Wednesday, February 1, 2012

NO MORE EXCUSES!

I keep "planning " on writing. I have made many resolutions in the past, but this year, it is get organized, stay organized, and NO MORE EXCUSES!
 I have in the last few months, weathered some personal storms and come out fighting. I need to start writing more, but January was dedicated to home organization...not quite there yet, but thanks to Pinterest, I am well on my way. It is so true...there are really no new ideas! So many talented women out there!!!I feel blessed to be in this day and age of technology.

This month I have started ordering from Farm Fresh to You, a local Organic Farm that delivers fresh fruits and veggies to your door!  In season!  I got my first order today and Eva has already eaten 2 CARROTS! And its not even 11 yet!
I am encouraging  myself and my family to eat these fresh fruits and veggies, instead of other things. Even thinking about a juicer....anyone ever juice? What are your thoughts?
How do you make veggies taste good in a juice?
Today is shop day, and I am procrastinating. I guess I better get to it!
Its good to be in a New Year...heres to 2012

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Long Time Coming-so its a long one!

So its been four and a half months since my last post...and its a wonder to me. I will be so very simply honest. My handicap and medical issues have forced my  family to live with only one salary. That happening caused us to lose our house. We are now renting a beautiful home, which I love very much, but there was a lot of grieving to be done with that loss. I can barely even speak of it now. There has never been a time in my life where my name was written on a piece of paper that this land was mine to cultivate...and cultivate we did....now I will enrich other land...but it won't be mine. I will have my time again. Just need to be patient.
My gift for my injuries has been to be home with my daughter. I have been truly aware of what the time I took away at my job did to both me and her. To stay at home was never a option, we could just never afford it, but when you physically cannot work, and you are being told over and over again, that your work is physically destroying the only hand you have, its time to reconsider your options.And my husband, renewed in the faith of his youth, has felt impressed that if I do not work, I will be able to keep the use of my hand  for longer than the doctors believe. So I am at home. I have a leave of absence from my job, and I am going to try and disability retire. There are no lies about my love for my coworkers or my job, but I need a life that gives me my physical health back...and that is one of a stay at home mom. It comes with great financial challenges. And we have to tighten our belts....but with my faith in my God firmly in grasp, I believe He is watching over our little family, and we will be just fine!
To be sure, I did not feel this way until about October, much of why I did not post on my blog to general public. I was a faithless, stubborn, petulant woman. And no one likes to have much of their ugly side  viewed really.
Phhysically, the run down is this... my left hand is ok when I don't do typing of fine motor skills for 6 hrs straight. Still have bad grasp- about 8 pounds maximum, still breaking glasses.(Note to self ask for cute plastic for my birthday hehe). My right leg still gives out. The MRI did not show injury.  I ventured in to some exercise,  and the results were ...I started losing control of my leg. I have recorded when this happens and its when I am in a hurry, or going to fast. So I am thinking perhaps my brains synapses aren't firing to the right side as quickly as they used to? Could I have had a mini stroke and not known?  The right side is only giving out sometimes... But I just truly injured myself pretty badly last Thursday when I fell down my new level stair to my kitchen and took the fall with my right knee and forehead to the fridge...and yes, there were more dishes to clean up...seriously! I have an appointment with my neurologist, in early December. It will be good to hear what she thinks!!
PATIENCE AND FAITH  seem to be the echoing themes of 2011 for me. Though I have never been particularly good with the first, the second truly was always a gift til this year.....when I have been tested time and again.
And with all the stress and change of losing money, a career, a house,and my running- a new life has begun for my husband and me.
 He, as I said before , has renewed his faith in the religion of his youth, the Church that I was baptized into 23 (eek almost 24 yrs ago). We belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, or Mormons, as many commonly know us. Before he began to study the scriptures, my husband was very difficult to reach spiritually.  He believed there might  be a God. That was about it. He would make fun openly of the Church and spiritual things. But he respected me enough to let me have my faith. He would say religion is for women and old men.....He does not remember saying this. I will tell you that I NEVER  thought I would see him active in the Church in my lifetime. I guess you could say I had given up hope. I am writing this, because, if there is someone out there who  knows someone less active, PLEASE  never give up hope. Pray for them, love them anyways, and continue to live your faith.  MY HUSBAND IS A MIRACLE.  He is a changed man. He cannot tell you what it was that made him want to read the book of Mormon, but he can tell you that by the end of the first Book , the Spirit had taken hold of his heart and he has never been able to feel such peace, love and care from our Heavenly Father as He does when he reads that Book. His testimony that this Church is true grows day in and day out.  He is inspired and feels a great desire to do good...he has made changes so sweeping that it takes my breath away. And honestly, I am humbled , truly humbled by his desire to thoroughly search the Scriptures. He read Revelations in a DAY! We were on course as a couple to go to the Temple  and be sealed together and as a family. It meant, though we were married for this life, in the Temple we sealed by proper priesthood authority, to each other for eternity, and also our daughter can be sealed to us for eternity.Its called "celestial marriage" because we hope, if we live a good life, we can be together in heaven again... I love that term...seal-it means to me a bond that cannot be broken. And its my joy to say we were sealed on October 22, 2011 of this year.  We have a new life now, and not without challenges, but its a good life. We have much to be grateful for. And now I feel I have caught ya'll up! ;)

