Blogger is Making Me Crazier!

It’s been awhile.

First, my computer finally died.  I really thought I’d be okay without one (temporarily), but I was wrong.  Without my contacts (doctors, therapists), and without my calendar (doctor’s appointments, therapy appointments), I was lost.  I’m not sure, but I may have even been a little cranky…

My in-laws blessed me with a new computer, which is up and running.  Sort of.  Strange things are happening, and Nick just hasn’t had the time to try to figure it all out.  I’ve been ending up with different fonts, different sized fonts, and lots of other crazy stuff.  As a result, I may have been a little cranky…

I’ve said before that the reason I blog is because I have absolutely no memory anymore.  If I don’t write it down here, it’s gone.  Half the time, I forget what I was going to write in the short amount of time that it takes me to walk over and sit down at the computer!  I have lots of pictures to share of Jordan’s first weekend away with a friend, and…well, other stuff that I can’t remember right now.

What is driving me totally and completely insane (not that I wasn’t almost there already) is that I can’t post pictures!  I’ve googled how to do it, but I still can’t figure it out.  Even though I’ve sized them all the same, they come up different sizes.  Undeniably, this has pushed me beyond cranky to downright miserable!  I knew I was in trouble when I found myself yelling at my computer, ranting and raving about how much I despised Blogger!

Oh, and I’d also started a blog with all of the recipes I’ve been using.  When I last posted, half of the post was in a different font than usual.  I tried to figure out where I had to go now (that everything’s changed) to fix it, and I somehow made it so that all I see when I open the blog is a spinning gear.  It’s been spinning for days now.  And yes, that made me even more miserable!

I suppose my options are to attempt to figure it all out (again), quit Blogger, or quit blogging. 

Still working on making a decision…

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GracieGirl’s New Hairstyle

From Food Allergy Fun

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Richard

We recently said goodbye to our sweet pet piggy, Spanky, and last week, we said goodbye to another friend at the pig farm, Ross Mill Farm.

Richard, who owned the farm with his wife, Susan, had been a good friend for many years, ever since 1995, when Nick first surprised me with Spanky and handed me Richard and Susan’s business card.  We had no clue what we were doing with our little pig, and Richard and Susan were a wealth of information.

I knew I liked Richard when Susan described the first time she went to his house.  When she asked to use his phone, he started hunting through his closet, finally pulling out the phone and plugging it in for her to use.  I could definitely relate to that one!

The last time I talked to Richard was when we were going to the airport for our Florida trip.  He’d called Nick, and Nick had him on speaker phone.  When Nick told him that we were going on a family vacation to Florida, Richard burst out laughing!  He truly understood the lunacy of our family attempting a vacation, knowing full well that Nick and I would need a vacation afterward!  His laugh was so contagious, and I couldn’t stop laughing.

Nick supports the computer system at the farm.  Not everyone could work well with Richard, but Nick and Richard got along wonderfully.  Richard was so amazed when Nick would fix a problem that had been driving him up the wall, and he often called Nick the Captain of the Universe.

Nick was taking the beautiful pictures of our flowers when I had to tell him of Richard’s unexpected passing.  Nick took it really hard because Richard was such a good friend to him. Richard quietly did so much for many people and for countless potbellied pigs and other pets.  It’s so hard to imagine the farm without him.  We will miss him dearly.

The Celebration of Life Garden

at Ross Mill Farm

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A Walk Around our Yard

What’s That Smell?

Here is what was found in our family room today:

In case the picture’s not clear, it’s a plastic Easter egg…stuffed with a peeled, hard-boiled egg!

It’s been there for awhile, and the stench defies description.

As is typically the case, “Not Me” did it.

What surprises me about it is that we didn’t dye Easter eggs or hide Easter eggs or even have Easter baskets this year.  (Yes, another year without a Mom of the Year Award for me!)

Nick took the kids to his parents’ house at the beach over Easter, while I stayed home and attempted to recuperate from daily life.

So, in spite of not dyeing or hiding eggs, we still have this mystery stinky egg in our house.

There are two possible scenarios that I can see:

1.  Someone broke into the house and planted it in the room.

2.  E did it.

My money’s on E.  🙂

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Crossed the Line

I know I posted about not caring about material things and not letting the things that E does get to me.

I was good with that, I really was.

But then, he crossed the line.

There are things that I use every day, things that are just right, and that make my life easier.  One of those things, strange as it may sound, is my three-hole punch.  It’s heavy-duty, it works well, I like it, and I use it a lot.  I wouldn’t change it in any way.

