Dermabond

Well, it happened.   Our first experience with stitches (sort of)  for one of the girls.  And I survived, barely.

Eva was at recess.  She was balancing on a cement barricade that is on the edge of the playground. She had her hands in her coat because it was cold.  She slipped, and, since her hands were stuck in her pockets, her head took the fall... right into the corner of the next barricade.    Did you know that scalps bleed...a TON?   Yeah.  They do.   Ask Eva's teacher.   She'll tell you all about it.

They called me into the office because Eva "bumped her head."  I was not at all prepared to see all of the blood.  All over her face... and hands... and clothes.   Luckily it clotted up fairly fast after I got there.  We got her cleaned up and found an extra set of clothes that fit (close enough).  She didn't appear to have any signs of a concussion, but I wanted to keep an eye on her just in case. 

She stayed in the back of my room while I finished teaching. She was a tough girl and read loads of books, but her head kept starting to bleed again.  I looked at it again after my students went to lunch and realized that it was much deeper than it looked at first.  It was a pretty clean cut, but it was deep.  I called an OB friend of mine who lives a block away from the school and was just getting of work (lucky me).  She swung by and took a look at it... and instantly suggested stitches.  Boo.   

Lucky for us, there is Dermabond (liquid stitches).   We went back to her house, hosed Eva down in the shower, cleaned the cut, glued it up, and  were on our way.  (Dermabond has got to be one of the best inventions EVER!) Poor girl has a good sized bruise around the area of the cut and had a nice headache for a couple of days, but I survived... errr...  I mean SHE survived... and you couldn't even tell anything was wrong later that night at our Halloween Carnival:

 ... And Miss Naiya looked pretty dang cute as well!!

Now girls, lets check stitches off the list and call it good... for the rest of your lives.  Okay?

Day 16

I want a cupcake.

Epic Shredding

Not long ago spending an hour shredding would have had something to do with the mountains and a pair of skis.   Tonight, it meant using our old bank statements and junk mail to create fresh bedding  for the guinea pigs.  It's too bad I can't use this stuff for the kitty litter.  We're out of that too.
Dang, I'm getting old.  
Court, Look at what's happened to me since you moved to Seattle!  You must come visit a.s.a.p.! 

Whole30- Day 9

Today is day 9 of my Whole30 Challenge.  I'm happy to say I'm still going.  I alluded to the no sugar part of this eating challenge, but I didn't go into a lot of detail as to what else I'm omitting...  which is almost everything.  (I may be being a little dramatic.)    For the duration of this 30 days I am omitting just about ANYTHING that my body could react to as far as food allergies or aversions go. 

I eat 3 meals a day.  Each meal consists of an organic/grass fed animal protein (meat or eggs), vegetables, and a healthy fat (approved oils, avocado, coconut or occasionally nuts- not peanuts). I can (and do) have a small serving of certain fruits (berries, kiwi, melons...).   

I am not eating anything processed, no preservatives, nothing added.  No grains, no dairy, no peanuts, no beans, no soy, no sugars (artificial or natural... including honey).  It's all very Paleo (cave man diet).  For the duration of the 30 days I can not so much as lick a spoon with one of the forbidden foods.  One bad move and I start back at day 1.  At the end of the 30 days, I slowly add one thing at a time back into my diet to see how I react to it so that I know what my "safe" foods are.  Sounds fun, right?  

Why, you ask am I doing this?  Lots of reasons.  I'd been hearing whispers about this challenge before.  A good runner friend of mine eats this way all the time (not perfectly, but mostly).  She is amazing, but I figure that's just her.  Not normal.  The thing that  finally sold me on it is a friend of mine doing it and swore that she has never had this much good level energy throughout the day.   She didn't feel bloated at the end of the day and felt her mood stabilizing.  Of course she also shed pounds.   As I read more about it, I read testimonials of people having acne clear up, skin/hair/nails looking healthier, and lots of other things (including all the things that my friend mentioned).  Mostly I was looking for something to help with energy/mood/bloating/metabolism.   This seemed like it was worth a shot. 

So, how is it going?   It's been good.   The first couple days I had a headache (expected)  as I got the sugars out of my system.  On days 3-5 I got a surge or euphoric happy feeling and energy in the afternoon and into the evenings.  to the point that it creeped me out. which I LOVED!  I'm chalking that up to possibly not eating enough protein before I started this challenge (I only ate meat occasionally). On days 6-9 (today) I felt pretty normal, but I did feel sleepy in the late afternoon.  I read up and found that this is normal as my body continues to adjust to using the healthy fats as an energy source rather than the carbohydrates.  