Thursday, July 28, 2011

As any mother will tell you, the first time you hear or see your child's heartbeat, there is a moment of wonderous magic...and from that time forth, your heart literally belongs to them. We mothers wear our hearts on our sleeves most of time- ready and willing to give them up at even the slightest inclination of hurt or suffering. Its part of our gift as mothers really. To empathize and feel for others at their time of need. It is also a curse. Especially when your little child is going through their own suffering. Oh, that I could replace the pain. Oh, that I could take away the hurt.
This week, and especially Tuesday, my heart has been beating for my child. She had to undergo dental surgery.
At 8 months, she got her first tooth. The same week she broke her first tooth out of her gums, she tried to chew the marble coffee table and chipped her tooth. It progressively got worse, a cavity got into it, and it needed to be fixed. I looked forward to the sweet little white cap that the pediatric dentist told us about. I was excited for her to have no pain. But she was going under anesthesia and well, I was worried. I had to occupy her time all morning with out food and drink. We got there at 10:15, and we waited. And waited and waited.I was getting antsy.  At 12pm they finally started prepping her with a little happy drink- it does three things, causes her no worries that mommy and daddy arent there, is an amnesiac, and anti nausea medication for after the anethesia, many get sick to their stomachs.
The dentist told us he was probably going to remove the tooth. And he had to remove the other one as well, so that when the adult teeth came in, she would have a even smile-this was procedure and common.  It was causing her great amounts of pain. She would be so happy once it was gone. But I started to cry. Thank goodness my baby was well into the effects of her happy drink. Gone? BOTH OF THEM??  She is only 3!!!!
The dentist reassured us, and reminded us that it was our attitude that would affect the way she saw her lack of teeth, and of course, we knew we had to take the positive role. I could not watch them wheel my baby away from me. And so I fled, crying the whole of 5 minutes, whispering prayers the dentist would have a swift and careful hand and that they would be gentle with my child. And I can tell you there is an empty void in your chest when you are walking around with out your heart for a time. My husband and I tried to fill up the time. We needed to eat so we ate. Then we waited. And waited. After an hour my husband started bouncing his leg. With every leg bounce, my stomach churned. I begged him to stop. Two and a half hours later, we saw our  baby girl. She was a trooper. As predicted, by 7 pm she was pretty much normal, and short of a very 6 yr old smile, and some fabulous "Iron Man fillings", she is no worse for the wear. My heart is back in its rightful place. Attached to my sleeve, awaiting the next crisis.
Two thoughts kepts going round about my head during the day.
One: I felt great empathy and sympathy for any parent who has a child who must stay in the hospital for a time. What a heart wrenching and painful time for every one involved. How difficult it is to keep the little ones still and patient, and yet they endure. I am so grateful for my healthy child. I am so grateful that I was gifted with a piece of understanding of what moms go through who must suffer with their little ones. My love has been expanded for those moms.
Two: Even as I wish to place myself in my daughter's shoes to take away the pain, I know I cannot. By the laws of nature, that is impossible. So too, it was impossible for Heavenly Father to take away the bitter cup from His own child when that Perfect One begged  for it to be removed. But He sent His heart, in the form of an angel, to strengthen Him.
By the laws of nature, we cannot take away eachother's pain, but we can in fact live our lives to be the angels of strength, buoying up eachother, even at our weakest, most desperate moments. There was a family this week, that especially went out of their way to buoy us up. Our Savior has experienced all of our pain. It  is through Him that we can be eternally and truly comforted.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

