tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38930909956523615862024-02-19T09:18:08.063-08:00- Agbayani -Lielaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00450915442936254389noreply@blogger.comBlogger183125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3893090995652361586.post-77137615990931096142013-01-02T14:44:00.000-08:002013-01-02T14:44:04.067-08:00Let's hear it for 2013!Well great, now that I decide to log in and post some photos I can't get the computer to load my camera card.. Ugh.<br />
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Anyhow, we had a nice New Years Eve, we did some shopping and then a friend came over with her kids and we made hats to celebrate the new year. We had a lot of fun, and the hats came out so nice. Then we went to our friends house for dinner and to wait until the big countdown. I was tired but the kids were happily playing with all the other girls there so I tried to chat with the adults.<br />
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When the big countdown came we all had some sparkling juice and said happy new year to everyone. I still can't believe it is 2013. Wasn't 2013 supposed to be the year for levitating vehicles and teleporting? The year when everyone looked the same because we had all "melted" together in the melting pot.. It's really an amazing year, I think there is just something about the number 13 that makes it special.. We will never see another 13, and we have never seen one before (well my grandma almost has, as she was born in 1914 - but that is beside the point).<br />
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I'm saying some really not kind words to the computer right now as the photos card isn't being read... how frustrating.<br />
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So tomorrow is Adrianne's SEVENTH birthday... I have her party invites all done and her 'kid' party planned. I just need to figure out what to do for her 'real' birthday, tomorrow! I want to get her something special, since her birthday is so close to Christmas she never really gets much. I know there is a Brave bow and arrow set that she wants - she doesn't need it at all, but I'm sure she would be excited to receive it. But then comes the logistics of how do I buy it without her knowing?? Maybe I can drive over to the mall tomorrow while she's at school..<br />
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Well that's my note for 2013, as you can see I haven't exactly been up-to-date on my posting, but I really would like to be better this year.. That is my one goal - remember every moment.. And my second goal is to turn on that darn Xbox more often.. :)Lielaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00450915442936254389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3893090995652361586.post-54017358096200446702012-06-14T14:42:00.001-07:002012-06-14T14:42:46.495-07:00The Long and Short of it all..<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Did you know that when you hair is really long you start finding it EVERYWHERE... seriously, like strands attached/embedded in just washed clothes, strands wrapped around your toes in the shower, you literally have hair everywhere and you're constantly plucking it off either your own clothes or someone elses in the house. But there is a good reason to have long hair too, for one it's pretty much blow-dry and go, no styling required (although hitting it with a hot iron really does control the frizzies). Another good reason to grow out your hair is the ability to donate it to others who are unable to grow hair for one reason or another. So that is what I do, every 3 to 4 years I grow my hair until it is unbearably long, then chop it off and donate it. It's something that I feel is simple enough to do, doesn't take much work/money on my part, and I can do it relatively quickly. So without further ado.. Here are the before photos..<br />
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Look at all that long sleek hair...</div>
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Pay no attention to those unsightly back rolls, I have been battling those since I was a teen!</div>
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Stay focused on the hair, all colorful with shades of brown, gold, and reddish (I have an AWESOME stylist who takes her time weaving each of those strands so the color is very integrated)</div>
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Here I am again, showing off the shine power of super straight hair!</div>
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And here I am at the salon, with the tiny, itty-bitty fish-tail that was my hair (I don't have much of it!)</div>
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And after the cut, here is the front.</div>
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Here is the back, I think this is the first time I have ever seen my neck (you know besides when I had a pony tail).. And I must say, it is quite drafty back there!</div>
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I love the layers, and how nice the coloring looks (same color as before, we didn't update the color yet. But you can see it more now because you can see the natural hair underneath)</div>
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So there you have it, all cut and dried. I go in again in early July to put the dark back in and do streaks of blond/red. It's so much easier to dry now, and it takes like 1/10th of the hair products I was using before. I love it :)Lielaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00450915442936254389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3893090995652361586.post-33918476418971898512012-06-04T10:21:00.000-07:002012-06-04T10:21:35.315-07:00Going to the school..*You must sing the title to the tune on the Great Wolf Lodge commercials.. you know the one right? Going to the school.... great, fun, school..*<br />
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Anyhow, it's Monday and that is my day to go to the school and give miss A. her lunchtime shot. (I also do Fridays). It's the schedule that we were able to work out with the nurse after our last minute diagnosis. Here's hoping that next year will be mommy free, which I think it will be since she is already giving herself the shots in her tummy - now just to teach her how to count carbs and divide by her dose (maybe I could pre-program a calculator or something, OMG I think I just invented something new!! A device where you could program in your dose and then tell it how many carbs/blood sugar level and it would automatically calculate out your insulin dose.. Am I a genius or what?!)<br />
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As for me, I've been busy volunteering. Nothing new there, I know. I put together all the promotional fliers/posters and made the tickets for the upcoming University of the Philippines Concert Chorus concert that the fil-am is hosting this July 7th. It all looks great, even if I am a little biased. Then I am working with next years PTO to put together a functional handbook that can be passed from year to year (and also some tips and tricks for the incoming treasurer, if I ever decide that I need a real job). And lastly I have been coming up with some back to school promotional fliers for our big BBQ event (and trying to find donations.. well sort of slacking on this one). OH AND I've been doing rehearsals for the upcoming fashion show at the Barong and Terno Ball this June 9th.<br />
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I told J not to let me sign us up for anything else. We need a break from all this business. I did finally get my actual Paid work done, yay! But considering that I have $2500 in dr. bills from my endoscopy in February, and miss A went to the dr., then emergency room, then ambulance ride to hospital, then one night at the brand new Randall Childrens Hospital... I don't think I made enough to pay for even 1/16 of that. (The ambulance was $750, which reminds me I have to call them today and beg for mercy.)<br />
