. . . All My Chaosity . . .

and I want to write it down before it gets away from me again. I can't determine whether one is of greater importance to me than another, so I'm just going to have to write about all of it in whatever way it floats out of my mind. Speaking of floating out of my mind- after careful consideration on my own part, and consulting with friends and family, I don't think my "ADD with OCD tendencies" is actually getting "worse". I believe that I self-medicated with Dr. Pepper and then Diet Coke for so long, that I was able to keep focused and do the things I needed to do in my daily life. I very seldom ran out of Diet Coke- I made sure to always have some on hand. There were days I didn't drink any, but there was never a stretch of days that I didn't drink it. Since the surgery in Nov 2008, I have not drank Diet Coke. I've tasted it a couple times- and it makes me ill and doesn't taste as good as it used to. Nevertheless, I have to function. ...

to my last blog post. I thought I made it clear that i wasn't finished. Also it wasn't a judgment of anyone. It was meant to be a statement of fact- truly. I honestly believe that when making such weighty (in my opinion) choices and decisions, *MY* personal opinion is of absolutely no matter at all whatsoever. But I also believe that people need all the facts they can get related to any particular subject, so that they can make a properly informed choice. I've made many choices or decisions off the cuff, when if I'd done a little more research or had a better understanding- I may very well have done differently. So I may or may not continue my previous entry, but definitely don't feel like I'm judging everyone and their dog. I do realize that the parent's physical and mental health must be considered, and in the end you are the only one responsible for your choices about your life. And I'm good with that.

B was off yesterday because mail doesn't run on holidays (hallelujah, pass the gravy!) and he did spend some time watching the olympics. I really wish I enjoyed the olympics more than I do, but I do not. Sometimes I can sit there and watch the snowboarders or speed skaters or whatever, but I definitely don't get all excited about it and set aside time in my day for the olympics. In addition to that though, B also put the Christmas boxes back up in the attic (can I get another HALLELUJAH!!!) and finished removing the wallpaper from the master bathroom walls. I somehow did not realize that I couldn't just go in there and paint it now. First it has to be textured, and then primed. Oh, the tediousness of it all. I just want it painted already!! I am *SO* convinced it's going to look less flaming pink once the walls are a more neutral color. Today I took DBall, Cman and Bman to see Big River at the Rogers Little Theater. I almost didn't go- because I didn't ...

comes earlier and earlier every day. Obviously I realize this cannot be accurate, but morning is definitely not my best time of day. I don't think we ought to have to interact with other folk until at least 10am... 11 would be better for me. Just sayin'. Yesterday was a little busy for us. B was off work, so the three of us went together to Sam's to see about getting new glasses for moi. They didn't seem to be any less expensive than my eye doctor sells them for, so I didn't get any yesterday. I'm going back to the eye doctor Monday or Tuesday, because he offered an additional 20% discount when I requested my spectacle Rx. FABULOUS! I neglected to mention that as an "early Valentine's gift" we got a new washing machine last weekend. It's a front loader with "silver care". Samsung says, "Samsung has developed and patented a technology, using a 99.9% sterling silver plate located inside the washing machine. Through electro...

because I don't really have much to say. Things are going pretty well here these days. I've yet to find pain relief, though excederin stress (tylenol + caffeine, with no aspirin) works somewhat and doesn't keep me awake. I guess that lunatic psychotherapist wasn't too far off in diagnosing me with ADD.... but I don't want to take ritalyn (I hear there's newer meds- but I don't much want to take them either). I remain slightly disappointed that I cannot drink Diet Coke or Dr. Pepper since surgery- I try it every so often and regret it fairly shortly thereafter. The cherry DP is FABULOUS- I would likely drink it every day if I could. The excederin works for mild headaches (if I take them before they've made migraine status) but not for too much else. A Dr. suggested lyrica, but the side effects sound sort of awful, and with my luck I'd get them all. I might end up trying it eventually- but I don't think I'm there yet. There's a...

In Jr. High and highschool (lo those million years ago) I used to read and read and read. Then real life set in, we got married, we both worked fulltime, we spent years and years trying to reproduce. I tried to read when I was pregnant (and on bedrest) with Logan- but I don't remember much about that time period. I could've read some good books- but who would know. When D-ball finally came into the world, I nursed him for 2+ years and was much busier (and more exhausted) than I ever anticipated. So sometime in the last couple years I decided reading was good for me,and enjoyable, and I should try it again. I wish I had kept a record of everything I was reading- I've forgotten many of them. But in the last year or so I've read a *LOT* and it's been fabulous! I'm going to list a few (mostly series) so that I have a ready-made list I can recommend and also so I can check back on specific series' to see if there have been additional volumes published. All...