PIZZA EXPERIMENT

We are admitted pizza snobs in our home. We adore Round Table Pizza. We love the sauce( my hubby gets extra sauce! ) We love the thick crusty bread. But WE HATE THE PRICE. Because of our different tastes, Frank gets a pizza and I get a  pizza...and its about $24 a pop to have pizza night.  We have pizza night about 2 times a month. UGG. Thats $50 a month! Thats $600 a year! THATS A DISNEY VACATION kids!
So in the spirit of trying to SAVE MONEY......FRUGALITY CAN BE YOUR FRIEND PEOPLE....
Heres what I did for our first HOME MADE PIZZA NIGHT .... I needed to copy the sauce and the crust...so heres what I did:

Pizza Sauce Recipe
  • 3(6 ounce) can tomato paste
  • 10  ish fluid ounces warm water
  • 3 teaspoon minced garlic (I used powdered garlic )
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 2 teaspoon dried marjoram
  • 2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 2 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
  • Salt/black pepper  to taste
I mixed the paste and water first- I “eyed” it – using can to measure water and it must  STAY THICK SO IT STICKS TO YOUR SPOON WHEN TURNED UPSIDE DOWN.  
Then I added all of the dried ingredients – and added a bit more sugar and red pepper flakes to taste.
Please, please taste test your sauce. Then taste it again in an hour...adjust to your own liking. if you just CANT  taste cold sauce...warm it a bit in micro!
Then you gotta let the flavors marinate in the fridge at LEAST 2 HOURS.
Next time I will add cayenne pepper too- just a tad. My husband said it WAS REALLY AWESOME! He loved it. It is VERY CLOSE TO Round Table Pizza Sauce recipe . Sorry no pics… my computer is not reading my printer and I cant upload pics yet.
Please note- this made A LOT OF SAUCE -  we only used half- but I am planning on freezing the rest today for future use!
Crust wise, I totally cheated . I will be picking my friend’s brain and going scratch VERY SOON.
This time I used Rhodes rolls to make the crust. Thawed(I put frozen rolls covered w plastic wrap outside- the 90 degree heat thawed the rolls in NO TIME!)  and rolled together then rolled out and I pulled it so the crust part would be “thick crust”- Franks was 9 rolls mine was 7 rolls – think 9 inch pizza and 7 inch pizza.  I let Frank and my crust “rise” for 30 minutes after I put on the pan then put fork marks in the bottom to avoid bubble up.
(EVA WAS NOT WILLING TO WAIT-  we made hers with not risen crust in a pie tin- hers came out BEAUTIFUL IF A BIT BURNT... she ate the whole four inch pie!)
I will say that the bottom for Frank and my pizzas were  TOO SOGGY. Sad. I am gonna invest in that pizza stone now.   The crust part was so perfect fresh, yeasty, and thick- just like Round Tables.
Please note use WHOLE MILK MOZZERELLA...  and perhaps mix up the cheeses a bit - mine was low fat, and didnt melt or string like I would have liked....Next time...Its gonna be pizza heaven!
Heres the price run down:
Rhodes Rolls bought 72 rolls for$5.98
used 20 rolls: $1.60
sauce cans 62 cents each-$1.86
spices had in my cupboard
used half of the mozzerella cheese - $3.00
tomato from garden -free
pepperoni $4.00 a pkg for 90 pepperoni we used like 20
about $1.00
Artichoke hearts about 6 est $1.00
total: about $8.46 for all of our pizzas!!! and it tastes sooooo much better than RT!!!!YAY!!!!!!
$31 DOLLARS SAVED EACH MONTH!

Friday, July 15, 2011

Lessons you learn..over and over again.