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I cannot believe how much everything is costing, that doesn't include miss A's prescriptions which were over $1000 just to get us started. Needless to say, I am searching (in my free time) for a better insurance coverage, and trying to somehow find money for our house payment and other regular bills. If ever there was a time to cut corners, I think we've hit it.<br />
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So add all that and my stress level us just skyrocketing, I was nauseated all weekend (not what you're thinking, however I suspected that as a possibility too) but it turned out to be a stomach bug and Adrianne got it late Saturday evening. At this point I am just trying to keep my head above water and take things one at a time. (And don't get me started on my student loan repayment which is coming up in July.. eeeek!)<br />
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Yes, I know, I need a job and I need it now. I may actually get serious and start looking/applying but then comes the whole 'what do I do with my kids' question. It's a tough line to walk on.<br />
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Anyhow I better get back to 'work' and mark a few more items off my to-do list. Still not feeling quite up to par but I am functioning :) Oh and my grandma is also doing much better, my Aunt and Mom are still staying with her 24/7 but they said she is getting around better with her walker. Thanks for all the good thoughts that were sent to us during May, is it too much to ask to keep them coming for June? Heaven forbid anything else occurs, I don't think our wallets/psyche can handle much more.Lielaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00450915442936254389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3893090995652361586.post-72999717378656323942012-05-19T02:53:00.001-07:002012-05-19T02:53:54.117-07:00How do you Explain....<div><p>As I sit here at the hospital at roughly 3:00am with what sounds like a helicopter landing outside the window and a horrible case of indigestion from my watermelon, I wonder, how do you explain to an eight year old that she will forever be counting carbs, checking her sugar levels, and administering insulin. I know I could never have understood what was going on in my 2nd grade mind..</p>
<p>The only thing I can think to do is to act like it's a regular thing, similar to cleaning your earrings after you get them pierced.. It's just part of the routine. In hopes that one day she will forget the worry free times and just think of carb counting and insulin as normal.</p>
<p>It sounds sort of like trickery but I'm sure a month or two down the road we'll be coping just fine.  In my mommy mind my little lady has just lost one more carefree part of her childhood, which makes me more determined to not make a big to do out of it. I want her to know she can do anything she wants just like all the other kids.</p>
<p>Today is my brothers birthday, the anniversary of Mt.St.Helens, and now the day that my little lady got diagnosed with type one diabetes. This day marks so many occasions.  It is also the day that my grandma got to leave the hospital after breaking her upper femur.. What an amazing, long, and remarkable day.</p>
<p>Here's me brave little lady doing awesome in the er. She only squeezed out one tear while they were putting in the iv.  And one photo of her riding in the ambulance (the same one my grandma rode in!) What a long and event filled day.</p>
<br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPYEXUneMZP8V5uj1nz0ByUxM5vQn9PfXjaL-Ty582SQ68R8lNBACMpnWFQim7LT42I-St-K_-WDA170zQXptm3w4fV0WYtL0DDSz6KrKtgg9U85t6zyGCs5k1etuEKJ_VnFpmRO4To48/' /><br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj66clrY1p-Pfd-I7Iq-MHsk-G8ouypKn7MJq14ecfdRK5jSyGODgj6u4-TVKoPixbLp6ttGwEZkT2l5Pn_9dbIslExtfheL2TTsjZ5ZQTC7sBHu3Ge5PHpIGdpJlROY10Ap2-6ehNPkI8/' /></div>Lielaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00450915442936254389noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3893090995652361586.post-34089100929510734052012-05-17T16:46:00.003-07:002012-05-17T16:46:44.740-07:00A long time coming...So it's been a while hasn't it. Boy things can really keep me hoppin' these days. Between the Fil-Am, the PTO, the kids' classrooms, and all the other chores around this place I rarely take time to actually sit in front of the computer anymore and just type. I just check emails on my phone, check facebook.. This poor computer has been so neglected since J and I got our new phones.<br />
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But alas, I find myself sitting here (where I have been sitting much of the entire day) so I thought to myself why not post a little something..<br />
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So I finally walked for my graduation that happened in December. It was
nice, a friend of mine convinced me that we should do it together and
we did. I think all in all it was a nice experience and a lot of fun
was had. Here's a photo of me, I'm very far away but it's me :)<br />
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On mothers day we went up to my grandma's house to do some yard work. My aunt bought a new weed whacker so I could take out some of the tall grass. I was able to get a little done but then my grandma decided to go and break her leg which involved paramedics and a special trip to the hospital in an ambulance. So mothers day ended up at the hospital, but as of today my grandma is doing good. The surgery went well and they are hoping to have her in a rehab place by the weekend.<br />
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Monday was quite a day, it seems like I had chaos and activity surrounding me from all sides. But I persevered and got through it.<br />
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Tuesday I volunteer in Alexa's classroom, we read about spiders and had some interesting discussion. Then around dinner time J got stranded in the truck and we had to go rescue him, what an ordeal that was.<br />
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Wednesday I got up early and took doughnuts to the hospital for everyone to enjoy, then I was able to sneek in a nap.. along with some laundry.<br />
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Today is Thursday and it has been a busy day, all the to-do items that didn't get to-done early in the week are now frantically being done. I had an application to fax in hopes that I can get some financial assistance for my endoscopy bill, and I had to create the tickets for the UPCC concert that is coming up, then print out all the forms for the PTO that the principal asked about... Now I need to update the FAACCV website and print some photos to send to my brother with his (Christmas) Birthday gift!<br />
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The girls are doing good, I have a dr appointment for Alexa tomorrow because she has been drinking water like a dehydrated camel. So I just want to get that checked out and make sure she is A-okay. They have also been taking zumba classes again, at the last one they were really getting into it.<br />
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J has been building the girls a bigger swing set, we decided that the first one he built wasn't stable/big enough for them. This one is quite a bit bigger. We've also spent time gardening and planting all of our vegis for the summer. And I of course have been tending to the flowers, lots of flowers.<br />
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Well I guess that is enough for now.. here's some photos we took at the
tulip festival when we went on J's first day off after tax season.
April 18th<br />
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Oh and here's the girls with the teacher appreciation gifts.. The sun is in their eyes so they look terrible but we were running late so I just snapped what I could!<br />