I may never catch up! We've stayed pretty busy for the last few weeks, with Christmas, company, New Year's and all. My in-laws arrived two days after Christmas. That evening I made broiled lobster, garlic smashed potatoes, cheddar bay biscuits, broccoli w/cheese and cherry pie for dessert. We also had that sparkling grape juice- it was our "Christmas dinner". DBall of course had frozen pizza. Since B is the only one here who eats sandwiches here and he normally eats P B & J, and we were all going to be home at lunchtime; I thought it would be good to get some lunch meats and cheese, and we could have sandwiches for lunch during the week. Evidently it wasn't a very good idea- because I've still got loads of ham and turkey left over. I cooked almost every night while they were here- didn't want them to go hungry. Monday,of course, was pizza night so that's the one night I didn't cook. We had Eureka pizza- our fav. The next night we had c...

(my throat, that is) but pretty good all things considering. I'm thankful we have had neither the flu nor the swine flu this season, and hope to avoid it altogether. Bless his heart B has to work today- on his 34th Birthday. =( I wish he didn't have to- it's cold and rainy and he's out in it all day. D and I gave him under armour - the Walmart brand - pants and shirts for his Birthday and we're praying it keeps him warm and cozy all day. We are financially challenged this Christmas, but that may not be such a bad thing. Our meager finances have inspired Aball to consider making me a pot rack for Christmas, out of a really neat cast iron grate he found on ebay. He's bidding on it now. If he wins he plans to brush off the rust, spray it with black rustoleum and hang it above my kitchen peninsula. I've been asking for a pot rack ($300? 500? SERIOUSLY!?!?!?!?!? ) for years, and I'm pretty excited at the prospect and possibility of finally getting one!...

I have so many ideas and not enough time (or ambition? That could be the word I'm looking for) for this season. It's after noon and I haven't even showered and dressed yet because I've been looking up all these ideas online, and trying to figure out how I could get them all done. I hope to finish my muffin pan advent calendar, but I'm lacking a few of the ornaments and some magnetic strips. Or something. So I need to go to Hobby Lobby today to get those, as well as some spray paint for the base. My mother gave us a "Nativity Book" for Christmas several years ago, and sadly this might be the first year I've actually looked at it ahead of time early enough to start it tonight. There's a scripture, story and song for each night of the week for the 24 days prior to Christmas. I wanted to make a couple of these for friends, but didn't look at it THAT early and have not time to do that now. =( Maybe next year. I keep reading about " Jes...

There are so many fun blogs here, and one I've recently found is Marie-Madeline . They make gorgeous fun quilts,and they're giving one away! You just go comment on their blog to enter... and you can blog about it for more entries, link to it on facebook (you know I'm going to) and dream about the warm and cozy quilt you're hoping to win (I am *so* cold today!!!) Just go here to enter: Marie-Madeline , and don't forget to check out the pics above & below! Thanks y'all for fun giveaways!!!!

But I've definitely done worse, in the recent past. While DBall is doing his silent reading, I shall endeavor to update a little. I had my big Boutique Show last weekend and sold exactly 4 items. I'm so broke now I may never recover, and I'm not impressed with the situation. Obviously I will get through this, but I'm out over $200 over the whole experience. I feel it was completely due to the placement of my booth- whereas during the Spring Show I had great placement. Pretty much ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE ROOM would have worked out for me except where I was. I'm just sayin'. Yesterday was my 1 year "re-birthday" of my new life after RNY Gastric Bypass. What an AMAZING difference a year can make! I really wasn't sure if I was gonna live through it the two weeks after surgery. I actually might not have if Celeste hadn't been around to take care of me and my family- God bless her. She visited me in the hospital several times, brought food for d...

I'm not complaining really. I realize EVERY day cannot be my Birthday. I hold this truth to be self evident...oops. Well I mean to say that I realize and accept that every day cannot be my Birthday. I disagree with the basic premise that we cannot celebrate me, at least in some small way, every single day... but that idea hasn't yet caught on like I hoped it would. But I digress... So my beautiful, beautiful, beautiful boy- a word about that quickly though. Has anyone else noticed that my child is gorgeous ?! I'm uncertain how I go to be so lucky- but the child is truly a vision. He's so fabulous- I think I can understand why other moms out there may harbor some resentment toward me, and therefore may decline to celebrate me (at least in some small way) every day. It could be that they're distraught that they were not blessed with so precious a child as I. I cannot blame them. I, too, would be a little sad and annoyed were I not the blessed mother of so...

