Three different doctors ordered a total of 10 tests to pinpoint what's been up with me. The results are in from the tests and for the most part I just need to make a few changes and I'll be on my way to health and strength. The easy things? Make some diet changes and increase some deficient vitamins. That's the easy part, though I'm not too excited about minimizing chocolate, wheat, oats and sugar. I bought a juicer, 20 lbs. of fruit and some vitamins and supplements. The problem comes in when the doctor tells me to reduce my stress and increase my sleep. Not as easy as popping some vitamins. I've already set my life course on busy and I've recently realized I haven't left a whole lot of room for me. I have tried. I really have. The two biggest being the gym and house cleaners. I signed up for the gym because my early morning walks weren't working too well, due to Jon's traveling and Lizzie crawling out of her crib while I was out. But sadly, since signing up over a week ago for the gym, I haven't found a time to go just to get my picture taken for my card! I hired house cleaners to help with the big stuff I haven't been keeping up with since starting the preschool. But sadly, I haven't even been keeping up with the little stuff.
My personality that focuses on perfectionism may have gotten me far in life, but now it's getting me in trouble. I feel like my head is arguing all day long. "It's important! It's not important!" I fear that my days of getting lots done are gone. Sometimes projects for church or school, reading a great book, catching up on laundry have to be paid with the price of missed sleep. I might be tired the next day, but I feel satisfied. Now, I know that missed sleep costs me more than just a groggy day. I'm wiped out for a week with a dip in my health. The price is all of a sudden too steep if I am to be a good mom who can deal with the whining, crying, emotions of a bad day at school, homework, life's questions. I'm determined to alter my perspective. I have to. I'm not giving myself a choice. But, I am allowing myself a time of mourning for my old self (the one who thrived on accomplishing tasks, the one who stayed up late because that was my time) before I take the time to get to know the new me (the one with a bedtime, the one who doesn't eat chocolate chip cookies for breakfast and the one who allows minimal distress in her life even when her 2 year old rips off a diaper in her room at 8:00 at night that requires the room to be quarantined for sanitation purposes. I'll let you know when I get to know the new me, but so far I don't think I know her very well.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Seriously (#3)
Jon told me today that Obama recently used our current health care provider as a role model for his health care reform plans. I guess I'm not surprised. The provider we use is set up very much like the government. Here was my experience with our health care provider this week.
A week ago I had a health issue, one that's been ongoing but sporadic. I called the call center, explained the problem and asked if it would be prudent to see a specialist. No, just see an internal medicine doctor. I made an appointment for yesterday--the next available one. I went in, described the problem, which by now was no longer a problem. I was told I need to see a specialist. Right--what a great idea. AND see the specialist when I am having the problem. Right--brilliant! Very helpful! So far I'm nowhere and I've paid someone $20 to tell me these things.
Well, the problem came back this morning. So, I quickly called after preschool to make my appointment with the specialist. The next available appointment? Next week. I explain the history and what I would like to happen--to be seen today or tomorrow so that testing can be done and answers can be found.
Here is the solution I am told (after talking to several people who didn't know what to do with me): Call to make an appointment with the internal medicine doctor (who is on the south end of town and referred me to the specialist yesterday). She will take a picture of the problem and send it to the specialist. Then the specialist will look at the picture and determine if she wants to see me and then I will get a call to make another appointment for the specialist (on the north end of town).
Seriously!!!
Let's just hope I never have to use Obama's plan because I would end up frequenting the psych ward every time I needed anything medical!!!
Needless to say, in my frame of I'm-not-feeling-very-well mind, the poor nurse who relayed this crazy plan had to listen to my response. I don't think it needs to be scripted here, but wowie, wow, wow! Don't worry, I didn't use any expletives, but I'm sure my tone sure did.
Ten seconds after I hung up with the nurse (saying something like "I'm not playing your ridiculous game!") I got a call from the specialist's office saying she could see me in an hour. Huh? I frantically made phone calls to friends who knew a bit of the situation--Please watch my kids. (What would we do without friends???) The doctor did some tests and the results will be back sometime in my lifetime. I think the results will be: She has lost her mind, and there is nothing we can do for her! But maybe they can take pictures of me in a padded room and send them around to all of you!
A week ago I had a health issue, one that's been ongoing but sporadic. I called the call center, explained the problem and asked if it would be prudent to see a specialist. No, just see an internal medicine doctor. I made an appointment for yesterday--the next available one. I went in, described the problem, which by now was no longer a problem. I was told I need to see a specialist. Right--what a great idea. AND see the specialist when I am having the problem. Right--brilliant! Very helpful! So far I'm nowhere and I've paid someone $20 to tell me these things.
Well, the problem came back this morning. So, I quickly called after preschool to make my appointment with the specialist. The next available appointment? Next week. I explain the history and what I would like to happen--to be seen today or tomorrow so that testing can be done and answers can be found.
Here is the solution I am told (after talking to several people who didn't know what to do with me): Call to make an appointment with the internal medicine doctor (who is on the south end of town and referred me to the specialist yesterday). She will take a picture of the problem and send it to the specialist. Then the specialist will look at the picture and determine if she wants to see me and then I will get a call to make another appointment for the specialist (on the north end of town).
