Are you from the same home town?
Kind of. I grew up in Parma and he spent most of his years in RR.

Who is the smartest?
I think I am.

Who is the most sensitive?
tie

Where do you eat out most as a couple?
Macaroni grill, Olive Garden, Danny Boy's.

Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple?
Here to Oregon and back.

Who has the craziest ex’s?
there is only one ex. mine.

Who has the worst temper?
Me.

Who hogs the bed?
Me. On the king size bed, he huddles near the edge in mummy pose.

Who is more stubborn?
me.

Who is more jealous?
Neither one of us.

Who does the cooking?
both of us. When I don't, he does. And he does pizza.

Who is more social?
me

Who is the neat Freak?
he is.

Who wakes up earlier?
What a dumb question. I will give you a hint. It is not me.

Where was your first date?
seeing the kites. or a dinner for the RS birthday.

Who has the bigger family?
same. we are both of 5 children families.

Do you get flowers often?
not since the wholesale flower company in the adjoining building left. He and all his pals would dumpster dive for the flowers the company couldn't sell. They were still nice, and I appreciated the thought.

How do you spend the holidays?
With family. Always low-key. Just hanging out.

How long did it take to get serious?
Depends who you ask. I was committed by summer. He was getting hot/cold feet for a loooooonnnnng time.

Who does the laundry?
me. unless i can't or he is home while i am gallivanting.

Who drives when you are together?
Usually him. Always him if it is dark outside, cause I don't see well in the dark. And he eats lots of oranges.

Is your family still growing?
Only with grandchildren

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Haiku

I am "sundowning"
like an alzheimer's patient.
Without alzheimer's.

When the sun goes down,
So do I. Into the pit
of despair. I need sleep.

If I could sleep when
I go to bed, things would be
extremely better.

Letting people know
that I am having trouble
has helped some. Thank you.

Sleep Sleep Sleep Sleep Sleep
Sleep Sleep Sleep Sleep Sleep Sleep Sleep
Sleep Sleep Sleep Sleep Sleep .

Monday, February 09, 2009

Depression

I daydream about knives and hammers with long nails, concrete abutments, bridges over deep valleys. I understand cutting. I want to die. how about now?

Tuesday, February 03, 2009

Swimsuit Issue and other pornography

Here is a great joke to tell to the men who buy magazines whose covers sport all-but-naked women in a variety of salacious poses. Ready? This came from Prairie Home Companion.


Did you know that Playboy now has a magazine exclusively for married men?
"Really?" Yes! Every single month, it has the exact same centerfold.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Workin' out

So, one of the things I really like about my gym is that it is so non-judgemental. I am breaking my own cardinal rule here, but, really. Who ever thought there would be plumber swimsuits??


cartoon deleted because of copyright.


This guy, older is working out in the pool. Good for him. But his swimsuit is from a million years ago when he only weighed 280. It used to be blue, I think, from the edges. It is now translucent grey/white. NO, I can't see anything through it, you dirty old people...I am not looking there. But it doesn't pull up over his belly in front, and, in the back---plumber!! ewwwww.


The other day when I was swimming, I saw him with a new swimsuit. And I rejoiced for him. Glad he found the money. But wait--they are STILL plumber pants. What is wrong with this guy?? I shook my head.

Maybe 20 minutes later, I see the original guy. No, he didn't buy a new suit. That was ANOTHER guy. 2 plumbers in one gym. There oughta be a law.

cartoon deleted because of copyright.

More star wars

and yes, it is clean to watch in front of children...but you won't be able to hear it. It is hard understanding in silence. but worth it.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

The "MOM song"

I just noticed that my copy of the mom song below has been removed and is no longer available. Glad I wrote down the words.

more exercise

I posted this on my guai forum. Thought I'd post it here for a record.


I have felt for a couple of weeks that I should share my exercise experience in case they may help someone else. I started using Lifeworks, my gym, in January 2005. This gym has all the machines, bikes, cardio, etc. But I went because it had a regular pool (83 degrees), a warm pool (93 degrees), and a hot tub. I pretty much wasn't able to move at that time. My husband and I decided that although $50 a month was a lot of money for us, that I needed to do SOMETHING to help my fibro besides taking a zillion meds, which left me well enough as long as I stayed in bed.

My initial goal was to go twice a week to hang out in the warm pool and the hot tub. I didn't have to do anything in the water except move my arms or legs if I felt that I could. Some days, all I did was hang on a noodle for 45 minutes. But, I HAD to go, that was the rule. I'd be so exhausted after hanging, that I had to sit down to shower. And take a break between washing my hair and rinsing. I would drive home and be in pain for a day and a half. That's STUPID. I didn't do anything to deserve such pain. But I had to admit, the warm and hot water felt delicious, even on days that I couldn't move. I worked up to an hour three times a week. I would see all the old ladies doing their water exercise class and knew that I couldn't do it. That's okay, I said, you just have to show up. One time, it was feeling so good that I hung on the noodle for an extra 45 minutes to an hour. I mean, I wasn't DOING anything. Mistake. Even just hanging in the water, you are making minute adjustments to the action of the waves when other people move. I hurt a lot after that time, but it taught me that just hanging there WAS a workout.