Have you ever seen a pattern in your life with certain circumstances popping up?
 For example, I used to fall in love with men who just wanted to be friends. I was the perpetual friend. They were all top notched men- with all of my favorite qualities...and they had something else in common...they just wanted to be my friend. Aside from this being one of the MOST IRRITATING  parts of my 20's and a bit of 30, I did not let it tarnish my self esteem. Early on in my"dating"   journey, I was given information which I know to be of a spiritual nature that I should LEARN from all of the men who entered into my life as they all had something to teach me. I took it to heart. The first taught me something I will NEVER BE ABLE TO REPAY: The knowledge the Heavenly Father walks with those who suffer, and that our Savior knows like only the sufferer does the exquisite pain they feel. Finally, after years of feeling alone, I knew I never was alone - nor will I ever be again..
The second taught me to marry a man who respected work and had a job that could provide for a family. Oh, and you can't fix broken people by loving them.
The third taught me I was beautiful just the way I was.
The fourth oh, the fourth. Well. He taught me that priesthood power is truly about loving and caring for others. Seeing the needs of others before your own. He literally clothed me when I was cold. Again. Another gift I can never repay.
And the fifth. RIGHT before MR Right. HA. Mr number 5. Five is my lucky number. But we werent lucky. He was the ultimate in just wanted to be friends. But with benefits. He taught me that true love means saying goodbye when you know that your man won't commit to marriage. Yup.
Then I met My dear Hubby. I know we were meant to be. And I keep learning from him.
But back to our lessons that keep repeating themselves. I will own a few of mine. My handicap/disability  gets in my way- then I get fussy, angry, impatient. I am prideful, then I get bummed. I want to have it my way. I want to do it my way. I am independent by golly. But it doesnt always go my way. I am not independent. I need more love,  peace, patience.  HMMMMM.  My psych major friend is gonna have a hay day with this blog... anywhooooo. My disability is my outward handicap and  when I have problems it magnifies EVERYTHING I do wrong in life. It is my greatest teacher. I have learned so much from it. I am so much more because of it. I am empathetic, caring, kind and I love people.  I see ways of doing things that others do not - because I always have to figure out how to do the same others are doing - just with one hand and 1.5 legs . Ya, I got 2 legs, but well the right one is squirrely!  I have to be patient sometimes, cuz well, How else are you gonna braid a 3 yr olds hair with one hand? Yup, I button my pants with one hand too- thats my litmus tester to all my friends- spend one whole day just putting your clothes on and off with one hand...going to the bathroom, etc. I love hearing what people say after they have done that....go ahead. TRY IT. JUST TRY NOT TO DO IT IN PUBLIC RESTROOMS...hahaha
 I have turned as I always do when stressed to my peace- my Heavenly Father's words . The Scriptures. May I just partially repeat 1 Cornithians 13: Charity suffereth long,doth not behave unseemly,is not easily provolked,beareth all things,believeth all things , hopeth all things, endureth all things .
Then I watched a religious show where the wife asked her husband- which of these is you? OPPS.  nice way to put your beloved on the spot. I do NOT RECOMMEND  THAT. I can honestly say all I could think was "WELL  I got some work to do." Lessons. I need patience. I need to be less quick to anger. I need humility. My list feels eternal to me. Like in my heart I always have been one who is passionate-but not always in the good way  and in the prexistence I was too. And Heavenly Father said, "Hun, I have JUST THE TEST FOR YOU! "And finally vs 12 comes as we perfect ourselves: "For now we see through a glass darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then I shall know even as I am known." The bliss of knowing we can become even as Heavenly Father sees us. And so, with these lessons, I am thus trying to be stalwart and ENDURE TO THE END!

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Medical News

Well...on the broken body front.....
I have beeen referred to a WONDERFUL DOCTOR  who handles CP and MS and other nuero problems on a regular basis. She gave me some very helpful information. I have hurt my affected leg. Due to that my CP has gone into "Overdrive" causing my leg to spasm, contract, and give me my fabulous limp drag that so resembles Quasi moto in Hunchback from Notre Dame. She assures me that injuries in people with CP exacerbate CP symptoms and she  has me on NO ACTIVITY  for a couple more weeks. She believes if I TOTALLY REDUCE MY ACTIVITY  my leg should heal. And I cried as she told me NO MORE hard repetitive weight bearing activity. Never? No more running EVER? Not unless I want furthur injury, arthritis, Degenerative joint disease. She does not recommend it. So I cried.
Then she had me crying all over again as she told me my CTS in my left hand and arm is most likely Work related and needed to be dealt with through those channels.
She reminded me that typing jobs were not beneficial to my disability. Sigh.
"Ruth guess What you are disabled." I told her "I don't like to think of myself that way." She said why must you put such a negative connotation with it. It just is.
Then she gave me modified work duties, which I will not describe, but I cried again. Lets just say I am sucking through my time.
Patience.
More appointments tomorrow.
Did I mention I am not so good with change? Guess I should not have kept asking God for patience.
Gotta stop typing now.
More later.