Seriously!!!
Let's just hope I never have to use Obama's plan because I would end up frequenting the psych ward every time I needed anything medical!!!
Needless to say, in my frame of I'm-not-feeling-very-well mind, the poor nurse who relayed this crazy plan had to listen to my response. I don't think it needs to be scripted here, but wowie, wow, wow! Don't worry, I didn't use any expletives, but I'm sure my tone sure did.
Ten seconds after I hung up with the nurse (saying something like "I'm not playing your ridiculous game!") I got a call from the specialist's office saying she could see me in an hour. Huh? I frantically made phone calls to friends who knew a bit of the situation--Please watch my kids. (What would we do without friends???) The doctor did some tests and the results will be back sometime in my lifetime. I think the results will be: She has lost her mind, and there is nothing we can do for her! But maybe they can take pictures of me in a padded room and send them around to all of you!
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Christmas in August!
What a fun month August has been! I've had some great finds.
Here's my list of what made me happy this month: (Happiness can be found in a box! :) )
-Wooden
Blocks-- These have been on my Preschool Wish List for years, and I finally did it! When they came it was like Christmas morning for me! I opened up the box, dumped out all 162 pieces and played and played and then let them sit on the family room floor for over a week until we had the missionaries over. I just had to smile in my heart every time I stepped over them or saw the girls building.
-Roller Boards--Did you have these in elementary school for P.E.? Because they are so fun! As soon as they were unpacked (I got 2) all 4 girls were taking turns going down the driveway. On Wednesday we had 8 friends over to play (from our Summer Babysitting Swap Group) and I got them out. So fun to watch what the kids did with them.
-A nice microscope--I think I might just be fulfilling a childhood fantasy of mine with this one, but I think it'll be a great addition to the preschool. And I have lovely visions of my girls and me being curious and wanting to look at everything under the sun.
-Bleak House--an 8 part BBC period drama mini-series not from Jane Austen or Elizabeth Gaskell (it's surprisingly a great Charles Dickens story)! Just a delight! I thought it was very well done. It took 9 days (I had a presidency meeting one night) to watch it on our new...
-NETFLIX ACCOUNT--Yeah for us for joining this new world! What can I say about this one other than I love the words "Watch Instantly."
-Katie Herzig--Thanks, Carole! I'll be adding her as a Pandora station as soon as the new month starts. (Did I (and the girls!) really listen to 40 hours of music in 2 1/2 weeks???) Ladies, you've got to listen to her "Forever" song and just let the memories flow!
-Mango Coconut Smoothie--I know it's a good recipe when I've written to the side 'triple the amounts'. Here is my diet for the summer all blended together for a yummy drink:
100ml apple juice
1 mango (I suggest frozen mango chunks)
4 Tbl. coconut milk
4 Tbl. bio-yoghurt (hee, hee I just love my UK recipe books!) I use vanilla yogurt.
1 tsp. honey
-I haven't made these tiered skirts yet, but I hope to soon (meaning within the next year). My friend's daughter has a similar skirt that goes with a T-shirt that's been appliqued with a butterfly from some of the skirt's material. Very cute. Very simple. But very easy? We'll see.
Here's my list of what made me happy this month: (Happiness can be found in a box! :) )
-Wooden
Blocks-- These have been on my Preschool Wish List for years, and I finally did it! When they came it was like Christmas morning for me! I opened up the box, dumped out all 162 pieces and played and played and then let them sit on the family room floor for over a week until we had the missionaries over. I just had to smile in my heart every time I stepped over them or saw the girls building.
-Roller Boards--Did you have these in elementary school for P.E.? Because they are so fun! As soon as they were unpacked (I got 2) all 4 girls were taking turns going down the driveway. On Wednesday we had 8 friends over to play (from our Summer Babysitting Swap Group) and I got them out. So fun to watch what the kids did with them.
-A nice microscope--I think I might just be fulfilling a childhood fantasy of mine with this one, but I think it'll be a great addition to the preschool. And I have lovely visions of my girls and me being curious and wanting to look at everything under the sun.
-Bleak House--an 8 part BBC period drama mini-series not from Jane Austen or Elizabeth Gaskell (it's surprisingly a great Charles Dickens story)! Just a delight! I thought it was very well done. It took 9 days (I had a presidency meeting one night) to watch it on our new...
-NETFLIX ACCOUNT--Yeah for us for joining this new world! What can I say about this one other than I love the words "Watch Instantly."
-Katie Herzig--Thanks, Carole! I'll be adding her as a Pandora station as soon as the new month starts. (Did I (and the girls!) really listen to 40 hours of music in 2 1/2 weeks???) Ladies, you've got to listen to her "Forever" song and just let the memories flow!