Within a few months, I could walk in the warm pool for a short time. It was probably10-15 feet across. Some days I did a few lengths, somedays, I would just hang. I remember some times that I was so exhausted at the end that the keypad to get into my locker to get my shower stuff would be a trial. Because my fingers would "stutter" in fatigue. It still took me a day and a half to recover.

Probably in that first year, the warm pool was crowded doing "laps". So, I would go to the regular pool, regulation length, and walk a lap or more. Then, my reward was to go to the warm pool to hang out. And the hot tub. As I got better at doing the walking laps, I spent more time in the regular pool and less in the warm pool. I was up to an hour now, and it only took me a day to recover.

In the summer of 2007, I got the bright idea that the swimming wasn't really helping. We also could use the $50 at home. So, I stopped. What a giant colossal mistake. My shoulders and neck tightened up. My hips and back raged. I needed a backrub/massage from my hubby nearly every night. But, at least I learned. I rejoined in October.

I started doing some swimming. My goal was 4 laps, using 4 different strokes. That way, I figured, I would be using lots of different muscles. Wow, that was harder than I thought. I had to stop every length to get my breathing and heartrate back. It felt awful. But I did it. Then straight to the warm pool and hot tub. No energy for anything else. Sit down showers. Eventually, I could walk the big pool after the 4 swimming laps. When I walked a fair amount, I knew that I could add some more swimming and less walking. Good days and bad, still. And all I HAD to do was come and hang in the warm pool. No excuses to not show up. I did the breaststroke, the elementary backstroke, the sidestroke, and the back crawl, I could not and still cannot do the front crawl. Every time I do, I get tendonitis (tennis elbow) in my right arm.

I started Guai in 2008.

Now, I swim 36 laps per session, 3 times a week. That's 1 MILE, folks. I feel so proud of myself when I do it. Every four laps, I move the kickboard to keep count. Yet, sometimes, I still have to talk myself up. "You just have to do twelve laps if you are really feeling bad." "If I did 12, I could do 18--that's half a mile!" If I did 20, I could do 24--that's 2/3 of a mile. If I got to 24, go to 28. From 28, it's 2 laps till the thirties. From 32, why in the world wouldn't I do the whole 36? It only works because I know I can do 36. If I had to quit at 12, that's ok, cause I did 12. I don't want to sound like I am encouraging people to go beyond what their body says to do. It only works for me because I know I can do it. It usually only needs a good night's sleep to recover. I can do easy things right after until bedtime. Sometimes, I just lay in bed and read.

On mondays, I shop for groceries afterward. I am thinking of starting machines on Tuesday/Thursday. Or a DVD at home. I can do some more now, I think.

I remember when I could only do one thing per day with the rest of the day to recover. And that would be a small store, not a walmart or a costco.

Start moving, folks, even if all you can do is hang in the pool. You will be amazed to see where it will get you. I don't believe that guai alone will get you where you want to be. You have to move.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

exercise

I am currently (well, not at this actual precise minute) swimming 1 mile three times a week. Yea, me!!

It has been snowing a lot. We got 12" (although dad says it was 10)on saturday, followed by an inch or two sunday, sunday night, monday night...and it's snowing heavily now. Kevin realizes that Debra's house is on a corner again...lots of sidewalk to shovel. They also salt them because I guess Detroiters like lots of lawsuits. I think maybe I will wait to go to Costco to get my drugs, although it is supposed to snow thursday as well. And tomorrow I swim. Usually don't do much after a swim, except mondays when I go to Marc's (hi, kerry!) to get groceries. Costco and BJ's are farther away.

Boy, I have a boring life.

Dad is redoing Kev's old room for an office. He has patched holes and nail holes, primed it all, and painted the trim. Next will come the actual painting, a light beigeish, I think. Then he plans to rip up the carpet for the hardwood floors underneath. If he was only this excited about all house projects!!:)

Monday, January 12, 2009

Parenting

I just read on somebody's blog the following sentence: "The proof of good parenting is in the lives of our children..."

What??!! If my child screws up because of stupid choices he is making with his darn-it-all free agency, then I am a bad parent?? The trouble is that This lie from Satan is commonly and frequently visiting my psyche enough anyway. I can get quite upset enough about it without someone validating it by writing it down.

I know that I can look at some of my children and think, "see, I was a good parent". But it is the one that got away that torments me.

To be fair, the blog, The more the messier, uses this comment on her blog to say it isn't true...

"I mean, if only, right? If only we could rest assured that by doing everything "right" (whatever that means) when raising our children, we would be rewarded with responsible, loving, hard-working teens and adults. But, um, no. Doesn't work that way. I've seen kids raised on TV and junk food and general neglect turn into the most wonderful people, and I've witnessed children nurtured and read to and lovingly disciplined develop into the most nightmarish teens you would wish to see."

...but it still hits me between the eyes every single d***** time.

Thursday, January 08, 2009

Financial advice

I saw this on "Amy's humble musings", which, if I cared enough I would link to it.

http://www.hulu.com/watch/1389/saturday-night-live-dont-buy-stuff?ref=patrick.net

Sound an awful lot like Dan's diet advice.

Thursday, January 01, 2009

Happy New Year!!

Larry Boulden sent this to Dad and I just think it needs a broader audience. Enjoy!!