I've become increasingly aware of my relationship with food.   I have always been aware that I'm an emotional eater.  I eat when I'm stressed or sad (or happy, or tired, or bored, or scared.....)   I feel like it has been GREAT for me to become much more aware of what I am putting into my mouth and why.  It has also been good to look for other things to do (besides eat) when I'm feeling any sort of emotion.  It has also been good for me not to be able to weigh myself.  This is one thing I did daily. As in E.V.E.R.Y. M.O.R.N.I.N.G.  (Wake up, pee, undress, weigh, shower, dress...)  Apparently that's not the healthiest way to start your day.

So far, I do feel less hungry, less bloated and my skin is clearing up (although that fluctuates through the month so I'm not sure that is from the challenge).  I feel like I've lost a pound or two, but I can't get on the scale (which is killing me).  I have funny dreams about food that I normally don't even normally crave  (like Life Savers?!)   According to what I've read I should be feeling amazing by day 12.   We'll see.   I'll keep you posted.  Wish me luck.  (With Halloween parties and such coming up, I'm going to need it!!)

Garden After Dark

Red Butte Gardens does an annual Garden After Dark around Halloween.  Kids wander through the garden and stop at different stations to do projects.  Our cousins Jace and Tayte got a great deal on Groupon and invited us to come along. 
It was fun to be up in the gardens as the sun was setting. The kids, of course had a great time running around.

 The girls made Werewolf masks:

We saw this stunning owl:

They also filled little viles with garlic and seeds to ward off vampires.  They made ghost lanterns, lit the candles, and released them onto the pond. (I don't know how I missed getting a picture of that!)  They visited mummies and learned to say "Anubis" to call the God of the Jackal if a mummy tired to capture them.  They made paper torches and then finally went through the "Walk of the Monsters."   Top it off with a quick hot chocolate and it adds up to a pretty great all-be-it chilly night.   Thanks to the Jefferies for the invite! 

Deactivating to "Re-activate"

I've deactivated my Facebook account.  I often am finding myself longing for more time.  I realized that I can get a good chunk of time back if I deactivate.  The time may be equivalent to doing the dishes, putting in a load of laundry, writing my lesson for the next day or maybe just reading a page of the book I'm trying to get through.  But it is time non-the-less.
It will probably be hard for me. I like to be in the know.  I learned about a lot of fun activities for the girls and races for myself via Facebook.  I have found out about friends that needed a dinner brought to them, a card sent, or a chat.  I have had friends share about joyous events in their lives of friends.  I have had Facebook chats that never would have happened via text or phone.
I LOVE that part of Facebook.  Feeling connected even when your kids are sleeping and your home alone.  Reading funny or informative articles that others share.  Finding new songs/bands. Seeing picture of what my friends are doing. Laughing, crying,  "liking" things I see.  In fact I learned about the Whole30 Challenge (that I am still doing and loving!!) on Facebook.  
So, why the deactivation?  Here's the part I don't like about Facebook.  The part where you log on when you should be doing something else (dishes, laundry, writing my lesson for the next day).  The part where one link leads to another and another and before you know it, it's been 30 minutes 2 hours.I don't like the part where I find myself logging on purposely to avoid doing something else.... in search of motivation or inspiration.   Slowly the amount of time I've spent of Facebook has increased.  I don't like it.
As I've been doing my eating challenge, I've been receiving daily e-mails about eating, motivation, exercise, sleep, organization. & life in general.  My children and my family have always been a priority for me. Now I need to work on myself a little.   I need to make healthy habits a priority.  I need to make adequate sleep a priority.  I need to make my routine a priority (because when I do the things I know I should do in the evening, the mornings- and therefore the days- run much more smoothly.)  In short I've deactivated my account so that I can be even more committed to my family.  Reactivate myself. Get  focused.  Get organized. Read.  Journal.  Find QUALITY time for myself.  Spend more time with my friend laundry.  He's been calling me all week and I haven't returned his calls. 
So... for now that means no Facebook.   I may be back, but for now, call me.... or text if something amazing or awful (hopefully amazing) happens in your life.  I'd love to hear about it. :)

Lookie What I Did...