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<br />Lielaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00450915442936254389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3893090995652361586.post-47275323324995847002012-03-28T11:08:00.001-07:002012-03-28T11:08:45.464-07:00Wednesday is the new Monday..<div><p>Ugh, it's like a bad Monday around here. I went to my aunts house to say hello, but no one was home.. Then I remembered they were taking my grandma to a hair appointment. So I thought I would take a more current photo of their remodel, and I realized I forgot my phone.. So I wrote a note so they would know I was there, then some J witnesses came to the door so I took their flier in. And then I picked up my purse, set the lock on the door and went out. Usually we lock the dead bolt from outside, at which point I realized I left my keys inside! So the door is locked and I'm standing out in the rain.. That's okay I'll just go home and they'll realize I forgot to lock the door. No big deal. Only then I realize I left my keys inside, how will I drive home?!? So I decide to call J and ask him to please come get me... But I Forgot my phone! So no phone, no keys... Panic begins setting in.. I run like a crazy person down the road to catch up with the quick moving J witnesses and try to explain that I have no keys and no phone... I try to gather my thoughts and breathe, and ask if one of them has a cell phone I could use to call my dear hubby to come rescue me. One of them says of course and dear hubby rescues me.. Thank goodness because I was ready to loose it.</p>
<p>Wednesday needs a do over.</p>
</div>Lielaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00450915442936254389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3893090995652361586.post-83346457339218616412012-03-26T00:37:00.001-07:002012-03-26T00:37:30.656-07:00My Birthday!<div><p>So this year was my big three-oh day, and because my birthday is in the midst of tax season I always get the short end of the stick. However my mom, Aunt, and the kids did surprise me with flowers and a fancy cake :)</p>
<p>Julius took my watch (the first gift he ever gave me) and had it cleaned and a new battery put in, isn't that thoughtful! But I was cleaning the kitchen one day and I saw it, so I got my gift a bit early :) I'm sneaky like that.</p>
<p>My brother also sent me a gift, which is amazing because last year he forgot my birthday entirely even though he called me on my birthday he still did not remember! So this year he tried to set his birthday karma in the right position and he mailed me a box of chocolate covered macadamia nuts.. That was really special, generally a phone call or maybe a card is all I receive so to get a gift in the mail was super special.</p>
<p>Plus I got an awesome card from the MOMS Club, which was so sweet.. I even saved it and opened it on my real birthday. And Ms. Melanie came and gave me a card with a gift card to the best digi-scrappin store ever!</p>
<p>Not to miss all the birthday greetings on Facebook which I probably never said thank you for. I never quite know how to handle those digital conversations..</p>
<p>All in all it was an awesome birthday, especially since I got to keep telling the kids, "Nope, no whining because it's my birthday and I said so!" And I got to have my nails done, and then we went out to The Rock for dinner.</p>
<p>Thanks to everyone for all the birthday goodies and the heartfelt wishes! You all made the day special.</p>
<p>And here are some photos of the big day, the Blogger uploader doesn't let me turn them so they are going the wrong way again... Maybe they will upgrade that if I complain.. :) </p>
<br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48tpdzu0gvLTLcJn6Y_dQ3zU-RegVsTanAfaHywy1WeDInkLMlNtZay3P7b-QjxZlp1mZa_mIEUAxFZ6relXY-ViRO3u2KJkkYYoHyFvOhXNtHbmJo8GBaPCrE6X8jfDwgGi22YLn4rk/' /><br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitD631Ze8f7cO5vvUBdwjFa1Nm11Bj7EErLP5xPcbY0GUXDIqZULlqHO7z7Tl2k1aQ1Bu2y-7sJtzRfFqi48cw6kyDDWMWh_TDB8Diw2lq4-4wHrr_I4hl4eQGWJPUm_ohtA3LceLcYX4/' /><br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXcnrmxCvifHm70XgVPYr1N8s_fl8ua2DgvFe966OBMmLbNu4XuRSFJxoQFqugl0nNhPAFV9yayckFuG9WWzbEnuNK6ZhX_-qDXDckvidKnChLJfQaCKRMWTamJLOqks25lubOzPYvxAY/' /></div>Lielaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00450915442936254389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3893090995652361586.post-46566538508457688642012-02-28T22:34:00.001-08:002012-02-28T22:34:33.481-08:00No Fits Today<div><p>I just thought I should mark this day, as it is the first day in two weeks that Alexa hasn't totally melted down into a pile of bawling ooze! Remarkable! She went through school and chess club, then homework, dinner, and shower without any issues and this mamma is SO grateful to have had one day of tearfree sanity.</p>
</div>Lielaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00450915442936254389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3893090995652361586.post-91155179659390511082012-02-20T02:40:00.001-08:002012-02-20T02:42:54.594-08:00Valentines Day 2012<div><p>Wow, two months into the "new" year, can you believe it? This month has brought some new attitudes from our kiddos, one is throwing fits like a teen, while the other is acting like she should question authority.. But we're taking it all in stride.</p>
<p>The girls started tutoring, it's a nice small group session and they both love it. It gives them a chance to learn something new and challenge themselves. They always ask if they can do it everyday, lol.</p>
<p>This month also marks the start of tax season. So J us not around much (perhaps the reason for the girls' behavior). He is working weekends and taking clients at home in the evenings. Nothing like keeping busy to keep you busy!</p>
<p>I got a great Valentine this year. It's a giant orchid which I am trying hard not to kill (J bought me an orchid around this time last year when I was having so many issues - I have managed to keep it alive but haven't been able to get it to re-bloom). This years orchid is almost as big as Adrianne and is like a tree or large bush, it was a challenge finding a home for it! Check out this photo and you'll understand. :)<br>
(I will turn them the right way when I figure out how...)<br>
</p>
<br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0BkXXCBYjJpiHe_S3xE3DsiDfQfSIdgyEfYQCLhgUOAZkMVviJPPoDJD3DV5h0n6trkFmoqvVUyeGu6PnrrdeeQUH3ju9I91s4l-PhRTvqdoolZtCXFq9koo4hKW02D_AK8_elZuOrRQ/' /><br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggnpv2yrZjkDmMlgXN4JsLEzX1XrsXh7Ms1mXNgg-ExaSqDei2CJcOvoaOUGTU-c1c8QzD8QsZPbAMly1vWNgJ-AAKPo0lu9Jj9eHyeDB_ENqQMCQhfd0UcMoDLl4itabtn15ssd817bI/' /></div>Lielaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00450915442936254389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3893090995652361586.post-76654467634227865662012-01-03T21:59:00.000-08:002012-01-03T21:59:35.612-08:00Six Years Old!Today my little girl is SIX! Wow. I took her ice cream cups to school so she could celebrate with her friends, and they even sang happy birthday to her. She had a great first day back at school (I cannot image going back to school on my birthday, but she seemed to enjoy it!)<br />
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We bought her a new DS to replace the one that was lost on the airplane, and my mom got her a new DS cover with Rapunzel on it. She also got a new bathing suit for Disneyland, and new Hello Kitty earrings and barrettes.<br />
