Sometimes Crazy just works

I have to admit when I first read Mari Kondo empties her pocketbook daily, I thought she was a bit crazy. Then I was at Target trying to pull out my wallet from all the junk that had piled into my bag since I cleaned it out the week prior. Maybe. Just maybe...she's not so crazy. With all the purging, I knew I had an empty box. One afternoon I plunged into the deep end and dumped everything out of my bag.

Now, remember, I had not completely finished my closet. I spent the next half hour rearranging my closet so I would have a shelf for just purses. I did have them in a hanging system on the rod, but it was behind the door and there was no space available for a box. Plus, I'd been toying with the idea of getting rid of it anyway. Out it went. An empty shelf was created and low and behold, a box filled with everything I usually carry in my bag at some point.

I have been using this method for about two weeks now. I love it! My bag is always clean. I can change bags depending on where I'm going or just my mood. To be honest, I only have five bags but they range in sizes so depending on what I need for the day I have choices.

I have a long way to go to finish organizing. Some days I am overwhelmed by it all. Then there are the days when I look at something and smile. And think, "that brings me joy".

I knew things were going too well

Today was our third day of school. I woke up at 3:30am with my throat sore and swollen.

The girls made a giant cookie yesterday for our favorite toy store manager (who is leaving for bigger and brighter things). I had planned on putting the icing on it this morning, but I didn't want to do anything with it not knowing if I was contagious or not. So the girls started their day with more home economics. We delivered the cookie and returned home just in time for my doctor's appointment.

Both of my ears are full of fluid...again. But I'm not contagious so I can still attend taekwondo graduation tomorrow night. Woohoo! Jesse will be mid-terming with her fourth degree taekwondo form. She is doing really well. Her board break is going to be awesome! She practiced last night; it is an unassisted reverse hook kick. Basically, Master Mike will hold the bottom of the board and Jesse knocks the top half off. She did great last night at practice. I'm really glad my graduation is not tomorrow night, since the fluid on my eardrums was preventing me from getting past the fourth move of the form last night. lol

Anyway, back to school. I was so proud of the girls today. Honestly, I have not felt well all day. While I was at the doctor's office, they diligently worked on their school work. They even continued to work after I returned home, deboned a chicken, then took a short nap. They couldn't have made me prouder if they tried. Their reward...they are in the pool with John as I type.

Happy Earth Day!

I had big plans for Earth day. In fact, I had been planning for a couple of weeks. But alas the best laid plans. Chloe started coughing yesterday morning, and by last night her throat was very sore. This morning she was diagnosed with strep. So, no Earth day plans and no school. Rest is what she has been doing.

Jesse has been bored all day and making sure I know it. I've been working on some projects that didn't get done over the weekend because I was helping John with a yard project.

The yard project is a raised garden bed. All the wood has been stained (Avalanche-white) and the boards have been pre-drilled. We just have to put it in place, fill it with dirt and plants. Then we're off! I'm hoping we'll get it finished this weekend. We are also hoping to get the pool area re-leveled. So much yard work! lol 

We spent Saturday at my parents' house. We were celebrating quite a few things: Easter, Mother's Day and our anniversary. My Mom dyed eggs with girls. I've decided that next I'm getting my Mom her own eggs to dye; she kept taking the girls! lol

I've lost count with how many times Hank has been to my parents now. But I think he is feeling comfortable.

I'll start with the theatre. Chloe was, kind of, happy to find out she is the smallest wolf, so she gets to jump on Maurice's (Josh's) back. It is a good thing she kind of knows Josh or else I think she would feel weird about jumping on someone she didn't know. lol  Of course, they have only had one practice and she was having problems getting up on his back. She as asked if I could practice with her, so I think I am going to be sore. :)

Jesse had her first choreography rehearsal last night. She was promoted from "condiment" to "cheese". Those in my family are going to laugh to find out we have another "cheese". LOL  I think she is enjoying it, but she is not the biggest fan of the choreographer. I reminded her last night that I told her everything I had heard about the woman and she (Jesse) still wanted to audtion. In other words, child you made you bed...you know the rest.

School went fantastic last semester!! This is the first year we have put in ninety days, by the end of December! It is a good thing considering John is having to take three or four days off each month, in addition to his regular days off. And now we'll be able to take them off with him. Yeah!

I have to say I have learned a lot while teaching the girls. For instance, I never knew where Mesopatamia was. Now I know and I get it.  The other day John and I were watching a TV show and they were discussing Pavlov's dog. Today when the girls and I were watching another show and they mentioned Pavlov's dog. I got to explain it to them. I loving getting it!!

I am happy to say I spoke with my Dad this morning and he is going to try the treatment.

"Normal?"

So. I went to the ENT today. I had my hearing checked. It was normal. I had my ears checked. No fluid. I had my "crystals" checked and I'm normal. In other words, there is nothing he can do for me now. So I had no reason to worry. No surgeries in my future...for now. I just have to [continue] living with the fact I cannot breathe well through my nose, I cannot hear well (phones are my enemy) and I still will not be able to follow conversations well in public places.

My normal.

Changes start today!