I'm not sure if I love Fall because my Birthday is in it, or just because it's Fall. I recently realized that it's entirely possible that Halloween is my favorite holiday because it's 3 days before my Birthday. Either way, I love it. Our Halloween festivities went well this year I thought. Monday night after a short Family Home Evening lesson we carved our pumpkin ("Jack") and roasted pumpkin seeds. B didn't love the seeds, but DBall and I enjoyed them. They ended up using the electric screwdriver (drill)to help carving the pumpkin.... Jack Jack "all dolled up" Then we had a Halloween Party at our house last Wednesday, there were LOTS of people, lots of food, fun and games. Celeste handled most of the games- I didn't intentionally stick her with them, but she does an amazing job.... =). Donut String Game.... I'm going to a Halloween party, and I'm taking.... I was actually surprised how many folks came out for a kid's Hallo...

I'm considerably colder than I anticipated- but I can't complain. I HATE to be sweaty, and watching the leaves change and wearing fuzzy warm clothes all the time is fabulous . Tomorrow is Nannie's birthday, and also Columbus day. I'm calling it a holiday ! We're not having homeschool tomorrow- I'm kind of worn out?! Aball is off work tomorrow also- I really wish Where the Wild Things Are was already out so we could go and see it. At least we'll have pizza (medium for only $2.99 at Eureka!) and maybe (rental) movie night. Also there's soccer practice for DBall. Their Saturday game was canceled for some reason, so he has a soccer game Tuesday night this week. Saturday Celeste and I had a bake sale for a missionary family we became aware of through one of our homeschool groups. They had been serving in Singapore, I believe, and came "home" to deliver their baby. The woman was at home w/a midwife, and there was some complication and she c...

This morning Celeste and I taught a home-school Science class. Well,we did the experiments/labs anyway. I did the Bee Books and Celeste's group made the ant farm. I was under the impression that everyone would've read the lesson beforehand,and shown up with their supplies (like ANTS ) on time for the activities. I must've been mistaken- at least it didn't go that way. I found that somewhat stressful and my "smile and raise my eyebrows" technique didn't exactly work for me. I think we'll organize a little better next time, and make sure the only parents actually participating in the activity are the volunteers that I've requested. I don't handle all the parents thinking they need to be in charge all at the same time very well. So my head hurt to begin with- but I came home and ate and napped and it was somewhat better. DBall didn't do any school work today besides the Science this morning, but that's okay. Tonight is our ward P...

Just testing out my new mobile blogging capablities. . . And thanking GOD for the blessings already enjoyed today!

before we need to run and do Science stuff with Celeste and her family. But I just don't think I have it in me to write a long drawn out post.... So I know I need to get all the vacation info in, but today is just not the day for that . We're having crockpot chicken & (brown) rice for dinner tonight.... and we officially started our semester of homeschool. We managed reading (aloud) and comprehension , which I believe we will do 3 days a week. We're using Pathway (Amish) readers and the teacher's and workbooks that go with them. We did math , which will be every day, and we're still using Singapore math. We worked on cursive , but I've got to figure out an actual plan for that... going to see how "Cursive First" does it, which is the curriculum Celeste is using. I managed to print out my menu/chore list/calendar for the rest of this month (thankfully) and tonight is soccer practice . Tuesday I don't seem to have anything planned in the ...

And I likely won't finish it today. We had a fabulous vacation but I know I am grateful to be home. I can't imagine why anyone would move to Southern California on purpose- I know I never would. Our trip out was really fun- we stopped and played at Katie's (THANKS KATIE & FAM!!!) , then at Winterton's. :D It's been years and years since I've seen Katie and her parents; we really enjoyed our too-brief stay with them. We've seen the Winterton's a little more recently, but it's always good to catch up. They were all so hospitable- it was fabulous.

After quite a bit of rain yesterday and last night (hallelujah) it has been a cool morning. I went for my walk before 6am this morning, while B was showering before work. It's not quite chilly, but it hasn't gotten above 70° yet.... Saturday we celebrated DBall's birthday with his friends. I made him a Star Wars Lego cake out of double chocolate chip cookie (on the bottom) and brownie on the top. He wanted green (homemade) butter-cream frosting. He enjoys cooking and baking, so he was lots of help. We ate in what we hopefully refer to as the "Party Cabana". D of course loves opening presents. His friends gave him great gifts- he even got a Kid's Bop CD that we listened to for most of the party. That will come in handy on our vacation (road trip!) and B can download it to to D's mp3 player for him. He also got Legos and Bokugon things- he's enjoyed them all. Nannie sent him a huge Lego Star Wars kit which he started putting together that afte...