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Tomorrow is their last day at school, and then we are off to Disney! We are all excited. I am finally getting excited, instead of worried like I was. I know we will have a great time and create a lifetime of memories :)Lielaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00450915442936254389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3893090995652361586.post-47234221815515271792011-12-30T17:44:00.000-08:002011-12-30T17:44:59.822-08:00My Baby's going to be SIX!My sweet little baby is growing up all to fast. In four days she will be six years old, not really baby age. I still carry her when I can, and give her huggies and tickles, but to think that she soon will be too big for all that is just more than I can image. At least we have an extra day of her being six, as we will need every minute of it.Lielaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00450915442936254389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3893090995652361586.post-91579442932895912032011-12-29T23:15:00.001-08:002011-12-29T23:15:15.937-08:00Learning to post from my phone..<div><p>So J got us new phones, they are matching which I think is cute until I accidentally pick up his instead of mine - then not so cute. I have been trying to get used to all the apps and new buttons, as this phone is way more advanced than my old flip phone. It's also much bigger, which makes me wonder where exactly are you  supposed to carry it? It's much too big to fit in a pocket, and we all know I don't have room in my itty bitty purse. Where do you carry yours?</p>
<p>In other news I decided to start my "confessional" blog for the new year. Hopefully it will help me understand that I'm not the only one who let's the laundry pile up, or leaves the dinner dishes in the sink. So be prepared to see the completely unorganized side of this Momma.</p>
<p>Now I will leave you with this adorable photo of Alexa when she was little-er, I just happened to be browsing on this new phone and found it - not sure how it got on the phone (this one or the old one) but I'm glad I have the photo.</p>
<br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ZKa6HFmAcavs_BT33BxcDgPc6oVexXDFXMvawqElYM12oRDu2Hi4cQxIuk6rKyF2v1O1AhAhce2FkYhqvG8u2rpk4U4PB-Oigyt2Mi1kyEC503ErtcWyq-IwZOsWxGhhRhiQXR5AmgE/' /></div>Lielaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00450915442936254389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3893090995652361586.post-61616870144467249732011-10-06T16:40:00.000-07:002011-10-06T16:40:35.175-07:00Ahh, the joys of a volunteer... take two.So I took my not feeling so wonderful self to Alexa's school on Wednesday to help out her teacher. She had a huge stack of papers with some simple instructions - or at least they seemed simple on the outside. The first one was to sharpen some pencils (of which I am 99% sure that it said to bring SHARPENED pencils on the school supply list..) so I head off to the office to sharpen pencils.. with a pencil sharpener that doesn't sharpen.. Seriously when I want a sharp pencil, I want a SHARP pencil.. not a dull nubby one. However I realize this may be beneficial in those classrooms where students try to use their pencils as a weapon to inflict harm on one another. So 55 dull pencils later and I am on to task two..<br />
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Which is making two sets of booklets for the kiddos. Seems easy enough, the teacher wanted a cardstock cover and back because they will be adding to the booklets and they need to be sturdy.. Doesn't seem like a challenge does it? Well think again. The paper "room" at the school is out of paper, we're talking those teachers are lucky that they get white paper. In addition to that it says right on the copier that you cannot put colored paper into the copier. Well shoot.<br />
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So what is a mom to do, I take the project home and raid my cardstock pile - which yes I have an abundance and 80 sheets is not going to put a dent in my collection. When I was finished my office looked like this:<br />
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I seriously think that volunteer work is more work than regular work. For one thing the reason they need volunteers is because they have no money, and no money means no supplies.<br />
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In addition to that, a teacher complained that I was "hogging" the copy machine.. then walked off in a huff. Seriously I didn't know there was copy machine etiquette, I thought it was first come, first serve... And second this teacher should have simply said, "I really need to make this one copy real quick." I would have been more than happy to move over, but the attitude was just ridiculous.<br />
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Then I was caught by the PTO, who apparently have decided that the treasurer needs replacing due to having too many other commitments.. so guess who is the new treasurer? Yup, me. I hope it will look nice on my resume :)<br />
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I am saying no from here on out to anything else that comes my way. Maybe in the new year I will accept additional responsibilities but I need to see how I do with the ones I've got first.<br />
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And today, I am in pain. I skipped class, which I probably shouldn't have. But I would have been a distracted blob of jelly anyways. I've been googling joint pain trying to figure out what is wrong with me. Every one of my joints hurts, from my fingers, to my spine, to my knees... and hurts like a 7 on the 1 to 10 scale. As if someone injected acid in each joint.. I have been popping 6 to 8 Tylenol daily for the last week. I know it is partly due to the rain, as I only had a few days of pain over the summer. But I can't be giving all my money to Tylenol which only dulls the pain a notch or two.<br />
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So thankfully I FINALLY got my student loan approved, and we will have money again - YAY! Too bad I have to start paying it back in February - boooo! But I am going to the dr. tomorrow and I hope to good gracious that something can be done about this semi-chronic pain. It's so draining.Lielaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00450915442936254389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3893090995652361586.post-8094690422753488892011-10-04T22:57:00.000-07:002011-10-04T22:57:49.541-07:00Ahh, the joys of a volunteer...So tomorrow is my day to volunteer for Alexa's teacher. I don't think I actually help out IN the classroom, its more of a stapling sort of situation where I do paperwork that the teacher doesn't have time to do. Which I am more than happy to do. However..<br />
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Last week I volunteered to help set up the bulletin board for Parent Night, and I had quite a fiasco going on. First the teacher said I could use this board in the hallway, then I get started and another teacher comes and states that she has that board and I should not be putting anything on it. Then I go to the office to see if they have some sort of "board directory" or for heaven sakes a book about board etiquette or something. Only to hear that the person who knows that sort of information will be back in 30 minutes.. O..K.. what am I going to do in an elementary school for 30 minutes? So I wander around.. now mind you, I had an early morning meeting so I am dressed to the nines with my suit and my killer hooker boots, so I am totally rocking the elementary school hallways here :)<br />
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Luckily I run into a lady from the PTO whom I met during the first PTO meeting (of which I was the ONLY parent there who was not a board member...) she kept me entertained and we had a good time chatting. I like her, she is very down to earth and funny, and she didn't even mention my ridiculous outfit.. but I digress.<br />
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So after the mandatory 30 minutes, I go back to the office and the lady is STILL not there.. UGH! I have now been volunteering for an hour and I haven't gotten anything done. So I sit in a chair where the office people can see me impatiently kicking my heels.. I get no respect..<br />
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I go back to Alexa's classroom and grab my granola bar because I am darn near starving from all the calories I have burnt with my impatient pacing. And the teacher tells me to just keep doing what I am doing and don't worry about the other teacher. But I feel sort of stuck in the middle because Alexa's teacher is new and I don't want it to seem like she's bossy or stepping on any of the other teachers toes, so I decide to go directly to the 'clowns mouth' and go back to the office to hear the directions for myself.<br />