Jared has been busy working two jobs, so I decided  to winterize the swamp cooler.  All by myself... Okay I did use a "phone-a-friend" but, still!  I'm super proud of myself.

Public Service Announcement?

I'm  on day 2 of this:


And they recommend making a public commitment to help motivate me to stay on track.  30 days of no sugar... maybe it's more to warn you all than it is to help me. ;)
Either way,  here you go, public...
I am doing the Whole30 Challenge.    
There is zero allowance for slip-ups.  (If you do you start back on day 1.)
Feel free to bug me and check in on how I'm doing.
I WILL complete this challenge and I will feel more energetic and happier for it.
(I will not go as far as to post before pictures... but maybe the afters.  We'll have to wait and see on that.)

Dearest Laundry,

Laundry.  My dear friend.   We've been together for quite some time.   Sporadically at first, but then with increasing frequency and intensity.  In recent years, we've spent many a late night and many early mornings together. A couple times we stayed up all night. 

There have been times that I've tried to wipe you out completely.  Vowed to get rid of you and hang you out to dry. I've even cursed you.  But you, Laundry, you don't take things personally.  You always come back.  If I ignore you, you wait.  Patiently. For as long as I need. 

You've helped me in many ways.  You keep me honest.  Remember that time in high school that I borrowed my mom's shirt and tried to wash away the evidence.  You ruined that shirt so that I was forced into honesty.  Everyone needs a friend to help them keep it real. 

You keep me from getting bored.  I know I always have you to hang out with.  Always.    

I know you are needy, Laundry.  I know you would like me to tend to you all the time.  You whisper to me when I'm trying to run out the door. You welcome me promptly upon my return.  You tease me by appearing to diminish only to magically double (or triple) over night.   (How do you do that, Laundry?  It's really quite a trick.) 

When it's all said and done, I'm happy to have you, Laundry.  One constant in this ever changing, busy  life.   As long as you are around, I know we are out enjoying trips to the park, hikes, and working in the yard.  We are completing art projects and homework assignments.  We are  working to master our culinary skills, and are eating yummy food.  

In short, laundry, you remind me that we are living... and loving every minute of it. 
And for that, I thank you.

Seriously??? Six???

*Sigh*   I can't believe it really happened.  My youngest, my baby, is six.  SIX!  Despite my negotiation attempts, she decided to go ahead and get another year older.  Darn.   
Here's the rundown of her special day:

5:30- My early bird is up to get the worm (i.e. breakfast in bed).  She was so cute about tip-toeing into my room to wake me up and let me know she was awake.  I asked if she wanted breakfast now or if she wanted to wait until everyone was up to sing to her when the breakfast was delivered.  She went with the song, so I moved into her bed to snuggle her (and squeeze in a few more precious minutes of sleep)
6:00- Eva wakes me up (again) to ask if I can clean her room for her (since it's her birthday).  I oblige (it wasn't that messy).
7:00- Naiya comes in and we leave Eva to read in bed while we get breakfast ready.
7:30-  Everyone is up.  Breakfast is ready. We sing to a grinning 6 year old and she digs in (Naiya joins her).
8:30- Birthday Dance Party in the living room.
9:30- Mani-Pedi (courtesy of momma).  Eva got a ladybug pattern.  Naiya went with a zebra print.  I'm not that great at painting nails.  Luckily they don't know any better.

11:00- Out the door and heading to Hollywood Connection. Rides, pizza & cake, roller skating, more rides, a magic show, more rides, archade, more rides, mini golf, and  few more rides. We were going to go to a movie too, but at this point it was already 6:30 and the girls were getting tired.
7:00- Rent a movie and fall asleep on the sofa (all 4 of us).

She wanted press-on nails and a Dream Lite Pillow Pet.  We let her open gifts periodically through out the day.  I got her a paint your own nail pattern book (because I'm NOT a fan of the press on nails).  She also got a doll with several accessories.   I hid the Dream Lite until it was movie time.  I almost felt bad watching her open each gift hoping that maybe it was the pillow pet.  She was excited about each gift, but you could see she was starting to lose hope.   She was OVER-THE-TOP THRILLED when she actually got it.   I love to see her full of giggles and joy. Her birthday was FULL of that.  Lets hope this next year if full of that too!