Yesterday, I went to get it, and it wasn’t there.  I looked around and I asked around.  No hole punch to be found…

Later, E overheard me talking about it, and he casually said, “Oh, I threw that away.”

My jaw dropped, and he looked at me and said, calmly, “I was mad.  So I threw it away.”

My jaw was still hanging, but he started to walk away, as if his explanation justified his action.

All therapeutic parenting went out the door as I went on a rampage about how I liked my hole punch and who was he to just throw it away because he was mad???  I went on and on about how I couldn’t punch holes in any of my papers now, and how I really resented having to spend money needlessly.  I stopped, looked at him in disbelief, and just said, “Are you flippin’ kidding me???”

E was still unfazed, and after awhile, Nate even said to me, “Are you still harping about that hole punch, Mom??”

I looked at him with crazy eyes and said, “Well, yes!  Yes, I am.”

And I started all over about how I liked my hole punch and the insanity of just taking something and tossing it in the trash…

I suppose it could be said that my actions were just as crazy as E’s.  I also suppose that it was more than just the hole punch; it was the cumulation of all of the things that have been lost or destroyed. 

Nick nicely went and got me a new three-hole punch.  It’s just not the same, though.  It doesn’t feel the same and it doesn’t perform the same.  I know I’ll get over it, but for now, I’m choosing to continue to sulk…at least for a little while longer!

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Wanted: Mannequin

Jay and E have the same behavior therapist, who comes to the house once a week. I won’t lie; I look forward to her visits more than they do! I know that she feels at home here when I see her jump up to wipe up a spill or help dish up dinner for the kids.

A couple of weeks ago, she and her husband went on vacation. The following week, I asked her how it was. Her response? “Well, let’s just say that it was a Denise and Nick trip!” She went on to tell about how her basement flooded with sewage while they were away and they couldn’t get a flight home, so they drove their rental car all the way back, and then had to deal with having their carpeting and walls removed from their basement.  Yep, sounds like a Denise and Nick vacation to me!  (As Jay reminisced, “Remember when we were leaving for vacation and the refrigerator door fell off?”  And as I reminisced, “Remember when we came home and discovered that the kids were eaten alive by bedbugs on that vacation??”)

So, we talked about E for a bit, going over much of the same stuff we always talk about, trying to figure out effective ways of coping with his behaviors.  One thing that always comes up are his crazy sleep patterns…and his need for “elbow” while he sleeps.

I don’t know if I’ve mentioned the elbow thing before.  Probably, but in case I haven’t, E never had a favorite toy or blanket; his thing has always been elbows.  Nick’s elbows in particular, although mine will do in a pinch.

E likes to hold onto Nick’s elbow when he sleeps.  It’s his security elbow!  He’s done this since he was a baby, and he goes through phases where he demands it, and phases when he just likes it but seems to be able to survive without it.  When he’s in the demanding stage, he will wake in the middle of the night and scream, “Elbow!” at the top of his lungs.  Sometimes, he’s not even fully awake, but he still cries or screams for his elbow.

Crazy stuff.

So, we were talking about the fact that we need to find a surrogate elbow so that Nick can get some sleep!  Nick jokingly suggested a mannequin, and the therapist got a huge smile on her face.  She proceeded to tell us that she has a couple of sisters who are really into thrift shops.  They actually travel to different parts of the state for the sole purpose of visiting thrift shops.  Recently, she gave them a mission: find a mannequin, preferably one with removable arms!

I laughed so hard.  We truly have the best therapist ever!  Not only does she deal with E, she also cleans up, helps with meals, and sends out people to scout for elbow replacements for us.  It just doesn’t get better than that!

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Banana Bread Oatmeal

1 c coconut milk
1/2 c mashed very ripe banana
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 c GF rolled oats

Garnish:
Banana slices
1/2 tsp coconut sap sugar
1/8 tsp cinnamon

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, whisk together coconut milk, mashed banana, 1 tsp cinnamon, vanilla extract, and nutmeg. When the mixture comes to a boil, stir in rolled oats.

Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5-6 minutes until moisture is absorbed and oats are tender.

Mix together coconut sap sugar and cinnamon.

Serve oatmeal garnished with banana slices and coconut sap sugar/cinnamon mixture.