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Once I get the right office worker to help me she comes out with a diagram of all the boards, their locations, and the respective teacher that has that space. OMG, 45 minutes later she tells me I can use a different board than the only I've already started and I've been asked if I am a new teacher FOUR times (which I kindly deny while pointing at my VISITOR name tag... and without shouting, "NO who would want to work with you people?!?!?!") So I try to re-think how I am going to un-staple the part that I already have stapled, and move it to this other wall.. when another 2nd grade teacher comes up and says that I can use the board I am using, and that the teachers have already worked it out.. Okay, back to ground zero.<br />
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But I got it done, and when I was finished the original teacher who caused such a fuss came and said it looked nice, and I politely said that I was sorry for the confusion and I hope it all works out in her favor.<br />
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I CANNOT believe elementary school politics. Those teachers were practically brawling over corkboards!<br />
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So here's hoping that tomorrow is better, however the school staplers suck.. Seriously 4 staples before you get one that works - I told the office that they need to get a Swingline and they'll never have to replace them again.. The bureaucracy of it all - I may just bring my own stapler with me.. Might be easier and faster that way.Lielaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00450915442936254389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3893090995652361586.post-80537434091250120742011-10-03T13:26:00.000-07:002011-10-03T13:26:39.459-07:00Kindergarten and Second Grade!The kiddos are in school all day now, wow! (They were in school all day last year too, but this year they are at the SAME school - which is huge!) Alexa is doing well, she likes her teacher and she seems to be learning. She comes home with homework, a lot of homework. Her teacher taught 3rd grade last year and I think she really pushes the kids to do their best and stretch their imaginations. It's been a little challenging but I like that Alexa is being challenged (her homework last year took her less than 5 minutes to complete and was pretty much a no-brainer).<br />
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Adrianne is adjusting, I am still helping her out in the morning but she is getting better and make a TON of friends. That kid is a friend magnet - we have had many playdate requests already. I love spending time in her classroom and getting to know all the others kids, which is challenging because 1/2 the kids names start with either an 'A' or a 'B'... like Aiden, Braden, Alexys, there is even an Adrianna.. yikes! I could not believe it, I don't know how the teacher keeps them all straight. Adrianne is not getting any homework - which drives me bonkers! I give her challenging worksheets everyday after school, and we always add in time for reading. Her class this year is working on Heart words, which are words they should know by heart - she knows most of them.. and they are learning their ABC's in sign language - which she also knows as she learned them all at Kidspace (LOVE that place). So I'm not sure how much she is currently being challenged, but I am Super confident that her teacher (who taught 2nd grade last year) is going to push her as far as she can.. which I LOVE. They already told me that her first of the year assessment put her at the top of the entire kindergarten class, WOW! (and considering she lost a lot of reading words while in the Philippines, I am very proud of her).<br />
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Alexa is taking her time to meet new friends. She said that she still plays with her friends from last year and hasn't made any new friends from her classroom. Although the other day she did say that she spent the entire recess talking to a 'girl who I forgot her name' and she was proud of herself for talking to someone new :) She has also started back with her Girl Scout troop so she will be making some new friends there. We even let her friend come over for a playdate - which has never happened before. It was fun, I'm hoping we can do it again.<br />
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Adrianne informed me this morning, much to my SHOCK, that, "Yesterday when I was getting my backpack, Braden held my hand..." OMG, WHAT?!?! NO way child, my hand is the only hand you will be holding for the next 12 to 15 years - no exceptions! It was all I could do to refrain from saying, "Which BOY.. Show me him NOW!" LOL. But I am biased because I am still attached to her little romance that she had with Hayden at Kidspace - he was the cutest kid ever, he's totally going to be a heart-breaker, and I've always wanted a boy named Hayden... so I could have a cute little son-in-law, someday.. (I guess you know I'll be having a hard time with getting attached to the BF's later on..)<br />
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Everything else is going well, I've been doing awesome (well I have a sore throat at the minute, but still). In fact I am so looking forward to the holiday season I'm excited to spend it happy and joyful this year. Lets keep the good times rolling :) It's so much nicer to feel happy and content instead of always worried and uncomfortable. My world is in a good place, may is stay there for the long run!Lielaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00450915442936254389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3893090995652361586.post-50736707948981289832011-05-04T19:45:00.000-07:002011-05-04T19:45:09.188-07:00A First..Today while driving to my counseling session I saw how nice and sunny it was, seriously a rarity this spring, and I thought to myself: "I wish I could take the kids to the zoo today."<br />
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Then I realized how much of a turn around I have had since a couple months ago when not only would I panic at the thought of leaving the house, but I was also unable to drive my car. It's amazing to feel empowered by the sheer 'opportunity' to do normal things, especially when normal has been lost for so long.<br />
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Here's to many more moments of sun and that pull of excitement.Lielaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00450915442936254389noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3893090995652361586.post-9123845993610147822011-02-13T11:26:00.000-08:002011-02-13T11:26:14.203-08:00Too Much Information... Period.Before reading, please take a careful look at the last word in my Title, because that is what this is about...<br />
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Did you look at the word? <br />
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If no, please look again.<br />
If yes, proceed with caution.<br />
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So here goes.. I don't have a normal 'one'... which has never bothered me, I mean who would be bothered by only having 2 to 3 of 'those weeks' per year, instead of having 12 of them? Plus you can really save alot of money when a box of P's or T's last a whole year! It's like getting a haircut and not having to buy as much shampoo - well not quite the same, but you get the drift.<br />