-Mango Coconut Smoothie--I know it's a good recipe when I've written to the side 'triple the amounts'. Here is my diet for the summer all blended together for a yummy drink:
100ml apple juice
1 mango (I suggest frozen mango chunks)
4 Tbl. coconut milk
4 Tbl. bio-yoghurt (hee, hee I just love my UK recipe books!) I use vanilla yogurt.
1 tsp. honey
-I haven't made these tiered skirts yet, but I hope to soon (meaning within the next year). My friend's daughter has a similar skirt that goes with a T-shirt that's been appliqued with a butterfly from some of the skirt's material. Very cute. Very simple. But very easy? We'll see.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Music
What is it about music? Why do I feel so drawn to some music and not others? I usually wonder what my music taste says about me. I listen to Pandora (here's my first post about it) and keep adding stations when I find a group/singer that I like. Here are my favorites right now: (I love finding new favorites!)
Weepies
Josh Radin
Matt Nathanson
Sondre Lerche (found him after watching "Dan in Real Life")
Iron & Wine
Rufus Wainwright
Newton Faulkner
Feist
I almost get excited about doing housework, because that means I get to blast my music all throughout the house! The girls know this and so it's been a great motivation for them to work because then they get to turn Mom's music off and turn theirs on. Currently, the girls have a few stations on Pandora too:
Taylor Swift
Disney
High School Musical
Weepies
Josh Radin
Matt Nathanson
Sondre Lerche (found him after watching "Dan in Real Life")
Iron & Wine
Rufus Wainwright
Newton Faulkner
Feist
I almost get excited about doing housework, because that means I get to blast my music all throughout the house! The girls know this and so it's been a great motivation for them to work because then they get to turn Mom's music off and turn theirs on. Currently, the girls have a few stations on Pandora too:
Taylor Swift
Disney
High School Musical
Summer Camp
With our last month of summer left I looked up summer camps for kids. I had talked to a mom who had signed up her kids for some cooking classes and thought that sounded fun. After seeing the price ($600 for both E&R), I thought "I can do that!" (I need to make that my motto.)
The girls and I sat down and made a list of all the foods they'd like to learn to make. Here's what we did:
Day 1: apple pie
Day 2: decorated cakes and cupcakes
Day 3: pretzels and banana bread
Day 4: pizza (homemade dough and sauce)
Day 5: chocolate chips cookies
The "class" started as soon as Lizzie went down for her nap. Some days we invited friends to join us and made even bigger messes. My kitchen looked like we had camped in it for the week, but we all agreed we would definitely do it again.
The girls and I sat down and made a list of all the foods they'd like to learn to make. Here's what we did:
Day 1: apple pie
Day 2: decorated cakes and cupcakes
Day 3: pretzels and banana bread
Day 4: pizza (homemade dough and sauce)
Day 5: chocolate chips cookies
The "class" started as soon as Lizzie went down for her nap. Some days we invited friends to join us and made even bigger messes. My kitchen looked like we had camped in it for the week, but we all agreed we would definitely do it again.
Things That Make Me Chuckle #6
Emily!
Yesterday I took the girls to our Children's Museum. Our next Netflix movie came just as we were leaving, so the girls watched "The Bee Movie" on the way. I kept the movie playing while I paid the meter and got out the stroller and picnic food. "Okay girls, time to turn off the movie and get out." I take the key out and hear, "Oh no! I forgot my shoes!" I just stopped moving trying to debate the best way to respond. Of course she wanted to go home and get them, but we would lose Lizzie to a nap if we did that, so we stayed. My big 9-year old rode in front of the stroller and Lizzie rode in the back and Rachel and Hannah walked on either side with Hannah crying the whole way in. What a sight! We ended up hanging out in the art room the whole time. It was clay week--a perfect medium for all 4 girls. Emily was a good sport even though she was a bit embarrassed. While she was working on her clay vase I looked at her bare feet and said, "You have to admit, this is pretty funny." "Not really," she said, but she gave me a small smile anyway.
I love being frugal!
Trying to speed morning routines along during the end of school last year, I buckled and bought a box of instant oatmeal. Gasp! I know. I regretted it as soon as the box was opened and consumed within a few days. Some of my thoughts were: "I can't believe I just spent $3 on that box." "I don't even want to think about the amount of sugar they just consumed." And "I have 100 lbs. of oats sitting in buckets! I can just make these, can't I?"
A quick Internet search and a list of ingredients in hand I went shopping. I was sold when I saw the words "cost analysis". 100 bags later (yes, I really do like to do things in bulk) and I had a stash of instant oatmeal baggies on hand in various flavors--marshmallow and chocolate chips, apples and cinnamon, blueberries 'n cream, strawberries 'n cream, brown sugar. A few adjustments needed to be made with the salt and the sugar, but I love them! I eat one almost everyday. The girls weren't as patient during the adjustment phase (a day or two) and will humor me with a bite if I go on and on about how yummy it is. Silly girls. They will learn.
A quick Internet search and a list of ingredients in hand I went shopping. I was sold when I saw the words "cost analysis". 100 bags later (yes, I really do like to do things in bulk) and I had a stash of instant oatmeal baggies on hand in various flavors--marshmallow and chocolate chips, apples and cinnamon, blueberries 'n cream, strawberries 'n cream, brown sugar. A few adjustments needed to be made with the salt and the sugar, but I love them! I eat one almost everyday. The girls weren't as patient during the adjustment phase (a day or two) and will humor me with a bite if I go on and on about how yummy it is. Silly girls. They will learn.
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