Taekwondo starts back today, seems like we were just there. One month goes by quickly!! Mike gave me the option to continue teaching one night each week or go back to just teaching the white/yellow belt class and assisting with the other classes. I chose to go back to just teaching the white/yellow belt class. After talking with John, we decided I may do better, with everything going on, with a little less stress where I can get it. We start back tonight. I am excited to see who returns to class.

I go to the ENT today. Finally!! They originally had me scheduled for the week we went to Disney, then we changed it to the 29th. When we got home from Disney, I found a letter in the mail where they changed the date to the 3rd. So. Today, I go to see Chloe's ENT. While the vertigo has stayed at bay, I have had a few issues still. My ears, at times, hurt. I have had a little dizziness, but nothing like the vertigo I experienced awhile back. I am somewhat anxious about what he is going to tell me. I really have no idea. John thinks they are going to want to put tubes in my ears. My Dad think some surgery may be in my future too. I am trying not to think about it.

A ruined Thanksgiving

Alright, I'm sure it will turn out okay. But far from what we thought it would be. You see I made a mistake. I adore my husband, you know that, but he has been bugging me all season to get the girls a flu shot. They did not want a shot but were willing to do the nasal mist. Last Wednesday, I took the girls in for their annual check-ups and they received the FluMist. The staff asked several times if we lived with someone who was compromised. Well, no. I assumed a week would be sufficient for us to visit my parents for Thanksgiving.

Saturday morning the girls woke up with low-grade fevers. I got on-line to see if I could find out if they were contagious or not. Low and behold I found out they were for 21 days! Realistically, it is the holiday season and I really felt the doctor's office should not have been so concerned about "living with" someone compromised, so much as "visiting anyone in 21 days" who is compromised. I am happy to report that particular doctor's office is changing the questions the ask their patients. However, that does not help us.

With Dad's white blood cell count so low (fluctuating between 1 and 2) we cannot visit them this week. I am very sad, especially since Dad was too sick to make the drive down last year. Which is the reason we were going up there this year. I'm sure the food will be good and we will still enjoy the parade, but it is not what we (I) thought it was going to be.

A glimpse into our day (today)

Today was commissary day since I could not go yesterday. We set out about 6:30am. When we walked into the commissary we were met with the fact they had rearranged the ENTIRE store. I am so thankful we had a short list today! lol Got home to find the milk I bought had a small hole in it so I put it into a carton that was practically empty. Still I remained calm. A difficult task for me usually.

Shortly thereafter we set out for the library and a few other errands. When we reached the library Chloe asked, "What is that strange sound?" Oh gee, I don't know. Could it be my tire!!! Yep, it was my tire. Called John. Then decided he didn't want to change a tire right in front of the library so I moved it to the side parking lot. Looked at the tire again and yep there was huge nail in it. But at least the air was not coming out as quick. John followed me to Wal-mart and we purchased two new tires. Joy.

I had to come clean on Facebook so I will here too. I had to have a colonoscopy yesterday. Not something you really want to talk about but the lack of food makes you go a little loopy I guess. It did eventually make me sick as I thought it may. But enough was in my system to do what it had to. Every thing came back okay and I'm good for ten years. But it does remind us that our goal to change our diet needs to be fulfilled.

I have neglected a very special person this week because my mind has been on things closer to home. We all, here in Lugoff, hope that Morgan had a wonderful 13th birthday despite the fact she had to go to school! Love you Morgan!!! Your gift is in the mail. I apologize (publicly) for it being late. :)

Christmas goodies

I love this time of year for a few reasons but the big one is this: I can make all the goodies I want to then send them off to other people to devour. I love to bake and make sweets. I just don't need the calories that come with them sitting in this house.

So far I have sent candy covered pretzels and Oreos to John's work (per their request). Our librarians received a batch of candy covered Oreos along with our hair dresser. John decided last night that he should have something homemade. I melted the candy, but he was so excited I let him dip the pretzels. He added sprinkles. He said they were great and Chloe agreed. Jesse and I have not had one yet, but by the end of the day I'm sure that will change.

I have yet to bake anything though. I'm thinking pumpkin cupcakes, but I have not decided for sure yet. We'll make cookies for Santa much closer to Christmas but the girls haven't told me what kind yet. In the past, we have made sugar cookies and peanut butter cookies. I have a feeling it will be on of the two for this year.

Unfortunately, I have a doctor's appointment right at the beginning of January. I gained a little weight over our vacation, and since there is no TKD for December, it is still with me. I told the doc last year I'd lose ten pounds. I hate to go back, not only not losing, but higher than before. So, most of our goodies this year have to go somewhere else. It is just so sad.

How sad am I...

very! I took the girls for the yearly check-up today. The doctor and I, somehow, started talking about how height is effected by puberty. And she was saying when young girls show signs of puberty they usually stop growing. I asked for clarification on "what signs exactly". And she said "breast tissue". BINGO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So that was it. We spent the next ten minutes discussing this about me (I started developing at 8, Jesse's current age). She said I probably would have qualified (if they did this then, I don't know for sure) for treatment to stop puberty so I could grow more. So, if I see any signs in the girls I am to bring them in immediately. I do want to give them every chance, especially Chloe (who grew 2 1/2 inches in the past year).