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However, when I was at the doc for my 'annual' well not really annual for me, as I haven't went since I had Adrianne.. but anyway, after much poking and prodding - which I still don't understand why I have to pay someone to do those torcherous things to my innards - the doc said that I should take something to force my body to have a 'cycle'. I looked at her and said, "Well I produced two kids just fine, with or without regularity. So I would say that things are working just fine in there." Or so it would seem. So I explained to her that the docs don't give you a B/C prescription unless you have an 'annual' so I have not been on B/C since Adrianne. Of course, she gave me a look of pure shock and countered with, "So if you get pregnant, that is okay with you?" I just rolled my eyes, saying, "It's been five years, and on top of that I GOT pregnant with Adrianne when I was on the pill!" I don't think she liked my answer. In my mind it's harder to 'plan' the perfect flower filled pregnancy, why not just let it happen when it happens? I know others don't share that thought, but after having two unexpected little darlings that I love dearly, I just don't think it would 'ruin' me to have another unexpected snotty-nosed delight drop into my world.<br />
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But then the doc explained to me that if the body does not rid itself of these 'toxins' then it could be a pre-curser for cancer... I'm not sure about the 'fact' of that, but I caved anyway. And after going through the poking and prodding I guess I might as well take one more pill (along with my others).<br />
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Only now four weeks into it... and I am beginning to think I might have made the wrong choice. The cramps and chocolate cravings, irritability and bloated-ness, are really not putting me in a happy place. Twelve of these.... one down, 11 more to go.<br />
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But I'm supposed to be looking at the 'brighter' side of things! So here is the bright side: I will not have another doctor look at me with shock, confusion, and disbelief; when I state that it's been nine months since my last cycle.. Bonus :)Lielaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00450915442936254389noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3893090995652361586.post-59164812546709322902011-02-10T23:06:00.000-08:002011-02-10T23:11:52.570-08:00Happy Valentine's Day MommyYesterday while at school Adrianne made this cute little Valentine bag for me, I asked her why it was empty and she said because it was for a present at home..<br />
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So imagine my surprise when I headed to bed and found it sitting right under my bedside lamp.. I thought, "Wow, how thoughtful of her to surprise me like that. What a sweet little darling angel."<br />
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Then I looked inside and had a mixed reaction, I was both glad that she was so thoughtful.. and sad that this is where here thinking led...<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Here is the bag she made:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGrLJaZiD4KVM5Qjvegihz5Sh8kPTxRU1WEJUovFWIH7RLd84XUb7yTFdXLvn7NhbPyQRJgpARedj_mucPgjsedogbdvtdt-XJ2MkFl6exzWKuT0ZtmSOObAC57xiVQe8RVWwZ68wjRo8/s1600/DSCF6470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGrLJaZiD4KVM5Qjvegihz5Sh8kPTxRU1WEJUovFWIH7RLd84XUb7yTFdXLvn7NhbPyQRJgpARedj_mucPgjsedogbdvtdt-XJ2MkFl6exzWKuT0ZtmSOObAC57xiVQe8RVWwZ68wjRo8/s320/DSCF6470.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">This is what I saw inside: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7TuVm14xbZcQFGfGY40xYTOkOLne5DI5_Hf9nJPcZIolnIV7Hv_W92WwHeCHOg_usH-YnRWPprGSiepBRhkenFO8t_hZdL1nzYg5QebXigdAJ74taK8bNLKaareDuo88tX8ZjsL9DfPM/s1600/DSCF6472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7TuVm14xbZcQFGfGY40xYTOkOLne5DI5_Hf9nJPcZIolnIV7Hv_W92WwHeCHOg_usH-YnRWPprGSiepBRhkenFO8t_hZdL1nzYg5QebXigdAJ74taK8bNLKaareDuo88tX8ZjsL9DfPM/s320/DSCF6472.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">A closer look.. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWliThhu8bT0MISuJJ03wQ4oBne93fVdsBHY9xvy-SSln1vdcQHoA4tDRSgG0K8QluW6TzXR0Tfv_Nx_3eO4Z1LCG8f6k_nOVF4Sh0p2bAYEo60WgGOxr-zPVZaFxp0NlkVNII8FG-vGo/s1600/DSCF6473-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWliThhu8bT0MISuJJ03wQ4oBne93fVdsBHY9xvy-SSln1vdcQHoA4tDRSgG0K8QluW6TzXR0Tfv_Nx_3eO4Z1LCG8f6k_nOVF4Sh0p2bAYEo60WgGOxr-zPVZaFxp0NlkVNII8FG-vGo/s320/DSCF6473-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Yup, that is my gift... one of my prescriptions (which I take in the morning, hence why it sits on my nightstand) and a pair of earplugs that I wear to bed so I can sleep without being awoken by every bump in the night.<br />
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The doctor today said I should think about the 'brighter' side of things.... so I guess all I have to say is that I DO always tell her that these medicines will make mommy feel better. And thankfully I think they are working because I do see how this could have been a depressing V-day gift, but on the other hand it's really thoughtful - especially for a 5 year old.Lielaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00450915442936254389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3893090995652361586.post-2830786731618853732011-01-31T18:41:00.000-08:002011-01-31T18:41:32.430-08:00I'm tired of the sickies...I feel yucky. If I don't eat, I feel yucky, if I do eat, I feel yucky... I'm not happy about it at all. The evenings are the worst as I think that is when my Prilosec starts to fail me (although I take a second dose before dinner).<br />
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Just found a psychologist who can hopefully help me with my anxiety/coping issues. And more so I hope she can find a better medication for me (I don't think the one I am on is strong enough/working properly). So I have yet another appointment for Feb. 10th. It's all doctors for me.. Gosh I wish to never see the bills rolling in, but I know they will soon.<br />
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Also J spent 5 days in the hospital, again with his blood clot from 2008. He is out now and on blood thinners. They say he has a clotting disorder, called Lupus Anticoagulant, there isn't very much information out there about it or if it can be passed on genetically. We are going to meet with a hematologist next month to get more information (even he had to spend time researching it).<br />
<br />
Well I'm going to plop myself in my usual resting spot on the couch and watch some more meaningless TV (atleast I can stay focused on it now, haha). This is a long, long road... and although it took a couple months to get to this place, I think it may take several more to get out of it.. Total craziness - next time I go off my meds, someone whack some sense into me :)Lielaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00450915442936254389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3893090995652361586.post-78321757442081297442011-01-22T20:17:00.000-08:002011-01-22T20:17:49.245-08:00To Blog, or not to Blog....I really hate complaining about everything, but recently that's about all I've been able to do. So just roll with me for now.<br />
<br />
On the upside, today was bright and sunny and I spent several hours just sitting in the sunlight - because I believe it really can improve a persons well being. I went outside and filled my bird feeders (took me a while to find something to do that didn't require much energy). I also did the dishes - my first time doing them in over a week, and cleaned off some of the counters and the coffee maker. I had an energy today that I haven't felt in about a month.<br />
<br />
Which is kinda strange.. why is it strange you ask? Well, mostly because yesterday I spent 95% of the day in bed crying in pain and wishing my hubby would run me over with the car. I have no idea what the big difference was between the two days? I do know however, that yesterday I ended up with the worst chest pains I have ever experienced in my life. Honest to goodness the pain was unbearable and topped up there with full on labor. If I was older I would have thought I was having a heart attack because seriously it was like a elephant was chillin' on my chest. I took 4 pepto bismols and had no relief. I suffered for FOUR hours... OMG it was the worst hours, and I just wanted it to end. But then I thought about Melanie and her chewy tums that she had when we went to Dallas, and I immediately sent my aunt to the store to buy some... Thank god for tums, I may have to invest in them, maybe 2 minutes after chewing them up, the elephant decided to get his fat @$$ off my chest and I felt so much better. I could actually get up and walk around, it was a miracle (ofcourse then I was mad at myself for not thinking of it 4 hours before!).<br />