Adapted from Grubography

Mundane Monday Update

I obviously haven’t been motivated to write recently. I’ve gotten hooked on Pinterest, where I can look at pictures that make me happy, and not have to think too much. 🙂

Life just feels like one challenge after the other right now. Not necessarily bad challenges, just things that have to be dealt with. It seems that the minute we work through one, the next one hits.

Some of the stuff isn’t bloggable. We’ve had some issues with some of the kids, and are thankful for the friends, therapists, and doctors who are helping us get through them.

In addition, it’s allergy season. Jay gets two allergy injections every week, and he’s had some bad reactions, so he’s taking additional meds prior to the shots. The shots aren’t helping with his symptoms yet, and he, along with E, got hit a few weeks ago. As of this past weekend, Nate and GracieGirl are ready to rip their eyes out, too. I didn’t even think about it, but E’s PCA was here today, and she said that the trampoline is covered with pollen. What a way to kick it up, by jumping on it! No wonder the kids started hurting yesterday!

E just screams because his eyes are so swollen and itchy. He rubbed them so hard that he actually broke the skin and has scabs under his eye. He’s had a number of asthma flares, and he also broke out in an itchy rash on his wrists. He wakes up crying and screaming during the night, and I know he’s exhausted.

Spring was always my favorite season, but it’s hard to enjoy it when I have to watch all four of my kiddos suffer. I’d love to open the windows, but that’s out of the question. So, we have the a/c running in April. Even so, Jay just took five ice packs up to bed because he’s so hot. Of course, he won’t change out of his ever-present long sleeves and jeans. There’s no point in arguing with him, so I just hope that he falls asleep soon!

E’s moods and behavior have been all over the place, and we’re seeing a new doctor next week. He’s experiencing side effects from one of his meds, and we need to deal with them quickly. I’m praying that we get some answers. Overall, his behavior is improved, but he still is very reactive. I work hard at not showing any emotion to the things that come out of his mouth, but I’m not always successful. I’m good at ignoring the really horrible, hurtful things, but every once in awhile I’m unable to hide my feelings when he says something really ridiculous. The other day, he was so mad at me that he said that he wished I’d go clean the toilet…with my face…and then drink the toilet water! Who thinks like that?? I tried not to laugh at the absurdity of it, but I had to turn my head so that he couldn’t see my face. He’s way too good at reading expressions, especially those I’m trying to hide. He’s still doing really well in school, and I’m very grateful for that! Even at home, when he’s not reacting or angry or screaming, he’s a little sweetheart.

One of our kids was just in touch with his birthmom, for the first time ever. It’s only been via email but it was sweet to see his face light up. I’m praying that it will be healing for him.

GracieGirl has been doing really well with her new therapist, who comes to the house once a week. It’s a slow process, but GracieGirl adores her and looks forward to her coming here, which makes me really happy and hopeful that she’ll make some progress with her.

Nate is struggling a bit with cyber school. I think it was hard for him to start so late in the year. We are looking at some other options for next year that might make it easier for him. Right now, I don’t know what any of the kids are doing for school next year, which I find very stressful. I’d love for E to return to his current school, but we can’t afford it. GracieGirl and E are both on the waiting list for a charter school, but they’re not near the top of the list. I’m praying and trying to trust…but I’m still stressed out! 😉

Jay is being discharged from his social skills group at the end of the school year. I haven’t been able to figure that out. From what I see, he still has a long way to go in the social skills department! I’m kind of bummed because the classes force him to get out of the house three afternoons a week, something he’s not otherwise motivated to do. On the other hand, I’m kind of relieved because he’s also been exposed to some really bad language and some racism (not directed at him, but general racism) there. Thankfully, most of the kids are great, and he’s made a couple of good friends.

This weekend’s plan, which is always subject to change, is that Nick’s relatives are coming over to help him with some very much-needed house projects…and I’m taking off to the mountains with my sisters! I am really looking forward to relaxing and doing some crazy things like watching a movie that’s not geared towards five-year-olds and maybe even reading a book!

My health has improved a little bit as I continue to see the new practitioner, although warm weather is here, and lymphedema and warm weather do not mix! I’m suddenly the proud owner of legs the size of Ohio. It’s a great look.

I’ve been following an anti-inflammatory diet, which hasn’t helped the pain at all yet, but I really do love eating this way. I’m experimenting with all sorts of recipes and started a blog to keep track of them. I’m always looking for new recipes, and today, as I was searching online, I found one that sounded perfect. As I went to click on it, I realized that it was my recipe!

Yikes!

I don’t know if that’s senility, insanity, or sleep deprivation!

Probably a combination… 🙂

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