Saturday, July 2, 2011

cry baby WAH, WAH, WAH

So I have gotten myself into it this time. Like the good little overachiever I am I kept trying to run and then walk on a hurt right leg. Its a pulled muscle, get through it. Its shin splints get through it. And then, well, then my leg started giving out on me. Just weakness set in  and lo and behold the leg crumbles, which causes a great limp drag effect , that help me feel very Hunch back From Notre Dame'ish, but has reduced my running, walking  and now any , and I mean any weight bearing to a minimum. Like, I went from run/walking 2-3 miles every other day- to limping at 1/4 mile-once a week. The only thing that has resolved it is - total sedentary activity- also known as "A time " in my home....cuz you get to sit on your "A".  I have been forced off work for a week and am awaiting my "rehab dr" to make an appointment. This is good as I also have been suffering with Carpal tunnel in my left hand, and well, its my bread and butter this hand. I kind of like it a lot. I kinda need it for EVERYTHING.  And I CANNOT  get to the surgery point. It will take 6 weeks to heal. And, well, that will make me a bit crazy.
So understandably feeling benched, and for the first time in my ADULT life ACTUALLY RESENTFUL  of my broken body.  Feeling real sensitive too as my "Quasi status" has made me limp more in public and YA people stare at girls who limp. Wish I could say it was my cute face. But its not. By the way, staring is rude. I no likey people who stare. They are usually the pitiers. ug . 
Now dont forget, I was liking my running. It was empowering me. When i was feeling all emotionally yuck I could have a little cry  during my run and things seemed fresh. Like a good rain cleanse. Not to mention, with my broken CP body, I felt in control. Well. FELT  is the key word. Not sure they will "recommend this excercise for me. Prolly get the Pansy why dont you swim response. UG. I am currently hating that idea. By the way. As an extra rant. People with CP are HYPER SENSITIVE.  I mean physically. Random stuff makes our muscles contract and spasm(yes that has increased with me.) And guess what, I am not a bit fan of super hot and super cold. And because I was in a mood,  I saw someone putting ICE  on a small child with CP recently. I wanted to scream. Now the adult thought the child liked it.Perhaps he did. But I wonder. I know i would hate that. He offered me the ice. I politely declined. The Child was not mine. Or I would have gone all mama bear on him. I know how cranky I have been lately, so I just let it go. But it has been bugging me for a whole day.  And my adult brain tells me to stay out of peoples business. But well, being all spasmy and contracturey- I could barely watch the little activity. Maybe I need my run therapy. Oh ya, I DO.
I have cried a lot today. My child is off with  ONE her favorite aunts  for the first time sleep over. It is  GREAT STRUGGLE NOT  to get in the car and grab her and race her home...into the safety of my capture sack. Shes fine. I AM A MESS.
TODAY  we stayed home waiting for my brother to come get his stuff ...he finally moved out. HES THRILLED  soooooo HAPPY. And we are happy for him. But today there have been just too many changes to my nice little routine. And I wanted to cry baby a bit.
Now for my blessings, cuz I have quite a few.
1. Frank's  testimony is growing leaps and bounds. He is amazing me not just with his love for the scripture but how easily he is applying them to his and my life . This is HUGE.and he is  GREAT BLESSING
2.Its a SMALL THING  but I have been praying for my little decrepit zucchini to grow and I got a real zucchini today!
3. my little E is a happy healthy little girl on DAY 5  of complete potty training ! Thanks to a little hamster named skittles. Story another time.
4. 2nd to my brother leaving the nest- I get a real live craft room. I have been checking out paint and ideas online.
5. I have a great support system of friends and family who listen to me crybaby a bit and a few who know when to figuratively smack me out of it!
this is me. Hoping for some help from above to ACCEPT WHAT I CANNOT CHANGE!
sincerely quasi