<br />
I had some additional discomfort throughout the night, but I was able to sleep from 2am to 8am, maybe that is why I feel better today. I hope tomorrow will be like today, and that everyday after that will continue to improve.<br />
<br />
On the other hand, J is having some major stomach issues. To the point where he spent 80% of today on the couch, it's so sad to see him in pain. He is usually able to ignore any pain and just work right thought it - so I know this must be serious. And he is supposed to start working Saturdays this week and throughout tax season.<br />
<br />
I really hope we get better soon, it seems like this has been going on for ages. And with me feeling better, and then taking a 180 turn around, people are starting to think I'm crazy (or maybe I just think they think I am crazy... I've always had perception issues). I'm so glad my aunt has been able to take the kiddos to school and pick them up, and even do the dishes for me and keep the kids entertained. When we feel better we will have to do something nice for her.Lielaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00450915442936254389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3893090995652361586.post-58741163871612338532011-01-18T16:57:00.000-08:002011-01-18T16:57:36.584-08:00Shift it into AutopilotSo today was a big day. It was the first day that I have taken the kids to school this year. A task I was previously unable to accomplish due to a range of issues. So I had relied on family and friends to take the girls to school and pick them up each day for the last two weeks. But since I have been feeling somewhat better I decided that it is time for me to 'test the waters'... and I think I did pretty good. I delivered them both on time, and with minimal heart palpitations. I did however notice just how 'out of it' I have gotten.<br />
<br />
I had mentioned this feeling to a few people over the long weekend, just about how I generally feel like I am either zoned out or just going through the motions, similar to flying on autopilot. I feel like I'm just going through the day and doing what I absolutely HAVE to do. I notice that I turn on the TV but I don't really give a rip what is on, I don't really laugh at the comedies, nor do I feel sad at the dramas. It's a strange feeling to have, or should I say, not have.<br />
<br />
The people that I talked to about this said that it is probably just that the brain chemicals are still out of whack and I need to give it all more time to right itself. I guess this sounds logical, but it's sort of hard to drive when you find yourself randomly staring at the license plate of the car in front of you. Or when you can't decide if you want to lay down and rest or actually try to accomplish something.<br />
<br />
Other than feeling like a completely indecisive and emotion-less zombie, I think I am physically fine. I am back to eating a somewhat normal amount of food, and I can finally take a full size bite and drink water without sipping it! And my stomach is not continually churning and burning. I would say that physically I am probably about 90% - with the 10% missing being energy, muscle strength, and some random stomach pains.<br />
<br />
However, mentally I am struggling. I would say somewhere between 70-75% not much is holding my attention at this point. My hope is that this will get better, and that things will stabilize and I'll find myself doing normal things again, and perhaps even enjoying them. At this point I'm not even interested in doing crafts (*gasp* how can that be?).<br />
<br />
I had to take the semester off of school, and honestly I am really glad I did. I can't imagine trying to keep up and stay focused, when I can't even maintain interest in a 30 minute TV show. But like everything, that choice has consequences too, like no loan money to help pay for Adrianne's school... luckily though, J got a raise, so I think we will be okay financially.<br />
<br />
Well I guess tomorrow is another day, and we will try the driving thing again. Alexa came home early today because she told the teacher that she felt sick (however she seems just fine to me). Hopefully tomorrow she will make it though the day. Time to put the potatoes and carrots in my roast, and Adrianne has a special pre-school night at the elementary school tonight - which J will have to take her because I don't think my heart can take any more today.Lielaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00450915442936254389noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3893090995652361586.post-54394036265013716072011-01-03T21:30:00.000-08:002011-01-03T21:30:13.349-08:00When did you change?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiyHvKZ61JgR8ei3bdebCvWO8J4HQ2By-ry59YfuQwW8du3XSbURirXbZ8MzS_N1FlSV1dy4wex56TsKg-Jw1O6f12WTwYYQXTqZjnXeF9brUgj8bHTHhlx3677td7sx67u4owD71f0xE/s1600/DSC00664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiyHvKZ61JgR8ei3bdebCvWO8J4HQ2By-ry59YfuQwW8du3XSbURirXbZ8MzS_N1FlSV1dy4wex56TsKg-Jw1O6f12WTwYYQXTqZjnXeF9brUgj8bHTHhlx3677td7sx67u4owD71f0xE/s320/DSC00664.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> January 30th, 2006</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I can hardly believe that this little bundle of joy is celebrating her 5th Birthday today. I don't know where the time went but I am sad to see it go. It could be the lack of meds that has me watery-eyed but I'm sad that I can barely carry you and that you no longer need me as you used to. However, I am happy to see you growing and becoming your own person. You definitely do not stand in your big sister shadow and you make your own path wherever you go. Everyone who knows you, knows that you're a ball of energy with a big attitude. And we all love you very much.<br />
<br />
I'm sorry I've been such an emotional yo-yo during this holiday season, and just to hear you ask, "Mommy why are you crying?" has gotten me horribly upset and turned me even more into a nutcase. I may be having some internal chemical issues but I still love you dearly and you're the best little person a mommy could ask for. And this mommy hopes that within the week things will turn around into better days. I hate to admit but I really got knocked off my feet in December and what started as a little hand full of snow has turned into an all out blizzard. It's like living in a nightmare, but I don't want to miss any of these amazing memories and I will do my best to remember all the good things even if I cannot enjoy them to the fullest at the moment.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZPQL1Yn7eL6SW_Khtr1722BinagMH4ru1y8UZVdZSlZs8kyF7hufO5HObXlUPii7xbA99UIuxafFlgy_UGfiqJYDOIsDENEPY7tDEMyqDltioaqZVxepF8VVcdbV-vw86fGA06hKwT4/s1600/DSCF6288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZPQL1Yn7eL6SW_Khtr1722BinagMH4ru1y8UZVdZSlZs8kyF7hufO5HObXlUPii7xbA99UIuxafFlgy_UGfiqJYDOIsDENEPY7tDEMyqDltioaqZVxepF8VVcdbV-vw86fGA06hKwT4/s320/DSCF6288.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> It took Two Walmarts but we FINALLY found 'the' bike!</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd3jpOHE14NHJCO6Eg2KCAOT3XukF9CSh9rhyphenhyphen4t3sWpTWTqvw25jCNACP3v9Fwe8-isHSeOKh3ooXBXm_IOgUoZVLwGlbGrdcRhT6w0o0_5iU_DNnOoYDKg5kF3Z8l12CW2DnaYDYe_K8/s1600/DSCF6291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd3jpOHE14NHJCO6Eg2KCAOT3XukF9CSh9rhyphenhyphen4t3sWpTWTqvw25jCNACP3v9Fwe8-isHSeOKh3ooXBXm_IOgUoZVLwGlbGrdcRhT6w0o0_5iU_DNnOoYDKg5kF3Z8l12CW2DnaYDYe_K8/s320/DSCF6291.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Hey they are both smiling!</div><div style="text-align: center;">(No my kitchen is not florescent yellow, and those cupcakes got banged around in the back of the car, oops!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPhwuiAKFezTFHbPgzSEfBVjrJlkfnXAmKSgc-UbB6B-nP90-hMl5yhTxzL5YmWXcvza2RqdLKG6KXY7D4mux1u94NqkVruaR7LfkO6uYFYWNBT3vBlBonaFlJhlaxPOqhGL5leVOxrc/s1600/DSCF6296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPhwuiAKFezTFHbPgzSEfBVjrJlkfnXAmKSgc-UbB6B-nP90-hMl5yhTxzL5YmWXcvza2RqdLKG6KXY7D4mux1u94NqkVruaR7LfkO6uYFYWNBT3vBlBonaFlJhlaxPOqhGL5leVOxrc/s320/DSCF6296.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> A little blurry but I had to add this one.. she's like a little monkey :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglCpRc2kpiKUSkwXSEoydhXor0lurLZJV-49oZj6tD9YSx4iMP2tqCz_ra7JxbyUlZzUzhU5lFsO1bHNM6DO7Z4ye5sfUnWrpDgOvGT2Vs632JSWfklLj933KtSubL97H_zcwY59A5Dbc/s1600/DSCF6298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglCpRc2kpiKUSkwXSEoydhXor0lurLZJV-49oZj6tD9YSx4iMP2tqCz_ra7JxbyUlZzUzhU5lFsO1bHNM6DO7Z4ye5sfUnWrpDgOvGT2Vs632JSWfklLj933KtSubL97H_zcwY59A5Dbc/s320/DSCF6298.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Birthday!</div>Lielaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00450915442936254389noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3893090995652361586.post-1643823003317369262010-12-19T13:57:00.000-08:002010-12-19T13:57:00.762-08:00ahh.. the smell of Christmas<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So I haven't been a total stick in the mud, we did take a rainy afternoon and hunt down the perfect Christmas tree. All boots and umbrellas but a good time was had by all. We went to the usual spot of Thortons, which we've been going to for years and years. It's not a bad lot, but it sure was busy the day we went and it was all I could do to find parking! The girls had fun looking at all the "baby" trees and Mr. J was glad it didn't take us all day to pick one (he actually insisted on getting the first one we saw, as I like to wonder for atleast another hour and then come back to the first one.. he's starting to know me too well!)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiigGiuFjBUwQ2_oL82aBQiV8BwaaSeNs_v1-OZEaBnBU2FH1LXSb1QMmFWM53wbrUwHT3_rL37Fc7thkTrPISZirw4_xRwmH-GoMDJx8tuDpeeLf-urBSz7_5EnBoE-b6bCCHU-RF6kNk/s1600/DSCF6214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiigGiuFjBUwQ2_oL82aBQiV8BwaaSeNs_v1-OZEaBnBU2FH1LXSb1QMmFWM53wbrUwHT3_rL37Fc7thkTrPISZirw4_xRwmH-GoMDJx8tuDpeeLf-urBSz7_5EnBoE-b6bCCHU-RF6kNk/s320/DSCF6214.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwxEbbVd2oYnrYp-3OfENYVnNILax7OU9lECfIZ44gztaEHmQ7VwmGMKJQrQKlu2hLijglS9vb_LMpAbYSewquS1b32v9bzzyGEBHlrUqD5fpgohkquhhTL_r4iOKN9RekPAB6rMafqso/s1600/DSCF6217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwxEbbVd2oYnrYp-3OfENYVnNILax7OU9lECfIZ44gztaEHmQ7VwmGMKJQrQKlu2hLijglS9vb_LMpAbYSewquS1b32v9bzzyGEBHlrUqD5fpgohkquhhTL_r4iOKN9RekPAB6rMafqso/s320/DSCF6217.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuNxR93_JHTTgRFmfqLjXDtxkj1-Ell2p3t4XDZMtR4nSlvI6_go1w3sVmyODIOMthNbYHRsRImxVRYbCxj5qh7CRNHlNTrshJXq10hGUJbArteA7Lr2mRNyE6OxNG8YNaH7tj5JgtXEc/s1600/DSCF6218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuNxR93_JHTTgRFmfqLjXDtxkj1-Ell2p3t4XDZMtR4nSlvI6_go1w3sVmyODIOMthNbYHRsRImxVRYbCxj5qh7CRNHlNTrshJXq10hGUJbArteA7Lr2mRNyE6OxNG8YNaH7tj5JgtXEc/s320/DSCF6218.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHTKNt6uyIdod0jVjc9_CB7g2RqiVIqBZgTmQCTT7_7JSY_LzcmcSswJV5sW2ZYIcfcdCl4l_qp01UGEZ1eojcDEZFpFCPf7fdM4kjjy5mPyT8c5cbTDAhCfr-vsqsJzgKlDl-D9d39zA/s1600/DSCF6219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHTKNt6uyIdod0jVjc9_CB7g2RqiVIqBZgTmQCTT7_7JSY_LzcmcSswJV5sW2ZYIcfcdCl4l_qp01UGEZ1eojcDEZFpFCPf7fdM4kjjy5mPyT8c5cbTDAhCfr-vsqsJzgKlDl-D9d39zA/s320/DSCF6219.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9alcpR1Q1KB-p1P9Q0jBUibWfQPrAdirccmyttbc9ZUtrFL2yOory7BHPtqjyV8C3v83dpu1fMD-AU1LvEYef-KtG7LLTpmnBMoL8tXIHdXiDWmJ6FV_Xg3y_hA5aKADLon3uEot0llU/s1600/DSCF6220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9alcpR1Q1KB-p1P9Q0jBUibWfQPrAdirccmyttbc9ZUtrFL2yOory7BHPtqjyV8C3v83dpu1fMD-AU1LvEYef-KtG7LLTpmnBMoL8tXIHdXiDWmJ6FV_Xg3y_hA5aKADLon3uEot0llU/s320/DSCF6220.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> And Alexa had a special day at school, she got to do some special holiday activities and came home with a gingerbread house, un-decorated and falling apart.. After two mental breakdowns because the roof would not stay on and the candies weren't sticking the way she wanted, I caved in and decided to help (isn't that the motherly thing to do!) So I globbed on the frosting, and put some in a ziploc so we could get those candies to stick on properly. After placing EVERY candy on the tiny house, this is what she came up with.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGEYKIAE8LnnRszSOrVf_-16kNVl6YmPv8jym30uv8pvtoVOo5YOxmg28yf6UYSVFkIOpXEH6qtJKrZP99BuSFfvY7ADkVfxsSLYlolM7r9dw8y0xAR7qU48utiAKFGH03TaVO4_JHL8A/s1600/DSCF6235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGEYKIAE8LnnRszSOrVf_-16kNVl6YmPv8jym30uv8pvtoVOo5YOxmg28yf6UYSVFkIOpXEH6qtJKrZP99BuSFfvY7ADkVfxsSLYlolM7r9dw8y0xAR7qU48utiAKFGH03TaVO4_JHL8A/s320/DSCF6235.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Not bad, and she seemed to have a really good time decorating it. Sometimes I have to remember that she's only 6.. and she really does need help.</div>Lielaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00450915442936254389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3893090995652361586.post-73054871193518384722010-12-18T11:41:00.000-08:002010-12-18T11:41:55.678-08:00It's that time again..You know that time, the time when the holidays roll around and everything seems rushed. I just want to sit around and read a book, relax, and do nothing.. but there are parties, and commitments and playdates. There are decorations, baking, cleaning, and laundry (always laundry). It can be so overwhelming, and I am totally feeling it. I'm not trying to complain, although I probably will be by the time I am done writing this, it just seems that I cannot catch a break.<br />
<br />
Luckily I did all of my holiday shopping (right after Thanksgiving) because I knew I would be stressing out when the big day got closer. And I've decided to limit our decorations this year because it's just too much to put it up and take it back down again.. But now that I am on break I see my list of things I WANT to get done is really crazy long. I have really set the bar too high and it's overwhelming.<br />
<br />
One child got to see Santa yesterday, but the other is yet to go.. I need to work that into the mix. And we have a gingerbread house that needs to be made, and some Christmas gifts that need to be made.. oh and the Christmas cards that need to be written. And I have work to do. I keep telling myself that I can do all of that in one day if I just do it and get it done with... but maybe that is even too much for a day.<br />
<br />
Oh, well. I guess I just have to let go of my controlling OCD ways, and just do what I can and try to enjoy it in the process.. Time to find my inner zen.Lielaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00450915442936254389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3893090995652361586.post-87072824627231741852010-11-09T20:20:00.000-08:002010-11-09T20:20:58.636-08:00If you give a kid a rubber band...I wouldn't say my kiddos are super creative, yea they like to paint and draw... but in general they only do those types of things if I am encouraging them. But I see that one of them, no doubt while I was ignoring them trying to do homework, has found a new creative outlet..<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEtWSyxuqkVSp72X232PVL57tDQyf8b91H9TkV4Jo14-KAAeM5UGpoeBAXegSx4WwpioS4djqIeKRLEUG8xTQ34ulnvIjprThD1j-b5MNgkxQ6euodqnALe-jSAqAbSMB7Meb33oMTGxM/s1600/DSCF6173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEtWSyxuqkVSp72X232PVL57tDQyf8b91H9TkV4Jo14-KAAeM5UGpoeBAXegSx4WwpioS4djqIeKRLEUG8xTQ34ulnvIjprThD1j-b5MNgkxQ6euodqnALe-jSAqAbSMB7Meb33oMTGxM/s400/DSCF6173.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
I guess my kids can make some pretty unique creations :) Needless to say, I hope I am not the one who needs something out of those drawers... Let it be J who has to un-tangle all those!Lielaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00450915442936254389noreply@blogger.com2